NationStates Jolt Archive

“Look man, I know none of you truly understand the hell we went through, and frak it, I do not want to put that shit on you. I came here to get away from that crap. I came here to learn to be better than I am today alright. Sorry if I have not even had five minutes of training yet, and everyone seems to think I am an officer. I am not, I am just a guy. Flawed like everyone else, but if you wanna bitch me out or lecture me then lecture me on what I have done.”

"Well thats not necessarily true... About twenty-five years ago my people were engaged in a bloody world war that had lasted for a decade. Then they came, a robotic race called the Cyverons. We first encountered them at a small town, my hometown, Gertorca. All we had were Early to mid twentieth century Earth The sight of them was just horrific, and soon what they later did would be even more horrific. They started converting everyone in sight, killing any who resisted and leaving those that rejected the conversion die a painful death. ONE of such was my mother, who begged me to shoot her. I picked up my father's sidearm, a revolver, probably a magnum. I saw my mother breathing heavily screaming out in pain and yelling at me to kill her. The sight of of the flesh and metal overlapping each other, skin evaporating exposing muscle tissue, pools of blood dripping from her. She grabbed me and shook me violently, yelling at me to kill her. I picked up the gun with both hands as the weight was too much for one, blubbering with tears. 'Do it! Do it now!' she said when I finally squeezed that trigger. Brain matter all over my face, I began to cry intensely until I began to rock back and forth humming a lullaby until some soldiers found me, scooping up my mother's blood trying to make her better again. I was just five years old then and it hasn't left my mind since."

Chris couldn't help but sigh. He just wanted to set the kid straight. Now, he had an earful of angst and excuses, some valid and some not so much. Did these Colonials refine angst into an art? Nick certainly seemed to validate that view.

Seeing how his attempt to get his partner to straighten out failed miserably, he could only sigh again and get irritated. FOrtunately, Chris was helped by Crimson--turned out he had a story to tell. It didn't sweeten his mood much. He then confronted Nick and glared at the Tyrol with a stare that could melt ice, cut steel in half and then some, as he could only continue with a simple:

"Crimson's gone through a lot of shit, like yours. And he's turned out reasonably fine. So stop running and get your damn training, and spare me the 'little lost boy' riot act. Please."

One of the other Dornalians in the bar gulped in fear. He normally was somewhat easygoing, but he had had enough of this (especially when it came to business and the law), and it showed here and now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71sd34CReUk

It was more than anger, fear or the failed trappings of hate that began to rage inside the young colonial, as he set down the barrel of ale. Frustration crept in, filling his mind with confusion, stealing his thoughts away. Confusion of this entire situation, and why in the hell this conversation was taking place. Nick turned towards Chris, after hearing the horrific tale of Crimson, and receiving the third degree from the one man in the rangers that seemed to care anything for the boy.

Nick looked into Chris’s eyes, as he saw the pure anger rise out of him. His icy glare, his loud demeanor, and his body tensing all gave clues to how pissed off he was at Nick. Nick shuddered for a moment, as he reached in his pocket and grabbed another cigarette. Fumbling with his lighter for a second he sparked it off and took a drag.

Nick turned back and saw that Chris had not relented in his look. Although such anger showed easily that he did care for the young boy, still this way of showing it was not what Nick wanted at all. He wanted to avoid this conversation, avoid this situation, hell avoid these emotions. It seemed now that he was cornered, literally.

Nick took another drag off his smoke as he weighed his options. First option seemed the most likely, Chris would hit Nick soon, and then a fight would ensue. Nick hated that thought, and did not desire that at all. Second he could apologize, for some imaginary slight that he did not do, but then again, Nick shrugged off that option, as he was not one to apologize unless he had actually done something wrong, and as of now all he had actually done was help out the dwarves.

Nick shook his head, for a moment, and then took another drag. “Alright man, I think we all need to calm the frak down.” he said, as he held his hands up showing that he had no intention to continue down this path.

He turned to Crimson, “Listen sorry to hear about your mom, I really am man, and Chris what happened to your partner was frakked up, seriously bro.” the young colonial replied as he tried to back pedal slightly.

As another cloud of gray smoke left the young colonial he leaned gently against the large barrel that he just carried in. “What do you want me to do Chris?” he asked the ranger he held in the highest esteem. “I mean seriously, you can not expect me or any human to just switch off our emotions, we are not machines. I thought I was doing the right thing. I did not pull my weapon on the Arm Slave, hell I did not even want to put any burdens on any of you. I did not disrespect Crimson when I met him, and when I found out about the toaster I did not say or do anything that I wanted to. I controlled myself. I walked away, that was it. I needed to walk away, to avoid this very conversation” he said trying to explain the situation to both his partner and to Crimson.

“What more do you want me to do? I mean I do not understand. I came to blow off some steam, and help out our allies against the light bulbs that we just got done fighting. Is that so damn bad, to come here and move barrels? I mean hell I have nothing against you Crimson, you seem like a decent enough guy, and Chris you know you are my main man. What do you want me to do differently?”

“What more do you want me to do? I mean I do not understand. I came to blow off some steam, and help out our allies against the light bulbs that we just got done fighting. Is that so damn bad, to come here and move barrels? I mean hell I have nothing against you Crimson, you seem like a decent enough guy, and Chris you know you are my main man. What do you want me to do differently?”

Chris eased off, glad that the boy seemed to somewhat get his point. He leaned back, and let go of Nick's collar, eager to get things back to normal. Especially with all that booze about. No use fighting in a bar unless a few drinks of said booze were consumed first.

Still the last part challenged Chris, who normally was used to getting commonsense changes of heart then and there from wayward assistants and lazy supervisors. Then again, this wasn't the LAPD, which though honorable enjoyed all the problems of any bureaucratic organization. Pausing for a moment, he sipped some more beer and said, "Well, for one thing...."

He thought for a moment and said, reassuringly, "Well, you got the skills. I mean shoot. I did run out and get in trouble while you held back and commanded the op.

But two things."

He then began spooling his words out as best as he could. He was an easygoing everyman, so he wasn't used to being somebody's "dad." But, he did understand the language of giving a good friend advice. So Chris tried that.

"One, I get why you ran off, and in this case, this was probably the best method. But my main problem with it is that it's probably gonna happen again. I mean, what happens when I bring you to Earth? LAPD's gonna have a field day if this happens in LA, or whoever's policing what at the time shit happens. I'd rather that it not.

That's my point. So if we can find some way to work on keeping that knee-jerk reaction under control, that'd be great. I mean, I can't ask you to be a robot and to ignore the past. But I can ask you to maybe breathe a little, and ease up on the drama and the paranoia so this becomes the only time I gotta do this. Mmmkay?"

He then finished with, "And two. I know we're buds, but from one to another, and not to be a jerk--what's with the lack of contractions?"

Marcus had found himself wondering through the maze of tents. While he initially had it in mind to find a healer to get his shoulder looked at, he simply got lost and had no way of deciphering the symbols of the different banners without help. Marcus found himself wondering instead until he heard a commotion coming from one of the tents nearby.

As he got closer, he recognized three distinct voices. All of which belonged to the Rangers and within a second, he had each one of them identified. The older Ranger remained outside of the tent, listening through the canvas walls while the ones inside talked. Marcus shook his head as he listened to the exchange. There was no point in moving in now to break up any upcoming arguments, being surrounded by a foreign military; he was confident that any skirmish would be quickly put down. Still the objections to Imperial Admiral Gaf'ton about bringing in someone who had no prior training on a mission, echoed through his head.

"So many uncontrolled emotions. The damn Abriel did this on purpose. Only he would think of something so ironic as a rookie getting us all killed to be done with an organization he despises. I only hope with training, he can become more level headed.

The fool."

Marcus just sighed and walked away.

Nick could only shake his head at this entire situation. For all the grief he was getting over trying to do the adult thing, of walk away from a situation that was uneasy, he was getting enough grief, that he inwardly began to wish he did pull his weapon on the robot and open fire.

He needed a drink badly, this talk was starting to wear his patience down. He walked over to the bar and pulled out his flask. Reaching behind the bar, he grabbed a two shot glasses. Slowly he filled both of them with the green liquor that was so famous in the colonies.

He looked at the lime green Ambrosia, and grabbed the glass. He picked it up and took down the first shot. He then followed it up with the second shot. The taste was very smooth and sweet, then came the kick. It burned slightly, but in a way that made him feel a lot better.

“I am trying to be perfectly clear, that is why I didn’t use contractions.” He replied as he sat at the bar.

He poured himself a third shot, and sat it down on the table. He turned to Chris, “Listen, I know why you are so concerned, you are afraid one day I might snap, maybe shoot that cylon of yours, or worse.” he said, as he picked up his shot and stared at the green liquor. “I don’t plan on that, alright. Well I ever like them, probably not, but just because I think the only thing worse than a Saggitarion is an AI, does not mean I am going to go all Dirty Harry and start blowing them all away.”

With that he took that shot down. “You just are going to have to trust me on that. After all if we are partners, you are supposed to trust your partners, right? I just wish all this shit did not fall down in public, around our allies. It is embarrassing as hell.”

He put his shot glass down, then took another drag off his cigerette. "Who knew that walking away from an over grown can opener would cause such a ruckus." he thought to himself.

Gently he placed his forehead in his hand. He closed his eyes for a moment, just wishing something would happen to take all of the attention of him and his hate for Robots. Just wishing someone would come and drag him away and quickly.

Crimson acknowledged as turned to face the bar, looking down at the dark ale in front of him. He grabbed the pint and began drinking it, letting out a refreshing sound as he put it down, "Goddamn, this stuff is good. Back in the day, on old Ganoxa, Severail used to make the best ale. Hordes of people from around our world would fill the bars their, telling tales of their adventures and such. It was such a happy time..."

A flashback of the storm approaching his fighter flowed through his mind. The grip he had on the stick as he flew through debris, the sweat dripping down his face as he tried to fight for his life. At one instance a corpse was cut in half by his wing, entrails floating horrendously through space as he looked back, the storm still coming at him.

Crimson shook his head and began to down the rest of his pint, "Man..."

What was once a tent pavilion for storing rations and supplies had now become the center of a debate between outsiders. Most of the dwarves in the tent were on rotation for moving supplies and it all had to be moved and stacked before it could be loaded onto a shuttle and sent back home. The open discussion was becoming annoying to the usually busy dwarves.

"Ack! Ye got 'nough time to flap yer jaws, ye got time to work." One of the dwarves shouted out.

"All these crates 'nd kegs are needin' to be loaded and ready for home. We're needin' to get this ready for the shuttles. Grab a crate and get to work or take it somewhere else."

------

The commanders of the Mythrandir forces sat around the edge of the bowl and studied the layout. One last battle was beginning to take shape though none of them could see what form it would take on. Sebastian sat there for a moment with his chin in the palm of his hands.

"Something still seems to be missing."

The Elder looked at Dry'tck for a moment. "It looks like your gear will have to wait until all of this is over. For now it is too dangerous."

While the others studied the map looking for answers, Thrandur scratched at his thick beard with the side of his warhammer. "So why do we care if they blow away their own fortress?"

"It's not so simple as that." Lukien pointed out the proximity of the camp to the enemy's fortress. "A blast with a strong enough magnitude could pose danger for our men, not to mention there is the matter of those machines to still consider."

"Bah, a box of light bulbs never hurt anyone. Me boys'll take care of any that might wander down the hill. Can't see any of'em surviving if they're to blow themselves up."

Sebastian looked at the dwarf for a long moment then back down at the map. Thrandur scratched at the back of his head. "What's got ye mixed up boy?"

The young Elder sat staring at the holographic images then snapped his fingers as dawn of enlightenment settled in. "They aren't trying to draw us in and hope to kill us all in one last blast. There is a risk that we could disarm any explosives and they know it. They have seen our numbers and know that a rapid response could potentially thwart their plans. So, instead they are moving to attack. Keep us down here as long as possible while the explosion takes care of covering their tracks.

Ranger Dry'tck even mentioned that it had information about these machines. Most likely they do not want us to get our hands on it."

With the logic of his assessment settling into his own mind, Sebastian vaulted over the lip of the bowl and started running back towards the Mythrandir encampment. The rest of his companions were left behind shaking their heads. "Bah, when that one get's something in his head; he takes to it like a dwarf to stone. Someone better go with him."

Lukien and Bregger looked at each other, silently figuring on whose turn it was. Captain Bregger sighed and nodded his head. "Alright, I'll go. The Elder will need help rounding up the men anyways." Bregger threw on his silver winged helm and followed after the Elder's wake leaving the rest behind.

------

Throughout the camp, horns began blowing sounding the alarm and sending out the call to arms. Warriors of Mythrandir ran through the camp gathering up weapons and fastening armor as they prepared for the next engagement. Supplies were rounded up and distributed while the excess was moved to the rear of their position for protection. Great war machines powered up and moved into a defensive position.

Elder Sebastian moved through the camp rallying the men to their posts while Captain Bregger saw to the positioning of the men. Banners of Mythrandir ran high as it marked their forward lines and the entrenchments that started forming. Rocks were piled high and worked into place by dwarven smiths as they crafted the hasty fortifications. A distance back was a second set of trenches with archers carrying their Mythrandir bows knocked with energy arrows.

As the scrambling of men of supplies played out in the camp, Sebastian found his way back to his own tent. There he spotted something he had expected and dreaded. War Mistress Shizra was already out of the bed and limping to her belongings. The dark elf had already strapped her twin scimitars on and was now working on securing some light armor and trying to figure out how to fasten her two pistols around her injured leg.

Sebastian closed the tent flap behind him. "You are staying here."

Shizra turned at the sound of his voice, somewhat shocked that he had sneaked up on her. "I can still fight. The leg is already mending."

Elder Sebastian was already shaking his head and moving to her before she ever finished her statement. "No. You are staying here as I said. Your leg is still recovering. Out there you might have to move quickly and you won't be able to do so on your leg."

"I won't be left behind. Not like this." Shizra took a seat on the bed as fires of pain shot up through her leg. "Let me stand at your side."

Sebastian took her lithe hand in his and gently squeezed it. "I cannot let you do so. As your friend, I know that having you out there while your wounded as you are will only increase the likelihood of you getting killed."

The Elder let go of her hand and rose from the edge of the bed. "Stay here and I will come back for you when this is over. But for now, please just stay here. Losing you twice in one day is something I do not want to go through."

Shizra hung her head in defeat. The dark elf had nothing left to argue with without sounding like a child and so remained quiet. Sebastian knew how much it pained her to be left in the tents while the rest of the men were out fighting for their lives and their freedom. Still, he would not risk anymore harm coming to her even if that meant sacrificing a bit of her pride.

Once at the edge of the tent's flaps, the Elder grabbed the closest soldier running around. He looked the man in the eyes and stood him right next to the tent. "I want you to stand guard at this tent and make sure no harm comes to the War Mistress. Make sure she doesn't leave either."

The man looked from the Elder to the dark elf then back again. Most Warriors of Mythrandir had heard of the War Mistress or knew what she was like which was often exaggerated. Still, the young man had no desire to raise the ire of the dark elf nor did he wish to question the orders of an Elder.

Sebastian sighed. "Fine."

Looking around the traffic of the camp, it wasn't long before Sebastian found a couple other Warriors on their way to the lines. "Now, you are all to stand guard here and not to let the War Mistress out of your sights. Is that understood?"

The group of Warriors placed a hand over their chest and bowed in salute. Sebastian knew that they were not worried about protecting against an alien race of machines, but were more worried about dealing with a dark elf that had the reputation of Shizra's. Least of all, they did not want to be around when she was upset.

Regardless, Sebastian was already moving off and hearing none of their complaints as he made his way to the front lines with Captain Bregger.

Crimson looked at the short dwarf telling him to help out with the crates. He took one last swig from his pint and then sighed heavily. Walking over to the crates, he was about to pick one up when horns started to blare loudly throughout the area. He looked up, wondering what the hell it was now, when he saw all the dwarves scurry out of the tent.

"What the hell...?" he looked over at Nick and Chris then began to run out of the tent to see the Myths preparing for assault. He looked over at his Arm Slave and ran to it, climbing the rope ladder into the cockpit. He started up systems and the hatch encased him inside.

"Systems: Optimum, Weapons: Optimum, Power: Optimum. You are ready, colonel."

"Thank you AL. Also hows the right shoulder stabilization?"

"Light damage has reduced to 92% operational capacity. Permission to make modifications to targetting systems."

"Granted."

"BMA adjusted +5 degrees."

"Noted. Alright AL lets kick some ass."

"Affirmative. Lets damage some buttocks."

"We really need to work on your speech..."

"Roger."

Crimson sighed and switched the comms to speak with the Myth, "This is Torry, proceeding to area of conflict."

The Arm Slave launched off from the ground making a massive leap over the mess of tents and landed near the makeshift trenches. He looked around the battlefield, the trenches reminding him of those newsreels he saw as a kid of the Second Forellian war. He took out his sniper cannon and positioned the Arm Slave into a prone position for more stabilization and accuracy, due to that problem in the right shoulder. He laced it across the ground with the bipod digging into the earth.

"Cancel the BMA mod AL."

"Affirmative. I had done so beforehand."

"Alright."

He looked at his monitor awaiting any targets of opportunity to show up in his sights.

It seemed that all of a sudden, all hell had broken loose as the Mythrandir camp went into a frenzy. People were running around left and right picking up weapons and anything they needed. It didn't take a genius to figure out something was going down. Luckily, Marcus was intuitive enough to realize a fight was brewing.

He cursed silently at the timing of it all. He had just found his way to one of the medical tents and was going to ask for some help when the sound of horns started filling the air. Sighing, there wasn't much else for the Ranger to do but turn away from the tent and start heading to the lines.

Checking the bandage wrap one last time to be sure it wouldn't fall off in the fight, Marcus opened the folds of his cloak and took out the retracted fighting pike. Giving it a good shake, the rod extended to its full length just as Marcus started heading into a run.

He managed to pass the tent he had found earlier where the other Rangers were debating over protocol with Nick. "Come on already. Leave the boy alone, we've got some real work to deal with first."

--------------------------------------

It didn't take long for the Geth to make their own move. While the Mythrandir soldiers were getting ready for battle, the Geth machines were filtering their way down through the rocks trying to keep rock faces in front of them for protection and concealment. Even the walker tanks were making their way down the mountain side.

All of the Geth base had been emptied with timers already set to blow. It was unlikely anyone would get through their lines to disable the charges. All that remained was killing as many of the fleshlings as possible before they were all destroyed or the primary systems shut down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv6MIP10j-g

Almost as if his internal wish came true, the short stubby men sounded off at the group, yelling at them to get to work, or get the hell out. It was relief to be sure, as Nick walked over to another stack of crates. “Thank the gods.” he thought to himself, hoping that Chris and Crimson had finally gotten over their verbal onslaught, he picked up the crates. Walking over to where one of the short bearded men directed him he set it down.

“Damn, what in the hell are you putting in these things?” Nick asked.

The dwarf looked at one of the crates Nick held in his hands and noted the emblem of a sword painted on all sides. "Weapon supplies. Probably extra ammunition for our boys."
He looked at a couple of other crates laying around and pointed them off in turn. "Food, armor pieces, smith hammers, and bed rolls. All the things a growing lad such as yerself could need."

Just then the horns of battle sounded off. At first Nick looked around, startled by the loud noise. Looking around, he could not help but to wonder what in the hell that noise was. Turning to the closest little man, Nick kneeled down for a moment, to get to eye level with the man. “What in the hell was that?” he asked.

Dwarves hauling crates dropped them where they stood and starting rushing out the tent picking up axes, hammers, and maces as they went. The dwarf directing the Rangers in stacking cargo slapped Nick in the rump to get him moving, after all that was all he could reach. "Come on lad. They comin' at us again. There ain't no hidin' in the tents. Off to the trenches with ye."

Just then he noticed Marcus pearing his head inside the tent. After he said his peace, Nick exclaimed “Son of a Bitch!”, as he ran over to Chris. “Mother frakkin toasters are at it again. Meet me by the landing area.” he told his buddy, as he ran out of the tent.

His mind filled with dread, and above all else anger and hate. Anger that these damn bastards had not learned there lessons, and hate, hate that only a colonial felt for anything with wiring and a brain. Pulling out his pistol, he ran out looking for the only person other than Chris he gave a damn about. “Blue!” he yelled out, as he ran out of the tent looking for her.

Without his gear Dry'tck was as ready as he was going to be once he picked up the weapon that his robotic counterparts so graciously gave him.

He was ready but he knew one thing, "We need to pierce through the onslaught, get to their Base, and then perhaps we can shut them down without having to sacrifice lives to do it."

"Warning! Enemy movement within area 5-3-1," AL warned.

"Good, I thought I was going to wait here all day."

Crimson locked on to the Geth coming down the mountainside and aimed the 52mm gauss sniper-cannon. He adjusted the BMA a bit, about a degree or so, did some breathing exercises, and he was ready to fire. Soon the whole camp could hear the loud bursts that resounded from the cannon, as shells hurtled up into the mountains, obliterating rocks and other cover that the Geth had been using. He mostly concentrated on the larger foes, while leaving the smaller ones for his allies to chew up, not wanting to leave them out of the fun, but really didn't feel like wasting 52mm shells on one group of infantry.

"Warning! Enemy movement within are--"

"Yea I see it!"

"Roger."

"Just tell me when the barrel is going to over heat."

"Barrel is at 30%."

"Alright."

All of a sudden music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36ev7qG6Fg) started to sound through the cockpit.

"Whoa! What the hell AL?"

"My apologies would you like it shut down?"

"No... its pretty good actually. Keep it. I really need to talk with R&D to find out where you get this stuff"

"Affirmative."

Crimson bobbed his head as he took out another tank coming down the mountain.

The Abh pilot trainee was just hanging around the other soldiers in the camp sort of observing them and minimally communicating. Diplomacy was not in her forte so she was muddling along with acquaintances as best as any soldier could. The horns rang through the air and she had no clue what was going on until soldiers started hurrying to their weapons.

She quickly caught on to what was happening. Something was coming, and it was itching for a fight. The young Abh girl drew her Star Forces side arm and headed out into the opening looking for what was coming. Not far away, she heard Nick calling for her.

Picking her way through the chaos of the camp, she finally found her way back to his side. "Haven't had enough yet?"

-------------------

The Geth were mostly shielded by the rocks and the deep crevices of the mountain side for now so most of the shots on them proved to be an annoyance more than anything threatening. Their march was slow but deliberate down the mountain side though it wouldn't be long before they were within range and the fighting could truly begin.

In the mean time, the clock behind them still continued to click down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNTv7D1mbWU

Nick smiled as he saw Blue pushing her way through the camp, past the troops moving to their defense positions, on this giant dust ball of a planet. As she came up, her pistol in hand he felt a sigh of relief. He was just glad she was ok, as he ran over to her.

“Enough, I thought the first round was just a warm up.” he said back to her, as he placed his arms around her as he kissed her on the cheek. He was just happy that she was ok.

After the quick moment, he pulled back, “Ok Chris is supposed to be meeting us at the landing area. You happen to see what in the frak is coming at us?” he asked her.

Waiting for her to respond, he then grabbed her hand then ran over to where Chris was supposed to be.

As he got there, the vantage point was much higher than the other area of the camp, making it the ideal landing site. He looked out over the horizon to see what looked to me a column of ants, as the fire power of that damn can opener, and the Myth artillery fell on the ravine below. Nick just watched for a moment, seeing the battle taking place.

“Something is not right.” he said as he looked out towards the army. “It looks like every damn lightbulb is. This move made no sense, unless...” he paused for a moment.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he only wondered why they were doing this.

“Would the cylons retreat?” a small after thought in the back of his head replied.

“Of course not, they are machines, they would just resurrect...” he thought back.

“Then there is your answer you dense bastard.”

“Frak...” he exclaimed out loud, as he pulled out his wireless.

“Sojourne, this is Nick. I need a reading of the entire base area, to the myth base, and I need it now!” he said in the strange Abh wireless device.

Waiting for a moment, a small picture began to form. The base was emptied, but small electrical positions were outlined at all the key structural points of the base, along with what appeared to be Radioactive materials. As Nick watched the scene unfold in real time, he knew what was about to occur. “Those frakkers.” he said, “Are going to try to pigeon hole us, til their nukes go off then we are frakked.” he said, as his eyes widened in horror.

He turned to Blue for a moment, “If we make it out of here, I am buying you one hell of a bottle of wine.” he said to her.

Then he picked up the wireless. “Hey Crimson.” he said into the wireless. “Stop shooting those damn toasters for a moment. I need you to tell your frakkin can opener to begin aiming at the narrow part of the ravine, then unload with everything you got. If your bitch is good enough, it should bring down the walls of the area down on the light bulbs, cutting their forces in half.”

He did not wait for a reply, as he turned to Blue and Chris. “We need to get to the base undetected again, and shut off those nukes. Got any ideas?”

He did not wait for a reply, as he turned to Blue and Chris. “We need to get to the base undetected again, and shut off those nukes. Got any ideas?”

The LAPD officer, having been quickly shunted from guidance counselor to frontline soldier again, was confused. Barely able to rest, now he was being solicited for advice by his mentee/fellow Colonial/gadfly/partner, Nick Tyrol. Thinking for a moment, he recalled his police history. It wasn't applying much here, since Chris never did SWAT work, which this was WAAAYYYY beyond at this point. THen again, he jsut got through schooling a horde of these things with his shotgun. It wasn't exactly out of his league.

He then thought of something. Something the guy next to him, who was addicted to military history books, would have proposed in a heartbeat and a move he had pulled a lot on fleeing muggers. A fakeout. A feint.

"Can we do a feint of some sort? It looks like Crimson and the Myth have the enemy locked in, but if we can get them to get creative and distract the Geth, we can move without too much trouble. Just a thought."

“Stop shooting those damn toasters for a moment. I need you to tell your frakkin can opener to begin aiming at the narrow part of the ravine, then unload with everything you got. If your bitch is good enough, it should bring down the walls of the area down on the light bulbs, cutting their forces in half.”

"Right away,"

"What does bitch mean?" Al asked.

"What?! Oh...its nothing don't mind it."

"Roger. Calculating efficient targets on area 5-3-3. Calculations complete.

"Alright!" Crimson fired three well placed shots into the ravine Nick was talking about, then fired five more shots a few yards above to create more debris.

"Ravine is crumbling."

"Can we do a feint of some sort? It looks like Crimson and the Myth have the enemy locked in, but if we can get them to get creative and distract the Geth, we can move without too much trouble. Just a thought." Crimson heard Chris over Nick's comms.

"Well I could try firing at the ground to create a huge dust storm then close in, take advantage of the extra cover, and take them out one by one."

While Marcus made his way to the Mythrandir commanders, Nick's request for a ship manifest came through his wireless device and scrolled on the small glass screen just below the communication jewel. Apparently timing like this was not one of Max's specialties. Unfortunately for Nick, nothing in the manifest identified the young Abh pilot's name.

It would seem that the Abh had the habit of not listing the pilot's name of a communication shuttle, but only the name of the ship from which it came from. Nick would need another way to find out her name.

In the mean time, Blue had no real solutions for the current problem. "Short of ordering an orbital bombardment to destroy the ground force and hopefully damage the timer device, no idea."

He turned to Blue for a moment, “If we make it out of here, I am buying you one hell of a bottle of wine.” he said to her.

"Don't forget you also owe me dinner. I already have the restaurant picked out."

---------------------

The blast in ravine cut the Geth in half leaving the front half vulnerable to attacks while the other half was forced to find another way around. It slowed them down, but it wouldn't keep them for long. At the very least, they would blow through the pile of rock rubble.

Nick watched the map fold before him, as the list showed up on the shuttle manifest. Nick inwardly was peeved, not only at the annoying cultural habits of keeping names a tighter secret than a test weapons program, but the timing was really off.

Nick shook his head, as he shut off the screen before him. As he did, he heard the sweet voice, of Blue chime off. She spoke what he wanted to do, just blow the hell out of the Geth from orbit. He smiled at her as he faced this beautiful woman before him.

“Yeah I wish we could.” he said, truly meaning the words he spoke, “but I do not have that authority, and I doubt the Myth’s would be that friendly towards us after we accidently hit their troops.” he said as the realism of the situation was bearing down on him.

“Besides, we need more than a chance to shut off those bombs. We need to make sure they are, otherwise if they are not, I will die not knowing your name, and I can’t let that happen.” he said as he winked at her.

Looking around he noticed the Myth shuttle was still there. Half way filled with supplies, Nick saw it as his only method of traveling the twenty clicks needed to get to the base.

“Alright I got it.” he stated staring at the ship. “Chris, if you can contact the Myth Commanders. Let them know that I need to go for a joy ride back to the base.” he stated. “I just need to borrow a pilot to drop me off, if they can spare one.” he said, knowing that his chance of living through this, as Blue would say, is less that five percent. Resigned to the mission, he looked at Chris. “It would be better coming from a ranger, than a nugget.”

Turning his attention back towards his “sweet heart” Nick just smiled, taunting her slightly, “McDonalds or Taco Bell?” he asked with a sly smile, knowing the real answer would break his paycheck this week.

As he looked at her, Nick remained calm. She had the strangest effect on him, he began to notice. Shrugging it off, he stared into her eyes for a moment, just hoping that it would not be one of his last times gazing at her.

Standing tall and proud above the rest of the warriors and out in the open, Elder Sebastian and Captain Bregger surveyed the march of the machines. Sebastian was dressed in the simple traveling clothes that he wore aboard the battleship with his short blue cape dancing on the warm breeze. Beside him was Captain Bregger clad in bright armor along with a winged helm adorning his head. A long crimson cape fluttered out behind him as his hands rested easily on his weapons. Both men looked calm and resolute standing atop the fortifications.

"That pile of rubble won't hold them for long."

Elder Sebastian kept staring out over the rocky terrain. "Most likely not but we will be ready for them nonetheless. Have the artillery concentrate on their front ranks. I do not want to allow them a chance to regroup before the battle starts."

"I'll have them redirect their fire immediately. By the way, where did Captain Lukien and Elder Thrandur go?"

Sebastian pointed out off towards the rear of the lines. "We might need some of the supplies that were being packed away so I sent them to unload the weapons and ammunition to bring back to the trenches. They should be just about done."

------

"Bah, ye durn elf. We don't need all them crates since we ain't buildin' a weapons storehouse."

Lukien smirked and looked at the crate Thrandur was carrying. "Ah, and what do you intend to do with that ale when the fighting starts? Get the machines drunk?"

Thrandur hugged the crate protectively. "Ye mind your own crates. This is for the boys when it's all over. Ye play your cards right and I might even let ye have some."

The elven captain just threw his hands up in surrender. As he looked out, Lukien noticed a small group gathered around and looked to be conversing with one another. "It looks like our Ranger friends are having a little talk. Think they're lost?"

Thrandur turned to look out in the direction of his elven friend. He merely shook his head then bellowed out at them. "If ye got time to yack, then ye got time to work. Get over here and help us with these crates."

To hear Nick's plan to go into the base seemed quite....well, brave, to put it politely. Downright stupid was more appropriate. Chris sighed and said, "As much as I appreciate the need to get the enemy neutralized, this might be overreaching. By a lot."

Crimson's message and the presence of the Myth gave him ideas. "At least let me call in distracting fire."

Myth Command would get an immediate flash message from one Ranger Chris Markham rather quickly. It said simply, "Myth Command. Myth COmmand. THis is Ranger Chris Markham. We need to requisition the shuttle we touched down in and a pilot to get back to base. Just one will suffice. We also need some serious fire support. Sustained fire support. Over." Then switching to Crimson's frequency, he said, "Crimson, this is Chris. Go in hot and do what you offered. Be aware I've called down Myth fire support. All Other Available Rangers. Stand By! Over."

He then turned to Nick and said, "There ya go. Hope this works..." He then loaded a fresh shell and said, "I'm going with. You're not dying alone." He then turned to Blue and said, "You coming? I can't leave you here if I go."

"Acknowledged." Crimson took a deep breath, a few moments to prepare, then stared at the screen intensely. He fired a hailstorm of shells at the ground in order to create one hell of a sandstorm. Dirt and other debris began to shoot up into the air, as dust and sand began to settle over the machines. After firing a few more shots, and almost overheating the barrel, he took out his monomolecular cutter and jumped into the ominous cloud. Upon landing he slashed through one of the machines and retreated back into the cover of the cloud. He continued the process of taking out the machines one by one.

The pilot trainee listened to the plan with little or no emotion showing on her face while she analyzed the probabilities in her mind. In the end she merely holstered her Star Forces pistol.

"Well it is the most logical choice. Besides, I am the better shot so someone has to go and back him up."

At that moment, Nick learned the meaning of the word Team, as he looked into the faces of Blue and Chris. Both knew that the mission, hell the entire idea was a bad one. Flying low level over the Geth Army, into a base that was sure to be booby trapped if anyone tried to disarm the bombs, yet they still choose to go.

Nick looked down at the ground for a moment, as he took in a small breath. Time was of the essence, as if these bastards were half as intelligent as a garage door opener, then a clock would be ticking down.

“Alright then, lets roll.” he said.

He pulled out his pistil, and opened the clip. His had only one round left in the second chamber. Pushing the level to the side, the clip ejected from his pistol. Briefly he looked at it, as he counted. Twenty three bullets. Twenty three was all he had remaining. Pushing the clip back in, he hoped he would not need to use them.

Pushing the pistol back in his holster, he looked around. “Where is that pilot?” he asked himself.

As predicted, the rock wall would not hold back the tide of the enemy as they made their way around the obstruction and regrouped with one another. Elder Sebastian stood atop the Mythrandir fortifications and watched it all. No matter the resolve of the enemy, he would not let the tide wash away his men that stood entrenched behind him. Invaders, tyrants, and the slaves to their own emotions would come and go but Sebastian knew that Mythrandir would remain.

Captain Bregger stood brilliantly in his armor at Sebastian's side. Orders had been relayed throughout the Warrior ranks and all were ready. "The men stand behind you, Elder."

Sebastian stood quietly for a moment, watching the machines march towards their lines. It was a suicide march he knew, since the surviving Uruks were still in the hills surrounding them and enough Warriors had been brought to outnumber the enemy alone. Still, the Elder could not help but feel some remorse that some of his men still may die in this next exchange.

"Now it begins." With a heavy sigh, Sebastian raised his fist into the air. "Archers!" Bregger bellowed the order back and the call for the archers was soon heard throughout the entire Mythrandir line.

In the last trench, lightly armored men and elves hefted their bows and notched arrows to their strings. Arms flexed as they were brought back to the ready and held until the order was given. From somewhere up front, Sebastian's fist dropped and the order was shouted into the air. "Loose!"

The sound of a thousand arrows humming through the air greeted Elder Sebastian as the archers unleashed their attack. A cloud passed over him so thick were the arrows. Streaking high into the sky to the point of climax and then plummeted down into the mechanic ranks. On the way down the once primitive arrows combusted and turned into arrows of energy capable of burning through almost any armor.

Sebastian watched as the bolts of pure energy struck home followed more by the same rain of death. It wasn't long before the artillery was powered up as well and great pulsating globs of plasma arched through the sky to splash down among the Geth forces. The Elder never took his eyes from the destruction as rows of the machines were left in molten heaps.

It wasn't until Captain Bregger nudged him that Sebastian blinked. "Message for you, Elder."

Sebastian took the ear piece and was linked into the orb communication network. The message played over detailing the Rangers' new mission. "This is Elder Sebastian. Your message has been received and acknowledged. Be advised that their is already a shuttle ready for launch in your area. Cargo is currently being unloaded but Captain Lukien and Elder Thrandur should be there to help."

Sebastian handed the ear piece back to Bregger. "Get the Uruks back on line and move them into position. I want a platoon to break off from the rest and to move into position outside of the enemy's fortress. I have a feeling they will be needed."

Bregger put his hand over his heart. "It shall be done."

When the message came up, Nick knew it was time to go. Quickly jogging over to the dwarf and the elf, who had very politely told them to get to work, Nick began with a quick nod. “Captain Lukien, Elder Thrander.” he said, as he paused for a moment. “We need to take this shuttle back to the lightbulb’s base. Sebastian has given us clearance, and we need to go right now.” he told them. Turning around, he ran back to his party.

Nick did not say much at this moment. There was little to say. Turning around, he set foot on the shuttle walking back to the same seat he sat in on the trip over here. He was scared, and he had every right to be. He thought he was safe, and now he has to go back into the thick of things. Then again, anyone that is not scared when they go into this situation, or claims they are not is either a lunatic, or a liar.

Strapping himself into his seat he closed his eyes, as he awaited the shuttle to take off. He hated this part.

The pair stopped their work and put the crates they had in their arms back in their respectable place. Lukien turned to his dwarven comrade. "Can you still fly one of these things?"

"Bah, it's like drinking. The more you do it, the more they all kinda blur together."

Lukien wasn't exactly sure how he was supposed to take the remark but there wasn't much time for debate. Both elf and dwarf hurried up to the cockpit and go the transport ready for left off. Fuel flooded into the engines as they hummed to life and a steady vibration could be felt throughout the ship.

"See, whad I tell ye?"

"Oh, wow. You found the 'on' switch."

"Shut up, elf."

Thrandur ran his fingers over the glass panel in front of him as he waited for everyone to climb aboard. Once everyone was inside, the hull was secured and made ready to take off. The transport's engines rotated for vertical lift and sent the shuttle upwards, albeit a little crooked from the rusty pilot. Eventually the dwarven Elder righted the ship and jutted them towards the fortress in the distance.

The elven Captain gave the dwarf a judging look. Thrandur grunted at the look. "Ye better hope those ears can flap 'cause yer gonna be flyin' back to that base by yerself."

Lukien bowed his surrendered and left his seat to check on their passengers. The bronze armored elf grabbed a hold of a series of rope hand grips lining the ceiling as he made his way back to the Rangers. "So, is there a plan or are we just making this up as we go along?"

"Can't let you humanoids have all the fun." Dry'tck jumped inside the shuttle and with his arm reached up and grabbed hold. This was it both the best and worst part of the job. The excitement and then the dread that everything was going to go belly up. unlike many other missions that Dry'tck had done this was personal he was going back to rescue someone.

The Golden ball, whatever it was he knew it was sentient and needed to be rescued. He had delayed everything before but now it was time to finish the job, without any of his usual equipment, instead just the gun that he had obtained on the job.

Nick opened his eyes, as the engines came to life. “Oh damn it.” he thought to himself the ship began to take to the air. His stomach turned left and right, and upside down, as the ship moved through the air fully loaded with the Rangers and Blue.

He reached out towards her, and squeezed her hand gently as the ship took off. Being born and living his life on a battlestar, he much like the Abh was not that used to the heavy gravity of this planet. Being a deck hand, he was also not used to the massive G’s that accompanied take off and landing’s of a military plane.

Nick turned his head out to the side. Through a small sliver he could see how close to the ground they were. If the doors opened, he probably could touch it. It was not a sight that was welcomed though, even if Crimson was making a large dust storm as a distraction.

He leaned his head back once more, then someone new caught his eye. Dry’tch had somehow gotten on board. Nick gave him a nod of approval.

His skin was pale almost green with motion sickness as the ship glided above the ground. He felt his stomach wanting to upchuck his recent lunch of two shots of Ambrosia that he consumed in the argument with Chris and Crimson. Trying to hold it down, he pressed his head back against the seat again. He however would not have the luxury of staying silent on the trip.

"So, is there a plan or are we just making this up as we go along?" the elf asked the group.

Nick opened his eyes and looked at the elf. “The plan, is to drop me and those who are coming off at the base, and bugging out, until called back, or until you see nice pretty lights go off and the earth shake.” he told them, not at all amused by the ride he was on.

Chris and Blue knew the plan, no matter how stupid it was. However Dry’tch was not privy to the earlier discussion. “Hey names Dry'tch right?” Nick asked the lizard man. “Basically watch out for the enemy, and be on the look out for trip wires, land mines, and any light bulbs. It is likely they placed them to prevent anyone from trying to shut off their bombs. I will try to defuse the bombs if I can. Chris and Blue, are going to support me with cover fire if need be, while I try to figure out how to shut them off without sending us all into the afterlife. So you coming to help out with the cover fire, or is there something else you are after?” he asked the ranger.

After he asked the question, Nick leaned over towards Blue. Gently, he whispered in her ear, two simple words, "Thank you." He tried to force a smile although he was visibly sick by the trip, like a new nugget would be on their first flight.

While Marcus was still on the ground with the soldiers of Mythrandir preparing for the coming fight, Blue was flying along with Nick in the Mythrandir shuttle. Unlike the man sitting next to her, she had been born to handle the excessive G forces that most humans could not. So while she didn't much care for the gravity of the planet, her skeletal structure handled it easily enough.

Though when she looked at Nick, he didn't seem to be doing so good. She had no idea what he was thankful for so only offered a shrug and a nod for his comment. When he went green, she did need to check if he was going to make it.

"Are you alright? Do you always turn green before you get off? If you want to fly with me, you're going to have to get used to the acceleration."

Nick chuckled slightly at Blue, as he looked into her Indigo eyes, “I am not used to all this shaking and groaning that is going on with so many people around.” he said to her with a slight grin on his face, as he beamed at her innuendo. “When we get back, perhaps you should take me for a quick ride. Acceleration is not a problem, as long as you do not land to hard and buckle your landing gear. It is no fun if you are grounded for a week for repairs.” he said to her as she took his mind off the rough combat ride they were on.

Rocky terrain passed lifelessly by as the transport sped across planet's surface towards their mark. Thrandur seemed to enjoy himself as he kept the craft dangerously low to the floor and still managed to fly at break-neck speed. "Yar! Feels good te get outta the house once an awhile."

Lukien shook his head as he fished out a comm orb and sent the small object hovering between the pair. A holographic map of the mountainside filtered down like rain drops until the image solidified along with friend and foe markings. Falling down across his lap was a series of runic letters representing a number of commands. The elf's fingers gracefully glided over each character until he had successfully navigated his way into the SIREN network and isolated a platoon of nearby Uruks for his mission.

"Alright, all is already on our end. How far are we out from our target?"

The dwarf took his eyes from the view port for a moment to get a closer look at the instruments which caused the ship to veer to the right slightly. "About thirty seconds."

"I'll alert our passengers then. And for the love of all that is good and righteous in the universe, keep your eyes on where we're going."

Lukien managed to cling to the rope grips and navigate his way back to the rest of the Rangers. "Listen up!" The elf practically has to shout to be heard over the engines.

"Fifteen seconds until we reach our target. We will not touch down, so we will be jumping. Also, a platoon of Uruks will be rendezvousing with us to secure the enemy fortress."

Orders given, the elven Captain moved to one of the side armored doors and grabbed a hold of the iron handle. One bronze gauntlet wrapped around the handle while the other reached back for his broad sword, "To the line."

A small ear place sat comfortable in his pointed ears which kept Lukien in contact with Elder Thrandur and the rest of the Mythrandir forces. Most likely, he was going to need it through this ordeal. "Thrandur, green light to go when you're ready."

------

Archers continued their devastating attacks as arrow after arrow flew through the sky only to come screaming down like a bolt of lightening through the nearest mechanical chest. Despite the constant storm of arrows, the machines would not be so easily beaten. Sebastian watched as they continued their determined march and knew that they would not be defeated without the spilling of blood. Since these machines had no blood of their own, it would have to come from Myth lives.

The Elder nodded to his now second in command. "Artillery."

Captain Bregger relayed the order immediately sending up the cry for artillery throughout the Mythrandir Warrior ranks. The cry for more punishment was soon answered as the earth rumbled with the roar of artillery catapults unleashing their attacks. Fiery globs of plasma hissed and arced lazily through the sky until they splashed down among the ranks of machines melting any and everything in its wake.

On still came the machines as they continued to close ground to the Mythrandir trenches. Now came the time to remove as much of the foe as possible before they clashed with the lines. "Uruks and rifle squadrons."

Bregger turned around and bellowed the order to the men behind them. "Riflemen! Riflemen at the ready!" Somewhere in the rocks where the Uruks awaited, orders reached their neural implants to take aim.

Sebastian watched the catapults rain down more destruction and waited for the dust to clear. Bregger stood by the Elder's side trying to see clearly through the dust that had been spewed into the air through the constant bombardment. The dust finally lifted revealing the armored enemy still marching on unabated. Bregger dropped his upraised iron fist. "Fire!"

Bullets whizzed through the air to crash against the shielded and armored shells of the Geth. A few bullets passed close enough to Sebastian and Bregger that it caused their cloaks and long loches of hair to tussle in the breeze. The sound continued on the down the line as spent casing began to pile up around the riflemen's feet.

Elder Sebastian turned and swirled his index finger in the air to rally the Warriors to him. "Warriors of Mythrandir to arms! Ready to fight for your lands and your freedom!"

The cheers rang out through the lines as weapons of all makes were brought to bear. A slight rumble was heard from somewhere off to the front that was almost inaudible due to the constant fire and artillery. It slowly grew though as more and more of the Warriors took up the signal. Not long after, there was a steady earth shaking rumble as every Warrior pounded a fist against their armored chest while standing next to their brother in arms.

Nick stood up as the ship came to an uneasy stop. The jolt moved him slightly as he began to move to the back of the shuttle. Looking out, he could see the orange dry landscape, full of rocks and hard soil. The jump was not going to be easy, as he looked out to the hard ground below, but it was the only way.

“What are you going to do when you get there, disarm the bombs with your smart mouth?” a small voice in the back of his mind asked.

Shaking it off, he turned to look at the others in his group. Behind them he saw the crates, large and small boxes each with a different emblem on the side. He turned carefully to avoid accidently falling out of the shuttle as he moved towards the crates. Opening the first, with what looked like two axes stretched across, he noticed the obvious. Arrows, axes, bullets and other munitions. Useful in a firefight, but for his mission they were useless.

He then opened a second crate, on the side it appeared to be a foaming mug. Cracking the top open, he looked inside to see warm bubbly ales, fine bottles of wine. His heart lifted to see such a beautiful sight, but it was a shame he could not savor that at the moment.

He looked around the cargo hold, and time after time he noticed the two same emblems. “I like their style, but damn none of this is useful.” Nick said as he pushed some of the crates aside. In the back corner, he finally found a different emblem. It was familiar to the boy, a Phoenix with it’s feathers stretched high. It was not all unlike the colonial symbol for the twelve colonies. Nick opened the box. Inside were lots of small pouches, each in a vest or backpack style container. Nick pulled one out, and opened it. Inside the bag was full of some type of bottles that looked like vaccines, or pain killers. Small cans of some sort of spray material, then he saw the holy grail, small razors and scissors.

He smiled as he threw on the pack. “At least I have something to cut a wire with.” he said as he continued to look around for something more orthodox. The further back he went, the emblems all remained the same. He looked down at the floor for a moment, then sighed. “Going to have to rough it then.” he said as he began his short walk back to the door. Just then, he noticed another emblem, not in a crate but in a small compartment in a drawer on the wall of the shuttle. It had another symbol, a hammer and an anvil. Nick walked over and opened the drawer.

Inside he found a small basic tool set. A few screwdrivers, nuts and bolts, hammer, tape measure with some weird writing on it, pliers, needle nose pliers, and wrenches. Nick smiled, “About time.” he said as he took the small tool kit and placed it in the bag. With about all he could possibly find on the shuttle that would be of use to him, he jumped down the rocky surface below.

He was about four feet in the air, as he jumped. Landing on both feet, he held turned quickly and held out his hand to help anyone down if they wanted.

Dry'tck took a brief look... His mind couldn't get past the solid gold sphere it was alive, it showed things to him and yet. It was just a hunk of metal but there was something more alive about it than Dry'tck felt. Perhaps this was why he was so eager to run towards what could of amounted to suicide but he had no intention of dieing just yet.]

He leapt onto the ground past the kid, he had quickly matured on the battlefield and that earnt him some respect but he hadn't fought yet with him and that would where the real respect was earnt. The only think that Dry'tck had on him was the Geth's own gun. There was a sort of justice in that, or perhaps it was only irony. Who cares any Geth that get caught in his sights where going down. Either through the gun of in melee.

Blue was next out of the shuttle as she fell more than jumped the four feet to the ground. Her grace was all but lost on a planet with this much gravity though she did manage to roll and save some of her pride when she came up. In her hands she quickly drew out her Star Forces pistol and readied it.

The Abh scanned the rocky landscape looking for anything that might be a sign of danger. "Got a plan or are we just hoping for a space dragon to come and save us?"

(OOC: ND is not going to be able to post for about a week. He has given me permission to play Chris)

After Blue jumped down, Nick took away his hand. Watching the girl, fall at first he wanted to run to help her up, but he refrained. One thing he had learned the hard way, this girl had an huge ego, and had more pride than a Viper pilot after a successful mission. Still though her tumble, then roll made him laugh. As she stood up, he watched her covered in dirt try to save face as she pulled out her pistol. Almost like she intended on doing that. With a slight chuckle, he smiled at her dirt covered uniform.

"Got a plan or are we just hoping for a space dragon to come and save us?"

Putting his hand up to try to stop laughing, as he walked over to her. “What do you mean? Waiting on space dragons is not a plan? Well we’re screwed then.” he said to her as he winked playfully at the Abh.

“Oh look how cute.” the voice of Chris said as he jumped down from the transport. “This takes me back to my first date, although much less booze around here.”

Nick turned around and glared for a moment at Chris. “Hey I find this is a damn good plan so far we are alive, so far.” Chris said to the group.

Nick smiled at him for a moment, “Yeah yeah, go screw yourself.” he said with a playful grin.

“Ouch, you kiss your mother with that mouth?” Chris jabbed back.

“No, but I kiss yours.”

Nick then waited for everyone else who was coming to jump down. He looked in the distance, and could clearly see the geth base. “Alright here is the plan.” he told the group as he kneeled down to the ground. With his index finger, he reached down and drew a box in the dirt. “This is the Geth base.” he said. Picking up a rock, he placed it where he guessed they were. “Now according to the intel from the ship, most of the Geth have vacated the base and are assaulting our beer drinking buddies and Elven friends.” Nick said. “Meaning that the base should be lightly defended if at all."

Pausing for a moment, he looked up at the group. “Now the reason for this is probably simple. They have already completed their objective, and if they are anything like the cylons they're trying to hurt us while resurrecting on a ship somewhere in deep space. Also we know the base is armed to blow. Going in through the front door would be stupid as they probably set up trip wires and mines to prevent it. However I doubt they have had time to figure out our original way of entry, the service shaft. That is our point of entry. Once we get inside, we need to maintain silence on the wireless to help avoid detection. If they get a hint we are in the base, they will double back and we are all frakked like a drunken prom date.”

“From there we fan out. Take out the enemy, be careful of trip wires, and we need a few people to hold the shaft. Chris and Dry’tck, you are going to look for the bombs. No need chasing your golden egg til we shut off the bombs, otherwise it and us will be blown to hell.

“I will need at least one or two of the Myth troops with me to help me figure out the bomb mechanism and disarm it. From there we can spread out and disarm them much quicker. Blue, I'll need your protection.”

Any Questions?” he asked.

“Good hunting”

Lukien was the last of the jumpers out of the shuttle, landing with a clank as the folds of his bronze armor brushed against one another. Crimson cape billowing out behind him, the elven captain surveyed the surrounding land looking barren and inhospitable as much as the rest of the planet.

A black orb floated from his gauntlet fist bringing the Uruk network online and pulling in the nearby platoon under Lukien's sole control. The elf called forth a holographic set of runic commands and called out to the nearby Uruks and beckoned them onward.

Nearby the rest of the team stood circled around discussing the strategy for the coming mission. Lukien knelt down at the edge of their group for the last half of their talks with the tip of his broadsword struck into the rock and greaves resting on the hilt. He smiled particularly at the mentioning of "beer drinking buddies" though it seemed plain that no one really knew what to think of the elves yet. Such was the gulf between those that lived forever and humans.

Regardless, these seemed open to new experiences. Briefing concluded, Lukien rose from the ground and pulled free the tip of his sword. "I'll maintain control over the Uruks and direct them to our commands."

Witnessing Uruks up close for the first time would be an experience for many. A small helm of wrought iron adorned their lopsided heads while dagger-like tusks protruded from their lips giving them a devilish grin when they smiled. Dark green skin covered their bodies as it wrapped around taught cords of muscles running through their bodies. The rest was covered in body armor and weapons that would suit their tall and fell appearance.

Despite their gruesome exterior, the inside workings of the mind were completely enslaved and bent to the will of the Myths. Thoughtless eyes stared back through the narrow slits in their helms as they marched behind the group obediently. Lukien kept three Uruks on station guarding the exit of the exhaust chute while the remaining two followed along into the Geth base.

The Abh trainee checked the energy level in her side arm. Everything checked out in the blue. Thankfully, the fire fights had been kept to a minimum up to this point but she was fairly certain that every ounce of energy was going to be needed for the stretch ahead.

She watched as Nick laid out his plan for getting into a base while a suppressing a smirk as he used a rock as a landmark. It was a fairly simple plan though requiring a great amount of precision.

“I will need at least one or two of the Myth troops with me to help me figure out the bomb mechanism and disarm it. From there we can spread out and disarm them much quicker. Blue, I'll need your protection.”

Blue tilted her pistol in acknowledgment. "Of course, but you'll have to start finding your own eventually."

"Well next time you should have stopped at the gas station on the way." Nick smirked back at Blue, almost forgetting that everyone else was around. He then looked around to see the party staring at him. "Alright well everyone knows what's up. I say lets go kick some lightbulbs ass. WIth that he pulled out his pistol and began to walk towards their first objective, securing the maintaince shaft.

Picking his away along the rocky terrain, the elf captain easily found the tunnel that Nick was talking about during the little meeting. Lukien lightly hopped from one stone to the next then crouched low by the portal. He glanced down the dark pathway to see if the way was clear.

Waving two of the Uruks up, the elf sent them on ahead to secure the way while another two took up defensive positions. Everything that the Uruks saw was sent back to Lukien through their communication network. He walked a few feet in that of the ugly creatures and saw that everything appeared to be clear for now.

Turning back to the rest of the party, he gave an armored thumb up.

Get in, do youur job and quickly get the heck out. That was the normal operating procedure for a small NAGAT team who usually used a subtle multi-pronged attack.

This was not the normal way he operated, but he had to adapt and if NAGAT were good at anything it was adapting.

"I'll set up a perimeter with the Uruks while you concentrate on disarming these bombs." While it sounded like a statement it really was a couple of questions. First off, Should I set up a permeter? and second should the first one be affirmative, can I use the Uruks to do so.

The Geth base itself seemed devoid of life as the Rangers approached their target. It looked as if every robot had been thrown into the fight with the Myths down below. Only a few automated turrets and scanners remained online.

Everything else seemed completely clear.

Looking inside the base, the golden sphere was resting against the far rock wall of the base as if it had just been freshly dug out. Thanks to Dry'tck's attack, it had been rolled off its original pedestal. Now a plethora of demolitions surrounded the shiny object. There were no wires to be seen but judging by the advanced nature of the Geth and their semi-organicness, that was to be expected.

Still, looking at how empty everything is, could it really be that easy?

Blue eased up beside Nick. "I thought that was usually the male's responsibility? Terran mating rituals are so peculiar."

The Geth base itself seemed devoid of life as the Rangers approached their target. It looked as if every robot had been thrown into the fight with the Myths down below. Only a few automated turrets and scanners remained online.

Everything else seemed completely clear.

Looking inside the base, the golden sphere was resting against the far rock wall of the base as if it had just been freshly dug out. Thanks to Dry'tck's attack, it had been rolled off its original pedestal. Now a plethora of demolitions surrounded the shiny object. There were no wires to be seen but judging by the advanced nature of the Geth and their semi-organicness, that was to be expected.

Still, looking at how empty everything is, could it really be that easy?

Blue eased up beside Nick. "I thought that was usually the male's responsibility? Terran mating rituals are so peculiar."

Chris then finally said something, after pretty much following everybody and generally kicking ass. Having generally been roused from drowsiness not but several hours before, he was not in a talkative mood.

"Alrighty, Blue. That's enough." Looking at the Golden Sphere, he walked slowly to the object, taking care not to get too close to the items around the Sphere. "Besides," he quipped with a whisper, "dating rituals are one thing, Blue." Cocking his shotgun, he said, "But my experience seperating unhappy couples tells me some dudes are too stupid to do even that--no offense, Nick."

The bombs certainly looked formidable, and it would be up to a scan to get them to reveal their secrets. He then whispered, "Anybody got a scanner or some shit like that? We gotta figure out how to shut these damn bombs off."

It was a long walk, as the group moved through the open barren terrain til they reached their first objective. Nick peered his head out as he looked around. A turret here, and there, but mostly the place was empty. Nick put his hand to his chin as he opened his mouth. This was easy.... too easy. And nothing was ever as simple as this. He looked across the “courtyard” and could clearly see the Golden Egg of Dry’tch. Nick shook his head. “We are being baited.” he whispered to himself. As he did Blue began her remarks.

Blue eased up beside Nick. "I thought that was usually the male's responsibility? Terran mating rituals are so peculiar."

Nick at first was confused. “Terran?” he asked. He had never heard of that term before as he listened to her brief yet very open statement. A big grin cut across his face as for a moment he nearly forgot about the mission. “Nah you don’t have to worry about any rituals, we aren’t in a temple.” Nick said as his pride boomed. He took a step forward, as Chris broke the mood.

"Alrighty, Blue. That's enough." Looking at the Golden Sphere, he walked slowly to the object, taking care not to get too close to the items around the Sphere. "Besides," he quipped with a whisper, "dating rituals are one thing, Blue." Cocking his shotgun, he said, "But my experience separating unhappy couples tells me some dudes are too stupid to do even that--no offense, Nick."

“None taken man.” Nick told his new found buddy. “We can talk about this when the job is done. Just hope there is no premature explosions before then.” Nick told his Blue haired friend.

“Right, ok time to stop the toasters.” he thought to himself as he stepped out slightly.

"Anybody got a scanner or some shit like that? We gotta figure out how to shut these damn bombs off."
Nick kneeled down and pulled out all he had in his bag. “No scanners.” he said. “Gotta do this the old fashioned way.” he said with confidence, as he pulled out the tools he had acquired on the shuttle. “We just gotta adapt bro, and wing it.” Nick said as he looked through the medical and tool supplies.

First he grabbed an aerosol can. With a bandaid he held down the top of the can as it released a small mist out of the top. Nick tossed it out the front of the entrance. As it rolled hopefully it would reveal any laser trip wires in the area, as it rolled towards the egg.

Nick watched it keenly as he began to speak. “All bombs are roughly the same. There is a power source, transfer, a trigger and explosives. Either way, it should be easy to disarm, assuming we can figure out what is what. Shit I had to do it several times on Galactica, to pass for clearance on the flight deck." he said as he continued to look to see if any laser or actual trip wires were hit by the can.

"Anybody got a scanner or some shit like that? We gotta figure out how to shut these damn bombs off."
Nick kneeled down and pulled out all he had in his bag. “No scanners.” he said. “Gotta do this the old fashioned way.” he said with confidence, as he pulled out the tools he had acquired on the shuttle. “We just gotta adapt bro, and wing it.” Nick said as he looked through the medical and tool supplies.

First he grabbed an aerosol can. With a bandaid he held down the top of the can as it released a small mist out of the top. Nick tossed it out the front of the entrance. As it rolled hopefully it would reveal any laser trip wires in the area, as it rolled towards the egg.

Nick watched it keenly as he began to speak. “All bombs are roughly the same. There is a power source, transfer, a trigger and explosives. Either way, it should be easy to disarm, assuming we can figure out what is what. Shit I had to do it several times on Galactica, to pass for clearance on the flight deck." he said as he continued to look to see if any laser or actual trip wires were hit by the can.

Chris's eyes widened open, as he witnessed his partner about to do something usually done in his department by EOD technicians and action movie heroes. Kneeling down to witness his new partner get some stuff done, he shook his head in amazement.

"Dang, boy. I might start calling you MacGyver from now on," he whispered, eager to figure out the results. "Let's just hope we can figure all that out without the bomb going nuts. Some bombs don't like to be opened, but some do...."

Dry'tck stood back looking around for any signs of movement or sounds, He didn't notice anything around though he couldn't be sure that there was nothing there.

That was until he took in the golden sphere again it reached out and touched him. It wanted to talk to him and show him something before, perhaps it could talk with him again, but how. It wasn't behaving like it was before... he had an idea.

He closed his mind focusing all his attention on the sphere itself, not the people around, nor the bombs but the golden sphere itself. He could see it in his mind's eye, as if it was floating in a sea of blackness, the exterior of it smooth. It stood out brightly reflecting light from an unknown source. He almost pushed the words out through his mind. "Hello? I am called Dry'tck" he had no idea if it could even hear the thoughts he tried to push out, he had never dealt with psychic abilities before, didn't know what he was doing, he just hoped for some help, and to establish the connection he once had with the sphere once again.

Lukien returned his broad chainsword to its waiting sheath across his back. The elf left a number of Uruks outside the fortress so that an escape route could be secured. Small team tactics were updated in their cerebrals so that they could move more effectively.

The rest followed the captain in along with the other Rangers.

Lukien crouched at the edge of the dirt flooding the courtyard while Nick and Chris assessed the area. As the spray can flooded areas of the courtyard with mist, his eyes spotted the hazy lines of trip beams. Quickly scanning the surrounding areas, Lukien spotted the automated turrets and other weaponry left over for defense.

"I smell a trap. Why leave automated defense turrets behind and trip beams if there is no one here? There has to be more to this than simply a series of trip wires to key in the turrets."

The elf captain rose to his full height in bronze armor and took a sniff of the wind. "I can send the Uruks in to defuse the bombs while we remove the automated defenses."

Nick shrugged at Captain Lukiens offer. Secretly he felt relieved that he might be able to not have the fate of everyone in his hands if the Uruks could do it. On the other hand he did not know if they knew anything about bombs, and if they went in blindly, well they were all frakked.

He looked at the Elf, “Do they know how to diffuse a bomb or warhead?” he asked the Captain. “If they do then hell yeah, send those bastards in. If not, then I want to go with them.” he said as he hoped that the Uruks knew what the hell they were doing.

"General munitions and explosives are part of their programming but to affirmatively say that they will know the exact dynamics of those charges, I cannot."

The elf grabbed the black orb that was floating around him and began to twist it. Seemingly smooth, the object did have movable parts as the elf went to work on them. Finished rotating the runes that covered the orb, Lukien handed it over to Nick.

"Take this. It will help you command the Uruks while I, and anyone that wants to come with me, take out the defenses. The orb has been set to receive a new user so just give it a moment to record acclimate itself to your makeup."

Nick looked really confused as the Captain handed him, what he called earlier, “The Blue ball.” Looking at it, doing it’s thing he could not help but to wonder, “How in the frak am I supposed to use this thing.”

It took a moment for it to calibrate, but when it did, it became clear to him somehow. Nick grabbed the orb, and slowly began to walk towards the bombs. His breath was heavy, as his heart raced. Disarming any warhead was tough, but one that you had no clue how it worked, well that was damn near suicidal.

With the ugly bastards, and motioning for his friend Blue, they walked towards the bomb, careful not to set off any of the trip wires that was discovered by the aerosol can.

Moments went by, as Nick sat next to one of the bombs. He stared at the casing, examining it, studying it’s features. Slowly reaching down to one of the bags, he pulled out a leatherman. Gently he opened the hatch, hoping Chris was wrong. He prayed as he slipped off the casing that this is not one of those prudish bombs that did not like to be opened.

Gently the case was removed, and there was no explosion. However it was worse than he imagined. He looked at the bomb, and could see many things that did not make sense. No real wires, however there was a circular object orbiting a central device. On the inside it looked to be something of a tranciever.

“Ok” he said first. “Power supply, delivery, trigger, and explosives.” he repeated to himself. “What is what?” he asked himself again.

Slightly he turned up his head towards the woman who kept him in line through out this entire adventure. "Ever see anything like this before?" he asked Blue

The Abh trainee looked at the explosives. Sure she had studied munitions and the likes at the military academy, but she was a pilot and not a ground soldier. Still, there were some things that looked familiar. Though if she could disarm it, that was another question entirely.

She squatted down next to Nick to get a better look. "Only in an anti-matter fuel cell. We use intense gravity fields to keep the anti-matter stable and from making contact with the casing itself. It's possible the object hovering is the actual explosive. Though, what it needs to make contact with in order to detonate, I cannot say.

Does there look like anything is supposed to contact it? You know, to set it off."

The ever playful and smiling boy soon grew very serious as Blue began to describe to him what she recognized. His heart raced slightly as he looked at the parts that she was speaking of. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the parts inside the bomb.

“No nothing that makes contact.” Nick replied as he studied the parts that she was pointing to. “Then if it is anti matter, all you have to do is cut the power, and the bomb will detonate.” Nick said worried.

“Frak it.” he thought to himself as he watched the bomb. “Which means we need a new idea.” he spoke up clearer. “If the timer is the actual power supply then frak, we have to keep it powered up, or else when the battery goes dead, the gravity or magnetic field will drop and good bye.” Nick said growing agitated.

Nick looked at the slight transceiver on the bomb. He could not help but to wonder what it did, was it receiving or transmitting. If it was receiving then it is easy to disarm, if it is transmitting then the other bombs could be linked meaning that if one is disarmed the others would explode as well. “Man I wish I had a drink.” he thought to himself as he reached in his pocket and light up a cigarette to help calm his nerves.

Taking a deep drag he exhaled away from Blue, to avoid getting it in her face. “Alright, when in doubt, it is worse than we think.” Nick said. “Assume the bombs are linked so if one is shut off they all blow. Also assume it is the power supply keeping these damn things from blowing. So we can’t cut the power or the power relays.” He said watching the device spin around.

Reaching up to his mouth, he took another drag from his cigarette. “Also that means that we can’t exactly remove the explosive from the power supply without blowing us to Alyssum. Nick leaned back and sighed. He wondered if the damn things could be moved. Looking inside, Nick looked for a motion detector of some sort, something that might kill the power if they attempted to move the bombs. Sure enough, he soon found a portion of the device that looked like it would go off if moved.

Leaning over Nick saw the fragile motion detector. “Frak.” he exclaimed. As he saw the bad news. He shook his head, as he knew that this could be over his head, although he kept it hidden. His body tensed, as he took another drag off his cigarette, again doing his best to keep the smoke out of Blue’s face. “Whoever built this, really didn’t want anyone disarming it, or moving it away.” he told her as he took another drag.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he sat there still. “What to do?” he asked himself. He reopened his eyes to the face that had gotten him through this entire battle. As his eyes opened he looked at her and smiled for a moment. He slowly leaned over towards the girl kissed her gently on the lips. “I am not going to die without doing that.” he said honestly, which seemed to be a quality he learned that the Abh appreciate, as he smiled at her.

Turning back to the bomb, Nick looked at the lights and the motion of the bombs. “Ok so if we can not disarm it easily, there has to be a way to shut it off. Probably a code or a combination or some shit like that.”

As Nick watched the device he noticed something about the rotation of the device. It was not a spinning at the center. It was in rotation around something, but slowly spinning outwards. He took his control and decided to try something. Hopefully, the damn Uruks would do what he did. He took the blue ball and told all the Uruks to move at the same time with the same pressure he did. Each at a bomb, Nick took the center spinning disk and tried to ease it back into the center of the platform, from which it was slowly spinning away. If it worked the Uruks and Nick will have moved the spining disk in the center at the same time.

"I've got a friend, they're still in NAGAT they're in bomb disposal, I don't suppose anyone has a Novaen compatible communicator?"

He had given up trying to mentally link to it, it didn't seem to want to for now, though he kept an eye out for any of those robots that tried to be sneaky, without any additional equipment he just had his hand to hand fighting skill, though he did have a weapon, and he was ready looking and waiting for any enemy movement in the area.

Having never been kissed before, it was sort of a new experience for Blue when Nick made the daring move. She stood there sort of staring at the Colonial without much to say then a small smile crept onto her lips. Abh were different from humans when it came to love in some respects. Marriage was not a traditional institution for them but when they fell in love, it was said to burn within them like a sun until it consumed them. Whenever an Abh fell in love, they followed it through to whatever end.

Regaining focus on the task at hand, the Abh trainee studied the bomb explosive again. She put a hand on Nick's shoulder as he was getting ready to head to work. "I'm glad you're sentimental and all, but I can tell you this is not an anti-matter explosive. For one, you would have killed us all by now for removing the cover if it was. It tends to be unstable that way.

If I had to guess, I would say the crystal object would be your explosive. Everything seems to revolve around it."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoLw4uYRJSU

The colonial just sat and stared at the bomb device. Gently he laid his finger on the circular spinning device, as he was about to move it back to the center. Then he felt a warm pressure on his shoulder. Turning to his right, he saw the Pilot Trainee looking at him with a small smile.

Nick smiled back at her. As he did the pressure of disarming a bomb that would possibly kill everyone seemed to melt away. His heart lifted, but still he had a job to do. He looked back at the device, and the cold metal beneath his index finger.

As he did, he took in a deep breath. All he could see was the bomb, and Blue. No one, and nothing else seemed to exist to the young colonial. He did not hear the words of his lizard friend, nor the clamor of chatter from any of the others. He only saw blue, and the bomb.

"I'm glad you're sentimental and all, but I can tell you this is not an anti-matter explosive. For one, you would have killed us all by now for removing the cover if it was. It tends to be unstable that way.

If I had to guess, I would say the crystal object would be your explosive. Everything seems to revolve around it."

Nick glanced at her as she spoke. He then sighed, “You are probably right.” he spoke up. Inwardly he was kicking himself. Yes he had been trained on the flight deck to deal with warheads, but Colonial Tech was a lot different than Geth. Anti-matter was not used at all by colonials, nor were crystal explosives.

He shook his head at the thought, “Who in their right mind would make crystal explosives?” he asked. Then he chuckled slightly, “Then again someone could ask themselves the same thing about plastic explosives.” He kneeled down, and looked closer at the crystals. At first, he thought they were just a power source, but seeing it, it could very well be the explosive.

The boy examined it closely. He did not see any wires to cut, but Blue was right the things were rotating around it, and slowly drawing in closer.

“Alright.” he said. “If it is not anti matter, then it shouldn’t explode if removed.” he said sounding sure of himself, although internally he doubted his statement. Nick reached down, and touched the crystal, to see if it was locked in the bomb, or if it could be removed.

As by Nick's command, the Uruks removed the coverings to the bombs in unison. There was very little delay between the young Ranger's words and the Uruks complying. Yellow eyes scanned over the layout of the explosive to see if anything matched known specifications in their databases back on Mythrandir. When nothing came back as a match, they began recording for future information and quick disarming responses.

While the Uruks worked alongside Nick in figuring out how to disarm the warheads, Lukien was moving through the fortress to deal with any remaining defenses that might pose a hazard to the team. The elf came across a few auto turrets left online but they were easily dispatched as the Myth ripped out their main circuits, severing all power to the guns. Moving on, he came across a few missle turrets.

Shuffling through his pack, Lukien found a few more charges. He moved quickly to strap them down and set a timer with enough freedom to reach a safe distance. The bronze knight hit the rocky earth running as two explosions rocked the walls behind him. Now all that remained was dealing with the lasers covering the ground.

When Nicked reached down to touch the crystal, little happened or changed in the charges. But he would notice something when removing his fingers. Clamped down around the crystal was a series of metal clamps. Four to be precise, that were keeping the crystal in place. If he wanted to remove the crystal object, he would have to cut the clamps first without disturbing anything else.

When Nicked reached down to touch the crystal, little happened or changed in the charges. But he would notice something when removing his fingers. Clamped down around the crystal was a series of metal clamps. Four to be precise, that were keeping the crystal in place. If he wanted to remove the crystal object, he would have to cut the clamps first without disturbing anything else.

Upon his realization, Nick turned back to the bag he brought with him from the Myth transport. It took him a minute to find what he was looking for, a pair of snippers.

He turned to his friend Blue. He smiled at her for a second then asked, "Can you hold that crystal for me?"

Nick directed the ugly slave things, as he thought of them to move as he did. At first he stuck the clippers in there, careful not to touch anything else. Snip, he cut the first one.

Soon he repeated the steps to cut the other three. As the last one was cut, he stated calmly, "Ok time to pull out. We do not want any accidents."

While the Mythrandir Uruks proceeded to do as Nick instructed, Blue pulled the crystal material free from the cut prongs. No explosion.

The Abh looked down at her companion. "Well genius, you didn't get us killed. Can we safely assume that this thing is disarmed?"

In the mean time, the bombs continued on their course. Where the crystal once rested, energy began to build as a laser was shot into the empty holder. The energy behind the beam continued to build. Though if the explosive was removed, then there was really nothing to blow.

Nick watched his companion gently pull out the crystal from it’s socket. Gently pulling it free, Nick stared at the small crystal in the thin hand of the Abh. “It is beautiful.” he said, as he watched the potential explosive shine in the light of the planet. The way it sparkled, seemed like a diamond, flawless, with an array of color, from the spectrum of light being broken down.

"Well genius, you didn't get us killed. Can we safely assume that this thing is disarmed?"

He turned to her, not knowing if she was being sarcastic, or if she was being serious. In his short time with her, he knew she was honest, but how literal were these strange blue haired people. He shook his head, as he decided to play it safe. “If your analysis is correct, then yes.” he told her as he reached up to take the crystal from her hand. Gently he brushed his hand against her as he pulled the crystal into the bag.

“Then again if it is not, I guess we will never know.”

As he waited, he soon heard a hum. Turning around he watched the energy build up, in the socket where the crystal once laid. His heart skipped a beat as he watched the intensity grow. If he was wrong, then there would not be much of anything left of them.

He took a deep breath as he watched the inevitable. Only time would tell if it was disarmed or not.

On came the mechanized forces of the Geth as they closed on the Mythrandir trench lines. Energy and bullets hummed through the air as they sought their mark in the hunkering Warriors. As they closed, return fire came from the Myth trenches as machines were laid low in the rocky soil.

Standing above it all was Elder Sebastian in his earthen spawn armor. He stood tall and proud amidst the onslaught of the machines and their weapons. Raising his flaming runic blade high into the air, he unleashed a primeval roar that shook the very foundations of the world. Fire erupted from the edge of his blade as he lead the charge into the Geth lines.

Bullets sailed through the air to bring low scores of the machines while they answered back with their own volley. Occasional bullets slipped through the cracks of armor and brought low mighty warriors. Still on they charged exchanging fire with the enemy until at last they clashed in a great heap. Shields were broken, spears shattered, but the Myth Warriors fought on to drive the enemy back and off away from their homes.

Artillery began raining death down over the battle as rock and dirt were thrown into the air, giving off a hazy crimson tint to the air. In the midst of the conflict, the great captains gathered around Elder Sebastian and Elder Thrandur. Sword, bow, and hammer were put to devastating use as the pile of limbs and circuits grew ever higher around them. The banners of Mythrandir flew high and proud behind them as each house and race was represented on the battlefield.

Songs lifted from the lips of all Warriors with the dwarves singing to their battle gods of Thorn and Odin. The elves sang to the earth and all of its spirits to give energy to their limbs and power to their blades. The humans sang hyms and their prayers to their one God in asking for His divine protection and strength in battle. Music of the multitudes built as a storm in the ocean and threatened to break over the Geth in one great tidal wave.

------

As the sounds of war drifted through the Mythrandir camp, one warrior left behind could no longer sit idly by. Throwing the covers from her legs, Shizra tested the stability of her injured leg. Red hot pain seared up through her calf as soon as she attempted to put weight on it.

Grunting through the pain, the dark elf would not be held back by a lucky gun shot. She grabbed her twin swords and fastened them around her shoulders and waist. The twin silver pistols were hanging from the edge of her cot. Shizra grabbed the leather straps and fastened them around her legs.

There was only one problem for the proud dark elf. Guards outside were ordered to not let her out, specifically by Elder Sebastian. Still, she had not become War Mistress by mere chance. Even before that title, she had managed to give most of her foes nightmares before their demise.

Luckily, the guards were not expecting much trouble from the wounded elf so they would hardly prove a challenge to slip by. Removing a scimitar from its sheath, Shizra cut a small hole in the canvas along the side of the tent. Peering around for anyone in sight, the dark elf limped off as fast as she could to hurry to the rising sound of the battle.

------

Sebastian and Thrandur were back to back in the midst of the battle as the captains and Elders had charged far ahead of the main lines thus causing them to be surrounded. That was hardly a problem for the seasoned friends. Sebastian's fiery blade worked furiously at opening holes in Geth defenses and disarming. Planting his foot, he spun to follow around in a tight circle. Where most thought the human had foolishly left himself vulnerable in the backside, they were quickly made aware of the true situation as Thrandur came spinning around with warhammer leading. More than a few Geth machines were sent flying to the rear of their own lines.

Akeela kept his bow humming as the energy arrows scorched holes in the armor of the Geth while Bregger went to work dismembering machines as mechanical arms reached out for them. The pile of bodies mounted ever higher as the battle waged on. Cries from their comrades were drawing closer so it was becoming obvious that the rest of the Warriors were fairing well agains the machines. Uruks were also coming from the rear to decimate all that remained of the enemy.

Still there were greater foes left on the battlefield as a great mechanical leg pounded the ground near the companions. All looked up to see a few of the Geth tanks bearing down on them. Sebastian and the rest had to take a moment from their other engagements to take stock in the new enemy. Energy built at the point of what looked to be its face and it did not take them long to figure out that they needed to move.

"Got any ideas fer dis one, boy?"

Sebastian rolled as the energy blast struck the ground. "I'm workin' on it! I'm making this up as I go along. Bregger, protect Akeela. Akeela, lend us your bow and see if you can pierce its armored hide."

The elven rogue was only happy to comply as he altered the angle of his bow and loosed as series of lightning strike arrows. Only in the last moments did they realize their error as the energized arrows struck an invisible shield of sorts. Akeela unleashed more arrows but only to minor damage.

"Elder, this isn't exactly working out so well."

Sebastian deflected a stray Geth shot with his blade as he saw Akeela's arrows only meet an energy barrier. "I can see that. How close are the trolls?"

Bregger snatched an orb from his satchel and activated its diagnostic functions. "Close enough for the other armored units but not close enough for us."

"Bah, ain't fer doin'" Thrandur was thwarted as his own hammer bounced off the shield and sent vibrations through his body.

------

Shizra knew it would take too long for her to reach the fight. By the time she could manage to limp to the edge of the battle lines, it would most likely be over. There had to be a quicker way of getting there.

Looking around the camp for a solution, she spotted her salvation. Resting beneath a canvas flap was STEED left behind because of the rocky terrain. The dark elf smiled as she mounted up. It would be more than enough to cover the distance.

Hammering down on the throttle, Shizra sped from the camp out to the fighting. Rocks, men, and machines passed by her in a blur. She was only concerned about one group in particular and the War Mistress knew he wouldn't be at the rear of the advancing army.

Shizra angled the mount higher in the air to get a more panoramic view of the battle. From there she spotted the quarry she was looking for. A small group of Myths were completely surrounded by the machines though remarkably holding their own. No machine could touch them. That was until one of the mammoth monstrosities waded into the fight. She watched as they attacked valiantly in vain.

The dark elf sent the bike into a dive for the armored monster. She activated the two chain blades on each side of speeder and left it for a crash course into the legs of the tank. Just before impact, the War Mistress leaped high into the air. The speeder ran into the Geth tank, severing its legs and sending it down to the ground. Shizra landed with her two scimitars digging into the cerebral of the tank as the power lights winked out.

Sebastian and the rest of his friends looked on in astonishment at what had just occurred before their eyes. Shizra had come from the heavens to save their hides. The speed of her craft had drained the shields while the blades cut the beast from the ground. The subsequent explosion of the power cell in the STEED sent the rest of the surrounding Geth reeling as Myth Warriors moved to link up with the Uruks to eradicate the remnants of the enemy.

A smile couldn't help but creep onto the Elder's face as he saw the dark elf limp her way over to his company. "So, you couldn't just rest for one hour and let the rest of us fight? Is there nothing that will get you to listen to me?"

Shizra returned her blades to their scabbards and shook her white haired head. "Not so long as you keep acting like a fool. If I wasn't here to hold your hand, I would have been scraping your hides off the ground. And I don't do charred flesh."

Sebastian laughed though caught Shizra as she stumbled from too much weight on her injured leg. "Well how about for now, you let me hold your hand."

The dark elf could not blush from the fact of her skin's color, but only managed to answer meekly with the nod of her head. Sebastian smiled and kept her steady as the gathered looked up to the mountain fortress.

"Now we must trust in our new friends for everything rests on their shoulders now. May whatever gods they worship smile down on them this day. And may Lukien be kept safe."

The energy continued to build until it exploded into the place that had held the crystal. But there was no crystal for the energy to fire into and therefore simply fizzled out when the energy was spent. Blue looked at Nick then shrugged. "No boom. I may be no munitions or explosives expert, but I take that to be a good sign."

Now all that remained was what to do with the golden sphere that the Geth were in such a hurry to destroy. Judging by the work equipment around the base, all the work had been to uncover this artifact. So why destroy it after all the labor?
--------------------

Marcus was down in the middle of the fighting helping out the Mythrandir warriors as best he could despite his shoulder. His fighting pike extended to full length and added to the many swords and hammers of the Myths. His cloak billowed up around him as he spun and kicked out taking as many of the Geth as he could in a short time.

The multiple guns and numbers that the Myths could field were more than the remaining Geth could handle. It was a steady retreat though slowed with the support of their armored units making it down into the fight. They were only there for a brief time as the threat was identified and quickly dealt with. All that remained of the Geth was quickly dealt with by the Myths and their army. Machine parts and bodies piled high and Marcus took a seat on a rock to catch his breath.

Nick shook his head at Blue’s response. “Very perceptive, perhaps you are in the wrong line of work. You seem to have a natural talent for explosives.” he said to her as he put his stood up. The boy looked into her face, the face of an angel to him as he put his hand on her shoulder for a second. “How did you figure out that crystal was the explosive charge? A power source sure, but the actual explosive.”

Pulling his hand from her shoulder, he then looked to the ground, “Then again, you probably are used to more exotic things like that. Colonials rarely venture out into the unknown, and our tech is probably quite primitive to your standards. Either way, thank you.”

He then turned to Dry’Tch. ‘Hey Zilla.” he yelled out to the ranger. “We got your egg secure.” he yelled out.

Then he turned to Chris and Blue, “So y’all ready to go. I don’t know about you, but I need a drink. This has been one hell of a first day.”

"It was intuition actually, though I was relatively certain that that was the explosive material. Everything in the bomb seemed to revolve around the crystal. I suppose, as I look back at it now, it could have been the actual source of power at first glance. Though if that were the case, we would probably all be dead by now."

She simply shrugged as if it didn't matter then walked around the object to see if all of the other charges had been properly disposed of.

---------------------

Marcus was down back at the Mythrandir camp watching for the mountain side for any signs of what happened to his Ranger team. There was no explosion but there was also no chatter on the comm lines.

The older Ranger brought his clyuno and activated it. "This Marcus to Ranger team. Is anyone there? Chris? Nick? Dry'tck? Does anyone read me?"

Nick watched the girl who had been with him through thick and thin on this mission simply go and check out the other bombs. It was quite redundant, if they were still armed, then it would have gone boom, but hey whatever floats her boat.

Nick just shook his head as she shrugged away the notion of them being dead. Maybe it was because it didn’t matter cause they were alive now, or maybe it was because she really didn’t have the same zeal for life the Colonial did. All Nick could think about was how he always seemed to fall for the estranged ones. Then again, how normal of a girl could he be liking, who had naturally growing blue hair.

Nick turned to Chris. Reaching up, Nick slapped him on the back. Reaching into his pocket, Nick pulled out a flask, and unscrewed the top. “Great job man.” he said to Chris as he offered him a swig. “Hell of a job.”

Then barely over the radio, the static voice of Marcus chimed in. Nick reached up to the radio, “Yeah, we are all alive and well. How goes the toaster smashing?”

"Spreading the butter now but otherwise over with and now we're breaking for coffee."

Sarcastic tone aside, Marcus hit a homing beacon for Max to sweep back and pick up Nick's team. "Just get your asses back inside the Sanjura and get ready for dust off. Our mission is complete and now it's time to head on out."

The last of the fighting was completed with all that remained of the Geth army was scattered metallic carcasses. Bodies piled high in the crimson light of the rocky world as the main force of the Myth army broke camp and prepared to head home. Uruks climbed aboard shuttles and took off to dock with the fleet hovering over the small world while Elder Sebastian and Thrandur watched as the last of their men climbed aboard their transports.

Bodies of the fallen were placed in their own transports to be brought back home to their families. A calm drifted on the air which only moments ago was ripped by battle as the two armies clashed. The danger had passed for the time but it still left questions as to where these machines came from and what their ultimate purpose was. Sebastian had never seen a sight such as this before and it left a sinking feeling in his gut. Would they be back? Was this over? The human Elder had no way of knowing but it gnawed at him all the while.

With every Myth Warrior back in space, Sebastian and Thrandur boarded their own shuttle and flew off. Once they reached the darkness of space, a message was sent to the Rangers inviting them back to Mythrandir for a warm party. The Myth fleet disappeared into the Warp with the captured Geth warship in tow.

Back on Mythrandir

A feast had been set up for the returning Warriors and their friends in the Rangers. Smoking meats and warm breads lined the tables along with fruits from all across the land. Drinks were aplenty as the servants rushed to fill mugs and glasses from the waiting patrons. Silver platters circled continuously to the accompany of lighthearted music as the Elders showed their commitment to their Warriors and their hospitality to their guests.

Upon a dais was a long wooden table full of food. The Rangers were directed to several seats at that particular table where they would a small oaken box in front of each seat. Contained in each box was a golden medallion with the emblem of the phoenix engraved in its delicate surface. The phoenix rose from the fire with a spear clasped in one talon and an olive branch in the other.

While the Rangers were told they would be dining with the Elders, no Elder was present at the feast yet. Before any of them could celebrate, Sebastian and Thrandur had called the other Elders away to mourn for their fallen comrades. A glow appeared outside the city walls as the funeral pyres of the Warriors broke the encroaching darkness of night. Sebastian prayed for their souls to find peace as the others offered up their own similar partings.

It wasn't until some time later that the Elders made their way to the feasting. Dressed in their finery, it wasn't often that they celebrated among friends. Thrandur was decorated in all his finest buckles and had his long beard cleaned in tucked behind a belt buckle. Alurial looked splendid in her flowing dress that shifted to every tint of the forest as she walked. Sebastian wore a fine crimson open vest along with a blue cape to accentuate it while his wife, Sarah, wore her finest gown and looked queenly as she walked next to her husband. The captains came next still dressed in their armor. Captain Lukien stood tall and proud in his bronze armor, polished to perfection with the phoenix on his breast plate shining the brightest. The elven captain clasped a gauntlet hand on his brother's shoulder who stood beside him. Lieutenant Akeela favored his leather clothing and chain mail undershirt with dark green cape. Bregger brought in the last of the group with his polished silver armor and phoenix helm that he carried under his arm. While the Elders sat on high with the Rangers, they would remain amongst their men in support and congratulations of their actions. Perhaps out of all of them, Elder Raigar was the least dressed though with the exotic nature of his feathers and wings, there was hardly any need for the griffon Elder.

The Elders stood tall when they reached their seats. Sebastian lead them in grabbing a mug and hoisting it high. "In remembrance of the fallen, may they find their father's hall and rest in peace."

Every soldier returned the toast as the party went quiet for a moment. That silence was broken as Elder Sebastian set his mug down after a long swallow. "While we have lost friends and family dear to us, we have gained new companions and friends. The Rangers here have fought and bled beside us, therefore our blood is mixed with theirs. It is for that reason, and their steadfast courage at our side, that the Elders have awarded them the Phoenix Medallion in honor of their friendship and sacrifice. With these medallions, they are free to come and go here as they please."

A roaring applause came from the many tables surrounding the dais as mugs were thumped on tables and cheers rang into the evening. Once the tide subsided, the music came back and the soldiers went back to their feasting and partying. Some did stop though as the War Mistress made her way to the dais. Dressed in a crimson red dress that hugged her curves with a slit riding up to mid thigh, the dark elf was figure of an apparition seen only in wild dreams. While she was unarmed, not a single lewd comment was thrown her way as she took a seat next to Sebastian.

The Elder twisted in his seat feeling somewhat uncomfortable sitting between his wife and the dark elf though it was hard to tell if Shizra was simply too beautiful or if Sebastian was afraid of being assaulted on two fronts. Never was it a good thing when a man's wife sided with some as deadly as the dark elf.

Sarah leaned over and smiled at her good friend. "Shizra, look simply ravishing. Where did you come up with such a dress?"

The dark elf shrugged her bare shoulders. "I've had this hanging around for some time but never had an occasion to wear it. I felt tonight would be a good night."

"Well it looks as if you've caught the eye of most of the soldiers. You think we'll see a young man brave enough to ask you to dance?"

Shizra sighed and took a drink from her wine glass. "I certainly hope not. Recruitment has been down in the Warrior's Institute so I would hate to add fuel to the fire by killing a fresh graduate tonight. Besides, my leg is still a little sore from the battle."

Sebastian set his mug down and seized the opportunity to put a jab in. "It didn't hurt too bad for you to come riding out into the thick of the fighting."

"Hey, I did manage to save your sorry asses."

Sarah nodded her agreement. "If she hadn't come to help you, who knows where you would have ended up. Besides, you should never tell a woman to wait."

The Elder slumped back into his chair. "I hate it when you two team up on me. Of all the combinations in this universe, you two are the worst."

(Merry Christmas)

Chris then got up, and admittedly a second too late raised his glass. Noticing everybody had gone back to partying, he nonetheless tapped his mug with his fork politely but loudly, and then turned to the other members of the Rangers as he said, "Alright, every. Here's to a damn good job. I'd like to say that at the very least, I'm grateful for the honor. But here's to you guys--you helped and did a heckuva job!" He then shouted the Dornalian toast, "L'chaim!" before drinking his drink. He then sat down, and said to Nick, "It's an old toast we say on Earth, l'chaim. Means "to life" in an old language."

Looking about, he spotted Shizra, now in a red dress. Noting the sight silently, he had to admit. Shizra was awfully scary on the field of battle, and even now she kinda freaked him out a little. But well...she had a charm right about now that was hard to resist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJRthpxDM10

Well if anyone seemed like a fish out of water, sitting at the table of honor it was the Colonial boy in the middle of the table. He went in, thinking he was going to boot camp, or some variant, and the last thing on his mind was a formal dress attire, that would match that of this group. Unlike the others, even after he showered and shaved, all he had on was a pair of faded jeans, a black T-shirt, and the brown leather jacket, along with Colonial issued Combat boots. He looked more like he should be going to a bar, then a party of such calabur.

He seemed somewhat nervous as he sat next to his new bud Chris, and the woman of his recent affection “Blue.” He had never been to a party quite like this one, as delegates and national leaders presented themselves, and dined with the crew of the Sojourne. He was a mechanic, damn near born with a wrench in his hand. The closest he ever came to such an event was hauling crates of tequila into the flight deck for a formal party of some sort for the brass.

Needless to say, the scene must have looked awkward as Chris raised his toast. Nick held up his glass of ale high, as Chris spoke his peace. As Chris sat down, he nudged the ex-cop. “Good toast man.” he said.

Then Nick turned to Blue, who as usual looked great to him. He reached down and gently grabbed her hand. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, “After we eat, wanna go dance? I saw the band setting up, and it looks like it will be one hell of a party?” He said quietly in her ear.

Then as Chris noticed, so did Nick, Shizra in the red dress. With a quick smile he shook his head at the scariest woman he had ever met. “So it is true, the Devil really does wear red.” he said with a hint of sarcasm as he reached down, and cut a piece of steak.

As he bit into it, the flavor exploded in his mouth. The meat was tender and juicy. Perfectly seasoned, to just the right temperature, with the best quality of meat. Nick shook his head as he was chewing. Reaching across he took a sip of his beer, then reached into his lap pulling up his napkin and wiped his mouth.

“Damn fine steak, real fine.” he said as he reached and cut another slice out of it. It was so well cooked, so tender he could have used a fork to cut it.

The second bite was as good as the first. He couldn’t believe how good it was, certainly beat the enlisted rations he got on Galactica. It was one hell of a day, but damn if he deserved this. Then he noticed the box in front of him. He didn’t know if he should open it or not, but no one seemed to care one way or the other. Reaching across, he grabbed the box, and opened it.

Inside was the golden pheonix. His eyes grew big, as he looked into the box. He turned to Blue, “What is in yours?” he asked her as his eyes came back at the box. “This is beautiful. Chris have you seen this?"

(Merry Christmas to you as well, and to everyone who happens to read this)

Inside was the golden pheonix. His eyes grew big, as he looked into the box. He turned to Blue, “What is in yours?” he asked her as his eyes came back at the box. “This is beautiful. Chris have you seen this?"

(Merry Christmas to you as well, and to everyone who happens to read this)

(Same here. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.)

Chris shook his head. "'Fraid not. Only medals like that I've seen are a Marksmanship's Medal from the Police Academy, and a commendation from the city of Los Angeles for Meritorious Service due to all those hours I worked on the beat. And the banquet for that was tedious as hell, unlike this banquet." He then ate his steak, as he mused, "LA's city fathers could learn something from these guys. Like how to get the right caterers. This is a good steak."

Neither Blue or Marcus had different clothing to wear to the banquet so both attended in their usual garb. For the Abh, military uniforms were typically worn everywhere while in Star Forces so it was not so much as a bother for her after she got the suit washed on the Sanjura. Marcus wore his Ranger cloak and badge still but did manage to grab a quick shower to wash away the dirt and stench.

They took their respective seats but felt a little more at home than their counterparts. Banquets and honorings were frequent for the Abh and Marcus simply just felt at home when being honored. Either because he was so arrogant or simply being more cultured, it was difficult to tell. Still they showed their appreciations to their hosts by joining in on the toasts and thanking them for the medallions.

Blue was somewhat surprised by Nick's touch, having not quite gotten use to it or how she actually felt about him. Still, she did return the gesture and nodded her acceptance to the dance invitation. "Hopefully you can dance better than you can shoot."

Marcus scanned the table for something to sink into. Everything looked delicious and it was hard to choose. He noticed the young one that managed to perform admirably despite his own protests to Lord Rahl about taking on a new recruit. If the kid was surprised about the medallion, he had another present waiting for him in his quarters on the Sanjura when they left for home.

Crimson had quickly changed into his formal dress uniform he had with him on the Arbalest. He had not worn the ASF issued uniform since he had received the Medal of Orelas for his service in the Exodus, prior to him joining the Rangers. He sat down and nodded towards his comrades in arms finally meeting with the rest of the team and getting reacquainted with the others. He turned his attention towards the oaken box sitting before him on the table, opening it slowly to reveal the medallion. A smile cracked on his face when looked upon the beauty of the medallion as he looked over to his colleagues who also showed a bit of surprise and glee at their awards. He grabbed the mug that sat before him, and raised it when Chris made his toast, smiling and reciting "L'chaim" before drinking the ale.

Now he turned his attention once again, towards the table filled with a bounty of food. Like some of his other friends, he grabbed the steak. He grabbed a fork and knife, carving away at the meat. He took a bite and noticed immediately that this was the best dish he had in a long long while. Trying to think back to that time, he savored in the juices of the steak, til he finally came up with the memory. It had been Juvy who had prepared a meal for him and their other friend Senel, before an important mission some years ago. Such happy times they were til he had undergone that horrible experience of fleeing from something to which could not be stopped. He forced that terrible experience to the back of his mind as he recalled the lighter one.

Shaking his head he turned over to Chris, "This steak is great!"

Shaking his head he turned over to Chris, "This steak is great!"

"No kidding. It's the best damn steak I've had in a while." Chris nodded in accord with Crimson's statement. No longer an LAPD man, he had nonetheless come in his LAPD uniform (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u62/mheribel_o8/UNITED%20UNIFORMS/UNITED001.jpg), the best thing he had in his dresser. However, it had been modified with the appropriate standard of the Rangers, with custom-ordered pipings on his collar and on his chest. He then said to Crimson, holding up his cup, "I've got a crazy idea. This stuff's strong....wanna see who can hold more of it?"

Crimson thought about it for a moment, debating if this was alright, but as he looked around he saw that merry faces of the Myth people. He nodded and turned his head towards Chris, "Strong eh? I had worse, you're on!" Crimson got up, loosened his tunic and sat down next to Chris, "Who else you want to bring on this wager," he asked looking around, spotting Nick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoLw4uYRJSU

Battlestar Galactica
Three years ago
Two days prior to Colonial Day:

It was always a busy time this time of year, as Colonials, despite that of rank, or Colony came together under the spirit of unity to honor one of the most controversial holidays in Colonial History. Colonial Day, the day when the Twelve Colonies came together setting aside cultural differences and formed a confederation to combat the Cylon rebellion.

Nick was much shorter and younger, yet still his father made him tow the line. The boy was busy setting up the tables, pulling out various liquors and placing it on the table. Nick reached down and opened the last box for this open bar. Reaching into it, he pulled out a bottle of green liquor, the famous Colonial Ambrosia, one of the more expensive, stronger, and favored of liquors. Nick picked up the bottle and read it. “Who in the hell would drink this?” he asked as he placed the bottle on the table. “Looks like broccoli kool-aid.”

Reaching in, he grabbed another and was about to set it on the table.

“Nick” his father Chief Tyrol yelled across the deck. His hand grew weak from the shock of his fathers voice, as the bottle began to slip out of his hand. Nick quickly took his left hand, and tried to catch the bottle, but like a receiver who had fumbled , it was of no use as the bottle crashed to the floor.

Nick was flustered, and embarrassed as hell. He knew he was in for it now, as he turned to his father and straightened up his back. Being a military child, he always had the worse of it. Discipline twenty four seven, he had to be perfect. He had no room to be a kid at all, at least not in the presence of his father.

“Boy.” Gallen said as he walked up, “What did you do?”

“Nothing sir, it was an accident.” Nick said to his father, nervously.

Gallen peered at the mess on the floor, and reached out to his father. Nick ducked back, putting his hands up, thinking he was about to be hit, but instead of being smacked, Gallen put his hand on his boy’s shoulder. “I will clean it up, but you need to get down to Lt. Agatheon’s room.” his father said to him.

“Dad, why in the frak do you want me to go visit the toaster?” he responded with angst in his voice.

Gallen then extended his hand, and pointed at his boy. Shaking his finger in his boy’s face he glared at his Twelve year old. “Boy.” he said in a stern voice, “What did I tell you about talking like that. Now get your ass down to their room. I am not going to let my kid look like an idiot on Colonial Day.” he said.

It was a confusing statement, as the boy stood before the imposing figure of his father. It was a mix of confusion and fear as his father spoke. “What do you mean?” he asked his father, fearing the answer.

“You are coming this year.” he said to his son. “And you will be bringing a date.”

"Who are you setting me up with dad?" Nick asked, as he looked around. It was not like there was an abundance of women his age, most of them were really old... like Eighteen... until he figured out who on the ship was around his age.

"Dad, you have to be kidding me? Tell me that you don't want me to take that blender to..."

Before he could finish, Nick was interrupted with a swift swat upside the head. "You have no room to talk. You will take Hera, and you will show the Agatheon’s respect. You got it. "

"Yes sir."

"Good, get moving. You have two days to learn to dance boy."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present Day

Nick picked up his glass and took a swig of the bitter ale. It was tart, and strong as he sipped it slightly. He could not believe how strange life had taken a turn. Two days ago, he was a simple knuckle dragger, doing what knuckle draggers do, fixing planes, taking orders, going to the bunk, getting drunk, and if he was lucky, he would be lucky. Now, two days later, he was an honored guest, hanging out with cool people, and sitting next to this Abh, whom he cared for more than any other woman before. Man how life can take a turn quickly.

Nick smiled at her, as he sat his drink down. "Yeah love you too." he said with a playful smile at her slight verbal jab. “I just hope you can keep up.” As he turned back to his plate and cut off a bite of his salad. Then he looked down at her glass of wine. It was nearly gone. Reaching across the table, he grabbed the bottle of Merlot. “Would you care for another?” he asked her as Chris and Crimson were contemplating a drinking contest. Nick heard them in the background talking, then he got the uneasy feeling that people were suddenly looking at him.

Nick turned towards Crimson, and the glimmer in his eye let his intention known. Nick was being called out. Nick gave Crimson a cocky smile, as Chris and Crimson awaited his response. “So you wanna throw down?” Nick asked the pair. "Alright, in a bit." Nick said as he extended his hand to Blue. Gently he took her hand, and stood up. "But right now, I got something else to do. Excuse us." he said, as he walked over with Blue hand in hand towards the dance floor.

Sebastian smiled as the guests delved into their feast and marveled at their well earned reward. "I'm pleased to see everyone enjoying themselves. I trust the food and drink is to your liking. You are welcome to help yourselves to as much food and drink as you desire. You are our guests and welcome to stay as long as you wish."

While the other Rangers feasted and squared off in drinking games, Sebastian's wife nudged his arm. "Let's let them have their fun. Dance with me."

The Elder conceded with a grin and lead his wife down to the floor after excusing himself from the table. Dwarves stopped their drinking contests for a moment to watch the pair as they twirled around the dance floor. Sebastian held Sarah easily in his arms as they danced in time with the easy melody the drifted in the evening air above the party.

Eventually the Warriors turned back to their food and games to allow the couple their time together though some did grab a partner to join the Elder and his wife on the floor. Spirits appeared to be high as laughter filled the air and threatened to drown all else out.

Present Day

Nick turned towards Crimson, and the glimmer in his eye let his intention known. Nick was being called out. Nick gave Crimson a cocky smile, as Chris and Crimson awaited his response. “So you wanna throw down?” Nick asked the pair. "Alright, in a bit." Nick said as he extended his hand to Blue. Gently he took her hand, and stood up. "But right now, I got something else to do. Excuse us." he said, as he walked over with Blue hand in hand towards the dance floor.

Chris shrugged and said, "I guess he volunteered himself" motioning to Nick, who took his girlfriend dancing as the two wagered on who could drink the most. "But, it'll wait until they finish dancin' I suppose." He then shrugged and sipped, saying, "Then again, I've never been one to shortchange a man and his woman."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7amYNaPTRI

Nick walked with Blue in hand, towards the grand floor where the dancing was taking place. As he approached, he noticed Sebastian and Sarah, dancing to the orchestra of wind instruments. She looked like an angel, as she gracefully moved with her husband in his arms. The way she looked at him, the way she moved, spoke more about her affection to her husband than any words ever could.

It was truly a work of art, as the leaders of this realm moved together in time with the beat. Every eye was on them, admiring them, their grace and their forms. They swayed like a branch in the wind, each movement was in harmony with the music.

Nick waited for a moment, out of respect to them, until all eyes gently faded away from them and back into the debauchery of drinking, and the roar of laughter and the magic of the party began to take hold again. He looked at Blue, and smiled at her, as he gently took her hand and walked out on the dance floor.

Nick reached around her, and placed one of his hands on her hip, and with the other, he gently touched her hand. The music was soft, and slow, as Nick and Blue began their dance. Nick kept in time with the music, as he moved across the floor with a gentle glide. As the beat and the tempo changed, so to did his movements. For a rough mechanic, from such an backwards society on the Galactic standard as the Twelve Colonies, it must have been a shock to those who knew him, that he actually had some semblance of culture.

Nick stared at Blue as they moved across the floor in unison. Nick didn’t say anything as he gently spun her around, then brought her back in close to him. He just let the music and the movements speak.

Chris then nearly dropped his mug at the sight. Who knew his little sidekick could dance like Fred Astaire with teflon on his shoes? All he could do was let his jaw drop, and proceed to let out a colossal, "Damn." He then shook his head and began to sip again, wiping up any drool that came out.

It was a pleasant surprised for the more cultured Abh to see that the young man could indeed dance and dance well. Not afraid to show her own abilities, Blue kept up easily with Nick as they twirled around the dance floor. The generally reserved Abh rewarded Nick with a slight smile as she enjoyed her time amongst a friendly nation and close companions when generally most people despised the Abh for one reason or another.

"So you are talented in some ways. Is there any other talent that I should know about?"

Nick returned the smile towards the Abh he was with as he held her tight. “Guess you will have to find out later.” he said, as he extended her out. As the music began to die out, he slowed down the pace, until it ended. Gently he stepped back and gave her a silent and approving nod.

“So.” he said pausing for a moment. “What would you like to do?” he asked her.

OOC: Just for S&G's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qW0Edq1KqI

IC:
The Abh clapped for the musicians as the song finally ended. Once they began tuning up for another song, she turned back to Nick. "We can continue dancing or go back to your drinking game with the others. This is your show now Ace."

NIck smiled at her response, although he was torn. He loved being with her alone, but as he looked at the table, he saw it was just Crimson, and Chris, stuck with Marcus... Damn, decisions.

Nick then looked back at Blue. "Why choose?" he asked her as he walked over to the band leader, and handed him a square five cubit coin as a tip. Walking back to her he smiled. "Lets go hang out with them, then come back out here. Don't wanna be anti-social you know."

Walking next to her, they walked back to the ranger table. Nick pulled up a couple glasses, one for her and one for him. "So someone said something about drinking and having fun huh?"

Walking next to her, they walked back to the ranger table. Nick pulled up a couple glasses, one for her and one for him. "So someone said something about drinking and having fun huh?"

Motioning for Nick to sit, Chris said, "Sure, mah boy. Come on in and sit--and bring the lady with ya. We were just about to hold a drinkin' game, Crimson and I." Holding his mug, he wagged it and said, "Blue's free to join in, too."

Nick sat down next to Chris and Blue. It seemed he was on fire tonight, as if the mood of the room, was entering him and feeding him with it’s energy and life. His eyes were bright, as he rubbed his hands with glee. “Drinking match huh.” he said as he put his hands on the table. “I’m in, how about you...” then he paused for a moment and smiled at her. “You know I do not think we have been introduced, my name is Nick and you are?” he asked her with a half cocked smile, and a gentle wink, trying again to get her actual name, most likely in vain.

Nick then turned towards the two rangers. “Alright boys.” he boasted cheerfully. “What is the name of the game? Straight up who can hold more, or is their a game behind it?” he asked as he picked up his glass and holding it in front of him.

Crimson looked around then looked right back at Nick, "Rules are simple: 2 on 2 Me and Chris versus you and your lady friend here. Last one standing is declared the winner for the team," he grabbed a mug and began to gulp down the so called strong drink Chris had referred to, "And it begins now!" slamming down the mug on the table.

OOC: Getting sleepy so settling on this.

Chris promptly began to guzzle the strong drink that Crimson so easily seemed to dismiss. With the discipline of a New Dornalian, he quickly began to chug and gulp, recalling the footage he had seen in home movies about college kids with beer bongs trying to guzzle beer like a machine gun guzzled ammo. Putting down his first mug, he then motioned for the serving staff to bring another.

The game was on, as Crimson opened his challenge with a boastful display of chugging his drink down like it was water. His face never changed, no natural yank back of his face, nor any display of his throat burning. Nick knew at this moment, either Crimson was one hell of a poker player, or he was in for a tough fight.

Nick leaned forward, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his nearly full pack of smokes, and a lighter. Nick pulled out a cigarette, and lit it, then rested the lighter on top of the back of smokes.

Taking a short drag, Nick then watched Chris down his drink. His bud through thick and thin, had also decided to call him out. Nick just looked at Blue then back to Chris, and with a smug smile decided it was his turn. Reaching down to his glass, he looked at the dark ale. It was strong alright for a beer, and smelled very nicely of the rich fermented hops within. Nick swirled it around for a moment, before taking it down.

The drink was strong alright as it hit his stomach like a brick. Although it didn’t burn, it was quite refreshing, with a good texture, and thick head. “Alright.” Nick said as he leaned forward. “This stuff is good for a warm up, but I thought we were going to have a drinking contest?” he said to them boasting. Reaching down to his boot, he pulled out a flask. “No guts no glory.” he said as he poured a shot full of the dark green liquor.

Crimson stroked his chin as Nick poured the drink into a shot glass in front of him. Taking up the glass he swirled the liquid once, eying the uncommon color and then downed it with one gulp. He frowned a little as the drink gave a small kick to him but sighed.

"Has a small kick to it, tastes great, but it could be compared to starter drinks for juveniles at Severailian pubs."

He looked over at Chris, "Your turn," handing him a shot.

(OOC: I recommend a time skip, of about 2 or 3 hours, only because I take a shot you take a shot will be getting a little old fast. Instead we can get to the fun of the party with a time skip, ie the foolish behavior.)

OOC: Your wish is my command

IC:

The Abh trainee took her drinks in turn with the rest of them though her pace never slowed nor did she appear to be affected by the alcohol one bit. It was the slight advantage that the Abh had genetically to this sort of game. It was impossible for a pure breed Abh to get completely drunk. They could feel a little dizzy from the liquor but never drunk.

Blue seemed to hang with the best of them as nothing seemed to be affecting her. She slid the next glass over to Chris with ease and grace though it was up to him to actually catch it. The Abh couldn't help but wonder how much longer everyone at the table could hang on. It was time to put everyone other the table with something stronger if this wasn't concluded soon. There was still much to do and all of the liquor was starting to taste the same now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP3L5w8dphM

Truly the last few hours separated the men from the boys, as Nick closed his eyes, holding the shot glass. His stomach felt like it was in knots, as his head spun with the fury of a dryer. His breathes were deep as he held his eyes closed.

Unlike the genetic advantages of the lady he adored, Nick didn’t have any such protection. Even the cylons it would seem were able to get drunk. Anyone in the know could just point to Colonel Tigh to easily prove that point.

Nick sighed as he took his drink. It went down his throat, nearly causing him to gag. “Oh frak meee.” he said as he slammed the drink down on the table. The boy hung his head down for a moment, then it popped back up. “I needs a smokesss.” he said as he clumsily reached out for the now nearly smoked packed of cigarettes. The world spun and began to become much more intense, as he light his smoke. “You knows...” he said as his speech slurred, “I think I was sharked.”

Turning to Blue he smiled, barely holding his head up, "How are you still fine? I mean..." he trailed off on his words. His head slightly wobbled back and forth, as he then turned to his buddy Chris. “Wells, I wanna do somethingsss else. No need to get sick.” he said as he reached down at the table and tried to pick himself up, then slid back down in his seat. Nick broke out laughing, “oh frak.” he said giggling to himself, “It is ok, I am fine like this all the time. Let’s quit, I need some air. Anyones want to come?" Nick tried to get up again, this time suceeding as he began to stagger to the door, walking slightly side to side, his cigarette loosely still in his left hand.

Chris, in the meanwhile, kept drinking. He was admittedly somewhat buzzed, saying to Nick as he left, "Come on, newbie. Buck up! Nobody likes...an alky." He then downed another mug. His head felt like a hammer had slammed into it repeatedly, but it wasn't so bad he couldn't keep up.

Chris shrugged and spoke to the remaining members, saying to Blue and Crimson, "Guys, I'm from California. This shit's like water....." He then began singing, "Califooornia....knows how to party......"

"I could explain it to you, but I do not think you are in the proper state of mind to understand it."

The Abh trainee helped Nick up out of his seat just to make sure he did not topple over and embarrass himself in front of the hosts. She helped him all the way out to the door keeping close check.

"Well this is my first time on land in a very long time, not counting that little mission we just did. It would be nice to see what you terrans find so interesting about it."

"I could explain it to you, but I do not think you are in the proper state of mind to understand it."

Appropriately Chris then shrugged it off and said, "Whatever, lady." He then returned to his warbly version of Tupac Shakur's "California Love," mixing in horrid attempts at beatboxing in between each line, "In the ciiiitttyy.....of good ol' Watts.....In the citttyyyy....of El-Eh....In the Cityy......city of Compton..."

He then turned to Crimson and said, guzzling another mug, "How ya doin'?"

Nick felt the world spin, as he staggered back and forth slightly. Although his hand soon felt the warm gentle touch, of the woman who was by his side. He looked over at her, and smiled, as she asked why terrans cared so much about planets.

Nick had never heard the name terran before, so needless to be said he was slightly confused at the term. Caprican, Tauron, Geminiese, those were familiar, but terran, he had no clue about that. “I dunno.” Nick said as he shrugged, “I never met a terran before. What is that?” he asked her.

As they walked, the night air gently picked up, wrapping it’s warm air around the two. Nick turned his face into the wind and smiled, as it gently touched his face. “I know I kinda like this place.” he said to her. “Can’t you feel it, the air touching your face, or smell the smells in the air. I mean the foods, the drinks, the flowers, I like it a lot better than the stale air of a ship.” he said, as he reached down and took her hand.

“I haven’t been on a planet that much either. Hell my entire life I have lived on Galactica, probably half a dozen times I have stepped foot on real earth, with a blue sky above me. Beats the frak out of a metal ceiling.” Nick said to her. Looking up into the sky he could see several clouds in the night air moving gently past the moon, obfuscating the twinkling stars. Nick wrapped his arm around Blue, and moved closer to her, partly for affection, and partly for support. Pointing up into the sky he said... “That is why I like planets. Can’t see that in space.” he said, as he looked at her and smiled.

Crimson turned his attention over to Chris after slamming down another shot, possibly his fortieth or fiftieth one at that. "Quite alright frankly, I wouldn't even say I'm at least bit buzzed. Here I got something for ya," Crimson said as he opened his tunic and took out a flask. He popped the cap and what came out was the various fumes of near toxicity of a specialized Severail whiskey. As one incident he witnessed on New Ganoxa, as a foreign tourist visited the planet, a Dornalian much like his colleague beside him, boasted that he could drink anyone here under the table, anyone in the pub. The bartender laughed and gave him the lightest beer they had. Shortly afterward the man was rushed to the hospital for instant alcohol poisoning.

"So uh? Think you can handle this stuff?" he moved the flask closer to Chris, but not too close.

Ganoxa;14409891']Crimson turned his attention over to Chris after slamming down another shot, possibly his fortieth or fiftieth one at that. "Quite alright frankly, I wouldn't even say I'm at least bit buzzed. Here I got something for ya," Crimson said as he opened his tunic and took out a flask. He popped the cap and what came out was the various fumes of near toxicity of a specialized Severail whiskey. As one incident he witnessed on New Ganoxa, as a foreign tourist visited the planet, a Dornalian much like his colleague beside him, boasted that he could drink anyone here under the table, anyone in the pub. The bartender laughed and gave him the lightest beer they had. Shortly afterward the man was rushed to the hospital for instant alcohol poisoning.

"So uh? Think you can handle this stuff?" he moved the flask closer to Chris, but not too close.

Chris, in his inebriated state, stopped his rapping and looked at flask Crimson was offering. In his state, Chris took the smell and the gesture from Crimson as the challenge it was. He took one look at the flask, and said, coughing, "LAPD. I've gotta look at that. Evidence, see."

He took the flask and sniffed it. "Yup. I gotta take this as evidence." He then downed the flask in several gulps, and pronounced it, "Yummy."

Blue stood there silently as the Mythrandir air blew her long blue hair lightly from her shoulders. She closed her eyes as she listened to the sound it made as it whistled through the trees and between the buildings of the city. Despite the heaviness she felt from the planet's gravity, it was indeed calming to be somewhere with the many different senses being assaulted at once.

"I guess I see your point."

Back at One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Im5XeLbHy8)

Nick smiled at Blue as she closed her eyes for a moment. While her senses were assaulted with the things that Nick spoke of, Nick’s senses were overtaken by her. The wind, the sight of her hair gently blowing in the wind. Damn she was beautiful especially to him.

Nick stepped closer, as she spoke, “I see your point.” He nodded, and reached his right hand up to her. Gently he touched her cheek, and pushed her long Blue strands out of her face. “Shiny.” he said as he leaned closer. Wrapping his hand behind her neck, he drew her closer to him and kissed her lips.

Her lips were warm and wet to him, as he felt her body against his. The world spun in a furor, although lords only know if it was her, or the many shots he had no more than ten minutes ago. Gently he pulled back, and looked into her eyes, as he then kissed her again.

It was at this point that Chris got up from the table, downed another mug of ale, and then spotted the two lovers. Smiling, he smiled and said, "'Scuse me."

He then sauntered, dazedly, and then waited until the most passionate moment to stumble out into the open, and then somehow wander over to the balcony nearby, where he then began humming Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire."

After several seconds, he then muttered, in a phony British accent imitatng a nature show announcer, "Ah yes....now, we watch the young lovers, both Homo Sapiens and Homo Sapiens Astralensis, kiss....in a fascinating ritual....it may possibly lead to mating, or may not. I know in my case, it did...." He then giggled.

The Elders and their Warriors sat back to enjoy a royal feast along with the bountiful entertainment. Sebastian and Sarah danced the night away as they took the rare moments when they could spend time together and took the time to spend it in each other's arms and eyes while dancing. All around them the sounds of their brave Myths danced into the night air filling it with the joyous music of life and revelry.

Men laughed and shared stories while elves sung songs of the forests and their homes. The dwarves were the most boisterous as they watched the Rangers have their own drinking games. Seeing it as not too bad of an idea, the dwarven clans gathered around tables and poured hefty drafts in their mugs and began their contest. Songs lifted higher above most and the more they drank, the louder they became. Piles of the pints began to build around their benches with a few dwarves finally succumbing to the ale as they passed out on the floor. Roars of laughter shook the walls and each pounding empty mug threatened to break the table in half.

Servants continued to circle the hall bringing more food and drink though more than a few avoided the dwarves as their shouts continued to ring out. Regardless of the rowdiness of the dwarves, all the celebration was in good spirits as one and all reveled in the time they shared with one another.

While the Rangers broke out into their drinking games, Marcus did not bother to join him. Being slightly more sophisticated than the rest, Marcus enjoyed the daintier aspects of the feast. Sitting around the Elders of Mythrandir and be treated as royalty only placed the Ranger in his element. He ate his meal quietly while allowing his companions to enjoy their time as heroes.

Marcus drank little, never preferring to relinquish his control over his sensibilities. Instead, he preferred the sensible talk with others. With Elder Sebastian gone, he turned his attention to the elven Elder who seemed to be of similar tastes as he.

"I never had a chance to thank you for all of this. It is simply more than what was expected considering we were only doing our job. But while my friends may be inebriated, I would like to extend a sober thank you."

Alurial smile as she took a slight sip from her wine glass. It wasn't often that she found a human pleasing, but she discovered that this particular human's mannerisms were ideal. "It is quite alright. Actually this is more a tradition for our own Warriors and we would be poor hosts if we did not offer you the invite. Plus we must thank you properly for fighting by our side in the battle."

Marcus waved the comment as if it was irrelevant. "No thanks are necessary. Again, it is part of our manifest to come to the aid of those that require it. I am sorry for the loss of one of your kind though. I did not know the ambassador well but he seemed an honest enough elf."

The elven lady frowned slightly at the remark. "The loss of each elf is mournful for us all. We feel it greater than a human or a dwarf might. Your condolences are appreciated though."

Raising her glass towards the Ranger, "let us not concern ourselves with such worries though. Tonight is supposed to be a celebration so it would be our duty to enjoy it."

(The last portion was done with the permission of Abh.)

OOC: Waiting on a Marcus and Blue post until I talk to OG.

OOC: I will be on MSN after 4 pm EST- whenever

Blue was somewhat caught off guard by Nick's kiss but she did not shy away from him when she pulled him closer into an embrace. She brought her arms up to gently wrap them around his shoulders to hold on tight as she felt her legs give slightly.

It was said that when an Abh fell in love, they burned with the fire of a sun and pursued their object of affection until that fire consumed them. Her kiss returned that inner heat as she found herself and returned Nick's affection.

She only parted from him when she heard Chris come stumbling by. Remembering that she was wearing her Star Forces uniform and technically on duty, she pulled away a bit having been caught by the Ranger. She hooked a blue strand behind her ear and looked down at the ground, not really knowing what to say.

It was a beautiful moment, as the two embraced each other under they Mythindar sky. In a place of beauty and fantasy, where so much effort went into the arts, it was only fitting that something as beautiful as this would come into existence here...

Until the coming of Chris. With one simple sentence, Nick saw the moment vanish before him. Her touch was warm, as she pulled him closer to her, and as Chris spoke, he saw Blue shrink away.

‘What in the hell had just happened?’ he thought to himself. Being Colonial, matters of relationships was nothing to be ashamed of, and certainly not to be embarrassed over being caught. Maybe that is not the case with Abh? Who the frak knows.

Nick looked over at Chris. He said nothing, as he gave Chris a glare, which let his thoughts known “You cock blocking bitch.” He raised his hand up to his temple and extended his middle finger, then gently acted like he was scratching his head with his finger.

The boy then, as the gentle wind continued to blow, reached over to Blue. He touched her arm gently, as he gave her a warm smile. “What is wrong?” he asked her trying to be sympathetic to what ever was going through her head. “Are you ok?” he asked her.

(Pause for response)

Then he nodded, “You know if Chris is bothering you, we can go back to the ship, or if you want go back inside. Up to you.”

Blue shook her head slightly. "No, I'm fine. It's just that this is usually frowned upon in Star Forces while on duty. If reported, I could face serious punishments or my pilot's license being held back."

Then he nodded, “You know if Chris is bothering you, we can go back to the ship, or if you want go back inside. Up to you.”

"This is fine. We Abh generally are not open about our emotions or feelings towards other. At least not publicly.

"Yeah....that'd be TMI....or PSA....damnit...anywho TMI really is....TMI....." Chris then caught his rambling, stood at attention, saluted and went, "As you were," before leaving the two to their own devices. He then sat back at the table, and then ordered another mug.

Talk about culture shock, Nick seemed really confused by Blue’s statements of being reprimanded, and punished as she looked down at the ground like she had committed some cardinal sin. He staggered back for a second, then caught himself as he looked at her. “Well damn.” he said as he put his hand up to his head. “Guesss, we’s should leavee that out of the report.” he said slurring his words slightly as he put his hand up under her chin.

“Wes could ssay that you weree showing awarenesss of the colonial culturesss.” he said as he smiled at her. “There are ruless and thingss, but no one payss attention to it in the fleet. Live and let live, as’s long as’s it doesn’t affect your work.” he said as he reached down and held her hand. “Ssides, why hide anything. Wes are doing nothing wrong.”

He gently reached his arm around her, and held her close to him. “I likes to be honest about myself. Better to be yourself, then to hide. Then agains maybes that is just a Colonial mindset. I remember once the Admiral came in during a game of strip poker in the pilot’s lounge. No one seemed to care, especially the old man.” he said trying to make light of the moment, and how it was not bad at all.

“I cares for you Blue. Even though you haven’t told me your name.” he said with a slight smile. “If you wants, I won't kisss you again in public. Don't wanna make you embarrasssed you know.”

As Chris spoke his peace and began to walk away, Nick looked up to him. “Heys bro, wait up.” he said. “I needs a mug too, you owes me now!”

(Sorry almost forgot he is as drunk as Chris.)

Chris immediately looked up, and then snapped his fingers. "Another mug for my buddy here...in fact, two." He then said to Nick, "Consider that....my....I'm sorry note.....didn't know, man."

Nick smiled, as he and Blue retook their seats at the table. "Dude." he said as he shoved Chris in a way that friends are wont to do when they have had too much to drink, he said, "No chick flick moments. It is all good. Sides, one day, I'll getcha back." he said with a slight smile.

With that he took a sip of the ale. Good stuff.

Nick smiled, as he and Blue retook their seats at the table. "Dude." he said as he shoved Chris in a way that friends are wont to do when they have had too much to drink, he said, "No chick flick moments. It is all good. Sides, one day, I'll getcha back." he said with a slight smile.

With that he took a sip of the ale. Good stuff.

Chris returned the shove with his own friendly one, and said, "Relaaaxx....I still got my little man down there. Ain't gonna...do that...just yet--you get my point." Chris then drank more of the ale, smiling and said, "They got some good stuff here. Back in Dornalia, they only have water......pisswater.....even with the better beer they've imp-po--broughted to Los Angeles, they still gotta learn how to make it like this!"

(With Abh's Permission)

Nick sat down, to enjoy his two new mugs of Mythindar Ale. The strong smell, and even more potent alcohol was a good mix to the boy, as he sat down and slapped Chris on the back. The mood at the table was one of joy, and euphoria, except to one at the table.

Blue walked back in, this time, much more quiet than before. She watched Nick, carry on, like nothing had happened, like what Chris did was ok, and like there wasn’t a worry in the world. To her though, it was not the case.

Her honor, her duty, was being blurred, since she was online. In a moment of youthful ignorance, she had nearly forgotten the codes and rules of the Star Forces, which she was representing.

A waitress walked up to her, with a tray in her hand, “Would you like another?” she asked the Abh, and was as quickly dismissed with a wave of her hand. “No thank you.” the Abh pilot trainee said, polite and cordial. “I think we have had enough.” she said as she looked at her partner.

Nick turned his head for a moment, and began to giggle. “What?” he asked as he laughed from the new ale running through his body. “She doesn’t mean that, of course we will have another.” he said as he light his last cigarette in the pack.

“That is ok.” Blue said, giving Nick a much sterner look. “We should get going. You are beginning to act like a fool, and I do not associate with fools.”

Nick turned to his buds, and then looked at her. He had been called out in the worst way, in front of his buds, by his girl. “Frak.” he thought to himself, as he picked up his ale and finished it.

Blue then walked over to him, and wrapped her arm around his. “We should be going.” she said again, politely, but not asking.

“Alright, alright.” Nick said as he stood up. “Boys, it has been a pleasure.” he told them grabbing his lighter off the table. “Curfew is up I guess, see ya later.” Reaching in his pocket, Nick threw out a few cubits on the table as a tip.

Nick with Blue holding him, nearly pulling him walked out the door. Catching a cab, they soon came to the ship.

The cab driver gently got out of the car, and walked along the outside. Opening the door for the couple, he was just grateful that Nick didn’t puke in the car. Nick wrapped his arm around her, as he paid the cabbie. He felt like his world was out of control, and for the first time in his life, he was infatuated with a woman. Of course it could be the booze that made him feel that way, but he wasn’t going to fight it, not tonight.

He just looked at her and smiled, “Where are we going?” he asked her.

She looked up to him, still annoyed at the fact that she was caught, also annoyed that Nick didn’t seem to have any restraint at the party, from her point of view. “I think you need to rest, that would be best.” She walked him to his room. She put him in a chair. Walking over to his drawer, she pulled out his carton of Caprican Imperium cigarettes. “I take it you want one of these?” she asked him.

Nick nodded and smiled, “Thanks.”

There on Nick's bed rested a piece of old style paper that was often seen around D'Hara and in the Ranger Hall. An ink flowing script covered one side of the paper reading "To Nick."

Once Nick picked up the paper and opened the fold, he found a message written inside with a flowing cursive in Marcus's hand.

Next time, you do your own information gathering. I won't always be there to watch your back. Use this sensitive information wisely.

If you're capable of wisdom.



Crysinthia

Welcome to the Rangers
~Marcus

It still seemed that the old man was playing in riddles. Afterall, how was a name supposed to mean anything to him? The name could have belonged to anyone. Nick shook his head as he looked at the paper. "Crysinthia?"

Blue had been down the hall in her own room gathering a change of clothes when she heard her name called. "What? Did you need something?"

Nick smiled with it all coming to him now as he looked down at the little piece of paper in a new light. He thought to himself as he let up the cigarette and blew a whisp of smoke into the ceilign. "I owe you one grandpa."