POOHEAD189

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

"Well I mean, they're sa-" he began, before he saw Quetzalli looking at him curiously. His 'savages' veered course "-aaaaaaaadly without our weaponry. We have a small armory, right? We can plant mines, they'd probably run away in fear of..." He squinted, and then looked to Quetzalli. He pointed at her and nodded. "We can distract them. Not by sacrificing any of us, but what if we proved we were gods?"

Neil was thinking on his feet. "Quetzalli can show one of us the way back, and when we get back we rig one of the ziggurats with as much explosives as we have. Even if we can't topple one we can wreck it. We announce we're to be obeyed. If they don't listen, then we simply press the button and send on of their temples crumbling. I can do it." He nodded to himself as he spoke. "Taya, you might not be as familiar an engineer as I am, but you can at least handle thrusters. Junebug can guard the ship after she and I rig the charges, and I can head in with Quetzalli and play the part."

"I calculate that has a 21.948% chance of succeeding sir."

Neil blinked and looked up. "Lonney, what are you doing awake?"

"We wanted to see if he still worked." Taya said with a guilty smile. Neil continued with "Zalli can teach me at least a phrase in the language. Enough to shout I am to be obeyed or something."

"I teech, yes." Zalli said, her voice heavily accented yet still sultry enough to have him side eyeing her yet again.
@Penny

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

Sevendust blared in Neil's ears as he gave the engine a tuneup, trying to reroute every spare inch of power to the thing he could while cleaning out useless functions to get better output. His goggles were illuminated by the torch of his multi-tool as he worked, a grin on his face. He'd been yearning to work on something mechanical since they'd landed on this primitive world. Oh, he had attempted to rest, but he was at the point where he was so tired sleep wouldn't come, so he decided to make the most of it. While the ladies had gotten somewhat settled in, Neil inhaled a muffin replacement and delved into work.

Luckily it was just his muscles that were tired more than his nerves or eyes, and he could tank through that no problem. Time didn't seem a tangible thing until he felt more than heard Sayeeda's voice over the comm. He blinked, taking the eartube out of his ear and the goggles off his eyes to make sure. Once she repeated the order, he set his tools down and was eager to tell her the theoretical good news. He grabbed the door handled and swung out into the hall, before literally bounding into the War room, half excited to tell her, and he could smell the food from the hall. He appeared in the doorway suddenly.

"Hey..." he began, and for the first time he realized that he was the only male aboard the ship with the possible exception of Lonney when he had the right accent. Junebug sat straight and confident, exotic and strong. Taya waved and smiled. Quetzalli was elated that he showed up. They all looked at him, and he gave a smile. "So, what is up?"

"Hi-lo." Zalli said, giving him a broad smile that spoke volumes. Neil blinked, almost not recognizing her because she wore actual clothes. He pointed at her while he looked to Junebug. "Did she take a nap?" He asked with a smirk, and once his suspicions were confirmed he gave a laugh. "Well, I am glad to have you aboard." He said to her, reaching out to kiss her hand. Her smile grew more pleased, and Neil vaulted over the back of his chair and plopped down, fakon already in his mouth before he realized what he was doing.

"Scho fa good newv iv." He began, mouth full. Taya exhaled in a small chuckle, which brought him back to reality. He downed some water and continued. "The good news is, we have a small bit of power. Only...a fraction of what we usually would have in the engine. One of the pylons didn't use all of its juice, and I took out some secondary systems. So if we can somehow find a R.I.P. tide around the planet, I believe we can get out of here...assuming we know what galaxy we're in."
@Penny

Warhammer Fantasy: The Guild of Esteemed Sellswords - An adventure in the Warhammer Fantasy world!

"Quit whining ye dolt," the Longbeard said. The woman paid him little heed, though her scream at the retort turned into a pitiful whimper. Drimbold wondered how weak the manling folk were if they had never seen severed Grobi heads. Even Dwarf women would not blanch at such a sight, instead they would praise Valya and Grungni that there were three less Goblins tainting the world. The image of his wife Volga caused his mood to sour even more, and he continued on despite the stares he received from the still dripping heads that hung from his back.

Once he was paid the bounties for the slain Goblins (with typical shoddy manling coins to boot!), he decided he needed a place to find some beer or ale. Mead even, if there wasn't either of the other two to be found in this hamlet of a town. Stomping through the dirt streets, the armored elder was probably the most heavily armed person in town by the looks of these farmers and backwater merchants. The mercenary or two he saw seemed more like hired killers than actual soldiers.

He found the Limping Nag after asking a particularly fat man where the tavern was, and soon the inhabitants of the establishment felt a cool breeze waft and the sound of the door being shoved open. It revealed a Dwarf clad in Gromril, with an aged, grim visage and scarred skin where he wasn't covered in cloth or mail. His greying beard almost brushed the floor, and would have if it weren't for the bronze ringlets keeping it tied.

He smelled the air, getting a whiff of piss poor ale and sweaty manlings. However, there was a flowery stench he could not ignore. "I smell Elgi." He muttered, his eyes scanning the room until they fell upon Galadred. His jaw involuntarily clenched, only for him to stop short. If he caused a brawl here, they wouldn't serve him ale, piss poor though it be. With a few choice words of Khazalid, he made his way over to the bar.

"Ale. Keep it coming."

The Book Club

<Snipped quote by POOHEAD189>

I completely missed this. John Keegan is a giant in his field. Virtually anything he wrote is well worth the read. I have found that even when I disagreed with his conclusions I still found his arguments extremely interesting.

@Kratesis

Thank you! I was hoping someone would answer.

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

The trek was uncomfortable to say the least. Neil sometimes felt they were being watched the first mile or two, stalked by the predator they had wounded. But soon it disappeared, and not a glimpse was seen of it again. Zalli's arm bled, but not profusely. She had handed it back to Neil, and Neil in turn ripped a bit of his native dress to wrap around her wound once they ate breakfast. "You know, so much shit keeps happening," he said to Sayeeda with a shrug and a helpless smile. "I keep forgetting we're not getting paid by someone."

He gave a laugh at his own words, unable to help himself when he viewed their dire circumstances. Neil and the others ached and had a true want for water, but they moved on and kept at it until Taya announced with a croak that the Highlander was near.

When they finally made it to the ship, Neil gave a savage "yesssss," clenching his fist. Running his hands through his hair, he remembered they had fresh water and food onboard, not to mention a showering unit. Yes it was all limited, but if they got the engines working again it wouldn't matter. Plus the shower water went through the automated cleansing system to be drinkable again. That should still be working if the life support was.

Taya nearly wept when she saw the ship, though instead of crying or prostrating herself, she gave the longest and most tired sigh. "Thank the Gods of the Realm." She said, swallowing to make her throat the tiniest bit more moist from their long trek. Quetzalli was happy too, but in an entirely different fashion. While not quite as used to rough situations like Junebug, she was still a tribeswoman and knew how it felt to face harship. Her main focus was on the strange beast made of metal before her, larger than all dwellings save the ziggurats she had served in. Her eyes were wide and her full lips were open in wonder.

Neil, of course, saw it as an old friend. "Can't wait to have another chat with Lonney." He coughed, and headed toward the open hatch door and toward the inner entrance, his feet digging into the sand before they stepped on solid Xarconian steel. The young pilot inserted the correct algorithm to open the door. To their relief, it opened with a small 'hiss.'

"Permission to clean our wounds, wash up, and get something to fucking eat Captain?"
@Penny

Will They Reign Supreme? {Whispers x Poohead}

He had no real idea why he had been summoned.
Well, Meldyr expected it was simple courtesy. He was a lord of the realm, albeit a minor one that lived in a backwater area of the nation. He wore armor and cloaks more than fine coats, and he practiced the sword with a dedication that matched other lords in practicing dining etiquette. For once, however, his face was not covered in the grime of the mudded mountains he patrolled, nor did he have any unattended wounds or aches, having left the defense of the eastern passes to his second in command, Frankfurt.

His face was ruddy from the road, however. Meldyr cut a darkly handsome figure in his coat and breeches, albeit an unkempt figure. He held himself with confidence and there was a gleam of intelligence in his eyes as he stepped into the great hall. His eyes left the stonework of the outer hall and drank in all of the fine lords and ladies that mingled and ate fresh chicken, peas, apples, potatos, and enjoyed the finest wine.

He sighed, remembering how it was in his father's court in what seemed a lifetime ago. It looked very much like this, only Meldyr was the High lord's son, not some outcast Knight commander with a small fief. The pompous scene reminded him of why he had actually decided to come. First and foremost he didn't want to give a bad impression with not showing up to the new Queen. But he also wanted to see what kind of woman she was. He wanted to make sure he was following a strong reagent and not a corrupt or lazy one.

A servant passed him by with a plate of drinks. "Is there ale?" Meldyr asked, his voice was not boisterous or loud, but there was a commanding undertone only a Knight used to combat would have.

"No sir, only wine." The servant said. Meldyr sighed, and took a glass, the slim neck of the glass between his ring and middle finger. "Guess that'll do."
@HushedWhispers

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

That raises the question; if one could create an ethnostate on Mars, which is entirely uninhabited, and all those of a specific ethnic group who wished to live on the Martian ethnostate could be magically teleported there to live surrounded by their group under their own flag, would that be morally wrong?

Well I guess it would be bad if they didn't share any of the whole planet.

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

At Junebug's comment, Neil shrugged. "Well, math's never been my strong suit." He said, twirling his gun before he aimed it at one of the stalking predators, a low clicking noise emanating from its throat. It's three, too-intelligent eyes were all that was visible in the moonlight other than a general shape.

"You're an engineer!" Taya breathed, hysteria in her voice. She obviously wanted to focus on anything other than the night terrors that stalked them, but once one leaped at Neil she screamed once more. Zalli cried out in fear, though it was also for fear of Neil. Luckily, the pilot had learned how to spread a shot long ago. Even with the preturnatural speed of the beast, he aimed with his gun and used his free hand to pull the hammer back in quick succession. The first three shots missed, and Neil's heart nearly leaped into his throat before he saw his fourth and fifth shots hit. The rounds thudded into the predator, causing it to give a shriek that nearly pierced his ears.

It hit the ground and twitched. Neil shot it a sixth time to make sure it was dead, before a rough noise and Quetzalli yelling something he could not understand had him spinning around. Taya was shaking, unable to will herself to move and aid Junebug who was fighting for her life. Neil wanted to run at the creature with his knife, but if he moved he would get attacked by the last creature prowling in the brush. He knew the only reason it had not leaped at them was because Neil might fire at it, thankfully the predator could not understand he needed to reload.

The pilot hastily reloaded, though he knew every second brought Junebug closer to death. He placed two rounds in his revolver, spun the chamber and fired on instinct. The bullet thudded into the muscled, leopard-like creature's shoulder, causing it to weaken its struggles as it attempted to bite at Junebug, who used the opportunity to kick it off of her. Neil heard a twig snap and spun, but it was too late for him to fire at the creature that pounced on him. It was by the grace of the God's he ducked in time for its claws to miss him, but its body hit him with a glancing blow that sent him and the creature spinning onto the ground. His gun and knife flew wide and into the dirt. Agile as ever, Neil spun in an almost breakdance style and kicked it before it could gain its wits again.

Junebug and Neil would be both proud and baffled at what happened next. The Captain would hear another crack, and a bullet would wound her beast's paw, the smoking gun it came from was from Taya's trembling hands as she used Neil's last bullet. Meanwhile, Neil was speechless when Quetzalli stormed into his quagmire of his struggle with the creature and began to stab it with Neil's knife, receiving a slashing wound to her arm for the trouble but it was enough to make the predator retreat into the brush with a whimper.
@Penny

Into The Dark: Tales of Maroleth

Yes, I shall resolve ze magics. @BCTheEntity@The Fated Fallen