Garret Strife
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Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
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Post by Garret Strife on Dec 19, 2010 2:06:26 GMT -5
Garret and Silas rushed to the scene. They pushed their way through the crowd gathered on the wall. At the center, there was a mouse with a T88SR, shaking slightly.
"What happened?" Garret asked, turning him to face him.
"I... I..."
"Calm. Yourself."
The mouse took a deep, shuddering breath.
"I s-saw a r-rat. He was armed. I-I t-took the sh-shot. He's d-dead. B-but they must be h-here."
Garret patted him on the shoulder, and looked about. "EVERYONE, GET READY. LOCK AND LOAD, IT'S GONNA HIT THE FAN."
He unslung the XM8 from about his shoulders, and drew back the action, releasing at the click. He offed the safety, and looked at Silas, who was readying the M416 he carried as his primary. Garret patted him and Jasyn on the shoulder, and signalled for them to follow. He started leading them toward the main gate.
Up in the belltower, a member of A5 sat with an M95, watching down the scope at the rear gates.
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Garret Strife
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Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
Posts: 155
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Post by Garret Strife on Dec 5, 2012 7:19:02 GMT -5
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls. I will be wrapping this up soon enough. I feel the desire to finish it. However, I will be rewriting all the previous material I posted on a page-to-page basis. Not sure how long it will take, but this time, I'm going to finish it. I started this four years ago, I think it's time it ended.
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Garret Strife
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Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
Posts: 155
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Post by Garret Strife on Dec 9, 2012 4:30:35 GMT -5
Johan Guaretz, Ferret, UK Federal Anti-terrorism unit, records division. July 7th, 2014.
"In the year 1322, The abbey of Redwall was built. It's construction was done by beasts whom had been enslaved to the Wildcat Tsarmina. They were freed by the now legendary Martin the Warrior. The abbey was built as a peaceful sanctuary for all good beasts, though over the next 95 years it was besieged and involved in small coups, assassination efforts happened within it's walls, and other generally violent happenings took place over 240 times.
Even now, in the year 2014, as well as for the last decade, it's targeted by terrorists. The abbey looks the same as it did almost 700 years ago, due to it's frequent curating. Now it's mainly a historical artifact, but there are also over a hundred beasts which dwell there. The entire place is surrounded by not only the eight foot thick stone walls from it's original construction, but solid perimeter fencing all around. There's a good acre of land between the two walls. Also, the gates have been replaced, due to the fact that the original gates were destroyed in the 2004 blaze. The new ones are hollow steel, with predistressed wood paneling. This design ensures the aesthetic, whilst also allowing repairs and other tasks to be performed with much greater ease.
Now comes the interesting part, not two weeks ago, a considerable private quarrel was ended. This was between a Wolverine crime lord's mercenary forces, and a few elite soldiers, which, of their own free will, came to help the Abbey dwellers, along with the small security force already present. The official militaristic forces were prevented from bringing aid to the good beasts of Redwall by a few international terrorist factions waging all out war on, in, and around London. If it weren't for Redwall's great seclusion from the London area, it, too, would have been hit by Abu Sayaf, OpFor, and Cultist forces.
Enough of the back story, though. The purpose of this article is to tell of the small scale war between the forces of Redwall, and of Regulas Grendel Baron VIII. There are a few distinct figures worth mention. Those are; Garret G. Strife, Rango Griswold, Alec Chosen, Jonas Plastone, Jaysn Kaiden, Conium Nightshade, Tamar M. Hawkeye, Silas M. Hawkeye, a black-word American squad, and Gordon Freemane.
If it weren't for their efforts, Redwall would have surely fallen. (Side note; It seems that the Baron and Strife families have been locked in some sort of violent dispute since 1427. Investigation is underway, try to include in final copy.)
-------------------------------------------------------
"Gary, you can't seriously be asking me for that much on this rifle. After all I've done for ya?" Garret, a 23 year old, black fox, exclaimed, blown away by the price Gary Golden, a young skunk, had asked for the specialty firearm.
Gary shrugged, his tail flicking briefly from side to side, "Sorry, G. I just can't sell this for any less, not even to you. Besides, I thought you had an infinite money cheat for life?"
"Not exactly. I still can't afford to be spending full MSRP on bulk weapon purchases." The fox replied with a scoff, leaning against the wall behind him.
(Ah, but perhaps a bit more information on Garret G.(Grigori) Strife, as he is, essentially, the main character of this tale, due to the fact that he was the only one willing to submit to an interview.[<- Is that bashing? Note; make it sound less............ rude.]
He's a tall fox, about a head taller then most of his kind, and he is in excellent physical condition, a great athlete all around, and with a very broad range of experience. He is extremely well conditioned to all things, from weather to pain, through extensive training. As well as this, he's a master of military CQC and CQB forms, and knowledgeable on multiple martial arts forms.
His fur is, most unusually, completely black, but for the tip of his tail, which is dark Grey. His eyes are a bright Hazel, almost like gold, and he has a scar across his left eye, which effects not his sight in said eye. The scar is roughly three inches long, very thin(and therefore rather hard to notice, unless you're actually looking for it) and passes from the ridge of his brow to the start of his snout. He traditionally wears very simple clothing, such as vests, tee-shirts, and jeans. His outerwear consists of a heavy, felt-lined, tailored black leather trench coat, as well as religiously wearing a size 12 pair of Wolverine DuraShocks® GORE-TEX® Waterproof Composite-Toe EH 6" Boots (Such Irony, that he'd purchase from Wolverine).
He has experience with all types of firearms, foreign and domestic, and maintains high degrees of skill in operation and accuracy, holding the current world record for magazine-fed pistol reload speed, and several awards for champion marksmanship.
As for his personality, it's best described as dark, witty, intelligent, dangerous, and sarcastic. He also has very large sums of (il?)legitimate American dollars at his disposal. (There seemingly aren't any records of his life outside of six months or so prior to this event. There is certainly no documentation to explain his access to a seemingly bottomless bank account.)
"Fine, 40% discount. Buy or fly, your choice."
"You're an absolute life saver, Gary." Garret said with a grin, quickly signing off a check to the dealer.
---
(This excerpt included due to the possibility that this event started the whole thing)
Garret stood outside the building, checking the securing straps on his harness. He jacked a 100 round double drum mag. into his M16A3 w/M203, and pulled back the action bar. The fox was decked out in a Black SWAT uniform, with all police symbols removed from it.
He grunted, and began to scale the wall. It was an eight story apartment building, condemned, and soon to be demolished. But Garret knew. A 'Hand of Death'- as they called themselves- strong point. These assassins, who killed for the fun of it, and the challenge, were deeply rooted in many large criminal associations. Including Red Baron, the crime ring of the Baron family. He didn't care. Lately, the Brotherhood had 'culled' society. Homeless, transients, prostitutes, EVERYONE unfortunate, and out after dark, had been killed. He planned to put a stop to it.
He got to the roof, pulled himself over the edge, and reeled in the piton cord he'd climbed with. He crept to the skylight, and using a diamond tipped glass cutter, took out a section just large enough to slip in through. The stealth-demon fox dropped into the top floor corridor. He glanced at the walls- smeared with blood. Garret gave a huff of disgust at the twisted nature of these beasts.
Then he heard it, chanting. Good. They were ALL in the ballroom, having some kind of dark sermon. He knew this, as he'd dealt with them before. The fox crept down to floor three. It had previously been a wondrous apartment complex. Now... well... there aren't words to describe it. Garret kicked the door in, knocking both doors off their hinges, and began firing in sweeping arcs. They all turned, and drew knives, rushing the fox.
Responding efficiently, he quickly tore through the hostiles closest to him, letting the rifle hang by it's harness when it ran dry. He then proceeded to slip two (Custom) Kimber Custom II Covert .45s from their holsters, and emptied the weapons' extended magazines into his opponents.
Then the fox drew his family's ancestral heirloom, the Fenrir. A magnificent, and outrageously large blade. Garret is 6'4" and the Fenrir is 6' in length. The blade, all in all, weighs 21.7 lbs. Monstrous, for a sword but he could wield it like a cheerleader could a baton. After a minute or two of him literally carving a swath through the opposition, he proceeded to leave the building, and arm several Fulminated Mercury based explosives around the building, leveling it to ensure that the investigation would be on who had been inside, too little evidence remaining to draw their eyes to the underworld they were so painfully oblivious to.
---
"Regulas?"
"I'm assuming that since you, rather informally, used my first name, it's important?"
"The Hand's lair in South London was demolished."
"If the building was demolished, I assume that the police force had nothing to do with it... Military?"
"It appears it may have been a freelancer."
"Any leads on who?"
"Large, male fox, black fur. Solo operation, seems well equipped, and highly skilled."
"I don't need to see the video. You're looking for one Garret Strife. Couldn't tell you where he lives. But you shouldn't have too much trouble tracking his phone down."
----------------
Garret stared at his phone, vibrating quietly on the end table beside his couch. He wasn't expecting any calls, and the number was more than private.
After a pause, he picked up the phone, flipping it open.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mr. Strife, I would-"
"I'm going to ask you two questions, and you're going to answer them both. Who are you, and how did you get this number?"
"Simple. Nobody hides, from Red Baron."
"I beheaded the group, they don't exist any more."
"I think you're in for a surprise. Sir Baron would like to speak to you personally."
"Fair enough. Leave the details in a dead drop in Hyde's Park, under one of the trash bins, tomorrow, at five PM. Mark the bin with a blue ribbon. This call's gone on long enough, I'm afraid I'll have to deny the opportunity to triangulate my position." And with that, he hung up the phone, heaving a sigh and staring at the ceiling.
----
Garret stepped slowly into the room, the cafeteria in an abandoned school building. He uneasily eyed the large Wolverine sitting at the far end of a large, ornate dining table, who'd smiled at his entry.
"Garret, my friend, how are you?"
"I suppose it was childish of me to believe you had died back in Sumatra, that would have been far too simple an end."
"With me dead, Strife, what would you have to live for?."
"I've lived a rather fulfilling personal life, I assure you."
"You, and 'personal life' don't mix. I hear that your mild sociopathic tendencies tend to get in the way of social interaction."
Garret's lips curled ever so slightly into a grin, "We all have our own little problems. So, then, why'd you bring me here? Why not just throw wave, after wave, of your own beasts at me?"
"That's grown boring. You seem to have such an insurmountable tendency to survive everything... No, for once, I actually want to see you squirm. Then, I'll watch you die."
"How would you bring about such a situation, Baron? You have no way-"
"Civilians."
"What?"
"One hundred and thirty seven completely innocent beasts, just a hundred miles or so North of here."
"... Redwall. You're going to strike Redwall."
"Bingo. Have every beast, every male, female, and pup, struck down, right in front of you."
"The military will defend them."
"But, they wont. Things are about to get really interesting in London. All those rising tensions are about to break. Hard."
"You always were one for the theatrical."
Regulas sneered, "This time and age is no place for heroes. As such, the last of them shall fall. Along with the beacon of hope for all those foolish, ignorant creatures who think the world is any different than it ever was."
Garret stood, calmly, and stared coldly at his nemesis, "They will survive, Reggie. And I'll parade your head down the streets of London."
There was a mocking chuckle from not only the Wolverine, but from another, a fox who sat in the far corner, shrowded in darkness.
"I've known you were there, Dante. Don't worry, you'll get your own pike."
"Garret, Garret, Garret. Don't you ever learn humility? Are you forgetting where you got your trademark scar?"
The midnight black fox scoffed, "I remember how you wouldn't face me like a man."
"Ooh, I'll need to go get some ointment." The other mocked, his teeth glinting in the dark.
"I would kill you both, but I'm sure that would only accelerate your plans for the Abbey."
"Right again. You are on the ball... Run along, bushtail. Go make your preparations. I don't want this to be too easy."
Garret turned, and walked out the doors, into the main hallway. They immediately closed and locked behind him. He cast a glance about. There were two weasels to either side of him, aiming submachine guns at his chest. The school's loudspeakers crackled, Baron's voice distorted as he spoke.
"Well, after you entertain me. I hope you haven't gotten rusty. Your keys are in the gymnasium. Good luck, old friend."
----
Redwall Abbey- June 15th, 2014
Conium Nightshade, a young Badger, was working the phones. It had been decided that, as the newcomer, she should have the job nobeast wanted - Taking calls. Therefore, she sat, staring at the switchboard in front of her. It was like and call station at a large office building, the calls could be routed to any number of specific extensions, but she took all base calls. She also had access to the Abbey's loudspeakers -Donated to them by an old school building when they upgraded-, in case she needed to bring somebeast's attention to a phonecall.
But Conium wasn't marveling at the setup. She was thinking about the massacre at M.I.T. that had occurred, only a couple weeks prior.
Her and her team had discovered a new chemical compound. Quite an achievement for one only 17 years of age, from a small town in Vermont. Just before she attained sixteen, she'd graduated from high-school, being exceptionally intelligent. She was then granted a scholarship to M.I.T., which pertained specifically to Biochemistry, and she'd happily taken the opportunity.
This compound they'd discovered, with some small refinements, could have been developed into the most potent airosol poison ever produced. The United States military got word of this.
Over spring break, Katherine, as was her true name, opted to stay behind and continue work on their discovery, and the faculty had allowed her and her group to do so. Due to the majority of students and faculty being away, enjoying their time off, the group was virtually alone. A group of Marines HALO jumped onto Campus from a V-22 Osprey, and they went in through the skylight. Conium's team was quickly killed, while she'd had the fortune of being in the rest room, treating a small burn with cold water. Managing to avoid the team as they swept the immediate area by rather clevery burning her notes in the bathroom, causing alarms to erupt while she traversed the vents, she took their small sample, sealed the container, and fled. She took up her assumed name, and from there, had hidden from the U.S. government by heading overseas, and taking up residence in one of the most prosecution free areas in the world -Redwall Abbey-. On a string around her neck, in a sealed polycarbonate bottle, was the onlt existing sample of her work. Her lab was destroyed in a 'gas explosion' by the team, after realizing they'd been tricked, and thus, she holds not only the only information on what occured, but the only sample of the chemical.
She was well aware that it was only a matter of time until they found her.
--------------------------------
Garret eyed the opponents on either side, then took a single calm breath.
Following, he slapped the weapons from the paws of those on his left, slipping between them, and shoving them into the others, who braced them. By the time they'd steadied their aim, Garret had drawn his twin Kimbers, and sank a single round into the forehead of each. Holstering his weapons, he scooped one of the MP5Ks from the floor, and strode down the hall, toward the entrance he'd used. Another hostile rounded the corner, unable to raise his weapon before Garret laid a burst into his ribs.
Bracing himself against the wall, he pulled a small mirror from his pocket, using it to peer around the corner. There were two Rats, both armed with shotguns. He pondered about whether it was worth hoping they'd shoot him in the chest, such that his Dragon Skin vest would simply absorb the spread.
Deciding it wasn't he, he back several steps away from the corner, and then sprined at the wall. As he entered the killzone, he jumped up slightly, planting both boots on the wall opposite the guards, and kicking off as he fell, sliding toward them on the floor. This manuever left them too confused to react before he was able to empty the magazine into the pair.
Climbing to his feet, he dropped the bullet hose, and proceed carefully to the corpses. No hostiles in sight, he scavenged an Ithaca M37 off one of the rodents, and carefully opened the doors, looking both ways, weapon half raised.
Thankfully, the old school building was a good fifty feet into the woods, too much foliage to accurately place a sniper. That said, after a few more glances around, he verified that his car seemed secure, and ran to it, the vehicle being parked between the main building and the gym. Taking cover behind the hood of his heavily built Jeep Wrangler, he looked over the building. It appeared that there weren't any outside guards.
A minute later, it would turn out that that was because the Gymnasium lobby had five machine pistol weilding creatures in it. The one closest to the door ate a shotgun blast, and the one beside him was immedately disarmed as Garret swiftly snapped his arm, taking possesion of his weapon and locking him in as a meat shield, all in one fluid motion. The others, unwilling to shoot their comrade, were rapidly victimized by Strife, who then executed his shield with a single round to the head. Scooping his keys off the reception desk, he headed back to the car, and began a somewhat law-breaking drive towards his home.
Things had to be done.
---
Watching on a few CCTVs, Regulas and Dante appraised his movements quietly, Dante finally speaking as he drove away.
"It appears he hasn't lost any of his talent."
"So it does. It will be all the more fun that way."
---
Conium was pulled from her thoughts, as the phone rang, the ID stating that the caller was from a private number.
"Hello, you've reached Redwall. My name is Conium, how can I help you?"
"Does Silas Hawkeye still reside at the Abbey?"
"Yes, he does, but I'm afraid he's out, right now. Can I take a message?"
"Tell him Garret wants to talk to him."
And the caller hung up.
---
Silas M. Hawkeye, a friend Garret had made in a standoff at an airport in Sweden, was slowly heading up the 'driveway' of Redwall abbey. He stopped at the gatehouse, inset into the chainlink perimiter fence. A rather obiese hedgehog leaned out, and, adjusting his glasses, looked at Silas.
"Hey, there, Mister Hawkeye. You were out all day, today."
"A group of beasts was waving guns around a school, nobeast was hurt, but..."
"Well, at least everybeast is alright... I think you had a phonecall, while you were our. I should probably let you look into that."
Paul pushed a button, and the gate opened.
"Thank you, Paul."
Silas drove through it, and through the main gate, inset into the original Wall.
He was in SO15 CTC, Element leader for his assigned squad. Lately, things had been getting quite hectic in the cities. He was beginning to suspect it was antecedent of some kind of Major terror attack.
He dismissed these thoughts, and drove down into the parking lot beneath the abbey. He pulled into the nearest space, got out, and then proceeded to brush a speck of dust off the side mirror of his deep blue '08 Lincoln MKZ. One of the perks of his job was an admirable payrate.
Silas cracked his neck, and headed up the ramp to the abbey grounds. Taking a breath of the sweet summer air, he proceeded across the grounds, entering through the large front doors of the Abbey. Conium was waiting for him in the main foyer.
"Mr. Hawkeye, there was a call for you earlier."
"Paul told me. From who?"
"Sombody named 'Garret'."
"Oh... Oh no."
Thanking the puzzled young badgermaind, he ran up the stairs. Entering his room, which was a small chamber that had been built in the attic. His beloved wife, Tamar, was sleeping on their bed. He smiled briefly, wondering why she'd been so tired lately, and then grabbed his phone. Garret wouldn't call him unless it was something important.
Or bad.
Probably bad.
---
"Garret?" Silas asked, the phone clicking as it was answered.
"Silas, good to hear from you." Came the reply, the fox speaking in an upbeat tone, clearly glad to be speaking to a friend.
Silas smiled slightly, "Yeah, you too. Been a long time. Too long."
"Indeed. So, how are you and Tamar doing? Still sickening cute?"
"Yeah, yeah, we're adorable as always... We are actually doing great. What about you and... Sorry, I can never remember her name, we only met once... Skyra?" The squirrel asked, grinning cheekily about his friend's unspoken love.
After a pause, he recieved a somber reply, "I'm not even sure the last time we spoke."
"... What did you want to speak to me about?"
"I had a lovely conversation with Regulas earlier. He's planning to strike Redwall. Kill every beast inside. You and I, cannot allow that."
"Just like old times... Garret?"
"Yeah to both."
"Not to discount either of us, but bring support, overkill is practically that beast's middle name."
"I assure you, it's all taken care of."
"It's been quite some time, wanted to make sure you hadn't lost your touch."
"I assure you, that will never happen. My family name is a term for combat, I'd hope I'd be good at it."
"You've got a pretty good point, there."
With a laugh, the fox responded, "So it would seem. We'll talk more when I get there. Try to prep everyone for my arrival. Goodbye."
"Will do, see you later."
---------------------------
A matter of hours later, a Black Hawk touched down on the abbey lawn, and Garret, Jasyn Kaiden, and a fully armed and armored squad of soldiers -All part of the United States Special Forces Extreme Situations Taskforce (Assault squad 5), or USS-FEST-AS for short- stepped out. Garret peeled off a pilot's headset, and tossed it on his seat.
Silas jogged up, unable to resist a grin.
"Well, do you think you guys made your presence obvious enough?"
"I wanted more explosions, but that seemed to defeat the purpose of me being here." Garret quipped, smirking.
"You are such- Hold up a tick, who are they? I don't recognize the uniform. I mean, they're US, but..."
"Their existance is more of a myth than a fact, they're a black label unit."
Whistling, the Squirrel replied, "Well, you certainly did come with some backup."
Before their conversation could continue, there came an interruption.
---
Hearing the chopping of the helicopter's blades, Tamar quickly rose from her desk, storming from the Abbey archives. Somebeast had to take the responsibility of preserving the history, and, at least for this generation, Tamar Moreland-Hawkeye had elected to take that role. She knew she was destined for the position when she was still in her tween seasons and she led the protest against breaking ground for a new parking lot on the grounds. Bones had been found in the area when the initial construction survey was done, which sparking Tamar to do some research, which resulted in her finding that the area had once been a small cemetery for the inhabitants, before the much larger one slightly to the north was created.
Doing what anybeast would... She chained herself to an Oak tree, and screamed 'History over convinience!' until she lost her voice, but they construction group relented, giving two years of time for researchers to examine the site. They had found some truly priceless relics, and one which Tamar had found, she'd been allowed to keep, which she did, in a locked glass case on her desk: a medallion that had the face of a badger etched into one side with rubies set in for eyes. The remains of creatures, weapons, pottery, and jewlery, were all transported to the local museum in significant amounts for study. Unfortunately, her inquiries into extending the time for scientific exploration had been denied, but she couldn't help but take pride in the good she'd done for both history, and science.
Garret, being himself, had seen fit to land his helicopter dead center in that spot. Tamar took the steps three at a time as she headed down into great hall, finding herself in the middle of what seemed to be everybeast who lived and worked at the Abbey. She couldn't help but look up at the great tapestry, which was now covered by several inches of UV-protective glass. Sadly, it was still rather faded, and some small sections were gone, having burned away in the terrible blaze that destroyed much of the inside of the Abbey just over 500 years prior, but still it held it's position of prominence.
Having pushed her way through the crowds and making it onto the grounds, Tamar bumped into Conium. "Who is that?" the badgermaid asked, speaking in a somewhat foreign accent.
"His name is Garret Strife." Tamar told her with a smile.
"But he's a Fox. And he's armed."
"You get used to that." She replied, giggling, and ran over to the pair of males, standing between her mate, and their vulpine friend, giving the later a rather stern look.
Putting a paw out to shake that of the fox, she stated, "It's been a while, Garret. Good to see you." She then drew it back before he could begin the shake. "But it seems whenever you come trouble follows in your wake. So I think we're going to have to ask you to just turn right back around and leave." Her grin broke through, then. It had taken a while for the two of them to come from biter hatred, to a grudging respect, and finally to this amicable relationship. Plus she knew that he and his soldiers were there to help.
(----- Page One, Complete -----)
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Garret Strife
Full Member
Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
Posts: 155
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Post by Garret Strife on Dec 10, 2012 4:49:40 GMT -5
Garret grinned at the cheeky Squirrelmaid, resting a paw on her shoulder.
"It's nice to see you too, Tamar. I can't leave until me, Leon and his boys, as well as Jaysn, here", he paused, and Jaysn bowed "aren't necessary."
He appraised the maid's appearance. She looked the same as ever, but he'd noticed something somewhat different from their last encounter; A white gold ring, with a large, inset sapphire, wrapped comfortable about her claw.
Popping a minor smile, he spoke again, "I'm glad to see I wasn't invited to the wedding. Well, congratulations, to both of you. Not the time to get off track, though... As I was saying, Regulas, as it turns out, is still living, and plans on causing you all a lot of problems.
"If I could make a phone call -seeing as they may be tracking my mobile-, I can have american helicopters here to extract the residents. They'll be brought overseas, and staying in hotel rooms. I'll pay for the whole endeavor. He claims things are going to get bad in London, and I don't want anybeast being caught in anything, henceforth why I'd be sending them to the states." As Garret finished the explanation, he glanced at the front doors of the Abbey, where Conium was staring at him and his group distrustfully.
"You can not be serious...", He muttered, shaking his head.
---
Tamar went through a series of emotions as Garret spoke.
First was pride and joy when he noticed the ring on her claw, at which point she'd happily met her husband's eyes.
When he mentioned Regulas, memories, rage, and terror all flooded through her, dying away rapidly as she realized that -regardless of how bad it may get- Silas and Garret were nigh-on unbreakable. They would keep everybeast safe, even if they died in the act.
Silas, however, was not going to die. If he did, she'd kill him.
Noting his look toward Conium, she distractedly explained, "She's young, just came from America. She's a smart girl, probably just not used to things like this. I mean, it is a bit of a bother to everyone in the Abbey."
Unbeknownst to them, Conium's visual obsession with the group was one of apprehension. The fox had brought Special Operatives with him. They reminded her of the ones she'd seen at the school. More importantly, they might be there for her, as well.
---
Jasyn looked at the Abbey, tale after tale cascading through his mind. Upon receiving the call from Garret, offering three hundred thousand dollars, for the job of a lifetime... He was glad he had deigned to accept. This place was full of so much history, it was truly an awesome structure. The fox moved from their helo, toward the wall, pausing as he reached t. Running his hand along the red stone, he could feel the scars that both time, and seemingly endless fighting, had brought to it.
It was a hot summer's day, and yet the mercenary was comfortable in a Kevlar-lined trench coat, and dark grey fatigues. Following the paranoia that comes from years of deadly service, he checked his armament
Two Desert Eagles, chambered in .50 Action Express, loaded with incendiary ammunition? Check.
Custom throwing knives with hypodermic delivery system for South-Sea Cone Shell venom? Check.
All was well. The sun rippled on his skull painted face, his Grey eyes twitching to the side as he heard pawsteps draw near. Reflexively, he turned...
---
Garret gave a gesture to the soldiers, as he looked to Silas. Silas nodded, giving him the go-ahead.
"Alright, boys, go on in. Make yourselves comfortable, but please, try to keep everybeast calm.", Garret advised, his eyes resting on Leon, who gave a salute before leading his beasts inside.
As they entered, Conium's gaze lingered heavily on the doors they had gone through.
---
Jasyn was sartled to see a .45 magnum pushed under his snout, the words, "What are you doing here, merc?" Being spat at him.
The fox's eyes followed the barrel to a chocolate brown paw, and followed that to the hostile, but pretty, face of a female otter. Her hazel eyes burned with hatred, "What right do you have, to be here?"
Jasyn smiled warmly, "I've successfully completed 9 missions in Iraq, 3 in Africa, and 5 in Japan. Not to mention one very important job in South America. I think I know how to handle some rich crime lord and his weekend army.
"The question I have for you, ma'am, is how do you know me, and why are you pointing a gun at me?" The fox asked, slowly pushing the gun down. The ottermaid sighed, closing her eyes, as her paws shook.
"My husband hired you. In Egypt. To protect an archaeological dig, to protect him and his research. He sounded so happy that he'd gotten you, a heavily reputed professional. Now he's gone.. I met you then, Jasyn", The name dripping with contempt, "I wasn't planning to see you again, nor do I wish to." She turned, storming off as tears formed in her eyes.
Jasyn thought over what she'd said, trying to remember the client, as he retook a position beside his employer.
"What's first on the agenda, Mister Strife?"
---
Garret smiled, "You can call me Garret. No need to be so formal, relax. Nobeast is fighting, yet.
"In any case, our first goal, is to get everybeast who doesn't have any desire to stay and fight, out of here. As such, if you'll excuse me..."
The fox made his way over to Conium, who seemed distracted. He gently tapped her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly.
"My apologies, Miss. I didn't mean to startle you. Could you, perhaps, direct me to the communications room?", He asked, ever the gentlebeast.
The young badger paused, and smiled nervously, "Yes, I'm actually the, uh, teller, right now. It's just this way.", she finished the sentence as she began to head down the hall.
"Or," Garret began, looking at Jasyn as he followed Conium, "If you're really looking for something to do, you could always just help Leon and his beasts get set up."
---
Jasyn nodded, heading into Great Hall, where Leon and his soldiers were busy examining blueprints of the structure, beginning to build a tactical map.
Garret, meanwhile, thanked Conium, and entered the communication room, closing and locking the door behind him. After taking a second to appraise everything, he accessed the outside line, dialing in a lengthy number, and waiting for the pickup.
"This is Commander Heald, how did you obtain this number?"
"It's Garret. I'm calling from the Abbey. Everybeast is here. Get your helos on the way, following the original estimate, ten Ospreys should be fine."
"Do you know what it took to make this happen?"
"I'm well aware. I'm also aware that my favors have run close to dry, but there are some things that simply need to be done."
---
Jasyn made his way over to Leon, and stood beside the CW5 Warrant Officer, asking,"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you guys are USS-FEST-A5, right?"
"That's correct.", Leon replied, looking at his ally.
Jasyn whistled, "I don't know how Garret got his hands on a black label, but I wont deny that I'm glad you're on board." Following this, Jasyn extended a paw, which Leon took, shaking it heartily.
"You've got a firm pawshake. Always a good thing. Tell you what, you're looking for something to do? There's an M98B in the duffel bag on the table. Our sharpshooter is on leave, so if you can take some time now to familiarize yourself with the rifle, maybe you can wow me with accuracy, later.", Leon summed, and, after a pause, couldn't help but question, "I've heard a little bit about you. What can you do?"
Kaiden's eyes shone, as he spoke without hesitation, "My areas of specialty are Body guarding and Assassinations. I have had martial arts training in Kung Fu, Karate, Tai Chi, Ninjutsu, kickboxing, and wrestling. Weapon trailing, martial or otherwise, consists of; akimbo pistols, short-blades, quarterstaff, long rifles, marksman rifles, and garrote.
"I've had survival training from the best, and I have a conditioned body. The best areas for me are hot humid, next to that, forests. I have a moderate lack of tactical planning and appraisal skill, however."
Leon smiled, as Jasyn finished, "Well, you sound like you'd fit right in with the dream team."
Patting the bag, the soldier nodded to a clear spot a few feet down the table, "Go ahead, take a look at her. Renges has done plenty of work to it, shoots straight as an arrow."
Moving it without hesitation, Jasyn unzipped the bag, retrieving the .338 Lapua sniper rifle from within. He popped the scope covers, aiming to the ceiling, and adjusted the knobs for clarity as he flicked through the multiple zoom settings, stopping briefly to admire the ballistics CPU mounted on the sight itself.
He released the empty magazine from the receiver, and drew back the bolt, freeing it completely from the weapon as he examined the bore. Scrounging two rounds from the bag, he reinserted the bolt, and gently laid the rifle to rest on the table. Clicking the first round solidly into the empty magazine, he picked the rifle back up, propping down the bipod, and resting it on the table.
He then proceeded to draw the bolt back, and fed a shell directly into the chamber, practically purring at the ease with which he was able to fully chamber the round as he rotated the bolt back into place. He then cycled the bolt, the unfired shell cleanly leaving the ejection port as the weapon seamlessly fed the next cartridge. He ejected that one as well, and, finally, dry fired the weapon, testing the trigger pull.
Switching the safety on as he placed both rounds back into the bag, he turned, holding the rifle -aimed to the ground, as basic training dictates-, and grinned at Leon.
"I like it."
(----- Page Two, Complete -----)
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Garret Strife
Full Member
Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
Posts: 155
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Post by Garret Strife on Jan 25, 2013 1:41:23 GMT -5
"Why is it you males always feel the need to wave your weapons around?." Tamar laughed good naturedly as she crossed the Great Hall quickly to confront the two foxes, her voice fading to a whisper as she spoke again, "Seriously guys, some of the less militant members of the staff are getting a little worried, they still don't know why any of you are here, so could you please tone it down?"
Leon's ears twitched, as he realized how sensible that was. He nodded to the squad, giving a simple statement, "She has a point, you know."
In silent agreement, the other members of A5 got to work helping out the abbey dwellers.
"My apologies, ma'am, we're not used to doing a protective detail in which nobeast knows we're protecting them..." Leon trailed off, scratching the back of his head and laughing nervously.
"It's alright," Tamar said, smiling, "I've gotten used to it." It was true. She didn't have much choice but to get used to soldiers, and guns, and such, seeing as her husband was in the special police, and his best friend was a soldier-of-sorts.
"If I may ask you gentlebeasts, does Garret honestly think all this will be necessary?" She inquired, subconsciously spinning her ring around her claw.
Jasyn turned to her, replying, "He honestly hopes he's WAY over-prepared. He wants this over as quick and easy as can be, but, well, better safe than sorry." The fox shrugged as he continued, "I've worked with him before, he does everything in his power to end conflicts as quickly and cleanly as is possible." Jasyn laughed, "So, if everything works out according to plan, no innocents suffer, and we all get to resume our lives, same as ever..." The merc dropped his voice though, and looked around forbodingly. "Personally, I don't think it'll be that cut and dry."
Leon spoke up, then, "He's right. That's exactly how Garret is. I'm not quite sure why he's handling it this way, though. He could've gotten more soldiers. I trust his judgment, lord knows he's the best damn soldier I've ever seen, but his connections, and how he uses them, confuse me to no end.
"He's also grown a lot more sentimental. He used to be excellent at the whole 'Best choice for the most reasons' thing, but now... I don't mean to be rude, but the BEST choice would have been to let them do whatever they please to this Abbey, and get everybeast out.
"I know one thing, though. We're not going to let anybeast die. Far as I know, he's getting evac vehicles sent to pick everybeast up right now.
"I've also heard your husband, if you are Mrs. Hawkeye, and yourself, are fairly potent with a rifle, so if you're staying, that'll help.
"All in all, it's gonna be a hell of a ride."
"Well, Si's taught me a thing or two. . ." Tamar had begun humbly putting off the complement, when Garret burst in.
"Alright, I've got VTOLs inbound for pick-up. I can't throw anybeast out, and help would be appreciated, so I'm going to the Abbot's chambers, with Tamar, to make the announcement that all who wish to stay and fight, can do so. All others need to leave.
"Jasyn, find Silas. It's still his job to take care of this place. He can't stop me, but I'd like to know that he's in agreement with me. He should be up in the attic, in his chambers."
Tamar quickly stood, and followed Garret as he began to head upstairs. "I must warn you though a lot of them won't want to leave. This is their home. For some of them it's the only home they've ever known. They'll insist on staying, just like I'm going to... Well, I mean, I probably shouldn't, but..." Tamar looked down at her paws. She hated keeping this secret. "Garret, you can't tell Silas but . . ."
She was interrupted by a mouse brother, one of the kitchen helpers. "How many more will there be for supper tonight, Mrs. Hawkeye?"
"I'm not honestly sure. Probably a lot fewer, actually." She cast an inquisitive glance to Garret, her cheeks flushed over what she'd been about to share with him.
"You, me, Silas, Jasyn, Leon and his four, so.... Nine. At least nine beasts, not counting whomever stays, and the kitchen staff, themselves." Garret said, and looked at Tamar, then at the brother, before he slowly wandered a few feet away, letting what he'd just stated sink in.
The Mouse, Theo, looked at Tamar, his face shrouded in sadness, "They really want us to leave our home?" he asked, his eyes resting on Garret's back.
"It'll only be for a little while, Theo. Garret's got room and board at a gorgeous hotel in America set up for you, Bess, the dibbuns... For everybeast." Tamar replied, with a reassuring smile.
"But we've always lived in the Abbey. Our little Nina was born here. She's down at the pond with her friends right now." He looked towards the pond as if he could see it through the wall. The words struck a chord in both Garret and Tamar's hearts.
"Well this is really the best way to keep them safe, Theo. Just get your things and you and Bess can come back as soon as the trouble is passed." Tamar tried to give him an encouraging smile but he ran off to find his family. Tamar frowned and followed after Garret, mumbling, "This is going to suck."
"When doesn't it? This is hard on all of us... Honestly, I'm afraid. I don't know what's going to happen, for once in my life, and that scares me to death." Garret replied, starting toward the Abbot's chambers again.
Tamar hurried after him, nodding as she spoke, "I know, and we all appreciate what you're doing, it's just that these creatures are frightened enough seeing soldiers walking around the halls. What we're about to announce to them is likely to start a mass panic."
Catching up and matching his stride she tried to smile, "Thank you, by the way, for letting me make the announcement, I think it will be better."
Garret chuckled, "Well, imagine if they heard me, a deep voiced stranger, whom they would probably assume to be the big black fox who arrived earlier, telling them they've all got to leave their home. I'm sure they'd rather hear a bomb threat." He finished as they arrived outside Johnathan's chamber, and rested, his back to the wall.
"Now, I do believe you started to tell me something, earlier?" He inquired, after double-checking there was nobeast near to them.
Tamar also looked around before she answered, "Well, it's really kind of embarrassing, but I need to tell somebeast... Well especially since we we were trying to prevent, well, I mean nothing works 100% of the time, accidents happen, and... And...." She paused from stumbling over her own words, and took a deep breath, "Garret, I'm... Well. Silas got me... What I mean to say is..."
"You're pregnant." Garret interjected, smiling.
"Well... Y-yes. That's it." Tamar replied, biting her lip.
"I'm not going to tell you to leave, and I wont tell Silas, but.... You shouldn't be here, with what's going to happen." He said, sternly, looking down at the maid.
"We're not gonna argue about that. I just wanted to talk to somebeast I trust about it." Tamar huffed, and ended the discussion by knocking on the door.
Garret spread his paws in an 'alright' gesture, then stood, turning to the door. A few moments later, the Abbot, an old, small vole named Johnathan, opened the door, and fixed his glasses as looked up at the Vulpine, his face creasing with concern.
"Ah, yes. Abbot Johnathan, isn't it? I was wondering if we could use the loudspeakers for just a moment. There's an unfortunate announcement that must be made." Garret said, smiling. His eyes told the real story, however, that something was about to be very troubling to the old vole.
(----- Page Three, Complete -----)
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Garret Strife
Full Member
Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
Posts: 155
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Post by Garret Strife on Jan 29, 2013 5:44:38 GMT -5
The old vole shook his head, sighing as he began to speak, his voice itself carrying with it an air of understanding and experience, "I'd heard of your impending arrival from Silas. He warned me something of this sort may occur. I was desperately hoping that we'd be speaking about how well everything turned out, but I guess we'll just have to see if that conversation occurs, wont we? In any case, if you're trying to save lives, then please make as much use as you need of the speakers."
He turned around, leaning heavily on a cane, and hobbled back towards his desk. Johnathan had severe arthritis, to the extent of being in need of a hip replacement, and everybeast knew it. He, however, was extremely uncomfortable with surgery, and as such always claimed to be too busy with Abbey business whenever the subject came up. That aside, the room that he inhabited was both his personal room, and the office from which all work regarding his duties as the Abbot were performed.
"Come on in," He instructed the pair, turning and smiling warmly at the squirrelmaid as they entered. He then looked to Garret, asking a fairly obvious question, "I suppose you're going to let the sweet voice of our archivist be the bringer of the bad news?"
Smiling, and delivering a nod, Garret replied, "Yes. As I'm sure you can understand, it'll likely go over better if Tamar is the one to do the announcement. I mean, all things considered, the beasts of this abbey don't want to see me around. They don't need to have me on the loudspeaker system, telling them things they don't want to hear." He then smiled at Tamar, before returning his attention to the vole.
"It's the best thing for the creatures of the abbey. I cannot force anybeast to leave, but I highly recommend any that is not willing to lay down their life in defense of this place, leave. It's for their safety."
Tamar looked solemnly between the two as she took a seat in front of the battered P.A. system. It was actually a hand-me-down from one of the local schools, when they'd had their own system entirely replaced. The sound was interlaced with Static, but it served it's purpose well enough.
The squirrelwife flipped the 'on' switch on the control panel and hovered her paw over the call button, "What exactly do you want me to tell them?"
"Tell them that, due to unfortunate circumstances, we have to suggest they leave. Anybeast who wants to leave, to feel completely safe, should head out to the grounds, and speak to the soldiers waiting there. Anybeast who wants to defend the abbey, find me in great hall. All others, just go about their business." Garret droned. He rubbed his shoulder, having a sudden chill.
"Well, something along those lines, anyway. We obviously don't speak the exact same way. That's why you're doing this." The soldier quipped, popping a smile.
Tamar smirked at him, and then looked down at the desk, her eyes tracing the patterns in the wood as she tried to figure out how to how to word this 'announcement' in the best possible way.
"I'll say a word to my creatures as well," Abbot Johnathan stated, as he reached forward and placed a comforting paw on her shoulder, "If you think it will help."
"Please, Father Abbot. It'll put them at ease, and maybe cause more families to leave, and be safe." Garret said, leaning against the wall and gazing passively out the window.
"Yes, I think they would find that comforting." Tamar nodded at him and then turned back to the microphone and took a deep breath. She exhaled slowly, calming herself, then she pushed the call button and began, "My fellow Abbeydwellers, it is my unfortunate task to inform you that under our present circumstances our wise leaders feel it would be best for our civilian members to leave the Abbey for a time. Just as in days of old our home has come under the attack of those who would wish to breach our walls and harm our creatures. Those of you who wish and are in a position to fight for our dear Abbey should gather in the Great Hall for instructions." She paused, then, continuing as her voice began to waver, "All those who cannot or do not wish to fight and those with families are urged to pack your things and gather on the front lawns so that you may be relocated to a secure location until such a time as this trouble passes. . ." Unable to contain her sorrow at telling all these creatures to leave their home, her voice cracked, and she removed her paw from the button, the system squealing as it was shut off.
-
Jasyn had sighed when Garret left, stating to himself, "This is new, a search and retrieval mission, without the search...." The mercenary fox started towards the door, then stopped a passing sister. "Where's the attic?" The squirrel mutely pointed in a direction then scampered off, obviously scared of his appearance. The fox clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
"Geeze. It's not like I'm gonna kill anyone here...", he was cut off as he listened to the announcement that Tamar was making. After she had finished, he went off to the stairs and climbed. When he emerged into the dusty attic, he looked around. "Helloooo?" He called. "Is there a Silas up here?"
There was a clatter, a thud, and a noticeable cloud of dust erupting from a door to an attic room. Silas stumbled out, covered in dust, coughing.
"Wha'sat?"
The cloud reached Jasyn, and the mercenary fox had trouble not breathing in the stuff. The dust settled on his trench coat, and he tried to get it all off without coughing. No such luck. The fox began choking and hacking. Jasyn snarled then beat his chest with a clenched paw. "Are you Silas? Garret asked me to find you. He wants to know if you agree with his choice."
Silas had been about to ask what Garret wanted to agree upon, when the announcement went out. After it had finished, he nodded, speaking to Jasyn, "I agree with the decision. It's the best course of action." Silas wheezed, coughing up the rest of the dust from his lungs. He patted himself down, the dust rising in plumes where he touched his jacket.
"You mind helping me with this shelf I just knocked over? Nobeast's going to be around to clean it up, and it was my mistake..." Silas trailed off, turning to look at the door he'd come from. Following a long, awkward pause, Jasyn threw his paws up, proclaiming, "Sure, why the hell not?" -
Tamar sniffed and wiped a tear from her eye. 'Hormones', she blamed silently. Then she nodded to Garret, "Si and I will be there, and I can think of a few others." Then she got rose from the desk and held the chair out for the Abbot.
Johnathan took the chair, "Thank you, Tamar. You can run along. I can take it from here." He took a moment to gather his thoughts before he began his own announcement, starting to retell many prominent moments in the history of the abbey, referencing how -no matter what- good had always triumphed.
Tamar followed Garret to the door. "I hope that was alright. Sorry I kind of lost it at the end."
"I understand Tamar. The message has been sent throughout the abbey. Well, I somewhat understand, anyway. I don't completely understand certain stresses you must be experiencing. I don't understand them at all, in fact, but..." Garret trailed off, this conversation obviously being awkward for him.
He suddenly put a paw to the BlueTooth headset that was on his right ear.
"There are already beasts appearing outside." Came Leon's voice, followed by, "Ospreys will be on site in half an hour, tops."
"Thank you, Leon. Try to keep them comfortable." Garret replied, then let his hand fall. He turned to Tamar, smiling sadly as he asked, "Mind if I ask you a question?"
The squirrelmaid smirked and replied, "You just did. But do ahead."
Rolling his eyes and smiling, the fox followed, "You remember Skyra, right?"
"Yeah we've met." She smirked at him and mumbled the word, "Paris." as if that should have some meaning to him. But then she became serious again. She fiddled with the copper sea-sickness bracelet on her wrist which thankfully up to this point had warded off any morning sickness.
She wanted to say this before they were surrounded by other beasts again, "Garret, thanks for keeping this quiet. It's not that I don't want to tell Si, or that I think he'll be mad. I really think he'll be thrilled even though we didn't really plan on anything like this happening so soon. I just . . . I'm afraid he'll want to send us away."
When she said the word 'us' her paw went reflexively to her stomach. "I'm staying," she announced defiantly, "and I don't want to fight with him about this. I know they would just love to get their paws on me to use me against you and Si. And he may think that by sending me away he would be protecting me but. . ." She shuddered. "You and I both know that they could find me if they really wanted to." She gave him a meaningful look. She knew just as well as he did what they were up against. It wasn't the first time this specific choice of friend and husband -Garret and Silas(Boyfriend, at the time), respectfully- had landed her in this very pot of hot water.
Garret nodded, understanding what she meant, as well as respecting her decision. Memories were flowing through his mind, a raging torrent of emotional recall at her mention of Paris. He and Skyra, Silas and Tamar, had all gone on a double-date-buddy-vacation together, a couple years prior, in the city of Paris. They'd done everything, caught a fireworks show, attended a local festival, found a reasonably nearby amusement park... It was nothing so much as two happy couples, all friends, having fun, throwing away their cares for a time, as though they'd been teenagers on summer break.
Pulling himself to the present, he glanced at the maid, who walked beside him, "I was wondering if we could talk about her. About Sky."
Tamar nodded, able to tell that this was warranting emotion from him. "Yeah, that's fine. You remember where you stayed, last time you were here?"
"Yeah, why?" He answered, curious as to what difference it made.
"We can talk there, if you'd like. It's still furnished, and everything. I mean, if you want to talk privately." She explained, looking up to her friend with concern. He replied with not but a nod.
-
"So, what's up?" Tamar asked, sitting beside Garret on the small sofa in his room. He looked to her, and shrugged. Taking a deep breath, and looking to the ceiling, he began, "I don't know what happened. She left me. Almost a year ago, now. That's why, every time you guys have seen me, I was always alone, why I always said she was busy, and why I've been so quiet.
"Everything was fine. Was perfect, even. I mean, we were a little stressed from things like work, but... I don't know. We got into a small fight, and I hung out at a motel for a few days because she said she wanted some space, then she came to find me, and told me that she felt we should take a break. Since then, we've just drifted. Farther, and farther apart. And so much else has happened..." Breaking off, though he tried to hide it, she'd heard his voice crack, seen tears. Not knowing what else to do, Tamar gave him a hug, speaking quietly, "I'm so sorry, Garret, I didn't... I had no idea."
It was unusual to see this beast show much emotion, typically it was limited to his normal, stoic attitude, mirth, or mild anger. Never true depression, or anger, or anything.
After a few minutes of him further explaining the events, or, rather, lack thereof, that had transpired between himself and his beloved, Garret pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Flitting through the menus, he opened a text message, and began speaking, "I got this, before I arrived, after I saw Reggie. 'Hey, Gary. I just wanted to let you know we're looking for your ex girlfriend. We want her to see you fail. We also want you to see her die. It's a win-win for me. Well, anyhow, best of luck.', It's from him. So.... Now she's at risk, and there's nothing I can do about it. I don't know her number, I don't know where she is. I just hope they have the same trouble."
She'd prepared to say something, when there was a knock at the door, to which Garret called, "Yes?" The reply came as Silas asked, "Can me and... Jasyn. Jasyn, right? Yeah, Jasyn, come in? Oh, and Conium?"
Tamar stood, moving away from Garret as he quickly recomposed himself, "Yeah, go for it."
The pair opened the door, still somewhat dusty, prompt a look of confusion from Tamar. Silas moved aside as the Badgermaid stepped in, speaking around her, "We were looking for you, and so was she. It occurred to me we might find you here, and, lo and behold, I was right!"
The badgermaid made her way to the fox as he stood. She looked at Garret and met his eyes. She was small for a badger, but she still stood over him. However, sensing his seniority in this situation, she explained, "I might not be the best fighter, if it came down to it, but I think I have something you might be able to use."
At Conium's words he raised an eyebrow, asking "And what might that be, Miss? Any help would be appreciated, but unless you can design a bomb or operate a weapon, it won't make an overly large difference, I'm afraid."
Conium gnawed her lip, for a moment, before answering, "I don't really want to talk about it with anybeast here."
This sentence aroused a look of both concern and curiosity from every beast in the room.
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