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 Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:38 pm
Caelius was standing there the moment the first of the Hunter trainees set foot onto unfamiliar terrain. Of course, there was still always the off chance that they were still somewhere on the Island like their last 'training exercise', but for those few who were a little sharper, a little more intuitive, something about the entire place seemed off.
Granted, it could be that right behind the Death Hunter lay nestled the strangest contraptions the trainees had the fortune of witnessing, well second strangest, outside of the 'sleep chamber'. A large humming metallic-blue instrument spanning a good six feet was strapped next to what seemed like a giant wired cylinder. Spanning between the two large contraptions were hundreds of expensive looking wires, cords, plugs, all neatly tied and bundled into what had to be the electric generator near the back of this strange setup. A few tables and a small tent lay on the side, mostly unnoticed, and several unfamiliar Hunter faces seemed to be bustling back and forth, mostly shouting between each other.
"Trainees," Caelius took the liberty to finally begin what promised to be one of his long-winded speeches as the last of the Hunter trainees disembarked the helicopter. "Welcome to your first mission." Wait a second, so the other trials had not been missions? "We have already sent two teams in to investigate the situation, apparently I have been given the pleasure of debriefing you on your role."
The strange fog that hung low around the group seemed to show no signs of clearing, but for the first time, a shape seemed to show behind the fog, impassive. It seemed to be a structure of some sort, a building.
"Your role as trainees is simple," the Death Hunter continued. "In groups, you will also head into Fear-infected territory, your goal is not to destroy but to recover. We are looking for something, an artifact, if you must insist, but I warn you now that we are also heavily outnumbered. A Hunter's pride is as important as their resourcefulness; you will in your groups work together to navigate through this area. I will be joining you shortly." It was Caelius's way of saying he had no intention of using so. In fact, it suspiciously sounded like the Death Hunter was using the trainees as scapegoats of some kind.
"Now, it might come off as a surprise for some of you, but I am well aware of your level of experience during these situations. Because of this, please take with you the preparations given. Your largest asset - " there were a couple of snorts from some of the Hunters managing the base - "is your weapon. Your weapon has the ability and knowledge to protect and empower you, but should you be too weak to support its Fear, you will find yourself powerless." It was a warning. Weapons were once creatures of Halloween, creatures of Fear. If they grew too weak, there was only so much a Hunter could do. "Because of this, you will find in each of your preparation kits a few things. The first is a pendant. Secure it on you: if you lose it you will be stuck here indefinitely, and I will make this clear, none of us are here for babysitting or clean up duty. If you do not return, you will simply be deemed unable to continue your position. In case you have forgotten, your role has always been to protect, and if you cannot protect yourselves, well..." Caelius took the moment to walk over to the mostly-unnoticed table where the kits, backpacks really, were assembled. "Should you encounter any trouble, if your weapon is entirely disabled, simply grab your pendant and use the command 'Return'. You will be returned here, you and you alone. If your team member is disabled in a fight to the point of death, you have the right to help your team members as well, we function as a group, not individually, and this will be our greatest advantage to finding our.... artifact."
The Death Hunter began passing around the backpacks: within them were the standard issue mission apparel: two sets of bandages, a flashlight, the aforementioned pendant. Caelius gave them a bit of time to examine the contents before continuing.
"Lastly, you will find your cell phones rendered nearly unusable within your mission quarters. Fortunately, this does not work both ways: I am able to send messages to you, but you will find that sending or asking for help back from me will be entirely useless. That means, you and your group are alone. Work together as a team, use your resources, and lastly, when you have found the artifact, when your pendant reacts unmistakably to the artifact even, you will return and report to me."
One of the other Hunters assembled, the 'tech crew', really, coughed lightly behind Caelius. The Death Hunter turned around to mutter something to the person, sparing the trainees an absentminded wave of his hand. "When you are ready, please report your name, and your group members to me. We will operate the transport apparatus after everyone is done."
Oh, so that's what that giant glowing thing was.
THE OOC The October metaplot functions a little different for Hunters than the regular crew, it looks like this is their hardest mission yet. Caelius's instructions are vague: it looks like the rule here is like any other rule they have encountered at Deus Ex: to simply survive. In each of the Hunter's backpacks, they have TWO sets of bandages. One bandage can restore a character's HP to full; everyone has TWO. It’s up to the group to decide who gets to use them and when, in addition to who gets to ICly carry them! You can divide them up if you wish, or even use them without the consent of your group. If you take that route, be prepared for the IC backlash your group’ll give you though... In the event that a character is disabled in combat (WHEN THEIR HP IS CLOSE OR AT 0), make sure to ICly have either the Hunter OR a group member return you to the Hunters temporary base. Icly, you respawn HERE in THIS THREAD. Please post a respawn point here, and wait for GM approval before you are returned to your group. If you have any HUNTER RELATED ooc questions, please ask them in the Questions Thread or PM Chibizoo. Hunters are free to ask Caelius questions, but he seems a little distracted.... A cell phone communication sticky will be up soon! Hunters make sure to check in there for the latest messages on what to do.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:58 pm
Gale had been waiting for the summons from their "illustrious" headmaster of sorts (Well. As much as a headmaster Caelius could even be called), and when it finally came he was ready to go.
"What," said Gale. " - is that?"
...except wherever "here" was, was not what Gale had expected, his eyes narrowing as he leapt down from the helicopter.
Something humming, beeping, thrumming, and massive lay behind their instructor, dozens upon dozens of cords and wires tied up in neat bundles leading towards something that might have been considered a generator. Maybe. Except it was not really very normal looking.
Caelius' speech, however, was both normal and, as usual, long winded. But this time Gale listened more carefully, his lips pressed together in a thin line.
Survive. It reminded him of their first "mission," back when they had all been faceless people in gas masks as they all attempted to kill each other.
Kill or be killed, wasn't it?
Gale took the backpack mutely, giving a nod in thanks as he rummaged around in the rucksack. It held nearly everything from that first mission, even down to the bandages. The same - except not, since Gale and the rest of the hunters were all decked out in full on mission gear.
It was intense. And Caelius' explanations were, as usual, obnoxiously vague, giving everything a very...unstable feeling. But Gale was ready to go, despite that.
He glanced back at Bix, standing a few feet away from him; the older boy was one of the few people he trusted here, and the unasked question of Let's work together? was clearly evident in his eyes, a faint scowl crossing his face.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:00 pm
Madison's sense of dread had been going off like crazy ever since they'd been called to duty; the helicopter ride hadn't helped matters. For one, the wind made her hair into a horrible mess, and two... well, last time they'd been flown off somewhere it had all been a giant ********, for lack of a better word. But they were here: this was what being a Hunter meant. This was why they had their weapons, why there was a four-headed-serpent living in her brain.
It all came down to this.
The mention of teams made Madison relax; she grabbed a backpack from the table and quickly pulled out her pendant, fastening it around her neck and pulling her scarf over it. The thing felt reassuring somehow. Equally reassuring was, well... her team. There wouldn't be any question, would there?
"Are we ready to fly, Boss?" she asked Jordan, picking him easily out of the crowd; she grinned in what she hoped was a confident fashion. Surely Phoenix would stick together...
... Wait, five people in a group? Madison's eyes widened and the panic was back. That wasn't enough for all of them! They were six! A stab of uncertainty hit her, hard. She couldn't be the odd one out, she just couldn't-
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:08 pm
Davey was twitchy. Maybe it was his attitude, his missing arm, or just the simple fact that he'd never been part of a 'group' during their trial to become Hunters, but this was clearly a group exercise and Davey was alone. The idea of sitting this one out was a piece of shrapnel slowly digging it's way further under his skin, a constant irritant only growing worse.
... Well, he reminded himself, at least he'd still shown up. There were other trainees out there who were absent from the group, and Davey couldn't recall seeing much of them around the compound either.
It was fine, Davey told himself. He'd passed the test alone, without friends or teammates. This wouldn't kill him either. Even thought it felt like it might, seeing everyone here except the cripple gearing up for a mission.
"Perfect. Just bloody perfect," he growled under his breath.
Still. Caelius had found use for Davey before. Maybe he or one of the other instructors might do so again.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:15 pm
Helicopters. Tika could only think of the first time the hunters had been on a helicopter together and in all honesty... it made her very queezy. But she hid her discomfort the best she could and happily hoped out the moment they could get off.
But the ground wasn't a complete comfort. There was a lecture. And a mission. A serious mission. One where they could be in some grave danger.
But Tika knew that they would be having such missions at some point. You don't just sign you life away for a secret war and expect spa days every day. No. Tika knew that they would eventually have to go on missions. Dangerous ones.
Tika grabbed a pack.
She stayed silent and bit her lip searching the crowd for Bix or Before. A friendly face she knew!
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:31 pm
The helicopter ride was a bit unnerving. The previous ride had ended in - well, not disaster, precisely, but certainly pain and unpleasantness. Jordan tried to be philosophical about it; trial by fire seemed to be the mode, here. No time nor leisure to ease trainees into it. Survival of the fittest. Very Darwinian.
The machine was a surprise, but he didn't have time to examine it at leisure. Caelius was speaking. Jordan listened quietly, and took one of the backpacks when they were handed out, checking inside quickly. The pendant he secured around his neck, tucking it under his scarf.
Teams were good. Teams of five ... well, he supposed his team couldn't always stay together as a group, but the numbering meant that someone was going to have to split off. "Just about," he answered Maddie, glancing around for the others. "Someone's going to have to group up with another group, but let's wait and see if anyone's willing to volunteer before making a decision." He didn't at all like the idea of having to pick someone to leave, but if he had to, he would.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:38 pm
The smooth helicopter ride did nothing for his nerves. Bix was almost vibrating because he was so anxious and the lack of action made him dwell on every thought he could have. When they dismounted, the sight of the 'contraption' seemed to distract him but Caelius' speech made his stomach flop again.
He should be cool, as cool and calm as Gale looked to him right now, but he was feeling panicked. This was serious unless it was another trick, but even if it was a trick it was still serious! He took his backpack and rummaged through it, getting flashbacks to their 'trial'. The sight of the pendant got him even more reluctant but he choked down a GULP and slipped it over his neck.
He drifted over to Gale once he caught the pointed look. "You ready for this?" He craned his neck over the gang of hunters. "You see Before or Ariane around?" They were his battle group. The only group he'd ever fought a battle with before, so he didn't want to stray far from his comfort zone. Plus he had to watch out for Before. He was dangerous to himself!
Bix saw the sight of some familiar and funky hair also searching the crowd.
"Hey! Tika!" He waved her over.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:43 pm
The wave pinpointed Bixes location. Though his white hair should have done that for him. Tika slung her pack over her shoulder and wandered over to Bix and Gale.
"Oi! Long time no see Bix," She crossed her arms and stood next to the albino. Her eyes wandered to Gale. "Hi, names Tika~" A smile flashed to the younger hunter.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:44 pm
Jerry was gripping the whistle that hung around his neck tightly between his hands, one leg bouncing nervously as he shifted in his seat the entire helicopter ride. A mission, a proper mission, one without golems (it would seem- one never knew but he FELT like he wasn't in a golem so-) a dangerous mission, an exciting mission, a mission that could kill them....
His eyes weren't on his fellow Phoenixes as they stood for their briefing, though... they lay on a certain Huntress in purple and black, his lips pursing. He didn't hear Maddie or Jordan's comments, but at least he wasn't humming or fainting just yet. After a moment, though, it seemed the words had sunk in and he blinked behind his thick glasses.
"There's not enough room for all of us in our group?" His mouth parted a moment, eyes drifting back to Candace just a ways away from them for a moment before he turned back to Jordan with a look of determination. "If... someone needs to go, I... I can do it." He would miss them, it was true, but... well... if SOMEONE had to go... Madison wouldn't want to leave Ennea, Jordan was their Faithful Leader, he had to stay, where would Robert be without Petra... It only made sense. He was the odd man out. It had to be him.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:08 pm
Madison turned to Jerry with a look of surprise on her face. "A-are you sure? I don't want anyone to have to go, maybe we could ask..." Her voice trailed off as she considered the possible repercussions to such a question.
... No, that probably wouldn't work. She bit her lip. "If you do go, take care, okay?" she said, quietly. "You have to come back... we all have to come back..." She put one hand on Jerry's arm.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:20 pm
Before was a lot more careful in alighting from the helicopter and actually managed not to trip and fall on his a**. Was... Was he showing signs of improving and competence?!? 8DDDD he hoped so. The pleased grin on his face did not last long as he listened to boss-dude-Caelius brief them on their "real" mission. Wait, what did that even MEAN!? Okay, so they were on a treasure hunt of sorts...
Ooooookay, that sounded dangerous. But then again, this was what they signed up for, wasn't it? A chance to prove your worth and be weeded out if you epic-sucked. (Oh please, don't epic-suck, Before please please please pleeeeeeeease ;A; ) He listened intently, a hand unconsciously brushing against the bottlecap pin that was his weapon's unsummoned form.
She was as important to this mission as the rest of the team. And speaking of team... teal eyes scanned the Hunter Trainees present until they spotted pale hair and the youngest trainee. He jogged up to them, a cheery smile on his face to hide anxiety. "Bix, After!! We team up, yes? Yes? Please?" he asked, giving the two former Betas a thumbs up. And then he spotted "T-T-Tika!" 8D! OuO "HI! ARE YOU JOINING US? THAT'D BE AWESOME IF YOU ARE!!! I'M BEFORE, REMEMBER ME????" clearly, Before was proving the theory that volume totally masked your anxiety.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:56 pm
Jordan turned to Jerry, eyebrows arching slightly with surprise. Of all of them, he wouldn't have expected Jerry to be the one to strike out on his own; but it was a promising show of independence. Protesting might undermine some of Jerry's confidence, and wouldn't likely be productive anyway. He nodded slowly and clapped a hand on Jerry's shoulder. "If that's your decision," he said. "Much as I hate to split up, I have confidence in you, man. You can do this; we'll see you when the mission's done."
Silently, he hoped that Jerry would handle this mission better than the last. The older man was going in with an idea of what to expect this time, though. That would have to be enough.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:12 pm
"AHAHAHA Don't you worry, Miss Maddie! Alpha, Sir!" Jerry straightened proudly, pushing his glasses up his nose, "We'll kill this mission dead, Sir, I'm sure! And all of you MUSt promise to keep eachother safe, since I won't be there to save everyone's bums, ahahaha!"
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:35 pm
Tika was about to say yes she'd like to join the team but Befores energy slightly scared her. Tika stood there looking composed, but on the inside she felt her own anxiety suddenly eat away at her nerves.
"Uh.." Her nerves gave way for a brief moment before they started to build them selves back up. "Y-yeah. I mean if its alright with you and Bix here if I join up with you guys."
She felt bad that Before was worried she'd forgotten him already. The poor guy was reintroducing him self all over again.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:52 pm
"Left." Caelius didn't even bother to wait until the 'technician' had even begun speaking. Said person obediently did place the strange cylindrical chunk to the left though. The Death Hunter gave a few more vague instructions before harping on them and the general absence of the people who should be responsible for said equipment, see one Dr. H.
He meant to check back on the power supply, and nearly bowled into the trainees just standing there idling. He shot a couple of them dirty looks, as if their very existence was a blight. Actually there was probably no 'if' in that statement.
"If you cannot make yourself into teams, then I do not mind making some groups for you. Any stragglers can stay and help volunteer for other duties." The equipment behind him gave a strange humm, a buzz, and then an audible zap: the Hunter tuning it screamed, coughed, and rolled over, slightly charred. They looked kind of dea-
-"Oh look what do you know, it looks like we'll need new volunteers already." Caelius gave the trainees his best reassuring smile.
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