Aberrant: War Journal - WJ2: Day of Days

[Asbjørn]

WS Bravo

Not bothering with breakfast just yet, Hood remains in the couch, making himself comfortable as the other leave to give him more room.

John pushes his long, dirty blonde hair out of his face, then extends his hand to his friend, "Hey, I heard they finally let you guys loose. Looks like you guys made the most of it last night."

The scout leans forward and shakes Nomad's hand briefly, smiling at his comments.

"Yeah, we had some fun. The doc here isn't finished yet, it seems. Or maybe she just can't keep up properly."

Hood grins at Vanderlay and adds "I think it's somewhat past your bedtime, Kat..."

Putting his feet up, Hood takes another sip from his cup and turns back to Nomad. "I think we've earned it, though. All these interviews and tests are almost as bad as the first time. Now I'm just hoping the next trip goes back home..."

"How about you? What have you been up to?"

[archer]

"Hey, iceman. Would I really stop you if I could?" She waves at the other chair at the small table, part of her wanting the others to sit nearby, and the other part causing her hand to flutter at the mask and goggles she normally wore to hide the burn scars and the silver strands that now ran through her eyes. "I'm just hoping they all tell us what we're going to be doing now, yanno? I'm a girl of action, I don't want to sit around here in some bunkroom they put in a corner as far away from everyone else as they could manage."

The bearded man nods slightly. "I can't say that sitting around with nothing to do but think has been a hoot for me either, but at least it's warmer here. And no shadowcritters."

"Mwah?" Judy blinks, and her left hand bumps one of the dominos, sending them cascading across the table, climbing over her plate and down around Vlad's cup to end with the last one knocking Rourke's spoon onto the floor. "Um ... I think that means I have to get iceman here some new silverware." Blush showing in the unburned parts of her face, she pulls a spoon out of her sleeve and hands it to him. (also MC'd) "Sorry about that."

Looking at the spoon askance for a moment, Rourke finally gives a minute shrug and stirs his coffee with it before picking up his cup. After a long sip, he sighs gratefully. "I'm a bit interested in how things will work out for me in this whole mess. You keep talking about receiving orders. How exactly do these orders, or any orders, apply to me?"

[BlueNinja]

Judy pauses to think, and covers it expertly by sipping her own coffee. "It's been a while, but the rest of us are all part of a military organization called the Greens. We're sort of stuck between the hammer and the anvil, so I don't think the higher-ups like General Chimera will have us sitting in a back room for too long. But you're not part of the command, yanno? I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me much if offered you a spot in with the Scouts or the regular army." She shrugs elegantly, then looks down into her empty cup before lifting it over her head and catching the last two drops on her tongue. "Well, that was refreshing," she says deadpan. ::glare

[archer]

Judy pauses to think, and covers it expertly by sipping her own coffee.  "It's been a while, but the rest of us are all part of a military organization called the Greens.  We're sort of stuck between the hammer and the anvil, so I don't think the higher-ups like General Chimera will have us sitting in a back room for too long.  But you're not part of the command, yanno?  I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me much if offered you a spot in with the Scouts or the regular army."  She shrugs elegantly, then looks down into her empty cup before lifting it over her head and catching the last two drops on her tongue.  "Well, that was refreshing," she says deadpan. ::glare

←

Still sipping off and on at his own cup, Rourke looks thoughtful. "Well, I'm not rightly sure what I could contribute, if they were to offer such a thing. I can handle a rifle if it comes down to it. But I've seen some of what you and the others can do...", he pauses, looking down into his mug. "Not quite anything like that back home, 'less you count the wildlife."

[Alex Green]

WS Bravo: Meal Room

From the conversation Vlad realizes that Rourke isn't a Green... and the rest of it is confusing enough that he doesn't say anything. ::confused

Edited: to replace Vlad for Paul.

[tooho]

Base X4: Seen or Scene?

Lt. Emma Major rubs her sleepy blue eyes gingerly as her black pajamas slide into a loose jogging suit. Tilting her head she bites her lip to hide her grin.

Emma's eyes note Colby's disarray. Smirking, she starts to walk past at the mention of coffee. "You know, Colby. Truly, if you must damage the boy, it would be kinder to use your fist. It was a titty bit unfair."

She pulls her dark red hair back into a ponytail as she walks after the Captain and Griff.

"Does every morning have to start with blood and guts and mates attacking each other? Surely we can expect better, Marena." Tossing back a wink she hussles after Griff.

"I'll take a cup of joe."

*editted for grammar*

[BlueNinja]

From the conversation Paul realizes that Rourke isn't a Green... and the rest of it is confusing enough that he doesn't say anything. ::confused

Judy does realize, perhaps a bit belatedly, that discussing Rourke's home, or her last assignment, is a good way to get those mentioned brass pissed off at her. "Yeah, well, let's get our gear together and hit the warp room. If there's new orders for us, they'll be waiting there." She gets up, clearing her dishes and picking up the spilled silverware.

If Judy can manage to get so that she and Rourke are fairly unobserved, she'll lean in and whisper to him, "Remember how they told us how we're not supposed to mention anything about Permafrost?"

[Grizzly]

X4

"Ts-ts, Reena", Griffin looks over to Colby, his voice filled with played reproach ::smile ::wink ,

"A lady looking as good as you do really has no need to knock her guys out to get them, I don´t think they would run away from you ....." ::biggrin ::innocent ::devil

With a friendly grin Griffin follows the Captain. It´s the first time that they see him in a good mood for days. ::laugh

"I'll take a cup of joe."

"You are always welcome to join, Emma."

[Heritage]

September 24, 2056 0515 Hours. The Well

Yo, H! Gotta 'nother book for you, dawg!

That would be Cpl Wilcox, a young kid who remembered Havoc from years before; he respected the intimidating nova, and thought it was wrong to drop him down that shithole. He didn't care what anyone else said; Havoc could do no wrong in his eyes. His hero worship was a nice change from the monosylabic grunts the other guards sent down the Well, but it could a little grating from time to time.

Alright, here it comes, I'm gonna float it down to you - anyone comes, just drop it down the stink hole like the others, a'ight?

A tattered hardback, its front cover missing and binding exposed, came spinning down the shaft.

'Count of Monte Cristo', you know it? 'Bout a dude in prison, just like you, for a crime he didn't commit. Check that shit out, I read it back in school.

[Prince of Boredom]

WS Bravo

Not bothering with breakfast just yet, Hood remains in the couch, making himself comfortable as the other leave to give him more room.

The scout leans forward and shakes Nomad's hand briefly, smiling at his comments.

"Yeah, we had some fun. The doc here isn't finished yet, it seems. Or maybe she just can't keep up properly."

Hood grins at Vanderlay and adds "I think it's somewhat past your bedtime, Kat..."

Putting his feet up, Hood takes another sip from his cup and turns back to Nomad. "I think we've earned it, though. All these interviews and tests are almost as bad as the first time. Now I'm just hoping the next trip goes back home..."

"How about you? What have you been up to?"

←

Nomad smiles to Doctor Vanderlay, then grabs the nearest chair and takes a seat in it backwards, his arms resting on the back of the chair, "Nothing as exciting as you. TS found a Blues weapons cache a few clicks north of Colville, sent me in to do some recon, just like the good ole days. So, they got any more plans for you guys?"

[Asbjørn]

Nomad smiles to Doctor Vanderlay, then grabs the nearest chair and takes a seat in it backwards, his arms resting on the back of the chair, "Nothing as exciting as you.  TS found a Blues weapons cache a few clicks north of Colville, sent me in to do some recon, just like the good ole days.  So, they got any more plans for you guys?"

"Man, you don't know how lucky you are. Just Rest & Recreation for us so far... Except the recreation options are as limited as ever. I pretty much exhausted them all during the last year and a half, anyway..." ::rolleyes

An idea seems to cross Hood's young but weatherbeaten face, and he mulls it over as he takes another sip of tea. When he puts the mug back down he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and stretches his long frame in the couch, putting his hands behind his head.

"Say, next time you're going out, you think you'd need some backup? I'm itching to get out and about again, and our little winter trip just whetted my appetite..." ::sly

[tooho]

X4

Smiling cheerfully, Emma follows Griff towards the aromatic libation. Grabbing an empty mug she spins it around her finger a second before pooring some coffee for herself.

Keeping her tone light, Emma probes lightly. "How have you been, Griff? I've been a bit out of it of late." Blushing a little, she takes a seat and blows on her black cup of caffeine.

[ezekiel]

September 24, 2056 0515 Hours. The Well

Yo, H! Gotta 'nother book for you, dawg!

That would be Cpl Wilcox, a young kid who remembered Havoc from years before; he respected the intimidating nova, and thought it was wrong to drop him down that shithole. He didn't care what anyone else said; Havoc could do no wrong in his eyes. His hero worship was a nice change from the monosylabic grunts the other guards sent down the Well, but it could a little grating from time to time.

Alright, here it comes, I'm gonna float it down to you - anyone comes, just drop it down the stink hole like the others, a'ight?

A tattered hardback, its front cover missing and binding exposed, came spinning down the shaft.

'Count of Monte Cristo', you know it? 'Bout a dude in prison, just like you, for a crime he didn't commit. Check that shit out, I read it back in school.

Havoc didn't answer, he'd never risk the man's life. He took the book and started reading...French authors always brought back memories of Julia's mother. He'd never been a big reader unless it was something practical...but then he'd never been stuck in a hole for so long before.

The nova started reading the classic tale of a prison break and rise to glory of its prisoner...

[archer]

Judy does realize, perhaps a bit belatedly, that discussing Rourke's home, or her last assignment, is a good way to get those mentioned brass pissed off at her.  "Yeah, well, let's get our gear together and hit the warp room.  If there's new orders for us, they'll be waiting there."  She gets up, clearing her dishes and picking up the spilled silverware.

If Judy can manage to get so that she and Rourke are fairly unobserved, she'll lean in and whisper to him, "Remember how they told us how we're not supposed to mention anything about Permafrost?"

←

Rourke looks back at her oddly. "Yes ma'am, I do. I made sure not to say a word about it, 'less you count my comments about the wildlife. But as I understand it, scuttlebutt is that there are things and critters just as strange in the woods outside. As for the rest, I was just wondering about my place here. My apologies if I chose the wrong place to mention it." ::huh

He keeps walking, turning his head to stare forward, and speaks quietly. "I feel awfully out of sorts, being here. I'm used to being on my own, moving between places. I suppose being cooped up with no explanations for why I'm here, where here is exactly, or when I may be let loose is starting to get under my skin a bit. I've been poked and prodded at, answered every question I've been asked as best I can, and still not a peep about my place in all this."

He scratches at his beard for a moment, using it as a cover to gather his thoughts. "Some of your folk tell me they know me, that I'm one of you. Can't say I put much faith in that. More than likely I resemble someone they knew and they grabbed at it. Being stuck in a new place, 'specially hurt and scared, folks sometimes look for familiar things...sometimes even people. Hell, I've felt the same way a time or two here, but I know it isn't real. Just the mind playing tricks, looking for solace."

[Grizzly]

X4 Break Room

Smiling cheerfully, Emma follows Griff towards the aromatic libation. Grabbing an empty mug she spins it around her finger a second before pooring some coffee for herself.

Keeping her tone light, Emma probes lightly. "How have you been, Griff? I've been a bit out of it of late." Blushing a little, she takes a seat and blows on her black cup of caffeine.

←

Griffin fills himself a mug, too and takes place opposite of her. Holding his mug with both hands, he stares at it with a now more thoughtful face.

When he looks up again and his eyes meet hers, his voice has a soft but sad tone.

"Wasn´t feeling very good when we came back. Still loosing some sleep to a few new faces in the row of lost friends that fill my dreams. Had been looking around here and outside near the base when I couldn´t sleep. Learned something more about me and my abilities......"

His eyes wander down to his mug.

[phoenix]

Sarah watches Judy and Rourke walk off, then turns back to the table to make conversation.

So Vlad, you can use your powers to sculpt? That's pretty impressive..

[Alex Green]

Sarah watches Judy and Rourke walk off, then turns back to the table to make conversation.

So Vlad, you can use your powers to sculpt? That's pretty impressive..

Vlad replies seriously,

“Oh, I’m only as good as my model.”

He studies her for a moment with a constructive look in his eye.

“Sculpture is… a gift to the future. Thousands of years from now it will survive to show people what we were like.”

He smiles, “And it’s fun, and with nova talents, even fast. If you have the time I’d love to make you immortal.”

[phoenix]

“Sculpture is… a gift to the future. Thousands of years from now it will survive to show people what we were like.”

Well, that kinda depends on the other part of your job too, Vlad. Our job.

The Indian nova shrugs eloquently and sips her coffee, smiling back at the sculptor.

He smiles, “And it’s fun, and with nova talents, even fast. If you have the time I’d love to make you immortal.”

Sarah laughs, a little startled.

Wow, you're serious, aren't you? I guess I'll have to think about that one, Vlad. Besides, if word got out you were willing to sculpt Cobras, you might have to deal with a crowd of 8-foot monstrosities waiting in line. ::wink

[Alex Green]

Sarah laughs, a little startled.

Wow, you're serious, aren't you? I guess I'll have to think about that one, Vlad. Besides, if word got out you were willing to sculpt Cobras, you might have to deal with a crowd of 8-foot monstrosities waiting in line. ::wink

Vlad laughs a bit with Sarah,

“Wow, I hadn’t realized you were a Cobra, you really don’t match your stereotype. Or is that just a stereotype?”

For a moment Sarah gets the impression that Vlad is picturing her posing in (perhaps small) combat armor holding really big guns… but then he moves on.

“Hmm… I’m impressed. Actually all of you front line types impress me. So that means you’re strong and tough, any other powers you want to fess up to?”

[phoenix]

“Wow, I hadn’t realized you were a Cobra, you really don’t match your stereotype. Or is that just a stereotype?”

Chuckling a little, Sarah replies in a mutter,

It's definitely not just a stereotype. ::glare ::biggrin

“Hmm… I’m impressed. Actually all of you front line types impress me. So that means you’re strong and tough, any other powers you want to fess up to?”

Sarah nods.

Yeah, I'm actually sort of a shapeshifter, it's just that the only thing I can turn into is a big snake made of hot water. Plus I fly.

She winces.

It's kind of hard to explain in a way that makes it sound cool.

[Heritage]

September 24, 2056 0530 Hours. X4 Break Room

Colby comes stomping in, a barrage of laughter at her back; she heads over to the battered espresso machine, makes herself an inky black cup, and thuds into an ancient La-Z-Boy in the far corner. The captain, looking positively domestic as he sips his coffee in his robe, reading an old newspaper through glasses perched on his nose, looks up from his chair. His brow furrows - he's about to say something when Epstein steps hesitantly into the room, still in her Disney pajamas; the tiny Scout and massive officer exchange silent looks, then Epstein nods and makes her way over towards the sullen master sergeant.

Hey.

Hey.

Sorry.

Don't be - it'll be over soon enough. Then I'll kill Chambers, and I'll be fine.

Colby shrugs and cracks a bit of a smile.

Meanwhile Senior Specialist Kyle Jubersky mumbles into the room, his close-cropped hair clearly displaying the many scars that crisscross his scalp; he's talking to himself, which for him is fairly normal, but the conversation seems more animated than usual this morning. He pours himself a large mug of coffee, adds an obscene amount of hard-to-get sugar, and then mumbles back out, not once acknowledging anyone else in the room.

C&C

Jubersky wanders back into the command center, where three best friends Chambers, Daniels and Mortimer are still laughing about the earlier collision; suddenly stopping in the middle of the room, the odd Engineer looks between the young soldiers.

Hey.

The conversation stops suddenly and the three exchange nervous glances - technically he outranks them all, and his tone has a harsh edge. At last Daniels, holding a wad of blood-stained paper towels, speaks up.

Uh, what can we do for you, sir?

Jubersky blinks for a moment or two, as though he just walked in on the conversation he started.

I need to use the Path, broadcast rig.

Chambers, now an Engineer as well thanks to a recent promotion, hastily clears the Path station of refuse as Mortimer dust of a chair.

Here ya go, sir, ship-shape.

Got a chair here for you and everythin', bossman.

The senior specialist takes the offered seat and headset, which he clutches tightly to his head, eyes closed and his whole body clenched; after a few moments, he seems completely relaxed as he rises and reclaims his coffee mug.

Everything alright, sir?

Jubersky nods, lost in a private moment.

Mmm-hmm, everything is fine, mmm-hmm, fine and dandy, right as rain.

He turns to leave, but then stops abruptly like he was hit with a spasm, splashing coffee on the floor; the three friends are paralyzed, not sure if they should call for help. Then Jubersky looks up at Chambers, and sighs.

Goddamn it, Bo, don't call me 'sir' - I work for a living.

He laughs at his little joke, but the others are too stunned to respond; once Jubersky is back inside the reactor room, Mortimer looks incredulously at his two buddies.

Did that even happen?

A two-tone buzzer goes off on the Green Screen, which shakes everyone out of their stupor; Daniels leans forward and squints at the monitor.

Hey Lieutenant Majors, there's a message for you - secure channel with encryption, looks like official Intel business!

- - - - - - -

Inside the reactor room, which he thinks of as his personal kingdom, Jubersky whistles to himself as he starts to weld the door shut from the inside.

Lot to do today...sure is one busy day...

[Heritage]

September 24, 2056 0530 Hours. Bravo Warpfloor

Kapriski and Rourke step into the focused insanity of the warpfloor - the vast chamber, one hundred by two hundred feet, echoes with the sounds of heavy machinery, barked orders and the occasional scream of agony as teams load up and ship out, and sometimes come back a bloody mess. From the relative safety of the edge of the floor they can marvel that the whole crazy system actually works, and works well.

As they stand near the south wall trying to get the floor chief's attention, there's a subtle change in the air: guns and gear seem a little lighter, aches and pains fade just a tad, and the sounds of armed conflict strike the ear a little softer. You can smell the change, too; Judy smells fresh machine oil, solder and rich strong coffee, while Rourke smells clean cool air, buffalo pelts and a warm fire. One of the floor techs nearby, apparently a wiseacre, starts singing - he is loud and very off-key.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens!

Some of the other Engineers and T&S mules, apparently in on the same joke, join him.

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens!

And now it's just about everyone within earshot, the cacophony both horrible and endearing.

Brown paper packages tied up with strings!

These are a few of my faaaaavorite things!

Will all of you shut up?

There are whoops and applause as Senior Specialist Khrysta Hawthorne, the resident shrink, steps out of the crowd, waving her arms as if shooing flies; she's an extremely attractive African-American woman wearing camo pants, a well-worn Washington State sweatshirt and moccasins. Somehow her very presence makes the world seem to be a better place. Once the crowd of gawkers has dispersed, she dusts imaginary lint off of her sweatshirt as she tries to reclaim her dignity; when she speaks, her voice carries perfectly even over the warpfloor's din.

You'd think they'd get tired of it, but no. Mr. Rourke, I'm Dr. Hawthorne - Col. Bledsoe wanted me to speak with you about finding some sort of place for you here?

[BlueNinja]

You'd think they'd get tired of it, but no. Mr. Rourke, I'm Dr. Hawthorne - Col. Bledsoe wanted me to speak with you about finding some sort of place for you here?

Judy cheerfully joins in the singing, humming along since she doesn't know the words. Once Hawthorne finally speaks, she nudges Rourke in the shoulder. "See? I told you they wouldn't let you stay left out of all the ... fun."

[archer]

Almost overwhelmed by all the noise and activity, Rourke manages to keep himself from gaping like a country lout, but only barely. His eyes are still nearly as wide as saucers when the new batch of scents hits him. Automatically inhaling deeply, he suddenly wrinkles his nose suspiciously, knowing they can't be real.

You'd think they'd get tired of it, but no. Mr. Rourke, I'm Dr. Hawthorne - Col. Bledsoe wanted me to speak with you about finding some sort of place for you here?

Judy cheerfully joins in the singing, humming along since she doesn't know the words.  Once Hawthorne finally speaks, she nudges Rourke in the shoulder.  "See?  I told you they wouldn't let you stay left out of all the ... fun."

←

Sparing a very wry look for Judy, he steps forward and nods graciously at Dr. Hawthorne. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. Yes, I'd sure appreciate if we could get down to talking about that." Glancing around at the cacophony surrounding them, he asks, "I don't imagine we might be able to talk somewhere that's got a bit more quiet to it?"

[Alex Green]

Sarah nods.

Yeah, I'm actually sort of a shapeshifter, it's just that the only thing I can turn into is a big snake made of hot water. Plus I fly.

She winces.

It's kind of hard to explain in a way that makes it sound cool.

Paul answers,

”Not at all, that sounds very Quetzalcoatl… although the flying serpent was usually a god of air… but come to think of it he was a god of water as well.”

Vlad pauses to drudge up a mostly forgotten memory…

”The sun of water… or something like that. Occasional creator of floods and hurricanes and that sort of thing. Can you control the weather?”

[tooho]

X4 Break Room

Nodding sadly, Emma's smile fades. "I'll never understand why our sorrows more often lead us to learn more about ourselves while our joys seem fleeting and easily forgotten. But then, maybe thats just a little quirk the powers that be decided to play on us. No one is at fault for what happened, Griff. I'd not be surprised to find we'll see them again. Weirder things have been known to happen. Just look at us. All the things each of us has been through and we still fight the good fight and come home in a moderately good state. In the meantime, what's the new ability? Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Does webbing shoot from your fingers? Ooh, I know. You can fly!" Laughing sardonically, she tries to blink innocently at Griff.

Half smiling she turns as she hears Chambers message. "Don't think we're done, buddy. I better go take that. Once a spook always a spook."

Clinking her cup onto the counter to be washed she rolls her shoulders a bit as she walks towards CC. Nodding to the three guys, she smiles slightly at the bloody napkins. "Some privacy, please, gents."

She winks at Mort half-heartedly as she takes a seat and angles her body away from the others. Murmurring to herself, she starts her message. "Let the games begin."

[phoenix]

”Not at all, that sounds very Quetzalcoatl… although the flying serpent was usually a god of air… but come to think of it he was a god of water as well.”

Sarah shrugs.

Not really part of my ancestry's pantheon, so to speak.

Can you control the weather?”

Never tried.

Cocking her head back dramatically, the Cobra's hand darts out, aiming a "mystical" gesture at Vlad. Nothing happens, and she shrugs again.

Nope. ::biggrin

[Alex Green]

Never tried.

Cocking her head back dramatically, the Cobra's hand darts out, aiming a "mystical" gesture at Vlad.

::ohmy

Nothing happens, and she shrugs again.

Nope. ::biggrin

Vlad falls over dead.

But then he catches himself,

"Whoa. False alarm." ::laugh ::devil

Vlad raises one eyebrow and smiles with amusement,

"Turn about is fair play however... hmm… now lets just see what I have in my hand…"

He holds out the back of one hand to Sarah, makes a gesture with the other targeting both Sarah and his hand... and then rotates the first hand to present to Sarah an exquisite 3 inch tall stone statue of Quetzalcoatl.

{He’s rolling lots of dice, assuming some succ it looks something like this: Link }

"There you go. One Deity of air and water."

[Heritage]

Trans-D Common Room

A familiar face pokes in the break room, Specialist Amy Turlow who normally works in the THRONE room, and is familiar to the Trans-D crowd; the ripped off sleeves of her BDUs expose her heavily-tattooed arms.

Oh, hey guys. Has anyone seen Col. Bledsoe? He was supposd to supervise a test this morning, but he didn't show - he's never even late.

Vanderlay, who had apparently dozed off, wakes with a start.

Muh!

She shakes her head clear, then joins in the conversation as if she was awake the whole time.

That's not normal, is it? Bledsoe's crazy but punctual to a fault.

After a second, the Pandoran cocks her head, like a dog listening to an ultrasonic whistle.

Does anyone else feel that? Like...the sky is stretched.

Bravo Family Center

Julia Freedman is deep asleep in her upper bunk, dreaming of horses; some are white, some are black, and they race each other around a green mountain meadow. Julia is riding one of the white ones, and at first it's so much fun, with the wind in the trees and the clouds overhead, but then the horse is going too fast, and the grass turns into rocks and glass...

wake up

wake up Julia

wake up

The small child stirs as the black and yellow armband around her wrist vibrates.

wake up Julia

wake up

‘M sleepin'.

quiet Julia

use headvoice

She shifts uncomfortably and smooshes her face into her pillow.

I'm sleeping.

Leave me alone, Bertie Bee.

It's quiet again, and she smiles; maybe the horse dream will get good again-

wake up julia

trouble

uncle jubbie is in trouble

Now she's awake, with eyes wide and a trickle of sweat going down the back of her neck.

What kind of trouble?

bad

bad trouble

they made him do it

people are going to get hurt

Julia is clutching her pillow tightly, shaking with fear. Ever since Jubersky had made her Bertie Bee, the mini-Path he'd devised, they'd used it chat from time to time. Bertie Bee was about as smart as a cat, but his memory contained countless songs and riddles, games and learning exercises, all the things that Jubersky thought a little girl should have if she was on her own. In his own strange way, he created Bertie Bee out of love; never before had he delivered such a startling message.

What should I do?

run

hide

find daddy

[Asbjørn]

Hood greets the techie as she enters the room, shaking his head in response to her question.

That's not normal, is it? Bledsoe's crazy but punctual to a fault.

"Well, I wouldn't say punctual, but..."

After a second, the Pandoran cocks her head, like a dog listening to an ultrasonic whistle.

Does anyone else feel that? Like...the sky is stretched.

The second Vanderlay freezes, Hood pushes himself off the couch and heads for his room at a jog, asking over his shoulder "Feel what? What's going on?"

Knowing with a gut wrenching certainty that something's wrong, the scout pulls off his t-shirt and pants while talking, grabbing his field suit off the bunk and pulling it on with routine efficiency.

[Heritage]

Trans-D Common area

The second Vanderlay freezes, Hood pushes himself off the couch and heads for his room at a jog, asking over his shoulder "Feel what? What's going on?"

The Pandoran shakes her head uncertainly.

I don't know - it's pressing down, all over. Like the belly of a dragon, waiting to strike. It's big.

She makes a noise that is half-laugh and half-gasp.

It's fvcking huge.

Hood's temporal sense is picking up something as well; the best way to describe it is the fear you feel in the pit of your stomach when you're small, and you know something is in the shadows waiting for you as you walk home at night.

X4 C&C

Even as she listens to the message sent to her, Emma start's to feel it, too; an eye as big as the sky watching her with evil intent, the weight of its gaze like dry desert heat.

[Asbjørn]

The Pandoran shakes her head uncertainly.

I don't know - it's pressing down, all over. Like the belly of a dragon, waiting to strike. It's big.

"But what is it?" Hood asks as he zips the collar of the skintight black field suit up and pulls his regular pants and shirt back on on top of it

She makes a noise that is half-laugh and half-gasp.

It's fvcking huge.

*Oh, shit....*

Hood's temporal sense is picking up something as well; the best way to describe it is the fear you feel in the pit of your stomach when you're small, and you know something is in the shadows waiting for you as you walk home at night.

Old memories of 7th generation gunships and First Strike Teams crashing down on homes and bases like the self-righteous hammer of God run through the utopian rebel's mind as he grabs his weapons belt and clasps it on while shouting into the common room.

"Nomad! Get to C&C now and tell them a big quantum attack is about to hit any f*cking second! Move!!"

As he shouts the last word, Nomad hears the sound stretch and elongate, and suddenly everything around him seems to be moving in slow motion.

[OOC: Accelerate Time]

Turning from Nomad to the techie he continues "Amy! Red Alert! Sound the alarm!!"

Gathering the last of his gear, the scout shoulders his combat-ready pack, grabs his rifle and enters the common room again. He hurries over to Vanderlay and hoists her bodily out of the couch. Her world too seems to slow down as the flow of time around them changes.

[OOC: Accelerate Time again, attuning her to speed it up for both of us.]

Hood's officer's voice is calm and steady as he holds Vanderlay's shoulder and looks into her eyes

"Focus, Doc. This is real.. What's out there?"

As he waits for her reply - and the rest of the team to come running when the alarm goes off - he hurries into her room to get her basic pack and equipment, busying himself to keep the feeling of being way too late off his mind.

[phoenix]

"There you go. One Deity of air and water."

Sarah breaks into a smile, seeming sincerely pleased.

Coool! Thank you, Vlad.. It must be amazing to be able to affect materials outside of your body. ::happy

[Prince of Boredom]

"Nomad! Get to C&C now and tell them a big quantum attack is about to hit any f*cking second! Move!!"

As he shouts the last word, Nomad hears the sound stretch and elongate, and suddenly everything around him seems to be moving in slow motion.

[OOC: Accelerate Time]

Having seen Hood in action in his own war torn homeworld, Nomad knows better than to question the time-manipulating nova. He immediately starts off at full speed towards C&C, only slowing to touch walls and 'meld' through them when it's faster. Once he reaches C&C, Nomad wastes no time, "Major quantum attack incoming!", then braces himself for the worst.

[Alex Green]

Sarah breaks into a smile, seeming sincerely pleased.

Coool! Thank you, Vlad.. It must be amazing to be able to affect materials outside of your body. ::happy

Vlad thinks, *I'd love to capture that smile*, but he responds,

"Oh, it has it's moments, and you are more than welcome. This is… well, fun doesn’t begin to cover it.

But how about you? What do you do off duty?"

[BlueNinja]

WS Bravo

Judy watches Rourke and the good scent-psychologist walk off, and after a few moments of watching the warp floor, starts back towards the Trans-D break room. Along the way, she's nearly run over by Nomad, and picks herself up off the floor, sparing the nova a rude gesture as he vanishes through the wall. "Hmph!" she mutters to herself. "Just because we're in the middle of a war doesn't mean you have to flatten people in the corridors!"

[Heritage]

Bravo C&C

Having seen Hood in action in his own war torn homeworld, Nomad knows

better than to question the time-manipulating nova. He immediately starts off at full speed towards C&C, only slowing to touch walls and 'meld' through them when it's faster. Once he reaches C&C, Nomad wastes no time, "Major quantum attack incoming!", then braces himself for the worst.

The watch officer, 1st Lieutenant Arnold Grimsby, is anything but a hardass; if anything, he doesn't take his job seriously enough. He looks at the agitated scrounger and shakes his head.

There's nothing going on, soldier.

He snorts and waves his hand to indicate the monitors, where various enlisted men and women look up at Nomad curiously.

I think if there was an attack coming, one of our guys-

Trans-D Common Room

Turning from Nomad to the techie he continues "Amy! Red Alert! Sound the alarm!!"

Without thinking, Turlow flips open a 'Red Box' on the wall and slaps her palm on the alarm button; the air throughout the base is filled with the blare of Klaxxons.

Bravo C&C

Back in C&C, 1LT Grimsby looks pissed.

What the hell - who hit a Red Box? Does anyone see anything out there?

Trans-D Common Room

Gathering the last of his gear, the scout shoulders his combat-ready pack, grabs his rifle and enters the common room again. He hurries over to Vanderlay and hoists her bodily out of the couch. Her world too seems to slow down as the flow of time around them changes.

Hood's officer's voice is calm and steady as he holds Vanderlay's shoulder and looks into her eyes

"Focus, Doc. This is real.. What's out there?"

At first she's completely thrown - experiencing a quantum power first hand is new for her, and for a moment she just gapes, but then Hood's voice brings her back to her senses, and she's all business.

It's a massive quantum event, too big to be created by one eximorph; it must be some form of gestalt, with dozens of individuals creating the effect in concert.

There is visible strain on her face, and sweat pops out of her brow.

It's....some sort of energy field...my god, it's like a canopy over the whole state! The amount of power-

She emits a little gasp as Hood returns with her meager gear (no weapons, a few gadgets, a toiletry kit and a duffle bag filled with clothes).

Oh dear god - they're going for full quantum burnout.

She locks eyes with Hood, and there is horror there.

None of them are going to survive - they're just fuel to them.

Bravo Warpfloor

When the Klaxxons go off, SSPEC Hawthorne goes rigid.

The children.

She turns to Rourke, her face ashen.

Sorry, Mr. Rourke, our business will have to wait. Actually, please come with me.

The black nova starts to move through the crowded warpfloor, which is suddenly a room full of frightened idiots; high-ranking enlisted men are barking orders at their charges, who somehow know this is not a drill, but have to be verbally persuaded not to just run for the t-ports. The air sings with the force of quantum-boosted commands.

Bravo Mess Hall

When the alarms go off, for a moment everyone freezes; then all personnel rapidly get up and starting check their gear with a speed and efficency fueled by fear. Several off-duty warpers, wearing their personalized body armor, grab their helmets off the tables and start marching towards the warpfloor, ready to begin the evac if necessary.

[archer]

Bravo Warpfloor

When the Klaxxons go off, SSPEC Hawthorne goes rigid.

The children.

She turns to Rourke, her face ashen.

Sorry, Mr. Rourke, our business will have to wait. Actually, please come with me.

The black nova starts to move through the crowded warpfloor, which is suddenly a room full of frightened idiots; high-ranking enlisted men are barking orders at their charges, who somehow know this is not a drill, but have to be verbally persuaded not to just run for the t-ports. The air sings with the force of quantum-boosted commands.

A slow feeling of unease creeps into Rourke's belly and sits there. Somehow, this seemed all too familiar. The sound of the klaxons rang in his ears like an echo, and at first he didn't hear the doctors words. Physically shaking his head as he mentally forced himself to pay attention, he realized what she'd just said.

"Yes, ma'am. Whatever I can do to help."

He follows her, concentrating on her slim figure in front of him, trying to ignore the continuing echoes that only he could hear.

[phoenix]

Bravo Mess Hall

When the alarms go off, for a moment everyone freezes; then all personnel rapidly get up and starting check their gear with a speed and efficency fueled by fear. Several off-duty warpers, wearing their personalized body armor, grab their helmets off the tables and start marching towards the warpfloor, ready to begin the evac if necessary.

Sarah sighs, quickly scanning her surroundings.

I've got to go, Vlad. I'll see you later, okay?

Without waiting for an answer, Sarah rises out of her seat and into empty space. Her hands seem to cut the air to ribbons as she flies at great speed through the dining hall, and out the door!

[OOC: Activating Flight.]

In seconds, she's back in her room in the Special Operations quarters. Flinging open the lid to the trunk at the foot of her bed, she pulls out a homogenous mass of living cloth that, at her touch, comes to life and flows over her skin, then settles into a form as a black jumpsuit and beret.

[Asbjørn]

She emits a little gasp as Hood returns with her meager gear (no weapons, a few gadgets, a toiletry kit and a duffle bag filled with clothes).

Stuffing all the items in the bag in no particular order, Hood hands it to her.

Oh dear god - they're going for full quantum burnout.

"Full quantum what?" the scout frowns, shouting now to be heard over the alarm.

She locks eyes with Hood, and there is horror there.

None of them are going to survive - they're just fuel to them.

"I don't care about them, Doc. How long do we have, and what's gonna happen when it hits? Can you tell?"