Fight For The Skies [Game Thread]

[Stella Gaslight]

(Well if I can pull off two people in the Steam London thread I don't see any reason why I can't here)
As soon as she heard the captain's cries Sarah was off like a shot up from the belly of the ship leaving Mac to get therm out of there and ensure that the dead heaped on deck would be the last to try that stunt. When she saw Shreds limp in Burnside's arms Sarah went went a bit pale herself and then set her jaw in a determined line and got to work.

Shreds had taken two shots to the arm, one was a graze that looked worse than it was the other was dangerously close to hitting an artery.  The graze was easily glued back in to place but the deeper wound required several tense minutes to remove the bullet, ease the bleeding, clean the wound, close the hole and re bandage it.  Thankfully Shreds was still out cold through the entire painful process. Sarah had seen this happen a few times before and if they weren't careful they could loose her.  "Get her legs and arm up. I think she is in shock."  Sarah ran to get a salt and soda mixture tougher for Shreds to drink as soon has she regained consciousness.  She leaned in close to Shreds' ear. "I know it hurts but you have to wake up.  You still have to show me how to tame that finger eating beast, remember?"

[ShredsnPatches]

"Nnnngh... YAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!"

Shreds screamed loudly, only to cough as the foul mixture was forced down her throat. Startled, she gulped and swallowed it, and screamed again. After a while, her screams died down into hysterical sobbing.

She didn't know how long it took, but eventually she began to regain awareness of her surroundings, and that a worried looking Captain Burnside and Sarah were hovering over her.

[Stella Gaslight]

Sarah broke out in to a grin. "Damn girl you gave us all quite a scare."  Shreds winced in pain at the brightness of daylight.  "Here try sucking on this for a while."  She handed Shreds a light amber disk after the nastiness of the salt and soda she was reluctant to give it a try.  "It is a painkiller suspended in honey candy.  I don't think you can handle pills yet."

[ShredsnPatches]

Shreds took the painkillers, trying to drag herself into a sitting position with her good arm - Thank God they got my left arm and not my right!

"Sarah? How bad is it?"

[Stella Gaslight]

"Not as bad as I am sure it feels at the moment." She helped ease Shreds up in to resting her back on the rail. "You are a very lucky girl, neither shot caused too much damage it was mainly shock combined with blood loss that knocked you down. Take it easy for the next day or two, if the stitches hold and it stays clean you should be back to almost your old self in a week maybe two. The bandage will have to stay on for at least another week after that. I don't want to risk an infection this far from a proper hospital but I think you are going to heal just fine.  It will leave some scars but they are a small price to pay for still being able to use your arm."

[ShredsnPatches]

Shreds had to smile at that. The pain in her arm was subsiding to a dull, persistent throb, allowing her to notice for the first time the state of the deck, and the stench from the now-sticky filth that besmirched the Reckless Abandon.

Hysterics took over.

"What now, Captain?" she giggled.

[vermillion]

After preparing the crew for docking, Vel walked around the lower deck, with the engines and the boilers...she hated the idea of going ashore right now, but she made a promise...
the boilers were warm, but the engines were like hell and she enjoyed it down there, not many people liked that room save for her and her engineers. but she had a secret room right below, it was small, only room for one or two people, but there she kept her past.
she was never afraid of this room being damaged in fights or even found if they were boarded.
Vel pushed open the door, and started opening the few trunks, knocking various items over until she pulled out a final trunk, taking out various pieces of clothing.

she came out of the small room changed into a whole wench's outfit, she twirled around once for effect, and had Nall - one half of the boiler/engineer crew - give her a whistle and a laugh.

"Nall.. I'll kill you." she said
"jus sayin 'encia... havent seen you wear somethin nice since Bran came on board'

"back to work, we're docking"

She went upstairs to the wait for Addy...

The city looked welcoming enough, docking was smoother than she imagined it would be....

now she just hoped "Nate" would be as helpful as she'd been told.

[Stella Gaslight]

Addy was excited she loved coming to see Nate and if she thought it wouldn't bring trouble down on all their heads she would have loved to live there. She checked the flag hanging above the door leading up into the city.  It was blue, Nate was home.  She called out to the hanger crew . "Tell Nate Red is looking for him and if he tries to skip out again I am going to start using his city for target practice."  They all laughed.  The running joke was that Nate underpaid her on purpose to make sure she kept coming back to be his dress up doll. 

As soon as the ship docked she went over to The Orfiel to collect the nicely dressed Miss Coraline. They wandered their way through back allies and narrow streets that crawled in a haphazard fashion to no place in particular.  Nate's house was in the center of it all covered with banners and carvings picked out in gold and brightly colored paint.  It looked like someone had taken a decades worth if carnival floats and mashed them in to one building.
Addy turned to Val looking like she was in on some private joke. "Nate is very odd but don't let him bother you.  His bark is far worse than his bite."  She pulled on a cord that set off a series of bells playing a jaunty tune.

Addy stepped back just as the door was flung open by a man that looked like he had escaped from the set of Peter Pan.  He was tall with a long curly black wig, red velvet coat with shiny gold buttons and far too much makeup.  He took one look at Addy and broke out in to a large grin. "Oh my dear sweet Adelaide you have come home and brought me such a tasty looking morsel."

Addy smiled and shook her head. "This is Coraline. She isn't here for you and I thought we talked about proper names last time Nathan."

Nate theatrically put a hand over his heart. "Oh dear Addy you wound me so."

She laughed "All right you ham, lets get down to business.  I need overhauls on both the ships I brought with me. I finally have help to bust father out."

Nate nodded.  "It is about time you set that fool brother of mine free.  So what did you bring me this time?"  He sounded like a child on Christmas.

"Two bolts of silk from Yue, your forty pound bead order from Sachen, a complete color sample pack of those aniline dyes you have been fussing about and something special I picked up last time I was in Hong Kong." 

"Oh that sounds simply marvelous.  You must stay for tea than the we can discus some lovely new frocks for you and your little friend.  Then I have all sorts of new goodies to shine your ship up with."  He swep his arm out in a grand gesture of welcome.

[vermillion]

Vel stayed silent for the introductions, as she was always accustomed to. Shame going back to old habits on land... but it's worked somehow for the past 6 years.. why stop?

She didnt feel like there was very much of a threat here, but before heading in she habitually looked behind her and in the distance between buildings... just in case.... she gave a smile and a nod to Nate and headed inside.

she tried to give her best cabin wench "my captains ship is also in need of a good woodworker and smithy... we've taken on some damage on the captains quarters" 
He seemed reliable enough and she would love to take a look around his 'shop' after this meeting was finished... maybe arrange a few trades.

she waited for Nate to close the doors and for Addy to sit before doing the same... in closed quarters though she couldnt keep her wench-y demeanor very well.

"....on to more pressing and important matters, captain and sir.... our plan.. and our ships. what will be done with them both?" she could feel herself getting a look from all present, but she didnt care right now.

"for one, my crew, and ship can used as a strike to draw the attention away from where you and i need to be captain.... they can be silent if needed...but i dont think it would help very much...toys and weaponry...i have enough shrapnal-bombs and steamguns to hold off any interference from the outside, getting inside is one thing, i can have a few of my men captured early......" she trailed off as she thought for a minute in a sort of half-thinking half talking to herself manor....
 "better yet.... ....we'd only have.....very few hands inside....would they agree to it....why didnt i think of it before."

she stopped herself from going on...

"my apologies. ....i would like to hear your own plans as to getting him out of his holdings before i give you an even better idea" 

[Stella Gaslight]

Addy took a bite of scone and a long drink from her teacup "It is quite all right Coraline.  I think it is going to take all of our best ideas to pull this off."  She didn't particularly want to tell Val that his would be her forth attempt and the last three failures had been rather spectacular. "If my luck is holding I should be able to get a message in to the doctor in charge if the hospital block and get him to transfer my father back to the general population.  We can strike as they move him when the guard is at it's most vulnerable and if you have people inside we can use that to spread the guards even thiner. The prison population will take care of the rest, all it needs is a weakness exposed and they will latch on like a rabid dog. The problem with them will be keeping the get away ship secure they won't hesitate a takeover if they think they can get away with it."

Nate gave her a rather smug look over his teacup. "Leave that to me Addy dear I have just hired on a rather good weapons designer and I think he would enjoy the challenge.  But that can't be the only problem or you would have had him back years ago." 

Damn Nate, he was far to perceptive.  Oh well she would just have to hope Val was made of sterner stuff than the others she had asked for aid.  "Your right the problem isn't really getting him out as it is getting us in and back without being shot to pieces.  He is being held in the heart of the First fleet's Atlantic division."   She watched Val carefully trying to gauge her response.

[ShredsnPatches]

Shreds grimaced as she shuffled down to the crew's sleeping quarters. Her mood was foul, both from the pain in her arm and the frustration that she could do nothing productive until it healed. As she reached the sleeping quarters, she spotted one of Mac's cheaper bottles of whiskey, wrestled the cork out of it and downed a third of the bottle. Replacing the cork, she lay down on her bunk and fell asleep.

[Kylen Phylar]

A bit above the commotion, a lone carrier class airship, of a different design then most blimp based, sat, watching the turmoil.

"Those bloody First. If I wasn't trying to keep a low profile, I'd be helping out." the captain, one Kylen "The Wolf" Phylar muttered, putting away his viewfinder.

[vermillion]

Vel sipped her cup.
"when do you think we'll be able to start....i dont want my men being caught and held there longer than necessary, i will need them up until at most a half a day..... the only things i would ask for right now, is a weapon small enough for a guard to look over, if you have one.. and if we have one a map of both the hospital and the general prison.....if we have one of course."

she didnt like the first fleet as much as anyone else... but she did admire the amount of security they could put up when needed.
she paused and stared at the ceiling.

"alright...say we GET the approval for the transfer,  wont they question as to WHO is asking for the transfer and be suspicious as to why the change...?
is the doctor at the hospital on our side?
even if he's not...would it be possible to get someone to work with him, lets say for a week or two...and THEN move in?
obviously, you and i cannot, but there are quite a few hands on my ship with a medical past who don't have the look of pirate.

it would be beneficial... we would have people in the general prison to keep those guards busy...AND in the moving caravan, to
keep an eye on the transport guards."

[Stella Gaslight]

"We can start as soon as the ships are properly prepared and the weather gives us something conductive to sneaking about in.  The quicker the better.  Nate is Etta still around?"  Addy took another scone from the tray and nibbled at it thoughtfully.

Nate rubbed his chin with his thumb pondering. "She was living near the red light district last time I saw her but you know how she likes to wander off for weeks on end and then reappear like no time has passed."

"I will see if I can find her. If there has ever been a more knowledgeable person about hiding weapons in plain sight I have yet to hear of them.  I have a map of the hospital wing I know is correct but the prison itself has just been redone and my inside source hasn't sent me the updated blueprints yet so we may have to go without.  The head of the hospital block himself will arrange for the transfer.   He is a young man named Tristian Eastman and we were married almost two and a half years ago." There was a sharp intake of breath from Nate.

"You did what and didn't even invite me!" He sputtered and Addy smirked.

"It is not entirely what you think.  His mother had set him up with this horrible girl called Doratheia and he couldn't find any way to brake it off without getting cut from the family fortune before he had a chance to finish school.  Well I happened to be in the same pub he was drunkenly bewailing his sorrows in and we came up with a way to get his mother off his back.  I went through a whirlwind courtship and blissful wedding in to a marriage that only exists on paper.  Since I helped him, he agreed to help me and has subtly been setting things up as he has risen up the ranks.  He is the mister E that has been sending me letters about my fathers health."

Nate nodded "I was wondering about that. so what are you going to do about the plants inside?"

Addy bit her knuckle for a moment. "Well I know plenty of prisoners but as for the moving caravan I am rather stumped. Do you have any ideas Coraline?"

[Kylen Phylar]

With a sigh and a wave, the large airship, a different style to that of most of the zeppelin type ones, started toward their temporary home: Nate's. "God...staying low is so boring. If I had known that the transport had the freaking prince on it, I would have brought more men. Maybe I could stir some trouble somewhere else." the captain said out loud, sighing.

[vermillion]

vel stared at her empty cup for a few minutes...

"i uh... i have a few ideas actually...i can get someone inside the hospital wing, maybe two, depends on the situations at hand...but i can guarantee one in the caravan..... i dont know how much i can say one will help... being right now, the one way i am positive we can get into the hospital wing is by being injured while INSIDE the cells.....or have some major health issue.....correct?"

she gave a sigh "I will have to talk to my crew, they will no doubt agree to whatever i say...they have no choice in the matter"

"is there anything else we need to discuss?.. if not i should like to get back to my ship as soon as i can... i'd like to take a quick tour of the island as well, before our plans get underway...visit a few of the shops as well."

[Kylen Phylar]

Soon the large, almost assault-class, airship was moored and hidden, it's captain and his first mate casually strolling through the docks. "Hmm...that looks like Addy's ship. I wonder if she's in to see Nate." He pondered quietly to himself.

(IF someone wishes to play a some what snarky, awesome female first mate, feel free. I don't wanna have to run my entire crew >>)

[Stella Gaslight]

"There are some minor poisons that can mimic influenza for around four hours.  I imagine they would quarantine anyone with the symptoms after that deadly strain that hit the coasts last year."  Nate nodded he had been lucky his own tiny kingdom had been spared that plague.  "Nate I hope you don't mind if we cut this visit short.  Coraline makes excellent points and the sooner I track down Etta the better." Addy set her cup aside and folded her hands in her lap.

"By all means give your charming friend the grand tour and feel free to tell the deck monkeys when you know exactly what kind of firepower would come in handy so we can start those arrangements.  I will be sending someone down to collect my shipments and I expect you for diner at seven pm sharp." Nate gave  Addy a quick squeeze and waved merrily as they walked out the door.

They wandered back down busy streets stopping every so often to look at wears for sale by the side of the road.  As they reached the entrance to the docks Addy broke out in to a grin.  "Thank you for saying yes.  I have asked pirates from nine different countries to help and so far you are the only one that hasn't dropped out as soon as I mentioned where he was being held."

[vermillion]

Vel gave a short laugh, and played with the looking glass she had just picked up
"to be honest, i'm not too keen on going in there. but i hate having debts out on me."
she paused
"I know what it's like having no help... and having someone where you cant reach them
plus" she added quickly "i think it's about time the crew of the orfiel started some trouble again... we've been a ghost ship too long, and i know the men are starting to forget what it means to be pirate....."

She looked up to see her dark ship already being repaired by her own crew, she knew they were quick...when another ship caught her eye.

"Addy....I believe we may have some company...."

[Kylen Phylar]

"Whats this about crews forgetting to be pirates?" A gentle/strong voice said behind them. "Do I see the lovely form of one Addy, captain of a crew of lobster people, and one of the best Pirates I know?" Kylen asked, smiling at them.

[Bellono]

(Hey guys sorry iv been away with the army and on holidays in italy havent been able to get online in a while im back now though!!)

Bellono emerged from his armory and walked in a pleasant mood to the Reckless Abandons canteen and helped himself to a a strong whiskey a drink he'd developed a taste for in Ireland and easier to find then a decent glass of red Italian wine but he preffered the wine when ever it was he could find the stuff!

[ShredsnPatches]

Shreds woke up, groaning in pain. She was hungry, her arm hurt and she had had another nightmare. Rolling off the bunk, she wandered to the canteen to see Bellono sipping whiskey with a huge smile on his face.

To her horror, she noticed fresh blood seeping through the bandage and the remnants of her shirt sleeve. She walked across the room and sat down beside Bellono.

[Stella Gaslight]

"Well if it isn't Capitan Phylar.  It has been ages since that caper in Spain. I thought you were still off playing the terror of the orient.   Have you visited the crew yet?  Toby insists you still owe him a chess match. He says the last one doesn't count because the fight with the port guard cut it short." She looked over at Val and shook her head.  "I am sorry I don't know where my mind is today.  Coraline this is Capitan Kylen Phylar of the Wolf he helped me get my start as a pirate and Kylen This is Coraline she is going to help me on the job I have been setting up."

[Kylen Phylar]

Kylen bowed, smiling. "Tis a pleasure. I would be off East, but I accidentally attacked a shipping frigate that JUST so happened to have a prince on it." he lamented. "If your going to be in port for a bit, let Toby know I'll gladly give him his game. In fact, seeing as I just got in, I might as well go with you." he said, quite the dashing scoundrel smile on his face. "Now, you give me too much credit. With out your help, that raid in South America wouldn't have gone so well." he commented, turning to Coraline. "You may call me Kylen, But I'm better known as Kylen The Wolf, at least among certain circles. And you know you have my backing any time you need it, Addy."

[Stella Gaslight]

"You seem to have all the luck when it comes to picking targets.  At least couldn't have been has bad as those crazy Cuban mint runners.    I may have to take you up on that offer I have probibly bitten off more than I can chew again."  Addy did a quick check on her own ship. Tomas and his engineering crew were doing minor repairs and recalibrating the galvanism dischargers at their normal blazing speed.  It was always interesting to watch them work.

He laughed "Not as bad as in Russia I hope."

"Goodness I hope not we just barely got out of that intact and then my crew was sick off and on for a month. Damn tainted cargo.  There is no money in this one but I could find some way to pay you back. I know it is a long shot but you haven heard anything from Etta lately have you?" News of Capitan Phylar's visit had been passed around the crew and now happy lobster faces were popping up in portholes, claws waving in welcome.

"Oh Nate wants Coraline and I to come to dinner at seven.  Would you care to join us?"