Uncharted Skies

[C r o w]

Bridge

While playing with his moustache, Emil thinks, while blankly staring at a wall.
''Worth retrieving eh? Well, there are some heavily modified Typhoon flaks, mhhhh, a couple of guided missile launchers, the Heyokas.
If it's still intact and retrievable, the prow armour could be useful, it's quite sturdy, if one wanted they could ram in the face a pyramidion and come out as the winner...
Am I forgetting anything Selly?''

''My stash.''

''Oh, yeah right, under the prow armour there was a little space where roughly two dozens of guns have been stored by Selenia, some are LMGs, others are SMGs, but mostly SMGs.''

Selenia leans her head on Emil's shoulder with a thinking expression.
''We had some crates with every component needed to build some Apollo Guns, but I'm almost totally sure the lenses necessary to make the ray gun were destroyed during the crash.''

Putting a hand on his face Emil groans.
''I had a bottle full of that anvalan brew! No! What a waste!''

Crossing her hands on her chest, Selenia shrugs.
''Nah, Mr. Frey, don't mind that, he had two crates full of bottles and he only used them in stead of lochnagar rounds.''

''They were even better than loch rounds!''

''In any case, my weapon stash, the prow armour, the Heyokas and the Typhoons are the only thigns worth recovering.''

''MY BREW!''

''Shut up already! You never even take a sip of that!''

''You got a point.''

[BdrLineAzn]

Bridge

"That's quite a list," Frey says with a cock of an eyebrow, "Mr. Allen report that through both escorts."

"Roger Commander, " says the older gentleman as he turns back to his station.

Back to Emil, Frey with slight emphasis in his voice, "Is there anything else document-wise persay? One that can help with our surveying mission."

Fifth Season

"Oh boy." was the only words Ulric responds to Allen.

Currently he and his crew are near the bow of the Junker towards the entrance to the lower half of the ship which is underwater. The three helps Ulric into a diving suit and was about to place the helmet with the air hose on when the call came in.

"Hopefully I don't have the bow, there is no way we are getting those flak and armor up." he says to his crew.

Locking in the help with the suit, Ulric turns a knob and air comes through the hose. Taking a breath, he turns another dial connecting to the radio.

"Ok, if I find anything, I'll call and the three of you get the crane ready that is over the front gun."

With quick nods from the crew, Ulric takes a step over the side and into the lake. If a person were to go swimming normally on the surface, with Truth Lake's location in a desert, the temperature will be cool to the touch as soone as you get in. Not being too hot or cold, it's an ideal swimming location for many travellers. Diving deeper is where it's different, the deeper you go, the colder it gets and may be dangerous for a human without proper insulation suits to protect you. Fortunately for Ulric, his suit is designed for extended amount of time in any temperature of water and soon he finds himself at the stern section of the wreck.

Walking around the bottom, he notices the lack of heavy guns and several crates scattered. On deck there seems to be a light weapon of some sorts which he deduced was the missile launcher. Pulling out a wrench from a pocket, Ulric begins to unlatch the few guns. As he is doing this, he switches on the radio to his ship.

"Looks like I found several things. Right now I'm removing some light guns, bring down the crane so I can attach them"

After ten minutes has passed, the first Heyoka has be released and the craned lowered. Slinging the hook around the gun, Ulric notify to have it brought up. Over an hour has passed to complete the entire operation of bringing the crates and guns.

Crimson Dragoon

Arriving to the scene, the crew notices the amount of damaged. Metal debris is scattered and a heavy flak is destroyed beyond repair. Looking at the front, several panel armor still look decent making them salvageable.

"Alright, open your bags. We should have some torches in there. Two of you get what ever armor you can cut out. The last will go with me and get that flak. I need two to go back with me once we are done to the ship so we can lift the material onto the deck."

[C r o w]

Bridge

Emil starts uuhing with a worried face.

Selenia interrups his uuhing:
''There was a safe in the lower section of the ship, I believe it is still intact, in it there are several documents regarding weather patterns in the souther regions, also, there are others regarding the favourite airways taken by Arashi raiders and by Guild patrols.''
She then sighs.
''Unfortunatley, the key of the safe, which Emil entrusted to me, was lost during the engagement, also, the patrol schedule of the Guild ships are considered extremely illegal.''
Shrugging she adds.
''It's your choice whether you will use them or not, but in any case you will need either the most precise demo-man in the world, or a very skilled lock-picker to open that safe.''

With a sarcastical tone then Emil says:
''Oh, and don't mind the fact that it's also surrounded by strongboxes filled with HE rockets! Ten goofy people out of ten don't say anything about it.''
Assuming an extremely serious face the he adds:
''Because they are all dead. So, were I in your place, I'd say leave that thing alone, because nobody wants to be shredded by tens of kilos of rockets. I had to pay for the damage dealt ot multiple warehouses on my way here too, so I'd prefer not to take any useless risk: I don't want to have you write multiple letters of condoliances for such a petty situation.''

Selenia was looking with such a surprised look that, with a little of imagination, you could hear her saying:
''That's brutal.''

[C r o w]

Bridge

Thinking a second Selenia adds:
''Actually, this whole storage area was moved to the stern aromoured section, in order not to explode in case of explosive hits.''

Replying with an accondescent voice Emil says:
'True, too bad that the shots the Hammer recieved hit right in the middle of the ship, severing it in half. I would bet my hand that that section is the one that sunk into than lake deeper than the prow one.'
Still, Crusader class airships are tough nuts to crack, with enough lift one could be able to take it to the surface.''

Now Emil crossed his arms.
''My dear Selenia appears to be in favour of such operation, but I, unless you find a volunteer crazy enough, would not recommend such an action.''

[ShadedExalt]

Engineering:

"Smashing!  I have something to distract me from the fact that I missed a lot of action.  Would you please lead me to the trouble spots?  Two pairs of hands would make things go faster, too..."

[Carn]

Kibeth

"Kibeth to bridge, we are out of the hangar, and are elevating to flight ceiling and will maintain a holding pattern."

Putting down the radio, Alister brings the Kibeth into the beginnings of a wide circle, and eyes his current crew.  Otto was up by the main engines, surveying the area. The other two were considerably less than professional.  Jimmy, the youngest, practically had a death grip on the front gatling.  Greg, the last one, at least had his spyglass out, though he did not seem to have much experience with it.

We seriously need to get this crew in shape, there's maybe three greenhorns for every vetran, at least!

Brig

Pulling away from the bulkhead, Jasper smiles to his next cell neighbors.

"We seem to have stopped young men, and I have a most clever plan. Now then, in a few minutes, I will call to the guard under a pretense.  He keeps his keys on his left hip, and standing in front of my cell, that is well within your reach.  Follow me so far?"

The brigands nod, silently wondering what this seemingly harmless, scarecrow of a man is in the brig for.

"The rest is simple, we stealthily make our way to the hangar, blend in with the crew, and appropriate a suitable vessel.  I will contact friends of mine on a secure frequency, and we will be free."

One of the inmates raises a hand, unconsciously imitating a schoolboy.

"And if anyone rumbles us?"

An expression comes over Jasper's face.  Something like a smile, but colder, crueler.  And he replies in a whisper,

"Break them, mind, body, and soul."

[BdrLineAzn]

Bridge

1300

Hmm weather patterns in the south. If there are any anomalies, maybe we can trace them back. Flak, if it weren't surrounded by that many explosives we can really use them. Good thing they are at the bottom of the la.....

Eyes widening, Frey turns to Allen, "Mr. Allen, who is currently salvaging the sunken section."

Before the elder gentleman can answer, he places a hand onto his headset as a transmission comes in.

"Understood , I'll pass the word." he finishes and looks to the Commander, "Captain Culvin's crew reporting in, says that they have retrieved the light weaponry from the stern and is about to head back up but came across what looks like a safe."

"Tell him to abort and surface, that thing is linked with high explosives. If they are still armed, they can explode and the pressure wave. it creates underwater can kill him and his crew."

Outside they hear a muffled explosion. Rushing to the nearest window, the Bridge crew notices a tall water column formed on the surface before dropping down.

"Any eyes on the Junker or word from its crew?" demands Frey.

"Working on it sir!" Allen replies, "Captain Culvin do you read? Crew of the Fifth Season respond. Anyone, hello."

Weather Deck

"Whoa."
"Jeeze, what set that off."
"Damn."

Was the collective response on deck following the explosion. On the rails, Courage uses his carbine's scope trying to find any semblance of the Junker.

"Hey, don't just stare! We have some guys down there who maybe in trouble. Now I recommend using those eyes and find any trace of them!" he yells at the crowd.

With quick "yes sirs" and "ayes" his current them pull out their own scopes and spy glasses and scan the lake. After several minutes of searching, Theodore notices bubbling in one spot.

"Courage, you may want to take a look." he nudges the man and points in the direction.

Fifth Season

After removing and retrieving the missile launchers, Ulric gives the wreck one final look over and radios in to his crew topside.

"Looks like we are done here. Start reeling me back up."

"Copy captain."

While he waits for his air hose to go tight, Ulric sees a glint of what seems like a lock.

"Hold upm hold up, hold up. Give me some more slack, I think I found something else. Just check in with the Bridge."

Acknowledging him, the crew stops reeling in the air hose and begins giving him more line. Satisfied that his crew have given enough for him to walk the distance, Ulric makes his way. Entering a tight corridor, he bumps into several crates along the way, unknowlingly those crates contains high explosive rounds and the small bump is just enough to arm the timed fuses. Once at the safe, Ulric takes a look at the small metal container.

Must be important. Better take it, thinking to himself as he grabs the box.

As he is about to leave, he hears a small whistle like noise. Perplexed, he follows the sound to one of the crates. Opening it, his pupils dilate as several rounds pins are spinning quickly down.

Running as fast as he can underwater, he picks up the safe and calls in topside.

frantically yelling into his headset, "BOYS! Get the ship moving and pull me up! We got live explosives down here!"

On the Junker, the three man crew scramble as one starts the motor to reel in the air hose, another to the helm starting the ship and getting the balloon on service, and the last on standby to retrieve Culvin.

Still running, Ulric's body is then pulled upward as the motor finally gotten the slack. Holding the safe tightly, he looks up to see how much distance until the surface. As he breaks through, the man waiting pulls him out and onto the lower deck helping remove the helmet.

Gasping for air Ulric turns to him, "Jim, what's the status?"

"Peak has already started to move us and is trying to get the balloon up." he answers.

Trying to get out of the diving suit, the man at the motor comes down.

"Captain need anything?"

"Yeah, Arnold. You take Jim and tie everything down. Once tha is done, help with the balloon, I don't want to be down here when it goes."

Just as he takes the last piece of the suit off, an explosion is heard. Looking over the side, Ulric glimpse the quick red of the explosion and the white pressure wave coming up. Turning over the balloon pump is still not working.

"HOLD ON LADIES AND GENTS." he yells to the three as he hugs the nearest pole. Since Peak already moved the junker from the center of the blast, the energy if they were still there breaks the surface and not the hull. This causes a massive water column to be formed, lifting the smaller airship. Screams can be heard as the crew hold on as they ride it up. Once they reach the top, a feeling of weightlessness comes over them as they immediately begin to decend. Hitting the water, the large volume that brought them up has submerged the Junker several feet under with the force popping the pontoons. Now the weight of the Junker is brining her down.

Holding his breath, Ulric swims towards the balloon and sees all three still on. Wasting no time, he points to the pump and to a lever. Nodding, the combined strength of the four pulling down moves its position and soon the pump starts to run. Exerting much of his breath on the pull, Ulric eyes the balloon as his sight goes in and out. Soon his back hits the deck as there is enough air in to allow the ship to go up.

Breaking the surface, the Junker's balloon is almost full as it hover over the surface. As the four are sprawled across the deck, the radio sputters as it tries to come to life.

"Cain Cul do read? ew of the Fifth Sea pond. Anyone, hello."

Slowly moving towards the radio, Ulric cracks his back and picks up the receiver, "Yeah, we are fine. Just a little hiccup."

"A little hiccup?,replies Alexi instead of the Highlander, "My friend we watched the whole thing from our position."

"Sont worry, we are fine. My crew and I are now heading back."

"Very well, try not to strain your ship then. I'll inform the others" replies Allen.

Smiling, Ulric hangs the receiver and goes to the helm. Leaning back, a slight pop is heard as he tries to crack his back.

Bridge

"Well good news Commander," Allen turning around his chair, "Captain Culvin and his crew survived."

"That's good, and I'm assuming both are heading in."

"Yes."

"Good, well Lord Ansager, look like we have you papers."

[C r o w]

''Well... That's a... fortunate event...? I'm surprised no one died actually. You truly have assembled quite the competent crew I see, Mr.Frey.''
Said Emil with a voice with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction.

While Emil and Frey were looking at each other in the eyes, like they were still inspecting each other, Selenia pops in the staring contest.
''Sorry to annoy you Mr., but I found that the Brig was a restricted area, may I ask why? Is someone there being...'' She coughed ''...how can we say... interrogated?''

As she was talking to Frey and by the way she said ''interrogation'' she clearly hinted that she may referring about the intellignce departemnet way of interrogation: torture.

[Piemanlives]

--Hanger Bay, Eagle's Shadow--

“Alright lads, clear a space and get ready on those clamps! Bay door opening in 5...”

Hank tuned out the crew chief as he readied on his clamp, watch as the bay doors parted to allow the Fifth Season entry into the vessel, a few scorch mark marred the lower part of it's hull but damage didn't appear to be anything serious, an hour or so with the buffer and a hammer would do the trick. He attached the clamp to the hull as they laid out the hammock they would be using to suspend the balloon as it deflated, after all you couldn't have a balloon independent of the transport floating about in the hold, that was just silly.

“Hey Friedan, help me with this?”

Hank sighed and accepted the rotary chain that had suddenly appeared before him.

“Yeah yeah.” He turned to the other man as he began pulling on his chain, Ewan Carmichael was a short man, older than him as well, the two of them served “Her Lady of Immaculate Engineering” as members of her team, neither of them were entirely sure how most of the experienced engineers ended up there but none of them were complaining, considering the… other engineers that were onboard.

“So Hank man, how're things down in engineering?” He grunted as he began raising his corner of the balloon hammock.

“Eh, same as usual.”

“So the swabbies huh?”

“Yup.”

“Sucks.”

Hank snorted, “Could be worse I guess.” There was a clunk of metal as the hammock locked into place, the crew chief called for the valves to open up as they siphoned off the lifting into the storage tanks off to the side of the hanger. Each ship carried it's own reserve in order to quickly inflate their balloons but anything already in the balloons had to be taken out so there wasn't an excess in the system once the on board tanks were refilled.

“How so?”

“Well,” Hank looked the man up and down… well, mostly just down, “You could've been there.”

“Yeah and showed you up.” Ewan laughed as he saw something behind him, “Hey, Jimmy Jims!”

Hank looked up to Jim Alcott disembarking the ship carrying a rather hefty looking safe, it wasn't large but any engineer worth his salt knew that any solid metal containers were usually heavier than they looked.

“Hey Jimmothy whatcha got there?”

“Uhh, a safe.”

“And?”

The young man looked at both engineers questioningly. “And what?”

Hank raised an eyebrow. “What's in it?”

“Oh,” He paused for a moment thinking. “Papers I think, the Captain wanted me to take this to the bridge so I should probably get going.” He gave both of them a respectful nod as he headed off.

“So Hank man, now what?”

“I suggest we avoid the scout hanger, apparently they went and damaged their craft again.”

“What seriously? Man I'd hate to be around Marie.” Both their eyes were drawn to where the aircraft were being stored, Marie could be seen working up a storm as she tore off damaged plating in front of her assistants who looked borderline terrified.

“Which is why we're heading back to engineering, come on there's still some stuff that needs doing.”

[BdrLineAzn]

Hanger Bay

"Not even 2 hours since we fixed your plane," says Marie in a loud manner that almost everyone in the space can hear, "you go out and manage to blow more holes into it."

With a wrench in hand, she unbolts the last screw holding the tail. Behind her, the maintenance team stands back quite a distance as she threw multiple sheets of armor precariously behind her. Clanks and several close calls of being hit by the flying metal are heard. In the back the four watch on as the women continues the operation as she orders for a replacement tail to be brought in.

Whistling and with his hands in his pockets, Antonio slowly backs away while pulling Farris along with him.

"You know, looks like we had a thing todo before we scrambled. Really important thing that Farris and I need to deal with. Isn't that right bud?"

"What do you mean? The last thing you did was prank the hell out of me."

Pulling him closer to him, Antonio whispers, "Do you want to be here while Kei's engine goes crazy and lecture us to death?"

Farris looks at the female who is starting a blowtorch in her hand and shakes his head no.

"Good." To Kei and Davis, "well if you need us, we'll be out finding Courage and take up on that shooting offer."

With a wave, the duo quickly walk to the nearest ladder well out of the space while the remaining two pilots watch on.

"That was one way to say 'we don't want to be here." comments Kei, "If we don't have anything to do at the moment, I'll be in my room if you need me."

Walking off, Davis is about to go before Marie yells out to him, "OH NO YOU DON'T! You broke your plane, you are going to fix it. Now get over here."

Bridge

"Why would we interrogate a bunch of raiders," says Allen overhearing the conversation, "Those four were nothing but wee scoundrels looking for a way to make a quick buck."

Picking up on Selenia's tone, Frey knows exactly what she ment. For the most part, majority of the crew only know the four raiders that were captured ealier. Only a handful of the upper chain and a few accomplices knew of the fifth prisoner.

"Mr. Allen is correct, we don't need that here. Just a bunch of lowly criminals wanting to be transported behind bars. Reason we have it secured so that the crew can focus on their work. Nothing bad can happen anyway, we have it all under control." says Frey.

Brig

"HELP, HELP! We got a man passed out here!" yells someone from inside the Brig.

The single guard posted out side the door quickly enters after herring the plead. There lying on the floor in his cell is Brigs face down and looking away from the bars. Seeing no movement, the guard takes out his keys, open the cell door, and moves towards the body. Kneeling, he waits a few seconds as he tries t feel a pulse.

"Flak," was all he says as there is nothing being felt.

Standing, the guard moves from his position to the radio in the room to call Medical. Reaching for the receiver, he doesn't hear movement coming up behind him. With a quick snap and a crackle, the guard drops dead with his neck broken as a body stand above him.

Dusting off his hands, Jasper picks up the keys from the body and proceeds to unlock the rest of the cells.

"Now time to catch a ride. I believe there should be a ship on standby in the Hanger Bay. Keep to the shadows, don't look suspicious and we will make it put."

[BdrLineAzn]

1330

Eagle's Shadow

Quietly exiting the Brig, Jaspser and his new acquaintances walk silently through the halls. Two of the raiders are armed with the rifle and pistol of the downed guard and are in the lead checking every corner. For the most part the corridors are empty due to half of the crew on standby on the Gunnery Decks, little under a half in the Hanger Bay, and the rest either on the Weather Deck, Engineering, or the Bridge.

Seeing the coast is clear, the five man team reaches a ladder well going down to the massive space. Reaching the bottom, the quickly hide behind several crates as the survey the scene.

"Hmm, well boss looks like majority of them are on that Junker while the rest fixing them there planes. The Goldfish looks like it's unguarded." Observes one.

"Perfect. We'll make our way to that one." Says Jasper. Before they move he has a thought, "I believe that these people haven't seen our faces before, they only know that they have prisoners, but they don't know how we look. So just ack natural as we walk towards the fish."

With nods of understanding, the four raiders stand from their hiding spot and walk behind the deranged man. Cutting the distance, several crew members pass them and give weird faces before going about their business, even though they haven't got caught yet the feeling is in their gut. Finally at cooking distance, one by one they board Renard's ship and begin looking over the controls. Finding the lever to inflate the balloon, the giant sack inflate drawing the attention to many in the room.

"What the?"
"Are they allowed todo that?"

"You fool, you gave our position away!" Screams Jasper.

Crouching back in fear of what is going to happen to him, the raider accidentally trips over another lever that opens the doors underneath them. Lights and sirens begin to blair as many run from the opening panels.

Looking over the side, Jasper sees open dunes, "Looks like we found our way out. Pull the lever!"

The same person who trips open the bay doors acknowledges and pulls the emergency drop lever. With several loud clanks, the Goldfish quickly falls.

Crimson Dragoon

"Just wait patiently Captain Kasparov, we are figuring out how to make space for your ship", transmits Allen to the Mercantile, "This ship was designed for two Galleons max in he Hanger Bay, with the Junker and Goldfish in, the fitting is tight."

Placing his tumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, Alexi only sighs at the timing of this. Before he is going to respond, he sees the Goldfish making an emergency drop from the belly.

"Looks like Renard came to and wanted to be out in the air again. Mr. Allen inform the bay to prepare for my landing."

Bridge

"Looks like Renard came to and wanted to be out in the air again. Mr. Allen inform the bay to prepare for my landing."

Confused by this statement, Mr. Allen tunes to the Hanger Bay, "What the bloody flak is goin on in there?"

"Mr. Allen, what seems to be the problem?" Frey asks.

"Well Commander, looks like the Goldfish made an unexpected departure. The crews in the Hanger Bay are figuring out what happened."

"Goldfish? Mr. Larson's? Last I check I personally docked that ship and he is still currently in MedBay."

Placing a hand to his headset, Allen hears a frantic call and goes pale, "Sir, one guard is found dead in the Brig as well as all prisoners have escaped."

"What!" Frey exclaims, looking out he spots the ship just a few degrees off heading south, "Mr. Allen to all stations, shoot down that Goldfish."

[C r o w]

Bridge

"Well, those prisoners certainly know how to make a surprise escape." Snarked Emil "Since it's giving us its back, unless that Goldfish has some secret aft gun, I say that we scramble our available air-fighters."

"Better if you bring our ship about and let the broadsides work, even if a few shots reach it, their engines just need a few hwacha rockets and they become sitting ducks." Selenia advices instead.

"Gods, I wish my ship was something more than scraps right now." Commented Emil while thinking about his downed vessel.

[Carn]

Kibeth

"Bridge, I see the Goldfish deployed, shall I pursue?"

The side engineer pulls out his spyglass and scopes in on the Goldfish.

"Mr Carn!  The fish is not piloted by Mr Larson!  It appears to be crewed by some roughs, and captained by a scrawny looking man!"

"Bridge! Check the brig! We have a possible escape!"

[BdrLineAzn]

Bridge

"It's already been noted Mr. Carn," starts Allen, "The order has been given out to bring down that ship by any means necessary."

Finishing the conversation, Allen then proceeds to hit a red button on his dash starting the General Order siren. Red lights flash through out the transport as multiple sirens goes off.

"All hands ready to fire upon the Goldfish. Any means to bring her down"

Entering the Bridge, Jim stops short through the doorway as the events start to fold.

"So umm Commander, is it a bad time for this safe?"

[Piemanlives]

--Bridge, Eagle's Shadow--

Well there goes my lunch break. "Bringing us about." She imagined the engines humming to life as she increased the throttle, sadly her current ship was not a small corvette like she had commanded previously and so did not feel the rumbling of engines underfoot. Still she had gotten used to the vessel's lumbering size and the amount of power held within and planned accordingly, slowly bringing their long range weapons into arc as their main engines warmed up.

"Mr. Allen is the gun deck online?" She turned to her current radio officer.

"Negative Captain, crew is moving to their positions as we speak."

Reagan sighed, "Can't you tell them to hurry up? Also, remind all gunners and ships to prioritize disabling the vessel rather than-" The radio cackled to life as another voice joined the fray.

"Eagle 1 here, ready to gut the bastards twelve ways towards Monday."

Reagan turned and gave him a slight nod.

"Bridge to Eagle 1," Gregory adjusted his headset, "orders are to prioritize disabling the vessel. Do not destroy unless absolutely necessary."

"Gotcha, Eagle 1 out."

--Hanger Bay, Eagle's Shadow--

Davis did not like this, he really didn't like this. He felt the glare against the back of his neck as he refitted an armor plate to the tail of his craft.

Don't think about it, don't think about, just get it done so you can get some sleep and not have to worry about it. Sadly this was harder than it looked when the engineer standing behind him was currently the very embodiment of rage. It wasn't his fault that gunners were capable of doing their jobs, also that Lord Ansager damaging their spare was also not his fault. Totally not his fault.

He sighed inwardly as he bolted the plate into place. The good thing was that he would be done soon, except...

"-And once we're done we're going fix the number 5 aircraft." She said with smug satisfaction in her voice.

Yeah no, he had to find a way out of this mess.

"Hey, watch where you're going."

"..."

Davis turned to where 5 men entered the hanger bay, one of them had bumped into an engineer as he followed the others. He had a strange vibe coming from all of them yet he couldn't exactly place why.

"Hey, you listening to me." He felt a slap against the back of his as he was thinking. "Keep working, we haven't got all day."

"... Isn't this your job?"

"Yes." The two of them stared at each other, Marie narrowing her eyes the longer the two of them continued.

"What the?"

"Are they allowed to do that?"

"You fool, you gave our position away!"

What? He turned to where the 5 men were prepping the goldfish for launch. Aww great.

The hanger light turned green and the craft dropped from it's mooring.

"Shit!" He jumped and climbed for his cockpit, he pulled out a rifle and bandoleer, making a run for the now empty docking bay, popping two stripper clips into the breach of his rifle as he came upon the bay doors. Peering over the side he saw them slowly rising as the balloon continued to inflate, he quickly took aim and fired off a few shots before realizing that what he was doing was useless. He shouldered his rifle and made a sprint for his hanger, rather than jumping into his plane, which was still damaged, he made a beeline for Antonio's craft, popping open the cockpit as the siren to general quarters played over the intercom.

"Come on! Hurry up!" He motioned for the launch crew to begin launch prep, attaching the crane to his plane as the launch bay opened. Come on come on come on come on, HURRY UP! Eventually his craft was poised over the launch bay and was lowered down into the blue yonder. Unfolding his wings the moment he cleared the outer hull.

He took a moment to key his radio to the bridge, "Eagle 1 here, ready to gut the bastards twelve ways towards Monday."

The light on his dash switched to green, "Launching." He pressed the red button and he once again found himself falling towards up before pulling up in a steep climb.

"Bridge to Eagle 1, orders are to prioritize disabling the vessel. Do not destroy unless absolutely necessary.

"Gotcha, Eagle 1 out." Now where did you go? He scanned the skies before spotting the retreating goldfish rising above the ship as the Shadow turned to bring it's weapons to bear.

"Right, time to get to work."

--Weather Deck, Eagle's Shadow--

Amelia continued to avoid listening to Janet as the two of them finally got around to setting up the firing range, with Courage's help, she unsurprised to learn that he had had similar ideas to the two of them, though she was glad that he had refrained from engaging Ms. Belle's game of "I Spy."

Janet herself was stacking a pile of sandbags, a supply of which was nearly limitless in the desert but rather inconvenient to maintain aboard a flying, until something made her ears perk.

"Ms. Belle?" Amelia looked at her companion, tilting her head at the sight of her.

"Did you guys hear that?"

The other men and women on deck paused for a moment listening before a goldfish suddenly appeared in view before beginning it's run away from their ship. It was at that moment the siren to general quarters was sounded aboard their vessel, a few crew members lounging on deck stood, startled by the sudden change in atmosphere as they a rush for the stairs and ladders leading to the lower decks.

"To the guns! You two with me!" Theodore Cutler motioned for two other members of the watch to join him on the gunnery deck as he was climbing down the nearest ladder. Antonio and Farris chose that moment to make their arrival on deck, rifles in hand and bandoleers of ammo around their shoulders.

Farris sighed as he saw the Goldfish making a run for it. "Well Antonio, you wanted target practice," He point his outstretched arm towards it palm up, "there's your target practice."

"Nice of them." Antonio made of a show of taking aim, face contorted in deep concentration, and fired. Everyone still on deck was quiet for a second as they looked at him, "Yeah I can't hit that."

Farris and Antonio watched the fleeing craft when another thought hit the two of them.

"Farris?"

"Yeah?"

"Where's the boss man?"

Before he could answer the roar of another engine caught their attention as one of the ship's aircraft soared overhead moving to intercept the Tranquility.

"Hey wait a minute, that's my plane!"

"Shut up Antonio."

--Davis Hargrave, Eagle 1, Flight Lead--

Davis had decided that quietly flying and talking to himself was not a good idea, so he had keyed the bridge again to throw ideas around with the radio operator.

"Right so I can't gut the bastards because we want the ship intact."

"That is correct." Gregory Allen's accent came in thick over the radio.

"So... that means no rockets."

"Correct."

Great that's one plan down the drain. "I'll think of something. Eagle 1 out." He keyed his radio to one of the other ships currently in the air, "Hey you guys wouldn't happen to have anything that can snipe those engines do you?"

--Med Bay, Eagle's Shadow--

Lorena stumbled in with a yawn, tired as all hell, James had shifted her off duty saying he'd be able to handle the rest of the work until she awoke and she was glad for it, still, she was too tired to make it to her room and the med bay was closer. She took a brief look around, whoever was in charge here wasn't around, still, she doubted they would mind if she took a nap in one of the beds.

She nearly managed to lay down when the siren to general quarters sounded throughout the ship.

"Come on! Why can't I get any sleep around here!?"

She bolted upright, awake as ever as she unconsciously began checking her gear as she made the sprint to engineering.