Well here is the next chappy. It's a little more action than the last one, Cats portion is also slightly smaller than Tori's but not by much. This one is also a little explanation heavy so Beck gets to ramble on for a bit about stuff.
Anyway, enjoy, also for all you people who do read this, it means a lot to me. While I have only received on review I really don't mind, Im having way to much writing this to really care. Anyway on with the show!
oh and one final note, if anyone could point out grammar errors that would be great. I do check it, but sometimes I miss things.
To say that being woken up by a less than pleased first mate, and then having to deal with the effects of a hangover were on the top of Tori's "List of Things I Enjoy" would be a downright lie. It would lie somewhere around getting chased by angry sailors and getting shot at, and wouldn't you believe it, she got all three in the same day. "I have the worst luck in the world!" Tori yelled as both she and Andre dashed through the packed streets and alleyways that made up the vast market district of Bastion.
"Less talking more running!" Andre yelled from beside her as more shots rang out after them.
The sailors that had been sent after them by Admiral Beck were more than a little trigger happy, and were unloading whatever fire arm they had at the two. However despite all this they had somehow not managed to hit anyone as far as the two could tell. Not wanting to push her luck any more than it had been stretched presently; with that in mind both Tori and Andre continued to push, shove, and dodge past anyone who got in there way. It didn't help that the market was bustling with people out and about. Men and women walked about the area, inspecting the odds and ends that various merchants sold. Stand owners bellowed their prices in loud voices and children screeched as they ran through the market. It would be a nice day, save for the screams and shouts that accompanied the gunshots and cursing.
As Tori ran she couldn't help but wish she didn't feel as though she were about to vomit. The meandering pace she and Andre had been walking at hadn't upset her stomach and her head had only throbbed on occasion. However at their current break neck pace, her head had begun to pound at such an intense rate that she feared it might split open. Ignoring it as best she could, Tori focused on the task at hand which mainly involved running the hell away from the goons who were pursuing them.
'Where's the god damn hanger when you need it!' Tori growled inwardly as they raced through the streets.
The building in question was where they had docked the air ship before setting about on their own various quests. For Tori it was a matter of finding the closest source of alcohol that was Navy free, however this had in turn lead her a good ways away from the ship itself. A fact she was now regretting as they rounded another corner onto a less busy street than before, having left the market behind. However this meant that the soldiers chasing them now had a much clearer line of fire. Thankfully none of the soldiers apparently knew how to properly aim a gun as they continued their stream of curses and missing.
Starting to become short on breath from running at such a fast and continuous pace, Tori silently berated herself from getting out of shape and vowed not to let it happen again. Although she more than certain she was simply telling herself what she wanted to hear. However as if by some miracle the hanger came into view. It was almost as if the god of laziness had heard her plight and given the brunette a sign of better times. Glancing behind her however caused her to move at an even faster pace than before, mainly due to the large amount of people who had apparently shown up out of thin air to pursue them. Tori saw a brief flash of red hair as she turned her head back to focus on their intended goal but paid it no head as they charged for the open doors of the vast metal hanger.
The hangar was a massive construct of iron and steel, towering above the heads all who stood before it. With a massive length easily large enough to hold a royal dreadnought, the hanger was a sight to behold. Many dock workers and sailors moved about among the entrance to the hangar. Some shifting supplies and rigging about while others simply enjoyed the day. However the quite atmosphere was shattered the moments Tori and Andre rounded the street corner. The shouts and gunfire following them almost as if it was they who were doing the shooting as they both ran toward the hangar.
The dock workers and sailors alike scattered as the two approached. Mostly for fear of being dragged into trouble that was not theirs to begin with. It was almost comical to see the form of burly sailors diving behind crates and partially built ships in order to dodge the incoming gunfire. For Tori it was hilarious, for she began laughing as she saw this sight. Andre shooting her a look that said "Have you lost your mind?" However Tori had actually begun to feel alive again; despite the hangover pounding on her head or the nausea in her gut, she was actually enjoying herself. The feeling of freedom was almost overwhelming and had banished the numbness that she had felt after her drinking spree.
Tori hated these cities. They had an oppressive air about them that most people who lived there wouldn't even notice. However for someone who had spent their lives traveling the world with its vast glories and freedoms, the city was nothing more than a cage. Getting closer to the freedom of the open sky once more had made Tori giddy to the point of laughter. Despite, or perhaps because of the adrenaline pumping through her she no longer felt the painful throb of her hangover and the nausea had managed to abate. To say that Tori was enjoying the chaos of the moment wouldn't be far off.
The pounding of boot on pavement soon turned into the metallic clang of boot on metal as they entered the hanger. The massive structure housed hundreds of vessels and could most likely hold even more if need be. The tall walls were lined with hooks, winches and all manner of ropes and chains to help with the stowing and docking of the ships. The entire area echoed with the calls of workers and grind machinery. The center of all the activity seemed centered on the massive airships that occupied the inner walls of the hangar. Ranging dramatically in size from the massive royal destroyers that occupied its private docking zones, to the small and fleet merchant vessels used for hauling goods to and fro.
The thrum of activity was halted suddenly as both Tori and Andre bolted past many of the workers. A few called out after them angrily but they soon were silenced as the soldiers pursuing them charged after. Apparently having given up on shooting Tori and Andre while running, they had gone for a more simplistic approach. If you can't shoot them, stab them. With this new mindset the soldiers seemed more intent on closing the gap between them than anything. It was starting to become unnerving as they drew ever further into the hanger. The sprawling catwalks that hung suspended in the air had an unnerving habit of swaying with the breeze, not to mention the other issue. The amount of area they had to work with for running was rapidly coming to a close.
With a sudden screech the massive doors of the hanger began to grind open. Sparks were visible on either side of the massive wall of moving metal as it ground open to show the azure sky. Below the wind blew upward to create a massive gust of wind. It seemed as though the entire hanger creaked with the force of the gale. Tori's hair blew back behind her and Andre's dreads fluttered about as the two ran through the wind, with increasing elation Tori noted that the soldiers had seemed to have lost track of them momentarily. However on looking back the brunette noted that the soldiers hadn't simply lost their track of them they had stopped chasing them entirely.
Tori was about to yell over to Andre to inform him of this development when the sound of rapidly approaching footfalls distracted her. A flash of red crossed her vision and something hard smashed into the back of her leg causing her to let out a yell. The sudden shooting pain caused Tori's leg to buckle and she fell, crashing into the metal walkways that crisscrossed the hanger. With a groan the brunette lay still for a moment, pain flooding her senses. Tori gingerly lifted her-self up and felt something wet dribble down her face. Touching her hand to her nose she took it away, crimson tipping her fingers. 'Wonderful, might have just broken my nose' She grumbled internally, that was until she felt the sharp tip of a blade press against her throat.
Looking up she saw the form of a short girl with striking red hair smiling down at her from behind the barrel of a rifle, the tip of its bayonet digging pressing into the soft skin of her throat. She was dressed as an officer of the Navy and the bayonet digging into her skin only reinforced the idea she was Navy. 'Must have got me with the butt of the rifle,' Tori thought glumly 'I hate my luck.'
The sound of a sword being drawn caught both of their attentions as Andre drew the cutlass from its scabbard and pointed it at the girl.
"I would advise you to remove that from the captain's throat." Andre said with a dark look in his eyes.
The girl glanced up at the dark skinned man before flashing him a smile and saying in an cheery voice, "Sorry, I can't do that. You see, Admiral Oliver really wants to talk to your captain here and it would be rude to ignore him."
"Is that right? Well it would be rather rude for a couple of honest privateers such as us to ignore such a high honor. I mean how often do people get to meet the Admiral of the Royal Navy?" Andre asked, voice dripping with sarcasm. However the smile on his face was genuine; it was rather amusing after all to play along a little.
The girl nodded her head happily. However the moment she turned her attention fully on Andre, Tori moved. Seizing the end of the rifle barrel, she jerked the gun away from her face, and shoved herself up and backwards. Caught off guard by the sudden move, the red head tumbled backwards with Tori on top of her. With a painful thwack, both women toppled into the cat walk; the red head receiving the worst of it from the combined weight of herself and Tori. However before either could fully regain their senses Andre rushed over and pulled Tori to her feet. Noticing that the other girl, groaning and attempting to rise, he delivered a swift kick to her stomach. The wind rushed out of her lungs and she lay there gasping.
"Time to get out of here I think." Andre said as he dragged Tori, who was still slightly dazed, behind him.
As they stumbled past the hull of a particularly large cargo ship, a voice ahead of them called out.
"Hurry up you guys, you got company!"
Looking to the source of the voice Tori saw the thing she had been hoping to see since they had entered the hanger. Robbie stood waving at them and beneath him, the key to their continued freedom. Floating on the breeze, turbines' spinning to life, was the Holly Wood. She was a magnificent vessel, of that any would agree. Twin semi-rigid blimps kept it afloat while various metal and rope rigging secured it to the buckle below. The dull gleam of metal on the balloons revealed its armor plating. It was light enough to not reduce speed or the ability of the ship to stay afloat, but tough enough to withstand most small arms fire. The lower portion of the vessel was styled after the sailing water vessels of the east. With that it took the same ideals for design as a sailing ship would, with both an upper and lower deck. It was at least eighty feet in length and made of dark hardwood with steel reinforcement securing it all together. Two doors on both the port and starboard side stood next to the stairs, both leading two the lower area of the ship.
The bow of the ship stood imposing, for mounted on it stood a grappling javelin. It was designed with the set purpose of ensnaring other ships and to allow for easier boarding. Moving toward the aft section of the vessel one could see the small staircase leading to the helm of the ship. It was made with a more traditional feel yet still had all the modern amenities it could afford. The wheel had been carved to appear the same as a sailing vessel but was still surrounded by an assortment of pressure gauges, wind sleeves, altimeters, airspeed indicators, and attitude measures. With the name Holly Wood painted on the port and starboard side, Tori could have sworn she had never see a happier sight in her life.
However she was quickly ripped from her reverie by the sound of quickly approaching foot falls. Whipping around the brunette's eyes widened as she saw the entire group of soldiers resuming their chase. Apparently when they saw their commanding officer, or what Tori believed to be their commanding officer fall, they took it upon themselves to resume their chase. Turning her attention back to the man waving at them from the deck of the ship she focused on getting aboard.
"Robbie start the ship already!" She yelled out as she and Andre raced toward the floating airship.
The curly haired boy jumped immediately into action in his attempt to start the ship. Racing about in his grease stained jumpsuit the lanky teen threw a multitude of switches at the helm of the ship causing the turbines to roar to life. Robbie quickly threw the ship into forward as he saw both the captain and first mate clamber up the gang plank. The sound of gunshots echoed out behind them as the soldiers rounded the corner.
Tori threw her-self to the floor of the deck, pulling the gangplank with her. Andre rushed to the helm of the ship, shoving Robbie out of the way in the process. The roaring of the turbines grew ever loader as the first mate pushed the ship into high gear and began to maneuver it out of the hanger. The sound of gunshots faded and the shadow of the hanger was replaced with the dazzling brightness of the azure sky. Tori let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and stood up to lean against the railing of the ship. She let out a shaky laugh, heart still pounding with adrenaline. They had done it. They had made it out in one piece. A smile crossed her face… right before she vomited over the side of the ship.
Cat was not pleased with herself. At the moment she felt nothing but failure. Not only had she allowed both of the pirates to escape she had let them get the better of her. Not to mention she had failed the Admiral… again. First she had let him see her with the drugs racing through her, and now with this. It wasn't fair. Cat sighed before leaning down and scooping her rifle into her arms. She was still in pain from taking that blow to her stomach, and the back of her head was sore from the fall.
Cat had always prided herself on her combat skills. The Admiral and even other soldiers had praised her for being an ace with a gun, and her she was being schooled by pirates. It was shameful really, and to make matters worse she would have to explain all of this to Beck. She really wasn't looking forward to that. With a sigh she began to walk in the direction of the naval college.
"Cat." Beck barked angrily.
"Uhh, y-yes sir?" Cat squeaked. She wasn't used to Beck being this angry over everything. He had never gotten this mad before, not even when he discovered she had injecting herself to get rid of the pain.
"Go after them, and whatever you do don't let them get away. Do I make myself clear?" Beck said, still not turning to face her.
"Yes sir."
With that she took off running, yelling at a group of royal guardsmen to go after the woman with the red bandana. The men stood there for a moment confused before Cat yelled at them to get moving. They quickly sprinted off in the direction that the pirate captain had fled. Cat fallowed not far behind.
As Cat made her way back to the college she wondered how exactly she was going to explain this to Beck. He had made it very clear that letting that woman escape would not end well, and what had she done but let her escape. With a sigh she wearily walked into the grounds of the college. If she was right then the Admiral would be giving his lecture right about now. While she couldn't remember what it was on exactly she recalled that it had been interesting enough to draw quite a large crowd to it. Academic students and great minds alike had gathered to hear it.
The college itself was something to behold all in its self. Made entirely of marble the building always seemed to shine with a soft glow in the sun's rays. However despite wishing to stay outside and simply enjoy the day, not to mention avoiding Beck, Cat knew she would have to face him sooner rather than later. With a dejected sigh she braced herself for whatever verbal assault she was certain she was going to deal with.
Guessing that the Admiral would likely be making his speech at the moment, Cat headed for the Lecture hall. While she was not overly familiar with the building, having never actually attended any school in her life, she had been to the area enough to know in general where everything was located. After a bit of walking Cat spotted the large double doors that would lead her to the lecture hall. Opening the doors and stepping into the hall, Cat saw that Beck was either ending his lecture or he was simply taking questions. The room itself was packed with people, having every single row filled with people. However every single person in the room had their attention fixed on the admiral.
"An excellent point I'm sure, however I am no expert on the field so my opinion on the matter wouldn't be the best to take at face value. All right, any more questions?" Beck said as he addressed the packed lecture hall.
Cat stood in the back of the room and decided to wait for the Admiral to finish his lecture before interrupting him. "Ahh yes, you young lady in the middle row."
A Tall willowy woman with long dark hair dressed in the outfit of the science division stood up, "Well sir, I was wondering if you could tell us about the events of… well, the shattering." A soft murmur ran through the crowd.
Even from her remote spot in the back of the room, Cat could see Beck stiffen. "Interesting…" Beck paused, "Interesting question, miss…?"
"Davis sir."
"Ahh yes, miss Davis. Well I myself was not around when the events of the shattering took place. That was my predecessor, former admiral Williams. However from what I know the shattering or as we call it in the scientific community, the S-Event, was a large scale terra forming event that left over eighty percent of the world in a desert like state. The cause of this event is still unknown to us, however as we can see the effects have been far reaching. This was the cause for sudden need of air transportation on a much larger scale than we had previously seen. Hence the creation of the mobile-aerial preservation zones, or as they are simply called now, the Zones. These zones were created to house large populations while never having to land, refuel or be modified at a separate location."
Beck paused for a moment before continuing. "The S-Event also lead to the jump in our technology because of the new energy source that was created as a result of the terraforming. You may know it as the element zelton. As you may know zelton, when heated releases a massive amount of thermal energy, allowing us to create the vast steam engines that power the city. All of this was a result of the shattering. However why this all happened is still being studied and as of now we still don't have an answer."
Silence reined in the room as no one spoke for a few moments after Beck finished speaking. Cat herself was silent, busy examining Beck face. Despite the distance between the back of the room and stage in which Beck currently stood she could tell he was holding back information. It was in the way his shoulders stiffened slightly and his voice was slightly harder than before.
"I thank you for your time, but I regret to inform you that my time here has come to an end. Thank you for having me at your esteemed college and I wish you all the best." With that Beck stepped down from the stage as the room erupted into chatter.
As Cat made her way toward Beck her feeling of unease returned, she could had a feeling that she had somehow managed to really mess this up. The Admiral spotted her and began to walk forward with a determined look on his face. Cat paled as he drew closer.
"Well, did you capture her? Where is she, the holding cells? I need to interrogate her myself. Come along Cat this is vital." Beck rambled as he seized Cat by the shoulders and began to steer her out of the hall despite her attempts to inform him of the situation.
As soon as they exited the hall Cat shook herself free of the admiral grip before turning to face him.
"Sir, I-I didn't, I mean she… Sir Captain Vega escaped."
Admiral Beck's face went from a victorious smirk to completely blank of emotion.
"What?"
Cliffhanger? Cliffhanger. Why a cliff hanger, you ask, why because I felt like it. Anyway, leave a comment if you enjoyed. Seya guys later, as always Draconian Calocor here, Peace out.
