Research and Development

[Jello Shot Mischa]

(( All right, time to start a thread I'd promised to start back in January, but for various reasons didn't get around to until now...! ))

Far inland from Muffinville, there lies a region of desert, populated largely cactii and scorpions, with dust swirling around craggy rocks of the mountains, and mountains loom imposingly beyond. Out here live only those desiring a certain amount of peace and quiet, away from the chaos and constant change of Muffinville and its environs.

Of course, this makes it a perfect location for certain interests, such as the CTC, who constructed a research facility built deep into one of the mountainsides. The only facilities upon the surface are the landing strips for transport planes and VTOLs, with a small control tower and hangars for the aircraft. Access to the facility within the mountain is only through one of several heavily-armored blast doors that shield the entrances from anything outside wanting to get in -- or, potentially, inside and wanting to get out. The airstrips themselves are ringed by a chain link fence, and CTC drones continually monitor and patrol its periphery, watching the barren landscape for any signs of intruders.

At the moment, however, a CTC vertol approaches the airfield, escorted by a pair of CTC aircraft, which bank off to return to their patrol as the vertol settles down upon the landing field. As its engines power down, the rear hatch opens, and Commander Pleasance steps down onto the concrete runway, accompanied by her aides, Lily and Alex. A man in an officer's uniform comes running up to her as she steps out, and offers her a quick salute.

"Welcome to Cayenne Mountain, Commander," he says, pausing to wipe the perspiration from his brow. The Commander offers a slight smirk at the mentioned name for the facility, and the man laughs nervously. "Eheh... I wasn't responsible for the name, ma'am. The crews assigned to build the facility named it that -- I suspect they felt it was rather witty, considering both the inspiration for the design and the tendency for places on this continent to have, er, 'food-related' names."

"I'm not particularly concerned," Commander Pleasance says, holding up a hand to forestall any more explanation. "It's amusing in its own way. Has our invited guest arrived yet?"

"Ahh... Lord Bones, ma'am? There's been no sign of him yet, and we're not entirely sure what means he'll choose to arrive in. We are monitoring for any trace of his aircraft, however, as well as any indications of other means of travel."

The commander nods. "It's probably just as well -- it would be bad form to arrive after one's guest."

The base official nods. "Would you like to wait indoors, ma'am? We do have some cool drinks prepared."

Commander Pleasance chuckles, and nods again. "That does sound like a good idea..." she murmurs, motioning for her aides to follow as she sets off towards the building housing the base's control tower.

[AmbushCat]

*For reasons known only to him, Ambush Cat can be seen perched at the top of the control tower, doing blue jay imitations.*

[Feng]

The Storm Crow ambles towards the mountain chain at a leisurely pace, its estimated time of arrival to the research complex being approximately fifteen minutes or so. Soon the control tower is receiving a radio message politely requesting permission to land.

[Jello Shot Mischa]

The Storm Crow ambles towards the mountain chain at a leisurely pace, its estimated time of arrival to the research complex being approximately fifteen minutes or so. Soon the control tower is receiving a radio message politely requesting permission to land.

The control tower quickly responds, indicating that the Storm Crow will be escorted to the airbase, and indicating that they're to land on landing pad 2.

Within a few moments, a pair of vertols appear, taking up position on each side of the airship as it heads to Cayenne Mountain.

[Feng]

The Vitrol might notice that the Storm Crow has seen a few changes since the last couple of months, in particular a new paint job. In contrast to the previously gaudy color green and silver scheme it once possessed, the entire ship has now been painted dark black. Most unnerving but no doubt very handy when stealth is required.

Slowly it floats towards landing pad 2.

[Jello Shot Mischa]

In the meantime, Commander Pleasance heads into the control tower building to get some drinks!

The Vitrol might notice that the Storm Crow has seen a few changes since the last couple of months, in particular a new paint job. In contrast to the previously gaudy color green and silver scheme it once possessed, the entire ship has now been painted dark black. Most unnerving but no doubt very handy when stealth is required.

Slowly it floats towards landing pad 2.

The change in color scheme apparently passes without comment. As the Storm Crow approaches the airfield, its crew will notice the airbase seems fairly well protected, with other aircraft visible in the hangers and drones on constant patrol. As the airship maneuvers into position, the vertols move back, although they remain in the area.

[Feng]

The Storm Crow proceeds to land!

[Jello Shot Mischa]

The Storm Crow proceeds to land!

As the airship lands, a few HMMWVs approach from the control tower, parking a respectful distance away! A soldier approaches the airship, waiting outside the most obvious exit!

[Feng]

Bones and a small band of Chibi disembark from the ship, taking a gangplank to the surface. He approaches the lone soldier.

"Good day sir. Are you the personnel in charge of this landing strip?"

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Bones and a small band of Chibi disembark from the ship, taking a gangplank to the surface. He approaches the lone soldier.

"Good day sir. Are you the personnel in charge of this landing strip?"

The soldier nods. "Yes, sir. I'm Lieutenant Jacobs. The Commander is waiting for you in the main building with refreshments. Does your aircraft require any particular maintenance that we should be aware of?"

[Feng]

"Don't worry about the Storm Crow. My team of engineers will let you know if they require any assistance. Anyways, lead the way my good sir!"

[Jello Shot Mischa]

"Don't worry about the Storm Crow. My team of engineers will let you know if they require any assistance. Anyways, lead the way my good sir!"

The lieutenant nods, and motions for Lord Bones and his group to follow. The sun beats down rather mercilessly upon the tarmac as they walk, but after a few minutes they make it into the rather welcome cool of the shade, and finally step into the air-conditioned interior of the airfield's main building. The halls are pretty stark and utilitarian, but Lord Bones is soon lead to a small meeting room, where some cool drinks have been laid out.

Commander Pleasance rises to her feet, offering Lord Bones her hand to shake. "I'm glad you could make it, Lord Bones," she says.

[Feng]

"Thank you for extending your hospitality, Commander" says Bones, returning the handshake. "I must admit, it took a while for the Chibiwanbanshu to locate this facility, an impressive feat to be sure!"

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Commander Pleasance chuckles. "Perhaps I should have given some directions... but no matter. If you'd like to have any refreshments, please help yourself. Once you're ready, we should probably begin. There's a few matters I'd like to discuss, and there's some other things I must attend to here as well."

[Feng]

"Fair enough commander," says Bones, pouring himself some lemonade. "I understand you are a busy woman with a lot on her plate. Before we begin I should probably introduce you to my associates who I have brought along."

He points to a white haired Chibi wearing glasses.

"This is Doc, my personal assistant and head of Research and Development. Before you ask, no it is not his real name. Unfortunately, his real name is very hard to pronounce even by experts on Chibi culture like myself."

The Chibi takes a deep bow. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Commander."

"The Chibi to his left is Agent Grumpy of the Chibiwanbanshu. Since the Chibiwanbanshu are barred from using their real names in public for security reasons, he decided to go along with the Seven Dwarfs motif."

Grumpy nods. "I believe we've met before Commander?"


"Finally, the Chibi on the right is head of our salvage operations, Agent Atoc."

The Chibi smiles, waving at Commander Pleasance. "How's it going?"

"Er, don't mind him. He's new to the company..." >__>