[System]
Appearance:
Nicknames/Titles: Knight/Blacksmith
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Skills: He has a triple spin, calling it Cyclone. He also has a jumping arc attack, slamming his sword on opponents.
Equipment: A long, sharp broadsword. He carries it upon his waist. He tends to carry some rations and his clothing is always travel-ready.
Personality: He tends to be outgoing and friendly most of the time, however, if somebody snaps at him for a mistake he makes, he will become shyer and angered. He will keep quiet at these time and always try to do everything right. He hates chaos, but also hates waiting and needing a 'plan', as he states it. He enjoys action, but knows when he needs to back up and keep living.
Biography: Dante was born in Hoskaros as a child, during a time of strife. He grew up learning to fight and fend for himself, learning combat skills and how to handle a blade. He had minimal gun training, but never has had a real opportunity to practice and use guns. He moved to New Torrea at the age of 15, and has a house there, and makes a decent living as a blacksmith/weapon trainer. He isn't the most well known, but some people know his name.
Others:

[User]
Dante

Dante was working on his forge, making trinkets and weapons for travelers who requested. It seemed awfully busier as of late, with Kingdown Expansion came the need for tools, and he had to deliver. He just returned a gun to a new customer, who needed the handle fixed. However, Dante took his time, disassembling it and examining how it worked, before fixing and returning it. The prospect of forging a gun was always so exciting! After wiping his brow, beaded with sweat from the heat and work, he noticed a poster on the wall, alarmingly red colored. "Hm? What is this?" he said, reading the big poster, then looking at the small writing. "I'm afraid I can't decipher this just yet..." Dante muttered, taking the poster and going inside to properly examine the small text. He left a sign that said, "Out for lunch!" although if someone looked enough, they could see his thin frame's shadow in a window, peering over something.

[Assistant]
Bristlebane had definitely had taken Yunan by surprise however upon contact and pressure during mid-air a yellow barrier appeared that surrounded Yunan. It had knocked away the assailant considering what he was trying to do, which was obviously trying to knock Yunan over. However, It was obvious that it would take more than simply the body to take down Yunan. To Yunan the spell that surrounded him, was an automatic spell that Yunan had came up with that required only the assistance of his Golden Staff that he carried around, as people around who noticed the two could see the thing shimmering faintly as it was supply energy for the barrier before it had went transparent. It was obvious that the magical shield was still up, as now that his assailant at such close range could see the space was subtly warped around Yunan indicating the barrier.

Yunan's assailant had chosen the wrong person to steal from, however he decided that he would let them off easy... considering they haven't done anything bad, yet. So with his staff it gathered its energy taking its time before the staff shot down a tiny green orb into the ground right beneath the ground where Bristlebane was knocked back to. The green orb had grown vines from the feet of his assailant and had slowly crawled up from his feet and up to the top. The vine gave little resistance and was relatively easy to get out of it you had at least a little bit of strength, the rate of travel of the climbing vines were also slow giving Bristlebane more than enough time to escape. With him busy, Yunan waited to see what the man would do with his spell slowly entangling him.

[User]
A white gloved hand plucked Astarte's cigarette out of his mouth, putting the tip into a skull headed pipe clamped between sharp grinning teeth as Cassie eyed the young boy, monocle glinting in the sun before she handed the cigarette back. Such brazen behavior towards a knight, let alone one of the Triumvirate, was something most would never dare. But then, few dared what Cassie dared. She puffed the pipe, letting a trail of smoke bleed out from her teeth as she cocked her head, the massive Howler Cannon strapped to her back clanking against the ammo bag. She smelled heavily of cordite, smoke, gun oil, and black powder. Odds are she'd just finished morning drills with her platoon, or maintenance on the Howler, or any number of things involving her beloved cannon. She spoke way too loudly, causing several passerby to give curious glances as her voice carried across the square.

"Goooood morning Sir Astarte. Isn't it a bit early to be getting worked up over your sister's little event? Actually, keep going. You're pretty freaking cute when you're ruffled."

The bombardier's jackal grin widened as she gave a salute, still 'technically' following protocol. As a sapper, she was quite low in the military, after all. She took a long drag as she eyed the piece of paper, having already seen about 16 others around the city. You'd have to be deaf and blind to not pick up the hidden message that was so absolutely poorly hidden within the letters, or to hear the whispering from the citizens who had noticed it. While Cassie was most definitely deaf in her left ear from the Cannon, she was certainly not blind. Especially since the subject had been on her mind for days now. Still, it would be best to avoid bringing the subject up, especially around Hazael's brother. Her amber eyes flitted back to Astarte, the grin remaining as she puffed the pipe.

"I take it by the grumblings and threats of assault upon your sister that you will NOT be joining the event? You wouldn't happen to know anything about it? I'm curious myself."

[Assistant]
Chloe Magnolia Chevalier stood in the shadow of an alleyway, the dim light partially hiding her from view as she eyed the passing crowds with growing apprehension. The bag on her back shuddered slightly in response to her growing disquiet. Chloe was not in a good position and she knew it. Her father, the retired knight commander Callahan Chevalier had just recently survived an assassination attempt by an unknown political faction. Well, that was what the letter that she had received had said anyway.

However she had her doubts as to how 'unknown' that faction truly was. If you knew who to ask there was always someone who could enlighten you, often for a price. It was no secret that her father, a fervent royalist was a staunch supporter of the king. He followed the code of chivalry almost to the letter and would lay down his life for his liege. And retired or not he had influence at court. And the loyalty of his men. That might have had something to do with it. But Chloe had been away for a long, long time. The political game had become a distant memory to her. It was a game she despised. And then there were the rumors.

The rumours were unsettling to say the least. The king was dying it was said and prime minister Donat had taken the reigns of state in his absence. Chloe didn't care about that. The power plays of nobility were of no interest to her. But if anyone of them had hurt her dad there would be hell to pay. They would find out how lethal a paper cut could be. Chloe stilled her breath for a few heartbeats to regain her composure and reasserted dominance over the contents of her bag. Her bag grew still and silent. She looked at the note in her hand one more time.

She didn't care too much about the message itself, only the name attached to it. Lieutenant Knight Commander Hazeal. Chloe had never met her but she vaguely recalled the name. Whoever she was Hazeal would provide her with answers. They might not be the answers that she wanted to hear but that was beside the point. But there was something else that she needed to do first. Chloe stepped out of the alley and strode over to the smithy across the way, its door was closed and a note announced lamely that the owner was out for lunch. Chloe knew that that was not true, she had watched the man enter only moments before. He had looked distracted. Or thoughtful. It hard to tell. She supposed he did not want to be disturbed. This had no bearing on her thought process however as she knocked loudly on the door.

"I need you to make me something and I'm willing to pay double," Chloe announced to the closed door as a single sheet of paper obediently found its way into her hand. It was a simple diagram with simple instructions. It showed a picture of rods made of reinforced steel. She had a thought. "I could read the poster for you if you want?"

[User]
Bristlebane to his surprise was rejected by the presence of some type of barrier and he fell to the ground, it seemed the mage was either incredibly observant or had passive defenses, since most mages were lazy most likely the latter. Then to his great fascination, vines began emitting from a green orb and started crawling up his legs and encasing his bod. He wondered how far they would creep before they stopped, a gentle and subtle tug informed him that he could get out if he wanted, but he decided against it and simply adjusted his hat and flipped the card in it to a jester of diamonds.

 He began conversation with the mage, "Well hello there, my name is Bristlebane travelling Troubadour at your service, I do apologize for my misconduct one of THESE BUNDLING SCOUNDRELS bumped me ever so rudely into your defenses." Bristlebane said blatantly lying to the mages face and showing no sign of it., then he paused and glanced at the vines again. "By the way just how do these vines of yours work, do they grow by themselves or do you have to constantly use magic, can you control how they grow? Oh oh can you make a pillow and blanket out of them? I bet they would make an amazing sleeping place, and if you covered yourself with them you would be practically invisible." Bristlebane spat out the questions in rapid fire. If there was a thing Bristlebane wanted to do more than anything else it was learn how to use magic.

[Assistant]
Ralena stood before one of the many advertisements.

Recruiting...

The young woman in her armour and battle attire studied the paper for some moments, before deciding to see what this was all about. Taking one last look at the paper, Ralena began to make her way through the streets.

What's this all about?

[User]
Dante

Dante heard a loud knocking interrupt his thoughts as he was browsing the jumbled letters. Sighing, he stood, about to answer the customer, when they mentioned, "I can read the poster for you if you want?" they called. Dante quickly opened the door, giving the customer a studious look. "Ah, you saw me I guess? Well, I would appreciate it, I can't read the jumbled letters..." he said, looking at the poster he brought out with him. "Anyways, you can talk to me about the poster while I work on whatever it is you want. I should be able to get the job done." He said proudly, looking at his blazing forge.

[Assistant]
"Oh it's no problem, I am the one inconveniencing you after all," Chloe said nonchalantly as she channelled magic into the poster that she herself was carring, causing it to float in the air just above her hand so that the writing was pointing roughly toward the blacksmith. She paused for a second as the thought occurred to her that that had not been the wisest of things to do in front of a stranger, not everyone reacted to magic in the same way. Sometimes it could go really badly. But usually, not so much. The poster coiled up and around her arm like a snake and wove its way into her backpack, disappearing inside with a rustle.

"It's a message, you know, sort of hidden in the words, it actually took me a little while myself," she said humbly. Chloe leaned against the wall and looked sidelong at the smith. "It's an accusation, kinda, it's saying that your dear sweet prime minster has been a very naughty boy. I guess if that bothers you then you, I don't know, you could do something about it."

Chloe watched as he went about his work. Depending on how you looked at it what he was doing was no different than magic, he took an idea, shaped it in his mind and then made it real. She was kind of surprised he hadn't asked her why she needed steel rods/ She was grateful for his professional discretion.

[User] "Well, I've no problem with the Minister, but there have been rumors about some... wrongdoings on his part. Perhaps I'll look into this adventure." Dante said, watching in awe when she projected an image of the blueprint. "Interesting design..." He murmured, immediately getting to work and hammering on steel in the specified shape. "Anyways, what brings you to New Torrea?" Dante asked nonchalantly, attempting to make small talk while he worked.


[System]
Gender: Male

Appearance: Aside from a slightly crooked posture and a zit on his nose, Gork looks like an average goblin.

Personality: Gork is grumpy and easily irritated due to his high intelligence (at least, for an average goblin), finding the other goblins as dumb brutes who only want to feed and procreate. He wants to dedicate as much of his time as he can about learning about the world around him, especially about something he only knows is called a "human", as he remembers learning in a dream he had at birth. He is quite protective of the cup he has made from carving a round rock, as he uses it to mix his concoctions.

Past Life History: In his past life Gork was a scientist who buried himself in books, intelligent and ambitious as he was. Shame that he was absentminded too, as a shelf packed with far too many books came to be his demise as it fell down on him, followed by his laboratory exploding due to a vial that was left to overheat.

Talent:

* Human Language - Gork can read, write and speak the human language at a basic level. He is able to make stilted, but passable conversation with any human. That is, if any human is willing to speak to a goblin in the first place.
* Chemistry - Gork is quite adept with his rock cup, and provided the right ingredients, is capable of mixing various kinds of potions and poisons to aid in the survival of his clan.

Skill(s):
* Dark Eye - Allows one to see more effectively in the darkness. (Passive) E-Rank
* Absorption - A monster specific skill. This skill allows monsters to gain the skill(s) of the creatures they devour. The amount of skills gained in this process is limited to a 6 time usage. Choose your stolen abilities wisely. Uses will reset to 6 upon Ranking Up regardless of the amount you have used. (Remaining Uses: 6)

[Assistant]
When Briex first opened her eyes she almost immediately wanted to close them again as the light still hurt. Her curiosity won out though and she instead kept her eyes open until they started to adjust. When she could see the young goblin inspected her body instinctively knowing the name of every body part as she saw it.

When that was done she changed focus to her surroundings. Most of what she saw was lifeless rock except for one strange area that even more light came into, but she quickly realized there were also other goblins around. Since they might be hostile she decided to hide.

She silently dragged herself to a nearby dark shadow and tried to disappear in the darkness, unaware that her light skincolor rendered her attempts futile. Believing she was hard too see Briex continued to observe the other goblins, most of which were lying on the cave's floor.

One of them though was somehow balancing themselves on their legs. Impressed with that seemingly impossible feat Briex decided to imitate them. Using the cave wall as support the day old managed to stand up on shaky uncertain legs.

[User]
The cave and the hazy memories. That was all Et truly had at this point, like many of the other goblins in this cave. It was truly interesting to see that they all had just come to be, strange even to see this spectacle. Though, Et was not going to sit on her rump all day and do nothing, no she needed to be useful. That is why she silently thanked the light for coming to save her from this darkness, she opened her eyes and let them adjust.

Slowly, Et got up and gave nice long stretch so that she may go and do whatever she needed. She had been in this place for three days now and it still was exceptionally strange with all these different goblins around. She looked around the cave to see the other goblins; some sleeping, some waking up, one imitating another. She gave a sigh at these people before going off to search the cave walls for anything that seemed like the metal from her memories.

She wanted to make something, bend something like what she had been doing in her memories. Though, nothing would glisten and nothing wanted to just show itself to her. However, that did not mean she would simply give in.

[Assistant]
The endless abyss which enveloped him had consumed all of his senses, the whispering that had once been silently chattering to him had been silenced with a single boom. One that which dug him from up from his slumber, with the ocean of shadows enveloping his form had now pushed him to the top to hear a single command from somewhere. "Wake up..."

With the uttering of those words, the next things he could even roughly remember wasn't anything significant as the light flooded his eyes from his nap. The day of light burning them as they began to adjust to the sudden exposure, with the cave's darkness being sort of a comforting haven to him still. With three days worth of time wracking his brain over the memories in his head along with the fact of the other goblins around in the cave with himself whom he spent the last several days with. He felt different from them and gave a sigh out loud as he stood up from the crowd. Falling down shortly after with his shaky legs still unused to walking, however, with the assistance of a branch which he found among the edges of the cave. There were other sticks and twigs among the floor along with rocks and pebbles but this branch was perfect for his height with a few branches still on it and with a few snaps, it was mostly fine. Using the wooden branch as an additional limb to support him for walking, taking notice of other goblins beginning to stand as well.

Continuing to use the branch as a crutch, he slowly but surely exercising his muscles as he walked slowly outside of the cave to reach the outside. Poking his head silently as he peeked from left to right, with his eyes already adjusted from earlier before but he remained still at the opening of the cave unsure if he should go out further.

[User]
Among the goblins who woke up from their slumber, Gork was probably the slowest; he spent awhile simply trying to open his eyes, and he saw other goblins going about their business. He then turned his head, and saw a round rock at a corner of the cave, and took it. He didn't know why, but his mind was filled with possibility and potential, and he could see innovation and progression where there was not. After he found a sharp stone, he used it to carve the round rock into a cup, as he felt like he wanted to create. But more instinctively, he wanted to learn how.

So Gork crawled to the cave entrance, and taking leverage from the wall, stood up. The bright sun scared him, but he was driven by ambition greater than any cowardice the creature may have had. Sure, he might be walking to his death at the jaws of a hungry predator, but hardships and possible sacrifice was necessary in the path of science. So he set out into the wilderness. He first found a sturdy stick, and used some springy roots to tie up the sharp rock he used to carve his cup into the stick, crafting a spear. With the weapon in his hand, Gork felt comfortable searching for plants, mushrooms, berries, herbs, anything goblins didn't want to eat but he could use to grind up in his cup and brew into something useful.


[System]
Gender: Female
Pokémon: Skitty
Ability: Cute Charm
Hidden Ability: Wonder Skin
Moveset:
* Play Rough
* Attract
* Wake-Up Slap
* Feint Attack

Delphi

Gender: Female
Pokémon: Ralts
Ability: Trace
Hidden Ability: Telepathy
Moveset:
* Magical Leaf
* Heal Pulse
* Calm Mind
* Psychic

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Altepa Desert]

Piper looked up at the Delphox, beaming proudly before giving a quick nod and following suit. "Yes!" After returning his wink, she trotted behind, allowing him to take point as she scanned their surroundings and watched his back to prepare against surprise attacks.

When her partner stopped and started inspecting the tile before the sealed stone door, she sat on the ground and continued her watch, listening for any signs of progress. Met with some frustrated grunts, she looked over her shoulder. "Is everything going alright back the-" Stopping her question at his warning, she quickly backed up to give him space. Cautiously, she watched the bright magical flame surge from his wand and slam into the door to no avail. "That's a strong door..." She muttered under her breath, taking a couple steps forward to inspect where the blast had hit. It seemed to have done nothing aside from giving the door an ashen tint.

"Maybe fire doesn't work on this one...?" Piper asked, stepping back and looked up at Alodi with an inquisitive tilt of her head. Hm... I can try too... Fighting usually beats rock... I'm pretty sure... She thought to herself, briefly contemplating the decision before confirming it to herself with a confident nod. "Alright, step back a bit in case something happens. I don't really know if this will work or not... I mean... it's worked on almost every door I've seen before buut... this one could be different." Taking a deep breath, she stepped back, a faint dark red glow enveloping her tail. [PIPER used WAKE-UP SLAP!] After a deep exhale, she burst into a sprint and leapt into the air, flipping forwards to vertically swing her tail down into the door.

[Assistant]
Alodi the Delphox[Altepa Desert]

A sigh escaped the Delphox's maw, "...Indeed. I just... cannot understand why that didn't work...?"

Taking a step back as requested, the Fire-type watched the Skitty do work. "Good luck. Be careful..." He watched with furrowed brows. The attack was impressive to be sure, and it would have split, had the door been made of true stone. Alodi was beginning to think there was more to the ruin than he initially thought.

A sigh escaped his lips after he was sure that nothing was going to cause the door to budge. "Well, that's... unfortunate. I really thought that would have worked. I'm sorry, Piper, I—" The Delphox cut his words short as he felt the ground shake. "Wh—!?" Flipping around, the Delphox caught sight of something he had never seen before. A large, brown and tan Pokémon standing over 6', likely weighing quite a bit.

The Cavern Pokémon plowed through the group, gruffly muttering an apology, "Excuse me." With those words, he stood upon the stone square. The doors before them opened!

"What!?"

The Rock-Fighting type pressed onward, down the stairs and into the ruins. Alodi whipped around with a wide smile across his visage, as if an excited child, "Let's go!"

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Altepa Desert]

A resounding thud was heard as Piper's tail slammed into the door which failed to respond with even a slight crack. Falling onto her feet, she looked up at the indestructible door in complete disbelief. "W-What?! B-But how?! That... That doesn't make any sense!" Now frustrated, she turned to her partner and shook her head. "Don't apo-" Met with the gentle tremor along the ground, she peeked past Alodi to find a gargantuan four-legged Pokemon meandering towards them. As it approached, she quickly shuffled to the side, not wanting to get crushed by its massive hooves. "Er..." She watched it with a confused expression, glancing over to see her partner's reaction before hearing the unmovable door slowly slide open.

In sync with the Delphox, she whipped her head in the direction of the door with wide eyes. "No way..." She mumbled, a bright smile creeping onto her face as she moved her head to meet her partner. Left speechless, she gave a quick nod and hurried through the door. Upon entering the ancient ruins, she looked behind at Alodi. "We are so lucky..."

[Assistant]
Alodi the Delphox[Cloister of Tremors]

Flashing his teeth at the Skitty, he replied, "Indeed we are! Let's go!" Hurrying through the doors, he let out a sigh of relief as he watched the door slide closed behind him. "It appears to be some sort of weight-based mechanism... That's what I thought it was at first, but we must have been far too light..." Frowning somewhat, he then flashed a smile, "Well, the good news is not many can get inside. So, if we were being followed, I doubt they'll be able to get in!"

Making his way down the stairs, he'd notice that the ruins were pitch black, save for the ember that was still flickering on his wand. "Well, I can't see anything in here. Not even that Pokémon." However, the ground beneath them shook, clearly a sign that the Pokémon was nearby. "You know, I've never actually been in here. I don't even know what dungeon this is. It looks... ancient. Very ancient."

[User]
Devon the Totodile and Brick the Poliwrath[Town Path - F7]

Keldeo@Ninian
As he walked off to the next hall, Devon's face screwed up as Lilisette began to fluster over the loss of the blue gemstone. Was that really that Awakening thing that she told me about yesterday? The one that would evolve me into something super strong? But it wouldn't even help us that much right now would it? I'd need to be a Feraligatr for it to work, and Emera break when they leave a dungeon anyways.....And who're those two mon that she mentioned? Could they do something with the Awakening?

The Totodile slowed his pace a bit to fall back near the blue Kirlia and the concerned Bayleef. His head turning towards Lilisette as he tilted it. "I wanna know too. If it's really that important, we could probably go back for it..." Grimacing, the Water-type grunted. "That Absol might be trying to go for it. I seen him gunning for that Gligar as I was turning around back there."

Looking over to Ember, he raised a thumb up and smiled. "Like you can see through walls and stuff? That's awesome, now we can keep track of anyone else that decides to start stalking us."

...

Back in the other room, the Poliwrath made sure to stand at the mouth of the hall that Team Horizon had made their way down. His beady eyes focusing on the Absol as it intimidated the poor bat. The thick muscles in his arms tensing as he simply observed the situation for now. Though, upon the appearance of the two Eeveelutions and another Absol, Brick made a silent agreement with himself, and slipped down the hall.

The Gligar began to sweat bullets as the Dark-type approached him. The little purple creature eeping in surprise as he hopped back from the Absol's paw, and began to slowly walk backwards as he weakly stared down Volug. "H-Hey! Just cause I-I didn't let those guys have it, d-doesn't mean I'm gonna let you have it neither! H-Haven't ya ever heard of 'Finder's keepers'? E-Eh heh?"

The Ground-type continued to tremble, until the arrival of even more Pokémon, and the resulting shout, caused him to jump in alarm. The glowing blue stone slipped from the bat scorpion's claws much to his horror. The Emera falling to the knotted wood floor and shattering into glittering dust with an unceremonious clack!

The room went dead silent as the Gligar stared agape at the pile of dust that was once the omni-powerful gemstone. A nervous laugh seeping out of his maw as he clicked his claws together and forced a panicked smile. "O-Oh...O-Oops....Guess uh....Guess no one's gonna have it now, huh?"

Stein the Scizor and Teth the Nidoqueen[Folio Town - Outside the Guild]

Keldeo
The Nidoqueen didn't move away at the rather weak shove. The concerned frown across her creamy muzzle however, faltered as her mouth gaped at the Typhlosion's identification of herself and her partner. "What? How could you know that? Our mentor? Who are...."

The words were quickly lost on Teth's lips as she gasped at the sight of the badge in the fire badger's paws. Stein froze at the tarnished oak tree, his head soon craning up from the badge to the face of the pin's owner. "....Pepper. We all thought you were dead...." The shock of coming face to face with a ghost dazed the giant bug for another moment, before he awkwardly reached out a claw and stepped out towards the Fire-type as he left. "Wait! Shouldn't we...!? Damn it, why do we need to be on guard duty now of all times?"

"This is wonderful....After so many years, he came back!" The badged Nidoqueen whispered to herself giddily. His brown eyes shooting towards the two Luxio as she smiled and crouched down berfore them. "Fuse, it's wonderful! That's Pepper! Ember's father! He's alive!" The happiness evident on the dino's face began to fade a bit, Teth biting her lip as she looked back to the exiting Fire-type. "Oh, but he's so unwell...Are you two busy? Could you please go with him? He wants to tell Glyph something, but he really does need Rhys help..."

Raiden the Feraligatr[Folio Town Square]

@Shiny Keldeo
"Excuse me."

The throaty voice of the large gator grumbled to the pair of door guards, and the two lions standing in the the wood archway. Raiden casually strolled past the group of four mon and disappeared into the crowded square.

...

One of his meaty blue hands reached up to grip the small pearl attached around his neck as he walked. The Feraligatr's thumb gently running over the cream colored sphere as he stared off blankly into the on coming crowd. However, something seemed to catch the scarred Rescuer's sharp gaze. Raiden's slit orange eye's flicked off into the sea of bodies to his right, and nearly shattered the pearl in his hand from gripping it suddenly.

Zeke, tell everyone that I've been followed. Tell them to retrace their steps to make sure they aren't being stalked as well. I'm going to take care of Minuano. I'll call if I need back up.

As the squeaky, strangely legible voice accepted the request and sent the message, the Water-type blinked at the grinning red figure leaning against a wall far beyond him. As soon as he opened his lids again, the figure had vanished without a trace.

[Assistant]
Lilisette the Kirlia[Folio's Trunk - Town Path F7]

Keldeo@Light Lord
"It... really looked like an Awakening. I've seen one once before, but it was embedded into a looplet." Glancing back, she sighed as they were out of visual range, "Anyway, Cerran and Erius are crafters. Their names probably haven't gotten out yet... but if you bring them to an emera, inside of a dungeon of course, they can merge their effects with a looplet. So, it's not... embedded into one? It is, one..."

Looking to Ember, the Kirlia sighed, "Yeah, you're right. He really bothers me though, I don't remember anything about him. I guess that means he's probably not that scary, anyway, but... he really creeps me out." Letting out a slightly excited squeak, Lilisette regained her vigor and rushed to Ember, "Nice! So... you have X-ray vision... like a Luxray? That's pretty cool. Are you okay? I hope it's not giving you a headache."

Weighing in on Devon's concern, the Psychic furrowed her brows, "It is important, but... I'm pretty sure you find one later. I mean, now that there's two Pokémon after it... and I don't think we can take that Absol."

"Volug" the Absol[Folio's Trunk - Town Path F7]

Keldeo@Light Lord
Turning to glance backwards at the newcomers, Volug let out an annoyed groan, "This isn't any of your business, now is it?"

...it was about then that the Gligar became nervous, dropping the emera, shattering it into pieces. Placing his paw back down on the ground, the Dark-type ignored the Fly Scorpion and the group confronting them as if they were no longer important. In silence, the Absol would continue on towards Devon and his group.

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Cloister of Tremors]

Looking up at Alodi, Piper smiled brightly and nodded her head. "I see, that makes sense! And yeah, at least we'll be safe in here!" She lowered her voice and glanced in the direction of the huge four-legged behemoth that had allowed them entry. "I mean... I doubt there's anything that weighs as much as our friend over there..." With a little smirk, she stifled a giggle and turned around, trotting down into the dark ruins.

Even with the faint ember given off by her partner's wand behind her, it was difficult to discern the dungeon's depth. Due to the vibrations of the other Pokemon's footsteps from below, it seemed as if there were still many steps ahead. "Yeah... I can't see anything either... Well... besides you and the small area around us." She said, glancing over her shoulder. Turning back to focus to where she was going, she continued. "And really? Hm... I have never seen or heard of a dungeon like this... Well... The description doesn't really match anything I've heard about... And..." Trying to be discrete, she lowered her voice once more. "...I've never seen that Pokemon before either... I mean... I think I've heard rumors about one like it but... I have no idea what it's called. Do you happen to know anything? I mean, it seems indifferent to our presence now but... you never know..."


[System]
Handle: Andrew

Gender: Male

Age: 18

Personality:
Normally he is pretty shy and clueless, not knowing how to handle all kinds of situations. He isn't dumb, just very fast scared of failing. Turn up the pressure in a duel early-game and he has trouble keeping up with you.
However, his Guardian doesn't only protect him on the field, it also protects him emotionally. When in the hardest part of a duel or in a situation outside the Duel Monsters arena, usually when under half his original LP or when in danger, the voice of his Guardian starts to guide him. He becomes calmer, thinks more rational and gains a bit of confidence.
When in immediate lifethreatening danger or when his Guardian is out on the field, his personality and that of his Guardian almost seem to fuse: He becomes (over)confident, even a bit scary and seems to be a high level duelist.

Bio:
Andrew had a rough time growing up. Not only was he very shy and scared from young age, he got bullied by a few classmates who were good in Dueling Monsters. The few cards Andrew had were overall weak compared to the bullies' high level-effect monsters. They would keep on beating him over and over and over, until one faithful day, when he was about to lose all faith in himself, a voice spoke to him. The voice told him that no card was weak as long as you could use them right. The voice guided him, helping him get back at his bullies and winning for the first time. Ever since, whenever he was in big trouble, the voice would help him, and he was able to get better cards through his new way of dueling. The voice, where he still doesn't know the origin from since he never used his Guardian before, would guide him through any big obstacle, while dueling and outside of a duel.

Deck:
40 cards total

Ghostrick Jiangshi ×3
Ghostrick Lantern ×2
Ghostrick Mary ×3
Ghostrick Mummy ×3
Ghostrick Specter ×2
Ghostrick Warwolf ×2
Ghostrick Witch ×2

Allure of Darkness ×1
Ghostrick Mansion ×2
Raigeki ×1
Twin Twisters ×3
Upstart Goblin ×1

Bottomless Trap Hole ×1
Fiendish Chain ×2
Ghostrick Scare ×1
Ghostrick-Go-Round ×2
Magic Drain ×2
Needle Ceiling ×2
Quaking Mirror Force ×2
Solemn Warning ×1
Staunch Defender ×29 cards total

Ghostrick Alucard ×3
Ghostrick Angel of Mischief ×3
Ghostrick Dullahan ×3
Guardian Monster:

Theme Song:

[User]
Megumi made her way through the buffet and picked up the options she thought looked delicious. In next to no time at all, she had a rather large assortment of items on her plate, and began looking for a place to sit and enjoy her meal. Well, she didn't really need to sit to do that. Already she was twirling up noodles with a fork and enjoying their tastiness. They were remarkably good, too, having a firm texture while keeping up the taste, making her only want more. The small squares of beef within the mass of noodles served to compliment the taste, creating a wondrous harmony within her mouth.

As she continued eating, a small white thing flew past her peripheral vision. Megumi turned to look at it, but it was already long gone. In its place, however, was a pair of elf women with blue and purple dresses. Megumi thought they looked like the Gemini Elf monsters, but they seemed more... cartoonish. As the elves ran off, Megumi turned to look some more and realized that there were actually a number of the toonish monsters around, most of which were playing pranks on the unsuspecting passengers of the ship. The white monster came back, and Megumi could see that it was a toonish-looking Cyber Dragon.

Megumi had heard of them before, something about Duel Spirits, but didn't think they were actually real. She had never seen one before. It was possible they were not even Duel Spirits at all. No one else seemed to notice them, anyway. Curious, Megumi spotted the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and began to follow it as best she could, half-forgetting that she was still in a semi-crowded place with people around. As a result, she collided with someone, causing them to fall backwards. Megumi managed to remain standing, with her plate of food still intact, and looked down to see a small child with a hat on. Megumi tilted her head sideways, curious about whether the kid she had bumped into was a boy or girl, and knelt down. "Sorry about that. Are you ok?" Megumi asked, holding out a hand.

@Archmage MC

[Assistant]
Lucille was enjoying running around trying all the new and different food. From cake to steak there was food of all kinds! At one point someone bumped into Lucille, but she paid them no mind as Red Eyes was having a fun time eating some hot food and breathing fire. while moving around, Inkmaster whispered a few things in Lucille's ear about how something like this party happened before and to be careful as things might not be what they seem. Inkmaster was rarely ever wrong, so Lucille kept his words in mind. Even so, Lucille was really interested in this chocolate pudding looking fountain thing with marshmallows on sticks nearby and made her way over to it. And then something funny happened, a kid ran into a lady and fell butt first on the ground! Shame it wasn't a complete gag, as the lady didn't drop her food, but it was still funny and Lucille laughed all the same.

Grabbing and dipping a marshmallow in chocolate, Lucille saw a couple of the older duelists oodling an attractive lady much like how some toons oodled Toon Dark Magician Girl when doing a more adult skit. Again it was a funny situation, but she had chocolate to eat! Besides, Toon Dark Magician was already doing things to mess with the group with his magic. Shame no one but Lucille seemed to see the toons. There was a rare occasion when someone else saw them, but they ran in terror soon after.

[User]
Itaki paused upon hearing a voice, half-turning to spot it's owner. "Ehhhh?" He voiced curiously, blinking as he spotted the young man approaching. Someone wanted to see little Shugo! He hadn't doubted that it'd happen, though the attention the dog was getting wasn't Itaki's preferred audience. He lucked out, but kept a smile as it wasn't going to change his disposition towards the young man: Since he was here he must have been a duelist, after all: That meant he'd be a potential opponent in the tournament. Dueling the youthful would be ideal for learning new strategies! Kids often spent more time on these things than adults, after all. Gave them plenty of time to develop new plays!

"It seems we missed our mark."
 Itaki muttered to his canine companion, before greeting the young man as he got close. "Feel free!" Itaki exclaimed, joyful as per usual for him. "He's a wonderful little guy! Raised not to bite since he was a puppy, so don't worry about that!" He explained as he watched the dog in his shirt scramble a bit, the shifts in the man's shirt making it obvious that the dog was pushing against it as it attempted to extend it's head further towards the man, tongue hanging out as it panted with excitement.

Though he seemed excited to see the boy, it was clear after a moment of observation that the dog was more looking at his plate: Seeming to want to be fed. It's eyes were adorable as it stared at Daniel, begging for a treat for the use of it's time. Truly a little cute schemer, if anything. But unlike the past observations, the duo were normal: The dog had a dog head, and the older man had a obviously aged face but with a wide smile that marked some happiness and energy.

"I assume you're here for the tournament as well?" Itaki questioned, striking up actual conversation. He soon followed up with his thoughts, seemingly to be enjoying himself. "Exciting, isn't it? This is the fastest boat I've ever seen! I can only wonder what things will be like once we reach the Island."

---

"Aah!"

A youthful voice cried out as it's owner fell to the ground, the kid with a questionable gender falling down onto his/her backside. The child took a moment to regain their sense before glancing up at the source that had knocked them down; A black-haired girl wearing glasses. Large eyes momentarily observing her, a light shade of red crossed the child's face at the sight of the young woman, and it flushed slightly deeper in embarrassment as she asked her question.

"I-I'm okay!" The child answered, extending a hand fairly smaller than her own; Accepting the help to stand back up. Despite being knelt down, she was still a bit taller than the child before her: But despite the embarrassment the child didn't seem bothered by this. Despite their age, the child seemed to be here alone: As there weren't many adult figures around, or really any that shared a similar appearance to the kid. The only thing to go on was the red hair; And red hair wasn't exactly uncommon. So asking would be the only way to figure out if the child was truly alone.

Observing the young woman up and down, the child seemed to come to a quick conclusion. "You're a duelist, right?" After asking that question, the child retreated slightly, realizing what had been asked was pretty stupid. If she wasn't a duelist, why would she be here? Only duelists got those invitations, or at least the child figured that was the case. The possibility of being wrong didn't seem to cross the kid's mind, as additional words came out after the initial question:

"Sorry. That was kind of a dumb question..." The child admitted, in the cute young voice that continued to leave the gender ambiguous. It wasn't overly cutesy and squeaky, but wasn't exactly firm or tough either. It was an odd middle ground, mixed with an apologetic and intimidated tone. The child seemed to firmly believe that they were speaking to a superior, or at the very least, an elder. Even if it was only by a handful of years.

---

As Yo scoped out the competition, the woman at the table wouldn't be the only 'babe' the young man would see: A red-haired young woman would easily be spotted standing, deck in hand. She glanced between the cards in her deck, seeming to be contemplating changing a few things. As if she had some sort of built-in alarm, she perked up and noticed Yo's competition scoping, and took it the wrong way. Black waist-coat swaying as she turned, the woman wasn't exactly looking like she wanted to sit down for a nice lunch. Rather, she seemed ready to complain. Or at worse, beat the shit out of Yo for what she assumed was gawking. That being said, she'd get thrown off the ship for that, so there wasn't much she could actually do... Aside from dedicate herself to throwing him out of the tournament.

"You want somethin' or are ya just gawking like a freak?" She questioned, noting the guy had a -really- badass coat. But that wasn't redeeming in the slightest unless he gave her a good answer. She stood there, at the opposite end of the table with her arms now crossed under her chest; Deck in one hand. Attached to the black leather belt around her waist was a larger than average deckbox: It seemed to have enough room for a decent amount of extra cards. It was difficult to tell if she was prepared, or just uncertain of what should be used in the tournament. Regardless, she seemed to have a fair amount of card access...

She said nothing else, simply staring at the young man across the table judgmentally.

[Assistant]
Drowning into his deep pessimistic thoughts, he jumped up when he suddenly felt someone poking him. When the pretty looking woman that was across him asked if he had trouble from seasickness, he shook his head."N-no, Miss, it's n-not seasickness. O-or maybe it is and I-I don't know? O-or maybe I-I'm sick of my own? O-or maybe-" He shook his head, trying to get himself out of the worst-case-scenario-cycle. "I-I'm sorry. It's-s just that I'm a-a bit... you know, with a-all those p-people around..." He definitely had trouble with the 'people' part. He looked at his lap. "I-I mean, you a-are all such t-talented D-Duelists. I-I feel like I d-don't even belong h-here." A small undertone of despair could be heard in his voice, and some small tears started forming.

He could feel a familiar feeling coming up, one that he usually had during difficult duels. It was a feeling of confidence, but it was somehow trying to suppress itself. Was the voice willingly trying to not help him? Why would it do that? Why would leave him in the time he needed them the most? But then he realised: So far most of his victories were thanks to his opponent underestimating him. If it wasn't for his sudden confidence boost, which usually overwhelmed the opponent by surprise, he would've not gotten so far. If the voice helped him now, the voice knew they would give that advantage away. Even though it wanted to help him, it was holding itself back to make sure coming to this tournament wasn't in vain. It didn't change the fact he felt horrible though.


[System]
6 or High Powered

Higan (pronounced Hee-gan)

Race: Ramor (prounounced Ra-more) a race with a number of similarities to humans, they are humanoid mammals with the same number of appendages. The only significant differences are that they are more tolerant to temperature extremes and can last for longer periods of time without water, oxygen, food and sleep. Essentially they are an all-round hardier race of people. Their skin is thicker than a humans, and regardless of climate always dark olive in complexion. The average height for males is 5ft and females slightly higher, and their eyes are somewhat larger on average than a humans. Their life spans range around 60-70 years, even with their modern medical technology.

Gender: Male

Age: 28

Height: 5ft 2"

Weight: 80kg

Appearance: Higan has the characteristic dark olive skin of the Ramor, with broad shoulders and a noticeably muscular body. His eyes are green and his hair is buzz cut and dark brown. He has wide friendly features with an honest looking face, though splashes of scarring tend to mar this image somewhat. The scars are small and livid, running across both of his cheek bones in a seemingly random pattern. They came from exploding glass. In his cockpit he wears a simple pilot outfit which is dark green in colour. The technology of the Ramor has allowed them to produce high-durability weave armour, so despite the seeming simplicity of his clothes they provide him with roughly the same protection as a Kevlar vest.

Personality: Course, honest, rough, determined, intelligent, witty, good humoured.

Physical Traits: Higan is physically impressive, though well within human capability. He can bench roughly 300kg and run at 15mph, his extensive endurance training allows him to remain fighting fit for extended periods of time. His senses are roughly similar to a humans, though he has slightly greater vision, especially in low light conditions.

Skills: Higan is a soldier of the 12th Division, a.k.a L.A.S light armour and support. He has been trained for roughly 10 years to become adept at a number of combat orientated skills, namely.
Hand to hand combat
Firearms training
Endurance training
Scout training/Survival training
Ranger/Sniper training
Demolitions
Artillery
Armoured Support Platform (ASP) piloting

Background: Higan is a member of the 12th division of the Grent Republic's Army, a militaristic state in an alternate earth torn asunder by war. He is unmarried, after recently breaking up with his girlfriend and fiancée of three years, he was born in the republic to an officer of the army and found his path marked out for him.

Equipment: A.S.P
14" Steel Combat Knife
.50 calibre revolver, 6 shot chamber, 6 additional rounds.
Survival Kit (first aid, GPS, flare gun, etc.)

Higan's main combat capabilities are drawn from his A.S.P, or Armoured Support Platform, which is in colloquial terms a one-man mechanical unit with walker capabilities. It looks roughly like the image below.

A.S.P (130)
The A.S.P is actually in Ramor terms relatively low-powered, serving in a support and scouting role alongside mainline forces.
Height: 12ft
Width: 5ft
Weight: 30 tonnes
Length: 4ft

Armaments: The A.S.P is equipped with primary, secondary and tertiary armaments for a number of different combat scenarios.

Primary: 105mm Rifled A.S.P Gun (basically a tank gun) capable of firing HEAT warheads (similar to 3BK-31) smoke canisters and anti-personel rounds (which fire multiple flechettes). Due to the relatively small storage space for ammunition on the A.S.P 130 it may only carry five of each of these rounds. It can fire roughly twice per minute. Rounds are ejected when spent underneath the barrel through an automatic sliding door.

Secondary: 40mm anti-material rifle, RPM 20, 100 rounds, can be separated from the Mech without breaking, but it weighs just under a tonne and can't be fired by anything other than the mech.

Tertiary: Anti-Personnel Suppression, Chaingun, .50 cal, 300rpm, 1200 rounds.

Armour: The A.S.P 130 is constructed using plates of titanium sandwiching plates of depleted uranium with alumina tiles worked in (similar to Chobham armour). This gives it a relatively light-weight body while offering significant protection from anti-tank measures. The RHAe values for the armour are as followed.

Front: 800mm
Back: 400mm
Sides: 300mm
Arms: 250mm
Legs: 500mm
Optics: 100mm
Joints: 100mm
Top: 200mm

The Armour is specially designed to resist heat. It does not conduct electricity into the electronics or pilot area. Internal heating systems can adjust for extreme drops in temperature up to -100 degrees, at the cost of hydrogen fuel.

The A.S.P is also equipped with an Active Protection System, which, like modern day tanks, is capable of confusing heat-seeking and other guided missiles with large concentrations of infra-red.

Damage control systems: The A.S.P is equipped with a number of automatic systems similar to those seen in a modern day tank, ammunition is kept in self-contained storage spaces linked to their respective weapon, reducing chance of self-destruction. Fire is automatically fought by internal systems.

Filter System: The A.S.P is essentially a mobile bunker, filtering hostile elements from the air.

Optics: The A.S.P is augmented with an optical sensory unit with a 180 degree depth of view directly in front. This includes a zoom function of up to 60x, night vision, thermal vision, and electric vision. The main weapons are connected to this system and can target and adjust in 0.20 of a second. The pilot still has control over when to fire, and can over-ride targeting systems to manual control if they wish.

Computer System: Linked to Optics, the computer system on the A.S.P can provide the pilot with data based on a rough estimation of a target. It can estimate things like, thickness, speed and weapon calibres.

It has a backup system in place in the case of damage to main optics (which are located roughly where the head would be on a human.) where the armour peels back from directly in front of the pilot's head, allowing him physical view of around 90 degrees in front through a bullet proof double paned window. This is obviously a major weakness, and is only to be used as a last resort.

Physical Traits:

Strength: The A.S.P only has one available hand unless it abandons its secondary weapon. Regardless, with just the one hand it can lift up to twenty tonnes of weight. The crushing grip of the hand can easily bent metal or destroy rock. The legs of the walker are significantly stronger, capable of lifting up to 50 tonnes of weight each. Though the machine can't 'kick' it can jump up to fifteen feet into the air.

Speed: The A.S.P has been clocked moving at speeds in excess of 70mph, which is impressive for a walker, it is the fastest Armoured Support Vehicle in Ramor. Its acceleration is 7 seconds 0-70 mph.

Agility: The A.S.P is capable of manoeuvring in tight quarters, but regardless its size is still a limiting factor on its agility. Though far less cumbersome than a tank, it takes almost twice as long for an A.S.P to turn around than an ordinary human, it can however adjust its weapons incredibly quickly and its arms can move at roughly human speeds.

Speaker System: The A.S.P may project the pilot's voice through external speaker systems on the chest plate.

Comm Link: The A.S.P has com links similar to those in use in the modern day military.

Power System: The A.S.P is fuelled by a Ramor speciality, hydrogen gas fuel canisters with an effective life span of 20 hours in active use. They are stored at the rear and bottom of the mech (obviously protected by the back armour) and are roughly 60cm in diameter. They will explode if hit. This fuel source can be detonated by a self destruct sequence if the Mech is rendered inoperable or the user does not wish to be captured.

Entry Points: The A.S.P is entered normally through the front carapace, the Mech kneels while in disuse and the driver climbs the legs to enter the cockpit. If the Mech falls on its front special procedures blast a hole in the back armour for quick escape.

[User]
There was a sudden explosive sound of displaced air that dissipated in the surrounding forest in an eerie fashion. It was as if the land was so quiet and expansive it consumed all noise. Certainly the place would serve as an interesting answer to the age old riddle, if a tree falls in a forest and none should hear it, does it make a sound. In the Forest of the Lost, nothing as vibrant and changing as sudden sound could be permitted to exist. As if to disprove such philosophical musings, there was a devastating cracking and creaking of destroyed wood, and suddenly a great oak plummeted to the ground.

"Oops." The bearded pilot laughed, after his great metallic Walker's sudden appearance caused the premature demise of a once mighty tree of the forest. Perhaps heralding the coming of true modernity, with the power of steel and all its other great and terrible innovations, Higan had arrived in typical explosive fashion. Controlling the mobile A.S.P, or Armoured Support Platform, through a rift had certainly been an interesting experience. He was way off mission and he knew it, but the slimy bastard he was after had made it personal. Computers re-adjusted to the new terrain all around him, flickering through numerous vision types to track movement and anomalies, or rather, it was learning what was normal and safe for its pilot. After a few seconds of such analysis it could pick out the anomaly in milliseconds should it make an appearance.

It was called an Anomaly back in the Grent Republic, an outsider that had come through a rift and began causing havoc. The rifts were becoming a bit of a bastard, and the creature that Higan was chasing was a particularly nasty bugger. He'd taken to calling it 'Slimy' for reasons that were probably fairly obvious. There was bloodshed involved, and Higan didn't like it when his people got caught up in weird shit. He was going to go in and give the bastard hell.

Of course, he still had to find it, and he couldn't help but think that his task was going to be a trifle more difficult than he at first summarised. Entering a massive forest in the early hours of the morning was not what he was expecting on the other side of the rift. Once he found the thing though, well, the rifle in his Mech's right hand and the chain gun attached to its left would see it ripped asunder, and the tank gun mounted on its right shoulder would blow a hole in it wide enough for his A.S.P to sit in. It was a comforting thought, as he slowly swivelled his double man-height Walker hoping for the computer systems to whine at him. He knew things were getting serious when he actually had the voice software unmuted.

Inside the cockpit of the horrendously well-armed Mech the relatively short but stocky Pilot checked over his systems and equipment. He had a revolver on his hip and a knife at his breast. Though his only armour was a simple green pilot uniform that matched the camouflage of the A.S.P it had unnaturally dense qualities. He was about as ready as he was ever going to be, now it was just a matter of picking up a trace. Systems flashed at the corner of his eye on the screen in front of him, alerting him to a discovery of vital importance. Higan's tanned face lit up with a vicious grin.

"Game on."

[Assistant]
As if on cue, maniacal laughter cascaded through the foliage, shattering the quiet like thin ice. It dipped and swooped in maddening pitch, as if some cross between a loon and a hyena were screaming down a distorted tunnel. The caterwaul would descend into hysterical, burbling sobs, the likes of which would raise the hackles on the back of any half-sane man. Nothing on this green Earth or on any other could have, should have made such a noise.

It was far, but not more than a mile. Like likely far less. Absolutely no other life stirred. No bugs nor birds or bears. Nothing. The trees seemed to lean in as if to stare down on the foreigner. They would not be Higen's allies. They would block and obscure his sight, slow down his progress. This was gonna suck.

[User]
Higan's face dropped for a moment as cackling filtered through carefully modulated interior speaker systems. His brows furrowed and his expression darkened. With a sudden jump his smile returned again.

"Bit shit that is, let's have some music, something… heavy." Computer Systems gave the equivalent of a frown before a heavily modulated voice acquiesced to his demands and one of his favourites started to play. The noise from outside was blocked out by the defiant instrumentals of Ramor metal musicians as Higan began to nod along to the tunes. Completely ignoring the sounds, the Mech strode in the direction of the signature it had picked up. Systems aboard the A.S.P could analyse materials at an extremely advanced level from distance, and had picked up substance from the Anomaly. Minute amounts, invisible to the naked eye, mucous most likely. The sort of remnants any living creature would drop unknowingly just through the act of movement. It might have been untraceable to an ordinary humanoid, but such were the wonders of modern technology.

With a nonchalant air the Mech pursued the path of the creature, which by necessity had to have moved through the forest after exiting the rift. The trees seemed to edge closer to the great metal Walker, packed fairly tight. It was no matter, the A.S.P tore them asunder when they dared block its passage. If this was where the creature made its home it would regret coming to Ramor, that it would.


[System]
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Nationality: Russian
Tent: D

Reason for Joining The Sundown Company: They offered him a new arm.

Specialty:  Being a gym rat. Sasha excels at hand to hand combat, if not just by brute strength alone. He is, however, genuinely skilled at fighting. He's got a right hook like a freight train.

Personality:

Described as intense and driven, Sasha is not a guy you want to make an enemy of. He's intelligent, level headed, collected, and when he sees fit, unnaturally cold. With the heart of a soldier, Sasha will stop at nothing to complete a task he's set his mind on. His sheer will and determination make him a valuable ally.

But, despite being a killer for a living, Sasha isn't an evil man. The softer side of Sasha isn't something many people get to see. For one, he doesn't have many people to show it to, outside of his very small friend circle. Afraid of getting too close to other people, lest he be jaded, Sasha doesn't associate with others a whole lot. But when he's decided that you're his friend, a warmer, gentler giant begins to emerge.

Appearance:

Sasha is a very large, muscular man. He stands at six foot seven, has pale skin and dirty blonde hair that is kept in a neat buzz cut. His eyes are a gray-ish blue, and usually cold in appearance. They go just right with his perpetual frown. Sasha has several tattoos. His most notable tattoos are a compass that points West on his left chest, and a line of words in Russian on his arm. The words are now difficult to read due to a scar from a knife wound that runs right through the middle of them.

His right arm has been replaced with a high tech prosthetic. This bionic arm reads signals from his brain neurons and receives them just as his flesh and blood arm does. It's slightly stronger than his left arm, which is pretty strong.

Other: Sasha speaks with a Russian accent. He speaks several European languages fluently, Russian and English being his best of course.
He has a fake right arm.

History:

Sasha grew up in Kazan, Russia. His mother overdosed when Sasha was 5. He was left to be raised by his father, who fell into depression after the loss of his wife. His father wasn't the kindest, and often times was neglectful. After Sasha's mother had died, he had essentially lost interest in being a father. He would often invite his loud and obnoxious friends over to watch soccer games, drink, and play poker while Sasha hid in his room and pretended not to exist. Sasha wanted to get out of the house as soon as he could, and joining the military seemed like the best option.

He did well in the military, got several promotions, and made a life for himself. However, it all came crashing down when he lost his right arm to an explosive. Sasha was dismissed from the army due to his injury. He became aimless, having done nothing else since he was a teenager. That's where Sundown found him.

The Sundown Company offered to pay him a very expensive, experimental prosthetic if he agreed to work for them. Sasha, having nowhere else to turn, did. A few months later, he was at Camp Sunshine with his shiny new arm.

[User]
Dustin

As the packed bus made its rough journey to Camp Sunshine all Dustin could think about is his mother. Why did she agree to move to the city, but then take her own life on the moving day? He could have began a new life with her. He clenched his eyes shut trying not to cry in front of his comrades. It's only been a few days since the suicide. If he already began to cry before they even made it to camp he would be seen as weak. While his eyes were shut the moment replayed in his mind. He saw the sunshine illuminating the perished crops and gnats dancing around in the air. His heart began to ache when he remembered the warm breeze as a loud clap exploded through the sky. As he felt the tears coming up through his stomach a mans voice distracted his thoughts. Something about South Africa and the weather. Dustin quickly wiped the moisture away from his eyes and took a deep breath, hoping that the men pressed up on both of his shoulders wouldn't notice. The smell of body odor didn't affect Dustin much due to his time on the farm dealing with fertilizers and animals.

When the bus rolled to a stop the man who talked about South Africa was the first to jump off. Dustin stood up and waited for most of the people to exit before grabbing his things and making his own exit. His legs still felt shaky from the rough bus ride in combination with his close break down. As Joe spoke Dustin slightly smiled. He saw Joe as the man who will allow him to begin a new life. With that, he felt excited for the camp activities to begin. Dustin analyzed the bulletin board for a little while longer than the other campers. He never got a good education with the death of his father and being the only farmer. When Dustin entered Tent C he noticed two bunk beds, one of which had a windbreaker on top. He walked to the unclaimed bunk and climbed on top, leaving his belongings under the bottom bunk. As Dustin laid on the very firm mattress his eyes began to water. He could finally let his mind wander and think about the tragedy, now that he was alone.

[Assistant]
The young woman peered out the window. Nothing but thick jungle for the last few hours. And the humidity, she couldn't possibly forget about that. Liliana had been fortunate enough to snag a seat adjacent to the window, though she was sandwiched in from the other side by some muscled man. What little breeze managed to find its way inside did nothing to help, the suffocating feeling not leaving her. Sure, she was used to living in a tropical climate for all of her life, but even the weather in the island wasn't anywhere near as humid. It was hot, but not in a torturous sense.

What the hell have I gotten myself into... she thought to herself, wondering for a split second whether they were heading into something much more insidious than they were originally led to believe. Lili had brought the only picture she had of her parents on the trip, and it was safely tucked away in the bag sitting on her lap with what little belongings were in her possession. When they hit a bump, Lili instinctively tightened her grip. At the moment, that bag meant the world to her.

Some time later, she noticed they were arriving at the camp. Lili couldn't wait to get off the bus; her body ached from sitting in the same position for so long and the trip had made her restless. She was dying to stretch her limbs, regardless of her petite frame she required as much space as the next guy for ultimate comfort.

The bus eventually came to a halt, and Lili stood up and followed the others outside. She pushed some wisps of hair away from her eye, curiously looking around the camp before a man stood in front of the group and introduced himself as Joe. Lili couldn't help but smirk. Okay Joe Schmo, so this is your camp... Lili listened to the man's instructions, which were rather straightforward and to the point. Somehow she was expecting something a bit more intense.

When the group was dismissed, Lili waited her turn to approach the bulletin board. She noticed she had been housed in Tent D with three other people, and she didn't waste any time heading in the direction the map had guided her to go to. If anything, Lili hoped to get a bottom bunk. Given her lack of height, she didn't feel like exerting much effort whenever she wanted to jump into bed, or jump out of it all the same.

[User]
It is so damn hot. The heat, the stifling humidity... All of this just screamed at Ramses to run away...

To be fair, Ramses comes from a hot place as well. It is just that the heat he grew up with and trained in is of the dry variety. This wet jungle heat is not doing him any favors. Sitting in a packed bus overflowing with what is essentially testosterone didn't help either. From his own perspective, every single passenger in the bus is a trained killer. He was one, and to be recruited into going to this 'camp' most likely meant that they were at least as good as he was, if not better.

Tugging at the canvas sack he brought with him, he started wondering about what the camp would be like. Would the organizers of this place really put a bus full of elite military personnel through group bonding activities? Fuck that. There isn't need. Everyone is trained to follow directions, to work as a team, to complete the objective through whatever means necessary.

The rickety rumblings of the bus came to a halt. They had arrived at their destination. About time. Ramses waited for his turn to fall out. Once on the ground, Ramses instinctively stretched out and groaned. Shaking out whatever rust the bus just gave him, he fell in line with the rest of his camp mates when a man named Joe stepped up and addressed them.

General military scare tactics. Don't die, don't run, my word is the only word. All that shit. Ramses had heard it a million times, well now a million and one. In any case, when the welcome speech ended, Ramses approached the bulletin board, and checked out his tent assignment. Tent D. Saving the best for last?

Heading over the his tent, he saw a short woman heading the same way. He approached, and spoke in a calm, but direct voice "Ms. Garcia I take it? I'm Ramses, it looks like we're sharing a tent?"

[Assistant]
Garrett
When one of his bunk mates entered the tent Garrett stood up, but the man just nodded at him, clearly he didn't wish to be bothered. Poor guy must be car sick. Some people don't do good on bumpy vehicles rolling through dense jungle humidity. But he did say a. "Hello. I'm Garrett, heading to the range, have a good one." It was a quick barrage of words, and then a half wave thrown over his shoulder as he shoved open the tent flap, and went back out into the humidity.

In order to keep himself tip top, he did a quick jog to the firing range. Kicking up little puffs of dust as he went. Passing other campers, and giving them a half wave as he passed by. In a camp full of cutthroat killers, it does help to be the one who was polite to the others. As others were scattering to their tents he made sure to file down their faces for later. They'd either be potential allies, or bitter rivals as inevitably the camp instructors would pit them against each other. It was a common tactic of training schools to pit groups against one another. As he passed, he was trying to determine who was going to make the cut, and who would end up a wash out early. But they weren't his problem yet.

When he finally made it to the range, and inspected it. He couldn't help but chuckle, some things no matter where you went never changed. And firing ranges were one of those things. You could be in South Africa, The United States, or some jungle camp for hardened killers, to be turned into mercenaries. And it'd still be the same. He walked over to admire the wide selection of weaponry but he settled on just two. The M16A4, and the classic Kalashnikov. Most modern military's base their platforms on both weapons so practice with either could possibly be with either of these weapons. After getting a few extra mags of 5.56, and 7.62 respectively he hit the range, starting with the 25, to 50, to 100, then to 300 meter targets. Hitting his targets with accuracy with single fire, and burst fire. Both weapons were smooth, and he could see why they were used so often. But it didn't compare to his standard weapon of use back home. The camp was soon filled with the rapport of his gunfire, as he practiced his day away.

[User]
Sasha shoved the canvas tent flaps aside and stepped up onto the wooden platform the structure sat on. He noticed two people, a man and a woman, introducing themselves. His new tentmates, clearly. As the woman snagged one bottom bunk, Sasha tossed his bag on the other. There was no way he was climbing up and down that tiny ass ladder every day. He listened as the man announced his name, putting it away to hopefully not forget. Sasha opened his duffel bag and pulled out a clean tank top, and peeled the currently soaked one off of his skin. The fresh, dry cotton on his skin was a small and welcomed relief as he pulled the new one on, then slathered on some antiperspirant to try and keep it remotely dry and stink free.

He turned to the other two and stepped towards them to enter the conversation. "Sasha Belov," He said, his voice deep and his accent relativity thick. He held his left hand out to offer a shake, keeping his right arm to himself. The bionic limb wasn't always well received; some people were a bit skeptical of it.


[System]
Aurora: 14
Halander: 13
Gabriel: 12
Feras: 12
Brutrumukk: 11
Zavakri: 11
Jub: 10
Tsak: 9

Passive Investigation

Aurora: 15
Jub: 12
Zavakri: 12
Gabriel: 12
Halander: 11
Tsak: 11
Brutrumukk: 10
Feras: 10

Passive Insight

Halander: 13
Aurora: 12
Jub: 12
Gabriel: 12
Feras: 12
Brutrumukk: 11
Zavakri: 11
Tsak: 9

---

[User]
Jub the Peculiar

"Oh sure!" Jub rubbed his hands together before gesturing towards the fire, using Prestidigitation to light it. He then glanced at Brutrumukk expectantly, waiting for the bugbear's further instruction.

[Assistant]
Hither
Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar seemed to be at a loss of words when Jub came to the conclusion that Aurora and her sister were actually archfey. He seemed to remain silent out of being polite while Aurora and Jub bantered over their origins.

When Gabriel offered to share his rations for a tale in return, Sir Talavar answered, "Of course. I would be delighted to share my tales of daring-do, with you!"

Brutrumukk, with Jub's help, is able to cook the giant snake. The cooked giant snake is like chicken in texture and taste. While it is well-cooked and tasty on its own, it could do with spices that you don't really have access to right now.

During the meal break, Sir Talavar does share a tale of how he faced the terrifying Werewolf of Bryn Shandar once and soundly defeated him!

He also tells you more about the rules of Prismeer...

"The Rule of Hospitality: When a friend, an enemy, or a stranger enters your home, you are expected to be gracious and accommodating to them until such time as they prove, by their words or actions, undeserving of such hospitality.

The Rule of Ownership: You must not steal from a friend, an enemy, or a stranger. To take something that doesn't belong to you without the rightful owner's permission is a crime and an unforgivable breach of etiquette.

The Rule of Reciprocity: When a friend, an enemy, or a stranger offers you a gift, you are obliged to accept it and offer something of comparable value (be it a gift or a service) in return. Such reciprocation need not happen immediately."

With Zybilna in charge, the rules were straightforward. Few dared to break those rules, but those who do, often disappear without a trace. Under the new rule however...

"Now...the Coven believes strongly in Hospitality and Reciprocity. But, Ownership isn't as straightforward now. The Coven believes that Prismeer, and everything in it, is theirs now. So, if anything is stolen from someone, it wouldn't matter. It's still theirs. And that makes stealing anything from them dangerous too,"

For those who don't want cooked snake, and aren't eating rations, you are welcome to forage. Just need a Survival check.

[User]
Brutrumukk

"Food's ready! Take it if you want it!" Brutrumukk called out before helping himself to his own portion. As he waited for the fried snake on his plate to cool, Brutrumukk turned to Sir Talavar and spoke. "You mentioned that the land itself punishes folks what break the rules 'ere, yeah?" The bugbear said. "What exactly does the land do when it punishes rule breakers?"

[Assistant]
Aurora

Brutrumukk calling out that the snake was ready to eat brought Rory out of her contemplative state. The smell of the cooked meat reminded her that she had not had much of a breakfast. Despite having stated that she would not have any right now, the elf stepped up to the fire taking a portion of the fried snake. Aurora quietly ate while listening to Brutrumukk ask how the land punishes those who break the rules.

[User]
Jub the Peculiar

Jub gave a grateful nod towards Brutrumukk as he took a portion of fried snake. The two fights he'd had since his breakfast had clearly drained him and he began eating with vigor, pausing only when he heard Brutrumukk questioned Sir Talavar. "Yes, that's a good point," he said. "Plus, if this land belongs to some archfey, doesn't that technically mean that, err..." He gestured around him. "Everything here belongs to them?" He pulled a face. "We're not going to get in trouble for picking berries or something like that?" He then glanced at the remaining snake in his hands. "Heck, are we even allowed to eat this snake? I'm really confused. Fairy rules make my head hurt."

[Assistant]
"Well, Jub, my good er...Associate." Zavakri begins through a mouthful of roast-snake. "We've got three rules." She swallows thickly and wipes at her mouth with the hem of her cloak, before proceeding.

"Hospitality. Let us think about this for a moment; if this Archfey possesses Ownership of this Realm, then it falls under the implication that someone who resides within this Realm calls it Home. This makes us, depending on perspective, interlopers, guests, visitors, or invaders in their lands. I'm going to be generous and refer to us as Guests or Visitors. In which case, sharing in the food of the realm is simply a rule of Hospitality."

She takes another bite, grease dripping down her chin and making her visibly twinge as she scrubs at her face again.

"Ownership. By several points of view, we now have ownership of this..er...meal. Brutrumukk earned it in...Er...A hunt, so to speak. Alternatively it just happens to be in our possession- which according to the Flaming Fist, is pretty much all you need to call it yours. So by my reckoning, either way, we collectively Own this meal. It's ours, and I'm sure gonna eat it."

She pauses to more delicately gnaw along her meal, before discarding the last bits of char and skin. She dusts off her fingers on her cloak meticulously.

"Then Reciprocity. Usually this is a beneficial thing, but I'll be honest with you- those giant snakes tried to eat us, so as far as I'm concerned that extended the privilege right back in our favor. Now, in fairness, if something a little more sentient-displaying tried to eat me I'd politely refuse that shared right of consumption- but freshly grilled snake like this? Now that beats Amnian Alley Corn any day."

[User]
G A B R I E L

Gabriel had silently listened as he sat fireside, his eyes flickered from the reflected light of the open flame while he ran an old kerchief up and down the length of his weapon.

As Talavar spoke, the half-elf glanced up once in a while with a question in his eyes yet he did not wish to interrupt as it would be rude. So he listened and cleaned the filth from his weapon, humming an indistinguishable tune and thought:

'Hmph this jerky is rather stale.'

[Assistant]
Hither
Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar answered Brutrumukk first, "From what I remember of the tales here, it used to be that Zybilna would come and punish the malicious rule breakers herself. But now that she's indisposed, it would be like back home: The elements themselves or the fae magic itself would take form and punish any who broke the rules,"

When Jub asked about the rules, Sir Talavar answered him after Zavakri explained her thoughts on the rules, "Aye, the Hourglass Coven sees everything in Prismeer as belonging to them. It used to be that Zybilna was fair: Anything that you owned was yours. If you needed to find food, it would appear before you for you to have, so you would be fine picking berries. As long as you didn't steal anything from another person, you would be fine,"

[User]
Jub the Peculiar

Jub was only really half-listening as Zavakri attempted to make sense of Prismeer's rules, and started to wonder if, instead of Aurora like he had earlier guessed, the human woman was in fact an archfey in disguise. It would certainly explain her numerous eccentricities.

At Talavar's response, however, the goblin returned his focus to the conversation, and something about the small dragon's words must have disturbed him because a particularly large and chewy lump of snake meat got stuck in Jub's throat as he had to take a moment to cough and splutter as he tried to swallow it down. Once he was done, he looked back at Talavar. "Sorry, sorry, I just... really didn't like your use of past tense just now," he said between coughs.

[Assistant]
Brutrumukk

Brutrumukk listened to Sir Talavar as the faerie dragon answered the question. Just as the bugbear drew breath to ask another question though, Jub began choking on his food. "Oi. Oi! Don't you go chokin' to death on my food. I know I ain't the best at cookin' but I also know I ain't that bad at it." Brutrumukk said as he moved over to Jub and gave the goblin a few firm pats on the back to help dislodge the snake chunk.

"Sorry, sorry, I just... really didn't like your use of past tense just now," Jub told Talavar once the blockage was clear.

"What d'you mean by that?" Brutrumukk asked.

[User]
Jub the Peculiar

"Thank you," Jub said to Brutrumukk, even as he began to rub his own back to make sure his bugbear companion hadn't done any damage in his attempts to help. After a moment, he surmised he might have a bruise there tomorrow, but that was still far preferrable to joking to death.

"Past tense: a use of language donoting that something happened at an earlier point of time," the goblin explained. "Basically, he's implying that while this Zybilna would have been okay with us foraging and hunting in her lands, this Hourglass Covern likely won't."

[Assistant]
Brutrumukk

"Past tense: a use of language denoting that something happened at an earlier point of time," Jub explained.

"Yeah, I know that bit." Brutrumukk said while making a 'get on with it' motion with one hand. "But why didn't you like the tiny dragon usin' it jus' now?"

"Basically, he's implying that while this Zybilna would have been okay with us foraging and hunting in her lands, this Hourglass Coven likely won't." Jub finished.

"Oh." Brutrumukk said thoughtfully. "Well seein' 'ow we jus' killed two snakes, ate one of 'em, an' no magical shenanigans 'ave turned up to get us back fer that, I think we're fine on that front... 'Ang on." Brutrumukk then turned to Sir Talavar and asked a question. "If these 'ags stole this place from this Sip-Ill-Nah lady you mentioned, why 'aven't the magical shenanigans come after the 'ags?"

[User]
Aurora

Rory looked up at both Jub and Brut discussing the potential issue of the land punishing the group for stealing from the hags. As the small dragon had mentioned the hags viewed everything in Prismir as theirs, though the elf was not sure how that may extend to the inhabitants of the land.

"Would these living things be the property of the hags? I do not think that is the case Jub. If it were just by simply being here long enough you may end up as their property."  She paused to take another bit of the snake wiping the grease off with a small piece of cloth. "Now I will warn you that there is a potential that we could end up in some strange bargin do to the rule of reciprocity. Some Fey can see the giving of gifts as means to making a contract. If these hags believe in this rule so much, they could try to use it to put us in a poor position."

[Assistant]
Hither
Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar agrees with Aurora first, "Lady Aurora is correct. Living beings aren't normally considered as possessions. But, they might be considered as subjects under their reign,"

He nods in agreement at her words warning of the gifts from the Fey.

He then looks to Brutrumukk and answers his question, "As for your question, Sir, It might be because either the Coven know how to protect themselves from such magic, or the Retribution of this Fey Realm is winding itself up into a powerful wallop, so to speak,"

[User]
Brutrumukk

"Well if it's the second thing, I 'ope I'm there to see the wallop when it 'appens. Sounds like it'd be fun to watch." Brutrumukk said when Sir Talavar was done talking. "Either way, we've been sittin' around fer about an hour now. I'd say it's time we got movin'." With that said, Brutrumukk finished his meal and began to tidy away his things in preparation for the journey to Telemy Hill. "You said some goblin what lives on some 'ill can open yer cage, yeah?" Brutrumukk said to Sir Talavar as he worked. "What makes you so sure she can, does she work for the 'ags as some sort o' magical cage maker or somethin' like that?"

[Assistant]
Hither
Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar nodded at Brutrumukk's first question before answering his next one about the goblin in question "Certainly not. From what I have heard, Jingle Jangle is a victim of Bavlorna Blightstraw's. I do not know why, but she collects keys. If anyone has the key to this cage, it would be her! I can guide you to Telemy Hill if you are ready,"


[System]
Age: 33
Race: Terran
Homeworld: New Terra

---

(Image coming soon)

Adam is roughly 6' tall and weights about 180 lbs. He has dark brown hair and green eyes. He typically keeps his hair short on the sides, a little longer at the top but usually slicked back. He has a lithe, muscular frame thanks to his constant training in swordfighting, parkour and freerunning.

Childhood
Adam's life on New Terra never suited him. Born to a rich family made richer from their numerous investments globally and off-planet, Adam had everything in life handed to him. Being the youngest and most dolted upon, Adam developed a rebellious streak which often landed him in police custody or under house arrest. Finally tired of getting caught, he started training in parkour and freerunning.

By the age of 20, Adam had started his short-lived career thieving. He started off picking his targets carefully, making sure they were wealthy and very well off but on the other side of the planet. Eventually, his overconfidence caught up with him when he tried to steal a precious family heirloom from a counsellor. The counsellor happened to be good friends with his parents and Adam was made instantly. He was arrested and charged with grand larceny. His parents were furious. Adam had used their money to pull off the heists he had done in the past, including this one. They had enough and refused to bail him out.

After Adam was sentenced to 10 year in prison, DefCom intervened at his father's behest. The recruiter gave Adam two choices, either enlist or spend the best years of his life in jail. The decison was a no-brainer.

Military Life
Adam discovered while he wasn't the best marksman in his class, he was one of the best in close quarter combat. He had also taken up swordfighting as an elective and just like CQC, he scored at the top of his class. As he went through OCS, he found his strength laid in tactics and strategy but only did average with command.

After being briefed on the various areas of service, Adam chose to be a pilot. Always hoping that he would get off New Terra someday, he saw this career path as the best--maybe the only opportunity he would get to do so.

After graduating from flight school, he had joined various squadrons. Most of the time his squadron was on stand-by to help escort unexpected visitors, or they're patrolling a trade lane. One day, Adam was given the option to join the combat squadron Wylde Fyre to help investigate the mysterious disappearances at the fringes of League space. Just like 13 years ago, he accepted the transfer without hesitation.

Adam loves to smile, but he can't help himself when he's nervous or in an awkward situation. This tends to cause confusion with his friends and squadmates. Adam avoid explaining it, mostly out of embarrassment.

Adam is quite protective of his friends and squadmates. Some of his squadmates find his over-the-top desire to protect patronizing. Some find it misleading, thinking he protected them out of a deeper interest in them.

While military training and life have taught Adam to be more disciplined, his excitable self tends to show through when he has nothing to do. It's typical to see him with infosec testing simulations or scouring through data, or with engineering as a second set of hands.

Adam is the type that won't be satisified with things given to him. He's had enough of that in his childhood. It's one of the reasons why military life agreed with him better than people had expected.

* Standard issue pilot suit
* M47 tactical sword & M36 tactical knife
* M29 Combat Shotgun
* M8 Kenaz Combat Pistol
* Smoke Grenades

A hand wielding a sword, the blade pointed towards the nose of the fighter. The motif is located below the canopy and on both sides of the fighter.

[User]
Erien listened with some pride and satisfaction as her pilots reported in promptly. She gave a slight smile as she heard their comments about the situation, lauging softly as Nick's words come through:

"Roger that, 7. I'll make sure to give you the map next time, over".
Nyx checked in next, and she laughed again before she replied.

"Roger that, Four. Let's just shorten it down to four, that ought to help you out, over".

The others checked in, leading to the full squadron present. Control replied and confirmed their status.
"Wylde Fyre squadron, looking good. Ready for launch; catapults charging and hatches open. Brace for launch!"
The tunnels ahead of each fighter lit up with the receding circles of blue lights, and a final yellow one framing the launch doors themselves. There was a vauge tingling sensation Erien recognized as the magnetic charge built up around the fighter. As the repulsing force increased, the weight came off of the launch arm.
"Launch!" came the same voice, and with a sensation like a blow to her chest, the fighter blasted down the tunnel, the light blurring together into a blue haze, before the blackness of space burst into view around her, the ship receding in the rear cameras.
"Okay folks, tighten up into formation. Let's make this look good, since we're the first ones out here".
Ahead, the bright sphere of the planet loomed, partially occluded by the dusty, grey-brown of the worlds' moon. She held her course as a point of reference for the others around her to home in on, while she scanned the surroundings for the Claymore they were meant to escort. Moments later, as her helmet-mounted display tagged the shape of the multi-role heavy craft, the comm channel came to life with an unfamiliar voice.
"Hey there, Wylde Fyre squadron. This is Claymore callsign Eagle Eye. Good to have you with us and watching our back. We're steady on course for our recon flight, care to join us?"
"Roger that, Eagle Eye. We're coming over to join you right now, sit tight".
Erien lightly caressed her controls to change course, puffs of manoevering thrusters pointing the Sabre onto the right heading to meet up with the distant shape of the recon-fitted Claymore.
"All right, boys and girls. Split into two groups; three in close escort to Eagle Eye, four of us in two pairs in a wide spread ahead and on either side to intercept anything coming in. Olarin, Mallory and Wallon, stick with the Claymore. Hel'Kayik and Cavernmaw, you're together. Miles, you come with me. Keep your eyes peeled, everyone. We know there's something weird going on out here".

***

The planet now filled the full panorama out of the Sabre's canopies, and their orientation had change to match, settling in on course to escort the Claymore on its' recon flight over the settlements on the planets' surface below. "Beginning sweep," announced the same voice as before. A few minutes earlier, the carrier had announced it was holding between the moon and orbital distance, with reinforcements waiting.
"First scan complete," the Claymores crew reported, as the minutes crawled agonizingly past. "Moving onto next location. You still with us, Wylde Fyre?"
"Roger," replied Erien. "Still here, and watching out. Anything interesting, over?"
"Not yet, we'll keep you informed, over".
Erien clicked the mike in reply and shifted in her seat. The balance of keeping alert in what was essentially a 'do-nothing' role at the moment was taxing. She grumbled to herself and took a sip of water from the mouthpiece in her helmet, easy her dry muzzle a little. She was about to call and check in with the others, but a warbling beep from her instrument console and a flashing icon on her helmet display caught her attention.
"What the?" she murmured to herself, as she highlighted the icon. Her eyes widened as the image resolved into an inbound unknown contact... then several contacts.
"Eagle Eye, this is Wylde Fyre Lead. We have multiple inbound contacts, unknown origin and intentions. All Wylde Fyre units, stand to - looks like we have company. Miles, with me. Hel'Kayik, Cavernmaw, take spacing and follow us in. If they jump, stand by to jump back. The rest of you, keep that Claymore safe. This might be a decoy!"

She shifted her course and flared her engines, the extra thrust driving her onto an intercept course with the incoming vessels. As they grew closer, the Sabre's targeting systems resolve the fighter against its' onboard database; Arrow medium fighters. There were six in the group ahead, and as Erien closed in, they split into two groups, four diverting to head for four closing in on them with the remaining pair driving hard for the Claymore.
Definitely A diversion, she thought to herself. They wouldn't attack in such odds if it wasn't.
"Olarin, Mallory, Wallon; eyes to the rear. I think they're trying to bushwhack us, over"
Little sooner had the words left her muzzle than the fighters approaching began scraping space around them with their targeting systems, the electromagnetic emissions highlighted by the Sabres' systems. A harsh buzz indicated Erien had been locked onto and she hit her countermeasures and spiralled through evasive manoeuvers.
"All craft, craft are bandits, inbound and hot! Light 'em up!"

[Assistant]
Gurjan silently fiddled around with his control panel, the commander hadn't really said much directly to him, so he assumed everything was A-OK, still, couldn't hurt to keep a close eye on the ship's systems just in case something did go wrong. He perked up when control announced they would be launching. He had only once made the mistake of not bracing himself for launch, and that time had seen him hurtling through a training flight like an aimless fool. He stared straight ahead to the launch tube. The magnetic launch charged up, a feeling that made his fur stand on end.

Gurjan always liked to play a little game to keep his mind from dozing off in the moments before a launch. Guessing when the fighter would launch exactly. Mentally he counted down from three... Two...one... Nothing. Approximately two counts later, he was pressed into his chair by the acceleration. It was this moment for which Gurjan had signed in the first place. The feeling of being free from any larger mass, to be but a small speck hurtling through the Stygian black of space... He would have to write that one down after the mission. With learned movement, he wrested the sabre into formation behind the lead craft. It wasn't long until the mission objective reported in. Orders were clear, stick close to mission objective. One arm adjusted the sabre's throttle, another gently nudged the controls around to move into the new formation. For a few more moments, the Isorlai adjusted course, just one or two degrees at a time, before finally being satisfied with the angle with which he was following eagle eye

The minutes passed by slowly. As important as this mission likely was, it didn't change the fact that it wasn't particularly mentally engaging. Gurjan was somewhat struggling to keep himself fully alert. He knew that when things went south, a split second could mean the difference between success or failure. And yet he couldn't help himself dozing off ever so slightly. It was almost a good thing in a certain way that the routine of staring at a claymore's exhaust trail was broken by a ping from the commander. It took him just a moment to notice that which the commander had called to attention. He was now completely alert and awaiting orders. Roger wild fyre lead, keeping bogeys in sight. Over

His thoughts raced, he got a look around to see where he rest of the squad were, if shit hit the fan he would need to know exactly were his wingmen were before everything turned into a furball. Perhaps luckily, he didn't need to make a call for himself as to the intentions of the tallied bogeys, as the commander ordered all weapons hot. He just needed to follow orders, and those orders right now were to keep the rear flank covered. Roger, they aren't gonna mess with our escort as long as I'm still here. He kept his eyes starkly on the arrays of sensors and radars before him, ready to snap the sabre around and open fire the moment someone decided to rear their head.

[User]
No matter how many times Adam gets catapulted out of a ship, he still can't get used to that sudden elephant on his chest. The feeling dissipated as soon he cleared the tube, but he kept a finger on the emergency anti-blackout drug dispenser anyway. There are a number of safeguards to prevent blackouts from occurring, but he seen enough close calls—even for pilots with years of experience—to know those safeguards don't always work. You never truly know if today was the day your body decides to work against you.

"Keep your eyes peeled, everyone. We know there's something weird going on out here." Adam setted his jaw as his eyes flitted between different readouts. He couldn't help but feel on edge from Erien's last transmission. It wasn't so much what she said but how she said it that made him pay closer attention. He thumbed the transmit button, "Wilco, Lead."

The trip towards the Claymore was uneventful, which made Adam restless. He drummed his fingers against the throttle as he scanned the vast nothingness of space. If the circumstances were different, the peacefulness of the void would've lulled him to sleep. Instead, he felt like he's on his fifth shot of espresso.

Every so often, Adam would look out the canopy of his ship for visual confirmation of the Claymore's position, along with the two squadmate assigned to defend the ship with him. If he couldn't see them out the window, he switches over to the rear camera feed. He cycled through this pattern fifteen times before his fighter's sensors pinged. Adam froze for a sliver of a second before he refocused on the sensor's display. Before he had a chance to call in, his radio came to life, "We have multiple inbound contacts, unknown origin and intentions."

"Olarin, Mallory, Wallon; eyes to the rear. I think they're trying to bushwhack us, over."

"Copy that." Adam kept his eyes trained on the two markers headed towards them on the sensor display. With the distance they're flying at, visual confirmation is impossible without aid. He frowned at the two markers, unsure if he should be worried or insulted. Were they hoping to bait his squad into leaving their post just for a clear shot at the Claymore? Whatever the reason, Adam didn't like it. Barring the suicidally stupid, most enemies don't engage with inferior numbers unless they had superior firepower. Let's hope they really are that dumb.

"All craft, craft are bandits, inbound and hot! Light 'em up!" Erien's order came at the same time her fighter started into evasive maneuver. Adam deployed his fighter's hardpoints as he trained his fighter slowly, keeping the hardpoints facing the hostiles beelining for the Claymore. With the rest of his squad out there, dealing with the hostiles, Adam found it even more difficult to sit here and wait for the two bogey to get within shooting range. But orders are orders.