Sledge and Hercules had taken their leave. Sledge climbed onto his bike to help support him. He'd lost a lot of blood. He moved slow for Hercules, who was doing his best to put on a brave face despite being obviously injured. It would take some time for the Archius to land, so it would be a good idea to locate some disinfectant and bandages in the meantime.
They went around to what seemed like a separate district of the town. They townsfolk seemed less somber. They obviously hadn't heard anything yet. There were a lot of merchants here, perhaps one selling medical supplies.
Suddenly, Sledge heard a raspy voice calling him from a nearby alleyway.
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoAkBar3DYk[/media]
"Excuse me, weary traveler... you and your compatriot appear to be... injured. Perhaps by that recent [i]-HECKH-[/i] desert squall?"
It was a shady figure cloaked in a brown burlap robe with a rope belt. Sledge addressed him.
"Yes sir, we're pretty roughed up."
"These sands claim many lives of... complacent men. [i]-HEKKG-[/i] One would be wise to seek the services of one such as I, if one wishes to survive in these... harsh conditions."
Sledge was a little confused.
"Well, [i]this one[/i] is in the market for some sanitized medical supplies to prevent a horrible infection. Would you know anything about that?"
The figure gave a wheezy laugh through yellowed and browned teeth.
"Yes... infections. I know all about those. [i]-HEUKH-[/i]"
"So you're a doctor!"
"If the coin is right, yes. [i]-HEKKK-[/i] I can be... a lot of things."
"Fantastic! It'll save Joseph some trouble." Sledge turned to Hercules. "What do you think, buddy?"
"[i]-HERCK-[/i]" coughed the salesman.
Hercules clicked excitedly.
"Alright, you've got yourself a sale!" Sledge offered a gigantic handshake to the cloaked figure who extended a leathery appendage with two missing fingers and ragged yellow fingernails. Sledge went to shake it but it was quickly withdrawn.
"Payment, please. It must be... up front."
"Oh of course, where are my manners? Is this enough?"
Sledge dropped a heavy wad of bills into the figure's outstretched hand.
"I suppose it will suffice," the figure said as the money was absorbed into his cloak, "Now please... step into the... [i]-HONK-[/i] operating room."
The figure led him into the shadowy alleyway, away from the lights of the merchant stalls and into the darkness. They rounded several corners, working their way deeper and deeper into the town's seedy underbelly.
After what seemed like several minutes, the three came to a rickety wooden door in the side of a stone building.
"Oh, yes, one last.... minor detail," the figure hissed, "I must ask you to leave all of your weapons and valuable belongings with me. Hospital policy, you see... [i]-HORK-[/i]"
"Oh of course, that makes perfect sense. Just take good care of our stuff, okay?"
"Oh of [i]course! -HEKCHCHKHHURK-[/i] ...I'll care for them as if they were my very own."
Sledge dropped off his two hammers and took off all of Hercules' barding, laying all of it on the ground just outside the building.
"[i]Excellent.[/i] Please, step right in. There's no wait. We haven't had a customer this... [i]cooperative[/i] in ages."
"Really? I guess common courtesy isn't that common anymore. What a shame."
"Indeed. [i]-HWARF-[/i] Please follow me."
[img]http://i.imgur.com/0xjJR0Z.png[/img]
Having overheard Lion's suggestion, Dwan decided to pitch in his voice. "Some alone time would be good. Plus, it would give us the chance to see where Yanim, Varn and Sledge have gone to, once it was time to rendezvous. A ride in the Lynx sounds like a nice idea.", he tells Lion and Jeremy.
"Yeah, I guess that would be wise to do." Jeremy sighed.
[is the archius docked on the planet?]
With the village quickly disappearing behind her, Yanim was soon alone under the glasslike clear sky of an unpolluted world. The desert stretched ahead almost endlessly, interrupted only by high-voltage power lines on their steel supports, drawing a line from the landing zones in the south to Bonram in the north. Elsewhere, there was a highway connecting the two although Yanim couldn't see it from where she was. She followed the power lines instead.
An hour passed before the faint glow of city lights ahead gave rise to the darkened masses of buildings, a mixture of prefabricated steel structures imported from abroad and assembled here as well as some more permanent fixtures made of stone quarried locally. Land was cheap, and so urban sprawl was universal; the tallest structures here are water towers, built to serve the three million people braving this inhospitable landscape.
Within moments, Yanim had entered the street network and was now coping with traffic as she navigated toward the tourist and business district at the heart of the city. There, she planned to check into a hotel and relax, and reflect upon the actions of the crew that day. She didn't feel guilt, not like Varn, at least, but there was little to celebrate. As for the drugs she carried with her, she didn't want them. Overindulgence seemed inappropriate now. Maybe she would call her family instead- what time was it in Ébo? She didn't know.
[Should be.]
Lion nodded before returning to the Lancier. McKinze and the Edisons rose up.
"Looks like we're parting ways, son."
"Indeed, regardless of these unfortunate events it's been good to meet some friendly faces again."
Said Lion while smiling.
"I agree, promise that you'll keep in touch." Said McKinze.
"I promise."
After a quick goodbye that involved several bearhugs the soldiers parted ways, Lion stayed with the Lancier while McKinze and the Edisons went back to their ship.
Lion opened up the crew channel. "Attention crew, the Cap has given me the go-ahead for a solo-op for those of you that need some alone time.
If you're interested, rendevouz at the following coordinates." Lion relayed the coordinates before starting up the rover. He folded down the front and doorwindows which were replaced by black netting.
The rover begun its journey into the desert.
Lion sent a message to Jeremy. "Cap, I'll be gone for a few days with whoever chooses to come with me. I'll send a all-green signal to you every twentyfourth hour. Over and out."
After driving for several kilometers, Lion reached his destination: a small lake surrounded by cliffs and palm-like trees in various colours. Lion parked the Lancier next a small cave entrance.
He deployed multiple sensors around the cliffs before packing up some basic equipment inside the cave.
Lion then sat down and waited.
Varn had parked his ATD on a dune a few kilometers away. He had been looking at the horizon for the past several hours, thinking and waiting. After a while he said something. "You have been standing behind that rock for the past 2 hours. If you want something, come out and say it." He turned around and faced the rock. A few seconds later a figure appeared behind the rock. He was shacking, but with a gun pointed at Varn. He had an insignia of an Omega Brother. "Don't move or I'll...I'll shoot!"
"Oh, you have to take me alive?"
"No, but the contract said you and your crew is worth more alive."
"Where's the rest of your crew?"
"Dead. Didn't want to share the wealth." That part was probably true. The Omega's were notorious backstabbers. That's why everyone could join, but not everyone wanted to.
"You plan to tell me more or should I get the information from you the hard way?"
"What are you gonna do? I have you.." he couldn't finish that sentence since Varn was quick enough to shoot out his kneecaps. Varn walked over to him, kicking his gun away. "Looks like I got some of my luck back. Now, what contract?"
"Aghh, some guys wanted your HarkArk ship and it's crew members delivered to them. That's all I know, I swear!" Varn didn't have time for his bullshit. He stepped on one of the knees. "I know when your lot lie. You have the most extensive information network in the galaxy. Now tell me everything!"
"ARGH. I'm telling you the truth! They din't tell us any names. I swear I don't know anything else." Varn prepared his gun and aimed it at his head. "Wait! Wait! I overheard my bosses saying a name. Bromun. Other merc groups are preparing to make a move as well, the only thing stopping them is that we hold a monopoly on HarkArk information and wont release anything related to you. Let me live and I can put in a good word for you, let you walk out of this. Screw the rest of your crew. you don't need them." Varn stared at him for a second and knocked him out.
As he was about to leave he heard Lion's message. Some alone time sounded good, but he still had a duty to the crew. He opened a private channel to Jeremy. "Captain...I know you probably don't want to hear or speak to me right now, but I discovered something bad. Can you meet me at these coordinates?"
As Lion left in the Lynx, Dwan went back to the bar and got onto his ATD. Receiving the coordinates, Dwan drove there. As he arrived, he saw Lion's destination. He sees the Lancier parked and parks right beside it. He gets off of his ATD and finds Lion sitting down.
"Hey.", Dwan said, trying to see if he could try and get rid of the silence.
Jeremy heard a beep once again, after cleaning up the rubble he saw Varn's open channel. "Captain...I know you probably don't want to hear or speak to me right now, but I discovered something bad. Can you meet me at these coordinates?" He said.
Jeremy shook his head. 'What did he get himself into this time?' he didn't bothered to say anything and tracked down his ATD. He opened a communication line to the members on the settlement. "Anyone who wants to go follow me then you're free to do so. I have to do something important." He updated his tracking signal in case someone wants to come with but he activated his bike and followed the settled coordinates.
Jeb finally sobered up to the point where he could get out of the bar. He had heard some kind of fight outside, but he didn't know what happened. He radioed to the ship to see if it landed. After he learned of the ship's coordinates, he hopped on his ATD and started driving in that direction.
Iska had hopped onto her bike and gone off to the high dune where they scouted from earlier the same day.
She parked the bike and slid her goggles down around her neck.
She leaned back into her seat and lit a cigarette. Looking over the dunes, she was reminded of Rigel during the dark season. Endless landscapes with mountains in the distance, with the occasional settlement and industrial landmarks scattered across it.
Facing upwards towards the stars she thought about her home. How was the clan and her father doing, but more importantly how was Bubal doing.
For a long time she had had affections for him, but had never told him or anyone else for that matter.
She sighed, maybe she should have told him before she left.
She pondered this for a while but decided to tell him when she got back home, or in a death note.
She decided to write a confession and hand it to the Captain when she got back to the ship.
She put her hands behind and continued to observe the stary skies.
[B]A mutated Squish, in the meantime, seemed to start wreaking havoc inside of the ship since the people that came to help were ill prepared for such a situation. Busting through doorways that were simply too small for him to fit through, the mutated Squish tried to find the most open space for himself.
He wasn't in his right-mind, nor was he in control, all he knew was to find open space.
Somehow Squish hand landed himself in the Zoo Chambers, a room filled with many different types of life. Squish disappeared into the artificial wilderness.[/B]
Andron saw the havoc springing into action and realized the devastation the member was doing. He sought out a way to prepare for such a situation and armed with these so called "tranquilizers."
Lethal force against members was not allowed due to his programming but surely non-lethal wasn't. He prepared himself inside the Zoo Chambers.
[editline]23rd June 2015[/editline]
[QUOTE]It was roughly midnight when the Desert Star touched down in the desert outside of Duroma's capital city. Arkadam was awake and fresh, as he was part of the night crew, and was ready as always to get to work doing what he loved: getting plastered and schmoozing pretty girls. Sure, he'd need to compile a report afterward, but this was only a small consideration. He really enjoyed being a field agent.
"How's your English?" Iyoko asked as she entered the cargo bay.
"Don't worry, I've practiced a lot this time," he responded. "Where are you headed, again? I don't remember."
"They've got me working the Skylounge this time. You're still doing that hotel?"
"Yeah," he answered as he turned the key on the cargobay doors. An alarm sounded to signal depresurization, but it was faulty. "[They should fix that fucking siren already. Last time I rode the Star was two years ago, and it was doing this back then, too.]"
"Watch your mouth," warned Iyoko.
"Right... English," Arkadam remembered, rolling his eyes. He stepped down the ramp and walked over to the service block. Opening the dented metal cover, he flicked on the landing pad lights before picking up a phone handset which had been mounted inside. With the press of a button, it connected to a teamster's headquarters several kilometers away.
He told them his full name, his ship, and their delivery number, and then requested a cab for himself and Iyoko. The others would be along in time.[/QUOTE]
Varn had tied the Omega brother up. After spotting Jeremy's ATD in the distance, he kicked him to wake him up. "Wake up, your about to meet the captain."
Jeremy stopped next to Varn's ATD and walked to him. "What did you get yourself into this time?"
"I didn't. He got himself into a mess." Varn said as he pointed towards the tied up merc. "Now you will tell him everything you told me."
"Why should I do that?"
"Are the Brothers hiring people who are dumb as rocks or are you a special case?" Varn put his foot on the same knee as before.
"Aghh! Alright, you made your point! We took a contract issued out for a HarkArk ship. We were meant to take the crew dead or alive and take the ship for ourselves as payment.... I only know one name, Bromun... Other merc crews will try to make a move soon. That's all I know, I swear. Please, help me, your man is insane. Look at what he did to me."
"What do you want to do with him captain?"
[B]Rustling could be heard in the trees and in the foliage, Squish's location not quite discernible since it seemed he was in constant motion. Occasionally a tree would fall or an animal would get spooked. Every few yards, a foot print could most likely be spotted of something big and heavy. It seemed to behave more animal like than man.[/B]
"I honestly can't come up with a good plan right now." Jeremy said staring straight at him. "We take him to the ship, I find out what options I can find with him." Jeremy sighed, mercs were already coming after them soon and its not looking good.
"Right. You best get some rest sir. I'll get him to the ship." Varn put the merc on the back of his ATD and took off for the ship.
Pippin looked for anyone to help him with his supplies.
Andron wandered through the room, noticing his surroundings. He commenced a complete scanning around the area and searched. After a few seconds he found his target.
[IMG]http://cdn.yourepeat.com/media/gif/000/411/221/ac8d94e6345a2b29922323baab38910c.gif[/IMG]
[B]The creature barreled through the wilderness in no sense of direction or purpose.[/B]
[I didn't know Feeblians turn into ogres when injected by tomato DNA]
Andron ran towards the most accurate direction and chased down the member, shooting a few darts. Hoping it might knock him out.
[What the christ is going on with Squish?]
Lion looked up at Dwan. "Hi, glad to see you made it."
He gestured towards the lake. "Beautiful place this is." He sighed.
"Reminds me of home."
As the night approached, light from what appears to be two moons ran across the surface of the lake. The only other source of light was that of a torch that Lion had mounted inside the cave, in the middle of the ceiling to be precise.
Infront of Lion was a small pile of sticks he had gathered from around the area, with the help of his decor laser he quickly turned it into a small fire.
Lion motioned for Dwan to sit down.
[He injected himself with the same stuff that mutated the Tomato. He has become a Super Feeblian!]
Dwan sat down beside Lion. "Seems like nothing is going our way these days.", Dwan commented. "First Gadon, then the delays at the base, now this! On our relaxation day no less!", he said in a slightly frustrated voice.
Lion chuckled. "My old sergeant once told me that to get to the rainbow, you first need to overcome hell."
He looked at Dwan. "Eventually the tides will turn but truth to be told, I won't be able to fully relax untill those Crimson Son freaks are gone for good.
One should not forget to seize the moment though."
"Agreed.", Dwan responded. As he laid on his back, he thought to himself. What happened today once more reminded Dwan how serious this is going to get. He knew that everyone was going to have to give 101% from themselves. He knew that he'll have to reveal his truth. As he sat again, he decided that the only person he trusted with his truth was Lion. He clenched his left hand. "Lion, how well do you keep secrets? Personal secrets?", he asked him in a serious tone.
The Torama-Bonram was three stories high, made of metal but cloaked in a thin layer of polished granite. It was triangular and took up half of a city block, with the other half of the lot reserved for parking. On the second and third floors, a second triangular point jutted out over the parking, this was a bar and grill which was notable for its interstellar menu. The Torama family were Atyns, the race which gave rise to the Serek band of pirates which have menaced the kanads for hundreds of years, although no kanad would dare question the hospitality of the Toramas. They and their business have stood for three generations in the heart of Bonram, serving humans, kanads, and any other race who wish to stay a night in peace.
As Yanim parked her bike in the shade of this historic restaurant, she felt the cold chill of the night wind. Before stepping through its doors she unfurled her jacket and scarf and dressed in her usual manner, as well as lacing up her boots to their original height. Inside the lobby was a hushed quiet, she felt at ease as she checked into a single bedroom on the west side of the building, where the rising suns could not disturb her in the morning. She rode an elevator to the restaurant floor, intending to have dinner, but was greeted by an unwelcome site.
The restaurant was long and narrow, with two sets of booths and a number of barstools divided by the isle in the center which eventually met at the closed end of the building. Above the window was a large holoscreen which was broadcasting local news- images and film taken by handheld devices at the site of the massacre earlier that day, interviews with "eyewitnesses" who claimed to have seen "what really happened." Most of the images were blurry and distant, but a few could be used to identify the Archius crew. She did her best to appear inconspicuous as she sought a seat at the food counter on the left side of the bar.
As soon as she sat down, a voice grabbed her attention. "[Hey, offworlder, you were at Rigel, weren't you?]" Yanim turned around to see another young kanad whom had been seated at the bar counter across the room. She was about the same age as Yanim and had short, icy blue hair and eyes.
"Gataska Vor'Pangn," Yanim replied. "[You were with those other three, I remember.]"
"[Yeah...]" Gataska sighed, maintaining her smile despite something weighing on her mind. Intuition told Yanim that something happened to at least one of the other offworlders during the bug hunt. It was at that moment Yanim noticed that Gataska's right arm was robotic. Before Yanim could ask about it, Gataska asked her, "[what was your name again? I only saw you once.]"
"[It's Yanim,]" she replied. "[How did you end up here?]"
"[I needed new work after the bug hunt, and so I hitched a few rides to get back over here. It's so easy to get short jobs here.]" Yanim wondered about the type of work Gataska was trained for, and so she asked. "[Well, I was a field medic, but after I lost my arm I couldn't sew wounds shut anymore so I became a nurse,]" was the answer.
"[I could build you a better arm than that,]" Yanim commented. Gataska appeared to take offense, but Yanim clarified, "[I'm chief engineer on my ship now.]"
"[Oh, I remember you telling us about that human ship... [I]the Archius,[/I] you called it 'some new rig Harkark shat out' or something like that. That was funny.]" Yanim smiled as she remembered that day.
A few seats down, another offworlder stood and walked over, requesting a fresh drink from the bar. He was a young man with orange-ish hair and eyes, quite rugged and handsome-looking for kanad standards, and he wore a deep blue quilted jacket. Looking over his shoulder with a charming smile, he introduced himself with a cool yet inviting inflection.
"How lucky am I to see you two tonight. Here I thought I was going to spend this stay without any interesting company."
Gataska didn't understand- she didn't speak English, but she was drawn to his smooth looks and appearance. Yanim was cautious. "[Do you know him?]" she asked.
"[No, she doesn't,]" interrupted the stranger. "[but I want to buy her a drink. You too, if you're not in a hurry.]"
"[No drinks, doctor's orders.]" Yanim answered, coldly. "[But I'm not going anywhere tonight. Who are you, anyway?]"
He grinned, undaunted. "Arkadam Sidikan," he answered. "[I fly with the Desert Star.]"
(Doomevil, do you have to roll for actions?)
[I can't due to GM reasons, just play along]
[B]Through the random stumbling and running through the artificial wilderness while being shot at, he fell into some mud. He then emerged, feeling cooled and refreshed.[/B]
[IMG]http://www.gifwave.com/media/14880_creep-apocalypse-now-gabber-picnic-arrival-mud-bath.gif[/IMG]
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