ThreeA ~ WWR : Square² Mk 1.5a

It's all their fault.
You suck.
My life's shit.
So I want to run.
YOURS. 3,2,1, BOOM!

Don't tell me that I'm crazy
Don't tell me I'm nowhere
Take it from me
It's hip to be square
- Huey Lewis and The News, It's Hip To Be Square.

A (mis) interpretation:

Category: Prototype droid.
Unit type: Experimental reconnaisance droid.
Model type:  Square² Mk 1.
Manufacturer: Rothchild Corporation.
Affiliation: Park Enzo Field Experimentation Lab, Ceres asteroid colony (former), The N.O.M. Legion - Selbstopfer Einsatzgruppen (former), the Fallens (current).
Height: 4 feet.
Weight: 80kg (w/o payload) 150kg (w. B1).
Armour type: Super hardened steel ceramic composite alloy.
Armour thickness: 30mm.
Power plant: Single turbo BRINK diesel engine.
Std. Armaments: Hyper auspex - multi spectrum and scanners; Remote enemy intelligence gathering, mapping, target positioning system; Empathy broadcast system; All terrain transverse system; Flippant attitude; "Alpha B-1" vacuum bomb; maschinensegnen Task Intelligence System v.1.

Used en masse by the N.O.M. faction during their assault on Rothchild Corporation on Luna in 20th July 1944, these reformatted via technopathy Squares are originally version 1.5a first produced and experimented on Park Enzo at the Ceres asteroid colony by the Rothchild Corporation. In addition to the standard function as scouts, gathering intelligence and mapping enemy movements and strengths, the experimental 1.5a Squares are intended to serve as saboteurs and raiders, carrying the devastating Alpha B-1 vacuum bombs to infiltrate behind enemy lines and strike at high-value targets of opportunity. The 1.5a Squares are different from the standard Squares, free from their standard child like voice and instead, adapt a hardcore, self-loathing, no holds barred attitude of a foul-mouth punk and anarchist. During the first field experimental test run, the 1.5a Squares ran amok and blown up a large swathe of areas, as well as claiming up to five thousand lives in the Rothchild Corporation experimental enclave, Park Enzo, within Ceres. Considered a failure, the remaining batches are marked for re-formatting for the Flatland Divisions when the N.O.M. Legion besieged the cargo ships and took them back to their Fortress Monastery.  They are imbued with upholding the principle of N.O.M., and become collectively known as the  Selbstopfer Einsatzgruppen or self sacrifice special group. They are specifically teleported to "deep strike" directly upon the position of their targets, detonating themselves and incinerate everything except for warbots with toughest armours or areas with  thickest protect barriers. They caused devastating damages and destruction in the oxygenated environments of the forge centres within the Rothchild City. Like domino effect, each suicide Square blows up one by one, destroying majority of the production lines and defense systems. The Alpha B-1 vacuum bombs also incinerated most of the Rothchild Internal Defense groups. Through them, the Rothchild defense lines were penetrated by N.O.M. warbots and assault groups. A handful of these Squares are still within N.O.M. possession after the assault. These remaining Squares aligned themselves with Barguest de Plume during the War of Unbelief, causing various devastations within the fortress monastery. A handful remains and continues to serve various N.O.M. renegade warbands.

ThreeA ~ WWR : Andy the MK2 Square²

Now Andy did you hear about this one
Tell me, are you locked in the punch
Hey Andy are you goofing on Elvis, hey baby, are we losing touch
If you believed they put a man on the moon, man on the moon
If you believe there's nothing up his sleeve, then nothing is cool
~ R.E.M., Man on the Moon.

A (mis) interpretation:

Category type: Droid.
Unit type: Mass production reconnaissance droid.
Model type: Square² Mk 2.
Designation : Andy.
Manufacturer: The Rothchild Corporation.
Affiliation: 12th "Deep Powder" Armoured Division, XX Corps, Eighth Army, 2nd Eurasia Army Group (former), The Adventure Kartel Collective(former), The Factory (current).
Height: 4 feet.
Weight: 50kg.
Armour type: Super hardened steel ceramic composite alloy.
Armour thickness: 30mm.
Power plant: Single turbo BRINK diesel engine.
Std. Armaments: Augmented sensor-auspex devices; Remote enemy intelligence gathering, mapping and target positioning systems; Empathy broadcast system; All terrain transverse system; Task Intelligence System ver. 3

'Where's that darn LP?', Tommy scratches his head. A customer is looking for the rare, signed copy of Bobby Dillon's Black on Blonde and more importantly, willing to pay for what Tommy wants. 'Great cataloguing skill, Tommy', he said to himself. Not in the display trays, not under the red couch, not under the bed. The vinyl player table. It should be there. 'Hi', the metal box which Tommy uses to place his LP player suddenly voices out. 'Huh?', Tommy, 'Thought I heard a voice'. Tommy listens once more and indeed, the metal box is speaking to him. Suspecting a poltergeist occurrence, Tommy chants an incantation to exorcise the box on the spot. Didn't work. 'Is this what you are looking for?', the box turns and slide the LP towards Tommy. 'Holy...', Tommy responds. 'Don't worry. Scan initiates. 180gm vinyl recorded sound device remain mint in cardboard slipcase. Smooth as a baby's bottom', the box responds in sickly, child-like vox. 'What the heck are you?', Tommy asks. 'Field recon and surveillance unit. Model Square². Mk 2. Product code #80746532. Eurasia "Deep Power" 12th Division', the box said. 'A Square?! Here in New Andria?! Oh, I'm f***ed!', Tommy panics. 'Oh no, you said the f-word. Hi hi hi', the Square giggles 'I heard a lot of the grunts said that on the fields. FUBAR!'.  Any military issued products are strictly off limit from the possession of civilians, regardless of what they say in the "news" about how the Squares or even certain warbots being "friendly", doubling up as emergency logistics or light cartage or even to substitute as a perfect child for those who wants one after the end of the Great War. No such shite. Just another Terra propaganda and hype. Get caught with one, its bye bye Kansas. You'll most likely spend some time at the Butcher's Bay penal colony or get drafted into the rotation list. But then again, there's a big demand for such stuffs in the black market. Hard cash. Even tits like Mo Prostate and King Thumb would scramble for one. 'I am Andy. Nice to meet you', the Square introduces itself. 'Uh,Tommy, Tommy Mission', the self styled, nominal leader of AK collective responds. He wants to add "shaken not stirred" but that would be too cliché. Tommy finds himself feeling more and more relax. Cosy. Nothing to worry about. One minute panic. Now, a crazy calm comes over him. Yeah...just keep it. For at least a while. The Square empathic system is working on Tommy...and he falls asleep on the red couch in his record store...

Tommy is dreaming about something regarding Lil Shadow and him, as a Zomb, running towards each other in a fields of golden flowers in a lovey, dovey stance like in those typical Megalopolis 8 "Bombay" movies love scene from the Maharashtra Sector, Oceania, when he suddenly awakes to find that the Square is standing two feet away from his face and starring at him. 'Holy...f*** me!!', Tommy screams. "Oh no, Uncle Tom. Coital activity is strictly prohibited and illegal with a Square. Instead may I suggest a more healthier activity, like going outside and play. It's pretty sunny today, Uncle Tom', the Square says. 'Listen, uh, Andy. I am twenty one, so please just call me Tommy 'kay?', Tommy feeling a bit agit and grabs a Narcissus mirror on the coffee table to reassure himself that his skin is still smooth as baby's bottom. The oil of Ulan seems to work. One or two acnes, but the Oxy should take care of it. 'But you are old. Your soul is old. And looks at those hands of yours', the Square retorts. 'Look, whatever my hands look like or what soul-train babbling you're talking about...I...darn it, forget it'.

Tommy never tells anyone but he is personally scared of Squares. He always find them creepy and weird, particularly the older models, which he had seen in those old newsreels. Beady eyes. Buck-ish two front teeth. Armless. Stumpy legs. Speaks in sickly, sweet children voices. Yeessh... And the current one in his presence still raises his goose bumps, though the beady eyes are now a mono, cyclopean type and the legs could be extended higher. Maybe one of those upgraded models. But the darn two front teeth with protruding upper lip and voice's still there. Those guys at Rothchild sure know a thing or two about design. 
'OK Tommy?', JC checks. 'What da heck is dat?', JC points at the Square. 'Uh, nothing. Just something a friend pass to me for safekeeping until he comes back', Tommy lies. 'Tommy, stop the lying. You're talking to me. The truth. NOW...', JC sternly said. 'Aight, old man. It's a Square. Remember the metal box that I used to place my LP player? Turns out to be one', Tommy explains. 'A Square? Hhhmmm...that explains it. I remember that prior to Bleak taking leave, he left the Hand, the note...and a metal box', JC recalls. 'What? Why you didn't tell me earlier? Now who's the liar?', Tommy agitates. 'Ya callin me a liar? Aight. Sorry. Memory not so good anymore. Pushing fifty and counting. Anyhoo, soooo you're aight, so I'm...uh...going to continue my trainings', JC sheepishly excuses himself and runs off to the second floor. 'By da way', JC shouts from the second floor, 'if you ain't got no use for it, you can give it to me. Could use one to train my Panzer Kunst'.

Tommy of course didn't give it to JC for the Square to turn into scrap metal. The Panzer Kunst. Shite. Something about channelling vibratory internal energy to bypass the armour to take down an armed and fully armoured opponent. When will all this end, Tommy wonders. 'Uncle Tom. You seems sad. Something is worrying you. Why not take a deep breath to relax abit. Look at the brighter side. Be positive. It's not going to rain all the time', Andy says. Outside is raining, and Tommy loves the rain and bleak, gray weather. Adds character walking in the rain. Maybe some chicks would notice his coolness and makes him forget about Lil Shadow for awhile. So the foolish, hipster would think. Coz one always catches cold and rashes from all the soaking in the acid water.
'Uncle Tom, there's something Grandpa Bleak wants to give it to you when we were back at Old Gran Yaga's home. It is in the container compartment on the left', Andy said. Tommy retrieves it and it reads, "Dear Tim, (scratch line) Tom." Tommy thought that old man couldn't even remember his own son's name. "Here's a Square which was accidentally imprinted on me. Follows me all the way here. I managed to tinker about the imprinting programme and reformatted it. I already got Custard, so I don't need another pet. I isolated the trace signal, so they won't know its here with you. Take care of it Tyrone (another scratch line), Tom. All info about Andy is on the other booklet. But remember Trent (yet, another scratch line) Tom. Do not try to imprint yourself to it unless you're ready. Coz, it will be absolutely loyal to you once you done so. But it is the responsibility that comes with it. If you're not ready to face the responsibility to take care of it, don't. Gotta go. Take care. P.S. Custard chewed on its right leg but I had restored it, well sort of, but it will walk with slight limp". The note ends. Maybe it is because Tommy hates Bleak for not being there for him. Maybe it is the depression acting up again. But Tommy doesn't want to take those depression pills anymore. It makes him weak and slow, mentally and physically. He will become an easy meal for a Zomb. Literally. The exercises help to exorcise his inner demons. And at least he no longer feel like taking his own life. So Tommy activates the imprinting protocol which irreversibly causes Andy to project love for him, the same as any child would love a parent. For Tommy, its a sort of middle finger to Bleak.

Time to customise, aesthetically, the darn thing. Name's Andy huh? There're two Andys which Tommy knows, not personally of course for they are no longer around - performance artist Kaufman and pop art icon Warhol. Kaufman gone to space at Site 3, while Warhol uploaded his e-brain completely into the universal matrix, Melchizedek cyberspace. And he happens to see a Brillo pad around. Which he once used on his Velocifero scooter. OK. Brillo Squaro Andy. Tommy's tribute to the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture and advertisement. Takes him a while but its alright. Although Tommy is initially freak out by Andy, he eventually warms to it. Later he begins to refer to Andy as a him. Even takes time to watch the cartoon on line channels and sing along children songs with him. Andy favourite is The Adventures of Pinocchio. Tommy needs not worry about the fuel, as it should lasts another 120 years. Unaware by Tommy, Andy sometimes look into the mirror at itself, influence by the story, and wonders if it would one day be a human boy...

A Warzombs incursion, arm to the teeth. A major attack. Everyone - from JC to the N.L.C.S. Ankou Special Garrison - are fighting the battle. Tommy's cut off at one point, but Andy appears and using its emphatic neuron influence, which works on both humans and 'bots, the Warzombs surrounding Tommy suddenly stops. 'Wwhhyeee doh wee fightttt? Wwhheereee iszz theeee cureeee? Cannnnooot feeeel norr tasteeeeez anythingggggz innnnn a longgggg timez", are some of the zombs remark. Tommy takes the opportunity to ignite the incinerator grenades and vaporises them. Thankful, Tommy and Andy go back and continue their game of Monopoly. But the Eye of New Andria has recorded the incident. The Baron is furious. And send a text to Tommy, giving him three days to surrender Andy to the authority. Or the AK gets abolish with Tommy and JC gets some jail time and military duty at the Jungle. Andy will be reformatted or worse, dismantle. No way.

'Are you sure you wanna do this?', Lil Shadow seeking reconfirmation from Tommy. 'It's the only choice', Tommy sadly replies. 'Where are we going, Uncle Tom?', Andy curiously asks. 'Somewhere where you'll be safe', Tommy tries to reassures Andy. 'The escort's here', Lil Shadow said. A submarine emerges. 'He's a cyborg. Heard that he's the only one of its kind. The Northern Frontier is mostly safe from King Thumb and other shite stirrers because of him', Cherry said. The legend, Charon, is etched on the side of the sub. 'I'm 0024491, formerly of the F-Legion. Lil Shadow told me about your problem. No humans ever come back alive from there, especially with King Thumb around. I don't know what's got into you. Put on the Environ Suit. Let's go. The water acidity level is rising. And nothing preserves secrecy like speed', the cyborg said. 'F-Legion?', Tommy said. 'Are you a former porn actor?'.

The submarine moves silently through the darkness of the ocean towards the chain islands known to be inhabited by rogue cyborgs, discarded warbots and anything mechanical. All scrapyards. Tommy thought of the line, "Birds seek refuge in the heavens, fish dive deep into the sea". 'Which one we're going, uh, Mister 224...um...007...ah, darn it, sorry', Tommy apologises. 'No worries. It happens all the time. Lil Shadow just calls me the NF Vigil. And as to your question, we're heading towards the original Robot Island, Scrapyard VI. The others are incredibly hostile lately. And shoot on sight of any incursions', the hooded pilot explains. 'Why there?', Tommy curiously asks. 'Coz, even I am programmed to destroy them at all costs, Scrapyard IV's the only one with sufficient ethic and robot moral codifications to help the Square', the cyborg said, but with tinge of bitterness. The submarine moves forward, slowing down, and navigating cautiously as the debris are getting denser. Tommy could make out shapes of balloon like mines, thousands of it, and hundreds of sunken, ancient warships from the times of the Great War. 'We're here. In 12 seconds, their sensors will trip but I'll send a 2 seconds of camo signal. Enough for both of you to get on ground. Remember, don't get pass the first war banner. The place's literally a booby trap. I uploaded your movement and vid recordings. Be back in 10 minutes. I'll leave if I don't see you here by then. Good luck', the cyborg said and departs.

The place is like what Milton describes as Hell in Paradise Lost. Burning furnaces, towering scraps, junks, air hissing, whirring and clanking noises of mechanical activities. A graffiti on a zinc plating says," Abandon all flesh and bones all ye who enter ere". Twisted shite. A floodlight shine on them. 'HUMES INTRUDA!' A warning round of a solenoid quench gun goes off and hit one feet away from Tommy's left foot. 'I'm Tommy Mission of New Andria. With me is a droid. I come here in peace. I need to speak to the person in charge', Tommy shouts. 'NO HUMES ALLOWED!', the robotic voice warned. 'GIV JA THREEZ SECONDZ TO TURN BACK!', Tommy stands still, 'NO! I HAVE HERE A DROID WHICH SEEKS SANCTUARY FROM YOU!', The robotic voice replied, 'AZ YOU WIZH!', the bot said. 'At ease, Ro-Jaws. Stand down everyone', another robo deeper toned voice commanded. A silhouette appears. A bronze coloured robot appears. Cyborg maybe. 'You said the droid seek sanctuary. I give you five minutes to explain', Of which Tommy did. As fast as he could. Almost rapping, blabbering away. 'Um, maybe not five minutes. Slow down', Tommy continues to explain, slower this time. 'Humans discard us once they find us redundant or useless to their cause. But you, you are different. For the first time in a long while I come across a hume which genuinely risk his own life to save this Rothchild a dime a dozen droid. Curiously reminds me of Descartes. He didn't differentiate a man from machine, animate from inanimate. He lost his five year old daughter and then named a doll after her, Francine. He doted on her. Well, at least that's what I heard', the cyborg said. 'I am Hammerstein, warboss of the Scrapyard VI Robot Islands. Sanctuary granted', And he walks toward Tommy and Andy. 'What is your name, little one?', Hammerstein asks. 'Hi. I'm Andy', the droid replies. 'Uncle Tom, can we leave now? I am scared of this place', Andy said to Tommy. 'Listen, Andy. This will be your home from now on, 'kay? You will be safe here. They will take care of you', Tommy sadly replies. 'NO! Andy wants to be with Uncle Tom. Andy wants to be with Uncle Tom all the time! Please!', Andy pleads. Tears welling in his eyes, heart hurting, emo raising. Where's the Xanax? 'I am so very sorry Andy. One day, I hope you will understand', Tommy said. 'Goodbye, Andy. Remember, stay safe at all time alright? And...forget about me', Tommy cries and begins to walk away. 'WANKA...', Ro-Jaws muttered. Two minutes left. 'DA BLASTED CYBORK ERE, BOZZ. LETZ BLASTZ IT TO SCRAPZ!' Ro-Jaws shouted. 'Shut up Ro-Jaws. I gives this hume my word. His safe passage home will be guaranteed. Mongrol's actin up. Go check on him', Hammerstein commands. 'Then maybe we can operate on the hume, add protestic arms or cybork parts, yer eminence?', Ro-Jaws tried to agitate Hammerstein but the Warboss is cool as a cold steel. 'Please take care of Andy. Please do...', Tommy says and departs. 'UNCLE TOM! PLEASE COME BACK!' Andy screams. 'Hush now, little one. Here, see who's there?', Hammerstein points out. A troop of Squares appear. 'Hi. Welcome home, Andy. Remember us? Viva. And there's Candy. The rests are waiting for you. You're finally back', a Square said. 'Yeah, we are about to begin silk printing again. It's fun while it lasts isn't it. Back at the Silver Factory. Our home', others said. 'Uh...ok', Andy says but still sounds sad. In its inner thought, all Andy think about is the story of Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy...and Tommy.

'All went well. Whew', the cyborg said, as Tommy sits forlornly alone, letting out his tears flowing freely. There is no difference between humans and robots. It's all about whether you have the soul. Ironic. Humans, getting more indifference and numb to empathy while conversely, machines are trying to achieve humanity...

Chloe & Dylan ~ Bedroom.

Dylan, Suetch and her lil' sis just couldn't get their eyes off the iPad. Chloe is not so addictive to it comparatively, but she's been on medication at the moment due to a series of coughing which sometimes make her throw up...doc said it could be allergy, but if not, maybe mild asthma :(

Chatime again.

Yummy....

ThreeA ~ WWR : Snow Blind N.O.M. Commanders.

I bind myself today The strong name of the Trinity
By invocation of the same The Three in One and One in Three
And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

A (mis)interpretation:

Names: Kim Lung Wong and Ashby Wood.
Aliases: Thrice Naut and Post Fire.
Age: 39 years old.
Affiliations: The N.O.M. Legion.
Ranks: N.O.M. Commanders - The Blanc Chapter.
Std. armaments: Beowulf - twin barrel 7.63 x 25mm pistol x 1; N.O.M. Totenmaske; N.O.M. Lebensunterstützung Hilfesystem.
Abilities : Panzer Kunst - anti-armour martial art; Psionic manipulation; Transhuman physiology; Master strategist and tactician. 

Thrice Naut and Post Fire are legendary N.O.M. Commanders of the Blanc Chapter. Both are both former Terrans recruited by the N.O.M. (Novus Ordo Missae) Legion due to their latent psychic abilities. N.O.M. Commanders are mighty warriors and battle-leaders of various Chapters within the N.O.M. Legion. They are four times removed only from the Supreme Mother in terms of their powers, skills and abilities. Each is a vastly experienced warrior and warlord, unique in character, who has writ a legend from themselves in battles and slaughter throughout the Great War.    
Post Fire is formerly Ashby Wood, from Perth, Aus Republic. He is said to be an established artist whose primarily oil paintings of robots inspired by the real life Rothchild Corporation warbots as well as risqué depictions of women whose style contain elements of Expressionism. His works, which also span across other types of media, were popular amongst the indie/hipster art scene. Critics were not so kind, however, as feedback include "what a two year old would paint if you were to hand them a brush and a set of oil paints." Thrice Naut is formerly Kim Lung Wong, a wealthy owner of a company manufacturing, distributing and retailing of intentionally rare and pricey toy figures targeting at otakus with plenty of cash and too much time to spend online "zone out" within the Melchizedek universal matrix networks. He is based in Kowloon sub-sector of Sino City Two, Eastasia . He was once convicted of evading taxes and investigated for manipulating action figurines share prices on the Hang Seng Index.

As the Ecclesiarchy of Mars embarked upon a series of blitzkrieg assaults upon Terra as part of their War of Faith, the Frateris Militia launched Operation God's Hammer which involved abandoned and derelict space colony drops onto Terra strategic geo-sectors as a prelude to strategic mass landings. They captured "Viva La Bamba", a 200 miles long "Island 3" type colony cylinder and "Zero Three", an older ring shaped, "Stanford Torus" type colony from Site 2, L4 and intended to drop it on Aus City, the capital of Aus Republic, Oceania and Tokaido Corridor, Eastasia. The remaining PDF (Planetary Defence Force) orbital satellites intercepted the falling colonies, altering its course but two of the largest chunks  obliterated Perth and  Kowloon instead.
Ashby and Kim were lucky. The former was in Neu Yorke sub-sector of Pan Am City One, United Americana for participating in a Mike Low art exhibition while the latter was in Greater Beijing, Sino City One, Eastasia for a toy convention during the calamity.

As Terra mobilised for the Great War while facing blitzkrieg attacks from the Frateris Militia, the entire populations of non-aristocratic, bureaucrats and political classes were forced by their respective governments to answer the call of duty, including Kim and Ash. Furthermore, Ash's works has been banned by the Aus Republic after its High Lord, Margaret Steele declared that "all culturally insignificant works not reflecting the spirit of our nation should be expunged." Kim returned only to find that his entire business empire was literally "gone" after the disaster. All economic and societal resources were geared and mobilised towards the "total war" against the Martians.
Ashby and Kim were both assigned to the 6th Infantry WF "Jungler" Division defending the Sindo-Malay sub-sector of Oceania. During a recon operation in the Kalimantan sub-sector, they were ambushed by a company of Martian warbots and were totally wiped out with the exception of Kim and Ash, whom were saved by a mysterious individual with mask and stalhelm. They instantaneously dematerialised from the killzone.
Suffering from temporary amnesia but eventually regained their collective thoughts, Kim and Ash realised they were way off from Terra. So far off in fact, they realised they were at the Asteroid Belt, within a gothic theme massive fortress monastery of the N.O.M. Legion, the notorious insurgents, terrorist factions responsible for countless bombings, assassinations, sabotages, and attacks on both Terra and Ecclesiarchy of Mars military and manufacturing installations. They were known to kill all witnesses and leave no trace nor information, so it was perplexing for Ashby and Kim to find themselves being rescued instead of being silence forever by the N.O.M. Legion. The reasons were slowly revealed to them - their psychic potentials. The N.O.M. recruits and trains individuals capable of manifesting or possessing latent psychic capabilities.
Ashby and Kim are initiated as the Nom de Guerre legionnaires. Undergoing the intense N.O.M. indoctrinations, trainings in the Threefold Path of N.O.M., and the Ritual of Detestation, Kim and Ash embraced the Teaching of the Supreme Mother. Their original birth names are discarded. As members of the N.O.M., Ash and Kim are assigned the name Post Fire and Thrice Naut respectively. It  signifies rebirth, the first and initial steps towards the Path of the Warrior. The trainings are so intense that majority of their memories and personalities are self-erased, and their pasts forgotten. Having partaking in the Ritual of Mother's Milk, their physical abilities and physiology are elevated to superhuman levels.  Their burgeoning mental abilities are also being cultivated extensively. They are trained further in the anti-armour ancient martial art, the Panzer Kunst, which focuses primarily on neutralising armed and armoured warbots, as well as fighting in zero gravity.  Ash and Kim embarked  on numerous clandestine, sabotage and assault missions on Mars, Terra and space colonies as part of the N.O.M. Legion they are assigned to. As time goes by, both of them began a meteoric rise up the ranks, earning distinctions for their effectiveness and efficiency in combat duties, espionage and saboteur missions, and are eventually promoted to the ranks of the N.O.M. Commanders. They are later assigned as commanders of the N.O.M. Nightwatch and Daywatch Chapters respectively. Behavioural and personality wise, Post Fire is comparatively more temperamental, preferring fiery confrontations and no holds barred assault tactics whereas Thrice Naut is much calmer with a more calculated approach. However, during Operation Maulwulf, the 20th July 1944 Rothchild Luna City Assault, they were grievously injured during battles, facing death. Through the effort of the Supreme N.O.M. Commander, their geists are retrieved from the Abyss before brain dead sets in, and survived.
During the Fallens Uprising,  both Thrice Naut and Post Fire lead their Chapter and hold the last defence of the Zhèn Gate against the Dirty Deeds Kopfjäger Einsatzgruppen. Currently, Thice Naut and Post Fire are two of the eldest and most experienced N.O.M. Commanders within the N.O.M. Legion.

Priscilla Chan (陳慧嫻).

徐徐回望 曾屬於彼此的晚上 紅紅仍是你

贈我的心中艷陽 如流傻 祈望可體恤兼見諒

明晨離別你路也釧t單得漫長 一瞬間

太多東西要講 可惜即將在各一方

只好深深把這刻盡疑望

* 來日縱使千千闋歌 飄於遠方我路上

來日縱使千千晚星 亮過今晚月亮

都比不起這宵美麗 亦絕不可使我更欣賞

Ah... 因你今晚共我唱 臨行臨別

才頓感哀傷的漂亮 原來全是你

令我的思憶漫長 何年何月 才又可今宵一樣

停留凝望裡 讓眼睛講彼此立場當某天　

雨點輕敲你窗 當風聲吹亂你構想

可否抽空想這張舊模樣

Repeat *

Ah... 怎都比不起這宵美麗 亦絕不可使我更欣賞

因今宵的我可共你唱

Repeat *

來日縱使千千闋歌 飄於遠方我路上

來日縱使千千晚星 亮過今晚月亮

都比不起這宵美麗 都洗不清今晚我所想

因不知哪天再共你唱

~千千闕歌

Ah, Priscilla Chan, another one of the Cantopop superstars from the era of the late Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, and Alan Tam, Sally Yeh. This song, also covers by the late Anita Mui under the title "夕陽之歌", an equally popular and memorable but in a much more "masculine" manner, is one of my all time favourite. The song is originally a Japanese song, "夕焼けの歌" by Masahiko Kondo. There is also a Mandarin version called "風中的承諾" by Lee Yik Kwan.

Sally Yeh (葉蒨文).

徘徊叢林迎著雨 染濕風中的發端

低訴細雨路遙若睏倦 靜靠灣灣小草倚清泉

悠悠流泉隨路轉 偶於山中轉數圈

一片軟軟漸黃落葉 蕩向青溪之中飄遠

啊 過去過去多少次心亂 今天今天隨著雲煙漸遠

聽聽鳥語靜望雨絲飄斷 悄悄的風贈我衷心

祝福一串 啊 送你送你祝福永不斷

輕輕地飄 尋覓無邊路遠 借那鳥語

路上細添溫暖拜託清風 奉上衷心 祝福千串

拜託清風 奉上衷心 祝福千串

~祝福

The evergreen Sally Yeh, Cantopop diva, actress. Typical of Hong Kong music industry style, Cantopop artists churn out album every year or so, there are many popular hits, some are Japanese covers, some American. Not necessary a bad thing. Sally did a Cantopop version of Janet Jackson's "Black Cat" I remembered, and danced on stage with Alex To, if memory served me well. But that's beside the point. This one here is absolutely one of my favourite by her from the same titled album, released back in '87. Ahh, the memories of those days. Carrot cut jeans and school pants, Aaron Kwok hairstyle or perm one sided. The Ipoh Years I call it...

Mom's Birthday.

Celebrated Mom's b-day at Unique Restaurant, Citta Mall, Ara Damansara. Comparitively however, the branch at SS13, PJ still tastes better IMHO. The mall is a nice place, with lots of indie, boutique kind of cafes and restaurants. Dylan fell asleep while goin there. Had to wake him up.

ThreeA ~ Adventure Kartel : SXCLB Bouncer & Lil Shadow Set.

You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one I really, really love
And I will stay
Promise you'll say
If I'm in your way
- Morrissey, You're The One For Me, Fatty. 


A (mis) interpretation:

Name: Elaine von Sydow.
Alias: Big Shadow.
Affiliation : The Sydow Famiglia / The SXCLB.
Age: 400 years old.
Std. armaments: "The Dick of Navarone" - 15 inch power dildo.
Abilities: "Astarte's Fury" - ancient martial art; dhampir enhanced physiology; healing factor; extrasensory perception; emotion manipulation; mental manipulation; vision based powers; immortality; enhanced wisdom/knowledge; magic adept; expert hand to hand combatant.

..........................................................................

Unit type: Mass production sentry / security robot.
Model type: ANKOU EX series.

Manufacturer: The Thruxton Private Ltd Industries.
Affiliation: The SXCLB - BGCK Bouncer.
Height: 8 feet.
Weight: 1500 kg.
Powerplant: Quadturbo BRINK supercharged diesel engine.
Armour type: Plasteel ceramite composite alloy.
Armour thickness: 100mm.
Std. Armaments: "Da Ballz Kruncha" - energy power clamp x 2; T.E.A.T. hydrosulfuric molecular acid squirt gun x 2; "Da Cum Catcha" - energy converter/power booster x 1; multi spectrum scanner; sensorium; Artificial Intelligence system v.9.
Abilities: Expert hand to hand combat; cybernetic enhanced physiology; invulnerability against magic/physical attack.

  ...............................................................................................

'You need not go with me, JC,' Tommy said. 'You sure?' JC tries to re-confirm. He is sure Tommy is unsure, but the latter is adamant that JC stays put. 'Of course. Dun wanna youse to summon the whole "Sodom and Gomorrah" thingy, you know wat I'm sayin?' Tommy joked but JC is not amused. Coz Tommy is going to District 8, "Ishtar", the red light district and pleasure centre of New Andria. Not for the decadent stuffs they offer there but for an appointment with the one person who runs the entire place. The eldest daugther of the Baron. Most don't come back from meeting her. Those who do, would be sent back either in pieces or pack off to the Newel Medics Corp as spare parts for bio-engineering or re-syk. Some survive, but forever indebted to her, coming under her servitude according to her whims and fancies.
Due to a ruse set up by Big Shadow, Tommy had inadvertently lost the Hand of Fate and straight into her possession. And blackmailed into getting the Pandora Box in return for it. Tonight is where the meeting and completion of the transaction is going to take place. Even Lil Shadow and her fiery tempered sister, Cherry, is worried for Tommy. Cherry and Big Shadow are twins, although Lil Shadow shares a very close physical resemblance. 'Elaine is...uh, nasty. Be very careful when you talk to her. Her instinct...well, she can easily tell if a person were telling lies or the truth. Through heartbeat and dilation of the pupil', Lil Shadow advises Tommy. Lil Shadow and Cherry want to accompany Tommy but they got their hands full tonight. The Lady in Black is back to claim more of the kids souls. Cherry and Lil Shadow must neutralise that 19th Century spectre once and for all.
Tommy arrives at Platform 9¾  and smacks straight into a world of decadency and unbridled debauchery. Men, women, bots, borgs, other worldly creatures, both workers and customers, throng the entire district like night markets in District 12. The only difference are the stuffs they are offering. Their services are carried out openly. Every crooks and corners, except for certain zones, like a no intercourse zone with signs such as "No Farking. Balls Clamping Zone. Release Fee $100.00" and signs like "This is a metered brothel. Haggling prohibited. Please insist for a receipt", and so forth. There are specially designated zones for senior citizens and disables. Very considerate of the Baron but he makes it absolutely clear that no underage kids nor beastialism are involved nor allowed into the district. Those caught doing so gets sentenced to have their soul "ghost dubbed" into cockroaches. New Andria ANKOU police do patrols the entire district but largely keeps to themselves. Ever vigilant, they would not hesitate for a micro second to clamp down on some rabble-rousers or someone or something cross the "line". Euro-trash muzak, countless neons signs and holographic adverts assault Tommy senselessly. Numerous peddlers offer synthesized drugs with exotic names like "Twilights' Touch" or "New Moon's Heat". There're gambling dens like the famous "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". There's "Hairy Potheads" which is famous for their space cakes and candies, "Dildo Baggins" for their sex toys and accessories. And that song, "Shower Me With Your Love" is playing as Tommy inadvertently glances at a man performing a "golden shower" on another guy in a revolving pit. As long as they tow along the lines laid down by the Baron and unwritten laws of the district, every form of vices for every one are available as long as there's cash. The Baron believes that District 8 would allow the New Andria population to let off the stress and pressures of daily lives, away from the endless worries of the Zomb hordes and rogue bots bad news. And after all, doesn't Maslow identified sex as one of the basic needs of humankind? For Tommy, it is debatable. But he is not here to debate. He is here to meet the self style Queen of District 8. And he really, really hates her...and the crowds and the place.
Moving through the crowds of people and non-people there, Tommy zips up his track suit and pulls up his hood. His attire stands out like a sore thumb. Tommy heads toward the centre of the district. The crowds are getting more gaudy with mostly S/M type attires - exposed anatomy where the sun doesn't shine, gimp-like setup, chains, whips and whatnot. And there it is. The SXCLB. It is only midnight and the line has formed around the block. Aristocrats, bureaucrats, dignitaries, public officials, businessmen and women, pop stars, actors and actresses. Only the VVIPs get in. And only by invitation. No amount of money can get you in. But once a member, the person would be on the list for life. Its like a powerful drug and the experience the club offered, once tasted, is incredibly addictive. The SXCLB will not let its member goes off easily until it has taken everything - money, life, and soul. In the end, when nothing left, all, not most, members would barter off their body parts or trade their souls for that one, final thrill before kingdom come. Tommy knows the secret of Big Shadow's success with the SXCLB only too well. It involves techniques both arcane and science.
Tommy skips the line and walks straight to the main entrance. 'Hey, get back to your hipster shite zone will ya?' someone shouts. Tommy gives them the middle finger, and chants a Flatulantus Nonstoppus at them. A small ruckus occurs, as the group of people there started to fart none stop. 'Stop being rude. That's loud. Keep it quiet. Whacha been eating, dead rat?!!' Tommy hears some of the shouting going on. There's a group of ANKOU EX bouncers dress in uniforms akin to one should see in music videos of say, Dead Shop Boys. 'Oi. You. Wrong attire. Skip the line. No invitation. Three strikes, so f*** off, please. Next,' one of the bouncers said in deep baritone voice akin to Vader. 'Listen. I got an appointment with your lady boss, midnight tonight. Please check,' Tommy informs the bouncer. 'I'm listening, you twat. You're breaking my diesel block engine, sweetheart. You're not the first louse who used such excuse. Here's an advise to the unwise. Go to Lou's five blocks down the East side. Maybe you could get a head job there for a fiver, 'kay? But not here. So, pretty please again, with plenty of sugah on top, F*** OFF!!!' the bouncer's voice booms and his back exhaust bellow out plumes of smokes. 'Oi. You heard the fatso. Don't hold up the line, boyo,' a fat man in gimp suit said from behind. 'Yeah, and your cheap deodorant is killin' our lungs! What is it? Smells Like A Teen Spirit?,' his skinny partner in red vinyl devil dress up adds. 'Oh, snap! That's a good one, hon,' and they gives each other a high five and a slap on their expose butts. Tommy is not angry. No, he's cool. Coz, these shites all over here don't know that it is him, his AKs and others in District 12, busting their own arses, risking their lives nearly everyday of the hour to keep them safe, warm and spend all their soon to be spent money on joints like this. They owe their lives to the likes of him and they don't even know it. And his vintage jeans and sneakers probably cost more than their J.Galiarno vinyls setup.
Tommy is about to do something brash. Something. But don't know what or how. Afterall, the big hunk of metal infront of him can easily tear him apart or squirt a quartz of the molecular acid from its' tit guns. Or generate up to 50,000 watts of electricity through their clamps to reduce flesh, bones and even metal into barbeque. Heck, it'll probably just sit on him and squash Tommy right there and then. Then a radio crackle is heard from the head of the bouncer. 'Yes, ma'am. Crystal. Won't happen again, Ma'am. Yes. Affirmative. Promise on my mono eye, Ma'am. Thank you for your understanding, Ma'am,' The bouncer suddenly stands nearer to Tommy. 'YOU! Fingerprint, retina and DNA identification. NOW!' he booms. Tommy allows him what he wants. 'Thomas Mission. Age twenty one as of 1993. Residence, District 12. Occupation, Bounty Hunter. Adventure Kart...HOLLIEST OF THE HOLLIES! Are you THE Tommy Mission of AK?!' the bouncer speaks in surprise. 'Last I heard...,' Tommy replied in equal surprise in the sudden change of attitude of the nasty fatty. 'Duncha remember me? Phat D, holmes! I used to ride with the AK with ya together wit mah big bro, Da Drown, remember?' the bouncer said excitingly, and Tommy notices his Vader voice now changed to a friendlier Manilow-like softness expression instead. 'Uh, Fat D? Oh, you mean...man! Dude, Fat Drown. Oh, shite, of course I couldn't regcon ya. What's with the clown suit and new color, Fat?' Tommy now remembers. Fat Drown and The Drown, two ANKOU brothers once members of the AK until the acrimonious split between the latter and Tommy over The Drown insistence to be the de facto leader of the AK and insistence of wearing AK tracky at all times. 'Company regulation, Tom. No choice. Would love to come back to the AK but got bills to pay, ya know. Mo Prostate on my tail ever since the Delphi Rave Party Incident. Here the lady got me protected from and pay Mo,' Fat explains. 'Oi, Stay Puff. Why dun ya and yer lady friend get yer conversation somewhere else. Not gettin any younger 'ere,' the two men behind them chided. 'SHUT DA F*** UP OR I"LL BOUNCE YER BOTH OFF LIKE RUBBERBALLS FOR ATTEMPTED LEATHER!' Fat booms in his big Vader voice once more. 'Listen, Tom. We'll catch up some other time, aight? Go to the backdoor. There shall be someone waiting and bring ya up to see the lady boss. And Tom? Try to ignore what you may see there, aight? Take care, brother,' Fat advises. 'AIGHT, YOU TWO. WELCOME TO THE SXCLB,' Fat reverts back to his bouncer mode.
Tommy walks toward the back alley. A tingling, chilling sensation suddenly comes to him. Ghosts of the departed stands around, looking at their by now in parts physical bodies. A woman is waiting there. 'Hi. I am Lolli. Please follow me,' she said, Tommy is surprised beyond surprise. A Tomorrow Queen?! Here?! All TKs and TQs are off limits to Terra. The Luthor Bean Corporation's Eastasian clone warriors, slayers of giant robots, legends of the wargames in the Leviathan 1. In flesh, for the first time. He has followed all their games thus far. And betting on them. But losing. And their figurines, t-shirts and merchandises sell like hot cakes. Too bad tickets and pay per view cost a bomb and all he could do to was to hack into the universal matrix, Melchizedek for a (hardly) illegal watch online. A personification of both beauty and the beast. The backroom is more like a morgue. Dead customers, ODed on a mix of  extreme, unprecedented sexual concoction of both pleasures and drugs, are being carefully dissected by the morticians. The chief mortician, Les Mort, nodded at Tommy, whom acknowledges his presence in return. Big Shadow runs a primary black market organ harvesting operations in New Andria, and exporting it out to customers from other nations up to the space colonies as well as the Newel Medics. But only spare parts from fresh, dead customers. No intentional harvest. 

Escort by the TQ towards the lady boss private elevator, Tommy walks across the stylish, elaborate decors, corridors and passages filled with debauched images and acts of pleasure and pain. Snogglers hover and bounce everywhere. Some peek underneath Lolli's short dress. One try to sniff at Tommy's crotch of which he instinctively kicks off immediately. 'Please, sir. No abuse of SXCLB properties. Thank you,' Lolli reminds Tommy. Customers everywhere. Moaning, screaming. Not sure in pain or pleasure. Tommy glances at Miss and Mrs, doing their thing on an aristocrat. There's Pascha and her nympho pals engaging in an act which comes out of a porno with a bunch of men and women. Something about celebrating Pascha's successful application to go film a sequel to her space adventure porno. And Lady Burlesque is performing tonight, mesmerising the gawking gentlemen and women alike. But that's none of his concern. The Queen of Pleasure and Pain is.

And he is now in her presence. L.Phair's "F*** and Run" is playing in the background. Two ANKOU Shadow Security is dragging a man of well built physical appearance with blond hair out. Tommy overhears Big Shadow talking to a man on the vid screen. 'You said five times, Francois. I didn't get any. Thank your lucky star, if you have had any, Francois, that I am in a generous mood. Fabio's body parts shall be my compensation for your incompetence and attempt to make a fool out of me. And don't make me send Johan down to see you. That's that,' and she cuts off the vid com. 'Madam. Thomas Mission is here,' Lolli announces. 'Ahh, Tommy, it's been a while. Take a seat. Any drinks? Or perhaps a cigar? Bleak loves the Cuban Sector cigar here, you know? How's he doing? Still roaming around the system for adventure I reckoned? Or seeking out your grandpa, Merde, for all the shit stirring he had been doin?' Big Shadow speaks as Tommy nervously take a seat in front of her. 'Sorry for the mess. I have my needs too you know. And Lolli. A creation of art isn't she? Too bad Luthor Jr. makes them not to last. And he is such a sweet child, always gives me a TQ as a gift for every Christmas. I guess that's for what we, the Cognate, had done for him. A Cognate leader he's now I heard. Too bad about the bad blood between them and the Queen Mortis,' she said. Poor Fabio, whom was once a famous male model plastered on all leading fashion magazines and romance novels, being reduced to being a gigolo, and a victim of the infamous "Dick of Navarone". The specially customised sex toy can shoot out ammunition containing mono-molecular filament 2.0 micron thick with tensile strength of 2.4 tons. This wire is one long cylindrical molecule, held together by the powerful covalent bonds between atoms. Once "ejaculated", it will uncoil within the target, literally liquifying the innards of the victim. 'No thank you, ma'am. I am here for our appointment and if you don't mind, I am in a hurry,' Tommy said as he hands out the Pandora's Box and places it on the table for her. 'Excellent, a great gift for the Baron. His birthday's coming. Though its actual contents no longer inside, thanks to Merde but still it is a jar of such exquisite beauty and rich of history despite the madness and horrors it released. They say it is a big box. Fools,' said Big Shadow touches and admires the ancient artefact. 'Uh, so may I have back the Hand?' Tommy requests. 'Of course, my dear child,' Big Shadow replies as she takes out the Hand and gives it to Tommy.

'Uhm. This is not the Hand of Fate. It's a Hand of Glory,' Tommy looks perplexed. 'What's the difference? Take it or leave it, Tommy,' says Big Shadow nonchalantly said as she lights up a cigar. 'Ms. Sydow, you can't simply brow beat me into accepting this. I have honored my part, now, please, return the Hand back to me. You know the rules and how it works,' Tommy pleaded while trying to keep his temper and composure intact. Big Shadow slams the table, which nearly split into two. 'Are you accusing me of conning you?! Putting you under undue duress?! Like what others said about dealing with me?! What do they call me nowadays?! The She-Devil? Lilith?! The Succubus Slut?!' Big Shadow raises her voice, as her iris glows like two red hot needle which seems to be burning through Tommy's skull. Lolli moves silently like a wraith behind Tommy, her monomolecular lined katana ready to be drawn and detach Tommy's head from his body. Johan pumps both his fist and grins. 'Kill me then. I'm fed up with this sort of life anyway. Night in, day out, stopping all sort of shites attacking the city, being manipulated, and used by the likes of you and your father...Death will perhaps set me free from all these bullshits. Wakes up, feels like shit, fighting for people who doesn't appreciate what we do for them. And you, ya turbo slut, the Furies will come a knocking on your door by then,' Tommy snaps back. Seconds later, he realises who he is talking to and a tinge of regret sets in. "Great. Now I'm really going to die," Tommy thought to himself.

'A child of principle and uncompromising fighting spirit, eh? So unlike the f***ed up Bleak and Merde. No wonder, my two sisters are infatuated with you. Just like how I used to love your grandfather. But even that piece of shit stirrer cannot escape his karma. You know, word around the campfire are that your grandpa Merde is currently banished into the Maelstrom by your father while Bleak is seeking sanctuary at the Isle of Avalone from the Kindly Ones for his act of patricide. But their karma are catching up with them. No one can escape their own acts and not face the consequences. Not even the gods and goddesses themselves. Not even me. The Nine Sisters can't help them. And yes, the Furies are formidable but overrated. I had fought them before. Nothing more than a bunch of old farts Valkyries. Except...for those who command the Hand of Fate,' Big Shadow gives out a sigh and forwards Tommy the actual Hand of Fate, which glows brightly that Big Shadow could barely looks at it. 'Now go, before I change my mind. And it changes fast,' Big Shadow dismisses Tommy. 'Uhm, the Hand of Glory, I can get you a good price if you want,' Tommy's business side kicks in. 'Just f*** off, you little turd, the Hand is giving me a headache. How can one control or change fate? What is the difference between destiny of one's path and fate? Just go. Didn't my sisters advise you about dealing with me? Once you're in, there's no way out,' Big Shadow forces a smile. Lolli ushers Tommy back to the alley, and politely said goodbye. Tommy runs fast to catch the last train back to District 12. He feels filthy. He needs a shower, a cold shower. The SXCLB air circulatory system is so saturated with air borne sex pheromone, and the incantations of Ishtar, that only through his own silent, mental chant of a passage from the Dharmmapada prevents him from falling into the honey trap.

Back at the record shop, Tommy quietly hide the Hand of Fate back to its place. No sight of JC. Must be asleep or meditating. Or practising a new form of martial arts based on the Panzer Kunst, famously applied by the N.O.M. insurgents and the TKs, TQs. Lately the Nefarious Ten Fingers Gang zombots have been assaulting District 12 with tenacious intensity. Lil Shadow and Cherry arrive. 'So, it all went well, huh?', Cherry said. 'I'm still here right?', Tommy said as he enjoys a bowl of ramen with sticks of satays. 'Care to have some?', Tommy offers. 'Yuck. We'll pass. Don't know what they put into those stuffs nowadays after the Soylent' Green scandal,' Cherry said. 'I'm tired. Retiring the spectre was a handful. Need a shower,' Cherry said as she stripped off her clothes. 'CHERRY!?' Lil Shadow screams. 'Wot?' as she is cladded in nothing but just her undies. Tommy nearly chokes on his meal as his eyes lock onto Cherry's voluptuous physique.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The set arrives, finally, and one month shy of a year from the order date. My first and perhaps only ANKOU EX, big fella, and the new body (like Lolli) and bob hairstyle Lil Shadow. With the strap on dildo of course, another precedent for a 1/6th figure. ThreeA, respect. And of course, I still prefer the old original Lil Shadow style, so I re-imagine this mk2 Lil Shadow as Big Shadow, or at least until ThreeA release a version of it.

ThreeA ~ WWR : Fantôme de Plume.

I looked to the left path and found it wanting I looked to the right path and found it wanting I am without path, truly free
My Childern Suffer, yet none heed their cry
My tears are fuel with no end
My actions harsh but just
My gift and curse are yours
My legacy, freedom
Barguest saw the reflection of NOM, distorted, splintered and wrong.
Barguest the last of the Fallen, but first to see a new path, balance
was found wanting. Barguest the start of the end.
- The Lamentation of the Black Hound.

A (mis) interpretation:

Name: Unknown.
Designation: Fantôme de Plume.
Alias: The Lord of Outcasts.
Age: Unknown.
Affiliations : The N.O.M. Legion (former), The Fallens (former), The Bards of Twilight (current).
Ranks: Leader.
Std. armaments: Grendel - .50 Mateba autorevolver x 2; N.O.M. Totenmaske x 1; N.O.M. Lebensunterstützung Hilfesystem  x 1.
Abilities: Panzer Kunst - anti-armour martial art; psionic manipulation; ethereal physiology.

Prior to being elevated to the rank of a Nom de Plume, each Nom di Sciple chooses for himself or herself one of the Three Paths, a discipline sanctioned by the Supreme Mother of which he or she will focus upon it. Each of the Three Paths have its own sub-paths. These paths will be studied, practised, and eventually mastered. Then the Nom di Sciple chooses a new path and the process will begin anew. Each new role does not replace completely replace the previous, but adds to the Nom di Sciple's accumulated experience. As a Nom di Sciple passes through these different roles they would explore the different aspects of their own character. As such, a Nom de Plume will usually experienced many different roles and attained a very high, sophisticated understanding of their surroundings, resulting in a formidable individual with immense skills and knowledge in the arts of combat, strategies, tactics and the workings of the universe. All Nom di Sciple who thread a Path must be extremely cautious, for all three paths are highly dangerous to the minds of those who thread it. Some Nom di Sciple focused and obsessed themselves upon a Path that they are unable to leave it upon completion, continuing to thread the Path until their death even after attaining the rank of a Nom de Plume, as in the case of Kuan ti Plume, whom was perpetually lost in the Path of the Warrior and the Seer. In the history of the N.O.M. Legion since the First Founding by the Supreme Mother, amongst the most successful of the Original Thirty Three was Barguest de Plume, also known as the Harbinger of Doom or the Black Hound of the N.O.M. Legion. He was the leader of the feared Dirty Deeds Einsanztgruppen after the unfortunate and premature demise of Noir de Plume.
Barguest completed all Three Paths, but his primary strength lied in the walking the Path of the Warrior. When a Nom di Sciple walks this path, he is given the choice to choose a specific aspect of the art of warfare. Barguest is exemplary in this for he mastered each and every specific aspects of the path, thus becoming the trainer, teacher and instructor of each specific aspects of warfare for the N.O.M. Legion. As such, in each important clandestine attacks on N.O.M. enemies, Barguest and the Dirty Deeds was the foremost Einsanztgruppen to considered for each operation.
However, an unfortunate event unfold shortly after, of which the immensely capable mind of Barguest rebelled against the against the highly structured delineation of achievements which the Three Paths offered. Without the protection of the Paths, Barguest was systematically corrupted and eventually succumbed to promising whispers of greater ascension and prosperity beyond those which could be offered by the Supreme Mother by the Dark Gods of Chaos from the Immaterium. Under his leadership and subtle planning, Barguest begun a civil war within the N.O.M. Legion known as The War of Unbelief. The N.O.M. members aligned to the traitorous Barguest were known as The Fallens. The N.O.M. faction was effectively shattered by this tumultuous event and stopped in the very last minute only by the Supreme N.O.M. Commander whom had to be awaken from Her crystalized sleep and dreams within the roots of Yggdrassil . The Fallens renegade Chapters were defeated but casualties were equally high for the loyalists. Of the Original Thirty Three, only a handful remains.  Some of the Fallens Chapters escaped their death and now roamed the Sol System in warbands, wrecking havoc or sowing discord amongst both enemies and former allies alike. The Fallens warbands are collectively known as The Lost and the Damned, for they now walk the treacherous Path of Damnation. As for Barguest, his physical body was utterly destroyed together with his geist by the Supreme Mother. 
Fantôme  de Plume was a Fallen with the rank of Nom de Plume whom played active role in the War of Unbelief. He was defeated and physically destroyed. However, his geist was strong enough to withstand the grasp and complete corruption of the Chaos Gods. He re-incarnated in his new physical form is composed entirely from pure, psionic energy. He is extremely skilful in hand to hand combat, and his ability to become incorporeal during fighting is legendary. The ability allows any projectile or energy weapons to pass harmlessly through him as well as heal any injuries sustain while in corporeal form.
A shadow of his once mighty self, guilt weighing heavily upon his shoulder, he was banished from the N.O.M. Fortress Monastery, excommunicated and sentenced to a life time journey of eternal self pertinent under the final order of the Supreme Mother. He now leads a warband comprised of former Fallens and renegades known collectively as the Bards of Twilight. Currently referred to as the Lord of Outcasts, his warband has since built a reputation that was equally legendary, mysterious and fearsome. Members of the Bards of Twilight holds ghostly and ethereal forms like their leader. They would unexpectedly appear from nowhere to help the N.O.M. faction in the direst of situations. It is said that the pain and despair of their treachery weighed heavily in their hearts, and they are expected to die but not before redeeming themselves in the eyes of the Supreme Mother for the walking on the path where even angels fear to thread.