Burning Skies Saloon Quest: Past, Present, and Future

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill smirked when Shinkurex asked about the barrels.*

Nope, unless you find that experimental tar has a nice aroma to it.

*Shink hears too late and opens up a barrel. The smell alone was enough to burn his eyebrows off. He immediately turned green and ran for the stern. Zill quickly realized one was open and ran down to cover it. He saw poor Shink hanging off the stern.*

Ah well. Punishment enough I imagine.

[Papa Paradox]

*Shink came and sat with Papa as they nursed their hangovers*

"Hey Papa, Roland asked me a question yesterday and it got me thinking... how do you manage to kill people?"

"Heh."

*Papa pulled out a lighter, and promptly lit it, the flame waved wildly, alive. He blew it out.*

"Ah."

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

An hour passes and the team found themselves in view of Albys and another blockade. This blockade consisted of the same ship types found at Brigfern: one goldfish, two pyramidions, and two galleons. Because the team maintained radio silence, each captain had their own observations.
Those ships are bearing the Birdmen symbol.

I see a few of those guys looking at us.

Well, they haven't started blasting us yet. Maybe we'll get through this.

As the team approached within 500 meters of the blockade, there was no radio contact. Eventually, the team slipped through the blockade of the far right. The team managed to slip completely by until one of the pyramidions started to face Then It Was Fixed. The three captains noticed the pyramidion facing Zill and Yiski grabbed his scope from Blood Bolt and used the scope flash to send Zill Morse code. Zill read the message.
We are found. Have advantage. Destroy. Hell, after branding our ships... Well Yiski's right we do have the advantage.

And Yiski was right, only the pyramidion closest to the team turned to face, the goldfish and pyramidion were still facing north and the two galleons had their backs to the team. The team's fleet consisted of Zill's galleon, Yiski's goldfish, Nova's junker and three squids.

Zill spotted another Morse code from Yiski.
On you. Shoot or fly.

--NARRATOR END--

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill knew it was now or never. He broke radio silence.*

Nova get your squids on them Galleons now! Rest focus on the others!

Aye! Go now you slugs!

*Zill saw the surprise in the crews on the Birdmen decks. It was time for revenge.*

Into the Fray. Papa, Shink, port guns! Spread the fire! Focus is pyra's! Jun on howitzer, take out the goldfish main battery!

*The crew and fleet snapped into action. Shink and Papa opened fire on the pyra's, popping the balloons in a flash. The squids ran for the Galleons, but not before the goldfish let fly a hwacha barrage. Most of the hits smacked Zill's boat but the spread lessened the effect. Jun'ko took three shots before smacking the main gun on the goldfish.*

She sure isnt Yiski...

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

*Yiski yelled at BdrLine, Ny-Lee, and Roland*
BdrLine I'll let you use you're new toy, just don't kill us! Ny-Lee get on the flak! Roland get on the gatling and tear through all that armor!

*Roland jumped on the gatling and paused for a moment.*
It is now or never.

*Roland pulled the trigger and started tearing through the closest galleon's armor. Yiski then swung the M'Naghten around.*
BdrLine, Ny-Lee, open fire!

[BdrLineAzn]

--M'Naghten--

*As Yiski turns to the Galleon, BdrLine fires off a few rounds around the gun deck*
*A distinct plop sound can be heard as each of the mines lands on the hull or the guns*

*Few seconds later, the mines explodes damaging all of the facing guns and furthering ripping of the armor.*
Ny take take the shot, i'll see if i can get the other ships.

*BdrLine unclasps the launcher and moves over to the starboard side, shooting at the goldfish*

*Ny-Lee calls out to him*
Don't have to tell me twice.

*She loads charged rounds in the flak, once loaded, she lets out a barrage of fire*
*It doesn't take long as the weaken armor and prolong shooting cause the galleon to explode. Its remains quickly falling to the earth below*

*Back to BdrLine and the goldfish he is shooting at, he manages to destroy one of the side guns and damage the armor*
*He notices that the main gun started to move again*

Shoot Yiski, they've got the main gun to work again, turn to starboard
*BdrLine continues shooting*

I see it, hold on turning us around. Ny-Lee start firing when you got angle

*As Yiski turns the M'Naghten, the enemy goldfish fires off two flak rounds hitting the ship*
*The M'Naghten takes some damage, but not enough to weaken the armor*

*Eventually the mines were able to destroy the main gun again and that Ny-Lee gets a good view of the hull and starts firing*
*Just like the galleon, the goldfish falls to a fiery death*

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

Two down, three to go.

*Just as Yiski turns the M'Naghten to the other galleon, it had already turned its right broadside to them. The galleon had a medium carronade and hwachas.*
How did it.... phoenix claw. Everyone take cover and prepare for a hwacha barrage!

*The crew hit the deck when the galleon unleashed the hwacha barrage within 200 meters of the M'Naghten. Luckily like the first downed galleon, this gunner wasn't running heavy clips either and the M'Naghten's hull sustained only minor damage, but sadly the same could be said for the balloon.*
Roland! Get up here and help me with the balloon!

On it!

*Yiski hit the M'Naghten in reverse thrust and met with Roland at the balloon. The repair took seconds and Yiski rushed back up to the helm. By this time he managed to get out of the range of the carronade.*
You two down there better be lightnin' them up!

*Meanwhile, Nova's junker and three squids were making quick work of the pyramidion. All three squids were equipped with the same loudouts: light carronade front, light flak side, and a rear gatling. Nova spotted the pryamidion's crew through her advanced spyglass and called out her observation over the radio.*
The crew on the pyra are running around like chickens with their heads cut off. One second the balloon is down, then the hull, then the balloon again. It's kinda sad to watch, but they'll be out of their misery soon enough.

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*The pyra's fall and crash into the ground under renewed lumberjack fire. The prolonged fire from Zill and Nova's Junker finishes them off. The squids swarm the last galleon and harrass it into submission. The junker gets a flak shot on the power kegs in its hull and it explodes. The embers of the blockade smolder on the outskirts of Abyss. Each ship is having their own celebration.*

Ah about time the Skies were kind. Nice shooting down there.

It was awesome to shoot these things!

That did you expect? Plus mine exploded first.

*The two start bickering like it mattered. Jun'ko came up to the helm.*

Do well enough for you my Admiral?

Hell yes you did. Come here.

*Zill grabs her and slips off his mask a moment to kiss her. Shes surprised but doesnt complain one bit.*

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

*When the last galleon fell, Yiski had a grin across his face and said to himself.*
A revenge victory always feels great though I don't want to make a habit of it.

*Yiski yelled down to the others.*
Good job!

*Yiski called over the radio.*
Well, the plan didn't go exactly as planned, but this wasn't too bad. Now how about we get ourselves across?

[Shinkurex]

"I'm telling you Papa. you couldn't hit the broadside of a galleon!"

"Shink if you didn't load lesmok rounds, then you would be nothing! That first kill was mine!"

*The argument rages on, until it was decided that they would settle this by a shootout. The target was 3000 meters out, and the first to hit it wins. After 3 rounds, Shink hit the rock, which exploded into dust.*

"Ha! told you"

[Papa Paradox]

Papa and Shink were staring at each other from either gun, Papa flipped off Shink

"What, that not enough? Y'want s'more?"

*Papa flipped him off with his other hand as well*

"Sit on em, and twist... Here let me help you"

*His hands started spinning on his wrist.*

[Yiski]

--M'Naghten--

*Yiski and the other noticed the firing going off onThen It Was Fixed. Ny-Lee laughed, Roland sighed, BdrLine shook his head, and Yiski facepalmed.*
I bet Zill is goin' to hang them off the back by their collars.

Yiski, what are we going to do once we get into Starostrog? I doubt the Guild won't overlook a small fleet crossing into their airspace.

*Yiski thought for a moment and realized the battle took a toll on everyone's ships. Granted the damage wasn't serious, but enough to warrant a stop.*
Well luckily, not everyone in the Guild wants me dead. I've got a contact who can help us out a bit. Roland take the helm. I gotta fetch something.

*Roland took the helm and Yiski went into his quarters. Inside the captain's quarters, Yiski pulled a box from under his bed. It had a label which read "In Case You're Crazy Enough to Come Back". Yiski opened the box and removed another radio and brought it up the helm.*
Why do you have another radio?

Because this one is set to contact only a handful of individuals.

*BdrLine came up and saw the other radio.*
I didn't think you had contacts Yiski.

What? You think I don't have a few hidden friends too? Now help me hook this up.

*By the time the team had crossed halfway over the Abyssal Gulf, BdrLine hooked up the alternative radio and Yiski made his call to his contact in Starostrog.*
There it should be operational.

*Yiski turned on the radio and started talking.*
This is Crimson. I repeat this is Crimson.

*Moments of static went by.*
This is Crimson. I repeat this is.... dammit Lance just answer already.

Shit. You're actually coming into the Guild? Well, we'll talk later. Where are you heading?

Starostrog within the evenin'. There's six of us total. Goldfish and galleon.

Really? You're giving me two hours to smuggle you in?

Yup.

*Moments of silence pass by again*
I'll get things set.

I owe you one.

No, this'll make us almost even.

[BdrLineAzn]

--M'Naghten--

*While Yiski is talking to Lance on his special radio*
*BdrLine decides to hail Zankif as well*

*He goes to the ships radio and dial in Zankif*
Hellooo anyone home?

Damn Bdr you don't need to yell, so what do you need now.

Well myself and a few other ships are heading into Guild territory. We already have a way to get inside. But once we are in, we may need some supplies, fakes passes, and an escort to the craters on where you saw that factory with the symbol.

You actually coming over huh, well alright just tell me where you are docking.

Straostorg

Straostorg ey. Ok i'll get the things ready and i'll see you there.

Thanks Zankif

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Then It Was Fixed-

*Zill was enjoying the warm sea air. Its been years since he has flown over to the Guild. Jun'ko was with him on the helm, and he had to use the extinguisher system a few times on Shink and PapaP to keep them civil. The goodbyes to Nova were short. They never did get along over long periods of time.*
Thanks for showin' up for once. I knew you were useful for something.

Love you too Admiral. Dont forget us out here old hag.

*The flight over was peaceful. Zill's mind wandered the entire trip over. Some thoughts about the past, some about what was waiting for them on the other side. He couldn't be too bothered though. Jun'ko nudged him out of his trance.*
You hanging in there?

Yea. Old memories of times in the Guild. We did them no favors. *Smirks*

Yea I remember getting news about the fighting back when I was still in The Empire. Its why I joined the military.

*Zill turned to her*
Really? Small world after all.

And here we are.

*Straostorg lay on the horizon.*

And here we are...

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

The team made their cautious approach into Starostrog knowing full well the consequences should the Guild realize both Yiski and Zill were within their reach. Luckily there were three things going for the team. First, it was the dead of night. Second, Lance had managed to secure entry for the team in an isolated part of the docks where few people went. Finally, BdrLine's contact Zankif would have supplies ready and waiting.

There was a downside though. Given their high-profile nature, Yiski and Zill could not leave their ships while the others were able to depart and rest up at a local in Lance found.

As the team approached the dock, Yiski spotted a pattern of five lanterns. Yiski called over to Zill.
Landing zone is a little off our 10 o'clock. You'll see a distinct pattern of five lanterns.

Hmm... got it. Alright, I'm going in.

Copy.

Yiski and Zill successfully docked their ships into their designated slots. Yiski slowly approached the side of the M'Naghten and saw a man waiting for them.
How many years has it been?

Not long enough if I'm back here.

Well, welcome to Starostrog and the Guild.

Yiski threw a bottle at him and Lance laughed.
Well, anything you need while you're hear?

I've got a friend's contact who's also nearby and he'll be bringin' us some supplies.

Well, I got lodging for your crew if they want it. Of course, it'll be best if you stay on your ship.

Yeah, yeah, I know the whole "kill the Crimson Bolt" thing.

So, who was crazy enough to follow you along?

Zill popped up on the side of his ship.
Hello again Lance.

Holy shit! The two of you are here? Damn the Guild would have a field day knowing their two greatest enemies were here.

Roland looked to Yiski.
Would it be safe for most of us to depart and take up lodging?

I'd say so. I wouldn't imagine the Guild knowing too much about us. If they did through the Birdmen, the Guild would've had a blockade set up before we reached here.

I could use a nice bath. While the sea air was nice, I can't get the salty feeling out of my hair.

Jun'ko looked to Zill.
I think I'll be staying with you my Admiral.

Zill shrugged and smiled.
Suit yourself.

Paradox and Shink got off as quickly as Lance had offered rooms.
Well, I'm definitely getting off. Don't think I could survive another night with those lovebirds' "activities."

I think this is the only thing we can agree on. Well, that and drinking.

As the others got off. Lance motioned to them.
Alright. This way. It's only a short walk.

Don't get too comfortable, once the supplies get here, we're out. I don't want to linger in Guild territory any longer than necessary.

Yiski nodded in agreement.

--NARRATOR END--

--END OF DAY 4--