Mission 087 - Crazy Little Thing

[srwu_mods]

tengusaur (14:02:16): It looked like an ordinary day, on the surface...
tengusaur (14:02:30): When suddenly, Unity Group received an emergency signal.
tengusaur (14:02:48): The details weren't clear yet, but apparently something really bad happened in Brussels:
tengusaur (14:02:58): There was an attempt to kill the royal family.
tengusaur (14:03:11): An attempt by nobody else but the Flemish independence terrorist group Vlaams Leger.
tengusaur (14:03:20): And now there's a hostage situation.
tengusaur (14:03:27): The news are shocking...
tengusaur (14:03:50): But Commander Antov knew something bad will happen, thanks to a tip from a certain horned creature.
tengusaur (14:04:05): And a response team was assembled almost instantly.
tengusaur (14:04:13): That is you.
tengusaur (14:04:15): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddyd8WxIOUY
cubey@aol.pl (14:07:06): Ren was... actually somewhat surprised. A human terrorist group? They didn't expect something like that to interfere.
cubey@aol.pl (14:07:23): Regardless, the Gespenst mk II is prepared for deployment, its horned pilot ready.
tengusaur (14:07:27): The UG shuttle lands in a busy part of Brussels. Well, usually busy. Right now all the people from the area have been evacuated, and the police has a certain building surrounded by a parimeter. The national museum of fine arts.
cubey@aol.pl (14:07:39): Ren: "Let's move out, everyone. And..."
tengusaur (14:07:44): This building might be familiar for some of you...
tengusaur (14:08:00): Because a certain exhibition takes place here. For alien visitors.
cubey@aol.pl (14:08:02): Ren: "Be safe. Let's all try to survive this." Ren smiles, sincerely. "I know I will."
tengusaur (14:08:32): As soon as you land, someone contacts you on the radio.
tengusaur (14:08:47): Policeman: "Unity Group? Thank god you're here! This is getting out of hand!"
tormterra (14:08:49): Alex looked around the city, certainly under better circumstances than last time but still as a warzone. "I'd hoped to return home under better circumstances. Let's stop these assholes and save the city."
Peter Kampschroeder (14:09:06): Eva: "Of all the places..."
tormterra (14:10:06): Alex: "What do you mean? They probably just picked the museum because it's right next to the royal palace so they could fall back to it."
tengusaur (14:10:23): The police, for the record, have mostly wheeled vehicles, but also a few weak mecha such as Shaldolls.
Aero (14:11:02): Standing out in the crowd is a familiar looking Kijin, her expressive hair showing that she was pretty interested in what was going on in the building. "Ah..." A grin forms on her face when she spots the familiar Unity Group shuttle arriving on the scene.
cubey@aol.pl (14:15:11): Ren: "There is no need to worry. We'll do anything we can to help."
Tengu Shikigami (14:15:14): Policeman: "These assholes tried to assassinate the royal family! Right in their home, too. They failed, but now they're holed up in the museum, where they took hostages. We can't just storm the place or they'll kill them all..."
Tengu Shikigami (14:15:28): Policeman: "We managed to establish a video connection. Look."
griefgathering (14:15:47): Seta is also here despite her condition. She steps out of the shuttle and stops behind the other Kijin present.
Tengu Shikigami (14:16:05): A feed is sent to your mecha. Those who don't have them right now and/or have biological ones can watch it on a screen instead.
tormterra (14:16:21): Alex moves closer to look. It was clearly part of the briefing after all, hopefully it'd be helpful in some way and not just more trouble
Peter Kampschroeder (14:16:47): Eva's sitting outside the Huckebein Omega, so she'll watch a screen.
Tengu Shikigami (14:17:04): The inside of a large hall, where exhibits were shown, some of them currently trashed, with lots of broken glass everywhere. A group of hostages huddled in a corner - men, women, children, a Gebian or two - and armed people in gas masks everywhere.
Tengu Shikigami (14:17:23): One of them looks through a broken window and waves another one, with a megaphone, over.
Aero (14:18:17): Astara looks over to Seta, whatever eagerness she had earlier has been quickly replaced with worry. "I leave for a few weeks and you're already going back out on things like this Seta?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:18:41): Terrorist: "Unity Group! We are the Vlaams Leger! The glorious fighters for justice, and Flemish independence!"
griefgathering (14:19:16): Seta: "That is...not my concern right now. Look." And she gestures at the screen.
Tengu Shikigami (14:19:35): Terrorist: "You know our situation, so I'm not going to repeat it! We have two demands!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:19:47): Terrorist: "First, clear us a way to leave this place safely!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:19:56): Terrorist: "Second, we want the talisman of Enki!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:20:20): Terrorist: "Do I make myself clear? These conditions are not to be negotiated! You have ten minutes to make your decisioń!"
Aero (14:20:24): Astara: "...I know but..."
VJockey (14:20:26): "Uh.... what's a talisman?"
Peter Kampschroeder (14:20:45): "...It's a weapon, isn't it?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:20:57): Terrorist: "After that, I can't guarantee the hostages' safety! Their deaths will be on your hands!"
VJockey (14:21:05): "I...don't know."
cubey@aol.pl (14:21:09): Ren: "Alex's talisman? It's not a weapon... it's something much more. But it's worrying that they are willing to do this just to get their hands on it."
cubey@aol.pl (14:22:04): Ren: "I am not a professional negotiator... but I'd like to talk to them, if I may."
tormterra (14:22:17): Alex: "Are these guys for real? Are they trying to stall negotiations or do they think the Belgian police has it?" She's struggling with trying to maintain an expression between an eyeroll and pure anger. Regardless she grabs the pendant around her neck. "Ren's right, it's this. It's the one I'm using to summon Enki. They can't even use it if they got it...And they're going to use the power of a god meant to keep humanity safe for Flemish independence?"
griefgathering (14:22:48): Seta: "If Mr. Smith was here..."
cubey@aol.pl (14:22:55): Ren: "Their priorities may not be in best order."
cubey@aol.pl (14:24:04): Ren: "Hello. Mr Vlaams Leger member, can you hear me?"
cubey@aol.pl (14:24:42): Ren: "You are making a huge mistake. Humanity stands on the threshold of an incredible threat. You are about to cause another one, antagonizing the Gebian people by taking some of them as hostages."
tormterra (14:24:43): Alex: "Yeah...But we need to do something soon. How quickly can you all respond? They'll try to get out even if they get it..." She falls quiet
cubey@aol.pl (14:25:12): Ren: "Now is the time for all people to stand together as one. What you are doing may doom the human race. And it will for sure doom you."
cubey@aol.pl (14:25:25): Ren: "Please stand down, put down your weapons and let the hostages go."
VJockey (14:25:40): "...Pleaseworkpleaseworkpleasework"
Peter Kampschroeder (14:26:02): Eva's going to get in the Huckebein and boot it up while the conversation goes on.
Tengu Shikigami (14:26:05): Terrorist: "How blind can you be? These aliens are just another enemy of our freedom! Some of them pretend to be friendly but they'll come here to establish their dominance as soon as they've won their little war or whatever that is!"
griefgathering (14:26:12): Seta: "I hope it will not come to that, Alex, but..."
VJockey (14:26:16): "...."
griefgathering (14:26:19): She's watching this nervously.
Tengu Shikigami (14:26:27): Terrorist: "If you want us to free them, agree to our demands! You have 5 minutes left!"
Aero (14:26:54): Astara: "How insulting..."
cubey@aol.pl (14:27:07): Ren: "Let the hostages go and you may leave."
Aero (14:27:11): That struck a nerve with the Kijin.
VJockey (14:27:17): [Volya just lets out a frustrated noise before Interitus brings him in.]
Tengu Shikigami (14:27:31): Terrorist: "You think I'm stupid? You'll shoot us as soon as we let them go!"
cubey@aol.pl (14:28:02): Ren: "I will not."
tormterra (14:28:14): Alex: "I know...There's one way." She pauses for a bit, steeling herself. "I turn myself over. Enki's bound to me, they can't just grab it and I'll let them see it. Then they can use me as a hostage until we get out of the city when I can summon Enki. If something goes wrong, I can summon Enki and give them bigger things to think about than taking hostages."
cubey@aol.pl (14:28:39): Ren: "But how can we be sure you will let them go otherwise? You may as well keep the hostages by your side as human shields, even after the talisman is yours."
VJockey (14:28:42): "Can't we just... scare them away or something?"
cubey@aol.pl (14:28:42): Ren: "... Alex?"
Peter Kampschroeder (14:28:54): Eva: "...Are you sure you want to do that? They may try something desperate, if it can't be easily removed from you."
Tengu Shikigami (14:29:57): Terrorist: "Why would we want to keep them after we're out of here? Listen to our demands, and all of the hostages will get out of this safely. Don't listen, and..."
Tengu Shikigami (14:30:06): Terrorist: "Two minutes! You have two minutes left!"
griefgathering (14:30:06): "...Mm..." Seta frowns at this suggestion. She's definitely not fine with it...
Tengu Shikigami (14:30:19): Terrorist: "One minute!"
cubey@aol.pl (14:30:23): Ren: "If that's your decision - who am I to tell you no."
cubey@aol.pl (14:30:33): Ren: "Please stop! The amulet is coming your way."
tormterra (14:31:13): Alex: "I know. But we need to do something or all those people are going to die and they're going to keep coming for me. I'm going in." Turning back to the terrorist she holds up Enki's amulet trying her best not to let fear at what she's doing show. "I'm turning myself over as a hostage, I have the talisman."
Tengu Shikigami (14:32:22): Terrorist: "That's the amulet, alright. Come inside."
Tengu Shikigami (14:32:42): A few of the Vlaams Leger members, the speaker included, are watching this through binoculars.
cubey@aol.pl (14:33:07): Ren seems strangely calm about the development.
Tengu Shikigami (14:33:08): Terrorist 2: "She's just a girl! How is that going to ensure we're getting out of here safely?"
VJockey (14:33:27): [Interitus whines plaintively, looking around the interior of the shuttle.]
tormterra (14:35:35): Alex moves forward to let herself get taken hostage, her face face flush as the danger of the situation really sets in and puts her entire body on alert. Of all the crazy things she did after signing up for Unity Group, this was probably the craziest
cubey@aol.pl (14:35:49): Ren: "Alex..."
cubey@aol.pl (14:36:07): Ren: "You did a very brave thing just now. But don't be afraid. You have nothing to worry about."
Tengu Shikigami (14:36:13): As soon as Alex enters the building, two of the terrorists aim their guns at her. One of them gestures for her to move to the side.
cubey@aol.pl (14:36:19): "It will be over, soon. We can solve this without anyone losing their lives."
Tengu Shikigami (14:37:17): Terrorist 1: "Alright, we have the amulet and a Unity Group member as a hostage. We're leaving! We'll drop the hostage on the edge of the city and leave! Leave us alone and I guarantee their safety! Do something funny and all of them will bite it! You understand?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:37:49): Terrorist 2: "We're out of here! Move it, men! To your machines!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:38:02): ???: "I don't think so."
cubey@aol.pl (14:38:22): Ren: "!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:38:25): Suddenly, there's a loud crashing noise, and something breaks through the wall of the museum, to the outside!
tormterra (14:38:26): Moving over towards the terrorist, she holds the amulet forth for him to see moving to follow their directions. She's very pointedly silent as she does so
griefgathering (14:38:27): Seta: "...?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:38:51): It's a large, bulky, black, literally edgy monster-like machine, with two large guns sticking from its shoulders...
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:01): A Punisher.
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:04): A Kin minion.
cubey@aol.pl (14:39:16): Ren: "Oh no... so here they are."
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:25): And, on your screens, you see that several of the terrorists are approaching the hostages.
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:36): One of them removes their mask. The one who just spoke.
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:42): http://safebooru.org//samples/1183/sample_719b126d9232cac6c43ae0fc5666b098ec62acc1.png
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:46): It's Hen.
VJockey (14:39:53): "!!!!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:39:56): Terrorist 1: "What are you d-"
Tengu Shikigami (14:40:03): Hen: "Silence, worm."
Tengu Shikigami (14:40:22): Hen: "We have our own reason for coming here."
cubey@aol.pl (14:40:53): Ren: "Your crusade of hate is over, Hen! What are you trying to do here?"
griefgathering (14:41:08): Seta: "This is not good..."
cubey@aol.pl (14:41:16): Ren: "It's pointless to try to break my spirit. You had your best shot, but it didn't work."
Tengu Shikigami (14:41:44): Hen: "Are you sure about that? I think you're wrong. My crusade has just reached its peak."
VJockey (14:41:58): "What do we do?"
Peter Kampschroeder (14:42:00): Eva: "Don't do this, Hen..."
Tengu Shikigami (14:42:11): Hen points towards a small group of the hostages. Several children and elderly, huddled together in fear.
Tengu Shikigami (14:42:35): The other few terrorists who are with Hen remove their masks. From their inhuman expression and androgynous beauty, you can see they're also Kin.
Tengu Shikigami (14:42:40): They also draw swords.
tormterra (14:42:53): Seeing the newcomers, Alex clutches Enki's talisman, ready to summon him should the stand-off get worse. Hopefully there was some way for her to try to intervene should it come to that
Tengu Shikigami (14:43:07): Hen: "These. The most vulnerable, the weakest, the most innocent among humans."
Tengu Shikigami (14:43:40): Hen: "We are going to torture and kill them. They will die slowly and painfully."
Tengu Shikigami (14:43:46): Hen: "And guess what, Ren?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:43:50): Hen: "This is all your fault."
cubey@aol.pl (14:43:58): Ren: "My fault?"
tormterra (14:44:17): Alex: "You'll let yourself get pinned down in the middle of the city just to do that?" Alex grits her teeth looking up. Seemed increasingly likely that the museum wasn't going to be saved
Tengu Shikigami (14:44:26): Hen: "It's because you were so stubborn. It's because you failed to see how awful humans are. I'll make you see."
VJockey (14:44:39): "You're the awful ones here!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:45:04): Hen: "Of course. Do you think we care about this? We can clearly get out of here, unlike these humans."
Tengu Shikigami (14:45:09): Terrorist: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (14:45:13): Ren: "You can't force me to change my view of humans by your own actions, Hen! Because... you are not human!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:45:24): Hen: "Of course, if they choose to follow us, they should survive this too."
cubey@aol.pl (14:45:35): Ren: "Look, Vlaams Leger, these are the threats I tried to warn you about! They do not care about your lives, they just want humanity to suffer!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:45:41): Terrorist: "...Tch. You better be right."
cubey@aol.pl (14:45:51): Ren: "Don't listen to Hen, please!"
VJockey (14:45:55): "No... No no no!"
cubey@aol.pl (14:46:01): Ren: "I beg you, you are making a big mistake!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:46:04): Hen: "Of course I am right. Would I ever lie to you? I've been all but helpful so far, haven't I?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:46:10): Terrorist: "..."
Tengu Shikigami (14:46:20): Hen: "Now. Proceed with the slaughter."
Tengu Shikigami (14:46:44): The Kin step forward, towards the terrified children and elderly...
Tengu Shikigami (14:46:55): But, suddenly, there's an obstacle in their way.
Tengu Shikigami (14:47:14): The other hostages, one by one, stand up. And they form a wall in front of the Kin.
Tengu Shikigami (14:47:25): A terrified, silent, but determined wall.
Tengu Shikigami (14:47:34): Hen: "Oh? What's this?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:48:05): Hen: "You want to protect those whom you barely know? What a noble, but pointless, sacrifice."
Tengu Shikigami (14:48:09): Hen: "Cut them down."
Tengu Shikigami (14:48:19): The Kin move in, slashing with their swords at the hostages!
cubey@aol.pl (14:48:30): Ren: "... Move in, everyone."
cubey@aol.pl (14:48:33): #
Tengu Shikigami (14:48:36): Approved.
griefgathering (14:48:38): #?
Tengu Shikigami (14:48:49): Denied, for the time being.
Tengu Shikigami (14:49:10): You're too far away from the crowd to react to this immediately, Astara.
cubey@aol.pl (14:49:46): *The first sword slash will bounce off the skin of a terrified hostage, leaving no wounds behind. So do the rest - and the civilians' bodies start to glow, a soft light emanating from them. The same applies to Alex.
cubey@aol.pl (14:50:05): *At the same time, in Ren's cockpit, their body suddenly becomes cut up by sword swings out of nowhere.+
Tengu Shikigami (14:50:15): Hen: "...What?"
Tengu Shikigami (14:50:43): All of the Kin look shocked that their attacks have no effect. They try again, to equally negative results.
cubey@aol.pl (14:50:53): Ren: "Ghh...."
Tengu Shikigami (14:50:54): The hostages are equally surprised. For a moment.
cubey@aol.pl (14:51:01): Ren: "Aah! Go now!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:51:03): But then, they realize what's going on.
Tengu Shikigami (14:51:12): One by one, the hostages move forward.
griefgathering (14:51:14): Seta: "Ren..!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:51:16): And suddenly, they rush in!
Tengu Shikigami (14:51:25): Kin: "What the...?"
tormterra (14:51:56): Alex doesn't speak up, instead staying tense to summon Enki the second she could do something to help rather than getting the hostages crushed in the fray
Tengu Shikigami (14:52:17): The several Kin swordsmen are suddenly pummeled from all directions! Glowing with soft light, men, women, Gebians, start grappling with them, hitting them with their fists and knees!
Tengu Shikigami (14:52:40): The Kin are trying to fend them off with their swords, but to no effect. Their attacks are fruitless.
Tengu Shikigami (14:53:03): There are many hostages. Many more than the Kin. And their attacks are fuelled by anger.
Tengu Shikigami (14:53:31): A few of the terrorists fire bullets at this crowd, to no effect.
Tengu Shikigami (14:53:40): Terrorist: "Shit! Retreat! Retreat!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:54:21): The Vlaams Leger forces start to pull back, away from the hall! So do the Kin, which are getting overwhelmed!
Tengu Shikigami (14:54:36): Hen: "...This is not the end."
cubey@aol.pl (14:54:39): The Gespenst... stands still.
VJockey (14:55:04): "Ren!"
griefgathering (14:55:55): Seta: "She will be alright, won't she...?"
VJockey (14:56:12): "I don't... I don't know!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:56:16): Indeed, this is not the end. Because more Kin units are appearing around the museum.
VJockey (14:56:22): "I don't know-"
Peter Kampschroeder (14:56:31): Eva: "Volya, please calm down..."
Tengu Shikigami (14:56:44): And, suddenly, something crashes through the museum's wall, from another part of the building into the main hall!
tormterra (14:57:11): Alex is not calling out for Ren, on account of being too far away and not knowing what's going on she is however trying to clear the fray, but stay close enough to summon Enki if necessary. That became even more of a mess than expected and had it not been for her months with Unity Group she'd clearly be deeply in panic by this point
Tengu Shikigami (14:57:43): It's a large machine, larger than any other Kin units. It looks like a combination od a serpent and a bird, fused together into a snake-like being with arms, legs, and wings that also have arms.
Tengu Shikigami (14:58:11): It has an eagle's head, and another one, a snake one, at the end of its tail. And it's wielding four swords.
Tengu Shikigami (14:58:21): Hen: "Right on time, Chou."
Tengu Shikigami (14:58:28): Chou: "Hen. I'm here...!"
Tengu Shikigami (14:59:05): The hostages back away, terrified at the sight of the monster. The terrorists and Kin escape.
cubey@aol.pl (14:59:29): The protective light around the crowd dims...
Tengu Shikigami (14:59:45): Hen: "As I said, it is but the peak of my crusade. Now, let us crush them together, shall we?"
Tengu Shikigami (15:00:14): Chou: "Yes! I'm glad we finally get to do this..."
Tengu Shikigami (15:00:32): Hen enters the monster's cockpit. And at the same time, more Kin units appear around the museum,.
Tengu Shikigami (15:00:42): And not just that. Human units as well.
Tengu Shikigami (15:01:05): Terrorist: "Everything went to shit! Time for plan B! We're fighting our way out!"
tormterra (15:01:09): Alex: "Like hell you will, I'm not letting you kill the hostages anymore than I was going to let the terrorists." And with that, the place clearly becoming a battlefield, she reached out to summon Enki
griefgathering (15:01:16): Seta: "Everyone, here they come...!"
VJockey (15:01:27): "......."
Tengu Shikigami (15:01:38): Chou: "What is this?"
cubey@aol.pl (15:02:01): Before growing stronger than ever! Moreover, similar shining very briefly sprouts from Unity Group allied machines. The Gespenst's head snaps up, its visor glowing red, a halo around it.
Tengu Shikigami (15:02:04): Hen: "A fake god, worshipped by foolish humans a long time ago. We will dethrone him."
cubey@aol.pl (15:02:05): Ren: "I..."
cubey@aol.pl (15:02:14): Ren: "I will not die from something like that."
cubey@aol.pl (15:02:46): Ren: "I'm sorry for worrying the all of you." The inner cockpit camera shows that Ren's body is covered by wounds, deep gashes and bullet holes, all bleeding profusely.
Aero (15:02:54): Astara:"At the very least this will be easier to deal with..."
tormterra (15:02:55): Alex: "Fake? His power and those who've been trying to destroy him says otherwise. This is Enki."
Tengu Shikigami (15:03:20): Chou: "If that's the case, then... We shall be the first ones."
VJockey (15:03:26): "W... we'll stop them won't we..?"
Tengu Shikigami (15:03:27): Hen: "That's the spirit."
Peter Kampschroeder (15:03:35): Eva: "Of course."
Tengu Shikigami (15:03:50): Even though Hen's compliment was deadpan, you can almost feel Chou's satisfaction from it.
Tengu Shikigami (15:03:52): Enemy List: F15 Eagle x7, Guarlion x5, Tormentor x10, Punisher x6, Reverse Quetzalcoatl (Hen and Chou)
Tengu Shikigami (15:03:57): F-15 Eagle
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/muvluv/images/6/6f/F-15C-US.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110905083600

Guarlion
http://www.mahq.net/mecha/srw/inspector/dcam-006.jpg
Tengu Shikigami (15:04:01): Initiative: Ren, Alex, Volya, Astara, Eva, Seta
Tengu Shikigami (15:04:05): (Ren, Alex, Volya)
cubey@aol.pl (15:04:34): Ren: "Everyone! Let's go!"
cubey@aol.pl (15:04:41): The Gespenst charges forward!
griefgathering (15:04:45): Seta: "Yes."
cubey@aol.pl (15:04:51): Ren: "But, try to avoid destroying the museum any further."
VJockey (15:05:12): "We'll try..!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:05:15): Watch out - the hostages are still inside the grand hall. And all the enemies are around, or inside, the museum.
tormterra (15:06:00): Alex: "You're okay. What happened out there?"
cubey@aol.pl (15:06:29): *The Gespenst uses its armored plates to its advantage - Ren tackles the closest Tormentor. Expecting the nimble enemy to dodge, they already draw a beam rifle - and fire at where it's expected to land!+
cubey@aol.pl (15:06:53): Ren: "I took all the wounds of the innocent on myself."
cubey@aol.pl (15:07:02): Ren: "It's... nothing much, really."
Tengu Shikigami (15:07:46): The Tormentor dodges indees, but Ren's prediction is correct, and the beam shot pierces right through it, blowing the black machine up. But watch out, two more of them rush in, trying to slash at the Gespenst with their daggers as they fly by! (react)
Peter Kampschroeder (15:08:03): #Ren?
Tengu Shikigami (15:08:32): (approved)
VJockey (15:09:09): *Leaping out of the shuttle and taking to the air, Interitus lets loose like a mythical dragon of old! Except that instead of fire she lets loose with a crackling cloud of electrical discharge to disorient and stun the enemy forces with. She purposefully avoids letting any bit of her attack drift too close to the museum.+
Tengu Shikigami (15:09:26): (pick target)
Peter Kampschroeder (15:09:37): *The Huckebein Omega takes flight! From a position in the sky above the city, Eva provides overwatch-and lets loose a controlled burst at each of the Tormentors charging towards Ren.+
tormterra (15:09:41): * With Enki out, Alex immediately spun into action kicking a nearby pile of debris from all the wall smashing to turn it into a pile of dust obscuring vision. Using her makeshift smokecloud she charged a nearby Tormentor before it could reorient itself to start corroding its armor. *
cubey@aol.pl (15:09:52): Ren: "Ah..."
cubey@aol.pl (15:10:26): *Letting loose split missiles as deterrent would be effective here - but it's also city, so Ren does NOT do that. Instead, the Gespenst jukes to the side and backs off, raising its hands in a block.+
Tengu Shikigami (15:11:00): The Tormentor didn't see Enki coming until it's too late. Its armor and body are corroded into uselessness!
Tengu Shikigami (15:11:37): But something else did see...
Tengu Shikigami (15:11:49): Hen: "Over there. Chou, if you don't mind..."
Tengu Shikigami (15:11:56): Chou: "Of course, Hen. Haa~!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:13:04): Reverse Quetzalcoatl rushes forward, spinning around to swing its tail! The attack is not only powerful in a physical way, but the snake end at the end drips powerful acid from its maws!
Tengu Shikigami (15:13:06): *maw
Tengu Shikigami (15:13:21): And to make it worse, the civilians are still nearby!
Tengu Shikigami (15:13:22): (react)
drascin (15:13:24): #
Tengu Shikigami (15:13:28): (approved)
tormterra (15:14:14): * Hearing the sound behind her, Alex uses Enki's power to restore the corroded armor to a usable state turning it into a makeshift shield as she spins around to block the incoming attack. +
Tengu Shikigami (15:15:02): Ren raises the Gespenst's arm, blocking one of the incoming slashing daggers. The other one still bites into the Real Trooper's side, though... But then Eva shoots the Kin machine down.
cubey@aol.pl (15:15:23): Ren: "Thank you, Eva."
drascin (15:15:52): *You should probably rethink that, though, Chou, because suddenly there's a glint up in the sky, and a thin, piercing beam descends from above exactly at the point where your lion head is going to be at as that blow continues! And this is followed by a barrage of exceedingly precise suppression fire as something is flying straight down at breakneck speed... wait, is that Kagura?! &
Peter Kampschroeder (15:16:16): Eva: "Thank me when we win."
Tengu Shikigami (15:16:29): One of the Punishers gets zapped hard by an electric attack, its armor mostly useless to stop it! The machine collapses, smoking.
cubey@aol.pl (15:16:54): Ren nods, but there's not a lot of time left for talking at the moment.
cubey@aol.pl (15:16:59): More people are still in danger!
Tengu Shikigami (15:17:03): However, three of the Eagles suddenly jump in, using their boost systems! They surround Interitus, using the near buildings as cover, and open fire from their machineguns!
Tengu Shikigami (15:17:11): Terrorist: "Die, monster!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:17:14): (Volya react)
cubey@aol.pl (15:17:46): # (Multiple targets)
Tengu Shikigami (15:17:59): (I suppose?)
cubey@aol.pl (15:18:45): *Ren's wound-taking ability is still active. If the civilians near the Quetzalcoatl are under attack, they won't have anything to be afraid of.
cubey@aol.pl (15:19:05): *Nor will Interitus, being a living being.+
VJockey (15:19:08): *Interitus simply covers herself with her wings. Said wings soon glowed brightly before unleashing a laser storm that weaved around the buildings to hammer at the limbs of the TSFs!+
Tengu Shikigami (15:19:51): The incoming beam and following suppression fire from Kagura stops the snake-ended tail from flailing around! It only hits Enki's shield, pushing the god out of the museum's hall, but not dealing any damage to it. The hostages are safe... For the time being.
Tengu Shikigami (15:19:53): Hen: "What?"
Tengu Shikigami (15:20:00): (Kagura can continue)
Tengu Shikigami (15:20:06): (Astara, Eva, Seta, go)
drascin (15:20:08): Kagura: "ENGAGE."
Tengu Shikigami (15:21:25): The incoming barrage hits Interitus' wings, not dealing any damage to them thanks to Ren. Though it doesn't feel as bad as being shot normally, since the wings are tough, Ren still gets hit rather bad by it.
Tengu Shikigami (15:21:31): These machineguns are nothing to sneeze at.
cubey@aol.pl (15:21:45): Ren: "Kagu... ugh!"
drascin (15:21:48): & ...and while the people around the hostages are looking at the grey meteor coming down guns blazing, the back of the museum explodes and a squad of Executors pours in at high speed with the kind of absolute coordination born from hundreds of hours of a certain Major shouting in their ear, shooting and slashing into the back lines of the enemy out of nowhere like an arrowhead charge.+
Tengu Shikigami (15:21:51): Two of the Eagles hide behind their buildings, but one of them gets hit by lasers and literally disarmed.
cubey@aol.pl (15:21:53): That may have been a mistake.
drascin (15:21:59): Allensby: Move, people!
Peter Kampschroeder (15:22:53): *Eva opens fire on the Tormentors nearest to her. Any shot that misses will land somewhere in the city, so she stays on burst fire mode and tries to be as careful as possible.+
Tengu Shikigami (15:23:12): An Executor extraction team moves in, securing the hostages and quickly moving them out of the museum!
Peter Kampschroeder (15:23:14): Eva: "Chou, Hen...Just what are you even trying to do?"
Tengu Shikigami (15:23:19): Chou: "Hen, they're escaping..."
Tengu Shikigami (15:23:24): Hen: "Only if we let them."
Tengu Shikigami (15:24:35): Hen: "And haven't I made myself clear already? I want to make Ren watch as humanity suffers."
Tengu Shikigami (15:24:44): Hen: "The humanity Ren loves so much."
Tengu Shikigami (15:26:00): Hen: "Ren might love humans, foolishly. But I despise them. I am going to watch them squirm under my foot, and die in agony. If Ren witnesses this, that is only all the better."
tormterra (15:26:21): Alex: "What the hell's wrong with you guys? What'd humans do to you that made you hate all of us?"
Peter Kampschroeder (15:26:27): Eva: "But you can't wipe out mankind."
cubey@aol.pl (15:26:35): Ren: "You lost the sight of your original goal, Hen! Are you so overwhelmed by hate that you forgot everything else?"
Tengu Shikigami (15:26:53): Hen: "Doesn't that only make it better? It means your torment will never stop."
Peter Kampschroeder (15:26:54): "With your level of strength, there will always be more people living in happiness than under your suffering."
VJockey (15:26:54): "I won't let you hurt anyone..."
VJockey (15:27:01): "Not these people! Not Ren!'
Tengu Shikigami (15:27:46): Hen: "And isn't it obvious? I hate you because you are despicable, petty, vile beings."
Tengu Shikigami (15:28:08): Eva fires into the air, shooting down and destroying two Tormentors, making them crash down on the streets.
VJockey (15:28:09): "GO LOOK IN A MIRROR!"
tormterra (15:28:13): Alex: "Says the one trying to murder unarmed people."
Tengu Shikigami (15:28:28): Hen: "Do you feel bad when you step on an unarmed worm, then?"
griefgathering (15:29:04): (Can I have an enemy count please?)
Tengu Shikigami (15:29:25): The other Tormentors try to stay away from the Huckebein for the time being... But that cannot be said about their artillery allies! Two Punishers aim their cannons and fire powerful blasts at Eva, not caring if anything else is in the way! (react)
Tengu Shikigami (15:29:37): Enemy List: F15 Eagle x6, Guarlion x5, Tormentor x5, Punisher x5, Reverse Quetzalcoatl (Hen and Chou)
tormterra (15:29:38): Alex: "No, but I don't hate them either."
Tengu Shikigami (15:29:51): (also Kagura can move too)
Tengu Shikigami (15:30:20): Hen: "Tell me then. Do you hate anyone?"
drascin (15:30:34): Kagura: "MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE"
Tengu Shikigami (15:30:42): Hen: "Do you hate Kin? Do you hate me?"
drascin (15:30:43): Kagura: "ALSO: SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKER"
VJockey (15:30:59): "... I don't know"
VJockey (15:31:25): "Maybe..."
VJockey (15:32:02): "But as much as I do... I wouldn't hurt them... I wouldn't kill them! I wouldn't go to your level!"
drascin (15:32:15): *Why surprise? because Kagura has been flying straight down at maximum speed for Chou and Han - and she's coming straight for you, metal-shattering sword at the ready! &
Peter Kampschroeder (15:32:36): *Eva: "...The thing is..." The Huckebein more or less tanks the shots, trying to rely on its TK shield for protection. "Tch..How to put it..."+
Tengu Shikigami (15:33:57): Chou: "...Don't think I don't see you!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:34:42): Reverse Quetzalcoatl turns around, trying to swing all four of its swords into Kagura with steel-shattering power! (react/continue)
Tengu Shikigami (15:35:09): Chou: "I always have Hen's back. Always."
Tengu Shikigami (15:35:38): The Huckebein is shaken by the incoming blasts, but thanks to its TK field, it's mostly fine.
drascin (15:36:00): *...except that Kagura does not hit the Quetzal at all. An instant before impact would be made, she just flicks to the side and veers suddenly as she breaks the sound barrier, the sonic boom suddenly shaking the area in order to disorient the boss - disorientment being the key thing here, because as she flew down she had been letting a bunch of bombs go. Bombs that come right behind her and did not, in fact, veer course at all. So the swords are going to meet about a dozen sticky bombs. She DID warn "surprise"+
Tengu Shikigami (15:36:39): Chou: "...What!"
Aero (15:36:50): *Flames gathered around the Kijin's hand, forming her broadsword before she dashed in at the machines, slashing almost wildly at the legs and jump jets of the TSFs. +
Tengu Shikigami (15:38:23): The explosions shake the giant snake-like enemy, damaging its arms and making it take a step back, outside of the museum and into the open! But it's very tough, and the attack didn't do that much damage to the Quetzalcoatl or its blades...
Tengu Shikigami (15:38:27): Just some.
griefgathering (15:38:29): *There are already enough units inside the museum, and the civilians are safe. So Seta decides to take to the streets instead. She doesn't seem to be in a hurry because she's worried about damaging the buildings, so she walks towards one of the Guarlions near to the ground. Slowly, she increases her speed and sprints towards it, looking prepared to strike with her fists&
Peter Kampschroeder (15:38:50): Eva: "...Someday, maybe not today, you will be defeated, buried, and forgotten. The act of your creation will not be erased, no matter how many people you torture."
Tengu Shikigami (15:39:14): Astars cuts the legs of one of the Eagles, making it collapse to the ground. But as she slashes into the jump jet of another one, it tries to fend her off by quickly drawing its knife and then slashing right at her! (react)
Tengu Shikigami (15:39:32): Terrorist: "Die! For Flanders!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:40:39): A Guarlion notices a human-sized target quickly incoming, and opens fire with its mounted gatling cannons! Furthermore, it already draws its assault blade (read: chainsword), ready to strike! (react/continue)
Tengu Shikigami (15:40:47): (Ren, Alex, Volya)
cubey@aol.pl (15:41:40): Ren: "You still keep going on about your homeland. It is an important thing to believe in, but at what cost? You are making a mistake here..."
cubey@aol.pl (15:42:02): And a much bigger mistake is fighting the Kijin and underestimating them. Ren knows the duo are not in any trouble at all there.
Tengu Shikigami (15:42:27): Terrorist: "We have suffered long enough under the boots of tyrants. Freedom is worth dying for! Freedom is worth killing for!"
drascin (15:43:00): Kagura curses to herself as she veers and loses herself in the rubble to ready another pass. She'd hoped for a weapon break, but these bastards are tough. On the other hand, the main pilot seems to be little more than a stupid brute...
Tengu Shikigami (15:43:17): Hen: "Look at this, Ren. Look how obsessed and hate-filled your beloved humans can be."
Aero (15:43:26): * The single blade erupts into flames again, splitting the weapon into two separate swords. Astara reacts with superhuman speed and swings one of the blades towards the knife to knock it away before tossing the other blade towards the elbow joint of the TSF in an attempt to disarm the machine. +
cubey@aol.pl (15:43:45): *Which is why the Gespenst turns towards Reverse Quetzalcoatl. Ren can see Chou and Hen are good at melee, so - the unit draws a rectangular launcher.
VJockey (15:44:12): *Interitus lets out a loud roar before letting loose with a blast of imobilizing sap at the Eagle Astara is moving to disarm to further keep it from fighting!+
griefgathering (15:44:12): *As Seta breaks into a run, something suddenly drags along the ground and flings sparks everywhere. That something is a black broadsword that is soon raised to deflect those bullets. But as she gets closer to the assault blade, Seta suddenly vanishes in a white blur, and re-emerges above the Guarlion's head. Her sword is poised to split it down the middle as she descends!+
cubey@aol.pl (15:44:42): Ren: "Humanity is drawn to symbols. Flanders became a symbol, and when working under a banner, humans are capable of incredible acts of hate."
cubey@aol.pl (15:44:49): Ren: "I'd be foolish to deny it."
cubey@aol.pl (15:45:19): Ren: "But... they are also capable of incredible acts of love!" *The launcher sends missiles, explosive projectiles right into Quetzalcoatl's center of mass!+
tormterra (15:45:46): * Rather than stay and destroy the building any further now that the hostages were out, Alex takes to the streets running towards one of the Guarlions. "Just a girl? I'm 22! And I wield the power of a god!" Even as she vents her anger, she follows it by a much more controlled and directed burst of water aimed at its head, followed by a quick one off to its side in the direction it was most likely to dodge. +
Tengu Shikigami (15:45:52): Astara's defense maneuver works, setting the TSF up open for a counterattack - the fiery blade severs its arm! The Eagle takes a step back, unable to fight momentarily.
Tengu Shikigami (15:45:58): Terrorist: "Shit! Impossible...!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:47:10): With lots of sounds of metal reflecting off something, Seta blocks the incoming bullets! And then she jumps, slashing right through the Guarlion. For a moment it looks like nothing has happened, and then the machine suddenly splits in two, and blows up.
Tengu Shikigami (15:48:41): The Guarlion gets hit by corrosive water, tries to dodge, and moves in the same direction Alex aimed. It can't take it anymore and collapses heavily to the street, useless.
griefgathering (15:49:22): Seta lowers her sword, which was actually her dad's, to the side. This thing is straining her to use, but for an emergency like this, it's worth it.
Tengu Shikigami (15:49:41): But the other three remaining Guarlions rush forward! They pick up on speed and their break fields become visible as they try to bullrush Enki at supersonic speed! (react)
cubey@aol.pl (15:49:43): Ren: "Are you okay, Seta? Please don't push yourself."
Tengu Shikigami (15:49:55): Terrorist: "Flanders is above ancient gods! Break!"
griefgathering (15:50:00): Seta: "I am fine. How is everyone else faring...?"
Tengu Shikigami (15:50:41): Reverse Quetzalcoatl is covered by explosions... But when the dust settles, it becomes clear that it shielded itself with its wings, and suffered only light damage from the attack.
cubey@aol.pl (15:51:14): Ren: "I think... they're holding up!"
tormterra (15:51:33): Alex: "...You idiots are making me feel bad about being Flemish."
VJockey (15:51:41): #Alex?
Tengu Shikigami (15:52:13): And in response, the giant Kin machine extends its tail forward, its snake mouth opening and spitting out a spray of acid and metal shrapnel from far away at Ren! (react)
Tengu Shikigami (15:52:14): (approved)
Tengu Shikigami (15:52:25): (Volya, Astara, Eva can move)
cubey@aol.pl (15:52:48): Ren: "Don't let them dictate what kind of person you are!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:53:03): Chou: "Love. I don't deny that, but-"
Peter Kampschroeder (15:53:20): (remaining enemies?)
Tengu Shikigami (15:53:27): Hen: "Love never comes without hate. Ever. Tell me, what else do all of you hate?"
tormterra (15:53:35): * With the incoming rush Alex is left in the open without any ready tools to protect herself with. Instead she fires a few quick blasts of water towards them as she desperately tries to fling herself to the side behind the crumbling walls of the museum. +
Tengu Shikigami (15:53:36): Enemy List: F15 Eagle x4, Guarlion x3, Tormentor x5, Punisher x5, Reverse Quetzalcoatl (Hen and Chou) [light damage]
cubey@aol.pl (15:53:39): *An opening! While the tail is being extended, the Gespenst's thrusters send it into a short, controlled jump. Ren tries to jump over the acid and shrapnel rain, being wary of what it may hit if it misses the PT, and at the same time...
VJockey (15:54:36): *Interitus snarls as the ground below the Guarlions rumbles. Vines blasting out of it to grab at the rapidly moving Lions' limbs as they make to move past the suddenly growing wall of plant life!+
cubey@aol.pl (15:54:44): Ren: "Love comes without hate. I should know!" *The Gespenst's fist swings down, plasma stakes extended! The snake tail gets hit by a Jet Magnum!+
Peter Kampschroeder (15:55:18): *Eva remains floating, and opens fire this time on the Punishers with her rifle's sniper mode. Might as well go full power on a slow target like them.+
Tengu Shikigami (15:56:36): The wall of vines and blasts of water slow down most of the Guarlions enough for Alex to hide behind the wall. One of the Guarlions manages to glance Enki with its rushing strike, but the ancient god is tough. All three of them suffer light damage in the process.
drascin (15:56:42): Kagura: "YOU DO REALIZE THE WHOLE LOVE AND HATE ARE THE SAME THING IS JUST POP PSYCHOLOGY BULLSHIT"
drascin (15:57:05): Yeah, even as she lines up shots, Kagura can find a moment to snark
Tengu Shikigami (15:57:21): Hen: "Oh, I know. After all, you hate a lot, but do not actually love anything. Do you?"
drascin (15:57:43): Kagura: "PRETTY MUCH. I'M AN ASSHOLE. ALSO NOT HUMAN, AT THAT"
VJockey (15:58:15): "Major Kagura's scarier than most people."
VJockey (15:58:24): "Thhhhbtthhht!"
Tengu Shikigami (15:58:58): Ren jumps over the blast of acid, some of it leaving marks in the Gespenst's legs regardless. But that's only for a moment, because suddenly the Jet Magnum smashes right into the snake head, throwing it away, and leaving cracks in it!
Tengu Shikigami (16:00:07): Eva takes a well-aimed shot at a weak point in the Punisher's armor, and pierces right through it. The Kin unit blows up in a big explosion!
Tengu Shikigami (16:00:37): But while she's distracted by taking aim, two Tormentors rush in, trying to jump at her back and stab at it repeatedly with their dual-wielded knives! (react)
Tengu Shikigami (16:00:52): (Volya, Astara, Seta can move)
VJockey (16:02:55): *Interitus is going to rush at the reverse Q and grab onto it in order to try drain its energy!+
Aero (16:03:20): *Astara lets out a sigh and draws a somewhat familiar pair of handguns to fire a small barrage of precise shots, all aimed at different joints before both pistols were charged to unleash devastating explosive shots at the head of the TSF.+
VJockey (16:03:36): "We're going to stop you!"
Peter Kampschroeder (16:03:40): *The Huckebein spins around at the last moment, its gun blasting at one Tormentor before moving on to the next for a close bayonet stab. Eva's reflexes are fast, but are they fast enough to make both hits?+
Tengu Shikigami (16:03:54): Interitus grabs the giant Kin unit with its tentacle vines and starts draining its energy.
Tengu Shikigami (16:04:16): Hen: "What's this? You'd engage the Reverse Quetzalcoatl in melee?"
Tengu Shikigami (16:04:45): The boss unit starts hacking repeatedly at Interitus with all four of its swords, with quick, brutal strikes!
Tengu Shikigami (16:04:49): Hen: "Ha ha ha!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:04:51): (react)
cubey@aol.pl (16:05:15): # Volya and Interitus
Tengu Shikigami (16:05:18): (approved)
Tengu Shikigami (16:06:26): Astara's shots blow up the headof one of the Eagles, the force of the explosion making the TSF collapse. Two more of them jump from behind buildings and rush at her, firing their guns in quick bursts while trying to flank her! (react)
VJockey (16:06:52): "NnnGH!!" *Volya and Interitus lash out - hands rushing out to try grab at two of the swords to stop them... but even then that would leave two more. Which is why Interitus is going to let loose with a point blank stun cloud and wing-beam barrage!+
VJockey (16:07:04): "I'll do... whatever I have to..."
VJockey (16:07:13): "So my friends don't have to die!!"
cubey@aol.pl (16:07:21): *The Gespenst interposes itself between Interitus and the blades!
griefgathering (16:07:27): "I will continue to engage the units outside." *Seta can't cover the distance very well in her current state, and especially not with this sword. Fortuna-tely, she is also in possession of another Kijin soul...one that she is a bit reluctant to use.
Tengu Shikigami (16:07:34): Eva manages to blast into one of the Tormentors, blowing it up before it can reach her... But the other one still stabs into the Huckebein, and then raises a wing to parry her blade before quickly escaping!
cubey@aol.pl (16:07:40): Ren: "Don't look down on others, Hen!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:07:41): (Seta can move too)
Tengu Shikigami (16:07:48): (err, Kagura can move too)
cubey@aol.pl (16:08:13): *It does not block, but rather its arms stretch out - and try to stop two of the blades at least, by holding the hands that wield them and struggle to keep them in place!+
drascin (16:09:40): *And while Hen and Chou are distracted looking forward at the people in front of them, Kagura launches at the mech's back, slashing with her remaining Xanthez saber - aiming to cut the snake head off the Quetzal's tail+
griefgathering (16:10:02): Seta: *"Answer my call...Shadow Spear." Black energy manifests in her hand, and extends to the sides to form a dual-ended dark spear. At the same time, numerous other dark spears, much like Lady Grey's, form in the air to attack the Terrorist TSFs, including the ones engaging Astara.+
Tengu Shikigami (16:11:45): Four of the blades are grabbed by four hands. The swords cut deeply into them, but both Interitus and the Gespenst hold. And then the lasers burn deeply into the body of the Quetzalcoatl, leaving visible marks in it.
Tengu Shikigami (16:12:42): Kagura takes advantage to rush towards the enemy! But suddenly one of its wings lowers, protecting the tail from the strike! Still, she cuts through it enough to leave a deep mark in the tail regardless. The snake head looks pretty badly damaged now...
Tengu Shikigami (16:12:51): Chou: "I said, I always have Hen's back!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:13:21): The Quetzalcoatl pushes away Ren and Volya. But the damage it has taken only accumulates.
cubey@aol.pl (16:13:36): Ren: "I don't know what you see in Hen, Chou."
drascin (16:13:36): Kagura: "UNTIL HE BLOWS YOU UP, YOU MEAN"
cubey@aol.pl (16:13:42): Ren: "But then... who am I to judge?"
cubey@aol.pl (16:14:16): (What is left of enemies?)
tormterra (16:14:29): Alex: "I don't either. But seeing something in anybody goes against what they've been preaching all this time."
Tengu Shikigami (16:14:55): Chou: "Yes. Who are you to judge? Hen is my dear mentor. The most important person in my life. The only one who understands me."
Tengu Shikigami (16:15:20): Enemy List: F15 Eagle x3, Guarlion x3, Tormentor x4, Punisher x4, Reverse Quetzalcoatl (Hen and Chou) [medium damage]
Aero (16:15:23): * "Of all souls..." Despite sorta knowing what happened with Lady Grey, the use of that weapon still bothered Astara a lot. Astara herself quickly slammed her fist into the ground to form four large pillars of ice around her to protect her from those bullets before she winded her fist back and slammed it into the ice, shattering one of the pillars and sending massive shards of ice towards the TSFs. +
Tengu Shikigami (16:16:42): The ice pillars serve as a temporary shield - but they serve this purpose long enough for the two attacking TSFs to be skewered by the shadowy spears, and the ice shards!
cubey@aol.pl (16:17:09): Ren: "What you describe... is love."
cubey@aol.pl (16:17:16): Ren: "For that love, I suggest you give up. You are losing."
Tengu Shikigami (16:17:26): Chou: "Never!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:17:44): Reverse Quetzalcoatl moves its snake head forward, its fangs opening!
Tengu Shikigami (16:17:49): Hen: "Chou, wai-"
cubey@aol.pl (16:17:55): Ren: "If you continue to fight, Hen won't survive..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:18:40): The snake heads tries to breathe a burst of acid - but it was already severely damaged in Kagura's attack that almost severed it.
Tengu Shikigami (16:18:45): And it explodes!
cubey@aol.pl (16:19:03): Ren: "Ah...!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:19:06): However, the explosion still sends a massive amount of acid and sharp metal shrapnel everywhere!
Tengu Shikigami (16:19:09): (everyone react)
drascin (16:19:21): Kagura listens to Chou's declaration. If she could, she would sigh.
drascin (16:19:44): Kagura: "YOU ARE SO FUCKING CLUELESS I'M ALMOST SORRY ABOUT YOU"
Peter Kampschroeder (16:20:01): *Eva pushes the Huckebein further into the sky, rising quickly.+
tormterra (16:20:23): * Still partially covered by the remains of the museum, Alex sweeps up a wave of water to catch and deflect the debris away from her as she dips back behind the wall to try to avoid the rest. +
tormterra (16:20:33): Alex: "He really is."
drascin (16:20:51): *Kagura focuses, looking at the incoming shrapnel and turning on her SEAL field, carefully navigating between the metal shards and acid globs like another bullet pattern+
cubey@aol.pl (16:20:54): Ren: "Here it comes..."
VJockey (16:21:29): *Interitus is going to quickly pull the Gespenst close and defend herself and Ren with her wings!+
cubey@aol.pl (16:21:52): *The Gespenst... jumps in front of the explosion, trying to shield others and as much of the area as possible with its body. It is made to be heavily armored for a limited production unit - time to test it!+
griefgathering (16:22:14): "...!" *Seta forms a barrier made up of spinning dark blades between herself and the acid explosion and flying shrapnel.+
VJockey (16:22:40): (Strike off the bit about Interitus trying to grab Ren)
Aero (16:25:52): *Astara ignites the air in front of her. forming a blazing wall that would hopefully completely incinerate everything before it reached her. +
Tengu Shikigami (16:28:20): Barriers or dodging proves to be effective solutions against the attack, mostly because Ren takes on the brunt of it. Alex's wall is pretty much destroyed by the attack, though, even if Enki is fine, while Kagura's armor gets grazed by one of the pieces of shrapnel. Interitus' wings get burnt a bit. Eva, Astara and Seta are fine.
Tengu Shikigami (16:28:31): The Gespensts is heavily damaged though. But it's still operational.
Tengu Shikigami (16:28:38): Also, more importantly...
Tengu Shikigami (16:28:50): The other enemies have scattered to avoid the attack.
Tengu Shikigami (16:28:59): But they're already returning into the fray.
Tengu Shikigami (16:29:24): Still! This is a chance, for a moment the closest immediate field is clear of other enemies except Reverse Quetzalcoatl!
Tengu Shikigami (16:29:34): (everyone can move in any order, jsut not all at once please)
Peter Kampschroeder (16:29:37): Eva: "Ren, don't push yourself."
cubey@aol.pl (16:30:35): Ren: "Sorry... but I'm alright. I know I say it all the time, but there's no need to worry about me, Eva."
Tengu Shikigami (16:30:37): Enemy List: F15 Eagle x3, Guarlion x3, Tormentor x4, Punisher x4, Reverse Quetzalcoatl (Hen and Chou) [medium/heavy damage]
cubey@aol.pl (16:30:46): The Gespenst sways lightly, one of its arms limp.
drascin (16:30:49): Kagura: "UBUNTU. GET CLEAR. NOW"
cubey@aol.pl (16:30:54): Ren: "As you said. I'll thank you, when it's over, right?"
cubey@aol.pl (16:32:10): Ren: "Of course, of course. Give them your best shot, Major Kagura!"
cubey@aol.pl (16:32:30): And it proceeds to get out of harm's way, away from the Quetzalcoatl... for now.
tormterra (16:32:53): * Rather than let the enemies return, Alex rushes from her perch to attack one of the approaching punishers. She migh not have a lot of cover left, but in the rubble of an older building like this there wasn't much other than various forms of clay to apply her alchemy to, which wasn't terribly useful as an alternative. Instead she sought to trap the unit in a series of quick bursts of water that didn't allow it room to dodge. +
drascin (16:32:58): Kagura: "CAN THE MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES OR NEXT TIME I'LL SHOOT THROUGH YOUR FUCKING HEAD+
Peter Kampschroeder (16:33:14): *"..." Eva's got an aerial position and a long-range high-accuracy weapon, so she'll set to work trying to make sure those currently away enemies STAY away. Priority goes to the fliers.+
cubey@aol.pl (16:34:07): Ren: "I'm afraid that wouldn't stop me." An innocent smile.
VJockey (16:34:35): [Things were... going well...}
Tengu Shikigami (16:35:35): Alex's blasts are keeping the Punisher boxed in place, leaving it no place to dodge - and further ones pummel it mighily, leaving holes in its armor before punching right through it and blowing it up!
cubey@aol.pl (16:36:02): An innocent - and kind of sad...
VJockey (16:36:08): *Volya and Interitus rushed at a punisher, seeking to destroy its weapons by bringing down the plant-dragon's massive claws onto them!+
Tengu Shikigami (16:36:10): However, two more Tormentors approach, not bothering to fire their cannons at Enki - instead they approach up close and try to slash with their claws!
griefgathering (16:36:36): #Alex?
Tengu Shikigami (16:36:40): (approved)
griefgathering (16:36:50): (Count it as my action for this too.)
drascin (16:36:59): *Still, hey. Boss isolated and damaged, this is a free cheap shot. And Kagura has never been one to say no to a cheap shot. So, Chou, better work on your bullet-parrying skills fast, because Kagura begins advancing on you with short, precise bursts of explosive fire at your joints, changing up and down and targeting anything exposed without mercy+
Tengu Shikigami (16:37:26): Eva shoots down a Tormentor, sending the rest of them spiralling away to avoid her shots - but also firing flak-like projectiles from their hands as they do so! (react)
tormterra (16:37:54): * Repeating a trick she'd done several times before, but never in front of the Kin, Alex stomps the ground dividing the tarmac into its compenents to mire them in a quagmire of tar and loose earth incapable of supporting their weight to stop their charge before they reach her. +
Peter Kampschroeder (16:38:27): *Again, Eva focuses on tanking the shots with the TK field. That shrapnel is going to land hard if she doesn't.+
Tengu Shikigami (16:39:25): Kagura's blasts cover the Reverse Quetzalcoatl with small explosions - some of them are intercepted by its wings, but some aren't. The damage it takes accumulates.
Tengu Shikigami (16:39:39): Hen: "Would Ren cry for you if you die? Well, only one way to find out. Perish!"
griefgathering (16:39:51): *Seta takes advantage of those Tormentors being in mid-movement and teleports to their flank. If Alex manages to trap them, that's even better, because the Kijin charges in with her dual-ended spear, whose blades lengthen to enable her to hopefully thrust right through!+
Tengu Shikigami (16:40:05): The giant boss unit takes a swing and then throws one of its swords mightily towards Kagura, sending it spinning - and then the other! (react)
cubey@aol.pl (16:40:49): Ren: "Kagura!"
cubey@aol.pl (16:41:10): (The answer is yes by the way)
Tengu Shikigami (16:41:41): The Punishers (my mistake) are suddenly caught in the quagmire, unable to move temporarily - and this is long enough for Seta to skewer them with her giant shield!
Tengu Shikigami (16:42:18): Interitus' massive claws rend another Punisher apart, removing all the weapons it might have left! All it can do at this point is crawl...
Tengu Shikigami (16:42:49): Eva protects herself against the incoming blasts with the TK field. This isn't the Tormentors' main form of attack, and the shield is very effective against it.
Tengu Shikigami (16:43:08): (*giant spear)
drascin (16:43:09): *Some people would panic at seeing a sword six times one's size (in armor) thrown at them. Kagura is not one of these people. Instead, she carefully considers her options in a millisecond... and she shoots down. We're fighting in a city. Above a huge system of tunnels, tubes, and sewers, like every city has. And so Kagura shoots herself a hole and lets herself fall down+
Tengu Shikigami (16:45:05): Kagura blows a hole in the pavement, and then jumps down into her. The hole is barely bigger than her armor, but she fits. The giant blades pass over her head before embedding themselves in the ground further away. That was close.
drascin (16:45:18): Kagura floats up
drascin (16:45:25): Kagura: "I SURE AS FUCK HOPE NOT"
cubey@aol.pl (16:45:40): Ren: "I don't think we'll get to find out."
drascin (16:45:43): Kagura: "ALSO, DON'T THROW YOUR WEAPONS, RETARD"
cubey@aol.pl (16:46:03): Ren: "Now... I can feel it." The glow around the Gespenst grows visible, almost overwhelming for the naked eye.
cubey@aol.pl (16:46:23): Ren: "This is when.... this is when my destiny says it is over. I am going to die."
cubey@aol.pl (16:46:31): *The Gespenst starts sprinting forward...
cubey@aol.pl (16:46:35): Ren: "However!"
cubey@aol.pl (16:46:47): Ren: "I will not let it dictate my actions! I choose to live!"
cubey@aol.pl (16:47:42): Ren: "But for you, Hen, it is end of the road! In the end, I would like you to know one thing!"
cubey@aol.pl (16:48:39): *There is electric static around both of the Gespensts' trios of stakes. Ren leaps, and while Hen was busy dealing with Kagura - strikes with Jet Magnum, a double backstab blow that makes both units concealed in an explosion of light!+
cubey@aol.pl (16:49:00): Ren: "In the end... I loved you. Yes, even you."
cubey@aol.pl (16:49:06): Ren: "But the world will be best with you gone..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:49:59): The Quetzalcoatl tries to turn to block this strike with its two remaining swords.
Tengu Shikigami (16:50:06): but it's too slow!
Tengu Shikigami (16:50:15): Hen: "Until the end... You still..."
griefgathering (16:50:25): Seta: "..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:50:31): A huge explosion covers both units!
Tengu Shikigami (16:50:44): Pieces of metallic junk fly away from it, thrown by the power of the impact.
Tengu Shikigami (16:51:26): Slowly, the dust clouds fades...
VJockey (16:51:43): "Ren!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:51:49): The other remaining Kin and Vlaams Leger units are watching this silently, not approaching...
cubey@aol.pl (16:52:09): "It's over..."
cubey@aol.pl (16:52:17): From the dust cloud, a Personal Trooper steps out.
cubey@aol.pl (16:52:34): Proud and critically damaged. But functional. And piloted!
cubey@aol.pl (16:52:55): Ren: "Everyone! The Kin threat to humanity is over!"
griefgathering (16:52:59): Seta: "You did it...!"
drascin (16:53:26): Kagura, being Kagura, is going to scan the wreckage for life signs just in case
Tengu Shikigami (16:53:32): Looks like it's over for now. The remaining enemies don't look like they have it in themselves to fight anymore...
drascin (16:53:34): there were two pilots there
Peter Kampschroeder (16:53:36): Eva: "...Please remain on guard..."
drascin (16:53:47): and Chou is not accounted for yet
tormterra (16:53:48): Alex: "And hopefully the police and army can take care of the rest." She sounds really tired after all that
Tengu Shikigami (16:53:49): Kagura. On top of a nearby building, there is a life sign.
Tengu Shikigami (16:54:08): A piece of metal landed there. And a bruised, bloodied figure stumbles out of it.
Tengu Shikigami (16:54:12): And falls to its knees.
Tengu Shikigami (16:54:15): Chou: "Hen..."
cubey@aol.pl (16:54:30): Ren: "Chou..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:55:03): Chou: "Hen... punched me out of the unit... In the last moment."
cubey@aol.pl (16:55:31): Ren: "Do you think it was..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:55:44): Chou: "Hen saved my life..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:55:58): Chou: "...Do you remember that question?"
Tengu Shikigami (16:56:18): Chou slowly gets up on their legs, tears trailing down their face.
Tengu Shikigami (16:56:23): Chou: "...My answer is yes."
Tengu Shikigami (16:56:40): Chou: "I hate humanity. I hate you, Ren. I hate everyone who took Hen away from me!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:56:44): Chou: "Aaaargh!"
Tengu Shikigami (16:57:05): Suddenly, a brilliant light appears around Chou, as they throw their back out in pain and anger!
cubey@aol.pl (16:57:20): Ren: "Chou... oh no!"
Peter Kampschroeder (16:57:39): Eva: "What on earth..."
cubey@aol.pl (16:57:41): Ren: "It wasn't love... it wasn't love at all..." The light around the Gespenst starts to dim.
griefgathering (16:57:42): Seta: "What?"
Tengu Shikigami (16:57:55): The light raises, and slowly forms a portal!
Tengu Shikigami (16:58:08): Chou's intense negative feelings rip a tear in reality!
tormterra (16:58:14): Alex: "What is that?"
Tengu Shikigami (16:58:18): A rip that leads into the future...
cubey@aol.pl (16:58:23): Ren: "The hate that Hen cultivated... it became the beacon."
drascin (16:58:33): It's probably too late already, but Kagura is going to try to shoot Chou in the face
cubey@aol.pl (16:58:48): Ren: "The beacon to draw the Kin into the past."
tormterra (16:58:49): Alex: "For?"
drascin (16:58:50): because that portal can't be good
Tengu Shikigami (16:58:54): Kagura's shot hits Chou... To no effect!
Tengu Shikigami (16:58:58): Ren's power doesn't work anymore!
tormterra (16:59:07): Alex: "...You're from the future in addition to being magic?"
cubey@aol.pl (16:59:08): Ren: "I refused the sacrifice so... so the world cannot be saved anymore..."
Tengu Shikigami (16:59:19): The Kin is protected by their invincibility power again!
Tengu Shikigami (16:59:25): OR near-invincibility.
cubey@aol.pl (16:59:30): The light has disappeared completely by now.
Tengu Shikigami (16:59:37): Something black appears in the tear, and jumps out of it...
Tengu Shikigami (16:59:41): And another, and another!
Tengu Shikigami (16:59:54): Kin units start to rush out of it, into the city!
Tengu Shikigami (16:59:59): But mostly, towards you!
Tengu Shikigami (17:00:18): There's a lot of them, and they keep on coming! And all of them look very familiar!
Tengu Shikigami (17:00:19): Enemy List: Ferocious Tiger x11, Ruthless Eagle x12, Obsessive Serpent x9
Tengu Shikigami (17:00:32): Terrorist: "Damnit! We're out of here!"
Tengu Shikigami (17:00:54): Taking advantage of this situation, and the police forces' panic, the Vlaams Leger remains flee!
griefgathering (17:01:16): Seta: "They are escaping...but..."
griefgathering (17:01:25): She looks in the direction of the Kin machines.
Tengu Shikigami (17:01:47): The Kin units don't take long to figure out what to do. They're in the middle of a city. Human city. And there are its defenders. That is, you.
Peter Kampschroeder (17:02:14): Eva: "Ren, retreat for now. Your unit is severely damaged..."
drascin (17:02:17): Kagura: "FIGURES. WELL, TIME TO PUNCH THE UNIVERSE IN THE BALLS." She turns on her radio in a public frequency. "THIS IS MAJOR KAGURA OF GRAVEYARD WITH AN URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL BRUSSELS AUTHORITIES. THE MUSEUM JUST BECAME A CATASTROPHE ZONE. COMMENCE EVACUATION IMMEDIATELY"
Tengu Shikigami (17:03:07): Policeman: "G, gotcha! What the hell is going on here?!"
tormterra (17:03:07): Alex: "Somebody with a radio call for the military. We need more than just an evacuation here or all of Brussels will be a disaster zone in hours."
Tengu Shikigami (17:03:25): (Ren, Alex, Volya, go)
cubey@aol.pl (17:03:29): Ren: "Yes... but, without my power, you won't be able to..."
VJockey (17:03:34): "Ren... please! You've done enough! We'll... we'll be fine!"
VJockey (17:03:39): "We'll be fine..."
cubey@aol.pl (17:03:57): *The Gespenst tries to retreat, finding the safest evac route and proceeding through it.+
Tengu Shikigami (17:04:33): Ren tries to escape... But there are too many enemies. And Ferocious Tigers are fast. You are surrounded.
Tengu Shikigami (17:05:01): They are closing in! Two Tigers rush forward, before jumping and trying to claw the Gespenst apart! (react)
VJockey (17:05:05): *Interitus is going to take to the air and try to deal with the Ruthless Eagles, letting loose several wing beam blasts that quickly scatter around and try to hit a few from all sides!+
drascin (17:05:08): #
Tengu Shikigami (17:05:12): (approved)
VJockey (17:05:14): [And then THAT happens.]
VJockey (17:05:16): "REN!"
cubey@aol.pl (17:06:11): Ren: "Ah!" *The Gespenst jumps, trying to land on the head of one of the offending Tigers and shooting the head of the other with a mega beam rifle.+
Tengu Shikigami (17:06:43): Interitus' beams scorch the Ruthless Eagles... Or so it seems at first, but when the attack stops, it turns out it barely does anything at all to the Kin units. Without Ren's power, they are extremely tough! And three of them descends towards the plant creature, raising their swords and then stabbing quickly! (Volya react)
tormterra (17:07:15): * Even as her conscious thoughts are mostly an endless stream of profanity, Alex doesn't slow down in trying to defend herself from the incoming horde. Just shooting at them would be a drop in the ocean. Instead she attempts her liquifying the tarmac and tearing the soil underneath apart into baser components creating a fine silt for the enemies to fall into. Hopefully those with more offensive power could use the opportunity to take out more enemies than she'd be able to. +
Tengu Shikigami (17:07:16): A few scratches appear in the Gespenst's side from the attack. The Mega Beam Rifle shot to the face does only light damage to the Ferocious Tiger...
VJockey (17:07:35): "AAAAAAAH!"
drascin (17:08:12): *Well, guys, you really should look beyond Ren's Gespenst. Because Kagura is fast as hell, and suddenly all up in your business with an explosion of light that can't be very good for anyone looking at their view screens inside those mechs, invulnerability or not. And this is followed with Kagura landing on the back of one of the Tigers and beginning to carve up plates, intending to get to the cockpit!+
Tengu Shikigami (17:09:08): Alex manages to temporarily trap a few of the enemies in a quicksand trap. That is good. What is much less good, however, are several Serpents, which nimbly move in to surround Enki, and then spit acid and shrapnel at Alex! (react)
VJockey (17:09:12): *Interitus is going to try knock away the blades with her claw and swing around to sweep them away with her tail!+
cubey@aol.pl (17:09:31): # Interitus
Tengu Shikigami (17:09:34): (approved)
Tengu Shikigami (17:10:09): Kagura starts carving at the armor of the Tiger... But each of her strikes only leaves shallow cuts in the black machine's form. There's nowhere near enough damage to reach the cockpit!
cubey@aol.pl (17:10:11): *Current wounds be damned - Ren won't die from this, but Interitus might be severely injured or worse. Ren tries to take on Interitus' wounds on themselves. Except...
tormterra (17:10:19): * Oh shit. In a desperate attempt to save herself, Alex hunkers down behind the most powerful water shield that she can manage hoping to catch and neutralize the debris before firing it right back at the enemies. +
cubey@aol.pl (17:10:20): *Except this time, it doesn't work. No light appears.+
drascin (17:10:37): Kagura: "THERE IS AN ALIEN ASSAULT IN PROGRESS. UNITY GROUP IS MOVING TO ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE PORTAL. COLLATERAL ESTIMATED VERY HIGH. IF YOU HAVE ANY KAIJU EVACUATION PROTOCOLS, COMMENCE THEM, BECAUSE THIS COULD GET BAD"
Tengu Shikigami (17:11:34): Interitus swings her claw and tail, though one of the blades still bites into her. She fends off the attackers, slamming one of them away into the air, but there's no noticable damage taken.
Tengu Shikigami (17:11:47): Ren's ability doesn't work at all.
cubey@aol.pl (17:12:24): Ren: "My powers are suppressed by the beacon... by Chou!"
cubey@aol.pl (17:12:37): Ren: "Which means... the Kin are free to do as they please..."
cubey@aol.pl (17:12:43): Ren: "No."
cubey@aol.pl (17:12:51): Ren: "I still have a plan. We need to clear a way to Chou."
tormterra (17:12:53): Alex: "Can we do anything about Chou?"
Tengu Shikigami (17:12:59): Alex's water shield protects her against most of the incoming strikes. Not some, the acid still hits Enki's back, and burns it slightly. The reflected shrapnel hits the serpents, but only scratches them.
cubey@aol.pl (17:13:17): Ren: "They have the same psychic barrier all Kin have. Attacking won't do you any good... but let me talk to Chou."
cubey@aol.pl (17:13:28): Ren: "In person."
griefgathering (17:13:37): Seta: "Understood."
drascin (17:14:03): Kagura: "SO ALL OUR CHANCES ARE LOCKED IN YOU BEING ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE WITHOUT MAKING HIM HATE YOU MORE. WONDERFUL"
drascin (17:14:22): Still, Kagura flies out to begind pushing a path open
cubey@aol.pl (17:14:23): Ren: "Oh come on Major, I think I had a pretty good track record with that."
cubey@aol.pl (17:14:28): Ren: "Sorry, that was a joke."
Tengu Shikigami (17:14:36): There are several Kin units blocking Ren's way to Chou. And more, soon, as more and more of them come out of the portal. But you can probably clear them out, somehow.
Tengu Shikigami (17:14:44): (Astara, Eva, Seta, go)
tormterra (17:14:47): Alex: "It's what we have. We just have to find a way to protect Ren until they reach Chou..." Because clearly that was going to be easy
Aero (17:15:23): Astara: "Hmmm....hey how much water can you form?"
Aero (17:15:48): Astara is yelling due to still being on foot.
Peter Kampschroeder (17:16:32): *Right now, Eva wants to be near Ren's side. Wants to...not is. She's still in the skies, plugging away at the Kin mecha with shot after shot from the photon rifle's high power mode, as fast as the gun can fire-and follows it up with a gravity cannon blast to the most concentrated cluster of enemies she can find.+
tormterra (17:17:01): Alex: "Not sure. never had to try pushing for the limits. But we'l have to see. Got a plan?"
Aero (17:18:19): Astara: "Sort of, if you can sweep them away with a tidal wave or something I should be able to keep them from coming back...at least for a while."
Tengu Shikigami (17:18:53): Eva bombards the Kin forces with powerful shots, finishing by the gravity cannon. This deals light damage to some of them, and in some cases more, leaving cracks in the armor of a few. Still, the fact that an attack of this magnitude didn't do heavy damage at all.
Tengu Shikigami (17:18:58): Is disheartening.
tormterra (17:19:11): Alex: "Got it, I'll try. Everybody be prepared for it and clear the way."
VJockey (17:19:25): "A...alright!"
Tengu Shikigami (17:19:27): And suddenly, four of the Eagles jump up! Three slash with their swords, while one tries to grab Eva's rifle and pull it out of the Huckebein's arms! (react)
Peter Kampschroeder (17:19:29): Eva: "Working on it..."
Tengu Shikigami (17:19:35): but this also means those four are out of the way.
Peter Kampschroeder (17:20:23): *"-!!" That attack is fast, and a lot of them! Eva resorts to shooting at one of them, then trying to kick and beat the others away in hand-to-hand!+
Tengu Shikigami (17:22:05): Eva's shot pushes the Eagle away, even if it doesn't do a lot of damage to it. The two others slash at her, even if the damage is not much thanks to the TK field, before she kicks them away, but the last one is now grappling with her and trying to steal her gun! For the time being, neither unit is winning! +
cubey@aol.pl (17:22:20): Ren: "Ah, Eva!"
cubey@aol.pl (17:22:52): Ren: "Chou, stop this please! You lived in this world for so many years, you must know it is worth it!"
cubey@aol.pl (17:23:07): Maybe an attempt at verbal persuasion will work?
Tengu Shikigami (17:23:27): Chou stands underneath the rift, looking at the battlefield with a stern and angry expression.
Peter Kampschroeder (17:23:45): Eva: "Don't worry about me!"
Tengu Shikigami (17:23:54): Chou: "Without Hen, nothing is worth it anymore."
Tengu Shikigami (17:23:59): (Kagura can also move)
drascin (17:26:19): *Well, there's a plan. So let's make sure it works. The Kin machines are invulnerable to damage... but they don't seem immune to physics. So Kagura flies between them, like a fly buzzing around, annoying them, lining them up... and then lets go a huge SOL nova explosion! It's her strongest attack, but she doesn't expect it to actually cause THAT much damage... but what she wants is not damage. What she wants is to send them all tumbling for a few weconds so DeWitt can do her thing+
Aero (17:27:02): @Kagura?
griefgathering (17:27:06): *Seta stands facing some of the Tigers and any units trying to get in Ren's way. But just as she tries to do something, blood starts dripping from her lips. "Gh..." She nonetheless fights it and summons several spears - each seemingly intended to impale the enemy, even if there is little effect.&
Tengu Shikigami (17:27:23): (approved)
Tengu Shikigami (17:27:38): (after this, Alex, Doge and Volya can move)
Tengu Shikigami (17:29:00): Seta's spears pummel the Ferocious Lions, and while they do not pierce through their armor, only leaving marks on them, she manages to keep two or three of them pinned, for now. But watch out, two more leap forward, trying to smash their clawed fists into the tiny target! (react)
Tengu Shikigami (17:29:18): (and continue too)
Tengu Shikigami (17:29:45): (Alex and Volya can go)
Aero (17:29:48): *Astara leaps up to one of the higher buildings and then raises her arm towards the direction of Kagura's explosion intensifying the heat of the explosion further with her abilities in an attempt to superheat the many different kin. "Who thought that I could have added onto it...alright I'm ready, just waiting on you." +
Tengu Shikigami (17:31:04): The explosion, superheated thanks to Astara's support, thrashes several of the Kin units around, and sends a few more stumbling! Still, even the one that was in the middle of the attack took medium damage at best... But all of those are out of the way, for now.
tormterra (17:31:31): * "Got it." Alex nodded briefly, before stopping to gather as much energy as she could, pulling forth every bit of Enki's power to create water before releasing it in a wide, powerful torrent sweeping in all directions battering the Kin with the force of a tidal wave. Whether it was enough waited to be seen, but it was the most she could do. +
Tengu Shikigami (17:31:31): But not others! A serpent moves behind Kagura, trying to grab her with its coils and then spit acid on her! (react)
Tengu Shikigami (17:31:35): (Doge can also go)
VJockey (17:32:23): *Interitus is going to fly up and use the power of physics to slam into as many Kin machines as she can right into the ground and do everything she can to keep them there!+
griefgathering (17:33:16): *Seta responds by summoning more spears against her two attackers and any other foes that are still free. "Now." As she closes her hand into a fist, the spears that do make contact with the enemy will suddenly split into four. The reason is that they each form a tight square around the enemy's limbs or even torsos. These units may be invincible, but the spears are there to hold them in place while Seta still has the strength to do so!+
Tengu Shikigami (17:35:00): Interitus grabs several attackers and pins them into the ground! Fortunately she's big and fat. Unfortunately, the Kin, while immobilized, can still slash at her with their claws and swords, and bite with their mouths. Which they do. (react)
Tengu Shikigami (17:35:49): Seta's spears catch two more Kin units, and immobilize them. But the split spears are more fragile than full ones, and one of them manages to break itself free. More are soon to follow, probably...
Tengu Shikigami (17:36:20): (Alex and Astara)
tormterra (17:36:34): (I already put up my action above)
Aero (17:36:37): * And once the tidal wave was unleashed Astara waited until the Kin were pushed out of the Ren's path before raising both of her arms and dropped the temperature around the area instantly to zero to completely freeze that tidal wave and trap the the Kin in a massive newly formed glacier. Even if they were nigh-invulnerable being superheated then frozen instantly hopefully would do something to them. +
Aero (17:36:41): (I ARE SLOW)
drascin (17:36:44): *Trying to grab something moving fast and barely the size of one's hand can be difficult. Even more so when the thing in question uses a SEAL field to stop the acid globs in midair as she dodges underneath it with a blinking motion, so that the attacker in question may very well run its extremities right into balls of its own acid+
VJockey (17:37:00): *Volya and Interitus are in a MASSIVE amount of pain. But they're going to do their best to bear with it. The ground they're keeping the Kin pinned to begins to distort before vines burst out and cling to the enemies under them. No telling how effective this will be.+
Tengu Shikigami (17:38:04): Kagura manages to avoid the snake's attack, though it doesn't seem to care about getting hit by its own acid. And it swipes a claw at her, sending her spinning away. At least she's not caught.
cubey@aol.pl (17:38:20): Ren: "Ah... ahh..." The situation does not look good, at all.
Tengu Shikigami (17:38:29): The vines manage to stop the enemy Kin from cutting into Interitus too badly. Still, this might start to get bad very soon...
Tengu Shikigami (17:39:05): The wave Alex creates washes several of the Kin away with great force. And then Astara freezes it, immobilizing them!
Tengu Shikigami (17:39:15): But cracks appear on the ice. They are slowly breaking free already.
Tengu Shikigami (17:39:17): Still...
griefgathering (17:39:37): Seta: "I will not be able to hold this for long..."
Tengu Shikigami (17:39:43): You can see Chou. There are no enemies on the way, at this very moment. It's about to change soon, but for now, the path is clear!
Tengu Shikigami (17:39:45): (Ren)
cubey@aol.pl (17:39:54): So many of Ren's friends are in hot water, all just to clear the way... just so Ren can talk to Chou.
cubey@aol.pl (17:40:14): But can they even make Chou listen?
cubey@aol.pl (17:40:20): *The Gespenst starts to run towards the opening.
cubey@aol.pl (17:40:26): Ren: "... Chou. I will make you listen."
cubey@aol.pl (17:40:40): Ren: "Without the need for words!"
Tengu Shikigami (17:41:07): Chou takes a step back defensively, seeing a Gespenst quickly approaching.
cubey@aol.pl (17:41:26): *The Gespenst runs heavily, one stride after another, almost breaking down mid-voyage... the cockpit opens as the unit starts to run off course, but that's alright - Ren jumps out of it, and tumbles down!
cubey@aol.pl (17:42:06): *They tumble, the fall broken by gravity painfully - right next to Chou, Ren stands up pained, but the expression on their face turns into a blissful smile as...
Tengu Shikigami (17:42:28): Chou: "What are you-" The Kin looks ready to attack Ren.
cubey@aol.pl (17:42:42): *Ren hugs Chou. Without words, nothing else except for an embrace.+
cubey@aol.pl (17:42:53): No.
Tengu Shikigami (17:42:59): Chou: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (17:43:00): There is something else.
cubey@aol.pl (17:43:19): Ren's body glows. A golden light, blinding to look at.
cubey@aol.pl (17:43:48): Everyone present can experience a fleeting sensation. Memories of events, those you recognize and those that you don't - from Ren's perspective.
cubey@aol.pl (17:44:07): But this sensation comes and goes immediately after. This is because you are not the intended receiver of the wordless message.
cubey@aol.pl (17:44:14): Chou, and the rest of the Kin, are.
cubey@aol.pl (17:44:30): The golden light explodes, traveling to all the enemy units present.
Tengu Shikigami (17:44:58): Chou stands there still for a second. And then, slowly, falls to their knees again.
Tengu Shikigami (17:45:54): The other Kin units... Pretty much stop fighting. Most grow still. Some fall to their knees as well. Others look around, in a very regretful way. One starts to punch the ground.
Tengu Shikigami (17:46:13): The light slowly starts to dim. The rift is closing.
Tengu Shikigami (17:46:17): There. It's gone now.
Tengu Shikigami (17:46:39): Chou: "...I have been such a fool..."
cubey@aol.pl (17:47:06): And Ren...
cubey@aol.pl (17:47:12): Ren is also gone.
cubey@aol.pl (17:47:21): After the blinding explosion of golden light, nothing remains.
Tengu Shikigami (17:47:49): Chou curls up in a ball and starts to weep, as the full realization of everything hits them.
VJockey (17:48:20): "....Ren?"
VJockey (17:48:25): "......:
Tengu Shikigami (17:48:40): The horrible things the Kin have done. How Hen has been using Chou all along. And that they were wrong about humanity. Humanity is not vile. It's both good and bad.
VJockey (17:48:46): "Wh...where is she...?"
Tengu Shikigami (17:49:00): And Ren cannot be seen anywhere.
Tengu Shikigami (17:49:07): Ren is gone.
Peter Kampschroeder (17:49:12): Eva throws off that Kin she was grappling with. "Is everyone alright?!"
tormterra (17:49:25): Alex: "I think she did that sacrifice she was supposed to...Or something. I'm not good enough at theology to tell what happened."
Tengu Shikigami (17:49:29): The Kin leaves no resistance. None of them no. None of them want to fight anymore.
griefgathering (17:49:37): Seta: "Is Ren..."
VJockey (17:49:38): [Interitus quickly rushes over to where Chou was.]
VJockey (17:49:41): "REN?!"
Tengu Shikigami (17:49:43): MISSION COMPLETE
drascin (17:50:16): Kagura is silent, checking for stragglers. who the hell knows what she's thinking behind her armor
griefgathering (17:50:30): Seta dismisses that ominous dark spear.
griefgathering (17:50:38): But she is bleeding still.
griefgathering (17:50:48): Well, worse than before.
Aero (17:50:54): Astara: "Seta!"
Peter Kampschroeder (17:51:01): Eva: "...No..."
Aero (17:51:14): Astara dives down to give her friend a shoulder.
griefgathering (17:51:27): Obviously, Seta is more worried about Ren than herself right now...
tormterra (17:51:38): Alex: "I'm pretty sure she is..."