Session Start: Sat Oct 27 21:16:58 2007 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * Logging for #lunar-iog2 started * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 57: Memories of Megiddo | Location: Middle East | Pool: 6 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' == SESSION START == * Gayo is now known as Angie Following the climactic battle at sea, Emiria managed to barely escape in a relic helicopter and land in flames amidst the two smaller supprot vessels of Zophar's small yet deadly Iron Armada. The FRagrach was diabled in the fight, a meltdown narrowly avoided... but the ship now is nothing better than a derelict. The Polaris, thought significantly damaged and incapable of wind powered sail, has enough to limp to the coastline and debark the Destiny to explore the garden between the two rivers.... * Vytor has spent most of his time back aboardship on small repairs here and there, but has otherwise been in a major funk. With half the crew of the vessel dead or injured so they cannot work, the repairs have none-the-less held the craft together remarkably well after ramming the black dreadnaught. But it has to be returned soon to the docks to ensure more permanent patching and re-masting can be done. * DooM_Away is now known as Ryllan * Saki has been holed up in bedrest, and spends her time generally going stir crazy. * Trune is above deck, gazing out into the horizon. He looks like he barely slept at all. * Niri tracks down Vytor after a while. * Angie has been working overtime to help help Vytor and the remaining keep the ship together. By the time the ship reaches dry land she has the uneasy stagger of the very tired. * Vytor is currently sitting on the deck, the railing acting as a convenient resting place for his head as his legs dangle over the side of the ship. His eyes are shut and he seems to have fallen asleep with some carpenter's tools still in his hands. * Mikel is on deck, having spent most of his free time helping patch up the crew that are still among the living before. He stares out towards the land with a dull look, staff in hand. The sword stolen from Emiria has had as sheath made for it now as it hangs from his belt on the left. * Niri pokes Vytor gently in the shoulder. "Hey Vyt, you awake?" Ghnerk! Yuh? I'm up! I'm up! o_O * Saki has apparently recovered enough to be up and about - she's sulking off to one side of the ship, her arm in a sling. She's still generally kind of battered. * Vytor staggers to his feet incorrectly and topples over onto his back. Ack, sorry! Don't drop anything over the side... * Vytor blinks up at Niri, "Hello." * Niri sits down on the deck, dangling her legs through the railing. "How're you holding up?" Honestly? I've been better. ...Yeah, I know how you feel. >> Vytor worked overtime last night, as he and the crewmen hauled the spare parts of the destroyed robotic soldiers Emiria had into it. reclaimed 3600 silver total! (divide how you wish.) Well, just uh...let me know if you need to talk, okay? You and I are kinda in the same boat, in a way. *she pauses* ...I didn't mean that as a pun, honest. << er the forge >> * Vytor chuckles I may take you up on that offer. Oh, by the way. In all the commotion I didn't get a chance to tell everyone what I heard from my dad. >> Angie saves an android from the forge, saving ti for experimentation. A pile of black, energy-soaking material tiles of ancient construction is also accrued from the Fragrach's hull. I picked up a message from him in Landing. He's...upset about my mom, sure, but we also have other things to worry about. Like what? Remember that tunnel system we explored underneath and around the Academy? I think so. * Saki pokes her way through the pile of blackish material, examining it at length. ...Seems some of those dudes you guys saw in Bluetooth have been sighted poking around in the tunnels. The empty shells might not as empty as we thought. Maybe not, yeah. * Vytor bolts upright, "What?" What are they doing there? Also, the tunnels are far more extensive than anyone suspected. * Saki looks up from her work, frowning at that. * Mikel looks over as Vytor bolts up, snapping out of his daze. I don't know! But we'd better get back as soon as possible to check it out. Don't worry though, I'm sure my dad has it well in hand. He'll keep things in order till we can come help. Saki finds the tiles to be rather light, a mix of rare metals in a formable plastic base. SPots of resin are on the backsides where they were affixed to the vessel. OK, as long as someone has it under control. Yeah...there's no point in worrying about it too much right now, because even if we wanted to, we CAN'T get back home. That barrier, remember? * Trune looks up as well, frowning. He rubs his head a few times, lost in thought. Yeah, I haven't forgotten about that. It all depends on how many there are, and how peaceful they are. They don't seem the good neighbors types, though. So let's go find Saturn, then see about breaking down the barrier and getting home as fast as possible. * Mikel makes his way over towards the two. "...when we get back, maybe I'll have to investigate Bluetooth sooner than I figured for the Doc." To be fair Tanan, we were poking around in their tunnels without asking. Here's hoping this was just all a big misunderstanding. * Niri nods at Mikel I generally never tried to kill anyone I found in my office, Vytor. * Angie emerges from the deckhouse, wiping her hands on a filthy cloth. "What's this?" she asks, joining the gathering. I doubt your office had nuclear piping running through it. Our friends from Bluetooth apparently have been wandering far from home. News from my dad, Angie. * Tanan falls silent, then the little :) face pops out of the box. * Mikel blinks at Tanan. * Angie takes a second to put two and two together. Clearly her brain could use a few down cycles. "Do you think it has anything to do with the zombies south of the border?" * Niri blinks and looks thoughtful. Northern zombies and southern zombies? I...don't quite see how? But...maybe... * Ryllan frowns, "Coming to meet eachother." Doubtful. They felt very different. The ones from the north were definitely alive, just like... * Niri also sighs. Vytor? One problem with that little sign system. ...well, rather, the ones from the south weren't I can't SEE it. I could build you a rear view mirror if you'd like ;) * Tanan manipulates the box again, generating the :D face * Niri chuckles. It's a smiling face...no, now it's the estatic face. * Mikel leans against the railing. "Always something coming up. We're gonna have to drive or warp back too. I think the crew could use a bit of a break after that fight." I...can sometimes get an idea from Tanan what he's thinking, but...Tanan, are you sure you're not lying to throw people off? Alright. Well, you were up in bluetooth and I wasn't, Tanan. Would I do that? ...Yes. Yes. Good point. And.. sorry, Ryllan. It's sort of difficult to explain. Think of the bluetooth people as... sleepwalkers almost, and you might not be too far off from how they act. Though I don't know if they can wake up, so to speak. Hmmm. I wonder if they have a consciousness somewhere in there. Sleepwalkers? Or if...like...maybe someone sucked their brains out, or something. Pleasant. * Saki listens up at the conversation from her position: crosslegged, bandaged, and poking through a pile of shiny black on the floor. It looks a little surreal. * Vytor tries to get a grip on that idea. Hrm. Sleepwalkers? Interesting. Don't suppose anyone got close enough to get a pulse? ...we were in suits, Ryllan. You know, radiation and all. They bled. Good enough. Oh! Trune! Hmm? Yeah? Speaking of important updates, you've got other stuff to share, huh? Go ahead and tell everyone what we found out. Hm? Is this good or bad news? Informative. Has to do with the Elementalors and their origins, and with Saturn. * Vytor pulls out his notepad and pencil. Oh man. I have to, don't I? Parts of it are kind of embarrassing, though. I'd again like to reiterate that it is both convenient and creepy to have weapons talking into your head. And yes. Yes, I know. ...What parts? * Angie slumps against a wall and closes her eyes. She seems to be listening, but it's hard to tell. ...Tanan- okay you know, good. The part near the end where I was a blubbering mess? * Saki absently juggles two bits of black in one hand, apparently in thought. ...It's not as if THAT part is required telling, Trune. Also I don't think I would describe it as a mess. Just explain what you found out, and what Webbly told us. Okay. Okay. I've been...sleepwalking lately, and having really whacked-out dreams when I do. "Snot good," mumbles Angie, a hint of diapprobation smothered in exhaustion * Vytor slides a glance at Angie, looking puzzled. In the first dream...it was like I was this other guy. A scientist. It seemed to be like a memory. There were other scientists there and they kept talking about the Elementlors, Saturn in particular. They kept calling me Dr. Albien too. * Mikel raises an eyebrow. * Vytor takes notes as Trune speaks * Saki deadpans, but carefully - with a note of suspicion in her voice. "... if you're about to say it's a past life, I may throw you off the boat." I'm...not sure! I mean, I found out he was a real guy from Dr. Webbly. Apparently he's the guy responsible for Pluto. It may well have been, but it may also just have been whatever memories Saturn could drop into Trune's head. Probably doesn't matter. I wouldn't be too quick to do that. It very well might be, and would be the best explaination of his connection to them we've run into yet. And also might explain Pluto's obvious fondness for him. Who knows how they recognize people. Throw him off the boat anyways. * Mikel grins. Dude what is with you and throwing stuff at me, or throwing me into things? Seriously! Be nice now, Mikel. * Saki shrugs one shoulder, and grins unpleasantly. "Don't worry; it's not you specifically." Hey, you're not the one Rachel wants to pitch off a /cliff/. * Saki adds, with thought, "... I've only thrown Ryllan into a wall." * Ryllan looks askance at Saki, "Behave. Both of you." We know all of you likely had past lives.. running into something from one of them might be enough to dredge something up, if it's significant Man I get enough flak in life, that's one thing I'm kind of glad about. Anyway, that's not all. "Well..." Angie has a finger raised, but she still looks like she's sleeping. "You should see if you can remember anything else. But be careful about sleepwalking. 'S dangerous." The doctors were talking about how they didn't want the elementlors to be so focused on destroying things. It sounded like Saturn was in the process of being created...made? I dunno how you'd define it. So they were talking about something called a 'thought virus'. I suddenly do not like how this is going. << how = where >> Yeah, apparently they had this theory that if they inserted a bunch code or conditiong or something they could rewire thoughts and memories. Apparently the elementlors then were pretty screwed around with anyway, and these scientists thought they could mess with that and save them. But... * Trune looks angry, "It just sounded like they were playing god, you know? Two wrongs don't make a right. It's screwing with their heads all the same." Still, if what you say they attempted actually occured, it might have ended up being in our favor. Otherwise they might be willing to help us at all. Maybe. I considered that too. Anyway... The scientists also seemed to suggest that what happened to Dr. Webbly wasn't an accident. * Ryllan looks up at Trune sharply, "What do you mean?" * Angie opens her eyes; a frown materializes on her face. "What DID happen to Dr. Webbly?" Well, I don't know if this is really the reason why, but I infered from the scientists that something bad happened to Webbly in conjunction with this thought virus crap. When they talked about their plan for the thought virus, they said Webbly paid a stiff price. So I asked Webbly. He admitted he thought about it but never actually applied it....with Dr. Albien as well. Hm. I wish we knew everything they were designed to do, and what this thing actually did for them. How human are they, and what programming might be lurking? Anyway...after that I met Saturn. She seemed lucid but really dozey and out of it too. Sort of like how we first met Neptune, you know? * Mikel mulls over this for a couple of moments, looking at the water. "She's not going to make us answer riddles like Neptune did at least, yes?" I don't think so. She seemed too depressed for that. Anyway...so I woke up after that because of Gadget girl shooting bullets at me. * Mikel manages to not wince at the Gadget bit. Somewhat. Would wake up any sleepwalker. I guess I should be kind of thankful to her as I probably would have walked off the boat if she didn't do that. Anyway, later on I thought if I could fall asleep again, maybe I'd contact Saturn. So I did and asked Niri to keep an eye on me just in case. * Vytor keeps taking notes It worked a little too well. The dream itself felt...really real. Anyway, getting off track here...Saturn is powerful. Really powerful. Apparently she created the ENTIRE beastman race in the past. Whoa... ...Well, that's power. Created whole, or altered people to fit that form and breed true? I think she created it anew. But I'm not exactly positive. * Angie folds her arms and glares down at the deck. "That's good," she says. "We need power." Anyway, she was in this Oasis. She told me to...to... * Mikel lets out a whistle. * Trune closes his eyes for a moment, thinking, "Find the Oasis...sleeping now in the shade is a man who will guide you to me." ...and then she warned me of this gigantic tank that lurked beneath the sands and to run like hell if I saw it. Oh. Bad news then. Beneath...? She then said to find Xavier and dissapeared, and then... * Mikel sighs. "I knew I should have had guns put on the Stormrider." ....Yeah, that's basically what Trune told me when he woke up. And that's when we contacted Dr. Webbly to get his take on it. * Trune actually looks a little scared, "That tank she talked about showed up. Let's just say it caught up to me and I felt it rip me apart." I'm skeptical here. We're intending to fight Zophar, and she's terrified of a... tank? Just how powerful is she? * Niri eyes Trune. Not sure you told me that part. So that's why....well, anyway. Well, right now not apparently that powerful. She says she's asleep somewhere. * Mikel looks out towards where they are heading. "...maybe we won't run into it. The minefields worry me more." If we can't handle a piece of metal, we're doomed. * Saki shrugs, flicking one of the black pieces up into the air. "If it's 'underneath the sands', it could be causing havoc with her roots." Well, if saturn is weaker than the tank, we'll take the tank instead. No problem. You didn't feel it ripping your flesh apart, Tanan. * Niri blinks at Angie * Trune stares at Angie. O_o * Niri puts a reassuring hand on Trune's shoulder. "Calm down Trune, it's fine. It was just a dream, and if it shows up in real life, we can take it." * Mikel ...just sighs. * Angie lifts her eyes to match Niri and Trune's stares. She says nothing. No tank for you, Angie. Anyway, just a heads up. Saturn apparently said she can beat the tank once she wakes up. Just that I can't Oh. Maybe we can take both, then. Hmf. Let's just not pick a fight with it until we find her then. Here's hoping we don't run into it then * Saki blinks at Angie. "... I was about to say. Why not both." I suppose we should pick up Saturn first, then. Do we know that this tank is even still working? No, but I don't think she would have warned me about it otherwise. * Trune sighs and rubs his temples, "I...I don't know really. I haven't slept at all since then and I've been trying to mull it all in my mind." * Saki gets to her feet, grabbing a handful of the material and pocketing it for further examination. "So. We find Saturn, then we find this tank, then we." She looks a little lost, then shrugs and rolls with it. "Save the world." The heroic effect is a little diminished by the sling. * Vytor looks over his notes again. The simple three step plan. I like it. * Mikel eyes the sling, however. "You going to be alright riding with me on the Stormrider, Saki?" * Niri glances at Mikel ...I call shotgun. No. No. No. A thousand times no. * Niri pouts. We went over this already. But you're going to change your mind. Because I'm just so darn convincing. * Saki frowns, and rotates her arm even in the sling - with little to no pomp she tugs it off and tries again, leaving the splints running along her forearm still in place. "... mmm. I should be fine." Then Ryllan will gut me. Mikel? Change his mind? Snrk. Niri, not while the scout earns his keep. You can ride with him when we're not trying to get him blown up. Anyways, it won't be much fun. I have something in mind but we're gonna have to take it slow so we don't accidently blow up. ...You guys DID come up with a safe way to detect mines, right? Right? * Saki doesn't bat an eyelid, deadpanning. "Niri, it's all yours." I've come up with something. Just works better when going slow. See! See! Listen to Saki. No. If the mines give off a fair bit of power, I can find them with my rig. But that'd be real slow going. The shoreline is currently in view of the maindeck, a small bay that once was a bustling port, surrounded by hills and plains that eventually spread into endless desert. * Saki looks over her shoulder at Angie. "... does your box of tricks have anything helpful for that?" * Mikel points at Niri. "You've hit your insane stunt quota." ...I have NO idea what you're talking about. None. Patches of the sandy vista seem odd, having a green, reflective tint. It almost is like glass. It involved flying after helicopters. And biting ankles of superpowered people. Or slapping them. Niri, I agree with Mikel. Because I uh...kinda like you in one piece, not bite sized Niri chunks, if this is what I think it is. Or charging headlong into their spells. * Niri tries her best to look cute and innocent. Granted, Trune, I like being in one piece, too. Huh, wonder if Saturn would tell me where the mines are. But uh. Don't listen to Mikel. He doesn't know what he's talking about. What a great conversation taht «ooc: evil! » Nice try. I was there too. It's /my/ turn for the insane stunt, Niri. Hmph. What a great conversation that's going to be in my head, "No, turn right here! Agh, right you stupid bastard!" Mikel, you getting killed is ALSO not optimal. * Vytor chuckles Trune! I vote for this. I have something figured out for detecting mines! * Saki lifts one shoulder. "... ultimately, there's no harm in trying all of these methods at once." What, that I get blown up instead? If it doesn't work we'll find out really fast. No! Just that you ask Saturn for advice. Worth a try. What've you got in mind, Mikel? * With no warning, Angie pushes away from the wall and wanders away. She walks over to the bow and leans on the rail, watching the green fields of untouched lands drift into view. * Mikel waves a hand. "Willforce field. Going slow I can focus well enough to keep it extended a couple yards out as well. I /could/ try with it going faster but then I might blow myself up." Sounds okay...as long as you're careful. Could you focus better if someone else was driving? * Niri looks hopeful at that No, Niri. * Niri looks crestfallen. * Mikel mulls. "Eeeeeh. I'm just gonna be using the Stormrider as the center of the field. It'll be like when I was channeling Water willforce to get through the water. Don't think me not driving will make a huge difference." Makes sense. * Mikel looks over towards the shore, hrming. "...might as well start getting ready, I guess." Yeah. We ready to go landside? * Vytor flips his notepad closed, and collects his tools. * Saki tilts her head. "Let's go. «ooc: +1 » * Mikel makes to head belowdecks to where the vehicles are. "Least these guys will be getting a break from the craziness." Let me collect my things, and I'll be ready. Shiro faithfully follows behind Niri wherever she is going. Dry land seems better than being on the water and getting dizzy.. even if fish are yummy. * Vytor heads belowdecks. * Niri goes to grab her stuff as well, with Shiro tagging along. * Mikel goes about checking over the Stormrider and such, a bit cheered by the prospect of driving again. * Angie follows Vytor into the darkness below, rubbing her eyes in exhaustion. * Ryllan heads below to grab his bag and other supplies, then heads for the Destiny. If you don't mind me saying, Angie, you look fried. * Saki packs. Slowly; she's at least the presence of mind to treat her arm carefully. * Angie nods once. "Tsuh." Been working hard keeping stuff from sinking. I'm gonna sleep on the way. You might want to stake out Saki's former nest in the rear of the Destiny. She seemed comfortable back there. It's OK, I can sleep anywhere. It's my special power. The Polaris is guided in slowly by the first mate, using the rear mast and small bursts of the Lovelace engine to come aground on a cushion of air. The sandy coast makes it quite easy to find a good spot. Unfortunately the front ramp is jammed up from the ramming action, and it takes some time for it to finally be opened up with a very rough thud and the sound of al least one of the supprots cracking. And a useful one it is. * Mikel grimaces as he hops into the Stormrider, placing the radio in its usual spot on the dashboard. "That didn't sound good." Assuming no one needs me for a bit, I'll be bagging out too once we get going. I'm beat. But, it IS open at least. The desert air greets you with a hot, dry blast, though slightly more moist here by the bay. There's the scattered remains of a town on the coast, but most of the homes and businesses are little more than wind-worn foundations. The only thing standing appears to be half of an old domed building. In the area in front of it is a portion of the fallen rooftop, a once-shiny crescent embedded in the sand. * Mikel starts up the engine and begins to gun it while waiting for the others. WHile waiting he appropiates a map from somewhere to determine at least vaguely which direction they need to go. * Saki makes a face, and shrugs off her heavy jacket in the face of the heat. After a few moments' thought, she adapts what is left of her sling into a ninja facemask against sandy winds. * Vytor collects his gear and tosses it into the Destiny, following suit soon after. The map Mikel procures shows that due east across the hills and sandy plains lies a great desert, which is peirces by two massive rivers deeper into the subcontinent. There are a handful of tiny lakes across the way, though do they exist anymore in this day and age? One would hope one oasis remains on the path. If all the information is correct, between those rivers lies the Eden Project, the group's current objective. * Mikel traces a path hitting each of the lakes with a finger before placing the map away and fishing out a pair of goggles to protect his eyes from the sand. "Straight shot east, it looks like!" * Angie clomps down the ramp and kicks up a cloud of dusty sand. "Dry," she observes. S'how the desert usually is. Coming ashore, you can get a clearer view of the strange glimmering patches viewed earlier. It looks like in spots the sandy desert has somehow been transformed to jagged green glass. That doesn't look right. * Niri sits in the Destiny, only sulking slightly. She idly fans Shiro, who is sitting on her lap. They resemble the vague formations of imapct craters. << er impact >> * Mikel waits for Saki to hop on before he starts down the ramp and onto the sand. You OK, Niri? Me? Oh, just fine. You don't look fine. * Niri looks out the window and scans the landscape. * Saki hunkers down in the back of the Stormrider, taking up the guard position. She's tugged off the rest of the splints, apparently satisfied. Fortunately there are glimmers of life here amidst the forgotten battlefields. Some rats and snakes skitter away from the sound of the boat and the Land Rover. Eh. Just wish I could be riding around on Stormrider. Why is that? * Ryllan drives the Destiny a good ways back from Mikel, at least until he sees the willforce trick working. * Mikel starts to ease the ATV on out, for once at a pretty slow pace. "Gonna try the willforce field now, Saki." With that warning there's a crackle of Thunder aspected willforce around his hands as he channels it into the vehicle and then outwards. Mikel's Stormrider is soon at the center of a sparkling and roughly circular sphere of eletric power. * Saki grips grimly onto the bar as the wave washes over her. She takes it better than normal, but looks a little spooked at the sheer power of the thing if nothing else. It expands several yards out, tendrils of charge looking to latch onto anything remotely conductive. Well...it just feels so... * Niri waves her hands in an effort to explain. "Less confined." * Mikel takes another breath, then slowly starts forward through the sands. Carefully, for once. The goggles have been put on as well. Would kinda like to ride around and feel the breeze, have a little fun. Mikel sorta promised me I could, to make me feel better. But he had to take back the promise because he says it's not safe. So. You'll get another chance. "Nothing we do is safe," slurs Angie. She has her head wedged in the corner where the back seat meets the read window and has her coat laid overtop of her like a blanket. It's not. And that isn't going to be fun out there. Look, he's going slow. Yeah, I know. ...I sure hope no one gets blown up. Looking every bit thye daring rider he is, Mikel's aur begins to pickup a few bits of old shells, small pops ringing out as the lightning contacts them. Nothing highly explosive yet this close to the shoreline. From the look of that field, everything around him should go up well before he contacts it. ...Hopefully. I hope so. * Mikel flicks the radio. "This ought to work. Just keep in the path I clear and should be no problems." * Saki decides, after a few minutes of popping and crackling that, rather than standing up in the back of the quad, hunkering down under a blanket in the back of the Stormrider would be an /excellent/ plan. * Trune continues to rub his head, looking like he's got the start of one of those massive headaches one gets with lack of sleep. * Vytor has settled back in his chair, looking to be more than half asleep. * Ryllan hits his radio, which pops and crackles more than a little from the electricity flying about, "Don't worry. Desert's real easy to follow a path through." Progressing slowly, several more minutes pass of the popcorn-like effects. ANd then.. up ahead of him a sizeable BOOM sends dirt and glass into the air, the smell of powder and sand heavy in Mikel's nostrils. * Vytor bolts awake at the sound of the explosion o_O * Mikel hacks and coughs for a couple of moments, coming to a stop. "Scratch one." * Ryllan talks into the radio again, "Still alive out there?" * Niri squeaks, bolting upright in surprise Mikel is jarred, but unharmed, as he drives right on through the resulting plume. Just got a faceful of sand. * Niri curses under her breath, her heart pounding. Chalk up one for the forces of good. Let's keep going. * Mikel fishes out a cloth to wrap around his mouth and nose as well in light of this, continuing on. Okay, maybe getting some rest now isn't a grand idea >_o Y...yeah. I'm gonna see about contacting Saturn. * Saki pulls the blanket down as they get showered with sand; from over the radio comes her voice, even to Mikel's radio. "... such /fun/ we shall have, they said." Pop.. pop.. BOOM! goes another unexploded rocket, and a shrpanel hits another mine off to Mikel's right, BOOm BOOM. The heat and metal scrapes the mage's shoulder before the elcrtcity diverts it away. * Trune closes his eyes and leans his head against the wall, concentrating. Considering how tired he is, it looks like he's putting some serious effort into it. * Niri glances at Trune, then out the window at Mikel. She frowns worriedly. * Mikel slows again, lifting one hand to his shoulder and muttering a hissed curse. Some of it might be heard over the radio before he starts up again. * Angie screws her eyes shut and mumbles something petulant. After the surge of activity, the sounds die down again and it becomes clear and quiet. * Ryllan follows Mikel's trail exactly. Then there's another boom... but this time it appears in the distance, far ahead of Mikel's cycling. Wow, Mikel's reach is longer than I thought. ...that wasn't me. Someone brought a telescope or something, right? * Niri tenses. * Trune glances up, looking out the window, "Wait..." * Saki pops her head up from the blanket, staring off into the distance. Then she's thrown it off and is up on her feet, trying to scan the horizon through the crackling haze. I have a bad feeling about this. You know, since you said that Princess, you have totally jinxed us all. A line of explosions light up the horizons, like a chain of explosives were all setup in succession by something. * Mikel peers on ahead through the crackling field as well, snickering. "Only if they follow the rules of dramatics." What the heck...? ...okay, /something/ is going on up there. * Niri ignores Trune. This isn't good. Think it could be that tank thing? * Trune looks very nervous, "P-probably." Angie! Either wake up or throw your spyglass up here! * Angie grumbles, pushes herself out of the corner, and paws at her box, barely opening her eyes. Is this the part where we start running? Maybe! We can't run through a bloody minefield! Damn...! But if we stay here we're going to be killed if that's the tank! The smoke from the bombs slowly clears, pushed aside by a moving object. It's so similar in color to the sand, it's hard to make it out. But it looks big. ...well, that answers that. We might HAVE to stand our ground though! Ngh. What do we do? Meanwhile, Mikel sets off another mine off to the left with his field, rattling his teeth. ...Niri, Trune! You think you can duplicate this field working together? But center it on the Destiny? * Niri blinks at Trune. "Can we?" * Trune glances at Niri, "We can try." Mikel! We could try... * Saki ducks as the mine goes up, then reappears, tugging her gloves on as the smoke clears. Don't exhaust yourselves, if that's the tank. We might need to be ready to fight it. Do it! That'll give me some options for dodging this pig around, and maybe set off whatever it's shooting before it hits! Right, Tanan. * Niri frowns, examining Mikel's field, then closes her eyes, concentrating and trying to bring forth a similar field with her own electric power. * Mikel flicks the radio off for a moment, leaning back in his seat. "Get to the Destiny, Saki. Riding on this is going to get ugly." * Angie mumbles a litany of unintelligible curses as she fumbles with the latch on her equipment case. She finally gets out the spyglass, opens it up, and squints at the tank. "It's the tank," she says flatly. "Should we explode it some?" * Trune pulls both of his athames out of their sheaths and begins to trace patterns in the air that hum with electical energy. Let s * Niri tries to connect her electric field with Trune's, so that each of them form half a dome covering the Destiny. * Saki flicks on her radio and mutters into it. "Might as well try as we're going past." Flicking it off, she shakes her head. "Nn. If they manage to get that field working I won't be much use on the Destiny. I can handle this one." Let's explode it a lot! Dratted piece of metal, getting in our way Best course. Mm. Fair enough. If I shout for you to hop off though, hop off. It means I'm probably gonna do something stupid. Angie gets an eyeful. A gigantic behemoth of sand-painted metal moves ahead, with a barrel almost as long as the Destiny is, supplimented by a sub-battery of smaller caliber turrets. It plods along siloently through the dirt on a multitude of treaded wheels. The armor is thicker than anything you've seen before, abrring the Fragrach. * Mikel leans forward and flips the radio back on. "Alright, so are we just gonna try to get past it then?" Do you have any other options!? I do, actually. * Mikel looks back, examining Niri and Trune's field. "How long can you two keep that up?" "It has a lot of guns on it," Angie mumbles, pointing at the shape in the distance. As long as you need me to! Niri and Trune manage to cover the Destiny in it's own fuse-shorting field, as the tank moves along. It's not known if its detected you yet, but it is only a matetr of time if you continue forward. I don't suppose simply hiding until it goes away is an option? Hm. We don't have the time, Vytor. Prophetess was heading to this area too. I can...keep it up for a while, but we should conserve energy, like Tanan said. Let's get out of here as fast as we can. Fair enough. Follow me then. * Vytor finds something sturdy-looking to hang onto. Right, hang on to something, folks! * Mikel starts it up again, continuing forward with his eyes and ears peeled. The electric auras set off a few more blasts in the background, rocking the inhabitants soundly. Detcting the acoustics and movement quickening, the tank suddenly alters its roaming course, guns swivelling. ...Aw crap. That didn't take long. * Trune bites his lip, looking extremely nervous now. * Ryllan watches the tank carefully, waiting for the telltale muzzle flares. There is a flare alright. It lights up the view with a blazing retort. * Mikel keeps a wary watch on the tank, focusing for a couple of moments as white light flares up from the book hanging at his belt. "...servant of the goddess, come forth!" >> Mikel summon a Bird of Pray! The lgiht creature shields him from attack! * Saki 's yell of "--a damn bir--" is rather cut off by the sound of the shell firing, but the general gist of it is probably obvious. * Ryllan makes a quick course change, trying to make sure he's NOT in the path of no-doubt-oncoming shells! Well, if we do get hit, we probably won't hurt for long -_-; Shush, Vytor! >> As soon as the servant of the mage is brought forth there's a huge explosion and a screech of enchanted pain! Bird of Pray hit by the Main Gun! 1249 damage! Slain! * Niri concentrates, nervous sweat pouring down her face. Saki, off. ...Oh man Mikel no don't do something stupid MIKEL... * Saki harrumphs and just ignores Mikel, flicking her radio on. "--get closer to that damn thing! If we're right under it it's only got the smaller ones!" * Trune 's body begins to tremble slightly, and he sucks in a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. The light almost blinds the adept who starts swerving madly, trying to keep control and see straight! * Mikel brings the Destiny about towards the tank, gritting his teeth as the bird's knocked out in a single blast. "That's a bit out of our league, don't you think?" Not if it can't shoot at us without hitting itself! We're not gonna survive a direct hit from that thing. We've got to move /closer/! You're assuming it doesn't have some kind anti-personell weaponry! * Niri stares at Ryllan Nothing that big, it won't! I'm sure it does! But we'll fare a lot better against those than that cannon. The tank begins repositioning itself to give chase, the 120 mm artillery reloading slowly. Damn it...we can't fight it right now! I keep telling you guys that! If we end up riddled with bullets I'm going to beat the crap out of you. Trune, unless you have a way to get away from it without getting killed, kindly shut up. * Saki growls audibly through the radio. "If we've got to go past it, closer is better than farther. It /might/ have close guns, but it's /definitely/ got a fucking enormous one. Let's go!" There is a crackle from your radios as another signal intereferes... [Mechanical Voice] Insurgents against the UN. Halt or be eliminated. Screw you! * Angie is certainly awake now. She keeps an eye on the tank through her telescope, hoping for some warning before the next volley. * Ryllan begins to pick up speed, angling the destiny directly for the tank, "Angie, call the muzzle flash, and we'll have some fun!" How much can you make the Destiny dance, Ryllan? 5, 3, 2, 1... another flash and a resounding crack of thunder as a shell barrels forth. * Saki does the Discovery evade! * Mikel takes this opprotunity to attempt a new technique. He calls it dodging. * Ryllan finds out just how well the Destiny dances! * Niri grips the seat of the Destiny as it rocks from the shockwave, trying to maintain the electrical shield. Look out! Incoming! Thanks to some slick moves and the Thunder field, which starts the fuse exploding seconds before intended impact, the bullet explodes slightly off target. a spire of dirt and flame rocketing into the sky. * Ryllan hits the radio, "Well enough, apparently! Let's make some ground!" The steel monstrosity is now closer in your view, the muzzle of the howitzer smoking. It appears to be coated with a similar plating to the Fragarach's, though painted a drab scheme to blend into the environs. ...well, that rules out trying to take it on. Turning it begins to train it's smaller caliber guns on you as the range is quickly closed. ANother few mines also are set off by Mikel, as Saki is almost thrown off her precarious spot on the nly single-seater Stormrider... << er only >> * Mikel lets out another curse, starting to swerve a lot more as he notices the smaller guns trying to get a shot. * Saki yelps as she swings around via her grip on the stormrider's frame, but manages to just about stay on through sheer tenacity and willpower. Recovering her footing, she decides two hands would also be great. /Told/ you! The Battle Tank opens fire with a series of normal shells that pepper Mikel's path, narrowly missing. One catches the Stormrider's tank, as the fuel in it leaves a thin trail of smoke. * Saki growls and ignores Mikel yet again, peering over the side. "... both of us need to get to the Destiny." A second follow of loaded magnesium rounds creates flare-born smoke which also hampers his sight and manuevering! * Angie jerks the telescope to the side, seeing stars. * Mikel doesn't respond as the field suddenly contracts a whole lot more as the adept switches detection for just pure speed, feeding it into the Stormrider as he sends it into a turn around the tank. "If /I/ can't dodge everything the Destiny is just going to get torn apart, Saki!" * Ryllan begins to move the Destiny in complicated patterns as well, giving it as much speed as he can, in close to the monster. It seems very apparent that the tank is focused on Mikel more than the large Land Rover. * Niri shouts at the radio, "Mikel! Get out of there, you're going to get killed!" Yeah, seriously, it's aiming for you! Mikel's smaller field increases the danger factor, as a small rodinance is set off much too close for comfort. The ATV is sent off the ground briefly from the rush of air, and Saki's tenacious grip is thwarted, sending the martial artist sailing off it! * Saki crouches over the cargo bay for a long moment, then is about to make a suggestion when she ends up airborne. A moment's panicked flapping, then she tries to get what bearing she can. Saki! Dammit. Pick up Saki, you guys! Saki managed to somehow land with a painful thud on the roof of the Destiny. * Vytor quickly opens a window and sticks his head out, "Saki! You OK?" Session Time: Sun Oct 28 00:00:00 2007 Saki, get in here! * Saki bounces across the cargo bay, nearly slamming into Vytor as she skids to a halt. Vytor gets a stunned stare for a moment then she's looking over the edge to follow Mikel's movement even as she scrambles inside. Saki! Are you all right? The main gun flares once again, but the thundering shot is very wide of the Destiny, as the close range throws its accuracy off. * Vytor moves aside so Saki can get inside faster. * Mikel sends the Stormrider into another turn around the tank once he regains control, growling. "Maybe I can keep its attention off the Destiny..." There's a flicker along the contracted shield before he fires a bolt of lightning at the tank, attempting to grab its attention more than do any real damage. * Niri mutters under her breath, "Mikel, you idiot..." Mikel however, is continued to be dogged by the evil killing machine, which gives chase at maximum velocity. Slow as it is, it can keep up quite well, firing with a shadowy intelligence in a manner meant to cripple Mikel's vehicle. Only his fused-thwarting magical aura protects him from taking more abuse. Bloody hell. Ryllan, get ready to pull off if it keeps chasing me. >> Mikel casts Reply to Thunder on the Merkava Mk 5 MBT! But it is only lightly scratched for 96 damage! * Ryllan is now known as DooM_Away * Saki nurses her shoulder inside the Destiny, wincing in pain. * Angie claps the spyglass shut and sets it back in the box. No need for it this close. She keeps her eyes on the tank, probing the desert with her mind, searching for its center, for something to latch onto and scan. Durable bastard. * Trune continues to concentrate, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead as he continues to concentrate. >> Angiogram manages to lock onto the enemy! -- Merkava Mk.5 MBT 2214/2310 HP, 585/600 MP, 300 Mus, 400 Sta, 100 Tal, 400 Will, 150 Dex, 85 Agi. Vulnerable to Plant. Immune to Daze. Stealable Items: 50mm Gun, Repair Kit. * Angie closes her eyesand takes a deep breath. "We might be able to take it," she says, "But we'll need to split up." Split up? * Saki frowns. "... it just blew me up and it's doing a damn good job on Mikel. Let's leave it in the dust." Focused on Mikel, who the programming thinks is a terrorist, the tank rumbles in a large arc, trying to get a fix on him. It nearly hits a mine, but the eplosion is shrugged off like nothing. It doesn't look like he's outrunning it. You guys are nuts, you know that? Get /moving/! I've got an idea for this hunk of junk. Mikel also gets another blast of sand in the face as a few rockets left buried go up in smoke. * DooM_Away (~doomgaze@staff.lunarnet.org) Quit (Ping timeout) An idea? Get out of there! Are you insane? A volley of fire lands just shy of where Mikel was a moment ago. one stray shot pierces his cape in a few places. This is crazy! Seriously, yeah! Just get out of here! ...Grnh. I swear, if he doesn't listen, I am going to fly over there and grab him. * Mikel at least doesn't have to spend a few minutes spitting out sand this time around thanks to the cloth wrapped around his face. There's another crackle of thunder as he spins the Stormrider to avoid the volley. "Then it focuses on the Destiny. Explain how you'll manage to dodge this with that huge thing." * Saki shakes her head. "... mm. Let's go. The sooner we're clearer the sooner he can be." Then there's a thumping noise as a canister is lobbed out and a poisonous gas begins to spread in the area. It burns and stings the throat... Grah! Goddess, the bullets were enough of a pain you hunk of junk! * Mikel spins his vehicle about once more and begins to head away from the party, attempting to lead the tank along with an encouraging bolt or two of lightning if needed. Enough bravado! Run already! Mikel almost feels like he wants to retch, forced to steer clear of the noxious cloud. The passengers of the Destiny begin to feel woozy too.. best to get the hell out of here. * Niri swears under her breath. "Trune! Can you hold the shield on your own if I try to go grab Mikel?" Are you as mental as he is? * Saki nods with an air of finality. "Let's go. Both sets of us. Ryllan, go!" Ryllan keeps the vehicle under control, trying to get the hell out of dodge. Niri, I swear to Althena you better stay /there/! Well, if he doesn't get out of there NOW.... You heard her, Mikel! Mikel! Give it up already and run! Mikel's lure of the tank is easily accomplished as it follows behind him singlemindedly firing the whole time. The noise of its gears and wheels is ominous, as it knocks away sand dunes and explosions like bugs. What's it look like I'm doing? Get going! Mikel's voice starts to become faint and now is projected through the radio more so as he puts more distance between the Stromrider and the Destiny, the glassy and sandy vistas rolling by with icnerasing speed. Grr...Mikel never gets to complain about someone else being reckless, ever again. No. No, he doesn't. Trune and Nir flich as without Mikel, now the Destiny starts setting off mines and having one hell of a ride. ...Crap. Ryllan! Careful! See if you can find the tracks where the tank was riding! He's got the market cornered for insane -- ngh! -- stunts! Remind me to kick his -- geez! -- ass if he's in one piece! Ryllan looks like his doing his best under the circumstances. Good thing you reinforced the axles after the church incident. * Saki doesn't say a word, watching the path ahead and lending her eyes to the lookout cause. * Mikel 's voice sounds over the radio, with the expected amount of crackling and explosions sounding in the background. "This thin-*crackle* -bloody persistant! I bet Emiria's company or whatever designed it." There a muzzle flash in the distance and an explosion or two as the Stormrider rides up a convenient dune and over the tank's shots. Soon the two figures racing to the death are small specks, colored by little blobs of red and yellow here and there. * Niri grits her teeth tensely, frustrated and becoming exhausted. It's an effort to keep up the shield this long, and to continue to coordinate with Trune. Niri and Trune begin to notice that the field is thinning out and the explosions becoming less and less frequent popcorn-like things once more. But on Mikel's end, it looks as if his are increasing.. that path must be into the thicker portions of the old battleground.. ...Man, he's just asking to be killed. He's nuts. Absolutely nuts. GAH! That idiot is going deeper into the - argh. Trune, we have to do something! Well, what? You do realize if you go after him you'll be nothing but target practice, right? "One mine, tw-*fizzle* -ines. *fizzle* Four... how many mines can that thing run over." But...but... * Saki huffs out a breath, but doesn't take her eyes off the road ahead. Ngh..I don't know either... * Vytor grinds his teeth in frustration. The glassy spots peter out and the beginning of a fresh scent in the air appear. Flowers...? Flowers...? Wait... * Saki turns around and hops abruptly out onto the cargo bed, peering ahead without the smoke- and sand-scratched windshield in her way. * Trune puts a hand to his head and focuses once more. ...Saturn! Trune! If we can find and wake Saturn fast enough... ...I know! Meanwhile, the distant demolition derby continues. Mikel's Stormrider dueling with the battle tank becomes more and more violent and harder to make out what is what in the smoke kicked up. Niri! Limit your plans to the theoretically possible! It's never taken us less than an hour to wake one of them. The Oasis...we're really close! Gah, don't do that don't d-*fizzle* that! It's go-*crackle*- cost a fortune to rep-*kssh*! Servant of the go- oh he-*gunfire and explosions, crackle* Keep an eye out for someone resting under a tree! * Saki smirks, tugging her gloves on. "We'll just have to improve fast." I'll take highly unlikely over Mikel DYING, thank you. Saturn knows we're coming. As Mikel's garbled and broken voice staggers over the radio, there's suddenly another chain of explosions lighting up the sky where he was. A wave of heat washes out as the dust and smoke expand in a fireball. * Niri bites back a shriek * Vytor grimaces, trying not to imagine the worst Damn, Mikel! Was it the tank? was it Mikel? All that is apparent is the falling embers & shrapnel of a huge finale, dropping out of the sky. ...Whatever that was, that was it...things have died down now. Darnit! I've got to go check it out now... Nothing else appears to be moving, and there are no more mines to setoff in this area. * Saki looks down through the window, voice cool and controlled and very neutral. "No. You don't. Either he's alive in which case he's safe. Or he's dead, in which case we need Saturn, not to go back there as soon as possible." Ahead is a cool blue lake, surrounded by a tree and some flowers & grasses. There's what looks like a lean-to setup as well. There! * Niri bites her lip very hard. He's okay, Niri. He's gotta be. He's fucking Mikel, after all. Trune instantly recognizes it from his dreams. That's it! That's the oasis! Yeah. And he's constantly trying to top me by doing even stupider insane stunts than I do. * Saki softens her tone just a little, apparently contrite. "--injured. If he's injured, we need Saturn." ...Gnnh! Mnnn. * Niri stares out the window, scanning the lean-to for signs of life. He's still alive. I'm not sure how alive, though. It's difficult to see, at this distance. ...You can tell? We'll find him. We have to hurry, though. Yes. Tch, we shouldn't have tried to run. We shouldn't have tried to confront that thing period, running or not. I mean, I know it couldn't be helped, but...ngh. Hmph. * Saki rolls her shoulders. "... let's go," she says, hopping off the cargo bay and trudging across sands. * Vytor remains quiet as he steps out of the Destiny, but his expression is decidedly frosty. * Niri jumps out of the Destiny, following Vytor, her walk somewhat unsteady. * Angie climbs out of the Destiny, pulling the Apocrypha Cannon out after her. She squints at the column of smoke in the distance, hoping for some sign of life, but even the black smoke seems motionless. * Trune follows behind the others, wincing at the the desert heat as he scans the area for any sign of Mikel. * Niri hurries ahead to check out the lean-to and see if there are any signs of life. Niri enters the Oasis and is slightly comforted by the change in the scenery, however small it is. * Saki only looks back behind her when Niri goes past - with a non-committal noise, she shakes her head, and remains off to one side of the oasis as the others do their business. The lean to looks to be very hastily constructed, made of a simple fabric and using the solitary shade tree for support. Inside there's a tall young man covered in blankets and snoring. I assume that's him? Must be. Trune? You're up. Yeah...guess so. Hey, sir? You awake? ...he's snoring. Geez, man. I'm a dunderhead. He has brown hair, slightly mussed, and nearby is a backpack with a bunch of supplies in it. Hearing voices he suddenly darts awake. "..What the hell?!" Easy! Easy! We're not hostile. I'm impressed he slept through that. Strapped to his hands looks to be a pair of particularly sharp fighting claws. [Explorer] Goddess damn it, I thought there was nobody else out here. ANd in the middle of the day? You're nuts. * Niri blinks at the man, a little taken aback despite her anxiety. Ah...hello... And you're sleeping in a lean-to in the middle of the desert. Your point? Yeah, seriously. About as nuts as the rest of us. * Trune smiles, "But my friend here wrote the book on it, so I'm kind of used to it by now." Which friend, Trune? Me, or the one who might be DEAD right now? [Explorer] Hey, you think I'm here for my health? I'm on a mission. * Trune frowns and knows when to back of. He actually looks slightly shocked by her reaction. The young man looks rather sarcastic and brash. "ANd why the hell are YOU here, anyway?" «ooc: off, even » We're looking for Saturn. We're here to find someone. Time's a huge factor too. A friend of ours might be hurt now. Suddenly the guy looks at a loss for words. * Saki leans against a handy palm tree, watching the conversation from afar with a disapproving frown. [Explorer] What the.. how... You didn't see that giantic tank trying to kick our asses two minutes ago? [Explorer] How do you know about that? I...I...drempt about this place. About Saturn and... * Tanan sounds a bit irritable as well. "Tch. You people don't remember or recognize faces, do you? Would it make things quicker if we told you that Johnathan sent us, in a way?" He shakes his head. "That's too weird, man. I just had a dream myself..." Then his blinks. "Hey, waitaminute." [Explorer] Are you Trune? Yeah. Xavier? [Xavier] That's me. [Xavier] That's frickin' creepy. I dreamed about you coming here to help me look for Saturn. So you don't know where she is either? Xavier shakes his head. "But, to me, she's my lost love..." Your lost love? * Angie sighs. A thought occurs to her in a flash, and she perks up, taking a suspicious second look at her surroundings. * Vytor (DNW@c-67-180-33-225.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: ) Why am I not surprised. [Xavier] I'm the Truth seeker, Xavier! I may not look like it, but I once was a small furry creature with a big mouth and a knack for trouble! ...So you really were a ferret? [Xavier] But then my partner Elrika gave me her life when the Unraveling happened, and I became a human, what I wished for. But she couldn't come with me... * Niri blinks. Okay, this is uh...really weird. [Xavier] Damn it, I want to know why! I...don't mean to be rude or anything. But we're kind of in a hurry here. [Xavier] And you think I'm not? I've spent 20 years just to get this far. Yeah, she's right. We need to help our friend out. You didn't seem in that big a hurry a second ago. [Xavier] Traveling during the night is the safest way. That way you don't run into that thing. ...Wish we thought of that. Bit late now. So. Where do we start looking for Saturn? I'm starting to lose hope that this is going to happen quickly. She said the closer I got to her, the better the chances I have for contacting her. Maybe I should try again. [Xavier] Looks like you need my brillant expertise to bail you out of this jam. What the hell happened out there, anyway? * Angie paces around the tree in a slow circle. "I can haul out my gear," she says from the other side. Meanwhile Xavier shields his eyes and looks eastward. "I was resting at this oasis, before the last leg of the trip to the place called Eden. It's this overgrown area between two rivers. the first ones not far away." Our friend Mikel thought he could single-handedly deal with the tank thing, that's what. He led it a merry chase, blowing up lots of mines along the way. Then there was a huge explosion off in the distance, and silence. You can see why we're worried. * Saki lurks silently, watching the back-and-forth. [Xavier] That's one crazy bastard... So we're not there yet? We should get moving. You're telling me! And these guys won't let me go fly after him to see if he's okay. Which I'm going to do anyway in a minute here. Do it and I'll seriously be so pissed at you I won't even speak to you again. We don't need you being target practice, too! What if he's lying there wounded and DYING while we waste time here, though? Wah wah wah I'll be pissed. I agree with Niri, we don't have time for this. * Saki steps away from the tree and carefully sidesteps the encroaching argument. "... do you have a map?" Yeah. If we had time I'd be all social and excited to meet Xavier, but if it's going to take much time to find Saturn, I'm heading back to find Mikel while you guys continue on. [Xavier] Yeah, I do. This came to me in a vision. *he pulls out a scribbled on piece of paper* It isn't...it's...fuck this! You want to go gung-ho on something and get yourself selfishly killed because you can't let us help you, fine! Go! * Angie shakes her head. She reaches back to pat her bazooka. "If you're going back, we're going with you." She points at Xavier. "And so is he." * Saki looks at it for a moment, ignoring both Niri and Trune. "... alright. We've got transport. The tank's been quiet since. Are you good to go?" * Niri stares at Trune. I have no problem going with you to find Mikel. But alone? No. [Xavier] Geez, calm down. I've seen this thing before. If its still around, I'll distract it... and if you really CAN fly, it actually can't fire straight up. No one else was making any move to go back. I'm only saying I want to go because otherwise he might die. And no one else seemed ready to move from this spot. Fine then. Is anyone going to come with me? [Xavier] So play your cards right and you'll make out OK. But just don't try anything like that guy did again, alright? Oh no, I'm not going to go straight into the mine fields. Don't worry. At least, not over the ground. By air, sure. * Saki snags Vytor's notepad and pen, pausing only to fix Niri with a glare. "/Wait/," she says, and it isn't her voice. Turning back around and frowning in concentration, she makes as close to a compromise between accuracy and speed as she can in regards to copying Xavier's map. * Niri blinks at Saki, slightly taken aback. * Angie shoots a look at Saki, but her attention quickly wanders again. She has been scanning the shadows like she expects ninjas behind every piece of scenery. There's no ninjas. But a few snakes and a sandworm. * Saki rips off the sheet of paper and folds it with care, secreting it away in an inside pocket and returning the writing gear. "... now we can go." Xavier grabs his coat and travel gear. "Let's make this quick. I haven't had breakfast." That was the plan. ....But where are we headed? [Xavier] You, karate gal, that map shows the worst of the minefields. Hold onto it. Are we going back for Mikel, or...? * Saki arches an eyebrow carefully. "Mm. You too." Observers may note another burst of Rachel's voice in response, with a slight edge to it. I think we should at least have a look back where we lost him. Xavier sniffs the air a minute. "The smoke's still fresh. I'll just follow the scent of it to where it was... and make sure to avoid the big booms. Cause I'm a cool tracker like that." ...Right. Uh, sure, okay. Xavier then starts walking. "Oh yeah. And sprout some wings whenever you want, Miss Hero. Did I mention you look a little like Lucia...?" * Niri kinda stares at Xavier. ...Oh. Oh, yeah. That'd be because she's my mom. You can tell where the mines are? Sounds like you volunteered to walk in front. Yeah, I'd say so. Meanwhile...I'm going to scout from up above. [Xavier] i coudl do this in my sleep. hell, I think I sleptwalked halfway here as it is. * Saki closes her eyes for a long beat, then starts walking after Xavier. She is apparently an expert at tuning him out. ...You're not the only one. Xavier doesn't walk straight and seems tense, despite his witty speech. there's some lumps in the sand that are likely bombs he's gracefully avoiding, one with the land in a way. * Niri focuses, very faint wisps of green starting to surround her. A gust of wind wraps around her, carrying bits of sand with it, and she floats up on the cushion of air, hovering just a couple inches above the ground. Niri's Zephyr sends her upwards over the trigger range of any munitions. There's a ncie view of the last bits of smoke on the horizon not too far away. * Niri frowns, then zooms downward again. "Angie, can I borrow your spyglass?" Xavier continues to make a path, surpringly good at what he's doing. No fancy willforce fields here, just an instinctful eye. "You too, eh? What's going on between you and Saturn, eh, mage boy?" * Angie hucks it up at Niri with scarcely a glance her way. Thanks. *Catching an updraft, she heads aloft once more and levels the spyglass at the smoky column in the distance.* Uh...besides the fact that I dream about her? ...Man not you too. Niri begins to get in focus what looks like a smoking wreck. it seems small.. too small to be the tanks., which is nowhere to be seen. << tank >> Also that wasn't the best thing to say. Apologizes, man. [Xavier] Just asking. Part of that Elementalor is Elrika... so I have a right to be a little jealous, don't you think? But I didn't think anyone else knew about it. You must be a pretty smart cookie. * Niri 's heart thuds in her ribcage, and she swallows hard, licking her lips. She heads back down once more. "Guys? Uh...I think I see the wreckage of the Stormrider. But not the tank." * Saki glances up to give Niri a quick glance. "... pace up." Not really. I just see and hear things I probably shouldn't...and say things I probably shouldn't either. * Niri fidgets PLEASE can I go scout ahead? Please? Xavier stops aburptly, leaning back and changing course as he almost sets foot too close to a not so obvious mine. "Shit. I almost lost my concentration there. Damn women..." Xavier sighs, then goes around it, picking up the pace. "Hey, is ithat your boyfriend or something?" What? No! But he's my friend and he isn't allowed to get himself killed on my watch. I am not explaining it to his girlfriend if he does. * Saki looks up for a longer beat, still with the same vaguely disapproving frown. "... fine. But be careful." [Xavier] Ooookay there. Go on if you want to. We're halfway there as it is. * Trune actually looks slightly distant, "Yeah. Go on...." * Niri frowns at Saki and Trune, but she hesitates only a moment before heading off toward the smoke clouds ahead, keeping high out of range and keeping an eye out for gunfire. The small group can now see the wreckage site, and Niri's spyglass reveals another curious fact. Mikel's not on it. * Niri flies a little closer, trying to get a better look, and scans the immediately surrounding area. The Stormrider lays on its side in a sand dune, wrecked and a small fire smoldering in the rear fuel tank. The sand's been blown about wildly here, bits scorched from the blast. * Niri looks around carefully, then touches down next to the wreck, examining the surroundings for clues. There's a set of footprints leading away from the crash, but they don't go very far before vanishing entirely. Niri also hears a faint beeping noise from the Stormrider, a little red light on a black box blinking. * Niri zooms into the air, then fixes the spyglass on the black box from a safe distance. There's a shred of Mikel's blue jacket hanging on the handlebars as well, and his staff lying jammed into the dirt * Niri has a sudden idea. She swoops down and grabs the staff - he'll want that - and the scrap of jacket fabric. Maybe Shiro can help track him, if it comes to it. Niri can't tell anything about the box, tiny as it is. It seems made to survive crashes though.. Xavier, meanwhile, slowly but surely catches up to the site, weaving through the mines and cussing every once inawhile as how much this sucks. * Niri pokes experimentally at the box. It seems safe enough, not a bomb as she originally thought...she wonders whether to grab it and take it along too. * Angie swallows hard, walks up th the Stormrider, and nudges the smoking wreck with her toe. She looks up at Niri and tilts her head, an unspoken question. The box cannot be taken; it's integrated into the cycle, and partially burn welded onto the frame by the heat. * Niri shakes her head. There's tracks, but they only go a little way before vanishing. Shiro looks up at the flying Niri, trying to jump up and reach her [Shiro] ARf arf! * Niri settles on the ground next to Shiro. "Hey, boy. Think there's any chance you can follow a scent in this desert? Without getting killed by mines?" ...Chances of that are pretty low though, I imagine. Shiro nods, sniffing at the jacket and the staff. [Xavier] I wouldn't be too concerned. I think that boy blew up everything in a square block. * Saki shrugs one shoulder again, eyes closed. "... in the end, we work off low chances." * Angie searches out the tracks Niri mentioned and traces them to where they end. She kneels down and runs her hand through the sand. * Trune frowns, looking out over the horizon and wondering what to do. I'm fine with that, Xavier, as long as "everything" doesn't include himself. Xavier follows Angie, looking down at the prints a minute. "I kinda doubt that." It's hard to see how he could just vanish. Unless mole people dragged him under the sand or something. There's a slight rustle from beneath the sand near Xavier. This turns out to just herald something emerging from the sand and swinging something - a sword? - at Xavier with a shout! But with his quick reflexes, the tracker brings both of his silvery claws up in time and catches the blade inches from his neck! ...oh, not the psycho witch then. Sorry about that. * Saki grabs the blade in a gauntlet and /yanks/. [Xavier] F'ning A> Is that how a half-dead man says hello? * Trune smiles a relieved smile, "Hey. You're an idiot. Don't do that again." * Angie is slow to react. She must not have gotten much sleep, what with the explosions. It takes her several seconds of fumbling to produce her gun, and her first shot goes wild, kicking up a fine dusting of sand. * Niri shrieks in surprise. "What the...." * Niri stares at Mikel, her eyes going wide. "Mikel?" * Mikel takes a step as Saki yanks the sword he's holding, having the handy effect of disengaging it from the claws. He looks like a mess with his jacket in tatters and cuts and scrapes and burns visible. He then jumps at the gunshot before letting out a sigh. "Xavier, huh? Emili says hi." * Saki takes a wide step away from Mikel, tapping the sword absentmindedly against her shoulder. * Angie spreads her hands wide and gapes. "Augh! What the hell?" She stops up to Mikel, waving a finger in his face. "What the crap were you thinking?" [Xavier] Hah. I haven't seen that crazy dragon girl in years. Probably still bugging people for heaven's steaks. * Mikel gets yanked more since he's still trying to hold onto the sword. The success of this is questionable now though. "...well, the general idea was to play decoy without getting exploded. Partial success, that." * Mikel looks over Angie's shoulder at the ATV and sighs. So you jumped out of the sand and attacked us with a sword? Have you been paying attention the past month? What would you do if someone jumped out of the sand and attacked YOU with a sword? * Niri stalks over to Mikel and plants her feet solidly in the sand in front of him. * Niri then hauls off and slaps him in the face. * Mikel ...then starts for a moment. "...Prophetess is still co-" Then here's Niri. Then there's Niri slapping him and Mikel taking a step back to hold a hand up to his face. "..." [Xavier] oooh. SUcks to be that guy. * Trune wideyes at Niri's action, "Yeah..." If you apologize NOW maybe I won't tell Emili exactly what you just did. * Saki just closes her eyes, and taps the sword against her shoulder with an even rhythm. A second wide step takes her away from the peanut gallery, for safety's sake. * Angie waves off the issue, seeing that Mikel is in good hands. She wanders over to Xavier, emptying her gun's cylinder into her palm on the way. "She's half-dead now, by the way. You're gonna want to be careful about that, since you're probably going to be next." ...so, do I get to slap you for dropping out of the sky like a rock back during the scrap with Emiria? No. That was Tanan's fault. [Xavier] Oh, so that's why you jumped me is it? But I can't exactly leave here without discovering what's going on first. [Xavier] There's almost no way back anyway. *shrug* * Saki opens one eye to glance across. "... you're in luck. We need to find Saturn too, after all." Anyways, Pro-... * Mikel looks over Niri's shoulder at the ATV again. That was a good idea and I stand by it. It got her out of the line of fire. Beep beep goes the balck box. A tracking device. * Mikel steps past her and rushes over, crouching by the damaged vehicle and examining the box. "...well." What IS it, Mikel? That, Niri, would be a tracking device. ... ...Oh please don't tell me that's why the tank was following YOU. Don't think so. It's a Vulcannon one. Unless it just decided to lock onto it and stopped after it blew me up. Either way. Why was the lab tracking you? That's something I'd like to know, too. * Mikel ...winces. "...she probably knows I wrecked this baby, too. I'm going to tear that tank apart." * Trune keeps off to the side, back to focusing his thoughts on finding Saturn now that Mikel has been found. [Xavier] Woah there, daredevil. We're not doing anything like that unless you want to get blown up for real. * Niri glances at Trune, then frowns. There's going to have to be some words later, she knows. * Mikel hauls himself back to his feet a bit unsteadily, examining the ATV. "It blew up my ride." Saturn first. * Saki nods in agreement with Angie, then holds out a hand. "... mind if I see that thing?" The damage assessment is not as bad as Mikel thought at first. WHile the internal engine is usable, the frame and especially the rear tank are toast. Vytor might be able to fix it, but for now this thing can't even ride a drizzle. ...lemme see if I can remove it. * DooM_GazE (~doomgaze@staff.lunarnet.org) has joined #lunar-iog2 * ChanServ sets mode: +o DooM_GazE * Mikel attempts to do so, muttering all the while. * Trune looks mildly surprised for a moment, then strangely sleepy for a moment as he shakes his head from side to side, as if to refocus himself. Mikel can't simply remove the tracker, as it was spot welded on. But a good blast might do the trick «ooc: take out the 2nd moment. God, tiredness makes me repeptive! » * Mikel points a finger at it and does just that. Gzap! He proceeds to liquify the metal with the current brief enough to yank the damnable thing off. It surprisingly unscatched in the crash. Must have been designed to survive. Sure, make the tracking bug durable. Not the vehicle. * Mikel wings it to Saki and then goes about righting the ATV. * Saki catches the box, hefting it in her hand a couple of times to test the weight. * DooM_GazE is now known as Ryllan It's pretty heavy for its small size. The case is crafted of a dense alloy, not silver. * Niri frowns, scowling at the box. * Ryllan glares at the box, "Mikel, would you be horribly put out if I killed your boss before she gave you your next bit of pay?" * Mikel goes about examining it some more once righted before sighing as he sat on it. "I have dibs. And I want pay. And hazardous pay. ANd a finder's fee for all the tech out here apparently. Can I have my stuff back or am I gonna get hit with it as well? * Mikel looks over at Niri and Saki, who are holding staff and sword respectively. Do you get more pay if she's actively trying to kill you? Xavier sighs . :P I'm sure it's in the contract somewhere. Double overtime hazardous pay or something. * Saki stabs the sword into the sand. "Your form is terrible." Moving away and to the nearest dune, she winds up a throw, and with the help of a lightning-fast punch propels the box a few sand dunes over away from the wreckage, away from the oasis. * Angie pulls open her coat and slips her gun back into its holster. "Can we get a move on?" she asks. "I don't see that thing here, so it might still be out there." Anyway, we should hold onto that box a- ... * Mikel walks over to reclaim the sword and sheath it. "Teach me sometime if you're gonna complain." Well then. Saki by some unbelievable rpecision managed to land the black box right on a mine, and its blown to smithereens ...nice. [Xavier] Sweet. 1000 points! * Niri holds out the staff to Mikel * Saki dusts her hands off and gives Niri's chest a sidelong glance. "... if it did call that tank along, I'm not having it do it again." Go ahead and take it back. I'm done hitting you. * Mikel eyes Niri warily, slowly reaching out to take the staff. I was going to suggest that we could use it to distract the tank later It's a good idea. But it could call it down on us when we're not ready. * Niri actually passes off Mikel's staff without any violent reaction! * Mikel breathes a sigh of relief. "...you're not gonna tell Emili, right?" * Saki blinks once, then frowns at the wafting smoke. "... ah," she adds helpfully. "I hadn't thought of that. But then, I wasn't aiming for a mine." The ranger then dusts off his hands and straightens up. "Now then... you going to help me find my honey or what? And your names might help, too." You know mine. * Niri frowns. "I...don't think so. But I think we need to come to an agreement about this sort of insanity. This has to stop." * Niri turns to Xavier and waves, her stern expression softening into something akin to her usual cheerful smile. "Sorry about all that. I'm Niri Salyan." [Xavier] Haha, Hiro and Lucia's daughter. Figures, don't it. Why does everyone always say stuff like that? * Mikel looks over at Xavier, then at Trune. He then sighs and goes over to take a seat on the Stormrider. "Emili was right. Goddess damn." He looks up at the ranger and shrugs. "Mikel Sayeld. Sorry about trying to cut off your head and all. But Pandora is in the area, so." * Saki watches out across the dunes, and only answers Xavier's question absentmindedly. "Rachel." You should be careful, Xavier. It's likely Pandora will be after you, as she's been after the others. [Xavier] Sorry, Niri. But heroics is one of those things that runs in the family. maybes it's that blue hair. If I wasn't so wrapped up in my long lost lover quest, maybe I'd treat you to dinner back in Meribia sometime. *wink* Well, my hair is actually purple, so. Also, what? * Niri scoffs. Not likely, but thanks, I guess? * Mikel looks over at Saki, peering. "...I rescind my request for training if you were the one - /down/, jackass - complaining. Unless you promise to be nice." * Trune gets a somewhat surly look on his face for a mere fraction of a second. * Saki blinks around, and then twice more as she mentally replays the conversation in her head. "... ... /Saki/. It's Saki." * Mikel spits Xavier with a glare for a moment before bringing his attention back towards Saki. "So, who was it?" [Xavier] Saki.. Rachel.. home run slugger.. whatever... * Niri misses Trune's expression :D * Saki crosses her arms to arch an eyebrow at Xavier for a moment. Mikel's question brings her back, and seems to leave her a little nonplussed. * Mikel raises an eyebrow. Name's Ryllan. And they're right. You need to be very careful, Xavier. [Xavier] I came this far. I can handle the peril. I just have to know if Elrika's still in that woman somewhere. Yeah, sadly we seem to leave a trail of TruthSeeker bodies in our wake. The last person who talked like that is currently chained up in a tower because she was wrong. * Saki scratches her head at length. "... mm. Not sure," and she summarily leaves it at that by inspecting her new map. Don't be an idiot. We should try to keep the engine with us this time, I think. You awake enough for that, Angie? [Xavier] Look man. You're the last person who should lecture about being an idiot Phfuh. He's got a point. But that doesn't mean the advice isn't worthwhile. * Mikel mutters under his breath before just shrugging to Saki and feeding a bit of thunder into the Stormrider. "Maybe, but it should also be a sign that you ought to /listen/ if I have to say it." [Xavier] I'm going to go to Eden no matter what you say. You don't have to follow me, you know. Hey, we're headed there too, we just mean you should watch your step. Honestly, you're in danger no matter where you go. Just be on the lookout. Yeah, don't think of taking her on if you see her. It won't end well. [Xavier] That's right. We're all in danger. especially having a ice cream social in a freakin minefield. totally cool. No, see, that would require ICE CREAM. Which actually isn't a bad idea. Just not now. [Xavier] Now let's go back to the oasis and get a plan. And no, I don't have ice cream... * Mikel attempts to start up his poor wreck of a vehicle as he keeps the thunder flowing. Mikel has ice magic. All we need now is a cow. * Saki tilts her head, looking up from her map. "... mm." Without preamble, she starts picking her way back, following the tracks they made to get to this point. A desert cow. Keep dreamin', Niri. Maybe we can find a camel. I will make three points. If you're still arguing afterwards, I have a number of suggestions. First off, you likely won't be able to reach Saturn without us. The elementalors are in specific facilities that practically can't be entered without a certain device. We have it, we can get you in. ....Sorry. I think I'm a bit giddy with relief and with the heat. Second, Pandora has felled six of you ten so far. Please stop dismissing her so casually. [Xavier] Look I'm not dismissing the fact she's a crazy bi... hey, is your armor talkin' to me? Third. Oh. Hrm. Two points I guess. You really should listen to Tanan, you know. He's right. And yes, he is. Yes, he is. Get used to it, he does it often. And usually is worth listening to, oddly enough. He also makes faces. Hey now. [Xavier] Well, I guess I can't complaint. Me being a former psychic ferret. He's also a grump! But we love him anyway. Former psychic ferret? Former PSYCHIC ferret? Oh geez wow. [Xavier] Well duh. You think I kept all my smart ass comments to msyelf? heck no! Suddenly weapons talking in my head doesn't seem so bizzare to me! You don't want to hear the explaination. You really don't. John explained it to me and it's stupid. * Tanan makes a coughing noise. "No offense meant." * Mikel fiddles with the ATV some, frowning. "You and Trune ought to get along if that's your talent." ....HEY! I totally heard that and I'm willing to follow up on Niri's slap in two seconds if you don't take that back! Go easy on Trune, Mikel. He's taken enough abuse from me today already, he doesn't need more. *click* :D Xavier laughs. "Yeah, we're dream brothers now, Trune. Get to like it." Goddess help us. * Trune buries his head in his hands. * Mikel tries another jolt of thunder and sighs in relief as the engine sputters a bit before showing some sign of life. Maybe they'll foot the repair bill along with paying me thousands of silver. Somehow I doubt they'll double your effective pay. Let's just go. I'm pretty sure I saw a 'saving the world' bonus in the contract. Come on. We need to find Eden, and Saturn. Also, I bet there are cows there. Ice cream is ahead. ...cows. In the. * Mikel stares at Niri. * Niri just grins. If you freeze a cow we will have words, young lady. Did I break you or something? ...They will mostly be "that was great" but we will have them. I told you, it's the relief combined with the heat. * Niri snickers at Tanan. She needs to ask me to freeze the cow, anyways. ...Come on, you'd totally do it, just to see what it does. * Niri continues to banter with Mikel and Tanan as they head off in search of Saturn. * Niri is now known as Amy * Mikel banters back, wrapping up various scraps and such with bandages as well. And bemoaning the fate of his ATV and jacket. And carefully they trek back to the oasis camp of Xavier. Maybe there are cows in the garden... and maybe there are much more dangerous things as well. For nature is both a nuturing and cruel mistress. But which one wil they ultimately find? And all the while, a shadow stalks in the bushes. == SESSION END == >> 24 XP! Session Close: Sun Oct 28 02:40:31 2007