These past few days have been somewhat trying on this old man. En route to the Aylon system Olivia threw a fit. She seemed to think I was riding Darik a little too hard. I’m of the opinion that he got off easy, but sometimes there is just no reasoning with a woman. As we approached the planet, we were not getting any transmissions from the surface as far as docking directions, orders, etc. We were also targeted and shot at. Due to my superb piloting and Lachesis’ outstanding maneuverability, we were never really in any danger, but Olivia seemed to think otherwise.

Because of Lachesis being targeted, I decided it was best to do a fly by of the docking station and found a place to land. I decided to come in hot and was able to avoid any further shots being taken at us. I dare say, that none of the passengers even realized the beauty of the landing… but what can one expect from a group of landlubbers?

The bay that we landed in was deserted. There were no lights on at the compound anywhere, and so I decided it would be best if everyone stayed on the ship while I checked things out a little. Of course, Miss I-Can’t-Follow-Directions-If-My-Life-Depended-On-It Olivia decided that she was exempt from my directions to stay on board. Darik, torn between obeying orders and watching over Olivia decided to trade places with me.

Darik and Olivia decided to check more of the station out so left the docking bay where we were parked. As they proceeded down various corridors, they were apprehended by armed guards. In desperation the rest of us decided that we should go and rescue them, but unfortunately, we were apprehended by a contingent of ten guards ourselves.

While they were taking us to the lock-up compound, they had sent others to try and get into Lachesis. I gave them fair warning that if Lachesis was damaged in any way, they would pay with their lives.

As soon as we got to the compound, the Baron immediately announced who he was and demanded to the see the person in charge. That didn’t stop them from relieving us of our gear, but it did get us an audience with the Count a few hours later.

The Count took the Baron aside shortly after we got there where they discussed, I don’t know what, in private before emerging a few minutes later. In the meantime, were left standing around in the audience hall awaiting their return. Fortunately, they had untied us for this short period. And when the Baron and the Count returned, the Count announced that there was only one way to resolve the dispute – that was a duel to First Blood rapiers. The Count chose an imposing man, who appeared to know how to use the sword, and the Baron chose Darik. I felt it my obligation to remind Darik that this was not the time to throw the fight. Darik took a few pointers from Olivia as he was getting ready for the dual.

Amazingly, the dual was over fairly quickly. The Count’s champion seemed to discount Darik as an unworthy opponent and let his guard down enough for Darik to get a blood drawing blow in – ending the dual. I’m not sure if Darik winning the dual was the cause of what happened next, or if it was Darik’s off-hand insult to the Count’s champion, either way, I attribute it to Darik. Darik said something like, “Hmmm, and I don’t even know how to use this thing…” After those words were uttered, the Count turned three shades of red and issued orders that we be taken for interrogation because he was going to have the information one way or another. What information he was referring to, I do not know – and frankly I don’t care. I had had just about enough of this prisoner crap and decided I wasn’t going to be taken again – at least not without a fight. It appears that Olivia had the same thoughts I did, only she exhibited it in a bit more dramatic a way than this old man.

As the guards came to bind us, Olivia let loose with an arc of lightning that threw her guard halfway across the room, leaving him smoldering and unconscious on the floor. Fortunately, that distracted the guard that was approaching me long enough that I was able to get knee into his groin and follow-up with a right hook, knocking him out. Brother Gunderson, never ceases to amaze me in his abilities as well – he dispatched his guard without any problems and sent him sprawling on the floor as well.

Darik was having problems of his own, so Olivia decided to run to his aid leaving me to help the Baron and Bruno. The Baron’s guard didn’t know what to expect with most of his attention focused on the Baron, which gave me enough time to grab the blaster carbine from my would have been assailant and dispatch the guard contending with the Baron and also the one that Bruno seemed to be having problems with. When that skirmish was over, we discovered that Olivia had been successful in assisting Darik, and we now had to two charring guards cooling off on the ground. It appears that I am cursed to be friends with Bartelbys who are great at attracting the wrong kind of attention. Don’t get me wrong – I wouldn’t have it any other way. It just means that I will need to keep an eye on Olivia a little closer now. I’m still uncertain as to what Darik’s secret is, but Olivia’s is glaringly obvious and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Inquisition finds our pretty soon from the Count.

After arming ourselves with the guns from the guards, we proceeded to search out the Baron to exact some payment from him for the troubles we were put through, but had a change of plans when we came upon a communications room receiving reports. We ambushed the lone operator, but unfortunately, he was expecting us and got a few shots off. Luckily, they all went wide and missed everyone and while I was providing a target, Olivia was able to pop off a shot and took the guys head off. A few short minutes in this room gave us the information we needed. We knew where Drake was and where he was heading. The information caused a chill of fear to come over me. They were heading toward Lachesis! With that, I told everyone where Drake was going to be, and where I was going – they weren’t necessarily the same place….

As we left the palace, the group decided to split up. I wasn’t too happy that the Baron wanted Olivia and Darik to accompany me to the Spaceport in an effort to secure Lachesis, but I wasn’t going to waste time arguing. Lachesis needed me (or I needed her it’s all the same). So, I took off at a run. As we descended the stairs, I noticed two pill-boxes on either side of the stairs, and new we were in for trouble, but that couldn’t be avoided. What made matters worse, there were two drones hovering nearby as well. Let me state for the record, I will wade through Hell to rescue Lachesis, nothing short of Death can stop me.

With that being said, I said a hasty prayer (Psalms 23) and dashed down the stairs. As we ran past the pill-boxes, automatic fire started tearing up the street. Luckily we were able to get around the corner without any problems. However, that didn’t end things after going a mile or so, we were suddenly being trailed by one of the Drones. Darik, immediately wanted everyone to get under cover in an old building. Surprisingly, Olivia obeyed that order without any reservation I think that must have surprised Darik as well, as his shot at the Drone didn’t do anything to it. The Drone was able to launch two missiles before I took it down with a well placed shot to the missile rack which resulted in the explosion of the remaining missiles. I didn’t wait around to see the display, I had to get to Lachesis. I turned and started running again.

It wasn’t too much longer and I realized that I was not going to be able to run the entire way to the Spaceport I needed to find some transportation. After several blocks, we were able to find a utility van. This is where I must repent I stole the van (may the Pan Creator forgive me). I jumped into the driver seat with Olivia taking the front passenger’s seat. Darik was covering our rear. Surprisingly, that hover van could move I easily had it moving at a 160 KPH. That is until we crossed paths with a Tank. I have to say, if it weren’t for the driving of a master, none of us would have survived that encounter. Unfortunately, my driving was good enough to save Darik. I swerved to avoid the tank and ended up forcing to soldiers to dive for cover as the hover-van bore down on them. The solider manning the .50 Caliber machine gun mounted on the tank ended up shredding the hover van, forcing it out of control. I was able to wrestle it under enough control to only avoid a head on collision with the wall, but the corner of the hover-van still crashed into the wall, throwing Darik around like a rag-doll. He ended up with a compound fracture and died due to loss of blood. We weren’t able to save him. Olivia was really affected. I’m beginning to worry about her. I’m afraid she may crack under pressure. I’m not sure if her secret is causing an unstable psyche or not, but she broke down and wept. I will admit that it took every ounce of willpower on my part not to weep for him either, but that was not the time for weeping.

Olivia and I only sustained minor injuries, but the hover-van wasn’t going anywhere. We were forced to surrender our weapons and were taken captive. We were tied and forced to sit in the street near the tank. It wasn’t until an attack Drone flew overhead that we were able to escape. The attack Drone launched missiles killing several of our captors, one of them fell dead not far from Olivia. She was able to retrieve his knife and cut us free. Upon regaining our freedom, we re-armed ourselves with rifles of the dead soldiers in the street it was good to be armed again. As we were getting ready to run, I happened to notice Darik lying in the street and felt the obligation to take him with us. He does not deserve to be laid to rest in foreign soil by strangers who don’t know him and don’t care for him. Chances are they would not give him his last rites either. Darik discharged his duties to the best of his abilities, whether Olivia recognizes that or not, I don’t know, but I recognize it. He always put her life above his even when it was inconvenient for him (and usually for her). He was a noble spirit and will be missed greatly. That was why I had to bring him along Olivia protested greatly, but I was adamant. We took him with us.

I don’t know how long we walked longer than an old man should, I’m sure. I was nearing exhaustion and my injuries were aggravating me. But, we finally arrived at the Spaceport only to find it heavily guarded. There was no way that Olivia and I were going to be able to shoot our way through that. We had to find a place to hole up and get some medical attention. Luckily, there was a building right there as well. I entered the building leaving Olivia to watch Darik’s body while I scouted the building out and assessed what was going on.

The building was being used as a makeshift hospital, but no medical supplies could be spared. Olivia and I needed time to think, so we entered the building and began exploring it. We were forced to leave Darik’s body near the door of the building.

During our exploration of the building we came upon a room with two soldiers and a rocket launcher! The room looked out on the Spaceport. The soldiers were busy playing a game of cards and had left their weapons out of easy reach. I shot them.

Once both soldiers had been eliminated, I was able to use the Rocket Launcher to take care of the soldiers that were guarding the Spaceport along with two ordinances they were using. I loved that rocket launcher, but all good things must come to an end there were only four rockets for it. I used three trying to clear the Spaceport, and while we were doing that, four soldiers had snuck up on us. They opened fire as we were exiting the room. Fortunately, I felt something was wrong before completely leaving the room and we were able to avoid any further serious injury although, I did take a shot in the arm that threw me back. If it hadn’t been for the Pan Creator watching over us, I’m sure I would be dead right now.

Several minutes passed while we were trying to decide what to do. I believe the soldiers were trying to figure out how to get us out of the room as well. Finally, in desperation, I needed to get out of the room and get them to focus on me. I couldn’t let them hurt Olivia. I was able to bluff my way out with the Rocket Launcher. I jumped into the hall and threatened them with death by rocket if they didn’t stand down. They stood down. At least until I ran past, when one of them tried to shoot me, but again, the hand of providence was watching over this old geezer. I’m sure I will owe a guarding angel a drink of Groot when I pass on to meet the Pan Creator.

I was able to make it to the stairs before any of the soldiers could get a second shot off. My fatigue and injuries were catching up with me. I made it to the bottom of the stairs and turned around hoping the soldiers had followed me. My plan was simple, wait until they were at the top of the stairs and fire my last rocket. Three of the soldiers appeared and I fired, however, my fatigue caused my shot to come up short of its intended target and it exploded about half-way between them and me. I passed out.

I’m not sure how long it took for Olivia to find me, but she eventually did find me. She was able to drag me down to the basement of the building where we holed up for a bit. While I was out, Olivia had done some scavenging and recovered a couple suits of armor and weapons that we could use…

This entry was posted on Friday, May 18th, 2007 at 2:54 pm and is filed under Character Journal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.