Altitude: Islands in the Sky

[Mister]

Serigi Foxhound sat silently in the confines of his small Bristol office. The events of the past day and the days leading up to it were replaying in his mind. So far he'd not been able to get into contact with Truce, no thanks to Price. His head throbbed with a massive headache as his mind swirled with what had yet to be done. Serigi knew the ins and outs of the legal aspect of this game. The local authorities of the United Island Confederation (UIC) would be up in arms after what he intended to be known as "Th Bristol Bloodbath".

Serigi also knew that his enemies were cunning, and his rivals were swift to pin him to any such occurance. It was time to remove certain obsticles and pave the way to power. The first in his mind that needed to be removed? There was no doubt or hesitation, Marcus Price needed to be killed, and soon.

Marcus Price was the only man He knew of who had the power, rescourses and connections to overthrown Serigi. Price was no fool and realized early on that political backing was a must in the economic world in which they lived. So he had played the part, earned the respect, and withheld is natural bloodlust from the eyes of the public.

But Serigi was no fool either, his eyes had been fixed on Price and his destruction ever sense he was able to remove the 'old Man" from the picture. Bloody hands were common in Serigi's family, bloody hands and clean hearts. They say you can't get any cleaner than Pitch Black.

Serigi longed for the day that Price's blood ran on his hands, just like so many before him. Serigi called for one of his men and had him bring some food and drink, it was going to be a long flight to Ikura and he'd need the strength.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marcus Price paced impatiently accross the floor of his office near the airstrip. Across the strip in the hangars Price could hear the power tools of the mechanics whirling and whining. But the sounds only penetrated his mind as a superficial background.

Price's heart was in termoil, torn between anger, frustration, and unease. Only moments pryor to his pacing he 'd been sitting calmly at his desk, waiting for an attendant to return with the information he'd asked for.

"Did you do the research i'd asked for?" Price had inquired roughy of the attendant only an hour before, "and where is the report from my agents?" the Attendant, a thin freckled young lady, had stuttered and fumbled with papers as she tried to explain that they had just arrived at his mansion shortly before he arrived at this office.

Price had dismissed her to retrieve the documents from his mansion and return them to him. A long slow hour had passed and when she returned it had been with a thick binder fo papers. Price swiftly dismissed her and began to read.

His heart sank with each page that he read. his agent had reported that over the past month Serigi Foxhound had been supplying both him, and Truce with whatever they had asked. The agent continued to say that Serigi's own agents were keeping a close eye on both of them, monitoring their every move.

As Price continued to read he learned that Serigi had made plans to travel to Ikura and meet with Truce, unannounced by all indications. But what caught his attention the most was the reasearch he'd had compiled. Serigi Foxhound, sone of Matthias Foxhound, had not just exiled his father, but had him murdered once he arrived. Of course it was listed as an accident, a cargo bin just so happened to be loose and toppled onto him as he passed by. totally uncreative to Price's thinking.

Price knew that Serigi Foxhound was a monster, because he was too. Monsters had a way of picking each other out of a crowd, drawn together by some flame of bloodlust and deciet. Only Serigi had been goading Truce and Price into fighting each other. The report had stated that it all started with the failed buisness deal, and now that he thought about it, it had been Serigi that had started the deal, and Serigi that had notified Price as to where Truce had been going. Of course it had only been Truce's general direction, but Price knew now that Serigi had almost planned ti to a tee.

Serigi was using them. But to what end was what bothered Price the most. price needed to think like a political monster, and quickly. So now he was pacing, trying to get into Serigi's head. Then it hit him, Truce was one of the few who knew that Serigi had dealings with such men as they were. Price himself was the only younger Politician in the Courts who had as much political support as Serigi if not more.

Now Price knew the game, Serigi was out to see both men killed, brutally and at eachothers hands if he could help it. But that was a big conlcusion to jump to, there had been others who were in on the deal that Truce broke. What had happened to them? Swiftly Price ordered his attendant to get all the information she could on the others involved with Serigi's deal. Price was sure he was right, but he had to be absolutely positive.

[Nami]

Isabella glanced at Adele as she moved closer to Juan, who seemed to be having a nightmare. She watched his face twitch and sweat poured down his face, she moved a bit closer to the bed. Suddenly, he sat up and she yanked backward. Unfortunately she didn't dodge his hand which, one of his fingers jabbed her cheek. Close to her eye.

"AH!" Isabella cried out, startled and falling back on her rump. She blinked rapidly, as white lights popped around in her vision. Finally they settled down and she observed Adele, do the strangest thing.

Of course, it was impossible for Isabella not to stare as Adele placed her hand on Juan's, and one on his shoulder. She was more surprised than anything, after all...she had though Adele liked Truce. That was something to think about. 'Ah, she must know him...'

Isabella's eyebrows went up, "you know him, Adele?" she asked in a nonchalant manner. Ignoring the indigestion that threatened to overthrow her. Isabella took on a calm expression, leaning back against the plane's wall. It was strange to see Adele acting that way toward a guy who wasn't Truce. Of course if Juan and she knew each other, then it would all make sense.

'Maybe from childhood...'

Isabella shook her head, why had she just thought that? Why would she even think that? She shivered, not of her own will as a distant memory flickered at the back of her mind. Along with every other past memory she had shoved into the box a long, long time ago. Those were memories she didn't want to see again. Not yet anyway. Isabella closed her eyes and suddenly Price's eyes shocked into her head and his evil grin.

She snapped her eyes open. She was in the sleeping area of the plane with Adele and Juan. But the fear of Price remained, like a lump of ice in her gut.

Eliza put a hand to her lips, she had not meant for it to sound like that. realizing her mistake she spoke quickly, "no! well... he drew his pistol on me, but my aids protected me."

Quinton felt his anger ease away, only a little. He wanted to remain calm anyawy.

[Davidizer13]

Quietly and wearily, Truce pulled back the partition that separated his room in the nose from the rest of the plane, being careful to shut it extra-tight, what with the fiends outside tonight. Inside, the room was cramped, but still appeared comfortable. The walls were covered in sound-deadening cotton batting, and a padded hammock, ornately decorated in the Southlands style: lots of curly, looping embroidery running through the silky fabric. He kicked off his shoes, then pulled a bottle of brandy from a small safe on the wall, brushing aside paperwork and money to get to the drink. With a deft motion, he uncorked it and took a long sip, wincing a bit as he swallowed. Wouldn't Monty be surprised to see him now...the big-shot kid with a plane, crawling back to scrape up a job and a place to hide out for a while.

He hopped into the hammock and curled beneath its blankets, staring at the curved ceiling above him. Outside, the engines thrummed, and wind whistled across the aluminum skin around him, gently pulling him to sleep...

Ground Arc: Reunion

The next morning was announced by the sound of the landing gear being shoved by pistons into the down position, growing louder as the engines grew quieter. Truce sighed as he pulled himself free of the hammock and to his feet once more. "Landing positions, everyone!" he yelled to the still-groggy crew in the back. "Welcome to Ikura, watch your step on the way out, keep your wallets close, and stay seated until-" The plane bumped roughly as it touched down; Truce nearly lost his footing. "Until we're stopped. Oh! And meet back here tonight! Eleventh ward airstrip, hangar five; remember that. In the meantime, I've got some things to do..."

[Destroyer2000]

Van ripped yet another recruitment poster from the wall, his shoulders drooping a bit more as he read the contents. "Idiots," he cursed under his breath. "Doesn't anyone think big around here?"

A low rumbling caused him to turn and glance upwards, noticing as a ship landed. "And here comes yet another arrival to this fine island of Ikura. Wait a minute." Something caused him to look a bit closer at the landing ship. "And it seems this bunch doesn't even know how to fly. Much longer, and they would have crashed. Look at all the damage..." He trailed off, and shrugged. "Not my problem."

Sighing once more, Van set off towards the tavern the poster had mentioned. Anything to get me off this island...

[Diamond Dragon]

ooc: Sorry, I'll have my character catch up!
BIC: "It's Denkou." said Denkou in a low voice. Then, feeling tired she turned her back on Maiz and went to find a place to sleep.
____________________________

Suddenly Denkou fell off the chair she was sleeping on when the ship landed. Now in a bad mood, she got back up and went to see what had happened.

[Darth_Kirby]

ooc: Sorry, I'll have my character catch up!
BIC: "It's Denkou." said Denkou in a low voice. Then, feeling tired she turned her back on Maiz and went to find a place to sleep.
____________________________

Suddenly Denkou fell off the chair she was sleeping on when the ship landed. Now in a bad mood, she got back up and went to see what had happened.

Maiz did the best he could to make sure the psycho kid was secure before sitting against the side of the plane opposite to the kid. Denkou had taken a chair, but Maiz figured that if they landed it might be unwise to sit or lay on an elevated piece of furniture. None-the-less he let her be.

"Her problem not mine."

Then Ulairez slowly drifted into sleep...
___________

*Crunch! Screech!!*

Maiz woke up with a jump. Not a jump from himself, but from the plane landing roughly. Ulairez noted with satifaction that his calculation about not wanting to sleep on a chair was correct as poor Denkou had been flung from her chair and was now had a dazed look upon her face. Not the way to wake up, Maiz chuckled to himself.

"You okay, Denkou? We've landed in Ikura."

[AtmosBreak]

Remaining in shock, Juan failed to notice his hand hitting Isabella nor Adele place her hand on his. The memories of his dreams, his visions, his recollections were just too fresh in his mind. The fire, the smoke, the screaming, where was it all? It was just too silent all of a sudden. The children, the children were just there now only one survived. He hadn't been able to save them. Only one girl was still alive from the orphanage and Juan had to send her far away, somewhere where the monster called Price could not get to her. Juan had seen too much death and had grown deeply attached to all the kids. The death of them more than a heavy burden on his shoulders. After the incident, Juan stopped sleeping for 2 months. Though, no matter whether his eyes were closed or open, the heat of the flames, the feel of the smoke and the sounds of the screams haunted and played over and over, a broken record.

It was all silent now, the orphanage wasn't there anymore. There he was inside the cargo hold of a plane, still shivering, lightly panting and the sweat dripping off his skin.

Slowly Juan came to his sense, everything around him coming into focus as a pair of emerald green eyes appeared before him. He hadn't even noticed her hand holding his, his mind too groggy, too blurred. As she spoke, everything started to click together once again though his face was still of one in shock. He was on the Tiamat. He had been shot protecting her, that's right, the one he fell for at first sight where was she? Glancing around, Juan took note of Isabella on the opposite side of the room before turning back to the woman infront of him who was becoming ever increasingly familiar.

"Why is she... why is Isabella so far awa... wait... how does this woman know my name, no, it can't be. No..."

A silent gasp escaped Juan as she continued to speak. Juan stared at her in disbelief for several moments more after she finished speaking, it couldn't be her after so many years. She was so different yet so similar. Her hair was much shorter than he remembered but there she was, his first love, his first heartbreak, his first real friend.

As Juan's mind calmed down from racing a little over a thousand miles per hour, it began to sink that it was true. She was Adele, she was there after all these years and she still recognized him even though he failed to. Though the disbelief was still there. It was just all too coincidental that they just happened to meet right then and there, of all places. Juan jerked his hand back abruptly yet gently, the disbelief was just too much to handle.

"Adele... Adele... Adlina... no, it can't be you... no... really?"

Juan's hand began to shake softly once again, it was too much as he slowly backed up before his back touched the wall. Juan winced slightly as his wound made contact with the surface, obviously everything was still tender but nothing he couldn't bear, he was a man after all.

Juan slowly moved back towards Adele before he slowly lifted up his hand to the side of her face. Juan gently placed his palm on her cheek, his eyes widening at the contact. She was actually there, it was actually her.

"It is... It is actually you."

What was he to do? Everything was just becoming too much.

[acgifford]

Remaining in shock, Juan failed to notice his hand hitting Isabella nor Adele place her hand on his. The memories of his dreams, his visions, his recollections were just too fresh in his mind. The fire, the smoke, the screaming, where was it all? It was just too silent all of a sudden. The children, the children were just there now only one survived. He hadn't been able to save them. Only one girl was still alive from the orphanage and Juan had to send her far away, somewhere where the monster called Price could not get to her. Juan had seen too much death and had grown deeply attached to all the kids. The death of them more than a heavy burden on his shoulders. After the incident, Juan stopped sleeping for 2 months. Though, no matter whether his eyes were closed or open, the heat of the flames, the feel of the smoke and the sounds of the screams haunted and played over and over, a broken record.

It was all silent now, the orphanage wasn't there anymore. There he was inside the cargo hold of a plane, still shivering, lightly panting and the sweat dripping off his skin.

Slowly Juan came to his sense, everything around him coming into focus as a pair of emerald green eyes appeared before him. He hadn't even noticed her hand holding his, his mind too groggy, too blurred. As she spoke, everything started to click together once again though his face was still of one in shock. He was on the Tiamat. He had been shot protecting her, that's right, the one he fell for at first sight where was she? Glancing around, Juan took note of Isabella on the opposite side of the room before turning back to the woman infront of him who was becoming ever increasingly familiar.

"Why is she... why is Isabella so far awa... wait... how does this woman know my name, no, it can't be. No..."

A silent gasp escaped Juan as she continued to speak. Juan stared at her in disbelief for several moments more after she finished speaking, it couldn't be her after so many years. She was so different yet so similar. Her hair was much shorter than he remembered but there she was, his first love, his first heartbreak, his first real friend.

As Juan's mind calmed down from racing a little over a thousand miles per hour, it began to sink that it was true. She was Adele, she was there after all these years and she still recognized him even though he failed to. Though the disbelief was still there. It was just all too coincidental that they just happened to meet right then and there, of all places. Juan jerked his hand back abruptly yet gently, the disbelief was just too much to handle.

"Adele... Adele... Adlina... no, it can't be you... no... really?"

Juan's hand began to shake softly once again, it was too much as he slowly backed up before his back touched the wall. Juan winced slightly as his wound made contact with the surface, obviously everything was still tender but nothing he couldn't bear, he was a man after all.

Juan slowly moved back towards Adele before he slowly lifted up his hand to the side of her face. Juan gently placed his palm on her cheek, his eyes widening at the contact. She was actually there, it was actually her.

"It is... It is actually you."

What was he to do? Everything was just becoming too much.

-Adele-

Juan let out a abrupt gasp as Adele finished her sentence. Adele just merely stared into Juan's deep brown eyes. They seemed to be filled with many different emotions. She knew what he must be feeling right now. She even now felt some, if not all of those emotions herself. The two of them were silent for what seemed like an hr. Adele pursed her rosy lips trying to contain the discomfort she felt at this. Juan abruptly but gently pulled his hand away from her's. Adele felt her heart drop into her stomach and swallowed hard as she watched Juan. Juan then rose from the lower bunk shaking his head gently in what was disbelief or confusion. Perhaps both. All Adele could do was stare at him. Every single thing she thought to say seemed to stick in her throat as she watched Juan back slowly to the wall behind him. As his back touched the wall he winced slightly. Adele continued to watch him. Her face was riddled with many strange emotions that she could not sort. She glanced to Izzy as if in some way something in her face would answer tell her what to do. As Adele looked back she was startled to see Juan near her now. He placed his rough warm hand on her slender white cheek. A shiver shot like a lightning bolt down her spine and her lips parted slightly as she stared into his eyes in wonder.

"It is... It is actually you." he said in shock.

Adele stared at him a moment waiting for the words to come to her. When they did not come to her, she just chose to speak her heart.

"Of course it's me...." She looked down. "Juan..." she was silent as she looked at her lap. Something caught the light as it fell from her face. It was in fact a tear. "I-I'm sorry for...for what happened when we were younger." She let out a sharp gasp as the guilt she felt became more than she could bare. "I was stupid..." she said the tears began to fall rapidly from her face, "I shouldn't have let my life get in the way of our friendship.....School shouldn't have been more important than our friendship." She paused trying contain the pain she felt for the past. " I-I know you loved me. Back then. I still loved you then. I just didn't realize that...that school would destroy our friendship. What we felt...I didn't realize." she sobbed. " I should never have let you go that autumn afternoon....I'm sorry." After she had finished she broke down into shaking sobs. STOP IT! STOP IT! Why are you acting this way?! He must think you an idiot! She thought as she tried to calm the sobs that would not stop shaking her. She could not even understand the grief she had felt. She had tried to forget that day. The day her she died. Adele did not realize that guilt still held her fast. The heart she had once taped together had broken into a million pieces once again.

OOC: Pardon. I will move to the next arc. But I feel this needs to happen. I do not think this can be skipped. Catch up as soon as possible.

[MomentOfInertia]

OoC:sorry again about being slot to post:sweat:. a quick finish for the flight chapter then a start for the next one (should we be numbering these?).

If no one minds I'll move Felix a bit, not too much just keep him alive till Seto comes back or we find another pilot. Heck I might wind up running him full time, it which case I'll have to review those pages of scheming in the "new RP" thread, there was a lot of stuff that didn't pertain to Gavin so I kind of skimmed it.


IC: Gavin

The Captain set the two new passengers to watch Juliana and then went forward. I figured Maiz was a sensible guy, and Red wasn't gonna put up with any trouble; so I grabbed the weird little radio, stuck it in my toolbelt and headed forward to find a bunk.

-----
I woke to the sound of the gear being lowered and the Captain yelling;
"Landing positions, everyone!Welcome to Ikura, watch your step on the way out, keep your wallets close, and stay seated until-"
there was a large bump as we touched down, -ether it was foggy out there or Felix was still messed up pretty bad.-
"Until we're stopped. Oh! And meet back here tonight! Eleventh ward airstrip, hangar five; remember that. In the meantime, I've got some things to do..."

I clambered up to the cockpit to give Felix a hand taxiing the plane to our hangar, then helped him down to one of the bunks. I checked his bandages, they were all right he wasn't bleeding out or anything but he was a mess. I'm kind of amazed he didn't pass out before we landed, probably should have gone up and taken over for him hours ago.

With Felix settled, at least for a while, I set out. With everything that was happening I figured I'd better stock up on ammo and spare parts, and Klaus had promised he'd have my new rifle ready by the next time I was on Ikura......

[AtmosBreak]

Lowering his hand, Juan actually had no idea what to do. The mixture of complex emotions overflowing him, his brain could not process them all. There she was right there, right in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, Juan caught a glance at Isabella. What would she think of all this? How would he explain this to her, to Adele, to the whole crew? What was he feeling anymore? Adele just had to choose that specific moment to reveal herself to him, right when Isabella was the only other one in the room, hearing all these embarrassing things from his past. That's what they were, weren't they? Just the past... Yet why did he still feel like this? Happiness and yet a slight pain other than from his memories and wounds, like something from the past. It was 10 years ago, he swore he moved on. "Argh, God why did you have to make angst so... angsty?"

Juan remained silent as Adele spoke to him, his mind slowing down, his whole body calming down. What should he do? He wasn't prepared to see her cry, he wasn't expecting any kind of emotion really. From what he remembered, he felt like such a pest, an annoyance to her, like she wanted nothing to do with him last they saw each other. More than likely that's why he ran that day, he couldn't handle it anymore. Juan had in no way, expected what she was about to say.

Stunned, Juan watched her for a few moments as she sobbed before he suddenly hugged her, embracing her to stop her tears. It was something he learnt from his grandmother that just became habitual to him. Whenever there was someone crying, especially someone he was close to, no matter how long since they last seen each other, Juan had the urge to hug them.

Embracing her, Juan made a gentle shushing noise to try to get her to stop crying. He didn't blame her for anything, sure that incident was the start of his slowly escalating downward spiral of loneliness, anger and rebellion, but he never blamed her for anything. It was just his fault, it's all on him. She had nothing to do with the deaths of any of them.

"It's ok," Juan whispered gently, "it's all in the past now. It's the past and we can't change what happened. You don't need to be sorry, I understand." Juan added, a little bit more louder yet still gently.

Breaking the embrace, Juan held her hand, looking at her in her eyes with a somber happiness in his own.

"School is important. I... I should have not said anything back then. But that's the past." Juan swallowed. He had set in his mind that he was over it all but yet it was still hard to say, lingering pains and subtle feelings slowly resurfacing after ten years, Juan wondered if it was even possible.

Looking away, Juan glanced again at Isabella for a split second once again before he slowly returned to the bed, leaning against the wall as his vision lowered to the ground. He was tired but not sleepy. Exhausted but still remained energy. He didn't have any more courage to speak up or continue, it was just not the right time, at least not on the plane.

"Ah, um... You should get some sleep. Let's talk about it when we land. Just uh... I'm sorry"

Softly stating a little above a mumble and a whisper, Juan never lifted his gaze from the floor as he brought his knees to his chest. His mind became blurry once again, if they said anything else, he did not hear or take notice. All sounds were the same to him, just one continuous blur as his emotions and mind ran wild. At least it distracted him from the pain of his bullet wounds.

[Nami]

Isabella watched the whole drama unfold without much emotion, though when Adele started to cry, her eyes widened. This was so odd, ever since Juan had joined the crew, Adele had shown so much emotion. Well, sure, Adele always yelled at the Captain. But to cry and show fear... it was all so new. Isabella had begun to believe Adele was made of stone.

Clearly though, that wasn't the case. Isabella stepped forward to offer her handkerchief when Juan embraced Adele. She blinked, holding her dirty handkerchief. 'Oh well, it's dirty anyway...' she looked down at the grease stained kerchief and wrinkled her nose. 'I need to wash this' she thought, stuffing it into her pocket. It would be to awkward to try and leave while they were talking, so she stood quietly, waiting for her chance.

It came when Juan told Adele to get some sleep, she walked toward the door and paused. "Yes, sleep Adele, we all need our rest." She smiled and glanced at Juan, something in his position sparked a memory long forgotten. Shaking it away with the dust of the night, she slipped from the room and went to the engine-room. Gabriel looked up as his sister entered. He was half-asleep on his feet with a wrench in his hand.

"Hey, everything cool?" he asked.

Isabella nodded and flopped into her hammock, "Juan's in your bed, so you can sleep in here tonight."

Gabriel looked around the cold, iron engine-room with all its gears, he nodded. "Gee thanks, nothing I like better than sleeping on nice hard metal with a crunchy gear rolling my head around all night."

Isabella scowled and rolled away from him. "Fine, get a blanket or something." Gabriel smiled, and pulled out a blanket from the personal compartment his sister had, he splayed it on the floor and flopped down. "I can't wait to go shopping tomorrow." He murmured. Isabella smiled and they both fell asleep dreaming of new engine-parts.

------------

The beautiful new day dawned, from the tiny porthole, the sun poked through the gloom and warmed Isabella's face, she turned slowly and smiled. What a nice way to wake up, warm sun, good sleep...the smell of burning engine...

Isabella sat up so fast that the hammock spun and tangled her feet, making her fall on her face, which slammed into Gabriel's gut.

"GAH!" he cried out, "what the-" then he smelled what his sister had and shot up, knocking his sister clean off him, she spun, once, twice... three times before slamming into the warm floor of the engine-room.

"If I weren't so worried about the engine I'd kill you." Isabella snarled, jumping to her feet and running to the engine. Together, the siblings worked to calm the smoke that gushed out of the engine.

"DANG IT ALL!" She screamed, "I should have fixed this sooner!"

Gabriel was silent as his sister cursed and shouted working pieces. The Engine sputtered out a puff of blacker smoke and Gabriel coughed. "Ough! What's wrong with it?" He asked.

Isabella cursed foully and scowled, "it was during out attack... the second one." she said, "the engine lost a piece and it smacked me in the head."

"Oh, is that how you got your cut?" Gabriel asked.

"Yeah...anyway," she waved her gloved hand, "I need to tell Felix to get this baby landed."

"Better hurry." Gabriel shouted.

Isabella rushed out of the engine-room and up the ladder. "Felix! Gavin! Anyone! Land this thing or we'll fall right out of the sky!" She brushed past Truce, too busy to realize it was the Captain and back to the engine room. Smoke poured out and Gabriel and Isabella tried to control the issue.

[acgifford]

Lowering his hand, Juan actually had no idea what to do. The mixture of complex emotions overflowing him, his brain could not process them all. There she was right there, right in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, Juan caught a glance at Isabella. What would she think of all this? How would he explain this to her, to Adele, to the whole crew? What was he feeling anymore? Adele just had to choose that specific moment to reveal herself to him, right when Isabella was the only other one in the room, hearing all these embarrassing things from his past. That's what they were, weren't they? Just the past... Yet why did he still feel like this? Happiness and yet a slight pain other than from his memories and wounds, like something from the past. It was 10 years ago, he swore he moved on. "Argh, God why did you have to make angst so... angsty?"

Juan remained silent as Adele spoke to him, his mind slowing down, his whole body calming down. What should he do? He wasn't prepared to see her cry, he wasn't expecting any kind of emotion really. From what he remembered, he felt like such a pest, an annoyance to her, like she wanted nothing to do with him last they saw each other. More than likely that's why he ran that day, he couldn't handle it anymore. Juan had in no way, expected what she was about to say.

Stunned, Juan watched her for a few moments as she sobbed before he suddenly hugged her, embracing her to stop her tears. It was something he learnt from his grandmother that just became habitual to him. Whenever there was someone crying, especially someone he was close to, no matter how long since they last seen each other, Juan had the urge to hug them.

Embracing her, Juan made a gentle shushing noise to try to get her to stop crying. He didn't blame her for anything, sure that incident was the start of his slowly escalating downward spiral of loneliness, anger and rebellion, but he never blamed her for anything. It was just his fault, it's all on him. She had nothing to do with the deaths of any of them.

"It's ok," Juan whispered gently, "it's all in the past now. It's the past and we can't change what happened. You don't need to be sorry, I understand." Juan added, a little bit more louder yet still gently.

Breaking the embrace, Juan held her hand, looking at her in her eyes with a somber happiness in his own.

"School is important. I... I should have not said anything back then. But that's the past." Juan swallowed. He had set in his mind that he was over it all but yet it was still hard to say, lingering pains and subtle feelings slowly resurfacing after ten years, Juan wondered if it was even possible.

Looking away, Juan glanced again at Isabella for a split second once again before he slowly returned to the bed, leaning against the wall as his vision lowered to the ground. He was tired but not sleepy. Exhausted but still remained energy. He didn't have any more courage to speak up or continue, it was just not the right time, at least not on the plane.

"Ah, um... You should get some sleep. Let's talk about it when we land. Just uh... I'm sorry"

Softly stating a little above a mumble and a whisper, Juan never lifted his gaze from the floor as he brought his knees to his chest. His mind became blurry once again, if they said anything else, he did not hear or take notice. All sounds were the same to him, just one continuous blur as his emotions and mind ran wild. At least it distracted him from the pain of his bullet wounds.

Isabella watched the whole drama unfold without much emotion, though when Adele started to cry, her eyes widened. This was so odd, ever since Juan had joined the crew, Adele had shown so much emotion. Well, sure, Adele always yelled at the Captain. But to cry and show fear... it was all so new. Isabella had begun to believe Adele was made of stone.

Clearly though, that wasn't the case. Isabella stepped forward to offer her handkerchief when Juan embraced Adele. She blinked, holding her dirty handkerchief. 'Oh well, it's dirty anyway...' she looked down at the grease stained kerchief and wrinkled her nose. 'I need to wash this' she thought, stuffing it into her pocket. It would be to awkward to try and leave while they were talking, so she stood quietly, waiting for her chance.

It came when Juan told Adele to get some sleep, she walked toward the door and paused. "Yes, sleep Adele, we all need our rest." She smiled and glanced at Juan, something in his position sparked a memory long forgotten. Shaking it away with the dust of the night, she slipped from the room and went to the engine-room. Gabriel looked up as his sister entered. He was half-asleep on his feet with a wrench in his hand.

-Adele-

As Adele continued to cry as Juan sat there a moment. He seemed at first that he was at a loss as to what to do. Suddenly, he embraced her. Adele's sobs stopped a moment as she realize what had now happened.

"It's ok," Juan whispered gently, "it's all in the past now. It's the past and we can't change what happened. You don't need to be sorry, I understand." Juan added, a little bit more louder yet still gently.

Adele continued to cry softly into his shoulder as he spoke to her. She could not understand why she cried so hard at this. Perhaps it was because she was overtired and too much had happened that day. No. I was that. But more was at work here.

He then broke from the embrace and looked her in the eyes. His brown eyes seemed almost happy but there was something else. Something Adele couldn't place. She had stopped crying so much when he looked her in the eyes. The tears still came, but much quieter this time.

"School is important. I... I should have not said anything back then. But that's the past." Juan swallowed.

Adele just merely stared at him as he said this. Words would not come. The tears had almost come to a stop by now. Now she only felt numbness.

Juan glanced at Izzy and then returned to his bed wearily. He now seemed tired. Adele merely watched him without saying a word. It seemed Juan was finished talking.


"Ah, um... You should get some sleep. Let's talk about it when we land. Just uh... I'm sorry" he said wearily.

Adele sat there frozen. What had just happened? It felt as if all her tears had dried up. Yet in a way a good cry all by herself sounded almost inviting.

"Yes, sleep Adele, we all need our rest." said Izzy.

Adele nodded slowly and crossed the room to the bunk across the room. She layed down on the lower bunk and turned over with her back to everyone. Once she had heard Izzy leave and the others had all gone to bed. Adele silently cried herself to sleep that night. Everything was too much for her to handle. Nothing felt resolved or even close to it. She had no idea how she would face the day tomorrow.

_________________________________________________

"Landing positions, everyone!" Truce yelled."Welcome to Ikura, watch your step on the way out, keep your wallets close, and stay seated until-"

Adele awoke as the plane shook a bit on decent. She could hear the Captain on the intercom speaking to the crew. "Until we're stopped. Oh! And meet back here tonight! Eleventh ward airstrip, hangar five; remember that. In the meantime, I've got some things to do..."

Adele got up quickly trying not to think of what happened the night before. She gathered her clothes and went to a private part of the plane and threw them on. She was wearing a blue flutter sleeved blouse with a pair of light brown trousers. Adele attempted to wash her face quickly. Her eyes were still puffy from all the crying the night before. Having one last look at herself in the mirror she threw on a jean jacket and went to find the Captain.

"Truce? Truce!" she called as she looked for the captain. She then came to the part of the plane where the Captain stayed. Sighing she knocked on the plane wall near the curtain in which Truce slept behind. "Truce!" she called as she tapped her foot impatiently.

[Davidizer13]

"Just a minute!" called Truce, gathering his things before heading out, hurriedly tying his shoes and stuffing money into his coat. "Do you smell that? There's something burning, or..." he said quietly, mostly to himself. Throwing aside the curtain, he found Adele, an impatient expression on her face. "Oh! Good morning! You may want to find something to hold onto, this landing is a little tricky, if I remember right..." He glanced at his watch before heading up to the bridge; it was around 7 AM, and the morning was bright through the cockpit windscreen.

"Good morning! How goes the landing?"

"We're losing power," said Felix, flatly, staring intently through the glass. Truce's smile wavered. "Right engine's doing something funny, left engine's redlining, we're still a few miles out in our approach... We should still make it, maybe."

"Maybe?!"

"Look, I don't like this any more than you do, all right? But there's nothing we can do right now, unless Izzy's got something up her sleeve, and until then, I've got this under control. I have this, promise."

"Fine..." sighed Truce as he climbed back down into the crew quarters. "Everything's going to be all right," he said to Adele. "Just...hold onto something." Trying to look as calm as possible as Izzy rushed past them, he checked things on shelves and hooks to be sure they were secured. Suddenly, he noticed Adele's face. "Is everything all right? Did you not sleep well?"

---

Raven woke up, with a stretch and a yawn. She was still alive and wasn't bleeding out a knife in her back, so that was a good start. Better still, their prisoner was still tied up.

Not so good was the violent shuddering and the smell of oil smoke wafting back from the engines. There were angry shouts from the next compartment; some sort of argument? Compounded with the noise from everything else, she felt overwhelmed, paralyzed by the chaos around her, enough that she simply sat down and covered her ears, waiting for it to be over...

[samurai10]

OOC:And could I have a better description of the marketplace, or can I make it up? And this is more of a character development post then a real post.

IC: Jackie woke up from her bench about half an hour later than day break. She yawned. She usually slept on benches or grass, since she had no real home, and never got enough money to rent a room at an inn. She stared at the sky for a few, and then got up. Her sword was under the bench, and still as big and as heavy as it ever was. She picked it up and put it on her back. She then started searching in her pockets for the little money that she had left. After about five minuts of searching, she finally found the money in the pocket on her back left thigh. She sighed as she looked at it. 20 drachmae. She would have to get another job soon. But it was no biggie. She wasn't a big eater, and had gone for seven days without food. Oh well. She started walking toward the marketplace, deliberating on her situation. Having finished her last job last week, she hadn't been able to find another good job for a roaming mercenary. She turned her thoughts to her past. She was 32, and that was the only fact that she remembered after she had gotten a very bad case of amnesia, and she knew little to nothing about her past. She knew that she had had a husband from asking around, and that she was very good with her sword, even though it was big and heavy. She knew that she had a little medical knowledge. But that was all. "Amnesia is SUCH a pain..."she grumbled.

She plopped herself down on another bench. She fingered the scar on her right cheek. She had gotten it about two months ago, when she had gotten into a fight with people who were trying to kill her hirer. She winced as she remembered the bullet grazing her cheek, giving her the scar. She sat back as she remembered what had happened next.

Jackie always became furious when she got hurt, little or small. But it wasn't the crazy furious that made people's heads muddled and forget what they were doing. It was the cold furious, that made people fight better. That's what had happened. She giggled at the thought. She was always bored when fighting, especially when people were shooting at her. She'd always deflect most of the bullets away with her sword, then charge while they were reloading. It worked. Most of the time. She touched her shoulder where she had a scar from a time when that plan did not work. She sighed.

Suddenly a car stopped so suddenly that the tires screeched. Jackie winced at the sound. Why does that car look familiar?, she asked herself uneasily. A young man, breathless, ran to her. He was dressed in a badge suit, that really needed to be washed. "Miss, are you the mercenary Jackie?" She glared at him, trying to figure out if he was trying to be a customer or a fan. She was, after all, pretty well known.

"And what if I am?" she asked, in the most bored tone she could possibly say anything in.

His eyes brightened and got bigger. He turned around and yelled to the car, "Yes! It's her!" She raised her eyebrows. Suddenly, he flopped to the ground. A gun shot rang out. Thankfully, the person missed, and the bullet buried itself deep into the bench. She jumped away and drew her sword. The man started laughing. He clenched his face, and tore it off. She gasped. "You! I thought I killed you! How did you manage to survive?"she shouted understandably, as she had thrown a bomb into the building he was in on a job.

He glared. "I had first degree burns! It's a miracle that my arms are still intact! Why do you think it took me three friggin' months to come after you!"

He took a knife from his pocket and threw it. Jackie saw it coming, and tried to block it, but he was too close, and she was too late. It buried itself in her forarm, giving her another nice scar to add to her collection. While Jackie was preoccupied with the pain, he charged. This time, she was prepared. Thank the stars he got it lodged in my left arm. I wouldn't be able to fight if he got it in my right. She shouted, "Die!" and thrust her sword into the guy's chest. He was stunned. She withdrew it. He fell to the ground. "Tch," she said walking away.

Another day in the life of Jackie.

OOC: I'm SOOOOOOOO sorry it's so long! T_T I hope you guys have the patience to read through it, though it's not really necessary to the story line. XD

[Diamond Dragon]

Maiz did the best he could to make sure the psycho kid was secure before sitting against the side of the plane opposite to the kid. Denkou had taken a chair, but Maiz figured that if they landed it might be unwise to sit or lay on an elevated piece of furniture. None-the-less he let her be.

"Her problem not mine."

Then Ulairez slowly drifted into sleep...
___________

*Crunch! Screech!!*

Maiz woke up with a jump. Not a jump from himself, but from the plane landing roughly. Ulairez noted with satifaction that his calculation about not wanting to sleep on a chair was correct as poor Denkou had been flung from her chair and was now had a dazed look upon her face. Not the way to wake up, Maiz chuckled to himself.

"You okay, Denkou? We've landed in Ikura."

"In where?" Denkou half growled, rubbing her head from the bump she got.

[Darth_Kirby]

"In where?" Denkou half growled, rubbing her head from the bump she got.

"Ikura, silly. Land of cow pies, corn fields, and market places, and some really shady back ally stores if you know where to look," Ulairez replied smart-alecky. (ooc: yes people, it is a real word)

Then Maiz caught a whiff of something. The smell of burning oil and metal.

"Craaaap! Not what I wanted to wake up smelling. At least have it mingled with the smell of bacon!"

"See you later Denkou I need to check something out."

Maiz got up and followed the source of the smell. No doubt the rough landing had something to do with that awful smell. A missing engine part? Maybe a leaking hydrolic's system? Whatever it was, it would probably cost a pretty penny to fix. One thing was for sure, Maiz wasn't going to help fix it, unless in earned him some bonus miles on this plane. He finally stumbled into what was most likely the engine room. He had seen into the room from the other room, but hadn't had the chance to actually go inside for a closer look. Smoke was everywhere.

"Yeeeeep... Definitely going to cost a bundle. Though if the dear captain keeps on having these problems with his plane I might be able to earn an endless series of rides."

Maiz smirked at the thought. Then again, it'd be a hastle to work as a mechanic all the time. He'd probably only pitch in here and there just so the captain wouldn't consider him dead weight. But nothing more than that. Maiz explored the plane further trying to find Mr. Truce, the fearless, and no doubt financially troubled, captain of the Tiamat.

[acgifford]

[quote="Davidizer13 (post: 1490496)"]"Just a minute!" called Truce, gathering his things before heading out, hurriedly tying his shoes and stuffing money into his coat. "Do you smell that? There's something burning, or..." he said quietly, mostly to himself. Throwing aside the curtain, he found Adele, an impatient expression on her face. "Oh! Good morning! You may want to find something to hold onto, this landing is a little tricky, if I remember right..." He glanced at his watch before heading up to the bridge]


-Adele-

"Just a minute!" cried the Captain's voice from behind the curtain. Adele could hear Truce mumbling to himself as he rummaged about in his tiny makeshift room. In moment he threw back the curtains.

"Oh! Good morning!" cried Truce as he took notice of Adele. " You may want to find something to hold onto, this landing is a little tricky, if I remember right..." He then took a peek at his watch before heading up to the cockpit.

Adele followed Truce as closely as she could. In all truth she was not sure what she was supposed to be doing. Everything felt off about today. Everything was so normal and yet, normal felt wrong after what happened last night. She just figured she would try and be of some help. This was attempt to calm emotions that threatened to boil over. Perhaps find out the Captain's plans for the day.

Meanwhile as all these thoughts buzzed in her head, she only barely heard the conversation that Felix and Truce had about landing and Izzy. It sounded serious, but for some odd reason she did not care much.

"Everything's going to be all right," said Truce adressing Adele."Just...hold onto something." Just then Izzy ran by them. Truce then began checking the shelves and hooks to make sure everything was secure. As Truce did this Adele merely looked down and stared through the floor.

"Is everything all right? Did you not sleep well?"asked Truce showing some concern. Adele jumped slightly at being adressed. Truce doing so had jolted her back into reality.

"H-huh?...O-oh...Uuum...Not really," she stuttered. "I didn't sleep well. But I'm fine." Adele then forced a smile that she knew was not very convincing. The smile faded quickly as she looked down again and started securing things. This action was an attempt to shrug Truce off.

[Diamond Dragon]

Denkou suddenly found herself alone in the room. She looked after Maiz, blinking the sleep away from her eyes. "Shady back ally stores?" she muermered. Then in a moment a smiled spread across her face. "Just what I need." She snuck off the ship and ran down a nearby road.

[Nami]

OOC: @Dia: uuuh, they haven't landed yet ^^;

Oh and since I'm feeling like a bad mechanic, I'm looking up information about our plane, so as to have better knowledge like Isabella for the plane! XD; if you all know of any blueprints or layouts for the plane's engines I would be most grateful!

IC: Isabella found the cause of the smoke and nodded. "Its what I thought." She shouted over the whining sound.

"What?" Gabriel shouted, stepping closer.

"It's nothing huge, but it will damage the plane. Luckily, we are landing soon, otherwise..." she looked at Gabriel, "we would probably drop from he sky like rocks. It's like that with engines..." she went on, even though Gabriel already knew all of this. "One small thing can damage everything. Nothing to bad though, good thing we are in Ikura, this is one of the only places we can find the part we need." Isabella, despite the dire situation had a gleam of excitement in her eyes, it was something rarely seen.

Gabriel watched his sister as she controlled the smoke and then smiled. She was happy. They had been bored without anything to do, and now the engine was in trouble. She was busy, and that made her happy. "The Captain isn't going be to mad is he?" he asked.

"No, its not so huge." She smiled as the smoke died away. "Besides, bandages can fix a lot of things." She turned grinning to Gabriel, her face was covered in black smoke, smeared all around her eyebrows and eyes, brushed on her cheeks and ears. Gabriel chuckled. "Let's hope we can catch some baths at this port eh?" he chuckled again and walked away whistling.

[Mister]

Vaughn Viloitsky lounged lazily on the worktable of his Ikura based parts shop. It was a slow, lazy day and the sun was warm as it fell through the windows. Vaughn was totally bored, so much so he considered closingt he shop and roaming the town. On the plus side for that he'd heard that a new family had moved into his housing district, and their daughter was quite the eyecandy.

Just as he had convinced himself to Close the shop for the day the door burst open and a short, freckle-faced, boy ran in screaming. "The Taimat is coming in!" the young boys voice was high and shrill, "the Dock Tower caught sight of them on the long scope! there is smoke coming from one of the engines!" Vaughn didn't react other than to grab his tool kit and jeep keys.

Pausing as he rounded the worktable he asked, "which engine?" the boy thought for a moment and then answered, "the left i think." Vaughn nodded and went into the back of the shop. After a few moments of clinkings, crashing, and rummaging about Vaughn returned with several parts of various sizes and shapes. Dropping them into the boys arms he led him out the door and to his jeep.

once loaded and the engine warmed up, Vaughn floored the gas pedal and raced off with the young lad in the direction of the docks. ten minutes later they were parked on a hill beside the docks and waiting for the Taimat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serigi Foxhound wriggled himself more comfortably into the padded chair of the cargo plane he'd acquired passage on. Of course, the plane was now in his ownership. Why ride in the plane once when you could own it? Not to mention the wealth of cargo it contained. A ton of Mining Demolitions, perfect for a plan he had in mind.

Seated around him in the other compartment chairs, were six of his finest operatives. hand chosen for the task he devised in his mind. shortly before he'd left Bristol he'd closed out all political engagments on other islands and prepared a few, special, surprises for Price and Truce if his current plan failed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Darth_Kirby]

[quote="Nami (post: 1490900)"]OOC: @Dia: uuuh, they haven't landed yet ^^]

OOC: well, they have and they haven't. The first people posted having the landing already occur. The others went back a few moments earlier.

[Nami]

forget this!

[Mister]

[quote="Davidizer13 (post: 1489729)"]
The next morning was announced by the sound of the landing gear being shoved by pistons into the down position, growing louder as the engines grew quieter. Truce sighed as he pulled himself free of the hammock and to his feet once more. "Landing positions, everyone!" he yelled to the still-groggy crew in the back. "Welcome to Ikura, watch your step on the way out, keep your wallets close, and stay seated until-" The plane bumped roughly as it touched down]

OOC: they landed.

[Nami]

OOC: Alright! My bad, thanks Mister. I did read that, must not have registered >>

[Mister]

OOC: no problem Nami-san, no harm done, neh?


IC:

Price stood over a desk littered with papers. Police reports, Private Investigations, Intel from various sources. All in All there had been twelve other men and women present for the deal with him and Truce. Out of those twelve three remained, all held up in the same mansion on a small island off the coast of Ikura.

Reading the reports from the various Police reports and private investigators, it was plain to see that each and every assassination was done by trained proffessionals. Every man on guard over the individuals were slain, the wounds were precise and gave the impression that noone knew what hit them. Gathering up his intel and storing it in a breifcase, Price gave it to his attendant and assigned her bodyguards.

He knew that giving her protection like that would single her out for the assassins, but if they were able to get so quickly and effectively to the others, they already knew what she had in her possession. What puzzled Price the most was, how they got their intel, and who was funding them?

It might be one of those holding up in the mansion near Ikura, but then again it may be an outsider. Then it struck him like a brick, he'd recieved an anonymous letter from a private backer who had set up the whole deal. Now he wondered if the others had recieved the same letter.

[Davidizer13]

OOC: Sorry, people, I dropped the whole continuity ball there... After this post, though, we will most definitely be on the ground.

---

"...All right, if you insist," said Truce, shrugging his shoulders before bracing for another bump. He lingered, staring for a moment at her head as she went about trying to keep everything in place. Something was clearly wrong, but right now, he had bigger things to deal with.

Somehow, though, the plane had landed safely, and was taxiing through the runways to their hangar assignment. With a hiss and a jerk, the Tiamat was parked, and the back door opened with a mechanical hammering sound. They had arrived. "Stay safe out there, all right?" Truce said to Adele, with a wave of his hand.

Right, he thought, stepping into the bright tropical sun, let's see if I can remember where this place was... A light breeze blew spice-scented air from the markets all around the airstrip; mechanics in boiler suits hurried to and fro between the control towers and workshops nearby. He stole out to the alleys and into the city, through streets lined with sandy-colored brick buildings and small crowds gathered around tea stands. He grabbed a scone from one, leaving a couple coins in its place, and ate it on the way.

The crowded, cramped streets broke into larger tracts of land, with warehouses and small factories taking over for apartments. Rounding a corner, he found his place: Montgomery Express Air Freight, a dingy, slightly rusted place, made out of corrugated metal riveted together where it was convenient. He stepped inside to find rows of knick-knacks; decorations, air mechanic things like screws and small tools, all stacked on shelves in no particular order. "Howdy," said a man behind a newspaper in the back.

"Monty? That you? I need a favor from you again."

"I'm sure you do; lots of people do. ...Did you hear about that thing on Bristol? Horrible mess, isn't it? It's what you get when the criminals run things. Unbelievable, really." Truce swallowed, trying not to look too nervous. Could he see through his newspaper and see things like that?

"Listen, Monty, it's Truce. I need your help."

The proprietor lowered his newspaper, revealing a huge man with graying dreadlocks and glasses, calmly staring back at Truce, a vaguely bored expression on his face. "So you do. It's been a while, hasn't it? How's the Tiamat?"

"She's running...she's doing all right. Listen, I've run into some trouble lately and I need something easy, just to lay low for a while, you understand?"

Monty sighed, folded up the newspaper and crossed his arms. "What did you do this time?"

"I ran into another old friend, you could say? He didn't appreciate the way I ran my business some time ago, and he paid me a visit and no-"

"You should have thought about that before you tried to rip off someone who'd actually care."

"But I didn't know he'd come back and send his hired men after me! You have to believe me, please?"

Monty sighed. "You know I have a family, right? I'm not going to make a habit of this, but... Here." He pulled a set of papers from a folder, tossing it across the desk to Truce. "Got a load that needs to leave in a couple more days, you just gotta get it all on your plane. I know you've got enough muscle to do that, so until then..."

"About my crew, actually, we're in need of a place to stay until then, someplace maybe where they can't find us; would you have some idea of where to go?"

"Oh, for... Fine, I might as well invite all you people over to my house. You know the place, it's not much, but it'll work for now. Fair?"

"Yes, sir! Thank you! This won't happen again, I promise, sir!" Truce gushed, gathering up the manifests hurriedly rushing out the door. Well, that went better than expected, thought Truce.

[Mister]

Serigi shifted uneasily in his seat, he was painfully aware of the fact that Truce and his compadres would be in Ikura for hours before he arrived. The projected time of arrival was after sundown, with only a little light in the sky. Most if not all Mechanics and craftsmen would be closed for the day, so any and all shops they visited would not give him any answers till the morning.

Yet every moment that passed brought an uncertainty that couldn't be dispelled. Serigi knew they'd try to lay low, maybe jump islands every so often. But for all he knew they'd already landed and were getting ready to leave again. Deep behind the clam, collected, exterior of his political facade Serigi wished with all his might for the plane to go faster and reach their destination.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vaughn immediately drove down to the Hangar that held the Tiamat and parked by the large hangar doors. While strolling casually into the Hangar he told the boy to unload his tools and parts. Once Vaughn reached the tail of the Tiamat he stopped at the edge of the off ramp, looking about the interior. He couldn't help but smiled slightly when he caught a glemps of Adele casting about. With a confidence born of Knowing one's self and a natural courage, Vaughn took long steps up the ramp and into the hold. Stepping up behind Adele he threw his arms around her and spun around, completely lifting her from the ground.

Setting Adele down gently he chuckled and said, "ho! Adele! Welcome to Ikura! Where is Truce?" then he saw her face, and the tired, puffy eyes, suddenly his heart sank. "Adele?" he asked gently, "what's wrong? what's been happening?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Price left his office to make some arrangements for transportation to the small Island near Ikura. He'd just learned that the Island was called Ikuna and was a sister Island to Ikura. Ikuna had no large cities, but several wealthy merchant towns. Price knew that the fastest way there was by Fighter plane, but he doubted that it could hold the fuel for the trip.

Hours later Price returned from securing a light and fast cargo plane used primarily for lighter loads and quick transport. But something was wrong at the office, it was far too quiet. Price had noticed this even before reaching the front door, which led him to circle the building and enter through the window of his personal office. His desk had been overturned and rifle through, every scrap of paper checked, nothing replaced. It was a slightly sloppy job, which implied that the intruders either had little time or just didn't care.

Price pulled a long knife from his belt, hidden with several others behind his suite coat. Walking gingerly to the door he paused by its side, listening for any sounds. There nothing, no voices, no shuffling, no breathing. The complete absence of sound worried him more that gunshots and screams. Silence meant the assailents might be waiting for him to return, which meant they expected him and probably anticipated his actions.

Price stood against the door and in an instant he opened it. Price barrel rolled through the doorwaya nd into the room, it was pitchblack. Even as he arose to one knee, his knife extended before him, he felt the cool blade fo a knife to his throat and the hard barrel of a pistol to his ribs. Price dropped the knife and raised his hands slowly, he grinned slightly and whispered, "ok, you got me." even before he had finished the sentence the knife and pistol were removed. A deep rought voice whsipered, "Lights!" a blinding magnificent light sprang from everywhere and Price had to blink to adjust his eyes.

The floors and desks were riddles with bullets and smeared with blood, there were dozens of bodies and bullets littered everywhere. But what held Prices full attention was the five men standing arouns him, bloodied, worn, and unyeilding. They were Prices finest men, five of the eleven men he'd chosen from his private army in the Ghettos. Rising to his feet he looked at them all in the eyes and nodded, they'd followed their training and come out ahead. Price needed the full report but knew it'd be best to wait till later, instead he looked aboutt he room until he spotted the body of his attendant. She lay face up on the floor, her white blouse red from a bullet wound, her skin turning pale and cold, her eyes lifeless.

Price looked from her to the men and one spoke up, "she was the first to go, we dragged her body and the briefcase in here and hid her." the man produced the briefcase from behind an overturned desk and chair. Price nodded his understanding and said, "Lets get out of here, gather anything you need and burn all else. we have a flight to catch." kneeling by his attendant's body he closed her eyes and folded her arms over her chest.

[Nami]

OOC: YAY! I'm caught up anyway. XD Also, Mister, sorry about Quinton! D: I half-posted back there somewhere. I'll skip over his visit with Price's sister and bring him straight to where he needs to be.

@Samu: Where is your character dear? o.o Plus, nice post! I love Jackie!

IC: Isabella De Luca was not the type of person to lose herself to a sense of giddiness, yet as she stepped out into the town of Ikura, she couldn't help the sweeping joy that bubbled in her stomach and quickly made its way to her mouth. She restrained a squee of glee and turned to Gabriel who still stood inside the plane.

"Well! Are you coming or not? I'm going shopping." Isabella said grinning. Gabriel watched his sister and quirked a brow. That was about the only thing his sister ever got happy about; shopping for engine parts.

"Right, I'm coming." Gabriel grabbed his jacket and marched down the ramp behind his eager sister. Together, they approached Truce.

"Captain, I'm going into town to buy parts. I'll see you later!" Isabella waved a hand merrily and quickly walked away, leaving Gabriel to explain that if Truce needed them, he had a walkie-talkie he could contact the siblings with. He jogged and caught up to Isabella.

"Alright," Gabriel stuck his hands into his pockets, "guide us to the goods!"

Isabella chuckled and they entered the streaming mass of people, the shops were set up in rows, shop-next to shop with their stands of goods. Isabella sneezed when a spicy aroma filled her nose, but it was a good smell and she actually purchased some of it.

"Curry!" She said looking at Gabriel's questioning face. "I'm going to make curry for everyone, they'll love it. I remember when dad used to make it for us! He's grind all the spices and mixed it in...Mmm! He made the best." Her giddiness made Gabriel wonder what she had been smoking. But he smiled anyway, it was a nice change to see her so happy.

Isabella finally managed to get to the engine-parts, the merchants were nice enough and she talked the engine-talk which thoroughly confused Gabriel. Quickly, he got bored and wandered to a different stall, one that sold parts that could be made into air-boards. He glanced back at his sister, making sure she wasn't watching, before he searched through the merchants things. He would never tell her this, but he had already constructed 3 fine air-boards, but they were missing the extra-oomph that was required for their take-off.

"See anything you like sir?" The man asked.

"A lot," Gabriel said nodding, "but you don't happen to have a solar-engine with hypo-turn speed do you?" He lifted his gaze to meet the amazed merchants.

"No, afraid I don't...however, Nathaniel down yonder has those things. They are quite pricey though." He warned. Gabriel smiled, "thank you sir," he purchased a bobble and disappeared into the crowds.

Isabella turned to say something to her brother, only to discover, he was no longer there. Scowling she scanned the market, "honestly." She muttered. Then turned sharply and ran into someone, much taller than her.

"Oopmh!" She looked up, pushing her bandana back, "why not watch where you walk?" she asked glaring.

OOC: QUE DESTROYER'S CHARRIE! XD

------

IC: Quinton's boot touched ground on Ikura, why he was here, he wasn't really sure. But he had a sneaking suspicion that Watari might just be here. After all, this place was a major hang-out for crime-syndicates. His eyes shifted over the bustle of the city, and his nose wrinkled as the scents tried to out-do each other. He shook his head in disgust.

'If Watari is here, I'll finish him off, and if I can find Felix as well...' He looked around and let a wicked smile play on his lips, 'Then it'll be a double-win.' His coat blew out behind him and he walked for the busiest part of the market-place.

[Destroyer2000]

OOC: YAY! I'm caught up anyway. XD Also, Mister, sorry about Quinton! D: I half-posted back there somewhere. I'll skip over his visit with Price's sister and bring him straight to where he needs to be.

@Samu: Where is your character dear? o.o Plus, nice post! I love Jackie!

IC: Isabella De Luca was not the type of person to lose herself to a sense of giddiness, yet as she stepped out into the town of Ikura, she couldn't help the sweeping joy that bubbled in her stomach and quickly made its way to her mouth. She restrained a squee of glee and turned to Gabriel who still stood inside the plane.

"Well! Are you coming or not? I'm going shopping." Isabella said grinning. Gabriel watched his sister and quirked a brow. That was about the only thing his sister ever got happy about]'If Watari is here, I'll finish him off, and if I can find Felix as well...'[/I] He looked around and let a wicked smile play on his lips, 'Then it'll be a double-win.' His coat blew out behind him and he walked for the busiest part of the market-place.

As chaos erupted behind him, Van dashed out of the tavern, brushing himself off and straightening his vest. Jeez, one stray comment involving a man's mother and a jonda-pig... He shook his head. No point worrying about it now.

Van smiled, patting the set of pistols on his belt - a set of pistols that he had lifted from an unsuspecting drunk at the bar. Six shot revolvers with matching grips of stained wood, the barrels a copper color. Equipped with a hammer-catch, the revolvers were essentially semi-automatic until they ran out of ammunition. The smile burst into a wickedly fierce grin as Van hefted the belt holding the ammunition. Well, maybe he'll keep his pants on.

Van wrapped the belt around his chest, and stepped lightly into the mania that was Ikura's market. The smell of spices, sweat, and stale beer saturated the air, the fresh scent of saltwater being only a distant memory. As he walked along, a young girl slammed into him. Van snatched at his pistol, cursing when he found it unloaded. Stupid drunk, what good is an empty gun?

He warily eyed the girl, who, he had to give credit to, eyed him back. She was a pretty thing, with the strangest pair of twin colored eyes.
"Why not watch where you walk?" She all but growled it at him.
Van chuckled under his breath, and smirked. "Feisty, aren't you? Well, it's alright. I'm used to women running headlong into me. Happens all the time."

[Darth_Kirby]

Ulairez couldn't seem to find anyone in the engine room.

"Must've went townside to buy extra parts the instant we landed..."

He started to explore the parts of the plane he hadn't seen before until he came across the burnette chick that had sat on the assassin girl. She was using some bottled water to rise her face.

"Hey there! Um... You know where the captain is? And since we technically haven't been introduced, I'm Ulairez Maiz. What's your name?"

edit: ooc: I'm talking to Raven.