The hymn continues to spread outward, its effect clear on the weary fugitives. Their very desire to escape, to change their fate, is quelled by this homage to the Dragons and their benevolence. Here, a smile on their lips, they would accept death with open arms. The flood would come, drowning away their existence, and they would gladly offer it, to depart for a more peaceful world...

There is no real conclusion to it, of course. We can't create that.

This voice... Was is one he had heard in a dream? Or was it a forgotten, repressed memory?

It is no peace. It is not real, so it doesn't follow when the body dies. And when it does, the spirit is left with nothing but despair. And we all know what happens when spirits linger with that sort of emotion in them. A troublesome situation, that. It disturbs the peace, and we cannot have that.

And that is why we need you, Doctor.

A strong surge grips at his stomach, but nothing of it shows outwardly. Higura merely grips harder at his sword, the hymns filling his thoughts, his mind, his being. Eyes closed, he remains immobile for a moment, Nanaret's agitated words the only thing piercing this shell of calm and concentration. Can you not talk to them? The gladiatrix' voice utters. And as the peaceful melody raises in an angelic crescendo, the Doctor's eyes slowly open, and they seem to flare with a renewed understanding and intensity.

Slowly, he walks among the assembled refugees, a steady shard of calm into an ocean of madness. "Citizens of the Coils." He begins, in a calm, compassionate voice, mimicking the words the hymns call, and counterbalancing their sweet and heavenly tone with strength of will and purpose. "Do not put down your weapons - and most of all, do not abandon your fears."

"Humans feel fear when in situations where their life and being are threatened. It is a normal reaction. Those who enslaved you would have you forget this. To forget what has been, and still is taken from you. They would wash their hands of their deeds by robbing you of the very memory of your ill-treatment. No more, citizen of the Coils."

"For years, I have been by your side. I have helped you come to terms with nightmares and phobias. With despair and the pain of living with your freedom taken from you. I know many of you by name, and all of you through kinship and shared experiences. They would have me soothe you. Tell you what the hymn does, and have you abandon yourselves for the greater good. But listen to my words, Citizens of the Coils - there is no greater good here. After a lifetime of robbed choices, you would even be robbed of your choice to live or die as you want. And I will have none of it."

As his words of courage and relief wash over a populace broken through imprisonment and intimidation, the echoes behind them remind of something that was lost a long time ago. Dignity. Pride. Inner peace. From around the Doctor, a deep green tide blossoms like a hazy flower, reaching out from around him to light up the faces surrounding him in its benevolent glow. It silently speaks of the fierceness of the human will, of the one thing that will never truly die, no matter what horrors twist and hurt a single being.

"I will be your anchor, so fear not of losing your way." Higura's words continue, powerful in their intent and sincerity. His eyes glow with emerald light, and a deep green symbol flares on his forehead, like a lantern in the darkness of uncertainty. He grips his weapon tightly, a symbol of defiance until the very end, no matter when it comes.

"We chose not how we lived. We were given no such choice. But hear my voice, Citizen of the Coil. We shall not have them decide how we die."

[Private to Gatekeeper: Activating Anima to help resist or block the mental influence of the Hymns.]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:45, Sun 30 Nov 2008.

Turtle and Third see Tycho bow to his Dragon-blooded handler, then start toward their direction. The other Peace Officers are actually moving away, up the north district stairs, though the handler still sends two armored officers to flank the mighty half-man, half-machine.

At the same time, advancing from the south, is the Immaculate monk choir numbering over half a scale, most of them young acolytes and likely only just initiated into their respective Dragon Styles. Still, in a group they may prove strong, and their voices combined are certainly a force of compulsion to be reckoned with. For now, at least, Turtle and Third remain hidden to them, and the Immaculates do not suspect Tycho of any thoughts of freedom or defection... yet.

Nanaret is also in a hidden position, back flat against the wall of the alleyway leading to the warstrider hangar. She can see the Immaculates pass right by her. She knows where Turtle and Third is but she currently cannot see Tycho, only hear the heavy pace of his footsteps. Ranavalona seizes control over her in this crucial moment, though, and the Lunar feels an intense desire to strike immediately at the leader of the choir!

Inside the hangar, Higura invokes the Lesser Sign of Jupiter. Coupled with his encouraging speech, uttered with courage and certainty, he breaks the hold of the Immaculate hymns on the refugees still accompanying Higura and Saffron. They straighten, invigorated by his words and the green aura ebbing and flowing around them, and one by one begin to help one another up, prepared to run as soon it is safe to do so.

Outside, though, the majority of rioters continue to pray, cower or stare blankly into the distance. The few unaffected ones that Tycho can see right now are not organized in the slightest. They prod uselessly at their comrades or glance to and fro in alarm, caught between the approaching cyborg and the choir coming from behind.

---

OOC: Third, just waiting on what you'll decide to do. It's very likely we'll enter combat time soon (at least Nanaret will) but you and Turtle can still try to run toward an exit, if you prefer.

Tycho, you're generally still assumed to be on the Peace Force's side right now, unless you say/act otherwise. :D

Nodding encouragingly at the men and women around him, Higura smiles at them. Giving a sharp nod to Saffron, he then turns towards the hangar door, and peers once more at the people assembled around him.

"I will hold to my promise. Stay close to me, and I will help you fight the desire to give in." He gives them one more encouraging look, then nods. "Follow me... We cannot stay here any longer. We have to move forward, and not look back."

With that, he leads the way out of the hangar, to meet up with Nanaret outside, and examine the situation himself.

Higura and the refugees that exit the hangar with him see Nanaret pressed against the alley wall, head bowed and holding herself as her breathing quickens...

Strike them now!!
"I will not!" the Lunar mouths the words in a bare whisper. "I am Saina Nanaret and you will not overtake me without my willing it!"
Give into your true desire, for you are a tool of destruction!!
"You... cannot dictate... the reason for my existence!"

As Nanaret forces down the influence of the Bitch Queen, her head jerks upward and her eyes fly wide open. "Doctor... We must stop them." she utters softly as he comes near, shaking but unbroken. "The choir has just passed. I will slip in from behind."

A muted silvery-blue flare issues from her body as Nanaret assumes the sinuous grace of the snake, her every movement languid and distracting. She draws both hook swords and darts swiftly and stealthily toward the rear of the choir: a monkey-imitating-serpent, winding insidiously toward her goal.

[Private to GM: Activate Snake Form, 5m. then try to sneak behind the choir.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:04, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

Nanaret manages to fall into step with the rear of the Immaculate formation. She remains unseen and unheard, as the monks have their attention on the rioters in front of them.

She can now see the unnamed half-machine and his two 'escorts' striding toward her direction, as well. No one has risen up to stop or approach him yet.

"T-minus fifteen minutes until purging commences," comes the next Five Coils announcement, coldly oblivious to the scenario on the floor. But the words are muffled by the stirring choral arrangements, amplified manifold through the district speakers. For the bowed and praying mortals, it's as if the AI never spoke at all.

---

OOC: I'll stop posting till everyone who hasn't yet makes some response, now. Just realized I forgot the next purge announcement.

Assuming everyone remains in their positions...
Tycho, Third, Turtle: Can roll perc+aware to see Nanaret. Diff 7.
Tycho: Can roll perc+aware to see Third/Turtle (could use the same result as the above roll). Diff 2.
Higura knows where everyone is right now, mostly cause Nanaret told him :P

Third seems to be in a reverie for a moment as it scans the options for the group, finally breaking out of it. " There are two good options for us. If Third and you can make it are enough towards the north, opposite from the Immaculates, Third and you can take the stairs there. They will lead Third and you to the 26th floor. If Third and you intend to save the lives of these people, that will be the best place for Third and you to find the controls for the purge. Third is confident it will be able to use the controls. Or there is another way, less obvious, past the Immaculates, to the south. Third and you would have to be careful, but the residential city hall will lead Third and you to the twenty seventh floor. It will be less easy to follow us in that direction, ideally. Either way, the only way to save these mortals is to stop the purge- If you wait for the sake of some of them, the rest shall perish." It does not seem overly affected by the hymn.

Third is familiar with powers of the Dragon-Blooded. Spells that could be cast to sunder flesh from bone. But all it has is it's sword, and the ability to evade any blow that comes it's way. It will have to be enough. "Third and you should try to cut a path through them. Third is confident it will be able to evade their blows. Can you stand their strikes? If Third and you make it through, Third, you, and the others will be able to make it to the City Hall. Or Third and you can run for the north. If you are confident in Third and your abilities, Third may be able to save all." It looks towards the Immaculates. It does not see Nanaret there, standing behind them, but it believes that will be the best way. " Unless you believe strongly in going through the peace officers, Third will lead the way through the Monks."

[Private to GM: Are all of the monks Dragon-Blooded? If not, when he attacks, he'll probably keep his focus on the humans. If they are, he'll have to go for one of the acolytes. I don't think Third'll stand up too well against a serious Dragon-Blooded.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Mon 01 Dec 2008.

Grinning Turtle nods once after it is evident Third has finished its torrent of information, taking a few moments to absorb the alternatives, "Hmm.  It is heartening, that you know, this area so well."  The turtle-head bobs again, apparently reaching the same conclusion as Third, "Hmm.  Yes, I will trust your judgement, then.  Through the monks.  I do not see her, but that was where new friend Nanaret, went as well."

Straightening from the wall, Turtle gestures toward Third, "Lead on, friend Third, and good fortune in the coming conflict."

Tycho says nothing to the two officers has they fall in step at his flanks, but notes with growing restlessness that this was not going to be as simple as he first believed. Before him, a contingent of Immaculate monks, their hymns ringing across the entire floor. Behind him now, a pair of the Peace Force’s finest.

His head does tilt up though as the announcement of the impending purge briefly drowns out even the droning monks. Fifteen minutes until the purge would begin. Tycho was hoping he would have more time to work something out. Still acting as the steel-demon on the hunt, he begins to twist his head from left to right. His unblinking gaze drinks in every thing he can in. Sweeping over the rows and rows of upturned backs and smiling faces for some hint of hesitancy and defiance. A sign that somewhere among the throng, someone was still at the edge of protest and violence. Someone other than himself, at least.

"Stop." Tycho orders the two accompanying officers, raising his club to forestall any comment from them. He sweeps his arm back and ushers them off to the side of the road as they draw closer to the Immaculate precession, taking steps back himself as they clear the road for the monks to pass through. On reflex alone, he falls to one knee and bows his head as the monks draw near. Yet this helps his own goals as well, bringing his gaze closer to the faces of the mortals around him.

"Respect," he reminds the two Peace Force officers with sharp looks in either way and a nod to imply they should be kneeling as well. He wants them as off balance as he can get them, should something arise.

The Earth Immaculate leader raises a hand for his procession to stop, almost in tandem with Tycho and his escorts.

It is possible now to see the makeup of the choir in its entirety: the leader and two seniors (a Water stylist with jade claws, a Wood Stylist with a powerbow), six each of junior Water and Wood practitioners wielding mundane claws and longbows, and a dozen young acolytes rounding out the vocal ensemble. These acolytes appear to be unarmed, and look no older than teenagers, but appear completely serene and fearless in the face of what will be a mass slaughter. None of the monks wear armor, at least not any obvious sort of armor. They are all, of course, shaven completely bald, and stride softly upon the ground in sandals or -- in the acolytes' case -- barefoot.

Turtle and Third were still hidden behind their wall when Tycho took the two jade-armored Peace Officers right past them. The tall half-machine seems not to have spotted either of them, but the Earth master has. His face turns unerringly towards their hiding place, his milky gaze following almost belatedly afterward, as if he'd sensed them first through some other means besides sight. While his followers continue the hymn unabated, he nods towards the bowed trio of Tycho and the officers, and speaks.

"You may rise, officers of the peace. Accost the two hidden rebels about ten yards behind you and to your right. They are crouched behind a metallic wall." With such mechanical exactness one might even wonder if the Earth Immaculate himself is a machine. But he is not -- and that, perhaps, is even more unnerving.

Wordlessly the Earth Aspect begins to direct his fellows. The monks never lose the cadence or melody of their collective song in the slightest, even as the Wood contingent and half the acolytes break away and spread out to disarm and disable the blissfully praying rebels. This puts about half of the choir behind the Celestials hoping to escape, leaving the master, the Water contingent and six acolytes in their way... as well as Tycho and 'his' men.

---

OOC: Just to give you guys an idea of what you're up against... There are about 5 here that could be serious combat contenders: the Earth master, the senior monks and the two Peace Officers. The juniors are less able than a starting Dragon-blooded, while the youngest are no better than heroic mortals. [Private to Grinning Turtle; Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Oh, also forgot to mention: the 10m you've already spent can come from either personal or peripheral, whichever you prefer.]

You can make another reaction out of combat, but after that roll Join Battle (yes, even if running, you'll flee in combat time!) Nanaret gets a surprise attack before the count begins, if she wishes it, though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:16, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

"The time has come to act." Third tenses, lowering itself into a ready stance as it hears this, preparing to launch itself into battle. Its hand is on its blade, ready to bring it out in an arc of light and pain as it prepares for a battle. " Third will focus on drawing their attention, and attack the acolytes. Third trusts you to be a strong match for the Peace Officers." It studies its mind for a moment, seeing if it can remember anything about the Peace Officer armament that will aid Turtle, before springing into action.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Join Battle of two successes. I probably should've put more in Awareness and Wits... Ah well. It'll be saving his charms for now.

Seeing the Earth Immaculate gestures, obviously deploying his men, Grinning Turtle gives another solemn nod, "Hmm.  Agreed, it is time for action.  The central officer is... unsettling, but I will engage them, as best I can."  He pauses as the group of Wood style practitioners disperse behind the two Celestials, but strides out of hiding moments later, obviously intent on engaging the Peace Officers before they make their own approach.

OOC:  Fair warning, Tycho's risking an unpleasant and counterproductive clinch attack in his near future if he doesn't obviously switch sides soon...  3 successes on Join Battle.

Nanaret smiles from her unseen position. How strange that she could be so close, yet none notice her passing.

The Changing Moon weaves sinuously through the young acolytes singing the upper registers of the chorus. She slips past the Water monks and their stirring altos and tenors. Her enemy is ahead of them, the Immaculate master with his ivory silken robes. Cut down the leader, and the rest will soon follow. Swiftly assert her superiority and the enemy would be ever on the defense.

Even the Bitch Queen would agree.

Crouching swiftly between an oblivious pair of junior monks, she lifts her blades like fangs reared to strike, and leaps. Only then is Nanaret's presence revealed in a sudden, bewildering burst of shifting, silver-blue light. Driven by quicksilver momentum and sheer determination, her hook swords viciously stab and slash at the master's back before he -- or anyone -- can repel her!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

The master makes no sound, too disciplined and inured to pain, as Nanaret's unexpected attacks chip at his Essence-hardened skin. The first hook sword digs deep into his back, the second slashing through the silk cloth. He does not bleed, not like any ordinary man, though the wounds do gape open: a sign that even he is not impervious to harm. (4L damage)

An outcry of shock ripples through the choir -- and for a moment, a brief moment, the hymn actually falters. But they pick up the song stridently, a harder, martial cadence entering their voices as the monks prepare to surround Nanaret, while protecting their leader from any possible attacks ahead of them.

---

OOC: ok, let me start laying out the tick count. Reaction count is 6. Once I get everyone's JBs I'll start posting for the NPCs. (since it looks like they're probably going to beat you guys out... unfortunately for Nanaret, who's the only obvious aggressor right now. Depends on what Tycho posts too, though.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:05, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

Silently, Higura turns towards the other fugitives, nodding silently for them to stay behind cover and away from danger, but not far from him let they get separated - or the effect of his anima falters for them. Once he gets confirmation from them, he crouches low, watching for signs of the coming conflict. The doctor lets his senses take the lead, relying on their sharp precision to carry his next action. Forcing himself into a perfect concentration, he remains in wait...

As soon as the sounds of Nanaret's attack reach him, he springs into motion as well. The sound of steel being drawn and striking flesh triggers his motion swiftly and precisely, and without a sound he lunges, ready to join the conflict ahead.

Worry not, miss Nanaret - you are not alone.

Third is silent as it leaves its corner, blade leaving it's scabbard. It sees the new Lunar slicing her blades into the master, and adjusts it's plans in a moment- It must buy the superior attacker some leeway. It chooses one of the monks now moving to surround the woman, choosing the closest one that it sees. It stands in one smooth movement behind the monk, the slashing blade coming out in a singing pattern, to leave a trail along the back of the monk, the Solar spinning with the momentum of the blade, its blade held loosely at its side after the spin completes. It reacts to attacks not with its sword arm, but by the motions of its body, its feet dancing along the floor as it stretches it's body sinuously to avoid any attacks with the skill of a dancer, face blank as a mask as it works to bring attention off of Nanaret.

[Private to GM: Alright, so, attacking one of the monks who's focused on Nanaret, when I get the chance. It's attacking normally, no Charm use yet- I want to see how nastily these guys can hit me before risking really getting toasted by a shot while I'm open. If the stunt turns out not to be enough, he'll probably pump some essence into Dodge Excellency.]

Tycho’s head rises when the elder Immaculate points out the armed rebels his own gaze had missed and he is still on his knee, staring past the monks, when the mysterious woman emerges from nowhere and cuts into the Earth Master. At once, his fingers tighten around the grip of his baton and the edge of his shield draws sparks as it scrapes the ground. He does not know these people or their cause and for the moment it does not matter to him. The enemy of thy enemy...

He plants one end of the thick metal plate against the earth and starts to heave his body upwards, only he jerk back down suddenly as his leg seemingly locks in place. Uttering a most profane curse, his attention turns at once to the two officers accompanying him.

"Go, both of you. Help him, " Tycho snaps quickly at the two Jade Officers as his body jerks spastically, the plate on his knee crashing each time his body bounces in an aborted effort to rise. He waits, letting them step past and focus their attention on the daring woman who had thrown herself into the heart of the Immaculate procession, then rises up smoothly to his feet. Perhaps they catch the moment that his shadow looms up behind them and falls over their shoulders or hear the whispering whirl of his arm joints spinning as he draws back his club. Perhaps they do, but he intends to ensure that in another second, it will not make a difference either way.

When you hand someone a weapon, my dear fascist criminals, ensure you know just who they will aim it at.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Join Battle of five successes, which I guess means ties me with the Peace Officers and thankfully saves me from Turtle snapping my neck.

Swift as their element, the senior Water monk and three of his juniors surround Nanaret on all sides, joined by the Earth master. Only the latter speaks rather than sings, his milky eyes staring blankly as he faces the Lunar head-on. "Anathema, you would bring an end to the society we have so carefully built, our haven from the broken world above. Thus our forebears have warned us, as we build and keep vigilant for the moment we will reclaim the land and the sky."

"You may not understand the danger you pose now, children of sun, moon and stars. Return to the collar, and we may yet forgive your ignorance."

The five surrounding Nanaret flurry into motion. The Water aspects move first, their leader signaling the three with him to strike as one while the three still disengaged move to intercept Higura and Third. Four pairs of claws spin and slash at Nanaret in tandem, eclipsing her for a moment in a flurry of steel and bodies. With an almost unnerving calm and focus, the Earth master steps in the midst of their coordinated dance and delivers a pair of crushing palm strikes towards Nanaret's chest and chin. It's difficult to tell just yet, but Nanaret looks like she could be in danger!

The two junior monks on Higura flank and strike one after the other, their claws tangling harmlessly with his blade. One monk faces off with Third, and the androgynous Twilight quickly sidesteps behind her to trace a slash down her back. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: 6 sux vs 4 DV, in with 2. Soak is 5L. Your weapon is 6L damage, so... you ping, which in your case is 4 dice. She takes 2L.]

"You need not tell us that, metal abomination," snaps one of the Peace Officers at Tycho. They are well equipped, both wielding power maces and garbed in Sentinel Defense Force armor. Both of them step forward. "The Lunar Anathema and all those who aid her must be immediately subdued," states the other coolly -- then freezes as Tycho's shadow looms over her, glancing behind as her mouth forms an 'O'. [Private to Alus Tycho: Go ahead and post your attack, I'll let you go before them!]

Meanwhile the Wood monk contingent continues progressing through the rebels closer to the stairs, knocking them out one by one with well-placed pressure points. They've yet to notice anything going wrong further south...

---

OOC: actions
tick 0 - Water monks, Earth master, Higura
tick 1 - Tycho, Peace Officers, Wood monks
tick 3 - Turtle, acolytes (far)
tick 4 - Nanaret, Third, refugees
tick 5 - acolytes (near)
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:50, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

Tycho likes to think that his venom towards the Terrestrials is not a personal one so much as railing against their unfair and classist treatment of Five Coil’s mortal populous. Never the less, at this moment, as he begins the wide arcing swing that aims to introduce the Jade Officer woman’s skull to the unfriendly end of his baton, Tycho feels a rage boiling up within him. He see’s his own arm sweep out in slow motion, an arm of metal rather than the flesh he was born in. His eyes are wide and burn with the intensity of accusation.

This. YOU did this!

The first blow Tycho strikes out at his slavers is not a continuation of The Good Fight. It is not to fight for worker's rights. It is not to cast off oppression. It is not even truly to save the mortals huddled and praying around him.

It is all for himself.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Still unsure about Ty's combat set-up working out, so just one attack on the female Peace Officer and hopefully channeling Valor. Also, gonna use Spirit Strengthens the Skin if attacked.]

Grinning Turtle might look slow and ungainly to a casual observer, and his careful, measured motions exaggerate this impression.  However, the turtle-human hybrid proves that it possesses a surprising turn of speed when necessary, closing the distance with the Dragon-Bloods with unusual speed.  Despite the fact that they have turned their backs on him to engage Nanaret, he is ill-equipped for silent movement, each massive footfall letting loose a thunderous boom as he swiftly lumbers into the fray.

Fortunately the sudden and obvious violence of the metallic man against his apparent allies sinks quickly into Turtle's mind, allowing him to turn his rush aside just in time to slam into the second Peace Officer instead.  Claws and beak alike grasp at the joints on the officer's powered armor, seeking to rend the unfortunate figure limb from limb.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Single clinch attack against the Peace Officer Tycho didn't make his attack against, dealing damage if he hits.  +2 successes on the attack roll through Second Strength Excellency, cost 4 motes peripheral.  Not entirely certain how this would impact damage, if at all.

Turtle's got no preventative defense Charms, instead depending on his healing Charms after the damage has been done.]

Surrounded and assaulted, Nanaret lifts her hook swords defensively a moment before the four Water aspects leap for her. Her one and only thought: she would not die. She could not die -- not against her bastard captors and their crackpot prophecies -- and by gods she would ensure it by whatever means possible!

Mighty Ranavalona! Guide my blade and inure me from pain!
For my body is your vessel, the inheritor of your will to power!

Nanaret's deal with the queen is a tenuous and risky one. Every day, she risks the loss of her identity, the eroding of her ability to show compassion and selflessness toward her fellow man. Yet it is the Bitch Queen from whom she learned to endure the worst of her enslavement: to armor her psyche against demeaning situations, to defend herself not only with well-placed words and blades, but overwhelming offense. For Nanaret's survival, she has traded the opportunity for Ranavalona to bathe herself in blood and carnage -- and sometimes, sometimes she could control when.

Join with me and destroy all those who would dare oppose us!

She hears Ranavalona's answering snort, derisive and mocking. You ask now? After all your efforts to deny my counsel, my right?! Very well, puppet, but for this I will take your mind as well!

And all that is Nanaret's psyche dissolves into a crimson darkness filled with mad, ruthless laughter, as the Queen rises up to repel her attackers with uncompromising force. Her hook swords rise and fall, pushing back steel and jade as she spins madly -- her sinuous grace no longer subtle, but heated, like the building climax of some ancient tribal dance set to the beat of her own blood. Where claw or fist might strike her, they find no supple flesh, but hide toughened by sheer Lunar stamina and stubbornness, willfully defying the very concept that she could be harmed!

(OOC: This is actually all a defense stunt / stunt-learning combo. Attack comes after I find out if I lived. :P)

In timing with Nanaret's initial attack, Higura decides to spring into action.

Once again, the hymns continue to tug at him and his memory - Pulling invisible threads in his ego, and softly tangling a part of his self he does not quite understand. Almost instinctively, he hears his own heartbeat enacting a steady battle rhythm, like heavy tribal drums forming the backbone of a primal, powerful dance. The sensation is somehow not alien to him, this feeling of utter control of his own body, as well as that of his opponents. It is not known to him, and yet it feels so familiar, like a powerful episode of deja-vu that leaves lingering traces, fragments of memory that remain even once the feeling is gone.

And, amidst this garden of forgotten truths and remembered lies, clarity strikes.

He does not recall having been this lucid in recent memory. And yet, before him, his path and trajectory are clearer than anything else. From his position, two junior monks remain in the way, preventing him from joining the battle just ahead. As such, the obstacle must be removed, plainly and simply.

There is no place for thought or analysis. Everything the doctor does is fully instinctual, and as such, it is devoid of delays or hesitation. Before the monks can even react, he has already fallen upon them  - drawing and striking in a deadly arc at the first's neck, before sharply turning the motion in the opposite direction and transforming the motion into a violent stab meant for the other's chest. The movement is fluid and jagged all at once, tinted with a green glow that seems to want to drain all life as it strikes its targets...

[Private to Gatekeeper: Activating combo, one strike against each of the junior monks in his way, each powered with 3 motes to gain +3 dice.]

Higura's swift, well placed strikes connect as he segues from his defensive stance to a two-pronged attack. The first blow, misdirected by the junior monk's parrying claws, impacts harmlessly with his concealed armor. He whirls, thrusting his blade into some weak point between the ribs of the second junior monk's ribs, the weapon coming away bloodied. (2L damage)

Tycho's club comes crashing down and the surprised female officer very nearly falters at his accusatory gaze. But she brings up her off-hand arm, activating her force-shield to block the weapon just in time. As she does so, a blaze of blue and gold sparks rises from the point of impact, threatening to blind him. Using the distraction to launch her attack, she retaliates with an Essence-powered mace strike aimed to slam into his torso. [Private to Alus Tycho: I'm sad! you actually missed, barely, since you attacked before the officer and she had her full 5 DV. 5 sux on 15 dice is lame -- bad dice gods! Anyway, roll Wits+Dodge to lessen the effects of the blinding sparks on your next attack. Just need basic success, so you get -2 dice instead of -2 external penalty :P Then you need at least a +1 stunt to block her attack, since she got 7 sux and you have 6 Parry DV.]

The male officer swings his mace at the approaching Turtle, but finds his attempt blocked soundly by the lumbering Lunar's fist, moments before the turtle-man slams headlong into him and locks his limbs tight! [Private to Grinning Turtle: you attacked after the officer, so he was at -1 DV from max of 5 DV. You clinch with 3 sux in, nice... damage does also increase, by +2. So 14L, vs 8L.] (2L damage and clinched.)

Nanaret, possessed by the lingering spirit of Ranavalona, flares up in another burst of silver-blue essence, her hook swords weaving a defense that repel all the Water Monks' attacks. She manages to push off the Earth Monk's first palm strike, but unlike the others, he is unfazed by her Snake Form's distracting motions. His second crushing palm thrusts right past her swords with an even greater and more uncompromising force, paralyzing her in place! (She takes 2B damage, and Stillness of Stone. Nanaret can't move for 2 actions!)

The Earth acolytes turn, seeing a band of weary but determined refugees flanking Higura to support him, wielding warstrider bolt launcher ammo used as short spears. Though outnumbered, the acolytes are better trained than the ragtag rebels, and they calmly move as one to intercept them. Two pairs of the spear-wielding refugees strike boldly at the monks facing off with Higura -- and miss, while the others let out a wordless battle cry, meeting the the acolytes head on!

Saffron is with the refugees as well, but she is by nature a pacifist and only strikes in defense of herself and others...

---

OOC: OK, I think that covers everyone for this turn. As usual, if I've tapped you to stunt defense, you can post your next attack at the same time.

actions
tick 4 - Nanaret (inactive for 10 ticks, eep!), Higura
tick 5 - Earth monk, Water monks
tick 6 - Tycho, female Peace Officer, Wood monks
tick 8 - Third, Turtle (clinching male Peace Officer), acolytes (far)
tick 9 - refugees
tick 10 - acolytes (near)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:16, Thu 04 Dec 2008.

Caught up in his own battle, Tycho can barely spare a glance towards the hulking turtle-like figure that sweeps away the second Peace Officer. Gratefulness and greetings can come later, for now it is enough they are briefly on the same side.

If the Terrestrial’s have weakness, it’s their over-reliance on magitech. He has done things like this before and back then, he was just a mortal. When you’ve felt their sting often enough, you learn how to use the enemies equipment against them.

He waits until she commits to her attack, lets his baton scrap across the Jade Officer’s shield once again, tracing a thick V over the surface of the essence-barrier, turning the soft shower of sparks into a torrent that as much blinds her as him. Under the flashing haze of light, Tycho twists with the back-handed swing of his baton, ducking slightly and turning his face from the shower of sparks. Her shield his essence, his is steel, but they still clash together solidly as he swings the riot-shield upwards and presses in violently. Stretched out sideways across the length of his body, it is too late for her to see it and change her angle. Her wrist can do nothing but slam against the bolted edge of the heavy steel plate.

---------------------------------
OOC: I'mma defense stuntin' so I don't get smooshed! Also barely made the roll to avoid the sparks.

Third smirks... and then suddenly, breaks off the attack. "Lunar! past the monks, there is a town hall. The Dragon-Blooded are properly scattered. Third and you must make good on their confusion!" It breaks off the attack, and runs past the ranks of Terrestrial monks, waving towards Tycho, Turtle, and Higura to break off the attack now that the monks have been scattered, and to try to outpace them to the government building. If there is a strong force there, they may be in trouble- but they can also exhaust the more heavily equipped Terrestrials. Trying to fight them here seems, at best, a good way to leave them tired at a time when they cannot afford to rest.

It moves fluidly past the monks, body sliding between blows that are levelled against it as it makes for freedom.

-------------
OOC: Gonna break off the attack now that the monks have gotten properly riled, so we can take our shot at running them down. Hopefully the others will join. Third is making it's way towards the town hall building it mentioned.

The Queen... Miss Nanaret, what a dangerous gambit.
But how could the Queen be defeated so? This does not look good for us in the slightest.

The intricacies of Third's plan might not be known to Higura, but the doctor is at least certain of one thing - they cannot stay here much longer. When the words are uttered, he listens to them intently, then turns towards Third.

The gesture does not escape Higura's notice, and he quickly sidesteps away from the monks he was fighting - a very brief respite, perhaps, but one that would give him the chance to at least address the people around him. He turns towards one of the refugees, speaking in hushed tones. "I will need your help in leading your people to safety - pass the word. Prepare to flee with all your might, and do not let up until we've reached our destination. Follow our guide's lead and do not let up." He nods sharply towards them, taking another step to make sure he would remain on the defensive and leaving himself a path to flee towards.

Calling out to his new allies, Higura starts to walk slightly backwards, but seems reluctant to make a full escape yet. He turns his plea to Turtle and Tycho, who have not yet started to move away from the conflict, trusting that the refugees would watch Third's cue and follow accordingly. That out of the way, he also follows suit, and pushes past the two junior monks he first fought with, headed towards Nanaret's position.

In a blur, he quickly arcs towards two of Nanaret's attackers, unsheathing his weapon twice in an attempt to distract the attackers threatening her life.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Two more strikes, 2 motes on each. Hopefully the distraction will be enough to buy some time.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Fri 05 Dec 2008.