Darwin's Soldiers: Disruptive Selection

[Serris]

"Spc. Crota, you can sit in the car," Neville said.

"Yay!" Spc. Crota said.

Dr. Zanasiu rolled his eyes. "Man, Spc. Crota acts like a kid sometimes," he said.

"Erm, you do realize that compared to almost all of us he is a kid?" Neville said.

"What?"

"He's 19."

The group made their way to the hotel.

Zachary and Neville unlocked their vehicles.

Spc. Crota and Cobalt Leader climbed into the back seat of Neville's car

"We'll meet you at the arena in a little bit. Aisha's got to register before it closes," Neville said, as he closed the car door.  

He then drove out of the parking lot.

[Nick22]

aisha held on to Nevilles shotgun from the back seat " when does the registration close?' she asked Neville "It will take me a fw minutes to sign up, I think.."

[Serris]

"It closes at 6:30 PM," Neville replied. He drove slowly on the rain slicked roads.

The roads had a fair number of drivers. Their headlights were easily visible even in the driving rain.

"Is this competition outside or inside?" Spc. Crota asked. He coiled up on the back seat next to Aisha.

"Outside for the practical shooting and escort parts. Inside specially designed buildings for the searching and clearing missions," he said.

Spc. Crota groaned. He then turned to Aisha. "Well, I wish you all the best of luck," he said. His tail rattled excitedly in anticipation of the competition.

-------------------------

Zachary and Dr. Zanasiu tossed their new clothes into the back as Dr. Bailey, Alfred, the two Cobalt Soldiers, PFC Reynolds, Hans and Werner climbed into the back. Zachary took the driver's seat and Dr. Zanasiu took the passenger seat.

Zachary started the vehicle. "Guys, we'll need to stop for fuel," he said. He waited for everyone else to board.

"You know," Dr. Zanasiu said, "I'm surprised that Spc. Crota is only 19."

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

Shelton walked over to the cashier to pay for the drinks.

The cashier wrinkled her nose at the five dollar bill. "The total is $7.50," she sniffed.

"Yeah, well, I don't have that much." Shelton kept his voice low. "Did you see the two dozen people who were crowded around my table? All the stuff they ordered? Yeah, they all came in here because of me, so couple that with your insanely overpriced menu, and give me a break."

The cashier thought. "I'll have to ask the manager," she said.

"Great, let me know what he says," Shelton walked out of the coffee shop.

Shelton noticed that most of the group had left without him. He turned to Jayden. "Could I get a ride from you?" he asked.

[MrDrake]

"Sure thing" Jayden told Shelton as he waited for him to get into the car before driving off off with Kiara, Aimee, Shakila and Shelton, once he had gotten in, heading for where the competition was to be held.

Shakila looked to Aimee as she spoke "You seem a bit preoccupied with something"

"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing much, just recalling some memories is all" Aimee replied back.

"Oh? Anything you wish to share? Or are they more private?"

Aimee shook her head some "Nah, they're not really private, just about Hailey is all, and how much of a friend she was"

Shakila gave off a small laugh "I take it she was a blast to be around?"

"I guess you could say that, granted, the way she acted around those she liked was a bit strange, yet, that's what was fun about her as well, would always ask me on advice on like, a girl she would meet, or a guy you know" Aimee answered back.

"Yeah, I can just imagine" Shakila replied with another small laugh.

(OOC: Yeah, I had posted at the same time as you had LB&T, so if you want, you could just make your next post work into this one, cause Shelton can catch a ride with Jayden for sure, did what I could to edit mine a bit to allow him to do so )

[Serris]

Neville's car was the first to arrive at Czerka Tactical Arena. The shooting range was nondescript. Just a parking lot packed with cars, a sign that advertised "Home of the 2010 Forest Cup Schutzhund Competition!" and a an enormous building reminiscent of an airplane hangar in the front.

"This is it?" Cobalt Leader said.

"Yep. Searching and building clearing are inside that hangar. The escort and practical shooting tests are in the range out back," Neville said.

"Will anyone be cheering us on?" Spc. Crota asked.

Spc. Crota really does act like a kid sometimes. Neville thought.

"No. For safety reasons spectators are not allowed anywhere near the competitors. So all action that our friends will be seeing will be through special wide angle cameras carried by drones or mounted inside the 'clearing and searching' buildings," Neville replied.

"I understand," Spc. Crota said with a sigh.

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

(OOC: It worked as it was, all you did was assume Shelton got into the car, which I was just going to have him do anyway. You can have them driving in that post )

[MrDrake]

(OOC: Ah, sweet as, I'll just do that then   )

Soon enough, Jayden had arrived at the arena as well as he looked to the others in his car "This is it by the looks of things" he looked to Kiara next "If you're going to be part of this competition thing, then you best go sign up now"

Kiara snorted a little bit "Yes, I know, just don't do anything stupid while I'm gone" she told him as she got out and walked over to where the regestration office was.

"So, what is the plan?" Shakila asked "I mean, since Aimee and I aren't going to be part of the competition, do you have any idea on where we should go for the time being?" she asked Shelton in particular.

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

"Hmm, well, you could always just put on a uniform and pretend to work backstage," thought Shelton. "Nobody ever knows anyone else when it comes to one-time events like these, and you might find something interesting, or at the very least get to watch the competition. I could swipe some uniforms for you two while I'm getting mine and bring them out here."

[Serris]

Neville, Spc. Crota and Cobalt Leader entered the building with their weapons. The building was filled with people: spectators, competitors and staff. Several spectators were already at the viewing booths at the top, which were protected by heavy bulletproof glass. Enormous television screens dangled from the ceiling so the spectators could watch. The concrete floors were a bit wet but they were clean. Food vendors would be seen hawking their wares in the viewing booths.

A tired looking Wolverine sat at a booth that bore a sign that said "registration".

"Wow," Spc. Crota said.

"Come on, let's register," Neville said, getting in line to register. Spc. Crota and Cobalt Leader got in line behind him.

[MrDrake]

"Yeah, that sounds like an idea of some sort" Shakila told Shelton as she looked to Aimee who gave a nod back as well "Alright, then it's sorted, we work backstage with whatever it is that needs doing.....uh, what do we actually do backstage anyway?"

Jayden looked at the three of them, but mainly to Shelton "Don't worry about me, I'm not after going backstage myself, I'll stay elsewhere, like in the crowds somewhere"

***

Kiara approached the line and stood behind Neville and the others, glancing at the lot of them, but yet, said nothing for the time being.

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

"I'll see what uniforms I can get, and let you know," said Shelton, as he stepped out of the car. "Be back relatively soon."

He walked into the building via the back entrance. After listening in on some conversations, he picked out the voice he had conversed with on the phone.

"Ah, Mr. Oscar," the rabbit shook his hand. He was wearing a nametag that said 'Paul.' "Right this way, please."

He was led to a room where some other men were sitting round a table. They were presumably the other field supervisors. The lead man looked up as he sat down.

"This is the late addition," Paul told the man.

The man nodded. "Great. Sit down, and now that you're all here we can begin the briefing."

[MrDrake]

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the arena stood a woman, she would look familiar to most, except for her hair, it was a dark brown colour.  She was watching all who had shown up, watching carefully to see if she would spot anyone familiar within the crowds as she turned to the three who were with her, three of the four members of Terror Squad....Rhino was not there as he was in the parking lot "Fan out and keep watch, but don't kill anyone, I already have a plan for these contestants....at least one of them anyway"

The woman in question was none other than Trinity, however, she contending under another assumed name, but what that name was would be revealed soon enough.

The three that were with her each gave a nod as they walked off in different directions, Marcus heading out back in order to grab a uniform for himself.  Icarus in turn, looked around for a way to get into a higher position while Hailey just moved throughout the crowds silently, moving as to not give herself away as of yet.

Rhino stood in the carpark, silent as usual as he watched various cars pull into the parking lot, moving around Rhino as they could tell he was not going to move for anyone but himself at the moment.

[Serris]

Neville was next to speak to the clerk, a middle aged Human with olive skin and black hair who wore a black t-shirt.

"Name and ID," the clerk said.

"Neville Ivers," Neville replied, sliding over his driver's license.

The clerk looked over at the check list. "Very well, Mr. Ivers. Please proceed to the staging area in the middle," he said dryly.

Neville headed over to the staging area, which was in the middle of the stage. Competitors of all species were milling about and chatting.

He sat down at one of the benches and rested his feet on the rifle case.

[MrDrake]

Trinity had already signed up a while ago as she walked onto the stage and stood there, looking around at what conestants were around, her eyes resting upon Neville, smirking slightly to herself, yet, she just kept quiet, not bothering to mingle with anyone herself.

***

Meanwhile, as Aimee watched everyone, she saw her within the crowds "Hailey?" she asked herself before shaking her head some, looking to Shakila "I'll...be back" she told her and took off into the crowds in order to catch up with Hailey.

"Uh..." Shakila begun, only to have Aimee run off before she could say a word to her.

***

Within the crowds, Hailey walked through them before emerging into an open area as Aimee came out of the crowds "Hailey!"

That's when she froze up some upon hearing Aimee's voice, having not expected it, quickly turning around to face her, a gun aimed at her as well, however, Hailey wasn't even wanting to pull the trigger "No, you, you can't be alive! You're suppose to be dead! She said so!"

Aimee stood back some, keeping an eye on the gun that was aimed at her as she spoke up to Hailey "What...are you talking about?"

Hailey was already in tears by that point "She told me that you were dead! That I shouldn't have to worry about you!" she spoke up "Trinity said so...."

"Trinity? Wait, you're working for Trinity?" Aimee asked back.

"Yes....I mean no...I mean...." Hailey paused for a moment as she looked at Aimee "It was only cause she said I can have revenge on who had killed you...."

"She lied to you" Aimee told Hailey back, taking a few steps forward.

Hailey lowered her gun some, tears still in her eyes as she was just looking at Aimee before her gun went down to her side completely, she just could not work up the courage to shoot Aimee, something she could never do as she looked to her friend.

"What happened to you Hailey?" Aimee then decided to ask her.

"After you dissapeared from the army, I wanted to try and find you again....and I found Trinity in the process and she told me what I thought was the truth, that you had been killed, but she had promissed me that she would help me find the one that had killed you...." Hailey replied back, sniffling some as well.

"She's been using all this time" Aimee answered, now standing right in front of Hailey.

Hailey was just standing there, looking to Aimee still "I....I just....I mean, cause I see you again, here, in front of me, I don't want to have to do anything else....I will regret doing....please forgive me...."

Aimee looked at Hailey for a moment beore motioning for her to give her a hug, to which Hailey did so, giving Aimee a hug back "Again, I'm sorry Aimee...."

"Don't be, we all make mistakes" Aimee told her back, still giving her a hug.

[Mirumoto_Kenjiro]

Deathwind's wings hummed as he let loose a sonic charge of energy at Snow, but she ducked to the side as the section of the deck where she once stood shredded & peeled away like a grape.  Vic pulled Ice back from the area too, but both then got themselves ready to fight the superweapon.  Ice lets off an icy howl that caused the sea mist around the Dragonstorm experiment to solidify to ice, slowing down the attack.  Angered by the interference, the monster let himself fall and used his wings to guide him towards the Wolf, only to find Vic appear from behind with Erin's anti-tank rifle and fire at almost point-blank.  Deathwind staggered back, the rifle's API had easily penetrated his exoskeleton weakened by the experiments' earlier attacks on him when he felt a rise in temperature behind him.  Snow's fiery powers have doubled in strength and she aimed straight at him.  Vic & Ice, knowing that they are in the path, leaped from the ship into the water as she let loose a blast of fire nearly as bright as the sun...

----------

The tanker's missile began to fall & guide itself at the corvette, when the frigate's countermeasures missile intercepted it, leaving a bright ball of fire in the sky.  Once again safe, the corvette picks up Erin & Aiko and waits for the others...

----------

The tugboat still not slowing down, the frigate launches a missile into the sky to finish it off...

----------

Back at Crimson Base in Utah, Dr Joe arrived just in time as news poured in that the tanker laboratory had exploded and started to sink...

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

"Your responsibilities include circling the perimeter of whatever contests are in session, and overseeing the workers that clean up the area for the next group," the lead continued, flipping to the next paper. "A checklist detailing the necessary fixes before a new session can begin will be provided for every location. The expected recovery time is under five minutes, the length of mid-contest commercials."

Shelton was half asleep. He forced himself to keep his eyes open, head lolling to one side.

"And, of course, during the 'Protection' tests, you will be assigned as the VIPs for the contestants to protect," the man added.

Shelton sat up suddenly and paid close attention.

The man continued. "You will be unarmed, and wearing faux-business suits with 'veins' of red paint woven into them. If the suit is shot, the veins will be broken and the paint will show, and your protector fails. This means of course that the opponents are motivated to aim for the suits, but we do not guarantee that you will not get hit in a sensitive area such as the hand or head."

Shelton wondered if there was still time to back out.

"Obviously you should exercise basic evasive tactics, such as ducking and taking cover, to minimize injuries." The man finished. He looked up. "Are there any questions?

No one had any. Slowly, the men filed out of the room. Paul the rabbit was waiting for them. "Ah, hello gents." He waved them over. "Follow me, and I'll take you to pick up your uniforms and gear."

Shelton contacted Shakila. <Getting the uniforms now. I should be back soon.>

[MrDrake]

<Alrighty, um, Aimee kinda ditched me, I think she saw something in the crowds and took off into the crowds, leaving me all alone> Shakila replied back to Shelton.

***

Hailey was still hugging Aimee, not wanting to let go of her at the moment "I....want to....I mean, I don't want to do anymore of this....."

Aimee looked at Hailey, deciding to give her headfur a little stroke as well "I can understand how you're feeling, if you want, you could come with me and the ones who I'm with at the moment"

"You mean, I can....go with you?" Hailey asked, although, she was feeling a little reluctant as well "But Trinity....if I do this....she'll kill me for it...."

Aimee scoffed some "Oh, don't you worry about that, I already hate her enough as it is, she can kill you over my dead body"

[aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato)]

<Hmm. I'll bring her a uniform anyway, better safe than sorry.> Shelton followed the group into a locker room.

Paul pointed out the generic worker uniforms, tan unisuits with a lot of pockets. "These are the basic uniforms for most positions, like guards, workers, or superivsors. You guys also get orange hats and vests, in the cubbies behind you. Your nametags can be picked up at the front desk, except for you, Mr. Oscar; I'm sorry, but you'll have to make do with this," Paul handed him a blue-and-white sticker reading Hello, My Name Is Oscur Oscar. "Sorry about the misspelling."

Shelton took it and put it on. "What would the technicians wear?" he asked. "Or the janitors?"

"Technicians get short-sleeved shirts and pants, the same khaki color as the normal ones. Janitors  get the basic uniform, and just put on a blue hat," Paul cocked his head to one side. "Why?"

"No reason. Saw a guy wearing a blue hat outside, and wondered what he was. Thank you."

Once Paul had left, Shelton changed slowly until all the other men had left to get nametags. Then, he put a blue hat on and walked into the women's changing room.

There were a few women in there, and one screeched as he walked in. "What are you doing? Get out!" she shrieked loudly, covering up her fully clothed body.

"Sorry, mam, just have to clean the mirrors." Shelton walked past them, looking at the different sizes of uniforms. <Shakila, what size are you and Aimee?>

[MrDrake]

<You're asking me about my size?> Shakila joked before answering Shelton's question <Eh, not that big, like medium if that's what you're going after, well, smallish medium, as for Aimee, not a clue really, but I'll go out on a limb and say that she's probabally a little bit bigger than what I am>

***

Hailey smilled contently to herself as she looked at Aimee, taking a deep breath before finally letting go of her, blushing a little bit as well "So, um, where are your other friends? But then again, I have to ask.....they'll hate me wont me? For what I've done right?"

Aimee wasn't sure on what to say back about that but yet, said something anyway "Well, if that is the case, I'll convince them that you've chaged, cause it does look like you have....you remind me of what we were like back in the army, well, almost anyway, I guess time with....her....has had some sort of effect on you"

Hailey nodded back slowly "Yeah, and I'm sorry...."

"Again Hailey, don't be" Aimee smiled to her before motioning for her to follow her back to where Shakila was.

Hailey did so, following Aimee through the crowds as they slowly made their way back to where Shakila was left last.

***

Out back, not far from where Shelton was, stood Marcus, he had managed to grab himself a uniform of his own, a technician's uniform in particular with a name tag on that read "Logan"

The large Arican-American male walked down one of the hallways, glancing at who was working, yet, kept to himself for the time being.