|
Post by Oliver on Dec 26, 2011 3:51:08 GMT -5
As the Black Jack come over the peaks of the Aerbs mountains, the great expanse of the the Daines-Norse Basin came into full view. Though the mist has long since sank into a shallow and sparse fog, it still lingered heavy against the lowest parts of the basin. There, in the distance, was the silhouette of the Burmecia rose from the ground like the ancient bones of a long lost civilization. Near, to the west, was the husk of the great tree Cleyra. The sand storm was in full effect, which isolated it from the taint of the area around it. Minaret like structures rose out from the tops of the sandstorm, antenna, many dozens with faint blinking lights. The visible parts of a research station, monitoring the blight that is slowly consuming this forgotten region. The com on the Black Jack comes alive, a beacon, constant broadcast overriding many normal frequencies. It was a warning from a beacon. ”This is an automated broadcast from the International Scientific Research Administration, Cleyra Station. You are entering the Daines-Norse Basin. This region is a level 4 Zone of Alienation. Any aircraft are ordered to turn about and reroute around Burmecia. Any vessel caught within the Zone will be subject to search and seized and her crew detained for decontamination under article 153.b of the ISRA code of Health and Safety. Please contact Cleyra station at 156.800 MHz for further information. Message Repeats… Oliver was leaning up against the bulkhead of the back of the bridge, listening to the broadcast, his eyes transfixed on his ancestral home in the distance. He makes a comment about his father being somewhere here and again, how completely asinine it is for them to be coming here. Another channel blares on the radio, some sort of countdown. It’s innocent yet unsettling, only a few minutes remaining. And, as the Black Jack gets closer towards Burmecia, they may begin to notice something strange down below. A distinct line cut across the earth, on one side is a normal healthy look plain with grass and some spares trees, of normal color. Still wet from a recent rain. Then, like a fault, a sickly soil it runs into. The ground is a dull lavender hue, even the mist past this line is of the same ill color. Creep, as it's affectionately called, a by product of the blight and pestilence left behind by Loci. Plant life past this point appears twisted and sick, a mockery of their healthier and normal counterparts. Trees are twisted, taking on a variety of unusual colors in their bark, but remain barren and seemingly lifeless. The countdown is nearing its end over the radio. A few seconds more remain. Just then, the sky and air inside the Zone takes on unusual properties. Shades of green, red and pink flare up from deep within the heart of Burmecia. Turbulence kicks in, throwing the Black Jack ajar as lighting and strange mist plumes suddenly choke the sky. The radio broadcast changes. ”Attention, attention! Emission event in progress! Seek shelter immediately. Attention, attention! Emission Event in progress! Seek shelter immediately-“ The sky grows ever more dreadful, the air more turbulent. Soon a bright red flash envelopes the bridge and the Black Jack goes down as those aboard black out. When they all regain consciousness, they had landed – in a manner of speaking. The nose of the Black Jack is buried several feet deep into the tainted soil some distance outside the city of Burmecia. The sort, muddy soil absorbed much of the impact, the vessel would just need to be dug out and checked for any structural damage. However, the now thick soup of dull lavender mist has enveloped the entire region. Visual distance is only several meters ahead and, it would appear, that whatever the mist is it can safely be assumed that it is extremely unhealthy to breath. Attempt to radio for help are hindered by a constant thumping sound, like a woodpecker, drowning out any voice or sound over the com-systems. You are trapped, within the Zone, for now.
|
|
|
Post by Iole on Dec 26, 2011 4:16:35 GMT -5
::Iole coughed as she got to her feet::
Everyone alright?
::Gwen placed a hand over her head::
Gwen: I've certainly been better.
::After the others gathered their footing, Kerion, Anya, and the rest of the crew began to assess their present situation::
Anya: Not good. Looks like we'll need to jump-start the whole system before we can take off again.
::Iole thought for a moment, remembering their purpose for coming here::
Jas, you're the most senior, and arguably the most powerful here. And Kerion, you have the sharpest eyes for predators. I think you two should take Ren in. The rest of us can set up camp here and guard the ship until you get back. Hopefully we'll be ready to take off by then. Gwen, can you place a barrier over this place?
Gwen: Shouldn't be too hard.
Good. I'm going to have a look around, see if I can get some bearings.
::She marched past the others with Gwen's eyes at her back, a glimmer of curiosity in them::
Gwen: When did she start giving so many orders?
|
|
|
Post by Oliver on Dec 26, 2011 4:22:10 GMT -5
"Ye 'ave no idea, Gwen." Oliver coyly remarked as he gathered himself. No worse for wear, though perhaps slightly disheveled. He walked towards the front of the bridge, sizing up the situation. Yes, they were buried in a bit, but it appeared to be mostly loose mud and dirt. What had him worried, was not the crash landing but what caused it and this new, and suddenly choking mist that had surrounded them.
"We don't 'appen to 'ave any masks or t'e 'ike. I 'ave a distinct feel'in we s'ouldn't be breat'in t'is stuff in too much." He concernedly remarked as he turned back around.
|
|
|
Post by Guinevere on Dec 26, 2011 4:31:20 GMT -5
::Gwen covered her mouth with her sleeve and drew out the black folding fan she had carried at the ball in Doma. She waved it pointedly until a small gust rose, blowing through her hair and her skirt to show there was more at work than a simple fan. It continued to circulate through the crash site::
That should filter the air in our immediate area. Jas and Kerion I suggest you do something to protekt yourselves and Ren in a similar manner. Kan't have anything happen to the lad now kan we? Ollie, why don't you and Stefan get with Iole and see what you kan do about unearthing our vessel. I'll see about fixing us all something to eat. The equipment in the kitchen should still be operational.
|
|
|
Post by Kerion on Dec 26, 2011 12:47:01 GMT -5
Gwen: That should filter the air in our immediate area. Jas and Kerion I suggest you do something to protekt yourselves and Ren in a similar manner. Kan't have anything happen to the lad now kan we? Ollie, why don't you and Stefan get with Iole and see what you kan do about unearthing our vessel. I'll see about fixing us all something to eat. The equipment in the kitchen should still be operational.
::They nod::
Joshua: I'll go with you Gwen, it's my job to be the cook.
Jas: I can cast barriers, but it won't do a thing about the air.
"Jas, Ren. Meet me at the exit hatch. I need to get a few things."
::Kerion walked away and down the hall, stopping at one door. Seeing as the control panel still wasn't responding, he pushes the door open, revealing the Black Jack's armory. Many different weapons lined the wall, ones encased in glass as trophies from past bounties. He gets to where he keeps the ammo and pulls out special ones.::
"Pure silver, hope it works on what's out there."
::He replaces the clips he had with the silver ones, grabbing a pair of blade attachments, holy runes engraved on the steel. The last thing he grabbed were three air filters for him, Jas & Ren and met them there. The filters covered the mouth, but still allowed for normal speaking, but it lacked eye guards.::
"Put these on, and under no circumstances are they to be removed."
|
|
|
Post by Iole on Dec 26, 2011 15:02:43 GMT -5
::As the three prepared to leave, Iole gave them an encouraging thumbs up::
Good luck in there. Don't worry Ren, you're in good hands. The Cyclops has the sharpest eyes of any of us. And the Old Man has never let us down.
|
|
|
Post by Guinevere on Dec 26, 2011 15:03:46 GMT -5
::Gwen waved teasingly to Kerion who cast his good eye longingly at his ship, then with worry at the ones who would be occupying it without him there::
Don't worry. I'll make sure the kids behave themselves until you get home. Now kome Joshua. I'd like to have something prepared before the sun sets.
::She looked up at the sky where the sun was impossible to see through the thick haze::
If it hasn't already.
|
|
|
Post by Iole on Dec 26, 2011 15:32:04 GMT -5
::A hill of loose mud and dirt covered that Black Jack's bow was becoming easy work for the crew that had been assigned to it. As Oliver began digging, he nearly lost his footing as the ground next to him rose up. Something white and furry knocked him flat onto his back as it burst from under the dirt. The giant wolf shook the dirt from its fur and looked at him with its great blue eyes. As it shrunk back into Iole she laughed::
Sorry Ollie. This should be easy though. We'll have her back off the ground in no time. And you say I can't handle an airship.
|
|
|
Post by Jas on Dec 27, 2011 0:51:58 GMT -5
::In the city::
"I never thought this city could get any creepier."
::Jas had casted barrier, protecting them from the toxic effects of the mist both surrounding and infiltrating the city, but the filter masks were still needed because the barrier allowed air to come through. Jas was at the ready, his sword drawn and in its Omni form. Kerion was also at the ready, one of his hand guns drawn, loaded with silver bullets.::
Kerion: I thought this place was suppose to be abandoned. Why am I sensing murderous intent all around us?
"Must be the residual essence of hatred left by those that died here. Sometimes hatred can be strong enough to live on even after the person has passed away. Those that lived here must of really loathed any and all living beings, including themselves. and who knows how that hatred could manifest."
|
|
|
Post by Renilius Blacklips on Dec 27, 2011 4:12:03 GMT -5
Ren came up from behind Kerion and shook him on his shoulders. He had the widest smile out of all of them though his busted lip from the crash hurt so bad. "Let's try to be cheerful around here," his muffled voice came from behind the mask. "This is just an abandoned place so NO ONE is around here. Really? How bad could things get... well, besides your ship crashing. I'm sorry about that."
|
|
|
Post by Kerion on Dec 27, 2011 15:39:22 GMT -5
"Don't apologize about the ship, it wasn't you who brought it down. And I also apologize if I don't share your enthusiasm Ren. I heard tales about this place, one time a search team from Alexandria was sent in, only one came back, barely alive and muttering about monsters infesting the ruins. He died a day later of a heart attack, and he was in perfect health."
Jas: Ren, this place was also Loci's base. I known him the longest out of all of us on the Black Jack. He wouldn't leave this place abandoned. And whatever he left behind, it's sure to be as twisted as he was.
|
|
|
Post by Situation on Dec 27, 2011 18:01:39 GMT -5
Indeed, things could get worse.
The city itself, with its cold stone archways and empty, sad homes and desolate streets. A snap shot of life after people have gone. Dead little weeds spring up from between the rocky paths. Old and rotting carts and stands litter the streets along with ancient, rusting weapons. And, like a tomb, long dead bodies of Burmecian soldiers and countless other armies can be found in all corners of the blighted city. The mist is lingering heavy here as well, as it were in the countryside, and leaving a strange itching upon your skin. Nearby, shadows dart across the side streets, their illuminated eyes staring for a moment before they scurry on.
Periodically the trio would come across a type of sensor set up inside the city. There we others like it scattered across the countryside as well. Comprised of numerous little monitors and sensors, and a top each is what appears to be a small camera. You would get the distinct impression that there is someone on the other side watching you through it. What would be more unsettling is that every so often, you find one of these sensor stations completely shredded and destroyed. There is even evidence that people have recently been through here, bullet casings litter the ground around these stations and few discarded advanced firearms.
Through the mist, echoing off the stone walls and hollow alleys comes the distinct sound of laughter, giggling, childish laughter accompanied with tiny footsteps upon stone and puddles. The sound appears to be coming from the north-east, down a deserted street lined with crumbling homes and long abandoned businesses.
|
|
|
Post by Jas on Dec 28, 2011 15:11:49 GMT -5
::Upon seeing the sensors and the resent weapons dropped.::
Kerion: Still think this place is abandoned Ren? But who would want to actually examine this place?
"Must be something Loci left behind, to see how efficient whatever is here is when he comes back. Be on your guard, we don't know what it looks like. It could look or sound like anything, even a group of innocent children playing."
|
|
|
Post by Renilius Blacklips on Dec 31, 2011 4:48:30 GMT -5
"Okay," said Ren. "Say this place is not abandoned, why would anyone want to set up surveillance around here? I mean it is a dead city. If they didn't want anyone entering wouldn't the people skilled enough to make this technology be able in creating a impenetrable barrier."
Ren's face perked up from looking at the barren ground they stepped on. "Or, there could've been field in this area that disabled your ship! Like a defensive reaction from something foreign entering the city."
|
|
|
Post by Kerion on Dec 31, 2011 16:26:52 GMT -5
"That actually sounds plausible Ren. Let me check something." ::Checks his PHS, only to hear static:: "Field also knocked out anything electronic, not just the engines." ::Pockets it::
|
|
|
Post by Renilius Blacklips on Dec 31, 2011 22:26:29 GMT -5
"What do you say we come go back to Oliver and the others in a few hours?" said Ren to the two who were walking just ahead of him. He had no idea where to meet the stranger giving him his pay. He looked around for any inhabitable infrastructure around them but all he saw were the grey ruins and the thin unceasing dust limiting their vision of the horizon.
|
|
|
Post by Jas on Jan 2, 2012 15:56:43 GMT -5
"That might be a good idea. Hopefully they got the ship dug out and back online. I don't want to spend a night here staying wide awake."
::The sound of parts of a building crumbling caused them to turn to the source, seeing nothing::
"Guess we're all feeling abit jumpy."
|
|
|
Post by Situation on Jan 23, 2012 17:53:30 GMT -5
Clicking, clicking everywhere, all around. The rhythmic clicking of claws or water, it drummed with a steady beat. A cadence with each of their steps, following close. Above, behind and before the three it followed. Shuffling shadows grow closer, encircling. The fog moves with malcontent, chocking their vision like a vice as the air grew deathly still and cold. Then, suddenly an army of shining eyes explode around them. A dozen eyes encircled them, tiny little eyes, and when the mist gave way there stood a dozen little Burmecian children, wearing ancient rags from an era long since passed. Their little faces held few features: no mouths or distinguishing features to tell one from the other. Just dark sockets with little glowing orbs sunken back in their heads.
The gang of ghastly children stared back at the trio for several long minutes, then they vanished in the mist with no left trace behind. The mist then lift, just enough to give a clearer picture of the streets around them. Littered and desolate, a state of decay like bones left in a centuries old tomb. But what stood out were the blurry orbs, fluttering with faint little sparks that littered the entire area. The air, the ground and everything in between was a minefield of these strange phenomenon. At Ren's feet was a metal sign that had been knocked over.
Warning! Anomalies type 1-3. Proceed with Caution - ISRA
The way back was now blocked by one of these large anomalies, the only way out was carefully forward unless one is willing to risk tempting fate with whatever these anomalies are.
((Game: Posts must contain even number of words or you will run into a anomaly.))
|
|
|
Post by Kerion on Jan 24, 2012 13:42:58 GMT -5
"Alright, this is starting to freak me out."
Jas: Let's see if we can't find a way around.
"Don't you have wings Jas? Fly to the others and get help."
::Jas tries to summon his wings, but something is preventing him from doing so::
Jas: I can't for some reason. Something here is blocking me from doing so.
"Just terrific." ::Checks his PHS:: "Communication is still down."
|
|
|
Post by Renilius Blacklips on Jan 24, 2012 15:48:16 GMT -5
"Anomalies?" shouted Ren as he looked at the metal sign. He felt his hands tremble out of the ghastly figures they had just witnessed and how disabled their way of communicating was. He tried to keep a stern face but his eyes could not stop staring at the warning. "Proceed with caution, it says. Can't we just retreat with caution?"
Ren looked around the area, trying to spot anyone observing them. He specifically aimed to at least spot one of the burmecian children. Not liking young kids that much, he wanted to catch one and give that child a good slap on the head for pulling such stupid pranks. An idea came up in his mind as he looked up to the forbidding dusty dim sky above them.
"Hey, Kerion. You think some good ol' gun of yours could serve as a flare or anything that makes a catchy explosion? They might see it from here. I mean, we haven't gone a far way off, right?"
|
|