Sea Stalkers, The Stalk Begins~

It was the primary mission of the Marines..to bring peace to the oceans of the world, to fight Piracy, and to enforce the World Governments laws...But in this age sometimes these measures were not enough. A new directive was being attempted...a ship and a crew, formed to combat piracy on its own terms. Instead of patrol routes and zones of control, they were to be unleashed upon the oceans like wolves, to course along the waves and bring down their prey wherever it may be found...

Time will tell whether this experiment will be a success, or if the fruit it bears is more horrible then the problem it was set to correct...


Val Azure stalked out of the meeting chamber of the High Command, slamming the door behind him. He stood on the veranda out-side of it and looked out into the courtyard between the pillars that were set there to support the roof. A tropical storm had blown in earlier, and the rain pounded down on the stone benches set around the fountian in the yard, the drops drowning out the splashing of the fountain with a drumming staccato of its own.
Val did not even stir from his quiet contemplation whenever someone cleared their throat nervously next to him. Long minutes passed before the person cleared their throat again, louder this time. 5 minutes passed before;
"Umm, si-" The person started to say, a male voice
"What do you want, be quick about it I have not the patience for a pencil pusher without the courage to speak to me" Val growled, cutting him off
The man coughed, flushing a bright red. "Aye sir" he said in a low voice, in a stronger voice "You crew members will be assembling in the eastern courtyard, whenever you are ready to review them..."
Val turned to the man and fixed him with an icy glare for a long moment, before turning away from him with a snort. He walked down the veranda, his red captains cloak flaring out behind him.
"I will be there in one hour, they had better be assembled" he said shortly, and dissapeared around the corner.

Bridgette already stood in the eastern courtyard, arms crossed as she stared out into the storm. The strong winds swirling around seemed to have a hard time moving her. She grins to herself and lifts one arm up. In her hand is a can of Seppi Cola which she sips slowly.

Serene was still at the eastern marine pool, relaxing in the water as she normally was off the clock. Unsure of the time she was supposed to be go the courtyard, she decided to relax at the poolside for a bit longer.

A young Marine, bearing the insignia of a regular Seaman strode to the edge of the Eastern Pool and came to attention.
"Chief Petty Officer Serene?" He said in a slightly questioning tone "The crew is assembling at the Eastern Courtyard in one hour" He waited, still at attention.

"Aye, aye, I know." Serene said, lying to him and herself. "I'll go when I'm good and ready."

"A...Aye chief" The young Marine stammered. He flushed slightly before doing an about face and marching away.

~Meanwhile~

In the Eastern Courtyard, Marines were starting to gather. Almost all of them had the look of veterans about them. An air of coiled readiness that seemed to hang about them, even as they huddled under the veranda to stay out of the rain. Though none of them ventured near Bridgette, giving her a healthy circle of space.
One of them, a Petty Officer 3rd class by his insignia came running in out of the rain. Muttering a curse to himself he brushed the water out of his hair. He peered around for a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pack of cigarretes. With a small sigh he pulled one out and started to raise it to his mouth, it was at this moment that he noticed Bridgette not five feet away from him. He froze momentarily before snapping to attention. "Master Chief, anything I can do for you today?" He barked out.

Bridgette arches an eyebrow and offers him a cold stare, "Don't smoke that thing near me."

"Aye Aye Master Chief" the Petty Officer said, backing off to lean against one of the pillars. he lit his smoke and took a long drag, looking at Bridgette curiously, though respectfully. He let the drag out in a long stream of blueish smoke as he glanced out into the rain.

With a sigh Bridgette tilts the can upright, emptying the last few drops into her mouth before tossing the can into a trash can. She glances at all of the marines and almost giggles to herself at how distant they are from her.

"Hey," she barks, "you all do know that I won't hurt you until you piss me off, right?"

Most of the Marines jump slightly at the sudden bark of her voice, and look at her with mingled suprise and trepidation. The Petty Officer 3rd class smoking near her chuckled to himself as he took another drag "master Chief, its not often that one of your rank is approachable, much less easily talked to" the smoked hissed out from between his teeth as he grinned "Petty Officer 3rd Class Patterson, Master Chief" he pointed to himself "And if you dont mind me askin, whats the deal with this new ship an' crew..they ain't talkin much and the scuttlebut on it is pretty much nil." he took another drag and leaned back against the pillar, the rest of the marines looked on in obvious interest.

"Hmm..." she ponders the P.O.'s response, "I suppose I would be fairly threatening...especially if they know what I am." She grins, "As for the ship, you'll find out what you need to find out when the captain gets here."

Orson, in his true absentminded fashion, had become caught up in one of his many expiriments that afternoon, and had completely forgotten about the assembly until what some might have considered to be a minor... explosion, had forced him to take a step outside. Running back inside, he rummaged through piles of papers until he found his old navy jacket, and bolted off for the courtyard.

He arrived and quickly slipped in with the other marines, his breath a bit ragged from the sudden excersize. Unbeknownst to the doctor, a single lock of hair on the side of his face burned quietly. However, his concern was far more temporal. ""I made it on time, right?"

Val turned a corner and saw wthat the entrance to the Eastern Courtyard was there right in front of him. He paused for a moment before shrugging and walking through it. The rain pounded down onto him, quickly soaking through his jacket and plastering his hair to his head. He stalked out into the middle and stopped, eyeing the Marines huddleing under the veranda wit ha critical eye. He pulled out his pocket watch and looked at it momentarily before putting it away. 15 minutes, he thought to himself. He sniffed the air, was that...burning hair?

Bridgette snaps to attention as soon as she spots the captain, her hand shooting up to her head in a loud thunk of a salute. She stares straight ahead and doesn't flinch the slightest bit as her skin sheathed mechanical fingers smack against her forehead.

Val crisply returned the salute from Bridgette, then motioned her over. he looked around again and sniffed...who's hair..was on fire?

*Gnopped sat at the edge of the dock, staring at the passing ships as his fishing bobber rolled gently on the water of the harbor. The rain had already soaked through his Marine uniform but he did not seem to notice, content as he was to pass the time like this.
He came back to the world with a start, wait..when was he supposed to be at the assembly.
Poop.
A hell of a way to start off in a new crew. He thought to himself as he broke down his fishing pool hurreidly, stowing it in a bag he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them the world looked different, definatly lower to the ground. He ignored the startled gasps of the people on the docks as in the shape of a Hyena he sprinted towards the Eastern Courtyard

Serene, noticing the time, sighs to herself and pulls herself out of the pool. Then proceeding to walk to the assembly, while drying herself off as she walks there.

Her arm snaps back to her side and she marches over to the captain, "Yes, Sir?"

"Master Chief Bridgette" He said, "Glad to have you aboard" he nods to her and stares at his crew.
"First off" He spoke in a low but easily heard voice "Where is the rest of my command staff?" He clasped his hands behind his back and turned to towards the entrance with a small smile "And what in the hell is burning?"

Serene walks into the assembly hall, the damp towel around her neck, scrolling down and standing away from any smoke.

Orson quickly composed himself and, walking up to his superior, presented a similarly crisp salute. "Warrant Officer Orson reporting in, Captain."

Val returned Orsons Salute, "Hello Warrant Officer Orson, I trust this day finds you...well..." he stares at Orsons smoldering hair for a moment before his face contorts...
Losing all semblance of composure he bursts into uproarous laughter, leaning down and putting his hand on his knees.
"Ha..ha ha ha ah hahaha" He chokes out "Welcome to the crew" as he turns away, he notices Serene standing to the side and waves her over. "You too Chief Petty Officer Serene, welcome to the crew" Regaining his composure, but still chuckling slightly.
"If everyone is here we can assemble the crew here in the courtyard, I wanna get a look at them" he said "Well discuss the chain of command afterwards.

(( Sorry for late post...was away all morning. >.< ))

"Thank you, sir." She turns to face the rest of the crew eyeing Orson's hair. She's barely able to contain her smile as the captain bursts into laughter.

Gnopped sprinted through the scattering of people on his way up to the eastern courtyard, dodging through the light crowd and ignoring the startled gasps of the people.
He came into the courtyard at full sprint, skidding to a halt in front of the assembled command and shifting up to human form as he did so.
As soon as he comes to a stop he stands at attention and saluted the man he sure as hell hoped was the captain...guy wit hthe big coat..right "Good Morning Sir" He said " Sorry I am late, I was lost in my meditation..wont happen again sir" he said.

Bridgette arches an eyebrow and eyes the seaman. She remains silent.