Burning Skies Saloon Quest: Past, Present, and Future

[BdrLineAzn]

--M'Naghten--

*Before docking at one of the checkpoints, BdrLine ponders at what Yiski said*
Maybe they are trying to keep it covered up. With increased in patrols, it may make people paranoid that an invasion is imminent. And I'm guessing that the Emporer and his Concil are not fully sure that the Birdmen are making a comeback. He did cover that whole incident with the one you guys dealt with a month ago

What every it may be. Let's just go through this first, Azn you still have our family Seal on you right

*Goes though his pocket and brings out a gold crest*
Yup always on my side. I think of it as a good luck charm

Well that will speed up the checking process

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill went below and slapped Papa on the back of the head.*

The squids are escorting us to a military checkpoint for inspections. Stop flakkin' shooting while we're here.

*Zill goes to Jun'ko. Even with the mask, he knows shes nervous.*

Just be yourself, only as Lilly. Youll do fine.

*Zill tells his crew to simply call Jun'ko Lilly, no questions asked. He then radios Yiski.*

Tell your crew to address Jun'ko as Lilly Stephens. Long story short, shes awol from the Yeshan military.

[Shinkurex]

*Shink picks himself off the ground*

"Geez Papa.... Can't you take a joke"

*Shink brushes himself off, and heads to the top deck for some air.*

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

The team docks at Yao Ling Pass' checkpoint. When the team docks, Zill notices Jun'ko fidgeting a bit. Zill puts both of his hands on Jun'ko's shoulders.
You will be fine. It's not like the one person who'd recognize you would be part of this patrol.

Maybe.

Meanwhile, Yiski got the call from Zill prior to docking and relayed it to the others.
AWOL? I didn't know she did that.

I am sure she had her reasons.

Ny-Lee cringed a bit.
Roland's right. We all have reasons and secrets we keep from others.

The team docked and the Yeshan patrol came on board to inspect the team and its supplies. One of the patrolmen on Then It Was Fixed looked at the crew, but concentrated his efforts on Jun'ko. It made her nervous until Zill cut in.
You keep eyeing my lady and we're going to have problems.

The patrolmen gulped and continued his inspection with the others.

On the M'Naghten, things were a bit smoother. Apparently, the patrolmen struck up a friendly conversation with BdrLine and Ny-Lee.
Have you two been living away from Yesha for awhile?

I've been gone for a couple of years.

I've recently left to go find my brother. Ny-Lee points to BdrLine.

After an hour the patrolmen stop their inspection and give the ships an all clear. By this time day has passed and the patrolmen offers the team a room in one of the overnight barracks. The team accepts. As the patrolmen and team are disembarking from the ships, one of them notice BdrLine and Ny-Lee. He doesn't say anything, but slinks off into the radio room.
_{Sir. We have a problem. The targets have arrived much sooner than expected. Orders?}

This was a possibility. Keep to the plan.

--NARRATOR END--

--END OF DAY 7--

[Yiski]

--START OF DAY 8--

--NARRATOR--

Sir. The targets have already departed for Lu Tower.

No worries. We shall greet our guests soon enough.

--NARRATOR END--

[Honeybadger]

((Can we just jump in?))

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

Despite the Empire's roughed terrain, the team managed to spot Lu Tower from 5 km away. The tower itself had seen some better years during the Great War (and lesser known conflict with the Birdmen). Since the Great War, Lu Tower became a ghost town and the tower itself had fallen into disrepair. From the outside, it was a surprise anyone would occupy it, then again, if you're a semi-secret organization hellbent on unification conquest, it'd make sense to set up shop.

The entire team pulled out their spyglasses in order to spot any enemy ships.
Zill, are you seein' what I'm seein'?

Unless they're invisible, then I got nothing.

Upon scanning the entire area, there were no signs of any ships, or life.
Do you think this is another trap?

Doubt it. It'd be hard to keep even a small fleet of ships without bein' spotted.

What's the call?

Call in some of your friends and have them keep watch for enemy ships. We'll land somewhere and make our way to the tower.

Yiski relayed the same over to Zill.
I don't like the idea of landing and walking into the unknown, but I guess it can't be helped. Zill calls over to Jun'ko, Shink, and Paradox. Get your weapons ready. We're landing.

BdrLine used the alt radio to call in some patrols. As the team came within 1 km of Lu Tower, a message came over Yiski and Zill's regular radios.
I see our favorite guests have arrived. It is a wonder you have managed to survive thus far.

There is a momentary pause.
I have to say you all have been frustrating our plans to bring about a unified world and suffice it to say, we are less than happy.

Suddenly, the team came under heavy fire when multiple light and heavy flak rounds are exploding around the M'Naghten and Then It Was Fixed.
Shit. That entire town is an anti-air bunker. Yiski we gotta pull back.

Both ships manage to back out, but not before sustaining heavy damage to their ships' armor.
That was too close Zill.

Yiski yells over to BdrLine.
You might want to send another message. This time have them bring the damn Yeshan fleet. I don't see us getting near the town anytime soon.

BdrLine sends a message, on the alt radio, to Zankif. BdrLine explains the current situation and discuss what to do next. After 30 minutes, BdrLine tells Yiski and Zill.
Well, Zankif can get a medium fleet together, but it'll take a day to gather them all and to get here.

Damn. Guess we don't have much of a choice do we? Alright, let's fall back to La Ferra. The Birdmen aren't going anywhere. Plus, we need repairs.

In two hours, the team reaches La Ferra and make port. The heavy damage to the ships will take the rest of the day to complete, so the team decides to settle for the day in a nearby inn.

Once inside the inn, the team splits up. Roland, Ny-Lee, and Jun'ko (now Lilly because of her AWOL status) head to the rooms. Shink and Paradox decide to play drinking games with the locals in the nearby pub. Yiski and Zill are sitting at the docks overseeing repairs and talking to each other.
I don't see why the Birdmen opened fire on us. They know we know they're in the tower and now the Empire knows it too. What reason could they have?

Zill stopped barking orders for a bit and thought. Zill turned to Yiski.
The only reason to use that much surprise force is to buy time.

For what?

Yiski and Zill both thought back to what they found in Izumi. The human experiments came to both their minds.
I got a bad feelin' about this.
I got a bad feeling about this.

-NARRATOR END--

--END OF DAY 8--

[Yiski]

--START OF DAY 9--

--NARRATOR--

Roland didn't sleep well last night. Actually, since he shot and killed the scavenger, it's all he could think about and it's been weighing heavier on him since.

Roland approached the mirror in the room and noticed he had bags forming. He took a deep breath.
I killed a man. I cannot believe I ended another man's life.

Ny-Lee spied Roland staring at himself and she saw Roland's worsening look. She knew what was bothering him. She quickly walked in and hugged Roland from behind, catching him off-guard.
Wha...

You shouldn't feel guilty.

I know.

Then why do you?

Because I have never killed a person.

I've killed a few people if it makes you feel better.

For whatever reason, Roland chuckled at the comment and gave a thin smile. Though Ny-Lee was still embracing Roland, he managed to turn and kiss her. It was a long kiss. Long enough for a drowsy Jun'ko to stumble in on the couple and stare for a few seconds before it dawned on Jun'ko of what was going on.
Huh... oh... Oh.... um... sorry, I'll be back. You two take all the time you need.

Jun'ko winked at the two and left, leaving the couple red as a Dragon Pepper.
Maybe we should get ready and finally end this.

Ny-Lee nodded and they headed for the docks.

--NARRATOR END--

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Narrator-

Zill has had a couple rough nights since the military post and now the surprise at Lu Tower. Jun'ko's status was bugging him. He was less worried about why and more about making sure all this help they were to get from the Empire didnt happen to recognize her. At this point, he wouldnt be surprised if some random private remembered her from somewhere. "Lilly" noticed his restless nights.
Im sorry. Its probably me causing your restlessness isnt it?

Among other things, yea. Plus, i hate putting a mask over that pretty face.

Jun'ko smiles and kisses him.
Well as you said, no need to worry so much and stick to the story. I think im getting the hang of it.

Agreed. Lets get ourselves moving.

Zill and crew went to his Galleon to inspect the repairs. Over the course of the journey, the repairs have been making his Then It Was Fixed look like a tied-together Junker. He tweaked his howitzer to fire straighter for Jun'ko, and fine tuned the sights on the lumberjacks. Disabling that bunker wasn't going to be easy unless it was accurately at distance. After he was content, he went over to the M'Naghten to see Yiski.
How you holdin' up? Its been a rough week for us.

-End Narrator-

[Yiski]

*Yiski sighed and grunted*
Well, the armor they put on is substandard, but it's better than nothing. Next, the heavy flak is mangled beyond repair and I'm having them put on a hwacha. Finally, the port maneuvering engine is being replaced.

*As the port crew were placing the hwacha on the M'Naghten, Yiski did crack a small smile.*
The only sliver lining to all this is I have a few crates of 'special' ammo for the hwacha.

*Zill lifted an eyebrow. He knew (as well as those close to Yiski) Yiski loved to make experimental ammo, especially for the hwacha. Yiski noticed Zill's eyebrow and laughs.*
Well, it's nothing new since it's been sitting on my ship since my retirement. You remember my phosphorous burst rounds right?


_{(Phosphorous burns infinitely unless you smother it in something with no moisture. It can burn underwater.)}

[RearAdmiralZill]

*Zill shook his head.*
Yea my armor was hit pretty hard. Most of it is wooden now, but i have some spare plating to reinforce. Luckily my guns held up. Im putting a flamer on the back for good measure. After that display it would be my luck to have some prototype vessel stuck on my tail.

*He stood over the crates on ammo and smirked.*
I remember this stuff. One time you set us on fire and i had to land into the desert sands to put us out. I was so mad. Looking back now its pretty flakin' funny.

[Shinkurex]

*Shink overhears Yiski saying something about burst rounds, and decides to snoop around.*

"Hey Yiski, mind if I steal some of these rounds, and modify them for the lumberjack?"

[Yiski]

*Yiski thought for a bit.*
Well, I'll help you with the modifications. No sense in having you burn yourself alive and take the whole town with you in a never-ending wildfire.

*Yiski motions a few workers to gently and carefully grab a crate of the Phosphorous burst rounds*

[BdrLineAzn]

*BdrLine and Ny-Lee are inside the docks radio room*

*On one radio, BdrLine is on with Zankif*

So how long until you and your fleet near the borders?

We are almost out of League territory, a few more hours and we would be nearing the Pass.

Alright, once you see sight of the patrol, radio me back. I'll let them know your with us, don't want some accidental fighting.

Understood, out

*During BdrLine and Zakif's conversation, Ny-Lee is also on another radio. She is with the High Command reporting them about the details*

So you confirmed that their location is at Lu Tower correct.

Yes sir, the team I am on were trying to conduct some recon, when they made contact with us. They opened fire once we were insight. Had to fall back to La Ferra

Can't believe they are back. ...I know that you and your family are respected citizens in the Empire, and that you went into the Academy, what is your current rank?

I'm a Lieutenant sir. If I may ask, why do you ask sir?

Well you are the only Officer who has combat experience and knowledge about the group. Plus your near proximity to them, we decided to give you a field promotion to the rank of Captain. We are giving you jurisdiction of the area and command of the fleet in La Ferra. We are also sending the Grand Fleet from the Capital and a fleet from W'e River

*Ny-Lee is speechless at the decision*
Why thank you sirs, I won't let you down. ...Sirs?

*Over the radio, chairs are heard scooting backwards and a new voice is heard in the background. After a few moments, more movement is heard and the voice comes on the radio*

Hello, Captain Zhao. This is the Emporer speaking and I want to say that we are grateful at what you and your team are doing.

Thank you, your excellence. We are doing all in our power to stop this madness

And because of this, I am personally coming with the Grand Fleet

*in the background*
Your Majesty are you sure? You know the Birdmen wants the throne, with you near the battle they will target you and your ship

Yes I know the risk, but I'm going to finish what my ancestor started. The full destruction of this wretched organisation.

Very well sir, Captain Zhao, you have one more assignment I'm afraid. You'll be personally guarding the Emporer and his battleship.

Yes sir, understood

Well may the Gods watch over us as we enter this battle. Captain, you are dismissed

Yes sir, Captain Zhao out

*Static can be heard and Ny-Lee leaves the radio and sees that her brother is done*

So how did it went.

Well I've been promoted, given command of the Imperial Fleets around the area, and the Emporer himself is coming.

*BdrLine is slack jaw at he information*
Wow all I have is that Zankif is on his way. But at least we have some more firepower

Yeah, just a little too much for me to handle. Think I need a little drink

Same, come on let's find the others. They might like what we have

*BdrLine and Ny-Lee leaves the radioroom and Sandra around the docks to find the rest of the group*

[RearAdmiralZill]

*Zill heads over to his boat when he see's BdrLine and Ny-Lee walking up. He approaches them.*
Well well how is the prestigious family members doing today?

*BdrLine and Ny-Lee tell Zill about the recent happenings.*
Flak me. Thats rather big news. Congratulations Ny. That will surely help with this final fight. I may have just the drinks for the occasion.

*Zill hollars to Shink and Papa to bring down a barrel in the hold. "Lilly" brought glasses for the group. Yiski and Roland hear the commotion and come down.*
What's the occasion? We got preparations to make and you want to drink!

Calm down. You are in the presence of a new Imperial Captain. *He gestures to Ny.*

Wow really?? Thats amazing Ny!

*Ronald embraces her, and Yiski is grinning and shaking his head. The story behind the radio calls are told to the group.*
The Emperor himself huh? Thats impressive. Risky as all Hell though.

Maybe, but I dont blame him. He wouldnt be much of an Emperor if he sat on his throne and let others fight for him. He isnt the Council.

*They all laugh. The drinks are prepared. It was a barrel of wine dating back to the Guild/Baron conflict. Zill got all he could while he was fighting them.*
A toast. To a new Imperial Captain, and to our finest hours against the Birdmen. May this be the end.

To Clear Skies.