Chapter
18: Rauch the Magnificent The Spy
Chapter
18: Rauch the Magnificent
Chapter
19: Profile of a warrior
Chapter 18: Rauch the Magnificent
Dressed in some kind of grayish black battle armor, the creature looks like nothing the magi have ever seen. The creature takes off its helmet and you realize its has its back turned to you.
It speaks, "I can't believe it. I just started this jib and my drive kick the fiver on me. Talk about shoddy runes! When I find the guy who did this I'm gonna wrap his tail around a pip stick watch him dance with a dust bunny."
Torana turns to Magnus and says, "Well are you going to let us all in on this or are you going to keep it to yourself." Magnus pulls out his amulet and concentrates.
At the sound of Torana’s voice the creature turns around and its eyes focus on the group. Its sniffs and its whiskers twitch. Its face is covered in white fur with rings of red and black chasing themselves around the rim of his face. Judging from the face his ancestors were definitely cats. The creature takes in the group quickly staring a little longer at the hydra.
Finally it shouts, "Aw! right! Either I'm the luckiest pup in the universe or the Gamma Corp has the best techserv pack in the system! Yo enchants!" The creature leaps down and strides toward the group, "My drive runes kicked out in a major way! They can't be damaged! No one got within 10 howls of my backside. Take a look at her will ya?"
Magnus looks at the pilot and then back to the group. Torana cocks his head sideways looking at the cat-creature. He has a look on his face that says either, "This is incredibly amusing." or "I am completely insane." Vel’im has already started drawing....either the ship or the pilot one can’t tell just yet. Jadir begins moving to the ship without a moments hesitation.
Nahabedian is whispering to the old man making general gestures.
The pilots ears twitch as he says, "Oy! Are your eyes on your tail or are you one of those sound geeks? I'm much better looking than that!"
Magnus relaxes his concentration and says to Torana, "Looks like this creature wants us to help him, should we?"
The pilots jaw drops and says, "Ah! Pup! Don't be like that!" In an almost pleading tone, "I've never said anything bad about the enchants....well just the one that did my drive rune. C'mon, I know you guys live for this kind of stuff! Besides I'm fighting for you guys too. Help me out and I'll show those veepers my awesome fangs and your unrivaled runes. Man! You could be a part of history. Just get me back in tumble!"
Torana says, "He's got sharp ears", he continues sarcastically, "such a shame he can only understand you. So you can keep him busy while I talk to Nahabedian. Looks like Jadir has already gone to take a look."
Magnus looks at the pilot, looking for possible weapons, but then he realizes that anything on that armor could be a weapon and he'd never know it.
Torana talks to Nahabedian, while Jadir climbs all over the structure. Magnus turns to the pilot and asks, "Was anyone following you?"
The pilot looks relieved and says, "No shadows on my tail and once my drives started jerkin, I lit out like a candle in the wind. Besides most would have just thought I was scrap anyway."
Torana, Nahabedian and the Professor all move toward the craft. Vel'im concentrates on the pilot, now moving all around to get better angles.
Magnus introduces himself and the others who are now all examining the ship in detail, except for Vel'im.
The pilot says, "Rrrrraaaauch the ever-feared swift and deadly hunter...well that's what the legends will say anyway!"
The two move to join the others near the ship. The hydra follows moving protectively close to Magnus.
Looking at the others examining the ship he says, "Whoa! That enchant speak is awesome!" He starts playing with a knob on his armor. "I can't grab what it means no matter transer I use. It's like super-alien or something!"
Torana says, "There are symbols here and power flows through them but it is not the same energy flows we harness! Nahabedian speaks a rune and nothing happens. "No detectable magic anyway!"
All of a sudden there is a hum and the ship begins to float up a foot or two.
"Ah! right! My drive is purring!" the pilot shouts.
The craft floats for a few seconds before dropping back down. "Sad howling.....but next time."
Jadir scrambles out of the top of the sphere.
"What did you do?" Torana asks.
Jadir shrugs his shoulders. "I was wondering where they hid the runes and I touched a table and suddenly it lit up then for a moment and then everything began to move upward."
Torana speaks a rune and starts to float, but the Professor calls him back. "I'd like to go inside as well perhaps I can be some help.”
Grabbing the Professor, Torana floats up to the top of the craft where they sink down into it vanishing.
Jadir turns on the pilot and says, "Magnus get that amulet working."
Magnus calmly concentrates holding the amulet.
Jadir with an aggressive stance and a hostile no-nonsense look he says sharply, "Do you understand me?!"
"Yep! I..."
"Why are you here?!"
Taken aback he stammers, "M-m-my drive kicked a fiver!"
"How bad is the fighting?!"
"Pretty fierce but..."
"How many times were you hit?!”
"None!" as he voice rises a few octaves, "Look at the hull, not a..."
"You didn't run from battle did you?!"
"No really! I'm no whimper!", he begins to looking indignant
"How do you know what went wrong?!"
"It stopped flying and dropped!"
"How do we know you didn't deliberately try to destroy the rune?!"
"I didn't honest!"
"Do you know what one looks like?"
"Yea, basic pilot recognition, but we can't fixem!
"Show me!"
"Okay, okay enchant calm down!"
He quickly strides over to the craft and scrambles up the side of the sphere where steps had been hidden in the otherwise smooth surface. Jadir follows floating close behind.
Vel'im moves around the sphere continuing his drawing. Nahabedian says, "This shouldn't take too long." He walks away from the ship and lays down on the ground using his pack as a pillow and closes his eyes.
A short time later, Rrrrraaaauch comes back down the side hustled out of his craft by Jadir, "Magnus! Tell him not to interrupt and try and get some information out of him about his ship and people and this war and....and anything else you can think of." He looks around and says, "Vel'im take notes and don't miss a thing."
Chapter 19: Profile of a warrior
Magnus moves away from the craft, gesturing for Rauch to follow him.
The hydra follows keeping a close eye on the pilot, not quite sure as to whether or not it is lunch.
Vel'im returns to inspecting the pilot moving all around.
The pilot looks at him, and then poses heroically. "My right side is my best make sure you use that one for the history books."
Vel'im complies taking up a good position and continuing his drawing/note-taking.
Magnus looks at the craft and says, "So about how far away is the fighting occurring and how long would it take your ship to get there at full speed?"
In a deep heroic voice, he replies, "This skirmish is being fought over the Gera's valleys about a dozen clicks away. Once I am back at full throttle I can be there in half a snarl and a bit of a whimper. They will feel the impact of my return as my mighty roar will follow upon my wake leaving a path of destruction of legendary proportions."
Not quite sure what to make of the answer he tries another question, "You crashed pretty badly, I can't even tell where the front is."
In a slightly hurt tone the cat replies, "The ship can handle a little slide like that, but I think the main catch point is buried on the other side. She's kind of at an angle."
Magnus nods, "I take it that you serve the Gamma Corp?"
"Third year since my first kill.” His chest swells with pride, “They have the swiftest runners with impressive fangware" he replies while still posing.
"Are they doing well in this combat?"
"2nd best record next to the Horion King Industries."
"And you are fighting who, exactly?"
"This hunt was against the Stone hugging sloths of the Merrick plant herd. Next week will probably be against the Grey alliance. The `phants have been getting noisy lately maybe their tusks are stabbing `em."
"Boy, you guys must have to fill out killer reports for a simple repair." Rauch comments as he switches poses, "I would not be in your paws for all the nip in the system."
"How long has this fighting been going on, and the war as a whole?"
"Ah, today's fighting only been going on for the last two sols. As for the war, Ummm which one?"
Taken aback Magnus replies, "How about the one you are fighting in?"
"Oh this one.. I'm no hist-ape, probably a whip-ride.. um a year."
"What is the reason for the fighting?"
He shrugs his shoulders, "Does there every really need to be a reason to have a little fun? Defend the pride, watch out for your pups. Someone is always looking for a little tumble."
"Does this area happen to be contested by the combatants or it just happens to be nearby?"
"Nah I think we're near Rader land. They mark their territory with stone guardians. No match for my ride, but dangerous if you're padding it.
Rauch sniffs curiously and looks over at Vel'im. He walks over and looks at the parchment. "What kind of arcane data pad is that?"
Without looking up, Vel'im answers, "Pen and parchment."
The pilot stares at it for a few moments before shrugging, "Never heard of it. Looks pretty low tech. You should requisition for better supplies."
Magnus tries to redirect his attention, "Do you know anything about this land that we are on?"
"Not really I wasn't much on Raders and hey are pretty secretive anyway. Is all this necessary for the report, pup? I mean you guys should have some info on this land."
Ignoring the question he continues, "Are all the fighting ships like yours Rauch, or are there different sizes?"
"Yea, they are all whisper-class ships, but I like to take out the dampers and ROAR into battle."
"Do you hold a rank in this group that you serve?"
"Yea, First Class Pilot, Tora rank, Delta Fang Squad."
"What will happen if the 'enemy' wins?"
The pilot makes a sound much like laughter. "Yea right! Only if everyone has the same defective runes I had?" He sobers up quickly, "You don't think that's true do you?"
Magnus shrugs helplessly. "Do all those fighting on your side look like you?"
Rauch strikes a heroic pose, "They wish! There is only one whose fur is as soft as baby's down and silky as spiders web. None can match me!" He pauses for a second and asks, "Do all enchants look like you?"
Vel'im finally puts his things away and looks around, "Ummmm, where did everyone go?"
Magnus asks, "How long have you been fighting for Gamma Corp? And how many battles have you been in?"
Rauch proudly states, "I've been fighting twelve seasons, this will be my seventy-fourth sortie!"
"How long will it be before you are missed by your superiors?"
"Not till after the battle, but it doesn't matter I'll be back soon enough."
Nahabedian stands up looking at the sun. "They're almost done."
Rauch looks at the big man and says, "That quick! Wow! You enchants are primo!"
Almost before the sentence is finished the sphere rises quickly out of the ground and blasts into the wild blue.
Silence follows for a long time as everyone stares upward looking for the missing sphere.
Everyone turns to Nahabedian, who simply replies "Wait."
Suddenly the sphere appears. Just off to the groups left. It didn't fly or crash, it just appeared. Slowly it settles down to the ground. Metal legs appear from the bottom of the sphere and support it above the ground.
A few moments later a panel opens up and the magi stumble out looking haggard and worn. Jadir walks out with a good start on a beard he did not have when he went in and a huge sheaf of parchment under one arm.
Torana smiles and says, "Tell him his ship is ready."
Rauch is quivering with excitement. His whiskers are twitching rapidly. "What did he says is my ship ready? Well is it? Is it? How did he make it silent like that I didn't even hear or see it coming and suddenly it was there! How did he do that tell me. Tell me!" He twirls a dial on his armor. "I wonder why I can't understand your enchant speak?"
Magnus puts a hand up to quiet down Rauch and says, "Give me a minute I need to talk to my superior, I'll see what I can do about your questions."
Magnus walks up to Torana and whispers, "How long have you been gone, it seemed only moments but you all look haggard and Jadir has at least several days growth on his beard?"
Torana looks over at Jadir and a surprised look crosses his face as if he just noticed the growth, "Why Jadir, my boy! You should let that grow out more, you look positively dashing."
Jadir looks at the craft absently rubbing the growth, "eh?".
"Your beard my boy! I dare say the women back home will find you irresistible!"
Jadir turns to him and says, "What are you talking about?"
Torana smiles and points to his jaw.
Jadir frowns and then puts both hands on either side of his jaw, "Oh." he mumbles, "I thought it was just calluses. Feels kind of strange. Do you really think I look rather dashing?"
"Absolutely! A definite winner the women won't be able to resist!"
"Well then I suppose I should try it out!"
"I know the perfect place. The bards are good, the mead is sweet, and the ladies are a cut above the normal breed."
"Hmm...sound like a wonderful challenge. I haven't had a drink in ages!"
Vel'im pales and mutters, "Someone kill me now...please" the last comes out as high squeak.
Nahabedian joins the Professor and begin chatting excitedly about flying globes and energy matrices.
It quickly becomes apparent to Magnus that he has been forgotten so he returns to the pilot who has a hopeful expression on his face.
Magnus says, "No need to worry. They merely took your craft to be tested in a restricted Enchant area."
"And it snatched the birdie?"
Taking a guess, Magnus nods.
The pilot jumps shouting happily, alright! "Don't worry I'll do right by you guys! I'll drop so many marks they'll surrender before deep dark! You guys have just entered the legends!"
Striking a heroic pose he says in a deep dramatic voice, "After having his claws sharpened by the mighty enchants, the legendary hero Rrrrrrraaaaaaauuuuuuch the magnificent returns to battle and the enemy trembles at his approach!"
With roar he runs and bounds up to the door. With a final wave he closes the door and within a few moments the sphere is streaking back to his battle. Thunder rolling in its path kicking up dust dozens of feet below the sphere.
Torana and Jadir look after the craft. Jadir asks, "I wonder if the new rune structures we put in will work with the rest of the structure?"
Torana shrugs, “Maybe, I wonder how long before he finds out about the modifications we made?"
Jadir shrugs and turns to Vel'im, "If you ever create rune structures that incredibly lazy and sloppy I'll make sure you never touch another rune again! Those old runes were sloppy junk! No wonder they fell apart."
The Professor interjects and says, "That is why we drill into our students that control is the key. This is a perfect example of what happens when you don't practice control! control! control!"
Vel'im makes the mistake of asking, "What did you guys do in there?"
Thus begins a three-way lecture with Jadir lecturing about something, then Torana taking up the slack and the Professor going after. Then it begins again with Jadir and makes its way around and around for quite some time.
After the lecture is finally over, the only thing Vel'im and Magnus have learned is that they didn't like the runes that ran nearly every function in the ship. So they set up some kind of time-acceleration field inside the craft and proceeded to replace every single rune with their own standard runes.
There was also an argument about using the orc method of control points, which was eventually used for the drive rune. Apparently the craft had some way of drawing upon the energy of the rune and using it many times.
Nahabedian clears his throat and says, "Do you think it wise to do those modifications? After all look at the strange effect this dimension has on our magic. It has more than doubled the pow..."
He is cut off as the sky in the direction Rauch took blossoms with light several times in a few seconds. Sometime later the sound of very distant thunder is heard...just barely.
Jadir says, "Looks like the twin plasma balls rune worked fine after all."
Torana nods.
Nahabedian sighs and mutters, "Too late." Much louder he says, "Can we hurry along and get out of here before we meet anyone else from this world that is not so friendly."
"You're a bit late for that intruder!!"
Everyone turns and sees a stone face rise out of the ground. The face is attached to a stone body that rises up to 10 ft. We couldn't do anything with the hunter here, but now that he is gone! It's time to destroy the intruders!!"
A dozen other stone men appear arrayed in a triangle shape behind him.
Nahabedian says, "We are not you're enemies! We are merely..."
"You are not Radianvelamichovus Dermoula! Therefore you must die!!!!"
Nahabedian sighs, "And we have to go in that direction before we can return back."
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