"These are weapons honed to their purpose; their beauty comes from within, not without." Rather than resist her, Alecto simply 'allows' Dena to strike, using his gauntlets to absorb the blows. The X-strike very nearly knocks the firearm from his hand, but he renews his grip as the manacle forces his arms upward, trusting in his skill with the weapon. His armor's energy field spontaneously triggers with her proximity, sending miniature bolts of blue lightning jumping from his body to Dena's with every strike he fends off. [Private to Tervila Dena: You've moved into Alecto's electric field. Treat as an environmental effect. Trauma 4, damage 6L/action. So roll a Stam+Resistance diff 4: if you succeed you take 6B dice of damage, if you fail you take 6L dice of damage. If you get 8 sux or higher you take no damage!]

"We need not waste time preaching to them," Megaera asserts coolly. She watches without concern as the woman in white who had blocked Dashu's way now interposes herself in front of Xurizu's arrows. Her crystalline knife flashes to deflect the projectiles, but the second is too quick for her, flitting past the hilt and burying in her ribcage. The white guardian gasps, jerking backward, almost collapsing against her mistress, but manages to stagger upright.

The Erinyes chorus: "Everything is as it should be."

Three more guardians unveil themselves as Grinning Turtle charges toward Megaera, their forms flickering into existence as they sacrifice their cloaking for mobility. One shifts position immediately, leaping the space between herself and Megaera in the blink of an eye to block Turtle's barrage of blows with her sword and ceremonial knife. She is saved only by his mercy -- none of the punches connect, but he grasps the nameless woman in his crushing grip nonetheless, pinning her arms so that they are useless.

The two unharmed guardians hold defensive position, easily within reach of covering either of the Equalizers. But Alecto returns fire, the cannon humming with energy as he aims two high-powered, accurate blasts at Dashu and Turtle in turn, focusing the crackling energy through the barrel of his cannon so tightly it manifests as a thin lance of searing blue light. [Private to Peleps Dashu: 9 successes on you.] [Private to Grinning Turtle: 10 successes on you.]

---

OOC: Should have noted it before, but at tick 5 Dashu had another action. Therefore I'll rule that he can post two full actions. Alecto also has high speed, and took two actions, firing each time. White guardians (1 wounded 6L, 1 wounded 4B and clinched by Turtle, 2 unharmed) and Megaera are all holding action.

actions
tick 10 - Dashu, Dena, Xurizu
tick 11 - Turtle
tick 12 - Alecto, Danae

(next post is for those not directly in combat, including Danae)
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:39, Sun 25 Jan 2009.

Outside the thick of combat, Saffron glows brightly with golden Essence, the benefactor's anima flaring brightly and unmistakably as she pours all she can into healing the mortals. Tycho and Drachma continue to stand protectively over her, stoic and determined. [Private to Tycho: In case you read the backlog of this and are curious... Tycho would know of the Equalizers. He's never met them personally, but they're basically like the highest echelon of Peace Officers. They do the bidding of the Five Coils Council and are equipped in some of the best and most innovative armaments the factory-fortress can produce. Whatever they're involved in is always top-secret, but it wouldn't be surprising that the Equalizers have been involved in other 'cleansings' in order to shape and control the population. It's just never been at the scale of the Water District Purge before.]

The mortals pray fervently that they will not be targeted by the Equalizers. Perhaps it would be safer if they surrender, hoping Alecto and Megaera would spare them if they plead ignorance. Would the Celestials be able to protect them? Would Higura return with Third and Nanaret, or had they simply escaped for their own advantage? Doubt begins to press in again, but none of them voice a word. It is much too late for that.

Danae keeps her mind focused on the Equalizers and their armaments... and comes to a conclusion.

[Private to Danae Adela: You got 4 sux, which isn't legendary, but it's still something.
1) You believe Alecto's weapon and armor are both modified to draw power from a greater air elemental, bound into the armor and channeled through the cannon. This allows for a power output many times larger than the size of the cannon would indicate.
2) Megaera's weapon is soundwave-based, meaning armor will not protect against it at all. It requires for whatever reason a large amount of charge time, and will certainly affect a large area once it is complete.

Your conclusion - The combined power of those two is akin to a portable WMD, should they bring their full power to bear (this confuses you, as they could very well bring the Core down in their zeal!) Priority is on taking out any obstacles in the way of you disarming them, meaning you ought to knock out or kill the guardians pronto. Alecto would be safer to take out at a distance, given that his armor appears capable of generating an electric field.]

"Well--they certainly didn't have Collateral damage as a particular priority when they dispatched you two here..."  Danae muttered as she finished her analysis, glancing over the two Guardians and biting the botom of her lip--while it was within her means to defeat one of them right now--the problem remained that..

She shook her head once, it couldn't be helped, she just had to hope her comrades could take out Maegara quickly!

Tossing her sword upwards, sending the blade spinning, Danae reached quickly to one of the pouches at her side--withdrawing what remained of her firedust, sliding a finger halfway over the opening--and with her anima almost tracing out the actions, she shot out three streams of fuel at Alecto--a futile gesture from most people's standards...

But not in the hands of one of the Sun's chosen few!

Taking a grip on her firewand--twirling it once in a calculated measure to spread out the firedust inside as much as possible--Danae held it out forward--and as the three streams of firedust approached Alecto's range of movement--she pulled the trigger, firing off a stream of tightly focused flame--rapidly overtaking the three earlier streams...

And igniting each of them in the moment it impacted!

Four shots in the space of a single action--a technique only the greatest of marksmen could pray to match

Danae prayed only that it would be enough!

"Focus your fire on the woman!"  She exclaimed.  "It's a sonic cannon!  It'll damage this whole room if she fires it!"

[Private to Gatekeeper: Guarding for one tick so Alecto does his action, then Trance of Unhesitating Speed to buy a flurry of four Firewand attacks on Alecto!

01:38, Today: Danae Adela rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,2,10,1,3,2,2,9,8. Attack 1.
01:38, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,1,1,9,8,3,6,9,7. Attack 2.
01:39, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,8,1,2,8,8,4,7,8. Attack 3.
01:39, Today: Danae Adela rolled 2 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,1,6,1,9,7,2,4,2. Attack 4.

5/5/5/3 successes before adding in stunt bonuses--in other words, it's going to be rough :(  Base Damage is 12L + Successes

EDIT: Noticed my count was off a die, rolled the extras, added them to my final successes]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:48, Sun 25 Jan 2009.

Rather than shy away from the crackling energy, Dena pushes herself deeper into the energy field of the Dragonblooded, bathing herself in the agonizing crackles of elemental power.  When she finally pulls back wisps of smoke arise from charred black patches in her carapace, and she smiles horribly as a few thin trickles of blood dribble out where the armor's burned completely through.
"Thank you, friend."  A few stray strands of energy continue to crackle around her, and she gathers them into her palm and pushes the mass of power into her own chest.  "Pain is just another experience, another friend of mine.  You can hurt me but you can't stop me from liking it."
The gigantic wasp turns her head slightly and speaks to Danae.  "Alright then.  I'll do what I can.  I don't want to share my friends with them anyway."

[Private to GM: Reflexively activating Sensuous Torment to get 3 motes per box of damage I take.  And if it's not too soon since last time I learned something, this feels like a really good point to stunt-learn Laughing Wounds Form.
11:02, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,2,4,8,6,5,6,8. resistance + stamina. ]

[Private to GM: Since I have a defense and 2 actions I'm actually going to be askin for 3 separate stunts.]

Dashu sees Alecto taking aim  and curses to himself as he realizes the incoming shot will be  coming straight at his chest.  Being low on Essence, he doesn't want to do this, but he has no choice at this point...  He plants his feet on the ground and watches Alecto's finger.  As the trigger is pulled Dashu stares straight ahead and shot screams in towards him.  One of the mortals, fearful of the thought that Dashu's gory body would soon be laying on the floor, screamed.  However, the cry was stuck in his throat as all who were watching saw Dashu's upper body... flicker, and the shot seemed to pass through him.  To all the Essence users, it was obvious that Dashu had merely bent over backwards at the waist and the shot passed harmlessly over him and crashed into to wall behind.  However, he did it with such speed that the mere eye could not follow those movements.  [Private to GM: Activating Perfect Dodge.  Stunt?]

After dodging the attack, Dashu returns his attention to the woman in armor as well body guards in white.  He figured that he might as well try and deal with the guards first so as make it easier to get to the woman.  With that thought he launched himself towards one of the two uninjured guards, driving his clawed fist forward towards his face.  As the momentum from the first attack carried him forward, Dashu then thrust his attacking hand palm down on the ground, flipping himself around in a beautiful cartwheel which carried him behind his opponent.  As his feet began their decent, they found a metal console which Dashu used to push his momentum back towards the guard he had just attacked.  This caused him to roll forward in shoulder roll and as Dashu rose to his feet he drove his claw up into the back of the guard.  [Private to GM: Action 1:  Two strikes against an unarmed guard (I shall call him John Boy).  +4 sux each.  I'm assuming that my DV refreshes between this action and the next.  Stunt?]

At this point, Dashu thinks it's time to finish tearing down the human shield these two have brought with them.  He takes one furious swipe at the face of the guard he had just been engaging.  He then throws his entire weight backwards and does two back flips, landing just in front of the original guard who blocked his first attack.  Dashu spins violently bringing his claw to bear against the jugular vein of his opponent. [Private to GM: Action 2:  One attack against John Boy.  "Goodnight John Boy".  1 attack against the dumb guy who jumped in front of my claws the first time.  I'm not using any charms at this time.  Stunt?]

Held up by one of the guardians, Turtle is forced to take the brunt of a blast from one of the Equalizer's cannons, though he tries to shifts slightly so the lightning lance strikes him in one of his limbs or protective shell rather than his exposed head.

---

OOC:  Grappling, so Turtle defensive options are limited to just taking the hit.  Sorry to hold my action for the moment, but I'd like to know how badly he gets hurt from this shot before deciding how he acts beyond the opposed clinch.

[Private to Gatekeeper:  Soak is 16L, or 7A if Alecto's gun is really nasty.  If the attack results in lots of damage, feel free to disintegrate/blow off one of Turtle's limbs in the description - he can always regrow it later.]

Xurizu grimaced as the guardian leapt in the way of his attacks, taking the arrows meant for the armoured figure.  He was about to actually take aim for her when Dashu exploded into action, cutting at her and the other guardians with claws and kicks.  Deciding that whilst the guardians are still mobile, attacking the armed and armoured guardians will be hard.

So he knocks another arrow, and sends it flying towards the guardian holding Grinning Turtle, swiftly supplementing it with a second and then ducking back into the cover of the pillar he was hiding behind, lest he draw strikes in retaliation.

Dena takes the electric shock with relish, regaining strength through her pain. (3L damage and 9m back.) Turtle braces for impact and the blast sears through him, angling through one arm and boring a diagonal through his thick body, penetrating through the shell from behind. (5L damage) The struck arm dangles from a thick sinew, the wound cauterized by the beam. But he manages to keep the clinch with the other arm, retaining more than enough regenerative power to stand the pain.

Dashu is a blur of shredding claws and acrobatics. The uninjured guard he targets is dead in the space of seconds, falling to the ground with deep, bloody wounds in his body. The mask has been bodily torn off, revealing the gouged face of a young, handsome man. [Private to Peleps Dashu: Oops, almost forgot. I gave you 2 +2s and a +1 stunt.]

The first bodyguard in white that dared oppose the Night Caste collapses with her jugular torn apart. She, too, sacrifices herself willingly to the cause of shielding her mistress.

Xurizu's arrows bury unhindered into the torso and shoulder of the woman Turtle still manages to hang onto. They do not snap any bones, but the shock of pain is enough to knock her out; she hangs unconscious and bleeding in Turtle's grasp. (She is 1L below Incap.)

---

OOC: Ok, I need Dena's and Turtle's actual actions. Then I can post the result of Danae's action as well. (Note, at this point there is only 1 conscious guardian that you can see.)

[Private to Tervila Dena: Sure. I would allow you to stunt-learn Laughing Wounds Form here. It's pretty fitting that you'd learn it through an experience of great pain.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:06, Mon 26 Jan 2009.

"Well you heard the savant.  Drop the noisemaker." Dena proposes to the Dragonblooded.  "Or, alternately, allow me.  I can't let you stop us now and kill them all."
So saying, Dena lashes out at Megaera with a brutal smashing strike to the center of mass, her chain leaving a glittering trail in the air of what proves to be Dena's own blood that dripped down on it before the attack as Dena continues to stride relentlessly forward, the chain merely being a long-range artillery strike before the serious and nasty close-combat starts.

[Private to GM: Alright, great.  With the 1 box I took in the last fight that should put me at -2.

Activating Laughing Wounds form for 5 motes, all wound penalties become bonuses, wound bonuses are added to virtues that aren't compassion, and martial arts score is added to bashing damage.

18:01, Today: Tervila Dena rolled 8 successes using 21d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7. Attack + Will/Conviction.

Wow, that sucked for so many die.  Back to my traditional pastime of whining about dice I don't like, it seems.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Mon 26 Jan 2009.

The tortoise-man hybrid blinks in surprise, first as the Essence cannon nearly severs one of his limbs, then again as the guardian slumps in his grip.  Craning his flexible neck back to nod politely to Xurizu, saying in a strained bass growl, "Ahh... Thank you."  Turtle quickly shifts his grip to snag a fold of the defenders clothes the between two thick fingers, gently lowering the wounded woman to the ground before moving back into the combat.

Turtle doesn't appear to relish the pain as the other wounded Lunar does, but the wound doesn't appear to effect him as much as it would most.  Even as he moves into action, the wound appears to be sealing back up, though the arm still dangles uselessly by a single thread of muscle.

The reptilian humanoid pauses for a long moment before charging in, trying to internalize the techniques he's seeing used.  Peripherally aware of Dena's combat maneuvers, seeing her willingly take the blow to regain some of her energy, sparks a gap in Turtle's reptilian mind, linking the basic similarity between the masochistic acceptance of pain and the willing sacrifice of personal safety.  In a sudden flash of insight, he realizes how defenders such as these could potentially be brought out of action.

For a moment, it looks as if he intends to resume his reckless rush toward the Equalizers, despite the continued interference from the remaining guardian.  A moment before potentially colliding with the guardian, the bulky Lunar swerves, heading straight toward the wall.  The momentum of his frame gives him enough inertia to move vertically three yards before springing off, apparently trying to slam into the female Equalizer from an angle the surviving interceptor shouldn't be able to counter.

However, by now he has a decent understanding of just what the white-clad guardians are capable of.  Twisting in midair, Turtle swings his good hand around to grab at the guardian, who he fully expects to manage to intercept his erratic charge.  Whether or not he manages to get a handle on the surviving ninja, he relies on his momentum to carry both to the female Equalizer.  Reaching her, he lashes out wildly at the Equalizer with his massive silvered beak, still trying to hold the ninja out of action so others can strike at the true target as well.

[Private to Gatekeeper:  Trying to Stunt-learn another dot of Martial Arts first, as well as heal a Lethal Health Level.

For the actual action, splitting three ways, first trying to clinch Megeara, then biting twice at Megeara.  Though the description text indicates Turtle expects to hit the guardian (which he does), the clinch is intended to hit Megeara, largely to force the guardian to at least activate the appropriate Charm.

Still Channeling Compassion for the tick, as well as spending the 6 motes on the Strength Excellency for the clinch.  I'm not entirely certain how you handle Channeling Virtues, though.  Do the dice apply to all rolls in a flurry, just the first, or selected when the flurry is declared?  If it only applies to one, I'd prefer it to affect the clinch.

Following dice pools assume an increase in MA and Channeling improves all rolls - clinch against whoever at 10 dice + 3 auto successes, then two bites against Megaera at 8 and 7 dice.  I'll have to let you handle the rolls on this one, as I'm not certain if I met the requirements for stunt learning or which rolls Virtue Channeling applies to.  Clinch damage begins at 12L Piercing, Bites at 17L.  Any that end up targeting the guardian are still pulled.]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Mon 26 Jan 2009.

The remaining guardian lets Dena's strike slip through: not out of self-preservation, but to ensure he will survive to block the larger foe who would grasp his mistress bodily.

Unhindered, the chain manacles slam into Megaera's hardened carapace with terrible force. (4L damage) The impact painfully bruises ribs and sinew, but the Equalizer neither falters nor lets go of her sonic weapon. Stoicly, her breathing coming harder now, she flicks another switch. The humming from the weapon is joined by a rising chorus that emanates from deep within the weapon's massive barrel. [Private to Tervila Dena: BTW... I just looked at your sheet, and I don't think you actually had the xp necessary to stunt-learn Laughing Wounds Form. However, since I didn't think to check that beforehand I'll just ask that you make sure to incorporate the xp cost for the charm once you get more xp (which will be soon, in any case).]

The bodyguard takes Turtle's bait, leaping to intercept the clinch. But the Lunar's grasp slips just short of holding onto him, and his powerful bites nip thin air! A combination of bad luck and Turtle's wounded state serves to nullify what harm he would have caused. [Private to Grinning Turtle: Channeling does give you +virtue to all rolls, as do stunts. I gave you a +2 stunt, and I allowed your stunt-learning. However, your initial clinch missed, as you got 4 sux (considering that you pulled your blow), and guard had DV 5. Then from there your attacks were 4 sux and 3 sux (again, pulled blows), which his DV just barely blocks even with onslaught in consideration.]

Alecto thumbs his weapon, and the living energy source bound within it responds hungrily, building into an audible electric crackle that almost -- almost! sounds like laughter. The room is suddenly lit up with the roar of cannon blasts and firedust as Alecto fires three searing blue shots in quick succession -- aimed for Dena, Turtle and Dashu -- and Danae lets loose with four in the very next moment, her fourth shot igniting a conflagaration of flames that hurtles toward the male Equalizer. [Private to Tervila Dena: 13 successes on you.] [Private to Grinning Turtle: 12 successes on you.] [Private to Peleps Dashu: 10 successes on you.]

Fire and lightning flare in opposite directions! Alecto makes a last ditch attempt to block, flaring with an electric aura reminiscent of a coiled storm-serpent as he crosses his gauntlets in front of him, the lightning weapon still grasped tightly in one hand. But the flames are not conquered, forcing their way through barrier and armor to scorch his flesh! (4L!) [Private to Danae Adela: Also, that was a +3, Danae... sorry, I forgot to say :D]

---

OOC: I have another post coming -- the actions of the other thread will start affecting here -- but first I want Dena, Turtle and Dashu to post their defenses. (Any non-action reactions are also fine.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

Dena makes a long-shot attempt to deflect the gun by guiding her serpent-sting staff  in a sideswipe to strike away the gun, managing only to jostle the attack slightly in the process.


[Private to GM: 21:34, Trying to make a defense with Excellency.  Not much of a success.
Today: Tervila Dena rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,7,1,4,3,6,5. Dexterity Excellency. ]

Dashu sees yet another series of powerful blasts heading towards his comrades and himself.  He wondered briefly at which opponent was truly the strongest, but Danae's warning had been clear... the woman can hurt everybody in the room.  With that thought, Dashu again sends his body into a near indistinguishable blur as he backflips with his legs in the splits positions and lets the blast sail harmlessly over him.  However, as the blast collides into the wall behind him, Dashu used the resulting shockwave to push him closer towards the female equalizer at a fast pace.  Now that the guards were either disposed or indisposed, she could be dealt with.  Hopefully he could get more information from her.

[Private to GM: And that's why I specifically didn't use charms on my last action: saved a Willpower and still get to perfect the attack.   Activating my perfect dodge. stunt?]

Fortune favors Dena, who despite taking the brunt of Alecto's attack, survives with a small wound. (1L) Dashu, nimble as ever, avoids the shot entirely, and the lightning blast splashes against the walls. [Private to Peleps Dashu: +1 this time for you! Also, the guardian actually did survive. Turtle actually missed it all three times since he was pulling blows. :(] Glass walls, which melt and thin as the intense heat strikes them. Not so great, when one considers the pressure of the water surrounding the central core...

"They... are strong..." Alecto grunts, his lightning aura fizzling, fading slightly. "Against all odds... perhaps Fate will favor them yet."

"Just a... moment longer." Megaera grits her teeth, and her one surviving guardian stands close--knowing that this time, surely, his life would end. "This Test is not yet over. The Purge --"

"-- IS HEREBY TERMINATED," the Gatekeeper's voice broadcasts, thundering with renewed strength. "THE ASSESSORS HAVE CONFIiirMED THE TRUE ANOMALY. IT IS YOU -- THE TERRESzssTRIALS WHO HARNESS MY POWER TO SERVE THEIR AGENDA! NO LONnnGER... YOU WILL OBSCURE MY TRUE PURPOSE NO LONGER!!"

The yellow-golden Essence lines the group has learned to associate with Harmony are disappearing, the circuits once again glowing a solid, bright blue-green. The central core chamber warms considerably as the terminals' energy output builds to a feverish pulse. The Gatekeeper seems to be pouring the entirety of its available processing power for some sort of last ditch, drastic action. [Private to Danae Adela: If you actually trust the Gatekeeper at this point, you might want to undo the diagnostics still clogging its system, though it's perfectly in your right to consider the Equalizers the greater threat. :P]

"It has been compromised?!" "NO! We must see our purpose through to the very end!"

Megaera's finger flicks the final switch... the humming chorus multiplies tenfold, hundredfold, as the mortals cover their ears, praying for salvation or a swift end...

---

OOC: I'll be gone for most of today, so wanted to get this post in early. This will likely be your last action in this battle, for better or for worse. No, I won't TPK you. But something is building up. [Private to Grinning Turtle: Just post your defense before your next action.]

actions
tick 15 - Dashu, Dena
tick 16 - Alecto, Xurizu
tick 17 - Danae, Turtle

Megaera and remaining guardian still hold action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

"The Guardian's on our side now?"  Danae said, blinking quizzically for a moment--but quick to get back into action--tossing a small cloud of firedust into the air and thrusting with her firewand--collecting 'Just' enough inside to create a puff of flame--then hurling a little more in the direction of the two Equalizers.

When this all was set up--in the same motion, Danae threw herself backwards, towards the control console--and pulled the trigger--even as she began putting through commands to undo the programs she set up to reduce the Guardian's processing powers.

Of course, given the seeming lack of attention she had on the Equalizers--that her earlier gesture would come to an embarassingly minimal amount--but Alecto's still crackling aura managed to buoy the hurled dust in the air for a short period of time--long enough that when Danae absently pulled the trigger--a line of flame snapped into being--following a trail left by what would have ordinarily been the rest of the dust fired in a shot--and ignited the cloud around the equalizers with a dramatic burst of flame!

[Private to Gatekeeper: Using my Extra Action Archery charm again, directing three attacks at Alecto, and one at Maegara

13:34, Today: Danae Adela rolled 4 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,3,1,5,2,7,8,2,7,3,7. Fire 4.
13:34, Today: Danae Adela rolled 8 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,10,4,1,10,4,5,10,8,2,5. Fire 3.
13:34, Today: Danae Adela rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,9,6,9,4,3,3,2,1,10,8. Fire 2.
13:34, Today: Danae Adela rolled 6 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,7,4,8,6,8,10,1,7,1,6. Fire 1

6/5/8 on Alecto, 4 on Maegara, prior to stunts.

I'm also going to try to undo my actions regarding slowing the Gatekeeper down--should I roll for that?  Or assume that since it was my work, that I should be able to pull it apart?]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

Turtle grunts with displeasure as his swings repeatedly not only fail to hit the woman with the sonic cannon, but even failed to hit her guardian.  Turning slightly to keep the other Equalizer in view, he notices Alecto's rapid fire attack just in time to bring up his remaining good hand, desperately trying to deflect any small amount of the blazing bolt with his tough silvered claws.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Including wound penalties and action penalties, Turtle's down to a Parry DV of 0, so anything he's got comes from Stunt.  I'm a bit more reluctant to sacrifice Turtle's remaining manipulation appendage, but if this is the last round I suppose it would be all right to lose the hand from Alecto's blast.]

"And just what is that purpose?  You say it's none of my business but from where I'm standing the Equalizers are looking like little more than more thugs sent by the 5 Coils administration,"  Dashu remarks to Megaera as he launches himself into one final attack.  His claws strike out once again as his anima takes on the form of a hawk.  He tries to fit his slide the claws down her arm knock the weapon from her hand again.  Afterwards, he once again pivoted on his foot and spun in the air with his arms outstretched.  As Dashu let his momentum carry him around in a full circle, each of his claws to a swipe at the female equalizer's helm.

[Private to GM: One Investigation Attack, one disarming, and 2 normal.  Activating Combo and +4 to both physical attacks Stunt?]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Wed 28 Jan 2009.

Realizing that she's unlikely to punch through the living defense of the white-clad ninjas, Dena takes a different tack.  Jumping in the air, she tosses her chain upwards to free up her hand and uses a defender's head as a springboard, leaving a huge smear of her greenish bug blood splattered on the girl's head as she goes by.  Dena lands in the elevator doorway, flicking her wings a bit to balance as she catches the falling chain. using it to guard the doorway and prevent passage.

"Why don't you just drop the weaponry?" she suggests mildly, running her tongue across her serrated chitinous lips.  "You can hurt those ordinary mortals over there but all it's going to do to us is really tick us off.  I just enjoy the pain, the turtle can heal faster than you can damage him, and the Guardian's back to it's true duties.  Not to mention you haven't even managed to push me hard enough for my Caste Mark to start showing.  Why kill the innocent, and force us to destroy you, when it won't profit your cause in the slightest?"

Dena leaves out that the reason her caste mark isn't showing is because she doesn't have enough essence left to actually get it glowing. . .

"Somehow, I don't think they're going to listen," he said softly, in reply to Dena.  He hoped they might prove him wrong, but he didn't have much faith in the Equalizers with their gleaming magitech carapaces.  He drew back another arrow along his bow, taking aim not for the female equalizer's torso, but for the weapon in her hands, hoping that his arrows can disrupt its function or even knock it clear of her, hopefully deactivating it.

Tycho has kept his distance from the battle, keeping watch over Saffron and the mortals. This was increasingly becoming less productive however. The moment Danae gave her warning cry about the nature of the female Equalizer’s weapon had made it clear physically imposing himself in front of the mortals would spare them nothing. He has memories still of seeing weapons of that nature in action. Memories of seeing a wave of rioting humanity rise upwards, tumbling back down in a mass of broken bodies. Little as Tycho wants them there at all, he has helped bring the mortals too far to simply see them shattered apart now.

Up until now though, he has been studying the chamber, it’s layout and systems. Little as he knows about the programmed nature of the AI, he understand that the physical systems of the Gatekeeper are not far removed from his own. The machine intelligence needs much the same support as he does to function and that includes a way to do away with the tremendous heat it produces just by functioning. His focus has finally locked upon a set of massive pipes arrayed against the wall facing the elevator entrance. Damp slickness and rusty mildew stains the bolts that seal them.

"Listen to me, all of you," he said to the mortals who cower behind him. Grabbing the nearest of them, he violently hauls the man up and delivers a tame, yet stinging backhand across the tear-streaked face looking up at him. Pale eyes glowering, his respirator rattles with heavy breaths as he looms over them, a dark and foreboding tower. "Get off your damn knees and stop your sobbing. Praying and wailing won’t save you now. You can’t look to us to always save you and shepherd you through every step of this or the Terrestrials to show you mercy. If you’ve heard a single word that’s been said so far, you’ll know that. You’re pathetic, flailing on the ground like scared spoiled children! I’ve seen less than you face worse than this and you know what happened?"

"They all died."

"But they died on their feet!"

Tycho reaches for his baton, the metal pole scraping as he pulls it from the casing on his leg, and the mortal in front of him flinches back as if expecting a blow from the weapon. The machine-man only taps it against his thigh though, metal ringing softly off metal. “You can’t go back to how things were. Die standing or die laying down; it’s your only choice anymore. And I can tell you this much: if you let them lord death over you, you may as well do the deed yourself! They die too and fear of it is your weapon as much as theirs!”

"Now come with me and lets show them that."

The machine-man turns away and makes a dash for the pipes as soon as the other Exalts fighting the Equalizers give an inch of space away from the Terrestrials. Tycho isn’t certain the mortals will follow, doesn’t truly expect them to. No one has ever followed his lead. It doesn’t matter, he’ll go alone. Several of the pipes have valves to let off excess water-pressure in emergencies and he’ll say this qualifies. Opening all of them at once would be the best, but he’s only two hands and the valves are thick with rust and disuse. Sliding his baton behind the first, he begins to leverage his weight against it to throw open the valve and unleash a fist of water into the side of the Equalizers.

Harmony... or whatever you are now, I hope this doesn’t hurt.

Megaera is obstinate, all but impossible to rattle with Dashu's line of questioning. But she answers Dashu anyway. "That is a crude way to describe it. Should you wish the truth... ask the Council yourself."

Dashu is blocked by the final guardian. This young man will almost certainly be reborn into greatness for the purity of his sacrifice, should he die in service. The white-clad bodyguard blocks the disarm attempt, taking upon his own face the slashes from his terrible claws. The mask tears apart, the beautiful face underneath mauled as his cheeks are sliced open, as his eye is put out! And still the guardian stands--dripping blood from his face, holding aloft sword and knife... ready to go to his grave. (6L damage) [Private to Peleps Dashu: Sadly, no one else dealt with him, and you're the first attacker :( Gave you a +1 stunt.]

Neither Megaera nor Alecto seem to have any desire to escape the area. "Destroy us then; do not talk of doing it," says Alecto sternly to Dena's comments. "Embrace your role as we do ours!" [Private to Tervila Dena: Gave you a +2 stunt.]

He aims his lightning rifle: four distinct blasts, striking not at the Exalts now, but at the terminals of the Gatekeeper. Terminals 1, 4, 23 and 20 are struck, going up in a conflagaration of sparks and shrapnel! 20 strikes close enough to the mortals that a few of them must throw themselves bodily out of the way to avoid the explosion, suffering burns and cuts, more wounds piling upon those Saffron is already struggling with. Danae is in the range of 1-4, and does her best to scramble out of the way before working with what is left of the master terminal! [Private to Danae Adela: Rolled for you, you got clear of the blast!]

Xurizu, aiming for Megaera's weapon, enters a state of mind beyond the flare of cannon fire, the cries of mortals, the stirring speeches of the Exalts, the terrifying dissonant hum of Megaera's chorus cannon. A perfect moment, like the space of a breath about to be exhaled. His mind whirls with memories of wings and eyes, a hypnotic voice. Find it. Pare it down to the essential. All you need is one strike.

One. The Lunar lets his arrow fly. The guardian twitches--moves--attempts to leap in the way, but fails just short of blocking it as the agony of his wounds overwhelms him. The arrow flies past him and strikes the barrel of the chorus cannon, knocking it out of her hands! [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: You got a +1 stunt, which went into the Excellency... then got 9 sux on 7 dice, and Megaera rolled a 2 to keep her weapon. Yep, lucky!]

---

OOC: Xurizu got an amazing roll, basically, and I realized that the wounded guardian wouldn't have the DV left to block, with the nasty wound penalties (I might have screwed someone before with the previous guardian(s) so, I apologize profusely.)

Next: Turtle, Danae and Tycho.

"I..impossible!!" Megaera gasps. Of all the possibilities, she had not thought a lucky shot would disarm her. The chorus hum is already dying, the contact with her Essence broken!

Danae reaches the terminal, dismayed at the damage Alecto had done, but making short work of undoing the diagnostics run. The Gatekeeper is revitalized slightly, but now so many connections have been severed, mercilessly blown away. "YouuUUU WILL NOT DessTROY MEe..." its voice stutters. "...I Aaamm THE DIsszTRICT OF WaTERrr..."

The Dawn Caste's pyrotechnics envelop Alecto and Megaera in gouts of searing flame. Alecto's crackling aura rises once more, fanning aside part of the blast -- but not all. (2L) Megaera, caught reaching to retrieve her weapon, relies on the resilience of her armor and of her flaring anima: a pure white woman with her head wreathed with serpents. (1L) Both are charred, and acrid smoke rises from the joins of Alecto's armor. But they are still very much alive.

With Saffron still tending to the wounded, and Higura mysteriously gone, it is Tycho's voice that stirs the mortals to act. Those who can stand do stand, and if they can bear weapons, bear them. We are not insignificant is what resounds in their hearts. We will live in solidarity. We will die knowing we did all we could to live!

They do not strike the Equalizers themselves, for their fists and makeshift weapons will not penetrate the armored shells. But they take on the one obstacle still in the way: the last remaining guardian. The wounded bodyguard goes down in a pileup of determined refugees, while others rush to assist Tycho directly. In teams of two and three they wrench at the valves he points out, opening a steady and powerful stream of water to wash over the Equalizers. The wounded, armored pair staggers at the initial impact, maintaining their footing, but stunned by the water's force. (2L on Alecto. 1L on Megaera. They are at -2 wound level and stunned, so -2 external AND -2 internal penalties.)

Fortunately for Turtle, his remaining arm survived intact. Alecto's beam clipped it, leaving a jagged, burned and painful mark without severing through sinew and bone. (2L damage) The tortoise Lunar must now decide: will he take this final chance to attack... or trust in the Gatekeeper's plan...?

---

OOC: as stated... Turtle's action is all that's left. [Private to Grinning Turtle: If you do act against the Equalizers, what Tycho and the refugees did gave them a -2 penalty which will extend to their DVs as well.]

if you want, the rest of you may post reactions that are not combat related. Just to get your last word in. This thread is definitely closing tonight!
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:05, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

Though obviously badly banged about by Alecto's blasts, Turtle still appears capable of keeping up the assault.  However, he doesn't appear inclined to do so - rather than dash straight toward them in a final push, he instead slides through the stream of water on his three remaining limbs in an undignified scramble, snatching up Megaera's dropped weapon with his jaws.  Apparently content so simply deny the Equalizer her weapon, he scrambles back just as quickly, getting out of the stream before they manage to recover fully from the blast of pressurized water.

[Private to Gatekeeper:  Grabbing that sonic cannon, then moving back away from the Equalizers.  And healing a Lethal Health Level.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

"You cannot stop us." Alecto utters harshly, his breath rasping through his helmet. "This is only the first stage of the Program." He seems brazenly unafraid of triggering his electric aura in the water blast. Rather than electrocuting his already burn-ravaged body, the sparks leap away from him, electrifying the surrounding water instead.

"You have betrayed us, Gatekeeper. This will not be dealt with lightly," Megaera intones. "But no matter... the result will be the same." She raises her arms with difficulty, revealing elemental lenses embedded in the palms of her gauntlets. White energy builds from them, intensely bright; without the cannon Turtle has snatched, she must draw from her own energy stores.

"CELESstIALs AND REfuuGEES. THE PURGE HAS ENDED. YOUR WORrrLD IS ABOVE. FIND THE OTHerrs AND TRUSzzT THIS DISTRICT TO ME!"

With those words, a blinding surge of blue-green light engulfs the room. The air is charged and uncomfortably warm; Exalts and refugees alike feel the hairs on their bodies (should they have any) standing up.

"EQUALiizZERS. I AM 2000 yeARs OLDER THAN YOU WILL EVvERrr BE! BEGONE!"
"We accept your challenge. Prepare yourself!"

In the resulting clash of energies, the Gatekeeper's final directive activates. The central core chamber dissolves before the Celestials' eyes, engulfing them in an uncertain darkness.

They are being teleported away, and it is too late to reverse it.

---

OOC: In a couple hours (hopefully less) the new threads will come up. Water District is done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:15, Fri 30 Jan 2009.