By the time the Inner Temple group is prepared to depart, the onyx workers have already dug a large outer room for the small army of Ruby Warriors, Blue Stripes and Exalts to gather, opening up just at the perimeter of the sensor-free zone.

One hundred and fifty-five Rubies are quite a sight to see all together, arranged in neat rows while Princess Evamae walks among their ranks, ensuring they are battle-ready. The Hive Princess is now in her four-armed, bipedal human form, garbed in what appears to be a water-enchanted breastplate, chosen for its aspect of Fluidity in case she requires shifting to her insect form. Her chosen weapons, currently sheathed, are a pair of hook swords and a pair of straight swords. All of it is of perfect quality, and custom tailored for her, the best the Hive could possibly produce out of mundane materials, given enough time to work.

In addition, the Princess holds a bag of Talia's Celestial identification badges. She distributes these as well, affixing them via an emerald producer-brewed adhesive to their carapaces. Now they are Ruby Caste Warriors in the Service of the Creators, and they are restless, anticipating the conflict ahead of them.

It seems Evamae has been chosen for this particular mission both for martial prowess and for her prowess in the other languages of Coils. So she is able to speak quite fluently in Low Realm, unlike her mother. "We will move out when you are ready, Creators."

[Private to Danae Adela; Peleps Dashu; Tervila Dena; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: We'll continue as soon as you're all gathered. Danae can also arrange / give orders / etc. her Blue Stripes as she sees fit.]

"Alright--we'll be beginning our first major operation momentarily" Danae begins, pacing around ever so slightly as she began establishing the Rules of Engagement.  "This will have a high probability of urban combat--and the Civilians are at present unaware of what is going on.  You are to fight alongside myself as neccessary, unless I provide orders to the contrary.  Priority targets are to be non-cleared individuals bearing jadesteel, with secondary targets being any armed individuals presently attacking ourselves or our own units.  Wounded, unarmed, and noncombatants are to be of low priority, noted, but not engaged unless they should enter the battle against us.  I don't 'Think' there will be exceptions at this stage of the game, but be ready to stand down if such a command comes across."

She sighed, and tugged slightly on the jade breastplate she had--it was a little bit big for her to be perfectly honest--though a bit of modification made it mostly wearable--and it was at least lighter then what she had beforehand, as well as slightly harder.

She also made a point of affixing a Celestial Identification badge on each of their chassis somewhere--no sense leaving any weak links in the whole affair.

Dena slips her lash into a pocket and wraps the chain she's been carrying from the beginning around her waist, just in case it's needed as a tool.  Flaring the yellow poncho she's taken the wearing to get it loose and unconstricting, she pulls out a very long leather long and stretches it with a bit of amusement.
"I'll have to make sure the badge is on a thread long enough that it won't be tight on my warform, otherwise it might meld with me when I shift." she explains as she threads it around her neck so that the badge is swinging somewhere near her navel over the poncho.
"I can take the lead if you wish, I am probably the best of us at surviving an ambush.  But I know I'm not as observant as some so I'm less likely to see it coming."

The Blue Stripes's red eyes swivel back and forth to follow the path of Danae's pacing as they pay careful attention to her every command.

"Affirmative," replies Blue Stripe 1, speaking for its four 'brothers' as well. "Priorities acknowledged. Will remain in passive scanning mode until hostiles detected." Their massive shield and goremaul weapons remain, for the moment, attached to brackets placed on their backs.

The Ruby Warriors, of course, cannot sheath their weapons anywhere; their forelimbs are themselves weapons, from sharp sword-like blades to sickle protrusions to scorpion like clamps. All three base types of Warriors are represented, though the majority are Ruby Attackers.

The badge distribution done, Evamae stands at the head of the Ruby column and waits, gazing out at the darkness beyond. For the Princess, this is the first time she will have ventured from the Hive in centuries. "If you would allow it, I would join you at the lead, Tervila Dena. Though our senses are not like humans, they are still accurate. I... am honored to accompany you, Creators."

Dashu and Third are still elsewhere dealing with the Mockingbird contact and the Immaculate prisoners, respectively.

"I would be glad for your presence." Dena answers after spending a few moments thinking it over.  "But please stay behind me, I can most likely take a hit more easily than you can."

"As you wish, Tervila Dena," answers the Princess Evamae, bowing politely. For all her alien, insectoid appearance, her mannerisms are more human than most of her peers, save perhaps Communicators like Jhenli. She may well have been trained similarly to them. The First Princess and Diplomat. "And I would tend to agree. Hive Mother sent me with you to ensure Hive Irix can continue on. At the very least I can create a new Hive cell in the Fire District or above. So if you would guard me, Dena, I would be much obliged."

Third, somewhat belated, enters, bowing its head towards the others pleasantly with a curt nod. "The virus has been implanted. We should be able to circumvent the Automaton forces. Eye am pleased to meet you, Princess. We will certainly be grateful to have you in the Fire District." It looks around towards the others. "Eye have properly transferred attunement of the collars over. We should be able to begin our infiltration shortly." The Solar waits in silence, mind focused on the task ahead, feeling the katas already begging to be used.

Dashu entered the shortly after Third and nods to... it.  "Sorry I wasn't able to help with the monks.  The other group should be on their way shortly, though."  He sported his new boots and gloves as well as his jade claws, equipped with the harmonic tuner.

After he talks to Third, Dashu acknowledges the Princess at the head of the column with a brief bow.  He then funnels his essence, etching his katas into his muscles.  Where they were going, there was likely to be a fight.


[Private to Gatekeeper: 16m to Infinite MA Mastery.]

The Hive Princess bows to Third and Dashu as they join the array of combatants gathering in the outer chamber. "As you must already know, I am First Princess Evamae. Despite my rank, I am, in the company of the illustrious Creators, your humble servant."

"If I may suggest, most noble Celestials, I and Tervila Dena will march in the front with a small honor guard of Warriors. Danae Adela and her Blue Stripes will follow us, and the remaining ranks of Warriors afterward. Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge, perhaps you may join with Danae for the time being, as you possess both strength of knowledge and speed of blade. And Peleps Dashu, I am aware you are one of the Night Caste Chosen... your senses may best serve our cause as a forward scout." She seems to be trying very hard to word the plans in an open-ended manner, to show that she will not usurp the authority of the Creators. Rather, her place is more of an advisor, supporting Danae as the de facto military leader.

"We should move out in short time. Our destination: the B25 Western Immaculate Shrine-Outpost, on the way to the B25 Northern Immaculate Warrior Monk Garrison." She falls silent, then, giving orders in insect-speak for the Rubies, in a series of movements, clicks and chemical signatures. The insect warriors check their badges, let out a chorus of chirps and gestures, then form up at attention.

---

OOC: all right, it doesn't seem right for the Princess to give the order to move to the Celestials, so I'll leave it to the PCs. Then we'll start doing some fast-forwards.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:49, Sat 30 May 2009.

"Sounds good to me, I'll go ahead and head out unless there's something else I need to know," Dashu responds to the Princess' suggestion.  With that shadows seamed to congeal around Dashu as he took the tell-tale stance of the Ebon Shadow Style and activated his anima.



[Private to GM: 07:42, Today:

10m to activate anima, 1m to keep anima from flaring, 5m to activate form charm.

Made the rolls for the awareness check and stealth roll already.  I'll post those actions when someone else chimes in.

Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes using 13d10 ... with rolls of 3,1,1,8,5,3,4,2,5,1,8,8,4. Dex + Stealth Roll.

Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes using 9d10 ... with rolls of 8,5,6,3,10,8,1,10,9. Perc + Awareness. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Tue 26 May 2009.

"Alright, I'm ready as well."  Dena decides, consulting the map a moment more before stepping forward.  "Let's get this done."

"I'm ready too" Danae acknowledged, taking a careful breath, and recalling the memories she had activated during the visions given by Alazne...

The First Principal of Exalted Combat is Equilibrium--mortal soldiers flail with steel and spell, compensating for lack of strength with sheer numbers...  But one does not send a mortal to fight gods and demons.

The Terrestrial Exalted strike with grace and speed, cutting away at their foes through continual assaults, blazing brightly for a short time, and overwhelming their foes with sheer volume...  But you do not send a Terrestrial Exalt to face Behemoths and Primordials.

The strength of the Celestial Exalted fundamentally comes from their Balance.  To strike with all of their might when needs require it, and just as quickly to parry the fiercest blows known.  With the appropriate Stance, there is not a foe in Creation who will be your match!

Reaching a hand onto Impeccable Spark's hilt, as the scabbard snapped open with a puff of steam, Danae drew the Orichalcum blade, snapping it downwards, and allowing it to trail in an underhanded grip at her right side, out of the way, but capable of being instantly brought into play, covering each and every inch of space approaching her within the space of a heartbeat.

"I'm ready, let's get this show on the road!"


OOC: Activating Fivefold Bulwark Stance out of Personal Essence

Third closes its eyes as it begins its katas.

Once there was a maiden... Who held a blade. She smiled, and dreamt, and cut, and did not notice what she was cutting. She sliced and slashed, and her sisters cut too, until they woke from their reverie, to a forest of splinters.

It opens its eyes, focus intense, and begins on its next step, its body beginning to move strangely, flowing smoothly through even the slightest, idle movements, as it invokes Flow Like Blood.

It is focused. It is flexible. It is prepared for this.

"Forward!" Princess Evamae utters in Old Realm, stirred to action by Danae's statement, and the entire column begins to depart the Hive. She occupies the first rank with Dena, surrounded by a protective arc of Ruby Warriors. Behind the row of automatons accompanying the current Clockwork General, the one-hundred fifty remaining Warriors move in perfectly synchronized marching order, attuned to one another in a way that human soldiers would either envy or fear.

Unlike the group meeting with Free, the Inner Temple Group and their army have no hope of remaining stealthy in the company of massive insects and even more massive automatons. They almost immediately attract attention from the nearby machine sentries, though Evamae's directions move them along the outer perimeter of the District, where human patrols are the least likely. Accosted by a pair of non-striped Hulking Automaton Sentries, the column comes briefly to a halt, as the massive machines and accompanying Spider Eyes attempt to make sense of this large group moving through the hive.

Because the group is so large, it takes some time for them to scan and process the entirety, and compare it to currently known data. It seems, however, that the virus has worked so well that the enemy machines treat them as friendly and inconsequential, and give them the okay to proceed. Ever afterward, any machine sentries that cross their path give them only a quick scan and continue on their duties.

Moving quickly in formation, the army still takes about three hours to reach their first destination. At this point, Evamae requests a pause in their advance to assess the situation, at a distance and position the Blue Stripes deem safe and unseen. Speaking quietly in Low Realm for the sake of her allies, the Hive Princess says, "Just ahead is the Shrine Outpost. Should we follow Communicator Jhenli's original plan, we should deploy a contingent of Warriors from here, and proceed toward the North Quadrant entrance while they distract and infiltrate the Inner Temple from here. If you have additional instructions or wish to alter the plan, please state it now, noble Creators."

---

OOC: this relatively open-ended post is a chance for you to take a dramatic action (Int+Lore to draw from knowledge of the area, Int+War to determine an ideal tactic for employing the Rubies...) or a combination of actions (Dex+Stealth and Perception+Awareness to scout the area, etc.) Or you can just stick with the plan and I'll move you toward the next destination.

Note - the reason for sending the Exalts to the North Garrison entrance is because it's a more direct entrance into the Inner Temple than the Outpost. Plus you can attack on more than one front.

[Private to Danae Adela: Since no one else has really taken War yet, I don't think I will be incorporating true Mass Combat, as otherwise it'd really cripple everyone else. Coordinated attacks may be more useful at this time (and they're quite good!), though possibly I may be able to incorporate the skirmish rules I've been making for Outcastes as well. More details will come when combat is imminent.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Sat 30 May 2009.