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Post by John Roberts on Nov 22, 2004 3:47:27 GMT -5
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Carmen closed the door wooden door behind her and stood still on the top step peering around her. She knew it was Barren she heard. She giggled as she noticed a mysterious scrub across the pathway with a young paw sticking out of the bottom. She waved at the bush and laughed again as the paw disappeared within the thick leaves. The bush shacked as someone inside was obviously moving around trying to be more hidden.
Any other day she would’ve snuck around behind it and grabbed the young kit giving him a fright, but not today. Today was serious. Today was the start of it all again. She looked up at the sky as a cloud passed over the sun, blocking the light as well as the moderate heat shining down on her. She shivered feeling the coolness of a mild breeze blowing through her fur. This was it, the calm before the storm. The quiet before the screaming.
She covered her mouth with her paws suddenly feeling sick at the thought of going through all that again. Apart of her didn’t want to go, it wanted to run away from this all, away from her nightmares. She swallowed dryly as she shifted her hand through her head fur and rested her other paw along her collar bone. She stroked around her neck fur as the feeling of sickness passed. Goodness she was tired.
The sun was now beaming down her once again, the cloud long since passed by. Whether it was the soothing heat from above or her subconscious telling her so, she suddenly felt her spirits rise a touch. She breathed in deeply and out again. She knew she couldn’t run. Not only was it wrong to abandon her friends, but she would also be forsaking herself and betraying all that she held dear within.
She dropped her arms to her side and stood up straight. She WOULD not run away. She nodded to herself as if making an inner decision. She stepped away from the door step and onto the grassy pathway. She walked through the village straight to Tamara’s hut where she needed to make another decision.
She knocked solidly against the wooden frame of the door, she knew what she wanted, she knew which team she should be on. HAD to be on.
“Come in!” she heard the voice of the all too familiar female voice inside.
Carmen opened and pushed the door. She stepped in seeing Tamara sitting and leaning over a desk of papers and maps. She looked up from the desk and smiled when she saw Carmen standing before her.
“Carmen, hey.” She spoke softly.
Carmen nodded in response and returned the smile. “I want on Kaige’s team.” she said quickly.
Tamara blinked unexpectedly and shuffled the papers on her desk in a neat pile and closed the folder that contained them.
“No, Carmen. That’s not going to happen.” Tamara replied finally.
This time it was Carmen’s turn to blink unexpectedly. She cocked her head to one side and brushed the hair away from her eyes as it rested over.
“No? I was under the understanding that it was my choice, Tamara.” Carmen said.
Tamara sighed and stood up. She turned her back to Carmen and stood looking over her personal things that decorated the shelf along her back wall.
“Kaige spoke to you, didn’t he?” Tamara said. Stating a fact more than asking a question. “Yes it is your choice, Carmen, but I don’t want you to go with them.”
“You know as well as I do that Ryan’s injuries are not fully healed. And I STILL object of him even going on this mission,” Carmen started, “but if he’s too stubborn to listen to my pleas than I at LEAST need to be with him on this mission.”
Tamara sighed again as she touched something on her shelf. Carmen couldn’t see what exactly but going by the rest of the ornaments she had displayed there, she guessed it was just one of her many wooden statues.
“Carmen, I agree with you. Originally I DID want you on the team with Ryan but things have changed and our tactics and plans have changed. Ryan, along with Kaige and Max are going for a more abrasive course of action. It would be far too dangerous for to go with Kaige’s team. In all honestly, I’d rather not have you go on this mission at all.” Tamara’s last words falling to a whisper.
This time when Carmen blinked in surprise she stepped up to the desk and put her paws down.
“Tamara? What?” Carmen asked astonished. “You can’t be serious? Since when has it been a problem for me to go along on missions?”
Tamara turned around, finally facing her.
“Since the fact that the last time you came back, you nearly didn’t! Since the fact that you can’t fight! Since the fact that you freeze up when the time matters!” Tamara lowered her head, her voice lowering as well. “Carmen, Ed told me about the time in the AI’s chambers. In his de-briefing after the LT mission, he told me he watched you through the surveillance cameras when you froze up with the gun in your hand.”
Carmen stepped back, absolutely shocked by Tamara’s words. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t believe that Eddie saw that side of her and never spoke to her about it.
“This was over a month ago, Tam! Whuh-why bring this all up now?” Carmen stammered.
“Because it wasn’t a problem until now. Carmen, this is serious. If I put you in the front line with Kaige and his team and you freeze up again at the first sign of trouble, then EVERYONE becomes at risk.” Tamara said.
“At the first sign of trouble?” Carmen replied, repeating Tamara’s words. “How dare you. I am NOT some kind of emotional wreck that falls to pieces at the drop of a hat! I know how to look after myself, Tam, and you know that.”
“You’re not looking after yourself now. You’re not sleeping and you said it yourself last night that you’re falling apart. You may have the others fooled to your state of mind, but not me, Carmen.” Tamara spoke softly. “I shared your heart once, remember? I know you better than you probably think.”
Carmen bowed her head, finally accepting what Tamara was saying to her. Everything she said was true. Carmen WAS a wreck. Emotionally and personally. Some of her deepest fears originated from where this mission would take her. Her blackest memories.
“You’re....you’re right, Tam, you are.” Carmen started. She paused fighting away tears. She raised her head slowly and looked into Tamara’s caring eyes. “But we both know regardless of my person, I have to be on this mission. Noone else has my medical skills.”
“I know,” Tamara nodded, returning Carmen’s dismayed expression, “and that’s why I want you on Zhade’s team. You’ll still be a valuable asset to the mission there, Carmen, but away from any initial full on assault. Look, it is still your choice and I’m so sorry for trying to corner you into this but understand my reasoning. It’s not just your life, it’s the others as well. Please understand.”
Carmen pulled out the chair from under the desk in front of her and plopped herself down onto it.
“Okay,” she said, “I understand, Tam. I will go with Zhade But I want to be in constant contact with all team members. If someone is hurt then I want to be the first to know about it and then regardless of what team they are in, I will be there to aid. I don’t care what dangers that become present, nothing gets between me and someone injured.”
Tamara nodded again and smiled. She sat back down to her chair and leaned in towards the desk and rested her paws on top of her folders.
“Thank you, Carmen.” She said with a smile. Tamara’s face then changed to a more serious tone as she opened her folders back up and looked Carmen straight in the eyes. “So, lets get you briefed.”
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Post by Scott Reese on Dec 3, 2004 20:06:44 GMT -5
After parting with Carmen that morning, Eddy went back to his hut to retrieve and organize the gear he would need on the mission. His spirits were high, due in no small way to having spent the better part of the morning with her, but he remained careful not to lose focus on the task berfore them. The final showdown with Robotnik and his minions was nearing; he could feel it, and knew he must do everything he could to hasten that fight.
Ed opened his tool chest and took out the items he knew he would bring. The first was something he had designed a few months prior, but only completed after the Lieutenant's defeat. It was a metal wafer about the size of his thumbnail, coated with miniscule hooks, not unlike velcro. This gadget was his fail-safe against the fate Julian consigned all his victims to, the dreaded roboticiser. If he was captured and forced to undergo the process, his 'nullifier' would create a feedback surge and short-circuit the control linkages, effectively disabling the system. The drawback was that the massive electrical field would likely kill him on contact. He had weighed the risks and outcomes carefully, and decided it was still the lesser of both evils. He reached behind him and placed the device in his tail fur, taking care that it was secure, then turned back to his cache. Eddy then selected the holster for his Micro-Terminal, a small computer that would attach to the back of his left hand. Though it was not nearly as versatile as his laptop and the hacking capabillities were severally limited, it was still handy to have. With it he could relay instructions to remote servers and get around minor security systems, plus recieve and transmit on encrypted frequencies.
After a few more minutes of sorting and mumbling absently to himself, he had all the basics. He scanned the room to be sure he wasn't forgetting anything before walking out; as he looked, his gaze fell on the shelf above the workbench. Tucked neatly into one corner was a compact plasma pistol, built early on in the war. He rarely took it with him, as guns were by no means his forte. To a certain degree, he even disdained their use. But if something happened like last time, he might need it. He reasoned that it would be a last ditch measure and plucked it off the shelf.
That only left the gear unique to the mission, which have to wait until he spoke with Tamara, since he hadn't been briefed yet. He hesitated at the thought of her. Tamara DeClaws had made it clear that she did not bear any ill will towards Ed, and they were both still friends and comrades. But their relationship had changed. In the time Eddy had known her, Tamara had always been warm and open with him; she genuinely valued their friendship. After ten years, he had come to feel close to her, and he believed the same of her. Not in a romantic sense, but more closely than most of the relationships he'd forged with females in his 30 years. Nevertheless, things between them were different now. Tamara was still as friendly and respectful to him as she always had been, and he to her, but it was distant. She had a look of sadness in her eyes whenever he saw her; it wrenched his heart. She could see his discomfort when he was around, especially when Carmen was also there; he had no doubt that she was hurt by his own distance. She never led him to believe anything of the sort, but he knew.
He shook his head as he walked out of the hut. The rift between them would close, he felt, but it would take a little time. But for now, he still had to put all else aside and concerntrate on the mission; that meant having the proper tools for the job. With that in mind, he ignored his anxiety and made his way to the operations hut.
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wildfire
Socially Acceptable
I'm spastic with a handgun
Posts: 206
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Post by wildfire on Feb 5, 2005 21:08:20 GMT -5
Max stepped outside the command hut. The bustle of Centerpoint's new populace brought a smile to his face. "Just like Mobotropolis." he thought to himself. He threaded the crowds just like he had been used to it all his life. Kaige followed him out and for a moment, he couldn't locate him among the hustle. A pair of bright orange ears gave the vulpine's location away, and Kaige trailed after him. Max stopped upon reaching a hut he found familiar The door was open, so Max saw fit to poke his head in. "Ed? You in here buddy?" Max threaded his way through various the piles of debris that littered the floor of Ed's hut. He soon found the tekkie tinkering away at one of his many projects. He tapped him on the shoulder, and Ed jumped violently. "Sorry Ed, didn't mean to scare you." Upon recognizing the fox talking to him, Ed relaxed a little. "Oh, hey there Max." "You gonna be ok?" "Yeah, no worries." Ed went back to his work. Max noted something about his demeanor, but he couldn't quite place his finger on what was wrong. Ed seemed a little jumpier than usual, which while hard to fathom, was definitely the case. "Something wrong Ed?" "What? Something wrong, oh no, nothing at all." Ed's voice oozed falseness. There was something in the room that was making him very uncomfortable. Since this was his home, something told the vulpine that his intrusion was the source of the unpleasentness. "Was there a problem with my coming in? Am I interrupting something?" Max asked. He watched Ed very carefully as he spoke. It appeared that every word from Max's mouth was causing him to flinch, as if his being there was putting him on edge. "No, not at all, people come in and out all the time." Ed said rather quickly. It was obvious that Ed wanted Max to go away, and Ed mentally kicked himself for letting it slip so easy that the knight was driving him nuts. It wasn't like interacting with people was his specialty to begin with, but Max was a certain exception. "Listen Ed, I can tell that there's something about me that's bugging you. Maybe if you get it off your chest it will help you to feel a bit more comfortable about having me around again. After all, we're going to be working together again very soon." Max tried his best to sound calm and caring, and apparently it was enough. Ed softened up a little and didn't appear as tense. "Now what's wrong bud?" Ed turned around to look Max in the face. What Max saw there troubled him a great deal. It wasn't nervousness, or even the timidity that he would have expected. It was fear, Ed was afraid of him. When he finally spoke, it was very quiet, and he refused to look Max in the eye. Max found himself reminded of a child that had done something to anger their parent. "Well," he started. "It's just that the last time we were together you, well you..." "I what Ed." Max was calm, it hadn't taken him long after seeing Ed's face to find the problem, but Ed had needed to say what was wrong himself. "Well," he began again. "You kinda lost it. I mean, you flipped out and everything. I was afraid you were gonna kill someone." "Someone like who?" Max questioned. "Well, someone like Carmen." There it was, out in the open after so long. Max's releif was evident. He nearly chuckled to himself at hearing what was wrong. "I see." he said after the feeling had subsided. "I can definitely understand why you were so on edge now. But there's something that I want you to understand. Back then, in that holding cell, that wasn't me. It took me a long time to come to terms with it. There was a monster inside me, and unfortunately, you and your friends caught the brunt of it. My anger was misdirected. You see, Robotnik had taken everything from me when I was a little boy. He took my home, and he killed my father. I'm sure there was something similar that happened for you, and i'm just as sure that you dealt with it in your own way. I was completely comsumed by revenge. All I wanted was to hurt him as much as he had hurt me. I needed it, I needed him to suffer. It was my every waking thought. It took a lot of time for me to find out that I would do no justice to my father by being so rash." he pulled the lock of hair from his vest pocket. "The love I had finally gotten after being deprived for so long didn't hurt matters either. Now all I want is to see his end, but not for me. Now I want it for my friends, I want it so that I can have a family, and I want it for the peace of Mobuis and her people. I just want you to know that I am not the same person that I was when we last met. What happened that night was wrong, and i've spent every moment since hoping to pay it back." Having said that, Maxgot up and walked out of the hut to find Kaige.
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Post by Jim Doe on Mar 22, 2005 13:22:09 GMT -5
Of all the new structures that had been built in Centerpoint Village the past week, the armoury was doubtlessly the most forboding. Because of its potentially explosive nature under harsh conditions, it was also the only new building that resided a little outside the village's outside border. It crouched right up against the cliff wall that surrounded a good portion of the depression that contained Centerpoint. Vines and other bits of vegetation were draped all along its visible sides and a slight overhang kept it in perpetual shadow.
For the past eight years since the village's inception, the children that lived there had declared the area under the overhang haunted beyond all reason. Various monsters of differing degrees of viciousness and vile natures had inhabited the darkness and tangled vegetation for as long as the children believed they did. The beasts and evil-doers ranged from the unlikely but real - such as bands of thieves, SWATbots, and velaraptors - to the utterly fantastic - like space aliens, matradolics, and Dr. Ivo Robotnik himself. Before Kaige had joined the local Freedom Fighters and presented the presence of a true dragon, there had even been stories of a dracolich taking up residence from time to time.
Besides the natural cover provided by the outcropping of rock and abundant vine growth, it was an excellent spot to build the armoury since Barren had told the other children coming into the village from elsewhere about the monsters that resided within it's dark crevices. This seemed to well ensure that none of them would be snooping around, reducing the chance of an accidental explosion and injury.
Ralph Griffin - far too old to be bothered by such superstitious nonsense and well prepared even if it was true - was sitting at one of the armoury's worktables, tinkering with various gadgets in an attempt to fine tune their destructive performance. Far from being frightened of his current surroundings, he was thrilled to finally be working with proper tools and components after so long. The Freedom Fighter Network had supplied Centerpoint with all the wires, detonation caps, timers, magnetosensors, and other tools that made explosives construction . . . well, fun.
With a satisfied sigh, Ralph set a newly modified sticky bomb to the side with a few others then dragged his next project under his bowed head. With a quick glance at his chronometer, he saw that he had been working tirelessly through the past two hours. He guessed that he would probably be sitting there for at least a few hours more, especially since the last thirty minutes had been the most interesting.
It was half an hour ago that Zhade Harkins, the peacekeeper fellah, had walked in and stated without preamble that the mission plans had changed. He briefed Ralph on the changes, then sat a little further down on the opposite side of Ralph's table and proceeded to do maintenance checks on his own weapons. Normally, Ralph might have been a little annoyed at the sudden shift in the plan so late in the game, but the fact that a great deal more of the plan's focus rested on his own particular abilities allayed that feeling and replaced it with a warm sense of pride.
Still useful in this young man's war, he had chortled to himself, not for the first time.
Now, as he began to rewire a demolition charge, he looked over at Zhade for a few moments. The lynx was still only halfway done with his own work, a task that was taking him so long due to a combination of volume and sheer thoroughness. It seemed that not a single spot of any of the weapons laid out in front of Zhade was to be left untouched, uncleaned. He had spent the last several minutes on a single laser lens, buffing it smooth and polishing it with a meticulousness that Ralph new many an explosives engineer would have envied.
Zhade's assortment was certainly impressive under the circumstances. Weapons were hard enough to come by under Robotnik's regime, let alone ammunition and cleaning supplies. Most people made do with rifles stolen from SWATbots (though they were often a couple sizes too large for an average Mobian) or jury-rigged POS pistols cobbled together from spare parts. Zhade's equipment appeared to all be factory-made pieces salvaged from his time as a special agent. Ralph could only guess that the ammo cases and energy cells were custom made by Zhade himself since Robotnik used a different standard.
The two laser pistols were probably the easiest to find cells for, since they were the most basic pieces in the collection. More than likely they were service sidearms issued to Zhade when he was a peacekeeper. Ralph couldn't be absolutely sure since explosives were his forte . . . he'd only learned as much about firearms in the army as he'd needed to. The laser rifle was also basic stock, though Ralph could tell that it had been highly modified to include collapsible ends, a high powered targeting scope, and a silencer. It could be easily hidden under the lynx's longcoat, used as a standard rifle, and then built up in mere seconds for use in sniping operations. There were also several knives of various shapes, sizes, and functions laying on the cleaning mat.
The most interesting pieces, however, were the two rail pistols that Zhade had sat down with and cleaned first thing. His care and devotion to these two guns was obviously even greater than for any other piece in the assortment laid out on the table. Ralph could well understand this . . . he had only seen one other set of rail pistols in his life, several several years ago, and he knew what they were capable of.
Projectile weapons had mostly gone out of style centuries ago with the advent of hard light technology, though there were still a few stragglers out there who appreciated their qualities. Even the larger sized vehicle mounted rail guns had gradually left the scene as laser cannons became more and more prevalent. Rail pistols and - to some smaller degree - rail rifles had still maintained some degree of respect over time.
While the destructive abilities of a laser cannon far outstripped that of a rail gun, the smaller cousins of each were a different story. Where a laser pistol would burn a cauterized hole, a rail pistol would propel its electromagnetized ammo as insane speeds, bursting into and out of anything it was shot at and leaving behind massive destruction no laser could hope to match. Many people called rail weapons "long-range bombs" or "hand-to-air missiles", and with good reason. Shooting someone or something with one was tantamount to taking one of the explosives that Ralph was working on and placing it inside the target before setting it off, as well as placing one in most of the surfaces behind them for several several meters.
Because of the mass destruction caused by these fearsome devices, only a few were ever made at a time, and the manufacturers were always careful to make sure that they only ended up in the hands of trained peacekeeper, knight, and/or military personnel. Even then, the owners generally only used them as a last resort. Along with the insanely high destructive potential, each shot tore up the ammo case horribly . . . generally, it only took three or four rounds to make the case useless and in need of replacement.
Ralph felt a little niggle of curiosity sitting in the back corner of his mind, dying to know where he had gotten the rail pistols, but he kept quiet. Though he'd only met Zhade a couple times before, he'd already gotten the feeling that the former peacekeeper preferred to keep to himself. More than likely he could strike up a conversation without the other man biting his head off about it, but he also figured that it wouldn't be exactly a welcome diversion.
And so their work continued in a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft movement of precision equipment slowly falling into place.
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Post by chief on Mar 23, 2005 0:37:53 GMT -5
As the cigarette hung out of his mouth, leaching toxins into his lungs and doing serious damage, Ryan was in a great mood. It was days like this he liked. Days like this he wished would just stand still in time. But that wasn’t about to happen any time soon. The new mission would be on him soon, and that would draw his full attention. Ryan loved going on these missions, something he has always loved. Although his old partner wasn’t with them this time around, Ryan was still looking forward to it. His injuries were still there, a lot better then they were at one point, but that was all good. Ryan wasn’t planning on running a marathon any time soon anyways. As Ryan walked back to his Hut to see if Danielle was back he noticed that he relied on his cane less and less. This was a good thing as he didn’t want to be carrying it around during the mission. Maybe tie it to his back.. But he hoped to avoid that as well. Carmen may object, he thought.. But he could get away with that. Won’t be the first time she objected. Ryan glanced through one of the windows on the hut and quickly realized that Danielle wasn’t home yet. He had no idea where she went off to, but it was alright.
“And just what are you doing?” A booming voice came from Ryan’s side. He looked over to see Kaige carrying Thomas, walking towards him.
“Seeing if Danielle is back yet… What about you?” Ryan took the cigarette out of his mouth and tossed it on the ground.
“Returning your son.. He is all fed now” Kaige smiled and gave Thomas to Ryan, “You should be proud of him.. He made a lovely burp.”
“Ah…. That’s m’ boy!” Ryan laughed as he took Thomas and started to walk down the path.
“Where you off to….in such a slow pace?” Kaige laughed as he looked at Ryan walking off with his cane.
“Tamara’s…. Going to see about the mission plans” Ryan said, “Know anything on the teams?”
“Somewhat, you are with me and Max. Zhade is taking the others”
Ryan put a cigarette in his mouth and looked at Kaige, “Zhade got his own team? That’s crap.”
“Well, he had some nice plans… If your going to smoke at least let me carry Thomas.” Kaige was looking directly at Ryan with a stern look on his face.
Ryan took the cigarette out of his mouth and put it back in the box within his coat pocket, “Wasn’t lit..” he muttered. “Anyways, what about Carmen? She going with Zhade too?”
“She has a choice… Although I have a slight feeling she will end up with Zhade..” Kaige looked back down at Ryan, “That all right?”
“Doesn’t bother me any way” Ryan glanced up at Kaige “If your worried about me slowing you down don’t be.”
“I’m not. Just if your injuries take a turn for the worst..” Kaige had a serious tone to him
“I’ll be fine. I’m hardly using the cane now.. I hardly think I’m going to get injured again, or have it acting up.” Ryan said as he continued towards Tamara’s hut, which was now in sight “What is Zhade’s master plan?”
“Basically our team will do hit and run attacks. While we are distracting the bots, Zhades team will make traps to deystroy large numbers of them. Also to take out some of the city's main installations." ********************************
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Post by chief on Mar 23, 2005 0:50:00 GMT -5
Danielle headed back to the village after her morning stroll. She found a nice little spot next to the creek where she could enjoy herself, and be alone. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy being with Ryan and Thomas, just that over the last month she never could get time to herself. Being settled down now with her family was the best thing that has happened to her in a long time. As Danielle entered the village she walked towards the village centre. A place where the locals liked to gather on special nights to talk, dance, and just have fun. Danielle herself had only been to one such event so far, but she enjoyed it. As she sat down on a bench Danielle saw Kaige followed by Ryan carrying Thomas walk into Tamara’s hut. Probably something to do with the meeting, she thought.
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“Ah… Kaige, hello” Tamara said standing up followed by Carmen
“Hello Tamara, Carmen” Kaige said as he walked in and stood over everyone.
“No hello to me? No ‘Hi Ryan’” Ryan laughed as he sat down at the table.
“Hi Thomas!” Carmen smiled
Kaige laughed “We came here to discuss the mission… Well Ryan wants to be informed”
“Yes…” Tamara said looking at Ryan.
Ryan put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, “So, what’s the deal?”
Tamara explained to Ryan the situation of the teams, and the plan of Kaige’s team doing hit and run attacks. She then started on how it would be safer for Carmen if she went with Zhade instead of Kaige. She put a finger up towards Carmen as she said that. As if silencing her before Carmen had a chance to speak.
“I’m fine with that” Ryan said, “My injuries are much better, and wont bother me. Providing I don’t go jumping off and buildings” he laughed.
“You still use a cane Ryan.” Carmen finally came into the conversation “You know perfectly well you shouldn’t even be going on this mission!”
“I’ll be fine doc” Ryan smiled and threw what was left of the cigarette out the window behind him. “This is no marathon I have to run”
“That’s because you cant even run!” Carmen started to get upset
“I can jog..” Ryan muttered “You just take care of yourself, and go with Zhade. He knows what he is doing.”
“I’m not worried about what’s safer for me!” Carmen stood up "Ryan! You have a family to take care of now!"
“Carmen!” Tamara got up to and stared at Carmen
“Look Ryan, look at Thomas! Do you really want to leave him to grow up without a father?”
“I’m not leaving anyone here!” Ryan stood up as well, “I’m perfectly fine of taking care of myself!”
Thomas sitting in the corner began to cry quietly.
“Listen… While you all sort this out I’m going to get Thomas out of here ok?” Kaige said as he reached down and grabbed Thomas. No one said anything as he walked out of the hut heading towards the village centre.
Kaige could still hear Ryan and Carmen yelling at each other as he shut the door. “Its ok Thomas.. Its ok”
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Post by Kaotix on Mar 24, 2005 22:02:02 GMT -5
“It's okay, Thomas. Its ok.”
Kaige said as he carried the fussing Thomas out of the Control Hut leaving poor Patches in there to deal with Carmen and Ryan. The yelling those two had been doing had scared the poor kit and he was crying. Kaige gently bounced Thomas in his strong arms to calm him. After a few minutes of walking and bouncing, Kaige had finally gotten the kit to quiet down.
"There, there, little one. I got an idea. How about I show you something that I haven't showed anyone else. Hmm?" Kaige whispered to the infant. Of course, when Kaige brought that snout of his close enough to Thomas' ears to whisper to him, the little kit immediate grabbed his snout and giggled, nuzzling under Kaige's chin.
"Kid, you are something else. You must get your charm from your mother's side of the family." Kaige said amusedly. "I'll take that as a 'yes.' Come on." With a quick look around to see if anyone was watching, the two were off to the outskirts of the village.
Once outside the city Kaige spread his wings and hoisted himself up in the air. He stayed below the forest canopy though as he flew. It was faster this way and would be harder for someone to keep up with him if he were followed. Thomas didn't make a sound as they flew. Kaige smiled to himself as the little Kit was a brave one. Must get that from his mother's side as well, thought Kaige. The wide-eyed infant just watched the scenery fly by.
Within a few moments, They had reached their destination. At first it looked like a moss and vine covered outcropping of rocks that jutted out of the ground. Upon closer inspection and if one were to pull at the vines, an entrance to some sort of cave would be found. Kaige quickly pushed the vines to the side and slipped inside. Kaige quickly lit a torch that was sitting nearby with a small from from his mouth so that he and little Thomas could see.
"Welcome to my den, Thomas."
This cave was Kaige's personal sanctuary. Whenever he wanted to be alone he would come here. The cave was far enough away from the village that he had privacy but close enough that he could return quickly if something was going on. No one else knew about this place, other than Thomas that is. Of course Kaige doubted that Thomas would be telling anyone about his den anytime soon.
Kaige bounced the kit in his arms again. "What do you think, huh?" Thomas giggled and laughed response. There was plenty of room for Kaige to stand straight up in here. He walked a bit further until he came to a pile of racks neatly placed against the wall. He set the tourch into a small holder he had made. Upon the rocks were some unique items. There were several dragon scales, some jewelry, and other small trinkets.
"When my clan was captured by Robotnik, I was able to escape, but not without injury. When I finally made it to the Great Forest I fell from the sky in severe exhaustion. I was weak, severely dehydrated, and badly wounded. If Carmen and Tamara hadn't found me that day, I would have died that night. I owe them my life. They took care of me, fed me, and helped me get better." Kaige blinked water from his eyes. He must have gotten dust in them. Yeah, that was it. He grinned a bit as he remembered the next part. "Carmen hardly left my side. And when she wasn't there, Patches was. I also met Ed and a few of the other villagers curious about the dragon that Tamara and Carmen had found. They told me that I fell unconscuous soon after the found me. I remained that way for 3 days. When I awoke, I discovered I was either covered in plaster or gauze, but I healed quickly thanks to their efforts."
Kaige looked down at the kit who was listening to him. Those fox ears were rotated from side to side listening to the dragon's rumbling voice. Kaige knew the kit didn't understand him, but that was okay. Kaige needed to say this even if it was to a small child.
"You're probably wondering where I'm going with this. Well, after three weeks of being cooped up in the medical hut, Carmen finally gave me a clean bill of health and let me leave. I almost immediately flew back to my volcano home in hopes of finding my clanmates. I prayed to the Ancient Walkers that they were okay, but it was too late. As I had feared, my clan was gone. All that I found were scales, some jewelry, and a few other things my clanmates wore that had been dropped or pulled off during the fight." Kaige almost lovingly picked up a scale from one of the rocks. "This is from my mother, Corina. She was beautiful and kind." He picked up another. "This is from my father, Lord Talon. Oh I loved him so. He was everything I wanted to be. I miss him and my mother greatly. I wish they were still here and that they could hold me and I hold them. I-" Kaige's voice caught and he had to clear his throat and calm down before speaking again. "I just wish I could ask for their forgiveness. I caused my clan to be captured by Robotnik. I lead the enemy to my home. I was the one who destroyed my clan. It was all my fault...." Kaige's voice caught again and tears streamed down his face. He looked at the two scales in his claw. "My fault."
Thomas didn't understand why the dragon was crying, but knew enough from his mother as what to do. The infant began to nuzzle Kaige under the dragon's chin as the kit's mother would have done to Thomas.
"I didn't dare step back within the volcano. It was no longer my home. I no longer had any right to be there." Kaige took a deep breath to calm himself and scritched the kit behind the ears gently. "I returned to the village and asked if I could stay with them. I no longer had a home to return to. I promised that I would help them with their raids on Centropolis or whatever they needed me to do. They accepted me with open arms. A couple of years later I found this cave and brought what i found of my former clan here." Kaige gently set the two scales down and wiped his eyes with the back of his arm. "They are my family now. They are my clan. I fight beside them and for them. Their goals are my goals. To redeem myself to my former clanmates, I must help free them and all of Mobius from Robotnik. Maybe then I can ask my parents for forgiveness. Maybe then I can embrace them once again. Maybe then I can return home."
After composing himself, Kaige picked up the torch again. "It's time we head back. Hopefully your father and Carmen have smoothed things over by now. Thank you for listening to my story."
Kaige carefully put out the torch and made sure the entrance to his den looked once again like an undisturbed, vine-covered outcropping of rocks. He took to the air and flew back toward the village with Thomas securely snuggled in his arms.
Within a few minutes the two were inside the village boundaries. Kaige caught sight of Danielle, Ryan's mate, sitting on a bench in the village center. As the grew closer and Thomas caught sight of his mother he shot his arms out to her.
Danielle smiled and stood from where she ahd been sitting and met the dragon and her kit. She laughed and took her little boy in her arms and nuzzled him.
"I hope you don't mind that I took him for a ride." Kaige said a bit embarrassed that he didn't ask permission to take Thomas out of the village.
"It's okay, Kaige. Thomas was probably safer in your arms then he ever would be in Ryan's." Danielle said with a smile as she bounced the happy Thomas in her arms.
Max soon caught up with the three of them in the village center. "I've been looking for you Kaige. You kinda disappeared when I turned my head for a few moments."
"I tend to do that." Kaige said with a grin. When Kaige didn't want to be found, you weren't going find him.
"Listen, Kaige, I never got around to apologizing for my behavior the last mission. I was not myself. I promise nothing like that will ever happen again."
Kaige looked at Max and evaluated him. Max tensed a bit under his gaze. "Forgiven." Kaige said simply. Nack had a way of getting under one's skin. Kaige, himself, nearly backed out of the mission due to the ball of fuzz. Max relaxed visibly. "However, if you ever put your paws on Carmen like that again, I'll rip your arms off." Kaige said with a predatory smile. Max blinked at the dragon but smiled as well. Kaige was just joking, right? Kaige dropped a large claw on the fox's shoulder and squeezed gently putting the fox at ease.
The two teams had been briefed or was finishing up. Soon they would start they're final preparations. Zhade and Ralph were putting the finishing touches on the new bombs, preparing them for the task tonight. Kaige hoped that Zhade's plan would work. Kaige wasn't fond of the idea of the teams splitting apart to begin with, but it was necessary for this mission and to learn that Zhade was leading his own team was a curve ball but handable. Kaige trusted Patches' decision.
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Post by Kaotix on Mar 24, 2005 22:02:51 GMT -5
"You ready, Max?"
"I've been sharpening and polishing my sword just for this mission. I'm ready," Wildfire said without hesitation.
Danielle spoke up quietly. "Kaige, I ask that you look out for my husband. Despite what he says, I know he isn't a hundred percent. Please keep an eye on him?"
Kaige looked at Danielle and then at the lightly snoozing Thomas in her arms. He slowly nodded. "You have my word."
This time they were ready for the mission. They knew their roles. They knew their purpose. They knew their objectives. The only thing they did not know was what really awaited them in the city. That worried Kaige. He didn't show it though. It wouldn't do the teams well to know that Kaige had misgivings about the mission. They didn't know the numbers of the Lt. Series Bots that were left in the city. They didn't know if the new Commander had arrived yet. They didn't know what awaited them. All they knew was that they had to cause a lot of damage tonight. Take out as many of the left over Lt. Series Bots as possible and see what Robotnik had in store for the city and ultimately them. Kaige sent a silient prayer to the Ancient Walkers that he and his friends would make it through this mission.
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Post by John Roberts on Apr 6, 2005 10:38:37 GMT -5
She watched Kaige walk out with little Thomas crying in the dragon’s strong but caring arms. She felt a tinge of guilt for causing the baby’s distress but quickly lost it when she turned back to Ryan. Couldn’t he see just how vulnerable his child’s feeling are? Doesn’t he realize the pain he’s causing?
‘Grrrrrrr..’ Carmen growled to herself. She was so furious at Ryan’s ignorance, his selfishness. Why would he risk it? Why would he even FATHOM it? “Your family! That means nothing to you? You would rather play the big hero-show-off with something to prove?!”
“Carmen, stop.” Tamara stepped forward, but was met with an open palmed ‘halt’ and a poker-faced Koala.
“No, Tam. No. When I was told that Ryan was to join us on this mission, I was against it! But I was under the assumption that he was needed for this and so from my better judgement - and reluctantly I might add - I agreed!” she turned to Ryan again and stepped forward. “But with YOUR current ‘Oh, she’ll be alright’ attitude, I doubt you even care of the mission at hand OR your own safety! Just your own STUPID ego!”
“How dare you fucking judge me!” Ryan exploded, his features filled with a sudden anger. “You don’t know a damn thing about ME or my family. As for this mission, SWEETHEART, it’s FOR my fucking family!! I love my family. I would fucking DIE for my family!!”
Carmen blinked at him, slightly taken back by his outburst. Though he was still relying on his staff for support, his stance was full of anger. Not a violent rage but a hurt one, as though something deep inside of him was ripped open like an old wound. Carmen noticed this and lowered her eyes.
“Which is exactly what’s going to happen if you go through with this in your current posture.” Carmen spoke, more passively this time.
There was cold silence in the room. Carmen felt it. Though, was it the silence cutting into her or was it Ryan’s hurtful glare she could feel boring into her mind? She shook the ambience away and raised her head to meet his gaze, his detrimental and maddened glare.
Ryan threw his arms in the air and turned away from Carmen. She blinked again. Was that a tear she just saw starting to form in his eyes?
“Look, Ryan....I’m-“ Carmen began. “You’re what? Sorry?!” Ryan snapped, as he spun back around to face her. Any signs of a tear were now gone. His face was clearly filled with just anger. He stammered a bit, as though he wanted to say more but he spoke no other words, just stood there in a suppressed state.
“Ryan, honey...” Danielle spoke up and walked towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.
He returned the squeeze from his own hand onto hers and faintly smiled at her, nodding his head as though responding to an unspoken question. The two were close, very close. It was though they could read each other’s feelings. Carmen was almost lost in their shared closeness. She then started to feel regret in her choice of words. Though she still felt strongly on Ryan coming along, it was obvious here that where his heart lies, and where his beacon and hope to return safely is.
Carmen sighed, wondering why she felt no beacon of her own to return to. She quickly shook away the thought putting it down to lack of sleep and approached the couple. Ryan looked up from his wife’s caring arms and at Carmen. Any signs of anger were now long gone. Instead there was a kind of an apology in his eyes, a regret. Carmen felt it, and felt the same in herself as well. Ryan bowed his eyes and nodded his head slightly; she returned the gesture. A silent apology.
“Well, I should get myself prepared for tonight’s task. Can’t be a medic without my medic pack.” Carmen half heartedly joked. She shrugged her shoulders and walked out of Tamara’s hut. She felt suddenly very uncomfortable standing there, especially from Tamara’s dispassionate expression as she walked out. As though SHE wanted to say something but Carmen did not want to hang around to hear what exactly. She could guess at what was coming, she just didn’t want to deal with it right now.
Carmen crossed the grassy pathway from Tamara’s hut; down the main walking area that would lead her own. Her eyes followed the path as she walked it. She noticed the sun was now starting to break through the shade of the trees and creating sharp, looming shadows along the path. A mild cold breeze blew through, disturbing the trees above and making the shadows dance. It was an eerie effect, like the dark in her mind ‘dancing’ over the light, teasing and attacking it.
Carmen sighed wishing this hollowness would go away, wondering why she felt such a detachment where she should be feeling warmth and closeness. This was her home after all; her friends, yet, it felt like a nowhere. A noplace.
A sudden chirp from a bird behind and the sound of it’s small flapping wings fly over her broke Carmen away from her thoughts and look up to watch the bird’s path. Her focussed on the bird as went across the other side of the village and there she saw walking towards her the one person she really needed right now.
‘Eddie...’
He was walking with his eyes at his feet, swaying his arms to a tune that only he could apparently hear. He did that a lot. Though he would always deny it and mostly blush away when Carmen would poke fun at him; it would always make her chuckle. But there were no chuckles this time.
Oh she needed him right now, wanted his safe arms to comfort her.
Like last night.
Carmen stopped. She looked back down to the now still shadows. It looked permanent; the light forever blocked from the darkness. And when the sun would eventually set, it will be gone completely. Though a new sun will rise again, Carmen felt that it would not emanate in her mind. Her soul forever darkened.
The haunted Koala looked back up at her approaching love. He was still many metres away and had not yet showed any response that he had seen her yet. She quickly walked off the path and into the thickets of trees. She kept walking until she was sure she was far enough away from the path, and Eddie.
The trees above were too thick for even the afternoon sun to breach through, exactly how she wanted it. A sudden weakness in her knees made Carmen felt like she was about to fall and she speedily grasped close to the trunk of the nearest tree to hold herself in place.
A tear.
Now it was Carmen’s arms turn to feel weakness as her entire body started to shake. She lost her grasp and crumbled to the soft, leafy and grassy ground. And it was there that she finally gave in to her emotions.
And she wept.
The wind picked up again, stronger than before, whisking through the tops of the trees, branches swaying and fighting against each other. And as if by some uncanny chance, the snap of a branch was heard from above and a single ray of sun light broke though and down onto Carmen’s hand. The wind slowly died down as though completing it’s task leaving Carmen with tears in her eyes but the sight of light stopping the birth of any new ones.
Carmen moved her hand, weaving her fingers into the sun’s ray. She almost smiled at the sight. But the smile was soon swallowed away as she clenched her paw into a fist and forced it away from the light. She held herself into a fetal position and cried hard, not caring how loud she was, or who would find her. In the shadows she felt alone, in the dark reaches of her mind she KNEW she was alone.
The light meant nothing.
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Post by Scott Reese on Apr 16, 2005 4:27:25 GMT -5
Ed continued on his way to the command hut, his mind beginning to wander. As he walked, his thoughts drifted from his immediate social anxieties; he found himself perplexed by an unfinished sensor calibration. And there was the software maintence to Centerpoint's comm station... When the wolf was very young, someone had diagnosed him with a mild attention disorder, the exact name of which escaped him. He never considered it an important aspect of his life, as it didn't really seem to affect his overall diligence. However, Marcus was still prone to become 'absent-minded', particularly when alone. As he walked, contemplating recalibrations and diagnostics, Ed soon began humming to himself. He switched his wrist computer on and punched a few keys, soon further engaged in his introverted musings. The design schematics on the display soon occupied his full attention, giving any passerby a chance to startle him. Ed was still humming absently when he reached for his touch-screen stylus and noticed it was not in his vest pocket. A quick search of his person confirmed that it was no longer in his possesion. "I coulda swore I picked it up on my way out," he said, stopping and glancing around on the ground. "Crap, must have dropped it-" With an exaggerated sigh, he turned and started back, scanning for his device. It was a few minutes back the way he had came when he located it, lying in the grass off the side of the path. "There you are," he clicked his tongue. As he picked up the sylus, he was suddenly aware of a muffled sound somewhere off in the woods. He paused, his sensetive ears not quite able to discern the exact direction it was coming from; it sounded like someone crying. Eddy stepped off the path, trying to find the location of the sound. He glanced back and forth into the woods, puzzled; it seemed to have ceased. No, there is was again, a gentle sobbing. He followed the sound into the cool, shadowy forest, still unsure who the voice belonged to. "Hello?" he ventured; as he spoke, the sobbing stopped, replaced by the still quiet of the woods. But he pinpointed where it had came from, on the other side of the huge oak before him. He walked around it to find Carmen sitting deep in the shadows, her knees drawn up to her chest, face streaked with tears. The look of despair on her face wrenched Ed's heart; she looked as if she didn't care whether she went on living or not. He stepped over and knelt down beside her, desperately wanting offer comfort but unsure how. "Carmie? Whats wrong, w-why are you crying?" She looked away as he spoke, her lower lip trembling and tears threatening to spill over again. Eddy gently enclosed her in his arms, holding her tightly. He had no idea why Carmen was in such anquish, but it hurt him to see her like that just the same. She returned the embrace weakly. "Eddy, I- I just-" Carmen faltered. Another wave of sobs wracked her body and she buried her face in his shoulder. For a few minutes, they just sat together in the shadows, oblivious to the world around them. Though he couldn't determine the cause of her pain, as he held her something dawned on him. While Carmen always seemed lighthearted and cheerful, he was beginning to noticed more often the looks of deep sadness that would pass over her face. But she never let on that anything was wrong, to him or anyone else... After a time, Carmen lifted her head, sniffling slightly. "I'll be okay Eddy," she whispered, giving him a squeeze. "I just needed to get past some things." She pulled away from him. "Are you sure you- don't want to talk about it?" he offered kindly. She kept her eyes down, unwilling to meet his at first. Finally, however, Carmen looked up at him, their eyes locking, and he could see the pain buried deep inside. "No, really," she said, a smile finally crossing her features. "I think I'll be fine now." She hugged him again, then stood up and took his hand. "Come on, we should get back to the rest. They might start getting the wrong impression!" Her infectious cheer had returned and as they stepped back into the afternoon sunlight, he couldn't see a trace of her earlier tears. Ed, however, was deeply concerned to finally realize that Carmen was hiding something from them all. He made a mental note to kick himself for not seeing it until now; he of all people should have known-! They walked down the trail together, Carmen chatting to him lightheartedly. But even though he wasn't fooled by the quick turnaround, Eddy couldn't find the words to approach her either. He would soon enough.
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Post by Scott Reese on Apr 16, 2005 4:28:19 GMT -5
They separated at the command hut; Carmen mentioned discussing the mission with Zhade, then headed off towards the armory. Ed watched her go, a dim disquiet settling in him as he continued inside. "Hi Ed," Tamara said from across the room as he entered. "Glad you're here, I needed to talk to you. I was going to wait until the evening briefing, but since you're here..." The earlier anxiety at seeing Patches was coming back to him, but he forced it down. "Hello, Tamara," Ed replied. "I- uh, needed to talk to you too." "About the mission?" she asked, glancing up from the Ops board; she gave him a cordial smile as he approached, but he felt she had something else on her mind. "There are a few particulars I wanted to go over with you." She paused, looking at him intently, then turned away. "Oh, and I see you fixed the water pump already, nice work." "Thanks, I finished it this morning," he responded, leaning back against the map table and trying not to look fidgety. "What did you need to- tell me about the mission?" Tamara moved over to the desk and withdrew an stack of papers from the top drawer. "Well," she began "-there have been a few changes. First off, Zhade suggested we alter the team arrangements." Ed chewed his lower lip. "Altered?" "Yes; Kaige is now in charge of the first team, and Mr. Harkins is leading the second. You'll be with him." "What about our- objectives?" Ed was a little surprised at the change. He had assisted Tamara in planning out their strategy, and he felt the arrangements had been tactically sound. However, he knew he wasn't exactly a military man, so he listened attentively as she explained. "Kaige's team, Ryan and Max, will engage the LT swatbots directly, drawing attention away while you and Ralph plant traps-" Declaws indicated several areas on the map. -"at these locations. Zhade will provide cover for the two of you while you work. He'll signal Kaige when the traps are ready, at which point their team will lure as many bots into position as they can." Ed nodded, studying the map closely. There were at least three spots they would have to rig. That meant his team would have to remain as stealthy as possible and not engage the 'bots directly. There was one other thing... "W-what about Carmen?" he asked anxiously. Tamara gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry; she'll be with Zhade. We discussed it earlier and she decided it would be the best choice, though I still have concerns about Ryan." "Chief- insists that he's okay," Ed replied, relieved that Carmen would be out of immediate danger. "I think he'll be fine as long as he d-doesn't get cornered." Patches nodded, then continued. "For now, I want you to get some explosives and a few of the EMP charges. And get with Ralph; maybe you and he can figure out some better ways to take those LT Swatbots out. I'll give everyone the details on the other objective tonight." "Right." Ed hesitated, looking down at his feet. "Uh..." "Was there something else?" Tamara pause, looking at him knowingly. He swallowed hard, then spoke. "Yes. Its- its about C-carmen. I'm w-worried about her, and... I was wondering- if I could ask f-for your advice." He raised his head and met her gaze, trying to force down his insecurities. "Of course Eddy," she said kindly. "I'll help you any way I can." Tamara's sincerity eased the knot in his stomach as she continued. "Actually, I was hoping we would get to talk about Carmen." "Thanks Patches," he said softly, managing a smile. "So what's on your mind?" she said. "Is it what happened last night?" "No, not exactly." Ed paused. "Last night?" Tamara cocked her head, a perplexed crossing her features. "You mean, she didn't go to your hut, around midnight? I saw her and she was upset. She said she- needed you." He felt another twinge of anxiety, but he was more surprised at what she had justsaid. "No, she- she didn't come by," he replied. "B-but, this morning, I found her crying, and sh-she wouldn't say why." Tamara shook her head slowly, a faraway sadness in her eyes. "That sounds like Carmen. Then she hasn't told you about the nightmares?" "No, she hasn't said anything about that either," Ed said, his alarm deepening. "W-what do you mean nuh-nightmares?" Patches looked away for a moment before she replied. "Since I've known her, Carmen has been plagued by the memories of seeing her family taken. She was even forced to watch the SWATbots gun down her mother; needless to say, she's been traumatized by it ever since." She gave a disheartened sigh. "Her fears manifest themselves in horrible dreams night after night, and she can't make them stop." Ed didn't know what to say; he looked at her, slightly bewildered. "I never knew," he whispered. "Th-this has been going on- for ten years?" Tamara nodded. "It was early in the war when I found out. She badly needed someone to confide in, and I was there for her; I couldn't bear to see her hurt. That's why we grew close..." She looked away again, her eyes misting. A mixture of emotions washed over him. The aching desire to reach out and comfort not only Carmen, but Tamara as well, was accompained by the guilt of having come between them. "Tamara, I-I'm s-sorry. About- what happened-" "Eddy, there's no need to apologize," she interrupted. Her tone was not malicious, but rather one of compassion. "We were together for the wrong reasons; I'm not sure she realizes it, but Carmen turned to me trying to work through other issues. Our relationship was never built on a solid footing." She reached up and gave his shoulders a gentle squeeze. "But its different for you. You have the chance to be happy together, and that's all I want for her." Their were definite tears in her eyes now and her voice trembled a little, but she maintained her composure. As he watched her, a second realization dawned on Ed. For the past month, he had been so wrapped up with his own self-centered insecurity that he had imagined Tamara held a resentment toward him. However, that was clearly not the case. "Tam," he said slowly. "I d-don't deserve to have a friend like you. Thank you for being here- for all of us." He held his head up and smiled at her, finally at ease again. "Anytime, Eddy," she replied warmly. "And don't worry about me; I'll be fine."
When he walked out of the command hut a few moments later, Ed had a newfound determination. He wan't going to let himself get in the way anymore. His friends deserved more than that.
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wildfire
Socially Acceptable
I'm spastic with a handgun
Posts: 206
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Post by wildfire on Apr 17, 2005 20:09:08 GMT -5
Max strolled behind Kaige at a leisurely pace. The air all around him was charged with anticipation at the upcoming mission. It had been nearly three whole weeks since the Lt. Series mission, and in all that time Ryan wasn't completely healed. In Max's mind, this caused undue worry. After all, there was no telling what holdups his injuries might cause. Also, there was the thought that Ryan might noy make it back from Centropolis. The mere thought of it chilled Max's bones. Despite all this, his face remained as warm as it ever was. He walked calmly and surely behind the large red dragon, not really sure where they were going, but not very worried about where they were headed either. He thumbed around in his vest pockets, his leather gloved hand went over his sharpening stone, the lock of hair Fatel had given him, and a shock of familiarity came over him when his hand felt the picture he kept there for ten years. He slowly pulled it out of his pocket, and looked at it lovingly. His father stood there next to him, Max had to be sround five years old. There was so much pride in his father's eyes, so much hope for the future. All Max had been able to remember for so long is the shock in his eyes as his father lay there dying with a smoldering hole in his chest. Tears flowed from his eyes as he remembered looking up at the bloated dictator that dared to take his father from him. He remembered raging for days, screaming at the gods in anguish, and wishing nothing more than to see his dad again.
"Hey, are you ok?"
Max looked up quickly, his face a storm of emotion. Upon seeing Kaige's worried face, he snapped back from the world of his memories. "Uh, yeah. Just remembering I suppose." His composure returned as he left his reverie. He put the picture back in his pocket, and with it out of his sight, the memories it brought to mind left him as well. "Sorry if I worried you."
"We all have our burdens to bear my friend. Sometimes it's all we can muster to keep ourselves sane. I want you to know that you do not bear this burden alone, it is the burden of an entire world. It is your strength that we'll need most. I will be honest, I do not trust this new arrangement, I have not known Zhade long enough to trust him with the lives of my friends."
"Sometimes we have to deal with people we don't trust. I seem to recall that Nack generated a great deal of trouble for us all last time. But in the end he turned out to be a great asset. Granted, i'm not one hundered percent sure that he should have been granted control of a team, but I think that we should be a little more trusting of him. I mean, we're all on the same side right?" Max shrugged his shoulders and smirked at the large dragon. "So let's get to it shall we?"
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