The intense heat turning the cool ocean into a bubbling cauldron seemed to sap all the usual piss and vinegar right out of Cade.

Sluggishly she slumped and sank straight to the bottom, where she began to groggily trudge across the sea floor and away from the conflagration and accompanying melee, suddenly more interested in escaping the heat than getting into a scrap.

Symeril watches the windshield from inside the Superhauler...as the demons pour forth with growing dread... then in Horror she spots Cade crawling out of the surf...

"DAMN IT! Cade's out there!!!  Does she know where she's crawling???  Someone ... GRrrrr!"

Symeril runs from the driver Cabin to the cargo bay to her Flying Titan... yelling into her radio as she hurriedly tried to get into the powered armor...

"+ANYONE out there, Cole... Cade's in trouble!!!  CADE RUN... there's a RIFT right behind you!!+"

Symeril frantically tries to the get the Powered Armor on an systems up and running...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Sat 16 Jan 2021.

Cade paused and looked towards the cargo hauler where she presumed the annoying yelling over the radio was originating.

She managed to raise one arm, and extend her middle finger in the general direction, before resuming her purposeful, if slow gaited, movement out of harm's way.

Cole's senses tingled, then screamed at him, warning him of the rift. His eyes widened in shock at seeing a literal army of Hell pour through it, enveloping the vampires and surging onwards to attack their underwater allies. "Well that's one way to distract them I reckon," he says to Dyna. "We should scoot before..." but his voice trails off seeing what Symeril had also seen; Cade trapped beneath the waves and in the path of the demons!

The Gunfighter makes a snap decision. "Dyna, watch yourself, I'll be back," he says and then leaps off of her and into the water. Just as his fingers touch the water, he uses most of what's left of his magic energy to swim through the water as easily and swiftly as any fish ever born.

OOC
PPE 110/137

Dive into the water and activate Water Powers for Swim as a Fish Superior. I'm heading fast as I can for Cade.

Nathaniel does as he is told and gets the vehicle moving as quickly as he can to get away from demons, vampires, and more. The Walker lurches forward as well, the water not nearly as slowing against its thin legs as the APC's massive body and huge tires. Those brothers in the sky continue to provide cover for the group, attacking anything that seems about to do their other team mates harm OR they clear the way so that the team can escape.

Cole comes zipping through the water and snags Cade and is able to get her to the spider. The vehicles all lurch forward out of the water and see a literal hell on earth and the sand is blackened by the fire and brimstone. Temperatures in the area are up to 120 degrees.

Sam urgently directs the vehicles east. The vampires are nowhere to be seen, having been buried by hundreds of demons. Soon, our heroes are away, the glow of hell behind them.

Within about an hour they arrive at the ruins. The glow of the rift to the west is gone, indicating that it has finally closed. At the center of the ruins is a heavily worn pyramid. There is a strong, concentration of ley line energy here due to a potent nexus.

"I need to get atop the pyramid," says Sam. "Nathaniel, Robert and Zeke will be necessary for the rite to work. Nathaniel and his brothers will be of particular importance."

GM: What do you do?

Relieved Cole was able to aid Cade, Symeril returns to the driver's cabin for a few moments to make sure the party is again in transit and no hostiles pursue.

"Nathaniel, try and raise Robert on the horn find out if he's still with us and avoided that demon shit storm, please?"

Turning to Sam, "YOU! No more opening Rifts!  That could have gone all too many damned ways Side ways leaving us ALL Very horribly Not dead soon enough!"

She sighs, "Now please stay out of trouble while I get some restorative sleep... I'm drained!"

To which she returns to her bunk and crashes again... going into the Meditative Trance learned through years of Cyber-knight training...

----
{Later}

... All too soon they arrive and Symeril stirs from the stopping of the vehicles, coming groggily out of her Meditative 1hour trance.

Recovered: 6ISP / 10PPE
ISP: 87/ 74 spent
PPE: 68/ 14 spent</Red>

In moody silence ~ for not getting a full recovering rest, Symeril gets armored and armed ready to assist as well as she can in her Flying Titan PA.  "Stella" Scrambles up to her shoulder.

Symeril, her tone somewhat surly, "I'll get you to the top of the Pyramid... Carry you there."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

When Sam mentions the top of the pyramid, John waves and chants over his 'surfboard', giving it a refresher, before he tells the battle angel "no offense, but I believe Sam would prefer a less technological means of transport."
To Sam, John says with a shrug, "broomstick method".

Symeril's expression behind her visor-ed PA are unreadable but her words and gesture are in agreement, waving him off, "..That's fine with me. Are you expecting trouble... nevermind ~ You should be expecting trouble!  Where do you want me to provide support if hostilities present themselves?  Top of pyramid out of the way or high above on Aerial survey?"

Nathaniel is not happy to have to leave the APC without any of his brothers in it, but whatever it takes, he figures they are going to have to do. He gets suited up in the SPARTAN with it's railgun, half of the rest are in some kind of armor with rifles and pistols. The others are in light form, flying the flanks until called.

"Well here goes nothing."

Nathaniel has the broken compass in a small compartment in his armor and follows after Sam.

Symeril shrugs, activates her thrusters and leads the way flying to the top of the pyramid... crackling violet-energy psi-sword in hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

Our heroes make their way to the top of the pyramid. Scraggly grass grows from the cracks of the dilapidated structure. The wind blows, carrying with it the echos of whatever ghosts likely inhabit this place.

At the top is a simple slap of rock with ancient runes etched into it. "Well, battle angel," says Sam, "this is going to be awkward but in all likelihood another rift will open up above this place as I perform the rite. The good news is we will be somewhat protected by the power of the compasses."

He nods to Nathaniel. "Summon your clones, my friend. They are critical to the ritual. I must warn you all, time will begin to feel...odd soon. Please place the compasses on the altar."

Zeke and Robert step forward and place theirs on the altar.

Meanwhile, in the west, a deep, red cloud of activity is forming. And approaching.

"It would seem the demon hordes have now taken an interest in us," says Agrus. "Demons and vampires...what could go wrong?"

Sam begins chanting in ancient Mayan, swaying back and forth. His eyes turn milky white as he goes into a trance.

GM: What do you do?

Symeril rolls her eyes at Sam and sighs.

Looking over at Zeke and Chaplin, "You two think it might be prudent to get our vehicles out of the line of fire away say... 500 or so yards away from the Pyramid?  We have time to move them out of the way of the onrushing demon/vampire army."

She draws her HI-80 Combat Laser Rifle from her right side back-shoulder rifle sheath, checking the charge on her long E-clip
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

Nathaniel puts the damaged compass onto the alter, where indicated, and then goes and takes a defensive position. His rail gun has a fantastic built in sighting system and he uses it to take a look at the oncoming red cloud of activity.

Meanwhile, the 9 clones that are available, sans Nathan managing the shop thousands of miles away, are gathered near the top of the pyramid. They area placed 40 degrees on the 'compass' apart from each other in a circle around the alter, all facing outward towards whatever threats there may be. Energy rifles or photonic beams at the read.

Nathaniel says, "Well you don't see this everyday!"

Chaplain had been apoplectic with fury initially, and had been strangely quiet since the escape from the ocean. His plan, such as it was, had been a failure. It was only the opening of a rift that had solved the immediate problem - and apparently created the new one in the same stroke.

He nodded, simply wanting to get the new disaster over with. He couldn't even appreciate that they were all alive still, a fact beyond his earlier predictions. He needed a vacation, and he was determined that if he lived through this too, he would finally take one.

So, here he found himself, out of the walker. He suspected an irrational need for fresh air and freedom from the walls, despite the functional air filters and that it was really dangerous out here right now for non-mages. He snapped out of it - a fugue state wouldn't just get him killed.

"On it. Try not to end the world saving us." And he left to move at least the Walker. If he needed to drag or push a vehicle, he had enough skill with the walker that he figured he could move one like a beach crab.

Symeril nods at Chaplin, "I'm... gonna need a lot of BOOZE after this is all done... and I Don't like drinking alone!  Don't get yourself killed!"

"Stella, 'Weapons Free'..."

The Kitanni 'K-1000 Spider Defense System' adjusted its perch on her Flying Titan PA shoulder paulderon, electronically indicating nuclear generator at optimum output and HPG Capacitors fully charged.

The group has time to move their vehicles and take point again around Sam. He gestures for Robert, Zeke and Nathaniel to gather around the altar close to him, as well as the clones. The air around the altar shimmers and everyone within it seems to freeze.

A small ball of blue energy forms above high above the pyramid. Meanwhile, heat is on the wind as our heroes see an approaching wall of evil. They sense both vampires and demons alike.


GM: What do you do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

Symeril scissors her Flying Titan's PA Wings into flight position, giving her Wing turrets a wide field of fire...

At a Range of 4,000ft... to the leading edge of the supernatural army, Both Symeril and "Stella" open up with a spraying barrage of laser fire cutting into the front ranks of the approaching army... without let up!

The Wing Laser Turrets are powered by the nuclear power plant of her Powered Armor and she sets them to firing continuing long bursts into the approaching army cutting into the leading ranks.  To keep the barrels from overheating Symeril will alternate between wings letting one wing cool while the other fires.

Over the whine of the laser barrage Symeril calls out, "Joran! Now would be a good time for some Telekinetic Force Field action...!!!"

"Stella" adds to the volume of weapons fire as well settling into Single shots aimed at heads as it only has a 100 shot capacity on it's HPG Capacitors before the internal Nuclear Generator must recharge them to continue firing.  So "Sella" against such a large number of targets makes each shot count!

...But clearly, one Cyber-knight and one Point defense Laser will not end this army of Evil.

Actions:
Firing 8 shots [4 Long bursts - 2AT ea.], saving 2 actions to dodge take cover
- firing at an army is hard to miss they are so packed together she is Going to hit something

13:26, Today: Symeril rolled 29 using 8d6 ((4,4,5,4,3,1,6,2)). [4,4], [5,4], [3,1], [6,2] x5 = 40, 45, 20, 40MD {old Rules 1st Ed}
13:26, Today: Symeril rolled 29 using 8d6.  FT PA - Laser Turret - Long bursts [2actions Ea.] {Dam x5} 'spraying multiple targets at once'. – [roll=1611080793.30064.349743]

OR

13:31, Today: Symeril rolled 61 using 16d6 ((3,1,5,3,3,2,6,4,4,2, 4,4,5,6,4,5)). [3,1], [5,3], [3,2], [6,4], [4,2], [4,4], [5,6], [4,5] = 4, 8, 5, 10, 6, 8, 11, 9MD {R-MUE 2nd Ed rules}
13:31, Today: Symeril rolled 61 using 16d6.  FT PA - Laser Turret - Burst 'Shooting Wild' {8 shots - spraying an area}. – [roll=1611081061.09971.349743]

"Stella" Shots -
13:39, Today: Symeril rolled 76 using 24d6 ((3,6,1,5,1,6,2,2,4,2, 6,2,3,6,1,2,4,2,1,2, 5,1,3,6)).  [3,6,1,5], [1,6,2,2], [4,2,6,2], [3,6,1,2], [4,2,1,2],  [5,6,4,5] x2 'head'? = 15{30}, 11{22}, 14{28}, 12{24}, 9{18}, 20{40}MD
13:39, Today: Symeril rolled 76 using 24d6.  "Stella" 6x Aimed shots at heads - Damage [4d6 ea]. – [roll=1611081582.88246.349743]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

John floats his board to an area between the newly opened rift and the oncoming horde. He begins casting defensive spells, first armoring himself, but mostly about the top of the pyramid to separate the oncoming horde from those casting the ritual. Finally, he pulls his Wilkes and begins firing at the approaching immolation.

Actions
• cast Armor of Ithan
• cast Globe of Daylight between self and top of pyramid
• cast Energy Field about the ritualists upon the pyramid
• take potshot at horde
• take potshot at horde

Shooting wild, no bonus
20:44, Today: St. John-Smythe rolled 11,6 using 1d20,1d6.  potshot to hit, potshot damage.
20:44, Today: St. John-Smythe rolled 19,1 using 1d20,1d6.  potshot to hit, potshot damage.

Chaplain was more sedate, watching through the scope of that new Naruni rifle. "Who's controlling who in that mass? They weren't friends last I checked. Means we only need to kill one, and they implode."

He was looking for the smart one, the one trying to stay out of sight, but in command position. He figured they thought more like those boarfolk then a modern army.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:56, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

Cade spent the time while the various vehicles were getting shifted into safe positions deploying the last of the explosives she still had.

She was quick and crude about it, intending to just trap the most likely routes the enemy would take and use the natural features to the best advantage in the time they had.

Cade still had a few remote detonators to set things off.

After she was done she waited.  Her very long range options were non-existent and her long range options almost as limited so there wasn't much to do but wait to blow her traps and for the horde to get up close.

As our heroes wait for everyone in the time bubble to do...whatever it is they are supposed to be doing, John and Symeril take some early shots at the incoming wall of madness. They rest assured that their shots have killed at least a couple of demons. They realize that they will know soon enough.

As the horde approaches, they can make out a giant, flying thing over the mass. A dark, massive, demon dragon flies toward them with the horde. They can also most assuredly sense vampires as well.

"It would seem the vampires and the demons worked out something," mutters Agrus. "Perhaps they find you to be a common enemy. I would take that as a compliment if it didn't mean almost certain death for us all." 

Meanwhile, Cade sets explosives around the area as a defense in this last stand.

The horde flows into the ruins like a thick, bloody liquid, and they coalesce around the base of the pyramid. The demon dragon swirls around the area.

Cade took the time she was waiting to observe the horde, and the large dragon'ish thing that seemed to be accompanying it.

She looked for specific types of demons and markings on the dragon beast that might clue the group in on what types of demons these were and if any of them had specific strengths or weaknesses that might be used to the group's advantage.

Cade rolled 40 using 1d100.  Lore: Demons & Monsters @80

Symeril looks up as the Demon dragon circles in the air...

"That's likely the reason for the truce..."

Looking back at her companions in the middle of their ritual, {They need time...}

She puts her HI-80 Combat Laser Rifle back in its sheath.

Looking up to the starry skies she sighs... And summons twin crackling Violet energy Psi-Greatswords...

"I'll try to buy the ritual some time... "

Triggering her radio, +"Sorry, Chaplin... may need a rain-check on that drink... keep one cool for me ok?"+

Activating her Flying Titan thrusters Sir Symeril, The BattleAngel takes flight, possibly for the last time, moving to engage the Demon-dragon, a prayer on her lips...

{ATHENA, Give me Strength!}

ISP: 87/ 74 spent
PPE: 68/ 14 spent
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

Cole looked at the oncoming horde of vampires and demons with hard eyes. He had grown up hearing the stories of heroes and villains of The Old West. Learned the stories of the heroes and villains of The New West. Though he had lived his life by The Code and strove to become the best Gunfighter in The West, he had never once thought he would go out like this; in a blaze of glory to rival or surpass any of the old stories. He snorted in wry amusement at the thought and patted Dyna's neck. "You know Lady, the only regret I have is that I don't think anyone will be around to tell our story," he says to her in an oddly calm voice, as if he were commenting on the weather. "But I guess its a might bit soon for that talk, I mean we could survive"

Dyna snorted too and nodded her head up and down as she moved unbidden to interpose them between the compass holders and the enemy. Cole reloaded his pistols and loosened his rifle in saddle holster. He watched Symeril fly overhead and said over the radio net, **Symeril, if'n you could draw the dragon a little closer, I can see if I can't plant a few shots between its eyes.**