[h2][color=lightgreen][u]Jake Cross [/u][/color][/h2] Jake looked over the ship much as his teammates had. This thing was a true marvel though, a relic from a long lost world and in damn near perfect condition. Sure a few parts were missing and either rerouted, or just ignored, much like the ship's currently standing weapon systems, but in exchange for the chance to have a literal piece of history and one that kicks major ass is a benefit in and of it self. In fact this ship is a blessing that all would be jealous of as even the Reaper's Rangers probably didn't have something like this. Regardless though, time was ticking and he had to fulfill him own order. Moving towards the ship he was stopped by Isis who started to bring up what was happening to her pet, however before she could finish a... 'solution' presented itself as the massive, black Duvari came barreling through the outpost and seems to be on a war path. Even Jake reached for his sidearm, grasping the handle firmly as Isis called out about how she was ok and just wanted to be with her. Given the reaction and the sudden pouncing of Isis he was inclined to believe her. Though it wasn't much longer before several armed guard had a bead on the previously rampaging beast. What's more is that they seemed to already get a few hit's on Bastet as two darts hung limply from her flank. "What the fuck do you feed that thing!" One guard called out, still ready to shoot. "Two tranques and it didn't slow down! Fucker isn't natural anymore!" Another called out, letting folks know what those darts were. In truth they did make the Duvari tired, but determination and primal power isn't something to treat lightly. As for Jake he just watched in confusion and shock, [color=lightgreen]"What the Hell Nasri! Your pet just rampaged through the outpost... and... wait wasn't she in a cage? Did she break out! What the fuck! Why would we even put her in a cage if she could just do that!"[/color] Jake started, obviously both flustered and embarrassed by the beast's show of force... yet he was thankful and grateful that that monster was on his side. [color=lightgreen]"You're in deep shit Nasri."[/color] He started up again, tossing a stern look her way, but there was something else, one could even say it was joy. Like he thought the little show was funny, but had to save face. [color=lightgreen]"You need to keep that monster under check, if that means you need to keep her nose down on the ship fine, but I won't be crashing because I'm letting her out of her next and much stronger cage. Just get her on the ship."[/color] He said, watching as the two made their way onto the craft, much to the dismay of not only the outpost, but also a member of their team. Though with things going crazy and thankfully winding down quickly the mission was truly about to start. So as the team loaded up, found a place for themselves and their gear, and the engines started to pick up it was made clear that now things were about to get interesting... [center][b][u][h2][color=tan]Chapter 1: The Pillar of Light[/color][/h2][/u][/b][/center] [center][img]https://lparchive.org/Chrono-Cross/Update%2047/23-xmiguel63.jpg[/img][/center] The Argent Seeker flew through the air, guided by the skillful hand of Matthew the craft used it's powerful jet engines to bolt through the sky and as the world below expanded letting free the thick forest to reveal a massive expanse of plains and within those plains dwelled the ruins and lost structures of the Old World and showed the monsters that now called them home. Wild packs of Duvari ran across the land, storming giants rumbled like living mountains, and skittering Imps ran from the light of day when the roaring engines of the Sky Hawk went thundering by. The world may have gone to Hell, but if this was truly Hell, then what a beautiful and deadly place it was. Still their destination was arriving quickly and according to the data given to them by the Treehouse the approximate location was just a few miles ahead. That meant Jake moved from the center cabin up to the front, seeing Matthew faithfully keeping the ship on course. Though from the cockpit's wide view he saw the sun setting and lowering into the horizon. Today had been a good da of travel, but now it was time to rest, [color=lightgreen]"Matthew, Keep us on course, but keep an eye out for a landing zone. We're going to need to make camp soon."[/color] From there he watched as the location of the light came closer, however things were not to go as planned. As the ship drew closer to the site the air seemed to shift and warp, turning what was once calm skies into a turbulent wash of storms. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, or a gust of wind to be read, but the chop given to the craft was like that out of a maelstrom. [color=lightgreen]"Matthew! What's going on?"[/color] He asked, fighting for a seat up in front, before continuing, [color=lightgreen]"Set the ship down! This is getting worse and I'm not looking to die in a crash on day one."[/color] In that moment it was just best to dive and as the ship flew towards the ground the winds grew even more malicious. Though as they threatened to turn the ship into a flaming heap of scrap they suddenly and abruptly stopped once Matthew took the ship below a few hundred feet from the ground. Like the storm was only up from the ground. However now that they were near the ground, landing was the next step. From there the ship's engines started to wane as the landing gear took hold. The field they had chosen had some cover from the local giant trees, but also a few incredibly large rocks that gave a sort of natural cover. It wouldn't take much to hide the ship and set up a safe camp. Jake turned from the cockpit, [color=lightgreen]"Good work Matthew. Pretty sure we'd be dead if you weren't behind the wheel. Though now it's time to camp. Open up the sails and come join us."[/color] From there he went back into the main compartment to see the rest of the crew after that rough ride. [color=lightgreen]"Shitty ride. Looks like there is something surrounding the site in the sky so we'll have to hit up our ground game. But first we rest. The sun will fall in an hour and I want the camp set up before that. Get a move on people! We're burning daylight!"[/color] From there it was just a simple matter of unloading the cargo from the Sky Hawk and setting up a perimeter, throwing camo-tarps over the ship, setting up tents, and finally building a fire from which to host the crew at. With everybody doing their part things were set before the sun set, and now with the gang sitting around a fire, waiting for the need to sleep to set in. Two of the team would be on fire guard through the night with relief working every few hours, but until then the gang had a little time to talk strategy and get to know each other a little better.