How The Star Captain Got His Groove Back: Part Two

[hominilupusinexilio]

[1
Pine Forest
Siberia]

In a straight up duel between mechs, Resnick was like a fish in water. And speaking of fish in water, he was firing a live shark from the stubby barrel mounted on his mech's left hand, downwards onto the cockpit of a squat Linebacker. He'd used his inferno missiles to corner the laser-heavy mech then jumped in to deliver the coup de grace at point blank range.

He clicked on his comm, asked the other mechwarrior if he wished to surrender as the vicious and improbable fish chewed through his cockpit glasstic with relish. He received several enthusiastic 'aff's in reply so he angled the other arm and bisected the poor creature with one of his lasers. Even so, its head continued horribly chewing and the other mechwarrior had to eject, though she survived with only minor burns. From the distance came the whine and chop of firefighting VTOLs.

[2
White Chalice hangar]

In a space cleared in the hangar, a group of Wolf warriors watch as Loremaster Daphne Vickers approaches. She has the strong jaw of the Vickers line too and a confident bearing. Resnick is wearing the Wolf ceremonial mask, not strictly a requirement for this but fitting with his instinct for dramatic presentation. He is kneeling.

"The wisdom of Kerensky has been made clear. The bloodname of Vickers is awarded to Star Captain Resnick. This decision shall bind us until we all shall fall. Seyla."

"Seyla." echo the other Wolves and he rises and removes the mask/helm, to greet those who've come to the ceremony. He's back in action.

[3: Network]

Greetings, Chalice. I have an announcement. As of today, I have won my bloodname. This ensures me a place on the Clan Council, and more importantly, guarantees the use of my genes in the Clan breeding program for the Warrior Caste. You may address me now as Resnick Vickers.

She seems to have picked up the Spheroid bent towards humility, so I think I must reveal this to you as well: Star Captain Ranna has also earned a bloodname, that of Kerensky. This is the most prestigious bloodname possible in the Clans, as it descends direct from our founder, Nikolas Kerensky himself.

[4: The Bar (does it even have a name?)]

And in celebration, there's a rip roaring good time had, with overflowing cups of dark ale, toasts, and the potential for alcohol poisoning. Resnick is seated at the center of the gathering like a king. He raises his mug in salute as he notices you.

Comments

4

[hobo_lantern]

*Herb is delivering some more mugs*

So, Star Captain Resnick. I guess now all the Clan ladies will be flocking over to you?

Re: 4

[hominilupusinexilio]

"Resnick Vickers now, Herbert Montgomery. And aff, even moreso, though I believe you are attracting some attention yourself." He says with a sly look. One of the elementals is giving him the once over.

Re: 4

[hobo_lantern]

Yes? Do you need something, sir?

*He closes to the afromentioned elemental.*

Re: 4

[hominilupusinexilio]

Warrior Darius affixes Herb with a leer.

"I have been watching you. Would you like to come back to my quarters and couple?"

Subtle, aren't they?

Re: 4

[hobo_lantern]

*stop*

You mean couple "couple" ?

[hominilupusinexilio]

"Sex. That is, if you think you can handle it." He says as if he were asking for the time, and takes a pull of his drink.

4

[gurrenbrigbonded]

Matthew is at the bar, and slides a PPC over to Resnick.

"My congratulations on your great victory." He says, with only a little bit of bitterness. "It shall be an even greater honor to fight with you and seek to surpass you...Resnick Vickers."

Re: 4

[hominilupusinexilio]

He grins the most shit eating grin and takes a pull of it. It burns but good.

"And I shall strive even harder to maintain my lead. Two bloodnames in a week, and one of them a Kerensky. Quite a lot for one vessel, quiaff?"

But that's the Chalice's stock in trade.

Re: 4

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Aff."

Matthew sips at a drink of his own, grinning a infuriating grin of his own.

"But do not grow complacent, Resnick Vickers, lest you find yourself outmatched suddenly in the field of honor...and in the field of dancing!"

[hominilupusinexilio]

Dangerous levels of smug in the atmosphere there.

"The Terrans have a custom called the Dance Battle. It is quite clanlike." Which means it's good! "I think you will find it entertaining. So you have heard Kids Munt is dead, quiaff?"

[gurrenbrigbonded]

Matthew, cheeks slightly flushed raises his glass in a toast.

"And may his rotten bones moulder! With him, let the tyranny inflicted upon the Siberian continent crumble and a better world come forth!"

[wardeninexile]

"Congratulations on your bloodname, Star Captain."

Ranna smiles with a glass in her hand. As usual, it does not appear to be alcoholic.

[hominilupusinexilio]

"Yours as well." He peers at the glass and wonders at her reasoning. Perhaps it was just to stay ready for battle at all times. Admirable, but even he had to cut loose sometimes, and he generally needed a chemical kick to do so. "Kids Munt is dead. We are finally free of the Siberian Railway."

[wardeninexile]

"One less foe to worry about. Our Touman would be able to find some relief in that."

Normally having battles would not be such a chore, but as Terra was fue of foes, one less means the beleagued Clan could use some breathing space.

[hominilupusinexilio]

"Aff. We are getting a little...overstretched. And that damned slander is not helping." He takes a pull, full of irritation. Damn the WoB, never coming out for a straight up fight.

[wardeninexile]

"We have had worse, this will pass us by more easily compared to the prior one, I think."

3

[saikyocivrobo]

[Video response. Prometheus shows a picture of a crude stick figure with a wolf head and waves his arms around.]

/sings The Rains Of Castermere

[hominilupusinexilio]

What? Is that meant to represent me?

I've actually never seen or read SoIaF

[saikyocivrobo]

[Nod. Hey look, he has a pen! Time to add a note to the drawing.]

Nice helmet.

To quote a certain someone, o ho ho.

[hominilupusinexilio]

The ceremonial mask is part of our traditions. You would do best to not mock it.

[saikyocivrobo]

[Prometheus starts writing something again, but suddenly a hand from above grabs his notebook and pulls it up! He jumps, futilely trying to reach it.]

Do not taunt the Happy Fun Clanner.

4

[emorangerpink]

I'd offer to buy you a drink, but I'm not sure what you'd do with it. Maybe I'll get you a hangover cure in the morning. It'll be more meaningful.

Congratulations, Star Captain Vickers.

[hominilupusinexilio]

"We have much else to celebrate as well. Ranna earned the Kerensky bloodname and Kids Munt is dead, and with him the Siberian Railway. So perhaps I may end up needing that." He grinned and slid a drink over to her, the strong clanner concoction known as a fusionnaire .

[emorangerpink]

[Well, she knows if she sips at it the crowd will jeer, so she takes a hearty gulp. To start with - once they're not paying attention, she can pace herself.]

Gh. And she won't be challenging you for breaking the news without her?

[hominilupusinexilio]

"I have come to learn that it is difficult to anger Ranna enough to issue a challenge. She is one who plays her cards close to her chest."

This might have been the exact opposite of the kind of message that would be good for him. He was somewhat like a dog that had learned it could tear up the couch whenever it wanted.