|
Post by Evangeline on Aug 18, 2011 12:32:24 GMT -5
<<< I'll be heading out of town for the weekend, I'll put up a full post when I'm back >>>
|
|
|
Post by Orca on Aug 18, 2011 15:02:23 GMT -5
((No prob. Have a good trip. ))
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Aug 24, 2011 22:08:24 GMT -5
"And we have to be ready for that as well." Abruzzi sighed. "They'll probably want to talk to everyone who was there that night."
"I hope you're all lawyered up." Janet's face frowned on the screen. "The cynical part of me thinks that there was nothing careless about what they did. They might've been trying to muddy the waters and induce the authorities to go after the nearest available targets, which might be you if they can't get Klascher. Better have your own evidence handy." "Oh, we do, believe me." the Lancair smiled cynically. "Those ****ers weren't going to come in here without us getting every minute of it on video and sending copies of THAT to three or four different places. We're covered as much as we can be."
Janet nodded approvingly. "I knew Otto brought you in for a reason. I hope he's all right, wherever he is. I'm sure he has his reasons for what he did, and they may eventually come to light, but it makes it damned inconvenient for us in the meantime." "I can't blame him, though." Abruzzi chuckled ruefully. "And after all these years, the old man was entitled to say "**** it, I'm outta here!"
The Lightning smirked. "Especially with Constanza moving in. Well, I expect to see her quite soon in the future myself."
"I know you won't take her bird**** either." Abruzzi laughed. "She already got that same message from us."
"Fame is overrated." Uli shrugged, and she nudged Zig's cheek slightly. "You need to get that dressing changed again."
Harriet and Alain glanced back towards the main complex. The Citation X furrowed a brow as he inquired. "And what about Arthur? Should we have left him alone?"
Iris glanced to Birdbrain. "And what's 'Fall getting up to?"
"There had definitely been some history between them." Malcolm replied, "But they weren't assuming anything. It looked like the guy was in the position of an "errand boy" for the boss and not really liking it. But that's just my opinion, of course."
"If things are as unstable as you figure," Jenna broke in, "There's going to be a lot of people left to fend for themselves after the changeover. A lot of people with axes to grind." "Constanza might be tempted to "deal" with such loose ends." Malcolm agreed. "They'll have to find another patron, just to be safe." Josh grimaced. "That guy might just find himself "expendable", then."
"There's a certain freedom that comes with breed obsolesence." Kaycee admitted. "For one thing, no longer being trotted out like livestock on show. My father was born that way, seedcore from selected parents, then prebuilt in a factory creche. His "family" was twenty other babies just like him. He was happy that I wouldn't have to deal with that."
Mitzi's carefully schooled features restrained themselves from grinning. "You're not amused at all, are you? Yes, we're really rude to barge in on you like this, please accept my apologies. " Her tone was quiet and reassuring, and she did not advance, but still stood her ground. Heather maintained her position beside the Schwalbe, projecting an attitude of unruffled calm. Mitchell glanced over to Nevaeh, and taking her cues, adopted a somewhat more guarded attitude. Ellen and Blanche came up to join the toddlers, exuding reassuring WE'RE-HERE vibes. The other children regarded the whole business in a somewhat standoffish manner, except for Zoe, who met the onlookers with unwavering golden eyes. She also cast a strong visual impression, steady but reserved.
Tristane blinked. "Well Sid, you're a sharp one. Yes, she is from UK, a Lightning who came over with her parents as a teenager after they were retired from the RAF. She's a little busy right now, but you'll certainly be seeing her once inside. And speaking of, the doors are open now." She edged out to let Camm pass, and waved a wingtip to the newest arrival and the bachelorette party behind him. "We're open, just keep moving nice and orderly please."
"Glad to see you recognize the value of a good deal." the Bonanza smiled affably. "The other reason is, well... I've been looking to add a little more jet muscle to my roster, especially in light of the current situation in the camp of our main rivals. There's a change in command coming there, if you didn't already catch on. The new boss doesn't care so much for what she sees as "penny-ante" establishments" and might not care if they get cut loose in the shakeout. I'm gonna need some fast movers to scoop up whatever they leave behind."
Joyce and Tracy cackled. They knew what Fogelin meant. "And one of those places owes us some payback for tossing us out like trash. We ain't finished with them by any means. But, first things first. We'll take care of your little itch for you. And bring his radome back to hang on your wall."
|
|
|
Post by arinthian on Aug 31, 2011 23:31:19 GMT -5
( Ok sorry guys, I've been busy and lost track of what was going on )
|
|
|
Post by Orca on Sept 1, 2011 18:59:58 GMT -5
Pienaar gave the barest of smiles. He could easily picture the metaphorical brick wall the Conelrad staff would erect to keep certain interests out of Constanza's sight. Influential as she was, the Canuck was only one person. The retinue of routine visits from facility to facility truly weighed on the manager in question. Everything else - the holier-than-thou attitude, the glib, unflattering comments - was done for show. Often times the best recourse to enduring a conversation with her was for a lower-ranking associate to play a convincing front of deaf, blind, and dumb.
"Though I need not mention this, let us not allow this knowledge to cause us to grow too careless," the Kingcobra advised. "Part of Constanza's skill lies in her ability to never take the same route twice. With these recent instances of the Aerie to draw from, she will likely pursue another tact in dealing with her approach at the Conelrad."
In contrast to the semi-stern atmosphere that was the video conference, Eddie took to his usual post of keeping a light mood. His easy, engaging manner dovetailed nicely to Eisenhof's polite, casual questions, as the visiting off-roaders had continued to remain entertained and relaxed. The Warhawk answered what he could, without deference to the edgier subjects that could give any one of them reason to fret unnecessarily. While by no means a master of discretion, it was already clear he sensed the increased need for keeping certain facts left unspoken, and was making his effort to adhere to that lesson in short order.
Keeping a non-intrusive eye on the nearby scene, Pienaar decided he was glad for it. Following the meet with Wyler there would still be the matter of brokering a short patrol deal to Eisenhof's crew, then addressing the larger Aerie network in time for the Sunday night hours.
*
Birdbrain spared a look the nearest posted clockface. A few hours' time had passed since the hybrid and the Panther had deviated from their group. What either one had been up to in the meantime was anyone's guess. With their wingleader's proven propensity for going aloft at any odd hours, keeping tabs on him would be the smart course of action. Even if he did not approve.
"Perhaps it is time to go round them up," the Tiger declared, his expression betraying some mild discomfort. "Artie, I'm not too worried about. He said he'd rejoin us if anything fishy came his way. Fall, though, there's no telling what caught his eye by now."
Zigzag, while he did not shy away from Uli's concern so boldly as he had before, turned his good eye to look at her, opting for silence to convey his agreement, and rose to his treads without argument. There was some feeling of reluctance to leave this peaceful, quiet park. But in the common interests of finding out where their wayward friends had gotten, he did not mind.
"We'll try the Internet kiosks in the eastern wing first," he suggested. "Knowing Arthur will have wanted to avoid trouble, that's probably where he'll be."
*
"The question is, does he know it? And if so, what's his game?" Anita finished. While there were vague physical details to go on, they had only somewhat-educated guesses of the Hunter's means and motivations. "To go from working for the Aerie to becoming a scout for trafficking cases, two points that are so polar opposite from each other, says there's something more we don't get. If he's no more than a disgraced errand runner Von Klascher or Connie would not bother with his employ, or the other way around. What leverage could there be in play here?"
*
Madison scoffed. "Lucky you." That tells me where some of your wandering-eye tendencies may stem from. Again, the Lynx did not say as much. Her story was one of great reservation, and only known by key individuals of this metroport's staff.
As one of the first-generation Westland Lynxes, she had suffered the same indignity, being used as no more than a marketing tool by the association, but Madison had gotten her own form of revenge by not pursuing an active military career with all due dedication. Only so many of her generation had been consigned to such a fate. Once those that had asserted themselves, the "leftovers" had been free to pursue what lives they could. Her employment to TLM in 2003 had been the end result of that fuss. Two years later, when Augusta came along with their grand designs for the next, merged generation, hers' had been one of several selected profiles that declared her ideal for the job. Apparently, she had had adequate time to recuperate from her previously-instated lifestyle to provide healthy genes in accordance with her obligations to Westland.
Theodore Fallows had been in a similar bind. He had led a decorated life in the Royal Navy since reaching the age of induction. That he was forcibly discharged before retirement age and put out to pasture as genestock did not sit well with him. Initially, that was. When it was suggested that he leave England to rendezvous with Madison at an undisclosed location in North America, he did so only out of a sense of survival. Life without the enjoyed benefits of a registered association was never easy. Despite this common opinion, both helos showed more dedication to their individual lives than this obligation, and their cantankerous personalities did not gel with time.
Marli was, for all of that, an innocent bystander. Long before her daughter's conception, Madison decided whatever child they had was better off with Theo. His conforming attitude and sense of duty to the association would be a suitable role model. She did not see what part she could play. Like usual, he disagreed, thinking in the arena of two parents are always better than one. Having the final say, as the mother in the arrangement, she made use of her authority and left the same day the in-house physicians declared Marli ready to be transitioned to artificial formula.
Theirs was not the only forced marriage to end in dissention. The Super Lynx project had and continued to leave a bad taste in many Lynxes' mouths. From there the overall disdain for the merge of AugustaWestland seemed to permeate all the related breeds of their class.
But now it seems that routine's wearing thin, for HIM, anyway. Madison sulked, momentarily seeking refuge in the white noise of spinning rotors. With the oncoming expo, her mood was continuously on edge, tense, and accounted for much of her sour temper. Only the likes of Gabriel Stearns and Julius Osmond knew these factors. Everyone else saw an ornery, unsociable helo woman with no apparent tolerance for a real life. The more perceptive observer might call that same intolerance was actually fear.
At the end of the day, she did not care for others to know, any more than she did not like to know.
*
Finally certain that she had gotten the point across, Nevaeh gave another contemptuous snort, taking a moment to boast in satisfaction. From there she proceeded to investigate the newcomers with no further reluctance. The unperturbed moods of the surrounding caretakers appeared to fuel her newfound authority. She seemed to take her time in exploring the Schwalbe lady from every angle, sniffing and nudging experimentally without reservation. This up-close investigation of a stranger was not a luxury the Raptor enjoyed during her months of scavenging, and having made clear her opinion of the interruption, she harbored no further feelings of shyness or anxiety.
Ashley Bryce, standing in company with the neighborhood kids, could only look on and laugh softly, almost in disbelief, as the mottled Raptor circled Mitzi several times, inspecting what could reach as if with the attention of a one-person pit crew.
Now, there's a side of that kid no one has seen until now.
Apparently satisfied with her examination, Nevaeh came back to stand beside Mitzi's face, favoring her with one last staredown before breaking the mood with a baffled squeak. The tot then tilted her head to one side, as if to convey, Okay. What do you want?
*
"Thank you, miss." The Hunter proceeded on without another word. He did not need any further permission, and it was an unassuming note to leave the conversation on. Any higher power knew he had other concerns on his mind. Before approaching the indoor bar he gave the central hall a passing once-over, noting its sparse architecture otherwise retrofitted with the flashing light fixtures, techno-electronic music, and large LCD flatscreens favored in the post-2000 era. Several years of slow-motion bar crawls led one to develop the underlying ability to tune out intrusive sights and sounds. Camm took a vacant station at the bar's furthest, least-crowded end, whistling to catch the attention of a wayward forklift server.
Besides one or two rounds, he had no clear goals for the rest of the night. For now, all he intended was to pay his surroundings no attention, and enjoy as long a moment of solitude and distance from his meddled life as he could manage.
*
Or it'll be ours' he'll have instead. Reginald resisted the urge to grimace or sigh, taking a healthy swallow of his drink. Here they were, hardly having begun the first job before they had been given the prospect of a second, riskier endeavor. It spoke to the urgency of what relations were currently like between the rival outfits. The Panther could not help but wonder and doubt what threat this Hunter could possibly represent. "Like the girls say, first things first."
Charles was more forthcoming in his predictions. "We'll get started tomorrow morning. That'll give us a night's sleep to formulate a plan. Once underway we're gonna need to get on his trail and then follow as closely as possible. Shady character like he is won't leave many obvious signs, and can disappear like that if he suspects he's being tailed."
|
|
|
Post by arinthian on Sept 2, 2011 22:06:19 GMT -5
( Ok, now I'm lost, help please )
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Sept 3, 2011 2:55:02 GMT -5
<<< Arinthian, your OC and the others he was talking to were still in the lineup, which is now going inside now that the club has opened. I'll be answering both of you next week after I get some work out of the way >>>
|
|
|
Post by arinthian on Sept 3, 2011 12:32:14 GMT -5
Arin watched the line as it moved up. "First time being at a club, does it cost anything" he asked.
(sorry my posts are so short, I still have a lot to learn )
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Sept 3, 2011 13:47:46 GMT -5
"There's a cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights, since they have bands playing then." Janika answered, "But Sunday nights are free." As the line started to move again, she prompted him. "Go on in."
|
|
|
Post by arinthian on Sept 4, 2011 11:17:41 GMT -5
Awesome, after this I'll have to ask you to show me around Janika" Arin said and rolled forward until he was inside.
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Sept 6, 2011 18:15:05 GMT -5
Inside, the Conelrad Club was an interesting mashup of "fallout shelter chic" and modern techno/house decor, and the DJ was just starting to get warmed up. The forklifts at the bar were getting busy with drinks and the servers and security were in their places. It was apparent to anyone that Janet Wyler ran a tight ship here. Despite the noise and glitter, everything was clean and the staff were on the ball, despite it being a Sunday night, which was generally quieter than Friday and Saturday.
Tristane went back outside to check out further entries, and the new arrivals got the lay of the place.
Janika was a little torn between staying with her group and continuing to chat with Arin. "I'll be back in a while, OK?"
In the meantime, a few others were noting Arin's presence, and taking interest.
The bartender smiled pleasantly as the Hunter drew up. "Can I get you something, sir?"
Iris was ready to move. "OK, sounds like a plan." The others also picked themselves up from the grass.
"Believe me, we're watching." the Lightning replied. "If they do show up, we don't have many other options than to let them in and "polite" them to death, but we will be showing them our vigilance as well."
"You'll need that." Abruzzi chuckled. "And a lot of luck too." He cocked his head as the sound of several piston engines came into hearing from outside. He recognized them. "Damn, I was hoping Mom and the bros wouldn't have to come so soon. Can one of you go meet them?" He was hoping Eddie would. All of the Abruzzis knew him well.
"Something deep, I'd wager." Malcolm pursed his mouth. "And it would have to be something big."
"Did you say he had an old wound?" Jenna asked.
"Yeah, disfigured." Josh nodded. "But I'd think it would take more than a mere threat of violence."
The teens were quieter now, but listening. Todd and the Lycoming sibs were talking quietly among themselves, and the local kids were putting a word in here and there.
"Yeah, lucky me." Kaycee laughed drily. "I've already had one get away on me this week. I think she's got eyes for that Thud, though he won't admit it yet, not the open type as I can see. But I can see someone else looking at her with that gleam in his eye. Gossip says he's got a thing for mil-type girls."
<<< Poor Madison>>>
Mitchell followed Nevaeh's lead in sniffing around the newcomers, looking up at them with bright blue eyes that contrasted with his black coat, like sapphires amidst coal dust. He finally chirruped at Heather and Mitzi, inquiringly.
On multitudes of TV screens a live feed was going out across the country as the feisty toddler made her first impression on millions who were wondering what all the fuss was about.
Zoe leaned over to Ashley and the others. "It's only just starting."
Fogelin arched a brow. "I'd say you've already had a bit of experience in this game, am I right?"
"Yeah, we've done some head-bustin' when it was needed." Joyce responded with a feral grin. "We were with Big Tony's mob for a bit, until they had a falling-out at the top. Then we went further west and wound up at TLM."
"I see." the Bonanza took it in. "I remember Big Tony. He's doing some hard time now, because he never knew when to keep his mouth shut. But you kept yourselves clear of it, which is good for you."
|
|
|
Post by arinthian on Sept 6, 2011 21:50:20 GMT -5
Arin nodded to Janika. "No hurry, I dont want to pull you from you friends." he said and looked around, he rolled on his gear to an out of the way spot and stayed there, flexing his flaps and rudder.
|
|
|
Post by Orca on Sept 6, 2011 22:02:17 GMT -5
"Whatever's on tap will be fine," Camm replied, mellow as could be. Though not appearing to consciously favor his damaged brow and mouth, only the left of his face seemed to carry a full import of the facial muscles contracting and relaxing, and the effect lent him a peculiarly lopsided expression. "I'm not too particular."
A few stations down, a mixed group of ultralights took notice of the odd, scarred jet that had passed them by, but did not raise any comments. The flock, as some of the smallest fix-wingeds tended to call their gathered parties, numbered five of-age adults, each a different representative of the CT families recognized under the association Flightdesign Vertrieb. Being a line of predominantly European origin their attraction to this establishment was not so strange. And besides their given familiarity with each other, all appeared to boast a common, staggered stripes motif along their flanks and tails. The youngest of them, a CTSW girl, looked the Hunter over a second longer than her fellows before her group's collective attention turned to the newest batch of GA arrivals.
"Check out the Dauntless bloke there," one of the ultralights piped up, his remark all but drowned out by the nearest subwoofer. "Doesn't he look a little out of his element?"
*
As there proved to be a lack of potential aggressors to defend Arthur from, Freefall lapsed into a slight stupor, resting back on his mainwheels with eyes half-shut as he attempted to stand at ease. Since launching a new search through cyberspace, the Panther had not offered more real conversation. His self-reflective mutterings were otherwise trumped by an unerring stream of clacking buttons and electronic chimes. While the temptation was there to begin pondering his next move, the hybrid took the moment for what it was instead: a rare chance to zone out and think about absolutely nothing.
"And lookie here - we've gone and found both for the price of looking for one."
Freefall lifted his head at hearing the familiar voice, as Arthur's keystrokes also came to a terse stop. Approaching from the westward running taxiway, both spied the recognizable group of jets coming toward them. In the lead, beside Iris, Birdbrain veered over to greet his wingleader with a comradely nudge. "I had a hunch you two might have paired up."
"And if we hadn't?"
The Tiger paused as if to think this over. "Well, I trusted Artie would mind his manners. But you, Chris, you're more of a wild card."
The hybrid rolled his eyes out of reflex more than genuine irritation. "I figured there was enough hell already being raised around here without me adding to it. For once."
Taking a moment to study the larger jet's now-slightly cleaner state, Zigzag's salutation was not so immediate. "So, you made better use of your time?"
"And get the chance to see that invasive species, the once-glamorous press types splattered in mud and grime be ordered around by TLM personnel while waiting in line for the wash racks? Of course." Freefall paused as he spied Harriet and Alain, still hovering at the group's six. Opting for more nonchalant angle, he added, "And in the meantime I see you all decided to stick together?"
*
Pienaar offered the new sound a surprised glance, but before he could question its nature or suggest anything further, the dark green Warhawk impulsively volunteered himself. "On it, dude. Chillaxe." He was out the door just as quick, leaving Liesa to continue minding the off-roaders.
The pit boss frowned, recalling that upon his last check, Kaede was still airborne. But that did not temper his inner alarm over the fact that he had somehow missed being notified of this visit. With his ever-neutral tone, he asked, "I am to assume our air patrol does not know of this, monsieur?"
Outside, Eddie rolled for the airstrip, lifting his nose to catch a sample of the downwind breeze, which, for him, was full of familiar markers. In contrast, he felt little shock or alarm at the idea of Abruzzi's larger family turning up, unexpected or no. Recent conversations had indicated this possibility coming to a realization, and in keeping with his genial nature, the Warhawk had no second thoughts in smoothing things out.
"Kae, it's Ed on 1-2. You can break off the attack. These are our welcome kind of guests, boss-bird's say so."
The off-white Hein, who had made to approach high and above from behind the incoming formation, sharply turned away and melted back into the clouds. Eddie heard her exasperated sigh a second later. "Not the most direct way to convey an order, is that, Bluth?"
Deftly ignoring the hint, he returned to the previous broadband channel. "Mrs. Abruzzi and company, I presume?"
*
Anita paused, glancing around at their assembled ranks, before a tangible theory came to the surface. In a perverse way, she was reminded of Ari and Zelda, and how, almost on a whim, her older brother had gviven up everything for some turn of chance encounter with a girl he had come to emphathize. "I have one idea. Did you happen to notice how he and... Connie acted toward each other?"
*
Effectively jolted from her dismal, conflicting thoughts once again, Madison put two and two together, reminded of what had been said earlier of Micheal Mueller and his habits. And with what had been whispered about Kaycee Fontaine, the connections were too close for comfort.
"The one that got away, that mutt with the two Tigers, maybe he should do us a favor and step things up, then. Maybe if that relationship was a little more outward Mueller would have a reason to keep it check." The helo paused before bluntly adding, "Or you could just take it upon yourself to run a little unofficial interference."
*
Nevaeh echoed Mitchell's chirrup and moved to Mitzi's opposite side. That this whole encounter was being documented and viewed from coast to coast was presently lost on her. Her concerns were closer to her current adopted home. Looking back beyond the fence, she spied the camera crews observing from a distance. She obliged them with a short growl, as if to say THAT'S-CLOSE-ENOUGH, before moving back across the lawn.
The scuffle game had been abandoned hastily, as the neighborhood children had retreated to the yard's perimeter. Nevaeh paused beside one of the assorted piles of stones that had been left behind, and glanced poignantly back at Mitzi and Heather again. "Pway?"
Ashley could only shake her head. "Chrysler knows what the first-gen Raptors must be thinking of this kinda publicity."
*
"And here we are, looking to get back in on a more immediate piece of action," Charles concluded, shrugging easily. "We can play a discreet side as good as we play obnoxious. I've long assumed that is what made our resume so attractive to Miss Campanga's eye in the beginning. Only causes we've had serving her have called for the obnoxious act so far."
|
|
|
Post by arinthian on Sept 6, 2011 22:44:50 GMT -5
Arin kept looking around the club, hoping to not cause trouble in any way.
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Sept 7, 2011 0:21:14 GMT -5
Another ultralight, a PUMA woman, had to raise her voice to be heard over the music. "He was getting pretty chatty with the hen party, but I guess they just happened to bump up against each other in the queue." She took another discreet glance at him. "Looks a little lost there."
"We have Hi-Test, Uffington Blend and Crazy Brew on tap here." the barkeep answered to Camm. "Which would you like?"
"It makes sense." Iris answered readily. "So what've you been looking at all this time?"
Uli was looking up at the public TV monitors. "Look at what's up on screen now!"
"So that's the little girl." Harriet raised her elegant, chiseled head for a closer view. "Fiery little thing."
The Lancair sighed to the Kingcobra. "Sorry. Mom never was known for calling ahead. I bet she already gave Kaede an earful." He started back towards the entrance, with apologies towards the others already gathered.
"Eddie, is that you?!" a woman's voice came back. "We had to go today, it wasn't safe to stay there another night. Where's Brian?"
"Like north and south magnetic poles." Josh answered. "As far away from each other as they could get."
"Good analogy." Malcolm concurred. "They might have had a thing going at one time, I'd gather. But it probably ended ugly. VERY ugly."
The voice of Jenna's mother cut in. "That baby's on TV now!"
"What?" Tom Jaeger rose up from where he'd been resting.
The teens glanced at the screen inside the shelter's media center. There was the little Raptor girl, standing at the top of her shocks and babbling defiance. The overall effect was like watching a lion cub trying out its first roars.
"What I was thinking." Kaycee made a face. "He frankly makes me sick, but the Captain doesn't need this trouble right now. I think I can handle your average garden-variety horndog." She looked over the Gulfie, momentarily making eye contact with him and giving him a slight smile. He responded with a flare of the nostrils, taking in her scent. Yup, horndog.
"They're probably cringing at the implications." Zoe answered, using big words and concepts for her age. "If she's really off the books, someone is probably doing a lot of explaining, right now."
"Love to." Mitzi answered, nudging the stone chips. Heather followed, picking up a stone in her teeth.
Mitchell giggled in joy, eyes gleaming in anticipation.
"I'm sure Elyse has her own reasons." Fogelin chuckled, but humorlessly. "She hates her ex's guts for "stealing" her daughter away. It was a nasty breakup, and I'm surprised he retained custody of the kid. I wouldn't put any of the other "incidents" past her either, like that drug dealer who ended up getting trashed in Little 'Nam, and then that killing. Would you guys happen to know anything about that?"
|
|