One moment, Linus was staring out one of the aircraft’s windows, reminiscing. Well, truthfully told, that’s what they’ve been doing during all the journey so far, only looking away at times to engage in polite chatter with some of the others. But most of the time, they observed their once home planet, spending time in quiet reflection. There were some familiar sights, some that seemed familiar, and others that were utterly unknown yet sparked a sense of distant nostalgia for this mess of a planet.
In the next instance, the cockpit was destroyed, the pilot killed. Linus whipped their head to stare at the front, shocked still for a few milliseconds. Despite the impossibility of it, their vessel had been shot down and was now in the midsts of descending uncontrollably. This…should not have happened. The only way it could have was that someone in the know didn’t like what they were about to do. The specifics of how, why, and who could be pondered upon later, however; right then, alarms were blaring (or rather, sputtering weakly in and out of existence), smoke and the scent of destroyed machinery was spreading, and their vehicle was loudly protesting its violent nosedive.
Linus didn’t need the holographic warning to know they had to brace for impact. To prepare for it, they activated nearly all of their Nerakian keys (leaving the offensive stingers dormant), and positioned four of their defensive discs around their body, covering themselves and anyone in the immediate vicinity. The other four were sent to reinforce the most vital parts of the vehicle, so as to lessen the risk of being crushed or pierced or – as had already happened to one individual when Linus wasn’t paying attention – thrown out.
With the yellow energy barriers engaged and ether repository orbs fueling them, all Linus could now do was hold onto their seat with one hand, and grip their backpack and weapons tightly to their body with the other. The sharp drop was nauseating and disorienting, and despite all preparations, Lin blacked out for a short while upon impact. When they opened their eyes, they had to spend a few moments blinking out dancing black-whit spots. Their head was pounding, and the Nerakian keys were barely responsive enough to clumsily fly back to their armor and integrate with it. The ether they’d stored in the orbs had been nearly exhausted. At the least Lin did not seem to be injured beyond some mild blunt trauma, which they must have suffered whenever they smacked into their ether barriers.
Satisfied with their physical condition, Linus groaned, and extracted themselves from the seat. Before leaving the aircraft, they checked if anyone living was still inside, and if they were, Linus would help get them out if need be. They were wary of the dangers of the GES vessel exploding, and were eager to vacate the premises. The added incentive of approaching hostiles also helped to settle their decision. Under different circumstances, Lin would be glad to stand their ground and show the bastards what a pissed off Celaderaka could accomplish, but their team was scattered, confused, and otherwise not at all ready for such an action. Unfortunately, direct confrontation was out of the question.
So was approaching Kerovnia. Linus had no idea why the city seemed as if it suddenly hosted a dedicated enemy battalion, but someone must have really opposed their mission. The sudden and unexpected voice over the coms – which had relayed nothing but static up until then – confirmed that they, whoever ‘they’ were, knew about their mission and were eager to prevent it being accomplished. To top it off, energy mortar fire was approaching from overhead. “We need to get out of here,” Lin growled to no one in particular, then proceeded to hightail it through the woods, away from the hostiles and Kerovnia, heading approximately northwards.
“Merely some business talk if you don’t mind,” Jandar replied, brow politely raised. The woman was prickly, and had a burn wound on her neck; perhaps the two were correlated or perhaps this was just the natural wariness of the town-folk amplified because the threat felt was greater when confronted by someone. Such a peachy town, truly.
“I am curious about this town’s imports and exports. General information or even things relevant just to your shop are alright. I’m looking into some opportunities for trade, since I often work for my uncle who is also a merchant,” he explained. “Though if that topic is not to your taste,” he added, aware the young attendee might not wish to reveal much or perhaps didn’t even know, “then you could simply help me pick out a new attire. Some of my outfits are getting a bit dated, I believe.”
As many of their species, Linus is a bulky, rocky, intimidating specimen with a rough and jagged exterior, their coloration a mixture of raw umber, dark brown, and taupe shades. Around their face, neck, ribs, and some joints, they show a much lighter burnt orange shade, as if there truly was lava within them which permeated trough miniature cracks of their outer layer. Lin also has some remarkable spikes on their back, the longest measuring some 30 cm and sitting just above their shoulder blades. From there, a line of gradually smaller and smaller spikes descends in both directions; to the tailbone and the top of their head. They have a similar line of 7 to 15 cm spikes on their forearms and forelegs. Besides that, there are some even smaller 3 to 5 cm spikes jutting randomly from various locations on their body. They have five claws on each hand, and five on each foot (one of those sticking up from their heel). Their face is what may pass as a “pleasant-looking” one for a Celaderaka, because it is a bit on the smaller size, has such round eyes, a petite nose/snout, and two rows of very neat though sharp teeth.
BACKGROUND PRIOR TO BEING SELECTED FOR THE MISSION: Linus is a child of refugees who fled their homeworld and moved to Chalgheol, which at the time was seen as an ideal planet to move to. They, their parents, their siblings, and the rest of Linus’ clan got deeply involved into the Dolsilvec Regime, which was still prominent back then. Linus enlisted in its military academy and then military as soon as they were able. They served in the DR military for a while, but as years passed, Linus realized the DR was dawning. That alone might not have swayed them, but they were young and idealistic, and the Carnazir propaganda and popularity appealed to them. They sought like-minded allies, defected, and splintered off into an independent militia group.
Thus, Linus formed Laguna together with two colleagues, Javan Lanfen and Kowara Nahulae. The founders and also leaders of Laguna together with its then members decided to stay independent, and began offering their services for-hire. They did some pro-bono work in the beginning, mainly to get people off Chalgheol and relocate them as well as to build alliances and make connections. It was during one of these early missions, when Linus was relocating some of their family and friends, that they got caught in the middle of the crossfire, and expended too much ether to protect not only themselves but all of their charges. As a result, Lin had to be extensively operated on, and took a long time to recover.
In the mean-time, another leader was selected to replace them, and so Linus was shifted into a second-in-command position. It took years of work for Linus to regain the full confidence of their allies, and show that they were just as effective of a combatant as they used to be. It is only two years ago that they regained their former leadership position. When Laguna was approached by the GES, Linus took the opportunity, and accepted the mission, desiring to solidify their leadership position. Besides, they’re highly curious to discover whatever’s in the lab (and nick a sample if they can).
REASON FOR MISSION RECRUITMENT: Part of the reason Linus was selected is Laguna’s reputation as a successful, business oriented, semi-neutral militant group. Of course, Linus is fairly well known as one of its leaders (despite having attained that position relatively recently). They have many successful missions under their belt, and one of their specialties is hostage rescue and refugee relocation. It is said that they are a terrifying and fearless combatant, who can put aside their feelings and cooperate even with those they personally find distasteful. Lin has plenty experience working as part of a team, not just with people from Laguna, but even with strangers. Their days of relying on pure overwhelming power may be over, but they have learned to rely more on cunning, planning, preparation, and tactics. While their sensitivity to and limits regarding ethereality are known to some, Linus has proven that they are not to be underestimated even if someone is purposefully aiming for their weak points. As for why they specifically (out of other potential candidates in their group) have agreed to participate in this mission, it is chiefly because Lin desires to fortify their leadership position within Laguna.
WEAKNESSES: Firm loyalties and biases. Though they’ve come into contact with many factions and beings in their years of work, Linus has certain ingrained preferences and disinclinations. Besides absolutely trusting anyone from their own militia group, they personally favour the Carnazir faction. They are wary of yet mildly positively inclined to the ZSRP, are neutral to indifferent to various nomad groups, have complex relationships with other militia groups, are cautious to mistrustful of the GES, don’t want to have much to do with the UCL, and are very negative (yet sometimes regretful) towards the DR. Accordingly, they are inherently more or less trusting of someone depending on what faction they work for (or present to work for). A person’s allegiance is the main factor in how Linus feels about someone and treats them, and they are slow to change their opinion on any particular individual, requiring several cases against or for a person before Lin’s judgement about them begins to shift. Linus is definitely the type to see broad alliances first, the individual latter (or never).
Weakened threshold for ether feedback. At some point in their past, Lin has been forced to go overboard, break the threshold, and let the ether flood through them as they dealt with some tough enemies. They’ve been rendered comatose as a result, and though they recovered mostly intact, they’d discovered the price to pay was a permanently lowered ether threshold. They have since had augmentations implanted in their body to help deal with the radioactive feedback, but it was not a perfect restoration/replacement, so they have been forced to adapt a much more thoughtful and cautious use of their ether abilities.
Higher susceptibility to ethereality. For the same reasons as above, Linus is generally weaker against fellow etherealists, their abilities, and other abzu-related occurrences that may affect them. Though they have ways to defend against or evade such abilities, if they do get hit with something, they will be more easily and more heavily damaged as a result.
Fear of the Abzu. This is something Linus would never ever willingly admit to, but they are terrified of the Abzu, the Abyssal plane, and anything living within it. They do not handle well (or at all) being: exposed to qillatu, teleported, or faced with creatures from the beyond (whether they’re from Abzu or the Abyssal plane). When such a thing happens, Lin becomes panicky, nauseous, and enraged, determined to exterminate the source of their irritation (as they prefer to call their emotional response). Thankfully, they are (psychologically speaking) fine with most other ethereal abilities. Note: They also dislike religions worshipping beings dwelling within or originating from either dimension. Also, Linus doesn’t ever want to experience crossing the threshold again.
SKILLS AND TRAINING: Expert:
Melee combat, both armed and not
Handling various firearms
Extensive military training and experience
Etherealist
Hostage rescue, protection, and relocation
Decent:
Infiltration and extraction
First aid
Negotiation
Business know-how
Driving (some ground vehicles)
Knows the basics of some other languages (mainly those used within the Carnazir and ZSRP)
LOADOUT: Medium Power-armor. A reliable armor which has good defense, yet allows for decent mobility and flexibility. It has several damage-negating and shock-absorption components. Also, several of Lin’s Nerakian keys are fully integrated within it, while the rest temporarily stick to it while inactive. The helmet and neck plating provide the best defenses, and are on the heavier side for it, but also resist ether abilities, protect against most projectiles, heavy impacts, and can stand up to a good deal of pressure. All armor parts are built into Linus, and similarly coloured to them, so it is difficult for enemies to discern the organic from non-organic parts. However, the armor leaves some parts exposed; Lin’s jaw, joints, palms, the back of their legs, and a thin line around the waist where the chest part of the armor ends and the bottom part begins. The armor includes a harness and belt which contain mags, their sheathed weapons, and a few grenades.
Serah. An unusual combination weapon, which integrates a miniature hand-cannon into a spear design. The spear is 3-meters long, its spearhead leaf-shaped and capable of both piercing and slashing. A small spike protrudes from the butt of the spear, both so it can be more easily set against the ground to brace for an oncoming charge and so its user can strike with the rear-end. The hand-cannon is an energy-based handgun, which is thick, robust, mounted up and behind the spearhead, encased in a layer of protective plating, and counter-weighted with some more metal on the other side. Its blasts of energy are medium-sized, incorporating both heat and pressure, and can punch through even heavy armor (given enough time). In exchange, it loses accuracy after about 20 meters, though since Linus typically uses it point-blank, that is not an issue. To lower recoil and lessen how often it breaks apart, many shock-absorption and dispersal components are built into the weapon.
×6 power packs
12-gauge shotgun. A powerful Celadarakan firearm, its tight spread of fire making it more accurate than the average shotgun. Enhancing it with ethereality makes it all the more devastating.
×80 buckshot (5 mags)
×70 slugs (5 mags)
×36 armor-phasing flachette rounds (3 mags)
Energy rifle. An old military-issued firearm with a slightly outdated design. Nonetheless, it is a reliable weapon.
×4 power packs
Claw sheaths. Built into Lin’s armour at their feet and forearms are simple but tough retractable claws, which serve as an additional offensive and defensive option for melee combat.
Backpack. Contains various supplies: rations, a full water canteen, flashlight, tape, scissors, wallet (incl. ID and credit card), and a medkit.
AUGMENTATIONS: Qillatu filtering and dispersion system. A combination of cybernetic and ethereal implants that primarily filter qillatu so it can be safely absorbed by the body and secondarily disperse the rest (if the overload is too much to filter at once). This functions as a support and near-replacement for Linus’ biological system for containing ether and dealing with qillatu, however (as previously mentioned), their ether threshold remains far weaker than it had originally been.
Regenerative nanomachine nests. Implants and augmentation that support Lin’s deathless ascension perk.
ETHEREOLOGY: Linus uses ether most frequently to enhance their physical capabilities and weaponry. They also add it to projectiles to power them up, store it up to cause detonations, and use it to boost their and their allies’ movement. However, for Lin, their ether abilities currently serve both as a support and/or as something they keep as a last resort.
PERKS: Deathless Ascension. Linus was born with enough natural ether abilities and talent that they were able to learn to survive typically fatal wounds (except brain removal). This ability had malfunctioned only during and immediately after the period where they crossed the ether threshold, but has since been restored through natural recuperation and by implanting several regenerative implants into Lin’s body. The latter procedure has enabled Linus to replace their body parts, however the process is (unusually) slow, exhausting, and ether-expensive, so waiting for outside medical intervention is much preferable.
Bloodlust Consecration. Linus can generate ether clouds, and though they are smaller than average, they are no less efficient. They largely use the clouds to momentarily and precisely enhance their endurance, raw power, or as a support to their firepower.
Nerakian Keys. Linus has 15 keys in all, and they serve a three-fold function. Two of the keys are stinger-shaped projectiles, which when active can fly around an enemy to slowly and passively siphon off their (ether) energy or (when an opportunity arises) stab into an opponent to sap them quickly. Five of the keys are ether-repository orbs built into Lin’s armor, keeping ether passively stored when inactive and enabling ether-transferal both into and out of the orb when active. The energy siphoned by the stingers is saved by the orbs. Eight of the keys are barrier discs that add another layer of defense when inactive and attached to Linus’ armor, and fly around Lin or an ally when active, ready to activate a damage-absorption barrier at a moment’s notice. One disc forms a small circular barrier, but the more discs are dedicated to guarding a certain person or area, the larger the barrier is.
“I will, of course, join, My Lady,” Jandar affirmed with a polite nod. He grimaced behind Sybl’s back, horrified at the foolish love-sick act, frankly. Thankfully, Fatima was ignoring it for now. They’d deal with the youthful Warlord Prince eventually. Despite his reservations, he let the spy escort Fatima, while he himself walked to her other side and a couple of steps behind, ever watchful.
Well, the only silver lining so far was Dareen’s dryly humorous reply to Sybl’s offer, her brand of sarcasm enough to draw a slight chuckle out of him. “Perhaps you should spice up your wardrobe with shades of marigold yellow or a dusky orange,” he replied just as dryly, directing a ‘what can you do’ sort of expression her way.
Their journey through the town was smooth, but Jandar detected the wary and outright frightful glances directed Sybl’s way. The shopkeeper of the dress-shop seemed caught off-guard as well, and the establishment was rather desolate and not entirely well kept. The Warlord deduced that most of her orders were from nobles or those of high status who could afford to hire her or her workers and invite them to their homes. Fatima was an outlier in that way, which would mean immediate rumours. But that was a given; it would have happened sooner or later. The question was how to use it to their advantage.
Unlike Dareen, he entered the shop, mainly to keep an eye on Sybl. His infatuation was a boon in the sense that he was likelier to be less observant, but it could lead to inappropriate behavior on his part. Besides, when he was able to, Jandar would approach the tailor or perhaps one of her other employees – if there were any present – and engage them in pleasantries.
Jandar almost chuckled at the contrast between Fatima’s thoughts and her assumed act. “Ah, perhaps going quite so far to emulate Alice’s behavior might not be necessary. I might have,” there was a mental cough as his initial amusement turned to a slight awkwardness, “described you to her as…mercurial, brash, willful, and young. I had hoped doing so might offend her sensibilities enough to not want to do anything with you.
“Either I was wrong or she wants to sway me. She had that covetous glint in her eye I didn’t like…” he confessed. Of course, it wasn’t something he was at all sure of, but he’d got a strange feeling from that Queen. A feeling that would prompt him to stay away, if he could. Unfortunately, it seemed that something was preventing them from going to Kaeleer, though Fatima was a bit to busy to tell him what.
As such, he directed a careful tendril of thought towards Mikhail, a very, very cautious and questioning one. If the other accepted the connection, Jandar would converse with him mentally; otherwise, he’d simply step closer and whisper. “Prince, you went with our Lady to enquire for the route, correct? I assume there is a condition, obstacle, or price we must fulfil or overcome before we are able to go?” the Warlord questioned.
Before the other could answer, Jandar was interrupted by Faeril, and so he rose a hand, imploring Mikhail to wait nonverbally. “I understand. I will be careful,” he replied to the Black Widow before the connection was broken.
He then turned back to the Prince, lowering his hand. “Excuse me, I just received a message,” he offered. Once again, either quietly or via a mind link, he said, “Did you know our new spy could be one of hers? Though I was warned he could be under certain influences,” he said, frowning at the thought as he eyed the unknown and possibly bewitched Warlord Prince.
“It was the kind of invitation where your acceptance was already assumed,” Jandar replied to Fatima. “So, unless you feel like making an enemy…” he trailed off with a shrug. Telepathically, he sent her the message of: “Unless we can escape to Kaeleer before noon tomorrow I’d say playing along would be prudent. But this Alice is a selfish covetous bitch, so we should be careful.”
Before he could continue, Mikhail approached him with another question. “Hm, she’s rather concerned with her own image,” he murmured. “Yes, I do realize, but I had to obtain certain information,” he matched the whisper. “And I have some other matters to report to our lady, so if you want to know more, you know what to do,” the Warlord stated.
He did approach Fatima, but rather than say anything out loud, he continued communicating via their minds. He didn’t doubt Mikhail could listen in if he so wanted.
“If you’ll recall, I visited the Queen to find Xandar…However, it appears they have already captured him, and may have already handed him over. Even if not, I don’t think we’ll be able to get him back at this point. As for the matter of lunch, well, either we accept or get rid of this hanger-on Warlord Prince and get the hell out of here. The final choice is, of course, yours.” Jandar explained to Fatima.
The walk back to the inn was leisurely only in the sense that their walking pace was slow and casual, and that the silence between Jandar and his new attachment did not feel particularly straining. However, the Warlord himself was deep in thought. He’d secured an invitation to Alice’s court with Fatima, but was it worth for his Lady to take upon? And could they afford for her not to go? The only way to avoid it would be to escape into Kaeleer before the next day, which may be difficult at best, impossible at the worst. It did also not escape his notice that Sybl did not have a good reputation within town; or rather, people most likely avoided him simply due to his association with the local court.
He entered the inn with a mild frown upon his face, but his face smoothed with relief as he noticed that Fatima was present with the rest of the group. “Ah, convenient that I’ve found you so gathered,” he commented despite the fact that not everyone was present. He eyed the posturing Gennar with a sigh. Jandar really wasn’t in the mood right then. Nonetheless, he uttered with a cool politeness, “I was about to explain that, Prince.” After saying as much, his gaze naturally fell upon his Lady. “As you know, I went to visit the local Queen for a bit of a chat. The short of it is that you were invited to lunch with her on the morrow,” he stated smoothly and with an odd monotony to his tone. However, his gaze was fierce and focused on Fatima. Some things, he’d rather discuss with private…or at least after they managed to deal with the little spy tailing him. “Sybl was sent as a guide, to show you around the town,” he added with obvious distaste – whether at the idea in general or the man in particular was unclear.
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