TavernTales 15: Meeting Grounds

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

well, i am new to this all

And having a more established brother, I don't know where I come up with this stuff.
----------------
2
The three men set out in different directions to gather material for camp and any edible food they could find. They met back at the mouth of a forest entrance 20 minutes later.

They began to construct a campsite with the few leaves, branches and other equipment they could find. Swan attempted to start a fire but continous put it out while he barfed up more water. Each time, he cursed Dyne more and more. Finally, feeling pity for his new friend, Nighthawk started the fire in his place.

Fox had used his ability to catch a few fish in the water. He caught only what he needed, he was unsure how long they would be at this place.

When the campsite was set up and dinner was cooking, Swan and Fox felt it was the proper time to gather more information from Nighthawk.

"Where are you from?" Swan asked.

"I am from a small village in Europe. My family is famous over there because of my brother, the one I mentioned before."

"Interesting. Interesting." Fox had to be careful how he phrased the questions because he did not want it to appear like they were integorrating Nighthawk. "What can you tell us about yourself?"

Nighthawk went on to explain his family situation, and then the day at the market. He left out the later details such as not remembering too much of it or the haunting images that frightened him at night. Some of these remained unclear to him.

Swan wanted to continue the questioning, but something in the sky caught his attention. Fox alerted to the fact that his friend drifted off followed his glaze. What he saw baffled him, but he knew that there would be no rest on this night.
--------
After almost 2 hours of unfamilar terrain, Bond was excited to finally come across a piece of land that seemed familar. Then it dawned on him, "I know this place!"

Jeepnut let out a chuckle, "Of course you do my old friend, this is the bay we always dreamed of coming to as kids."

Bond wore a grin on his face, the first legit one for the day. His friend truly knew him well.

His smile soon disappeared though when he looked back at the events of the day. The GAMES HQ, the symbol of hope and justice in the Western world had been destroyed. His agents, some missing, some no doubtedly killed in action, would be in short supply for some time. Two criminal organizations working together. Then another thought crossed Bond's mind, one that he had ignored until now.

Neither of the groups that attacked the GAMES HQ today were the ones responsible for the deaths of other GAMES agents, that meant he had a third faction to deal with. Things were not going his way.

His professor, The Professor, whatever he wanted to be called had won this day. Granted, he had help... would they help him again. Bond and his men could not withstand another attack like that.

As he reflected upon more events, something beneath him caught his attention. "JEEPNUT!" He yelled over the roar of the building.

"What is it?" Jeepnut asked as he was preparing for a landing. He turned back to look at Bond and saw that he was pointing down. Jeepnut took his eye off the forest and looked down. It couldn't be, there was no way they could have known about this place. Even if they did, how did they beat them here?

"Could it be?" Jeepnut shouted back to Bond.

"I don't know, but one of them did control fire! Only one way to find out."

Jeepnut nodded, he aimed the rooftop a bit higher than before. He would land at the top of the forest to give them a tactical advantage.
-------------------------------
"It appears... yeah, it looks like they are going to land at the top of the forest," Nighthawk had traced the path of the rooftop in his mind, "they want the high ground so that can't be good."

"What do you mean?" Fox asked.

"Listening to my brother tell some of his tales, I've picked up that tactical having the high ground gives you a perspective advantage so they are at least presenting themselves as hostiles."

Fox gulped. Nighthawk was right this was not good.

Swan's focus had remained fixated on the device as well, but not as much on its path. "Is it just me... or is that a flying rooftop?"

Fox nor Nighthawk had paid much attention to it before Swan pointed it out, but now that he did, they could see what he was talking about.

"It does look like a roof," Fox spoke, "on the bright side, we know the Coalition did not follow us. None of them have the ability to do that." Swan nodded in agreement.

"Even though it is not The Coalition, we could expect something equally as bad. Any ideas?"

They all looked at each other confused.
-------------------------------

[BreakABone]

And this is the story that doesn't end. It goes on and on for pages, some people started reading not knowing what they were reading until.. well you know the song.
------------
3
"Looks like they are putting out the fire," one GAMES agent stated, "they must have spotted us.

"How long did you think a flying rooftop would go unnoticed?" Jeepnut did not intend to sound mean but there was not many ways to say it.

"Sorry sir," the guard sulked back into position.

"I apologize, I did not mean to sound so hurtful."

Bond walked up beside Jeepnut, "Two questions I've been wondering."

"Go ahead."

"One, how come we aren't flying off of this roof?"

"Well that's...." Jeepnut began to answer but his attention shifted to getting the roof ready for landing.

"Okay don't worry about that question, but this one is a bit more pressing, what type of landing gear does a rooftop have?"

"Ha ha. Funny you should mention that..." Bond did not like the start of this. "I only intended for the rooftop to be a last ditch escape. A one time use device as it was so never really bothered installing landing gear..."

"You mean to...."

"If I was you," Jeepnut started the rooftop into its final descent, "I would find a comfortable place and get ready for a rocky landing."

Bond stared at his friend who now wore a child-like grin on his face. Even though Bond knew he should probably be fearing for his life right now, he enjoyed the thrill and sensation of plummeting into danger. It was one of the things he missed most about the field.

The landing was indeed bumpy as they landed amongst a grove of trees which did nothing to soften the fall. Everyone was unscratched though and as much as Bond wished he could tend to him they had to act quick. He began shouting orders at all agents.

The attack would commence in precisely 4 minutes and thirty three seconds.
-------------
Nighthawk finally broke the silence when he saw the roof crash into a small grove of trees. "We need to think of something fast!"

"We're trying, new friendo." Swan responded.

Nighthawk took in the scenario to see if there was anything his brother told him that would be useful. Aww, he saw it. "Guys over there! A small forest exit, they have to come through there it gives them the most amount of cover and they are protected," he pointed up towards a clearing, "from above. We need to set a trap over there."

Fox and Swan had no better idea so they agreed and put a plan into motion. It was risky, but risky was the best they could hope for in such short notice.

They all got into position with a plan in mind. They each secretly hoped it would work.
-----------------
Bond had instructed, like Nighthawk guessed, for his men to follow him down the narrowest path available. It offered little chance for them to be flanked or ambushed. He ordered a smaller group of men to remain here and cover them below.

Each man tested their radio before setting off for their assignment.

As Bond led his men down the path towards the waterfront, his mind went through every possible scenario from every direction. He studied roots and tree markings for any signs he may have missed.

He examined his men more carefully. Not that he did not trust them, but after the events of today some of them may be shaken. Something seemed off to Bond, one of the agents.

"Officer Green!" Bond shouted back at one of the agents. The agent paid Bond little attention.

"Officer Green, I repeat!" Again Bond shouted and again the agent did not respond.

"I am going to repeat myself one more time, Officer Green!" This time the agent looked around baffled. Had Bond been calling him this whole time?

"What are you doing down there?" The agent simply shrugged his shoulders. Bond ordered all his men to circle this weird agent now.

The agent was stunned to find himself surrounded so quickly. He panicked and began moving his hand about in a bizarre manner. All of the other agents, Bond and Jeepnut began to look around for some sign that maybe he was possessed.

But there was nothing of the sort. Then they saw it, it was not bizarre at all. It was a signal!

They all tried to react, but it was too late. Everything went dark.
-------------------

Oh, this sounds bad for Bond....