Still in her half-crouch in the corner, Reiya feels the familiar rush of fear and excitement, pumping adrenaline into her body. Seeing the one kuroikaze wounded, and getting a clear shot, the shaman lobs a ball of mana aimed directly at him.
(( Cast Manaball at Force 3 at Unagi. Use edge to mitigate scatter. ))
Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Dice Rolls
"Mahō!" cries Tako.
Axel utilizes Tako's distraction and fires a shot from his heavy pistol. The round is wide and shatters one of the porthole windows.
Thoryne leaps from his hiding place, discarding the tarp he had been beneath. A guttural grinding sound fills the hold as his chainsaw-arm begins to rev up. Thoryne body checks the Kuroikaze and jams the chain-saw arm towards the small of Tako's back. Sparks shower the floor as the chainsaw glances off of the substantial armor, managing to mangle the mesh beneath, but not injure the commando.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Dice Rolls
<< Now! >> Zal comms, << Take him down! >>
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Dice Rolls
Mick performs a quick kip-up and springs back into the melee with an elbow strike. The blow connects, but Mick feels the karuta's plates hardening under impact-- like hitting ferrocrete. Still, the kinetic force of the blow forces the Kuroikaze back a few steps.
Upon receiving the activation signal, the drone Whirlwind maneuvers into place and looses a burst of assault rifle fire that reverberates throughout the hold. Tako manages to juke out of the line of fire and the volley punches holes in various fixtures on the hold's wall.
Tako finally has a chance to regain proper footing and adopts a kendo stance. His motion a blur, he charges towards Zal, intent on avenging his gene-pair. There's a silvery streak as his katana is unsheathed. Zal thrusts his arms in front of himself, preventing the blade from striking his neck. A gash opens on his forearm, spattering blood across the metal stair.
Above decks, another situation begins to unfold.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Dice Rolls
At the same time, in the hold, Doug awakens from his digital slumber. The tank-like drone zips forward, free of the canvas tarp that was concealing it. Doug's turret whines as micro-servos swing its mounted Cavalier Frontier into position. Another sharp report echoes throughout the hold. The round slips right underneath Tako's katana-wielding arm and through the gap in the karuta. Crimson oozes from the narrow crevice in the armor.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Dice Rolls
Abeje squats low and launches himself forward. Tako intercepts the tackle and plants his feet, spins, and tosses Abeje to one side.
Candy's drone darts and swoops, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.
A visceral roar bellows from a wounded Zal. He positions a fist just in front of Tako, preparing a one-inch punch. In a blur of motion, Zal fires off a blow that sends the Kuroikaze reeling back and crashing to the ground.
<< Now! >> Zal comms, << While he's down! >>
_________
Above decks, Heizo removes his slivergun from its holster and points it at Mouse. "Stop! Stay there or I'll shoot her!" The corpsman glances nervously at the hold, from which the sounds of a skirmish are still issuing.
________
Below decks, Lafayette leans to one side, positioning his rifle at the prone Kuroikaze. A muzzle flash illuminates the entire hold for a split second. The round hits Tako in the thigh, spackling the honeycomb steel floor with crimson. Blood is now spilling from multiple places on the Kuroikaze's body.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
After a brief and silent surge of triumph at the devastating effect of her “mahō,” Reiya had pulled out and loaded her crossbow with her newly acquired bolts. Though highly pleased that Manaball took out one target so effectively, Reiya knows she was lucky no one got caught in the crossfire. Seeing the kuroikaze on the ground with multiple injuries, she aims for the chin wound and shoots.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Dice Rolls
The Kuroikaze defeated, Zal slumps against the stair. Blood oozes from beneath his fingers as he staunches the gash on his arm. "I fucking hate those assholes," he grumbles.
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Drew Buddy
- Posts: 1488
- Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:06 pm
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
The gunfire echoes in Axel's head in the moments after it ceases in the cargo hold. The eerie silence sings a siren song of stillness, promising a respite from the violence. A rest. He fights against the urge, wasting no time in switching control over to Wind, the roto-drone on the roof of the bridge. With a thought, the drone activates and takes to the air, doing a lazy circle toward the only unknown person on the deck, targeting system already taking interest. Axel lets his thoughts pour through the drone's primitive onboard voice modulation as it flies toward the figures.
"Got another proposition, omae," he says to the Imperial on the deck. "drop the gun, and you get to see another sunset. Your much more capable friends are dead below deck. We, on the other hand, are ALL very much alive down here, and still have a lot of aggression to work out of our systems. So I need you to understand how very, VERY alone you are right now. This ends one way or another for you right now. Choice is yours, chummer."
"Got another proposition, omae," he says to the Imperial on the deck. "drop the gun, and you get to see another sunset. Your much more capable friends are dead below deck. We, on the other hand, are ALL very much alive down here, and still have a lot of aggression to work out of our systems. So I need you to understand how very, VERY alone you are right now. This ends one way or another for you right now. Choice is yours, chummer."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
"Feh," the corpsman glares at Wind. The image of the scowling Nipponese soldier is displayed on the team's shared feed. A look of fuming resignation overtakes his less than attractive features. With a flick of the wrist, the corpsman discards the Ares Viper over the gunwhale, where it drops into the Pacific. He raises his arms in surrender and turns towards the drone. "What is this, anyway? I thought we had a deal. Here to hike your prices or something? It's pretty unprofessional."
Zdenka peeks her head out from a windowsill on the bridge. It looks as though she had been in the process of drawing a bead on the corpsman when Wind arrived. She looks relieved. "You alright down there?"
Below decks, Ferris emerges from her hiding spot and begins a field suture on Zal's wound. Zal seems preoccupied watching the shared feed. "The fuck's he talking about?" Zal asks aloud.
Zdenka peeks her head out from a windowsill on the bridge. It looks as though she had been in the process of drawing a bead on the corpsman when Wind arrived. She looks relieved. "You alright down there?"
Below decks, Ferris emerges from her hiding spot and begins a field suture on Zal's wound. Zal seems preoccupied watching the shared feed. "The fuck's he talking about?" Zal asks aloud.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
The reversals of control come rapid-fire, and it’s all the decker can do to follow the unfolding chaos. She hasn't even been able to react until now, but as the proverbial dust settles and the gunfire quiets, she's left with her life... and some unexpected new cards in her hand.
“Guess we aren’t as professional as you’d hoped.” She shrugs, keeping her language vague as she adjusts on the fly to this apparent misconception. Even in doing so, she silently messages out to the team, trying to parse out the situation as much for herself as for those below deck. <<They must have been expecting someone else- someone they already had a deal with. That would explain why he'd called us a ‘day early' earlier.>>
She folds her arms, tilting her head with the imagined confidence of someone who hadn't just had a gun on her. “Maybe we can still work something out. Why don’t we head down and talk business, omae?” Considering the recent sounds of a firefight and the abundance of weaponry now targeting him, it's probably not an enticing option, not that he has much of a choice. If nothing else, if they can talk him below deck, they'll be in a better position to jam the bastard's comms before he realizes his mistake and calls for backup.
(( Another Con roll, I guess? Still curious if there's an icon for a commlink/etc that could theoretically be snooped on for context, but that's less essential right this second. ))
“Guess we aren’t as professional as you’d hoped.” She shrugs, keeping her language vague as she adjusts on the fly to this apparent misconception. Even in doing so, she silently messages out to the team, trying to parse out the situation as much for herself as for those below deck. <<They must have been expecting someone else- someone they already had a deal with. That would explain why he'd called us a ‘day early' earlier.>>
She folds her arms, tilting her head with the imagined confidence of someone who hadn't just had a gun on her. “Maybe we can still work something out. Why don’t we head down and talk business, omae?” Considering the recent sounds of a firefight and the abundance of weaponry now targeting him, it's probably not an enticing option, not that he has much of a choice. If nothing else, if they can talk him below deck, they'll be in a better position to jam the bastard's comms before he realizes his mistake and calls for backup.
(( Another Con roll, I guess? Still curious if there's an icon for a commlink/etc that could theoretically be snooped on for context, but that's less essential right this second. ))
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mouse - Con skill check
In the hold, Zal stands with a grimace. << As much as I'd love to know what's going on here, we need to move. This guy might come in handy, but also might be a liability. Eliminate him or take him with you, your choice. >>
Zal approaches Axel and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, omae: we can't afford another brawl with the Kuroikaze. Candy's drones are short range so we're all gonna depend on you for recon." He nods and turns to Reiya. "That was mighty impressive. Things could have been a lot worse without your help. Thank you."
Lafayette saunters over to prostrate and lifeless form of Tako. He nudges a shoulder-plate with the barrel of his rifle. "We'd better dump the carcasses before they do their thing."
"That's right," Zal says, favoring his wounded arm. "There are pockets of thermite throughout the karuta. Absent a heartbeat, the armor will soon turn into slag. Wouldn't want to put a hole in the ship."
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Drew Buddy
- Posts: 1488
- Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:06 pm
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
"Th-thermite?" Axel asks, eyes wide. "Probably best if the ship doesn't put on a light show for everyone on the island, then."
Axel rocks back off the balls of his feet into a sitting position, his legs singing with pins and needles as the abused nerves and veins return to their normal state. "Recon I can do. Might be a lot of what I do, as my other kids don't have suppressors. Don't worry, we'll have an eye in the sky for this mission—or the air ducts, I'm not too picky myself."
He stuffs his Morrisey Alta back into the concealed holster in his jumpsuit, and his hand reemerges with a Narcoject One. "In fact," he says cheerfully, "I might be able to help out with the little problem upstairs. Executions don't seem too sporting to me."
Axel rocks back off the balls of his feet into a sitting position, his legs singing with pins and needles as the abused nerves and veins return to their normal state. "Recon I can do. Might be a lot of what I do, as my other kids don't have suppressors. Don't worry, we'll have an eye in the sky for this mission—or the air ducts, I'm not too picky myself."
He stuffs his Morrisey Alta back into the concealed holster in his jumpsuit, and his hand reemerges with a Narcoject One. "In fact," he says cheerfully, "I might be able to help out with the little problem upstairs. Executions don't seem too sporting to me."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mouse’s attention flits from the messages in her HUD to the goon. <<As far as I care, we can chuck him in the bay with the rest. His comm and uniform will be far more useful than he is.>> It’s a cold calculus, but an easy decision to make. Between the leering and the threats, this bastard has done nothing to ingratiate himself to her, and from the comfort of the deck, the ugly business of murder is still largely an abstract concept to the decker.
She offers both Yung and the corpsman a gentle smile. “In any case, we ought to escort our dear partner below deck, ne?” She makes her way toward the hold herself, pausing only to offer Wind an affectionate pat, this being the second time, by her count, that the little drone has personally saved her hoop.
She offers both Yung and the corpsman a gentle smile. “In any case, we ought to escort our dear partner below deck, ne?” She makes her way toward the hold herself, pausing only to offer Wind an affectionate pat, this being the second time, by her count, that the little drone has personally saved her hoop.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Zdenka vaults the railing from the bridge, landing neatly on the foredeck next to Yung. She produces a Browning Ultra-power from a hip holster and spins the pistol by the trigger guard. "Konnichiwa." A devilish grin alights on her Balkan features. Circling the corpsman, she prods the small of his back with the Browning's muzzle. "You heard the lady, ugoku."
"Bakayaro," the corpsman mutters, but acquiesces.
The scowling corpsman marches down the stairs and into the hold. His eyes widen as he spots the two lifeless Kuroikaze, while Zdenka emits an appreciative whistle. "Nicely done," says Zdenka, clearly impressed.
"Wait--" Heizo surveys the hold, marking the large number of diverse individuals, the distinct lack of cargo, and-- with the clarity that comes at the end of a muzzle-- realization that Yung's uniform is two sizes too small. He dons a look of profound revelation. "You're not them, you're..." The accusation trails off as he lays eye on Zal.
Lafayette appears next to Zal. The dwarf's singular eye is riveted on Heizo. "Can I shoot him?"
The corpsman pales, having realized his predicament: that the hold is not full of tough, business-minded corporate enforcers, but something much, much worse.
Zal flexes his injured arm, which features a fresh gel-wrap bandage. "It's up to them," he says, indicating the team.
"Bakayaro," the corpsman mutters, but acquiesces.
The scowling corpsman marches down the stairs and into the hold. His eyes widen as he spots the two lifeless Kuroikaze, while Zdenka emits an appreciative whistle. "Nicely done," says Zdenka, clearly impressed.
"Wait--" Heizo surveys the hold, marking the large number of diverse individuals, the distinct lack of cargo, and-- with the clarity that comes at the end of a muzzle-- realization that Yung's uniform is two sizes too small. He dons a look of profound revelation. "You're not them, you're..." The accusation trails off as he lays eye on Zal.
Lafayette appears next to Zal. The dwarf's singular eye is riveted on Heizo. "Can I shoot him?"
The corpsman pales, having realized his predicament: that the hold is not full of tough, business-minded corporate enforcers, but something much, much worse.
Zal flexes his injured arm, which features a fresh gel-wrap bandage. "It's up to them," he says, indicating the team.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
“Up to us eh?” Yung says in response to Zal’s statement. He rubs his thumb and forefinger repeatedly along the tip of his chin. “Well, I suppose what we decide will be based on just how useful he can be.” He remarks, looking at Zal.
Turning his attention to Heizo he continues, “You’re right, we’re not them although who they are could be of interest.” He begins pacing back and forth, placing his hands behind his back.
“Even more important would be if you could tell us which prison block you are keeping the awakened prisoners in; don't worry we have a map.” He stops pacing turns and holds up a single finger toward Heizo, anticipating an objection, “Wait. I’m not done yet.”
“There’s more you likely know that could help us, just think about everything you know about this island.” Yung walks over to Tako, kneels down and clicks his tongue while examining the lifeless body “And yes, I’m sure meiyou dictates you refuse to see reason.” He pulls the wakizashi from the scabbard. “If that is the case, then do the honorable thing, and save us the effort.” He places the sword on the floor, before kicking the hilt lightly, sending it sliding in Heizo’s direction.
“If you are a reasonable man there is a chance you might live through this, just depends how much you want to keep living.” Yung says, shrugging his shoulders.
(( Intimidation? Not sure what's appropriate here ))
Turning his attention to Heizo he continues, “You’re right, we’re not them although who they are could be of interest.” He begins pacing back and forth, placing his hands behind his back.
“Even more important would be if you could tell us which prison block you are keeping the awakened prisoners in; don't worry we have a map.” He stops pacing turns and holds up a single finger toward Heizo, anticipating an objection, “Wait. I’m not done yet.”
“There’s more you likely know that could help us, just think about everything you know about this island.” Yung walks over to Tako, kneels down and clicks his tongue while examining the lifeless body “And yes, I’m sure meiyou dictates you refuse to see reason.” He pulls the wakizashi from the scabbard. “If that is the case, then do the honorable thing, and save us the effort.” He places the sword on the floor, before kicking the hilt lightly, sending it sliding in Heizo’s direction.
“If you are a reasonable man there is a chance you might live through this, just depends how much you want to keep living.” Yung says, shrugging his shoulders.
(( Intimidation? Not sure what's appropriate here ))
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Playing into the menacing atmosphere, Thoryne leans forward into the shaft of light descending the gloom from the doorway above. He dons a torturer's smile as the chainsaw blade that is his arm begins to slowly turn and grate along its frame.
"Oh, it won't be too much effort, 'mano... But it might take awhile." he promises wickedly.
"Oh, it won't be too much effort, 'mano... But it might take awhile." he promises wickedly.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Yung - Intimidation Skill Check
At the sound of Thoryne's chainsaw-arm, he begins to tremble. "Okay, okay! All I know is that Hachiman made a deal with some corpos. They come in once a week to bring supplies-- IV's, chems, things like that. It's all under the table, cash transactions. I thought you were new contractors..." He trails off and stares at the floor as the gravity of his error sinks in.
Abruptly, he looks back up at Yung, eager to buy his continued existence. "The awakened prisoners are in cell block D, but I've never been there. They staff that block with Omega clearance levels." Heizo glances at the nonplussed faces. "That's Saito's most trusted: high-ranking officers, commando units, and VIPs," he explains quickly.
"Look, I'm a reservist," the corpsman blubbers. A dark stain appears over the crotch of his fatigues. "I thought this post would be safe. I'll tell you everything I know, just please don't--" His gaze drifts to the corpses of the Kuroikaze.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
At the mention of the contraband supplies and the team's mistaken identity, Mouse can't help but let out an audible snerk. "If that’s the case…” She glances about the hold, taking in in the remnants of the carnage from the chaotic ambush, before a smile creeps onto her expression.
”...Supplies, motherfucker."
She pauses a beat, before clearing her throat, as though to offset the cringe of her own oyaji joke. She marks the easternmost cell block D on her own virtualized map of the island, and casts a nod toward Reiya, Mick and Axel. “AT LEAST THAT’S ONE LOCATION WHERE WE CAN START RECON,” she notes, settling back into her ‘own’ mechanical voice.
Her attention returns to the cringing goon, who would seem almost pathetic if he weren’t a racist, facist drekbag. “SO, HOW EXACTLY ARE THE CELLS HERE SET UP? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW DO YOU KEEP THEM LOCKED?” As much as she doesn’t want to waste valuable action time chattering, it’d be far worse for the team of would-be heroes to reach their final goal, only to be thwarted by a locked door.
”...Supplies, motherfucker."
She pauses a beat, before clearing her throat, as though to offset the cringe of her own oyaji joke. She marks the easternmost cell block D on her own virtualized map of the island, and casts a nod toward Reiya, Mick and Axel. “AT LEAST THAT’S ONE LOCATION WHERE WE CAN START RECON,” she notes, settling back into her ‘own’ mechanical voice.
Her attention returns to the cringing goon, who would seem almost pathetic if he weren’t a racist, facist drekbag. “SO, HOW EXACTLY ARE THE CELLS HERE SET UP? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW DO YOU KEEP THEM LOCKED?” As much as she doesn’t want to waste valuable action time chattering, it’d be far worse for the team of would-be heroes to reach their final goal, only to be thwarted by a locked door.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
"The buildings are falling apart, so cages were brought in when the site was opened-- detainees are kept in those. The cell blocks are independent, classified according to escape risk. A is low risk, B and C are medium risk, and D is high risk and awakened detainees. All the blocks have blast doors with biometric security. Only the staff on shift for the week for each block has access, besides the senior officers and the medical staff." Heizo thinks. "Like I said, the buildings are falling apart. Nobody wanted to invest in rebuilding because the automated defenses are more effective at keeping detainees on the island. I've heard rumors of guards smuggling contraband into the blocks, so there have to be holes or tunnels."
"That's all I know," he says. "I'm part of the administrative staff and I sometimes get put on patrol duty. I've only seen the inside of a cell block once."
Zal peeks out of a porthole at the rocky cliffside. "We need to move. This is where we split up." He looks to Axel. "Can you make sure we're clear to exit the ship?"
The rest of Zal's squad busy themselves with double-checking weapons, prepping drones (in Candy's case) and stacking near the stairwell leading out of the hold.
"That's all I know," he says. "I'm part of the administrative staff and I sometimes get put on patrol duty. I've only seen the inside of a cell block once."
Zal peeks out of a porthole at the rocky cliffside. "We need to move. This is where we split up." He looks to Axel. "Can you make sure we're clear to exit the ship?"
The rest of Zal's squad busy themselves with double-checking weapons, prepping drones (in Candy's case) and stacking near the stairwell leading out of the hold.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Although the information is clearly useful, and honestly more than he had expected, Yung’s expression is best described as conflicted. His method had worked, but ultimately it was delivered with a pretense of hope. Having delivered unexpected results, it now makes the reality of the situation all the more grim.
Yung surveys the rest of the crew, a splash of sympathy within the recesses of his gaze. “He did provide some valuable intel, woulda taken a hell of a lot longer to wade through the drek without it, what’s the call Tio? We restrain him here and deal with him later?” He looks to Taipan for a few moments before turning back to Heizo.
“When you say biometric locks, can you be more specific? Eye, hand? Either of these frags officers?”
Yung surveys the rest of the crew, a splash of sympathy within the recesses of his gaze. “He did provide some valuable intel, woulda taken a hell of a lot longer to wade through the drek without it, what’s the call Tio? We restrain him here and deal with him later?” He looks to Taipan for a few moments before turning back to Heizo.
“When you say biometric locks, can you be more specific? Eye, hand? Either of these frags officers?”
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
The corpsman glances at the nearest deceased Kuroikaze, from whom a few curls of smoke are beginning to drift. "Bio-scan. But it only works on living tissue. Hey, just leave me here, I won't say a word. You know what'll happen if they find out I helped you?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Yung walks over to the smoldering corpse kneels down and grabs on of the Kuroikaze's arms, using it as leverage to hoist the body over his shoulder before standing again. He addresses Heizo without making eye contact as he walks toward the stairs, "Sure we do, there's no question about that. Only question is where do you go from here?" Yung stops at the foot of the stairs and looks up before shaking his head slightly.
He begins climbing the stairs before calling back to the crew, "Someone gonna take care of the other one before he wrecks the hull?" Upon returning to the deck, Yung quickly throws the Kuroikaze over the side.
He begins climbing the stairs before calling back to the crew, "Someone gonna take care of the other one before he wrecks the hull?" Upon returning to the deck, Yung quickly throws the Kuroikaze over the side.
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Drew Buddy
- Posts: 1488
- Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:06 pm
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Axel pulls the Narcoject One back out of the recesses of his coveralls. "Can't promise you're not getting out of this without a hangover," he says, "but look at it this way, you'll have a better cover story this way." He finishes speaking, and the injector gun lets out a snap-puff as he pulls the trigger.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
"Wait, what do you-- Ow!" Heizo slaps his neck, knocking away the tiny dart. He glares at Axel and begins to say something else, but never gets the chance to say it. He takes a single step forward and then collapses on the floor.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Taipan nods approvingly at Axel, clapping him on the shoulder as he passes. "Nice shot," he murmurs through a barely suppressed grin. Left unsaid is a more sincere appreciation for the man's discretion with the use of deadly force in the midst of a situation in which many others would grasp for justifications to employ it.
He stoops down, grabbing the remaining Kuroikaze by the wrist and slinging him over his shoulders. Grunting softly with the effort, he calls, "A smuggler's approach isn't a bad idea, if we can locate it. Even better if we can figure out where it'd dump us. Anyone up for a bit more spelunking this trip?"
He stoops down, grabbing the remaining Kuroikaze by the wrist and slinging him over his shoulders. Grunting softly with the effort, he calls, "A smuggler's approach isn't a bad idea, if we can locate it. Even better if we can figure out where it'd dump us. Anyone up for a bit more spelunking this trip?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Zdenka sidles up to Mouse. The usually confident woman seems a bit timorous. She kneels down, placing herself below the decker. "Your friends seem pretty capable," she says with a smile. "Can you do me a favor? I plan on coming back with everyone, but if anything happens to me..." Zdenka proffers a small gold chain with a locket on the end. She averts her gaze and her skin flushes lightly. "Can you make sure Anne-Marie receives this?"
"Not that I anticipate anything-- just, I'm sure you'll make it out so--" She takes a breath. "Will you do that for me?"
"Not that I anticipate anything-- just, I'm sure you'll make it out so--" She takes a breath. "Will you do that for me?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
There’s something about the smoldering metal that’s morbidly transfixing to the decker, but thankfully, Zdenka’s approach makes for a sufficient distraction. The gravity of the request, however, draws a slight furrow of her brow. “I MEAN- OF COURSE I WILL. IT’S JUST…” She bites at her lip, trying to think of how best to articulate her concern. In clear consternation, she simply blurts, “YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT'S TOTALLY A DEATH FLAG!”
She shakes her head, a grim little smile creeping onto her face. “NEXT YOU'LL BE TELLING ME HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PROPOSE TO HER WHEN YOU GET HOME, AND YOU'RE JUST ONE DAY AWAY FROM RETIREMENT.” It’s difficult to discern whether she’s simply trying to inject a little levity into the tense moment, or if part of her truly believes in such a geeky superstition. Still, she delicately reaches out with small, cupped hands to accept the locket. “GO KILL SOME FASCISTS. I’LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS IN THE MEANTIME. OK?”
All this talk of death, however, does prompt her to make her way toward the crate where she’d stashed her own belongings. “ON THAT NOTE, UNLESS WE HAVE ANY MORE BUSINESS AS PURA VIDA REPRESENTATIVES, I’M DITCHING THIS DISGUISE. I MIGHT DIE TODAY, BUT I REFUSE TO SPEND MY LAST MOMENTS WEARING A LITTLE SAILOR SUIT.”
She shakes her head, a grim little smile creeping onto her face. “NEXT YOU'LL BE TELLING ME HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PROPOSE TO HER WHEN YOU GET HOME, AND YOU'RE JUST ONE DAY AWAY FROM RETIREMENT.” It’s difficult to discern whether she’s simply trying to inject a little levity into the tense moment, or if part of her truly believes in such a geeky superstition. Still, she delicately reaches out with small, cupped hands to accept the locket. “GO KILL SOME FASCISTS. I’LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS IN THE MEANTIME. OK?”
All this talk of death, however, does prompt her to make her way toward the crate where she’d stashed her own belongings. “ON THAT NOTE, UNLESS WE HAVE ANY MORE BUSINESS AS PURA VIDA REPRESENTATIVES, I’M DITCHING THIS DISGUISE. I MIGHT DIE TODAY, BUT I REFUSE TO SPEND MY LAST MOMENTS WEARING A LITTLE SAILOR SUIT.”
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Reiya’s initial satisfaction at her own competence in combat doesn’t last long. Relief is the first emotion to replace it, followed by a wave of tiredness that will pass soon enough now that they have a short space of breathing room. Her resting pose doesn’t stop her from listening, though, and as she hears about the guardians of Block D, fear returns. How the frag will they get past the bioscan? She doubts any mind manipulation will work on the elite guards, and if it does, how the fuck can they extract a single awakened prisoner without freeing or fighting all of the others?
The shaman shakes her head. Enough. We’ll figure it out once Zal’s team peels off, and we’ll give it go. It works, or it doesn’t. We succeed, or we die. Reiya smiles, calm restored. She’s fine either way.
The shaman shakes her head. Enough. We’ll figure it out once Zal’s team peels off, and we’ll give it go. It works, or it doesn’t. We succeed, or we die. Reiya smiles, calm restored. She’s fine either way.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Zal slaps a magazine into a Colt Manhunter and nods at Axel. "You're up, omae. Let's get some eyes in the sky."
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Drew Buddy
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Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Axel waves off the praise, while secretly reveling in no longer being the outsider. For better or worse, he's pushed past the threshold with this team... Or compromised himself. Even if he hasn't struck a killing blow, blood on his hands was still the buy-in for this little adventure, and now there's no turning back.
Axel's eyes unfocus for a moment as he splits off commands to his drones, twitching before refocusing on Zal. "Up up and away," he says, reauthorizing Zal's team with read-only access to the feeds from Echo and the twin roto drones.
Echo zips from its perch on the bridge, and takes to the sky, sensors focused on the ground. Wind and Whirlwind also take to the air, Whirlwind zipping up the stairwell to join its sibling. The two more conspicuous roto-drones stay low, below the sight-lines from the island, while Echo charges ahead, gaining altitude, and disappearing into the sky.
"Anything you want looked at first?"
Axel's eyes unfocus for a moment as he splits off commands to his drones, twitching before refocusing on Zal. "Up up and away," he says, reauthorizing Zal's team with read-only access to the feeds from Echo and the twin roto drones.
Echo zips from its perch on the bridge, and takes to the sky, sensors focused on the ground. Wind and Whirlwind also take to the air, Whirlwind zipping up the stairwell to join its sibling. The two more conspicuous roto-drones stay low, below the sight-lines from the island, while Echo charges ahead, gaining altitude, and disappearing into the sky.
"Anything you want looked at first?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Taipan pauses at the foot of the stairs, calling over his shoulder, "Making sure anywhere that's got line of sight to these smoldering bodies we're about to dump is clear and start painting any potential enemy presence for Zal's team on the approach to the comms bunker. Taipan pulls up the map of the island in his AR feed, brow furrowed in thought. "If you can spare a drone, some recon near the waterline on the south and east of the island would be useful. I'm no smuggler, but if I wanted to get into those cell blocks, that's where I'd look first."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
The fly-spy's feed reveals a rocky cliff-side strewn with muddy switch-backs. The island's erosion, coupled with stubborn foliage provides sparse, but suitable cover for an approach. The abandoned cell blocks can no longer be considered structures, having collapsed in many places. Nature has begun to retake the foundation, evidenced by roots and bushes that burst from the decaying brickwork.
Beyond the cliff is a meandering trail, marked by portable utility lights. It threads through ruined concrete and abandoned brick buildings, small clusters of apple trees, pools of fetid water and rocky hills. At the terminus of Echo's vision is a cluster of brick buildings surrounded by razor wire fencing. A large satellite dish is also visible, held upright by supports that look much newer than the rest of the island's infrastructure.
The island's main plateau falls off sharply on the Southern side, where the remaining cell blocks perch on cliffs. The paths on the plateau branch out to the various sectors of the black site, like tributaries. Along the path are several pillboxes and guard towers, but they seem deserted.
The initial approach to the center of the island looks clear, although from the airborne vantage, some angles are obscured by tree canopy or ruined buildings. Echo's thermos pick up a few signatures near the active cell blocks, but they move out of view a moment later.
"It looks clear," Zal says as he reviews the feed. "Those trees should provide some cover for us."
Mouse's thoughts are interrupted as her deck's scan picks up a hit. A ghostly image floats above the unconscious corpsman in her AR feed. She recognizes it as the icon for a commlink.
Beyond the cliff is a meandering trail, marked by portable utility lights. It threads through ruined concrete and abandoned brick buildings, small clusters of apple trees, pools of fetid water and rocky hills. At the terminus of Echo's vision is a cluster of brick buildings surrounded by razor wire fencing. A large satellite dish is also visible, held upright by supports that look much newer than the rest of the island's infrastructure.
The island's main plateau falls off sharply on the Southern side, where the remaining cell blocks perch on cliffs. The paths on the plateau branch out to the various sectors of the black site, like tributaries. Along the path are several pillboxes and guard towers, but they seem deserted.
The initial approach to the center of the island looks clear, although from the airborne vantage, some angles are obscured by tree canopy or ruined buildings. Echo's thermos pick up a few signatures near the active cell blocks, but they move out of view a moment later.
"It looks clear," Zal says as he reviews the feed. "Those trees should provide some cover for us."
Mouse's thoughts are interrupted as her deck's scan picks up a hit. A ghostly image floats above the unconscious corpsman in her AR feed. She recognizes it as the icon for a commlink.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
While the others have their eyes glued to their comms, Mouse retrieves her bag and slips briefly into the bridge to change back into her standard gear. (Even without that modicum of privacy, there’s not much to see, thanks to the form-fitting armored vest beneath her uniform. Any passers-by would have caught little more than pale, scrawny limbs and, at most, a fleeting glimpse of undies.) She does opt to keep the more ‘human’ element of her disguise intact- in part because it was a slitch to put together, and because some small, dark part of her imagines that, should there be a gun to her head again, appearing to be a good Nipponese girl might buy her a few extra seconds of life.
She returns to the hold just in time for an alert to blink into her sight, overlaying the island view. While there’s no longer the same sense of urgency- the corpsman being in no position to call for help any time soon, she’s not about to turn down any tools at her disposal. She kneels down beside the reservist’s still and soiled form, and methodically begins to pat him down in sync with her AR scan. “ALL RIGHT, BIG GUY. LET’S SEE WHAT YOU’RE WORKING WITH.” Even with her obvious disgust for the stranger, there’s a noticeable sensitivity as she works him over: a professional sense of respect for the vulnerable, unconscious state in which he's found himself.
(( Right now, she’s looking to snag his physical commlink if it’s easily retrievable. She’s also going to matrix perception to peek at the firewall see if it’s slaved to some high-rating host, since that’ll determine whether she actually tries to mark it or just yeets it into the bay. ))
She returns to the hold just in time for an alert to blink into her sight, overlaying the island view. While there’s no longer the same sense of urgency- the corpsman being in no position to call for help any time soon, she’s not about to turn down any tools at her disposal. She kneels down beside the reservist’s still and soiled form, and methodically begins to pat him down in sync with her AR scan. “ALL RIGHT, BIG GUY. LET’S SEE WHAT YOU’RE WORKING WITH.” Even with her obvious disgust for the stranger, there’s a noticeable sensitivity as she works him over: a professional sense of respect for the vulnerable, unconscious state in which he's found himself.
(( Right now, she’s looking to snag his physical commlink if it’s easily retrievable. She’s also going to matrix perception to peek at the firewall see if it’s slaved to some high-rating host, since that’ll determine whether she actually tries to mark it or just yeets it into the bay. ))
Loadout
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
After dumping the body Yung returns below deck to rejoin the crew. The discomfort of the Pura Vida jumpsuit has clearly reached a boiling point. He peels the tight fitting outfit off, taking a few moments afterward to stretch properly. “I guess we deal with him when we get back eh?” he says, nodding at the unconscious form of Heizo.
He produces his trusty Ares Predator and goes through the diagnostics routine of the smartlink system, then manually checks the clip loaded with the APDS that were provided by Zal. “We ain’t getting any younger.” He says turning to Mick. “You still planning to do your reconnaissance? Least we have a good idea of an alternate way in to keep an eye out for.”
After going through his weapon check routine and shaking off the discomfort of the Pura Vida uniform he scans the faces of those assembled in the hold once more before heading topside to take a look at the approach with his own eyes.
He produces his trusty Ares Predator and goes through the diagnostics routine of the smartlink system, then manually checks the clip loaded with the APDS that were provided by Zal. “We ain’t getting any younger.” He says turning to Mick. “You still planning to do your reconnaissance? Least we have a good idea of an alternate way in to keep an eye out for.”
After going through his weapon check routine and shaking off the discomfort of the Pura Vida uniform he scans the faces of those assembled in the hold once more before heading topside to take a look at the approach with his own eyes.