NationStates Jolt Archive

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

You started engaging the targets that didn't pose a direct threat to you at that moment in time. Three times, there was a man shooting at you across the street, and another one aiming at another unit up the road, and you chose to engage him. Theoretically, you would be dead. You didn't focus on your surroudings in the manner which I intended"

You started engaging the targets that didn't pose a direct threat to you at that moment in time. Three times, there was a man shooting at you across the street, and another one aiming at another unit up the road, and you chose to engage him. Theoretically, you would be dead. You didn't focus on your surroudings in the manner which I intended"

"How do you focus on your surroundings and ignore the combat, it seems mutually exclusive."

Konig had been up for sometime, and was working out in the gym
"Sir, would it be possible to get additional training in firearms?" Fen asked

"How do you focus on your surroundings and ignore the combat, it seems mutually exclusive."

Ferien sighed, it wasn't sinking in,"If you try and focus exclusively on your surroundings, you get shot. If you try and focus on your enemy, you loose your bearings. You have to learn to focus on what is going on around you at all times, responding only to the the most immediate threat to you"

"Sir, would it be possible to get additional training in firearms?" Fen asked
Konig continued pressing the weights,"When... would... be... convient..."

Ferien sighed, it wasn't sinking in,"If you try and focus exclusively on your surroundings, you get shot. If you try and focus on your enemy, you loose your bearings. You have to learn to focus on what is going on around you at all times, responding only to the the most immediate threat to you"

"I trhink I understand, when I get absorbed in my shooting I ignore threats, and when I worry too much about my surroundings I can't shoot, right, so ?I have to strike a balance that lets me do both, is that it?"

"I trhink I understand, when I get absorbed in my shooting I ignore threats, and when I worry too much about my surroundings I can't shoot, right, so ?I have to strike a balance that lets me do both, is that it?"

"Essentially, yes"

Konig continued pressing the weights,"When... would... be... convient..."
"Whenever you have the time." Fen replied as he began doing some stretches.

"Essentially, yes"

"I think I understand, now the hard part will be putting it into practice, but if I know what I need to do, then I should be able to do it, you may not believe it, but I think this lesson has helped even more than I thought it would..." He trailed off, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I think I understand, now the hard part will be putting it into practice, but if I know what I need to do, then I should be able to do it, you may not believe it, but I think this lesson has helped even more than I thought it would..." He trailed off, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I see"

Sergei wasn't paying any attention, he was thinking, what if he'd been doing the exact same thing in the rest of his time here, if he had been paying more attention to his "targets" than his surroundings, could that explain all the hostility he had recieved? He came back to himself with a start, he had zoned out for a moment. "Thank you for your help, I think I need to go see about my melee training now."

"A melee... such a waste. There is nothing so pure as a bullet"

And I can think of two people I'd love to put a bullet into

"A melee... such a waste. There is nothing so pure as a bullet"

And I can think of two people I'd love to put a bullet into


"There is a beauty in the Dance of Steel that is not fiound in the art of marksmanship, I know both, and trust me when I say that steel can be just as pure as shooting." Sergei turned and left, he needed to hack at something while he thought, he still had his blades, so he thought he'd try a few simulations and see how he did.

Iliyakim finished weapons sims and moved to the sniper range, taking a rifle and laying down. He adjusted himself comfortably, then began shooting, lining up each shot perfectly before drawing back on the trigger.

Ferien had moved back, and Teria had joined him as well. They watched Iliyakim for a moment, Teria impressed, but Ferien, having an intense dislike for Drow, was trying vainly to find something wrong with his technique

Ferien had moved back, and Teria had joined him as well. They watched Iliyakim for a moment, Teria impressed, but Ferien, having an intense dislike for Drow, was trying vainly to find something wrong with his technique
The Drow was well aware of the two watching him, but they posed no threat, so he gave no sign, just lined up and released shots, centuries of practice giving him the accuracy he required.

The Drow was well aware of the two watching him, but they posed no threat, so he gave no sign, just lined up and released shots, centuries of practice giving him the accuracy he required.

Teria lay down, his M40A1 in his hands, following Iliyakims movements and firing a split second after he did

Teria lay down, his M40A1 in his hands, following Iliyakims movements and firing a split second after he did
Iliyakim kept shooting.

Sergei loaded one of his personal sims, called simply "Last Stand", it was a melee battle, him versus 100 enemies, it was designed as a no-win, and it needed some tweaking, he kept winning, that meant there was something wrong with the program.

Iliyakim kept shooting.

Teria smiled, knowing that Iliyakim was the superior simply because he was older, had more expierence. Still, it didn't stop the grizzled sniper taking the shots

Teria smiled, knowing that Iliyakim was the superior simply because he was older, had more expierence. Still, it didn't stop the grizzled sniper taking the shots
After a few more shots, Iliyakim paused to reload.

After a few more shots, Iliyakim paused to reload.

Teria stood up, and motioned to Ferien. The slightly younger, but more talented solider, lay down with a semi-automatic sniper rifle, and proceeded to start shooting steadily

Ten minutes later Sergei was pissed, he kept winning, the first time he'd tweaked their agression and they'd attacked each other, he stopped the sim when that started, the second time he hadn't tweaked the agression as far, but aparently higher agression made stupider enemies, he sliced them up in no time just by keeping them distracted, maybe someone else could figure the damn thing out better than he could.

Teria stood up, and motioned to Ferien. The slightly younger, but more talented solider, lay down with a semi-automatic sniper rifle, and proceeded to start shooting steadily
This time, the Drow followed the human's shots, hitting with dead accuracy.

Ten minutes later Sergei was pissed, he kept winning, the first time he'd tweaked their agression and they'd attacked each other, he stopped the sim when that started, the second time he hadn't tweaked the agression as far, but aparently higher agression made stupider enemies, he sliced them up in no time just by keeping them distracted, maybe someone else could figure the damn thing out better than he could.

Cougar was leaning in the doorway,"Let me guess, a no-win scenerio gone wrong?"

*************************************************************
Ferien gritted his teeth, and sped up, determined not to loose to a Drow

Cougar was leaning in the doorway,"Let me guess, a no-win scenerio gone wrong?"

*************************************************************
Ferien gritted his teeth, and sped up, determined not to loose to a Drow
Iliyakim continued shooting, matching Ferien's speed, hitting with the same accuracy.

Cougar was leaning in the doorway,"Let me guess, a no-win scenerio gone wrong?"

*************************************************************
Ferien gritted his teeth, and sped up, determined not to loose to a Drow

Sergei smirked ironically and chuckled, "Yeah it's gonme wrong, I keep winning."

Iliyakim continued shooting, matching Ferien's speed, hitting with the same accuracy.

Teria was doubled up with silent laughter at the look of Ferien's face, which was like thunder. He reloaded quickly, firing five rounds into five targets with pinpoint accuracy within about three seconds

Sergei smirked ironically and chuckled, "Yeah it's gonme wrong, I keep winning."

C -- "Have you tried adding new coding at all? To make them learn, so you have to keep improving

Teria was doubled up with silent laughter at the look of Ferien's face, which was like thunder. He reloaded quickly, firing five rounds into five targets with pinpoint accuracy within about three seconds
Iliyakim noticed the human's anger, and he followed his shots still, then put another five into the center other targets in just under three more seconds.

Iliyakim noticed the human's anger, and he followed his shots still, then put another five into the center other targets in just under three more seconds.

Ferien forced himself to stop, to calm down. Still, having a cadet best Bravo Team's sniper was not something he wanted spread around

C -- "Have you tried adding new coding at all? To make them learn, so you have to keep improving

"They're already supposed to do that, but it's not very good, they're not true AI, so they look for patterns where there aer none, and then they lock up because they're looking for the patterns that let them adapt, I tried changing that, but it didn't work very well."

Ferien forced himself to stop, to calm down. Still, having a cadet best Bravo Team's sniper was not something he wanted spread around
Iliyakim reloaded again, then put his gun against his shoulder, waiting for Ferien's next shot.

ooc:you missed my last post,
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9252220&postcount=758

ooc:you missed my last post,
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9252220&postcount=758

OOC: There is no real reply to it

"They're already supposed to do that, but it's not very good, they're not true AI, so they look for patterns where there aer none, and then they lock up because they're looking for the patterns that let them adapt, I tried changing that, but it didn't work very well."

"Everyone has a pattern. Some are far more complicated than others"

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

Ferien waited, wanting Iliyakim to shoot first. He didn't have to wait long, because at that point Konig (sorry Theao, he'll find you when he needs you) walked up behind both of them, and squeezed the trigger. The round crashed through two targets

"Stop this now"

OOC: There is no real reply to it



"Everyone has a pattern. Some are far more complicated than others"

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

Ferien waited, wanting Iliyakim to shoot first. He didn't have to wait long, because at that point Konig (sorry Theao, he'll find you when he needs you) walked up behind both of them, and squeezed the trigger. The round crashed through two targets

"Stop this now"

"That is the problem Colonel, they can't identify the pattern, so they lock up and get downgraded into a simple attack routine, which is simple to beat, maybe you can help me do something about it, if you can code that is."

As Konig headed out, Fen decided to get to work on the balance beam.

"That is the problem Colonel, they can't identify the pattern, so they lock up and get downgraded into a simple attack routine, which is simple to beat, maybe you can help me do something about it, if you can code that is."

"We can all hack pretty much anything," said Cougar, accessing the program via nanomachines, and bringing up a holographic screen, so that he could see the code himself. After a while, he muttered,"I see the problem"

He spent about ten minutes on the code, adding in things too quickly for the humans eye to follow. After a while,"There. I added upgrades to their pattern recognition protocols, so they won't lock up. Also, they'll work more as a unit, instead of rushing you one at a time. Trust me, this thing is by no means perfect, I'd need a few hours and my laptop to do that"

The empire of Brittonians would like to put forward a candidate for any future course openings to train with this spec. ops unit.
Name:Staff Smith
Age:27
Weight:12 stone
Height:6.2ft
Build:lean muscular

Relavant Previous Expierence: Time spent within the empires airborne forces and then currently the empire's foremost spec. ops unit, mainly concerned with counter terrorism.

Special Skills: Trained in all forms of parachuting, advanced driving skills, forward air control, well versed in a number of firearms, excellent endurance athelete, can tab with heavy pack all day long.

Will our candidate have any opportunity to serve on this exchange programme, if any interest is there, the empire may in the future offer SF exchnage courses, to train candidates in it's extensive counter terrorism tactics. This candidate has no bio-tech upgrades due to the empires moderate technology status.

"We can all hack pretty much anything," said Cougar, accessing the program via nanomachines, and bringing up a holographic screen, so that he could see the code himself. After a while, he muttered,"I see the problem"

He spent about ten minutes on the code, adding in things too quickly for the humans eye to follow. After a while,"There. I added upgrades to their pattern recognition protocols, so they won't lock up. Also, they'll work more as a unit, instead of rushing you one at a time. Trust me, this thing is by no means perfect, I'd need a few hours and my laptop to do that"


"Well, now that you've fixed that, how about I triple the enemies and we try it out?"

The empire of Brittonians would like to put forward a candidate for any future course openings to train with this spec. ops unit.
Name:Staff Smith
Age:27
Weight:12 stone
Height:6.2ft
Build:lean muscular

Relavant Previous Expierence: Time spent within the empires airborne forces and then currently the empire's foremost spec. ops unit, mainly concerned with counter terrorism.

Special Skills: Trained in all forms of parachuting, advanced driving skills, forward air control, well versed in a number of firearms, excellent endurance athelete, can tab with heavy pack all day long.

Will our candidate have any opportunity to serve on this exchange programme, if any interest is there, the empire may in the future offer SF exchnage courses, to train candidates in it's extensive counter terrorism tactics. This candidate has no bio-tech upgrades due to the empires moderate technology status.

OOC: PLease make an application here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=424651

Ferien waited, wanting Iliyakim to shoot first. He didn't have to wait long, because at that point Konig (sorry Theao, he'll find you when he needs you) walked up behind both of them, and squeezed the trigger. The round crashed through two targets

"Stop this now"
Iliyakim had registered the sound of Konig's approach, but almost flinched despite himself as the round went off. Instead he stood in one fluid motion.

"Major."

Konig acknowledged him with a curt nod,"Major Ferien, on your feet"

He did so, and stared defiantley at Konig,"Yes, Major"

K -- "You should know better than to compete with a cadet. We do not encourage competition to see who is the best"

F -- "*Sullenly*Yes, Major Konig"

The tension between these two men was electric. That could have something to do with Ferien's incessent attempts to seduce Konig's partner, but it was more likely than not that these two just weren't meant to get on,"You are dimissed, Major"

Ferien slung his weapon over his shoulder, and stalked out. Konig looked at Teria,"Do you have somewhere you need to be, Captain"

T -- "Yessir!"

K -- "Then go"

He did so, going to the opposite way to Ferien. Once they were gone, Konig looked to Iliyakim,"Sorry about that"

"It was expected of that one. Most in my unit observed his...bias against our race on the last occasion Sarnor Zotreth was called to work with the Snake Eaters Special Operations Unit."

"He's been like that for a few years now. He dislikes Cougar because of his rapid rise through the ranks, and ever since Cougar's wife showed him up a few years back, he has disliked Drow as well"

"Yes, Ayal. I could see Ayal pulling something on him, if warranted. Which it probably was."

Konig didn't batt an eyelid at the mention of Ayal, for Cougar had seen fit to inform his team of her other identity, to reduce the risk of her real occupation being discovered by accident,"From what the pair of them tell me, it certainley was warranted. Especially considering that the prospect of marriage and other such things had not even entered into their minds... he was out of order... got his promotion held back another two years"

"A remark of that nature, then. I surmize, then, that he is a talented individual in the art of war?"

"Hell yes. He's the best natural sniper I've ever seen, it's like he doesn't need to try. He's also fanatical about it, never seems quite happy with his performance. His only flaw is his tendency to be act very maschismo, try things that he shouldn't and so forth"

"Force him through a week of intensive bladework. Make him appreciate the weakness of the sniper and the strength of the one who meets his enemy's eyes when they clash. Similar exercises have worked for many...Faris and myself, included."

"He knows his weaknesses, and uses them to his advantage. He's smaller than most, you'll notice, and he uses it. It's a shame really... he'll never be Alpha Team material. He's got the skills, but not the right attitude"

"Send him to Faris for a time...exchange for someone in the Kaymirilian military. Request Haldros...he's a good man, steady, and a quick learner."

Fen decided to head to the HTH weapons rooms and began working on setting up a highly challenging bladed staff combat simulation. Once done he began to get deeply into the match.

"Send him to Faris for a time...exchange for someone in the Kaymirilian military. Request Haldros...he's a good man, steady, and a quick learner."

"What branch is he in? He's not in Sarnor Zotreth... still, if he's as good as you say, he'd do well in any branch of Snake Eaters"

"What branch is he in? He's not in Sarnor Zotreth... still, if he's as good as you say, he'd do well in any branch of Snake Eaters"
"It is only a matter of time before he is a member of Sarnor Zotreth. There are currently three vacancies...he's the number two candidate, out of seven potential new members. He is currently in what you would call the Marines."

"It is only a matter of time before he is a member of Sarnor Zotreth. There are currently three vacancies...he's the number two candidate, out of seven potential new members. He is currently in what you would call the Marines."

"I see... I wasn't aware of the Marines in Kaymiril... in any case, I'll talk to my superiors, see what we can arrange"

"I see... I wasn't aware of the Marines in Kaymiril... in any case, I'll talk to my superiors, see what we can arrange"
"We do not call them Marines. They are merely a rough equivalent. My wife was his sister...so this may sound somewhat biased to you, but he is a very reliable soldier."

"We do not call them Marines. They are merely a rough equivalent. My wife was his sister...so this may sound somewhat biased to you, but he is a very reliable soldier."

Cougar could say the very same about you...

"It does sound biased, but given who is talking, it is negligible"

Cougar could say the very same about you...

"It does sound biased, but given who is talking, it is negligible"
Iliyakim gave a brief nod. "There are other good men that you could request. I doubt the Queen would send you any soldier she would not gladly have in the defense of her nation...save for myself, of course."

Iliyakim gave a brief nod. "There are other good men that you could request. I doubt the Queen would send you any soldier she would not gladly have in the defense of her nation...save for myself, of course."

"Without a list, it would be difficult indeed. Even if we recieved one, operating at maximum capacity, SION would find it difficult to select one"

"Without a list, it would be difficult indeed. Even if we recieved one, operating at maximum capacity, SION would find it difficult to select one"
"Major, even we have trouble with that. I merely gave you the one I most highly recommended."

"That's fair enough"

Sergei began the simulation again, this time he only managed to survive for 5 minutes before being brought down by the numbers againt him, looks like Cougar got it fixed alright, the enemies were smarter and had better tactics than before, now he had to beat it again.

After his simulation finished, Fen headed to the ranges and began searching for both a high quality long-bow and Turkish flight-arrows. They were the most enjoyable to use and could in his hands make him nearly as deadly as any sniper.

OOC: sry guys its been hard to get on lately---on vacation and stuff

IC:Tylas paced through the halls, thinking about which room to go to. After a while he decided to go back to the firing ranges. When he walked in, he was startled to find one of the other cadets using a crossbow.

"Where'd you learn to shoot that?" He asked.

Having found the bow as well as the arrows he was looking for, Fen headed to the range and set the target to a good 500 meters distant. He then returned to the steps, and after strapping on a forearm guard began loosing arrows into the target. His arrows landed within the yellow or inner red ring every time.

ooc: If you're talking to me, Fen is using a long bow. Pic of target.
http://www.sizes.com/sports/spimages/Archery.gif

Having found the bow as well as the arrows he was looking for, Fen headed to the range and set the target to a good 500 meters distant. He then returned to the steps, and after strapping on a forearm guard began loosing arrows into the target. His arrows landed within the yellow or inner red ring every time.

ooc: If you're talking to me, Fen is using a long bow. Pic of target.
http://www.sizes.com/sports/spimages/Archery.gif

*yeah, bow, my bad.

"good shot"

Fen stopped when he noted Tylas, "Hi, thanks, though not my best. So what are you up to?"

Sergei stayed at the simulationms for hours, fighting until he was exhausted, then he went back to the firing range, the best time to try your accuracy was when you were already tired from something else, and Sergei wanted to see if he was still as good as he was so many years ago.

OOC: Somebody should ask about the seemingly limitless quantity of bullets he can put out of his gun with just one clip, it's a fun little trick.

Fen stopped when he noted Tylas, "Hi, thanks, though not my best. So what are you up to?"

"I'm trying to get a feel for shooting with a wide range of weapons. Do you think you could give me any pointers for your bow?"

Sergei stayed at the simulationms for hours, fighting until he was exhausted, then he went back to the firing range, the best time to try your accuracy was when you were already tired from something else, and Sergei wanted to see if he was still as good as he was so many years ago.

OOC: Somebody should ask about the seemingly limitless quantity of bullets he can put out of his gun with just one clip, it's a fun little trick.


OOC:okkk...

"Whats with the seemingly limitless quantity of bullets you can put out of your gun with just one clip?" asked Tylas

OOC:okkk...

"Whats with the seemingly limitless quantity of bullets you can put out of your gun with just one clip?" asked Tylas

"Watch carefully, it's a neat rick, I'll even teach you how to do it if you want." He assumes a one handed firing stance, and lets his bullets rip, then he takes a two handed stance for a moment, and continues firing, he repeats this process 3 times to make sure Tylas can catch the trick. "Did you see the trick, or should I show you again?"

"I'm trying to get a feel for shooting with a wide range of weapons. Do you think you could give me any pointers for your bow?"
"It's primarily a matter of practice and building up the right muscles. The right bow and arrows help as well." Fen replied

"Watch carefully, it's a neat rick, I'll even teach you how to do it if you want." He assumes a one handed firing stance, and lets his bullets rip, then he takes a two handed stance for a moment, and continues firing, he repeats this process 3 times to make sure Tylas can catch the trick. "Did you see the trick, or should I show you again?"

Cougar wandered in at that moment,"Nice trick... shame that in a real battle it's about as much good as a toy gun. Nice illusion though"

OOC: I think I can see what you are doing...

Cougar wandered in at that moment,"Nice trick... shame that in a real battle it's about as much good as a toy gun. Nice illusion though"

OOC: I think I can see what you are doing...

OOC: You probably do, he's palming a clip, and using the dual magazines of the bead pistol to give himself the illusion of "unlimited ammo".

IC:

"You're right sir, it's not all that useful in combat, but it can surprise someone if you use it at the right time, and then it can be a truly devestating trick, other than that it's just for show." He puts his gun down and turns to look at the colonel, "I have a similar trick with my rifle, but it's less effective than this one."

OOC: You probably do, he's palming a clip, and using the dual magazines of the bead pistol to give himself the illusion of "unlimited ammo".

IC:

"You're right sir, it's not all that useful in combat, but it can surprise someone if you use it at the right time, and then it can be a truly devestating trick, other than that it's just for show." He puts his gun down and turns to look at the colonel, "I have a similar trick with my rifle, but it's less effective than this one."

OOC: Thought so. Nice, but as I said, ineffective

IC: "Depends on when that right time is really. I prefer juggling of the revolvers myself, but I've never used it in battle before"

OOC: Thought so. Nice, but as I said, ineffective

IC: "Depends on when that right time is really. I prefer juggling of the revolvers myself, but I've never used it in battle before"

"I'm not a very good juggler, so I do this, and the right time is always the same, when the nemy least expects resistance, then you can blow them away, and their shocked by the ammo capacity of your tiny little pistol, it's funny actually, my "tiny little pistol" has killed more enemuies than mybig ass rifle, go figure."

"I'm not a very good juggler, so I do this, and the right time is always the same, when the nemy least expects resistance, then you can blow them away, and their shocked by the ammo capacity of your tiny little pistol, it's funny actually, my "tiny little pistol" has killed more enemuies than mybig ass rifle, go figure."

Cougar couldn't help but raise an eyebrow,"And what happens if some survive? You cannot carry limitless pistol ammunition... and in contrast, I have lost count of how many men I have killed since the age of six, by any means"

Cougar couldn't help but raise an eyebrow,"And what happens if some survive? You cannot carry limitless pistol ammunition... and in contrast, I have lost count of how many men I have killed since the age of six, by any means"

"No you can't, but that's why I have so many weapons, I can kill peple from range with throwing knives, from in close with fighting knives, and my hatchet or sword, I am a walking arsenal, and I still have a pair of revolvers for if I run out of Bead ammo."

"No you can't, but that's why I have so many weapons, I can kill peple from range with throwing knives, from in close with fighting knives, and my hatchet or sword, I am a walking arsenal, and I still have a pair of revolvers for if I run out of Bead ammo."

Cougar once more shook his head,"I can see that we are going to have drill the use of weapons out of you"

Cougar once more shook his head,"I can see that we are going to have drill the use of weapons out of you"

"Probably, I have a habit of using them alot."

"Probably, I have a habit of using them alot."

"And the moment your weapons fail you is the moment you will die... yes, we have a lot of work to do with you"

"And the moment your weapons fail you is the moment you will die... yes, we have a lot of work to do with you"

"With some of my weapons that's more literal than you may believe, a dead bead gun has a tendency to electrocute the user, not a pleasant sight, and plasma guns just plain blow up when they break, so, all in all, my wweapons are occasionally just ass dangerous to the user, and everyone around him, as they are to the enemy, show me what you want to colonel, I'm quite ready to learn."

Cougar had seen the results of plasma weaponry firsthand on a previous mission, and he shivered slightly,"That's a good attitude"

Private:Better than before, at the very least

OOC:Am going away for a few days. Talk amongst yourselves for the time being

Tylas smirked at the trick but warned him "watch it doesnt explode, or I don't think you'll be showing anyone that anymore"

Tylas then went and booted up a training simulation. Tylas smirked to himself as it was loading. In his earlier years, when he wanted to pass his training as a cadet in the Royal Army, he had been asked to defeat an almost limitless number of virtual enemies. Instead of fighting them he had simply turned around and shot the projector. They had to pass him for his thinking outside the box,and also because he HAD technically defeated them. But this wasnt the case now. Tylas pulled out two pistols and immediatly sent a volley of fire into the oncoming virtual soldiers.

"That's fair enough"
Iliyakim nodded, then looked down at Sergei's display. He said nothing, but his thoughts ran thus: Why is it that amateurs always like to show off any little trick they have?

Fen decided to see if he could break his personal record and went looking for someone to be the counter.

Iliyakim nodded, then looked down at Sergei's display. He said nothing, but his thoughts ran thus: Why is it that amateurs always like to show off any little trick they have?

Major Konig followed his eyes, and correctly guessed where they were looking, before lowering his voice,"A pointless display, much like the Colonel said"

Major Konig followed his eyes, and correctly guessed where they were looking, before lowering his voice,"A pointless display, much like the Colonel said"
"The man is older than any here save myself, yet acts like he's never had any sort of sensible training from the moment his heart began to beat."

"The man is older than any here save myself, yet acts like he's never had any sort of sensible training from the moment his heart began to beat."

"Then prehaps he hasn't"

"Then prehaps he hasn't"
"That will get him killed one day."

"That will get him killed one day."

"We're already dead anyway. But our bodies keep moving. Until they stop the body moving, we can still do our jobs... but something tells me it wouldn't take much to stop that one"

"We're already dead anyway. But our bodies keep moving. Until they stop the body moving, we can still do our jobs... but something tells me it wouldn't take much to stop that one"
"No." The Drow stood silently for a moment. "If we are already all dead, no matter the state of our lives, then why do your people have an apparent problem with my apparent lack of concern for mine?"

"No." The Drow stood silently for a moment. "If we are already all dead, no matter the state of our lives, then why do your people have an apparent problem with my apparent lack of concern for mine?"

Konig shrugged,"Human nature I suppose. It's one of our shortcomings... we cannot detach ourselves completley. We (SESOU) are more adept at it than others, but there is always something that drives us. A common bond if you will. We thrive on the survival of our team."

He paused,"The philosphy goes along the lines of,'your life is not important, only the lives of your team-mates matter'. If everyone on the team is following that philosphy, then everyone is protecting everyone else"

Konig shrugged,"Human nature I suppose. It's one of our shortcomings... we cannot detach ourselves completley. We (SESOU) are more adept at it than others, but there is always something that drives us. A common bond if you will. We thrive on the survival of our team."

He paused,"The philosphy goes along the lines of,'your life is not important, only the lives of your team-mates matter'. If everyone on the team is following that philosphy, then everyone is protecting everyone else"
"That is similar enough to Sarnor Zotreth's philosophy. The unit above the individual...however, our unit carried beyond our little five man group, or even Sarnor Zotreth as a whole. It extended to family, city, province, and even country. You always had something, someone, to live for...and die for."

Fen sontinued looking for someone that wasn't busy to serve as the counter.

"That is similar enough to Sarnor Zotreth's philosophy. The unit above the individual...however, our unit carried beyond our little five man group, or even Sarnor Zotreth as a whole. It extended to family, city, province, and even country. You always had something, someone, to live for...and die for."

"Most of the people in this unit don't have a family. I can only think of three or four, the Colonel included... many of us don't have anything to really live for, except the fact that we love our country, and we're just good at what we do. Talk to the Colonel, and he won't sing his own praises. People have called him a hero, a saviour. He just claims to be a man who is good at what he does - killing"

"Most of the people in this unit don't have a family. I can only think of three or four, the Colonel included... many of us don't have anything to really live for, except the fact that we love our country, and we're just good at what we do. Talk to the Colonel, and he won't sing his own praises. People have called him a hero, a saviour. He just claims to be a man who is good at what he does - killing"
"I have watched him fight. A good man to have at your back...a dangerous man to be facing...and not likely to make a foolish mistake to get himself killed. He keeps his head, which allows him to be the man he is."

"I have watched him fight. A good man to have at your back...a dangerous man to be facing...and not likely to make a foolish mistake to get himself killed. He keeps his head, which allows him to be the man he is."

Konig raised an eyebrow,"You obviously haven't read his file... they mention in there a few times that fact that he can be extremely reckless at times... still, like you said, a good man to have at your back"

Konig raised an eyebrow,"You obviously haven't read his file... they mention in there a few times that fact that he can be extremely reckless at times... still, like you said, a good man to have at your back"
"Reckless at times, not as a general rule...and normally for a very good reason. There are such things as calculated risks, Major. What did he have to lose, what did he have to gain? What could he do, right then and there, before the window of opportunity closed, that would be the least likely to kill the lot of you and send the entire operation to hell?"

Faris is the same way...and taught me to appreciate that ability.

"Reckless at times, not as a general rule...and normally for a very good reason. There are such things as calculated risks, Major. What did he have to lose, what did he have to gain? What could he do, right then and there, before the window of opportunity closed, that would be the least likely to kill the lot of you and send the entire operation to hell?"

Faris is the same way...and taught me to appreciate that ability.

Once more Konig shrugged,"That's why he's twenty eight and a Colonel, and I'm thirty two and a Major"

Once more Konig shrugged,"That's why he's twenty eight and a Colonel, and I'm thirty two and a Major"
Iliyakim chuckled, reminded again how young the human race was. "When I was twenty-eight, I could walk and speak, and was learning to hold a pen. When I was thirty two, I could read fairly well, and write in the scrawling child's hand. We accomplish little before our first century, Major. You accomplish much before your third decade has ended."

Iliyakim chuckled, reminded again how young the human race was. "When I was twenty-eight, I could walk and speak, and was learning to hold a pen. When I was thirty two, I could read fairly well, and write in the scrawling child's hand. We accomplish little before our first century, Major. You accomplish much before your third decade has ended."

"What choice do we have? You live an average of five centuries and longer, we live less than a single century"

"What choice do we have? You live an average of half a century and longer, we live less than a single century"
"We live an average of five centuries. Some lines live shorter lives, like the Marils, some live longer, like the former Mith's line."

"In any case, I have only a limited time left... the Colonel on the other hand... has several centuries. I only hope he can hold up"

The Drow nodded. "Humans were not built for a severely extended lifespan...however...I believe they will hold on, as long as they can, provided they have something worthwhile to live for."

"He's got something to live for, that much I can tell you"

"Or someone, perhaps? The first three or so centuries should be easily bearable, save for the deaths of his closest friends...after that...it will get more difficult."

"Someone, something, it doesn't matter. He won't just lie down and let himself die"

Ther was a defiance in Konig's voice

"I didn't say he would, did I, Major?" No emotion crept into Iliyakim's voice. "Humans are more likely to hold onto their lives...they live for less time and have more ambition."

"We'll just have to see... or not, as the case may be"

"Indeed."

OOC:hey guys, when are we gonna start doing training again (i mean without deciding how we;re gonna train)? It doesnt have to be in the immediate future but it would still be nice to know.

I've just got back from a gliding schlarship with the RAF. Thread is on hold until further notice

good news cause im gonna be at a soccer(for you europeans, football) camp for a week.

OOC: Snake Eaters is away for a few days, so I spoke with him, and I'm taking over this thread until he gets back on Monday. I'm figuring on starting some sort of class or the other tomorrow...but for now, we can get on with our training and junk.

IC:
***Several Hours Later***

Iliyakim grabbed a towel from the towel rack and pressed his face into it. He'd just finished a 20 km run -- he'd meant to go 10, but he'd had some things he'd needed to think out, and wound up running longer. He went to the dorms, showered, changed, and then went back to the shooting range after grabbing something to drink. This was easy...line up the barrel, squeeze back on the trigger, and keep your wrists steady while the gun did its best to jump out of your grasp.

On the whole, he had few complaints about the course...nothing like the basics to teach you who you really were. The only thing that could tell more about a soldier was the real battlefield...not weapons training...when training, there was nothing to protect...merely skills to hone. That was its only purpose. Even shooting told little about a person...this was mere discipline. Could the one in question keep the gun up and steady?

But the sheer physical aspects of any course let you get to know yourself. When pushing yourself from forearm's length to arm's length from the ground, there was little to do but think, and thoughts often turned inward. Where else would they go, when they had no where outward to turn that was of any interest?

Sergei decided that he needed some exercise, he went for a run, not too long, just enough to be a warm-up, then he went for a swim, following that he went and took a longer run, he needed time to think, he felt like he should be able to trust Iliyakim, but he was drow, and that precluded trust, even if they did have similar roots, and similar traumas, in the end he was unable to make up his mind, maybe if Iliyakim could stop being so close-mouthed about his problems he could trust him at his back, until then it was against his nature to trust a man he knew so little about.

He returned to the mess hall, tired, hungry, and feeling much better than when he had left, now if he could just resolve his internal conflicts he'd be perfectly all right.

The Drow merely kept on shooting, until a huge crab-type silver thing tugged at his pants legs.

Meep?

"No."

Me-el.

"I know what time it is."

Met.

"No. If you want to get out of here, go on. I'll be in the room later."

Meep.

The crab-looking creature scuttled out of the shooting room and started moving around the complex, winding up at the mess hall.

A silvery-grey crab thing had just walked in, he'd never seen anything like it, and decided to investigate, so he went to poke it with his fork.

It jumped back.

Meep? It then saw the big human with a four-tined little weapon thing.

It raised its claws in a menacing way, prepared to fight back.

Brrrrrrt!Bebebebebrrrrrrrt!

The noise was high and shrill, and sounded like some sort of alarm.

It jumped back.

Meep? It then saw the big human with a four-tined little weapon thing.

It raised its claws in a menacing way, prepared to fight back.

Brrrrrrt!Bebebebebrrrrrrrt!

The noise was high and shrill, and sounded like some sort of alarm.

Sergei backed off, that noise was really annoying, he dropped his fork, and covered his ears, and had he mentioned that the noise was really annoying, because it was, he wasn't sure where the crab had come from, but he was less hungry than he had been upon first seeing it.

The noise stopped as the human dropped the weapon, and the crab scuttled away...back to its owner.

Memeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedo

"Probably one of my fellow cadets...and probably it was a human eating utensil, if you came from the way I think you came from."

Meedle.

"That's not my fault."

The noise stopped as the human dropped the weapon, and the crab scuttled away...back to its owner.

Memeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedo

"Probably one of my fellow cadets...and probably it was a human eating utensil, if you came from the way I think you came from."

Meedle.

"That's not my fault."


Sergei followed the crab at a respectable distance, he really dislied that noise, and he didn't want to set it off again by getting too close.

The crab turned as Sergei entered the shooting range, and started going "brbrbrbrbrrrrrt" softly.

"Well, Segei, I see you've already met Inthuul. Inthuul, calm down already."

The Drow's aim didn't waver nor did his gaze depart from the target as he spoke.

The crab turned as Sergei entered the shooting range, and started going "brbrbrbrbrrrrrt" softly.

"Well, Segei, I see you've already met Inthuul. Inthuul, calm down already."

The Drow's aim didn't waver nor did his gaze depart from the target as he spoke.

"What is it, it looks edible, but it certainly doesn't act like it?"

"It is a 'glider.' Its predecessors in design had the mere functions of communication, companionship, and transportation. This is a Thalack, made for war. It can serve as an aerial assault transport, or a ground assault transport...in the latter case, we ride it into the thick of combat and use our weapons at close range. It can also mold its shape to become an armor, of sorts."

The Drow set his empty gun down and snapped at his Thalack. "Inthuul, phor."

At this signal, the 'crab' scuttled up his arm and settled on his shoulder, becoming the oft-used shoulder plate.

"It is a 'glider.' Its predecessors in design had the mere functions of communication, companionship, and transportation. This is a Thalack, made for war. It can serve as an aerial assault transport, or a ground assault transport...in the latter case, we ride it into the thick of combat and use our weapons at close range. It can also mold its shape to become an armor, of sorts."

The Drow set his empty gun down and snapped at his Thalack. "Inthuul, phor."

At this signal, the 'crab' scuttled up his arm and settled on his shoulder, becoming the oft-used shoulder plate.

"Impressive. Where do I get one? More importantly, can I get one?"

"Doubtful. They are issued only to members in certain units of the Kaymirilian military. Maybe, if it is needed, a Snake Eaters operative could obtain one...but you are an unknown. You might be able to purchase an Oreb or Aeagle, but not a Thalack. The only reason I could keep Inthuul is because they only recognise one master. And I was his."

TO: SESOU Training, LLC
FROM: Special Forces of Asgarnieu
SUBJECT: Training
I.D.: 50-22250-76259-25-30

The Holy Empire of Asgarnieu would like to send the following Super-Soldiers to SESOU Training:

Name: Capitan David Stevens Morriss III
Age: 28
Weight: 195
Height: 6' 11"
Build: Muscular
Relavant Previous Expierence: Special Forces Training (Expert)
Special Skills: All Special Forces Skills


Name: Capitan Aaron Jackson Mortensen
Age: 29
Weight: 200
Height: 6' 4"
Build: Muscular
Relavent Previous Experience: Special Forces Training (Expert)
Special Skills: All Special Forces Skills


We will pay any nessicary money to have these two soldiers trained at your camp. Please forward us the bill. Thank You.

Respectfully,

General Justin H. Herbert, Special Forces Division, 6245 Government Way, Venture City, Fierro Province, Holy Empire of Asgarnieu, 89109-1217

-snip-
Keep an eye on this thread, the guy that owns it won't be back for a coupla days yet.

"Doubtful. They are issued only to members in certain units of the Kaymirilian military. Maybe, if it is needed, a Snake Eaters operative could obtain one...but you are an unknown. You might be able to purchase an Oreb or Aeagle, but not a Thalack. The only reason I could keep Inthuul is because they only recognise one master. And I was his."

"I see, it is still rather impressive, I'm almost jealous, but not quite, I have a "pet" of my own, though I didn't bring her with me, soince she is now the size of a small horse."

"Fairly large then. What sort of creature is she?"

"Fairly large then. What sort of creature is she?"

"I call it a "dogzard", since she's reptilian, and loyal like a very large dog, she is rather impressive to look on, maybe not as versatile as Ithnuul, but much more physichally imposing."

Iliyakim chuckles. "I agree...a crab does not look terribly threatening. I wanted to program him to shape into an Elghin beast...but the very sight of those sent my daughter into fits of panic...she was very young then...less than a decade. But she liked the look of the crabs, despicable as they are, when we went to the shore...so I programmed him to be a crab, for the most part. Of course, he still has his battle functions."

Iliyakim chuckles. "I agree...a crab does not look terribly threatening. I wanted to program him to shape into an Elghin beast...but the very sight of those sent my daughter into fits of panic...she was very young then...less than a decade. But she liked the look of the crabs, despicable as they are, when we went to the shore...so I programmed him to be a crab, for the most part. Of course, he still has his battle functions."

"What is an Elghin Beast, other than an obviously terrifying creature?"

"A creature native to Kaymiril. It is graceful in its movements, decisive in its attacks, and beautiful in its form...but it radiates an aura of deadliness...and children feel mortality more heavily than do adults. It is called the Bringer of Nightmares...part of Kaymirilian legend...and some do believe it has the power to affect the mind."

"A creature native to Kaymiril. It is graceful in its movements, decisive in its attacks, and beautiful in its form...but it radiates an aura of deadliness...and children feel mortality more heavily than do adults. It is called the Bringer of Nightmares...part of Kaymirilian legend...and some do believe it has the power to affect the mind."

"Impressive, I think that I, with all the bloodshed and death that I have seen, and all the strange beasts I have faced, would likely run screaming from the room if faced by siomething so dangerous."

"I met an Elghin beast when I was young...probably around thirty. I thought it was going to eat me...but it just looked at me...and then its cub ran up to it...and I realized that these are just creatures like you and me...they have their homes and families, and they'd be willing to kill to protect them. I guess I wasn't much of a threat, because it picked me up by the back of my neck and took me back home." He laughs. "Since then, I've identified with them."

"I met an Elghin beast when I was young...probably around thirty. I thought it was going to eat me...but it just looked at me...and then its cub ran up to it...and I realized that these are just creatures like you and me...they have their homes and families, and they'd be willing to kill to protect them. I guess I wasn't much of a threat, because it picked me up by the back of my neck and took me back home." He laughs. "Since then, I've identified with them."

"I think I can understand, you know them as more than an abstract threat, they are real to you, and so you understand them to be just like all other life, though I would likely still run screaming from tyhe room if faced with one, Atul, Flar-Ta and Flar-Ke, and Atul-Grack are all very scary critters, but they were nothing compared to what you just described."

"I'm afraid I've never heard of those beasts."

"I'm afraid I've never heard of those beasts."

"I've met and killed them all, they are all reptiles or amphibians, Atul are vicious, all teeth and claws and rampant hunger, slightly larger than I am, and with a temper to match their looks, they took one of my arms off at one point, thank god for Regen Nanos, Atul-Grack are even bigger, they look much like Atul, but they are ten times as vicious, and the Atul's only natural predator, Flar-ta and Flar-ke are like ancient dinosars, the size of the famed triceratops, they have horns to match, but in temperament they are like Africas two buffalo breeds, one is liable to kill you for looking at it funny, the other is liable to thank you for killing it, both are huge, nearly the size of elephants, but if the Elghin is anything as deadly as you make it out to be, it'd tear a Flar-Te a new one without breaking a sweat."

"Perhaps. Elghin comes from the root elghinn...which translates to 'death,' in your tongue."

"Perhaps. Elghin comes from the root elghinn...which translates to 'death,' in your tongue."

"Really, you named an animal Death, well, it's been done before, and from what you have told me it deserves the name that it was given. Is there any way for me to see an Elghin?"

"As I said, they are native to Kaymiril...and they tend to run wild. They aren't common by any means...many leave poisons for them, out of fear of them. And all sketches I've seen of them have been grossly inaccruate."

"As I said, they are native to Kaymiril...and they tend to run wild. They aren't common by any means...many leave poisons for them, out of fear of them. And all sketches I've seen of them have been grossly inaccruate."

"Why, do they kill them because they do not understand them, or because they do not want to understand them?"

"A mixture of both. These are deadly beasts, and all that most people want to understand of a deadly beast is that they are not able to threaten them in their homes. But also..very few have looked the beast in the eyes and seen that it is not merely a killer...but it is also a member of the community it lives in. I, for one, believe that they live in family groups. Most scholars say they're solitary...but the one I ran into seemed to know that I needed to get back to my own family. How does a solitary beast understand the need for companionship?"

"A mixture of both. These are deadly beasts, and all that most people want to understand of a deadly beast is that they are not able to threaten them in their homes. But also..very few have looked the beast in the eyes and seen that it is not merely a killer...but it is also a member of the community it lives in. I, for one, believe that they live in family groups. Most scholars say they're solitary...but the one I ran into seemed to know that I needed to get back to my own family. How does a solitary beast understand the need for companionship?"

"Maybe because it is alone, it understands better than those who have companions..."

"An interesting notion, to be certain. However, in my experience, solitary beasts can rarely understand the needs of social beasts...and the opposite is also true."

"An interesting notion, to be certain. However, in my experience, solitary beasts can rarely understand the needs of social beasts...and the opposite is also true."


"Perhaps you are right, I doubt that we will ever know, unless you know someone who can speak with animals, and I cannot, so don't even think it."

"Perhaps you are right, I doubt that we will ever know, unless you know someone who can speak with animals, and I cannot, so don't even think it."
"I know no one...and you didn't seem the type that would have the patience to understand them."

Iliyakim picked his gun back up, reloaded it, and began to fire at the targets again. Inthuul transformed and clambered back to the floor, to not get in the way while his master shot at the little round target-thingies.

The human was still there. So he scuttled over to the human, tilted himself up at an angle to 'look' at him, said Meep, and poked him with a claw.

"I know no one...and you didn't seem the type that would have the patience to understand them."

Iliyakim picked his gun back up, reloaded it, and began to fire at the targets again. Inthuul transformed and clambered back to the floor, to not get in the way while his master shot at the little round target-thingies.

The human was still there. So he scuttled over to the human, tilted himself up at an angle to 'look' at him, said Meep, and poked him with a claw.

Sergei looked down at the Thalack, "What was that for you little seafood dish?!"

Brrrrt.

Brrrrt.

"That tells me nothing."

"Apparently, you poked him."

"Apparently, you poked him."

"Well, yeah, he looked edible, and he was wandering around the mess hall, and I was really hungry."

"I believe that whatever they serve in the mess hall does not include crab."

"I believe that whatever they serve in the mess hall does not include crab."

"I've tried not to think about the food while I was eating it, or even shortly thereafter, I have no idea what they serve, only that I can eat it without dieing."

"Probably a mixture of carbon, cardboard, protien, and vitamens...just this side of edible, but on the far side of palatable."

"Probably a mixture of carbon, cardboard, protien, and vitamens...just this side of edible, but on the far side of palatable."

"Heavy on the cardboard if I don't miss my guess. You will note that I said he looked edible, in the mess hall that never applies to the food."

"Then you should have known right away that he wasn't."

"Then you should have known right away that he wasn't."

"Good point, I never considered that." He looks chagrined and turns to Ithnuul, "I'm sorry I tried to eat you, I should have know you weren't edible if you looked good and were wandering the mess hall."

That actually gets a laugh out of Iliyakim, and an annoyed brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtt and a sharper prod out of Inthuul, before the crab-creature returned to its master's side.

That actually gets a laugh out of Iliyakim, and an annoyed brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtt and a sharper prod out of Inthuul, before the crab-creature returned to its master's side.

Sergei mutters under his breath before leaving, "Don't make me get my fork..."

Inthuul turns back toward Sergei, and begin on a crescendoing Bebebebebebebrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttt


I -- "Inthuul, vrine'winith."

The crab stops the sound, somewhat sullenly.

Inthuul turns back toward Sergei, and begin on a crescendoing Bebebebebebebrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttt


I -- "Inthuul, vrine'winith."

The crab stops the sound, somewhat sullenly.

Sergei just walks out to resume his interrupted "meal".

Iliyakim keeps shooting for a bit, skips dinner entirely (as he'd eaten breakfast and lunch), then goes back up to the room, to spend an hour or so reading.

Sergei goes about his business, eating his "food" and going to do his evening workout, before returning tohis room to pursue the same leisure as Iliyakim.

Shortly after Sergei re-enters, Iliyakim marks his place, then snaps at Inthuul, who jumps onto his arm and becomes a shoulder plate.

He then goes for a walk...normal activity, if fairly dull.

Sergei ignored Iliyakims seeming testiness and became absorbed in his book.

No testiness...Iliyakim had just finished the chapter, so he'd left.

Evenings are so quiet...the humans wrap up their daily activities, and then shun the moon and stars. How am I to live among these people, if I don't even know how to live among my own?

He stopped under a tree, where there was still a view of the sky, but also a place to sit against. He idly whittled at a stick. It would become a thing of 'art'...and then be discarded. After all...it was nothing...just idle.

Sergei read for the next few hours, desiring no company but his own while he explored the past through the written word.

Iliyakim went back to the training sims...this was what he knew...the feel of the blades in your hands, the scents of sweat and 'blood', the sight of your enemies, and the sound of steel ringing on steel.

He worked with ten opponents. For the few minutes the fight lasted, he was Elghin...for just a while.

Sergei eventually tired of reading, and went to train his marksmanship, he got out his massive 11mm Parkins&Spencer semi-automatic hunting rifle, and he went to work, hitting almost every shot in the back.

Iliyakim showered and returned to the room. He sat up straight against the headboard, and stared straight out. He'd remain like this for the next four hours, as he 'slept.'

Sergei finally returned to the room to find Iliyakim already asleep, and he decided to follow his example, hitting the sack harder than he had in days.

After his four hour 'sleep' was finished, Iliyakim activated a tertiary function of Inthuul's. He was going over records available to all members of Sarnor Zotreth...keeping up with what had happened in Kaymiril.

Sergei slept on, he needed a bit more than 4 hours to be refreshed, not much more, but a bit.

Iliyakim read quickly...things were happening in Kaymiril..troubling things. If this kept up...he might be recalled...for battle.

Sergei woke up as Iliyakim was reading and noted his troubled expresion, he thought better of inquiring though, he may not be allowed to know.

"Couldn't sleep over Fen, eh?"

The joke fell heavily, it was the Drow's way of acknowledging that someone was awake, but at the same time, he wasn't really attending to his concious comrade.

"Couldn't sleep over Fen, eh?"

The joke fell heavily, it was the Drow's way of acknowledging that someone was awake, but at the same time, he wasn't really attending to his concious comrade.

"Not that, just time to wake up, I'm an insomniac, I don't need much sleep." He notedIliyakims detatched manner and decided that it would be best to go get what passed for breakfast around here.

It was too early for breakfast. At four in the morning, everyone was asleep. Things would get rolling in an hour, though.

So Iliyakim just kept informing himself of Kaymirilian events.

It was too early for breakfast. At four in the morning, everyone was asleep. Things would get rolling in an hour, though.

So Iliyakim just kept informing himself of Kaymirilian events.

Sergei was of the opinion that it was NEVER too early for food of any type, so he decided he would have some, even if he had to cook it himself.

That might have worked...if the kitchen wasn't closed.

That might have worked...if the kitchen wasn't closed.


Sergei gave up and went back to the room, he was not a happy person.

Iliyakim was still reading. He had no work to do at this time...so he read.

Meep?

"Still too early, Inthuul."

Iliyakim was still reading. He had no work to do at this time...so he read.

Meep?

"Still too early, Inthuul."

"Lemme guess, Ithnuul thinks it's time for breakfast too?" Sergei mad his query from the doorway, then he went to take a seat on his bed.

"Inthuul doesn't eat. However, my wife once told him to make sure I ate while I was away...so he does."

"Inthuul doesn't eat. However, my wife once told him to make sure I ate while I was away...so he does."

"So Ithnuul thinks it's time for you to have breakfast then, oh well, I was close enough." Sergei flopped back on his bed to wait out the next hour before breakfast.

Iliyakim keeps reading, but at 0500 exactly he changed into his crab form and poked his master.

Bip.

Iliyakim keeps reading, but at 0500 exactly he changed into his crab form and poked his master.

Bip.

"I think it's time to eat Iliyakim, we better go before Ithnuul gets mad at you." He went out and practically ran to the mess hall to get some "food".

Inthuul takes his place on Iliyakim's shoulder as the Drow walked toward the mess hall.

He served himself a plate (probably with a lot less food than Sergei's b/c my drow tend to eat light), and started eating.

Despite his joking complaints of the night before, he had few complaints with military food. After all...it was a way of life for him.

Inthuul takes his place on Iliyakim's shoulder as the Drow walked toward the mess hall.

He served himself a plate (probably with a lot less food than Sergei's b/c my drow tend to eat light), and started eating.

Despite his joking complaints of the night before, he had few complaints with military food. After all...it was a way of life for him.


The food they served for breakfast was marginally better than everything else they had, so Sergei got alot more than he usually would, maybe it would be enough to tie him over until dinner.

Humans ate a lot more meat than did Drow...meaning Iliyakim was eating less as he attempted to assimilate the new dietary habits of the humans.

Humans ate a lot more meat than did Drow...meaning Iliyakim was eating less as he attempted to assimilate the new dietary habits of the humans.

"Iliyakim, eat more, I don't know how you can stand lunch in this place, tis food is just barely tolerable, and klunch is worse, eat as much ofthis as you can so you don't have to eat that slop theyt call "lunch". Sergei took his own advice and went back to shoveling down food as fast as he could.

"There is more food acceptable to the Drow system at the midday meal. I don't understand how your species manages to not keel over dead, with all the grease in your food."

"There is more food acceptable to the Drow system at the midday meal. I don't understand how your species manages to not keel over dead, with all the grease in your food."

"Very carefully."

"I surmised."

"I surmised."

"Hah! You think this is greasy, try fast-food, you'll die in underfive minutes with your constitution!"

"Fortunately, it seems that there is a lack of that here."

OOC: hey all, back from a long tiring week at my pre season soccer training camp

IC:Tylas walked in to the mess after a morning jog. He had been having a slight pain in his knee from putting too much weight on when he was doing squats, so he went on a light brisk run to let the endorphines sort the knee out. He saw two of his fellow cadets, one shoveling food in like there was no tommorrow, and the other, eating only a little.

Tylas got himself a double helping because he planned on going to run laps in the shallow end of the pool with weighted water shoes on an hour after he was done eating. He plopped himself down next to the two and asked; "Are these supposed to be eggs or mashed potatoes?"

"It goes like training. Nothing special, nothing too hard. Although that should change soon, if rumors are to be believed."

Tylas decided he would try and be feeling his absolute best and healthiest when training began again.

"Well, if the rumors are true, I'll probably be doing more cardio and less weights until then." He replied. He paused, then stated "but am I supposed to believe these are eggs?"

Tylas went up and got some fruit, some of it that looked to be actually almost fresh. He'd put on a little bulk from all the weightlifting and strength excersizes he had been doing, but he wanted to be as healthy inside as out, in case large amounts of endurance had to be used again.

"To be honest with you, Tylas, I am uncertain what you are supposed to believe. Personally, I don't know what it is, but I am certain that I know no equivalent."

Keep an eye on this thread, the guy that owns it won't be back for a coupla days yet.

Many Thanks.

Many Thanks.

OOC: Alright, I return... slightly lost as to what kay has been doing, but meh. To the new guy, TG me or something, I'll fill you in

OOC: hey all, back from a long tiring week at my pre season soccer training camp

IC:Tylas walked in to the mess after a morning jog. He had been having a slight pain in his knee from putting too much weight on when he was doing squats, so he went on a light brisk run to let the endorphines sort the knee out. He saw two of his fellow cadets, one shoveling food in like there was no tommorrow, and the other, eating only a little.

Tylas got himself a double helping because he planned on going to run laps in the shallow end of the pool with weighted water shoes on an hour after he was done eating. He plopped himself down next to the two and asked; "Are these supposed to be eggs or mashed potatoes?"

"No one knows, but they're debatably edible, and that's good enough for me." At least that was what he intended to say, what actually came out of Sergeis mouth sounded more like "Nanoes, butter debatbly edble, n tats gud nough fer me." talking around a mouth full of food was apparently contra-indicated.

OOC: Why the insults to my food?

"No one knows, but they're debatably edible, and that's good enough for me." At least that was what he intended to say, what actually came out of Sergeis mouth sounded more like "Nanoes, butter debatbly edble, n tats gud nough fer me." talking around a mouth full of food was apparently contra-indicated.
"All I have to say, is that if the human diet is any indication, it is no wonder that humans have hardier constitutions than do Drow."

OOC: I have to, SE.

OOC: You are Drow. That is a good enough excuse

OOC: Why the insults to my food?

OOC: I've eaten military food, at least, I've eaten American military food, I may be intending to join the army, but it is an experience that I do not want to repeat.

"All I have to say, is that if the human diet is any indication, it is no wonder that humans have hardier constitutions than do Drow."

OOC: I have to, SE.

"Course we're tougher, we have to be, we're generally alot slower, we have to compensate somehow, and if that means we can eat anything and everything, well, is that so wrong?"

OOC: I've eaten military food, at least, I've eaten American military food, I may be intending to join the army, but it is an experience that I do not want to repeat.

OOC: Then you should try British military food. It's much better than the slop Amercian recruits get

"Course we're tougher, we have to be, we're generally alot slower, we have to compensate somehow, and if that means we can eat anything and everything, well, is that so wrong?"
"And here I thought humans died quite frequently due to all the grease in their blood."

A communiqué arrived at the SESOU HQ. Upon opening, the message revealed alien text, which suddenly began moving, until it turned into the common literature most Snake Eaters use (It does this by a quick scan of words and then running them through it's database, and picking the closest matching language).

Greetings from the Very Agressive Space Empire of Outer Heaven MK II.
My name is High General Mirdas, Commander of Outer Heaven's ground forces.
We've heard that Snake Eaters runs a Special Ops branch called SESOU, and in
the interests of strengthening the ties between our two nations, as well as
wanting to represent ourselves well, we wish to send over two of our soldiers,
for training in SESOU. Both of them are Brutus, which are hybrids of Nalagorn
(A troll-like species) and Human. They are fit, mentally apt, and know how to
pull a trigger. But no doubt you'll train them from scratch. Attached to this
message are the bios of both our men. From this hopefully you can make an
educated decision on whether to allow them in or not, and give you insight
into their greatest attributes.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
High General Efix Mirdas,
Outer Heaven MK II Ground Forces.

_________________________________________________________________

Name: Zarbus T'arma
Age: 63 Standard Years (Brutus live for 200 years on average, so to make his age Human, just halve it for a rough estimate)
Sex: Male
Height: 6' 9"
Species: Brutus
Hair: Brown, flat top
Eyes: Hazel (Can see into the ultra-violet spectrum)
Physical Fitness: Nominal
Mental Aptitude: Nominal
Psychological Rating: 9 (Near unbreakable)
Military History (You can't decypher our time system, so we basically tell you how long ago it was since the action was performed):

Completed Basic Training: Two years ago
Completed Advanced Stealth Training: Six months ago
Served in the Battle of Corbantis: Three months ago
Awarded the Gold Star of Valor: Six weeks ago

_________________________________________________________________

Name: Trafa Lo'dan'a
Age: 51 Standard Years
Sex: Male
Height: 7' 5"
Species: Brutus
Hair: Brown, flat top
Eyes: Cerulean
Physical Fitness: Nominal
Mental Aptitude: Exceptional
Psychological Rating: 8 (Great level of Resistance)
Military History:

Completed Basic Training: Five Years ago
Completed Advanced Reconnaissance Training: Three Years ago
Completed Advanced Hand to Hand Combat Training: Two Years ago
Served in the Valhora Campaign & Awarded the Gold Star of Valor: One Year two months ago
Served in the Second Great Battle of Orilion: Five Months ago
Served in the Battle of Corbantis: Three months ago
Awarded the Silver Bravery Crest: Six weeks ago

A communiqué arrived at the SESOU HQ. Upon opening, the message revealed alien text, which suddenly began moving, until it turned into the common literature most Snake Eaters use (It does this by a quick scan of words and then running them through it's database, and picking the closest matching language).

Greetings from the Very Agressive Space Empire of Outer Heaven MK II.
My name is High General Mirdas, Commander of Outer Heaven's ground forces.
We've heard that Snake Eaters runs a Special Ops branch called SESOU, and in
the interests of strengthening the ties between our two nations, as well as
wanting to represent ourselves well, we wish to send over two of our soldiers,
for training in SESOU. Both of them are Brutus, which are hybrids of Nalagorn
(A troll-like species) and Human. They are fit, mentally apt, and know how to
pull a trigger. But no doubt you'll train them from scratch. Attached to this
message are the bios of both our men. From this hopefully you can make an
educated decision on whether to allow them in or not, and give you insight
into their greatest attributes.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
High General Efix Mirdas,
Outer Heaven MK II Ground Forces.

_________________________________________________________________

Name: Zarbus T'arma
Age: 63 Standard Years (Brutus live for 200 years on average, so to make his age Human, just halve it for a rough estimate)
Sex: Male
Height: 6' 9"
Species: Brutus
Hair: Brown, flat top
Eyes: Hazel (Can see into the ultra-violet spectrum)
Physical Fitness: Nominal
Mental Aptitude: Nominal
Psychological Rating: 9 (Near unbreakable)
Military History (You can't decypher our time system, so we basically tell you how long ago it was since the action was performed):

Completed Basic Training: Two years ago
Completed Advanced Stealth Training: Six months ago
Served in the Battle of Corbantis: Three months ago
Awarded the Gold Star of Valor: Six weeks ago

_________________________________________________________________

Name: Trafa Lo'dan'a
Age: 51 Standard Years
Sex: Male
Height: 7' 5"
Species: Brutus
Hair: Brown, flat top
Eyes: Cerulean
Physical Fitness: Nominal
Mental Aptitude: Exceptional
Psychological Rating: 8 (Great level of Resistance)
Military History:

Completed Basic Training: Five Years ago
Completed Advanced Reconnaissance Training: Three Years ago
Completed Advanced Hand to Hand Combat Training: Two Years ago
Served in the Valhora Campaign & Awarded the Gold Star of Valor: One Year two months ago
Served in the Second Great Battle of Orilion: Five Months ago
Served in the Battle of Corbantis: Three months ago
Awarded the Silver Bravery Crest: Six weeks ago

Cougar looked at the message, then at the attached files. He rose an eyebrow at the description of these two... he supposed men could be the closest term. They seemed well qualified... but all these medals worried him slightly. He himself had won the Leviathan Medal once, but he hadn't been awarded anything since. Simply because he chose not to. He tapped a few keys, and sent back the following message:


Your students are welcome here... they seem aptly qualified.
However, should they fail this training, they will be returned to you with all haste, their memories of this place erased.
This is for the security of our nation.

Col. James Cougar
CO, SESOU

Two more to bulk up the numbers... then the real training begins

Snake Eater Airspace, 11:30PM

Two men sat on a metallic bench, their faces masked save for their eyes, their bodies covered in some sort of jet black Kevlar Jumpsuits. Both were wearing backpacks, containing their personal items, and were facing foward. Neither talked much, it was too awkward. One was older than the other, but one was more experienced warrior than the other. To Nalagorn and Brutus, age and experience dictate who was more important. Conversations between two Nalagorns or two Brutus usually work with the more important one asking questions, and the less important one anwsering. Sometimes the less important ones were allowed to ask questions, but this rarely happened. More important Nalagorn & Brutus don't tend to care what the less important ones have to say unless it matters to them.

Luckily, in the unlikely event two Brutus or Nalagorn converse with an equal, they eventually work out a system whereby they both ask questions and both anwser equally. However, Nalagorn & Brutus don't have these problems when talking to humans, for humans have a different way of conversing to Nalagorn & Brutus, and they are quite happy to adopt the human way for that converstation.

To their right, a small hatch lead into a cockpit, where a small man sat. This was the pilot. After a few moments of speaking into the microphone in front of his face, he said "Thank you," and stood up. Setting the small shuttle to follow the flightpath given, the Pilot opened the hatch and peered into the hold.

"Guys, we have clearence, we'll be landing in approximately five minutes. The SE government have sent transport to take you to the SESOU HQ. If you need to go to the toilet, now's your only chance for a long while. We're landing in a remote part of the planet, far from the HQ. We don't want the Chaos to get wind of what we're doing. remember guys, five minutes."

The pilot closed the hatchway. Both Brutus looked at each other, and laughed.

"Silly human," One said. "He doesn't realise that we don't require toilets!" The other said. Both laughed again, and patted each others shoulders. The two were finally managing to adapt.

_________________________________________________________________

The two entered the HQ, and looked around. It looked like some sort of Hotel lobby, only...with less technology. Both walked up to the desk.

"Zarbus T'arma and Trafa Lo'da'na," Zarbus said. Trafa unshouldered his heavy backpack (It weighs approximately one and a bit tons), placed it on the floor, and said, "We're the two soldiers from Outer Heaven."

They anwsered a few questions, put their Hunting Knives (unhappily) on the counter, and then went and sat down in the nearest chairs. Micro-muscles in their bodies worked quickly, placing most of their weight into their feet, so they didn't break the chairs. Both Brutus took their hoods off, revealing near human (but not unattractive) faces. Glad their hair could once again stand up like it usually did, the two began talking about the flora and constellations SEP had...

The desk cleark was bewildered by the arrival of these two strange beings. They were huge by human standards, carrying far more weight than should be possible

What are these people?

He shook himself, and reached to the side, picking up a phone. It dialled once, connecting instantly as the line was picked up,"Snake here"

"Sir, this is Zero. We've got two... people, claiming to be from Outer Heaven, in the main lobby"

There was a brief sigh,"I was hoping they would be some time... alright, Lieutenant, I'll be there ASAP."

*Five minutes later*
Dressed in British Soldier '00 combats, with a 10mm Glock at his hip and no beret, Colonel James Cougar came into the main lobby to greet the new trainees. He wore no badge of rank, nor any squad markings. His hair was dark blond, his eyes were electic blue, a stark contrast to his tanned face. His prescense was immediate,"You two are the Outer Heaven soliders?"

Both nodded and stood.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Zarbus said. There was a small pause, and Trafa then added, "Sir."

Both offered their huge hands, but if Cougar was smart enough, he wouldn't shake them. The amount of muscles visable through the gloves was startling, and they could probably crush a metal pipe without much thought.

Cougar noted the pause on the 'Sir' part of the sentence, and logged it for further notice on his memory engrams

Failure to recognise authority... a plus, but also a negative

He shook their hands aside,"I understand you are both here to apply for positions on in our unit"

Both nodded.

"We're here under our own free will," Zarbus said smiling, "But we're also here because Outer Heaven wants to strengthen ties with SE, and they believe that this is the best way, so we're under our usual amount of stress sir." Trafa finished.

Cougar shook his head,"Governement have no clue about strengthing ties... still, it's always good to have off-world recruits. I have already read through your files, both of them show you've performed very well during your time"

Both smiled.

"We do our best sir." They both chorused.

The fact that they were synchronised worried Cougar slightly. He was looking for people who could think and act completley indepently of one another... that was the only way things could really work. Not following others blindly.

"You'll have to do three days of testing before we allow you to start learning. If you fail, you'll be sent home, all memories of this place erased"

"We understand, but we won't fail you sir." Trafa said. They both looked at each other, and grinned. They'd adapted.

Why do they keep grinning like that... it makes me nervous

"If you'll follow me..."

Both of them nodded, and followed the Colonel.

*Three days later*
"Alright... you've both passed the testing. Now, go and find your classmates... they should be in the canteen by now. Dismissed"

Cougar had made the testing that much harder for these two, not only becausse they were late arrivals, but also because it wouldn't have been fair on the others

Trafa and Zarbus saluted Cougar, and then stomped out of the room. The tests had been rough, but the two Brutus had endured it, and did their best to come out smiling. They both went to their quarters, got showered and changed, and made their way into the canteen.

When they entered, they immediately went to the stalls where the food was served. Taking large platefuls of...everything, Trafa and Zarbus both sat opposite each other at a table. They'd managed to work out how to hold a decent conversation between themselves, and did their best not to finish each others sentences, due to Cougars obvious dislike of it.

Picking up their eating utensils, the two Brutus began eating their food at a fast pace (managing to somehow stop the food from splatering everywhere), and began talking about Brutus delicacies.

Iliyakim looked at the new arrivals.

Not the best idea, to speak of delicacies when you're living on human staples...then again, they might be able to handle this all without falling down dead.

A few minutes later, both Zarbus and Trafa finished. Placing their nearly clean dishes on the side to be taken away, they both walked back to the table they were sitting at before, and began talking about the constellations they could make out in the SEP sky.

...I think I'm going to go insane...

They continued to talk about the subject for a few minutes, before the word 'Zalif'ilogar'naf'a' came up, which made them both laugh uproarously. Grinning at each other, they both leaned in.

"I think it's time we went and met our other equals. We need to get to know our squadmates before we enter combat." Trafa said. Zarbus nodded, and both of them stood. Zarbus went off to another table, while Trafa looked around. Spotting Iliyakim, Trafa decided to talk to him. Moving over, Trafa sat opposite Iliyakim, and said "Hi."

"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro."

These four words, the standard Kaymirilian greeting, came smoothly and effortlessly, although the Drow that said them barely moved.

Tylas walked in to the mess hall, only to see two new giant recruits, grinning wildly. he sat down after getting some food, and smirked when he noticed the annoyed look on illyakim's face as they began to try and converse with him.

Tylas walked in to the mess hall, only to see two new giant recruits, grinning wildly. he sat down after getting some food, and smirked when he noticed the annoyed look on illyakim's face as they began to try and converse with him.
OOC: Not annoyed, CO. He doesn't care one way or the next.

"And here I thought humans died quite frequently due to all the grease in their blood."

"Just the weak ones..." He grinned as he said it, very few people died of heart failures and such in the Terran Dominion since the introduction of Nanite Packs to the populace.

"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro."

These four words, the standard Kaymirilian greeting, came smoothly and effortlessly, although the Drow that said them barely moved.

Trafa inclined his head.

"My name is Trafa Lo'da'na, I'm one of the newest additions to SESOU."

Trafa inclined his head.

"My name is Trafa Lo'da'na, I'm one of the newest additions to SESOU."
"I noticed. You were not with our class in any of the entry exercises. I am Iliyakim, of Kaymiril."

Trafa's eyes lit up.

"A Kaymirilian? I heard our leader is over on your planet at the moment. I hear you're launching a craft of your own into space for the first time."

"Yes. A great acheivement for our Queen...a great opportunity for Kaymiril...for good and for ill..."

Trafa inclined his head.

"My name is Trafa Lo'da'na, I'm one of the newest additions to SESOU."

That got Sergeis attention, FNGs were always fun to screw with. "Newbies huh, nice to meet you, I'm Captain Sergei of the Terran Dominion of Mini Miehm, I doubt you've heard of it though."

That got Sergeis attention, FNGs were always fun to screw with. "Newbies huh, nice to meet you, I'm Captain Sergei of the Terran Dominion of Mini Miehm, I doubt you've heard of it though."
"Sergei, can you at least try to stop behaving like the apes your ancestors were and at least pretend to be human?"

That got Sergeis attention, FNGs were always fun to screw with. "Newbies huh, nice to meet you, I'm Captain Sergei of the Terran Dominion of Mini Miehm, I doubt you've heard of it though."

Trafa gave Sergei a sideways look.

"Ah, you're an M 'n M? Yes, we've heard of you, although my Nation has never had much desire to encounter you. Interesting, I've made first contact..."

Ignoring Sergei, Trafa turned to Iliyakim.

"So what makes you believe that entering space will be partially ill for your nation Iliyakim?" Trafa asked.

"Sergei, can you at least try to stop behaving like the apes your ancestors were and at least pretend to be human?"


"Maybe if you set a better example..." He grinned impishly and laughed at Iliyakims rebuke, "Seriously though, I'll try to behave better for the new meat than I did for the rest of our class."

Trafa gave Sergei a sideways look.

"Ah, you're an M 'n M? Yes, we've heard of you, although my Nation has never had much desire to encounter you. Interesting, I've made first contact..."

Ignoring Sergei, Trafa turned to Iliyakim.

"So what makes you believe that entering space will be partially ill for your nation Iliyakim?" Trafa asked.
"New cultures to meet, and take care to not offend. Some so hostile that they will declare war unprovoked. Kaymiril, despite having a number of allies, and good men to fight for her, is not a nation accustomed to war. Now, while there are new allies to be found...there are also new enemies."

"New cultures to meet, and take care to not offend. Some so hostile that they will declare war unprovoked. Kaymiril, despite having a number of allies, and good men to fight for her, is not a nation accustomed to war. Now, while there are new allies to be found...there are also new enemies."

Trafa nodded.

"Probably why he's there. It's a big and bad Universe out there, so we'll probably do our best to help out. I heard he's going to offer the Queen the chance to join BETAC." Trafa said, slightly proud.

"New cultures to meet, and take care to not offend. Some so hostile that they will declare war unprovoked. Kaymiril, despite having a number of allies, and good men to fight for her, is not a nation accustomed to war. Now, while there are new allies to be found...there are also new enemies."

"Oh yes, I remember now, I'm not allowed to dislike you anymore, my nation insists on allying with yours, and I could never hate an ally, I guess I'l have to apologise for being an Ass before." He does not look repentant, but he truly is, he would kick himself to death if he screwed things up for his country, and whatever he felt about Iliyakim would have to be ignored, no matter how much he disliked drow, it would not be allowed to interfere.