liamc2

[size=1] ?Uh oh.? Liam said in a worried tone. ?Uh oh?? Rae asked. ?Uh oh as in you left the stove on, or uh oh as in we?re going to die?? ?I left the stove on Rae.? Liam said sarcastically, but he appreciated the tactless humour. ?I?ve just remembered something incredibly important.? ?What?? ?The tunnels, Rae, the bloody [I]tunnels.[/I]? Bailey and the other clueless members of the team looked blankly at him. The colour drained from Rae?s face. ?I?m so stupid!? Liam bellowed viciously. ?They?ve been treating us like children the whole way through this, and we lapped it up.? He sighed. ?I?m too arrogant for my own good.? ?I caught the last part,? Matt said with a lopsided grin. ?But what is he on about?? Liam sat on an ancient sofa. Its springs squealed in complaint as he steadily sunk lower in it. He placed his head in his hands, the cool barrel of his Eagle pressing against his face. It was a comfort thing. ?I can?t believe I let this slip through.? He said. ?The tunnels go for hundreds miles. You can easily crack them open at a safe point and drive transport jeeps down into them. No one would know you were there and you could manoeuvre troops and supplies in secrecy.? Liam realised something and looked up sharply at Matt. ?Why didn?t we do that?? Matt remained brazen. ?We had no information regarding these tunnels.? Liam lowered his head back into his hands and muttered. ?It was to be expected.? ?So vot about these tunnels?? Katarina demanded, tiring of the dramatic charade. ?There could be one right underneath us, a perfect back door.? Rae said simply. ?All you would have to do is collapse the tunnel, and the building above it would collapse.? ?Instant tomb for a bunch of gormless youths.? Liam grunted. ?So what are you suggesting?? Matt ventured. ?They, whoever they are, will send ground troops in to check the doors, all entry points. If they can?t sneak in, they?ll most probably seal them from the outside so we can?t get out. After that, they?ll blow up the basement. Probably a Tritonal charge or something worse?? -there?s something worse than a Tritonal charge?? Bradley asked incredulously. Liam was caught by surprise. ?Someone knows their explosives.? He said appreciatively. ?Yes, there is something worse, I?m talking nuclear.? ?Nuclear?? Matt chuckled. ?Come now, you can?t be serious.? Liam raised an eyebrow. ?Well, I was going to suggest nerve gas in the ventilation ducts, but that?s just pure speculation.? Liam?s dry tone did nothing for the mood in the room. He stood up, with some effort, from the sofa and wandered around the dilapidated fort?s break room. There weren?t any windows, what light there was came from the fluorescent tubes along the ceiling; lord knew where the power for them came from. Most probably the walls were RPG-proof, it was built to last. Standard design with stainless steel mesh sandwiched between layers of concrete. That was good; they wouldn?t have to worry about sniper shots coming through the walls. ?Earth to Liam,? Bailey said for the second time. ?Any ideas?? ?Invest in some ice, because this place is going to hell.? [/size]

[size=1]?Matt?what was that?? [I] ?Some shots. I?ve sent Rae and Bradley to investigate.?[/I] ?You?re sending just two people in, by themselves?? [I] ?I?d go myself, but my experiences in the field are restricted to urban combat. Besides, we can?t move a civilian into a hostage situation.? [/I] Liam sighed. This did not bode well. ?Matt, permission to follow them?? [I] ?Do whatever the hell you want. I sincerely doubt that your position in the tree is helping anyone.? [/I] Liam said nothing, maintaining his graces and dropping to the ground. He couldn?t remember Rae and Bradley?s individual frequency channel? ?Katarina, what is Bradley?s frequency?? ?Channel twenty-one, coded.? ?Thanks.? Liam said while adjusting the digital meter on his headpiece. ?Bradley. Where the hell are you?? There was a pause, the sound of someone who pressed the talk button, but had no idea what to say. Someone heaved. [I] ?Sorry Liam?Rae and I?we?ve?I mean, damn.?[/I] Bradley wheezed, looking around him. [I] ?Liam, you?ve got to see this. We?re with the SAS, but not the way we wanted?? [/I] Liam blinked as the radio squawked when the channel closed. Not the way he wanted? What did that mean? The naivety tried to stand bold in Liam?s mind, but the facts stood tall. Liam cringed and picked his way along the rough path. He was making his way into an insecure location that had claimed the lives of men that were supposedly unbeatable. From Bradley?s confused, no, shocked report, all of them were dead. Liam didn?t appreciate the lump that rose in the back of his throat. Their motto, complete with crest, gleamed in his mind?s eye. ? ?Who dares wins,? my ass.? Foliage was crushed were the soldiers lay. The carnage was indescribable. The bodies lay where they had fallen; some were propped up against the trees, like macabre puppets that tried to imitate life. The blood was like a slick in the dust, making a rich red mud on the ground. In the heat the smell was already intolerable, the rich droplets dripped from branches above in a sporadic dirge. Somehow Liam managed to bring himself to inspect the rest of the team. The front troops were the first hit, a surprise attack from the front. Wild fire broke out then, taking men out as they came. The Captain that he had talked to as [I]an equal[/I], a compatriot, a friend. Liam shuddered and regained himself. The Captain was resting against a thick tree trunk, pistol still tightly clenched in his hand. He was facing to one side, were the shots had come from. But there was a hole above his ear, where he?d been shot from the other side. He was the last to go down. ?It?s not good, is it?? Rae?s soft voice quavered. ?No.? Liam leant forward slightly, checking around the side of the tree. There was an obscene amount of casings lying on the ground. Liam had only heard a couple shots, so the noise must have come from the SAS retaliatory fire. ?Oh damn.? ?What, what?ve you noticed?? Bradley said, walking closer. ?Tripwire.? Liam pointed down to his foot, which was brushing the line. ?Crap.? Liam very slowly lifted his head, brushing dust off his foot. ?There, got it off, man I hate monkeys. They leave their crap everywhere.? Bradley looked confused, and then the dawn of realisation washed over his face. [I]They were probably still being watched.[/I] ?Bradley,? Liam said, annunciating clearly for any lip readers. ?We?ve got to get the others; they?ll be interested in this. We?ll need the whole team here.? Liam turned smartly and left the way he came, carefully making sure he stuck to his path. Bradley and Rae followed, taking his exact footsteps. ?Matt? We?ve got a really huge, bloody gigantic, [I]titanic[/I] problem.? [I] ?What, what?s happened??[/I] ?The entire squad of SAS soldiers is dead. The clearing is wired up with trip lines, probably claymores. I?d say our boys stumbled across something they shouldn?t have, just like last time. If they hadn?t?? Liam swallowed, ?if they hadn?t walked into that, it would?ve been us.? [I] ?What, all of them?? [/I] ?Yes Matt.? Rae said, her voice racked with sorrow, hate, and tears. ?Every. Last. One. Of. Them. They?re all gone.? ?We have to call in air support, there?s no way in a fiery hell are we going to leave here otherwise.? Liam said, quickening his pace. [I]?How do you know people are still around??[/I] ?The laser sight that played around my legs for a second is a bit of a clue.? Liam burst out into the clearing, Bradley and Rae leaping out behind him. He glanced around, up at the fort. It had a helipad on top, and no doubt they could lock themselves inside. ?Inside Matt, we?ve got to get inside, now!? [/size]

[size=1] Mikhael lay back on his cot, boring a hole through the ceiling with his eyes. It had been a long few months of sitting around and doing absolutely nothing while the SGC made excuses. [i]'We're clearing you for the wormhole'[/i] They said. [i]'We're making a new team.'[/i] They said. It just went on like that until Mikhael realised he wasn't going anywhere. Obviously the SGC had just accepted him to save face with the Russki's. Nothing new really. He'd been expecting it all along. The door clicked open and a rough looking SGC MP stood on the threshold. 'Captain Vassikin? Your presence is required in the conference room.' Mikhael stepped out of his hiding place and out through the door. 'About time ve got this show on ze road.' He muttered darkly, slipping on the camouflaged jacket, complete with SGC logo. 'So what iz going on?' The MP, that was walking briskly beside him, said, 'the General had commissioned the new SG-1 team leader.' Mikhael waited for more, but realised there was none. He trotted up the spiral staircase and knocked once on the conference room door. It opened by itself, revealing that there was no one inside. 'I should have known.' Mikhael grunted. He settled down into the General's seat at the head of the table, lifting his feet up and resting them on the coasters. A bored expression settled on his face and he stared glumly at the door, as only a Russian could. Nothing happened for several moments. Mikhael grunted and played with the little monitor on the desk that displayed the SGC logo. It wasn't as though he could do anything else. Mikhael looked up from his work, the MP was now standing inside the room. Obviously he had orders to not let the Russian out of his sight. How flattering. 'So...' Mikhael started. 'What is life like to be working for a capitalist country?' The MP remained solemn. 'I see. Zey swear you to silence, da?' 'No sir. I was refraining myself from removing the head from your shoulders, with respect, sir.' Mikhael's eyebrows went up. So, these soldiers had some kick after all. He was surprised really, seeing as he was under the impression that the Airforce generally didn't have soldiers, just pilots. 'Very witty.' Mikhael said, finally. 'I assume you get zat sense of humour from your training, da?' 'No sir, I made it up myself, like your accent.' Mikhael frowned. He'd opened a can of worms here. Obviously he'd given the soldier an excuse to berate him. It would be so easy to break his neck...but the repurcussions... A lazy smile crept across Mikhael's face as replayed the image of him headbutting the MP, over and over again... 'Captain Vassikin? I believe you are seated in my chair.' Mikhael's eyes focused on the General. 'I believe I am, General.' He stood and magnaminously offered the chair before seating himself opposite a Colonel he didn't know. The MP retreated out of the room, leaving just the three inside. Mikhael leant back in his chair, placing his arms behind his head and whistling loudly. [/size]

[size=1] Liam groaned. He?d left himself wide open there for that one. With any luck it could have been a weird Russian show of appreciation, or initiation, or something. He looked back over his shoulder. It really didn?t seem likely. Katarina and Malania continued their conversation, this time standing guard on the door. Liam frowned and grabbed his kit, shaking out the white powder that had come loose from its packet. It really didn?t matter though; the cocaine would be in the stitch, instantly setting off any sober drug sniffing dog. Feeling even more defeated, he tossed the bag up into the air and kicked it, so it resided in the outskirts of the jungle. He made his way over to Malania and Katarina, who paused their conversation to allow him room. ?You can stand guard here,? he said, ?but if you don?t mind, I?ll be up in that tree polishing my nails.? Malania raised a delicate eyebrow in response. ?We need a sniper.? He said bluntly. ?If there?s cocaine here, and someone knows that it?s here, we?ll have problems.? He turned and went back the way he came, vaulting up one of the taller trees, cat-like. He settled down into one of the boughs, hidden by some well-placed leaves. ?Do you believe a word he said?? Malania muttered in a low Russian whisper. Katarina grinned, looking up at the tree. ?No. I?d say our friend is sulking somewhat.? Up in the tree Liam fitted an infrared scope to his P-90. This way he could remain completely unseen, being able to see out, without people seeing in. He pulled the scope to his eye and scanned the area. Not a soul was out of place. There were, however, some peccary ambling around in the jungle. Their low, blurred orange shaded shapes were easily distinguishable on the scope. If he had a silenced weapon, he might?ve participated in some mindless wildlife destruction. He rotated slowly, shifting the scope closer to where Karen was being protected. He could see her technicolour form on the chair with Eve leaning against something beside her. A male figure walked up. Matt, judging from his gait. Karen rose slowly from her seat and threw here arms around him. Definitely Matt then. Rae was standing nearby, as was Bradley, sentry style with their guns slowly swaying as they surveyed for signs of danger. Liam moved the scope higher, the SAS were moving away through the jungle; presumably back to their tunnel. ?SPAS 15?s! That?s what they are!? He exclaimed as the memory struck him. ?They?re automatic shotguns manufactured by SPAS for urban situations, police forces. A clever manipulation of their purpose to use them in the jungle?very clever indeed?? ?Hey! You do not need to be talking to yourself up zere.? Katarina?s voice shattered the silence of Liam?s thoughts. He poked his head out of the foliage and said, rather eloquently; ?What?? Katarina huffed. It was obvious that she was being forced into doing this. ?If you be lacking in some conversation, you do not need be talking to yourself.? Liam raised an eyebrow. ?No. I?m quite fine thank you.? ?Vell then. If you wish to be a better sniper, I suggest you remain quieter.? Liam pulled his head back into cover, calling out, ?whatever.? [/size]

[size=1] lol It's amusing, but its also incredibly sad. I mean seriously, I'm just waiting for someone to read this, take it seriously and become a net Nazi and rule their child like a king! ...or something. [quote] If your son has requested a new "processor" from a company called "AMD", this is genuine cause for alarm. AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips. They use child labor extensively in their third world sweatshops, and they deliberately disable the security features that American processor makers, such as Intel, use to prevent hacking. AMD chips are never sold in stores, and you will most likely be told that you have to order them from internet sites. Do not buy this chip! This is one request that you must refuse your son, if you are to have any hope of raising him well.[/quote] My computer came with an AMD Athalon chip standard, it's a HP. [spoiler]Mind you I have to feed the little child inside the case every now and again, if he gets hungry, my computer freezes.[/spoiler] Hello capitalist advertising propaganda for Intel. ...and since when were sons the only people in a family that could possibly become a |-|4>

OOC: I have some good news, and some bad news. The bad news is that I'm going to be away until Saturday arvo. The good news is that it looks like you lot can keep this going by yourselves. lol ~_^ [size=1] Liam waltzed around outside, holding the P-90 and his MS1 like pistols. It was completely against all procedure, but he felt he looked cool, or something to that effect. A random bug buzzed in front of his vision, some sort of butterfly. He gave a sly look around to make sure nobody was looking his way before he holstered his guns and proceeded to chase the winged insect open handed. ?Come ?ere you flying bug- ?Liam?? -er?? Liam looked away from the butterfly that was rapidly escaping. One of his legs was in the air while both his arms were reaching up into the sky. He slowly dropped down onto both his feet and grinned sheepishly at the confused look Malania was giving him. Malania blinked. ?Yes, so?Matt wanted me to tell you that he wants us to investigate the fort further. He said something about possible arms or something being stored here.? Liam coughed and lifted up his P-90. ?Okay then,? he said, ?shall we dance?? They made their way around to the front of the complex to meet up with Kat, who was lying comfortably in the truck. The ripped leather seats and rusty springs did nothing to irk her, she valued the shade that the ancient Chevrolet?s rusty canopy more than the idea of an intact seat. When she realised Malania and Liam were there, she sat up and leapt out of the oxidized cabin, flying smoothly through the air before landing cat-like at their feet. ?A ten pointer, no?? She said, retrieving her P-90. ?For someone who leapt out of a fifty year old truck that had been abandoned in Colombia, I?d say that there are none that can match you.? Liam?s dry tone announced the glib sarcasm had reassembled its façade. ?Vatever. Come, ve have to inveztigate more of thiz hole.? Liam smirked and looked around for the others. ?What happened to Bailey?? He asked, realising one of his team had gone walkabout. Malania shrugged. ?Zharra enticed her away with her wily charms.? She snorted, but expertly put it into a cough that sounded as though there was a Russian word secreted inside. Liam looked on blankly as Katarina burst out laughing and said something back to Malania, who found it quite amusing. ?Can we keep this to English please?? He said blearily. ?My Russian is not what it used to be.? ?Anything to please the little man with the pink nails.? Malania said, giving a mock curtsey. Liam looked at his fingers, showing them off. ?You like?? He asked. ?Da, I love a man who shows hiz zenzitive side.? Katarina said in an appreciative tone, before chuckling and walking off towards the complex. ?Of course you do,? Liam said absentmindedly as he followed. ?So where?re Matt and the others? I know you and Malania are here, and Bailey and Zharra are inside, but where?s the rest of the team?? Malania paused at the top of the stairs, calling back over her shoulder, ?they?re over the other side, no doubt relaxing while those SAS men of yours look into this ?SEAL? fiasco.? She stepped down to the weather beaten door and kicked it open, pointing her Yarygin into the gloom. Liam shrugged and followed her in, flicking the light switch on as Katarina stepped inside. He pulled out the heat scanner and scanned the room. There was nothing in here but crates and a few rodents, and two humans directly above who were looking at a warm computer. Katarina looked at one of the crates and kicked a hole into it with her steel-capped boots. She withdrew the foot and checked inside the box. ?There?s nothing in here but straw,? she muttered darkly. ?Wait, here. A piece of rock?? She said incredulously, pulling it out with her free hand. ?That isn?t any piece of rock, that?s one of the ?artefacts? Matt supplied to the Colombians.? Liam laughed, ?they actually thought they were real! The only reason they were still here is because of Karen and some trinkets.? Liam was gloating now. ?To think, they risked their lives for nothing. They probably should?ve stuck to drugs. They?re better at it.? ?Oh no wait; there?s a hidden part in the box. Hey!? Katarina fished around inside the hole and drew out a white glad-wrapped brick. ?What do you know, cocaine.? Liam deflated. ?Well, one could hope.? Malania and Katarina whispered something to each other in Russian, Katarina looking meaningfully at the brick in her hand and at the other crates in the room. Liam managed to catch a few words and numbers. ?No, you can?t sneak a few out.? He said flatly. Malania coloured slightly. ?We?re not sneaking them out; we?re wondering why they left about thirty million dollars worth of drugs behind.? ?Oh. My apologies.? Liam?s ego deflated a little more. Which wasn?t necessarily a bad thing, it meant now he could fit his head through doors. ?Zomething is not right I zay.? Katarina said, pitching the white brick back into the box. ?It is almost az zomeone zet them up. Or tried to cover zomething up.? ?Come on,? Liam said, turning to the door, ?we?ve got to tell Matt.? [/size]

[size=1] The only words that can describe my feelings when it comes to someone starting an SG-1 RPG is me running around the room waving my arms in the air with the expressions as thus; Glee! ^____________^ Wow, and it looks like you can spell, control your grammar, and you have a keen interest in making this work. I'm in love with you already. In a purely..um..non-icky way of course. Ha! I'm the first to sign up! [center]~~~~[/center] [b]Name:[/b] Mikhael Vassikin [b]Rank:[/b] Captain [b]Description:[/b] 6'2'' Thick black hair, dark brown eyes, just off-white skin, broad shouldered, but not stocky. Wears the standard green fatigues and black t-shirt, as well as the Kevlar, at all times. [He's slightly paranoid that the American government will turn on him] [b]Short Bio:[/b] Vassikin was selected by the Russian equivalent of Stargate command to become part of the new SG-1 team. He grudgingly obliged, being fluent in English and knowledgable of Goa'uld, and mildly tolerant towards Americans. Upon arrival he became aquainted with Stargate Command and instantly checked it out, blueprints and the like. While he has been thoroughly assured about the strong bond of friendship between mother Russia and America, he still feels that he needs to look over his shoulder every now and again. The fact that the American Airforce decided to give him the honorary title of Captain as a show of good faith still furthered his paranoia It was only recently that he began eating the food in the mess hall. [center]~~~~[/center] I'm really looking forward to this. It should be good ^_^ *rushes off to tell everyone* [/size]

[size=1] [quote][i]Originally posted by Ryu_Sakura[/i] [b]i think pepl like that are stupid, i mean peopl can belive who and what they want. besides imean who actually believe those dufises anyway? i personaly hate morman, the tell peopl how wonderful the religon they join, the mormans take all thier money, the people leave because lack of cash, ect.[/b][/quote] I'm sorry to hear that love. Obviously ignorance is rife in the world because I'm hearing those sorts of comments more and more often Bad blood and hicktown gossip generally stick well in the minds of those that are arrogant or ignorant in topics they don't understand. I mean, up until the 1970's the 'Morman Extermination Order' was still part of an American State's charter/base code of rules. That order gave any member of that state the official right to kill a 'Morman' [as it was so eloquently put] without any fear of repurcussions. The same sort of ignorance happens all over the world, we have friends that fled here to avoid religious persecution in Iran. Recently I studied Buddhism in my Ancient History class, and it is a beautiful religion filled with peace and harmony. It was the Buddhists that convinced the Great Indian King Asoka to lay down his arms and better his people by avoiding war when possible. The codes and laws that followed bettered India so much more than Asoka would have without the simple touch of Buddhism. Did you also know that Buddhism, and many others, are extremely tolerant to all other religions? 'There are many paths to God.' To put it slightly out of context. If you haven't guessed yet, I am LDS, or Morman. A saying that crops up a lot in my church is 'There are varying degrees of truth in all religions.' Another one, gleaned from many sources, 'Like it, or leave it.' If you have nothing nice to say, or you cannot appreciate the simple intricacies of one's religion, do not attempt to dissect it, because it's going to bite you in the rear when someone educated begs to differ. ~_^[/size]

[size=1] Well you can't deny the fact that the PSX is very shiny...and purdy.. I wouldn't mind getting one, I mean, seriously. Once the price has gone down [which it will, I mean, even the '64 was AU$760] it'd be pretty sweet. Being so compact and all those things will interest people greatly. See, technologically unbiased people [unlike...uh, everyone on the boards] will see it and say 'Wow, that's really snazzy, I don't need to worry about a bazillion plugs from lots of different things. Mmm, Sony, and it's shiny! And plays games!' Basically how the Ps2 was recieved. ^_^;[/size]

[size=1] Ah so you know Kauter and Bertoldi. Bertoldi is in fact on these boards under the assumed name 'enigma.' [Most probably he will be showing his face here shortly. He's a bit like that when his name gets mentioned, lol] I'm Liam Cameron, world renowned...um...guy. ^_^; [/size]

[size=1] Wow. Our motley crew increases a little notch, and the shepherd has another sheep to add to his flock! ^_^ *pulls out crook and costume* So UnsungHero, how did you manage to come across these boards?[/size]

OCC: We will miss you milady, please maketh sure that thy escapades do not carry ye far from here. The hearth fire with always be burning. [As will the house. AAAH! *runs around with his arms on fire*] [size=1] After the team had fully conversed with each other, Malania and Katarina had even ventured out of their tent long enough to hold a decent conversation, Matt checked his watch and did some calculations in his head. When he had figured out the hours of rest required, he stood up and bellowed, ?team! Bed.? Liam looked up from his disassembled P-90 and shrugged. Seconds later, it was back in one piece and around his neck again. ?We will be leaving at dawn and moving double pace to reach the base in time.? ?In time for what?? Liam asked. Matt looked at him thoughtfully, ?the Commander has informed me that the Colombians are planning to move something to a drop-zone. We know that something isn?t drugs, or cash, thanks to some key word cross-referencing we?ve done. We can only assume that it is indeed Karen they?re talking about.? Liam went to ask something, but he thought better of it and made his way to his tent, bidding his goodnights in passing. One side of the tent needed righting, and there was a tear where he had cut his way out, but he fixed the pole and dropped to sleep. ?Liam get your lazy backside up and out!? ?What??? Liam blinked. It was early morning and the rays of the sun were poking through the hole in his tent. He couldn?t believe it, he felt wide awake, and as though he?d only closed his eyes for a few seconds. He stirred and sat up, stretching. ?Good,? Rae said, now dressed in fatigues, ?come on. We?re moving out.? Liam stumbled out of the tent, snatching up his pack and weapons. He stumbled his way over to the team, sliding his guns into the various holsters on his body. Matt watched him with amusement as Liam re-slung the backpack around his shoulders. ?Liam, we?re travelling light today. We don?t need the packs.? He nodded the desk jockeys, ?they?ll be taking everything with them. You just need to carry your guns and water today.? There was a space of time where Liam ferreted around in his pack, retrieving all the spare clips of ammunition he could find. Zharra tapped her foot in annoyance as Liam continued to store ammunition in his pockets. After what had seemed an age, Liam buttoned shut the last pocket and tossed aside the now empty pack. ?All done.? He said proudly. Matt eyed him, biting back an incredulous outburst, and tossed a camelback pack to him. ?Strap this on,? he said, ?you?ll be needing that water.? He was right. The temperature had climbed higher than the last hike, and everybody could feel it. Matt had insisted everyone where face paint to stop the bright midday sun from reflecting off their shiny faces. Liam had stopped Bradley in time before he slathered the stuff all over his forehead. The only place you put it, Liam informed, is on your cheeks and chin. If you put it on your forehead, the sweat forms there and the face paint runs down into your eyes. It burns; he went on to say, with a sincere air of someone who had experienced it for themselves. Besides, your helmet covers your forehead nicely so you don?t need to paint it up. Bradley didn?t have the heart to tell him that he was only going to rub on some insect repellent. The trip went a lot faster than last time. Matt had segmented it all into periods of flat out sprinting and periods of swift walking. Liam couldn?t believe it, but all the periods of haste and calm prevented him from wearing out completely. He would have informed Matt or someone of this, but the strict codes of silence were even harsher now that they were close. Somehow Liam knew that the first hike with all the gear was just prepping for this one. Matt signalled them to stop and crouch, slinking his way forward and separate from the group. [I] ?One sentry on the roof of the compound, he?s behind the dragon?s teeth on the roof.?[/I] Liam poked his up from behind the bush he was crouching under. He could see the sentry now, wearing khaki pants, a greasy Singlet and an ancient Kevlar vest over the top. [I] ?Want me to take him out?? [/I] Liam asked back over the COM. [I] ?Please do.?[/I] Matt replied. Liam grinned and turned to Rae, who was sitting comfortably next to Eve. He lifted his P-90 and nodded to it. ?So what do you reckon?? He said in a hushed tone. ?P-90, Eagle or MS1?? Eve raised an eyebrow, but Rae thought over the question. ?MS1.? She said, smiling slightly, ?it?s quieter, not to mention I know you?re aching to use it.? Liam grinned, and heard the hum of helicopters. [I] ?The hell??[/I] Matt said over the COM. [I] ?Blackhawks? Team, take cover and check this out.?[/I] Liam poked his head out again, hands clasped firmly on his MS1. He watched with a confused interest as four men dropped out of each of the two helicopters. Their SEAL uniforms niggled in Liam?s head. He watched with a grim fascination as one SEAL landed expertly behind the stunned sentry and ended his life with a quick stab to the lungs. The sentry wouldn?t even be able to cry for help as his life slowly and painfully drained away. Liam winced. Standard SEAL manoeuvres, and they all had Heckler and Koch MP5-SD?s. Suppressed MP5?s. The SEALS did a thorough search of the outside of the fort, taking out three more guards that Matt hadn?t even noticed. Liam couldn?t help but feel a pang of inadequacy when he took in their efficiency and skill. He blinked and shrugged those thoughts aside. [I] ?SYF Team, report. This is Major First of the SEAL assault team. We request you make your presence known to us.? [/I] Liam frowned. He could tell Matt was too. This was not right; the Navy SEALS had not been informed of the SYF mission, due to the fact that it would be an unnecessary expenditure of Navy resources and that Karen?s father had been told not to involve the American military? Something wasn?t right, it didn?t feel right. Matt looked back and caught Liam?s eye, giving him a knowing look. Liam kept his mouth shut. Matt signalled that the team stand and make their way down. Liam hung to the back, directing the rest to go in front of him. Bradley?s gait showed that he was chuffed to be meeting the SEALS, Malania and Katarina were guarded, and suspicious. Rae was mildly surprised, but grateful for the extra help, as was Zharra, Bailey and Eve. Liam inadvertently squeezed the trigger once. Once more and it?d start firing. ?Major First,? the Head SEAL said, saluting Matt. ?we are here to retrieve the subject Karen in the best interests of her father.? Matt nodded slowly, churning the facts over in his head. ?Excuse me,? he said, tapping his radio. ?I have to make a call to my Commanding officer that we are no longer needed.? The Major nodded, smiling amiably, with the two SEALS flanking him. Liam looked over the Major?s shoulder and watched the other five SEALS vanish into the forest, in the direction the SAS were coming from. If Liam?s mind wasn?t busy churning over what he was going to do, he would have sworn. ?Radio isn?t working, weird.? Matt used the tone of someone who was genuinely surprised. He held his hands behind his back and signed something out to Liam. Bradley read it and shot Liam a confused glance. Liam wouldn?t have laughed if the situation weren?t so dire. Matt was using the code he and Rae had thought up, that Liam had accidentally picked up. Basically what Matt was saying was that the wide band frequency, the one that enabled them to talk to anyone on the planet if they wished, was being jammed by something. The mobile phone, however, worked perfectly. Matt had managed to contact the Commander, and even Karen?s father. Both had no idea what was going on. Liam ambled up to Matt?s shoulder, pulling out a chilli he had swiped from the dinner table the night before. As he was beside Matt, he began to eat it like a carrot, savouring every second that the spicy devil bit into his tongue, and the thoughts of what he was going to do with it. ?Hi, I?m Liam.? He said, offering his hand and speaking with a half full mouth. ?You?re without rank?? The Major stated, with a tone of superiority. ?Probably, I don?t really keep track of that rot.? Liam put the last of the chilli into his mouth. ?Rae does though. She keeps track of everything.? Liam nodded back to Rae. He waited for the precise second when the Major?s attention was diverted from his men. The closest SEAL, a huge brute, looked Liam?s way for a second. Liam grinned and spat the burning chilli juice and seeds into the man?s eyes. He fell to the ground screaming and clawing at his own face. In the seconds of confusion, Liam head butted the Major in the side of the head, and Matt dispatched the second SEAL guard with a punch to the throat and a pinch on a nerve cluster. Liam wiped some stray seeds from the side of his mouth and swallowed the rest of the chilli. ?Liam?? Rae said slowly, ?what the hell?? Liam smiled sheepishly, ?chillies give a kick start to your metabolism, that?s how I keep off the kilos.? Zharra exploded, ?she doesn?t mean the chilli you idiot. She wants to know about the SEALS you just assaulted!? ?They weren?t SEALS?? Matt said, dusting his hands. ??And I actually wanted to know about the chilli.? Rae said sheepishly. ?Once you?ve been around this idiot for long enough, your views of the norm generally go topsy turfy.? Big, booming, successive shots echoed from the forest where the SEALS went. Liam would have run off to help then if he hadn?t realised a key fact. The imitation SEAL'S weapons were silent. He resisted the urge to burst out laughing when a very Australian voice carried through the jungle, shouting incredulously, ?You bloody bastards!? Liam tried to contain himself to a quiet chuckle, but he couldn?t help himself, and doubled over, trying desperately to prevent his sides from splitting. ?Well. Now that we?ve got that sorted.? Matt said, smiling slightly. ?We?ve got some rescuing to do.? He looked over the forest, where the SAS were now coming out, ?I want Malania, Katarina, Bailey and Liam to go inside and retrieve Karen. The others and I will remain outside with the SAS to comb the fort more thoroughly.? Liam nodded and followed his squad inside. There was no one there. Every room they came to was empty. It was obvious that the guards outside were just a skeleton crew, the rest must have shipped out long ago to make sure the drop point was safe. Katarina called out, ?hey, I be having a zignature here.? Liam made his way over, sure enough there was the yellow heat signature of a woman sitting in a chair. Katarina did some follow up checks for booby traps and opened the door. Karen was grimy, rips were in her blouse, but she looked okay. However, she didn?t show any signs of life or reaction to their entrance. Bailey and Malania tried to snap her out of it, calling her name and the like, but nothing happened. Eventually Katarina, tired of the charade, walked briskly to Karen?s side and jabbed her harshly in the ribs. ?Come on, we have to be going, you lazy capitalist.? Karen reacted immediately, exploding into a tirade of gracious sobs. She clung to Katarina?s waist as though she felt that the Russian wasn?t really there and might vanish any time soon. ?Thank goodness, ?she sobbed, ?I?d been playing this out in my mind so often I thought it wasn?t real?? Katarina was shocked, looking in utter surprise at the woman clinging to her waist. ?Get this crazy American girl off me.? She said, arms raised in the air and completely abhorred to the fact that someone was clinging to her. ?Well?? She demanded. ?You?re on your own.? Malania said, smiling slightly as Katarina tried to comfort the sobbing woman. [/size]

[size=1] ?Liam, you know that colour [I]does[/I] come out. Zharra was only trying to help.? Liam and Rae had been walking now through the jungle for five minutes, just vaguely following the track that the technicians had pointed out to them. Liam had remained quiet for the most of the journey, apart from his casual whistling. His good humour was gradually returning as he realised that he could easily spin the nail polish so that it galled Rae, and not him. ?Liam, come on, can?t you take a joke?? Liam continued to whistle and checked the slide on his P-90. Rae herself had abstained from taking a weapon, mainly because she couldn?t have been bothered to carry one. ?Fine then, continue being silent, it?s not as though I care that you have pink nails, in fact I find it quite amusing.? Liam continued to smile and the whistle grew louder. Then he stopped. ?So why?re we looking at these tunnels?? He asked. Rae looked slightly sheepish. ?I was bored, okay? Besides, now I get an excuse to actually go off and do something.? Liam raised an eyebrow and deliberately checked his nails, letting the light reflect off them into Rae?s eyes. ?So what am I doing here then?? He queried. ?Because I need dumb muscle.? ?Right.? Liam shook his head and continued ahead, giving a mock salute to some of the diggers working in one of the archaeological trenches as he passed. ?Tunnel?s up that way.? One of the diggers yelled out, pointing further down the track. ?It?s just this little concrete mount with a rusty lid, you should find it easy enough.? ?Thanks.? Liam said, sincerely for once. Rae quickened her pace to catch up with Liam?s long strides. He looked back over his shoulder at her and smirked, increasing to a brisk jog. She frowned at him and sprinted, catching up to him just as he clasped his hands on the corrugated iron covering the pit. ?Are we going down?? He asked as he kicked it off the top. Rae peered down the tunnel, flashing a penlight into the gloom. ?I suppose.? ?Great.? Liam stepped up and vanished into the hole, parachute rolling as he hit the grimy concrete in the tunnel. Rae rolled her eyes and leapt in after him, bracing herself for the collision with the concrete floor. She was surprised, however, when Liam caught her and put her down gently. ?You didn?t have to do that.? She said. ?Yeah. But I?d rather catch you now instead of carrying you back to base because you broke your ankle.? He grinned, teeth showing in the gloom, ?I?ve already done that once and it wasn?t pleasant.? Rae ignored him and pulled out a pen light from her pocket, shining it along the long concrete tunnel. The entire tunnel was concrete, with a smooth curved arch as a ceiling, and a broken light every three metres. Patches of bricks showed through where the concrete had worn away. Along the ground was a narrow gauge railway track, presumably for transportation. Liam kicked it and turned round to look the other way, only to find the matt-black barrel of a Sig P228 in his face. He blinked, and the gun was holstered. The SAS soldier smiled apologetically and stepped out of the shadows, he took Liam?s hand and shook it saying, ?sorry about that. I couldn?t tell who you were until I saw your face.? Liam muttered, ?don?t worry about it.? ?I?m the Captain of Ambush Squad Two, we?re utilising these tunnels as a means of covert transportation.? ?Two? Isn?t there only one SAS squad?? The Captain grinned and adjusted his camouflaged bucket hat slightly. ?Funny thing that. We were Ambush Squad One, but that just sounds stupid, so we unofficially switched it to Ambush Squad Two. Better, don?t you think?? Liam couldn?t see Rae?s expression, but he knew it?d be an accurate portrayal of [I] ?You?re all as insane as each other??[/I] Behind the Captain, Liam could make out the shape of a wide narrow-gauge cart coming towards them. He couldn?t hear the engine so it must?ve been electric? The Captain followed Liam?s gaze. ?Isn?t she a beauty?? He said, ?if we hadn?t stumbled across that baby in these tunnels, we?d be slogging away through the night. All we had to do was take out the flat batteries, stick their solar panels in the sun and we were charged up and ready to go in no time.? As the trolley got closer, Liam could see six or so men lying down, asleep, and one sentry with what appeared to be an M16 assault rifle. ?Well, it?s nice to meet a few members of the illustrious SYF before we go into battle, but we really must be off.? He stepped up onto the cart as it rumbled past, he gave a jolly wave and said, ?we?ll see you again when we meet up, aye?? ?Sure.? The cart suddenly picked up its pace and vanished down into the tunnels, the little electric engine?s whine reverberating off the tunnel walls. ?That was odd.? Rae said, still looking down the tunnel. ?Not really.? Liam frowned as though thinking about something. ?Their weapons were interesting, don?t you think? I?ve seen them somewhere before, but I don?t know where?? ?Liam, they were M16?s.? She snickered, ?you very probably saw them in the hands of American soldiers, seeing as they, you know, are their signature weapon.? Her tone changed to a knowledgeable one, ?you know they?ve been around since the 60?s?? ?They weren?t M16?s Rae.? Rae blinked, slightly annoyed that her spiel was cut short. ?What do you mean they weren?t M16?s?? ?The cartridge was too big, not to mention the barrel was slightly thicker.? He paused, thinking over the mental image inside his head. ?All I can say is that I?ve definitely seen them in Europe somewhere?? He grimaced, trying to catch a reluctant memory. ?Company starts with an ?S.? What is it?? ?Liam. It?s dark, as far as I care it?s an M16.? She looked up at the hatch they?d leapt down. ?Quite frankly, if we?d just agree that it?s a gun, I?ll be satisfied.? She walked a little way down the tunnel, looking for something. ?Now where?s that ladder?? She muttered to herself. ?S?I know it?s an S?? ?Liam?? Liam blinked, jerked away from his thoughts. ?What?? He asked. ?Can you help me find a ladder or something? I?m sick of being in the dark.? ?Why don?t you just use the handholds?? Rae stalked back to him, wiping her hands clean on her trousers. ?What handholds?? She demanded. Liam pulled out his survival knife and stabbed it into the grouting between the bricks about his chest height. He jimmied it around for a while and managed to rip it out. After putting it away, he took a few steps back to the other wall and took a run up. As Rae watched with mild amusement, Liam swiftly scaled the wall, stuffing his boot into the gap after a flying leap, and reached the lip of the hatch. After half a minute of scrambling, he was out of the tunnel. Rae looked up through at the little circle of sky, tapping her foot. Liam?s face appeared, blocking the sunlight. ?Well?? He said brightly. Rae?s countenance darkened. Liam grinned, clasping his pink-polished nails around the rim of the entrance. ?You?re not saying you?re too short, are you Rae?? His smiled somehow managed to widen, the playful tone in his voice echoed beautifully into the tunnel. ?No. What I?m saying is that I?d rather not rip a muscle, unless of course you want to carry me back?? ?Hey,? Liam said while inspecting his nails, ?if I can do it without breaking one of these beauties, you can do it without pulling a muscle.? Rae frowned and repeated Liam?s scaling, she managed the foothold, but Liam had to catch her flailing hands before she fell back into the gloom. ?I could have done it.? She said, ascertaining her independence while Liam hoisted her out onto the grass. ?Sure you could have.? Liam?s condescending tone grated against Rae?s nerves, and she dealt him a swift whack to the back of his head with the palm of her hand. ?Watch it.? She growled, the warning dripping on every syllable. [/size]

[size=1] ?Right, that?s it, I am seriously out of here.? Liam brushed her away and stood up. ?You?re bleeding still,? Zharra pointed out, ?if you?re not careful, you?re going to become anaemic!? Liam snatched up one of the treated bandages and slapped it onto the scratch. ?There,? he said, ?problem solved. If you?ll excuse me, I?m going to get changed into something military.? ?Liam?I?ve got to give you some Hep B and C shots, not to mention some Curare in case of malaria.? She sighed and pulled out an assortment of needles. ?We?re in the jungle and you?ve got an open would, trust me. It doesn?t help.? ?I?m fine Zharra.? He pointed to his arm. ?I?ve already had them, and more. I?m not thick.? ?Don?t forget those bruises on the side of your head,? she said, looking meaningfully at his temples. ?Oh, so [I]that?s[/I] why I?ve got this headache. No worries, I?ll take a Panadol.? Zharra was slightly flustered, but she held it together and snapped the plastic case shut after resignedly throwing the needles inside. She folded her arms and sat back in her seat, looking daggers at him. ?Fine then,? she said dismissively. ?It?s not as though I care if you get HIV or something. You can die a horribly painful death for all I care.? ?That?s all I ask.? Liam said, smirking as he bowed slightly and left. Bradley caught Zharra?s fist before she leapt off her chair to assault him with all the spit and venom she could muster. ?I wouldn?t.? He said warningly. ?Why? Can you give me a good reason?? ??I haven?t got one. But I do have a quite lame one. If you kill him, you?ll be out of the SYF, in more ways than one.? He grinned at her, ?and I?d never see you again.? Liam grunted and rubbed the bruises on the sides of his head. So his temples were purple, he had a white bandage on his forehead and his nails were pink. Oh and he was wondering around wearing nothing but a towel. Wow, all he needed to do now was claim he was Napoleon and he?d be set. His random shuffling brought him to the supply tent, which really consisted of spare fatigues stored inside crates marked ?Generator Cables.? He fished around and pulled out something in his size and wandered into the toilets to get changed. After a few minutes of attaching Velcro Kevlar over his shorts and Singlet, he finally put on the fatigues, only to find that they were a size too small. He muttered something incoherent before trotting back to the box, retrieving the proper sizes and throwing them on, making himself looking incredibly huge thanks to the bulky armour. Satisfied, he selected a new helmet and dropped it onto his head, skilfully covering the bandage completely. ?It appears GI Joe has issues,? Matt said, eyeing the still present nail polish. Liam pulled his P90 from the adjacent crate. ?Yeah,? he said while slotting in the cartridge, ?Government issues.? [/size]

[size=1] Wow. I mean seriously, wow. For a child that displays the qualities and virtues of a jock, he has an amazing gift for literary devices. All I need to know now is that your Mum can write, and I can say that the gift runs well and truly in the family. ^_^[/size]

[size=1] ?Milko?? Liam?s outburst and lolly reference brought silence to the tent as the occupants held their breath. He grunted and rolled over onto his side, flattening the hair on the left side of his head. ?This is too much,? Zharra said, stifling another giggle. ?Tell me about it,? Bradley shook his head in silent laughter. ?I?ve never seen this side of him before.? ?Question,? Bailey asked, suddenly realising the implications of when Liam woke up. ?What?s he going to do when he?s woken up and realises pink,? she giggled, ?is not his colour?? Rae burst out laughing. ?I?m just thinking,? she gasped, ?what?re the SAS going to think of him when he realises he can?t get the nail polish off?? A wave of snorts and giggles rippled through the group. Liam stirred and blearily sat up, clutching the bruises on the sides of his head. He groaned and rubbed vigorously, putting his face in his hands, and then suddenly noticed the people sitting on his legs, crowded inside his little two-man tent. Liam looked through the gaps in his fingers and asked, ?well, seeing as you?re all here, does one of you happen to have any Panadol on you?? Blank stares gazed back, everyone was too busy trying not to laugh at the moody gormless youth in drag. Liam mistook the silence for a lack of understanding. ?Fine,? he said, ?anyone have any Herron?? Still no response, ?don?t tell me Rae and Bradley have been infected by American culture.? Someone at the back let out a little snort before being jabbed harshly in the ribs. ?Right then,? he said angrily, ?unless someone gives me?aspirin,? he spat the word with contempt, ?right now, I will pitch you all out into the mud. Understood?? ?Yes ma?am.? Bradley said gruffly with a salute. Simultaneously everyone in the tent burst out laughing, leaving Liam feeling completely bewildered. Rae rolled around on her back laughing; Liam winced as her pelvis grated into his knees. The noise was really getting to him now, he raised his hands and covered his ears, and a stray finger noticed something wrong with his hair. He pulled out one of the ribbons and observed it between thumb and forefinger, and noticed the nail polish. Silence hit the tent as a shiver of dark realisation rippled through the group. Rae slowly rose back up to a seated position, carefully passing the camera behind her back and out of the tent. Bradley coughed; Liam threw the ribbon at him, hitting him squarely between the eyes. ?Someone care to tell me what?s going on?? He muttered coldly, all traces of drug-infused drowsiness vanishing. No one responded. ?I shall be wanting that camera in my possession very shortly, Rae.? He continued in the same cold voice. Rae silently cursed, he noticed, he always noticed. Ah well, it was a digital one, so the desk jockeys would have been bound to save a copy for themselves? Liam snicked out a knife from his boots. Everyone made a slight, involuntary shift backward. He spun it around his fingers, playing up the brief spell he held them in, before he stabbed it through the side of the tent, ripping it open and stepping out into the camp. Behind him, the tent collapsed, thanks to the guide rope he cut as he passed. ?That went down rather well.? Bradley said with a mouth full of canvas. He coughed as he realised the implications of what he said. The group picked it up, albeit slowly. ?Feel free to shoot me for that one,? he apologised sheepishly. Over the other side and rapidly heading for the showers, Liam ran a hand through his hair, removing all the ribbons in one fell swoop, and spiking his hair in an alarming manner. A combination of a painful headache and the annoyance of being caught with his guard down caused his ?happy-go-lucky? nature to vanish in an instant. He wiped the lipstick off on the back of his hand and scratched at the nail polish. It didn?t come off. ?Hey, Liam, good?? Matt faltered, noticing the glittery pink accosting Liam?s nails. ?I?say?? The question died in his throat as Liam gave him a dark look. ?The Colombian?s left, they took some of the ?artefacts? with them, by the time they?ve dated them, we?ll have already taken control.? ?That?s wonderful. I?m sure the promise of a mission will prevent your sister?s further childish pursuits.? Matt watched Liam go, waiting until he was out of earshot. Liam vanished into the shower block to remove the glitter from his hair. He waited a moment longer, and howled with laughter. ?Oh god,? he said to Callum, who came up with a print out of the photo, ?email that to every SYF branch on the planet. Don?t forget a print out for me, lord knows I need a laugh every now and again.? [/size]

[size=1] Liam snapped up, back to his half awake state. It appeared that he had just been left lying where he had collapsed. Very slowly he rose to his feet and dusted his backside off. He yawned, stretching, and almost collapsed again from the blood rush. There wasn?t anyone around that he knew, so he yawned and made his way back to his tent. From the hours he had spent wandering around asleep, he wasn?t sure when the drowsiness would leave him. The closed folds of the tent greeted him, so he collapsed through and fell asleep. Two surprised Russians eyed the teenager that just landed between them. ?Vot the?? A Yarygin was cocked and used to roll Liam onto his back. He grunted and looked through his bleary eyes at the shiny pistol that was pointed at him. ?What?re you doing in me tent?? He asked while rolling flat on his back. Malania looked at Katarina, the Yarygin vanished. ?We could quite easily ask you the same question Liam.? Liam yawned while his cognitive thoughts assembled themselves. Unfortunately his ?humorous? side, always on the lookout for a witty one-liner, threw up a card first. ?Because how often is it that you?re flanked by two hot Russian chicks?? He grinned and put an arm around each of them. Katarina?s eyebrow went up. Liam looked at her, and then his head dropped back as he dozed off again. ?Is he drunk?? Malania asked after pushing his arm off. ?That vould be likely.? ?I?ll have a pineapple, yes, purple one?? Liam rolled over and into Malania. ?This is new side of him,? she said, heavy on the sarcasm before pushing him into the middle again. Liam blinked, and sat up again. He looked around, a little disorientated, and noticed Katarina and Malania. ?What?re you doing in my tent?? He asked again, completely forgetting that he?d already had this conversation before. ?Basking in you reflected glory.? Malania said dryly. Liam looked at her quizzically just as she brought her palms together, giving a mighty slap to his temples. Liam?s eyes rolled back as he fell sideways onto Katarina. She frowned and pushed him into the middle. ?Crazy Australian.? She said hotly. [/size]

[size=1] Liam grunted and rolled over as Matt called out to him. 'No, I take my contacts with a drop of arsenic..' Liam muttered sleepily. Matt kicked him, harder this time. Still no response. He sighed and drew his Colt automatic that he had secreted inside a hidden holster in his baggy cargo pants. He cocked it. Liam was already sitting up with his shoe pointed at Matt, half asleep. 'Wait...' Liam yawned while inspecting his shoe '?where'd the trigger go?' Matt grabbed Liam by his collar and hefted him out of the tent. Liam staggered clumsily to his feet and slid his thongs on, plodding after Matt. ?So?? Liam yawned and shook his head. The tablet was still working. ?Why am I awake again?? Matt caught Liam before he fell over. ?The Commander is on the videophone; he wants a full report of the events. He has the SAS one, but he needs your half of the story.? Liam glanced through slitted eyes at him. ?What abou?abou?abou- he sneezed- what about Rae? She wasn?t asleep.? Matt pulled back the canvas door on the tent. ?Rae was otherwise indisposed. Besides, I couldn?t resist waking you up.? Liam dropped into the seat Matt offered him and stared blearily at the little screen next to the collapsible satellite dish. ?Liam, Matt informed me of recent events,? the Commander?s voice was slightly hazy from the static, but was still almost phone quality. ?I believe you disobeyed a direct order?? Liam had dropped off. Matt noticed and shook Liam awake, giving the Commander an apologetic look. ?What, what?? Liam looked back at the screen. ?Right. Um, yeah, I did. So shoot me. Can I sleep now?? The Commander stared stonily back through the low-res screen. Liam yawned and leant forward on the desk, placing his tired face centimetres from the camera. ?Fine, I?ll start from the beginning.? Liam recounted the tale from beginning to end, but he cared to leave out his vindictive escapade with his Desert Eagles. Once or twice he nodded off and completely forgot where he was, but he finally got the story blurted out in the end. The screen winked off, signalling that the conversation was truly over. Liam hadn?t received any reprimand, not that it mattered because he really didn?t know whether the conversation had taken place or not. Matt escorted him from the tent and started him on his way back. Liam brushed him off and drunkenly tottered past the mess tent, and bumped into someone. He looked up and into the eyes of a surprised Colombian. ?Who?re you?? Liam said sleepily. ?I am one of the partners in this?dig, I believe you call it.? He spoke with a heavy accent, and had two men standing beside him. Matt walked over just as Liam collapsed onto the ground, snoring. ?I?m terribly sorry, Jack?s one of our diggers. He suffers from narcolepsy.? Matt caught the Colombian?s confused look. He hurriedly explained, ?he?s prone to suddenly fall asleep, which is a problem when he forgets to take his medication when he?s digging.? Matt forced a laugh and the Colombian joined in. ?So who?re you?? The man asked. ?I?m Roger, I?m in charge of the rookies.? ?Ah, I see?are they all as inept as this one here?? He eyed the dozing Liam, who rolled over in the dust and curled into a foetal position. ?No, they?re quite good.? He took the Colombian?s arm and led him through the tents. ?Here, let me show you some of the artefacts, and maybe we can get you something to eat.? ?No, no, the artefacts are all I am interested in. We can stay only a little while you see.? He smiled, revealing some gold teeth. ?Very good then, now just this way please.? Matt, now Roger, looked over his shoulder at the others and mouthed ?be good!? [/size]

[size=1] Liam received the capsule and glanced at it, eyeing it suspiciously. She?d done a good job, the sting was down to a sunburn feeling, but the capsule he was afraid of. He pocketed it and righted his towel. ?So Zharra, enjoying yourself so far?? He tossed his soiled fatigues into the rubbish bin, followed shortly by his towel. Liam wasn?t one to repack. ?Apart from the falling out of the plane thing?? Her tone was humorous, a sign that she?d enjoyed it. Liam smirked and pulled the blue bucket hat over his head, covering the bandage completely. ?Let me tell you it?s about to get a whole lot more interesting.? He said, placing his hands behind his head. ?But, I didn?t tell you that. The minute Matt catches on that we?re enjoying this kind of thing, we?ll be shipped off with a psychiatric discharge.? Zharra smiled, ignoring Liam?s lunatic grin. She began packing up the kit, expertly placing everything where it had to be. She clasped the lid shut and put it back on top of a stack of plastic crates. ?Mind you,? she said, ?seeing that guide of ours run away from you is amusing me greatly.? Liam?s eyes scanned across to the other side of the camp, ?yeah. Don?t ask me about that, I?ve got no clue what?s going on there.? ?I mean, I?ve read the files, and nothing in them is out of the ordinary.? Liam glanced at her, ?you?re not talking about the SYF ones are you?? ?How did you know?? Zharra smirked and leant back in her chair. ?Jaudiar told me some interesting tales about you.? Liam feigned half interest and looked away, ?sure, I bet she had some tales to tell.? ?She did, but Ananda had some better ones.? Liam frowned thinking, [I]?Wonderful, family history. I?m burning, tired, and as a bonus I get to learn more about someone?s family.[/I]? Liam pulled the capsule out and eyed it. ?So, do I drink this with water while lying down?? Zharra looked slightly put out, but pleased to help, ?yeah. Lying down would be a good idea; it knocks you out pretty quick. Water?ll help it go down too.? Liam stood, ?right, I will then. Thanks a lot. Mind you, I have the suspicion that I?ll wake up too late to leave on this mission?? Zharra gave a chuckled and Liam left, snatching a plastic cup full of cordial infused water from the stainless steel bench sitting outside the mess tent. He waved jovially to Eve and entered his tent, kicking off his Nike thongs at the door. With his spare hand, he closed the zip before lying down. ?Here goes.? He said, eyeing the pill. He put the capsule in his mouth, downed the cordial, and lay down. There was a pause as his expression changed to drowsy, and he was out. [/size]

[size=1] I've improved dramatically, Rae can vouch for me on that. ^_^; Basically I've had a quantum leap form the cursed; [quote][b] P1: 'Blah blah blah' P2: *picks up stick* P1: 'blah blah blah' [something misspelt] P2: [devil smily] [/quote][/b] To my current SYF narrative style of writing, which I'm really quite proud of. [quote][b] ?Liam?? Bradley grunted while walking towards him. ?I am going?to shoot you.? ?No you?re not.? Liam said brightly. ?Why not?? ?Because I have your gun.? Liam spun it happily. Bradley drew a second pistol. ?I have another, you [I]moron.[/I]? Liam frowned and looked up into the sky. He could make out the figures of the rest of the team happily floating to the earth, enraptured by the spectacle below. Liam also noted the gear. ?Look up.? He said pointedly. ?What?? Bradley asked while following his gaze [/quote][/b] All in all, a huge improvement. ^_^[/size]

[size=1] In his little hovel, Sergent James Archington brooded, listening to the steady crackled of his bug receiver and the hypnotic beat of water dropping off the ceiling of the tunnel. Apart from the banter between Jehane and this ?Liam,? a word hadn?t been spoken between them that was of any interest. All he had learned was that Liam was loyal; enough to ignore her insults and threats. The speaker buzzed. [I] ?Ugh, finally.?[/I] It was Jehane?s voice, sounding a lot less slurred now. The needle must have been counteracted somehow? [I] ?Thanks for that Matt??[/I] [I] ?No probs.?[/I] That was an unknown voice, male and deep. [I] ?Oh, sometimes I [b]do[/b] grow tired of being the head of an evil Colombian gang?Liam, fetch me a drink.? [/I] Jehane?s voice was dry, harsh. A direct order that hinted at something nasty happening if it wasn?t carried out. [I] ?How about no?? [/I] Liam grunted in his brash manner. In the tunnel Arching winced, secretly willing Liam to carry out the order despite himself. He had heard the cold warning in her voice. [I] ?Liam?? [/I] Jehane said, her voice stern. [I] ?Fine. Whatever.? [/I] [I] ?Much better. Now, guards, take care of him.? [/I] Her voice was dismissing, Arching could see her waving him away with her little hand. There was the sound of a shot, loud, booming. Arching almost dropped the receiver in surprise. Jehane?s voice came through, complaining, ?gross! That went all over me! I?m all sticky now, I hope your happy.? Arching blinked down at the little electronic device as though it was a handful of the plague virus. ?Son of a? After all he did for her.? He flicked off the receiver and spun round, dragging a battered Samsonite case out of a hiding place. ?Blair won?t be needing any more proof of her existence after this?? He flicked open the case, revealing it to be an all-weather laptop. He then grabbed a loose fire wire cable and plugged it into a covered socket that hung from the wall. The laptop blinked, announcing the satellite was active. Arching snatched a USB cable this time from the box and plugged it into the rear of his receiver. He pressed ?upload? on the device and it clicked as the conversation buzzed over. There was the sound of heavy, rhythmic footsteps coming along the tunnel. Arching began sweating. This was not a situation he?d get out of. He was in a tunnel where all the bullets would ricochet off the concrete walls towards him. He stifled the panic and coolly hit the ?send? button. The file loaded, and was gone up and through the satellite. The footsteps were closer now; he could hear them arming their weapons. He chambered a round on his H&K MP-5 and did the same for the other. His nerves were shot, he was feeling old?He steadied him and stepped out triumphantly, holding both the MP-5?s up high. An Australian SAS calmly placed his Sig P228 between Arching?s eyes. Arching steadily lined up his weapons. ?Drop them,? the SAS man said plainly, in the process of pulling the trigger. Before Arching even started to prepare his trigger, the hammer had dropped in the P228. The SAS man knelt and wiped his gun clean on Arching?s trousers. ?Grab the laptop and anything else of interest.? He ordered while holstering his pistol. ?Call the SYF and tell them that we found the other man.? His eyes noticed the receiver. ?And tell them that they?ve got a bug planted on one of their agents.? [center]~~~~~[/center] Liam calmly spun the Desert Eagle and holstered it, grinning. Rae glared at him while spilling water into her hands from her drink bottle. She brought her hands up to her face and wiped the sticky softdrink off. Matt picked the punctured can up off the grass and looked at it. ?Fine, now both of you are back, I want Liam to calmly explain to me what happened, and I want you, Rae, to get checked up.? ?No, I?m fine.? She said. ?The guys that grabbed me fixed me up nicely.? She revealed the white bandages on her shoulder. ?And nothing interesting happened.? Liam stated calmly. Matt eyed the bloodstains on Liam?s pistols. ?Oh really?? He said sarcastically. Liam smiled and replied, ?really.? As he spoke, Liam?s eyes drifted over to an open air tent twenty or so metres away. He couldn?t help but notice people handing money to a techie sitting at a table who was marking things down in a notebook. ?What on earth is going on there?? Liam asked, genuinely surprised. Matt groaned, massaging the bridge of his nose. ?I?ll tell you, but you?re not going to like it. One of my desk jockeys asked which of you was more protective of the other,? he looked pointedly at Rae and Liam. ?When he said that, another was inspired to say they should collect bets on who, out of the pair of you, was more protective of the other. At the end of the year they?re going to count up how many times one of you have saved the other, physically or otherwise. Whoever has the highest score wins.? Rae looked bewildered, and Liam looked from Matt, to the table, and back to Matt. He burst out laughing. Red rose in Matt?s cheeks, ?I?m serious Liam. Malania even put a flask of Vodka down on you. Then when she saw you wander out of the jungle carrying Rae just now, she put another one down.? Liam frowned, mindful of Malania?s recent alcoholic indiscretions ?Won?t she be wanting to drink those at some point?? Rae quashed a chuckle and coughed, hitting her chest obviously with her fist, as though trying to clear her throat. Matt wasn?t impressed. ?Look. We?re having a briefing in about fifteen minutes about what?s happening tomorrow. Be there.? ?No, I want to sleep. Tell me now.? Matt spun as though to hit Liam with a stinging rebuke, but then he took in Liam?s condition. He looked pathetic. His front had grass stains and mud spots, and there was a noticeable amount of Rae?s blood that had been flecked from when she was shot. Liam shifted slightly, uncomfortable under the odd scrutiny. ?Fine,? Matt said. ?Just have a shower before you turn in. Basically we?re getting up early, Eve?s going to lead us through the compound to the fort. We?re going to sneak in, hitting them hard while our back-up SAS team attack from the north. They?ll distract the guards and we?ll rush in and rescue Karen before anyone is the wiser.? ?SAS team? You mean the one you sent to take care of that bounty hunter?? ?Yeah. They?ll be hiking through the night.? Liam blanched. ?Holy?but when are they going to sleep?? Matt shrugged. ?Don?t ask me. Maybe they?ll do it in shifts or something. Or they won?t, I don?t know their plans Liam. I?m just the mouthpiece.? Rae, being bored with the conversation and feeling as though she wasn?t needed, wandered off to find Callum among the throng of people. Liam watched her go, wondering about the security of the place. If anything, his paranoia had gone up a notch since their last ?safe? zone turned out to be a bounty hunter hideout. He sighed and faced Matt, ?so where?s my pack and where?re these showers?? Matt jabbed a thumb over in the direction of a few long tailers that where still attached to their trucks. ?That?s the showers,? he said. He then pointed to some tents over the other side of the camp, ?and your gear?s in one of those tents.? ?Wonderful.? Liam said, fully realising how angry his knees were with him. ?I?ll be grabbing my stuff then.? ?Wait!? Matt said. ?I almost forgot. Change into your civvies as soon as possible, we?ve got some of the Colombian?s paying us a visit around dinner. We don?t want them clued in on our military actions. As far as they know, you?re just a grunt for the archaeologists, ok?? ?Whatever.? [/size]

I spent about an hour this morning tweaking this little beauty. For those of you familiar with the Adventure arena, you'll know of the RPG. Anyhow, like the font I used? [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=523319[/img]

[size=1] The Irishman had rolled the khaki Singlet up to just under her bust line, and was inspecting her ribs. ?She?s all right.? He called out. ?Just minor bruising, nothing major, now about our bet.? He lifted up her Singlet to her neck, and looked mildly unimpressed. ?Well,? he shouted out, ?looks like I owe you a twenty.? He turned slowly as he heart heavy, deliberate footsteps behind him. He turned, confused, seeing as his compatriot was supposed to be in the kitchen. ?Hey?? He muttered, ?I shot you.? ?Yeah, you did.? Liam replied and pulled a shot off on his left Desert Eagle. The round clipped the man?s side and caused him to topple off his chair. One of his hands had been on Rae?s waist at the time, so she was dragged with him, landing unceremoniously on top of his stomach. Liam walked forward, firing wildly over his shoulder at the kitchen with his P-90, the bounty hunter stayed inside and Liam dropped the gun back down to his neck. He stopped at the Irishman?s side and hefted Rae, not unkindly, and dropped her on the concrete a good three metres away. ?Close your eyes Rae,? he said coldly while drawing the other Desert Eagle, ?I don?t think you?ll want to see this.? Rae, face resting on the concrete and her eyes uncontrollably facing Liam, blinked in confusion at the statement. Only when she saw Liam place a foot on the man?s throat, kneel, and force the barrels of the Desert Eagles down so they rested on his eye sockets, did she realise what was going to happen. By then it was too late. The Irish bounty hunter looked down the cold metal barrels at the two round objects that spelled his doom. He started the scream as he saw the sparks, but by then his jaw was slack and a grotesque red rose painted the concrete. The casings landed simultaneously, pealing out their melodious tune as they rolled away. Liam stood slowly and deliberately, like a machine. The first inch of the barrels of his Eagles dripped. He ignored it and holstered them, making his way towards Rae. Her eyes were wide, flittering back and forth between the headless body, still twitching slightly, and to Liam who was now standing beside her. She was now seriously wondering if she had wanted to be rescued? Liam knelt down; Rae flinched slightly, and then he pulled her Singlet down over her bra. Without a word he grabbed her bloodstained shirt and put it back onto her. He fired two rounds from his Desert Eagle at the general direction of the kitchen again, and hefted her limp body so that her arms hung around his neck. ?Let?s get you out of here,? he said and carried her back into the jungle, piggyback style. Back inside the fort, the English bounty hunter was sweating, something he hadn?t done in a while. Ten metres away was the grotesque body of his friend of ten years, and rapidly escaping?no?not escaping?something about that boy?s actions told him that he?d be back. ?Bastard.? He grunted. Very slowly he stood up and grabbed a hiking pack, stuffing it full of the bare essentials. Ever since he faked his own death in the British SAS to pursue a life of drama and excitement, he?d enjoyed it. But now?stark reality loomed. He kicked aside some crates and opened a manhole, leading into the tunnels that he?d spirited Jehane into before. He jumped down and, as an afterthought, locked it behind him. ?If I can?t collect the bounty on you Jehane,? He whispered, ?I can at least find out why you?re back.? The object in his hand lit up as he flicked it on, and the steady breathing of someone running through the jungle came through the little speakers. [/size]

[size=1] A solemn mood descended on the group as military training took over. In turn, each member snatched up their appropriate packs and cracked open the P-90 cases. Liam knelt down and retrieved his own, secreting the various forty-round clips on his person. He put the support strap over his neck so that the gun hung like an absurdly oversized pendant on a necklace. The rest of the team did the same, putting their bulky Kevlar helmets on. As they each slipped their fingers into the ergonomic grip, they each became anonymous and distant. Without a word, Eve led them into the jungle. Hours passed, the team waded their way through the undergrowth in perfect silence. Thorns and branches assaulted them, catching on their fatigues and raking across their exposed arms. Liam clumsily applied a bandage to a bleeding laceration on his arm with one hand. The other was holding the P-90, finger on the trigger. Nothing was remarkable about the scene, other than the bandage itself. It was a complex little miracle. Years of research in an Australian hospital came up with the unique design. Normal bandages are designed to stop the blood from running away causing, over time, a scab or clot. This bandage, however, stopped the bleeding instantly; thanks to the chemical mix in the foam lining that caused instant coagulation. Liam didn't even begin to comprehend the science, but he appreciated the fact that he wasn't bleeding to death, as he had on the bungled Triad mission. Matt, in the lead, raised a closed fist and they stopped. He turned to Liam and mouthed something out. [I]'Clearing ahead. We're ten clicks away from hot area.'[/I] Liam nodded slowly and stepped out into the clearing with him. The mud was cut up and baked hard by the irregular monsoon sun. At one side of the clearing was a dilapidated two-story fort, reminiscent of when the Colombian army actually did something about drug lords. There was a squawk from the radio. Matt sighed in relief. 'Ok,' he said. 'We're in the clear. We can breathe easy now.' He waved to the others that were hovering in the trees like helmeted shadows. 'We have a five minute break before we move on. Re-hydrate and prepare to keep your mouth shut.' Liam rolled his eyes. Matt had been very strict during the trip about the whole 'silence' thing. Matt had said something about that it was a waste of valuable energy and water. Liam had silently agreed, it was insanely humid, but there were some lines that didn't need to be crossed. 'I can't believe you've made as walk all this distance Matt. We could have been dropped here along with a couple silenced quad-bikes and we'd be right.' Liam's inner rev-head salivated at the thought. The quad-bikes were one of the favoured ways of the SAS to get around, other than the cut back Land Rovers. The bikes were all-wheel drive and had a top speed of over 160kmph, and the added bonus was they were silent. Well, almost silent, as loud as a whisper to be exact. 'They leave too much of a trace that we've been this way, and you know it. There could be a helicopter fly-over scheduled today, and they could easily pick up our trail.' 'You're clutching at straws. You just don't want me to have fun, do you?' 'Just drink your water.' Liam smiled and unscrewed the cap of his flask and wandered over to Rae and the others. Someone had just said something amusing, Liam hadn't caught it, but even Katarina was chuckling to herself. When he arrived at their position next to the waist-high remains of a concrete wall. Liam nodded to Rae and gave a mock toast with the flask, she returned the toast and took a swig. Liam lowered his just as a gout of blood exploded from her shoulder, flicking into his face and lips. 'We're in bloody clear territory!' He bellowed as Rae crumpled onto him. 'The hell is going on?' Rae slid down his front and hit the grounds as the others did the same, drawing their weapons. Liam remained standing and looked in the direction of the shot. Rae was between him in the fort. He raised his P-90 up to the second-story window, and his eyes widened in comprehension. He pulled the trigger and got a burst off just as the slug hit him in the head. His neck arched back and he was out, bleeding on the grass. In the last moments before the blackness ate away he saw Rae get swallowed up by the ground behind the others while they remained glued to the fort. [center]~~~~[/center] Liam woke up with a grunt. He was moving, he was also lying down and could see the branches of the trees pass steadily over him. His head was throbbing; his helmet was lying on his lap, the embedded bullet winking at him in the intermittent patches of light. 'Gut, he's awake.' Katarina stated matter-of-factly when she noticed him stirring. 'Malania, we don't have to carry zis dead weight any more.' It wasn't a serious statement, but Liam rolled off the stretcher anyway and landed on his knees. The throbbing from the bruise the bullet left on his head increased, but he stood and let his hands automatically slide into the ergonomic grip of the P-90. 'Where's Rae, Matt?' He asked. 'About two k behind us.' Matt's voice came from behind and Liam rounded on him. 'Behind us? Why isn't she here?' 'We would have lost time, it's imperative that we arrive before team two. The SAS team we have for these emergencies is now en-route. They'll arrive there in about three hours.' Matt finished and continued walking. Liam wasn't about to have any of that, and grabbed him by the collar, pushing the P-90 underneath Matt's chin and drawing him close to his own face. 'What if she isn't there, huh? She's your sister and you took me instead of her?' Matt shifted, but his glare was strong enough to match Liam's. 'We couldn't find her, ok?' He grunted, 'besides, you're better in a fire fight.' Liam grunted and pushed Matt backwards. 'Don't try flattering me.' He stated coldly. 'I've known the current Rae for a lot longer than you. So I can probably understand why her own brother that's known her for what, a year, won't go after her.' Matt was burning up now. 'I have my orders Liam!' He shouted. The group, which had been carrying on through the jungle, stopped and became interested in the conversation. Liam wiped the sweat from his brow and put the helmet back on. He half turned and spat, 'yeah, well I really don't.' 'Liam! I'm ordering you to continue on this mission, if you continue, I will be forced to incapacitate you...' Matt's resolve was quavered on his last few words. Liam raised a balled fist, slightly above his shoulder, and gave Matt a one-fingered salute before vanishing into the jungle. Matt dropped his MP-7 and in a hoarse whisper said, 'God speed, get there on time...' He grunted and regained his composure beautifully. ?All right. We will have no more delays. Base camp is only about an hour away. We will arrive and stay put, I?m not having my agents gallivanting through the jungle. I am already down two and I refuse to lose anymore.? His eyes scanned over the group as he spoke. ?I will personally shoot anyone who leaves.? His gun snicked to illustrate his point. ?Flesh wounds, but enough to sting. Are we clear?? The squad nodded slowly and pressed on through the undergrowth. It wasn?t as though anyone was going to pursue wildly after Liam, especially seeing as he was furious and more likely to shoot them than anything else?it really was a one man job. Besides, this way they could place bets on any wounds he would receive. Now twenty metres away and gaining, Liam lowered his P-90 and sprinted through the trees, following the trail the others had carved through them. The blood was pounding in his ears as he grunted to himself [I] 'C'mon...Adrenaline...'[/I] He ducked under a low branch and picked up the pace again. He could feel it now, seething through him like some sort of serpent. Minutes passed and, as he felt he was about to burst, he stumbled out into the clearing, collapsing on his knees. The teen inside him begged for rest, pleading for some repose on the grass in front of him, but the rest of him raised the weapon and lifted him up brutally. 'Right.' Liam puffed, slowing his heart rate and extricating as many comforting metallic sounds he could, 'I can do this...' [/size]

[size=1] Liam was happily grinning like a lunatic behind his goggles. Thanks to his and Bradley?s combined weight, they were dropping like a stone. Soon they overtook the others, and then the luggage that had been dropped first. Each team member?s voice echoed over the radio, ?[I] Parachute open. [/I]? Bradley shifted slightly in the freefall, Liam could tell he was itching to say something, but his voice had been lost in the wind. After all, if people behind them had opened their parachutes?why hadn?t they? Liam swung the altimeter around in the rushing air, the little arm was steadily moving towards the green. Bradley shifted a whole lot more as the scenery became much clearer. He wasn?t able to hold it in any longer, ?Holy s- The parachutes automatically engaged, dragging the air from his lungs. All four parachutes had stopped their decent in record time, and were now gently drifting to the ground, two hundred metres below the others. Bradley was gibbering, but slowly regaining his composure each passing metre. Liam, on the other hand with his wild windswept hair and insane grin, looked as though he?d fallen in a clothes dryer and enjoyed every minute of it. About two metres from the ground, Liam cut Bradley loose before drifting to the side and cutting his own straps. Bradley, overcome by vertigo and adrenaline, emptied his stomach behind a tree. Liam removed his goggles and looked around, hands impressively resting on his hips. ?Liam?? Bradley grunted while walking towards him. ?I am going?to shoot you.? ?No you?re not.? Liam said brightly. ?Why not?? ?Because I have your gun.? Liam spun it happily. Bradley drew a second pistol. ?I have another, you [I]moron.[/I]? Liam frowned and looked up into the sky. He could make out the figures of the rest of the team happily floating to the earth, enraptured by the spectacle below. Liam also noted the gear. ?Look up.? Liam said pointedly. ?What?? Bradley said while looking up. One of the bags that had been lazily drifting down, settled on Bradley?s head. Now that it was unsupported, the full weight exerted itself on him. Not surprisingly the unprepared Bradley tottered sideways under the weight being applied to his head. He pushed it off, and glared at Liam. Liam blinked. Bradley charged and tackled him around the middle, easily lifting Liam, who was surprised at his show of brashness. Bradley lifted him up and put Liam into and arm lock, and promptly began to ferociously rub his scalp with the base of his second pistol. A pistol-whip noogie. ?Ahem.? Bradley looked up at the cough and noticed the seventeen-year-old camouflage wearing girl with the shovel resting on her shoulder, and the very Colombian tanned skin. He also noted the SIG P226 on her hip Bradley released Liam, who instantly rubbed his head, letting out a growl of annoyance. ?Bury your ?chutes over there.? The girl said plainly, jabbing in the direction of a hole at the base of a tree. ?How about a proper introduction first?? Liam said brightly, the pain in his scalp was starting to recede. ?Eve.? She said plainly. ?Though you would?ve known that already.? Liam stuck his hand out and said theatrically, ?pleasure to meet you. My name is Liam, and this brute of an associate is Bradley.? Liam couldn?t help but notice Eve?s blunt nature switch to one of badly covered panic. She didn?t take his hand. Liam retracted it, slightly wigged out. Around him, the rest of the team landed with a dramatic thump of army boots on soil. Matt landed last and instantly took charge. ?You heard the lady. Grab your gear and bury the ?chutes. We?ve got a long haul ahead of us. I want your Kevlar helmets on and your P-90?s ready.? ?Sir.? Liam grunted, slightly cut by the way Eve instantly scampered away as though he was some contagious disease. He looked at Bradley and muttered, ?right. Well that was weird.? [/size]