Wasteland

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

We tried to stay hidden, only moving in the light where it was necessary. The city was larger than I'd remembered it being, and I was beginning to wonder if we had enough oxygen to make it underground again, when Madge slowed down and looked around.
"What is it?" I whispered to her.
"This place...I don't remember it too well. I think..." she trailed off, making it clear she wasn't sure what to think.
"Just do your best..."
"Thayllohn."
I turned to Sage, who'd stepped into the darkness again, only one hand protruding from it into sight. The hand pointed upward toward a lower bridgecolumn that had deteriorated, leaving most of the bridge in tact but the protective covering almost entirely worn away. On the column were probably thirty Martians, weapons pointed down at us.
I looked around quickly. Only Madge and I were still standing in the light. THat may work to our advantage. No clear shots, maybe they don't even know the others are here. I debated attempting to get in the shadows myself, but that would be senseless. If it drew their fire, the others would surely be wounded.
Now what?
I looked behind me as one of the Martians yelled down at us.
"We have you in our sights," it shouted, its voice, being interpreted by an electronic language synthesizer, sounding oddly metallic and entirely inhuman. "Throw down your weapons and raise your arms into the air."
I could se in the shadowns, the ghostlike metal frame of a glass doorway.
"Valerios," I whisper, "Get the others inside. Madge and I will have to deal with this one alone."

 

[Darklord]

Valerios

He knew he should only move as fast as the humans, but it irked him. They were in harms way and they needed to be in shelter now... Looking back at Thallon he said "How much farther? We do not have a great deal of time left if you hadn't noticed." and without thinking he began to move a little quicker down the street his head on a swivel just in case the Martians decided to expend some worthless troops on them..

 

[Lady_Siren]

OOC: I know I often skip days for posting and I am extremly sorry.. classes have started and it makes it difficult to have time for this

IC: Lucia smiled at Terrin and impulsivly gave him a hug. She blushed once again hating him for making her blush constantly and hating herself for letting him. "This way" she motioned with her hand. The shaft was small and cramped causing the two to be pressed close to each other. She was completely aware of every place they touched. His breath fanned her neck a few time causing her body to flush and a shudder run through her. Damn him and his male ways. " I will go with you to Earth. I don't know why but I trust you. I pray you do't break my trust" her eyes met his and she felt a strong sense of vulnerability. "There is an airfield on the other end of the castle we can get there through here and we can hijack a ship. Sound good?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

Once the others were inside the building, I looked over to Madge, wondering if she saw me, but unable to tell in the shadows.
"Okay, Madge," I said, speaking through the headset. "This is the plan. We aren't going to fight, but run...in the opposite direction than where we were headed. If we can distract them, Valerios should be ble to take most of them out. If not, we can try to lead them away and let the others head underground."
I glanced over to her. She was nodding slowly, her eyes locked on the Martians.
"When I say, move back into the shadows, then run to our right."
"Okay," she replied.
The MArtians were getting impatient.
"I repeat," the Martian leader announced. "Throw down your weapons."
"Now," I said, then stepped quickly backward, seeing the shadows envelop me, then I Heard Madge's footfalls ahead of me, slapping hard on the asphalt as she ranthrough the darkness. THey opened fire, their weapons discharges striking the stone wall around us, sending chips of brick out at us. Unable to take proper aim with us in the shadows, most of their attempts were far from accurate.
We were around the corner, hiding behind the brick to take cover from their attacks, withing a few seconds.
We didn't wait until the ceased firing to continue on, just caught our breath for a second, checked to make sure we were both alright, then took off down the street toward the next building at a sprint.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: It's ok Siren, we're all getting back from the Turkey holiday. Let's just continue where we left off.


Terrin
He moved closer to her, looking through the small hole.
Castle? Airfield?
Giving her a curious glance he asked, "This is still a space ship isn't it?"
The long tunnel was tight, making things very crowded. He couldn't help but brush up against her. It kept reminding him of how compatable their species were. He didn't doubt if somehow they were related by some far off distant micro-organism or something.
Understanding science and stuff like that was hard. He simply stuck to earth creatures, they were hard enough to figure out... especially the females.
"Ok then, you know this place better than me. Get me to a ship, and I'll get you out of here alive."
A deal that he somehow already didn't like keeping. It wasn't that fact that he had made it with a Lucian, but just that he had pledged his life to help her. That might mean more than just protecting her from her own corrupt government. How many humans would like five minutes alone with her? Hell, even he had been rude.
Although, he had apologized for it. There was no reason to be rude about things like diplomatic kidnapping. He could see an end to this small hot tunnel... about damn time.
"I just... wanted to apologize again for everything I have done earlier. It hasn't been easy for us humans, and honestly, I've never met someone like you, kind and understanding towards us. To tell you the truth it kind of shocked me. I am glad I met you though."

 

[Lady_Siren]

She stopped at his words and turned to face him. Moved by his words more then she thought normal she shook her head. "I understand, some of my people are prejiduce but most are not. You have met the bad half of our race, if you could only meet the good people then you would understand that humans and Lucians aren't very different. And yes it's a space ship, We call it an airfeild however, our vocabulary is understandably different" Her eyes met his and her whole body seemed to catch on fire. She opened her mouth to speak only to find she was at a loss for words. How did he do this to her? Make her look her train of thought with a simple glance. That familiar blush crept up her neck but this time she didn't look away this time she kept her eyes on his.

 

[poohlive]

"Yes, I can understand that. The languages do mesh rather well, but some things can't be changed. It's just that an airfield in our language refers to ships that just go into the air... and well it's kinda funny since we're in outer space and there's no air, and we..."
Terring sighed, "I'll explain later."
He watched her look at his funny. He returned the stare, unsure of what she was doing. She almost seemed like a blushing schoolgirl, but her eyes. They were so different.
Honestly, he could just get lose in them forever.
Now wasn't the time though.
"Ok," he said, glancing to the steel towers that rose upward from a central network of what seemed to be the entire ship.
"The castle, I assume..."
"HEY, THERE THEY ARE!!!"
He looked back, as two Lucians began running. Terrin pushed Lucia ahead.
"Get me to that airfield! Quick!"

 

[Lady_Siren]

Lucia felt a strange sense of frustration and she had no idea why. Just then she heard the gaurds yelling. "Come on this way!" she turned and began to run they hurried through the tunnels. They had the advantage over the gaurds because the gaurds carried weapons weighing them down. Finally when it seemed like the tunnels would never stop she saw the exit for the airfeild. A hatch covered the exit and she pushed against it with all her strength. "Here help me open this" he joined in and together they opened the hatch. "You climb up first and you can pull me up. Your taller and it would be easier that way" she could hear the gaurds in the distance shouting and getting closer.

 

[poohlive]

Terrin jumped up, holding onto the sides. Pulling himself up, he looked back down.
"Come on," he grabbed her hands, and pulled her through the tight hatch. He held her in his arms for a second, looking back at the guards. Then he let her down, closing up the seal. Once it was shut tight properaly, he began pounding in it with the nearest solid object he could find. There, it'd take a lazer beam to get through that thing.
A lazer beam shot out of the hatch.
"Hurry," he pleaded following after her. A few huge ships were parked close, and they got slowly smaller as they went down the long airfield. Cargo frieghters, weapon ships, even a couple of things he hadn't even seen before. Then, they finally came to some small Loader vessels.
With a quick button, the back hatch lifted.
"They're trying to get away. Close the main gate."
Terrin didn't like the sound of that at all.
He jumped into the cockpit, alongside Lucia.
"The main gate takes a while to close, doesn't it?"
The entire ship began to virbate lightly as it ascended from the floor.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Lunden

I waited, curious to hear what Satra had to say in response. Dimitri wasn't as curious I, apparently. He shook his head quickly, deciding the question a formality that could, SHOULD be bypassed.
"Nevermind that," he said, "You are no enemy. Come, let me take you to Walter and Hum'Battaan. They're underground."
He points to the building behind him. "This is just a cover. If it's spotted from above and destroyed, it'll be no matter. We're actually stationed underground. Come, I'll take you to them..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

I wasn't sure what was going on behind me. I just sprinted off, enemy fire striking the pavement all around me. I was running as fast as I could, leading Madge by a few steps, hoping the others would make it to an entrance to the underground.
After a few blocks, I glanced back. The Martians were moving along the Bridgecolumns between buildings, not as many, so some had stayed behind, but several, firing down at us while running.
Another block and I turned to the right, into an alley, hiding behind a dumpster there and catching my breath again. Madge joined me a moment later.
"What now?" SHe asked.
"We try to fight them off." I replied. "We can't let them follow us to an entrance underground."
I lay on the asphalt, aiming the rifle around the corner of the dumpster and firing up at our enemy, hitting my first two targets with little difficulty, then having to pull my head back for cover again.
"At least I hope we can fight them off..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

OOC: Are we losing this one too?

 

[Darklord]

Valerios

He had heared Madge and Thallon talking and knew their plan. Sighing he led the others on a mad dash for the entrance only a few hundred yards away when Thallon made his run. Reaching the entrance he tossed the dead men to Yournal and motioned her and the others through with his head as he unlimbered all of the guns on his body. Closing the door with his foot, he headed quickly down the street his eyes open for Martians in an attempt to find Thallon and Madge and get them back to the others ASAP.

 

[Moneytalks]

Satra

I waited, curious to hear what Satra had to say in response. Dimitri wasn't as curious I, apparently. He shook his head quickly, deciding the question a formality that could, SHOULD be bypassed.
"Nevermind that," he said, "You are no enemy. Come, let me take you to Walter and Hum'Battaan. They're underground."
He points to the building behind him. "This is just a cover. If it's spotted from above and destroyed, it'll be no matter. We're actually stationed underground. Come, I'll take you to them..."

Satra immediately took the lead and followed the man underground. It was quite an impressive labyrinth they had going for them there.

Spike pulled up beside Satra looking around inquisitively.

"Man... these dudes have a rockin' hide out here... I feel almost... safe."

Satra looked over at him impassively and he just shrugged. He was used to her stoic ways.

"This place is just as susceptable to whats coming down as anything above ground Spike... dont' forget that."

"Geez... doom and gloom... don't you have any other channels?"

Satra seemed about to say something when the man leading them pulled up short.

He spoke into his comlink and a muffled reply returned.

"Only you... through here." He indicated to Satra.

"I'm not going anywhere without my men."

"Your... men?" He looked over at Lunden and Spike a bit dubiously.

Satra had that look in her eye. She wasn't budging.

"Fine... but you have to give up your weapons."

Satra paused before handing over her weapon. With a nod of her head she indicated that the others should follow suit. They were quickly taken possession of and then the three were lead to another chamber.

"I'm Walter..." a human male approached them followed closely by an Andromedian. "This is Hum'Battaan... you have some news?"

Satra threw him the timer that Spike had set up for her earlier. The countdown was ominous for such a simple set of numbers.

"Thats the time we have until impact unless Zion HQ throws something at the thing... they could have and should have responded already... I have a feeling Commander Zed has other plans... I doubt he'll let the thing hit Zion... but he'll leave retaliation until the very last moment... I have a feeling he plans on letting there be some destruction to the outer civilian zones only keeping HQ itself in tact... he'll have the complete support of the council then... he plans on outright attack... but I'm still not sure who he thinks he's siding with. If you have men here... they'll have to be at least past sector 4 to be safe... from the last trijectory it'll be worse on this side than the other."

 

[Moneytalks]

Sage

Sage screamed in frustration upon realising that Valerios AND Thallon had managed to go off without her.

The others were already running back towards the underground base. She kicked at the door screaming through it before she realised that no one on the other side could hear her.

By this time the others had made progress towards the base. She stood uncertain. She didn't want to leave without Thallon and Valerios, but she suddenly knew that they would eventually try and make their way back to the base.

Finally she turned and ran after the rapidly retreating others. Her face a savage scowl. The others were already unsure of her and gave her a wide bearth as they made their way back into the underground tunnels.

Something was happening. Men were running around frantically carrying trolley loads of weaponry with them.

Everyone quickly forgot all about Sage as they ran towards their commanders in charge and found out what was happening. Sage slipped away making her own way back to where she recalled leaving her belongings. No one thought to take back the weapon she'd been given and she easily made her way back to the large cave they had originally been brought to.

There stood three people in deep discussion with the man called Walter and the other Andromedian Hum'Battaan. She looked at them from several meters away... curiously.

 

[Moneytalks]

oops

OOC: I hope we're all still posting to this?

[smiles]

 

[Moneytalks]

Zion HQ

"Commander Zed... Sir... we have word from General Stark."

"Hold that transmission..." Zed turned to his second in command.

"Drake... are you sure your calculations are accurate?"

"To at least 98% Sir." Drake replied. His eyes even colder than Zed's if that were indeed possible. Drake stood 6'3" and was still in prime condition, something that Zed with his slowly expanding waistline had trouble dealing with. In fact there was an odd sense of rivalry between the two even though Zed depended on Drake a great deal.

"Fine... how many more minutes must we wait?"

"Only 75 seconds Sir." Drake looked calmly at his console.

"Ensign... on my count... prepare to fire at the incoming missile." Zed barked.

"Sir, yes SIR!"

"Now... on the count of 10..."

The automated voice started counting... "10, 9, 8..."

"Punch through the General."

"Commander Zed... General Stark is online."

"General Stark... we have the missile in our sights and have mounted counter measures."

"What took you so long? We had word of it's approach 5 minutes ago!"

"Sir.. it was drawn to my attention that normal nuclear attack would not suffice... we had to make this shot count... we have made the necessary adjustments... and the missile WILL be deflected."

"What about civilian casualties?"

"Sir... nothing that could not be avoided."

"We'll talk about this later... do what you have to"

"Yes SIR! Zed out!"

Commander Zed allowed himself a smile of satisfaction.

 

[poohlive]

Spike watched the clock with some care. It had been dwindling ever since, he wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but it would have to happen fast.
He looked out of a small window, seeing the missile slowly descend to earth. Just then, something exploded from Zion as missiles began to fly up into the sky.
"You know what?" he was smiling, "I think I'll just go back to the ship, and have it warmed up for whenever you're ready to end this."
He walked back out to the door, grabbing his weapons.
"I won't leave until your on the ship, unless the rest of the crew is in danger. You'd better hurry this up."
The very air began to rumble with the impending doom. Spike ran through the corridors, his footsteps echoing. Outside, people were already running in panic. Some to the desert, others to the mountains, and even a couple towards his ship.
"Hey now, get out of the way," he pushed people aside, going into the cockpit.
Slowly, the machine rumbled to life.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Lunden

Spike was rambling on about nothing as we followed the man underground. He had a point though, the setup here was impressive. I wandered through the halls wondering if I would meet a guy here...that's be nice. Oh, well, I thought, just wait and see. Finally, the man in the lead stopped and spoke into his com-link, then turned to us and said to Satra, "Only you...through here."
Better her than me, I thought, wondering exactly what I might be getting into.
"I'm not going anywhere without my men," Satra replied.
"your...men?" He asked.
Satra just looked at him.
"Fine ...but you have to leave your weapons."
We handed our weapons over, reluctantly, then were led into another room, where a man stood next to an Andromedian. I started when I saw the two together.
The man, Walter, introduced the two of them. Satra explained the situation, and the two looked at one another thoughtfully for a moment, then Walter listened intently to a voice on the other side of a headset he wore on his ears.
"Yes? Where are you? Still up top? Okay, go EAst, down a few blocks and turn back an alleyway across the street from something called 'Burman's.' Used to be a store of some sort. Once you're there, get back to me. We're running out of time, apparently faster than we thought. Get down here as soon as you can..."
The voice was aparrently gone then, as he turned back to us and said, "We can escape either underground or above ground, but our people should stay beneath the surface, if we can get them together...I fear many have already fled. It will be Hell for them outside after the detonation. If you wish to take your craft, we can meet back up In a small encampment in Sector 17, just to the West of where Delank used to be."
He turned away from us again, listening to the intercom and saying, "Alright, you're close. Now look around for a manhole cover...yeah, now go down the ladder and head East, the entrance will be through a hole in the wall of the sewer. Get down here quickly, we're running out of time. We've got a representative from Zion here who says we may have much less time than we thought...and Madge, be very careful...get yourselves back here in one piece."
Hum'Battaan stepped in then.
"Land in the ruins of the city," he said, "and we'll send someone to lead you beneath the surface. Do you know where the ruins are?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

The Martians were firing aimlessly at us, showing little attention to any kind of proper training.
Footsoldiers, I thought, that's why theyleave them behind. They don't care about their well-being, they're dispensible.
It was what seperted the two races...we valued each other equally, aside from personal rivalries and such, they valued lives based on the importance to the leader. Most lives were dispensable to the Martians. Sad, but effective in certain instances...like this one. The lives they sacrificed here were meant to ensure we were killed as well, to make certain that the humans in the city couldn't escape. They'd never guess we would go underground, and that was to our advantage, however.
"Walter," Madge began, speaking into the headset, "Can you hear me, Walter?"
She looked to me and said, "I hope they're still within range..."
I peered out from behind the dumpster, taking quick aim at one of the Martians and firing a quick spread. The first pellet struck my target, and the others I fanned out across the bridgecolumn they stood on, hoping to blindly hit another. I ducked behind the dumpster again before their aims found me.
"YEs?" Walter's voice, through the headset.
"Walter," Madge announced, seeming amazed to hear his voice.
"Where are you?"
"We're in an alley."
"Still up top?" He asked.
"Yes," she replied. "We're near a large apartment complex called..." SHe struggled with the letters of the sign across the street. "Farson's Estates," she continued. "Where's the nearest way down?"
"Okay," Walter began, "Go East, down a few blocks and turn back an alleyway across the street from something called 'Burman's.' Used to be a store of some sort. Once you're there, get back to me. We're running out of time, aparrently faster than we thought. Get down here as soon as you can..."
"Got that?" She asked me. I nodded,climbing to my feet.
"Ready to run?" I asked her.
"Yep,"he said, "Let's go!"
We were moving again, taking off from behind the dumpster, firing wildly up at the Martians. SOme were missing, probably working their way down to the street for seek us out. Let them come...my blood was pumping strong by then, the thrill of battle sinking in in a way it never had, even in my younger years. I was a rebel again...no question.
We were heading down the street, leaving the Martians on the bridgecolumn behind and seeing those that were headed for the street coming out of the front entrance and beginning pursuit.
In mere minutes, we were turning into the alley across from the 'Burman's' sign.
Distantyl, I could hear gunfire, heavy artillary, and my mind drifted off, thinking, the Andromedians, or at least on of them, were following behind us. Valerios, most likely. If it turned out to be him, there was no question we'd done the right thing by trusting him. I doubted there was much question anyway.
I froze then, as Madge started talking to Walter again through the headset. I heard their voices, but my thoughts were distracted. I was here, and Valerios most likely on his way...would Sage be apart from us? I doubted it, seeing how insistant she was on remaining with us up until now. If she was with Valerios, she was in great danger. There was no telling how many of the Martians were still around, and as incredible an asset as he was, he was still only human...well, Andromedian, but they weren't perfect either, I was certain. They made mistakes, and when they didn't sometimes things occurred that were outside of their control. Losing Valerios I could handle. A friend yes, but one that CHOSE to fight, not one that followed us, having no idea what she was getting into.
...Get down here quickly," WAlter was saying, "we're running out of time. We've got a representative from Zion here who says we may have much less time than we thought...and Madge, be very careful...get yourselves back here in one piece."
"We're working on that, Walter," she replied, "See you in a few."
"You ready?" She asked me.
"Not yet...I think valerios is behind us. I heard some gunfire."
"You heard what he said, didn't you?"
"Yes, but I can't leave a friend behind. You can go if you want...just tell me where the entrance is."
SHe thought for only a moment, then raised her weapon and said, "Come on, we'll be able to get a better look if we're closer to the street."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

OOC: Good to have the family back together...missed you guys. Sorry to seperate everyone. I wasn't sure who was coming back and wanted to find a way to continue the story if someone didn't return. We'll get everybody back together underground...maybe we'l get EVERYBODY together underground, save Terrin and Lucia, if that's what you had in mind, Money...

 

[Lady_Siren]

Lucia gripped him tightly as he pulled her out of the hatch. He held her in his arms a moment which seemed to end all to soon for her. Sighing under her breath angry with herself she led him to the nearest ship. They started to close the main gate. "It will only take a minutte at the most we must hurry. The Ship's engine started and with seconds they were in the air. They could see the main gate in the distance slowly closing. Terrin though an experiences pilot wasn't familiar with the Lucian craft. "Get up let me fly" he hesitated his male pride taking over. "Terrin Please" finally he consented and relinquished the controls. She took over immediatly. She hit a few buttons and twisted a few things and the ship was in hyper drive. The made it past the front gate with only seconds to spare. Lucia who had been holding her breath finally exhaled. "that was close"

 

[Darklord]

Valerios

He had indeed followed the path of his two friends, courtesy of infared imaging equipped in his helmet. Then he ran into the rear elements of the Martian foot soldiers trying to kill his friend. He was so contempious of this level of Martian fighter he didn't even feel like wasting the energy to turn on his Chameleon field.

He simply waded through the piles of dead and dying Martian soldiers, guns blazing, every time one ran out he replaced it with another from a dead body. He didn't know how many he had killed but it seemed that the majority were now concentrating on him. "Good" he thought "Now they should be able to make it away safely. Hmmm, now theres something I'd like to destroy" as he unlimbered the plasma thrower and aiming it struck the Personnal Carrier that the company of Martians had been using. As the bolt struck the side of the carrier he dove behind the very same dumpster that had earlier shielded his friend. Waiting a moment he then heard the satisfying BOOM of an exploding enemy vehicle.

While hiding behind the dumpster and ignoring the PINGS of richocheting bullets from the few remaining Martians he took stock. He was down to two guns both half empty, one plasma thrower with 10 shots left, a malfunction in the left second shoulder servo, about 50 some odd holes in his combat armor, four serious, and his medical supply was low in his autodoc. "I'm doing pretty good, I might even make it..." he thought and chuckled. Standing up he looked at the enemy, grinned, and said "Gunar est mortu deis" (Welcome to your death)

 

[poohlive]

Terrin sat in the co-pilot's seat, watching her take the controls. He relaxed, looking at the space before them. It was amazing, simply amazing. His ship had always been capable of space travel, but he had never done it before.
Too afraid someone might blow him up.
He looked at the radar of the ship.
"Well... I uhhhh," he looked at the blinking lights, "You don't think they're after us do you?"
Just then fire began to go past them, and a low rumble hit the ship, as it rocked back and forth.
"Please tell me this thing goes faster..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

I stood in the street, waiting for enemy fire. They should have been there by now, but they weren't. I held my breath, wondering if they were hiding around us. I heard the shots then, long processions of them, broken here and there only to resume again in full.
"That's why..." I muttered.
"That's why what?" Madge asked. "What are you thinking?"
"They're fighting someone else..."
I started down the street, rifle held in position to fire.
"Where are we going?"
"That has to be Valerios. At least him, if not all of them."
"We're going back?"
"I am," I replied.
She held pace with me, "Then so am I."
Loyalty to the cause? I wondered.
"What do you--"
We both stopped short then, a loud explosion erupting from up ahead.
"Shit!" I spat, then started off at a sprint. Within seconds, we were in view of the scene. A Personel Carrier lay in ruins, fire burning strong. Around it, Martian corpses lay burning as well. in fact, the corpses were also laying elsewhere, all over the place.
"That's him..."
"It figures..."
"What's that?" I asked.
"We try for months to build a force big and skilled enough to attack the Martians just once, hoping to do half this damage, and you and your friends show up and massacre hundreds of them at will. Your reputation precedes you, and it's apparently accurate..."
"My reputation? What the hell do people say about me?" I was surprised that my reputation was being brought up again, but a smile played on my lips. These kills were Valerios' doing, or he and a few others, and I wasn't taking credit, but it was nice to be appreciated.
WE stopped and stepped to the side, hiding in shadows again, this time crouching in the imbedded doorway of a large building that appeared to be a bank. The doorway offered us protection should they manage to locate us. I took aim around the corner, standing, and Madge knelt in front of me, aiming around the corner as well. I spoke into the headset: "Valerios? Sage? That you?"
I waited for a response.