Issue 1 Downtime

Aiden was running a simulation flying above sparse clouds as he followed a herd of what looked like water buffalo running through the African plains.

Aiden also had an audience in the observation deck, munching on jelly ghosts. No, not babies. That'd be silly.

Aiden closed his wings and dove towards the herd. Right before hitting the herd his wings snapped open taking him into a more controlled dive. He exhaled flame to break up the herd into smaller groups and followed one animal that had become separated from the herd.

The startled looking creature tried to run towards the trees but Aiden landed on top of the creature. Cracking bones could be heard right before Aiden let loose a ground shaking roar of triumph from atop his prey.

He switched on the mic with the heel of his shoe as he leaned back, clapping.

Aiden's head turned towards the observation deck.

"Enjoying the show?" Aiden rumbled.

"Quite. I've never seen a dragon hunting."

"More interesting when I run McManus' hunting simulation," Aiden said, "The prey can actually fight back, but hunting water buffalo is a bit more...relaxing."

"More relaxing than APCs I'm sure."

"APC's armed with machine guns aren't particularly dangerous," Aiden said, "But yes most things are more relaxing then chases through downtown London where we're trying to prevent a future where mutants are gathered into concentration camps."

"I heard something about that mission. Nothing specific, just that it happened."

"What is there to say?" Aiden asked, "We were pulled into the future, we met the mutant resistance, heard their stories. Humans decided mutants were trash to be disposed of. In the end we fought a giant flying sentinel factory before escaping so we could prevent that future from happening."

"It was in some ways the opposite of my own universe."

"Your universe?"

"The one I am from originally," Aiden said, "I have been a resident of this one for less than a year."

"You poor man..."

"This universe has been good to me," Aiden said, "I have friends, a calling, and am receiving an education. Things could have turned out a great deal worse."

"A brand new start has its perks doesn't it?

"Quite a few," Aiden said, "Though I certainly miss some things from my prior life: being nobility and having large amounts of money, land, and power where all nice things to have."

"Nice, but empty by themselves," he said knowingly.

Aiden nodded.

"Much better to have friends you need not worry about trusting once things turn against you," Aiden said, "Better to be helping those in need than to be the iron fist ruling over the downtrodden."

"Power, money, titles, land are as you say are empty. They bring little comfort when the storm comes, and even less satisfaction when you look at what your legacy will be."

"Which is why I came here, to create my own legacy... and helping you lot saved the Princess did feel right somehow..."

"Saving the world does often make you feel quite...fulfilled," Aiden said, "Not really the job for everybody though. You do not go out to save the world for glory or to create your legacy."

"True enough," he admitted, "Honestly I have no idea what I want."

"In this universe the say college is where you are supposed to discover your path," Aiden rumbled, "Much better than my universe where your path is set for you. At least that was the case for the nobility."

"Going off-script is exactly why I'm here. Whether you swim with or against the current, you're whole existence is still defined by the river. So I asked myself... why not climb out?"

"I'd imagine there are various reasons not to," Aiden said, "The river is comfortable. Even when going against the current it is still there telling you where you are or are not going."

"I want to figure it out by myself, buuut enough about that," he said. "Fancy a hunting partner? I'm a good shot with a rifle... or compound bow, which does seem a tad more fitting somehow."

"You are welcome to join," Aiden said smoke leaking from his mouth.

"Champion!" he grinned, "I'll be right down."

He entered shortly after. "Computer, one compound... on second thought, arrows are probably less reliable in this situation... computer, one ... Remington 700 XCR with appropriate ammo." The weapon rezzed in.

Aiden knelt down to allow Guy an easier time getting onto his back.

"When we are hunting we will not always be flying in a straight line similar to when we were flying through London," Aiden said, "Have you fired a weapon while standing on an unstable platform? Because if you miss and hit me I am not above dumping you in the nearest computer generated lake."

"I can't say The Warfield's rifle range had that, no. So... it's good I can swim and this is a simulation," he chuckled as he climbed up.

"Ride right above the shoulder blades, " Aiden said, "I do not have a saddle, so you will be safest there."

Once Guy was in place Aiden ran forwards beat his wings, and leaped into the sky.

"Computer restart simulation with additional herds of wild animals."

"So... what's our first target?"

"First we survey the field," Aiden said as he steadily gained altitude and began looking for a suitable target. "You have been hunting before, correct?"

"I went with my father and some of his friends a couple of times ... as much as you can call what bored rich people call hunting hunting."

"You stood in a field and gossiped like women then," Aiden rumbled, "Due to our high level of mobility, our ability to stay unseen, and the fairly dense populations of game in this simulation we are actively looking for game. We will find sign of a herds passage and follow it back towards the herd. Mundane hunting involves a great deal more waiting depending on the type of game you are pursuing."

Aiden looked down towards the ground several hundred feet below them.

"You can see the trampled grass from the passage of at least one herd. The dust in the distance indicates the herd went more or less eastward towards the largest body of water in the area."

"You can see trampled grass from this far? Impressive."

"Hundreds of animals traveling together leave a distinct pattern in the grass," Aiden said, "But my eyesight is a great deal better than yours. You are after all only human."

"I'm going to go and pretend that was a compliment," he smirked.

Aiden chuckled and turned as he followed the herds path through the grass below them. IN the distance the cloud of dust grew denser and Guy would begin to see a large mass of dark brown.

"And what will you from hundreds of feet above the ground, ghost?" Aiden said, "There is our quarry. A mixed herd of water buffalo, zebra, and other animals of the plains."

Guy scouted out targets with the scoped rifle.

"I've got a zebra in my sights."