Tag Archives: GarDNAnge1

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #31

The group exited the ship and walked through the hanger.  The hanger’s halls were long and somewhat confusing but different colored lights lined the wall above everyone.  The lights lead the way out to the street.

Cyd, in a rush to see what was around the next corner, found his way to the front of the pack.  AD7 lagged behind GarDNAnge1 marveling at the technological wonders all around.  She barely managed to keep the group in her sight range.

Message boards appeared and disappeared on the walls as they passed.  When active, a message board was bright as any lighted sign.  When inactive, the wall that held the sign looked the same as any other part of the wall.  Confused, AD7 tapped the wall to make sure.  It felt like any other bit of concrete whether or not there was a message on the wall.  This only confused her more but she knew not to dwell on it or she would be left behind.

There were so many messages; AD7 couldn’t help but skim through some of them as she walked by.  Oddly enough, some of the stories were about her.  They celebrated her arrival and boasted in the new hope of their victory in the upcoming trails.

It was unusual being the topic of news but nothing about her situation was normal.  There was a whole operation dedicated to reviving her.  The fact that she was there to read the story was proof of the successful mission.  While she was happy that they found success, they had already made many magnificent things that she had only dreamed of.  Why did they need her?

After a few more turns through the hallways, GarDNAnge1 reached the exit with Cyd and AD7.  The team members walked into the city without caring for the wonderful sights.  This was their home.  Everything was perfectly normal for them.  To AD7, this all was brand new.

She stared wide eyed at the city, trying to take everything in.  The first thing she noticed was the city’s utter cleanliness.  There was not a speck of significant dirt, grime, or dust anywhere that was not acceptable.

There were small gardens lined with small flowers.  There was dirt in the gardens but that dirt was formed and shaped, stopping where the walkways began.  Buildings were covered with the same type of concrete that she saw in the hanger’s halls.  AD7 guessed they could also become the message boards she saw in the hanger.

The next thing AD7 saw were tall trees strewn throughout Sanity.  She naturally mistook the nearest one for an oddly shaped wall.  Instead, it was the thickest tree she had ever seen.  She tried to lift her head high enough to see the top.  She found herself bending backwards.  Long bridges connected the trees far above the city.  She could only guess they were for guards.

As AD7 looked up, she also noticed small droids flying above the city between the canopy and the city paths.  There were hundreds of them each with a bright light flying much faster than she could follow.  They were bright enough to provide light for the city; she could only guess that they had a second purpose.

“I like this,” Cyd spoke naturally as he walked over to AD7, “It’s like a hidden mystical-techno-ninja-sniper village.”

Interrupted, AD7 looked at the not-so-young man that seemed familiar with her, “I’m sorry?”

“Oh my mistake,” he said extending his hand, “My name is Cyd.  I worked at the Rejuvenation Center you stayed at.  I’ve seen you in stasis for so long.  It’s nice to see you up and about.”

“Yeah,” AD7 reluctantly agreed as she shook his hand.

“There you are,” Keyanna interrupted.  She and Tirzah returned from the group to retrieve the stragglers, “I thought I’d lost you.  This way.  Let me show you around the city.”

Keyanna lead AD7 left down the walkway while Tirzah walked with Cyd in the opposite direction.

#1 – Awakening #30 – Awakening #32

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #30

Stealth Phrygian slowly weaved its way down the canopy.  In an effort to keep the city hidden, the inhabitants of Sanity kept the larger trees alive.  They built the city around and through the trees to ensure the jungle canopy above the city would be no different than any other patch of trees.  As a result they had to create their own light sources.  At least they would not be found by a wandering pilot.

The large arrowhead of a ship had to dip, twist, and spin to traverse the thick branches safely.  From time to time, the pilots spotted a defensive turret in the trees.  The team was expected so they had nothing to worry about.

Only the pilots fully experienced the decent through the maze of branches and vines.  Strapped to their chairs for protection, April and Jai felt the full force of natural gravity and used the ship’s mechanical limbs to push the smaller limbs apart.  They had to be careful not to damage the canopy too much as they descended.

Passengers didn’t feel any of the complicated maneuvering thanks to the regional artificial gravity throughout the ship.  They walked, ate, and carried on unhindered as the ship tipped and maneuvered.  Things were no different for them even when the ship was flipped upside-down.

The gravity technology was based on Mech Fortress research.  Keyanna was proud to tell AD7 about the huge leaps in technology that came after researching the Mech Fortress devices.  Several of the gadgets were unheard of in AD7’s time.  Naturally, AD7 wanted to know more and asked questions repeatedly.

AD7 and Keyanna traversed the ship along with Tirzah towards the exit ramp.  Seeing that they were getting along, Tirzah had orders that she knew Keyanna would like, “Keyanna, AD7 is new to this time and place.  Show her the sights will you.  Get her geared up and ready to fight with us.”

Keyanna was ecstatic at the thought, “Really!  Yes ma’am.”  She saluted and looked over at AD7 who didn’t have any complaints about joining her for a trip around the city.

They kept a good pace through the ship.  Everything was fine until they passed a window.  AD7 rushed to it hoping to see if the gravity technology was real.  She had only dreamed of such a thing.  Her feet were planted firmly on the floor yet the view out of the side window showed the city below them and spinning branches.

“Wow, this is so coo…,” AD7 was amazed for the brief moment she could stand.  The visualized but unfelt motion overloaded her balance.  It took only a short while before she fell to the floor completely dizzy.

Keyanna thought to warn her, but it happened so quickly.  Seeing that she was otherwise unharmed, Keyanna walked over to help her up.  “Sorry,” Keyanna giggled, “I forgot to tell say ‘It makes you dizzy.’”

Tirzah witnessed the events well away from the window.  “No worries,” she commented, “I fell a few times too.  Just stay away from the windows and you won’t get airsick.”

She and Keyanna helped AD7 up.  The two had to help AD7 to walk the rest of the way while AD7 regained her balance.  The three ladies made their way to the exit ramp where they met the rest of the passengers.

Before long, the pilots made the announcement.  Stealth Phrygian had made the final flip through the canopy and was free to land in the hanger.

Soon after, the doors opened.  While most of GarDNAnge1 left, AD7 and Cyd lingered behind looking at the wondrous city.

#1 – Awakening #29 – Awakening #31

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #24

Onboard Stealth Phrygian somewhere on the outskirts of Bosstown:

After about thirty seconds of thought and reasoning, Jai Qiao was still trying to pick the best response.  There were several ways this challenge could go.  In this game, one response could change the way the whole round ends.  After a short chain of responses, even the smartest player could find himself trapped with no more correct answers to choose from.  This match was timed however and he was running out of it.  In a hurry, he just went with his gut.  “Peanut,” he said with his best game face.

Cyd spun in the soft black chair without a hint of stress.  At the point where he would be able to see Jai clearly he said, “Turnip.”  He continued spinning until he was facing away from his opponent again.

His quick response put Jai at a loss.  Jai was the champion here, but this new guy’s answer was good.  Not only was it quick, it put Jai back at a worse position he was at before.  Now he had to pick from the same word set but had one less correct choice.  Well, there was no point in Cyd being the only one getting a speed bonus.  “Pecan,” Jai said quickly.

“Stop,” Keyanna Bo said, “You’re making me hungry.”  She wasn’t the only one that was hungry.  All of GardNAnge1 was there minus the two members they were waiting for, eleven of them including Cyd.  They were promised good food, so they all waited.  Granted the anticipation didn’t make the wait any more bearable.

Cyd ignored her.  He had to think a little more to come up with an answer this time.  Still, he found one rather quickly.  He didn’t turn in his spinning chair this time.  Instead, he called loud enough for Jai to hear from behind him, “Nutmeg.”

“Garlic.”

“Already said Garlic.”

“Oh.”

And with that, Cyd was the new champion.  There were only a few cheers from the team.  It was hard finding ways to pass the time while they waited for the stragglers.  They only really played the game because there was little better to do.  Jai had won repeatedly so a change was good.  They could all gain a little knowledge from this new guy.  Possibly there was more that he could teach them.

The defeated Jai walked up to the cockpit.  Honestly, he was a little relieved that the game was over.  He felt slightly smarter after each round, but after a few matches the headaches started.

“Finally done,” April Jing asked.  Jai nodded in response.  “Good,” she said, “Got some blips on the radar.  I think they’re almost here.”

Stealth Phrygian was Tirzah’s favorite ship to use when the whole team was traveling.  It had flying and climbing capabilities that far surpassed any of their enemies.  It was also capable of housing the whole team plus any guests they may come across.

April was the best pilot of the team while Jai came in a close second.  Together they were pilot and copilot.  They had moved Stealth Phrygian to a much better place in the outskirts of town; much closer.  However, the journey would still be hard for creatures only a few centimeters in height.

“Strap in,” April called out over the com, “We’re going to pick them up.”

Within minutes, they landed near the two warriors and their sandwich holding companion.  After a few minutes, they all loaded up and were again in the air this time headed for Sanity.  The sandwiches were dispensed.  However, after the long journey, they were not in peak condition.

Grabbing her sandwich, Keyanna turned up her nose, “Oh, these sandwiches are cold.”

“Cold food is food,” Hachiro said, “Weren’t you the one complaining about being hungry?”

#1 – Awakening #23 – Awakening #25