I'm Sorry, But the King You're Looking For is....

[Albert Wesker]

Once situated on the skiff, Colonel merely inclined his head at the introduction Zack handed out. "Don't know the whole story of why you're out here taking on bandits in this hellhole, but I don't suppose it really matters. Helping on something like that beats wandering around in this heat, waiting for one slip-up to spell your death." With that cheery thought, he turned his focus momentarily to the...odd little creature attempting to pilot the skiff. It took only a brief glance to ascertain the reason for the difficulty he was having: the height difference.

Clearly the controls were designed for someone more...vertically gifted.

As Mirdanda spoke up, suggesting one of them take over the controls, he witnessed the koopa recoiling from her icy glare. And he also noticed the cracks spreading through the turtle's shell. Slowly he was beginning to piece together facts that might become useful about who he had taken up arms with. He'd fought alongside much more....colorful allies before, so it wasn't of any great concern to him. He had more pressing concerns to focus on, anyway.

Like not falling off of this contraption that passed for a vehicle.

Sparing another look at the controls, Colonel briefly debated taking his turn to see if he could ease their going, but any thought of that was quickly dashed. It was clearly designed to be steered with two hands, and Colonel was distinctly lacking in that department. He spared a sour look at his blade emitter for a scant second, wishing the thing had been optional. Having two hands free for situations like this would definitely come in handy.

Luckily enough, it seemed like Zack was willing enough to step up to the task, though the grin plastered on his features as he strode up to the controls was less than reassuring. Colonel's expression didn't quite turn grim, but it did grow more serious, and he shifted ever so slightly closer to the railing, within easy arms' reach. "I have a bad feeling about this..."

Almost before he had finished speaking, his concerns were realized, and the skiff lurched into motion, turning with a suddenness that nearly threw the soldier navi off his feet. As quickly as he was able to, he grasped hold of the railing of the craft, already knocked to one knee by the sudden jolt of movement and trying to refrain from skidding right off the thing with its far from insignificant spinning momentum. When Zack managed to pull the skiff back to a stop, Colonel remained where he was, holding tight to the railing and crouched for stability, his expression now gone all the way to grim. His stare at Zack wasn't exactly accusing, but it was definitely disapproving.

When Zack tried to dismiss the incident with his realization of the control method of the skiff's engines, Colonel only sighed. This was going to be an eventful endeavor...

Now on a proper, more easily-controlled and stable course, Colonel ventured to return to a standing posture, but maintained his position near the railing, ready to hold on if things got...rocky again, for whatever reason. With his attention free, for the moment, the soldier navi could let his gaze wander, keeping an eye on their surroundings for anything...out of the ordinary. Telltale signs of another euption, or any sign of those attackers he'd come upon originally.

But what he caught sight of first was something else entirely. Though he had a hard time spotting it at first through the ever-present haze of heat so close to the lava, and the less dense now, but still present clouds of, ash, when he finally did take note of it he made sure to keep his eyes on it, tracking it as it cut its way across the sky. If he didn't know better, Colonel might almost say that whoever or whatever it was seeed to be circling overhead, possibly keeping watch on them. "Don't suppose that's a friend of yours?" he voiced, and with his free hand indicated the circling craft overhead.

Of course the predicament was soon shifted in an entirely new direction as a dragon came barelling out of left field, and engaging in a....rather spectacular midair confrontation with the pilot of the small vehicle. Who soon saw fit to join them on the skiff, in what Colonel could only assume was not a planned landing. For his part Colonel made no move, save for subtly shifting his stance and bringing his saber to bear in a neutral stance, ready to attack or defend at a moment's notice. He noticed Miranda lookin ready to break the interloper's skull open, and the soldier navi reminded himself to not give her cause to turn that look on hm. Zack, momentarily distracted from the controls, turned around, one hand going for his sword, but Colonel waved him off with a simple "keep moving" signal. If things got bad, they could easily let Zack's fancy driving get rid of their new guest.

When the new arrival made no move of open hostility, merely finishing off the dragon he had engaged, Colonel didn't relax his ready posture, but did turn his gaze to Miranda. "I'm just along for the ride here. Your call, ma'am."