North America Trials

[dakota]

"Sounds like it's back to brawl tactics to me." Khris shrugged as he listened.

[shiivster]

*looks up as the rundown is given. 'he's a water cell then? . . 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen if the group is together. so take off the wings or the hydrogen and what's left behind is something explosive. treat the area about him as a 360 range. each of you cover a 120 degrees and none of you will be in the crossfire . . '

*she jabs the screwdriver she's using into the ground. then a circle about it and then promptly divides it into three using the first hole as the center. "no way to get a crossfire that way".

*that said she wipes the screwdriver off and lets the kids figure out the words for themselves. she simply reminds them 'a team is a group. remember that and support each other . . have fun and . . well i guess kicking someone isn't cool, but sometimes its gotta be done . . '

[albatross]

The kids listen to Jeckle and discuss strategy a while longer. Then an announcement comes for the final competition. It is the last fight of the last trial.

This time the observation deck is empty. No one has come to watch. Tiger turns to Bel, "Bel, Roan, Dante- get to the medical bay and be ready to go on my signal."

After the three of them leave Marv says through gritted teeth, "Is this necessary."

"They can't just forfeit," Tiger says calmly. "Marv, failure is a great teacher. Not as good as you, but one they need to get acquianted with." She turns to Kris, "I'm going to want to know your sense of Vessel when this is over."

[dakota]

Khris noddes," I'll get a read on all three. No crowds make it alot easier on my head"

[albatross]

At first, all Kris can sense of the three opponents is Veil with her aura of increased power and considerable strength of the water alien. Vessel is like an empty shell.

But then Vessel uncoils his power and Kris can feel him, a unique presense, very powerful.

At the start of the match Vessel waves his hand and Rock, Peacemaker and Dancer are slammed into a wall by a tornado. As Bel, Roan and Dante rush to check on the kids, the match is over.

Tiger looks through the glass. "That spell... Elemental, something a seasoned warlock would know... but he couldn't operate the tester unless he was young. Interesting."

Then she follows Marv out, to check on the three kids. Their armor took most of the damage, it is destroyed. The kids are shocked and disappointed, but have nothing more than bruises. Roan and Bel double check them anyway, looking for signs of concussion.

[dakota]

Khris followed, a bit annoyed he hadn't been able to warn the kids. " I couldn't sense him until he started to use his powers. I dind't a chance to warn anyone. Sorry kids. "

[albatross]

Tiger wonders for a moment if some advanced warning might have enabled them to win. She doubts it, but there is no way to be sure.

"Keep your chin up," Tiger says to Dancer. "You too," she says to Rock. Peacemaker is used to disappointment and her facial expression is neutral.

"Now what?" Peacemaker asks.

"The judges are tabulating the results. We'll know the final scores shortly." Tiger says.

"But the only way to come in first was to win the last round?" Rock says with a puzzled expression.

"Correct." Tiger says.

Rock asks, "Then what is the point of learning the score details?"

"To congratulate the victors." Tiger shrugs.

Rock is speechless, but when Dancer and Peacemaker make their way to the locker room to change out of their ruined armor and clothes he follows.

Tiger lets everyone know the results will be posted in twenty minutes.

[shiivster]

Jeckle looks up as Tiger talks to the kids. her eyes follow the kids as they finally leave. her eyes roll and after 5 minutes will stand up and put the coat flap over the work she's doing and head to the locker room.

*knock* 'hope you're all desent. i'm walking in. rock? . . get yer butt in here'

*she will wait until all three are together and will look them over.

'don't be glum. swallow your pride and ego and listen up. first of all . . you did good work. that was the very first time you three worked as a complete team. you came up with a plan and stuck to it. YOUR plan . . you followed thru. no shame there. your team are the winners in my eyes. you didn't wait or rely on one powerhouse to take out the trouble. remember that and hold your heads up high. you might have lost the match, but did you learn anything. think that over . . then step outside in 5 minutes and report without tears in the eyes or face . . . got it?'

*she simply extends her hand to each of them and will exit and let them think it out and talk it over themselves. she simply returns to her coat and settles down to resume her work once again like nothing happened.

[albatross]

The kids listen carefully to Jeckle, taking in everything she has to say. Rock shakes her hand with a powerful grip. Peacemaker returns Jeckle's hand shake calmly, her eyes meet Jeckle's with a strange expression, her scarred hand and bare arm connects her to Jeckle, perhaps wondering if she has more in common with Jeckle than she thought. Dancer is hesitatant, but she nods and seems to gather her courage from wherever she keeps misplacing it.

The three of them watch Jeckle leave and then get cleaned up for the presentation.

[shiivster]

Jeckle knows that she won't be able to do any more work just now. the work she has done so far is carefully gathered up and bagged for another time and stands up to shake out hte coat. she shakes it once, then looks about before heading off

*she will attempt to walk lightly behind Kris. 'may never like you, but i guess you're okay'

*she will then move away and over to her brother and comment something to him. she gives a snort of laughter and swings a mock shot at his elbow then moves away. the only sign of spontanaity she's shown in a long time with any emotion. she nods at the others and moves to settle on a rock and waits. checking her watch and counts off on one hand, then slowly looks towards the area the kids were . . and waits, watching

[dakota]

Khris turned and watched Jeckle head off towards her brother, shaking his head. " Fair enough JC, but if it makes any difference, I do like you, and I think your a damned fine team armorer." He turned his attention back to the rest of the team. He stepped up behind Tiger, draping his arms around her and leaning in to kiss her temple. " If it's any consolation, none of us could have done any better. Not the team, not the trainers, none of us. Just remember there will always be someone else out there that can knock you down if you get too high and mighty. We'll see what the judges have to say, congratulate the other team for winning, and," he smirked," then we can celebrate that the competition is over and all relax, right?"

[albatross]

Tiger shifts and leans into Kris, "There will be time for R&R... we'll make time."

The three kids emerge from the locker room all cleaned up and Tiger leads everyone to the conference room. The size of a lecture hall, hundreds of people are there.

Once everyone is seated, a General addresses the group. He launches into a speech about how the world appreciates their efforts and how dire the threat of the three demons is. Then he reads the results: "Third place: Omega Shield, the team of Peacemaker, Dancer and Rock. Second place: Egypt, team of Dragon, Foxglove, and Zee. First place: Gates Foundation team, Vessel, Veil and Merrow."

"The top three teams will report Hanoi, Vietnam for briefing in the next stage. For everyone else, thank you for your participation. The world needs you for other tasks right now."

"Congratulations to the Gates pilot team and to the backup test teams. Dismissed."

As everyone files out, Rock attempts to shake hands with the other candidates. The Egypt team ignores him as if they've never seen a handshake before. Vessel is also cold, but Veil takes Rock's hand warmly and talks with him for a few moments. Merrow is wearing a water filled power armor and she also shakes Rock's hand, though whatever she says to him is unintelligible to him.

Peacemaker and Dancer aren't as gung ho as Rock and nearly everyone files out before they congratulate anyone. Tiger shrugs, "Take notes you two. Looks like we've got a ways to go with our fellow candidates."

"At least Veil greeted Rock," Dancer says. Tiger says nothing, not sure if she really wants Rock hanging around Veil.

[shiivster]

' . . something comes to mind. something about close friends but enemies needing to be closer. good job being grown up with the congratulating. sorry some of the others were poor sports about it. just let it roll off the backs and move on and learn . . got it?


*she closes the mouth and moves to the back of the group. once again the quiet shadow group member. she suddenly realizes that the next day would be the first massage if White follows through. she isn't holding her breath. she suspects that she'll be set aside in favor of other activities happening. she's grown used to it growing up. as an adult, she no longer holds her breath about people keeping their word to her

[albatross]

Peacemaker deadpans, "Good advice Jeckle. We'll be sure to stay close."

Rock nods appreciatively at Jeckle, though his enthusiam seems none the worse for wear despite numerous rejections. He knows they thrashed the Egypt team, and he is used to sore losers. And Vessel ignoring him was more than offset by the kind words of the beautiful Veil. Plus he just met an alien, which is a bit overwhelming as well.

[dakota]

"Well, it could have been worse. They didn't start fighting again amongst themselves." Khris said, leaning in close to whisper to Tiger," Do we have to go with to Hanoi?"