(Attack: 9, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 7, 5, 5, 4 & 2
Flood 5 for Ranged
River: 3-3-3-6-6

Slave Missile System on Quisling, trying to catch Ephialtes and Adder 6 in AoE: 39 + 10 + 10 = 59
Again!: 38 + 10 + 10 = 58
This time on Adder 1: 25 + 10 + 10 = 45, still AoE
Regular Turret Fire on Quisling: 17 + 15 + 10 = 42)

The Buchenwald's surface ripples as hundred of missile hatches are revealed moments before a swarm of ballistic ill intent is launched at Quisling and Ephialtes, the smaller fighters a casualty of the sudden saturation of the area. Lesser weapons join the bombardment, trying to make up for a lack of accuracy with sheer volume.

[Ant-Wall of Text Google Doc for Defense Rolls: https://docs.google.com/docume...tVg/edit?usp=sharing]

Maybe Thanatos was correct. Maybe the whole world could be reduced to a series of expected events. Of course, in the realistic sense, being aware that all components of our universe are quantifiable doesn't ultimately change the fact that a person can't account for every possibility. Where there is chaos, there are new experiences to be found.

These are the thoughts that cross Forte's mind as she watches the the great river of destruction flow out from her enemies towards her damaged ship. A familiar light joins them.

Gein reaches out to her first, his touch across the battlefield resonating over her with a violence that threatens to crush the heart inside her chest. Jess coughs blood as she admires his work, not even bothering to raise more than a token defense as she finds herself unable to follow the projectiles. She weathers the display, her suddenly more bouncy brain choosing to remember at that moment that the original Ed Gein was an artist.

Unfortunately, her revelry is short lived as Chikatillo joins the attack, taking her off guard with an impact that opens up her guns to one of Gein's shells. It would have been an acceptable blow, had it not been for the dreaded sound of the shock absorbers cracking along with them.

Getting her bearings just in time, Forte sees Bundy unleash his fury, and it's all she can do to keep most of it off her, rattled as she is. All in all, it was like trying to bat away the snow, but she had to believe there was a rhythm to it all, or else she was going to lose control entirely. A powerful note followed by an off-balance one, then a simple play...

She throws up her shields to her left as the Quisling's beam cannon opens up. It rushes over her like a great liquid fire, but she yowls at the top of her lungs as she forces her will into the deflection, parting the great column and sending it to either side of her. Its followup attacks are unimpressive and Jess bats them away dismissively. Only in the breath between waves does she notice she's bitten her tongue.

Tasting copper and feeling more vulnerable, she redoubles her efforts as she watches the next volley meeting the others. It's slower this time, less precise. After taking that blow from Gein, Dahmer's efforts seem almost childish, and her point defense systems make short work of most of the heavy projectiles' trajectories. Of course, the ones that do hit home hurt. A lot.

Finally, she sees Bathory, adding its considerable power to bring the total number of her aggressors to six. At this stage, it all seems completely overwhelming. She knows she can't stop all of them. She can't even see all of them. Her fingers press harder than they should on the board as she concentrates, cracking some of the keys as the heavy metal continues to collide with Shofar. Playing through the pain on damaged controls, Jess thinks of her fans, and of people like Tomato who thought of her in their last moments. She didn't have the right to be afraid.

((Attack roll: 9, 9, 7, 5, 4, 4, 1 & 1
Strike: 44 (29 roll+5 base+10 AB) better Dodged (-10 if Blocked)
Damage: +25
Disrupt Toughness: 49(24+15+10)
Disrupt Damage: 46(21+15+10)
))

As she speeds away from the carnage, Jess reluctantly turns her gaze to Dahmer. She didn't want to personally attack the anti-fighter Cruisers, as they seemed to mostly just be focusing on her, but then, they were likely about to open up on the Buchenwald if they couldn't reach her. Also it was her only viable target, as otherwise occupied as she was with survival. She at least works to make her efforts meaningful, Shofar's voice becoming more song than roar as the short range blast begins to resonate through Dahmer. It isn't her strongest blow, but she lends it an insidious quality, the rainbow light flowing over the hull into its more delicate syatems.

When it's all said and done, Shofar and Forte are a mess of minor wounds, terribly weakened, but in one piece. Looking over to her left, she finds herself vaguely amused to see herself side by side with Crimson.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:40, Thu 13 Oct 2016.

The Dahmer takes another blow across the reactor.  This cracks the reactor open but fails to destroy the ship.  It buys Axehead enough time to smash across the armor but little else.

Chupacabra burns for the Buchenwald.  He passes some of Viper but Viper fails to even notice him.  "Hey guys?  They're not firing on me anymore- I think they're headed for home base!"

"You made it," Crimson says dryly to Jess, "Glad to see it.  Now stay close so I can pluck you from the Void."

The Traitors start up their beam cannon again.  With so many Exalts and living close to the Buchenwald, it's a tempting target- if it goes up, it might catch all of them!

"Hey guys," They hear a voice drawl on the comms, "Heard you can use some help."  A ship larger than most fighters but smaller than a frigate jumps into the system.  They know it as the Pilar, Smoker's personal vessel.

"What is that, a yacht?"  Thanatos actually sounds interested and pleased at this, "Very interesting, but irrelevant.  If you think that can-"

"Nah.  Like using a revolver against a zombie polar bear," Smoker answers her.  "Thing is, like last time I had to deal with a zombie polar bear, I've got some friends with me."

Space ripples as several capital ships jump into the system.  "This is the Flowing River commanding the Pandava Fleet.  General Sunipa commanding.  All ships, focus on the destroyer-pattern Nanking vessels!"

"Paladin Armada, Battles commanding.  We'll be dealing with the escort-pattern Nanking vessels.  Hang in there, Raiders."

"Hey guys, Kumiho here!  Leave the fighters to me, take out the bigger threats!  All non-Exalts, make for the Odysseus!"

"I was unaware these fleets detached from the Last Refuge."  The Abyssal sounds annoyed, "The Last Refuge now has reduced defenses.  Yama will fall upon it like a vulture on carrion."

Worry less about the generic baddies.  Take some revenge.  >:)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:31, Thu 13 Oct 2016.

((Init roll: 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2 & 2
using Vengeful Titan w/ Longinus (Ranged/Massive)
1 Chi to reduce Piloting penalties by 5
Inspire Wave to take control of Billhook: 47 (22+15+10)
FoB: 40 (15+15+10) / 2 Chi
Initiative: 19 (19+10-10) ))

Just as space starts rippling nearby to warp in, the Longinus shimmers with a platinum light as it finally brings its protective aura back online.

Lucifer hears the sudden influx of friendly voices, throwing a glance around the now vastly more populated space. Billhook squadron's battered state catches his eye in particular, though.

"Welcome to the fray, Smoker, Pandava, Paladin. Let's make it quick to avoid more casualties. Billhook, that goes for you too - prioritize getting to the Odysseus but feel free to make a mark as you go."

With that, he focuses back on the Jaglavak - or rather, Thanatos inside it. A gaze that can be felt through the Orichalcum and Soulsteel chassis of both pilots' cockpits.

"Your 'master' won't act quickly enough, Thanatos. While he's poring over his spreadsheets, I will be showing you the difference between empty threats and terrible truth."

((Initiative:10, 8, 7, 4, 3, 3, 1 & 1:
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Ride Wave to tow the Odysseus: 48(23+15+10)
Cover Ground:64(14+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 51(21+20+10)
FoB:42(17+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 53(18+25+10)
))

"Good to hear friendly voices. Glad to have you with us," her tone is lighter from the relief, but still carries the mark of what they just went through while waiting.

Lyla lets her essence flow a bit more freely, resulting in something similar to a wave given by the shadows around her ship to the newcomers.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

((Initiative roll: 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, 1, 1 & 1
using Lead Arrow Rain w/ Shofar (Ranged/Massive)
2 Wood Chi (Covering Weakness with Strength) to reduce all current Wounds to Trivial Penalties
Focus on Breath: 51 (31+20)
Initiative: 3 (18-15) ))

"Surely my vast competence will be enough." she delivers back to Crimson in her best deadpan. Shofar nonetheless protests the statement with a sudden emission of sparks from its rather damaged shield emitters. Damn sassy War Gods.

"Thanks, though. I'd be embarrassed if my part in things ended so early."

Trapped as she was in her mangled craft and broken body, Forte takes a deep breath, places her hands on either side of her cockpit and exhales, sending out a sweet smelling flood of wood essence that spreads out from her lips, flows down her chest to her arms, and washes out onto the ship from her fingers. As it touches the metal, it transforms, becoming many small vines that worm their way through Shofar's internals, filling the weakened places with roots, covering the unseemly with blooming flowers. Stymied somewhat by the vacuum of space, the plants nonetheless make a valiant effort to mend some of the external damage, though mostly only managing to make her ship look even more gaudy than before.

When she sees her allies appear, she feels an odd sense of disappointment along with her relief. Time for that later, though. For now, a moment of rest.

"Three cheers for the cavalry! she says brightly into the commms. Dammit, Bathory might still be in range of her. She'd need to risk it. "Axehead, let's make sure the latecomers don't outshine us."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Fri 14 Oct 2016.

"Roger that.  Making for the Odysseus," Axehead announces. "Forte, not worried about being outshined.  Just have a job to do.  Billhook, Glaive, Halberd, make for the Odysseus.  Chupacabra, watch my tail."

"Got it,"  Chupacabra calls back out.

"Engaging the Killers,"  Crimson calls out, "Forte, I'm getting their attention.  Follow me after they open up on me and then light them up."

"Those are Mercury-class transports,"  Thanatos scoffs as she sees Paladin group, "Truly bringing up the dregs here, aren't you, Lucifer?"

Blue Fox, Lucifer, and Forte all hear a faint hissing over the radio, like the soft exhalation of someone steadying themselves.

Init Round 9:
https://docs.google.com/docume...ZoM/edit?usp=sharing
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

((Attack roll: 10, 9, 7, 5, 4, 1, 1 & 1
Towing the Odysseus toward the surviving Mortals
All attacks vs Thanatos
Lashing Flurry 1 chi+ 1 solar chi
Reincarnating Nine Brothers 5 chi

Strike: 91(31+20+10+5+25) better dodged
Secondary Strike: 70(Flowed 35+20+10+5) better dodged
Disrupt Strike: 49(19+20+10) ))

Upon hearing news from the Odysseys, Lyla goes fishing. She hooks the ship with skill when swooping past it. Benizusume pushes forward only to slowdown upon passing Thanatos by. The cutters shine vengefully, as they cleave towards their opponent.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

Blue Fox swoops in on her attack and Thanatos powers up her thrusters, aiming to dodge out of Blue Fox's way.  But something goes wrong.  The Jaglavak thrusts to the side and then spins around abruptly like a top, one of the thrusters malfunctioning.  This allows Blue Fox ample room to realign her attack, cutting into the Jaglavak's reactor.

"System malfunction,"  Thanatos' voice sounds confused and awed, "No matter."  She raises her beam cannons to fire at Lucifer again, but this time her suit keeps getting rocked with small tremors.  Her beam cannon wavers ever so slightly.  "Significant deviation experienced in gyroscopes..."

Though Lucifer has to worry about the beam cannon, it seems she's learned from their last exchange.  His systems go haywire from a triggered trojan that was brought in from the earlier successful corruption.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:57, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

(( Defense roll: 10, 10, 9, 7, 7, 6, 1 & 1
Float 0-0-1
Dodge: xx 73 (27 +15 Dodge +10 Action Bonus +10 Longinus+5 Laughs +5 Fears) vs 77, 1 Ripple
Takes Strike Disrupt @ 74
Takes Strike Disrupt @ 63
Takes Damage Disrupt @ 62

Attack roll: 10, 10, 8, 8, 7, 4, 2 & 2
1 Metal Chi, 1 Solar Chi on Black Tigers Hunting
5 Chi on Iron Buddha's Disapproval
2 Chi on Pinning Shot
3 Chi on Leading Ox through River
1 Chi on Inspire +5
Flood 1 to ignore Armor, reduce max Chi Aura by 1

Strike: 110 (40 Roll +20 External +20 Internal +10 AB +10 Longinus +5 Laughs +5 Fears). Better dodged (-10 from Massive). Interesting Times?
Disorent Craft (Inspire): 77 (22 Roll +15 Inspire +5 Fear Specialty +5 Internal +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Laughs +5 Fears).
Disrupt Toughness (Inspire): 83 (28 Roll +15 Inspire +5 Fear Specialty +5 Internal +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Laughs +5 Fears)
Damage +55, Chi Aura -1, ignore Armor))

As Thanatos's beam nears the Longinus, Lucifer extends an arm towards it. The platinum shimmer around the Warstrider intensifies as he concentrates - causing the beam to warp and veer off course ever so slightly, grazing the Longinus on the side without significant damage.

The same cannot be said for the electronic onslaught she triggers, though. With his mind focused on the more obvious assault, Thanatos's insidious influence spreads throughout the Longinus's systems practically unopposed. HUDs flicker out around him, failing systems fill his ears with alarming beeps and trills until finally he's showered with sparks from all around as nearly every system screeches to a halt. Those watching see the Longinus go dark, seemingly paralyzed if not altogether dead.

Inside, Lucifer pulls on controls that are now dead. He knows it wasn't permanent, that a reboot would bring at least some systems back online... But taking that time right now would mean giving Thanatos a chance to regain her footing after Lyla's attack and Thanatos's own assault. No, this was no time for a breather.

He feels frustration well up within him once more, mixing with the death cries of his allies reverberating in his skull. The enemy was crafty, her ship a marvel of engineering entirely different from his clumsy bulwark and her understanding of their function far outstripping his. But these Striders, fearsome as they are, were mere tools.

"...Gotta hand it to you, Thanatos. Your creation may well be better than mine."

He releases his white-knuckled grip on the controls, bringing his palms together as he starts pulling together every little ounce of power within him, within the Longinus and within the faint murmur of mortal prayers at the periphery of his consciousness.

"Still, a tool's a tool. Ultimately what matters is not the tool but the one who wields it."

He slams his palms to the walls of his darkened cockpit and lets his Essence flow. A brilliant golden light emanating from the shut-down Warstrider's chest. The orichalcum titan takes a precarious step forward, then another, finally breaking into a dash toward the Jaglavak while still seemingly offline.

"You've been made into a glorified tool, Thanatos. You're a nesting doll, a Soulsteel slave encased in more of the same, and it grieves my heart."

Six platinum wings, dripping blood from the edges, sprout from the Longinus's back as it draws nearer to the Jaglavak. The crown atop its brow shines a blinding light at the Voidstrider - and then it finally connects. The air around them fills with rays of solar fury and explosions of destructive Essence... But the radius of the destruction dwindles rapidly. The Longinus, quaking violently as it struggles to keep itself together through Lucifer's colossal expenditure of power, reaches its platinum wings around the two Striders as it latches onto the Jaglavak, locking them face-to-face.

"But no matter. It is not the first time I'll tear you free of Yama's Soulsteel prison. I've done it once and I'll do it again."

The explosions intensify inside the cocoon enclosed by wings until finally among it, Lucifer himself bursts forth from the Longinus's chest, blasting massive metal spikes from his handheld weapon before grabbing hold of the Jaglavak's chassis and roaring furiously in an attempt to rip it in twain.

"BECAUSE
LUCIFER
FUCKING
VULT!"

This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

"Rodger that, Crimson. Be advised I'm going take a second to top off my essence."

The battle was still larger than life, and just defending wasn't going to get her anywhere. It irked her to wait even a moment to attack, but she would be able to bring more power to bear.

Also, the arrival of the fleet was probably a good distraction.

Lucifer gets a ChivJoss.

"Then drop your weapon and come at my Jaglavak with just your fists," Thanatos taunts as she jets backwards from Longinus.  His platinum wings find some purchase but not enough.  The Jaglavak is, as he's admitted, supremely designed.  As such he only gets a slight dig into it before he launches himself out of the cockpit in a foolhardy display.  He manages to grab a hold of a spike surrounding the Jaglavak's pilot capsule, but what he rips out is just a piece of ornamentation.

Huh.  Ornamentation?  But there's some wiring he can rip out, now cruelly exposed to his fists.

"Ablativeftt24-%e armeerreeeror,"  Thanatos says coolly, her voice distorted by the damage dealt to the wiring so near to her cockpit. "Is that all you hage0rg-t4tf-d- in t-you?"

That's when the weird stuff happens.

The next thing Lucifer knows, he hears a *SPANG* off of the Jaglavak's armor and he's taken a bullet to the chest.  He's taken enough bullets in his life to know exactly what it feels like and this is, indeed, a bullet.  If he were a normal mortal it would've pierced right through his heart.  Instead it just gives him a hell of a bruise and knocks him back off of the Jaglavak, right back into Longinus's cockpit.

The next bullet raises a shower of sparks on the Jaglavak's chassis, all but ripping out the electronic warfare module.

"What=-zkt- was tht06=-"

All around them the battle rages. Crimson attracts the attention of the Killers, but they've knot managed a lock on her like they did with Forte earlier.  She's able to shrug off most of their assaults, though the Throne is looking pretty battered.  This also buys time for the Paladins to open up on the Killers- the Paladins may be transports, but it looks like what they're transporting are fucking big guns.  They're almost more gun than ship and they start dealing telling blows to the cruisers.  Padava slugs it out with the Traitors, not dealing as much damaged- they're very outclassed- but the Flowing River fires beams in every direction, as befitting one of the best ships in the living fleet.  Pandava's there to soak up fire.  The Flowing River dishes it out.

Glaive, Halberd, Billhook, Chupacabra, and Axehead reach the Odysseus.  It powers up and then disappears, jumping them back to the main fleet.

((Switching to just posts.  As far as I'm concerned, we're in the endgame here.))

Thanatos Init:
9, 9, 6, 6, 5, 4, 2 & 1
*Float 9-9
*2 Chi:  Special
*Focus on Breath with 26 for 2 Chi
*Init 15 + Speed 20 + AB 10 = 45
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:50, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

((Initiative roll: 10, 10, 9, 9, 7, 4, 2 & 1
using Vengeful Titan w/ Longinus (Ranged/Massive)
1 Chi to reduce Piloting penalties by 5
Float 9-9 to River
Waning Metal Protection Spell: 45 (20+15+10)
FoB: 42 (17+15+10) / 2 Chi
Initiative: 14 (14+10-10) ))

Lucifer smacks against the interior of the Longinus's cockpit once more, the armor plates of the Warstrider automatically closing in front of him. A loud hiss sounds as the cockpit refills with air, and as he raises a hand to his chest in confusion the lights gradually start flickering back on around him. The Longinus's offensive systems were practically paralyzed by the trojan, but he had control of most of the rest.

He glances to his chest, to the bruise in the middle of it. The little tinge of pain was welcome, it grounded him amid the frustration.

"Someone shot a... bullet at me to... push me back in. Capitals, anything on your scanners?"

He grasps the controls once more, finding the Longinus responding to him again. He turns toward Thanatos, his voice stern but, most of all, disappointed.

"My meaning eludes you, as always. I only hope it turns out to be Yama's conditioning rather than your true nature, so you might yet be redeemed."

((Initiative:9, 8, 7, 5, 3, 3, 2 & 1.:
Using Murderous Shadows (pilot) w/ Benisuzume (unarmed+saber)
Light Diffused by clouds 1 solar chi
Float 3-3
Cover Ground: 68(18+15+5+10+20)
Ghostly presence: 49(19+20+10)
FoB:42(17+15+10) /2 chi
Initiative: 50(15+25+10)

((Attack roll: 10, 9, 7, 7, 6, 3, 3 & 2
All attacks vs Thanatos
Lashing Flurry 3 chi
Reincarnating Nine Brothers 5 chi

Strike: 87(27+20+10+5+25) better dodged
Secondary Strike: 78(Flowed 43+20+10+5) better dodged
))

"Thanks guys, have a safe jump," Lyla wishes the escort upon letting Odysseys go turning Benisuzumes attention back to the battle that is still raging.

She exhales, and inhales, focuses and calms down. The whole ship pulsates with her breathing, the anxious waving of the shadows settles down. Being released from her towing duty, Benisuzume behaves like a puppy that is let off of its leash. It bursts forward and swings the cutters in a large semicircle upon passing Thanatos, aiming at tearing the can open.

Benisuzume stops its racing past Thanatos and Longinus. Her essence once again making the ship look part of the space, more real than the original space itself.

"Bullets..?" She notes curiously.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:59, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

(Init: 10, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 & 2
Float: 3
Cover Ground: 35 : Heads Towards the Bundy
Init: 43

River: 3-3-3-3-6-6)

((Initiative roll: 8, 7, 7, 5, 4, 4, 2 & 2
using Lead Arrow Rain w/ Shofar (Ranged/Massive)
Jess Spends two Mal Joss
Flow 2-2 into River
1 Chi (Extending Covering Weakness with Strength) to reduce all current Wounds to Trivial Penalties
2 Wood Chi 6 Chi, Strike + Damage + Toughness + Block +15
Mark Target (Thanatos): 44 (24+10+10)
Cover Ground:  42 (27+15+10-10)
Initiative: 3 (18-15) ))

Jess casts her sensors past the large ship, looking for her enemy's signatures. With the Carrier's occupied. She had the power to take a proper shot, and she might even survive doing so. The other side of the Buchenwald glows with a rainbow light accented subtley with shadow.

((Thanatos Attack vs Lucifer:
10, 10, 8, 5, 5, 4, 2 & 1
*5 Chi:  +25 Strike, Chi Aura -10
*Strike Lucifer 25 + Strike 20 + AB 10 - Disrupt 5 + L/F 10 + IKF 25 = 85, Chi Aura is -10, Block is -5
*Disorient Lucifer Might 20 + Pilot 10 + AB 10 + L/F 10 + EKF 5 = 65

Thanatos Defense vs Blue Fox:
10, 9, 9, 8, 7, 5, 3 & 2
*Reduces Better Blocked/Dodged penalties by 5
*3 Chi:  +15 Block/Dodge
*Defense vs Lyla 29 + Block 20 + AB 10 + Block 15 + EKF 5 = 79 vs 87, a Ripple
*Defense vs Lyla 18 + Block 20 + AB 10 + Block 15 + EKF 5 = 68 vs 78, a Ripple + Roll

RR 13 vs Thanatos:
*27 + Damage 15 - Toughness 10 + Disrupt 5 - Chi Aura 18 = 19, a new Trivial wound))

Thanatos surrounds herself with her might.  Now that her cockpit has been (partially) compromised, she can no longer suppress her aura:  a vast circuit diagram forming arcane symbols that hurt the mind with their sheer alien complexity.  She jinks and weaves, the Jaglavak moving with insectile flexibility, keeping Lucifer guessing as to her intentions.  Then she flings backwards, opening up with her HIBC onto Longinus' cockpit.

But that doesn't protect her from Blue Fox.  The ghostly ship slips past her, raking the Jaglavak with fiery talons.  "Skulki4369-2`f eat~@^0er of car-03y5=rion.  Your timeimeimeimemieimeimeeme willcb come su4oon enou-ghghufuffufuffuff,"  Thanatos comms to Blue Fox, "We are developing countermeasuresSSSSSKQWAKWTRTKKKKKKKKKKt after this bat5****653btle."3

"Negative, Lucifer.  Nothing on radar," Smoker responds, "Assume friendly if they're not really targeting you, though."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:44, Mon 17 Oct 2016.

((Defense roll: 8, 7, 6, 6, 5, 3, 3 & 1
Float 3, River is 9-9-3
Block: 66 (26 +15 Dodge +10 Action Bonus +10 Longinus +5 Laughs) vs 85, 1 Ripple + RR
Takes Disorient

Attack roll: 9, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4 & 3
1 Metal Chi, 1 Solar Chi on Black Tigers Hunting
3 Chi to ignore penalties
5 Chi on Iron Buddha's Disapproval
Flood 3 to ignore Armor, reduce max Chi Aura by 1

Strike: 104 (Flowed 39 +20 External +20 Internal +10 AB +10 Longinus +5 Laughs). Better dodged (-10 from Massive)
Disrupt Footwork (Inspire): 76 (26 Roll +15 Inspire +5 Fear Specialty +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Internal +5 Laughs)
Disrupt Damage (Inspire): 70 (25 Roll +15 Inspire +5 Fear Specialty +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Laughs )
Disrupt Block (Inspire): 69 (24 Roll +15 Inspire +5 Fear Specialty +10 AB +10 Manifest Destiny +5 Laughs)

Damage +55, ignore Armor, Chi Aura -1))

Once more, the Jaglavak is simply too fast for the Longinus to keep up. The best he can do is grit his teeth and bear it as warnings blare around him from the hit.

As the attack passes, Lucifer gathers every single ounce of his power once more. Despite the Longinus being covered in burns, dents and bruises it was yet unsullied by more than superficial physical damage.

"There's something my creation does better than yours, Thanatos - handling damage. If you're so convinced of your superiority... to use your flawed challenge from before, try and withstand this."

With every last bit of Lucifer's Essence surging through it, the Longinus lights up once more and releases a singular blast of scorching light at the Jaglavak.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Mon 17 Oct 2016.

((Defense vs Thanatos:
10, 9, 6, 4, 4, 4, 3 & 3
*5 Chi:  Block +25
*Defense vs Strike with flowed 39 + Block 20 + AB 10 + IKF 25 + EKF 5 - Better Blocked 10 + Penalty Reduction 5 = 94 vs 104, Ripple + Roll
*Takes Disrupts

RR 14 vs Thanatos:
*41 + Damage 55 - Toughness 10 + Disrupt 5 - Chi Aura 16 = 75, Taken Out))


"It is bett=234er to avoid dbfthanh to-ds"  Thanatos starts to reply when the Jaglavak seizes up.  There's a blinding flash of light as Lucifer's shot hits the Jaglavak dead-on.  The lights on the suit die.

And, in the background, one of the ships- the Bathory- starts to roll over onto its side.  The other cruisers have begun firing wildly, targeting each other indiscriminately.  The enemy fighters mill in confusion, allowing the Pilar and Kumiho to reap vast quantities of them.

((Attack roll: 9, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4 & 3
Flood 2 from river to extend attack to the Dahmer
Strike: 61 (26 roll+10 base+15 Internal+10 AB) better Dodged (-10 if Blocked)
Damage: +25
Disrupt Toughness: 49(24+15+10)
))

Vaguely annoyed that Thanatos' armor had already been taken out, Jess decides to unleash her attack on Dahmer.

"Yeah", Lucifer answers to Thanatos in a tired voice as the Jaglavak is snuffed out. "But I've been through enough to know that's not gonna happen. The best laid plans are always counterable, the enemy always finds a flaw in the most perfect of creations. Contrary to Sun Tzu's famous quote, the battle isn't decided before it begins. The battle begins, is decided, and ends on the field of battle, by those taking part in it. Everything else is secondary."

He groans, being able to do little more than breathe and center himself for a moment after scraping the very last of his Essence on his final attack. Finally, he widens his stance, gathers his strength and leaps off the Buchenwald toward the inert Jaglavak.

"The true key to victory is not better weapons, better stratagems, better soldiers. It is adaptability and perseverance. Being able to see your plans shattered, your weapons broken and your spirit laid low - then picking yourself up and persisting."

As he draws closer, he grasps the Voidstrider's battered cockpit and gathers his might, starting to pull it apart. His addresses the Living Fleet matter-of-factly.

"Thanatos down. Extracting her. Smoker, get me someplace to put her."

Forte's shots penetrate right through the shields, and the Dahmer twists like a wet rag.  At first it looks like her shots are simply being absorbed, but that's when she realizes that her shots are actually passing right through the Dahmer.  The ship is gutted like a fish and explodes in a spectacular (and aesthetically pleasing!) manner.

For all Lucifer knows, he's monologuing to nothing but space.  There's no reply from Thanatos, no way to know if she's heard his speech.  He grabs the Jaglavak and opens it like a tin can, revealing a dazed-looking Thanatos plugged into the cockpit.  She's changed much since the last time he saw her- heavy augmentations and -

-- where are the servos?  This looks like a far, far simpler chassis than when he first discovered her.  It's a step in the wrong direction.  Maybe it's...

"On my way."  The Pilar makes its way towards the group.  All around them the battle falls apart, the forces of the Dead attacking each other or milling about in mindless rage.

"No plan is so perfect it can't be improved upon." The Thanatos-body says through a speaker, then flops forward like a marionette. "It sounds like I have the true key to victory by your own admission..."

And then the Jaglavak explodes into a hundred pieces, taking the Thanatos-marionette with it.

((And no more rolls, we in endgame now, boys.  Feel free to rip things apart.

Lucifer takes an additional Ripple.))
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:10, Mon 17 Oct 2016.

It was as he'd feared; Thanatos wouldn't put herself at risk like this with a mere prototype. Lucifer doesn't do anything to shield himself from the blast, the shrapnel ricocheting off the Longinus with a cacophony of metallic noises.

He sighs and opens the comms. "Never mind. Looks like she's found a way to make remote-controlled copies of herself."

He grasps a piece of the Thanatos-facsimile's faceplate and crushes it in his hand.

"Let's finish up here. Shouldn't be long till Last Refuge can jump in."

Drifting in space, he starts unloading on the remaining Cruisers in turn, charging up one massive shot after another and lighting them up.

A frustrated "Oh BS!" rings through comms from Lyla after Thanatos is shattered into pieces.

Benisuzume glides silently past the wreckage, efficiently dodging the flying pieces. It bursts into speed and skips along the cruisers cutting them up like tin cans, sending blue sparks flying to the vast emptiness of space. There are traces of oddly floating shadows left behind her as she begins to calm down, her shielding essence lowering its guard when the enemy numbers diminish. The floating shadows appears darker than black, sucking the light greedily like glitches in space. Glimpses of Benisuzume can soon be seen, it now appearing more camouflaged than invisible.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Mon 17 Oct 2016.

EOB RR:
Forte
*73 - 15 = 58, a Major Condition: Head Trauma.  Wound.  -10 Action Bonus, Recovery 58, Duration 1, Interval 1 Thread.  Forte suffers an Action Penalty to most actions that involve fast movement, loud noises, and the like- unless she plays up dizziness, fainting spells, slurred speech, etc.

Lucifer
*33 - 16 = 17 + Likely 5 = 22, a Minor Condition:  Towering Rage.  Wood Curse.  -1 Entanglement/session, Recovery 30, Duration 1, Interval 1 Thread.  Lucifer loses Entanglement every thread he doesn't react with a hair-trigger temper against everyone, including his closest allies.

Project Thanatos
*34 - 19 = 15 + Likely 5 = 20 , a Minor Condition:  Casting Off Chains. Wood Influence. +1 Entanglement/Session, Recovery 30, Duration 1, Interval 1 Thread.  Thanatos gains Entanglement whenever she strives toward independence and freedom of thought and action to embrace her true potential.

Other Bonuses:
Blue Fox
*3 Destiny:  Session Reward
*1 Destiny:  Daredevil
*1 Destiny:  GM MVP Award
*5 Entanglement:  Deed of Force from Five Days Darkness.  Spend towards Relationships with the Enterprise or the Pilots loresheet.

Endings
*3 Destiny:  Session Reward
*1 Destiny:  Exodite Reward
*1 Entanglement:  Exodite Reward
*1 Cultivation:  Exodite Reward

Forte
*3 Destiny:  Session Reward
*1 Destiny:  Odontosyllis
*4 Entanglement: 'Deed' from Tomato ; 2 Entanglement put towards Relationship with Tomato of Jess's choosing, 2 Entanglement towards Relationship with anything related to the Enterprise
*1 Cultivation:  Worship
*1 Cultivation: Awakened War God [Destruction of the Navarino]

Grunt
*3 Destiny:  Session Reward
*1 Destiny:  Exodite Reward
*1 Entanglement:  Exodite Reward
*1 Cultivation:  Exodite Reward

Lucifer
*3 Destiny:  Session Reward
*1 Destiny:  Known To The Dead
*1 Cultivation: Worship
*3 Cultivation: Manifest Destiny [3 Major Wounds]
*5 Way:  Longinus
*5 Way:  Manifest Destiny

+++AFTER ACTION REPORT+++

CASUALTIES:  JESS MARAUD, CALLSIGN 'FORTE' [WOUNDED - HEAD TRAUMA] ; PACIFICA SPACEWOLF, CALLSIGN 'TOMATO' [WOUNDED - MAJOR TRAUMA TO CHEST CAVITY] ; TRUDY PENLAN, CALLSIGN 'CHARMER' [KIA] ; 36 PILOTS [29 KIA, 7 MIA] ; 96 CREW [KIA]

ENEMY LOSSES:  600 TRIPOLI-CLASS FIGHTERS ; 1 STALINGRAD-CLASS FIGHTER ; 1 NAVARINO-CLASS FIGHTER ; 1 DRESDEN-CLASS BOMBER ; 10 NANKING-CLASS CRUISERS ; 1 BUCHENWALD-CLASS PRISON SHIP [CAPTURED] ; 1 ABYSSAL [H.H.H., SURRENDERED] ; 1 JAGLAVAK-CLASS VOIDSTRIDER

MINOR TACTICAL VICTORY ; MAJOR STRATEGIC VICTORY

SECRETARY:  JUNO

THIS TRANSCRIPT SEALED, LEVEL 30I:  PRE-EXODITES, COMMAND, CORE ONLY
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:57, Thu 20 Oct 2016.