Scenario Entitled: Aim High, Man!Characters:
Chax, GB Pilot seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Golden light.
Ace (NPC), Hero Pilot. Imagine Phil Hartman into the dialogue and you've got it nailed.
Location: Militia HQ - Courtyard
Date: Jander, 110 P.A.
Ace
He is arguably the standard in splendid-looking members of the male human species. A man blessed with the conventions of heroic features to a staggering degree, and the vanity to flaunt them to the max. He stands 6 foot, 3 inches tall and possesses a musculature that required many hours crosstraining in the gym. Equal time in front of the mirror, it seems, has resulted in smooth tan skin, short wavey dark hair that is impeccably slicked back along his scalp, and his trim little moustache speaks of constant maintenance. Underneath those carefully-cultivated black eyebrow arches lie two blue eyes that might be called 'dreamy' by the easily swoon-able - basically kind of moist and gentle. More often than not, a poster-boy smile graces his mouth, revealing an almost painfully white set of teeth.
His flight suit bears a number of commendations. They run the standard hero-type affair: A purple heart here, a Medallion of valor there. His rank appears to be that of Captain.Chax is looking at a datapad, a puzzled look on his face as he hurries through the square on the way to the HQ offices. He happens to look up and spots the man he was sent to see. A crisp salute is snapped, "Sir, I was just on my way to report your office, sir."
Ace returns a crisp little salute to Chax, his perma-smile hightening a notch. "Ah, Mister Hollander. Great to meet you, man." He extends his hand for a hearty shake. "We can dispense with all the formalities. We're both hard working pilots in one form another, eh chum?" His teeth almost sparkle with that grin.
Chax's own grin is about 1000 lumens less dim, but just as enthusiastic, "No argument there, sir." He shakes the offered hand warmly, "Just glad to be back in a suit, if ya catch my meaning. Nothing like strapping oneself into a ground angel, eh? Oh, the infantry was challenging, but people like you and I, we belong in a cockpit, nest-ce pas?"
Ace tilts his head back a little to let roar a warm guffaw. "Indeed, Chax. May I call you Chax? And please, call me Ace." He gestures towards a stone bench that isn't occupied close by. "I've heard good things about you. All that unfortunate business with those Coalition rascals over and done with...and now helping to bolster our ranks. Good show. I've heard how you've been trained for the Glitterboy. Remarkable technology." He sighs as he seats himself.
Chax sits down on the bench, his expression guarded, however, his pride cannot be diminished, "I was a member of an elite squad, Ace, of Glitterboys from Free Quebec, you could say I'm familiar, but that would be a gross understatemen. I have been trained to elite status on the one-hundred series, trained to competent status on all the other variants in Free Quebec." He looks ashamed at the mention of the Coalition business, "Oui, merci a le bon dieux. Er, yes, the Coalition nastiness is behind me, even though the guilt I carry still lingers, I supose it will never completely vanish. However, the empathy I have gained makes that particular burden easier to carry." Okay, let's get this on an up note, "Did you have any questions about the capabilities or technology? I'd be more than glad to share what I know."
Ace develops a more somber expression, one of sympathy as Chax touches on the past. He finally gives his head a little shake. "No need my chum. I appreciate the offer, and I may just take you up on that some time, but I've put my past ops in Glitterboys behind me for now." He sighs. "I've been put in charge of a squad in the Air Corps for now. It's a fine division, Chax. The continual test of reflexes and the absolute power that I hold with that stick is my fate for now." He smiles again. "I'm sorry to have brought up the Coalition there chum, I know it's a sore spot for you brave souls that have shed that past. I say, good for you! In fact, I envy your strength in that aspect. Indeed I do. Actually, what I wished to talk to you about was that dreadful business with the Photoshoot. Wish I could have attended that."
Chax arches an eyebrow, "Ace? What nastiness? No worries about the past. It was rather tame, Ace, all things considered. We had more than adequate forces present. I was expecting some sort of activity, sniper, something. Nothing, just the one gaunt guy trying to get something off, and, well, the mystic woman acting a bit belligerent."
Ace nods, and folds his hands on his lap. "I've heard the reports of what happened. I must say, from the videocasts, that unhealthy Harvester didn't seem to have much life in him until he got all that sudden pep. Dreadful business. You think they'd learn to avoid doing such things with those restraints." He sighs heavily. "Funny you should mention that woman, a mystic is she? Yes, that would be Rayne Lazarus. Damn shame, the woman appeared to be a bit distressed. What do you know about her, Chax?" Open curiosity is plain on his face.
Chax shrugs, "Aside from the fact she's drop dead gorgeous? She told me when we first met that I'd be back in a power armor suit before the year was up, and she was right. She claims to be some sort of mystic, Ace, but I dunno, I think she's more lucky than actually skilled, ya know? Beyond that, I have no clue. She does owe me a lunch date, though, from before the press conference. I doubt I'll get to collect since escorting her out of the conference."
Ace moves to offer a friendly swat on the shoulder. "Perhaps she's just playing hard to get. What woman can resist a man in uniform, eh?" His smile dims a bit. "She was rather attractive, wasn't she? She certainly was worked up that day. Is she still a little troubled? I can understand being removed from the conference was a little draconian. I suppose she's a little miffed at us, eh chum? Ha ha."
Chax grins wryly, "Yah, probably. You know, now that you mention it, she's convinced there's another threat, and those in custody are innocent. She's convinced of something called "The Beast", that is the supreme evil. I always thought that was who I used to work for." Weak joke, "She seems to think it's Mr. Yarg, owner of the Hanged Man. I dunno if it merits investigation or not, but she seemd lucid at the time, I'm no doctor or anything, but I can usually spot someone delusional. Ah, I don't know. I don't know what harm in checking it out would cause, do you? I mean if there is another threat, we should know about it and move to neutralize it, no?"
Ace is firm in his next spoken convictions. "I don't think I could have said it better myself, Chax. The Militia has never sat on it's heels when it has so many threats bearing down upon her like a gale." He raises a hand to his chin, stroking it's clean-cut surface gently. "It certainly deserves a little probing chum. The Beast you say. A title that is certainly meant to categorize something truely horrible. I'll have to make a note of this Mister Yarg and the Hanged Man shop. I'll inform the Internal Security fellows. Leave it to them. If there is something fishy about this Yarg, those keen fellows will snoop it out damn quick." He taps at his lips, looks to Chax and smiles. "What might be best for now...Is to keep her from raving further. We wouldn't want her to scare their quarry away before the IS can do anything. You sound like you've got a direct line. Do you think you could do this, Chax? Convince her to be descreet and stop raving about?"
Chax hrms, "I could, if I convinced her that we're handling the investigation. I don't know how successful I'll be. And with regards to the necromancers, I'm a bit troubled by a lack of trial, but I have faith in my command, and if they say they're guilty, then so be it. I just hope I'm not asked to pull the trigger, I don't know if I could. Executions were never my thing, something I've never had to do, actually." He looks at Ace, his expression unreadable, "I have no doubt in the militia's ability to defend the citizens of Tolkeen, Ace, if I implied otherwise, then I did not speak clearly. I apologize if so." His own slightly stubbled chin is rubbed in turn, mimicking the other pilot unconsciously, "I have heard so many things on the street, what do you think, Ace? You've been around much longer than me, are there other threats? My patrols have been clear, the occasional CS grunt trying to probe the line, but quickly encouraged to try elsewhere, know what I mean?" He grins.
Ace nods, a bright grin encompasses his face. "I do. I most certainly do, Chax. I'll be up front with your Chax. There are so many threats. Why, just last week, I've heard of some burrowing type thing that tried to build a home in the scrapyard. The thing was humungous apparently. The Coalition is always trying odd little tricks too. As for those Harvesters, apart from them making my skin absolutely crawl, I've heard of what they do to their victims. Lord almighty, they are evil." He takes a deep breath. "I'm getting a little off track I believe. Also, I can understand the lack of a trial looks a little raw. But...caught in the act, chum. And countless other recorded acts by those dastardly necromancers. There will be no pardon for them. I don't think they could get more guilty unless they murdered our mothers and fathers in front of us. Nasty business with them. Horrible. I don't want to spread rumors about all the sorts of creatures and people that actively work against Tolkeen. That would just panic our citizens. And lord knows, that would just open up opportunities for terrorists." He goes silent for a moment and then adds, with a renewed optimistic demeanor, "But we'll stand tall against them, Chax. Like we've always done. But I have a fortune of my own, Chax...for you. Keep up the good work, and that USA-G10 is right around the corner."
Chax arches an eyebrow, scarcely daring to believe it, "Sir?" He does sit taller at that, "That would be most welcome news, Ace. I like the Samson, it has missiles, but it's not my core competency." He sighs, the pilot in him ectstatic, the warrior in him saying, "Ace, if I have to fight with a stick and a trash can to defend this city, I will. The dream of getting back in the old one hundred has been driving me for many years, and if what you say is true, Tolkeen will have the most stalwart of defenders." He grins, "I have few custom maneuvers that I developed in it. Maybe, if what you say is true, I can demonstrate the boomer burn." He chuckles, "Ahh, to feel that tonnage around me again."
Ace chuckles warmly. "I can tell you really love the girl. Ha ha. A man should love his machine. They have to one, bonded...an almost symbiotic relationship. We understand each other. You've got guts Hollander. You're what we need." He gets to his feet, the small chit chat probably near it's completion for today. "I should get going. I'll get in contact with those IS fellows today. You get that crazy bird of yours to calm down a bit, and the boys in Internal Security will get to the bottom of things." He grins.
Chax nods, as he stands up as well, "You got it, ace, I'll do what I can." He chuckles, "I imagine it's in use right now, but I try to steal a glance for her on occasion. I can recognize that machine from a klick away. If I find out anything else from Rayne, I'll be sure to pass it on, Ace."
Ace gives a firm thumbs up gesture, nods his head and winks. "Good show. I sincerely hope we can sort this mess out. Those Harvesters...It seems the longer they stick around...the more uneasy people get. Take care, Chax. And good hunting." He starts to head towards the HQ, taking long easy strides.
Chax nods, "Yah, good hunting." He jogs out of the area.
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