Redemption

[size=1]Takuya, I think it's in the tone that you write the post. It may not have been intentional, but if other people are receiving the impression that you are trying to push them around, then maybe word your concerns a little differently. To be honest, I received the same impression that DC got. As for your post, there was an OOC on the bottom of DC's latest post, instructing you to post. There are ups and downs to every story - boring and exciting bits. You just have to be patient and plough through the borings bits to get to the exciting ones. As a piece of advice - you can take it or leave it - but I usually do a little character development through the boring bits. It may bore others to read it, but I think it's important that a character develops through a story. I also do that to let people know what my character is like, how he/she is changing, how he/she responds to certain situations, their past, etc. Anyway, DC told me it won't be too long until we get into the good bits. ^^ [b]- Redemption[/b][/size]

[size=1][b]Jericho[/b] starts tonight on Channel 10 in Australia. The storyline is about this town that supposably is the only town that survives a nuclear attack (not directly of course). When I saw the advertisements on TV, it reminded me of a book I read in grade 10 called [b]Z for Zachariah[/b]. The storyline is very very similar. The only difference is that a valley, populated by a few families, was spared. It's written from the perspective of a young girl whose parents go over the mountains to the other side and never come back. I was wondering what your thoughts are on its storyline and if you would watch it. For example, my sister refuses to watch it because it is too near a reality for her. I'm actually excited because its storyline is so similar to the afore mentioned book.[/size]

[size=1] [b]? Trysten, we?re getting rolled here!?[/b] Rusti shouted through the intercom as she jerked the Phoenix sharply to the left, avoiding a barrage of particle beams from the Pegasus. One managed to sear the right wing of the Phoenix, the top metal warping like honey. She kept veering left and finally righted herself, hovering just out of the way of the battling MechAnimas. [b]? Rusti, can you hear me??[/b] Tari?s voice blared through the headset inside her helmet. [b]? I can hear you. I?m a little busy at the moment Tari,?[/b] Rusti replied, banking to the right as she entered the fray of mechanical beasts again. [b]? Your right wing has sustained minor heat damage. You won?t be able to handle many more of those attacks.? ? Right, I?ll keep that in mind.?[/b] Rusti heard the click of the connection as she wheeled around in the Phoenix. The G-forces that pulled at her body were incredible. It made her stomach turn. [b]? Artek! How are you holding up?? ? Sustained minor shrapnel damage to a wing.? ? Think you could handle more?? ? Perhaps.?[/b] Rusti typed on the keyboard in front of her furiously, bringing up the weapons log. She scanned through them quickly. To a normal person, it would seem she was skimming through them at a blur, but in reality, she was reading all of its contents before continuing to the next page. However, to Rusti?s disgust, it seemed that most of the major weapons weren?t online. [b]? They really did just give us prototypes,?[/b] she growled to herself. [b]? WATCH YOUR BACK!?[/b] Clyne?s voice rocked through her headset. Rusti instantly shut down the thrusters, making the Phoenix drop rapidly, thankfully dodging another particle beam. [b]? Oh for fuck?s sake!?[/b] Rusti swore and jammed the thrusters back on. They faulted for a moment, making Rusti?s heart skip before they came online and glided forward. She let a right-side missile unleash, hoping to God that it went for the right target this time.[/size]

OOC: Astdis, I thought you said that Eve was sitting opposite Kyne. I?ll be taking it as such. And Kyne must be a difficult character to get right. >> [size=1]A pained hiss escaped Kyne?s lips as he sat on a small wooden stool, facing the tiled wall of a bathroom. He had taken off his coat and his shirt to allow Aurelia to dab on numbing alcohol. Another hiss of pain echoed loudly in the bathroom. [b]? O-Oh? I?m sorry??[/b] Aurelia whimpered, jerking her hand away from the blackened scars that had burned themselves onto Kyne?s back when the diamond had molded into his skin. [b]? Are you finished??[/b] Kyne asked in a growl. [b]? J-Just a little more,?[/b] the nervous maid stammered as she applied some more alcohol onto the cotton-ball swab. She then tentatively dabbed the numbing alcohol onto the black scars. Kyne?s body tensed with pain, but there were no audible signs of pain this time. [b]?All done sir,?[/b] Aurelia mumbled, putting the alcohol away underneath the sink. Kyne stood, his shoulders and back aching with the now numbed pain. It was now something he could handle without letting others see that he was weakened. He slipped on his shirt and then his coat. Mayon watched from the top of the shower. The black crow was rather concerned with this new development. [i]That girl is terrified of you. You shouldn?t be so mean to her,[/i] Mayon cawed to his master, not game enough to land on Kyne?s shoulder. Kyne didn?t reply to Mayon?s statement. Instead, he turned and walked out of the bathroom and into his main bedroom. Walking over to the window, Kyne looked out of it, staring at the almost dark sky. Stars twinkled ominously. It seemed that things were almost like normal. But, in the far distance, Kyne could see the orange glow of Omega?s rampage. There was a slow, dull throb of pain inside his head and another fainter throb that was being masked by the stronger one. Aurelia had disappeared out into the hallway as Kyne was looking out of the window. He stood there for minutes on end before Mayon called to his master. [i]Aurelia is here. She says that dinner is going to be ready soon.[/i] Kyne nodded in reply, turning on his heel and headed towards the door. Mayon flew over to his master and landed carefully on his shoulder, cautious not to scrape his master?s new markings. [center][b]=================================================[/b][/center] Kyne entered into the huge, glamorous dining room. A long elegant timber dining table stood in pride of place. Aurelia moved from in front of him and led him over to his seat. Kyne nodded his thanks before seating himself. Mayon took off from his master?s shoulder and perched himself on the back of the seat. The crow took care not to scratch the lovely piece of furniture. Kyne was sure it wouldn?t impress the Lady of the House if his pet was a hindrance. A few other people filtered into the room. A woman - another blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman ? was led to the seat opposite him, sitting down softly. She looked up at him, giving the intimidating-looking man across from her a searching look. Kyne noticed that she had been accompanied by a man that had left her presence almost immediately after entering the room. [b]? I?m Eve Halifax,?[/b] the woman introduced herself, stretching out a hand towards him over the wide table. [b]?Kyne Axel,?[/b] he replied gruffly, looking up at the woman with his dark, unenthusiastic eyes. He took her hand softly and shook it, gritting his teeth as the pain flared. He let go of her hand and withdrew it back to his side. [b]? Are you all right? You seem ta be in some pain??[/b] [b]?I?m fine,?[/b] he said, his tone almost threatening. Eve shook her hand, a small smile thinning her lips. [b]? Just like a man, ere.?[/b] The door at the end of the room clanged dully as Eve?s male companion entered the room and sat down beside her. Kyne looked to the door to see that Alexia, or the God of Fate, had also entered. He watched her with cautious glances. Something didn?t feel quite right about that girl. There was a strange sense of power around her, as if it was on the outside of her, not on the inside. Another dull clang of the door signalled someone else had entered the room. It was the girl that looked like his sister. Mayon saw his master?s body stiffen slightly at the sight of the girl before returning to its normal state. The crow looked to the girl that resembled Amelia, and even he was caught off guard. The girl sat down besides Eve?s male companion, glancing every so often at Kyne. A sudden feeling of danger and dread rushed through Kyne?s body. His attention immediately turned towards the doorway where a teenage boy entered the room, the look in his eyes murderous-like. He watched the boy stop and talk to a man that was leaning near the doorway. Mayon bent over near Kyne?s ear. [i]Master?[/i] [b]? I know??[/b] [i]What do you want me to do?[/i] Kyne was silent for the moment, then replied to his pet softly, making sure no one overheard their conversation. [b]? For now, nothing.?[/b] A soft tinkling of a bell signalled that dinner would be ready in a few moments. The man that was talking to the boy seated himself beside Kyne. The boy sat himself next to this man. Kyne turned to the man who introduced himself. [b]? I am Marquis Cicero, from Paris. And you are??[/b] he asked in a semi-thick French accent, holding his hand out to shake Kyne?s. Kyne looked at him with a cool expression, but shook the man?s hand anyway. [b]? Kyne Axel.?[/b][/size] OOC: If anyone has a problem with how I portrayed their characters, please PM me.

[size=1]Seems like we got past the posting order Takuya. ^^[/size]

[size=1][b]? No questions here, Trysten,?[/b] Rusti replied firmly, adrenaline starting to put through her veins. His tactics for battle ran through her mind. It was a good plan. No one would be left behind, or out to dry, because of the safety in numbers. And the anvil type tactic he was taking is very effective against the larger MechAnimas. Trysten also seemed like he had the swift Sparrow MechAnima covered, along with Fheng. Things seemed to be going along swimmingly. Below them, the air division could hear the arguments and songs of Emi. Cassidy was the main recipient of the arguing that Emi was doing. They all knew Emi liked to go out on a branch and fight her own way, but in this situation, as Cassidy has already realised, it would be dangerous, and they could fail the mission because of her actions. But even though these arguments could disrupt others, it made the rest of the squadron, both air and ground, feel a little more relaxed on their first mission. The fight between Cassidy and Emi was all normal, even Emi?s singing made them feel like this was just another simulation. Rusti smiled to herself, silently thanking Emi for taking that nervous edge away from them. A sudden beeping brought Rusti back to the situation at hand. She looked down at her navigation screen to see three red dots fast approaching her comrades? four green ones. [b]? Trysten!?[/b] [b]? I see them. Everyone, into formation!?[/b] The five airborne MechAnimas moved into the V-formation with skilled ease. Clyne was at the front with her Dragon mech; Rusti and Artek flew at her flanks, a little ways behind her, in their Phoenix and Eagle mech, respectively; and finally, Trysten and Fheng flew at the rear, slightly hiding themselves behind the three larger mechs. In the darkness ahead of them, Rusti could see the slight metallic glints of the three grey MechAnimas. A thought crossed her mind. [i]Why did they send all five of us out if there are only three enemies that they know about?[/i] It seemed rather strange to Rusti, unless, the scientists were really unsure about the abilities of the MechAnimas that had fallen into the enemies? hands. As both sides approached each other, Rusti could now make out the forms of the enemy. The mechs were grey, like Rusti?s. [i]Surely if these things are prototype weapons, they could have given them a little colour,[/i] Rusti thought. The communications link between the ground and air divisions was severed, making sure that no one had any more distractions than was necessary. Back in the station, the Air Chief Marshall and his direct subordinates, the Air Marshals, watched on anxiously from the bridge. They had one large screen for the ground division, and another for the air division. It flicked from one camera angle to another, allowing the senior officers to get a feel for the imminent battle. An alarm went off in her cockpit. Rusti looked ahead of her. She could now see the detail of the approaching mechs, which meant that they were within firing range. [b]? Clyne, Rusti, Artek ? ready??[/b] Trysten called through the intercom. [b]? We?ll strike them before they get a chance to.?[/b] [b]? Yes sir!?[/b] the three front pilots called back in unison. Rusti fiddled with her keyboard, finding her left side missiles, as she was flanking Clyne on the left side, Artek on her right. She waited for the signal to fire as she positioned the crosshairs on the screen in front of her to aim at the approaching Wyvern. There was a tense air as the first three pilots waited for Trysten?s command before? [b]? FIRE!?[/b] Rusti hit the launch button, the crosshairs finally landing on the Wyvern. She could feel the left wing of her mech become slightly more light as the missile flew forward effortlessly in space. Moments later, they exploded on impact with their targets, the sound of the explosion silent in space. [b]? Yes!?[/b] Rusti said to herself softly in triumph. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the Falcon and the Bat mechs bolt towards the three enemies. Rusti grabbed the joystick and thrust it forward and a little to the right, keeping with the formation she was in with Artek and Clyne. [b]? Ready for a battle Artek??[/b] Rusti said, excitement clear in her voice. [b]? Sounds like you?re pumped,?[/b] he replied bluntly. [b]? That I am.?[/b] [b]? Another attack then break formation??[/b] Clyne cut in. [b]? Should be fine,?[/b] Rusti replied, readying her second left-hand-side missile. They all launched their chosen weapons in unison, making sure they were aimed at the enemy. The three missiles scooted along before Rusti?s went a little haywire and started towards Fheng?s Falcon. [b]? Rusti! What the hell are you doing?!?[/b] he asked angrily over the intercom as full-fledged battle erupted. The three enemies broke their formation and went after their respective battle equals. Rusti broke from her formation to dodge an oncoming stream of bullets. [b]? I ? don?t know! I was sure it was locked onto the Wyvern!?[/b] Rusti replied, trying to think of what could possibly be wrong. [b]? Wait ... they said these things were prototypes? that means that some things could be unfinished or not calibrated correctly, amongst a whole lot of other things that could go wrong. Shit!?[/b] Rusti barrel-rolled with difficulty to dodge another stream of bullets from the Wyvern. She looked around at the others. Clyne was taking the Pegasus on by herself. Artek was attacking the Wyvern behind, obviously taking that Rusti was willing to be the one who would draw the Wyvern?s attacks. Trysten and Fheng were taking on the Sparrow with great difficulty. It seemed like this wasn?t going to go as smoothly as Rusti had previously thought. [center][b]===================================================[/center][/b][/size] OOC: Ok everyone. The battle has commenced! All we need to do is to complete our battle objectives. The mechs that we are fighting are more powerful than ours because they have been completed past the prototype stage, unbeknownst to the senior officers in our ANGEL Wire space station. Our mech still have problems with them, so your battle shouldn?t be easy. I?m leaving it up to the squadron leaders to decide when the battle is over but it shouldn?t be more than 3 posts away for each person. Let?s kick some alien butt!

[size=1]Takuya, the posting order is only for this section of the RPG. That's what I asked DC about before. I know that most of the posters here are eager to post, and aren't too miffed about waiting. Three of us have already posted, not leaving too many more. So just be a little patient Takuya, yeah?[/size]

[size=1]The buzzing of the alarms was starting to give Rusti a headache. She grimaced as the increasing throbbing pain in her head became more intense with every passing second. Finally, the alarm was toned down, leaving it to scream in a dull roar. The door to the strategy room opened momentarily, a senior officer of ANGEL Wire entering, now closing the door behind him. He walked to the front of the room, placing himself in behind the digital projection unit. [b]? Before I get to the situation, I will introduce myself. I?m Air Marshall Hagan. I will be your primary liaison officer, in and out of battle.?[/b] Air Marshall Hagan was an imposing figure. He had broad shoulders, strong arms and a very roughened, but military, look about him. He looked much much tougher than any of the officers down at Syon Base. [b]? Our security alarm went off because one of the ANGEL Wire stations on one of the other continents was attacked by an alien force and taken over.?[/b] Rusti?s eyes widened with shock. [i]An alien force? Oh this is going to be good?[/i] [b]? We have confirmed that they were targeting the prototype mechs that they have been specifically developing on that station. How they came by this information, we do not know. But we do know that they now have these mechs at their disposal, and it seems they have the technology to use them at half their capacity.?[/b] [b]? Only half sir??[/b] Trysten asked. [b]? I can?t go into the details now, Lieutenant Charon, because there simply isn?t enough time. There have also been reports of causalities down on Earth. Fortunately, the group of civilians were only injured, no deaths. But the attack on their vehicles that were driving along the State Highway near Syon Base is a concern. The alien force has signalled its intent to harm civilians.?[/b] Air Marshall Hagan looked down at the clipboard that was handed to him. He read the page?s contents quickly as it was an update to the situation. Turning his head to the officer that had given him the report, he nodded, showing that he acknowledged the orders given. The officer gave a short nod back and left the room at a sprint. [b]? I have just received your orders, lieutenants,?[/b] he said, an authoritative tone ringing in his voice clearly, sounding like he was a man that wasn?t to be messed with. [i]Orders? We haven?t even been assigned our mechs yet![/i] Rusti thought quickly as the Air Marshall continued with his spiel. [b]? Lieutenants Revelin, Masters, Balde, Stevens, Logan and Morgan??[/b] Chase, Ajack, Emi, Cassidy, Axl and Switch all looked up at the Air Marshall, all attentive looks on their faces. [b]? As the ground division, your mission is to find the ground-based mechs that have been deployed and protect any military outposts or civilians at any cost. Drive them away if possible. You will receive your SOUL modules on the way into the primary hanger. As well as your modules, co-ordinates and information on the battle will be sent to your mech?s main system before launch. The squadron leader for this mission will be Lieutenant Stevens. Dismissed!?[/b] The six of them stood, saluted the Air Marshall and sprinted from the room. An officer ran in front of them, leading them down to primary hanger one. It was protocol for one of the mech pilots to be temporarily promoted to Squadron Leader for the duration of a mission. It would be someone whose speciality would be the most effective in the oncoming battle. The Air Marshall then turned to the remaining group. [b]? Lieutenants Geiger, Lei, Charon, Blackfeather and Ophelia??[/b] This time Rusti looked up at the Air Marshall, waiting for her orders. Clyne, Trysten, Artek and Fheng followed suit. [b]? As the air division, your mission is to fight off the air-borne mechs that are approaching this ANGEL Wire stations and the ones nearby, as well as drive their forces back into their spacecraft, wherever they may be.?[/b] [b]? You?re telling us that you don?t know where these guys have come from?!?[/b] Fheng blurted out, surprised. An angry throb of a vein in the Air Marshall?s temple twitched. [b]? No Lieutenant Lei. This force has their main spacecraft well hidden. None of our current searching systems are able to locate their forces.?[/b] Rusti sighed. [i]Great? just great?. first they steal our most advanced weapons? and then he tells us to fight a predominantly invisible force? [/i] [b]? You will receive your specific SOUL modules when you enter the primary hanger two. Battle statistics and co-ordinates will be sent to your mech?s system prior to launch. The squadron leader for this mission will be Lieutenant Charon. Dismissed!?[/b] Rusti jumped up from her seat and saluted at the Air Marshall. The others did the same before being led out of the room, at a sprint, to primary hanger two. It was a fairly long run, even for fit, military officers such as themselves. Soon they came to a large set of metallic doors. The officer that had led them here typed in a password on the keypad beside the door. Sounds of the metal warping and cracking echoed loudly in the resonant hallway. The doors opened and before them, a sight unlike any they had seen before, dawned upon them. In the room lay six unique, but grey, MechAnimas. Rusti had never dreamed of actually flying a true MechAnima. The difference between the mechs they had piloted in training and the ones that lay stone-like in front of them was that MechAnimas were specifically designed for the pilot, accentuating and embodying their strengths and diminishing their weaknesses. Hurried steps came towards the awe-struck pilots as they looked at the remarkable machines before them. Rusti looked to the person who had approached them. It was an older man, dressed in a scientific white coat. There were grease smudges, oil stains and dirt marks all over the coat, actually making it turn a dull grey. Glasses were perched on his hooked nose, intelligent eyes looking out from behind them. [b]? These are the pilots??[/b] he asked very quickly, knowing the full extent of the situation at hand. The officer nodded and then left their group, having jobs to do elsewhere. The scientist looked over them speedily before introducing himself. [b]? Not isn?t the time for large introductions, but I?m Professor Stian. Lieutenant Ophelia, step forward,?[/b] he instructed, looking at the group for the one he wanted. Rusti stepped forward confidently. The Professor shakily handed her her SOUL module. The small chip was a brilliant red colour. It looked like fire. She looked up at the Professor with a quizzical look. [b]? The colour relates to what MechAnima you pilot.?[/b] The Professor turned and pointed to a bird-looking machine near the back. [b]? You have been assigned the Phoenix. You are now able to pilot it.?[/b] [i]The phoenix?![/i] Rusti thought, shocked at her designated battle partner. She slowly moved towards it, her mind still in a confused, stunned whirl before the Professor yelled out to her. [b]? Make sure you get into your piloting suit first!?[/b] Rusti cursed, forgetting about protocol. She turned on her heel quickly and ran to the locker rooms where she managed to find her locker quickly, wrenched it open and grabbed the skin-tight, durable suit out of it. Quickly pulling it on, Rusti made sure that she had ripped nothing and zipped herself up. On her way out, she almost collided with Clyne, who flew past her into the girls? locker room. Now making her way to the grey Phoenix, Rusti wondered about the coincidence between her imaginary friend and the MechAnima received. But before long, she came back to reality, to see the giant machine tower over her. A rope elevator with a foot hold hung down from the chest of the mech. It was just like the ones in training. Rusti grabbed hold of the rope and placed one foot in the foothold. She yanked the rope, initiating the pull mechanism. Quickly, she was pulled up until finally, she came to the chest of the mech. Rusti climbed inside of the cockpit, amazed at the amount of control panels that surrounded her. There were many more than the training mechs. As the hatch to the cockpit closed, Rusti strapped herself into the seat, now pushing her SOUL module chip into the slot that was over her head. All the LCD screens lit up around her, displaying pictures of the outside environment. The system LCD switched on a flickered for a moment before a voice asked for her ID. Rusti promptly gave it, the OS system loading. The hissing of hydraulics echoed in the auditorium-like hanger, scaring some of the maintenance crew who rushed around the hanger floor. Rusti felt herself jerked to the side as a strap-lift heaved the Phoenix MechAnima up from the ground and placed it on the launching cannon. [b]? Lieutenant Ophelia, come in!?[/b] a female voice in Rusti?s helmet echoed. [b]? Lieutenant Ophelia, reading you.?[/b] [b]? I?m assigned to you as your statistic observer from now on, Second Lieutenant Grear,?[/b] the voice said, it now gaining a name. [b]? Call me Rusti for simplicity sake.?[/b] [b]? Tari. Now, I?ve been informed that you have never launching using the catapult cannon before.?[/b] [b]? The what?!?[/b] Rusti heard Tari sigh. [b]? When this mission is over, I suggest you read up on the protocols for launching. But for now, all you need to do is activate the skeleton of the MechAnima. The gravity lock will keep you on the cannon?s floor until you gain enough momentum to tear away from it.?[/b] [b]? Right.?[/b] Rusti looked in front of her, drawing the visor down on her helmet. She typed furiously on the keyboard in front of her for a few moments before she felt the MechAnima jerk around, moving into the launching position. [b]? Done,?[/b] Rusti said through the intercom to Tari. She could hear typing from Tari?s end of the line. [b]? Now, you wait for authorisation from me. Once you have that, the lights in front of you, on the outside, should turn from red to green, launching your MechAnima into space. You have the all-clear. Good luck Rusti.?[/b] Rusti smiled. [b]? I?ll do my best.?[/b] The lights in front of her turned from red to green. The Phoenix MechAnima catapulted forward with a force similar to that of the force when launching a jet on Earth. Rusti could feel the gravity lock on the bottom of the mech lessening and finally, the large machine tore free of the cannon?s floor. Black stars appeared around Rusti, making her feel as if she was actually outside in space herself. Before her, she could see the light from the attacked ANGEL Wire station ahead. She veered the Phoenix mech to the side, out of the way of the launch cannon, waiting for the others to join her. [b][center]===============================================[/center][/b][/size] OOC: Sorry about writing a novel again. Now, the important things you need in your next post. 1. Know who your squadron leader is and what the mission is. 2. Make sure you get your SOUL module [colour code your module] from Professor Stian (if you?re air) or Professor Hastings (if you?re ground) 3. Get into your piloting suit. 4. Find out about your statistic observer (one is assigned to each of us ? make up your own). 5. READ THE UNDERGROUND POST ? for launching protocols and procedures (air and ground are different) and what the responsibilities of the squadron leaders are. You can divide this HUGE post into two if you wish, but make sure you put something at the bottom of the post saying that you are dividing it into two.

[size=1]For the next post if you didn't see it the first time: 1. Know who your squadron leader is and what the mission is. 2. Make sure you get your SOUL module [colour code your module] from Professor Stian (if you?re air) or Professor Hastings (if you?re ground) 3. Get into your piloting suit. 4. Find out about your statistic observer (one is assigned to each of us ? make up your own). 5. READ THE UNDERGROUND POST ? for launching protocols and procedures (air and ground are different) and what the responsibilities of the squadron leaders are. You can divide this HUGE post into two if you wish, but make sure you put something at the bottom of the post saying that you are dividing it into two. [center][b]=============================================[/b][/center] [u]Launching Procedures & Protocols[/u] [i]Air -[/i] 1. The strap lift lifts your mech onto the catapult cannon 2. The gravity lock keeps your MechAnima down on the cannon's floor 3. Activate MechAnima's skeleton 4. Get authorisation from statistic observer 5. Once have authorisation, light turns green and MechAnima launches [i]Ground -[/i] Since the ANGEL Wire station is hovering half in space and half out, the ground MechAnimas can't launch like the air ones. Here's your launching procedure. 1. Strap lift moves MechAnima into large metal capsule. 2. Capsule door closes. 3. Ask for authorisation to launch 4. Once have authorisation, capsule drops down from ANGEL Wire stations 5. Uses rocket engines to guide to place of conflict 6. Lands on ground gently and door opens For ground mech, getting back up into the space station is a reverse of this process, basically. You only have to detail this process for the first time. After the first, you only have to say you launched. [center][b]=============================================[/b][/center] [u]Squadron Leader Info[/u] The squadron leader is the one who is in charge when each division is on a mission. The squadron leader will be chosen somewhat randomly, depending on who had posted and who hasn't. In the battle, it is the squadron leader who decides whether the mission is completed or not. Of course your character can go against the leader's decision, that's your choice. But most times, when the squadron leader says the mission is over, it will be over. Does that make much sense?[/size]

[size=1]The room surrounding Kyne was elegant and luxurious to say the least. It was all he expected from a house as ground as this one. Gold leaf furnishings; rich red-brown timber furniture, upholstered with intricate but faded fabric. He could feel the air was thick with history, keeping silent the events that may have unfolded between the walls. Kyne?s family home, hidden in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, was much more contemporary in style, compared to this. However, this house felt as thought several generations had passed through its rooms, whereas his family were the first to live in their home. Mayon?s tightening talons, however, brought Kyne firmly back to reality. [b]? What is it Mayon??[/b] Kyne asked darkly, not impressed with his friend?s claws digging into his favourite coat. [i]What happened with you? when you saw that girl?[/i] Kyne glanced over to the one Mayon was referring to. She had blonde hair, and blue eyes. [b]? She looks like Amelia? she even? has that same emotion in her eyes??[/b] Kyne muttered in reply, his voice quiet, not wanting his conversation to be overheard by the others in the room. [i]Are you going soft on me Kyne?[/i] the jet-black crow taunted. Kyne closed his eyes, disgruntled at the crow?s comment, and crossed his muscular arms across his broad chest. Moments later, a soft timid voice washed over his ears. [b]? Umm? excuse me?.?[/b] Kyne opened his eyes slowly to see a petite girl of no older than 18, dressed in a typical maid?s uniform, standing nervously in front of him. She twiddled with her thumbs anxiously as she tried to look Kyne in the eye, wanting to say something but the words getting lost in her mouth. [b]? Umm?. Lady Karma? would like to speak with you? now??[/b] she mumbled quietly ? so quietly that Kyne barely heard her. But, fortunately for her, he did and he moved his massive body to the standing position. The young maid turned on her heel and walked off, hoping that Kyne would follow. Soon, they came to a large set of intricately carved timber doors. They were made from a rich mahogany. Even Kyne could appreciate the craftsmanship that had gone into making these magnificent doors. The young maid pushed them open with difficulty, Kyne waiting to be announced. [b]? Ma?am. Kyne Axel? from Sydney is here for you.?[/b] [b]? Thank you Aurelia. You can wait outside,?[/b] an elegant woman, dressed in emerald green, long red locks cascading over her shoulders, said softly, motioning for the maid to leave the room. Aurelia did, bowing out and closing the doors again with difficulty. Mayon shifted himself uncomfortably on Kyne?s left shoulder. Kyne could feel the uneasiness of his friend grow in this woman?s presence. [b]? Kyne Axel??[/b] Lady Karma repeated his name softly, and motioned for Kyne to sit ? a gesture he coolly refused. [b]? I prefer to stand,?[/b] he explained, his voice smooth. [b]? Ah??[/b] Lady Karma smiled knowingly and proceeded to look Kyne up and down, as if inspecting him. [b]? You hail from Australia, do you not?? she asked.[/b] Kyne growled. [b]? You already know the answer.?[/b] [b]? You don?t like beating around the bush.?[/b] [b]? There is no point.?[/b] Lady Karma laughed at Kyne?s serious remark. [b]? Indeed. But some people feel that it is necessary to, perhaps, protect someone from something. Isn?t that what you do with your sister, Amelia??[/b] A rush of anger coursed through Kane?s body. He didn?t like being talked down to, or his sister to be brought into something that didn?t include her. [b]? Get to the point,?[/b] he said darkly, almost a tone of threat in his voice. [b]? Very well.?[/b] Lady Karma opened a drawer beside her. Inside it there were numerous gems inside. One glowed with an eerie light. She picked out the one that was glowing - a red stone. To Kyne, it looked like a ruby, but on closer inspection, it didn?t have the depth of colour that a ruby did. The elegant lady stood and walked over to Kyne, her face barely reaching the top of his chest. She placed the red gem in his hand. [b]? This is a red diamond. It is one of the most valuable jewels on earth. Its? value is significantly higher than that of a common white diamond because of its colour. I hope? in the future? that you will become as valued as this diamond.?[/b] To Kyne?s surprise, the diamond melted into his hand and a sudden burning sensation trailed itself over his back. Mayon jumped off his master in shock, landing on the nearby couch, watching Kyne?s breath be knocked from his lungs. The pain was so intense that Kyne doubled over, grimacing, as the sensation crawled across his back. But in a few moments, it was over. Kyne breathed heavily, his chest rising and falling at a fast rate. He had never felt such a severe physical pain before. It had drained him of his energy. Lady Karma approached him cautiously, in case he struck out at her. [b]? Aurelia!?[/b] Aurelia came in through a side door this time. She curtsied to the Lady before looking over at Kyne, shocked by his sudden weakened appearance. [b]? Aurelia? take him to his room and tend to the wounds on his back,?[/b] Lady Karma said. Mayon took the hint and flew over to the maid, landing easily on her shoulder. [b]? Yes ma?am.?[/b][/size] OCC: Sorry about the bad post. Just can't think.

[size=1]naota, even if your character didn't go to the party, you still could have posted. Maybe it could have been a post that tells us about your character more, explaining or showing us his personality. Character development is just as important as the storyline. Anyhow, here are the two divisions for the first mission: [b]Air -[/b] - Sakura - Redemption - naota - Talon - shadowofdeath13 [b]Ground -[/b] - Tempest - Knuckles' Girl - demonchild781 - Kitty - Eclipse - Kairi Unfortunately, Omega had decided to drop out of the RPG because of commitments outside of OB. The Gryphon position, however, isn't available as it is needed in the story further down the line. Knuckles' Girl and I will be choosing team leaders for the first mission. Make sure you read my next post very carefully to see who is chosen as team leader. The team leader is a person who is promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader for the duration of a mission. This could be anyone, although there is always going to be one per division. If that doesn't make sense, please tell me. I think that's it for now. [b]EDIT -[/b] To those that haven't posted yet, please get a post in before I post. I will wait one more day for you guys to post before I do. If you want to drop out of the RPG, PM either myself or Knuckles' Girl. We won't bite. [b][center]===========================[/center][/b] In reply to naota's post below: Then that's ok. Real life does bite you in the behind at the most inconvenient times. That reminds me. In the coming weeks, I might not be able to post as often as I would like because of a huge university assignment that worth hours of work. Thanks[/size]

[size=1]So the type of gem is our choice? And also, when you said 'post in the order you were introduced in', does that mean for just this part, or the rest of the RPG as well? I couldn't ask you these Qs because you weren't on MSN. >>[/size]

[size=1]The soft light of dawn glowed on the horizon. Kyne looked up at the white morning light, his trench coat swishing from side to side as he walked down the gangway to a small jet. A crow was perched on his shoulder, digging its taloned toes into his coat softly, trying not to pierce the material. [b]? Mayon??[/b] Kyne started. The crow, with its dark beady eyes, looked down at his master. [i]Yes?[/i] [b]? Go to Amelia. Tell her that I?m going away for a long while, and I might not come back.?[/b] [i]Are you sure you want to say that to her? You know her fragile condition.[/i] [b]? Mayon,?[/b] Kyne growled disapprovingly. The crow ruffled its wings. [i]Very well.[/i] With that, it took off, heading towards the mountain-side mansion that Kyne?s family lived in. Kyne watched the bird for a while before the pilot of the plane beckoned for Kyne to get onto the plane, otherwise he wouldn?t make it to New York on time. He nodded his thanks to the pilot as he boarded the plane, taking a seat on the right hand side. Over the intercom, the pilot told the staff, and the only passenger, to buckle up. Kyne did so, staring out of the window as the high-pitched whistling sound of the engines grew louder. In the front of the plane, the pilot asked for clearance for take off and was promptly given it. The plane wheeled around and headed towards the runway. A large passenger plane landed in front of them, making the smaller jet shake. It moved out across the larger runway, to the smaller one, and waited until the sky was clear. The pilot moved the accelerator shaft up to full as the powerful engines kicked in and the small jet lurched forward. A rush of adrenaline coursed through Kyne?s body as an excited smile thinned his lips. He loved flying, especially take off. Soon enough, they were in the air, flying over Sydney and the harbour, heading out towards the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly Kyne felt a tight grip upon his shoulder again. Mayon, the crow, had returned using a transport spell. [i]I think she hates you now.[/i] Kyne sighed. [b]? She took it badly then??[/b] [i]Very. She said something to the effect that you were a horrible brother, leaving her all alone with your parents, and that she would hate you forever.[/i] [b]? Then she joins the rest of the family.?[/b] [i]I think she was just upset Kyne.[/i] An ache throbbed inside his chest. Amelia, his younger sister, was the only one that didn?t hate him for his actions. She was the last person he wished to hurt. A grimace crossed his face as a stewardess asked him if he would like a drink or something to eat. He shook his head, not feeling hungry. He covered his face with his hand, the pain from his heart written plainly across his face. [center][b]=================================================[/b][/center] Fifteen hours later and Kane stepped out of the JFK Airport. The flight from Australia was long, and the plane had stopped at LAX to refuel. People looked at him with strange looks on their faces. Some were admiring him, others look terrified at him. He was an imposing figure to behold. Luckily, however, they couldn?t see the crow perched on his shoulder otherwise they would backing away from him quickly. The clever creature used an invisibility spell to hide his presence. Kyne looked towards a taxi driver, who looked back at him with a terrified look. [b]? I wish to go to this place,?[/b] Kane said simply, walking over to the short, but stocky taxi driver. [b]? Er? I can get you there, but it will be pricey,?[/b] the man said, his Brooklyn accent thick. It sounded like the taxi driver didn?t want to take advantage of Kyne, just in case he pummelled him into the ground. [b]? Money isn?t an issue,?[/b] Kyne replied, his Australian accent barely recognisable. [b]? Get in then, sir.?[/b] Getting into the back seat of the taxi, as it was custom in America, Kyne waited for the taxi driver to get in and drive. Mayon had hopped over to Kyne?s other shoulder, to avoid being squashed by the car door. The taxi driver hopped in and they were soon on their way to the suburbs of New York. [b]? So, where?d you come from??[/b] the driver asked, looking at Kyne in the mirror, trying to make some friendly conversation as they waited in the infamous New York traffic. [b]? Sydney, Australia,?[/b] Kyne replied simply, looking into the front of the taxi. He had been to New York plenty of times with his parents. They were Australia?s most prominent family, as they owned most of the media companies in Australia, which included television stations, newspapers, magazines and internet services. The sights and sounds of the huge city was nothing to him anymore. [b]? Ah. I didn?t think you were around here. If you dressed like that, around here, you could be mistaken for a part of the Mafia and the World police would be on your case.?[/b] A sharp pang of pain struck Kyne, almost knocking the wind from his lungs. He lurched forward, clutching his chest. [b]? Oi, you all right back there??[/b] the driver asked concerned. [b]? Stop the car,?[/b] Kyne breathed. The taxi came to a sudden halt and Kyne stumbled out of the door, holding his head with his right hand. The driver also got out of the car, looking over at his patron with a worried look on his face. [b]? I?ll walk,? Kyne said simply.[/b] [b]? Walk?! But that place is miles from here!?[/b] The ground shook as dust arose from around the corner. The pain inside of Kyne was almost excruciating. [b]? I suggest you get away from this place,?[/b] Kyne said in a raspy voice. The driver nodded and started towards a nearby subway entrance. Kyne stumbled over to an alleyway, people skirting around him as they ran from where the commotion had started. He put his back against a metal dumpster, breathing hard. Mayon looked down at his master, concerned. [b]? Mayon? it?s Omega? isn?t it??[/b] he breathed, the pain becoming unbearable. [i]It is. The pain is real, isn?t it?[/i] [b]? It is.?[/b] [i]Then I need to get you away from him.[/i] The crow used a transportation spell, making him and Kyne disappear from the alleyway and reappear on the doorstep of a luxurious looking mansion. Immediately, the pain lessened enough for Kyne to stand firmly on his own two feet. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as the door opened, a maid appearing in the doorway. [b]? Kyne Axel??[/b] she asked, her voice pretty and sweet. He nodded. [b]? Come in then.?[/b] Kyne moved through the doorway and past the maid into a large entrance hall. A girl about the same age as his sister stood there, a vibrant streak of red through her hair. He approached her, towering over her small figure. But then, everyone was small compared to him. [b]? Kyne Axel, from Sydney. At your service.?[/b][/size]

[size=1]The slow drip-drip of water behind her echoed musically in the shower cubicle. But Rusti couldn?t hear it. She was staring at the teardrop-shaped amethyst crystal that Cassidy, surprisingly, had left in her possession. [I]Your scars do not repulse me?[/I] Those words ran through Rusti?s mind, over and over and over again. She cringed and grasped the necklace in her hand tightly. Those words Cassidy had said to her were the most painful ones of all, and yet, the most liberating. A swirl of emotions ruptured in her chest. Anger. Hate. Sorrow. Fondness. They were all there, inside of her. It had been a long time since she had felt all of these. It made her feel? human again. Like she could actually live somewhat normally. Sighing, Rusti stood. She was anything but normal. Scars, that incident, her emotional state, her job. Moving out of the shower, Rusti clothed herself in her pyjamas ? an off-white female singlet and some short black shorts. She packed away her shower things and walked out of the bathroom and to her bedroom. On the way, she passed Clyne?s room. She could hear two voices from within ? Clyne?s and, to Rusti?s surprise, Trysten?s. They were talking about themselves, getting to know one another a little more than previously. Passing through her open door, Rusti set her shower bag down and hug her towel up to dry. She shut the door, leaning against it. For their first night, it had been most eventful. Rusti walked over to her bed and put the necklace down on the bedside table. She crawled underneath the sheets of her new bed, finding it to be heavenly compared to the stiff cadets bed she had slept on for three years. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips. She drifted off to sleep, listening to the Goo Goo Doll?s song [I][b]Iris[/I][/b]. [center][b]==============================================[/b][/center] [center][b]La la la, let the lilies lie, Where the heart dies. Place them on the face, Of the one you can?t replace.[/b][/center] [I]The sound of a singsong voice roused Rusti. She opened her eyes, her vision becoming more and more clear as time passed. Around her were old gnarled trees, dark and cluttered together. The smell of a damp forest now made Rusti fully aware of the landscape that surrounded her. A forest? It felt old and somewhat magical. The leaves on the gnarled trees were glossy and green, the bark a shade of ash-brown. There was a pool in which she was standing in, white water lilies floating around her with the small current. But, something was wrong with this place. There were no signs of life ? no songs of birds or insects, no movement of the trees with the wind or of animals in the undergrowth. It was almost like she was inside a painting or a scene of a play.[/I] [center][b]Leaving me all alone, What were you thinking? It was all your fault, Or am I just dreaming?[/b][/center] [I]That singsong voice of a child was back. Rusti snapped her head around, looking for the one who sang these haunting verses. But something else caught her attention. While she was looking around, Rusti didn?t realise that she had sunk down into the water, her stomach now disappearing underneath it. Panic flooded through her body as she tried to struggle against whatever was taking her down. But, to her distress, her body wouldn?t move. In fact, it was oddly dressed. Rusti felt confused, and still panic-stricken. She was wearing an off-white, medieval type dress that floated like a ghost?s garments beneath the surface. The water was now up around her throat. Rusti tried desperately to move but it seemed she was destined to go under. As water filled her mouth, washing down into her lungs, her remaining thoughts were of that burning hallway.[/I] Rusti?s eyes snapped open as she rapidly sat upright. Her chest heaved with a slowing panic, her mind realising that it was just a dream. [b]? It was just a dream??[/b] Her breathing slowed to its normal pace, her heartbeat normalising as well. Physically, Rusti now seemed fine, but in her mind, that haunting, singsong voice of the child. [b][center]The red fire burns, No one wants to care. Push them all away, If they want to dare.[/center][/b] Rusti cringed at the words before looking over to her bedside clock. 0531. Her eyes then lingered to the amethyst necklace. Sliding her body from underneath the sheets, Rusti got out of bed. She walked over to her wardrobe, picking out a pair of tracksuit pants and pulling them on. What she needed right now was somewhere where she could get her mind off the dream, and last night?s events. Walking out of her room, Rusti ghosted past Axl and Emi?s room. Now out in the corridor outside of the team?s headquarters, she looked left then right, before deciding to wander around to try and find some sort of physical training facility. The corridor was dimly lit, the darkness of space creeping inside the space station. Rusti could feel its cold fingers run over her shoulders, shivering slightly. After wandering for a substantial amount of time, Rusti found a training facility, however, it was already occupied. She went to walk in through the door when she heard a masculine grunt and the swish of a very calculated palm strike. Rusti peeped in to see Artek. [b]? Oh? hello??[/b] she said, sounding a little happy that someone else was up at this time of morning. Artek turned to Rusti, not saying much to her. The lights suddenly brightened, signalling the six o?clock start to the morning. [b]? Want to go have breakfast??[/b] Rusti asked, smiling a little. Artek nodded and they left the training facility. As they walked along the numerous corridors, Rusti noticed the frequent scars on the young man?s back before he threw on his shirt. An unexpected thought crossed her mind. [I]They?re not that bad.[/I] A stunned look crossed her face, she now realising what she had thought. [I]But? they?re more acceptable on a man than a woman. Scars on a man means he?s more masculine, tougher and has more fibre than others. Scars like mine are horrible, sickening things.[/I] Finally, they had found their way to the mess hall. Rusti knew that it was optional that their squad could eat at their rooms, cooking in the general common room, or come to the mess hall, and eat with most of the other soldiers here. Artek followed Rusti as the both of them gathered their breakfast and sat down at one of the long tables in the room. [b]? Couldn?t sleep??[/b] Rusti asked before starting to eat. [b]? Yeah. You??[/b] Artek managed to get out before starting on his own, his eyes looking very hungry. [b]? Same.?[/b] Silence followed as the two ate their breakfast, slightly enjoying each other?s company. Rusti pushed her tray to the side, letting her now lay her arms on the table before her. [b]? Hey, did you go to the party last night??[/b] she asked, looking at Artek. He nodded. [b]? Only for a small while.?[/b] [b]? How come you didn?t come and talk to me??[/b] [b]? You seemed busy.?[/b] Rusti looked at him now with a curious look. [b]? Busy??[/b] Artek didn?t get to answer the question when the room turned red, an alarm ringing throughout the whole space station, its piercing cry waking all who were asleep. Rusti jumped in her seat, shocked at the sudden alert. Then, a booming voice from the PA system drowned out the alarm. [b]? ALL PERSONELL TO BATTLE STATIONS! NEW MECH PILOTS TO THE STRATEGY ROOM IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT??[/b] The message was repeated three more times as Artek and Rusti raced through the halls, towards the strategy room, people skirting around them in a hurry. [I]What could possibly go wrong now?[/I] [center][b]==============================================[/b][/center][/size] OOC: Ok people. Our first crisis! YAY! Now we get into the good stuff. Here?s your instructions. Finish off your posts about the party, that night and the morning (if your character is awake before the alarm goes off). Sakura, for the moment, take control of shadow?s character to keep him in the loop. If you have trouble posting, PM/IM me.

[size=1][i]Expecting too much from others as usual...[/i] Rusti thought to herself, sighing in a somewhat exasperated fashion. Through the crowd of people, Rusti had managed to pick out Cassidy dancing with a very exceptional-looking red-headed young lady. Any normal person would have been angered at this, but Rusti just laid back in the seat, disappointment seeping through her body. She downed the Kamikaze that Trysten had thankfully given her, the alcohol burning her throat on the way down. The feeling was almost reminiscent of the burning of her flesh all that time ago. The echoes of a disturbance reached Rusti's ears. For a crowded room, with a lot of noise, Rusti could pick out the startings of a fight. She could distinctly hear Emi's voice in the commotion. Turning her head around, Rusti looked for her friend in the crowd, wondering what she had done now. Since Rusti couldn't rely on her arms for any strength, she had to become very perceptive of what was around her. Inevitably, that came down to Rusti sharpening her senses. Her sense of sight, sound and touch were almost inhuman, although, she didn't like to become public knowledge. Rusti stood, wondering if she should join into the fray. But then she noticed Cassidy carve his way through the crowd, Trysten and Clyne already helping Ajack to rescue Emi back from the men. However, it was soon over. Security quickly flooded into the room, breaking up the fight and restraining most that had involved themselves in it, meaning Ajack. Rusti sighed. There would be pricely repercussions in the morning. But, with the knowledge that Emi was now in no danger, Rusti sunk back down into her chair to find Cassidy looking at her from the chair beside of her. Her eyes slightly widened with shock, not realising he had moved into it. Mentally, Rusti abused herself for letting her guard down. [b]" Forgive me..."[/b] he started saying. Rusti looked at him, an unamused look upon her face. Cassidy continued. [b]" I feared that Emi and Ajack may have had more than they could handle."[/b] Rusti nodded at him, showing him her thanks for helping them out. [b]" Seems like you've made friends with a lot of people already."[/b] She was refering to the numerous stares Cassidy was receiving from the female portion of the station. Cassidy didn't know what to say in response to that. He couldn't tell if Rusti was angry, jealous or disappointed at him. He safely assumed, by her comment, that she had seen him with the red-head. Rusti stood, stretching her shoulders despite the sharp surge of pain that flew down her spine. Cassidy looked up at her, wondering what she was going to do. [b]" I don't think I'm cut out for this,"[/b] Rusti said simply, giving a glance to Cassidy before moving to leave the hanger. But, before she could, Cassidy had stood and gripped her firmly on the shoulder with his left hand. Rusti let out a loud wince of pain, immediately moving her hand to grip where Cassidy had laid his hand, jerking away from his grasp. He jerked his hand back in surprise when he heard her sound of pain. A tear of pain filled Rusti's eyes as she pushed through the crowd, making her way back to her room like a ghost. Cassidy watched in shock as he lost sight of her in the crowd. He looked at his hand, the one that had touched her. A large smear of heavy make-up lay upon it. [b][center]=======================================[/center][/b] Water cascaded down Rusti's back as she stood in the shower. She had her forehead pressed against the cold tiles as the warm water ran down her back and hair. Her black hair was down to the bottom of her buttocks, smoothed against her back with the water. Rusti watched the water swirl down into the drain, it slightly cloudy with the make-up. [i]Stupid... stupid... stupid...[/i] Rusti cringed. [i]Why... why do you always expect so much from people? You always get disappointed in the end.[/i] [b][i]It's because you want to believe the best in them.[/i][/b] [b]" What do you want?"[/b] Rusti asked, not moving from her position in the shower. Her imaginary phoenix friend was perched on top of the door of the showers. [i][b]You know... in the ancient times, phoenix were regarded as the power, sent from the heavens, to the Empress. We were the symbols of high virtue and grace, of power and prosperity.[/i][/b] Rusti listened to his words, but nothing really registered. [i][b]" A mythical bird that never dies, the phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space. It represents humans' capacity for vision, for collecting sensory information about our environment and the events unfolding within it. The phoenix, with its great beauty, creates intense excitement and deathless inspiration." Ring a bell?[/i][/b] Rusti could do nothing but nod. She turned off the water, realising that all her make-up was now washed away. Never again would she put herself in a position where her burns - essentially her insecurities - could be exposed. Sitting down in the shower, Rusti drew her knees up to her chest, holding them, her long black hair covering her scars. She lay her head on them, her eyes closing. [i]It will never be the same... Orion.[/i][/size]

[size=1]Rusti sighed as she finished reading the rules. Everyone began to disperse. She was thinking about leaving the room herself when she noticed Cassidy approach her from her far left. Her eyebrow arched as she wondered why one of the two Cassanovas of the group was approaching her. [b]? Ms Ophelia...?[/b] Cassidy started. Rusti grit her teeth at the name, however, she turned to him and looked at him a little blankly. He continued. [b]? I would ask if we could share a few drinks at tonight's gathering, would you be interested in the slightest??[/b] His voice? if she could describe in terms of food, it would be melted dark chocolate. A strange feeling took over her as Cassidy asked her this question. It was like she was in a haze. She looked up at him, her expression still a little clueless. Words tumbled around in her mind as she tried to think of how to word her answer. [b]? I ? would like that Cassidy.?[/b] To her embarrassment, Cassidy bent down and kissed the top of her hand. Rusti?s eyes widened as Cassidy walked away, going into the boys? dormitory. [i]What just happened there? I?m not even sure myself. Did I just accept Cassidy as a date to the party?[/i] [b][i]Seems that way.[/b][/i] From behind her, the imaginary phoenix flew through the wall and landed on one of the chair?s backs. Her eyes narrowed. [i]Pity? I thought I left you behind.[/i] [b][i]No such luck it seems. You?re stuck with me.[/i][/b] Turning towards the females? door, Rusti moved to leave the general common room when the door to the male dormitory flung open and Artek came flying out, colliding into her. His hand grabbed her arm instinctively, making sure she wasn?t about to fall over, although, the impact dazed her a little. [b]? Oh? Hey, Rusti. How are you??[/b] She looked over at Artek. He must be the youngest member of their squadron. It was really quite a feat for someone of such a young age to already be in ANGEL Wire. It was quite possible he could be the youngest ever recruit. [b]? Er? I?m ok? thanks??[/b] Rusti replied, feeling the throb of a headache come on. She put a hand to her head, closing her eyes in pain. [b]? Something wrong??[/b] Artek asked, looking a little concerned. [b]? Headache from the flight.?[/b] [b]? Will you be ok??[/b] [b]? Yeah. Just need a shower.?[/b] Artek looked silenced at that thought. Rusti took the silence as Artek not wanting to continue the conversation. [b]? Well? ok? see you at the party then. If you come, of course.?[/b] When Artek didn?t say anything bad, she sighed and walked into the females? dormitory without another word. She felt bad about having to leave him there but it didn?t seem that she would get any response out of him even if she tried to talk to him. The sounds of the other three women getting ready in the bathroom told Rusti that she would have to wait until they were ready to get into the showers. Since she joined the military, Rusti had managed to keep her scars a secret. Having her own bathroom helped, but now they had to share; it would be much more difficult. Walking into her room, Rusti flopped down onto her bed. She looked up at the ceiling, wondering what was going to happen at this party. It seemed like things were off to a flying start. [center]========================================[/center] Rusti walked into the party room, her ears assaulted by the loud booming bass. She had come dressed in a short, lacy, off-white dress [refer to the appearance picture in sign-up]. Her shoulders were exposed, but for once, she thanked the miracle of makeup. After applying what she thought was a mountain, Rusti could finally go out in public without people looking at her with disgusted faces. However, she still felt conscious about them. Looking around the crowd, Rusti spotted Ajack and Emi dancing together. At first she laughed at Ajack?s choice of clothes. It must be hard to be blind and to choose clothing. Then she realised how hard it must actually be and felt a little ashamed of herself. Sighing, Rusti headed to the bar where she sat down in a comfy material chair, making sure to keep an eye on Emi and Ajack.[/size]

[QUOTE=naota][COLOR=Sienna][SIZE=1]"Besides Axl was Clyne, the only other girl in the entire squad. Unfortunately, it seemed the boys in their squad outnumbered them 2 to 1. So when it came to social events, there was a lot of arguing about whose date was whose. But it always managed to work itself out by each of the girls taking two of the boys. Then there was Trysten, Vermillion and Artek, Rusti?s friends in the flight division. They weren?t bad guys to be around, and Rusti found them to be very good comrades and friends in the air. So much so that she felt she could trust them with her life, something that didn?t come to her easily. And lastly was Switch, [B]Fheng Lei[/B] and Chase. These three were Emi?s comrades in the ground division. Another trio of good guys. Emi had always said that these three were the best guys to be around in training. Rusti, having never actually gone into mock combat with them before, wanted to know if that was true." :lecture: [/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [size=1]O.o Whoops. Sorry about that. Biiiiiigg typo.[/size]

[size=1]I don't remember posting about any air/ground divisions yet. If I had, the list would also be up in this thread. [b]- Redemption[/b][/size]

[size=1]Sure. That is completely up to you guys. You [u]don't[/u] have to follow my choice, or any one else's for that matter. I encourage people to be individual and creative. Think outside the box, but don't make it ridiculous. [b]- Redemption [center]======================================[/center][/b] [u]Ranks of ANGEL Wire[/u] It goes from highest officer to lowest (the numbers represent how many of these officers there are in ANGEL Wire): Air Chief Marshall (1) Air Marshall (3) Air Vice Marshall (9) Air Commodore (less than or equal to 15) Group Captain (less than or equal to 20) Wing Commander (less than or equal to 25) Squadron Leader (less than or equal to 30) Captain (less than or equal to 20) Lieutenant (less than or equal to 20) Second Lieutenant (less than or equal to 40)[/size]

[size=1][b]?Last, but certainly not least, Lieutenant Rusti Ophelia.?[/b] Rusti winced slightly as she heard her last name pronounced by the Air Chief. Her thoughts immediately jumped to the character. However, she stepped forward, taking the diploma and file in her hands gratefully. [b]? Miss Ophelia has displayed her ability in battle tactics to be of the highest quality. She has also equalled the top places in manoeuvrability and medium-class attack power in aerial combat.?[/b] The Air Chief turned to Rusti. [b]? Lieutenant Ophelia, will you accept my invitation to join ANGEL Wire??[/b] Rusti stood to attention and saluted the highest officer in the ANGEL Wire organisation. [b]? Yes sir!?[/b] The crowd gave their warm applause, most of them glad that the ceremony was finally over. As Rusti walked down to her seat, she heard the announcer finalise the ceremony, thanking all the guests who came out of their own time. As if a signal to the end of the ceremony, a 12-gun salute cracked through the air as the graduates stood and cheered. The crowd applauded the graduates and soon the time came to disperse to family and friends. Rusti stood too, looking around at the family?s greeting each other and congratulating their relatives on graduating. She looked to her group and noticed that none of them had moved into the greeting area. Instead, they all moved back to the barracks to collect their time, before they took off to one of the ANGEL Wire space stations. [i]Either?. we?re all alone? or we have family we don?t wish to come into contact with? no wonder we bonded so well together?[/i] Rusti thought to herself, following the group back. [b][center]================================[/center][/b] The ride to the space station was rocky at best. The shuttle shook and shuddered like it was going to fall apart. It had been centuries since the first shuttles went into space. You?d think they would have gotten it right by now. The trip lasted a few hours and finally, the newest recruits to ANGEL Wire disembarked the shuttle. A smiling woman greeted them as they all moved off the transport. [b]? Welcome to Delta-0, one of ANGEL Wire?s network of space stations,?[/b] she said, almost robotically. Rusti raised an eyebrow, wondering if this woman was human or machine. [b]? If you?ll all follow me, I?ll show you to your dormitories.?[/b] All of them looked around as they followed the mildly attractive woman. The space station was amazing. Everything looked like it was state-of-the-art. There were terminals everywhere for communication with the bridge and repairs. Rusti was surprised by how clean it was. She always imagined that the space stations were grimy and grubby, just like the barracks on Earth. As they continued to walk, they passed people that stopped and saluted them. From what Rusti could see, all of them were juniors to her group ? all second lieutenants. It must be hard seeing new people walking around that outrank them. The group then came to a sudden stop. Rusti, not realising that no one was moving, bumped into the back of Vermillion with an ?oof?. She stumbled backwards only for her arm to be grabbed by Ajack, steadying her. [b]? Thanks,?[/b] she said as she straightened herself up. [b]? Sorry Vermillion.?[/b] The robot-like woman turned to them, smiling. [b]? Women are on the left, men on the right. Inside there is a common room connecting the two genders. Each gender has their own bathroom and bedroom. On the table, there should be a list of the events happening tonight. I trust that you are all looking forward to the introduction party.?[/b] [b]? Sure am!?[/b] Emi piped up, saying what everyone was thinking, almost everyone. The woman smiled. [b]? Very well then. See you all at the party.?[/b] And with that, she departed. The group entered the room through the separate doors, all immediately coming into a corridor. For the men, their rooms were on the right, for the women, their room were to the left of them. However, since there were twice as many men as there were women, the men soon discovered that their rooms were a little squashed together. Rusti dumped her back into her room, the third one up from the front door, and made her way to the bathroom. She was unamused when she discovered it was a communal bathroom, meaning only two showers, a large bath and a large sink area. She then moved to the common room, looking behind to see a sign on the door saying ?Girls rule and boys drool? at us.?. Rusti couldn?t help but laugh at it. Over time, everyone had managed to make their way into the common room. There was a clip-board on the table, waiting for someone to read it out. Rusti looked around. Everyone seemed to be avoiding that job, so she sighed and picked it up, calling for everyone?s attention. [b]? Oi oi? come on you guys, settle. Now, the clipboard says??[/b] She looked at the first page and scowled a little. It was almost as if they had gone back to high-school with the rules that were set out. [b]? Rules. Number one, no male is allowed in the females? rooms unless invited, and vice versa. Number two, a roster is to be made up that assigns jobs to do around each gender?s common areas. Number three, in an emergency, rule one is allowed to be disregarded.?[/b] The group mumbled to each other in disagreement about the rules. Rusti called for quiet again. [b]? Second thing on the clipboard? our first team meeting is at 0800 sharp tomorrow morning. We are to arrive in uniform and have on our persons our files. In the meeting, we?ll receive our first assignments, our access cards for around Delta-0 and our specifically engineered SOUL modules.?[/b] [b]? And lastly, tonight, starting at 1900, a party is going to be held in the secondary hanger. This is an introductory party for us as new recruits to ANGEL Wire. Apparently, it is so we can meet some of our senior officers as well as our peers. And??[/b] Rusti pulled up the page to check if there was anything underneath. [b]? ? that?s it guys.?[/b] Everyone stood, acknowledging the all power messages on the clipboard before dispersing throughout their new dormitories. Rusti looked up at the clock behind her. It read 1730. Seemed like the party was going to be held sooner rather than later. [b][center]================================[/center][/b] [/size] OOC: Ok everyone. This party is to firmly establish your character's personality in the RPG. I've seen people in the past not get others' characters right so this party is to try and solve that problem by giving you guys a different situation to react to. Your character doesn't have to go to the party if you don't think it would be something they would do. Later I will be putting up a list of how ANGEL Wire is ranked in the Underground, so watch out for that. Also, anyone is able to go into the party scene. Just make sure you describe it well in your post. Go have fun! Get drunk! Get laid! Act like young adults! Heh. All those good things. :p

[size=1]The bitter wind of autumn ripped through Kyne Axel?s body length black trench coat. Sydney was a bitter place when the seasons started to change. The Harbour hardly helped with the plummeting temperatures, even though many people thought it would. The 22-year-old man stalked down the dark, unlit alley towards his club known as ?Lucifer?s Angels?. Many people who passed it thought it was a strip club, but when they entered it, they realised it was just a normal club. Or so they thought. Kyne approached the alley door to his club, his longish, flat spiky brown hair covering some of his face. He opened the door and entered to the deafening sound of bass and treble. His dark eyes scanned the room, full of people dancing to the DJ. [b]? Lucifer!?[/b] someone called out to him. Kyne turned slowly to his right, where the bar was surrounded by a crowd of people five deep, all wanting drinks. Lucifer? that was his name to all of his staff. He suited that nickname rather well, with his attitude and his looks. Kyne strode over to the bar, looking a formidable sight, partying the crowd like the Red Sea. [b]? What is it??[/b] His voice was smooth, deep and very masculine. It made most of the women melt around him. [b]? Your sister rang. It sounded urgent,?[/b] shouted Ty, one of his club?s barmen, over the pumping music. A mild surprised expression crossed his face. [i]His sister? Rang him?[/i] [b]? Did she leave a number??[/b] Kyne asked, his voice again melting all the women around him into puddles. [b]? It?s on your desk in your office. And Dom said something fishy was going on downstairs.?[/b] [i]Downstairs?[/i] That meant the underground fighting tournament. He nodded his thanks to Ty and pushed through the crowd, his masculine body carving a path through the people dancing. One brave girl even managed to come up to him and ask if he?d buy her a drink. Much to her disappointment, Kyne didn?t even answer and proceeded onwards. Finally he came to his office. Kyne entered into it and shut the door behind him, the loudness of the music softening down drastically. As soon as the door shut behind him, Kyne sunk to his knees, gripping his forehead tightly with his right hand. Ever since he entered the club, two enormous flickers of pain surged through him, nearly making him vomit. Kyne could tell they were two different kinds of pains. How, he didn?t know. But when Ty told him about his sister, Kyne?s suspicions were confirmed. Something was happening in the outside world. Something big. Grimacing at the pain, Kyne stood and fell into his office chair, the booming of the bass vibrating through the room. A piece of scrunched paper lay before him. There was a number very roughly scribbled onto it. Ty must have done it when he was opening up. Kyne picked it up and dialled the number on his mobile phone. It rang for a few moments before a sweet, gentle voice answered. [b]? Kyne??[/b] she asked, some hint of hope in her voice. [b]? Amelia,?[/b] Kyne replied, saying his younger sister?s name. [b]? Kyne! You actually rang back!?[/b] [b]? You rang me for something??[/b] [b]? Oh you?re so cold! You?ve been that way to me ever since Papa kicked you out of the house when he discovered your fighting tournaments.?[/b] Kyne growled like a feral beast. That incident would stay fresh within his mind until the day he died. It made the hot beast of rage boiled up inside of him. He closed his dark eyes, letting out an angered sigh. [b]? Amelia??[/b] [b]? Oh fine!?[/b] Amelia said, flustered, from the other end. [b]? You wouldn?t have called unless you felt it too, right??[/b] [b]? What is it??[/b] [b]? Them.?[/b] [i]Them?[/i] That word rang clear in his mind. Them meant Omega and Alpha ? Dontae and Isabel?s titans. [b]? Is that all??[/b] Kyne asked. [b]? Yes?. No? when are you coming to visit me? I?m so lonely here by myself.?[/b] [b]? He said not to come into contact with you.?[/b] [b]? But Kyne??[/b] Beep. Kyne had hung up. Rage was now coursing through his body uncontrollably. He stood, his body stiff with fury. The sound of the bass pulsed in unison with his blood. He strode out of the office and down to the dance floor, making his way towards the entrance to the underground fighting arena. The guards saw ?Lucifer? stalk towards him. They let him in without so much as a word. The look in Kyne?s eyes were almost enough justification that he was indeed Lucifer. Kyne walked down the winding staircase, and into the car park below. When he first purchased this rundown place, he immediately sealed off the entrance to this car park and transformed it into the underground fighting arena it was now. People jeered at the two combatants fighting inside a wire cage. Bookies were taking bets left, right and centre. Walking over to the cage, he saw Dom, the organiser of these illegal events, turn around and watch Kyne approach. They didn?t shake hands or do anything such as that. Their faces were both very business like. Dom turned back to the fight. [b]? The one in the red. He?s won for five straight fights,?[/b] Dom said stonely. Kyne looked to the man who was sporting a red bandana on his right arm. He looked like any other healthy male. [b]? The problem??[/b] Kyne asked. [b]? He?s entered this tournament before and got knocked out almost immediately,?[/b] Dom replied, his thick arms crossed in front of his chest. Kyne?s eyes narrowed. [b]? Stop the fight.?[/b] [b]? The bookies will want my blood.?[/b] [b]? I?m going in.?[/b] Dom smiled knowingly and called off the fight. The crowd booed at Dom?s decision. Kyne took off his trench coat, revealing a black muscle shirt. He walked over to the door of the cage and was let in by the referee. Now in the centre of the ring, Kyne stood opposite the man. For once, the crowd was silent. They were all in shock that the man that had owned the club upstairs would dare to step into the ring. Whispers echoed loudly off the walls, ringing in Kyne?s ears. He could hear what they were saying. [b]? Isn?t that Lucifer??[/b] [b]? I heard he is ruthless in the ring??[/b] [b]? He?s killed an opponent before?.?[/b] [b]? You?re kidding??[/b] [i]That?s it?. whisper about me all you like?weaklings?[/i] The ding of a bell signalled the start of the fight. The crowd became its noisy self. But Kyne couldn?t hear any of it. All he could hear was dead silence. All he could see was the man in front of him. The man charged forward, bringing a balled up fist towards his face. Kyne decided to end this quickly. The longer the fight would go on, the more he would be at a disadvantage. Swiftly, he caught the man?s fist in his left hand. The man looked up at him, surprised and terrified as he felt Kyne tighten his grip. [b]? I don?t fight against spawn like you.?[/b] With those words, Kyne brought his right fist up and connected with the man?s ribcage. The sickening sounds of bones cracking silenced the crowd as all faces turned towards them. The man was thrown backwards, crashing into the wire sides. Kyne turned on his heel and exited the cage, the crowd still in stunned silence. He walked over to Dom who handed him his trench coat. [b]? Make sure he dies,?[/b] Kyne said seriously, giving a powerful sideways glance to Dom. [b]? Tell Ty he?s in charge. You look after things down here.?[/b] Dom?s eyebrow arched. [b]? You going somewhere??[/b] Kyne gave a wicked smile as he straightened his coat. [b]? For a walk. Don?t wait for me.?[/b] With that, Kyne walked into the club and then out onto the street.[/size] OOC: Hope its to your liking DC. Appearance is attached if I didn't explain it well enough.

[size=1]Hey no problem. School's a lot more important than some banner. Thanks for the effort though! It's great. GO SAIZOU! [b]- Redemption[/b][/size]

[size=1]I've put this thread up just in case anyone has any questions they would like answered, instead of PMing either myself or Knuckles' Girl. There will be information put up soon relating to how battles will work out. Until then, check this thread, even if it doesn't look like it has been updated. I may have updated this original post. Hope you guys enjoy. [b]- Redemption[/b][/size]

[size=1]The first person who told me of this news was actually DW. At first, I was skeptical but then it soon dawned on me that it was the real deal. At least he died doing something he was passionate for and loved. Australians, more oftenly Queenslanders, will miss the huge contribution he made to putting us on the map. Australia Zoo isn't a corporation or a business, it's a place where family and friends work together. Nobody would think he would die as he did because we all thought he was invincible in a way - playing with dangerous creatures was his profession and he did it with such ease. I was listening to NOVA this morning, and they had the leader of the opposition on it, talking about Steve. We're at the end of an election campaign and this man had also experienced a sudden death of his own - his father-in-law apparently committed suicide. You could feel the sorrow and sadness coming from him, having experienced something like this only a few days earlier. My condolences go out to the Irwin family and their colleagues at Australia Zoo. May you rest easy Steve.[/size]

[center][size=7][font=Impact]Project: True Destiny [RESURRECTION//][/font][/size] [size=1][b][u]Liberty Weekend[/b][/u][/center] Two days of festival, fun and joy ? but also of remembrance. The reason why these two days are of two opposing feelings is because of the events that occurred about a century ago. An unidentified race of beings, dubbed the Cylargres, attacked a city with a force much like a nuclear explosion except on a much larger scale. The damage was catastrophic. Such a massive loss of life in one attack shocked the military into drastic action. And drastic action it was. A number of high-school teenagers were asked to pilot new prototype weapons called MechAnimas. These weapons were developed in secret by the military?s highest minds. They had minds of their own ? their own personalities and mannerisms, likes and dislikes; that made the scientists treat them as if they were fellow human beings. But even though they were marvels of technology and science, the scientists could not find pilots that these machines would accept. It seemed that the teenagers had a more emotional and intimate connection with the mechs than any older soldier could accomplish. This puzzled the scientists greatly. The synchronisation rate between the mech and teenager appeared to pass any of their expectations. To this day, it is thought that it was because they were teenagers, with their highly-strung emotional states, that made them become the pilots of these weapons. At the end of the first confrontation with the Cylargres, in which the human race was victorious, these children disappeared from the public eye and became private citizens on the few space colonies that surrounded the moon. The people that lived around them had no idea who they were, just that they were ordinary people living ordinary lives. They had no ideas of the ghosts that haunted these young peoples? footsteps. However, these ?children? were asked to fight but not in a life-and-death situation like before. A tournament commemorating the attack on Valentine?s Day was held and the MechAnimas were back in operation, except for entertainment purposes only. But this tournament soon turned into something much more sinister, and again, the pilots had to fight for everyone?s safety. A period of peace followed after these two attacks. The world settled back into order, but the government had learnt harsh lessons and set upon building a protective net around Earth. This became known as ANGEL Wire ? a set of space stations that bobbled half in the Earth?s atmosphere and half in space. Each of the great nations built one of these and large wire-like tubes connected them all. It allowed the defence of the Earth below and the space above, the public dubbing the soldiers ?angels? as they protected them from their high vantage point. And finally, Syon Desert Base ? now the home to the annual group of cadets that the Air Chief Marshall and his direct subordinates, the Air Marshals, look over to be the next candidates to get into ANGEL Wire. Liberty Weekend. ANGEL Wire. And the MechAnimas. All have joined on this ironic occasion where the graduation ceremony for this year?s cadets has commenced. This is where their story begins. [center]=============================[/center] Rusti stood in front of her locker for the last time. It would be the last time she would ever have to use the confounded thing. From day one it fought with her. At times, she almost thought it had a vendetta against her, and yet, it was just a box of metal. [I]A very frustrating box of metal,[/I] she added mentally. Gathering her things from its inside, she placed them into a small cardboard box. All that was left was her new uniform. It was a high-collared, long-sleeved white shirt, with red and grey patches on the shoulders and sleeves. There were three red strips on her sleeves, signalling her new rank ? lieutenant. As for the bottom half of the uniform, females had to wear a just-above-knee white skirt. For men, long white pants. It wasn?t a very flattering uniform, like some of the other nations in the World Government, but Rusti thanked God that it was long sleeved. It hid her hideous looking burns very well. They were a scar-white and were scattered across her shoulders and down to just above the elbow in patches. After taking off her old cadet shirt, she arched her back to get the shirt on when a spasm of pain fired through her shoulders, taking her breath away in a wince. [I][b]It still hurts?[/b][/I] Rusti looked up to see her imaginary friend, the phoenix, perched on the door of her locker. She took a deep breath and put the shirt on, buttoning it up. The phoenix was looking down at her sorrowfully. [b]? Look? I can?t talk to you right now??[/b] Rusti whispered under her breath, not looking at the transparent phoenix. [b][I]It doesn?t mean I don?t exist if other people can?t see me.[/I][/b] [b]? If they see me talking to myself, I?ll be sent straight to the psychiatric ward. So shut it.?[/b] [b][I]Rusti? give me a name. How long has it been since I appeared to you?[/I][/b] [b]? Too long? you never shut up??[/b] She was hoping that none of her comrades was hearing this one-sided conversation. It would make her look crazy and that would end any chance of getting into ANGEL Wire. The phoenix ruffled his feathers in disgust. [b][I]That was harsh?[/b][/I] [b]? That?s the point??[/b] [b][I]I won?t disappear if you don?t give me a name?[/b][/I] [b]? Isn?t not having a name the same as not existing??[/b] Rusti muttered softly, as if talking to herself and not to the phoenix. At that comment, the phoenix grew silent. He stared down at his seemingly ungrateful companion with complete disgust in his burning orange eyes. Rusti took no more notice of the imaginary creature and slipped on her skirt, zipping it up. She now looked at herself in the mirror. [I]Impressive,[/I] she thought to herself and modelled it to herself. [I]You don?t even know that they?re there.[/I] [b]? All cadets to the ceremony area immediately. The graduation will begin shortly,?[/b] a woman said over the base?s announcement system. Rusti looked up quickly at the speaker and swore. [b]? I haven?t even finished packing yet!?[/b] [center]=============================[/center] The graduation ceremony had now commenced. One by one, the cadets? names were called and they filed across the stage in their new, neatly pressed and ? for the most part ? matching uniforms. They crossed the stage, shook the Air Chief Marshall?s hand and then walked back down to their seat in a rigid, military fashion. It seemed like the ceremony was running smoothly and effortlessly. Even the audience were keeping themselves awake at this normally dull event. In the second row at the very front, the ceremony being worked a little differently this year, was a row designated to some special students. Each of the cadets seated in this row had received the highest marks in their respective fields. They all seemed to get along with one another on civil terms, if not a mischievous bunch, whispering between themselves as the names of their fellow comrades were being read out. The girl next to Rusti elbowed her in the ribs and indicated to the announcer. Emerald leant slightly to her side and whispered into the young woman?s ear. [b]? You can see under his toupee. The thing looks like he scraped it off the road.?[/b] Rusti snorted softly, leaning forward slightly to disguise her laughing expression. She nodded back but remained silent as their commanding officer leered at them from in front of the stage. Emerald put her hand over her mouth to hide her smile as Rusti elbowed her in the ribs to straighten her up. [b]? Okay, okay. Sorry??[/b] The hair-piece-topped announcer bowed low, his toupee falling off a little. Emerald, more casually known as Emi, snorted loudly into her hands. Even Rusti cracked a smile. [b]? See Ophelia, even you have a funny bone,?[/b] Emi whispered to her neighbour. [b]? Yeah. But you take it too far at times. And you should known by now to call me by my first name,?[/b] Rusti replied sharply. Every time her comrades or commanding officers called her by her last name, she was reminded of the character Ophelia from Shakespeare?s [u]Hamlet[/u]. [b]? Heh? if you don?t have fun, then you don?t live at all,?[/b] Emi retorted. [b]? You live enough for the both of us.?[/b] [b]? It?s not like you?re doing it for yourself.?[/b] A deep male voice broke into the conversation from Rusti?s other side, making Emi blush and Rusti herself chuckle. [b]? Both of you need to be quiet otherwise you?ll get us all into trouble.?[/b] Emi leant forward. [b]? Sorry Ajack.?[/b] Ajack leant back into the chair next to Rusti, Cassidy looking over at Rusti and Emi from the end of the row with a playful scorning look on his handsome face. Axl, another of Rusti?s comrades, looked beside her at Rusti and Emi who were now taking bets on how long it would take for the announcer?s toupee to fall off. She smiled at them and silently shook her head. This was a tradition as formal occasions such as these, so it wasn?t surprising. But what was surprising was how long it had taken the two to begin the betting. Besides Axl was Clyne, the only other girl in the entire squad. Unfortunately, it seemed the boys in their squad outnumbered them 2 to 1. So when it came to social events, there was a lot of arguing about whose date was whose. But it always managed to work itself out by each of the girls taking two of the boys. Then there was Trysten, Fheng Lei, Vermillion and Artek, Rusti?s friends in the flight division. They weren?t bad guys to be around, and Rusti found them to be very good comrades and friends in the air. So much so that she felt she could trust them with her life, something that didn?t come to her easily. And lastly was Switch and Chase. These three were Emi?s comrades in the ground division. Another trio of good guys. Emi had always said that these three were the best guys to be around in training. Rusti, having never actually gone into mock combat with them before, wanted to know if that was true. Their commanding officer came over to Cassidy and told him that they would be announced shortly. The whole row stood and filed out to the side of the stage where this special group of cadets were called out one by one. They walked onto the stage and stood at attention, facing towards the audience. The Air Chief Marshall looked at them with a small smile on his face as he approached the podium. He cleared his throat once before starting to speak. [b]? Ladies and gentlemen. Today, before you, you can see twelve young men and women. These twelve have proven themselves to be the best in their respective fields over the past few years, exceeding their comrades. I would like to extend an invitation to all twelve to become part of ANGEL Wire. Will you accept??[/b] [center]=============================[/center][/size] OOC: Welcome everyone to the third instalment of Project: True Destiny. Sorry about writing a novel but it felt necessary at the time. ^^; Anyhow, for your first post, as always, an introduction of your character. Also, your character is to accept the invitation from the Air Chief Marshall. Then the Air Chief Marshall is to say a little about your character, mainly about what your character specialises in. This relates directly to your chosen beast. I?ll use my character as an example. Rusti tops the class in manoeuvrability and medium-class firepower in flight. Say, if you chose the cheetah, it would be swiftness and manoeuvrability. If you don?t understand, please PM me ASAP. Enjoy!