She nods partially in agreement with him, when it comes to the fate of the Warden. Lucky for her there is no need to decide anything when it comes to him, though in reality and in her mind killing the Warden would ne naturally for the better. Lyla can't help but to think how he'll want to revenge this all later on.

"Yeah. I gathered there was something like that going on," she steps over the Warden to the corridor. "What kind of a gallant knight would I be, if I didn't have a trustworthy steed waiting for us outside?"

Lyla chuckles vaguely.

"I have a ship waiting for us outside, but we still need to reach a ventilation shaft to get there...Oh by the way...Do you know the other prisoner?"

"I didn't mean both of us as in you and me," Swan Dragon says to her seriously, "Your presence is obvious.  I meant myself and my other compatriot.  He's the important one here.  I can't believe you came to get me first."

"Ahem. You are Swan Dragon, right?" She can't help but to turn cautious at this point. "Explain further, also why my data included only you."

"Yes, I am Swan Dragon, Elemental Dragon of Fire, and very thankful for the rescue.  The ghost in the other room, in the other hand, screams and yells while they rip something from his corpus and then all of a sudden I am introduced to a new Imperator within the hour.  Who replaces an old one."  Swan Dragon tells her, "Which makes me wonder- how are they making new Imperators in the first place, and why am I meeting a rotating cast?"

"Well..." she takes a step towards the stairs. "We should just go ask him. I did attune myself to his cell as well, just incase."

She walks towards the stairs leading to the other cells.

"I am however NOT taking anyone along that could be a danger to the Living fleet. Also there is no containment cell in my ship for transportation purposes, because he sure didn't seem too friendly the last time I saw him," she keeps her visor well lowered down. "Even though he seemed to think he helped me...We still have to survive out of here, and through a few jumps in order to reach a bigger ship."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Thu 12 Jan 2017.

Leaving the cell leaves  them with a faint chill of cold and a tingle.  He follows behind her, looking at the remains of the Gunzosha she left in the hall.

"I wouldn't be too friendly either in his situation,"  Swan Dragon tells her, "And by that logic you shouldn't bring me back either."  He looks around the hallways, blinking owlishly. "They did many terrible things to me in that cell.  How do you know I'm not a threat too?"

"I don't but I was told to take you along. We can fight on the way back if you want to," Lyla shrugs off. "Besides despite the time you spent in captivity I know more about you then about him...even if it isn't much."

She continues steadily but hastily towards the other cell. She doesn't lower her guard even though the Warden is down, and Swan Dragons doubting speech wasn't convincing her to do so either, not that she'd trust him in any case.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:20, Sun 15 Jan 2017.

"Then your minders are either not thinking carefully or are willing to take the risk." Swan Dragon tells her, following quickly. "We should take this risk."

She spots another Gunzosha standing guard by the other guy's cell.  He sees Swan Dragon and Lyla, reverses his weapon, and blows off his own head.

"... Hm.  No prisoners, it seems."  Swan Dragon shakes his head.

The chained-up ghost looks up at Lyla as she arrives. "So, you've come back,"  He gives her a leering smirk, "About time.  And how is our dear warden?"

"Yes, I think so too," she nods in agreement when it comes to risking it.

The Gunzosha blowing his head off lets her only sigh, partially at ease, because she sure didn't feel like fighting when its not necessary. Spared the trouble from her.

"Well, last time we saw I kind of didn't have time to stay for a cup of tea and a chat," she folds her arms on her chest. "Quite...silent, for now. But that doesn't mean I'm too eager to spend a lot of time talking with you. Who are you, and why are you being kept captive?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:14, Mon 16 Jan 2017.

"Takehiko Isakawa, pleasure to meet you." He tells her, "Once known as Take the Blade.  Chosen of Luna, protector of Kyoto.  Slain by Yama in honorable combat, but desecrated after death."

He lifts his chin.  She can see a gruesome looking wound encircling his neck.  By her estimate, he looks like he was beheaded.

"I am quite displeased.  Release me."

There is a part of her that wants to lift her blue tinted visor up to reveal her questioning and blank stare, but there is the other part that wishes that she'd wear a proper helmet covering her mouth as well, so she could make the most unprofessional faces as possible.

"I'm Bluefox, nice to meet you. Though I see you dropped the pleasantries pretty quickly. In that case I'm not really sorry about the coming interrogation. I hope you do realize that I'm your only way out of this hellhole currently, so you better impress me."

She tilts her head to the side, and clearly shifts a look to Swan Dragon as well.

"How come you're alive if you died? Are you one of them these days? Most importantly, is your mind your own?"

"I'm dead.  I'm a ghost," He tilts his head so she can see his ragged corpus, pulsing with green tumors.  "And it's as mine as it can be, otherwise I wouldn't be locked up like this."

"One part of Malfeas grants power,"  Swan Dragon observes to her, "So what do many parts grant?"

"Apparently the chance to tell the Neverborn to fuck off."  The ghost mutters, "But apparently it's a delicate process or else they'd harvest faster.  I don't know what the hell's wrong with me, but the Neverborn sure do."

"Well it could all be just a safety measure, or maybe you just like it all that way," she jests, rather grimly, failing at sounding funny to lighten the mood.

Lyla shifts her weight from one leg to the other, before unfolding her arms and walking into Takehikos cell. Luckily she attuned herself just incase.

"So, do you want to get out and join the Living Fleet with the most likely future of being subject to testing due to your unique condition?"

Now that she is not inte middle of a combat, opening the locks is not such a hasty business, and she takes her time while waiting for his answer. Naturally she expects him to say yes, so the locks are opened before he even gets to that point. In reality Lyla felt as if she'd used too much time on everything as it is.

"No, because if they had let me free I would've torn this entire ship to pieces," Takehiko mentions to her.

She starts undoing his chains and he just darkly chuckles.

"Of course I'll do it.  Which one of you's tortured me for a decade?  Do you have any idea what it feels like to have a piece of you ripped out and bitten off?  It's not pleasant."

He stands up when she finally releases him.  He doesn't stretch but instead slouches, buried under the weight of his tumors.  "About time.  Now bitch-"

Swan Dragon punches him in the face, letting out a little flare of fire essence.  The tumor-filled ghost falls over like a felled tree.

"Apologies, my rescuer.  He was getting on my nerves."  Swan Dragon leans over and picks up the prisoner, grunting under the ghost's unexpected weight.  "Malfeas tumor or not, he should speak with more respect."

Lyla just listens to Takehikos  boasting silently, rolling her eyes under the cover of the visor. Once having released him, the words that he spits out cause her hand to clench and the shadowy talons to extend. But then it is Swan Dragon who saves the day instead and spares the trouble from her.

"No need for apologies. You just beat me to it," she lets out a dry chuckle, relieved that Swan Dragon was the one to be rescued and not Takehiko. The elemental was a welcome relief to this blank and somehow rude ship.

"My ship has space for you and me, but we can shackle him...outside..or to the jumpship attachment, since he doesn't need air. Unless you have other intel of this place, I suggest we get out."

With quick strides Lyla heads back to the corridor from where she first came out from the ventillator shaft. The floorplan was essy enough to remember after few tours. A drawing of that could be handy in her report as well. She does wait and assist Swan Dragon with the extra weight wether he wants or not. She also dons a pair of cuffs to Takehikos wrists...they'd make him easier to be dragged along. Also he deserved them.

"Benisuzume is just on the outside. Though with the extra its quite the tight squeeze through the shaft I came from. Also we have to spend a few seconds without oxygen, unless we share my mask," She explains and throws a glance at Swan Dragon, being unsure if he actually would need the air even.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

"Shackle him outside?  Like common cargo?  Oh no, whatever shall we do."  Swan Dragon rolls his eyes theatrically, following behind her. "Yes, I agree with your suggestion.  I'll be fine a few seconds without oxygen, so hold on to your mask please.  You're the one that has to get us home."

Shackling Takehiko is a bit harder than she'd think, his wrists are just so covered with tumors that the cuffs have to cut into the ghost-flesh.  Dragging him through the hole only rips more of the ragged tumor-flesh.

Then she has to lash him to the underside of the Benisuzume.  Swan Dragon helps, holding his Essence to help with the process.  Downside is that he's a glowing green target, basically painting the underside of the ship.

When they finally board the Benisuzume, with Swan Dragon taking up what cramped little space there is in the interceptor- aided by inhuman physiology- he speaks up.  "I hope we won't have issues getting out of here."

((Stealth to cover the ship: 9, 9, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3 & 3.
Float 4-4
Finesse transcending Chi + 15 stealth
29+20+15+10-10 = 64))

"You never know," Lyla sighs, when starting up the engine and taking a hold of the steering. "...But..if this will be our end, I'm glad to tell you, that its been a joy having saved you...instead of Takehiko."

Lyla chuckles honestly, and relieved for the first time after the mission began. Sitting behind Benisuzumes steering system is like returning back home, after the long empty corridors. Her suits shifts to its natural shades of black and blue, and the tension in her body eases after sneaking around. As always the whole ships seems so welcoming after the short but disturbing encounter with the inside of an Neverborns ship.

"No issues, just -maybe- some bumps on the way."

With that notion, her shadows pour from her arms through the steering system to the ships exterior, covering it in a blue shaded cloud. At least it seems so from the inside. On the outside the whole ship just vanishes into the void decorated by shining stars on the background. Lyla rushes the engines to boost them away from Pyongyang, preparing the system for a jump with the aid of Odysseys as soon as possible, but keeping her eye on the radar incase of any fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Sat 28 Jan 2017.

Pyongyang:
10, 9, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5, 4, 1 & 1
*DETECTION 56 + Awareness 10 + AB 5 = 71 beats 64 (can't stack chi-channeling, but still beats 69 anyway)

Lyla has to reach the jump point!  Let's not use the map.  It's about 10 zones away.  Roll init!

As Lyla pulls away from the Pyongyang, her ship is rocked by a wave of dark energy.  The entropic field bounces off of her living ship, traveling back to the Pyongyang at the s peed of death.  The Pyongyang just pinged her- and caught her!  The Pyongyang's weapons systems come online.  The escort cruisers start pointing their noses at her, preparing to fire as they disgorge dozens of Navarino interceptors.

"I take it that was bad,"  Swan Dragon mutters.

((Initiative of 9, 8, 6, 4, 4, 2, 2 & 1
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Flight of the Golden Crow 3 chi
Cover Ground: 74 (24+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 49(19+20+10)
FoB: 41(16+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 57(22+25+10)
))

Lyla clicks her tongue upon noticing Pyongyang targeting Benisuzume. She sighs discontently and takes a better hold on the steering system.

"That's what I get for being sloppy...also should've dragged out that bastard and killed him," she mumbles. "Still..I managed to get in,I'm sure I can get us out. Besides without little danger this would've been quite the bore."

Benisuzume hums constantly when speeding up, trying to evade being the target, her shadows thickening.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:04, Mon 30 Jan 2017.

Lyla CG:  8 zones, wins init

Pyongyang init:
8, 7, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, 2 & 1
*Float 7-7-4-4-2-2
*Init Less Than Lyla

Escort Cruisers Init:
8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3 & 1
*Float 7-7-6-6
*Minor Action:  Targeting Solution, will have Strike +25 vs Lyla
*Going to handle them as one group:  if attacks hit, they deal +4 Ripples per attack
*Init Less Than Lyla

Navarino Interceptors Init:
10, 10, 9, 8, 5, 3 & 1
*Navarinos are not maxed, so they are useless :D
*Init Less Than Lyla

Lyla has the option of attacking any group given she's gonna blow past all of them.

Lyla may have been found, but she has quick reflexes and quicker engines.  She quickly blows past the interceptors, most of whom are piloted by less-competent ghosts.  The escort cruisers, on the other hand, start bracketing her ship with their targeting systems.  The Pyongyang's weapons have spun up.  Soon hell will be unleashed!

((attack roll:10, 10, 8, 7, 4, 4, 3 & 2.
all attacks against escort cruisers
Reincarnating Nine Brothers 5 chi

Strike:  20+20+10+5+25=80, better dodged
Burn: 24+10+10=44
Disrupt Strike: 18+20+10=48
))

Despite confidently zooming past the cruisers, she can't help herself but sink Benisuzumes plasma cutters to their sides, scratching and peeling them like tin cans. She exhales deeply, focusing on taking all the enemies into account and readying to the bullet hell soon to be unleashed.

"I'd tell you to hold onto something but there really isn't much to grab onto," she flashes a grin over her shoulder to Swan Dragon.

Defense vs Attack:
10, 9, 7, 7, 4, 4, 3, 3 & 2.
*Defense vs Strike 27 + Block 10 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 = 42 vs 80, 3 Ripples + Roll
*Defense vs Burn 24 + Block 10 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 = 39 vs 44, a Ripple
*Defense vs Disrupt 23 + Hardiness 20 + AB 10 = 53 vs 48, avoids

RR 3 on Cruisers:
*19 + Damage 15 - Toughness 5 = 29, a Trivial wound

Pyongyang Attack:
10, 9, 9, 6, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2 & 2
*Flood 7 to extend attack
*Slaved Missile Barrage vs Lyla with Flowed 52 + Strike 10 + AB 10 = 72; Dodge is -20
*Simple Turret Attack with Flowed 44 + Strike 10 + AB 10 = 64; Dodge is -5
*Supermassive Void Cannon with 29 + Strike 10 + AB 10 = 49; Dodge is -5
*Disrupt Lyla Speed with 23 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 = 53

Cruisers Attack:
10, 10, 10, 6, 6, 6, 4, 3 & 2
*Flood 7 to extend attack
*Flood 7 to continue Targeting Solution
*Flowed Strike 56 + Strike 10 + AB 10 + Strike 25 = 101, Dodge -5

The cruisers are peeled, but less like tin cans and more like... lemons getting zested.  They're barely touched after her sideswipe.

"I am holding on to my ass.  Does that count?"  Swan Dragon asks.

Then the Pyongyang opens up fire.  Before, Lyla didn't have to worry about things as the Buchenwald was focusing on the Enterprise or maximizing mortal deaths.  Now she has to deal with hordes of missiles flung her way, a beam cannon whose beam is wider than her ship, and a flurry of deathly lead.

That's not even counting the cruisers, which have slaved their attacks together rather effectively.  They criss-cross the area around her with walls of projectiles, threatening to tear her and worse, the Odysseus to pieces!

((Defense against Pyongyang: 10, 10, 9, 8, 8, 5, 4, 4, 4, 2 & 1.
Spending 3 chiv joss
Crow Eclipses the Sun 4 chi + 2 chi
Dodge:Slaved Missile Barrage  flowed 44+10+10+5+10-20+20 = 79 vs 72, dodges
Dodge:Simple Turret Attack 28+10+10+5+10-5+10= 68 vs 64, dodges
Dodge:Supermassive Void Cannon 20+10+10+5+10-5= 50 vs 49, dodges
Defend:Disrupt Speed  19+25+10= 54 vs 53, defends

Defense against Cruisers: 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 5, 4, 2, 1, 1 & 1
Dodge: 31+10+10+5+10-5 = 61 vs 101, 3+4 ripples and a roll

Toughness 10, will use 3 chi for chi aura
))

She wrinkles her nose in disappointment to her sad effort on attacking her enemy, but then again, she didn't put her whole heart into it. It was more of a teasing tickle, than anything proper. Not that she really wanted to play catch with these guys. She had always somehow prefered hide and seek, and to have been found was a cruel disappointment.

"Any ass to be grabbed is a good option," she tightens her grip to the steering system as the pitch black space is coloured with flying missiles..and a beam...and some more lasers.

It's like the worst rave party ever. Odysseys does not make hiding the ship into the dark void of space any easier, and its maneuverability is shitty as ever, trying to hinder her down. Bluefox felt only little relieved that she had already once had to drag the damn ship with her, since without that experience this would be a completely different type of deal. It's far from a walk in the park.

"Please, if there is any machine spirit with me today, pleaaase, keep the tin can in one piece," she mutters between her gritted teeth.

Benisuzumes engine is pushed to the limits, as she turns her ship towards directions and swings that seem impossible. Working with the lack of gravity, she turns the laser tag into a violent ballet, rather taking any hit to come to her own ship, and sheltering Odysseys with any turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

RR on Lyla:
*22 + Damage 10 = 32 - Toughness 10 - Chi Aura 18 = 4, a Trivial:  Damaged Odysseus Jump Drive

Lyla will probably cover 2 zones with this init roll, so go ahead and roll it; if you don't manage to do so, I'll give you +1 ChivJoss for the rest of the round.

Lyla puts on a spectacular show, ducking and weaving and dodging past most of the attacks.  Despite her best efforts the Odysseus is big and bulky, and there is a LOT of fire.  The Odysseus is punched through in several places but she can see that it's still functional.

They can still make it.

((Initiative of 8, 8,6,6,4,3,2&2
 Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
 Flight of the Golden Crow 3 chi
Supreme burst of speed 4 chi
 Cover Ground: 76 (26+15+5+10+20)
 Ghostly presence: 52(22+20+10)
 FoB: 39(14+15+10) /2 chi
 Initiative: 83(28+25+10+20)
 ))

It must be quite the show as seen on the outside. Benisuzume gliding like a black beetle in the void that is lit up by bullets that seem to be ready to devour anything in their path. Lylas visor is filled with data and incoming warnings, and the hit from the cruisers make her clench her jaw even make. Happy to have gloves on, otherwise holding the steering system with sweaty palms would be difficult.

The hits that decorate Odysseys cause her to rum hasty diagnostics on it. She didn't want to be forced to push THE big red button. She wasn't that much of a damsel in distress. She lets out a sigh of relief to notice that the jump drive is okay.

"You alright?" she checks up on Swan Dragon, not really used to having passengers. "It's soon over, just a little bit further...and we're out."

Pouring in the last regained essence from her, she revs the engines to gain more distance, and after what seems like a small eternity reaching a good jump distance, she turns the jump drive on, leaving the battle field behind.