#tempest layouts

[pfpanimes]

⌕ tensei shitara slime datta ken - rimuru.

like or reblog if you save/use.

[lovereist]

n youre in ny again with your oldest friend — 𐚁̸

[moritadoll]

﹏͚̈̈ ૮Ꮚ ♡' ᨳ࣪ 𓈒

[serexvu]

rimuru tempest from that time i got reincarnated as a slime

[little-eye-guy]

slowly. i will write bios for all my dragons

[maximusod]

One of many wips, but I've been working lately on updating some old characters of mine and getting their world figured out. Doubt anyone here remembers Tempest (I first made him back in 2018), but he's getting a rehash, and a big write up, along with his pilot, Kim Ryder.

His world is a fantasy/scifi setting, similar to those like in Final Fantasy, Escaflowne, Megaman Legends, etc. Yes, we got giant robots, giant creatures, giant dragons, giant ships, and tons of other things. Click the expand button to see my Obsidian layout currently for it lol (still needs lots of work, but this is a teaser image).

[vermiculated]

Books through June. This quarter I did not play mind games with myself however I instead wrote a ton of Star Wars ff. You ever really think about shorts??

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters vol 2 - Emil Ferris

The best part of the first volume was going to the Art Institute and going inside the paintings. In this volume, this is less hallucinatory and becomes part of an artistic practice.

Weapon X - Barry Windsor Smith

The layout design to this is exceptional. There are a bunch of counter-clockwise layouts and juicy splash pages. There’s a wordless nine panel page. Barry also very decorous about Wolverine’s dick. The edition I had followed Barry’s tour de force with a hilariously Claremont excerpt about Lady Deathstrike.

How to ADHD - Jessica McCabe

It is difficult to contemplate that the conditions that make us who we are are, when sufficiently removed from specifics so as to fill out a popular self-help book, are like reading about an enemy.

The Spamalot Diaries - Eric Idle

I learned from this book that “cinq á sept” has a completely different meaning in Europe from what it means here.

Something Wild and Wonderful - Anita Kelly

This romance is about learning to value the lessons of the path rather than the achievement of the destination, and there are flickerings of how this can be evaluated — Alexei’s cultivation of solitary hobbies gives him a pathetic self-sufficiency, the birdwatching along the trail is quite tender — and perhaps I am not far enough along in my journey of wholeness to be impressed with a romance about the Pacific Crest Trail where they do not finish the dangblasted hike.

The Grief of Stones - Katherine Addison

Lively; I enjoyed how bad it got for Celehar! The Hill of Werewolves was a nasty proving ground last book and its elevation to abattoir was pleasingly ghoulish. There’s a ton of extruded fantasy product out there which does not think to ask, what do these characters do when they’re not skulking through underground tombs, and commercially-stamped mystery product that never gets to, are there different types of teahouses for the interminable cups of tea? The opera subplot continues to charm.

The Whistling Shadow - Mabel Seeley

Several Christmas murders. This occurs at, simultaneously, such a high level of abstraction the Gail gives Bertie Wooster a jog for the contents of his pockets, and with a poetic eye toward the prevailing conditions: a November ice storm “forms splinters of sparkle” on tree branches.

The Cactus League - Emily Nemens

Had extremely a lot of fun guessing who was based on whom, Remembering Some Guys.

The German - Lee Thomas

“Storm of Steel” is probably — I don’t know I haven’t read it I wasn’t the right type of nineteen year old for it — better adapted as a novel without the ritualized sex torture.

Snow Angels - Jeff Lemire et al

There’s some very lateral problem-solving here, and there’s little I like so much as watching a person grow into her problem-solving abilities while being chased by a cyborg with a glowing face plate.

Snowdrift - Greg Rucka et al

There’s a comment in here about how to dramatically present white space on a page, endless vistas of glaciers and stormy weather.

Tempest - Phil Jimenez et al

Finally some liquid water. Anyone Garth has ever loved rejects him by dying, but the power fantasy is so incredibly pure: in the process of claiming his birthright, everyone underestimates him and yet, what makes him unique makes him valued. Garth is the most Marvel of the DC sidekicks, in terms of being “a guy who lives in the apartment above the hero’s lair and is universally yet inexplicably resented.” He has bought drugs for the other Titans.

The Fisherman - John Langan

How everyone did something together because individual weaknesses would have made it impossible to do alone. The frame narrative in “Natalia Queen of the Hungry Dogs” is spookier — dead kids — and the Hudson River Valley Museum probably sells copies of this, for the drowned towns under the New Croton Reservoir.

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them - Junauda Petrus

As a noted YA disliker, I gave this a go. I still don’t like YA, especially virtuous child with terminal illness YA, which used to be the main kind and I believe may have receded enough that this is now fresh, but the supernatural appearances, affirming that this is that kind of story, where spirits are healed and bodies dissolve into light, were vivid.

Checkmate to Murder - ECR Lorac

One must appreciate an author who when given the chance, puts her female characters in leggings. Ski trousers! That’s what I like to see! Also I think Macdonald is burdened with the same knowledge of human nature as George Smiley and there is a scene where he stands behind a open door which is as quietly humiliating in its vindication — if it had turned out any way other than how it has, Macdonald could have respected his adversary — of a certain malign view of the world. He would perhaps like it to be other than it is.

Becoming Alien - Rebecca Ore

This captures the moment in Star Trek 2009 where JTK’s huge blue eyes gaze at the dockyards and the ships lensflare back at him, and makes the recognition of the self in the other, ironic and repeated, the whole book.

To Touch The Face of God - Kendrick Oliver

Excellent in its coverage of the dull nickel at the heart of the shiny optimism of the early space program. I particularly enjoyed looking up some of the people who Kendrick provides character sketches for (Jack Parsons, Buzz Aldrin) to confirm, if anything, that the sociology of religion goes deep into individual psychologies. “Super, really enjoyed it!”

The Whole Man - John Brunner

A novel about storytelling that’s not also about being, particularly, an artist. Final quarter is real rushed.

The Still, Small Voice of Trumpets - Lloyd Biggle Jr

What if Switzerland was a planet, and the man who brought the alpenhorn to it also brought universal suffrage? Too bold for currently-existing Switzerland but this is why we have sff, to allow us to see what we find invisible in our real world. hard 2 b a god.

Dogeaters - Jessica Hagedorn

On a @mimaveil rec, thank youuuu, experimental fiction across the clockface, beautiful vivid rooms with maroon walls and silvery light, the telescoping from grandmother’s bedroom to torture chamber was as deft as promised. I really liked the various horrible dinner parties, complete with butterfly-winged dresses and imported food.

An Earthquake is the Shaking of the Surface of the Earth - Anna Moschovakis

The temptation, when writing a novel about dreams, poetry, and self-analysis, to actually use these three dangerous objects, must be enormous. What fiction is for is to efface ourselves and put across more broadly interesting ideas, or more complicated ones, in our place.

Where the Dead Wait - Ally Wilkes

This book, appropriately for The Terror very strong on the lieutenants, made the absolutely maddening choice to print, on the background of every single recto page, a gray spatter of blood. I had the pleasure of seeing a deluxe edition of “The Things” where the pages were printed with special UV ink so when a flashlight in the shape of the alien ship was shined upon the pages, codes and jaws appeared behind the text. The edition I looked at cost eight hundred and fifty dollars.

The Fell Murder - ECR Lorac

Intriguing: wartime rearrangements give Elizabeth a life and Marion a purpose and the men around them hunt for a body, there’s clear-eyed perception in that. I was displeased when the murderer dies and Macdonald absolves the whole household because order has been restored. He’s better with another detective like in Murder in the Mill Race.

Malicroix - Henri Bosco trans. Joyce Zonana

Like many novels about metaphysical dissatisfaction, the telling doesn’t appear to tarnish the source of the unhappiness at all, real L for humanist psych. It’s like a French Oblomov, as the title character frets about his cousin and the countryside rather than his obligations to women and to the land. The place-setting in this is exceptionally beautiful.

The Blue Flower - Penelope Fitzgerald

Show-stopping spectacle when Fritz first sees Sophie at the window: the whole narrative lenses around this moment, remaking everything before and after. Really great novels discard the rules of novels: to my great delight, as a person who does not like reading about children, this novel about them simply writes them as small adults, with philosophical preoccupations and points of honor.

Suddenly At His Residence - Christianna Brand

Two locked room mysteries in one house. What if a mystery is too clever, that is part of the acceptance of mortality: if we are here and only for a little while, we might as well equivocate regarding the glass bowl of roses which shall be used to time the hour of our death.

Butterfly Swords - Jeannie Lin

I’m so glad she went for broke on her own. The discussion of honor here feels like the participants are handling an empty glass, and Ailey’s (I know.) swordsmanship and sexy fun disguise do not get enough play.

The Stars Undying - Emery Robin

There’s a scene late in this book where sff bisexual Cleopatra VII speaks to the people of sff gender parity Rome while they’re at a bar and someone is trying to remember what consular year sff bisexual Caesar had returned from sff bisexual Bythnia (okay that one a little less) and recalls it by working out that there had been an earthquake that summer: and when the bridge she was walking on with her little dog was damaged, they had been stuck midway across.

The Sea Eternal - Emery Robin

Really hit its stride as Ana hallucinates her dead loved ones/experiences context collapse in the middle third. Gracia was more interesting than Cierran in book one, but Ana is more interesting than Gracia in book two (I like watching a heroine get boxed in while she’s on a journey and discovering that her circumstances have very much changed upon arrival, I’ll read it every time) and Antony and Cleopatra with its stutter-step scenes is reformed here into three pearls, two discs, a song. The Aeneid elements were not to my taste, Ana and Otávio should have bitten one another during those parts instead.

[turboacek-blog]

Aqualad: most underrated Young Justice story

Just wanted to kind of layout how interesting his story was as I feel of the OG team his reserved personality makes him not stand out over the rest and some only thought he was interesting when playing the bad guy in season 2

Aqualad a young adopted kid training to be the next Aquaman with his best friend, and is in love with a girl. But he takes the opportunity to be Aquaman’s sidekick which takes him away from his best friend and crush

Only for him to come back in some months just to find that his best friend got with his crush…

And he has to essentially still save the day and be the hero, come to terms that he lost her due to his “job” while not being upset at them the arguably two closest people in his life

Like this is in any other medium is a movie in itself

Add through season 1 he’s the leader of a bunch of interesting personalities and was like the calm big brother of the team

Then in the time skip, his crush joins the team meaning he can finally spend the quality time with his crush he had to sacrifice before, and it’s a bit unclear if they ever got together during this time but on the mission she dies on your watch…

Not much time later you find out that your mentor/King’s enemy is your biological father so dealing with all these emotions is again it’s own movie itself

Not even going to go into the whole double agent thing in season 2 that people already like

But then one of your best friends Wally dies and you’re thrusted back into the job as your other best friend grieves his own way leaving mostly on your own

Then in season 3 he does it he becomes Aquaman he’s another leader of the Justice league everything is going seemingly fine

But does fall too deep with the secrets again…

And between seasons 3&4 he finds a new love

But all this time his first issue keeps coming back of balancing work and life which is how he lost Tula before and how he perceives to have lost Superboy until later revealed he’s fine

Idk I think Kaldur has the sneakily best story through the show in total

Characters like Nightwing adjust with each season more to fit that season's story than something overarching, and Miss Martian will always have her identity problems and so on but I feel the others weren’t as detailed as Kaldur I feel

I’m just saying you could easily make an amazing movie animated or real life about Kaldur the secret son of a villain learning under a hero and on the way has to juggle the problem of hero and villain and work and life and love or duty

You would literally just need to adjust his hero name tbh as I don’t think general audience will wanna watch a movie called Aqualad tbf

Like Garth got the Tempest alternative when he’s not Aqualad either swap that as Garth is still kinda seen more as Aqualad due to comic history and teen titans or just give him a new name as a character like Tim Drake will probably always be Robin primarily but he still has a couple of alternate names he can go by

Random but I kinda of like Tide, from Tidal Wave or Rising Tides or a play on his comic counterpart Jackson Hyde

And for visuals Kaldur has the Atlantean magic that Aquaman doesn't have so he can water bend for a more interesting power set as Aquaman is basically just super strong with no aquatic life around

Plus can generate electricity has weapons etc. giving him a mix of Queen Mera and someone like Robin

Idk I just feel that this version of Aqualad you could make its own version of the story just about him and be well received by a majority

[theshipsong]

an example reading for my 200 follower event :) this ended up being a spread about my WIP, so you can take it as a writer's block spread or a more plot-driven, aristotelian prompt for if you're more in a lore-planning stage.

you're invited to my tarot party!

relationship cross: katken

me: six of wands

him: king of coins

past: seven of wands

present: the chariot

future: the magician

the six of wands as applied to my s/ins is a damn ingenue, christine daae after her debut. she's worked very hard, but this acclaim is conditional and disappears overnight. my s/ins prior to meeting kenny is miserable and barely keeping afloat, recovering from her life's first colossal failure.

i'm sorry but i whimpered seeing the king of coins. ooh. ahh. mmm. so the court cards are often used to represent the age of real figures involved in the querent's life and you can guess the king is an older man; the golden visconti-sforza deck emphasizes graying. coins in particular is more conservative, more set in his ways. paired with the precarity of my own card, a man who rules his own domain and life to the point of being tired of it is not an obvious or advisable partner. and yet.

the seven of wands' pictorial face is a man defending his territory against an unseen number of enemies. this relationship's past, e.g. everything i've written so far in a giant ellipsus note over 50k in third person, has been an open secret with people around us poking at it and making snide comments, and us pretending to be unbothered by it to each other until we can't anymore. wands denote fire, and the presence of this and me as the six of wands sound like a candle burning at both ends.

the present, or where this draft is currently stalled, being signified by the chariot is annoyingly apt in that the chariot sequentially follows the lovers in the major arcana. katken are in their breakup or break phase, separated both by professional circumstances and on a contact moratorium after an explosive fight. the charioteer is solo except for the steeds pulling his cart, which delightfully vary in different decks. the chariot is about self-control almost like temperance is, being sober and confident enough to direct your own life, alone, so you are able to show up in relationships at your best.

the future as the magician is a bit beautiful, but still a warning. the magician is prospero from shakespeare's the tempest, or as i've taken to saying lately, dr. vegapunk from one piece. he's a master of his own fate and of material reality, being able to shape it to his will. you don't get there without a lot of work, though, so maybe what scares me in continuing writing this is how much maturing both of us need to do, from his white-knuckle grip he learned was how to hold onto uri to my fear of that exact thing.

the layout

[white-rabbits-captain]

He should check out Tempest's 3P so he can get some semblance of a clue of layout

I think that's what he's currently doing. He claims to have struck out on getting help from the library.

[pfpanimes]

⌕ zetsuen no tempest • hakaze kusaribe.

♡ like or reblog if you save/use.

[nijigasakilove]

I’m loving seeing tempest prepare for the festival. The coliseum and labyrinth are coming along very well! I’ve never seen a dungeon building series or anything quite like this so it’s been a pretty novel experience seeing Rimuru and the gang set up the labyrinth.

I never thought about all the strategy that has to go into making a dungeon challenging enough for experienced people, but not too hard that people can’t make progress and feel like they’re stuck, save points, layouts etc. Actually a really interesting episode and an example of how to make worldbuilding episodes fun and engaging

Love how Rimuru was able to get Veldora and Ramiris involved too! Veldora as the guardian gives him an opportunity to flex his aura finally it’ll create strong monsters for visiting adventurers. Ramiris getting to feel useful with the rebirth armbands and some other design stuff was neat too. It was really sweet when Rimuru told Beretta to help Ramiris as well, she’s no longer alone now! I mean yea she had Treyni, but her family is growing.

Milim is back finally!!! Can’t wait for the next episode

[faelune-home]

FFXIVWrite 2024 #3: Tempest

(A/n: Another entry into the mini role quest rewrite series I'll be trying to do this month. This time its Alisaie in Ishgard for the magic quest! Cos she didn't really get a proper experience in Ishgard when she rejoined the story, so it'd be neat to give her the chance to see it here while dealing with the blasphemy. Especially since the magic storyline is focused heavily on the Chruch and old zealotry in the nation and how cast aside it all is in the wake of it all.

I'm also taking advantage of this being a light rewrite, cos I'm so used to the regular quests sending you directly to Aymeric's office to talk to him so much, I forgot how the role quest actually started and automatically wrote it at the congregation rather than the on the spot aetheryte meeting with Artoirel it actually was. And I didn't feel like re-rewriting to fit the quest layout. Welp.

It doesn't have to be 100% matching in dialogue and actions, just enough to be recognisable as the storyline with a new character involved. That's my feeling on rewrites and POV changes at least.

Word count: 1490)

Alisaie shivered as the frigid wind picked up, blowing snow into her face. While Ishgard certainly wasn’t as cold as Garlemald, to the point that she didn’t need as many heavy layers to handle Coerthan snowfall, it was still bitterly cold, especially coming from the humid Thavnair.

Her old coat was definitely better suited for this than her current attire, but she didn’t think to sidetrack back home to grab it when Fhara had asked her to come along and answer the Ishgardian delegate’s request for aid. And they were already outside the Congregation to meet Ser Aymeric for more information.

“I can’t imagine how Alphinaud managed here when you three fled from the Crystal Braves. He’s awful with the cold,” she huffed, already appreciating the warmth as they stepped over the threshold into the main hall.

“I think he tried to stay indoors as much as possible before Tataru made him the travelling gear that was better for the weather. Lord Fortemps gave him a little office in the manor to work in while he took on paperwork favours for folk,” Fhara said, a fond smile on her face as she recalled.

“Of course he did all the paperwork. I remember our Studium days, he was always working on papers and reports and all sorts. At least when he wasn’t engaging in some debate or flattery with his peers.” Alisaie rolled her eyes to the memory, already imagining him sitting surrounded by towers of books and papers. Perhaps it was unkind to him as he was now, long since grown from the experience, but if she had to imagine him at the time…

“I think he mainly wanted a distraction from everything that happened back then,” Fhara replied, no defensiveness in her tone, but it made Alisaie frown all the same, opting not to respond.

At that time, the nearby guarded door opened, a knight slipping out and trotting along to an officer by the large desk central to the room. The guard beckoned them over, saying, “Ser Aymeric will be free to see you now. Lord Artoirel is still engaged but should be joining you in due time.” Both ladies offered polite nods of thanks as they entered into the hallway and along to the meeting room.

As assumed, he was already waiting for them, and upon their arrival, he looked up from the paper he was reading and immediately broke out into a broad, warm grin at the sight of Fhara. Alisaie couldn’t help but feel overlooked as his gaze didn’t even seem to glance over her.

“Fhara, tis good to see you again,” he greeted, stepping round the table to meet with her. He stopped just short, a little bit close but made no move to touch or offer his hand. Just a polite bow, eyes never slipping.

“And you, though of course the circumstances aren’t…well,” Fhara coughed in an awkward greeting, ears lying low upon her head and eyes looking away from the man, shuffling back a step. Alisaie couldn’t help but tilt her head, confused at the response. Fhara then perked up again to continue, gesturing at Alisaie, “But I’ve brought Alisaie with me- you remember her? I figured she’d be a better help with any arcane skills since it isn't really my forte.”

Alisaie nodded, keeping steady eye contact now that she was finally being acknowledged by Aymeric. His welcoming smile was no less warm, but definitely more tempered compared to how he’d approached Fhara.

“Lady Alisaie, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Properly, I might add, given the circumstances you first arrived here all that time ago.”

Alisaie flushed and fought the urge to pout like a child over the reminder.

“Aye. I’ll be glad to show my appreciation for the treatment, and make a better show of myself in general.”

“I don’t doubt it, based on your brother’s tales,” Aymeric nodded. 

“Knowing my brother, I’m sure he’s only painted me in the finest light,” Alisaie frowned, ignoring the twinge of concern buzzing at the back of her mind. All the more reason to try and leave a good impression while she was here then.

Aymeric couldn’t help the bemusement that curled his lip ever so slightly, but before he could respond to it, the door behind them creaked open once more, to which he instead replied, “I’m sure Lord Artoirel could reassure you of what he’s heard from Master Alphinaud’s time here. Good to have you here at last.” Artoirel wasted no time on introductions save a brief bow of acknowledgement to both ladies.

“Indeed, forgive me for the delay. The reports on the Blasphemy’s appearances are more numerous every time we investigate, and despite the fact that it never attacks, the panic left in its wake causes more and more people to turn,” he said.

“Tis passing strange indeed, but no less dangerous for the impact it leaves on the people here,” Aymeric mumbled, “Ishgard is still recovering from the wounds of the Dragonsong War, both physical and mental. It will take many years and most likely many generations before people are truly comfortable with dragons, but to have a beast in the form of a dragon lingering and causing havoc with but a single appearance, even without taking action, it could risk tensions rising once more, even if people weren’t turning due to the fear.” He cast another glance at Alisaie, a curious look in his eye that she immediately knew how to read.

“You needn’t worry about catching me up on matters here. I was aware of the broad facts of your long war from books at the Studium, and Alphinaud updated me on the tale once I rejoined the Scions. I’m aware that in the wake of drawing the war to a close, there was much unrest - not only people lacking trust in their draconic enemies truly ending the war, but also much internal distrust and concern, such as between the high- and lowborn, and toward the Church.”

“He certainly did well to apprise you, my lady,” Artoirel said, sounding somewhat impressed, “But indeed, Ishgard is still internally shaken. We have much debate over how to move forward and where best to allocate resources, and our class divisions cause much difficulty and moving forward, especially where dragons are concerned. But faith in the Church is still at its lowest. Understandably so given the power it held with the Archbishop in charge and the many thousand years promoting misinformation and zealotry.”

“I could see members of the Church being particularly vulnerable to this blasphemy’s influence with the current atmosphere,” Aymeric said, “To which end, I would speak with a clergyman to gain insight into the beast. He supposedly witnessed the man that transformed into our now wandering dragon.”

“A witness that didn’t then transform himself?” Fhara gaped, sharing a glance of equal surprise with Alisaie.

“Miraculous as it may be, we shan’t overlook the opportunity it gives us to find out who this beast may have originally been. If we can learn that much, we can maybe find out why they may have turned in the first place.”

The group nodded at Artoirel’s declaration, and Fhara proceeded to follow him out of the room, Alisaie being halted by Aymeric for a brief moment.

“I should hope that if your brother told you much about the war, he’s also warned you of our people’s tendencies. I would be the first to admit that we are a pious city to the point of blind zealotry, and it can make many here…difficult to contend with. And the attitudes toward outsiders still haven't truly been lost, even with all Fhara has done for us.”

Alisaie regarded him carefully, turning the warning over in her head. Then she finally crossed her arms and tried to look confident.

“My brother has shared some other stories of his time here beyond the journey into dragon territory, so I have some idea of what to expect. But I take it you wouldn’t warn me if you didn’t think it’d be needed. So I appreciate it. And I shall try my best to keep a cool head, though I’ll warn you in turn that I’m not the diplomatic type like Alphinaud is, if you need someone more delicate with their words.”

“Duly noted,” he replied, though he had a dark look in his eye despite the friendly smile he tried to hide it with, “But I can handle the more delicate exchanges, my lady. Perhaps at this time, we may even need someone willing to be blunt enough for people to fully understand what’s happening and where we’re going from here.”

The implication in his words almost sent a shiver through her, before she chased after him back out the building. At least then, she could attribute it to the cold from the building storm as they made their way to the Cathedral on the upper levels.

[serexvu]

hakaze kusaribe from blast of tempest

[simbury]

So the terrible tempest ROS I decided would be a fire. Goodbye Legacy Lodge! I had finally got you to a point where I loved your layout and gardens :(

Also yes, graphic design is my passion.

Also Evie perished of sickness, but for dramatic purposes I am saying she died in the fire because I didn't get any screenshots.

[rookerystories]

Star Trails and Ash Rails: Mistakes Part 1

20 Years Ago

“We’ve got reports that the Parishi are massing to launch an assault on Tir Nybad City during the address,” Captain Vales brought up a map of the city. “The Pelican has moved into position to provide aerial support. You’ll be in atmo on security detail until the address is finished and we’ve confirmed no threat has manifested. Keep your patrols tight and your eyes open. Farrish, you’re on point for this. Any questions?”

“Who’s the ready squad?” Rei asked, leaning back in her chair and studying the layout of the city. “And what’s the word on assault? We talking about an attempt to take the city, or are they trying to level it?”

“Trugood’s on ready five, and we don’t know. All we’ve got is a potential threat.”

Rei rolled her neck then nodded. “All right, you got it Cap.”

“Dismissed. Farrish, you’re launching in 10, get to it.”

The room emptied and Rei and the rest of her squadron broke off from the group to a chorus of “break a leg” from other pilots. Hitting the locker room, Rei looked at her wing.

“Tempest, Mobius, I want you on alert, in case we need back up.”

“This is cause I took the last slice of pie, isn’t it?” Tempest complained and Rei grinned.

“You bet your ass it is.” She punched him in the arm and the man grinned.

“Worth it. Good ass pie.”

“I wouldn’t fucking know, would I, you bitch?’ Rei laughed as she pulled off clothes.

For a moment, there was only the sound of rustling clothes as six people changed into flight gear. An adrenaline laden tension filled the room, electric in intensity. Finally, Farrish walked onto the flight deck and to the X710 Falken’s waiting for them. Every time Rei saw her fighter she felt a sense of calm wash over her, like she was seeing an old, trusted friend.

The squad launched with no issue, leaving Tempest and Mobius behind in case of emergency. The flight from the flying carrier was quick; it was stationed just outside city limits, and the sun was just beginning to rise over the ocean of Hasbitu. It was a beautiful morning, especially from the seat of a fighter.

“Farrish Squadron, I’ve got you on scope. This is AWACS Stormfront and I’ll be along for the ride,” the man’s voice sounded jovial and pleasant.

“Roger Stormfront, good to have some eyes in the sky. Anything for us yet?” Rei responded.

“Scope’s clean. Captain Vale issued a no fly for the day, so anything up there with you isn’t supposed to be.”

“What’s the civilian situation like?” Rei adjusted her flight path slightly and Dex followed suit without a word.

“Most of the city’s at the stadium for the address, though we’ve got people spread throughout the city.”

“Roger that. Let’s hope the morning stays beautiful. Farrish 7, out.” Rei cut her comms and focused on scanning her surroundings.

The Falken had the benefit of exterior cams so she had a nearly 360 degree view of her surroundings. As time passed and nothing happened, Rei started to feel her body relax slightly. It was possible that the intel had been wrong, or maybe the presence of the Pelican had scared off an assault. Then, she spotted something on the horizon.

“Stormfront, this is Farrish 7.”

“Go for Stormfront.”

“I’ve got something on visual on the horizon. My scope’s not picking anything up though. Could be a really big fucking bird, but I can’t tell. What’s your scope say? I’m looking at 177.”

Stormfront was silent a moment, then came back. “You’ve got good eyes Farrish 7. We’ve got 6 bogeys incoming. You’re cleared to engage.”

“Dex, you got my back?”

“You know it,” Dex came back and she could hear the grin in his voice.

“Preacher, Ozzy, on my wing. Let’s see if we can’t turn these bastards back before they hit the city proper.”

Rei felt the surge of the Falken’s engines as she kicked up the speed and moved to intercept the incoming fighters.

“Farrish, you’ve got more incoming. Scope’s saying another 6 fighters, plus a bomber wing. Vector 155.”

“Roger Stormfront. Preacher, Ozzy, change of plans. Bring the bombers down before they hit the city, then deal with the escort.”

She watched as two Falkens broke off from their formation and blazed a new trail for interception.

“Farrish to Pelican, you’re gonna want to launch Trugood.”

“Negative Farrish, we’re dealing with mechanical problems, you’re on your own for at least 5.” Pelican responded.

“Fucking hell,” Rei muttered and adjusted her course.