Layna Bayna

The Hero's of Theonia

Stooping down to pick up the watch first, Nora discreetly made herself invisible in the crown and slipped away. What the fuck was that all about? Who were those people? Who was that man that something like that would happen? Nora wove through the parking lot until she saw a familiar sight- Sky-Way Air Taxi airship. Beside it stood the young woman, Ruth was it? She looked as if she were about to take off before she spotted Nora. It had taken longer than anticipated to slip out, what with the secret service types descending on them.

"I need my badge back. Keep watch." She instructed to Ruth as she made her way over to the door. The badges can be used as a kind of universal key to all of the aircrafts if you know what you're doing. Luckily, Nora had won that information off of Tory during a company enforced holiday party early this year. When the compressors hissed and the door opened, a wave of victory overcame Nora. It might be a small victory, but she could really use a win today. "All right, climb aboard. Let's get out of here."

When Ruth was secured in the copilot seat, a place Nora has never let anyone sit before, she took a steadying breath. "We need to go back for my taxi. We are going to park down the street and I will go get it. Did you want to come with me to get it, or did you want me to bring it to you?"

"I think I will wait."

Nodding, Nora initiated take-off protocols... mostly. It's best if their whereabouts weren't tracked during this, so asking for permission for take off and landing were out of the question. Nora also didn't have her D.I.G. to speak with the AI, so she had to kick it old school. It didn't take long to get back to where they had started, and they flew in silence the entire way. Usually this is the kind of ride Nora likes best, but there was tension, anxiety, and unanswerable questions hanging in the air between them.

Landing and getting back to her aircraft were a blur. If asked, Nora would not be able to give any details about it. She remembers there being police tape blocking off the walkways heading to the cafe, and there were uniformed officers on patrol. When Nora entered her aircraft she immediately put on her D.I.G. and let it sync up to her as she took off back to where she left Ruth. When the sync was finished she loaded up the address Ruth had given her as she landed beside the hijacked aircraft. Hopping out, Nora knocked on the other craft to let Ruth know she had returned.

With Ruth transferred over, Nora activated the navigation and requested take off from the AI. When they were safely in the air, the D.I.G showing the way, and hopefully no on tracking them, Nora felt like she could finally breath again. The doubt started to creep in. Should she have kept them in the field? Would it have been so bad to have been found by the authorities?

"Then two men entered the premises with laser rifles and started gunning down the survivors. [...] I managed to save you and two others from the gunmen [...] After your investigation by the cops if you and the other two would like to meet me at the Maxwin Bird Sanctuary I will do my best to answer your questions and further protect you from your assailants, as I do not believe they will be happy there are witnesses to their crimes."

No, running was the best choice. Best not to be witnesses if it was going to bring danger to their doorsteps. Who was that guy who saved them? He had thought that they were going to leave statements. Would he be at the sanctuary waiting right now?

"I had planned to check up on the injured man at the hospital, but it looks like he was taken somewhere else. Did you get some form of ID off of him?" Nora looked over and Ruth nodded. "I will find him later, then. But that man, who drove us out of there. He seemed to know something about the attack. He asked that we meet him. I'm going to go. I think it would be safer for me to drop you off at home, you still seem in shock. I don't want to put a civilian in danger." You're a civilian now. But at least I am trained for stress.

The Hero's of Theonia

The young man disappeared from view in the blink of an eye. Did he say the authorities are on their way? Shit. Nora hopped down from the container and felt her body complain as she made contact with the ground. She turned around and offered her hand to the young woman who was still in the container. "I don't know about your dad, but I promised to get you home. Everything else can wait. Come on." Nora extended her hand in an offer to help her down. The woman, Ruth, took the hand and climbed out. "Go climb in." Nora nods towards the front of the vehicle before making her way to the man laying on the ground.

Under the blood, dirt, and missing arm, the man wore fancy clothes and seemed well-groomed. Nora crouched down beside him and felt for vitals. He needed medical attention, and the sooner the better. It looked as though some first response medical care had already been administered, but she wasn't sure it would hold up for very long. Nora glanced towards the vehicle. She couldn't stick around to deal with the authorities. As an immigrant, she couldn't afford any trouble. She also couldn't go back on her word to get the girl home. As a trained soldier, she couldn't bring herself to leave someone behind. And then there were the civilians that were beginning to gather... Fuck fuck FUCK fuck fuck-fuck. Another quick glance to the vehicle and her mind was made up. One deep breath and Nora began to collect the man. She draped him around her shoulders in an effort to distribute his weight easier, but pain shot through her senses. From midback up to her occipital, causing flashes of colorful lights to momentarily blind her. Another deep breath, which only caused more pain. Fine, shallow breathes it is.

With deliberate steps, Nora brought the man to the passenger side. "Scoot over," Nora instructed the woman. Sliding the man off of her shoulder and into the passenger seat, "hold him upright." Nora slammed the bent door closed and rushed around to the driver's side. Where the cab attaches to the airship attachment is an emergency release mechanism. Can't go wrong with classics, I guess. How much longer do I have before first responders are on the scene? I need to go faster. Nora used her Personal Communications device to quickly override the safety measures and release the cab. Vaulting into the driver's side and engaging the Ground Delivery mech, Nora could feel the wheels engage. Starting the cab engine, she revved up and felt the front cab detached from the ship compartments. With the second rev the cab came free.

"Okay, crew, hang on." The forward motion was off balance and clumsy, but it was forward movement nonetheless. In just a few moments they were off of the field and onto the streets. This is going to gather too much attention. We need cover. We need medical attention. Nora flicked her eyes to the right to see the young woman holding the man up and trying to stabilize him against the jerking motions of the vehicle. Another wave of regret overcame Nora for leaving her D.I.G. in the goddam airship. Where are we? On the side of the road up ahead is a big blue H sign. Perhaps Providence was real, after all.

With a little bit of common sense and helpful road signs, Nora found the district's hospital. "Search his pockets for any identification, we're almost there." Turning into the ground level Emergency Intake entrance, Nora did a visual sweep of the area. Was there somewhere with the poorest visual coverage from surveillance? Medical professionals started to open the doors and bring out stretchers. Someone must have seen the vehicle and made assumptions. Nora came to a stop just short of where the medical professionals were. Shrugging off her uniform jacket, she handed it to the young woman. "I will drive you home in five minutes. Any more than five and you might need to find your own way. Put this on and wait outside the closest off duty skyship."

Without waiting for a response Nora slid out and went around to confront the fast approaching crowd. Please let her be clever enough to get away before I open this door. "Help! I have a man who needs emergency attention!"

The Hero's of Theonia

With her order in hand, Nora felt a tapping on her shoulder. Nora's heart pounded rapidly as she turned to face the young woman who sought her attention. "Hi. Sorry to bother you during your break, but I was wondering if I could get a ride back to my apartment... Like, as quickly as possible. I need to get out of here." The protector within Nora stirred. The girl looked uncomfortable, was she being harassed? A quick visual sweep of the cafe showed no eyes watching her.

"What are your coordinates?" Shit, I have to get to Broadcoast. What are you doing, Nora?

Ruth glanced down at her little watch, which held tons more information than just the time, and nodded once. “I can never remember the exact numbers and such, but I can flash it over to your device. I live in Brookside Falls.” Before Ruth even finished speaking, she had sent her coordinates to the young woman’s device by pressing on a special app and holding her arm out close enough so her own device could gather the information. “I hope that worked!”

Everything is so much easier with her D.I.G., Nora mentally kicked herself once again for leaving it behind. Not that she had expected a pickup in the cafe. Luckily she had a vague idea of where Brookside Falls was.

"I'm headed in the opposite direction." Nora watched the woman's face fall slightly, and she did one more sweep of the cafe. There was a niggling, persistent feeling in the back of her mind that the girl really needed help. "If you're willing to go for a ride, though, I'll drop you off after my pick up."

Ruth pursed her lips together slightly, thinking about this offer. After thinking about it, she nodded and gave a grateful smile. “I’m okay with that! Anything to get out of here. Things got too awkward for my tastes.”

"I'm parked on the landing pad out the side door, come one." Nora and the young woman began to head towards the side door, just past the washroom, when a large recycling vehicle went through the glass panels and faux rock formations of the cafe. It narrowly missed them both, but the faux rocks that flew apart hit them both hard on the back. Then there was darkness.

The darkness was complete and all-encompassing. The air was stale and hard on the lungs. Wait, hard on the lungs? Where was her breathing apparatus? With a groan, Nora moved her stiff right arm and used her hand to explore her face. No mask, no helm, no comm. Her hand traced down her collarbone, chest, sternum, hips. No lacerations, suit intact, no gun. She found herself in a sitting position, so she bent her upper body forward to trace her right leg. Thigh and ankle weapons were gone as well.

Her heart was racing. Taking progressively shallower breathes, she steadied her heart and lungs and the ringing in her ears quieted. Patiently, she listened. There was the creak of metal on metal. There was the sound of a generator. There was the sound of the air regulator. Ah, there. Voices.

Nora stood, carefully, and paused to check if she would experience dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness, or any flashing lights. All was good. She took slow, bracing steps towards the sound of the voices. When she came to the metal barrier- door or wall she was not sure- she pressed her ears to the surface. She could hear them, and she knew them. Hostiles.

Nora came-to in darkness. There was a familiarity to it. The darkness was not complete, however, as there were holes and cracks in the walls around her. The area was cramped, the air smelled of gas and something burning. She hurt, her head down to her ass. Nora moved her right arm up to the back of her neck. Fuck that hurts. Her hand trailed down her collarbone, her check, her sternum, settling on the gun holstered to her hip.

Nora concentrated on focusing her eyes as she retrieved the gun from its place. Taking a calming breath, she investigated the tight space more. Beside her was the young woman who asked for a ride, unconscious but breathing. Suddenly, the common feeling of decent came to Nora’s senses. They were in the air.

Repositioning them so the young woman was behind her, Nora settled herself at the door with her gun cocked.

The Hero's of Theonia

Docking in the landing area, Nora secures the aircraft and buttons up her uniform jacket. The weather is miserable and only seems to get wetter by the minute. Taking her D.I.G. off and placing it on the ledge near the door, Nora hops out and locks up. Her stomach rumbles.

After a brisk walk she found herself in the warm sanctuary of the Emerald Garden. This cafe embodies everything Nora came to the Home Planet for. The lush, healthy plants that are meticulously cared for, the peaceful atmosphere, the kind staff, the content patrons, and the intoxicating aroma of coffee, spice, and flowers. As this was her third visit to the cafe she isn't overly familiar with the menu or the staff, but she has yet to be disappointed by either.

Looking around and noticing that everyone else seems to be with a friend, lover, or colleagues, Nora suddenly felt silly for being alone. Regret over leaving her D.I.G. in the aircraft washed over with her. At least if she had it she wouldn't have to people watch. Instead, her finger nails suddenly became intensely interesting until it was her turn to order.

"Hey there, what can I get you?" The barista, SASHA her nametag read, asked.

"Oh, sorry. Can I get the third drink on your menu and the third meal on your menu, to go?" Nora requested, looking up from her nails.

"Do you have a mug you would like to use?" Sasha asked as she rung up the total.

"No, I'll just rent one."

"Sure thing. How did you want to pay?" Nora picked up the ID card that hung around her neck and tapped it to the payment terminal. Rejected. Goddam Tory hasn't loaded her meal allowance onto her staff ID. Nora smiles weakly at Sasha as she pulls out her personal communications device and taps that instead. A receipt flashes on the screen as she shoves in back into her pocket. "Your order will be up on that counter over there." Sasha indicates to the counter further down.

Nora heads over to the washroom, a quick pitstop before heading back to the sky. She tries to open to door but it's locked, it must be occupied. Nora goes to stand with the other waiting for their orders.

New (again)

@Lyly Yes, I've notice that zooming in works for typing, and turning my phone works for reading. I didn't even have a phone last time I was a member her. How things change, eh?

New (again)

Thank you for the warm welcome back! I have to say, the site is a lot easier to use on the computer. Does anyone know any ways to male this easier on my phone?

The Hero's of Theonia

The Global Positioning System displays an arrow on the path through Nora's Digital Interfacing Gear, indicating her turn is in 100 meters. As she neared her turn, the client's song wound down and the next started up, blasting the newest, loudest, and most nonsensical of modern music. With a groan, she picked up speed. At least this client isn't inclined to converse about nothingness that is small matters, or isn't asking questions to which the answers are none of their business. Or crying. That may very well be the worst. At least the clients that are trying to get a cheeky make-out session in the back of her aircraft mostly have the good graces to keep it down.

The D.I.G. pops up with a warning- Your destination is on the left. Docking the aircraft on the pad, the music cuts out as the client gets a notification of the transit fee. Once the transaction is approved the doors open and the client departs. The music syncs back up with Nora's preferences as the door closes. Flipping off her "On Duty" status, Nora gets clearance for take-off from the Air Traffic AI. With a deep sigh, borne from boredom and hunger, she takes to the skyways.

The com beeps with and incoming communication. Accepting the call, a voice takes over the audio in Nora's earphones.

"I have a pick up on Broadcoast requesting you. Are you off already?"

"I'm on my union mandated lunch break, Tory." This happens all. the. time. Skye-Way Air Taxi is becoming more popular every day and they cannot keep up with staffing. The union means nothing when it means the company will lose a client. What once was a decent job quickly turned into a nightmare, and it's one Nora lives every day.

A conflicted sigh comes through the com, and then silence. It wasn't Nora's job to ease their minds over overworking their drivers, and she sure as hell wasn't about the break the silence first.

"Look, Huxter, we need you. How about we comp you your lunch? Just get over to Broadcost."

"Understood." Nora ends the communication with frustration. Blackwater Corp couldn't get back to her about her application soon enough.

Well, she may as well pick up some food and socially accepted chemical dependence on the way. Nora keys in the location of the little gem she recently found on her G.P.S., The Emerald Garden.

New (again)

Well, fancy being here again! I was a member here nearly twelve years ago and spent a lot of time role-playing fantasy worlds with a group of individuals. Now I'm back after a year long Dungeons and Dragons kick to role play with a few of my party members, but without the dice. I feel fairly nostalgic looking through the site, like coming back to my youth.

Pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Layna

The Hero's of Theonia

Name:
Nora Anne Huxter

Age:
Was 23 when I was put in cryo for 15 years. I have been out of cryo for 2 years, so 25.

Race:
Human

Job/Title:
-Former Exploration & Military Pilot for the A.R.K. Space Station.
-Current Sky Taxi driver
-Free-lace fiction author is spare time (mostly fan fiction...)

Skills:
Pilot, aircraft mechanics, close quarters combat, air warcraft, navigation

Hobbies:
Writing, reading, long walks on the beach

Likes:
Fairytales! Talking with my family. Fresh foods.

Dislikes:
People telling me how to do my god damn job!

Appearance:
Dark hair that has natural white/silver streaks in it, but I keep them dyed fun colors. Hair is kept in braids at all times, typically two braids on my time and a french braid while working. Standing at 5'5” you wouldn't imagine I am very imposing, but with a resting bitch face and killer skills, I don't have a lot of strangers approaching me. Weird, I know. Uhh, my eyes are hazel. I'm sorry, how much detail do you really need on this application?

My Hider

Other:
Fun fact! Due to the specific environmental conditions around the A.R.K., anyone born aboard has some amount of pigment loss. Most common is lack of pigmentation in the hair, but it has presented itself in some pretty unique ways. It is also speculated that it promotes the male gene, which is why the birth rate of natural born females is so low. A.R.K. has taken to growing them in artificial wombs withing the last 75 years.

Backstory:
Born to Hugo and Irene Huxter, third generation A.R.K. Mechanics (heavy duty and digital interfacing, respectively). Only daughter of four, my aptitude tests all pointed me to the pilot program. After completing my mandated and technical training I joined the A.R.K. Force, and took to it the way a bird is meant to.
When I was twenty I began a long distance relationship with a man from Theonia who made me feel like the princess I always imagined I was. He told me fanciful stories of the beauty and preservation of Theonia, it's natural bounty. I fell in love, not only with him but with his home. A year later I started the process for my immigration to Theonia, ready to reintegrate into the Home Planet. He promised he would wait for my arrival, but I guess 15 years is too long to wait. When I came to a month before arrival, to allow for physiotherapy and integration, I found an electronic communication from him, only three years after I had departed, that he had moved on. He is now married with two children. The bastard. I mean, it's been 13 years for him, but it was fresh for me.
I tried to branch out, but was called back to piloting in the position of a taxi service.
I would say integration has been difficult up to this point, and I have missed a lot of milestones for my family and friends on the A.R.K.
Which brings me to why I am applying to work for Blackwater Corp. As an exploration pilot. I believe that the beauty and preservation of this planet is my calling here, and I look forward to working with you.

Thank you for considering my application,
Nora A. Huxter