[Nexus] Outside XXVIII

[Hattish Thing]

Cave

Marty throws a sharp fork at Sleets face.

[orb_of_blood]

Jungle - cave

The fork is off-balanced and only the flat end hits Sleet. For a moment it looks like she's about to burst into laughter... if it wasn't for the fact that she can hear Shada right behind her. She has time to aim one last greatsword swipe at Marty.

[Hattish Thing]

He jumps back and falls a cut across his eye.

[Terumitsu]

[Hydrosphere Battle]

The cease-fire had been due less to politeness than the forward-mounted mass drivers simply not being oriented in a direction that would have allowed for an accurate shot. That and Ghoul had simply been too far away to get off a shot using small arms.

In any case, the fiery rip was a good ways away for the moment what with the muse having fled the area almost immediately after the cloud had appeared. "Oi, Kirk. If you can reach, there's a collar in a container just under the seat here. You'll need to stand up to get it open. Use the toe grips if you have to." the muse said, apparently with an idea in place. Given the only thing collar-like in the small bin would be a grey object with numerous small blisters of black metal around one side, Kirk probably wouldn't have much trouble finding the item in question. Well, aside from holding on for dear life while digging through the compartment at least.

Checking the longer-range optical data Ghoul saw the robot attempting to bring Feia in as well. Cursing aloud, the muse pulled the bike down and decreased it's speed to something a bit less crazy and quite a bit more smooth. Grabbing her shotgun, she used her good arm to brace it against her shoulder with her back nearly flush with the seat behind her. It was really the only way to hold the weapon steady as well as absorb the recoil when firing one handed. Rather than shoot right away, Ghoul trained her weapon on Feia for now, still gauging her as the larger threat. In particular, Feia's unwounded hand would be kept in her sights. Should she make a gesture that looked even vaguely arcane, a slug of molten metal would be flying her way to take it off.

[Gullara]

[Hydrosphere Battle]

"Right..." Kirk is still not feeling all that great, but this is important. He does as instructed, thankfully avoiding plummeting to his death. Once he's retrieved the colloar thing he returns to the relative safety of his seat. "What now?"

[ThirdEmperor]

Riv's Hamlet

And give him away it does, the noise almost immediately attracting both the hydratroll's attention and a storm of bullets aimed at the rooftop Javert occupies, although sparse time to aim ensures most of the rounds come nowhere close to the assassin.

The jump does catch it off guard, but not for long, the Drones dropping flat to the ground as the hulking brute spins around, holding down the trigger to send a fan of tightly spaced bullets shooting outwards as it does.

Jungle- Cave

Getting elbowed in the nuts by a twelve-foot tall wolfman?

Ouch... Just... Ouch.

Kale staggers back, nearly doubled over and struggling just to walk as he stumbles away from Chez, going for the pickaxe he so carelessly discarded before.

[Hattish Thing]

Cave

Marty clutches his face blood spilling.

[Chezmarine]

Jungle- Cave

Getting elbowed in the nuts by a twelve-foot tall wolfman?

Ouch... Just... Ouch.

Kale staggers back, nearly doubled over and struggling just to walk as he stumbles away from Chez, going for the pickaxe he so carelessly discarded before.

The Wolf Whips out a Remington 1100, And Pumps it. "Drop it." He Growled.

"I don't Want to Hurt you. MUCH."

[ThirdEmperor]

Jungle- Cave

Seeing Chez reach for his gun, Kale quickly ducks behind a stalagmite, reaching for the weighted dagger on his belt. "No.. But yer gonna hurt Sleet, an I ain't about to let you." He growls back, trying to focus on something else than the crippling pain.

[Chezmarine]

Jungle- Cave

Seeing Chez reach for his gun, Kale quickly ducks behind a stalagmite, reaching for the weighted dagger on his belt. "No.. But yer gonna hurt Sleet, an I ain't about to let you." He growls back, trying to focus on something else than the crippling pain.

"The Lying ***** Promised me Something. I'm Going to See that i Get it."

[Hattish Thing]

Marty attempts to stand.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Below the Waterdome]

The sky is on fire.

It was ablaze already, violent energy lapping forth from the tear in space, brought on by the wild magic cloud.
But the cloud has changed, once again, and with it, the state of the flames above.

An unpleasant, forceful wind sweeps in from the west, just a soon sharply shifting towards the south.
Fire above is curled through the sky, spilling both downwards and upwards to consume a seeming vacuum.


Heat and red spill onto the ground below, casting a somewhat tense atmosphere.

Feia seems to take it in stride, glancing up towards the robot and off towards Ghoul and Kirk on their bike as well.
She speaks, intending to cut off the former's eager attempts at subdual and the latter's approach.
"I am already kneeling and you would do well to remember a simple fact, before any of you take another step forward."

It's a rather clinical tone, abruptly different from her almost mad giggling a moment ago.

[billtodamax]

Waterdome

Haa-aands toge-er The robot stutters at Feia, ignoring her warning and continuing towards her until he's very close. Both of his arms are still pointed directly at her, one with functioning missles, one with a functioning (just) laser.

[Terumitsu]

[Hydrosphere]

At least it wasn't raining fire. Just spewing it randomly.

"It's a collar. You put it around necks." Ghoul said, letting the drow work out the fiddly bits. The muse slowed down enough for Kirk to get off while also keeping low enough to the ground that he simply won't break his legs upon landing. He would also be quite close to Feia so he wouldn't have to brave the firestorm. Hopefully down here on the ground would be somewhat safer than in the air for the moment. Ghoul stayed ready to accelerate the moment that stopped being true.

She kept the shotgun trained on Feia all the while, however. Paranoia wouldn't allow her to do otherwise.

However, she did try something else now that things seemed to be cooling down. Attempting to contact the robot wirelessly, she would send a simple message with no attachments so the mechanaloid wouldn't see it as a threat.
Hey. This is the chick sitting in that shiny bike you were shooting at earlier. Are you attempting to collect the bounty on this mark?

Might as well give them a chance to say 'No' before doing anything drastic just yet.

[Gullara]

[Hydrosphere]

Collar. He looks to Feia, then back to Ghoul. Seems simple enough. Ghoul is as well prepared as Kirk should have expected. He pulls out his gun, training it in Feia uneasily. He doesn't like this, not one bit. "I hope you got a plan."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Hydrosphere]

Feia fails to acquiesce.

Her hands remain rather firmly apart, planted on the ground from her rough attempt to stand earlier.
"The fire is coming, perhaps you should move."

It's a somewhat snide remark, a reminder that Feia shouldn't have their whole attention anymore.
She is aware of what is happening above them, aware of the descent.


The wind shifts again, clearly an unnatural phenomena now, dragging the flames in the sky even lower. Quicker.
The shifting wind pulls the fire in one direction, and then another, before falling into an easily recognizable pattern.

A funnel begins to form, steadily, the easy shape contrasting sharply to the burning energy consuming the twister.
Another shift in the wind, and it falls closer to the ground.

The heat grows and the glow cast upon the combatants on the ground twists, sharply, becoming more clearly alarming.

So simple at first, it is becoming a quick storm, unnatural and as violent as it would be if it were normal.
There are probably mere moments until it touches down.

[Ashen Lilies]

[There]

The Cylon Basestar drifted in space, orbiting steadily around the cold gray lifeless rock below, while in the far off distance, a pale, tiny star gave off a pale, dim light, nearly indistinguishable from that of the field of stars around it, despite being several hundred lightyears closer.

Deep within the baseship, in a room under heavy guard, three Cylons stood at opposite ends of the star shaped console, hands immersed in the interface gel that allowed them to access the ship's systems, and communicate with each other.

Assessment.
Terrestrial. 30 standard units from white dwarf star. 1/10 standard diameter. Lifesigns: None. Atmosphere: None. Mineral content: Insufficient.
Assessment: Negative.
Agree. Assessment: Negative.
Agree. Assessment: Negative.
Plan new destination.
New Destination: Planned. Coordinates: NEX-t=227910-f=32
Co-ordinates: Registered.
Prepare FTL Drive.
FTL Drive: Prepared.
Alert: Prepare for FTL.

A pause.

Report: Crew prepared.
Jump.
Jump.
Jump.

In another room, the ship's Hybrid lay submerged in an oblong vat of gel, murmuring and occasionally twitching as dozens of wires and conduits provided a stream of information to her cybernetic brain, extending her senses into every corner of the ship, and beyond.
"The bird crows in the morning but does not cease at midnight, the raven's anchorage power generators running 94% efficiency stops to check the time, the outcast spider takes the plunge with the reduce atmospheric nitrogen by 0.03% bat and shadow, he who is not life not death plans co-ordinates received within plans without plans with her hands. A dragon waits. End line."

Abruptly, the Hybrid bucks, spine arching, mouth falling open as her eyes roll back in ecstacy.
"Jump!"

The ship jumped.

[Here]

A Cylon Basestar expands into sudden existence scarcely a kilometer above an unfortunate forest, the displaced air exploding into a shockwave which knocks more than a couple of birds dead out of the air, and creating a thunderclap that can probably be heard for quite a fair distance around.

Assessment.
Terrestrial. One standard units from main sequence star. Standard diameter. Lifesigns: Detected. Atmosphere: Nitrogen 78.09%. Oxygen 20.95%. Argon 0.93% Carbon Dioxide 0.030%. Climate: 5 zone distribution. Mineral content: Satisfactory.
Assessment: Positive.
Ship's location within atmosphere: Confirmed. Crash imminent in... 1.35 seconds.
Assessment: Revised.
Recovery.
No.
Jump.
No.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Prepare for impact.
Prepare for impact.
Prepare for impact.

"Hang on to the lifebar please. We may be experiencing Course adjusted 3 degrees. Predicted structural damage lessened by 0.005% some minor turbulence. Welcome to NEXUS. Have a nice day."

The basestar dropped like a stone, what minor forward momentum it had sending it crashing through the forest for a good 500 meters, splintering trees like so many toothpicks as it ploughed through the earth with a satisfying screeching sound.

[billtodamax]

Aquaball Clash

Attempting to subdue threats towards inside. Your companion is wanted for destruction of property. You are wanted for questioning. The robot transmits back to Ghoul.

The robot steps forwards towards Feia, attempting to push her over and knock her hands together. It will be pretty forceful, as the robot's not functioning all that well.

It seems to be ignoring the threat from the fire. It probably notices it, but I don't think it has assessed it properly.

[orb_of_blood]

"The Lying ***** Promised me Something. I'm Going to See that i Get it."

Swinging away from Shada’s unceasing attacks, Sleet manages to gain herself some time by vaulting over a cluster of short stalagmites. She takes this time to desperately attempt to gain Chez’s favour again. I promised it, and you’ll get it Chez, whatever you want! Just, now probably isn’t the best time. Shada is clearly the stronger fighter, but Sleet has a much bigger sword which does much more damge, as she demonstrates by smacking Shada back and away from her, something her small swords couldn’t efficiently block.

Shada falls back towards Marty. Here take a sword. She offers him the dull ordinary one. Defend yourself.

[happyturtle]

A Different There

His wedding day should have been all ceremony, followed by a night of pleasure with his bride. At least, he had been told it would be pleasurable. He'd be doing his duty to his people by fathering a daughter on the Duchess he had been granted to by treaty. Perhaps love would come in time, as it had with his own parents, or perhaps not. It didn't change his duty, which was obedience and making children.

It was no more or less than what he had expected for all of his life, though he had not expected it so early. Sixteen was young to be married off, but the son of nobility was not free to choose his own fate, and he had never expected to rebel against it.

He had gone in procession to the neighbouring duchy, had been received with pomp and joy by the people, had made one public appearance with the Duchess - and by the gods, she was beautiful. She carried herself with the dignity of a queen, and he felt desire stirring for her already.

She killed it with a few short words. "Be rid of the dog before we reach the capital. I do not care for the creatures."

Be rid of the dog? Be rid of his dog?!

The procession continued, and he found, to his anxious enquiries, that the Duchess considered the animals unclean. That he would be unclean if he were near them. This wasn't simply a matter of putting Mori in a kennel away from the palace. He was to get rid of his dog and never see her again.

Love or duty. He hadn't expected the choice to come in quite this way.

He fled, with his dog, with no preparations or thought, just blind panic. The escape shouldn't have succeeded, but a blizzard swept through.

The search for the missing bridegroom was called off after five days, and the wedding ceremony turned into a funeral. Another consort would have to be found for the Duchess.

Here

The noise didn't wake him, but Mori's whining did. She was licking his face, terrified of the roaring sounds of the crash, the falling trees, the scream of metal. Cold. She's so cold, he thought, as he sat up, wrapping his arms around his dog, trying to comfort her. "Shhh, it's okay. I won't let it hurt you." he promised.

Had they been asleep in the snow? He looked at his hands and saw that they were tinted blue. Yet they moved as freely as ever. He could still feel what he touched.

He would solve this riddle later. Whatever had made the noise was not something from the Duchess, and thus it was worth investigating.

"Come Mori. Let's see what it is," he said. And the boy got to his feet and headed towards the crash site, accompanied by a massive black deerhound.

He hasn't noticed yet that Mori isn't actually black anymore.

[Hattish Thing]

Swinging away from Shada’s unceasing attacks, Sleet manages to gain herself some time by vaulting over a cluster of short stalagmites. She takes this time to desperately attempt to gain Chez’s favour again. I promised it, and you’ll get it Chez, whatever you want! Just, now probably isn’t the best time. Shada is clearly the stronger fighter, but Sleet has a much bigger sword which does much more damge, as she demonstrates by smacking Shada back and away from her, something her small swords couldn’t efficiently block.

Shada falls back towards Marty. Here take a sword. She offers him the dull ordinary one. Defend yourself.

He takes one still clutching his now-scarred face He rushes toward Sleet, Now, you scarred me! What have I done to you?!

[ThirdEmperor]

Jungle- Cave

"I got 'nother idea. How 'bout I spot you the cash to go an buy yourself some back-alley girl, an you leave us all the hell alone!?" In his mind, Kale is already running through the options. If Chez can't be bought off, then he'll need to sneak up behind the wolf-man again, try to... Try to stab him where Chez's skull has been broken. Surely even whatever sort of monstrosity Chez is can't live with a dagger in it's brain, right?

[Hattish Thing]

Marty swings at Sleet angrily, blood probably splattering on her from him.

[Chezmarine]

Jungle- Cave

"I got 'nother idea. How 'bout I spot you the cash to go an buy yourself some back-alley girl, an you leave us all the hell alone!?" In his mind, Kale is already running through the options. If Chez can't be bought off, then he'll need to sneak up behind the wolf-man again, try to... Try to stab him where Chez's skull has been broken. Surely even whatever sort of monstrosity Chez is can't live with a dagger in it's brain, right?

It Would in fact Kill him, and then he'd have to Fumble around and Find 4 Quarters.

"I want what i was Promised." He Growled.

Swinging away from Shada’s unceasing attacks, Sleet manages to gain herself some time by vaulting over a cluster of short stalagmites. She takes this time to desperately attempt to gain Chez’s favour again. I promised it, and you’ll get it Chez, whatever you want! Just, now probably isn’t the best time. Shada is clearly the stronger fighter, but Sleet has a much bigger sword which does much more damge, as she demonstrates by smacking Shada back and away from her, something her small swords couldn’t efficiently block.

Chez looked at Sleet. "I don't Trust you. But i Suppose i can always Hunt you down and find you. So it's a Deal..."

The Wolf Ejects the 11 shells from his Remington 1100 and Loads it with bean Bag rounds.
"Shada, You're Going back to the hell from whence you came."

[Hattish Thing]

Chez! Help! Sleet can't be trusted! blood has seeped into his purple shirt, he swings ay Sleet.

[Darkcomet]

[Wasteland]

Some places are ruined by war, some by magic, some by nature, but the end result in this case is the same.

This rocky wasteland has been scoured of life, and it's as if the whole region was burnt to a crisp in some great catastrophe. This place is largely lifeless, bleak, and free of the touch of sapients.

Except one, today.

This man follows a purpose. His power and influence were once great, and his paranoia led to many precautions. Important devices or vehicles frequently had trackers built into them, trackers only he had the power to access. He lost that once, but through some means, he has obtained that technology once again.

He touches down on a cliff overlooking the vast wasteland, the device in his hand beeping rapidly and pointing off the cliff.

The seeker looks down and smiles, for he has found his mark, what was once his and shall be again.

"Thought I was out of the picture, did they...?"

Vyrn nods to himself, smirking. Yes, anyone who thought he was out of it for good will certainly be in for a surprise...

[DoomITP]

[Library of Alexandria]

Valaira glares at the shade wrathfully. It better not approach her or she'll...she'll flee so fast it won't know what didn't hit it! Fortunately, it does not move, content with remaining stationary and pointing at Valaira menacingly.

"That is someone I imprisoned here long ago. He is the one responsible for the sacrifices. He is being punished for every fluid ounce of blood he spilt. He's also pointing at me."

"Stupid ghost! Yeah! I'm talking about you!"

Let's keep looking for the other version of you, Valaira.

Zero, leaves the room, and then starts trying to find the throne room.

[Chezmarine]

Jungle

Chez growls at Marty.

"Back Off."

[Hattish Thing]

I can't! I can't let you hurt someone who has done nothing! Please Chez! Sleet is the enemy! Urgh...blood...so much. Marty holds his sword ast Chez. His shirt is now stained.

[Terumitsu]

[Hydrosphere]

Ghoul had to give Feia credit. She had not been expecting this in the least. The swaths of flame in the sky she had been able to write off as some kind of magical napalm but pulling off something like this? Of course, one might have to take the muse's reaction with a bit of salt given that all weather was artificial and rain had been the only thing she had experienced.

That aside, unnatural and rather dangerous weather patterns were generally something to stay away from anyway. I'm gonna be feeling this for weeks. the muse thought to herself as she triggered her catalyst implant again. The next few actions she made rattled off in a fluid sequence as her motions rapidly accelerated beyond normal human ability. Having kept her aim on Feia, the muse shifted her aim downward and slightly closer to center before firing a slug at the dragon-witch's thigh. While debilitation was her intent, she wouldn't really mind the pain she caused alongside it.

Absorbing the recoil, she used the energy to 'ricochet' off of the back of her seat so that she might better reach Kirk before he took too many steps away, dropping her weapon and letting it hang by it's strap so she didn't end up smacking him in the back of the head with it.. With her muscle implants, she would be strong enough to jerk him up and back onto the bike with one arm should she be able to reach. Nudging the engines to strafe a bit would probably help with that, though.

Should this go well, then the muse would be taking off again rather quickly while making sure to hug the ground with her craft. If she missed out on picking up Kirk, however... Well, she tried.

One of the nice things about having a cyberbrain, though, was the fact that it could send quick messages while the body was doing other things. Due to this, the robot would get a quick, albeit short message. Situation understood. Attempting to nullify Mark threat/ Take into custody for bounty. Will submit to questioning at that time. she replied. Hopefully that would at least give her some leeway with the robot for having just shot an apparently unarmed and currently nonagressive person. Then again, Feia had been resisting...