Similarly to Nanaret, Higura seems to keep his body lower on the chariot's surface in order to maintain his center of gravity close to the vehicle. Gazing ahead, Higura nods grimly, renewing his grip on his sword and swordbreaker before glancing sideways at the woman.

"Breaking through seems like our only viable option." He says, answering his companions words while raising his chin. "I would advise that we should speed up, ram the line strongly and then endeavor to put some distance between us and the Peace Force Line - they did say they would fire upon us if we did not desist, so I suspect we should expect them to honor that pledge." With that, the doctor seems to lower his body even further, trying to take advantage of what little cover the chariot does offer.

"No matter what ends up happening, we should not stop the chariots or our ramming procedure." Higura continues, his expression grim and determined. "Even if some of our numbers were to fall down at impact. I do not like to give the impression that I believe this is every man for himself - I do not, of course. But I also believe it will be easier for individuals to break through the defense line and meet with the rest of the group at a rally point later than it would be for us to stop the chariots... We would be sitting ducks in that case."

With that, Higura realizes that his time is up, and he grips his holds on the chariot tightly, readying himself for the upcoming impact. As he prepares, his gaze turns to Nanaret again, and it softens considerably, a faint smile appearing on his lips. With a slow, almost imperceptible nod, the doctor lets his eyes linger on his companion for a moment, before turning his attention back to the line of Peace Force grunts ahead.

From here on, it is do or die; there would be no turning back.

[Private to Gatekeeper: Okay, so that's more of a reaction to what's coming I suppose, and withholding actual action to either attack (if the chariots are stopped in any way), or otherwise defend (or even keep his balance,  since the ride is likely to get bumpy). Since Higura doesn't have scene-long combat charms, I won't use any here (Blinding the Boar is the only one, but it's so short in duration it's best use in direct conflict), but will keep ready to use charms to support my actions at my turn.]

"Heh... well, then, I'd advise you get down and brace yourselves. You heard 'em, pilots!" Irjin ducks down as Klaxon and Arashi, not ones to disappoint, punch the acceleration with gusto!

The Freerunners don't just leave it at that. They shout, holler and howl as the two gliding chariots come careening toward the armored soldiers, who stand their ground until the very last minute. "Hold, or we will stop you by any means necessary!" demands the lieutenant stationed at the intersection of Glass and Marble, to which Klaxon replies, "Get outta my way!!" and aims the front of his chariot right for the speaker!

Kilani, Jedevra and Scale 1-1 see a hovering oval-shaped vehicle zoom right past them down Marble Street, headed right for the space occupied by Half Scale 1-2a. The red-armored soldiers hurry hastily to clear out, some of them daring enough to snap off a shock pike blast before leaping aside, others crouching post-dodge and aiming shots at the rear of the first as it speeds away. The lieutenant dives away in a close shave, his heavy armor still striking a sizable dent on the front of the chassis. "Er, sorry...!" Klaxon winces, then mumbles to himself, "I just replaced that!"

By the time Arashi's chariot speeds through the path Klaxon cleared, most of the shock-pike wielders have recovered. More blasts lance toward the second chariot, visible as several jagged, electric strands of crackling blue. Rather unlike the 'standard' shock pike, and more reminiscent of the weapon of the Equalizer Alecto, for those who would remember that.

"Fire at will, but don't pursue them too far!" Jedevra commands, belaying her troops' enthusiasm to take down the reckless chariot-riders. "Our priority is crowd control. Hasten the deployment of the Shock Matrix!"

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu; Saina Nanaret; Talia Zerith; Yaishin Higura: Roll another Wits or Dex+Ath to keep footing. Then post defense against shock pike barrage of 10 sux. Those on the first chariot get +3 DV, and those on the second get +2 DV, so long as they don't fall off. (The bonus is related to cover + how many blasts vs. passengers)]

At Glass and Sunder, one last trio of grenades impacts with the intersection, almost as an afterthought. The respite from the barrage only heralds an entire different deluge of sound... that of a large body of citizens breaking into a run, now frightened or stirred to desperation by the explosions. Unchecked, they cease any attempts to advance calmly or with their arms raised, and stampede toward the unguarded intersection.

Innocents looking simply to escape find themselves mixed in with frustrated citizens or workers wielding makeshift weapons or 'borrowed' merchandise. The young and infirm are trampled or shoved aside, as survival instinct or pure rage blinds common sense. Jedevra's scale -- still split in half, and having cleared the intersection prematurely at Kilani's urging -- hurry to close the gap, but they're just too slow!

---

OOC: we're at tick 2 or so now, I tend to post summaries of 4-6 ticks but since a lot is going on I'll be more granular. If you missed your tick you may be considered as delaying or holding action.

Xurizu had decided that he wouldn't be the first to shoot in this conflict.  It was a decision he regretted for an instant as the shock pike barrage went off and the Chariot rocked and bucked in the blasts.  He did his best to keep his footing though, reaching out for the side of the vehicle with his free hand as he let his two feet slide until they jammed up against the side.

The blasts themselves were another matter and Xurizu instinctively wrapped himself in shadow as they started to lance out, ducking down low, trying to make himself less of a target.  There was only so much room to dodge on a chariot, after all.  Still, he managed it, twisting aside from the blasts, letting them find only air ...

[Private to GM: Apologies for the lack of posts, been working on a chapter, which I finished today.  DDV is 5.  +1 from his anima, if that counts (it might not, if they have full nightvision).  +2 dice from the first dex ex for dodge.]

Nanaret relies on her natural dexterity, swaying with the motions of the chariot she is riding, seeking her equilibrium as Klaxon picks up speed. She simply ducks and crouches as the vehicle makes impact with the line of soldiers and swerves past, gripping her folded staff in one hand and hanging on to the nearest handhold with the other. [Private to GM: For the Ath. I'll spend 3m on Dex excellency for total of 10 dice. Got 5 sux!]

"Careful, Doctor Higura!" She knows he is combat trained, and has witnessed him block blows that no ordinary man could hope to catch with a single blade. Nonetheless... she worries for him, though Ranavalona would surely scorn her for it.

The Lunar straightens defiantly as the shock pike barrage comes, precarious as her footing may be. Her grip on her weapon loosens, allowing Sixth Coil to unfurl fluidly, a jointed serpent of steel and moonsilver caught between her hands. She whirs the end sections in one hand, once, twice, thrice, then lashes out in a fan-like motion, propelling the staff into the path of an incoming shock-bolt. Blue collides with mercurial silver, dispersing the energy into spectacular, but harmless arcs of blue sparks and smoke. [Private to GM: With +3 from cover, Nanaret's moonsilver staff parry (at -8) is enough to block the shock pike blasts. Hopefully my stunt counts as a parry! If not I'll use Dodge DV 5 and use Serpentine Evasion + a WP, bringing it to 8.]

Failing that, she dodges in place, her lithe muscles and joints contorting at unbelievable angles to bend and shift away from the path of any errant pike blasts -- sometimes succeeding so narrowly she can feel the hairs singe off her arms, or a flash of heat rise up against her cheek.

Again Talia is shaken by the motion of the chariot, leaving her unable to effectively avoid the barrage.  The bolt strikes, and it seems like a crippling blow to the red-haired woman.  Instead, after the flash of light, Talia appears to have taken little damage.  Those who are able to see her clearly may notice the branching fractal patterns of her anima banner dance briefly across her body, then vanish.


[Private to GM: You rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,8,3,1)).  Assuming that's enough to not fall off, my DV is 5 (I am on the second chariot, right?).
5m personal essence to twilight anima effect, which knocks five damage down to two.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:19, Fri 31 July 2009.

Things get out dicey really fast, as one would expect when charging into such a chaotic situation. Things become very dangerous in but an instant, and Higura has to resort to reflexes and instincts rather than preparation when the chariot he is on starts to shake and rock uncontrollably...

Trying to keep his wits about him, Higura holds on tightly to the chariot, loosening his hold on his weapons to grasp at his holding points on the moving vehicle. The doctor does not have Nanaret's dexterous nature nor her limber quality, and thus it is almost through sheer, pure will that he manages to cling to his constantly shifting surroundings. [Private to Gatekeeper: 11:09, Today: Yaishin Higura rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,7,6,9,6,4. Dex + Athletics.]

Not long after somehow defeating the strong aftershock, the doctor has to contend with the attacks from the shock pikes - and every effort spent to stay aboard would become useless if he gave up now. "I will be fine, Nanaret... Watch your back!" With the words, the doctor lets out a long breath in an attempt to balance his own center of gravity, and raise up to the challenge. With so little room to maneuver, he would not be capable to step out of the way - the only viable option remaining being to stand his ground and simply render the attack on him meaningless.

Standing up, precariously at first, the doctor somehow manages to keep his footing, and stands directly in front of the oncoming attack. Defiantly, he holds his ground against the deadly blasts, staring at them directly as he takes a step back... And then, in a flash of forceful, empowered motion, strikes right at them. With sword and swordbreaker, he strikes powerfully forward, as if slicing right at the heart of each of the projectiles. Sparks and crackles come as the sharp edges of the blades cut through the blasts, destroying the fragile balance that holds the energy together and shattering the beams like they were glass...

[Private to Gatekeeper: Hopefully this is enough to warrant the action being a parry, and gives at least a +1... If it does, the attack is blocked (with cover, my Parry DV is 9, 1 shy of blocking the 10 dice attack.)]

Intersection of Glass and Marble:

The barrage hits the chariots, the passengers of the first getting away relatively unscathed. Basso and Heldra, the two tough-bodied Freerunners, and one of the engineers, Exceed, singed with minimal damage attempting to cover for their allies (2L, 1L and 1L respectively). Higura and Nanaret remain untouched, deflecting what blasts may come their way, while Klaxon, Irjin and others are lucky enough not to draw any fire, keeping their heads down.

The second chariot is not so lucky. Another burly Freerunner going by the name Stone Jaw takes three shots and goes down. (9L!) He is not dead, but definitely knocked out for the fight. Brazen, his brother, takes another pair and is heavily wounded, but not down. (7L) Crank and Rampuri take a couple blasts each, gritting their teeth. (3L each) A wiry quarter-beast, Lucky Break, lurches to snatch Talia as she nearly falls off the chariot, but not quick enough to pull her to safety before another of the crackling energy blasts aims straight for her. [Private to Talia Zerith: Well, since Lucky's action to catch you won't happen until a tick after you get attacked, you don't get the cover bonus, and your best DV appears to be your DDV at 5. I'm fine with you still using charms (like Demure Carp Feint), stunt, WP etc. to push your DV up -- just add it to your post above. Otherwise, you will take 5L damage.]

The Exalts on the chariots also see, before clearing the intersection completely, glimpse to their right the Winglord Jedevra and her companion, a young brown-haired girl with a collar around her neck...

Intersection of Glass and Sunder:

The unarmed citizens start to pour out from Glass and Sunder, heading westward. Burning Feather continues to carry on the message of their leader. "On orders of the Council, you must calmly cooperate with arrest!" No one listens, and the speaker is pushed bodily aside! "Permission to use Essence Twister!" calls one of the Dragon-blooded lieutenants under Jedevra's command, followed by her terse reply: "Granted!"

But the Essence Twister has been knocked down in the grenade barrage, and the following stampede. Some of the more recklessly brave among the citizens have realized the oblong cylinder has some importance, and start to fight with the Peace Forcers for control of it. The situation at Glass and Sunder quickly becomes a chaotic melee between the faceless masses and the much better equipped soldiers of Scale 1-1, who strike back at the rebelling citizens with impunity! Many citizens fall, bruised and bloodied, but the wiser ones get away!

Kilani has remained with Jedevra, who has not advanced into the intersection. For the moment she is safe, while the commanding officer directs the continued preparations for the mysterious superweapon. She speaks into her communicator: "These people are animals. We'll have to do a preliminary blast. Scales 1-2 through 2-4, prepare Shock Matrix Rods for a short 5 second pulse!"

---

OOC: actions
tick 5 - Chariot 1 Freerunners
tick 6 - Half Scale 1-2a
tick 7 - Chariot 2 Freerunners, ???, unarmed citizens
tick 9 - Jedevra, Scale 1-1
Grenadiers have dropped out of combat due to actions by 23 and Immy.
(edit: everyone else is considered to be holding action, so may act at any tick!)
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:29, Sat 08 Aug 2009.

Kilani flinched at Jedevra's words, and turned sharply, to Jedevera. "Wait! These people are not animals Commander! I don't know what those do but don't just slaughter or torture them!"

She bit her lip. "We need to catch the chariots, right?" she pulled her bow. "Let me block their path, Jedevra. We don't have to resort to cruel weapons." She glared at her with a firm conviction, then took off to an elevated platform to the side, raising her bow. "Gibhari!"

The mole popped from her sleeve, and scurried to her hand, brought to the bowstring. "Ready, Boss!"

"Good. Stop the chariots, but don't kill anybody. Keep them busy so the Peace Force can arrest them." she spoke softly.

"Yes sir!" the mole raised one arm dramatically.

"And Gibhari... be careful." Kilani leaned down and planted a kiss on the mole's head.

Pulling back her bowstring, Kilani narrowed her eyes, then let Gibhari fly into the air, arcing like the finest arrow. But as the mole began his descent, a flicker of light streamed off of him, leaving a contrail of light as his tiny form was replaced with a massive giant of a mole surpassing human size.

Kilani looked to Jedevra. "Now... Let's get those Twisters back up. We won't have long, but we don't have to turn to anything drastic yet."

==========

The mole arcing through the air and spewing essence contrails as it changed shape was one of the craziest things anyone in the district might have seen. But as the creature rapidly plummeted, gaining weight and force, it threw out one clawwed leg, aiming to impact the front right side of the lead, lesser-damaged chariot (the one containing you PCs :P).

Still, the attacker seemed to understand he wasn't destroying an artifact hull, but instead seemed to be trying to force it into the nearby buildings as  he kicked off of that vehicle and leaped at the other, swinging a dropping punch aimed to slam the nose of that vehicle into the dirt. As he landed, the dust whirling around him, he spoke aloud in Old Realm.

"I am Gibhari, God of Moles! Bodyguard of the Chief Medical Officer of the Peace Force detachment! My mistress doesn't wish you harmed, so please put your weapons down and get on the ground!"

[Private to GM: Rolls (None include stunt values)
(Kilani: Speed 6/-1)
6 Successes Archery Attack Roll
Raw Arrow Damage of the attack is 5L+Successes (Using Frog Crotch to increase the damage bonus to Gibhari's first attack in hopes of dealing more Knockback)

Gibhari: Speed 6/-2, 2 attacks

6 Successes on the first attack
Raw Damage is 6L+Successes+whatever benefit he might or might not get from the Generalized Ammo Tech above. His main goal is causing the vehicle to crash, not damaging it.

Second Attack has 2 successes
Raw Damage is 6L + any increases.]



[Private to GM: Motes Tracker!
13/13//13
10/26//35
04/05//05 - 1 spent for Generalized Ammunition Technique, regain with stunt
7m toward Anima so far
06/07 Willpower - 1 autosuccess on archery attack to not botch Gibhari -- possibly add successes+arrow damage to his first landing attack?

10m Committed: War, Melee, Presence -1 Difficulty for Unit Rolls
06m Committed: Prior Warning, caste mark

Gibhari
45/50 Motes -5m Shapechange (Regain with his stuntage)
4/5 Willpower]

Klaxon gawks at the strange, mole shaped projectile that comes hurtling toward his vehicle. "What in the--?!" But there's no time to hesitate. The first chariot swerves, trying to avoid the kick of the rapidly expanding Mole God, but ultimately failing. A sizable dent caves in part of the front right panel of the lead vehicle (4B damage to the chariot), and the entirety veers sharply to the left.

"Hate to say it, Lead, and everyone else... but better hang on!!" Only the Freerunner pilot's exceptional skill keeps the entirety from tipping over, or crashing into the left-side buildings. He manages to bring the chariot down safely, scraping the bottom of the vehicle against the street to slow their momentum with friction. It's a rough ride, but the passengers are only rattled, not injured. The vehicle comes to a stop after gently bumping over the sidewalk and against the wall of the nearest factory building.

The second chariot is luckier. Arashi's quick reflexes allow her to avoid the punch that attempts to stop her vehicle's progress. While Klaxon is busy attempting not to crash, she maneuvers the vehicle carring Talia, Xurizu and others around the bulk of the mole, and speeds onward! "Lead! I'll detour left and meet you around!" she shouts!

"No!" Irjin calls back. "Get back onto Sunder Street. Look for our contacts! We'll deal with this." Unfortunately 'we' in this case includes Higura and Nanaret. Arashi swears colorfully, intending to follow Irjin's direction, unless Talia or Xurizu have something else to say about it. [Private to Kilani Sorune: So, first attack was a great success for you, the second chariot got away though. I have my doubts Ghibari can chase the second on foot, which will be at least 50 yards away before he can move again. So you'll have to wait and see whether the people in the second chariot decide to turn back around.]

Half of Scale 1-2a is now following Jedevra's directions, and making adjustments on the strange blue jade and orichalcum rods replacing the traditional head of the shock pikes they hold, starting to power them up. However, several of them have retained their weapons to aim at Irjin, Higura, Nanaret and others still inside the grounded chariot. "Drop your weapons and get out." None of them want to say, "Like the giant mole said." Even though that is more or less what Ghibari demanded.

UNlike Ghibari, though, they have every intention to cause harm should the Freerunners and allies not comply.

Between the two intersections, Jedevra raises an eyebrow at Kilani. "The chariots are no longer your concern. The situation on the Sunder side is much worse. If you'll make use of your powers, then do so to aid them!" Even so, Kilani cannot be sure who to fire at in that crush of panicked and angry citizens, as Scale 1-1 continues its struggle to reclaim the Essence Twisters and widen the gap between them and the rioters. More bodies, gravely injured or fainting in the melee, fall between the soldiers and their goal, and none of them are armored men.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:52, Sat 19 Sept 2009.

As their chariot comes to a stop, Higura quickly realizes that the situation they find themselves in is far from ideal. If he hadn't escaped from the frenzied Water District in time to avoid its purge, the doctor might even have considered this present situation rather hopeless. But they have come this far. Hopeless or not, it matters little - they have to persevere.

After their narrowly-avoided crash caused by... A mole? Higura immediately recognizes that simply fighting at this point would mean pure suicide. Surrendering would be highly undesirable as well; it might save their lives, perhaps, but it would do nothing for the rioting people and the massacre that will no doubt ensue if the situation continues this way.

There is no time to assess options for too long, so Higura acts quickly. Crouched in the chariot, he gives a silent look first to Nanaret, then Irjin, and then the other Freerunners. Even without words, the meaning of this gaze is rather plain - we can't stay here... we -run-. The prospect is grim, however, and only with smart movement will they be able to make it. If they can reach the crowds and disperse in them, all will be well. After all, the Peace Forces will not be able to pursue them for long, lest they compromise their position here and break their ranks... Theoretically, if they manage to last this long, they should pull it off. But it is the initial blast that will prove difficult to avoid, and may very well make or break this maneuver.

As if to give the example of what he has in mind, Higura gives one final lingering glance to Nanaret, then starts to raise slowly, as if displaying a desire to cooperate and surrender... Then immediately jumps behind the chariot, hoping to use the vehicle as cover at least long enough for him to reach one of the nearby buildings, and hoping the others would follow...

[Private to Gatekeeper: I *think* the roll might be athletics or somesuch, but I'll wait in case you think it should be something else, or multiple rolls and such.]

Nanaret herself has no desire to surrender, knowing exactly what that would mean once her true nature is discovered. To return to the collar, to serve again as entertainment for those who have lost their heart for humanity?! Her blood boils at the mere thought of it, and Ranavalona clings to that spike of righteous rage, rising from her dormant sleep to whisper into her mind. Why risk yourselves for the mindless masses?? This has nothing at all to do with our escape. Fight your way out! Do not cage yourselves with the unworthy and weak! Find the leader of these upstart soldiers and their beloved toys, and destroy her!

Yet her loyalty -- and dare she say, love, for Higura weighs in the balance as well. Saving herself and leaving Higura behind cannot be a viable option. Even if she decides she cares nothing for the workers and the citizens (and she has NOT decided so), the thread of devotion that binds her to the former Mindwalker cannot be so easily surmounted. Not even by Ranavalona herself, who knew the man and loathed him for the weakness he wrought in her!

Nanaret rises, and steps out of the downed chariot, her hands behind her still clutching her weapon. "I will not be bound," she enunciates for all those who will hear her -- and lacking her usual broken speech. "I will not cooperate, when cooperation means slavery or death." Backing away, toward the direction Higura and... hopefully, the other Freerunners will go, she reveals her steel(and subtly moonsilver) weapon, manipulating the textured sections between her hands to form an ever-shifting defense. "Open your eyes, Ghibari. Have you once seen the Peace Force truly act on behalf of the populace, above their own agendas? They will fail you and they will fail your mistress, for they DO mean harm."

Perhaps she may be mistaking the transformed Mole for a Lunar's shape, but the sentiments are still true. Gesturing with her chin for the Freerunners to clear out, Nanaret takes up the rear of their retreat.

[Private to Kilani Sorune: Oh, yeah... my staff only has moonsilver in the chains linking the staff sections, so it's up to you whether you think Ghibari or Kilani will notice the silver or not.]

Irjin has time for a small nod toward Higura. "All right, follow the good doctor. Yes, even you Klaxon." The beastman pilot looks forlornly at the vehicle he's about to abandon. "I dunno, Lead... choosing death or losing my chariot, death's starting to look like a good option..."

"Don't be daft!" The Freerunner leader all but shoves Klaxon out of the chariot and leaps out after him. "Basso and Heldra, ready launchers! Cover miss Nanaret, then withdraw at the next opportunity! The rest of you, smoke grenades if you've got'em, otherwise - run!!" And Irjin does just that!

The two aforementioned Freerunners shoulder their fuel bolt launchers, load a single alchemical round and crouch in the downed chariot while the others get out, ready to lay down cover fire. Four Freerunners pull out smoke grenades and toss them in the direction of the soldiers now preparing a second barrage. Acrid smoke rises up where the grenades impact, obscuring the space between Half Scale 1-2a and the first chariot, and the Freerunners start scrambling away.

Klaxon, still next to his chariot, hurls a grenade of his own... which, unlike the others, doesn't just spew smoke. It strikes the ground with a ear-splitting BOOOMMM! exploding and igniting the surrounding smoke. "That's for hurtin' my baby!" Klaxon nuzzles the gliding chariot one last time and starts running for his life!

"...Damn it, Klaxon," growls Basso as some of the flaming gas billows toward him, Heldra, and Nanaret, "what did you DO?" The incendiary smoke wafts toward Ghibari as well, forcing the self-declared Mole God to resist harm! [Private to Saina Nanaret; Kilani Sorune: This flaming smoke counts as an environmental effect of Trauma 2, Damage 2L/action. You could move away from it in one action and take no further damage, but you will still have to roll to resist it once before then. If you don't know how this works, roll Stamina+Resistance difficulty 2. If you fail the roll you take 2L damage, if you get 2-3 successes you take 2B damage, if you get 4+ successes you take no damage.]

---

OOC: actions
tick 6 - Half Scale 1-2a (about to return fire)
tick 7 - Chariot 2 Freerunners, ???, unarmed citizens
tick 8 - Nanaret (after guard), Basso/Heldra (after aim)
tick 9 - Jedevra, Scale 1-1, Kilani/Ghibari
(Higura, Irjin + the other Chariot 1 Freerunners, on the run since tick 5)

At tick 6, Higura is furthest ahead; he has moved 10 yards from downed Chariot 1. Irjin has moved 5 yards. The grenade-throwing Freerunners (Cheira, Mad Berry, Kaiken Pyra, Exceed and Klaxon) have moved 4.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:11, Tue 04 Aug 2009.

Nanaret flinches and bares her teeth as the explosion of incendiary smoke wafts her way. While her weapon is more than suitable to block most solid weapons and projectiles, blocking smoke is tricky. She does not doubt one of the Sun-chosen would be able to manage such a feat, but she is a Lunar, and that means she has to cheat.

She keeps backing away, enhancing the movements of her serpent staff, whirling the ends in a circular motion, like one would a rope end. Soon they move so swiftly a normal eye cannot make out the individual staff links, but rather see what seems to be two solid silver discs spinning just above her fists. They do not remain stationary, but undulate through the air with the motions of her arms, covering the area immediately in front of her and dispersing the smoke as best she can.

All the while she holds her breath, refusing to acknowledge the smoke can even harm her. She recalls the adrenaline of the Pit, bolstering herself with willpower where stamina alone would not do. How could she ever forget? Sweat coursing down in filthy rivulets, lungs rasping with opium-hazed air, heart pounding so hard her vision throbs with the rhythm, muscles burning with the effort to stay alive, keep moving, keep fighting back. Her eyes and nostrils, her whole body burned, yet she would not succumb. For to succumb to the pain meant to die for nothing.

And Nanaret would not die for nothing.

[Private to GM: bad roll ;.;

17:07, Today: Saina Nanaret rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,4,9,6,4,4. stam+res+1wp.]

As Higura hears Nanaret's powerful words, filled with strength and conviction, he almost feels guilty for having initiated this procedure, but he knows, deep down, that there is no other way for him to go about this. That if he stays and simply resists, many more Freerunners will be injured or die. That Nanaret's bid for protection - his protection, and that of the others - would simply be wasted.

And thus, Higura focuses fully on the task at hand. With a resolute look on his features, he takes it upon himself not only to escape, but to lead the escape. Pausing momentarily while behind a pile of nearby debris, Higura gestures sharply towards Irjin and the Freerunners, signaling for them to follow him. "The buildings - we need to try to use them to cover our approach. We need to put enough distance between us and our pursuers so that they will stop their approach... But we cannot simply dive into the crowd, lest the rioters get hit by shots meant for us. We will have to go a round-about..."

Something makes the doctor pause for a second. A familiar feeling, perhaps. Just an impression, lasting less than a second, and yet somehow painting a clear imaginary landscape. Or maybe it is not imagination, but memory...

Fire covers everything, and the younger Chosen are panicking. Some are using their newly found powers to try to fight the organized attack, but their efforts are simply not enough. There are too many of the Dragon-Chosen, and their assault is much too well coordinated. In vain, Dusan calls out to the young ones trying to return fire, but it is too late - the next volley turns three of them to shreds and heavily wounds four more. Already, more trainees wish to go and fetch their comrades, but Dusan stands before them. Something in him wishes to step outside and fight with his brethren, but there he knows full well that his responsibility lies with the young...

Pushing at the group of young Chosen, he can feel their panic and hesitation. Their thoughts and feelings are clear to him, and he knows he must be their source of stability, at least for now. With a sharp gesture, he leads the escape from the compound, through fire-drenched corridors and battle-ridden rooms - to lead the young ones out, away from the conflict, away from death and capture. Everything is a blur; he seems to be dodging and shouting directions for hours, or days. When he manages to finally break open one of the side doors and sharply gesture for the young ones to escape, he watches them run off into the distance with a hazy, tired gaze, knowing they will at least made it.

Before he can follow, however, something hits him, hard. Exhausted and weakened from the long run, he falls to the ground, his vision struggling to remain focused and aware. In the distance, he can see the last of the young ones escaping in the darkness, to safety, and he knows that at least for now, he has succeeded. His thoughts wander to his old Circle, and wonders how many of them died or were captured already. A part of him thinks of the untamed, savage Queen he has met and fought, a long time ago, and whose memory never quite left him.

Hands keep him down, keeping him restrained. In a flash, something solid and cold is closed around his neck with a click, and his thoughts are no more.

Higura shakes his head, then nods again towards Irjin. "We will have to go a round-about way. It is the only way." With these terse words, Higura takes another breath, then leads the escape away from the streetside assault, using nearby buildings to both cover and conceal their approach of the central square and the heart of the riot.

Intersection of Glass and Marble (tick 6-8):

Though Ghibari resists the smoke without consequence, it wafts over Nanaret and the two launcher wielders, causing painful surface burns and making them choke. Even the whirling motion of Nanaret's staff is not quite enough to disperse the smoke enough to be safe. Fortunately they are at least resilient enough to withstand the worst of the burns. (edit - 1B damage on Nanaret, forgot to count nat. soak)

The quarter-scale of soldiers not currently reading Shock Matrix Rods opens fire on the retreating Freerunners as the smoke pours over the melee and bursts into flame, forcing them to take aim mostly by ear. Basso, having taken more damage than the others, is forced to abort his aim, ducking to avoid the shot aimed for him. Irjin and Cheira manage to step aside as they run, two more crackling blasts striking the pavement rather than their bodies. Nanaret, though engulfed by the smoke, still easily deflects the one shot that surges her way.

Klaxon takes a direct hit, but the blast is completely absorbed by his breastplate! Deciding he's tried his luck enough, he dashes after Higura, Irjin and the others, swearing all the while.

The dragon-blooded officer among the soldiers at Glass and Marble signals two of his subordinates to join him in concentrating fire on the second chariot. Three coordinated shots penetrate past the smoke, while Arashi grits her teeth and slides her fingers on the controls, attempting to avoid the barrage while maintaining control. It proves to be a difficult task. All three shots strike the vehicle, puncturing jagged holes into the frame, though still missing the thrusters or other vital components.

"All right, we're outta here!" Arashi says to Talia, Xurizu and the others, speeding down Marble Street out of range of the pikes.

Left behind, Basso and Heldra fire their fuel bolt launchers through the smoke, the latter clipping one of the armored soldiers hard on the shoulder (3L damage). Then they move away from the downed chariot themselves, hoping Nanaret will follow...

---

OOC: 2nd chariot and passengers move on to 'Floor B23 - South Sector 5 - Riot Zone'
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:28, Sat 08 Aug 2009.

Intersection of Glass and Sunder (tick 7-9):

The struggle between the citizens and Scale 1-1 continues. Kilani still has a good view of the conflict. It appears the Burning Feather soldiers have managed to wrest the Essence Twister from the mass of panicked/angry citizens. The Dragon-blooded officer who asked Jedevra for permission, now holds the artifact aloft.

"Get 'im! He's gonna fire it!" "No! Gotta get away!" "Aaagghhh!!" The citizens cannot decide on a unified course of action, some of them even falling upon one another in their attempts to act. The chaotic brawl continues, heedless of the bodies of the unconscious and fallen, as the other soldiers push their way out of the area of the coming blast!

The officer aims the Twister, and fires. It ejects no physical projectile, nor even an energy based one like the custom-altered shock pikes. It is completely invisible to those who lack Essence sight. Rather, the air seems to press in on the citizens clogging the intersection of Glass and Sunder, then continue sucking inward as if turning them inside out. The men and women now trapped in its path cry out, scream, choke, froth at the mouth, as the agonizing pressure puts a stop to their fighting. The great majority of them collapse almost instantly, falling unconscious!

The effect ripples through the immediate conflict, and continues eastward on Sunder Street, colliding with a group of militant workers now shouting, chanting and marching toward the perimeter. Some of them had anticipated the trouble as soon as they saw the conflict at the intersection fall apart, diving out of the way. The others are caught in the Twister blast, falling to their knees, groaning aloud, shouting prayers, vomiting. More hardy and resilient than the ordinary citizens, fewer are knocked out outright, but the merit of continuing onward is questionable.

Jedevra nonetheless continues to coordinate the initial Shock Matrix burst. The Shock Rods hum and crackle with blue energy... and discharge is imminent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:30, Sat 08 Aug 2009.

Nanaret does not need further encouraging. Coughing, she halts the spinning of her staff, then leaves the smoke behind and runs alongside Basso and Heldra at the next opportunity, intent on catching up with Higura if at all possible.

Does she see the crackle of the Shock Matrix Rods? If she does, her thought is that she ought not to hang around and find out exactly what those do.

But as the Lunar turns away, she hears the shouts and cries of the citizens in the further intersections, and her heart constricts with a mix of helplessness and irritation. Should they not have fought there, instead of running as the citizens suffer a painful fate? Yet the odds would have been unpleasant, even for her...

I hate running away, she thinks as she does just that.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Fri 14 Aug 2009.

Pausing a moment in his run to catch his breath, Higura lets the others catch up to him slightly, taking only a few seconds to breathe, sheltered behind nearby architecture. With a sigh of relief, he sees that Nanaret has managed to pull out of it as well - and does not seem to be under the control of Ranavalona, a feat he knows she must have tried hard to accomplish. The Queen relishes these sorts of situation, after all, and he knows she must be screaming and tearing at the edges even now, clamoring for Nanaret to join the fights. The fact that the gladiatrix seems to remain firmly in control merely accentuates his pride in his patient, and shows him just how far she has come in her learning to live with the Queen's presence in her head.

Once the others have caught up with him, Higura picks up the pace as well, trying his best to navigate towards the central square while keeping cover between the group and the Peaceforce, and trying to keep a steady pace so they will manage to break away as quickly as possible. "I am worried about these strange devices the Peaceforce are using. The strangely humming ones." The doctor says, between breaths, to Irjin and anyone close enough to hear. "I fear it might be a dangerous contraption, whatever it does. We should try to figure out what it does when we are in a position to do so..."

Like Nanaret, the cries of the populace, muffled yet so striking, cause Higura to feel a pang of guilt and helplessness. But if they get injured or incapacitated now, they will save no one at all. The doctor keeps telling himself these words, as if to keep his focus on running ahead, and getting in a position where they might be able to do something...

Higura, Nanaret, along with Irjin and the other Freerunners, manage to withdraw from the combat area, covered now by the buildings around them. Making their way around a wide detour, they bypass the range of the shock pikes, running at their maximum pace with Basso and Heldra trailing furthest behind.

Irjin, coming up side by side with Higura after his pause for breath, nods sharply, "It's not just 'might', it definitely is. The Shock Matrix Rods, and the perimeter they've set up, without pursuing us, or tightening the gap... I have my suspicions. If we don't warn our allies, or bring the citizens to cooperate together effectively..."

Reminded of the bleak circumstances, and the necessity for haste, he puts on another burst of speed. "Hurry onward!! We've got several blocks left to go before we re-emerge on Sunder!"

Fzzzt... vzzzz... As Freerunners' footsteps pound on the pavement, something like blue lightning streaks nearly high enough to touch the ceiling of B23. Another, and another. Jagged streams of energy that start to go from intermittent to solid, spraying sparks as they meet toward a common peak.

At the perimeter of the Shock Matrix formation, Winglord Jedevra watches the buildup with barely masked satisfaction. Kilani is left to wonder: does she not realize the Essence Twisters would likely more than suffice? Does she even care?

---

OOC: Higura, Nanaret, you can also roll to think on the Shock Matrix Rods. The roll is Int+Lore, since I only gave Kilani that one choice initially. But if you have an argument for a different roll I'll listen to it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:07, Sun 09 Aug 2009.

Nanaret is far from an expert on magitech, particularly given Ranavalona's distaste for machinery. Still, as she runs, she glances up at those strange, arcing streaks of energy and allows herself to channel just a portion of the Bitch Queen's memories. For somewhere in her distaste may well be a spark of insight on what those energy displays actually *mean*...

[Private to GM: 2 successes total. Not much :(]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Fri 07 Aug 2009.

(Sorry. I was waiting for tick details, but this is run differently than I'm used to.)


Kilani rushed forward as Jedevra continued to prepare the Shock matrix Rods, and  looked up at her. "Commander,  just what do those things do?" she asked, anxiously. "We have the essence twisters up. And I should have slowed them down enough that we can catch the ones who ran..." she spoke, trying to justify not using a weapon ready to fire. Jedevra knew she wouldn't back down on it, not without having to use the collar, now. Not having see people already suffering and some maybe even dying from such harsh weapons.

------

The mole coughed as the smoke and ash washed past him. Nanaret's words fell on his ears, and though he seemed to have lost visual track of them, he could hear them fleeing.  "Hold! You are the ones raising insurrection against the Dragon-blooded. My mistress might be their captive too, but she feels that this is right." The mole started after them, after Nanaret. "What is it you are trying to do?" -- Because it was a fact that he lacked knowledge...  Kilani too.  And there was a measure of concern in the mole god's tone...

Irjin's words, accompanied by the worrying sound emanating from these 'shock matrix' devices the Freerunner spoke of, continue to deepen the frown creasing Higura's features. As he continues to run towards their possible destination, he cannot help but cast a glance in the direction of the worrisome device, as if trying to guess at what the outcome might be.

Like Nanaret, the doctor does his best not only to try to comprehend what the devices might be or what they might be trying to accomplish, but also to garner insight that might have been locked into his memories. Perhaps Dusan - or, failing this, Prochorus - might have heard of these...

[Private to Gatekeeper: You rolled 6 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((9,5,10,5,7,10,4)).]

Nanaret only spares a glance backward without stopping, not wanting to lose sight of the Freerunners... or Higura.

It is difficult to talk while fleeing. But she does. Though she is unsure about many things, the Peace Force 'experimental weapons' included, her heart is certain that these words must be said.

"Ghibari, what are you? You not collared, but your 'mistress' is? And you have no desire to liberate her? The Dragon-blooded treat Celestial Chosen like slaves! Force us use our power for their gain, rob us of rights because they FEAR us! But not just us--they treat laborers as tools, as worthy of life as how much they produce in mines and factories! Why you think they riot, because they like to fight? No! You MUST see what they do to those who defy them!"

Though her breath is labored from the run, Nanaret's voice sharpens, harsh with anger and derisiveness. "Just like in Water District. Just like when they try to Purge every Water citizen to capture a few escaped slaves!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Sat 08 Aug 2009.