Saving a town can go both ways (OPEN)

The air was cold as the day had a cold front blowing in; the towns people were having a nice little festival going on as people were dancing to bring some cheer back to the town. Put smiling faces back on the children as the entertainment and games were fun to them. The towns people looked like they were having so much fun, but then former soldiers that gone rogue attacked the town looking for its resources. People scattered as the small army came in taking over the town to make it their own just like the previous ones that had been sent away. There was a fight to try and take it back, but the ones that fought were all captured, and held hostage as to gather information or have fun torturing.


People outside of the town got wind, and so did Selene. She had been in the area on her way to dance in the next festival for some cash, but when she haerd about it. She had no choice but to come. To come with her gun and sword, since it was a full moon she knew her other side would be no help and that she is thankful to say the least. Moving along through the trees, the dead trees that lead to the small old backward town. Her boots silently moving along the ground as her red eyes looked at the road feeling that she is being watched. Wearing blue jean shorts and a blank tank top that hid under her black cloak. Golden claw arm glove covering her right arm as she held her katana in it while her shot gun was in the other. The hood covering her head to keep out the sunlight that was high in the sky. Hearing something, she turned her attention to a small cat that came along her path. Her gun aimed at it, she let out a sigh feeling that she is too jumpy. ”damn I was stupid to do this shit alone.” Selene sighed as she knew the town was only a day or two away by walking, she started to wish that she had a mount. Looking through her rainbow crystal, she kept seeing something that wasn’t right. She kept seeing darkness and guns. As though her father was a soldier or a bandit now. Looking around she got the feeling that she wasn’t alone.

Balendin slept peacefully high above the ground. He sat on a branch in a large, tall oak tree with his back resting against the trunk. He was having a pleasant dream for once. In his dream it was raining. For most people that would be an ominous sign, but for someone who had lived most of his life in a place where it literally rained all the time, it was just another day. He was a kid again playing some sort of game with his adopted brothers and sisters. They ran about chasing each other and laughing. It was a pleasant dream indeed.

Suddenly Balendin awoke. He was not sure what had awakened him. He looked down towards the forest floor to see a black cloaked figure. The figure was armed both with a blade and one of those strange projectile weapons that were apparently common on this word. She was aiming the barrel of her weapon at something. It appeared to be a small cat. Balendin was not sure what crime this cat had committed to warrant a death. Without really thinkin,g he jumped down from his branch thirty feet in the air and landed next to the cat. He immediately grabbed it and launched off the ground. He then ascended back into the forest canopy and landed on a sturdy looking branch some twenty feet in the air.

John had been riding his Mount toward a town he had heard was now overrun by soldiers, taken over by rogues. He wasn't sure what he could do for the people of the town but he did know a few people there who he had wished to check on. The deep throaty sound of the cycle wasn't real, but it was close enough to scare a few animals here and there. As he neared the forest though he decided to take it easy on the natural inhabitants of the Trees and shut off Cetan Nigan coasting to a stop just at the beginning line of forestation.

He gave the command word to his Mount to shrink and a second later the cycle was small enough to fit into its pouch and then it was in his cargo pants pocket, safe and sound. The Shaman smiled feeling a nice walk would do him good. After a short while of walking and making his own way free of a trail the magic of his black hat told him he wasn't alone, and it was not the deer or birds of the woods he had to worry about. He kept moving slowly letting his ears pick up all the details of the things around him, the enchantment in his hat making it almost to easy to distinguish between what was what.

Then he stopped short of a trail that ran through the woods and found a pair of travelers walking it...sort of. The small path wasn't much to call a trail, but the cloaked figure seemed to call it home, so much so it had pulled a shotgun out and pointed it at a cat. The other one, who displayed a nice acrobatic touch in jumping down to grab the cat and then a leap back up to safety, was an opposite of the first John deduced. Both may have been fighters but they were not the same kind of warrior.

One or both may be traveling to the town the Shaman thought, maybe it was time to find out. He decided to step out and when John did the hooded figure pointed the barrel of its shot gun in his direction. The Shaman held up one hand and nodded trying to ensure the cloaked one he was safe.

"Good day, I mean no harm. I was just wondering, are you traveling to the town that has been overrun with rogues?"

Selene blinked as a man swooped down and took the cat, she fired her gun automatically at the man that came out of no where. Her eyes watching the man as she had missed by a few shots. She wasn’t keen on people watching her and then running. But then again she wondered if he was just a cat lover. Her white hair flowing out, the sun burned the skin of her arm that held the gun. Red eyes looking at the tree where the man had landed she was tempted to fire again. ”Dumbass. Are you stupid or something? Trying to get your ass killed?” She said still aiming her barrel at where she saw the man jump up to. Her skin was turning a pink color where the run was touching. The sun’s rays were always stronger at times in certain worlds or at certain points in the sky.

Hearing a sound, her attention got caught by a shaman, lifting her arm that held her sword she aimed it at the man that came forth. Worried that it might be two teaming up on her, she had already missed two shots. Her red eyes looking at the man as he spoke, asking if she was on her way to help the town that had been over runned. She blinked with a emotionless look on her face as she lowered her weapons. ”What is it with people wanting to die today?” Selene shook her head at the stupidity of people walking out unannounced. ”Yeah I’m on my way to help the town. I think my father was there for the festivities. Hear that some soldier named Genot went awol and a bit crazy. Sad enough to say its true. So I’m gonna blow some heads off.” Selene told him. She wondered if he was asking to join her, she kept her gun and sword down. Putting her sword back in its sheath with one hand she held out her hand to the shaman. ”Gladly accept the help if you join me? Can’t have the children suffer.” she told him. ”Name is Selene.” She kept her ears open for the person that had just taken the cat.

Balendin heard the blast of the barrel weapon and felt something fly past his head. Either his sudden appearance had startled the figure into activating her projectile weapon or he had just narrowly saved the cat from certain doom. As soon as his feet touched the target branch, he pushed off moving onward to another branch then jumped down to the ground. Unless the cloaked female had moved, he was roughly thirty feet left of her hidden behind some thick vegetation.

The small cat struggled against him clawing and biting at his arm. Fortunately it failed to penetrate the sleeves of the leather shirt he was wearing. He dropped the cat and it landed on it's feet. It hissed at him and ran off into the brush.

Balendin shook moved slowly back towards the direction of the female to find that there was now two people in the area. He stepped out into the open holding out his hands briefly to show that they held no weapon.

"I apologize if I startled you. Allow me to aid you in your endeavor to free this town to show my sincerity."

Raven had heard that the small town of Nibelheim had become under attack by a rouge military force. The force didn't seem to have been a part of the Shinra Corporation, but instead, had been a collection of mercenaries and bandits who had been banded together by a common goal, survive. So Raven had gotten into the Kestrel and had Cowboy and Dizzy fly him and Dusty to The Planet and get them as close as they could to the town without spooking the terrorists. They landed ten miles outside of town and had slowly been working their way there by foot. Raven had chosen for it to be just Dusty and he so that they would leave a smaller footprint when moving through the town. In a situation like this, one alarm could lead to the deaths of dozens of hostages.

They had been moving out under the over casting clouds for several hours. They had been trying to move as fast as they could while still keeping quiet and stealthy. They were about three miles out of town when Raven gave Dusty the sign to drop to the ground. He had seen movement up ahead. Raven brought the scope of the Grievance up to meet his eye as he scanned for more movement. He saw Selene there aiming her gun at a cat. He gave a slight chuckle at that sight. But as he did so, a man dropped right in front of her, grasping the cat and disappearing into the canopy again. Selene knee-jerk reaction was to shoot at the movement, but the shot went low. She aimed at where she thought he was as another made himself shown. John Greywolf. The shaman had assisted him before as well had been one of the very few to ever actually see Raven in a calm state. Finally, the other man, the one who had grabbed the cat, emerged from the brush and approached her.

Raven looked to Dusty. The two had a silent conversation in the time it took a person to pour a glass of water. Dusty didn't like the idea of dealing with ameteurs but Raven could vouch for atleast John's ability in a fight. But as usual, Dusty ceded his argument. While he thought Raven could be an arrogant hard ass at times, he did know that he knew what he was doing when setting up and running operations.

Raven and Dusty both stood up from their hiding spot and slowly approached the group, scanning the area all around them. Raven gave a hard, high-pitched whistle to allow the others time to look and see them approaching. As they reached the group Raven asked, "I take it you all are going to Nibelhiem? Well if that's the case, we should take a moment to consolidate and get organized."

"No, we can't have the children suffer Selene."John responded when his ears picked up the sound of the one with the cat.

The small traill had suddenly become crowded, as he dropped form the trees holding the cat in one arm and offering his services with the other. The Shaman smiled as he figured the more warriors coming along the better. "I have no problem with you joining us, if Selene doesn't mind. What may we call you?"

Another sound hit John's ears and he was a little familiar with the sound. When Raven popped up the Shaman felt some relief. He knew Raven was an experienced fighter with more than a few skirmishes under his belt. John wasn't sure of Selene, she looked more than capable of handling anything coming her way but he had never seen her in a fire fight like he had seen Raven. And the new fella, he was a complete mystery.

"Since we're all heading in the same direction maybe having a plan wouldn't hurt. Why do you think Selene?"

The man that came out of the shadows of her sight, she looked at him as he was the one that saved the cat. She shrugged and stared at him for a moment as he asked to join them. Selene thought about it and nodded her head. after all he could have been trying to save the cat thinking that she would shoot it. "all is good to me. the more the marrier. don't know how many more will be added once we get there." Selene went to start walking, but stopped turning to the man that had saved the cat. "Nice to meet you by the way. Sorry for shooting." Selene told him, but hearing a whistles.

Selene's attention got caught once more as she saw Raven and a man that she had never seen before. But seeing raven there a smile sat on her face. But it was hidden by the hood of her cloak to keep the sun from burning her pale flesh. Hearing the town name, she lifted her ears. Her fingers touching her crystal under her cloak while still holding her gun in her other hand. "Good to see you Handsome. Been a bit since I last saw you. Problem is with strategy tonight is that there is a full moon meaning the area of town will be bright." selene explained stepping towards them once more. seeing that a plan would be good. She kept calm though, holding out her gloved hand patting Raven on the arm before stepping aside. "I suggest a silent beginning and try for keeping it silent till we get hostages free to say the least. Though what would you suggest? a sort of trap for them?" Her red eyes looking at everyone while her white hair flowed out of her hood. Her skin kept hidden under the cloak. she had another reason for going there, she could see that it wasn't her father holding the crystal that was partnered with the one she has. but it is a soldier since her father was in the town for the festival.

Balendin leaned against a nearby tree as more people began to show up. It seemed this lady did not want for allies. The group began to plan for their encounter. Balendin would have joined them, but unfortunately he had little to say that could be useful. He had absolutely no clue as to what this Nibelhiem was like and had little experience fighting people who used these weapons that seemed like miniature cannons. If only he had been fortunate enough to stumble upon a world were enemies met you on the field of battle with sword or spear. There was something to be said about engaging your enemy in melee relying on skill and luck to see you through. Where was the honor or satisfaction in defeating your enemies by standing at a distance and simply flicking your finger? This was a different culture and he knew he should not judge by the standards of his own, but he could not help but think deep down that these were craven's weapons.

Raven rested his rifle across his shoulder as Selene made the joke about not seeing him for a while. While he heard the humor on her voice, hearing hansome was definitely not what he was expecting to hear. Dusty chuckled slightly before bumping into Raven with his shoulder as he past by to keep an eye on the perimeter. While Raven could joke around with the best of them, when it came to cosmetic jokes from girls, he couldn't always tell if they were joking or serious. Dusty glanced back at Raven as he crouched down next to a tree, Raven was glaring at him.

Raven looked back up to the others, looking over each to see what they brought with them. They each looked like they were more than capable of dealing with the dangers of the town. He watched the woods around them while Selene explained what she saw was the best course of action. He nodded as she finished, Keeping it quiet is going to be a major factor in dealing with the town. When we get closer, I may have to go ahead of everyone and scout the town out and see just how many there are and how they are set up. As for what we do from there, I believe I can guide you through the town quietly if Dusty and I watch from afar. If and when the fighting does errupt, we'll be able to give you sniper support. If that's no good, we can go in with you guys. Either way, you won't have to worry about us being seen. Infiltration is kind of our specialty."

Infiltration wasn't exactly John's cup of tea. He was used to being sought out, being the one who people came to see when they needed his kind of help. To be the 'tip of the spear' so to say was kind of out of his expertise. He trusted Raven though so it was only forward for him from here on out.

And the 'handsome' remark didn't go unnoticed either. The Shaman saw the soldier stiffen at the comment, or compliment, and knew it made him uncomfortable for a second. John smiled and knelt down while speaking.

"Being quiet I have no problem with as I can be as silent as a mouse if need be, but what worries me it the hostages? We'll need to find them first and make sure no harm comes to them while we're bringing the others down."

Noticing that the other two caught her handsome statement to Raven, she blinked and looked at them for a moment. Listening to everyone's view on it. She looked at the one that had saved the cat, he enver did give his name. but none the less, she thought for a moment. The idea of having two people go ahead and scout. "We are not going to get anything done standing around." Selene turned away from the men and started walking back down the road heading towards the direction. "One should sneak in and someone should cause a distraction. I'll get on some roofs and let off some rounds. Just don't piss me off, that is all I ask." She smirked.

thinking about a plan, she had an idea as she stopped walking for a moment. A little rat ran along the cold ground moving along to the other side of the road. her eyes watching it. "I got an idea. Two people go in one side, and one person goes in another. One takes to the roof. Distraction, they can't all hunt us down. And there should be a bar where one can grab some alcohal and make a nice boom outside." Selene thought about it as she spoke, how it would go. but some times things like that don't all go together. Her boots moved along the ground heading again down the road. "You boys coming or you gonna be like little old ladies?" She joked while walking. Keeping her body under the cloak, she kept the sun away from her skin.

Balendin moved up to the rat, leaned down, and offered it his hand. The rat climbed up his arm and sat on his shoulder. Reaching behind the folds of his cloak, he pulled out a small loaf of bread. He then picked off little crumbs of bread and fed it to the rat. Where most cats tended to dislike him, rats and mice almost always were quite friendly. Balendin could not fathom why this was, but it was nice to at least have friends amongst the vermin for he had few amongst humans.

"If you wish, I will gladly allow myself to be captured. If an unarmed man was to walk into town, I am sure they would throw him with the rest of the hostages. Once I am amongst them, the hostages safety will be easier to assure."

Balendin walked beside the girl feeding the rat on his shoulder. When the rat appeared to be quite full, he leaned down and let it climb down his arm. The rat then disappeared into the brush.

"That is only a suggestion though. I will gladly play whatever role you wish of me."

Dusty glanced at Raven when the idea of a distraction came up. Raven put his hands up, trying signal him to stay calm and he would take care of it. Dusty shot him a glare before nodding and walking off after the others. Raven let out an audible sigh before walking after everyone else.

Distractions probably wouldn't be a good idea. We don't know how volatile these men are and anything could set them off. If they start hearing explosions and gun fire, they may start killing hostages to try and get the aggressors to back off. Then it would make it a lot harder to get in. Not to mention they would be doing check ins more regularly, meaning if we take out one and he doesn't check in, people will die."

As for getting to the hostages as fast as we can. I agree, but depending on how they are set up, it may be better for us in the long run to take out the guards first. Sneaking five people who have experience with battle before into town past guards is a heck of a lot easier than sneaking dozens of inexperienced civilians out. Even if we make a bee line for the hostages, there wouldn't be much we could do once there but sit back and wait for them to come. And then we have people shooting at both us and the hostages. There would be just too large of a risk."

Raven looked at the man who kept interracting with the animals. He weighed the pro's and con's in his head before saying, "There is just as much of a chance of them shooting you on site, but once again, we don't know much about these people. But we will definitely keep it in mind."

Raven started walking through the woods toward the town. The sun was starting to set, they were going to have to pick up the pace.

The plan was sound and John agreed it was better to sneak into the town and take out the soldiers before any harm could be done. As he walked with the group he took notice of Selene. She kept her hands and face inside her cloak which might mean she had a sickness of the Sun or it could be she just liked the dark better than the light. Either way it wasn't his place to pry into her affairs.

Then there was the one who seemed to have an affinity with the beast. John had his own connection to the animals only his was on a different level. As if on cue a loud screech pierced the sky and the Shaman knew from it his Pet Ohitika was close keeping an eye on him. The large eagle was above the forest canopy probably, circling the sky in slow ovals.

"I have to agree, sneaking in would be the best plan after scouting the town to see where the soldiers are stationed."

Selene thought about their words as they kept down the road heading towards the town. she knew that they would come up with something, but there was something on her mind she wondered would work. but was a dangerous thing if she let it lose. their words entered her mind, the thought of a distraction. She knew of one distraction that might be able to help them get the people out of the hostage zone.

"I saw the animal lover is right. Get one captured, make him look like a civilian of the town that just came back from the hunting grounds or from the next town. Once he is in, we cause the guards to come out some how. At least someone can see if the hostages are alright. I believe that they would be held in town hall." she thought about raven's idea as she spoke. "raven is right though, there is that chance. but I think we can think of something good. Raven...I have a distraction to draw their fire. but it will need to be done just before we go into the town. its gonna hurt...but I want someone to piss me off then it will be a good distraction. just make sure the civilians head away from me.... Selene spoke calmly. she knew that it was risky, but it was an idea. And none the less looking at her crystal as she walked she could see that her father must have been there. and that was something she couldn't have. she felt that this was gonna get ugly or this was going to be one where she blanks out through the whole thing. turning around, she kept her gun in one hand before turning to them while walking. "Either way its a dangerous situation. I would have to say 20-30 men with heavy guns. maybe a few more men if some of the towns people were in on it." Her eyes still looking at the crystal, but then put it down as the sun began to burn her skin. "I expect maybe a nice few explosives by what I have heard. so one way or another, the soldiers are gonna get it." she gripped onto her gun before turning back around and walking straight ahead instead of backwards. her eyes were fixated on the road.

Balendin assumed that the animal lover she referred to must have been him.

"I have failed to introduce myself. I am Balendin; a wanderer."

Balendin finished off the loaf of bread he had and continued to walk beside the woman named Selene. It was disheartening when she said heavy guns. Guns must have been the name for these strange projectile weapons people used around these parts.

"I fear I may not be of great use. I am fairly skilled in combat, but I was not trained to combat people using these things called guns. I do have a incredible vertical jump and a strong pair of arms. I could easily carry one of you to the rooftops if it would be useful."

Raven listened to each of the people give their ideas and considered them. They definitely weren't how he would get things done and came with huge risks, not only to themselves but to the hostages too. He shot Dusty a glance, who in turn just shook his head in disbelief. It was right about now that Dusty was wondering how people so stupid were allowed to run around with sharp objects. But Raven understood how all this was going to go down. Even if Raven and Dusty told them they were idiots for thinking that way and not listening, the damned fools would still end up going to the town anyway. Atleast this way they had a way to stay close and try and fix the problem before it gets too far out of hand.

"Fine, but we have to get moving. I want to be able to see the town before night fall." Raven and Dusty both pulled away from the group then and went a head. They arrived on a small hill over looking the town of Nibelheim just as the sun was about to wink out of existence behind them. Raven set his rifle up as Dusty prepared the spotting scope. They scoped out at least 30 mercenaries moving from place to place in town, looting houses. But Raven figured there were even more inside the Town Hall...

John could see the frustration from his friend Raven in the man's movements and it was easier to see it on the one called Dusty. He truly wore his heart on his sleeve, or so the Shaman had heard said about other like him. John fell in line and moved along with the group keeping quiet as they moved toward the town secretly. Soon, as the sun was setting, they came across Nibelheim and with the aid of the magic of his hat the Shaman saw the situation for what it was.

There were at least thirty men running from building to building looting and causing panic. He looked around noting the placement of the men. They were scattered but in the same general area, maybe a good sign for the group. Then maybe not, this seemed too small a force to do the damage John could see.

"I can see most of the men but I think there's more hidden somewhere, maybe in one of the other buildings. This distraction plan may not be the best now that we see what we're up against."

There was no response right away but John knew everyone was thinking hard, maybe harder now.