"You two go on ahead! I'll meet up with you at the VIP rooms."
Frosty then started to pull various parts from within his jumpsuit, and began to assemble [I]something[/I] together.
As Owen drove back to the ship, he radioed Yuga, "Sextant, this is Lightning, on my way with our slightly used race car. I'm going to be relaxing when I get back on board, if our op concludes beforehand, have lizard girl ready the ship..." Owen then looked at his 'trophy' walking next to the car "...Oh, and tell her we found her brother." Owen said as he chuckled.
---
After Owen parked the car, the first place he went was to the shower; but not before sending a message to his uncle.
[QUOTE]Jeb, you old fool, call me when you get off world, we need to talk.[/QUOTE]
Vakarus got up and charged Harris after grabbing his staff from the floor.
As Jag dashed, narrowly dogging the AP's attacks. It sent an massage over the crew's open channel.
"obelisk, primaly target has been neutralized." The implant broadcasted over the Secured frequency, making an Quiet hum while an bullet wizzed past the bloodly assassin.
After getting to the left of room, Jag then used the momentum gathered during its dash to pierce it's tentacles into the wall of the doorway in rabid Motion before contorting its body around to launch itself down the hallway at the available nearest target, that being Mac with its arms folded forward like that of an spearhead.
[video=youtube;uZTkg8GGEOo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZTkg8GGEOo[/video]
[i]"All units be advised, Creed lines are failing. Push now, Lord Generals' orders."[/i]
Warren fired off a short salvo at a Creed crusader charging with his shortsword drawn. The fanatic collapsed and fell down onto the concrete rubble as the salvo had ripped through his torso.
Slamming into the uneven ground hard, the energy sword folded its blade turning the shortsword into a harmless grip without a blade.
Having eliminated his target, Warren moved forward and waved with his hand.
"Move up!" In response to the order now echoing across the street, dozens of hardened SDF marines and Boom Marine shocktroopers moved up.
Warren continued forward with Mercury by his side; the duo had formed a strong bond which had been tested numerous times in combat.
As they approached a small office building several Creed soldiers rushed out from the entrance under cover by a LMG situated in one of the windows.
"Take cover!" Yelled Warren as the rapid-firing weapon made short work of several marines caught out in the open. Warren peeked over his cover and managed to eliminate two of the crusaders but was forced to retreat back into safety as the rest of the enemy infantry opened fire on him.
He looked at Mercury. "Circle around, hit 'em in the side!"
Mercury nodded and made a run for another large piece of debris. Gesturing while speaking with a Boome shocktrooper and a SDF marine, the two soldiers nodded and followed the large merc as he made his way around the chaos on the street.
With no choice but to wait, Warren and the rest of his forces continued to lay down indirect surpressive fire.
Suddenly several muffled yells of confusion could be heard followed by gunfire. The Creed LMG became quiet and Warren held up his fist, ordering his forces to cease fire.
"Clear!" Yelled Mercury from behind the Creed defenses surrounding the building.
"Medics, check the the wounded. Flank guard, keep them safe. First company, with me."
Having broken through the Creed defenses Warren and a small company of soldiers linked up with Mercury at the entrance of the structure.
The Creed had fortified the building well with numerous protective barriers, barricades and sandbags. A torn Creed crusader flag positioned over the front doors moved calmly in the wind.
Warren stopped to inspect the flag which had a white background with a golden sword on it. The blade was on fire and at the center of it was a eye, the watching eye of God himself.
He shook his head and looked at two marines. "Tear it down."
"Yes sir." Replied the two soldiers as the rest of the group entered the building.
Weapons, military gear and Creed tech were spread out over the entire lobby. "Spread out and secure the building. Be ready for anything."
Without further due the soldier split up and began to search each room. Most of the soldiers went to secure the siderooms while Warren and Mercury moved to the office of the former CEO.
A pair of heavy steel doors marked the entrance and footsteps could be heard inside.
The duo formed up on each side of the door after Mercury planted a breaching charge. "On my mark..."
Warren held his rifle tightly, waiting for Mercury to give the go-ahead. "Mark!"
Suddenly the charge detonated, forcing the two doors to blow inwards at an alarming speed. Mercury was the first one in, unloading on several Creed knightsresiding behind office tables and equipment cases arranged in a crescent formation.
Muffled screams could be heard as the laser particles tore through the improvised cover and burrowed themselves into the Creed officers.
Before the survivors could target Mercury, several kinetic slugs turned the inside of their helmets into a bloody mess. Having lost their confidence, the three remaining officers decided to play it safe and ducked into cover while blind-firing in hopes of hitting the two assaulters.
Mercury managed to roll in behind a heavy-duty case however Warren was not so luck and was hit by a laser shot in the leg.
"Fuck! I'm hit." He yelled but instead of moving into cover he stopped right where he was. Soon one of the knights peeked, with weapon in hand, up with a large grin on his face; ready to finish off the wounded traitor soldier.
Instead he was greeted by a salvo of kinetic shots which tore through him like he was made of paper.
Mercury pushed forward towards the two remaining officers, expecting them to put up a desperate last stand he was surprised when both officers rose up with weapons at the ready. "Die, traitorous scum!"
Shots rang out and the two officers collapsed infront of Mercury who glanced at Warren. "Thanks."
Warren nodded. "Don't mention it."
Having cleared the office of enemies the two of them inspected the room. It didn't take long for them to realize that they were inside a crucial command center possibly having been used by the zealots themselves as numerous devices on the room showed tactical overviews of the ongoing battle as well as manifests of supplies.
Mercury suddenly stopped. "Hey Warren?"
"Yeah?"
The Boome Marine nodded towrads another set of doors behind the desk. "You think they've hidden anything in there?"
Warren shrugged and readied his weapon. "Beats me, let's check it out."
The two of them approached the door but before they could reach it, an explosion forced them off of their hinges.
A [url=https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/71236376/Starpath%20RP/Fists%20of%20Sol%20Commando.jpg]mysterious soldier[/url] clad in armor of unknown origin rushed through the smoke cuased by the explosion.
With a finger on the trigger he was about to finish off Mercury when Warren managed to shoot the rifle out of his hands. The soldier, now even more determined, turned his focus to Warren and managed to land a kick right next to the leg wound.
Warren cried out in pain due to the hit and before he could regain his focus the commando knocked the rifle out of his hands before punching him straight in the face.
The commando unsheated a combat knife and was about to slam into Warren's back when Mercury tackled him from behind.
Boome Marines might have a disputable reputation but both foes and allies alike knew that they were strong, strength which the commando was now experiencing first hand as Mercury landed several blows to the head of his opponent.
Realizing that he had been pinned, the commando mustered all of his strenght to kick Mercury with both of his legs straight into the abdomen, causing the hardened mercenary to momentarily break his focus.
Using this to his advantage the commando delivered a series of punches which forced the Boome Marine merc to his side.
Having switched place with Mercury, the commando grabbed ahold of his knife with both hands and prepared himself to send it straight into Mercury's neck.
Suddenly a shot rang out. Mercury looked at the commando who now had a smoldering hole at the center of his visor. A loud clink-sound could be heard as the knife fell to the ground followed by the commando collapsing.
Mercury got up, brushed off his armor and looked towards Warren.
With a broken visor and a bloodied face Warren held his kinetic pistol with one hand while leaning towards a crate. He smiled towards Mercury.
"I guess we're even again."
Soon steps could be heard as the rest of the forces linked up with their commanders. Several looks of confusion were exchanged as the marines spotted the mysterious soldier lying on the floor.
"Who's that, sir?" Asked one of the SDF marines.
"We're about to find out." Said Warren who was now standing with the help of Mercury.
The group entered the back room which appeared to have originally been a private retreat for the company CEO as a luxurious bed and other fine furniture were present.
Several things stood out though, namely the large banner hung above the bed and the numerous devices and weapons of unknown origin spread out around the room.
"Looks like our commando friend was well-supplied." Said Mercury. Warren could only nod.
He turned towards the marines. "Get me a scanner and make sure that there's no booby traps or active transmissions coming from this room or our deceased friend. Cordon off the entire CEO office and send a message to HQ; we're gonna need a SSOID team ASAP."
The soldiers nodded and hurried to carry out the orders. Mercury was about to follow when Warren held up his hand.
"What is it?" Asked Mercury.
Warren nodded towards the banner. It was a yellow banner with a black-colored fist at the center. In the palm of the hand was a sun with six beams spreading out down the wrist and between the finger.
"Ever seen that before?"
Mercury shook his head. "Can't say I have. Let's hope that your eggheads with the SSOID have."
Warren grunted.
-----
A soldier saluted. "Sir, new message from Hoxith."
Lord General Kaspar Cross turned away from the tactical map and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
The soldier smiled. "Message reads as followed: [i]Creed forces neutralized. Friendly casualties low. Hoxith secured. We've won. Lt. Warren out.[/i]"
Kaspar smiled and nodded. "Thank you soldier, dismissed."
He let out a deep sigh. Novithus had been secured.
[I]Meawhile, over the skies of Novithus[/I]
"What are they going to do with us?"
"I don't know. You can never guess with these nutters." The two prisoners were locked in a large room with several others surrounding them. The room itself didn't look like a prison. In fact it resembled the inside of a old temple. Rows of benches, an altar and a door with a symbol stood out. Calming music could be heard playing over the speakers. Although there was a distinct lack of cages or even chains, Creed soldiers were still present. Kinghs clutching the hilts of their swords, itching for one of these poor fools to make a mistake, observed in silence.
After a few minutes the doors opened. From the chamber emerged a man. While he wasn't wearing any armor, his robes made him stand out and showed that he was of a high rank. Another feature that made him stand out was the large sword on his back. "Friends, lost children, wayward souls. I welcome you to this humble church to our God. Please sit down. Exept you. Yes, the soldier. Come forward." After some hesitation, the prisoner aproached him. "You know who I am. Tell them. I'm sure they wish to know the name of their sheperd."
The soldier grimaced and turned to the others. "Yeah, he's Stanislav Koronov. A wanted terrorist."he faced his captor again. "And certefied madman." Koronov started to chuckle. He started to wisper something as he grabbed the soldier by the shoulders and turned him around. After one kick to the back of the knee, he knocked his prisoner down to a kneeling position. He placed one hand on top of his head and the other he reached into his robe.
Continuing to murmur, Koronov pulled out a knife and jammed it into the soldiers neck. As he fell over and bled out, the mad zealot raised his voice and sight towards the rest of the prisoners.
"[I]Almighty lord we have come to your hall
Do glatem live, creator of all
Open your heart and you will find a way
Paradise calling and enter you may
[/I]
"[I]Falling down[/I]" Murmured the knights.
"Now your soul returns to paradise." He looked at the now terrefied prisoners. "Now. I will give you a choise. Join us in our Lord's graces or join this heretic in death!"
---
[I]Roughly at the same time on Gibel.[/I]
Mordecai could hear the the very familiar sounds of heels clicking on the marble floor. They kept getting louder and stopped only to be followed by a knock on his door.
"Come in Karina. I assume you have urgent news to report to me."
[URL="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/85/5b/8e/855b8e1e2a3c9c716fbe9f55056e3bd6.jpg"]Karina[/URL] was Mordecai's personall assistant. She wasn't chosen because she was a pretty face, although he had to admit, that was a part of it. She was chosen because of her skills in management of all the minute detail of rulling Gibel, that he had neglected. Things such as taxation, diplomacy and negotiation of trade deals. The little things. She had also proven to stand out from her peers with her will to follow her boss even into the thickest of battles as she did two years prior on Zuriel. "Yes Executor. Archangel reports that he will be returning in a few days. He also mentioned that he found data that would proove usefull in your plans of reforming the Union."
"Bah, that plan is a pipe dream at best. Never the less, I will take a look at the data. Maybe we will find something usefull there." He crossed his hands and leaned back in his chair. "Anything else?"
"There is the deal we are close to making with Wayland and the ongoing fuss surrounding Novithus looks like is clearing up."
"Hm. Good. Maybe now the zealots will leave." He got up from his chair and looked at Karina. "My my, you look exhausted. Too much work piling on these days?"
"Same amount as always boss. Although you have neglected more things than usual over the past month."
"Please, you have more than earned the right to call me by my name. And I admit, I could be running this planet better. But the Oracle showed promise. A glass of wine to ease the stress?"
"Mordecai, this sounds like something you would ofer your date. I'm married."
"And have 2 children, I know. I personally write the hollyday giftcards."He poured two glasses and handed one to her. "Besides, I'm nearly a 180 year old man. What would the media circus look like?"
"I'm sure they are already buzzing with rumors. 200 year old man with a skullmask finds true love in a 30 something personal assistant. A love story for the ages."
"A toast then. To the absurdity of the galaxy at large." Mordecai lifted the glass but before he could drink the sound of glass shattering was heard. He could feel something running down his suit. It wasn't the wine. He checked with his left hand and observed what he found out. He was bleeding, heavily. Moments later, he was on the ground feeling the world go dark and Karina shouting for help.
Yuga sneered at Owen message. The operation was still underway, members of the crew were engaged in combat on two locations and departure from Prospera would occur as soon as everyone had made it back to the ship, and Owen was going to [I]relax[/I] in the meantime?
Yuga was sorely disappointed in Owen lax and even lazy attitude towards the situation.
[I]Lizard girl[/I] wasn't always going to be around to ready the ship for departure when he didn't feel like doing it.
However, she would let it slide... this time. She turned to Hariim, "Mr.M'baal, since our pilot and engineers seem to be occupied I wan't you to run diagnostics on the ship and start it up."
After giving the order she opened a tab on her compass to access port towns control center and announced the Muramasas activation and upcoming departure.
She opened the comms. "All personnel, the objectives have been achieved. Those not in combat should aid those who are or return to the ship immediately. Fat rat will assist the chief, chop shop and firehead will assist our captured personnel."
She leaned back into her chair, taking a small sip of her tea.
...
Markus had been absolutely dumb-founded by Jag's sudden engagement.
As the target had been eliminated there was only making sure everyone in the booth section got out.
he climbed the ladder as fast as he could and slid down the last meters to the ground floor, starting to make his way towards the hallway were the team was hold up.
"Understood Sextant." Amy turned on her cloack and started to hurry towards the crew currently engaged with the AP team. While running she called them on the comms. "Prison wagon, if the chef is free give him something sharp or something blunt to hit them with. He's trained."
Owen felt the ship start up just as he was finishing his shower, "Aw crap, I thought we had at least another half an hour." he thought. With that, Owen rushed the end of his shower, got dressed and dashed to the pilot's chair. Post-race fatigue still plagued him, but at least the shower gave him a chance at a second wind. Owen opened up the comms, "Lightning here, thought our op was a bit further out, I'll be getting us away when it's time."
Bucky moves along with Valkyrie, watching her fellow engineer's back with her nimble android eyes. She shifts her SmartMatter skin slightly to change her appearance just enough to obfuscate attempts to identify her in her chosen normal form.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hariim gets a funny idea, and tries to access to air vehicle's flight computers and avionics remotely in an attempt to get it set up and ready to start as soon as the crew gets to it. [Roll to hack into the air vehicle and get it through its preflight checks.]
(( Even though Amelia is shot I don’t know what to add since it looks like for now we wait for the backup to arrive and take both Amelia and Yamin to saftey. So here's some backstory of Amelia and Porter… mostly Porter. ))
[i]21 years ago, planet Terra, outside on the steps of the Weinheart mansion. Rain falls downward onto the front steps, where three people stand...[/i]
"Sorry, kid, but I got to go. They need me," Porter, 28 years old, kneels down towards a little girl who's cheeks are wet from tears. Amelia, 7 years old. He pats her on the shoulder, "Hey, c'mon, I won't be gone for long, okay? I'll be back before you know it."
Amelia nods her head. She understands, but obviously doesn't want him to leave. She leans forward for a hug, resting on Porter's shoulders. He wraps his arms around her for comfort.
A 40 year old man steps forward with a cane in his left hand. Albert Weinheart, head of the Weinheart family, known for giving away generous scholarships for many young minds who wish to become scientists. He walks down the steps, clearing his throat, then speaks in a posh, british accent, "You've been a great help to this family, Porter, more than I can offer back. I wish you good travels on your journey to help clean up the Solar System. Hope those new equipment I sponsored comes in handy."
Porter rubs Amelia's back, then stands up, his attention towards Albert, "Can do, Mr. Weinheart." He walks away towards the Marine Corp Jeep, "See ya later, kid." He smiles, and waves off a salute, before closing the door and driving away.
For years to come, Porter would come back to the family for a while, helping out with homework, moving furniture, even cleaning the piano. He was the best caretaker anyone could ask for. Sure, his cooking was, eh, a bit iffy, but the other servants could take care of that part.
Where did he leave off to? He was assigned into the Sol System Marines Corp (SSMC). Even though he signed up a long time ago, it wasn’t mandatory to go, until he was requested by Warrant Officer Jennifer Lyons herself.
“Sorry, Amelia,” he thinks to himself, “But when the SSMC needs me, I got to go. It’s my duty.” a long silence, no thoughts of any kind. The only sound was the rumbling of tires on the wet road. "I'll miss her."
------
[i]At the Solar System Recruitment Offices, Room #4, 70 days after Porter started his training.[/i]
Porter walks into the dark, gloomy office. The ground was laid out with red carpet, the walls made of wood, and a dark, mahogany desk was sitting in the middle of the room. Warrant Officer Jennifer Lyons, or Officer Lyons, stood there looking out the half-open shades towards the courtyard where men and women were showing off their ambitions and strengths.
She turns around to look at Porter. About the same height as Porter, but much more menacing. Porter could swear he saw the letters ゴゴゴゴ moving across her deadly stare.
“Sit down, Mr. Porter.”
Porter clears his throat and walks towards the desk, pulls out the wooden chair, and sits down. Officer Lyons sits down in her chair, although it is a little more comfortable, being made of leather, much to Porter’s jealousy.
“Let’s see,” she sighs, laying down his file under the lamp, “Physical Condition: Very Healthy Mental Condition: Unphased. Weapon Handling: Almost perfect.” she reads the rest of his file… “Well, Mr. Porter, you’d better get used to people calling you Private Porter, because you’re accepted. Congrats.”
“Yes!” Porter thinks to himself. All that work over 13 weeks, paid off. Such harsh conditions to be a Marine these days. He sighs relief, to which Officer Lyons chuckles in response, “Oh, Pvt. Porter,” she chuckles again, then inhales, “You shouldn’t rest, your job has just begun. Now go meet Sergeant Moors at Camp 5.” Porter hesitantly gets up from his chair and opens the door. Just as he’s about to leave, Lyons shouts, “Wait!” Porter jumps back.
“I’m expecting big things from you, Private. You’d better make me proud.”
Porter nods after a few seconds of taking the heavy responsibility placed upon him, and walks out...
Frosty opened up comms to Yuga.
"Sextant, this is Bubblegum. Proceeding to assist the others in the Crow's Nest on foot."
The sounds of something being assembled and snapped together could be heard in the background.
Maddox dove into cover and prepared to take on the AP team with a battle rifle while they were still disoriented. Taylor followed him into the same cover and primed an LMG for firing, but Maddox was ready to go and quickly positioned himself to fire across the hood of the car. In doing so, he selected the most vulnerable target first, in this case, Helen.
Maddox: [B]10[/B] x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]10 DMG[/B]
The bullet struck the Investigator in the kneecap and dropped her to the ground with a yell. Jack set his sights on Maddox as a result and sprayed a few rounds in his direction.
Jack: 3 x Arrogance(x3) x Retribution(x2) = 18
Maddox: DEF Roll = 5
[B]13 DMG[/B]
Maddox HP: 112/125
[I]Personal Feat Discovered: Retribution (x2 DMG dealt to enemies which have recently attacked an ally)[/I]
One of Jack's shots impacted the armor at Maddox's shoulder, damaging it while deflecting away safely. The energy transfer was quite painful, however. The soldier rolled himself out of the way while Taylor stood herself up near the truck of the vehicle and placed her sights on Robert and the twice-wounded Helen. "Are you alright?" Jack asked Helen. Before she could respond, Taylor opened fire.
Taylor: {1, 5} x Versatility(CH1/4, {1, 3} Failed, x1) = [B]{1, 5} DMG[/B]
The old weapon proved itself to be highly inaccurate, especially due to its conversion. Taylor only managed to clip the two Investigators, but sprayed the police truck behind them with lead. Robert honed in with his bolt pistol and responded.
Robert: [B]4[/B] x Arrogance(x3) = 12
Taylor: DEF Roll = 2
[B]10 DMG[/B]
Taylor HP: 90/100
The projectile fired from Robert's pistol was actually a rocket with pop-out fins, roughly the size of a cigarette, which accelerated to the speed of sound in the short distance between himself and his armored adversary. At impact, the heavy projectile buried itself an inch deep into the armor plating on Taylor's chest before [I]exploding[/I], inflicting a minor flesh wound. "You like that?" Robert yelled.
Alex, having witnessed the exchange from one car over, felt unsure of himself as he jumped up to take a shot. He pulled the trigger, but nothing happened because he forgot to pull the charging handle. Sylvia, who had taken up position next to him, quickly pointed out its location on the receiver. By the time he was ready to fire, he, Sylvia, and Rask had all taken aim at Robert, determined to cut him down before he could fire another potentially-lethal bolt. Sylvia took to the air as she had done before, Rask sprinted to close range, and Alex steadied himself on the hood of car as he had seen Maddox do.
Alex: [B]8[/B] x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]8 DMG[/B]
Sylvia: [B]1[/B] x Airmobility(x1.5) = 1.5... [B]2 DMG[/B]
Rask: [B]3[/B] x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]3 DMG[/B]
The shot from Alex's rifle struck Robert in his left arm, causing him to double over in pain, coincidentally dodging most of the plasma which had been sent his way from Rask's OBV and Sylvia's bow. Nonetheless, he was singed, shot, and hurting, which he announced with a loud "fuck!" which echoed through the garage. Nearby, Helen had managed to sit herself up and took aim against Rask, whom she hadn't forgotten about despite her injury from Maddox.
Helen: [B]6[/B] x Arrogance(x3) = 18
Rask: DEF Roll = 2
[B]16 DMG[/B]
Rask HP: 34/50
"Akh-!" Rask grunted as he took a direct hit. He had forgotten that he had left his armor back at the ship, and now the stately white officer's uniform was getting stained with his blood. The bullet was lodged somewhere in his ribs.
[quote]Prison wagon, if the chef is free give him something sharp or something blunt to hit them with. He's trained.[/quote]
Rask angrily answered Amy over the comm: "He can use his gun as a club for all the fucks I give, but he seems to know how to shoot, so [I]rakir,[/I] (shut it) Firehead!"
---
At full speed, Jag collided with the drywall, thrusting its tentacles through the brittle obstruction and gripping onto the aluminum frame underneath. Leveraging this grip, Jag launched itself aggressively through the other side of the wall and into the hallway in hopes of swinging to the right and catching Mac in his exposed side.
CH Estimate: 5/7
[B]Actual: 1[/B]
Roll Failed.
Mac somehow anticipated the maneuver as it came, diving out of the way in a state of terror as Jag flew past like a giant skewer. In the meantime, Vakarus used his moment to roll past the Enforcer and Investigator, retrieving his staff from the floor of the hallway before turning back. Although Mac was vulnerable, the two Investigators were each even more so. Harris had taken off sprinting toward the elevator through which Yanim and her VIP box company had just escaped, making Morris a more realistic target. Vakarus swung hard, but reserved his strongest attack for later.
Vakarus: [B]4[/B] x 1.25 x Psionics(x1.5) = 7.5... [B]8 DMG[/B]
This time, Morris was knocked from his feet. He landed and rolled, briefly catching fire in the process. Mac, picking himself off the floor, eyed the vakr with rage. "When are you gonna learn your lessen you freak!?" He yelled as he rose up, planting his feet and throwing a massive, lunging punch at Vakarus' face.
Mac: [B]2[/B] x Arrogance(x0.75) = 1.5... 2
Vakarus: DEF Roll = 4
No Damage.
The warrior, now re-armed, easily deflected Mac's punch with the use of his staff. In fact, had he been a bit quicker, he might have cut the damned thing off in the process.
---
Hariim worked to connect to the transport's flight systems as Yanim and Amelia reached the top floor. They limped out onto the flat surface of the building as the kanad contacted Abraxas, who was still on the VIP floor. "Doctor," she said, breathing heavily, "monitor the fight on your level and make sure that our comrades all reach the rooftop alive. We're wounded up here, but we'll survive."
Hariim:
CH Estimate: 1/1 (Polycomputational)
Roll Passed.
The transport came to life, its internal lighting beaming out of the cockpit windows onto the concrete surfaces all around. Yanim and Amelia each smiled at the timing as they reached the craft, but these smiles were erased as they attempted to enter. The only entry door on the vehicle, its rear ramp, was secured using a physical lock with no connection to the craft's internal computer. Hariim was in control of the vehicle, but no one could enter it.
"You've got to be shitting me," Yanim grumbled as she pounded once on the door with her fist. "If only I had my tail with me... Switchblade, Exile, Fat Rat" she said through the comms, "be on the lookout for a traditionally-machined key, about four centimeters in length. Once you've neutralized the AP interlopers, you should find it on one of their persons."
[quote]Sextant, this is Bubblegum. Proceeding to assist the others in the Crow's Nest on foot.[/quote]
"Negative. Your captain ordered you to assist our captured ground team," Yanim answered on Yuga's behalf. "Do as you're told and report to the garage level."
---
The elevator doors opened as Markus arrived on the VIP floor, finding it in chaos.
Maddox saw Rask getting hit and glanced at Alex. "Cover me! I'm moving up!"
Strafing from out of cover while laying down surpressive fire, Maddox moved over to Rask to give him some improvised cover.
Namely, Maddox himself.
-----
Vakarus grinned and suddenly the color of his eyes became much stronger and vibrant. Soon an aura of energy surrounded the Vakr as he made a sweeping moment across the surface of his staff, charging it with his psionic powers.
His staff and the two plasma blades on each end of it were now supercharged. He went in for a powerful sweeping strike meant to hit both Morris and Mac.
Taylor dropped behind the car, clutching a hand to her chest. [B]FUCKING HELL[/B], he's got a [I][B]BOLT PISTOL!?[/B][/I] She shook it off, muttering under her breath as the wound stung sharply. Then, she heard his taunt.
[QUOTE]"You like that?"[/QUOTE]
"Oh, yeah! It hurts [B]so[/B] good! [I]You'll[/I] love it a lot more when I shove that pistol [I]UP YOUR ASS AND [B]EMPTY THE FUCKING MAG.[/B][/I]" she yelled out in response. There was some clearance under the car she was hiding behind, so she opted to lay down and fire under the vehicle with a few bursts, aiming for their knees as Mad darted over to protect Rask.
[B]....[/B]
Valkyrie hurried along with her fellow engineer, circling around the complex till they arrived where the firefight was going down. "Cheers love, the cavalry's...well, [I]you know.[/I]" she said, baseball sliding into cover next to Alex and Taylor. She leaned down and did the same as Taylor, firing off two machine pistol bursts at the Investigators.
"Don't get mad at me, get mad at him for relying on his dumb luck." Amy thought to herself as Rask was screaming. She could hear the shooting getting closer. After a minute she could see the figures in the distance. Not wanting to get too close, she positioned herself behind a car, where she could see the action and the enforcer was in her sights. She lined up a headshot and fired.
---
[QUOTE]Cover me! I'm moving up![/QUOTE]
"You really need to rethink your tactics." Alex still did what Maddox asked of him and shot at the two investigators.
Dio, being the massive asshole he is, suddenly flung two more sets of knifes at Morris and Mac, intending to steal the kill from Vakarus.
Riding the elevator, Markus had reloaded his rifle, removed the silencer and mounted the bayonet.
He could her the muffled sounds of a fight as he neared the VIP floor.
With a small signal the elevator door opened and Markus peaked out to see Vakarus and Dio fighting with the AP.
He jumped into the corridor and crouched down, leaning against the wall, to take aim at Mac.
((roll))
Jag then uses it's limbs to quickly halt it itself after missing it's target, quickly shifting it's body to face both Mac and was Morris.
The Sanghvi then moved close to the ground, glancing over the two AP officers. It prepared to shrike either of their backsides as Dio and Vakarus engaged them.
Jag knew it was better to let the more bold make the first blow for itself to exploit whatever they opponents did to counter them.
"Ooh, I see. Diverting course."
Frosty's fire suit was now completely empty of all of the amazing and deadly things he had stored in there. Whatever it was he was assembling had been completed.
"Let's hope I put this thing back together right." He thought to himself as he moved in on the garage.
Bucky slides into cover with Valkyrie and pops off three shots with her handgun, and ducks low quickly afterwards. She looks at her crewmates. "Bit crowded behind here! What's the plan?!" She asks, looking for more available cover to bolt to.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hariim runs through his mind, digging up ideas as fast as he can figure them out. He gets one. Using his access to the vehicle's systems, he looks around for a technical readout or some sort of manual of systems. He's looking for specifications on where the lock is located and how it might be disabled from the outside without need for the key. He splits his attention and runs overwatch for the people in the garage at the same time he's wracking the air vehicle's electronic brains. Specifically he's looking for something that he can trigger or turn off that'd help the garage team in their fight. [Roll perception and hacking]
Having deflected Mac's attack, Vakarus saw an opportunity and swung for the fences, intending to strike both the Enforcer with his supercharged weapon as well as Morris.
Vakarus: {5, 9} x 1.25 x Psionics(x1.5) + Supercharge(+13) = [B]{22, 30} DMG[/B]
There was a loud crack as the weapon connected with Mac's armor, electrical energy spontaneously arching from the surface to the walls and ceiling, briefly knocking out the lights. In that brief instance of darkness, Morris's terrified face was illuminated by the glow of the staff, the last thing he would ever see. A second, more organic sound followed the first impact so quickly that it wasn't clear to anyone except for Vakarus and Mac what had just happened. The lights came back on, revealing a deep gash in the side of Mac's armor which penetrated at least an inch into his flesh. Blood oozed from the fissure.
And Morris... was [I]decapitated[/I].
[B]Enemy Eliminated.[/B]
At the same moment Vakarus had swung, Dio had also thrown another set of knives, but they hadn't arrived in time to "steal the kill" as he had intended, at least not for Morris, whose headless body was speared like a pincushion by the blades before it had even reached its knees. As for Mac:
CH Estimate: 1/3 x 3 = 3/3 (Impalement)
Roll Passed.
Dio: [B]4[/B] x 1.25 x Impalement(x2) = [B]10 DMG[/B]
All of the knives ricocheted off of Mac's armor aside from one well-placed blade that pierced the narrow visor on his helmet and sliced into his eye. He had restrained himself when Vakarus had grievously wounded him moments earlier, but now he cried out in genuine rage and pain. How could this be happening? Half-blinded, he stumbled backward, grabbing the knife and yanking it out of his face with a spurt of blood before grabbing onto his rifle. With Jag in the room, the AP team was now outnumbered...
"You're... both... DEAD MEAT!" he roared as he opened fire.
Mac: {9, 8} x Arrogance(x3) = {27, 24}
Mac: {4, 5} x Arrogance(x3) = {12, 15}
[I]New Personal Feat Discovered: Berserker (Attacks twice per turn while under 1/3rd HP)[/I]
Vakarus: DEF Roll = {3, 2}
[B]34 DMG[/B]
Vakarus HP: 4/50
Dio: DEF Roll = {5, 4}
[B]30 DMG[/B]
Dio HP: 54/100
Mac strafed Vakarus and Dio with a hail of machinegun fire that badly wounded both men. At such close range, Vakarus took multiple wounds to his torso which ripped through his internal organs, suddenly leaving him at death's door. Dio also received his share of lead, falling to his knee in severe pain. It had happened so fast that Markus, crouched and braced at the end of the hallway, wasn't able to get his shot off until after his comrades had been severely wounded. The need to finish off the hulking Enforcer was apparent.
Markus: [B]6[/B] x Ambusher(x3) = [B]18 DMG[/B]
As soon as the magazine on Mac's rifle ran out of bullets, and the large man paused to reload, there was a loud clang- his gun dropped to the floor as he fell over backward. His trembling hands reached for his head, where a bullet had just pierced the outer shell and smashed into the cranium, breaking it like an eggshell. The matter beneath was intact, but as gruesome as it might seem, his helmet was all that was keeping his brain in his head. As soon as it happened, he knew. This was where he was destined to die.
[B]Enemy Neutralized.[/B]
Jag, having prepared itself to intervene only when circumstances seemed favorable, now refocused on the last remaining AP team member, Harris, who was now standing roughly halfway between Markus and Dio. It surged forward, knowing that one more shot could be fatal to its wounded allies, and lept into the air in an attempt to strike him down before he could attack.
CH Estimate: 2/5
[B]Actual: 4[/B]
Roll Passed.
Jag's diligence paid off as the stone-like being collided with the Investigator. As the latter squeezed down on the trigger, his hand was knocked askew and he fired into the ceiling harmlessly. But Jag didn't simply tackle him- this was a chance for serious carnage.
Jag: [B]9[/B] x Dismemberment(CH1/2, 2, Passed, x2) = [B]18 DMG[/B]
Harris was stabbed through the midsection as the two bodies tumbled across the floor, and also tore a ligament in his leg. He was heavily wounded, but all it would take for him to attack is to pull the trigger. "Fuck you, you rock-eating sonofabitch..." he grunted as he placed his magnum against Jag's head.
---
Yanim sat at the edge of the building, using her silk tie to bandage up her wounded leg. It wouldn't be the first time she had patched a wound up using neckwear. Down below, the stadium was nearly empty of tourist spectators, and it was now clear that there were hundreds of Mafia in attendance. Already, there were signs of conflict- a shove here, a few angry words there...
Most of these men had come unarmed, out of respect of Port Security's wishes on the matter. Most had not been ordered to attend, and were merely doing so because they wanted to see something exciting (and to see their goose finally lay its golden egg). Then the word got out. [I]Something went wrong.[/I] But there were no orders to follow the race, either. There was a firefight going on in the VIP section; it wasn't as if they hadn't seen a sanghvi just smash through a box window and toss a dead man into the stands below. Rather, it was as if the entire system was paralyzed, so overwhelmed with the magnitude of the disaster that its leadership was lobotomized.
They were confused, heartbroken, scared, paranoid, and so, so vulnerable. The projector started up again, as it had before the race, displaying Donatello. The smattering of Mafia throughout the stands voiced their discontent, confident that they would not be personally identified. The patriarch only hung his head in response as the chorus of boos and profanity rose in intensity to the most hateful pitch his followers could muster. And then, right at that moment, the top of Donatello's head was blown off, captured for all to see by the holographic dome.
The assassin entered the frame, cloaked in a black sneaking suit. He spoke softly to his now-silent audience. "Debts were owed," he spat. "Debts were paid." A moment later, the hologram disengaged. Gunshots rang out. Someone had smuggled in the weapons, someone wearing a white scarf. They were distributed and used. Dozens were gunned down in the first few minutes alone as the stands became a killing field for the roving revolutionaries. Gio was making his move, before Franco, or anyone else, could seize power. Someone managed to light the pit garages on fire, and Yanim smiled as the glow was reflected in her goggles.
"Have you ever seen anything like it?" she asked Amelia. "Anything so... [I]right?[/I]"
[video=youtube;pTn3Mz6KT5c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTn3Mz6KT5c[/video]
---
Robert changed targets as he heard Rask's yell, aiming to put a fatal shot into the kanad's chest. As he moved, however, Maddox sprinted out of cover, blindly firing from the hip as he tried to help his superior out of danger.
CH Estimate: 2/5
[B]Actual: 5[/B]
Roll Passed.
Maddox didn't hit anything during his sprint, but he wasn't hit either, and that was enough for him to be able to force Rask onto his feet. A bolt smashed into the concrete floor and blew a chunk of it away, filling the air with concrete dust as the two men hustled into the safety of cover behind the police truck. "Keh, nice priorities, human," Rask said, patting Maddox on the shoulder. "I'm gonna hotwire this bitch and get us out of here," he grumbled as he popped the passenger-side door open and crawled inside. "Or better yet... Router, this is Assistant. See if you can remote start this truck."
"Will do, Assistant," Hariim replied.
CH Estimate: 4/7
[B]Actual: 2[/B]
Roll Failed.
Unlike the transport vehicle on the roof, the police truck's key requirement could not be bypassed, at least through software means. Rask was prepared to try things the old-fashioned way.
CH Estimate: 1/4
[B]Actual: 4[/B]
Roll Passed.
While the battle continued outside, Rask bashed open the ignition switch and set to work trying to start the car. Employing some ancient knowledge he picked up back in his days on Kanadys as a student of mining, around the time he was arrested for building experimental bomb detonators, Rask was able to sort out what each wire and component was supposed to do, and with a lucky pinch, the engine turned over. "Holy shit," he remarked. "Router, I just got it working myself, fuck," he stammered, with a sneer. Rask was far too proud of himself.
By now, the pinned-down crewmembers had been joined by Val and Bucky. Taylor had just finished taking some knee-level shots at Robert as revenge for his taunt:
Taylor: [B]2[/B] x Versatility(CH1/4, 4, Passed, x2) = [B]4 DMG[/B]
One shot managed to clip the Investigator before he could dodge out of the way, but the wildly-inaccurate LMG hit him in the foot, rather than the knee, where Taylor was aiming. He briefly knelt as blood welled out of his shoe, unsure of what to do as he got a sense that his team was becoming surrounded. This provided even more chance for Valkyrie to get her shots off when she arrived moments later, and even Bucky managed a few pot shots.
Valkyrie: {4, 9} x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]{4, 9} DMG[/B]
((I can't remember whether Val or Bucky had any weapons built/machined by Maddox, so please excuse me if I miss some feat multipliers here.))
Bucky: {4, 8} x (No Feat Applicable) = [B]{4, 8} DMG[/B]
The Muramasa crew was quickly discovering a method to fight against the Asset Protection teams. Although they were more dangerous fighters when cornered and outnumbered, the key wasn't to play to their odds, but rather to pull as many comrades into the fight as possible. Eventually, fortunes played in favor of the Terika-Belladonna Company.
Sylvia: [B]8[/B] x Airmobility(x1.5) = [B]12 DMG[/B]
With a pull of her bowstring, Sylvia finished off Robert for good.
[B]Enemy Eliminated.[/B]
Helen wasn't much better off- she was barely clinging to life after the Muramasa crew had essentially swarmed the AP team. Like hornets, the crew tore its foe to pieces using a thousand tiny needle pricks. Jack knew that he couldn't fight the entire squad by himself. He threw his hands up rather than attacking, calling out- "Hold it! Enough already!"
There was a lull in the shooting.
"Nobody was supposed to die!" Jack lamented. "Are you going to slaughter us all for trying to do our jobs?"
"Jack, no..." Helen tried to argue.
"No, enough of this. All of you, whoever the fuck you are, if you want to go I'm not going to get in your way anymore." He set his gun down on the pavement in front of him, trusting that if these mercenaries, or pirates, or whatever it was he was fighting didn't accept his truce, that he could rely on his armor long enough to retrieve his weapon and fight his way out.
At that same moment, Frosty entered the area carrying a sort of makeshift bazooka.
Vakarus clinged to his staff as he fell to the floor. Trying to reach for Dio, who was also wounded, he fell unconscious on the corridor floor.
---
Maddox held up his hand. "Cease fire!" He looked at Frosty. "Don't shoot!"
He then looked at Rask who was sitting inside the truck before opening up the comms channel. "Wrench to Sextant, all tangos neutralized on our end. Over and out."
Maddox then nodded towards Jack and Helen. "Go."
Yuga had looked over towards the holoscreens showing cctv footage of both the garage and the VIP section.
She was surprised when the AP operative suddenly surrendered and Maddox called in the ceasefire.
"This is Sextant. embark with the vehicle and return to the ship, Crow's nest will make it back mon their own."
It was a relief that the AP had surrendered as it meant less fighting for the crew. The remaining AP in the garage wouldn't also be of any concern, seeing as they had just failed their mission and couldn't return to their employer to rat on the crew.
She transmitted a private message to Abraxas and Janos, "Mr. Abraxas, I want you to prepare the medbay for wounded combatants. Mr. Celofan, be so kind as to escort our guest out. He is free to go."
...
Markus had no time to hesitate. He pulled the bolt back and loaded a new shot into the barrel, aiming his gun anew at Harris to finish him off.
He remained crouched to maintain as much stability as possible so as not to hit Jag by mistake.
Amy swung the sniper on her back and walked at a quick pace towards the crew. First thing she did was smack her brother on the head. "How dumb are you? Come on, you should know a trap when you see it."
"Ok, first off, the android had his back turne towards me and second, they were ready to jump the pit crew."
"And you could have stoped at the first shot." Before Alex could answer they both noticed Frosty come in with the bazooka. "I am not even going to ask."
Jag kept still after the pinned Investigator put his handgun to the Sanghvi's head. Unflinchingly while he spoke.
"You're free to go." Jag warmly said out loud to him, making no sudden movements.
"Take the shot." It's Implant quickly relayed to Markus's HUD, silent while it give him Jag and Harris's exact location.
Ensuring that his shot would be all the more accurate in this delicate matter.
János was following the news intensively as all of this was happening. This mayhem just seemed all too familiar to him. But before he could continue that thought, he received a message from Yuga.
[QUOTE]"Mr. Celofán, be so kind as to escort our guest out. He is free to go."[/QUOTE]
He looked at the message wide-eyed. He went over to Harvey's cell and knocked, to wake him up.
"Understood." Abraxas said through, activating his holobband then relaying the wireless capabilities of the machinery in the med bay as possible.
Clutching his torso in pain as he crouched on his knees, Dio looked up to see Harris already pointing his gun at Jag's head. He tried standing up but the excruciating pain kept him down.
His legs might not work, but his arms still could. Dio took out one last knife and flung it in their general direction.
Frosty stuck his tongue out at Maddox, and pulled the trigger of his bazooka. It fell apart in his hands, revealing an empty husk made of soda cans, duct tape, and an oil funnel he had taken from the pit stop.
He laughed. The assembled Warmaster shook as it was strapped to his back.
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