|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:03 pm
((Way out of order post, cough. Pretend I wasn't preoccupied with PoC and put this right before Vahn.))
Bizzzit.
That was the cartoony sound effect Joseph always associated with electricity. In truth, the lightning now arcing towards him was more of a crack, sizzle sound. Course, being temporally deaf, the discrepancy between cartoons and reality would never be corrected. Joseph would just find himself falling towards the ground before he even managed to get up the first time. Despite having his asskicked by mages before, the lightening bolt still hurt like all hell. The bolt had hit him on the back and travelled through to exit the metal gun he was holding. A wild shot went off as the heat burned flesh to the handle.
Wait, he never pulled the trigger.
And then he would find himself being shot in the leg. Not once, not twice, but three times. You see, the spare ammo he was carrying around had gone off thanks to the bolt, some wildly into the air, some right into his flesh. Hell, the only reason he didn't have a leg even more full of bullets now was because of the rubber speed loaders. The heat would melt said rubber, but in a way that it would protect them from going off.
The unfortunate part was Joseph's ammo choices were highly limited now. Whatever hadn't gone off was ruined by melted rubber. That left the special magic disruption munitions he carried. He had never been so glad that lightening had been a spell and not natural.
But, goddamn. Those rounds cost far too much money to be shooting around like no one's business. He probably would be better off stuffing Faberge eggs with gunpowder and using them as grenades.
"Uhhhhh..." Was about all he could cry out now that he was lying on the pavement. Money or not, he wasn't gonna die here. Despite the pain, despite the burns, and most importantly, despite the cost, he rolled onto his back and groped himself till he found one of the special bullets. Snapping open the gun near fused to his palm, he emptied the chambers and loaded the single shot. The target was big, so even with his shaky injured aim, when he squeezed the trigger the bullet that roaring from the barrel would probably hit.
Single bullet versus bone to steel spell. Advantage, spell. Single runic bullet versus bone to steel spell. Advantage, possibly the bullet. You see, the round wouldn't try and dig into the steel, no, it would burst into magical energy. Glowing runes would spread across the surface of the steel like an infection. It couldn't outright dispel the steel, but it could tax the energy to a degree where it would be near impossible to maintain. If the behemoth could feel pain, its mind would scream...
"Motherf-" Was all Joseph could mutter before blacking out.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:20 pm
K.. so who's up? This thing's been frozen for 500 years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:19 pm
((Well, I've been done after that attack, so whatever.))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:41 pm
An open meadow along the city walls and a short distance off of the main road into Latent was appropriated for the Yaits rally. A stage good enough to serve for a rock concert was set across the section of the wall that was now being rebuilt with Yaits Corp aid. Stands for giant banners, banners which remained to have their designs finished but were on immediate standby, stood behind the stage. There was already a podium and cushioned bleachers for all representatives of latent who chose to attend.
As for security, the local police force was being trusted to handle it, the only security provided by Yaits was his own group of personal body gaurds. Assurances were that the Gaia's finest would provide a tight net of security for the televised event. They were only for show, proffesional but not strong enough to be of any real use to Yaits, who could protect himself much better if need be. There wouln't be a big crowd, the Lantian authorities didn't want to risk leaving a mass of people exposed outside the city. It was only for VIPs, a few select profile people, the media, and a the few shmoozers who managed to get in despite being none of the above.
Edward Yaits III was already in town, currently he was working first hand with the crises management teams to help speed the recovery. He actually avoided the cheesy PR campaign tactics such as giving out water bottles and ice personally. That was not where he was needed anyway. It was enough that he was taking his time from helping coordinate the releif efforts to give a speech for the press later.
First Yaits unpacked his hotel room in a relatively undamaged Marriot suites. The entire VIP section of the fourth floor was cleared just for him, security reasons, but though he needed only one room every room was paid for. Once he was done it would be time to survey Latent personally. He personally called the city offices, as he wanted to work with the political establishment of Latent on the rebuilding effort.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:30 pm
Of course, hearing that he was in town was good for the woman who had asked about the Order of Charitable Monks. Here was an opportunity to get on his good side in some way, shape, or form. But then again, she didn't want to make it look forced... so she'd have to find a way to help without seeming too obvious.
It was easier than it sounded, actually. First, she would have to visit the aid station- if there were still people there. She ran hurriedly towards the location where the priest had last pointed, hoping that there was still something she could do.
If I could somehow get at least into the Order itself, if not in his circle of influence, she thought as she approached, maybe I could find something of some real use, besides this man's posturing and grandstanding. That's all it is, anyways.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:32 am
The Charitable Order station was concentrating on medical emergencies. The hospitals were full beyond capacity, so the substations were taking patients. A full staff of doctors and nurses from the hospital in Yaits city were on hand. In the back were box like fabrications were those in need of a sterile environement for surgery. They were overcrowded, but everything was run with expert efficiency, based on the level of care needed and how life threatening the situation was. New equipment was still being brought in from the south, anti-biotics, sterile first-aid equipment, cleaning and disinfectant fluids, tubing, and specially medical machines. People in need of care would be bought in by a gathering staff or would wait in an assesment grounds, where lay people and training nurses could treat and assess the level of severity for the injuries before sending them in to the main aid station.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 1:23 pm
The place was bustling with assistants and surgeons and all sorts of doctors, and she wondered if this was the place for her after all. Still, she couldn't back down now- she had to do something in order to infiltrate their numbers in some way.
Walking up to the front desk and smiling pleasantly, she inquired- "Hello there. I figured I'd come and lend a hand, if it's all right with you." She had to start off somewhere, and the direct approach seemed best in an emergency. "Who do I see in order to offer my services?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:09 pm
"You came to the right place," said a man in white robes, "We really need medical staff, but if you don't have any nursing or other medical skills we can't use you here, we have all the lay people we need."
There was talk in the background, a rumor was spreading that Yaits was going to make a surprise visit to one of the aid stations he was helping to fund, in order to make sure everything was operating the way he planned, and that he would spend some time to greeting and talking with the victims.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:10 pm
The thing was, she happened to be good at first aid and nursing- she had to be. It was essential in the field to know such thing in situations where a hospital or other medical support was not availible. She nodded, her speech terse and to the point.
"Trained in First Aid in the military a few years back and worked as a registered and liscensed nurse at Barton Memorial Hospital- you can check my records to confirm. All things considered, you're right; I did come to the right place."
That's when she heard the rumor- Yaits was visiting one of the aid stations. A plan brewed in her head in order to get this place a bit more organized, provided that there were a few people who needed a bit of guidance. The only thing she had to do was get things rolling along quickly before the man got to whereever it was he was going.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:01 pm
"I'm so glad you came," said the man with a big smile, "We are doing well, but with the number of injuries we could always use another expert."
He pulled out a stack of papers and handed it to her, said, "Sorry about all the bureaucracy, but we are required by law to cross reference your medical experience in triplicate and gather a bunch of other information before you are allowed to work as a volunteer nurse. Some of it is intrusive, but it's the law, and it certainly prevents any fraud, so we can't really complain. Take as much time as you need and make sure you provide all the required information."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:34 pm
Tch. Dammit, she cursed mentally. So much for a speedy resolution. The Gods must be against me on this one. Yet in these situations, it was better to just go through with it than to skip it, so she got to work on the paperwork. Besides, even if she couldn't grab the head man's attention, she could at least join the Order this way. It was a sort of win-win situation for her.
She had specific orders to infiltrate the Order of Charitable Monks via any availible means or methods by her commanding officer, and this was her chance. She would try the hard way, which happened to be the legal way, first. Then if that weren't possible by the end of this week, she'd have to do things the easy way- copy their movements, steal a uniform, and blend in with the others.
It'd get her in trouble if she were caught, and without the support of headquarters it'd be rough going; but she would handle it as she was trained to. But for now, the hard, yet legal way. She would wait for the rest of the week, then if nothing happened, she'd hit the pavement and follow one of them around for a while.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:46 pm
Funny, no sooner than she was handed the papers a bunch of freshly dressed men and woman, all in civilian attire, began dispersing into the crowd. A few additional medical staff appeared as well, but they did little more than idly converse with the patients. The roads in this part of the city suddenly became exceptionally clear of traffic, it seemed they were blocked off and police checkpoints were being set up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:02 pm
The first thing that she noticed were the freshly dressed men and women. Quirking an eyebrow, she wondered exactly what was going on for these people to be here, when she turned around and looked outside. Tactical police blockades and clear streets- she put two and two together and almost broke out into a grin.
Perhaps the Gods aren't against me after all, she thought to herself, in a much brighter mood. With that, she continued signing and filling out the papers, wondering if she would get finished in time. Probably not... but if she did...
While looking at the men and women coming in, she noticed the idle medical staff members. It was time for them to see some action for a change; at least, she thought so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:08 pm
A full hour after the initial signs of a VIP visitor, a convoy of up-armored Ford Explorers with darkly tinted windows. When the convoy stopped, a small security detail stepped from the first vehicle, while Yaits himself exited the backseat of the second, no one else was with him besides his security detail. He was very much alone until the manager of the first aid camp, one of the Order's Monks, came to him and they exchanged greetings, including an embrace. They actually hugged, what was that about? Yaits surveyed those waiting for care, whispering that he was pleased no one with life threatening injuries had been left to wait. All those sitting outside had comparably minor injuries. The area had been cordoned off, but there were a good deal of people of there, many of whom where anxious to speed their care by talking to the powerful benefactor. The bodygaurds told them to stay back, but Yaits defied his own staff. It wasn't severe disorder, most of the people understood the situation, they were not left in the open sun as canopies had been set up to shelter them, they had plenty of water, and nursing staff were constantly checking people. A few people were impatient to get care for themselves or their family, that was all.
"I'm going to talk to them," he said. "Please everybody, be assured that you will receive care shortly. We are doing our best to help everyone."
Yaits began making the rounds through the waiting crowds, accompanied by two plains clothes gaurds with barely visible headsets. He made himself available, if for a short duration, to anyone who wished to speak with him. Almost everyone thanked him for helping Latent, some even gave him credit for rescueing the city.
Amazingly, Yaits wasn't putting on any overly dramatized airs. He wasn't cold in the least, but he wasn't syrupy either. It seemed very obvious that his only reason for being there was a deep concern about the situation. It would come across very strongly that he was quite the humble humanitarian. If he wasn't, then he was a damn good actor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
