The Shadows of Dale

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 12:46am by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Duval & Commander Hsirr Duval

Mission: Mission 54: Where Snow Meets Sky
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 1600Hrs - December 11th, 2391

Lieutenant Anthony Duval was wearing civilian clothing, he had a rather law bow with him and a heavy quiver draped over his back with several hundred arrows, these items were real but the arrows themselves were replicated. Duval also wore a conical Asian hat that was rather large and ornate looking.

He wore armored boots and a simple leather tunic with long pants, all three were black in color but all were baggy and meant for work rather then simply wearing casually.

Duval came to a stop outside holosuite three at the appointed time as he had said to the Caitian earlier.

A nearby door opened and out stepped a figure with large paws and soft footfalls, the beings fur was black and short as Hsirr moved silently towards Duval, he smiled as he nocked an arrow and held it to the Caitian's chest.

Hsirr was so surprised she almost walked onto the arrow. "Well.." she stammered as Duval stopped her from moving forward by pushing her back with his outreached palm. "Easy my pretty, it would be a shame to end our relationship so soon..."

Hsirr blinked. "It would be a pity indeed.." she agreed. "How did you hear me coming?"

"You were too obvious... and you have a rather distinctive set of footfalls..." Duval explained with a smile. "Shall we proceed?" he inquired.

"Yes. Lets." Hsirr responded with a smile as Duval finished inputting his data. The computer intoned. "Program complete. You may enter when ready."

Duval nodded. "Proceed. Open." and with that he went into what looked like a desolate mountainous snows-cape, it was either mid evening or mid-morning just before either sunset or sunrise and it quickly became obvious the two were walking down the pathway at the top of a rather large wall.

"Impressive... Does this place actually exist?"

"Yes, it does... well rather it did... Its more of a cultural landmark now." Duval explained. "This is the Great Wall of China... as it appeared a thousand years past."

"Ahh.." the Caitian responded. "Interesting." as she peered down the pathway at several other people already gathered. "We are to greet them?"

"No. We're reliving them... We're guarding this section of wall tonight."

"Lovely." the Black furred Caitian with the bright yellow eyes responded as she quickly replicated herself some of the atire that Duval himself was wearing, before she quickly slipped on the hat and the belt around her waist, before she took a moment to prepare, she lifted her bow. "Very nice weapon..." she admitted before she slowly nocked an arrow, before she took aim and let it fly into the darkness.

Duval regarded her. "Never fired a bow before?"

"Not really no.... I assume its harder then this.?"

"Oh very much so, yes." Duval answered with a smile

Hsirr sighed as she regarded Duval. "How long are we guarding this section of.... empty wall?"

"All night.... Why.... you dislike the dark?" Duval inquired.

"Somewhat." Hsirr admitted as she looked out over the inky blackness of the countryside.

"Computer add a full moon to the program, make it fifty percent larger then normal considering Luna's rotation and orbital path in relation to Terra." he paused. "Also set it thirty minutes after moonrise."

"Confirmed." the computer responded as the full moon appeared in the eastern skies.

Hsirr nodded in approval. "Much better... How did the locals defend this place with only their sight at night and the fires here to light their way?"

"God knows.." Duval responded. "But they managed... somehow." he explained

"They must have been well trained." Hsirr responded with a soft mewl as she looked around. "Still... you could have taken me somewhere nice... a moonlit stroll along the beach. Before you took me to bed."

"Well.. I wanted to be gentle about it." Duval responded. "No need to rush it... right?"

"Well I can't argue with your plans... but what of your kit?"

"Ryujin will be fine.... Besides.. He's a lot more intelligent then the average human nine year old...." Duval responded evenly.

"Thats always a good thing... right?"

"Well.." Duval explained. "Up until a year ago... I had no idea whatsoever that he even existed... His mother... decided top keep him from me and then when she had the good decency to die... she left him to me simply because I was the only person left in the universe who had any claim on her child."

"Sad really." Hsirr responded. "Well if I am reassigned... I assure you, you will be informed.."

"Good." as the two of them settled in to enjoy the view and each other's company. Duval gently slid an arm around the Caitian female's shoulders as she gently rested her head on his shoulder.