Burning Skies Saloon Quest: Past, Present, and Future

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

*Yiski sees the allied goldfish crash land.*
Any casualties?

We're all hurt, but everyone's alive.

*Yiski sighed in relief.*
Need any help getting out?

No worries, since the radio works, we'll call in an emergency evac ship.

Understood. *Yiski yells to his crew and to Zill.* Runnin' moonshine to close and finish off the lumberfishes.

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill lines up his port side to the Lumberfish melee and Orders long range fire on to them. The fleeing Squid has also joined that mess.*

Just take what you can. Dont want to kill our guys too.

*Shinkurex lines up and fires three shots. They all miss by inches. He takes a deep breath, and fires three more. One misses but two hit the frantic Squid and it explodes next to one of the Lumberfish, knocking its guns off arc.*

Whew that was a hell of a shot.

This is a hell of a gun!

*PapaP takes his shots in one quick barrage. One connects with the second lumberfish and takes out its balloon just as Yiski arrives in optimal range.*

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

*Yiski sees the shots fly by from his back.*
Can't believe he trusted Shink to shoot into this. Alright BdrLine, Shink took care of some of them, let's finish this can get the hell out of here.

*Yiski thought of a mere second. He noticed the sinking goldfish was badly damaged, the other goldfish was lining up again, and the last squid was making a run. A grin came across his face.*
Scratch that BdrLine. Everyone, prepare for a ram. BdrLine, as soon as we're through take shots on the remaining fish and squid. We're gonna have sushi tonight.

*Roland's stomach dropped a bit.*
Everyone! BRACE FOR IMPACT!

*Yiski dropped altitude and ran moonshine into the sinking goldfish. Luckily, Yiski estimated the damage correctly and when contact was made.*

*SHATTER* *CRASH*

*Yiski's ram obliterates the sinking goldfish. Its pieces scattering all over the M'Naghten. Yiski lets out a yell.*
Woo! By the crimson skies, that was fun. BdrLine, get on the gun!

[BdrLineAzn]

--M'Naghten--

*BdrLine heads back to the flak after the ram, after checking if it wasn't damage, he hops on*
And i thought i was the crazy one On it, just dont do the again

*He sights in the running squid, and fires off 4 volleys*
*The majority of the shots hits the squids engines, with the damaged engies, the squid begins turning to the port*

*With an open shot, BdrLine fires off 4 more shots, ripping its already weaken armor and exploding out of the sky*
Well he's no more, time for that last fish.

*As Yiski turns to face the final Lumberfish, the two pyramidions that were engaging earlier focus fire thier front guns on it*
*Just like the rest of its fallen comrades, this goldfish explodes and fall to its demise*

*Yiski on the radio*
Good work you two. Now damage reports, how are you all doing*

This is one of the Pyramidions, we took structural damage from the close combat with the lumberfish. They had side mortars and damage our hull frame, don't think we would last in another engagement

This is Sal here on the second pyra, all system good on my ship. We have some hull damage but we can live

Squid captain on the horn, we have taken no damage and is good to go

Roger, so Zill where do head to now.

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill hails BdrLine and Yiski.*
Pick up all of our survivors and any supplies from the downed vessels. Do a damage assessment as we moonshine out of here to Isago. BdrLine take stock of any of the fleet staying or going. All wounded can go with any fleet vessels leaving. We owe them one.

Sure thing.

Lets get the Hell out of here.

*The quick salvage and rescue begins.*

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

The salvage and rescue mission took a few hours. Getting the injured on board took considerable amount of time. Luckily, Izumi's remoteness made it impossible for the joint blockade team to get any radio signal far enough to hail reinforcements. Though it would've made little difference. The team was going to moonshine out of Guild lands as hard as their engines could take.

The injured were eventually loaded onto the team's escort ships and the escorts followed the team to the edge of Sabakumura, the last city completely within Guild influence, and scattered to their own directions. This left the team back to the M'Naghten and Then It Was Fixed. Their destination was now Lu Tower.

The night sky was clear and the moon shined brightly. Yiski had Roland take the helm for a while because Yiski had to think back on what he saw in Izumi's caverns.
Those things... weren't human.

Roland wasn't fairing any better. Within a trip, Roland's been almost killed, has killed, and has seen things which he believed will give him nightmares.

Despite the damage done to the ships, Yiski and Zill thought it best to moonshine through Isago and make port at Landmark. The two discussed Isago being safe enough, but realizing the length both the Birdmen and Guild are willing to go, the farther from Guild territory the better. Plus, Landmark is within complete League control and it's doubtful the Guild would risk war with the League.

The moon is a three-quarters across the sky by the time the team gets into Landmark. The team is exhausted and the ships needed a fresh supply of moonshine and a fair amount of repairs.

Needing the rest for the quickly coming morning, the team decides to sleep on board the ships and depart in the morning.

--NARRATOR END--

--END OF DAY 6--

[Yiski]

--START OF DAY 7--

--NARRATOR--

The team had only been asleep for a few hours except for Yiski who laid half-awake thinking about their next move. The Birdmen and Guild were planning something large. The two knew the Birdmen have a fascination and knowledge in pre-world technology and the Guild was the perfect source of funding.

Yiski's thoughts were interrupted.

*CLANK*

Yiski knew he didn't put down a boarding plank. He immediately grabbed Blood Bolt and loaded lethal rounds, but first chambered a non-lethal. Yiski also grabbed a flare within his quarters and slowly cracked his door open.

Yiski noticed four shadows running across the deck of the M'Naghten and later heard tool noises. Yiski sighed.
Damn scavengers.

Yiski lit and threw out the flare into the middle of the deck. When it popped, the lit up the M'Naghten like the morning sky. This caught all the scavengers to be clear targets.

Yiski immediately popped out from his quarters and shot the farthest target who was trying to dismount the flak. He fell crying out in pain. The others tried to scramble, but Yiski wasn't going to let them escape.

One tried to jump of the starboard side and managed to get just over the railing until Yiski shot the scavenger in the back of the head. Forward momentum caused the headless corpse to finish its advance over the railing and fall off far below the docks.

Yiski turned back front and noticed another scavenger trying to advance on Yiski.
Wrong move.

That scavenger also now was headless. Yiski scanned the deck for the last scavenger, but couldn't spot him. Yiski walked out onto the deck and approached his disabled scavenger.
Son, you just decided to loot the wrong ship.

The downed scavenger smiled at Yiski. Yiski knew then the last one was behind him. Yiski quickly turned, but the last scavenger was too close for rifle. Yiski braced for a shot.

*BANG*

But Yiski was still standing.

Both the downed scavenger and Yiski were confused. Next thing the two knew the last scavenger fell off to the side and behind him was Roland, holding his M1911.
Are.... are... you... alright?

I am now. Get some rope.

Roland went down to get rope and Yiski heard Zill yell across from Then It Was Fixed.
What the hell are you shooting at? Some of us are trying to sleep.

Well, how about bloody scavengers?

Scavengers? Oh, that's fine. Any left alive?

One.

You want me to interrogate him?

Naw. I got this one.

Yiski turned to the downed scavenger.
You and I are going to have some fun.

The downed scavenger saw was Yiski smiling. Then the flare died out.

--NARRATOR END--

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Narrator-

Since the action on Yiski's boat woke up Zill and Jun'ko, they decided to double check the Then It Was Fixed and make sure supplies were in order. Yiski's fun was going to take some time. Knowing we were headed toward The Empire, Jun'ko was a little anxious. Zill noticed and tried to break the ice.
So, Empire. Must be nice to go home after so many years.

Yea...Itll be interesting.

You seem tense about it. Any reason?

Uh...No no no perfectly ok. *Weak laugh*

Among other things Jun, i know when people are lying.

She sighs and confesses.
Right...So I didnt exactly leave the military in the best way...

Define "not exactly..."

She kind of fake laughs and then...
Awol?

Zill's head sank.

Its a damn good thing you said something before we got there. Else we'd have that to deal with too. Youre going to need a disguise then while we are in Empire lands.

Well, at least all of my family supported me with it.

Yea, but lets not get into details at the moment. I need to work on a persona for you before we leave.

Zill goes off into the chambers to prepare. Jun'ko just looks up on the main deck.

Flak.

-End Narrator-

[Yiski]

--Landmark's Port--

*It's morning. Lack of sleep and scavengers have put Yiski is a foul mood and the poor surviving scavenger knows it. Yiski waves the barrel of his rifle in the scavenger's face.*
Any reason why you decided to board my ship and take my stuff?

We noticed your ship making port in the middle of the night. Usually only merchant ships do that.

Do I look like a merchant?

No.

*Eventually, Yiski hails down some of the guards and have them take the scavenger away. When the guards arrive, they're surprised at the carnage caused.*
Sir. Do you realize who you've caught?

Nope.

This individual and his three man group have been wanted for multiple robberies within the past two months.

Well, it's just him now.

Well, we thank you for keeping him alive. There's a reward for his group dead or alive.

How much?

Seeing the result: one thousand gold.

How about instead of the money, we trade it for supplies and repairs to my ship and his.

That can be arranged immediately.

*The guards leave with the scavenger and minutes later workers start repairs and resupplying the team's ships. By early afternoon, the ships are repaired and supplies are on board. Before the team heads off, Yiski and Zill pass orders to inspect the supplies to avoid anymore "surprises." Once everything checked out. The team departed and en route to Lu Tower.*

[Shinkurex]

*A bit disappointed that the scavengers picked Yiski's ship to raid and not Zill's Shink sit on the side of the ship scanning the horizon for enemy ships.*

*sighs*I wonder how roland is doing He seemed really concerned about killing a man, and after last nights events, I'm sure he must be conflicted

*To pass the time, Shink decides to play a prank on Papa, and reverse some of the tubing around in his mechanical leg while he slept. Shink hoped that it would cause him to spin endlessly in a circle until put back*

[BdrLineAzn]

--M'Naghten--

*After leaving port, the two ship formation is cruising through the League skies*

*On top of the roof of the M'Naghten, BdrLine is laying down staring out into the desert thinking to himself*

Five years.... I'm finally coming home. Man I wished it was under different circumstances. Oh well.... Huh?

*BdrLine hears a nosie coming from somewhere near the stern and looks towards that direction*
*Coming up from the balloon pump is Ny-Lee, she climbs up the finally feet and goes over to her brother*

Figured you'll be up here. It took me a while but I finally found out how you get up to here. ...So you been thinking about home?
*She sits next to her brother*

*BdrLine looks back out in the desert*
Yeah, just wish I was coming back without all this. *Flair his arms out in front of him* The Empire being endangered, a group of pychotic bird people, and the thing we went through

Yeah I know how you feel. Coming back home from a vacation and we have to save it. But look at it this way, once we stop them coming back will feel much better.

*BdrLine looks at his sister*
I guess your right. *sigh* Lu Tower here we come. Just hope we are not too late.

Lu Tower... I just find that odd

*A confused look come upon BdrLine's face*
How so?

Well you should know that the three Towers are just that, giant towers guarding the entrance to Chang-ning. When you were at He Tower you remember that it's like a small community.

Yeah... where are you going with this?

Well shouldn't Lu be like that as well. A Tower with it's own small community. So where would you hide an organisation then.

*BdrLine takes a moment until realisation takes place*
Underground, just like Izumi. Maybe thats why there wasn't much activity in the Empire. They are still hiding out waiting for a chance to strike.

That's what I been thinking as well. we just have to find that entrance.

Well If they are still hiding out still inside the Empire, it will be pretty hidden

That is what I am afraid off, come on let's tell Yiski's and Roland about. it

*The two siblings hop down  and goes to Yiski and talk to him about their obsevation*

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill was still working on Jun'ko's new persona as they made full steam toward Lu Tower. She approached him.*
Still mad at me?

*He looks up at her.*
Mad isnt the right word. Frustrated I suppose. And no, im over that.

...Sometimes I wish you would hear me out before getting that way.

Years of being the person people look to for direction can do that I guess. Short version?

*She sits next to the helm and nods.*
Ill try. So you know i was a respectable officer in the Yeshan Guard. What I didn't tell you about was the Hell I had to endure to maintain it. As a woman, it was only doubled. I assume you can imagine.

*Zill nods*

Well after proving to myself I could do it, I felt that i did not have to suffer for anyone's sake, and so I left with the support of my family. I went to find new pastures, and eventually found you.

Id of been screwed if you hadn't shown up. Those engines were cooked thanks to that useless greaser. He had the nerve to tell me moonshine was no good.

*Jun'ko chuckles.*
And here we are.

Well, since youre awol, you get a mask and the name Lilly Stephans. Youre an engineer out of Anvala, yet were born in Yesha obviously due to your accent. You can stick to the story that you wanted to see the world and found my ship a perfect fit.

Lilly huh? I kinda like that. Do this often?

I have many friends for many means. *He Smirks.* Nice talk too.

Its a start.

[BdrLineAzn]

*After hours of continuous flying through League territory, the team finally sees signs of Yeshan influence*

*At around mid-noon, the two ship formation nears the checkpoint town in the Yao Ling Pass*
*As they near, they can see Empire Air Fleet ships conducting an aerial patrol*
*Three Imperial Gallerons fly in a line formation with a their port broadside facing out. Passing the opposite of them are a pair of Flak Goldfish, trailed by a lone Pyramidion and Junker*

--M'Naghten--
*On board the M'Naghten Yiski and Roland takes in the show of power from the Imperial Patrol*

*Roland whistle at the sight*

*Ny-Lee goes up to him*
A sight ain't it

Yeah

*As they near the checkpoint, a four squid formation comes upon the group*
*On what looks like the lead ship, a signal light comes on flashing Morse code*

*On the helm, Yiski decipher the message*
Shift ship into flanking speed, change radio frequency to 120 MegaHertz

*Ny-Lee calls up to him*
It's just protocol, if we comply they won't shoot

*Yiski does what the message says and lower his speed, he goes over the radio and dials in the radio*

*Over the radio comes a mans voice*
Ahh good, sorry about this, just routine. We are assigned to escort you in, any signs of resistance and you will be shot out of the sky. Once docked, we will do an inspection of your ship and crew. Finally welcome to the Great Yesha Empire

* The two ships comply and allowed the four squids to escort them in the docking bay*

*Back on Yiski Goldfish, BdrLine thinks to himself*
Man... it's good to be back home

[Papa Paradox]

Papa wakes up in the middle of the afternoon, he swings his legs over the side of the bed. His feet hit the floor and he steps up fine, but as soon as he went to lift his left leg his knee froze up and locked it in an impossibly awkward angle, Papa ate the ground.

Ugh, what the flyin' flak!

Papa fliped on his back, sat up and looked at his leg.

Oh, Shink, when I find you boyo...

He rewired it, it made hissing noises as he reattached it to its proper position. Shink was peeking around the corner of the staircase laughing to himself. He heard rapid decompression's which only meant one thing: Papa was running.

Oh, shi...

He made it past Jun'Ko before Papa got a hold of his collar.

 Now listen here, laddy: Y'don't go messin' round with peoples mechanics, lest you don't mind them messin' with yours...

He took out his volcanic pistol, pointed it at shink's leg and cocked it.

Jun'ko took a large plank and hit Papa in the back of the head, he was completely inaffected. He spun around and looked at Jun.

As I was saying... But I love ya too much for that

He dropped Shink from a foot up, he fell.

As for you missy, I'm not sure what to do with you, you could've cause some serious damage...

He shot at the plank of wood which exploded in a hail of splinters.

Now someone wanna tell me 'bout them squids?

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

*Yiski to BdrLine and Ny-Lee*
I understand protocol, I just would've figured the Empire increased security given the presence of Birdmen.

*Roland thinks to himself about earlier today.*
I willingly killed a man point-blank. It was different when It was firing the gating. But I had to or Yiski could have died.

*Roland mentally shakes his head.*
I can deal with that later. Given our closeness to Chang-ning, I hope I can talk to Ny-Lee's parents about marriage.

*The Yeshan patrol gives the team instructions to dock at a checkpoint in Yao Ling Pass.*