Community > The Cantina

The Skies have no Limit

<< < (57/67) > >>

Yiski:
-Chang-ning, Yesha-

After Shen's departure to the capital and his wife's follow up meetings with military officials, Roland decided to head off towards the saloon. Part of him wondered how worried Yiski had been since he and the others went off without so much a word. Another part wondered if the saloon was even still standing. Roland was more worried about the latter rather than the former.

After having one of the maids at the manor handle transportation, Roland soon found himself at the familiar sight of the Crimson Skies Saloon. He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the place still stood.

[Roland]
'At least dad, didn't blow this place up.... yet.'

Roland entered the saloon and immediately noticed two things. First, the saloon was insanely packed. Sure, the saloon had a healthy number of patrons when the it first opened and grew steadily over the years, but never did he see the place nearly crowded like sardines. Second, the saloon had gone quite and all patrons eyes were on him. The only sounds Roland could hear was the city outside.

[Familiar Voice]
"Well, if it isn't the prodigal son!"

The voice was instantly recognizable as Yiski's as he made his way towards the entrance and gave Roland a long-awaited, body crushing hug. Once Yiski released, Roland was met by another, equally crushing, hug from Lauren.

[Roland]
"Good to be home dad and Lau... er... mom."

[Lauren]
*kisses Roland's cheek* "We missed you."

[Yiski]
"Good to see you're back in one piece. Where's my daughter at?"

[Roland]
"She's in a meeting with military officials. I think it is a debriefing of what we went through."

[Yiski]
"Huh.... I guess that's to be expected. Well, come on. I hope you didn't forget how to run a saloon."

[Lauren]
"And don't forget to tell us what happened while you were gone."

Over the next few hours, between handling all the patrons and making sure none of the stills were going to erupt, Roland recounted the adventure of rescuing Shen and Liu from the further remains of the Birdmen. Hearing that name again....

[Yiski]
"You're shittin' me? Them again?! These bastards keep poppin' up like roaches."

[Roland]
"Yes, it actually came to a surprise to all of us."

[Lauren]
"Good thing your father didn't know this, or he would have taken off after you immediately."

[Yiski]
"Damn right I would've. Which reminds me... why didn't you ever contact us about the incident?"

[Roland]
"I suppose the panic the kidnappings caused just made us react instinctively."

[Lauren]
*smirking* "Come on dear, be easy on him. After all he does take after both of his fathers."

Yiski sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.

[Yiski]
"Heh, I suppose he does."

The three share a small chuckle. Roland takes a short breath and looks back out towards the sea of patrons.

[Roland]
"Father."

[Yiski]
"Son."

[Roland]
"Why is the saloon so packed? I have never seen this."

[Yiski]
"Well.... I might've started re-brewin' White Steam Whiskey. And I might've started a bet that those who can resist its effect that they would get twenty gold coins."

Roland just stared at his father for a few moments.

[Yiski]
"Good news. Nobody's won yet and we're makin' lots of coin."

Roland sighed and gave a chuckle knowing full well nobody was ever going to win that bet. Even after some time away, it seems like nothing has changed.

BdrLineAzn:
Vyshtorg

Zankief's Warehouse

(Zankief)
"Well, take a look."

The group enters the large room and see various papers and equipment scattered around a few tables. Zankief goes over and picks up an identity book and toss it to BdrLine. He opens it and looks through it.

(Zankief)
"It was easy to do your Bdr as you already came through here a while back. Had a harder time for the others in your group as we didn't know how many and what gender. So we made quite a few more. And if you guys find an alias that you like, give it to my men so they can put in last minute information."

(Althea)
"Hmm, Walker, I like this one. Elegant, yet simple."

(Courage)
"Hey Charles, look at this one. You look like a Casey haha."

(Charles)
"..."

Zankief motions for the others to come to the table and look through the other booklets and papers.

(BdrLine)
"These looks almost authentic. Still, I wonder why you gave me Carmichael as a last name."

(Zankief)
"Oh, that's just to mess with you a little. You should have thought of one instead of letting me and my team make one for you."

As the others continue to look, Zankief takes Bdr to look at the rest of the equipment.

(Zankief)
"So if there is anything else that you guys need, don't hesitate to ask me. Oh before I forget, ammunition is a few levels underneath, so don't worry about running out."

(BdrLine)
"Alright, since I got my papers I'll head out and see what else i can dig up."

Althea overhears him and walks to the two."

(Althea)
"Actually Bdr hun, I think you should stay here for now."

(BdrLine)
"What, why?"

(Althea)
"I think it may raise suspicions if a Yeshan if found snooping around guildhalls."

(Zankief)
"I think your girl is right Bdr, can't risk that happening until we find out more."

(BdrLine)
"Then what am I going to do then?"

(Zankief)
"You can help me and my men around here. With your knowledge we can improve certain things."

(BdrLine)
"Fine."

(Althea)
"Good, I'll take the other two and we'll be off into the city. Charles, Courage, come on."

Dropping off there papers to Zankief, the three goes back upstairs and out  onto the streets of the Mercantile Capital.

Piemanlives:
--Vyshtorg--

Alex and Richard ran into Reagan and Preston as they wandered about the streets.

Richard
"So did you two find anything?"

Preston
"Nothing yet, but we did find an inn we could stay at for a time."

Alex
"Do we need to worry about finds?"

Reagan
"For the most part? Probably not that much, I've managed to requisition some from Cathedral, it won't be enough for long but it should keep us off the streets for a while."

Richard
"I'm going to find us a job, maybe even set ourselves as civilian contractors, a city this big will need someone like us somewhere."

Reagan
"Check construction, salvage equipment is equally useful there."

Alex
"Richard go check on that, Reagan, show us that inn you found."

BdrLineAzn:
Chang-ning

Imperial Palace

As Xi listens to Shen about the recent events starting with the meeting of Zardis to the secret plot between the Deer and Tiger, he stands up and circles around the hidden room.

(Shen)
"Currently, my daughter is set to leave later today to lead the attack group."

(Xi)
"This is troubling. I know we haven't been on good terms with the Guild lately, but a hostile take over. Almost as worst as the Birdmen."

(Shen)
"So what do we do? We can't go out and arrest them as we don't have any solid evidence."

(Xi)
"Hmm, i don't know what to do. If we warn the Guild, they may start a war with us. We can't arrest them, like you said, we don't have any evidence. You daughter maybe on her own for this."

(Shen)
"Well not exactly."

(Xi)
"hmm?"

(Shen)
"My son also knows about this as well, he and a group of others are on their way to the Guild, heck they even may be in Vyshtorg. We were going to contact him later if either of us has found something."

(Xi)
"Alright then. I just hope they figure out something."

(Shen)
"Same here as well. Where do we go now?"

(Xi)
"I still have to plan for your return ball, I need to do something to clear my mind after all this. I'll just meet you at your manor later."

(Shen)
"Okay then."

Shen stands up from his seat and is about to exit the room when Xi calls back to him.

(Xi)
"Shen, one more thing. Watch your back, if I know a thing about this current Tiger, he'll maybe watching you. Gods he'll maybe watching me as well."

With a quick nod, Shen turns and walks out into the normal office and knocks at the main door.

(Shen)
"Chong, we are done in here. I'm leaving but the Emperor is still here."

From the other side, Chong answers as he acknowledges. 

(Chong)
"Understood Mr. Zhao."

Shen then opens the door to let himself out. Standing guard on either side of the doorway, Chong and another Elite stand guard.

(Chong)
"Also, might want to keep an extra eye out, the Tiger maybe watching me and my family, and to extent, the Emperor as well."

With that, Shen exits the building to his vehicle and drives home.

Zhao Manor

Giving time to rest from from her latest mission and meeting with the Tiger, it is around one in the afternoon and Ny-Lee rises out of bed still in uniform. She goes over to a mirror and checks herself with some disgust.

(Ny-Lee)
I really need to clean myself.

Going over to to the room's bathroom, she undresses and starts the shower. She quickly bathes herself, washing out the dust that was collected. Finishing, Ny-Lee grabs a towel and turns off the shower. Back in her room, she changes into a new uniform and packs a few extra articles of clothing for the next assignment.

Fresh and clean, Ny-Lee exits the room and heads towards the stairs. At the balcony viewing the main door, Liu comes in and sees her daughter coming down.

(Liu)
*smiles* "Finally someone is awake. I see you already for the next trip."

At the foot of the stairs, Ny-Lee goes over and hugs her mother.

(Ny-Lee)
"Hi mom. Yeah, I just woke up thirty minutes ago."

(Liu)
"Well when you came home earlier this morning, you brother did say you were very tired."

(Ny-Lee)
"Oh I was, from thinking about this whole mission and meeting with that Tiger. Urrgh, sorry I just don't what to think about right now. So looks like you went out, meeting with your trading company?"

(Liu)
"I was going to meet with the board, but instead the Deer was waiting for me at the office. Here let's go to the kitchen and I'll tell you about it. Plus I'm betting that you maybe hungry."

(Ny-Lee)
"Hehe, just a little."

Going down one of the hallways, the two find themselves in the kitchen. Liu then opens cabinets and gather some ingredients for a sandwich. As she prepares two, Liu explains the meeting to Ny-Lee.

(Liu)
"So as I said earlier, the Deer was at my office waiting for me. He asked me if he can used some of my bigger transports to help move supplies as an offering for the next meeting with the Guild."

(Ny-Lee)
"Most likely the one I'm going."

(Liu)
"Yes most likely. I asked him why my company, since I don't do any trading within Guild borders after my company beaten out their completion in this region. Told me it would be a sign of good faith in having the largest trading company on this side of the world to open up to the Guild again. I was hesitant for a bit, but I had agree eventually, he wouldn't back down."

(Ny-Lee)
"I have a feeling that it is not goods they are putting in those transports."

(Liu)
"I got it as well."

Liu finishes with the sandwiches and hand Ny-Lee one. The two then eat while discussing the matter.

As it nears two o'clock in the afternoon, Ny-Lee checks the clock in the kitchen and to her mother.

(Ny-Lee)
"Looks like I have to go. Gods I wish I didn't have to do this."

(Liu)
"I know, but we need to stop them. But do warn your older brother, he needs to hear about this."

(Ny-Lee)
"I won't."

With a peck on the cheek to her mother, Ny-Lee exits the manor and calls for a driver. As soon as the car pulls up, she enters and tells the driver to go to the Capital's base.

Capital Headquarters

It is three o'clock when the car arrives and drops off Ny-Lee inside. Walking, she heads towards her ship and it's sister. Standing in front of the two Pyramidions are Syá and the rest of the crew. Giving a brief salute to everyone, they form a circle around Ny-Lee.

(Ny-Lee)
"So I'll bet that they already briefed you guys now what is going on?"

(Lau)
"Yes ma'am, it is going to be tough though."

(Ny-Lee)
"hmm? How so?"

(Syá)
"From the list of what units they are bringing, all of them, besides us, are loyal to the Tiger."

(Pān)
"they have a whole regiment for this."

(Ny-Lee)
"I knew they were going to put something else in my mother's ships."

(Wèi)
"Wait, how did they get those ships

(Ny-Lee)
"Well the Deer wore her down enough for him to use them. If those troops are seen rushing out those transports once they land, this will discredit her and her company."

Fang, another crewman for Ny-Lee's ships speaks next.

(Fang)
"That's right, I remember that your mother only does humanitarian aid and merchandise trade."

(Syá)
"Cap, what do we do then?"

(Ny-Lee)
"Just prep the ships, I need to call Azn."

Vyshtorg

Zankief's Warehouse

Sitting and leaning back on a chair, BdrLine stares at the ceiling fan as it goes round in a circle. Sitting besides him, Archer looks over the floor plans to Slava's guild house.

(BdrLine)
"So bored. Archer, what am I suppose todo if I can't go out there yet."

(Archer)
"Well Pops said to go and help out or engines around here."

(BdrLine)
"I'll do that later, and when did you guys start calling him Pops? Wasn't Boss before."

(Archer)
"Eh, he said it sounded too business like, he needed something that has a ring to it and still sounded authoritative like. So Pops."

(BdrLine)
"It sorta suits him."

Placing the seat four feet back onto the ground, BdrLine, lays his face down on the metal table."

(BdrLine)
"Guys have a range down here? I need to shoot something."

(Archer
"Yeah, downstairs across the armoury." 

Perking his head up from hearing there is a gun range, BdrLine stands up and heads upstairs to the main floor of the warehouse where the ships are stationed. At his Goldfish, he retrieves his rifles and heads back down two floors to where the range is located. He then practices shooting at the targets that are set up.

Somewhere in the City

Together in a group, Althea, Charles, and Courage roam around the city taking mental notes of where certain things are located.

(Courage)
"Dang this place is even bigger than Cathedral, we may get lost in a place like this."

(Althea)
"Almost the size as Chang-ning as well. Might need some transport if we need to get around."

(Charles)
"Yeah, so how long have we been out? Might as well head back."

(Althea)
"Well we got here at noon,... It is already five now. We should."

As the three turns around and start to retrace their steps, Courage notices a pair of people in the crowd. He nudges to the other two and points to their direction.

(Courage)
"Do you guys recognise them?"

(Althea)
"Yeah, they were at the inn back in Cathedral."

(Courage)
"Wonder what they are doing here."

(Charles)
"Want to check them out? We have time."

(Althea)
"doesn't  hurt to ask."

They proceed to follow and catch up to them.

Captain Lockheart:
--Over the Eastern Ridge, Over Angleforth--

Captain Oakenshield: " Commodore!"

Commodore Kingcrest: " Aye sir?"

Captain Oakenshield: " Whats our progress on Averna?"

Commodore Kingcrest: " Were currently over Angleforth, safe in Baronies air space. We make for Blackcliff, then Serpents Point. After we fly across the Black Channel to Amida, over the Old Route. Landing in Amida. Estimated arrival.... 2 days hence."

Captain Oakenshield: " Good, once we reach Amida, we can fly down to Averna and give that man whats coming to him. It'll teach him to never break a oath with me, or mine..."

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page