Dyelli Beybi

Graveyard Orbit

Charnud of Ingiros

...

“Well, one must first ask if you do know how to use a gun,” Charnud said to her as he remained by the bar counter. “Otherwise, eh, it may not do you much good if you can’t aim. Do you? It’s quite easy once you get the hang of it.”

He eyed the glass Neri had drunk from. “...also, drinking alcohol may impair shooting. Not that you can’t keep drinking if you want, if that’s what you want.”

@El Gato Naranja

"On the contrary, having a gun is just as important as shooting it," Neri replied, patting the stool next to her in an invitation for Charnud to take a seat with her, "If I point one with intent then whomever is at the receiving end has to consider that I might open fire. They then need to decide if whether whatever they want is worth the risk that blaster fire creates, which is to say, is what I want worth getting shot for? A weapon immediately changes the equation."

She took another sip of her drink, "Relax. It's not like those guys are coming back with a cache of weapons right away. And its not like we need to use them right away either. I can get blind drunk today and tomorrow I'll be sober! ... Not that I'm planning to get blind drunk."

---

...

Over the course of a minute or two, it seemed, the locals had gone from trying to kill the marooned prisoners to entreating them for help. Not only that, but the huge fellow who would've happily put Bandit through a wood chipper a few moments ago was apparently what passed for a lawman 'round these parts. No wonder he hated her from the jump--cops like him could smell a wrongdoer from a mile away (which was her best explanation for how none of them gave her the benefit of the doubt, ever). From the looks of it, several of Bandit's accomplices were keen to forgive and forget the attempts on their lives as they accepted the townsfolk's request. Bandit could see the logic: if she and the others were officially helping the people here, the locals surely wouldn't try to kill them, and might even help them! Plus, if the hills here were rife with riflemen, going it alone would be even riskier than the android thought. With that, her own course of actions was decided. By the time Tarquin led Castleton, Kim, and Dusk back out into the sunlight, Bandit was out there waiting for them, posing like she owned the place (and hadn't just committed several misdemeanors). "Hey, pardners! Ready to wrassle us up some varmints?"

@Lugubrious

@Terrans@InfamousGuy101@Badarby

Tarquin, the big Dhasath, looked between the trio of new companions, then back to Bandit. He scowled. Apparently he had not forgotten what bandit had been up to, "Your robot was robbing people during the bar fight. Might be a good idea to return the stuff. If you want people thinking that you're the upstanding kind of people that might give this town some kind of hope."

"I'll take you to the Mayor's office. If he likes the look of you, we can have an election. Probably be tomorrow at this stage."

Paradise Lost

Nemain and Velia

"Forget that one," the woman nodded to the camera in the hall, "Already seen us."

She walked down the hall at a brisk pace as the armored robotic vehicle, without any apparent sense of urgency, trundled along the road, turning to face the main doors, which opened as it approached.

The woman though, seemed to know the password on the key pads. She tapped it into the back door pinpad, opening the door, holding it for everyone in the group until, just as a cloud of ominous gas began to seep in through the front doors, slamming it shut behind them.

"That toaster won't follow us, but if we get spotted others will get dispatched and some are... a bit more dangerous than that one, not that you want to get gassed," she explained as she led the way along the back garden, dropping to her stomach to crawl into the hedgerow... which had died back in the centre, leaving something like a secret avenue running down the rear of the properties. Presumably it went to the end of the row, though that was lost in the dim interior.

"Sorry for the lack of introduction. Lieutenant Nemain Early of the Lux Legio," she held out a hand to Mark, who she seemed to have assumed was in charge, "I had a bit of engine trouble and came down here, well... a few years ago, I think. Clankers have driven the locals out into the forest, where they have regressed into a primitive tribal society. There's obviously more to the story, that I can tell you, but I think it might be a good idea to head for your shuttle before it gets dragged into a hangar."

"Umm," she looked a bit sheepish, "I know we're just meeting each other and I haven't done much to earn your trust, but would you be okay taking me with you? I don't want to be marooned on this rock for the rest of my life and I promise I can earn my way on your ship."

Velia looked between the others in the group. Dithering a moment before saying, "Well you did just rescue us from that death-bot. I mean, we might have figured it out ourselves, but I figure we owe you at least a lift."

Nemain looked to the others, but didn't wait to see if the group concurred. She set off at a crouch, hurrying down the interior of the hedge, brushing away the occasional dead twig that grew into the path, though it looked fairly well trod for the most part. She'd been down here before, "We've got to move quickly. Follow this hedge, then move across the road, fast and low. There's a similar one opposite. We keep going till we hit the spaceport perimeter... as I'm sure you've noticed, all the buildings are the same. The gardens are as well. There are security cameras on the lampposts at crossroads, at the front doors of properties and within the entry foyers. Avoid those and the toasters won't come after us. It gets a bit trickier in a couple of hours, when they send out a swarm of drones to restock everything. Drones with guns," she clarified, lightly tapping her injured arm, "But we'll be long gone before that."

She paused as they reached a leafy wall where the hedgerow came to an end, dropping to her belly again to crawl out under the hedge and into the roadway. She darted a glance each way, then hurried across, ducking into another hedge where she waited for the others, "It's so good to see civilised people again!" She exclaimed as she waited for the group to reassemble. Despite the peril they were in, Nemain looked... elated. Like she was brimming with hope of finally escaping the planet. There must have been a bit of dhasath in her; she hadn't broken a sweat.

---

The Port

Meanwhile at the space port a couple of robotic vehicles rolled out onto the landing pad from one of the hangars. The first was a large flat-bed and crane construction that looked unmistakably like something designed to pick a shuttle like John's up and transport it elsewhere. Presumably the hangar.

The other was identical to the one encountered in the town, large with a big metal tank on the back. A large illuminated sign on the polished steel side of the vehicle read 'Biological Containment Unit' and just like the previous one there was the unmistakable signs that someone had tried to shoot it at some stage. This one wasn't broadcasting any public service announcements.

@Terrans

Graveyard Orbit

Neri watched the others head out. Apparently interested in taking on the responsibility of the law. It was, in her opinion, not the most sensible course of action.

"Well looks like a few of my crew have a death wish," she offered a hand up to the kiellar she had kicked between the legs earlier. He took her hand, letting her help him to his feet "No hard feelings?" she suggested.

He groaned, "Hey, you attacked me!" Neri protested as if the groan had been a refusal. She scooted onto one of the bar stools, "Whatever you've got that's strong enough to make all the bruises feel like they belong to someone else," she ordered, glancing over her shoulder. There was another kiellar who was still looking a bit dazed, "Put it on his tab."

That drew a chuckle from the barman and the kiellar she had helped up, "I'll pay for it," he grunted, taking the stool next to her, "Same for me." He drank his glass as soon as it appeared, slamming it back down on the counter, motioning for the bartender to pour another, "Your friends need to be careful. Those men in the hills don't want lawmen in this or any other nearby town. They'll kill them. Girls like you also tend to get taken," he finished darkly.

Neri took a sip of her drink, raising an eyebrow at the last (admittedly concerning) comment. Whatever the drink was, it burned, though not unpleasantly, "Given that threat, I figure I'll need a gun. Anyone in the mood to donate?" Nobody immediately volunteered, "Well then, seems my best course of action is to get deputised as well... once they've figured out a sheriff."

In The Black (A Clean-Up Crew RP)

Fabio

Fabio switched magazines to one he hadn't used yet, then took position for the breach. Unlike Enzo, in Fabio's mind whatever lay beyond the door was doubtless some kind of horror from the bowels of hell. Luckily, whatever they had been making in this facility didn't stand up to bullets. He paused, waiting for the 'boom' and ready to shoot anything that came swarming out at them.

Worst case scenario, if the guys near the door got their brains eaten, Fabio reckoned he could outrun most of the others. Fabio never skipped his cardio workout.

Smoke and Steel

The City of Inbur: Oskar and Eleuia Krawiec

Oskar was silent over dinner brooding. While the Duke had, seemingly, given him permission to raid the coffers of the merchants of Inbur, he was still loathe to do it. It was the bit about making sure they were arrested...

If they weren't arrested they would complain to the Emperor about the human who stole their gold. And then, the Duke would throw the impudent human who had done so to the wolves.

"You're thinking about the defense of the city again," Eleuia spoke up finally.

Oskar nodded. "I doubt the Black Army could fully invest the city, but we can't face them in the field and I am expected to protect the countryside where so many of our Elgafolk betters have their farms and hunting retreats. If I had the money to bring down another Host that would tip the balance, but to get the money I'd need to upset powerful people."

"Then we wait," Eleuia declared, "We wait to see what the result of the Battle in the West is. From that we can decide who we want to upset and who we do not. Do not forget my dear that, in the worst case scenario, you can just take the Host home."

"Right enough," Oskar chuckled, "Dishonourable, but so are most of the people we are dealing with... and Coralie will not want to lay siege to the city so close to Winter."

"So we wait. Wait for the pigeons to come in."

Oskar nodded.

---

Andronika Hasikos: Western Empire Camps, Near the City of Elvesland

The arrival of the Quinians that morning, was a welcome sight, though they would not make a material difference to the vast armies assembled for battle. The camp was already humming. Troops formed up into columns to the sound of fife and drum, elga lancers donned their armour, pennants fluttering in the morning breeze. Somewhere to the East lay Voron's army, presumably doing the exact same thing. In the distnace, pickets exchanged sporadic fire with one another. Orrian wanted to march on Elvesland. Voron was set on opposing him. Battle was inevitable.

Andronika was up and about, dressed in a pretty cream-coloured dress, her hair hanging in pretty ringlets to frame her face. Vassos meanwhile, who came out with her to greet the Prince, was wearing his breast and back plates, ready for the coming battle.

"Prince Edwin, it is an honour," Andronika curtseyed politely, "I had rather hoped you would arrive earlier, though I trust you have not marched far this morning. As you can see, there is going to be a battle."

Graveyard Orbit

The Barman looked from Dusk to Charnud, grimaced, "I don't think you folks know what you're getting yourselves into. These are not bandits, they're mercenaries from some conflict. Battle hardened folk with plenty of big guns, which you folk sorely lack... But I suppose if one of you was willing to step up as sheriff that would be a start. There would have to be a vote of course, but I don't imagine many people voting against able to get things done."

He glanced in the direction of the gigantic dhasath who was getting up, nursing his head.

"Tarquin over there is the last deputy," the barman said, "Can get you into the station, along with anyone you choose to deputise. Then at least you'd be armed next time they come down."

Paradise Lost

Velia Larci & a Stranger

Velia took another sip from her cup of tea, "Government building sounds sensible. Do you think there's some kind of a map around here?" she asked, casually glancing at a few of the bare side boards, "Otherwise I guess we just head straight to the centre of town..." she trailed off as the sound of an electric engine echoed in from the street outside, "Umm... what's that?"

For anyone by the window they would see a tracked robotic vehicle approaching down the street. It was reasonably large with a big metal tank on the back, robotic as there was no place for a driver. A large illuminated sign on the polished steel side of the vehicle read 'Biological Containment Unit'. As it moved a cheerful, prerecorded voice announced: Citizens, please remain in your homes until the threat is contained. The sides of the vehicle were scored with the unmistakable heat marks of blaster fire, which seemed oddly out of place in this pristine neighborhood.

Before anyone had a chance to do more than spot the incoming vehicle a voice called from the doorway, "Don't shoot, I'm friendly."

The voice was female and, for anyone focusing on the language beneath the work of the translator microbes, was speaking the ancient 'English' language that was known from a few historic fragments from before the Machine War. After a brief pause a 20-something looking woman stepped out into the open. She was a pretty thing. Caucasian looking - probably human - with a square shaped face, high cheekbones and big green eyes. Brown hair was tied up in a particularly messy ponytail with stray strands falling about her shoulders. She seemed to be military of some sort, wearing a short-sleeved black uniform that had definitely seen better days, with rips and tears that she had tried to patch in places. Indecipherable blue rank insignia adorned the collar and epaulettes while a shoulder patch that looked like some kind of neon spider web presumably said something about whose service she was in. Her left bicep was wrapped in a dirty bandage, further suggestion that this place wasn't quite as safe as it seemed.

"Unless you are carrying military-grade gas masks, you'll want to be leaving before that clanker pumps this building full of gas," she beckoned for them to follow, "I know you don't know me, but I've been here a while. I know the routes that avoids the cameras those things use to find 'biological contaminants'." There was a slight pause, as she seemed to realise some in the group didn't quite get what she was saying, "You lot are the 'biological contaminant' it's here to 'contain'. Lets go!"

Graveyard Orbit

Very few other people were upright at this point. The fight was, for-all-intents-and-purposes, over.

Neri climbed back to her feet, "I think we've all probably had enough at this point," she announced. Tactically choosing not to declare that their side had won. Though they had.

"Hey!" she called to the barman who was trying to scuttle out the back, hidden behind the counter, "Stop! I see you there!"

The barman gave a sigh, standing up, giving the group a wary glance. There was quite a bit of broken furniture, smashed bottles and injured patrons, though to his credit the man didn't do anything stupid like demand they pay for the damage, "Can I help you?" he asked instead.

"What was that all about?" Neri demanded, "I was here not so long ago and people were friendly enough, then they attack us."

"That's because of them," he pointed between Dusk and Kim, "We didn't realise you worked for them up in the mountains."

"Who?" Neri demanded, "We just got planetside, we definitely don't work for anyone up in the mountains."

the barman looked at her, then back at Dusk and Kim, then at the people who were gradually drawing themselves to their feet amidst groans and curses, "I think there has been a bit of a misunderstanding," he announced.

"You see, there's not many humans in this part of the galaxy. Only ones I know of are those ones up in the hills who have been terrorising these parts," the barman told them, "They killed the sheriff, shot him dead, and nobody has had the courage to pick up the badge since. Now they come to town, take what they want, and leave and nobody dares to try to stop them. If you aren't with them, well..." he scratched the back of his neck, "like I said, bit of a misunderstanding."

Empire of the Clouds

Zoe

Zoe looked surprised, then gave a slightly nervous giggle, "Oh..." she trailed off for a moment, before abruptly coming back to her senses, "Sorry.. yes, please do," the comment led to creeping colour in her cheeks, "Is that what I'm supposed to say? I'd like that."

"Whew, is it hot in here?" she asked. It wasn't. It was actually quite cold. She paused, then laughed, tilting her head to one side as she studied Aden, looking quite flushed now, "I'm sorry. I have to confess I am totally inexperienced in the affairs of the heart. I've been a little sheltered from such things in the Court - I wasn't joking when I said being Royalty is a gilded cage! I hope you don't mind. I would like that though... "

Zoe trailed off, seemingly having run out of things to babble about. She glanced about to make sure noone was within earshot before leaning closer to Aden, "Do you remember when I asked that you treat me the same? I was hoping you'd ask something like this... well actually I was hoping you'd do something that would make your intentions clear... though in my imagination I respond a lot more smoothly and with less stammering."

Paradise Lost

Velia Larci

"So everything is fine... but no people?" Velia queried before adding, "Spooky."

She meandered into the kitchen, checking a few pots, "Tea, coffee."

She put a tea bag into a cup then picked up the kettle, filling it from the tap, "Well the water still works. Good pressure as well. Might have a shower later."

She put the kettle on to boil then stepped over to the fridge, "Milk... OJ... also looks fresh." She took an experimental sip from the milk, "Someone must have stocked the fridge recently."

The kettle was boiling so she made herself a cup of tea, stepping back out into the lounge, blowing on the cup for a few moments before taking a sip, "You know what's missing?" She asked the group at large, "Any sign someone actually lives here. There's no clothes on the floor, or dishes in the sink or any photos. It's like a show home but with fresh food for some reason. All very neatly laid out in the fridge, I might add. This us like..."

She took a sip of her tea, "Like someone from the film industry made a set of a house."