POOHEAD189

The All Dawi Party - A Warhammer Fantasy Adventure

@Penny We must pray to the Old Gods and heed their wisdom!

*rolls dice* I got a D2. Conquistadwarf it is.

The All Dawi Party - A Warhammer Fantasy Adventure

Lmao I have never seen a conquistador Dwarf

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

The first week had Neil and Sayeeda being put through basic training. Mostly as a formality rather than to aid them in anyway. Junebug obviously passed with flying colors, and Neil's only real problems were from a lack of discipline. However, it was the most amusing televid on the November Sky once they recorded the final obstacle course that they both participated in, competing against one another. More than once did Neil trip up Sayeeda, and Sayeeda planting her boot on Neil's chest multiple times.

Junebug beat Neil by 12 seconds, though they both made moderate time. No one doubted they would have made very good time if the were going separately. In the meantime, Taya was getting basic exercises, command signal classes, and even confidence training to help her in dire situations. Sven and Saxon were both analyzed and took various tests and scans for a 10,000 credit increase in their minimal payments, since a lawless Cyborg and a Xenos who was usually an enigma to the Terrans were hard to come by, and more than a few scientists were curious about them. Sven kept the scans on his various parts to a minimum, however.

After the week was up, they were separated during the day for additional tests. Junebug was tested for her superior combat aptitude, monitored by York. She was given a field test of firing at moving targets via laser gun in a controlled environment. Civilian targets were issued part the way through to avoid. After that, she was given a test on command language, and what she would need to remember in order to respond properly on the ground. She passed that easily as well.

York snorted. "Perhaps, Captain Cykali, you should be training our recruits."

Meanwhile, Neil had been asked to take apart and put back together a Voxx communicator. Woods monitored the test, and she went from amused to impressed when Neil finished minutes faster than any other recorded time, and he still had some time for a few jokes in between.

"How did you..." she began, then shook her head, clearing her throat and regaining some cool dignity. "Up next is close combat."

"Sure. Who is my sparring partner?"

"Me. This way, Pretty boy."

He had expected that he'd fight Junebug, but he guessed they had done enough of that on the obstacle course. He didn't know if she was insulting him or complimenting him with that name. "Hey, I'm manly alright?"
@Penny

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

As Woods took measure of the crew, she would notice the smallest columned sections of light emitting off Sven's eyes periodically, and Saxon's gill-like ridges huffing as he gazed at the anomaly that had occurred while he was still fighting the killer worm on the asteroid Neil had stranded him on. Neil watched as only a man who had survived multiple cataclysms would, somewhat tired but still having a stoic sense of humor about it.

"You know, I love messing up with the natural order of things. But I'm starting to think I draw the line at ancient super advanced tech that can come alive and devour planets." He said. "Anyone else feel that way? Just me?"

Woods couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, pretty boy. We'll be there to watch your back." the shapely woman said with an amused smile. Neil blinked, and mouthed 'pretty?'

"We have calculated the risks." Woods continued with a more serious tone. York spoke up. "In fact, we even addressed your friend Sven here and received his input. The risks are hard to tell, but he garnered a rough estimate. Apparently we have a 58 percent chance of finding what we are there to look for and to leave with no casualties."

"From our current data, at least." Sven added.

"Do I at least get to pilot my ship?" Neil asked, hopeful smile on his face. When Woods said he was, he pumped his arm and mouthed 'wicked' before leaning back and tell her "Thanks babe." He'd not driven the Highlander for longer than he cared for. Neil had really started to get fond of that ship. That, and Lonney, of course.

"And me?" Taya asked.
@Penny

Damned to the Depths

Markus watched her, seeing her rage and ambition, and her pragmatism when it came to the Captaincy. He grinned, drawing her attention with an outstretched hand. Despite their clashing every once in awhile, he felt lucky to start a crew with this woman. "Pirates then," he said, and awaited her to clasp his hand. In the distance, far to the south, a maelstrom howled, and even this far to the north, they could hear the thunder.

---

The Coming Storm

Having climbed the mainmast, Markus could see the mountain range of Stormsrest in the distance, and signaled down to Calliope with a quick yell. The sun beamed down brightly, causing the water to glitter like a sea of sapphires. Such clear water was both a blessing and a curse, as was how shallow it was, only 20 fathoms deep. It did not take much to beach a ship here, and though you could see obstacles and sea beasts from far off, sometimes you couldn't avoid them, and all you could do was await your doom as it approached.

Today, however, the water was easily traversable and the only creatures below were the occasional school of fish, a few dolphins, and some lurking tiger sharks. Markus slid down to the deck, heading up to steer the ship as they approached their final few miles. The past few days, Markus and Calliope had not had much time to get to know one another. Other than a meal or two here and there, they had spent the majority of their time searching the ship, scouring it for any supplies and anything not nailed down that they could sell or trade for some coin. Calliope had found some loose valuables, a necklace in one of the drawers, a chair with gold filigree, etc. Some of it they didn't wish to sell but for the most part, it looked good to get rid of. Markus had found a small cache in the lower decks. A secret compartment with various maps, knives, a compass, and even a moderate tier spellbook, mostly dealing with conjuration and evocation spells. He'd given the book to Calliope, and as she delved into that, he had prepared the ship for docking.

Stormsrest was quite a site once they rounded the bend. The City was a trading port, and had been a haven for privateers in the war. To the north of the City was a dense jungle, filled with venomous snakes and snarling beasts that one would need to traverse before making it to the slumbering volcano that overlooked the Sea. To its east and west were small mountain ranges that guarded the city from both sides, keeping the city relatively safe from crashing waves and storms, hence the name. The south was the only way in, and the bay was filled with merchants plying their wares and ships from the continent on various business ventures now docked.

Once they made it to the docks, Markus weighed anchor. Despite a diet of beef jerky and whiskey, he was still as fit as a knight. They didn't have long in Stormsrest. Half a week at most. Any longer than that and they would be pushing their luck. What they needed here was a few extra hands, supplies, weapons, and maybe make a deal or two with some of the more notable smuggler/pirate guilds hidden in the vast stretch of bright, sea colored buildings in their blue, green, and white. Even at the docks, they could see Stormskeep at the back center of the city. The main road led from the docks all the way to the gates of the Keep.

"Oi! You! What's your business here in Stormsrest?" a man called. He looked like the dock authority, dressed in proper clothes and a large plumed hat, followed by a trodden down Lizardfolk. Most likely a slave, bred from the egg to serve a human master. A far cry from the bestial savages that preyed upon any human they could get their claws on in the Southland jungles.

"What's your business asking for our business?" Markus called back, lowering the plank to allow them access to the docks.

"It's my job to oversee all who take up space in this fair city's docks." he declared as Markus made his way down the plank. "You either contribute to commerce or you shove off! You and your seaside wench!"

Markus's sword found the man's throat. The man's lip buttoned up, but he still held a hint of authority in his stern gaze. Markus spoke next. "That's no way to speak about a crew member of mine." he warned. "Nor to me. I'm Captain Flintbrook, and this here ship is here to transport goods from a pirate crew we hunted down and slew five days east of Highmast. We're here to trade."

"I see no other crew on your deck, Captain."

"Would you like wounded and scurvy laden men bleeding all over your docks, sir?"

The Lizardfolk simply tongued the air, looking at Markus and its master with an alien gaze. Its shoulders lowered and back hunched. Markus might have that it would have come to the aid of its master, and no doubt likely would in most circumstances. But this man was probably threatened often. The thought gave Markus a wicked smile that confused and somewhat scared the dockman. He simply gave Markus an offended look. "Very well. You can dock for two days, then I'll charge you for any day past that. Now be off."

Markus removed his blade and sheathed the sword. "My pleasure."
@Penny

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

"Oh gee, you shouldn't have." Neil said with faux admiration as York had his 'good faith' present sent in. Taya, despite her fear of Saxon and York, couldn't help but giggle quietly. If it was any other circumstance, he would have admired the blonde woman with much more than a passing glance, but he felt like he wanted this entire situation behind them and ignored any Terran soldiers for the most part.

"Well, now that our cards are all on the table." Neil continued as Sven entered the room. "Let's talk. How big of a reward are we talking when we get the job done. Without tricks." He added and pointed at York. York inclined his head, seemingly amused at the nerve of asking for money before they were even briefed.

"That depends upon the manner of our discoveries. But thirty thousand credits seems good for a minimum, don't you think?"

Neil tried to speak, but then did some quick calculations in his head. He had expected more, but then again that was a good price for a moderately dangerous bounty, and all this mission was, was essentially being an escort and a guide through ruins they had likely already explored. "As a bare minimum, yes." he said slowly. Sayeeda rolled her eyes. The Hexanagallion flexed his hands once they were unbound, and his first glare was at Neil and York.

Unexpectedly however, were his next words. "On my honor, I shall comply."

Neil blinked, and York explained. "We promised dear Saxon here all of his belongings back and another 30,000 credits to not seek any...what did you call it?"

"Blood Vengeance."

"Yes that. And we gave a few concessions to Sven over here as well." The nordic Cyborg gave a neutral, impassable stare. It was the coldest thing in the room, and it was a fairly cold room. Lieutenant Woods cleared her throat, the strict command of her voice was as iron hard as the muscles on her arms. "If we are done, then shall we begin?" she asked. Taya nodded, and Junebug gave a nod and sat beside Neil and Taya. Saxon and Sven still stood, Sven known for not getting exhausted like normal men and Saxon simply too big to sit.
@Penny

Damned to the Depths

Markus took the Whiskey. It was nearing the last few gulps in the bottle, he noticed. They had a few more bottles, but unless it was a special occasion, they should save them. He looked at the bottle, and then at the woman. "Not exactly. I came to look for work...violent work, but work nonetheless. Though, I had been planning to take this ship the past fortnight, so yes. I just never said it to myself out loud." He placed his lips on the bottle and took one final swig, engulfing a fair few portions of the last bit, though he left Calliope another hearty swig in case she wanted to top it off.

"So aye, I am turning pirate. I was a privateer for the cities of Regalden and Darkwater for the past few years. I think I might have sacked a merchant cog or two of yours. But after you leave that much blood in your wake, it's hard to look back and not be a bit lost on what ship belonged to whom. When the Dragon Crown Wars stopped, I came to your city and had been there for a few months, dueling for meals until I found you in a dungeon."

He flipped the bottle and caught the neck, before passing it back to her. "I'm not the one with options here. What of you, my lady?" he asked her, dark gaze locked with hers. "Do you plan on staying and turning pirate?" He watched her with a wary interest. If they were to start a crew, it would be good to have someone who both knew the local politics and who knew how to weave spells better than his apprentice-like abilities.

The sea behind them shifted and sloshed audibly, causing the ship to groan and buck like a lover. It looked like the wind would be with them, thank the Gods. "And if so, we'll need to discuss ship positions, like Captain." He didn't say it ambitiously. He had just survived an entire city out for his blood, so he was simply mentioning it for pragmatic reasons. However, he continued to watch her and gauge her reaction.
@Penny

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

Give me a few days and you'll get a sheet!

Damned to the Depths

Markus's back was pressed against the wall. He chewed on the jerky greedily, having not had to look over his shoulder to eat in days. The whiskey was extra good, but he needed to be moderate with it. He couldn't get drunk out in the open ocean with only one other crew member. "I wasn't so well stocked. But, I did use to have that lifestyle years ago. When I served the Flint household in the borderlands. Being a bastard to a lord is never preferable to a full son, but I did eat well."

He took a swig of whiskey, and then grabbed another slice of jerky, chewing it languidly. "Fortunes change at the drop of a hat in this world." He said, almost tiredly. He have a laugh though, at the ridiculousness of it all. "We just need to find a way to keep our fortunes up. I wasn't certain if you wanted to partner up. I half expected you to seek asylum with a foreign friend. Granted, the pirate's life is a bit more exciting."

He truly did go full pirate here, didn't he? He guessed it wasn't too much different than being a hired sword, fighting for one lord or another. He rested his head against the timber railing, considering their options. South wasn't plausible for now, but after they got some supplies and perhaps another crew man or two, they could travel further south and seek riches in the Jungles of the Southlands. For now though, they needed a port. "HighMast to the west is controlled by the Andredians. Might be safe but it might not... There's Corlubora, the smuggler city...but they might expect us to flee there..."

He rubbed his chin, dark eyes glinting in the light of the moon. "Stormsrest. High class nobles, rich in resources, but plenty of commoners that get bored or desperate." Calliope would know of Stormsrest. It was known as an avid trading city, with cutthroat politics and varying degrees of power shifts almost annually, due to poison and assassination. It hardly effected the middle and lower classes, unless their was a new Sea Lord. This one, a chap called Rodrik Blackmoor, had been unopposed and unaffected by the squabbles of the petty nobles for the past decade. It was a city almost as beautiful as Calaverde.

"It's only 4 days away. Two if the wind is with us."
@Penny

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

Neil's palms pressed to the Highlander Floor, and he placed his knees against his elbows, and with a practiced ease, he suddenly lifted his legs up and balanced. A bead of sweat dripped onto the floor, and with a will his legs then lifted fully into the air, outstretching into a handstand. He would need to hold the position for five minutes. It was the last handstand of his set, and then he would get back to tinkering with the Hauler they had in the cargo bay.

Of course the repairs were slightly limited. The Terrans had scanned, searched, and X-rayed the entire ship for munitions and weaponry, and it was under heavy surveillance from virtually every angle in the larger hanger, with guards posted, keeping the ship and its pilot under watch at all times. It was after a large discussion with York that Neil had convinced him to allow re-entry, much less permission to work on the Hauler under supervision. A floating AI with a camera followed Neil wherever he went in the Highlander, which is why he chose to go to the restroom before he entered the ship.

"Three minutes. You got this." he said to himself, his voice strained.

"NEIL!!!"

He lost his balance and collapsed to the ground as the voice reverberated in his ear. "Ah, FUCK." he exclaimed. He'd left the comm on full volume to be able to hear over the repairs half an hour ago. He realized it was Junebug after a moment. "Y-Yeah, what is it?"

"Meet up with us in Assembly room 41A, pilot. We're going to be briefed by York. Supposedly they're releasing Saxon."

"You got it, Capt'n." Neil said, trying to release his pressurized left ear. Lonny appeared above. "You will have optimal hearing in minutes. Only long bursts of loud sound can disrupt the ear drums indefinitely." Neil rubbed his eyes and got up, removing his goggle and tool belt. "Thanks Lonny, you're a gem."

Even after having been here for days and days, the immensity of the hanger still impressed Neil. As he stepped out of the Highlander, men surveyed him from the elevated walkways, lasrifles at the ready and faceless helms hiding whatever expression they might have. Their body armor was simply flak vests, but they were reinforced with Torellian Steel, making it almost respectable body armor in a real firefight.

The sliding door slid open, and Neil stepped into the hall and walked what he believed to be a quarter mile to the designated room. A small meeting room where lesser officials could have private discussions. The AI had stopped following Neil as soon as he had left the Highlander. As the engineer stepped in, he gave them a wave. "Sup?" he asked them, taking a load off on one of the chairs at the long table. He decided he would prop his boots up and relax. It was when he sat down did he blink and squint at Sayeeda. "Are... you look good. You feel better?"

"By the way, I'm not sure if you guys want to play this straight when we reach on-world or not. I never feel bad fucking over Terrans, but..."
@Penny