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Fuzzybootz,
Heat
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Recent Statuses
6 yrs ago
It’s none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier.
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Bio
“There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.”
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
Most Recent Posts
I've got big plans for Dr. Stark guys, let's get moving!
Hah, well we use OOC primarily for key announcements so don't think we're not doing anything :) But we've been in discussions all week in Discord about next posts and there should be another IC up in a day or two. We'll be back up to speed in no time.
@heat and I are also working on the next post that will mainly be a current "State of the Ark" (see what I did there) post, and Admiral Locke making a ship-wide announcement with a "Here's what's next, but carry on with your lives" kind of of speech.
We don't plan on moving too fast as we like to allow the players to develop their characters whereas the Ark really takes on a life of it's own after awhile.
Nice work @Goldeagle1221. Should prove to an interesting character to RP, especially taking someone else's identity. That being said, you may want to think about possible DNA/Biometric scans not matching up. Perhaps he had a temporary solution to enable him to gain access?
"Ark Sec" doesn't mess around ;)
"Ark Sec" doesn't mess around ;)
In
No Turning Back - Into the Abyss (Looking for new people!)
→
8 yrs ago
Forum: General Interest Checks
What kind of new blood you lookin for?
To echo @heat's previous comment, think of the Ark as a huge city, with (virtually) endless possibilities for careers, and storylines. With that said, however, try to think of professions that would make sense and would really be a benefit for the growth of, essentially, a new population of people.
In
No Turning Back - Into the Abyss (Looking for new people!)
→
8 yrs ago
Forum: Advanced Interest Checks
I'll look over stuff and consider. <3
Ruby! We'd be happy to have you if you do come aboard, chica :)
Okay folks, the conclusion post to the Away Team Mission is up, and they are returning to the Ark, unfortunately with more casualties than they bargained for. That'll teach them to touch foreign shit that doesn't below to them ;)
Anyway, later on down the line @heat & I will be collabing on a post to essentially move into a new "chapter" of the story, but in the meantime you are free to post in order to get your characters situated again once they've returned to the Vitae, as it'll be chaotic enough with offloading wounded, loved ones curious about their own, etc...
We'll also be starting up recruiting again once we've edited the existing character listing (at the first page of the Character tab) considering the people we've lost to the RL demons.
And also, thanks to those of you who've been able to remain through a lot of the slower seasons and, of course, the transitions, but hopefully we'll all work together to continue making this a fun RP to be apart of.
@Subject Zero, @Heat, @Peaceless, @Fuzzybootz
Anyway, later on down the line @heat & I will be collabing on a post to essentially move into a new "chapter" of the story, but in the meantime you are free to post in order to get your characters situated again once they've returned to the Vitae, as it'll be chaotic enough with offloading wounded, loved ones curious about their own, etc...
We'll also be starting up recruiting again once we've edited the existing character listing (at the first page of the Character tab) considering the people we've lost to the RL demons.
And also, thanks to those of you who've been able to remain through a lot of the slower seasons and, of course, the transitions, but hopefully we'll all work together to continue making this a fun RP to be apart of.
@Subject Zero, @Heat, @Peaceless, @Fuzzybootz
Among much of the panic that ensued during to the previous attack on each survey & research team, relief was finally washing over each personnel as those who were missing in the field made their way back to the safety of the Beast Command Vehicle. Chief TreVayne’s initial concerns for Delta Unit’s members were laid to rest as each emerged from the dense forest, with Smith and Gurrera coming up from the tail end, winded but relieved to be alive. Edwards seemed to have taken the brunt of the damage though and quickly rushed to the medbay for further examination by medical staff, which was still sorely needed considering the casualties involved.
“Chief.” Eccleson approached Gavon, who was currently helping load up the last of the supplies. “All surviving personnel are accounted for.” She said with some hesitation, trying her best to put on a professional demeanor but still shaken by the earlier attack on her military units, and the first-hand indiscriminate destruction she’d faced.
“Excellent.” The other responded, placing a large metal case of survey equipment on the floor next to one of the storage holds, and straightening back up to face the Captain. “We’re almost done here as well, and the pilot is prepped to get us the hell out of here and back to the Nyx, taking the path we came from, which seems to be clear at the moment.”
Eccleson nodded, a semblance of anguish still ever present in her otherwise stoic expression. “Then I'll meet you up in the cockpit shortly.” Her response sounded more like a question, as she saluted the Chief before taking her leave from cargo toward the main corridor than ran through the spine of the Beast. Gavon couldn't help but wonder if an officer such as she would ever fit in well enough for field assignments. Her military record was impeccable, but there's a difference between simulation and the real thing. The latter being as unpredictable as they come.
The last several minutes had been one of the toughest for everyone, pushing themselves to ensure all wounded were placed in makeshift triage stations and civilian personnel seated aboard the transport before rolling out. Science teams, keeping their minds occupied and off of the earlier attacks, chatted amongst themselves regarding various discoveries, some more significant than others, but enough of a distraction nevertheless. Both pilots -Lt Hawkins and Atkov- acting as the initial lead scouts, returned safety to the landing bay after an attack by the insects almost cost them their lives, however one of the R52-Shriek speeders were left behind somewhere deep in the forest in a state of disrepair. A sacrifice both officers had no problems making if it meant escaping in one piece. The security team, lead by Chief TreVayne, were all tasked to not only assist in the boarding processes of all personnel and equipment, but to ensure safety protocols were met and all supplies rescanned for any foreign anomalies. The last thing they wanted to do was carry anything harmful or deadly back to the Ark. Military units assigned to to perimeter watch were quickly reassembled as the Beast was preparing to make it’s way back to the Nyx.
Upon their return to the Reaper-Class Cruiser, and once communication transmissions restored to optimal parameters, Captain Eccleson was met with messages from the Nyx navigation crew regarding the launch of a fighter squad by Admiral Locke, considering the earlier attack on the away teams. Thankfully a channel could be opened to the Ark advising command to belay the order and recall all fighters back to the hangar immediately. As the Nyx finally broke the planet’s atmosphere on it’s return trip to their orbiting home, clearer details of the mission were then sent to Ark command as well as a head count of all wounded personnel, giving the Vitae’s medical staff time to prep for incoming, and hopefully save the lives of those in critical condition. The Nyx was busy enough however with medical staff, and any hands that could be spared to assist with casualties. Medical droids, activated and ready, buzzed back and forth along the corridors leading to the med bays, stabilizing those injuries that needed it until each patient was secured a place in surgery. By default, Amara Locke, took point on coordinating the process, not because she was any senior medical officer, but because it was necessary and no one would question help at this point. Mackenzie Newton remained by Agent Edwards’ side for most of the trip back, being called every so often to diagnose and repair a few faults with the medical droid units, most of which were minor issues but still important enough to address. Michael Smith, seemingly unscathed by his previous encounter with the mysterious guardian insects, assisted as he could with the medical knowledge stored in his in database, keeping laser focused on ensuring the survival of those in his care. Chief TreVayne walked the corridors, busily checking up on his security teams, doling out additional orders as needed, and interfacing with NOAH -via data pad- to ensure none of the ship’s vital systems were corrupted by the planet’s EM fields or the possibility of nanite penetration.
Meanwhile, back on the Ark, Admiral Locke, relieved of the news that his away team was en route, yet at the same time silently mourning the loss of those men and women who served bravely, paced the floor of the bridge with one arm laid across his torso and the other propped up with a steady hand to his chin. Loss was never easy no matter how many battles one had experienced, and the fact that this first planetary mission turned into such a cluster of chaotic shit made the man wonder if this was their lot in life. Are we made to run from those who wish to do us harm in every galaxy, cowering and caving to unknown enemies crawling around space looking for a fight? How many more must die for peace to be actualized? How many home planets had to be destroyed by invading entities seeking nothing but total annihilation...and for what? Something had to give.
“Sir.” Ensign Jennis spoke up as the Admiral passed by him. “Aside from the Nyx pulling into hangar bay 2 shortly, we detect no other anomalies, in the area, and long-range scanners give nothing of interest or concern.” Jennis glances up from the console. “Any particular destination, Sir?”
Locke paused in his tracks for a moment, glancing at the navigational holo-map which was continuing its structuring process of the surrounding area, saving details within the ship’s database in hopes of stitching together known with unknown space, but still lingering with questions nonetheless. “We’re still at the mercy of the great ‘roulette wheel’, living each moment in expectation of a chance encounter.” He thought outloud. “But...with that nugget of profound thought, Ensign, as soon as the Nyx has docked and the hangar secured, take us the hell away from this sector. We’ll have enough to worry about aboard this ship for quite awhile. A ship that we have to remember is our only home, so I think a ‘destination’ is irrelevant at this time.”
Okay folks, just added Advancement Post for the Away Team, but here is the general rundown...
After attack, groups are heading back to Beast per initial protocol. Many are wounded or dead and a few missing.
Sara Hawkins @vietmyke is currently searching (or at least I'd assume she would be since there has been no other post...) for Cassandra Atkov @Civetta who crashed somewhere in the jungle during recon.
MacKenzie Newton @Fuzzybootz and Edwards were cut off from Gurrera during an insect ambush, but their path is still relatively clear to head to the Beast. Agent Gurrera on the other hand has decided to stay behind to find Michael Smith @Heat since he'd gone missing.
Karen Anderson @Draken No idea, but assuming she is heading back to Beast (?)
Gavon TreVayne @Rawk and Amara Locke @Subject Zero and company made it back to Beast.
Captain Bryenna Eccleson: After losing like a half dozen soldiers, made it back to Beast.
Lt. Rorq: Made it back to Beast.
After attack, groups are heading back to Beast per initial protocol. Many are wounded or dead and a few missing.
Player Summary:
Sara Hawkins @vietmyke is currently searching (or at least I'd assume she would be since there has been no other post...) for Cassandra Atkov @Civetta who crashed somewhere in the jungle during recon.
MacKenzie Newton @Fuzzybootz and Edwards were cut off from Gurrera during an insect ambush, but their path is still relatively clear to head to the Beast. Agent Gurrera on the other hand has decided to stay behind to find Michael Smith @Heat since he'd gone missing.
Karen Anderson @Draken No idea, but assuming she is heading back to Beast (?)
Gavon TreVayne @Rawk and Amara Locke @Subject Zero and company made it back to Beast.
NPCs
Captain Bryenna Eccleson: After losing like a half dozen soldiers, made it back to Beast.
Lt. Rorq: Made it back to Beast.
[:: P2A-594 | Alpha Second Unit ::]
[:: Captain B. Eccleson Military Detachment Commander ::]
The Captain sat at the edge of one of the supply crates, listening in to the random comm chatter -at least what could be deciphered through the static- trying to take her mind off of the fact that her hand was still trembling. This was all so new to her, strange things happening on a planet she knew very little about, attacked by alien insects with the ability to melt humans on contact. This was not covered in basic training, nor in any textbooks she’d been forced to read through in her earlier years at the academy. But at the same time, why shouldn’t this have been any different than a “worst case scenario”? Foreigners landing a planet that hasn’t seen life in a very long time, picking and probing at things that didn’t belong to them, and then not expecting resistance?
Eccleson switched the comms off. She’d had enough of listening in on absolutely nothing. What she wanted was off the goddamned planet for good.
“Captain” One of the soldiers hustled across the clearing and to her side. “Reports show we lost six of our own, and another ten wounded, however the dead will be damned near impossible to retrieve as the insect population had grown almost doubled since our retreat.”
“Then we leave them, end of story.” She said after several seconds. “There’s no point in risking any more lives.”
“But Captain if we-”
“That’s an order soldier!” She stood to her feet, staring the young man in the face as though she were reprimanding her own child. “This isn’t our war. The orders issued by Chief TreVayne and myself were clear, and we need to stick to the plan if we’re to get the hell off this planet...”
“Very good sir.” He followed up with a salute to his commanding officer, swallowing his own opinions on the matter and moving on. “Also sir, one of our scouts is MIA, no communication as of yet.”
“They know to report back here, so we’ll hold off as long as we can…”
[:: P2A-594 | Delta First Unit ::]
[:: M. Newton | M. Smith | Agent S. Edwards | Agent T. Gurrera ::]
Gurrera swore under his breath at the shit luck they'd encountered en route to the Beast, suddenly being ambushed by more of the insects swarms as they cut off the path and separated him from the others. He was equally upset with the fact that one of “science geeks” -Michael- had somehow broken apart from their group as well and gone missing. Part of him hoped the idiot was taken down by the bugs for being so careless, but the other -slightly more humane- part knew he'd probably be the one going to find the guy and, of course, save the day. With Edwards and Kenzie somewhere on the other side of the electrofied insect barrier, he attempted to hail his partner on the comms knowing that their path was still open to head back to the Beast.
"Edwards, this is Gurrera, do you copy?" Static could be heard over the headset, but the signal should still make it through considering their position from one another. "You guys continue on to the Beast, I need to find Michael Smith. The dude got lost a ways back no doubt." The Agent had to hope his transmission went through as he started backtracking his steps to find the missing science assistant.
----------------------------------
“Any units in sector…” Gurrera checked his helmet HUD for the coordinates. “Thirty-Two point Niner Alpha, please respond. We have a missing research assistant, Michael Smith, possibly wounded. Need immediate assistance and medic, copy.”
“Negative, Agent.” One of the military personnel spoke up. “Immediate attention in that area isn't possible at this time as that sector has a large convergence of insects making it impossible for our group to make it through without more casualties.”
“Shit!” He shouted, realizing the channel was still active. “So what’s our recourse? Do we leave the dude behind? How do we know he’ll even make it by the time-”
“Agent Gurrera.” The stern voice interrupted. “We're aware of the situation and it'll be handled, but dispatching another team at this time to find a single member is risking more lives that we can’t afford. Your best bet is to regroup at the Beast Command Vehicle, and await further instructions.”
“Understood.” He responded after a few moments of silence. “Gurrera out.”
He continued looking back along the path they'd originally taken through the thick brush, noticing off the path several dozen insects converging around something behind a few tall trees.
"That sure as shit better be him, and he better not be dead."
[:: P2A-594 | Alpha First Unit ::]
[:: Chief G. TreVayne | Agent F. Phillips | A. Locke ::]
“And I bet you thought this was going to be just another milk run, eh Chief?” Phillips spoke on a secure comm line to Gavon in passing as they trudged along the last leg of the return journey to the Beast, the Agent taking up the rear to ensure no other anomalies were inbound. He’d already been trying to shake off the fact that they’d just about seen the last of their days, outdone by a shit load of insects that were probably wondering why in the hell a group of foreigners were invading their territory. Or maybe they weren’t so surprised, considering whatever was on this planet must have been worth enough trouble to safeguard it with such highly efficient technology. Either way, Phillips continued to scan the area now that their equipment was fully functional now that they’d pulled away from the majority of the electromagnetic fields.
“I didn't really know what to expect on this trip considering, like many of us, I’d never been to another planet, let alone another galaxy.” Gavon continued monitoring their progress toward the command vehicle, noting that they had roughly a quarter mile to their destination. “But none of this should have happened.” He said with a grim expression.
“Too many lives were put at risk” Phillips chimed in as he continued his area scans. “And for what?...” He glanced over at the science team in front, who were still pretty shaken up by the events.
“Doesn't matter Agent. We didn't sign up for this line of work without expecting some resistance. You of all people should know that.”
Phillips snickered. “Yeah, but Mars didn't have to contend with killer bugs and ghost dogs.”
“Just everything else.” The Chief remarked, drawing his attention to the path ahead, which lead directly to their vehicle, and switching to localized group-wide communication.
“Alright folks, we're coming up to the Beast shortly. Stay in single file formation from here on as the brush becomes pretty dense in this sector. And please watch your footing for sinkholes and overgrown roots. We don't need any more injuries…”
------------------------------------------------
The Command Vehicle was seeing plenty of activity as military and civilian personnel loaded through the rear ramp, many who had minor cuts were spot treated and others with more severe burns from the acidic liquid the insects secreted were rushed into the medbay. A fairly tight perimeter had been formed around the Beast, with both drones and foot soldiers keeping an eye out for any further enemy engagement. Gavon let out a sigh of relief to see many of his Agents back safely, and yet relative to the number of personnel who embarked on the journey to the planet, the returning count was still low.
“Amara” He turned to the young Locke who was following closely behind. “I suspect you’ll be needed in the medbay. Try to rally all the medical personnel you can for further inbound wounded. Phillips will accompany you and the science team.”
The Chief spotted Eccleson near the supply crates helping a few of the soldiers rummage through food and water to hand out as personnel made their way back. Science teams gathered together, a few tending to minor wounds, as others were sharing information of discoveries made, though most were still feeling disheartened by the earlier attacks. The same questions could be overheard as he headed through the cluster. Was this trip even worth it?
“Captain.” Gavon’s expression was, more or less neutral considering on the one hand he was glad to see she’d made it back, but on the other knew this was no celebratory reunion and keeping her mind on task was the only way to get through any of this. “Comms were down in our sector so my updates have been sparse. What’s the latest on the remaining groups?”
Eccleson briefly gazed up at the Chief while continuing to sort through the supplies as well as her datapad which was propped on the edge of the crate. “Chief”. She cracked a half smile as though to say she wasn’t quite sure what to say yet. “As far as I know, there are numerous dead and no way of making it back to them without inciting more attacks. I was recently made aware that at least one of our scouts is still missing, and a science assistant who was accompanying Delta Unit to the southwest.”
“That’s Gurrera & Edwards unit.”
The Captain nodded. “We advised them to head back here since one of your Agents was badly wounded…” She stayed silent for a moment before continuing. “I’m not even sure we can go back in there to extract the missing, Chief.”
Gavon understood the circumstances, and knew the decisions being made were not going to be easy for either of them. But he also knew those few who had gone missing and could still be alive needed time, which was already in short supply. He pulled up the tracking HUD on his visor and began a scan with very little success due to the blanket of EM interference in the dense forest.
“This is ridiculous.” He switched off the Nav. “All this tech at our disposal and it’s useless. But either way, I’m fairly certain that Delta Unit is one of the closer groups to our location, so there may be a chance depending on how quickly we can make it to them.”
Eccleson raised a quizzical eyebrow. “What are you planning?”
“Is there another R-52 Shriek available?...”
[:: Captain B. Eccleson Military Detachment Commander ::]
The Captain sat at the edge of one of the supply crates, listening in to the random comm chatter -at least what could be deciphered through the static- trying to take her mind off of the fact that her hand was still trembling. This was all so new to her, strange things happening on a planet she knew very little about, attacked by alien insects with the ability to melt humans on contact. This was not covered in basic training, nor in any textbooks she’d been forced to read through in her earlier years at the academy. But at the same time, why shouldn’t this have been any different than a “worst case scenario”? Foreigners landing a planet that hasn’t seen life in a very long time, picking and probing at things that didn’t belong to them, and then not expecting resistance?
Eccleson switched the comms off. She’d had enough of listening in on absolutely nothing. What she wanted was off the goddamned planet for good.
“Captain” One of the soldiers hustled across the clearing and to her side. “Reports show we lost six of our own, and another ten wounded, however the dead will be damned near impossible to retrieve as the insect population had grown almost doubled since our retreat.”
“Then we leave them, end of story.” She said after several seconds. “There’s no point in risking any more lives.”
“But Captain if we-”
“That’s an order soldier!” She stood to her feet, staring the young man in the face as though she were reprimanding her own child. “This isn’t our war. The orders issued by Chief TreVayne and myself were clear, and we need to stick to the plan if we’re to get the hell off this planet...”
“Very good sir.” He followed up with a salute to his commanding officer, swallowing his own opinions on the matter and moving on. “Also sir, one of our scouts is MIA, no communication as of yet.”
“They know to report back here, so we’ll hold off as long as we can…”
[:: P2A-594 | Delta First Unit ::]
[:: M. Newton | M. Smith | Agent S. Edwards | Agent T. Gurrera ::]
Gurrera swore under his breath at the shit luck they'd encountered en route to the Beast, suddenly being ambushed by more of the insects swarms as they cut off the path and separated him from the others. He was equally upset with the fact that one of “science geeks” -Michael- had somehow broken apart from their group as well and gone missing. Part of him hoped the idiot was taken down by the bugs for being so careless, but the other -slightly more humane- part knew he'd probably be the one going to find the guy and, of course, save the day. With Edwards and Kenzie somewhere on the other side of the electrofied insect barrier, he attempted to hail his partner on the comms knowing that their path was still open to head back to the Beast.
"Edwards, this is Gurrera, do you copy?" Static could be heard over the headset, but the signal should still make it through considering their position from one another. "You guys continue on to the Beast, I need to find Michael Smith. The dude got lost a ways back no doubt." The Agent had to hope his transmission went through as he started backtracking his steps to find the missing science assistant.
----------------------------------
“Any units in sector…” Gurrera checked his helmet HUD for the coordinates. “Thirty-Two point Niner Alpha, please respond. We have a missing research assistant, Michael Smith, possibly wounded. Need immediate assistance and medic, copy.”
“Negative, Agent.” One of the military personnel spoke up. “Immediate attention in that area isn't possible at this time as that sector has a large convergence of insects making it impossible for our group to make it through without more casualties.”
“Shit!” He shouted, realizing the channel was still active. “So what’s our recourse? Do we leave the dude behind? How do we know he’ll even make it by the time-”
“Agent Gurrera.” The stern voice interrupted. “We're aware of the situation and it'll be handled, but dispatching another team at this time to find a single member is risking more lives that we can’t afford. Your best bet is to regroup at the Beast Command Vehicle, and await further instructions.”
“Understood.” He responded after a few moments of silence. “Gurrera out.”
He continued looking back along the path they'd originally taken through the thick brush, noticing off the path several dozen insects converging around something behind a few tall trees.
"That sure as shit better be him, and he better not be dead."
[:: P2A-594 | Alpha First Unit ::]
[:: Chief G. TreVayne | Agent F. Phillips | A. Locke ::]
“And I bet you thought this was going to be just another milk run, eh Chief?” Phillips spoke on a secure comm line to Gavon in passing as they trudged along the last leg of the return journey to the Beast, the Agent taking up the rear to ensure no other anomalies were inbound. He’d already been trying to shake off the fact that they’d just about seen the last of their days, outdone by a shit load of insects that were probably wondering why in the hell a group of foreigners were invading their territory. Or maybe they weren’t so surprised, considering whatever was on this planet must have been worth enough trouble to safeguard it with such highly efficient technology. Either way, Phillips continued to scan the area now that their equipment was fully functional now that they’d pulled away from the majority of the electromagnetic fields.
“I didn't really know what to expect on this trip considering, like many of us, I’d never been to another planet, let alone another galaxy.” Gavon continued monitoring their progress toward the command vehicle, noting that they had roughly a quarter mile to their destination. “But none of this should have happened.” He said with a grim expression.
“Too many lives were put at risk” Phillips chimed in as he continued his area scans. “And for what?...” He glanced over at the science team in front, who were still pretty shaken up by the events.
“Doesn't matter Agent. We didn't sign up for this line of work without expecting some resistance. You of all people should know that.”
Phillips snickered. “Yeah, but Mars didn't have to contend with killer bugs and ghost dogs.”
“Just everything else.” The Chief remarked, drawing his attention to the path ahead, which lead directly to their vehicle, and switching to localized group-wide communication.
“Alright folks, we're coming up to the Beast shortly. Stay in single file formation from here on as the brush becomes pretty dense in this sector. And please watch your footing for sinkholes and overgrown roots. We don't need any more injuries…”
------------------------------------------------
The Command Vehicle was seeing plenty of activity as military and civilian personnel loaded through the rear ramp, many who had minor cuts were spot treated and others with more severe burns from the acidic liquid the insects secreted were rushed into the medbay. A fairly tight perimeter had been formed around the Beast, with both drones and foot soldiers keeping an eye out for any further enemy engagement. Gavon let out a sigh of relief to see many of his Agents back safely, and yet relative to the number of personnel who embarked on the journey to the planet, the returning count was still low.
“Amara” He turned to the young Locke who was following closely behind. “I suspect you’ll be needed in the medbay. Try to rally all the medical personnel you can for further inbound wounded. Phillips will accompany you and the science team.”
The Chief spotted Eccleson near the supply crates helping a few of the soldiers rummage through food and water to hand out as personnel made their way back. Science teams gathered together, a few tending to minor wounds, as others were sharing information of discoveries made, though most were still feeling disheartened by the earlier attacks. The same questions could be overheard as he headed through the cluster. Was this trip even worth it?
“Captain.” Gavon’s expression was, more or less neutral considering on the one hand he was glad to see she’d made it back, but on the other knew this was no celebratory reunion and keeping her mind on task was the only way to get through any of this. “Comms were down in our sector so my updates have been sparse. What’s the latest on the remaining groups?”
Eccleson briefly gazed up at the Chief while continuing to sort through the supplies as well as her datapad which was propped on the edge of the crate. “Chief”. She cracked a half smile as though to say she wasn’t quite sure what to say yet. “As far as I know, there are numerous dead and no way of making it back to them without inciting more attacks. I was recently made aware that at least one of our scouts is still missing, and a science assistant who was accompanying Delta Unit to the southwest.”
“That’s Gurrera & Edwards unit.”
The Captain nodded. “We advised them to head back here since one of your Agents was badly wounded…” She stayed silent for a moment before continuing. “I’m not even sure we can go back in there to extract the missing, Chief.”
Gavon understood the circumstances, and knew the decisions being made were not going to be easy for either of them. But he also knew those few who had gone missing and could still be alive needed time, which was already in short supply. He pulled up the tracking HUD on his visor and began a scan with very little success due to the blanket of EM interference in the dense forest.
“This is ridiculous.” He switched off the Nav. “All this tech at our disposal and it’s useless. But either way, I’m fairly certain that Delta Unit is one of the closer groups to our location, so there may be a chance depending on how quickly we can make it to them.”
Eccleson raised a quizzical eyebrow. “What are you planning?”
“Is there another R-52 Shriek available?...”
Michele, Nicolaus, Elizabeth, and more booze to take the edge off
collab between @Howler & @Rawk, leading up to “Lupine Breakers”
Elizabeth stood for a moment with her mouth agape, unsure of how to respond to the girl’s last comment, until the alcohol that had been streaming through her veins and rearranging her frontal cortex, decided for her. “Holy fuck you’re not a guy in drag at all!” Her voice started out a bit on the high side in the excitement, eventually leveling out. “In fact, you’re much better looking from this vantage point than over there. She motioned to the booth halfway across the room at the top of the stairway landing, her vampire companion preoccupied in a conversation with one of the waitresses.
“But...anyway, this isn’t so much a social call as it is...” Liz twisted up her lip and furrowed her brow as though she were in deep thought. “a ‘business proposition’, I suppose you could call it.” She reached for the second shot glass full of Cuervo and knocked it back before placing it down onto the bar top, her expression giving off a sour vibe as she swallowed the liquor.
“Actually...I’m not really sure what I’d call it and, in fact, I don’t even know what it’s all about.” She smirked as though amused at her own ignorance, suddenly catching herself on the barstool from almost falling, yet continuing her conversation without missing a beat. “But, what I do know is that my friend over there has a bit of news that might interest you.” The woman leaned in closer to Michele. “And your kind.” She whispered with a mocking wink and smile that said ”I’m as funny as a hat full of assholes”.
...yup. It was that time of night again. There came a point in every trip out where some drunk asshole would decide it was a good idea to poke fun at Michelle. She’d heard it all before at this point--this would make time, what, seven that she got called a dude?--but it never made it any less ha-ha-hilarious. Fortunately they were in one of the few locations that Michelle wasn’t allowed to deck someone and, admittedly, the someone happened to be attractive enough and drunk enough that there were better responses to be made. But no, it wasn’t a social call. It never was, but then again why would it be? Did she fucking look like a social person?
But alright. Her kind, then. Why the fuck not.
Draining her own drink with the Elizabeth’s tequila breath in her ear, Michelle set the glass down with a clink of ice and stood wordlessly. In the same motion she wrapped an arm around the drunk gypsy’s waist and hauled her up as well, the werewolf pulling equal shifts walking her over and propping her up on the unceremonious way to the vampire in--Christ, how did they all manage to sit in the back of the room?
“You dropped this.” She was killing it on introductions today, depositing the arm candy opposite the Ventrue only to slide in next to her. A bony butt-bump later and she even had herself a bit of sitting room. “So what do you want?”
If there had ever been a time Nicolaus begged for the ability to simply “switch off” his acute sense of smell -and perhaps to a lesser extent, taste- it was certainly now, catching the raw odor that permeated off the Lupine even before she and Elizabeth made it to the foot of the stairway leading up to the booth. It was a scent that, in it’s subtle own way, was as repulsive as a wet dog who’d previously rolled around in it’s own excrement before waltzing into its master’s house, muddy paws and all. It had been almost a year since he was around another Garou, at least within enough of a radius to sense their presence, and yet the initial shock to the senses never seemed to fully diminish. Perhaps if the Ventrue hung around their Glasswalker counterparts more often, they’d come to appreciate the aroma...
The vampire masked his internal disgust with a friendly smile. “Thank you for joining us, Ms. Darrens.” He nodded. “And, of course, for escorting the lovely lady back to me.”
The Romani woman gave the Ventrue a sarcastic smirk in response, sliding closer to him only to lay her alcohol-heavy head onto his squared off shoulder, slowly allowing her eyes to close as her lover continued.
“Let me first ask...have you ever been aware that Sabbat anarchs were holding a sort of ‘fight club’ in various parts of the city, perhaps even the outskirts?”
“That’s my Thursday night you’re talking about.”
Oh look, another gorgeous vampire in more gorgeous clothes. Fucking Hollywood. Did they only turn people that were pretty, she wondered, or did they just turn pretty after they died? She was pretty convinced the ugly ones were a different species somehow, like cockroaches and butterflies both technically being insects, but that was besides the point. Breathing out and kneading the bridge of her nose, she tried to shake off the alcohol and the edge that was crawling back through her fingers and forearms and deal.
“No, I usually have bigger things to worry about than dead people beating the tar out of each other. What, you want a ringer or something?”
Her initial response pique his interest, slightly raising an eyebrow under the false hopes that the Garou participated in these beatings, and perhaps an easier entry into the next fight could be made. But, to his disappointment, her flavor and degree of sarcasm slipped under his radar when she’d concluded with the polar opposite. But perhaps…
“What if I told you that they recently acquired a few of your kind by means of a raid on tribal Caerns up in the Northwest.” Nico paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. “And from what I’ve been told, one of them is of a rare breed. So much so, that this enslaved Garou is slowly becoming their champion. A real boon for a bunch of Sabbat shits…”
Nicolaus allowed a bit of edginess to slip out in those last few words, his loathing for the twisted Sect ever in the forefront of his mind.
‘No man left behind’ meant a lot to a lot of people. It didn’t to Michelle, but that didn’t mean that she could just leave another Garou to play punching bag for a bunch of neck biting assholes. Michelle might not have been on the best terms with the Garou Nation but that didn’t mean she wasn’t wrist deep in their enemies half the time, and she knew well enough that there weren’t enough of without losing a few to the Sabbat. Besides, walking in and killing everyone until they killed you practically was Michelle’s Thursday night.
“I’d say point the way and get out of mine, but from the sound of it that’s already the plan.” She snorted wryly, leaning back to watch the pair of them. “So what do you want for it? Or is this out of the goodness of that heart of yours that probably dried up years ago?”
That was the inevitable question wasn’t it? And yet Nicolaus had already asked himself the same long before he’d decided on what to do with the vital information fed to him through his underground network. He struggled, in a sense, with whether or not there had to be any gain from this, and the answer did seem pretty obvious at first. Was he to aid the Camarilla in obtaining an ally who could very well be worth ten vampires? To bring this creature up to fight for a much worthier cause than that of the Sabbat and those who follow their dark path? Thereby increasing his Dignitas and resources within clan Ventrue as well? The deep-seated desires never went away, as there was always something to gain at the expense of others. But, the more the vampire contemplated the entirety of the situation, the less desirable any form of a “reward” felt. How different would he have been from his hated enemy? Nicolaus knew all too well what it was like to have everything taken away from him in one fell swoop, and to deny the Garou a fair shake had no semblance of honor. Of course, there was the matter of a debt spanning countless years that he’d hoped to one day pay in full...
“Simply the satisfaction of knowing that the Sabbat assholes and their confederates are struck a hard enough blow, that they’re reeling from the aftermath for a long while.” He said with a gleam in his cobalt eyes, and a wry grin that partially revealed fangs thirsty for the blood of his foes. “But ultimately, Ms. Darrens…” The vampire’s smile disappeared. “The decision is yours, as I am merely the messenger.”
“Can’t reel when you’re dead.” She pointed out, her voice flat and dull as she watched the vampire and his human companion. This was their world, all glass and nightclubs and elegant suits, and hers was out in the guts and gore. She had no illusions--she was doing someone else’s work for them, ashing some asshole leech because some other asshole leech didn’t like him. That’s how vamps liked to do things, even that liked to get their face bloody like him. She could tell from his smile, from the coiling tattoo at his neck worn with meaning instead of some dumb fad that lingered post-mortem.
But there he was, dropping little hints and nudging her along. Some people never could get away from the trappings. The muscles in her forearms were crawling under the skin, making the inky tattoos dance as they coiled--she leaned on her elbows and slid her hands over them. If she were anyone else, the gesture might have looked demure.
“You going to give me an address, or would that be a bit too hands on?”
collab between @Howler & @Rawk, leading up to “Lupine Breakers”
Elizabeth stood for a moment with her mouth agape, unsure of how to respond to the girl’s last comment, until the alcohol that had been streaming through her veins and rearranging her frontal cortex, decided for her. “Holy fuck you’re not a guy in drag at all!” Her voice started out a bit on the high side in the excitement, eventually leveling out. “In fact, you’re much better looking from this vantage point than over there. She motioned to the booth halfway across the room at the top of the stairway landing, her vampire companion preoccupied in a conversation with one of the waitresses.
“But...anyway, this isn’t so much a social call as it is...” Liz twisted up her lip and furrowed her brow as though she were in deep thought. “a ‘business proposition’, I suppose you could call it.” She reached for the second shot glass full of Cuervo and knocked it back before placing it down onto the bar top, her expression giving off a sour vibe as she swallowed the liquor.
“Actually...I’m not really sure what I’d call it and, in fact, I don’t even know what it’s all about.” She smirked as though amused at her own ignorance, suddenly catching herself on the barstool from almost falling, yet continuing her conversation without missing a beat. “But, what I do know is that my friend over there has a bit of news that might interest you.” The woman leaned in closer to Michele. “And your kind.” She whispered with a mocking wink and smile that said ”I’m as funny as a hat full of assholes”.
...yup. It was that time of night again. There came a point in every trip out where some drunk asshole would decide it was a good idea to poke fun at Michelle. She’d heard it all before at this point--this would make time, what, seven that she got called a dude?--but it never made it any less ha-ha-hilarious. Fortunately they were in one of the few locations that Michelle wasn’t allowed to deck someone and, admittedly, the someone happened to be attractive enough and drunk enough that there were better responses to be made. But no, it wasn’t a social call. It never was, but then again why would it be? Did she fucking look like a social person?
But alright. Her kind, then. Why the fuck not.
Draining her own drink with the Elizabeth’s tequila breath in her ear, Michelle set the glass down with a clink of ice and stood wordlessly. In the same motion she wrapped an arm around the drunk gypsy’s waist and hauled her up as well, the werewolf pulling equal shifts walking her over and propping her up on the unceremonious way to the vampire in--Christ, how did they all manage to sit in the back of the room?
“You dropped this.” She was killing it on introductions today, depositing the arm candy opposite the Ventrue only to slide in next to her. A bony butt-bump later and she even had herself a bit of sitting room. “So what do you want?”
If there had ever been a time Nicolaus begged for the ability to simply “switch off” his acute sense of smell -and perhaps to a lesser extent, taste- it was certainly now, catching the raw odor that permeated off the Lupine even before she and Elizabeth made it to the foot of the stairway leading up to the booth. It was a scent that, in it’s subtle own way, was as repulsive as a wet dog who’d previously rolled around in it’s own excrement before waltzing into its master’s house, muddy paws and all. It had been almost a year since he was around another Garou, at least within enough of a radius to sense their presence, and yet the initial shock to the senses never seemed to fully diminish. Perhaps if the Ventrue hung around their Glasswalker counterparts more often, they’d come to appreciate the aroma...
The vampire masked his internal disgust with a friendly smile. “Thank you for joining us, Ms. Darrens.” He nodded. “And, of course, for escorting the lovely lady back to me.”
The Romani woman gave the Ventrue a sarcastic smirk in response, sliding closer to him only to lay her alcohol-heavy head onto his squared off shoulder, slowly allowing her eyes to close as her lover continued.
“Let me first ask...have you ever been aware that Sabbat anarchs were holding a sort of ‘fight club’ in various parts of the city, perhaps even the outskirts?”
“That’s my Thursday night you’re talking about.”
Oh look, another gorgeous vampire in more gorgeous clothes. Fucking Hollywood. Did they only turn people that were pretty, she wondered, or did they just turn pretty after they died? She was pretty convinced the ugly ones were a different species somehow, like cockroaches and butterflies both technically being insects, but that was besides the point. Breathing out and kneading the bridge of her nose, she tried to shake off the alcohol and the edge that was crawling back through her fingers and forearms and deal.
“No, I usually have bigger things to worry about than dead people beating the tar out of each other. What, you want a ringer or something?”
Her initial response pique his interest, slightly raising an eyebrow under the false hopes that the Garou participated in these beatings, and perhaps an easier entry into the next fight could be made. But, to his disappointment, her flavor and degree of sarcasm slipped under his radar when she’d concluded with the polar opposite. But perhaps…
“What if I told you that they recently acquired a few of your kind by means of a raid on tribal Caerns up in the Northwest.” Nico paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. “And from what I’ve been told, one of them is of a rare breed. So much so, that this enslaved Garou is slowly becoming their champion. A real boon for a bunch of Sabbat shits…”
Nicolaus allowed a bit of edginess to slip out in those last few words, his loathing for the twisted Sect ever in the forefront of his mind.
‘No man left behind’ meant a lot to a lot of people. It didn’t to Michelle, but that didn’t mean that she could just leave another Garou to play punching bag for a bunch of neck biting assholes. Michelle might not have been on the best terms with the Garou Nation but that didn’t mean she wasn’t wrist deep in their enemies half the time, and she knew well enough that there weren’t enough of without losing a few to the Sabbat. Besides, walking in and killing everyone until they killed you practically was Michelle’s Thursday night.
“I’d say point the way and get out of mine, but from the sound of it that’s already the plan.” She snorted wryly, leaning back to watch the pair of them. “So what do you want for it? Or is this out of the goodness of that heart of yours that probably dried up years ago?”
That was the inevitable question wasn’t it? And yet Nicolaus had already asked himself the same long before he’d decided on what to do with the vital information fed to him through his underground network. He struggled, in a sense, with whether or not there had to be any gain from this, and the answer did seem pretty obvious at first. Was he to aid the Camarilla in obtaining an ally who could very well be worth ten vampires? To bring this creature up to fight for a much worthier cause than that of the Sabbat and those who follow their dark path? Thereby increasing his Dignitas and resources within clan Ventrue as well? The deep-seated desires never went away, as there was always something to gain at the expense of others. But, the more the vampire contemplated the entirety of the situation, the less desirable any form of a “reward” felt. How different would he have been from his hated enemy? Nicolaus knew all too well what it was like to have everything taken away from him in one fell swoop, and to deny the Garou a fair shake had no semblance of honor. Of course, there was the matter of a debt spanning countless years that he’d hoped to one day pay in full...
“Simply the satisfaction of knowing that the Sabbat assholes and their confederates are struck a hard enough blow, that they’re reeling from the aftermath for a long while.” He said with a gleam in his cobalt eyes, and a wry grin that partially revealed fangs thirsty for the blood of his foes. “But ultimately, Ms. Darrens…” The vampire’s smile disappeared. “The decision is yours, as I am merely the messenger.”
“Can’t reel when you’re dead.” She pointed out, her voice flat and dull as she watched the vampire and his human companion. This was their world, all glass and nightclubs and elegant suits, and hers was out in the guts and gore. She had no illusions--she was doing someone else’s work for them, ashing some asshole leech because some other asshole leech didn’t like him. That’s how vamps liked to do things, even that liked to get their face bloody like him. She could tell from his smile, from the coiling tattoo at his neck worn with meaning instead of some dumb fad that lingered post-mortem.
But there he was, dropping little hints and nudging her along. Some people never could get away from the trappings. The muscles in her forearms were crawling under the skin, making the inky tattoos dance as they coiled--she leaned on her elbows and slid her hands over them. If she were anyone else, the gesture might have looked demure.
“You going to give me an address, or would that be a bit too hands on?”
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