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Post by Tomahawk on May 17, 2005 9:03:10 GMT
SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC…
The flight was progressing pleasantly uneventfully. The Osprey’s onboard computer assistant “Co-pilot” made piloting more a formality than a necessity; a few times Onyx entertained the thought of even taking a nap, but he realized that his companions may not appreciate a pilot who’s asleep at the wheel, so he chose discretion. Seeing that he was the only one trained to pilot aircraft, it seemed prudent that he keep his wits about him, regardless of how terribly boring it was.
Outside, the clouds lolled and billowed like giant balls of fluffy cotton just slightly below the Osprey’s cruising altitude. Every now and again, glimpses of the ocean far below were afforded as the clouds parted to allow viewing below. The sun hung in the sky like a great, luminescent orb, and were it not for their specially- treated glasses, those glancing upwards in its direction would no doubt be blinded, or at the very least, seeing spots.
Inside, the small talk and more earnest conversations continued. Chuck, the resident Technophile, was truly in his element as he inspected the I-Man armor and its capabilities with Vanguard’s assistance. Black Raven seemed somewhat uncomfortable in the relatively confined spaces of the Osprey, despite it being roomy- by most transport’s standards- and the fact that there were only about half as many people as seats available in the craft. The Team’s leaders, Shrike and Galahad, both seemed to be quite serious, although of the two Galahad appeared much more relaxed than the ex-Spetsnaz, who had taken to some distracted pacing, seemingly oblivious to the questions being asked him. As always, Agent White’s manners and mannerisms were predictably refined, the perfect product of years of schooling and proper, upper-crust upbringing.
Galahad’s web search eventually bore fruit. After a matter of moments he was able to track down and trace through several Reuter’s internal communiqués to journalists already located in South Africa, updating and informing them of the situation, as they knew it- which was considerably less intel than what the team already had. For some peculiar reason, his PDA appeared uncharacteristically sluggish in its response time, and the various web functions took almost a full ten seconds longer to refresh and respond. After compiling a list of names and files on all the journalists in the general area where they were headed, Jack was disappointed to note that none of the names were familiar to him. On a whim he checked the current assignment of one of his frequent contacts in the press- usually assigned to southeast Asia- and was somewhat surprised to see that he was currently somewhere in Italy on assignment. He saved the list of names and their attached résumés in a separate file for future reference.
Meanwhile forward in the cockpit, Onyx’s silent reverie and meditation amongst the clouds was rudely and abruptly interrupted by a sudden flashing light from one of the console’s displays. Snapped back to full attention, he checked and saw that it was the Osprey’s long-range proximity radar panel, and where once there was nothing, now just on the edge three blips had appeared in a triangular formation, approximately five miles out and closing.
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white
Non-Staff Moderator
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Post by white on May 17, 2005 22:05:54 GMT
Unaware of the silently closing 'blips' Sophia continued talking to Galahad.
"Theres nothing specific, Agent Jones, I'm just taking a chance to become aquanited with my team before reaching the field."
Something in her tone indicated that maybe she thought Shrike and Galahad should be doing the same, but her manners preventend any more.
"Like I said earlier, this kind of things not my normal role - I could do with a better idea of what you want of me on the mission?" she continued.
Noticing Galahads attention appeared to be more focused on his computer, Sophia added
"If you don't mind me asking, what are you running through on your computer?"
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Onyx
Fanboy
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Post by Onyx on May 20, 2005 2:31:40 GMT
At the sound of the alarm beeping, Onyx instantly snaps back to full alertness. He keys the comm system and asks for Shrike to come to the cockpit. Shrike, this is Onyx, I would like to have a word with you as quickly as possible please. Onyx, states this as calmly as possible so that in case any one else is able to hear his message no one will get suspicious. Onyx briefly toys with the idea of activating the ships stealth fields. Deciding that he should wait to see if the ships are hostile, especially since they are already within radar range of each other, Onyx decides to run a diagnostic of the ships systems to ensure that they are ready when needed. Once Shrike enters the cockpit, Onyx turns to him and says "Shrike, we have some visitors approximately 5 miles from our current position they just appeared on radar. Also I ran a diagnostic, and it turned up something interesting.
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Post by Silverback on May 23, 2005 11:03:12 GMT
Shrike responded quickly to the urgency in Onyxs voice. If it hadn't been for his hearing he might have missed the little giveaways that alerted Leo to an impending problem. "Will be right there."
As he quickly made his way to the front of the aircraft he ignored the questioning glances of the team at his sudden burst of action. Once he knew what was wrong he'd be able to update them. Until then they would have to wait. Entering the cockpit Onyx turned to the Russian and quickly spoke.
"Shrike, we have some visitors approximately five miles from our current position they just appeared on radar. Also I ran a diagnostic, and it turned up something interesting."
Unable to see the Ospreys instruments was an annoyance but at least Leo could pick up the vague blip-blip nooise made by the radar as it gathered data on the incoming craft. "Prepare to go to stealth on my mark Onyx. No point in risking our necks at this early stage."
Leos left-hand subconciously rose to run its fingers through his hair and, a little taken aback, was surprised to meet resistance. Shrike had forgotten that he was always suited up. His mouth turned up in a half-grin-grimace combination at this little annoyance.
"What can you tell me about our . . . 'visitors'?" He concluded, returning his attention to the situation at hand. As an afterthought, and before Onyx replied to his query, Shrikes voice clicked over the Ospreys comm system. "People, we have an imminent situation. This is an amber alert. I repeat, this is an amber alert."
"Please continue with your summation Agent Onyx."
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white
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Posts: 53
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Post by white on May 27, 2005 7:49:24 GMT
As Shrikes message crackled over the intercom Sophia momentarily went pale. Then, hastily trying to cover her reaction, (its rare for her to let anything slip) and momentary loss of cool she continued speaking to Galahad;
“Military jargon – its complete rubbish. I mean ‘imminent situation’ doesn’t mean anything”
Sophia’s voice held a slight edge of fear, and she glanced nervously around the Ospreys interior avoiding the other occupant’s eyes.
She fiddled with the bulky gauntlets that covered her lower arms, making sure they were locked in place and active, trying to look busy, but succeeding only in looking more agitated.
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Onyx
Fanboy
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Post by Onyx on May 27, 2005 12:34:26 GMT
His 'business' demeanor in place Onyx replies to Shrike,
"There are 3 as of yet unidentified ships flying in a triangular formation approximately 5 miles from our current position. Also the diagnostic I ran shows there is a signal of some sort being transmitted from our passenger compartment"
After giving his summation to Shrike, Onyx reacches over to his side and activates the ships stealth devices. Onyx also prepares to go into evasive manuevers if needed.
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Post by Silverback on Jun 1, 2005 13:00:11 GMT
"Damn!" Shrike shouted out loud. "See what you can do to suppress that transmission!" Without waiting for confirmation of his instructions the angry russian quickly stepped back into the main compartment of the Osprey. Thoughts and suspicions whirled through his head. 'Was this a deliberate attempt at sabotage? Was there a traitor in their midst?'
"Listen up people we have three unidentified bogies closing on us fast. From what agent Onyx detected it looks like they triangulated our position using a transmission from this plane." His jaw clenched tight and his fists balled Leo was only just retaining his composure. "We've gone into stealth mode which should buy us some time. If we don't find that transmitter we could all be dead meat in the next few minutes."
Banging loudly on the skin of the aircraft he punctuated his statement with a final command. "MOVE!" Satisfied to see everyone jump into action he clicked open a channel to Onyx. "Give me a five hundred feet height advantage over those incoming targets." A plan, maybe a foolish one at that, sprang to mind. "Once you've done that I'll see what I can do to discourage our uninvited guests."
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white
Non-Staff Moderator
Posts: 53
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Post by white on Jun 1, 2005 20:04:00 GMT
Hearing Shrikes order regarding a transmission from the passenger compartment, Sophia turned to Galahad, raised one eyebrow, pointed at his hand held computer, and without a hint of sarcasm, said "Why, Agent Jones, I think you've found the source of the signal."
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Post by Smartbomb on Jun 1, 2005 23:32:33 GMT
Jack Jones slid his PDA into the bag he had stowed beneath his seat, then proceeded to pull out the entire thing. After excusing himself and stepping quickly out of Sofia's direct view, Galahad undressed and donned his working gear.
As he strapped on the last of his handguns, Galahad slid the gas mask across his face. The look was wholly inhuman and sinister.
"Ms. White, my transmission was encrypted. Unless the Agency wanted us to be exposed, I cannot fathom that the signal came from their PDA." The raspy rattle of the gas mask furthered Jones' unsettling presence.
"Everyone needs to pull on safety chutes in the instance we need to evacuate the Osprey. Move, people...this is critical."
"I need all of you ready to move when Shrike gives the go ahead. As it is, he's the only one of us capable of taking the fight to these jets."
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Onyx
Fanboy
Posts: 11
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Post by Onyx on Jun 2, 2005 4:17:15 GMT
As Onyx activates the stealth device he attempts to locate and jam the signal coming from the passenger compartment.
Upon hearing the last command from Shrike, Onyx replies "Affirmative"
Keying the ships comm to announce to everybody Onyx says Strap your selves in, we are going to climb very quickly
With that having been said, Onyx quickly begins to comply with Shrikes request.
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Post by BlackRaven on Jun 2, 2005 10:29:52 GMT
John stood for a long moment in the blur of events. he was initially extremely angry at being blatantly ignored by the Hilvhiyui Tlameha until he realized something was amiss. Shrike's command confirmed it, and John began scanning around, realizing he had no idea what might be a transmitter.
So he stood and tried to look calm and relaxed, staring in the direction of the cockpit. when the answer is not without it is within. The voice came from inside, calming him and reminding him of what he was. He would not be destroyed here, and surely the spirits would help if he needed helping.
So John looked around the cockpit for anything that looked techish. And Big. That had to be the best thing to look for, right. Then his eyes fell on the still half disassembled Vanguard armor on Chuck's lap.
"Hey Vanguard? Does that armor have a homing beacon on it?" He asked loudly, looking over at the big man.
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Post by Vanguard on Jun 4, 2005 0:23:27 GMT
This OOC message has been moved HERE[/url].
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white
Non-Staff Moderator
Posts: 53
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Post by white on Jun 7, 2005 21:47:42 GMT
Averting her gaze from where Galahad had gone to change, Sophia heard his reply
Her response was as polite as ever - "Then I apologise, Agent Jones."
Pulling her safety chute out of its storage, she moved to wear Galahad was stood.
"Jack, could you help me put this on?" She asked, "Its difficult with these gauntlets"
As she asked she quickly looked over the fastenings on Galahads 'chute, checking they were fastened properly.
'Chute in place, Sophia made sure she had a good handhold, in preperation for Onyx's 500ft climb, checked her immediate area (anywhere she can get a good look at without unanchoring herself) for anything that could be transmitting, and radioed through to Shrike.
"Shrike, if we can get a door open, do yo want me to give our visitors an extra supprise?"
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Post by Tomahawk on Jun 8, 2005 0:38:45 GMT
Some information which the characters would already have can be found HEREAlso, info on the Osprey can be found HERE For quick reference purposes.
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Post by Tomahawk on Jun 8, 2005 1:25:32 GMT
“Stealth systems activated.[/b]” the computer intones, in it’s slightly sultry and eerily calm feminine voice.
“ Heat suppression system is online. Audio dampeners are online. Radar-stealth suppression system is online. External frequency jamming engaged. We are now radio silent. Unidentified transmission is contained within Passenger compartment. WARNING! At projected climb and new altitude headings, our maneuverability will be diminished. Would you like the Auto-Pilot to re-attain optimal cruising altitude?[/b]”
“No way, man,[/b]” The big fellow responded, shaking his head.
“The I-Man armor is mostly about not being seen, not telling everyone where you are. When it hasn’t been in my possession, it’s been locked up, so I don’t see how anybody could have even snuck some sort of tracer on it or anything. Hey Chuck, you’re our Tech dude- don’t you have a scanner or something that could find whatever it is we’re supposed to be looking for?[/b]”
MEANWHILE…[/I]
After a few seconds which seemed like an eternity, the computer’s readings confirmed what Onyx had suspected and observed on the instruments: The incoming blips had indeed slowed down considerably, and were changing their formation. Even going at a slower rate, they would be on them- or more accurately, under them- in less than 2 minutes. Their new formation reminded him more of a widened “V” than anything else, and it occurred to him that it was a classic “Search” pattern.
Evidently, everything was functioning properly. The only thing the incoming jets- assuming that they were jets- could do now would be good old-fashioned guesswork and visuals.
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