Hey folks! How'd you spend your Independence day? Battling aliens maybe? Either way, I bet there were fireworks, huh? Well it was no different for any of us who were in the DC area this past Wednesday.
As many of you know already, things finally fell into place to finish off the cult that has been plaguing our nation's capital. Ron and I have been whittling them down for months now, cutting them down where ever and when ever we could. Thanks to some intelligence passed along to us from a number of sources, we were having amazing success. To the point that we'd forced them out of the city entirely and to a forested area not far away.
Their grouping up gave them strength in numbers but also put all their eggs in one basket as it were. Odds were, they were planning on breaking up again, perhaps to flee to other cult cells in other cities. This meant striking now was important for two reasons. First was to prevent those other cells being bolstered with those who could tell them a thing or two about how we operated. The second was to maybe capture some of these clowns so we could find those other cells.
Most of all, I'll admit, we wanted to finally corner and deal with that so called Master of Ceremonies. The mage who was running this cell of the cult. We still don't know how high he was in the hierarchy over all, but given his power, and the area he was responsible, I doubt he was a bit player.
So we gathered our friends and allies and made a plan. While there was some debate as to who would do what, we did finally work out all our roles.
I had over watch, which meant I'd be helping with real time surveillance of the battle area as well as providing sniper support to our assault group. Much to her delight, Cynthia was along with me, acting as my spotter and close protection. While she might have wanted to be part of the assault time, even she had to admit that there was no one better suited to spotting for me or for protecting me.
As to our position, it was uniquely suited to what we wanted. Frankly, I've never had a better position. We definitely had the high ground and potentially a 360 degree view. Even better, we were extremely hard to get to and had a built in escape plan. There were also means to keep us hidden, even as we moved between shots.
"This is Shenandoah, we're in position, over."
The show was about to begin.
Fourth of July Fire Works
Fourth of July Fire Works
Hi, I'm Darcy! 
"Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to."
-Oscar Wilde.
"Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to."
-Oscar Wilde.
-
Cybermancer
- Posts: 1071
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:41 am
- Contact:
Re: Fourth of July Fire Works
As Darcy has already menitoned, quite a few of us were coming together for this particular operation. My role was to provide technical expertise, support and a few toys to boot. Long story short, I was helping to create and orchestrate a real time digital battlespace.
One of the tools I was using to provide ariel surveillance were remote controlled blimps with nightvision cameras attached. Not the large blimps you see at sporting events but rather a significantly scaled down version. There were other mobile assets that could move quietly along the ground and up the trees, all virtually undetected.
In addition to these toys, I would be monitoring 'helmet cams' of our people. That way we could keep tabs on where each other were, what we were doing and most importantly, our respective arcs of fire. My god-father Austin would be assisting me but also providing the magical equivelent of my technological efforts.
Most of this information was fed through Darcy to the others but we had the capability to communicate with anyone who was a part of this operation.
With Darcy in position, I did one last check to ensure all systems were go to go and then I gave the codeword indicating we were good to go.
"This is Daedalus, the Minotaur is in the labyrinth."
One of the tools I was using to provide ariel surveillance were remote controlled blimps with nightvision cameras attached. Not the large blimps you see at sporting events but rather a significantly scaled down version. There were other mobile assets that could move quietly along the ground and up the trees, all virtually undetected.
In addition to these toys, I would be monitoring 'helmet cams' of our people. That way we could keep tabs on where each other were, what we were doing and most importantly, our respective arcs of fire. My god-father Austin would be assisting me but also providing the magical equivelent of my technological efforts.
Most of this information was fed through Darcy to the others but we had the capability to communicate with anyone who was a part of this operation.
With Darcy in position, I did one last check to ensure all systems were go to go and then I gave the codeword indicating we were good to go.
"This is Daedalus, the Minotaur is in the labyrinth."
This account used to belong to someone else. Now it's mine. My first post on this board begins here.
"The strong polish their fangs,
While the weak polish their wisdom."
"The strong polish their fangs,
While the weak polish their wisdom."
-
Ron Caliburn
- Posts: 6915
- Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:09 pm
- Location: Best if you don't know.
Re: Fourth of July Fire Works
I was sure this was going to be a tricky operation from the start, but I was still unprepared for when Darcy and Hannah ambushed me during the planning stages.
“Ron, I don’t like this plan. You don’t have enough people in the assault element. “ Darcy had said. “ You especially need magical power. Mel is great at what she does, but she can only do so much and we’ve gotten reports that the Master of Ceremonies is going to try to bring something over to make up for the losses we’ve inflicted on him. ”
I shook my head “Cynthia needs to stay back to protect you, we agreed on that. Austin isn’t fast enough to keep up with what we are going to do so he stays in the command centre with Matt. By my count we’re out of magic users.”
“ There’s one more Ron, I know you don’t like using her but she’s as powerful as Mel or Austin. More so if you are talking about raw destructive power . . . ” Darcy began, but I cut her off.
“Surely you don’t mean the devil woman?” I shook my head. “I would rather we involve her in our activities as little as possible.”
“She means someone else. ” Hannah interjected. As usual she had provided lunch to us while we were planning.
Darcy nodded. “ Someone who I can guarantee nobody on this team has a trust issue with. ” She looked me in the eye and I could feel the implied challenge to disagree with what she was about to say. “ Someone who already knows this sort of business as well, someone who grew up into this as much as you or I did, someone who can out shoot and out fight any of the remaining cultists without her magic. ” She planted her hands on her hips and stared me down. “ Someone like Hannah. ”
“What?” I sputtered. “There are reasons I haven’t worked with her on missions in the past . . .”
“ None of which apply here. ” She glared at me. “ I know you have all those Daddy concerns going through your head right now but Hannah has proven her abilities in front of Cynthia, Austin, Matt, Mel and myself. She is the best weapon we have at our disposal if things get really crazy and if I can’t be next to you in person I am sure going to make sure that you’re beside someone who will do everything in her power to bring you home safe. ”
I looked to my daughter, her grin was barely suppressed. “You put her up to this, didn’t you?”
Darcy placed a hand on my jaw and turned me to face her. “ So what if she did? Doesn’t the fact that I agreed with her strongly enough to step up like this for her tell you something? ”
Hannah jumped in before I could say anything. “ Dad, this is a fight I want to be a part of and you need me for. I promise, you’ll be proud of me when this is over. ”
“Look . . .” I began.
“ It makes tactical sense Poppa. ” Cynthia added her opinion.
“I . . .” I looked around the room; quickly I could tell that Austin, Matt and Mel were of a like mind on this. Daichan just looked impatient to get started.
I was totally out voted before I had the chance to voice my opinions. So I swallowed my pride. “She can be a part of the assault element.”
The squeal of joy and the hug may have rewarded my fatherly instincts but made me worry about the tactical situation all the more.
…
Those worries were not dashed in the least when everyone turned out on the evening of the 4th. “You can’t seriously expect to wear that in a fight?” I asked Hannah incredulously when I noticed Hannah’s tights and plaid skirt.
“ I like to move my legs and the skirt can hide a few things. ” She replied. “ Besides, I do have the armor you made for me on . . . well the torso parts anyway. ” She looked me in the eyes, daring me to say something. I decided discretion was the better part of valour and moved on to the briefing.
“Alright, we have been over what’s going on with these guys as much as we can, but I wanted to point out a few situational factors. The recent dry spell has made those woods tinder dry. Be careful with anything that causes or projects flame. The last thing we need to do is to have to fight a forest fire and the cult at the same time. Also remember the city is shooting it’s fireworks at 2200 hours. If you have to shoot before then, suppressed weapons only as we don’t want to attract too much attention to the park.”
Everyone nodded and we got in our vehicles for the drive out. We were quiet on the drive, even Hannah and Mel who normally chatter together like an old woman’s teeth in January. I gave the last go over my gear. As usual there was my Blade, my Piece and the rest, but tonight I was trying something new, a modular combination design I’d been working on for the last few years. I was hoping to eventually interest the military in it, but that meant I had to refine it to where I’d feel confident in battle with it. Tonight was going to be that first field test. Tonight I had chosen to combine the 6x35 mm lower with the 12 gauge upper for the maximum close range firepower. I’d put my faith in Darcy and Cynthia for the long range stuff.
The vehicles pulled off to the side of the road in what looked like the middle of nowhere. Truthfully that’s exactly where we were supposed to be, we wanted to bushwhack our way across rather than risk a watcher spotting us moving up the trail. We got out of our vehicles and shouldered our gear.
I spent a moment looking them over, Daichan, Mel and of course Hannah. Not a single one of them had seen their thirtieth birthday yet. It made me feel old, too old. I shook my head to clear out those feelings. I’ll let myself be old when I’m dead and buried, for now, there was a job to do.
I gave the team a nod and we slipped quietly into the woods.
“Ron, I don’t like this plan. You don’t have enough people in the assault element. “ Darcy had said. “ You especially need magical power. Mel is great at what she does, but she can only do so much and we’ve gotten reports that the Master of Ceremonies is going to try to bring something over to make up for the losses we’ve inflicted on him. ”
I shook my head “Cynthia needs to stay back to protect you, we agreed on that. Austin isn’t fast enough to keep up with what we are going to do so he stays in the command centre with Matt. By my count we’re out of magic users.”
“ There’s one more Ron, I know you don’t like using her but she’s as powerful as Mel or Austin. More so if you are talking about raw destructive power . . . ” Darcy began, but I cut her off.
“Surely you don’t mean the devil woman?” I shook my head. “I would rather we involve her in our activities as little as possible.”
“She means someone else. ” Hannah interjected. As usual she had provided lunch to us while we were planning.
Darcy nodded. “ Someone who I can guarantee nobody on this team has a trust issue with. ” She looked me in the eye and I could feel the implied challenge to disagree with what she was about to say. “ Someone who already knows this sort of business as well, someone who grew up into this as much as you or I did, someone who can out shoot and out fight any of the remaining cultists without her magic. ” She planted her hands on her hips and stared me down. “ Someone like Hannah. ”
“What?” I sputtered. “There are reasons I haven’t worked with her on missions in the past . . .”
“ None of which apply here. ” She glared at me. “ I know you have all those Daddy concerns going through your head right now but Hannah has proven her abilities in front of Cynthia, Austin, Matt, Mel and myself. She is the best weapon we have at our disposal if things get really crazy and if I can’t be next to you in person I am sure going to make sure that you’re beside someone who will do everything in her power to bring you home safe. ”
I looked to my daughter, her grin was barely suppressed. “You put her up to this, didn’t you?”
Darcy placed a hand on my jaw and turned me to face her. “ So what if she did? Doesn’t the fact that I agreed with her strongly enough to step up like this for her tell you something? ”
Hannah jumped in before I could say anything. “ Dad, this is a fight I want to be a part of and you need me for. I promise, you’ll be proud of me when this is over. ”
“Look . . .” I began.
“ It makes tactical sense Poppa. ” Cynthia added her opinion.
“I . . .” I looked around the room; quickly I could tell that Austin, Matt and Mel were of a like mind on this. Daichan just looked impatient to get started.
I was totally out voted before I had the chance to voice my opinions. So I swallowed my pride. “She can be a part of the assault element.”
The squeal of joy and the hug may have rewarded my fatherly instincts but made me worry about the tactical situation all the more.
…
Those worries were not dashed in the least when everyone turned out on the evening of the 4th. “You can’t seriously expect to wear that in a fight?” I asked Hannah incredulously when I noticed Hannah’s tights and plaid skirt.
“ I like to move my legs and the skirt can hide a few things. ” She replied. “ Besides, I do have the armor you made for me on . . . well the torso parts anyway. ” She looked me in the eyes, daring me to say something. I decided discretion was the better part of valour and moved on to the briefing.
“Alright, we have been over what’s going on with these guys as much as we can, but I wanted to point out a few situational factors. The recent dry spell has made those woods tinder dry. Be careful with anything that causes or projects flame. The last thing we need to do is to have to fight a forest fire and the cult at the same time. Also remember the city is shooting it’s fireworks at 2200 hours. If you have to shoot before then, suppressed weapons only as we don’t want to attract too much attention to the park.”
Everyone nodded and we got in our vehicles for the drive out. We were quiet on the drive, even Hannah and Mel who normally chatter together like an old woman’s teeth in January. I gave the last go over my gear. As usual there was my Blade, my Piece and the rest, but tonight I was trying something new, a modular combination design I’d been working on for the last few years. I was hoping to eventually interest the military in it, but that meant I had to refine it to where I’d feel confident in battle with it. Tonight was going to be that first field test. Tonight I had chosen to combine the 6x35 mm lower with the 12 gauge upper for the maximum close range firepower. I’d put my faith in Darcy and Cynthia for the long range stuff.
The vehicles pulled off to the side of the road in what looked like the middle of nowhere. Truthfully that’s exactly where we were supposed to be, we wanted to bushwhack our way across rather than risk a watcher spotting us moving up the trail. We got out of our vehicles and shouldered our gear.
I spent a moment looking them over, Daichan, Mel and of course Hannah. Not a single one of them had seen their thirtieth birthday yet. It made me feel old, too old. I shook my head to clear out those feelings. I’ll let myself be old when I’m dead and buried, for now, there was a job to do.
I gave the team a nod and we slipped quietly into the woods.
My July a Fourth was fun!
_____Hi, everybody! I visited Miss Wie on July a Fourth. She’s a very good cook and is very nice, too. I asked her if we could go to the flierworks things when they turned on. She agreed and hugged me tight. I felt scared then when the flierworks spoke a shout really loudly. Even louder than Mr. Just Matt Too’s T.V. when the hit points are full. A man next to us said something that I didn’t hear. Miss Wie hugged me tighter and replied to him and then we went home.
_____P.S. Miss Wie built caramel popcorn balls. I helped leave a mess, but they still tasted yummy. Not at all like baseballs.
_____P.S., again. I had some nightmares on July a Thirteen. I asked Miss Wie to help me write them down before I forget. It’s very hard, though.
_____P.S., again, again. Are July a Fourth and July a Thirteen brothers and sisters? How can you tell if a day is a boy or a girl?
_____P.S., last. I wish Cynthia and Hannah could have come. They’d help me laugh when I spoke a scream and shook when the flierworks spoke very loudly again and again and again and again.
_____P.S. Miss Wie built caramel popcorn balls. I helped leave a mess, but they still tasted yummy. Not at all like baseballs.
_____P.S., again. I had some nightmares on July a Thirteen. I asked Miss Wie to help me write them down before I forget. It’s very hard, though.
_____P.S., again, again. Are July a Fourth and July a Thirteen brothers and sisters? How can you tell if a day is a boy or a girl?
_____P.S., last. I wish Cynthia and Hannah could have come. They’d help me laugh when I spoke a scream and shook when the flierworks spoke very loudly again and again and again and again.
When my dreams and visions help people, it’s not a burden, it’s a good thing.
Re: Fourth of July Fire Works
I wish I could have been there with you too, Clarity. I can't wait to see you again. I have to stay in D.C. for awhile because Momma and Papa are worried about me.
Don't you worry though. I'll be just fine. I promise.
Don't you worry though. I'll be just fine. I promise.
Hi! I'm Cynthia and I am my mother's daughter.
Defunct the strings
Of cemetary things
With one flat foot
On the devil's wing
Defunct the strings
Of cemetary things
With one flat foot
On the devil's wing
