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Post by Pope Mega Force on May 31, 2007 10:36:39 GMT -5
Marcus smirked as he stood up and followed suit. "Have a good time, Cole. I'm sleeping."
Marcus was already half way on the cot as he pulled his armor off and then rolled over onto his bed. It felt damn good to finally be able to rest.
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Post by malice on May 31, 2007 22:49:11 GMT -5
Dom groaned, smooth paint-flecked skin the color of caramel haunted his dreams. "How can a shirt that doesn't fit look so good?" He squirmed as his memories taunted him in his sleep.
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Post by dagonex on Jun 1, 2007 9:24:45 GMT -5
If Pravus could smile, he would have. Nowadays, only half of his mouth could do so, making his current expression look almost smug. Hopefully the Queen would realize that he did not intend any disrespect. But being called RAAM's best soldier by the matriarch of his people was something he'd been longing for for quite some time.
With quiet dignity and respect, Colonel Pravus rose and followed his lady, eager to hear what plans she must have for the Locust Horde's inevitable counterstrike.
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Post by Pope Mega Force on Jun 1, 2007 15:05:19 GMT -5
Marcus woke for a moment from his dreams. He rubbed his head and forgot what his dream was about. He looked over at Dom as he heard the awkward comment.
"Oookay." Marcus said under his breath.
He pushed his cot a little farther away from Dom and drifted back to sleep.
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Post by dagonex on Jun 1, 2007 21:21:30 GMT -5
(OOC: Response to Psylocke's PM...just so you all know I'm not talking to myself.)
Though Colonel Pravus had desired a swift blow against the humans, he had not expected the Queen to charge him with such an important mission from the get-go. Taking out the facility she had mentioned would certainly cripple the Gears, possibly even moreso than the attack the Horde had just suffered. His blood boiled at the chance to strike back, and he almost shivered in anticipation of this coming mission.
"I am honored, my Queen, that you would deem me worthy of such a tassk. I will not fail you." He took a second to toss Kronos a glance, as if to say, "And you had better not fail me." Then, looking out over the collected forces of the Horde, he started to plan.
With himself, Kronos and the rider already assigned to his task force, Pravus felt that he had no need of any other Therons or Riders. He needed variety to be effective, and he also needed cannon fodder, for the COGs would definitely not leave their precious facility unprotected. He would need some Locusts just for fighting, and so he pointed out two of the lower ranks from down below.
"There...a Drone and a Sniper. I will take thossse, my liege."
As he pondered what other Locust would be appropriate for such a mission, his ear caught a roar from off to the side. His eyes, both organic and cybernetic, swiveled to face the source, and a sadistic spark twinkled in his good one. After the humiliation that the Horde had suffered with this latest attack, Pravus not only wished to harm his enemies - he wanted to punish them. Bullets were quick and relatively painless, depending on where one was hit. Plus, with that infernal armor of theirs, most Gears could recover in seconds from even the most grievous of wounds. The only way to insure that they would die would be to separate them from their technological enhancements, and out of all the Horde only those that roared like she did could make that a certainty.
Plus...Pravus had always had a weakness for seeing them in action.
"Yesss, that will do nicely. Give me her. Give me the Berserker."
Colonel Pravus' mouth once again twisted into that half smile of his, the most he could do to show his mirth. "I shall gather my forcess and depart immediately, my Queen. I promissse you that I shall bring honor and victory to the Horde."
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Post by Grimsolace on Jun 1, 2007 23:35:47 GMT -5
Being last to the table and the last to finish had its consequences. Someone in the squad needed to deliever the missions report to Stroud and to get the specs on the next one. As the only member of the squad left not 'asleep', Baird was left to do the work.
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Post by OurLadyWar on Jun 2, 2007 0:48:13 GMT -5
Baird passed the training fascility, a private was leading him. In the fascility, he could hear Ruse train, along with a couple other officers. The private led Baird down a few turns and corridors. They took to the stairs, and were on the top floor of the Jacinto Base. Just a few doors down, they came to Stroud's room.
The doors opened on what looked like a large lab. Machines were active, a large screen dominated the left hand wall. A few soldiers, clad in more formal garments than the armor Baird was used to, all had plastic cups. Bottles of champagne and wine were empty and abandoned on a nearby table. A song was playing, something he had never heard before.
"I want to spend my life with a girl like you Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba And do all the things that you want me to Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Till that time has come That we might live as one Can I dance with you Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba"
"Pretty amazing, huh?" A woman's voice said softly behind him. He recognized that voice, he had heard it through the whole mission. Damon turned to find Anya with a plastic cup. Her cheeks and nose were red, her eyes glassy, and her smile big. "Archie, over at the Hammer's fascility... kinda our side project. Can you believe music like this can travel all the way through the stars? This song has to be," she paused, her eyes squinted, "well, those who heard it for the first time are long gone by now." She smiled, and pulled a remote from the pleated long skirt she wore, and hit a button. . "Glad someone answered Hoffman."
Anya slipped past him towards a file sitting on what had to be her desk. The com-link she had operated from was seen by the edge. Anya handed to Damon, and nodded. "Have Fenix look over this. We received a distress call not long before the bomb went off. Phi Squad went missing sometime back, we were thinking your squad could find them. Hoffman wants to assign three members from Omega to go with you. He'll be doing that in the morning." Anya leaned forward, arms crossed leisurely, and caught his attention from reading with a kind grin. "You guys think you can head back out there tomorrow?"
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Post by seadog on Jun 2, 2007 18:39:24 GMT -5
The rider was ecstatic at hearing the mission presented to the team. He knew that he would have a chance to really use his talents and could hardly stand to wait. He could barely keep himself from screaming with blodlust and joy as he twirled his unloaded torquebow in his hands. Even the weight of importance of the success of this mission couldn't keep him from trembling with sheer giddiness.
(OOC: Berserker?... freaking awesome!)
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Post by Grimsolace on Jun 4, 2007 7:46:35 GMT -5
Damon turned the commlink around in his hands.
"You must not expect there to be any survivors, unless Hoffman thinks a squad in distress can simply wait for a night behind enemy lines." Baird took his attention off the comm, looking Anya in the eyes. "If this isn't a rescue mission, what, exactly, is it?
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Post by OurLadyWar on Jun 4, 2007 10:29:32 GMT -5
Anya faltered, she visibly tensed. Looked as if she was bracing herself for something. "If they survived? We need to get them back. There were reports of Riders, then their links went dead. Even if they cannot deliver their information, even if - if! - they're dead, they shouldn't just be left in the enemy territory. Wives might ask questions," she thought about one of the Phi members, Baird saw her brows come together, "sisters too. I'm sorry," she shook her head, and calmed herself, "but my little sister's out there. At this point, a part of me is doing my job, and the other part of me just wants to know what's happened to her."
((OOC)): Everyone gains 3 LoE
* * *
01 - Familiar Faces
Dawn was rolling around. Sleep began to melt away. While some came around gradually, Cole was about to be ejected from the two officers' quarters. One of them, a blonde, was still wearing his shirt. She was fuming at him, and the brunette beside her was not about to lose her sour glare.
"Are you serious?!"
I gotcha, uh-huh, huh You thought I didn't see ya now Didn't ya, uh-huh, huh You tried to sneak by me now Didn't ya, ha, ha, uh-huh, huh Now gimme what you promised me Give it here Come on
Hey Good God Hey - "I Gotcha" Joe Tex
The brunette clutched the wrinkled sheets around her, and kicked her boot at him. "What kinda girls do you take us for?"
Before Cole could open his mouth, the blonde sliced her hands through the air rapidly. "You know what? Just don't answer that."
"Get out."
"Yeah, get the f*ck out!"
The door to the hallway opened and Cole was thrown out on his ass. The two officers stood in the doorway. His boxers were thrown at him, and the brunette sneered. "Maybe you can find some Stranded whore to do that." She disappeared from the door and the blonde took her turn.
"To answer your question - no, not every. girl. does. that! Yes, I did enjoy it last night. Maybe you'll get a pair like us again, but I really doubt it, man. And take back," she stripped his shirt from her body, giving him one last good look, "your f*ckin' shirt." She threw it at him, and the door was slammed.
Baird had given Marcus the folder. Another busy day at the office. That sleep had been a slice of heaven, even if Dom's sleep-talking was a little distracting. An officer was leading them toward Jacinto's hanger. When they arrived, they saw Hoffman speaking to another COG who stood 6'3". He was in armor and uniform. A Boltak pistol was on his belt, a snub strapped to his boot, and he was holding a Lancer in front of him. His hair was red, his eyes behind a pair of shades, and a beard was starting to grow in. The Colonel and this stranger - probably the Omega squad member Anya had mentioned to Baird - were talking beside a King Raven. Someone was behind the machine, working on the engine.
Once the group had come close enough, Hoffman broke his conversation with the COG who fell back silently. Hoffman looked from face-to-face. "Now, you know the drill. Standard search and recovery. Last reports of Phi Squad was about 50 clicks from the Lightmass Bomb deplosion. Since they ain't reported back in, we need you to bring 'em back. Chances are we got some wounded soldiers out there. Now you'll take the ground, the Major here - " The COG lifted a nod toward them. " - from Omega 2 Squad will be looking out for you up above, so'll Lieutenant." There was a kick against the hull of the helicopter before the squad heard work on the engine start up again. "Now..." Hoffman paused. "Where's Private Cole?"
================================ "Just Like You Imagined" - Nine Inch Nails
Pravus wasted no time assembling his squad. The Berserk was a loner who until the Queen found her wandered aimlessly in the catacombs, helping armies where she could. Only after the Queen took her in, did the Berserk – now simply known as “Stranger” – find a pack of fellow females. The drone was once pure white with grey shoulders, but his scales and flesh had been replaced by calluses and hard scars. He had a gnasher on his belt, as well as a snub pistol, and a lancer on his back. His eyes were beady and yellow, one had a cavernous scar going from his forehead down the middle of what used to be his pupil, before stabbing into the cheek. He was known as Grud. The third, the sniper, had two lancers crossing his back, and pistol on his leg. He wore light armor, unlike his drone counterpart, and there was a branded mark across the back of his head and neck – self-inflicted. Those who knew his name called him Baros. In no time, the new squad was burrowing for the surface.
… Mackenzie Stroud was the medic for Phi. There was not much she couldn’t fix on a human body. Give her a gun though, and she was at basic level compared to the COGs she traveled with. The leader of the squad was Robert Charpman. He was just a few years younger than the Colonel, but still as quick as the Private beside him – Benjamin Rasbel. Aside from a penchant for headshots and marksmanship, Benjamin also enjoyed music. In fact, he rarely went on a mission without one headphone plugged into a chipped ear. He was sucking down the water, trying to keep to the rations they had all established since their Raven bottomed out. They had tried to intercept a band of Locust Riders, only to spiral to the ground as the enemies charged them. Now, Benjamin’s hand was completely gnarled and his wounds had just recovered from infection, and Charpman’s dislocated shoulder had stopped hurting since Mackenzie popped it into place. All he had to worry about healing up now was a mangled foot and a broken leg.
However, their best fighter, Liam Sparlan, was the worst wounded. He was propped against the wreckage, missing a leg, his arm in a makeshift sling. Everything else was left to bruises, gashes, and cuts that could become scars. Just looking at him made Mackenzie shiver and cast a sad glance to the ground. From here she could see his stump had begun to spasm uncontrollably. Mackenzie knew what pain he had to be going through, each spasm was causing his ripped apart bone to tear into the surrounding muscles. Removing the leg was tricky, but getting a new one was trickier. He was going to be held up in the infirmary for a long time. Cybernetic parts were hard to come by these days.
Mackenzie was sprawled out on the ground, trying to ignore the scratch from Benjamin’s headphones from his music being too loud. The distress signal had been sent out what seemed like years ago – would they ever be saved? Her eyes opened quickly, her attempt at a nap abandoned. Something was off – what was that? Was that just Ben’s music or had Liam just been shifting into a more comfortable position? Mackenzie frowned and turned her head off the jacket she had been using as a pillow.
“What is it, Mack?” Charpman called out without looking. “You hear a rescue squad comin’? Mack, you hear me?!” Sparlan had become angrier since the infection was coming back. She held up her hand. “Ain’t a truck,” she shook her head, and then looked up at Rasbel. “Dammit, Ben, can you turn that shit down for a sec?” When he didn’t answer her, she pulled her gum from her mouth and threw it at him. Benjamin snapped his attention to her, giving her a “what gives?” look. “Turn it down!” Mackenzie emphasized every word, and pointed downward. Benjamin rolled his eyes and begrudgingly obliged. Mackenzie looked to the sky, but it was empty. “Certainly ain’t a Rav – ” the ground heaved, and then started moving beneath her. Charpman reached out and caught her by the ankle to pull her back.
“Can’t be,” Charpman whispered behind her, and Mackenzie swallowed. “This just ain’t the right time!”
“They’re close by. They’re moving right under us.”
“Shit,” Benjamin put away his music, and took his gun from off a bent propeller. He ran to the wreckage to use their last flair. Only for emergencies, this seemed the appropriate occasion.
"Stroud, you move Liam behind the Raven. Rasbel, you help her. I’ll be there in a jif’.”
What the Locusts found as they surfaced from the earth was desolate land. No road, nothing. They were in the clear, free to move about as they pleased. Kronos pointed one sharp digit to the horizon. “We need to head that way, should be – ” He stopped as he noticed the Stranger moving away from the group. He could hear her sniffing, and turned a frown on Pravus. “Ssir, ordersss?”
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Post by The Punisher on Jun 4, 2007 10:38:47 GMT -5
The Cole Train struggled as he pulled on his boxers, dusting off his chest as he pointed towards the woman, the shirt being thrown over his face. He whipped it off his head, spreading his arms wide as he backed away from the girls. "Hey, that's cool! I know plenty of girls who'd do that, got that?! I got plenty of girls that would do whatever!! You two just missed out on the best ride the Cole Train has to offer, baby, yeah!!!" He turned around, growling as he slammed his fist into a nearby wall, crushing it in. Within a few minutes, he was back in his armor, and walked the base until he found the squad. He approached Hoffman with a frown on his face as he looked between his squadmates quietly.
"Sorry, sir... Just some girls ain't as open to new things as they used to be..." He grinned as he cut his eyes over to Baird, nodding. "Yeah, you remember the days, boy."
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Post by Pope Mega Force on Jun 4, 2007 12:16:41 GMT -5
"Damnit." Marcus said looking at the folder.
This was the last thing he wanted. Another mission after leaving the first. He looked to Cole coming in and sighed.
"Enough, Cole get in the Raven." He tossed the orders to Cole as he didn't even want to look at them anymore.
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Post by dagonex on Jun 4, 2007 12:53:50 GMT -5
Pravus raised his one eyebrow at the Berserker's sudden behavior.
“Ssir, ordersss?”
The Colonel smiled as he realized the significance of the Stranger's actions. "Don't you sssee, Kronoss? She'sss picked up a sscent. There are humansss nearby. Let'sss see what she findsss, yesss? I think a warm-up would be a good idea for all of us."
Pravus nodded to the squad to follow the Stranger, loading his Torque Bow and holding it at the ready. "Let her make the firsst move, but cover her if she getsss in trouble." ============================================== Health: 4/4 Energy: 12/12
1 stone into RC, + 3 from Torque Bow and +3 from Targeting for total 7 stones, all shifted to Defense of the Berseker (might be a Sit. Mod. for not defending myself; your call)
5 stones into Leadership, one to each member of the squad for Ranged Combat, save the Berserker, who will get one for her Hunting/Tracking (I'm assuming she has that?)
Defense: 9 (3 from Toughness, 2 from RD and 4 from Armor)
Health: 4/4 Energy: 6/12
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Post by malice on Jun 4, 2007 13:24:52 GMT -5
Refreshed but groggy, Dom had climbed into his armor, grabbed his weapons and ammo, and made his way to the hangar.
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Post by OurLadyWar on Jun 4, 2007 15:15:02 GMT -5
The Colonel glared at Marcus, but turned an aggravated smile on Dom as he entered the hanger. "Santiago, glad you could join us. Your boyfriend here was just givin' us some lip over a routine recovery - "
"Lay off, Hoffman," Cardinal surfaced from behind the helicopter, and she crossed a short distance to recover a fuel line. She was in the bottom half of her armor, the chest plates and other gear were sitting in the Raven already. "They just got back, there's plenty room to bitch." The line was connected to the Raven tank, and she opened the line for fuel.
==============
Charpman collapsed behind the Raven with the rest of his squad. Sparlan was still recovering from the exertion, so was Rasbel. Stroud met Charpman's gaze, and she was ready to ask him something, but he shoved his hand to her mouth.
The squad listened. They heard the heavy footfalls, the shallow breath. A Berserker was hunting them, and they knew it was not long now until she found them.
Charpman nodded at the Raven behind him, then braced his back and shoulders to it. Stroud followed suit, so did Rasbel, and even Sparlan wedged his spine against the machine. All they could do now was wait. Were there others?
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