North America Trials

[dakota]

Khris shrugged, running out of options. " Okay Tigger, you're the bosskitty. So what do we do? We don't know who the shooter was, why they did it and if they are even still here. Do we just chalk it up to poor luck and be glad he survived then? " He sighed. " Because I really don't know."

[albatross]

Tiger is conflicted. "We do have another mission. And Heckle will remember someday. When he does we should have plenty of leads."

She sighs, "Other than showing Heckle around here and hoping he recognizes a familiar face, or taking him to Kennedy and hoping he'll remember better on site, I really don't have any practical ideas...."

"I suppose we'll have to sit down with Heckle tonight and ask him where he wants us to take this."

[dakota]

"Hey," Khris said apologetically and pulling Tiger close," I'm not tring to make things hard for you. I just don't like leaving loose ends, you know that. I'll stay on target and stop straying. Keeping him safe is the important thing. Let's help the kids win this first."

[albatross]

"Right," Tiger agrees. She is still thinking about Heckle, but then Jeckle and Lt. White arrive. Heckle seems to perk up at getting new equipment, and he asks Jeckle about her maybe making him some replacements for his old stuff and perhaps a couple new toys....

The sixth trial begins, the third one today. In this one the kids will be sparring using the power armor. Tiger defers to Marv.

Marv scratches his head and stares at the three kids. "You are still learning to pilot these things. Don't try anything fancy. No kicks, no martial arts moves. Move in a triangle with the three of you within arms length. When your opponents get close - punch them. By sticking together you can make and outward facing triangle, " he turns the kids so their backs are all inward and each is facing out. "This way they can't use a decoy to get behind you. Fast punches... thats the key." He leans in close to Rock, "Nothing fancy. Got it?"

[dakota]

" Listen to Marv, kids." Khris encouraged," and you'll do fine."

[shiivster]

'well . . lets go then' she moves and gets into the vehicle they borrowed and waits still in thought. 'you ever wonder what things would be like if . . . say . . a life turning accident never happened? oh yeah . . heads up. i don't do this artsyfartsy giggle flirty thing. never understood the point of it, so don't expect it from me. other than that? i think we're mostly compatible'

[albatross]

Edwin nods, "I think I can handle that." As for her question he thinks about it for a moment and says, "I try not to think about it of course, but when I do, it could always be worse, ya know? I mean, I could've died. So instead of thinking how unlucky I was to lose a leg I try to turn it around and think about how lucky I am to still be breathing.... Most days, it works."

White tenses up a bit when he thinks about the world of might have been, but he quickly relaxes and shrugs. "What about you?"

[shiivster]

' . . . to be honest? i was 3 when the accident happened. it was visits to the hospital all the time . . then living with relatives. i'm not even sure what mom and dad did. but they were well off. well off enough for the relatives to try to get their hands on it for themselves. they didn't expect me to understand stuff. i thank the nurses for that. they read a lot of things from stories to the news and about the stock exchange. the life insurance paid the bills and when we left, i left the rest of it with the aunt that looked after us.

'the rest? . . its gone now. mostly into my rig and supplies. not sure what i mighta been, but i figure that i'm well enough off as i am now. maybe minus the scarring, but . . whatever. i found that soaking in a tub for a few hours once a week helped ease the pains . . it's hard to rub cream into spots you can't reach'

[albatross]

In the third trial of the day, the kids get third. Very impressive considering they only learned to pilot the power armor that morning. They all get dinner and proceed back to the barracks.

There Tiger summons Heckle. He has been more active and interested since Jeckle and White got back with his gear, but he tenses up when Tiger says sweetly, "Heckle, take a walk with me."

"We'll be back in a few minutes," Tiger tells Kris and Jeckle. She doesn't want to surround Heckle or interrogate him, hoping to keep the conversation as gentle as possible.

[shiivster]

'it's okay Heck . . . i'll be here in view. k?'

*she settles down on the ground and gets a few things started and a pair of gloves. she plans on working on the exo arms to hook into the exo-legs

[albatross]

Tiger takes Heckle aside and talks to him a few minutes. Jeckle can probably guess at the topics. Tiger doesn't notice everything, but it would be hard for her to miss the gaps in Heckle's recollection.

After a few minutes of talking, Heckle and Tiger return. They find Jeckle, Kris, Dante and Bel for a few minutes.

Tiger is silent and lets Heckle talk. "Um," Heckle begins. "Tiger has explained the situation right now, and... I've decided to put tracking down the people who shot me on hold for a bit."

He looks at Jeckle, seeming almost surprised at his own words. "I'll be joining the team and working on this - ah, mission with the kids - while I research a few things." He looks at Tiger.

She says, "Revenge is a dish best served cold eh? Glad to have you. I'm sure more than a few members of our team will be glad to help you hunt down your attackers once the world returns to normal." Heckle nods.

[dakota]

"Welcome aboard." Kris said, then smirked at Jeckle," maybe your sister won't be such a sourpuss with you around."

[shiivster]

'oh bite me Irish . . . ' *she nods at Heckle. while she was worried, she kows better than to try and hug him in company. he never did get comfortable with her hugging, and then she couldn't for a long time. so now, between them, a nod and a smile will say more than words.

*she smiles at Kris 'better yet, go try your gun if you haven't since i tweaked it' *she sits back down in the 'camp' they have, and resumes working with wires and a pair of gloves with a mini soldering gun. she's back at work again on a new project. White still has the exo-legs on. 'so what did you think you needed bro? . . . '

[dakota]

"When I get chance, I intend to." Khris replied with a smirk. " Have to figure out what you buggered up before I need it after all."

[albatross]

The third day dawns bright and clear and everyone is shuttled to the same hanger that housed the power armor trials.

The last trial is team against team sparring competition. Tiger defers all of the preparation and strategy to Marv, who has the best tournament record of any martial artist at the trials.

There is protective armor for people like Dancer, but Rock and Peacemaker would be allowed to forgo it. Marv tells them all to suit up. "Aw," Rock complains, "I don't need it, and it itches."

Tiger takes Rock by the shoulder and says, "I've reviewed Marv's strategy and its flawless. This is your moment Rock. We need your strength and speed today. And I need you to do exactly what Marv tells you. My trust in him in this is absolute."

And so the three kids are all suited up. Marv stands before them. "Um, you all remember what we talked about last night." He stratches his head as if somewhat in doubt himself.

"Your plan is perfect Marv," Peacemaker says. "And we remember it perfectly. Round one."

"Round one," Tiger repeats.