Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves

Ghostly
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Court Jester

The Last Pale Light in the West

Posts: 258

Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves May 2, 2022 0:07:06 GMT

Post by Ghostly on May 2, 2022 0:07:06 GMT

May 1st, 1130 Hours, RRTF Gamma-8 Armored Personnel Carrier, approximately 5km outside Ulvenhjem, Northern Denmark

Too cold to go barefoot. Did the brass even read her file?

Newly christened Field Agent Celia Lydell pulled her grey knit cap snug on her head and looked across the troop bay of the APC at the others in her squad. First forward operation, real responsibility meant real consequences, but it was her chance to show her superiors that she was ready to continue into field work.

Her team was a mixed bag, it was clear from their varied composition that Gamma-8 was trying to cover all their bases with this threat. A researcher with limitless knowledge, a former marine who could alter the memories and perception of others around her, what appeared to be a knight straight from her Arthurian story books, and a real life Class-3 spectral manifestation standing right before her.

Celia was listed as a spiritual liaison, which was really just a nicer way to say ghost wrangler. During training she'd almost never left Quantico when her medical records were pulled, and then in the FBI they called her the office freak. She was happier to be among people who recognized her ability, but some days it was a bit to handle, even for a medium like herself.

Still, she had a job to do, and she'd make sure it was done to the letter.

The ring of metal on metal sounded down the troop bay as Major MacIntosh stepped down with his crutch under his left arm, his only arm. He cleared his through and spoke with heavy brogue, "alright then folks, apologies for the quick jump up north, but the situation is a bit choppy," the Major braced himself against the hull, taking the weight off his organic leg and leaning onto his prosthetic. "I've already lost a half dozen of my boys this morning, I'm not looking to lose any of you lovely ladies and you, lad," MacIntosh gave a nod to Alexander.

"That's why we'll be sending you in with a couple of Bobs, don't go trying to get them killed but if you think something might be dangerous, let one of 'em take the lead."

"Consider this the briefing, we're still about a kilometer out. Any questions?"

((Welcome to the first operation for Team Anubis, codenamed Foxes and Wolves. Earlier this morning on orders from your regional administrator you were discreetly transferred to Denmark, where you were brought aboard a M1126 Stryker ICV and transported to the outskirts of Ulvenhjem. As always, questions OOC can be asked by DM or in the channel.))

Last Edit: May 9, 2022 23:32:55 GMT by Ghostly

. . . I could never hold enough of you in my hands . . .

Katpride
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Where's your sense of whimsy?

Posts: 655

Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves May 2, 2022 2:26:01 GMT Ghostly likes this

Post by Katpride on May 2, 2022 2:26:01 GMT

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Technology really has come a long way, hasn’t it? Cars… why, they’re used so commonly, no one ever thinks about the logistics anymore. They get into their little moving boxes and shuttle themselves around without horse nor manpower to do the lifting, placing a tremendous amount of trust into processes they know very little about. Not like in her time, when motorized transportation was restricted to more dignified forms, like trains. She misses trains terribly. Horses, too. Whatever happened to a good, trusty horse-drawn carriage?

Augusta isn’t sure that anyone really took a moment to sit and think about the logistics of putting a ghost in a car, either. Perhaps they were expecting her to… Sit in one of the seats? Buckle the strange braided strap around herself, as the others must do? She has been concentrating on holding onto the railing, a trick she learned very quickly after the first time they put her in a car and she was left, bewildered, exactly where she was after the car pulled away.

She reaches up with a translucent hand to gently touch the choker around her neck, eying the case which she knows contains its more tangible counterpart. However inconvenient it may be to have to anchor herself within the rolling, rumbling ‘tank’ that is their transportation for the evening, she’s glad to be free to move about. Some of her handlers have insisted on banishing her back to the necklace over any little thing, but this one is new. She does not yet know how this partnership will compare to the others.

Oh, the handler is looking at her. Augusta gives her a polite nod, then remembers to smile. Smiling is important for maintaining good relations, in the present day. Old habits must fade with the centuries, and she must strive to stay informed of the new cultural norms if she wishes to keep up with the hop-skip-sprint of modern advancements.

It is a small comfort to know that she is not the only time-sick patron on this journey. She has placed herself strategically on the opposite end of the vehicle from Dame Lorielle Von Whinchimer, because she does not wish to have a sword waved through her. Again. That was a memorable first encounter, but not one she wishes to repeat.

The other passengers she has not yet become well acquainted with, but she supposes that will happen sometime over the course of this mission. Assuming they all survive. Life is such a fragile gift. One mistake in handling it and crash - shattered on the ground, and swept up by the great broom of the universe.

Luckily, this little group all seem like survivors, none moreso than Major MacIntosh, to whom she poses a question, accompanied by a partially raised hand. She does not smile at him, because it would be improper - or is it the other way around? There are so many rules to keep track of.

“Your ‘boys’ - how did you lose them? Is the-” she waves a hand vaguely in the air, indicating something above their heads, “-global positioning system, is it not functioning? Or are they not able to be, ahem, recovered?”

She does not have a corporeal throat to clear, nor any dependence on such trivial things as breathable air, and yet the habit remains. Her voice reverberates with a slight mental echo, the polished tones carrying the memory of a British accent.

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Last Edit: May 2, 2022 22:06:30 GMT by Katpride: von von von

Lark | Spork | Adelyn | Venus

FeatherBlood
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Ahem Ahem... Check 1 2 1 2... AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

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Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves May 2, 2022 21:58:23 GMT

Post by FeatherBlood on May 2, 2022 21:58:23 GMT

White. Such a vast landscape of pure white that stretched on to the horizon and beyond, with just the occasional patch of duller colours poking through the misty white dust that covered them, being in the form of buildings, trees, rocks and the like.

Dame Lorielle Von Whinchimer was not used to such a vast expanse of white, but she appreciated the change of visual pace. Where she was from, or at least claimed to be from, while harsh winters were quite troublesome not even the knight had seen so much white as this place held, especially now that they had pulled up on the rendezvous location and begun their debrief. Thankfully Lorielle brought her most important outfit to combat this skin biting cold, her ever handy full plated steel armour she wore everywhere, along with a nice moss green and yellow striped scarf she found cute and picked out for added assistance. At least the scarf would've been helpful in protecting Lorri from the cold, had it not been wrapped around the patch of armour around her collarbone rather then directly on her neck, proving to be visual decoration rather then any sort of coldness protection.

But alas, being the carefree knight she was this minor detail didn't bring up any sort of concern for the knight, nor did the fact that she must've been an annoying companion to ride with. Normally Lorielle was fine chatting for ages in the cramped metal boxes people used for transport, but this journey she was quiet. However the clanking of her armour on any and every bump the truck went over that caused enough of a bounce would most likely have driven anyone else insane, Lori on the other hand found the clanking soothing. In fact Lorielle spent more time on the journey admiring the snow-clad scenery and staring at Augusta trying to figure out whether she was an innocent kind spirit needing assistance to pass on, or if she was a demon in ghostly disguise leading her to a swift trap. Regardless of the truth Lorielle's true desire was figuring out how to stab the see-through woman should the need arise, as this ghostly figure was the only being so far to have bested Lorielle's mighty and holy blade, as one swing went straight through the polite ghost.

At least she is kind and polite. But still... The thoughts went through her head, until the clanking of someone approaching them distracted her. At first she thought it was another knight clad in glorious armour, but the disappointment to see a man with a metal pole was slight. These Bureau members never truly appreciate the comfort and protection such armour as Lori's was, why do you think it's a mystery no one has seen Lorielle's body under that armour, armour that never comes off.

Back to the briefing at hand, the knight rubbed her chin with an armoured hand, before raising a hand shortly after Augusta's question about the men getting lost, chiming in her own follow up question. "Also, what is a Bob and how will they serve in cutting swift justice into those who dare oppose our righteous rules of protection?"

Cha Cha Real Smooth

novashift
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Posts: 7

Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves May 8, 2022 23:20:47 GMT

Post by novashift on May 8, 2022 23:20:47 GMT

Vivian had zoned out during the ride, sitting leaned back in her seat while the sounds of the engine became nothing more than white noise for her. Her hands tightly gripped her M4 as her eyes were closed while she rested, waiting for the ride to be over.

They had been warned to pack for a colder climate, one of the times where Vi was glad she kept her old military kit with her ECWCS clothing in it, along with her old shemagh which was wrapped around her neck. It was then that she had began thinking to herself. Had anyone told her a few years ago she'd be working alongside a walking library, a ghost and a knight, she probably would've called them crazy too. And even though by this point she'd seen plenty of what the Bureau had to deal with, it still felt odd, knowing that what would be called myths, legends and the supernatural were real but she of course didn't really have much room to say anything there. Her thoughts were cut short when they all heard that sound of the Major coming down. Vivian quickly opened her eyes and looked over, listening patiently for their mini briefing as he explained the situation to them. When Augusta spoke up, asking about how the Major's men had been lost. She quickly noted to herself that being more direct with wording would be better when talking to the ghost lady.

Vivian was also somewhat confused on what a Bob was, but Lori had beaten her to the question. Well, at least we're only a klick out. After the Major had answered the questions, Vi would lean back in her seat once more, but stayed alert with her eyes open. They barely had any idea of what they were getting themselves into, and that was what unsettled her the most. For all they know, whatever is causing the disappearances and organ thefts could be some monster, crazed cultists or something worse. But whatever it was, they had to be ready for it.

Ghostly
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Court Jester

The Last Pale Light in the West

Posts: 258

Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves May 11, 2022 19:00:34 GMT

Post by Ghostly on May 11, 2022 19:00:34 GMT

MacIntosh’s shades shifted to the polite ghost, focusing her might to hold onto one of the handrails, otherwise she would’ve disappeared as soon as they’d begun rolling.

“It appears so, miss.” He planted a hand against a screen roughly two feet across, bolted to the wall. Aerial images of the area popped into view, but appeared scrambled as the images cycled through different viewing modes. “Their trackers have gone dead, along with the drone we had overhead. Even radio’s been nothing but static since they came within three kilometers of the town. Satellite imaging from high enough can see abnormally high thermal readings, but any images too close or too detailed are all muddled up.”

“We sent another drone within the radius, but we lost control and I watched it go down near the edge of the town. We haven’t been able to determine if this jamming is anomalous or not, but it’s a cause of concern for sure.”

As the knight chimed in, MacIntosh turned and readjusted on his crutch. “Ah, right I guess I should’ve been ready for a question like that. They’re people - sort of, that we have a huge surplus of.” He cleared his throat. “Think of them like - a friend? Wait, erm… maybe not.”

“We like to use Bobs when there’s dangerous things that need doing and we’d rather not risk injuring or - y’know, killing one of you.”

“You don’t have to worry, these guys aren’t exactly human. No need to be worried, they’re quite lovely, just a bit simple.” MacIntosh tried to cushion his words, but whichever way he said it, it still sounded wrong. “You’ll understand better when you meet them, we’ve numbered them for your convenience.”

. . . I could never hold enough of you in my hands . . .

Mach
Junior Member

Posts: 53

Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves May 12, 2022 2:37:03 GMT Ghostly likes this

Post by Mach on May 12, 2022 2:37:03 GMT

Alexander was cold.

He had only just begun to fall asleep last night when he'd been gracelessly awoken by the incessant ringing of his work phone. New assignments were always interesting, to say the least. If someone had asked, he wouldn't have been able to tell them where he expected to be placed. He had learned, over the months he'd been with the Bureau, to expect the unexpected. And yet, Denmark still came as a surprise. There had been enough time to throw a few changes of clothes - and a few extra sweaters that were not pulling their weight on this mission - into a bag. Then it had been a blur of travel. Taxi, airport, connection, another plane, taxi, and now an armoured personnel carrier trudging through the Danish countryside.

It was May back home, and spring was already fading into summer. Here, there was still snow on the ground. He had taken his seat in the APC silently, arms crossed over his chest to entrap whatever residual body heat he could. Between the cold, and the lack of sleep, and the waiting, it was difficult to prevent his mind from wandering. Mostly the cold. What incentive was there to sit shivering in an armoured tank when instead, he could be...

...wandering across an endless expanse of winding paths. It was easy to get lost here, if you didn't know what you were looking for. You had to be careful. With a goal in mind, your steps would carry you right to your destination, gravel and grass and tarmac crunching underfoot until you reached the location of the thing you sought. But it was fun, sometimes, to wander. You could find such interesting things when you stepped off the path - research articles on knitting techniques from Viking settlements, unsolved mathematics conjectures, the 2014 roster for teams in the German Football League - you just had to be certain you didn't stray too far. Ownership deeds for the lighthouses of Moreton Island. The storyboard for an unpublished manga series. Shipping confirmation records for a package of Mesorhizobium muleiense. He could have kept going for hours, but already the path back home was threatening to fade from his mind. And he didn't want to miss the briefing. Alexander turned, retracing his steps and leaving the frontier of undiscovered knowledge behind...

"-what is a Bob and how will they serve in cutting swift justice into those who dare oppose our righteous rules of protection?"

Alexander blinked. An interesting point of conversation to return to.

If anyone had been paying close attention, they may have caught the subtle shift in his eyes as he tuned back in to the here and the now. But he had grown skilled at masking his forays into his own personal library dimension, and to the untrained eye, he may have simply appeared bored at best, and caught in a riveting daydream at worst.

They must be getting close, now. He picked up what he could from the remainder of the briefing. They were closing in on some sort of anomaly, and from the sounds of it, he hadn't missed many details in the briefing. They had no details from drones, satellites, or agents. Abnormally high thermal readings...that sounded like a welcome change. He raised his hand, gently, before voicing his own question. "If we end up losing the Bobs, is there any kind of extraction plan in place for us? Or is the plan just...do our best to avoid needing extraction?"

A quick glance at the assembled group made it clear that he seemed to be the most susceptible to the possibility of requiring a quick escape. One woman had a gun that she was clearly comfortable operating, the other wore a full suit of armour, and the third member of the team was intangible. Alexander...was a librarian. A Bureau librarian, with a gun in his bag, but still a librarian.

Wanna see some trash?

Katpride
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Where's your sense of whimsy?

Posts: 655

Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves Jun 3, 2022 22:14:58 GMT

Post by Katpride on Jun 3, 2022 22:14:58 GMT

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Augusta shifts a little as the screen buzzes to life, drifting closer to the handrail and away from the computer. Whatever her form or designation may be, she’s learned that trying to interact with more complex technologies can sometimes make them go on the fritz. And so she observes the images from afar, trying to make heads or tails of the scrambled pictures.

She isn’t sure what she’s supposed to be looking at, so she returns her attention to the Major. “So the signal has been cut, whether by some one or thing. And we are… investigating? What if the other team is simply unable to communicate, and still inside? Do we extract them as well?”

She can see no reason to assume that the technology’s breakage would mean everyone was lost forever, after all. Society may have advanced in leaps and bounds since her time, but there are still… discrepancies, of a sort. Unreliable technology and miscommunication may change form from era to era, but they still have yet to be eradicated completely.

Of course, adding more complications onto the mission isn’t always the wisest idea, but she likes to get the important questions out of the way before the opportunity to ask them is gone. She steadfastly keeps her eyes forward rather than acknowledging the Dame’s gaze, which has rested on her for far too long. Even in this current day, it is rude to stare, is it not?

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Lark | Spork | Adelyn | Venus

novashift
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Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves Jun 9, 2022 6:14:21 GMT

Post by novashift on Jun 9, 2022 6:14:21 GMT

Her eyes immediately looked towards the images that were thrown up onto the screen. Vivian tried to make sense of the pictures but it was hard to see anything other than a distorted image. The soldier did get some hope that maybe the team was just out of contact, that nothing had happened to them, that at worst they find out people got their hands on tech they shouldn't have and that'd be it. But she felt as though she knew better, because these missions typically aren't so simple. However, she perked up a bit whenever the satellite imaging was brought up, staring at the pictures.

High heat sigs? Could be whatever's causing the jamming.

Next came the Major's explanation, and Vi was a bit confused at first with the description of the Bobs, but after a moment she caught on that they were likely either clones or robots of some sort meant for taking the brunt of engagements. It was after this that she began looking around at the crew they had gathered, taking notice of the shift back to reality from Alexander, figuring he had just zoned out during the brief. Though he did raise a good question, what was their extraction plan? Then her attention was grabbed by the spectral woman who asked what to do if they found the previous team, to which Vivian felt like speaking up and voicing that they should be trying to extract surviving members. However, she held her tongue, not wanting to interject and interrupt the Major. That's when some questions popped into her head and she looked towards the Major, waiting for a moment to ask.

"Whenever we get dropped off, are we on our own until we get the jamming cleared? And are we checking the drone crash for anything?"

FeatherBlood
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Fear Not The Night: Foxes and Wolves Jun 17, 2022 14:09:51 GMT

Post by FeatherBlood on Jun 17, 2022 14:09:51 GMT

When the screen flared up to display the scrambled satellite images and remnant photos of the drones, Lorielle looked upon the screen, making no sense of what she was seeing. She had of course interacted with these devices and visual displays, but seeing the messed up shapes and distorted images simply confused the knight. But after staring at the images, she blinked a few times before averting her gaze back to the spectral being. And then from there she returned back to the screen, the medieval gears in her brain spinning.
A ghostly being, unable to be interacted with... And a projection image displaying sky images in this car... Could it be... Are they related? Am I looking at a tangible image or are these... 'Pictures' as the Bureau call them... Are they also spectral? I must check.

As everyone continued to discuss the mission brief Lorielle stood up and raised her sword slowly towards the monitor, careful not to accidentally hit and smite any of her allies. She then lightly jabbed the monitor screen with her sword, testing to see if what she was seeing was real or fictional. When the gentle tapping sound of metal on screen was heard, confirming the monitor's existence, but not the images, the knight sat back down, nodding slowly as she both answered her own question but raised a new one. She completely ignored everyone during the process of her test and only now did she snap back into reality of the debriefing, completely in her own world for the duration of the monitor stare down.

When the conversations of the Bobs came back in, which she had registered being friends-not-friends the Bureau had many of to assist in unknown missions that would lead to possible injury, she slapped her arm across her chest and puffed it out in pride.

"In that case you have nothing to fear. For no death shall come about while I am here! These fellow Bobs of ours shall assist in our deliverance of our comrades from the corruption of this town, and I shall make sure our friends-not-friends will not perish, as a pride of a knight I will smite everyone who stands in our way, leave it to me!"

Completely disregarding the possible dangers of the mission Lorri announced out her confidence on not putting any Bobs in danger during the mission, still not realising the Bobs may not be quite as human as the other members of the Bureau. And the mention of the lost recon team potentially being alive and simply cut off from communication filled her with more confidence, smiting enemies and rescuing those in danger, nothing could be more satisfying in a mission than this.
Those corrupted no-doers within the town must have shot down the recon teams carrier pigeons, no wonder we got no mission out. No wait, the Bureau have these mechanical transports and don't use carrier pigeons... Metallic carrier pigeons! That's it!

The Knight beamed confidently to herself at this revelation, before nodding in agreement to Vi's question.

"Go in, stab the jammer thingy that's disrupting your messages and smite anyone in our path. That's easy enough."

Cha Cha Real Smooth