Aether Shanties RP (PM if interested/Started)
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"I would suggest saving your voice Sheska. Also you will probably want this." Samuel then took a needle filled with a decent amount of liquid painkiller and injected it right where he had been attaching nerves.
"You'll have to wait a bit to practice with your new arm, right now we need to give your body time to adjust." He had expected the screaming and so was unfazed by it. He grabbed a glass of water and handed it to her.
"With how loud you were being your vocal chords might appreciate the chance to rest. Though given the circumstances it was to be expected." Hopefully a little joke would be appreciated.
"You'll have to wait a bit to practice with your new arm, right now we need to give your body time to adjust." He had expected the screaming and so was unfazed by it. He grabbed a glass of water and handed it to her.
"With how loud you were being your vocal chords might appreciate the chance to rest. Though given the circumstances it was to be expected." Hopefully a little joke would be appreciated.
Blues
Oh, but I am looking out for myself. She thought to herself, and shrugged off everything he said as the words of a lesser. Someone who would not have dared speaked to her had she been in her right element, but here she could not beat fear and respect into others openly. It wasn't the ability she lacked. It was the privilege.
The dog which had recently gotten a prostetic arm called out to her. Another reminder that here she was a nobody. Blues made to leave instead, but realized that it may have consequences she didn't want to deal with. Surely, not everyone thought they could order people around. That the *****, this female dog did, implied that she actually had such power.
Blues stepped into the room. It smelled of blood, and medications. She knew the smell, but not because she had been in that many hospitals.
Beth
She smirked. "I'll remember that for next time. Don't hire any lookout, just get a parrot since they're much more competent anyway."
Actually, now that the thought had occurred to her she thought it was a good one. She certainly didn't need to pay a bird much.
Oh, but I am looking out for myself. She thought to herself, and shrugged off everything he said as the words of a lesser. Someone who would not have dared speaked to her had she been in her right element, but here she could not beat fear and respect into others openly. It wasn't the ability she lacked. It was the privilege.
The dog which had recently gotten a prostetic arm called out to her. Another reminder that here she was a nobody. Blues made to leave instead, but realized that it may have consequences she didn't want to deal with. Surely, not everyone thought they could order people around. That the *****, this female dog did, implied that she actually had such power.
Blues stepped into the room. It smelled of blood, and medications. She knew the smell, but not because she had been in that many hospitals.
Beth
She smirked. "I'll remember that for next time. Don't hire any lookout, just get a parrot since they're much more competent anyway."
Actually, now that the thought had occurred to her she thought it was a good one. She certainly didn't need to pay a bird much.
"Yeah well, if I could sprout wings and fly then that would solve a lot more problems than just your employment dilemmas, Captain." Zach responded "I can't see any further than the horizon, and Oswin can't hit a moving target the size of an eyeball from over 200 meters in a heavy crosswind, so it's a mutually beneficial partnership. I've never found accepting your limitations to be a weakness."
'Besides,' he thought privately. 'I wish you luck in training another one to be as good as Oswin. You're not really the patient type.'
"Real talkative friend you have back there." Zach addressed to the oddly featured, shaman-looking type who occupied the deck with them, his sarcasm not hard to grasp. "Can't be the most entertaining travel companion. Whereabouts are you looking to end up anyway, if you don't mind me asking of course?"
'Besides,' he thought privately. 'I wish you luck in training another one to be as good as Oswin. You're not really the patient type.'
"Real talkative friend you have back there." Zach addressed to the oddly featured, shaman-looking type who occupied the deck with them, his sarcasm not hard to grasp. "Can't be the most entertaining travel companion. Whereabouts are you looking to end up anyway, if you don't mind me asking of course?"
[HEADING=3]1st Mate Jacob Allerson[/HEADING]
Jacob watched the bomb burst in mid air in annoyance. "Damnable Imps" he muttered under his breath, trying not to show off how angry he was. He hated the Imperials - they always had some damned trick up there sleeves that ruined his and the captains carefully laid plans. The last ship for example was supposed to be a rich, easy target, but the captain had decided to sink his vessel to deny them the prize. All they'd gotten for their efforts were some lousy hostages that might not even be worth anything.
Banishing the thoughts, the First Mate called out for the remaining skiffs to throw their bombs then take the vessel the old fashioned way; by boarding the vessel and killing everyone who got in the way. A dozen fire bombs fell toward the Imperial ship in response before the tiny vessels made their approach.
[HEADING=3]Captain Ironskin[/HEADING]
Captain Ironskin was pulling into position when an odd sight met his old eyes; an Imperial had jumped from the enemy vessel. While this was hardly something new in and of itself - hundreds of Imps had jumped from vessels he'd attacked to escape him - nor was he the first to try and jump onto the vessel, he was the first to stick the landing. The Imperial bounced off the port gas-bags and landed on the deck; apparently unharmed.
Ironskin smiled under his mask. There was a reason no one tried such an approach; for as the unknown Imperial landed, a dozen of the worst sort of scum humanity had to offer were upon him, swords and guns in hand; ready to kill the intruder in cold blood.
[HEADING=3]Ciel[/HEADING]
Ciel grumbled at James for his tactic. Those spider drones were hers - how dare he use them as ammo! Still; the firebombs were a problem, and one that needed an easy solution. She quickly ordered another group of spider drones to do the same; her heart breaking as she made the call.
[HEADING=3]Exeter[/HEADING]
Exerter grumbled to himself about the actions of his C.O. What was it about the damned merc bodyguard that she trusted so? What kind of money could she have offered to buy that loyalty? He briefly wondered if the loyalty had little to do with money, but didn't have a chance to finish the thought; an explosion above him saw to that. Apparently a bomb had gone off above - the ship saved by a small automaton.
"Reporting for defense duty, sir!" Wilhelmena said and saluted, followed by her automaton pet: DT. Their appearance drew him from his thoughts further, setting them on a more pressign concern. Looking to them, he quickly came up with a plan. "You two gather a group and protect the port side! I'll do the same about the starboard!" he yelled, before turning away and toward a group to commandeer.
Then a bomb struck - one of the few that made it through the spider drone cover - and chaos unfolded.
Jacob watched the bomb burst in mid air in annoyance. "Damnable Imps" he muttered under his breath, trying not to show off how angry he was. He hated the Imperials - they always had some damned trick up there sleeves that ruined his and the captains carefully laid plans. The last ship for example was supposed to be a rich, easy target, but the captain had decided to sink his vessel to deny them the prize. All they'd gotten for their efforts were some lousy hostages that might not even be worth anything.
Banishing the thoughts, the First Mate called out for the remaining skiffs to throw their bombs then take the vessel the old fashioned way; by boarding the vessel and killing everyone who got in the way. A dozen fire bombs fell toward the Imperial ship in response before the tiny vessels made their approach.
[HEADING=3]Captain Ironskin[/HEADING]
Captain Ironskin was pulling into position when an odd sight met his old eyes; an Imperial had jumped from the enemy vessel. While this was hardly something new in and of itself - hundreds of Imps had jumped from vessels he'd attacked to escape him - nor was he the first to try and jump onto the vessel, he was the first to stick the landing. The Imperial bounced off the port gas-bags and landed on the deck; apparently unharmed.
Ironskin smiled under his mask. There was a reason no one tried such an approach; for as the unknown Imperial landed, a dozen of the worst sort of scum humanity had to offer were upon him, swords and guns in hand; ready to kill the intruder in cold blood.
@Ruedyn: The Imperial is you.
@Texas_Joker_52: You can hear the fighting from below deck at this point - they are firing rifles and pistols at James after all
@Texas_Joker_52: You can hear the fighting from below deck at this point - they are firing rifles and pistols at James after all
[HEADING=3]Ciel[/HEADING]
Ciel grumbled at James for his tactic. Those spider drones were hers - how dare he use them as ammo! Still; the firebombs were a problem, and one that needed an easy solution. She quickly ordered another group of spider drones to do the same; her heart breaking as she made the call.
[HEADING=3]Exeter[/HEADING]
Exerter grumbled to himself about the actions of his C.O. What was it about the damned merc bodyguard that she trusted so? What kind of money could she have offered to buy that loyalty? He briefly wondered if the loyalty had little to do with money, but didn't have a chance to finish the thought; an explosion above him saw to that. Apparently a bomb had gone off above - the ship saved by a small automaton.
"Reporting for defense duty, sir!" Wilhelmena said and saluted, followed by her automaton pet: DT. Their appearance drew him from his thoughts further, setting them on a more pressign concern. Looking to them, he quickly came up with a plan. "You two gather a group and protect the port side! I'll do the same about the starboard!" he yelled, before turning away and toward a group to commandeer.
Then a bomb struck - one of the few that made it through the spider drone cover - and chaos unfolded.
The boarding party has arrived; there just isn't much to say about it. Use them how you like.
James was actually mildly impressed he stuck the landing that well. A quick roll to cancel momentum, and he even landed on his knee as he looked about him. A welcoming party, but why did they have to spoil the fun by bringing guns? James frowned, and quickly sprung from his knee, grabbing a man with a rifle.
He swatted the gun to the side, the bullet grazed another gun user as James grabbed the rifle man with his non-mop hand, and broke his nose with a headbutt. He swung his partner around, making him catch a bullet from an impatient man with a pistol. How thoughtless! James grabbed the rifle from the bleeding man, and flicked it behind him, hitting a shooter in the chest and making the shot go wide. James sprung again, grabbing the new shooter and sinking his mop handle deep within his heart.
"Tch. Was a frail weapon anyways!" The handle came loose as James re-positioned himself, grabbing the mans head with his now mopless arm and grabbing his gun with the other. Now, he was never a friend of the loud things, but he fired a round into the air. The recoil made his arm jerk back, hitting a particularly dimwitted swordsman. It collided with his forehead, and sent him to his ass.
James kicked the boy as he tried to get up, and stepped on his head. The last gunman was panicking, as those who watch friends die before them are wont to do, but he composed himself long enough to begin aiming his gun. James, with a sigh, kicked off the kids head and serpentined his way to the kid, and made his way to his left. The boy tried swinging the gun around, to shoot James, but he laughed as he kneed the boy in the solar plexus, and grabbed the kid by the shirt, throwing him overboard. So far, two wounded, 2 dead, eight left to go. These men were sporting enough to bring swords though...
James made a flourish of his hands, and crouched down, entering his usual beast dancing pose. "C'mon, ENGARDE!" He laughed like a maniac, but his eyes scanned the rest of the crew. The first one to move would get a face full of fist.
He swatted the gun to the side, the bullet grazed another gun user as James grabbed the rifle man with his non-mop hand, and broke his nose with a headbutt. He swung his partner around, making him catch a bullet from an impatient man with a pistol. How thoughtless! James grabbed the rifle from the bleeding man, and flicked it behind him, hitting a shooter in the chest and making the shot go wide. James sprung again, grabbing the new shooter and sinking his mop handle deep within his heart.
"Tch. Was a frail weapon anyways!" The handle came loose as James re-positioned himself, grabbing the mans head with his now mopless arm and grabbing his gun with the other. Now, he was never a friend of the loud things, but he fired a round into the air. The recoil made his arm jerk back, hitting a particularly dimwitted swordsman. It collided with his forehead, and sent him to his ass.
James kicked the boy as he tried to get up, and stepped on his head. The last gunman was panicking, as those who watch friends die before them are wont to do, but he composed himself long enough to begin aiming his gun. James, with a sigh, kicked off the kids head and serpentined his way to the kid, and made his way to his left. The boy tried swinging the gun around, to shoot James, but he laughed as he kneed the boy in the solar plexus, and grabbed the kid by the shirt, throwing him overboard. So far, two wounded, 2 dead, eight left to go. These men were sporting enough to bring swords though...
James made a flourish of his hands, and crouched down, entering his usual beast dancing pose. "C'mon, ENGARDE!" He laughed like a maniac, but his eyes scanned the rest of the crew. The first one to move would get a face full of fist.
Blues
Yes, someone with power, or someone who is delusional. The dog's questions confirmed her suspicion. Blues didn't pretend to understand the ranks they had, but she knew enough to understand that she was not in the wrong here. In a way, they had been stowed away, and told to stay out of sight. It didn't make her a stowaway though.
The captain, the somewhat brutish bird, was the one with real power aboard this vessel, and so she shouldn't worry about this woman in front of her. Hina had payed the captain, practically thrown her jewelry at her, to get them out of the city they had been stuck in.
"I am a passenger, not part of the crew nor a stowaway. I suspect that even pirates should make sure to show decorum to those who pay for their decadence."
Beth
Beth stretched her wings out, as he pointed out how he could not sprout wings. "No, I suppose some are luckier than others." She had to take a firmer grip of the wheel, as a gust hit them, threating to throw them off course, and so she got more important issues to think about than talking with him.
Natalia picked a feather out of her mouth. The captain had been too interested in showing off , to notice her standing too close to her, for her to spread her wings so suddenly. She didn't throw it away, but put it in one of her pouches in the belt around her waist.
"Uhm..." She looked to Beth for support, as she hadn't been expecting to talk with any of her crewmembers. Yet, now they were talking with her. She accepted the captain as an equal, since not speaking with her would make it difficult for them in the end, and she had people below her. "Cat is my friend. We are going to cross the sea."
Wilhelmena
"Yes, sir!" Wilhelmena said, and began shouting for crewmembers to gather around her for a portside defense. It didn't take long. They were trained, disciplined, and didn't want to die. The best way to achieve the latter was to listen to your superior officer, as they needed as many of them as possible to survive, or the enemy would get to them as well. She understood that.
DT remained by her side, as they waited for the pirate ship to try and board them.
"I do not think a bodyguard is created for battle. I think I'll do better in this position, in the defense."
She smiled, and returned to keeping an eye on those below her. The men who fought and died for the empire. Did they really believe in the values of the empire, or did they just do what they had to do?
Bombs fell around them.
Yes, someone with power, or someone who is delusional. The dog's questions confirmed her suspicion. Blues didn't pretend to understand the ranks they had, but she knew enough to understand that she was not in the wrong here. In a way, they had been stowed away, and told to stay out of sight. It didn't make her a stowaway though.
The captain, the somewhat brutish bird, was the one with real power aboard this vessel, and so she shouldn't worry about this woman in front of her. Hina had payed the captain, practically thrown her jewelry at her, to get them out of the city they had been stuck in.
"I am a passenger, not part of the crew nor a stowaway. I suspect that even pirates should make sure to show decorum to those who pay for their decadence."
Beth
Beth stretched her wings out, as he pointed out how he could not sprout wings. "No, I suppose some are luckier than others." She had to take a firmer grip of the wheel, as a gust hit them, threating to throw them off course, and so she got more important issues to think about than talking with him.
Natalia picked a feather out of her mouth. The captain had been too interested in showing off , to notice her standing too close to her, for her to spread her wings so suddenly. She didn't throw it away, but put it in one of her pouches in the belt around her waist.
"Uhm..." She looked to Beth for support, as she hadn't been expecting to talk with any of her crewmembers. Yet, now they were talking with her. She accepted the captain as an equal, since not speaking with her would make it difficult for them in the end, and she had people below her. "Cat is my friend. We are going to cross the sea."
Wilhelmena
"Yes, sir!" Wilhelmena said, and began shouting for crewmembers to gather around her for a portside defense. It didn't take long. They were trained, disciplined, and didn't want to die. The best way to achieve the latter was to listen to your superior officer, as they needed as many of them as possible to survive, or the enemy would get to them as well. She understood that.
DT remained by her side, as they waited for the pirate ship to try and board them.
"I do not think a bodyguard is created for battle. I think I'll do better in this position, in the defense."
She smiled, and returned to keeping an eye on those below her. The men who fought and died for the empire. Did they really believe in the values of the empire, or did they just do what they had to do?
Bombs fell around them.
Zach smirked a little at Beth's display, and muttered under his breath, "Fair enough. If you want to call those two cotton balls you have 'wings', then I won't argue."
He had to stop himself from smirking even more at the other woman's response to his inquiry. 'Friend?! You have met her haven't you? I'd love to see what she'd make of being referred to as a "friend".'
However, instead of scoffing at her, Zach smiled courteously. "Across the see you say? Must be a very interesting place, where you come from. I'd like to go myself someday. Please, forgive my curiosity. I've always had a passion for broadening my horizons. What's it like over there?"
He had to stop himself from smirking even more at the other woman's response to his inquiry. 'Friend?! You have met her haven't you? I'd love to see what she'd make of being referred to as a "friend".'
However, instead of scoffing at her, Zach smiled courteously. "Across the see you say? Must be a very interesting place, where you come from. I'd like to go myself someday. Please, forgive my curiosity. I've always had a passion for broadening my horizons. What's it like over there?"
Now that Sheska had had some time for the painkillers to kick in he turned his attention to the newcomer.
"If you expect decorum you will find it in short supply on this ship. However, if the captain has welcomed you as you say then, I am Samuel Garland ship's doctor and crew caretaker. A pleasure and who are you?" He knew he was asking the same question as Sheska but at the same time it felt rude to have ignored one of the people in this room for so long.
"If you expect decorum you will find it in short supply on this ship. However, if the captain has welcomed you as you say then, I am Samuel Garland ship's doctor and crew caretaker. A pleasure and who are you?" He knew he was asking the same question as Sheska but at the same time it felt rude to have ignored one of the people in this room for so long.
"Boarding party awaiting your orders sir." A crewman said as he approached Garrett, who turned around to see a group of twenty soldiers standing before him; each bearing suitable weapons for such close quarters combat, and wearing some basic armour on top of their regular uniform. As they made a brief plan of attack, Garrett caught sight of what appeared to be James leaping off the Invincible and down onto the larger ship that they were fighting.
"Well, that is one way to start I suppose." Garrett remarked with a smile.
"Alright, on my mark we will swing over onto the enemy ship and engage them. Try to go for mostly killing blows, but if we manage to somehow take one or two of these pirates prisoner, then that is a bonus to us."
"Sir yes sir!" The group announced as they took a hold of the ropes with swords drawn. Taking a moment to look at Adrianna, Garrett raised his own blade up high.
"CHARGE!" With that simple command, the group swinged into the battle. Each letting go at the same time, the boarding party landed in one synchronous movement, giving them more room to work with. Garrett plunged his sword into the first pirate he laid eyes on, impaling them to a support column. He then took out his revolver and shot one pirate in the arm before performing a leg sweep to topple the man, before finishing him off with a stab to the heart.
"Some of you try and fight your way towards James otherwise he'll be over run."
"Well, that is one way to start I suppose." Garrett remarked with a smile.
"Alright, on my mark we will swing over onto the enemy ship and engage them. Try to go for mostly killing blows, but if we manage to somehow take one or two of these pirates prisoner, then that is a bonus to us."
"Sir yes sir!" The group announced as they took a hold of the ropes with swords drawn. Taking a moment to look at Adrianna, Garrett raised his own blade up high.
"CHARGE!" With that simple command, the group swinged into the battle. Each letting go at the same time, the boarding party landed in one synchronous movement, giving them more room to work with. Garrett plunged his sword into the first pirate he laid eyes on, impaling them to a support column. He then took out his revolver and shot one pirate in the arm before performing a leg sweep to topple the man, before finishing him off with a stab to the heart.
"Some of you try and fight your way towards James otherwise he'll be over run."
Beth
"I can glide fly." She said in response. "And you've probably missed it, but I'm flying a fucking airship right now." Beth doubted they'd ever get along, but cannonfodder could at least keep someone more vital from getting killed.
Natalia hesitated, he was making an awful lot of assumptions. Maybe that was how they were though. "I don't know. I've never been there."
"Anyway, Zach, maybe you'd like to explain to my honoured guest why a lowly grunt is speaking with her to begin with, instead of doing his job." Beth smiled, and drank. She should make sure to have someone change with her soon, since she'd been steering the ship for a few hours by now, while getting drunk.
Blues
Well, the dog didn't know the meaning of respect, but at least there were others who could act civilized. The captain for one, and this man, the ship's doctor and crew taker, as he called himself.
"A shame I suppose, that some can't act properly even when they should be grateful for getting our gold." She told Samuel, and reached out her hand, like she had seen people greet each other, when she had been in Helium City. "I am.." She needed a name, but would rather keep her own to herself. "Blues." It was the first word that popped into her head, though she knew it wasn't a name. "It is a pleasure to meet you too." She put emphasis on you, to show that she meant him, and not the dog as well.
"I am traveling with a friend. We're going to cross the sea, and your captain agreed to take us somewhere we could a find ship to travel with."
"I can glide fly." She said in response. "And you've probably missed it, but I'm flying a fucking airship right now." Beth doubted they'd ever get along, but cannonfodder could at least keep someone more vital from getting killed.
Natalia hesitated, he was making an awful lot of assumptions. Maybe that was how they were though. "I don't know. I've never been there."
"Anyway, Zach, maybe you'd like to explain to my honoured guest why a lowly grunt is speaking with her to begin with, instead of doing his job." Beth smiled, and drank. She should make sure to have someone change with her soon, since she'd been steering the ship for a few hours by now, while getting drunk.
Blues
Well, the dog didn't know the meaning of respect, but at least there were others who could act civilized. The captain for one, and this man, the ship's doctor and crew taker, as he called himself.
"A shame I suppose, that some can't act properly even when they should be grateful for getting our gold." She told Samuel, and reached out her hand, like she had seen people greet each other, when she had been in Helium City. "I am.." She needed a name, but would rather keep her own to herself. "Blues." It was the first word that popped into her head, though she knew it wasn't a name. "It is a pleasure to meet you too." She put emphasis on you, to show that she meant him, and not the dog as well.
"I am traveling with a friend. We're going to cross the sea, and your captain agreed to take us somewhere we could a find ship to travel with."
Blues
She understood that this dog had no measurable intelligence, since then she wouldn't have attacked her. Maybe Blues didn't look threatening enough, but she had wanted to believe that the skull of a Rheghndorm inspired fear, even into people who had never had the displeasure to meet one themselves.
The water beast looked a bit like an alligator, but worse in pretty much every way. Fiercer, stronger, faster. She had fought one of the younger ones, as a test of mettle. They lived in underwater caves off the coast.
However, that didn't matter. The point was that the woman's attack on her, the threats to both her and her protege, came off as one of those tiny dogs barking up the completely wrong tree.
Blues thought it funny in a way too. The first-mate had just undergone surgery, and must be weak. Yet, she still choose to run her mouth. It wasn't pity she felt as moved swiftly and threw Sheska off the bed. It was regret, but not really for herself. She knew her actions would probably put her and Hina in a bad situation, but at least she wouldn't be fighting alone as so many times before. Hina could back her up, if the crew turned on them.
"A challenge must never go unanswered." She repeated the words, remembering the voice of her superior. She put her foot on Sheska's back, putting most of her power behind it, to keep her down. She relinquished the knife for now, as it felt unnecessary to kill her. It didn't stop her from using her other foot to kick the dog though. She stopped eventually, and pulled her knife. She bent down next to Sheska, took a firm grasp of her hair and put the knife against her throat. "Stupid animals die because they can't recognize a superior enemy. However, I can do that. And it is the only reason I'm letting you live."
Blues shed her blood, but it was a shallow cut. She was unlikely to be unmatched on this ship by any single individual, but she was very much outnumbered. Instead of sticking around, she left the medbay with a quick bow to the doctor, then she ran down the corridor and disappeared. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe the captain had been right when she had told them to stay in their cabin.
She understood that this dog had no measurable intelligence, since then she wouldn't have attacked her. Maybe Blues didn't look threatening enough, but she had wanted to believe that the skull of a Rheghndorm inspired fear, even into people who had never had the displeasure to meet one themselves.
The water beast looked a bit like an alligator, but worse in pretty much every way. Fiercer, stronger, faster. She had fought one of the younger ones, as a test of mettle. They lived in underwater caves off the coast.
However, that didn't matter. The point was that the woman's attack on her, the threats to both her and her protege, came off as one of those tiny dogs barking up the completely wrong tree.
Blues thought it funny in a way too. The first-mate had just undergone surgery, and must be weak. Yet, she still choose to run her mouth. It wasn't pity she felt as moved swiftly and threw Sheska off the bed. It was regret, but not really for herself. She knew her actions would probably put her and Hina in a bad situation, but at least she wouldn't be fighting alone as so many times before. Hina could back her up, if the crew turned on them.
"A challenge must never go unanswered." She repeated the words, remembering the voice of her superior. She put her foot on Sheska's back, putting most of her power behind it, to keep her down. She relinquished the knife for now, as it felt unnecessary to kill her. It didn't stop her from using her other foot to kick the dog though. She stopped eventually, and pulled her knife. She bent down next to Sheska, took a firm grasp of her hair and put the knife against her throat. "Stupid animals die because they can't recognize a superior enemy. However, I can do that. And it is the only reason I'm letting you live."
Blues shed her blood, but it was a shallow cut. She was unlikely to be unmatched on this ship by any single individual, but she was very much outnumbered. Instead of sticking around, she left the medbay with a quick bow to the doctor, then she ran down the corridor and disappeared. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe the captain had been right when she had told them to stay in their cabin.
"Some of you try and fight your way towards James otherwise he'll be over run."
James raised an eyebrow at this, currently sparring with some poor sap and his friend. James was not as good with a blade as he was with his fist, the enemy realized this fact soon. They had him pressed up against the railing of the ship, even!
"Tch, ye of so little faith." James lashed out with the sword, and somersaulted to the side, knocking some bastard on his face. James stabbed this bloke in the upper spinal area, he didn't really know or care. He left the sword in, though, and looked at the rest. He had managed to kill 3 more before the cavalry showed up, one of them were stupid enough to bring a gun. A gun James had stolen, of course, he was not a fool. That left 10 people, and James was carrying a 6 shooter. He was not a marks-
"Oh come on, wait your turn!" James ducked the blade, and brought himself forward for a devastating headbutt. The mans nose shattered, leaving quite a bit of blood on James' face. He wiped it off in disgust as another charged. James grazed him, with a shot near his inner thigh. Whoops, James clonked the guy, and he fell before him. Back to 8 people, though a few had run to intercept Garrett. James would not count this as a kill steal. He grabbed a nearby sword, tucking the 6 shooter in his belt. He wasn't getting bored, at least. Though he was vaguely disappointed he wasn't kicking the most ass here...
"Is that a mad priest?" James' opponents quickly glanced over at Santiago, and James quickly slashed the few closest to him, after a lunge. Damn, he was wily. James waved to the newcomer, and went back to fencing some brave, stupid bastard.
James raised an eyebrow at this, currently sparring with some poor sap and his friend. James was not as good with a blade as he was with his fist, the enemy realized this fact soon. They had him pressed up against the railing of the ship, even!
"Tch, ye of so little faith." James lashed out with the sword, and somersaulted to the side, knocking some bastard on his face. James stabbed this bloke in the upper spinal area, he didn't really know or care. He left the sword in, though, and looked at the rest. He had managed to kill 3 more before the cavalry showed up, one of them were stupid enough to bring a gun. A gun James had stolen, of course, he was not a fool. That left 10 people, and James was carrying a 6 shooter. He was not a marks-
"Oh come on, wait your turn!" James ducked the blade, and brought himself forward for a devastating headbutt. The mans nose shattered, leaving quite a bit of blood on James' face. He wiped it off in disgust as another charged. James grazed him, with a shot near his inner thigh. Whoops, James clonked the guy, and he fell before him. Back to 8 people, though a few had run to intercept Garrett. James would not count this as a kill steal. He grabbed a nearby sword, tucking the 6 shooter in his belt. He wasn't getting bored, at least. Though he was vaguely disappointed he wasn't kicking the most ass here...
"Is that a mad priest?" James' opponents quickly glanced over at Santiago, and James quickly slashed the few closest to him, after a lunge. Damn, he was wily. James waved to the newcomer, and went back to fencing some brave, stupid bastard.
Zach's smile didn't fade, but his eyebrows raised just a little.
"I'm sure our Honoured Guest can speak for herself. Rest assured I don't mean to pry. In the mean time, on the subject of 'doing my job'...
While we've been speaking I've been constantly monitoring several different factors that allow me to determine and assess risk. The direction of the wind, the positioning of the Sun, and the areas of most cloud cover, all come together to tell me where a threat will most likely come from. By listening very carefully, and by looking out for small, anomalous vortexes within cloud formations, I can be warned of the turning prop blades of a encroaching vessel before I can actually see it. By listening out for the beats, inflation of deflation of its gas bags, and feeling the wind speed and direction, I can even tell you, roughly I admit, how fast it's going, in what direction, and whether it's gaining or losing altitude. Some might even say that asking questions is another part of my job. I four Honoured Guest is ever inclined to tell me who's pursuing her, I may be able to take measures to better prepare myself and others to detect and defend against them if necessary, thereby protecting this ship.
Now, it's true that I could still do all these things from up in the Crow's Nest, but consider... in the unlikely event that we're being hunted by someone talented enough to evade the gaze of both Oswin and myself, their top priority would be to take out the ship's eyes and ears, which also happen to be my eyes and ears, before anyone else knew what was going on. The first place they'd look for such a person would be up in the Crow's Nest. Down here, the ship's eyes and ears are inconspicuous.
It's quite fascinating really, that a lowly grunt like me can do all this, while you yourself do such a good job of remaining standing whilst holding on to a very large wheel."
Zach had lost interest by this point of proving himself to Beth, and realised that any conscious effort on his part would likely be a self-defeating prophecy anyway. However, at the same time, obeying direct orders from her did not mean he was going to be patronised.
"I already advised you to alter our course Captain. You either pay attention to how I conduct my duties, or you don't. It's none of my concern, and, as Captain, it is of course your right to ignore everything I say and do if you so choose. Just so we're clear though, you never need to worry about my ability to do my job."
With that, he gave another courteous bow to their foreign guest, and went to see who else was about on deck.
"I'm sure our Honoured Guest can speak for herself. Rest assured I don't mean to pry. In the mean time, on the subject of 'doing my job'...
While we've been speaking I've been constantly monitoring several different factors that allow me to determine and assess risk. The direction of the wind, the positioning of the Sun, and the areas of most cloud cover, all come together to tell me where a threat will most likely come from. By listening very carefully, and by looking out for small, anomalous vortexes within cloud formations, I can be warned of the turning prop blades of a encroaching vessel before I can actually see it. By listening out for the beats, inflation of deflation of its gas bags, and feeling the wind speed and direction, I can even tell you, roughly I admit, how fast it's going, in what direction, and whether it's gaining or losing altitude. Some might even say that asking questions is another part of my job. I four Honoured Guest is ever inclined to tell me who's pursuing her, I may be able to take measures to better prepare myself and others to detect and defend against them if necessary, thereby protecting this ship.
Now, it's true that I could still do all these things from up in the Crow's Nest, but consider... in the unlikely event that we're being hunted by someone talented enough to evade the gaze of both Oswin and myself, their top priority would be to take out the ship's eyes and ears, which also happen to be my eyes and ears, before anyone else knew what was going on. The first place they'd look for such a person would be up in the Crow's Nest. Down here, the ship's eyes and ears are inconspicuous.
It's quite fascinating really, that a lowly grunt like me can do all this, while you yourself do such a good job of remaining standing whilst holding on to a very large wheel."
Zach had lost interest by this point of proving himself to Beth, and realised that any conscious effort on his part would likely be a self-defeating prophecy anyway. However, at the same time, obeying direct orders from her did not mean he was going to be patronised.
"I already advised you to alter our course Captain. You either pay attention to how I conduct my duties, or you don't. It's none of my concern, and, as Captain, it is of course your right to ignore everything I say and do if you so choose. Just so we're clear though, you never need to worry about my ability to do my job."
With that, he gave another courteous bow to their foreign guest, and went to see who else was about on deck.
Drustan was not in a good mood when Exeter roused the ship into action. He was making the climb up to the crow's nest in the meantime, more then a little irked at the Admiral's decisions. All he wanted to do (and was doing) was his job, but it seemed the forces up above planned things differently. Those guys were jerks. Speaking of jerks, at about this time "Pirates! 5:30 at -45!" rang down to Drustan's ears from the tube at his destination.
At the end of his upward odyssey, Drustan clambered up to his perch and swiveled his head around, gauging what was going on. He spotted a shadow creeping towards the ship, like a shark without subtlety, and he spun around and gripped the mast as he leaned back to get an eyeful of the aggressive miscreants.
The skiffs were approaching, and Drustan needed a rope.
Diving up into the crow's nest, Drustan spied the upcoming skiffs make way towards the Invincible. He guessed they were trying to bomb the frigate; his primary evidence being the explosion a short distance from where he stood. Peeking up from his hiding place, the big man sized up the small vessels and grinned an evil grin.
Reminding himself to profusely thank Wilhelmina later, Drustan picked up the long length of rope at his feet and started with a sheepshank knot. He guesstimated how long the rope needed to be before wrapping the end around the mast in a clove hitch. Profusely securing his arm and the rest of his body to the rope, Drustan stood up, cleared his throat, and prepared to leap away from the skiffs. He pumped his legs against the wooden floor like an overworked engine, then pushed off the guard rail and into the sky, shouting a battle cry of "BOOORN FREEE!" to those few who could hear it above the clamor of battle.
The rope reached its full tautness parallel to the ground far, far below. Drustan's mind stopped for a minute. Everything he could hear he couldn't anymore. His ears were drowned under white noise, a pulsing thud, and silence. Reality came back. Like an insane, ginger pendulum Drustan swung on his lifeline up and towards the skiffs, this time momentum threw him up and above the enemy vessels by ten-ish feet when he promptly unraveled his right arm and stuck his left in a coat pocket. He landed on the edge with a muffled knock, and withdrew his flask-grasping left hand from his coat. He took a few reserved steps forward, letting the pirates realize what's happening, brought the flask to his lips, and uttered an entry line: You're never stronger when *gulp* -k you're weak."
With that he wiped his beard of stray whiskey splashes, swapped his flask for an axe, and set himself in a wide and low stance. Then he rushed the ugly one.
At the end of his upward odyssey, Drustan clambered up to his perch and swiveled his head around, gauging what was going on. He spotted a shadow creeping towards the ship, like a shark without subtlety, and he spun around and gripped the mast as he leaned back to get an eyeful of the aggressive miscreants.
The skiffs were approaching, and Drustan needed a rope.
Night-time was beginning to rear its head when Drustan approached Wilhelmina outside of her office. He arrived right when she was leaving, but he had to make do with the time he had.
"Good evening, Ms. Willhilnima Portnoy." Drustan meant no disrespect, although his stumbling over the quartermaster's name could certainly imply it. Despite the woman's unimpressed face, Drustan went on with his request. I'm sorry it's so late, but this is the best time I could manage." Still that stare. "Anyway, I came to you because I need some rope. Despite my short tenure as lookout on this ship, I need your help with a problem. While the crow's nest has a wonderful view of the landscape, the current safety precautions make it easy for someone of my ... bulk to take an unwanted trip down there. There is a guard rail, certainly, but someone of my size can very easily flip over it if a sudden turn or unfortunate wind obliges." He paused now, waiting to hear the quartermaster's response.
Wilhelmina's response was surprisingly curt and suggestive, considering she could have just told the man to shove off and do terrible things to himself with negligible repercussions. Instead, she heard him out and gave him a proper answer. "Well Cynwrig, I'm afraid I can't do much to help your predicament now. I as well have quite a bit to do, and I doubt we could arrange a mutual time to begin the work required for what you suggest based on your 'busy' schedule." Wilhelmina knew her reference to his disobedience after the party was ruthless, but she needed to dismiss Drustan; she had more important things to do.
"Ms. Portnoy, please schedule nothing; just leave the work to me. I couldn't forgive myself if I saddled a beautiful face such as with hours of excess work for my sake. Please, just get a coil of rope up to the crow's nest when you can manage and let me do the rest. It's easier that way." At this point Drustan could see that his presence wasn't what Wilhelmina wanted now, so he made his goodbyes and quickly shuffled out of sight.
"Good evening, Ms. Willhilnima Portnoy." Drustan meant no disrespect, although his stumbling over the quartermaster's name could certainly imply it. Despite the woman's unimpressed face, Drustan went on with his request. I'm sorry it's so late, but this is the best time I could manage." Still that stare. "Anyway, I came to you because I need some rope. Despite my short tenure as lookout on this ship, I need your help with a problem. While the crow's nest has a wonderful view of the landscape, the current safety precautions make it easy for someone of my ... bulk to take an unwanted trip down there. There is a guard rail, certainly, but someone of my size can very easily flip over it if a sudden turn or unfortunate wind obliges." He paused now, waiting to hear the quartermaster's response.
Wilhelmina's response was surprisingly curt and suggestive, considering she could have just told the man to shove off and do terrible things to himself with negligible repercussions. Instead, she heard him out and gave him a proper answer. "Well Cynwrig, I'm afraid I can't do much to help your predicament now. I as well have quite a bit to do, and I doubt we could arrange a mutual time to begin the work required for what you suggest based on your 'busy' schedule." Wilhelmina knew her reference to his disobedience after the party was ruthless, but she needed to dismiss Drustan; she had more important things to do.
"Ms. Portnoy, please schedule nothing; just leave the work to me. I couldn't forgive myself if I saddled a beautiful face such as with hours of excess work for my sake. Please, just get a coil of rope up to the crow's nest when you can manage and let me do the rest. It's easier that way." At this point Drustan could see that his presence wasn't what Wilhelmina wanted now, so he made his goodbyes and quickly shuffled out of sight.
Diving up into the crow's nest, Drustan spied the upcoming skiffs make way towards the Invincible. He guessed they were trying to bomb the frigate; his primary evidence being the explosion a short distance from where he stood. Peeking up from his hiding place, the big man sized up the small vessels and grinned an evil grin.
Reminding himself to profusely thank Wilhelmina later, Drustan picked up the long length of rope at his feet and started with a sheepshank knot. He guesstimated how long the rope needed to be before wrapping the end around the mast in a clove hitch. Profusely securing his arm and the rest of his body to the rope, Drustan stood up, cleared his throat, and prepared to leap away from the skiffs. He pumped his legs against the wooden floor like an overworked engine, then pushed off the guard rail and into the sky, shouting a battle cry of "BOOORN FREEE!" to those few who could hear it above the clamor of battle.
The rope reached its full tautness parallel to the ground far, far below. Drustan's mind stopped for a minute. Everything he could hear he couldn't anymore. His ears were drowned under white noise, a pulsing thud, and silence. Reality came back. Like an insane, ginger pendulum Drustan swung on his lifeline up and towards the skiffs, this time momentum threw him up and above the enemy vessels by ten-ish feet when he promptly unraveled his right arm and stuck his left in a coat pocket. He landed on the edge with a muffled knock, and withdrew his flask-grasping left hand from his coat. He took a few reserved steps forward, letting the pirates realize what's happening, brought the flask to his lips, and uttered an entry line: You're never stronger when *gulp* -k you're weak."
With that he wiped his beard of stray whiskey splashes, swapped his flask for an axe, and set himself in a wide and low stance. Then he rushed the ugly one.
The battle was a scene of barely organized chaos, though Garrett tried his best to lead the boarding party in a successful assault, each one dueling with specific targets to help divide the opposing force into more manageable pieces. Garrett had to admit that James appeared to be handling himself well given the numerical disadvantage. Just as he had finished putting down another foe, three more took their place in front of him.
One was wielding two hefty looking axes; the second was lugging around a cutlass; finally the third was using a rifle with an attached bayonet along with two revolvers. Each of his opponents provided an interesting challenge.
"Now this is the kind of fight I enjoy. En gardé!" Garrett said with a wide smile as all three attacked him at once. First came the axe-man who was forcing Garrett into a more defensive role than he would have liked; rapidly having to block or deflect multiple blades at once. However, his luck won out in the end, with an underhand swing, Garrett managed to relieve the axe-man of one weapons, not before causing some blood to flow which distracted his comrades; obviously these ones worked well together.
Using this brief opportunity, Garrett caught the blood stained tomahawk in one hand, and then threw it into the large man carrying the great-sword, sending him crashing to the floor. One down two to go. Next came the lanky looking rifleman, who looked as though he was in just as good a shape as Garrett was. Whilst the axe-man dealt with the loss of his comrade, the two gunmen began taking shots at each other, using what limited cover they could find amidst a battle such as this.
To say there was no clear winner would be true, each proved they were capable with a gun. Whilst Garrett might not have had as many bullets with which to shoot, it meant that he would take less time to reload. Waiting for a moment to hear the sound of a gun being loaded, Garrett pulled out his rifle and aimed it at the gunman's head.
"Hey you! Listen to the howl of Cerberus!" In an instant, three bullets came hurtling towards their target. One went down in mid-flight due to colliding with a nearby crate, but the other two hit home, with the pirate gunman falling down with his arms out. Two down one to go. It was at this point that the axe-man turned to see his fallen comrade.
"You feckin' wastrel. You'll pay for this!" The axe-man shouted as he charged with his remaining tomahawk, a foolish error on his part, but at least his heart was in the right place. First shot went into the right kneecap, making him fall to the floor. Second shot went into the left shoulder, the tomahawk merely tumbling out of his hands. Third and final shot, right between the eyes, death almost instantaneous.
One was wielding two hefty looking axes; the second was lugging around a cutlass; finally the third was using a rifle with an attached bayonet along with two revolvers. Each of his opponents provided an interesting challenge.
"Now this is the kind of fight I enjoy. En gardé!" Garrett said with a wide smile as all three attacked him at once. First came the axe-man who was forcing Garrett into a more defensive role than he would have liked; rapidly having to block or deflect multiple blades at once. However, his luck won out in the end, with an underhand swing, Garrett managed to relieve the axe-man of one weapons, not before causing some blood to flow which distracted his comrades; obviously these ones worked well together.
Using this brief opportunity, Garrett caught the blood stained tomahawk in one hand, and then threw it into the large man carrying the great-sword, sending him crashing to the floor. One down two to go. Next came the lanky looking rifleman, who looked as though he was in just as good a shape as Garrett was. Whilst the axe-man dealt with the loss of his comrade, the two gunmen began taking shots at each other, using what limited cover they could find amidst a battle such as this.
To say there was no clear winner would be true, each proved they were capable with a gun. Whilst Garrett might not have had as many bullets with which to shoot, it meant that he would take less time to reload. Waiting for a moment to hear the sound of a gun being loaded, Garrett pulled out his rifle and aimed it at the gunman's head.
"Hey you! Listen to the howl of Cerberus!" In an instant, three bullets came hurtling towards their target. One went down in mid-flight due to colliding with a nearby crate, but the other two hit home, with the pirate gunman falling down with his arms out. Two down one to go. It was at this point that the axe-man turned to see his fallen comrade.
"You feckin' wastrel. You'll pay for this!" The axe-man shouted as he charged with his remaining tomahawk, a foolish error on his part, but at least his heart was in the right place. First shot went into the right kneecap, making him fall to the floor. Second shot went into the left shoulder, the tomahawk merely tumbling out of his hands. Third and final shot, right between the eyes, death almost instantaneous.
It wasn't much longer before Helium City faded from Oley's view, and he finally turned away to head back to his quarters. There wasn't much else for him to do, other than perhaps try and start up a conversation with one of shipmates. However, there was the matter of actually having to initiate it. How he would manage that, he hadn't a single clue. The automaton was hardly an expert in socializing, though he knew it was something that he would have to work on if he was to get anywhere in his life. Before he descended into the lower levels, something, rather someone, had caught his eye. Standing beside the captain at the helm was a person like he'd never seen before. Hardly clothed in any sense he knew, and covered with strange markings - she most certainly stood out from every other member of the crew he'd seen. Oley wanted to learn more about this stranger, though he felt he might set a bad impression if he were just to approach them without invitation, especially with the Captain present.
Oley almost continued on his way, a little defeated that it seemed his curiosity would go unabated, until he noticed a more familiar crew member walking away from the small group. Perhaps there was opportunity here. Surely the man must have acquired some information on the strange woman, and Oley intended to find out. The automaton was nearly overcome with a feeling of shyness. He didn't want it to be so apparent that he was trying to learn as much as he could about the stranger, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why that was. Whatever the reason may have been, he still intended to ask about her. In his usual almost-clunky gait, he approached the man he'd noticed and spoke with his normally gruff voice, "Hello. Zachary...isn't it? How is everything...well...going?"
Oley almost continued on his way, a little defeated that it seemed his curiosity would go unabated, until he noticed a more familiar crew member walking away from the small group. Perhaps there was opportunity here. Surely the man must have acquired some information on the strange woman, and Oley intended to find out. The automaton was nearly overcome with a feeling of shyness. He didn't want it to be so apparent that he was trying to learn as much as he could about the stranger, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why that was. Whatever the reason may have been, he still intended to ask about her. In his usual almost-clunky gait, he approached the man he'd noticed and spoke with his normally gruff voice, "Hello. Zachary...isn't it? How is everything...well...going?"