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Post by GoldenKitten on Jun 4, 2009 20:43:19 GMT -4
Ash watched the goings on with little real interest as his study of the matter was more or less passed. Instead he stood toying with the strap to a white pack his had strapped over his right shoulder, wrapping it around his finger one way and then the other. Inside were a few changes in clothing, mostly nightwear and little else except for a writing instrument or two and things for his hair, he had little use for anything else. Knowing they would be boarding within the next few minutes he had removed his four katanas which would make it difficult for him to move in confined places and had wrapped them up where they now sat hanging from his back in a bundle, he only usually kept them on for show or when he knew a fight was upon him anyway. Eventually Diana exited the train, Ash made no movements upon seeing this but was thankful inside because that likely meant they would be leaving soon. He had not intended to approach the woman as they would no doubt have time to speak later but was perhaps a tad surprised when he saw she was instead approaching him.
When it became clear he was her target he saluted her shortly before she had him, as was conduct towards ones superior. Ash wasn't all about following the rules all the time, especially when he started discovering threads of a case where he would let nobody stand in his way but when it came to typical manners he was all for them. He allowed himself a mild smirk when she mentioned Colin, not because he was particularly happy about that matter but because he knew behind her words that the Colonel was closer to the Major than she would admit. He thought of saying something demeaning the young boy but thought better of it and instead simply nodded before adding:
“It's not an issue. You do not appear as I do and not grow used to such matters... and as for his conduct I can understand, not everyone is built for the stern military doctrine.”
Diana moved on and he made no effort to bring it up again, he was beyond the event anyway though he really doubted that it was the last he heard from Colin. He again just nodded and added “Certainly” when she told him she had received information, this was not the place to talk about it but on the inside he was excited. Diana momentarily separated from him before motioning so that he followed her toward the rear car, after directing one of her leaders to deal with the others they both crossed over into the threshold of the rear car. Though he could have gone and plopped down on a couch like a certain Staff Sergeant he instead simply stood out of the way of the door and waited for her to invite him wherever she wanted to speak with him with his hands behind his back while he observed his surroundings.
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Post by Zhiel on Jun 15, 2009 20:44:42 GMT -4
OOC: Hope this will do, incase you've got nothing important to add, just assume the trainrides started. (Meaning we will be at Ern soon).
Diana was thankfull that Ash did not linger on the topic of Colin, though at the same time she was wondering what went on inside the young mans mind. Though she could not be sure of it, he seemed to be the kind of person that hid their real personality, or atleast their opinions of others. Of course this was just guess-work so far, she had seen far too little of the Lt. Colonel to truly make up her mind about him, though so far he seemed reliable.
Upon entering the rear train-car Diana continud down the corridor which led through it in the middle, past what looked to be four cabins that suited a passenger train more than a troop train, before the corridor opened up into a larger 'room' with several containers and small boxes along the walls, with a fairly large table in the center with enough space for six or so people. On the table was a large amount of documents and a few books as well as notes, all neatly sorted and laid out togheter with the 'group' they belonged it, though without knowing that it might look randomly put togheter.
Having walked up to the table Diana turned around and waved for Ash to come over to her, whereupon she rounded the table and sat down infront of all the documents and papers. "Please have a seat, Lt. Colonel." Diana said, though she still sounded prety 'all-buisness' it was apparent she had eased up a bit after entering the train-car. "I'm sorry if I put your hopes up about the information, it is very scarce... But it should help atleast." Diana appologized as she slid what appeared to be a map across the table toward Ash. There was a red circle marking a location near the town-square of Ern, and several smaller ones that seemed to be more uncertain, like if guessed.
"A newly aquired witness reported that she heard gunshots and what sounded like shouts or screams outside of her house. Upon further questioning the neighbors they were able to determine this as the location for the police disappearance." She explained before grabbing a few of the documents which laid scattered infront of her. "Now, don't ask me why they didn't do this sooner, but atleast we've got one certain location. Though you might be able to tell what an odd location it is for causing a group of five armed men disappear, what with all the houses nearby. Either the culprits are getting bolder... Or they are trying to catch our attention." An obvious frown entered Diana's face when she spoke the last sentence, though she was doubting it to be the case herself, she coulden't help but feel there were no point to these 'kidnappings'.
"I asked them to prepare a full list on all disappearances and the likely location for their disappearance before we arrive, so that might be helpfull incase there is any connections between them all, though unlikely. But speaking of arriving, as mentioned you will be in charge of the actual investigation as you have the most experience and expertice in this area. There will be a few others accompanying us, along with one squad that is to guard the area around our investigation. The rest will be put under the Sky-Breaker Alchemists command and will be expected to aid the police in patrolling the streets and ensuring general protection toward the civilians. If you have any questions or suggestions for this, feel free to speak your mind." Diana explained, waiting to see if Ash had any input on the matter.
Outside they could hear the train-whistle as the locomotive prepared to leave the station, there was just a few minutes left before it would leave for Ern.
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Post by GoldenKitten on Jun 22, 2009 1:39:13 GMT -4
Ash lowered himself gingerly into the chair while setting the majority of his weapons up against the nearest wall in the process. He scooted forward in the chair once he was finished and interlaced his fingers before leaning forward on them and studying Diana. When she began speaking he was initially disappointed at the way she worded things, even if you didn’t think the data you had was important you didn’t make that call until it made the rounds and was classified as such. Regardless he put such perfectionist tendencies to the back of his mind since she was after all the leadership here and instead focused on what she showed him. The map showed a red circle around the town center, he let Diana give her theories; they were not terrible and in fact stood a chance of being accurate but were not the only possibilities viable to the investigation. He looked at the map and measured several distances out with his fingers, Ern was not a massive town but it was large.
He toyed with his fingers for a few moments before speaking in an offhand manner, “Could be both causes…plus others. That’s what I’ll lean toward for now, their getting stronger and their getting bolder. But beyond this the area for the disappearance is not as out of place as you might think assuming our foe…or foes, no longer limit themselves to a particular method of secrecy. After all this area is still heavily shielded, short line of sight, many side-roads, dark corners…what’s that tell us?”
He didn’t really give her time to answer but it was likely obvious the question had been more rhetoric anyhow, “It shows us that their attacks aren’t flawless. Bold yes, but not blatant. Like any other criminal they know they can be caught and they knew that in the event of emergency they would need a quick exit, this shows that their powers are neither mystical nor all powerful…as I am certain the police within Ern will be quick to claim upon our arrival to cover themselves. On that note be careful who you put your faith in within that leadership, they will make good errand boys but there is a reason they have to have us come fix their problems, they can’t do it themselves.”
Ash had gotten lost in thought and by the end even though he was acknowledging Diana it was clear he was not necessarily talking to her in particular. He seemed to notice this overstep of boundaries a moment later as his eyes lit up a bit and he shook his head, “Oh, my apologies.”
He let his hand fall over the paper for a moment longer before pushing it back to the center and sitting back, “But in the end that just confirms what we could probably have already guesstimated. The real questions I fear can only be answered by finding our foes themselves…but lets not be so cynical until after we have visited the scene of the incident.”
Once Ash had finished his monologue Diana requested if he had anything to add a bit belated but after a moment of covering his mouth with his hand he gently motioned with the other free hand toward her, “Lets be blunt. If this foe, which is no doubt an alchemist, is in fact becoming more brazen and intends to attract us then he, she or they will be on the lookout for us. Thus it would be best to speak with your top people and tell them to be on the lookout for standout individuals, people that stick out or whom seem to just be in the right place at the right time, perhaps several times all as coincidence…even going so far as to perhaps be monitoring us. In this case coincidence doesn’t exist, we need to use our full power and anyone with the slightest reason for suspicion needs to be held for at least minor investigation. It’s unorthodox but it’s also the only way we are going to find the true individual with the minor evidence we have.”
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Post by kensei on Jun 22, 2009 23:56:31 GMT -4
One Hour Earlier The whistle from a nearby train accompanied with the chugging sound of the wheels going against the brass bars as it made its way down the track. Hidden inside of the noise of the train could be heard the revving of a chopper motorcycle. A man looking to be in his mid to late twenties was ridding it. He wore a black jeans, a black shirt that on it was the word “Sphinx” with a small Sphinx with a fire background on the back. On his eyebrow length blonde hair was hidden in a hat on backwards. The man had long cannon like arms and legs that together seemed to be as big as the bike. It was evident that he was indeed tall as his large combat boots seemed to be just as big as the rest of his body. On both of his legs where two pistols held in by black holsters which leather straps wrapped around his leg. On his right leg was a blue handled knife that in its sheath, which was also wrapped around his leg and upper boot, seemed to be at least nine inches long.
As the white polls which signified when a train was crossing where insight he gunned it. Dropping the bike down a gear to get more torque, which, coupled with him pulling it up a tad, brought the front tire roughly three inches off the ground. No more then a half mile away he raced the train, obviously going faster, he made his way for the crossing. As he neared it he dropped it back to first and pressed the brake causing the bike to slide so it faced the right way. He gunned it once more as the wooden polls began to drop. He made it right in the middle of them as they came down all the while holding down the accelerator as he looked back he turned his head back to see a wooden building, he tried to do what he did at the crossing but he ended up getting his back tire half way up the wooden building before he gunned it once more burning the wood and rubber in a rather interesting smell. It was a few minutes, and a few almost crashes later that he made it to the mayor’s office. He walked in with his head held high and he walked with a sense of honor and purpose. As he opened the doors he saluted the mayor before walking over to him and shaking his hand in the more common greeting. “Alright Mr. Mayor, lets begin with what has been going on around town. You told my brother Jedediah that there have been several disappearances lately including a large amount of police officers, and that you have asked for assistance from the military correct?” The Mayor who was a smaller man especially when compared to Victor, said. “Correct, there have been several disappearances of in these areas.” He said showing him the map that showed all of the locations the police the civilians and officers had been kidnapped from. “Alright I am going to need access to your records and the crime scenes as well as permission to interview all witnesses and other officers that where around the areas at that time. You also mentioned that your chief of police believes them to be alchemists, why is that?” The Mayor coughed as he cleared his throat and said. “Consider it done, and he believes it because of how the crime scenes are so clean and that no bodies from the other party where found when they took five at the same time.” Vick, leaned back in his chair and said half to himself half to the Mayor. “Ok so just speculation. Alright I am also going to need two more things. The information about the military personnel they are sending and no interference from the police, if I need help from them I will request so. My brother is talking to your chief of police and will help the military with civilian protection. Are price is 400,000 none negotiable, but may go up if the situation becomes more then we bargained for.” The mayor coughed and said, “There are only two of you?” This made Victor chuckle before he said. “We are a small group, but we are the best you’re going to find. My brother will be down to finish the paper work and get everything finalized. I just need to know the name of the person in charge of the military side of this operation and when they are arriving.” The mayor opened a draw in his desk pulling out a brown folder and said as he opened it. “Ah yes it says here that the mission is under the command of a Colonel Andrews, and she and the rest of her unit should be arriving in about a hour from the train station.” Victor stood up who was fallowed by the mayor and said. “Thank you Mayor, you have made a good choice coming to us we will not let you down.” The mayor smiled and said, “You came highly recommended I only hope you do half as good of a job as they say you do.” They shook hands as Victor took his leave. Victor smiled as he started his bike and headed for the train station. “I cant wait to meet this Colonel Andrews and the rest of the military dogs.”
Present Time
Victor sat against the info booth with a cigarette in his mouth as he waited for the train to come into station. “How much longer am I going to have to wait?” He said to himself as he looked at each train that pasted hopping it was the one with the military personnel on it. He let out a deep sigh, once it pulled into station he would introduce himself to Colonel Andrews and explain to her who he was and why he was here.
((OOC: I sorta envisioned Jedediah as everyone's NPC that if needed can show up for backup. If this is not alright then he can just be someone talked about by Victor every now and then. ))
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Post by Zhiel on Jun 29, 2009 13:32:35 GMT -4
Diana listened with genuine interest as Ash began detailing his take on the new information, and the situation in general. Though she noted the way he spoke about it and that it was more of a monologue than a discussion between equals, she did not really mind since he was the expert in the field. The fact he realized he had overstepped the boundary itself and appologized was more than enough to redeem him in her eyes. And she did agree with not trusting the local police too much, since they neither did not appear very capable, not to mention the possibility of someone among them being a spy for these 'enemies'. Diana nodded in acknowledgement toward what he had said before she continued, after which she listened to what Ash had to add. Though Diana did not enjoy the idea of putting possibly innocent civilians into custody, she had to agree that this enemy would no doubt be on the lookout for them, and any advantage they could get over this unknown threat the better. "...Yes, as much as I dislike it I agree. I will notify my squad and Lt. Colonel Marks of this as soon as we meet up with him. But until then, make yourself at ease, we should be leaving soon." She said before she stood up from her chair and walked back around the table and walked up to the door leading toward the car in the front, most likely going to go check who had arrived so far. --- A few minutes later, the train-whistle could be heard once more and it became clear the train was taking off as steam began to shoot from the train in the front, soon followed by the train slowly starting to move, pulling the weight of all six cars and their inhabitants it took near a minute for the train to fully leave the station, but once it did it sped up quickly and was soon well on its way toward Ern, one of the larger towns in the Central region, bordering on being a small city. The train-ride was smooth and fast, with no incidents to speak of and with Ern so close to Central it only took the military personel two hours before Ern could be sighted in the distance. With the tumult and noise that preceedes an incomming train, the station of Ern became a rather lively place despite the current time, with the local workers running back and forth preparing to take care of the train itself for the usual routine maintenance after each stop. There were also civilians present, some looking out over the small station from their houses, others passing by on their way home or to somewhere else. --- Continental Year 1914, June 13, Central Region Town of Ern, 21:14. The sun was just under the horizon as the train finally came to a stop, and almost instantly after it had done so the doors of the six train-cars opened, and through the last car came Diana just moments later. With long strides the young woman went toward the middle portion of the train, as soldiers began to file out through the doors carrying backpacks and rifles, and stopped as she stood infront of them, a few meters away from the train itself. There was no need for Diana to order the soldiers to do anything, as they all formed up into their different squads immidiately without any fuss, it was clear they were well disciplined compared to some of the 'special' subordinates Diana had right now. Once they were done Diana spoke up. "We will await Lt. Colonel Marks, the Sky Breaker alchemist here, should he not arrive in ten minutes squads A and B are to go to the military lodgings which should have been prepared by now, Squads C and D are to accompany me and Lt. Colonel El'Jonson, the Ivory Blade alchemist for the time being. At ease." Diana explained, before she gave a quick salute appropriate toward those of a lower rank before she turned around, intending to stay put and wait for Adrian Marks. In the meantime she surveyed the area, there was afterall the potential they were already being surveyed...
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