Benisuzume exits the hangar swiftly, but gracefully. The reflective blue surface of the ship shines in the emptiness of the space, soon to be part of it all. The ships plasma cutters glimmer nastily as Lyla takes some distance between her and the Jagganathika.

Then the comms open, and Lyla's smirk widens.

"Nice name dropping you got there. It's Blue Fox of the Living fleet, the one of the shadows. Did we wound Gardener so badly last time, that they can't speak for themselves?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:57, Wed 09 Aug 2017.

After the others are out the Longinus steps to the edge of the breach in the hangar, leaning outside with one hand holding to the top. It was almost time to launch.

"This is Lucifer", he responds to the unknown Abyssal with a voice that seems calm but holds back a thousand daggers. "Surrender now, fellow Seraph, or we'll give you something to really mourn about."

Lucifer is jumped out by the agatae to the meeting point!  One remains on his back, no doubt ready to push him.

"Gardener has surpassed the need for voice, Blue Fox, but is intimating the desire to fight you."  Mournful Topaz Seraphim responds, "I'm afraid I cannot surrender, Lucifer.  We both need to fight each other.  You and me, then."

"Saints and spirits, the pretentiousness is choking."

"You get used to it."

"Well, I've never been one to back down from a challenge. Let's dance then," Lyla declares, dry amusement filling her voice due to the commentary of Kumiho.

Despite the declaration, she doesn't speed in, but instead readies Benisuzume and if it would be audible in the emptiness of space, she'd rev the ships engines.  Instead of sounds the ship just glimmers in a shade of blue. She knows that Lucifer would be the one to barge in first, that would create a better opening for her.

Then she radios on their frequence  to Kumiho, Battles and Lucifer.

"To be honest, I have no interest in fighting Gardener alone, or fair."

((Initiative roll: 10, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 2 & 1
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Flight of the Golden crow 3 chi
Cover Ground: 66(16+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 50 (20+20+10)
FoB: 40(15+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 53 (18+25+10)
Delays
))
This message was last edited by the player at 22:04, Wed 16 Aug 2017.

((Initiative: 10, 8, 4, 4, 4, 3, 2 & 1
using Vengeful Titan w/ Longinus (Ranged/Massive)
1 Chi to reduce Piloting penalties by 5
Float 4-4-4 to River
Initiative: 13 (18+10-10-5)
))

The Longinus clatters and whirrs, systems aligning and weapons heating up as battle is about to be joined.

"Very well then. Let's see what you've got, Abyssal."

"I've got those smaller ships,"  Kumiho says uncertainly.

"Keep him distracted a bit longer.  He likes it when we group up,"  Battles advises Blue Fox, "But Journeys warned me not to underestimate those big ships- I'll keep them off your back!"

The Gardener of Screams gets the jump on them all.  He's fast, and he doesn't even move in that fancy interceptor.  No, radio waves ripple from his ship in an uncanny visual manner- one that shouldn't be possible.  He effortlessly sends a wave of solid, malevolent static at Blue Fox's ship, threatening to overwhelm her thrusters and buckle solid armor.

((Defense vs Gardener:  9, 8, 8, 6, 6, 5, 4 & 3
Channel 4 chi/ Crow eclipses the sun
Dodge vs attack: 26+20+5+10-5+20= 76 Vs 71
Awareness Vs disrupt strike: 14+20+10= 44 vs 21
Awareness Vs disrupt footwork: 28+20+10 = 58 vs 57
Delays attack after Seraphim))

Its a rarity that someone beats Bluefox in speed and that makes her sigh in frustration. Gardener had always carried a grudge of some degree with Jess due to their affection to sound, but they had all battled against each other before as well.

Benisuzume shifts only slightly, passing just right through the sound waves, some shadows growing outside the ship and redirecting the waves. The ghostly shape of the ship grants it little refuge. The attack is granted a nasty one when Benizusume seems to fade even more into the space with essence spilling out.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:46, Sun 13 Aug 2017.

"May I confess something?"  Mournful Topaz Seraphim messages Lucifer as the Abyssal ship holds position, "I've waited to meet you for so long.  I didn't think I ever would.  I feel so- unprepared for this.  They told me it would take years for me to be put into battle against you.  How do you prepare for a fight with a monster?"

((Defense Roll: 10, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2, 2 & 1
1 Metal, 1 Chi on Leading Ox Through River
1-3 Chi on Chi Aura depending on RR
Confidence vs QW: 22+20 Skill+10 AB+5 Laughs = 57 vs 74; 1 Ripple + RR
Confidence vs Disorient: Flowed 27 + 20 Skill+ 10 AB+ 5 Laughs = 62 vs 58, defends

Attack: 9, 9, 8, 8, 6, 4, 2 & 1
Flood 7 to extend attack
Flood 7 to ignore Armor
1 Metal, 1 Solar Chi on Black Tigers Hunting
2 Chi on Pinning Shot

Strike: 29+20 Strike+20 Internal+10 AB+10 Longinus = 89; Block -10; Damage +35 (15 Base, 5 Weapon, 10 Zenith, 5 IKF)
Disorient Inspire: 28+20 Inspire (Fear)+5 IKF+10 AB+10 Manifest Destiny = 73 ))

Lucifer is surprised by the Abyssal's words - which lets them bounce around in his mind for a moment. What was the enemy going for by painting himself as an eager rookie and him as a monster?

"You sharpen your swords, ready your armor, steel your mind for the things you're fighting for", he answers as the Longinus's right hand starts glowing. The glow becomes a shine as a radiant spike emerges from the middle of its palm, pointed toward Mournful Topaz Seraphim's ship. "But most of all, you prepare to die."

A flash, and the spike is launched as from a railgun, crossing the distance in an instant.

"Those who fight for Nothing have nothing to fight with."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Tue 15 Aug 2017.

((Attack roll: 9, 7, 6, 4, 4, 2, 1 & 1
all attacks against Gardener of Screams
Lashing Flurry 3 chi
Reincarnating Nine Brothers 5 chi
Strike: (19+20(external)+10(action bonus)+5(Benisuzume)+25(internal)= 79, better blocked
Secondary Strike: (24+20+10+5) = 59, better blocked
Burn: (21+10+10) = 41
Disrupt Strike with stealth: (17+20+10) = 47
))

"No problem," Lyla responds to Battles.

When Lucifer and Mournful Topaz Seraphim engage in a battle of rather violent wits with the result of Lucifer firing, Blue Fox dives into action under the cover of the bright light that Longinus shines on its surroundings.

Benisuzume wastes no time, and quickly enough the blue ship is next to Gardener of Screams ship, tearing at it like a shark that just emerged from the depths. The plasma cutters send off impossible seeming sparks that heat its surroundings. While the attention is turned to the shiny plasma, a small black shadow attempts to ignite a flame into the emptiness by burning sheer essence.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Sun 20 Aug 2017.

((Lucifer receives Trivial Passion:  RESPEC.))

"I think you have made a bit of an assumption, Lucifer,"  His opponent doesn't move.  Mournful Topaz Seraphim doesn't move his/her ship- which Lucifer can see is heavily armored, so a subset of a bomber-type.  It's an easy shot to make, but the shot seems to just... hit the hull and bounce off unnaturally.  "Whoever said I fought for nothing?"

The Gardener meanwhile lets loose a subspace wail that throws some of Lyla's attacks off-track, but for the most part they get through.  The Gardener's interceptor is raked across the bow, but a combination of Abyssal sorcery and sheer bloody-mindedness keeps it from showing any evidence of damage.  Unfortunately the Gardener has a good read on her fighting style, and that keeps her from being too effective.

Around them the battle rages.  Kumiho has gotten boxed in by two squadrons and two of the new frigates, but seems to be doing OK; Battles in the meantime has engaged with three full cruisers and is holding his own, though he hasn't managed to do much damage.

((Next round init is up:
https://docs.google.com/docume...3DM/edit?usp=sharing))

((Initiative: 10, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 2 & 1
Using Vengeful Titan w/ Longinus (Massive/Ranged)
*1 Chi to reduce Piloting Penalties by 5
Analyze MTS Fears: 20+5+10 = 35. (Interesting Times? >_>)
FoB: 15+15+10 = 40 / 2 Chi
Init: 19+10-10 = 19 ))

Lucifer's brow arches as his attack bounces off Mournful Topaz Seraphim's ship. It'd been a while since anyone had actually blocked his attacks with such apparent ease. He hadn't put quite his full strength in the attack, but more than enough to expect some serious damage - what sorcery was this?

His eyes narrow as he focuses on the ship's energy and Essence flows - there had to be some kind of trick to it. Not even Thanatos could've taken that hit without sacrificing something.

"I must say I'm impressed, Mournful Topaz Seraphim. Wonder how long you can keep that up?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Tue 22 Aug 2017.

((Initiative roll: 9, 7, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 & 1
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Cover Ground: 66(16+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 57 (27+20+10)
FoB: 40(15+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 54 (19+25+10)

Attack roll: 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 6, 3 & 1
all attacks against Gardener of Screams
Reincarnating Nine Brothers 5 chi
Strike: (29 + 20(external)+10(action bonus)+5(Benisuzume)+25(internal)= 89, better blocked
Burn: (26+10+10) = 46
Disrupt Strike with stealth: (38+20+10) = 68
))

Though there is no apparent damage on Gardeners ship, Blue Fox very much knows and feels when its a hit. And she feels in her gut that it must've been a hit, after all the ship was almost a part of her wrapped up in her essence.

Wasting no time, she gathers some speed for Benisuzume and spins around the enemy ship, the plasma cutters aiming back at the same spots as earlier. A small part of her wants to gloat about her possible success, but she knows better. It's not even near to being over just yet. It does though annoy her that Gardener knows what they are up against, and knows how to respond to her attacks.

With the speed gained from her attack, Benisuzume takes some distance between the ships, leaving after an odd veil of smoke, little bit like a squid trying to hide its movements.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Sun 20 Aug 2017.

The Gardener of Screams seems to have Blue Fox's measure.  The sonic cacophony throbs as she darts into an attack, cutting into his interceptor's shields but otherwise leaving him unharmed.  She puts up a smoke screen, but he replies with the thing that made Blue Fox want to avoid him in the first place:

Not caring about distance or precise attacks.

His interceptor burns BACKWARDS, far from her.  Then his sonic counterattack rips through space and time, a rip of radio waves and hate that opens up to Blue Fox's right.  The yawning void not only rocks her ship but catches Battles some distance away, ripping away a small portion of Battles' shield.

"Stay spread out," Battles advises her, "That attack's only getting nastier as he gets older!"

"Long enough, I hope,"  The voice modulator on the other end cracks; Seraphim's voice comes out as quite a bit more feminine, "We both should hope to survive this."  Seraphim charges her ship forward towards Lucifer, the better to get out of the fracas surrounding her and to increase the fidelity of her transmission; "I was glad you didn't surrender.  I'd hoped to test myself against you.  I'm not disappointed.  You're everything they said you'd be.  The other Abyssals don't understand."

((Defense: 9, 8, 8, 8, 7, 6, 1 & 1
Float 1-1
*3 Chi on +10 Chi Aura vs Secondary QW
*1-3 Chi on Chi Aura vs Secondary QW
Confidence vs. QW: 38 +20 Confidence +10AB +5 Laughs = 73 vs 72, Defends
Confidence vs QW Secondary Strike: 17 +20 Confidence +10 AB +5 Laughs = 52 vs 67, 1 Ripple+RR
Confidence vs Disorient: 19 +20 Skill +10 AB +10 L/F = 59 vs 58, Defends

Attack: 10, 10, 8, 6, 6, 3, 2 & 1
Float 0
Flood 0 to extend attack
*1 Solar, 1 Metal Chi on Black Tigers Hunting
*2 Chi on Pinning Shot
*1 Chi on Inspire +5
Strike: 18 +20 Strike +20 Internal +10 AB +10 Longinus +10L/F = 88; Block -10; Damage +35 (15 Base, 5 Weapon, 10 Zenith, 5 IKF)
Secondary QW Attack (Proper Forms of Conflict): Flooded 21 +20 Inspire (Fear) +5 IKF (Zenith) +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Laughs = 71
Disorient Confidence: 26 +20 Inspire (Fear)+5 IKF +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +10L/F = 81

Initiative: 10, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3 & 2
Using Vengeful Titan w/ Longinus (Ranged+Massive)
*1 Chi to reduce Piloting penalties by 5
Float 4-4
CG: 23 +10 AB = 33
FoB: 15+15+10 = 40 / 2 Chi
Initiative: 17 +10 AB -10 Armor = 17))

Mournful Topaz Seraphim's words echo around Lucifer inside the Longinus's chassis. Her determination seemed ironclad as she sped toward him, her single-mindedness almost frightening. He felt unable to ignore her even as the battle raged around them.

But Lucifer's attention wasn't always a good thing.

"You wish to test yourself against me? Come then, Mournful Topaz Seraphim. But know I've stared into the Void you serve so often I've lost count."

He spreads his arms in an inviting gesture as the Abyssal bomber speeds toward him. As he does, Solar Essence crackles and arcs around the Longinus, building in intensity until Lucifer's Anima explodes from its back as six massive, blood-stained wings of light.

"And the Void has always blinked first."

Suddenly, the radiance gains focus. Rather than shine in every direction, it gathers, amplifies and blasts against Mournful Topaz Seraphim's ship like an incandescent river of light, wave after wave of Solar fury. As the battering continues, the Longinus winds up and starts charging to meet the Abyssal ship head-on.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Tue 22 Aug 2017.

((Defense vs Gardener: 7, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1 & 1
Night tech: Channel 1 chi/ + 5 stealth
Crow Eclipses the Sun 4 Chi
Dodge vs attack: 22+20+5+10+20-5 = 72 vs 70
Stealth Vs disrupt dodge: 31+20+10+5 = 66 vs 62

Initiative roll: 9, 7, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4 & 3
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Flight of the Golden Crow 1 solar chi + 1 chi
Float 5-5
Cover Ground: 74 (24+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 47(17+20+10)
FoB: 41(16+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 54 (19+25+10)))

Blue Fox curses, not only because her attack seems to be in vain, but because of her hastiness also Battles got his share of the response. She pushes essence out to test the limits of Benisuzume, the darkness wrapping around the ship like it was never there. She spins between the soundwaves, the veil she left behind misleading some of them.

The battle field has once again changed, and Gardener seems almost out of reach. The afteburners of Benisuzume strike out blue essence angrily, glowing eerily from the surface of the ship. Almost out of the reach doesn't cut it though, and Lyla knows she can still catch him.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Tue 22 Aug 2017.

The Gardener of Screams' ship seems to stall.  It spins in a crazy manner after firing off its shot at Blue Fox- something has certainly gone wrong with the ship.

Mournful Topaz Seraphim doesn't seem to get that Lucifer is about to go after her; she lets loose her next comment early, maybe after getting rattled from the blast of firepower that once again bounces harmlessly off of her ship.  "Again with the assumptions, you... you jerk!" She shoots back at him, "Has it ever occurred to you that I'm trying to reach out, that... that we're, on some level, on the same side?  I'm no more a servant of the Void than you are!"

Hmm, by the interference he's getting, she's restricted her broadcast to a tightbeam.

((Next round up:
 https://docs.google.com/docume...FX0/edit?usp=sharing))

((Attack roll: 9, 8, 8, 7, 4, 4, 4 & 2
against GoS
Strike: (34+20(external)+10(action bonus)+5(Benisuzume)= 69, better dodged
Disrupt block with stealth: (28+20+10) = 58
))

Like a fox that has decided to take revenge on the hound, that chased it earlier, Blue Fox dashes and spins effortlessly past the other ships back to Gardener of Screams. She packs a punch behind her blades with the speed gathered from the distance, and hopes again to sink them to the other ship. Under the cover of the plasma shining brightly, some shadows attempt to find gaps in his shields to widen them a little bit more.

"Whats the matter? Did I cut off your speakers?" Blue Fox radios to him.

((Defense: 10, 9, 8, 6, 6, 4, 3 & 2
3 Chi on +10 Chi Aura
1 Chi on Chi Aura
Float 6
Defense vs QW: 19 +20 Confidence +10 AB +5 Laughs = 54 vs 85, 2 Ripples+RR

Attack: 10, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 3 & 1
1 Solar Chi, 1 Metal Chi on Black Tigers Hunting
1 Chi on Inspire +5
Flood 6 to ignore Armor, reduce max Chi Aura by 1
Strike: 17 +20 Strike +20 Internal +10 AB +10 Longinus +10L/F = 87; Block -10; Damage +35 (15 Base, 5 Weapon, 10 Zenith, 5 IKF)
Secondary QW: Flooded 24 +20 Inspire +5 IKF (Zenith) +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Laughs = 74 ))

At first Mournful Topaz Seraphim's seem to fall on deaf ears as the Longinus continues its charge, its torrent of light culminating in a final flash of brilliance as the Warstrider passes the bomber attempting to drive another massive spike through its seemingly impenetrable hull.

With the attack done, though, the outburst takes Lucifer completely by surprise, which may be why it manages to reach his thoughts rather than be discarded immediately in its absurdity. Could it be the Abyssal was indeed a victim?

He turns around, eyeing the bomber with a gaze that pierces the titanic armor of both Exalts' ships like paper. He adjusts his transmission to reach only her.

"You'll have to forgive me for finding those words implausible coming from an Abyssal. Explain yourself, then - if you're not an Abyssal serving the Void, who are you  and what are you doing here spearheading their armies? And most of all, what is it you wish to accomplish here? Give me a reason not to treat you as one of them."

((MTS inflames RESPECC to Minor.

I'd like to see what happens to Blue Fox before making GOS Init.))

Mournful Topaz Seraphim hovers her ship around to face Lucifer, not flinching from his intimidating aura.  Even the shot he makes does nothing, falling away against the totality of her defense.

"I already told you.  I need to improve, through conflict.  The ships fighting right now-" A pause as they see Kumiho wipe out two whole wings of fighters; Battles seems to be weaving in and out of capital ships, using them against each other- "- they're a part of it too.  We both want something very similar, as far as I can tell.  We want Yama's head."

Meanwhile, one terrifying thing about the Gardener of Screams is that he understands when and how to fight.  He's not always just mindlessly lashing out into the void; sometimes there are times the beat slows to nothing, a quiet husbanding of strength and stamina that forces Blue Fox's attacks to just wash around him.

Then he targets her with a single pulse of nothingness.  Before there was music, chaos and death.  Now there's the ghastly nothing, punctuated by short-ranged minigun blasts full of bouncing bullets aimed at the Benisuzume.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:37, Sat 26 Aug 2017.

((Defense vs Gardener: 10, 6, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1 & 1
Crow Eclipses the Sun 4 Chi
Night tech: Channel 1 chi/ + 5 stealth
Flood 5-5
Dodge vs attack: 21+20+5+10+20-10 = 66 vs 73, 1 Ripple
Stealth Vs disrupt Speed: 25+20+10+5 = 60 vs 57, defends
Stealth Vs disrupt Damage: 24+20+10 = 54 vs 51, defends
Stealth Vs disrupt Dodge: 16+20+10 = 46 vs 45, defends
Stealth Vs disrupt Strike: 12+20+10 = 42 vs 28, defends
))

Despite being at such a close range, Benisuzume does something similar to a cartwheel, and then rolls immediately back to being close range to Gardeners ship, thus dodging the bullets hurled at it. It was hard dodging invisible things such as soundwaves, and somehow seeing bullets light her monitors red is partially a relief. At least it was something real, something Blue Fox always missed in these years of being a Solar.

"Did I hit a soft spot?" She jests, despite some of her monitors alarmingly red, telling of a hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Sat 26 Aug 2017.

((Init up:
https://docs.google.com/docume...8Yg/edit?usp=sharing))

((Initiative: 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3 & 1 ....wow
Using Vengeful Titan w/ Longinus (Massive/Ranged)
Init: 19+10-10 = 19
FoB: 15+15+10 = 40 / 2 Chi))

"Something tells me we want it for different reasons and ends", Lucifer notes dryly as the Longinus spews superheated steam into space. "You wish to replace him, then? Who's to say if the replacement will be any better?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:29, Sun 27 Aug 2017.

((Initiative roll: 10, 10, 10, 8, 5, 5, 2 & 1
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Float 10-10-10
Cry of the Golden Crow 1 Chi
Cover Ground: 61 (11+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 55 (25+20+10)
FoB: 43(18+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 55 (12+25+10+5)

Attack roll: 10, 9, 9, 7, 6, 5, 1 & 1
all attacks against Gardener of Screams
Lashing Flurry 1 chi + 1 Solar chi
Strike: (40 flowed +20(external)+10(action bonus)+5(Benisuzume)= 75, better blocked
Secondary Strike: (29+20(external)+10(action bonus)+5(Benisuzume) = 64, better blocked
Disrupt dodge with stealth: (21+20+10) = 51
Disrupt speed with stealth: (17+20+10) = 47
))

Benisuzume pirouettes around Gardeners ship, finding a better place to aim and moving away from being directly i nfront of the miniguns. The ship leaves behind a trail of something resembling dust that wraps also the enemy ship in itself. Blue Fox pushes her ship on the verge once again, and lashes out furiously, packing quite the punch behind her plasma cutters hoping to pierce Gardeners defenses.

Though it does not stay with only one hit, as the cutters light the way something lingers in the shadows, crawling to find the mechanisms that operate the ship, and to once again disable something of use.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Sun 27 Aug 2017.

The Gardener of Screams has to use some charms to keep Blue Fox from doing too much damage to his shields, but he's still standing as his opponent burns away.  He nonetheless sends another pulse of evil energy chasing after her, choosing to keep waiting for the right moment instead.  This pulse of energy opens right up in front of her, summoning what looks like a small black hole directly in front of her- with a cone of fire coming from behind.  Simply juking out of the way will be difficult!

---

"Wh-what?!"  The Abyssal sounds confused, "No, I want to kill him!  We hear all sorts of things about the Last Refuge, you know.  We've seen the schematics.  We know all about your decks and your libraries and your- whatever.  Do you know what it's like on the prison ships? The worst part of the Last Refuge is still better than that.  And who do you think likes it like that?"

There's a desperate animal tone to her voice,

"The Neverborn keep saying that everything has to end, sooner or later.  And that means Yama and the Neverborn too.  But hopefully Yama's first."