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Taken to The Skies: A Character Story

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Piemanlives:
It's certainly not done, but it should be fine Mac.

macmacnick:
...Or... I could incorporate this into a flashback.

Piemanlives:
Well anyways I'll try and push out another chapter in the next 2 weeks or so, we'll eventually get to how they received command of the Sky Runner.

Piemanlives:
Authors Note: This not my best work, but I hope you guys enjoy it anyways, expect errors, and as always feedback is appreciated.

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Early the next morning several militia vessels left their moorings, with the events of yesterday afternoon rocking the city about like a skywhale does to its hunter, it was decided to step up patrols in the local airspace rather than sit around and do nothing while they figure out exactly what happened. As the morning raged on most of the on duty staff and personnel attached to their arm of the militia had been sent off on various assignments around the city, hopefully to calm the people long enough for them to figure out everything. While not technically on the days roster, Alex entered the headquarters main facility. It strange walking into a barren office, though there were the usual clerks and guards stationed around, the sound of footsteps could be heard echoed hallways down.

He spotted Reagan asleep on her desk, head rested on a pile papers. He spotted another clerk walk towards her desk, and quietly placed another stack of papers next to her. He shook his head and quietly made his way over to her desk.. He shook her softly and she bolted upright, a few papers sticking to her cheek. She rubbed her eyes as she got a hold of her surroundings, instantly spotting the fresh stack of paperwork she let out a silent cry and slammed her head on the desk in front of her.

Alex chuckled, “Seems you've inherited the hate of paperwork.”

She picked herself up, “I don't understand, how can we get so much paperwork? I thought we had different divisions for this.”

“We do.”

“Skies above...” Her head again fell forward towards the stack of paper, scattering them on the floor.

“You do know you'll have to clean this up right?”

“I hate you.” She picked herself up and began sifting through them, grouping them by date and subject matter.

At this moment in time a few more members of the general staff filed into their level of HQ, a few gave a quick salute before quickly getting to work, lest they get drowned in paperwork like Reagan, they all gave a her sympathetic look, before filing away everything they could before the next load came in.

“So Captain, that mercenary of your picked up his payment earlier.”

“Well, at least he got paid right? I've heard bad things happening when a merc doesn't get paid, something about a violent guerrilla war against those who wrong them.”

Reagan snorted, “That sounds like one of those cheesy radio dramas you get nowadays.”

Alex shrugged, “Certainly could be worse, we could be-”

“Captain Henley?” Behind him a young courier stood at attention.

“Yes, that's me, is there something requiring my attention?”

“No sir, not at this moment, however I'm required to tell all personnel that the regional council will be convening today to discuss yesterday’s attack.”

Now that was a surprise, The regional council? He thought, The city council I'd expect but actually pulling the other cities into this? He shook his head, he probably shouldn't dwell on it that much, if they thought convening the regional council was a good idea then let them, his job is protecting the city, not wondering what the hell politicians do with their time.

“So, what exactly does that mean?”

“The guard is being placed on high alert until further notice.”

“And have you told the others?”

“There was an informational sent out to all personnel on duty at the time.

“Ah, thank you, you may return to your post.”

“Sir.” An exchange of salutes after Alex went back to the matter at hand, and made his way to his office.

--Militia HQ, 4th floor--

Alex opened the door to his office, true to his word, Richard had left a report compiled on his desk, he briefly leafed through it as he drank a coffee he retrieved on his way up.  He set it aside on his desk, outside his window he had a clear view of the city harbor, repair crews were scattered about as they tended to the damage from the engagement of the previous day. The harbor itself was cluttered with debris, the Galleon was a mess, the militia flak operators really knew their equipment, a few salvage vessels were pulling it out of the harbor space, however it had lost most of its helium and was proving a challenge due to its immense size. Another vessel, bearing the official crest of Snowpeak and Ulavaar, two closely related cities residing near the border of the Baronies, sailed into the harbor. So, the meeting is staring soon isn't it? Alex thought about what could happen now, the other vessels from their respective cities had arrived before he went on duty today, the council would soon be in session, and soon a decision would be made.

--Quinqaachi, Council Chambers--

The last of the delegates entered the council chamber, nodding their heads at their compatriots as they took their seats. Arlhem Gulliver was the Council Representative from Staagmut, he sat in one of the middle rings of the chamber proper, looking down to the stage situated below them. He spotted the Quinqaachi representative step up to the podium.

“Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for coming on such short notice.” As the councilor spoke Arlhem noticed that the Navinstaak seat was unoccupied, probably verbally fencing with the Baronies, as it tended to happen from time to time, “As you know, this city, the center of our people and our government, has recently faced an... upheaval so to speak.”

“Upheaval you call it?! You call a rouge warship firing in your harbor a mere upheaval?!” All heads turned to see the Thula ambassador, one Celia Hans, stand in anger as she stared in disbelief at him, “If this is your idea of a small setback you have your priorities in the wrong place councilor!”

She sat back down in a huff, for a moment everything was silent, the sound of beating hearts could be heard, outside the wind rustled the glass panes and for a moment, no one knew what to do. She spoke the truth, something of this scale couldn't be considered minor, Quinqaachi was the major city of the north, Firnfeld would be in disarray if the city fell.

“Yes, I suppose this is a rather compelling incident don't you think?” All heads turned to the 3rd voice, Anatoli Yarlov of Hanat stood. “While the situation is grave indeed, this is no fault of the cities guard, nor the city's government, an event such as this has been unprecedented in the years I've served on this council, it simply could not be seen coming.”

“And what do you suppose we do?” Surprisingly, this time it was the Quinqaachi Representative who spoke, however the statement was aimed at everyone, and they knew it.

Voices spoke and were quieted as the chamber discussed this, Arlhem wondered what this all meant, obviously on one hand the fact they managed to steal aboard a Galleon in the harbor and use it against the city and the fact they managed to accomplish this is not something to smirk at, however it would cause increased instability if more like it were allowed to happen. He sighed, this wasn't the job he signed up for, his job was acting in the best interest of his city and its people, not fighting a force of unknown power.

A few moments passed, voices continued to argue against one another, yet there was one clear point, they knew nothing, and until they learned something they would have to keep watch, stay vigilant until they had something to work with. The meeting was adjourned and the delegates scattered to their rooms somewhere in the city.

--Skies Above Firnfeld--

Richard and the rest of the 202nd had sortied early that morning, there weren't many of them available, considering the circumstances of the past few weeks. His ship was a goldfish, running escort for a few merchants as they made their way towards Staagmut to the southwest. It was terribly dull but that didn't mean he didn't appreciate it, the past few days have been hectic, with the recent engagement in one of the Firnfeld's many ruins, and the incident in the harbor, a quiet afternoon was a welcome change to him and his men. They weren't the only vessel running escort, two vessels had joined them from the 214th as they made their way south for a training exercise.

“Captain, vessel to east.” The lieutenant passed him the spy glass, sure enough, a vessel was making flank speed in the opposite direction, now that's suspicious, wonder what they're up to. He passed the spy glass back to the officer.

“Think we should investigate Gates?”

William Gates was one of the older officers, even though he was one of their best, somehow he had avoided promotion for this long. He's command worthy alright, Richard briefly paused to look at him, as a more senior member of their command he should have priority over most when it came to gaining a promotion, but somehow both he and Alex had managed the rank of captain before him, then again at the time they were in the need of decent officers and both of them were likely prospects anyway.

Back to the situation at hand however they had a mysterious vessel, running headlong in the opposite direction of them.

“I think we should follow them.”

“My thoughts exactly, Preston, follow that vessel!”

From atop the goldfish’s helm, a turn of the wheel sent them after the vessel.

“Think we’ll find anything Gates?”

“I hope not, I’ve had a bit too much excitement these past few days.”

“Could be worse I guess, we could be dead.”

“I aim to keep living sir.”

“That my friend is something we agree on.”

They drew closer to the vessel, an old freight runner, relegated to lesser routes as they were phased out of commission. It seemed a bit off to him, why would such a vulnerable ship be flying off the standard routes? He knew pirates tend to flock to such vessels, easy prey, slow, relatively unarmed, but by now they were way off, Richard took stock of their surroundings, they’d lost track of the convoy and were now sailing head long into a region known for its large canyons and deep fissures.

“Preston?”

“Yes sir?”

“Take us out of here, I have a bad feeling.”

“Aye sir, setting course.”

As they flew away from the chasm he still had that feeling of dread, the other 4 members of the crew remained at their stations as he paced on deck, they were moving slowly, the winds working in the opposite direction. It all seemed odd to him, they’d even lost sight of the vessel they’d been following somewhere in the canyon sides. Where had it gone? He would have to report the sighting, though they’d probably find the wreckage in a few days, but the curiosity of why they were here still bothered him.

“Sir, I’ve spotted the vessel, making a direct course straight towards us.”

“Let me see!” He took the spy glass and held it out towards the approaching ship, It had come around the large spire off to their port side, something was odd indeed, the vessel was larger than his goldfish but that made sense because it was a freighter, but it was somehow cruising at a higher speed then his, which was odd, considering it’s age, the wind, and most of all the engines on her, fairly small things in comparison to the vessel that mounted them. He saw the crew race on the deck, a large crate was pulled open on deck, revealing a lion’s head, pointed straight at them.

“Captain, I do think they mean to disable us.”

“I noticed.”

“So what do we do?”

“Unless they’re smart they’ll probably be trying to start firing on us soon, if not, that gives us time to escape, Preston, full speed ahead, burn the kerosene if you have to!”

“Uh, yes sir.”

He pulled Gates aside, the two of them standing in the small engineering room near the center of the vessel.

“Gates, we need to know what they’re doing here, it’s either we run, or we capture the vessel, if we destroy it we may be left with more questions than I’d like. Do you think we can do it?”

The two of them looked at the other three crew members, Preston was too busy but the others sat gawking at the oncoming ship. He motioned for them to check on the engines.

“I think so, they’re a bit green behind the ears, but we can do it.”

“Alright, let’s take em’ out shall we?”

They cut the kerosene funneling towards the engines, Preston was already taking his duty as engineer as Richard took the helm. Behind them the Trojan Freighter was slowly closing the distance, Richard slammed the wheel the wheel to port as they maneuvered to engage the enemy.

--End Chapter 2--

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