Okay. Here's story #4, guys!

Jack Flash knelt behind the dubious cover of a fallen robot, checking his blaster, apparently oblivious to the battle around him. Satisfied, he rose to a crouch, ducking back behind the scrapped machinery before snapping off a quick shot that hit an unwary robot and blew the top half apart. The legs, apparently not noticing, continued to walk in aimless circles.
Jack glanced around. The half-darkness that had fallen without notice was concealing the true numbers of the enemy, which could become a problem. These robots were not precisely flimsy, and were backed up by live Shellions with advanced weaponry.
Captain Firefox appeared out of the gloom, coming up beside him quietly.
"Jack, looks like they're winding down."
"I dunno," Jack replied. "I can't tell how many there really are."
"I don't mean that. I mean that they're not attacking as heavily as before."
Jack glanced up at the tall Captain, whose face was suddenly illuminated by an explosion nearby. The sounds of flames and breaking glass were in the background.
"Are you sure? Or could it just be a diversion?"
"I'm pretty sure it's not."
"So what are you getting at here?"
"I think we should finish them off."
"Sounds like sound advice to me. Tell the others."
"Kay." Firefox vanished back into the twilight, his red-furred body being revealed by a flash of light before the darkness fell again. Jack shook his head and rose smoothly to his feet, taking out a robot that turned towards him with two shots. Everything had a weak spot, and these had scantily armored joints, a major oversight on the part of whoever had engineered them.
Not my loss.
A yelp and the sound of renewed blasterfire drew his attention. Through the haze he made out the form of Firefox, advancing steadily and taking apart any robots who stood in his way. Hopefully the Captain was right, and the battle was drawing to a close; this had been a well planned ambush, despite the fact that it was failing.
Jack ducked around the side of a dessicated building, coming face-to-face with a startled robot. The machine automatically brought its' weapon around to bear on the white rabbit, to find that its' target had gone. Jack dodged under the laser blaster, firing quickly at the robot's knee joint; the bot fell lopsidedly, and he destroyed the bot's AI with two shots in rapid succession. Leaving the remains of the machine behind, he followed Firefox's path of destruction, adding his own firepower to the melee going on around him.
When next he really looked around himself, he found only a few Shellions and warbots remaining, and those were quickly being finished off by his allies. He refrained from holstering his blaster, though - he might still need it.
Firefox joined him, green eyes reflecting the flames that were busily consuming what was left of the bots and their fuel.
"What did I tell you," he said, and grinned. "I guess they didn't have as many reinforcements as we thought."
"I guess not," Jack agreed. He was about to say something more when his commlink squawked.
"Jack!"
"Yeah," he replied, and was greeted with Wizard of Odd's worried voice.
"How did the battle go?"
"We destroyed them."
"Awesome. Hey, you'd better get back to the Outpost. There's an important message from the Queen that can't wait."
"What about?"
"She didn't tell me, just that you need to get back ASAP."
"She?" Jack traded a curious look with Firefox.
"Eh, some mercenary named Coppertop. Jack, it sounds pretty important."
"Right. We'll be there in about five minutes."

Well, I still need a bad guy, so if anyone wants to sign up ...?

W00T!

I claim the first page!

Awsomeness!

`N0

Thanx so much

Yay!


Looking for a bad guy?

*runs back to Acid's short-lived thread and gets his "Mages for hire" sign*

OMB!

I love it. Not just because the story starts off with my characters, although that is one of the many points I'm extremely appreciative of, but simply because I can be assured that this is going to be yet another excellent story, and so far I've seen only the prologue.

Once again, your writing talent shines through in your work. Congratulations and stuff.

=))))))))))))))))

Or, in Cobbi's words... "lurvely."

*jerks his thumb towards Jiaike, who is holding a sign that reads: Minor bad guy for hire*

Oh yeah, and I wouldn't mind being in here, too. And I don't suppose Electrik would mind either.

Hee, I bet 4I's happy about the first two words of the story being "Jack Flash"

Probably, Acid.
Jiaike will probably make an appearance. Acid and Electrik ... hey, I already told you they were in! But I need a REALLY bad guy.

Pick meee! I'm really good at switching sides; ask anyone who's ever played on a team with me!

Feel free to use Robot Xion if you want to. Make his Heaven's punisher not work so he has to rely on his other weapons.

Originally Posted by Radium

Pick meee! I'm really good at switching sides; ask anyone who's ever played on a team with me!

Radium switches sides so he's on the winning side... SO NOBLE ;D!!

Hmm, I guess you could switch my alliance if the villaneous side has a logical motive.

Great! Been waiting for this!

Eh...no, I can't see my charcter being evil, nor Kaz's for that matter.

Make Radium evil! Because I'm *sure* my character wanted to smack him upside the head at least once in Conquistar!

Originally Posted by Kaz

Radium switches sides so he's on the winning side... SO NOBLE ;D!!

Well, wou can't be very noble at all when you're dead.


You could use my other character, too. But in that case I'd want Radium to be a goodguy =P.

Actually that's what I'm considering at the moment. Chaos Hydra would be a very GOOD bad guy

"Coppertop? What's she doing, mixed up in whatever this is?" Firefox said, having overheard what Wizard had said. Jack shook his head.
"Beats me. Maybe it has something to do with this?" He waved a hand at the still-smoldering battlefield.
"We'll never know until we get back to the Outpost, will we," Firefox said. Jack nodded.
"Tell the others, huh? This sounds pretty important."
"You taking off?"
"Well ... yeah. Like I said, it seems pretty urgent."
"Kay, go ahead. We'll catch up. You got an airboard?"
"Err, no. One of those shockbots fried mine."
"We do go through the airboards, don't we," Firefox sighed. "Use mine. It's over there, stashed behind the 'Golden Carrot' sign."
"Over where?" Jack said, being unable to spot the aforementioned sign in the dusk. Firefox gestured vaguely back the way they had come.
"That way somewhere. It's in front of a small building."
"That's helpful," Jack said sarcastically. Firefox only grinned.
"Glad to be of service."
"Anything else I should know?"
"If there is, I'll tell you."
"That's a relief," Jack muttered under his breath as he turned to go in the direction Firefox had indicated.
After some searching he found Firefox's airboard. Even soot-darkened as it was, the pale blue board stood out against the scorched earth, making it visible.
Wizard's voice came over the commlink again. "Jack?"
"Sorry, Wizard," he said. "Delayed. I'm on my way now."
"Just you?"
"At the moment, yes. The others are mopping up and then they'll be heading back as well."
"Good. Look, this is worse than I originally thought it was."
"Right. Hang on. I'll be there in a few minutes."
Jack pulled the airboard out of the rubble it was half-buried under. Luckily it was still functional.
"Jack, what are you doing?"
"Retrieving Firefox's airboard. Mine's deep-fried somewhere on the battlefield."
"Kay. I take it Firefox is going to need transportation? I'll send something for him."
"Great. Thanks."
"No problem, Jack."
Jack flipped the airboard right side up. It rose into the air, the small anti-grav strip on the bottom allowing it to float. As he leapt onto it, the triple boosters started and coughed weakly.
"Come on," he muttered, and they coughed again before giving out. Jack growled something unintelligible under his breath and glanced around for Firefox. The red-furred Captain didn't seem inclined to appear anywhere, so Jack kicked the airboard instead, and the boosters came to life.
A moment later, Jack was heading for the Outpost at top speed.

Slow at the moment it'll get better.

Originally Posted by Coppertop

Slow at the moment it'll get better.

wait, the story or the airboard?

Excellent story so far!

It's all militaryish

Very nice. Keep it up!

`N0

*dances hysterically*

Love it so far. I'm currently making no progress on either E:JF or SoT, as I have work to do, but I know where both stories are going to end up. The first step is always the hardest one, neh?

Originally Posted by Coppertop

Chaos Hydra would be a very GOOD bad guy

Or a bad good guy =P.

Agh! Too much/little sense!

mmm, I could be evil, but it's not the evil that most of you people think of ;p. It's that noble evil that I can't think of allusions to right now.

That's not military, that's organized rebellion. Waiting for a chapter CT, it is slow, but it has that charm that says it'll get good soon ;p.

Chaos Hydra = good guy? *shakes head* I can't see it, Rad ...
Kaz, you're not evil, k? Unless you really want to be.

Wizard of Odds was waiting. He looked worried, and as Jack leapt off his board and flipped it into his hand, he came forward.
"How bad is it, first?" Jack said, noting the look on Wizard's face.
"Not good. Let me put it that way. I'll let Copper tell you."
"Right. Where is she?"
"She's just inside."
The pair walked into the Outpost. Jack finally remembered to holster his blaster, since it was easier to hold an airboard with two hands. As they entered, a tall, shadowy figure turned to face them.
"Well, I take it you're Jack Flash," Coppertop said, her low voice quiet. "I'll make it short. Jazz is missing."
"Jazz Jackrabbit?" Jack said, startled. She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes impatiently.
"Do you know of any other Jazz?"
"Well, no, but ... well, what do you mean, missing?"
"What part of missing do you not understand?" she demanded. He scowled back.
"Are you sure, or is he just off on some holiday? Is it certain that he's 'missing', precisely?"
"Well, if he's on holiday, he forgot to mention it to some important people," she said. "Spaz, Lori, Eva, Queen Earlong ... "
"Oh ..."
"Yeah. Spaz is bouncing off the walls ..."
"Isn't he always?"
"Well, more than usual. Lori's beside herself with worry. Eva wouldn't even speak to me ... the Queen is furious. I mean, her son-in-law and resident hero just went missing, despite the animosity between the two. You'd think they'd just stolen the Carrotus Castle, the way she went on."
"That's not like Jazz," Jack agreed. Copper nodded significantly.
"Tell him about the guard," Wizard urged. She glanced at him and nodded slightly, but Jack asked the question first.
"What guard?"
"They found a guard dead. He was posted on one of the obscure back entrances to the castle. Jazz doesn't kill castle guards, that's a known fact, so they figure that it was someone else, obviously. It's either an inside or outside job, but they can't tell which." She grimaced. "I think it's outside, the Queen thinks it's inside ... I left before she started screaming 'inside! inside!'"
Jack stifled a grin. The image that conjured up ... he banished it. This was not the time to laugh.
"Okay .. so what does this have to do with me?"
"Not you, precisely. The Elite Task Force. Queen Earlong wants you to find Jazz."
"That's not precisely a job for the Task Force."
"She thinks it is, and she is the Queen, after all. So I guess you're assigned to it. You shouldn't have much trouble. They should still be groundside."
"And if they're not?"
"I guess you have to go planet-hopping."
"It's a big galaxy, Copper."
"I know. I've been in most of it."
Jack ignored the last comment. "Who exactly is "they", anyway?"
"Not sure. Some ideas, but I can't tell you. Not allowed."
"Oh, that's a big help," Jack said in frustration. "We don't know where they are. We don't know who they are. We don't know how they did it, what they want, when they took him ... what do we know?"
"Jazz is gone. They're likely to be on the planet. Jazz has his weaponry, so is likely unconscious. You're the best, so you've got the job, man. Sorry."
"How do you know they're still groundside?"
"As soon as they found the guard dead and Jazz gone, the Queen ordered the spacelanes and ports closed. If they've managed to get off planet, they would have had to move PDQ."
"How soon did they find Jazz gone?"
"Let me put it this way ... the seat where he was last seen sitting was still warm. He might have been missing for maybe a minute."
"They think."
"They think," Copper confirmed. "Nothing's certain at this point, Jack. I'm sorry I can't help you more."
"Well, this is a bit complicated, that's all."
"Jack?" Firefox came in, fur still ruffled from his flight back. "Oh, hi, Copper, Wizard. What's the problem?"
"Jazz has been kidnapped. They're likely on Carrotus, but might have escaped. Jazz has his weapons. We don't know who, what, where, when, or why. We have to find him."
"Oh, is that all?"
"Basically, yes," Copper agreed. "I'm really sorry about this, Jack, but you'll get help, I promise. Even if the Queen doesn't agree ... well, it depends how badly she wants her son-in-law back."
"Well, isn't that the truth," Firefox agreed. "Who do you have in mind?"
"Some friends of mine, even if I can't help myself. I've got a job on the line, so you won't be seeing me around a lot. But I will keep in touch."
"Thanks, Copper," Wizard said.
"You're welcome. I've got to run ... I'll contact you later if there's more you should know."
"Yeah, do that," Jack said distractedly. Copper left quietly as he turned to Wizard.
"Now what?" Firefox asked knowingly.
"Now we wait," Jack said. "For more info, and for others."
"The longer we wait, the more likely it is that they've escaped or killed Jazz," Wizard said nervously. Jack shook his head in denial.
"No, if they were going to kill him they would have already. They're going to make a demand. I know it."


I'm working on two things at once here ... too much to do at once

[offtopic]
I wonder when that stupid smiley will be fixed?
[/offtopic]

[ offtopic()]OMG FIX0R5 5555!!!1[ break;]
cheap shot, sue me ;p.


;D, this sounds like one of those Eva-the-angry-housewife-did-it situations.

Bleh, CT --... I guess you're right. Not evil, but could be anti-protagonist (yay! Word!!).

I've run out of awe-inspired things to say. You've been too good at this for too long.

"What part of missing do you not understand?" = gold.

Awesomeness.
Jazz is missing! *dun dun dun*

mmm... hoping this plot will become a wee bit more complex...

It will. I'm sort of stalling for time here ... I'm moving AGAIN in eight days, so this is kind of going to stop for a while. Sorry, guys

Jack started pacing as Firefox nodded reluctantly. "You don't kidnap someone like Jazz if you just want to play chess. Jack's right, Wizard. They want something."
"Is there nothing we can do?" Wizard demanded. Jack stopped pacing restlessly and turned to face him.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. See if you can locate Jazz on Carrotus, will you?"
"Right," Wizard said. "I'm on it."
He turned and headed for the elevator. As he vanished from sight, the others arrived, and Jack and Firefox were obliged to tell them the bad news.
"This is a job for Intelligence, right," Headcheese said. Jack nodded. "So what the deuce are we doing assigned to it?"
"I asked that too. Copper didn't say anything other than that the Queen thought we were the best."
"Well, that's nice," Headcheese said sarcastically. Jack sighed.
"We can't do anything right now anyway. All we can do is wait."
"Who did it?" Lieutenant Indigo asked. Tawny fur streaked with soot from the recent battle, his blue-green eyes were intense. Behind him, Splitter looked up so fast that he smacked the back of his head against the wall. He grimaced and rubbed the back of his head, keeping his eyes on Jack.
"Who knows? Beats me. Copper had some suspicions, and so does the Queen, but they won't tell us."
"That's friendly," said Splitter. "Tell us to find someone, but don't telll us who?"
"Yeah, I know. Hey, she said she'd keep in touch." Jack shook his head. All of this was giving him a headache.
"She also said she'd get some help," Firefox reminded him. "Imagine what a mercenary could recruit? She could get us a whole army, Jack."
"She does know some interesting characters, you know," Wizard said, coming out again. "Jack, I can't locate Jazz anywhere. But," and he raised a warning hand, "that doesn't mean anything. They could have better technology."
"That could become problematic," Firefox mused. "What do you think, Wizard?"
"I think we already have a problem," Wizard responded. "I -"
Whatever else he had been about to say was lost and Jack's commlink activated with a loud beep. Jack scowled and rolled his eyes.
"Yah?"
"Jack, it's Copper. You'd better get over here. There's a complication."
"Where's 'here'?"
"Carrotus Castle. There's something you've got to know, but I can't tell you via commlink."
"Right. We'll be right over." He glanced at his group. "Something's come up. Let's head for the Castle."
"Right," Firefox echoed Jack. "Airboards?"
"They're our only choice, right?"
"Wrong," said a new voice. All of them wheeled around to face the newcomer.
A tall orange rabbit in a blue sweatshirt and jeans stood in the doorway. He nodded to them impartially.
"Holy crickets! Who the deuce are you?" Firefox demanded.
"Phish. I'm Acid's cousin ... I take it you know Acid?"
"We've met," Jack admitted cautiously.
"Right. Well, Copper contacted him ... he contacted me (which was sensible, seeing as I'm on this side of the planet and he's not) and I'm supposed to get in touch with you. I'll take you to Carrotus Castle."
"How convenient," Jack said dryly. "Thanks for the offer, Phish. I think I might take you up on that," he went on.
"Great," Phish said. "On the way, you can tell me what's going on."
"You don't know?"
"Well, Copper was kind of vague, wasn't she? Never told Acid much, so he couldn't tell me. And I'd like to know what all of this is about."
"Sure. Like you said, we'll tell you on the way."

Moving? Again? What sort of job do your parents have?
We wait with anticipation, then. Good chapter.

My dad's going to university. Personally, I think he's crazy Still.

/me is still speechless.

Good luck on your move, Copper. I'll be at the forefront of your adoring crowds when your next chapter rolls in.

Yee, first major appearance of Phish in a story other than mine! *dances*

Verra spiffy chapter, as always. I like your ability to advance the story, while still leaving us in suspense! A very excellent writing skill to have.

@4I: heh, if you're right at the front, I'll probably be the one who blindly stumbles in after the festivities are over.

Originally Posted by acid

Yee, first major appearance of Phish in a story other than mine! *dances*

Phish is in my story, you spoon.

Originally Posted by acid

@4I: heh, if you're right at the front, I'll probably be the one who blindly stumbles in after the festivities are over.

Drunk? Eh, no.

Originally Posted by 4I Falcon

Phish is in my story, you spoon.

Originally Posted by acid

Yee, first major appearance of Phish in a story other than mine! *dances*

I've highlighted part of this message so that maybe you will get a better understanding of my point.

Are you implying something, Acid? *poke*

You would think you were in the military if you moved that much CT.

Nope, not the military, Kaz. We were in Whitehorse for most of my life ... then to Nova Scotia, and now to Ontario, and then, who knows where?

My mom can't pack, so I haven't got time to write on this When all of this is over, I'll be writing like mad, believe me.

K, finished this part.

Phish had a large, sleek speeder, the effect of which was killed by the dented and scraped hull of the vehicle. The grey paint was scratched and scored to reveal the metal underneath.
"She's got some scars, but she runs fine," Phish said happily. "Just as long as you don't care about style."
"I really don't think it matters at the moment, Phish," Jack said, eyeing the speeder. Behind him, Splitter nodded speculatively.
"Pretty sweet," he said admiringly. "She's got some power, that's for sure ..."
"Yeah," Phish agreed. "Worthy of the name 'speeder'. Welcome to the Jolt."
"Jolt, huh," Jack said. "Fits her. Come on, let's move. Much as I'd like to discuss the Jolt with you all day, we've got a mercenary and a Queen waiting at the Castle."
"Right you are," Phish said. "Let's go then."
They boarded and he fired up the engines. As the Jolt sped towards the Carrotus Castle, Jack explained what was going on to Phish.
"So you figure it's for ransom," Phish reasoned. "It's gotta be something big, then, for it to rate Jazz."
"Yeah," Firefox agreed from behind Jack. "Don't know what it is, though."
"You'll find out," Phish said confidently.
Copper was waiting when they arrived. Jack's expression asked the question for him. She shook her head.
"No word yet, Jack. There's something you have to hear, though."
"What?"
"This way." She led them through the main door and up a flight of worn stone steps, towards what Jack assumed was Jazz's room.
"What is it?" Jack repeated. Copper didn't look at him as she spoke.
"I called one of my friends in. His name is Radium ... he's a Chaos Mage. He identified the traces in Jazz's room as Order Magic. At the moment, that could mean anything, so he's trying to figure out who it is."
"Okay ... so?" Indigo looked skeptical.
"Indigo, you can be so thick at times," she said irritably. "Don't you get what this means?"
"It opens up a whole world of possibilities," Jack said unhappily. "They could be anywhere."
"You got it," she confirmed. "This is bad."
"Very bad," Firefox added. "Now what?"
"I guess we look for Order Mages."
"Why?" Phish asked absently. Everyone groaned.
"Aside from the fact that one has Jazz, no particular reason," she snapped. Phish looked embarrassed.
"Right. Sorry. Been a long day ..."
"I bet," she agreed. "I'm sorry, guys. If you don't want this assignment, forget it. I can probably find someone else ..."
"No, we'll do it," Jack said. Firefox nodded.
"Well, I've called a few of my friends up," she said. "Defalcon, Acid, Radium, Shinyso of course, Kaz, a few others."
"How many is a few?" Jack asked, something in her voice making him wonder.
"Well, more than one or two, and less than a hundred," she supplied. Jack rolled his eyes.
"Should've known."
"Yeah," she agreed, nodding. They had stopped in front of a heavy, iron bound, oak door, dark and scarred with age. Jack eyed it curiously.
At that moment Queen Earlong came barrelling up the hall, Eva trailing behind resignedly. Copper groaned quietly and stepped away from the door.
"You'd better be Jack Flash," the Queen said irritably, in a threatening tone. Jack nodded, not sure of what to say. "Good," the Queen went on. "Find Jazz, get him back here. I want him found yesterday!"
"Sure," Jack said uncertainly. "We'll certainly try."
"I don't want you to try," the Queen snapped. "I want you to do it!"
With that she swept off down the hall, vanishing around a bend. Eva lingered for a moment.
"Tell me if you find anything, hey," she said quietly. Jack nodded.
"Of course, Eva."
"EVA!!!" The Queen's bellow echoed down the hall. Eva started and sighed.
"I'd better go."
"We'll keep you informed," Copper promised. Eva nodded and followed her mother.
"Is she gone?" The door opened a crack, and a rabbit with green and black fur stuck his head out. Jack was struck immediately by his glowing red eyes, and long silver hair. Copper grinned.
"For now, Rad," she said. The rabbit sighed.
"I thought she'd never leave," he said, letting the door swing open. "Hey, you must be Jack Flash. I'm Radium."
"Hi," Jack said. Copper glared at Radium.
"Are you just gonna stand there all day blocking the door, or are you gonna let us in?"
"Right. Sorry," he said, not at all sounding sorry. He moved to the side. Copper edged past him, the others following.
"Introductions can wait," she said shortly. "Rad, I've called a few people up. We'll get help soon."
"How many is a few?" Radium demanded, echoing Jack's question. Copper shrugged.
"Defalcon, Kaz, Acid, Shinyso, Nobody, Tiger ... some other people."
"Who?"
"Come on, Rad ... All right, all right! I called Ziran and Sasha, and Shonar. And Crystal, though I don't know if she's coming. And I can't remember who else."
"All right," he said, letting the subject drop. "Now, what were we talking about?"
"Radium ..."

Still slow, I'm afraid At least I got Rad in.

At least you've established a skeleton of a cast should you have completely lost track by the time you complete your move. Better a skeleton than a dump of, um, organs ;D.

Nice. Quite a diverse team they threw together. And an order mage... Nice Idea to counter Rad with the foe.

`N0

I'm quite simply very pleased. That's all I have to say.

That, and Copper's quips are hilarious. Between "What part of missing do you not understand?" and "More than one or two, and less than a hundred.", I'm amazed at Copper's quick-thinking, witty, occasionally stinging comebacks, and I'm very rarely amazed at things like that. Actually, I'm lying. But you don't know that.

Note, I would be laughing, but I'm currently in an office environment, and people would look at me really weird. And I don't like having people stare at me. Last time, things got... er... "ugly."

So. Mexcellent story. Nyaa.