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 Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:36 pm
With Kiro keeping a close guard on Enyo the Hunters and Guardians all eventually gathered back together. It would seem that their mission was complete, and far more successful than any of them could have hoped for. They had rescued their captured ally, destroyed the Axis facility, eliminated the majority of their agents there, and suffered no casualties.
Many of them were nursing injuries, but TJ was able to quickly heal everyone beck into working order. By the time she was finished with everybody she was suffering from some moderate blood loss and had to be bundled up in a jacket to keep warm and escorted back to their mounts when they departed. The whole group, while very proud of themselves at having completed their mission so successfully, were exhausted, weary, and dreading the long trip home.
Even more than the trip many were dreading the arrival back at the Corps. complex. They had left without clearance. Worse, against orders. There were sure to be serious repercussions for their actions. Some of them also didn't care, though. They felt that they had simply done what they had to and any consequences were well worth the rescue of one of their own. Either way, they all had a long trip to think about it, or not.
The group of Hunters and Guardians rode through the gates in the early afternoon some days later. They had taken their time on their return trip and rode casually into the complex and began dismounting outside the stables. Shortly after their arrival, before any of them had even had the chance to wander out of the stables area even, several armed Corps. soldiers approached.
Will stepped forward to intercept the soldiers, led by Major Arcos.
"Major. Is there anything I can do for you?" Will asked politely.
"You completed your mission?" Arcos demanded.
"We did. Enyo is back with us." Will replied.
"Good. That's good." Arcos said and he nodded in respect to William and the group of Hunters as a whole. "Be that as it may though, you disembarked without clearance and took a sizable portion of this Corps. fighting strength with you. Had we come under attack during the time in which you were gone we will never know what could have happened due to that lack of resources. General Valenti has commanded your presence in the Arena. Top floor. All of you."
That can't be good. Top floor's the largest battlefield in the Arena...
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Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 11:30 am
After they had completed the mission, Hiro joined the others and mounted his steed following their lead. He chatted with several of his comrades about how exciting the mission was. Not to mention that this was his first mission on the job. The laughed and informed him that usually new members don't get to join in such missions so soon after joining since they weren't used to the protocol. Still they were glad he joined and lent a hand. Upon their return they were met by the soldiers. Wondering what was wrong, he tried to listen to what was being said. Were they in trouble?
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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:55 pm
Major Arcos and his men escorted the Hunters to and into the Arena. As they entered a group of soldiers collected their weapons and set them aside in a guarded storage room. Then the entire group was shuffled onto one of the large freight elevators. The elevator was raised up until they reached the top floor where the pulleys were locked, the gates were opened up, and they were ushered out.
The first thing that many of the Hunters noticed as the filed into the room and up onto the large circular stone battleground ring was that all along the stands ringing the battlefield were armed soldiers. Will and Kiro led the way up onto the battlefield until they stood in the very center. Directly opposite them a raised dais had been set up in the stands and sitting upon it were General Valenti and his highest ranking officers and staff.
General Valenti spoke. "Several days ago I was informed of the unsanctioned departure of over a dozen of my Hunters. Needless to say, this upset me. I like to think of myself and a fair and understanding Commanding Officer. Then this happens. This implies to me that I have been too lenient with you. That I have given you too much freedom and free reign. Would anybody care to contradict this train of thought?"
The gathered Hunters stood silent, none of them daring to speak against Valenti. Except for Will.
Oh god, what am I doing?
Will stepped forward and stood at attention.
"Sir. Permission to speak?"
Valenti's eyebrows were drawn down into a deep and unsettling frown, but he waved his hand at William in a gesture implying for him to go ahead.
"Sir. I deeply apologize for our actions. I recognize that we acted without leave, against orders, and against the best interests of this Corps. I will gladly take responsibility for these failings."
"Oh, you will take responsibility, don't you doubt that." Valenti said. "Now, I understand that young Enyo there was captured by an enemy organization. It would appear that you have retrieved her and returned with all of my Hunters intact. I would hear a complete report on the mission."
Will started to reply "Yes, Sir. Kiro - "
"Silence!" Valenti commanded. "I did not give you leave to speak Hunter Daarkwulf. Let's hear from someone else this time. Hmm, who cares to take a turn?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 1:31 am
Kiro was precarious to go into this arena disarmed, but managed to let it go and have himself become disarmed while he continued to hold Enyo, who was unconscious in his arms. Kiro ignored most of the conversation and scolding after entering, he was preoccupied by Enyo's peaceful, sleeping face. She was safe, that's all that mattered.
After hearing William's explanation shot down, Kiro felt it was now an obligation for him to speak for his actions and for the actions of his peers. Handing Enyo off to William, Kiro stepped forward. He glared up at Valenti, "I think I will take over where Will left off." Kiro began, not even waiting for approval to speak. "I decided to embark on a personal mission of my own. One to erase my past from catching up to me and endangering all the people around me. Enyo followed me and she ended up captured because of my own weakness and failure to protect my own." Kiro began to explain.
"When I returned, I was full of shame and guilt. I wanted to leave again to rescue Enyo, but my friends would not see me go it alone. They put their lives on the line for me, my mistake, and for Enyo. I understand my fellow hunters and I broke numerous policies and protocols, though it was under my persuasion and guidance. I will take full responsibility and punishments in total for all of my fellow hunters that accompanied me." Kiro asserted boldly.
He stepped forward several paces. "If any of my friends are incurred punishment that amounts to beheading or any sort of harm, you will not have it. My head should be a sufficient." Kiro added fiercely.
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Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:56 pm
"I think I will decide what is and is not sufficient here, Hunter Kiro." General Valenti said. "Now, I believe I requested a full recounting of the mission. I want to know who you were after, who captured Hunter Enyo, who you fought when you all left. I want to know the enemies strengths and weaknesses, their numbers, their casualties in this ordeal. Should I be preparing for retaliation? Should I be preparing a force to search out and stamp out any survivors? Details, Hunters. I want details."
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Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 6:49 pm
Drustwn cleared his throat and a few of the Hunters in front of him moved aside, though he did not bother to step forward, being content to have his view unobstructed. He raised the brim of his hat enough to look up at General Valenti and nodded casually, as to an old friend," Young Kiro there should have all the information you need. In the interest of time, if you're worried about preparing for retaliation, I suggest taking him behind closed doors for the full accounting you desire and dole out our punishments now. For a preview of Kiro's report, He mentioned an organization called Axis. They apparently run experiments on both humans and fiends to create soldiers with extraordinary powers and abilities....some more powerful than others. More than that, only Kiro and perhaps TJ knows."
He folded his arms and lowered his hat brim once more. He hoped Valenti would get on with it. Making them all just stand here while he played what amounted to 20 Questions was just plain petty.
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Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:55 pm
"Fair enough. If you're that eager to get on with your sentences." General Valenti said.
The General bent over his tabletop and scrawled something on a sheet of paper. He paused a couple of times in thought, then would smile to himself and continue writing. After a few moments of this he sat back up and examined what he had written. Appearing satisfied he handed it to one of his aides who rapidly made a copy and handed it back to the General.
"Make sure copies of this are distributed to the appropriate persons." Valenti said. He then folded his original into thirds and held it up. One of his soldiers came forward and bent down so that the General could speak to him quietly. After receiving his instructions the soldier took the letter and walked out onto the arena floor with it. He approached the nearest of the Hunters, who happened to be Gene, and handed him the letter. The soldier then returned to his original position.
"You are all dismissed. Except for Kiro. And TJ, I suppose."
The Hunters, with the exceptions of the aforementioned, filed out of the room and back onto the elevator. They stayed gathered in silence while the elevator took them down to the ground floor. Once there they filed out of the elevator and stood together in the lobby. The elevator rose back up to the top floor in anticipation of the Generals eventual departure.
"So, what'd the General write for us?" Kait asked.
Gene unfolded the letter and looked at what was written there for a moment, his brow crease in thought. Then his eyes shot open wide in shock. And outrage.
"What!?" Gene demanded.
"What's it say?" Matt asked. "Let us see that."
Gene handed over the letter and gave everyone there a chance to see what was written within.
The following Hunters and Guardians will spend the next two weeks performing the following duties without pay. This duty is effective as of XX/XX/XXXX. ((tomorrows date))
Stable Hand - Kiro, TJ
Kitchen, Dishwasher - Matthew Blaezing, Isaac Armine (night shift)
Archives, Filing - Drustwn Belnades, Hiro Mathus
Smithy, Assistant - Sven Glace, Enyo
Janitorial - Gene Clancy, Malkin Reiyan
Laundry - Mathias Valenti, Kait Seville
Secretarial - Digo
Elevator, Arena - William Daarkwulf
"Laundry!" Kait spat. "What kind of sick joke is this!? He thinks I should be washing and folding just because I'm a woman!?"
"Secretarial? What does that even mean?" Digo asked.
"Means you get to take notes and fetch coffee, kid." Matt said. He seemed relatively unruffled by the news that he would be washing dishes without pay for two weeks.
"Smithy? Really? Hottest place in the Citadel. He did that just to be spiteful..." Sven stated.
The complaints and discussions continued. Some complained loudly, others seethed in silence, some didn't seem to mind, others just seemed confused.
Back on the top floor General Valenti stared down at Kiro and TJ, the latter of which stood slightly behind the former as though by blocking the General's direct line of sight she could protect herself from his wrath.
"Now, Kiro." Valenti spoke calmly. Coldly. "Continue."
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Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:40 pm
Hiro gathered with the others after the debriefing had taken place. As they entered the elevator, he could hear the others muttering something about the paper. There were shouts of surprise and bits of anger in their voices. Well considering what they had just done, he was sure they would be in for some kind of punishment. After the paper had been passed around of what their duties were, he looked to what he had been assigned to.
"Archives!?" He let out a loud sigh. "Great." he muttered. He didn't enjoy book work much less filing. Papers strewn around. Dusty books. Alphabetizing. He let out a a sound of disgust. And to top it off; without pay. He wasn't going to enjoy the next to weeks.
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Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:46 pm
Mathias winced as Kait went on her tirade about their punishment. Mathias wondered if it was supposed to be the laundry that was his punishment, or the person he had been paired with.
"Who knows, Kait. Maybe it won't be so bad...?"
Drustwn glanced at the paper as it was passed his way and shrugged. Archives with the novice shouldn't be too horrible. He heard Hiro sigh and mutter, and thought perhaps this might be a good lesson in patience for him. Not all fiend hunts were flashy and exciting.
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Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:26 am
(( fyi Enyo should maybe be taken to a medical ward ))
Kiro sighed. "I guess there's just no getting around it." Kiro admitted with a shrug at the thought of finally have to let the cat out of the bag about Axis. "As you probably know I was once part of this organization. They specialize in making and training soldiers for the sole purpose of gaining power through force and eliminating obstacles by assassinations, thus was my specialty."
Kiro shifted his weight before finally feeling too awkward to keep and then sat on the ground as if it were going to be a long story. "I will have to first explain how the soldier ranking system works in order to explain what exactly happened on our mission. Axis has a lot of money to employ rogue scientists and the like to work on experiments. These experiments are done on soldiers and sometimes even on animals and fiends in order to mix and alter their chemical makeup to make something even stronger."
"After decades of doing this experimenting, they found ways to edit the traits of specific body parts and or abilities of fiends so they can add them to soldiers. This is what makes up the Axis Series Database that is ranked alphanumerically with a different ability for each series. Therefore, there are 26 Series of abilities and a range of skill level of 1-10. This database makes up each soldier's code name, ability, and ranking within Axis. For example, my code name is KAX9 for 'K' as my Series ability and 9 for my skill or ranking in that Series. The 'AX' stands for the organization, Axis." Kiro paused for a moment to let the information settle.
"Now that you understand the system, I can explain the mission that just took place. There are two main headquarters of Axis, one was the one we were just at, and the second is across the sea at an unknown location to me, which is why I left on the little solo-mission I embarked on that started all of this... It was a mission to locate the main overseas HQ. I planned to wipe out their decades worth of data in order to stop them from creating hybrid fiends, which William and I seemed to be running into lately on our missions."
Anyway..." Kiro trailed off. "After speaking with the rest of the hunters on the way back, I can accurately tell you that we fought against twelve Axis soldiers, killing eleven of them. Among their dead are the following: Xin-XAX9, who is an ice conjurer and manipulator. Megan-MAX5, who was considered to be immortal through rapid cell regeneration, and was also an expert archer. Hfie-HAX6, who I believe is the series above Heron who attacked me at the Corps here before. Gear-GAX5, he was modified to be half machine half man. Rhino-RAX8, who was half man half beast using the genes from animals and fiends. Nhea-NAX8, was an expert assassin using deadly animals to do her bidding as well as the ability to conjure powerful fiends. Phear-PAX9, I had not met this man before, but I had heard he was considered to be superhuman. Liora-LAX9, who was familiar to me through my period of training in Axis. She had the ability to generate electricity throughout her body and expel it into others to kill them. Wilhelmia-WAX9, she was not very familiar to me, but I believe her ability was similar to Matt's. Sjana-SAX10, also a series that had attacked me before within the walls of the Corps. She had an extremely developed ability to convert the chemical makeup of her bones and other traits in order to create electrical charge and or heat within the weapons she created using her bone composition. And last, but not least, Ajax-AAX10, who was basically a monster that could obtain any ability by digesting someone's blood." Kiro finally ended, though leaving out Fidessa from the 12 mentioned soldiers.
"Losing their HQ on this landmass will be a huge blow to their organization along with the loss of two Perfect Series soldiers and several 9 ranking ones. I wouldn't expect a retaliation from them." Kiro concluded.
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:14 pm
((If she was able to stand she would have been in the meeting and then escorted to Medical. Otherwise she would have been taken to medical right away.))
General Valenti stared down at Kiro for a moment, a severe expression across his face.
"I find it disheartening that one of our own would have concealed such vital information from us for so long. It would seem that you have done what you believed was best to handle the situation on your own, and I suppose that that is better than nothing. However, if you had come forward with this information sooner we could have put together a sanctioned mission with the force of the Corps. behind it in order to stamp out this threat. Instead you thought it best to risk yourself, and another of my Hunters, on a secret mission. Which failed. And then to try a second time, this time with a dozen other skilled Hunters and Guardians. You are extremely fortunate that your mission was a success. Had it failed the responsibility for the casualties would have been squarely on your own shoulders." Valenti lectured.
Valenti paused and looked for a moment as though he were going to continue his tirade. Then he sighed and his expression became slightly less severe.
"I expect a detailed written report on not only this entire fiasco, but also all information you have regarding this organization, Axis. I want both reports on my desk within forty eight hours. You, TJ. I expect a similar report from you. You will both also make sure to complete your assigned punishment also. Dismissed."
"Won't be so bad! Won't be so bad!!" Kait yelled at Mathias. "I am not some demure young main who cooks and cleans on command! I'm a damn warrior! I kill things! And to throw me into the laundry room! Like that's where I belong just because I'm a woman!"
Kait broke of her rant with a snarl and a vicious expression of wrath on her face. She looked as though she were going to punch someone.
"Come on Kait. Maybe the General's staff took a vote and they all just agreed that they wanted to see you in an apron." Matt said with a ******** you, Matt!" Kait spat. "If I see your a** down there at all I swear I'm gonna stab you!"
Matt just laughed and sauntered out of the Arena lobby. Several others of the Hunters followed, Kait included. Will stayed where he was, waiting for his partner.
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Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:46 am
(( Kiro carried her in, then handed her off to William. We can just write it off that she got where she needed to be. ))
After being lectured, Kiro saluted Valenti with not so much enthusiasm, but of just the simple respectful gesture that he understood. "Sir." With that Kiro turned away began to exit the arena.
Enyo Awoke in William's arms. She squealed in surprised and wiggled out from Will's grasp. It was embarrassing and rare of her to make such a noise. Landing on her feet she patted herself down in self comfort and faced William. "Thank you..." Enyo said quietly. Her bright yellow eyes scanned the surrounding hunters, but Kiro's face was not among them. "Can I be filled in on what's going on?... How did I get back?..." Enyo asked but was quickly interrupted by her grumbling stomach.
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Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:39 pm
"Well, uh. You were captured. Kiro managed to make it back. Kimiko healed him up. Then we all mounted a rescue. We managed to take down the guys that captured you, and a whole bunch of their friends. And now we're in trouble because we left in the middle of the night without telling anyone. Yeah, I think that about sums it up." Will said. "General Valenti is debriefing Kiro and TJ, but they should be down pretty soon. If you want to wait for them you should probably sit down though." Will gestured to a bench in the lobby.
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Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:55 am
Enyo fell silent after hearing the story. She couldn't help but feel like a burden. Without a word she went over and sat on the bench Will gestured to and waited patiently. Kiro...
Accompanied by TJ, Kiro stepped off the arena elevator. He could see Enyo was now up and about as he stared out a ways ahead of him. "TJ, I would appreciate you filling me in sometime about your past. I'm interested in which Series you trained and worked with. Anyway, we will discuss things later when we work on our report." Kiro then quickly walked over to Enyo at a fast pace.
"How are you feeling?" Kiro asked kindly.
Enyo looked up at Kiro and smiled faintly. "I'm good, thanks to you guys." Enyo replied while her eyes stared back down at the ground. "I hope nobody died because of me..."
Kiro sat down next to Enyo and leaned way back. After a deep sigh Kiro spoke, "Don't worry, none of our guys died. We even brought a new recruit with us. His name is Hiro, he's a pretty good guy."
"I'm glad." Enyo said in relief. "Axis won't come for you anymore, right?" She asked, turning towards him.
Kiro's gaze didn't break from where it was staring. "I don't know, but now Axis knows what we are capable of. Axis is also crippled from our mission and probably won't reestablish themselves for a long time on this continent." Kiro replied honestly.
"True, but Fyura is really pissed off." A familiar female voice came over Kiro's shoulder. Kiro and Enyo both jumped for a moment and turned to see Fidessa standing there. She was wearing the same clothing as Kiro like before, but her hair was done differently. It was as long as it previously was, though tied back in a long pony tail with some long bangs still in her face. "Hey." Fidessa greeted them nonchalantly.
"What are you doing here?!" Kiro protested at the sight of her. "I heard you let Matt come and help me against Ajax. And then I heard you took down a Perfect Series for us and left Axis. Is that all true?" Kiro asked quickly and then looked around to make sure no one was watching, though TJ was still nearby and was going to notice Fidessa soon.
"Yes, that is all true." Fidessa replied with a grin. "And to your previous question... I followed you guys. Pretty easy to track I might add."
"You need to be careful. If someone finds you, there will be trouble." Kiro warned.
"I don't think she has to worry too much, Kiro. If she managed to sneak in here then she probably won't have trouble sneaking around." Enyo interrupted.
"Correct." Fidessa said as she winked at Enyo. "I'm Fidessa, nice to meet you."
"Like wise, I'm Enyo. I've heard some things about you from Kiro before the mission to rescue me happened... Mainly good things." Enyo replied.
"Oh Kiro, you're making me blush." Fidessa teased as she pretended to be swoon.
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Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 9:15 pm
Will was surprised for a moment and then just shrugged. He'd seen stranger things in his time with the Corps. then a former enemy turned rogue suddenly appearing inside the compound.
"I'm William, by the way." Will put in. "We didn't cross paths at all back there, but thanks for helping out my friends. As for her sneaking around, well, she might as well just go public with it. General Valenti's going to hear about her in your report anyways. If she just goes to him and explains who she is and what her part in the mission was, and if we vouch for her, she should be fine." Will turned to face Fidessa directly. "He'll probably drill you for information. You'd probably spend a while chained to a desk, figuratively I think, writing reports. But after that I imagine you'd have the option of joining the Corps. if you want. The General's pretty practical, he wouldn't turn down a solid resource when it's standing right in front of him."
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