Deliver the Goods [Mission!]

[wrmods]

[The stopover at Fishermans Horizon takes maybe two minutes, total.]

[One moment, the Garden is slowing to a halt -- the next moment, the dock latches hiss into their closed position, the ramp into town is secured against the second-floor exit, and the SeeDs are being gestured out the door and into action. In the same moments, in a flurry of action, a hatch deploys on the side of the floating citadel and a transport boat steams out to position itself at the ladder just next to the Garden's dock. The Ragnarok swoops gracefully through the air to land in the center of the city, while down in the train station, traffic has come to a brief halt while an engine waits at full steam, quivering with anxiety.]

[No sooner do the teams touch ground than each receives a small package, easily tucking into a medium belt pouch or pocket. No words are wasted; the SeeDs receive only a cursory nod from the waiting townsfolk before they hurry back into work. The hatch shuts, the latches disengage, and Balamb drifts away, picking up speed as it does.]

Comments

Ronnae and Chase: Train to Timber

[wrmods]

[The 'train' that waits has two cars -- one conventional passenger, one with a small stash of weapons and supplies as well as armor plating on the inside. There's also an engineer -- lucky for them, right?]

Re: Ronnae and Chase: Train to Timber

[hispeedchase]

[It was almost funny how much this mission was already reminding him of a round of "the game" back home, except he can't say he'd ever was "home" on a train before. As soon as he boarded he went straight for the cargo car and started taking inventory. He already had two semi-automatics on him, not to mention the knife in his boot, but if he'd learned anything, it's you can't be too careful.

Looking up, he caught sight of Ronnae and realized he hadn't even bothered to say hello. Well that's just downright rude of him.]

Hey... Ryllos, right? I'm Chase, by the way. Chase Kelly. What's your specialization?

[shiest_sunbeam]

[Ronnae wasn't too far behind Chase. She was decked out in her full uniform and had two massive axes strapped to her back as well as two swords to her sides. She however was a bit overly excited at the design of the train and was looking around curiously before passing by the cargo car just as Chase addressed her.]

Oh, hey, [Ronnae did a respectful bow and saluted.] Pleasure to be working with you. Bladed specialization, kinda carried from home. [She admitted sheepishly before looking around once again.]

[wrnpcs]

[The engineer beckons them onto the train. Time enough to admire later, SeeDs!]

[hispeedchase]

Same. [Smiles slightly to show he means it, then pats one of his holsters.] Projectiles and para magic, and-- [Notices the engineer flailing.] We'd better go with him before he has a coronary.

[shiest_sunbeam]

[Ronnae smiled timidly and nods, following into the train as she takes one last glance around.]

It'll be interesting to see the outcome as the mission continues. I wonder how the other teams are doing.

[wrnpcs]

[No sooner are they on the train than it lets out a mighty blast of its horn, all the warning they'll get before it lurches into motion. The train seems to carry some of the engineer's urgency, the way it accelerates almost uncomfortably.]

[Soon enough, its pace levels off, though the countryside flashes quickly by outside.]

[hispeedchase]

We can only hope for the best, right? [Keeps his gaze in the window behind her, watching everything go by with a critical eye. He's learned not to be too laid back.] But we really should worry about ourselves. Only we can protect us and this guy, right?

[shiest_sunbeam]

[Ronnae nodded, feeling overly confident for once in a very long time. This would be the first glimpse into a mission in this world and she couldn't really hide the excitement all too well...]

I am sure each team will do their best and I intend to make our side a success whether anything happens or not.

Billy and Maria: Ragnarok to Trabia

[wrmods]

[The pilot stands at the hatch, saluting calmly as they approach.]

Get in and get ready, sir and ma'am. We're taking the long way around to get there, so no time for delay.

[gunbladegrrl]

[Maria nods politely to Billy, then looks to the Ragnarok as she steps on. Routinely, she checks the draw of her two gunblades, then the holster for the rifle she has strapped on her back over them.]

Do you have preferences on your GFs?

[morphitudinous]

[Billy follows stiffly, arms folded behind his back to make himself look stronger than he feels. 'You might be tortured for information' hadn't made him feel all that confident, unsurprisingly. But they had a duty to Garden.]

I'm partial to Diablos, but I don't really have any other preferences. I'll work around your setup.

[He smiles faintly when they reach their seats. What a view this will be.]

Do you want the package, or shall I take it?

[gunbladegrrl]

All I want is Ifrit for certain. Diablos, Shiva, and Siren for you, Quezalcoatal, Carbuncle, and Ifrit for me?

[To his second question, well. She can't even believe he's asking.] You should take it, sir.

[The sir is reflexive -- she's spent a year addressing the people who are now her comrades as such. She wants to pace, but she takes a seat anyway, recognizing perfectly well what'll happen when the airship takes off.]

[morphitudinous]

That's acceptable.

[Billy finishes his configuration, then appears startled by her words. Well, if she's comfortable with formality, he reasons...]

I'll do it, ma'am.

[gunbladegrrl]

[She flushes red at the formal address.]

Sorry! I forgot... still so new.

[Meanwhile, as they speak, the Ragnarok lifts off smoothly.]

[morphitudinous]

Don't worry about it. I've done the same thing. Even to students sometimes!

[Billy straps himself into a seat just in case. All the secrecy has his hackles up.]

Are you feeling confident?

[gunbladegrrl]

I don't know if confident is the word. I feel like I can take on the world. Is that close?

Grolla, Lina, and Jecht: Transport to Centra

[wrmods]

[All they had to do is climb down the ladder and board the boat... then get to the Centra Ruins in one piece. How hard could it be?]

[grollschwert]

[Grolla doesn't really see any reason to prolong this.]

I'll go first.

[Okay, climbing down the ladder now, unless anyone has objections.]

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

Ha! You wanna take the slow way, fine by me!

[Jecht would never do this if he had the package, but who would trust him with it? So he simply hurls himself off the edge of the dock, plummeting into a smooth dive that breaks the surface of the water surprisingly cleanly.]

[After a moment, he kicks out of the water, landing on the boat's deck, then casually waves to his two companions.]

[dragonspooker]

[Lina huffs out a sigh, then shakes her head at Jecht's display with a mutter of "Showoff" once he's dove off. She opts for a middle-ground, and uses a levitation spell to hop down at a reasonable speed.]

Let's get movin' already.

[wrnpcs]

[The boat is not on, but the keys are in the ignition and all systems are ready for launch. This is an armored troop transport vehicle, but there is an observation deck on top as well.]

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

Lemme guess -- you'd rather watch than drive.

[Much as Jecht doesn't want to pilot the damn boat, he also bets he's got more experience with them than the girls. So with that comment opens the hatch and heads down.]

[dragonspooker]

It's less that and more that I've got no experience in doing so.

[She pauses.]

At least, not a boat like this.

[There's that, and the fact that the last boats she had any kind of hand in directing, well. Crashed.]

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

Works out the same, doesn't it?

[A moment later, the boat roars to life, then accelerates into smooth motion away from Fishermans Horizon.]