The Chronicles of Sebastian J. Reynolds

[Reynolds]

Peering ahead into the blackness Reynolds studied the flashes.
“Okay, my friend, nice and slow, let’s go take a peak over the ridge line. Does this thing have running lights?”
Sam nodded pointing to a panel.
Reynolds leaned in and flicked the switch, turning off the red and green lamps at the forward port and starboard quadrants of the zep-cruiser. Another switch threw the strobing white lights at the tips of the ships fins into darkness.
Stealthily the cruiser eased it’s way towards the crest of the hill.

Reynolds glanced over his shoulder for Lady Magnos.
A brief thought that she might need help with something came to his mind. It made him smile.
"Steady old boy," he muttered to himself.

[arcanus]

As Sam settled the ship into a stealthy approach, turning from his momentary distraction Reynolds noted streaks of lightning flashing through the cloud cover.

Perception Roll?

[Reynolds]

Spot roll= 11 +11 = 22

[arcanus]

Suspicion or second sense seemed to forewarn Sebastian that something were amiss, as the 'Gladio' descended on her silent trajectory he noted the lightning appeared to move in a straight line through the cloud cover!

[Reynolds]

"Well that's damned odd!" Reynolds quips.

Does the lightning seem to be coming from one spot? A vessel in the clouds perhaps.
Also is it striking anything in particular?

[arcanus]

Sam picks up on Reynolds comment and looks skyward

it looks to be occurring higher in the cloud bank so illuminating the lower layers of cloud, however it does appear to be moving in a straight line!

[Reynolds]

With a sigh of inevitability, Reynolds placed his hand on Sam's shoulder.
"Alright my friend, I guess we should find out what that is! Take us up through the clouds, carefully. And be prepared to get the he'll out of here too!"

He ran to to top of the stairwell and bellowed down it.
"Your Lady ship! Would you mind getting that extraordinarIlyich fine arse of yours up here?"

A wry smile flicked at the corner of his mouth as he returned to the pilot.
Sam glanced up at him and shook his head disappointedly.
Reynolds shrugged. "I know," he said quietly, it's like I'm bloody fifteen again! Think I might be in trouble with this one old boy!"
"About bloody time!" Sam mumbled.
"What's that?"
"Nothing!"

Reynolds watched intently as Sam steered the craft up into the clouds.

[arcanus]

Lady Magnos appeared at the top of the stairs, a slight look of disapproval on her face.
Sam appearing to have seen this from a reflection in the instruments and grinned, the ship jostled as she entered the cloud layer.

Sebastian immediately sensed the change in pressure his ears popping and static standing the hair upon his arms standing and annoyingly starting his arm itching once again!

[Reynolds]

Suddenly aware of Magnos' appearance on the bridge, Reynolds felt himself flush.
Ignoring his treacherous cheeks he said, "Ah good! Is this thing just built for flight or can she fight too?"
"Oh and as we could be sharing blood sweat and chordite shortly, it might be useful to know your given name?"

He smiled at her briefly, hoping he hadn't overstepped the mark earlier, but then thinking to himself what the hell!
It looked like he would soon have more than her sensibilities to worry about.

[arcanus]

If he had she didn't seem to labour the point, now dressed in sturdy britches, knee length lace up boots, a stiff polo shirt and light weight but durable brown leather aviators jacket, her hair now practically binned she looked ready for action.

"Quite right Lord Reynolds, don't forget your gift from Allistair, it will undoubtedly prove useful, the Gladio is indeed prepared to defend itself, the weapons console sits beneath that hatch" following her pointing finger Reynolds spotted an almost invisible hatch in the floor in front of Sam's pilot's console.

"And as we are on first name terms you may call me Oneida!" she said sternly handing Sebastian his parcel