Burning Skies Saloon

[Yiski]

--Outside Saloon--

Jun'ko and Lauren agreed to their girl's day out and had left the group before BdrLine showed up.

_Yiski
"I had the young couple on the first flight to Chang-ning. I couldn't let their lives get caught up in mine."

Yiski then turned to Althea and Zill.

_Yiski
"Anyways, let's get to the Armory. Kinda itchin' to make somethin' deadly."

Althea, Yiski, and Zill headed for the Armory. BdrLine had opted to go back to the Port.

--Armory--

The smell of gunpowder and ordinances brought a smile to Yiski's face. As they arrived, a group of gunsmiths approached Yiski.

_Gunsmith
"Good to see you again Commander. What are we making toady?"

_Yiski
"Good question. Let's put some stuff together and see if it doesn't kill us."

A small shiver went down the spines of everyone who wasn't Yiski. Althea looks to Zill.

_Althea
"Does he always have that evil expression?"

_Zill
"You consider that an evil expression?"

Zill followed behind Yiski, eager to tinker with his own explosive. Althea just stood at the entrance trying to comprehend Zill's question.

[Gryphos]

--Nidhogg's ship--

I've stayed in Anvala long enough, and things have already started blowing up, best continue with my journey of... I guess adventure.

He looked around the ship.

Damn, still no crew.

He rummaged around in his pocket, but found only a small amount of coins.

And I can't hire a crew, I really shouldn't have drank so many Hellfires. Ah well, I guess I'll just have to be careful.

He then took position at the helm, but got the feeling something wasn't right. He wasn't alone.

A voice from behind
"No crew, interesting choice."

Nidhogg did not react with hostility for he knew the voice. Turning around, he placed a hand on the man's shoulder. The man was taller and some would say handsomer than Nidhogg, but he had the same long hair tied in a loose ponytail, only a much darker blonde.

Nidhogg
"Tristan, brother, it's good to see you"

They hugged each other in a brotherly embrace. Before separating.

Nidhogg
"Why are you here? Are you just visiting or- Oh, you're going to try to retrieve me for Father."

Tristan
"No, Father did not send me. I'm just genuinely worried about you."

Nidhogg
"As per usual, you worry too much for your little 'Nid'."

Tristan
"Haha, true, but I also need to talk to you, cast off and we'll chat."

And so Nidhogg disembarked on his ship with his brother into the sky.

[Yiski]

--Armory--

Yiski and Zill had set up shop in different sectors of the armory. Yiski holed up mostly near the guns and munitions while Zill tinkered with all the bombs and mines.

Althea decided to stay close, but not too close to Yiski. At first, she would keep watch at near the two entrances. Later, she found herself closer to Yiski mostly to see what went on in his mind. When she first reviewed his file for the duty, she was shocked to learn the recent armament upgrades (tungsten rounds, new mercury, stronger plate armor, upgraded rifle rounds) were all done by Yiski. Even the rounds used in her pistols were rounds Yiski's had created a year ago.

_Althea
"So this is what it means to be a Striker."


--Trading District--

Jun'ko and Lauren were having a good time. It would have been a better time were the two not followed by a group of five guards. Apparently, what Yiski forgot to mention from the rest of the orders where that any close friend, family, or associate of Yiski were to be guarded at all times.

It had been awkward having five guards following you everywhere, especially when the girls wanted to try on new clothes. Though a thought did cross the girls' mind. They looked at each other and whispered to one another.

_Lauren
"Think we should get their opinion on some lingerie?"

_Jun'ko
"Don't you think it's a bit risque?"

_Lauren
"We'll just see how they react. Should give us an idea of how our boys' will react too."

_Jun'ko
"Hmm... that does sound like fun. Let's do it!"

The girls then proceeded to enter a lingerie store. At first the guards hesitated knowing full well they were guarding the girlfriends of their Admiral and Commander. None of them wanted to even think about the potential nightmare if they found out.

_Lauren
"Are you fellas coming in or not? Or are you going to shirk your duties?"

All the guards gulped and looked at each other. One said...

_Guard
"This stays between us or we'll all screwed."

The nodded and entered.

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Armory-

Zill was tinkering with some bombs. More specifically, personal bombs. Sure, grenades were alright, but a handy bomb of either lethal or non-lethal goals would come quite in handy. His experimental one actually came from his book, though he would never admit that. He tweaked it for his own goals though, as this one had a nice tar surprise. By now he had a few done and wanted to test them.

He took it to the blast range, and much to the curiosity of the technicians of the range, told them to set up 10 targets. They did, and he told them to clear out.

They watched as he charged it, rolled it to the targets and took cover.

BOOOOOOMMMMMMM

The range filled with tar, and shrapnel could be seen in every target. Zill grinned, and the technicians groaned at the cleanup to be done.

-Trading District-

Jun'ko was the first to come out of the dressing rooms in a silky red robe. The soldiers were relieved to see it covered everything and agreed it was stunning.

She grinned and let the rob fall, revealing a black and red corset with laced panties. The soldiers eyes tripled in size and one tripped on his rifle, falling over.
_Jun'ko
"Perfect. Thanks boys."

The soldiers shook the image from their mind, only to be met with Lauren coming out of the rooms. She didn't tease with a robe, and went for a tight black outfit. While technically covering all the parts, it wouldn't take much to show off more than anyone but Yiski had claim to. Again, the soldiers broke down, and eventually they turned around to gather composure.

Lauren chuckled and went back.
_Lauren
"This really was a good idea!"

_Jun'ko
"Yup! And this was only the first outfit. Those "poor" guys."

[Yiski]

--Armory--

The thunderous, earth-shattering boom could be heard inside and it made everyone jump, minus Yiski who kept tinkering with some ammunition and Althea who kept a watchful eye on Yiski and his surroundings.

_Althea
"Seems like the Admiral is having fun."

_Yiski
"Uh huh." *Turns and looks at Althea* "Hand me your pistols."

_Althea
"Commander?"

_Yiski
"If you're gonna guard me, you might as well have the best equipment, right?"

Althea reluctantly handed her pistols to Yiski who quickly took them and started dismantling them. Althea watched was Yiski carefully cataloged each part and set it aside on the table. Yiski then went to work on the triggers by shaving a few bits of its hammers. Yiski then took each barrel. With an unsatisfied look on his face, he tossed them into the scrap pile. Yiski then took two alloy rods and machine worked them into new barrel which looked wider in diameter.

Two hours passed before Yiski finally reassembled the two pistols. Before handing them back, Yiski loaded a clip of the ammunition he was working on. Once loaded, he handed them to Althea.

_Yiski
"Well given what I had to work with, this should do for now until I can make a better model."

_Althea
"What ammunition type did you load into them?"

_Yiski
"Well, that's a surprise. How about we head out into the range?"

Yiski limped with his crutch out to the range with a slightly confused and worried Althea close behind. Yiski sighed when he saw half the range covered in tar. He looked at Zill and Zill looked back. Yiski knew that mask had to hiding the biggest grin yet.

_Yiski
"I'm not goin' to ask."

Althea and Yiski finally found a spot not covered in tar. A technician placed a few targets. Most were within a pistol's maximum effective range of about 40-50 meters. The other targets were set at about 80-100 meters.

Althea pulled out a single pistol. She hesitated for a moment.

_Yiski
"Don't worry, it shouldn't blow your hand up."

Althea then fired the first shot.

*BANG*

Althea noticed an immediate difference with the recoil or lack thereof. Confident with the single shot, she quickly unloaded the remaining six shots into the targets.

_Yiski
"Not bad. Try hitting the far targets."

Althea took her second pistol and held it at the ready. While she did have the basic rifle training, she was in no way as proficient in rifles as she was in handguns. Althea ignored the deficiency and fired all seven shots in succession. Only three of the seven landed. Althea sighed, but Yiski came from behind.

_Yiski
"Don't worry about the long shots. Just wanting to see what you're comfortable with in range."

Yiski motioned for the technicians to fetch the targets and when they were brought, Althea's eyes went wide. Each target was the standard three inch plate. The targets which were in range had holes which could fit a rivets. The targets which were hit farther had fist-sized dents.

_Althea
"How? There was no recoil."

Yiski smiled at Althea's amazement.

_Yiski
"I the ammo you're usin' is a modified tungsten rounds. The pistol tungsten gives it decent armor penetration. The additional weight plus the slower velocity give the round massive stoppin' power. At probably twenty meters, you could probably take down a heavy defender with a few shots."

_Althea
"What about the recoil?"

_Yiski
"Well, the powder is still the same, but I machined on 'gills' along the barrel. It let's out the pressure as the bullet travels down the barrel. While it does slow bullet velocity, you notice there's no recoil."

Althea still looked at the new pistols with amazement. Given mere hours, Yiski improved the killing power and accuracy of her pistols. Zill came up from behind and gives a whistle.

_Zill
"Flak Yiski. How many of your rounds are going to make armor look like a squid riddled with gat rounds?"

_Yiski
"When those idiots stop thinkin' they can mess with Anvala."

_Zill
"HA! As if."

[BdrLineAzn]

--Docks--

As BdrLine leaves for the docks, he notices two guards following him. He notices them as both are not very 'discreet' or 'professional' grade guards, in fact both of the guards are the same ones who chases after BdrLine and Spoon on their maniac 'episodes'.

Guard 1
"Ok you see him."

Guard 2
"Roger, going behind the wall, once I'm clear, move to the boxes over there."

The two do their 'manuvers' as they follow BdrLine behind. He then gets a little irritated as he turns around and faces them.

BdrLine
"Umm mind if I ask what you two are doing?"

The two are surprised as BdrLine sees them. They both scramble from their hiding place and run into each other.

Guard 1
"Flak he sees us."

Guard 2
"Abort"

Guard 1&2
"Uppph"

BdrLine shakes his head and moves towards the, on the ground. He leads both his hands for them to grab on to. The guards accept and are lifted up from the ground.

BdrLine
"So now can I ask why you two are following me."

The two dust their uniforms off and 1 turn to BdrLine.

Guard 1
"Well, Commander Yiski has ordered for all friends, family, and associates of his to be under guard protection."

BdrLine gives a blank stare at bothe of them and utters a groan.

BdrLine
"Really, is ther.."

Guard 2
"Sorry sir, but orders are orders."

BdrLine groans and turn towards the dock entrance and waves a hand to let them know to follow him.

BdrLine
"Alright, come on then. I'm needed here anyways."

With that, the guards follow BdrLine as they go towards Niko and the other Yesahn mercenary's ships. As they approach, Niko notices the additional members and goes to his friend.

Niko
"Umm Bdr?.."

BdrLine puts a hand up to stop him and explains to Niko.

BdrLine
"To put it short, I need some protection while things are hot around here. So these two are my bodyguards, there names are...are...are? *turns to the guards* What are your names again?"

The two pop to attention and Guard 1 answers first.

Nelson
"Sir I'm am Gunnery Sergeantt Charles Nelson."

Bell
"And Sir I am Corporal Courage Bell."

BdrLine looks at the two and turns back to Niko.

BdrLine
"Niko meet Bell and Nelson."

Niko shrugs as goes back towards one of the Pyramidions, he calls back to them.

Niko
"Well if they are going to stay, I hope they can help with some repairs. Right now Bdr the balloon pump on this Pyra won't pump."

BdrLine looks at the two.

BdrLine
"Well you heard him, let's get to work."

He follows Niko behind as Nelson and Bell look at each other before following.

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

As evening approaches, BdrLine, Jun'ko, and Lauren are escorted to the Academy grounds where the others were waiting. Yiski and Zill spotted their respective girlfriends had shopping bags. Over the top of the bags, they noticed a hint of lingerie.

_Yiski
"Did you girls enjoy yourselves?"

_Jun'ko
"Yeah. We got some new outfits."

_Zill
"Guards didn't give you trouble did they?"

_Lauren
*smirking* "Actually, they were quite helpful."

Both Yiski and Zill then glared at the guards. As best they could, they all kept a straight face, knowing if one of them cracks, they could expect a lifetime of cleaning and Gauntlet duty.

_{Yiski & Zill}
"Really now."

The guards were getting nervous. They knew and Yiski and Zill knew it. Before ruining the guards' lives, Yiski remembered something.

_Yiski
"Skies. I better find a radio and call Shen and Liu and tell them their daughter and son-in-law are on the way."

Yiski starts heading for the Academy's officer's barracks in which the others follow except for Zill. He stayed behind with the five guards. He stared at them a bit longer before turning to follow the others. The guards gave a sigh of relief, but as Zill walked...

_Zill
"Did you enjoy yourselves?"

_Guard
"We did."

_Guards
"Crap. Almost."

Zill turned back around.

_Zill
"Cleaning duty. Six months."

While the guards wallowed in their sorrow, at least they'll have the memories of what they saw today.

--NARRATOR END--

--END OF DAY 116--

[Yiski]

--START OF DAY 117--

--NARRATOR--

The sun rose over Anvala's walls and lit up the Academy and Armory. Of course, this didn't mean much since the Officer's barracks had very few windows. Despite the lack of sun coming in the barracks, Yiski woke out of habit. He rubbed his eyes and remembered he wasn't in the saloon currently. As much as he would have liked to sleep in a bit, once awake, Yiski typically stayed awake.

Yiski sat up in bed, staring at his leg cast and sighed.

"Gotta get this off soon."

He grabbed his crutch and started walking toward the Armory, only to remember he hasn't called Shen or Liu. Groaning, he slowly made his way back in the other direction to the Administration Building. Once finding a radio, he chanced the frequency to Shen's manor.

... ... ...

_Maid
"Zhao Manor. Who is calling?"

_Yiski
"Um... It's Yiski from Anvala."

_Maid
"Oh. Hello Master Yiski. Please wait a moment while I get Master Shen."

... ... ...

_Shen
"Hello friend! How are you?"

_Yiski
"I've had better days."

_Shen
"I'm sorry to hear. It's good to hear from you. You're not in Chang-ning by chance on another mission?"

_Yiski
"Heh.. no. I'm still in Anvala. I'm calling to send you a heads up. Yesterday, I sent Ny and Roland your way. Should be arrivin' tomorrow."

_Shen
"Oh. They're not still in Cathedral?"

_Yiski
"Long story... anyways, I need you to do me a favor."

_Shen
"Anything friend."

_Yiski
"Convince them to stay in Chang-ning and not come back to Anvala."

Hearing the request took Shen back a bit. During all their interactions, Shen didn't believe Yiski to be a person who would want his 'son' to be permanently separated from him. Shen told Yiski he would agree, but on the condition Yiski would explain why. Reluctantly, Yiski told Shen about the attempted invasion and the recent kidnapping. After finishing, Yiski got a few moments of silence from Shen's end.

_Shen
"I see. You want to keep them out of the conflict."

_Yiski
"More or less. These problems are not and should not be their concern."

_Shen
"I understand. I'll make sure the two will live comfortably here."

_Yiski
"Thanks. Yiski out."

_Shen
"Take care."

Yiski ended the transmission with a heavy heart.

_Lauren
"You alright?"

He turned to see his lover standing in the doorway of the radio room. Yiski tried to grin, but even a forced grin seemed to difficult to make. Lauren approached him and gave him a hug, her head settling underneath his own.

_Lauren
"At least they'll be safe."

_Yiski
"I know."

They stood for a few moments when a cough caught both their attentions. Althea was looking at the two. Her expression was stern.

_Althea
"It seems like we might get some answers."

_Yiski
"So soon?"

_Althea
"Yes, the Council received word a ship will be arriving tomorrow with a representative of those behind your kidnapping."

_Lauren
"That makes absolutely no sense."

_Yiski
"As much as I'll agree with Lauren, it's not till tomorrow, so we'll deal with it then."

--NARRATOR END--

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Academy room-

Zill woke to Jun'ko using him as a body pillow. He wanted to get up and stretch, but opted to remain still and relax while he could. He looked around the room and started gliding his hand along Jun's back. This woke her and she gave a smile.
_Jun'ko
"Morning my admiral."

_Zill
"Morning love. I take it it's too early to get up?"

_Jun'ko
"A few minutes more..."

She put on the pouty face, and Zill just smirked. They enjoyed each other's embrace for a bit before getting up and ready for the day. Zill had made more bombs for himself. One normal and 4 mini. He didn't want the recipe getting out so he personally made them. Jun'ko was tinkering with some knives, and was interested in serrated blades. Zill had a nice recipe for knives with poison hidden inside, and he shared this with her. Soon enough they were working on a set of both daggers and throwing knives.

[Yiski]

--Armory--

_Yiski
"So, what type of gun to you ladies fancy?"

The sudden question caught Althea and Lauren off-guard.

_Lauren
"Do you plan on making us new guns?"

_Yiski
"Well, everybody's, but I'll start with you ladies first."

_Althea
"I like my dual pistols, but I would prefer a heavy and light pistol combo."

_Lauren
"I'll stick with a long-barrel pistol with a heavier caliber."

_Yiski
"Done and done. I should get some prototypes out by late afternoon."

_Althea
"Then I'll just stay..."

_Yiski
"Nope. You're takin' a break today."

_Althea
"Commander. You know I cannot."

_Yiski
"Again I should mention I'm in the middle of the Academy swarmin' with recruits, guards, defenders, and Elites. Also, I'm in a weapons depot. I'll be fine if one Elite out of hundreds of defenders aren't watchin' me."

Before Althea could protest further, Yiski went inside and shut the doors in front of Althea who was still in a bit of shock.

_Althea
"But..."

Lauren put her hand on Althea's shoulder.

_Lauren
"Let's go. Trust me, if he's like that, no amount of reason, logic, or near destruction of the world is going to change his mind."

_Althea
"Then I'll just maintain a perimeter near the entrance."

_Lauren
"Suit yourself. I'll be out and about..."

Althea gives Lauren a stern look and Lauren sighed.

_Lauren
"... with a few guards."

[Gryphos]

--Nidhogg's ship, somewhere south of Anvala--

Nidhogg awoke after another night beneath the stars on the bridge of his ship, while Tristan was sitting down on the main deck, gazing at the horizon. He looked at Nidhogg.

Tristan
"Good morning brother. I trust you slept well."

Nidhogg
"To be truthful I did not. No idea why."

Tristan
"Well, good, that means you're alert, which you need to be."

Nidhogg joined him on the main deck.

Nidhogg
"Why exactly? You said we'd chat, apparently last night wasn't good enough. What do you need to tell me."

Tristan removed his own cloak to reveal his own sword at his side. He then stood at the other side of the deck.

Tristan
"Can you still dance and talk at the same time?"

Nidhogg drew his sword along with Tristan.

Nidhogg
"I'm not getting sloppy, if that's what you're implying."

Tristan
"Let's see then."
 
They both held their sword in front of their face, before slowly advancing on each other and engaging. They fought with a sort of routine as they had all through their life, as they were both very familiar with the other's techniques. Nidhogg knew exactly when Tristan would strike right, or feign left. And visa versa.

Nidhogg
"So then"

The clash of swords punctuated his speech.

"... What do you need to tell me?"

[Yiski]

--Armory--

While Yiski was tinkering and machining new weapons for Althea and Lauren, the two girls were outside the Armor. Lauren was sitting on a bench while Althea opted to pace around the entrance.

_Lauren
"So what's your story?"

_Althea
"Pardon?" *Althea stopping mid pace to answer*

_Lauren
"Why become an Elite? I mean you're practically the only female Elite. Why did you go defender or airmen?"

_Althea
"There was no particular reason. I guess I wanted to see how far I could go."

_Lauren
"That's it?"

_Althea
"That's it. While I could have been content staying as an airwoman, I believed I could do more. I guess you could call it pushing my limit. It's also why I became a bodyguard in part. Each charge has its own sets of challenges which cause me to adjust and change."

Lauren gave a small chuckle which got an inquiring and slighly annoyed look from Althea. Lauren regained composure quickly.

_Lauren
"I'm not making fun of you. It's just you more like Yiski than I like to admit."

Althea wasn't so much annoyed anymore as she was curious now.

Lauren then explained how Yiski was much of the same, except with weapons and brewing. Lauren retold the tell of Yiski's first experiments which ended in blowing up many workbenches and a few small buildings. Yiski also had the belief that things could be constantly improved beyond the accepted limit. The same held equally true for Yiski's rifleman abilities. Lauren told Althea of his younger days where he would spends two days straight on a firing range with the only break from when he modified his weapons.

Of course, the result of all his time on the range and weapon shops was Blood Bolt, his pride and joy. Lauren explained how others compared the mercury rifles of the time to peashooters compared to his 'masterpiece'.

_Althea
"I am surprised I was not assigned to him sooner."

_Lauren
"Well, from what he's told me, it probably all happened when word got out of him being the Crimson Bolt during the Baron-Guild Conflict. That reminder seemed to bring back a lot of enemies."

_Althea
"I have to agree from what I have read as well." *Looking toward the Armory door* "So, how powerful do you think our weapons will be?"

_Lauren
"Heh... something like a heavy flak which can shoot like a gatling."

[Gryphos]

--Nidhogg's ship--

Nidhogg
"Who?"

Tristan
"The Wyrm. Eric Gallafell has sent him to kill you."

The two stopped the spar.

Nidhogg
"I'm not surprised, I killed his eldest son and daughter."

Tristan grabbed Nidhogg's arms.

Tristan
"An accident, but the Gallafells still see it as murder, and have even sent the Wyrm to bring them your head."

Nidhogg
"Is that name meant to mean something to me?"

Tristan broke off and stood at the bow of the ship, examining the main gun, before turning back to Nidhogg.

Tristan
"Yes. A year ago, a squad of bounty hunters successfully captured and imprisoned a pirate crew. Some other pirates didn't like this, so they hired the Wyrm. At the crack of dawn he entered their camp. Within an hour they were all dead."

Nidhogg
"Sounds... dangerous."

Tristan
"Not just him. At his command is an entire troop of highly trained mercenaries, as good as any standard elites."

Nidhogg
"Sounds... like I'm a dead man."

Tristan
"Maybe."

Nidhogg
"So is this the real reason father wants me home, so he can protect me."

Tristan
"Father's a fool, he thinks he can but he really can't. Our only chance is to keep on the move and find help if possible."

Nidhogg
"I'm not going to run forever."

Tristan gave a small smile and leant against the wall as Nidhogg took position at the helm.

Nidhogg
"There's a small hamlet in the distance, we should dock there."

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Armory-

Zill and Jun'ko worked tirelessly to get her daggers done. The serrated blades were fairly easy, but the hilts had to be special. Zill called on a few friends, and found a pair of dragon hilts. They were big enough to be hollowed out for the poison's storage. Once Jun'ko got over her initial excitement, she began to hollow them out, while Zill procured the poison ingredients, aptly named "Dragon Breath" once mixed. Upon contact with the skin, it would begin to seer and boil the skin and any organ it touched.
_Jun'ko
"So if this gets on me...."

_Zill
"I wouldn't test that out. These hilts defect any poison that may try to leak onto your hand. Gloves are still good though."

_Jun'ko
"Ok. What about the throwing knives?"

_Zill
"They will have it imbued in the blade. One time use though, so don't miss."

Jun'ko flipped her wrist and a knife dug into a test dummy sitting at the corner of the room dead between the eyes. Zill smirked and went about making the poison.

[BdrLineAzn]

--Somewhere in the Academy--

BdrLine wakes up and readies himself for the day. During the night, some of the administrative officials found him a room to stay in near the machinist shop of the Academy. Exiting his room, he hears the sounds of tools whacking away and machines buzzing as Instructors are teaching the engineer cadets. BdrLine watches on as the newest cadets fumble with tools, bringing a chuckle to his face.

Hehe, man, if I were teaching them, they would be fixing the Fleet in no time. Hmm, sure I apply as an Instructor here..... Naw, I'm smarter than that"

Still chuckling, BdrLine moves towards the Mess Hall for breakfast. Inside he sees cadets waiting in line or sitting and eating, all arranged by their years and barracks. He goes pass them and heads toward the lounge and gets his breakfast there. After grabbing a plate and filing it up with food, he finds a seat and eats.

Once finished, BdrLine opt to walk around the campus, and find himself at the shooting range.

Hmm been a while since I shot, wonder if Mac is in?

He enters the range and inside are a row of shooters with rifles aiming down at targets. At the far end is Mac.

Mac
"Alright, load your weapon. *clicks* Safety off *clicks* , 10 rounds this time, Fire when ready."

Uneven sounds of gunshots fill the room. BdrLine stands in another room getting googles and ear protection on as he watches the cadets. Once they finishes firing, he enters the room and Mac sees him.

Mac
"Ahh BdrLine, I heard what happened. So I'm guessing you are here since you have nothing todo?"

BdrLine
"You know it Mac, so got an extra rifle."

Mac
"Right here, you can go with the next batch"

Mac then goes to a gun case and brings out another rifle and hands it to BdrLine. He takes it and goes over to an empty slot. As cadets in the room file out and the next one comes in, BdrLine readies his rifle to shoot.