Interlude Opportunity

[Stoic]

The Nameless have been pushing along for a while now, continuing in spite of exhaustion. Describe a similar situation where your character should or could have given up, but just kept pushing along.
Upon completion, take 1 xp and immediately apply it to your character sheet (If this brings you do an advance, by all means, go ahead and advance), and a Benny as well.

[Brody Conrey]

Thank you.
Also since you are taking over I don't know if you saw my Signature Item .
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=3276
I can send you the PMs that Hobo Said it was OK ,
Just needed a contact for the Fairys and a guardian. Was lookig through Some fairy creatures. thinking of a large dragonfly wing Ocelot Cat invisible most of the time but with mouth full of teeth.

[Stoic]

I'm not taking over, just subbing until Hobo Joe gets back. I'll check out the item though.

[Nomel Sagia]

Three weeks. That's all it'd taken for Nomel to run out of supplies after leaving the ranch. Well, 'run out' was a bit inaccurate; the damned Floopers had made off with nearly all the rations he'd brought with him. He'd passed a small settlement about a day and a half back; in theory, he could go back, get there tired and hungry, but able to work off a few meals. Then he could go home and admit to everyone that heading out to see the world beyond the clan's ranch probably wasn't a great idea after all. They'd rib him a little, then take him back in, because that's what family does, and he'd have a nice, secure life moving cattle. All he had to do was turn around.

He kept walking.

The mountains were getting closer, finally. For the first week of his travels, they'd scarcely changed at all, and even the second week, the difference was hardly noticeable. But now--now he could actually see a difference when he made camp, compared to when he broke it the morning before.

That's what he was out here for. To see the world. And if the world ate him up and spit him back, well, at least he'd know that. It was probably a mistake, but he reckoned he could manage to scare up some food, and he at least had his canteen, so all he needed there was a spring, right?

So he pressed on, making camp and eating what small animals he could find (being able to turn into a ghost helped, there--the critters who depended on scent to warn them of predators never noticed him til he solidified, and then it was too late). It wasn't good eating, but it kept him moving, at least.

Another week, and he was well into the foothills. The traveling was rougher, here, of course. Food was more scarce than he'd expected, too. He was hungry, and the nights were getting colder. Again, maybe he should just turn back. Even with more distance, he knew he could survive well enough to get home, eventually.

He continued on, making yet another makeshift camp and settling in.

One thing about growing up in the flatlands. You don't really appreciate how easy it is for a storm to sneak up on you, coming over a mountaintop, especially at night. One minute, you're bedding down under a clear sky; the next, rain's falling in buckets all around you. Well, at least he wouldn't have any trouble filling his canteen this time....

He had to move, though--the slope he'd picked because it sheltered him from the wind was now serving as a watershed for the mountain, washing away some of his few remaining pieces of gear. He grabbed what he could, and started stumbling through the dark--the rain fouling his infravision, cold water making everything seem uniform.

Then the ground shifted, and he tumbled a bit, and just barely was missed by a massive rock-and-mud slide. A crack of lightning flashed then, and he saw what the slide had uncovered--a massive metal door, with some writing on it. He knew what writing was, even if he couldn't parse it himself. The letters, he could identify--N, E, M, A. Bu that sequence told him nothing. Still, it was a door, and doors, well, they were supposed to open.

He'd always had a way with electronics, and this door had a panel beside it that flared to life, maybe some automated system triggered by the exposure of the door. He stepped forward, touched it, reached inside... the door opened, and he was Home.

OOC Comments

The rest, of course, is in his Background on his character sheet.

[Architect]

Archie has a sort of Amnesia that is cured in stages. Like when he got his father's sword or slaying the demon or watching Symon die.

Months back when riding in the BOP with Chevy, a flashback occured and a bit of the fog cleared from his memory.

The Celestial Court interacted with humanity on a regular basis. Lived among them. Worked along side them. Learned from them. Taught them. Protected them as they protected us.

Archie many years earlier was taken by his father to meet a driver of a decent sized two ton truck.

"You need to be familiar with technology and Han Tu here will teach you."

"Ah Noble Prince an honor. Come."

The truck was large by human standards for a dragon it was like a child's play toy. The only other form that Archie had practiced was that of an eight year old boy. So he changed into his little boy form. He then realized that 'Little Boy' was too small to drive a big truck.

The man was patient and waited for Archie to figure things out.

Archie made his neck longer to see upto the steering wheel. But his feet couldn't reach the pedals and his hands barely touched the bottm of the steering wheel. He certainly couldn't reach the gear shift.

He struggled to make his arms and legs longer all the while his 'body' was that of 'Little Boy'. It was a very inhuman appearrance.

The management of the extended limbs and elongated neck became the next task. The instructor sat quietly during the adjustments. Very patient, he waited for Archie to be ready to learn to operate the truck.

Frustration showed on and in every feature Archie had. It was a tiresome process and he did not feel 'natural' doing it.

"Noble Prince, there are other human forms. I would be honored if you copied mine. It would make your learning much easier."

Archie had copied 'Little Boy' form a human child that was very athletic and spry. Looking to the man next to him, Archie focused on the features and size.

"How do I look, teacher?"

The teacher pointed to the rear view mirror, "Look for yourself, Noble Princess."

Archie looked in the mirror and saw that he had done a most excellent job of copying the Teacher. Not only that but the management of the new form was less awkward then the "Stretchy Man" form.

Teacher was patient and handled the jerks and bumps and grinds and squeals. Archie thought he was most pleased to be riding beside himself in the same vehicle.

[Brody Conrey]

From the Journal of Brody Conrey

I am writing this several months after this event. This is the best of what I recall.

A Game of Hide and Seek

This happened after Tolkeen had fallen The CS attacked a small group of Tolkeen refugees guarded by 10 cyber knights. The convoy was heading toward the south away from Tolkeen and the war zone. I was with this group because I had finished my job in this area. The cyber Knight put up a good fight but they were overwhelmed quickly from the air and ground units.

The hapless refugees and the bodies all were gathered up with the wounded and escorted away. The CS scrubbed the area of all signs of a fight. I was watching from my hiding place at a base of rocks outcropping. Thank heaven I could just slip into the nearby ground, trees and get away. I dared not move while they were there. Any movement might give myself away. When all were gone, I decided that I would just stay put and not go anywhere. Thank heaven I didn’t, the CS troops came back and started looking around. They divided the group in half, one part following the path that the knights were going the other from where they came.

The reason for this behavior was obvious to me. They figured out they were missing someone. I was thinking who might know about who was in the small group. I knew the head Knight had the numbers and names, but not occupations. I always used a false name anyway, just in case I was on any CS roster for ‘Kill on Sight’, as all Psi-Ghost. I was careful to make sure I showed no obvious powers except when the attack began. And I was sure the others were looking at the CS or for cover. I just seemed to vanish and that is something all Psi-ghost were good at, playing 'Hide and Seek.' It was a standard game for the ghost.

If I were to move out in the open the CS might have a drone looking down for any clue. They might bring in a Dogboy to follow him. Thank heaven I just teleported away.

I knew I was good for a few days, water was his main concern I figured if careful I could go a week without water. What I really needed was a plan and a lot of luck.

I was hoping this was a game area, where large animal, maybe even herds, might cover my path. I could use them to travel and provide cover. Clouds and fog would be good for moving if they could arrive in time. My armor provide some protection but, Infrared signature would still be there.

Maybe I could catch a ride on a CS vehicle, you know hang on to the underside where they would never look. This would be a bit chancier. Especially when you don’t know where it is going.

Four days went by and the CS Patrols returned they seemed to have no luck. There was yelling by the officer about something and the troops took it. I dare not give them any idea that there was someone nearby. Then the commander looked like he had an idea. He called to one man. Then he pointed to an area and the group went up to the hill they were doing something I could not see all of it. About 40 minutes later they departed back to base, I guess. But something looked different as they left and they were one man shy. The one that the commander was talking to. They left him there, hidden, more than likely dug a trap door blind. Now it was a waiting game, who would move and who would get who? I was determined that I would get him. As I knew he was determined He would get me.

I need to recalculate and get a new plan!

On the 8th day during the night, the rain finally came. Blessed be the gods of storms, a nice bad thunder storm, wild and windy and wet. This was what I needed. The time was now to do something, I was sure I need to get out but what to do. Should I use my ability to walk away using my Ghost and teleport ability? The sniper might get me. So, I just got this idea, go bold, jump up hop, jump, zig zag to the to the sniper’s place, and kill him. At least I might have a chance.

So, jump from where to where? One side to another make him constantly move make him switch from scope to look around. Zig zag, pop one place run one direction. Then pop over to the other and do the same. Keep that up and then get behind him and kill him. I figured, I knew where he was, he would not see me in darkness with the rain. Maybe wait for a flash of lighting then move.

I did four jumps and runs then the first laser blast. The rain pointed to the path as it left a cloud of vapor in the rain. I was close so I popped out and drew my pistol. Then sank into the ground. I waited for him to pop up but he didn’t. Then I looked Past the trap door into his hiding place. His gear was the but he wasn’t. I saw water was filling up in the bottom. He must have gotten out during the rain. now I was there where he should have been.

I materialized in his pit. I looked through his gear and found a little food, water and other items oh and some grenades. In his pit they had set him up fine a monitor and there were remotes tv to watch for me. That is when I saw him, from the picture he was about 30 feet away, rifle up and looking around for me, I guess he still didn’t know I was a ghost. And could drop from siteHe was slowly heading back to the hole. I had to act fast, it wasn’t a brilliant, but there was no time. I will drop the grenade right before he opens the screen door then ghost out under him, with the rest of his stuff before he can look, I will be gone.

Pling! went the pin, Swing went the door. Dang, I ghosted out before it was open. Bang went the grenade. Simple was the plan and it worked! I ascended up through the ground. The soldier was face down on the ground, the armor was torn up. I put a round through his head, just to make sure this one was not going to come back.

The bad news, I knew the rest of his outfit would be back and they would start searching for me for revenge.

In Hide and Seek we were taught to go where they least expected. Go to where the seeker already looked, or at the start. Yes, stupid but it works. They never think that the person is at the place they just came from. The good part most of them should be out looking. Their base camp might have rides, food, and water.

So off I went, ghosting into the ground. Moving toward the directions that the main group had come from. A half an hour later, through the dark, came about eighteen soldiers. I figure that the base wasa few miles away. I waited until they passed, then I continued down the path they had come from.

There it was, the base camp, mostly empty, two guards. I need to get water I thought then I realivesd i had some canteens from the soldiers and dang it was raining. If I kill these guys. The others would figure where I went. I need to get going no more food no more water then what this guy left in his pack. I moved on not really knowing what direction, because the dark and the storm. Just had to get out and away from there. But find a palce where I can refill the canteens.

Another rule of ‘Hide and Seek’, it there is a place that the gamers are not supposed to go, Go there! Let me tell you in the game of life, cheat while you’re alive, you can do that after your dead.

So, I finally headed south hoping to get some safe place that the CS won’t go. Several days later, Exhausted but alive I was at Fort Comanche. The Hide and Seek game of my life was over.

[Whisper]

Whisper was quiet because she was out of screams.

The sun beat down on her, and she hadn't the strength left to gather shadows to try to hold it off. Her exposed skin shivered as if it had its own will, and would tear itself free of her body to escape those pitiless rays.

The archmage Marcea glared down at her, his flinty eyes expressing just as much compassion as the sun did.There was no damage to her body save death he couldn't reknit back together. He'd demonstrated that many times now.

She couldn't hold back a groan as she felt a spike of pain, a sudden kiss of wetness on her back. Another blister. The manacles around her wrists and ankles would be leaving similar rings, from how they had heated up. Scars that wouldn't heal...that he wouldn't heal for her.

Almost worse than the pain, was the power. It had left her. In this burning light she was virtually powerless.

"Continue," Marcea said sternly.

It was, he had said, to 'innoculate' her. To strengthen her so the sun wasn't as dangerous. Whisper suspected it was his intent to keep her prisoner in it as much as possible, to keep her magic under control. The sun would, inexorably, go down though. All she had to do was hang on, until she had her chance.

With a grunt of effort, and an immediate hiss of pain, she managed to drag her left foot...manacled to a spherical weight...forward a couple of feet. Each step was another small victory, for she was alive, and inching her way ever forward to a time when she could make the Federation bleed for every indignity she'd suffered.