|
Post by Thanatos on Feb 27, 2005 18:46:23 GMT -5
It is the fourth full day of the group's long journey to the Ruined City, and the fifth night.
Travel has by no means been easy. The sheer painful slowness of the group's passage through dense forests and over countless grassy plains is reminiscent of the pioneering attempts of settlers some eight hundred years ago upon the once lush Neo-Nexus--of course, those settlers did not possess the luxury of motorized transportation.
The journey has proceeded almost precisely according to Thanatos' estimates. Several times the group has grown dangerously close to exhausting their supply of gasoline, but each time successful barter with a local village or outpost has afforded a more than decent amount to allow for another eighty or ninety kilometers. Nevertheless, the oil is valuable, the only currency exceeding oil's extravagant value being Aegisite itself. Thankfully, the storehouse of the strange material the group carries with them has not dwindled in any large amount.
Talk has been scarce; much more effort has been focused on negotiating ill-cut roads in such a way as to conserve as much fuel as possible. And thus an assortment of two motorbikes, two old automobiles, and one tired horse has gradually made its way through the sprawling countryside of the northern section of the First Continent.
Currently the group sits in various positions around the campfire fed from freshly cut wood and started by one of the many clever contraptions the group took with them from Nicholi's manor. Food has not been difficult to find; when fresh game is not available, the party has been able to fall back upon a healthy supply of rations, also taken from Nicholi's substantial stores. The campfire is located just off of the current Traderoad the expedition has been following for a day now, with vehicles arranged in such a manner as to form a protective circle around the camp, similar to manner in which wagon trains were arranged in ancient days long lost.
Occasional attacks of both vagabounds and MASS-possessed have been successfully fought off thanks to the considerable skill of the travelers, but the scarcity of fuel has increased more and more as the convoy has moved northward. Soon, progress may have to halted entirely if a large source of gasoline is not found, and post-haste...
|
|
Kimato
Full Member
the greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
Posts: 276
|
Post by Kimato on Feb 28, 2005 9:17:58 GMT -5
Kimato Ginzjou stares into the fire, watching the flames dance cheerfully. They sing to her, in their hissing, crackling little voices, just as they have always done. The sounds and smells of the outdoors are comforting to her, for she has spent so much time around and among them.
To her left, Whitakker sits eating his portion of the evening meal. He doesn’t speak, but concentrates completely on the food, and it reminds Kimato of a certain freckle-faced little boy. Kyerie… She smiles slightly, but the smile is sad. So many things about that man remind her of her own little brother. To her right, Argis sits cross-legged, sipping sake out of a personal flask and staring at nothing in particular. He seems to be in deep thought about something, and some trouble wrinkles his brow as he stares and sips, never speaking.
The past four days have been hard for Kimato, for though she is used to the outdoors and to hard travel, she is not used to company. Alone she has been for years, and the presence of so many people…complete strangers, no less…is slightly unsettling. Still, something about their presence makes her feel safer, and the site of their grimly determined faces fills her with hope rather than dread.
With a small, contented sigh, Kimato stands and makes her way toward the vehicle she has been traveling in. It has become her custom to sleep on the back seat of the thing each night, and thus far none have objected. Digging her bag from under the seat, she pulls out the red and white kimono, which has served well as a blanket. Wrapping it around her, she shuts the door and lays down, staring up into the darkness. I’m sure the others must think me rather antisocial, she thought, but we need all the rest we can manage on this journey.
Each night, she finishes her food and goes to bed before anyone else, trying to avoid conversation. Aside from brief words with Whitakker when he’s driving or the occasional remark to Thanatos, she has not spoken much, preferring the dark and quiet of the car, where she can think. In the stillness she ponders the mission before them, and wonders often how she came to be entangled with these people…and this always leads her back to Nicholi. I have companions here, but he is alone… As she drifts into uneasy sleep, Kimato whispers a prayer for the absent Nicholi, the hope that he is warm and safe somewhere, among friends.
|
|
|
Post by Whitakker on Mar 3, 2005 21:52:13 GMT -5
*Whitakker finished his meal, and gave the small portion of scraps to Skye. He watched Kimato get up and go to what was unofficially her bed.She's so quiet. I can only imagine what her past must have been like...must not have been easy. Whitakker closed his eyes and gathered his thoughts together. Man, this has been the wildest ride of my life. Sometimes I forget why I'm doing this. I guess that it's because I promised my father that I would be the best swordsman there ever was. I wonder if I've fulfilled my promise? Probably not. I still have a little more to learn. But that's probably not the whole reason I'm doing this. I'm doing this because I probably couldn't live with myself if I didn't help. No matter what, I believe that there's still good in this world, and it's worth fighting for. I think that somewhere in all of our hearts, that how we truly feel. I wonder if we think we feel obligated to save this world? No one else steps forward, so we pick up the slack. Whitakker opened his eyes, and took a good look at his comrades. ...And what a strange bunch of people I threw myself into this with. But then again, they probably think I'm strange. I don't blame them. Deciding to break his inner boredom, Whitakker addressed Dimitri:
"So, Dimitri, what exactly do you do? Apparently you are a scientist of some sort, but what field do you specialize in?"
|
|
|
Post by Syrant on Mar 4, 2005 20:08:49 GMT -5
Syrant eats a small amount of food, enough to fill him. He stares at the fire, enjoying the limited silence. Once Whitakker broke the silence of the group Syrant sighs, stands up and makes his way out of the caravan. He walks off, just out of the bright fires reach. All was silent. He stares into the dark night, thinking about what will happen next.
I’ve completed my life goal, yet I feel as if nothing has happened. My father has been set free and I have just imprisoned myself in his evils. I guess I’ll have to set a new goal. I will use all my abilities, old and new, to set this world and myself free from the evil caused by the MASS.
Syrant looks over his shoulder slightly to the group and gives a grin.
And I guess I could use them to help…
|
|
Kimato
Full Member
the greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
Posts: 276
|
Post by Kimato on Mar 4, 2005 21:18:50 GMT -5
He smiled a sad smile down at her, his eyes shining with sincerity. He spoke her name, and his voice was low and heavy with emotion. "Kimato...I'm leaving in three days. I want to ask you...will you follow me?"
Her eyes fill with tears and she opens her mouth to say yes, she will follow him to the ends of the earth if he asks her. Then...she stops.
Over his shoulder, she sees a glimpse of a pale little face. Kyerie? It's only Kyerie, her little brother. But...something is wrong. It looks like Kyerie. But...paler...and his eyes are blank and staring. Emotionless. His body is still, and rigidly straight...she has never seen him be this still, not ever in his life.
"Kyerie?" She tries to go to him, but Cyr stops her. Struggling against his grip, she reaches out to Kyerie...and only then does she notice the little girl. She steps from behind Kyerie, her dark hair laying flat against her head, covering her face. She places her hand on Kyerie's shoulder.
"Kakumei...?" She stares at her little sister's face...not expressionless like her brother's, but cruel...and almost evil. It frightens her. Pushing Cyr away, she runs to them and puts her hand out to take Kyerie's hand. Kakumei moves to stop her, and looks up to stare into her face...
Kimato opens her eyes and gasps. Sitting up and looking around, it takes her a moment to reorient herself. When her breathing is quiet, she looks out the window. Everything is peaceful outside, the fire still blazing bright. Sighing in relief, she lays back down, and tries to fall back to sleep.
|
|
|
Post by Argis on Mar 5, 2005 0:39:14 GMT -5
Argis sits by the fire and hears a slight wooshing sound as he pulls back on his cross bow. Takes aim judging on the movement of the sound and is about to fire when he hears lots of code low whistles that say “hold on, hold on.” as a man crawls absolutely noiselessly towards Argis. “I sorry I held you up, the new you requested has been retrieved a shipment of a gel like fire (ooc in now a day time it is called Napalm) And one automatic gun but is jams a lot so we scrapped it. Area X is increasing in danger we just mined it with 10,000 traps all over.” “why” Argis whispers with moving his lips. Due to the recent winner of the games in the barbarian nation. Who wants to destroy us due to us killing his father in S raid. Really I might have to visit, and what do you have on Mina.” “Well the Army has halted and changed coarse heading north but looks like they might change…I will take my leave…” ”ok thank you have fun” “all was.” Argis slightly nods off to sleep… (darkness falls the land Argis see ruins and a black cloud rushing towards him and the group Mina leading them as the sweep over the group)*Argis wakes*
|
|
Dimitri
Full Member
Listen to the wind blow, Down comes the night. Break the silence, d**n the dark, d**n the light...
Posts: 235
|
Post by Dimitri on Mar 8, 2005 22:11:20 GMT -5
Dimitri looks over to Whitakker and laughs aloud.
"I'm suprised you would actually talk to me, considering that I lied to you back at the mansion. Anyway, I happen to specialize in the creation and reconstruction of machines and weapons. I can fix anything. In fact, I'd rather let a machine fight instead of me. For all my boasting, I'm a horrible fighter."
After speaking, Dimitri looked over toward Whit with a devious smile on his face, waiting for the man's response to his answer.
|
|
|
Post by Whitakker on Mar 8, 2005 22:32:12 GMT -5
"Interesting, but I don't recall the lie, though...I'm sure that your devices will aid us in some form or fashion. *Whitakker now focuses seriously on Dimitri* Why did you decide to come with us? What do you hope to accomplish by joining us?"
|
|
|
Post by Argis on Mar 10, 2005 14:57:28 GMT -5
Argis stands up and calmly walks out of sight and sits on a rock then proceeds to talks to himself.He thinks about his dream how am I suppose to defend my village and my people if I a far away as possible. What is the ambassador screws up and get a war started on Vontras. Argis sits there and sips his sake glass drawing many strategic attacks and defense. I will give this to my ninja and pulls out a small cylinder of “the fear of evil”Aegisite.
|
|
|
Post by Thanatos on Mar 11, 2005 20:45:02 GMT -5
Thanatos leans idly against his motorbike in its shielding position relative to the vulnerable inner camp. About ten meters away Whitakker and Dimitri are quietly conversing, their relaxed voices carrying the short distance to Thanatos' brooding form. Argis and Syrant are stationed in separate isolated locations occupied with thoughts of their own, and Kimato has since retired to her customary position in the back of one of the automobiles.
The android's own mind races with countless calculations and hypothetical problems and solutions in relating to the harrowing venture the group is now dead in the middle of. Of most serious concern is the dwindling supply of gasoline, something which is exceptionally difficult to remedy in the veritable technological wasteland that comprises the majority of the First Continent. Yet even the organized and ordered brain of something far more machine than man is not without its own anomalies...
The occasional rogue thought worms its way into Thanatos' otherwise flawless thinktank, wasting valuable milliseconds of analysis on topics that are not in any way connected to the prominent issues at hand. Questions concerning Aegisite, the MASS, and the Second Continent itself all drift into his mind, demanding answers of impossible complexity and immensity.
Thanatos silences them promptly with only the tiniest sliver of regret, for now is not the time nor place for idle thought.
Raising himself to his full height, Thanatos begins a purposeful and leisurely journey to join Whitakker and Dimitri at the campfire to speak of the worldly issue at hand. As for all of the other situations left undecided and questions left unanswered, Thanatos' solution is simple: all will occur with time.
|
|
|
Post by Whitakker on Mar 12, 2005 11:47:48 GMT -5
*Whitakker cuts his conversation with Dimitri short as he sees Thanatos approaching.*
"Thanatos, about how far are we from the Ruined City, by your calculations? I'm starting to worry about the fuel supply, and if what we have can make it at all."
*Whitakker waits patiently for Thanatos' measured response*
|
|
|
Post by Thanatos on Mar 12, 2005 23:46:09 GMT -5
Thanatos nods courteously to the two assembled, idly straightening his already impeccably positioned overcoat before addressing the pair.
"The interruption of conversation was unfortunate, but there will be ample time for social exchange when the caravan is once more underway..."
It is only then that Thanatos addresses Whitakker's query.
"We are approximitely 616 kilometers from the Ruined City, and at the current rate of travel, four more full days will be necessary before the destination is reached. For at least two more days the majority of terrain will be bridged by Traderoads, allowing for much more efficient travel. It is the scarcity of fuel, however, that must be remedied before travel continues. Current reserves will allow for only another 60 kilometers at best, and bartering is growing far more hazardous as we near 'civilization.' Thus more gasoline must be obtained immediately, and I have formulated the most logical solution. It will, however, require the additional presences of both Argis and Syrant to relay..."
Thanatos delivers another curt nod, visor absently making a lazy pass over the inner camp as he waits for the remaining two males to join the gathering.
|
|
|
Post by Argis on Mar 13, 2005 11:17:20 GMT -5
Argis simply stands there in a daze then decides to walk over to Syrant. Syrant turn to face him. Argis says if Mina’s army attacks leave her to me. Syrant nods then they turn and head towards the camp. To find Thanatos standing there by the fire looking in their direction.
|
|
|
Post by Thanatos on Mar 15, 2005 9:38:38 GMT -5
When both Syrant and Argis have found their way to the gathering, Thanatos resumes speaking, the stately sweep of his visor moving to encompass each of the four listeners in turn.
"Once again, as all are undoubtedly aware, fuel has been a particularly difficult commodity to obtain during the course of the caravan's travel. Enough of the resource has been obtained through bartering, but this course of action yields only limited results and consumes valuable time."
At this Thanatos pauses, carefully testing and examining the expression and mood of each member of the party before finally tilting his visor away, to gaze into the cheerfully crackling flame.
"Thus a solution has been derived. According to my memory of this region, a Syndicate house calling themselves the 'Bloodied Blades' is established three kilometers west of this location--I fufilled two of their contracts seventeen years ago. The Syndicates hoard gasoline, and thus a raid of their storehouses will grant this expedition more than sufficient resources to reach the Ruined City. The Lady Kimato will be excluded from this operation, preferably guarded by one volunteer that will remain here. With hope, the acquisition of fuel will be carried out with as few human casualties as possible. We must return from the operation before the sun rises, and preferably Lady Kimato will not learn of the manner in which we will have aquired the gasoline that will ensure us efficient transportation through the remainder of the journey."
Thanatos ceases speaking, once more turning his head towards the rest of the group, awaiting their responses.
|
|
|
Post by Whitakker on Mar 15, 2005 21:11:07 GMT -5
*Whitakker listens intently to Thanatos' evaluation and explanation of the fuel situation, and how to obtain more quantities of it. After Thanatos finishes, Whitakker is the first to speak:*
"So, we're looking at a minimal-casualty, maximal-risk operation here, right? Granted, it shouldn't be too much of a problem for all of us, but you do realize that even if they are, technically, in your "debt", so to speak, that we won't exactly be painting a pretty picture of ourselves for them if we straight out raid them. But, I'm sure you weighed these consequences, and either way, I'm with it. Not sure what your plan of infiltration is, but I'm sure that you'll disclose that information to us in due time, of course."
*Whitakker finishes speaking, and then, as an afterthought, turns to Thanatos once more:*
"The real trick is, of course, to keep the wool pulled over Miss Kimato's eyes. She's very intuitive, I must say, and it will take a bit of good bluffing to convince her."
*Whitakker, now finally finished, waits for Thanatos' reply*
|
|