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Post by kain17335 on Mar 24, 2014 14:22:49 GMT -6
"Down below in a city called Tessa." the officer stated, looking to Maxim, "Your driver will know." "Permission granted." The officer said, hearing the recruit speak out, sighing. Turning on his heel back to the group of men. He would be almost happy to see them go again, maybe this time they'll come back with some sense in their heads.
Before long, Dymlin managed to find his way back to the workshop. Red faced and huffing as he opened the door. Hating himself for his forgetfulness. his walking stick was by the door, which he promptly grabbed to aid his unbalanced frame. Slowly he closed the door behind him. Walking to the place where the truck once stood. Spots of oils dotted underneath it though they looked dried and old. He looked back up, seeing Kaiser standing by the door to the storeroom.
"What are you doing standing there, boy?" he shouted, walking over to the storeroom before taking out a large set of gleaming brass keys from his belt. Upon unlocking the door he looked to the boy, "No one ever taught you how to pick a lock?" he asked in an almost sarcastic tone. The fact that any slave probably had ties to what little High Lagoon had of an underworld was well known. Surprising that this boy didn't have any, or chose not to show it.
"Dear Miss Ferdinand You have been cordially invited to the office of Col. Jonas Kreig who will be your loyal escort during your time in High Lagoon. Tessa acknowledges your scientific endeavors in the aforementioned city and the area controlled by it. But asks that you take the Col. to ensure your safety during these times of war. If you so deem the Col. worthy to be of your time you can find him at the top of the Parcaline Tower. If you believe yourself able to defend yourself however, you may proceed straight to dock Twenty Seven. In approximately one day your escort to High Lagoon shall arrive via Reconnaissance vehicle.
Yours sincerely, Servitor 23B/TT2"
Enclosed within the letter was a small white ticket with teeth like ridges all around it. Pressed in block capitols the ticket stated 'THE BEARER OF THIS TICKET IS ALLOWED ONE FREE ADMISSION TO THE PARCALINE TOWER, ONLY PERSON IS ALLOWED THIS ADMISSION ANY OTHERS FOLLOWING THE BEARER OF THIS TICKET MUST PAY THE SUM OF 3 FUEL RATIONS. UNLESS THEY BARE MILITARY DOCUMENTS STATING THEY ARE RANKED COLONEL OR HIGHER.'
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Post by guycoolspore2 on Mar 26, 2014 17:10:07 GMT -6
Kaiser shifted uncomfortably. "Pick a lock, sir? I wasn't ever allowed even close to other slaves while owned by..."
He winced, another hit remembered when he'd been taught not to talk about his past masters. "Listen here, boy! Your masters never even meant to keep you. Now, you could thank me by not talking about them, or I could ask why they didn't want you. Maybe it's because you're thinking too much about the past and not enough about the present. Whatever happened then? Shut up about it and do your job."
He felt his face turn red from both fear and embarrassment. "Are you requiring me to learn, sir?"
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Post by phr05tt on Apr 4, 2014 19:43:05 GMT -6
Alicia felt an odd emotion swell in her. She was female; the book that she carried told of females being subservient to men. Only years and years after their existence did women gain the rights that men did, but here, in her life, she was being honored above what her, "bible," taught her. She shook her head, and, "Miss Ferdinand," resolved that she would leave Tessa (phrost cris). She started for the door to hear nearly departing dream of success at Dock Twenty-seven. Soon, however, Alicia noticed her womanish weakness, and quickly resolved herself. She was going to the Parcaline Tower. It was safe and her other option was reckless.
Emerging from the doors of the library, Alicia made her quick venture to the local taxi service. She took a right, then a left, then finally came onto a street by the name of, "Albuquerque." Soon, she was upon the building (it could have taken hours, but her excited mind was, well, excited). Almost spastically, unorthodox to her own teachings, Alicia Ferdinand, a woman who all her life found seriousness to be a virtue, smiled like an idiot and approached the counter before her and presented her ticket.
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Post by Courier6ix on Apr 5, 2014 20:15:42 GMT -6
Dominik remained stoned-faced, asking unwaveringly but yet still with reverence and no disrespect, "I'd like to lead this escort, Sir!"
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Post by kain17335 on Apr 6, 2014 12:36:09 GMT -6
The officer stared up and down at the man, almost raising his hand to strike him for his insolence. Instead, he turned to Maxim. "Would you trust the child, Lieutenant?" he asked. Maxim had watched the boy, it was obvious that he couldn't be trusted completely, though it was possible for Maxim to merely watch. But the full control of this group should be to Maxim. Can't have the person they're supposed to be protecting dying because the private didn't do a good job.
Dymlin stared for a moment, his own prejudices didn't seem to fit very well with this boy. Though his experiences were never good anyway, "No, no, carry on." Dymlin stated, opening the door with the rusted creek. Surprised by Hermine's words. People who treated slaves as people were rare, even though in High Lagoon the slaves almost equaled the people in terms of numbers. His embarrassment was obvious, having known Hermine so long he had not thought that his actions or words had ever harmed her in any way. He turned and walked away from the boy, choosing to pick up on of the clockwork rifles that lay on the table, the gears had ground down after years of use. It even had notches on the stock depicting the lives it had taken.
The man behind the counter was fat, like a he had been a hippo in a previous life. He was pale skinned and had a large twisting mustache below his nose the shape of tusks jutting out left and right. He took the ticket, placing it beneath a magnifying glass to check its authenticity. He opened a pocket in his dark blue uniform and placed the ticket inside. He opened a small notepad to his side, picking up a small pen by his side, "Name?" he asked, looking up to Alicia.
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Post by guycoolspore2 on Apr 6, 2014 14:41:43 GMT -6
Kaiser was stunned. Hermine had... No, no. He must've been reacting to the memories. She didn't just... Did she?
No matter, he thought. Whether she defends me or not, I have a job to do.
Taking the mop and a bucket, he gave her a short smile out of thanks and set out to do his job.
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Post by Imperator on Apr 8, 2014 14:53:07 GMT -6
Maxim looked the recruit up and down and looked him directly in the eyes. "At the moment Sir, I don't trust any of them. But if the boy insists, then he can be my second. He will still answer and report to me, all orders, if he chooses to give any, will be passed through me first." Maxim turned to the officer "Would you say that is an acceptable compromise, Sir?"
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Post by phr05tt on Apr 9, 2014 15:33:13 GMT -6
"Alicia Ferdinand," the woman said, formally, professionally, "biologist of the Crepuscular University." The blush on her face from previous excitement faded as her joy reached an equilibrium with the drawl of the building she was in.
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Post by kain17335 on Apr 10, 2014 6:55:57 GMT -6
The officer turned his head back to the boy, he was large and seemed like he was trying to be more authoritative than he really was. "Very well." the officer stated, turning back to Maxim. "Shoot him if he goes out of turn." Just as the officer finished his sentence a large thick whiskered man came up behind him. Wearing a large leather hat with brims hanging down on his side and a pair of goggles perched on his forehead. "Reportin' fur duty sir.!" the man said, his heels clicking together as he raised his hand to a salute. The officer returned the gesture, before doing anything else he face turned to one of astonishment as he massaged his chin, "You really expect me to take all them inside that?" he asked, pointing to the brass vehicle not too far away. "They'll have to sit on top!" "That's exactly how I want it, Major. Can't have them getting too cozy can we?" The major laughed, turning to the men. "Alright then boys, hop on top of the car before I leave without yah!" he shouted, ordering the men, he pointed to Maxim. "You can join me in the front, it's no V.I.P. suit but at least yah won't have a chance of dyin' in the first five minutes!" he laughed again, more of a cackle this time, how the men before him would survive the trip without losing a few toes didn't seem to make him want to care about their well being. It would have even been that bad, there were five seats in the vehicle but the back was completely empty by the time all of the men were on the top. Couldn't be giving any of them special treatment now could we?
Dymlin sighed, sitting back down in his rocking chair with the clockwork rifle and box of tools next to him. If only these boys took care of these things, he thought, removing the ground down and worn cogs that needed replacing, and for the moment, his mind trailed away from what had just transpired. His anger cooling.
"Ah! Miss Ferdinand!" the clerk exclaimed, ringing a small brass bell. Once again the boy from before came rushing out behind the clerks desk, "Yeah?" he asked, looking at Miss Ferdinand. "Oh." The clerk sighed, taking out a small fuel token from his pocket. "You were supposed to be her guide when she's up there!" he said, placing the coin in the boys pouch. "Don't forget again or you'll get no pocket money!" his tone was not scolding, but demanding none the less. "Yes, Uncle." the boy said, raising his head once more. "Can I go see dad?" The clerk ignored the boy, turning back to Miss Ferdinand. "Gregory here with escort you through the Parcaline Tower, Miss Ferdinand." he said, smiling, moving the boy out of his cubicle, "He's a good lad, if a little hyper." he said to her as the boy was out of earshot. "Takes after his father."
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Post by phr05tt on Apr 12, 2014 7:35:08 GMT -6
As they walked, Alicia quickly realized one of her own idiosyncrasies. She was sure it was common, but when she didn't know where she was going, her gaze was always transfixed on the ground. The reason for this, she quickly rationalized and the boy seemed to gallop with glee ahead of her, is that looking forward was looking into the unknown, and the sky would be looking into a blank slate with no points of reference. So she looked at the ground, something that seemed constant. Until she found a crack in the foundation, and she looked up. "So who's your father?" she asked the little boy, looking squarely at the back of his head.
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Post by Imperator on Apr 13, 2014 15:24:53 GMT -6
Maxim got into the front of the vehicle, it certainly wasn't anything close to special but he prefered it to being sat on the roof. "Oh I don't know. It's not so bad in here. It beats freezing my cock off out on the roof though." Maxim let out a slight laugh and settled into his seat more.
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Post by kain17335 on Apr 17, 2014 6:29:09 GMT -6
After a moment of awkward waiting the small child suddenly appeared from a door to the right of the ticket booth. Adjusting his cap as got to Alicia. "The taxi's just through here, miss!" he exclaimed happily, walking towards a long horizontal pole that swang upwards and the boy got to it. Past the booth there was a set of large oaken doors with shining brass frames which opened out to what could only be described as being more of an airport rather than an actual taxi service. Small airships docked by the sides of the outstretched fingers of the port. One man stood at the front, a rather young man wearing a clean and crisp uniform carrying a small sign with "Alicia Ferdinand" written in block capitols in front of his chest.
Before long the entire group was perched upon the top of the cold brass heap. Rubbing their gloves together in an attempt to make themselves warmer. The major sat in the drivers seat while Maxim was next to him. The three back seats lay empty, save a spot of oil on one. The vehicle shook and juddered as the engine started, a plume of smoke shot out of the back as it began to move. Once it was just past the main gate however, the major pressed hard on the front of the steering wheel, letting out a loud howl of a horn and, as if by magic, five soldiers burst out of the ground. Their bodies covered head to toe in leather and brass. The backpacks strapped to them let out the odd little puff of smoke as each raised their rifles to the vehicle. The major waved at them in an almost insulting manner as each man lowered their rifles and saluted. "Had to make sure I didn't run them over!" he joked to Maxim, laughing in a somewhat cold manner as the vehicle began to move once more. And before long High Lagoon was out of sight to the men sitting on top. Huddling together to try and conserve their body heat. "I'd settle down if I were you boy, it's a long ride down."
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Post by Imperator on Apr 18, 2014 7:49:33 GMT -6
Though it definitely wasn't as cold as being on the roof, the inside of the car wasn't exactly comfortably warm. Maxim huddled slightly more into his clothes, attempting to keep in what heat remained as he politely chuckled at the Major's joke. "I wouldn't want their job. I'd rather freeze my ass of in High Lagoon all day than sit buried alive in this frozen waste. Suit or no suit."
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Post by Courier6ix on Apr 20, 2014 15:36:49 GMT -6
Dominik saluted, grateful for this opportunity. He took his place in the vehicle in the third seat behind the the Lieutenant, waiting to receive what he knew would be grunt work, but you had to earn ranks somehow.
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Post by Phrost on Apr 20, 2014 16:03:59 GMT -6
"Hello," Alicia said, politely bowing her head. She turned to the boy and smiled. "Thank you so much," she said warmly, "be sure to tell your uncle you did well!" She reached into her pocket, taking out a few coins of Tessa's currency and dropped it into the boy's hand. "Don't spend it all at once!"
turning once more to the man with her name in his hands, Alicia Ferdinand, she bowed, keeping surprising balance after consecutive pivots like that. "Are you here to take me?" Stupid, she thought. As a girlish redness rushed to her face, the scientist Ferdinand chastised herself for allowing such insolence to escape her. Like the girl quoted in the diary, Alicia had shown, "womanish weakness."
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