The Lifeline sets sail for the White Tail coast, where Nexus intends to get back his son, Astral Wind, and hopefully Gale.

3231005
(So are we skipping in time or going on to where they all appear wherever they appeared?)

3231009
3231005
*Nexus and Storm approach in an attack boat unarmed at the shore just outside of the town of White Tail. Nexus called ahead and called in a few favors from a business partner, Thunder Clap, a sniper, in the trees waiting for a command. Nexus stands on shore with Storm waiting for Lolk to arrive with Astral.*

3231025
A changeling levitating a locked chest with some sort of oxygen equipment attached to the side walks over. At his side is 3231009. A teleport circle is quickly drawn in the sand.

3231025
A sniper hidden within the town spots the boat and informs his superior its location.

3231031
3231033
Nexus: "Show me my son."

3231031
The soldier that shot Gale is standing beside the changeling wielding his MP5.

3231037
3231033 Lolk shakes the crate a bit.
"Here he is. We had to make a specialized fish tank for this, to keep his water fresh."

3231042 Storm: "What are you talking about?"
Nexus: *stares intently at the box as his horn starts to glow.*

3231042
The sniper and a mare walks out from the right of Nexus and step up beside Lolk.

3231045
3231048
Lolk presses a button, causing flaps to open up to reveal a swimming koi fish with the same color scheme as Astral Wind. Lolk taps on the glass, watching without emotion as the koi fish flinches.
"We don't like it when our prisoners try to escape. So, we turn them into fish for the duration of their stay."

3231053 Storm: "You've got to be kidding right? Come on, N-"
Nexus: "He's not lying." Nexus says gravely. "That's Astral."
Storm: "You can't be serious?"
Nexus: "I can feel his signature. It's exact. Nothing can make me think otherwise. I don't care, it can be fixed. What about his weapons? I made that brace special for him and I'd like it back."

3231053
The sniper watches for a reaction.

3231058
3231048
Lolk turns, firing a stream of purple fire into the circle. The weapons and equipment appear in a pile inside the circle.

3231061
3231059
Nexus: "Bring him over to me and I'll give you the keys to the boat. All of the money is there."

3231067
3231059
Lolk nods, motioning to the Soldier at his side to get the keys, while Lolk lifts up the box.
"I assume you'll be giving me Storm? I do require a high ranking officer freely given from you."

3231067
The sniper waits for Lolk's go ahead.

3231072
3231073
Storm: "WHAT!?"
Nexus: "You already have Gale, Senior Master Sergeant."

3231072
The soldier looks at the sniper and he nods as the soldier goes to take the keys.

3231076
3231073
3231078
Lolk laughs.
"Freely given, I said. And as I understand it, Gale doesn't actually exist. so if you want your son back... I'm going to need Storm there too."

3231082
The sniper smirks and nudges the mare beside him slightly who nudges back.
(Hint hint)

3231082
3231078
Storm: "Lunarus, You can't be serious!"
Nexus: "I have no choice. I'll come for you when I can, but for now, just go. And if you call me by my full name again, I won't hesitate to throw you to them."
Storm: "Nexus, I'm going to-"
*Nexus casts a strong sleep spell.*
Nexus: "He's all yours. Sorry pal."

3231098
Lolk drags him onto the circle, and warps him out. The Soldiers begin unloading the bits, while Lolk passes the box to Nexus.
"The enchantment will turn off in about three days. So get a larger tank, and don't over-freed him. Be careful."

3231101
The soldier split off about a fourth of the bits.

3231094
(If that's who I think it is...)

3231109
Lolk nods, and passes the Soldier another, smaller sack of bits, setting next to the Soldier.
(Who says you can't tip mercs?)

3231110
(I don't know I was implying that it was Gale)

3231109
(It'd better be an illusion though, since the real one isn't ready yet.)

3231116
The sniper nods approvingly. "Well if that's it I'll be off."

3231119
(Never mind then)

3231101 *Nexus' eye twitches and he give Lolk a good punch in the nose with his right hoof while taking Astral with his left.*
"I have some advice for you too; hot, cold and keep the pressure for a few hours to stop the bleeding." Nexus says with an arrogant tone.

3231122
Lolk sighs.
"Are you sure? I've got a room ready, and I'd hate to send you off only to call you back a few hours later."

3231125
Lolk skids across the sand. As he slides to a stop just shy of the Teleport circle, he grins widely.
"I'll keep that in mind."
A telekinetic whip slaps Nexus on the flank.
"We should have dinner sometime."

3231125
The sniper laughs. "I like you. If you ever need something shady done to to the only bar in Ponyville around 8pm and ask the barkeep for Dark."

3231130
Dark sighs and looks at the two soldiers who both nod and nods at Lolk. "Fine but I want the bits teleported there and the sniper I have down on 57th street there too."

3231137
"But of course. Your payment and soldiers will be there shortly."

3231130
3231132
Nexus: "GAH! Two things, I'm married and I'd love to just so I have a fair chance to kill you. Now what about Gale? I can tell that's not really her."

3231144
"Ah, that's true... for now. One day though, I will be able to bring her on these sorts of missions. and extra bodyguard would be handy, after all. In the mean time though, she's currently relaxing. and healing from the gunshot wounds."

3231142
3231144
He nods in approval before turning to Nexus and motioning to the mare. "Who Night Shade? Of course not she's with me."

3231155 Nexus: "Now that I think about it, why don't we make that date sooner so I can kill you faster?"

3231159 (Lolk had to go for a moment so time for banter.)
Nexus: "I could see the way you were looking at before you took her away."

3231173
He smirks. "Oh really?"

3231178 (Gale. Somehow that got deleted between at and before.)
Nexus: "Yeah, my son's a lucky boy. She's got glasses you know, she looks very cute in them. I'd never tell my wife but I was kind of happy when she had to get 'em too."

3231181
He shifts his weight around as Night Shade works with the sodier to count the bits. "Really? Were they dating or something along those lines?"

3231185 Nexus: "Yeah. She's his girl. I wouldn't recommend trying anything though."

3231187
Dark smirks. "You should inform him that that has now changed."

3231187
3231185
(I'm back.)