Silvermasque
Black Andy
Doc
Feral
Snodgrass
Cannon Fodder
Na-Wa
Lotus
Photios
Mephisto
Hagriss

The Tolkeen vehicle yard is a large-lot full of used vehicles fit for combat. Hundreds of hovercycles, armoured cars and trucks, hovercraft, Coalition military vehicles, Techno-Wizard vehicles and scattered others from other North American Companies.

(what are you looking for?)

 'Masque lightly scratches an entirely psychosomatic itch at the back of his head and looks over the ranked vehicles, glancing back at the team from time to time in a rather disconcerted manner.

 "Ideally I am wanting maybe three vehicles with similar speeds and mobilities, plus perhaps couple of bikes for those who are wanting fast movement." another of those cheerful Russian chuckles follows however, as he gestures at himself, Hagriss and most of all, Fodder, "Is not necessarily being one-size fits all however. What is best speed you two are able to make for long periods?" (this of course directed at the gargoyle and the walking mountain, since they're the pair most likely to have problems with transport).

"I can fly what I have been told is 60 miles per hour." It is clear that Hagriss is free of Mephisto's hold over him, but the shifter was persuaded into letting him stay in this world. Hagriss joined up with Tolkeen instantly.

Na-Wa looked at the many machines used by others to move about, other then the metal horses he knew nothing of them. Having lost his metal horse back at the town where the big fight happened (Na-Wa found it blown up into small pieces), he knew he needed something else to move about.

Maybe the Big White Cat (AKA Silvermasque) would know where to find a live animal? He liked those better. Unlike metal horses you could talk to them and they listened, well most of the time.

“Na-Wa don’t like metal horses, is there a place Na-Wa could find riding animal?”

(Assuming Cannon Fodder is still alive and kicking)

Photios will approach in an advisory capacity yet again, "It would perhaps be in our best interests to find a large rig to affix to our large friend."

Indicating Cannon Fodder, "I don't believe Tolkeen makes standard rigs for one of his size, but they can create them. There's a few the Gargoyle could draw but it would be in our best interests to rig up our moving mountain."

Not sure if the Cyborg knew of the abilities of Tolkeen's innovations he continues, "The Techno-Wizard in the other squad could assist in setting up a large rig we smaller beings can use as a transport and weapons platform, in addition force fields could provide him with enhanced protection. With enough work other abilities could be bestowed as well, perhaps an enhanced flight speed or invisibility. There really isn't any vehicles we can put him inside, so why not make use of his size to our advantage?"

Lotus shops for a new hovercycle, since losing her own when Lord Osema stole it in his attempted escape. She eventually settles on an NG-Stinger Bike.

She quickly casts sleanse on the bike and test-rides it up the parking lot and back.

Major Karno soon approaches 4th platoon and waves the mystic knight over to where he stands alone with Silvermasque. Lotus arrives slowly...

Snodgrass walks to the vehicle yard alongside Doc and Feral. "We gettin a replasssement for the APC boss? Another missile magnet?"

 "I can manage maybe four, five times that... but then, I am not able to be making earth rise up and do what I am wanting." replies Masque, automatically reaching for a massive hip-flask at his belt, uncapping it, taking a swig of fine old matured-for-three-whole-days-and-may-have-potatoes-in-it sightblinder, before extending the flask up towards Hagriss.

 He taps his chin with a fingertip in the meanwhilst however and looks thoughtfully at the Gargoyle, "Maybe if you would be wanting to try it you could be getting flight pack? - Jet assist so you can be using wings to fly, but pack for speed?"

 Letting Hagriss consider that the big 'borg turns next to Na-wa and shakes his head slowly, "I am not thinking living horse could be keeping up. Maybe would be best if you rode with someone else."

 Photios gets a nod however, along with a brief chuckle, "Gargoyles name is Hagriss, and I am thinking that first person to try and hitch him to 'a rig' is going to need surgery to remove his boot from their ass, but is good point. If Fodder is willing, having him armed and armoured to take account of his size would be good."

 And at that point Karno and Lotus turn up, which leaves 'Masque to turn to Andy and Photios, hoping the latter will control the more impractical excesses of the former whilst taking advantage of his probably superior technical knowledge, "See if you can be getting us three compatable vehicles - I am wanting nuclear powered and hover capable if possible, I will go talk to big boss."

 That then leaves him free to stomp over to The Boss.

Hagriss seems to have taken an interest in watching Feral. A grin creeps across his face, without looking away he responds "What is a jetpack?"

He doesn't even notice the flask.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Sat 03 May 2008.

Doc started of walking but it was soon obvious that the pain of the simple stroll was getting to him. Currently he is floating about 12 inches above the ground, a light breeze swirls around him everywhere he goes.

"Yes find the nicest APC that you can pilot and can serve as our new home Snodgrass."

Doc, being the type to keep an eye on big monstrous creatures, notices Hagriss watching Feral. Not liking the gleam in the gargoyles eye the beautiful floating man clears his throat, an act that sounds like it is amplified by a megaphone, and then says in a more conversational tone. "I cannot help but notice you have a problem staring. Is there anything my brother or I could assist you with. Euthanasia perhaps?"

Cannon Fodder addresses Silvermasque: "I am unsure of an exact speed to give you in terms you would understand, I am from another land with rather different measureing systems. Also I have never really been clocked for Speed, but it is safe to say I am slower then most all vehicles."

Addressing Photious: "An excellent idea my good man, I have had magic used upon me for others intentions for long enough, some added modifications that I am actually interested in would be a welcome change of pace, particularly the extra sheilding you mentioned sounds like a good idea. Also I don't have too much objection to being converted into a vehicle of sorts, carrying several of you should pose no difficulty to me."

To Lotus: "You owe me some money."

Hearing his brother speak, Feral who was already nearby, leaps just a bit in front of Doc and off to the right. Crouched, hands held open, he watches Hagriss carefully. "Why stare big ugly?" he asks in as non-combative a tone as he can manage given the situation.

Hagriss grins at the brothers and responds "My sincere apologies, I do not mean to stare...".

Hagriss slowly changes his glare to the skyscrapers of Tolkeen.

Lotus looks up to Fodder when he speaks to her. "yeah right...how much do I owe you again? ... the fuck are you gonna spend the credits on anyway?"

Na-Wa returns to his fellow mercenaries riding on of all things a smallish looking T-Rex, its skin covered in small gold scales with brown and reddish-brown markings and the occasional hint of green or blue, almost like a Silonar. The dinosaur itself seems to not agree with Na-Wa riding it and occasionally attempts to turn its head around and bite the psi-stalker riding it. Each time the dinosaur tries though Na-Wa hits it on the head with the butt of the sword he is always talking to.

“ Silonaur! Be nice, Na-Wa buy you from man who would sell you to fight in gladiator ring!”

Wohn-Ecke did not like being used as a riding crop and made, his owner, Na-Wa aware of it.

>Would you please stop using me to hit that poor creature? Further more your quite the idiot, buying the most untamed animal you could find. You ever wonder why it was being sold to fight in the gladiator arena?<

Getting off the Silonar Na-Wa speaks to no one in particular, fortunately the dinosaur has calmed down......for now.

“Na-Wa buy animal because it cost not much money.”

A familiar face to some, is seen strolling through the lot, and walks up to Silvermasque carrying what appears to be a large sack of basket balls... or something similar.

"I need to speak with you. now. He says rather sternly.

Na-Wa’s smallish looking T-rex lets out a roar, and tries to make its way to the new comer as he made his way to Silvermasque.

Na-Wa held the dinosaur back, keeping it from crossing the vehicle lot, while yelling at it. “Silonar, be good!” At this point the dinosaur tries to bite Na-Wa’s head off. Ducking to avoid being decapitated Na-Wa then punches the dinosaur in the mouth, at which point it calms down with a snarl.

There is a stench eminating from the sack... the smell of rotten meat soon overcomes everyones' senses.

Ferals nose crinkles, "Little mans food smells bad. Feral eat if no one wants."


Feral watches quietly.

 'Masque nods absently as Fodder addresses him, but does seem to take the information on board with a muttered 'Understood, we'll see what we can do' before he heads over to spend several minutes with Major Karno and Lotus in soft-voiced conversation that's fairly effectively masked by the rumbling of vehicles back and forth, turning away only when Arthur approaches him to offer both Karno and Lotus a quiet 'Excuse me for moment'.

 He draws the mercenary a little way away  with a polite gesture of one hand, until the two are standing between a couple of heavy armoured vehicles and crouches to put him eye to eye with the RPA pilot, his voice grim but not unsympathetic as he asks, simply... "What went wrong?"

"He wasn't alone... he had friends..." Arthur rests the bag on the ground, it is quite obvious the weight is getting to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:19, Thu 08 May 2008.

 'Masque nods simply, his expression grim "I was telling you about his theft - can buy lot of friends for forty plus million." he states in reply, lower arms folding smoothly "This is why I was so careful to warn you to take precautions and not to simply open fire. Can you be telling me what happened?"

"Our psychic tracked him down, and we spotted him with a couple of his new allies in Vosberg. Most of them took to the air in a giant german medical transport, except one, who drove a modified CS APC. We followed and captured the APC pilot, a man named Smith, and lured the rest to us. We sprung the trap but they were too many. We were cut down in less than a minute. They stole my Glitter Boy. Arven was hurt, and we fucked up one of their trucks. That Rahu-FUCK decapitated my men and sent me back here as his messenger boy."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Thu 08 May 2008.

 'Masque nods grimly - perhaps feeling that pointing out the mistakes in the squads recon operation would be less than the best response at this juncture, not least because it's probable by this point that Arthur has already thought them through.

 "And I am assuming that he was having message for you to carry as well." replies the oversized 'borg, head tilting a little in curiosity.

"This bag is the message" He hands the bag to Masque. Silvermasque's suspicions were correct for the most part, it is a bag of heads. No traps, no explosions, nothing other than heads.

 One lower offside hand reaches out to take the sack, holding it without seeming to feel any especial need to open it up and take a look within. "I will be wanting to ask lot more questions - is safe to assume Justice Department will be wanting to expand file on Eastwood and upgrade threat - may even be possible to re-equip you somewhat if you are wanting in." the big 'borg states simply.

"Fuckin' right I want in. That four-armed pussy wiped out my team. I will need a few new guys, but I wont make the same mistake again. Next time this bag will be filled with the head of Arven and wheover stands with him."

Arthur grabs the bag back from Masque and dumps the heads on the ground,then rolls up the blood-soaked sack and stuffs it into his knapsack.

"and yeah I need new gear."

 The fetid, stinking remnants spilled to the ground cause the tall 'borg to pause for a moment and then drop to one knee, reaching into his own BDU pockets to come up with a small bundle of stuff sacks such as a camper might use, into which each of the seperate heads is carefully placed... He doesn't chide Arthur of course - just treats the dead with the same quiet dignity he rarely applies to the living.

 The last thing you want after all, is angry ghosts looking for you.

 "If you can be turning anger into cold, hard good sense and taking due care, I am not doubting this for minute." he replies when the unpleasant task is done, "In the meanwhilst however, as soon as my squad is done requipping we shall go talk to Justice, see what they are saying, Da?"

"Alright Masque...but I doubt Tolkeen gives a fuck about him anymore. It has been a week, he is likely just one of many wanted posters in some pushers' office. Where am I going to find unemployed mercs in the middle of Tolkeen..."

Arthur stands with his arms crossed beside Masque, looking at the other members of his squad.

Lotus has been watching the interaction between Msque and Arthur since he arrived, but now decides to approach.

"Arthur how have you been? What business brings you here with Masque?" Lotus is playing innocent, and fishing for an answer. She watches Masque intently while he scoops up the heads.

Arthur watches Lotus approach, and waits for her to speak. "scram" is all he says in response.

   "Fuck you shitforbrains.  I thought maybe you had a problem in need of being fixed.  Don't often see a guy drop a bag full of freakin heads you know.  I know an easy way to snare Arven, but if you'd rather not hear me out, I'll just move along."  Lotus turns to walk away.

 "War is not going too bad... maybe after big push there will be chance to pick up troops." replies 'Masque, fastidiously wiping his synthetic-flesh palm on a scrap of cloth once his gory chore is completed, then looking up as Lotus peels herself away from Zor (and the unfinished conversation) to approach Arthur and himself.

 "Arthur, you are having had hard time... is perhaps a good time to try to chill. Lotus, you are being touchiest bitch I am ever having met, including girlfriend - but if you are having suggestion, maybe you would be liking to offer it. After perhaps explaining how it is you know what Arthur has been up to?"

"Fuck both of you fucks, I am going to find a new team NOW. I am not waiting for Tolkeen to make a push... it might not ever happen. You might need to raise that bounty a bit Masque."

A large Tank/APC drives slowly towards the squad (11ft tall, 25 ft long, 25 feet wide). It takes aim with its' massive cannon stopping just 10 feet away. Snodgrass opens the top hatch and climbs out onto the APC right above where a stylized "Wrath Child" is painted along the side.

"Thissss here is an Iron Maiden APC from Iron Heart. It can carry 10 power armours. Armed with a state-of-the-art ramjet machine gun. Apparently these ramjets are fueled bullets ssssimilar to rail guns. It'sss got a pair of mini-missile launchers, anti-personel laser turret,  and a smoke despenser. And like mosssst vehicles it has radio, computer, radiation shielding, and is fully environmental.

Thissss one in particular has magic devices making it turn invisible, and make no sound."

The rat pauses to catch his breath and hack up a wad of flem on the street by the tank, being sure not to get it dirty.

"I can drive it, Black Andy and Feral can take care of the guns again, and it has plenty of room for you bossss (refering to Doc), and the rest of the platoon... bessssides the walking mountain..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Sun 11 May 2008.

"Excellent work vermin. This will do nicely." Hagriss wastes no time and moves to the back of the APC. "Open the back Snoddy, I want in."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Sun 11 May 2008.

Feral steps in front of Hagriss, "Big ugly wait. Brother get in first. Brother get comfortable. Big ugly wait turn. Brother says you get in, then Big ugly get in."

Hagriss is surprised at Feral, and looks down at the man. "Your brother does not own the squads transportation. Now get out of my way." Assuming the hairy creature wont move immediately, Hagriss step to the side to pass him by.

Feral maintains position, moving slightly to attempt to stay in Hagriss' way. "Brother own other big car. This ours now."

"As long as he sits in back with the rest of the equipment he can get in and out whenever he chooses. Though Feral is correct this vehicle replaces the one I willingly brought into this conflict. While I have no objections to ferrying around the squad any passengers will respect our rules or they will be thrown out. Most likely at a high rate of speed." Doc says nonchalantly. He had been staring at the pile of heads and wondering what kind of craziness is going on. He uses the standard sized door for humanoid personnel and finds a place to stow his belongings.

   Lotus responds to Masque with a little less annoyance in her voice, granting him a straightforward answer for once.
   "Your ears are improved with technology and mine are improved with magic.  That answer your question?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Mon 12 May 2008.

Feral moves aside as his brother has clearly made his point. "Feral watch Big ugly. Make sure no trouble. Get in back."

 Looking over the people to whom he's speaking 'Masque briefly sighs as Photios and Andy turn out to be modestly inept at doing as he's asked and calls to Hagriss and the others, "One Iron Maiden is okay, but cargo compartment is piss-poor pokey little space with maybe seven foot of headroom, look for something bigger for rest of squad!" before looking back down to Lotus and Arthur.

 "I am understanding that you are impatient - I would be as well. But if he is being warned and having allies, then is not being simple matter of go-and-shoot. Is case of think-and-plan. I will talk to Justice Department about raising bounty when I am having your report however, is good point." - then it's Lotus who gets a small nod of the head, "Actually yes - and thankyou, is all I am ever asking. If you are having good idea, then please be sharing."

   "Should be simple.  Let Arven know where you are.  Problem solved."

As the Major is on his way back to HQ platoon, he turns to face Silvermasque and calls back to him while he is discussing with Arthur and Lotus.

"Apparently 7th platoon is in need of someone with Black Andy's talents. Andy if you will come with me, I will walk you over."

Andy grabs his gear and heads off to meet the Major. "Pleasure servin'with you boys. Hope to see you ag'in out on the field."

Arthur stands by Masque and watches the discussion with Lotus, while he lights up a cigarette and smokes it nervously.

Hagriss walks annoyedly towards Masque. "Silvermasque? Myself, along with the psi-stalker, Lotus, Photios and Mephisto have no idea how to pilot any of these vehicles. And Fodder is too big I would imagine..."

   "Kiss my as you fuckin' rat with wings."

"Have I offended you human? Was I mistaken? I assumed Knights ride horses..."

   "Right or not, you don't open your beak about what I can or can't do.  And I've been riding a fuckin' hoverbike since I got here.  What the hell.  Fuckin' horses..."

"You have courage human." Hagriss grins at Lotus, then turns back to Silvermasque awaiting his response.

 "Sorry Lotus, but is not much of plan - is not like I have been hiding." 'Masque replies with a shrug, "If Eastwood was wanting to come looking for me I am not hard to find and is not as if he is..." - the big Cyborg breaks off as Karno walks over, explains his requirements and punches a small but potentially important hole in third platoons line of battle, by which time Lotus has managed to pick a fight (or try to) with another member of the squad...

 He groans softly, offers Arthur a small gesture of one hand to ask his patience, then swings to Hagriss and Lotus, starting with the Mystic Knight, "I am getting tired of attitude - I am not asking you to kiss ass of every member of team, but please try to at least pretend you are on same side, da?" he states, before looking up at Hagriss and nodding...

 "You are right, is going to be serious problem... I am thinking you will get big kick out of high-powered flight pack though - be like own personal jet engine strapped to back, maybe we can be doing same for Fodder. We will have to see if we can grab vehicle of some sort for others though in addition to Iron Maiden for transporting supplies and home comforts - better to have two in case we are losing one, da?"

Taking his approving glare away from Lotus to answer 'Masque he says "But none of the squad knows how to drive any of these things. Unless you will be driving the second transport. In regards to this 'jetpack', I think I will pass."

   Lotus' eyes smolder, even glow a bit as her intentions are clearly misunderstood by the cyborg lieutenant.

Mephisto walks to join the others standing around Silvermasque. Brushing past Hagriss and ignoring the beast he speaks to Silvermasque. "I located a barge of sorts in the back there, behind the tanks. It appears to be suitable to carry Cannon Fodder, provided he sits down, or crouches. It looks pretty simple to figure out, Hagriss could likely pilot the barge, while the rest of us hop in that Crusader over there." Hepoints to a Triax Wilderness Crusader in the lot. Squad One already grabbed 2 Crusaders.

 Hagriss receives a thoughtful nod, "Is shame - I am thinking you would enjoy speed of flight pack, but is not so easy to learn... I am being able to drive heavy armour but..." - he trails off thoughtfully as Lotus glowers at him for a long moment.


 Mephisto's arrival on the other hand receives a thumbs-up of approval to the talk of the war barge, followed rapidly by a visible grimace on the Crusader, "I think floater will be good, but I am not rated to operate hover vehicle and frankly, Triax buggy would be like clown car if I am having to get in it... Unless you can drive, and we can offer seats to other normal-sized people?"

"Why don't you guys go for the Leopard APC? It is massssssive and should do nisssssely. I sssaw a few guys working on it, but it lookssss fine from the outssside... It is further down the lot, past the other APCs. They only have one."

Silvermasque, Na-Wa, Hagriss and Lotus pile into the very empty Leopard APC. With plenty of room for equipment, along with a wide selection of seats, the four mercenaries are quite comfortable. With the remaining time before 3rd Platoons' scheduled gathering, Silvermasque is able to go over the basics as far as operating the weapons of the APC with Hagriss, Photios, the grumpy Lotus, and the distracted Na-Wa...

Cannon Fodder steps on top of a hover-barge (piloted by Mephisto) designed to transport giant creatures unable to fit inside conventional vehicles. While the barge is moving, Fodder must remain seated. He has also been given a second EGM Bunker to replace the last that was destroyed in Madtown.

Doc, Feral and Snodgrass are inside the Iron Maiden APC - labeled "WRATH CHILD" along the side.

All three vehicles move out together, to join up with the other squads.

As the vehicle begins to move Na-Wa ignores the Big White Cat's speech (he never made sense with the funny sounds of his words made anyways) rushes to the door, opens it and jumps out (leaving the door open), not wanting to leave his newly bought Silonar behind tied up to large post intended for large animals.

Falling on his face after jumping out of the APC, Na-Wa gets up and quickly runs back to the Silonar, (which makes yet another attempt to bite Na-Wa’s head off) unties the beast, and mounts it, then chases after the convoy of vehicles that make up of 3rd Squad.

 Aside from the faint feeling that somehow he ought to be examining the machine carefully for faults and kicking the tyres before he rides off in it, 'Masque soon disappears into the massive vehicle, whereupon there's a few moments muttered Russian, a wrenching noise that ends in a series of sproinging 'metal-giving-way' sounds and a dismounted bucket seat pitches out through the hatch to the pilots compartment.

 That done he braces himself in the space created and extends a cybernetic probe to interface with the onboard systems, fires up the reactor and sets it to rumbling around to pick up the rest of the team, pausing only for a swing past the armoury to refresh peoples stock of personal radios, e-clips and other contractually-covered bits n' pieces.

After squads one and two set out, third waits several minutes for a 5 mile distance to be created. Silvermasque then gives the order for third to move out. Both APCs, and Fodders' hover platform move out following in Squad Ones' tracks. They pass south of Blue Earth and north of Spring Valley, both of which are CS sympathisers.

Soon after they pass through the Tolkeen town of Vosberg. The civilians are out of their homes ready to greet the squad as they come through, offering home-cooked food and small trinkets. The town is not much bigger than a city intersection, and the squad passes through in a few seconds.

Unfortunately, just a kilometer past the town, The Leopard APC hits a pair of vehicle mines, completely blowing apart the front-left wheel. The APC rocks with the explosion and anyone not strapped down is knocked off their feet. The APC's movement is severely impeded as a result.

Upon scannign the horizon, there is no sign of who may have set the mines...

Na-Wa mounted on his Silonar stays behind the machines, when something blew up he is almost thrown off the Silonar but manages to stay on and stops the animal from running away. The Skull faced Soliders had put things that went boom in the ground sometimes and if you found your self in the middle of a field of these things you were in a bad place.

Na-Wa waits on his Silonar for other to do something about the exploding thins in the ground, if he could sense them like he sense bad creatures he would have helped.

Feral crouches instinctively, "Brother what go boom?" Feral gets to the front of the APC with Snodgrass and looks out the windows, using his enhanced senses to search for the culprits of the big boom.

 Jacked into the main control system of the Leopard, 'Masque settles in for the trip, automatically maintaining spacing and keeping his active sensors roaming, since there's just no way in Hades that the small armoured column is going to go unnoticed on its drive.

 Passing through Vosberg he slows down a little, reminds people to 'Stay on board' and rumbles through without incident until the earth-shattering explosion, one that shakes the whole frame of the armoured car and tears off the first of six left-hand drive wheels...

 Naturally, 'Masque brings the APC to a halt as quickly as practicable and scans the terrain carefully, flicking through sensor modes as he probes for incoming threats. "Better get to action stations - man guns and be ready for attack, just in case. You folks up in Iron Maiden look for good cover and form front guard on foot, Hagriss and 'Fodder you have flanks - keep moving. Swing floater around to cover our rear. Once we've got place secure, we will take look at damage."

   Lotus is jolted by the blast but was securely strapped in to her seat.  At first she expects it to be followed by more blasts thinking an ambush was underway, but when there is only silence, she unbuckles herself and begins her work.  "Goddamnitalltofuckinghell!" Following Silvermasque's direction, she waits for the vehicle to stop and will step outside.  She'll stroll over to the front of the vehicle to get a look at the damage while staring out over the terrain looking for signs of anyone or anything of suspicion.  There might be a necessity to secure the area, but it seems the others have it well in hand - Lotus doesn't bother looking for cover, tempting anyone to attack her and relying on her psychic sense of danger to warn her beforehand.

Mephisto brings the hover pod next to the Leopard APC, where Lotus is inspecting the damage. Mephisto and Cannon Fodder both glare down at her.

"There could be more of those things... watch your step."

 "We're on same road as rest of squad and were following Iron Maiden - but we are four times their weight. I am guessing mine was either set for heavy armour or command-activated." states 'Masque low over the squad channel, benefitting from the Leopards external audio pickup.

 "Lotus, I am reading drive failure on front-left wheel and second wheel is showing reduced power. Can you be seeing extent of damage?"

   Far from being a mechanic, Lotus describes the damage in terms that make sense to her.   "Uhhh... the front-left wheel is gone, looks like its been ripped apart by the blast.  We might as well unpack our hiking boots cause I think we're walking from here."

Na-Wa rifes up to the damaged vehicle, looking at Lotus he offers her a ride.

“Does Pretty, Mean Skull Helmet Lady want to ride with Na-Wa and his Silonar?”

 "Nah, we are having eleven more... Won't even dent our top speed until we lose another three. Might screw with steering though. Once we are having perimeter sorted out we will handle quick and dirty repairs - should give time to come up with clever way to get around possibility of more mines." 'Masque replies, finishing his sweep of the area with thermal and short-range radar without result and bringing the APC's weapons live for manual use before disconnecting from the system and moving to the left-side hatch.

 There's much multi-spectrum scanning of the ground before he extends the long, powerful tentacles from their housing on one arm and drives them into the ground at his feet, employing them with surprising delicacy to probe through the ground ahead of him like an infantryman using a bayonet to check for mines...

   Lotus glowers at the psi-stalker from behind her helmet for a moment until Silvermasque interjects with some sanity.  "Alright then... doesn't this APC have some kind of mine-detection system we can use?  I mean, we can't just drive blind can we?  If it were magic, there is a counterspell..."
   Lotus glances over at Na-wa, choosing not to respond verbally at this point.

 "Is nothing much to detect these days. Is all ceramic shells and sealed shaped-charges with zero-signature mechanical triggers. If we are lucky, might be old-fashioned IED's though." 'Masque states thoughtfully, on one knee and slowly probing the ground ahead of him with the unpowered tendrils, working his two-tonne bulk closer to the front wheel housing, "Maybe we could be using ground penetrating radar system, but Leopard isn't coming fitted with it as standard - I am hearing Skullheads are starting to use it to pick out lurking monsters in earth for blasting though." - then he pauses to look up at Na-Wa, eyeing the Silonar thoughtfully as he works out the perfect job for the dull (but not necessarily stupid) Stalker.

 "Na-Wa, there are traps hidden in the ground. One just hurt our vehicle - we might be being watched. I would like you to ride around a little, either side of the road. Look for tracks or other traps but be careful. You can do this?"

Na-Wa smiles at the Pretty, Mean Skull Helmet Lady, which was quite uncommon for the dimwitted Psi-Stalker who hissed at just about anything that  tried to get into his head.




Na-Wa looked the Big White Cat. “Of course something hurt vehicle, Na-Wa not smart but he not that dumb.”

“Ok Na-Wa will look for track and traps. But if Silonar get blown up will Big White Cat buy new one? Na-Wa spend all money on it, well most money, Na-Wa paid a pretty girl so he could stick his pee-pee in her.”

Without waiting for ananswer from the Big White Cat (or the Pretty, Mean Skull Helmet Lady whom he was mind talking with) Na-Wa led his Silonar, which acted more like a T-Tex then anything else. Away from the vehicle, traveling in a big circle around it, and pays attention to the ground in front of him for more things that go boom, and tracks of man.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Fri 30 May 2008.

   A chill seems to run up Lotus' spine and she shudders slightly shaking her attention away from Na-Wa and closing herself off from him.  No more telepathy for him she thinks to herself... "I'll be fine riding in the APC Na-Wa."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Fri 30 May 2008.

Na - Wa completes a patrol of the perimeter around the APC, and finds nothing of interest or suspiscion.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:45, Sat 07 June 2008.

Hagriss hops out of the APC and takes a breath of fresh air. He strethces himself tall, and spreads his wings. He takes to the sky in a powerful leap and circles around the APCs, before moving into position to cover the squad.

"No sign of... anything at all Masque... just wilderness, and Vosberg in the distant East."

 The idea of a creature that can fly calling a mere three thousand feet or so 'distant' is slightly absurd, but 'Masque looks up for a moment and nods in the direction of Hagriss as the gargoyle makes his report, "Is good - thankyou. Keep eyes open while we see if spot repairs are being possible." he instructs, and then ducks under the forward-left wheel arch to inspect the damage - not that he can do much about it himself of course, he's not much of an engineer past tinkering with weapons and armour in the field, but he can make an assessment and perhaps spot-weld something over any holes.

Cannon Fodder is a rather comical scene here, sitting with his knees up to his chest and his arms folded around his shins. Not quite sulking but obviously not the happiest he has ever been.
He does however keep his eye on the radar system when Na-Wa is out checking for tracks.

Feral exits the APC, and sniffs around, relying on his superior senses to tell him if anything or anyone is close by

Summoning up a defensive forcefield, Photios follows after Silvermasque as he exits the APC. Letting the big guy be the prime target should it become an ambush, and clear the debris out of the way when they approach the damaged area.

"Mind if I take a look? I don't know if we'll have the proper materials onboard to repair the damage but we could be lucky."

 "Be my guest." 'Masque replies, gesturing to the torn metal surrounding the blasted-off wheel as he backs out from under the housing little wiser than when he went in, then hunkering down between the Atlantean and the forest in order to provide Photios some cover just in case there is someone or something out there.

 It's just too damn' quiet...

"Masque, there is a small group dispatched from the town. Look to the East, they are in a vehicle with wheels."

Hagriss calls over the squad radio channel, from his vantage point in the air.

Mephisto responds "Ah excellent, the locals are coming to our rescue..."

 "Have to hope... Good job Hagriss, keep eyes open people while I go found out what is up, da?" - the oversized 'Borg lightly raps Photios on the shoulder to notify the smaller man that he's moving off before a couple of smooth unfolding motions and a little pulling see him ascending to the roof of the APC (which barely even shifts an inch - it's so much more massive than 'Masque as to render him insignificant) before taking three or four steadily longer strides to the rear and hurling himself through the air in a fluid, sixty or seventy foot leap - following it with a couple more, varying his landing point and trajectory a little to throw off aiming - intending to intercept the oncoming car a couple of hundred yards from the stalled transport.

 And certainly not planning to get too close without looking it over.

 Someone's playing silly buggers with explosives, after all.

Snodgrass remains inside "The Wrath Child" with Doc, only watching as Feral steps out to investigate.

Photios quickly realizes the wheel will need more than 'repair', as most of the wheel was completely obliterated in the blast. However, the damage appears to be the result of two explosions. One directly under the wheel, and one just a few feet ahead of it, likely set off by the first explosion.

Silvermasque and the jeep meet a few hundred feet from the group. The driver is an old scruffy man, with a messy white beard, only a small percentage of teeth, and skin as rough as leather. Beside him is a man in overalls, wearing a baseball cap displaying the words "The Toronto Blue Jays", and a cartoonish picture of a blue bird. Neither man is armed.

In the back seat is a teenage boy with messy brown hair covering his eyes. He stares at Silvermasque from under his brow, but says nothing. And finally the fourth passenger in the back is a young man with a brown beard, with a Northern Gun Laser Rifle slung over his shoulder. He is wearing M.D. body armour over most of his body, and is holding a helmet.

They stop when Silvermasque is within 2 jumps of the vehicle, obviously geting nervous of what the massive, and monstrous Cyborg might do when he gets closer...

The rifle is half-aimed at Masque, when he makes the final jump to land within talking distance of the jeep.

 Now that, as far as 'Masque is concerned is a perfectly reasonable precaution - and in fact, if there weren't some signs of nervousness on the part of the all-too-squishy-seeming mortal folk driving the car, he'd be a lot more nervous himself.

 As it is he grounds himself a good hundred, hundred-fifty feet in front of the vehicle and raises one hand (his upper-left), carefully pointing it a few yards off to the right, rather than directly at the newcomers.

 "Please to be being careful!" he calls out - 'talking distance' for someone equipped with a cybernetic speaker system and an amplified audio array allowing him to land far enough out to hopefully avoid pushing anyone into hasty actions, "There was being explosive device buried in road, and is possible that there may be others. We have roving patrol securing area whilst repairs are made however. May I ask if you are having any knowledge of saboteurs in area?"

The man with the rifle answers back, calling out "Aint the first time, but it aint too common. Don't think it;s the CS niether, or Tolkeen, or the 1st AC. You wouldn't believe me if I told ya who we think it is..."

 Once he's hit the ground and opened negotiations, 'Masque approaches at a more reasonable pace, five and six-foot strides crossing the ground swiftly but unhurriedly, pausing every now and then to study the surface he's about to move over for disturbances as he continues to talk to the small party that have driven up from the town, changing the precise direction of his progress every now and then in order to avoid making too good a target for marksmen "I am good Russian boy working in squad with all American magic girl, thing from another world, pair of part-time supermen and experienced hunter who uses word 'pee-pee' in conversation." he remarks dryly, "You would be having no end of astonishment at things I am willing to believe."

They all stare back at 'Masque, assuming he is going to continue speaking perhaps.

 Strangely, 'Masque stares back at them (this is more obvious once he gets to within thirty or so feet and his visor is clearly directed their way), having left a trailing sentence as an invitation for the group to elaborate upon their statement that he wouldn't believe whom they would like to suggest as culpable in the matter of trying to blow him up.

Doc being thoroughly inebriated at the moment is passed out cold. Otherwise he would have yelled at Feral for leaving the confines of a well armored vehicle to poke around outside where it is likely much more dangerous. As it is he is enjoying a dream of playing golf at St Andrews with Tiger Woods, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Jessica Alba and the midget from Fantasy Island.

They continue to stare back at Silvermasque.

 Who continues to stare back at them...

 Well, who looks like he's staring back at them anyway - actually he's starting to think that there may well be some sort of ambush afoot after all, and is flicking from frequency to frequency as he works his way through both audio and visual spectrums, sweeping the terrain at and above ground level with due care and attention, hair-trigger ready to maneuver fast as he shunts onboard power into defence and evasion... just in case.

The man in overalls asks "You guys need help fixin' yer APC? We saw the explosion."

Na-Wa, riding atop of the Silonar, which unbeknownst to him is actually an adolescent Tyrannosaurus Rex looks over at the big white cat who was taking to some new arrivals and observes the meeting from a distance.

 If there's anyone in the squad who could accidentally end up with a baby dinosaur for a riding animal, it would probably be Na-Wa, but it seems moderately unlikely.
 Unlikely is however, the norm for this little band of reckless vagabonds.

 "We should be alright, lost wheel but are having plenty more. You were suggesting that I would not be believing whom you are thinking may have been being behind explosion - could you be elaborating at all, please?" asks 'Masque in his usual broken-up American, eventually coming to a near stop some thirty or forty feet off to one flank of the parked vehicle, whereupon he spends a few moments nonchalantly studying the marks its tyres have made in the trail on the way up to where they've stopped.

The rifle-man with the beard answers back with "Vampires"


The tracks in the road, left by the jeep are simple tire tracks.

 'Masque's prosthetic ears (which are in fact only secondary directional pickups to the main, body-mounted cybersystem) drop flat along his armoured skull and he glances left and right nervously, "I am hating vampires." he states in a flat, even tone, stroking his chin for a moment as he considers the odds, apparently finding that a mile or so of tracks is enough evidence for him to accept that the truck is real (this is Tolkeen territory, or the edge thereof after all) and being willing to at least consider their words.

 "I was not thinking them smart enough to be using explosives this way, what is making you think they are maybe being culpable?" he asks reasonably, gathering information to make a report.

Feral pauses and leaps, landing beside Masque, "What Vampire? Like movies??"
"

"We've seen them around the past few years. They took a young girl a week or so ago. This is the first time they went after Tolkeen soldiers or mercs. I suggest we get to work on your APC, before the sun goes down..." (bearded man)

 'Superior senses' is right if Feral can hear a conversation at six hundred feet, but it's entirely possible that the creature can - even if he does jump like a girl (well, so the Cyborg might one day state in the event that it ever comes up for discussion, just to keep the mutant humble).

 "No, like in real world." 'Masque replies as a distant part of his mind tracks the long, predictable arc through the air and watches the undergrowth, looking for signs of someone looking to take advantage of the target, then looking back to the riders in the jeep, "Is no problem - Leopard can run on as few as half wheels or less without seriously slowing down." he states, no doubt seriously derailing the plans of whomever set the charges as he gestures to the town, "You folks can be heading back to town I am thinking, and thankyou for information. I will be advising headquarters in due course."

"Very well then, good luck to you." The bearded man replies, before the older man reverses the jeep to spin and face the town then drive on back. The younger, teenage boy hops to the back of the jeep to watch as they pull away from Silvermasque and Feral.

   Lotus, who had remained next to the APC near the damaged wheel, watches the jeep drive away.  She was anxious to get back on the road and moving again.  She didn't know what was said between Silvermasque and the locals, but it must have gone well since no shots were fired.  "I guess the local hicks just came out to say hello." Lotus comments to those nearby.

 'Masque offers a wave of his hand as the vehicle starts to back up and move off, then turns to look down at Feral for a moment and - after a second of thought - nudges him lightly with one arm to get his attention before speaking, "Let us be getting back and on move - but small strides, maybe fifty, sixty feet - and change direction between steps a little. This way you are making self harder target in case someone is wanting to shoot you. Is good habit to be having, youbet." he explains in a not unfriendly voice.

Feral nods, "Feral stay outside for a bit?" he asks the big metal cat.

Cannon Fodder continues checking the radar periodically, he is not piloting and the scenery from ground level is so much less interesting then from above when he flies.

 "Sure... we are moving in hostile territory now - would be good idea to be having outriders. If you are keeping out on left, we will have Na-Way stay out on right, keep eye on things. Besides, is good to stretch legs now and then." replies the oversized, synthetic-furred feline, bounding back towards the armoured car in leisurely, effortless seventy-foot strides.

 "Photios, is main hull being breached or are we being good to go?"

Feral will, assuming Doc gives the 'ok' will remain outside for a while, stretching his legs as Masque put it. Feral does his beast to imitate Masque's stride length. Feral will never leave the APC's side by more than 100 feet or so.

"The hull seems to be intact... but the wheel isn't just damaged theres not much left at all. We might run into some difficulty with the balance of the craft, but other then that we can't do much in the field on it."

Squad Three is on the move again, following behind Squad One as they search for the means to locate the Coalition Facility. Squad Three is just waiting for signs of trouble up in first, to rush to their aid. Squad Three is just back-up in this.

No signs of any ambush or anything suspicious at all turn up since the land mine. Several hours of travel pass by completely uneventful, just a scenic view of South Dakota. Until the transmission over the radio.

 Both Feral and Na-Wa receive their curt words of approval - the former for adjusting to make himself a harder target and the latter for handling a sweep under risk without difficulties (as do Hagriss and 'Fodder, come to that) before the group is underway once more, their ride a little bumpier, but not significantly slower (although punctuated by intermittant and increasingly irritated efforts by 'Masque to get any sort of reply from the rest of the squad that sees him putting out scouts fairly regularly) until at last...

 "We are having contact up ahead, Lynn is having Coalition mechanised patrol eyeballed. We are asking to be moved to support in case of trouble - should be no need for us to do anything, but please be keeping eyes peeled. Crew on floater is our rear area security, Na-wa you are watching out left, Feral you are watching our right. Please call in if you are seeing trouble."

Mephisto doesn't respond, but slows down the speed of the hover pod to fall slightly behind the rest of the group.

Fodder shuffles around and turns to face the rear as they speed away, behind the APCs, Feral and Na-Wa. He takes a deep breath and enjoys this period of peace. Even though he is on his way to more war, and could face death, these moments are all he has. Fodder cherishes his freedom, this new emotion of 'happiness' is a good one.

After asking his sword which side was left, Na-Wa guided his Silonar to the left of the APC in compliance with the Big White Cats orders, keeping an eye out for any traps or people hiding.

Hagriss chooses to ride on top of the Leopard APC. He remains alert, seemingly without blinking. He watches Na-Wa and Feral on either side of the APC, and a smile stretches across his beak. The gargoyle takes a moment to enjoy the feeling of the wind flowing over his wings.

 Mephisto doesn't need to reply so long as he does the right thing - and he does, providing a backstop for the group with enough firepower to slow down anything thinking about jumping them. 'Masque might not like the Shifter very much, but he trusts him to do the right thing when the time comes.
 For a given value of 'right'.

 Either way he considers the short radio communication with Portia for a few moments and then goes over to local transmission, raising the forwards APC (the Iron Maiden) and its crew to share his next few words with everyone on the team not doing outside guard duty.

 "Lynn is having blonde day, or perhaps lifetime, but is possible she is not stuck with head up ass this time. Is being someone in squad who is knowing how to do electronic repairs we can be having check out long-range radio systems on Leopard?" he asks, even as he switches over to his own internal systems and, contrasting and comparing the results with the other squad vehicle radios to which he's linked, starts sifting the bands for evidence of ECM or other interference.

 ---

 15:30, Today: Silvermasque rolled 56 using 1d100. ECM versus 68%.

PM

 PM

PM

"I can handle electrical repairs, but I'm not familiar with the operation of that kind of stuff past the basics. Do you think we may have taken some damage, or should I be suspecting foul play?"

As he says so he starts to open the panels concealing some of the internals of the Leopard, the fact that they're already in motion slowing progress as he's using one hand to brace himself and the other to work.

 "Frankly, I expect you to find no problem - I am thinking Portia was just forgetting to change broadcast channels until now and has been replying to us over her own internal circuit." replies 'Masque dryly as he sweeps the aether for signs of jamming or countermeasures without apparently finding a trace of interference, "But is chance I am wrong, and just in case is best we check, da?"

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Wed 02 July 2008.

Inside his head Na-W felt like something bad was going to happen, what he didn’t know. Only that it had happened before the Skull faced soldiers killed his tribe and before they attack Madtown.

Using the radio thing like he was shown how to by The Big White Cat Na-Wa told everyone something bad was about to happen.

~“Na-Wa feel like bad thing is gonna happen.”~

"I'm not even going to bother to ask for anything too specific but do you have a general sence of direction?"

Cannon is extra alert and attentive to the radar after Na-Wa's warning.

 "Understood Na-wa, thankyou - look for cover and we'll be ready!" declares 'Masque down the radio, before giving the necessary orders... "Everyone look to your asses - everyone but pilot and weapons officer out of Iron Maiden, same with Leopard, look for cover and keep heads down. Mephisto, evade as you feel necessary, but get your people off skimmer... let's not provide one big, juicy target da?"

 As he speaks he's remaining jacked in, bringing power on-line to the massive ion cannons overhead and arming the missiles in their tubes, generally getting ready to fight the tanklike APC that sadly, he's the only one able to drive...

Feral stops instantly, landing in a crouch that makes him look almost completely animal and not even a little bit human. Sniffing the air for any new scents, and listening for anything unusual or new Feral remains silently beside he and his brothers APC.

Hagriss stands tall on to pof the Leopard APC, glaring out to the surrounding area waiting for this apparent danger to show itself. He then chants the words to two spells.

"Wake up Doc!! I can't pilot this thing AND fire the weapons! Doc! wake up!"

Snodgrass then moves to the weapons systems and scans the area.

"Get off Fodder." is all Mephisto says before bringing the hover pod between the two APCs. He then puts it in hover mode and prepares himself for combat by casting a few defensive spells.

Doc opens bleary bloodshot eyes grimacing against the sunlight filtering in. "Fighting again so soon? War is such a bother." Sitting up fully Doc resists heaving up the contents of his stomach and takes a swig from his flask to help calm it. He rests with his head hung low, face in his hands for a full minute before rising. When he does he looks remarkably better. Eyes are once again clear sparkling blue and his bedraggled appearance has the odd sex appeal he exudes rather than that of a junkie coming off a bender. He makes his way to the weapon systems and mans them as well as his rudimentary ability will allow.

No more than a hundred feet to the north, one followed by another, seem to rise out of the ground and charge towards the squad. They are both human males wearing standard CS military uniforms. They are both armed with shoulder-mounted missile launchers and are running approximately twenty feet apart from each other.

 As I understand it, the road heads west. That means they're on our right flank, which is the side Feral was on.

 Oh... and uniforms not armour?

 ---

 "Two hostiles, north side - Na-wa, do not stop watching your side, there have to be more than two. Iron Maiden fireteam, you are clear to engage, be careful of a trap and try to take them alive if you can. Hagriss and Fodder - gain some height, I want to know if is armour or incoming air power out there!" calls 'Masque over the appropriate local frequencies, simultaneously bringing up the pulse laser and railgun turrets on his cyberjacked targetting system to prepare for antimissile fire.

Feral smiles, and races towards the newly found enemy. A bit of drool forms in the corners of his mouth as he closes on them. Feral will leap and dive away from any missiles fired at him.

Na-Wa obeys the orders of the Big White Cat getts off of his Silonar and laying down on the ground looking for more Skull faced soilders.

 - yes they are wearing uniforms
 - they are 100 feet away from the Iron Maiden APC
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Thu 03 July 2008.

 "This has got to be trap... or someone is dicking with heads, youbet." rumbles 'Masque off the radio for a moment, sweeping the area with a barrage of passive and active sensors with no more than a thought, probing with the Leopard III's extensive array of pickups as readily as he would with his own augmented senses, thanks to the digital miracle of his cyberjack.

 Smoothly, the main-turret Ion Cannons slew around to lock squarely on the right-hand runner, holding their fire until Feral makes a capture... or runs into a surprise.

   Lotus hops out of the APC on the south side to use the vehicle as cover and avoid getting blown away as she opened the door.  She'll jog to the rear and peek around the corner to scope out the battlefield.  She's armed with the same technowizard compound bow she's been carrying since joining this war.  She currently has an arrow notched and the weapon aimed harmlessly at the ground.  After spotting the two soldiers and Feral speeding towards them, she'll take one shot before their animalistic comrade engages them in a melee.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:40, Thu 03 July 2008.

Doc will fire a missile volley into the charging CS soldier furthest from the APC.

Cannon Fodder follows orders and flies into the air, in order to get a warning on any incoming aircraft, that may possibly have targeted the group.

Both men continue the charge towards Squad Three. The one hit by the volley of missiles is almost naked, barely wearing the shreds of clothes left on after the explosion. His missile launcher has been vaporized as well. He is immediately tackled by Feral and they both roll for several feet across the ground while Feral claws and tears at the soldeirs flesh. The soldier reaches up to grab at Ferals face and neck trying to grab ahold of something, anything.

The second soldier charges for Lotus after she fires what must have been a warnign shot clear over the soldier's head. He launches 4 mini-missiles at her, and continues charging.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:50, Sat 05 July 2008.

 A volley?

 They're not carrying CR-1 infantry missile launchers then, but rather the massive RPA missile rifles that would have stood out like smacked arses the moment we saw 'ordinary joes' carrying them then? ^_^

 ---

 The fact that the left-hand soldier actually survived the storm of incoming fire does surprise 'Masque - but not half as much as he'd expected it to, given their seemingly suicidal assault, and there's certainly nothing preventing his reactions from going into overdrive to protect Lotus from the volley of returned fire, nerves of copper and light flashing commands faster than any merely human system could hope to match.
 Two seperate pulse-laser turrets independantly swing to bracket the fast-moving targets and go over to rapid fire, streams of intense energy whipcracking through the air and joined moments later by the short, snarling staccatto of the side-mounted railguns as they throw up a supersonic wall of hurtling metal in the path of the missiles...

 ---

 Well, I can fire the onboard systems more or less simultaneously while jacked-in, that's two lasers and a railgun mount firing at a total of +6 to hit for each of three systems. I'm not imagining I'll get more than one burst from each.

Indeed, the 'shoulder mounted missile luanchers' are much larger than should be carried by such infanftry.

   Lotus doesn't waste any time leaping for cover round the back of the APC from whence she came.  She'll roll to safety, coming up in a crouch ready to turn back around and face the man.

21:14, Today: Lotus rolled 19 using 1d20. (+ 9 = 28 total)

"There is no sign of any incoming aircraft Silvermasque. Not by radar, and not my sight. The skies are clear."

 "Understood, drop and help Lotus - try to capture if you can, you are having muscle enough I am thinking!" declares 'Masque, sparing a fragment of his attention from the cybernetic immersion of the vehicle link.

Feral is not smart... not in any field other than hurting things. Once he sees his claws don't affect the man his strategy changes instantly, Feral attempts to fight the man off, while mounting a new offensive attack.

Lotus seems to vanish without a trace, and Silvermasque shoots down the volley of missiles, creating a massive explosion between the soldier and the APC.

Cannon Fodder and Hagriss return to the air, just above the two soldiers, and Feral. Hagriss begins casting a spell.

Photios delays his departure from the APC when the missiles detonate, and Lotus vanishes.

Na-Wa finds no sign on any other CS soldiers coming from the other side.

Mephisto hops down from the hover pod and matches the charging speed of the incoming soldier, speaking the words to a spell on the run towards him.

Ferals claws have no effect on the soldeir, while he blinks, or hides his face from the attacks, the successfull strikes, raked straight across his face and eyes, still with no effect whatsoever. The soldier manages to grab Feral by the throat and begins squeezing with the strength of a demon twice his size. With his other hand he throws punches at Feral's face, however Feral blocks each and every one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:22, Sun 06 July 2008.

Photios decides to observe the initial confrontation from the APC, watching the little to no effect the weapons have upon the two humanoids who seem to be carrying more then they should be. Flicking on his radio quickly, "I believe we've found some Vampires, try using Silver or Wooden weapons and piercing the heart."

Moving towards the door, he will cast a defensive spell upon himself, exiting once its completed and sealing the door again behind him.

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:49, Mon 07 July 2008.

Feral snarls as the 'man' punches at his face, Feral will attempt to break the mans hold on his neck, and attempt by any means necessary, to begin choking this man. "You tough." Feral states as he tries to spin the mans back to him so he can apply a choke hold properly.

Cannon Fodder reaches down for the 'soldier' Lotus is trying to deal with, he wraps his hand around the 'mans' waist and lifts him into the air in an attempt to neutralize him

 Being 'in charge' can pretty much suck at times - 'Masque's amongst the most dangerous close-combat fighters in the company, his countless augmentations giving him near-psychic predictive abilities and blinding speed (particularly since his most recent tune-up), whilst his physical power is staggering, and yet he remains safely ensconsed inside a couple of feet of refactory armour manning the sensors and weapons of the APC in order to best coordinate the squad as a whole...

 With Hagriss supplying top cover backed by vehicle radar (which powers up to active as an afterthought), Na-wa keeping an eye on their far flank and a steady stream of muscle moving to contain the ambushers, "Alive if you can boys and girls, but do not be risking lives to do so - we are needing to know what is going on here."

 ---

 Basically weapons and sensors on 'overwatch' to monitor the situation - I imagine the right-hand dude is inside my turret firing arc by now, but if 'Fodder drops him I'll throw the APC into reverse and (shouting 'jump' down Lotus' radio, run him down. Won't do much damage, but it ought to keep him in place when a hundred tons of military vehicle is parked on his face.

As Photios steps outside, and as Silvermasque is ready to open fire on teh soldier charging for Mephisto, Cannon Fodder reaches down and snatches up the soldier with ease. The soldier squirms and struggles in the Adarok's grasp to no avail. He is caught.

Feral is much stronger than his opponent, and easily overpowers the soldier. Within seconds Feral has the man pinned, and a few moments later the soldier loses consciousness from the deadly choke hold.

A moment later the door to the Iron Maiden APC opens up, and Doc steps out covered in blood. One hand is up against his cheek where blood continues to pour throug hhis fingers and down his arm. The other is at his side, likewise dripping blood. He calmly states "Snodgrass is severly injured, I have several knife wounds in need of attending. One of them passed into the APC while you were engaged out here. Came through the damn wall like a ghost. Feral my boy? I see you found a playmate... did he die on you like the others?"

As he talks, his words are muffled, and more blood leaks from the wound in his face. It appears he has been stabbed through his left cheek.

 "Good work team, be bringing in prisoners for restraining. I do not know if we are having medic, but Photios - is being RMK and IRMSS systems in overhead lockers of APC, grab one and take to Snodgrass, then see to Doc." - there is a moment when 'Masque frowns as a thought strikes him and rapidly he swings the APC turret around with a simple nerve impulse, covering the area where Na-wa is on patrol.

 "Na-wa, when skullboy was attacking men inside the front APC, were you sensing any psychic powers? - That is being thing stalkers do, da?" - the question of range does crop up of course, but hard numbers aren't something 'Masque really wants to discuss with the simple psi-stalker just now, and he's certainly got no idea himself.

"Ah but I do believe I am the local doctor Silvermasque... though I would not mind the assistance with my current condition and all. Snodgrass requires immediate attention, he was in the radius of several grenades. The controls to our APC are likely damaged as well..."

Na-Wa, shakes his head, usually he could sense those with mind powers or magics. He then quickly gets up on his Silonar and brings the animal to the Big White Cat. Na-Wa had learned that on usually reported to the ones in charge face to face, so that is what he was going to do.

“No Na-Wa not sense mind power or magics from bad men, Na-Wa only feel that bad thing was going to happen, so he told everyone.”

“Did Na-Wa do something wrong?” There is a look of failure on the dimwit psi-stalkers face, maybe he did do something wrong...

Na-Wa then pulls out his sword. The Psi-Stalker looks at it for a second, cocks his head then speaks.

“Oh and Wohn-Ecke says he can help those hurt.”

Feral lets out a primal growl when he sees his brother bleeding, and hurt. "Brother get bad guy?" he asks simplistically, bounding towards his brother he tosses the 'prisoner' to Masque for the tying up and stuff. Feral checks his brothers wounds like he is able to do something about them, "Feral messed up, Not leave brother again like that." it's obvious Feral is skulking now. Turning to Masque quickly, "Big punch and kick not hurt that one. Very tough. Feral choke him til he sleeps."

PM

Lotus stands up from a prone position on top of the uninvaded APC.  She is still tensed with adrenaline, the battle ending before it even really began.  She sheathes her sword and walks to the edge of the APC roof and steps off.  Lotus lands in a crouched position and stands up, marching over to the other APC.  She silently passes by Doc and Feral, looking at the injury briefly and deciding it can't be that serious if the man is still walking and talking.  Lotus makes her way to the entrance.  With a hand on each side of the door frame, she leans her demonic helmet inside to have a look.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Sun 13 July 2008.

 "I was not about to say 'doctor heal self', and robot medical gear would keep Snodgrass stable until you had been treated - you are being expert in this however. Grab whomever you need and see too injured." replies the big 'borg on the external circuit, opening the side door on the APC in order to let Na-wa ride up...

 "No, you did very well Na-wa. Because you did not hear mind powers, but one walked through wall to get to Doc and Snodgrass, we know something about their abilities. Is not magic or psychic, what they are doing. Is useful to know." he assures the concerned Stalker, then glancing over to 'Doc and nodding at Na-wa, before using both radio and voice to ensure his instructions get heard "If you think you can be helping, go over to assist Doctor. Hagriss, swing down and around to cover our southern flank while we tidy up please."

 With the other side-door opening, 'Masque leans back in his shock-couch to snatch the hurtling CS soldier from the air with one arm, before a succession of high-powered electrical discharges suggest a transition from light slumber to a good, deep stunning (which isn't to say that the oversized 'borg is taking any chances with a soldier who can give Feral a run for his money) and a few minutes work with a laser cutter deployed from his arm and sixty or seventy feet of high-test tow cable from the APC stores sees the prisoner (hopefully) safely concooned in MD restraints.

 Then it's time for a quick summing-up, "We did good team - especially ones who did nothing but keep eyes open and watch our flanks. Is hardest thing to stay alert while fight is going on nearby, but one day is going to save our ass, youbet."

A look of relief passes across Na-Wa’s face as the Big White Cat assures him he did nothing wrong.

Then psi-stalker the walks over to the Frail Man (Doc) and tells him he same thing he told the Big White Cat, while still brandishing his sword.

“Wohn-Ecke says he can help those hurt.” Na-Wa then looks at the sword for a bit then back to the Frail Man "Wohn-Ecke says he just made you a little bit better."

Wohn-Ecke does what he can to help the wounded doctor.

Hagriss maintains a small circle-patrol above Squad Three while they regroup, attend to the wounded and secure the prisoners.

"Sir... I am unsure if you noticed, but when those men attacked us, they rose up from the dirt in that direction... either these men are subterranean, or things are not as they seem..."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Sun 13 July 2008.

 "I knew there was reason we were keeping you around. I was thinking foxholes, but you are right - is blinkered of me." replies 'Masque, being perfectly prepared to admit to a mistake if he's made one, just as he's perfectly happy to floor someone for arguing if he doesn't think he has.

 "I am not wanting to be sitting here with thumb up ass while enemy prepares next move - Lotus, Photios - take look at nearest enemy dugout, Mephisto - keep your flying saucer close to them, I want them pulled out fast if there is more trouble than they can handle."

"I am on my way Masque, have the others back me up." Hagriss flies towards the area where the two men appeared from the ground, and lands just short of on top of the spot. He completes the words to a spell and the ground in front of him moves out of the way like a carpet being pulled off, revealing a trap door under the dirt and grass. The door appears to be constructed out of normal metals, and has Coalition markings. The door reads ND-F112.

"This door has been damaged, I am going to try to open it. Lotus and Photios be ready..."

Hagriss bends down and grabs hold of a makeshift handle to pull open the hatch...

Tossing the medkit to Feral as he heads back towards his brother, Photios meets up with Lotus on the way to the 'foxhole'.  Covered in a translucent suit of shimmering platemail over top a very traditional looking suit of samurai lamellar armor, the mage draws a short katana as they approach. Perhaps there would be a bit more excitement?

Doc removes his hand from his injured cheek and indeed the blood has stopped pouring out. "Um... tell your sword thank you." Turning to Feral he pats him on the head. "I should be fine you did nothing wrong. We should try to stay close to each other though just in case. This world is far more dangerous then the one where we came from brother. I will go check on Snodgrass and make sure he is okay." Doc goes back inside and tends to the mutant rats wounds. The effects of his care are in line with the miraculous healing powers of magic or psionics.

   Lotus leaves the doorway of the other APC and moves along with Photios as instructed.  She draws her katana, which has a blood red blade and black writings near the hilt.  "Photios, care to share a suit of that mystic armour?  I've seen it withstand some serious punishment before..."

Nodding, he'll perform the gestures and the necessary chant, coating Lotus in a similar suit of mystical armor and then heading over to join Hagriss at the tunnel's entrance.

[Invincible Armor as a 5th level caster]

Cannon Fodder shakes the guy in his hand so everyone remembers the soldier is there.

"We could I assume question this one?"

 Having Hagriss take a certai amount of initiative is perhaps not what 'Masque had in mind, but he's not about to argue with results - and only a fool tries to give specific orders to a bundle of mercenaries as disparate as this one. General directives and a common goal usually work better on such a group. "You are not needing me to tell you to be careful - see if you can determine extent of tunnels - whether is foxhole or full bunker complex - and space inside, then hold and wait for us."

 Then it's back to the prisoner dilemma "We were not forgetting, thankyou Fodder - but we are probably having little time to be making effective questions just yet. Is worth trying however. Bring him down here so I can get at him with tow cable and spot welder and we shall be restraining him, da?"

"One second."

CannonFodder holds the guy up close to his face (relativly close, this distance is still several feet away) and examines the mans face. Looking to see if he is afraid, or saying anything, or baring Vampirelike Fangs, or anything of note.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:29, Thu 17 July 2008.

Feral can feel a warm liquid at his feet in the Iron Maiden, as blood from the dead soldier pours out of the body covering the floor, and staining the beast-man's feet.

Hagriss attempts to open the hatch, but not surprisingly it is locked. He reaches down and grabs it wherever he can and pulls with all of his strength. It takes a few seconds but he tears off the door and tosses it to the side.

It is a black hole, with a wide ladder leading down further than Lotus or Photios can see.

Hagriss can see fine and reports over the squads' radio "It is a hole, maybe... 200 gargoylites deep, with climbing bars on one wall. I am going in."

The massive gargoyle then literally vanishes from sight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Thu 17 July 2008.

"Why thank you kind Na-Wa, but please help Snodgrass, he is in dire need of you... and... your swords' healing ability..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:47, Thu 17 July 2008.

"This man is extreamly angry, there is nothing in his mind currently but rage. What a sad existence."

Cannon Fodder seems to be pondering the state of the man he is holding, somewhat sad.

 "Figured there would be something like that or he would not been having been so foolish." 'Masque replies as he unjacks himself from the APC and sets it over to manual control, climbing to his feet a little dizzily as his weight goes down from ninety-odd tonnes to a mere two and a half or so and he acquires legs (cyberjacking vehicles is a disorienting experience at times), then goes about (assuming 'Fodder cooperates) restraining the second prisoner in a truly excessive quantity of high-test cable.

 Then it's time to dig out an RMK unit and work out a way to sedate both men just in case they too are able to walk through the sides of APC's (and, by extension simply shrug off being tied up). Oh, and to go through their pockets - piling items up for both mundane analysis and object reading by those who can.

 Which doesn't prevent him from keeping in touch with the squad... "Careful there Hagriss - if they are digging hundred eighty metre deep hole in ground big enough to let Gargoyle in, you can be betting there is something big at bottom. Lotus, Photios - try to keep him alive if you can, but be making sure that if you are going down you can be getting out real fast."

 Then there are administrative matters - and it's a good thing that not only does 'Masque have an internal communications suite, but that he's used to using computer support to keep track of things "Doc, how are wounded doing? - And please, how were you disabling enemy soldier? - Was he being resistant to attacks like one we are having here, or just able to phase through wall?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:38, Fri 18 July 2008.

"I am doing fine, Snodgrass should be ok. Whether he is ok to continue to fight the good fight, I do not know as of yet. We may have to take him home before we proceed. As for the assailant, once he came through the wall, he was a flesh and blood man like yoursel.... or, rather myself. He stabbed me, and I stabbed him. Soon enough his wrethched soul passed on."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:19, Fri 18 July 2008.

   Lotus climbs down the ladder, jumping the last twenty feet or so - the magic still active on her enabling the jump to be landed safely.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Fri 18 July 2008.

Photios performs another spell and reaches up a sleeve, touching a tattoo before following after Hagriss and Lotus. Floating down effortlessly after the two and staying on guard.

[Fly as the Eagle and Strength Tattoo]

Mephisto walks to where Silvermasque has both surviving prisoners subdued and stands next to Cannon Fodder.

"Silvermasque, allow me to conduct the interrogations. And before you say no, I will do it here in front of you... so you don't need to worry that I might be snipping out their intestines for jewellry. I have magical methods that can out-do anything you have in your cybernetic arsenal."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Sun 20 July 2008.

PM

 "Actually I was going to have 'Fodder try to see if is being any psychic residue on their things, since he is seeming to have hidden depths - but if you are thinking there are things you can be doing short of snipping off toes, be being my guest." replies the big 'borg, his visor swinging around to lock on the mage, "I think you are being smart enough to know where I am drawing line - do not be crossing it and we will be golden. Meanwhilst..."

 Stepping out into the sun the hulking cyborg starts sliding into the massive clamshell breastplate of his cyber-armour, locking it down with concealed restraining bolts before other, equally heavy slabs of ablative and reflective MD material are used to sheathe his limbs and head "...I am going to join recon party down below. Na-wa, tie your mount up to back of APC, you are coming with me - Mephisto, you are being in charge until I get back - Doc might be helping you with interrogations, but be making sure are couple of people on watch."

 And finally, before heading down he rumages in the APC looking for personal radios - even checking the downed CS prisoners... because they can readily be converted to retransmitters to extend their range underground, with a little cunning.

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Sun 20 July 2008.

 PM

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:55, Sun 20 July 2008.

Mephisto smiles at Silvermasque. "One moment..." he says to him, before he closes his eyes and reaches out his hands.

He speaks out loud "Third and fourth... take them..."

A few moments later the two super soldiers are both awake and staring back at Mephisto...

"Master... I am here... I am searching his mind..." He speaks like a zombie, without any emotion whatsoever.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Sun 20 July 2008.

Equally emotionless "I am here as well Master... what is it you want to know...?" The man has a grin slowly growing across his face.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Sun 20 July 2008.

You may release them, they are safely under my control Silvermasque."

"Where does this entrance lead? Why were we only attacked by three soldiers?"

"At the bottom of this hole, is a long corridor, that leads to an elevator shaft, that connects with deck ten of the facility.

Only three were sent, because there are only three in their group capable of moving... Master... the facility is under attack... the Coalition are not in control.... this squad was on their way out to make their escape when we arrived...


... there is a captain at the bottom of that hole Master..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Sun 20 July 2008.

PM

"Feral let us join them down in the tunnel system. I do not like the idea of sitting up here while most of the others are going down. Lets stay near the back and close to each other in case we need to merge."

Doc will finish donning his armor and will exit the vehicle along with his brother.

Feral nods, "Feral smash bad men, some bad men not get hurt, brother has to be careful."

Na-Wa tied up his Silonar to the bacl of the APC as ordered and told the animal not to bite anyone.

“Silonar do not bite people, Na-Wa knows others will shoot you.” The young unruly T-Rex then snaps its jaws at Na-Wa. Na-Wa in turn punches the animal in the mouth, and hisses at it. This causes it to settle down. “Behave Silonar!”

---

Then as Na-Wa is waiting to follow The Big white Cat down into the ground he sees the cloud of magic he always sees around The caller of Demons (Mephisto) turn into something else and enter the two Skull faced soldiers they captured.

Something then clicks in the dimwitted psi-stalker’s brain, and for lack of further explanation Na-Wa simply goes nuts and begins to hack and stab at ‘Fourth’ with his rune sword.

“Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!”  Na-Wa’s attacks do nothing but yet the Psi-Stalker continues to attack 'Fourth'.

Cannon Fodders booming voice interrupts the interogation....
"incoming, two, one hovercycle one powerarmor suit unsure make."

 "Hold fire 'Fodder, those should be friendlies." reports 'Masque as the rune weapon leaps from Na-wa's belt and into his hand, swinging with blurring speed as it hacks into the...

 ...tow cable restraints covering most of the bodies of the restrained soldier, sending chips and lengths of sparkling, savaged MD material everywhere even if it doesn't bite into the flesh of the man beneath, calling out "Na-wa, stop!" as he swings towards the frenzied psy-stalker, preparing to intervene.

“Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad!” Na-Wa continues to scream and attack ‘Fourth’ despite being told to stop by The Big White Cat. It’s as if some natural instinct to kill has taken over the Psi-stalkers actions, and thus very evident that someone will have to intervene....

"Second! take him!"

A moment later Na - Wa suddenly stops his attack and stands motionless, staring back at 'Fourth'.

"I am here master..."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Tue 22 July 2008.

   "What the fuck is not possible, sub-demon?!" Lotus shouts at Hagriss as she jogs through the tunnel to meet him and his new friend.

"This human is saying they have lost control over the facility, and that their experiments have escaped. He wants me to kill him..."

PM

The power armour and hovercycle arrive just a few minutes later, after being confirmed as allies by Silvermasque. Arthur has acquired a Coalition Mauler PA to replace his glitter boy. "Hello everybody." he says to the group above ground. "Masque, this is Rhys. He was looking for work in Tolkeen and is very talented at what he does, I've worked with him before."

The hovercycle pilot parks next to Arhtur, and removes the helmet from his black, EBA. "Greetings Silvermasque. I want the same as Arthur is being paid, and we want the body to claim the reward at Tolkeen. We also claim the bodies of Dalamar and Caramon, former members of your company who also have bounties put out by Tolkeen, and are now working for Arven."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Wed 23 July 2008.

Not one to state obvious questions, Photios keeps pace with Lotus and stares down the hallway past the human upon the floor. If there was something that had taken over a CS facility it was probably mighty unruly.

   Lotus moves closer to the man being questioned by Hagriss and stands him up.  She looks at him for several seconds, places one hand on his throat and slams him into the wall, the blood-soaked bandages covering the stumps of his amputated legs dripping beneath him.  "I have three questions, you answer them all honestly and I'll grant your wish.  Who or what took over this facility?  What kind of experiments are going on here? And why the fuck do you want to die?"  Lotus will then scan the man's surface thoughts with her telepathy.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:30, Wed 23 July 2008.

Feral lands ahead of Doc in the facility, next to Lotus and Hagriss. If he as ever looked more animalistic Doc can't remember when. Ferals eyes are darting back and fourth, his nose sniffing over and over again and his ears hearing everything going on around him. And his mouth... a smile. "We hunt, pretty lady?" he asks Lotus hopefully.

 As Mephisto is taking his own steps, 'Masque too is moving to stop the frenzy in a more direct fashion, cybernetic muscles of exceptional power flexing as they drive not one, but four massive arms out to more or less solidly enfold the frothing 'stalker from behind (whether or not there would have been much he could do about this is a question that won't get answered if he's being possessed of course).

 Rhys and Arthur receive a firm nod of agreement from the big 'Felineoid as he's manhandling Na-wa until the 'stalker seems to have calmed down... "I am not needing share of bounty and regular squad is getting equal share of any salvage, so you two can be splitting whole thing between you however you are seeing fit. If we are successful in putting Eastwood down in one piece, you can be having all of him except for legs, which are currently spoken for by fellow coming to join us now."

 Once the possessing spirit seems to have firm control of the Psi-stalker (and being careful not to handle the runesword, but rather the wrist that grips it) 'Masque sets Na-wa down carefully... "But be aware this is being team operation - and I am in charge. If only on paper - please to be working as part of group if you are wanting to get what you came for, da?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Wed 23 July 2008.

"Second! take the ladder down inside the hole, carefully! Do not hurt him in any way and then leave the body."

"Masque... I have complete control over these two soldiers, we can use them in anyway we see fit inside this... facility."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Wed 30 July 2008.

Na - Wa obeys Mephisto's command and walks to the hole like a zombie. He then climbs carefully down the ladder to follow Lotus and the others.

Fourth Platoon is seen fast-approaching in the distance from the north. Their hover-platform speeds across the ground, accompanied by 4 hovercycles and a baby dragon.

They come to a stop next to Silvermasque, Arthur, the two captive soldiers, Mephisto and Cannon Fodder after Doc and Feral climb down after Na - Wa.

Captain Shira is standing atop the platform, next to the crippled 'Madtown' in his hover-pod. Magnet Man walks up to them both in his shining-gladius exoskeleton and nods before leaping from the skiff, and hovering gracefully to the ground next to 'Masque.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The legless Captian in Lotus' grasp doesn't answer her questions verbally, but her invasive telepathy shows everything...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:52, Wed 30 July 2008.

"'Good day gentlemen. I have been assigned to this squad as second in command under the honourable Silvermasque here. Captain Shira and his squad will remain above ground with Cannon Fodder and the Glitter Boys from Squad Two to cover our routes of escape."

Magnet Man levitates his slung-rifle to his readied hands and prepares to follow Silverasque inside the hole.

   "Your stupidity has betrayed you." Lotus advises the legless man in a very serious voice.  "Is it these subterranean creatures who are responsible for taking over your facility?  They broke through the blockades?  You also forgot to think about why you want to die... I want to know why!"  The mystic knight's voice sounds angry, ready to snap and on the verge of doing something... evil.  Lotus gives the man a restrained punch in the gut, making sure she is ready to drop him if he pukes.

 "Is being good..." states 'Masque as he sets down Na-wa and the 'stalker moves off, "We can be using them to take point." he states rapidly, refraining from saluting Shira 'in the field' for fairly obvious reasons... Then the big 'Borg moves back to the APC for a moment where he divests himself of the massive bulk of most of the Fragmentation ammo for his paired grenade launchers - which for some reason he thinks won't be totally suitable in a tunnel fight, replacing them with another couple of pouches of assorted grenades - none of which, for some reason are of the increasingly less popular 'pull a pin' variety - and some more AP.

 "Alright, Magnet you are having rearguard in tunnels - we'll be deciding who is doing what once I am seeing who is going down there. Better to be moving however, time is wasting." - and with that said, 'Masque steps off the lip of the whole and plummets downwards, using judicious bursts from his cyberjet nodes to stabilise and level out his descent, landing with one 'launcher slung and the other held, rifle-like before him at the 'ready', a faint electrical thrumming sound filling the air about him.

Feral moves down the tunnel just a bit, leaving the thinking and planning to those best suited for it.

Mephisto, the two possessed soldiers, Magnet Man, Arthur and Rhys all follow Silvermasque into the hole, leaving Cannon Fodder above ground with Squad Four.

Lotus is just finishing interrogating the legless officer next to Hagriss and Photios when Doc and Feral arrive, with a dumbfounded Na - Wa behind them. The officer gasps and wretches when he is punched, and a tear rolls down his cheek, but his face remains proud.

   "Ok, you're almost there, its almost over.  You have to answer one more question and I'll grant you're wish.  I'll even make it look like you fought back so when they find you they'll call you a hero.  Just one more question.  I need to know about these experiments roaming the corridors.  Tell me what they can do, what they are... tell me..."
   Lotus slowly draws her sword and holds the blade an inch away from the man's throat.

"What can they do? They can wipe out an entire facility of Coalition soldiers in a few days... they can control a man's mind, or tear a man to pieces... they are capable of many things... who are they?... you mean who were they... the men were soldiers... the mutants were d-Bee scum from the local area..."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Wed 30 July 2008.

Feral hears the man, "Experiment. Like Feral." his face appears sad for a moment, recalling all he and his brother dealt with before they escaped their captivity.

   "So you can talk after all!  Good for you, just like a real man!" Lotus taunts him.  "Is there a database somewhere?  Some computer with a list of all the experiments?"

"We destroyed everything... then we were abandoned..." The man contains his emotion and stares back at Lotus, with his stumps still dripping with blood through the bandages. "There is no list... they have started breeding... some of them escaped weeks ago..."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Wed 30 July 2008.

Feral stalks over to the legless man, "Escape out of tunnel. Or still in tunnels."

(For those just arriving in the tunnel):

At the bottom of the hole is a long corridor, maybe 500 feet long, with an elevator shaft at the end. Lotus and Hagriss are 100 feet down the tunnel. Lotus is heard speaking, along with a man's voice. Photios is right behind them and notices Doc and Feral right away as they come closer to watch the interrogation proceed...

Na - Wa snaps out from his zombie-like state, just before Silvermasque lands with a bang. Mephisto, Third, Fourth, Arthur, Rhys, and Magnet Man are next down the climbing bars.

(For Cannon Fodder above ground): Squad Four attends to Snodgrass and waits around with Fodder...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:50, Wed 30 July 2008.

The Captain moves his eyes to see who is questioning him now, to see Feral. "Some got out into the wilderness, some are still down there...."

Doc chuckles mirthlessly at the cruelty displayed by Lotus and just shakes his head. Standing back behind Feral he listens closely to the man. His story sends chills up the doctors crooked spine. It is all too familiar.

   Lotus severs her telepathic connection, slices open the man's throat, drops him to the floor, and then turns to everyone present.
   "Ok, this place is several levels deep from here.  Apparently the dead boys dug a little too deep, found some kind of monsters underground.  They managed to seal off the creatures and went on with their experiments.  They make dog boys and supermen here, as well as experiments on psychics and supernatural creatures.  I saw some images of some fucked up shit with fuckin' claws and tentacles.  So some of the experiments got free, tore apart the place and are wandering around down here.  Some got out too."
   Lotus bends down to check the man for an access card or any other important possessions.  "So, if our mission was to destroy this facility, it certainly seems like the job's been done for us.  S'pose we should still check it out though."  Lotus turns to gaze further down the tunnel trying to see where the passage might lead.

 Right, so let me get clear who we've got down here:

 Arthur, Doc, Feral, Hagriss, Lotus, Magnet, Mephisto, Na-wa, Photios, Rhys
 plus
 CS prisoners (3rd & 4th)

 That everyone?

 ---

 'Masque moves along with the heavy launcher held at 'the ready' in classic entry style, swinging it up high and locking it back over his shoulder once he draws level with Lotus and the others, pausing only to slap one of the spare radios he drew from the APC on the wall beside the drop-shaft, set to retransmit.

 If he's unhappy about the casual slaughter of the prisoner at the bottom of the shaft he doesn't say anything for the moment, or it could just be that he's not going to get all upset about folks with no legs when they're advancing into what could well be serious trouble.

 "Alright - we are needing fireteams. I will take point with Na-wa, Lotus and Feral, Doc you are support team with Mepisto, Hagriss and Photios, Magnet you have Arthur and Rhys to bring up rear. If we are running into trouble from front or rear, opposite side hunkers down and does not stop keeping eyes open on their side, da?"

 He indicates the two CS possessees with one hand, "Those are I think being trailbeaters for us, is anyone having any questions?"

Na-Wa finally able to control his bodily functions wonders what happened, and begins to smack his head before realizing that The caller of Demons (Mephisto) had took his mind like he did to the bad men he tried to kill.

“Na-Wa doesn’t feel good; The Caller of Demons controlled him. Those others he controls are bad, they need to die."

Then looking at The Big White Cat, Na-Wa tries to justify his actions before being possed. “Na-Wa was only trying to do the right thing...” Then looking around at his surroundings and realizing he was in some sort of tunnel system Na-Wa exclaims. “Na-Wa knows how to move in caves! Many caves where Doe-Shu tribe used to be with demons living in them, Na-Wa used to hunt in caves before Skull faced soldiers come.”

   Lotus looks at Feral and sneers with a bit of contempt from behind her mask.  "You better be trained to use a litterbox."

Feral smiles, "No need litter box, Feral use toilet." Turning to Doc, "Pretty lady not nice. Feral not like as much now."

"No she is definitely not very pretty. I don't know why you waste your time liking anyone really. I suppose it is not your fault your heart is bigger than your brain. Just stay focused on not dying and we will be fine. Doc does not bother acknowledging Masque. Instead he just moves into position and prepares to advance with everyone else.

"I have a question... well... really more of a comment... you said Doc is with myself, Hagriss and Photios. Surely you aren't putting this medic in charge of myself, and two other mages. He has displayed virtually no leadership skills whatsoever, and should be assigned to a medic position, running from place to place with his bandages, not leading men of magic into unknown territory."

Feral snarls at Mephisto, "Doc stay back, stay safe. Feral and pale man lead if big white cat wants."

Mephisto turns to face his possessed soldiers. "Third! Fourth! move up to the front of the group and advance ahead of us, attack on mine or Silvermasque's command only."

_{"Yes Master..."} Fourth takes the Coalition super-soldiers' body and jogs to the front of the squad, and stares down the tunnel towards the elevator shaft.

_{"Give me something to kill..."} Third follows his former partner to the front of the squad. Neither soldier noticed, or cared about the body of their dead Captain.

"I would not dream of leading any of you anywhere. However I will have you know I am a cardio-thoracic surgeon you imbecile. Not some pathetic first responder type."

 "I know Na-wa, and I am not liking them either. But there are being worse things here than demon spirits, Matushka save me from saying so." replies 'Masque simply before nodding in agreement with the psi-stalkers change of enthusiasm and motioning him to come along.

 Mephisto and the Doctor get a wry glance of the visor however and a small shrug, "Was first instinct - I am knowing you are sometimes little too enthusiastic about magic solutions, though they are working good so far. Alright, Mephisto you take command of middle if there is being need." - he raises his voice just a tad - "Everyone - we are going to advance. Keep some space between groups, report anything you see and try not to touch anything you are not knowing about."

 And with that... it's on to the elevator, which presumably has a shaft to go with it...

   Lotus keeps her sword drawn and her eyes open as she walks toward the elevator.  Upon arrival, if the doors are shut, she'll try pressing the button.  She will also keep watch for any camera surveillance system and destroy the camera with a stab through the lens from her katana.

Third and Fourth arrive at the elevator first, they then wait for Lotus, Silvermasque, Feral and Na-Wa to arrive. There are no surveillance systems visible, however with the back-up power the elevator doors open automatically as the possessed soldiers arrive.

The elevator lays destroyed, ten levels down, at the bottom of the shaft. The doors at the bottom, deck 10, are covered in the debris from the destroyed elevator, and would need some or most of that debris moved to open the doors. They are the only doors visible. This elevator must have gone from the 10th floor to this floor without stops.

There is still no functioning lighting other than Photios' Globe of Daylight spell hovering in front of the mage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:37, Sat 02 Aug 2008.

"Masque, with no doors on the way down... we will have to climb, or fly... down. I believe our soldiers could make the jump down without injury, and cover us at the bottom."

PM

Na-Wa makes his way tot he edge of the elevator shaft and looks down...

 My mistake, add Rhys and Arthur to that lineup. We'll stick 'em in the middle team with Mephisto and company so's as to let them turn their firepower front or back at need.

 ---

 'Masque moves up to stand alongside the two possessees, pausing only to nod with approval at Lotus working over the security system section by section, then reaching out with powerful cyberlimbs to comprehensively jam both doors open by the simple expedient of wedging two sliced-off slivers of metal in each - allowing them to be closed damn' fast if the team needs to pull out.

 "Alright." he states, attaching the second of his scavenged radios to the top of the shaft, opposite the doorway so that it has something like line of sight to the first, "Feral, Lotus, Na-wa and I will drop fast - if they are not minding, I will carry Lotus and Na-wa down for soft landing. We secure base of shaft, then get doors open and prepare to move on. Once we have bridgehead, support team moves on, followed by rearguard once there is enough space. You folks up here will have few minutes while we are down there to come up with brilliant plan to get people back up shaft in hurry if things are going all to shit in hurry, da?"

Photios hands a rolled up parchment to Silvermasque, "If you read this and visualize a location it'll instantly teleport you and a few thousand pound of people touching you, there. The range is a couple hundred miles, but I don't believe you'll need to go that far. Even if you don't need it now, its worth hanging on to."

Feral smiles, "Feral get to bottom fast. Doc ok here?"

PM

Mephisto waited for an answer from Silvermasque, but decided to go ahead with his idea with the delay in his response.

"Third! Fourth! jump down there and open the doors, defend yourselves and report to me over this radio, what you see." Mephisto tosses Third a walkie as he finishes his commands.

Third turns his head and glares at Mephisto like a zombie. _{"Yes Master..."} He then takes two steps and leaps down the shaft.

Fourth follows quickly behind Third, almost racing him to leap down first.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Sun 03 Aug 2008.

   Lotus cocks her head to one side when Silvermasque suggests carrying her down the shaft.  She takes another look over the edge and then steps aside to let the possessed soldiers take the leap.  "Fuck it, let's go.  Just get it over with."  Lotus will then allow herself to be scooped up by the large borg.

Na-Wa looks down and at first tries to find a way to climb down the shaft but is unable to find anything to grab onto. Then looking at the Big White cat who offered to help him down. “Can Na-Wa climb on Big White Cat’s back?”

 Oops, my mistake that I was mistaken. ^_^

 ---

 Photios' offer is accepted wryly from 'Masque, who tucks the scroll in question into an armoured pouch where the last one he was handed some time before is stored and answers with a "Cannot hurt, da?" only for him to turn in slight surprise to look at Mephisto as he orders the possessees into the hole.

 'Cause he'd assumed that 'soldiers' meant him and his, truth be told.

 Na-wa and Lotus get a firm nod and 'Masque stoops, fixing both his lower hands about the mystic knights armoured waist with an "Allez-hop!" hefts her in the air without impeding her ability to shoot, whilst allowing Na-wa to take a firm hold on his armoured back.

 Then it's a simple step up to the edge and a ten-story plumet that's surprisingly sedate, moderated as it is by little bursts of compressed air from the dozens of small, high-powered cyberjet nods distributed across his body.

Doc stands at the top of the shaft until the others below have opened up the doors or otherwise made a clear passage. As soon as they have he will step off of the ledge and float down cushioned by a small vortex of swirling wind beneath him.

Third and Fourth begin to move some of the rubble away from the doors when Silvermasque lands, setting Lotus and Na - Wa down.

Doc and Hagriss are next over the edge, followed by Mephisto and Photios who hover down magically.

Fourth uses a piece of elevator debris to pry open the doors, and third digs his hands in to push them open manually. Silvermasque gets the first good look down the hallway on Deck 10. The sound of flesh being torn is heard before the creatures are seen. There are at least six xiticix-like creatures feasting on human bodies just over 100 feet away, when they are distracted by Silvermasque and the others... They charge instantly.



(Initiative rolls for Silvermasque, Na - Wa and Lotus please)

 Eep.

   Lotus is a little slow to regain herself after handing over her safety to another and plummetting so far through the dark elevator shaft.  Her magic allows her to see, but she found herself closing her eyes for the freefall anyway.  Standing on the debris of the fallen elevator, Lotus is still finding her footing when the monsters spot them and attack.

17:54, Today: Lotus rolled 1 using 1d20. initiative.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Sun 03 Aug 2008.

PM

The creatures come quickly, screeching the whole way down the hallway. The hallway is wide enough for two of them to charge down side by side, seven in total. They run past four doors on the right side of the hallway, and make their way for the squad at the bottom of the shaft. The ceilings are 12 feet tall, and the corridor is over 20 feet wide, all made of a very strong metal. The shaft is 20ft x 20ft.

(Na-Wa reacts first, then Masque, and finally Lotus. Third and Fourth are still holding open the elevator doors).
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:53, Sun 03 Aug 2008.

Ferals instincts kick in, however he is behind the others at the moment. Feral snarls, taking in the scents of the creatures, committing it to memory. Muscles tensed, Feral is a ball of rage and aggression, waiting for the right time to pounce.

 "Close doors so that only one can get through!" calls out 'Masque rapidly, letting his heavy grenade rifle drop into a comfortable firing position over the heads of the shorter members of the team and triggering a short, eight-round burst into the main body of the charging monsters before they get too close to use such area-effecting munitions, "Get ready to tear them up as they come through!" he orders the others in the front team.

 ---

 13 to hit, 100 points of damage to a 3' radius (so I'm hoping to hit more than one) and a bunch of actions left over which I'm holding off on describing 'cause I don't know how many shots I'll get 'fore they're on top of us.
 Oh, and are they armed at all?

Na-Wa sees the ugly creatures, and begins to simultaneously fire on them with his CP-30 pulse pistol in his right hand and the Plasma Blaster (mounted on the left forearm of his armor).


After firing on them three times Na-Wa screams as soon as he recognizes their scent.

“BUG DEAMONS!!!!!!!!!!!”

Na-Wa then fires his pair of weapons three more times at the nearest  incoming xiticix.

To all those who can receive telepathic messages: >This is that dimwit Na-Wa's sword, I am attempting to animate those dead bodies to cause a distraction, please don't shoot them.<

   Lotus' eyes flare with blueish-white light and two tendrils of energy blast out like lightning bolts.  They find their target just before the elevator doors are partially shut by Mephisto's slaves.  The energy strikes with a shower of white hot sparks.  Lotus then draws her sword and strages to one side to avoid either of the monsters from just leaping through and tackling her.  She'll attempt to cast a spell.

09:59, Today: Lotus rolled 14 using 1d20. strike.
10:01, Today: Lotus rolled 21 using 5d6. eye blast dmg.
The spell will be Superhuman Strength.  Also note that Photios' Invincible Armour is probably still active - 3 minutes per level I believe

Silvermasque, Na-Wa and Lotus open fire at the charging Xiticix. As the bugs get closer it becomes apparent they each have cannons of some sort in place of one hand.

The front left charging creature face plants after being hit by Silvermasque's grenades and stops moving. The front right is hit by the grenades as well, and is blasted in the face by Lotus and Na-Wa before it finally stops its' charge and crumples on the floor. Another from behind leaps over the bodies of the first two, and hurls itself towards Silvermasque. Another stops to aim and fire its' plasma cannon at Lotus just before she sidesteps out of the way as the blast scorches the wall behind her. Third and Fourth allow the doors to close just as the one Xiticix makes it through like Silvermasque planned, leaving the remaining three outside the elevator shaft. A few of the bodies of the half-eaten soldiers stand to their feet, their guts spilling on the floor below them. Still 100 feet away, they are too slow to present any danger or even a distraction for the raged Xiticix.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:13, Mon 04 Aug 2008.

 The heavy grenade launcher drops to hang from the oversized 'borgs tactical webbing chest like a childs toy as 'Masque frees up all four arms to handle the incoming alien warrior, his body flowing into a position of perfect balance in order to move low and come up through the maneuver, upper arms moving to brush the enemies aside, lower arms driving forwards with gleaming vibro-claws levelled, aimed directly for the hollow just under the bugs sternum - though with perhaps a touch less fluid perfection than he puts into the parry.

Doc floats back up the elevator shaft a bit so as to avoid cramped quarters fighting. He does his best to keep his new armor clean and scratch free.

Na-Wa fires into the bug demon twice with his CP-30 pulse pistol and the Plasma Blaster, but while the plasma blaster fires a second time the CP-30 doesn’t. It’s out of energy. Na-Wa drops the CP-30, not really knowing why it isn’t firing, instinct tell him to use somthignelse to kil the bug demon, and he pulls out his sword.

He then begins to hack at the xiticix, and uses the vibro claws on his left forearm to ward off any physical attacks by the bug demon

Feral growl grows louder until finally he lands next to Na-Wa at the bottom of the tunnel and leaps for the creatures head, bringing both hands down on it twice in a hammer like fashion, bits of drool forming at the corners of his mouth.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Thu 07 Aug 2008.

   If an opportunity presents itself, Lotus will slash at the bug on Silvermasque.  If it seems like the bug is going to beat Silvermasque in hand-to-hand combat, Lotus will attempt to assist by literally grabbing one of the creature's limbs with one hand while hacking at it with the sword in her other hand.  If Silvermasque appears to be handling his situation, Lotus will focus on the doorway and attack any other bugs that come near.  If no other bugs come within sword range, Lotus will launch additional energy blasts from her eyes at the nearest monster.

Silvermasque blocks the Xiticix's attempts to slice, and returns with a solid punch to the gut. Na Wa opens fire on it with two guns, while Lotus slashes at it with her sword. They literally hack it to pieces, before Feral arrives and crushes its' head.

The three remaining outside are banging at the door to come in...

   "This is cozy." Lotus comments while wiping some gore from her blade and looking at the elevator doors.  She shrugs her shoulders.  "First one went down easy, I say open 'em up."

Feral, brain matter dripping from his hands, "More!"

 "Is no hurry, will be another along in just a moment!" states cheerfully 'Masque as his lower hands glider around to the small of his back and the upper ones reach over his shoulders, all four reappearing a moment later, each clutching four feet of gleaming blade that promptly begin to thrumm softly with energy. "I block him, you three smack from flanks." he adds as he assumes a 'ready' position and waits for the next customer.

 Cold bloodedly brutal son of a bitch sometimes, isn't he?

Third and Fourth stand staring blankly at the doors awaiting further orders.

   "More than one will get through.  But that sounds like a plan."

Still floating a good twenty feet above everyone Doc looks down and chides. "Whatever you do could you get on with it already I would like to get out into the hallway at least."

Hagriss clings to the wall, next to Doc. He takes a deep breath, taking in the smell of blood from down below. He closes his eyes to savour the euphoric moment, like a drug he now craves it...

Na-Wa moves to the left of the doors, ready to hack at the Bug Demons when/if they get through.

insert the following command a couple of posts back as the two possessees are closing the doors:

 ----

 "No, leave enough space for one to squeeze through at time!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:50, Mon 11 Aug 2008.

Another Xiticix climbs over the body of the dead one and slashes at Silvermasque just like the first one. Silvermasque deflects its' attacks, and the bug is sliced up in a matter of seconds, to make room for the third remaining Xiticix to take its' place, and die on top of the others. Lotus, Na Wa, Masque, Feral and the two possessed soldiers are completely covered in green Xiticix blood. The bodies will have to be moved in order to leave the elevator shaft.

The corpses of a few soldiers shamble their way towards the elevator...
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:51, Mon 11 Aug 2008.

 The murderously efficient way that the bugs are dealt with is pure 'Masque - perfectly normal, brutal tactics on the part of a professional soldier minimising the risk to his own side in order to do as much damage to the enemy as possible...

 ...unfortunately, so is his response to the shambling dead.

 A berserker scream of rage, fear and blind hate resonates in the confines of the metal shaft with all the massive power of a cybernetic vocal system and the swords he drew are slammed into the ground on all sides of him in order for him to bring up each arm, firing ports snapping open in his palms as he spits bolt after bolt of chained lightning towards the walking corpses as fast as his cooling systems will cycle and his onboard power supply will provide power, radio communication dissolving in static under the sleetstorm of stripped electrons and superheated air venting from cunningly-concealed vent ports along his forearms.

 Whoops.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:24, Mon 11 Aug 2008.

   Lotus will place a hand on one of Silvermasque's larger arms, gripping it with enough strength to be felt by the large borg*.  "Hey! Na-wa's sword animated the corpses, its just an enchantment.  No need to blow a fuckin' gasket."  Lotus' voice is loud enough to be heard over the weapons fire, but her tone is uncharacteristically jovial and friendly.  Its as if she's happy ti finally see something 'get' to the white tiger.

* Due to magic, Lotus has a supernatural strength of 30 at the moment.

Magnet Man uses the Squads radio channel "Are you guys going to let the rest of us play?" followed by him chuckling at his own humour for several seconds.

The corpses are blown to pieces, leaving the empty hallway with 3 doors. The walls are all a dark grey metal, with lights in the ceiling every 6 feet.

(map coming soon)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:09, Wed 13 Aug 2008.

Na-Wa watches as The Big White Cat destroyed the bodies Wohn-Ecke woke up. Looking down the corridor and at the doors, thinking that sometimes, The Big White Cat was stpider then Na-Wa.

"Na-Wa see three fingers of doors."

 The magical energy coursing through Lotus' slender frame is enough to let her bend sheet steel between her fingers or tear body armour apart - and both hands working together can barely swing the lower-right of 'Masque's arms out of line... And just like the last time she saw him in the presence of the walking dead a couple of weeks before, he literally seems incapable of getting his composure back until the last of them is a smouldering heap of ashes upon the floor...

 ...but when he does it's to shudder, like a dog shaking off water "I... I am not having fondness for those who are violating rest of the dead. Are we having this clear?" he asks almost conversationally, plainly still shaken and getting himself back together in the process before he gestures to the two possessees to open the doors once more and motions the squad onwards, recovering his swords and moving to secure the corridor in order to provide a landing space for the next team, "Sorry for delay, but is being room now. Second team can back us up, rearguard can hold top of shaft until we are forwards a little way."

   "So you're ok working with mages, psychics, and demons, but you draw the line at the walking dead?  What about Osema's goon that Reggie guy.  He was like half-dead."  Lotus is slightly impressed with the robotic strength of the borg, not that she was really trying to test it.  Although she seems to want to converse with Silvermasque, she's not just standing around with her thumb up her ass - she's focused on the task at hand, sword at the ready with her eyes crackling with mystic energy.  She's just passing the time.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:42, Thu 14 Aug 2008.

Feral moves toward the front of the group, "Feral smell doors. See if big bugs in them?"

 "Chalk it up to bad experience... How do you think I was getting big tin body?" 'Masque replies a little more mildly as he settles himself, putting back on his usual air of professionalism as he gets back 'in the game' so to speak, returning his swords to their sheathes.

 Feral gets a smooth nod as 'Masque makes rapid assignments, "Na-wa, Feral - check each door, one at time. The rest of us keep eyes front - remember that there may be techicians as well as soldiers down here, let's try and take them alive if we can. There are being plenty of questions I want answers to."

Doc floats down and out into the corridor when the way is clear making sure not to get bug guts on his shoes.

Feral nods in understanding, to masque, and continues to do so. "Feral understand." is all the big animalistic 'man' offers before heading to the first door, and listening carefully and sniffing around the door.

PM

After the Xiticix bodies are removed, Silvermasque and the others step out into the hallway with Feral and Na-Wa running off to inspect the doors. Doc and Hagriss are the next two down the shaft, followed by Mephisto and Photios who both gracefully float down. Finally Magnet Man floats down, using his powers of magnetism, also levitating Arthur's power armour and Rhys' body armour down with him.

Na-Wa runs halfway to the doors before being told something....

>Hey idiot! you dropped your pistol, go back and get it.<

>Oh...OK<

Na-Wa runs back to the shaft, past the ‘Big White Cat’, and the ‘Pretty Mean Magic Girl’ and finds his pulse pistol among the carcasses of the bug demons. Sensing mind powers being used by this new group of persons. Na-Wa looks to the source, the ‘Jesus Man’ and scratches his head.

   Now that the dust has settled, Lotus turns her attention to something that had caught it a few moments ago.  She watches as Na-wa darts back into the elevator shaft.  Lotus stares at him for a moment and then chuckles nervously.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Aug 2008.

 And that's something worth addressing, since the pistol ran dry during the fight and, though dropping it seemed a perfectly sensible thing to do at the time since it was getting all close-combat, not relaoding it when it's picked up could maybe do with being looked at.

 "Na-wa, are you having ammunition for gun to be reloading?" inquires the big 'borg without turning his head from gazing evenly up the corridor, weapons at the ready.

PM

   "Holy shit!" Lotus mutters out loud and looks at everyone else to make sure she's still in reality.  Then she returns to her normal poise, watching Feral and Na-wa search the corridor.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:13, Fri 15 Aug 2008.

PM

PM

PM

PM

PM

PM

Na-Wa upon returns, after finding his pistol, and replacing the spent E-clip answers The Big White Cats question. “Yes Na-Wa have two more.” The Psi-stalker then speaks to no one in particular. “Ok, Na-Wa understand.”
This message was last edited by the player at 01:33, Fri 15 Aug 2008.

 "Good." is 'Masque's simple response when Na-wa reports that he's still armed and able to take part in further firefights, one arm moving to gently direct the Psi-stalker over to assist Feral in the sweep for hostiles as he continues to cover the front.

PM

"This is like watching a bunch of retards on a field trip to a science museum." Doc says to no one in particular as he steps out of the elevator and almost slips and falls on the slick Xiticix blood. It is obvious he is not comfortable wearing EBA. Unconsciously grabbing at the small of his back he floats up about a foot off the ground and continues to float rather than walk for now.

Feral and Na - Wa make their way past the mutilated corpses, half eaten by Xiticix, and half blown to hell by Silvermasque. They move down the empty corridor to the first door. Silvermasque and Lotus are not too far behind them with Third and Fourth.

Na-Wa stops at the first door.....he then backs away from it, making a "hhiiiissss" (a hissing sound) that can be heard coming from the speaker of his armor.

"More bug demons here!"

"Pale man is right, bugs in there." Feral points at the door.

When Silvermasque and Lotus approach closer to the door (with Third and Fourth) an electronic lock (pass-code operated) is spotted next to the door. There are no windows or labels to otherwise find out what's inside.

 Something prompts 'Masque to chuckle softly as he nods at the other team members,  but he doesn't seem to have anything to say about it until he settles down on one knee beside the pass-coded door, smoothly leaning in to press one side of his helmeted head to it and listening for vibrations through the metal... "How many bugs?" he asks of both predatory hunters, plainly deciding whether or not to clear them out before the group moves on or leave it to the other teams.

   Lotus stands nearby with everyone else in front of the door, ready for it to suddenly be ripped off the hinges by the bugs inside.  Certainly they have been alerted to our presence by now.

"Smell strong... lots of bugs..."

"Na-Wa can't tell unless he takes off his shoes....."