Caged Birdies: The Exchange
The Shuttle Bay:
"It's just a head wound, Ri," says Kit with a cough. She grins a bit, "And a little smoke inhalation." She looks tired, but not about to drop from it. "Storn is going to freakin' kill us. I'll be working on that shuttle for months." Her head turns and she coughs again then leans into Riley, both of them now seated on the floor.
"I don't reckon I am going to kill anyone. Though this means we won't be using our shuttle for evacuating tonight. Riley, you are going to keep the aces nearby to pick us up. Though no firing up those weapons without my say so. We cannot trust Esther's or Conoger's emotions if they demand it, Ok?" Storn says hearing his name as he walks into the shuttle bay, leaning heavily on his cane obviously he is getting worn out by the past few days.
Riley holds her while he looks up at the ship. "Sonofa bitch." he turns to look at Covis. "I don't know if I should be pissed at you, or impressed you made it back in one piece. That thing ain't air worthy." After a few more seconds gawking and stroking his wife's injured head. "Storn's already set up 333.45. word of mouth only."
Having heard the distress call, Lirin rushes into the shuttle bay carrying her trusty black leather medical bag. "I'm here!", she calls out as she hurries into the room. "Who needs me?", is asked as she quickly surveys the area.
Covis stands by the ship com and looks over to Riley and Kit "She's ok Riley, she'll make it. Lirin's here now." he smiles over to the Doc before nodding to Riley again about the new channel. "I'll set my smartcom right now." He nods to Storn and glances to the shuttle, a slight grin forming "I brought it back.. and in one piece…mostly."
"Fuckers had an RPG. I managed to blind one of them with some of the paint though before he could find another one." Kit rests her head against Riley's shoulder, not really wanting to move yet. "We got some good Intel though." She smirks up at Covis, "Even if one of us was a bit more distracted than others." As Lirin comes in Kit's bright blue gaze takes in the sight of the smaller woman. "You Iniana?" Because she still has yet to meet the ship's doctor.
Riley continues to comfort Kit, when he has a though. "Is shuttles sensor computer damaged? I'd like to get the data off and go over it. You never know what kind of information those things pick up in the background." As Lirin enters he looks up a little uncomfortably. She hasn't met his wife yet. "She's hurt. Head injury she says, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was more she's not saying."
Still wondering who the patient is, it becomes abundantly clear when Kit mistakes her for Iniana. Since the medical need doesn't appear to be life and death, Lirin's footsteps are slower now as she approaches the woman on the floor. Offering her a friendly smile and light shake of her head back and forth, she answers her. "No, I am not Iniana. I am Lirin. I am a friend of the crew and a doctor to boot." A pause. "May I assist you?", she asks because, well, some people are funny about who treats them. Her green eyes shift to Riley, who's cuddling Kit, and gives him a brief nod in acknowledgement before returning her gaze to Kit. As she waits, she visually assesses her for any obvious injuries.
Kit tilts her head so Lirin can look at the injured, bloody side of it. "Sorry, I'm Kit." She flashes the other woman a smile to go with her apology and then undoubtedly sticks her foot in it or someone's foot in it by looking at Riley and saying, "I promised I'd be back. You're clearly stuck with me for a while longer, husband o' mine." Her eyes close as she coughs again. She reeks like smoke, in fact the entire smoking shuttle does. "I managed to get some of the systems repaired while in flight, so you can try."
"looks like." Riley replies with a half hearted smile. He watches not so patiently as Lirin comes to tend to his injured wife. "You can fix her up right?"
A light chuckle is released as the raven haired doctor shakes her head once more. "No need to apologize, Kit. It's very nice to meet you.", she says with a friendly smile. Then, the word 'husband' is spoken and it causes Lirin's left brow to quirk up in interest and surprise. When Kit reveals the bloody mess on the other side of her head, Lirin's head nods slightly while peering at the wound. "Yes, she's going to be just fine.", the doctor replies with a smile. "We just need to get her to the medical bay. I mean, I can do what I need to here, it'll just be easier and safer to do it in there. Looks like she'll need a few stitches and I want to do a scan of her brain to check for concussion. From what I'm seeing and hearing, she probably just has a mild concussion but it's better to be safe than sorry.", she explains. "Can you stand up and walk?", Lirin asks to Kit. "Do it slowly, we're not in a rush. I know the blood looks bad but it's really not."
"Yeah, I can get up." Kit is too stubborn for her own good most of the time, but this time she's being honest about it. The blood makes things look worse than they are and she can tell that. She gets to her feet, rising to that impressive height. "I don't feel like I have a concussion. My vision didn't go or anything..." she says. Then with a grin just for Lirin she adds, "It's okay, Lady Doc, I can't see the blood anyway so it isn't bothering me."
The Commons and planning.
Storn walks into the commons area, already in his armor and his sidearm on his hip. The engineer has his brown coat over his armor and has for effect even put on his hat he never wears. He nods to everyone assembled, "Thanks for everyone for coming to help us."
Sporting her nice mild concussion and a few stitches in her head, Kit uses the dart board to hang up a modified map. She's found the one Storn drew last week and added in more detail based on her wild and crazy shuttle ride with Covis. The adaptations include a building two miles away from the farm and a marked building, as well as one which has the note (roofless) next to it.
Kyoshiro has found some wall to stand against like an old cowboy would, one foot up against the bulk head. His pork pie is lowered just a bit, arms crossed over his chest. Harsh crimson eyes glance over to Storn as he enters, then to the Holo of the new information gathered by Kit on the LRS. He shifts position slightly more intent on listening right at the moment.
Mila is hanging towards the back of where the others are gathered looking a bit out of place. Though she did change out of her gown into something a bit more appropriate. She turns a gun over in her hands looking it over like she is trying to remember how to use it.
Danee sits on the floor beside Kyo. Her legs are drawn up and her arms wrapped around them. She watches the comings and goings and remains quiet.
Riley is sitting on the sofa in his usual t-shirt and jeans, Today's shirt is all black with the words "Yippee Ki Yay Mutha Fucka" printed in yellow san-serif type. He's barefoot once again. He's also still sober, and not looking to thrilled about that.
Miku is sitting off to the side, listening. Her eyes are glued to Storn as he moves about and starts to get everybody ready for the mission. Her face doesn't show what she is feeling and thinking, but her eyes do.
Storn looks at the map and then back to everyone, "Before we begin has everyone added 333.45 on their com? We will be using that for this Op. If not please take a second to set it up." He taps his fingers on the cane, "As each of you has heard, we don't have the baby with us and gonna have to get the Captain and Conoger out without giving her up. Kyo..." Storn holds up the RF transmitter for the the sniper, "Please use discretion, cause well... it's special."
Sink comes into the common area carrying a long case labelled Ricochet Arms 'Hermes'. When he sees the crowd, he pauses, nods, looks for a place to sit, then shrugs, and makes his way to the black coffee table, taking a chair, and placing the case on the table carefully. Pulling out his icom he starts to program it, "333.45, any encryption?"
Kit looks around at all the unfamiliar faces and finds herself space to sit down near Riley, folding her long frame up as she lowers herself onto the sofa.
Kyoshiro pushes himself off the wall, raising his head to look to Storn. His dark blue frock on sways just a bit along with the light material Haori that he wears. The Churura's indication of high rank of Captain. Though the black bamboo stick design on the back indicates that of their Commander. Albeit sleeveless He reaches a fingerless gloved hand out to Storn to take the RF signal. "I won't blow you up if that's what you mean." He says in jest, though hard to tell given his deep core accented monotone. Putting the remote in his musette bag he puts the comm channel into his iComm.
Lirin enters the common area, sans medical bag but with her sidearm visible in its holster. She carefully navigates her way in and around until she finds her place in Sink's lap. After all, all of the other chairs have been taken. Her green eyes focus on Storn and waits to hear what the big plan is.
Storn looks at the map, with a grin towards Kyo. "It is a random channel, so hopefully will last for the mission. Ok, well our shuttle was ambushed so we are going to need to either use the Aces or another vessel to move in. They have too much anti-vehicle weaponry for me to feel safe on a shuttle. Sink, Kyo & Danee, your suggestions?"
Sink puts an arm around Lirin as she sits on his lap, then looks over to Storn, then to Kyo, "Sorry, if this isn't going to be a confusing mess, come one needs to do three things. One, someone say they are in charge. That person make introductions, then give a situation report, because I'm already behind. This was the first I knew there was even a farm, or we had a map of any sort."
Danee looks up at Kyo as Storn holds up something :special: and whispers, "what's that?" she looks back around at the people she knows those who are not as familiar and then back to Storn.
Kyoshiro points to Storn, "Storn is in charge as far as I'm concerned. It's his Captain, his XO. I'm here to help." He then shrugs, "We have the Jia, she doesn't have weapon like the Aces. We've a bit of armor though. And our shuttle is a hummingbird, fully loaded. Though it couldn't more then two or three of us on it." He looks down to Dane and makes an explosion type noise with his mouth and gestures with his hands.
"So far, Sink, I have assumed command of the Aces crew. I think if we are going to set up a flow of command out there I will vote myself for the up close team. Then Kyo then you on the perimeter with the snipers. Kyo has the device to explode the bassinette when the time is right." Storn looks around, "Would the Jia be able to withstand a few RPG's? I know the Dragon could but it might be too big?" He look to the other crew leaders curiously.
Sink nods once, "Storn's in charge. Excellent. Yes the Dragon can take a few RPGs, but it's a thunderstorm, you hear it coming well before you can see if it's going sub-sonic. Now I heard there was some plan about exploding the bassinette. But what's the plan? Is the exchange at this farm? Have they contacted us and set up details about the exchange? Sorry, I seem to be missing some details."
Kyo speaks then. "Should we take MULE's then walk in and then use the Ships for extraction purposes... That seems like it would be less obvious. At least to me. And the Jia, she's lightly armored. Nothing like the Dragon I'd think." He looks to Danee, "Remind me to have us get more armor for the Jia." Then he nods to Sink, "Good questions."
Storn nods his head, "Alright, anyone opposed to using the MULE's for approach? Then the Dragon for extraction and escape?" He looks around to see if anyone is opposed to this idea. "They delivered some blood and hair in a jar with a note to meet them just north of town. Nothing specific an no real way to communicate back with them."
Lirin's lower lip is pulled into her mouth as she chews on it gently for a moment before her left hand rises in the air to notate that she has a question or possible opposition.
When Storn calls on her, Lirin clears her throat a little while lowering her hand back to her lap. "Wouldn't they hear the MULE's approaching? Or is there some way the noise can be muffled? Also, we do have a way to communicate with them. They have Esther and Conoger's comlinks. I'm sure if you say something that interests them, they will respond.", she says before pausing briefly. "Don't you think?", is asked in an unsure tone. "Who is going to be the one to deliver the 'baby'?"
"I think given the secluded location of the site and the fact that all the buildings have had their windows darkened, it might be possible to get in with stealth to start with," pipes up Kit. She nods towards the map on the dart board. "The building is old, made of timber and the part of the roof which still remains is metal." She nods in agreement with Lirin, "I think they'd hear people coming if we got too close and if that other building, the one further out, is a look out it might be worth going there first." Her two bits offered she quiets herself again and leans in against Riley's side.
Kyoshiro raises an eyebrow. "Generally... That's why I suggested then walking in after parking the MULE's out of range. They're certainly not as loud as ships though. However, I don't mind huffing it there on foot in the first place." He nods to Storn, "He's taking the Bassinette in and doing the trade as far as I'm aware."
Storn pipes up, "True, I had my head in the clouds we can communicate with them over the aces channel." He looks around, "Yeah, I am going to take the bassinette in for the hand off and try to talk our way out of it. I need volunteers who will stand there with me. Keep in mind this is the most dangerous part. I know Kyo, Danee, Helena, and Sink will be covering us with rifles"
Lirin's left hand rises, once again, to be called upon to speak. Yeah, she's very opinionated.
Maxim raises a hand to speak at this point. "I am not very good with rifles. If you do not want me to sneak in somewhere, I will stand with the Bassinette."
Storn nods to Lirin.
"Normally, I'd be the first one to volunteer; however, in this instance I think it'd be best if only men stand with you for the delivery. Considering that we're dealing with slavers, we don't want to risk the chance of something going wrong and them taking a female as another hostage.", Lirin suggests as she lowers her hand. Maxim's hand is seen out of the corner of her eye and she looks to him with an appreciative smile when he volunteers. She's so proud.
"Good idea, Lady Dumont. I will leave that to each person's discretion. I don't want any more hostages." Storn glances and smiles at Maxim, "Thanks Maxim. I don't think we have time to really do any infiltration? And what would we accomplish if we did?" He asks not killing the idea but waiting to see if it has merit.
"Well... You could have Maxim flank them while you're meeting with them to better your odds." Kyoshiro suggests, "I don't know if infiltration will do much at this point either. Other than, if you maybe wanted to get Conoger and Esther out without them knowing. That's hard."
Sink nods slowly, "So, what I gather, the plan is this; we send in a scout and sniper team on foot before the exchange. Have the exchange with our close combat specialists. The moment Esther and Conoger are free, we eliminate them all and an extraction ship arrives? What about contingencies? Who's going to be quarterback to call the audibles when the plan goes sideways?" Sink pauses, "How many people do you need at the exchange?"
Riley stands casually interrupting the goings on. "I'm assuming the pickup man is me. Since your gonna need somebody to pick your asses up, and we're running short on time, so I'm gonna get the aces prepped while you all finish. Let me know if I miss anything important." He turns and offers his hand to his wife "You wanted to take a look at that thrust system again right?"
Storn hmms, thinking a moment. "Esther is probably too hurt to sneak her out before the Operation." He looks to Lirin and then to Sink with a nod, "If I go down, Kyo and then you are in command, Sink. I trust either of you to get my people out."
Miku glares at Storn as he talks about going down, "Don't you dare." And then she shuts up and slinks back into her corner.
Since Kit needs a bit of a babysitter until her concussion wears off she nods in agreement to Riley, plus who wouldn't like to look at a swankier ship? "Good luck everyone." With that she follows her shorter, shoeless spouse out of the common area.
"I think, regardless of what we try to work towards on a plan. And it's good to have one, but in my experience... /something/ is going to go wrong. We'll get a curve ball and have to think on our feet." Kyoshiro says.
"Alright.. here is my basis of the plan. Maxim and I will take the Bassinette to the meeting. Let's time it to go when visibility is at it's worse so their greater numbers will be partially negated. The Dragon will be ready for our extraction. Sniper teams are to keep a bead on the ones holding Esther and Conoger. That's the basis of our plan. Anyone got something better to add or modify?"
Kyoshiro adds, "Give me a word if I can't see you when you need the bassinette to go off. Say it over the com."
Lirin doesn't bother to raise her hand at this point, she just jumps in. "What about the rest of us? Your backup, so to speak. Where do you want us to wait and how will we know when to rush in?", she asks. Yes, she called herself backup and not doctor type either.
"If things go bad, coming in with the Dragon and rescue Esther and Conoger. If a gunfight breaks out, then use your discretion to decide how much force to bring down on them." Storn answers Lirin.
Lirin's raven head nods briefly to Storn. "Roger that. Wait in the Dragon.", she repeats to make sure she understood that correctly.
Sink asks calmly, "To be perfectly clear, it's clean. We kill them all. If we explode every building there, it's okay?"
Storn arches his brow at Sink's question. "If there is a holding cell with slaves, I would ask we don't just destroy that building. Anything else, the Dragon can blow to the goram sky once we are clear."
"What's the word, Storn?" Kyo asks.
Covis steps into the war room, nodding to all those assembled. "What can I do Storn? Want me to guard the Aces?"
"If you are good with a gun, I would like you by my side with Maxim. If you aren't comfortable being that close to the action, stay with Arraner and guard Lady Dumon on the Dragon." Storn taps his cane on the deck. "Any other questions? If not we need to communicate with those bastards"
"No questions here..." Kyoshiro says.
Covis nods to Storn and slips his sunglasses down over bloodshot eyes.
Storn leans against the bulkhead. "So shall we send our message to them that I am on the way with the child?"
Kyoshiro nods
[404.30 MHZ Ch:4] Storn says, "This is Jacob Storn, of the Aces & Eights. We have what you request. I will be enroute to the meeting area."
Covis begins searching through his leather jacket, checking each pocket. "Gun, bullets, pipe.. check." The roguish pilot smiles over to Lirin then "Anytime you are ready Doc."
Lirin rises from Sink's lap and grins over at Covis. "You forgot armor. I need to trade out side arms and get armor as well. Other than that, I'm good to go."
"There's plenty down stairs..." Kyo says as he starts down the stairs with Danee in tow.
[404.30 MHZ Ch:4] Unknown says, "Excellent. I await. Time is running out. Tic. Tock."
Covis gestures for Lirin to follow as he falls in line after Kyoshiro. "I need armor too."
Storn shrugs at the comment, "Alright, saddle up."
Sink takes his case off the table and nods, "Alright. Lets suit up. May fortune be with us." With that he starts to head to the cargo bay, "Those flying the Dragon, come see me, I'll let you know of her quarks."
Miku stands up and walks toward her husband and waits.
Storn turns to Miku and draws her into his arms in an embrace. "So, we having hamburgers when I get back? You know I like mine with cheese, onions and bacon." He winks to her.
The Meeting:
As our intrepid adventurers venture forth down the road, they will notice that the winds have begun to pick up. The trees are swaying and in the not too far off distance, there are clouds. These are dark, ominous clouds with flashes of light within. The faint sounds of distant thunder is heard from time to time. At the agreed point, there is a group of three armored MULES. A man stands outside each vehicle, holding a repeater. In the front of the assembly, a couple of paces ahead of the group is a single man, standing and waiting patiently. He is wearing a pair of khaki cargo pants, boots, and a loose button up shirt. On his head is a tan floppy hat which he looks from underneath and towards the north. As the group arrives, he smiles. "Greetings."
Storn walks along the road, shielding the baby from the wind and oncoming storm. The big man walks haphazardly trying to do this and keep his cane in his hand for support. He glances from beneath the brim of his hat towards the man and pauses about ten paces from him. "Howdy." He looks from the man to the others with repeaters. "Where's my crew?"
Kyoshiro is some yards out sneaking through the woods with his rifle. Shadowing the main group that's with Storn. When they come across the three vehicle, Kyo puts up his hands to tell Danee who's with him to stop, who he's hoping is being as diligent with the sneaky as he is. He finds a tree to put his back against and takes a seat, bringing the rifle up to get a bead on the four men through by the MULE's. He adjusts a few things slowly on his scope before whispering to Danee. "Keep an eye out... let me know if you see any floaters or other snipers."
Danee follows along behind Kyo. And yes she is just as diligent as he is. But she is also searching as only she can for some trace of Esther and Conoger. As Kyo moves to hide behind a tree she does as well. She whispers back, "Conoger is not here and no surprise there are others in the vehicles." but her gaze is moving around and through the woods making sure she has not missed anything.
Maxim approaches with Storn. He's rather discomforted by being out in the open, and even more so wearing the heavy armor but he puts up with both for Storn. Staying quiet he waits patiently as they speak.
Sink moves in through the woods as well, taking a line about forty feet away from Kyoshiro and Danee. As he gets a good spot with a clear line, he lowers the bipod, and slowly gets down into a prone position. He speaks lines up the scope, and puts the cross hairs on the one closest to the approaching party.
The man gestures to the man at the middle vehicle. "I do hope you forgive us for this. See, we believe in an eye for an eye. You steal something from us, we steal something from you! You play nice with us, we play nice with you." From the back, Esther is dragged out by her hair. She is bandaged on her side and is lame in her right leg. "When we got her, she was already quite damaged. It looks like she took a beating. It actually made our job easier to keep her docile." The man turns back to grin. "So, I have shown her in a gesture of faith. Allow me to see the child." Esther's hands are bound and her mouth is gagged.
Without coming any closer, Storn glances up at the man and with a hard eye through his glasses he speaks up through the wind. "I believe you have one more of us. I'll be needing to see him as well." He does make a small concession though turning the bassinet to the side where the cries of the baby can be heard on the wind.
Kyoshiro grimaces as he sees Esther get dragged from the MULE. "Can you sense where Conoger is? I bet you they've got him back at that barn or the other building." He whispers to Danee whilst keeping a steady eye trained on the men past the tree line.
Danee continues to watch the woods behind them. "He is far away." she looks as if she is trying to find the direction. "Towards the buildings. But I can't be sure. just know he is not here."
Maxim watches silently behind Storn. His face tightens at the sight of Esther, but softens again, so the fact he's feeling under the surface like seven psychopaths slicing savagely is hidden for the most part.
When Esther appears, Sink winces a bit, but then refocuses on the job at hand. He makes minor adjustments to the scope, before holding putting his eye back on the target. He speaks quietly on the icomm, "Kyo, I have front two dialed in. You got the guy on Esther?"
Esther goes a bit wider-eyed as she also spies the basinet with a baby inside it. The cries are heard by her. "Mmmffrrmmm!" She says through the gag. She is clearly protesting the baby being handed over. (Especially since she is not privy to their plan.) She gets jerked by the hair by the man holding her and a knife comes to her throat. She falls quiet then, glaring hotly at Storn with the basinette. The speaker looks back to Esther and then to Storn. "Do you not want your Captain back? We could easily just keep her. I am sure I can make money off her. Not as much money as a newborn, but in time she could.." His gaze turns back to Storn. "We can always kill her too for your questions of our motives. It would not matter to us. There is a certain satisfaction in vanquishing one's foe."
"Let me explain something to you.. " He motions to himself. "You kill the captain and you've got nothing. You kill Conoger, you've got nothing. You think to kill me and you have less than nothing. You are out gunned, out classed, and on my call the Dark Dragon will level your entire operation here back to the stone age. Now, the bargain was the baby for both of my crew. So, do you want to die today or do you want to hold to your bargain?" The Engineer lifts his brow over the rim of his glasses. "You boys make one more to pull a trigger and I promise you that you will not live to see the next lightning strike."
"Oh you can bet I do, Mr. Fist... Any longer I might get a bit trigger happy..." Kyoshiro says over his comm to Sink. Though (Assuming) he can hear what's going on yards beyond the tree line, his finger moves from the trigger guard to actually go on the trigger, ready to squeeze two rounds into Mr. Smiles down the range.
Danee stays where she is but her gaze is moving to make sure no one sneaks up on them. She glances at the man holding Esther and then tries to feel Conoger. "He is being held probably in a cellar. They have torture him." she looks over at Kyo. "They have no intentions of giving up Esther. Not easily any way. You can't trust them" this last is her own feelings and she could not say why she feels like this.
The job of a sniper is to kill, accurately, on target, and on time. It's time that is the hardest part. The waiting. This hasn't been too long. Sink is just barely settling in, and so he waits, his targeting never wavering.
The speaker for the group hesitates, looking to Storn. He lifts his chin. "He's dead." He says to the group. "Well. He might as well be. He posed too much of a danger to us all. I could not bring him along. He is unruly and has injured, even killed some of our men. An eye for an eye. So the new deal is this, your Captain for the child.. or nothing at all." He extends his hand, palm up to take the bassinet should Storn close the gap and hand it to him. "Now. This is the last time I am going to ask."
Storn whispers beneath his breath into his comm, "Kyo, when I turn my back...hit it." Storn motions for Esther, "Send her over and I will bring the baby. That is the only deal, and only way you get out of here alive. Don't test me. Send her over now."
Kyoshiro, while keeping his silenced rifle trained on the man holding Esther from within the Tree Line, reaches into his Musette back he has strapped over his shoulder carrying an array of things. He takes out the remote and places a thumb near the trigger before re griping the rifle as to include the trigger. "Wilco..." He says on his com, making sure to look out for the signal.
Zank and Danee have made there way behind the little get together away from the group. Moving between the trees and Shadows. There 25 meters or so from the back of the group in the grass. He listens to the conversations on the Comms and then chimes in "Me and Danee are in the rear...have shots on the MULE's and Danee's ready t' gut this fella...Kyo if the shot looks bad…let me know...soon as you shoot I'm killing these MULES..."
Danee is gone one moment she is behind the tree and the next she is just not there. A quick look around would not disclose her location. Danee always has plan. not always is it a sane one.
Sink hears the command come over the com, and he focus on his targets. "Roger, I'm set." he says quietly into his icom.
Esther stumbles forward. She can't walk, her right leg is still injured and cracked bone from her fight with Rodney. She staggers a bit, taking a moment to suck it up. She limps heavily towards Storn, but pauses to look at the basinet. The speaker moves forward along with Esther, helping her along the way, knowing she cannot walk on her own. When he gets to the middle, he reaches and tugs the gag from Esther. "There. You have her back." He reaches for the baby. "We will be on our way and you will not be bothered by us again." Storn may be the lucky one to see this as he is facing towards the group. Danee comes up behind one man and BLEGACK! That is the sound he makes as her axe goes for the artery of his neck. Arterial spray shoots up into the air, raining a few crimson droplets before he falls over.
Rain. Lots of rain. It suddenly comes down upon them. Thunder claps across the sky. A streak of lightning jolts a tree in the near distance.
"God fucking Damn it Zank..." Kyoshiro practically seethes through the Com. Seeing as now Danee is too close, he can't explode the bassinette. There goes that plan. So now there's nothing left but to shoot. So he squeezes two rounds off at his target. There is no loud noise... just a Thumb Thumb from the weapon. "Open fire, no sense in blowing the charge now. Ya'll will get killed."
Storn frowns as something plays out in front of him, "Son of a bitch.. Maxim find cover!" Storn drops to his knee behind the bassinette, hey they don't know it's not a real baby yet. He draws his weapon sidearm knowing shit just went stupid.
Sink sees the sudden action. and in the confusion his targets are shot, and one is reaching for the bomb baby, so instead of hitting that guy, Sink re-targets at the mules. Putting the crosshairs on the driver he takes a breath and pulls the trigger. The round covers the hundred meters, and smacks solidly into the side of the driver's head, the large round making a spray of blood and brains. Sink then speaks with authority on the icom then icom, "Dragon, come get us now. Storn, you want to jam the coms before they call home?"
It is a good old-fashioned stand off on the road of Nowhere, Jiangyin. Storn and Maxim stand on the northern side of the street that leads towards the monestary. They bravely face off three armored mules, three men that guard the mules, plus on very cocky spokesman of the group. It would seem that in the tree line are some very sneaky snipers. Kyoshiro and Sink sit together in one spot while Danee and Zank snuck off to assist in their own ways. Danee had managed to sneak around the convoy and towards the man that had previously been holding Esther. She could have easily snuck back away when he had released Esther to go with the spokesman for the trade. But, she did not. A gun had been drawn from his pocket, aiming to Esther's back, and Danee had seen it. Soon, he finds an axe deep into his neck which spews forth arterial spray on the surroundings. He does not live long. Kyoshiro has spotted Danee so close to the group and it would seem he had grown concerned for her safety and pulls his trigger. Two sharp shots are done and the two remaining men outside their vehicles go down with a case of bulletusindabrainpanitis. There is immediate chaos. Guns come out of the windows of the vehicles. The spokesman shoves Esther violently towards Storn and she basically falls atop him as the spokesman grabs the baby basinet and darts back for the MULES. "I GOT HER! LET'S GO!" Two of the MULES begin to rev up as the spokesman dives for one of the vehicles. The third seems to be having a bit of difficulty since Sink gave him a case of bulletusindabrainpanitis. "YOUR BETRAYAL WILL COME OUT ON THE VIKING!" He yells out in promise.
Movement. Maxim had been staying perfectly still, like a statue, and then chaos erupts. Well that pretty much signals it's time to do something. He scans the targets getting eliminated, and as such and as there's a wounded hostage now on the ground, he springs over to her and whispers, "Endure the pain." With that he hauls her up almost effortlessly, and into his arms. Springing forth toward the tree line he darts left and right, holding her to his chest doing his best not to rattle her leg, but end of the day he needs them in the trees, hence why the comment to endure the pain was made. He hops left and right, zigzagging in the rain so that he's s blur among it to keep the men in the armoured mules from getting a good shot at him and his precious cargo.
Zank blinks as suddenly Danee is gone and stabbing people. He doesn't have time to respond to Kyo what he meant before all hell breaks loose. With people dieing and guns shots echoing with the thunder, Zank adds his own thunder. The Hellfire in his hand BOOM's as the .50 Calibre round screams across the short distance and into the back of one of armored MULES. The high velocity round easily punch through the pull of the MULE and finds the engines housing. The MULE rocks like its been hit by a hammer in its side. Followed by a small explosion from engine near the wheels. Black smoke smoulders into the cab. "MULE's are making a run for it!!" he call over the Com.
Kyoshiro simply sighs as he watches as someone brings the bassinette into one of the vehicles. He flips the trigger shroud up, "Well I ant putting this to bad use." He pushes the toggle switch to trigger the explosives in the bassinette. He then Comms to Sink. "Let's mop up then get Conoger..."
Danee pulls her axe from the back of her latest victim and heads towards the disabled mule. Only a step and then KABOOM! SPLAT! OUCH! as the mule disintegrates. Danee throws herself to the ground hoping that most of the bits and pieces are thrown higher than her profile.
Sink replies on the icom to Kyo, "Getting the last driver then jamming the coms." Sink lines up the driver of the last driver, leads just a bit, just enough so the bullet strikes home, but more then just striking home, it passes through the driver and strikes the passenger, a taller man, with out any neck armor. The driver dies instantly, the passenger is not so lucky, and starts to choke on his own blood. "Dragon you better not be hearing this.", Sink adds to what he hopes is a silent icom.
The men had all opted for leaving the scene, believing they had gotten what they wanted. Inside the one still good MULE that was actually getting away, the spokesman begins to laugh. "Man. Boss is going to be pissed to loose that many men... but we have the child." He looks into the bassinet, pulling back the blanket from the face. "What..." He pauses and pulls the doll from it's blanket. "FU..." He did not even finish his curse as the bomb goes off. A few hundred feet away from the scene, the mule suddenly explodes in a plume of fire, smoke, and debris. Now, this leaves the last two mules. From inside, the disabled mule, two gunmen and a driver pour out, armed and taking refuge behind the vehicle. The second vehicle is still good, but the driver in that one is pushed out unceremoniously as one of the gunmen have taken over the duty of driving. The mule screeches backwards to get the hell out of there, but manages to get the occupants directly in the sites of Sink's aim. The driver had just begun to pull forward off the grassy spot when the gun goes off. The mule, just lazily moves forward slowly, stopping when it hits the ditch of the other side of the road. The interior of the mule is covered in red body fluids. The last man inside, he hops out and throws his gun down, fleeing into the forest. Fuck this! He is not getting paid enough. Then from the clouds and down through the rain, the beautiful Dragon comes forth with a mighty roar of it's engines.
As the Dragon roars overhead Maxim makes his way toward where it looks like pickup will occur, Esther in his arms. He moves slower now, so as not to jostle/injure her further , seeing the targets appear neutralized he takes his time until the ship lands. He'll wait until he gets her safe and secure on board before running off to get Conoger.
Jisae manages to find a place to obtain cover when the combat begins. She readies her combat pistol and waits to see what she might be able to do to help the situation. She does nothing that will bring attention to herself, but observes the scene with intense focus.
Zank watches as the man takes off running "Kyo...got a runner...think you can hit a knee so we can talk t' him?" he asks as he moves out of the grass towards were Danee lays. The rifle slung onto his back his pistol drawn. He moves towards Danee "Danee you alright?" he calls.
Kyoshiro was hidden. As Zank coms about the runner he can see the guy running right in his direction. He sits there right until the man has gone past him by just a hair before popping up and drawing his knife. One hand goes to the man's wrist and twists it so pain will shoot through out his body. The knife goes to his neck. "Here do you think you're going?" He asks in his deep core accented monotone. His red eyes looking into the corner of the man's own. "Let's take a little walk huh?" And in that hold he pushes the man back towards the road. "Someone grab my rifle..." He coms, "I got the runner... bringing him to the dragon."
Danee Looks up to see Zank coming towards her. "Look out!" she yells at Zank, "First mule" she hopes he understands that there are still three who bailed from the mule that had car trouble. She Crab crawls towards the ditch.
Sink stands from his prone position, pressing the bipod back up under the barrel, slings it across his back and pulls the straps tight so the gun is snug. He waves towards Kyo, and jogs to the other snipers position not far from his, and picks up red's eyes gun. Placing it against his shoulder he aims it towards the three that are left cowering by the mule, and walks calmly towards the scene of destruction, his eyes never coming of the last three. "Red Eyes, I think you are calling the shots.", he calls out loudly, "but I think time is of the essence if the Viking is to live."
Esther groans as she is carried by Maxim, wincing with each motion he does. However, she voiced no complaints. After a while, it would seem as she simply drifted off to sleep in his arms. She is alive, but her body is in shock. Blame Rodney!
And now, it is down to the last three lil piggies behind the MULE. The three lil piggies aren't smart piggies. They take aim and begin to fire at a pack of swift moving NINJAS.
Maxim continues to make his way toward the ship, though he's cautious to move around the shoot out in progress. Maxim continues to make his way toward the ship, though he's cautious to move around the shoot out in progress. Over the com he says, "Lirin, Esther will need you when we get to the ship. She is not well." He blows air at her face as he walks. "Hey... Stay awake. Pain is good, it means you are still alive. Cling to it." He frowns but he can't do anymore except make sure she gets to the ship and to Lirin as quickly as possible.
Zank manages to get Danee's meaning at the last second as the men start to shoot. He rolls into the ditch next to Danee and looks at her. "Thanks" he says. He thinks a second sneaking a peak at the 3 little pigs. He comes back down and looks at Danee a second before reaching to his belt and pulling back the bolt on the Hellfire in his lap. "Haven't gotten to try these yet.." he says as the small .50 cal missile is slid into the chamber. He looks at Danee "Keep your head down" he says and flips down the bipod and comes out of the ditch enough to stabilize the shot. "HEY!" he yells at the men who look at him as he fires. The small missile rockets with a small Roar out of the gun...it clean passes threw Man the mule and into the Fuel tank...The Mule explodes in a shower of metal and fire. Zank ducks and looks at the rifle in his hands "Wo.." he says
Kyoshiro, once to the road. Throws the man down on the ground rather hard. His hair is soaked, cloths soaked yet that white Haori of his and the deep blue longcoat flutter in the increasing wind. He slowly creeps up on the man as he lays there in the mud, putting his knife away and taking out his pistol. He points the muzzle right at his head and says in a calm voice, lightening striking behind him and no flinch as Zank's explosion happens. "Where is the Viking... How many men do you have at your compound?"
The man that is thrown to the ground, the lone survivor of this.. massacre.. lifts his hands, palms out. "Hey hey.. Hey... I I.. I am just a little grunt... He is at the cellar.. Out near the farm.." He points in the direction. "L.l.look.. Don't kill me.. I tell you anything.. please!"
Danee is covered in mud and ditch water. She stays down while Zank explodes the mule and the men standing beside it. She waits until the sound of whizzing past metal and car parts stop before climbing out of the ditch. She wipes her face so that she can see and then smiles at Zank, "nice gun."
"What depends on you living or not is whether or not you know if there's anything that's going to hurt my friends or not?" Kyoshiro says, gun still evened at the man's head. "Booby traps, trip wires, alarms. Things like that in that Barn. How many men guarding him. And what's in that building two miles further? Is that where you keep your stock of slaves?" He pulls the hammer back, "Start talking..."
Zank blinks a few times at the wreckage cause by the missile and then looks at Danee with still shocked look "Thanks" he says picking the gun up and slinging it over his shoulder. He examines the wreck and the bodies an there equipment. "These aren't regular slavers...way to much hardware." he says to Danee "Either that or there really well funded"
The man shakes his head. "No! The barn is a decoy... nothing there! I swear!" He focuses at the barrel that is pointed his way. "No.. the real place.. it is two miles from it. But.. you gotta hurry if you want to see your friend. They are talking of moving him to some other planet! I don't know where. I only heard bits and pieces..." He glances left and right before back to the barrel. "They only have a few men left... likely taking turns poking fun at the big guy.. "
As bullets fly towards him Sink dives to one side, rolling onto one shoulder and back up again, Kyo's rifle coming straight up to his shoulder again, just in time to see the Mule explode. Taking snap glances around the battle field, Sink doesn't see anyone left to shoot, so he lowers the rifle and jogs towards the Dragon, it's ramp lowering. "Make it quick Red Eyes", Sink says as he passes the man and his captive, "got no time for idle chit chat. If he's not talking he's dead weight."
Kyoshiro is just finishing with the slaver as Sink rolls up, "I agree..." He says before squeezing the trigger, putting a large .585 round right through the center of the lone survivors head. Cruel it may seem, but for the sins in might be an easy punishment. At least better then an alliance pineal moon. It's just a small dot there, but half of his skull comes off and brains splatter out all over the place mixing with the mud and dirt her looks up with his cold crimson eyes before glancing to Danee and Zank. Another crack of lightning and thunder. Then jogging towards the Dragon. Making sure to get his rifle. "Barn is a decoy. Head strait for that building two miles away."
Maxim makes his way onto the ship as well, bringing Esther straight to the med bay. He'll leave her in the good care of any doctors before accompanying everyone onto the next part.
Jisae comes out of her hiding place, remaining alert of all that's going around her and joins Sink and Kyo. She asks, "Where are the other slaves? Did he tell you where he keeps them?" She pauses when she watches the guy's head explode. There is a brief look of shock, but it falls away and becomes more hardened. She follows Kyo to the dragon.
Esther remains asleep in Maxim's arms. It isn't so much the pain that makes her loose consciousness, but the wounds she has taken that are now a few days old. She remains out when taken to the med bay.
Kyo's man he was questioning simply falls limp as his eyes loose that life spark.
Sink watches Kyoshiro, pausing for a moment, the he turns to his ship and jogs up the ramp, "All souls aboard.", he calls out. "Going on up, so we can come down hard. Reload, and reset, cause this ain't over until the we see a horned person singing."
Kyoshiro busies himself reloading his rifle as he hangs out near the edge of the ramp of the Dark Dragon. He waits for the fly over silently.
Danee moves along with Zank towards the Dragon. She is wet and uncomfortable but she wiping off her borrowed axe to prepare for the final confrontation.
Jisae reaches for a towel and hands it to Danee. She looks at Zank with a serious expression, "I know. I'm ready."
Getting Esther secured in sick bay, Maxim will make his way back to the others. "Where are we setting down?"
The map that had been drawn by Kit comes in really useful now. It leads the group directly to the place where they need to be. It is a single building. It is the size of a small school or a church. Around the building is a barbwire fence. There are some people roaming about. Over the intercom comes Riley voice, "Looks like we got about ten roaming people down there... and... a couple people stationary in the center of the building."
Sink heads straight to the bridge, and informs Riley to turn the coms back on. Sink then takes the second pilot's chair, and hearing that everyone is onboard, has the Dragon launch, and uses the coms after Riley, "Where are we landing right in the middle? Are we clearing the sentinels from the air? Kyoshiro your call."
"Zank and Sink, if it's possible I'd like you two to strap your selves to the extenders of the ramp. Have Riley hover. You can give us cover. But first... The others and I will hit the ground. We need to get low enough so that we're inside the fence. Any suggestions?" Since Storn isn't here he makes the best of his Tactical skills. "It's going to be a bit of a jump though." Kyoshiro indicates.
Kyoshiro adds, "The west looks the best for infiltration... drop us off there..."
Zank looks to Kyo and nods moving to find some rope. He calls to the others "Anyone got a rifle that wont dislocate my shoulder when I'm standing up?" he asks.
Danee smiles her thanks to Jisae for the towel. She dries herself as best as possible then gets ready to jump.
Maxim looks over to Danee and says, "You will just get wet again." Still A brief respite is a brief respite. He ducks out to prepare for the drop off, as he'll need to be a bit less encumbered for this next leg of the fight.
Conoger's Rescue:
People are now rushing to their assigned stations in the building. They are running into different directions.
When Kyoshiro gives his orders Sink nods to Riley, and heads back down to the cargo bay, in time to hear Zank's request, "Got a few L85A2. Those don't have as much kick, if you like." Sink vanishes and returns with a few of the rifles, offering one to Zank. Sink then points to the cargo strapping, and the harness in the locker, "Better then rope.", he notes, fetching a harness for himself and one for Zank. Once they are all set he starts checking his L8 out, and waits for the ramp to be opened.
Kyoshiro nods to Sink in regards to Zank's question. "Take it or figure a way to strap yourself to the deck. Pick one..." Once the ship is in position, Kyoshiro would hit the lever lowering the ramp before jumping off the ramp and onto the ground there. His pistol out and picking out a target. While advancing, best forwards and crouching. He squeezes two rounds as he makes his way to the window.
Zank is set and ready as the ramp opens and Kyo heads out. He secured to the cargo ramp by the harness and straps. As Kyo jumps he's ready to assist putting round down range at targets to keep their heads down.
Danee closes her eyes and begins to rock. Her breathing becomes shallow and then she presses her hands over her eyes as if they hurt although nothing has actually hurt them. "Kyo, 6 outside. 4 inside. The slaves and Conoger..." she grips her head as if her head feels like it might explode. "Someone with Conoger. Not just a bad guy." she begins rocking again but now her eyes are open and tears slide down her cheeks. When she realizes she is talking to empty air she pick sup her katana and axe and moves to follow Kyo over the side.
The Intel is still important, even if Kyo isn't there to hear it Max takes note. He hops out along with the others, into a roll and then starts for the building. He stays low and tries to be less obtrusive than the others with the impending gun fire, preferring to make it into the building as fast as possible.
PLANG! PTANG! PING! Bullets begin to Ricochet off the Dragon as they are fired upon. People take up positions from around the building, lifting their rifles to shoot. But as the group lands on the west and least defended side, they loose sight of the intruders. A pair of men come around the corner and right for Kyoshiro. Another man comes from the opposite side, pausing and looking up to the ship. He lifts his rifle towards the ship, popping off another round towards Sink. The other guards have not quite made it around the building yet. The two that go right at Kyo miss! Oh wait.. that man moves fast in a wet Haori! Then it was Kyo's turn. The gun raises up and goes off twice to pick off the opponents. They both fly backwards when they are hit.
Sink readies his rifle as the others exit, covering their charge into the compound. As Riley takes the Dragon back up, he braces against the lift leaning heavily against the cargo strap attached to his harness, the L8 pressed tightly against his shoulder. Then what happens to all soldiers, even old dogs like Sink, given enough time, and enough battles, he gets hit. He crumples to the ramp, grasping his side. Only the barking of Drill Sergeant Brown and the weeks and weeks of training so many years ago make sure his weapon stays in his hand and does not bounce out of the Dragon. Over the com he says through gritted teeth, "I'm hit."
Kyoshiro, after taking out the the two men that were after him, is more at a dead run. Fast enough even that rain drips from him and his frock along with the soaking wet Haori chase him and flutter. He gives a bit of a yell and barrels through the window sending the frame and glass shattering. He rolls onto his knees inside the building and takes a look around with his gun at the read, a few superficial scratches on his face starting to bleed, but sent running by rain and sweat. "I'm in..." He coms. He seems to be in some sort of storage room. Not much here.
Zank is mainly trying to keeps the opposite peoples heads down. He fires rounds at targets suppressing them. He might even get a hit but the rain and wind make it hard to tell. he ducks as the rounds ping off the ships hull. When Sink gets hit he looks over and moves across the ramp firing as he goes. Once he gets to the man and drags him up the ramp away from the edge. "You alright?" he yells over the roar of the engine and the storm.
Danee makes her way to the side of the building where she waits for Maxim to join her. "Do we follow him in or do we take out the other three and go in the front door?" She wipes the rain off her face and waits to see what Maxim decides.
Snapping out his blades finally Max says, "Go in after Kyo in case anyone tries to get inside. I will handle these." With that he dashes toward where the group of people were coming around the building at him, ready to end anyone who comes around the corner.
The ship hovers over the compound, the ship swaying little bits due to the turbulence of the intense storm. Lightning crashes around them, thunder bellows across the land. Winds howl and the rain pours. It is judgement day for a certain group of people. Riley seems to be hanging on with the controls of the plane, keeping it more steady than most pilots would. Poor Zank and Sink have to hang on with their perch on the ramp.
Danee is outside of the building, just under a broken window that Kyoshiro has broken to get through, rolling into a storage room. The room is darkened due to the lights being off. "Did you hear that?" "Yea it came from over there!" Two voices are heard by Kyo just outside the door and their footsteps are quickly approaching.
Maxim rounds the corner of the building and nearly collides with three men. The three men are startled briefly to find a man... with swords. Not ONE... but TWO. One man makes a comment, "Shit. I seen too many kung-fu movies for this.." The men quickly raise their guns towards him.
Sink looks up to Zank as he's dragged away from the edge of the cargo ramp lip. He yells over the noise, "I'm good. Armor.", but as he says these simple things he winces, but he waves Zank back to his position, "They need you.", he yells again. Sink sits up for a minute before lying back down his hand still holding his side.
Upon seeing the room dark and empty, Kyo places his pistol back in it's holster. Standing he draws his sword, hearing foot steps coming towards his location. "In with me, Danee..." He moves slowly to the side of the door, the opposite of where it will swing open. He readies his blade and once the door opens his blade jabs strait out into the one man. He quickly withdraws it and gives a moment for the other man to back-pedal and shoot before he carves his blade into him as well. Though apparently it's not good enough for death.
Zank nods to Sink and makes sure he's not going to slip down the ramp. He keys his comm "Riley...give me a horizontal round about Pilot. Keep the ship moving...Ill be your eyes just keep us up about 100 feet." he yells into the comm over the wind continuing to lay down rounds and reload as the clip runs dry.
Danee climbs through the window just as Kyo opens the door and attacks the two guards. Seeing as he did not kill them she attacks out of the dark with a fluid movie she learned from the Reavers. Slash with the katana and hack with the axe while doing a Pirouette from a plie` position. The least injured one is probably dead but she does not know that for certain as she pulls that axe out of him.
Riley begins to maneuver the Dragon around as commanded. "You got it." he calls back through the comm. His voice is relatively calm given the circumstances. Keeping her at 100 feet is easier said than done in this wind though. Especially with the ramp down creating so much drag. He fights with the controls to keep her level, but the ship heaves; gaining and losing 10 to 20 feet of altitude at time in the turbulence.
As the three goons spot Max and start to raise their weapons, Maxim becomes more than a kung fu movie. Lunging forward he snaps his blades outward and to each side, a slash upward toward one, then the second goons midsections, up through ribs to strike vital organs like lungs and hearts. He twists as he does so, and shoves the second one in towards the third with his blade, the first pulling backward and helping to force him forward even faster and provide leverage. As his blade cleaves through the first goon with that force his next step pushes off toward the wall, the step after pushing off toward the second goon, and finally he soars over goon number two to bring his first blade down into where the shoulder meets his neck of goon number three, pulling the blade out quickly as he sails past him to hit the ground in a roll, stopping at his feet and flicking his blades clean.
All of the goons outside of the complex have been vanquished by the highly skilled and experienced team. Maxim's goons have a bit of surprise in their eyes when he turns on blender mode. The last man falls to the ground, gurgling and looking up to Maxim. "f.fff.fffuuck..." It is all the man can say before his eyes loose that bit of life.
Inside the building, Danee has brought down a man using ballet techniques. Don't knock ballet. The man lays dead, his blood pooling out from his body. The other man still next to Kyo and Danee screams out for help, hoping to bring in the last two goons. Running footsteps are heard before they round the corner of the hallway, lifting their guns and proceeding with caution.
The storm rages on, wind gusts kicking around the ship. It is a rough and bumpy ride!
Sink tries to sit back up, but the drops in elevation make it hard. Still gripping his side he rises up to one knee, pauses to take a breath, then stands. Taking another pause he moves forward to stand by Zank, raising his rifle to his shoulder he yells to Zank "Any targets left out there?"
Kyoshiro points to his blade at the fella still alive screaming for help. Looking to Danee he says, "Kill him..." Which she does of course. Though seeing as he got some screams out, Kyo can hear the other two in the building coming down the hall way. He starts at a run, and at just the right moment, steps up onto the wall. He takes a good few steps and just as the enemy round the corner, he jumps off towards them. He brings his sword over his head, long coat and Haori flowing as he falls with force to the ground. Landing on his feet in but a second. There seems to be no physical harm. Kyo is crouched down beside the first enemy. Though after a second blood spurts out and his upper body from shoulder to hip completely separates its self from the lower half. Cold red eyes flash up to the last enemy. With a flick of his wrist the blade edge reverses and he slices up and across, separating the man's gun hand which falls on the floor beside his bifurcated comrade.
Zank shakes his head to Sink as his eyes scan down around the outside of the building. Riley piloting keeping them holding tight onto the cargo ramp hydraulics. Zank keys his com "Riley these old Sharks have extra port and starboard thrusters on there nose and tail...2 more on the top and bottom of the center line for emergency's. Use those t' level us out best ya can. Ya doin good just dont wanna throw Sink here outta his own ship...Out side of the house looks clear from out here."
Riley is doing the best he can to hold level. The wind is ridiculous. When Zank mentions the extra thrust, he quickly hunts for the controls. With a flick of a switch this just got a whole lot easier. The Dragon levels out quickly, but for a few small bumps and jostles. "Why didn't you mention those ea...*static*" Lightning strikes close enough to disrupt the signal for a moment, and nearly scares the poor pilot out of his seat. The ship does a quick hop before he regains control. "Sorry about that. You guys done back there yet?"
Zank comms "Pilot bring us down....land on the west side of the compound..." Zank says looking at Sink. "How many slave wholes you raided?" he asks the Captain.
Resheathing his blades Maxim starts to make his way into the building following Danee and Kyo's footsteps. He moves quiet and graceful as always, even in the raging thunderstorm he doesn't let the rain seem to bother him. He'll take his time though, not wanting to rush in and cause a problem as he doesn't know if they are done eliminating all hostiles inside.
Sink chuckles at Zank, then quickly winces, his hand going to his side, "I've hit quite a few, but I'll slow you guys down. I'll provide you guys cover from out here, make sure there's no surprises."
Kyoshiro looks to the guy with his hand cut off, screaming. Though he quickly impales him through the throat and says softly. "Shut up..." Removing his blade he continues on to the stairs cautiously.
Riley is glad for that command. Piloting a hulk like this in atom is bad enough without a hurricane to contend with. He pulls the ship around to the west side, and gently sets her down. That's the only thing about this ride that's been gentle. "Alright folks. Rides over."
The final bit of this adventure leads our group to a metal door. It opens easily from the outside. Though, closer inspection shows it to be near impossible to get back out without a key. The door leads to a narrow stairway, leading down to a hallway. A single lightbulb swings in small motions from the ceiling. There are cell doors on either side, a total of six doors. In the cells, there are a total of three captives, each in various states of abuse. At the end of the hall is an open doorway... through that doorway Conoger can be seen against the back wall. There is a collar upon his neck which has a short chain to the wall. Both of his hands are bound by cuffs that raise up to the ceiling, pinned there. His ankles are also chained, though he is on his knees. His face is hardly recognizable. His long hair and beard have been stripped from him piece by piece, leaving scraggly bits here and there. His eyes are swollen shut. Along his arms and torso, there is a long continuous swirling slice. It is artistic in design. As the group enters the room, there is a man standing there and by his side, kneeling on the floor is a woman dressed in a silken nighty. She cannot seem to look to Conoger, but is obviously loyal to the man that stands there with a knife that still drops fresh of Conoger's blood from the artistic carving.
Kyoshiro clears his throat as he stand there taking in what's around him. Though mostly to get the man with the knife's attention. He cold red eyes stare blankly at him. Face emotionless, unflinching even here in this basement of horrors. His own blade is at his side.
Zank nods to Sink "Go see the Doctor Captain...and yes an Xo is giving a captain an order." Zank enters the house following the bodies as it were rifle ready. Ge meets up with Kyo and continues down into the building. When they reach cells Zank heart drops, another slave hold another hell. Fury burns in him as he looks down the hall way seeing Conoger. As Kyo enters the room its all he can not to drop the man were he stands. His rifle ready. His face though suddenly turns very impassive as if a new personality has taken over. His face much like Kyo's Stern and emotionless...
Pausing with the others at the sight, Maxim's head tilts slightly, more a curious look than a blank stare like the others. He examines what has been done to Conoger and then silently starts to pad forward, keeping well out of the way of blades or bullets that might be coming to put an end to the gentleman he merely stays next to the cages, his attention focusing on the woman in the nighty perhaps curious what she will do.
Riley Seeing that they are pretty much out of the woods. Tags along behind Zank. Another gun can never hurt, and his is drawn. When he enters the room, he merely cocks an eyebrow. He's been in similar dungeons...well sorta. They where a little cleaner...sorta. It takes him a minute to register that the mangled form hanging on the wall is Conoger. There's hardly a resemblance left. "Oh fuck" he says more to himself than for the benefit of anyone else. He slowly cocks the hammer on his Colt.
The man looks to Conoger, then to the woman next to him. "Little Birdie. Take this.. clean it for me." The woman obediently complies, reaching up to take the blade. She does not move, simply cleaning the blade.. with her tongue. A remnant of Conoger's blood even stains her lips. "It is time, my birdie that we finally become free." He reaches down to help her stand up. She stands up, the blade remaining at her side. The butcher knife glints ominously in the dim light. Then the man looks to the group and he smiles. "You are too late. I have already killed him." He laughs. "Come. Take our lives that we may be free!"
Zank speaks before the others can. "Kyo...can you get that knife from her please and escort her out" Zank says in voice that I don't think anyone has heard since Neve...if anyone even remembers her...This is the Zank that is so rare he might as well not exist. His eyes are still trained on the grinning man. "Maxim...Pilot…get Conoger out of here..." he says eyes never leaving the man.
Kyoshiro flicks the blood from his blade, runs the flat edge against his says before placing it inside, his thumb locking the Tsuba shut. He walks over to the man. Close enough to smell his horid stank. Then a noise comes deep from in his through and a hawks a lugy right into the mans face. Then he grabs the knife and then the girls and starts to /drag/ her with him like a cave man.
Maxim makes his way over to Conoger and checks for a pulse. He looks at the restraints and if no key is handy will lightning fast send his blades out to hack at the restraints, resheathing them and then catching the large form of the Viking. He'll wait for 'pilot' to come and help him carry the man out and back to the ship.
Riley follows Maxim to the mangle flesh that he still can't believe is Conoger. As The viking is cut down, he comes underneath his arm to support his not insignificant weight. "Is there a pulse?"
The man just daintily reaches up and wipes the sputum from his face. "Classy." He comments to Kyoshiro's departing form. "You know.. she likes that. She likes it even more bound and gagged and beaten to submission... like our friend here.." He looks to the slumped form of Conoger, utterly humiliated, degraded. Though, the woman's hands move up to her hair, her feet flailing a bit to gain purchase on the ground, though it is futile as she is dragged away. "I love you! I love you!" She is yelling out for the man as she is dragged away. The man calls to her, "Be free little birdie! Love was just the dung heap upon which I would crow. Go. Be free." He laughs softly. "She will come back to me. She always does." Then his gaze turns to Zank. "Are you willing to die? Are you willing to be free? Or are you a caged birdie too? Caged by morality? Caged by mundane idiotic issues? Caged by the 'verse? Caged by the mortal fear of death?"
Kyo simply drags her up the stairs and out of sight. Taking her back to the Dragon. He comms, "Dragon... got some... prisoners. They're bringing out Conoger too. Might want Lady Dumon to receive him as soon as Riley and Maxim have him on board."
The Lesson:
Zank lowers his rifle and looks over his shoulder as Kyo drags the girl out. Zank then looks back at the man, and a faint smile crosses his lips. Zank step lunges at the man. His hand slamming around the mans throat. Slamming him against the wall. Zank speaks evil in his voice as he drags the man across the wall towards another pair of neck and arm shackles. He ties the man into his own torture device as he speaks. "I'm sure you like this game...knew from the moment we arrived that we would kill you. But iv meet a thousand men like you...seen an learned how t' make a man hurt, bleed but keep him alive...all the fun tricks I'm sure ya known and love to play...But ya know what I wanna know...I wanna know what you fear...what scares ya...let play a game" Zank says as he snaps the shackle around the mans neck. Zank walks into the hall way and grabs a old chair bringing it into the room and placing it 3 paces in front of the man. Before he sits he pulls out his blade and cuts the man once...between his index and ring finger. "That's one..." Zank says and takes a seat..."999 more to go..."
The man laughs. LAUGHS! "These shackles are but a physical cage. I am free in spirit and mind." Then there is the cut between his fingers and he takes in a sharp inhale. "It is a shame the child will grow a caged bird. I had hoped to raise her... free.." He laughs. "Do your worst! Give in to the darkness!"
Zank grins at the man "You think ya know darkness..." Zank chuckles a bit "Ya don't know the first thing bout making a man hurt....but I promise you by the end of our little chat your gonna know what darkness really is...an just how far down the rabbit hole iv gone before." Zank stands now and cuts the man tight with a shallow cut.
As Zank continues to cut, the crazy man continues to speak, it goes on for a long time, it seems to go on for a very long time and the man continues to laugh, preach and take the pain offered.
(rest of torture scene was FTB)
