Elaine Doppel II

"Stand by"

"…And that reminds me about our little talk of the previous video, remember that art project I mentioned to you before, about where Castillo Doppel and his family came from? About them being orphans, and that perhaps they were raised in one building like this one right here?..."

"…Did I? I did; I completely forgot about the names of the streets, I'm such a klutz, what else did I miss?... yes, I wanted to start from the nest, but wrapping up from there will look better I promise, well yes, the name of the streets and now the building in front of us… we will return to the streets, after all, we have to pass through them to reach the nest; so I am not a total airhead."

"So, moving on... the art project; I call it an art project because that is what it has created so far, it didn't start here, in a home that covers the entire block, it still holds the Haussmann aesthetics as the rest of the buildings up here, the sandy color of the buildings, in this case instead of grey zinc roofs we have electric blue, and also it has bigger or rather, longer windows and fewer balconies, well that, and elevators, which was not a worry of the country under the rule of Napoleon, you know to make it more accessible…"

"…and of course curved edges instead of sharp ones, seven floors where the apartments has ten, and the rest have even more; another change in this one is the top floor, in the Haussmann style it was reserved for the help, here is where artist work, it is use more by painters, and musicians, the rooms at the corners are made for them, in a specialized device; but the rest artists like photographers, dancers and even cookers can use it; and it is taller than in the Haussmann's style, also the first and the middle floors are as big…"

"…still, music is set at the middle floor classrooms all sound proofed and well equipped, as for the main floor, we've got the cafeteria, some offices that also move down, but the area es more for the students to roam around with their friends and all; and if you ask me, here is where you can find the most interesting concepts of food around here…"

"…each year, as they do with paintings and photographs or movies, they select a student, in this case to create a menu for the season, for them, the classrooms are under the first floor, alongside the photography and cinema schoolrooms, which only moves down another two floors, where you will find only a hall that leads elsewhere, we are not there yet, I will only show you how the building is only connected by stairs bridges on the four sides of the square leading into the facilities… give me a sec."

"…just let me lead Ich1 up and here we go, and as you can see it keeps the same look as the other apartments when we talk about the moat, or the ditch, it looks more like it, since it does not have water and is use to filter light to the lower floors, I would like to give you an exact number of floors in the runway we just pass, but it varies, since one apartment might be using the lower floors as shops, restaurants, clinics, or some other kind of works, I can just tell you that under the runway the spaces is tighter than the area of the roundabout down below…"

"…you will see once we are downstairs; now… oh yes, and the art program began twelve years ago, the number of orphans around the world had increased, so this rich family, the Doran, the only big investor Armand accepted; they decided to do create a program for kids, not for young ones, but of the ages of fourteen to eighteen; yes, to help them graduate, get a diploma and perhaps an opportunity to get to college, or perhaps give them a trade, teach them how to make a live for themselves…"

"…but, what they really wanted was to create artist, to guide all their efforts, passion, feelings towards the art, of course they did that in other country, and their focus was to get them off the streets, and using the arts as a new form of therapy, but when Armand got involved, after getting into the country to help with the rescuing of families, then he added the school program, after all, even if every person on earth can make art, some others can also do science, be a teacher, a doctor or be an athlete, and be more than what people expect of them…"

"…as far as I know the Doran did have programs to help them academically and had a sports department, but it was basic, all the effort they put into helping them went to the arts, well, of course they gave them a place to live as well, and plenty of therapy… huh? Yes, they are loaded, as far as I could track it is old money, as old as crowns of Europe, but made by gypsies, seriously, that family comes from a big line of travelers, merchants mostly that even walk through the silk road during a Khan era, but mostly they kept to themselves, still are merchants..."

"…but the family is now bigger, and believe me, it was already huge with links all over the world, but as of late, most of the kids that had graduated had ask to be a Doran, and the family has accepted each and every single one of those kids, which is so beautiful, as it is the poems and art that has been creating by this people to honor their family, the awards, discoveries put under their name…"

"…now, in here, there are lots of Doran working, most as teachers, or guardians of the younger ones that live on the vase, in the middle floor, upper middle floors, you will see later; as for the older ones, and the most promising, they stay up here, well, closer to this teaching area, just on the right, let me move Ich1 those pyramid shapes are apartment complexes, at the top are the teachers and guardians of the students living below…"

"…as usual, and despite the fact that every apartment has the same size, even the one at the top; the best students can take the upper levels, yeah, it is a thing that is hard to change, after all we still need a way to know our level of understanding of a subject, to be able to move ahead further into the teachings, and therefor we have a student ranking, or the exhibitions for the best art students, extra energy and resources for the academic students, and for the athletes, well for them it was specialized training and equipment; all depending on their level…"

"…no, no… the rest are not sent to do some laps around the tower, they training is already personalized, but is only while they increase their level, which again can only be seen at competitions, same with pretty much everybody, depending on your garnering, which is the knowledge you have accumulated, and use, that translate on better stuffs or conditions that can be given here at the tower, or later at another or in any new superstructure being built…"

"…why? Why not? Here it is not about money, in this country it is about what's needed, and even if this structure is huge, it is starting to feel a bit crowded, like if they are jamming every single egg into one basket, and even if they need to take into considerations the economy, resources and manpower, for Armand, this building is just a start, like a run test; at least that is what it feels like; I could be wrong, but it does feels like he has just put on a show, by creating a hanging town, with all the amenities, including a movie theater…"

"…which is right over there; another gift from the Doran, and named after them, people wanted to include solely the name of the brothers whom got the idea of fostering kids, but ultimately they decided to stick to their last name, after a public, and silly fight between them, the brother claimed it was his sister's idea, then she said he took over for years when she was away, and all that, until they decided…"

"In comparison it is the smallest one of the four on this side of the avenue, and yet it has several movie theaters and actual theaters, to me, the best one is at the top and on the back, facing the brink of the avenue, it plays well with the crystal wall creating natural light if necessary, it is a round stage which means that the sits spin around to see another part of the stage; the first time I saw one I was in Japan, a few years back, at a play about a manga, it was awesome…"

"…so not a new concept, not even the otter stage at the top is a new thing, that is even an idea as old as theater, the only thing that might be new is the day play, which is a show that extends the whole day, starting from the morning, and then waiting for the afternoon for the next part, and the conclusion at night, perhaps two to three hours show, leaving even more time for the interlude… nah, if you miss any of the shows, you can get back the next day to see it, so, it is not really a problem, unless it is the last show, or the morning show, then you would have to wait for the next day to watch it all…"

"…what do you mean why? Obviously because I can't be under the sun for long; I might be able to stand it for a couple of hours, like for a movie, which I can do as well at the top of this theater, especially when movies are played at night, when a play is not being set; now on the lower floors they have both types of theaters, set around a cylinder like a tree house, each varying in length, making the building a fun one, at least at the top, then using the first floor as a cinematic, theater and music library; and then more theaters down below, but also those for music, that way sounds cannot go to far, while the ones for plays are more for practice and such."

"Oh yes, like the old drive-in theater, I didn't mention it but I thought most have had forgotten about those, ever since pollution make it difficult to stay outside in a big city; and of course the place is reserved for events, such as plays from the graduates, or movies, which again means that the best students get to be honored with a display of their work for weeks or months, as well for the movies… huh? Yes of course, even the artist can live here, after all they are considered as important as any other worker, even they have their own level of garners, which are at the level of athletes, but many of them still try go further…"

"…yes of course, every bit helps… yes, even for me; huh? well with my level, I would not be living here at the tower, not even at the vase, maybe nearby at one of the buildings around the outside of the cage, since there are better chronists and more specialized for this kind of work; but I know people… no, I know more people than just Gil… honestly… no, I'm not talking about known people I have spoken to before, they are serious people, and… and others not as serious, but with some power around… stop it! Haha… I'm not pretending, I'm being honest damn you! ..."

"No error detected"

– No matter from where you see your screen, there is no mistake, I'm going with you people, but by all means, stand on your head and check your phone, for all I care and tell me if anything changes in the upside-down point of view… we could use the entertainment, while we wait, for nobody…

– What…? Get down from the chopper, better yet get back to the vase to clean toilets.

– Give a sec, I'm running a diagnostics and security checks… this baby looks like it hasn't been used in a while, it probably will need a security update, and a patch… after it I can get back at our back and forth.

– …let the tech guy do that, you are not coming…

– Seriously lady, chill out, like they used to say in your era, your tech guy is scared out of his slippers, and I'm not even sure if it is the quest or you the dragon lady that he is afraid off… besides, I was approved by Luk4, my boss and your own IA…

– Both could be hallucinating, and your boss must be wanting to get rid of you for a few days…

– Come on, that could only have happened if you had mentioned an emergency on the join the party request; so why don't you just give us the details already, I'm pretty sure nobody else will be coming, perhaps you could pick up an engineer once we land near the border, or call them ahead now before Armand gets there…

– Get down there and line up then… wait… hold on… how do you know…?

– Yeah, it is that time of the year, for Armand to travel the country and all, there is a town being reopened and you are the head of security here; what I don't know is why this is not a police or military operation… this is for you… and two for you… two for you too…

– …because Armand is a private person, and he falls under our protection first before involving the town and the military; of course they were informed of his presence at the border but were not given a schedule nor were told about a possible capture of our asset, to avoid any leak; but yes, you are right… first we will head to the airport, from there we will do an hour trip to the back of the border, the plane will not land, it will throw us down beside our helicopter in a fully equipped RV… as a backup story we have a clearance for surveillance since the border patrol is already trying to find any possible escape route made down the earth… miss Doppel! get in line… did I said something funny miss Doppel?

– Yes, you did… oh right rhetoric; but it is more like an inside joke, ignore me, and have this…

– Drones?

– Yes, but protected and as a backup, I know you have the heavy duty ones we do here, and this do not have the same range since can only work under a special signal that I could transmit as a rely… but the Blankers are able to bring down most of the drones, so you will need this, you give them the order or a map of the target and this things will reach them in time, each has a signal jammer and were made to not fall, not even a EMP would be able to bring them down… oh that reminds me, they are hybrids, able to walk, fly and swim; the downside is that they need a command to do so, or see where they will be going… so; since you are the boss now, you get five, and the tech twins one each, and your hammer crew get two each, I have ten more, but please don't waste them…

– They are too small; what could you do with them?

– They are more for surveillance and counter-surveillance, to jam signals, make some tricks like giving us locations, and can even serve as listening devices, it is nothing new, the most outstanding thing about them is their size and the way they are able to move around any terrain, even sand, oh and their shield, a quick order from the owner and it will cover to avoid detection and any corrupting signal.

– Now can you get back in line?

– No, no; I need to run diagnostics on your devices, and the teams, while Ell3 finishes its own on the chopper, don't worry I hear you perfectly fine… You two… yes tech twins, start with the hammer bros… yeah, go on… we are in a hurry, don't forget to check the lenses… you have encryption equipment then work on that, start setting up the keys… don't ask permission start working.

– Do as she say… twins…

– We are not twins…

– We are not twins…!

– Oh… sorry, you kinda look alike, same hair color, style, and walk, nervous sight, height, and move the same way and at the same time, it is a bit freaky… sorry.

– forget that, now you are twins, tech twin one you handle communications and devices, tech twin two, back up and computers, tech twin three… or perhaps big sis, engineering and mechanics, keep close eye to the chopper and vehicles, keep the sand away from the machines and drones…

– …And scanners… I have been toying with this other drones to work as underground scanners for a friend, they work together, one up and one down, moving as magnets, and faster than any other drones, when ones power is depleted the other will change its place while I change batteries, they only send me the direct feed of the map, but I'm not sure of the range at the border, if we find a jammer they might fail, but on the bright side, if that happens we might have found a clue of where the Blanker might come out from.

– You came prepared, how?

– Blankers, Armand, the border… it was all there, the only way to move unnoticed is underground, right?

– right… you heard big sister here, scanning, mechanics and drones will run through her; I'm hammer head from now on, hammer one is my second in command and our pilot, he and Hammer two will stay with me guarding the vehicles and protecting the tech people, we will stay behind Laguna State, Hammer three and four will take a quad bike and move left behind wellspring state; Hammer five and six will go right to Vanire, they will redirect the satdrones in our directions to help us map the area and have better communication, find a way down and send big sis drones to map the area, use your drones to get a better view from above, keep them high up to avoid detection, Hammer seven will do the same in Laguna with our big sis; then each team will find the best place to wait, hide and look for any disturbances around the area. Questions so far?

– Uumh, big sis is good…

– None from us…

– No questions.

– Good, move then, get on the RV, Hammer six and seven follow us on the other transport, see that the chopper is locked and secure inside its box…

– …I… I'm not done with you yet, sorry, I'm still on diagnostics, on Hammer…

– …Six…

– …go with them, try to keep up, in the security team we do checkups weekly, skip the obvious, and start with the less used systems, then check those you will be working with and if you have time do the rests…

– …yes, okay yes, I get it… madam… madam?

– Hammer head from now on, move up, coms on for the next part, tech twin one set us up… we only have three quad bike, at least this is what we can take with us, we don't have the man power to take anything more; Armand wanted a small team since he prefers the rest to stay guarding the other assets, and that is why we asked for people at engineering department, we often do so to by selecting them, but now the mission is at the edge, we needed to only take the willing ones and those with experience at being in thought spots… which is the point in which my IA Alb3rt might have glitches and greenlight our big sister here, filtering the craziest ones and the most troublesome.

– Oh come on… no wait… that might be true, I check out most of the requirements, had visit several places of conflicts, Mali, Niger and Sudan… then we got pushed to south Asia, until we made it up to Siberia and around Russia…

– …that is a tour, were you at the arm forces? UN?

– Doubt it, she is just a kid…

– …No on both ends, we moved a lot, me and my sisters and brothers, and I am not a kid, I'm twenty-four years…

– …awww… I'm this many…

– …ugh, shut up hammers or I will get a drill and… oh wait, that makes me wonder where our twins found themselves at rough spot? …

– … you can get acquainted some other time. Tech twin one will let us know if what we have is what I ordered, and if we need to ask the towns for more, but please keep in mind that we are trying to not attract to much attention.

Summarizing our orders; find a spot at the edge of the borders, scan the area for underground tunnels, manmade or natural, investigate them, and wait, if Armand is in problems and his security fails to protect him, we will walk in and block their path until we have our hands on the asset and move him back into safety, understood?

– Yes sir!

– Got it Hammerhead sir…