Remnants of the Earth

It was early in the morning, but well past the time when Finaa should be up and dressed and ready for her classes. There were other candidates in the halls, heading off toward breakfast or chatting outside their rooms. A typical morning at the ATC.

Normally, Gabriel wouldn't be up quite so ass-crack-of-dawn early, but after Finaa's graduation yesterday (and after accidentally turning it into a disaster), Gabriel wanted to properly congratulate her, do it right without the tears and yelling and awkwardness. It was supposed to be all about her, not about...drama bombs. Sure, he'd promised her dinner on her next day off--a nice, fancy dinner of her choice outside the ATC, Roman approved!--but that didn't mean he couldn't give her a gift to tide her over! She'd earned it, and he was proud as hell.

Stopping outside her door, Gabriel shifted the box of donuts--a dozen of them, all fresh from the oven, maple bars and jelly and cream-filled things--to one arm and knocked once. "Hey, Finaa! You'll never guess what I gotcha!" he called, right before he opened the door and stepped inside.

Before that moment, it would have never occurred to him that it was possible to fit three grown people in one of those beds. Somehow, though, they did it. For a split second, that was all Gabriel's brain could register. Probably because it was trying very, very hard to reject the rest. Like the part where Finaa and fucking Christian were cuddled up together with a very naked Shiloh in the middle, sprawled across the both of them.

"FUCK!" Shiloh yelped and yanked the covers up and over himself to hide beneath them, obviously mortified, and Gabriel felt his stomach twist, felt like he could lose it.

He didn't really care what Finaa said about Shiloh. Shiloh had raped a kid, recently, too. He'd cut Vaughan. How many victims denied it happened, or even defended their attacker? Especially if they had to interact with them, as candidates did with Pilots. And Christian...gods. Both of them.

The box fell from his hands and onto the floor.

"Finaa, get dressed," he said, and whirled on Christian and Shiloh. "And you, get the fuck out! Both of you! Now! What the fuck is wrong with you?"

What started as a normal day at the shop, replacing a couple spark plugs and one primary coil, went to shit fast as soon as the tremors started.

It went to hell when the things that had been causing those tremors started clawing their way up through the earth.

Heart pounding, hands shaking, and breathing strained as she tried not to breathe too heavily in an effort at keeping as silent as possible, Terra had the garage door shut and the only other door into the place shut and locked. There was a window, though, and she'd shuttered it; the things she'd glimpsed didn't have any eyes that she could see (not that she had been looking too closely) so hopefully nothing would think to try it. Still, Terra stood resolutely facing it, a heavy wrench in one hand and her push-broom propped against her other arm. Those were her best weapons and if something got inside, so help her, she swore she'd bash in its skull before it took her!

Outside, it sounded like chaos. People crying out, people shouting, loud snarls--domestic animals or those awful things, she couldn't tell, but she knew they were out there. She'd seen three of them just before she'd run into her shop and locked everything down.

And now she was stuck here, alone, with no way to call out for help.

She took a deep breath and paused to wipe her sweaty palms on her greasy overalls, tail twitching behind her and ears pricked forward, straining to listen. So far, so good. So far--

That was when her door came down with the loud crunch of splintering wood.

For one rare moment in Terra's life, she was glad she was mute. It meant she didn't scream when the shepherd-sized creature, which looked like a bizarre, hairless, eyeless cross between a dog and a badger, filled the doorway, its large, horrifically clawed forepaws clicking against the concrete floor. Its long nose moved, whiskers twitching, and Terra could hear it sniffing the air. Its head swiveled and pointed at her, and its lip curled to reveal gleaming fangs.

Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Terra slipped the wrench into her pocket and hefted the push-broom with both hands as she backed away from it, trying to make as little noise as possible as it stalked forward into the room. Her back hit something--one of the motorcycles--and she gasped.

That was all it took.

With an unearthly snarl, the thing launched itself at her.

Crying out silently, Terra threw herself to the side and the creature crashed into the motorcycle, sprawling across the floor, but it quickly righted itself and went for her again, following the sound of her footsteps as she dashed toward the door. Terra spun just in time, bringing the broom with her, and the creature got a mouthful of bristle. Roaring in rage, it chomped down on the broom and shook its head viciously, and Terra hung on for dear life, because that broom--and its long handle--was the only thing between them.

[center:18x3fhep]TEINAR HAS BEEN BREACHED![/center:18x3fhep]

Teinar has experienced several tremors in the eastern part of the city that have caused minor damage--but have also caused sections of tunnel to collapse, cutting the area off from the rest of the city. There have also been reports of subterranean creatures breaking up into the city from below. These ones are reportedly blind and thus unaffected by the floodlights typically used to ward them off. They are also carnivorous and quick, most of them the size of large dogs.

So far, the breach is isolated to the eastern part of the city. Several hunter teams have already been dispatched to the area, but must first break down the blockades.

Until they do, the Teinari trapped on the other side will just have to hold out against the threat however they can.

Someone upstairs had it out for him.

That's all there was to it.

That was the only thing that could explain why he'd gotten stuck on a long-ass mission in fucking outer space with Raley Sade.

The order had come last night and Gabriel had spent the better part of it--and some of this morning--contesting it and failing. There were a lot of things he'd do, and a lot of people he'd tolerate out of duty and obligation, because it was his job and these were his team mates, like it or not. Cross, for example. Sabela, even more grudgingly and painfully, but he'd do it.

Raley was pushing it, and pushing it hard. The man made him uncomfortable in ways that not even Sabela did, but he wouldn't let himself touch on that deep, nagging why. Instead, he just got pissed. He could deal with anything when he was pissed, even Raley's bullshit.

So, now Siren was getting the silent treatment and Gabriel fumed all the way to the space port.

He waited out on the dock as the mechanics and technicians finished up whatever it was they were doing to ready the ship. Most of the things they'd need, all the essential items like toiletries, food, and clothes, were already stocked on board the ship, but Gabriel had packed some essentials of his own--several odds and ends that would keep him occupied when they weren't doing work, things he could entertain himself, things that would, hopefully, minimize his need for human interaction. Audiobooks, handheld video games, music-player, portable movie player, things of that nature.

Not that Raley was actually human or anything, but he didn't want to deal with him when he didn't have to.

Adjusting his backpack on his shoulder, Gabriel flicked a glance back toward where he'd come. Awkward. They better finish up so he could get on soon, so he could distract with the controls, because he did not want to get stuck out here having to make small talk.

So, for the time being, he pulled out his phone to play with that instead. Wouldn't get a signal up in space, so he'd text while he could. He needed to vent.

"Why are we out here? Fuck this place! Damn, Des. I don't wanna be out in this fucking heat. I got sweat everywhere!" Boris fanned his face, his pale skin already starting to freckle badly. "Why do we even gotta be out here anyway?"

Des let out a low groan. Out in the middle of the frontier, miles from civilization, and...this was the partner he wound up with. A whiner. But he supposed beggars couldn't be choosers, and anything was better than pure silence. Well, most things.

Reaching out, he gave Boris a swift cuff to the side of his head. "Enough with the whining already. Yeah, it's hot. I noticed. You're gonna sweat. Get used to it!" he grumbled, trudging along, boots stirring dust.

The ground was dry here, but in the distance he could see a small tower. Terraforming tower. Get there, and there was sure to be life. "We're here so we can get there," he added, nodding up ahead. And he needed to put some distance between him and big city Tynova.

 "Ow!" Rubbing where Des had hit him, Boris glared at the taller man. He had to hurry to keep up with the other mans longer strides, "I don't see why we have to be out here at all! There is dirt and shit man! And like, no AC and fuck! I want a bath!"

 "Because," Des started, shooting Boris a warning look, "you know what I am. You know what you are now. Ya think they'd be cool with fuckin' werewolves running around?"

 "Hyenas, fucker. Wolves would have been way cooler. Wolves are all noble and shit." The elf slouched, shoving his hands into his pockets and kicking at a rock.

 "What-the-fuck-ever. Werehyenas. Werewolves. We're fuckin' dogs, alright. Point is, ya think people would be cool with that running around the city and shit?"

"Well, no! But I mean, it fucking sucks here! I ain't never even been on this planet and I got dragged out into the fucking boonies. I ain't even seen a whore house or a fucking bar man."

"Don't sweat it," Des said, drawing the words out deliberately just to be a brat. "I hear these frontier towns have some good brothels. Y'know, less laws to regulate them."

"I can't not sweat it!" Boris fanned himself again, his pale cheeks were getting a little pink. He hadn't really known he needed to apply sunscreen and was probably going to end up with a lovely burn by the end of the day, "And..really? I wanna fuck some cunt so bad!"

"Yeah, well you'll get your chance. The sooner we get there, the sooner ya get pussy, got it?" Not that he knew if the town ahead even had a whorehouse, but a guy could dream. And if it'd get Boris moving, he'd use it as his carrot.

"Yeah yeah. I'll probably be too fuckin' tired." Boris huffed and tugged at his shirt, "Man. How can ya stand this damn heat? Ya don't even look like ya feel it!"

"'Cause I've been out here for years. Ya get used to it real damned fast," Des said, reaching up to quickly wipe away the beads of sweat that had formed on his brow. But it was nothing like what Boris was likely experiencing. His skin was dark and, while he still burned, he at least wouldn't be a mess like Boris most likely would. The elf looked like he was going to wind up a tomato.

"Plus I just ain't all prissy, bitching about sweat."

"Fuck you! I ain't prissy! Anyone would be fuckin' bitchin' about this shit!" And Boris had grown up on a space ship. He had only been planet side a few times his entire life and never out in the wilderness.

"I ain't," Des pointed out with a smug grin.

"That's cause yer a fuckin' savage and used to it and shit. I'm normal. Fuckin' weirdo!" Boris gave Des a dark look, not at all amused.

Des snorted a laugh and rolled his eyes again. "Touchy, touchy. Hit a nerve there, buddy?"

Still glaring, Boris lightly punched Des in the arm, "Fuck you. Yer such an ass!"

 Des laughed and returned the punch with one of his own. "Yeah, and ya punch like a girl."

"Ow! That hurt! Fucker! And I do not! Yer just a giant! Freak!" Boris rubbed his arm and gave Des a very rude hand gesture.

 Des swatted at Boris' offending hand. "Hey, don't be fuckin' rude, ass. Anyway, if I'm a freak..." He grinned and gave a brief shrug. "Welcome to the club, dog."

"And who's fault is that? Pig fucker!" Boris huffed and gave Des another rude gesture before letting out a loud groan, "Fuck this! Are we there yet?"

"I was lonely," Des said, feigning a pout before it melted into an expression of annoyance. Aw man. More whining. At least when they were bickering there was no whining. "Uh, no. See that tower? The long, tall, very phallic thing in the distance? Does it look like we're there?"

"Fuck you. Ya were not." Boris snorted, "Fucking queer. Why not bite some hot bitch with huge tits?" He gave another sigh, fanning his flushed face, "Man, it's going to take forever."

"Hrm, I did get the bitch. One out of three isn't too bad," Des said with a wide grin, nudging the elf in the ribs with his elbow.

That took Boris a moment, then he let out an angry snarl, a little more animalistic than he was used to, "Hey! Fuck you!"

"Ya saying ya wanna see me naked?"

"What? Ugh! Queer! No way!" Boris made a face, "You aren't pretty enough for my bed."

"Not pretty enough? Now you're just being cruel." Glancing around, Des searched for a spot that would be good for taking a break. For all that he wanted to keep moving--and for all that he had the stamina to keep moving--Boris didn't look so hot. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't push him too hard in this heat. Not even he would be able to take it come high noon.

"How ya holdin' up there? Need a break?"

"I'm fine! It's just hot and my skin feels all...tight." Boris fanned his face again, sweating heavily. He was rapidly dehydrating and was completely unused to the weather and how to handle it. And his exposed skin was going to be painful that night.

 "...Yeah, ya need a break," Des confirmed with a frown. Out here, there wasn't much by way of shelter. A few skeletal trees grew here and there but they provided meager amounts of shade. It would have to do, though, and Des grabbed Boris' wrist and tugged him toward one of them.

Plopping down onto the ground, Des slung his backpack off his shoulder and rummaged around inside for the water bottles he'd snagged earlier. He tossed one of them Boris' way. "Try not to drink it all."

"Hey! What!? Stop actin' like I'm some bitch! I'm fine! Just need some water or somethin." Boris didn't really fight as Des dragged him along.

The shade didn't do much, but it was better than nothing and the elf collapsed to the ground, chugging the water down, though he was careful to leave over half the bottle.

He wanted more, but he recapped it and tossed it back at Des, "How can ya stand this shit?"

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Sabela pressed her mouth to Kit's, wriggling in glee against her, towering over the other girl in six inch heels that she could run miles in. "Since you're straight and I'm straight this makes what we do straight," she informed her. "I like men. Love them. You look man enough to pass, I mean what is with your hair? Can we say conditioner?"

8D

Grinning, Gabriel slipped his phone back into his pocket and moved past Alaric and into his friend's home. "Sooo," he said, making his way into Alaric's kitchen, which he was about as intimately familiar with as his own. This was like his second home. Or first home, even. Sometimes, he spent more time here than at his own place.

"I heard there were cookies in need of destroying. And since I'm such an awesome friend and an expert in cookie disposal, I thought I'd lend my services. Free of charge. No, no, it's really okay; I require no payment so I must decline. I am just that selfless and giving."

He gave the place a quick once-over. Aww, no Blaine yet. Hopefully he'd show! It had been a while since the three of them had really gotten to hang out, and he liked the kid.

Gabriel leaned back against the counter. "You get a hold of Blaine?"

__________________QUICK STATS
Name
Bailey Sage
Age
24
Gender
Female
Orientation
Pansexual
Species
Human
Height
5'8"
Occupation
Cowgirl
Residence
Edanith's frontier

__________________IN-DEPTH STUFF

Physical Description
Curly, dirty blond hair that she normally pulls back in a messy ponytail, blue eyes, and tan skin covered in freckles. Bailey has a toned, muscular build from years of rough living and not much body fat--nor much in the way of breasts. Her looks could be called more boyish than feminine, as she could pass for a pretty one if she tried. Or even when she doesn't, which is the bane of her existence.

Likes wearing earthtones and rough work clothes--breeches and plaid, button-up shirts, usually complete with a wide-brimmed hat she can tuck her hair under and keep the sun off.

Personality

Magic/Abilities

Relationships

History

__________________THREAD TRACKER
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