Down But Not Out

Started by Emit Culpepper, November 15, 2019, 06:39:34 PM

Emit Culpepper

Emit,had been cleared to return to his duties that morning after receiving two IV bags and two days of sound sleep. If Grace would of had her way he would have been grounded for the remainder of the week. But the Captain needed his skills and he wasn't about to let the man down by literally sleeping on the job. Strapping his rig into place and giving another pat down scan of the items in his pockets; he caught up with Jax and the others heading down the ramp into the hustle and bustle of Heraklion.

It was supposed to be a simple escort and return,30 minutes max. Locate their passenger let the Captain do his thing and return everyone safely back to the belly of Wushu. Emit should have known better, he sure as hell was trained to know better.

His senses were on high alert the moment his boot stepped off the loading ramp, the hairs on his neck and arms standing almost straight up,the air seemed to be electrified with tension.

Emit Culpepper

Emit followed his Captain, followed behind the others who had been charged with retrieving their new passenger. Scanning, watching, looking about. Something was defiantly off, training he'd pushed to the side since the war,was taking a front seat now,edging at his senses.

The path they choose was simple, efficient, leading them to the coffee house without any trouble. The building had looked plan enough, it's interior simple. Emit, allowed his mind to calm, ordering a large espresso,listening to the Captain converse with their new passenger.

Emit Culpepper

The meeting had gone well, their new passenger appeared to be pleasant and well mannered. His mind had stopped racing about midway through his beverage,the espresso giving a calming aid.

The Captain wrapped up the conversation without any signs of trouble. Finishing his drink, rising to his feet, ready to leave with the others, Emit, brushed past a lady seated by herself. Tipping his hat politely, apologizing to the lady for the interruption,he exited with the others.

Emit Culpepper

They'd only walked a block or so before Captain advised them all to return to the ship,that he had a personal matter to tend to. Indicating that he would join them shortly. A little odd behavior, but who was Emit, to question the Captain and certainly not in front of everyone else.

The ground shook beneath his feet,before his ears heard the sound,the explosion, the screams. Scanning quickly, the Captain wasn't visible. Chaos already flooding the area,screaming continuing.

Emit, gave the order as lead Gunhand, to evac back to the ship,hold there. Pulling the small tin from his pocket, not caring who saw, he crunched down on the capsule.

The screams echoed in his ears from every direction, debris covering the block he'd just departed moments before. Standing there in the middle,white flower dress, clinging to her dolly.

"Lilly Ann? How? No! No! She's not here,she's gone,been gone. Your daughter's gone Emit!"

It seems so real,she seems real.
Screaming, crying, alone there in the middle.

"I'm coming Lilly Ann, Papa's coming!"

RUNE

In the time since bearing the harsh memory of burying a wife and child, Emit's mind had taken to telling him cruel jokes. Of the nature of ill remembrance or the infrequent absence of cognizance, no trick of the mind could spurn such torment as these moments of dissociation in which a pattern of synapses fired across Emit's gray matter to whisper such beautiful lies as the vision as his poor lost daughter before him. In reality, the little girl's flower dress was blue, her dolly but a plush cartoon cat. Not that it mattered to the distressed young one as Emit approached.

"Mama!" Emit heard the girl's cries as he swept in. She looked up, wiping tears from her eyes. "Are you the law? My mama needs help!" She pointed toward where a table ejected from the cafe pinned a body against a wall. A slender hand bearing a modest but brilliantly shining ring and painted nails stuck out from behind the table as if to reach the girl's own extended fingers. The hand shook for a brief moment and went limp. "Mama!" the girl pleaded once more. Thinking to assist the woman, Emit took a step toward the table before another bomb blast filled the area with choking dust and smoke, splinters of wood and glass, and another chorus of panicked and pained screams.

Emit's ears rang from the concussion as he regained his bearings and searched around for the girl. Finally, he found her crawling toward the table. Her legs and arms were scratched and bruised, a cut on her forehead dripping a trickle of blood. The plush cat's fluffy innards spilling out from its dismembered arm, leg, and ear. The girl crawled desperately toward the table, a piece of broken glass catching in her palm just before she reached the now still hand. Whether the drugs or the adrenaline kept Emit from caring overmuch in regards to the dagger-like stick of wooden shrapnel caught in his back, whether it was delirium or duty that spurned him on, the lawman put one boot in front of the other and closed the distance as three more blasts went off in succession further down the shopping block.

I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.
No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn, downwards I peered; I took up the runes, screaming I took them, then I fell back from there.
The songs I know that king's wives know not Nor men that are sons of men.
So do I write and color the runes.

Emit Culpepper

His strides precise,fueled with determination, closing the gap in a matter of seconds. Scooping the little girl up in his arms in one fluid motion. "I'm here Lilly Ann, Papa's here."

His attention drawn to the form under the table. "Mary! Mary, you've got to get up! We can't stay here. Mary!" Kneeling down beside the table,beside the form void of movement. "Don't cry Lilly Ann, Mama's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."

Sitting the child down briefly, gripping the collapsed oaken table with all his might.
"Not again dam you! You're not taking them again! Stay with me Mary! Don't leave me!"

His efforts were met by the sounds of splintering wood as the table toppled to one side.

Emit Culpepper

Placing the woman over his shoulder her form limp. The little one's hands outstretched reaching,hoisting her up,tucking her close into him.

Stepping forward with the heel of his boot the debris crunching under it's weight. Left foot step,right foot step, moving down the street. Left foot step,right foot step, chaos shouting, screams muffled but ever present, his breathing heavy,labored. Left foot step,right foot step,  darkness.

Buttongirl

November 19, 2019, 04:55:48 AM #7 Last Edit: November 19, 2019, 12:06:53 PM by Lomari
The medical staff was severely overworked and understaffed.  The explosions that had wreaked havoc had left a swath of dead, dying and injured that required their attention.  They were struggling at the moment with an injured man who was fighting, calling out for Mary and Lily Ann. They finally managed to sedate him, though it took almost twice the amount of propofol as it should have.  Once they had him out they had to cut him out of the burned and ruined clothing.  They found the badge and pocket watch, setting it aside for when he came out of surgery. 

They patched up the third-degree burns, using the derma-menders to spray a thin layer of new skin over the raw and oozing areas.  They also removed a dagger-length chunk of wood from the man's back, placing a chest tube to keep the punctured lung from filling with blood while the doctors patched him back up.  Even then he was restless, mouth soundlessly murmuring the woman's name.
CHARACTERS
Gwen ~ Devon McKinney ~ Mylena

Buttongirl

November 19, 2019, 05:02:00 AM #8 Last Edit: November 19, 2019, 12:06:43 PM by Lomari
The nurses and the aids told stories about the man, spreading his legend around the ward.  He was a lawman, a hero. He'd carried a woman and child out of the rubble with an injury that would have felled a lesser man.  The doctor that had patched him up, didn't mention the pills that had been found with the badge and pocket watch.  The people needed a hero and the selfless lawman was as good as anyone.  If it hadn't been for him the mother and daughter would likely both have been killed.
CHARACTERS
Gwen ~ Devon McKinney ~ Mylena

Buttongirl

The man was a fighter. It should have taken him a lot longer to recover from his wounds, but he wouldn't stay down.  The little girl, Caitlyn, was able to go home after a day or so with her father but the injured mother would need more time to heal.  Once Emit was stable enough the nursing him staff took him by to see the mother.  She'd asked about the lawman who'd saved her and her daughter.

Steve and Yvette Long were very pleased to meet Emit.  Caitlyn, who was coloring a picture when he arrived, smiled shyly at him.  She might carry a small scar on her forehead from where she'd been hit by a small piece of flying debris, but overall, she had survived the explosions better than many others.  Her plush cat sat next to her, he looked worse for the wear, but had been patched up and even had a bandage on his boo boos.  Caitlyn shyly came towards Emit as he sat in the wheelchair, offering him her drawing. It was obviously her family on one side of the paper and a man with a big star on his chest on the other, with what looked like a cake and balloons all around.

In the light of the hospital room, with a clear head, Emit could see that Caitlyn really didn't look like his Lilly Ann.  She was a year or two older, with darker hair and brown eyes.  Yvette didn't look anything like his late wife either.  It had all been tricks of the mind.  But seeing the family safe and together made Emit glad that he had done what he did, even if his memories of it weren't entirely clear.

He healed faster than the hospital staff thought he would and as soon as he was able began looking for his crew.  Not finding them among the injured or listed among the dead he was unsure of how to proceed.

Mr. and Mrs. Long were very appreciative and while not exceptionally wealthy offered to pay Emit's passage to wherever he was bound, once he realized he must have been left behind by the rest of his crew, probably presumed dead.
CHARACTERS
Gwen ~ Devon McKinney ~ Mylena

RUNE

Sometime after the Longs retired to attend to other matters, an official dressed in the uniform of a Federal Marshall which indicated his rank of significance and influence over local Alliance security forces dropped in for an unannounced visit. "I apologize if I'm disturbing you, Mr. Culpepper. I'm Marshall Ambrose Shaw and I came to give you my personal thanks for your brave actions. The way I understand it, my dear niece and my sister may not have made it after the blasts if you hadn't done what you did." Marshall Shaw extended his hand to offer a firm but friendly and honest handshake. "You have my deepest gratitude, Mr. Culpepper." The Marshall paused for a moment with the offered hand in the air between them.

I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.
No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn, downwards I peered; I took up the runes, screaming I took them, then I fell back from there.
The songs I know that king's wives know not Nor men that are sons of men.
So do I write and color the runes.

Emit Culpepper

Emit attempted to sit up taller upon the Marshal's entrance into the room,attempted to not show any pain or discomfort, attempted to honor the badge."No,no disturbance Marshal,please do come in. I only did what I hope anyone of us wearing the badge would have done. -cough-cough-cough- Sorry it's a little hard to catch my breath. I meant those of you who wear the badge."

His gaze shifting ever so slightly towards the worn Badge laying atop table along with his pocket watch. Emit,outstretched his hand to the Marshal giving as firm a shake as he could muster.

RUNE

Marshall Shaw followed Emit's gaze to the badge and watch on the table. Reassured of the man's tenacity and strength in his grip despite the apparent breathing problems, Shaw nodded in understanding. "Ah, so you're retired. That's a Bernadette star, isn't it?" Shaw placed his hands behind his back and maintained a friendly appearance as he waited for Emit to answer.

I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.
No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn, downwards I peered; I took up the runes, screaming I took them, then I fell back from there.
The songs I know that king's wives know not Nor men that are sons of men.
So do I write and color the runes.

Emit Culpepper

Emit picked up the worn metallic star holding it out before the Marshal for inspection. "Was my Grandfather's before passing down to my Father,who passed it down to me. My Father pinned this on my chest when I turned 18, wore it with pride and honor for 15yrs I
did. After the War things were too different. Too many ghosts. Helps me find myself when times becone rough.

RUNE

Marshall Shaw nodded in earnest. "War. It's a tricky thing. It can bring out the best - and worst - in any of us. Given the way you moved to action in the city earlier, I think I can imagine the kind of soldier you might've been." A frown crossed Shaw's face as he crunched the numbers. "Do you mean you enlisted at thirty-three? That's a bit beyond the standard age of recruitment, even for the war. Army man, sailor, marine? You do mean the War, right? The Insurrection. Hmm. Oh! Of course, you must've joined as an Officer candidate! Pardon, but where did you say you were educated?" The lids narrowed over Shaw's brown eyes as he awaited an answer.

I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.
No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn, downwards I peered; I took up the runes, screaming I took them, then I fell back from there.
The songs I know that king's wives know not Nor men that are sons of men.
So do I write and color the runes.

Emit Culpepper

Emit chuckled at Marshal Shaw's words. "Thirty-three is correct. I heard the call to war and hopped on the first transport to Persephone. Enlisted with Ground Forces, Pathfinder Division Special Operations. Nope no Officer training just another grunt. No formal education as those in the core have. My mother taught me my lessons as well as the skills needed to operate an Apothecary shop. Farm living taught me everything else I reckon. What about you Marshal what's your story, how did you decide to wear the badge?"

RUNE

The Marshall listened with vested interest to Emit's tale, bristling stiffly at the mention of Persephone and the Pathfinder Division. "Ah. My mistake. I didn't consider you served with the - ah - Independent forces. Unfortunate we served on opposing sides in The War, but any real man's got to fight for what he believes in. Nonetheless, I have the utmost respect for any man upholding the law no matter how far from Londinium. I suppose I was groomed for service since the day I came into the 'Verse. Military family, legacy to uphold, all that. Suppose some men don't care much for being told what to do or how to live, but for me there's no other life I could imagine living. When my fighting days came to an end I decided I followed another family tradition into a second career in the enforcement of Federal law. Oh! Excuse me."

Marshall Shaw checked an alert on his personal cortex device. His face slipped into a stern expression as eyes full of scrutiny came up for a brief second before he turned fully away. Thumbs worked to reply to whatever message he'd received before he turned back to Emit looking as if nothing had even happened. "So. What is it that brought you to Newhall? Business? Family? Maybe reuniting with some old friends?"

I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.
No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn, downwards I peered; I took up the runes, screaming I took them, then I fell back from there.
The songs I know that king's wives know not Nor men that are sons of men.
So do I write and color the runes.

Powered by EzPortal