Monday, April 9th, 2072. 0610 Hours. Cairo Egypt
Cairo International Airport.
Hodder turns, so he can see Dexter, but his front is hidden from the tower. He flags the attention of Dexter with his left hand, as if acknowledging him, but draws his pistol, so Dexter can see it, but not anyone in the tower, and transmits on the group channel.
>>Dexter, Flight tower at 1 o'clock from your current facing. Flash in the south corner window, second from right. Could be nothing, could be telescopic sights.<<
Hodder moves unhurriedly and nonchalantly to the metal service box by the light pole, and leans on the side away from the tower. The pistol is hidden from the tower under cover. He surveys the scene as if on holiday, but keeps the tower in his field of vision. "Damn. If I summon a watcher now to investigate, all my rest so far will be for naught."
Full Version: IC: Dawn of the Artifacts.
After the poker game I took a nap as best I could. The seats were comfortable enough for an airplane, better than the one I was just on from Japan to Seattle, and so I managed to doze for a while. Consequently I was the last person off the plane when it landed, needing a minute or two to get the kinks out of my body from sleeping in a chair.
It didn't sound like we would be on the ground for very long, but it would be nice to get off the plane and stretch properly, even if there had been plenty of room. The fresh air might be nice as well, though how fresh it might be in Cairo airport I'm not so sure about.
I blush a bit as I walk out of the plane just in time to notice Hodder dropping his pants for the shot. Right on the tarmac doesn't seem like the best place for that. I adjust the strap of my rifle a bit as I glance around the airport.
By the time I reach the bottom of the stairs, it seems something is grabbing everyone's attention. How could I miss something I glare at Hodder a bit for a second, not sure why, but I do, before looking where he is pointing.
Sniper scope!? In an instant I have the butt of my rifle against my shoulder, my eye squinting through the imaging scope. I let my visuals perform their standard flicker between thermographic, low-light, and normal vision. For most people the rapid shuddering between the three different forms of vision would be disorientating, but for some reason it seems perfectly natural to me.
My finger is already placing pressure on the trigger, just in case whatever it is is a threat, I'll be ready to take it out.
It didn't sound like we would be on the ground for very long, but it would be nice to get off the plane and stretch properly, even if there had been plenty of room. The fresh air might be nice as well, though how fresh it might be in Cairo airport I'm not so sure about.
I blush a bit as I walk out of the plane just in time to notice Hodder dropping his pants for the shot. Right on the tarmac doesn't seem like the best place for that. I adjust the strap of my rifle a bit as I glance around the airport.
[ Spoiler ]
By the time I reach the bottom of the stairs, it seems something is grabbing everyone's attention. How could I miss something I glare at Hodder a bit for a second, not sure why, but I do, before looking where he is pointing.
[ Spoiler ]
Sniper scope!? In an instant I have the butt of my rifle against my shoulder, my eye squinting through the imaging scope. I let my visuals perform their standard flicker between thermographic, low-light, and normal vision. For most people the rapid shuddering between the three different forms of vision would be disorientating, but for some reason it seems perfectly natural to me.
[ Spoiler ]
My finger is already placing pressure on the trigger, just in case whatever it is is a threat, I'll be ready to take it out.
I'm still standing by the plane's stairs, frowning at Vera and her damn hypospray. I ain't quite sure what the hell she wants to shoot me up with. If there's one thing the military does well, beside keeping the paper trail, its keeping up to date with shots. And I don't mean bullets 'nd stuff. I'm about to open my mouth and bitch something, when I catch Hodder fucking waving at me, like he wants me to come over or something. As I uncross my arm and make a single step, I catch a glimps of his right hand. The halfer has his weapon out. Something is off. Very off.
When his voice echoes inside my ears, the gears in my head stop turning and my body takes a life of its own.
Fuck me.
I should have gotten my rifle out.
When his voice echoes inside my ears, the gears in my head stop turning and my body takes a life of its own.
Fuck me.
I should have gotten my rifle out.
Vera walks back over to the stepvan with the medkit in it. The large amount of pointing by Hodder and Dartha make her realize that possibly the best place to be at the moment is between something heavy and steel clad. Planes are not exactly safe to be around. She muttered about having her weapons in the airplane, but then again if she had to shoot someone, something had gone horribly wrong.
She still downloaded Arabic and Yoruba language lingua software and took a quick peek on the Matrix to see what the problem was. Maybe some African king had landed and the counter terrorist squad was just being more alert than normal.
She still downloaded Arabic and Yoruba language lingua software and took a quick peek on the Matrix to see what the problem was. Maybe some African king had landed and the counter terrorist squad was just being more alert than normal.
Monday, April 9th, 2072. 0612 Hours. Cairo Egypt
Cairo International Airport.
It was not raining in Cairo. But the tranquility of awakening city was interupted by the sound artificial thunder.
There was a loud BOOM! and then another that came from the flight tower Hodder pointed out.
The first shot hit the troll on the tarmac, blowing a hole in the center of his chest. The troll's blood splattered on one of the Hermes Stepvans. It looked like someone took a large ball of red paint and threw it onto the van.
A second shot came. Aiming for one of the Shadowrun team members.
[Who was shot was determined by a random dice roll.]
[Spoiler for Hawkeye]
Cairo International Airport.
It was not raining in Cairo. But the tranquility of awakening city was interupted by the sound artificial thunder.
There was a loud BOOM! and then another that came from the flight tower Hodder pointed out.
The first shot hit the troll on the tarmac, blowing a hole in the center of his chest. The troll's blood splattered on one of the Hermes Stepvans. It looked like someone took a large ball of red paint and threw it onto the van.
A second shot came. Aiming for one of the Shadowrun team members.
[Who was shot was determined by a random dice roll.]
[Spoiler for Hawkeye]
[ Spoiler ]
Monday, April 9th, 2072. 0612 Hours. Cairo Egypt
Cairo International Airport.
Drek is hitting the fan right properly, now. Hodder calls upon his bound Fire Spirit. It arrives from metaspace quicky, and Hodder commands it, speaking the instruction into the comm channel as well, so the team knows his intent: >>I ask a service of you, O Flame of God. There is one in the tower over there who seeks to kill us. Bring him to me if he still lives when you find him.<<
[OOC: One Simple action to call, one simple action to command]
Hodder then looks to see how Hawkeye dealt with the shot.
Cairo International Airport.
Drek is hitting the fan right properly, now. Hodder calls upon his bound Fire Spirit. It arrives from metaspace quicky, and Hodder commands it, speaking the instruction into the comm channel as well, so the team knows his intent: >>I ask a service of you, O Flame of God. There is one in the tower over there who seeks to kill us. Bring him to me if he still lives when you find him.<<
[OOC: One Simple action to call, one simple action to command]
Hodder then looks to see how Hawkeye dealt with the shot.
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
After the sniper nails the troll in the chest, I notice the barrel manuver to point in my direction. "Sniper! Take cover!" I call as a warning to my team, while already moving to put the stairs between me and the sniper. The stairs aren't enough to completely stop the bullet, but it will disrupt his aim, and provide at least a bit of extra armor.
The fact that the stairs aren't fully resistant is showed rather obviously as the second bullet misses me and drives through the stairs, the bullet putting a hole in the tarmac.
After the sniper nails the troll in the chest, I notice the barrel manuver to point in my direction. "Sniper! Take cover!" I call as a warning to my team, while already moving to put the stairs between me and the sniper. The stairs aren't enough to completely stop the bullet, but it will disrupt his aim, and provide at least a bit of extra armor.
[ Spoiler ]
The fact that the stairs aren't fully resistant is showed rather obviously as the second bullet misses me and drives through the stairs, the bullet putting a hole in the tarmac.
"Well, maybe I should have opted for flats after all" a part of Dartha's mind quipps dryly as she releases her hold on the detection spell, realizing that there is nobody within 250 meters intent on harming her and the tower appears to be almost twice that distance away.
"First..." she grabs mana and forms it into an invisible protective deflector shield around Jane, helping ensure any rounds going her way will probably miss wide.
"Second..." she pulls more mana and repeats the spell on herself, getting her own shield up, but realizing keeping up these spells is going to largely negate the effects of her own deflector shield.
Just then, the first shot struck home in the center of the "Sniper's Triangle", blowing the heart and spine of the troll all over the van. Dartha just has time to see her own team sniper pull an impressive tumbling roll with that portable cannon of hers, narowly getting out of the sniper's line of fire as a second round punches through one of the aircraft's stairs like it's not even there, shattering the resistant ferocrete of the tarmac and embedding itself deep.
Knowing where the fire has to be coming from, Dartha concentrates and draws even more mana to herself, bracing for the strain. "Oh, FUCK no!" she snarls to herself and unleashes a powerful blast of force directly at the window of the control tower where earlier Hodder had pointed out the glint to her, shattering the window utterly in a dramatic cascade of broken shards. The strain of simultaneously handling so much mana causes a sudden sharp pain between her eyes, but she takes the pain and makes it her own, harnessing it to stoke the fire of her rage, and not nothing is between her and their attacker.
"First..." she grabs mana and forms it into an invisible protective deflector shield around Jane, helping ensure any rounds going her way will probably miss wide.
"Second..." she pulls more mana and repeats the spell on herself, getting her own shield up, but realizing keeping up these spells is going to largely negate the effects of her own deflector shield.
Just then, the first shot struck home in the center of the "Sniper's Triangle", blowing the heart and spine of the troll all over the van. Dartha just has time to see her own team sniper pull an impressive tumbling roll with that portable cannon of hers, narowly getting out of the sniper's line of fire as a second round punches through one of the aircraft's stairs like it's not even there, shattering the resistant ferocrete of the tarmac and embedding itself deep.
Knowing where the fire has to be coming from, Dartha concentrates and draws even more mana to herself, bracing for the strain. "Oh, FUCK no!" she snarls to herself and unleashes a powerful blast of force directly at the window of the control tower where earlier Hodder had pointed out the glint to her, shattering the window utterly in a dramatic cascade of broken shards. The strain of simultaneously handling so much mana causes a sudden sharp pain between her eyes, but she takes the pain and makes it her own, harnessing it to stoke the fire of her rage, and not nothing is between her and their attacker.
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
In the blink of an eye, everything starts to move. Well, I haven't actually blinked since 2041, but I can somewhat remember it was something really fast. The first shot rings out and some troll is almost blown to bits. I ain't one hundred percent sure where the shot came from, but I can easily guess where. In the right hand side of my field of vision, thermal signatures and sound analysis are already kicking in their results. It just goes to confirm my gut instinct. Someone's shooting at us with an SM4. Well, fuck me.
Both Hodder and Dartha kick into high gear, which is a big fuckin relief. With a quick look, I spot Vera already in cover. Good girl. At least, thats one less person I have to worry about. Dartha seems to have Miss J well covered, which is another good thing.
I haven't even taken full stock of the situation that the kid is running up next to me. With that big rifle of hers, if our sniper doesn't shoot her, I'll be hell of a surprised. And of course, when the high caliber bullet just wizes between our two heads, I know he ain't half as fucking stupid as I hoped.
The kid takes covers right next to me, that big as rifle craddled in her arms. For a split second, I feel like snatching it from her hands and taking the shot. Part of me says that ain't such a good idea. I've got another idea, that I don't particularly like, but I ain't seeing a zillion options. Unless our sniper pal is panicking hard, he's going to put a few bullets straight into the stairs and probably hit us. Sure, being big sometime has it advantages, and the jap kid is small... but there ain't enough room for the both of us here.
In the blink of an eye, everything starts to move. Well, I haven't actually blinked since 2041, but I can somewhat remember it was something really fast. The first shot rings out and some troll is almost blown to bits. I ain't one hundred percent sure where the shot came from, but I can easily guess where. In the right hand side of my field of vision, thermal signatures and sound analysis are already kicking in their results. It just goes to confirm my gut instinct. Someone's shooting at us with an SM4. Well, fuck me.
Both Hodder and Dartha kick into high gear, which is a big fuckin relief. With a quick look, I spot Vera already in cover. Good girl. At least, thats one less person I have to worry about. Dartha seems to have Miss J well covered, which is another good thing.
I haven't even taken full stock of the situation that the kid is running up next to me. With that big rifle of hers, if our sniper doesn't shoot her, I'll be hell of a surprised. And of course, when the high caliber bullet just wizes between our two heads, I know he ain't half as fucking stupid as I hoped.
The kid takes covers right next to me, that big as rifle craddled in her arms. For a split second, I feel like snatching it from her hands and taking the shot. Part of me says that ain't such a good idea. I've got another idea, that I don't particularly like, but I ain't seeing a zillion options. Unless our sniper pal is panicking hard, he's going to put a few bullets straight into the stairs and probably hit us. Sure, being big sometime has it advantages, and the jap kid is small... but there ain't enough room for the both of us here.
Ms. Johnson runs over to check on the fallen Troll who lies on the ground wide eyed. She checks his pulse and body for life signs.
Vera curls up in the van, on the principle that anywhere out of sight is out of mind of the sniper. She does not know much, but she certainly knows about how to dial emergency services.
It takes a moment to find airport security. It takes another moment to inform them in hysterical Arabic that there is a sniper on the roof of the flight tower, taking potshots at planes and personnel with an anti-materiél rifle.
She sees Ms. J on the tarmac trying to figure out how to do CPR on a troll which is missing most of his lungs, spine, internal organ and heart. She does something unusually stupid, she runs out of the safety of the van and grabs Ms J. by the scruff of the neck and tries to drag her back into the safety of the van.
It takes a moment to find airport security. It takes another moment to inform them in hysterical Arabic that there is a sniper on the roof of the flight tower, taking potshots at planes and personnel with an anti-materiél rifle.
She sees Ms. J on the tarmac trying to figure out how to do CPR on a troll which is missing most of his lungs, spine, internal organ and heart. She does something unusually stupid, she runs out of the safety of the van and grabs Ms J. by the scruff of the neck and tries to drag her back into the safety of the van.
[ Spoiler ]
Jane turns to look at Vera. She then looks back at the troll, and then back at Vera. Understanding she goes with Vera back behind the Hermes Van. She leans against the van and breaths heavily.
"We have to help him." She said to Vera, referring to the troll.
"We have to help him." She said to Vera, referring to the troll.
Seeing Ms. Johnson exposing herself to further fire - and right next to a marker with a known range, no less - Dartha has to fight down a further surge of temper. When Vera starts getting her moved towards the van, Dartha readies to drop the deflector shield spell on her the moment she's under cover. "OK, so she's not entirely useless..." she thinks towards Vera. "So long as we're not under fire, she's fine," she finishes cattily to herself.
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
Its familiar the sound of the impact against flesh, and the inevitable event of its failure to withstand it...then finally the sound of the shot. The Troll drops, he never stood a chance as the exit wound spews tissue, ruptured organs and bone fragments forth in a softball size hole it created in his chest.
FUCK!
Its only momentary the thought of trying to reach his cases of gear, all out in the open, but years of warfare give a profound amount of common sense. Jack sprints instead for the safety of cover behind one of the vans. He reaches for the scorpion in his shoulder holster and draws it.
Fuckload of good this will do
But the familiar weight is reasuring. Jack catches movement from the corner of his eye, the nicely dressed woman seems to be trying to reach the troll. In a voice probably startling to come out of the middle eastern looking man, a heavy southern drawl to his english to be exact "Miss Stop! There aint a damn thing yall can do 'bout him!"
Its familiar the sound of the impact against flesh, and the inevitable event of its failure to withstand it...then finally the sound of the shot. The Troll drops, he never stood a chance as the exit wound spews tissue, ruptured organs and bone fragments forth in a softball size hole it created in his chest.
FUCK!
Its only momentary the thought of trying to reach his cases of gear, all out in the open, but years of warfare give a profound amount of common sense. Jack sprints instead for the safety of cover behind one of the vans. He reaches for the scorpion in his shoulder holster and draws it.
Fuckload of good this will do
But the familiar weight is reasuring. Jack catches movement from the corner of his eye, the nicely dressed woman seems to be trying to reach the troll. In a voice probably startling to come out of the middle eastern looking man, a heavy southern drawl to his english to be exact "Miss Stop! There aint a damn thing yall can do 'bout him!"
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
Now that I have some cover between myself and the enemy sniper, I can focus on taking him out. I would drop to the ground, making the weapon more stable, easier to aim, but with the distance and height, it would be difficult to get the rifle to aim so high from the ground, at least not without a few seconds to readjust, and by then someone else could have a hole in their chest.
It only takes me a split instant to find him again in my sights, quickly and naturally adjusting the small amount required for the distance between us. I note the rifle he is holding as I get a bead on his head, doing my best to aim for an eye in particular. Even if he somehow survives, taking out an eye should prevent any more sharpshooting. I squeeze the trigger, quickly but gently so as not to throw off my aim at the last moment. The kick from the rifle is horrid, and I can feel my muscles stress as they fight to counter the recoil from memory. The weapon wasn't really designed to be fired from the shoulder, but when a sniper is firing at you from a location of his choosing, you don't have much time for design.
The shot fails utterly to ring out, and even Pope wouldn't hear much, and he is only a foot or so away. Wow, that was quiet Nice and quiet, not that it matters much when they've already spotted me.
Now that I have some cover between myself and the enemy sniper, I can focus on taking him out. I would drop to the ground, making the weapon more stable, easier to aim, but with the distance and height, it would be difficult to get the rifle to aim so high from the ground, at least not without a few seconds to readjust, and by then someone else could have a hole in their chest.
It only takes me a split instant to find him again in my sights, quickly and naturally adjusting the small amount required for the distance between us. I note the rifle he is holding as I get a bead on his head, doing my best to aim for an eye in particular. Even if he somehow survives, taking out an eye should prevent any more sharpshooting. I squeeze the trigger, quickly but gently so as not to throw off my aim at the last moment. The kick from the rifle is horrid, and I can feel my muscles stress as they fight to counter the recoil from memory. The weapon wasn't really designed to be fired from the shoulder, but when a sniper is firing at you from a location of his choosing, you don't have much time for design.
[ Spoiler ]
The shot fails utterly to ring out, and even Pope wouldn't hear much, and he is only a foot or so away. Wow, that was quiet Nice and quiet, not that it matters much when they've already spotted me.
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
Hodder is aghast at seeing Dexter consider what to do. "What the ....? For a second there, it looked like Dexter was about to run out onto the open tarmac. What was he thinking!? How did he get to live so long? What is he made of?"
Hodder is aghast at seeing Dexter consider what to do. "What the ....? For a second there, it looked like Dexter was about to run out onto the open tarmac. What was he thinking!? How did he get to live so long? What is he made of?"
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
I don't really hear the actual shot. It's more like the impression of a shot. The action of the piston rocking slamming back in Hawkeye's shoulder actually makes more sound. She doesn't seem to wince as much as I would've expected, but the weapon still kicks her pretty hard. Well, no time to admire the shot. I gotta get out of this cover to give her most space... and I need a gun.
I turn 'round, grabbing the ledge of the stairs with both my hands. In a quick pull, I heave myself over and start clambering up the stairs and into the jet.
For a split second, I ain't even sure where the fuck I loaded my stuff. Cargo's toward the back. It almost always is. I crouch low and make my way toward the back. All I can do is pray that my kit bag is on top of everyone else's shit. Got here last. Hope its on top.
Next time, I'm fucking sitting with it.
I don't really hear the actual shot. It's more like the impression of a shot. The action of the piston rocking slamming back in Hawkeye's shoulder actually makes more sound. She doesn't seem to wince as much as I would've expected, but the weapon still kicks her pretty hard. Well, no time to admire the shot. I gotta get out of this cover to give her most space... and I need a gun.
I turn 'round, grabbing the ledge of the stairs with both my hands. In a quick pull, I heave myself over and start clambering up the stairs and into the jet.
For a split second, I ain't even sure where the fuck I loaded my stuff. Cargo's toward the back. It almost always is. I crouch low and make my way toward the back. All I can do is pray that my kit bag is on top of everyone else's shit. Got here last. Hope its on top.
Next time, I'm fucking sitting with it.
Monday, April 9th, 2072, 0612. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo International Airport
A load boom emits from Hawkeye's sniper rifle, heading for the team's attacker. For those of you have the image enhancers, you see the bullet heads towards the shattered window. Dexter runs towards back into the ship. Dexter scans the cabin and see's his carry on bag. Inside the bag is his assault rifle.
A load boom emits from Hawkeye's sniper rifle, heading for the team's attacker. For those of you have the image enhancers, you see the bullet heads towards the shattered window. Dexter runs towards back into the ship. Dexter scans the cabin and see's his carry on bag. Inside the bag is his assault rifle.
[ Spoiler ]
Hawkeye's shot seemed to miss. This could be good, this could be bad. Hodder zooms his view in on the tower window-now-hole and seeks out the sniper rifle, in particular the barrel.
[OOC: I don't know if I have to make a Perception Test for Hodder, he has been watching the whole thing go down and was in fact the one who spotted the rifle's reflectionin the first place. I will assume no test i sneeded. correct me if I am wrong.]
"Gotta keep him from picking at us. Sooner or later one of us will bite it. The elohim won't be there for a few seconds yet, and may need to figure out what to do. I have to do something. Here goes, and there goes my 'restful healing'."
Hodder casts Levitate on the rifle, attempting to pull it out of the assailant's hands. "He may hang on to it, but he will be struggling with me, not aiming."
[OOC: I don't know if I have to make a Perception Test for Hodder, he has been watching the whole thing go down and was in fact the one who spotted the rifle's reflectionin the first place. I will assume no test i sneeded. correct me if I am wrong.]
"Gotta keep him from picking at us. Sooner or later one of us will bite it. The elohim won't be there for a few seconds yet, and may need to figure out what to do. I have to do something. Here goes, and there goes my 'restful healing'."
Hodder casts Levitate on the rifle, attempting to pull it out of the assailant's hands. "He may hang on to it, but he will be struggling with me, not aiming."
[ Spoiler ]
Dartha sees the sniper get their head out of the way, and surrenders to the rage inside her, abandoning her own defensive shields.
"Good night, asshole!" she thinks as she focuses her will and gestures toward the tower, hurling the Stunbolt at the sniper.
Blood leaks out of Dartha's nose as the mana courses wildly through her system.
"Good night, asshole!" she thinks as she focuses her will and gestures toward the tower, hurling the Stunbolt at the sniper.
Blood leaks out of Dartha's nose as the mana courses wildly through her system.
The team can see a large rifle slowly floating from the window of the flight tower. Followed by a large ball of blue energy fly towards the tower like a large crossbow bolt. The mana connects on a target within the tower window, and residue for blue energy mana begins to trickle down from the tower, like the remnants of a fireworks.
There seems to be no other disturbances coming from the flight tower.
[ Spoiler ]
There seems to be no other disturbances coming from the flight tower.
Dartha scans the tarmac looking for other threats, maintaining the shield on Ms. Johnson. She begins stalking towards the tower as she wipes the trace of blood from her upper lip. She calls out to Hodder, sounding seriously pissed off,
"Hodder!"
"Hodder!"
"What?"
Dartha pauses and turns to Hodder.
"Is that spirit of yours going to be able to bring his ass to us?"
"Is that spirit of yours going to be able to bring his ass to us?"
Hodder smiles,"That's the plan. We all know about plans."
Dartha's lip curls up into a snarl and she points at the ground at her foot.
"I want his ass, Hodder. Right. Here."
"I want his ass, Hodder. Right. Here."
"At the moment, it's up to my Fire Spirit."
Hodder can tell her obvious fury probably isn't directed at him, but that's not much comfort at the moment.
"Then tell the spook to move its hoop. He and I need to have a little... chat."
"Then tell the spook to move its hoop. He and I need to have a little... chat."
Hawkeye scans the rest of the tarmac and the rest of the airfield. She finds no other threats in the area.
Jane asks for Vera or one of the flight crew members to call off the airport security.
When, who, and if the team climbs the top of the flight tower, they a circular platform with one of the large windows shattered to pieces. There is a blond man with short military style cut hair wearing camo armor, on the ground. He appears to be breathing, but is knocked out.
[Not sure where Belloq left the sniper rifle, but it is around as well.]
There is also a large fire spirit floating above the man.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/216375...93679cf.jpg?v=0
[Pete, let me know if you wanted the spirit to enter the sniper. If so, forget the last sentence.]
Jane asks for Vera or one of the flight crew members to call off the airport security.
When, who, and if the team climbs the top of the flight tower, they a circular platform with one of the large windows shattered to pieces. There is a blond man with short military style cut hair wearing camo armor, on the ground. He appears to be breathing, but is knocked out.
[Not sure where Belloq left the sniper rifle, but it is around as well.]
There is also a large fire spirit floating above the man.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/216375...93679cf.jpg?v=0
[Pete, let me know if you wanted the spirit to enter the sniper. If so, forget the last sentence.]
Vera calls off the alert and finishes packing the rest of the things. She looks at Jane. "You okay?"
Vera sighs and looks at the rest of the aiport. "I never did like Cairo anyways."
Vera sighs and looks at the rest of the aiport. "I never did like Cairo anyways."
Hodder and the others make it into the tower to find a bizarre scene. An unconscious person lies on the floor of a warm room, and a chair, radiating waves of heat, is rolling back and forth across the tower room, bumping the unconscious man towards the stairs leading down. There are a few chair-leg-shaped singe marks on his clothes where he has been bumped.
Hodder lets out a roar of laughter and says,"Thank you, elohim. You have served me well. Your service is complete."
The chair rolls over to an air conditioning register in the corner that is vibrating during use. The chair rolls onto the grate and modulates the vibration. Careful attention to the modulation picks out the following message:
"Services altogether complete they are, Simon. Learn to use us better it is hoped."
With that the aura around the chair fades, and the room begins to cool immediately.
Hodder lets out a roar of laughter and says,"Thank you, elohim. You have served me well. Your service is complete."
The chair rolls over to an air conditioning register in the corner that is vibrating during use. The chair rolls onto the grate and modulates the vibration. Careful attention to the modulation picks out the following message:
"Services altogether complete they are, Simon. Learn to use us better it is hoped."
With that the aura around the chair fades, and the room begins to cool immediately.
Hodder immediately begins checking the assailant's clothing and possessions. "Could someone see if our assailant here is in danger? Wouldn't want him to die before we get to interrogate him." Hodder chuckles at that. Nuclear strike sniper shots and spells, it will be a wonder if the team doesn't leave a swath of destruction across Africa.
"Come to think of it, if we did the searching and questioning on the plane, we could be out of here before authorities come to check the fireworks."
"Come to think of it, if we did the searching and questioning on the plane, we could be out of here before authorities come to check the fireworks."
The sounds and sights of sirens begin to fade away in the distance. Hodder finds a Ares Predator Pistol, singed armor, and Ranger Arms - SM4 Sniper Rifle laying besides the body. Other then the singes from the chair, the body appears to have no other marks on it. The man has no commlink.
Glass is lying shattered all over the floor. The man is blue eyed, blond haired, and just under six feet tall. He has no commlink. Another pane glass window behind Hodder lays shattered. You assume that it was Hawkeye's missed bullet shot. He groggily begins to stir a little bit.
On the tarmac, Jane stands by Dartha, Vera, and Texas Jack. Dexter is in the plane covering them. Hawkeye and Dartha scan the rest of the area, and see no enemies. It looks like it is a lone sniper.
The troll on the ground is dead, there is a large hole the size of a crater in the middle of his stomach. Jane checks her commlink and nods. She turns to the ork who was awaiting on the tarmac.
"Everyone. Let me introduce you to Texas Jack. The hacker we are picking up before we head to Lagos."
Glass is lying shattered all over the floor. The man is blue eyed, blond haired, and just under six feet tall. He has no commlink. Another pane glass window behind Hodder lays shattered. You assume that it was Hawkeye's missed bullet shot. He groggily begins to stir a little bit.
On the tarmac, Jane stands by Dartha, Vera, and Texas Jack. Dexter is in the plane covering them. Hawkeye and Dartha scan the rest of the area, and see no enemies. It looks like it is a lone sniper.
The troll on the ground is dead, there is a large hole the size of a crater in the middle of his stomach. Jane checks her commlink and nods. She turns to the ork who was awaiting on the tarmac.
"Everyone. Let me introduce you to Texas Jack. The hacker we are picking up before we head to Lagos."
Just when I sling my rifle around the door, Dartha launches some nasty balls spell towards the tower. I know how the fuck magic behaves; I've been around the bloc enough times to know. And normaly, that shit ain't all fireworks like what just happened. Either someone got very lucky, or that new kid is packing some serious mojo firepower. I guess all in all thats a good thing.
For a few seconds, there's nothing in the air but Dartha and Hodder yelling it back and forth across the tarmac. I've got the butt of my rifle nested well in my shoulder. Sure, the guy's probably down. But maybe he brought along a few buddies. Maybe, in the next second, someone going to start pounding at us with something more than sniper fire. My entire body feels like its about to go on seizure mode, but I reel it in.
I hold the tower in my sights a few more seconds, making extra sure there ain't nobody moving.
A few meters off from the plane, Hodder being to huddle towards the tower. I got a vague idea what the halfer's got on his mind; noble enough idea. Hope for him he don't need any backup cause the way I see it, I've got my hands full.
I don't so much get down the stairs as I just jump over them. The jap kid has her big ass rifle readied, and is already scanning around. I stop by her side, taking cover behind the stairs.
With my free hand, I point straight north.
“Take 12 to 6. I'll watch 6 to 12, and get these people on. If you get contact, sound it off.”
By the way she just behaved, I ain't real worried anymore. She's tiny as fuck, but afterall, that small head seems to be screwed on real tight. I don't really wait for an answer or anything. The way she's already scanning around her, she knows how to maintain a secured permiter. I turn round, my rifle low but ready. As I scan my sector, I move in a low crouch towards the van.
Soon as I'm there, I grab myself some partial cover next to one of them. Most of the rest of the crew is within arms reach from me. I glance quickly towards what left of the troll. The sob's fuckin' dead, for sure. Most of his inside aren't inside anymore. Poor bastard. Ain't no way to go. Probably never knew what hit him.
I don't as much talk over my shoulder as I just yell.
“Is anyone hit?”
I don't see Vera, but the calm voice ain't hard to recognized.
“We're all fine.”
“Right. Vera; the kid and I are going to maintain perimeter security. Take Jane on the plane. Digits, unless you ain't got enough fuel, I want you to get your bird ready for wheels off as fast as you can.”
My eyes keep scanning my arc of fire. Half of hopes this is already over. The other half... well... it aching for some trigger time. When I feel them moving to cross the open space, the safety pops off from the my rifle.
For a few seconds, there's nothing in the air but Dartha and Hodder yelling it back and forth across the tarmac. I've got the butt of my rifle nested well in my shoulder. Sure, the guy's probably down. But maybe he brought along a few buddies. Maybe, in the next second, someone going to start pounding at us with something more than sniper fire. My entire body feels like its about to go on seizure mode, but I reel it in.
I hold the tower in my sights a few more seconds, making extra sure there ain't nobody moving.
A few meters off from the plane, Hodder being to huddle towards the tower. I got a vague idea what the halfer's got on his mind; noble enough idea. Hope for him he don't need any backup cause the way I see it, I've got my hands full.
I don't so much get down the stairs as I just jump over them. The jap kid has her big ass rifle readied, and is already scanning around. I stop by her side, taking cover behind the stairs.
With my free hand, I point straight north.
“Take 12 to 6. I'll watch 6 to 12, and get these people on. If you get contact, sound it off.”
By the way she just behaved, I ain't real worried anymore. She's tiny as fuck, but afterall, that small head seems to be screwed on real tight. I don't really wait for an answer or anything. The way she's already scanning around her, she knows how to maintain a secured permiter. I turn round, my rifle low but ready. As I scan my sector, I move in a low crouch towards the van.
Soon as I'm there, I grab myself some partial cover next to one of them. Most of the rest of the crew is within arms reach from me. I glance quickly towards what left of the troll. The sob's fuckin' dead, for sure. Most of his inside aren't inside anymore. Poor bastard. Ain't no way to go. Probably never knew what hit him.
I don't as much talk over my shoulder as I just yell.
“Is anyone hit?”
I don't see Vera, but the calm voice ain't hard to recognized.
“We're all fine.”
“Right. Vera; the kid and I are going to maintain perimeter security. Take Jane on the plane. Digits, unless you ain't got enough fuel, I want you to get your bird ready for wheels off as fast as you can.”
My eyes keep scanning my arc of fire. Half of hopes this is already over. The other half... well... it aching for some trigger time. When I feel them moving to cross the open space, the safety pops off from the my rifle.
Dartha looks Jack over carefully and appraisingly.
"Well, I was too busy to notice him too much during that brief... annoyance. Have to see what he's like on the plane. And I was going to listen to language books. Oh well. I should probably talk more closely with Hodder as well.
"Hello Jack; I'm Dartha. I hope the circumstances of our collective meeting aren't a sign of things to come."
"Well, I was too busy to notice him too much during that brief... annoyance. Have to see what he's like on the plane. And I was going to listen to language books. Oh well. I should probably talk more closely with Hodder as well.
"Hello Jack; I'm Dartha. I hope the circumstances of our collective meeting aren't a sign of things to come."
Jane brushes herself off. Acknowledges her lack of wounds to Vera. At the command of Dexter, Digits salutes him and runs off towards the plane.
"You'd have to be a loon to stay on this bleeding tarmac any longer." The Dwarf Rigger mumbled.
Texas Jack. When you scan the area for wireless signals or any types of wireless traffic, all you encounter is the commands from the flight towers and communications to other planes. You also here muttering from airport security about a false alarm. Dartha then greets you.
"That was an interesting experience," Jane begins. "There is no way Lockwood could know about us tailing him, that would mean there is a leak in the organization if we cannot identify this intruder."
She commands Hodders via commlink.
"Hodder. Bring the attacker down to us, we should interrogate him on our way to Lagos. Beckon if you need assistance carrying him down. I can send one of the other members to help you.
[Whoever does. Feel free to use the Hermes Van to assist Hodder. If no one, the troll who survived goes and drives the van over there. Don't need to roleplay this, just fastforward to the plane.]
"As Pope made reference. Let's get this bird off the air ASAP." Jane says with slight smile. She then looks over at the dead troll and stares at the body before heading into the plane with Vera.
"You'd have to be a loon to stay on this bleeding tarmac any longer." The Dwarf Rigger mumbled.
Texas Jack. When you scan the area for wireless signals or any types of wireless traffic, all you encounter is the commands from the flight towers and communications to other planes. You also here muttering from airport security about a false alarm. Dartha then greets you.
"That was an interesting experience," Jane begins. "There is no way Lockwood could know about us tailing him, that would mean there is a leak in the organization if we cannot identify this intruder."
She commands Hodders via commlink.
"Hodder. Bring the attacker down to us, we should interrogate him on our way to Lagos. Beckon if you need assistance carrying him down. I can send one of the other members to help you.
[Whoever does. Feel free to use the Hermes Van to assist Hodder. If no one, the troll who survived goes and drives the van over there. Don't need to roleplay this, just fastforward to the plane.]
"As Pope made reference. Let's get this bird off the air ASAP." Jane says with slight smile. She then looks over at the dead troll and stares at the body before heading into the plane with Vera.
"The Organization? Um... okay, now I'm starting to worry a little."
As Jane nears my position, about to discard the cover of the van, I hold up my meat palm facing her. I raise my rifle, scan my sector once more.“Ok......... Now.” I simply say, telling her hustle along as fast as she can, minimizing exposure.
I only relax, somewhat, when she disappears inside the plane.
Feeling my way around my belt, I grab the hair thin connection cord from my commlink and jab it behind my right ear. Right about now, I just wished we had callsigns. Guess I'll have to make em on the fly and hope everyone gets them.
“You heard the lady Mac. Call it if you can't haul that bastard out. Ground perimeter is secured, and will hold until you board.”
I pause for a brief moment.
“That don't mean I feel like hanging my ass out here any longer than it should.”
I only relax, somewhat, when she disappears inside the plane.
Feeling my way around my belt, I grab the hair thin connection cord from my commlink and jab it behind my right ear. Right about now, I just wished we had callsigns. Guess I'll have to make em on the fly and hope everyone gets them.
“You heard the lady Mac. Call it if you can't haul that bastard out. Ground perimeter is secured, and will hold until you board.”
I pause for a brief moment.
“That don't mean I feel like hanging my ass out here any longer than it should.”
At the first sign of the assailant rousing, Hodder restrains him... securely. He pockets the pistol, slings the rifle over one shoulder and tosses the man over the other shoulder. He descends the stairs gingerly, making sure of his footing. By the time he exits the tower, the van is there to pick him up.
Back at the plane, he climbs the stairs with his cargo to the door and claps Dexter on the shoulder. He turns to look at the city, and says in Arabic to no one in particular, "Come again when you can stay longer."
He enters the plane and carries the sniper to one of the seats in the back and tosses him down into it. The sniper moans. "He looks like he'll be ready soon for some questioning. Knock yourselves out." That comment reminds him of his own weariness. "Oh well."
Looking around the plane, he sees the ork. He goes over and says, holding out his hand, "You must be Jack. I'm Hodder. Pleased to meet you. Hope you don't bring this kind of fun with you all the time."
Back at the plane, he climbs the stairs with his cargo to the door and claps Dexter on the shoulder. He turns to look at the city, and says in Arabic to no one in particular, "Come again when you can stay longer."
He enters the plane and carries the sniper to one of the seats in the back and tosses him down into it. The sniper moans. "He looks like he'll be ready soon for some questioning. Knock yourselves out." That comment reminds him of his own weariness. "Oh well."
Looking around the plane, he sees the ork. He goes over and says, holding out his hand, "You must be Jack. I'm Hodder. Pleased to meet you. Hope you don't bring this kind of fun with you all the time."
Vera took Jane into the plane, dragging the med kit and drugs with her. It was a simple operation of placing everything inside and zipping it closed. Something she could do and had done in under 10 seconds. She looked over Jane professionally makign sure she had not been injured, sintead of giving her an injection in the bottocks she simply gave it in her arm.
"Jane, you're in great shape. I just gave you a vaccination shot. It will be slower to react than before, but it should be okay."
She turned to Jack and tapped her chest with the palm of her gloved hand, "Vera. Nice to meet you Cacutus Jack."
She hooked up the doctor's assistant from the medkit to the sniper and checked his vitals. She peered in his eyes checking for concusion or drug effects, hands and arms for needle marks and a general pat down to see if anything was broken or damaged.
She turned to Hodder, is there a particular reason his clothes look singed?"
"Jane, you're in great shape. I just gave you a vaccination shot. It will be slower to react than before, but it should be okay."
She turned to Jack and tapped her chest with the palm of her gloved hand, "Vera. Nice to meet you Cacutus Jack."
She hooked up the doctor's assistant from the medkit to the sniper and checked his vitals. She peered in his eyes checking for concusion or drug effects, hands and arms for needle marks and a general pat down to see if anything was broken or damaged.
She turned to Hodder, is there a particular reason his clothes look singed?"
Hodder turns back to look at Vera when she asks about the burns. He smiles a rueful smile, the kind a parent gives during explanation of a child's quirky behaviour. "My creative and persistent Fire Elohim possessed a chair and tried to push him back to us. It was succeeding marginally."
Dartha looks over at the helpless sniper bound and unconcious on the floor and lets a small snarl curl up her lip.
The jet takes off for Asante, Nigeria. Leaving behind the Cairo metroplex for good. Final destination, Lagos. The team had managed to survive their brief encounter on the airport runway. Functioning well as a unit, the attacker was only able to kill one crew member. Hawkeye's shot had been a difficult one to make, only coming a whisker away from killing the man. One man's piece of junk could be another man's treasure as the team was able to keep the sniper alive for interrogation.
Laying in the plane, restrained from behind, and adorned in scorched armor, Vera and anyone else who examines the blond are able to see that he has no physical injuries on him other then slight burns from the flaming chair. A half hour into the flight be begins to stir, before finally awakening.
The man has medium length blond hair, a long crooked nose, and large beady eyes. He looks around at all of you.
[Spoiler for Digital OYABUN aka Texas Jack]
Jane unfastens her seat belt and makes her way over to the man. She addresses him.
"Well. You're lucky you survived the ordeal. If you want to keep your luck intact and survive the next hour, it will be in your best interest to answer our questions. Namely, who you are, who you work for, and what were you doing trying to kill us?"
Jane gives him a moment to answer the question. After a comfortable silence, he does not answer. The sniper maintains a poker face. Jane speaks to all of you while keeping her eyes fixed on the man.
"Well. It looks like he is being stubborn. Maybe one of you can make him talk? Also feel free to ask him any questions you would like answered."
[ If anyone of you are going to try and make the sniper talk, please add the appropriate roll to your next IC post. For example, if you are going to try intimidation - roll intimidation, if your next post depicts a negotiation - roll negotiation.
You may attempt to assist your fellow PC's by making a teamwork roll. IE. "Hawkeye draws her pistol and points it at the man, while Dartha in intimidating him."
All rolls receive a plus five because you outnumber him 7 to 1. (Opposed test vs. Group Rule in effect) ]
Laying in the plane, restrained from behind, and adorned in scorched armor, Vera and anyone else who examines the blond are able to see that he has no physical injuries on him other then slight burns from the flaming chair. A half hour into the flight be begins to stir, before finally awakening.
The man has medium length blond hair, a long crooked nose, and large beady eyes. He looks around at all of you.
[Spoiler for Digital OYABUN aka Texas Jack]
[ Spoiler ]
Jane unfastens her seat belt and makes her way over to the man. She addresses him.
"Well. You're lucky you survived the ordeal. If you want to keep your luck intact and survive the next hour, it will be in your best interest to answer our questions. Namely, who you are, who you work for, and what were you doing trying to kill us?"
Jane gives him a moment to answer the question. After a comfortable silence, he does not answer. The sniper maintains a poker face. Jane speaks to all of you while keeping her eyes fixed on the man.
"Well. It looks like he is being stubborn. Maybe one of you can make him talk? Also feel free to ask him any questions you would like answered."
[ If anyone of you are going to try and make the sniper talk, please add the appropriate roll to your next IC post. For example, if you are going to try intimidation - roll intimidation, if your next post depicts a negotiation - roll negotiation.
You may attempt to assist your fellow PC's by making a teamwork roll. IE. "Hawkeye draws her pistol and points it at the man, while Dartha in intimidating him."
All rolls receive a plus five because you outnumber him 7 to 1. (Opposed test vs. Group Rule in effect) ]
*Edit. Double posted*
Hodder texts all, but the message is directed to Dartha in particular.
>>@Dartha--This may not be as much fun for you, but you and I could simply Influence him to answer completely. God knows it wouldn't be a stretch for him to believe it would be good for him to be forthright.<<
>>@Dartha--This may not be as much fun for you, but you and I could simply Influence him to answer completely. God knows it wouldn't be a stretch for him to believe it would be good for him to be forthright.<<
With the sniper apparently disabled by that girl's spell, I turn my attention to the surrounding tarmac, making sure no other threats get a chance to take a shot at us. The old guy comes over to me and tells me to watch one direction while he covers the other. It is basic tactics, and so I follow the direction, though I still have an odd feeling from his direction, having to resist the urge to swing my gaze in his direction to make sure... Make sure of what? I don't know.
Eventually Hodder returns with the man, who smells as though he has been singed as he is dragged past me and up the stairs into the plane. I'm the last one on, still not trusting that the man was alone. Sure, a lone sniper may seem like a good idea, but there is a limit to what they can do by themselves, and are generally far more effective by keeping people pinned so someone else can move in, or having another sniper positioned so that cover from both is hard to find.
Finally the door closes and we take off again, the sniper no on board. I sit sideways in one of the chairs so that I can keep an eye on him. I rest my rifle in my lap in such a way that the barrel points towards him. I wouldn't actually fire on him unless it was a real emergency, the damage to the plane would be rather bad. Still, it should give him a nice scare when he wakes up.
Finally he does wake up. I let Jane have her crack at the man, and then decide to give my threat, the fact that I mean it likely making it all the worse for the man. "Since we've been working on getting to know each other better. I say in reference to the card game and some of the questions that were passed around "I can share that I really hate to miss a shot, I tried making it a little too clean and ended up getting sloppy back there." My voice is calm and cool, but I realize that I've only just learned these things as I'm saying them. "Maybe when we touch back down I can get another chance. But to make it fair for him, the more questions he answers, the more time he gets to run before I take my shot."
With that I pick up the rifle, still half curled up in my seat, and stare down the scope at the man's face, the zoom auto-adjusting and the vision still flicking between the different options. He may realize that I won't actually fire at the moment, but staring down that barrel can't be a pleasant sight.
Eventually Hodder returns with the man, who smells as though he has been singed as he is dragged past me and up the stairs into the plane. I'm the last one on, still not trusting that the man was alone. Sure, a lone sniper may seem like a good idea, but there is a limit to what they can do by themselves, and are generally far more effective by keeping people pinned so someone else can move in, or having another sniper positioned so that cover from both is hard to find.
Finally the door closes and we take off again, the sniper no on board. I sit sideways in one of the chairs so that I can keep an eye on him. I rest my rifle in my lap in such a way that the barrel points towards him. I wouldn't actually fire on him unless it was a real emergency, the damage to the plane would be rather bad. Still, it should give him a nice scare when he wakes up.
Finally he does wake up. I let Jane have her crack at the man, and then decide to give my threat, the fact that I mean it likely making it all the worse for the man. "Since we've been working on getting to know each other better. I say in reference to the card game and some of the questions that were passed around "I can share that I really hate to miss a shot, I tried making it a little too clean and ended up getting sloppy back there." My voice is calm and cool, but I realize that I've only just learned these things as I'm saying them. "Maybe when we touch back down I can get another chance. But to make it fair for him, the more questions he answers, the more time he gets to run before I take my shot."
With that I pick up the rifle, still half curled up in my seat, and stare down the scope at the man's face, the zoom auto-adjusting and the vision still flicking between the different options. He may realize that I won't actually fire at the moment, but staring down that barrel can't be a pleasant sight.
Dartha gives a truly vicious smile at the bound man.
"I'd be happy to help, Ms. Johnson," she says professionally before turning back to the captive.
"I think this will go a lot faster if I just skip the questions for now... besides, it's a lot more fun," she says to him in a viciously cruel but seductive voice before she makes a small gesture with her hand.
"See? Now, do I have your attention?" she asks him in a sultry cruel voice as he writhes in agony on the floor.
"I'd be happy to help, Ms. Johnson," she says professionally before turning back to the captive.
"I think this will go a lot faster if I just skip the questions for now... besides, it's a lot more fun," she says to him in a viciously cruel but seductive voice before she makes a small gesture with her hand.
[ Spoiler ]
"See? Now, do I have your attention?" she asks him in a sultry cruel voice as he writhes in agony on the floor.
>>Oooookay.... maybe not.<<
It is obvious to everyone, that Dartha casts a spell on the sniper. Her small gesture emits a large wave of mana which takes a hold of the man. He begins to scream.
The man is in obvious pain. Inside he is feeling what it is like to die. And it's not like getting shot. It's like being burned to death, while someone is cutting off your fingers and toes in the process.
The man is unable to move or act. He is on the floor writing in pain.
The man is in obvious pain. Inside he is feeling what it is like to die. And it's not like getting shot. It's like being burned to death, while someone is cutting off your fingers and toes in the process.
The man is unable to move or act. He is on the floor writing in pain.
"Are you ready to talk to me?" Dartha asks gently as she walks over to where the man writhes on the carpet. She places her hands on her hips and extends the toe of one boot towards his face and says "You can respond by kissing my foot... I think you can still manage that much."
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