"I'm going to grab the bag of tricks they'll want me to take," Grunt told the group, "Any requests while I'm prying it free from requisitions?"

Daniel takes the usb stick with a nod. Good thing the situation was acute so curiosity couldn't set in.

He gives Kumiho a slight smirk as he throws an off-glance at Arkady.

"Or maybe you should take it as a sign of trust that I don't need to motivate your survival with booze. Either way there's something for you too, I'm sure."

"I'm good, thanks Grunt. And Lyla, Kumiho is the Korean version of the nine-tailed fox. They seduce boys to eat their livers or hearts, depending on the legend."

"Well..then there is again another thing that makes us different. And I don't mean the eating hearts and livers part," Lyla smirks, despite the jokish gentle tone in her voice.

Arkady notes Lucifer's note on alcohol and chuckles.

"Alcohol makes everything better blyat!

Then he turns his attention towards Kumiho

"I sure can get you a drink once we're back. Proper engine cleaning solvent."

And raises his cup and sips.

"oi blin."

"No, I don't smoke, but I do like liquor that isn't made out of old rice and cockroaches,"  She remarks.  "Or stuff used to strip engines, Mr. Arkady; I like to use that to fix my ship.  And hey, I've never eaten anyone's heart."  She pauses and looks at Lyla with an arched eyebrow.  "Hmm, gotcha."  Just what is she thinking?!  "After this is done we should all throw a big party.  Who's in?"

A huge demonic spider the size of a large dog stops in front of the group and bows.  The anuhles raises its jaws and chitters, "Oh great ones!  Please, prey follow me," - somehow they can hear it mispronounce 'pray' into 'prey' - "For I will be seeing you to Hangars and Requisitions.  I am Shuttle Pilot Maratus Volans, responsible for your handling while you are aboard the Jagganathika!  Anything you want, need, desire, lust for, I shall try to fulfill!  Also please don't stray too far without me.  The security forces aboard tend towards the overzealous."

"If it's properly distilled who cares where the starting hydrocarbons came from? Not like we have a bunch of wooden casks or years to age it," Grunt opined as he followed their arachnid pilot, "And my needs are met, Volans."

"A party could be nice, if the mission goes well enough," Lyla agrees with a nod to Kumiho.

"Thank you for the offer Volans, but Im fine currently."

"Nothing wrong with developing some Pan-Exaltation social bonds, I suppose", Daniel agrees with a smirk. "Better make it there, everyone."

He stretches his arms and shoulders as the group follows the anuhles. "Thanks Volans, but I'm good. Let's kick some Abyssal ass."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Mon 24 July 2017.

Arkady rises his finger in reaction to Grunt's statement, whilst taking a long sip of his battered canteen, as if to prove his point.

He looks at the pilot stating: "Nah chuvak I'm cool. Time to fuck Shit UP!  and when we've fucked them Abyssal up, we're gonna get fucked up SUKA BLYAT!!!"

LOCATION:  JAGGANATHIKA HANGAR
TIME:  2330
DATE:  2025 - 10 - JUL

COMBAT PERSONNEL IN ATTENDANCE: BATTLES; DANIEL MATTHEWS, CALLSIGN 'LUCIFER' ; LYLA RAINES, CALLSIGN 'BLUE FOX' ; PAK NARI, CALLSIGN 'KUMIHO'

THIS TRANSCRIPT SEALED, LEVEL 23E:  COMBAT PERSONNEL AND UPPER COMMAND ONLY

---

It's the old adage:  hurry up and wait.  They hurry to the hangar, leave Grunt and Arkady to the ministrations of Volans, and then... wait for hours for the Konnidan and the jump.

The Jagganathika hangar isn't like the ordered chaos of the Enterprise.  It's barely even a hangar.  The side of the ship has been torn open- jury's still out if it was intentional, a demon run amok, or battle damage- and they've simply rounded out some of the metal shards and added a force field to keep in the oxygen.  The hangar area was once several floors cut away to provide a resemblance to a flight deck.  There's only enough room for six or seven fighters, max.  All in all it's totally unsatisfactory for anything but a few expert pilots.

Fortunately, they ARE a few expert pilots.  They can see the Benisuzume and Janggunjeon waiting, sitting next to a battered old Icarus-class starfighter.  This is no doubt Battles' ride, the Leo.

These ships sit on the floor, tended to by an indeterminate number of slimy, oozing demons who look like they'd rather be anywhere but there.  Sesseljae- puppy-sized beetles- scurry all over the floor, lapping up spilled engine coolant.  Only one section of the ship is pristine, and that's because there are three interceptors there, painted tooth-white and sporting some unusual designs and modifications.

"Jump in 30 minutes,"  Battles informs them as he starts to put together a weird outfit that looks half flightsuit and half armor, "Then we leave hot.  Interceptors out first, then I'll guard the exit to make sure Lucifer can get out without any problems."

------

LOCATION:  KONNIDAN AIRLOCKS
TIME:  2330
DATE:  2025 - 10 - JUL

COMBAT PERSONNEL IN ATTENDANCE: DARKADY DRAGOMIROV, CALLSIGN 'RED STAR' ; GABRIEL HOCKENBERRY, CALLSIGN 'GRUNT' ; COSMO CORENTINE, CALLSIGN "CROSSFIRE"

THIS TRANSCRIPT SEALED, LEVEL 23E:  COMBAT PERSONNEL AND UPPER COMMAND ONLY

---

The Konnidan jumps in alongside the Jagganathika, and the two are quickly shuttled over by Volans.  The Konnidan is an ugly hunk of junk that no-shit has an asteroid and several skeletons lashed onto the bow.  They're met at the airlock by a huge Erymanthus, stinking of sweat and blood and even more unnameable juices; behind him must be the new Infernal.  He looks between the two and chuffs amusement, putting a filthy hand on each of their shoulders.

"Are you two ready to JOIN ME as we CRASH INTO A BLACK MOON?!"  Captain Fistfoot huffs and chortles, "I CERTAINLY hope so!  If not better JUMP INTO MY MOUTH while you still can!"  He slams their shoulders with a hand like a shovel head, "And time for you to get introduced to our NEWEST FRIEND.  And to meet the crew!  But first your NEWEST FRIEND."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:57, Sat 29 July 2017.

"Most moons outside binary or greater systems are black," Grunt said as he looked at the 'new friend', "I'm Grunt. Air Aspect of Many Trades."

The steps of the man standing a little over two meters tall make very little noise as he finally moves out from behind the Erymanthus. Clad in red armor, his face looks clearly damaged in a few places, giving his younger features a look somewhere between weathered and oafish. He smiles, widely. The expression looks a little strained, like he'd practiced in the mirror for a few hours before showing up. He glances over the assembled heroes, his one good eye roaming appraisingly over the new people.

"Corentine." he says, looking Grunt directly in the eyes. "Voyager, and more recently Chosen of Hegra and Adorjan. Good to meet another Exalt."

Suddenly distracted by something, he sniffs the air, oddly enough not towards the rather gigantic captain.

"Especially one with... actually, I'm certain I smell coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol." Cosmo's smile looks more genuine now. "You've caught me dangerously sober, I'm afraid. Makes me sensitive to the aromas. Heard the Solars were visiting and tried to quit drinking. Bad idea."

His armor opens its eyes... and promptly rolls them.

"Ah, and this is Wanda, my other half."

He faces the group a bit more confidently now, his seemingly blind eye shining with a soft red light. "We specialize in making a making a hell of mess and flying like a bat out of it. Or towards it, I guess."

He shrugs, then stares at the gathered to gauge their reaction.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Fri 28 July 2017.

Arkady scans the newcomer from head to toe with his eyes glowing with curiosity.

"Privet kamrat. Arkady Dragomirov, engineering. I think we're supposed to use callsigns so call me Red Star."

He extends his mechanical arm forwards but not for a handshake, but to hand out a canteen, and winks with a grin.

"Oh. And quitting drinking? Bad idea. In a mission it's worse to have a hangover than being... In a good buzz."

Cosmo stares at the canteen. A considerable effort is made to politely take the container from Arkady. "Thank you. It is good to meet you, Red Star." he takes a good sip, getting a feel for the flavor, apparently approving with a nod and putting a metal straw in... which then goes up his nose. He snorts what appears to be quite a bit in one one moment, before taking out the tube and sealing the container again.

"My callsign is Crossfire. And this is excellent. My compliments if you made it. Don't get more than a little buzz these days, at least not with alcohol. Normally have to go for injections for this sort of effect. I miss just... getting to taste the liquor like this."

"Course, can't complain about all the other nice upgrades. Makes bashing deadites' heads in a whole lot faster."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:19, Fri 28 July 2017.

"Good luck, and don't fuck it up!" She manages to wish after Arkady and Grunt, before they depart ways.

----

She never gets used to it, the hurrying and then waiting. It drives her mad. What was she supposed to do with the extra time in her hands, when there was no chance given to actually do anything with it. Lyla sighs deeply and shakes her head. Well, 30 minutes is not that bad.

It's always a relief to see Benisuzume. Its a sign that there is something to be done, and if nothing else, its a way for her to escape the buzzing crowds and people. Going on a mission was even better. Though granted it feels odd to leave on a mission from somewhere elsewhere than Enterprise...

"Well, those are quite something," she comments at the white Interceptors. "Shame that the paint job won't be the same looking after this."


Awfully nonchalantly she changes there on the spot from her usual jeans and tank top combo to her own bluetinted, and skintight, flightsuit taking some support from Benisuzume. She pushes her hair back in an attempt to make it stay on a ponytail so that it wouldn't get caught in the visor. Rest of her clothing she just dumps aside, it doesn't matter what happens to them. But her scarf, she wraps tightly around her neck.

"See you on the other side. Comms are open if you get in a bind", Daniel announces as the groups reach the intersection where they part ways.

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

Despite being standard military practice, hurrying somewhere only to stand idle never agreed with Lucifer. He had no need for gun or gear maintenance, no ship to check on, and while he didn't mind the little hangar it also meant there were no other pilots to encourage.

At least Lyla was there, and Battles was no stranger either. He could take comfort in the company of people that weren't likely to be snuffed out within seconds of starting the engagement. Luckily this included Kumiho as well this time.

"I'll be content as long as they return at all", he replies to Lyla.

As Battles announces the plan, he nods. "Got it. Let's see how Longinus looks like with materials like these..."

He walks to a clear area near the torn outer hull, looking around the hangar carefully before settling on a very particular spot. Slowly he widens and lowers his stance, driving his foot to the ground with a resounding thud, sending a ripple along the Jagganathika's floor that would warp and break metal - but for a ship of this build it's nothing but limbering up. The air around him starts rippling as that of the desert.

"Hear me, Demons of Jagganathika! Hear me, Spirits of Rage and Power! Lucifer calls for his panoply!"

An invisible force hoists Daniel upwards as three magnificent pairs of platinum wings, their feathers stained with crimson, erupt from his back. A blazing golden crown manifests a foot above his brow, shining bright enough to blind those caught unaware and painting the hangar in the brilliant hues of the midday sun. His hands go through complicated mudras at a rapid pace, tracing shining symbols in the air that quickly get painted in crimson tones. His voice gains a menacing bass undertone as it rises in volume, reverberating through the hangar as the ship shudders from his decree.

"Becoming thus the essence of retribution;
The steadfast gleam of the unsheathed rapier,
The falchion's forceful thrust
At the heart of thy empire..."

A swirl of energy and debris surrounds the floating figure. With each word, hunks of flesh seem to tear free from the hangar and join swarms of demonic insects in a fevered whirlpool around Lucifer. More and more demons materialize and interlock with each other, gradually forming giant pieces of organic armor that take the shape of a Warstrider around him - or, in this case, Hellstrider might be the appropriate term. The  result bears some resemblance to the build of the Jagganathika, only more ordered and containing the blaze of Lucifer's Anima Banner within.

Finally the maelstrom of demonflesh and green radiance settles and a bulky War(or Hell?)strider stands where mere moments ago there was only a man. A deep voice crackles into being through the comms.

"The Morning Star rises. Lucifer is with you."

"There's always a certain amount of isolated work they slot us into," Grunt agreed with a nod, "Big collections of us only tend to happen when unpleasantness is brewing."

"Kicking a moon in half is a pretty big thing. I know there's supposed to be some kind of rivalry between us and the Solars, but having all three of them here won't be so bad." he says with a shrug. "Gonna be weird seeing people I've read comic books about."

Lyla regards Daniel as he assembles his warstrider. It was always a sight to be seen and it never got boring. The shining light seems to fill every crack in the odd hangar, and even Lyla reaches out from her shadows that tackle it just to let it warm her fingers. The newly formed warstrider does though seem awfully wrong, and awfully normal at the same time. Had the cards been dealt differently...

"We hear you Lucifer, loud and clear. Blue fox here," Lyla returns testing her own comms out.

"Well not all of us can kick a moon in half..." Arkady points out. "Some can just poke them in half. You just need to know where to poke." Arkady winks with a joking grin.

"All the signs and collected data deduct that I represent what is known as Sola Twilight caste... I like to know things, and use that knowledge to my advantage. As fucking cheesy as it sounds, knowledge is power."

He opens his canteen again but almost immediately closes it again. The booze is almost gone so he has to conserve it. Instead he lights a cigarette (the shitty makeshift kind), blows out a cloud of bitter smoke, and draws his hood down to cover his eyes

"Are we there yet? Blin."

"Oh, that's not really paint," The Sidereal says as Lyla looks at the white interceptors, "That's Bone Squadron."

The interceptors seem to... unfold; their smooth surfaces turned multi-angled as the glamour surrounding them fades.  In their place are three bone-white Agatae, the Crystalline Wasps, famous for their beauty and reality-warping speed.  These are three extremely large specimens, which must make them ancient.  They wait dutifully until Lucifer finishes his transformation, then clamber onto the back of the Longinus.

"Pleased to meet you,"  One says in Lucifer's ear, "We're your ride."

"They're going to carry Lucifer out of the initial hangar, then teleport him right towards the enemy lines.  After that they'll all bug out.  They can't do that too often- three times, max- so after dropping him off they'll speed back to the Jagganathika.  If anyone needs a rapid escape call out for Bone Squadron and they'll pop in, grab you, and pop out."

"The pun was not appreciated, human."

"My apologies, Bone One."

"Well, now I feel better, how about you." The new Lunar says deadpan, "We have ejection seats that are giant wasps."

"Cutting chatter now.  This is Battles, prepared for conflict."

"This is Kumiho, all systems are live and ready."

"HEAR THIS.  HEAR THIS.  ALL HANDS.  This is Captain Magdeldrigal.  Set IFF signals for Lucifer:  Hellborne 1.  Set IFF signals for Blue Fox:  Hellborne 2.  Set IFF signals for Battles:  Hellborne 3.  Set IFF signals for Kumiho:  Hellborne 4.  Progeny of Malfeas and Cecelyne, She Who Lives In Her Name, Isidoros and Hegra and Kimbery!  Progeny of Oramus and Sacheverell and Qaf and Szoreny!  JUMP IN FIVE SECONDS!  FIVE-  FOUR-  THREE-  TWO-  ONE-"

The Jagganathika jumps, making all their stomachs lurch.  The Jagganathika doesn't have the essence dampeners that other ships do; if they were mere mortal men, like Smoker, they'd be puking their guts out right now.

And then they find themselves staring at a starscape, and far away a small moon with a little twinkle surrounding it.

"HELLBORNE FLIGHT, DEPART!  Meet at rendezvous and cover the Jagganathika as we retreat!"

"You know how space travel is," Grunt answered Arkady, "Long stretches of nothing between dense areas of lethality."

Lyla gives an approving nod at the bone squadron, covering her slight redness into her scarf for the silly comments she just made.

Eventually she climbs into Benisuzumes cockpit and runs a quick diagnostic. The ship humms contently as ever. All seems to be the way it always is. Thoughtfully she gives a small pat to the wall of the ship.

"Blue Fox ready to rock and roll," she responds casually having attuned her radio and mic.

"Last time my path crossed with an ancient demon on Earth turned out rather interesting", Lucifer muses. "Well met, Agatae. I leave my transport in your capable hands."

As the jump draws close the Longinus lowers its stance and grabs hold of something. Lucifer is silent inside it, but the shift into a combat mindset can be felt by anyone as a foreboding shiver, a calm before the storm.

The jump unsettles Lucifer less than most, whether due to something in Longinus's construction or sheer grit. He narrows his eyes as the hellish Warstrider around him emits a menacing snarl.

"Let me at them."

"On my way!"  Kumiho is first out, followed by Lyla; then Battles departs to protect Lucifer.  As they exit they get to view the Abyssal fleet mustering and heading for their location- then the grand sight of the Konnidan Jumping in on the other side of ONYX SPIRE, slamming into the facility when the Abyssal's backs are turned.

But the fleet doesn't turn around.

"Living forces,"  The voice that comes over the comm is androgynous and oddly pleasant, "This is Mournful Topaz Seraphim, current flight leader in this sector.  I am accompanied by the Gardener of Screams.  Please forward me your names so that respect may be given where it is due."

Hm. The Gardener of Screams is an older Abyssal, one that Jess often came to sonic blows with.  This Mournful Topaz Seraphim is a new one.