Mission 106 - Cold Boot

[srwu_mods]

Wyverncakes (22:11:14): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddyd8WxIOUY
Wyverncakes (22:14:14): Not too long ago, Metis Grorou phead Abel Meyers called on the Unity Group to help provide security for an excatation mission down in Antarctica, which you are currently taking part in!
Aero (22:15:53): Theo has brought along a bunch of different books all containing different theories from Miskatonic on what the Four Horsemen could have actually been. He seems pretty excited about the whole prospect.
Wyverncakes (22:16:16): It's cold enough down there normally, but with howling winds and with enough snow to cause a white-out it's beyond miserable... at least if any of you were outside.
tengusaur (22:17:31): Daniel doesn't seem to be bothered by the freezing cold and blowing wind. Or at least he doesn't show it. He doesn't go out without a good reason regardless, though.
Wyverncakes (22:17:32): Between mechs and an excavated antechamber that the workers were able to open up not too long ago you at least have a few options for warmth, and beyond that? It's been quiet.
cubey@aol.pl (22:17:37): "What is this place?" Sielje's Arm stands against the wind, seeking protection under its own cloak.
cubey@aol.pl (22:17:59): "A wise choice for hiding an ancient artifact... less so for any kind of visit."
Wyverncakes (22:18:44): Occasionally other individuals here for security report in from outposts or from sensor stations, but nothing out of the ordinary's come up.
tengusaur (22:18:55): Daniel: "This is a tomb. Of one of the Four Horsemen, apparently. Putting it in Antarctica is only fitting."
Wyverncakes (22:19:06): However...
Aero (22:19:07): Theo...is standing around in just his regular clothes. "Of course, it's well known that Antarctica is a hiding for dozens of different supernatural places and creatures!"
Wyverncakes (22:19:34): Excavator 1: "Okay, this should be the final door. Careful team."
cubey@aol.pl (22:19:40): Sielje: "Ah... is that so?"
cubey@aol.pl (22:19:52): She tries to act like the fact that others can just casually walk around outside does not bother her.
Wyverncakes (22:20:16): Archaelogists take up their positions by this last stone door, beginning to shift its positioning when suddenly a voice comes through on the comms!
tengusaur (22:20:34): Daniel: "Supernatural? Like what?"
Wyverncakes (22:21:01): Pilot: "W-what the...?!? Th-this is perimeter line one! I just saw something out there!"
Aero (22:21:18): Theo: "Well, there's Leng, different Elder and Outer gods have been known to make their homes here."
Wyverncakes (22:21:23): "-It's moving fast... and coming this way...!"
Aero (22:21:24): Theo: "Ah..."
tengusaur (22:21:39): Daniel: "Leng? No, nevermind. This is important. Investigating."
Wyverncakes (22:21:45): And then suddenly, it all happens.
cubey@aol.pl (22:21:52): Sielje: "What manner of beast lives here?!"
Wyverncakes (22:22:21): In the midst of the white of the storm, there are the faint flickers of movement, and then suddenly countless more machines appear all around the site!
Wyverncakes (22:22:52): (Attackers: http://i.imgur.com/PbkT5vk.jpg)
cubey@aol.pl (22:23:13): That's no beast...
tengusaur (22:23:20): Daniel is already entering Steel Wanderer and interfacing with it.
Aero (22:23:37): Theo: "This must be Stigma."
tengusaur (22:23:49): Daniel: "No beasts. Except, maybe, figuratively."
Wyverncakes (22:24:01): Indeed it's not, Sielje! But they're still attacking everything in sight, cutting down tents and unmanned machines... and going after yours too!
Wyverncakes (22:24:28): One such mech charges at the Knight's Arm, its form obscured by the storm!
cubey@aol.pl (22:24:30): Sielje: "Unarmed technicians, stay back!"
Wyverncakes (22:24:32): (React: Sielje)
Wyverncakes (22:24:54): (Enemies: Mystery machines x 14)
cubey@aol.pl (22:24:56): Sielje: "I, knight Sielje, the Guard of the South, shall be your... ah!"
Aero (22:25:00): #Sielje?
Wyverncakes (22:25:03): (Approved)
Wyverncakes (22:25:13): (Lineup: Daniel, Theo, Sielje)
cubey@aol.pl (22:25:56): *Sielje's blade is raised vertically - a straightforward guard, to intercept any incoming enemy attacks. And then with the pilot's grunt, push them away!+
Aero (22:26:37): * "Zs-a-wia!" A magic emblem forms in front of the Guard of the South and from it a huge clawed hand flies out to skewer itself through the machine's chest. +
Wyverncakes (22:28:12): [Sielje and Theo] The machine suddenly has the gigantic Deus Machina in front of it, and the machine is suddenly forced to dodge and get away, but it's too late...! Zs-a-wia's claw skewers through the machine...!
Wyverncakes (22:28:20): ... Or at least feels like it did.
Wyverncakes (22:28:32): ^Looks
Aero (22:29:28): Theo: "Got it..."
cubey@aol.pl (22:29:32): Sielje: "What in the...!"
Wyverncakes (22:29:35): Theo, you still feel resistance from your clawing attack... but after a few moments the image seems to change before your eyes, with the attacker's positioning off from where it had seemed to be! It still bears a nasty gash on its side and down one arm... but it's still in fighting shape!
cubey@aol.pl (22:29:43): The Knight's Arm almost stumbles back itself, though.
cubey@aol.pl (22:29:45): That was not expected.
Wyverncakes (22:29:52): (The three of you can go)
tengusaur (22:29:58): Daniel: "...There's something strange about them. Watch out."
Aero (22:30:13): Theo: "Huh...I definitely...pierced into it...didn't I?"
tengusaur (22:30:27): Daniel: "You did. That's why it's strange."
cubey@aol.pl (22:30:49): Sielje: "What are you here for? Answer me!"
cubey@aol.pl (22:31:07): She calls out to the enemies, but does not expect much.
Wyverncakes (22:31:47): And she receives nothing, save for the hostile machines regrouping to better deal with these actual threats.
cubey@aol.pl (22:32:55): Sielje: "So be it. Your attempt at bloodshed of innocents will not be forgotten."
tengusaur (22:33:24): Daniel: "Don't know who you are. But bet out of this place. If you wanna live." Steel Wanderer stands still for a second, in the position of a gunman ready to draw, and then suddenly grabs the Gun of God, and fires three Longinus armor piercing bullets at one of the attackers - first one aimed at its shoulder, the rest in the center of mass. +
tengusaur (22:33:30): *get
cubey@aol.pl (22:34:07): *With deliberate steps forward, the Arm leaves heavy prints in the snow. Sielje moves in the center, noting presence of enemies... of course they are aware of her location well enough.
cubey@aol.pl (22:35:01): *Suddenly, the Knight's Arm leaps forward! Its front enshrouded by the cloak, Sielje delivers a punch from under the protective hide - and follows up with a stab to the enemy's center of mass.+
Wyverncakes (22:35:42): [Daniel] The sudden attack catches this machine by surprise, the shoulder-shot knocking it off-balance before the others smash through its body for good. This time it seems like the attack really did connect too... but while you were attacking two more machines charge on either of your flanks, hurling shurikens at you!
Wyverncakes (22:35:45): (React: Daniel)
Aero (22:36:44): * "I'll have to take this seriously...Zs-a-wia." The magic circle forms beneath Theo and from it the Deus Machina forms around the Magus. Once it fully formed the Deus Machina clawed at the ice below to send massive chunks of ice towards the machines. +
Wyverncakes (22:38:00): [Sielje] Your target springs back as you move forward, but still gets shaken by your punch! But as you try to stab at its center, it suddenly throws something on the ground between you two... and there's a burst of smoke released! Your attack misses, and the machine comes swooping in from the side, slashing down!
Wyverncakes (22:38:03): (React: Sielje)
Wyverncakes (22:39:51): [Theo] More of the machines spring back, trying to outpace the ice but one's not lucky enough and gets its body skewered by the ice! Grounded, it struggles on by sending more throwing stars your way!
Wyverncakes (22:39:53): (React: Theo)
tengusaur (22:40:41): Daniel: "Ninjas...?" He fires a Lucia beam shot at the snowy ground in front of him, causing the snow to evaporate into steam, and uses the concealment provided by it to engage in evasive maneuvers against the attack. +
cubey@aol.pl (22:40:55): Sielje: "Ahh! This trickery..." She tries to notice the enemy through the thick smoke. There it comes - an attack she felt more than seen!
cubey@aol.pl (22:41:38): *A quick swing of the blade, a whirlwind slash to keep the foe away. Sielje stops her twirl once it's three quarters done, putting the cloaked arm between her and the foe.+
cubey@aol.pl (22:41:42): Sielje: "What is a ninja?!"
tengusaur (22:42:14): Daniel: "Just a fairy tale."
tengusaur (22:42:21): Daniel: "Or so many think."
Wyverncakes (22:42:56): [Daniel] Never underestimate the value of steam, not when it gives you the cover to dodge out of the way! The shurikens land in a snowdrift a ways off behind you, only to explode thereafter! You're fortunately not hit though.
Aero (22:43:01): * Zs-a-wia gathers a small amount of gravity and then unleashes it over the machine to hopefully crush both the machine and the shurikens. +
tengusaur (22:44:26): Daniel: "Sneaky infiltration specialists. They do the unexpected. We have a few on the base."
Wyverncakes (22:44:35): [Sielje] Your sword meets the ninja machine's own, knocking it away, and your cloak keeps the enemy from continuing his attack.
tengusaur (22:44:39): Daniel: "Explosive shuriken. Didn't expect that. That's sneaky."
Wyverncakes (22:45:32): [Theo] The power of gravity pulls down on the shurkens, making them fall to the ground! But when they do, there's no sign of impact whatsoever!
Wyverncakes (22:46:18): But then suddenly there's the loud noise of metal being pierced and crushed, and another ninjabot suddenly is impaled on an ice chunk just as the one you were targeting flickers out of existence. Sneaky bastards.
Aero (22:47:31): Theo: "They must still be cloaked..."
Wyverncakes (22:47:54): During all of this, Metis Group specialists have been trying to make a break for the only sturdy structure still intact, the tomb!
cubey@aol.pl (22:48:37): Sielje: "What else are they capable of? No... no matter! We are holding them back regardless!"
Wyverncakes (22:48:51): (You all can go again)
Aero (22:49:01): Theo: "We still need to fall back and defend the entrance to the tomb."
Aero (22:49:25): Theo:"They might just try to sneak past us if we get too caught up out here."
Wyverncakes (22:49:33): (Updated enemies: Attackers x 12? (1 damaged?)
Wyverncakes (22:50:10): (The weather conditions and their stealth technology makes it hard to say if there are actually more or less)
cubey@aol.pl (22:50:49): Sielje: "They would do something like that..."
tengusaur (22:50:55): Daniel: "...Good point. Can't let them do that."
cubey@aol.pl (22:51:16): Sielje: "I will make sure not to wander too far away."
cubey@aol.pl (22:52:41): *Sielje follows up on the enemy's loss of balance - a quick lunge puts her on close footing, the two units' bodies almost touching. She raises the sword and stabs downwards, at the connection between the foe's neck and torso.+
tengusaur (22:53:18): Daniel: "I'll keep an eye out." Steel Wanderer starts to slowly step back, making sure no enemies are trying to approach the tomb and the people hiding inside. At the same time it fires at the enemies - first a normal-looking shot that seemingly misses and hits the ground, and then a barrage of beam spray shots from the Lucia bullet. But the first one is actually a Barbara explosive, set for a timer, and Daniel keeps an eye out to see if any enemies get close to it... &
Wyverncakes (22:54:59): [Sielje] At such close range the machine can't get away in time and your sword runs through its body... and even if you can't trust your eyes or sensors, the physical feedback of your attack is enough to know that's another one down.
cubey@aol.pl (22:55:48): The Arm retreats its blade and jumps back. Worst thing to do here is to forget where the others are.
Aero (22:55:50): * Theo moves back towards the tomb and starts to prepare yet another spell. "Thank you...now gather wind..." Part of the subzero wind starts to swirl towards the Deus Machina. "Cocytus!" And then whirls out in a massive chilling wave that would hopefully make it too cold even for these machines and hold them in ice. +
Wyverncakes (22:57:30): [Daniel] The ninjabot crowd scatters in the wake of your shots, some throwing down smokebombs to hide their movement... and then suddenly two come charging out at you as more shurikens are thrown out at you as well! But what's real and what's faked?
Wyverncakes (22:57:34): (React: Daniel)
cubey@aol.pl (22:57:59): # Daniel
Wyverncakes (22:58:09): (Approved)
cubey@aol.pl (22:58:24): Sielje: "Care not for ones on the right!"
cubey@aol.pl (22:59:08): *Knight's Arm leaps to Daniel! Sielje intends to tank those thrown projectiles with the beasthide cloak - be their true or just illusion!+
tengusaur (23:00:05): Daniel: "Alright." He jumps away, trying to put some distance between himself and the attackers on the left - including the Barbara explosive. As soon as they're clsoe to it, and nothing else is, he fires the last Lucia blast at it, denonating it! He then ejects the burned-out cartridge. +
Wyverncakes (23:00:32): [Theo] The power of wind is not to be trifled with. The freezing gust blasts over two of the enemies, freezing them solid as well as capturing the negative space of one of the ninjabots which shortly thereafter decloaks. But as you continue to attack like that, the pilots decide on a better strategy, and switch their targets to the fleeing Metis personell, shurikens flying at a group nearing the tomb entrance!
Wyverncakes (23:00:34): (React: Theo)
cubey@aol.pl (23:01:22): Sielje: "Ah! How dare you?!"
Wyverncakes (23:02:31): [Sielje and Daniel] SIelje, it's a blend of real and fake, but the real ones fail to do more than knock your cloak around a lot and the fake ones don't even manage that. And as soon as Daniel makes that shot and blows up the Barbara...
Wyverncakes (23:02:52): There's a sudden, massive explosion, catching four more of the machines!
Aero (23:02:55): * "Oh no..." He didn't have time to use another gravity spell. The only thing he could do was to use the last of the freezing wind to attempt to push some of those shurikens out of the way. +
cubey@aol.pl (23:05:03): Sielje: "Ghh..."
cubey@aol.pl (23:05:07): # Theo, again
Wyverncakes (23:05:08): [Theo] The wind makes enough of a difference thanks to the snowstorm joining in the attack. The civilians make it through the large opening into the tomb, falling on their knees in relief of having made it along with the others...
Wyverncakes (23:05:29): ... But suddenly within the tomb's antechamber itself, there are sudden shimmerings of white...
Aero (23:05:34): Theo: "Just barely..."
Wyverncakes (23:06:57): And more machines uncloak. Not only that, but white-armored footsoldiers appear as well, charging at the Metis Group people!
Wyverncakes (23:07:50): (Also, sorry Sielje. Did my resolution right as you #'d)
Aero (23:08:10): Theo: "They were already inside!?"
Aero (23:08:24): #Metis friends?
cubey@aol.pl (23:08:49): Sielje: "Or they stalked their way in!"
Wyverncakes (23:09:38): Some on-foot security people begin to open fire in retaliation, but one of the machines that somehow snuck in throws another volley of explosive shurikens straight at them!
Wyverncakes (23:09:55): (And yes, feel free to defend, Theo. Sielje and Daniel can as well if you wish)
cubey@aol.pl (23:09:58): Now it's a #
tengusaur (23:10:03): Daniel: "They're determined..."
tengusaur (23:10:12): #
Wyverncakes (23:10:26): (You're all good to go)
tengusaur (23:11:51): * Daniel turns around, switching ammo and firing two Medards inside - upon impact the bullets spread into nets of sticky but resistant goo, which has the double effect of getting in the way of the attackers and providing the researchers with some cover! +
cubey@aol.pl (23:12:20): *No time to shield! The Arm leaps in front of the shurikens' path.+
cubey@aol.pl (23:12:41): Sielje: "Do you seek murder so much that you ignore the warriors in front of your eyes?!"
Aero (23:14:43): * "Zs-a-wia won't be fast enough to reach them before those hit..." The cockpit of the Deus Machina opens and Theo leaps out of the machine towards the researches as it dissipates. Dismissing the Deus Machina allowed him to form those floating limbs again, that he uses to attempt to deflect the shurikens away from the researchers and the security team. +
Wyverncakes (23:20:00): [Unity Group team] Theo's floating arms and the Knight's Arms end up between the researchers and the ninjas, both getting blasted by some of the explosives! The Arm gets blown back against a wall, but the disembodied arms get the worst of it! Still, it's all that was needed for Daniel's gooey wall to be raised!
Wyverncakes (23:20:24): Shurikens stab into it, and after a moment, they explode! Or rather... most of them.
Wyverncakes (23:20:49): One noticeable chunk gets blown up and off to the side, and for those that follow its path...-
Wyverncakes (23:20:57): Researcher: "N-no! The coffin!"
cubey@aol.pl (23:21:29): The air is kicked out of Sielje's lungs, her unit collapsing under the wall... but it starts getting up immediately after!
Wyverncakes (23:22:26): Most coffins have the decency to obey the laws of gravity and rest against the ground. But this tomb's own had... different ideas. With the chaos of the battle nobody'd ever noticed -and much less bothered pointing out- the coffin floating high up in the center of the massive tomb room.
Wyverncakes (23:22:58): Straight and devoid of any means of support, it is no doubt a mystery of ancient architecture.
Wyverncakes (23:23:16): ... Right before the stickied shurikens strike it and explode.
tengusaur (23:23:29): Daniel: "...Not good."
Wyverncakes (23:24:40): As the dust settles, there's an uneasy calm. Even the attacking machines don't seem eager to continue fighting.
cubey@aol.pl (23:24:58): Sielje: "..."
Wyverncakes (23:25:00): Their attention is on the coffin, and what -if anything- is left of it.
Wyverncakes (23:25:27): But finally the dust moves out of the way, and you can see... a figure. A young girl, no less.
Wyverncakes (23:25:36): (Coffin occupant: http://i.imgur.com/ieElADV.jpg)
Aero (23:25:53): Theo: "A...girl?"
tengusaur (23:26:45): Daniel: "That's the Horseman...? She doesn't look dead. Or like a man."
Wyverncakes (23:27:21): The uneasy pause between the ninja machines suddenly breaks, and at once they are a blur of activity... just not all the same thing.
Wyverncakes (23:28:30): Some seem to disregard everything else and just run, even past you all, but others still stand to fight!
Aero (23:28:56): Theo: "They're afraid of her?"
Wyverncakes (23:29:10): And Theo, with your Deus Machina MIA at the moment, you're the easiest target! A soldier on-foot lunges from behind you, firing out an electrified grappling claw at you!
Wyverncakes (23:29:16): (React: Theo!)
cubey@aol.pl (23:30:36): Sielje: "Is this the artifact hiding under the cold wasteland... !"
cubey@aol.pl (23:30:41): Sielje: "They keep coming!"
Wyverncakes (23:31:11): Others still spring up towards this mysterious girl, firing more of those cables out at her as well!
tengusaur (23:31:33): Daniel: "Look out."
griefgathering (23:32:57): The girl doesn't do much but stand there, lifelessly.
Aero (23:33:23): * With his attention elsewhere for a moment he does not have a lot of time to react to the grappling claw. He attempts to move to the side and then grab the wire of the claw to toss the the footsoldier into the others attacking Fyra. "Watch out!" +
Wyverncakes (23:35:21): [Theo] Fortunately, Theo's the kind of kid who can Shoryuken Great Old Ones and do other crazy stuff like that, and the ninja goes flying with a panicked cry, crashing into one of his comrades moving towards this mystery girl! But several of the others still manage to ensnare her and begin to pull her from the coffin...!
griefgathering (23:36:58): The electricity seems to do...something. The girl's eyes blink when she realizes it, at least.
tengusaur (23:37:17): Daniel: "...She doesn't just look alive. She is alive."
griefgathering (23:37:35): ???: "Initialization...unsuccessful."
Wyverncakes (23:37:53): And when they do blink, the ninjas move back a ways, one of them even moving to let go of a cable before another one smacks him upside the head.
cubey@aol.pl (23:38:20): Sielje: "Leave her alone!"
Wyverncakes (23:38:36): (Anyone wanting to act here now can too)
Wyverncakes (23:38:44): (No # or @ necessary)
griefgathering (23:38:55): The bits and pieces of the coffin that were connected to her body before are cast off.
cubey@aol.pl (23:38:59): How large is the entrance to the chamber?
Wyverncakes (23:39:55): Big enough for machines to get through.
griefgathering (23:40:32): *And she suddenly yanks the cables, like someone wanting to get something off them. This might not bode so well for the soldiers though.+
cubey@aol.pl (23:40:45): *The Knight's Arm brings down its foot on the cables, then the blade grinds against the floor to cut them.+
tengusaur (23:43:19): * Daniel spins the chamber of his revolver and takes careful aim, not firing for a moment... And then he fires a Julian shot, causing it to ricochet off walls several times, each time with one or two cables also being on its way! +
Wyverncakes (23:43:34): [Sielje, Daniel and ???] The cables are torn and cut clean, the soldiers falling backwards to the ground, some of them painfully.
Wyverncakes (23:43:44): The mystery figure is freed!
tengusaur (23:44:06): Daniel: "I'll have to work on a cutting bullet..."
tengusaur (23:44:23): Daniel: "Horseman. Can you hear me? Get to safety. It's dangerous here."
griefgathering (23:45:32): The mystery figure, likewise, seems to be more interested in the people who just helped her instead of those ninjas.
Wyverncakes (23:46:54): Speaking of which...
griefgathering (23:47:01): ???: "...You do not match any available entry...identify yourselves."
cubey@aol.pl (23:48:02): Sielje:"Entry?"
Wyverncakes (23:48:11): By now a good bulk of the ninjas and machines have bailed, but others still are holding their ground... some moving to get into position to try capturing the horseman/woman/whatever again!
cubey@aol.pl (23:48:11): The Arm looks down on the on foot ninjas, trying to look intimidating.
cubey@aol.pl (23:48:15): Sielje: "Entry of what?"
Wyverncakes (23:48:19): (Theo, Sielje, and Daniel can act again)
Aero (23:48:28): Theo: "We're...not again."
tengusaur (23:48:43): Daniel: "It's a database thing. She's asking who you are."
griefgathering (23:48:55): At the same time, she looks incredibly confused. Like someone who just got woken up from sleep by a hit to the head.
Wyverncakes (23:49:19): [Sielje] Looking down at the foot ninjas though... means you won't be paying attention to the actual mechs still in the tomb, one of them charging to try to cut you down on its run to safety!
Wyverncakes (23:49:27): (React to this as well, Sielje)
tengusaur (23:50:30): Daniel: "I'm Daniel. My job is to protect the expedition. You too, presumably." He loads two electric Medard bullets into his gun and then quickly slams its hammer, sending them flying towards two different ninja robots in an attempt to overload their systems. +
Aero (23:51:02): * Theo takes a wide jump to get over by the girl's side and raises his hand to take control of the chilling wind again. "We're...allies, lets go with that for now." The freezing wind, while not as powerful as when he was in Zs-a-wia was hopefully still strong enough to finally stop the foot soldiers. +
griefgathering (23:53:59): The girl is quiet, but she at least looks somewhat reassured by those answers.
Wyverncakes (23:54:01): [Daniel and Theo] The electric shots punch through two of the attacking machines, frying their insides. Both collapse onto the ground, fortunately not hurting anyone. But the ones that Theo ices up... some of them are not entirely imprisoned though! Several of the most dogged, even half-trapped, fight on! Spheres are thrown at Theo and the mystery girl before suddenly erupting... they're stunbombs!
cubey@aol.pl (23:54:05): "No!" *Sielje quickly moves between the escaping foes, a sweep of the cloak serving for defense. "Surrender this very moment, or pay for your dishonor!" The sword follows the cloak's movement but a second later, and halfway through the slash goes upwards instead, aimed to damage parts of the attacking limb.+
Wyverncakes (23:54:42): Mystery girl, in the wake of that you can see one gutsy soldier charging, firing his electrified cable at you, do-or-die...!
Wyverncakes (23:54:46): (React: ???)
griefgathering (23:56:35): *Physically, the girl does nothing. But a strange glow comes from her eyes. The next second, what looks like a curved, black blade, appears out of nowhere and flies straight at the attacker from the side!+
Wyverncakes (23:57:09): [Sielje] You dodge, blocking off the escape route for the machines still in the tomb! The attacker's own blade strikes into your cloak, knocking it away but not severely harming it much... The same can't be said for the enemy, whose limb gets cleaved clean off!
Wyverncakes (23:58:07): [???] The black blade cuts through the air... and then through the ninja himself.
Wyverncakes (23:58:21): The blade only grazes him, but-
Wyverncakes (23:58:24): "W-wha..."
Wyverncakes (23:58:35): "H-aaaaaa!"
Wyverncakes (23:59:06): -His wound seems to be spreading. But perhaps "wound" isn't the right word for it, because starting from where he was struck, his body just seems to start... fading away.
21 June 2015
Wyverncakes (00:00:17): His screams come to an end when the quickly-spreading nothingness erases every trace of him.
Aero (00:00:20): Theo: "What is that..."
tengusaur (00:00:36): Daniel: "...Disintegrated? Worrying."
cubey@aol.pl (00:00:46): Sielje: "What just happened?!"
Wyverncakes (00:00:54): WIth that, every single attacking individual, in mech or on foot, run in the confusion.
Wyverncakes (00:02:10): Some of the ones on foot make a grab for whatever interesting wall orniments adorn the sides of the tomb as they run off into the snowstorm, but then...
Wyverncakes (00:02:18): -Something else suddenly comes up on your sensors.
griefgathering (00:02:44): "..." The mystery girl catches the blade as it comes back around. It actually looks something like an oversized kukri or parang now that it isn't moving.
Wyverncakes (00:02:51): And not running away, but coming towards you.
Wyverncakes (00:03:21): Every time it reaches one of the ninja machines'... you see that they also wink out of existence.
Wyverncakes (00:03:24): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVsGlp5ISTI
Wyverncakes (00:04:48): Closer and closer... it's impossible to actually see what's out there in the snow, but then...
Aero (00:05:29): Theo: "Is there something else out there..."
Wyverncakes (00:05:36): Sielje, you're the one closest to the tomb entrance, and you see one of the ninjabots being thrown in the air. What caused it though? Still beyond visual range.
tengusaur (00:05:36): Daniel: "...Yes. Something's coming."
Wyverncakes (00:05:40): But then...
cubey@aol.pl (00:06:09): Sielje: "..." For some reason she doubts the new arrival is friendly.
griefgathering (00:06:10): The mystery person is even more confused now.
Wyverncakes (00:06:16): "Tekeli-li..."
Wyverncakes (00:06:22): You finally see it Sielje.
Wyverncakes (00:06:27): It's like nothing you've ever seen before.
Wyverncakes (00:06:36): It's also ridiculously tiny.
Wyverncakes (00:06:38): http://i.imgur.com/LCvtycJ.png
Wyverncakes (00:06:41): /record scratch
Wyverncakes (00:06:49): "Tekeli-li!'
Wyverncakes (00:06:51): "Tekeli-li!"
Aero (00:06:56): Theo: "A Shoggoth?"
tengusaur (00:07:03): Daniel: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (00:07:06): Sielje: "... What is that thing?"
cubey@aol.pl (00:07:18): It looks kinda... cute.
Wyverncakes (00:07:19): The... thing... is running into the tomb with all the speed it can manage, its tentacle-y arms waving up in the air as if in panic!
cubey@aol.pl (00:07:22): Like hell she'll admit that though.
tengusaur (00:07:36): Daniel: "It doesn't look dangerous."
griefgathering (00:07:43): ??? approaches it too.
Wyverncakes (00:07:44): It bolts through the Knight's Arm's legs and continues further on until it stops at Theo... looking up for a moment.
Wyverncakes (00:07:49): "Tekeli-li...?"
griefgathering (00:08:33): Well, she looks like a cat who just ran into something new.
griefgathering (00:08:43): And is trying to mimic it.
Wyverncakes (00:08:43): ... It then promptly just circle around and hide behind you, quivering and shivering.
Aero (00:08:50): Theo: "I don't think this one is..."
Wyverncakes (00:09:00): Poor guy must've just been cold out in the blizzar-
tengusaur (00:09:06): Daniel: "It's acting like it knows you. Whatever it is."
Wyverncakes (00:09:19): -Oh wait that wasn't the actual signature coming towards you.
Wyverncakes (00:09:21): SIELJE!
Aero (00:09:29): Theo: "Well I've never met a friendy one before....most of them are usually..."
Wyverncakes (00:09:41): A tremor suddenly rocks the entire tomb, and then you finally see it through the storm!
Wyverncakes (00:10:05): (Second Shoggoth: http://orig01.deviantart.net/1e31/f/2013/140/1/f/shoggoth_by_manzanedo-d65yhix.jpg)
cubey@aol.pl (00:10:19): Sielje: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (00:10:21): ".."
cubey@aol.pl (00:10:24): "Ah..."
tengusaur (00:10:32): Daniel: "...Things like this?"
Aero (00:10:50): Theo: "...exactly like that."
griefgathering (00:11:02): ???: "....."
Wyverncakes (00:11:08): It roars, people in the tomb screaming in disbelief at the sight, as it suddenly lets fly dozens of gooey tentacles into the entrance at you all!
Wyverncakes (00:11:11): (React: everyone)
tengusaur (00:13:28): Daniel: "...Crap." He grabs a large metal crate and moves it in front of Steel Wanderer like an improvised shield. There are still people here, he can't leave them behind! +
griefgathering (00:14:01): *Suddenly snapping to attention, the girl darts off to one side in an evasive maneuver. That is nowhere as adorable as the smaller one.+
cubey@aol.pl (00:14:57): Sielje: "What is this beast?! This should not be happening!!" *The Arm throws itself to the side wildly. It tumbles, trying to roll out of harm's way as the tentacles hopefully hit where it stood a second ago instead.+
Wyverncakes (00:16:14): [Daniel] The crate gets skewered by several of the tentacles. But the Shoggoth doesn't seem to mind, and instead pulls the shield back in and up to its body, absorbing it. Before your very eyes you can see it dissolving away inside of the monstrosity!
Wyverncakes (00:16:41): [???] Yes, this one is not cute or friendly at all. Fortunately you escape its naughty tentacles.
Aero (00:16:45): * And Theo is put into situation where he really doesn't want to dodge, lest the poor little Shoggoth be absorbed by the bigger one. Luckily he finally had an enemy that the Elder Sign was designed to be used against and raises up the pentagram to defend against the shoggoth. +
Wyverncakes (00:17:11): [Sielje] The tentacles do indeed miss you, stabbing into the ground and leaving gouges in the stone below!
Wyverncakes (00:17:56): [Theo] And lastly the shoggoth's tentacles crash into the barrier, deflecting them off and away.
Wyverncakes (00:18:20): (Daniel and Theo can go)
cubey@aol.pl (00:20:01): Sielje: "How many of these does the Earth have?"
cubey@aol.pl (00:20:05): One is too many!
Aero (00:21:32): Theo: "Well...not enough that we need to keep a constant watch over them."
tengusaur (00:22:52): Daniel: "I didn't know there's even one. Until now." He tries to quickly leave the tomb and run into the freezing blizzard, to make the people hiding inside less of a target. On the way, Steel Wanderer loads a single bullet, aims, and as soon as he stops, fires - the projectile splits into a dozen high caliber armor-piercing shots, all of them flying in the direction of the monster! +
Aero (00:24:14): * "We'll have to destroy it in one attack or it will keep regenerating." Theo opens up yet another tome and starts charging yet another large mass of Gravity that hovers over the Shoggoth for a second before crashing down on it. "I'll keep it pinned down Sir Daniel." +
Wyverncakes (00:24:37): [Daniel] As you run into the blizzard the Shoggoth does indeed turn its attention towards you, roaring from openings in its gelatinous form, but your lead response tears holes into the creature's body and knocks it backwards! Those holes are already closing though, and the creature lashes out again, an arm snapping at you like a whip!
Wyverncakes (00:24:41): (React: Daniel)
Wyverncakes (00:25:39): [Theo] Theo's gravity spell helps press down on the creature, semi-flattening it.
cubey@aol.pl (00:25:39): Sielje: "Regenerate? It will become whole again?"
cubey@aol.pl (00:25:42): Then she will have to...
Wyverncakes (00:25:53): (Daniel doesn't need to react)
Wyverncakes (00:25:58): (Sielje and ???)
tengusaur (00:27:05): Daniel spins the chamber, ready to burn the incoming whip-arm with a Lucia blast... But that turns out not to be necessary. He still fires at the shoggoth, though. +
tengusaur (00:27:32): Daniel: "It regenerates by absorbing things around it. I think."
Wyverncakes (00:28:28): Dunsany nods in strong agreement to that!
griefgathering (00:28:30): Now that the creature is actually out in the open, ??? has a bit more room to work with.
griefgathering (00:29:07): She follows after Daniel and the Shoggoth, but stops after exiting the tomb.
Wyverncakes (00:29:10): [Daniel] And your incendiary rounds also scorch the creature! It's all it can do to pull itself away from the gravity, but with so much snow and trashed mechs lying around, it's quickly reforming!
griefgathering (00:29:25): And she whistles.
griefgathering (00:29:56): A loud, echoing whistle.
cubey@aol.pl (00:31:17): Sielje: "I will not allow you to reform!"
griefgathering (00:31:24): Something seems to respond, appearing through a portal beneath her feet. At first, it's just an open palm, then an arm follows, and finally, the body.
griefgathering (00:31:35): http://i.imgur.com/jiEoCta.jpg
griefgathering (00:32:54): ??? stands on this new machine's open hand for a while, before she vanishes. And the unit finally comes to life.
cubey@aol.pl (00:33:16): *The Arm stands up and slashes at one of thse reforming mouthed tentacles. A circular slice to cut off a part of the shoggoth while minimizing the time the blade spends engulfed in its horrible body... follow by another one, and another, and another. Sielje grabs the sword with both hands, over the head slashes coming from above alternating shoulders.+
tengusaur (00:34:33): Daniel: "..." The new machine looks weird to him. Like something a human didn't make, even.
griefgathering (00:35:15): *And as Sielje attacks, the newcomer joins her! The machine now carries the same blade the mystery girl did, and in controlled, graceful movements, slides across the snow to slice at any tentacles that might still try to strike!+
Wyverncakes (00:38:02): [Sielje and ???] The blades cuts true, breaking off parts of the Shoggoth's body bit by bit. But the contact with the monstrosity still wore away at them slowly but steadily, notches appearing on both blades! But the Shoggoth has other plans than to just let the weapons be done away with that way, and in an instant it suddenly looms up, roaring furiously before coming crashing down like a gigantic, carnivorous tidal wave!
Wyverncakes (00:38:09): (React: Sielje and ???)
Aero (00:38:22): #?
cubey@aol.pl (00:39:28): Sielje: "..."
Wyverncakes (00:39:34): (Sure)
Aero (00:42:27): * "Elder Sign!" If it was effective before it should still be effective now. All he had to do was to buy them a bit of time to get away. +
griefgathering (00:42:31): *As the Shoggoth tries to crash down, a barrier appears before the new machine. Hopefully that will be enough to ward off the attack!+
griefgathering (00:43:23): http://i.imgur.com/9JAFBrQ.jpg
griefgathering (00:43:28): ^wrong hyperlink
cubey@aol.pl (00:44:23): *Getting away won't be easy... and blocking might as well be fruitless. Sielje moves it regardless - running to the side as far as she can!+
Wyverncakes (00:45:48): [Theo and ???] The two barriers join forces, the Shoggoth crashing against them like a splash of water against a window, semi-flattening it again as it slumps down to the ground. Sielje, your dodging is admirable and impressive, though not necessary this time.
Wyverncakes (00:46:14): Trying to restore its composition though... now is your chance!
Wyverncakes (00:46:22): (Everyone can act)
tengusaur (00:48:32): Daniel: "Let's burn it down. Completely."
Aero (00:49:29): * "If we can't destroy it here I can at least render it helpless." With the Elder Sign still activated, Theo crashes the repelling barrier onto the head of the beast before swirling more of the freezing wind around in combination. +
cubey@aol.pl (00:49:58): Sielje: "Y-yes!"
tengusaur (00:50:22): * Steel Wanderer quickly loads a specific ammo setup into the Gun of God. Daniel takes aim, then fires two Barbara shots, aiming as opposite sides of the Shoggoth - and then follows up with a barrage of Lucia energy blasts, slamming the gun's hammer in a fast, but not very accurate salvo - its aim is not just to burn the monster, but also reduce the snow around it into steam and remove its means of regeneration!
cubey@aol.pl (00:50:25): That was a stressful experience - but now there's a chance for an all out attack!
tengusaur (00:50:43): The barrage can only go for so long until the Lucia's generator burns out. Then, both Barbaras blow up. +
griefgathering (00:51:22): ???: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (00:51:40): *With a spin, the Arm turns towards the Shoggoth. Sielje uses the move's momentum into thrusting force, stabbing her sword at the base of the enemy - and then... "Haaaaaa!" It slashes up, a cleaving strike!+
cubey@aol.pl (00:51:55): Though it won't do much on its own, since the shoggoth can rejuvenate. However...
cubey@aol.pl (00:52:01): Sielje: "Strike with all your might!"
griefgathering (00:52:11): Destroy it? Well, if regular attacks weren't doing it...
griefgathering (00:53:34): *The mystery machine's eyes suddenly glow yellow, much like how the girl's did earlier. It is now surrounded by a dark aura that is accompanied by eerie, humming noise.
griefgathering (00:54:43): *And on that note it suddenly shoots forward and throws its blade. The weapon spinning around like a flying sawblade to cover Sielje's advance, before...&
Wyverncakes (00:56:50): [Team] The barrier comes crashing down again, squishing the Shoggoth before the icy wind begins to flash-freeze it! Ice begins to form all over its body... but then Daniel's fiery assault turns up the heat again! The monster roars in agony, and then the mystery girl's sword comes cutting in, slicing a thick line along the monster's frame before Sielje's sword plunges all the way into it! Before the monster can absorb the blade it's torn free, and the Shoggoth screams in fury and anger as its warped body tries to move for the counterattack. But...
Wyverncakes (00:56:56): [???, finish it]
griefgathering (00:57:23): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7480ZmNOB98
griefgathering (00:58:53): *That same dark aura intensifies as the blade is caught again. With a second burst of speed, it accelerates to cut across the Shoggoth's body, slides to reorientate itself, and thrusts to, hopefully, deliver the finishing blow!+
Wyverncakes (01:01:28): [???] The cut spans the entire length of the Shoggoth's form, the entire mass suddenly spasming in pain before it's struck clean through!
Wyverncakes (01:02:01): The Shoggoth however... refuses to give up!
Wyverncakes (01:02:38): It rises up in anger... tentacles twisting around into vicious, razor-sharp claws, and brings them down on this last attacker with all its speed and strength...!
Wyverncakes (01:03:41): ... And yet, just before the first one reaches the enigmantic "horseman", it shrivels and decays away. And the next is undone even before that!
Wyverncakes (01:04:43): The monster's regenerative powers fail it entirely as its body is erased away, its last confused, angry cry being cut off abruptly as it shrinks smaller and smaller, smaller than the friendly shoggoth...
Wyverncakes (01:04:47): ... And then it's gone.
Aero (01:04:54): Theo: "How did she..."
tengusaur (01:05:08): Daniel: "It happened again."
cubey@aol.pl (01:05:41): Sielje: "This power..."
Aero (01:05:45): Even the most powerful Magus' had to rely on ridiculously powerful attacks to be able to destroy a shoggoth of that size that easily. She just did it in a singe thrust.
cubey@aol.pl (01:05:54): Sielje: "This is why everyone was so interested in her?"
tengusaur (01:06:13): Daniel: "Horseman. Just who are you, exactly?"
tengusaur (01:06:19): Daniel: "And which Horseman are you?"
Wyverncakes (01:06:30): ???: "H-hello? Is everything alright there?"
griefgathering (01:06:52): The machine turns around and regards Daniel with some confusion.
Wyverncakes (01:06:56): "This is Meyers," says the voice on the comms.
Aero (01:07:05): Theo: "If I had to guess..."
Aero (01:07:31): Theo: "Death"
Wyverncakes (01:07:43): "I've been trying to get in touch for some time but because of the storm I wasn't able to..."
Wyverncakes (01:07:54): "-'Horseman'?"
tengusaur (01:08:25): Daniel: "We were attacked. It's all over now though. All the research team should be safe. And yes. The Horseman has awakened."
Wyverncakes (01:08:29): "You mean... you mean that the horseman was somehow alive in the tomb?"
Wyverncakes (01:08:31): "That's..."
Wyverncakes (01:09:29): "Please, I will be sending transport as soon as possible. We'll see you returned, and I'll see to it the horseman is studied so we can understand just what was found here!"
Wyverncakes (01:09:34): And then off to the side...
Wyverncakes (01:09:42): "-an actual... this is incredible!"
griefgathering (01:10:11): While this is all happening, said Horseman has sneakily shifted herself to the UG's side.
griefgathering (01:10:19): Sneaky sneaky.
griefgathering (01:10:31): And now she stands behind Theo.
Wyverncakes (01:10:55): "Tekeli-li."
griefgathering (01:10:57): The mecha she was in has been dismissed.
Aero (01:11:03): Theo: "E-eh?"
Wyverncakes (01:11:05): There's that friendly shoggoth there too.
cubey@aol.pl (01:11:51): Sielje glances at Theo's direction.
cubey@aol.pl (01:12:03): He seems to have a crowd gathering around him.
Aero (01:12:03): Now he's feeling embarassed. After that serious talk he just felt silly now.
griefgathering (01:12:10): ???: "...Allies."
Wyverncakes (01:12:36): MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.