[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjojZhVuXKY][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/537558127772434442/600310436545691649/Born_to_Fight_-_Bounty_Hunters.png[/img][/url] [h2]Prelude[/h2] [hider=I'm Electra Heart...]A woman walked into the foyer of the Ministry of Military Affairs. When the receptionist looked up at the entrant, she expected someone official, perhaps wearing a uniform or a suit at least, but not anybody who looked so… Civilian. The woman worked a pair of tall black leather boots with heels, red skirt and a silver-white blouse underneath a black trench coat. She was a brunette, her hair trailing down and over her shoulders as it was tied behind her ears by a pink ribbon, and her face was notably young and pretty, as the receptionist noticed a beauty mark on her cheek. She had an earbud in like a teenager who was listening to music on the go as she casually stepped up to the desk. When she approached, the receptionist realised upon closer inspection the beauty mark was, in fact, a small black tattoo of a heart below her chestnut-brown eyes. She immediately wondered what the woman, surely in her mid-twenties, could possibly be here for. [b]“I’m Electra Heart, I’m here on behalf of these summons from Prince Nathaniel,” [/b]The woman introduced herself properly with the tone of a lady, despite her dress sense. She procured a folded letter from her satchel. The receptionist took the letter off her and to her surprise, she recognised the royal seal at the bottom with his signature. [b]“Ah yes, I see,” [/b]She replied as she investigated the letter. The rest of the summons simply stated the location and the time Electra was meant to arrive at. [b]“Five minutes early, good. If you could wait just a moment, Ms. Heart…”[/b] Electra nodded with a smile. [b]“Very well,”[/b] She replied, and she turned away as the receptionist picked up the phone. [b]“You have a visitor here per your summons, sir; an Electra Heart?” [/b]The receptionist reported. She nodded. [b]“Very well.” [/b]She put the phone down and looked to Electra. [b]“He’s ready to see you, just head up the elevator to—”[/b] [b]“The top floor, yes?”[/b] The receptionist looked surprised, so Electra clarified. [b]“I imagine no less for the prince.”[/b] [b]“Of course. The top floor, his office is straight ahead from the elevator.”[/b] Electra nodded her thanks and went on her way. The elevator was a cased platform in a glass tube. Electra hit the VIP button and then leaned against the hand bar. She cast a gaze over her shoulder as the elevator ascended, looking over the city through the glass. She idly blew bubbles with her gum as the elevator hit stops along the way, picking up and dropping off military personnel and administrators every few floors. She focused her attention purely on the city, despite noticing the stares of others in the elevator reflected in the glass. Arsodus began to grow not distant, but smaller; as though Electra were moving up in the world. She smiled a little. Soon enough, as she neared the top floor, the last of the bystanders hopped off the elevator and it was just Electra now. The elevator dinged as it hit her destination, and Electra stepped through the opening doors. Electra stepped straight ahead toward the prince’s office, further made obvious by the two bodyguards outside the door. Electra glanced to her left at the empty strategy room as she passed. When she neared the office, she slowed to a stop as the bodyguards eyed her down. [b]“—This isn’t over, prince Nathaniel.” [/b]The door slid open and a military official stormed out of the office abruptly. He was a decorated general, evidenced by the high-ranking uniform and medals adorning his lapel. He stopped for a moment and looked Electra up and down, bewildered as to why she was here. Electra flashed a tiny smile, like a confident woman who knew where she was. The general scoffed and stomped past her, and Electra just shrugged smugly. After him, a richly dressed and rather handsome man stepped into the doorway and smiled at Electra. [b]“Ms Heart I believe. Please, come in.”[/b] The prince beckoned. As the door closed shut behind her and the prince took his seat, Electra took the seat in front of him without a prompt. [B]“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”[/B] She began as she dug through her satchel. [B]“Ah, a woman of business. I can appreciate—”[/B] [I][B]“He’ll ruin everything we’ve built so far. We have to deal with general Roa immediately!”[/B][/I] The voice of the general blared. The prince’s smile faded to a stern expression as he stared at the Electra’s phone as she held it out, a recording playing from a bug she had planted on the window. [I][B]“I have a solution, but you must calm down general Isaacs.”[/B][/I] The prince’s own voice joined in. [B]“Now… You probably wouldn’t want the rest of this conversation on the broadcasting network…”[/B] Electra spoke over the recording as it continued. [B]“So, I think we should re-negotiate my fee before we talk about the contract; shall we?”[/B] Without a doubt, Electra loved her job.[/hider] [H2]The Silvestia-Anavia War[/H2] Originating from its namesake capital Arsodus on the homeworld Paradicial, the Arsodian Empire was originally a federation of Paradicial's collective population. However, over the first century of the Arsodian Era, the Empire grew rapidly as it took to the stars. From one planet to another, colonising each star system and the next, the Arsodian Empire dominated the systems in the galaxy of Silvestia. As it explored the stellar frontier, the empire grew in its belief that it was a supreme force to be reckoned with. This hubris took full root almost six centuries since the formation of the empire, when the first xenos were encountered in the neighboring galaxy of Anavia. When the Arsodian Empire encountered the Terran Republic, the current emperor, Arcturus Arsodian, considered the stellar nation to be notably smaller in dominion to that of the empire. Pairing that with their animal-like appearance, it was a foregone conclusion that the terrans were beneath humans. To that end, Emperor Arcturus submitted his demand for the republic to submit itself as a vassal to the empire. The terrans refused. After all, they did not form a republic as their galactic government, just to be sworn in service to a power-hungry monarch. Seeing that they would not submit, Arcturus reflected and showed understanding for their sovereign independence. Instead, trade agreements were reached between the two powers, and for a time there was prosperity to be found. However, this amiable arrangement was violated, and the emperor's feint was revealed for what it was; despicable treachery. He used the trade agreement to determine what planet served as a nexus for the republic's economy. And on the next shipment to that world, he ordered cataclysm bombs to be planted in the cargo. That world was Juvia VII, and in a sudden act of terror, the inhabitants of Juvia were obliterated by engineered earthquakes that unleashed fissures of fire. Barely a portion of the population survived. This was the beginning of the Silvestia-Anavia War. [h2]Story[/h2] The year is 573 Arsodian Era (AE), two years since the beginning of the Silvestia-Anavia War. The Arsodian Empire of Man is embroiled still in its conflict with the xenos of the Terran Republic, with both sides engaged on all fronts over key star systems between the Silvestian and Anavian galaxies. It was believed that with their superior numbers and military command that the Arsodian Empire's Silver Legions would emerge victorious. But the battles rage on, with no end in sight. Moreover, the stalemate has caused bursts of infighting among the Emperor's Silver Legions. The 7th Legion, under command of general Vincent Roa, has defected from the empire to become their own independent military faction. Using a Terran BlackOPs research complex as a hideout, general Roa has made his intent clear in a manifesto that the Emperor is weak, and only under Roa's command will the legions find victory. Rhetoric or not, there are signs of dissent among the higher ranks, and the Emperor has thin patience for treachery. But all the other legions are engaged with the Terran armies currently, and no lost ground can be afforded. As a result, an Imperial Bounty has been placed on Vincent Roa; a rich reward of 200,000 credits for any who bring him in, alive. And, bonus payments for badges of the 7th Legion. It is with hope that, although the basest creatures of Arsodian society was to be trusted, Roa will be returned to face justice, and to secure the sensitive military intelligence from falling into Terran hands. Unfortunately, the Emperor's concerns have not escaped the notice of the Terrans, as they in turn place their own bounty of equal reward, and hope, contrary to the Emperor's own, that Vincent Roa's intelligence will be in their possession and in turn victory over the Arsodian people. Ironically, the thing both sides have in common are bounty hunters; the scum of the systems, whose moral compasses are only defined by the money lining their pockets. And what doesn't inspire cutthroat fanaticism than a really good payday? Because if you can count on a bounty hunter to be anything, you can count on them to understand that a reward is best enjoyed undivided. [H2]Rules[/H2] [b]1)[/b] Behave politely! If things get ugly with one another, take it to PMs, or, better yet, consult with me. [b]2)[/b] Write well! You don't have to be the best, you should just want to be better. Proper grammar and spelling, but if you make mistakes, you can just edit and we move on. [b]3)[/b] Have fun! Listen, if I have to explain this 'rule' to you, there's something wrong here. Furthermore, this is a [B][U]Casual-Advanced[/U][/B] roleplay. Which means-- Well, honestly, it means I don't expect any more of you than what I expect from myself when I roleplay. If you can manage 1-2 paragraphs that are 3-5 lines long, then that's fine. What's not okay is fluffing up posts with paragraphs full of extracurricular information; stuff we don't need to know or are not relevant to us (eg: your character's tragic life story), which brings me to my next point. Please don't bring shit-edgy anime tropes into this roleplay. I had it to my eyes in a past roleplay with a character having a mental breakdown/flashback marathon next to me for no reason when I just wanted to enjoy my coffee (honestly, I just glazed over it). Thinking about past sadness is fine, just don't dedicate more than a paragraph to it. But moreover, focus on what needs to be posted. Action over detail. If someone has already described something, don't repeat it in your post; notice it and just focus on your character's reaction. Essentially, just think about others you're roleplaying with when you write, yeah? [H2]Races & Genetics[/H2] [Hider=Races][B]Humans[/B] The people of the Arsodian Empire are human, standing upright and speaking plainly as evolution had made them. No longer were they baser animals; they were sentient, and on top of the food chain. As a result, they had become a dominant force, and sought to hold their place as masters of the galaxy with their flat faces, firm limbs, and proper posture. [B]Terrans[/B] The people of a smaller but no less significant inter-stellar nation known as the Terran Republic, the terrans are xenos who come in all different forms as humans come in all different ethnicities. Terrans share in common that they are anthropomorphic; like humans, but not entirely so. Though they look like animals, they share a level of sentience and intelligence that humans thought were solely theirs to command. Terrans come in so many different forms, but the most common among their populace are equines, vulpines, lupines, felines and reptiles, even dragons who are the essence of human fables.[/Hider] [Hider=Genetics][B]Naturals[/B] Naturals, named solely for their natural birth, have only the capabilities given to them by their parents and chance. However, this does not make them lesser, and only credits their perseverance and hard work when it pays off. That they can say they accomplished everything that they have without any amount of gene-modification or psionic treatment, and often are the more level-headed beings on the genetic spectrum. [B]Coordinators / Modtypes[/B] Always striving for more, to be better, to be stronger, to be faster; this is the dream. Genetic sciences had the answer to that dream. By genetically editing children before their birth, not only were parents able to control the child they had, but they were also able to enhance them. As a result, these beings were subject to superior strength, endurance, and reflexes, giving them a head start at a life that might throw much at them. As a result of messing with these genes, however, these genetically-enhanced individuals will often face stigmatisation from naturals, and are prone to intensified emotions such as anger or sadness in stressful situations. [B]Innovators / Newtypes[/B] Psi-potent individuals who have been treated through psi-rich gases or hallucinogens that induce a trance-like state. As a result, the individuals gain a grasp over psionic power, at the price of addiction to the gases that made them. And sometimes, they have to be conditioned to supress emotions, as it can cause their power to go out of control. However, with control they have nigh-limitless potential; reading minds, making liminal suggestions across distance, create shields of energy, or even subjecting others to designed illusions are among the more basic powers at their disposal. There are rumours and theories of the possibility of 'natural' born individuals with psionic powers. However, it is believed that while they might not need psionic gases to use their abilities, they would suffer if they were not taught how to tame their emotions and in turn, control their powers. [B]Bio-Weapons[/B] There is a point on the genetic spectrum where it is no longer just enhancement. It is at that point there are beings who have been twisted, shaped into instruments whose existence is for war. Whether they are made at birth in test tubes or forged from broken naturals or even gene or psi-enhanced individuals seeking more power: when they become more machine than organic; when they are cybernetically modified for inhuman strength or unreal psionic power; or even when they become something that no longer resembles human or terran, is when they become bio-weapons.[/hider] [H2]Character Sheet[/H2] [quote][b]Name:[/b] What’s your name? [b]Age:[/b] How old are you? [b]Race:[/b] What are you? [b]Genetics:[/B] What are you classified as? (Coordinators and innovators for humans, modtypes and newtypes for terrans as equivalents) [b]Appearance:[/b] Describe what you look like. ------------------------- [b]Important items:[/b] Do you have any possessions that are important to you? [b]Weapons:[/b] What weapons are you carrying? [b]Physical Abilities:[/b] State your capabilities. [B]Psionic Powers:[/B] Do you have any psionic powers? If so, describe what you can do. ------------------------- [b]Personality:[/b] How would you describe yourself, what makes you who you are, mentally and emotionally? [b]Background:[/b] Briefly tell us your story up to this point. [b]Roleplay Sample:[/B] We'll just need some verification. (1 - 3 paragraphs of you roleplaying this character) [b]Theme Song:[/b] Got a song you like? (optional)[/quote] [H2]Summary[/H2] Too long, didn't read? Shame on you, but anyways: Basically, inter-galactic war, general defecto-rebellio, emperor mad, bounty posted, but also enemy furries = detecto-dissatisfacto so post their own bounty. So now, bounty hunters from both sides, humans and terrans, searching for general defecto. Oh, and you guys are the bounty hunters. And you may or may not ally with each other. But if you all ally together I'll be mildly surprised. I guess. Any other questions, shoot! Otherwise, feel free to apply!