Child Of Darkness

"Alright, you make a fair point. Was just a personal gripe." Shana shrugged and sighed as her attention was drawn to the sound of something else. Elves speaking of some sort of rebellion against the tyrannical humans. Well, that may not be 100% accurate, but close enough for her. At first glance this seemed to be terrible for her: More restrictive travel, higher guard alert, basic difficulty she didn't need. But at a further glance this wasn't too bad of a plan. She might just actually follow these people and see what happens. By this point, Shana had her smile back on her face and was back to her cheerful attitude. @@Jellal Fernandes, "So, you're part of an Anti-Fenrir resistance collaboration between the non human races or anyone that exhibits magical abilities. Well I can't argue with the motivation or the reasoning behind the cause. You do seem to be trying to be tactical about it, keeping in the light in the vision of the population as an attempt to be considered more along the lines of 'good guys' to everyone. I can say your goals seem noble, a better world for all to live in. How interesting. If you're going to be fighting against the Human population, I may just have to tag along for the ride. Though don't get me wrong. I'm working for mostly personal gains. But another powerful ally never hurts does it? Haha."

@@Unicorncob, White laughed as Crackshot got into a fit of anger. This was good, this kind of drive was something the people here lacked. White didn't hesitate and walk alongside Crackshot. "That kind of drive is something you need. With a fury like yours, you could take on this entire facility yourself. Sorry about getting you riled up like that, but I had to see if you actually had some determination in you to do this. My faith in you was certainly not misplaced. I'd say our chances of winning just went from Fuck All, to, We may stand a chance."

@@Drago Ryder, "Your concern is noted. But" Shana tilted her head up at Blitz, her eyes should have gave him the answer to the what he said, "I have something to do." With the Paladin as good as dead, Shana leaped from the roof she was sitting on, landing close to the Paladins body and in full view of everyone else. She studied the corpse intently as she dragged on of her fingers across the corpses chest, collecting blood on the tip of her finger. When she had enough, she drank whatever blood she had scooped up with her hand. It was dead blood, cold and not very filling. Even though she could feel the lingering effect of the power a living Paladin would have. @@Jellal Fernandes, She stood and turned towards the group, he usual smile gone, replaced by a more stern look, more disappointed than angry. Her eyes locking onto the man who stabbed the Paladin, dealing the final blow. "You just had to go and kill him didn't you? You spoil sport. Ruining all the fun, all the strong ones are dead now. So, I'm gonna ask out of curiosity since my day was sort of ruined. Do you know anything about this attack and who is behind it?"

This whole siege just been a annoyance to Shana. The plan she had formulated to actually do what she wanted without drawing attention had been ruined, but in it's stead, a town of Humans had been attacked by Elves. Not exactly her idea of a fun day, but she couldn't help but feel happy that this arrogant race had been taken down a notch and put in it's place. At least for now. Climbing up some walls and standing atop of the roofs in the area, Shana felt no need to hold back on her powers now and let her true form out. While her physically appearance beside her eyes didn't change, the aura of magic she gave off was entirely different than before. Much more powerful and much more dark. Anyone within about 300ft would be able to sense her as she was. Looking down off of the roof, she saw a group of non-humans being assaulted by the towns Holy Paladin. A formidable opponent for any magic user and equally deadly to magic creatures. Since at the moment she had no counter to the Paladins indirect attack against magic, fighting him would be pure stupidity, during daylight, suicidal and while Hungry, just why? As it was, she would stand outside of the Paladins range and observe for now. "Come on, wound the Paladin. Bring him to the brink of death. The blood of such a pure and holy spirit must be so clean and powerful. I wonder how much power I could gain from it."

@Drago Ryder Shana brought her voice down to a near whisper, moving in slightly closer to Blitz before speaking again. "I'd refrain from mentioning magic this out in the open if I was you. The Knights and the Holy Paladin's hunt down rouge magic users on orders on an Inquisition. Lucky for me I've managed to get the guards off of my back. But as for you, not so much. The Knights and Paladin's will still investigate any tracers of rouge magic. I can already sense the magic gathering in your hand, disperse that as soon as you can. If we're going to be talking about forbidden topics, best we do it somewhere hidden and less public. Otherwise we should not talk about magic at all."

@Drago Ryder "So you're the wondering type? Can't really say I'm all too surprised. Anyway, you said you wanted to learn more about certain subjects? Since I'm here and was not really doing anything all too important, I'd be more than willing to lend you a hand. Considering it a favor from one nonhuman to the next. So anything in particular you wanted to know about?"

@@SaraEH, It's so cute, I do love your art.

@@Drago Ryder, Shana scoffed as the, odd looking person walked away. Spouting off excuses as to why she had been looking at them. She didn't believe her for a second though. "Welcome, I suppose I should say welcome to this town Blitz. Though I would say that staying around here longer than you have any need to is a bad idea, what with the way humans view our species. Consider yourself lucky to bump into me, I know this town a little so tell me what you need and I'll be nice and help you out."

@@Drago Ryder, Shana lost her balance a little and stumbled a little backwards after being bumped into. Regaining her composure, she was a little surprised at getting an apology out of someone. But after taking in a good look of this person, the fact that he too was of the same species as her made this encounter all the more unusual. But it was in an acceptable way. "Oh? I'm surprised. Another Neko has found their way into the town. Well how about that. With how human settlements are nowadays, moving from place to place is an absolute pain. Not everyday I see another a non human, rarer still one of my race. But manners." Shana stretched out her hand to greet the new person. "The name is Shanalott Windbreaker. Sell sword by trade under the, slightly annoying nickname Loli Rose, you can call me Shana. Rolls off of the--" @@Yoshikupo, Shana cut herself off mid sentence, feeling more eyes fixated on her. It shouldn't be a guard, so she knew a way to make the situation awkward. With a single motion of her head, she tilted to face towards Banner and started staring directly into her eyes. Not moving, not saying anything, just smiling as she always does.

Shana was getting fed up with the guards eyes constantly following her around. Simply because she was not a human, she was instantly thought of as a threat. Well, they're right to worry, but that is beyond the point. She would never get anything done like this. She needed to get rid of them, and she had a plan to so just that. While walking down the streets she took a stop just before an ally way, looking around over her shoulder to give the impression she was up to no good, she walked into the ally way and round a corner, out of sight of the guards. Just as planned, one of the guards was sent to follow her. Shana climbed a bit up a wall as to be out of his sight a waited for him to come around. Once the guard did, she could see the confusion on his face from up where she was. The ally she walked into was a dead end, but she was nowhere to be seen. Anyone would be confused. As the guard walked further down the ally way, Shana climbed down from the walls, blocking his escape. With her not being in direct contact with the sun, her powers are working as best as they can be during day time. Should could easily take care of one weak willed guard. "Nothing? What in the world is going on? Vanishing Neko's. what's next?" 'What, what is that feeling? Why do I feel something behind me. I feel terrified to move.' After seeing that the guard was almost paralysed by hear presence when using her Vampire powers, she deducted he must be very weak. Maybe she got lucky this time with her draw. She spoke in a rather high tone, one that sounded happy, innocent and almost childish. Completely different from the aura she emitted. "Oh? This much an effect from just by my being here? You must be new to this job. Well, no complaints from me. Hahaha." Shana quickly repositioned herself in front of the guard, keeping that large smile spread across her face. The guard reeled back and fell to the ground, still unable to rightfully move or yell for aid. While taking in what he was facing, he made the mistake of making eye contact with Shana. "Got you." Shana crouched on top of the guard, bringing her eyes close to his. "You're going to listen to what I say. It is in your best interests to do so. You know that don't you?" The life in the guards eyes seemed to drain away, as he slowly stopped panicking and become more relaxed. Shana had just brainwashed him into becoming a temporary servant husk. "You go and tell your captain that I don't seem to be suspicious, so it's a waste of time following me. Do that for me." "At once." The guard did just that. Returning from the ally, relaying the message as he had been instructed. It worked as intended as the guards moved on to another area. Shana emerged from the ally way once they had moved on and restarted he search. Now with a lot more freedom.

Shana looked up towards the sun as she stood in the town square. She had to say, it was a pleasant day. It would be better if she didn't have town guards closely following her from behind. She pretended not to notice them and went about her business. She would be travelling again in a day or two so needed a little special something for the road. ​'Human blood. It tastes dirty, metallic and bitter. But it's blood non the less. Where's an inn? They're always a good place.' Her train of thoughts wondered as she started her search around the area for an inn. Judging from how the town was built and where she was, it shouldn't take too long.

"You know, originally I had hopes that I might be able to get a group that can actually do things together as a team. You know, the basic fundamentals of working together to tackle a task in which you are far outmatched, considering the strengths and weaknesses of everyone and forming a plan that works best for the team. It's basic military. What do any of you know about discipline and organised strikes? Whatever, it seems like we have at least some form of plan that involves. Dancing with snipers followed by a fractional assault, most likely engaging at mid range fire fights. Without sniper support they have no chance of attacking the back line allowing our snipers to assist in the main fighting without the worry of being shot back. All right, that works for now. Have you taken into consideration their Power armour deployment, explosives, do you have ideas of your flanking routes both to a for, have you taken into consideration that they literally control creatures that can burrow beneath you, pop out of the ground at any point and kill you before you have time to react? We're going to die aren't we?" 'Never leave amateurs to do a professionals job.'

After a time walking back through the mountain passes, White saw his group had moving forward slightly sooner than planned. It didn't matter much, he was positive the defences of home will hold. He came towards them at an angle as to make it seem like he had be skirting around the mountain before making himself noticed. @@Unicorncob, @, @, @@Meson Bolt, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Ranger22, "Hey, idiots A though Z. You're earlier than I anticipated. Can't complain, that's more of a good thing than anything else. Sooner we get going the better. I just want to make sure we all have this clarified in our heads. We do have a plan, that we all know and we're all going to follow right? We all know how to shoot and non of us will think twice about putting a 100 bullets into a Raider? Okay?"

"Trust me. Even talking about one theory I have developed during this short boat trip would take more time than we have on here. If you're really that interested I can tell you some stories one on one. Though I'm sure anything I say would have either been disregarded in the future or expanded upon further. I'm hoping for the latter." Wade smiled happily to himself as he finished off his glass, tapping the bar gently twice asking for another. 'Just one more. Can't get too drunk. I need to keep my head on me. Though, maybe later tonight. I don't see much issue with letting my guard down then. Yeah, I'll do that.'

@@Pucksterv,@@Unicorncob, @@Ethan Sawyer, Wade nodded to the bartender, confirming that the two new people are also with him. Giving a small nod of his own, the bartender brought out three more of the same bottle and placed them down on the counter. "Enjoy." Wade himself was just relaxing a little bit off to the side of everyone else. Since he didn't really have anything to say or add to the conversation, he would just go back to being silent until he is needed or finds something to do.

"Aww what? Why do you have to go already? You essentially only just got here. Come on, don't be like that." "Blood, you know I'd stay if I could. But for now I have to get back to the others. I have to keep my disguise and make sure they follow out the plan we have set out. Keep them funnelled along the path we set out. So I have to get going." "Fine then. Go and do your things then. We already know how this will turn out and it's you we're talking about so I have no worries." "Yeah yeah, thanks for letting me borrow one of these gas masks. Good to keep a general appearance. The slight extra padding on the Cage armour is nice and should help me tank a bullet or two more. I'll bring this back in one or two pieces. Maybe. Who knows? Anyway, I'll see you later. Maybe tonight, if not early tomorrow. Gonna be a busy day for us One last thing. I'll be taking this Stealth Buck. Kind of need it to get back unseen." White left the main building and entered back into the town. From the top of the crater he took one look back at the town before activating a stealth buck, and heading back down the mountain to meet up with the group.

@@Mentis Soliloquy, The sound of the announcement came as a rather big surprise. Shutting down the beach on the day of a festival and not give a reason why was particularly strange. And a corporation? What in the world was she talking about? "I don't know what is going on here Bass, but it looks like we should leave as soon as we can. I'd rather not have to pay a fine. Let's get out, grab Shizuko and our stuff and leave. Maybe your superiors would know something about this? If not I can do some research." Ryo returned to the shore from the water, Shizuko was ready to meet him. "Bro, what's going on? Why are we being forced to leave. I didn't have time to execute my plans." "Knowing you, you were planning something evil. I don't know why we're being told to leave, but I don't want a to have a pay a fine." "Good point. We need to keep the money." "We'll get out stuff and then head off. Worm through the crowds and get a head start alright." "Roger." Shizuko skilfully worked her way through the crowds of people and began to pack up everyone's things. While doing so she looked over to the sand castle she had made. "It was fun while it lasted."

"Plenty of ways you can have some fun without getting drunk. I'll admit non of the are as fun and staffing can be a bit strict during shorter trips about what activities you can and can't do. You know I take it back. This is most likely going to be a very boring hour. Unless we wait for say 20 minutes for the ship to get part of the way and start breaking the rules for the giggles in hopes that we will get thrown off of the ship by the time we hit land. That would be a little fun. I take it back again, that would be very fun."

@@Mentis Soliloquy, "Was my little display before not a good enough example? *chuckle* I joke. But no, I'm really not the best at swimming but I can at least keep afloat and swim a little bit. You are right in saying that feet are good for swimming. Some science reason behind it that I can't recite off of the top of my head, though your hooves are nice. It's not a very common thing to find someone who has the same appendages in terms of arms and legs as their animal counter part." 'Tsk, I haven't been able to make a move yet. Everyone is keeping a good distance away from the side lines. For good reason I think. Someone will be flamboyant enough to come close eventually. Just give it time.'

@@Mentis Soliloquy, "Hey, I can swim. I just made a slight miscalculation resulting in me swallowing some water." Ryo wiped his eyes and shook his head to try and dry some of the water off. It was slightly effective at doing its job. "As for how long it's been since I've been swimming, few years maybe? Time just seems to all mesh together nowadays. I'm sure I can remember how to swim. I'm not going to start drowning. But I do think I'll be trying to keep my head above the water if at all possible." Ryo chuckled slightly as he lay on his back in the water, floating across the surface.Occasionally brushing his arms in the water for that little extra bit of motion. Shizuko looked up from her sand castle towards the games being played. Not that she could see much from behind the wall of people "Is this really the only reason people even come to these festivals? To eye up women and eat junk food? Yet another time being 11 pays off for me. At least no one will be paying attention to anything I do, why look at me when they can look at boobs?" A dastardly smile formed across Shizuko's face as he mind thought of a few little pranks she could pull, abusing this factor. One of which would allow her to get away without being spotted and get some other people into a little flame. "I suppose I can give them what they want." She stepped away from her sand castle building and wormed her way through the crowds of people until she was at the front. Her plan was that when someone came close enough, she would pull one of the strings and make someone's bra fall off. "I am a being of pure evil aren't I? I hope I can get away with this one. My not so wise brother once said. YOLO."

The bartender brought Tyra the drink she had requested, looking for a moment at the pile of Bits before pushing them back to her. "Don't bother paying. Your fee is already being covered. You wanna thank anyone, thank the weirdo in the robes with the bandages. I don't know his name." "You don't need to know it, but you do need to know I hear everything." "Sorry." "I know I may be asking the impossible of you Tyra, especially with the promise of free drinks available. But try to not drink too much. We're only going to be here for an hour or so and we will have some walking to do. I rather you walk than have me carry you all the way."

@@Mentis Soliloquy, Ryo was cautious about taking steps into the water, putting one foot in to test the temperature before putting himself in was most likely a good idea, the water wasn't freezing by any means, but it surely wasn't the warmest either. He was slow but he eventually got all the way in up to the point in which he was now swimming. Yet another reason why he was grateful to not have fur, it wasn't going to weigh him down when he got out. He took a breath and dived under the water for a moment before resurfacing with a satisfied smile on his face. "Urgh, that was stupid. I think I swallowed some water. Not pleasant. Refreshing but not pleasant. What a great first impression of my swimming ability."

Wade had already found his way to the restaurant area, which came complete with a bar. It was easy getting here since he was familiar with the layout of these ships. Unlike the others. He had been informed that the tip would only take at most an hour, so he would only order a light drink as to not destroy his brain cells for the trip. Noticing that a few of the others had found their way here also, Wade turned his head to the Bartender. "Hey listen. That particular group of ponies over yonder, are travelling with me. I'd consider it a personal favour if you wouldn't mind wavering the fees for them." "Not like we have much of a choice with what you types say. Alright, we'll wave fees but we expect compensation back at a later date for this. We need to keep afloat too ya know. Pun intended." "Fun pun."

Further up in the mountain range. Far out of the possible sight line of the Bunker, White had made his was back Sting's Base. Passing through the final security gate, overlooking the Base from atop the natural crater formed by the mountains and what had originally just been an old Pre war base and was now a full small town, complete with everything one might expect and more. Training facilities and agriculture took a large relative percentage of the limited space they had and pens containing the creatures they controlled located not that far away. The living area of the town was located closet to the base itself, protected by turrets and the most well equipped and dangerous of what Sting had to offer. "Ahh, no one knows what we're doing behind closed walls. No one would ever understand what we can do, what we have accomplished. Forever hated for the methods we take to defend ourselves. Tsk, why am I complaining? I enjoy the killing." Passing through the town quickly, greeting a few familiar faces and old friends before arriving at the entrance to the base, going inside and riding the elevator to the top. That is where the Queen was. "Honeeeeey, I'm hooooome." White said in an extremely over the top manner, attracting odd looks from the guards in the room. They at least knew who he was and took this obvious que to leave the floor via several stairwells. Not long after, the pony who White had came to see arrived in the room, a very displeased look across her face. "So you just show up out of the blue without even the slightest amount of heads up? Even though you said we wouldn't be able to see each other for a while? Rude. But a nice surprise non the less." "Well I'm sorry for wanting to surprise you." "Fix your damn voice, you sound like an old lady. You being 10 years older than me is one thing, but that's another level." "Aww, this voice has kind of grown on me, I might actually run a second business in which I trade in information. I jest of course. It feels nice to be home again though. You know how much I hate staying away for too long. Enough light banter, I have some status updates we need to distribute to all of our officers in the field. As I promised, I gave them weapons. Thermal imaging scopes for .308 rifles. Two in fact." White went into the Saddle bag and took out one of the Sniper Scopes in question. "I swiped a third one I made sure to keep hidden. Have that sent to one of the professional teams. They're pegasi, so we can abuse the natural crater to have them dive below the ridge line, fly to another spot and take shots. We only have 1 team that can do this, so pray they don't die first. Visibility will be naturally limited due to the attack possibly coming in the evening or nightfall. Expect them to be slightly disorganised, they can't seem to agree on the best tactic. Assault or snipe. If they do choose the former, well easy win for us. Not even power armour can tank a barrage from out bullets for very long. Plus the limited range of projectile based weapons puts him at a disadvantage. And anyway, I haven't informed them of the surprise." "I think I know what you're talking about." "The two suits of Zebra stealth armour we have. We could give them to the snipers and have them easily win the fight. But they are strong, I think they could make better allies. I want them to get to the town. I want them to see what we have here. I know this is a risk, never everyone we have hear knows how to even shoot a gun. Let alone defend against a team of mercs, That's about 30% of our population and all of our farmers and a portion of out best animal tamers. So we can give the suits to our best assassins. Have them follow from behind. Not even the EFS can target those guys in the suits. If they don't listen to us and still try to kill us after we explain ourselves to them, the assassins can shoot those who are the biggest threat and rest can get shot to death by the best of us." "A lot of blood on both sides is going to be on you. You're going to have to live with that. Hmpf, you don't feel much guilt though. So that's everything for now. I'll relay this to everyone and get this scope sent out. That can all come later though, we still have time. And I miss you." Blooddrop moved over to White's side, wrapping her hooves around him and nibbled on his ear. "I get the message." End Scene