006 | video

[dracobin]

[It is well past nightfall when Temeraire appears on the network, his expression exhausted and his posture hunched.

He has spent the bulk of the day flying, trying to dull his--well, it cannot be called grief, when he did not know the Emperor well enough for that, but it must be something close, surely. One cannot win wars without a few losses of one's own, but this is a price unfairly paid: something stolen and not captured on the field of combat. It is the gravest offense imaginable, for a dragon, and there is as much rumbling anger in his voice as there is sorrow when he speaks.]

Given recent events, there is little point in delaying the matter any longer. I do not know what form our enemy will take when it comes to us, but we must be prepared for any possibility, especially now that Eshai's power can no longer keep it at bay.

To that end, I am announcing the formation of the Keeliai Aerial Corps. There is little point in formation-flying when we cannot predict our enemy's movements, but at the very least those of us who can fly must grow used to flying together, and those of us who can fight must be prepared to do so under any circumstances.

Pray provide your name if you are interested; we will meet once a week at the very least, for target-practice and drills, and we might discuss tactics, and new technologies, as well.

If it brings an army with it, we will at least not be caught unawares.

[corresponding OOC signup thread here!]

Comments

[solo_patria]

As always, I will be there and am ready.

You are right of course. I look forward to learning.

[dracobin]

I am glad to hear it, Enjolras.

[bindsthedead]

The Paperwing is not suited to combat, but I will fly with you- I know how to work the winds, at least, and might be some help with reconnaissance.

[dracobin]

That is already an advantage we will be grateful for. Pray, what sort of construct is your Paperwing?

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[pandoricas]

I'm not a fighter, but, um. [Brief pause.] If you need medical assistance with anything, I would be glad to help.

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[dracobin]

Oh, yes, that is always appreciated. [He tilts his head inquisitively, considering Rory.] Are you at all familiar with the anatomy of dragons?

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[hulkintraining]

I think this is a good idea and I'd be happy to join up. I've worked alongside some other fliers before, but practice never hurts.

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[dracobin]

Of course it does not, and it is likely I shall be asking your advice before long, if you have experience with other fliers: Iskierka and I are used to flying alongside other dragons, but I expect manoeuvring around flying people will take getting used to. Pray, have you any notion of your average speed?

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[ofmyth]

I have no need of a mount, but I am capable of flight.

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[dracobin]

[Temeraire blinks a little, startled by the offer of help from what he sees as an unlikely source--but then again, he thinks, the gravity of the murder has rendered a great many little feuds insignificant.]

Oh, of course: are you used to flying with other people, where you are from?

[Video]

[tactile_telekinesis]

Pretty good idea. I mean people are doing hand to hand training and stuff and having fliers work together makes sense.

I'm totally interested, I've got team mates that are fliers as well back home so I've got the experience of working with them, but always helps to know other peoples flying style and how they all work.

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[dracobin]

[Determined nodding.] The thought had not occurred to me until recently; I did not know there were so many people who could fly, on the turtle. How did you fly, before? Did you do much formation-work?

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[fotia]

[Technologies and dragons? He raises his hand excitedly, a streak of oil still present in his nose.]

Oh, oh, pick me, pick me! Leo "Supersized McShizzle" Valdez a.k.a. Swagmeister, at your service!

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[dracobin]

[Despite everything, Temeraire's expression lightens a little at Leo's words.]

You are used to dragons yourself, are you not? How did you fight with yours?

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[12goingon113]

Um...Hi, are you...are you Leo?

[Video]

[spideyfanone]

[Dragons. Wow. But he took a moment to absorb the coolness before he replied, so he's only tongue-tied for a second.]

Um, hi, I'm new, so I guess you have no idea who I am, but I have combat training.

[Some.]

And I'm pretty much immune to vertigo and junk like that, and I'm betting teleporting would be handy.

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[dracobin]

[Temeraire blinks once, surprised: he spoke to Kurt Wagner, once, and the resemblance is uncanny. But if the boy says he is new...]

Well, it is nice to meet you; my name is Temeraire, and yours?

[Immunity to vertigo is already a point in his favor, and Temeraire's voice grows more approving as he gives the boy a once-over.] At the very least, it will make you a fearsome boarder. Pray, have you ever teleported onto a moving target before?

[kazilik]

[For her part, Iskierka has been flying and alternately flaming at things. It is absolutely unfair, to have someone stolen away from them so, and she wants nothing but vengeance. She knew the Emperor even less than Temeraire had, but even so, the woman had seemed a decent sort, to her mind.

At the moment, however, she is curled in her rooms, teeth bared. (There might be a few claw marks in the floor, if you squint.)]

Oh, we will find them and tear them to pieces, you and I.

[dracobin]

[For once, Temeraire finds himself utterly in agreement with Iskierka; he cannot even find it in himself to be the voice of moderation, now, though he knows it will not bring Eshai back.]

It would be a death far too quick for them, I think.

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[afirewithfashion]

What about those of us who can't fly?

[Cinna looks wry, resting his hand on his chin. Dragonnnnnns]

I'd like to help, but I don't know if I could be of much use.

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[dracobin]

Oh, Mr Cinna! It is good to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances.

[He makes a thoughtful sound.] Have you by any chance returned to clothesmaking?

[manofiron]

I fly and I fight. Not really much of a team player though, so best of luck with your army thing.

[dracobin]

[He knows Tony Stark by name and reputation, at least, and it is that instinctive respect for Tony's money which tempers his words.]

Well, I suppose that is your right; perhaps you might wish to attend the first session, anyway, so you have a clearer idea of what you might meet in the air.

[una_persson]

I spoke to Iskierka about this a month ago, or so—I am still interested, if you need another pair of hands. My name's Una Persson.

[dracobin]

Of course, Miss Persson; we should be very happy to have you. Pray, have you any idea what you might like to do? What sort of combat experience do you have?

[strategisch]

I'm not sure if what I do with the maneuver gear could be considered flying...

I feel like Tu Vishan wants dearly for an organized military.

[dracobin]

Perhaps not, but I think it might easily be adapted for boarding, and we know at least that you are not bothered by heights.

You are right, of course, though it sounds as if a great many people here are more used to working on their own.

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[candystriped]

I can't believe I'm signing up for this but... sign me up.

[ a pause and then: ]

For the fighting part, I can fly on my own.

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[dracobin]

[Oh, it is that...very uncouth girl, from the network. Temeraire looks startled for just a moment before he hastily recovers, nodding.]

Then I will put you down on the list. Pray, what is your name?

[video]

[gathersnomoss]

I've got flight magic. I'm out of practice using it in combat, though. It's difficult to hold one spell and then cast another. But I can carry another person, especially if they're light.

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[dracobin]

Then it may be more practical to carry someone until you are more comfortable fighting with it, I think. Do you know anyone you might like to fight with you?

[12goingon113]

[When a talking dragon calls you To Arms, you heed its call.]

I want to help. I can't fly without the aid of my glider, which I don't have here with me, but I have a whole lot of experience being up in the air.

[dracobin]

And we will be glad to have you. Pray, what sort of glider is it? Is there any sort of magic attached? Perhaps we can have it built here, if it is not too complex a design.

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[loquaciouslyfeline]

I would be most interested in such an endeavor.

[They've been brought here to fight a war. A military is vital for such things.]

In any case, seeing how your Aerial Corps works will be enlightening, to say the least.

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[dracobin]

[He draws himself up a little formally.] Then we will be happy to have you; pray, what are your battles like, in space?