EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
Shep smiles apologetically. "I couldn't say. I inherited this family heirloom. I'm not even sure you can still buy them anywhere. It's a bit of a relic." He gives the young man a measured look, quietly weighing whether there's any real chance he might try something foolish. "Unfortunately, it tends to draw the attention of the CS, and that's something I'd rather avoid."
"I hear that," the kid replies, "Relic eh? Looks almost brand new. Who manufactures it?" he asks as Shep loads his stuff.
A familiar voice replies, "Kid, you don't want to tangle with that man." Shep turns and notices Hatch standing there. "He'll knock you into last Tuesday."
"Hey Hatch," the kid tries to diffuse by greeting him, "I'm genuinely burning with curiosity. That doohickey is sweet!"
"Uh huh." Hatch pats the kid's shoulder hard, "Reese, even if you didn't acquire all of those disorderly and assault fines, you still couldn't afford a thousandth of what that thing is worth. Being that no one's stolen it yet means that that man," he points at Shep, "has a reputation not to be trifled with. You understand?" Hatch leans into the kid, frowning into his face.
"Okay, dad. Got it!" Reese sighs as he steps back and slowly walks away, continually looking back, trying to get another glimpse of the armor.
"Sorry bout that. Was he actually pestering you?" Hatch asks, donning some bushman armor.
"I hear that," the kid replies, "Relic eh? Looks almost brand new. Who manufactures it?" he asks as Shep loads his stuff.
A familiar voice replies, "Kid, you don't want to tangle with that man." Shep turns and notices Hatch standing there. "He'll knock you into last Tuesday."
"Hey Hatch," the kid tries to diffuse by greeting him, "I'm genuinely burning with curiosity. That doohickey is sweet!"
"Uh huh." Hatch pats the kid's shoulder hard, "Reese, even if you didn't acquire all of those disorderly and assault fines, you still couldn't afford a thousandth of what that thing is worth. Being that no one's stolen it yet means that that man," he points at Shep, "has a reputation not to be trifled with. You understand?" Hatch leans into the kid, frowning into his face.
"Okay, dad. Got it!" Reese sighs as he steps back and slowly walks away, continually looking back, trying to get another glimpse of the armor.
"Sorry bout that. Was he actually pestering you?" Hatch asks, donning some bushman armor.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Dad? I didn't realize you had any kids. I never found the right woman myself." Shep chuckles. "Not that a few didn't try."
He gives a small shrug. "Your boy was fine. Just curious. I do have to be cautious, though. Never know when somebody might try to make off with it. Luckily, it's keyed to me specifically," only a small white lie since it's keyed to his bloodline, not him specifically, "So that cuts down on the risk. Still, somebody could haul it off and strip it for parts."
As they talk, he reaches into the rucksack, pulls out the pistol, and stows it in one of the Silver Eagle's cubbies. "You got room for my gear? This suit ain't made for cargo."
He gives a small shrug. "Your boy was fine. Just curious. I do have to be cautious, though. Never know when somebody might try to make off with it. Luckily, it's keyed to me specifically," only a small white lie since it's keyed to his bloodline, not him specifically, "So that cuts down on the risk. Still, somebody could haul it off and strip it for parts."
As they talk, he reaches into the rucksack, pulls out the pistol, and stows it in one of the Silver Eagle's cubbies. "You got room for my gear? This suit ain't made for cargo."
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Dad? I didn't realize you had any kids. I never found the right woman myself." Shep chuckles. "Not that a few didn't try." He gives a small shrug. "Your boy was fine. Just curious. I do have to be cautious, though. Never know when somebody might try to make off with it. Luckily, it's keyed to me specifically," only a small white lie since it's keyed to his bloodline, not him specifically, "So that cuts down on the risk. Still, somebody could haul it off and strip it for parts."
"If anyone I know would try and disappear with it, then it'd be Reese."
As they talk, he reaches into the rucksack, pulls out the pistol, and stows it in one of the Silver Eagle's cubbies. "You got room for my gear? This suit ain't made for cargo."
"Depends on how much you have," He hooks his helmet to his shoulder pad, then peeks across the street at his hovercycle. It has rear cargo storage along with two saddlebags strapped to the secondary seat. "I suppose if you ain't lugging much, I could oblige."
"If anyone I know would try and disappear with it, then it'd be Reese."
As they talk, he reaches into the rucksack, pulls out the pistol, and stows it in one of the Silver Eagle's cubbies. "You got room for my gear? This suit ain't made for cargo."
"Depends on how much you have," He hooks his helmet to his shoulder pad, then peeks across the street at his hovercycle. It has rear cargo storage along with two saddlebags strapped to the secondary seat. "I suppose if you ain't lugging much, I could oblige."
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Well, hopefully Reese doesn't try anything. I'd hate for you and me to part on bad terms if something happened." He holds up the mostly empty rucksack. "This is all I've got. A change of clothes and a couple of things that might come in handy."
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Well, hopefully Reese doesn't try anything. I'd hate for you and me to part on bad terms if something happened." He holds up the mostly empty rucksack. "This is all I've got. A change of clothes and a couple of things that might come in handy."
"Yeah I can carry that," he nods back towards the direction Reese left, "And he's been warned. Should he disregard my advice, then I suppose he's not wise enough for this forsaken world." He takes the rucksack, neatly rolls it, with Shep's belongings inside, and fits it into his rear compartment.
Three more hovercycles fly in and park next to Hatch's. Two burly men and a skinny guy all dismount, removing their helmets. Hatch waves at them then points to Shep, "Boys, this fella here is Shep. He'll be providing cover for us on the way. Shep, this is Herman," pointing at the burly, long, blonde haired man, "And that lummox is Kip," pointing at the burly guy with dark hair and eyes, "and finally, we have Orin. He's our tree topper." introducing the skinny blond haired guy with a few scars across the left edge of his jaw and across his lower lip.
They all three nod, before Kip finally asks, "So, is he covering us in that fancy geddup of a SAMAS?" pointing at the Silver Eagle.
"He sure is," Hatch answers.
"But the last guy..."
"That'll be all Kip. The last guy was a showoff and paid for it." Hatch frowns at him.
"That last guy had it coming and cost us quite a bit," Herman adds, pulling his blonde hair back into a ponytail.
"Well doesn't help that he was a wanted man too." Orin adds in an unusually deep voice for his small frame.
"Yeah I can carry that," he nods back towards the direction Reese left, "And he's been warned. Should he disregard my advice, then I suppose he's not wise enough for this forsaken world." He takes the rucksack, neatly rolls it, with Shep's belongings inside, and fits it into his rear compartment.
Three more hovercycles fly in and park next to Hatch's. Two burly men and a skinny guy all dismount, removing their helmets. Hatch waves at them then points to Shep, "Boys, this fella here is Shep. He'll be providing cover for us on the way. Shep, this is Herman," pointing at the burly, long, blonde haired man, "And that lummox is Kip," pointing at the burly guy with dark hair and eyes, "and finally, we have Orin. He's our tree topper." introducing the skinny blond haired guy with a few scars across the left edge of his jaw and across his lower lip.
They all three nod, before Kip finally asks, "So, is he covering us in that fancy geddup of a SAMAS?" pointing at the Silver Eagle.
"He sure is," Hatch answers.
"But the last guy..."
"That'll be all Kip. The last guy was a showoff and paid for it." Hatch frowns at him.
"That last guy had it coming and cost us quite a bit," Herman adds, pulling his blonde hair back into a ponytail.
"Well doesn't help that he was a wanted man too." Orin adds in an unusually deep voice for his small frame.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Alright, first, what's a tree topper? And second, what happened to the last guy?" Shep looks between them expectantly, not entirely sure he wants to hear the answer to the second question.
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Alright, first, what's a tree topper? And second, what happened to the last guy?" Shep looks between them expectantly, not entirely sure he wants to hear the answer to the second question.
Orin steps forward, "That's me! I'm a tree topper." he replies in his unusually bass tone. "Us kind climb to the top of the pines and amputate the limbs n then cut the tree tops off. "
Hatch adds, "It's one of the most hazardous and essential jobs in the woods. He's responsible for creating the central pivot point for moving logs out of the wild," he nods to Orin, as though apologizing for his interruption.
Kip’s laugh hits the air like a teakettle having a nervous breakdown, catching Shep so off guard he actually blinks. Then Kip launches with, “The last guy? Oh man! Buckle up, children. Storytime!”
Herman groans like he’s being forced to run laps. “Yeah, would you? You always drag these stories out for, like… geological time.”
Kip shoots him a look. “Oh go eat a d^%$,” he snaps, before immediately squealing again, but this time sounding exactly like a seagull who just spotted a potato fry, “ANYWAY. We were headed to Silvereno last time. And the guy’s name was Milton...” He breaks into another fit of cackling.
Orin nods solemnly. “Yeah… I don't recall his name either.”
Kip flaps a hand like he’s shooing away a fly with bad manners. “Right, right… Milton. So this dude is flying a stolen SAMAS... stolen! And the thing looks like it got dragged behind a truck through lava, then maybe punted off a cliff for good measure. But somehow it’s still fully loaded with weapons, because the mega-verse loves a good struggle.” He leans forward, eyes wide like he’s about to reveal ancient wisdom. “So we’re down in this valley, right? And we spot this group of guys camping out. Which is already suspicious, because nobody camps there unless they’re trying to speed run death.”
Hatch starts windmilling his hands like he’s trying to air‑dry invisible laundry, ushering him to hurry the story. Kip ignores him completely.
“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya… anyways,” Kip barrels on, “Milton decides he’s gonna go bother these people. Just strolls right up like he’s the mayor of camp town checking for underage drinkin'. Turns out they’re a bunch of d-bees with powers. And this stupid ass gets out of his armor!” Kip claps once, sharply. “And… well… that’s all she wrote!”
Herman stares at him, unimpressed. “That’s it? That’s the whole story? That’s like… half a story. Maybe a third.”
Kip shrugs. “Hey, man, I didn’t say it was a long book. Just a funny obituary.”
"They immediately turned the guy into a pile of goo and took possession of his suit," Herman finishes.
"Great!" Hatch adds, "Let's get situated and on the way." He turns to Shep, "Like I said, nothing to worry about. Just don't be as dull as a mashed potato. You ready?"
Orin steps forward, "That's me! I'm a tree topper." he replies in his unusually bass tone. "Us kind climb to the top of the pines and amputate the limbs n then cut the tree tops off. "
Hatch adds, "It's one of the most hazardous and essential jobs in the woods. He's responsible for creating the central pivot point for moving logs out of the wild," he nods to Orin, as though apologizing for his interruption.
Kip’s laugh hits the air like a teakettle having a nervous breakdown, catching Shep so off guard he actually blinks. Then Kip launches with, “The last guy? Oh man! Buckle up, children. Storytime!”
Herman groans like he’s being forced to run laps. “Yeah, would you? You always drag these stories out for, like… geological time.”
Kip shoots him a look. “Oh go eat a d^%$,” he snaps, before immediately squealing again, but this time sounding exactly like a seagull who just spotted a potato fry, “ANYWAY. We were headed to Silvereno last time. And the guy’s name was Milton...” He breaks into another fit of cackling.
Orin nods solemnly. “Yeah… I don't recall his name either.”
Kip flaps a hand like he’s shooing away a fly with bad manners. “Right, right… Milton. So this dude is flying a stolen SAMAS... stolen! And the thing looks like it got dragged behind a truck through lava, then maybe punted off a cliff for good measure. But somehow it’s still fully loaded with weapons, because the mega-verse loves a good struggle.” He leans forward, eyes wide like he’s about to reveal ancient wisdom. “So we’re down in this valley, right? And we spot this group of guys camping out. Which is already suspicious, because nobody camps there unless they’re trying to speed run death.”
Hatch starts windmilling his hands like he’s trying to air‑dry invisible laundry, ushering him to hurry the story. Kip ignores him completely.
“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya… anyways,” Kip barrels on, “Milton decides he’s gonna go bother these people. Just strolls right up like he’s the mayor of camp town checking for underage drinkin'. Turns out they’re a bunch of d-bees with powers. And this stupid ass gets out of his armor!” Kip claps once, sharply. “And… well… that’s all she wrote!”
Herman stares at him, unimpressed. “That’s it? That’s the whole story? That’s like… half a story. Maybe a third.”
Kip shrugs. “Hey, man, I didn’t say it was a long book. Just a funny obituary.”
"They immediately turned the guy into a pile of goo and took possession of his suit," Herman finishes.
"Great!" Hatch adds, "Let's get situated and on the way." He turns to Shep, "Like I said, nothing to worry about. Just don't be as dull as a mashed potato. You ready?"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Huh. Tree topper cuts the tops off trees. Hard to get a more apt description than that." He tries to sound impressed, though as a non-logger it is hard to muster much enthusiasm. "Give me a minute to get suited up and run a quick systems check, then I'll be ready to go. I won't be able to communicate directly while I'm flying. The radio's still on the fritz, but I'll get your attention somehow if I need to."
Shep checks that the CB radio is secure, then climbs into the suit and seals the visor. As the Silver Eagle powers up, he says to the AI, "Morning, Carl. How are you feeling today? Let's run a quick systems check and make sure everything's still functional."
Shep checks that the CB radio is secure, then climbs into the suit and seals the visor. As the Silver Eagle powers up, he says to the AI, "Morning, Carl. How are you feeling today? Let's run a quick systems check and make sure everything's still functional."
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
"Huh. Tree topper cuts the tops off trees. Hard to get a more apt description than that." He tries to sound impressed, though as a non-logger it is hard to muster much enthusiasm. "Give me a minute to get suited up and run a quick systems check, then I'll be ready to go. I won't be able to communicate directly while I'm flying. The radio's still on the fritz, but I'll get your attention somehow if I need to."
Hatch and the logging boys give a thumbs up as they try and figure out who should stow what in whose storage.
Meanwhile, Shep checks that the CB radio is secure, then climbs into the suit and seals the visor. As the Silver Eagle powers up, he says to the AI, "Morning, Carl. How are you feeling today? Let's run a quick systems check and make sure everything's still functional."
"Systems check out, but the cat's got my proverbial long range tongue. I feel... normal? I guess..." Carl says as Shep's H.U.D. begins lighting up. "Did you remember to use the restroom? I heard something about a long trip and that it's a bad idea to stop in random places along the journey." Of course Shep did.
The hovercycles all spark to life, kicking up dirt and pine needles. Up above, Jason waves to the quintet as they line up to leave. Hatch shouts, as though Shep can't hear him through the thick armor and over the blast of hovercycle fans, "Follow us! We'll be heading twenty degrees north by northwest. Got that?"
Hatch and the logging boys give a thumbs up as they try and figure out who should stow what in whose storage.
Meanwhile, Shep checks that the CB radio is secure, then climbs into the suit and seals the visor. As the Silver Eagle powers up, he says to the AI, "Morning, Carl. How are you feeling today? Let's run a quick systems check and make sure everything's still functional."
"Systems check out, but the cat's got my proverbial long range tongue. I feel... normal? I guess..." Carl says as Shep's H.U.D. begins lighting up. "Did you remember to use the restroom? I heard something about a long trip and that it's a bad idea to stop in random places along the journey." Of course Shep did.
The hovercycles all spark to life, kicking up dirt and pine needles. Up above, Jason waves to the quintet as they line up to leave. Hatch shouts, as though Shep can't hear him through the thick armor and over the blast of hovercycle fans, "Follow us! We'll be heading twenty degrees north by northwest. Got that?"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: EOTC: Blue Spruce Ridge
Shep gives Hatch a thumbs up, then takes to the air. His plan is to fly above and slightly behind them so he can keep them in sight at all times. He stays high enough to get a good view of the terrain ahead, but low enough to avoid drawing more attention than necessary.
He keeps an eye out for places an ambush could form and remains ready to dart ahead and stop the hovercycles if he spots any danger. Every so often, he flips to thermal imaging, scanning for anything out of the ordinary: large heat signatures, clustered movement, or anything else that looks like a threat.
He keeps an eye out for places an ambush could form and remains ready to dart ahead and stop the hovercycles if he spots any danger. Every so often, he flips to thermal imaging, scanning for anything out of the ordinary: large heat signatures, clustered movement, or anything else that looks like a threat.