Proving Grounds

[sword_breaker]

[Today was the day. No more avoiding it or rather putting it off in order to make sure that his injury wasn't going to act up in the middle of these tests. Usually they would simple feats to prove skills learned over the course of training in a particular energy type and it would be him and his second. That's how it had been for the couple before Annalise. Simple. Only would take the day to complete and then perhaps beginning the next set of training if time allowed for it afterwards.

But that wasn't an option.

Having this fireteam on the other hand complicated that. So he was going to have the other two as reserves in case things decided to get a little more hectic than he was prepared to handle with. The hunter was at best on his A minus game with this damn leg. Note to self, take Kell through a one on one match to make things even.

Regardless the Cosmodrome was the closest and most secure area that he could get requested for the day. There was more Vanguard patrols towards the Hive infested areas. It meant easily riled House of Devils Fallen. Perfect targets for a hunter showing off what they know. Especially with the distress beacon that he had strapped to his waist for the time being. Once activated, it would definitely catch the attention of a skiff or two maybe. Nothing they couldn't handle.

The hunter is perched in the shade of an airplane's carcass, scanning around and allowing Annalise to warm up before this. It was cooler than he preferred but he wasn't trudging around in the fresh snow or having to deal with the wind. So he's content for the time being. Getting warm again wouldn't be hard to do with a drink or two at his apartment.]

Comments

[rocketmagnet]

[ They're finally here. No putting things off because a certain Vanguard had a stick up his butt about stars. They're here and she's ready to show off her abilities.

She's tripled checked her gear since this morning. Everything has to be perfect and she's practically brimming with solar energy when they land. If boss wants her to warm-up then she can handle that, immediately gunning for the dregs and vandals that litter the area.

A certain titan hasn't seen her throwing knife skills and she plans to land more than one headshot on unsuspecting Fallen while they're out. ]

[sword_breaker]

When you're ready, let me know and we'll get started. No need to start golden gunning everything within sight otherwise you'll tire your light before the actual challenge here.

[It was easy to see that she was excited to be here and doing this. Hopefully this past year's teachings have all stuck so he can handover the cloak that marked a hunter passing through the trial of a gunslinger successfully.]

[rocketmagnet]

[ His words are coming mid-tripmine throw and her head turns to look over her shoulder at him. While she's distracted, a dreg manages to slide in and cause the explosion to be a lot closer than anticipated causing a yelp.

She manages to recover quickly and jump onto one of the many rocks littering the terrain. Shake it off, Annalise. Assessments are soon. ]

Got it boss!

[sword_breaker]

[He's up on his feet at the close call and sighs in relief at seeing her on the rock away from where the grenade detonated. No resurrection ghost yet, good. Still the hunter shakes his head in disapproval.]

Pay attention with those things! You don't have to look at me to answer.

[rocketmagnet]

It was only a scratch! [ Not her best excuse, but really it could have been a lot worse. Another few inches closer and that explosion may have caused her ghost to pop up. ]

[sword_breaker]

Scratches can add up. Being careful is always good. Also you missed a vandal.

[rocketmagnet]

I did not-- [ Oh. There is a vandal over there. Excuse her, she's going to throw a knife at its head before it fires its next shot. ]

[archivistonfire]

[It isn't his assessment day, but Andrei was invited along and he doesn't want to miss a day in the Cosmodrome. Sure, they're going to a relatively secure area that other Warlocks have most likely picked over by now--anything interesting will be long gone--but it's kind of nice to be out of the Tower.

He carries his pulse rifle in hand, of course. After practicing in the Crucible, he's much more confident with it. And with vandals and dregs around, he'll probably need it.

He's surprised by how calm he is. And warm. Everyone dressed to deal with the cold, but he doesn't feel it. The sol energy in his veins is a river of warmth through him. Even in the bitter wind, he smiles. This should be as good a spot as any to watch Annalise do her assessments.]

[sword_breaker]

[His cloak flares out in the wind while he stalks around the edge of the mothyards to make sure that there were no Fallen lurking about in the shadows that could screw with his team. So far there was nothing but he didn't let his guard down regardless. Decent outcroppings of spinmetal though, keep that in mind.

He approaches the warlock with a soft sigh, crossing his arms over his chestplate. The metal and bone of his gauntlets clunking against it some as he settles next to him.

The kid didn't look half as scared as did when they first had come here. Improvement was there and he was glad for it. Warlock could use some more confidence though probably could also use a mentor of his own, need to go through the proper channels in order to secure that.]

Lucky that you have solar in your veins. I wouldn't mind having that right about now.

[archivistonfire]

I didn't realize it would be so cold.

[An oversight on his part. One that won't happen again.

He considers asking if James shouldn't just switch to solar energy--no, terrible idea. Even if that weren't terribly impertinent and asking for something rather complicated, there's the issue of what happened last time he discussed James's solar energy with anyone. Better not bring that up, again.]

You're right, though. It feels good.

[sword_breaker]

It's the cosmodrome. Usually this place has at least an inch or two of snow no matter what but this wind though is annoying. Makes everything feel much colder. Glad you aren't freezing. Last thing we need to do is have to thaw you out after you turn into a warlock-sicle.

[archivistonfire]

Yeah... Annalise seems a little too excited to be trusted with thawing anybody.

She's going to pass, right?

[sword_breaker]

Yea probably a safer bet to let me do it if it ever comes down to it.

I have high hopes that she will. She's been improving all year long.

[archivistonfire]

[Don't comment about Boss's solar energy. Apparently that's a personal thing. Even moreso than usual, in this instance.]

She's had a good teacher.

[rocketsout]

[Assessments seem like a big thing. Not that he's really certain what needs to be assessed at all, but from the pomp and circumstance surrounding everything, he's going to assume that whatever's going on between the hunters of their team is probably pretty important.

Plus, there are still dregs who need to be lit on fire. Can't forget that.

But beyond that, it almost feels boring to be out and about down in the cosmodrome. It's not safe, no part outside the city ever really could be, but it's quiet and feels empty enough, even with the sound of bullets and grenades not far away.

It's a waiting game now, because while he's not dumb enough not have his weaponry ready, it doesn't really feel like there's any need to use it, at least not while Annalise does her thing. Given that fact, he's more than content to find a place to sit up off of the snow. Certainly doesn't help with the boredom, though.]

[sword_breaker]

Bored?

[It comes from the top of a rusted hull, the hunter resting in a crouch while keeping partial attention at the howls of Fallen and sounds of fighting. His second had things under control and soon enough he was going to throw that beacon out to see exactly what she was made of as a hunter.

Until then he had time to kill and wasting it by moving around to keep the cold at bay. Though being out in the sun was helping for certain.

Glancing around, he blinks over onto a wing and hesitates as the metal groans underneath him in protest. Last thing he needed to do was wind up injured yet again after finally getting back out into the field.]

[rocketsout]

[Oh, wait, shit, he's been caught sitting around. Not that that should really be a bad thing, there's nothing really to be done, but it still has him tensing for a moment, sitting up a bit straighter and whippping his head towards the source of the noise.]

Waiting.

[That's a good answer, right?]

[sword_breaker]

Relax. You're allowed to be with this.

[There wasn't much that either the titan or the warlock could be doing here so being bored was understandable and something he wasn't going chew them out over. They wouldn't be so much after this though. Vanguard had a directive for two of his team that was to be completed before returning.]

What are you waiting for?

[rocketsout]

[It doesn't help much, but he does relax ever so slightly. After the last few official fireteam things, he's still a bit wary of anything going on. In as much, he offers a shrug before looking out across the mothyards.]

Everything? Hopefully it stays quiet.

[sword_breaker]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it won't be. As soon as she's ready, I call in the calvary and the assessment begins.

[Another good blink and he's as close to the titan as he can manage while staying on some piece of aircraft. The rusted chunks of metal always felt safer and well familiar.]

Ever been assessed before?

[rocketmagnet]

[ Assessments have been passed and they have more work to do in the Cosmodrome, but there's something else that needs to be done. Something equally as important. She's smiling broadly as she looks over at Liam. Does he remember? ]

I brought the knives.

[rocketsout]

Are they on fire?

[As if he'd forget. Even with the vanguard's punishment, there's nothing saying that they can't have fun while being sent along to do grunt work.]

[rocketmagnet]

They will be.

[ With time. And they can easily collect spinmetal while running around and lighting dregs and vandals on fire. It's only right. There's a glance around and she's pulling out her ghost to bring her sparrow out of transmat. ]

We have to find the right place.

[rocketsout]

[Sparrow time? Sparrow time. Fireteam leader had never said anything about having to be serious during the spinmetal hunt, and so there's no reason to make the entirety of the thing any more boring than it'd have to be. He's following suit, calling for his sparrow with a toothy grin underneath his helmet.]

Start small and work up? Or find the most populated place and just unleash hell first?

[rocketmagnet]

[ She's got her sparrow revved up and ready to go. ]

Small. I want you to see each individual flame as its head lights up before we find more.