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Post by Marcus Prasad on Sept 29, 2013 17:03:34 GMT -8
Thread Theme (:3)It was mid afternoon, not a cloud in the sky. The City streets belonging to the Gods were almost serene. Tranquil even. That is until a Six Cylinder Heavy Block engine Shattered the quiet with all the subtlety of a Sledgehammer against a pane of glass. Today was an auspicious day and warranted using the Gas to take Lady out and about! Marcus' weekend had been filled with Top Brass Crow meetings which involved MANY productive things! Spotting a God Solider on the beat, The Man brought Lady into a spin and skidding sideways, coming to a stop just before touching the sidewalk the woman was walking along. Pulling his goggles up, Marcus cleared his throat. "Scuse me ma'am. Grim Prasad of the Crows. Was hoping you could point me in the general direction of The Missus Earth Dragon?"
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Sept 29, 2013 22:22:47 GMT -8
"Excuse me?" The lady said folding her arms. The lady he'd run into was a servant of the temple of Ra on her way to do her duties. She blinked a moment, still thrown off by the noise and the gusto- obviously things were done differently here.
"Oh you mean the Goddess Sekhmet...you can usually find her at the old freeway bridge training, or at the house of Ares...with their children. She's been gone a lot lately from what I hear, she does a lot of running around so I honestly don't know...."
"Is that....you....Marcus?!" A long haired brunette came dancing over quickly, her blue eyes beaming. "It's me!" Nera said..."Artemis! You saved me at the beach remember?!" She smiled and danced, the falcon flying and perching near by.
"You know this crow Artie?" The other girl said calmly. Artemis nodded.
"You want to know where Sekhmet is right? Bastille Amtrum? Last I heard from the whispers flying around, she hasn't been leaving home in the last couple days. Someone says one of the twins is sick." Artemis nodded sagely. Truth was, she had heard those rumors and everyone in gods territory knew where the hall of Ares was, Mathew liked it that way...but that didn't mean she was allowed anywhere near the premise. It was lucky for Nera that Bastille was always flitting around southern California and the rest of the world...it made it easier to go unseen, and frankly that was the plan. If her plan was to work, that's how it had to go.
But Marcus didn't need to know that. So Nera smiled all the same. The other girl he'd almost run into just looked exasperated.
"look if we want to be protected from Barker and keep our position we better get going....good luck finding her crow." She scoffed, and walked pulling Nera behind who just looked over her shoulder and waved good bye.
--
Bastille would indeed be at the house of ares, or rather, her house- since her husband, ares (AKA Mathew Amtrum) was ...well..MIA. He was always so busy. Really, she'd get pissed later for him not being around with Aryanna catching the cold- she'd been up all night with her. She was doing better now of course, but crap was Bastille tired as she walked outside to get some fresh air while the babies slept.
She would yawn in an exaggerated manner before walking out past the front yard. She didn't like having servants, nor did she like having guards- So most times she sent them away preferring her own mode of security. But lately she'd been so tired having a couple "followers" wasn't too horrible of an idea.
She would find a tree and sit under it, sighing heavily.
"Sometimes I dont think I'll ever sleep again"
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Sept 29, 2013 23:37:30 GMT -8
Sekhmet?
Marcus wracked his brains. Which one was Sekhmet? Egyptian godess of course. Wasn't she the one with the cats? Or was that Bas? It was times like this he really did wish he payed more attention in school.
The woman gave him a few places to start, which was nice of her and he was about to set off again when a voice rang out and shook his memory banks alittle. He could have sworn it had a touch of the scots in it.
Unfortunatly the face drew a blank. Saved her at the beach? He didn't remember saving anyone at any beach. Especially not anyone named Artemis. He looked over at the falcon and suddenly it began to click. The beach. Lying on some scrap. The flacon. Senji........
"Artemis!"
Marcus exclaimed, pleasently surprised to see the young brunette safe and sound (and in much dryer clothes). He had always wondered what had happened to her until work and fighting pushed her out of his memory banks.
"Good to see ya! Looks like you didn't end up eating your pet bird after all, heh."
The time Marcus saw the little lady, she was homeless, dressed in nothing but a bathing suite and a light shirt overtop and trying in vain to make a meal out of the Falcon. It was good to see her luck had changed with these people.
His joy unfortunately turned to irritation at being refered to as a mere crow.
"Oi! You should know me as well little Godling. I'd figure knowing who's who among the other factions would be in your guys' ciriculum."
As much as his pride wanted to make a big deal of this, Marcus new better and so returned his attention on the young Artemis, who's news of the sick Amtrum baby was met with dismay.
"Awww shit! I hope the little tyke recovers! Poor little babe."
The man had a definite soft spot for children. The last time he had seen the earth dragon twins was before the wedding when he gave Mathew a few pointers over the vows.
"Well, thanks for the leads. I'll try the Ares temple then. I'll see ya around Arty!"
And with that, the man drove off. He didn't really have an idea as to where this place was, but he figured it HAD to be one of the most ostentatious buildings in the city.
After a few hours he had a good feeling he found it. Parking Lady in whichever lot was there, the man made his way to the front doors and gave a rapid knock.
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Sept 30, 2013 9:50:35 GMT -8
"No one's home" Bastille called from under a tree a few yards away.
She'd just fallen asleep when the roar of 'Lady' had awoken her and now she was shoving on her aviator shades in hopes of hiding the massive bags.
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Sept 30, 2013 18:56:16 GMT -8
"Bullshit!"
Marcus hollered back with a laugh before walking around the property until he reached the tree Bastille had taken refuge under.
"I have a cool IdeeeEEAaa!"
The man chanted in a sing song tone as he sat down cross legged infront of the young mother of two with an enigmatic smirk.
"Buuuut if your not feeling up to it I can always come back tomorrow. That reminds me, How's the little ones? I heard they were sick?"
His concern was earnest. Marcus meant what he said. Bastille would just have to say the word and he would take his leave and save this conversation for another time.
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Sept 30, 2013 19:24:19 GMT -8
"You woke me up just to tell me you'd be willing to come back tomorrow- I know phone lines went out, but I was positive people still knew how to use carrier pigeons and smoke signals."
she said with a wicked smirk, lifting herself up a bit to raise a brow at him, pushing down her shades.
"word travels fast around here, the girls might was well actually be gods the way people speak about them. Anyway, Ari is fine, she had a cold but one good night of constant supervision and she was able to sleep this morning. I'll be in the check on her in a minute- make sure she's not still snoring like a bear. She got her daddies gene there......keeps Evelyn awake sometimes."
She paused for a moment then cleared her throat.
"so Whats this idea?"
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Sept 30, 2013 19:57:26 GMT -8
"What can I say? I enjoy the personal touch."
He replied with a shrug.
"Good to hear the little one is alright though. Anyway, It's not so much My idea as it is one Delilah brought up with you that I took over for."
The man took a deep breath and rocked back and forth, collecting his thoughts.
"Crow wants a navy. Means we need boats and according to the Lady in Black you got the means to get the materials to slap together a few fixer uppers. Just figured I'd ask if your still up for it. Lord knows I could use the help huh?"
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Sept 30, 2013 20:07:32 GMT -8
"Where is Delilah?" Was Bastille's first and immediate question. She said it nonchalantly, just as if she had felt like changing the subject.
She still had the means. Men in Europe who knew the craft, men she could get over here for a price....she also knew Maria and ....that order would come in handy. Perhaps even those she could bring to employ new life in the wilderness of the states were trees might still exist...and of course, Mathews men in Seattle.
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Sept 30, 2013 20:40:01 GMT -8
Marcus jerked in surprise and tilted his head.
"Not here."
He replied stiffly. Sure it could have been a simple question, but considering the context. Or mabey he was just being overly sensitive?
Marcus dismissed his reaction with a wave before changing gears.
"She's back in base being run ragged. Poor girl looks like she hasn't slept in years. Partly why I volunteered to take over this. She sends her regards though."
'Yes. Lower them Hackles boy. Just keep telling yourself she didn't mean anything by it.'
He repeated in his head as he loosened back up. Alittle worried at the possible source of that reaction.
'Always was a prideful fuck.'
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Sept 30, 2013 22:19:08 GMT -8
It wasn't Marcus...but Delilah was a close friend and usually she took her work seriously. Bastille seemed relieved to know that she was alive and well....she'd thought something had happened to her. The relief was obvious on her face at least and Bastille smirked.
"Yes, I can help...depends on what kind of ships you might be looking for"
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Sept 30, 2013 22:47:13 GMT -8
She looked relieved, which left Marcus feeling chagrined.
"I'll let her know you've been thinking about her. Would probably give her a much needed boost I can imagine."
He said with an apologetic smile.
"As for boats. I think its best we start off small. A simple cargo runner. Fast, quiet and modular. Meaning we can switch it from hauling freight to ferrying people within....oh let's say about an hour or two if we are REALLY Pushing it. Four hours or more at a more relaxed pace. There is no way we can go toe to toe with Barker on the waters yet, hence the emphasis on stealth and speed. More like than not we'll be using them at night to minimize discovery."
Pausing to catch his breath, at let the young mother of two process what he just said, Marcus shifted in place, pulling his knee up to his chest, lacing his fingers overtop of it.
"Any questions so far?"
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Oct 1, 2013 7:49:22 GMT -8
"Nope....but by the question- I meant which century are we talking here?"
Bastille smirked.
"Different things have different probabilities and possibilities. I take it you want something to outrun Barker....I'm not maritime expert, and my knowledge is limited- but if we can get a basis down for what we need exactly, I can bring in my chief consultant on the matter-...might take a month or two...she's in Spain building a fortifying wall and expanding inner city limits in a safe haven city there"
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Oct 1, 2013 18:13:32 GMT -8
"Point taken."
The man conceded as he frowned in thought. Maybe he was coming at this from the wrong way?
"What exactly would she be able to provide for us? Let's start there because i don't want to ask her for a fleet of Modern Metal machines when she makes Old wooden Galleons. Outrunning anything Barker has in the water is a must yes but....Well let's just say I have a definate-"
Reaching into his inner jacket pocket, Marcus pulled out a thin leather bound black book.
"-Laundry list of things for these boats. Making a boat is one thing. Providing Numerous ones for a war effort where Supply and Logistics apply? Now that's a whole WHOLE new ballgame."
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Post by Bastille Amtrum on Oct 2, 2013 22:02:50 GMT -8
Bastille snickered.
"Well lets get to work then shall we- oh but...first,"
She turned around and called to the guard in a monotone voice.
"Oi! You there....bring us something to eat" She said and the man was off like a light. Bastille just turned back and sighed in a whimsical way.
"That never gets old...anyway, in what I've read..."
And Bastille had read a lot....and that considerable sum gave her enough knowledge to sound more expert than she actually was. Truth be told, she had sort of just memorized historical advantages as well as basic names...she really didn't know how to build one. Memorizing text books only went so far.
"Viking long boats are wooden and would not be picked up by sonar since they would basically read as a wooden log...technology forgot it's ancestor, Its why the war in Europe is going well- technology doesn't know how to fight tactics from before a certain period. Now if he could figure we have them, they'd be easy to destroy- so really those could only be used as recon or quick get aways. Modern sailing ships as well as cargos are harder to come by but not impossible. I think I remember a few fixer-upers in Dana Point Harbor....if only we could get down there in order to snag a few, but it's deep in Barker territory. Long Beach Harbor also has quite a few....it will be easy to fix and modify then start from scratch..."
She paused and began thinking.
"But really, Viking long boats were too ingenious for any age."
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Post by Marcus Prasad on Oct 8, 2013 23:10:50 GMT -8
Marcus let out a small snort of amusement as Bastille ordered about her manservant, adding in a cheerful
"And a drink too if you could please!"
Before getting back to the task at hand. Which appeared to be Viking longboats of all things.
Which was pretty fucking Metal.
Marcus could already imagine being at the head of a landing party, sprouting the horns as fire belched out of the mouth of the prow.....
Unfortunatly such things had a VERY fatal flaw in this day and age.
Marcus nodded, arranged his words carefully and took a deep breath.
"You make a pretty damn good argument there Bastille I won't lie, but I have to admit the idea of wooden boats scare me. Barker is in the same....errr, boat as we are. He doesent have machine guns or guided missiles or computer operated cannons. So that old world advantage isn't as big as you would believe. He still uses regular old human eyes. Eyes that have access to IR goggles and you betcher ass they got em if they have sonar. Would make the people on those boats light up like christmas before they send the fire Qi users to make it official. Wood burns nicely after all."
"Still, would be pretty fucking awesome all things considered."
He added apologetically as he tugged on his ponytail.
"Best to stick with the metal then. We could definatly use a shipwrights eyes and judgement to decide what's worth saving or not. Would mean a lot less time and manpower wasted on scrap and junk, huh? I can have my boys and girls scout out this Dana Point Harbor. Mabey if we pool our resources together we could steal- I mean skillfully aquire[/] what we need right under Barkers nose, buuuut let's see what's at Long Beach Harbour first."
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