Armsmen: What do we fight for?

A small part of The deck of El Arsenal was cleared as a makeshift landing pad for a guest craft. The usually animate and training Kiva, was sitting on the edge of the deck with one of her numerous alien devices- this one a psionic communication booster, a sphere with special electrodes attached to her tentacle dreadlocks, searching for any other of her 'people'. She had had no luck as usual, though her stoic facade hid the gnawing hopelessness in her heart.

The high tech aircraft slated for arrival today came into view. A brief exchange with the control tower clears them for landing on the deck. Instead of VTOL or helicopter blades, the craft had next generation graviton propulsion, and landed with enviable precision on deck.

Some Eastern European kingdom apparently had need for capable mercenaries to quell a rebellion, with the important details to be discussed in person. As such were sending their royal envoy to fetch the warriors in question. The order even came signed by a king.

From the craft's bay doors, came one very well dressed older gentleman accompanied by black armored storm-troopers with high tech laser weaponry. They were definitely something else, their armor resembling more medival plate mail design despite being made of modern materials. The envoy looked around waiting to be greeted.

Guerrero watched as the next-gen aircraft landed.  Dressed in dark black military fatigues, 1911 at his hip, he was a stoic figure on deck.  "I want one," Dirk shouted next to him.  The smaller man was dressed almost identically, wearing his Ruger and carrying a tablet.

The large merc studied the newcomers, taking note of of the bodyguards' gear.  Strangly anachronistic as far as he could tell.  Lifting a sack of additional hardware, Guerrero marched forward to meet the wealthy looking envoy.  "I'm Colonel Guerrero," the mercenary introduced himself, using his nom de guerre.  "This is one of my Lieutenants, Dirk.  He'll be staying behind to run support."

Turning, he glanced toward Kiva, toying with some new gadget.  He called to her.  "That's my other lieutenant, Kiva Nara," he told the man.  He gauged the man's reaction to such a strange looking figure.

"I believe there was one other joining my team," he added, signalling for Dirk to check his tablet.

look out bellow! Jeannie didn't see the aircraft till the last minute,swerving to miss it she readjusts her course back to the ship and slides into a landing. Somehow wedging her helicopter between the aircraft and the other helicopter on the deck.

Jeannie jumps out of the helicopter,well like that fella I got my pilot licence from any landing you can walk away from good landing Jeannie is dressed like a pirate cause she assumed when Guerrero said their base was a boat it was a pirate crew she was joined and was sad to see she was the only pirate at the party.

She then turns her attention to the storm-troopers guys you jerks cut me off your luck the big guys the captain and not me or you'd be walking the plank she turns to the old guy she assumes is their leader and sticks her tongue out at him. before stomping off back to her helicopter.

She then comes back in a cheery mood carrying a large gift basket she skips over to Guerrero and hands the bigman the basket and hugs him. antony it's so great to see you again,I brought a ship warming gift for you people do that with house warming gift,but if some get a boat that's a house would still work right. It's some of them yummy dumplings we got in Tibet,guess what were like national heroes there now. We get a parade and stuff mighty giant and silly elf saviours day. They're doing really great sense that mean old abominable an't using them as munchies anymore. Herd the nerds got some book coming out too,about their research on the bigfoot,wonder if they'll put us in that part where the author thanks people for helping the book. anyway, I brought a whole bunch so we can share with everybody.

She then turns to the smaller man and lady ahoo mates I be Jeannie an't got a beard cause in a chick the pirate. and I'm joining the crew so let's be bestest buddys She smiles and hugs them then looks at the lady and notices something fishy about her and looks at her like a curious kitten.

Oh my gosh are you a mermaid? Where your tail,does it come back when you in the water?How to do your breathe up here?What's it like living underwater,do you eat fish or would that be some kinda cannibalism. Do you keep catfish as pets? Is there dogfish? Do you like the little mermaid?

Are those seashell tops itchy I always thought they'd be,do you guy actually wear sea shells or is that just something they made up in mermaid pictures?

Would guy mermaids be merbutllers? Cause I heard of merman but merebutler makes more sense cause that's the guy version of a maid.

Do you speak English probably should have asked that first,cause I'd feel really dumb asking all these questions if you had no idea what I was saying,so cool though I can add mermaid to the list of fantasy things that are real I've meet

El Arsenal

The envoy and his storm troopers took a few tentative steps away from the abrupt landing of the new arrival. However, Kiva didn't flinch at all where she stood. She put the psi-orb on her suit, which automatically enveloped around it. The Envoy looked at Kiva with genuine curiosity, as did a few Stormtroopers, but their sergeant barked at them for rudely staring.

Kiva looked at Jeannie as she went on a very long tangent about Kiva being a mermaid. The inability to speak to interrupt meant she had to listen to her, well, not really, since wearing her sea-suit meant she could drown out sound by just turning a dial down. She simply watched as Jeannie moved her mouth wordlessly for a few minutes.

Once she ran out of breath Kiva decided to enlighten Jeannie by removing her suit's glove and touching her on the forehead to establish a telepathic connection.

"I am Kiva the house Nara and Undyne, First of my name, guardian of the pacific, and warrior of the Azlanti people." She began, but realized most of Jeannie's questions were irrelevant. "I eat anything that moves, including fish. Pets are a frivolous waste of resources. I walk among you surfacers in my suit, filled with seawater so I may breath. And by establishing a telepathic connection, I may speak to you in your language." She then lets go of Jeannie's forehead and turns to their guest. Sensing their guests' royal demeanor, Kiva received them with a bow, which was returned by the envoy. "I see at least one soldier who knows protocol."

She telepathically confides to Guerrero on their new member. "Touching the female's mind is like imbibing that espresso substance Dirk prepared the other day... times eleven."

The envoy looked over the trio, seeing no one else was going to show. "If you are all who shall undertake this mission, please come with me. But first, we must prepare you for meeting with the King." The Envoy said, inviting them into the Latvian Plane.

= = = = =

Kingdom of Latvastotska

They would arrive at the Castle by the aircraft, ushered to a foyer area to be properly assessed by the Royal Courtier. She was an older woman unlike the Envoy, but her long hair still black, her figure lean. She wore a dress, likely the national dress, over the prevalent western style business suits. She took one glance at his guests and began snapping her fingers. A horde of servants in simple gray uniforms descended on the Armsmen.

Preparing to meet royalty meant tedious preparation and formality, as wearing military fatigues or a pirate costume were completely unacceptable. Kiva of course, was permitted to simply wear a cloak over her Sea Suit, but the human Guerrero and Jeannie were hauled off by royal servants to be scrubbed down in high pressure jet tubs, sitting behind translucent screens. The servants in question were young ladies by default, but uncooperative clients would meet Olga.

"Olga will make you nice and clean!" A behemoth of a Icelandic woman with blonde hair, wearing a maids' uniform and having one cybernetic arm would haul off troublemakers and clean them up. The cleaning involved vigorous scrubbing with a coarse brush and blasts of warm, bubbly, lavender and lilac scented high pressure water, while simultaneously giving Guerrero a good shave... with a very sharp looking razor.  Olga's twin Helga handled Jeannie, giving her a stylish hairdo while manhandling her with a brush.

The Royal Courtier came by to inspect Guerrero, the so called leader of the group. She touches his hair, and subtly cringes at how greasy it was.

"Unacceptable, simply unacceptable. We must make improvements! You cannot meet the king in this way." She said, summoning a chair and an elderly looking barber, carrying top notch shaving and grooming equipment. Olga finally relents on Guerrero once he was dried off and sitting in the barber's chair wearing just a towel.

She gives Jeannie the same treatment, and before she could object had a full wardrobe of dresses and a collection of formal shoes presented to her.

Kiva telepathically laughed at her fellows, watching the whole thing unfold.

"The Gentleman and the Ladies shall wait at the door to be called. The Gentleman will then enter, walk halfway into the great hall, and bow. Wait for the king to acknowledge before ending your bow, then you may stand twelve paces away from the throne." She began lecturing and demonstrating, not even stopping to ask them anything yet.

Guerrero was reluctant to let himself be handled by anyone, but even he wondered if he could take the brutish Olga.  So he allowed himself to be cleanned.  "Just go with it," Dirk advised over a waterproof earwig.  The mercenary groaned.

So, Guerrero was led away to be cleanned.  And cleanned he was, brush rubbing off dirt, grease and dead skin.  It even went into some rather awkward places...places even the large man himself had not dared to go in some time.  "Shut up, Dirk," Guerrero mumbled, hearing the analyst's own laughter over the comm.  The big man was not amused.  "I smell like a damn flower patch..."

Last came the barber, a quick trim that left Guerrero clean shaven and with a simple crew cut.  However, he was still mostly naked, clad only in a towel, powerful muscles visible to the young maids.  The merc crossed his arms uncomfortably.  Dirk was still laughing.

Still, he managed to pay attention to the etiquette.  He knew he would need it soon enough...

huh, Jeannie has no idea what's going on,but the Viking gave her a pretty dress and saved her a trip to the salon with a nice hair job. So she doesn't mind being confused as she likes getting free stuff.

She'll have to make sure she gets her pirate costume before they leave the kids at the orphanage love when she drops by to put on a show for them on talk like a pirate day.

Anyway, Jeannie playfully spins around looking at herself in a mirror quite happy with her new dress yay get play princess and meet a king what a fun day this is turning out to be!

Jeannie dances around happy sing a silly song about going to meet the king while waiting for the rest of the team to get done so they can go see the king.

The shave concluded with Guerrerro's face slapped with a stinging, cool, minty aftershave that did wonders for his skin but at the same time made him feel like pouring hydrogen peroxide in an open wound. Then he was slapped with a nice tunic and half robe that fit more in renaissance fairs, and would have been immensely archaic, were it not for being mostly black with red highlights.

The Courtier  examined Guerrero and Jeannie, once their makeovers were done. "Hmmm... this will have to do. Now, you shall address the King by his title, or 'your majesty'. Wait until the King speaks, and answer only what he asks of you. Very well, walk this way." She looked at Jeannie with doubly serious tone, hoping she understood the seriousness of the situation. She makes a final adjustment on Guerrero and has them follower her.

THRONE ROOM

Kept under constant watch and escorted by black-armored storm troopers, Kiva and the Armsmen were ushered to outside the throne room. The castle really evoked a medival feel, except for the LED lights, security cameras and the laser rifles wielded by guards.

"This Surfacer king is fond of pomp and ceremony. He has us running about like well dressed mannequins before even speaking to us... Clearly a man who used to being in control." Kiva commented to her fellow Armsmen, wondering if they shared the same sentiment. They didn't need to speak it but just think about it. A secure telepathic network gave the Armsmen an untouchable line of communication.

The Lady Courtier begins summoning their guests.

"Kiva of House Nara and Undyne, First of her name, Protector of the Pacific, warrior-Captain of the Azlanti, and Provost Marshal of the Armsmen." A speaker echoed the call of the Courtier, as she addressed her title fully, and Kiva complied. The fish girl went in first and bowed half-way in, garnering some strange looks and murmurs from the nobility. Her gaze was fixed on the human king, studying him intently.

the king of this surface nation was a man who wore a combination of powered armor and formal dress, displaying a taste for anachronism. His hair was long and gray, swept back. Intelligence and wisdom alike shone from his deep gray eyes, a man weary from a lifetime of struggle. Still, his strength and confidence showed. The country in question was one of the smallest in Europe and only recently formed, but it boasted an exceptionally high technological aptitude.

At his side, sitting on a more modest seat was a younger, pale skinned, blonde lady in a predominantly red dress wearing a lesser crown. The fitting garb complemented her petite frame, and she seemed much younger than the king, but she did not seem to mind the gathering with much seriousness, only being awed by the merefolk. She was a pretty face but gave little impression of anything else.

"Colonel Guerrero, leader of the Armsmen" called the Courtier after Kiva reached the foot of the throne, And then, "Jeannie Rose, of the Armsmen." The Royal Courtier lady watched as the guests entered and gestured for each to bow at the middle of the room, clearly wanting to please her leader.  

The throne room was a great, long hall with high translucent windows, well lit in warm light coming from expensive and elaborate chandeliers. The floor was exquisitely tiled in deep black marble, constrasting the white walls. The ceilings were painted with frescoes and scenes like the Sistine Chapel, except these depicted events of war and glory, the king leading his Black clad storm troopers against invaders, and even mythological monsters. At every column stood a much more heavily armored Guard, carrying archaic halberds but also laser rifles on their backs. Noblemen and business guests stood at the sides, waiting for their audience with the king.

The banner of the kingdom hung on the rough-finished concrete walls, two black lightning bolts flanking a hammer, set on a white circle on a mostly red flag. If the Iconography didn't get the point across, the statue of Thor above the throne did- a mighty statue of off-white marble, of a man with long hair and wearing viking armor, carrying a mighty hammer crackling with real electricity.

The king would observe the mercenaries intently from his throne, scrutinizing their every step, their gaze, their reactions to his throne room, and how they bowed. He studied them even before speaking a word to them. This was a man of power, used to having his way, the nobles and councilors of his court all meek and compliant persons regardless of their stature.

On the plus side, he wants us dressed as peers, Guerrero though-spoke. It was an odd feeling for the large man. He was often very careful with his thoughts. But truthfully, the mercenary was surprisingly skilled at quieting his mind, making his thoughts silent to the mer-being.

As the doors to the throne room were thrown open, Guerrero took in some of the splendor of the room...and without looking around, dismissed all of it.

So the large man, dressed in the expensive garb, clean shaven and presentable, marched forward. He gaze was fixed on the king as he moved to the center of the throne room. He saw Kiva move closer to the Dais. Probably because your 'name' is as long as his, he mused.

Then, breaking eye contact, the warrior bow as he had been instructed. He would wait for the royal to acknowledge him, again, as instructed.

"The amount of BS he puts you through is inversely proportional to the size of his penis." Dirk's obligatory dick joke: check.

So Jeannie followed Guerrero's lead going in and bowing like they were supposed to. Unlike the big man, she was quite amused with there surrounding Her big green eyes darted back and forth trying to take in all of the interesting sights of the room.

Huh, wait what she heard kiva and Guerrero in her head. She looked confused how'd they get in there,and who's the weenie joke man,was he the little guy she saw before they left,guess his the boat sitter sense he's not here.

Wish he was though he seems more her type then everyone else here who's way to serious maybe that's why he got left behind Guerrero didn't want him annoying the king with bad jokes. oh yeah, the fishy lady said she had tela whats it's. that's why she hears them. huh, how odd will no so much hearing voices in her head but them being really is what's odd for her.

So she decides to try this whole thought talk thing she should probably tell kiva about the usual voices in her head in case that might cause interference or something. So she thinks what about talking.

testing testing 123 Jeannie to fishy lady,big guy, and funny man can you guys hear me. How weird is this thought talk stuff,I'm used to voices in my head but they usual not real. oh yeah about that kiva I sometimes have voices randomly tell me stuff not sure if that cause trouble,might want block them they tend to ramble sometimes. unless it's another me they chime in if I miss something important we should realize or they have a suggestion on how we should do stuff.

Right now smarty me is amused with how they blend their tech stuff with the historical look. violent me thinks we should see if the king will hook us up with them lasers guns the goon squads got. She thinks we could have some fun with those. Normal me thinks this place is so cool I love the doodles.

Hey, big guy think I can paint our boat like this with all are awsome adventures. ever new mission will be another scene for the masterpiece of our conquest!

Kiva flinched a bit speaking to Jeannie. Of all the surfacers she had the most energetic mind.

"I will have to agree with your... sentiment. Their advanced weaponry seems impressive. We should see to procuring one."

"Colonel Guerrero." The King finally spoke, his voice amply deep and gravelly, like those older actors in Hollywood, except this guy was for real. "Hmm. Not quite what I expected, usually mercenaries are not one to take a knee." He made a side comment. he leaned forward on his throne, hands clasped together as he spoke.

"Before I give you the task at hand I wish to ask you. What are you willing to do for your coin? Are you willing to deceive others? to bring harm to the innocent? To earn someone's trust, only to betray them, and kill them even when they have welcomed you into their home and broken bread with you?" He then looked to Kiva the warrior, and Jeannie the bounty hunter. "Would your warriors obey such orders, if you commanded them?"

Kiva said nothing, or rather, was incapable of vocalizations. She turned to their leader, her nerve cords flashing as she telepathically shared disdain already.

"It seems this King seeks to trade our honor for coin... unwilling to sully his hands, he has others do it for him. Pathetic."

Switching over to a private channel so that only Guerrero would hear, Dirk said, "I'm gonna assume you knew nothing about this 'hearing voices' thing with the new girl.  'Cause otherwise; What. The actual.  Fu-"

Guerrero chose to ignore the rest of his team.  Looking directly at the monarch, the mercenary spoke in his rumbling baritone.  "If you are worried that 'honor' will interfere with our ability to work, don't.  I learned long ago that 'honor' is a tool used to manipulate fools.  My people know their jobs."

"So, yes.  If lying is the most effective way to get close to the target, that will be simple enough to handle.  As for the 'innocent,' so long as you spin it right for the news, there won't be any collateral damage."  It was meant as an inside comment, an attempt to give the king advice on ways to avoid a war crime tribunal.

"So long as you have no official record of our actions here, we'll have no problem taking your money."

So Jeannie is kinda confused the king asked a bunch of questions about what would they do,blah blah get to the point she's getting hungry.

Anyway the big guy seemed to get where he was doing and assured him they'd do whatever it was they were supposed to do,well Guerrero is the boss so best to let him do the talking.

She's more interested in finding a snack and looks around for a vending machine or something. hey mister king sir is the a snack bar or something here I got the munchies She notices the electricity sparking from the statue hey I bet you can roast marshmallows real good with that thingy

"Very well." The King said, gesturing for the royal courtier who dressed them up to begin operating a tablet. A second later a hologram of a young blonde man in military dress appeared before the mercenaries.

"The task I require of you is twofold. First, a personal mission. my son- Thorin has been..." He paused, seemingly out of concern, but actually to phrase the mission properly.

"...He has been... taken... by rebels attempting to undermine my rule. As such, my military assets are of no use to me- any overt action may bring harm to him. I want him brought home alive, mind and body in one piece." The king emphasized the safety of his son, not just as a king for his heir, but for a father for their child.

Retrieving his progeny? how simple. Perhaps those questions were mere tests. . Kiva certainly thought so.

"Secondly, the rebellion which is taking place. On the kingdom's mountain borders with Russia is the rebellion's main settlement. Their leader calls himself Axiom. I wish for you to establish a connection to his mainframe, so that the rebellion's internal communication can be controlled. I also wish for him to suffer greatly. Kill all who he holds dear, kill all who holds him dear. Only when you have taken everything from him, and only when he begs for death, shall you deliver his end."

"Do this and I shall reward you generously. Money, material, even men. You may ask me questions before accepting."

The King sighs and looks at Jeannie. He gestures over to a side nook where a buffet table was prepared, so guests would not eat in view of the king.

Guerrero watched Jeannie out of the corner of his eye.  He was starting to realize just how unprofessional she really was.  He had not really caught on because they had only had brief contact way back when.

Still, there was nothing to be done about it right now.  Instead, he focused on the King.  "Your Majesty," he began in carefully measured words.  "I understand wanting to rescue the prince and eliminate rebels.  I can even appreciate the desire to punish this...'Axiom' character."

Not wavering at all, Guerrero kept his eyes locked with he king's.  "But tormenting a man who is going to die anyway is a waste of our time. You will have to pay extra."

An annoyed groan came over the comm.  "Dude, that is not how you haggle with a royal," Dirk scolded his boss.  "If you piss him off, he will sic his assassins on you."

Too late to do anything about that now.  The large man had made his bed.  Now he was going to lie in it.

So while the bossman and the king are chatting about the details of the job,Jeannie decides to do important recon on the buffet table.

So many yummies Jeannie digs into the food. Since she has super hearing it's easy to keep track of the conversation and chimes in with her thought in between bites.

they took your sun mr.king that terrible,disagreeing with your politics is one thing but bring your family is just rude.yay cake,sweets are my favorite, Jeannie gobbles down the sweets before finishing her thought on the situation Thorin huh that's a neat name,are you and your son lord of the rings fans? I love lord of the rings. But you sure lucked out getting me,I'm an expert in finding people,a retrieval specialist.we'll bring him back safe and sound in now time. She gives the king a thumbs up before turning her attention to back to the foods.

In between her snacking she hears the king mention mainframe stuff and decides to point out to Guerrero she can help with that in a round about why. hey,boss one of the voice in my heads really smart we can ask her to come out and help with thatJeannie smiles happily that one of the voices in her head might be usefully for once and then returns to snacking yay sausages she likes them and pie those are good too,She hopes Guerrero and the king take their time discussing things so she can keep trying all the yummy food.