The Order of the Sentinels

Eylah, well used to being smaller than almost everyone she talked to, was unmoved by Jack's display, simply adopting parade rest. "None of the missions the Keepers send to us are trivial," she replied. "Moreover, Ulquiroah's Honor Blade and Relic are powerful weapons. Those weapons, in the hands of an injured and outnumbered man, slew a thousand living creatures in five minutes. What will they do to our Wall? Or the people inside? Red won't save them."

Andurs almost immediately regretted his choice of vote. Not for the objective he favored, but his tone was intolerable. "Trajan, for a leader, you're not acting it," he warned. "While the medical facility is the mission I am favoring, I do think the second misson is worth considering as well. We owe it to our fallen comrades to let them rest in peace." He pursed his lips. "Like Reaper said, however, the civilians take precedence. Without a population, we would not be. Therefore, we owe it to them to keep them alive first and foremost, so that they may keep us alive."

He was surprised when Reaper's voice floated out of nowhere, but accepted it fairly readily. Reaper was difficult to find at the best of times, he'd found. "After we locate the old hospital and loo—er, I mean salvage any medical supplies we need, perhaps we can do that second one. I am curious about the last stand of one of our kind."

He looked at the Sentinels he could see for any other comments or suggestions.

"We have the ability to fight those kind of things, but we don't have the capability, as of now, to fight this disease." Jack replied, looking at Eylah. "If you think someone else is more capable of leading us or, more appropriately, someone else who can lead us that agrees with you, then go ahead, nominate them. But I am only nominating myself to lead if we are going on the Red recovery mission."

Eylah shifted slightly in her parade rest. "You volunteered before knowing what the missions were," she said evenly. "Will you back down now, in front of Lady Eleanor? You are our leader for this mission, and I'll follow your orders to the letter outside the Wall, but in here, we are equals, and the only respect I'll give you is what your personality earns."

Zoe stared at Jack, the disgust on her face hidden from view.

"If you intend to blackmail us you are not a leader, whatever mission we choose. The option of combining both missions has some merit though, if possible."

She paused for a moment.

"Do we have any information about how usable the Ship is? If we salvaged it first, we could possibly use it to transport more Red from the Hospital than we can carry on our persons."

edited 30th Oct '14 5:10:13 PM by 3of4

"Honor and dignity aren't necessary for survival." Jack stated, coldly. "And I'm not leader yet. Not everyone has made a decision. Some of us aren't even here yet. I stand by my decision."

Jack blinked for a moment, Zoe's comment having brought him out of the tangent he was on. "Blackmail? How am I blackmailing anyone? I don't know enough about you people to blackmail. All I know are your combat capabilities, and your skill sets."

Zoe didn't respond to his demand, but simply stated.

"I have no idea who to vote for. But I vote against you."

"I - I agree with you on the medical mission, Jack," Said Flicker, speaking up. "we can't fight if we have no fighers. But..." He cleared his throat, and looked Jack in the eyes, trembling slightly. "I would rather have Attics as leader. He has more experience as a Sentinel than you. Than anyone, if I recall. That's my input, anyway."

He went back to tapping the table nervously, having said his piece.

edited 30th Oct '14 6:11:52 PM by kagescorpionakki

Andurs slowly stood. "Since it's become obvious you weren't listening, Trajan, Lady Eleanore named you leader minutes ago, before revealing the missions to us. If you aren't mature enough to handle the decisions your team comes to, step down. Having your way isn't what being named leader is about. Being leader means accepting responsibility for the lives of your team. If you are not willing to do that, I will rescind my vote."

Thinking about it, he added, "Actually, I think I will go ahead and withdraw my vote, and nominate myself." He glanced around the room.

Attics had leaned back in his chair and watched the chaos ensue. He could've explained that the Lost Age ship held more value (known and unknown) to Haven than mystical cure-alls to destroy a virus that killed less people than the flu. He could've explained that, even though the ship was in enemy territory, it was an enemy the Sentinels already knew about—the medical facility was in uncharted territory. He could've explained that Ulquiroah's legendary Honor Blade and Relic would not only boost Haven's defenses, it would also boost the city's reputation and morale; Attics had been a Sentinel long enough to know what that meant.

But he said nothing, because watching Jack throw a fit was a lot more fun than being right.

He broke his silence when his nomination came up again. "Thanks for the offer, Flick, but I'm not really the leading type. Though if it's between me, Jack, and the newbie, I'm not sure I'll have much of a choice."

Somewhat similarly to Attics, Lady Eleanore seemed serene within the storm raging around the table, eyes closed as she rests her chin lightly upon a bridge made out of her joined fingers. After all, such flares were to be expected among the highly individual and unique Sentinels. Additionally to that... she had been leading them for a long time. Perhaps way too long... questions of leadership may be foreign after being used to the status quo for all these years. Some of the Sentinels had not known other leadership beyond her own.

However... she had been at this too long. And after last mission and losing her leg entirely, having to spend an entire month regenerating the wounds so far... Well, it put things in perspective. She couldn't simply trust that she would be there always to give direction to this family.

And indeed... that is why she didn't worry too much about their discussions and bickering. Other Orders were more heavily regimented, needed such order and decorum to operate as a well oiled machine. Sentinels, with their small numbers of specialists in such high risk environments didn't operate quite like that. With their varied temperaments they were to often clash... however, she didn't doubt that any one of them would receive a shot and a hundred more for their fellow Sentinels.

However... well, she could always give her opinion and try to steer the discourse a bit. That she didn't mind them bickering didn't mean that she liked to see her brothers and sisters fight "Here, here, please everyone. Something you all ought to take into mind is that for us to receive these missions to choose, they were all given a similar importance ranking by our superiors at the Eagle Society. They all represent different important resources that our city needs. While this new sickness is worrying, there are already measures in place within the city to try and treat it. Proper epidemic procedures are being carried out to try and stop the spread of it. At the moment, the threat it represents is not all that dire but there is potential for it to become a greater problem... and we do need greater reserves of Red. If we did chose another mission before it and were not back by the time the situation worsens, another Society of Sentinels would be sent to the medical facility"

"However, beyond the expected caches of Red, who knows what else may be found within such a complex? Where the great people of the Empire came to be healed? What knowledge may be found within? That combined with the recon opportunities of making a route through unexplored territory does make the place quite appealing"

"On the other hand... Ulquiroah is quite a personal matter to the Sentinels. He was a Falcon once and his Honor Blade is painfully absent from the memorial. He was sent on a mission that was never accomplished... and that he paid with his life to make sure our Society still stood while he was left behind. His blade and the Relic he used to make his legendary feats possible are things that Haven needs brought back. Even more so... the technology lying beyond his grave. However, it will be a dangerous endeavor... Ulquiroah with his finest and his heroics faced deadly odds. The bugs crawl in incredible numbers around the place. Only because recently they engaged in war with another alien tribe and had their numbers culled is that leadership has deemed this mission viable for us to attempt"

"Thus, be certain of your choices Sentinels. You all get a vote in which of these you go on. Furthermore, if you don't like a mission I can speak with the Eagles and have it assigned to another Society... and if you fancy a mission greatly, I can likewise speak with the leadership to reserve it for us unless it becomes a dire affair that needs immediate handling"

"As for the leader... once again, this is mere formality which as you know, we hardly care about at the end of the day. If the Falcons want another leader you all just need to settle on who will be it. You all know how to do your jobs and cooperate with one another out there... but indeed, there must be someone who at the end of the day, you can look up to make the right choice in moving forward"

Squid having already downloaded the mission data, silently reviewed the details and acquired any other relevant information from the Seeker's network. The holographic map updated with more info for the three missions; showing their distance from Haven, travel routes & times, estimated enemy numbers, and so on.

Andurs sat down, crossing his legs. "Hm...In light of this new information, retrieval of Ulquiroah's Blade and Relic might be more important because it is limited by time. Otherwise the insects will repopulate, and we might never again get the chance to give him rest. The hospital can wait, if we can reserve that mission for a later time," he thought aloud, his fingers fiddling with the pommel of his own Honor Blade. "His body is likely no more, but at least we can bring a piece of him home in the form of his blade. I know I wouldn't want to be left out there."

An idea came to him, then. He turned to look at the blue-clad Lady Eleanore. "I've just had an idea. Don't name a leader. Let us pick the mission, and while we're on mission, the position should fill itself naturally. It's a risk, but we're Sentinels. We can take it."

edited 31st Oct '14 6:18:23 PM by Enduring_Knight

"We need someone who can coordinate, but that might work," Eylah said, nodding. "When will we be shipping out?" She fidgeted a little, already feeling a bit of excitement. Back outside the Wall again...

"That would depend on the mission, Eylah. I'll add the estimated preparation and travel times to the display." Squid commented, pointing at the holographic map as the details appeared in light-blue.

Lady Eleanor smiled at the proposal, nodding her head in approval as she says "Depends on which mission you guys pick, however, you can leave near as soon as you are all ready and packed to go. I just need to handle some paperwork, give you all more intel on your objective, clear things up with the Eagles, prepare the Witness and contact our pilot to drop you as close as we can to the destination. All that can be rushed and ready for this afternoon. If you guys want some more days to prepare, do joint exercises, check up with your family or anything, we can wait without compromising any of the missions. However, you are expected to ship in 5 days at the very latest"

"Hmm... I'm ready whenever all of you are," Andurs announced, leaning back in his chair.

><><><><><>< A few hours later...

The crisp, cool wind blew through the open hangar as Andurs stood waiting for the other Falcons. He adjusted his Honor Blade, then shifted his Relic's position slightly. It was a bit crowded on his right forearm. Two grapplers and his Relic's core. He'd manage, though. He always had before. He checked his handgun, noting the number of bullets left in the magazine, and checked his HUD to see if he'd remembered the extra mags. He had, thank goodness. He set the gun back in its holster.

He stood out of the way of the other military aircraft, near the entry door of this section of the tower. His helm covered his face, but it was obvious that he was excited, as he kept fidgeting. "Hm... should I have eaten that fruity sandwich before this, though?" His lunch had been a special treat from one of his favorite eateries, but perhaps he shouldn't have eaten quite yet.

Oh, here they come, he thought, looking at the micro-radar on the HUD. Several figures marked with green dots were approaching his position.

edited 12th Nov '14 10:16:08 AM by Enduring_Knight

"Andurs." Eylah greeted her fellow Falcon with a nod and a small wave, joining him out of the way of the drop shuttles. Her sandy hair blew in the wind, and she held her helmet under one arm. Her rifle was slung on her back, a scope seemingly made of black glass attached to it; it shimmered oddly in the harsh lights of the hangar. "Have you fought the bugs before?"

"Eylah, well met," Andurs nodded at his compatriot's arrival. Unlike him, her helm was off. It'd be rude to leave his own helm on, so he reached up, flipped the buckles, and eased the helm off his head. He quirked his lips into a half-smile at her question. "I have, but not as a Sentinel. They're tough bastards, and for bugs, huge. It's weird, though. I can still remember those things that happened before I ascended, but they're... I dunno, it's like they're hazy. Like those old motion clips preserved from the time before the Empire. Is that just part of having my senses heightened? Did that happen with you?"

Eylah shrugged, nodding. "It happens," she said shortly. "You get used to it." That wasn't strictly speaking true, but he was new. It wouldn't do to scare the boy... and wasn't that telling in and of itself? Andurs was taller and broader than her, and older, but she still couldn't see him as anything other than a boy. "Do you have family?"

"I do," he grinned. "My father is a member of the Seekers. Alexander Custenin. My mother was one of the Keepers, but...," his smile faltered. He sighed, scrunching up his brow as he looked across the hangar bay. "About halfway through my training, four years ago, she was skewered while patrolling on the Wall. No one even knows what did it, but there was an eight foot spear-like weapon stuck through her abdomen. There was enough Red to save her life, but she's been in a coma ever since."

He swallowed the lump in his throat, and continued, "But it wasn't her that inspired me to be a Sentinel. My uncle did. Damian 'Swordmaster' Callahan. I visited his grave today. That's why I was so late, in fact.

"What about you? Any family to speak of?"

Kharbyr considered two directly in-front of her. She twiddled her thumbs, unsure of what to do. She had carried out the training that was expected of her that morning in the past few hours, so she saw nothing wrong with sneaking off to the hangar afterwards.

But now... social interaction had never been her forte.

What to do. What to do...

She was grateful for her relic keeping her hidden, allowing her to deal with her shyness in relative peace. Ultimately, she decided to show herself and engage in some conversation.

"No. No family that I care particularly about." She remarked, approaching the two while deactivating her relic.

It was at that moment that both Lady Eleanor and a young man they all ought to know walked into the hangar. James Rogers of the Eagle Society, one of the three people to enter the Sentinels by their flight skill from the realm of the Keepers. James mostly flew for the Falcons, dropping them on the place of action quick and certainly.

The Sentinels had three ships to their name, one of the which was a Relic. Phantom, the Relic was the smallest of the three, though still capable of carrying a whole team of Sentinels even if things were a bit cramped. By far the swiftest of the three, it had a stealth function which allowed it to become invisible and nearly undetectable. However, its value as a relic meant that it was used only when there was certainty that it would not go down. Then there was Bulkward, biggest of the three, it could carry all the sentinel personnel. Heavily armed and armored, it wasn't quick but it was secure. And finally, there was Shrike, striking the medium between Phantom and Bulkwark, the ship was of medium size, well armored for its size but optimized to balance speed, firepower and defense. It did have an essence consuming boost that allowed it shortly outpace the Phantom in speed, but only for a mad rush in case of trouble.

"Hey Falcons! Ready for the deployment? Today we'll be deploying the Shrike. I'll get you in as close as I can to the bug's nest and then I'll be waiting for your signal to pick you up" says James with an easy smile.

"Today begins what may be a legend, my Sentinels" says Lady Eleanore as she patted the Witness at her side "Do us and Ulquiroah proud... well, when all of you get here. Got everything in mind or do you want another briefing on your mission?"

Elyah checked all her packs, pockets, and belts, patting herself down in a quick, businesslike manner. Not only did she seem satisfied with what she found, but she smiled slightly as her patdown resulted in almost no clanking or clattering sounds at all. "All set, ma'am," she said quietly. "I had a look at Squid's maps - I see there's a hill a few hundred yards outside the nest that gives a good view into it. I'll be setting up there."

Zoe simply turned and walked to the ship...not that anyone would have noticed. While she walked, she checked her honor blades where they sat on her hips. Feeling a edge of anticipation, she wet her lips...

This was going to be interesting.