[center][h1][i][b][color=a187be]Kerris Dagorath[/color][/b][/i][/h1][/center][center][h1][b][color=silver]Bonneville Flats, Utah[/color][/b][/h1][/center] The Earth has seen its share of battlezones, with plenty of prime locations destroyed, yet there were still areas of unspoiled paradise - according to the humans - where they may partake in the motorized ritual of high-speed racing... [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsWWA6e15Sk[/youtube][/center] For years, human beings have come to this unassuming stretch of flat salty land for the purpose engaging in motorized entertainment with few pesky laws to actually get in the way. It was a self-regulated event, but if you wanted to drive in excess of 100 MPH, you could. Take any car you want out there, make whatever changes in performance you think are necessary, and have a drive. Events originally started with drag stripping to see how fast you could go, flat-out, while people could do as they pleased outside of what was considered the official grounds. However, in later years, they added something else to the mix: Rally stages. [b]"Race Three on Track Two is ready to begin! Racers, to your position!"[/b] It was just a simple outlining of cones with some outlines marked into the ground with tools, outlining the rugged course of difficult terrain. And there, in the third car in the ranks - the jeep with the rollcage and no roof to accommodate her horns - was Kerris Dagorath. She was in her usual attire, with just the alteration of two things. First, it was a white t-shirt she had on so the salt dust wouldn't be as noticeable, and second, she was wearing a mask. Specifically, it was a set of shaded goggles with a nose piece that someone had helpfully given her, because while - as a Dranfel - she could stand the heat, the light, and the dust, it was [i]still[/i] annoying, and she came out here to have some fun. [b]"GO!"[/b] Her boot-laden foot slammed on the gas as they got started, tail coming out to adjust the gears as she and the other cars got moving. Kerris was considered fairly expert in vehicle operation, given the way she handled them. Maybe not to the extent of [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciOJ6VrLn2I]the three wise men[/url] who once traveled the world in hair-raising hijinx and adventure, but give her time. She was self-taught AND THEN military-trained in things. This was her fifth race of the day, and despite all difficulty of her life previously on her home planet, the lady Dranfel was enjoying herself. The race was on fire, the wind was whipping through her dark locks, and the car rumbled furiously with a life of its own. However, all good things must come to an end, as the Pebble she'd stuck by her ear interrupted the music she was playing with an incoming call. [color=a187be]"Hmmm. Answer call."[/color] [b]"Operator Dagorath?"[/b] [color=a187be]"One of them."[/color] [b]"We're calling you both in, ma'am. Your team has been chosen to take part in a mission, and we need you back at base in Jacksonville for briefing, ASAP."[/b] [color=a187be]"I assume you know where I am."[/color] [b]"Yes, ma'am. A jet has been sent. It will land near your location."[/b] [color=a187be]"Good. I'll make my way to it shortly."[/color] She ended the call, but then opened up a new one. [color=a187be]"Bonneville Control, this is Kerris Dagorath. I am in need of departure. Permission to exit the race at speed to link up with transport."[/color] [b]"Permission granted. Be safe out there."[/b] [color=a187be]"It will be done. You may pick up the vehicle later, at your leisure."[/color] She switched back on the music, and when the opening presented itself, just drove right out of the rally stage, due east in order to have the incoming jet zero in on her and land. Soon after, the Dranfel stopped the car and flipped herself onto the hood, before taking a high leap and dropping to a point nearby. It was actually not a military jet, but a private jet. Climbing aboard, a man closed the door behind her and signalled the pilot to take off. Kerris looked around the cabin with some interest. [color=a187be]"Rather luxurious for military use."[/color] [b]"It seemed a little better than sending two separate jets when your brother is so nearby and we may need them in case of emergency."[/b] [color=a187be]"'Tis true. Anything could happen."[/color] The plane was already in the air, and now headed towards... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [center][h1][i][b][color=f7941d]Maxon Dagorath[/color][/b][/i][/h1][/center][center][h1][b][color=silver]Reno, Nevada[/color][/b][/h1][/center] [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zd12i6B32I[/youtube][/center] Really, a card game was just an engagement in simple mathematics, trying to figure out if their X would beat out your Y, and how. To a fellow like Maxon, it was really no more than a diversion, keeping his mind busy while his body waited for something to do. Gambling was just a funny little edge to the game, because really...what he was after was nothing more than the atmosphere, the act in of itself, while he idly sipped something alcoholic in a calm atmosphere lit with the slight tension of trying to beat someone at their own game. He even had a cigar, though...due to the fact that the nicotine has no real effect on him, it was hardly the addictive tube of frustration that it was for most humans. [color=f7941d]"And therein lies the heart of the matter. My sister enjoys human articles, such as the clothing, because it's comfortable, but I find it not so accessible, due to the problem of size."[/color] Kerris was like an amazon warrior, while Maxon was a Dranfel slab of meat. He had to grab one of the offered sandwiches at the table between thumb and forefinger, so that his claws wouldn't just slice it apart before it reached his mouth, and he could shove the whole sandwich IN his mouth comfortably, and even swallow it whole without difficulty. [color=f7941d]"There are many things that just don't apply to me, due to some of the limitations, or because I'm a traditionalist who doesn't prefer them. Even the alcohol has a limited effect, though I do enjoy the flavor."[/color] One of the other players - one of three other humans - looked at him. [b]"Isn't there anything in our culture you like?"[/b] [color=f7941d]"Certainly. The robes are quite plush and flowing. The food is pleasant and nourishing. And besides...the reason I came here was for this relaxing atmosphere."[/color] [b]"Yeah, well, you're up. You holdin' or foldin'?"[/b] [color=f7941d]"I bet twenty."[/color] This would continue on until there was a vibrating chirp from his pocket. The Dranfel frowned a bit before raising a clawed finger. [color=f7941d]"A moment, if you would."[/color] He turned and drew out the Pebble from his pocket, the end of his tail coming down on his cards, keeping anyone from looking. There, he activated the projection screen to take the message in text form on the smooth surface of his own leg pad. Yes... It seemed his break time was at an end. Pity. As the jet was incoming, he would have to get out outside of town for pick-up. The couldn't exactly land in the street, after all. After the bright and busy town of Las Vegas had been smashed by the Totality in a bid to crush human morale, Reno picked up as the new gambling den of the area. Still, he was obliged to finish the hand first, as it would take but a moment. He turned back to the others. [color=f7941d]"This will be my final hand today. Call."[/color] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Aboard the plane, now headed for Jacksonville Base in Florida, Maxon took a heavy slump of a seat nearby his sister. [color=a187be]"So, brother...did you win?"[/color] [color=f7941d]"Indeed. Apparently, our species has quite the poker face. They find it difficult to figure out our...tell."[/color] They then turned to the other man in the cabin, who also sat nearby. [color=a187be]"What can you tell us about the mission?"[/color] [b]"I'm afraid the most of it will have to be explained during briefing, ma'am. Matters of secrecy, preventing the enemy from overhearing, you understand."[/b] [color=a187be]"Inside our own territory?"[/color] [b]"Well, we're always trying to explore new ways to intercept [i]their[/i] transmissions. It only makes sense tha they'll be developing new ways into ours. That's while old-style code-phrases are still in effect."[/b] [color=f7941d]"Very well. What [i]can[/i] you tell us?"[/color] [b]"Only that you will be going off-world. The rest you hear back at base."[/b] ...which would take a few hours, so they could take a rest along the way. Jacksonville would already know their ETA along with anybody else's, so the meeting would probably be waiting for them as they got back.