"Now, Winterheart," Maesanai cautioned light-heartedly. "Nothing is ever so easy, so simple. To lead your life otherwise is an exercise in futility. On Saim-Hann, it is common to share banter with brothers- and sisters-in-arms," she said. "I did not mean to cause true offense." Giving the elder Dire Avenger a lingering look, she dashed ahead to join Faenkon and Onvar at the fore of the group, coming up by the younger of the two and flashing him a smile. "Let's be off, Onvar!" she said, making to move ahead at the front of the group!
The wall beside Onvar held little at first of interest, but upon closer inspection it carried traces of old runes. It was no longer possible to decipher the whole inscription, but he could see references to the sea and water. Not something in much supply hereabouts. The well was similarly dry, and yielded nothing except sand, but the small saurid hopped in and started to dig. Rapidly, it dug down to water, brownish and sandy at first, but soon it was lapping up its fill before it climbed nimbly out and back close to Talis. Onvar looked ahead to the ruins. Perhaps more could be found there. Cautiously, he checked that the gate was still working before they moved away. It was functional, and the soft glow of its portal caught the light of nascent waystones forming around its edge. The gate must be old indeed; such gems formed where real and warp space met. The energies around a webway gate were as nothing compared to the hellscape that was the Eye of Terror, but still, slowly, the soul-gems formed like dew on a leaf. Faenkon watched as always, looking around through the scope of his rifle as some of the others gently bickered. He was used to many group dynamics. The surroundings were quiet, save for the circling creatures above. A closer inspection through the scope and he determined that they were probably scavengers, not watching a kill but idling in a warm air current. How peaceful that would be! Acting as rearguard, Vella kept up a similar watch, the hand of the Reaper upon her as she scanned and practiced finding targets. As Alo listened to the banter begrudgingly, and tried to block out the chatter, his cloak swirled around him in a hot breeze. The temperature away from the shade of the gate was higher, and the little saurid seemed to be enjoying it, but that wasn't what had caught his eye. He glanced down to see a new pattern on the fabric: waves, in gentle shades of blue, washing towards an unseen shore. Amid the waves, as at a great distance, was a small ship. Lysandriax shrugged and set out at a good pace. Faenkon's drone relayed information from its periodic sweeps, and travel across the hot sand was relatively swift. There were long stretches without shade, but making the most of the shelter available for rest stops the group reached the ruins not long before the sun passed its zenith. They looked like the remains of a large village, or a small town. Vella was the first to notice it - a slight feeling underfoot as if the ground were responding to a faraway drum. It grew more insistent, like a regular beat, as if a vehicle was approaching, but none could be seen. The little saurid scooted up onto one of the walls and made for the highest ground it could. Avrielle, startled, tried to follow it to rescue it but it eluded her. Faenkon could see disturbances in the ground - four larger patches of sand, shifting as if there was a localised earthquake, and one smaller patch. The closest was about quarter of a mile from the ruins, the others not far behind. Each large patch was the size of a jetbike. Lysandriax looked to Maesanai and Vella, drawing her sidearm and standing braced for combat. "Fancy getting us an aerial perspective?" she asked Iktomi, referring to his Corsair jump pack. @kanila @DaKaptin @Wata @Colapse @Kalle @BlackNecron @BadDo9
Maesanai twirled her power spear, the charge crackling over the blade with an agitation that was reflected in her sky blue eyes whenever it spun past her face. The exercise served a two-fold purpose, warming up her limbs and preparing her for an engagement, and serving as an off-putting display for whomever or whatever was approaching; this Corsair was armed with a weapon she was capable of wielding with great skill. She moved forwards, fleet-footed steps bringing her up to the edge of the ruins they were presently inspecting and gaze brought forwards to watch the emerging... whatever it was. "If you would, Felarch!" she added to Lysandriax' suggestion.
"Possible enemies incoming," Vella said to the rest of the group and tried to reach the cover, keeping herself behind one of the walls, close to the rest of the team. "Somebody must've noticed the gate opening and is coming to investigate. And if what those Exodites in the village said, then we should be prepared for combat." "Orders, Felarch?" even though she would order fire immediately upon the identification of the incoming flyers, the Dark Reaper was no mindless killer and she would hold back, her discipline preventing her from acting on her own. While readying her launcher, Vella waited for the leader's input on how to proceed next, although in case he says nothing and they get under fire, she was prepared to retaliate and bring death to whoever thought them to be easy prey.
Getting himself a better vantage point, atleast better than what he had Faenkon used his rifle to try to get eyes on the approaching force. It would seem this pleasure stroll could end up violent. Whatever happens Faenkon stood ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
Talis looked back at Avrielle and the little Saurid as the small lizard made it's way up to higher ground. He looked between it and the others, as well as the distance, before backing up a little towards the radiotech. "Something I've found is that quite often, an animal's instinct is very right. Whatever we do, we should decide soon.. but I would think perhaps we head for higher ground." the young Exodite said, hand on his sword's hilt as he stayed near Avrielle the most.
Alo kept himself silent, focusing on the possible threat instead of arguing with pirates. At least this kept his mind busy for the moment. Making quick checks to his weaponry and readying himself to act, Alo raised his rifle up to his shoulder ready to fire if need be.
The group did not have to wait long for the closing creatures to show themselves. Obligingly, Iktomi took a running leap up onto one of the nearby walls and soared into the air. From his aerial vantage point, the Felarch reported: "I see four main masses, and the disturbance around them is like a many-armed star. The smaller one - oh, there we are." Soaring as if lazily on the wind, the Corsair was anything but. He alighted next to Avrielle and Talis (and the saurid) just as multiple, serrated-edged arms emerged from the sand. Each mass was now scuttling forward, arms looping and thrashing as if the desert were an ocean and great octopi threatened the Eldar. The dun colouration made them hard to see at a distance, but they were close enough now to be seen and aimed for. But their speed was such that only one volley of shots could be fired before they were at the ruins. "They have a central point - likely that holds whatever passes for a brain in such creatures," the Corsair added, and the intelligence from Faenkon's drone agreed. "Good hunting, kinsmen!" Iktomi didn't sound too distraught at the prospect of combat. Indeed, as he stood skylined on a broken archway in a heroic pose, he seemed a little more of his old self even if for but a moment. Everyone may move if they wish (speed of the Eldar); everyone can take also one shot; you can instead choose to make two (slightly less accurate) shots and stand your ground. Those on high ground will be at an advantage when the sand-claws reach melee. If you want to do something else, feel free! Those are the combat guidelines. I am afraid the beasts are not friendly. Special skills of relevance: Faenkon - Sniping, Keen Observation - Faenkon does not have any penalties for taking 2 shots if he chooses. Iktomi - Quick Draw - Iktomi may take an extra shot if he wishes (this could mean up to 3 shots but at no greater accuracy). Talis - Climbing - Talis can aid anyone in getting up onto the high ground if he wishes. (No effect on combat this time.) Vella - Death Incarnate, Ranged warrior - Vella may make two shots at no penalty to accuracy. If you do not have a skill listed here, it may be that you will have something useful next time, or possibly that your skills lie in other areas I usually apply what people know behind the scenes in non-combat situations. Please ask if you have any questions! @kanila @DaKaptin @Wata @Colapse @Kalle @BlackNecron @BadDo9
Seeing as the threat would be on them in mere moments Faenkon fired two shots on the creatures. If he could eliminate even a few before they reached them it would make the fighting that much easier. "Time to take care of these creatures."
