Brun did his best to ignore the tirade coming at him from within the small cockpit.  They had every right.  He would never deny deserving their scorn.   So, he let them vent their disgust at him with no reply.  He was too busy.  Could not let it reach him.  But, he gritted his teeth grindingly tight as Gwydion sent his refusal, "As you say, your Grace.  I will see you on the field."  He spun Euryleia away from a new attacker, slashing offhandedly and boosting back into the formation.  Let us hope there is a field left to receive you....  But that was Brun's job.  To hold the line.

Something in Rose's hateful words gave him inspiration though.  He had been a brigand to be sure.  A very well trained one in fact.  It was time to make use of that.  He keyed the comm to the knight nearest him, "Sir Sturm.  I am transmitting tactical data and ECM protocols to you.  An....unorthodox close range tactic.  Turn to vector 2-9.  I will play the bait on the first pass...."   The Shadow Gambit was a tactic favored by the reckless adventurers on the Shadow King it involved putting one Armor in close contact with an enemy Armor and hooking them into a chase.  A spiraling weave and a linked burst of ECM protocols allowed the wingman to swing in on the enemy through a suddenly blind vector.

A dishonorable pirate's trick, to be sure.  But, in a desperate fight versus overwhelming forces....  They had to do more to thin the horde before they shattered the lines.  Offense was needed.

As he maneuvered his Lady into position, he spotted the change in Meara's transponder and the shift in the enemy focus, "No no no no no...." But there was nothing he could do from here.

Feel like I need to give Brun a little more boost to really try and crack into that Emergent group with a big hit.  So.  CA - Shadow Gambit total 8.  In the words of Captain Jack. "Pirate!"

22:36, Today: Brun rolled 3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 1, 1.  Create Advantage - Shadow Gambit - Cunning, +3, Win or Die +2.

Brun's gambit pays off in a big way as the defenders manage to encircle trap the emergent between those Armours closest to the transports and an outer ring of defenders. Taking fire from both sides not even the Emergents' vast computational capabilities allow them to escape all of the incoming fire. The trasports continue their flight to the gate unharmed.

---

Meara is viciously hounded by the Emergent at her heels. Thankfully, Freyr, and Sir L1-4MNT trail behind picking off as many emergent as they can. Meara trails away from the Wyrmgate to draw the Emergent away from the gate long enough for the incoming transports to escape.  There is a bright flash as the Wyrmgate spools up and the first transport disappears.

"The first transport is outbound for Avaluna," MerLN notifies Meara as she pulls a High-G turn and loops Brunhildr back around to avoid getting caught in the Emergents' crossfire. Mimi shrieks as it happens, but manages to stay conscious.

As Meara loops back around toward the massive purple Wyrmgate, MerLN speaks again, "Alert. Please clear the disembarkation zone. You'll recall that I said the majority of the Warhost was some distance away? One knight should be arriving...now. Left. Left! LEFT!"

Meara holds her course and jinks at the very last second as an Armour carrier materializes out of nowhere. It's markings clearly identify it as Martian and as soon as materializes its cannons begin blazing. Strike craft disengage from it's hull and begin to thin out the Emergent behind Meara as well. The carrier's bay opens up and an Amour with Cryoblaster Emerges. As such close range the first batch of Emergent are frozen solid and the carrier's light cannons easily pick them apart.

"Princess Meara of Chonaill, might I introduce Sir RHY-S32 of Mars."

---

Gwydion fights like a man possessed while defending the station's repair crews. Not a single stray bolt of blaster fire gets past Gwydion and he even manages to take down a few emergent who are foolish enough to get too close. The repair crew themselves do admirable work. It's certainly not the prettiest repair you've ever seen, but it looks sturdy at least. "That's as good as we can get it, given the circumstances. It'll hold for a bit, but those people need to get out of there as quickly as they can."

Another voice crackles over Gwydion's comm, this one familiar and accompanied by rapid, panicked, blaster fire. "Gwydion, can you hear me?" It is Lady Iliza. Her voice is strained. "Gwydion there are swarms of infiltrators here. Nearly all of our men-at-arms have already fallen. There are not enough left to help the more grievously wounded let alone fight off this attack. I am going to stay behind and buy them what time that I can. They will never make it to the transports otherwise. Once all of my people are safely through the exit corridor, I want you to seal off their route so that they cannot be followed." More panicked blaster fire. Iliza is breathing heavily when she speaks again, "I know what that means. Please, Gwydion. Do this for me. I..." Her voice thickens, but this time with something other than adrenaline, "...only wish we had had more time together. I know we haven't known each other long, but I thought that perhaps we..." Blaster fire cuts off her words. When she comes back she speaks again quickly, "Please, care for my people and my family, Gwydion. And tell them that I love them. And you Gwydion, I l---" The transmission ends suddenly.

OOC:
The first transport is away! I repeat: The first transport is away! One Fate Point for All.

Brun you establish your Aspect with two free Invokes.

X1 & X3 follow the transports, but since the defenders have them so covered up I'm ruling that's all the can do.

11:53, Today: MerLN rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, -1.  Emergent X2 Attack vs. Meara Fair Melee +2. 1FP to invoke Priority Alpha. Total: 4.

11:55, Today: MerLN rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 0, 0.  Emergent X4 Attack vs. Meara Fair Melee +2. 1FP to invoke Priority Alpha. Total: 2.

Roll your defenses, Meara.

Holy heck, Gwydion. That'll do it. Breach is fixed and one transport is about to get filled off of that. I thought that overcome would take a few turns. I was wrong. Wooow....

Also, why didn't anybody tell me I was missing a Transport D? I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what I did with it and I realized it was just omitted when I decided to use six transports instead of eight for the scenario. ;p

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit (Two Free Invokes)
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Enroute
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha


               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
               e                 x₁ x₃      x₂x₄
               |         Br()    (c)      M(b)
               |
               |
               L1
             f, g

L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Crippled
Fully Loaded
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group C
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [x] [x]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:16, Tue 17 Nov 2015.

Too much. Too many things going on at once. Gwydion had seen his share of battles before, but they were usually far more straightforward: the enemy was in front, and the explody ends of weaponry pointed that way. Done. He continued keeping the Emergent warriors at bay, hesitating only for a brief moment. Then he opened a channel to the repair crew.

"Good work, boys. Get back to the station, you're getting on shuttles and leaving. Top speed." As he escorted the repair crew back toward the station, another message went to Brun and Meara.

"You've been amazing, and I wish I could join you out there, but there's one more thing I have to do first. I'll be fine, don't worry." It was hard to say who that last bit was directed to.

[Rolling Zeal to Create an Advantage, getting back to the station pronto.

18:27, Today: Gwydion rolled 3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, 1.  Zeal +2.

Total: +5.]

Another Emergent combat form exploded to the side and Euryleia danced away, disruptor foils trailing bits of wreckage from her former enemy.  It was working, the knights were making use of the pirate tactics and bringing the hammer down on the drones.  For a brief moment, Brun actually felt a measure of pride that his time on the Edge provided just the right skill for this time and place.

But, he had to keep it brief.  The war was not over and the enemy still too numerous.  Thrusters blazing, Euryleia dove back into the attack pattern at just the right time.  Another Emergent getting lead off into the waiting trap of his allied knights.

He spared a glance to the scanners for how Meara fared and took heart that she was still there.  She's absolutely mad...  But one hell of a knight.  I only hope that madness can keep her fighting long enough....  His thoughts trailed off as new contacts registered.  Fear gripped his heard at the idea of yet more enemies joining the fray, but no.  The transponder codes were.  He keyed open the comms, "Brun to all points.  Allies have arrived at the gate.  We are not alone!"

His Lady slashed through another Combat Form, disruptor foils blazing with lightning as they wreaked their havoc.

Gwydion's hail caught him in his moment of triumph, "Thank you, sir.  We may yet win this battle...."  He trailed off as his mind parsed through the Prince's message, "No! Don't! Gwydion, please.  Wait.  Allies are arriving even now.  Whatever you are thinking do not risk it!"

So, if I understood what Gwydion said...  I can use both free invokes right now, eh?

So... Rolled 4, +2 Melee, +4 for Invokes....  Total 10.  If that doesn't do it, I am willing to burn an Extra 2 Fate Points for another +4 (Prince's Esteem and Renounced Prince on the Edge)

01:01, Today: Brun rolled 4 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, 1, 1.  Attack! Melee +2 vs. Group at E1.

I didn't want to be made a target of the entire Emergent fleet.  I just wanted to be a distraction.

Then MerLN comes along and goes HEY I MADE YOU THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TARGET HAVE FUN TRYING TO SURVIVE NOW also there's people coming I hope you like having the glory stolen as well as potentially your life I mean it's no big deal right I am so done with-

Meara's thoughts of frustration and rage are interrupted by several Emergent attempting to slice her, Mimi, and Brunhildr into tiny pieces.  Alternately, crush them into paste, or do some horrible combination of the two.  It is all she can do to stay alive and deflect any attacks that would actually hit.  She really wants to relay the information she was given, but she's really too busy trying to not die now that everything on the enemy's side wants a piece of hot sexy redheaded princess.

Maybe that last blow that got past her defenses is starting to make her a bit delusional, or maybe that's all the adrenaline overload finally wearing off.

00:44, Today: Meara rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, -1, 1.  00:44, Today: Meara rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 0, -1.  +2 Melee, +2 Lævatein, +2 Hyper Efficient Reactor (Berzerker aspect invoked).
Total: 4 - tie
00:44, Today: Meara rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 0, -1.  +2 Melee, +2 Lævateinn Blade,  +2 Hyper Efficient Reactor (Berzerker aspect invoked).
Total: 4 - tie
So that's 2 fate points spent for the previous turn's evasion.  So they have some boosts.  Yay me.
00:46, Today: Meara rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, -1, -1.  +4 Armor (Evade).
No.
00:47, Today: Meara rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 1, 0.  +4 Armor (HELLO FATE POINT REROLL).
Total: 4 - tie
00:47, Today: Meara rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 1.  +4 Armor (Evade #2).
Total: 4 - fail by two steps.  YAY I GOT HIT WOO!
So I rolled five times and never got a positive result.  Seems legit.  Also no point in boosting since they're either going to get boosts or use them to hit me if I match them.  Either way I'm kind of hosed, so I'll just take it on the chin!  Get some nice battle scars.

I don't like it when I'm the one in pain.

A cheer goes through the defenders at Brun's announcement, but they quickly regain their composure and press their advantage. Led by Brun, the ragtag and haggard band of tournament knights pursue the Emergent. Trapped as they are between the transport's defenders, thanks to Brun's gambit, the Emergent suffer many losses and their combat strength is drastically reduced.

Euryleia computerized voice speaks, "The second transport has transitioned through the Wyrmgate."

Another cheer goes up at that. Irina and Rose embrace out of joy.

More good news, "The Prince has succeeded. The repair crews have created a temporary bridge between damage sections. Those trapped in the upper sections are on their way to the remaining transports."

Gwydion's message and Brun's reply alarms Lady Irina, "The Prince...why does he sound so desperate? What's wrong?"

There is no time to answer her as the Emergent attack once again.

---

Meara continues to desperately elude her Emergent Pursuers while Freyr, Sir L1-4MNT, and now Sir RHY-S32 and his retinue continue to thin their numbers.

Despite the attacks against them and their declining numbers the Emergent focus recklessly on pursuing Brunhildr, ignoring the actual transports and allowing them to escape.

---

Gwydion escorts the repair crew safely back to the embarkation point and they join the stream of refugees loading onto the transports. "Thank you, Prince. You really should consider naming that Armour of yours."

Gwydion, however, has other priorities. Namely, reaching Lady Iliza before it is too late.

OOC:
The second transport is away!

10:36, Today: MerLN rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, -1, 1.  X1 Defense vs. Brun. Melee Fair +2. Total: 2. Brun deals 8-stress. 6 can be absorbed by armour, leaving two unaccounted for. Kaboom. Emergent X1 destroyed.

09:13, Today: MerLN rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, -1, 0.  x3 Attack vs. Brun. Melee +2. Total: 0

Okay, Meara, we're going to assume that you used full defense on all the turns you skipped. So those defenses will get boosted to 6. That means they all miss except one which generates a Boost. We'll call that Boost Hot on Your Heels, which they'll use this round. You also get two defensive boosts of your own. I'll just call that Elusive Target.

I'm going to Roll an attack vs. both Emergent Swarms following you to represent your support peeling them off of you.

08:56, Today: MerLN rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, -1.  Knights vs. X4. Melee +3. Total: 1.

08:56, Today: MerLN rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, 0.  X4 Defense vs. Knights. Melee +2. Total: 4. No hit. Emergent earn a defense boost.

08:55, Today: MerLN rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, -1, 1.  Knights vs. X2. Melee +3. Total: 1.

08:55, Today: MerLN rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, -1.  X2 Defense vs. Knights. Melee +2. Total: 0. 1-stress hit.

09:01, Today: MerLN rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, 0.  X2 Attack vs. Meara. Melee +2. Using Boost +2. Total: 5

09:02, Today: MerLN rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 1, -1.  X4 Attack vs. Meara. Melee +2. Total: 1

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Successful!
Damsel Distress Policy (One Free Invoke)
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha
Elusive Target (Boost, 2 uses)


               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
               f                  x₃      x₂x₄
               |         (e)    Br()      M(c)
               |
               |
               L1
               g

L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group C
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group F
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Destroyed

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [x] [] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #3
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #4
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []

Without hesitation, Gwydion took to the void again as soon as the repair crew were safe. He headed straight for the hangar Iliza's message had come from, where the transport ships were taking off. There was no reason he couldn't go the other way, dangerous as it was.

[Another Zeal roll, this time to actually arrive. Also to arrive without being shot out of the sky, considering he doesn't have time to fight anything on the way.

13:58, Today: Gwydion rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, 1.  Zeal +2.

Total 2

If I need to, I'll use the free invoke from Damsel Distress Policy. Otherwise I'll use that in whatever action it takes to move her to safety. I'm assuming all three of us are going to have people in our Armours by the time we're done here. :P]

Euryleia spun and dove, boosters flaring as she lead the charge on the Emergent still threatening the transports route to the gate.  The Emergent responded like the cold, calculating, powerful hammer that they were and smashed into the onrushing Knights.  Swords flashed.  Missles roared.  Energy maces crackled and whirled in the black of space.

Dodging one such mace, Brun lead his Lady in a bursting thrust-roll that allowed them to end in a perfect position to lash another Combat Form with a rapid series of disruptor foil strikes.  The assault allowed another Knight the momentary breathing room he needed to safely disengage.

"Keep your heads!  The transports are making it through and more allies will soon arrive.  But, the Emergent do not relent.  Neither should we!  Once more, knights!  Lay on!"

The Ill-made Armor's thrusters burned again, pushing her wherever fighting is thickest.  Her foils trail the space behind her as she speeds through the glittering black.

Defend - Total 5 vs. 0.  Success with Style.  2-stress Hit.
Attack Total - +3, burning FP to bring in the Shadow Gambit again for +5 total.

22:32, Today: Brun rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 1, 1.  Attack! Melee +2 vs. x3.
22:31, Today: Brun rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, -1.  Defense vs. x3 - +2 Melee, +2 Warding Matrix.

Euryleia makes short work of a pair of Emergent making a run for the Transports and the other knights are not far behind urged on by Brun's Encouragements. Weariness and fatigue grip the defenders as the battle streches on against tireless machines, but none give in to it. They continue to lay into the Emergent despite the cost, knowing that they are the only defense for the thousands of lives aboard the makeshift refugee flotilla.

---

Gwydion reaches the upper section of the station once again and the Longsword's sensors detect the presence of swarming Emergent infiltrators in the section that held the trapped citizens of Callisto station minutes ago. The sensors show that a mass of people are a few sections away now and heading for the transport ships, but just a predicted the Infiltrators will overtake them if something is not done. If Iliza is still in the compromised section, the Longsword is unable to detect her amongst all the Emergent.

---

Another transport escapes as Meara keeps the Emergent away from the Wrymgate. Their numbers are thinning, but they mindlessly pursue Meara above their own preservation. What is it that they want?

OOC:
The third transport is away!

08:48, Today: MerLN rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, -1.  X3 Defense vs. Brun. +2 Melee. Total: 3. Takes a two-stress hit which rolls up to 3.

08:52, Today: MerLN rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, 1.  X3 tries to reach Transport Group F. Zeal +2. Total: 4. Fail.

08:55, Today: MerLN rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, 0.  X4 attack vs. Meara. +2 Melee. Total: 4.

08:55, Today: MerLN rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, -1, 1.  X2 Attack vs. Meara. Melee +2. Total: 3.

Meara, you're in Full Defense so don't forget to add +2 to your defense rolls.

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Successful!
Damsel Distress Policy (One Free Invoke)
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha


               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
               g                  x₃      x₂x₄
               |         (f)    Br(e)      M()
               |
               |
               L1


L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group C
Escaped

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group F
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group G
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Destroyed

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #3
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [x] [x] [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #4
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []

The Longsword dashed through cramped hallways and corridors, bashing its way through passages too small for it by ramming with the shield out front. He knew there was only so much these bulkheads could take, but he was trying to be careful to keep the damage facing internally. There wasn't time for better than that. Along the way, he charged as much energy has he could from the power core into the blade beam systems.

Once he'd gained line of sight to the Emergent forces pinning Iliza and her people, Gwydion swiped his sword before him, shooting a thin line of white-red energy across the enemy forces even as he closed in on them to take the fight closer. Even with barely any space to maneuver, he could at least take their attention away from the much less protected people, and his sword could thin their numbers. Even his shield could crush, and barring those he could always begin ripping with the Armour's bare hands. This was no time to sit on dueling formality. It was time to get brutal.

[Attacking with Melee, because screw these guys!

21:09, Today: Gwydion rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, -1, -1.  Melee +3.

...I said SCREW THESE GUYS. Invoking Damsel Distress Policy for reroll.

21:10, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 1.  Melee +3.

Much better. Total +3

I've got 3 Fate Points to blow invoking aspects if necessary, and plenty of ways to do that. Also plenty of ways to compel me right now if need be. :D]

Brun continued to lead his ragged band of defenders against the Emergent forces.  They were concentrating on the transports and all but ignoring them.  "Close ranks around the transport line.  They are intensifying their strikes!  Drive them back."  Another flurry of sensor flares erupted from Euryleia to add tot he cloud disrupting the Emergent targetting.  Disruption foils crackled as they blasted towards the next formation...

Attack total +2

14:38, Today: Brun rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 0, 0.  Attack! Melee +2 vs. x3.

Brun's forces continue to attack before notices something odd on the tactical display. One of the larger transports is drifting away from the pack. The defenders are forced to spread their already meager numbers even thinner in order to compensate. Had Brun and the knights under his command not reduced the Emergent numbers considerably then the House Gehenmis guard would have been quickly overwhelmed. As it stands they are barely holding their formation together. Several of Brun's knights are forced to break off from the attack to keep them from being overwhelmed. Rose speaks up from the rear of the cockpit. Her voice is tight and business-like. “Sir Brun, there's a problem. One of the transports is suffering engine failure. She's adrift.”

To make matters worse Euryleia's system readouts are already showing signs of problems. Patch-work though she is, Euryleia is a fine armour, but there had hardly been any time (not the mention funds) after the duel with Meara to affect proper repairs. Now, he had been redlining her already taxed systems in a effort to preserve lives, both others' and his own. This battle was taking a toil on Brun's Lady.

---

Gwydion finds his route devoid of any refugees. They have managed to make it out of the damaged sections thanks to the technicians' hard work and Iliza's efforts in holding back the Emergent. He doesn't encounter any Emergent flooding down the corridor either, rather, the all seem to be massed ahead of him.

As Gwydion gets closer, he finally detects one human life sign, very faint. Finally he spots Iliza surrounded by Infiltrators. She's clearly wounded and the Infiltrators seems to be toying with her. That is not a behavior that Gwydion has ever seen them exhibit.

The Longsword's weapon cut a huge swathe from the swarm, but the actions along with the armour's movements to reach this point, destabilize the already weak structure and it finally gives away completely venting into space.

OOC: Have a Fate point, Brun. Can't have things go too smoothly.

Same for you Gwydion.

14:03, Today: MerLN rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 1, -1.  X3 Defense vs. Brun. Melee +2. Total: 2. Brun gets a Boost.

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Successful!
Damsel Distress Policy (One Free Invoke)
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha
Brun's unnamed boost



               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
                                 x₃      x₂x₄
               |         (g)    Br(f)      M(e)
               |
               |
               L1


L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group C
Escaped

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group F
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group G
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Destroyed

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #3
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [x] [x] [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #4
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:25, Tue 29 Dec 2015.

Some part of Gwydion's mind marks the Emergents' behavior as odd, but as the subject of their quirk is Iliza, that isn't something he's willing to investigate just now. The energy blade cuts the air, and is quickly followed by the physical sword as a follow-up strike. He spins, smashing his shield into those still standing, and each motion wears away at the hull in addition to the Infiltrators.

An awful creak fills the room, but doesn't register with Gwydion. Sword flashing, shield pinning enemies down, he clears a space for Iliza to run, but that creak turns to the sick sound of metal twisting and breaking. A section of the hull flies off into the black, and Emergent parts go with it, along with Iliza. There's a split second where the Prince just stares in horror, but then he starts moving without thinking. Nothing about how terrible an idea this is goes through his mind. Nothing about whether or not he can actually pull it off.

The Armour's cockpit opens to the hard vacuum while there's still air to equalize with, and his body is pulled towards the gaping hole in the station. He's strapped in, keeping him from going anywhere, but it's not exactly comfortable. Gwydion exhales as he charges forward, dropping the sword and shield to give himself hands. He's got one chance: catch Iliza and pull her into the cockpit, then seal it before they either freeze or suffocate.

[11:22, Today: Gwydion rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 0, 0.  Armour +2.

Total 0. ...wat. Invoking Damsel Distress Policy, Louder Than Words, and if necessary Young Knight of Avaluna. All for +2.

Total +4 (or +6), -2 (or -3) FP.]

Brun cursed quietly beneath his visor at this news, even as he danced ith his Lady through another salvo of blasts from the Emergent foe.  Their numbers may have been thinned, but when you are so outnumbered to start with it is hard to tell.  Warning lights were dancing across his visor displays in increasing number and severity.  He had quietly disabled Euryleia's cockpit voice; there was no sense in adding further trouble to his passengers already weighty load.  Besides, his Lady deserved to have her suffering be private.  They need not know what she was sacrificing for them.  For him.

They had come so far.  Saved so many.  How much longer could they last?  The choice to leave those on the station to their fate had been so easy.  So logical.  To lose a transport here....  No.  Not this close.  These he could save.

Come, my Lady....  One more dance...

Ignoring the alerts, Brun angled into a new trajectory heading for the crippled transport, "Rose, alert them of our approach and get me a detailed scan of their engine trouble."  He switched over to the squadron battle-comm, "We have come this far and I do not intend to lose a transport now.  I am disengaging and moving in to assist.   Defense patterns rearrange accordingly."

Not really sure what to roll yet....  So maybe it compelled a loss of action this round as he had to disengage from the fight and booster over to the transport?

Brun's defense cordon rearranges to account for his absence and a few moments later Rose calls out, "Coming through now." A schematic of the damaged engine pops up besides Brun's tactical display. It is an absolute mess. The ship, a large Jovian transport freighter called Thames, was lucky to even manage to limp away from the station. The Emergent surprise attack did a number on her. Her crew must have done several hasty repairs to get her flying.

Lady Irina is suddenly by Brun's side looking the schematic over with a scrunched up face. Even her intellect is having trouble sorting out the issue. "That's all wrong. What did they do? It'll take days to sort that out." Fortunately for those aboard the Thames, Brun has had more than his fair share of experience with unorthodox repairs.

---

Gwydion's bold and reckless rescue attempt succeeds. The young prince exhales before opening the cockpit to equalize the pressure in between lungs and the new created vacuum outside. Exposed to space a fierce biting cold like none he has ever felt strikes the prince's skin. He nearly blacks out from the experience, but the solid weight of Lady Iliza's body slamming into him brings him back to himself and he closes and repressurizes the cockpit.

Lady Iliza is barely conscious and blood is pouring from a wound in her side. Her once elegant ball gown is ripped, torn, and burnt. She reaches up to touch Gwydion's face, trailing a finger down his cheek and toward his lips. She mouths something he cannot quite understand as she stares at him like something out of a dream.

OOC: Good Use of your compel Brun!

Gwydion the four ties the Overcome's difficulty, so you succeed at a minor cost. Take two stress.

Transport group E escapes!

Brun, give me a smithy roll to diagnose the problem.

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Successful!
Damsel Distress Policy
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha
Brun's unnamed boost



               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
                                 x₃      x₂x₄
               |         ()    Br(f, g)      M()
               |
               |
               L1


L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group C
Escaped

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Escaped

Transport Group F
Crippled
Adrift
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group G
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Destroyed

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #3
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [x] [x] [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #4
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []

Brun quickly began to review the readouts as Euryleia swooped through the void.  To Irina, he offered, "It looks as though they had to make some very quick repairs to even get this far....  Patchwork can only hold so long no matter how good you are."  He scanned through, zooming in on a few areas, pointing out some things he'd noticed, "Maybe with our fresh eyes we can get them limping again. "  He knew she had more skill than she realized with these things, but had never been pushed to apply them to unorthdox repairs....

Smithy Overcome total 6.  If not enough to succeed with style, I will activate One Man's Junk with a FP.  Perfectly fitting moment for that Aspect.

11:37, Today: Brun rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, 1.  Overcome! Smithy +4.

Meara is unable to do much of anything besides dodge for her life, even with the help of her companions, as having two battle groups believe you to be a delicious, juicy transport full of civilians is not exactly helpful to one's survival.  However, being fully automated, the Emergent have patterns one can exploit if they look, and Meara's battle instincts are, while untempered, still incredibly sharp.  Utilizing every single advantage she can, she flies around and around until she gets a nice grouping of Emergent following behind her and making it difficult for them to evade a last-ditch, crazy counterattack.

The Venusian Princess is more than happy to oblige when given such an open invitation.  Brunhildr suddenly turns around and charges her Ichaival Blaster well within optimal range.  Most anyone else in her position would use Brunhildr's blade at this range.

They are not Meara.

"Get-" Meara begins to shout as the sides of Brunhildr explode with arcing energy, sending dozens upon dozens of beams into the following Emergent, "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENT!"

Mimi is too overwhelmed at this point to react to just about anything, which is probably for the best.

OOC:
20:07, Today: Meara rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 0, 1.  +4 Armor (Evade #1).
Total: 6 (Free Boost)
20:07, Today: Meara rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, -1, -1.  +4 Armor (Evade #2).
Total: 4 (Immediately used boost)
20:08, Today: Meara rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 0.  +4 Armor (Evade #3).
Total: 3
20:08, Today: Meara rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, 1.  +4 Armor (Evade #4).
Total: 6 (Free Boost)
20:08, Today: Meara rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, -1, -1.  +4 Armor (Evade #5).
Total: 3
20:13, Today: Meara rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 1, 1.  +1 Blast, +2 Boost, +2 Reactor (Fate Point).
Total: 7
Mr. Torgue would be proud. *sniffs*

It takes Brun only a few moments to spot the problem. A blown relay in the ship's secondary systems (probably related to it's cargo pod loader) had gone out completely. Ordinarily this would have had no effect on the engines whatsoever, but with all of the hasty repairs made to the ship, at least part of the power flow to the engines was traveling this route. The power flow had clearly been too much for the relay and overloaded it. This was good news, at least. It wasn't a failure on the part of the engines, which meant that they ship could get back up and running provided the crew could locate a working power conduit that didn't travel through that relay. Brun found one. It would be another temporary fix, but with any luck it would hold long enough to get the Thames through the Wyrmgate.

The Emergent were not interested in waiting for the repairs to happen however, they take advantage of the stalled ship and it's thinly spread defenders and attack from several directions at once. Brun's defenders are hard pressed to keep the Emergent back, especially since they, like him, are fighting in damaged or partially repaired armors. Sir Dennic, in particular, having fought the entire battle with only one arm on his armour thanks to his bout with Meara.

“Sir, more incoming from the direction of the gate!”

---

Iliza's fingers fall from Gwydion's lips as her eyes flutter closed. She loses consciousness in the Prince's arms. She continues to lose blood from the deep wound in her right side. The blood not smeared on Gwydion's forearm forms crimson globules that float through the cockpit and mingle with the twinkling ice crystals of the frozen moisture from their breath. Heat quickly returns to the cockpit as the atmosphere levels out, but Iliza's skin remains cool to the touch.

Sharp pain suddenly strikes Gwydion's limbs and joints. He knows exactly why. The rapid decompression and recompression of his body has caused the nitrogen in his blood to come out of solution and form bubbles. A pressurized flight suit normal protects a knight from this, but his formal attire certainly didn't have the same effect.

The Longsword's high alert alarms go off inside the cockpit. This section of the station is further destabilizing as bulkheads bent and stressed by the damage of the attack and strain of the explosive decompression begin to sheer off. A collapse is imminent.

Suddenly Baron Gehenmis's panicked voice echoes through the cockpit,"Prince Gwydion, can you hear me? My daughter Iliza is still on the station. She didn't board the transports and those that saw her last claimed she stayed behind to...hold back the Emergent. You must find her. Callisto Station...it's breaking apart."

---

Meara turns the tide on her attackers, having finally had enough of being chased around. With Freyr, Sir L1-4MNT, and Sir RHY-S32 in support and corralling her foes they have nowhere to go and many are ripped to shreds by the fully charged Ichavial Blaster. What remains of their number breaks off their pursuit and heads back towards the station.

There is complete silence for several moments save for Meara's heavy breathing.

MerLN's grandfatherly voice breaks the silence, “Well done, Princess. Another group of transports will be entering the gate momentarily. The final group is making it's approach, but one of their number has stalled. The Emergent seem to be heading right for it.”

OOC:
Brun the 6 is a success with style dead on the money, though if you do still want to spend a Fate point, I'd be willing for the boost you create to become a Full Scene aspect.

The Thames will take one round to get repaired before it can move again.

16:26, Today: MerLN rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 1, 1, -1.  Emergent vs. Thames Tranport. Armour +4. TN: 7. 1FP to invoke Crippled.

Total: 6 They almost got it that time.

Gwydion, any piloting rolls you make are at -2 for the Bends and having a dying girl in your cockpit.

16:37, Today: MerLN rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 0, -1.  Emergent defense vs. Meara's blast. Zeal +5. Total: -1

That gives Meara 8 shifts of damage. Well, X2 just took it deep. That swarm is gone too.

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Successful!
Damsel Distress Policy
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha
Brun's unnamed boost



               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
                                 x₃x₄
               |         ()    Br(f)      M(g)
               |
               |
               L1


L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group C
Escaped

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Escaped

Transport Group F
Crippled
Adrift
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group G
Crippled
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Destroyed

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Destroyed

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #3
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [x] [x] [] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #4
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []

Gwydion smiled down at the sight of Iliza alive and moving, if only faintly. The whole ordeal had him gasping for breath, but even that halted for a moment as he tried to move his Armour away from the station. His vision went blurry, pain seared his skull. Oh, right. It didn't help that as his vision cleared for a brief moment, he could see blood. His? No, Iliza's! She was still dying, even safe with him he hadn't done anything but slowed the process. Blurs returned, and the pilot quickly tried to see through the pain to plot a course.



Speech was harder than he'd expected, but the Prince answered.

"I h-have her, my lord! Sh-she's alive, but not...aaahw...not well. I was stupid, forgot I was not dressed for battle...suffering from rapid recompression, sir, we need...she needs medical attention, my lord, she's w-wounded. We're heading for the Wyrmgate. Wish us luck. Also backup." As he spoke, Gwydion did his best to operate the Armour's sensors and read them, but was having trouble. Instead he simply oriented himself in the direction of the explosions, flashes of thruster flare, and the brightest point of light in the sky. That was the Wyrmgate, he was sure of it. At least facing the right direction, the Longsword closed its sword and shield over one another as Gwydion himself pulled Iliza tightly to him. This was going to be uncomfortable enough, and he didn't need the laws of physics making things worse: full thrusters forward!

[Making a Zeal roll to cross multiple Zones, heading for the Wyrmgate! Looking to get at least as far as E2, hopefully to the Gate itself. Taking the -2 to Zeal from the Bends.

13:08, Today: Gwydion rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, -1, -1.  Zeal +2.

-2 from the Bends comes to -2. Well. Gonna drop some shiny FP to invoke Damsel Distress Policy, because nope to this, and another for Young Knight of Avaluna, because also nope.

Total +2

And that brings me to 1 Fate Point. Oh dear.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Fri 15 Jan 2016.

"No no.  This one goes here, that one goes there.  Have you got it?"

Brun highlighted the particulars in the schematic and transmitted it back.  He hoped it would hold the Thames's overworked power system long enough.  It was a fast and dirty repair.  Sequencing relays from a handful of minor systems to bridge the damaged relay was dangerous on many levels.  But, hopefully, less dangerous than the Emergent catching hold of the transport.  He had been ignoring the proximity alerts and warnings coming through regarding the newest driving assault of the enemy.  But, now that the crew of the Thames were getting the repairs underway, Brun could return his full attention to the battle.

Euryleia spun back towards the closest approaching clutch of Emergent.  Brun blinked against a sudden explosion, then spun up the thrusters, "Knights!  Thames will be under way shortly!  They only need a few moments more to get their drives online!  This is the last!  Close ranks!  We make for the Gate!"  The Knights knew their parts at this point.  They just needed something to inspire the last full measure.

Warning lights and damage readouts would have to wait.  "I am sorry, my love," muttered Brun as he fired thrusters and hurled his lady back into the fray...

Attack Total - +7 (Used Boost - Just a little more time and spending a Fate Point to activate The Prince's Esteem, as Brun is banking on whatever cache he has earned as a battle leader here)

12:28, Today: Brun rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 0, 1.  Attack! - Melee +2, +2 for Boost.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Wed 20 Jan 2016.

Yet another group of transports disappears into the Wyrmgate in a flash of light. The Knights' task is nearly done!

“You did it,” Irina says as the Thames's drives come online. She gives Brun an admiring look before she turns back to her borrowed monitor. The hobbling Thames catches up to the others in it's transport group.

“We are with you, Commander,” comes the reply over the comm as Brun's ragtag band of knights close ranks with Euryleia in the lead. They drive the Emergent forces before them whilst what is left of the House Gehenmis guards shield the transports following the line of the advancing knights. Soon Brun's line meets with the forces defending the gate and the Emergent are trapped between them.

Seeing that they are trapped without hope of escape, they launch an all out suicide attack on the remaining transports.

---

The floating droplets of Iliza's blood splatter against the interior of the cockpit as the gravity generators reinitialize and the inertial dampeners kick in for powered flight. With boosters at maximum the Longsword rockets out of the collapsing station just in time. The entire section sheers sending huge pieces of station-shrapnel hurtling toward the moon Callisto.

Inside Euryleia's cockpit Irina gasps at Gwydion's message, “Nooo....”

The Baron's voice answers a moment later. Restrained relief is apparent in his voice, “Please, Prince, do what you can to save her.”

OOC:
Total: 1. Brun achieves 6-shifts on his attack. The Emergent Group checks it 4 Stress Box and shuts down a system.

Brun you also gain an Aspect. I also moved you to JWG along with the transport since that's what your post made it seem like you wanted to do.

Gwydion, that roll will be success at a minor cost. You move two zones: Offscreen-->Station-->E1. Just to speed things up we'll say you take 1-stress hit as your condition takes it's toil.

15:15, Today: MerLN rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, -1, 0.  X4 vs. Transports Armour +4. Total: 3. Whiff.

15:15, Today: MerLN rolled 3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, 0, 1.  X3 vs. Transports Armour +4. Total: 7. Ties Brun's passive block at a cost. That cost will be that it can attack the transports freely, but not until next turn.

ONE MORE ROUND!

Aspects in Play
Marked Targets
The Prince's Esteem
A Ghost of a Chance (One Free Invoke)
Shadow Gambit
The Baron Lives!
Repair Crew Successful!
Damsel Distress Policy
Hyper Efficient Reactor
Priority Alpha
Brun's Aspect



               L2
               |
               |
               |
            Station- - - E1 - - - E2 - - - JWG
                                          x₃x₄
               |         G()       ()      BR M(f)
               |
               |
               L1


L1= Load/Launch Area 1
L2= Load/Launch Area 2
E1= Escape Route 1
E2= Escape Route 2
JWG= Jovian Wyrm Gate-- aka Escape

Transport Group A
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group B
Escaped
Fully Loaded

Transport Group C
Escaped

Transport Group E
Who's Hand Is That?
Escaped

Transport Group F
Crippled
Repaired
Capacity: [x] [x]
Damage:   [] []

Transport Group G
Crippled
Escaped

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #1
Destroyed

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #2
Destroyed

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #3
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [x] [x] [x] []

Emergent Combat Form Swarm #4
Head: Life-Form Scanner (Great Mark)
Head: Self-Repair (Once per scene, spend a fate point to reactivate a System that’s been shut down)
Torso: Double Grav Field (Once per scene, you may reduce the severity of one of your consequences by one step)
Legs: Energy Mace (Fair Melee/Fair Daunt)
Legs: Hyper-Kinetic Transmotors (Gain a boost with two free invocations when you defend with Armour and succeed with style)

Stress: [] [] [] [] []
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:00, Mon 18 Jan 2016.

They have come too far and lost too much to fail now.  With the evacuation so close to being complete, Meara pushes herself even harder than before, for good or ill, as she charges the remaining battle groups with her blade, giving no thought to her own safety - or that of Mimi's - as she attacks.  The haze of battle has caused her to forget she is not alone in the cockpit, and Mimi's continual terror at being in the middle of a life-or-death battle (with zero control over what happens to her, no less) is keeping her frozen in place and not making a sound.

So it is that Brunhildr and her entourage charge into the Emergent, either out of desperation or blind rage (or, in the case of some, inspiration at following a knight whose charge has nearly taken out two battle groups on its own).  Through a combination of skill, recklessness, and quality weaponry, Brunhildr continues her wild assault.

OOC:
23:30, Today: Meara rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 0, 0.  +2 Melee, +2 Lævateinn Blade. +2 Hyper-Efficient Reactor, +2 Berserker Aspect (+8).
Total: 9
That's worth burning two fate points for, right?  GONNA GO FOR THREE GROUPS BABY.

Laser light filled the viewscreens in brilliant flashes, followed by the flaring explosions of missles.  Euryleia danced through the desperate melee as best as Brun could lead her; though the occaisional hit still rattled the cockpit around alarmingly.  His attention flickered between piloting and fighting, to calling in the squadron's focus, to tracking the progress of the transports....and now knowing that Gwydion was limping along behind them with his own lady dying in his arms.

He couldn't do everything.  He was managing more than he had ever dreamed he could.  A missle streaked towards them and Brun managed to sideslip his Lady just enough to let it past to detonate God knows where behind him.  Too close.  Focus.  Breath.  Disruption foils struck again and again, tearing a gash out of the nearest Emergent drone and Euryleia danced away in a spiral.

Brun glanced again at his tactical readouts as another Knight's beacon disappeared....leaving a gaping hole in the defensive formation.  The Emergent had managed to coordinate enough to punch a hole in the perimeter and he needed no tactical analyzer to realize what was coming next.  There was no one left to call in to fill the breach.  No one but he and his Lady.

Thrusters burned hard, generating another warning klaxon, as Brun drove to place himself and his Lady directly into the path of the assault that he knew must come here.  The battered Euryleia hung in space , foils poised and ready to recieve the onslaught that his readouts told him was already coming together.  He considered trying to tell Rose and Irina what was happening....but it would only worry them needlessly....

Defense Total - 7

Rolled  3, +2 For Aspect (In Harm's Way), +2 for last Free Invoke (Ghost of a Chance). Have 4 FPs ready to activate all kinds of Aspects hanging out there as I assume this will be their last ditch effort to get the Transports.


17:37, Today: Brun rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 1, -1.  Melee Defense - +2 Melee, +2 Warding Matrix.

"Yes, my lord, with haste and care." The collapsing station behind him, the raging battle ahead, Gwydion and his Longsword made a straight line at the highest speed his engine could put out, with the Armour's arms crossed over as the pilot's were, holding Iliza tightly. The blood droplets were pressed flat against the back wall of the cockpit with no resistance, while the pair inside were fighting against what inertia was left the high tech systems couldn't account for.

[One more Zeal Overcome to move two zones!

19:13, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, -1, 1.  Zeal +2.

Total +2. If I need to succeed at a cost again, I totes will do that. Saving my FP Just In Case (TM).]

Meara, Freyr, Sir L1-4MNT, and Sir RHY-S32 are formed up and ready as Sir Brun and his defenders herd the remaining Emergent toward them, careful not to let any escape the net and turn back for the transports. Meara and her entourage obliterate another handful of Emergent as the enemy approaches, opening up a hole for the transports and their escorts to pass through as they make for the gate.

As the transports make their final approach to the Gate, the Emergent try for one last desperate attack. Brun is ready for them. Four Emergent fall in as many strikes. Euryleia's disruption foils slice them to pieces that explode spectacularly or break up and careen harmlessly wide of the remaining transports and the Wyrm Gate. A fifth Emergent, however, is cunning and surges not for the transports, but for the Armour defending them. Knight and Armour work in perfect concert bringing the disruption foils up in a defensive posture.

Irina and Rose seem to get a sense of what is happening only a split-second before the attack comes. A shocked gasp is the last thing Brun hears just before the bone jarring collision with a suicidal Cerberus combat form. It slams into Euryleia full force, impaling itself on her perfectly positioned twin disruption foils. The force of the impact sends both the Emergent and the Armour spiraling toward one of the transports. The Emergent seems intent on taking Brun, his Lady, and their passengers down with it. Brun is forced to use all of his skill as a Knight in order to divert disaster. As he struggles to regain control and momentum he can feel Euryleia straining alongside him, fighting with all her will just as he fights with all of his. Brun and Euryleia push harder than they have ever fought before, they know that hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives hang in the balance. Alarms and warnings seem to rise to a crescendo, until they and the feedback from the Neurohelm are Brun's entire world.  Knight and Armour push on together past straining, past breaking...

The world seems to right itself and hold steady. Brun gains control of their tumbling flight. Euryleia and the Emergent pass harmlessly over the bow of the transport with only literal meters to spare. Seconds later Euryleia's disruption foils rip free of the impaled monster and shred it to pieces. It dies ignobly.

The transports enter the Jovian Wyrmgate's event horizon and in a flash of light, they disappear.

Brun suddenly feels feedback through his neurohelm. It's not the normal proprioceptive feedback. It isn't sensor or targeting data. It feels...like Triumph. Then, Euryleia dies. Her systems shut down in rapid succession leaving her completely unresponsive. Life support functions for the moment, but it too will fail before long.

---

“Ah, Prince. Just in time,” MerLN's voice says as Gwydion's Longsword closes on the Wyrm Gate a breakneck speeds. “Mind the gap,” MerLN says to all of forces within range as their HUDs suddenly display a no-fly zone. Seconds later it becomes clear why.

The heavy carrier Passelande materializes before your eyes. It proudly bears the heraldry of John Arthur on it's flank. The King himself has come. Four smaller carriers materialize along side the larger one. Just as with Sir RHY-S32's arrival cannons blaze and escort strike craft swarm. Armours launch, but do not engage the few retreating Emergent. There is no need. What victory there is to be gained on such a bleak day has already been won. Instead, the assembled forces form a perimeter and then begin to search the disintegrating station and the area around it for possible survivors.

It is no surprise that the Passelande is in the vanguard of the Warhost. Despite it's size, the heavy carrier is one of the fastest ships in the fleet and John Arthur wouldn't have hesitated to join battle, especially when his Nephew's life was in grave danger.

Indeed, it is Caliber-N that escorts the Longsword on approach to the Passelande. The King's visage flickers to life on Gwydion's H.U.D. “Gwydion, I am glad that you--” He seems to take in the sight before him without need of any explanation,  “A medical team will meet you on the docking gantry. We will speak soon.” With that Caliber-N peels off to join the other Armours searching through the ruin that was Callisto station.

A medical team does meet Gwydion as his cockpit opens up. Two medics quickly take Iliza from Gwydion's arms and place her on a gurney. Her eyes flutter open briefly as though the separation from Gwydion has disturbed a peaceful slumber, but weariness quickly overtakes her again. Her hand brushes against Gwydion's briefly as the medical technicians whisk her away.

It takes several long moments before Gwydion realizes that she has left something in his hand. A small datachip. It certainly looks old.

---

Victory! All the transports have escaped and those few Emergent that managed to escape Meara's wrath are fleeing at the arrival of the reinforcements from Avaluna.

“--cess, do you copy? Meara? Freyr's voice echoes throughout the cabin. “I said the Passelande has cleared us to dock. We'd better take them up on it. Our own carrier was used to evacuate civilians.”

Mimi is still clutching to Meara, though her eyes are now open and she is looking around as though she is still not sure what to make of all this. She looks up at Meara and smiles, “Can we do that again? I can't wait to tell Mommy and Daddy.”

---

Now it is Euryleia who is adrift. The inside of the cockpit is utter darkness. Suddenly there is a small light. Perhaps the Armour has come back online? No. It is only Rose who has produced a small glow lamp. Though they can now all see each other neither of the two passengers seems willing to speak. They exchange glances and Irina seems poised to say something, but decides against it. She sits back in silence.

Eventually, however, Rose speaks up, “You know, I can't quite figure you out. Every time I think I have you pegged, you surprise me. I'm not sure I like that.”

Before he can answer Brun feels Euryleia shift, but it neither his will or nor hers that is the motive force behind it. The Armour is being moved from outside. After a few moments the Armour switches directions and Brun realizes the flight path is vectored. They aren't caught in Jupiter's gravity. Without inertial dampeners to compensate it is bumpy ride to wherever they're going, but they arrive there soon enough. Some place with gravity. Something knocks on the Armour from outside. It is rhythmic and repeats. Brun can hear voices, but the words are too muffled by the armored cockpit to make them out.

OOC:
VICTORY! HURRAY! Congratulations you guys! You save ALL of the ships! Big Rewards will be coming your way very soon. Rather than give you guys a big ol' info dump I figured we'd play through the denouement and the lead-in to the next adventure. How does that sound?

BTW Brun, didn't even for your opposition. Even if I rolled a 4 and blew my remaining Fate point I could have only totaled a 9 and since you're sitting on 4 FPs and we're hitting a refresh point in just a sec it'd be pointless to roll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:36, Sun 24 Jan 2016.