Post by Jonathan Winters *Deceased* on Jun 25, 2006 17:44:44 GMT -5
"..So, this is really it, eh boy?" Cool breezes were blowing through the trees as the figure of a middle-aged man and a young man walked through the quickly made gravel padding. Shadows veiled them from the very stars, the intertwining branches seemingly hugging, hiding away the sleeping birds over their little nests. Coming into the light of the moon, the young man stopped, the middle-aged one also. A six-foot soldier, in a special operation's suit, night-vision goggles held back onto his forehead just waited, not responding. Sergent Benzel, took the time to poof up his D-13 hat, his whole outfit black, as if he were mourning, coughing into it to warm it up a little. Satisfied, he refitted it back onto his hat, and looked at the still silent soldier before him. Wordlessly, without bothering to look at anything, the soldier continued walking, at the Sergent's displeasure.
Beginning to thin out, there was a little bit of impatience now in the soldier's strides, the overweight sergent huffing to keep up, cursing his smoking habits. Underneath them, the gravel road had begun to breakout, the swishing of blades heard nearby. The helipad was close. "Hurry up there, Arcane Academy will pass over Pennsylvania soon! We have to hurry if we want to converge with it properly!" Flipping a few switches, the pilot rechecked if his door was properly locked. Both curtly nodding at this, the soldier stood at the side of the door, saluting for the sergent go first. The sergent shook his head, but entered anyways, the young man climbing in after his superior.
They sat across from each other in the small helicopter's personal transport space, the soldier standing for a while, checking the back. Yes, two bags and two boxes... his things made it here just fine. Everything ready, he sat down, his back to the pilot. "Take off, we're good to go!" "Roger that." The swirling sounds overhead began to increase, as slowly, the helicopter rocked back and forth, slowly getting off the ground, until finally, foot by foot, the ground began to leave them. All the while, the Sergent just stared at the soldier as both buckled themselves in, doors closing automatically. Still nothing said. "Are you not going to say good bye, at least, son? You're a damned good soldier, least you could do.."
Some turbulence interrupted the Sergent's reminsience, as they rocked a little. "Hang tight, just a small storm from the East Coast coming in!" Pittering soon showered over the entire hull of the helicopter. The soldier still did nothing... wait. His hand crept onto his thigh, and finally held itself out. "A handshake.. heh. Better then nothing, coming from you, I guess. You've been a good sniper, soldier. And I know this transition might be a little strange, but because of the maturity of the magic you've developed.." There was still yet no movement, but the hand remained extended. Sighing to himself, the Sergent took to it, and shook it vigoriously, a strong grip returned. There was a silence as they rode higher and higher into the near-top of the clouds, more rocking ensuing, but quickly passing.
"..Arcane Academy's a good place, from what I hear. A floating school with a city around it, damned good sorcerors, and hey, maybe you'll finally get a lady of your own.." The silence pressed into the sergent who shut up immediatly. Quietly, the soldier's head shifted to the side, looking out the side of the door's window, watching the landscape of clouds that they had erupted into. The sun's rays splashed onto it, making for a symphony of colors that betook the paintings of the ages and made them into nothing. An almost inaudible sigh came from the soldier.. he was enjoying himself. Smiling to himself, the sergent fitted his hands into his pockets. "You've got a couple hundred of rounds for all your weapons, including plenty of rubber bullets. You'll be fine.. we'll try to ship some fresh ones in, every now and then, but, it'll come maybe, at best, once a month. Just keep your focus... you'll do fine at this 'school'."
Focus. A term he never needed to say, which the sergent never needed to say. It was already all planned out in his own head. First, walk into the school, carrying the bags underneath the arms, and carrying the 'boxes' in each of his hands. Then, find the dormitory where he's been registered in, unpack, cook something, go to sleep, go to class, and maybe meet with some fellow students, learn about them, and prepare for the upcoming missions and battles with the compiled weaknesses and strengths taken into place. Both hands were laid quietly on his lap now, going through this in his mind. "Oh yea... son, since your no longer part of the D-13... I'm gonna have to take your rank badge." The sergent's words breaking into his thoughts he turned to look back at the man. He wasn't a soldier anymore. Right, he had forgotten. Taking his time, he slid his right hand to the top of his left shoulder's side, feeling around for the badge, unplucking it in a simple motion. Extending his own hand, the former D-13 soldier nodded and held out his hand just above the Sergent's dropping the badge into it. Corporal. Ex-Corporal.
Relaxing at this sudden realization, he leaned back into his chair, and looked around. If it weren't for the more formal "Special Operation's" suit that he was wearing, he would've enjoyed the rather soft and cushiony seat of the helicopter's leather. There was, on the floor, a small latch door, which opened up into a small compartment for emergency medical supplies, the red dots pointing towards it. Standard D-13 helicopter, all black, with mounted 90mm machine gun, and a pair of flares, and two small anti-helicopter jets, latched tightly to the bottom of the helicopter. It sailed like a fishermen's boat, into the open air, a beheamoth of a floating piece of land seen a few miles away, ebbing across from one side to the other. Realizing this, the pilot accelerated a little. He needed to get to that imaginary 'half-way' point, if the delievery was to be properly made.
"Rise and shine, we have arrived!" Putting a little bit of emphasis into the 'we have ''aa''rived' was enough to rouse the Sergent who immediatly stretched himself awake, yawning. "Ahh... nice sle... wake yourself, Jon-" Stopping himself, rubbing his eyes, he smiled, shaking his head. "Nevermind... crazy bastard." Jonathan was already sitting up, still in his suit, slightly anxious, but not moving much. The fact that they were lated annoyed him a little, but of course he didn't show it. Resounding slower and yet more slowly, the blades of the helicopter came to a halt. Doors popping open, the Sergent walked out of the left one, Jonathan walking out of the right. Heading to the back of the helicopter, the back of the helicopter gasped open, as two fatigue-decorated, large travel bags and two boxes, one navy blue, the other dark brown. But instead of going for them, the sniper held himself down, and unhooked some shifts on his helmet, his face rousing it self quietly from his helmet.
One deep breath. The helipad they landed on was surrounded by a wondrous forest... what the maps indicated to be the border between the exterior city of "Babylos" to the school itself. Everywhere he paused to look, the blades of grass were dancing in the wind, the trees swaying in the rhythm that sang quietly its own tune. Only the quiet could hear it. "Well... we have to go, before we go out over the ocean... good luck Winters." Saluting the quiet man, he went to at ease, just as Jonathan pivoted around, remembering that this was a good-bye. Saluting in turn, his eyes shimmered a little bit, not to cry... but more as if to say, 'Thanks..' Climbing back into the helicopter, the sergent gave one last wave, before disappearing into the helicopter, the whirling mounting up again, a string of birds coming from the trees, screaming at the sudden disruption... Jonathan only could watch in silence. When it went out of view, he looked back at his things. Taking another look, he spotted a bluebird taking flight suddenly.. the blue feathers a nice fadeback into the sky... he liked it here. It was quiet. And as sad as good-byes were, he was even more glad to say good-bye to the helicopter.
Time to go. Fitting his hair back into his mask, he skimmed over to his possessions, hulling them up, just as he had forseen, taking two of the bags under his arms, and the two boxes into his hands. Now, as the maps dictated... the school was to the southeast of this direction. Twirling around, he began a slow walk to the school, taking the time to observe his surroundings.
So... this was Arcane Academy. Walking in, sticking to the right-side, so as to avoid causing unneccesary traffic in the halls. It was busy with kids of all sorts of ages, most of them around his age or older. A firm tile floor, good lighting overhead, but just too much noise, really. Oh well... there was always noise in the background, nothing that would kill him. For a while, he just decided to stop, putting down his stuff against the wall, and observe the people going by. Some of the other kids looked at him strangely, for his strange suit, and possibly scary-looking mask, but he would only shrug.
Beginning to thin out, there was a little bit of impatience now in the soldier's strides, the overweight sergent huffing to keep up, cursing his smoking habits. Underneath them, the gravel road had begun to breakout, the swishing of blades heard nearby. The helipad was close. "Hurry up there, Arcane Academy will pass over Pennsylvania soon! We have to hurry if we want to converge with it properly!" Flipping a few switches, the pilot rechecked if his door was properly locked. Both curtly nodding at this, the soldier stood at the side of the door, saluting for the sergent go first. The sergent shook his head, but entered anyways, the young man climbing in after his superior.
They sat across from each other in the small helicopter's personal transport space, the soldier standing for a while, checking the back. Yes, two bags and two boxes... his things made it here just fine. Everything ready, he sat down, his back to the pilot. "Take off, we're good to go!" "Roger that." The swirling sounds overhead began to increase, as slowly, the helicopter rocked back and forth, slowly getting off the ground, until finally, foot by foot, the ground began to leave them. All the while, the Sergent just stared at the soldier as both buckled themselves in, doors closing automatically. Still nothing said. "Are you not going to say good bye, at least, son? You're a damned good soldier, least you could do.."
Some turbulence interrupted the Sergent's reminsience, as they rocked a little. "Hang tight, just a small storm from the East Coast coming in!" Pittering soon showered over the entire hull of the helicopter. The soldier still did nothing... wait. His hand crept onto his thigh, and finally held itself out. "A handshake.. heh. Better then nothing, coming from you, I guess. You've been a good sniper, soldier. And I know this transition might be a little strange, but because of the maturity of the magic you've developed.." There was still yet no movement, but the hand remained extended. Sighing to himself, the Sergent took to it, and shook it vigoriously, a strong grip returned. There was a silence as they rode higher and higher into the near-top of the clouds, more rocking ensuing, but quickly passing.
"..Arcane Academy's a good place, from what I hear. A floating school with a city around it, damned good sorcerors, and hey, maybe you'll finally get a lady of your own.." The silence pressed into the sergent who shut up immediatly. Quietly, the soldier's head shifted to the side, looking out the side of the door's window, watching the landscape of clouds that they had erupted into. The sun's rays splashed onto it, making for a symphony of colors that betook the paintings of the ages and made them into nothing. An almost inaudible sigh came from the soldier.. he was enjoying himself. Smiling to himself, the sergent fitted his hands into his pockets. "You've got a couple hundred of rounds for all your weapons, including plenty of rubber bullets. You'll be fine.. we'll try to ship some fresh ones in, every now and then, but, it'll come maybe, at best, once a month. Just keep your focus... you'll do fine at this 'school'."
Focus. A term he never needed to say, which the sergent never needed to say. It was already all planned out in his own head. First, walk into the school, carrying the bags underneath the arms, and carrying the 'boxes' in each of his hands. Then, find the dormitory where he's been registered in, unpack, cook something, go to sleep, go to class, and maybe meet with some fellow students, learn about them, and prepare for the upcoming missions and battles with the compiled weaknesses and strengths taken into place. Both hands were laid quietly on his lap now, going through this in his mind. "Oh yea... son, since your no longer part of the D-13... I'm gonna have to take your rank badge." The sergent's words breaking into his thoughts he turned to look back at the man. He wasn't a soldier anymore. Right, he had forgotten. Taking his time, he slid his right hand to the top of his left shoulder's side, feeling around for the badge, unplucking it in a simple motion. Extending his own hand, the former D-13 soldier nodded and held out his hand just above the Sergent's dropping the badge into it. Corporal. Ex-Corporal.
Relaxing at this sudden realization, he leaned back into his chair, and looked around. If it weren't for the more formal "Special Operation's" suit that he was wearing, he would've enjoyed the rather soft and cushiony seat of the helicopter's leather. There was, on the floor, a small latch door, which opened up into a small compartment for emergency medical supplies, the red dots pointing towards it. Standard D-13 helicopter, all black, with mounted 90mm machine gun, and a pair of flares, and two small anti-helicopter jets, latched tightly to the bottom of the helicopter. It sailed like a fishermen's boat, into the open air, a beheamoth of a floating piece of land seen a few miles away, ebbing across from one side to the other. Realizing this, the pilot accelerated a little. He needed to get to that imaginary 'half-way' point, if the delievery was to be properly made.
*****Two Hours and Thirty Seven Minutes Later, Over 15 Minutes of the Estimated ETA...*****
"Rise and shine, we have arrived!" Putting a little bit of emphasis into the 'we have ''aa''rived' was enough to rouse the Sergent who immediatly stretched himself awake, yawning. "Ahh... nice sle... wake yourself, Jon-" Stopping himself, rubbing his eyes, he smiled, shaking his head. "Nevermind... crazy bastard." Jonathan was already sitting up, still in his suit, slightly anxious, but not moving much. The fact that they were lated annoyed him a little, but of course he didn't show it. Resounding slower and yet more slowly, the blades of the helicopter came to a halt. Doors popping open, the Sergent walked out of the left one, Jonathan walking out of the right. Heading to the back of the helicopter, the back of the helicopter gasped open, as two fatigue-decorated, large travel bags and two boxes, one navy blue, the other dark brown. But instead of going for them, the sniper held himself down, and unhooked some shifts on his helmet, his face rousing it self quietly from his helmet.
One deep breath. The helipad they landed on was surrounded by a wondrous forest... what the maps indicated to be the border between the exterior city of "Babylos" to the school itself. Everywhere he paused to look, the blades of grass were dancing in the wind, the trees swaying in the rhythm that sang quietly its own tune. Only the quiet could hear it. "Well... we have to go, before we go out over the ocean... good luck Winters." Saluting the quiet man, he went to at ease, just as Jonathan pivoted around, remembering that this was a good-bye. Saluting in turn, his eyes shimmered a little bit, not to cry... but more as if to say, 'Thanks..' Climbing back into the helicopter, the sergent gave one last wave, before disappearing into the helicopter, the whirling mounting up again, a string of birds coming from the trees, screaming at the sudden disruption... Jonathan only could watch in silence. When it went out of view, he looked back at his things. Taking another look, he spotted a bluebird taking flight suddenly.. the blue feathers a nice fadeback into the sky... he liked it here. It was quiet. And as sad as good-byes were, he was even more glad to say good-bye to the helicopter.
Time to go. Fitting his hair back into his mask, he skimmed over to his possessions, hulling them up, just as he had forseen, taking two of the bags under his arms, and the two boxes into his hands. Now, as the maps dictated... the school was to the southeast of this direction. Twirling around, he began a slow walk to the school, taking the time to observe his surroundings.
*****Thirty-four Minutes Later...*****
So... this was Arcane Academy. Walking in, sticking to the right-side, so as to avoid causing unneccesary traffic in the halls. It was busy with kids of all sorts of ages, most of them around his age or older. A firm tile floor, good lighting overhead, but just too much noise, really. Oh well... there was always noise in the background, nothing that would kill him. For a while, he just decided to stop, putting down his stuff against the wall, and observe the people going by. Some of the other kids looked at him strangely, for his strange suit, and possibly scary-looking mask, but he would only shrug.
