[color=bfbfbf][sub][table= //////= POST DESIGN v1=\\\\\\][row][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/UDxPBds.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/row][row][cell][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/MhdOhWG.png[/img][/sup]

[color=2e2c2c]_______________________________[sub]........[/sub][/color]
[/cell][cell][color=white][center][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/DHKvx27.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][center][color=2e2c2c]Onboard the Firefly   ·   Morning   ·   In collaboration with @Everyone[/color]Onboard the Firefly   ·   Morning   ·   In collaboration with @Everyone[/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[color=9f9f9f]Within thirty minutes of the briefing, every member of the team had assembled inside the Firefly, the LSF’s preferred aircraft for short term engagements. A small bird that favored speed and maneuverability over protection. With a five man crew not including the pilot and an AI, limited supplies and standard plating for protection, enough weight was shed that trips over large distances were kept short in duration. However, piloting the craft was often difficult and only one in the LSF had put in the time to learn to do it.

After a final gear check and a green light, Yi carefully put his baby in the air and made for the distant outpost. It’d been at least a year since his last mission involving the entire team, and although that mission had ended solemnly, he was hopeful for what was to come. Part of it was because he was just happy to see everyone together again. The other part was because he found himself more relaxed when in his element. He was happier in the air, and the sound of familiar voices drowned to a murmur by the roaring winds outside brought him a comfort that was hard to find.

After only an hour and a half of flying, the Firefly suddenly started slowing down and ascending.

[color=white]”Two minutes to drop, Cap.”[/color] Yi said over the radio. Nelu gave Yi a nod and turned to face the rest of the team. He hit a switch on the wall, dousing the entire cabin in a red light. [color=bca346]”Everybody knows what they’re doing?”[/color]

Behind him, a monitor folded off the roof of the aircraft and blinked on. A live feed was displayed showing a view of the outpost from high above. Not much had changed since their last briefing save for a larger than expected crowd gathering around one of the vehicles.

Zhen sat in her seat in a lotus pose, eyes closed and breathing carefully. Meditation was one of the gifts she wished she could share more widely; the current climate didn’t allow her to promote it. The Benders claimed all sorts of benefits, wild gifts that it would bestow, but there was only one thing it was good for in Zhen’s mind: stilling the mind. She stopped all her thoughts and worked on only perceiving the darkness around. No spirits, no chakras, no cosmic awareness or burst of enlightenment, just emptiness. That was all she felt, and all she intended to see. It was the only honest thing to her, the only thing free from delusions. Perfect for achieving calm before a critical moment.

When she heard the drop was coming up she looked at the screen, making note of the features of the terrain. She commented on the gathering crowd

[color=white]“Interesting that so many have gathered around that one truck parked away from the rest. Who knows why this one is popular, maybe people are repairing it or some celebrity is over there. I still believe that we should focus on disabling the rest of the cars, those are the most likely escape route. Leave the crowd for last and we might have to spend a few more minutes chasing them down, leave the cars for last and we might never catch them.”[/color]

Katauri was alerted when Zhen made a comment about how there might be a celebrity over there by the truck. [color=9e0039]"Are one of our targets not a celebrity?"[/color] he remarked sarcastically. Chu Hau technically fled from the law after she vanished from the stickball competition. Katakuri was listening to the news after the immediate event of benders bursting around Ba Sing Se. Since he doubted he wouldn't be called into his off-the-table job, he was curious about what was going on. Obtaining information on everyone who might be significant or who needs to be eliminated immediately in order to prevent the collapse of society. Even though the news may not be the best source, word would spread quickly, particularly after a championship stickball match.

Zhen had her equipment locker open and was doing her final checks. As she secured her own gear, she pulled out an oxygen tank and tossed it to Jin. [color=white]“Here. This will have enough for your needs.”[/color]

Nelu tapped the screen, highlighting a small area just North of the crowd. [color=bca346]”Jin, make disabling the vehicles a priority. Yi… this area here is your target. After Jin makes the first move and you’ve deployed 141, I want you to clear it and then land.”[/color] He tapped the screen again and turned it slightly so their more silent member so they could see exactly where he would be dropped. For the entire duration of the flight, Object-141 had been bolted securely to a steel frame that surrounded him like a crate. Although there was a chip embedded within him to shut him off should he begin to act in opposition to orders, the LSF were not willing to risk him damaging the aircraft in the event he [i]did[/i] become erratic. For everyone’s safety, he was secured by various straps and platinum metal bands not unlike the way he had been that morning, and would only be allowed freedom of movement once he was on the ground. He was only too eager to stretch his legs and nodded the sentiment at Nelu.

Jin took the oxygen mask that Zhen handed over, slipping it on over their head. After some adjustments, it fit snugly. [color=a187be]“Thanks.”[/color] They had gone over the plan already. Zhen was an airbender, and they were both going to fly and take point on the tower. Jin was getting that little thrill in their stomach that always came before a mission. The next step was to narrow that energy into a single point of focus, like a laser. It was similar to Zhen’s meditation, but Jin would never use such a word for it. [color=a187be]“Tires, or engines, Cap?”[/color] The tires would be a harder shot, due to the size. The engines would be a simpler target, but a little harder to detonate. Decisions, decisions.

[color=bca346]”Whichever is easiest for you and gets the job done.”[/color]

[color=white]”One minute to drop.”[/color] Came Yi again over the radio.

[color=a187be]“Got it. Let’s crack some skulls.”[/color] Jin shut their eyes, exhaling one long, slow breath. When they opened their eyes again, they were ready. With an eerie calm, they checked their gun and bullets just once more, even though they knew that had been done twice over.

Nelu moved to the bay doors where he found and hit a switch in the panel. A warning alarm blared as the seal on the door was released and the back began opening up to a view of blue skies and sporadic clouds. Although picturesque, a ring of darker clouds marking the boundary of the nearby storm was slowly encroaching upon the fairer weather. Far below them stretched a near endless expanse of desert sand and a black dot in that sand was their target.

Nelu turned to the others, looking at each of them for a moment before giving them a nod. [color=bca346]”Let’s do this!”[/color] He yelled over the roar of the wind. [color=bca346]”Zhen! Jin! You’re up!”[/color]

Zhen had her mirrored mask secured now, hiding her face from the world. With a quick glance she checked the fabric on the airfoils of her gear, and tightened up the straps and the fasteners one final time. It was all secure, and she trusted Jin did the same. [color=white]“Time to live up to your nickname, Flying Frog.”[/color] She said, then prepared to ride the wind.

Jin had a set of worn, purple tinted goggles over their eyes. They did one last check, before nodding once to Zhen. [color=a187be]"Ready when you are."[/color][/color][/quote]
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