Our heroes make their choice. Do they step through the silver portal, or make their own way in the now changed vampire kingdoms? Whatever they choose, the world has noticed them.

GM: My final question for this campaign...what do you do?

Chaplain has little hesitation, although he hands his rosary off to Lewis, and then adds his own tags to it. "If you can reach a CSA base safely, give the ranking officer this. Tell them they all died with honor, serving humanity to the last."

He moved to the portal, with whatever weapons he could carry. Worst case, he'd just add to the stockpile for the next person. "First Lieutenant Chaplain Wolf, Coalition States American Army, identification number 054-47-4033, missing in action, failure to return to base - presume KIA. I doubt anyone here will see him again. Exemplaris excommunicationus."

He walked through the portal.

Cade eyed the portal for a moment and took a cautious sniff of the magic coming off of it.

"Nope.  Fuck that.  Keep your magic portal shit.  I'll find my own way back."  She stated before turning and walking away to find her own path out of the place and on to other things.

John watches Lewis carefully. A moment after the portal forms, John duplicates the gestures, but nothing happens. With a shrug, the mercenary stands and marches to the portal. He calls back, "see ya on the other side" as he steps through, and finds himself stepping back out.
With a sigh, he steps over to Lewis. "No offense, but this isn't where I want to be. I guess it is what it is."
"I'm gonna go watch Cade while you see everyone off. Later on we can figure out why I need to be here."
John waves his hands and speaks, and a small plank lifts from the ground as he steps on it. He whips skyward, in the direction Cade took.

Symeril healed and gained her strength back... then immediately set to work repairing her Flying Titan armor and integrating her weapons systems software between "Stella", 'ARGENT', and her powered armor... she was not idle during their recovery.  Continuing her intensive training and practice with her fighting and combat readiness... there was little doubt she had only paused in this time to rest recover and prepare to return to the fight.

When the party was offered a portal to take them wherever they want or need to be.

She sat astride ARGENT's back most of the gear she had previously strapped to the Flying Titan was stowed upon or strapped to ARGENT.  "Stella", as usual was perched atop her shoulder.  Her Flying Titan Powered armor was repaired with her Telemechanics skill but clearly showed it had been in battle like a trusted and worn suit of armor.

She watched the portal form and waited watching the others make their choices.

She was certain... without any doubt ~ EXACTLY where she needed and WANTED to be!  But she wanted to see what the other's choose.

Symeril watched as Chaplin entered without hesitation, Cade reject the portal and St John be rejected'?' by the portal... regarding them as the two left.  She waited for Nathaniel, Cole and Joran to make their choice.

She waited in silence.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:49, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

Joran looks at the avatar of Lew of the Angels as other make their decision on whether to go through the portal to wherever or to make their own way home.
I think that I shall join my companions.  Some of us have worked together for some time now, and we make an excellent team.  It would be a shame to break up such a team.
He turns to enter his Mountaineer.  Starting up the engine, he turns the vehicle and begins to rumble after Cade.

Cole ponders things for a long moment before shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer but all I really want is to get back across the Rio Grande. Got lots left to do on this world. I ain't like those universe hopping kin of mine. I got all I need right here." He looks down at himself and grins, "Course if you could spare some clothes, maybe a shooting iron or two, I'd be mighty grateful."

Whether the mysterious people supply him with anything or not, Cole will mount up on Dyna and ride with his friends back across the Rio Grande.

"Well Cole, I was going to head back to Worth and the shop. There are plenty of weapons there and things to do. Why don't we team up and see what kind of good we can do in the world?"

Symeril takes note of Joran getting into his ATV and following Cade and St. John...

When Cole and Nathaniel arrive she regards them... and their denial of the gate offered as well, and smiles.

She approaches, "I too have unfinished business in this world, Cole and Nathaniel! I've dedicated my life's purpose to defend Earth-Prime from the extraplaner evil that threatens it and the home grown evil that men inflict upon each other.  I am EXACTLY where I NEED and WANT to be, but... traveling and fighting beside you as a team has taught me something.  It is a lonely fight trying to face down the evils of the world solo.  Some trusted companions would be well welcome.  I'd join you if you would have my presence?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

Zeke nodded, "Ain't leavin' my people now. Been through too much with 'em."

In reply to Ezekiel 'Zeke' Holliday (msg # 10):

Symeril smiles at the Elven swordsman, "Then I'd be honored with thy continued presence Ezekiel... we never got to spar much... I'm certain.. I could learn quite a bit from your Elven blademastery skills!"

Zeke smiled and tipped his hat, "Elvish, no. Samurai... ancient human martial art from Earth's past."

"Looks like we are going to have a big friendly party."

In reply to Ezekiel 'Zeke' Holliday (msg # 12):

Symeril smiles, eyes widening, "An Ancient sword art of the Old World?!?  You must teach me some of what you know... I'd drearly love to learn some of the stances and sword techniques!  I'd return the favor and teach you some of the Zen Combat techniques of the Cyber-Knights... but they require one to already be a psychic..."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:42, Fri 30 July 2021.

Zeke nodded, "Reckon I can show ya a few things. I ain't psychic though, so maybe some of your stuff wouldn't work so well for me."

Symeril nods ~ sadly, "Yeah, the Cyber-knight training involves lessons in meditative exercises in low-level telepathic and telemechanic mental exercises. It's almost electrokinetic as we learn to train our psychic perception to sense powered devices and 'know' when such weapons, armor and or devices are directed at us in harmful or offensive ways.  We can thus in combat be forewarned to avoid such attacks.  But it's not really a 'Sword Art' as much as a practiced mental awareness of our surroundings.  Hard to explain it really...but yeah you'd need to be psychic to really benefit from it."

Smiling again, "But I'd be Honored to be taught some of the Samurai sword techniques! Thank you!  I'm sure I can share some other fighting techniques or monster/demon/magic lore knowledge I possess in exchange!"

Hearing snippets of the conversation, Joran steps over to join Zeke and Symeril in conversation.  I couldn't help but overhear.  Sorry to interrupt, but I was raised in the same monastery, he says.  They teach eight different martial arts from before The Rifts, of which Zeke knows one, and I know two others.
He gives as friendly a smile as a big, ugly ogre can give.  I am psychic.

In reply to Joran (msg # 17):

Symeril grins at Joran, "Well, yes indeed you ARE a Mighty Psychic.. inner strength's compared... you ~ Joran, are more powerful than I as a Mind Melter..you could certainly master the Zen Combat techniques of the Cyber-Knights!  Your professed Monk Monastic training is particularly similar and suited to my own Cyber-Knight monastic training.  I'd be honored to teach if you would share some of your Martial Arts training from your Order's traditions!"

There is no rejection in her gaze of the Ogre's homely appearance, in fact, clear adoration and deep respect sparkles in her  lovely frosty blue eyes... as she leans in to deliver a sisterly, but affectionate hug of the big 'Man'.. in all that matters to her!

...A little awkward in her armored power suit.. but the sentiment is clear ~ Joy at the company of the Gentle-Giant Psychic Warrior Ogre!.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:21, Fri 30 July 2021.

The hug catches Joran off-guard.  He is not really used to them.  And, her power armor also makes it a bit strange, with its robotic strength and hard plating.
We can all learn something from one another, is all he can think to say.

Zeke nodded, "Symeril, you ain't gotta teach me nothin' in return. If I can learn from you that's great. But you don't owe me nothin'. We're friends. Besides, Joran prolly more helpful than me... except with sword fightin'." he grins.