• Starpath: Scoundrels of the Interstellar Highway - Thread 2
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Yanim was satisfied with the incoming word that Maddox had been killed. She sent orders to all the crew outside the ship aside from Amy to return immediately, and for Markus and Ravis to make their ways back to the hangar where they could concentrate fire along with the rest of the crew. Outside, the ayr squads opened fire on the enemy in preparation for their own retreat, with the six on the left flank attacking the retreating TBC crew (Moloch, Frosty, and Neasha) while the other six on the right flank tried to eliminate the sniper. The latter would wait, however, for Ranak's attempt to locate Amy using his psionic powers. Ranak: CH Estimate: 2/5 [B]Actual: 1[/B] Roll Failed. Amy had already jumped behind a rocky outcropping after firing, having followed Taylor's earlier instructions, and as a result, Ranak failed to pinpoint her position. She was just setting up to fire again when a wall of suppressive fire began to cover her position. If the ayr gunners couldn't kill her, they could at least neutralize her threat. Ayr 7, 8, 9, 10, Medic, and Squad Leader: CH Estimate: 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 = 3/4 [B]Actual: 4[/B] Roll Passed. Amy barely had time to scramble back into cover before the hail of fire blasted away chunks of the rock that protected her. For the time being, she was unable to scout or fire from that position without taking significant damage in the process. Down below, the other flank unleashed its volley. Ayr 1 and 2: {6, 7} x 1.25(Concentration) = {7.5... [B]8[/B], 8.75... [B]9[/B]} = 17 Moloch: DEF Rolls = {5, 5} [B]7 DMG[/B] Moloch HP: 76/63 (Nanosurgeon) [I]Faction Feat Discovered: Ayr Imperial Navy Concentration (Each additional attacker in a DMG roll from the same faction grants a .25 boost to ATK tech)[/I] Ayr 3 and 4: {4, 2} x 1.25(Concentration) = {[B]5[/B], 2.5... [B]3[/B]} = 8 Frosty: DEF Rolls = {1, 2} [B]5 DMG[/B] Frosty HP: 43/50 CH Estimate: 1/4(Consecration) [B]Actual: 3[/B] Roll Failed. Ayr 5, Marksman: {9, 8} x 1.25(Concentration) = {11.25... [B]11[/B], [B]10[/B]} = 21 Neasha: DEF Roll = {1, 5} [B]15 DMG[/B] Neasha HP: 88/99 Each of the three fighters were hit by a number of glancing shots, but for the most part, they were unharmed as they made their way to the Aurikha's cargo ramp. Frosty was held up briefly as the weight of Maddox's body made it more difficult to proceed while under fire, and he was the last to reach the base of the ramp. It was then that he was assaulted by Vakarus. Vakarus: [B]6[/B] x 1.75 x 2(Psionics) + 25(Supercharge) = 45(!) Frosty: DEF Roll = 1 [B]44 DMG[/B] Frosty HP: -1/50 [B]Incapacitated.[/B] There was a blast like lightning and a pair of warcries as the two met each other at the base of the ramp. With a mighty swing, Vakarus succeeded in his goal and [I]cleaved[/I] Frosty's left arm off at the shoulder. The artisynth collapsed from the pain immediately, immobilized from the horrifying attack. He wasn't dead; and if the others acted quickly, they could revive him. Vakarus stared at the others, all shocked at his sudden advance. His stance implied that they could take Frosty out of harm's way if they simply surrendered the body of Maddox Graves. He could that body and retreat, having salvaged something from this rueful day. Except, something remarkable was happening behind him. It had actually happened moments earlier, while everyone was distracted by the fighting. Rask, having held perfectly still since dropping out of the Aurikha, finally raised his head from the snow and breathed deeply, coughing and aching from his numerous injuries. Surveying his surroundings, he noticed the rest of the crew heading back to the ship with Maddox's corpse, and he immediately knew his plan had worked. Everyone believed that he was dead, and this would provide the window for his escape. While Vakarus was charging at Frosty, while Amy was pinned down, while Markus was headed back to the hangar, Rask was limping through the snow as fast as a man in his condition could move. The two vakr who accompanied Ranak to his forward position had been the first to see him, and as Vakarus finally turned to rejoin his comrades, he saw that they were shielding Rask from harm like bodyguards, doing everything in their power to return him to safety. ((It was at this exact moment that I realized I had forgotten entirely about Sting's involvement in this battle. I just talked it over with Radley and he's going to handle extracting her from this embarrassing situation on my part. Goddammit.)) [B]9 Turns Until Reactor is Fixed.[/B]
One of the marines got the attention of the sergeant, who used his binoculars to witness something amazing. He contacted Yuga, "[Kapu! The informant, he is alive! We will escort him to the shuttle as we retreat. Should we anticipate a moving exctraction?]" he said with newfound vigor in his voice. Yuga perked up as well. Now was the time to get out before the Boome noose could close. "[Excellent news, sergeant. We will take off and move slowly past your position and take the shuttle in mid flight.]" Yuga was roused by the news and turned to the pilots, "[We take off now.]" she said as she then opened the channel to the armory and hangar, "[Battery, your objective remains the same. Fire to divert the incoming vessel away from the battle. Hangar crews, prepare to take in the shuttle during our ascent.]" This was her break. If she could extract Rask it wouldn't matter if Yanim was captured or not. If she could secure Rask and the intel he was sitting on, it would surely give her valid claims for a promotion.
Vakarus stared at Frosty and shook his head. "The heretic have clouded your judgement Frozen-one. By slaying one of your comrades you have brought great dishonor over your house." He sheated the energy blades on his staff. "Generations of your would-be descendants shall forever be forced to live in shame." Vakarus looked up and observed his surroundings. He saw Rask being escorted by two of his warriors while the rest of the crew was either pinned down or retreating. "Yanim'knizark has doomed you all." He looked at Maddox's headless body and then back at Frosty. He then grabbed Frosty and pulled him up on his shoulders. "Vakr! Halan dalaak!" [i]Vakr! Fall back![/i] As Vakarus began to retreat with Frosty on his back he activated his communicator. "Yuga'atvan, despite Maddox's death I believe there's still information to be gained. I am carrying the Frozen-one and moving towards the point of extraction. You will want to prepare the doctors onboard the Ryojin." While Vakarus began his retreat Ranak and two other warriors begun to lay down covering fire in an attempt to supress Neasha and anyone else attempting to follow their leader.
The Fang shook as the void cannons hit their mark. The shields absorbed the power of the shots, but nobody on board expected an attack like this from bellow. "THE HELL WAS THAT?" "Looks like they have anti-air on the ground, boss." Tarvis looked looked to the map. "Looks like it came from here. Boss, we can deal with the two ships, but not with those gunns hammering us." "Then get out of their range. We're going to take a longer route, but I'm not abandoning this mission." "What about the other two ships?" "We'll fight them if they follow us." "If they dont?"" "Then they would be making a big mistake." --- Orso looked at the battle through his binoculars. "This is not good. Alright. We have our orders. TBC want us to stand here and keep an eye on the enemy. If they leave, we risk getting bombed to shit. The enemy is currently leaving, so we focus fire on those transports. Surpress them. Make them afraid to go anywhere near them without taking care of us first. Try to hide your numbers somehow. Make them believe that they can win the fight easy if they focus on us. Do whatever you can to buy more time." With those words he took aim at the enemy and started to lay down surpressive fire. ---- "Dont you turn your back on us, you spineless coward!" Alex could be heard, yelling from the hangar. "You talked a big game about honor and dignity for 2 fucking years and this is what you have to show for it? I hope whatever doghouse the Ayr have prepared for you is worth it, you honorless blue cunt! I pitty your children, who have to look you in the eyes and pretend that you are a warrior of worth! I pity the wife that has to share her bed with a coward, who cant even look his former friends in the eyes! I pity the House that has to share its name with its greatest shame and pretend its worth something! But most of all I pitty the fool, who has convinced himself that he has any honor or dignity left in him after this day!" [Roll for taunt]
[B][I]"FOR FUCK'S SAKE."[/I][/B] blurted out Taylor, as she heard the news of Rask being still alive and that Frosty was being carried off. She dropped her autoshotty and marched towards the hangar door, grabbing her rail revolver from her hip. "I will [B][I]NOT[/I][/B] allow that [I]pompous blue [B]bitch[/B][/I] to get what she wants." she spat through gritted teeth as she marched. She was furious. Rask was a dead man, and Vakarus was about to be as well. She glanced back only momentarily to Yanim and the others. "Ma'am, please get everyone set up. Iron, Alex, Porter, you can come with me or stay here. I'm going to kill Vakarus and Rask, and get Frosty back." she said, her voice seething with anger. She then switched comms to single out Markus, Moloch, and the others that were still outside. "If you're still outside, target Vakarus and Rask. I want them dead, understand? I want them to be [I]fucking [B]smears[/B][/I] in the god damn snow. [I][B]I've had enough of this shit.[/B][/I]" Valkyrie watched Taylor march off and out the hangar door, her disappearing as she dropped down into the snow to circle around to where Vakarus and the others were. She was going to get herself killed. Valkyrie smirked a little, before looking back to her holotablet as the other two drones finally arrived next to her in the hangar. "Eh...one less for me to kill." said Valk to herself.
Upon seeing the heavily armored figure jump out into the snow, five Vakr warriors set their sights on Taylor and opened fire.
Mercy [i]eventually[/i] emerges from the ship to see- the hangar doors open. Great. She rolled the stretcher now full of medical supplies to the edge of the ramp while she readied her SMG. She took aim at the first non-Taylor thing she could see outside and ran down the ramp taking potshots at it, in an attempt to cover Taylor's ass, but more importantly, cover her own ass as she set up the triage center.
"[We take off]" Yuga said as the hits on the Fang were confirmed. The Ryojin's engine thundered as the ships ascended to assist their allies. "[Kapu, the shuttle hasn't lifted yet.]" the communications officer informed her. Yuga eyed him with confident eyes, "[I am aware. But knowing this band of cutthroats and brigands they will do anything it takes to get their way. I can not allow that to be permitted.]" She contacted the armory, "[Battery, we will circle around the engagement. Aim to deal decisive blows to the Aurikha's reinforcements that threaten our line.]" The gunnery crew exchanged looks. It would be a difficult undertaking, but their comrades needed them to do their best. The Gunnery commander lifted his fist, "[I]Teikoku tame![/I]". His crew raised their hands and aswered in unison, "[I]BANZAI![/I]" and set to work. --- The sergeant was taken aback by the sudden opening of the hangar ramp and the crews attacking movement. He would have to take measures to ensure that Rask and the commandos reached their lines and the shuttle. "[you 3, pin down that sniper and don't let her out of your sights. Rest of you, focus fire. One target at a time.]"
Iron looked at Taylor. "Wait, you think that's such a good i-" before he could finish Taylor had already jumped feet-first into the snow below. Iron sighed, shook his head and kneeled. He fired off a sluground at one of the Ayr marines.
As the ramp lowered, Porter saw a nice sizeable group of people. His first instinct: Get the BFG. It was still in it's locker, but it was unloaded into the big hangar for some reason. He unlocked it quickly, only taking one shell, and hustles down the ramp. Porter ran after Taylor, she gave him no time to object this nonsensical, suicidal dash of hers. His feet slammed into the snow below as he rushed for her to try and pull her back. He realized there might not be time to get Taylor and stop the enemy from getting away. In a quick decision, he raised the BFG and aimed for the dropship. If it hits, it should be powerful enough to make it inoperable, maybe throw some shrapnel at the enemy troops as well. As he anchored his feet, the cannon wirred up. Sparks emerged from the end. A terrifying sound accompanied the charging of the BFG, a low drone-ish noise. After a few seconds, it fired it's shell, ripping through the landscape and sliding Porter back about five feet. The bang is immense and echoes all around the air. He looks up to see whether or not the shell made it's mark.
Amy didn't like this. Some of tha ayr let up on the assault to focus on the crew, the remaining 3 stood their ground and kept her surpressed. She looked around for any way to escape out of her perdicament. On one side there were some more rocks, on the other, pieces of metal that had falled and embedded themselves that she could use for cover. An idea formed in her head as the enemy fire erroded more of her own cover. She took out a smoke grenade from belt. Next step was making sure her cloack was on. She tossed the grenade in between her cover and the other rocks. The contents of the grenade filling the air and creating a thick cloud. The marines should think she's making a run for the rocks, while she would sneak to the metal cover. She waited to see if the ayr marines would bite the bait before making a move.
János watched as several members of the crew jumped out to face the snow and the enemy it held. Taking into consideration the distance and the spread of the enemy, he decided that it would be best to keep the MAWS in its current close quarters style. He began firing the MAWS at the enemy in an attempt to suppress fire.
It felt like an eternity had passed before Moloch could do anything. The chill that overcame him while hearing Frosty scream and hit the ground was colder than the snow he sprinted thigh deep in. Losing friends and allies was nothing new to Moloch, but there was something about the way Frosty screamed that made small fragments of [I]something[/I] emerge in his mind. It was something that he had sealed all the way in the back of his mind for [B]centuries[/B]. When he was done trying to forget, he saw Vakarus pick up Frosty's body as he moved away. He lost Frosty once. He won't lose him again. Heat started coming out of his back as he activated his boosters. Though not as quick as Frosty's jump pack, they were much more agile due to movement in space being their primary function. He glided his way towards Vakarus as he loaded his sawn-off, ready to blast him with both barrels. ---------------- As Frosty succumbed to the pain of his arm being slashed off, he had a vision, a dream of sorts. [quote]October 12, 2096.[/quote] In the early years of the Artisynth War, things had been going terrific for the Children of God. They stood their ground against far superior numbers and were even gaining land in areas outside of their territory. During those years, they felt truly unstoppable. Feeling victory after victory, striking fear into their enemies by their barbaric acts on the battlefield, they were filled with pride as they believed there was no man or any nation that can challenge them. But, as if God himself suddenly decided to end their victory streak in a most cruel manner, within [I]one week[/I] they lost [I]everything they had gained the last five years[/I]. Their presence off-shore had been completely wiped out, all their baron lords were assassinated in an extremely well-planned strike which crippled CoG command structure, and now they've just lost a base containing some of their most sophisticated weaponry to supply their warriors with. Things were going [I]very [/I]badly for the Children of God. This turned from a war of conquest into pest control. Everything was falling in a downward spiral for Chemosh as he lay in the middle of it. His eyes scanned every face of each ayatollah present in the meeting room, giving each one a look that could kill. He was so disappointed in them that they couldn't lead or perform as well as he had hoped. [B][I]"[PATHETIC!!!]"[/I][/B] screamed Chemosh as he angrily slammed his fists down hard on the table. "[How is this so, that we've been routed all the way back to the river?! How have all our baron lords fallen in [B]ONE. SINGLE.[/B] [I][B]STRIKE!? [/B][/I]I swear by Allah most high, I will [B]KILL EVERYONE[/B] in this room if I am not answered!]" One of the ayatollahs finally gathered the courage to speak up. "[L-Lord Chemosh, I tried sending men to save Base Tombstone... I was not able to mobilize enough.[" "[...And what excuse do you have for this failure?]" said Chemosh, just a hair's inch away from snapping. "[They claimed the Holy Father Most High was still alive... that he was still giving them orders. They said he told them to stop fighting...]" came the reply. This broke him. When the Holy Father Most High was deposed, he gave specific orders to his underlings to kill him, but they couldn't bring themselves to do it, so instead they dumped him in the desert all alone. Chemosh did not suspect he was still alive, but it's clear now he indeed was, as evidenced by several Artisynth somehow receiving orders and messages from him. His hands were shaking as he could just hardly contain the anger he was feeling. Slowly, he undid the straps to his mask and gently placed it on the table, rubbing and kneading his face with white knuckles. The rest of the ayatollahs cowered away as he let out and anguished scream as he flipped the table over. All he had plotted and scheme to achieve was falling apart before his eyes, and there was very little he could do about it since the one man he knew who could stand against him turned out to not have actually died... Or was there? The datapad that now was at his feet was blinking a message from Moloch. Apparently several of CoG's engineers had developed something they really [I]really [/I]wanted him to inspect, and it was not about their colony ship this time. He gave one last dirty look to the ayatollahs as he stormed out of the room, cursing at them, stating that he would kill them if only he didn't need them now that CoG's leadership had taken a serious blow with the assassinations of all their warlords.
Name: Karl 'Falk' Falksköld [t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/71236376/Starpath%20RP/Karl%20Falksk%C3%B6ld%20Portrait%20Helmet.png[/t] 192cm, 94kg. Strong build. Birthdate: 2343 Race: Human Profession: Mercenary Bio: Karl Falksköld is a famous hunter from Valhalla. He made a name for himself after he was the host for the Big Game Hunt: Extreme XL Edition holovid series where he was filmed tracking and hunting thousands of different animals (often dangerous ones) through near-suicidal climates. After earning enough credits to keep him stocked for life Karl left showbiz behind to see more of the galaxy while tracing back to his roots as the lonewolf hunter he had used to be. Special skills or Attributes: Hunter's Mark, can fire a powerful sluground which deals triple damage once per battle. ----- [i]Somewhere else on Rigel...[/i] A swarm of alien flies were circling over a small pile of greenish meat. Their buzzing echoed throughout the otherwise empty cave. Dimly lit IR floodlights which filled the cave with a weak near-indistinguishable red light. The red light was enough to keep the cave relatively dark while also allowing the two men hiding nearby to see properly. Uzhaki sighed and put down the tablet linked to the tectonic sensors placed throughout the cave system days earlier. He glanced to his right to make sure that the camera was still in place. It was. The young Khergian sighed again and glanced to his left. On his right was a Human dressed in weathered hunting gear. Next to him laid a rifle. "We be here for days Falk, maybe time to pack up, no? Uzhaki want home." Asked Uzhaki. Karl turned towards Uzhaki with a grin. "He's close now. I can feel it." He turned back to observe the pile of meat at the center of the cavern. "We just need to wait a little longer." Before Uzhaki could reply there was a sudden sound. It was as if Karl had foreseen it. Tiny rocks began to move as the rocky floor began to vibrate slightly. Slowly a large creature crawled carefully towards the piece of meat. It was massive, infact the jaw alone was the same size as Karl. The red lights covered the creature in a crimson filter as it inspected the piece of meat. Several scars covered its face and the yellow eyes observed the area with suspicion. Uzhaki was frozen in place, he had never been this close to a screecher before. Meanwhile Karl had the biggest grin ever on his face. Slowly he pulled up his rifle and aimed down. Just as the screecher alpha was about to take a bite a thick sluground hit its skull. The round attached itself and sent a spark throughout the body. Muscles began to swell up and the creature suddenly felt disoriented and collapsed. Karl got up and casually walked up towards the alpha which gave him an angry look. Uzhaki slowly followed Karl, holding the camera. "This not seem very safe, Falk." Karl laughed. "Safe? Not at all." He glanced at the Khergian. "Don't worry, he'll be stunned for two or three hours roughly. We'll be gone by then." The hunter placed his hand on the screecher alpha and touched the scars gently. He stroked the creature slowly and smiled. "By Thor's beard, he's even more beautiful up close." Karl looked at Uzhaki and smiled. "Here, touch him." Uzhaki reluctantly approached and placed one of his hands on the creature. To his surprise the bony exoskeleton felt soft. He looked at Karl with confusion. "It is... soft." "Indeed, the screechers have a thin membrane covering their exoskeleton. It helps them regulate their temperature and reduce their heat signature, very useful down here." Karl kneeled down next to the jaw and inspected the teeth. "Look at these, incredibly sharp." Uzhaki nodded and held the camera steady, recording the teeth up close. "These teeth are used to wound and grab their prey while these..." He gestured towards three rows of smaller teeth. "... Are used to turn the prey into smaller chunks of meat which is then broken down by the acid in their mouths." Uzhaki grunted while Karl got up. "The screechers are not to be underestimated but even destruction has its own beauty." "You want me to take a picture?" Asked Karl. Uzhaki eyed him with surprise. "S-sure." Replied the Khergian. He moved up to the screecher and stood next to it, meanwhile Karl pulled out a small camera device. "Say 'cheese'!" Uzhaki raised an eyebrow. "What is cheese?" Just as he spoke the creature growled, nearly sending Uzhaki into shock. At the same time Karl snapped a picture which showed a panicking Uzhaki frozen halfway up into the air. Karl laughed and clapped Uzhaki on the shoulder. "And you said that this was going to boring." Said the hunter with a chuckle. Uzhaki grimaced. A few minutes later the men had packed up their equipment and two small skiffs were racing across the snowy surface towards the nearest city.
Alex jumped down after Taylor. This was a bad plan. Every instict he had was telling him to stay in the ship, but he wouldnt listen. Power sword in hand, he hit the nearest Vakr warrior. They wanted to fight with honor, they were looking at wrong place. He didnt play that way, but was willing to give them a taste of the Creed
There was a sudden gust of wind that raked the battlefield and chilled the less-robust species to the bone. Everything flew into motion quickly as the two sides raced to achieve their objectives. The right ayr flank was still concentrated on suppressing Amy when an explosion created a giant puff of snow and blasted-away rock. Instinctively, the shooters began to fire into the haze, assuming that Amy would use the obscuring cloud to drop into another outcropping further down the hillside, closer to their position. In reality, she activated her cloak and ran the opposite direction, toward the large metal debris in the middle of the battlefield. Amy: CH Estimate: 3/4(Specter) [B]Actual: 3[/B] Roll Passed. As half of the right flank fired blindly into the haze, nobody noticed the footprints leading the other way, down toward the vakr position. When the wind had finally carried the plume away, Amy was nowhere to be found. Ayr 8, 9, and 10: [I]Action Invalidated.[/I] In her new position, she was much closer to the enemy than before, but at the same time, they began to retreat. Rask was still being guarded by the vakr as they shuffled away through the dense snow. Further away, Vakarus was shouldering the unconscious Frosty and trotting his way back toward friendly lines. Moloch was close behind, using his boosters to close the gap, with Neasha right behind him. However, the latter was branching off, trying to chase after Rask instead. Ranak responded with suppressive fire. Ranak + Vakr 9 and 10: CH Estimate: 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5 = 3/5 [B]Actual: 3[/B] Roll Passed. Neasha was forced to the ground to avoid the shots, cursing under her breath as Rask slipped further away. She began to crawl instead, losing precious time. Similarly, Moloch was steered away in an effort to outmaneuver the burst of fire, and was forced to shoot from a greater distance than what would be ideal. Moloch: 2 x 0.5(Suppression) x 0.5(Malediction) + 5(Malediction) = 5.5... [B]6 DMG[/B] Vakarus barely flinched as he took a glancing shot from Moloch, but soon, fire would begin to seep into his veins and drain him from the inside. Further behind, Taylor, János and Alex jumped into the snow and struggled to gain ground on the retreating vakr. Alex wanted to attack using his power sword, but the closest foe he could see was Vakarus himself. Alex knew that the weight of Frosty would greatly hinder Vak's movements, so he could catch up if he committed right then. Meanwhile, Taylor raised her rail revolver and pointed it directly at her former comrade's spine. Before she could pull the trigger, though, nearly half of the vakr unloaded a salvo into her. Vakr 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: {5, 9, 4, 10, 10} x 1.5(Psionics) x 2(Concentration) = [B]{15, 27, 12, 30, 30}[/B] = 114(!) Taylor: DEF Rolls = {4, 7, 2, 8, 2} = 23 [B]91 DMG[/B] Taylor HP: 85/156 The force of the plasma pounding against her was enough to knock Taylor off her feet, with pieces of her armor plating blown away in a spatter of partially-melted alloys. She felt as if she had been hit by a truck, and was thankful that the blast hadn't completely penetrated her suit. Forcing herself to overcome the shock and the pain, she sat up and centered her aim on Vakarus again, this time from a greater distance. Taylor: [B]5[/B] x 1.25(Machinist) x (No Feat Applicable) = 6.25... [B]6 DMG[/B] Another shot barely clipped the vakr as he bounded onward toward his dropship. It was beginning to seem as if the enemy would easily have their way, when a sound like thunder echoed from the hilltop. The fighters on both sides paused momentarily as a series of mortars arched over the edge of the ridge and down onto ground between the enemy and their shuttle. CH Estimate: 3/5 [B]Actual: 3[/B] Roll Passed. There were about 24 Boomes at the top of the ridge, and they made their presence known. Their mortars created a wall of dirty sludge, a mix of ice and dirt ten meters high, completely cutting the enemy off from retreat. Porter, from his elevated position at the top of the Aurikha's hangar ramp, was one of the few who could still see the shuttle despite the explosions and prepared to fire a shell at it. Porter: CH Estimate: 1/2 [B]Actual: 1[/B] Roll Failed. Once he had stabilized himself, Porter watched the shell narrowly sail wide due to the wind. It exploded several hundred meters behind the shuttle in a terrifying display. The Ryojin, now closing in on the battle site, witnessed the blast from the air and instantly realized the trouble their ground troops would soon be facing. Iron, Mercy and János were close behind Porter, and were the next ones to contribute to the fighting. However, as was becoming a theme with the TBC crew, they hadn't communicated which targets they would be picking to each other, and wound up firing at different parts of the enemy line, largely ineffectually. Iron struck the ayr at the very edge of the right flank while Mercy and János both attacked the vakr closest to the ship who weren't Vakarus, as the latter was carrying Frosty and it would have been all too easy to kill their already-critically wounded comrade by mistake. Ayr 10: CH 1/3(Telepathy) [B]Actual: 1[/B] Roll Failed. Iron: [B]9[/B] x 1.75 x (No Feat Applicable) = 15.75... [B]16 DMG[/B] Iron's slug smashed into one of the ayr marines' body armor and forced them back into cover momentarily. Mercy: [B]2[/B] x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]2 DMG[/B] Mercy's SMG spattered the ground and rocks in front of two of the vakr warriors, spooking them but otherwise causing almost no damage to either of them. János: CH Estimate: 1/4 x 2(Intimidation) = 1/2 [B]Actual: 2[/B] Roll Passed. The MAWS further chipped away at the rock the two vakr were using for cover, blowing large chunks out of the way and forcing the warriors to keep their heads down. Combined with the threat of Mercy's SMG, the warriors were pinned down. The two were excited for a moment before being yanked aside by Yanim. "Did you not see what just happened to Taylor?" she lectured. "Neither one of you is wearing armor like she is, you might be killed! And what would we do without a medic?" Yanim seemed exasperated and generally angry about the reckless approach that Taylor had taken, forcing the hands of her crewmates. "Dammit, dammit, dammit..." she grumbled as she primed her rifle for fire, crouching to the floor before kicking herself to the side, landing flat on her stomach at the top of the ramp. She searched through her scope for the warriors guarding Rask, but couldn't immediately find them. She settled on Vakarus instead. Yanim: [B]4[/B] x 1.75 x 2.5(Kerostasia) = 17.5... [B]18 DMG[/B] Being an experienced sharpshooter, Yanim had no fear of accidentally striking Frosty, as she aimed for the legs. Her plasma hit the snow and sublimated it directly into vapor before burning Vakarus at knee level. Yanim waited until she was sure she had hit him before rolling aside, which proved to be a mistake. The ayr marines had noticed her in the open, and responded with a volley against her and Taylor at the same time. Ayr 1, 2, 3, and 4: {4, 3, 10, 2} x 1.75(Concentration) = {[B]7[/B], 5.25... [B]5[/B], 17.5... [B]18[/B], 3.5... [B]4[/B]} = 34 Taylor: DEF Rolls = {4, 3, 7, 1} = 15 [B]19 DMG[/B] Taylor HP: 66/156 Another set of plasma blasts knocked Taylor down as she tried to rise to her feat. It was clear that if she didn't return to the Aurikha, the enemy would focus fire to ensure her death faster than she ever imagined possible. Ayr 5, 6, 7, Medic, Squad Leader: {8, 8, 2, 7, 5} x 2(Concentration) = [B]{16, 16, 4, 14, 10}[/B] = 60(!) Yanim: DEF Rolls: {2, 2, 5, 5, 3} = 17 [B]43 DMG[/B] Yanim HP: 27/50 The plasma blasts scorched the top of the ramp from five different sources, catching Yanim in a shower of white hot flames. She sprung to the side, screeching in pain as she wasn't wearing any body armor to protect herself. Arkadam helped to put the fire out and called out for assistance. It was a costly attack, but one which might have saved Taylor's life. It also slowed Vakarus enough for Alex to finally catch up. Alex: [B]9[/B] x 1.5(Contender) = 13.5... [B]14 DMG[/B] The power sword dealt a punishing blow, just one more message to Vakarus that he wouldn't be allowed to escape without a fight. [B]8 Turns Until Reactor is Fixed.[/B] --- From high above, the Orikodzek and the Viokhmar descended through the highest layer of clouds, heading for the frozen wasteland where the battle was taking place. They would soon be deploying their marines to assist in the battle. [B]1 Turn Until Kanad Intervention.[/B]
When Alex's sword connected with Vakarus, Moloch took the opportunity to boost full speed towards Vakarus in an attempt to yank Frosty away from him. (Roll for tactical Frosty retrieval.)
((Holy fucking shit!)) Vakarus grunted as he sustained several hits but ignored them for the most part. Then a blade struck him. He continued to push forward while glancing over his shoulder. "Alex'vakrin you do not understand!" He turned around briefly. "I am doing this for my House as well as for you. Yanim'knizark have poisoned your minds, so have the heretic." He nodded towards Moloch. "Yuga'atvan assured me that you and your sister are free to leave this battle without coming to harm. I suggest you accept that offer." ----- Ranak pounded his chestplate, sending psionic pulses to his nearby comrades. "The enemy are no match for us warriors, let us finish this!" Ranak and his squad opened fire on Taylor yet again. Meanwhile two of the Vakr warriors joined Rask and his escort, creating an even thicker shield around the kanad. Three of the warriors opened fire on Mercy, János and Iron in an effort to supress them. Remaining Vakr commandos targeted Moloch, Neasha and Yanim. Alex and Amy were off-limits because of their titles which recognized them as friends of the Vakr.
[I]"FUCK!!!"[/I] yelled Taylor, trying to fight through the pain and stand up. Large portions of her armor had been melted in the barrage of plasma based gunfire, or knocked off into the snow. She wouldn't survive another hail of gunfire like that. She grunted, vision hazy as she began to move back towards the ship as quickly as she could. As she looked up the ramp, she could see what looked like drones step up to the opening. Then, Valkyrie's voice sounded off rather loudly from inside the ship, amplified through the drones. [B][I]"IF ANYONE IS GONNA KILL THAT FULL METAL BITCH, ITS GONNA BE ME AND [U]ME ALONE![/U]"[/I][/B] barked Valkyrie, before ordering her drones to fire upon the Vakr positions. The drones opened up with their machine guns and assault rifles, while one took aim and fired off it's rocket launcher towards the group of alien fighters that were gunning for Taylor. Inside her helmet, Taylor rolled her eyes. [Rolling for a chance to save Taylor's ass from being incapped. :v:]
Iron looked at the battle, then at Yanim and then back at the battle again. "I don't know 'bout you boss but I'm not going to sit on my ass while a woman who is practically my sister is getting shot to hell." The bounty hunter fired off three more slugrounds from his covered position at the top of the ramp, this time he was targeting the Ayr squad leader.
Orso looked down on the field as the enemy was becoming desperate. "Maintain fire on them with those morters and keep them pinned." He looked up and noticed the ships looming in the distance but aproaching. He turned on his comms. "Boss! Where the hell is that air support? We arent exactly equiped to shoot down that!" --- Back on the Fang, Seth looked over the map. Enemy didn't bite the bait and headed straight to Yanim's location and a third ship had joined the fight. "Alright, listen up! No more running, turn this ship arround and head straight to those ships. Maintain an altitude higher than them. Get above them and once we have our tagets locked, we rain down fire on them with the guns. The ship's armor and shields are reinforced in that area, so dont be afraid to get closer." He took another drag from his cigar before continuing. "I want the fighters scrambled and chasing after the enemy transports. I want seargents to organize boarding parties just in case. If I catch any one of you slacking off, it's 4 months in the pits! Am I understood?" "YES SIR!" "Good." He looked over at Tarvis. "Something to share?" "That third ship. It's Ayr. And by the looks of it, it's part of their navy. As in, you hit that, you are gonna piss off a lot of people." "Nothing new for us, isnt it? We were never in good relations with them anyway." Seth said before going back to the holo-map. Tarvis let out a tired sigh as he put his palm to his forehead. "Why did I know you would say that?" --- Amy got in position behind her new cover. Observing the battlefield through her scope, she could spot what was happening. Taylor got hit hard by several volleys of plasma, Alex had locked horns with Vak and Rask was being surrounded by more and more troops. She weighed the possibilites for her next target. It wasnt easy, but maybe this was the best choice after all. She aimed the anti-material rifle at Rask. Hopefully the shot would be strong enough to nail the bastard and put him out of their collective misery. --- "I apreciate the offer, but as a wise man once sead, you can take that offer, save it on a tablet or something, turn that sumbitch sideways and shove it up you candy ass!" Alex spat out in anger before continuing his assault, aiming at the legs.
Vakarus saw the attack and raised a shield of psionic energy in an attempt to block Alex's sword.
János heard Arkadam's call for assistance with Yanim, and rushed over to help him get her out of the line of fire. He called for Mercy to join him as well.
Mercy groaned, seeing people getting injured left and right here. Upon reaching the end of the Cataract's ramp, she booted her stretcher down the hangar to where her triage center was going to be, and rushed over to Yanim, pulling and attempting to get her away from the bay doors while laying down some more suppressive fire on the commandos.
The sergeant looked over the situation. It was grim, but with the right maneuvers he could still manage to complete is objective. With the left flank informing him that the sniper had vanished and mortars ravaging the area behind them he issued new orders. "Squadron! Spread out and activate personal shields. Squad one. Focus fire to assist the extraction of the informant, aim for the armored figure! Squad two, suppress their fire and assist the Vakr!" Squad one spread out and set their sights at Moloch. Squad two spread out as well, but half the squad would focus on suppressing the Aurikha's activities while the other would focus their fire on Alex. The signalist, huddled behind his rock closer to the backline and thus closer to the mortar fire, signaled the Ryojin and tried to keep his nerves steady as he transmitted the coordinates for the Boome mortar crews. --- Yuga looked over the holomap and pondered her next move. She then moved to the communicator, "Battery, open fire on the mortar lines. Our forces must reach the shuttle in one piece." The commander answered in the affirmative and turned to his men, "Fire void batteries on the mortars, in unison!" --- Sting had refused to go anywhere near the ramp exit and had decided to cover it from the back instead. Markus, not wanting to enter the obvious line of fire had taken cover behind some crates. With little vision he decided to shoot at what he could see, he decided to take careful aim at one of the Vakr escorting Rask.
The wind was picking up even more, and the once-clear sky was clouding over. The powdery snow wafted into the air and produced a rolling fog. For now, the two sides could still make each other out against the stark background of white, but if conditions continued to deteriorate, it would be impossible to continue fighting at such a range. This didn't bother the vakr one bit, as they rallied for combat. While Ranak barked orders from behind cover, Valkyrie drove her drones into the fray in a frenzied attempt to save Taylor. The captain struggled awkwardly to climb the ramp, her armored suit failing around her while the Warhounds exploded from the open hangar ahead, guns blazing. Valkyrie: CH Estimate: 1/3 [B]Actual: 3[/B] Roll Passed. A torrent of bullets and rockets poured forth, shaking the vakr from their confident stance and forcing them back into cover as brilliant display unfolded. It might have been a bit trite, but Taylor was grateful for her rival's assistance. A moment later, she had cleared the door and fallen into a heap near the triage station where Mercy was prepared to receive her. Ranak, Vakr 5 and 6: [I]Action Invalidated.[/I] The other warriors had been split into different tasks, with an additional two being sent to guard Rask in his retreat, meaning only 5 remained available to engage further targets. Out of the six targets they were given, only Neasha and Moloch were still in the open. The others had either taken cover or were pushed into it. Except... "I don't know 'bout you boss but I'm not going to sit on my ass while a woman who is practically my sister is getting shot to hell," Iron had said only moments earlier. Yanim, having [I]just[/I] been badly burned by the enemy's fire while assisting in Taylor's rescue, gave Iron a look of absolute scorn while the Warhounds trundled past. "Are you [I]actually[/I] retarded?" Arkadam roared at the heavily-armored mercenary. There was a thunderous sound which distracted them, and seconds later, Taylor was through the door, alive. "Yatara barbem!" Yanim hissed. Iron shrugged. There was still a battle to be fought. While Mercy and János worked to move Yanim and Taylor to safety, Iron turned and leaned around the opening, trying to get his sights on the ayr squad leader. Mercy had also made the ill-advised decision to lay down "suppressive fire" on the enemy, despite having already demonstrated her lack of refinement in battle. The vakr response to the Warhound attack fell mostly on those two and the two outside in the wide open. Alarmingly, the ayr unleashed a barrage in unison. Vakr 1, Ayr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Marksman: {2 x 1.5(Psionics) = 3, 2, 8, 6, 4, 9, 10} x 2.25(Concentration) = {6.75... [B]7[/B], 4.5... [B]5[/B], [B]18[/B], 13.5... [B]14[/B], [B]9[/B], 20.25... [B]20[/B], 22.5... [B]23[/B]} = 96(!) Moloch: DEF Rolls = {7, 1, 3, 7, 7, 3} = 28 [B]68 DMG[/B] Moloch HP: 3/63 The sudden barrage from the enemy this time primarily engulfed Moloch, as he flew through the air toward Vakarus and made himself an obvious target for the entire left flank of the ayr line. While his armor was able to absorb some of the plasma, the sheer heat was overwhelming, and Moloch felt intense pain through the suit as he descended on his enemy. He forcefully tackled the vakr in such a way that he was knocked aside, breaking his grip on the unconscious body of Frosty. CH Estimate: 3/4 [B]Actual: 4[/B] Roll Passed. Despite the pain, Moloch remained utterly focused on his task. As soon as Vakarus's grip loosened, Moloch seized onto Frosty and pivoted, using his momentum to pull away. He was now in possession of Frosty's body as he landed softly in the snow. They both badly needed healing. Vakr 2: [B]8[/B] x 1.5(Psionics) = 12 Neasha: DEF Roll = 5 [B]7 DMG[/B] Neasha HP: 81/99 Neasha had just risen to her feat when another set of blasts came her way, but she committed to advancing nonetheless. The plasma struck her in the arms and dealt burns, but as a serek, she had a surprisingly high pain tolerance and an even greater desire for kanad blood. She began sprinting toward the mass which was protecting Rask. Vakr 3 and 4, Ayr 7 and 8: {4 x 1.5(Psionics) = 6, 6, 10} x 1.5(Concentration) = [B]{9, 9, 15}[/B] = 33 Iron: DEF Rolls = {1, 3, 5} = 9 [B]24 DMG[/B] Iron HP: 96/100 Iron had been jolted by the impact, but was undeterred. He was ready to return fire on the ayr and drive them further back, closer to the mortars. He took aim at the squad leader and fired a trio of slugs in his direction. Iron: [B]8[/B] x 1.75 x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]14 DMG[/B] Despite the distance, the sergeant was hit by two out of the three slugs and could feel the impact in his bones. It was his first wound of the day, but a bad one, and it further shook his already damaged morale. He momentarily denied any help from his medic, close by, as he wanted to press the attack against Alex. Squad Leader, Medic: {7, 2} x 1.25(Concentration) = {8.75... [B]9[/B], 2.5... [B]3[/B]} = 12 Alex: DEF Rolls = {5, 7} = 12 No Damage. Unfortunately, the attack didn't pay off as both ayr managed to miss their target. Alex closed on Vakarus and struck aggressively with his power sword, but his opponent knew this was coming and attempted to deflect it outright. CH Estimate: 3/5 [B]Actual: 3[/B] Roll Passed. Alex: [I]Action Invalidated.[/I] With a massive swing, Alex put all of his strength into his attack, only to have Vakarus knock it away with psionic energy in a thunderous crackle and blinding flash. The first swing was followed by several more, each sending sparks flying as the vakr retreated, using all of his innate power to prevent his former friend from cleaving him apart. Finally, Alex ran out of steam and Vakarus shoved him several steps backward. Frosty was now long out of reach, leaving Vakarus to contemplate whether he should continue to hold his ground or to retreat. Meanwhile, cold sweat ran down Alex's brow. He knew he had been lucky to escape harm in his advance, but how long would that luck hold? Was it worth it to strike Vakarus down now that Frosty was safe? Vakr 5, Ayr 9 and 10: {4 x 1.4(Psionics) = 6, 1, 5} x 1.5(Concentration) = {[B]9[/B], 1.5... [B]2[/B], 7.5... [B]8[/B]} = 19 Mercy: DEF Rolls = {2, 7, 1} = 10 [B]9 DMG[/B] Mercy HP: 136/125(Nanosurgeon) Mercy had barely raised her SMG when the enemy had already placed several shots within inches of her body. She sprayed more ammo inaccurately in a weak effort to "suppress" the enemy, but it was unclear who or what she was trying to suppress. She settled on the huddle which was protecting Rask. Perhaps she could slow their escape? A bolt of plasma struck her in the leg, and she cried out, squeezing the trigger prematurely. Mercy: CH Estimate: 2/5 [B]Actual: 1[/B] Roll Failed. She fired a number of bullets into the sky before ducking back into the hangar, her heart pounding from the close call. Arkadam brushed past her as he approached the ramp, shouldering the Type-1 and aiming for Rask. He wasn't the only one, either. Amy and Markus were both honing in on the now-distant crowd, and Neasha had closed to within 6 meters. Despite the intense pain that the crew had endured, now was not the time to cower in fear. They would face the enemy's numbers and prove their willingness to fight to the bitter end. [video=youtube;8jWw0Rr47-M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jWw0Rr47-M[/video] Amy, Arkadam, Markus, and Neasha: CH Estimate: 1/8 + 1/8 x 2(Malevolence) + 1/8 + 1/8 = 5/8 [B]Actual: 8[/B] Roll Passed. {4 x 1.5 x 1.5(Specter) = [B]9[/B] + 7 x 1.25 = 8.75... [B]9[/B] + 2 x 1.25 x 3(Ambusher) = 7.5... [B]8[/B] + 3 x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]3[/B]} = 29 Rask: DEF Rolls = {9, 8, 3, 1} = 21 [B]8 DMG[/B] Rask HP: -4/50 [B]Total Incapacitation. Enemy Eliminated. 29 DMG to Vakr 7, 8, 9 and 10.[/B] The spray of the battle-tested carbine, combined with two snipers' combined fire, split the vakr huddle wide open with the force of ballistic firepower. Neasha dove into the mix, seizing onto Rask's already broken body and driving him into the snow, face first. There was no struggle; Rask had been pierced by multiple bullets already, ones which had traveled into one side of his vakr bodyguards and out the other only to bring about the last painful blows the cutthroat would feel in his short and prodigal life. Neasha gripped him by the neck, her sharp, reptilian claws twitching as she held them back long enough to whisper in Rask's ear. "When I meet my ancestors, they'll be glad I didn't let you die gracefully for all you've done to me, kanad. All I ever wanted was a home, and you've stolen it, over and over." From below her a muffled "keh," escaped Rask's mouth as he slowly turned his head, revealing his ruined face one last time as he looked at her through his working eye. "Kyeh hyeh hyeh. S-stupid ss-sereks... no home in the galaxy, you d-damned vagrant. You h-have... no... home." So this was how a scoundrel dies. Neasha smiled. "But you do, Rask. And I'm sending you home to it." With a clinch of her fist she drove her talons into the kanad's soft flesh, ripping his throat open in a fatal slash and spattering the nearby vakr with his blood. She drew a knife with her off hand and prepared to fight the vakr in a melee. Rask faded, the blinding white of the snow melting away into a cold and bitter void that settled over him. He was blind. Where was his luck? His fortune? Where was his salvation? All that remained was terror. The past, filled with horrible memories and demons of his own creation, offered him no warm escape to retreat into as his future escaped him. [I]This couldn't really be the end, could it?[/I] Rask died in the snow on Rigel on February 8th, 2385. He was unloved. --- ((Air battle coming tomorrow.))
Vakarus looked around and observed the carnage in the snow. Maddox was dead and so was Rask. Meanwhile Frosty had been grabbed by the heretic. He looked at Alex. "Alex'vakrin, are you blind to the madness which surrounds you? This has to be put to an end before the heretic poison you further!" ----- Ranak grunted angrily and gestured with his hand towards Moloch, signaling that he was their new target. He squeezed his trigger and opened fire alongside the two other warriors, hoping to incapacitate Moloch before he could flee. ----- The warriors tasked with protecting Rask looked on in horror as Neasha brutalized and finished off their primary objective. "[This one has been touched by the demon! Kill her!]" Yelled one of them before holstering his rifle and unsheathing a pair of wrist-mounted energy blades. The warrior attempted to strike down Neasha while the other three tried to grab her. ----- Iron glanced at Arkadam. "Easy there Romeo, save it for the enemy will ya'?"
The coldness started to settle in Moloch's bones as the feeling of death drew nearer and nearer. The armor he'd been wearing really didn't protect much from the barrage of plasma that came his way. Cursing under his breath, he knew he couldn't be out here anymore as one last shot would finish him. He took out several smoke grenades Frosty had in his pockets and dropped them right at his feet before he ran like a bat out of hell back towards the hangar, boosters flaring all the way.
After setting up the triage wall, Jason then moves to where the hanger doors and sees Moloch carrying Frosty, who was bleeding heavily from his side, Jason lays down suppressing fire to cover Moloch and frosty's escape.
Alex took a step back, taking a moment to look around. Maybe it was time to disengage and retreat back into the ship. [QUOTE]Alex'vakrin, are you blind to the madness which surrounds you? This has to be put to an end before the heretic poison you further![/QUOTE] "I hear voices in my head, they council me, they understand. They talk to me." He snapped back with mockery. Sometimes his pitfighter instincts drove him to forget about that filter between his brain and mouth.
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