NationStates Jolt Archive

Talbitt laughed. We're not so different

He held up his right finger. It was twitching as if he was pulling a trigger.
"When you're in long enough I suppose..."

Thunder sounded overhead. Fighters. Air superiority had been reestablished. Meaning that media coverage would now come to an abrupt halt while the Intelligence Ministry regulated what was broadcast. Something never done except in times of crisis or sensitive national matters. Seldom was was the situation both.

OOC: That's it for me tonight. I'll post the finale tomorrow.

John said worriedly to Saya and Jenny "Is Ed going to die?, I sure hope not, and what happened to Frank anyhoo?"

"Hmm... I know what you mean. Try having done this for 20 some odd years, and doing 'This' (killing Afflicted) for 14 of that. Especially when you believe there's a way to save those you're killing, or as I see it, murdering. I know that you propably see them as 'Zombies', that they're already gone, but I can't bring myself to accept that. They're still humans no matter how I look at it, and they aren't in control of their actions. Its like blowing people's brains out for being violently drunk, or something similar. That's what I believe, so take it as you will."

He looked at this man, he didn't necessarilly like him, but he was beyond just respecting him, he started to feel a bit of comradery.

The hospital room was empty, Ed was completly alone.He jerked on the bed, the virus was still active, and now that it was completly incorporated into his sytem, it began to mutate his phsyically altering him.

OOC: Got to go for a bit, finish thisup later.

Saya looked at the doctor, "Hey, is Patrick going to be okay"? She asked worridly.
OOC: Two things, One: I'm only on for a little bit. Two: Can someone please tell me what this 'Ultimate Humanity' thing is?

OOC: Evidently Ultimate Humanity is the end result of the QCS operations against the undead, and research on the creatures found on the research vessel. It supposedly mutates a human to an advanced stage of evolution where they can modify their physical body at will. This 'Frank' was the unseen hand that made the QCS complete his research. Every member was infected at somepoint with this agent, which eventually would overwrite their DNA and make them into these 'Ultimate Humans' additionally 'Frank' claimed that Saya's color changing eyes were a result of a failed strain of this 'UH Virus'. Thusly that would have made Saya one of the first failed experiments of this plot. Conversely, the SAS guys arrived later, and thusly recieved the final version of the Virus, which had all prior problems corrected. It allowed D4 to battle it out to with Frank. Frank intended to use the final version individuals to further infect people and thusly modify the entire world to his ideal.

That's my understanding, the short, nonscientific version atleast.

The ODST left, they're mission accomplished. They moved through the tunnels that connected the two nations. If hey had somehow earned awards, they would allow the medals to be bestowed by Shenyangi nationals, a new storm was brewing, and they felt they'd be needed.

Ed was alone in the hospital room. He bucked and twisted, the virus, it had reached full maturity and had incorporated itself into his very celualr stucture. He gave out a scream of aony as it slowly started re-shaping his physical form. He felt his organs disolve into liquid, his bones slowly following suite. he slowly meletd into a viscous pool, similar to what happened to any severed appendages attached to Frank. He could still feel himself, even though he was in extreme pain. He slowly started to re shape into a human form again. What horrified him the most was he oculdn't feel any pusle. He grabbed a heart rate uindicator and slapped it against where his jugular should have been. Nothing, the scanner read it as a flat line. he scrambled back against the wall, then noticed his clothes on the floor. Mortified, he checked himself, but all his clothes were intact. Appeareantly I can "create" whatever I want to wear... he concentrated on sunglasses, and sure enough, they slowly formed out of his face. He took them off and they retained their shape. he tapped them against the wall, theysounded solid. He threw them against the far wall and they shattered, then pooled back into liquid which flowed back and was absorbed into his boot. He allowed himself a mischvious smile. cool....

OOC: Shenyyang discription pretty much sums it up. Except for the fact that the strain intended to be used on humanity was a weaker strain, allowing those with the "master" strain to control them.

OOC: What happened everywhere in my nation outside the Capitol basically.
IC:
A doctor rushed into Ed's room with a needle of anasthesia. He was shocked to find Ed out of bed and furthermore back in his own clothes and not a hospital gown.
"Are you kind of Houdini or something? The restraints are still fastened and your clothes are in the other room. I guess the flatline warning was you getting up and disconnecting it. If you'll sit back down and allow me to run a few test to ensure you're alright..."
He gestured back to the bed and began to get all of the monitors ready to reconnect. A DNA scanner was brought in similar to the ones in medical bay of the Government Complex, but not quite as advanced.

The doctor Saya flagged down turned and took a look at the chart at the foot of Crispy's bed.
"From the diagnosis and post surgery reports here, he'll make a full recovery. Not to worry ma'm, the care here is easily the best in the United Defense Directorate, possibly the world. Once the anasthesia wears off I would say he would be able to move about freely in a wheelchair. He should be up and walking, carefully I might add, in about three weeks. Half the time of traditional treatment for broken ribs and internal injury."
-----------------------------------------
The soldiers removing the charges from the tunnel entrances watched the ODST pass into the tunnels and vanish. It was probably unecessary, but the interal lights were activated for their convenience. The President watched from one of the cameras.
"No rest for the weary I suppose. Once we've recieved word that all of our guests are coherent and ready to be moved I'd like them back here. They deserve some kind of recognition for what they've done."

The aid standing in the corner nodded and rushed off to get the statistics from Dominion General.

John said smiling to Saya "I am coherent at least, I've heard rumbling's that we might get recognition for what we've done..., I say Saya, I could write a book/movie about this, this would do well in Calizorinstan, and even say "Based on a true story" (he said this in an announcer's voice). Jenny giggled, and John rolled his eye's and muttered, "Girls, why do they giggle at the least oppurtune time's..."

"Then we all better get to have input as military advisors."

Dagger-4, Crimson eyes and all, was leaning on the a wall nearby. He swallowed another pill.

"That way we can make sure none of us are misrepresented."

John hoped that they United Dominon people would be there to take them to see the President soon, for the threat was over, the mission of the QCS was over...

Ed spoke the docotr. "Its nothing you need to wrry about." And walked out the room. Outside the hospital were forty union soldiers, all in some state of injury, appearently the hospital was overflowing with the wounded. General Lawrence was leaning against a fence in his usual Generals uniform. "Come here, I need to talk to you." Ed walked over to him, and they started to walk around the hospital grounds. "It turns out that your not alone." He said to Ed. "Dag 4 has it, although its unknown if its in its mature form yet." Ed shruged. 'So I'm not alone, what does it matter to you?" General lawrence chuckled. "Everything." And injected him with the contents of a syringe. "What the hell was that?" He said, almost shouting. "That is an incindeary liquid controlled by nanites, if you even think of betraying the Union, I will not hesistate to ignite it and kill you. That being said, get back to the hospital, I'm sure everybidys looking for you."

"I can see it now, 'The Undead Conspiracy' I think it'd do well in Shenyang, as long as a good studio did it, not some 2 or 3 million dollar load of crap. With us recounting the tales and the writers filling in some blanks with our approval. I think we may have a blockbuster here."

John smiled at Dag4 and said "My cousin Jack would've had a ball doing this aye. I'll be glad to be home, let me tell you, next time somebody try's to sign me up with another QCS, I am refusing, I've had enough adventure for a lifetime..."

"I'll be back to doing this within a few weeks, I can guarantee it. Funny thing about the Affliction, it refuses to be eradicated no matter what we do. We've killed and irradiated the dead, used anti-matter charges like the one Polaris had, only once though, but nothing stops this stuff, it'll just keep spreading, and keep coming back."

He was being very frank, he knew he'd really be doing this in a few more weeks, he was starting to regret it.

John said bitterly "In a few week's, I'll be doing house raid's, looking for Baa'thist's, that have been starting a revolution in our nation, they're human regular, not afflicted's, but they're a royal pain to find. I lead most raid's when I'm back in CSOCOM, and I get mostly good/unusual result's from these raid's, but it'll sure be a sight better then this..."

Ed came in and sat down with them."'Man, I can't wait to kill something that actually holds a gun and doesn't try to eat you." He picked up an issue of Chrono (The equivilent of the times) and started to flip through it. Upstairs in ICU, Crispy woke up, one of the docotrs noticed it and helped him out of bed and onto a wheel cahir. "You've got to take ie easy for the next few weeks." The docotr said. "Can't risk you stressing your ribs, so don't go running off to save the world." Crispy sighed and slumped back into the wheel chair, it was going to be hard to adjust to civilian life for a couple of weeks.

Saya sat wondering what she would do in a couple of weeks. She realised that she really didn't have any plans to go back to Mereshka. She didn't think of it as 'home', more of a house. Maybe she would continue operations like this. She wasn't even sure if she would stay in the military or not. Maybe raise a family instead.. Then she realised she wasn't sure if she had anyone to raise a fimily with. She shrugged, a well, she'd burn that bridge when she came to it.

In the process of three minutes, Crispy had purposly destroyed his hweel chair. 'Guess you'll have ta' let me walk now, right doc?" The docotr shook his head. 'I could easily get you another wheelchair." Crispy noticed a pair of crutches leaning against the wall and grabbed them. "Will this do?" The docotor sighed. "Yes..those will do, please try not to put any undo stress on your ribs?" Crispy chuckled then hobbled down the hall as fast as he could on crutches.

Saya saw Crispy come into the room, and hopped up, and ran to him and gave him what counted for a bear hug with girls. "Are you okay Patrick"? She asked him.

Crispy grinted in pain and tried to reuturn the hug. "My ribs." He managed to grunt. He let go of Saya and sank into one of the seats. "Anyone got a drink?" He asked.

Saya quickly let go of him, "Oops, sorry. What kind of drink do you want"?

He relaxed back on the chair. "Bourbon, in a big glass."

Saya nodded, "Hold on a second". She said. She ran off to Micks room, and came back carrying a half filled large glass of Borboun. She handed it to him, "But, since you're sick, thats all you get". She told him.

Crispy chuckled and swigged it back. "if only Ed could see me now, Bourbons his favorite to, he used to carry a flask of the stuff whenever he wasn't on duty." He looked around. 'Speaking of which where is he?"

Saya shrugged, "Dunno, haven't seen him in a bit. I'm sure hes around here somewhere". She grinned, "I bet it would rankle him though, seeing you all nice and comfty with his favorite drink in your hand".

OOC: Hvae to go for a bit, be back in a few hours.

OOC: Alright, seeya.

Mick feigned irritation at Saya taking his bourbon, "You seem to know your way through my stuff all too well..." He smiled to show he wasn't really mad.
"At any rate, the news is looking good. I tuned in a while ago and the nation's finally all clear. We should be getting a lift back soon."

As soon as he finished, five men in dark suits walked into the room.
"On behalf of the President, we are here to escort you all to the Government Complex where the President will be making a speech and holding an awards ceremony/luncheon. Please, follow me."

He led the group to a waiting limousine. It still had a fine layer of soot on it from the fires. Mick was about to join the Black Ops in their Stryker when Talbitt raised a hand.

"No, go on ahead with them. This was as much your moment as it was theirs. We're on the sidelines this time."

Smiling and nodding, Mick climbed into the limo, careful not to hit the bandaged side of his head as he got in.

Saya looked around the limo, "Wow, this is the first time I've ever been in one of these. I think I like it." She spotted Micks bandeged head, "Oh, are you all right Mick"? She asked in a sympathetic voice.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for asking. The doc says it'll be a week before I should remove the bandages. The eye's expected to make a 95-100% recovery thankfully. If it were any other hospital and not the one near the weapons factories and testing facilities I'd be wearing an eye patch right about now. At any rate, let'ssee what they've got in the fridge..."
He opened to fridge of the minibar and quickly shut the door, grumbling about there never being a good drink around when you need one.
He turned to Dagger 4 and tossed him his flask, "Keep it, you sound like you need it more than I do!" He smiled.

John sat down next to Dag4 and Saya and said smiling "I am glad to be out of here, we ought to exchange cell phone number's so we can contact one another. We should we hold the 1st Annual QCS Squad Reunion?, these last few week's reminded me of boot camp,except for the afflicted. I have survived all 6 mission's of the QCS." He looked around and said "I've been in a limo like this a couple of time's, since I've been promoted to Cheif of Staff of the Army in Calizorinstan..."

Dagger-4 emptied one of his tubes and entered the limo. He didn't really care about medals, he only cared that everyone was still alive. He sat back and tried to relax. His camouflage was covered in dust, torn in places, and splattered with blood. He didn't exactly look presentable, but then, that was to be expected after what he'd done.

"I nearly died, fought the Afflicted, soldiers, cyborgs, and monsters, I stayed on a ship marked for destruction, fought a mutated psychopath, twice, battled my way through First City, and was permanently mutated by a bizarre virus. This has been one helluva few weeks."

He wasn't talking to anyone in particular, he was just trying to understand what had happened over this whole time. He fully expected that someone would respond.

OOC: back for a bit.

Crispy cheered. "Awards! This mean I'm no the last track to Lt.Colonel!" He got up and grabbed his crutches. "We just gotta find Ed now."

Saya put her hands on her hips, "Hey, what do you mean by mutated Dag? Besides, remember that I had the funky eyes before all of you". She sniffed, "So you guys are just cheap imitations". She put her head out the window, "So, when do we leave?"

The men returned. Three of them climbed into a black sedan behind the limo. Two got into the driver's cabin. The passenger turned back, "Is everyone here?"

Ed was the second to arrive at the limo, he had gone back to his gear to get his flask, then joined up with the others. He saw Crispy hopping out on crutches, followed by Saya and Mick. He hoped the awrards ceremony was short, he was never one for crowds.

Saya glanced around the limo, "Yep, I'm pretty sure thats everyone".

Saya sat down by Crispy, "Hey, Patrick, what are you going to do after this is all through huh"?

Ed undid the top of his flask and took a long swig. He relaxed a bit and leaned against the seat, this whole nightmare was over for everybody except himself. he had to live with the fact that he was going to be in Union service for as long as he lived. he stared out the window, the industrial sector flashing by.

OOC: Have to go for a bit this time. Eating lunch.

With that the driver hit a button and the doors automatically closed. The three car procession continued down the main street. The sedan was in front with the limo in the center and the Stryker followintg closely behind.

They reached the outer gates of the Government Complex and a soldier stepped up to the driver side window. Words were exchanged and the party was told that they had to continue on foot.

The answer as to why came in the form of thousands upon thousands of body bags obstructing the main road into the Complex. The group's worried expression were quickly calmed as it was explained that most if not all of the bodies were infected, and not civilians or soldiers from the Complex.

The wall of reporters came next. Immediately the five men had DSP's drawn and ready. The reporters were pushed away as the group was flooded with questions.

"What happened?"
"What's the status of the Industrial Sector?"
"Did you see anything in terms of new weapons?"
"How many infected were there?"
"Are the cultists gone for good?"

The five men pushed them away and continually answered with "No comment at this time."

The QCS were led to an auditorium and asked to be seated. The President was standing at a podium on center stage surrounded by cameras. Once the QCS and the various members of the Dominion government were silent, he began to speak.

"Citizens of our great Dominion, esteemed guests, I greet you all on the morning after of the greatest domestic catastrophe this great nation has ever born witness to.
In the greatest infiltration and conspiracy against the government we have ever known, a cult planted an individual infected with a mutagenic virus into our residential district. Thougfh the outbreak quickly reached almost one million casulties in the Capitol, this was merely a diversion.
Our former Intelligence Minister was infected by a lesser strain of the virus, presumably a mind control agent. He along with a section of our military staged a coup to occupy the entirety of our nation's military while the leader of the cult, Frank Dawson, utilized on of our factories in the Industrial Sector to bring about mass delivery of the virus dubbed 'Ultimate Humanity.'
Our medical professionals, the best in the world, were able to synthesize a cure for the virus and the tide was turned. Frank Dawson, and all of his followers, were promptly defeated by the forces of the Dominion Civil Authority and the Quarantine and Containment Squad.
Though this disaster has hit us harder than any other, we, in our indefatigable spirit and determination, have not been daunted. Even now, the Capitol is under reconstruction and the rest of the nation is secure and under restoration. Our darkest hour has proven to be our finest, and thus we shall endure.
Now, a moment of silence for all of the fallen. Afflicted or otherwise.
He bowed his head as taps played in the background. Once it had finished, he turned it over to his Secretary of the Interior to give the details on rebuilding and proceeded ofstage to join the QCS.

"Well now that I've given my statement, let's get to the courtyard shall we?"
They were led down a hall, following signs that were labeled 'Central Courtyard'

Saya walked down the hall nervously. She hoped she didn't have to give any speeches or anything, she got major stagefright. She fingered her katanas hilt uneasily, at least it was over though, now she could live out her life the way she wanted. But, she wasn't quite sure how she wanted it.

Mick saw Saya's nervousness and smiled. Funny how anyone could be nervous here, it was his home. He'd been down this hall countless times stealing food from the kitchens for a midnight snack.
"Saya, everything OK? You seem a little worried. Maybe you'd like something to calm you down?"
He pulled out another flask, "Just not too much OK? We are going on TV after all." He smiled.

Saya smiled and took the flask, and took a gulp. "Thanks Mick, and its nothing, I'm just a bit nervous. I get stage fright easy. Say, is your head okay"?

He shook his head slightly, "Aside from the slight headache and sensitivity to light, I think I'll be alright. Oh, and no need to worry. you won't be asked to say anything. They'll pan over us with a TV camera or ten, R.L. says a few words, they pin medals on us, we eat and get some rest. After that your free to come and go as you please. Actually, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to give you a tour of the place before you go. You might find that when the world's not ending it's really very nice here. To tell you the truth, it'd be pretty cool if you guys hung around for a while..."
He blushed slightly and cleared his throat a little, trying to check the outburst, "So, how's your arm?"
He was definitely going to miss them all, and as much as the Government Complex was his home, he really didn't have anyone to spend time with outside training with the Black Ops.

The group reached a stairwell. Sunlight poured down from the top of the stairs.

Saya rubbed her arm, "Oh, its fine. It just tingles a bit." She looked at Mick, "Well, I might hang around a bit. I don't really have any plans. I'd love to tour your city, I need a vacation anyways". She blinked in the sunlight, "Wow, I didn't realise how dark it was down there".

OOC; Back.

Shortly before arriving

Crispy responded to Says question. "I really don't know, Plan on retiring in another decade, maybe I'll start a family in between then.

At the ceremony

Ed shrank back away from the whole crowd of reporters, he didn't like crowds at all. he stepped back, then pushed his way through. He hurried to catch up to the rest of them, he really did not like crowds at all.

The Daggers sat there, listening to the speech. They were glad that this mission was done. The two of them looked forward to going back to Shenyang. Dagger-4 wanted to see his family, even if he wasn't exactly the smae person he used to be. Dagger-5 wondered if he had found someone that he could settly down with.

'Maybe, just maybe,' he thought, 'maybe I could settle down.'

He looked at Dagger-4 for some sort of approval. Dagger-4 knew what he was thinking. Earlier he'd condemned him for it, but he'd come to realize that this time, what he was thinking was different. A nod and a slight smile gave 5 the approval he'd been looking for.

Dagger-5 rose as the Secretary of the Interior was speaking. The speech didn't matter much to him, he didn't live here after all. He looked at his destination, then for anything that could make things more difficult.

He headed over, he whispered into Mick's ear what he was planning as he passed him. Dagger-5 sat down and reached into his pocket. He looked at the person sitting next to him. He knew he had to do something, or he'd miss his chance. Once more he glanced at 4, who nodded again. He saw him mouth the words 'come on, go for it.' Stealthilly he checked the contents of the box, it was perfectly fine. The person next to him didn't notice anything. Maybe she noticed that he was nervous, but so was she. He hesitated a few more moments, praying that things went like he hoped they would.

"...Saya... I have to as you something."

He brought around the box, and opened it. Inside was a beautiful ring. He hadn't come just because of the undead, or to help 4, he'd seen the reports, and read Saya's dossier, and had known then that he had to try this.

"...Will you..."

For the first time in his career as far back as he could remember, he was actually shaking, he was normally cool under pressure, but this was beyond even him. He thought to himself silently, 'please, please, please.' He looked into her eyes, hopping to find an answer.

John and Jenny sat down next to Mick and listened to the speech, and John whispered to Mick "Thank you for watching my back pal all of the time I've been in the QCS, you, Dag4 and 5, and Saya are my best pals." He lightly clapped Mick on the back, and was going to be extremely grateful that he could return home, and proudly bear the QCS badge on his uniform, he'd have done what no other Calizorinstani Special Op's member had ever done...

Mick was in shock Damn Dag, beat me to it...

Mick smiled at John, "Hey, no problem. I just hope you can make it back here sometime. You know, without undead. The city's a beautiful place, just give it a chance."

They proceeded out into a beautiful garden and field surrounded by skyscrapers. Lawn chairs were set up in front of a small stage and an honor guard was standing at attention.
Just as Mick had predicted, they were scanned by cameras, the President said a few words, and one by one they were all called up to recieve an honorary rank of Leutenant Commander in the Dominion Military as well as the Platinum Cross of Valor, thye highest honor the military the Dominion had to offer to combat survivors. They also each recieved the Purple Heart, earned through sustaining injury in the defense of the Dominion.
The event was punctuated by a flyover of A-10 Thunderbolts from Ravager Squadron and a twenty one gun salute from the honor guard. Afterward they were directed toward a long row tabls lined with many different types of food from each of the soldiers' respected homelands.

The Black Ops respectfully declined and departed to clean and check their gear. The President busied himself by talking to the reporters and keeping them away from the QCS by telling them about how well the construction process was going.

Crispy saw Dag 5 pull out the ring and was furious. He almost got out of his seat and left, but realized he had to put on a public face. Ed looked over and saw him biting down on his lip, so hard that blood was dribbling out of the corners of his mouth. "Geez Patrick calm down." Said Ed. Patrick amost immideatly shot back a look filled with venom. "Calm down? You didn't clam down when that one guy proposed to Mary." Ed flinched, that had brought up bad memories. "Calm down Patrick, their are other women out their." Patrick shot him another look full of venom the turned his attention back to the speech.

John and Jenny approached Mick adn Saya and smiled and said "Well Mick, you've done a great job watching my back, and Saya, you're the best sniper I've ever known. It was only because of our teamwork that we lost zero member's of the QCS. May I cordially invite you to my retirement from CSOCOM next month, I'm having a little party?, I've rejoined the Calizorinstani Air Force, and I'm going to be flying RF-4C's out of March AFB in Calizorinstan my home country of courses, with the 163rd Tactical Recconisance Group, that's where the party will be held.."

OOC:
This will basically help to cap off the QCS adventure's, by having one last party, so we can make a thread about the party, I'll make it, but first what say you Ruth, Sheng, and Merk, and UHC? You're character's are all invited...

Saya was extremely surprised. She looked at the ring, then at Dag5, then at Crispy, then at Dag4, then at Mick, back to the ring, and started all over again. She looked around nervously, "I...uhm...I don't know what to say". And she honestly didn't. She settled to looking between the ring, Dag5, and Crispy. She wasn't sure how she felt about this. It really was a beautiful ring, all silver and gold, and a nice diomand in the stud. She hardly knew him, beyond what she had managed to gather during the missions. But you know Patrick even less, remember? a little voice inside her said. She looked up at him, "Just...Just let me think, please. Just let me think a moment".
OOC: Hehe, you surpriesed me with that one, didn't see that comin.

OOC: D5 was initially supposed to be a professional bachelor, but I changed that aspect a while back.

Ed continued to sit calmy through the ceremony, years ofknowing him helped him to infer that Crispy was boiling over in rage. He slowly reached down to his pistol and clicked the safety off, just in case he decided to go beserk. In fact, Crispy got his nickname because he had a "Flaming Irish temper" that would "burn anything to a crisp"

While John was talking with the other's, Jenny looked at Saya and smiled and said "This Air Force job, that my husband's taking on, is his last military job, being a RF-4C recce jet, he's alway's wanted to be a recce pilot. He'll fly for 4.5 year's, and then retire, he's been in the service for 26 year's now. I'll be glad to see him retire, he's going to be a Van Luxenburg Automotive Salesmen."

Mick shook himself off, trying to focus on what John was saying
She could always say no...there's a chance...
He turned to John, "I'd love to. And there's no one I'd rather have worked alongside for these months."

Dominion Secret Service also noted Crispy's anger and quickly checked their sidearms. A sniper wielding a dart gun moved invisibily into position atop one of the buildings.

OOC: The party will start after this is over, and the thread will be named "The last party"

IC:
John smiled at Mick and said "Thank you, and that goes for you as well, I've been in the service for about 30 year's now, and when I retire it'll be 35 years, it's been a long time since I've had a free weekend at all, but marrying Jenny's gonna change it. The party will be next month, so you can tell the Dag's, Ed, and Saya that I'm holding a party and that they're all invited, it'll be my special operation's retirement party, and my re joining the Calizorinstani Air Force party."

OOC: A party? YEAH!

OOC: Damn straight the Daggers'll be there.

OOC: John while he's there, will be putting on a flying display in his new RF-4C assigned to him, so it's a bit of an airshow, it'll be before dinner. I'll make the thread after this is over...

IC:
John clicked off his M1911A1 Government Model's safety, for he felt that Crispy might start to charge him, he'd better be armed and he whispered to Mick "What set Crispy off anyhow?"

Saya nodded absent mindedly at John, "Yes, sure I'd love to.." She sat down in a chair wondering what to do. This was all very confusing. Judging from the expressions on Mick and Crispy, there were now three men after her. Shouldn't they at least go on a date first? Hmm..That was it, she'd tell them she wanted to go on a date with them first. Maybe that would help her decide. She went off to tell them.

OOC: John while he's there, will be putting on a flying display in his new RF-4C assigned to him, so it's a bit of an airshow, it'll be before dinner. I'll make the thread after this is over...

IC:
John clicked off his M1911A1 Government Model's safety, for he felt that Crispy might start to charge him, he'd better be armed and he whispered to Mick "What set Crispy off anyhow?"

"The same thing that decades of training kept me from blowing up about. Dag beat us both to the punch." he muttered.

IC:
John clicked back his safety and said to Mick "I wonder how long he'll live before he tick's off somebody, and die's?, I wonder if we'll get award's for our hazardous job?"

Ed tapped Crispy on the shoulder. "hand me your firearm." he said. Crispy whiped around. "Why should I?" He asked. Ed shrugged. "Keep you from shooting up the place, now calm down." Crispy handed him his M1911, but unloaded the magazine first. "keep your head on, remeber what Ice heart said about your temper, its gonna get you into a situation your going to regret." Crispy sighed. "I don't have ice hearts temprement, nor do I have the luck of being calm all the time like snow."

Saya decided to tell Crispy first. She walked up to him, "Uhm, Crispy? I've decided to go on a date with you, Dag5, and Mick before I decide on how to do this. What do you say"?

A lifetime of PR told the President all he needed to know. The reporters were cleared out and he left on 'official cleanup business' and they could come and go as they pleased. A Secret Service Agent was assigned to each of them to guide them anywhere they pleased...almost.
Aside from these agents who kept a healthy distance and the sniper with the dart gun, the QCS was essentially alone in the courtyard. The first moment alone they'd had since before their mission to blow up the boat off Stryker Island.
Mick sighed and pulled out his flask. He took a long swig and leaned back.
At least John's party should be fun...

John said to Mick "This is wonderful, I haven't had a moment's rest since we were tasked to clear out the boat. I think somebody in CSOCOM, was by sending me here, trying to get me killed, although I personally doubt it." He shrugged and said "Everybody I know in CSOCOM, wouldn't send me into somewhere, where I would have a very time's five, slim chance of making it out alive. I think somebody signed me up with the QCS on a whim, although if I hadn't joined, I wouldn't have met you, Saya, Ed, Dag4 and 5, say, what happened to Dmirti?"

Crispy looked up. "Sure thing." He said. Ed tapped him on the shoulder and handed him his gun back. "Refrain from shooting Dag 5 and Mick, will you?" He said.

IC:
John clicked back his safety and said to Mick "I wonder how long he'll live before he tick's off somebody, and die's?, I wonder if we'll get award's for our hazardous job?"

OOC: A few posts back the President did give everyone the Platinum Cross of Valor, the nation's highest honor to combat survivors. All who suffered injuries got the Purple Heart
IC:
Mick turned to John, "No clue about Crispy, here's hoping it'll resolve itself,"
He too had his DSP armed and ready.

Saya nodded, took a deep breath, and went to Mick next, and told him of her little plan. "So, what do you say Mick"? She asked him.

Ed stood up. "I hate crowds." he said, then pulled out his pistol and started to disassemble it. He wiped away a bit of grease he hadn't noticed before, and the metal shined back at him, reflecting his red eyes and reminding him of what he was. he sighed and pulled the slide back, it clicked, and a round was ejected from the clip. He ejected it, picked up the round and pushed it back into the clip before sliding it back into place.

John and Jenny walked over to Dag4 and Dag5 and John said "I am hoping that by flying RF-4's that I won't be dragged into this "Afflicted buisness" again, I mean, it was an adventure, and I would do it again if I have to, but I am getting kind of old for this stuff..."

Mick tried as best he could to conceal the light returning to his eye (he's still bandaged)
"Sure, I'd love to! I mean, yeah. That's most even way of doing it."

Jenny walked over to Ed and said "I've heard alot about you from my husband, about your little adventure in the hospital, poor thing!"

Ed turned to Mick. "So, what do we do now?" He then looked around and noticed a secret service agent starig at him. "And call of that guy, I don't need any protection."

Saya nodded, and walked to Dag5, "Uhm, Dag? Before I answer your question, I need to go on a date with you, Mick, and Crispy, what do you say"?

Dagger-5 responded less positively.

"O-okay, that'll be fine."

A grimace of possible rejection crossed his face for an instant. He controlled it as best he could.

John grinned at Dag4 and said "Man, I can't wait for the party I'm hosting to start, they're preparing it, and it's a fine meal I must say. The President of Calizorinstan is there, and he's going to honor all the QCS member's in a speech too, don't worry,he's a good speech maker."

Jenny walked over to Saya and patted her on the back and said "John's been telling me a lot of good thing's about you, he's told me funny stories about the QCS breakroom, and other stories."

John noticed General Lawerence and walked over to meet him and said "Good day General, at last this is over, it's a good thing I must say.."

Saya walked away. She was a bit saddened by Dags response, she hated seeing dissapointment in peoples eyes, especially when she caused it. She sighed, well, it seemed that no matter what she did, she would see it in two pairs of eyes. She realised that she was starving and went over to the Mereshkan food stand, the food was the only thing she missed about Mereshka.
OOC: LOL, looks like we'll be having ourselves an episode of 'The Bachelorette'

General Lawrence arrived in the room and was automatically surrounded by the security. After being searched he was let isnide. "Well, just came to tell all of you that President Allens will eb attending the party as well to give more medals. And the good thig is, and this should mkae Ed really happy, their will be no media coverage of it."

OOC: yeah.

General lawrence then proceeded to where the Union food was, a wide mix of German, English and American foods. he grabbeda bratwurst, a hamburger and some chips and vinegar and started to munch it all down. "Its been way to long since I've had this fast a metabolisim." He said, munching happily on his food. Ed joined him and grabbed a small slice of roast beef and sat down next to him. "Never had much of an appetite." he said.

OOC: Are we still at the courtyard, or at my party?, if at the courtyard, let me know when you're ready to head to the party, my guy's a airline pilot too ;)

John walked over to General Lawerence and Ed, after eating some Calizorinstani food (mostly American, Mexican, and Chinese food), and said "Hello Ed, hello General, I am pleased that we're meeting under happy circumstance's and not an unhappy one, say is Dmitri here?"

Jenny smiled and said "He's told me about that one, he said he was geniunely worried about it, because he was thinking about me, and thus, he said he played the right card, to say he had a girlfriend and a possible son/daughter, and it spared him..., he's told me about the guitaring in the breakroom.."

Saya grinned at Jenny, "Oh? Has he told you about our little hanging joke"?

Mick was looking much more optimistic now. He strolled over to the Dominion food table and the chef on duty cut him a piece from a large side of roast. He followed that up with talapia, a type fish native to the Dominion coastline, scalloped potatoes, pasta, and clams on the half shell. It was the best meal he'd had in a long time. Following it up with a glass of vintage wine made in vineyards just outside First City, he sat down and started thinking of his old haunts to take Saya to around the Capitol.
A realization suddenly hit him: aside from his dress uniform, he had nothing good to wear!
He pulled out his headset on began to search the directory for a good tailor.

OOC: Ball's in your court, we can leave whenever you're ready

Ed looked around. "Don't see him, must've dropped out of the QCS." And returned to eating his steak. General lawrence stood up and got himself a half glass of Union Brandy, extremly strong stuff.

Saya laughed, "Oh don't forget, he agreed to a deal, after he gets to raise his children, I get to hang him upside down above a group of animated corpses". She grinned at Jenny.

John walked over and said "That's sound's like you're going to hang me in front of Inferi, doesn't it Jenny?, well, I'll let you know when I have kid's, we're ready for the party Saya, tell people that I've left to go to the party.., and that we'll fly them in our private 707 aircraft if they head to the airfield"

John and Jenny left the courtyard party, and hitched a ride to the airfield, and John and Jenny walked up the airstair's, and they started the plane and waited for their guest's.

OOC: Okay, we're leaving in John and Jenny's private 707, should be a 3.5-4 hour flight, which we can RP during that time..

Crispy had been rlaxing the entire time in his chair, dreamingin his own little world again. He was shaken out of it By ed, who handed him a large glass of bourbon and sat down next to him. "So Ed, what are you going to do after this?' He asked. "Don't know, maybe I'll stick with the whole black ops things and rejoin the knights, or maybe I'll go political and run for president."

Jenny and John waited for the guest's to board their 707 which had in-flight refueling capabilty, so fuel would be no problem. John was in the pilot's seat, and Jenny was the flight attendant, and one of the guest's would be a co-pilot.

After setting up his appointment, and discreetly charging it to the Government's account Old habits... he walked over to General Lawrence and saluted.
"Sir, it's been a pleasure serving under you. I'm thinking the President may be planning to set up a scientific branch of the QCS here. If so, I'm most likely either on the team or heading the department. I guess this means we'll be seeing more of each other?"
He was interrupted by a Secret Service Agent, who informed them that a jet was waiting to take them to another reception in Calizorinstan.

General Lawrence shrugged. "Actually I've been thinking of passing the command onto someone else." He looked at Ed, then back at Mick. "Besides, I plan to enjoy my newly restored youth by rejoining the Infantry. But I might stick around for a bit, get things running smoothly.

Dagger-4 was worried about 5, the poor kid had spent his entire adult life chasing this girl, and that girl, but now he seemed to be ready to settle down and give up his life as a bachelor. If she ended up turning him down, 4 had no idea how he'd react.

He silently prayed for 5 to be her choice. She was perfect for him, and while he wasn't perfect, 4 sensed that 5 was really willing to try for her.

He tried to come up with a way to help, but realized that he couldn't help this. He may have felt like an older brother to the two of them, but he wouldn't interfere, for both their sakes.

John said as Saya approached "Ah, there's our first guest, she can't miss us, we're the only private airliner on the field, the airstair's are down." Jenny waved out of the door at Saya to make sure she knew where they were...

Saya went around to tell everybody what John said, and then headed torwards the airfield.

"Oh hey, were leaving now!" Said General lawrence. he poured himself one last glass of Union brandy before heading down to the airfield with Crispy and Ed in tow.

Two agents walked up and began moving the QCS toward another limo. They were then driven to the Government Complex's private airport where a foreign Boeing 707 waited to load them onboard. As a parting gift the President sent them all with changes of clothes and luggage.

OOC: Alright Calizorinstan, your show!

OOC: Alrighty, here it goes:

IC:

John helped the guest's aboard and said "We need somebody to volunteer to be a co-pilot, since our normal head co-pilot's helping set up the party..", the guest's would find that all seat's onboard were leather, and that they had generous leg room, with IFE's onboard, and Wi-Fi internet, courtesy of Connex ( A Calizorinstanian company that does Wi-Fi). John said "We'll roll the stair's away when everybody's onboard."

OOC: Maybe after the party thread I'll do a five or ten year later thread. Anyone up for it?

John saw Dag4 and said "Care to be a 707 co-pilot for this flight Dag4?, here you go!" He showed Dag4 to the co-pilot's seat.

OOC: I'd probably join it. We're ready to roll!

OOC: Don't see why not, but should we wait for Mereshka's threads to finish first? So we get the full picture.

The Daggers went with the general. Dagger-5 looked extremely worried.
"How'll I..."
"Trust me when I say this. Be you. Don't try to do anything you wouldn't do normally. Have you really changed?"
"I think so, I really do."
"Thats good enough for me."

OOC: Hmm... Sounds interesting. I'd probably join it.

OOC: Maybe she'll icnorporate it into the party thread or start a seperate one, I don't know. But the time jump thread is going to be interesting, I promise you that.

OOC: Don't see why not, but should we wait for Mereshka's threads to finish first? So we get the full picture.
OOC: My threads? What?

OOC: I meant the date threads. That way we'll get the full story.

OOC: Yup. It will be five to ten years later after all. 9I'm planning on going with ten if their aren't any objections)

IC:

John started the B-707 up and as they taxied, he made the usual airline PA announcement's, and then said "This 707, is the prototype 707, so get a sense of history." He lined it up on the hold line and Jenny came through and stopped at Mick and said "What drink would you like sir, it's only 1 hour and 30 minute's till we arrive at March AFB."

OOC: Oh, yeah. Okay then.

OOC: Decade's cool with me. Be interesting to see what people come up with in terms of events since now.

OOC: Just waiting for cal to start the thread...

OOC: Here's the party thread, we're enroute, 30 minutes' till landing, here's the thread: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12804896

Mick turned and smiled, "Wow, a vintage jet and good service. Calizorinstan may outdo my people in terms of hospitality. I'll lay off the liquor for a while. Water please."

OOC: Ruthless, and everyone the on-plane and the party RP has moved to this thread: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12804896

IC:
(one last IC post in this thread)

Jenny smiled and said "We have soft drink's too, so that's fine, we have almost every soft drink stocked up here..."