Special Branch: Loose Ends
POSTED BY: safeat2nd
UPDATED: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 12:30
VIEWED: 13904
PAGE 3 of 5
Drops of rain gradually started to fall from the sky whilst the crowds taking part in the shining Star festival barely registered the atmospheric change.
Just then a dart whistled by, striking a wooden post holding up a large canopy, its sharp point lodging itself deep within the wood.
Barely a second later and a man threw himself into the large crowds, knocking several people over as he desperately sought to lose his pursuer in the congestion.
The tall slender pilot spat dust from his mouth as he reloaded his weapon, inserting three more eight-inch long darts into his Ybardan Pistol, as he made his way through the crowds.
He fired again, this time the dart missed his target's head by mere inches, instead striking an innocent bystander in her neck, incapacitating her instantaneously.
Clayton ducked and dived through the crowds, breaking up families and jumping over stalls as he desperately tried to evade the man.
His pilot had woken up sooner than expected and was evidently a lot angrier too. He'd tried reasoning with him, but it hadn't helped. All he could do now was run and hope he would lose him in time.
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Needy. Male Companion: Chosen One?
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http://needsalt.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/dicksquinty The World's Greatest Detective?
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Kyra stepped cautiously into the threshold. The home of the teller was admittedly not as she had expected. There were barely any statues or idols in place, nor were there many mystical and ominous looking candles surrounding the space. In fact, there was simply a small hexagonal table in the centre of the room, and a few wooden fold-out chairs surrounding the inner walls of the tent. The only person there, other than Kyra herself, sat at the middle table, long grey hair falling in front of and obscuring their face, whilst their head was bowed down low.
Kyra opened her mouth to speak but nothing followed. The person sitting there was not the same man that had led her here. He was in fact nowhere to be found. Instead, the one that sat waiting for her was an elderly woman
"Take a seat" she uttered simply without raising her head.
"Uh... no I think I'm in the wrong place" Kyra said, slowly backing away.
"You will take a seat young one, if you really wish to know how to save your love"
Kyra stopped and without asking any follow-up questions slowly proceeded to the table and took a seat across from the mysterious woman.
Her mouth remained open, as questions beginning with the words "How...?" or "Who..." were ready to depart from her, but she knew any answers would have been as vague and indeciphrable as the woman herself.
"You claim to be a seeker of truth" the woman said, placing cards on the table as she does so. The cards reminded Kyra of the ancient and popular Tarot cards synonymous with Tellers, but these ones were different, and something told Kyra they belonged to a relgion much older than any would have suspected.
"Yet the truth is something quite different" the old woman continued, turning over the first card lying face down on the table. An image of a two-faced grey devil, sits at a dinner table, laughing with angels. The word Deception graces the bottom of the card.
"What's this got to do with Bernie?" Kyra interrupts, unwilling to listen to mindless presuppositions made by a probable charlatan.
"You, like him, are all too willing to believe in the improbable, in hopes and dreams rather than what it is real.”
“That’s rich, coming from you” Kyra says with no hesitation whatsoever
“You know deep down in your heart what is right, and yet you listen too much to what other people say”
“I don’t know about that” Kyra states “For one, I don’t believe a word you’re saying right now”
“You’re afraid” the woman states just as she turns over the second of the five placed cards. This one shows a village burning, with terrified villagers fleeing from ravenous wolves. The word Fear sits emblazoned in yellow lettering at the bottom of the image.
“Wow, that’s really insightful” Kyra states, getting ready to leave “but I don’t have to listen to any of this”
She tries to leave the chair but there’s something holding her down. Held to the chair as if an invisible force was pinning her down.
“You’re afraid because deep down you know the truth ,you both do”
“What the hell have you done to me?!” Kyra shouts out, before crying out for help.
“Could you please be quiet girl, you’ll disturb the gods” the old lady said simply in a peacefully calm tone.
“Hell with you, get me the f*** out of here!”
The sound of heavy rain beated on the roof above her but, for the first time, Kyra noticed she couldn’t hear the sound of crowds or music outside. Here, in this place, she was cut off from the rest of civilisation.
The woman turned over the next card which straight away sent a chill down Kyra’s spine. Death A simple pile of bones graced the card, a sole skull resting on top of them.
Now Kyra was fearful for her own life, for all she knew, this woman acted upon her fantasies, murdering those that entered her presence.
The woman’s hand hovered over the fourth card as if she sensed its importance, but she too feared what it meant. Kyra stared at her, wondering what she was going to do next, but just then she turned it over. A being sat placed on a cloud, she couldn’t
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Kurren watched as Kyra exited the tent. she looked, for the lack of a better word, troubled. A smile broke out underneath Kurren's mask. Whatever had transpired in the tent held her attention now, she was not even concerned with her surroundings. Kurren offered silent thanks to the gods as he dropped from his rooftop perch into an alley.
He caught sight of her just before the entrance to the docks. She seemed deep in thought so he took the moment to get behind her. He quickly wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her backwards into him. When she opened her mouth to scream he covered it with his gloved right hand. He began to sway to the music and forced Kyra to do the same, during the dance Kurren whispered into her ear
"Kyra McTaggert. You are now my prisoner. Do not struggle, right now the glove I have covering your mouth is releasing a very potent sedative. In fact, it should be taking effect by the time I finish this sentence."
She tried to struggle but each movement was slow and difficult. Kurren put away the glove as Kyra started to go limp. He spun her around so that she faced him. He positioned her so that he could support her weight while maintaining the illusion that she was still standing, then danced all the way back to his ship.
Once inside he secured Kyra in one of his suppression chambers. The chambers were a more recent modification to his ship. They take up about half the airlock in his ship. They circulate a combination of gases that keep a prisoner sedated, for the more rambunctious prisoner the chamber can also release the air, effectively taking the fight out of the prisoner.
With his prisoner secured Kurren undocked his ship and set course to orbit the planet.
"Now, we wait and see how important you are." Kurren said, staring at the suppression chambers.
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Mystery Man on the Sereni-Tree 
Navigator on Destiny 
Kurren, Bounty Hunter 
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Needy's eyes sprung open.
He could still hear the voice ringing in his head and the last few words it had spoken to him.
"There's always a way"
Needy believed that, now more than ever. He had seen too much not to believe. And he knew he could save her. He could save them all.
There were just two more things he had to do.
And the clock was ticking.
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Needy. Male Companion: Chosen One?
-----
http://needsalt.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/dicksquinty The World's Greatest Detective?
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Seryn made her way up and over the Epsilons outer hull, moving towards the Nandi's smaller bulk. She had to check out the smaller ship - it would be a vital scout if they were to find the hidden compound. She'd survived largely unscathed and Seryn set to, making the little repairs that were necessary. Rain started to fall, dark spots spaced far apart gradually joining up to make the surface of the two vehicles a dark glossy grey. In town, visible just between the drift of falling water, lights started to come on and drown out the lights of the festival. As she watched a cold feeling crept over her skin, but she ignored it, returning to her work.
ok, wee bit of mood building for you Needy! Wisp - thank you! i love how Seryn is always so much more kick ass in your hands than mine - you keep hitting what i'm aiming for!
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"Your gonna need a co-pilot" Wisp said from the ground below the Epsilon He'd seen the Power surges from the Nandi and assumed That Seryn would be cleaning her up.
She breifly looked down, surprised at hearing a voice but then returned to her work. "No I dont. Safe's gonna need you here incase gosa goes down"
"But what if it goes down up there? You know full well that if your heads in the sensors looking for this secret base your not gonna spot trouble as soon as you should. But you do the flying I'll do the scanning and we'll be back in no time" Wisp cowered in his waterproof as the rain hammered down "and besides She's not really built for sensor sweeps I might be able to boost your resolution?"
Seryn Breifly considered Letting him come along. Everything he was saying was right but that same feeling she had earlier made her think he should stay.
"That kid of yours needs his mum to come home" Wisp knew It was a wild card mentioning the baby but
"Get your stuff and upgrade the sensors" Seryn shouted down. She still didnt look up from her work so Wisp began to run inside out of the rain. "Oh and by the way. Never guilt me using my son again or ill snap you in half."
www.myspace.com/didxl
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OOC: Whoa... Awesome posts! Took me a while to catch up.
Sorry for the absense, seems I'm always apologizing... Had a werewolf story to write, and I wrote my first sonnet and now my head hurts.
Jack stood, stretching like he was trying to touch the ceiling. He held that pose for a moment. A muffled pop indicated the end of his stretch, and he rubbed the small of his back.
"Yeah... that's the stuff."
"We served together for how long Jack?" Safe grimaced at the sound, "And I never got used to that."
"Ahh... you know, Safe, Old war wounds and such." Jack grinned and winked at Maxine who just rolled her eyes.
"I can't thank-you enough," Maxine pocketed the small memory chip. "Whether Liam knows it or not, or will even accept it, you and your people just opened a lot more doors for our movement."
Safe wearily rubbed the back of his neck. They had been hunched over the computer screen for too long, and he was paying the price. Not as young as I used to be.
"Listen Maxine, the locations and codes Jack just gave you is VERY sensitive information. I trust you to ensure that Liam understands that..."
Maxine reached across the table, placing a hand over Safe's, and looking directly into his eyes. "No, you listen for a change. Trust me, you have my word. Unlike Liam, I recognize a true and honest helping hand."
Jack smirked at Safe.
When Safe noticed the smirk, he abruptly withdrew his hand. He had gotten caught up for a moment; He couldn't remember the last time a woman had held his hand in friendship. He could still feel the sting on his face the last time a woman he loved touched him.
He stood abruptly. "Well then, first thing tomorrow, we part ways. Jack, I suspect you, Flechette, Amy and Versa will be gone before then."
Jack nodded.
"I know how to find you and I'll check in from time to time."
Jack saluted crisply before grasping Safe's hand, "Oh, I'm sure I'll hear about you lot long before you'll need my help again. Keep your head down and your eyes open Capt'n."
Safe turned to Maxine, "We've transferred enough provisions into travelling packs for you and the others. Take only what you absolutely need and don't come back for the Dwarf."
Maxine suddenly stepped in close to Safe and hugged him. His arms hung at his sides, unmoving. She stepped back with a sad look and placed a hand on his cheek, "I wish we could've met under better circumstances."
Safe cleared his suddenly tight throat, "I have some final preparations to make. Safe journey and good luck." He turned and strode out of the room.
Jack made to follow, but Maxine words stopped him.
"Thank-you, Jack. Thank-you."
Jack grinned and ducked out the door.
Safe stood outside the Epsilon, rain battering his upturned face. He silently urged the sky to do it worst, willing the rain to fall harder, in an effort to wash away the pain, wash away the weariness, wash away this feeling of foreboding, this nagging feeling he was forgeting something.
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"Got a headful of lightning
And a heart full of rain
And I know that I said
I'd never do it again
Oh and I love you sweet baby but I always take the long way home."
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Safe boarded the Epsilon, pausing in the rear storage area to snag a towel.
Towel around his neck, he absently dried his hair as he walked towards the cockpit.
As he passed through the medical compartment, the nagging feeling he was forgeting something screamed like a siren in his head.
He stopped and looked around the room. Everything seemed in order but something was missing...
NEEDY!
Safe keyed his com, "Seryn, Soul, Wisp, where's Needy? Have any of you seen him?"
Before any could respond, Safe thought of another question, "Where's the girl that was keeping an eye on kim... Kyra?"
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"Got a headful of lightning
And a heart full of rain
And I know that I said
I'd never do it again
Oh and I love you sweet baby but I always take the long way home."
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OOC: one day I've got to upload the Image I have for the Ship Bounty Baby. I used the RPG book for a reference and posted ideas on some site, that I can't seem to remember, to perfect it. but until then BUMP
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Mystery Man on the Sereni-Tree
Navigator on Destiny
Kurren, Bounty Hunter
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The Weapon, or Fifteen as he had been called, stared aimlessly at his own hands. Hands that had taken many lives in the past. It hadn't been his wish. At the time, he thought what he was doing was right, and then later... when they got to him - Blue Sun, The Alliance, it was all the same really - they made him do things he really didn't want to do.
Now though he was here for one reason and one reason alone. He was here because he wanted to be. He knew it was right, and that they had been wrong.
He may have been the nucleus of this operation now, but it was much bigger than him or any of the crew. It was all of their hopes that order would be restored, true order. And justice. Not just for those of the core, but for everybody.
That was why they had enlisted the help of the resistance. Because, as far as Gabriella Torne was concerned (the woman that had set this operation up), it was the fighters for the resistance, not those in power, that were the true representatives of the people.
And this mission was for them.
Fifteen looked up from staring down and jolted suddenly as he realised there was somebody there standing in the doorway.
Needy stood still, watching the man, peering into his soul, understanding the pressure and anxiety he felt. The future rested on his shoulders. He could understand that, all too well.
"Who are you?" Fifteen asked cautiously.
Needy continued to stare, empathising with the young man but failing to answer, and with that he simply walked away, disappearing down the corridor.
Fifteen followed him to the door but went no further. Instead he merely watched as the young man walked off into the distance, wondering what it was that had brought him here.
-----
Needy. Male Companion: Chosen One?
-----
http://needsalt.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/dicksquinty The World's Greatest Detective?
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