Fight For The Skies [Game Thread]

[vermillion]

vel followed the store clerk to a small room, sooty, humid and dark...lit only by a small wall lamp...her boots clicked on fallen boiler doors and various nuts and bolts.

"i need something that fits this shoulder cannon, water boiler preferred" ...she took out the print of her favorite weapon: a steamed shoulder cannon... it took up her lower arm, and it freed up her hands being it was shot from the palm, and not a gun.... it also burned like hell. "i'll also need a new flintlock pistol an ammunition..and as many "

the clerk took the print and stared at it for a few seconds.
the young man looked at vel "i have some more equipment that would prevent this from both overheating and leaking... but that wasnt your problem was it?"
 
vel shook her head, and lowered her voice a little.."no, it wasnt... there's an extra chamber right here, that would hold a small amount of   uhm...improper-liquids as well.......but my engineer was never able to have it reach...it leaked a few times on my arms, unfortunately...."

the clerk nodded, and gave her a big smile "I'll meet you in front...with everything you want and need" 
Shiny new pistols and hand weapons instead of what her ship should be equipped with... she hadnt changed or even bothered upgrading her ships weapons in years... also because, improvements to her ship usually meant drawing attention in stores. the ships boiler ran half on liquids and half on coal, she has plenty of both....

she leaned on the counter to watch the clerks dart back and forth for all of addys items, when her own boy came back out with two rolls of paper.
"your plans are wrong miss, you're lucky you get the guy who's built this one for fun...no charge for these"

[Stella Gaslight]

The cannons were in fantastic shape for being salvaged of a wreck.  There would have to be some alterations to make the fireable by claws instead of hands but Tomas was quite good at that.  Their rate of fire was easily alterable ans was the type of ammo it took, good for the quickly changing conditions of battle one often faced as a pirate. She drove a hard bargain but soon the cannons were headed back to The Look Out Below along with parts she hoped could make a more portable form of her galvanism discharger.  Watching the deliveries go out looked like a parade of boys in dirty aprons with paper covered packages of all different shapes and sizes.

Mikado lane was the exact opposite of the phantom quarter things were neat to the point of austerity and every window was filled with the sharp reflected light of the sun bouncing of blades of all sorts.  Toma's shop had the most simple display but each masterfully crafted blade held the eye just as well as the bright overcrowded displays of it's competitors. Addy turned to Val "I want you to pick out a blade you think who ever the person we put on the inside will be comfortable using. Hopefully it won't come to that but if it does I want to make sure they can use them well."

[Kylen Phylar]

Kylen just followed along, helping haul stuff as needed. "Oi, girls. Aren't we needed to go to Ned's for dinner soon? And just how much cash do you too have?" he asked, rolling his eyes at all the stuff. The two weapons he would ever need, a custom revolver job on his hip and a long blade strapped tothe small of his back, were still with him.

[vermillion]

There were so many blades to look at, not too many.. there were never too many blades to have in Vels opinion.
The light on the set in front of her made them look silver, she picked up and examined two of the blades, and then went to a smaller blade in the set, there was a slight prism shine on the bade itself, it was exceptionally thinner and lighter than the normal knives she had before, she weighed it in her hand, and turned it over a few times, before she turned to Addy "This one will more than suffice"

"Ned will most likely be understanding" she said to Kylen as she moved on to another set...
"As for money... there is no such thing, I do not do what i do for money, although that is a small reward, I use it when necessary, Lets just say I have enough to buy a new ship if I really needed one.....and if I dont, there's plenty to trade with on board my ship.. but you have a point, this will probably be my last store"
The set in front of her made her stop suddenly... she picked up the first blade in the set.
It had an obsidian blade, shaved and smoothed, black as sin, and extremely light, the grip was crimson thread, the spine was sharpened as well. She slid her thumb over the blade and immediately felt the sting of fresh blood.

"not to be played with" she laughed. "I'll take this as well"

[Stella Gaslight]

Addy paid the shop keep and made a note in her pocket ledger. "We will get back in enough time to change if we take my short cut.  You know Nate, the world could be ending and he would still want everyone to dress for dinner." Addy was glad Val knew her blades she much preferred things that fired bits of metal or bolts of lightning.  She just didn't have the finesse relay good knife work required.  "I unlike some people save my spoils and know when not to bet on the horses."  Addy gave Kylen a cheeky smile.  "Speaking of races how about we race back to Nate's?  I bet I can still beat you."

[Kylen Phylar]

"You know me, Addy! My game is cards, not horse racing. And I don't usually NEED new weapons, seeing as I take care of mine." He teased back, smirking. "And sure, if you don't mind loosing." he mused, already ready to dash out of the store and to the hanger the fastest way he knew.

[Bellono]

Bellono looked over the Reckless Abandons armory... HIS armory... There were his costume assault rifles the 7.92mm X 51mm Belgun with 20 round magazines, His personally made pistols that doubled up as submachine guns in a pinch the Mauslugs with their detachable wooden holster/shoulderstock, The line of new deck guns he'd just finished the 105mm howitzers, his personal collection of blades from around the world.... he had knives and swords from England, Italia, Spain, France, Japan, China, India, Mongolia even Korea. He had a collection of bows from similar places but these were of little use on a modern battle field non the less Bellono being who he was felt you had to have every conceivable type of weapon for every conceivable type of event. He smiled as he reached the end of the long room and the seemingly endless racks of weapons and he came to the large cabinet made from durable oak with a series of large pad locks, was an engraving above the doors "Property of Chiaves Bellono in event of an emergency"

[Stella Gaslight]

Addy grabbed a handful of black and copper skirt reveling the sturdy boots beneath.  "Coraline if you just follow Tybalt street it will take you right back to Nate's.  He has actual dressing rooms for guests to use and more dresses than any one person should have.  I will meet you there."  She turned to Kylen   "Ready. set. Go!"  She shouted and was off like a shot.  Her large skirts seamed to not hamper her movements in the slightest but they did part crowds quite nicely.

[Kylen Phylar]

Kylen was on her heels, taking to the rooftops to avoid the crowds, moving quickly over buildings. All those years of jumping between craft had made him very agile, as people marveled at him leaping across rooftops and using flag beams to get across larger gaps.

(Think free running)

[Stella Gaslight]

Addy saw the shadow following her and picked up the pace galloping more than running now. They were getting closer, she could see the flags and banners flying from Nate's roof top. At first it looked like Addy was going to win but then Kylen leaped ahead.  Addy pushed even harder to catch up skirts rustling like a tree in a windstorm.  Together they reached for the golden lion that sat beside the front steps and crashed in to each other.  They fell in a tangle of limbs and petticoats. Addy was silent at first sprawled at the bottom of the heap but then she started to laugh.

[Kylen Phylar]

Kylen chuckled as well, grinning slightly as he got off her in the most gentlemanly way he knew how: quickly. "Looks like it's a tie." He said, making sure to touch the lion at the same time as she, in case she tried that old joke. "You know, we still make a great team. Remind me why I let you go?"

[Stella Gaslight]

Kylen helped Addy to her feet but didn't quite let go of her hand. They were very close to one another.  There was a fondness in her face that caught him off guard and made his chest ache. "I had to fly on my own someday.  You know I wasn't going to let the Look Out Below sit in dock forever. Father always wanted to see her become the queen of the skies.  I want his dream to come true."  There was a slight blush coloring her cheeks as she pulled away.  "Come on, I need to tidy up even more after that tumble in the dirt." She let her hand linger in his until the last possible moment.

[Kylen Phylar]

He looked listfully, pouting almost. "I miss you." He said, just loud enough for her to hear. "I miss you so much..." he admitted, letting her go. "Maybe...maybe after your dad is free..."

[Stella Gaslight]

She smiled. "We can take all the time we need after that."  Addy left him at the bottom of the stairs.  Nate had kept a bedroom for her ever since her mother died.  A dress was siting out for her on the opulent bed.  It was the most beautiful shade of blue almost like spring mornings and summer twilight.  Nate had really outdone himself this time.  As Addy washed her face and combed out her messy braid she tried to focus on the task set out ahead of her but her mind kept going back to how Kylen looked at her. She hoped she could get this distraction out of her system before the prison brake.

[vermillion]

Vel laughed as the two bolted out the door, they reminded her of when she and Bran were together.. it was sweet, but there was a bitter taste in her mouth.

She took her time on her way to Tybalt, and made a friend in a little girl with a brown mutt on the way.
the two just started walking with her, the little girl didn't say much, but would hide whenever Vel looked at her and then smile and jump around her happily, and then it started all over again.

The pub at the corner was literally just a bar and a few tables, but it was still just as crowded as it should be, Vel stepped in for a quick drink and to listen for anything worthwhile...she ordered a whiskey and stalled herself.

"...Governor Raicielle's marriage......./beautiful girl.../too much security"
she caught someone on about the docks, it was all jumbled together, sadly she only heard bits and pieces, but it still made her smile

"never seen those oriental silk black sails here before .....i hear thats that ship...."
"came in with the dammned silent ship"
"i know the two, but whos the black.../heard its the reaper.../ wheres the other six"
"lots of shipments going to both ships"
"i know that ship, it's been missing...."

It was time for Vel to migrate.
And Nate, Addy, and Kylen will be waiting for her.
And by the time she had got there, the four had most likely just sat down.

"my apologies, madam and sirs it seems i have enjoyed my walk over a little too much" she excused herself to the WC to fluff her skirts and wash up before coming back out.

[Stella Gaslight]

When she had descended the staircase it was like everything stopped just like Addy had been secretly hoping.  She had taken her hair out of it's normal braid and put half of it up letting the rest fall in spiraling tendrils.  Kylen had cleaned up nicely himself and Addy positively beamed as he took her hand leading the way to the formal dining room.

Addy was grateful for Val's arrival.  Nate's eyes had the sparkle that lead to ceaseless teasing in them.  "I think that the placement and alteration of my new weponry shouldn't take more than two days, hopefully I can find Etta in the morning and get some of her toys to arm ourselves with."

Nate smiled. "I sent some presents down to your ships and I am hoping you will be willing to install the newest iterations of the ghost raideo and the pulse mapper but I warn you neither has been fully tested."

"You want us to be your guinea pigs again?" Nate gave her pleading puppy dog eyes.  "Just be sure if they fail it isn't as spectacular all right."  He nodded enthusiastically and Addy sighed.  Well if they worked that would be welcomed additions to the ship if they didn't hopefully they wouldn't take a chunk of the ship with them when they went.

[Kylen Phylar]

((Thank you for posting for me Stella! I just found out today that the forums is back!)

Kylen smiled, nodding his head at Nate. "Of course I'll test them out." he said, gently holding Addy's hand. "And welcome back Miss. I believe it is time for us to get to dinner." he mentioned, smiling warmly at his friends.

(Ahhh..feels good to be home ^_^)

[Stella Gaslight]

Dinner was full of planing and laughter.  Nate took special pleasure in telling Val all sorts of embarrassing stories from Addy's childhood.  It was well into the evening before the meal was over and they made there way back to the docks.  Tomas was tinkering with what looked like a ball of gramophone horns rotating on a spindle. Addy guessed it must be the new pulse mapper.  If Nate had finally managed to get the bugs out of it it could use sound waves to find ships before they even came in to sight but last time it just emitted a high pitched whine that made her teeth rattle in her head before overheating and burning a large hole in the deck.  Toby clicked happily as Kylen came in to view, chess set clutched in his arms.

[Kylen Phylar]

Kylen waved, smiling. "<Not today, Toby. Maybe early tomorrow.>" he clicked back, still holding Addy's hand as they walked.

[Stella Gaslight]

They sat tougher on the window seat looking out on the dark ocean they would have to cross to bring her father home.  Addy felt strangely shy in front of her former Captain, all the things she wanted to say kept tripping over themselves leaving her tongue-tied.  "I am glad you came back."  She managed after several attempts.

[Kylen Phylar]

"Should have called me, Addy." he said, pulling her in a bit closer. "You know I would have helped you at the drop of a pin." he told her. smiling warmly.

[vermillion]

vel bowed her goodnights "I sleep more peacefully in the air my friends... I shall return in the morning. thank you both for such a wonderful meal"

she waved and made her way up the ramp to the orfiel, after the most enjoyable meal she just had...
she was happy to have good people around her again... they may not be as close as she and her others were... but she could sense they had good hearts. she was glad to have run into them.

Nall and wolf both greeted her "there are boxes here for us... note says you'd know what to do with them."

"I do.. open them, you'll know exactly where to put those, we'll land early to get them installed...Nall, get someone to clean the steam cannon, I want it uploading faster than normal... clean the boilers, prepare for take off..." she grabbed wolf by the shoulder "I want to get a closer look at this floating city I'm hearing about.. plus... we're being watched, someone recognized the ship...lets want to find out what other ships are in the skies tonight... we have a long week ahead of us... would be a shame to get caught now...take over the ship wolf, do not disturb me...and lets run as silent as we can."
she handed wolf what she had bought at the apothecary, and she stared off to her newly repaired captains quarters with a few of nates boxes.

with a few shouts, the ship was alive with action again.... time for a few hours of sleep, she dreamt of auberon and her Bran... and how she missed them both.....

[Stella Gaslight]

Getting the first words out unleashed a torrent.  "I can't keep running to you  no matter how much I want too.  I was hoping if something happened to me I could have you care for my crew.  I didn't want to draw you in."  She yawned deeply resting her head on his shoulder, tired from the long days of hard work.  "You know if you were anyone else Cordila would have been in here ages ago. "  Addy mumbled falling asleep on Kylen's shoulder.

[Kylen Phylar]

Kylen smiled, nuzzling the top of her head as he picked her up and carried her into her room and to her bed, laying her down, covering her with the blanket. Stretching, and being the gentleman, he took his leave to the deck, stretching out under the stars, soon falling asleep.

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

The scene was a room; four hundred metres below the ground. The cast, thirteen men and women. One of whom sat in a pool of darkness, having seen quite enough of the light.

"Our spies have submitted a report, sir. Piracy is increasing on the trade routes over Europe. London and Madrid are taking steps, but Paris remains unguarded. Indeed, the French almost seem to welcome the pirates.", spoke one of the men, in a slight Russian accent.

"What can be done?" - This from one of the ladies

"Blockade the ports, stop and search all suspect air traffic around Paris and throughout France. Enforce the death sentence where necessary. Would you agree sir?"

"Make it so." Rasped a voice, from the darkened chair. The Fleet was going to war.