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Post by The Rising Dragon on Jul 31, 2010 1:51:16 GMT -5
The sun beat down mercilessly on the desert, scorching the ground and ensuring that little life tread out onto the dusty trails hidden within it. Flattened plateaus rose up and shimmered within the heatwaves, making the horizon blurry and indistinct. Luckily, many clouds covered the sky, yet it seemed that each one avoided the sun, and little shade could be found.
Clods of sun-baked dirt crunched and broke apart as heavy wheels crushed them beneath dusty tires. The engine of the vehicle, while no means quiet, wasn't too loud as the armor-stripped APC rumbled up over the foothill, clanging as its front four wheels achieved lift for a brief moment before gravity reasserted itself and drew it back down to the beaten path, kicking up a cloud of dust with the impact. The driver grunted momentarily from it, waved a leather gauntleted hand about his face to clear the dust from his eyes, and turned the wheel as the trail corner came into sight. The six heavy wheels twisted about in response, carving wide grooves in the trail.
Rua Dragonheart looked out through the APC's frames--through the portions where thick plates of armor would normally be welded onto--and gazed across the hot expanse, towards the Highway off in the distance--it was set high above the ground on a bridge, keeping people who traveled along it safe from the creatures that lived in the harsher regions of Zailleon... such as here. Rua downshifted and continued on his way, returning his gaze back to the road. He was far from the actual highway, and therefore far from safety, but thankfully the old APC, despite its lack of armor, would keep him moderately protected.
After several more moments of driving, Rua halted the vehicle and got up from his seat, flipping a switch on the console as he did so. The front, oval-shaped section of the vehicle immediately opened up, unfolding into a large stepladder for him to disembark. He grabbed his sheathed sword and his cape and adorned both before he got out. The green-eyed man stepped out to the edge of the ridge, looking out and trying to get his bearings. He had been planning this particular trip for a while--he knew of a really old and once-wealthy settlement that had been out in this region, far from his home, and knew that if he could find it, he'd be able to make a small fortune off of whatever relics he could find in it.
He knew it'd take several days, possibly even a couple of weeks, to even find the settlement ruins. That's why he was taking their old APC, and enough supplies to last him a while out here. Mesia will be fine by herself, he thought idly, bringing up his right hand to shade his eyes while he scanned his surroundings. Its not like its the first time I've taken a trip like this and left her to her own devices. I should be more worried about myself.
Of course, taking such a trip meant putting up with harsh, rarely-traveled terrain, attacks from indigenous life that didn't fear sentients, and possible ambushes from highwaymen and brigands. Rua idly brushed his hand against the hilt of his sword at the thought.
Off in the distance, he heard the cry of some sort of bird. Likely a hawk, or maybe a Kargoroc. So long as it wasn't Cliff Racers again. Wind swept across the ledge, tugging at his cape, but he ignored it as he got out his map to check his location.
His studying was cut short, however, as a chime cut over the rumble of the APC's idling engine. Looking over, he saw a panel of light open up in thin air next to the driver's seat.
"Now what?" he asked out loud, though no one was around to hear him. He returned to the vehicle, and slipped in behind the wheel again to properly observe the communication screen.
"A message from Kalia?" he murmured. "What's she want?"
He pressed a finger against one of the "buttons", and felt discernible resistance despite it being magically-created light. The image on screen changed, showing an avatar image of Kalia, smiling and giving a saucy, two-fingered victory salute in a friendly manner next to the text.
Hey, Rua!
You're taking that trip out to find the Guyana Prospect, right? Mesia told me about it a couple days ago when I called. If I'm guessing right, you should be somewhere in the Karel Highlands. Its pretty rough out there, huh? Well, just thought I'd let you know, but it seems that the main caravan for the Order of the Blade will be in the area right about now. Keep an eye out for them! Good luck on your quest, treasure hunter! <3
~ Big Sis Kalia
Rua read and re-read the message, then sighed as he pressed a button to close it and disperse the magic screen. "Great, just what I need," he muttered. "Military personnel asking me why I have old military hardware and what I'm doing out in the middle of nowhere."
Undoing his belt, Rua removed the sword from his hip and slid it through a loop on the back of his seat before revving up the engine. Military mercenaries or not, it was time for him to get moving again. It was way too hot out here to stay in one place anyway. Soon, his APC was rolling along the trail once more.
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BD
Squire
Stay Classy, Ymaggion
Posts: 26
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Post by BD on Jul 31, 2010 15:18:07 GMT -5
It had been a long couple of days for one Kite Mcknights. On one of the rare field assignments to be given to the Valtheranian Intelligence director of course had to be a massive pain in the ass. Rather than ask for something simple or close to home, his monarch asks him to conduct a survey of the Order of the Blade and attempt to pinpoint their next few movements in an effort to keep an edge on whatever Stamaria was planning with their armies. Admittedly, he had almost no interest in this goal and was more interested in an excursion to the Stamarian capital in order to recover files on his father; however, he would honor the assignment before meeting his own needs.
Unfortunately, he had an episode with tent construction the night before and overslept slightly, allowing the Order a head start of a few hours on him, causing him much grief for the moment. He had discovered a trail and followed it for a few hours on his trail runner, a heavily armored sport bik outfitted with all-terrain tires, but it was beginning to frustrate him greatly. He was becoming incredibly snarky and irritable as was obvious from his bit of self-conversation.
"Seriously, it's like they don't want to be spied on!" Kite muttered to himself as continued to watch the foliage around the trail.
He continued for a few moments before pausing and stopping his throttle. He pushed the ignition switch off and listened. It sounded like an engine, one from military equipment at that. He began to panic as he realized he simply wouldn't have the power to stay ahead of the encroaching vehicles and decided the best measure would be to bring the bike to the side of the road and collapse on top of it, effectively playing possum. Now he just had to hope that whoever it was was either friendly or stupid.
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Post by Steinerman on Jul 31, 2010 22:44:50 GMT -5
The main convoy of the Order of the Blade was certainly a sight to behold when on the move, double the size of regular Order convoys, it sported no less than sixteen heavily armed and armored humvees. Four armored Semi-trucks, and a pair of heavily armored Fuel vehicles for extended missions. Four Humvees formed a vanguard for the convoy, while another four formed the rear-guard. The remaining eight combat vehicles were spaced evenly between the trucks for safety, their turrets always manned and scanning for threats.
The convoy pushed forward along the highways, doing one of the regular sweeps Knight-Command Saint instituted as part training exercise, part combat mission. In the lead humvee, a conversation of great depth and meaning was taking place between the Knight-Commander and his most trusted friend and adviser, Sergeant Uban Adams.
"Are you kidding? Teresa is way prettier than Vanessa."
"Ah, but you didn't say the discussion was on beauty, but acting capability. Vanessa is a far better actress."
"Ah-ha, but beauty can be used to an Actress's advantage, Commander."
Michael nodded in agreement, "Very true, Uban. But still, I believe Vanessa Phin is the better actress, even despite her more modest appearance. 'Dark Depths' is one of the finest films ever created."
Uban cocked his head to the side, thinking on the subject. He finally nodded as well, "True. 'Dark Depths' was an excellent movie, I'll admit. She did extremely well in that movie. But...I still hold a special place in my heart for 'Triumph by Ice'. I mean...both actress's in it. An excellent movie."
Michael laughed, "It would seem we agree on that. I quite enjoyed that film as well."
From the back seat, a pair of extremely confused soldiers looked on, a look of shock and maybe just a hint of horror upon their faces. One of them, a young girl who looked to be no more than nineteen or twenty years of age, spoke up hesitantly. "Uh...sirs?"
As the Sergeant was driving and wasn't about to take his eyes off the road ahead, Michael turned his head slightly to look at the girl. "yes, soldier?" He replied, a hint of a smile upon his face.
The girl stammered slightly as she spoke, "Are you both talking about Vanessa Phin and Teresa Downs? The actresses?"
Michael nodded, "Indeed we are."
"Got a problem with that, soldier?" Sergeant Adams added in, his voice seemingly hard. Michael, on the other hand, was now smiling. From his position he could see the look of amusement on the Sergeant's face. It seemed Uban wanted to have some fun with the newest soldier, just out of her probationary period.
The girl stuttered and stammered, her freckled face turning red. "uh...n--no. Sirs. Just surprised that two grown men would take such an interest in...well, those two actresses' are generally in romance films."
The Sergeant burst out into laughter, head rocking back and forth, so great was his amusement at the Soldier's confusion. "Quite right, Soldier. But still, the Commander and I are rather fond of their acting technique."
"Oh." Replied the soldier quietly, unsure of how else to respond.
She was saved from having too when the other soldier spoke up, his eyes locked on something in the distance, on one of the desert trails. "Sirs, vehicle spotted."
Michael turned to his passenger-side window and glanced out, scanning for the vehicle the younger man had spotted. A moment later, he found it. He grabbed a pair of binoculars from the dash of the Humvee and used them to obtain a better look at the only other vehicle they'd seen all day.
"Interesting," He stated quietly. "An APC, without the armored paneling." Even without turning, he could imagine the Sergeant's surprised expression at his words.
"pardon, sir? APC without the armor? Doesn't that rather defeat the purpose?"
Michael shrugged, "Depends on the purpose, Sergeant. A traveler, not wishing to seem a threat, perhaps."
Uban snorted, "Yeah...that's a smart thing to do out here. It's basically a big sign saying 'Rob me!'"
The young female soldier worked up the courage to speak again, "Maybe he was already robbed? In need of assistance?
Michael pondered the young soldier's suggestion. "Well, it would be good experience for the soldiers, in any case."
The Sergeant nodded in agreement, "Right, there's an off-ramp not far ahead. We'll take another Vee and go see what's up with the APC" He grabbed the radio-mic from the dashboard and spoke into it. "Convoy, this is lead. We've spotted a lone traveler and are going to check it out. Second, you're with us. Meet up with you at check-point Bravo, over."
From the depths of the lead Semi-Truck, a voice responded over the radio. "Roger that lead, we'll hold at Bravo until your return or different orders. Good hunting, over."
Sergeant Adams cast a quick glance back at the soldiers, "Right kids, odds are decent that it's just a traveler out for a joyride. But they're also decent it's a scout for a biker gang or something like that, keep to your training and don't get trigger happy. Got it?"
The two soldiers nodded. And then the girl clambered up and stood so she could man the .50 caliber machine gun turret that their Humvee sported.
While the rest of the convoy moved forward along the highway, Michael's vehicle and a second machine broke off and headed down the off-ramp to the desert floor to attempt and catch up with the lone traveler.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Aug 1, 2010 17:56:37 GMT -5
It wasn't long before Rua spotted the downed vehicle alongside the trail a ways off, and began slowing down his APC as the he caught sight of the body laid atop it. His eyes narrowed and he frowned slightly. Someone got killed out here? he thought. Robbery victim, maybe? Great, there could be more out here, too.
Deciding to err on the side of caution, Rua made sure his sword was nearby. Keeping well away from the collapsed vehicle and the body, Rua stopped the APC and killed the engine, activated its driving lock to prevent a possible theft, and grabbed his sword. The APC opened up its front ramp and allowed him back out, and when he stepped down, he immediately made his way towards the vehicle--a motorcycle, from the looks of it--and the body resting atop it at a slow pace.
"... a bit too fancy for a regular bike," he noted softly upon gazing at the armored vehicle. He was growing suspicious--armored bikes are the kinds of things biker gangs usually rode around on. The green-eyed man tightened his grip on his long sword and kept it in front of him as he approached to get a better look at the body.
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BD
Squire
Stay Classy, Ymaggion
Posts: 26
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Post by BD on Aug 1, 2010 20:57:36 GMT -5
Kite sighed as he heard the footsteps walking his way. He shifted his eyes slightly to get a glimpse of the man coming his way and instantly began to analyze the situation.
No member of the Order would dare to dress outside of uniform in the field, much less ride a stripped-down runner like that. This guy's no threat. He's just passing through.
He pretended to struggle to stand and finally stood up next to the bike. He began to brush himself off as he looked over at the approaching man.
"Sorry to trouble you like this, I got a little reckless speeding through here, you know how it is."
He examined Rua more closely and noticed the sword in his hand.
He may not be military, but he knows something about combat if he can actually use that damn thing.
"You can put that away if you like, i'll just be on my way," Kite said as he lifted the armored bike from the dirt and began to brush away the dirt and grim from the more sensitive parts along the engine.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Aug 1, 2010 23:50:43 GMT -5
Rua paused and tensed up as the man suddenly shifted and got to his feet. He's alive? He grew uneasy--there didn't seem to be any injuries on the man, and on top of that, he didn't look like a Stamarian. He ignored the man's reassurance about his weapon and kept it held tightly. "If you're sure you're okay," Rua said warily, stepping back as the other man pulled up the cycle and clean it up.
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BD
Squire
Stay Classy, Ymaggion
Posts: 26
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Post by BD on Aug 2, 2010 12:05:00 GMT -5
Kite smirked as he saw Rua visibly tense up. He was a bit underwhelmed at how easily the other man startled; for someone with a sword, he looked as though he had seen a ghost. This road was normally littered with raiders and bandits, but the inclusion of mercenaries only made it even worse.
"I would try to avoid tensing up like that in the future, friend," Kite said as he pushed the ignition switch on his bike.
"It's only going to make things worse for you if the Order catches you driving that thing on their turf, and all you have to show for it is an uneasy glance."
He kicked the kickstand out from under him and revved the throttle. The sound of pistons whirring and fuel burning excited him as he released the choke. Finally, he could get moving again...or so he thought. The engines whirs and hums slowly began to degenerate into sputtering, then choking, then finally an unwarranted, unneeded silence.
"All this for a damn assignment..."
He dropped the bike back to the ground, albeit carelessly and took a look inside the circuitry surrounding the throttle. Upon first glance, nothing appeared wrong. Sadly, Kite glanced a second time. He reached two fingers inside the machinery and, with some exertion of force, procured what appeared to be a small fuse which was blackened and covered in dirt and grime. He began to mentally work out how to hotwire the bike to allow it to run free of the fuse. He reached his hand into the circuitry and pulled two wires out of the place where the fuse was. He reached into his back pocket to pull out a knife and began to strip the wires.
"Why didn't I just take the four-wheeler..."
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Aug 2, 2010 15:37:27 GMT -5
Rua raised an eyebrow in surprise as the stranger turned back to his motorcycle. And just how would he know that the Order of the Blade is out here? he wondered, growing a bit suspicious.
He did, however, have to repress a laugh as the motorcycle sputtered and died on him, causing the stranger to mutter under his breath. "Having some trouble?" he asked, relaxing slightly, though he kept his blade in hand.
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Post by Steinerman on Aug 4, 2010 0:28:01 GMT -5
The pair of Humvee's rolled across the desert floor, heading for the last spotted course of the traveler they'd seen. A somewhat muffled voice called down from the turret of the lead Humvee.
"Sir...what do we do if it's hostile?"
Michael chuckled softly as he peered through his binoculars, searching for the now unseen traveler. Before he could answer, the Sergeant did. His gruff voice responded, heavily laden with sarcasm. "We give them all of our money and beg them to forgive us our horrible transgression of annoying their beautiful day.....What do you think we'll do, soldier?" He barked loudly. "You're manning a fifty-cal, drum-fed machine gun in a rotating half-enclosed turret. We're an armored combat vehicle that can take just about anything a raider could dish out, including a few light anti-armor hits. And to top it all off, we have a second vehicle with us that's armed in exactly the same fashion."
Embarrassed silence filled the back of their vehicle. The Sergeant continued, unperturbed by the lack of response. "And in case the awesome firepower of both our vehicles doesn't manage to cut any raider to bloody ribbons, we're all trained soldiers, accompanied by a frigging Knight-Commander of the Blade with a holy sword that can literally catch fire and burn his opponents. So, pop-quiz soldier, what should we do if this traveler turns out to be hostile?"
Again, silence was the only response.
"I'm waiting for an answer, soldier." Uban called back to the young woman.
Finally, after what seemed an extremely lengthy period of time, the woman's quiet voice responded. "We fight them sir?"
Uban nodded, though she couldn't see the move from her position. "lose the hesitant question-mark at the end of that sentence and you're spot on, soldier."
Michael turned back before the sergeant could continue ripping into the new recruit, "Soldier, I can't see anything from down here. What's it look like from up there, can you see the vehicle?"
A moment later, the recruit replied, grateful for the chance to do something other than answer the Sergeant's loaded questions. "Yes sir, vehicle spotted. It looks like it pulled off to the side, there's a bike there as well, sir."
Michael met Uban's concerned glance. They hadn't seen the bike from up on the road. What else did we miss down here, Michael thought with concern.
Uban grabbed hold of the mic again and spoke into it. "Two, fall back out of visual contact, back behind that mound we just passed. If this is a trap, I want you ready to come save our sorry rears from getting toasted. Keep sharp, over."
The second Humvee quickly fell behind and swung off to their left to pull up behind a sizable dirt mound while their vehicle moved forward at a cautious speed. "Well," Uban muttered as they rolled closer to the pair of vehicles a few hundred feet away, "Let's see what there is to see."
Michael nodded solemnly and checked to make sure his blade, Fidelis, was ready by his side.
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BD
Squire
Stay Classy, Ymaggion
Posts: 26
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Post by BD on Aug 6, 2010 18:53:49 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry about the wait on this, 2-a-days just started so i've been running like hell to get stuff done.
"You could call it that..." Kite said as he fiddled with the bike parts. He had found the two wires and pulled them, now he would just need to strip them and attempt to join them, by passing the normal ignition system. The problem stemmed from the fact that he didn't have anything to complete the circuit on him.
"You wouldn't happen to have a random small piece of conductive metal on you would you?" Kite asked as he smirked, slowly working the protective layer of rubber away from the copper coils of the wire.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Aug 7, 2010 16:24:16 GMT -5
"Not really," Rua responded with a shake of his head. "I've got a tool kit in my junker, if that'd help. Can't really aid you otherwise; I've never worked on a gangster bike before."
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BD
Squire
Stay Classy, Ymaggion
Posts: 26
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Post by BD on Aug 8, 2010 20:14:09 GMT -5
Kite twitched slightly at the phrase 'gangster' being used to describe the bike. Granted, the armor was superfluous, with useless areas being heavily guarded; but, as far as he was concerned, this guy was implying he, a secret agent from one of the few honorable governments around, was nothing better than a lowlife on the roads.
"I'd be careful using that word around here...wrong person and...well...you know."
He looked through the parts again and noticed a small metallic L of what appeared to be copper attached to the side by a bolt. He tried to pry it with his hands and struggled; finally, he acknowledged he would need a hand.
"That tool kit would be a lifesaver if it has a torque wrench."
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Aug 12, 2010 0:44:04 GMT -5
"It does. Hold on a moment," he said, deigning not to comment on the stranger's warning about calling him a gangster. Instead, he turned and went back to the APC to get the tool kit out and get the torque wrench out of it.
As he did, something fluttered down onto the protruding handlebar of the trail runner, landing on tiny claws that easily gripped the rubber. The dragonet made a single chirp at Kite as it observed his actions, and tucked its wings alongside its body.
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Post by Steinerman on Aug 16, 2010 23:42:12 GMT -5
As their vehicle neared their target, Michael motioned for them to slow to a crawl. The Sergeant dutifully slowed the machine down, creeping towards the pair of travelers, apparently intent upon fixing the bike.
Sgt. Adams took up the mic again and spoke into it, "Two, what's it look like out there? Over."
A static-muffled voice responded, the words unintelligible. Uban shook his head in annoyance and repeated his question. Again static, and then the voice of the other Humvee's commander spoke through the radio, finally unimpeded by the static.
"Sorry 'bout that lead," The voice drawled. "My Vee is in serious need of a cleaning from all thus dust and dirt, mucked up the radio something fierce, but my lovely and talented Specialist was able to work out the kinks,"
His voice drifted away for a moment, as though he had turned his head to speak to someone else in his vehicle, but had also inadvertently left the mic's "talk" button pressed down. "Thanks for that, darling."
Uban shook his head, and his voice went through firm and clear, "Aiden, stop hitting on the specialist and give me a sit-rep. Now. Over."
Aiden's voice came back onto the mic, somewhat abashed. "sorry 'bout that Adams, just having a little fun. But yeah, gunner says all clear, and I had my passenger go and check the line-of-sight from this lovely dune you've got us parked behind, he's waving all clear as well. Just us, and whoever you're about to meet, nothing else. Over."
Uban checked with Michael, who nodded silently. Then he spoke back into the mic, "Roger, we're going to make contact with the travelers, come if we call you. Or if it sounds like we're getting our rears kicked, over and out."
With that he pressed down on the gas pedal slightly, goosing their Humvee Towards the pair of travelers. He quickly cocked his head back over his shoulder and spoke to the gunner and rear passenger, "Phin, if anything goes wrong, you ditch the vehicle and open up on them, got it?"
The young passenger nodded mutely, obviously nervous. Uban continued, "Riley, don't open fire unless fired upon, got it?"
The gunner knelt quickly and nodded her head, expression earnest, "got it, Sergeant." Before standing back up and securing herself in the braces for the mounted gun atop their vehicle.
Once within roughly fifty feet of the two travelers, the Sergeant pressed down on the horn, honking it several times in quick succession. Michael checked to make sure that if need be he could step out of the vehicle quickly, and then sat back, "Non-threatening, Sergeant." He reminded softly, eyes locked on the two men ahead of them. "We're here to see if they require assistance, not to arrest them."
Uban nodded, "yessir, driving in a non-threatening way, sir." He replied with a half-smile. Cautiously, however, he quickly checked to make sure his side-arm was easily accessible if need be, one could never tell when things were about to go bad, and he preferred to have a gun ready at all times, just in case they did.
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BD
Squire
Stay Classy, Ymaggion
Posts: 26
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Post by BD on Aug 21, 2010 15:05:12 GMT -5
OOC: Rough Week, dislocated shoulder, not going to get into it...
Kite looked at the dragonet, albeit annoyed as he held the wires.
"Well little guy, i'd be careful on that wire unless you'd like to become the first real Transformer..."
He thought over the past few hours, quiet, no signs of the order, yet this guy is driving their signature transport around like its nothing. Were they gone already? Had they abandoned the transport for this guy to find it? Nothing was adding up at all. Time to start piecing things together.
"So where you from, stranger?"
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