73 minutes later on the nose The Devil arrives in a flatbed truck. On the back sits a 10’ by 10’ green metal box and a loader Mech. The bodyguard and a blonde woman in a matching long coat are with him. They exit the vehicle and move toward the Dropship. The truck's driver heads toward the loader Mech. The Devil wearing his grin says. ”So is everything on schedule? Any Issues?"
+++ He's here, do we question him on the ship, or out on the tarmac+++
In the long agonizing minutes from the moment Frau Hoffen went down, and the arrival of the Devil, Viper has gotten a couple of things from his storage container.
+++ Play dumb for now.+++ Jester responds curtly. +++ HE ain't shown us all his cards yet.+++
Viper plasters on a smile.
No real issues so far.
Once everyone is on the lift, he activates it to come up.
+++ coming up, when we are up, lets see where we are going +++
Kyle looks the new woman up and down with a smile "Well hello there. Who might you be?" He extends his hand to shake "Lord Kyle Lambert, at your service."
The blonde smiles, showing a lot of teeth. Her bright blue eyes however hold a predatory gleam. She accepts Lambert's hand with her right while subtly moving the case farther away with her left.
"Working unfortunately."She replies
”My, my while I do enjoy the attention. Having all of you here to greet me, makes me a little wary. Has Frau been telling stories again?” Says Cypher. The grin is not present
Unlike the well-disciplined mech jocks, McCoy cannot contain his emotions. "What did you do to her you sonofabit-" He rushes Cypher and punches him dead in the mouth. The dropship's usually quiet and unseen pilot and commander stands with his fist clenched. "She's still out, what'd you do, huh?"
Making a mental note to give McCoy a share of the whisky he saved during the meeting earlier, Jester turns to look at the bodyguard pointedly, daring him to cause trouble here.
Kyle can handle the blonde...maybe...we need answers here not trouble!
Stunned by the sudden assault and looking uncharacteristically mystified, Cypher never-the-less manages to hold up a hand and shout. ”NO! Stand down!” That’s when everyone notices the bodyguard and the blonde both have weapons drawn. Long coat open the bodyguard holds a Rorynex SMG. The blonde having dropped the case holds Sternsnacht Python AP with both hands. At his command both lower their weapons but remain ready.
”What do you mean Out? Is she ill?” Holding up a hand to quiet a response. Pulls out his comm. ”Eddie get to the dropship now!”
”Why Captain McCoy, didn't think you had it in you. I did nothing to her. And the sooner you calm down the sooner answers can be had. Now what is the Frau's condition?
Glancing quickly at his people."Boris, Astrid. Relax. You know how badly weapons fire echoes in these things."
"It's gonna take more than pretty words to convince me Cypher." Jester slowly withdraws his hand away from his own holster and motions for the guards to do the same. "Frau will live. Now start by telling us what you know about what we're hunting for."
Orpheus holds his tongue, his nerves still dialed up and ready to spring into action, I really should have gotten into my 'Mech... could have said I was helping with the loading...and training a flamer on this lot would certainly outstrip any threat from their SMGs.
Kyle will make a copy of all her files before removing returning the comlink at a convenient time.
The bodyguard Boris, a bald dark-skinned man. Returns Wraith’s smile as he checks her out.
”There will be plenty of time for that once we are underway Mr Kraus. Right now answers to other questions are more important. Such as the Frau’s condition. You say she’ll live. Because if things are otherwise. I will become displeased.” That being said, your statement implies you have knowledge that you should share." Cypher says with the slightest hint of coldness creeping into his voice.
A thin man with a white cotton bucket hat and a loud yellow flowered shirt drives up in a golf cart a few minutes later. Tipping the hat. ”Eddie Ventro, at your service. So what’s the trouble I need to shoot?” With a decided Jersey accent.
”Eddie, get Doc and her wagon over here 5 minutes ago.” Eddie snatches up his comm and goes to work while driving erratically off.
Kyle shoots a text message to everyone else's communication devices.
"Hoffen has a medical condition. This isn't the Devil's doing. More when we can speak in private."
Jester glances at the text and grunts, "Like I said Mister Cypher, Frau is gonna live. Still you want to have the Doc look her over is fine."
Ventro's doctor shows up quickly and checks on the unconscious woman's condition. After a few minutes she confirms what Jester has said so far. "Your patient is stable. I cannot tell you much more than that without bringing her in for more advanced tests. I could have a bed for her in an hour?" Seeing Cypher shakes his head no she continues, "Then the best I can recommend is that you watch her blood pressure and fluids. I can have a package sent up to top off your infirmary's supplies, and if it makes us square, I can throw in some high-grade antibiotics and painkillers. I assume I do not need to caution you about selling them? I can see weapons and 'mechs, you will need them. And I don't need to be the target of a narcotics investigation."
Willie eventually cools down and wanders off toward the flight-deck. As soon as the doctor departs he comes on the intercom to curtly inform everyone that final checklists were in progress and launch was imminent. The rumble of the power plant and thrusters warming up means everyone has only a few minutes to secure any loose articles or personnel.
Might be a good idea to have someone vitals her condition after we lift off. No telling if the changes in the body will aggravate her symptoms. Especially if the problems are neurological in nature.
Viper slowly releases the sunbeam in his shoulder holster when things calm down.
Well Cypher said that we had to lift on a set timeframe, although I think that is blown now.
he looks at the doc.
Get the med's doc, and hurry.
Everyone, get everything tied down, and ready for lift.
Viper then heads out to help ensure that things are tied down while waiting for the doc to return.
"You heard the man!" Jester barks to the others, "We will finish this later, Cypher. Strap in." He then moves to his own strap-seat, ready for the next leg of their journey.
Anton checks his text, blinks and then puts it away. "Either way, I believe that we were on a precise clock. Let us be about it."
Viper looks at Cypher
I hope your timetable has some set aside for nonnegotiable issues such as stocking the med bay with needed items.
He then checks the straps on Cypher and the others he brought. And then continues to ensure things are strapped down.
Dammit doc, hurry with those meds. We are on a short count now
Keying the intercom.
+++Bridge, Viper, still waiting on the meds, will advise as soon as we can lift.+++
Gunner stows his gear and straps in for the ride.
As the doctor leaves
"Thanks as always Doc. Eddie will see to your payment."
"See you next time Eddie."
When Take off is announced.
"Boris check my cargo. Astrid, call our guy in port control an ensure we have priority clearance."
"Mr. Muller, there is always a contingency plan."
Just before take off.
"Boris keep an eye on the cargo. Astrid with me."
Cypher makes his way to a set of acceleration couches near the infirmary. Once seated, with Astrid beside him. he pulls out his comm.
++++"Captain McCoy, once we break atmo. Set course for nadir point 3G burn... Please. Oh and Gentlemen, I think your plan of keeping an eye on me is a good one."++++
It is herd over both the ship's intercom and the groups private net.
+++Course plotted, but stay off my intercom, Cypher. You're a guest, not the master or commander. Rude guests can sleep outside the ship.+++
The next few days are relatively uneventful. Frau Hoffen remains in her comatose state, but her overall health seems fine. Palliative care is sufficient and along with the promised meds and supplies, Cypher's doctor included data chips with electronic copies of recent medical textbooks as well as nursing and physical therapy training trideos.
Cypher's course takes the Jenni Lynne to a shadow of Kowloon's moon where a sleek jumpship awaits. An hour later the ship is docked and the ship jumps away. Then it jumps a second time. Afterward Cypher provides a new course which results a few days later in stumbling upon another jumpship.
The chain is completed a few weeks later, amazingly fast, ending at a pirate point orbiting one of Roadside's moons. A cloudy green and blue globe lit by an orange sun rotates belows. Radio traffic from the surface is minimal. A handful of military and communications satelites encircle the Jade Falcon controlled world. In the southern hemisphere a massive blizzard has covered one smaller continent.
Gunner goes rigid as he hears mention of the Jade Falcons.
Are we gonna get a crack at those bastards? They cost me my career with the Guards. I would love to get some payback...
Kyle raises an eyebrow at Gunner's comment.
"You were in the Lyran Guards? What happened?"
Alyina... he says before a pause. He sighs and carries on.
I was commanding my lance...normal for a Lieutenant. I was on the fast track for proamotion to Captain. Then those bastards came. They were like the Mongol hordes..running roughshod over us. My company was doing a fighting withdrawal. We were trying to buy the Prince enough time to get offworld. Nice guy...came to the Guards a year after I did. But those frakking Toads...they swarmed us. I hit one with my PPC...thought i wasted him...nope...tore his arm off and blew his launcher apart. He got up and charged at me. He picked up arm off the ground and started using it like a club on the poor grunts on the ground. Never seen that kind of savagery. I fired everything I could at him...made sure he was down...took a hit to my core right after that. Punched out, but my chute malfunctioned. Landed awkwardly and messed my leg up bad. Broke and tore everything apart. Luckily, an APC came by and got me. They turfed me after my leg healed. Didn't realize I had a small bleed that caused my double vision. Went and had surgery done..I'm good to go now. That beast over ther... he says, pointing to his massive gun case ..is for anyone of those Toads I see out of their armour. Not taking chances again...
Rough. Similar story here, but I was lucky enough to not be injured.
First I was shot down in my Chip shortly after training on it. Then I was brought into a mech unit.
I was on Leave when the toads hit.
My unit went down to the last man. Being dispossessed, I was quickly brought in to a local infantry unit.
Even though I was not good at it, I eventually was made a Quartermaster.
Got some toys through that, but I agree, the toads are tough and require some heavy fire to bring down.
Yeah...having training you can fall back on when you can't get in the cockpit is great. I was puttering around the 'Mech hangars during my rehab...wasn't doing much..but got my mind off things...sure beats drinking myself into a hole...
"I remember when I first heard news of the assault on Alyina. I was at a Gala on Skye at the time. It rather killed the mood of the party. Glad to hear you mad it out though." Kyle looks around and stretches. "I wonder what the story behind this little excursion is. Maybe I should see if the nice sniper lady would like to share some details over a drink."
Orpheus pales a moment at the mention of the Falcons, then nods, "The Falcons have caused a host of pain and loss -- and it would certainly be pleasant to return the favour... not to mention the advantages to claiming their materiel.... beyond the satisfaction of dispossessing them."
He adds, "And, thankfully, everyone seems to have enough experience to know not to take them lightly."
He nods at the case and then says, "From what I've seen, even out of their armour, elementals take a lot of killing. Not saying that your gun is not enough, just recommending you take more than one shot."
If you get anything juicy, don't forget to let us know.
Viper grins at the thought. But we don't need all of the details.
He then starts thinking.
This has all the hall marks of a bad trip, but we signed on, and I intend to see it through to the end.
Just kind of wish that we had more time to strip that Shreck and sell everything to buy everyone here some decent gear for both in and out of their machines.
"Maybe we can get some clan salvage while we are here. That could earn us quite a bit more than the Shreck."
Jester grunts at the news of the Clan presence. "Clanners die, jes' like the rest of us do. Just need to be careful, that's all."
Just at takeoff, Noticing the new edition to the team.
”Someone new, at the last minute. The Frau is upping her game. And who might you be?”Comm buzzes. ”Yes Eddie...Well thank you; for the late report!...Clam down, I forgive you.”Looking at Gunner. ”Mr. Nelson, welcome. I suppose I’ll just have to owe you a meal. Your skills WILL come in handy. Oh and I will add another 8K to the bonus. Just so everyone is equally culpab...Er. compensated.”
Cypher, for the first few days, spends most of his time in or near the infirmary. Usually either Boris or Astrid is waiting nearby. When not attending Cypher they spend most of their time in the cargo bay. When it becomes obvious her condition is not changing. He too is either in the cargo bay or working on his pad. .
The green ‘box’ opens to reveal a console station of very advanced design. Obviously for surveillance. Although it’s exact nature cannot be determined as many of the key components have yet to be installed.
At the third jump another jump ship is spotted. As usual Cypher directs that they transfer to the new ship.
”It is all charged up and ready to go. Also welcome to my domain. Welcome indeed.”
The Jenni Lynn docks with the new Jump ship, a beat up looking Merchant class. Bearing the name ‘Old Scratch’ With an equally dumpy looking Leopard dropship named Lilith already docked. The interior of the Jumpship however is suspiciously clean and has ‘new’ and very high end looking components. The crew, although dressed as ‘average’ civilians have the bearing and discipline of the military.
”You may make use of the grav deck rec room. There will be a mission briefing in an hour, after we jump.”
After docking with Old Scratch a flurry of activity occurs in the cargo bay and some EVA to install a plethora of new antennas on the Jenny Lynn’s hull. All connecting to the ‘box’ in cargo.
”Such language Captain McCoy...Wait, what was that last one? Why yes, Yes I am. And I’ve got a father and 3 steps to prove it. I will restore your ship to it’s ‘pristine’ condition when this is all over. Although you’ll be giving up a 27 % increase in sensor function.”
Kyle is very interested in the surveillance systems and will spend an inordinate amount of time flirting with whoever is the one installing it as cover to observe its workings and figure out what is going on. Furthermore when the transfer to the ship with the military crew he gets more suspicious and palls around with them trying to get some history on several crew members through idle chit chat to determine who exactly they are.
Jester takes in the updated situation with his customary stoicism, yet deep down he could not help but feel the situation was no longer in Frau's control. While he was not convinced Cypher was the one pulling the strings here, he knew someone else was.
Gotta keep my mouth shut and don't make waves here...need to find out who we ACTUALLY are working for!
Gunner watches intently as the installation of the electronics goes on, for both technological curiosity and wondering what he got himself into.
Viper approaches Cypher
Why are you installing this now, and why does it have to be done in space?
He waves his hands at the electronic gear that is open on the decks before getting installed.
I for one, think that we should have been advised before the wholesale revamping of the electronics suite of the ship happened.
He pauses.
But I will thank you for the use of the grav deck.
He then heads off to make use of the deck.
”Mr. Muller, The installation is happening at this moment because the parts and technicians
were not available until now. As for the ship. The modifications, they are critical to the mission. And you will have to consult with the Baroness as to agreements.”
Viper is mollified by the explanation about the techs and mods
It might be a bit difficult to discuss with her at this moment. But I understand a bit better now.
He then goes for a jog on the grav deck before cracking the books.
Still think we should be keeping an eye on him