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He looks at his brother at the sound of the boom. "Could that be her? How did you two split up? Did she have a radio with her? did she meet any one?= look we need to get your shit and find this Torch guy, he gave me the slip too, he seemed to know quite a bit about our friend", he turns toward the fix it shop and jogs over there always watchful for Phil or Torch. "He told me about this relic too, not too sure what it really does but he seems to think he needs help getting it. Any thoughts"
Lance looks over his brother for another second then begins surveying around them trying to look for their companions or anyone watching them as he follows his brother answering questions. "Lost her after the psycho indestructible bitches in the sewer, no idea about the radio, we were getting our asses kicked down there. Let’s get the hell out of this place and what’s the relic do?" Lance asks going over his remaining inventory of gear and day dreaming about killing and wiping out the entire city.
As the two visit, both Lance and Remus notice two coalition soldiers walking up an adjacent street. They are wearing full environmental armor and casually meandering towards wear the boom had come from. Lance watches the two soldiers like a hawk and slowly reaches back to put a fresh clip in his rifle and reload the grenades, 'Let’s rearm, I have a bad feeling...and we need to buy something that hurts those ladies.' Lance says already forgetting what his brother asked him.
The soldiers simply walk on, moving out of view. The feeling that something is about to go down is confirmed when there is a thump and the ground gives a sudden shove, almost knocking both Remus and Lance off of their feet. Getting his senses together, Lance looks up and sees a rising plume of smoke and fire. A blast of heat blows by both Remus and Lance, almost unbearably hot.
Looking about excitedly a bit unhappy about missing out on the action still not having gotten a kill already forgetting he wanted to leave. "Can we go get some grenades and go get some pay back...can we?" Lance's eyes sparkly almost like an excited kid not the deranged killer he is.
Remus nods and smiles, "I know, it's been a cat and mouse game and I’m getting the feeling that we are becoming mice. Let's change the roles and start blasting some of these f***ers." With that, Remus leads the way back to the Wilk's shop.
Lance follows happily behind his brother wiping debris from his armor and frowning at it when he sees all the dings and dents from his last battle with the woman remembering how ineffective his weapons appeared to be, "I couldn't hurt those bitches with anything I had, we are going to need something different...any ideas?" he asks.
Remus laughs, "Maybe if we lead em into those CS..." He then turns and shouts out to the cops, obviously with an idea in mind, Hey, come over here for a second! The two cops turn, but instead of coming over, they immediately brandish their weapons and aim. Both Remus and Lance get ready, taking cover, behind the corner of a building. Lasers begin lancing through the corner of the building, narrowly missing the two as they brandish their own weapons.
Lance gets low the the ground and fires up at one of the soldiers, scoring a lucky headshot, dropping one of them. However, the second fires through the corner of the building again. Lance hears the heart sinking sound of his brother fall to the ground. Without looking, he can psychically sense that his brother is dying and cannot survive the shot he just received. Lance gets up and charges the CS soldier, DIE you cocksucker! As he unloads his clip on the soldier. The soldier tries firing back, only to score hits into Lance's armor and falls over.
Lance, breathing heavily, turns to see his brother reaching up for him just to see him one last time. Then realizes as the message comes through, oO(Lance! Behind you!)Oo There is a loud boom, but Lance never hears it.
Daniel Glitter moves his sights over towards the other man who seems to be a twin of the other. Target neutralized. He says into his radio to no one in particular from outside of the town, on the lone hill. Damage is minimal and I have the second target hiding Cirrus in my sights. Orders?
The message comes back: Base to Ground Pound. Finish the job.
Daniel slowly and cautiously scans the target area looking for other targets of opportunity, slowly letting his mind wander over how those two must have felt and if they deserved it....he calls up the pics of his target and reviews his orders from his concealed position on the hill. The holographic flat screen swings down into his HUD to display a rather large man, the size of a glitter boy almost, with reddish hair and almost glowing blue eyes. "His code name is Rune, however, he has been going by the name Cirrus as of late. He is considered dangerous and possesses the powers of the fabled janissaries. He is to be neutralized." Upon trying to research janissary, Daniel simply finds that it is classified information only available to CS intelligence security rank of 3 or higher.
Daniel then notices the remaining CS soldiers checking the two brothers for their possessions. Their names were Lance and Remus Black. Mercenaries by the look of it. The one named Lance was lucky, he had died quickly. However, Remus, his last moments were fighting for breath. He made a brave attempt at shooting one of the soldiers as they were checking him, but he was shot before the weapon was drawn. It is still unexplained how several of the flechette shards flew from the corpse of Remus' brother and stuck into another soldier. The man could have been a powerful d-bee. It was lucky for them that Daniel is here, waiting as Lt. Farnon delivers further orders.
Finally, a message comes through.
Radio: Lt. Farnon: "Okay ground pounder, how do you feel about doing some undercover work?"
Mulling it over in his mind, "You know last time I tried that it almost got the entire group killed, can I get more info on the op or am I already volunteered for the assignment, and if that’s the case, Sir I couldn’t think of a thing I'd rather do." Daniel says just amusing the hell out of himself as he lies quietly under the cover of his cloak scanning the area for TOOs and occasionally checking his six.
As Daniel watches the police appear on the scene ahead, Farnon gets back on the radio, "You know full well that you are the one for the job. Anyways, Nico disappeared on us. We haven’t heard from him since last night. I’m starting to get the feeling that Cirrus split from El Paso and either went south to Juarez or doubled back north. There was a report of magical activity to the west of the town so he may have used a form of magic transportation." The police are busy checking the bodies of the two twins, however, by the looks of it, one of them could still be alive, maybe both, but it's highly unlikely, more fair to say impossible, that they will survive the day. They begin babbling into their radios. Farnon continues, "The locals are looking for what happened at some club last night. If I remember right, wasn't Nico at that club last night? Well, shit, don’t answer that one. I wouldn’t doubt that you were with him."
There is a moment of silence and then Farnon returns, "Someone is trying to scan this frequency. Ill get to the point before they unscramble the channel. We need you to question a few of the locals and report what you find of unusual activities. After that, we'll have you head north or south, whichever is better, to gather a group of mercs together to find Cirrus. In the meantime, we will try and trail you. Mission has already started so good luck." With that, Daniel hears Farnon cut the signal. The police look in Daniel's general direction, knowing full well that a powerful gun must have done the damage, now they are just figuring out from where exactly. It probably wasn’t too hard to figure out the trajectory of the one shot. Now to decide how to go about moving through the town.
'Figures' he mutters under his breath and then begins low crawling backwards and off the hill top so he can get up and put a few miles between him and where he fired the shot, be careful to not leave too obvious a trail, doubting they will bother anyway. Daniel heads around the city swinging in on the darker side of town where information can be readily bought.
The actual sneaking away and getting to the other side of the of the city is rather easy for Daniel as Farnon gets back on the radio.
Radio (Farnon): "Okay, we have transferred about twenty million credits into your account for repairs and supplies needed. Your mission is to get as close to Cirrus' friends by any means possible, if you have found him, and cannot get him captured, then contact us. You seem like the most likely candidate to get this job done. (ooc: because you are the only active CS character left) Glitter, you bring him in and I’ll make you squad leader. Over."
Upon entering back into El Paso, Daniel begins checking out some of the weapons shops, but to no avail, none seem to know of anyone who matches Cirrus' unique description. Upon walking into the Official Wilk's Store. The owner seems to be working on a bit of armor when he jumps at the sound of Daniel's voice. He seems quite nervous and seems to not know much of anything. The store looks nice and seems to be well run, but something about the guy suggests that he is hiding something.
Upon checking out the local gangs, Daniel finds that the Hammer gang had seen a man matching Cirrus' description palling around with a young girl, who may have been Elvin, and what looked like a horse sized lizard. Their gang lieutenant had had a few of them follow them, which lead out of town to the east. There was a bright flash and the three disappeared. The girl, who could have been Elvin, and the lizard match the description of two that were at the arson of the club last night, where Nico was last known to have headed to. Maybe that is where Nico is?
The dark alley where Daniel had to go, after hiding his glitter boy in a trusted storage garage with the Hammers, to talk to this north street gang leader for the Hammers, is just outside of the area where the hotel that Nico was staying at is. The thought to check it out crosses Daniel's mind when an old woman stumbles in front of him. Her leathery, wrinkled face shows shock upon seeing him. Before Daniel can react, the woman has his hand in hers almost howling in a shaky, pleading voice, "It is you! You will save us from him!" The tears of joy are in her eyes as she smiles, "You are a good man, you will save us from Noctis. It is written and shall be so. The way to your goal is through what you loath..." With that, her face goes blank as she let's his hand go and begins stumbling on, almost as though she had never even seen Daniel or even noticed him.
The hammers in the alley behind him walk up beside him. Andy, the tall blonde, whose curly hair could use another buzz cut, asks, "What in the hell was that all about?" He looks past Daniel at the old woman, who disappears into a tailoring shop, "If you need us to, we can straighten her out." His cold piercing eyes tell volumes of a man who is cruel and utterly hates dimensional beings and magic users. These hammers are almost evangelistic in their war against the inhuman, only a Coalition soldier could be their leader, which is Daniel's suspicions of the roots of this group. What would they think of him being able to use a minor amount of psychic ability?
Greg, a rather large, plump hammer, and Cory, a average built dirty blonde haired, gun-happy hammer approach from behind to see what the commotion was. Andy continues to stare expectantly at Daniel, waiting for an answer to his previous question. He was obviously serious about roughing the elderly woman up.

"Cancel that, she is just an old nut. Lets head to the hotel, who the hell is Noctis anyway?" Daniel says as he resumes walking cataloging the interaction with the woman to run it all through the dbase.
Andy shrugs as Greg comments, "It sounds like a dee-bee name." The quartet makes their way back to the hotel, close to where Daniel had dispatched the insurgents who were suspects in the arson case.
Cory finally asks, "What are we doing here, anyways?"

In the past few weeks, life has been hard for Sara. She lost her apartment in the Northern Gun. Some guy tried robbing her, only to cause her to retaliate by beating the guy nearly senseless. To make things worse. The guy saw her face and just happened to be part of the Ishpeming Recon Squad, which ended up with her having to leave the Northern Gun and all of its mercenary ties.
The wind blows hard during this time of year, and the rain doesn't make it any better trying to drive southwest through the Coalition Patrols towards Tolkeen. Sara double checks her gear to make sure that she has all of her contraband hidden. She drives through the forests, of what was once known as Minnesota, when she comes across a man stumbling along the road.
Kevin Hills is his name; however, he can't quite remember how he got that name. Three hours ago, he woke up with a horrible headache and all of his belongings lying beside him in the clearing of some huge forest. After gathering up his gear, he decided that he would walk, only finding a deer trail or clearing to walk in, his feet are tired and his head hurt. Where was he going? Why couldn't he remember anything? Hell, where was he from? He knows that he liked guns; he has enough of them strapped to his gear. So he decided to walk, find the first bit of civilization for at least a clue to what had happened. More than likely it's a hangover and he probably took a bonk on the head at some party with the guys and they played a little joke on him. What guys? He couldn't remember.
An hour into his aimless wandering in the woods meets with a heavy downpour of rain. The drumming of the water on the leaves and spattering of the water into the already damp soil only thickens the intensity of his headache. He lumbers on, checking his head for bumps or cuts, yet finds none. He finally stumbles upon a road, small but very distinctly a road. It is a dirt road which normally would have ruts from the mud and such, but not at the moment. Kevin, at that moment, hears the sounds of a motor approaching behind him...
Sara picked up the man at the side of the road on thermal long before she could see him directly through the front viewports. Though given that the imaging displayed as an overlay on the windscreen the distinction was really moot.
She had suffered through a crappy couple of weeks and was feeling strangely compassionate. Not reckless or stupid, though- her holdout pistol was cupped in the palm of her hand, easily available but impossible to see.
The hovercraft floated to a halt next to Kevin and the passenger side door hissed up, opening like a bird's wing. "You headed anywhere's in particular, son?" She'd decided to try out her southern accent and it was working pretty well, if she did say so herself.
Kevin turns toward the hovercraft, while bending down to answer the sexy sounding women. He smacks his already aching head onto the hovercraft door, falling onto the ground. "Sure anywhere you want as long as you have some aspirin".
"I've got some painkillers, sure. What happened, hon, you hit your head or something'?" Sara patted the empty passenger seat with her right hand. "Come on, sweetie. You're lettin' the heat out."
Sara looks upon an extremely handsome, tall man. (PB 22) His deep blue eyes peer in at Sara, the bump already appearing under his short cut hair. His tanned face does nothing to deter his tanned, ageless face. Kevin looks upon one of the most attractive well 'rounded' women he has ever laid his eyes on, and she is inviting him into her vehicle.
Movement catches both of the eyes from up the road to see a man, with a walking stick, walking their way. The man is rather short with a bald head and pencil thin eyebrow as the only hair on his head. His face is smooth and somewhat pale as he peers over at the vehicle.
The man was just standing there, hand on her door. Sara's hand tightened slightly on the blaster cupped in her palm and she looked at the dash, ostensibly to look at the clock but really to use her peripheral vision to make sure no one was coming up behind her. "Hon? You alright? You musta really hit yer head there, sugar."
(************************************************)
The rain pours down in this strange forest. It almost seems like the torrential rains back home... Back in the land of the rising sun. One particular raindrop plummets from the clouds through the morning sky. Its shape always spreading and contracting as it gathers more droplets around it. Its journey ends, erupting off of the back of a lone traveler. Sato, the oriental priest, continues traveling. The land known as Montana proved to be too much trouble for him, so he decided to travel east. Now, in this rain, he travels east along a road inside a dense forest of firs and some deciduous trees and bushes. Occasionally, he spots more of those men in the strange black and white armor. Hostile as they have been with their guns and machines. He chooses to avoid them and how they remind him of the cities in Nippon.
To find a way to find honor those he once protected... Now, Sato must find a way to bring new purpose to his journeys. Maybe a companion? Maybe even a student. The mud under his feet seems to let him sink more than just a few inches as his steps continue to make the wet sucking sound each time he picks his feet up for the next step. The sounds of the pattering rain on the surrounding green and the bustle of the local wildlife is interrupted by the sound of an approaching transport machine. It sounds to have stopped not too far ahead, obscured by the foliage. He then hears a male voice ask for something called, Aspirin...
Satoshi had heard this language before he even knew how to speak it...somewhat, but that still was not a sure way to know where he was and the sound of the transport was none to reassuring. Satoshi walks toward the sound of men, keeping at eye open for any trouble. Sato comes around the corner of the grove of trees to find a hover vehicle of some sort with a man at the passenger door and what looks like a female human in the driver’s seat.
Satoshi bows to the the people and keeps looking over his shoulder and (broken english) "prees ...you must heirp me...you are first humans I have seen in days...I have no idea why I am here....I am praying and a storm comes ..it destroy my temper...I am brinded by light and i wake up here...this was 3 days ago... I have no money I can offer my skills as paying...spirtual quidance...cooking" Satoshi removes a flute from his robes,” also music to sooth you...I srow myserf at your mercy."
Sara's slim eyebrow quirked up at the newcomer's strange accent. "There somethin' behind ya, hon? What are you lookin' over yer shoulder for, darlin'?" Her accent was strange to Japanese ears, the southern lilt and contractions hard to understand. "Well, I got room fer passengers, that's fer sure. C'mon, y'all, hop in an' let's eat some road here. I even got some food for ya, skinny- ain't much, just some surplus MREs, but it'll put some meat on those bones a'yours."
Henry shakes his head and climbs into the passenger's seat. "Wooh! That really smarts, my head." He rubs his head as he glances at Sara, almost embarrassed to look at her beauty. "Where are you headed?" He asks. At that moment, the sounds of the jet thrusters of some power armor become apparent. Something, power armor-wise is coming this way. This area is often patrolled by the Coalition forces...
Satoshi bows to the woman, "Thank you for your hospitality not many people would take in strangers so easily...you will be rewarded" Satoshi puts his Flute away "I am Satoshi, you may call me Sato......" Satoshi stops talking as he hears the sound of the thrusters. In his time this was never a good sound, "Friends of yours????" he nods to the sound of the thrusters.
Sara shook her head as she pressed the button to close the door. The gull wing door shut with a quiet hiss, cutting off the sound of the PA's thrusters. The hover was surprisingly quiet inside, quieter even than a normal vehicle with all the doors closed. It's very nice inside- leather seats and wood paneling, lots of shiny electronics and other harder to identify elements.
"Nah. CS patrols're pretty common 'round these parts, though, Toshi." The pretty woman driving the car smiled at the strange man. "Where’re you from, Tosh? I c'n sure tell y'aint from around here."
She put the vehicle back in drive and continued on her way. Over her shoulder, she responded to Henry's comment. "No where’s in particular, bud. Just kind goin' wherever's I feel like headin', seein' what there’s ta see."
Well It would be nice to be in the company of humans again, Satoshi sat down. "I am not from here it is true, I don't know how I got here, I really don't know where 'here' is. My home land in Japan a wonderful place...this IS earth right...I haven’t even thought about that. HA. I am a monk, I try to bring peace, but even the most beautiful rose has thorns,” Satoshi grabs his walking stick and winks
At that moment, a samas power armor tears from the thick of some foliage and enters the road, already aiming its rail gun at the group.
Sara sighs and brings the hover car to a stop again. "Well, damn." She glances at Satoshi and Henry. "One of you boys got somethin' ya wanna tell me?" The beautiful woman punched a button and the doors on both sides hissed open. She stuck her hands out the door to make it clear she wasn't armed, and then slowly eased her way out the door, careful to make no threatening moves.
"Ya need somethin', hon?" The driver was an impressively good looking young woman in clothes that didn't look particularly threatening- no armor, no weapons- and did a good bit to show that there were some nice curves under the cargo Capri pants and baby doll t-shirt.
The Sam skids along its heels as its wings fold down, rail gun bearing down on Sara's vehicle. He pans his rail gun from Henry, to Satoshi then back to Sara, focusing on her for a moment before his loudspeaker crackles on, "Can you folks explain what you are doing in the neutral zone?"
Sara arches one finely pencilled-in eyebrow. "The neutral zone?
Sweetheart, s'far's mah inertial tracking and map software go, I'm south of Ishpeming. I don't know nothin' 'bout no neutral zone. Don't worry, though- I'll go 'round whatever military cordon y'all've set up, just beam me a highlight zone for the map." She smiled at him again.

After the fiasco at the Eagle Bar and Grill, Jenna and Alec happily left, heading back to his place to make some food for themselves. The amount of stale beer and a hunk of stale bread would have to do. Then Alec notices the flash of light on one of his security cameras, coming from the garage. A familiar face appears to both Jenna and Alec. Milo Osten, friend of Memory and Gor from some mercenary group working for Centak. They haven't seen them in days.
Alec turns and winks to Jenna, half admiring her attractive features as he takes her hand without asking, then leads her towards the garage, "Heck it's been a while since you and I have seen that twerp!"
Jenna puts down her beer and walks to the door with Alec. She just barely has time to smile at who’s on the other side of the door before all hell breaks loose. Jenna reaches automatically for any weapons she has on her, not quite sure of what will be necessary. Her mouth drops open into a slightly comical "oh" and her eyelashes flutter as she blinks trying to take it all in.
(((((((*****************************************))))))
Alec's garage doesn't look much different. Other than the multitude of half drunk beer bottles decorating every level surface except the floor of the garage. Tonya smiles as she looks at Milo, "So, is this your place too?"
(((((((***************************************)))))
Nothing but ringing in his ears. Flashes and cross tracers of the crossfire on the demonic monster flashes in his eyes. "Jackhammer!" Comes the cry of his teammates, "Support now you sorry sunavabitch! It's tearing us up!" Lt. Steele raises his laser gun from his Silver Eagle. The multitudes of bright blue streaks lance into the aweful looking four armed menace. The thing looks as though it has two faces! Corporal Anvik's power armor simply splits apart like an egg as the creature slams through him. What's left, of Anvik, slops out of it as a red mush.
oO(Only Laufenberg and myself left!)Oo His cover tries spraying more lasers as the creature leaps into the air. Out of sheer instinct, Jack leaps his silver eagle after him, launching an impact grenade, scoring a hit in the shoulder. The creature flies sideways, barely a glancing a blow against Jack. It was enough though. The impact was more than he expected. Jack's power armor is thrown into a blurring spin, he almost blacks out. The bluish white globe... what is that? *FLASH*
Looking something like a strangely styled SAMAS done up with Glitterboy chrome Lt. Steele tried to take in his surroundings. oO(Where the hell am I and how the hell did I get here?)Oo he thought as he folded his wings so he could maneuver in the confined space of the parking ramp. Where he was wasn't nearly as important as the fact that there were civilians in the fire zone. Rolling behind the dubious cover of a nearby car he yelled out, "You civilians! Get out of here! Get to safety while I hold of this rift monster! Move it!"
Propping his rail gun on the hood of the car, Steele's only concern is to buy the civilians the time to run as his aiming reticule settles on the giant's chest. Calling out in his best `command voice' he says, "Ok monster, don't move, don't even twitch a muscle or I'll spray your guts all over the wall!"
(((((((((*****************************************)))))))))
Ironbelly
oO(What are these humans thinking? Don't they understand that if I had my way, I'd EAT them?)Oo Ironbelly cackles as the first advancing Aftermath comes charging in, chainsaw and plasma ejector firing away. The ley line crossing behind him always presents an unsuspecting necromancer or mage for robbing and looting. They are despicable anyways... However, the Russian warlords were an unexpected visit. The first aftermath reaches him, chainsaw bearing down, Iron steps to the side, grabbing it up under the main body and essentially choke slams the borg into a line of jagged rocks as the second Aftermath body blocks into him, sending Iron stumbling backwards. He finds himself engulfed in the static glow of leylines! *Flash*
Ironbelly grins and moves slowly away from where he landed. He says "Friends, I don’t mean you any harm. I am what they call a "reformed" giant. I have learned to live amongst you "shorties." I was in fact saving some humans from a powerful demon when suddenly I appeared here. I am as confused as you. I am a simple traveler, and defender of the people. So please (Grins again looking his aggressor right in the eye.”) Put the gun away and let’s move past this man or monster silliness.
((((((****************************************))))))
oO(Damn... I need money)Oo Atlas grumbles as he walks away from the D N R office for mercenary employment. The contact that he was supplied with is a gun toting human with a foul mouth. The talk of this area of the Northern Gun city grounds, so the others say. But to have to stoop to working with him would be acceptable if the pay is enough, just so long as this Alec Dallas doesn't have too smart of a mouth. oO(I'll CRUSH him if he gets in my way)Oo He unclenches his fist.
The house is up ahead, with heavy security, just as the clerk and dispatch suspected. Alec is a great one for finding contacts and finishing jobs. This particular job though. A woman named Arabelle needed "neutralizing" and the pay was decent. One hundred thousand credits for Alec, Atlas and three extra hands are always good. That's half of the money needed to keep his biocomp's drug harness full for half a year.
The front gates are up ahead. Beyond is a fancy and wealthy looking yard of grass, bushes and lawn statues. Also warned that it was all heavily guarded with automated defenses. Atlas reaches down to press the intercom calling speaker, however, a bright flash from the area of what would be the garage, catches the corner of his eye.
(((((((*****************************************))))))
Alec and Jenna open the door into the garage to greet Milo and Tonya. To Milo, Alec only looks more stubbly around the face, but the same old guy. A little tired looking. Jenna, as usual, is a true knockout blonde. It's been a long time since he has seen her.
Alec, smiling and arms out to give Milo a hug is nearly thrown against the far wall as the circle of travel flashes bright. Two distinct forms fly out. One is silverish and nearly slams the ceiling out of Alec's garage, bounces down and narrowly misses Tonya as it crashes into the floor in front of garage door.
The second is larger and flies straight down, cracking the concrete garage floor as it lands with an "ooof!"
Ironbelly stands preparing for another fight as he gazes upon four humans and what looks like a power armor or another borg. They look spooked but not quite ready for combat, except maybe the shiny power armor.
Jack shakes his head as he looks around. He's in what looks like a garage. He narrowly missed a nice looking sports car. Dodge Rocket by the look of it. It could use a new wax job. There are four others in here but he swore he saw a giant of a man just below him before he spun into the ceiling. He goes to stand up.
Something suspiciously like a snort come from the chromed power armor as Steele says, "So let me get this straight, two weeks ago everything was fine and dandy with the only worries my squad had was how well we're going to do in the upcoming regional exercises when these damned rifts start opening all over the world disgorging demons and monsters, some of whom look an awful lot like you, that proceed to kill and/or eat every human they can get their hands on and here I am, fresh from a fire-fight that left every one of my squad mates dead, facing another monster saying, `Hey, can't we all just get along?' I hope you understand and aren't too insulted when I say I'm finding that hard to believe."
Atlas quietly mutters to himself "What the hell?" He tries to press the buzzer without shattering it, while trying t see what all the ruckus is. oO(If this human gets himself killed before I get what I need from him, I'll make a nice stew of his bones.)Oo activating his armor loudspeaker he shouts "Alec Dallas! D N R sent me over. Is everything all right in there?"
Alec comes back into the garage through the door to the house, he is dressed in black and gold armor, carrying a large rifle and a WI-GL20 strapped to his back, "Mutha F***as! All crowdin into my garage!" He runs over to the intercom and presses the button, as...
Almost against his will Jack looks over at intercom monitor, "DNR? What the heck does the Department of Natural Resources have to do with monsters from the rifts? And for that matter since when has any of the federal government gotten their shit together enough to do anything? We as NEMA have been carrying the whole load since the 22nd. We figured most of the federal government had gotten fried, eaten or just too scattered to do anything. You want to tell me what's going on? Is this=85 um `reformed giant' one of yours or should we put it down now and worry about it later?"Atlas lets out an exasperated "Ummm, What?" and shrugs.
Getting a better look at the `DNR' agent, Jack does a double take. Swinging his rail-gun back and forth in a vain attempt to cover both `giants' before he realizes just how deep the shit he's standing in is. Lowering his weapon Jack steps back sputters out in a voice that while it's not panic it's just this side of hysteria, "Who the hell are you people? Obviously not the Department of Natural Resources but who? Who's the local NEMA commander? I've got to report in. My squad has been decimated and I'm the only one to survive. I need to report."
Ironbelly grins again. He says "I am Ironbelly, actually it is King Jarl Blackrock, Ironbelly, or King Ironbelly is my nickname because I once ate one of my enemies that tried to blast his way out but could not. My belly could hold him like it was made of iron. I come from a world where greed and bigotry have caused the humans to turn themselves into metal monsters and kill each other. We giants are building a new kingdom and trying to be peacekeepers and peace makers. I assure you, we are not reformed we are merely misunderstood by humans." He grins again.
Jenna looks over at Alec and starts to back for the door, her eyes looking wild and somewhat terrified. She keeps looking back and forth between Alec, the door and the big metal SAMAS. Her hands holding her rifle seem to be trembling a bit as she backs more towards Alec and the door.
Alec frowns as he talks rapidly back into the intercom, "Atlas, Detention, Neutralization and Recovery department sent you? Then get your ass in here and help me out! Security systems are disabled, Ill open the garage!"
KING Ironbelly responds. "My friend, I could assist you in ensuring their safety, protecting the small and weak is one of my specialties." Ironbelly keeps an eye on the DNR and begins walking towards the people slowly but putting his hand on his sword just incase the Agent makes a move.
Milo will get Tanya behind him while drawing his rifle and point it towards the giant and look over at Alec and say, "This is almost what happened the last time i was here. all hell breaks loose." Milo will grin and start to laugh a bit.
Tanya moves back behind Milo as Alec levels his rifle at the giant and with a single hand reaches behind him and levels his grenade launcher at Jack, "Explain how you got here or I start leveling everyone who doesn’t belong here!" He looks at both of them and continues, threateningly, "Either of you make another move..." He then looks at Milo, "What the hell did you do!? Every time you come here, unexpected guests arrive!"
Ironbelly finds that he must stoop over a little inside of the garage to keep from bonking his head. Meanwhile, outside, the gate opens up to allow Atlas, the 12'3" giant ogre titan juicer to come inside.
Atlas begins running up the drive just as fast as his juiced legs can carry him. oO(Alec did NOT sound like these guests were invited)Oo "Goody, goody, goody, I get to play. I thought I was going to have to just watch!" Atlas glances at his flamethrower, and then thinks better of using it in the garage, and instead just smacks his fists together. "Now the question is, who is invited, and who isn't.?"
"Don’t blame me. Blame my friends because I’m the weakest of them people always try to get me to get to them." Milo glances back at Tanya and gives a reassuring smile.
Jenna continues to move back towards the door slowly positioning behind Alec, she is visibly shaking now. She throws up a force field around herself and looks around, trying to decide if she should help, or just run for cover.
Jack makes a rather annoyed gesture at Alec and snorts, "I wish to hell I knew how I got here or even where the hell this is. As I said before, I'm part of a NEMA unit, I was battling a demon, most of my team got killed, there was a flash of blue and bampf, and I’m here in a parking garage trading quips with a giant. Getting close to the point of both physical and mental collapse, Jack sighs, "Look, I didn't come here because I wanted to and I'm sure as hell not here to cause trouble. So why don't you point that thing at someone else and just let me get the hell out of here so I can report to my superiors ok?”
Ironbelly tries to place peacemaker. "Look my friends, we are all in the same boat. Most of us have no idea what is happening. I think the only logical and just thing to do is to work together to find out what is happening and why we are here. I have learned in my life as King that nothing happens as a random blip, everything is part of a larger story. Please let us work together. I will be the first to put my weapon away. “ He put his swords back.
Alec grumbles, "Well, we need to figure this situation out." He gestures to Milo to lower his gun. Tonya backs into a corner near a workbench as Jenna backs to the door and seems to concentrate. It’s about then when Atlas comes literally charging through the garage door, to reveal a towering giant at just over twelve feet tall, only 3 feet shorter than Ironbelly, but built strong enough to probably out power even Jack in his power armor. Jack's back is facing the garage door that Atlas just came through. If everyone didn’t know any better, Atlas is a towering OGRE with a juicer harness on. Alec almost freaks out, "What in the hell? I said come help! Not destroy!" He takes a few steps back just in case as he touches something on his belt and re-shoulders his grenade launcher. "Let's all step outside, otherwise everyone can deal with my new friends here," he says, pointing to Milo and Atlas, "Let's figure out what’s going on in this f***ed up day. Demons, more demons and now dimensional visitors." he grumbles under his breath as he begins to walk past Jack to get outside.
As the `other' giant came smashing through the door Jack had two options, start shooting every thing in sight or just getting the hell out of there. With Alec not seeming to be terrified by either Atlas or Ironbelly, Jack decided that he just didn't know enough of what was going on. Besides, it was way to confined in this parking ramp anyway, he needed some space, if not either or both of the giants could probably tear him apart before he could kill `em. So in a show of bravado that might have hidden his fear, doubt and anger, Jack threw up his hands, "Fine. You guys `figure out' how do deal with rift monsters and rampaging ogres, I'm out of here." With that he stomped outside.
Milo walks outside, asking the samas, "What in the hell is this NEMA you Keep talking about?" Then looks at Atlas and smiles, "No offense, but you have to be the weirdest titan juicer I've ever seen. What race are you?"
Jack's whole posture tells of his confusion as he turns to look at Milo, "What's NEAM? How the hell can you not know NEMA? It's the northern Eagle Military Alliance." At the continuing look of incomprehension Jack tries again, "You know, the elite police- paramilitary agency created by the North American Alliance, the NAA, between Canada, America and Mexico and you don't have any idea what I'm talking about do you?" Slumping his shoulders in defeat or dejections or something, Jack's stomp becomes more of a trudge.
Atlas sighs and deflates when pulled up short by Alec. He watches the group walk out, keeping a wary eye on the Power Armor. He looks down at Milo when questioned and answers "I'm an Ogre" He then looks to Alec. "Alec, we need to talk. Soon. DNR sent me over, but my visit is business, not for a friendly chat. I'm here to discuss a contract I need your help with. These two might be useful."
Jenna looks around and follows Alec out the door, making sure her back is not to anyone.
Milo will say, "Northern Eagle Military Alliance never heard of it." then with the look of a little boy in a candy shop he'll ask, "One more question how can I get a samas that looks like that? i swear you redid a glitter boy so it could fly."
Once Jack got outside he popped the faceplate on his armor and locked the servos in place, effectively making his suit an immovable statue. With that he took a deep sigh and `leaned' against the locked servos like he'd lean against a solid wall. He wanted to rub his hand across his tired and sweaty face but until he'd shed his suit he'd have to wait. After taking a second deep breath and slowly letting it out he looked over at Milo, "You can't. This is a Silver Eagle SAMAS and it's only issued to active duty NEAM troops and from the sounds of it, there isn't NEMA supply depot around here. I don't know what a glitter boy is the Silver Eagles are made up with the same laser resistant chrome that the Chromium Guardsman is. But if you've never seen a Silver Eagle before you probably have never seen a Guardsman either. Damn it! Where the hell am I and how the hell do I get back?"
Milo will turn and look at Jack and say, "you're in Ishpeming one of the last places other than Free Quebec and New Savage that the Coalition don’t have complete control over. Oh then there’s the Magic towns that have a lot of fun stuff to sell.
Jack just sighed and looked confused again, "Ishpeming? New Savage? The Coalition? Sorry but none of that means a thing to me. Now if Free Quebec is in Canada like old Quebec then at least I've got some idea what that would be. Hell! The more you talk the less I recognize. It's beginning to sound like that flash of blue I saw when fighting that demon did more than just confuse my compass. Crap, what am I going to do now? All I've got is my Silver Eagle and a hand full of support weapons, how am I going to make enough money to eat? Hell, will the local government even let me keep my stuff? Man, this is getter worse and worse the more I think about it."
"I don’t know anything about those either!" yells Ironbelly. Once again, I'll introduce myself. I am "King Ironbelly" protector of humanity and freedom. Does anyone know where we are or how we got here?
Atlas looks at Jack. "Look. There s nothing here, or anywhere close called NEMA. If there were, I'm sure they would have taken a shot at me by now. You’re free. Move on. If anyone tries to take your belongings, tell em to piss up a rope, and then show them how your rail gun works." He then turns to Ironbelly. "And you. You are NOT the king of anything anymore. The only thing you need to protect around here is your own ass, cause if you’re not careful, it's gonna be hung on someone’s wall just cause your not human. As the little squishy said, you are now in Ishpeming. This is one of the last free city this side if Chi-Town. Welcome to Earth. Now, can we get on with business, or do we need to spend some touchy feely time together?"
Jack looks over at the huge juicer with a considering, "humph. You're a real hard ass aren't you? I can respect that if you got the goods to back it up and from the looks of you, you got `em in spades. I suppose I'd better start thinking about where my next meal is coming from so, what kind of business you talking about?"
"Hell if you promise to not kill anyone ill buy everyone here a round or two at the bar." he'll say then looking over everyone to see if they’re going to agree or possibly disagree.” ill even buy you something to eat if it will make you happy, but you’re going to have to check in your Sam at the armory it’s the rules." he'll say looking over at Jack with a friendly smile.
Ironbelly seriously considers destroying Atlas after his rude response and insulting tone, but decides to play it cool and overlook foolish words to see if a mutually beneficial alliance can be struck. He grins and leans in saying "A drink would be nice but I would rather hear about the business. Is there a business here? Are you mercs? Merchants? Dealers? Just what do you people do here? I apologize for any redundant questions, I beg forgiveness it is not every day that a giant is warped through time and space."
Milo will turn to Ironbelly and say, "There is a lot of business here but I personally am a merc for the most part but I’m not sure about anyone else. its been awhile sense I’ve seen Alec, but between jobs I’m the chief of police in the town New Savage." then Milo is going to put his e-rifle away. Looking at everyone trying to make sure everyone is not going to kill one another.
Alec and Tonya make it outside getting outside. Jenna closely behind as everyone going outside gathers in the driveway. Alec answers Ironbelly first, as he lowers his weapon. "Well, I’m Sgt. Alec Dallas of the Northern Gun Industries Military Force. I spend my free time doing bounty work and information gathering. Which is probably why big guy is here," he says, pointing at Atlas, "I'm assuming DNR has a job that only I have the contacts for," He turns to Jenna and Milo, "Milo over there is a former subordinate and associate of mine before his enlistment was bought short from me. Gor got a good deal if you ask me. Jenna will tell you about herself in her own time. I wouldn’t push her because she could probably kill all of us with simply a thought."
He then looks at Jack, "If you are willing to go to a juicer bar, so that I can talk with Atlas, I’ll buy you a drink too." He grins mischievously as his mirrored black faceplate collapses over his forehead to show his face again. "Ever heard of a drink called battery acid?" He doesn't really wait for an answer as he turns to Ironbelly, "King or not, your kingdom isn't here so you might as well try and blend in..." he looks at the sheer size of Ironbelly, "as much as you can, I guess."
He finally turns to Milo and frowns, "Eagle Bar is out of the question, by the way. Some shit went on there earlier, so... I saw Tyran and his bird there... Until some demon looking guy chucked him through a rift." He glances at Jenna.
King Ironbelly responds, “If you are a soldier of Fortune I would appreciate some freelance working. I am a veteran of many wars and my strength in battle combined with my wits is unmatched in my land. I would enjoy the chance to earn money to pay my way home."
"From NEMA NCO to mercenary and hired killer in one fell swoop." Jack said with a rueful shrug, "Well, suppose it's better than starving. Ok Milo, lead the way. I take it that it'll be safe to `check' my suit at the door?"
Atlas Grins down at Alec. "You’re all right for a human. If you want to go in there, be my guest. But I am NOT responsible if that one gets turned into a grease puddle" says Atlas nodding towards Jack. Atlas looks to Ironbelly. "I think that is a good idea. You should join us for a drink. I think we got off to a rough start."
Milo turning to atlas says, "Battery acid is one of my favorite drinks." With a disappointed look starts to lead everyone to the bar taking Tanya by the hand smiling. "Oh. Jack if you need me to I can lend you some money if you want to get some stuff."
"Sounds good my new friends" Ironbelly says. "I could use a drink that is fit for a King." So tell me Milo and Alec, what manner of beings are you? I’ve come to notice even those who appear human are not always what they appear to be anymore."
Jenna takes one last look at the big talking SAMAS and shakes her head, her eyes coming back into focus, looking a bit like she just came out of a trance. She hears mention of going for drinks and grins over at Alec saying, "yeah, I could go for something wet and cold myself right now." She puts her weapon away and walks next to Alec as he heads to the bar.
Milo turns towards Ironbelly and says, "I’m just a human but not all my friends are human." towards Alec, "I’ve got some messed up stories to tell you some time. Like the time I went to the hell called wormwood," he says with a look on his face like he just saw a dead body for the first time.
The walk is interesting, Milo and Tanya leading the way with Alec and Jenna not far behind. It almost looks as though Jenna is his girlfriend, but something is odd about her to most. Ironbelly and Atlas follow with Jack at the rear. Alec almost stumbles in his steps at the mention of wormwood. "I’ve heard of that place," he gives Milo a knowing look. "How'd you get out of there?"
Milo knows that the bar he is headed to will be another ten minutes, however, the turn of events this day seems rather odd, almost non coincidental. Jack and Ironbelly both here at the same time through the same rift?
Jack looks around at the city as he walks along... No skyscrapers but intact. The technology is... well pretty well mixed. The sky isn’t red or dark anymore. The sunken eyes and looks of fear aren't surrounding him... as much... The events are evident, where and when did he end up?
Ironbelly finds that its pretty well relaxed, until people in the city get a close look at him, then they seem a bit wary. At least being accompanied by other humans seems to keep them from running and at bay.
Milo, turning back at Alec, says, "It is easy once you get to the big city in the northern part of the demon controlled section of the planet or dimension whatever you want to call it. It’s the only place where the holy people in the southern part of the place now where rifts open up or can be opened."
Atlas strolls along next to Ironbelly, watching the rest of the group. He keeps a wary eye on Jackhammer as he chats with the giant. "I apologize again for the rough start. I get a bit jumpy in situations like that. It's the harness you know. Enough stems to make a rock hyper."
King Ironbelly plays with a few gold coins, flipping them through his fingers and eyeing them as if they were the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He looked at his new friends and said, so what’s the deal? Are we going to war? Bring down a villain? Protect someone?
"Nothing so grand as all that. We are to hunt down a witchling and return her body. That's where Alec comes in." Atlas looks over to the human. "Supposedly, Alec knows where to find Natalya. I have a contract for myself, and 5 assistants. Two Hundred grand a each. Sound interesting?" Atlas then turns to Alec, "And how far is this bar from here?"
"A witchling, man, I hate those. They creep me out," Milo says to Atlas.
Ironbelly grins and says "In credits or gold? Either way I love the sound of this assignment. This "chick" is toast!"
Atlas Grins at the giants and replies "Credits. There a legit company. And I like this job too. Bringing back a live witchling is such a pain in the ass. I'm not sure who she pissed off or why. Does it really matter?"