vietmyke

The Vanishing Kingdom

Elena Adarlan

Kalla

---

Kalla, a small oasis trading town by the edge of the Killiman desert. Small, square buildings of hardened sandstone, marble temples, and a busy, bustling marketplace anointed with brilliant, bright colored flags. Despite its rather the town's relatively small size, it was still fairly well known and well travelled, and was the primary stopping point for trade caravans headed in and out of Varuk territory. As such, there was also plenty of room for strife, chaos and cutthroats. Not a lawless town, but not an entirely peaceful one either, be it infighting or marauder raids. All in all, a pretty average town in Hitala. It wasn't nearly as nice as Portea, but at the same time, it had its own quaint little rustic charms.

These rustic charms were more or less lost on Elena, as she rode into town. The sun was bright, it was hot, and had she not worn her traveling cloak, her fair skin probably would've been burnt a long time ago. The Isoli people were resistant to the cold, not so much the heat. Thankfully, she had traded out her heavy travelling cloak, for a lighter one- this red and white hood draping to just past her shoulders as opposed to her whole body, its light fabric and colors reflecting away the light and heat, without weighing her down too much. The cloak billowed in the breeze as the staff Elena sat upon carried her in.

The Red Saints had a small presence in the town of Kalla, currently only her friends Neev and Vog had been assigned there. The town was small enough that the two of them should've been enough to take care of it, but there must've have been some trouble on the winds, as Cinclaire had sent Elena there directly. Reluctantly, but obediently, Elena was now in Kalla, bearing the desert heat for her dearest sister. Elena caught some strange glances as she arrived in town. Her hands quickly shot to her hood, afraid that it had somehow fallen off, but it hadn't. The stares were probably at the fact that she was riding a staff instead of a horse.

Sliding off her staff, and taking it back into her hands, Elena took stock of her surroundings. She'd just arrived, so she'd best check in at the temple- or at the tavern where Neev and Vog were. Though, if she had some free time, perhaps the marketplace would be a nice place to check out- she could buy some gifts or supplies there. The marketplace would also be a decent place for her to start gathering information as well.

Deciding she'd at least drop her stuff off and secure lodgings for the near future, Elena approached the inn. It was one of the larger buildings in town- fitting as Kalla had a decent amount of travelers coming though. Reaching for the door, Elena had placed her hand on the door before it suddenly swung out, knocking her off her feet.

"Ah!" Was all Elena got out as she hit the ground. Her hands went for her head instead of trying to brace her fall, grabbing at the edges of her hood as she landed. Coughing from the dust and sand that picked up as she landed, Elena looked up to see a rather tall man standing over her. He apologized for knocking her over and reached out to help her up.

"No its okay, I just wasn't expecting the door to swing open so suddenly," Elena replied quietly, taking the man's hand as he helped her up. "Thank you." she replied softly as she dusted herself off the ground, finally looking up to get a better look at the man.

He was a taller man- taller than she was, broad shouldered and dressed in bright red, with the look of a fighter about him. Cocking her head, Elena noticed that he also had a few companions following behind him- one of which she recognized as an isoli woman, not unlike Elena, their manner of dress and look were fairly different when compared to other cultures. Behind the isoli woman was another human man, slightly older, and also surprisingly recognizable. Elena had to study him for a moment before recognition fully clicked: the narrow face, greying hair,

"Oh, Sir Allanon!" Elena called out to the older man in surprise, her melodic voice picking up as she waved to him. "I wasn't expecting to find you in Kalla!"

To be fair, Elena wasn't expecting to find Allanon anywhere. While very kind and helpful to the members of the Red Saints around Portea, Allanon came and went fairly regularly, and never really said too much where he was going.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Elena Adarlan

Elena Adarlan

Name: Elena Adarlan
Age: 23
Race: Half Isoli - Half Demon

Appearance:
Standing in at barely over 5 feet in height, its relatively easy for Elena to be displaced in a crowd. Her face is pale and round, and she has clear, clean skin, soft and perpetually cool to the touch. Along with her long icy white-blue hair, its easier to notice Elena's Isoli heritage. Her eyes are a soft purple, and seem to glimmer with even the slightest shift in the light. Her small frame, while appearing dainty and light, belie a surprising amount of raw strength and fortitude.

Notably, a pair of small reddish horns protrude from the sides of her head, revealing the other half of Elena's heritage. Elena takes extra care to hide these, and will often wear hoods or headwear to cover them. Since Elena, like most of Isoli heritage are more or less indifferent to colder temperatures, most of what Elena wears tends towards dainty and lightweight clothing, in styles reminiscent of Lady Lonnette. Elena is often seen with a large Red Saints cloak over her frame, hiding her horns and noting her as a member of the order.

Personality:
A bit of a wallflower, Elena is in general fairly quiet and soft spoken, preferring to stay in the background, though she tends to be more playful and outgoing around her friends. While actually rather intelligent and perceptive, Elena has a habit of missing details, is somewhat clumsy and can be generally regarded as a bit of an airhead. Friendly and amicable, Elena's demeanor is generally cheerful, and though she is timid, she is neither meek nor cowardly, and her displays of anger and determination can be surprising.

As a part of her somewhat closed upbringing, Elena is a rather curious individual. Not to the point of poking her head where it doesn't belong, but Elena does possess an innate adventurous streak. Having grown up as a ward of the Red Saints, altruism and charity are also core parts of Elena's very being, and appear to have been ingrained in her nature. As a result, Elena tends to be over-trusting, believing in the goodness of others. Not completely gullible, Elena does have the sense to know when something is wrong- though it often doesn't stop her from getting into trouble before it happens.

Surprisingly brave for someone so small: Elena, while not violent by nature, can be exceedingly protective over those she finds in her care, fussing over their wellbeing, and quickly rising to their defense when necessary. Despite her protective nature, Elena considers herself a non-combatant, and typically avoids conflict when possible. When spurred into conflict, Elena can be a truly vicious opponent. Elena is keenly aware of a more sadistic, bloodthirsty side of her that seems to appear when she fights- and fears it, typically attempting to end fights as quickly as possible so as not to allow it to overtake her.

Bio:
Elena was born to demon father and isoli mother. As a child, Elena was found half buried in a snowdrift several miles away from Midrill, her mother and the remains of their raided caravan not far away. While they were rescued by a small group of Red Saints on their way to Portea from Midrill, Elena's mother would ultimately die as a result of her injuries. Taking pity on her child, the Red Saints took in young Elena, taking her back to Portea where she would become a ward of the Red Saints.

Elena's earliest memories are of running up and down the halls of the Lonnette Church of Sandrine in Portea. Most of Elena's childhood was spent in relative peace- she didn't have her parents, but the Church of Sandrine was a stable presence, and the members of the Red Saints were always good to her. Courtesy of the Lonnette family, Elena was afforded a high quality education. In return, Elena assisted the members of the Red Saints in their various tasks and businesses from a young age- particularly Mother Esper.

Mother Esper had noticed Elena's demon heritage long before her horns had even begun to grow in, and was quick to take Elena under her wing. As Elena grew older, Mother Esper was ever by her side, guiding her through life as both a demon, and a member of the Red Saints. Elena learned how to utilize- and more importantly how to control her demonic abilities from Mother Esper. During these formative years, Elena's Isoli side also began to bear fruit. Elena discovered she possessed the ability to cast Isoli healing magic in her early teens. In the next few years, Elena would join the ranks of the Red Saints in earnest, healing and protecting those in need- though never being allowed to leave Portea.

Another constant presence throughout Elena's life, aside from Mother Esper, was the Lady of the Lonnette family herself, Cinclaire. Being so close in age, it was unsurprising that the two girls quickly grew close, becoming nigh on inseparable at one point in time. While never part of the Lonnette family herself, Elena came to view Cinclaire as an older sister, and became an adoring and ever staunch supporter of Cinclaire's role as leader of the Red Saints- despite whatever the naysayers might have said.

By the time Elena turned 18, she had already become a regular fixture in and around the Lonnette districts of Portea. A well known member of the Red Saints, Elena earned a small amount of attention as one of the Saint's preeminent healers, and her powers were regularly sought out. While the popularity brought in no small number of donations to the Church, it also attracted on occasion negative attention as well. After more than a few close calls and run ins with danger, Mother Esper saw to it that Elena began learning how to protect herself should another future situation arise.

Now 23, Elena acts as Cinclaire Lonnette's eyes and ears outside the Church and Portea, a trusted confidant and sister. While Elena is loathe to leave Cinclaire's side, her inability to leave the walls of the church itself necessitates Elena's excursions beyond Portea. Word that the Calibris family had begun making moves in Kalla have reached Cinclaire's ears, and as a personal, private favor, Elena has been asked to investigate their movements on Cinclaire's behalf. Now under the guise of a traveling Red Saint, Elena journeys to Kalla, hoping to uncover whatever plot the Calibris family is planning, and put a stop to it if necessary.

Equipment:

• Elena's Staff

  A gift given to Elena by Cinclaire on her 20th birthday. A finely crafted, if simple staff of wood and metal with a round crystal at its crux. Though the staff itself is quite heavy, in the hands of the Red Saints, it feels surprisingly light. This staff serves as a focus for most of Elena's magical abilities and can manifest a scythe blade that Elena uses while in combat. The size and strength of the scythe blades are influenced by the amount of mana channeled into it. The staff can also use mana to propel itself through the air, allowing Elena to ride it as a mount. Travelling across the ground at low altitudes requires a sustainable amount of mana. Flying through the sky is considerably more taxing
• Red Saints Garb - A set of clothes and cloak enchanted by spellcasters of the Red Saints to be more durable than average cloth. The enchantments don't provide any additional protection, but merely prevent the clothes from ripping and soiling through regular wear and tear. While her typical clothing is light and somewhat revealing, she usually wears a hooded cloak over top to cover her horns. When attempting to appear more inconspicuous, the red and white cloak is traded for a plain traveler's cloak.
• Knapsack - A small backpack for carrying travel supplies. Elena will typically carry a small amount of traveling rations, a waterskin, as well as mundane medical supplies such as clean cloth, a needle and thread, herbal ointments, and strong spirits.
• Lyre - A finely crafted, but otherwise mundane lyre.
• Writingale - A magical piece of parchment bound to a pair of bracelets that messages can be whispered to or written on. Once signed, the parchment folds into the form of a bird and flies to the opposite bracelet. Elena possesses one bracelet, Cinclaire the other.

Abilities:

• Healing Expertise - Like many Isoli, Elena is a very competent healer, capable of casting potent healing magics. Additionally, through years of education within the Red Saints, Elena is also very knowledgeable about mundane methods of healing. Elena stands among her compatriots as one of the order's most potent healers.
• Polearm Adept - Elena is talented combatant, capable with a variety of polearm type weapons: from sturdy strikes with her staff, to powerful sweeps with her scythe. Though the Red Saints are not a militant order, the ability to defend oneself and others comes paramount, and many of its members train in different schools of combat. While not as proficient in martial combat as career soldiers and veteran mercenaries, Elena's prodigious strength allows her to adequately defend herself against most foes.
• Half-Blooded Demon - Though her parentage is unknown, Elena possesses the blood of demons in her veins. While not to the degree of a full demon, her strength and speed are greater than that of an average human, and her body is hardier and tougher. When in danger, her body automatically causes her fingernails to elongate like claws and burn as the cut.
  
  While the lion's share of Elena's mana comes from her natural reserves and regeneration, she is also capable of drawing small amounts of mana from those she causes pain to. While the amounts aren't substantial enough for large feats of magic and healing, they are enough to fuel her combat abilities. Drawing mana in this manner causes Elena to feel a mildly euphoric sensation, causing Elena to become more aggressive the longer a fight extends.
• Magical Abilities - In addition to her healing magic, Elena is capable of casting a variety of minor magical spells. Moving small objects, small bursts of fire, flares of light and other small cantrips make up the bulk of her magical abilities outside of healing.
• Novice Musician - Elena is capable of playing musical instruments, particularly the lyre. She is neither amazing nor mediocre with it, and is capable of carrying a soft, peaceful tune.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Elena Adarlan

Elena Adarlan

Name: Elena Adarlan
Age: 23
Race: Half Isoli - Half Demon

Appearance:
Standing in at barely over 5 feet in height, its relatively easy for Elena to be displaced in a crowd. Her face is pale and round, and she has clear, clean skin, soft and perpetually cool to the touch. Along with her long icy white-blue hair, its easier to notice Elena's Isoli heritage. Her eyes are a soft purple, and seem to glimmer with even the slightest shift in the light. Her small frame, while appearing dainty and light, belie a surprising amount of raw strength and fortitude.

Notably, a pair of small reddish horns protrude from the sides of her head, revealing the other half of Elena's heritage. Elena takes extra care to hide these, and will often wear hoods or headwear to cover them. Since Elena, like most of Isoli heritage are more or less indifferent to colder temperatures, most of what Elena wears tends towards dainty and lightweight clothing, in styles reminiscent of Lady Lonnette. Elena is often seen with a large Red Saints cloak over her frame, hiding her horns and noting her as a member of the order.

Personality:
A bit of a wallflower, Elena is in general fairly quiet and soft spoken, preferring to stay in the background, though she tends to be more playful and outgoing around her friends. While actually rather intelligent and perceptive, Elena has a habit of missing details, is somewhat clumsy and can be generally regarded as a bit of an airhead. Friendly and amicable, Elena's demeanor is generally cheerful, and though she is timid, she is neither meek nor cowardly, and her displays of anger and determination can be surprising.

As a part of her somewhat closed upbringing, Elena is a rather curious individual. Not to the point of poking her head where it doesn't belong, but Elena does possess an innate adventurous streak. Having grown up as a ward of the Red Saints, altruism and charity are also core parts of Elena's very being, and appear to have been ingrained in her nature. As a result, Elena tends to be over-trusting, believing in the goodness of others. Not completely gullible, Elena does have the sense to know when something is wrong- though it often doesn't stop her from getting into trouble before it happens.

Surprisingly brave for someone so small: Elena, while not violent by nature, can be exceedingly protective over those she finds in her care, fussing over their wellbeing, and quickly rising to their defense when necessary. Despite her protective nature, Elena considers herself a non-combatant, and typically avoids conflict when possible. When spurred into conflict, Elena can be a truly vicious opponent. Elena is keenly aware of a more sadistic, bloodthirsty side of her that seems to appear when she fights- and fears it, typically attempting to end fights as quickly as possible so as not to allow it to overtake her.

Bio:
Elena was born to demon father and isoli mother. As a child, Elena was found half buried in a snowdrift several miles away from Midrill, her mother and the remains of their raided caravan not far away. While they were rescued by a small group of Red Saints on their way to Portea from Midrill, Elena's mother would ultimately die as a result of her injuries. Taking pity on her child, the Red Saints took in young Elena, taking her back to Portea where she would become a ward of the Red Saints.

Elena's earliest memories are of running up and down the halls of the Lonnette Church of Sandrine in Portea. Most of Elena's childhood was spent in relative peace- she didn't have her parents, but the Church of Sandrine was a stable presence, and the members of the Red Saints were always good to her. Courtesy of the Lonnette family, Elena was afforded a high quality education. In return, Elena assisted the members of the Red Saints in their various tasks and businesses from a young age- particularly Mother Esper.

Mother Esper had noticed Elena's demon heritage long before her horns had even begun to grow in, and was quick to take Elena under her wing. As Elena grew older, Mother Esper was ever by her side, guiding her through life as both a demon, and a member of the Red Saints. Elena learned how to utilize- and more importantly how to control her demonic abilities from Mother Esper. During these formative years, Elena's Isoli side also began to bear fruit. Elena discovered she possessed the ability to cast Isoli healing magic in her early teens. In the next few years, Elena would join the ranks of the Red Saints in earnest, healing and protecting those in need- though never being allowed to leave Portea.

Another constant presence throughout Elena's life, aside from Mother Esper, was the Lady of the Lonnette family herself, Cinclaire. Being so close in age, it was unsurprising that the two girls quickly grew close, becoming nigh on inseparable at one point in time. While never part of the Lonnette family herself, Elena came to view Cinclaire as an older sister, and became an adoring and ever staunch supporter of Cinclaire's role as leader of the Red Saints- despite whatever the naysayers might have said.

By the time Elena turned 18, she had already become a regular fixture in and around the Lonnette districts of Portea. A well known member of the Red Saints, Elena earned a small amount of attention as one of the Saint's preeminent healers, and her powers were regularly sought out. While the popularity brought in no small number of donations to the Church, it also attracted on occasion negative attention as well. After more than a few close calls and run ins with danger, Mother Esper saw to it that Elena began learning how to protect herself should another future situation arise.

Now 23, Elena acts as Cinclaire Lonnette's eyes and ears outside the Church and Portea, a trusted confidant and sister. While Elena is loathe to leave Cinclaire's side, her inability to leave the walls of the church itself necessitates Elena's excursions beyond Portea. Word that the Calibris family had begun making moves in Kalla have reached Cinclaire's ears, and as a personal, private favor, Elena has been asked to investigate their movements on Cinclaire's behalf. Now under the guise of a traveling Red Saint, Elena journeys to Kalla, hoping to uncover whatever plot the Calibris family is planning, and put a stop to it if necessary.

Equipment:

• Elena's Staff

  A gift given to Elena by Cinclaire on her 20th birthday. A finely crafted, if simple staff of wood and metal with a round crystal at its crux. Though the staff itself is quite heavy, in the hands of the Red Saints, it feels surprisingly light. This staff serves as a focus for most of Elena's magical abilities and can manifest a scythe blade that Elena uses while in combat. The size and strength of the scythe blades are influenced by the amount of mana channeled into it. The staff can also use mana to propel itself through the air, allowing Elena to ride it as a mount. Travelling across the ground at low altitudes requires a sustainable amount of mana. Flying through the sky is considerably more taxing
• Red Saints Garb - A set of clothes and cloak enchanted by spellcasters of the Red Saints to be more durable than average cloth. The enchantments don't provide any additional protection, but merely prevent the clothes from ripping and soiling through regular wear and tear. While her typical clothing is light and somewhat revealing, she usually wears a hooded cloak over top to cover her horns. When attempting to appear more inconspicuous, the red and white cloak is traded for a plain traveler's cloak.
• Knapsack - A small backpack for carrying travel supplies. Elena will typically carry a small amount of traveling rations, a waterskin, as well as mundane medical supplies such as clean cloth, a needle and thread, herbal ointments, and strong spirits.
• Lyre - A finely crafted, but otherwise mundane lyre.
• Writingale - A magical piece of parchment bound to a pair of bracelets that messages can be whispered to or written on. Once signed, the parchment folds into the form of a bird and flies to the opposite bracelet. Elena possesses one bracelet, Cinclaire the other.

Abilities:

• Healing Expertise - Like many Isoli, Elena is a very competent healer, capable of casting potent healing magics. Additionally, through years of education within the Red Saints, Elena is also very knowledgeable about mundane methods of healing. Elena stands among her compatriots as one of the order's most potent healers.
• Polearm Adept - Elena is talented combatant, capable with a variety of polearm type weapons: from sturdy strikes with her staff, to powerful sweeps with her scythe. Though the Red Saints are not a militant order, the ability to defend oneself and others comes paramount, and many of its members train in different schools of combat. While not as proficient in martial combat as career soldiers and veteran mercenaries, Elena's prodigious strength allows her to adequately defend herself against most foes.
• Half-Blooded Demon - Though her parentage is unknown, Elena possesses the blood of demons in her veins. While not to the degree of a full demon, her strength and speed are greater than that of an average human, and her body is hardier and tougher. When in danger, her body automatically causes her fingernails to elongate like claws and burn as the cut.
  
  While the lion's share of Elena's mana comes from her natural reserves and regeneration, she is also capable of drawing small amounts of mana from those she causes pain to. While the amounts aren't substantial enough for large feats of magic and healing, they are enough to fuel her combat abilities. Drawing mana in this manner causes Elena to feel a mildly euphoric sensation, causing Elena to become more aggressive the longer a fight extends.
• Magical Abilities - In addition to her healing magic, Elena is capable of casting a variety of minor magical spells. Moving small objects, small bursts of fire, flares of light and other small cantrips make up the bulk of her magical abilities outside of healing.
• Novice Musician - Elena is capable of playing musical instruments, particularly the lyre. She is neither amazing nor mediocre with it, and is capable of carrying a soft, peaceful tune.

Vanishing Kingdom recruitment (update: pending full)

Yeah! send me the disc and I'll pop in and see how what I can come up with

Vanishing Kingdom recruitment (update: pending full)

I'm also interested if this is still open! Was curious to how fast you guys expect posts as well, I'm not the most rapid of writers so I don't want to keep people hung up and waiting

Falling Skies: Reboot ver 2

Ingram cursed, as he brought the Sparrowhawk closer to the ground, ducking out of the way of a volley of autocannon shells. The Coalition mechs weren't within visual range, but just as it didn't stop the 7th from shooting at them, the foliage didn't stop the enemy from shooting back. Coalition cannon shells flew through the treeline, sending spear-sized chunks of wood and splinters flying as they slammed into and exploded against the massive trees surrounding them. Shards of wood and shrapnel buffeted the Sparrowhawk as it juked and weaved through the treeline. The recovery team as well were showered by wood shards as they pushed their way through the treeline, though most of the pieces were ineffectual and bothersome at worst.

All the while the squadron was harried endlessly by stray riverdrakes. Most of the pack at this point had thinned out, and were contending with both Coalition forces as well as the 7th, but the occasional drake still jumped out of the forest to take a nip at the smaller mechs in the pack. Ingram dropped the Sparrowhawk out of the sky, allowing the weight of his machine to land fully on a riverdrake that strayed too close to the Princess’ commandeered MAS. The rest of the 7th was already forming around the princess’ MAS as the two elements linked up. Pips had been the point of contact for the princess and the 7th thus far, and had been instructing her to stay safe within their unit and to get on the Roanoke as soon as it came within sight. The princess however must have had other ideas.

"Negative, Kolibri! This MAS is still healthy and able to fight! You're in less of a position to cover the retreat. You will make the first bound to the ship, I will use the AAT-9's shields to cover your advance. Please don't argue this..."

Ingram scowled, not entirely surprising- the Royals were all given an extensive military education as a part of their upbringing, and being so young, Ingram might’ve understood how gung ho the princess was- but not when their lives were the ones at risk. This wasn’t a fantasy and they weren’t heroes, this was real and they were currently running for their lives. Still, Ingram managed to keep his voice composed and even as he keyed the comm.

”Sorry Sunray, it doesn’t work like that.” Ingram’s voice crackled through, a small wash of static carrying through his clipped voice. ”The rest of the 7th is covering us- the faster we get you on the ship, the faster we all get out of this jungle. ”

The princess might well have been a capable fighter- if they were in a more desperate position, Ingram probably would’ve welcomed the fighting spirit. But as it were, they weren’t here to fight. The 7th didn’t know the princess, they didn’t know how to fight with her, it didn’t do anyone any good to have the princess out on the fighting line. As if to punctuate his point, the Sparrowhawk stomped down on the writhing riverdrake underneath it, its arm cannon spinning up to fire a burst of shells into its head as its armored helmet turned to look at the Helheimr.

”Sunray goes in first, followed by Pips and Grizz. No arguing.” Ingram directed, an armored hand pointing them in the direction of the ship.

---

The last few miles to the ship was a rush, the 7th pulled back as rapidly as their heavier units would allow. Ingram flew above, directing fire as they fell back- Coalition patrols were outside of visual range, but still deigned to return fire as autocannon shells and missiles crashed around them. A steel plated beacon in the storm, the Roanoke itself was already firing its weapons by the time the squadron got into visual range of the vessel, mass drivers and plasma cannons flashing as they fired into the woods around them, scorching stone, wood and metal alike. The Roanoke’s hangar doors were already open and waiting as the 7th and their charges splashed through the sapphire lake.

Drakes and Coalition patrols be damned, the 7th broke for the open hangar doors as the Roanoke delivered withering volleys of fire around them. The water around the ship was already rippling and forming into waves as the engines of the Roanoke began spooling up, ready to take the ship into the sky and back into orbit. Technical crews were already waiting for them as they quickly waved and directed mechs into bays.

The Sparrowhawk, being flight-capable, was one of the last ones into the hangar. In the event that the ship needed to take off before everyone was loaded in, the Sparrowhawk could still fly into the hangar as the Roanoke flew. Stomping the last few steps into the remaining hangar bay, Ingram spooled the mech down and pushed open his cockpit as he keyed his comm.

”Medical to the hangar,” Ingram said, his voice echoing across the ship as he grabbed the edge of his cockpit, steadying himself as the Roanoke took off into the sky- harried by enemy fire all the while. Rumbling from a combination of stray enemy fire and turbulence, the Roanoke propelled itself from the surface of the planet into low orbit. Ingram swapped his comms to the command channel. He spoke for a moment before abruptly switching back to the crew channels.

”Medical team belay that, all hands brace!”

Ingram threw himself back into the seat of his cockpit and grabbed the seat’s roll bars. The Roanoke had barely reached low orbit when it activated its Kearnsky-Fuchida Warp drive and propelled itself and its unwitting crew into FTL space. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, a second felt like a minute, and Ingram felt his stomach dropping- not unlike the sensation of being inside an elevator- the entire time. Moments later, everything snapped back to real time and Ingram jerked forward, almost falling out of his cockpit. He shook his head and shuddered, they were now in FTL space- the familiar rocking and rattling of space ‘turbulence’ against the hull filling his ears.

”Okay, now medical to the hangar.” Ingram sighed through the crew comms as he pulled himself out of the cockpit. They were in the clear- for now.

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

Gabriel Rivera

---

First impressions were everything: Gabriel was once told during his childhood, as he trained and was molded for his current station. Though it occurred to Gabriel just now that when he was told that, he didn't realize at the time that first impressions were a two way street. His first impressions of the humans aboard the Xuanzang were... less than stellar to say the least. The ship was a mess- unlike the clean and regulated corridors of the Confederacy's vessels. The Captain was polite and pandering on one hand and passive aggressive in the other, neither quality Gabriel was too fond of, better to be decisive and direct when in a position of leadership.

The two star marines- Ashton and Flame however, were the worst by far. Without so much as even telling him their names, they let him know that they were participated in the destruction and bombing of House Salakar. While Gabriel's face remained ever calm and impassive, he felt a twinge in a vein on his head, and his eyes narrowed. The ship's first mate tried to smooth things out as best he could, apologizing for their lack of tact. Gabriel looked at Doruva, muttering a pre-emptive apology in Kanasurii before turned back to them, and merely shrugged.

"I speak for myself in this:" He clarified coldly, his thick accent clouding his words slightly, "There is no need to apologize to me, for the burning of bridges that were never there in the first place. I'm sure your 'redemption' will do nothing for the billions of innocent lives lost on Salakar."

Gabe turned to a taller Star Marine- she was older than the other two, closer to his age. She had made a joke about it being rude to whisper in foreign languages. She at the very least seemed more mature and collected. While Gabriel wasn't too fond of the other two 'first mates', he forced himself to reconcile with the fact that the Star Marines weren't really given a choice in what they did, and that they all probably weren't that bad. He offered the red-headed Star Marine a small, wry smile.

"Its also considered impolite to eavesdrop on personal conversations." He countered, though the hard edge his voice had taken when talking to the other two had softened and was replaced with a more even tone. Gabriel raised an interested eyebrow as the redhead then went to explain why they- the diplomat, Master Doruva and himself were allowed access to the ship's kitchen, thanks to the Captain and her other two 'first mates'. The entire ship's rations were being cut due to the actions of a few of them apparently.

Another Star Marine appeared seemingly out of the woodwork to complain as well. Gabriel's face remained even and still, hiding some measure of surprise- one moment there was nothing, and then he seemingly appeared out of nowhere. At the very least an impressive display of smoke and mirror. It merely reinforced that the Star Marines were dangerous. At least some of them seemed to have their head on straight. Though the new Marine's comments on the first mate also brought some concerns to light as well.

"Correct me if I am misunderstanding the language," Gabriel murmured, "A member of leadership committed a mistake, and as a result the crew at large is punished?" Gabriel shot a look at the shuttle and sighed- it was already leaving and returning to its Kanasurii mothership. Too late for them to jump ship now. Gabriel resisted an urge to scoff. Such a thing would've never happened in a House Aoshen unit. House Aoshen knew how to inspire loyalty in their subordinates, the Second Fangs- inspiring loyalty was a basic lesson in leadership, and somehow it wasn't present on the Xuanzang. The crew were arguing, disrespecting authority, and contradicting each other all within the first 30 minutes they'd even boarded the ship.

"A failure in leadership weakens the organization as a whole. To punish the subordinate for the failings of their superior only inspires a lack of trust and loyalty." Gabriel stated bluntly before walking back over to Master Doruva.

Monster Hunter World: Starfall

Purrcival

---

Rolling his shoulders in his armor, Puurcival quickly made his way down to the geological research department to find Dr. Paeris Daelen. There wasn't a whole lot of people down here- most were busy eating and viewing the comet. Only a precious few were still stuck down here doing real work. Not that Purrcival could blame the others for wanting to take it easy- the comet came around once in a lifetime, for Felynes typically once in a few lifetimes, so it was expected that people would be excited.

Still, excitement didn't mean that he could shrug off work- in his paws, Purrcival was going over a supplies checklist for the Tailraiders, and what they'd need in order to support a blind foray past the Guiding Lands: Provisions, supplies, materials for field repairs, plenty of vigorwasp spray, materials to set up Tailraider survey points and forward bases, stuff like that. Most of the materials had already been located and pulled aside, they mainly just needed the good doctor to sign off on. Not to mention Dr. Paeris also wanted direct support from the Tailraiders for this one too- having one on the mission instead of just having a team on standby.

Purrcival pushed past the door into the Doctor's office, almost knocking into what appeared to be a small throng of hunters already gathered. "Woah, busy." Purrcival noted, as he pushed his way past the hunters, and towards where Dr. Paeris' desk sat.

"Right. Of course they're not here yet." Purrcival said with a sigh.

Looking behind and up for the first time since he'd entered the room, he found that the good doctor's office had filled with its fair share of hunters. It seemed at least four of them had registered for the mission. That meant at least four people he'd have to keep an eye on. Purrcival shrugged, shouldn't be too bad, at least a few of them looked like they could handle themselves.

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

Gabriel Rivera

---

Gabriel wasn't entirely what to expect as the shuttle landed. He'd been given scant information on what exactly it was he was doing. Not that he needed much instruction- The Second Fangs acted largely independently. Their Aoshen Lords trusted that all of the Second Fangs' actions were taken to further the safety and prosperity of the House, and the Second Fangs never gave House Aoshen any reason to doubt their loyalty. Their exhange was a simple one, House Aoshen protected and provided for the village of Vera, ensured that all of its members were given proper education and a peaceful life, free from the stress of galactic conflict. In return, the humans of Vera trained the warriors of the Second Fangs to return the favor, ready to give their lives in the defense of House Aoshen, just as House Aoshen had done for them generations ago.

Gabriel had long distanced himself from the term 'human' ages ago. He might not have been a dragon, but he considered himself Kanarusii before he considered himself human. Humans were destructive, callous supremacists- or at least the Ascendancy was. Interesting, almost ironic, that if Gabriel had completed his training just a few years earlier, he might've been fighting these 'Star Marines', not helping them. More than one Second Fang had died when Master Doruva's team had been ambushed during the war. Though Gabriel's personal feelings towards them were not the lightest, Master Doruva had reminded Gabriel more than once that the children were victims of the Ascendancy as well. They were deadly, dangerous tools of war, but ultimately, they were just unfortunate tools- it was the Ascendancy that was pulling the trigger.

Still, Gabriel couldn't help but feel some measure of apprehension, unease, as they prepared to board a freighter that contained what would've been a ship full of deadly enemies a few years prior. Master Doruva didn't seem to share any such misgivings though, no, he seemed as cheerful as could be, as he almost always was. Exuberance was a perk of the Kanarusii's longevity, he recalled another Aoshen Lord telling him, unlike humans, Kanarusii lifespans exceeded theirs practically threefold. They literally had time to 'stop and smell the roses', as the human idiom went.

Gabriel perked up immediately as the shuttle shuddered to a stop. They'd landed. He snapped himself out of his thoughts immediately and stood. Time to meet these 'Star Marines' he'd heard so much about. Master Doruva stepped out of the airlock and onboard the Xuangzang, Gabriel trailing little more than a few feet behind him, an ash gray head of hair bobbing slightly, quickly stepping out from behind Doruva and taking a position a few feet off to his left and ahead of him. Even as Master Doruva met with the Xuangzang's representatives and introduced himself, Gabriel was scanning that area of the ship for potential threats, hidden corners that might hide a blade or rifle scope. Technically, everyone on board that ship was a potential threat- he had little knowledge on any of them save for their names and faces. Not everyone on the ship was a Star Marine, there were several older folk as well, likely crew of the freighter itself.

No one jumped at them, weapon in hand, no shots were fired, obvious attempts noted, so Gabriel reluctantly shifted to a more casual stance, allowing himself to stand up to his full height, and loosened his grip on the sheath of his weapon, allowing his hand to return to its resting place at his side. He didn't relax fully, but if this was all an elaborate trap, it hadn't been sprung.

"You might feel the temptation to be very formal, but no need! I think we should all be friends. Right, Gabriel?" Master Doruva said, finishing up his greeting- seemingly already aware of what Gabriel was doing as he called out to him. Gabriel grimaced slightly.

"Yes milord." Gabriel replied curtly, bowing his head slightly in Doruva's direction before turning to the rest of the welcoming party. He offered them a shorter, marginally less stiff bow."My name is Gabriel Rivera Aoshen. Thank you for welcoming us onto your ship."

Gabriel spoke with a thick Kanarusii accent, thicker than even Doruva's who at least had experience travelling to different cultures and observing different languages. Gabriel had no such luxury, and spent most of his life until this point well within Kanarusii space. His eyes flitted from one face to another constantly, his face was blank, but his eyes conveyed a combination of curiosity and suspicion at his surroundings.

"((I detect no immediate threats, Master Doruva.))" Gabriel reported quietly in Kanarusii, it seemed they were, for the moment, safe.

Falling Skies: Reboot ver 2

Ingram’s eyes shot to his monitors as the ping from Pip’s full echo suite filled them. Good news: Pips and Grizz were still alive, and they had found Sunray. Why and how Sunray made her way into a mech was a question that could be answered later. Bad news: Sunray and the Recovery team had been engaged by Coalition forces, and if the edges of Pip’s echo were to be believed, more were on the way. The rest of the Coalition forces in the area would likely be notified shortly, and they’d start closing in. They needed to move fast.

Ingram was about to open his comms to comment such, when his radar pinged. Or more correctly, information from Deadeye’s MAS pinged- they had contact. From his position at the back of the pack, he couldn’t see anything, but just a few hundred meters ahead of the 7th was a patrol of a few Fenrir IIs, backs turned- making their way towards the recovery team. Distance growing as the enemy mechs began sprinting towards the recovery team.

"Contact. Three Foxtrot twos, three hundred metres." Aleks pinged each target in succession as he came to a stop, raising his rifle. "The one on the left is mine. Lucky, Apples, new girl, take the centre target. Eyes, Boss, focus right hand target. Boss, once all three are KIA, take new girl and fly below the canopy straight to Pips and Grizz."

Aleks flicked on the ignition for his own flight engines and prepared to leap straight up a tree, his targeting computer predicting the sight lines from that vantage point and preparing firing solutions for the Longbow already.

"Make ready to fire on my mark."

His engines spooled up.

"Three, two-" there was a roar as the Yeoman-2 shot into the air, and Aleks latched on to a fork in the megatree's trunk, levelling his weapon against his first firing solution and charging the rail system.

"- one, mark!"

One of the Fenrirs might have noticed something was up, as one turned its head over the shoulder at the last second. Of course it was a second too late, as a savonite spear pierced through its upper back and through to its chest, pinning it to the jungle floor. Electronic signals from the Fenrir shut off immediately and the mech went limp as the spike punched clean through the cockpit and through its generator. The other two didn’t have time to get so much of a peep out in surprise before a flurry of autocannon, laser, and missilefire engulfed them in much more explosive balls of fire.

“On the move, Rookie lets go!” Ingram called curtly into his mic as the boosters on the Sparrowhawk flared to life. The Sparrowhawk leaped into the air, assisted by its powerful boosters, and shot forward, deeper into the treeline, his smart-AI tracing a trail through the trees for him to follow in real time. Trees whizzed by as the large machines shot through the dense foliage, smaller trees bent as the Sparrowhawk’s alloy frame plowed through the brush.

“Roger that!” Clara replied as the Peregrine formed up at a staggered distance from Ingram.

On the ground, the 7th was limited to the speed of their slowest walkers, but up in the air, the Peregrine and Sparrowhawk could close the distance in a fraction of the time. Ingram’s eyes whizzed back and forth between his monitor and the viewscreens as they rapidly closed in on the recovery team’s position.

“Keep an eye out for more- Shit!” Ingram cursed, breaking off at the last moment, as the trees in front of them exploded, Ingram catching the glimpse of a massive riverdrake’s tail as it snapped past them. The Sparrowhawk stalled in the air for a moment as Ingram rapidly scanned his monitors for signals. He barely managed to get his breath before he heard the crashing of trees again, the Sparrowhawk juking to the left as again the massive riverdrake bounded past, clenching jaws snapping at where the Sparrowhawk just was.

It seemed the sound of combat and movement must have disturbed the nest of a nearby pack of riverdrakes. Lizard-like creatures not too dissimilar to monitor lizards- but much larger and more aggressive, these creatures sported lifespans into the centuries, and never stopped growing in size. To make matters worse, they were more or less invisible to heat scans, forcing Ingram to rely on his already spotty radar system.

“Deadeye this is Boss, complications: There’s a large pack of oversized riverdrakes getting involved, I think Pips and Grizz are starting to look like lunch. Better move fast.”

The Sparrowhawk quickly waved the Peregrine forward, and they continued further onward to assist their stranded squadmates.

---

Even as Abigail and Jakunta cleared out the immediate threat, it was clear that more were on the way. From the far edges of Pip’s full echo suite, before it cut out, Abi could spot at least 2 more patrols of Fenrirs closing in on their position. In the distance, they could already hear the crunch of metal limbs forcing their way through the heavy brush. More immediately however, the princess and the recovery team could also hear a foreboding hiss, as something unseen in the underbrush stalked the three pilots and their mechs.

Beady yellow eyes were the first to be seen, followed by the slinking, lumbering bodies lizards the size of minibuses pushed out of the brush. Flaps on the sides of their heads flared out as the riverdrakes continued hissing, three of them circling around the stranded mechs as they slowly began closer. In the distance, there was more gunfire, as a Coalition patrol must have ran into another pack of their own.

One of the lizards, finally deciding to make the first move lunged forward towards the fallen Kolibri, only for a flurry of explosions to ripple across its back, causing it to hiss and retreat back to the others. Overhead, the Sparrowhawk and Peregrine zoomed by.

“This is Boss, coming around for another pass.” Ingram called into the comms, as the Sparrowhawk spun around, “Start making your way north and link up with the rest of the 7th, we’ll cover you.”