| abstract
| - During a recent attempt at getting the Demarian Militia and the Vanguard to start working together, things go horribly awry... Bridge - The nerve center of the vessel, the bridge provides everything needed to control the ship. A command chair occupies the center of the room, with consoles attached to the side of it. In front of the command chair is the navigation station, which arcs around the operator's seat. Around the walls of the room are other stations for controlling various ship functions as well as providing seating for passengers during flight. The crew has 'personalized' the bridge of this ship with various posters ranging from rock groups to photos, helping to provide a break from the monotony a patrol along the border can bring. Hunter has arrived. Falkona has arrived. Tominov moves briskly through the bridge and sits into the Command Chair, saying, "As soon as meestair Kraken comes to de bridge, ve vhill be leavink. Take your places." Windchaser nods silently as he takes up a position to the right of the Command Chair. Denick strides in. Hearing the doors open and close, Tominov nods, saying, "Good. Meestair, Kraken, please to be takink us to Demaria at all haste." Hunter moves over to the Communications console. As he sits down, he slips the headset over his head. Falkona steps to the side of the door. She stands there formally beside the entrance. Denick nods, "Yes sir." He heads for the nav console, and sits down, strapping himself in, and putting on the headset. The bay doors begin to slide open as the SCS Gettysburg prepares for departure ... Denick says, "We are launching from sanctuary, sir." You feel a sudden lift as the SCS Gettysburg glides forth from the docking bay. Tominov nods as he looks over the console. Denick says, "I'm reading Demaria at 1344 HM away, and am proceeding in normal space." Tominov nods, "At full speed, Meestair Kraken." Windchaser braces himself as the ship jostles around while it gains momentum. Denick nods, "Aye sir." Tominov asks, "ETA, Major?" Falkona waits by the door silently. Denick glances at teh astrogator, "About 4 minutes, sir." Tominov nods as he turns to Hunter saying, "Meestair Huntair, eenform Demaria Control dat ve art too be landink een about 4 minutes." Hunter flips a switch and speaks into the headset, "Demaria Control, this is the Gettysburg. ETA is 4 minutes." Denick glances at the console, and says, "We are in orbit, and are preparing to land." Denick says, "Where should we drop sir?" Tominov nods as he prepairs the console for powerdown. Without turning, he says to Denick, "The Colony space port, Major. As for de rest of you, get to de barraks and get your tinks." Windchaser nods silently and turns for the door. Motioning with one hand, he directs the others to follow. Falkona turns toward the door and steps out. Hunter stands up and heads towards the barracks. Denick stands, taking off the headset, and noding towards Tominov, "We're touched down sir." Tominov nods "Good. Geet your tings from de Barracks and meet de odairs en de Airlock." Denick nods, "Yes sir." Windchaser waits in the Airlock, waring camo gear and holding a bag at his feet. Tominov enters the airlock, dressed similarly to Windchaser, though with a few more supplies. Denick strides in, in camo as well, a bag slung over his shoulder. He has several useful items strapped to his belt as well, including a set of goggles, with switches and focus adjustors on the lenses. Denick also has an earpiece headset on. Tominov "Follow me." the General says hastily. The crew quickly jog through the dying light of day until they reach the forest that is to act as their mock war field. Forest - A faint, almost unnoticeable game trail crosses the forest path, either end leading deeper into the woods. While composed mostly of deciduous and some riparians where there's water, they shade into evergreens where the trees begin to climb up the mountain slopes. Craggy outcroppings frequently dot the hilly landscape, and rivers and small streams abound. The General and his team come marching quickly into the clearing. Lightseeker bounds up to the Blue Team command tent, ducking inside and snapping off a crisp salute to the commander. "Sir, we're pretty much prepared here for game one." Lt. Morgan follows along with the group as he looks around the area. Denick follows behind tominov, wearing camo, he grins, and waves at 'Mist Sharpeye nods, quirking a whisker. "Very well. Have the Vanguard troops arrived yet?" Windchaser follows after the General, likewise dressed in camo. Hunter is behind Windchaser, also wearing camo. Trillan follows after the Vanguard line as they march off the forest trail, looking over the proceedings curiously. Falkona brings up the rear of the Vanguard group, also wearing camo. Lightseeker nods. "I believe they are headed this way now." Sharpeye taps at a datapad. "Very well. Go find General Tominov and have him meet with me so we can divide the teams." Tominov steps into the clearing and slows the soldiers behind him to a walking speed. Finally stoping, he says, "Vait here unteel I talk vith de Imperator." and walks towards one of the brightly colored tents. Morgan nods at the General and goes to find a place to sit down out of the heat. Trillan pauses as he takes in all the preparations. Flicking an ear as he overhears Tominov's order, he follows the general toward the tents upon hearing mention of the imperator. Falkona stops and waits as ordered. She glances at the other she arrived with. Lightseeker snaps off a quick salute before he ducks back out of the main tent, quickly picking out Tominov's figure. Waving toward the brigadier general, he motions the man over. Denick takes a seat, looking around, and humming softly to himself. "Reminds me of playing paintball on Earth." Windchaser halts and begins to survay the area. Snowmist heads into Forest Trail . Tominov nods as he sees the hailing Lightseeker and picks up his pace to close the gap between them at a faster rate. Trillan notes the general's increase in pace though he doesn't move to catch up, strolling up leisurely and nodding briefly to Lightseeker in greeting as he approaches. Hunter stops near a tree. He glances around for a moment before going through his stuff. Windchaser grins slightly as he over hears Denick's comment and nods, "Yes, Major, we had a game similar to this back on Quaquan. Used colored mud to tag each other instead of paint. Much dirtier." Lightseeker's eyebrows rise upon seeing Trillan, but he nods back amiably enough before ducking into the tent once more, leading Tominov in. "Sir, General Tominov," he announces to Sharpeye. Denick chuckles, "Heh, who says paintball isn't dirty, I usually had to give the clothes I went in a couple of washings before they were clean." Sharpeye turns toward the tent's entrance flap and nods. "Ah, General. Good to see you again. We need to work up the team divisions." Tominov nods to Sharpeye and says, "Imperator, good to be seeink you again also. Yes, I currently have vith me five soldair excludink myself." Windchaser grins, "Oh, I don't doubt that, Major. But when you have to actually tag the other person with the mud, it gets a bit dirtier, I'm sure." Denick nods, "I bet, sometimes you could sneak up on someone, and use your hand to break the paintball on them." Falkona listens to the two officers compare their games. She smiles slightly to herself before finding a spot to sit down. Trillan eventually reaches the command tent as well, and retrieves one of his paws from his pockets to push aside the flap, peeking in. Azurefur stands at attention, looks at Denick, and says "I don't know what you are talking about sir." Morgan justs sits under the tree waiting patiently for this all to begin...thinking this is way too much like boot camp. Hunter reaches into one of the pockets on his uniform and pulls out a thing of face paint. He applys a few smudges of light green, dark green and black before glancing around the group of soldiers, "Anyone else need face paint?" Sharpeye nods. "I have with me Trillan, Lightseeker, Greenthumb, and Azurefur. I want the teams to be as even a mix as we can make it." Denick shakes his head, "I've got a mask, and if were using paint rounds, the masks will obscure your face anyway probably. Falkona glances over at Hunter and shrugs, "Perhaps." Trillan twitches his whiskers upon his name being listed and rumbles uncertainly. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea, Imperator." Hunter tosses the case over to Falkona, "There ya go, Recruit." Morgan looks over at Kendrick and shakes his head, "No thank you Corporal." Tominov nods as he thinks a moment before saying, "Vith nine soldairs, and de two commandairs, dat makes 11." Shrugging he says, "I tink dat ve could seemply count off, Vone Two, among our troops. Makink tinks a beet more random." Falkona catches the case and nods, "Thank you, sir." She applies some of the paint to her face and tosses the case back to Hunter. Windchaser silently shakes his head as he sits and begins to re-braid his hair to keep it out of his face. Sharpeye nods, motioning toward the exit. "Well, let's go divide the teams up and get started, then." Hunter catches the case and sticks it back in his pocket. Tominov nods as he steps out of the tent and moves towards the Vannies. Trillan frowns as his complaint goes unheard and heaves a sigh, turning around to join the others waiting outside. Lightseeker casts Trillan a wry grin as he follows Sharpeye, staying just a pace behind his right shoulder. "Troops, form up!" Sharpeye barks out toward his men, looking over their ranks. Seeing the General come near him and the others, Windchaser quickly finishes the braiding and stands. Azurepelt forms up. Lightseeker immediately trots past his commander to fall into line. Falkona tightens the band holding her hair back and then checks her equipment. As she finishes her check, she notices the General walking over and jumps to her feet. "Aten-tion!" The General barks as he gets closer to the group of Vanguard. Trillan, looking a little lost, scowls and almost sulkily slips up beside the last Demarian on the right, standing out not only in lack of uniform but in his half-slouching stance. Falkona snaps into a formal attention facing the General. She listens carefully for the General to speak again. Denick quickly stands up, snapping ot attention. Hunter quickly falls in, standing at attention. Morgan jumps to his feet and sanps to attention. Windchaser falls in with others, matching the posture of the other Vanguard. Greenthumb stands at attention, though he's a good head shorter than any of the other Demarians in the formation. He's also the only one who's gone through the trouble of dying his fur in camo colors. Azurepelt likes to stick out like a sore thumb. Sharpeye whispers, "Should we just take picks? Two at a time. It would work quickest that way." Tominov glances at Sharpeye and nods, "Dat vill vork. You begin." Sharpeye nods. "Very well." He turns toward the troops. "For first pick, I choose Trillan and Denick." Denick picks up his bag, and heads towards Sharpeye. "Mees Devoras and.." pauses a moment as he scans the Demarian ranks quickly before deciding on Greenthumb, pointing to the Demarian he says, "You sir. Vhat es your name?" Trillan starts a bit at being named, but shrugs, following after Denick quickly. Greenthumb quirks a whisker. "I'm Shortfoot. But they call me Greenthumb. I'm a biological engineer and warfare specialist." Falkona shoulders her bag and gtes herself ready. She walks slowly over toward the General. Tominov grins slightly and nods, "Please to be joinink me, Meestair Greentumb." Greenthumb nods and picks up his pack, heading toward Tominov's team area. "It'll be a, ahh, pleasure to work for you General." Morgan just stands at attention, eyes front as he waits. Sharpeye tilts his head, looking over those remaining. "For next pick, I choose Lightseeker and.... Windchaser." Windchaser nods and bends slightly to retrive the bag that has been at his feet before joining the Imperator. Lightseeker salutes smartly before reclaiming his position just to the right and behind Sharpeye. Tominov looks the ranks over before saying to Azurepelt, "Dat vould leave you to be vith me, sir. And Meestair Morgan, please to be comink ovair here." Azurepelt salutes and says "Yes sir. Morgan quickly snaps off a salute, "Yes sir!." he grabs his pack and walks over to form up with the others. Sharpeye inclines his head toward Hunter. "And you, Mister..." he peers at the nametag, "...Hunter, are on this team." Hunter grabs his bag and heads over to the Imperator's team. "Alright," Sharpeye says, turning toward everyone. "General Tominov's team will be on the offensive for this round. Your assembly area is a five minute jog to the west. To achieve victory conditions, you must either eliminate all opposition or retrieve the jeep kept behind the base's tent and bring it back to your assembly area. Wear your safety equipment at all times. Two hits qualify as death. If you die, stand up, put your right hand in the air, and proceed to your assembly area or base camp." Azurepelt nods along with the narration. Denick nods, listening carefully. Urfkgar arrives from Forest Trail . Morgan frowns a bit on that as Defense has the better options. Falkona hmms softly to herself. Windchaser nods as he listens to the rules of the game. Sharpeye turns to Tominov. "General, I bid you and your team good luck. The exercise may commence as soon as your entire team reaches your assembly area." Greenthumb pulls on his protective facemask and tightens the straps on his pack, looking toward the General. Tominov nods and replies with, "And may your team do have similar luck." Turning, he shouts, "Fall in! March!" and sets a brisk pace towards the west. Azurepelt falls in and marches with his 'army' to the assembly area. Morgan checks his gear over and then checks his rifle and pistol, then falls in step with his team. Urfkgar ambles after Tominov. Falkona turns. She marches along the rear of the group. Denick says, "I assume we get weapons at Base?" Greenthumb turns to follow after Tominov. Trillan turns desultorily to follow the others, hanging off to the side of the general group. After nearly five minutes of the light jogging pace set by Tominov, the team reaches thier destination, the large tent clearly defining it so. Calling the troops together, Tominov begins to hand out orders. "Meestair Greetumb, vhat can you tell me about de terrain around here?" the General begins. Morgan comes to parade rest as he stands there listening. Sharpeye turns to his team. "Alright, men. We've got approximately ten to fifteen minutes before they return. Count on ten. We've got that long to establish our defenses. Supplies are in the secondary tent. Trillan, you're in charge of defending the jeep. Hunter, I want you to get in the trees directly to the north and provide backup for Trillan. Lightseeker, Denick, you're setting up the paint mines and are going to cover myself and Mr. Windchaser once you are finished." Azurepelt kneels, waiting Greenthumb's response. Falkona comes to a halt at attention. She listens to all the orders carefully. Denick nods, "Yes sir." Hunter nods, "Aye sir." Windchaser nods, "Aye, sir." Denick nods, "Yes sir." Greenthumb quirks a whisker. "Count on lots of heavy underbrush, but a good, hard, and even ground without much chance of sinkholes or anything resembling it. We haven't had it rain in a few days now." Sharpeye nods, looking around then. "Alright, then. Let's get to it!" Denick nods, heading for the second tent. Tominov nods, "No mud den. Makes tings a beet cleanair. Meestair Greentumb and Mees Devoras, you two vill be skirtink around to de sout, trough de trees. Try geetink to de jeep from behind. Meestair Morgan and Private Urfkgar, mirror dair actions to de nort, tryink de same ting. Azurepelt and myself vill be goink down de meedail. Questions?" Azurepelt shakes his head, he's ready to go to work. Lightseeker nods, acknowledging the order with a brief, "Sir," and glances briefly toward Denick to make sure he's following and then heading toward the supply tent. Falkona shakes her head and smiles slightly, "No, sir!" Morgan nods and calls out, "Sir, Yes sir." Greenthumb nods. "Very well." Hunter steps out of formation and hurries to the supply tent. Trillan throws off a sloppy salute before turning toward the supply tent, a corner of his mouth twitching slightly in amusement as he seems to finally follow along with a better humor. Windchaser nods and follows the Imperator, double checking the gear he has before making a stop in the supply tent for paint rounds. Azurepelt gets into position with the general. "Hello sir, I will be your annonoymus lackey today." Denick takes a moment to strap on the goggles on his belt, and flicks a switch on them, then another, he smiles. Denick flicks one switch, and enters teh tent. Hunter steps inside the tent behind Denick, "Any good weapons to choose from, sir?" Tominov narrows his eyes slightly at Azurepelt before turning back to the group, saying, "I vant as much silence as can be possible. Geet de weapons from de tent, and move out." Sharpeye pulls on his safety mask, double checking the seals before flipping a switch. "Comm-link test, two, three, four." Denick picks out a pair of small, automatic pistols, along with plenty of paint for both. He also grabs a stack of paint mines, as well as a mask. Azurepelt enters the tent and gets two weapons. Denick speaks into his earpiece headset as he fits on the mask, "Reading you loud and clear sir." Azurepelt hands one to General Tominov. Morgan looks over at Urfkgar, "You're with me, let's get the weapons and then saddle up." Denick holsters the two pistols, and grabs a rifle as well, as well as several clips of paint. Urfkgar ambles towards the tent and pockets some paintball clips. He grabs a rifle and mask next. Pulling a simple pistol from the mound of stock weaponry, Captain Windchaser checks the weapon quickly before grabbin several rounds of Paint Ammunition. Sliding the pistol into a holster, he pulls out a larger, more automatic rifle as well, which he quickly readies before returning to Sharpeye's side. "Good," Sharpeye replies as he steps into the tent and picks up a pair of something resembling rifles. For all the advances a thousand years can make, paintball technology really hasn't changed that much... it just looks much cooler. Denick turns just as he's heading out, and hooks three paint grenades. Falkona nods. She makes her way to the tent and gets a gun. She inspects it quickly and, when she realizes she ready, leaves the tent and waits for Greenthumb. Morgan goes in grabbbing his gear and checking everythign over, then heads over to get into position while he puts all his gear in place. Azurepelt kneels by Tominov. Hunter taps his earpiece twice before adjusting the squelch, "Copy that, sir." He reaches out and grabs a sniper rifle along with several clips. He attaches the clips to his belt and slings the rifle over his left shoulder. He also grabs two pistols and holsters them. On his way out, he grabs some clips for the pistols, sticking them in one of his pockets. Urfkgar wanders after Morgan. Tominov takes the offered weapon and checks the sights and trigger before loading the weapon. Noding a thanks to the Demarian, he quickly rechecks his safety gear. Denick begins to head towards the jeep. Denick nods to Sharpeye, "I'm going to hook these two grenades up to the gas and break pedals." Sharpeye nods thoughtfully. "Excellent idea." He turns to the side. "Mr. Windchaser, if you'll accompany me? We're going to setup an ambush position." Morgan nods at Urf and stands there waiting for the word to be given, "You want point?" Tominov returning to the tent reserved for the offincive team, the General quickly pulls out dual pistols which can be stored in holsters at his hip. Stepping out side, he nods to the officers gathered and waves them on. Sharpeye glances toward Denick. "You and Lightseeker setup a crossfire in the woods based on the ambush position once you're finished with the mines." Urfkgar grunts and shrugs. Denick nods. Windchaser nods and follows the Imperator, saying, "Lets get to it." with a slight grin. Morgan grins, "Ok I'll take point." he notices the signal and nods, "Ok let's move out, stick to the trees." Denick proceeds to place the grenades under the dash with duct tape (The same roll that went into DC with him) so they are out of sight, then ties fishing line to the pins, and ties the fishing lines to the pedals. He starts to head back. Trillan eventually takes up a position near the jeep with his weapons of choice. A pistol in each hand, and a rifle slung over his shoulder. The pistols he leaves on the ground on either side of him as he swings the rifle around in a ready position, crouched behind a scrub bush fortified by a few good-sized rocks. Tominov slowly begins his journey to the east, rifle at the ready as navigates the underbrush. Greenthumb quirks a whisker as he examines his rifle with curious interest. "Haven't had to use one of these in a long while...." Hunter leaves the tent and heads for the area Sharpeye assigned him to. He quickly climbs a large tree, positioning himself behind some leaves on a large branch. He flips a switch on the scope of the rifle, turning it on and setting to to night vision. Lightseeker waits for Denick to finish, eyes picking out likely hiding spots in their surroundings. Denick stops by the supply tent for a couple more grenades, then deads west towards the front, motioning for Lightseeker to follow. Urfkgar ambles off after Morgan. He scans the area to his sides and rear as he moves along slowly. Denick speaks into his comm, "Trillan, start shooting when they first get in the jeep, that should get them in a hurry to get it moving. Sharpeye pulls a smoke canister from his pack and holds it at the ready as he kneels down behind some large bushes and sets up his rifle. "Windchaser, see if you can get a position up in the trees." Morgan continues on his way, skirting the trees, he stays low and even stops ever so often to look up in the trees. Denick continues, "Hunter, start sniping when you see them, so if they take you out, they'll think their safe. Hunter nods slightly as the instructions come in over his headset, "Got it, sir." Windchaser nods and moves to the indicated tree, pulling himself into the branches. Trillan sights along his rifle experimentally. "Copy," he acknowledges Denick's instruction. "Should I try to pick off any while they're still out a ways, or should I let Hunter act as decoy?" Denick replies, "Let hunter act as decoy, either they'll try to get him, or they'll run for the jeep." Lightseeker trots after Denick, eventually straying toward an outcropping of rocks, amongst which several scraggly trees grow out of like a handful of sticks stuck in every which way by a child. Denick nods towards Lightseeker, "You can place the mines, you know the area better." Greenthumb pulls a pair of what seem to be binoculars from his pack, looking through them among the trees. Trillan shrugs, setting aside the rifle and picking up the pistols, checking each over before he sets his back against a rock and peeking through the spiny branches of the scrub. "As you wish." Hunter brings up his rifle and peers through the scope. Slowly, he begins to scan the area. Denick adds one more bit, "And if they discover the traps, throw your own grenade in while they disarm them. Tominov continues his movements towards the other camp, picking up the pace to cover more ground, and creating a bot more noise than would be suggested. SsszhchhhiiiewwwwTHACK! There is the sharp clap of thunder overhead as a black cloud appears out of seemingly nowhere. Lightseeker inclines his head slightly in acknowledgement as he begins to make more of a zigzag path toward the rock outcropping, eyes roving over the ground and bending once in a while to plant a mine from a pack on his shoulder. Urfkgar drops to the ground as he hears the thunder, and then he gets up slowly and looks around. Denick places his three mines behind areas that would be used as cover if you were on the offensive side, and . Windchaser glances up quickly as the weather begins to darken. Sharpeye swivels one ear to catch the thunder and the other to catch the sound of... footsteps. "Quickly!" he barks into the comm. "They're approaching. Take your positions!" Denick seems unphased by the thunder clap. Trillan flattens his ears, narrowing his eyes up at the sky. "Damnit, I'm constantly reminded of how much better stations and their artificial environments are," he mutters. Denick hurries to the area designated by Sharpeye, he begins to get up a tree, reading his rifle. Lightseeker hurriedly plants the last two mines in his pack before balling it up and bounding for the trees and rocks. Tominov ducks and weaves behind some large scrub as the thunder peels, still not having crossed into enimy territory, though dangerously close. Morgan gets to the edge and looks out at the area where the jeep is, "Interesting...the rain just my work in our favor. Sharpeye raises his rifle, still keeping it concealed by the bushes, as he checks the sights and ball hopper. Hunter pulls his away from the scope as the lightning blinds him for a moment. He blinks a few times, trying to regain his vision. After a few moments, he looks back through the scope, but changes the setting to allow more light through, so he isn't blinded by the next flash of lightning. Denick gets high enough so the foliage gives him some concealment and cover, and gets comfortable. Denick has hsi goggles on thermo. Trillan shifts his position to allow him the maximum freedom of movement in his crouched position, peering through the bush though he remains absolutely still, keeping himself from being spotted through movement. Tominov studies the area before him, mostly scrub, and a few trees that may provide coverage. And here comes the rain. At first only a few drops of it, but it quickly turns into a deluge, and it seems as if the gods had overturned a giant bathtub on the forest below. Urfkgar stops when Morgan does and looks around slowly. Windchaser keeps his head to the scope of his rifle as the water begins to pour down on him. Lightseeker finally gains his position, emptying his pockets of the grenades and laying them in line beside him, ready to use, and shouldering his rifle, checking that his ammunition is close at hand and easy to retrieve. Morgan smiles at Urf, "Ok soldier, get down and cover yourself with mud..then we wait and see what happens. "Wait for my signal," Sharpeye says, not paying attention to the rain as he narrows his eyes, searching for visual sight of the enemy. Urfkgar goes down on his belly and rubs some mud on the brighter patches of his scales. Denick scans the area with slow turns of his head, looking for head signatures. Morgan drops down and starts rolling in the mud, making sure he is fully covered, then takes his weapon and sits next to a tree waiting. After a while of studying the landscape before him, Tominov quickly dashes for an small copse of trees, weaving and twisting, while staying as quiet as he can. Sqwaaaaaaaaaaaaark! The loud cry of some nearby animal is clearly heard above the rain and occassional bout of thunder. Trillan sighs as his fur is gradually plastered against his skin, ears almost invisible as he flattens them against his skull in extreme displeasure. A bloody, mangled bird leg, at least three feet long, drops directly in front of Tominov from the trees overhead. Lightseeker uses the magnification on his rifle's scope to pan across the area. Tominov stops short, lifting the rifle into the tree to make sure it was nothing more than a bird before he nestles into the undergrowth and waits. Hunter scans the area infront of the jeep with the scope on his rifle. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. The sound is almost inaudible, like the beat of a distant bass drum, but powerful enough to rustle some of the leaves. Windchaser continues to watch for activity from his vantige point in the trees. Sharpeye swivels an ear. "Does anyone else hear that?" he asks over the comm. Trillan grumbles but doesn't comment, tensing and scanning the darkness as it appears someone has detected something. Denick replies, whispering, "Yeah, for a second I thought it was my heart." Windchaser nods slightly, still watching as he replies into the comm quietly, "Aye, sir..." Hunter whispers into his comm, "I hear it too, sir." "NOOOO!" Greenthumb's cry echoes throughout the forest. "I'mjustanoldbotanistnoneedtoeatmejustputmedownokay.... Heeeeeeeeeelp! Somebody, help me bef--" And the sound is cut off as suddenly as it began. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. The sound grows louder. Closer. Urfkgar looks towards the thumping and remains on his belly. He looks at his paint ball rifle. Hunter hmm's slightly and climbs down from the branch to the shrubs below. Denick frowns, "Perhaps we should call off the game for a second, as he hangs the rifle on a branch, pulling a pulse pistol and an auto pistol out of his bag. Denick scans the area for large heat signatures. Morgan scan the area as he lays there next to Urf, his hand resting on his pulse pistol. Urfkgar shakes his head and clacks his teeth lightly and turns his attention to his real weapons. Tominov stands with the screams of pain. Looking in the direction the sound came from, and where he knows Greenthumb should be, he curses. Hefting the rifle, knowing it won't do much if he comes under attack of any sort, he breaks cover and dashes back to base camp, careful not to draw the attention of what sounds like a nasty preditor. THUMP-THUMP. THUMP-THUMP. THUMP-THUMP. Lightseeker stills, and he slowly raises his head from his rifle's scope. "Sir...any changes in orders?" he asks Sharpeye slowly. Windchaser frowns from his perch in the tree as he says into the comm, "Sir, this could just be a decoy, to lure us away..." Hunter glances around the tree tops. He drops the rifle and reaches under his camo jacket, pulling out his pulse pistol. Trillan's eyes narrow and his tail lashes, slowly lowering his left pistol and retrieving his own pulse pistol from its holster on his leg. "Yes," Sharpeye responds. "Be on the lookout for any large creatures. And I doubt it, Mr. Windchaser. They haven't had enough time to setup anything as elaborate as this. Lightseeker, remove the grenades from the jeep and get it ready to go." Hunter reaches down and picks up the rifle he just dropped. He slings it across his left shoulder. "Aye, sir," Lightseeker replies immediateyl as he dashes in a half crouch back toward the jeep, quickly undoing Denick's work as soon as he reaches the vehicle. Tominov comes running through the underbrush, with as much speed as he legs will carry, right arm held up, just to make sure he doesn't take any fire. The General is just now nearing Windchaser's position. Sharpeye puts down his rifle, pulling his pulse pistol from its holster and setting it to maximum power. "General Tominov," he calls out at his approach. Windchaser nods as he spots the General, saying, "Sir, you're probably right, considering General Tominov is just coming into sight." Dropping from the tree, the Captain lands lightly on his feet. Trillan straightens slightly upon seeing the general's incautious approach, finally standing and stretching slightly before relaxing into a ready position, eyes searching the area intently. Tiiiiiiiiiiiiimber! A large tree must have fallen over, and there are people are around to hear it, so it definitely made a sound. Morgan looks around for how close that tree and the thumping is to his position. "Where are your other men?" Sharpeye asks Tominov, his voice slightly muffled by the facemask. Urfkgar looks over at Morgan and grunts quietly, "Good game, softskin." THUMP. THUMP. It's much louder now. The source of the sound must be awfully close. Tominov slows his advance as he sees Windchaser drop, and hears Sharpeye's call. "Imperator, sometink tells me dees ess not vhat vas supposed to happen. Paihaps ve should be leavink, da? Meestair Morgan and Private Urfkgar should be to de nort." Morgan frowns as he holds up his finger to his lips. Sharpeye nods. "Get everyone to the base camp here. We're safer as a group. We should have some real rifles stowed away in the supply tent." Urfkgar shrugs to himself and goes back to looking towards the thumping and tree crashing. He grins to himself as he does. Lightseeker gathers up the booby trap's items into the pack and rejoins Sharpeye, stance wary. A large pack drops to the ground in front of Urfkgar. A closer inspection will reveal that it is Greenthumb's. Hunter sprints from his position behind the shrubs, heading towards the tent that makes up base camp. It should also be noted that the pack is torn to shreds. Tominov contiues, "Greentumb, unfortunatly, vas de vone ve heard screemink, I tink." as he follows the Imperator quickly. Calling out to Urfkgar and Morgan, he yells, "Return, evairyvone return to camp!" How much of it reaches the two Vannies is undetermind. Morgan blinks and hops up grabbing Urf by his pack and hauling him to his feet, "Move it soldier now!" he turns and runds backwards as he holds his pistol facing the tree. "Lightseeker," Sharpeye says, turning to the officer, "get some assault rifles from the supply tent. Windchaser, go with him." Windchaser nods as he follows the other Demarian quickly. Lightseeker nods and runs back to the tent. Urfkgar looks at the pack and shifts around to try and see where it came from. He's still grinning like this is a show for his personal amusement. He scrambles to his feet and moves backwards after Morgan. Hunter reaches the base camp, "I'd feel alot safer in a fighter right now." There is the faintest sound of a powerful snort by some large creature, the hot air of it barely felt by Urfkgar and Morgan. Trillan glances towards the others as he drops his other paintgun, snorting and using his now-free hand to wipe back his dripping mane. "Knew it was a bad idea..." "Lights? Art dair lamps around here?" Tominov asks to no one inparticular as he searches for anything that will light the area himself. Morgan runs like his ass is on fire as he takes a shot in the direction he felt that snort come from. Urfkgar tries to bring his autmomatic assault rifle, which is a permanent feature at his side, to bear on this snorting thing. Sharpeye shrugs out of his pack, opening it up and digging around inside before coming up with two large flashlights, holding one out to Tominov. Lightseeker points Windchaser toward a large, elongated canvas sack. "There should be two packs over there, both with rifles and spare clips. Get those out to the others." There is a powerful roar as Morgan shot impacts with something. But nothing is there as the trees and bushes close around a barely visible silhouette of something... big. Windchaser tosses the paint ball rifle into the pile of paint ball weapons. Nodding, he grabs the packs quickly and trots out of the tent saying, "We've got two rifles here." Tominov takes the light and nods, saying, "Vas hopink eet vould be biggair, but dees vill do. Urfkgar opens fire on the large thing he thinks he might see and grunts, "Good game softskins make." Morgan sighs as he just keeps running and firing in that direction, "This is not a game soldier now get moving, that thing is for really." Windchaser tosses the paint ball rifle into the pile of paint ball weapons. Nodding, he grabs the packs quickly and trots out of the tent saying, "General, Imperator, we've got several rifles here." Trillan hefts another bag similar to those Winchaser had taken out, as well as a smaller pack filled with the smaller pulse pistols and follows Winchaser out. The large shape suddenly pauses, the shots from Urfkgar's weapon apparently no more than an annoyance, though a major one at that. It turns toward Urfkgar and then steps out from the bushes.... Towering at over twenty-five feet high, it spreads its wings and gives a loud, deafening squwark. Hunter drops his paint ball weapons into the pile and holstering his pulse pistol. He grabs one of the rifles from the bag. He glances towards the sound of the roar, "We got a plasma weapons in there?" Trillan flicks an ear, even his tail still as he follows the sounds of the shots in the distance. Tominov takes the light and nods, saying, "Vas hopink eet vould be biggair, but dees vill do." Turning the flashlight on, he moves across camp to take one of the offered rifles. Shining the light in the direction of the squwark, Tominov readies his weapon. Urfkgar begins to move faster and shoot more. He grounds out a few nasty sounding Zangali grunts as he sees the thing. Sharpeye nods to Windchaser, retrieving one of the plasma rifles as swivels an ear toward the sounds. Morgan blinks and stops running dropping to a kneel, "Shoot for that things eyes and hope you hit something , as well as the others getting here before we become bird food." The huge creature runs after Urfkgar, dipping down occassionally to try and take a swipe at him with its enormous beak, though it missed by entire metres. Hunter exchanges the rifle for a plasma rifle. He checks it over before moving next to Tominov. Trillan considers the weapons remaining for a moment before fishing out another pulse pistol for himself, eschewing the rifles in favor of the more familiar weapon. Windchaser takes a rifle himself, and preps the thing for combat. Urfkgar growls and aims for the face as it tries to beak him to death. He grumbles, "Dumb bird. Soon dead bird." In a sudden move, the giagantic bird hops off the ground and spreads its wings to take it into flight, moving high above the treetops. Sharpeye blinks, looking upward. "Did you see that thing? Didn't realize it was so damn big." Tominov continues to scan the area with his flashlight as he calls out, "Dat jeep ready? Time to be leavink, I tink." Morgan gets up and puts hisback to a tree, "Quickly while that thing is flying around." Lightseeker readies himself, keeping close to Sharpeye. "Any plans, sir? Or just shoot when we get the chance?" Hunter watches the bird for a second, "What the hell is that thing?" Sharpeye quirks a whisker. "And what about my officer, Greenthumb?" he asks Tominov. "He could be out there, wounded." Urfkgar grumbles about the laser cannons never being around when you need them. He takes up a position with his back up against a tree and gun aimed at where the big nasty bird thing went. Trillan hefts the newer weapon, casting the fleeting silhouette of the bird a quick glance. "Unless you want us to be picked up one by one like seeds trying to find your man, I think it's best we first make sure of the bird before we try to locate him." The bird suddenly swoops down into the clearing of the base camp and knocks over the jeep with its huge talons before taking off again. Sharpeye quirks a whisker, eyes narrowing. "Wonderful. Alright. If you can get a shot at its eyes, take it. I think that's about the only way we're going to be able to take it out." Morgan blinks and shakes his head, "That thing is starting the get on my nerves." he turns and dashes for the ammo tent, hoping to find some live grenades in there. Trillan starts back with a curse, raising one pistol and snapping off a shot. Urfkgar moves slowly after Morgan. He tries to keep his eyes on the bird without falling over. The bird swoops back down, returning to the base camp. And this time, it is headed straight for the ammunition tent. Hunter brings the rifle up, crouches to one knee, and aims towards the sky. He fires off a shot at the bird, aiming for the head. Tominov raises his rifle and fires for the bird, more to distract the thing, since he has never been good with rifles. "Get back!" Sharpeye yells after Morgan. "Now!" He hefts his rifle, firing at the bird, the plasma shots clearly visible against the night sky. Windchaser aims likewise, firing in as rapid succession as possible for the bird's head. Urfkgar opens fire on the bird. He hears a click as the rifle's out of ammo. He mutters and tries to change the clip. The bird squawks as Sharpeye's and Hunter's shots both crash into the right wing. It spirals downward, landing with an enormously loud crash on the former site of the jeep. Morgan grabs what he can and having heard the yelling, he dives out the door, rolling and turning to look for that bird. Tominov re-aims and fires several shots at the bird, to make sure it stays down. Sharpeye flattens his ears against his head at the sound, keeping his rifle trained on the bird. "Careful. It could still be alive." Despite Tominov's shots, the bird still manages to somehow rise to its feet, bearing the tattered remnants of a wing. And it looks none to happy as it stoops low, still towering over everyone else, and growls loudly. Tominov while still focusing on the bird, Tominov says, "Corporal, Captain, take a flashlight and see eef you can find Meestair Greentumb. Now, while the beast ess not movink." Urfkgar grunts as he manages to change the clip, "I seen his backpack. I think." Sharpeye quirks a whisker. "I think you spoke too soon, General..." he says, eyeing the bird. Trillan takes several steps back, pistols trained on the bird though he witholds from shooting for now. Morgan pulls a pin on a grenade and tosses it toward the open beak on that thing. "Idiot!" Sharpeye yells and dives for the trees. Trillan's eyes widen as the grenade arcs into his vision, and he quickly turns tail and runs for the nearest cover. Tominov dives likewise, attempting to stay clear of any blast that may come. The grenade bounces off the bird... and rolls back right toward Morgan. Windchaser turns and dashes out of the way of the bird, and also the grenade, and now Morgan. Urfkgar sprints in the opposite direction of the grenade. Hunter turns and runs the opposite way of the bird, "Now I remember why I became a pilot." Morgan sees it and dives on it to take the brunt of the blast. When the grenade goes off. Well... I don't think any of you want me to describe what happens, but I think we all know. Windchaser sighs as says, "Sky Father, what fools and mosters you create." Tominov rolls onto his back, now that the grenade has gone off, searching the area for that pesky bird once more. Urfkgar turns as he hears the dull thump? He looks around for the bird and grunts, "Softskins." The bird is still standing where it was before. But it wobbles unsteadily as it shakes its head back and forth as if to clear it. Tominov waits a moment to see what the beast's actions are next before he reacts to the seemingly mindless creature. Trillan growls and spits out a mouthful of mud from his dive, rolling onto his back with a pistol automatically rising to aim for the bird. "I'm never having anything to do with you again, Imperator. No personal offense meant." "Imperator!" comes the call with an accompanying wave, the source of which is none other than Greenthumb, perched in the bushes with a dartgun in hand. Hunter turns around and looks at the bird. He brings his rifle up on the bird's head, however, he does not fire at this point. Urfkgar eyes the bird. He eyes Tominov. He shrugs again and waits for orders. "None taken," Sharpeye replies grimly to Trillan, keeping his rifle aimed at the bird. He looks back over his shoulder at the call from Greenthumb. A second dart does the trick, and the huge bird sways once more, attempting futilely to use its broken wing for balance, before it falls on top of the main command tent, crooning lowly. Trillan rolls his eyes and sits up, shoulders slumping as he lets his pistols drop into his lap. Glaring at the mass of feathers, he wrinkles his nose and suddenly sneezes, a smaller shower of water flying from the ends of his mane and fur at the abrupt motion. Tominov stands slowly, weapons still aimed at the bird, though his attention is now elsewhere. "Damage?" he calls out, destinctly ingorning Morgan's death site for the time being. Hunter brings the rifle to rest on his right shoulder, "Everyone ok?" Urfkgar shrugs, "I good to go, sir." Windchaser stands from the cover he took and looks around. With a glace up to the heavens he says softly, "Lieutenant Morgan, it seems Sky Father called you home." Sharpeye quirks a whisker, grimly surveying the area. "Let's get some medic fliers over here," he says to Lightseeker. Tominov finally drops the rifle to his side as he says to Hunter, "Corporal, be findink Lt. Morgan's pins." Leaving the Corporal to find the rank pins, Tominov moves to stand next to Sharpeye, saying, "I take eet, dees bird vas not vary common een de past?" Trillan picks himself off the ground miserably and drops the borrowed pistol back near the pack where he'd gotten it from. "Thanks for the fun, Imperator," he tosses off an even sloppier salute than the one he'd given before. "But I think I'm going to leave early." His acerbic comments are punctuated by another sneeze and a muttered curse. Sharpeye shakes his head. "No, I've never seen anything this big around here." Lightseeker nods and unhooks his comm, immediately giving a report of their position and situation to the med units. Urfkgar ambles closer to the bird. Sharpeye nods to Trillan. "I understand. Take care." Hunter frowns slightly as he moves over to the upper half of Morgan's corpse. He rolls the chest over and removes the pins from the uniform. Trillan heads into Forest Trail . A medic flyer complete with flashing sirens slowly descends down toward the clearing. Tominov nods slowly, looking the bird, and the destroyed camp, over. "Imperator, so much has changed een our time avay. Vone vondairs how ve vill aclimate?" Hunter steps away from the corpse and moves over to Tominov, handing him the pins, "Here you go, General." Sharpeye frowns, quirking a whisker. "We will. We have to. Things like this were bound to happen. We're on the frontier out here. Not everything's as safe as it was back in the old time." Tominov grins slightly as he says, "Strangairs een out own homes... A most unfortunate adverture." Sharpeye nods. "But not for long, I hope, not for long. We'll tame it in time." Urfkgar studies the bird from a distance. He wanders over to the fuzzball with the dartgun and says, "What that?" The medics rush out of the landed flyer, two headed for the remains of Morgan, the other two looking around. "Any injuries?" Windchaser moves silently to Morgan's side, and looks down at the torn body. "He was a pilot, and will be given a pilot's funeral." he says, matter of factly to the medic that is begining to clean up the gore. "Store the body, and we will take him onto the Gettysburg." Greenthumb swivels an ear, glancing at Urfkgar. "The bird nearly killed me. So I loaded up some darts with thytetroltolmide-hydroxide-4. Took care of it pretty fast." Urfkgar nods and grunts to himself before saying, "Worked. It dead?" "I tank you for de games, Imperator. Sometink tells me dat ve vill not be continuink into tomorrow?" Tominov asks. Sharpeye nods to Tominov. "Maybe some time in the future when we can find a better locale with smaller wildlife." Tominov nods gravely and says, "Unless you vould like us to help vith de clean up, I tink dat eet es den time for us to go." Sharpeye nods, extending a paw. "Very well. You are, of course, still welcome to make use of the training facilities at the Militia compound in the city." Tominov nods, "Tank you, Imperator, but," he pauses as he takes a look at the body bag that now holds Morgan, "Ve have some tinks to deal vith first. Hopefully, startink dees veek, dair vill be time for our troops to train togedair." Sharpeye nods. "Of course." Tominov nods once more and turns to the Vanguard officers, saying, "Vanguard, ve art returnink to de sheep. Meestair Veedchasair, retrieve Meestair Morgan." The General barily waits for a reply as he heads back to the city. Windchaser nods, lifting the body bag and hefting it over his shoulder as he follows the General. Urfkgar tosses his paintball rifle and spare clips towards the tent. He jogs to catch up with the General. Hunter returns the weapon he used and follows Tominov towards the city. After a quick jog, tired and muddy, through the Demarian night, the Vanguard crew returns to thier ship Airlock - This room serves as the main entrance/exit for the ship. A locker occupies the corner of the room near the inner door, which houses space suits and breathing equipment. Benches line the wall to allow ease of changing into the suits. Yellow and black warning stripes and signs line the walls. Urfkgar enters through the hatch of the ship. Windchaser enters through the hatch of the ship. Hunter enters through the hatch of the ship. Tominov nods to Windchaser, saying, "Leave Morgan here. Meestair Huntair, you still have de Rank Pins? Good. Go to de bridge and geet her ento space, Corporal." Tominov says, "Aftair de sheep ess een space, meet me back here. Go." Hunter heads into Corridor . The ship rumbles as it lifts off the ground and arches skyward. Hunter steps back into the airlock, "We're orbiting Demaria, General." On an impromptu bed, the remains of Lt. Morgan have been laid out. The body is a little cleaner than before, but still just as discusting. The General, Windchaser and Urfkgar are circled around it. With Hunter's return, Windchaser begins to chant, low, soft, and lamenting as he wheels the cart into the outer airlock. Returning, he presses the button to close the doors, all the while chanting those lamenting words. "Aten-tion!" Tominov snaps as the door slides closed with a hiss. Hunter snaps to attention, eyes focused on the remains of Morgan. Windchaser's posture becomes rigid as he comes to attention, silent now. Urfkgar moves to stand at attention instead of his normal slouch. "Ve left a time due to alien and unknown dangairs. Dangerous dat keelled most of dose who stayed behind. Ve sorvived due to de heroics of dose soldairs dat gave demselves een combat to dose dangairs. Lt. Morgan ess now added to de long leest of soldairs dat risked, and finally gave dair lives to de protection of odairs. Lt. Morgan, you are true to de Vanguard." Tominov says, regally, authoritativly, proudly. After a moment of silence, he nods to Windchaser. Windchaser reaches up and presses a button on the door. Suddenly, the air in the outer lock, where Morgan's remains were, explodes out of the Gettysburg, taking Morgan's dead body with it. "He is yours once again, Sky Father." Windchaser whispers as the dead pilot is sucked into space. The outer doors slide shut after a few moments, and the outer airlock fills with air once more.
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