Session Start: Sat May 31 21:18:55 2008 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * Logging for #lunar-iog2 started * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 74: Lazarus Rises, pt 5 | Location: Raculi | Pool: 0 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' * TheStoryteller sets mode: +m == SESSION START == Evening begins to fall upon the town of Raculi, as the day draws to a close. All around the fertile fields and plains lies a wasteland of broken war machines, as smoldering fires of both magic and technology burn themselves out slowly. The remnants of the second victory of the colonists over the soulless army dot the landscape, as cleanup efforts continue into the late hours. The remaining defenders of the coalition of Meribian, Vulcannon, and Society try to regroup and assess the situation, many exhausted and unable to do much but take the chance for a rest from the constant fighting they've been doing... The night passes thankfully uneventfully, and the dawn brings with it a new mission: the rescue of the captive hero Vytor. * Saki has been seen up and about throughout the night, pacing and thinking to herselves. Loudly enough that, once or twice, nearby folk have asked her to keep it down. The morning begins with communal prayers and exultations for the sacrifices of humanity, and a renewed purpose ripples through the Virtue commons. Chrissy's forces, meanwhile, have been working like madmen to salvage and debug their mechanized fighters for the next attack. The Meribians, tired from the forced march, reluctantly rise as well, wondering what's next * Niri is sitting outside the building where the party was able to obtain sleeping quarters. She leans against the wall, apparently having dozed off some time ago. As the remainders of heroes and soldiers doze , there's the sound of a tremendously load buzzing overhead. * Trune is sitting on a bench near the center of town, half leaning, half sitting on it. His gaze is rooted to the sky, but it seems that he's not really focused on whatever is above him at all...until he hears the buzzing noise. He turns his head towards the direction of the sound. * Saki is present at the prayers, but she doesn't join in so much as glower at the religious icons on display with a vague sense of recognition. She's all but ready to help lug fighters out of the dirt when her attention is caught. The lookout point up as a mid sized aircraft hums in from the western diretcion, the image of a phoenix painted on its underbelly. wait a minute... It's the same craft the Vile Emperor granted to you. Only now, it's airborne! * Saki watches it impassively for a moment, then sighs and drags a hand through her hair. Perhaps a little moodily she stomps her way slowly over towards the nearest probable landing site. A communications center set up hastily in the town square by Vulcannon Labs buzzes to life, sounding vaguely like one Sonyele. "This is the Xiangfeng, systems now operational. Requesting permission to land and refuel... oh, and sorry I'm late." * Trune blinks a couple of times, rubbing at his eyes, before grabbing his backpack and trudging in the direction the aircraft went to. * Niri blinks, sitting upright and stretching in slight confusion. [Chrissy] Hah, you missed all the fun. But there's plenty more to do. Bring her down on our short strip outside town. Carefully, the flying metal bird circles twice then descends to a landing on the rough area the transports were using. * Niri stands, staring off into the distance absently for a moment, then starts toward the aircraft, ready to investigate. * Saki frowns, mouthing the name to herself several times in an attempt to pronounce it, then starts muttering to herself as she turns towards the strip. "I would prefer 'Big Metal Box'," she apparently decides. A few workers bring it in waving little glowing lights, and technicians run up to check the craft as the canopy slides open and out pops Dr. Sonyele, wearing a rumpled flight suit. She looks both happy and extremely nervous. * Niri arrives at the landing area and nods in greeting to Sonyele, making an effort to put a smile on her face. * Saki offers a slight but wary nod. It's more to the plane than the Doctor. Her and Chrissy shake hands a moment, then the two come up to the growing gathering. The biologist turned pilot is trying to smile, but it is still obvious that just being in that thing is testing her well known fear of being in the sky. * Ryllan walks out to the airstrip, scowling at Sonyle, but raising a hand in greeting. * Trune arrives at the landing site, but keeps a good distance away from everyone else. He keeps his eyes on what's happening before him, but occasionally his gaze drifts off, as if deep in thought. * Mikel emerges from one of the nearby buildings, blinking at the sight before starting to run over and waving a hand. "'ey, Doc!" [Chrissy] Well people, now we've got a one up on those Lazarus scumbuckets! We can take it to them from the air with a serious assault now. I've had this puppy from the Orient modified to carry high explosive bombs and a converted silver fuel system.. it's sweet. [Dr. Sonyele] I still wish you didn't insist I had to pilot it myself... * Niri stands off to one side, watching Sonyele and Chrissy talk. [Chrissy] Face your fears already. It obvious you were born for aerospace! *pauses* Now then, while I get this gased up, I've got another issue to bring up, eh commander Ryllan? *wink* * Mikel manages to skid to a stop before running headlong into Chrissy and Sonyele. Though he at least has the patience to wait until they're finished. Sonyele nods to Mikel. "Long time no see..." [Chrissy] Specifically, what's really going on with Vytor -- * Mikel nods, managing to actually grin. Then it fades as he thinks for a moment, eventually replaced by an amused smirk of sorts. "So. You bugged my ride and nearly got me blown up.... though it's been long enough that I'm not mad." He mulls for a moment. "...though I am totally demanding a raise." [Dr. Sonyele] I'm not denying it, but it wasn't entirely my fault. *glances sidelong at her boss* But I did hear you were injured.. I guess those Virtue priests do know a thing or two about medicine after all. I'll pay the medical bills, no problem." * Saki knocks lightly on a wing, mildly curious. She keeps an ear and eye on the conversation nearby. * Ryllan winces at Chrissy's words, "The short form is, he's been captured by the Lazarus forces, but you already knew that." The wing makes a mettalic echo, the structure both strong and lightweight. [Chrissy] Of course. But more importantly, if it's really like how I've suspected all along. * Mikel scratches the back of his head, glancing at Chrissy for a moment. "Hm. Okay, you're forgiven then." The group is herded slowly but surely into a nearby abadoned store they've been using like an HQ to have a little chat away from the airstrip workers. * Saki takes up a spot by the door; her usual air of solemnity is only slightly marred by the fact the door is off it's hinges and propped up against an adjoining wall. * Niri moves over to join the others as they head inside, plastering a smile on her face as she approaches. "Good morning, everyone!" There's a lot of patrols going around outside that Saki recognizes, the place a hotbed of loosely cooperating militias... apparently there's an announcement going around about Tilea, Vytor's sister, wanting to call a proper meeting of all the strategists asap. But for now, Chrissy doesn't heed it immediately, wanting to finish up this topic. Shiro bounds in following Niri, also looking cheery * Mikel finds himself another patch of wall to lean against once they're in. He gives Niri a bit of a smile, nodding. "Mornin'" * Niri returns the nod to Mikel, still smiling, but something seems off, somehow. The inventor straighrens up a few rouge dishes and antennas before finding a seat and clearing a bunch of junk off a big table. "Ok, now then." Chrissy, why is everything red? << Sorry.>> SOnyele waves to Niri, looking a bit cheered up by her demeanor. Though maybe it's also because she's put some distance between herself and the plane. * Niri nods and waves back, a bit awkwardly. << lol >> * Tanan speaks up, sounding just the faintest bit agitated. "Is this important? We should be going." [Chrissy] I wanted to come clean to you before we head into the big meeting... I've known about Vytor being a little wonderkid since he came to work with me a long time back. * Saki cuts in from against the wall, behind Tanan and Niri. "... frankly, for something like this, the more preparation the better. ... that's me saying that, yes." * Mikel lets out a long sigh and buries his face in his hand. I think Saki's ri- wait, what? * Saki glances over at Chrissy, then shrugs. "... mm, I was curious. Was he ever a child, then, or always..." she grasps, for a moment. "... Vytor-shaped?" [Chrissy] Oh he was normal in just about every way on the outside. Grew up super healthy! But that's part of the issue. he never got sick, had this heart mumur going on.. which someone told me was really 4 heartbeats. Stuff like that. * Niri frowns, deciding to hear her out before she decides how to react to this. * Trune shoots Chrissy an irritated look for a moment. * Saki puts her hands behind her head, thinks for a long moment, and offers a scholastic "... huh." [Chrissy] Now, I'd like to ask you candidly about what you saw. Is he really like the Servitors? or is there something fundamentally different? He...hmm. Well, he has a personality...that's the most obvious difference. Most of them don't seem to. The engineer doesn't seem to mind the stares, she's forcing the issue regardless of what the group feels. He looks like one of them. Seems like one of them. He's numbered like they are, it's carved into his soul. I'd say he's one. ...yeah, no matter how you cut it they're the same, just Vytor has a personality to him. * Saki replies without batting an eyelid, quite serene. "Mm, his head was about three feet from his body when it turned into pulp, slitered back to the body, and reformed itself. It's fairly convincing." [Chrissy] ...I wonder if that's the key then. he obviously grew up like a baby slowly, and formed something the others lacked. They are like quick grown straight to adulthood. I wonder why... [Dr. Sonyele] I'm sure the Virtue adherents would say 'it's because he's got a soul". * Mikel gives Saki a bit of a look for a moment. I wonder how Rogar fits into all this. ...Vytor's life story is nice and all but I'm not sure how this helps us. * Trune shakes his head slowly, as if agreeing with Tanan at this point. * Saki peacefully ignores Mikel's look. "He's a long-lost brother," she glibly fires off, "Oh! Wait. Father, father's much better. I agree; regardless, we're going in there." As happy as I'd be to discuss Vytor's origins over teea. [Chrissy] Hey, a scientist shouldn't rely on stuff like that! I'm trying to figure out why they've went out of their way to capture him. It's got to be related to Zophar's vessel and the qualities it needs. You don't think it might be better served if we had him? * Saki frowns as she nods, acknowledging the point. "Mmm... it could just be to appeal to irony. Rogar seems to like putting on a show." In all honesty, does it matter WHY Zophar wants him? He's got him, and we have to get him back before it's too late. [Chrissy] Either way, I agree we shouldn't waste too much time... but if we go in there, try to keep this mum with Tilea. She'd be heartbroken if she heard about it. * Mikel frowns for a moment. "She's planning on coming along, isn't she?" [Dr. Sonyele] By the sounds of it, she's going to rescue her brother no matter what anyone says. Can she fight? I know she's a smart girl, but it's useless to take someone weak up there [Chrissy] She's still a little wet behind the ears, but is one of the Academy's rising stars, right? Apparently she's the brains of the operation. My question is how you plan to keep her from not figuring it out if she's up there when all this goes down. * Trune 's takes out his whiteboard and writes, "Power isn't always about fighting." * Ryllan glances over at Trune, "You feel like explaining to Vytor that you got his baby sister killed? * Niri sighs. "I don't know...I think if Tilea is going to come, she ought to know the truth. Better she flip out now than in the middle of battle." * Mikel gestures at Niri. "Like she said." it is when not being able to means you get gutted by the servitors. I'm sure Vytor would rather we thumped her over the head and left her behind here than took her up there and get her killed * Saki pipes up. "If it's a matter of making sure she --thank you! See, someone appreciates my skills," Rachel finishes. * Trune looks as if he's about to protest, then stops, dropping his hands, and his board, to his side. * Mikel snickers at Saki. * Saki , now, drags a hand through her hair. "... for all we know we might be fighting Zophar himself. I understand her position, but keeping her alive will be a full-time job and comes well before keeping her from finding out his nature." [Chrissy] Well, that's up to you -- I'm just letting you know where I stand. I want to rescue Vytor, whatever he really is. he's my employee, and Jack would never forgive me if I did nothing. besides... *grin* I'm enjoying this battle. I get an excuse to test my bleeding edge technology! Mmm. I vote we give Tilea the choice. But if she insists she wants to come, then we have to tell her the truth first. If she freaks out, maybe we leave her here. [Dr. Sonyele] Speaking of that, do you still have a certain disc in your possession? *looks at Mikel* * Mikel scratches the back of his head. "If she doesn't flip out to some degree I'll be surp- hm? I, uh, not on me. Who had it?" * Saki frowns, tapping one foot. "... mm, I'd rather not spend yet more time relating life stories that aren't quite our place to relate." Disk? Oh... *she rummages in her pocket, producing it* You mean this? How did you know ab- ...forget it, I don't care. [Chrissy] Oh, I heard from the Academy about what was down there. That disks were found and you had one. I think they all come together to form a map of sorts. [Chrissy] It might be just what we need to plan the attack at Bluetooth and find out how they used the tunnel systems. * Niri hands the disk over [Dr. Sonyele] If it is, then I'll have someone bring it to the meeting as soon as we can. Chrissy nods. "OK, with that settled, do you want to head over? They are using the meeting hall in the cloister it looks like." * Saki pushes off the wall, cricking her neck with a yawn that is apparently a signal she's ready to go. * Trune nods slightly, putting his whiteboard back in his backpack. He slings it over his shoulder, ready to move. * Mikel starts moving as well. * Niri falls in next to the others * Ryllan follows, eyes half closed. Shiro follows the gang, and one by one they filter over towards the more holy sector of the town. A quick pass by a statue of Althena finds them stragely refreshed, too.. HP/MP restored! * Trune stands a little straighter, though his face still looks pale. * Mikel debates the pros and cons of taking the statue with them. The small and secluded room is apparently quickly filling up, with the Academy mage Tiela up at the front and unloading piles and piles of books, scrolls, map, etc ... ever the bookworm, she's obviously fired up with a passion even greater than in the battle previously. << tilea >> * DNW is now known as Tilea * Saki moves ahead of the party as they enter, if only for the sense of style inherent in a woman in thick, black, and impressively imposing armor looming into a room. * Mikel blinks at the small treasure trove of books and other literature. "Holy shit." * Trune glances at the literature and almost looks tempted to read it. Almost. * Tilea continues to work as the group approaches, "Hello again everyone." * Niri 's eyes spark with interest at the books as well, but the interest flashes out again shortly as she regains her determined focus. Adam's also in the room, looking over a rough map of the known area around Bluetooth. He looks up from it, marking areas of Servitor activity with small placeholder markers. "Good, you made it." Chrissy waves lazily, then folds her arms. * Saki snags the nearest book, blinking at it. "... we're not going to be able to bring all of these." The books are not leaving here. THat would be silly. ...you memorized all of them, huh. The applicable parts, yes. * Mikel sighs. "What would I have given for being able to do that when I was in the academy." * Niri blinks * Niri muses for a moment, wondering if the group is really sure Tilea is human. Is everyone that needs to be here, present? Hnn. A good mind. I'm going to be frank here, Tilea. We know you want to help us go get Vytor. Can you defend yourself? I don't think we mind your coming along if you can, but we're absolutely not going to explain to Vytor that we got his sister killed. I anticipated your concerns. And no, I will not be accompanying you. My talents are better suited to remaining behind the lines as an analyst. My every instinct tells me to take up a sword and go after my brother. Fortunately, my instincts do not make my decisions for me. * Niri nods. "That's good. It's probably better that way...but I promise we'll do whatever we can to bring your brother back, Tilea." * Trune nods in agreement, his eyes showing quiet determination. * Tanan murmurs "Stange, mine do." There's a pause of a few seconds, then he speaks more loudly. "Ok, I'm glad to have that out of the way. Let's hear what you have, then." Well, that makes things easier. [Chrissy] Oh really? Well, can't say I think it's a bad idea. We can't all go running over there at once. First, I want to know why he was taken. There are rumors of course, but I want to hear it from the source. Assuming we know that, then we can start formulating a counter-strategy. * Mikel murmurs something under his breath. There's a knock on a side door, and a knight comes in to deliver something to Adam, to which he nods and takes it. It appears to be a small projector device, obviously from the Vulcannon Labs. He hmms quietly, flipping it over a few times and placing it on the table for when the presentation is ready. Tch. Taking back one of their own. Vytor's one of them. Your parents must have found him and taken him in, raised him here. There's no 'is he vytor' bullshit going on, your brother's still your brother. He's just a bit more resilient than we all thought. * Trune 's mouth drops open just slightly at Tanan's explanation. * Saki snorts in amusement, but lightly. * Tilea pauses, then resumes, "For what purpose? Surely this all cannot have been staged simply becuase they're attempting to re-collect an entire set." Chrissy winces a little. And people think she's tactless? Adam meanwhile, raises his head again and is rather speechless for a moment. I think they might be curious as to why he's so completely human. His personality's stronger than their... he isn't controlled by his instincts either. * Niri winces a bit as Tanan speaks, but lets out a slight breath when Tilea doesn't freak out. He's right...Vytor's one of them, but he's also Vytor, and that makes him stronger than them. I think they want to use that. * Tilea looks skeptical, "So then this entire series of invasions, combined with two stated intents of mass-murder, was enacted to satisfy a simple curiosity?" There probably is another reason. Oh, no. They're working for Zophar. They really do intend to kill us all. We have no way of knowing what that reason might be. They... yeah. They're Zophar's. Unless you have the worlds most powerful psychic up your sleeve, we still don't. Which makes the discussion academica at best. * Tanan sounds pretty calm. "He'd be good bait to lure us up there, at the very least. If they can be killed and I can be shattered before I manage to stab Zophar in the face a few dozen times that would be good for him. It's a possibility anyway." So then we're still reaonably in the dark as to their ultimate intent for this excursion. That is unfortunate. With the extensive casualties we have faced over two invasions, any couter-offensive we can muster may only have a single opportunity to be successful. Combined with the lack of casualties suffered by the opposition, I would surmise that our outlook is quite poor. * Tilea pauses to consider options. * Mikel ponders for a moment, falling deep in thought. One hand starts tapping the hilt of the sword as he thinks. * Niri stiffens, though she keeps her expression as neutral as possible, as Tanan speaks. [Adam] I wouldn't be so quick to say our position's poor, Tilea. I've just recieved something of great interest from our friends at the Labs. Oh? The little cube on the table whirrs to life, and throws up on the wall a gigantic projection in 3 dimensions of every single tunnel in the entire continent. It looks almost like an anthill of epic proportions at first glance. [Adam] This would appear to be the layout of the entire rail system running beneath us, from coast to coast. My Goddess, it's huge... * Mikel snaps out of his train of thought, looking at the projection. "...well, we've got a map now." * Tilea pulls out a notepad and starts to take rapid notes. "How old is this map?" * Trune 's eyebrows raise and he looks slightly hopeful. * Niri whistles softly. [Adam] I'm told it's reconstructed from old world secure disks containing one for every region, so this isn't exactly current, no. But I doubt this has been significantly changed since then. Before the war, though. There's probably damage here and there [Adam] With this at least, an invasion underground becomes much more possible. The overland route is just too risky... Assuming that we can be reasonably certain that the details of this map are still pertainable to our existing scenario, it is not unreasonably tyo assume that a facility such as Lazarus would have needed a steady supply of materials to produce an entire army of Servitors. If that is also true, then we can surmise that this network may still connect to Lazarus in some way and use that to our tactical advantage. * Mikel raises a hand. "And if they decide to drop the tunnel on us if and when they notice us?" * Saki looks back over her shoulder with a faint grin. "Speak for yourselves," she boasts, then looks back at the map. "Look for the wider tunnels." Very well, I would like to make a tactical sugestion based on this new information. What about using the White Dragon Wings? Isn't that a possibility? We may surmise that our opponents know that we have some passing knowlege of the underground tunnels. Moreoever, we can also expect that these tunnels would be protected. * Mikel mulls. "We've been up to that facility that was spewing radiation... though, how many can the wings even handle? I didn't think they could take more than us and a few more." Therefore, a rational plan on our part would be to avoid these as potential traps, and use the overland route utilizing what radiation protection we have. Assuming this is possible, we would use as much of the mechanized and protected forces we have and have them deployed on the overland route as a blind. What about what we tried before - we take as many as we can with the wings, and have the rest follow over land? [Chrissy] Yeah, that was my thought. My armies aren't exactly vulnerable seeing as most of them are inorganic. [Chrissy] We can also call in the Xiangfeng for air support and bombardment... I suspect that with the White Dragon Wings, your small party would be able to make it into Lazarus to some extent. [Adam] There's also the fact we know there's a generator network of some sort powering the place. Have you cosnidered targeting those areas? I'm getting to that. * Mikel frowns. "Won't wrecking it lead to radiation spilling back down here?" Last time we were up there Vytor had to fix it. While the main force is acting on an overland assault, and the Truth Seekers move into the facility through their own means, a second smaller team will infiltrate through the tunnels and attempt to sabotage as many of the facility's power systems as they can. * Trune is quiet now. He's got a pad of paper and a pen in his hands, and he's started to take notes * Tilea looks at Niri, "Do you beleive you can use the White Dragon Wings to get inside Lazarus again?" * Niri has closed her eyes for a moment, tensing at the mention of radiation. At Tilea's words, she opens them again, nodding. "I think so...or at least someone can." She turns to the others. "I wasn't there, so..." I was, so. * Mikel frowns for a moment, noting everyone else who had been there except for Tanan is gone. Does anyone have an educated guess as to how large this Lazarus facility is? Right. Then Mikel can use the wings, at least. * Saki is apparently chopped liver. :| << >.> >> Now, is your ultimate goal to rescue Vytor from the facility, or do you have another primary aim? I was there. that should be good eno-.... nnnng. I guess I wasn't, was I. Adam starts shifting some of the enemy army markers around. "All we know is there has to be a "factory" of some kind creating these things. Our highest priority is damaging these as much as possible if the infiltration is a success. Every one broken is less reinforcements they can call upon." * Mikel snickers at Tanan. "Depends if they count projections." * Saki gives Tilea a slow Look. "... we can't say that until we know what precisely is happening in there. We work largely on instinct." They intend to revive Zophar up there, probably in a servitor body. Our primary aim is burying him. * Saki carries smoothly on. "Or, all of that." * Tilea gives Tanan a flat look. "They want to put Zophar into a servitor body/ They have servitors up to their armpits, and yet they go out of their way to reclaim the one servitor NOT in their possession, and I'm not supposed to consider those two items to be at all coneected?" * Trune can't help but quirk a lip slightly. Tanan got buuuussted. Or, they want us to assume that they are connected. [Chrissy] I've been wondering, there has to be some head honcho in there somewhere too, calling the shots. It's obviously not Rogar -- he's a field commander by the looks of things. * Mikel mulls for a moment. Taking bets we run into Razgriz. I'm sure we will. * Saki rolls her eyes. "Or they want us to assume that we should assume they want us to assume that they are connected," she says without verbal hitching. "This avenue of thought is largely irrelevant." * Tilea returns to her notes, "Ignoring that, if you are unaware of what your ultimate goal is, then it is imperative that your presence in the facility goes undetected for as long as possible." It doesn't make any sense t- it's stupid! Moving an unwilling body is hard. I can't even make Niri scratch her nose. My point exactly. We can hem and haw about what their plans might be. But we don't know the mechanics of summoning a god and stuffing him into someone. We can't know thier plan for it. * Tanan sounds irritated now * Niri blinks at Tanan. "...Wait, what?" * Trune stares at Tanan as well. Our armies and the resulting commando raids on their power supplies will buy you some time, but I can't gaurantee you an indefinite window of opportunity. * Saki shakes her head. "It's fine. We'll get the job done, found out or not." * Tanan grumbles. "It's a billion kinds of stupid. Using Vytor wouldn't make any sense." Chrissy chuckles at Tanan & Niri. Tanan! It doesn't matter. * Mikel hums. "If their army catches wind of us I'll make 'em regret it." We go in, we rescue Vytor, we stop the bad guy from coming through. If the one happens to be the other, then we can come home in time for a beer. [Adam] Best I can advise, they might use some dark ritual to force the personality or soul out long enough to sieze the body. [Adam] If that's indeed why they want Vytor... With all due respect, if that's what's going on...shouldn't we get going soon here? * Trune turns his head sharply to Adam, looking alarmed. I'm not sure I see how waiting any longer really benefits us much. [Adam] I'm going to see if I can round up the best battle priests I have for just such a contingency. If it was weak, we could try to reverse it. * Tilea tears a paper from her notepad and hands it to Adam, "Relay this information to the battallion commanders. We need to move quickly." Without his personality, there's nothing different about him. Rogar's body is stronger if that's what Zophar's looking for. Aaaaaahhh forget it. I'll ask him if there's anything left of him to ask when we're done. * Tilea tears another paper and gives it to Chrissy, "Get these plans to the mechanized units and start organizing." Adam takes the note. "Roger that. Our ally's very soul could be on the line!" With that, he exists the chamber after a quick bow. << exits >> * Trune balls his hands at his sides. * Tilea starts pouring over the map, rapidly marking down probably routes using the underground tunnels. * Saki flexes her hands, testing her gauntlets. "... do you have any long range means we can communicate with you?" [Chrissy] The radios should still work, eh? Though underground I can't gaurantee it. I beleive I have a better option. Oh? * Tilea digs into her pocket and pulls out what looks like a chrome onion with a TV antenna, and hands it to Niri. "This device uses willforce to duplicate the telepathic messaging capabilities used by TIME." ...Aha. Convenient. * Mikel stares for a moment, whistling. The Academy developed this some weeks ago. I brought one in case long-range communication would be necessary. However I would ask that you use it sparingly. It has an internal power source with limited capacity. * Niri nods to Tilea. * Saki nods. "... then, we'll be off. In case that thing doesn't work, we'll keep in touch via large explosions and things collapsing." Yeee-essss [Chrissy] Yeah, I'm down with less talking and more explosions. Try to keep the detonations in morse code so we can understand your message. [Chrissy] ... *face drops* aw, you're no fun. * Trune puts away his pad of paper and hefts his backpack once more. His face remains somewhat passive, though his eyes look a bit anxious. Chrissy gives a quick salute-type gesture and runs out of the building... * Tilea inhales once, after Chrissy leaves, "One more thing." Hmm? The Virtue guardsmen and Tilea's entourage seem a bit nervous as this decision is reached. Some of the adepts are barely out of their training, having been volunteers drawn from her fellow honor student senior class. If it is in fact true that Zophar intends to use my brother as his vessel and you cannot rescue him, I would ask you to make his end as quick and as merciful as you can. I do not think he would want to be used in such a manner. * Niri waits for a moment, but she eyes the Virtue guardsmen, planning to go speak to them in a moment. * Niri looks at Tilea for a moment, holding her gaze, then nods solemnly. "I promise. Only as a last resort, but I promise." Thank you. * Saki snorts to herself, and closes her eyes. "... mm. There you have it. ... then, let's go." If you will excuse me. * Niri heads over to the Virtue guardsmen nearby, after nodding to Tilea as she leaves. * Tilea leaves the room somewhat abruptly, her cool demeanor beginning to crack. * Niri goes up to the guardsmen and adepts. "Ah...hi. I'm Niri. Though...guess I don't need to introduce myself. So, you'll be assisting with this mission?" * Mikel grimaces for a moment, nodding before letting out a sigh. He waits until Tilea's out of the room then speaks. "... poor girl." Another sigh. "So. We're going to be needing stuff for the radiation then, huh?" * Trune looks as if he wants to say something to Tilea, but he hesitates, and then she is gone. He has a distant, sad look on his face. * Saki follows Niri, an amused smile playing on her lips. [Virtue Knight] Ah.. oh.. yes, yes, miss Niri. We'll be assisting you as best we can. Well...by the look of you, I'm guessing you're kinda like me - not sure if you're ready for this. But I wanted you all to know what's at stake and why this mission is so important. Vytor's out there - one of my best friends, and I'm sure someone you all know of and respect. We're going to go save him - and we're going to defeat Zophar to stop him from doing this to anyone else. He's already killed a number of people important to me and my friends. He won't be allowed to continue with this destruction. I know you're probably kind of nervous, but we can't let fear stop us. No matter what, we have to succeed. I know you'll be with us and will do your best. * Saki watches, apparently rapt - though she turns her attention towards Mikel. "... keep it as light as possible for speed; we don't want to be trying to sneak while stomping around in clunky suits. I may abstain." * Trune 's withdrawn expression slowly melts when he hears Niri's speech, something akin to pride taking it's place. [Virtue Knight] *the young man lets a bit of nervousness show as she speaks* It's been a tribulation, but we're all in this together. My brothers and sisters all believe in what we're doing, and believe in you as well Niri. If you have to walk into the pit of hell to save your friend and the world, our swords will be at your side. I promise I will be brave. * Niri turns away, and as she does so, her expression falters for a moment, before she manages to put back her faint smile. * Tilea is now known as DNW ...Thank you. * Mikel opens his mouth to reply to Saki, though it gets cut off by Niri giving a speech to the other knights. He mulls, nodding as he looks back at Saki. "I'm opting out too, got my own tricks for it. I can ask if they have anything light though." [Academy Adept] ...such a touching speech... * Niri colors slightly, but clears her throat and rejoins the others. * Saki crosses her arms, frowning in thought; she lets Niri off for now, but continues to watch the troops and their dispositions. * Trune pulls out his whiteboard, his face going back to it's withdrawn, but determined, look. He writes, "Let's bring Vytor home." [Adept #2] *whispers to nearby student* I wonder if she'll teach a class on puclic speaking next semester... * Niri catches sight of Trune's message and nods to him * Mikel slips out for a moment, going to harass one Vulcannon person or another for various bits of equipment. * Trune slowly lowers the board and his eyes flit away from Niri's face. It's a simple matter to help yourselves to a new edition of the anti-radiation suits that are present. Strangely, wearing Tanan as she is seems to naturally repulse contaimination in Niri's immediate vicinity. * Niri is hesitant as to how to handle the radiation problem. "...Tanan, are you SURE you can handle the ambient radiation?" Saki's unique prophet-derived abilities also seem to literally absorb the ambient energy around her, and should theoretically also work with the nuclear particles similarly.. Shouldn't be a problem. Free energy is free energy. I've been thinking about it. Do you want a technical explanation, or would you rather just trust me. * Saki toys with a suit's edge, thinking to herself. When carrying it over one shoulder nearly scores deep gashes through the material from a bank of spikes on her armor, she cites it as a reason to abstain. * Niri grits her teeth for a moment, thinking. "...A rad suit really wouldn't do much to help, would it?" * Tanan sounds doubtful. "Might slow you down?" * Selim (Zack@cpe-76-93-149-88.san.res.rr.com) has joined #lunar-iog2 * Trune sets mode: +o Selim * Niri shuts her eyes tightly, then lets out a deep breath, a bit shakily. "Okay. No rad suit. I'll...trust you to handle it." * Selim (Zack@cpe-76-93-149-88.san.res.rr.com) has left #lunar-iog2 * Mikel gives Saki a tired look as he takes the damaged suit back and apologizes to the person he got them from. For his part he just whirls the staff out, seperating it as he's engulfed in the familiar storm of water and lighting. And then there were two Mikels. * Mikel` (Zack@cpe-76-93-149-88.san.res.rr.com) has joined #lunar-iog2 * Saki smirks to herself, and flexes her fist. "... mmm, there's always the route I take," she remarks offhandedly, "But I think Tanan would frown if I suggested it." * Mikel sets mode: +o Mikel` * Niri blinks questioningly at Saki. The town is abuzz with activity once more, as the various contingents begin to gera up and organize for their respective tasks. * Mikel toys with a bolt of lightning, bouncing it from hand to hand as he crackles. "This should work nicely." << gear >> * Mikel` rest his half of the staff on a watery shoulder, looking around. "So, anything else before we go?" * Trune writes on his board, "Pray a lot?" The Virtue corps along with some Meribian and Vulcannon sabouters prepares for the infiltration to move ahead. Meanwhile, Chrissy begins to check all of her automata's systems and makes programming adjustments for the irradiated and cold environment of their overland harassment ploy from air and ground. ...I'm ready. * Saki shrugs. "It's all a matter of physiology. --and, yes. Niri, give the wings to Trune or Ryllan. If something happens they may need to get clear in a hurry, but there's no sense in our coming back with them." * Saki blinks once, then sighs wearily. "... or, once we're there, Mikels can give the and so on." * Niri nods, looking from one Mikel to the other, before finally shruggin and sticking out the wings, figuring one of them will take it. * Mikel` grabs them before the electric one can, prompting a glare from him as he hefts the wings. "Gather around, then." * Niri edges closer. It feels a little strange not to be the one holding the wings. * Trune steps towards Mikel`. * Mikel` focuses, whisking the party away once everyone's gathering to the great beyond that is the north. * Saki steps as close as she ever does. "What happens if I drain that thing while we're 'porting, anyway?" Rachel muses helpfully as Mikels start to concentrate. "Do we all end up in my stomach?" If we do I hope I give you heartburn. * Ryllan steps closer to Mikel, all business. * Niri tenses up, standing ramrod straight and stiff as they teleport away I'd assume you'd die en route. Let's not try it Session Time: Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 2008 In a flash of holy power, the group becomes weightless, as the spirits of the fallen dragons guide them to their destination, folding space in an instant. * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 74: Lazarus Rises, pt 5 | Location: Lazarus - Bluetooth Power Station | Pool: 0 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' When the senses return, you find yourself standing in a lonely circular tunnel underground. Pipes line the walls and the loud hum of the machinery that feeds the complex buzzes all around you. The junction ahead of you is familiar, a leak that Vytor once repaired in the coolant lines. There doesn't appear to be any servitor workers immediately around, the pathways lit by spinning red lights overhead. Not far behind you is the path that leads to the surface, sealed off with a containment door quite securely. A small hole shows the icy wastes just outside. * Trune looks slightly disorented for a moment, but rights himself quickly. He quietly takes in the scenery around him, trying to figure out just where he ended up. Hm. That was pretty spot on. * Mikel` passes off the wings to Ryllan. * Niri looks around, opens her mouth to speak, then shuts it, beginning to shiver. She closes her eyes, breathing a little hard for a minute. * Saki drops to one knee for the briefest of moments, then looks almost confused at the lack of usual pain and suffering such trips provide her. She recovers with aplomb, then glances back at the door silently. * Trune glances sidelong at Niri, confusion clearly on his face at her reaction. The pathway here splits in two directions. There's the echoes of machinery working and a gurgling sound somewhere to the east, and the west footsteps can be heard approaching with methodical timing. * Mikel` looks at Niri, frowning. And then there are footsteps as he hisses quietly. "Let's start moving." * Saki tilts her head towards the footsteps. "... let's not say hello," she adds, and makes off in the other direction. There is traces of the radiation here, but it is not heavy at all, thankfully. Such leaks you saw before were probably the contributor, and the workers obviously have been repairing the place at a rapid pace. * Niri clutches her arms tightly around herself, then takes a deep breath and forces herself to relax a bit, opening her eyes and following the others. She hurries to catch up. * Trune blinks a few times, as if he realizes something. He stares at Niri a moment, mentally wrestling with something for a few moments as he follows the group. Heading down the eastern walkway, you wind through the tunnels several times, spotting groups of mechanics here and there who like before seem entirely engrossed in their work to the point you'd have to bump into them to get them to notice you. * Mikel drops back for a moment, patting Niri on the shoulder as he murmurs. "Easy, it'll be fine." * Saki is doing a good job of being a human geiger counter; every so often a low hissed pop-and-crackle signifies her aura bug-zapping a radioactive particle. It is mercifully not loud enough to hamper her stealth. It appears these walkways wind around some central point, most likely the reactor deeper underground somewhere. * Niri gives the workers uneasy glances as they walk past. She stumbles as Mikel pats her shoulder, then recovers, looking up at him. She schools the fear on her face. "I'm...I'm just fine." She nods. "Nothing to worry about." There are also patrols of a handful of combat servitors making highly predictable rounds. * Trune finally shakes his head and rummages through his backpack, pulling out his old brown overcoat. He offers it towards Niri. Judging from the look of sympathy in his eyes, he knows it won't do much to quell Niri's fears, but it's all he has. * Niri blinks at Trune for a moment, then gives him a faint, faltering smile, before taking the coat and shrugging into it. The lights make the shadows constantly shifting, so hiding somewhere is difficult for long. But observing the timings, it's possible to advance very carefully without being spotted. Stairways lead downwards several layers into the complex as well. There's the faint scent of gases released, as wisps of steam float by here and there. It's eerie at how quiet the place is, buzzing with people and maintainers. Surely someone would be shouting orders ina normal place, but here everyone knows their task with unerring precision and executes it without complaint or protest. * Saki pops her head up barely long enough to get a decent glimps of where the troops are, then ducks back down behind her cover. The process is repeated twice more and then she seems to have enough of a lay of the land to begin edging forward, trying to keep at least one hulk of clanking machinery between her and the nearest patrol. * Niri follows after Saki as she scouts the area out. Breaking the silence, there is the sounds of some talking up ahead, as a patrol encoutners a servitor in a yellow overgarment who's dropped his tools and apparently fainted. * Mikel and his counterpart follow Saki's lead, keeping their own eyes peeled for anyone who might spot them. Saki can see them shaking the fallen worker a few times, with a highly Rogar-look alike in a uniform calling the shots. "Looks like a defect." "Notify Pit #45 of serial number, and get a replacement." The distraction allows you precious time to evade around the scene and reach a nearby stairway down... * Saki makes a sweeping motion with a hand, then darts to one side to take cover in a better hidey-hole than the one they're in: practically diving down the first few stairs, she hunkers down halfway. * Niri frowns, wondering why a servitor might faint...but she doesn't waste too much time worrying about it, hurrying toward the stairway after Saki. [7 Series] Alright, take it to the biomass reclamation point. We're on a schedule here. * Trune frowns at the word 'schedule'. He doesn't like the sound of that. * Niri exchanges a glance with Trune. She doesn't either. The malfunctioning servitor is hefted up and carted away by the workers who go down the path you just came from, narrowly missing where you were moments ago. * Saki looks like she wants to create further troubles in that room, but thinks better of it. "... let's keep going in?" Down the stair onto the next circular level is more of the same, only now bits of the central reactor core comes into view better. It's quite massive in fact: much alrger than the ones that powered the battleship Fragrach, and there is plenty of these scattered about Bluetooth. * Niri nods at Saki. "Yeah. Let's hurry." * Mikel` mulls. "It'd be amusing to see them react to shutting that thing down." This point houses an observation booth which is staffed by a lone servitor watching some readouts very very intently. [6 Series] Power output still too low... not meeting Director's quota. * Trune blinks several times, and seems to mouth something under his breath. * Saki narrows her eyes as the servitor comes into view, and bolts forward out of sight of the others; there is a nasty high-pitched whiiiiine of metal tearing, and then a couple of nasty clanks and tears. The being resmbling Vytor in a grey jumpsuit mumbles a bit about estimates, before it's head is liberated from tis shoulders by Saki * Mikel` lets out a bit of a sigh. * Niri winces Make sure his head doesn't reattach and he causes an alrm. << alarm* >> The whining noise echoes a bit above the normal machine's pitches. Hopefully it didn't get any notice. * Ryllan raises an eyebrow at Saki. Sure enough the body on the metal floor is twitching, reaching frantically for it's missing brain * Saki nods, juggling the head idly as she pushes the body into a darker corner with her foot. "... that's fine. I'll take it with us for a bit. See if you can get anything useful out of the station." * Mikel` looks at the console, frowning. "...wish Angie or Vytor were here. Let's see I guess." * Ryllan steps forward, looking at the screens intently. * Trune stays to the back. Machines are not his thing at all. * Saki offers the head to the servitor: when it's arms come up reflexively, she snatches it back, and then repeats a couple of times before apparently getting bored. From the looks of it it is a quite simplistic analog display. There are gauges measuring coolant and temperature levels, as well as power outputs. A small boilerplate reads "Reactor Core 8" to announce it's obviously one of several. On the wall is a also simple map of the other 7 stations laid out in a rough octogonal shape inr egards to each other. What do you think they're collecting power for? lines point down to what you presume is the core of the facility, at least those areas not power related. * Niri eyes the map uneasily. That's a lot of reactors. A few more lokks over the monitoring station shows labels for feeds to "Lazarus Pits" running at 88% capacity. * Saki shakes her head. "... onwards and inwards. ... we've no choice to go further in. Taking these things out would have to be on the way out." Maybe if we can access the feeds as we get close. Killing the power in there just as we hit has a certain panache to it. Mm. Better be careful about killing the power without knowing what you're doing though. using the view, you can see that a large conduit runs from the bottom floor of the reactor's levels indeed to something below, but is inaccessable from here at least. The gauge for power upticks to 90%, as no doubt the system is still prepping for something big that requires all of it's output... * Niri frowns. "Think it's for the Zophar revival? And if it is...we'd better either shut it down, or hurry up." A worker walks by the monitoring station outside, then stop suddenly. * Trune tenses, looking behind him. His head turns, looking at the group that's playing with the controls. "...?" Trouble. * Saki , in lieu of any other ammunition, throws the poor disembodied head at the worker. * Mikel` blinks. * Ryllan lunges forward after the head, swinging his blade forward, hoping to silence the blasted thing before anything worse can happen. Not quite expecting a head to come at him through the glass, the projectile finds it's mark and sends the servitor to the ground with a muffled cry of pain. Ryllan only finishes the job, making diced 6-series and a pile of clear blood that drips down through the mesh walkway. * Saki speaks quietly, but with new urgency. "... let's go! Find a way down!" * Mikel starts moving once Ryllan's quieted him, the watery one close behind. * Trune nods, the tension growing inside him. Great, they can notice. * Ryllan moves on as well. * Niri hurries after the others, still shivering a bit, but moving with purpose now. * Ryllan pauses, then tosses the servitor's head back into the control room. The severed head still frozen in surprise lands back in the room, and things continue as they were. But it's only a matter of time before something else notices you.. The walkways continue to lead down in a spiral, and eventually a path deeper into the facility's bowels where the pits much reside. There's also large conduit-lined tunnels to Reactor 7 and Reactor 1. << er must >> Getting through these may be tricky, as each has an entry control point manned by servitors full time, armed quite well with guns and melee weapons and body armor. * Saki shakes her head and continues on down the ramp at full speed, a rate hampered by her trying to be quiet and remain low. In a strange crab-walk, she continues on. The path down is particularly well guarded. * Mikel` mulls. "So, what now?" * Niri clutches the coat tightly around herself. "That's an awful lot to get past...are there any other routes we can find? Or do we just have to take them on?" Pausing to look for ideas, you notice there's a lot of fire extinguishers about for emergencies, and the fact some walkways between passages are on cable supports which seem vulnerable. * Trune eyes one of the fire extinghishers, thoughtful. There's also what appears to be secondary tunnels, which presumably lead to storage. these are not nearly as well guarded, but probably are also dead ends. These places host a large variety of crates and the means to move them, like dollies, etc. ...How many guards do you think we can take out with a large crate? There could be hazardous materials stored, as this must need fuel shipped to it somehow. A few workers mull about working with the shipments, loading and unloading rather obliviously Others enter a hatch near the base of the central core wearing resistant suits and checking fuel rods periodically. * Saki smirks. "That depends what's in it." She glances around quickly, trying to formulate a plan A dolly could carry several crates, more than enough to steam roll over the several guards at each checkpoint. * Mikel scratches the back of his head. "Distraction with these things, those of us who are able go and just mess with crap to shut it down?" Some of the crates are marked differently, having a big tri-shape symbol on them and the words DANGER. * Saki is gone, stolen quietly into one of the side rooms holding large collections of crates. There is a slight clatter, though nothing too out of the ordinary, and the muffled sound of her moving around crates quietly. Saki successfully acquires a cartful of the hazardous looking materials! Now what will she do with it? Explosions come to mind. They are quite heavy too, presumably from casings and the like. This would definitely have good momentum if sent down the ramp to the Pit's interior entrance. * Niri whispers to Saki, "Do you have a plan?" ...Ah. I see. can we distract the two guardposts that we won't hit with that somehow? Maybe some lightshows that look like they're coming from somewhere else? Taking another glance, the guard posts are suspended one walkway up from the ground floor where Saki and her cart are. Those that lead to the other reactors, at least. * Saki beams at Niri as she lugs extremely hazardous crates around onto loaders, and glances wildly around. "... get all the extinquishers you can," she orders in a clipped, quiet voice. "I want those supports as cold as possible." * Trune nods, grabbing and yanking one of the extingishers from the wall. Right. *She grabs another extinguisher* It comes off with a clink, the safety ring the only thing stopping it from being used. * Niri stops for a moment, eyeing the guardposts above. "...We want them distracted or incapacitated, right?" She points up. * Saki wheels out a loading cart laden with some of the more virulent-looking chemicals and explosives on it. Atop the pile, hastily tied there, is the head of the poor worker who was tending that room as a figurehead. * Niri blinks at Saki. "...Gruesome." * Mikel` smirks. "Cold, huh?" He gets to work, but where people might be using extinquishers he just places his hand on the supports, freezing both for a while and then moving on to the next. * Niri pulls out her boomerang and summons wind magic to it, enveloping it in swirling winds. "Just let me know when to cut the supports." << Strike >> * Saki snags the ice Mikel: it's probably a tad unpleasant given her and his current states of being as polar opposites, but she steers him towards the ramp well enough. "Ice it." * Mikel` bites back a cry of pain as Saki grabs. "Letgoletgoletgo." Shhhh!! * Saki does, grinning wide. * Trune puts a finger to his lips, glaring at Mikel`. * Mikel` points at the wisps of himself that are flowing into Saki's gauntlets. * Saki rolls her eyes and mutters something about a big baby. "--get the ramp slick." She nods at Niri. "Be ready. We're going to have to stagger this." * Mikel` also looks ready to snap a rather unkind comment towards Trune but instead simply crouches, placing his hands on the ramp. Then he starts to work his magic. * Niri nods, standing ready. She seems to have conquered her fear for the moment, especially now that there is something that needs to be done... The guards continue their vigilant scanning, processing some workers through the checkpoints. None, however, go deeper, as it is apparently off limits to their caste. * Saki hesitates just a little longer, then with a final shove sends the trolley on it's way down the long ramp down. She waits a couple of beats, then nods to Niri... and has started a more controlled slide down the ramp herself. * Niri waits for Saki's nod, then lets loose her boomerang, carefully eyeing the supports that suspend the guardposts up above. The boomerang, charged with magical power, slices through the supports, bringing the whole thing crashing down. * As the checkpoints above come crashing down, Saki drives a fist into the back of the trolley she's following: it bolts forwards down the ramp, crashing ahead of her in a noisy, volatile mess towards the lower checkpoint. The ahrbinger of doom begins it's roll down the slick slope follwoed by it's master Saki, the icy slope letting her almost skate down it at breakneck speed. The guards there immediately become alert and wide eye at this unanticipated assault. As they begin to react, Niri's wind powered weapon slices through the support cables on both sides in a circular arc... The twin flanking guardposts are sent down to the ground in a clatter, the defenders unable to do much more than try to avoid landing in a disorganized heap of servitor bodies This is followed up by a thundering explosion as the dolly-now-missle is hurtled at the lower ramp's post. The servitors are able to squeeze off a few badly aimed shots in the split second before it impacts, only serving to make the resulting cloud of shrapnel worse. * Mikel winces. Apparently it busts through more than the guard post, and continues rolling aways down further beyond your vision as there's a audible crack of shattering glass. * Saki grabs one of the side supports of the walkway, bringing herself to a clumsy stop as the cart rolls on - that's the plan, though a painful yank is all she gets from the first before the second really stops her. She lets herself drop again as the explosion sounds, and races into the remnants of the checkpoint with a view to disposing of any servitors still standing. Many of the servitors are disoriented and some ripped to pieces and trying to reform.. one is still standing but Saki's massive punch sends him back to the ground before he can retaliate. * Ryllan dashes down the ramp, kicking heads away from bodies as he runs through the checkpoint. * Mikel and his counter part follow after Ryllan. Where he might be kicking and the like they are searing and freezing various pieces. * Niri stumbles and runs down the rampway after the others, clutching her boomerang and charging past servitor bodies. * Niri slices the few left standing with her boomerang There's numerous fires burning now in the corridor as well, to which an automated system starts blaring "Warning, fire in Reactor 8 passage. Irrigating --". This flips on an overhead sprinkler system, and starts drenching you with water, even as you cut up those that stand in your way. * Saki sends the last servitor scattering, then turns on the spot and heads for the sound of breaking glass at a full-out run, all pretense of stealth lost. * Trune dashes down the runway, his spear at the ready. Twisting down, you are momentarily not being followed. The servitor watchmen above are too busy trying to get the situation under control. * Trune grits his teeth and swings his spear like a baseball bat at one servitor that is just starting to reform. Suffice to say, it's head is now quite far from his body. * Niri ignores the sprinkler system, which drenches Trune's coat as she tears after Saki in a headlong rush. When you've left the power station behind and got an imprumptu shower while doing so, you find where the flaming dolly ended up at last. It has careened off a walkway and landed several floors below into what looks like a gigantic vat. * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 74: Lazarus Rises, pt 5 | Location: Lazarus - Breeding Pits | Pool: 0 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' A green watery fluid is now leaking out everywhere, and several naken, fetal bodies spilling out onto the floor with it. Which makes sense, considering there's literally hundreds of similar vate with ... things.. floating in them in various stages of growth. << naked >> * Mikel and his watery self both stop cold. * Niri shudders again, looking like she's about to be sick. * Trune 's face pales, a hand going towards his mouth. They are hooked up to several cables for monitoring and feeding as they mature into the Servitors you've encoutnered. ... Break anything you can, and keep moving. Someone will be investigating this /soon/. * Niri nods and steels herself once more, following Ryllan. * Saki watches the vats move, a vicious scowl on her face. "Gladly," she mutters, then tears off along the walkway rather than off it. The fire warning subsides, and you are spotted by what looks like automated defenses, cameras with barrels attached to them. "Intruder! Intruders in Pit #1!" Tch! * Niri lashes out at the nearest camera with her boomerang. * Trune spits out a silent curse as they've finally been discovered. A few shocked researchers, already trying to clean up the mess the exploding dolly caused scramble to reach levers on the walls, as metal shields begin to slowly drop over the containment chambers. * Mikel offers the cameras a succint reply. It involves lots of lightning. Mikel shorts out nearby cameras before they can respond in kind, but it's already been enough for the servitor pit minders to begin to try to prevent more damage. "We're blown, Move!" Ryllan takes off with a burst of speed. All of them appear to be servitors themselves, not actual human researchers. "Hurry, the Director will be furious if we allow them to destroy the lastest bath of 7's!" << er latest >> << batch >> * Saki ramps up to full speed, easily catching up to and overtaking Ryllan; she drives a fist into one of the containment shields, curses, then charts a course right for the researchers. It is easy to continue forward, as the suspended walkway continues on over the top of the breeding chambers for the most part. The automated security can be delt with for now, but in the destance from behind there is now a contingent of security approaching from the reactor levels. As well, there's a formation racing towards you from the path leading down. Ryllan! Where now? * Saki skids to a halt, looking ahead them back. "Hang on!" she yells, one fist coming up as she crouches. * Niri stops and blinks at Saki Saki decides to avoid the pincer by instead diving straight down, her mighty fist putting a huge leaky crack in the partially shielded vat below the group Mikel! Give 'em something to think about! A few pit minders dive out of the way of the human projectile coming their way, as the group still on the walkway above begins to come under fire from Series 6 riflemen. * Mikel holds up his hands, sending out another wave of electricty. This is followed up by the watery one hurling spikes of ice. * Niri contributes by sending out a couple of well-placed whirlwinds. << Uh stor. Saki was breaking the platform we were on.>> Mikel tag teams the assaults with his twin, flash freezing and electrocuting both battalions and buying them some time «ooc: It still works in as much as I'm down a floor » << oh) >> << my mistake) >> Saki's attacks send the walkway itself careening downwards shortly after, smashing the side off a vat she previously hit. * Saki tries to get her bearings as the thing lands, still looking for any major hub or centre. With the immediate threat gone she's off in the same direction they were previously travelling, just lower down. The party thus spills onto the ground, getting a moment to gather their breath and bearings. You're surrounded by endless rows of vats and tubes containing servitor clones, and apparently there is more walkways not far that descend further down through these rings to whatever lies below. * Niri rolls as she hits the ground, getting to her feet panting. They also are around a central point or column, ringing it as the facility descends deeper into the earth. * Trune winces as he falls to the ground, hard. He stands up after a moment though, adreinline shoving any pain aside. * Mikel` lets out a grunt as he hits the ground, taking a few moments to get up from the sudden drop. "That didn't tickle." There are also numerous tunnels that branch out and allow the movement of large masses of people here. * Mikel hauls him up, looking around. "Where to now?" << himself >> Down. * Ryllan runs after Saki. * Saki doesn't answer, already following a path that ranges downwards to the central point. Her only real diversion is putting neat little holes in any tube that isn't shielded. * Niri follows * Mikel and his twin follow. * Trune follows behind the others. * Niri also follows Saki's example as she goes... A klaxon sounds out. "Red Alert. Disturbance in Pit #1. Seal off passages immediately! The program must not be disturbed!" Just then the sound of large muffled explosions shakes the tubes, and a few crack. Is that good or bad?! "Warning. Outer Perimeter Security Breeched!" * Saki smirks. "--we've got friends, I bet. Go! Leave the tubes, we just got a timer!" she yells back, and instead just concentrates on following the walkways inwards. You noticed the secuirty doors that had been shutting with great speed suddenly screech to a halt. "Code Yellow - Power Ouput from Rectors 3, 5, and 7 dropping!" * Trune grins, as their backup has finally arrived. * Mikel` snickers. "Ah, good. That was faster than I figured." There's a few more shiverings of the earth as the battle is joined by your compatriots, makign trouble for the Lazarus defenses. There's nuemrous echoes of automated systems mumbling about diverting power to air defense systems and the like "All Servitor Units, Activate Immediately! Code Delta. Protect the Director's chamber at all costs." ...That's where we want to go. The half-closed secuirty doors leading to the lower levels sputter, allowing you to easily roll under them. Once past this breeding pit, you pass through some systems corridors and finally end up somewhere you didn't quite expect. While everything before now was a soulless factory, you find yourselves in a lush garden... * Mikel` blinks, looking around. This is not what I expect from this sort of place. * Trune scritches his head, glancing around in befuddlement * Niri hurriedly begins to explore the place, looking for any signs of where Vytor might be. The garden is more of a biosphere, generating and containing all sorts of lfie forms. They are most certainly not servitors, but rather squirells and birds and roses. * Saki snorts in amusement and looks behind her at the blaring klazons of the corridor. "Too late," she crows to mid-air. "We're already in the house." She takes off once more, following paths in what she estimates is a rough direction towards the middle. There's also what looks like a very small village. Saki, this way- I... the /hell/. * Trune 's look of confusion grows. This place keeps getting weirder and weirder. The buildings are constructed of high tech materials, but also have a rustic feel to them, overgrown with vegetation in many places. * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 74: Lazarus Rises, pt 5 | Location: Lazarus - Faculty Grove | Pool: 0 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' You'd think people would be living here, but it seems quite deserted. * Niri doesn't bother to waste time in confusion or amazement, pushing those feelings aside just as she has her fear. She heads for the village, moving swiftly to explore. * Saki comes to a halt, growling at the scenic view a moment. "Having your damned cake and eating it, too," she mutters. She's headed for the village immediately. Deserted indeed.. the village seems like it was pre-built for some purpose or another for a small handful of researchers to live in. But noone's been around for hundreds of years by the looks of it. There's a large angular building set apart from the rest some distance, containing what you can identify as oldtech stasis pods. Much like Lucia's crystal, they once held someone inside. A living human, not a servitor * Niri frowns, seeing that. * Mikel tilts his head at one of the pods. "Well, that's interesting." There is, strangely, one pod that is open. ANd has been for awhile by the looks of some growth getting in there recently. ...Who was here? And how long ago? * Trune blinks serveral times at the open pod, his eyes distant. * Saki stalks towards the building, heedless of the pods or perhaps uninterested. Instead she's roaring at the air: "Rogar!" Other than this building, a metallic trail begins to develop some ways away, presumable to what really lurks at the heart of this strange place. * Niri looks up, seeing the trail, and hurries to follow it. * Trune keeps up with the others, though at a bit of a distance away. The trail's end digs into the earth and descends to a large door which seems to respond to her yell by sliding open with a loud noice. Rather than get Rogar himself, it appears you'll be getting 8 of his lieutenants instead, all staring you down with weapons ready. They say in unison, their faces a mockery of your friend's. "You are not worthy to face such a superior creature. Prepare to die." Well. Shit. * Niri draws her sword, her face hard. "Yeah, well, there are differing opinions on that." * Trune gives the lieutenants the one-finger salute and draws his spear, ready to fight. The look of determination once again reappears in his eyes despite the fact it looks like he's beginning to run on empty. The entire heirarchy falls victim to it. It just might be your downfall. Without hesitation, they rush to meet the party, the sounds of battle above echoing down to drive you forward. Beyond the door, another battle is about to begin. == SESSION END == >> 29 xp Session Close: Sun Jun 01 02:20:58 2008