Chapter Three (C): Jake & Thorchan

[Akirapryde]

The assassin thought about reaching for the stunner, but the life or death struggle was simply to important to risk. He instead pressed down on the blade. Being a greenhorn fresh from the academy prior to joining this mission, Jake found himself in this moment staring death in the face.

However there was a bit of humor to all of this. If Jake died right here, right now, than it would only be a few decades before he was born again. The thought brought a smile to Jake's face that only infuriated the assassin. "I am going to kill you, than I will kill the girl. You failed to protect her" he said with rage in his voice. With a loosening on his elbows, the assassin attempted to drive his forehead in to Jake's face. The attempt was just as successful as Jake's earlier attempt.

Jake realized that the man was subject to his rage. This could work in Jake's favor if he could manage to play his cards right. For the moment though, Jake once more felt the tip of the blade pressing against his chest. The blood rushed to Jake's head as he fought to keep the knife from impaling him. Once more, Jake felt the tip of the blade start to break the skin.

The pain caused his mind to panic. He searched his surroundings and saw the stunner laying next to them. He could make another desperate attempt for, but he didn't have surprise anymore. An attempt at the stunner would lead to his death. From somewhere around him, he heard something that sounded like a moan. Despite the failed attack, the assassin still had the upper hand in the struggle.

Jake needed to end this and end this soon. He knew that the assassin's legs were still a viable target. He could kick the assassin’s leg out and try to push the assassin off of him. (OOC: An Unarmed combat roll at base to kick the leg. There is no modifier due to the struggle, close proximity and the called shot. All these factors cancel each other out. This would cause the assassin to lose his balance. Next would be a Build Save (3d6 highest two) roll at base – 2 (because the assassin is off balance) to push him off of Jake. Even failure in this second roll, Jake could buy himself time by pushing the blade back some.)

Then there was the less complicated test of pure strength. Jake could still simply call upon all of his might and push up on the assassin's arms and force the killer back. (OOC: A straight Build Save (3d6, highest two) at Base to push the blade back. If your Build Save result is base + 4 this will toss the assassin off of Jake.) Time was not on Jake's side as the blade pressed just a bit deeper in to his chest. Jake could feel the warmth of blood covering his chest. Death was only moments away!

[CarcerKango]

Jake lashed out with a booted foot, aiming for the assassin's legs again. He successfully knocked the man off balance, then with a mighty push hurled the attempted-murderer off his chest. Mentally fist-pumping, he rose to his feet and prepared to tackle the killer.

[Akirapryde]

The assassin landed on his knees and within a moment leaped to his feet in the same action that Jake got to his feet. With only a few meters between them, Jake readied for a fist fight. Instead the assassin drew back his hand with the blade in an attempt to hurl the blade at Jake. His arm flew forward however the blade flopped on to the deck as the assassin stumbled forward.

For a second Jake didn’t realize what happened till he heard the muffled pop again. Then eight more times as the assassin fell to his knees. The blood from his mouth told Jake that this was over. The assassin fell forward revealing ten red marks in the Kuritian naval uniform of the assassin. The assassin had been shot in the back by none other than his very target.

Jake saw Kimiko siting up from a laying position. She held the assassin’s pistol with both hands. Jake could make the assumption that this might had been the first time she actually fired a pistol. The terror in her eyes told him that this was the first time she had killed someone. The metal click told Jake that Kimiko was too terrified to realized that she had emptied the weapon’s clip in to the back of the assassin. At near point blank, judging by the shot group, it was lucky that Kimiko even killed the assassin. But a swift kick proved that the assassin was clearly dead.

Kimiko only set there lost in the moment and shaking uncontrollably. Despite how it ended, the fact remains the same. If it had not been for Jake, Kimiko would have been killed on this day.

[CarcerKango]

"Kimiko!" Jake cried out, running over to her quickly and kneeling on the floor by her. "It's over," he said in as soothing a voice as possible. He knew not to touch her as it might trigger a panic in this, her most fragile of moments. "It's over," he said again. "You can put the gun down. Are you hurt?"

(OOC: I hereby give the GM permission to NPC me until my return this Friday night.)

[Akirapryde]

Kimiko was shanking as she just set there staring in to the body of the assassin. She couldn’t talk, couldn’t move. She didn’t even realize that Jake had moved his hand up and carefully took the emptied weapon from her shacking hands. Jake glanced at the pistol and saw that the weapon had been emptied. As the weapon was removed from her hands, Kimiko broke down and started to cry. She lunged forward as she coiled her arms around Jake.

With a free arm, Jake comforted her as she cried. She buried her face in Jake’s bloody shirt. He wanted to report in, but he couldn’t pull away from her in her time of emotional need. Jake was surprise because everything seemed to wash away from around him. He had saved her life, and in return she had done the same for him. He couldn’t bring himself from even pulling out his communicator and report in. He wanted to give Kimiko this moment of weakness in private. Jake just closed his eyes as he held her while he comforted her.

[Ice Hellion]

As the door opened, Adrian saw everything going in slow motion like he couldn't make any sense of it.

Speaking loudly, he tried to describe what he saw

A Fighter in bright colours... by it, a man full of blood lying on the floor... Kimiko in Jake's arms... One covered in blood and the other sobbing...

At this moment, Adrian felt pushed away and fell on the ground...

[Aria Blackthorn]

(OOC: I don't know if this is allowed, but here we go)

Suki held on tight to Adrian keeping from falling to the ground. She shifted her legs to brace herself while she held him up, "I got you!"

She heard in horror at what Adrian said and was near speechless.

[Akirapryde]

Alima moved forward with her weapon trained on the body and an eye on Jake, just in case. She lowered herself next to the assassin and placed a pair of fingers on the neck of the assassin. "He's dead" she announced as she picked up the blade and secured it on her body. She then moved closer to Jake and Kimiko.

Jake handed the weapon over to Alima and then pulled out his communicator. He spoke over the open net for the entire party to hear him. "There was an assassin. He is dead. Kimiko is safe. We are located in the number two hanger bay."

In the background, everyone heard Alima saying, "You are injured and require medical attention."

Jake let out a bit of laughter, "yeah and that too." Jake paused a moment, "Erik, I need to speak with you as soon as possible."

Kimiko kept her head buried in Jake's chest. He didn't want to admit it, but it actually felt good to be a hero. Or maybe that was the loss of blood.

[aipsylon]

Erik's voice came from Jake's communicator. "Understood, I'm on the bridge now, but when I am able I will head down to the med when I have the chance, not sure if they are going to want to debrief us. Alice is with me, so if she is missing no need to worry."

[Ice Hellion]

Still being hold by Suki, Adrian couldn't take his eyes of the dead body, looking for something, anything.