NationStates Jolt Archive

Mr. Savk leaned casually on the side of a hovercraft, waiting for his new students. Behind him was arrayed several hovercraft, FAR wheeled jeeps, tanks(without ammunition), shuttles, dropships, fighters, freighters, and a gunboat. All would be used though the course of the day. The Alversian was huge, 7,2, and looked as though he could crush rocks with his bare hands. This was unusual, because fighter pilots are usually short and stocky, rather then tall and bulky. But he was, in his time, one of the best damned pilots in the whole Alversian Air Force. He, against Academy regulations, smoked a cigar while he waited for his young pilots and drivers.

Pat burst out into the sun outside eager for his first driving class and to see what types of vehicles he would be allowed to control. As an QSF soldier he had had exceptional amounts of training in vehicles and was considered by many in his nation to be the best calvary soldier the country had seen in years. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness he noticed an extremely tall man standing in front of vehicles, of varying origins, with a cigar in his mouth. Pat instantly realized he was going to love this class.

Dominic walked out into the sun and smiled slightly. Good weather for driving, clear. His Homeworld was essentially all Marshland, so Hovercraft and 4x4 training was needed in order to traverse the rural areas.

Cavourna walked into the room and immediately saluted the teacher who was smoking nearby

"Ian Cavourna reporting, Sir!" he looked at the massive pilot in front of him "It's an honour to meet you at last, Sir"

OOC: What branch was Savk in? Army or Navy?

Pat nodded towards Dominic and smiled as a friendly greeting.

OOC: APAAF then?

"Yes Sir" Ian replied enthusiastically, then he stopped for a moment "But all my training has been on Naval Aircraft. Sorry Sir" he was still overawed by the fact he was in the company of a legend

OOC: Army
IC: The huge pilot nodded at Cavourna. "Can you fly a fighter, boy?" he growled, going for intimidating.

Pat smiled. He liked this Ian fellow. He seemed nice, if only a little over enthusiastic. Of course there might be something about his Professor he did not know. Still smiling Pat pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth, he didn't light it fearing it would be against Academy rules.

Gerrak would have enjoyed the class more if it were at night, but the change of being outdoors was delightful in itself. Xiclapian air held rather more pollutants in it than his homeworld, but troll technology was cleaner and much less used. The prospect of hurtling through the sky was both thrilling and anxiety causing.
While he doubted his own vision and the reliance upon it this course would force, he also knew he could crush a mukade's skull at 200 meters and had tested well enough to qualify here.
He noted with some small alarm the instructor's face was burning, but as the man was placid, dismissed it as some local aberration. The sweet cloying smell of the smoke filled Gerrak's senses, calming him and allowing him to focus more on his tasks. "Me Gerrak Krag, Ordo Zorak Zorani-yu teesh me fly heer?"

Indigo lifted her face to the sun, enjoying it's warmth upon her. However the sight of warcraft brought her up short. She hadn't enrolled in piloting, she was just wanting to improve her skills with civilain vehicles. She'd only learned to drive such six months ago, and had riden in them seldom before then.

Dubiously she looked at the hulking instructor and frowned. Among her people smoking even though they had bred niccotine out of tobacco centuries ago, wasn't common. And while cannabiss was very popular in some circles, she had never been around cigars and found the odor overwhelmingly foul. But it was not her place to judge one of the honored instructors. She simply edged slightly behind Kai and hoped he would not blow the smoke in her direction.

OOC: Indeed, Alversia, APAAF. FYI Ordo Drakul, Xiscapians take very good care of their envonment, not to rag on you or anything. They do use fuels and whatnot, but much of it is clean-burning and cities are scarce.
IC: Savk's scarred face broke into a grin around his cigar as he stared down at the Alversian youth. "You'll do alright, Army and Navy aircraft ain't that much different." "Me Gerrak Krag, Ordo Zorak Zorani-yu teesh me fly heer?" Savk turned his attention to a towering troll, although he wasn't so huge near Savk. "Yes I will, and I'll do it damned well." A door across campus opened and there was a soft hiss. For a moment everyone looked around confused. Then there was a thunk noise as a shuriken inbedded itself in the wall behind Savk, and his cigar fell into two parts onto the grass. Across the field stood an Xiscapian female with long purple hair, evidently the one who had thrown the shuriken. "Smoking is not good for our air or your lungs, you know this." She called to Savk. "I'm retired, I'll do what I damned please. It's filtered anyway." The Xiscapian just shook her head and went back inside. "Damn Sgt. Keela." Savk muttered, feeling around his pocket. "That was my last cigar."

Pat began to walk around the HMMVV that was parked nearby. He could hear the vehicle calling to him, telling him to drive. "In capable hands these things are killing machines, in the wrong ones, they are a death trap." Pat remembered his first Armored Calvary instructor telling him. Pat's life had been saved countless times by the sheer maneuverability of these vehicles and naturally as most combat troops do he thought it had a soul.

OOC: APAAF and APNAF aircraft not different? There's all the difference in the world

Ian watched as the Xiscapian drifted past, his eyes drifting slightly towards the ground. Like all Alversians, he bore a strange fascination with the Xiscapian figure and build. It was a strange connection but, hey, nothing is strange in space.

He was still nervous about the flight. He knew he would be up against it, Naval training gave him no advantage over any of the other students if they were using Alversian Army aircraft.

Gerrak was curious about these machines-on Pamaltela, the trolls relied on the giant insects of the Ordo Gorakikki to fly within the planetary atmosphere, and the Gates to travel between worlds. Large machines like this were unknown, but fascinating to him.
The controls were strange, and he studied the layout carefully. He doubted very much he'd use one of these machines often, at least not on Pamaltela, but he enjoyed the thought of driving and even flying offworld.

Savk strode over the one of the hovercraft. "All right, we're going to start with the basics. This is your standered hovercraft: Most people use them, some don't. Relatively easy to pilot, I've got one here for each of you. Once you've messed around for a while, I'll arrange a race with a little prize for the winner."

OOC:

Speeder (http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_8_19_2004_10_19_25/speeder.png7b04632c-24fe-4a9a-8571-e3da62ea7684Large.jpg)
Hovercraft (http://gallery.mcneel.com/fullsize/speeder.jpg)
Tank (http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_6_6_2004_21_41_56/Hovertank01.jpgc00f088f-bb8d-4803-96ba-4441f0c318cdLarge.jpg)
FAR jeep (http://www.covenant-clan.co.uk/images/warthog.jpg)
Xiscapian Fighter (http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/thumb/6/61/VWing-NEGVV.jpg/250px-VWing-NEGVV.jpg)
Old Gunboat (http://shipyards.relicnews.com/hw2/images/display.htm?concept_Frigate.jpg)
Alversian Fighter (http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/thumb/d/d2/Naboo_N-1_fighter_1.jpg/250px-Naboo_N-1_fighter_1.jpg)

The hovercraft was laid out very simply, and Gerrak experimented with the controls for a bit, making certain he wouldn't break them, before engaging the engine. He gave a start as the craft rose, gripping the pedals nervously with his hind claws, but he soon got the hang of it.
Floating on a cushion of air was exhilarating, and he careened around hooting and clacking excitedly until he was signalled to stop, when he brought the craft to his designated position. The roar of the engines was not detrimental to his darksense, being on a different frequency, so he was certain he'd do well, though his unfamiliarity with the controls would hinder him.

Pat powered up the hovercraft making sure that all systems were nominal. He had never trained on one of these vehicles before but the basic lay out was similar to the HMMVV. He quickly realized that the hovercraft in no way preformed like a car. The hovercraft slid and slewed far more than any average car would. He slowly began to get the hang of it but could tell from the way some of the other students were driving he wasnt going to win this compition

Gerrak saw his friend Pat looking rather hangdog, so he roared at him:"To-om Slik! To-om Slik! In da Tunderbolt Greez-slapper he iz on yoor tayl-but he wont quit becuz yu no dere's no such wurd as fail to To-om Slik! TOM SLIK!"
He then gave a thumb's-up, in the hopes of cheering his friend up.

Pat gave a chuckle and returned the thumbs up. "Well" thought Pat "I may not be good at this but at least its fun" as he threw the Hovercraft into a slide

Dominic entered a Hovercraft. He'd used plenty of these, but this ones controls were different. He turned on the throttle, 180'd the 'craft around, then did another spin around.
"Roughly the same, I suppose." He fiddled around with the controls for a minute.

Indigo entered the hovercraft gracefully and studied the controls as she settled the safety restraints about her. She was somewhat familiar with the controls and took a few minutes to completely familiarise herself with them. Then she engaged the engine and with careful prescssion drove the hovercraft around the course that had been laid out for them. It was different than driving an autiomobile, but just as fun. Soom she had the feel of the craft and was in careful increments increasing the speed and the complezity of the maneuvers she was asking of the vehicle. Though she she remained carefull, prefering to be safe rather than fast.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Kai had watched Indigo climb into hers before turning to his and bounding inside. This was one class he would be able to cut loose in. He could well afford to pay for any damages to the craft. With a light hearted expression he kicked in the engine and was, in mere minutes speeding about engaging in all manner of daredeviltry.

Savk watched his students. Not much talent here, save for from Kai. Hopefully they'd be better at piloting. He waited for the Alversian kid to get started. As soon as everyone had had a little while to get used to the controls, they would race.

Ian eased himself into the cockpit and pressed the button to get started. As soon as it had started he took off and drifted around the area for a while before returning back to Savk

"My dad let me drive these in Rio Casa" he explained, grinning.

"Then I bet you'll win the race, boy." said Savk gruffly. He turned and shouted. "Okay, everyone form up at the white line. Three laps around the track (3/4 of a mile), winner gets a prize."

Indigo listened apprehensively. Her hovercraft piloting was adequate for civilain standard driving - Novan's raced the much more dangerous automobiles, but she'd never raced hers- much less a hover craft. However she didn't feel any need to prove she could drive the fastest. She'd just go around the course at what she felt was a satisfactory speed to her.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Kai grinned and reved the hovercrafts engine. Racing of any sort had his interest in an instant. He slid the hovercraft up to the white line, next to Indigo and waved to her. He was glad he'd decided to accept exile with her, she was easy to guard, and her lively curiosity made her an interesting companion. However when she started dating that all might change. Romance complicated so many things. But he'd deal with that when it happened.

He turned his thoughts to the others as they lined up along side him. He'd like to win but had no'need' to win. There would always be other races.

Gerrak revved his engine, anxious to start. He wanted to see how far he could get this thing before it overturned, and this setting seemed best for such dangerous experimentation. He'd raced wasps and mantises at home, but these unthinking behemoths seemed more fun. For one thing, they lacked the good sense to refuse his slightest whims. Soon the wind would race by him and he would see how it handled.

Ian calmly and slowly started to rev the engine of his hovercraft. He revved her slowly so as to get the best start from the line. Already he had the controls in full lock to the left in order to steer around the diffuclt corner just ahead.

"On your mark...get set...GO!" Mr. Savk fired a old-fasioned slugthrower into the air, and the racers were off.

Gerrak gunned it-hovercraft were *Fun!* They slid far during turns, yet rode nicely. The others were pulling ahead of him, but driving this wonderful conveyance was a prize in itself. Hooting with joy, he was sorely tempted to play "Dodge'em", but realized this was not the purpose of the class, and might be frowned upon.
Still, he raced it as much as he felt safe, and his turns were *very* wide.

Ian was off the line like a bullet and was able to drift very quickly and easily around the first corner before opening the taps in the straight. He would like to think the experience of usiong these would hold him in good stead.

Kai shot the craft forward the instant Mr. Savk fired. He let the craft thunder ahead, taking the turns as tightly as possible, and never lettng up on the accelleration pedal. The speed pressed him back in the seat but never interupted his concentration.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Indigo started off much slower than the rest, almost sedately, but gradually brought the hovercraft up to the top speed she felt safe handling the craft at. She both slowed for the turns and took them wide. Smiling to see that Garrak was doing the same. He'll make a good ruler some day. He's got sound judgement and is very wise for his age. Ahe tought as she watched those ahead of her. She just hoped tht no accidents happened.

Speeding along on a cushion of air-the thought was as improbable as it was exciting. Gerrak hooted happily as he skidded along the road surface-moments like this were their own reward, definately.
He saw that others he did not know were ahead of him, but he had little concern. Still, this was not a Festival Jaunt, and the instructor expected his best. Bellowing out the theme from "Tom Slick", he nestled in and pressed his hindclaw to the accelerator.

*BUMP* Gerrak bounced poor Kai out of the way, knowing the kami would compensate(OOC:Hate to see this thread being neglected, and felt safest bumping Kai-correct me and I'll adjust this post-it is just a *BUMP*)
He sped up, closing on the next racer...

Dominic flew off the line, going as fast as the turns would let him. He turned close to the walls, and began to draft Gerrak.

Kai felt his hovercraft get jolted significantly fighting with the controlls for a moment. Then he laughted as Gerrak sped past him "Oh no you don't! If it's bumper cars you want!!!" He floored the accelerator and rapidly closed the distance between him and Gerrak...Carefully he directed his hovercraft so that it rammed into the rear right bumper of Gerraks, so that the Trolls vehicle slewed side ways - then Kai was past laughing wildly.

Though Dominic was hard on his heels. And Ian was just barely ahead...

Indigo watched the others horseplay and just smiled, content to stay out of their boisterous fun.

(OOC:Sorry, Nova-but this is really too much fun to let it drag)
IC:Gerrak hooted happily-perhaps "Dodge'em" was the way to go-though he was nervous about responses at high-speed for the others. He pressed the accelerator pedal and headed straight for Ian-as front-runner, he seemed most capable, and these devices were like air-hockey. He decided NOT to strike Ian's vehicle, but he would nudge Kai just a little. By Dehore, he had gas and third gear for two...

Ian skidded off into the dirt, giving Gerrak more than enough time to win the race, despite his lack of skill behind the wheel. "Hoo hoo, Mizzter Savk-how menny potatoes me get peel?"