HG: TRTW Act One - The Gathering Storm

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:08 pm

Chuckling, Gunnar lined up the sights on his Gear's rifle as he retorted to thw two down below. "Why're you asking about me being a monkey, Adrien? Looking for family?"

A second later, a soft boom was heard as his Gear's rifle did a test firing. Gunnar grinned as he read the results.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:59 pm

Alex had left the room last and went straight to his gear. He started running various maintenance checks that any pilot learned. He missed his old crew. He would be ready to leave by the night of course, he didn't have much of anything to pack.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:03 pm

"Show off," Marcus said to Gunnar. "What are you trying to do? Scare Alex? I'm half sure that he thinks we eat babies," Marcus joked.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:06 pm

"What?" asked Gunnar in an innocently injured tone of voice. "We have to thoroughly check our Gears over before the fun tonight, right?"

Making one very careful adjustment with his wrench to one of the rear bolts of the Gear rifle, he gave a countdown this time. "Test firing in 5...4...3...2...1...firing."

Another muffled boom echoed, and Gunnar looked very happy with the results once his wrist-top read them.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:15 pm

"Yeah, I'm sure every single shot you take is absolutely necessary beyond a shadow of a doubt," said Marcus. "You have absolutely no desire to show off your prowess as a mechanic or a sharp shooter. None at all. Zero. Nadda. Nyet. Nihil. Nein. None. Rein."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:22 pm

"Exactly - I don't need to show off," said Gunnar with a smirk. "All of this is just making damn sure 'technical difficulties' don't screw things up at random. That's how I learned to work on my Gear in the first place," he said, stepping back on his scaffold to critically examine his work.

He began to disconnect all the sensor leads and test probes from his Gear, taking his time as he did.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:43 pm

"It'll take a bit more then that to scare me." Alex observed looking up from an electronics test.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:35 am

"I'm sure us morally degenerate southerners should be able to come up with something to scare you," joked Marcus. "It's in the contract. We have to conform to stereotype."

Marcao · Post by **Marcao** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:31 am

He was fond of Primal Dream for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, he was a republican and in many ways Primal Dream was readily identified as an art form originating in the Republic. Secondly, he disliked any style of music that had an overt social message. Thirdly, he enjoyed listening to music that was fun to listen to and Primal Dream was certainly that. Finally, Shock and Rage had a penchant for having vocalist that lacked any and all talent and simply grunted and screamed into the microphones.

â€œThe offer stands.â€

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:48 pm

Marcus generally let the techs do most of the work on Fafnir, believing that one shouldn't fuck with a professional when the professional is doing his job. That didn't mean he took everything on faith. That was for suckers.

He checked a few parts at random, found everything good, and then ran diagonostics from Fafnir's cockpit, spinning the laser up and checking to make sure none of the warning lights had burned out. Everything was good. "Anyone know a good restaurant for the lunch crowd? Diane hates Weird But Tasty?"

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:11 pm

"It's not that I don't trust the technicians here," Gunnar said as he got into his gear, and began the startup sequence. "For most things, I do - but if my Gear's gun mis-fires, I'd rather it be my fault than someone elses', if that makes sense. And knowing who your parents are Adrien, I'd prefer the mystery," he finished with a grin, looking down below.

Though the overhead compartment inside his gear was rather cramped, the sensor readings and displays greatly overshadowed this minor annoyance. All systems were ready for tonight, it seems. "So," Gunnar said, hopping down from the scaffolding and onto the main bay floor, "what's this I heard about lunch?"

Marcao · Post by **Marcao** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 4:31 pm

His head turned towards Marcus when he spoke of a good restaurant and then of his lady friend. "I can give you a few ideas although it depends how much you are looking to spend of course." Still, if Diane was tagging along then he expected that Marcus would spend a few more dinars than he ordinarily would.

He glanced in the direction of Gunnar when he finished and nodded. "I can understand the sentiment." He admitted. If he had the skill to take care of Fenrir personally he would be more involved himself. When Gunnar made his way down from the scaffolding he blinked.

"I am not sure Gunnar, Marcus will have company and may have something already in mind." He replied. If Marcus did indeed have plans for lunch, it was not in their best interest to intrude.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 4:42 pm

"Diane's as busy as hell, but she's phoning me so she's probably not giving me the brush off," said Marcus. "She still has to eat though and a lunch date at a nice place isn't out of the question. Since all the nice places are around the corporate parts of town, location isn't a problem. But I do need a name to drop in her ear and I'm the only one in the relationship who really likes Weird But Tasty. So. . ." he let his voice trail off.

Marcao · Post by **Marcao** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:45 pm

"Hmm, you can try Chia's. The decor is not the best but the food is excellent, the lead chef is from Bethany and she makes sure that her people are top notch. A little on the expensive side, but considering the location I definately think its worth it." He suggested.

"While you are there, definately try some of the Fer-de-nuit its probably the best in Khayr Ad-Din." He added, his left hand disappearing into a pant pocket and retrieving a small card.

"If they give you grief at the entrance, use this. You should be able to get a reservation on the spot, its my last one so make good use of it." He teased. Chia and himself had come to an arrangement. He spoke highly of her establishment and she granted him a few perks. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, especially when one considered that the food was quite good. The best chefs in the planet all hailed from Bethany and Chia was no exception.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:49 pm

"Thanks," said Marcus as he took the cards. "How much does that place kick pack to you?" he joked.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:41 pm

"Well, whatever the 'perks' are in the background, behind the scenes - I don't give a sandrat's ass if the food is good," Gunnar said, thinking about the choice. "Works for me. Either of you want to ride along?"

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:24 pm

Monza entered the Barnaby with a wry smile on her face and a mug of cawfee in her hand. "I take it you boys and your toys are enjoying yourselves?" She walked over to Gunnar and smiled sweetly. "Your gun's working? Diagnostics checked out?"

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:00 pm

His face lighting up in a smile that one normally reserves for one's mother, Gunnar replied to Monza. "Yes, the gun shoots wonderfully now, Monza - thank you. All the other diagnostics came up fine, and I took a close look at the right shoulder assembly like you suggested. It needed maintenance, just like you said."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:13 pm

"Good, good," Monza sipped her cawfee as she walked next to Gunnar and looked at his Jaguar. In a flash, her free hand had come up and slapped him upside the head, just enough for him to know she meant business. "You scared Oiku within an inch of her life with your fooling around. There's protocol for test firing for a reason. I know you can do it, because I heard it the second time," she took a good long look at him and set down her cawfee. "After you're done here, be sure to apologize to her, you understand?"

She stopped, waiting for his inevitable acknowledgment before softening her expression again. "You're a natural at this, we just need to get you more practice. It's a pity you decided to be a pilot instead of a mechanic, but maybe one day I'll talk sense into your head. Meantime, today's still a test day." Monza's tests were sneaky, she'd commonly put glitches into electronics systems, remove one small bit of a mechanical assembly, or just leave harmless but annoying traps around her techs to make them hone their skills. Gunnar, being the most inexperienced, was currently the most seriously tested. Usually the Gears themselves were untouched, for obvious reasons, but Gears were not the only thing the support crew had to work on.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:27 pm

Though he had grown used to Monza, she in some ways acted as the Matron for everyone there. The way she kept him on his toes he liked, especially as not being quick on one's feet was a sure way to check out early where he grew up, because she always did so with the intention that he improve, which he supported.

It was just the smacks upside the back of his head that got old.

However, she did make an excellent point - he purposefully didn't follow protocol with the first test firing because it would scare the hell out of Oiku as well as make Adrien jump - however, doing so did have a price; one he was paying now.

He straightened his back, mentally strengthening his resolve. "Sorry, Monza - I'll apologize to Oiku once I'm done. What's the next task?"

It could be something innocuous, like finding a missing bolt on a tool rack. It could also be something downright fiendish, like looking for the sealing bolt for a fuel tank in a refuse pile.

Either way, it proved that the time spent before leaving for the mission tonight with Adrien, Marcus, and Alex would not be boring and quiet.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:38 pm

Monza just smiled as she put on her dataglove and hooked up her heads up display. Kane walked in shortly after, smiled at the assembled group, stopped, sniffed the room quizzically, and cocked his head to the side before raising his eyebrows in understanding. "Oh, it's THAT day. Have fun, Gunnar. Remember to wear gloves. Trust me."

Before too long, Oiku joined the other engineers, a slight limp in her gait as she entered the Barnaby. She stopped and bowed, "Good morning, have a good day," her accent was still thick, but understandable.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:49 pm

Resisting the urge to grumble out loud, Gunnar just nodded somewhat wearily in greeting to Kane as he withdrew his mechanic's gloves from his back pocket. He'd known this day was fast approaching, and if he wanted to be allowed into the mechanic's bay to tinker or wrench on his Gear without having many heavy objects thrown his way, he'd need to complete his Testing Day.

In a few ways, he was lucky - Monza had complained often about Testing Days with other mechanics, telling he, Kane, and Oiku often about how truly awful some mechanics were, and what they had done during their Testing Days. So far, only about a third of the details she said she "always" did were true, but it still gave him some predictability - Kane had warned him in advance.

As Oiku approached, Gunnar raised an eyebrow at her limp. "Good morning, Oiku - what happened to your leg?"

Marcao · Post by **Marcao** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:07 am

â€œOh, I get a meal with the matron from time to time and a table reserved for me almost at all times.â€

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:27 pm

Oiku smiled slightly, "Oh, it's nothing, I just hurt during my morning kata. I will be fine."

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:03 pm

Alex finished up the tests and climbed down his gear.

"I'll leave the rest up to the professionals." He said with a small wave at the techs as he left. He frankly didn't have much to pack at this point. Patting around his uniform pockets he found his copy of the Khodaverdia, he could read a chapter or two after he packed that should eat up time.

LibriumArcana.Games

HG: TRTW Act One - The Gathering Storm

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