Burning Skies Saloon

[Captain Lockheart]

Lockheart walks into the saloon, a bit nervous. He peeks round the open door of the back room and nods at Zill and Yiski, then notices Althea and Spoon, he raises a eyebrow and just walks and sits down at the bar.

Lockheart
"Afternoon gents, Anyone up for a round of drinks on me before we possibly die"

He draws his sword and starts looking over it before cleaning it with a handkerchief. He the fixes hi hair in the reflection.

Lockheart
 
"So, i don't believe I've met either of you"

He turns to face Althea and Spoon pointing at them with his sword.

[Yiski]

--Saloon--

Althea let Spoon up and Spoon immediately walked over to the couch and fell over.

_Yiski
"Lockheart. Althea, my bodyguard. Althea. Lockheart. The man on the couch is Spoon."

Lockheart looked over to Spoon and then back to Yiski with an inquisitive look.

_Yiski
"Don't ask."

[Surette]

Walking through the streets of Anvala, Surette could feel a sense of urgency in the air. For the past day or two there had been whisperings of an invasion, and it was evident in the city. Areas normally bustling with activity were quiet and deserted, with a few people walking with their heads down. When he heard the rumors, Surette knew he couldn't sit idly. He couldn't get his mind off the Saloon and his acquaintances there. He knew they'd be preparing for the battle and he didn't feel right not going at least to see how they were doing, even if he wouldn't be able to assist.

As he approached the Saloon, he could see quite a crowd inside, which surprised him given the atmosphere in the rest of the city. "I suppose people want to have one last drink before it all goes to hell," he thought. Gently pushing open the door, he peered inside to greet the rest of the patrons. Walking up to the bar, he waved to Yiski, and introduced himself to the unfamiliar faces.

_Surette
"Yiski, when I heard about what was going on I couldn't help but stop by the Saloon. I know we only met briefly last time, but I want you to know that I am ready to assist in any way I can. I'm not the best pilot, but I do have a ship, Serenity. From what I hear, the fleet might need all the ships we can get ahold of. Or if you'd prefer, I can make sure all of your ships are in top shape for the battle. It's been a while since I've been involved in something of this nature, but I'm an engineer by trade. At the very least, if you don't need my service, I'd love a Hellfire."

[BdrLineAzn]

--Saloon--

As Niko watches the newcomers amused, BdrLine lifts his head off the counter and goes behind the bar and makes himself a Hellfire. He takes a swig and looks up at the couch at the mention of Spoon. Surprised by this, he places down his mug and to him.

BdrLine
"Is it really you Spoon? Last time I saw you was when the guards took you to the Asylum. What happened?"

As Niko sees Zill and Yiski exits the back room, he motions to BdrLine to tell them about the news about the upcoming attack. BdrLine sees the gesture and nods.

BdrLine
"Umm Yiski, Zill, I got some news about the Barons..."

He then goes on to explain about his talk with Melin and Zankif and the situation.

[Yiski]

--Saloon--

Yiski hands Surette a Hellfire.

_Yiski
"Well, I'm sure the Admiral here would appreciate the additional help."

_Lauren
"As would I."

Lauren walks into the saloon and sits at the bar. Yiski hands her a Hellfire and gives her a kiss.

_Lauren
"So what's the plan?"

Before Yiski could answer, BdrLine walks in. Yiski didn't like BdrLine's tone when hearing about news from the Barons.

[Gryphos]

--Saloon--

Tristan and Nidhogg entered the Saloon, looking for one last drink. Taking a seat at the bar, Nidhogg looked around at the crowd and spotted Lockheart with his sword drawn. He then pulled out his own to compare.

Nidhogg
"Mine's bigger than yours."

Tristan, meanwhile, ordered two hellfires and passed one down to Nidhogg, before taking a sip of his own, and putting down the drink.

Tristan
"It's an acquired taste I guess."

He said out loud.

[Sgt. Spoon]

Spoon yerks his head around in quick motions, flinging his hair around and looking rather deranged. Sitting up on the couch he leans forward with his hands on his cane. He observes the surroundings, Yiski and the unfamiliar faces. He eyes Althea with as much heed as his tired, semi-drugged eyes could bare.

Spoon:
"That's quite a strong one you got there Yiski *having a neck small spasm*, I don't wanna know what'd you have to do to get a bodyguard like that."

Turns to Lockheart and tries to stand up, only to fall back on the couch.
Spoon:
"Well *cough* more new faces... Lockheart eh? *Eyes the sword* That's quite a elegant sword... Chaladonian?"
...
...

As Azn comes up to him, Spoon gives a short smile and makes another attemt to stand up. This time he succeeds.

Spoon:
"Azn, it's been soo long. Good to see you. What happened to me? Well, have a guess..."

Spoon lifts his rags a bit to show the ripped and blodied hospital gown.

Spoon:
"Them god damn bastards locked me up there ever since the "monsters" invaded Anvala. I've lived half my time either strapped to a bed, or in isolation together with some reeeal nut-heads. If I'm not mistaken *shivers* they put something in our food too.. to keep us calm... It's very kept down as to what's really going on there... but I think they're conducting some kind of experiments... *raises his hand to feel a square scar running down his back head*
...yesterday of all days, they suddenly cleared out. No one knew what the hell happened, but I took my chance *once again pointing to the bloodied gown*...

[Captain Lockheart]

Turns to Spoon and raises a eyebrow.

Lockheart
" yes, it is indeed Chaladonian.. Spoon isn't it?"

*smirks* turns to nidhogg.

Lockheart
"Ah, bigger you say. It's the steel and the man holding it that matter."

*Lockheart sheathes his family sword and fixes his hair again before quickly judging nidhogg*

Lockheart
"And if its bigger you want..."

* Lockheart draws his longer Yeshan Sword and hands it to nidhogg*

Lockheart
"That better? *chuckles* is that a family signature on yours?"

[Gryphos]

--Saloon--

Nidhogg presented his sword to Lockheart.

Nidhogg
"Yes it is, the insignia of house Valtivere. The sword itself is designed more as a duelling blade, but it's seen it's fair share of combat."

He looked at the Yeshan blade.

Nidhogg
"But that is quite impressive, Yeshan I presume, based on the traditional design, and definitely looks effective. I imagine both will see action in the coming days for certain."

He raised his mug, before taking another swig.

[N-Sunderland]

All of a sudden, shouting could be heard outside the saloon. Guards were calling out. Sentries were alerting the entire city.

Rushing towards Anvala, its engines screaming from abuse that no engineer could possibly withstand, was a Pyramidion.

Everybody rushed out of the saloon to catch a glimpse of what was going on. The wall gunners, instructed to fire on sight, began taking shots at the approaching ship.

All of them hit, but the Pyramidion appeared completely undamaged. It came kerosening straight into the city walls, in a perfect position to cause destruction. Instead, it stopped short in front on the Burning Skies Saloon, paused, and chute vented into the ground, landing with a thunderous boom that still didn't manage to harm the ship.

Out of the HMCS Duck Pharaoh lept N-Sunderland, his flare gun glistening as always in his right hand, and his mallet at the ready in his left hand.

"I heard you could use an extra man."

[RearAdmiralZill]

-Saloon-

Zill had pulled out an old sawed-off shotgun before he realized Spoon was the only ruckus to be had. He put it back in his coat along his back and listened to what BdrLine had to say. He slammed his mug on the counter, breaking it. Keeping some lever of composure, he looked at BdrLine.
_Zill
"Well then we disable the first wave. Knock them to the ground. It'll minimize the casualties, and make sure we have a supply of blue smoke at the walls. It was the old Baron way to signal friendly terms. Anyone else will get shot."

Just then, Nova, William, and Jun'ko came in. They found a table, and Jun'ko came up to Zill.
_Jun'ko
"All ready for you to look over. You ok?"

_Zill
"I've had better news."

He motions to Bdr who tells her the grim information as well.

Suddenly, a loud boom outside had everyone rushing for the door. When everyone realized it was Sunderland, they put their weapons away and welcomed him in.

[Sgt. Spoon]

As not being to stable, spoon came out a bit after the others.

Standing in the doorway he coughed and spoke:
now that man look familiar... Hrmm.. Urmm *eyes the flare gun* "Sund? Is that you? *cough* holy hell mate"

[Yiski]

--Saloon--

_Yiski
"Dammit Sund! First, we don't see you in months. Second, when you do show back up, you do it with your usual flair."

Despite, everyone else lowering their weapons, Althea still stood with her pistols drawn. Many of these new faces were not making her all too happy.

_Yiski
"Althea. Sunderland, a crazy s.o.b. who probably started all this nonsense months ago. I swear, we should have never have gone after your flare gun."

_Althea
"Any more friends you want to mention before I just shoot?"

_Yiski
"I think that's all of them."

[N-Sunderland]

Sunderland glances at Althea. Reactions like that were exactly what he looked for from his over-the-top entries.

"Good to see you all, even if it isn't the most relaxing of times. I've been off on a lot of missions with my captain lately, missions that have kept me fairly busy. I had managed to gather some inside info on the Baronies a couple of months before this all happened, but guess what? Council didn't even give me a chance to come back. I told them it was important, but apparently wiping out some puny raider encampments on remote islands is a higher priority.

I'm ready for combat. Whether you want me slamming ships down with the Duck Pharaoh or keeping one of yours alive, I'll do everything in my power to keep this city away from the Baronies. I might not look the fittest to battle *glances at massive scar in right hand*, but... It's not like I ever used my right hand to wield a mallet anyways."

[BdrLineAzn]

--Saloon--

At the sight of Sunderland and his entrance, BdrLine just smiles and shakes his head. He calls out to him.

BdrLine
"Sunderland, still crazy as ever i see. Well welcome back, I'm guessing you want some of that old black stuff before all hell breaks loose?"

He turns to go back into the saloon and sees Spoon on the door frame and places an arm on him

BdrLine
"Yup its him, but Spoon i think you need to take a seat, you're still not in 'prime' condition'. "