NationStates Jolt Archive

"Challenging to say the least." Fen replied as he kept his steady metronomic pace.

"Which ever mission I deem most sutiable for you.. after all, the final exam is an actual assignement"

The Drow chuckles, his laugh dry and somewhat harsh. "To pass is to succeed, to fail is to die. I will accept your assignment, Colonel. But you have not witnessed the half of what I was able to do...or a mere ten percent of what I can do. Commander Faris's heart would have exploded under such a load...and not even seventy-two hours later, I am here, shooting."

"Challenging to say the least." Fen replied as he kept his steady metronomic pace.
OOC: Heard of using 'quote'?

IC: "What do you think is going to be the hardest part for you?"

The Drow chuckles, his laugh dry and somewhat harsh. "To pass is to succeed, to fail is to die. I will accept your assignment, Colonel. But you have not witnessed the half of what I was able to do...or a mere ten percent of what I can do. Commander Faris's heart would have exploded under such a load...and not even seventy-two hours later, I am here, shooting."

"I know, and respect that. Not many Drow could do what you did"

OOC: Heard of using 'quote'?

IC: "What do you think is going to be the hardest part for you?"


"Probably mastering guns." Fen replied

"I know, and respect that. Not many Drow could do what you did"
"Three months ago, I could not do what I did. You are genetically enhanced yourself, no?"

"Three months ago, I could not do what I did. You are genetically enhanced yourself, no?"
"Far more than I should be, yes. Much of my enhancement was carried out against my will, and without my knowledge"

"Probably mastering guns." Fen replied

"Why? You scared of them or something?"

"Far more than I should be, yes. Much of my enhancement was carried out against my will, and without my knowledge"

"Oh?" Iliyakim released the spent cartridge and shoved in a new one.

"Why? You scared of them or something?"
"Not at all, I just have to remember they arn't ballistic arc weapons." Fen replied

Cougar hit the magazine release catch, and loaded a fresh one,"When I was younger, I was captured, and shot in the head. I died. They recoved my body, and experimented on me for a year and a half like a plaything. Eventually, the suppresent drugs wore off, and I escaped, going back to my old life as if nothing had happened. My memory had been altered by use of an inhibitor, which dissolved recently. Now, I have two sets of conflicting memories for the same time peroid. I am faster, stronger, and tougher than any average special forces solider... and I did not ask for this"

There was a hint of anger as he spoke, but the weapon remained level, steady in his hands

*************************************************************

Wolf looked at Fen,"You mean, like mortars? Man, you really do need training"

Cougar hit the magazine release catch, and loaded a fresh one,"When I was younger, I was captured, and shot in the head. I died. They recoved my body, and experimented on me for a year and a half like a plaything. Eventually, the suppresent drugs wore off, and I escaped, going back to my old life as if nothing had happened. My memory had been altered by use of an inhibitor, which dissolved recently. Now, I have two sets of conflicting memories for the same time peroid. I am faster, stronger, and tougher than any average special forces solider... and I did not ask for this"

There was a hint of anger as he spoke, but the weapon remained level, steady in his hands

"Interesting. I was condemned to the experiments preformed upon me. It is quite a thought, your revivification. Had you not been revived against your will, your country would have not made it through Kaelis Ra, and you never would have met your wife. A very...interesting...conflict...indeed."

Wolf looked at Fen,"You mean, like mortars? Man, you really do need training"
"No not morters, arrows. I'm use to using a bow, and calculating it's arc, rather than a pistol or rifle's lack of arc." Fen replied

"Interesting. I was condemned to the experiments preformed upon me. It is quite a thought, your revivification. Had you not been revived against your will, your country would have not made it through Kaelis Ra, and you never would have met your wife. A very...interesting...conflict...indeed."

"A conflict I'd rather not think about whenever possible. It is interesting though... to my knowledge, I am the only remaining one. When I leave this life, hopefully not at the end of a bullet or sword, but of old age, accumulated over the centuries, there will be no other. And maybe it is for the best"

"No not morters, arrows. I'm use to using a bow, and calculating it's arc, rather than a pistol or rifle's lack of arc." Fen replied

Wolf raised an eyebrow, decided not to even dignify that with a response

He's never fired a gun? What chance does he have?

"A conflict I'd rather not think about whenever possible. It is interesting though... to my knowledge, I am the only remaining one. When I leave this life, hopefully not at the end of a bullet or sword, but of old age, accumulated over the centuries, there will be no other. And maybe it is for the best"

"No other who has likewise been experimented on? For the best...perhaps for those that escaped that fate. For the rest? Who knows? And who can judge."
The gun in the Drow's hand remained steady, but there was a shrug in his voice.

Seeing her expression, "I did alright on the firing course, it just needs extra concentration."

"No other who has likewise been experimented on? For the best...perhaps for those that escaped that fate. For the rest? Who knows? And who can judge."
The gun in the Drow's hand remained steady, but there was a shrug in his voice.

"No-one can judge, other than those who have undergone what we have gone through... your skills with a revolver are amazing, if I may say so"

Seeing her expression, "I did alright on the firing course, it just needs extra concentration."

Wolf smiled,"I'm sure... we'll just see"

Note to self: Get Matt to beast him

"No-one can judge, other than those who have undergone what we have gone through... your skills with a revolver are amazing, if I may say so"
"I've been working with guns like these for many times longer than you've lived. This is practice...not skill."

Wolf smiled,"I'm sure... we'll just see"

Note to self: Get Matt to beast him
Fen grinned as he stopped running and went back to the rings where he began doing excersises.

"I've been working with guns like these for many times longer than you've lived. This is practice...not skill."

"It is still astonishing... I personally dislike revolvers"

Fen grinned as he stopped running and went back to the rings where he began doing excersises.

She stopped, and walked over to him, smiling slightly,"You are very impressive"

"It is still astonishing... I personally dislike revolvers"
"Different types of guns mean little to me anymore, save what they can do for a specific job. I have no preference overall."

She stopped, and walked over to him, smiling slightly,"You are very impressive"
"If you mean the gymanstics," Fen said as he flipped down and landed, "Then you can give the credit to my sensai."

"Different types of guns mean little to me anymore, save what they can do for a specific job. I have no preference overall."

"The benefit of the years, I suppose"

"If you mean the gymanstics," Fen said as he flipped down and landed, "Then you can give the credit to my sensai."

OOC: Sensei

IC: "No, I just mean overall," she said, her voice quite low. She was fairly close to him

"The benefit of the years, I suppose"
"Some say. Others in even Sarnor Zotreth have favorite weapons...so it might be my 'ignoble' blood. My father was a farmer, my mother a farmer's daughter."

"Some say. Others in even Sarnor Zotreth have favorite weapons...so it might be my 'ignoble' blood. My father was a farmer, my mother a farmer's daughter."

"Blood should not matter, you are a perfect example of that. I myself was born an aristocrat, but with the death of my parents I shunned that life, and have no desire to return to it"

"No, I just mean overall," she said, her voice quite low. She was fairly close to him.
"What do you mean?" Fen replied "I'm not really impressive overall, at least I've never thought so."

"Blood should not matter, you are a perfect example of that. I myself was born an aristocrat, but with the death of my parents I shunned that life, and have no desire to return to it"
"Kaymiril almost has a caste system. My son would have been a soldier, my daughter an artist."

"What do you mean?" Fen replied "I'm not really impressive overall, at least I've never thought so."

"You'd be very plesently surprised"

"Kaymiril almost has a caste system. My son would have been a soldier, my daughter an artist."

"I'm sorry for your loss"

"You'd be very plesently surprised"
Fen looked puzzled at her comment and headed to the balance beam.

"You'd be very plesently surprised"
***********************************************
"I'm sorry for your loss"
OOC: SE, dear, I'm cracking up.

IC:
"I cannot change it...I appreciate your sympathy...but if there is nothing I can do, then it is unsuitable to further grieve over it."

Fen looked puzzled at her comment and headed to the balance beam.

Wolf stood close by, her arms crossed around her stomach

OOC: SE, dear, I'm cracking up.

IC:
"I cannot change it...I appreciate your sympathy...but if there is nothing I can do, then it is unsuitable to further grieve over it."
OOC: ^_^

IC: "That is something I wish I found I could do"

OOC: ^_^

IC: "That is something I wish I found I could do"
"Would that it were so easy."

"Would that it were so easy."

Cougar looked puzzled, and fired another few rounds

Wolf stood close by, her arms crossed around her stomach.
Fen began doing a number of balance excersises. He was balancing upside down in a handstand on the beam. His shirt, being untucked fell down around his shoulders.

Cougar looked puzzled, and fired another few rounds
"There is nothing more devastating than to lose your children, Colonel. May you never know how devastating."

His rounds came at even intervals.

Fen began doing a number of balance excersises. He was balancing upside down in a handstand on the beam. His shirt, being untucked fell down around his shoulders.

Wolf put her hand to her mouth,"Oh, that is impressive"

"There is nothing more devastating than to lose your children, Colonel. May you never know how devastating."

His rounds came at even intervals.

"I pray to the gods for that never happens to me"

Wolf put her hand to her mouth,"Oh, that is impressive"
Fen smiled as he finished up and began doing some additional stretching, before restarting shadowboxing.

"I pray to the gods for that never happens to me"
"You are young to think of children yet, though."

Fen smiled as he finished up and began doing some additional stretching, before restarting shadowboxing.

Wolf stepped into the way of one of his punches, blocking it and lashing out herself

"You are young to think of children yet, though."

"Yes. Very young... and I do not believe that fatherhood is ready for me yet"

"Yes. Very young... and I do not believe that fatherhood is ready for me yet"
"Or you for it. Good day, Colonel." The Drow stepped back, putting his gun back where he'd gotten it from and walking out.

Wolf stepped into the way of one of his punches, blocking it and lashing out herself
Fen caught her blow and stepped back, somewhat confused at her intrusion into his practice.

"Or you for it. Good day, Colonel." The Drow stepped back, putting his gun back where he'd gotten it from and walking out.

"Good day to you also"

Fen caught her blow and stepped back, somewhat confused at her intrusion into his practice.

Wolf grinned,"You failed your first test. By responding to my advances, you let your guard down... and you would be dead right now. Not just at my hand either, I doubt Major Konig would be happy if you made moves onto his partner"

Wolf grinned,"You failed your first test. By responding to my advances, you let your guard down... and you would be dead right now. Not just at my hand either, I doubt Major Konig would be happy if you made moves onto his partner"

"Could you explain what you're talking about?" Fen asked, "No offence but I have no interest in a relation with you, you're not my type."

"Could you explain what you're talking about?" Fen asked, "No offence but I have no interest in a relation with you, you're not my type."

"But you still responded, for that is part of male human nature. It is a lesson that you must learn, to control these instincts"

"Good day to you also"

Iliaykim left the shooting range, and went down the hall to the nearest weapons suite. He grabbed two slightly short scimitars.

"Five opponents, varying size and skill. Begin."

He set himself, and went to fighting as the simulation started.

"But you still responded, for that is part of male human nature. It is a lesson that you must learn, to control these instincts"
"If you say so." Fen replied, while thinking "She's rude, yet I get reprimanded, figures."

"If you say so." Fen replied, while thinking "She's rude, yet I get reprimanded, figures."

OOC: Rude, maybe. Correct, definaltey

IC: "You deserve some credit though," said Wolf on her way out,"The last one couldn't stop staring at my chest"

Iliaykim left the shooting range, and went down the hall to the nearest weapons suite. He grabbed two slightly short scimitars.

"Five opponents, varying size and skill. Begin."

He set himself, and went to fighting as the simulation started.

Major Konig watched Iliaykim from the doorway

Major Konig watched Iliaykim from the doorway
Iliyakim was aware of his presence, but finished his simulation before turning to Konig.

"Sir?"

Iliyakim was aware of his presence, but finished his simulation before turning to Konig.

"Sir?"

"I was just watching your sword skills... most impressive. I cannot fight like that... no, I pull the trigger half a mile away, and men fall down"

OOC: Rude, maybe. Correct, definaltey

IC: "You deserve some credit though," said Wolf on her way out,"The last one couldn't stop staring at my chest"
Fen just shook his head and went back to his shadowboxing.

ooc: rude, not for what she said, but for interfering with his practice without asking.

"I was just watching your sword skills... most impressive. I cannot fight like that... no, I pull the trigger half a mile away, and men fall down"
"Bladework has its place on the battlefield, as does snipery."

"Bladework has its place on the battlefield, as does snipery."

Very true... but which is better? The blade, where you can watch the man die, or the sniper, who is a coward?

Very true... but which is better? The blade, where you can watch the man die, or the sniper, who is a coward?
"The sniper goes through more discomfort at less risk. The bladesman has free reign on the feild, but could easily be sliced down himself. However, the bladesman cannot, at the start of a battle, fell a general that leads from the rear. The sniper often can. Courage, cowardice, on the field of open combat, none of it matters. What matters is who comes out alive. But when taking out civilians...the bladesman can take more down, but be eliminated more readily. Not so with the sniper, unless a friendly sniper with equal skill is present. To kill the enemy on the battlefield, both methods are right, but one method may be superior to the other. To kill innocents, both methods are evil. And the evil must by necessity be eradicated."

"So, you do have a morality... I'd have thought that would have been beaten out of you"

"To lose a basic sense of what is an is not acceptable is to become that which is not acceptable. To become that which is not acceptable is to put yourself on the chopping block."

Fen decided to go to the weapons training room.

"To lose a basic sense of what is an is not acceptable is to become that which is not acceptable. To become that which is not acceptable is to put yourself on the chopping block."

But you wish you were on that chopping block regardless

Fen decided to go to the weapons training room.

OOC: Which one?

But you wish you were on that chopping block regardless
"No, Major. I have been on that chopping block."

OOC: Which one?
ooc: unarmed/hand weapons

"No, Major. I have been on that chopping block."

"And yet you survive. Why?"

Konig looked over his shoulder as Fen came in, and then returned to the Drow before him

Tylas himself decided to go to the gymnasium just as others were leaving. He didnt mind, as he doubted they had been talking very much anyways. Too much rivalry and testosterone. He himself would clear himself of it in a deep almost coma-like state every morning, called the Waking Sleep,developed by his sensie's own sensei,in which he bottled up his emotions, so that if he absolutely needed to, an incredible surge of endomorphine enduced strength would come over him. It also could be used in recovery processes because the main thing used was his own endomorphines.

It was workout time, and so he let loose, beginning a lightning paced set of aerobic flips, kicks, punches and twists on one of the large practice mats.

"And yet you survive. Why?"

Konig looked over his shoulder as Fen came in, and then returned to the Drow before him
"I survived because my Queen decided that I had further purpose yet alive. Dead, I would be just another corpse. Alive...well, Major...you have worked with us before. Alive and enhanced..."

Iliyakim was aware of Fen, but paid no attention to him.

Tylas himself decided to go to the gymnasium just as others were leaving. He didnt mind, as he doubted they had been talking very much anyways. Too much rivalry and testosterone. He himself would clear himself of it in a deep almost coma-like state every morning, called the Waking Sleep,developed by his sensie's own sensei,in which he bottled up his emotions, so that if he absolutely needed to, an incredible surge of endomorphine enduced strength would come over him. It also could be used in recovery processes because the main thing used was his own endomorphines.

It was workout time, and so he let loose, beginning a lightning paced set of aerobic flips, kicks, punches and twists on one of the large practice mats.

Captain Grey watched him from the side of the gym,"You really think that is going to help you in combat? Even Cougar has trouble doing that with equipment on his back, and he's stronger, faster and much more agile than the rest of us"

"I survived because my Queen decided that I had further purpose yet alive. Dead, I would be just another corpse. Alive...well, Major...you have worked with us before. Alive and enhanced..."

Iliyakim was aware of Fen, but paid no attention to him.

"I've a feeling the Colonel will have already asked you this; do you want to be here? And don't give me bull-sh*t about this being on orders and whatever else you might say, what do you really think?"

"Do I want to be here? To leave out the 'orders' nonsense you don't want...I really don't care. I am here. End of story."

Konig shrugged,"That is of course what you want to think."

Captain Grey watched him from the side of the gym,"You really think that is going to help you in combat? Even Cougar has trouble doing that with equipment on his back, and he's stronger, faster and much more agile than the rest of us"

"Doing this isnt all for combat," Tylas explained; "its more for my aerobic fitness than actual fighting, I use it to center my energy so I am able to focus when I really do need to fight. I find it is easier keep calm during a fight rather than rush in to one screaming, especially when you are against professionals like the ones here who are better or close to your skill levels in combat.

Fen gave a partial wave to Konig and Iliyakim, before entering the room. He set the room controls to random numbers and skill levels, before grabbing a quarterstaff and starting the match.

"Doing this isnt all for combat," Tylas explained; "its more for my aerobic fitness than actual fighting, I use it to center my energy so I am able to focus when I really do need to fight. I find it is easier keep calm during a fight rather than rush in to one screaming, especially when you are against professionals like the ones here who are better or close to your skill levels in combat.

The field medic raised an eyebrow,"All of that acrobatics won't help you, even if you can remain calm, when someone hits you hard enough. Trust me, I know from expierence"

Konig shrugged,"That is of course what you want to think."
"Then tell me, Major...what do you think? Why am I here?"

"true enough" said Tylas, "but it was a warmup" he then went over the the numerous weight machines and began using the military press machine.

"Then tell me, Major...what do you think? Why am I here?"

"I think you are here for two reasons. Firstly, you are here because you were ordered here. Secondly, I think you are here because you are looking for a way to redeem yourself, prehaps hoping that the Royal Family will execute you so you can follow your family to the afterlife"

"I think you are here for two reasons. Firstly, you are here because you were ordered here. Secondly, I think you are here because you are looking for a way to redeem yourself, prehaps hoping that the Royal Family will execute you so you can follow your family to the afterlife"
"Redeem myself? Under Kaymirilian law, what I did was perfectly justified. Under the Kaymirilian law process, my position was not defendable enough. Redemption...I've no need of it. The afterlife...will come in its own time. Speak to your Colonel...he has had more time to learn that that is a Kaymirilian truth: everything to its proper time."

"Redeem myself? Under Kaymirilian law, what I did was perfectly justified. Under the Kaymirilian law process, my position was not defendable enough. Redemption...I've no need of it. The afterlife...will come in its own time. Speak to your Colonel...he has had more time to learn that that is a Kaymirilian truth: everything to its proper time."

Konig left him then, saying as he did so,"If you truly believe that, you're already dead."

Konig left him then, saying as he did so,"If you truly believe that, you're already dead."
"Then so be it."

Konig joined Cougar on the shooting range, taking up a Walther WA2000 sniper rifle and firing off some rounds,"He's an idoit"

C -- "Who?"

K -- "That Drow"

C -- "Cut him some slack, alots happened to him since we last saw him"

K -- "He refuses to admit that he wishes for death"

C -- "Then let him deal with that in his own manner"

K -- "Why are you defending him, James?"

C -- "Because, Matt, I understand his problem. Kaymirilan law let him do what he wanted, but he did so viciously that his actions warranted execution. They used him in genetic experiments instead"

K -- "And he wishes he were dead?"

C -- "So it would seem"

Iliyakim set himself against a new set of opponents, bumping up their skill and speed.

Foolish humans. Do they not realize that at any time I could have put a knife through my own heart? With whatever time I have left, I will not fail my dead...and with whatever death I die, I will not disgrace them.

OOC: Sorry, I thought this had died out, oh well, I post then.

IC:

Sergei had avoided everyone as best he could after his statements in the meeting, he was slightly embarassed that he had let his mind go so much that he spoke without thinking about what he said, but now he needed to train, and he had no choice but to leave his room now.

He looked for a training area for the melee skills he posessed, he also hoped he might be able to get the colonel to let him use his sword for training, so he first went in search of the colonel, asking the instructors he found as to the colonels whereabouts.

Cougar looked at him,"Yes Sergei, go back to the front desk and request that you be given your sword. I can gurantee that you will be given it"

Cougar looked at him,"Yes Sergei, go back to the front desk and request that you be given your sword. I can gurantee that you will be given it"

"Thank you sir, I appreciate that." Sergei saluted and left, going and getting his sword from the front desk, then going to the training areas to practice his katas.

When Sergei entered, Iliyakim thrust his left-hand sword into his last opponent from his third round. He sheathed his blades to give himself a minute to breathe.

Fen finished with the program and decided to go back to the gymnasium to work on the uneven bars.

The students would remain undisturbed. As the Colonel had said, they now were responsible for their own training

Jerome decided to take a break from physical excersise and headed to the shooting range. He half-waved to Cougar and Konig before taking a PX4 Storm pistol and proceed to begin sending rounds down range, thought nowhere near the rate of either of the other two, but with accuracy as he was focused on re-compensating for arc.

Iliyakim left the training room. He would move on, basically sticking to the training regime he had followed in Sarnor Zotreth.

-snip-
Konig watched him for a moment,"You're snatching at the trigger"

Konig watched him for a moment,"You're snatching at the trigger"
"Snatching?" Fen asked, puzzled at the term. "What should I do about it?"

"Snatching?" Fen asked, puzzled at the term. "What should I do about it?"

Konig laid his weapon down,"You've never fired a gun before, am I right?"

Konig laid his weapon down,"You've never fired a gun before, am I right?"
"Before I came her, no." Fen replied

"Before I came her, no." Fen replied
"Right. This could take a while"

Konig came up next to him, having selected a similar pistol,"Your stance and hold are good, very steady. However, you aren't squeezing the trigger, applying pressure steadily to achieve the best point of aim. Instead, you are snatching at the trigger, which causes the barrel to jump and forces the rounds to go high"

"I think I understand, steady pressure rather than rapid pressure?" Fen replied, a note of question in his voice.

"I think I understand, steady pressure rather than rapid pressure?" Fen replied, a note of question in his voice.

OOC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=431420

Just look at this, you're FT, and I need opnions

IC: "Essentially, yes. Watch"

Konig sighted the target, and did exactly as he had said. The rounds thudded into the target easily, very close to each other

OOC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=431420

Just look at this, you're FT, and I need opnions

IC: "Essentially, yes. Watch"

Konig sighted the target, and did exactly as he had said. The rounds thudded into the target easily, very close to each other

"I think I understand." Fen replied

ooc: Looks good.

OOC: Thanks. Theres still alot to come, I've been using DOGA for a lot of the designs

IC: "Try it yourself, I'll watch you"

Cougar was now using a H&K MP5A3 to test his sub-machine gun skills

Iliyakim left the training room. He would move on, basically sticking to the training regime he had followed in Sarnor Zotreth.

"Iliyakim wait, I would test your blade, Drow are noted for their combat skill, I would see if this is true."

He went to the center of the salle to warm up, doing some deep stretching exercises as he waited for Iliyakim to respond, if he would.

OOC: Thanks. Theres still alot to come, I've been using DOGA for a lot of the designs

IC: "Try it yourself, I'll watch you"

Cougar was now using a H&K MP5A3 to test his sub-machine gun skills
"Alright." Fen sighted, concentrated and fired a few rounds doing better.

"Alright." Fen sighted, concentrated and fired a few rounds doing better.

"You learn quickly for a novice. Still, it will be a long time before you can achieve complete accuracy under battle conditions"

"Probably a carry over from my skills in archery." Fen replied, pleased at the compliment.

"Maybe... but there is alot of difference between the two"

"True." Fen replied

"Anything else I can help you with?"

"Do you have any other tips?" Fen asked

"Iliyakim wait, I would test your blade, Drow are noted for their combat skill, I would see if this is true."

He went to the center of the salle to warm up, doing some deep stretching exercises as he waited for Iliyakim to respond, if he would.
The Drow paused. "You would match your skills against a man twice your age and thrice your experience? Very well."

He stood there, his left side to Sergei, his face 3/4 to him, watching him. His hands rested lightly on his blades.

"Whenever you feel yourself prepared."

"Do you have any other tips?" Fen asked

"Anything in particular"

The Drow paused. "You would match your skills against a man twice your age and thrice your experience? Very well."

He stood there, his left side to Sergei, his face 3/4 to him, watching him. His hands rested lightly on his blades.

"Whenever you feel yourself prepared."

"Let us see if strength and size really do lose to speed and experience, I tend to doubt it myself."

Sergei bowed to his opponent, then drew his blade with a ring of steel, it was a damascene blade, brilliant water-steel that rippled as the light hit it, and it was deadly sharp, he had killed often enough with that blade that he knew its use very well, which is why his first move was not an all out rush, but a conservative advance, with a few cuts to test for weaknesses in Iliyakims defense.

"Let us see if strength and size really do lose to speed and experience, I tend to doubt it myself."

Sergei bowed to his opponent, then drew his blade with a ring of steel, it was a damascene blade, brilliant water-steel that rippled as the light hit it, and it was deadly sharp, he had killed often enough with that blade that he knew its use very well, which is why his first move was not an all out rush, but a conservative advance, with a few cuts to test for weaknesses in Iliyakims defense.
The Drow didn't draw his weapons. He merely moved so that he remained clear of the blade's path. It would appear as though he started in one place and teleported to the next, but that wasn't the case. For him, these were languid motions.

Languid, lightening fast movements.

Lt.Col. Tyler stood at one side, watching the sparring match. Iliyakim, he knew, was an amazing warrior, easily the superior to Haldosir, the warrior who had helped to found Kaymiril. He was quick like running water is quick, never in one place longer than needed. By contrast, Sergei's movements were clumsy, his strenght no longer an advantage, and now leaning into the disadvantage

The Drow didn't draw his weapons. He merely moved so that he remained clear of the blade's path. It would appear as though he started in one place and teleported to the next, but that wasn't the case. For him, these were languid motions.

Languid, lightening fast movements.

His foe was fast, but not blindingly so, Sergei could track his movements and begin to predict how he would react, he began another attack, but broke off halfway through the form and flowed into a completely different move, one that should intercept Iliyakims next position.

His foe was fast, but not blindingly so, Sergei could track his movements and begin to predict how he would react, he began another attack, but broke off halfway through the form and flowed into a completely different move, one that should intercept Iliyakims next position.
Iliyakim changed the direction of his motion. When the blade stopped, he was at the very end of it, and held the tip between his two forefingers. He flicked it down and then drew both of his blades.

"Take a proper battle stance, and move faster. You stand no chance as you are."

"Anything in particular"
"Any other flaws in my technique, or suggestions on how to improve in general." Fen replied

"Any other flaws in my technique, or suggestions on how to improve in general." Fen replied

"Your stance is slightly off, and also you lack the actual arm strenght needed for pistol shooting. But that can be rectified"

**************************************************************

Tyler chuckled in spite of himself at Iliyakim

Iliyakim changed the direction of his motion. When the blade stopped, he was at the very end of it, and held the tip between his two forefingers. He flicked it down and then drew both of his blades.

"Take a proper battle stance, and move faster. You stand no chance as you are."


"In battle there is no proper stance, you fight as water, flowing with the battle, not being rigid and holding to forms." Sergei brought the blade up and around in a seemingly languid cut, one that would hurt if not blocked, but not with the full strength of his muscles behind it either.

"In battle there is no proper stance, you fight as water, flowing with the battle, not being rigid and holding to forms." Sergei brought the blade up and around in a seemingly languid cut, one that would hurt if not blocked, but not with the full strength of his muscles behind it either.
Again Iliyakim merely stepped out of the way. "You know nothing of true swordsmanship. Ask Col. Cougar to teach you the basics. You are not worthy of my blade."

"Your stance is slightly off, and also you lack the actual arm strenght needed for pistol shooting. But that can be rectified"
"How would I rectify my stance? As to arm strenght, to improve that I should simply do strength building excersises." Fen replied

"How would I rectify my stance? As to arm strenght, to improve that I should simply do strength building excersises." Fen replied

"The stance will come tomorrow. And no, it is a very specfic strenght that is only built up by using a pistol constantly"

Again Iliyakim merely stepped out of the way. "You know nothing of true swordsmanship. Ask Col. Cougar to teach you the basics. You are not worthy of my blade."

"Your confidence will be your downfall Iliyakim, the greatest swordsman does not fear the second best, he fears the worst, you would do well to remember that before you make any assumptions about my skill, and you should consider the risk to yourself that you incur by making those assumptions. This time he did not hold back, letting his full speed and strength show in a blindingly fast flurry of blows, his blade weaving a pattern of steel in the air before him, an unbreakable guard and a hard to stop attack.

Tyler shook his head at Sergei's words, and muttered to himself,"If anyone is over-confidant, it is you."

"Your confidence will be your downfall Iliyakim, the greatest swordsman does not fear the second best, he fears the worst, you would do well to remember that before you make any assumptions about my skill, and you should consider the risk to yourself that you incur by making those assumptions. This time he did not hold back, letting his full speed and strength show in a blindingly fast flurry of blows, his blade weaving a pattern of steel in the air before him, an unbreakable guard and a hard to stop attack.
Iliyakim sighed, bringing out his blades for the first time. He fought with his left hand, merely deflecting the blows to the side. "Pitiful."

"The stance will come tomorrow. And no, it is a very specfic strenght that is only built up by using a pistol constantly"
"So practice is the key. Would you mind evaluating my rifle ability?" Fen asked as he returned the pistol to the rack and picked up a CETME Mod. L assault rifle.

"So practice is the key. Would you mind evaluating my rifle ability?" Fen asked as he returned the pistol to the rack and picked up a CETME Mod. L assault rifle.

Konig nodded,"Go for it"

Cougar had gone by this point, and went to join Tyler,"How goes it?"

T -- Interesting, to say the least

Sergei was falling into a pattern, the sword moved like an extension of his own arm, flowing through the forms and singing through the air, his cuts were calculated, he would let Iliyakim grow complacent, then he would strike, or he would wait until Iliyakim tired of his "game" and decided to end the combat, either way his body would have gotten the necessary excersize, and he would learn a great deal more about Iliyakim through just one fight. "You continually underestimate me Kal'enedral , why is it that you do so, do you feel yourself so superior that you do not fear me, or do you truly think me no threat?"

Konig nodded,"Go for it"

Cougar had gone by this point, and went to join Tyler,"How goes it?"

T -- Interesting, to say the least
Fen fires the rifle, taking into account the suggestions given to him already.

Fen fires the rifle, taking into account the suggestions given to him already.

"You have heeded my words well. That was much better than I expected for a first time. Still, an odd choice of rifle for a beginner"

Sergei was falling into a pattern, the sword moved like an extension of his own arm, flowing through the forms and singing through the air, his cuts were calculated, he would let Iliyakim grow complacent, then he would strike, or he would wait until Iliyakim tired of his "game" and decided to end the combat, either way his body would have gotten the necessary excersize, and he would learn a great deal more about Iliyakim through just one fight. "You continually underestimate me Kal'enedral , why is it that you do so, do you feel yourself so superior that you do not fear me, or do you truly think me no threat?"
Suddenly, Iliyakim moved, trapping Sergei's one blade between his two.

"Dos inbal biu nempori jindurn, natha waele karliik, nau equidai wun xonathull, lu' nau tyav wun ofil'nisha."

Sergei's strength would be of no avail...Iliyakim could almost match him. With another sudden movement, he was behind the human. He began to move, circling the human. He seemed to flow as water, and multiple forms of him could be seen around the circle. He moved slowly, then quickly...but he never seemed to move his feet.

"Now watch, rivvil...watch why I know you to be no threat to me."

Cougar watched with respect. Having fought alongside Iliyakim on a number of occasions, he knew just how dangerous the man was, and how much of a fool Sergei was being in challenging him.

"You have heeded my words well. That was much better than I expected for a first time. Still, an odd choice of rifle for a beginner"
"May I ask why it's an odd choice?" Fen asked

"May I ask why it's an odd choice?" Fen asked

"It's not a rifle I would suggest. A good weapon to learn with is the AKM-47, which is among the best rifles ever produced, and can still go toe to toe with some of the newer weapons, for range, stopping power and accuracy"

Suddenly, Iliyakim moved, trapping Sergei's one blade between his two.

"Dos inbal biu nempori jindurn, natha waele karliik, nau equidai wun xonathull, lu' nau tyav wun ofil'nisha."

Sergei's strength would be of no avail...Iliyakim could almost match him. With another sudden movement, he was behind the human. He began to move, circling the human. He seemed to flow as water, and multiple forms of him could be seen around the circle. He moved slowly, then quickly...but he never seemed to move his feet.

"Now watch, rivvil...watch why I know you to be no threat to me."


"I am less than impressed Kal'enedral , my She'enedra taught me that trick long ago, and you still underestimate me, merely because I am human. Typical, a Drow that is too arrogant to see anything else as a threat." Sergei was much stronger than Iliyakim seemed to think, he broke his blade free with a subtle twist and a powerful jerk, moving through the disengage to follw up against the drow with a few carefully timed blows to the head and upper chest.

"I am less than impressed Kal'enedral , my She'enedra taught me that trick long ago, and you still underestimate me, merely because I am human. Typical, a Drow that is too arrogant to see anything else as a threat." Sergei was much stronger than Iliyakim seemed to think, he broke his blade free with a subtle twist and a powerful jerk, moving through the disengage to follw up against the drow with a few carefully timed blows to the head and upper chest.

OOC: Can you say GODMOD! Because I can. Kay's post says that he has already moved away

"It's not a rifle I would suggest. A good weapon to learn with is the AKM-47, which is among the best rifles ever produced, and can still go toe to toe with some of the newer weapons, for range, stopping power and accuracy"
"Alright." Fen said, "What would you suggest for a sniper rifle?"

"I am less than impressed Kal'enedral , my She'enedra taught me that trick long ago, and you still underestimate me, merely because I am human. Typical, a Drow that is too arrogant to see anything else as a threat." Sergei was much stronger than Iliyakim seemed to think, he broke his blade free with a subtle twist and a powerful jerk, moving through the disengage to follw up against the drow with a few carefully timed blows to the head and upper chest.
OOC: I've already moved away, wael.

IC:
The Drow was already moving...and he sped up. His speed was blinding...Sergei would not be able to see him. From his right came blows to his torso and knees almost at the same time as blows came at his head and arms from his right side, and about the same time as blows came at his chest and belly from in front of him.

Iliyakim then stood off, again in the starting position, two and a half meters away from Sergei, waiting.

OOC: Can you say GODMOD! Because I can. Kay's post says that he has already moved away

OOC: It's not impossible to follow him, and if he has my blade locked then he can't have gone far at all.

"Alright." Fen said, "What would you suggest for a sniper rifle?"

"Depends on the target, and the range. For anti-material, a BArret .50. For close ranger, a Dragunov SVD or Heckler & Koch MSG-90. For long ranger, the L96 or M40A1"

OOC: It's not impossible to follow him, and if he has my blade locked then he can't have gone far at all.
OOC: Hello, you release for a move like he pulled. Do you need a brain, dear?

"Depends on the target, and the range. For anti-material, a BArret .50. For close ranger, a Dragunov SVD or Heckler & Kock MSG-90. For long ranger, the L96 or M40A1"
"For general practice, to aid getting the feel and improve my competency with sniper rifles in general." Fen replied

OOC: It's not impossible to follow him, and if he has my blade locked then he can't have gone far at all.


OOC: Despite that he would have released it to do that move...

"For general practice, to aid getting the feel and improve my competency with sniper rifles in general." Fen replied

"It's impossible to say, really. There are more situations for a sniper than any other, and he must be able to perform them all with a variety of weapons."

"It's impossible to say, really. There are more situations for a sniper than any other, and he must be able to perform them all with a variety of weapons."
"So I should practice with different rifles." Fen replied as he shelved the assault rifle and picked up the Barret .50 which he returned with.

OOC: I've already moved away, wael.

IC:
The Drow was already moving...and he sped up. His speed was blinding...Sergei would not be able to see him. From his right came blows to his torso and knees almost at the same time as blows came at his head and arms from his right side, and about the same time as blows came at his chest and belly from in front of him.

Iliyakim then stood off, again in the starting position, two and a half meters away from Sergei, waiting.

OOC: SE, I told you he could do this, so don't even try calling godmod on this, you know he can.

Just before the first blow connected it happened, everything slowed down, Iliyakim seemed to move at half his true speed, while Sergei seemed to speed up, doubling his own impressive agility, he dodged the first cut, the blade only grazing his skin, the second cut was blocked, after that it was a blur, once the exchange was over he had three bloody, but largely superficial cuts to his legs and arms, and Iliyakim was back at the starting point.

The he Moved, one moment Sergei was still, the next he was a blinding flash moving across the floor, everything still seemed to move in slow motion, his blade led for him, but his blade was not the threat, the threat was the other items he had gotten from the front desk, specifically the knife in his sleeve this time, it dropped from a concealed sheath with a nearly invisible motion, and the blade was hidden by his forearm, he had aweapon that Iliyakim could not possibly know about, and he planned to use that for all it was worth.

"So I should practice with different rifles." Fen replied as he shelved the assault rifle and picked up the Barret .50 which he returned with.

"Be careful, that weapon is among the most deadly you will ever use"

Konig had retrived his WA2000, and went into the prone position,"Look through the sight at the target, and watch where I shoot"

He fired a round, into the centre of the target,"Hit that"

OOC: SE, I told you he could do this, so don't even try calling godmod on this, you know he can.

Just before the first blow connected it happened, everything slowed down, Iliyakim seemed to move at half his true speed, while Sergei seemed to speed up, doubling his own impressive agility, he dodged the first cut, the blade only grazing his skin, the second cut was blocked, after that it was a blur, once the exchange was over he had three bloody, but largely superficial cuts to his legs and arms, and Iliyakim was back at the starting point.

The he Moved, one moment Sergei was still, the next he was a blinding flash moving across the floor, everything still seemed to move in slow motion, his blade led for him, but his blade was not the threat, the threat was the other items he had gotten from the front desk, specifically the knife in his sleeve this time, it dropped from a concealed sheath with a nearly invisible motion, and the blade was hidden by his forearm, he had aweapon that Iliyakim could not possibly know about, and he planned to use that for all it was worth.
As his opponent sped up, so did Iliyakim. He was only moving at a little of his true speed.

OOC: and for now, rivvil, I bid you adieu.

OOC: SE, I told you he could do this, so don't even try calling godmod on this, you know he can.

Just before the first blow connected it happened, everything slowed down, Iliyakim seemed to move at half his true speed, while Sergei seemed to speed up, doubling his own impressive agility, he dodged the first cut, the blade only grazing his skin, the second cut was blocked, after that it was a blur, once the exchange was over he had three bloody, but largely superficial cuts to his legs and arms, and Iliyakim was back at the starting point.

The he Moved, one moment Sergei was still, the next he was a blinding flash moving across the floor, everything still seemed to move in slow motion, his blade led for him, but his blade was not the threat, the threat was the other items he had gotten from the front desk, specifically the knife in his sleeve this time, it dropped from a concealed sheath with a nearly invisible motion, and the blade was hidden by his forearm, he had aweapon that Iliyakim could not possibly know about, and he planned to use that for all it was worth.
OOC: This is only a training fight y'know. There isn't any need for concealment... not looking good for you

"Be careful, that weapon is among the most deadly you will ever use"

Konig had retrived his WA2000, and went into the prone position,"Look through the sight at the target, and watch where I shoot"

He fired a round, into the centre of the target,"Hit that"
Fen had followed Konig's order and watched. "Should I hit the target or the bullet hole?" He asked after Konig had fired.

Tylas moved in to the firing range, drawing two high power pistols, and began firing directly at the target. Guns were one of his more developed skills, and he liked everything about them,taking great care in making sure they never got rusty. So much care that whenever he was feeling anxiety of any kind he would polish his guns, even if he had just finished cleaning them hours before.

Not to say he was completely obsessed, but sniping had been his main job before this.

OOC: Hello, you release for a move like he pulled. Do you need a brain, dear?

And who is to say that I did not disengage while he moved? That would be the logical thought, I don't make the battles necessarily linear, my actions can affect the timing on yours, my disengage and attack could happen while Iliyakim was moving around him, or before he moved, either way you're thinking of this like it was a turn-based game, while I think of it as a real time story, you're thinking in linear time, I'm thinking in melded time.

As his opponent sped up, so did Iliyakim. He was only moving at a little of his true speed.

OOC: and for now, rivvil, I bid you adieu.

OOC: later, and if you can move as fast as Sergei on an adrenalin high then that's an insanely fast drow, because Sergei is naturally a very fast man, with his adrenaline high he more than doubles in speed, and his sense of time halves, giving him an effective quadrupling of his speed and reaction time, now if you're 4 times faster than Sergei I'm wondering where I can get one of those.

IC:

Sergei kept pace with Iliyakim, he was fast, but Sergei was the fastest that nature, genetic tampering, and science could create, his speed was almost unnatural, both he and Iliyakim were blurring into near invisibility as they moved, but Sergei could keep up, and Sergei had more stamina, Sergei would win.

OOC: This is only a training fight y'know. There isn't any need for concealment... not looking good for you


OOC: Train like you intend to fight, I plan to fight with hidden weapons and blinding speed, so I train with them as well, and trust me, I told you what Sergei was capable of, you don't really think I ever expected him to actually win this fight, though, did you? That wouldn't be keeping in character, Sergei is underhanded, he'll lose twice just so he can win once, he's ruthless and practically feral, he has no intentions of winning this time.

OOC: as I read through these, I stop and note something...how come everyone seems to have genetic engineering or experimentation on them ? What happened to the good old days of gaining incredible speed and reflexes from meditation and intense training with an old man who spent all his days beating up palm trees on a small island? Should my character accidentally fall in to some gilatinous gloop so that he is able to shoot laser beams out of his eyes, or become a giant angry green monster?

(dont worry guys I'm not saying I have a monumental problem with this or anything, I was simply noting)

that being over with;

Tylas headed out of the firing range, his guns smoking slightly, and went back to the pool. He donned a weight pack and hopped in to the pool and began swimming laps.

OOC: as I read through these, I stop and note something...how come everyone seems to have genetic engineering or experimentation on them ? What happened to the good old days of gaining incredible speed and reflexes from meditation and intense training with an old man who spent all his days beating up palm trees on a small island? Should my character accidentally fall in to some gilatinous gloop so that he is able to shoot laser beams out of his eyes, or become a giant angry green monster?

(dont worry guys I'm not saying I have a monumental problem with this or anything, I was simply noting)

that being over with;

Tylas headed out of the firing range, his guns smoking slightly, and went back to the pool. He donned a weight pack and hopped in to the pool and began swimming laps.
OOC: Just for the record, Cougar worked on controlling his own speed and strength through intense martial arts training, even after his 'tweaking' as it were. He is a CQC master after all. And MM, if you train like you intend to fight, all of the instructors would have been dead at each others hands long ago.

OOC: later, and if you can move as fast as Sergei on an adrenalin high then that's an insanely fast drow, because Sergei is naturally a very fast man, with his adrenaline high he more than doubles in speed, and his sense of time halves, giving him an effective quadrupling of his speed and reaction time, now if you're 4 times faster than Sergei I'm wondering where I can get one of those.

IC:

Sergei kept pace with Iliyakim, he was fast, but Sergei was the fastest that nature, genetic tampering, and science could create, his speed was almost unnatural, both he and Iliyakim were blurring into near invisibility as they moved, but Sergei could keep up, and Sergei had more stamina, Sergei would win.

Cougar's eyes followed the two combatants, not missing a movement. This show of speed was essentially pointless, it only served to exhaust them well before the fight was done. He crossed his arms, and simply watched, his eyes glinting slightly in the light from the overhead strips

OOC: Just for the record, Cougar worked on controlling his own speed and strength through intense martial arts training, even after his 'tweaking' as it were. He is a CQC master after all. And MM, if you train like you intend to fight, all of the instructors would have been dead at each others hands long ago.

OOC: In RL you train like you will fight, so I do the same thing in RPs, if you don't train like you intend to fight then you won't fight as well.

OOC: In RL you train like you will fight, so I do the same thing in RPs, if you don't train like you intend to fight then you won't fight as well.
OOC: BS. If that were true, people would die all the time from gun wounds in training

OOC: BS. If that were true, people would die all the time from gun wounds in training

OOC: Really? Cause it seems to me that the guy in the army is in a better position to know how we train than you are, and we do train in live-fire exercises, not very often, but we do train like we intend to fight, you don't pull your punches in training, it only hurts you in the end.

OOC: Really? Cause it seems to me that the guy in the army is in a better position to know how we train than you are, and we do train in live-fire exercises, not very often, but we do train like we intend to fight, you don't pull your punches in training, it only hurts you in the end.
OOC: Well duh! Of course it's gonna hurt in the end, but the way you phrased it makes it seem as though; train as you intend to fight, in this case, kill people using guns. Phrase better.

OOC: Well duh! Of course it's gonna hurt in the end, but the way you phrased it makes it seem as though; train as you intend to fight, in this case, kill people using guns. Phrase better.

OOC: I meant train with the methods you intend to use, the instructors always said "train like you plan to fight" so that's the statement I used.

OOC: I meant train with the methods you intend to use, the instructors always said "train like you plan to fight" so that's the statement I used.
OOC: Then clarify your statements better from now on to avoid confusion

OOC: Then clarify your statements better from now on to avoid confusion

OOC: ok.

OOC: later, and if you can move as fast as Sergei on an adrenalin high then that's an insanely fast drow, because Sergei is naturally a very fast man, with his adrenaline high he more than doubles in speed, and his sense of time halves, giving him an effective quadrupling of his speed and reaction time, now if you're 4 times faster than Sergei I'm wondering where I can get one of those.

IC:

Sergei kept pace with Iliyakim, he was fast, but Sergei was the fastest that nature, genetic tampering, and science could create, his speed was almost unnatural, both he and Iliyakim were blurring into near invisibility as they moved, but Sergei could keep up, and Sergei had more stamina, Sergei would win.
OOC: But he is that fast, partially through training, partially through enhancements.

IC:
Let him think he's faster than you. Let him continue...be water.

Iliyakim didn't attack, merely defended. He allowed himself to give ground. He began to lead Sergei in circles...making him pivot quickly...each turn faster than the next by just a little bit.

The human's weight and bulk would not long be able to tolerate it.

OOC: But he is that fast, partially through training, partially through enhancements. I honestly forgot that Iliyakim was enhanced.

IC:
Let him think he's faster than you. Let him continue...be water.

Iliyakim didn't attack, merely defended. He allowed himself to give ground. He began to lead Sergei in circles...making him pivot quickly...each turn faster than the next by just a little bit.

The human's weight and bulk would not long be able to tolerate it.

OOC: He is 4x faster trhan a veryu fast man, I think that's pushing it, and that still just makes him as fast as adrenaline high Sergei.

IC:

Sergei flowed with the rythim of the fight, his blade working through patterns that did not seem to exist, but were there for any who knew the style of the X'intai swordsworn, he let Iliyakim lead him around the salle, he had no need to truly press the attack yet, he was nowhere near the limits of his endurance, he could fight like this for nearly an hour before flagging, and they had been going for just a few minutes, he was made of tougher stuff than the drow, now to see if that would be enough, he brought the blade down and around in a move that had only one counter, it could be stopped only witrh both blades when you compared the fighters relative strengths, and Iliyakim would be open to the knife.

OOC: He is 4x faster trhan a veryu fast man, I think that's pushing it, and that still just makes him as fast as adrenaline high Sergei.

IC:

Sergei flowed with the rythim of the fight, his blade working through patterns that did not seem to exist, but were there for any who knew the style of the X'intai swordsworn, he let Iliyakim lead him around the salle, he had no need to truly press the attack yet, he was nowhere near the limits of his endurance, he could fight like this for nearly an hour before flagging, and they had been going for just a few minutes, he was made of tougher stuff than the drow, now to see if that would be enough, he brought the blade down and around in a move that had only one counter, it could be stopped only witrh both blades when you compared the fighters relative strengths, and Iliyakim would be open to the knife.
Again, the Drow merely darted back, and this time to the side. The way he's moving...he's concealing a knife. I wonder if it is time to show him why I was almost a Warmancer...

Again, the Drow merely darted back, and this time to the side. The way he's moving...he's concealing a knife. I wonder if it is time to show him why I was almost a Warmancer...


The dart backwards left an opening, the knife flew from Sergeis hand with unerring accuracy, straight at Iliyakims upper arm, and he followed his dart with an attack from a second knife from his arm sheath, in his hand this time, as well as a strike from his blade.

The blades, all three of them, stopped in the air, as though by an invisible wall. Iliyakim stood there and crossed his blades. Sergei's movement would likewise be constricted.

"Come forward...if you find yourself able."

Lt.Col Tyler leaned over to his commander and friend,"Magick?"

C -- "Without a doubt. He was almost a Warmancer... a seriously dangerous one he would've been as well"

The blades, all three of them, stopped in the air, as though by an invisible wall. Iliyakim stood there and crossed his blades. Sergei's movement would likewise be constricted.

"Come forward...if you find yourself able."


The blade was merely slowed, it was a bit more than it appeared, a sacred blade of the Diaspran water priests, it had been magicked and blessed to deter curses or inhibiting spells, it was less effective than normal, but it was slowly defeating the spell that was holding him back.

The ennvoy from The Dominion was at the SE border, they were delivering the order of Boma blades that SE had made, and they had orders for Captain Sergei.

They were allowed through, and directed to a safe-deposit box, where they could place the orders as well as the blades. This box was then sealed, and sent to the SESOU headquaters. Estimated time of arrival was three hours later. The envoys were asked to wait until the box returned with the payment

They were allowed through, and directed to a safe-deposit box, where they could place the orders as well as the blades. This box was then sealed, and sent to the SESOU headquaters. Estimated time of arrival was three hours later. The envoys were asked to wait until the box returned with the payment

The envoys waited, knowing Sergei it would be considerably more than 6 hours before they got the money and left.

The blade was merely slowed, it was a bit more than it appeared, a sacred blade of the Diaspran water priests, it had been magicked and blessed to deter curses or inhibiting spells, it was less effective than normal, but it was slowly defeating the spell that was holding him back.
"You wanted me to treat you as a threat, dalhar. You are not worthy to be a threat, not in combat. I treat honorable opponents as threats...and underhanded opponents as nuisances."

Six more blades called themselves forth from the wall, and gathered around Iliyakim. His binding spell still held Sergei fast. The six free blades all flew at Sergei, faster than the eye can see, but stopped shy of entering him. One centered at his forehead, another at his neck, another before his heart, two more at his kidneys, and one at his stomach.

"You are dead."

Fen looked at Konig as he waited for him to answer his question.

ooc: post 648

Cougar stepped forward at this point, sending the blades that Iliyakim had 'picked up' back to the wall with a gesture, and then stood between the two combatants,"An impressive display of skill from both of you. I see great potential for both of you in this force... if only you could get along. I cannot have team members at each others throats every moment, it undermines the entire team. If you two cannot learn to get on without the threats whilst on assignment together, then I will have no choice but to fail you both"

Fen looked at Konig as he waited for him to answer his question.

ooc: post 648
OOC: QUOTE BUTTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WORKS, I PROMISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fen had followed Konig's order and watched. "Should I hit the target or the bullet hole?" He asked after Konig had fired.

"The bullet hole"

Cougar stepped forward at this point, sending the blades that Iliyakim had 'picked up' back to the wall with a gesture, and then stood between the two combatants,"An impressive display of skill from both of you. I see great potential for both of you in this force... if only you could get along. I cannot have team members at each others throats every moment, it undermines the entire team. If you two cannot learn to get on without the threats whilst on assignment together, then I will have no choice but to fail you both"
Iliyakim twirled his blades, resheathing them. "As you will, then, Colonel."

Cougar would know that he would have no unnecessary trouble from the Drow.

"The bullet hole"
"I'll do my best." Fen replied, he set the rifle, took careful aim and fired. He missed the hole but not by a large margin.

"I'll do my best." Fen replied, he set the rifle, took careful aim and fired. He missed the hole but not by a large margin.

"It's to be expected that you miss the first time"

Iliyakim twirled his blades, resheathing them. "As you will, then, Colonel."

Cougar would know that he would have no unnecessary trouble from the Drow.

"Good*looks at Sergei*And you? What do you say?"

"You wanted me to treat you as a threat, dalhar. You are not worthy to be a threat, not in combat. I treat honorable opponents as threats...and underhanded opponents as nuisances."

Six more blades called themselves forth from the wall, and gathered around Iliyakim. His binding spell still held Sergei fast. The six free blades all flew at Sergei, faster than the eye can see, but stopped shy of entering him. One centered at his forehead, another at his neck, another before his heart, two more at his kidneys, and one at his stomach.

"You are dead."

"Only a fool counts on his opponents honor, and honor is something that got alot of my friends killed, honor is for the weak, the idealistic, or fools."

Sergei lowered his blade, he had lost, and he'd learned more about Iliyakim than the drow likely knew, he was mentally weak, believing in honor, but he could use that weakness against him.

"It's to be expected that you miss the first time"
"Any suggestions on how to improve?" Fen asked

"Only a fool counts on his opponents honor, and honor is something that got alot of my friends killed, honor is for the weak, the idealistic, or fools."

Sergei lowered his blade, he had lost, and he'd learned more about Iliyakim than the drow likely knew, he was mentally weak, believing in honor, but he could use that weakness against him.
Iliyakim felt an answer rising up in him, but he took heed of Cougar's order. "View me as weak, or a fool, as you desire then." He turned to Cougar and Tyler. "Colonel. Lt. Col." He executed the slight bow customary to his people, then turned to leave.

"Any suggestions on how to improve?" Fen asked

"Not tonight. I will teach you all at once. You have already benefitted from one on one tutoring for tonight. It is an oppurtunity that will be extended to all"

"It's to be expected that you miss the first time"



"Good*looks at Sergei*And you? What do you say?"


"It is not dislike, I wanted a sparring partner that I thought would be up to my skill level, I got a little more than I bargained for."

Iliyakim felt an answer rising up in him, but he took heed of Cougar's order. "View me as weak, or a fool, as you desire then." He turned to Cougar and Tyler. "Colonel. Lt. Col." He executed the slight bow customary to his people, then turned to leave.


Cougar and Tyler nodded to Iliyakim, before Cougar turned back to Sergei,"That is not a reason to insult a Drow's honour, under any circumstances. If I hear it again, I will beat you personally, before throwing you out of this academy, understood? I know he also did it, and I will speak with him on the matter soon enough"

"Alright, thank you for you help Sir." Fen said as decided to go back to training that he knew so as to avoid re-inforcing bad habits. He thus headed back to the gynmasium where he went back to working out, both on weight machines as well as gynmastic equipment.

The Drow left the room, before going and finding a mostly secluded area. Sitting down, he released a breath, then closed his eyes, taking another one in. He would meditate for a time...an important skill, for commoner, warrior, noble, or mage.

Cougar and Tyler nodded to Iliyakim, before Cougar turned back to Sergei,"That is not a reason to insult a Drow's honour, under any circumstances. If I hear it again, I will beat you personally, before throwing you out of this academy, understood? I know he also did it, and I will speak with him on the matter soon enough"


"I understand sir."

"I understand sir."

"Good. Now go, find something else to do, this room's projectors need recalibrating"

A complete lie, but highly convincing. Cougar and Tyler wanted to spar alone for a while

"Good. Now go, find something else to do, this room's projectors need recalibrating"

A complete lie, but highly convincing. Cougar and Tyler wanted to spar alone for a while

"Alright."

He left, seeking his bed, he needed rest, and he needed to think about the fight and analyze it, Iliyakim had a weakness, and Sergei intended o find it.

C -- C'mon, let's get this done and then we can hit the sack

T -- Alright

They sparred back and forth using close-quaters-combat, a technique invented long ago, but furthered over the years. Normally, it involved the wielding of pistols and knives at the same, but in this case it was pure hand to hand combat. After prehaps half-an-hour, they stopped, Cougar having pinned Tyler to the floor with a chokehold. After throwing some water down their necks, they leant against a table,"Wadda' think to the whole bunch?"

C -- "They need to learn to respect each other"

T -- *teasingly*"Why, I don't respect you"

C -- "Shut up, and get some sleep"

T -- "*Laughs*Gd'night James"

C -- "Gd'night Watt"

Fen, after he finished excerising and when he noted the time headed to the dorm to get some sleep.

Iliyakim spent four hours in his meditative trance -- not unlike his Underdark ancestors. When he woke from it, he was refreshed, and decided against sleep.

Standing, he went to work out in the gym for a few hours, testing the new limits of his strength and stamina, pitting himself against the human norm for this sort of training. He found himself superior in most aspects, inferior in others.

Most of the instructors were asleep, including Cougar, which was a change to his normal pattern. Wifes orders, he must sleep when he was away, even if he didn't like it.

Iliyakim showered when he finished his workout, then started to walk around the center. He was silent, and almost predatory in his movements. He would be outside when the sun rose above the v-shaped horizon provided by the mountains, his boots and pants legs damp from the morning dew.

He was tagged as he left, so that the security people could monitor his position, and also track him to make sure that he wasn't conducting illegal ventures

All he did was walk the grounds. Nothing illegal, and nowhere too far.

As he walked, a yell suddenly came from a crest about one hundred metres away, and a bullet zipped past his nose. There was a brief silence, before a voice called out,"Christ, you alright?"

The voice was rougher than that of the humans Iliyakim had previously worked with.

"Yes. My apologies, I was unaware that this was a shooting range."

Iliyakim turned his head toward the voice, picking out the man from where the bullet had come. He began moving off the field, to let the man practice.

"It's not... normally people don't walk the grounds this earlier"

A figure stood up. His suit almost seemed to be made of moss, it was that good at camoflaguing him. He had what looked like a bush on his head, but when he removed the hat, the bush also dissapeared. In his arms he cradled a M40A1 sniper rifle,"I've been here all night, testing my skills. Captain Teria, Delta Team"

"Iliyakim, former Second in Command of Sarnor Zotreth."

"Yeah, I heard about you. You made quite an impression here, not only a few years ago but also in the Long Drag."

After six hours of sleep, Fen woke and headed to the bathroom. He then returned to bed and re-woke up an hour later. He then headed back to the gymnasium, and slid his feet into the rings, looping them so he was stable. From there he hung down, and began doing 'sit-ups'.

"Yeah, I heard about you. You made quite an impression here, not only a few months ago but also in the Long Drag."
"Ah, yes...that. I was unaware that I had made much impression at all."

"Ah, yes...that. I was unaware that I had made much impression at all."

"Well, you did on the Colonel anyway. He's been driving us harder ever since. Looks up to you, sees you as a great solider"

"Well, you did on the Colonel anyway. He's been driving us harder ever since. Looks up to you, sees you as a great solider"
"Do you want to know the difference between a great soldier and a regular soldier?"

"Do you want to know the difference between a great soldier and a regular soldier?"

"Why don't you enlighten me? I don't see myself as a great solider, I'm just good at what I do"

"Why don't you enlighten me? I don't see myself as a great solider, I'm just good at what I do"
"A great soldier will do everything asked of him, even unto death. Cold, pain, suffering, these are nothing to him. He knows neither love nor hate, merely what he must and will do. There is no such thing as a great soldier. There are merely varying degrees of regular soldier."

And you do not see yourself as one?

"I never have been one and never will be one."

"I never have been one and never will be one."

"If what you say is true, and there is no thing as a great solider, then what would you call the Colonel?"

"If what you say is true, and there is no thing as a great solider, then what would you call the Colonel?"
"A leader, and a good soldier. He knows love, he knows compassion, he knows sorrow, and hatred, and friendship. He has too much emotional baggage to ever be truly great."

"Don't we all carry that sort of thing inside of us regardless if we want to or not?"

OOC: SESOU Snipers are an odd bunch, as you may have noticed

"Yes. Which is why there is no such thing as a great soldier."

Teria shrugged,"I don't suppose it really matters. As a sniper, you have plenty of time on your hands to think about things others wouldn't consider"

"True enough."

"Nice talking to you Iliyakim. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to wash and change before going to train some recruits"

The Drow nodded, moving to continue on his walk.

Sergei waited out the night in his room, thinking about what had happened the day before, there was something about Iliyakim that left him unsettled, almost a connection, but not quite, like he knew Iliyakim from before he had come here, but that was impossible, he had never met a drow before coming here, he would have to think on this for some time, perhaps in the morning he would have an answer.

OOC: Before you even think it, no, Sergei is not gay, he does not have a thing for Iliyakim, even if this post makes it look like he does, I have a reason for this, just bear with me for a while.

The fight from the previous evening nagged at Iliyakim. He is but a brash child. To use that on him was to do all present a dishonor, even those that lack that trait.

The next morning Sergei still did not have an answer, he decided that some more practice was what he needed, so he went to see if he could get his gun back from the front desk and do some shooting, maybe some pistol training if they'd let him.

OOC: Quite why he needs his own is a mystery

IC: The main desk allowed him his pistol, but still gave him the queer eye,Doesn't he know how many weapons we have here?

When he got to the range, there was a man he hadn't seen before. He was shortish, swathy, with jet black hair. He face was chiselled, and he lay on the ground, a Dragunov SVD sniper rifle in his palms

OOC: Quite why he needs his own is a mystery

IC: The main desk allowed him his pistol, but still gave him the queer eye,Doesn't he know how many weapons we have here?

When he got to the range, there was a man he hadn't seen before. He was shortish, swathy, with jet black hair. He face was chiselled, and he lay on the ground, a Dragunov SVD sniper rifle in his palms

OOC: He prefers a Bead Pistol to most other guns, and I'm not sure if you have any Bead Pistols in your armory.

IC:

Sergei decided to watch for a while, he was something of a marksman himself and he was always willing to watch a fellow shooter.

Iliyakim headed back inside, and went to the front desk.

"Am I permitted my Thalack, or is it to remain here for the duration of the course?"

OOC: He prefers a Bead Pistol to most other guns, and I'm not sure if you have any Bead Pistols in your armory.

IC:

Sergei decided to watch for a while, he was something of a marksman himself and he was always willing to watch a fellow shooter.
OOC: You'd be surprised

IC: The sniper, for that was what he was, simply lay there, steady as a rock. After five minutes, he squeezed the trigger, and the rifle bucked slightly, the round crashing into the two hundred metre target, for the range was three hundred metres long. It was followed by another to the 250m target less than two seconds later. Each one was dead on

**************************************************************

The armourer reached under the desk,"Kept it here, it is the only one we have. Here, you may take it and keep it"

The armourer reached under the desk,"Kept it here, it is the only one we have. Here, you may take it and keep it"
"Thank you."

The Drow took what appeared to be a large metal cylinder (think soda can, only solid and heavier) from the man.

"Inthuul, nin." The cylinder transformed into a shoulderplate, finding its way to Iliyakim's left shoulder. The Drow left.

OOC: You'd be surprised

IC: The sniper, for that was what he was, simply lay there, steady as a rock. After five minutes, he squeezed the trigger, and the rifle bucked slightly, the round crashing into the two hundred metre target, for the range was three hundred metres long. It was followed by another to the 250m target less than two seconds later. Each one was dead on

**************************************************************

The armourer reached under the desk,"Kept it here, it is the only one we have. Here, you may take it and keep it"

OOC: Well, you didn't have any Boma Blades until recently, so what was I to expect?

IC:

Sergei was impressed, the man was good, now to see how he dealt with surprise, Sergei could move more silently than any sniper when he wanted to, and he did, going to the firing line, quickly taking aim and blasting out a seemingly unlimited amount of bullets into a target at the 150 mark.

OOC: Well, you didn't have any Boma Blades until recently, so what was I to expect?

IC:

Sergei was impressed, the man was good, now to see how he dealt with surprise, Sergei could move more silently than any sniper when he wanted to, and he did, going to the firing line, quickly taking aim and blasting out a seemingly unlimited amount of bullets into a target at the 150 mark.

The sniper didn't move, nor did he show surprise. He actually twitched slightly, his face twisting in contempt. A marksmen didn't show off to others, he merely practiced. Yet here was this cadet, showing off his own skills to the sniper. He settled back down, and was content with squeezing off a round every few minutes, when he was truly happy with what he was doing

The sniper didn't move, nor did he show surprise. He actually twitched slightly, his face twisting in contempt. A marksmen didn't show off to others, he merely practiced. Yet here was this cadet, showing off his own skills to the sniper. He settled back down, and was content with squeezing off a round every few minutes, when he was truly happy with what he was doing

Sergei was ruly impressed, no surprise, no loss of accuracy, nothing, just perfect calm, Sergei was almost jealous. "How do you keep so calm, even when I ripped off a hypersonic Bead Pistol full auto from complete silence, I could never stay so motionless in those conditions, and can you teach me how yoyu do it?"

Sergei was ruly impressed, no surprise, no loss of accuracy, nothing, just perfect calm, Sergei was almost jealous. "How do you keep so calm, even when I ripped off a hypersonic Bead Pistol full auto from complete silence, I could never stay so motionless in those conditions, and can you teach me how yoyu do it?"

The sniper went from prone to kneeling, and then stood up,"A show of ones skills is a useless exercise... you didn't warrant any attention. If you were any good, you'd know how to block off what is not important at any one point in time"

The sniper went from prone to kneeling, and then stood up,"A show of ones skills is a useless exercise... you didn't warrant any attention. If you were any good, you'd know how to block off what is not important at any one point in time"

"Most of my sharpshooting was learned while hunting, I'm a good shot, just not good at tuning things out since..." Sergei trailed off and a look of momentary pain flashed across his normally expressionless face, "Well, I haven't been able to focus like that in a very long time."

When he was halfway down the hall, Iliyakim decided the Thalack could walk.

"Inthuul, harl."

The glider dropped off of his shoulder, and then took the form of a giant crab.

Iliyakim never knew why his daughter had liked the crab...but he'd left it that way, because she had. He briefly considered changing it into something better...but decided to leave it, at least for now.

"Most of my sharpshooting was learned while hunting, I'm a good shot, just not good at tuning things out since..." Sergei trailed off and a look of momentary pain flashed across his normally expressionless face, "Well, I haven't been able to focus like that in a very long time."

Major Carlos Ferien ignored the flash of emotion,"If you cannot make things fade out when they are not important, you will not survive in SESOU"

Major Carlos Ferien ignored the flash of emotion,"If you cannot make things fade out when they are not important, you will not survive in SESOU"

"I am not the man I once was, could you help me to train myself back into proper shape?"

"I am not the man I once was, could you help me to train myself back into proper shape?"

The Major turned around,"None of us are truly men or women. We are merely spirits in the world of the living... but I believe I could help you."

The Major turned around,"None of us are truly men or women. We are merely spirits in the world of the living... but I believe I could help you."

"An interesting philosophy, but my She'enedra would have disagreed," Another flash of pain as he remebers long dead friends, and a mentor lost to his mistakes, "But my mentors words are of no import now, thank you for being willing to help me."

He shrugged,"It is not a problem... it is what the Colonel would order me to anyway"

As he mentioned Cougar, there was the briefest flash of anger

He shrugged,"It is not a problem... it is what the Colonel would order me to anyway"

As he mentioned Cougar, there was the briefest flash of anger

Sergei noticed that something was wrong, but he felt it wise to not comment on it, it would be best not to make an enemy out of the first person who had not been openly hostile to him since his arrival.

"How should I begin, it has been so long that all I remember how to do is shoot."

OOC: They've only been hostile because he has been a complete arse!

IC: "You don't need to know how to shoot, this is a technique that requires no prior knowledge"

OOC: They've only been hostile because he has been a complete arse!

IC: "You don't need to know how to shoot, this is a technique that requires no prior knowledge"

OOC: We both know that, but it's not in his character to realuiase that very quickly.

IC:

"Ok, what do you want me to do?" For some reason Sergei trusted this man, they seemed to be almost two of a kind in this place, he was an outcast trainee, the sniper was obviously angry at the Colonel for something, so they both had secrets in trheir past that set them apart from the rest of the people here.

"Sit down, close your eyes, and focus on the world around you"

"Sit down, close your eyes, and focus on the world around you"

Sergei complied, feeling slightly foolish as he did so, this was much like the beginning of a Dinshon exercise, and if that was the secret he wondered why he hadn't figured it out sooner.

There was silence, utter and absolute. Suddenly, all hell broke loose. A weapon was thrust into his hands,"OPEN YOUR EYES SOLIDER, AND FIGHT BACK!"

All around him was a scene of total war. Bullets were flying all over the place, men were screaming from wounds infilicted by the former. A grenade exploded close by, showering Sergei in dirt and rubble. A bullet snapped close to his head

There was silence, utter and absolute. Suddenly, all hell broke loose. A weapon was thrust into his hands,"OPEN YOUR EYES SOLIDER, AND FIGHT BACK!"

All around him was a scene of total war. Bullets were flying all over the place, men were screaming from wounds infilicted by the former. A grenade exploded close by, showering Sergei in dirt and rubble. A bullet snapped close to his head

Sergei looked around for the source of the bullets, he didn't panic, he never panicked, but he did look around pretty swiftly, before his etyes settled on his target, then his target was dead, a single shot cracked out of his gun before he even thought about it, he looked around again, another target, another kill, he started to forget that there was anything around him but the targets, he shot again, another hit, Sergei was in the zone, he knew it, and he remembered everything now, he was the gun, and the gun spoke for him, they were one, there were no distractions, just the sights and the target in the sights.

Fen decided to go find Major Konig to see about additional pistol and rifle training.

Sergei looked around for the source of the bullets, he didn't panic, he never panicked, but he did look around pretty swiftly, before his etyes settled on his target, then his target was dead, a single shot cracked out of his gun before he even thought about it, he looked around again, another target, another kill, he started to forget that there was anything around him but the targets, he shot again, another hit, Sergei was in the zone, he knew it, and he remembered everything now, he was the gun, and the gun spoke for him, they were one, there were no distractions, just the sights and the target in the sights.

After a while, the simulation faded, and the Major stood before him,"You started well, but then went downhill"

Fen decided to go find Major Konig to see about additional pistol and rifle training.

Konig had been up for sometime, and was working out in the gym

Iliyakim went back to the weapons suite and started training with a different weapon. Inthuul became a full breastplate for him.

After a while, the simulation faded, and the Major stood before him,"You started well, but then went downhill"

"I don't understand, how did I fail?"