City: The Citadel

[ATTN: ALL]


To anyone within ear shot of a radio or wandering the streets they will be able to hear the news: " - We are interrupting your local station to once again keep you up to date with this service announcement.

The Czar would like to apologize for the rolling Ether Outs and Spikes affecting many of the Hinterland.

The source of these anomalies is still being investigated, but the Power company would like once again to remind the Citizen's of the Hinterland that they are doing everything in their power to eliminate this problem, and that there are no anomalies with the refineries.

Citizens are reminded to report any suspicious activities or individuals to their local Enforcer offices. Due to the increased patrols and investigations being undertaken by the Enforcers at this time, please allow ample time to reach your jobs and destinations.

This has been a public service announcement. Now back to your normal program. ----"








[Attn: Open]
[POV: NPC Greg]

The sounds of squeaking wheels as they rattled and shook on the rough streets of the Citadel preceded the arrival of the middle aged, bone weary Greg Florient Gregory as he went about his tasks of checking all the emergency equipment at all the countless places throughout the Citadel.

The noise of the cart stopped almost like a arthritic old person sitting down as it came to rest in front of another little emergency station. Greg let out a small exhale of relief as his burden was temporary relieved. Ohhh sure, he was going to be about it in another few minutes but that was all part of this job.

"Ohhh if only they would fix the streets, all the holes and divots." he whined as he went over to the station and unlocked the doors. Inside neatly hung up where fire hoses, Masks and fire suits. Over along the wall lay numerous oxygen tanks and in the other corner other normal things, like saws, ladders, and axes. All sorts of odds and ends.

Over the last six months he had become quite used to these things. First he went over and checked the extinguishers and refilled them. Carefully taking the tags in hand and marking his initials with an old trusted pen. Then he went about checking the air-tanks and gear. He spent far less time on them then he should, but they just didn't pay him enough to scour every inch of them like he should.

After giving everything a once over he closed the doors and locked them again. "At least this one hasn't been broken into." He mumbled before trudging over to his cart and looking at it displeased. He sighed and his hand drifted to a small crystal pendant that hung from his neck, some sort of wolf though it looked off if one inspected it, nothing at all like a real wolf, but that was what they called 'artistic License' after all.

He prayed for strength, then hunched down and shoved the cart with his shoulder, pushing the dang thing out of a dip it had come to rest in. And on his way he went. As his little cart wheeled and squeaked along his route he could hear the speakers situated through the street atop long power poles, another service announcement.

"--The Czar would like to apologize for the rolling Ether Outs and Spikes affecting many of the Hinterland. -"

They'd been causing all sorts of trouble after all for poor folk like Greg, just last night his last light-bulb had exploded and he'd be stuck burning himself in his kitchen over his hotplate trying to bumble about in search of a candle.

"- The source of these anomalies is still being investigated, but the Power company would like once again to remind the Citizen's of the Hinterland that they are doing everything in their power to eliminate this problem, and that there are no anomalies with the refineries.

Citizens are reminded to report any suspicious activities or individuals to their local Enforcer offices. Due to the increased patrols and investigations being undertaken by the Enforcers at this time, please allow ample time to reach your jobs and destinations. --"

It was just typical, someone was making trouble for people like Greg.  The lspeakers hissed over with static and the lights hummed as they dimmed for a second then popped over head.

Greg shielded himself from the falling sparks as he let out a squeak of terror, grabbing his necklace for comfort as the Ether Spike rolled through the area.

Down the road some passing enforcers cursed as they too where showered in a spray of glass and  bounced off their security armor like water on a roof. They immediately looked about and muttered curses of annoyance.

Greg lost sight of them as he kept pushing his burden on down the lousy streets of the Citadel. He reached another locker this one with a extinguisher insider. He read the label, "Ahhh another one, this one out of date too." he mumbled as he dusted it off and put it in the cart, a slightly newer one being pulled out of the cart. The old worn out relic taking it's cushy spot in the cart.

Taking up the replacement in his hands he brought it up to his shoulder and rested his head against its metallic body, cool and comforting. It almost looked like Greg was holding a baby, even as reassuring it about it future with a "You'll be put to good use. You'll take care of them, won't you?".

Greg put the fire extinguisher into its locker and locked the door. Again he turned to his cart sighed, reached up to grab his pendant and prayed again for strength. The small carved talisman offering him some comfort and warmth as he went back about his tasks.

Ace laughed as he watches two of his students go at it in a spar. He stood a few feet away, observing their every move and commenting on their fight.

"Come on Raph, you can do better than that! Stop letting Keanu push you back so much, stand your ground!" He said with enthusiasm.

That said the little boy who was getting pushed back went to the offensive and immediately turned the tides of the spar.

"haha! Thats right! Push harder! Just a few more hits and you'll get him!" Ace exclaimed, obviously very intrigued and excited by Raph's come back.

And there it was, the final moments of the spar, Raph disarmed Kaenu quickly and kicked him down to the ground, bringing the tip of his wooden sword to his opponents neck.

Ace just laughed some more and shouted out "OHHHH AND THE VICTORY GOES TO RAPH!" While running to Raph and raising his arm as if it were a boxing match. The kid had a huge smile on his fave, both actually did, even the vanquished.

Keanu got up and shook Raph's hand, nodding at him in sign of respect. This made Ace smile and pat both their heads at once. "Now thats what i like to see, good sportsmanship." He paused briefly and wrinkled his noes "Alright you two smell like heavy B.O. Get outta my sight and go bathe." He said jokingly, sending them on their way with a wave goodbye.

Now it was time for some Ace quality time. He took a deep breath and blasted off into the streets before eventually climbing up a building and running/jumping from rooftop to rooftop, until he finally got to his destination.

This was aces little haven. There was somehow one tree growing on the buildings roof, and it provided such good shade, the view was also quite amazing.

He walked underneath the tree, quickly stretching and sighing loudly before seating himself and leaning against it, closing his eyes slowly. Falling into slumber.

[Attn: Discussion Room somewhere within the Citadel, Closed]
[Time: Later that evening around 6-7pm]

[POV:Czar Heathcliff Romanski - Ruler of the Citadel]

-the impact resounded throughout the room, echoing in it's acoustically amplified design. The impact didn't hurt in the slightest in his militaristic power armor, but it did give him the desired silence. Raising his fist from the table he pointed it at one of the man at the table, "You. Explain."

The man rose from his chair, "Quartermaster Mullins, I'm in charge of - ahhh yes." he'd stopped when the Czar removed his helmet and settled it on the table. To think the Czar would interrupt this meeting, taking time form his examination of the Citadel's forces, just over something like this. "We haven't noticed any problems with the volume of ether through the pipelines."

The Czar raised an eyebrow looking at General Lewin who was standing next to him. "Then what is the problem?"

"I'm not exactly sure how to explain it, perhaps Officer Yelkor?" Mullin's said looking at one of the men across the table from him and holding out his hand, obviously desiring someone else to be the scapegoat if the Czar got in a foul mood.

"Officer, Yelkor?"

"Yes Sir." Compared to Mullins Yelkor didn't raise from his seat as he went on to explain. "As the reports have shown we haven't had an issue with supply, what we are experiencing is abnormal surges through out various sections of the transmission lines. It's these fluctuations that are causing the surges and out's as the safeties are attempting to engage and sometimes failing."

"Why haven't these safeties been maintained?"

"Within the refinery they have, but outside in the distribution lines? I wouldn't be able to explain, I handle the refinery work Sir."

Without having to ask who was in charge another one of the men rose and saluted, cultivating the right reputation as someone who didn't condone shoddiness and excuses had it's perks particularly at times like this. "You are?"

"Devvon's Sir."

"And you are in charge of the distribution of our ether supplies?"

"Yes Sir, at least within the City. Outside of the Citadel and city proper other lesser officers are in charge."

"And what do you believe is causing the surges?"

"Sir, we have been having problems as many of the systems have been reporting odd readings, some failing even. Luckily enough the auxiliary systems have been handling the load so far."

"What is causing the system to fail?" Heathcliff asked growing impatient.

"The part of the system we have been replacing have been showing signs of increased wear and tear. Some of the filters have been shredded completely and in some of the older fittings and sections of pipe we've noticed increased signs of gouges and fatigue. We believe that it's caused by increased particulate matter from the refinery."

"Come now! We've taken countless samples from the emission lines and no signs whats so ever of this 'sand' have been found!"

"Well it has to be coming from the refinery! There isn't any other explanation!"

"Are you calling my men liars?!"

"If the shoe fits!"

The Czar was tired of these children beginning to vent there frustrations at there own inadequacies. Snapping his fingers he used a tiny amount of ether from within the room, and released a tiny bit of sound in the super sonic range at an intense frequency. Immediately the men shut there flapping mouths trying to fight the pain in the eardrums and the rising nausea as the Czar held the sound for a few seconds, unaffected. "Good, you all have seemed to calmed down." He let the emission dissipate, and absorbed the remaining echo of it from the room. "Does anyone have an idea of the cause?"

"I believe I do Sir. Petty Officer Haldwell, I am in charge of the observing the Ether sensors and monitoring the force users." Haldwell waited for the Czar to give permission to speak, and it was granted by a horizontal wave of his hand, almost like a parent tossing a ball underhanded to their child. "So far we haven't been able to notice any use of ether being used in the areas near the areas effected, but we believe it is a force user."

"If no ether has been used, then what makes you believe it is a force user?"

"Commander, we have been getting some odd readings from the areas surrounding the surge-zones. Although no ether in the Surge-zone has been observed to drop, there was some irregularities. We've noticed what almost looks like the funneling of ether into the Surge-Zone from the areas outside it."

It didn't make a terrible amount of sense, ether would attempt to equalize but it didn't often gather in zones within the city.  "By observing the areas around the pool, we did notice that occasionally there is an overall loss of ether." Haldwell said handing out some papers to the men at the table. "We aren't sure if someone or even a force user has been stealing the ether or using it. I'd like to have some men go and check if this is localized just to the Citadel or if the outlying areas are being effected."

"Do it." The Czar rose, "Inform me if anything is found." and with that he placed his helmet back on and strode from the room. "Seems someone is stealing my Ether, when they are found crucify them. I will not tolerate it, and I will make an example so no one repeats it again."

"Yes my Czar, my Enforcer's will see to it."

{Attn: Ace}

Underneath the seemingly solitary tree among the sprawling metal conglomeration that makes up the city outside the Citadel proper, Ace is enjoying a nice bit of rest perhaps dreaming dreams of a proper Utopia that the Hinterland may of hoped to have become once upon a time.

However whatever coalescing hope and dreams Ace might be experiencing are twisted and he wakes, to an odd pervasive feeling. The feeling dances along his skin, making it tickle just a tiny bit less annoying then if ones limbs had fallen asleep. Slowly your mind gets closer to piecing this sensation together, -

-ACE gets sprayed with a hose!-

"I thought somebody was up there! You leave my Santa Rosa alone!"

The maybe late seventies old man starts going on about how hard is is to grow a plum tree in the first place, especially without hooligans traipsing all about on his roof.

However the feeling Ace was experiencing has passed, lost when you where suddenly sprayed with water. You're not sure but maybe you felt it before, but then again something has been bothering you for some time now, you just haven't been able to put a finger on it.

However if you don't pay attention to the old man pretty soon, he'll probably spray you again and then get yelled at by his wife for being a crotchety old grouch.

[Time: 7:46, Friday]

[Attn: Closed]
[POV: Greg - NPC]
[Time: 8:34 PM, Saturday - Elven Hinterland/The Citadel]

Greg dipped the brush into the cup and stirred it briskly, causing the contents to foam. "Another long day." He mumbled as he turned his head to the side and brought the brush to his face, and liberally started to later his face with the shaving cream from the cup. Some of the lather dipped down his chin and ran down his his chin onto the talisman against his chest.

It was the last day of his three week notice, so tomorrow he was a free man. He set the brush back into the little ceramic cup with a little plosh and a clink. He reached over beside the little face sink and picked up a knife, before bringing to his face.

Holding carefully still he guided his hand with much practice, after all he'd been shaving since he'd first got peach fuzz on his boyish face, at least all but the last couple months he had.

He flicked off the foam and the beard he'd been shearing off. It had been uncomfortable, he never understood those fools who had liked the things. Greg was pretty sure that all the scratching that old men did in 'thought' was all a clever act, the infernal things itched.

As Greg looked into the mirror he looked at his face. One side was clean and smooth (if one ignored stray foam) and the other a twisted mat of curly hair. Greg sighed as he set down the knife and picked up the brush again. "Tomorrow will be a new experience."

Again he brought the brush and set about finishing the job he had started. If tomorrow was another day and things might change, well at least he feel like his proper self again. Neat and Clean, just like a new day. At least he'd finally be able to set down his burden and just take a break, and maybe he'd stop looking so cotton picking old in the mirror.

[Attn: Citadel, Closed]
[POV: Ael'vin Filonistaer - Major NPC]

Ael'vin stood far up on a ridge his cloak hanging around his ankles as the sun had finally cleared the horizon. He stood there in hesitation, stalling perhaps to give people just another few more minutes. Around him lay a half circle of heavy metal sheets anchored deep into the ground. Ael'vin wasn't sure what sort of vehicle wreckage it had been, but he guessed it had been a crashed airship.

At this distance he couldn't easily see the Citadel, not even the outer city. However inside the city if the slum could even be considered that lay vast... was the right word spell forms? That was the closest Ael'vin could come to explaining it. One of the problems to possessing a unique force was being unable to compare it to other such forces. Ael'vin reached up to the scarf coiled around his neck and dug into his breastplate.

Pulling the chain free, he uncurled his fingers and started at the vibrantly glowing necklace. In his hand lay the purest ether crystal he could produce, shaped into the symbol of the tribes guardians, the Ether Beast of Flame.

Again he toyed with stalling even further, but eventually he forced himself to put aside his trepidation. Those that had gotten the warnings would either have fled by now or not, and those that hadn't gotten the letters would be on his hands.

Turning around he walked into the wreckage and dug up the lead lined and air tight box he had buried there. As he knelt down into the earth, he ran a gauntlet covered hand over the box's lid dusting it off. Then he fliped both clasps and opened the box. Inside the box was a high powered radio, and several buttons.

He inserted a key and started flipping the switches in the correct order. The red lights blinking on as they powered up. Even Ael'vin wasn't sure he'd survive with using his force, he'd tried to study up on other such small scale incidents like he was attempting. All he knew, was his power might not be as effective as he could hope, then again it was tied up in a hundred different key points as well.

Without risking going outside Ael'vin opened a slot in the box and inserted his pendant into it. It would send out the correct signal, a signal unable to be produced by other means, at least he guessed so.

He took one last steadying breath and filled himself with ether slowly till he was full, it took several minutes. Ael'vin wasn't sure how many people could collect as much ether as he could, perhaps no one. Then again he had never been trained at an academy so he couldn't know for sure.

Once ready, he reached into his pocket and removed a second key. Inserting that into another slot he turned it and a yellow light lit up. Then Ael'vin hit the button that would end the world.

[Attn: Citadel Proper]
[POV: The C'zar of the Hinterland]

It had been another long night, and he had hardly gotten enough sleep. Some of the blame fell on his wife, who had kept him up trying to help him relax. It hadn't helped and he had still been unable to sleep despite her best efforts. Somewhere in his prized city lay a criminal who had been reeking havoc on his countries Ether distribution. There had been a report on his desk about possible force user information, but most was hear-say and useless. It almost made him regret not have a registry of his own, almost. Today, his enforcers would bring the one's accountable to him for justice. They had insisted they would have the men behind the ether outs in hand by the time he roused this morning. Little did they know that he had never slept, so he had been forced to wait. He walked to the balcony, a rare luxury in the Citadel, and inclined against a column. The C'zar looked out over his city and enjoyed the first rays of sunlight reflecting off the metal buildings below. There was a slight thrill that went through him, which he dismissed as the cold morning air, tinted with sulfur.

[ATTN: Citadel]

The signal thrilled to the first of the devices, those that no one would really pay any attention too. Through the city, at many of the emergency areas the explosions started. The little explosions originated in the ends of seemingly ordinary red fire extinguishers, extinguishers that might be noted had been systematically exchanged in the last several months. It was most cruel that the places first hit would be the places used to combat the very situation arising now.

Just a second later as the timers counted down on the second series of explosives that where hidden through the sprawling network of storage tanks and the web-work of pipes supplying ether through out the city. The explosions crippled the emergency reliefs, and cascaded towards the citadel proper. Inside the refinery the men were trying frantically to engage the emergency shut downs, or would have except they no longer existed. Inside the room, there no longer existed the controls to issue the commands. Sprays of blood and gore splayed the room, the smoking remains of a red cylinder laying across the room from the case that ironically said "Break in case of Emergency".

Perhaps if the Hinterland had been more prepared or spent more money on it's systems, they could have stopped this Apocalypse from happening, or maybe not. The arrows inside the ruined gauges tilted dangerously into the red zone, indicated the pressure building up inside the main reactor. Perhaps the terrorist responsible had thought this out and planned for everything, at least it seemed that way,

[POV: C'zar Heathcliff Romanski]

Standing on top of the world, or at least close enough for his purposes, he got to catch the first explosions. They started far out, small and tiny fiery flashes in the distance. He was suddenly alarmed and then infuriated that these terrorists had destroyed part of his city... Where destroying his city. The flames spread, further fueled by the damaged utility lines that pumped highly flammable ether into the fires. Already the flames where building, and starting to connect. There was no telling just how many people these bastards had killed. There seemed to be a momentary lull until the other sections of his city started to explode in a chain reaction. At least the main reactor was safe behind the huge concrete fire wall, that had been installed for such a purpose. However he noticed what appeared to be ants spilling from the refinery, running towards the concrete barrier, somehow blind to the curling smoke and flames flickering up along it's edge. 'How could they be so blind?' Heathcliff wondered, however he soon received his answer. An alarm blared through the devastation of sprawl around his priced Citadel. He'd never heard this particular alarm so he couldn't place it. Perhaps that was a kindness, a gentle ignorance of fate, in the end did it really matter? The C'zar thought himself safe from the impending doom. It was then as he had an epiphany, just as the refinery's reactors went critical and the entire thing exploded.

OCC:The Citadel is destroyed!! A massive Ether Meltdown creating an explosion of which the world has never seen. Even in the distance the cloud can be seen, the thing building into a large chaotic mushroom cloud that seems strangely alive as if utter Armageddon and chaos has infused it. Ether Storm Pending! :D