2023-07-07: Ruri's 'Growing Up'!?

• Log: Ruri's 'Growing Up'!?
• Cast: Ruri Hoshino, Alexis Kerib, Yurika Misumaru, Lucine Azul, Hikaru Amano, Ryoko Subaru, Alto Saotome, Ranka Lee, Riika Sheder, Eight York, Enba Rezza, Rena Lancaster, Anita Rosetta, Naoko Suzuki, Gary Biaggi, Shinji Ikari, Kaworu Nagisa, Liam 7-020, with cameos from Sheryl Nome, Rin Starking, and a mystery woman's missives
• Where: The Nadesico - Over The Orb Union
• Date: 2023-07-07
• Summary: It's Tanabata, and Ruri's birthday will be celebrated on the Nadesico, today, with a little extra security. But who could have expected Ruri to be in danger in her very room..? Unknown to everyone, a terrible danger has dangled over her head for over a year as she slept -- and now the dream-possessing kaiju, Chaos Jirak, emerges to claim her as his heart and wreak his hatred on another universe. Ruri's friends are many and varied, but all of them unite to rescue her from Chaos Jirak -- and the Gomora III who appears to complicate matters further.

---

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        It's Tanabata. And while most of the Tanabata celebrations are in Japan -- Tokyo, and Nagoya, and Fujinomiya -- a little bit of Tanabata has come to the Orb Union, in the Nadesico above, to bless a girl who needs more help than Japan can offer.

        Ruri Hoshino, you see, almost cancelled her birthday party.

        She's scared of Alexis Kerib.

        And so, at the last minute, the celebration moved from Tokyo's festival-streets and closer to home -- so that the Nadesico's friends could keep their machines close at hand. Home is, of course, the Nadesico, floating above their home port in the United Emirates of Orb; it's not nearly as large as its fellow, the Ra Mari II, but it's big enough to host Ruri's friends and crewmates. The Observation Deck doesn't have to observe outside -- right now the screens are emblazoned with scenes of Tanabata, and the grassy ground has been occupied with a half-dozen little stalls. Everyone's put so much work into setting it up...!

        (For some people, this work may, indeed, be the gift they offer.)

        The Birthday Girl isn't yet in residence, though Archimedes and Harro roll circularly about the deck; Ruri's in her room, getting ready. She's put on a cute and frilly light green dress -- Ranka took her shopping! -- and now her hair's all brushed out, it's time to tie it up in her usual twin-tails. One side... and... two.

        "Omoikane, do I look okay..?" Ruri asks, looking up into the air. A communication window opens, with a big stamp emblazoned:

                                < GREAT JOB ! >

        Ruri sighs, her weight sinking down on the side of her bed. She puts her hairbrush on the blankets, and looks up, to the nursery mobiles which have followed her since before she can remember. The fish spin, lazily, around each other; apart from the others, the whale dangles. They... remind her of... something, but it's little more than a splash in the still, deep waters of her mind.

        "But I've caused a lot of trouble," she says, to her best friend, her first friend, her closest friend. "Not just with this... in the battle, too. They're calling me an 'Electronic Fairy'... but aren't they afraid of me? No one's said anything bad... no one's said anything bad, but..."

        The fish swim, spinning on their mobiles. The room's swimming, too.

        "I'm different... from everyone," Ruri murmurs, a light dusting of sadness over her stoic expression. "I'm... special. There's no one like me... no one..."

        There's a certain fish-eyed glassiness to her golden gaze, just the same, as it settles on that whale swaying back and forth.

        It's not only living creatures who can be possessed. Dreams... the symbols of dreams...

        "... Jirak..."

        It's a breath of a word, as light clusters around Ruri, and Ruri --

                                < WARNING >
                                < ALERT >
                                < RURI-RURI >
                                < DANGER >
                                < ALARM >

                                < JIRAK >
                                < JIRAK >
                                < JIRAK >
                                < JIRAK >
                                < JIRAK >

        The Observation Deck's Tanabata decorations are interrupted, harsh and sudden, by Omoikane throwing up countless screens to express what he's seeing. The view of Tanabata's streets, on the screens, are interrupted to show the outside of the Nadesico -- as a light falls into the shallow waters around Orb, and erupts upwards, and outwards.

        Ruri's not in her room, any more.

        And out there...

        As that light pillars up, it forms a cetacean -- but distinctly bipedal -- kaiju, sixty-four metres tall. Standing, it appears very much like the underside of a blue whale, if such a thing were shaped into humanoid form: the white lines of its broad 'throat' converge into its face, like the horrific mask of a great demon, with twin curled horns arching out from its brow. Its hands end in long and wicked claws, and strength and power rolls from its form, purple-white of belly and blue of back.

        CHAOS JIRAK, whose hatred has waited millennia and a year longer, is come.

        And he could not have come alone.

        Unseen in Chaos Jirak's heart, but perhaps not unfelt, Ruri stands in an abyss. Stands apart. She clasps her hands to her own heart, and she says,

        "Banzai..."

        She's not talking to you -- and her words don't pour from Chaos Jirak in the slightest -- but the sensitive may hear her, anyway. Ruri Hoshino has been trapped inside Chaos Jirak... and Chaos Jirak immediately strikes the Nadesico, in a gesture which makes it IMMINENTLY clear who is and is not in control. Luckily, Omoikane is quick on the Distortion Field -- but Chaos Jirak's claws slash into it, and the impact rocks the ship, even if he's not able to get through.

        Freezing isn't an option.

 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has deployed in Chaos Jirak.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has deployed as a Boss for 8 opponents.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Alexis did tell Ruri he hoped her birthday would be eventful. It's almost... unsurprising, that he's chosen to make an event of it. Ruri herself considered the possibility, and even considered cancelling her party over it.

The creative spark of the exercise, though, is gone; the longer he goes without his favorite genius artist, the less he finds that he has much concern for her in this regard. Put simply, he's bored -- and for that reason, he's doing something that every long-running kaiju manipulator eventually does:

Going into the back catalog for a classic.

He stands atop a billboard in Orb, this time, watching the Chaos as a kaiju unfamiliar to this world makes its first appearance. "Hm," he murmurs at first, and indeed that is all he offers the world as the kaiju appears. "I must admit, I'd wondered if that would work out... creatures such as these are tremendous rarities, you know. It's rare to find something with malice enough to outlive its creator." Wryly, he adds, "Humans are so unique in that regard."

His hand slips out of his cloak -- a rarity for Alexis, to be sure. In one hand is a Kaiju Capsule -- much like what he'd used to cause the present problem, a relic of a different era. He looks at it thoughtfully. Ruri does have so many friends -- and doubtless they'll want to save her. He can make the price of heroism steeper; it costs him nothing. (In some world or other, perhaps it would have cost him $9.)

Kaiju are acts of creation -- and thus, this too is --

"Instance -- Abreaction!"

The whale-monster is joined in moments by a second monster -- a dinosaur-like biped with an enormous tail. It's a near match for Gomora -- a monster STORAGE has already had to handle in the past. Its hide, however, is just a bit too brown to be the Gomora of this world -- its horns just a bit too bright.

"How will you handle this...?" Alexis wonders aloud, continuing to watch. At the same time, though -- is this sort of thing even that interesting? Certainly he hasn't had the chance to truly come to know Ruri Hoshino.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has deployed in Gomora III.
 KTS: Alexis_Kerib has deployed as a Boss for 5 opponents.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena wouldn't ever want Ruri Hoshino to cancel her birthday party. That would be unthinkable! And despite all of the everything happening right now, it seems all the more to important.

But this isn't the party that she planned on.

Before she quite got there, the kaiju -- plural -- appeared. A whale-like kaiju, threatening to disrupt the birthday party... and a dinosaur-like one, accompanying not a moment later. Rena frowns, as she throws herself into the cockpit of the Gaia Gear Alpha.

She had already been wearing a yukata; she isn't Japanese, but one of the Ra Mari II's crew members suggested it. It has a sky blue color, with dark blur floral patterns. She has to shift it a little, but then she settles in.

The canopy closes, and Rena looks up. Her eyes look straight forward, and she calls out as she sends the Gaia Gear Alpha soaring from one of the Ra Mari II's launch catapults.

"Lieutenant Rena Lancaster," she transmits, "Gaia Gear Alpha... launching--"

And then she adds a little more: "--to save Ruri's birthday!"

Gomora looms larger in her sights. Rena's eyes narrow -- and then she presses down a button on her control stick, and a pair of missiles launch from the waverider's wing hardpoints. As they fly in, the tips superheat to an ugly red -- and they come careening in.

 KTS: Rena Lancaster: Will Barrier Activates.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster targets Alexis Kerib with Needle Missile Salvo!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Today is Tanabata. More pertinent to Anita, though, is that it's also Ruri's birthday, and if celebrating one means celebrating the other, she's more than happy to oblige. She wasn't sure what to expect with the festivities moving to the Nadesico itself, but one thing's for sure...

"...They sure don't do anything by half-measures around here, huh?" Anita comments with an appreciate whistle as she observes the set-up. It's clear that a lot of care and hard work has gone to setting this place up just right, all for Ruri's sake. It's enough to put a smile on Anita's face - and, make even her want to lend them a hand. Of course, Anita isn't here alone. Carried in her left arm to keep it from bouncing all over the place is Anita's personal companion Haro, currently sporting an appropriately-festive paint job. Haro is also Ruri's friend - and Anita would've brought her entire contingent, if she could get away with it. For now, though, she enjoys the sights with her friends and Haro...

...at least, until suddenly the decorations are interrupted, and warnings go off.

"What in the -" Anita starts - and there, on the screens, is what is certainly a kaiju. A big one, too, and it immediately starts laying into the Nadesico. And if that wasn't bad enough... it's soon followed by a second. Anita grits her teeth.

"Damn. Alright, let's move! Haro, look after everyone here, okay?" She starts. She sets her Haro down before taking off. Haro will look after everyone! ...Largely by providing moral support.

It's a good thing they were encouraged to bring their units. Anita rushes to the hangar to the side of Svipul, currently in Fighter Mode, and hops into the pilot seat. Tuned into the Ra Mari's communications, she can hear Rena's announcement, and it puts a smirk on her face.

"Anita Rosetta, Svipul, launching. ...And, ditto Rena." She announces. The Valkyrie's arms and legs emerge as Svipul shifts into GERWALK mode before launching from the hangar.

"Right behind you, Rena." Anita announces and pauses for a second before adding, "You look great in that yukata, by the way."

Anita isn't dressed up - but she'll worry about that later. RIght now...

The Svipul strafes around Gomora, peppering it with vulcan fire. More of a distraction than anything, as she aims to leave it open for the others.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Alexis Kerib with Vulcan Barrage!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

Ryoko Subaru is here for the birthday party of one Ruri Hoshino, and she's come dressed pretty light. Just a pair of blue jean short shorts, and flowy white top over an obvious sports bra.

It is summer after all- at least for some places on Earth. She gets confused on which, often, because she's Spacenoid born and bred!

And right now she's got a VR helmet over her head, "This isn't a thing you do at Tanabata! Or at a birthday!" She protests to Izumi Maki, who chuckles, "Heh heh. Spin to win, Ryoko-"

And with that she starts to spin Ryoko around rapidly, who misses an attempt to slap her hand away as Ryoko finds herself spun round and round and round.

"Uugh, you guys!" Now with a virtual reality bat in her hands, she steps forward, "It's supposed to be a pinata!"

"A trip to the beach." Izumi Maki chuckled from behind, "Melons. Showing off. What could be more perfect for you?"

"And just what is THAT supposed to imply-" Ryoko said as she took a wild swing as Omoikane blares his warning, intruding even into the virtual reality world.

                        < PROGRAM = END >

Ryoko had never appreciated Omoikane more, as she tore her helmet off her head, looking at the views of the Cetacean, "What is going on!? Wait - why are you putting 'Ruri-Ruri' everywhere!? There's a crisis right now-! We gotta handle that-"

The repetition of Ruri-Ruri keeps causing more and more dread, until eventually it sets in. "Don't tell me she's out there!?"

No, Ryoko doesn't quite get it, not really. She hasn't dealt with Kaiju stuff. Still, she thinks Ruri is in DANGER at least. And so she breaks into a run to the hangar. "Goddamnit! Get me a location on her as soon as possible-!"

-=-=-

As her Aestivalis launches, she's still yelling at her screen which keeps showing Ruri's location as the same as the giant Whale Kaiju, "What the hell Omoikane!? What are you trying to say!? That it's holding her hostage or something!?"

The Aestivalis in sleek Aerial Frame soaring across the city, as she swoops up, "Hey Hikaru! Keep an eye out for Ruri-! This thing could have her and no way we're gonna let her get hurt on her own birthday!"

Her IFS tattoo glows as she ascends, weaving around the great whale as the missile pods on the aerial frame send out missiles to pepper its torso, trying to keep her shots away from anywhere that might catch her in the blast if indeed he is held hostage.

"Also, tell me you changed out of that Yukata before taking off!" She asides to Rena.

<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.

Eight York wouldn't want Ruri to cancel her birthday party either! Even if there was a risk of something happening. Eight is already there, though, on the Observation Deck, with a smile. She waits for Ruri. It's nice--until--

The screens, the interruptions, the light--"No!"

Eight hears that voice, all right. And Eight stumbles as the ship rocks, falling to the floor despite her efforts with a hard landing, the unfamiliar footwear that goes with her own yukata harming her balance.

Eight doesn't hear the radio, but she feels the change in Rena, knows she's going out there.

"Can someone get me a--"

Radio. Enba Rezza's voice crackles over the same radio, "Acknowledged."

Enba likes Ruri a lot--but someone has to stay back and run the ship, and they're the Captain for now. Dressed in immaculate uniform complete with hat, the green-haired figure directs, "Kazama. Transmit combat data and fire at these coordinates. Mark."

Those deploying will see the Ra Mari II's guns fire off missiles for the armor of the Gomora, a basic set of warning shots to direct it away from the city proper.

Enba settles back into the Captain's chair. "Get me status on the Nadesico," they direct next to Astelian.

So Tempo radios over to the Nadesico, "Ra Mari II, here for support! We were just dropping in to send over our people, but it seems you need the help now, yeah?"

Enba narrows their eyes as they look to the viewscreen. "Miss Hoshino..."
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru targets Ruri Hoshino with Aesti Missile Salvo!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Enba Rezza targets Alexis Kerib with High-Power Missile Armament System - Basic Shot!
 KTS: Enba Rezza has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Birthdays can be such a pain.

        To be fair, they're not all bad. In theory, it's a nice gesture to have your family and friends celebrating your existence. But when you start adding in all the silly traditions that have built up around the concept, traditions that make absolutely no sense, it starts to get annoying. Traditions like singing 'Happy Birthday'.

        If anyone tries to make Alto sing 'Happy Birthday' there's going to be some extreme grumpiness.

        That said, Alto was not about to skip out on the gathering altogether, because in a rare case he actually gets along just fine with Ruri. Even likes her. So for her sake, he's willing to endure a birthday party and all the annoyances that come with it. While also making sure that he himself doesn't contribute to any such annoyances inflicted on Ruri.

        Yes, that will be his gift to her.

        As such, Alto is on the Observation Deck browsing the various stalls that have beenare being set up. He's just wearing his usual style of dark pants and plain white shirt slightly ruffled in a cool way.

        Alto is currently watching in interest as some particularly tasty looking yakisoba is being prepared. He has to admit, this is probably one of the most expansive and planned out birthday parties he's been to. Not counting that Sheryl concert. Not that the wide selection of foods here is going to change his mind about birthdays. Though it will certainly help make it more tolerable.

        Unfortunately, the food never comes though as alerts suddenly start popping up all around the Observation Deck! Alto glances around in confusion and concern, before quickly noticing one of the screens showing the events happening outside. Is... Is this a joke!?

        The Nadesico shakes as the giant monster lashes out at the ship's defenses.

        No. No this is not.

        Alto is off in a mad dash towards the hangar. There's no time to change into his pilot suit, he'll just have to go in his clothes and hope that he doesn't get into any situation that requires something more.

        Alto rapidly ascends the ladder into the cockpit of his Variable Fighter, which is currently decked out in considerably bulkier equipment than its base design. The Armored Pack. Why was it currently equipped with this pack? Shush.

        Quickly coming online, the Messiah rolls along the hangar floor as its canopy closes. Hopefully the queue to use the launch catapult is not too long. But finally the Messiah is lifted into the air by the magnetic forces, its landing gear rising up inside it. Then when he gets the green for launch, Alto says, "Skull-4. Launching!" Alto is pushed back into his chair as his fighter is sent rocketing out into the sky, blue stretching out above him-

        -For only a moment though, as a shadow soon falls over him as one of the large kaiju's arms sweeps down towards him. Alto quickly pushes his control stick down, sending his fighter into a nose dive mere moments after launching. He just barely manages to keep ahead of the arm rushing down from above. But he's quickly running out of altitude, the ocean's surface rapidly rising to meet him!

        Alto quickly jams his control stick back and down, triggering the VF's transformation. It rapidly separates and recombines into GERWALK mode, slowing its descent in the process and allowing the arm to catch up. But at the last moments, the half-fighter's legs kick up to the side and the engines in the feet burn bright, pushing the Messiah to the side and into a roll, just barely skating around the edges of the large arm and avoiding the impact.

        The Messiah hovers up higher into the air again, taking a defensive position in front of the Nadesico. Alto narrows his eyes at the large kaiju, calling out to it regardless of the fact it can't hear him, "You picked the wrong birthday to crash." The Messiah raises the gunpod in its hands and starts rapidly firing rounds towards the monster.

 KTS: Alto Saotome targets Ruri Hoshino with Leading Fire!
 KTS: Alto Saotome has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Rena Lancaster's Needle Missile Salvo, taking 3150 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Anita Rosetta's Vulcan Barrage, taking 2870 damage!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta begins a Formation attack!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Enba Rezza's High-Power Missile Armament System - Basic Shot, taking 2870 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Despite Ranka's successful debut, and busy schedule planning upcoming concerts, learning new songs, new dance routines, and the like- on this day she's here. On this day she made an exception. On this day she's-

-running a drink stand!?

That's right, newly debuted idol Ranka Lee has fallen back onto old habits on the Nadesico, as their former honorary intern with a lot to learn. She's now once again fulfilling that role and-

"I already told you! It's Ruri's birthday celebration! We're not serving alcoholic beverages!"

-arguing with one head mechanic Uribatake, who seems to be antagonizing her just because of the allure of an idol. "Oh come on Ranka-chan~ There's no harm in the adults having a little fun on the side, make an exception! Howmei will provide. Say after this, what say we take a few pictures together for your ol' pal Uribatake and-"

Screens popped up in front of his face suddenly as Omoikane intervened.

                        < FORBIDDEN >
                        < NO = NO >

Ranka, in a slight huff, hands him his lemonade, "Here's your lemonade. A virgin. Please behave yourself from now on!" Looking suddenly disenchanted, the man clucked his tongue and walked off with a snarl, before a thought occurs to him, "Eheh- maybe I'll make a post later about the things she says."

Wiping her brow, Ranka sighed, "Thanks Omoikane..." But Omoikane was no longer responding. Trying not to think of why he wasn't, she went back to busying herself opening a package of paper cups, offering a wave to Alto in the distance, as she mouthed 'Alto!' happily, when suddenly the decorations were all replaced with-

The package of cups hits the ground, as alarms start screaming. Ranka's eyes looking upon the Cetacean, and despite it, there is a pulse of feeling in her head, "Ruri...?"

Frozen to the spot as she looked at the monster she'd become, her expression gradually changed from horror as she began to comprehend the feelings she was feeling, to disbelief, but eventually in the end, resolve. Perhaps the only saving grace of the moment is that Alto will not have to find out what it's like to be pressured by Ranka to sing 'Happy Birthday' to the Birthday Girl.

Because that was definitely coming.

This is not the first time she'd dealt with such a thing, and while she couldn't fight... that didn't mean there was nothing she could do.

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

        Given that the Nadesico is part of the Three Ships Alliance that has essentially put itself at odds with the Federation, one wouldn't reasonably expect Federation forces to show up for the party. But NERV, while part of the Federation, doesn't answer solely to the Federation, as kaiju show up whenever and wherever they please regardess of petty things like borders. In particular, Alexis Kerib is a known threat, and Ruri Hoshino a known target of his. So when Kaworu was told of his recent visit to the young Electronic Fairy, he arranged to have a NERV presence for the party in case of kaiju.
        
        Which means that, after the last of their finals, he and Shinji and Unit-01 with her brand-new dual-seat entry plug have been escorted by a NERV carrier to Orb to join the festivities. Given the expense of the trip, some parts of NERV might want a kaiju to show up to justify the cost. Kaworu personally would prefer Alexis did not bother. But Alexis doesn't generally act in accordance with what others want.
        
        Shinji, for his part, doesn't know Ruri that well--they've met, but they aren't what he'd consider close--but she seems nice enough, in an Ayanami-esque way, and she is a friend of Kaworu's, and he's also met and hates (and fears) Alexis. It was not a hard sell to convince him to take up this mission.
        
        (And entirely separately from these two, Sheryl is on her way to join the party by flight, which is delayed by turbulence to the west. She'll be here after the fireworks are over.)
        
        The two, already in their plug suits, are helping out with the decorations when Kaworu suddenly frowns and looks sharply to one side. The direction is directly towards Ruri in her room--but to the outside observer, it's just a wall.
        
        "What's the matter, Kaworu?" Shinji asks, noticing this.
        
        "We will be needed after all," Kaworu replies.
        
        Shinji's about to ask what he means by this when Omoikane's warning screens flip up in all directions around them in the Observation Deck. He looks around wildly, but Kaworu simply grasps his wrist and pulls him gently but firmly into motion.
        
        Shinji doesn't fight him. On the contrary, it's that much easier to follow his lead.
        
        By the time they've returned to the NERV carrier and deployed in Unit-01, Chaos Jirak has already risen and struck the Nadesico. The violet giant rises, and Shinji and Kaworu take in the sight of the whale-like kaiju. A second kaiju, more dinosaur-esque in shape, and Shinji pauses, his hands on the front seat's controls.
        
        "What's going on? Did Alexis send both of these?" he asks, tense, their conversation transmitting to the other defenders.
        
        "No..." Kaworu replies, unsmiling; his glance goes to one side, towards a certain billboard--but he leaves that alone, for now. "I believe he's only responsible for the second one. The first..." His eyelashes dip. "Chaos Jirak... I know little about it. But Ruri Hoshino is inside."
        
        "What?!"
        
        Unit-01 lurches en route to Chaos Jirak, Shinji's hesitation transmitting in her limbs, freshly repaired from the battle with Sahaquiel and still tender. Kaworu leans forward in the back seat, directly behind and slightly above Shinji, and sets his hands on the secondary controls.
        
        "It's all right. We can save her," he reassures him and the others launching gently.
        
        Shinji settles. He doesn't always understand Kaworu, but he trusts him implicitly. "...All right. I'm sorry, Miss Hoshino--we'll get you out of there!"
        
        With renewed purpose, Unit-01 sloshes through the shallow waters and aims a punch at Chaos Jirak's strange inflated-looking throat, trying to ward it away from the Nadesico. It might not be the best tactical decision, but Shinji can't bear to draw a weapon on Chaos Jirak knowing that Ruri's inside.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari targets Ruri Hoshino with Eva-01 Unarmed Strike!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.

        One of these things is not like the other, one of these things really doesn't belong. Yet Gary is already here in ORB, even if some birthday girl wants to cancel her party. He was already here and the gift was already bought, a nice pair of matching hair ties that match the style of her current hair ties except instead of red orbs, they are green Harus. They might also have a hidden feature , but that would be telling.

        Dressed in a suit and tie, hair pulled back, clean shaven and really has just sort have been standing off to the side during set up and trying to make sure he is out of the way. Just casually waiting for festivities to begin and as he takes a moment to check the time when a Kaiju appears. Then another appears.

        Gary watches the two Kaiju's rise up and stares for a moment before he sighs, "Today was suppose to be a day off." Loosening his tie for a moment he shouts to whoever may still be around setting up, "Don't let them do presents till I'm back."

        Moments later Gary has found his way to his ENACT, how did he get it past ORB security well that is more of ORB security concerns then Gary's and it seems like it was a good idea he brought it to. The red ENACT lifts into the air and Gary speaks up over the open comms <"Lt. Biaggi enaging the ugly one with no neck"> It is rather obvious Gary isn't a common Kaiju fighter but that isn't stopping him today. Raising his rifle he launches a barrage of missiles at Chaos Jirak as he begins to move in closer.

        Today was Ruri's day and no way was he going to let some giant monsters wreck her party, unless she specifically asked for that.
 KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Ruri Hoshino with Blade Rifle Attachment - Missile Launcher Narrow-Area Volley!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

Riika Sheder is not a common sight on the Nadesico, entirely...

...but it's not her first time. She was, once in the past, their 'guest'; these days she is their actual guest, or more accurately a fellow member of the Three Ships who sometimes visits.

Today she has been present on the Nadesico to help out. Riika, of all people here, understands being afraid of Alexis Kerib, given she too worked with him - however brief that was, however poorly that turned out. It was, after all, the reason she was once the 'guest' of the Nadesico!

Plus, she likes Ruri, though the way Nergal uses her is a bit uncomfortable. Riika remembers working hard at thirteen... at school, not on the bridge of a quasi-military ship. But that's hardly Ruri's fault.

And so, she came, parked her mobile suit where it belongs in the hangar, and went to setting up. Riika herself has never participated in Tanabata - she is not Japanese, has never been to Japan, and comes from a colony that does not celebrate Japanese holidays - which means she is primarily here to help other people set up rather than trying to take charge. Honestly, that's kind of a refreshing change for her.

(She actually brought a gift, too. It will tragically remain unopened for the moment.)

She's taking a break at the very moment the trouble occurs, watching some of the others with a bit of a smile. But when the ship rocks, Riika is already moving - to try to ensure Eight doesn't hit the floor as hard as she otherwise would. She doesn't trust herself to catch Eight and hold her up, but making sure she doesn't hit hard is much easier...

"Sorry, ma'am," she says, before looking at the screen. Something is wrong. She's not that sensitive, but there's something about the - Jirak - anyway... the other one is worrying but she doesn't feel the same way about it. She raises her voice: "Omoikane! If you could tell Ruri - "

Omoikane can't tell Ruri anything right now. She hesitates, but finishes the sentence anyway: "...I'll be right there. All of us will be."

---

Svalinn Gundam - powder pink, accented in dark red and white, sleek and streamlines with flared shoulders and hips that a flick pack connects onto, locking onto shoulder and hip and chest and back - half-launches, half-falls out of the Nadesico. It's a little bigger (okay, a lot bigger) than an Aestivalis and, unfortunately, that's the hatch Riika got to first.

Fortunately, the flight systems on the Feather GUARD pack catch before Riika drops too far. This is its first combat test in an atmosphere and she was really hoping that would work.

Riika kicks the thrusters into high, shoving herself backwards in her seat as Svalinn Feather accelerates, taking a circling path to the side of the big kaiju instead of driving straight at it.

"He put her *inside* the kaiju?" Riika just kind of connects herself to the combat frequency without asking (she's probably allowed). It's so unlike when she worked with Alexis - not that she likes to think about that. "...maybe it was a trap, but - we'll get her back!"

Riika, still repositioning the Svalinn Feather, fires a burst from the vulcans. More of a testing shot than anything else, judging distance and reaction speed - she's a lot better at studying mobile suits than kaiju!
 KTS: Riika Sheder targets Ruri Hoshino with 20mm Multibarrel CIWS Dash-and-Fire!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to charge.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Ryoko Subaru's Aesti Missile Salvo, taking 1800 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to evade Alto Saotome's Leading Fire, taking 3375 damage!
 KTS: Alto Saotome begins a Formation attack!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Shinji Ikari's Eva-01 Unarmed Strike, taking 2960 damage!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to charge.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle Attachment - Missile Launcher Narrow-Area Volley, taking 1800 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

It has been a bit of an eventful time as of late for the girl calling herself Nova Stellar. Her latest snack run saw her coming back with a damaged Arm Slave due to, as she put it, 'a misunderstanding with Celestial Being'. Suspicious evasiveness about what happened aside, things have at least seemed fairly normal since then, for her standards. The most abnormal thing is in fact happening right now, her going to a birthday party of all things. This may be part of her efforts to try and become better at Gatherings and Events, in general. It's certainly the most notable thing she's done on Tanabata in years. She certainly didn't dress up for it, she hasn't even bothered with the tree since middle school.

Nova... doesn't actually know Ruri very well. But she knows a good deal about Ruri. Enough so that she believes they could get along. Feels a bit weird to go to someone's birthday before that's actually happened, but... she could deal with it if she were to be seen as a tagalong. It's specifically Anita she happened to be tagging along with, replying to the comment on their surroundings, "I've never seen such extensive decorations before... for Tanabata or someone's birthday."

And that's as far as they get, before the trouble begins. Which is another reason why she was there, the expectation of trouble. She may not be very confident about attending birthdays, but she's gotten to be more and more confident about her ability to help in a fight. A normal fight, that is. She definitely wasn't expecting to see...

"Kaiju?! Are those... actual Kaiju?" That's another one for the long list of things that Naoko never thought she'd ever be doing, fighting a Kaiju. A frightening prospect to be sure... but, she'd be lying if she claimed not to also feel excited. Getting to fight a Kaiju is every Japanese teenage girl's dream!

...No? Just hers? Oh well.

Shortly after, Naoko and her Friends are in the purple Arm Slave, keeping distance for now as they are unable to join aerial combat, and not very enthused about being trampled underfoot. She contacts the Ra Mari II crew to relay her intentions. "Nova here... I've got a good view of the Kaiju from back here. Analyzing now, I'll see if I can find any weak points. Stand by to receive preliminary movement data!"
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to rush.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Riika Sheder's 20mm Multibarrel CIWS Dash-and-Fire, taking 2520 damage!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has engaged Ruri Hoshino!

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Thankfully, unlike last Tanabata, Yurika is not dressed in The World's Most Absolutely Ludicrous Tanabata Cosplay of Spider Queen Mecha-Orihime. ...it wouldn't fit through the Nadesico's halls as easily, for one! But she did keep the big white kimono! So she's still kinda in the same cosplay, just less... 'prone to being used for science crime', potentially.

        Still- this request from Ruri to hold this festival aboard the Nadesico has her worried, and she has nowhere near the zeal she did last time around. Lots of thumb-chewing and pacing around the artificial festival ground on the observation deck in an unproductive circle, to the point where a faint trough is gradually stamped into the false grass from the exact path the captain keeps taking.

        When alarms ring through the ship, then, the already high tension on Yurika's part goes into overdrive. "I knew it, I knew something was wrong, aaagh, but what, why is all this- ghhh!" She's a stammering mess until she finally swings open the door to the bridge - just in time for Chaos Jirak's impact to the ship to hurl her right back out into the hallway again - necessitating a second scurrying up to that high balcony.

        "Status report, immediately! Don't just say there's a big kaiju that's appeared I KNOW that!"

        Minato Haruka, only just settling in her chair, is typing and clattering away, a little bit of sweat on even her normally composed features. "I...I'm not sure how it got here, though! It really has just showed up and slashed at us - and a second one's appeared as well!"

%"That's Gomora. It looks a bit different, but anyone would know about him." Megumi Reynard's casual assessment as she gets herself strapped in elicits a little bit of a pause, before Yurika cuts through with what's really important.

        "...Where's Ruri?"

        Total silence ensues - nobody's seen her since she went off to her room, and all Yurika can do is stare at Jirak with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She doesn't have any hard understanding. She can't hear Ruri's faint calls within that kaiju. But something...something doesn't add up, she can feel it...and the communication from the Evangelion only confirms her dread.

        "I can't believe it, how'd Ruri-chan get into a kaiju!? ...We can't hit it too hard, obviously! I don't know how safe she is in there - please be careful everyone, and...and...kh. I can't just tell you to fall back if you get in any danger because...it could hurt Ruri if we leave it alone and play it too safe! ...Why do big monsters always have to be so complicateeed!! ...J...just fire off a few missiles to get it off of our hull for now, I may have to leave it to the experts here...!"

        -How much can Yurika trust NERV, come to think of it? Is she really going to invest the outcome of this disaster to that incredibly sketchy Evangelion? The whole while the ship hovers backwards and spits out a small trickle of explosives at Jirak, Yurika can't help but tuck her posture in just a little, her instincts all thrown off by the prospect of a monster carrying someone she cares so much about...

        "...I never even - how'd I not even once think about what I'd do if I had to sweep in like a dashing prince and save a loved one! I've just gotta...get into that mindset..." The captain's brain is Operating on its own special little wavelength. Please wait warmly.

 KTS: Yurika Misumaru targets Ruri Hoshino with Missile Launch!
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        Of course Lucine had to have a hand with decorations. There wasn't many places to grow flowers for a Tanabata festival, but she's placed herself in charge of ordering some from a few local floral supply shops. She had done some research, but while morning glories were an excellent choice, it wasn't in terms of ordering them, due that singular characteristic they had of closing up during the later hours of the day. Plus, she was limited to what the local shops had on hand.

        In the end, the cut flowers seem to have been of very good quality, because they seem to slowly perk up just a little amount as they're set into whatever nook and cranny Lucine can get away with, including her own hair. She wears her pink dress, a linen casual number that had been one of the first things she bought with her first paycheck, in order to celebrate the upcoming cherry blossom festival.

        Tucking an arrangement into a part of one stall, Lucine steps back, beaming.

        "...!" Omoikane sounds the alarm, and Lucine looks up at the kaiju- no, two kaiju that form with alarm.

        Her eyes are on the first one in particular. She stares, with yellow eyes that aren't the distinctively pale color of Ruri's.

        ".... Ruri's... inside... the kaiju..." She doesn't even bother to mask how she knows; but looking aside, towards Ranka's mix of emotions that settle into resolve and Kaworu's announcement, makes Lucine realize it wasn't just a fluke.

        Abandoning the bucket of blossoms behind, Lucine rushes to deploy in the Dianthus.

        < "Ryoko, Izumi, Hikaru, I'm coming too!" > Setting out a field of protective balls of light like landmines to hover over the water, the Dianthus draws close, and then up, in order to get into position for her next shot.
 KTS: Lucine Azul targets Ruri Hoshino with Lunate Crown v.2 Fireflies!
 KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki targets Rena Lancaster, Anita Rosetta, and Enba Rezza with Insight L1.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki shares insight with Anita Rosetta, making her next attacks more accurate!


 KTS: Ruri Hoshino successfully evades Yurika Misumaru's Missile Launch
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to charge.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Lucine Azul's Lunate Crown v.2 Fireflies, taking 1800 damage!
 KTS: Lucine Azul continues a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

It's Ruri's big day! The Nadesico, among battleships, is known for its huge party culture and quirky crew, so naturally they've pulled all the stops in making sure Ruri's fourteenth birthday is the greatest one yet. After all, Ruri is the Nadesico crew's very own shining star!

Hikaru herself is also very much a party girl, having contributed many of the hand-drawn decorations and artistry sprawling across the halls of the battleship.

Her spirit of celebration doesn't just end there, though - she shows up to the observation deck in her full getup, including her signature party popper. In the gift bag she brought along is a collection of manga she hopes a teenager like Ruri would appreciate! The power of shoujo truly is magnificent... and surely the gift has Omoikane's seal of approval too.

But enough about something as lame as reality - the true party is going down in the Nadesico's extensive virtual reality programs, as Izumi turns Ryoko into a flying saucer. "Go go go! I hear if you spin her extra fast, it does times three the damage!" Hikaru enables her partner in crime against Ryoko's protests. She of course, is safely away from the battlefield, chilling in a chair stretched back. "Honestly, Izumi! I thought you'd be the one in the shade, but you're looking pos~it~iv~ely sunny!"

But as much fun as it's been, something's missing. "Come to think, where's Ruri-chan, anyways? Geez, she's supposed to be the star of the show!" As if to answer her question, they're suddenly forced out of the simulation. "Omoikane!? Hey, what's the big deal? It was just getting real good..." She speaks of the violence between her two wingmates.

But this is serious, as the Nadesico is rocked with explosions against the Distortion Field. Hikaru would prefer to take it easy but she feels that same exact dread as Ryoko. "O-okay, Omoikane! We're gonna go find her, promise!" She rushes into the hangar, climbing into the Aestie.

The Aerial Frame flies forth, sensors locked, trying desperately to scan for some sort of civilian presence on the ground. There's nothing... evacuation is clear and Ruri is still nowhere to be seen. "It's a pretty common trope for kaiju to use human hosts, right?" She points out, about Ruri's whereabouts. "But it'll be okay! All we gotta do is give 'em a big kick and show how much we care about her!" Yurika warns them about not hitting too hard, though... she feels mixed messages from the medias she's read."

Missiles lock onto the kaiju then, in sync with Ryoko's. "Hey, you big whale! Give us our Ruri-chan back and go home!" They fire, aiming to lightly pepper to kaiju. "And Ruri-chan! If you can hear us... hold on, we're coming for you! Operation Ruri Rescue, commence!"
 KTS: Hikaru Amano targets Ruri Hoshino with Aesti Guided Missile Fire!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liam arrived ahead of schedule, to check in and help with the construction. The stalls on the Observation Deck needed to be assembled and stocked, after all--it's just not a birthday party without proper food. Now that everything's set up, the cyborg stands near the drinks stall, watching the virtual streetscape with a smile on his face.

        "Almost like we're there," he says, wondering if Omoikane grabbed the footage, or if he's uploading it in real-time. "Good work, everyone--especially you, Omoikane." His brow furrows as the argument between Uribatake and Ranka gets a little louder. Liam turns, and looks between the mechanic and idol, his face settling into a frown as he settles on Uribatake. His mouth opens. Just as he's about to speak, Omoikane settles the argument for them. Liam lets out a breath.

        "If he doesn't behave himself, let me know," Liam says, to Ranka. "Okay?" Hopefully he won't have to be a bouncer as well as mecha security, but he's prepared.

        Then, everything immediately goes to hell.

        Liam's eyes widen as the screens fill with images from outside--one kaiju, then another. "Kerib," he snarls, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "<Lucine, Hikaru, Ryoko--right behind you.>"

        A shimmer in the air is all that heralds the deployment of another machine from the Nadesico's hangar. The shimmer is gone in seconds as the Mirage Colloid finishes its dynamic analysis routines, and the machine it's coating jets off towards the two kaiju.

        In the cockpit, Liam's still wearing the sleeveless athletic hoodie, shorts, and sandals he wore to the party--there was no time to put a suit on. His eyes widen as Kaworu confirms what Lucine said--Ruri's inside that whale kaiju, somehow. His throat tightens. The invisible machine settles atop the Nadesico, and Liam lines up a shot.

        "<Liath Macha to Nadesico team,>" Liam transmits. "<Interdicting Gomora. Focus on getting Ruri out of there.>"

        For a brief instant, the Mirage Colloid falls, revealing the CGUE II in all its greyscale-and-silver glory. A moment later, the instant it disappears, a beam rifle shot rips through the air at Gomora's center of mass.

 KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Alexis Kerib with MA-M21G Beam Rifle Shot!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Liam 7-020's MA-M21G Beam Rifle Shot, taking 2850 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to charge.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Hikaru Amano's Aesti Guided Missile Fire, taking 1755 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        It's Ruri's birthday, and Ruri wanted Gary to come, and that's surely why he's here with no complaints. No... MAJOR complaints, anyway. She wanted everyone here to come today. Today's her birthday, after all.

        And Ruri's birthday does need saving.

        And the one who needs saving most is...

        Archimedes and Anita's Haro have an important job, staying by Ranka and Eight -- Harro does, too, but his Photon-powered logic circuits seem to think that rolling circles around them is the way to do it.

        (Inez Fressange is beside Eight, as well, handing her down a radio. And a pillow. No, she's not going to help her up. Why would she do that?)

        Yurika tries to order a missile launch -- only for a series of windows to pop up, obstinate:

                        < NO >
                        < NUH-UH >
                        < RURI-RURI >
                        < DON'T WANNA >
                        < REFUSAL >
                        < RURI-RURI >
                        < WON'T DO IT >
                        < TARGET LOST >

        And lo, that missile DOES fly off-target -- such that even the bulky, hefty Chaos Jirak can move away from it. The Aestivalises, at least, have better luck with scoring their attacks... because Chaos Jirak charges right into the hail of missiles. Firstly, he strikes at Ryoko's machine, his arm becoming a whip of horrific energy to lash around her -- and if he gets a grip, he'll SWING her into Hikaru's machine, in an attempt to lash her both with that whip and with, well, Ryoko. Once he's retrieved that whip of an arm, he turns, and charges into Lucine's landmines, shallow water splashing around him as they explode. (He's far enough out into the water, at least, that the buildings won't be hurt. Shallow water for kaiju is still pretty deep.) She, too, will know the terror of that whip slamming towards her, tightening, tightening... like a creeper vine clutching the life from a branch.

        Even if he catches her, at least, he'll eventually release her. He turns and opens his gaping maw, and swords -- SWORDS! -- made of some strange energy fly out, like a million stinging needles, to barrage into Gary's Enact and Riika's Gundam and into Shinji and Kaworu all tucked away in Unit-01. Their attacks, too, he throws himself into; they explode around him, but lumbering and towering, he rarely even stops for long.

        He does try to turn away from the fire from the Messiah, but -- well, Chaos Jirak just isn't a very limber kaiju, when he isn't being helped along by Omoikane's reluctance. He takes a deep breath, and a fireball chases the GERWALK machine in the air -- before he launches a second fireball right at the Nadesico and its loathesome shields.

        And inside his heart, Ruri recounts:

        "Three point one four one five nine two six five three five eight nine seven nine three two three eight four six two six four three three eight..." ... she keeps going, reciting the numbers of pi.

        The first number she ever learned.

        In its entirety.

 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Ryoko Subaru with Arm-Whip Grip!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Hikaru Amano with Arm-Whip Shove!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Lucine Azul with Arm-Whip Strangle!
 KTS: Ruri_Hoshino Changes attack to Shinji Ikari, Gary Biaggi, and Riika Sheder with Mouth Energy Swords Barrage.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Alto Saotome with Mouth Fireball Blast!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Yurika Misumaru with Mouth Fireball Bombardment!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano parries Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Shove, taking 1050 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino repulses Hikaru Amano, forcing her to disengage.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino anchors Ryoko Subaru, forcing her into close range.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru parries Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Grip, taking 1050 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has engaged Ryoko Subaru!

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

The good news is that Gomora proves very easy to direct; the monster seems very simple, all told, with behavior that doesn't quite match the profile STORAGE would have -- it's frankly less dangerous. The battleship orients on it, and it doesn't have the reaction to deal with its incoming attacks; its hide gets scored by beam fire in short order, and within moments, it's beset by missiles and gunfire. The hide proves quite tough, holding up under the barrage.

A moment later, the CGUE's beam rifle makes its impact; while the hide seems to take it very well, it does make a satisfying, spark-emitting impact.

Alexis continues to watch. It's fascinating how little it takes to lead these sorts of people into dangerous situation after dangerous situation. They're so reliably committed to fighting for the heart of a single child.

On the other hand, it's not lost on him how large this response is... and how immediate it is. Doubtless after his appearance to Ruri, security measures were tightened... people have gotten wise to the way he approaches things. Perhaps it's getting to be time for him to move on... he can do better with a different Earth, perhaps -- not that this one isn't fascinating, but why stay if he's going to be thwarted at every turn...?

The kaiju, for its own part, lashes out. It moves with surprising speed, reaching out to attack the numerous machines that have taken to the air to fight it. The Arm Slave gets a stiff kick; the others, meanwhile, get various flailings of the arms, swatted and slapped. Gomora has not yet put that heavy tail to use.

It's the Ra Mari that gets the worst of it; as the kaiju charges, it puts its whole body into the strike, trying to gouge out a big chunk of the battleship's armor. The size advantage is massive, of course -- but the kaiju remains a threat.

 KTS: Gary Biaggi blocks Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Barrage, taking 1140 damage!
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru fails to react to Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Fireball Bombardment, taking 3960 damage!
 KTS: Riika Sheder successfully Evades Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Barrage
 KTS: Alto Saotome's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Alto Saotome blocks Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Fireball Blast, taking 3960 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Ruri Hoshino's Scan activates, causing Designate L1!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Enba Rezza's Three Steps Ahead activates, and the spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Enba Rezza
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Naoko Suzuki with Gomora Step!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Rena Lancaster with Gomora Smash!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Anita Rosetta with Gomora Smash!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Enba Rezza with Gomora Squish!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Liam 7-020 with Gomora Smash!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Anita Rosetta's Easygoing activates, and her spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Anita Rosetta, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta blocks Alexis Kerib's Gomora Smash, taking 4480 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Anita Rosetta!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki shares insight with Rena Lancaster, making her next attacks more accurate!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 parries Alexis Kerib's Gomora Smash, taking 1440 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Liam 7-020!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Rena Lancaster's Belief activates, and her spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Rena Lancaster, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster blocks Alexis Kerib's Gomora Smash, taking 4260 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Rena Lancaster!
 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Lucine Azul successfully evades Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Strangle
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki shares insight with Enba Rezza, making their next attacks more accurate!
 KTS: Enba Rezza blocks Alexis Kerib's Gomora Squish, taking 2700 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Enba Rezza!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki successfully evades Alexis Kerib's Gomora Step

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"I put this on for Ruri, hopefully it's not too hard to pilot in," Rena says -- and then sputters, as Ryoko asks."I-I didn't have time!" she says. "I've never worn one, I'd have launched after the whole fight is over...!"

And then her cheeks flush, a bright red, when Anita says she looks great. (And so cool, too! Like it's nothing!)

"A-Annie!" she stammers. "...but... I'm glad you think so."

The kaiju barrels down on her, with surprising speed -- and the waverider-mode Gaia Gear Alpha shifts, limbs unfurling, and just narrowly brings up its left with its armored forearm -- and catches the arm that slams into her. The shield armor crumples; better that than the frame.

The Mobile Suit is hurled backward, and Rena grits her teeth.

Shinji and Kaworu speak -- and Rena's eyes widen. Any good cheer in the face of this is gone; that had been something of an act, as if she could tell Ruri, 'See? It's okay.' It changes knowing that one of those is Ruri.

"Ruri!" she calls out. "Please! Don't... don't worry! We'll come get you, okay?"

She frowns -- then nods, after Riika and Hikaru both chime in. "Yeah. We take the kaiju down... and we save Ruri, no matter what!"

The Gaia Gear Alpha tears a beam saber from its recharge rack. The beam ignites, brilliant gold, and then the Mobile Suit surges forward, and swings down with a double-handed slash at Gomora.

"But why are there two kaiju..?"

 KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster targets Alexis Kerib with Beam Saber Cleave!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari fails to retreat.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari fails to evade Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Barrage, taking 2800 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto had not managed to catch any of the talk yet about Ruri's current location. He had just assumed that she had gone from wherever she was steeling herself for the birthday party, straight to the Nadesico's bridge like the dedicated operator she is.

        So when Alto catches wind of Kaworu and Shinji's discussion-after he had already fired on the kaiju-he pauses and hesitates for a moment out of confusion...

        ... Before asking, <"How the hell can Ruri be inside that thing!?">

        Look, Alto doesn't know much about kaiju. He's heard of them, briefly. But this is his first time fighting one. And he just doesn't understand how it's possible!

        But there are several confirmations. And yet people are still attacking it... What the hell do they do!?

        <"Okay, so does anyone have a PLAN for how to get her out of there? Because-">

        A fireball. A freaking FIREBALL blasts through the air towards Alto. Knowing the capabilities of the modified Messiah, he doesn't try to avoid it. Instead he raises its left arm up, bringing the attached shield into the path. A barrier of light forms beyond the shield just as the fireball hits. The flames wash over the barrier, managing to creep around the edges and lap at the armor parts of the Armored Pack, which do their job and keep the damage from being significant. Though they have become quite scorched and partially slagged in the process.

        Lowering his machine's arm again, Alto continues, <"Because this thing is sure as hell trying to kill us!"> Alto is hoping for some kind of actual plan. As Hikaru's suggestion of 'give 'em a big kick' seems far too vague for him.

        Hovering in the air and holding his defensive position, in case the Nadesico should need any help, Alto once more settles his HUD sight on the large creature. But once again... He hesitates... He then tweaks the control stick a little and pulls the trigger.

        The Messiah turns just a bit, before a barrage of rockets fire out of its additional parts. They blast through the air towards the kaiju, aimed for what one could assume to be a shoulder, to hopefully impact into it and deliver a directed blast.

        Maybe if they try to disable the thing, it'll make getting Ruri back easier?

 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome targets Ruri Hoshino with 200mm Anti-Armor Rockets!
 KTS: Alto Saotome has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib rushes into the attack!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Rena Lancaster's Beam Saber Cleave, taking 2025 damage!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has engaged Alexis Kerib!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster: Will Barrier Activates.

<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.

        Missiles away and then over the comms he hears one person mention that Ruri is in the monster he just shot. There is a wince and a moment of regret, before he decides that it is ok he shot the Ruri possessing monster. Gary chimes back in to give gratitude to Kaworu<" Appreciate the information, the new name of the game is to retrieve the birthday girl. Can anyone pinpoint her exact position?">

        The ENACT's rifle switches to it's blade as Gary decides that invasive surgery is the right answer and is not really going to sit and wait for someone to tell him where not to stab. Instead he flies straight at the beast as it sprays swords of energy at him. Using the shield and the blade rifle to deflect what he can he manages to come through with only superficial damage for the moment.

        Manuevering in close the ENACT raises its blade and tries to strike at the creatures shouler, perhaps not to cleave it off but to give a starting point to the chopping up of the Chaos Jarvik. Meanwhile Gary continues to speak over an open comm but this time to Ruri if she can hear him <"Hey Kid, I know you are not just sitting there waiting to be saved like some sort of princess. So figure out a way to get out of there and then we can blow away this giant monster as a new birthday tradition.">
 KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Ruri Hoshino with Blade Rifle - Engaging strike!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Alto Saotome's 200mm Anti-Armor Rockets, taking 6480 damage!
 KTS: Alto Saotome completes the Formation attack!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle - Engaging strike, taking 4590 damage!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has engaged Ruri Hoshino!

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

"You dumbass!" She calls out to Rena, "How can you sit there telling me you don't have time for something so simple! You know what happened the last time Jun went out without a suit on!? Huh? Weeks of sipping through a damn straw before Inez could unwire his jaw!"

A beat... "... Actually those weeks were super relaxed now that I think about it." She mutters in thought. "Like a vacation."

Give Ryoko a moment, light bulbs come on slowly. "Wait-!" One flickers on at KaworuLucine, "You're saying-!" Another at Captain Yurika. "Ruri-!" And another at Hikaru, "-IS INSIDE THAT THING!?"

Shock overtakes her instantly, unable to comprehend the idea that Ruri is a Kaiju whale thing, before she snaps out of it by howling at Hikaru, "What do you mean COMMON TROPE!? That's Ruri in that thing! You're saying this thing happens ALL THE TIME!?"

A whip arm comes flying at her machine, and armor plating opens up to reveal an Immediate Knife which she brandishes, flying backwards as it comes, swinging as the whip arm moves far too close.

The whip arm catches the blade, but part of its blubber is shredded even as it does, causing far less damage than one might expect.

"<Hey Ruri! Come on! This isn't funny!>" She calls out over the loudspeakers, engines straining to try and pull away from it's hold. "<I get that the old saying is it's your party-! But riding along in something as big as a skyscraper and going wild is too much!>"

Reaching for the Rapid Rifle, she aims it, and begins peppering the whip arm with fire meant to force it to release its grip on her and allow her to retreat.

"<Come on! It's still not too late for us to go back to the ship and enjoy your party together! Just show us where we can pick you up!>"

 KTS: Ryoko Subaru targets Ruri Hoshino with Rapid Covering Fire!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        That's it, Liam thinks, come at us. The CGUE II's jets ignite, plucking it off the Nadesico's hull. It arcs high through the air, nearly-invisible, the sound of its roaring jets the only thing giving it away--and that might be hard to keep track of, in pitched combat like this. Unfortunately for Liam, Gomora is being terribly indiscriminate in its reprisal. A ferocious backhand swing whips through the air less than twenty meters from the CGUE II's right leg. The Mobile Suit draws its glaive, and ignites it just as a second swipe comes in--Liam puts the blade between himself and the kaiju. The impact rocks the machine, and sends it flying back, but Liam stabilizes it before it can hit water.

        'How the hell can Ruri be inside that thing?'

        'What do you mean COMMON TROPE?!'

        <"Seen this before,"> Liam says. <"Could be like a Zonder, with a core powering it. Be careful, and reach out."> That's the best advice he can give, but thankfully, Ruri's friends and crewmates are aready on it. That's why they're Ruri's friends, right?

        The cloaked CGUE II jets out and around Gomora's torso, beam rifle nocked. "<Anita, Rena, laying down covering fire.>" A moment later, the Mobile Suit pulls the trigger, sending a hailstorm of short, punctuated beam bursts the kaiju's way. It keeps maneuvering as it does so, trying to keep one step ahead of where Gomora thinks it is at any given second.

 KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Alexis Kerib with MA-M21G Beam Rifle Rapid Fire!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib blocks Liam 7-020's MA-M21G Beam Rifle Rapid Fire, taking 2250 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

"The crew of the Nadesico care a lot about Ruri. When it comes to her... well, they go all out." Anita offers to Nova with a smile. "Especially when they get a chance to double up."

And that's when things go crazy!

"Sure is... c'mon, let's go help out." She says.

Now, they're locked in battle with Gomora. The crew of the Nadesico and friends are handling the other one... which, apparently, contains Ruri herself. ...Nothing for it, then - they have to see this through.

Of course, there's nothing quite like Rena's blushing to brighten Anita's mood. She grins at her response - and then focuses back on the matter at hand.

Gomora's arms flail, and the kaiju has enough strength send Svipul spiraling through the air. Gritting her teeth Anita pulls hard on the controls, eventually managing to drag the Valkyrie out of its spin. A kaiju is no small opponent(in every sense of the term), so she'll have to take this seriously from the get-go...

...Fortunately, they have a miracle worker on their side! Anita looks over Nova's provided data, and then grins before offering her a thumbs-up.

"Thanks - this'll be a big help." She replies. She can make good use of this. And Liam - he's here, too, laying down covering fire! Anita can use this.

"Awesome, thanks." She says, sending a thumbs-up his way, too. The Gungnir SC beam cannon emerges over Svipul's left wing and the Valkyrie reaches up, drawing it from its mount. A blade of energy crackles to life and, under Liam's covering fire, Svipul charges in, thrusting the weapon like a spear toward one of the highlighted weak points! As for Rena's question... Anita frowns.

"Guess... someone really wants to cause problems for us." Anita considers.

Back on the Nadesico...

Anita's Haro remains close to Eight. It's glad to take up the role of maintaing morale along with Archimedes and Harro, as those on the observation deck watch the ensuing fight.

"Everything is okay! Stay strong! Stay strong!" It offers.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

It was difficult to see what had been done to her friend. Difficult to witness it. She didn't know how this could have happened. In the end, the how, the why, they were less important fretting about these things than the situation in front of her.

Archimedes remains by her, even as Harro rolls in circles, round and round and round. So many are deploying out there. Alto, Kaworu, Lucine and Liam - trying to save her. In the end, what she has to offer is different, perhaps more simple in a way as she's not putting her life on the line... only her feelings.

In the end she kneels down by Eight, asking, "Are you alright?" She asks with a certain sincerity, "I'm going to be performing nearby, Captain. I promise I'll be careful, but I think - I think I know something that can help reach her."

Straightening up with orange Osanshoo-san phone in hand, it suddenly elongated into a microphone with a tiny head, a little stuck out tongue, and four knobby limbs. "Omoikane, please patch me in. And I need you to play the instrumentals to the song you wrote for her. You know the one."

                        < SURE = YES? >

"I'm sure." The moment she does so starts the instrumentals, the slow build up of the song, "I don't know what caused this, but I get the sense that she's afraid. That she's put a wall between all of us because she's scared. I know it's her song, and you wrote it for her, but I think it can help her understand our feelings of why she doesn't need to."

BGM Change - In the Stillness (Just imagine Megumi Nakajima instead of Minami Omi) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igdvvQGe4dQ

She still swallows nervously, but in the end, she waits for Omoikane to do so on the ship's broadcast system. Holding her microphone more easily this time, Ranka extends a hand, holding her microphone with another, reaching out to her-

        "The flow of time is the evidence of meeting a new future.
        "You left behind a lot of memories and words, right?"

It's not her song, she doesn't sing it the same way as Ruri, there's a different meaning to her when it comes to understanding the stillness. Her sweet idol's voice sweeps out over the city, resonating with those in battle against Chaos Jirak.

        "Someday when you are by yourself, you will only feel loneliness,
        "but don't feel down, don't cry."

But despite it not being her song, there is a quiet uncertainty within it, as if she were trying to convey the lack of confidence she saw that day to Ruri putting herself out there, by singing this song. The idea of baring one's heart to others, risking being hurt in the naked vulnerability of it all.

        "We fought because we can't surrender,
        "We embraced one another because we trust each other.
        "I will not forget, the voices calling for each other."

The bonds formed, the wonder and magic of this act. It's a simple choreography, of Ranka making slow motions, from side to side, singing with a certain somberness despite the energy of the song, but keeping within it a sense of wonder.

All the time- trying to reach out to her with her own song, as she turns in a slow spin, matching Harro in his circuitous Photon Powered journey, before bending low to scoop him up, and presenting him forward, as if he too were reaching out for her.

He is very simple, but she knows from talking to Ruri he tries real hard and means a lot to her.

 KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ranka Lee has deployed as a Sub Pilot for Yurika Misumaru!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Alexis Kerib with Spear Mode - Piercing Strike!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

        It would've been nice if Shinji and Kaworu had had the time to go over to Ranka's drink stand and say hello. The party itself had a lot of people, but Kaworu is at ease in these (and honestly most) sorts of situations, and even Shinji had the benefit of actually knowing several people there besides him. Hopefully there'll be time yet to mingle afterwards.
        
        For right now, Shinji mostly takes in the presence of people he knows through combat comms--there's Riika's voice, there's Liam's, Lucine's, and more. It makes him feel a little more at ease, especially with Yurika, supposedly a ship captain, voicing all his same concerns and anxieties. This might be a kaiju, but if there's a person inside... All of them share the same stakes. They all want to save her. ...Especially Omoikane, who refuses to open fire on her, even indirectly.
        
        Hikaru even points out that it's a common trope for kaiju to use humans as hosts. "I-is it?" Shinji stammers, privately glad this is something he's not familiar with.
        
        "It does happen," Kaworu confirms. Liam gives the classic Zonder example, even. But then, they both already knew that, since there's one right in front of them--as Lucine and Ranka can both tell too.
        
        It does mean that there's not a lot of answer they can offer Alto, but Kaworu does still reply, "Kaiju and the human heart are linked. Sometimes, they are even born from them--and so can be swallowed up by them." Again, his gaze slides towards Alexis on that billboard. "...Sometimes this process is made to happen."
        
        "So you're saying this is Alexis's fault," Shinji interprets, tension rising in his shoulders and transmitting through his hands. "I knew it...!" Fortunately, they won't have to worry about the second kaiju attacking while they're busy with Chaos Jirak. Liam in particular transmits that he'll help take care of that one, which also helps steel Shinji's resolve. "Right! We will!"
        
        Unfortunately, even resolved, that doesn't change the fact that Shinji is not going to give his all to this battle. When Chaos Jirak opens his maw--it's so wide, so impossibly huge, Shinji thinks--he doesn't expect energy swords of all things to come flying out at him. Unit-01's A.T. Field rises instinctively, and that nullifies some of the energy assault, but she stumbles as Shinji tries and fails to get out of their way without also endangering the Nadesico, leaving her exposed on her flank. As they pierce, he hisses in pain as he feels literally as though he's been stabbed by countless needles.
        
        But then that pain ebbs. Shinji looks over his shoulder; Kaworu smiles gently back at him, and he knows without a word that Kaworu is taking half the burden on himself. He smiles back, heart lightening--so this is what it's like to pilot together, he thinks--and he looks forward again.
        
        "Kaworu, you know Miss Hoshino better than I do," he says. "I'm going to focus on wearing the kaiju down, so--can you try calling out to her?"
        
        "Yes," Kaworu replies, to him and to Ryoko--and adds to Gary, "You're welcome."
        
        And so, as Unit-01 moves to Chaos Jirak's side, she rears up one foot out of the waters around them and attempts to kick the kaiju in the back of the knee and make it easier for the others to hit, too.
        
        Kaworu himself... begins to hum. It's a tune Ruri will know: J.S. Bach's Air. The song they hummed together when they first met. Perhaps it will mix in with her recitation of pi, turning it into a song in its own right, before Ranka's voice reaches out with Omoikane's help to express her and everyone else's feelings.
 KTS: Ranka Lee targets Yurika Misumaru, Alto Saotome, and Lucine Azul with Awe.
 KTS: Ranka Lee has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ranka Lee inspires awe, increasing Yurika Misumaru's Morale!
 KTS: Ranka Lee has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Yurika Misumaru
 KTS: Ranka Lee has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Alto Saotome

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

"It doesn't happen all the time! But it does happen!"

It was different for Riika, of course - she was never *inside* a kaiju, only outside, directing it from a shuttle. But it's clear that someone - probably Alexis, given her fears - has taken advantage of Ruri.

It makes her upset.

"I don't know why there's two, but - there might be a little figure somewhere nearby," Riika says, thinking of the clay figure that she was given to attack Ptolemaios with. "On an electronic device; it looks like a phone, I've seen them before. You've seen one before too." Because they recovered Riika's, way back when. "If we could destroy *that*..."

Something occurs to Riika. "I know this is a really weird time to ask, Nadesico, but can someone check Ruri's room? Or other places she goes - the computer core? For something like that - if there's a figurine on a thing, take it off and break it! Can Omoikane check cameras to see if there's anything like that, anywhere on the ship?"

Riika certainly can't do it herself - she's piloting! Mouth beams - swords? - fire at her Gundam, and Riika focuses entirely on them. Without Svalinn Feather's aerial control she'd be a sitting duck; even most of the flight-capable mobile suits she's piloted couldn't do this, but the Svalinn is agile, banking sharply to one side before pulling up abruptly, drawing its legs up as a shower of beams goes underneath it by decimeters.

Dropping its legs back down, Svalinn's flight line smooths out as Riika swaps weapons, drawing the beam rifle now. She hesitates only a moment before she fires - it's not shooting at Ruri, it's shooting at Ruri's prison, and let's be honest: the enormous kaiju can take a shot or two or five. Riika uses only one powerful shot that makes the tip of the barrel glow a faint yellow as it builds up particle pressure, aimed right at the head of Chaos Jirak.

"Ruri, if you can hear us, everyone is trying to help...!"
 KTS: Riika Sheder has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ranka Lee inspires awe, increasing Alto Saotome's Morale!
 KTS: Riika Sheder targets Ruri Hoshino with MA-M21R Lepus Beam Rifle Sniper Shot!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Anita Rosetta's Spear Mode - Piercing Strike, taking 4860 damage!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has engaged Alexis Kerib!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.

Thanks to Riika, Eight doesn't end up with the bruises she otherwise might; the fall still hurts, but not so badly. "No apology needed," Eight insists. "Thank you." As Inez Fressange hands her a pillow, Eight wonders if it might be better under these circumstances not to stand back up. Regardless--

"Good luck out there."

With the radio, Eight at least can monitor the battle as it happens. "They can do this," she says, not for her own benefit--for Omoikane's. "I'm sure of it."

She'll stay with the Haros, for now. SHe monitors the situation, but isn't going to clog the freqencies with chatter just to make herself feel better. "Ruri," she murmurs all the same, in worry. 'Rena,' she thinks. 'I'm counting on you.' She manages a small smile to Anta's Haro. "...You're right," she tells it. "They have this."

But Enba, too, is worried. As they hear about the nature of the kaiju before them, their expression flattens into a line. Then, they see Gomora moving--

But the ship isn't hit as badly as the kaiju would hope; a brace of deployed Nightmares manage to raise their shields in Battroid mode just enough to deflect the kaiju's bulk from a more sensitive place, where Gomora slams into the RMII's armor without destroying it.

But while the kaiju is close by, the ship's particle cannon CIWS starts firing with all it has against the kaiju's shove, blasting away with a dizzying number of small fire weapons, making very good use of Nova's analysis as she relates her intentions. "If you have more data, we'll gladly accept it."

Then: "Captain Misumaru," is Enba's crisp greeting for the other Captain. "We'll hold off the secondary kaiju. You may leave it in our hands as you focus on Miss Hoshino's rescue."

Eight, meanwhile, looks to Ranka as she asks, and she nods. "I'll be fine. Maybe best if I don't try to run around in this turbulence, though." That's one way to put it. "...You..." Performing. "Do what you can," Eight tells Ranka. "I'm with you."

And she is; her eyes stay on Ranka, transfixed for now by that song. It... helps.
 KTS: Enba Rezza has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has failed to disengage.
 KTS: Enba Rezza has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Enba Rezza targets Alexis Kerib with Turbo Particle Cannon CIWS Entrapment!
 KTS: Enba Rezza has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib blocks Enba Rezza's Turbo Particle Cannon CIWS Entrapment, taking 1440 damage!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari targets Ruri Hoshino with Eva-01 Unarmed Combo!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

Though she was carefully monitoring the Kaiju's movements, Nova didn't really need to be doing that to predict that there was going to be an attempt to step on her machine. That's just classic Kaiju, it's what they do, she's seen it all the time. In the movies. It's... quite a bit more distressing when you're the one in the machine that's about to be stepped on.

What can she say but "Oh hell no," before boosting backwards with all the thruster power she can manage when that massive foot comes her way. Anyone would say that the amount of thrusters on the Sukeban makes no sense, but who's laughing now? Hopefully she will once this is over, it's a bit too early to start laughing about managing to avoid a grim fate while there's still a chance of it happening in a short while. But she will take a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. "That was close..."

She briefly smiles when Anita and Enba thank her, feeling good about contributing. "I'll keep the connection open, but I've got to keep moving..." she begins, before the communications she's been picking up register, and she shifts mental gears. "...wait, what do you mean, Ruri is in one??" Liam explains a bit, which will have to do, the exact why and how can come later. Right now the thing that feels most important is, "My scans didn't pick up anything like that... so it must be the other one, right? We can blow this one up, right?" This is dire enough without needing to worry about hurting a person, too.

Compared to a Kaiju, it's hard not to feel small, literally and figuratively. But she has to do her part here too. Now, what would be the most appropriate thing in her arsenal to use here? It doesn't take her long before, "I know!"

The Sukeban draws forth the giant club from its back. Surely she's not going to pick the cartoon option of smashing the Kaiju's big toe? No, she considered it, but in the end, she decided there was a more appropriate move to make here. Still against one of Gomora's feet because, well, it's the most immediate threat, and unbalancing it is probably the best shot she's got. But the form it takes is a little different, as the Arm Slave extends its weapon while remaining at a distance. And then...

"KANABOU BEEEEEEEAM!"

It's probably obvious what she was thinking about with that one, using a large, sustained beam attack against a dinosaur. This is just regular beam fire like you'd find in any beam rifle though, if overcharged and lengthier than normal. Size difference aside, she figures it'll work just as well against a dinosaur as it does against anything else.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki targets Alexis Kerib with Kanabou Beam!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

Ryoko can't seem to believe the possibility of Ruri being inside that giant whale kaiju, that it's a common occurrence. "Uhh, yeah kinda??" Hikaru answers, just a little bit exasperated. When Liam cuts in with the mention of the Zonder... "Yeah, exactly! Those guys sure were a thing! What, did you live under a rock, Ryoko?" This lighthearted teasing serves as a mask over her greater worry for Ruri's well-being, of course.

And although this one doesn't really look like a Zonder... the fact remains. They can probably save Ruri if they beat the monster up enough. Or so Hikaru hopes. "Whatever monster thinks it's a funny joke to use Ruri-chan's feelings like this... we'll make you pay!" She declares.

But even as everyone reaches out and makes their wishes to Ruri known, they get attacked for it... Hikaru and Ryoko get targeted as if they were a packaged deal, but unfortunately for Chaos Jirak, they fight in better sync than they look, both brandishing their immediate knives and preventing Ryoko from turning into an anti-Hikaru cannonball.

Alto's complains, sadly for him, are largely dismissed by Hikaru. "Then just don't die, silly! You'll never be able to reach Ruri-chan if you get shot down!" She's taking Liam's advice really quite literally here.

Especially when she goes into close combat by having her Aestie dive bomb into the kaiju ahout twelve times larger than it. If she gets closer, will Ruri be able to hear her better! "Ruri-chan! I'm here! We're all here - Ryoko, Yurika, Lucine, Riika, Rena, and more!" She pleads. "You never even got to open your presents yet... and besides, you're making Omoikane very sad. So please, stop being so gosh-darn stubborn!" She lets the knife sink in for a good few seconds. She's prepared to receive whatever counter-punishment it is, but she doesn't plan on dying on such a festive day, either.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Naoko Suzuki's Kanabou Beam, taking 4590 damage!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano targets Ruri Hoshino with Immediate Shish Kebab!!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Omoikane's many windows flare up and practically smother Yurika, the captain cowering beneath their oppressive refusal, a slight vein flaring up in her forehead as this silly computer messes with all their missiles-

        "Alright, LOOK, none of us are happy about this, you little-" Grabbing one of the windows by its edges, Yurika PULLS and SQUISHES and TUGS at the display, to the tune of Omoikane displaying a few < OUCH > < OWIE > < KNOCK IT OFF > banners. She's bickering and wrestling with the computer's holo-displays like that for an awfully awkward while, before the conversation brings up one familiar name. 'Alexis Kerib.'

        "...oooogh. OOOOOGH WHY'D I GET THE FEELING that guy was involved! I knew something was up. I KNEW something was wrong with Ruri-ruri today. If she was just sick or something she'd complain about annoying biological functions not being up to parameters but she'd probably tough it out, and I would have to be the one convincing her to take it easy. What'd you - he's probably the guy who brought that stupid dinosaur-"

        "Gomora," Megumi interjects in the middle of this ranting.

        "THE POINT IS- Everyone's here to help, Omoikane. Nobody's going to go too hard or fight too viciously against that thing that's captured Ruri! So it's kind of like...we need to carve a little hole into it, so that someone can reach into it and get Ruri out, okay? Omoikane...please! I know I don't get along with you as great as Ruri does, but without you, I can't do much of anything to help her!"

        The ship is still and silent for a while. It's hardly like Yurika knows how to genuinely reach Omoikane. Something's ticking in that vast mechanical mind-

        In a spot of being somewhat petulant about putting Ruri in danger though - Omoikane takes matters into its own hands, and instead of firing off any of its munitions - instead, nearly anything that can give off a signal does, flashing lights and radio waves and microwaves and ultrasonic pitches and garbled high-speaker emissions - briefly bursting and blasting wildly and uncontrollably, likely to the annoyance of others nearby. It all focuses, however - aimed at trying to disorient Jirak and Gomora alike with sensory overload. That much, at least, remains within acceptable parameters...
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru targets Ruri Hoshino and Alexis Kerib with Shock.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru shocks Alexis Kerib, reducing his Morale significantly.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

The assembled heroes demonstrate their commitment -- as well as the relative novelty of the experience to some of them. It's a good feeling -- watching them struggle. On the other hand, there's an emptiness to it this time; after all, this isn't even the first time he's put a girl in a kaiju with all her feelings of isolation.

(And worlds away from here -- before Alexis had even started to move at scale -- the name of the girl whose loneliness first gave rise to Chaos Jirak was named...)

Gomora puts its arms up and rushes forward at Rena as she brings that saber down in a heavy slash; while thicker hide takes the worst of it, the lumbering beast does seem to be in pain. It swings its arm at Rena with force -- and then smashes it further out to the side, swatting through some of those beam rifle blasts from the CGUE. It moves to strike at the CGUE itself with its big, meaty hands...

... but only gets halfway there before Anita deals catastrophic damage to its tail, and the Ra Mari lays down a barrage of fire that forces it to block from the front. The tail falls off by the end of the assault, and Gomora roars in agony.

Fortunately, this gives it more offensive options and not less. No sooner has the tail fallen than does it get swung in a massive arc telekinetically. Gomora doesn't reach out terribly far with such a strike, but does sweep it across its remaining foes -- again, building particular momentum before finally hitting the Ra Mari II.

The Arm Slave blasts it in the leg as it's trying to concentrate on the maneuver, and while it doesn't topple, it does stagger low -- and as it tries to right itself, it lashes out with a claw toward Naoko and the Sukeban before trying to stand strong, even as it's barraged with all-frequency 'communication' that makes it temporarily lose its control over its telekinetically-manipulated tail.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Yurika Misumaru
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Rena Lancaster with Gomora Smash!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Anita Rosetta with Gomora Crush!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Naoko Suzuki with Gomora Smash!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Enba Rezza with Gomora Crush!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Liam 7-020 with Gomora Smash!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Rena Lancaster, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster fails to parry Alexis Kerib's Gomora Smash, taking 4260 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Rena Lancaster!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Anita Rosetta's Easygoing activates, and her spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Anita Rosetta, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta blocks Alexis Kerib's Gomora Crush, taking 4040 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Anita Rosetta!
 KTS: Enba Rezza has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Enba Rezza fails to retreat.
 KTS: Enba Rezza fails to react to Alexis Kerib's Gomora Crush, taking 3820 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Enba Rezza!
 KTS: Ranka Lee inspires awe, increasing Lucine Azul's Morale!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki successfully evades Alexis Kerib's Gomora Smash

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

... Thank you, Lia---th Macha." > Lucine awkwardly saves herself from directly saying Liam's name.

        < "It's okay, Rena. I'm still wearing my dress too." > The dress does make some things difficult; whenever there's a rough turn or a spiral, Lucine has to remind herself that no one is going to see, or particularly care, that the hem of her dress isn't smoothed down. However, a yukata may be a completely different story... < "... No one's able to see you. Just as long as it doesn't get in the way." >

        Alto, while irritable, brings up a very good point. < ".... I think I know who I can ask--" > Liam is already on it. She is reminded then, of how Alexis was interested in Ruri, and her own fears that Alexis may use Ruri as a replacement.

        She switches her tightband to Liam exclusively, just in case he reveals any sensitive information. < ".... Is this.... what he did to Akane? How did all of you free her?" >

        Ranka's singing brings Liam's words into a new focus. Reach out.

        Vines whip out to do an entirely different sort of reaching and *constricting*, but the Dianthus twists around with only inches of wiggle room to spare. Lucine, inside, begins to regret casually telling Rena that piloting in anything other than a flight suit was anything other than an issue. ".... piloting in a dress was way easier when I was eight...!"

        Righting herself, Lucine opens the lines back up, and speaks hurriedly. < "..... Captain Misamaru. I can contact Ruri directly.... but I think there's somebody she'd want to hear even more than me. Can you think of a way to allow Omoikane to reach out to her? Omoikane may have some ideas." >

        This is definitely being overt with her abilities, but so has Ruri had to, all this time. And yet, somehow, Lucine had never noticed Ruri's own pain, being too wrapped in decorating, and before that--

        But Yurika did. < "Captain Misamaru...." > Lucine trails off in quiet admiration.

        Lucine can do this.

        She tries herself to force her message through the mental shield of clay around her mind, through that crack that's slowly opened wider and wider with each bit of stress she's taken on. If Ruri can support that connection, maybe... if Lucine concentrates, her words will come through.

        You saved me, remember? You opened the door to let me in, back on Mars.
        Ruri... you need to open the door again, but not to just me, but everyone here.
        Please...

 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Liam 7-020's Catecholamine Regulation System activates, and his spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Liam 7-020, reducing his Morale significantly.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Alexis Kerib's Gomora Smash, taking 4860 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Liam 7-020!
 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Foresee Spirit Command targeting Ryoko Subaru
 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Foresee Spirit Command targeting Hikaru Amano
 KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Th-they're complicated if you've never worn one before!" Rena whines back at Ryoko.

Then, she grits her teeth -- and she nods. "Roger, Liam," she says, before she hears what Riika says. A small electronic device, like a phone; a nightmare to find on the battlefield. "I'll keep an eye out for it, Riika."

She hesitates, at Nova's question -- then nods. "We've got to stop it," she says. "We'll be ready to help, if there's another person in this one."

She tries to swing the beam saber up to catch the arm -- but Gomora's blow slams into the Gaia Gear Alpha, and sends it hurtling away. Rena grits her teeth -- and then she calls out: "Funnels, go!"

The back of the Gaia Gear Alpha explodes with vapor trails, as a dozen funnels launch out from it, and shoot around the kaiju in a dozen different directions. Then, lances of mega particle energy begin slashing across it.

"Annie," she says, "look out! It hits hard!"

 KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster targets Alexis Kerib with Funnel Pod - Dawn Formation!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Rena Lancaster's Funnel Pod - Dawn Formation, taking 4750 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        How can Ruri be inside Chaos Jirak? Alto's asked a good question -- and one which needs history to answer.

        Over a year ago, you see, Alexis came to visit Ruri in her room, and saw the whale hanging from her ceiling. Over a year ago...

        Jirak possessed it, then, and came to know Ruri's dreams -- better than Ruri herself could know them. The dreams she always forgot, on waking. The dreams she remembered only by a splash in the water.

        She never learned what was splashing, out there.

        She was never allowed outside.

        Everything controlled, and targeted, and perfect.

        Those mobiles she doesn't remember ever acquiring... she's had them since she was a baby.

        Yes -- just as Kaworu knows, sometimes the process is made to happen.

        Yurika RATTLES one of Omoikane's pop-ups, though, and that window displays this graphic, < @_@ >, even as other windows pop up to protest his treatment. But... he can hear the feelings in her voice, and... what's the alternative? Does he defeat everyone here to protect Chaos Jirak?

        ... he evaluates the likelihood of this option's success. (It takes 1.2 seconds.) He realises that even if he can beat everyone, here, he still wouldn't know how to rescue RURI, and right now the thing that's eaten her is TRYING TO EXPLODE HIM. ... besides... Eight has faith in them, too.

                                < OK >

        1.2 seconds is a long pause, for a supercomputer with several brains.

                                < SAVE HER >

        He'll do his best, too, even if he can't quite bring HIMSELF to order himself to attack directly. The disorientating emissions cause Chaos Jirak to stagger -- and perhaps they might help break a few little cracks in to Ruri herself, imperceptible, able to be spoken through.

        Then Riika asks about Ruri's room, and Omoikane, who trusts Riika as a friend even if she's not a common visitor, immediately follows up by displaying a communication window showing the inside of Ruri's room. There's that massive plush sitting on the end of her bed, the Sheryl posters, the music discs, all the gifts she's been given all collected in what was once a spartan place --

        But most importantly, on the ceiling, those spinning mobiles. The fish, spinning around each other... and a whale, all alone, hanging from the ceiling.

        Ruri murmurs, to herself: "Fools... I'm standing on my own two feet." Did she hear Gary -- or is she just stuck in her own isolation, here standing apart from everyone around her?

        Chaos Jirak hears him, certainly, but his reaction is much more simple: violence. His claws come up to catch the ENACT's blade -- but Gary is a vicious customer himself, and he scores a deep cut down the kaiju's arm. Chaos Jirak roars his dissatisfaction, as he opens his maw, and flings a fireball at Gary's machine from point-blank.

        Occupied with that, he doesn't notice the missile massacre coming his way until it's too late -- Alto's Messiah scores those rockets into his back, and he roars his displeasure as he falls into the shallow water. Chaos Jirak picks himself up, rocking back and forth before he rises, and breathes swords onto Alto's machine.

        Inez helpfully explains, after Ryoko starts ranting about Jun's injuries: "The G-Forces of a mobile suit are extremely taxing on the human body. Whiplash is a common affliction, followed by muscle strain, bone fracture, and cerebral dysfunction!" A light pause, "Or, to explain more simply, your brain gets rattled. Understand?"

        why is she here,

        Ruri's still in there, all alone. "Together... foolish. Everyone else is gone..." She scowls, curling into herself. "Help...? Yes, I know everyone's here to help me. Go away. I'm not like you!" Is she talking to Riika, right now, or is she... "... no, those weren't their names," she murmurs, as if in response to Hikaru, and perhaps she's operating on a different level entirely.

        But it's the song Omoikane wrote for her -- sung by her dear friend and role model, Ranka Lee -- all backed by the melody of 'Air' which has her looking up. "No... no, what are you doing?!" She cries, even as Lucine's connection finds its way past all her barriers to speak directly to her. "I don't want to!" She cries, shaking her head. "I don't want you to know! You'll just be scared of me! I'm different!"

        Chaos Jirak ROARS, with the force of her alienation, and charges forward to crush Lucine's unit with his arm whip. His Energy Swords fire from his mouth to pepper Ryoko, Hikaru, and the Nadesico alike. It's the Svalinn Feather Gundam who he extracts his whip to try and strangle, now -- he can't have known that Riika has given Ruri's friends an essential tool against him, but his hatred is something which stands apart from his host, now.

        Not that Ruri's isolation isn't its own fuel.

        But if Lucine keeps that connection up -- if other sensitive souls can connect, through the connection she's made -- they'll see something, in Chaos Jirak's heart. They will know that there are shadows, on the wall of the cave Ruri's found herself in, cast by some unknown light. Shadows which throw up their hands in delight, as Ruri echoes their words:

        "Well done, Ruri... you're wonderful, Ruri... you're adorable, Ruri..."

        Her hands clasp tighter, over her own heart, untouchable and untouched.

        Alienated.

        "... fools."

 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Gary Biaggi with Mouth Fireball Point Blank!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Alto Saotome with Mouth Energy Swords Burst!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Lucine Azul with Arm-Whip Crush!
 KTS: Ruri_Hoshino Changes attack to Hikaru Amano, Ryoko Subaru, and Yurika Misumaru with Mouth Energy Swords Increased Barrage.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Riika Sheder with Arm-Whip Strangle!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru blocks Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Increased Barrage, taking 2250 damage!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi parries Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Fireball Point Blank, taking 675 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has engaged Gary Biaggi!
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Alto Saotome partially guards Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Burst, taking 3135 damage!
 KTS: Lucine Azul successfully evades Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Crush

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        There's a lot more vague information flying around about how to rescue Ruri. 'Reach out' to her? How exactly is Alto going to do that? The others are trying to reach her with their words. Alto isn't sure he has the words for Ruri right now. None that will help. So what should he do? How can he help? How are they going to save her? Ruri...

        Ranka's voice echoes through Alto's cockpit as she starts singing. A song he's not heard before.

        Alto closes his eyes and takes a deep breath... He listens to Ranka sing.

        'Of course she's singing. That's what she can do. That's how she can reach Ruri...'

        So the answer... He should focus on what he can do... What he can do... What he can do...

        ... Is protect the Nadesico. Ruri's home. What he can do...

        ... Is protect everyone here. Ruri's friends. What he can do...

        Alto opens his eyes.

        The Messiah transforms back into fighter mode, engines quickly burning brightly, just as the kaiju unleashes its barrage of energy swords at it. The fighter rushes straight into the attack. A number of the blades scrape along the pinpoint barrier protecting the fighter's front. Others slice through some of the Armored Pack's parts.

        But none of the damage slows the craft as it rapidly closes the distance to the kaiju, the machine gun ports in the wings unleashing a rapid barrage of bullets towards the creature as it does so.

 KTS: Alto Saotome targets Ruri Hoshino with ES-25A High Speed Machine Guns Closing Assault!
 KTS: Alto Saotome has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Ryoko Subaru's Rapid Covering Fire, taking 1624 damage!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru repulses Ruri Hoshino, forcing her to disengage.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru begins a Formation attack!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Riika Sheder's MA-M21R Lepus Beam Rifle Sniper Shot, taking 4756 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino parries Shinji Ikari's Eva-01 Unarmed Combo, taking 1320 damage!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Hikaru Amano's Immediate Shish Kebab!, taking 3900 damage!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano completes the Formation attack!
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru shocks Ruri Hoshino, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Ruri Hoshino's Idiotic... So Idiotic activates, and her spirit endures.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino anchors Riika Sheder, forcing her into close range.
 KTS: Riika Sheder fails to Parry Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Strangle, taking 3840 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has engaged Riika Sheder!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Alto Saotome's ES-25A High Speed Machine Guns Closing Assault, taking 3990 damage!
 KTS: Alto Saotome has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano successfully avoids Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Increased Barrage
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru partially guards Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Increased Barrage, taking 2870 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

"Right." Anita replies with a nod, as Nova says she has to keep moving. None of them can afford to be idle for too long, against an opponent like this - though she does take a moment to observe the way Enba directs the Ra Mari II.

They were definitely the right person for the job, she thinks.

Anita manages to deal severe damage to Gomora's tail, and the Ra Mari II follows up on it. The tail is severed - and then, Anita is abruptly surprised as the tail is swung telekinetically, slamming into her Valkyrie. The Svipul is nearly smashed into the ground, but she pulls up at the last second, it's flight shaky for a moment before stabilizing.

"Did... anyone know it could do that?" Anita asks. She's sounding just a little dazed, but she manages to shake it off. She nods, as Rena offers her a warning. "Yeah... and it's surprisingly crafty, too. We'll have to watch out for more surprises like that."

With that, she returns the Gungnir SC to its mount and draws her Gatling gun pod. It's back to acting as a distraction - but this time, she uses the speed and agility of her Valkyrie to her advantage. She darts in and out of Gomora's range tauntingly, peppering it with vulcan and gatling fire both, spinning distractingly while occasionally switching into Fighter Mode for just a second to accelerate just out of range before reverting to GERWALK and going right back into it.

<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.

        Gary listened to those over comms and picks up a few more things as he continues to fill in the gaps of information on things that are way above an AEU lieutenant's pay grade. You at least have to be a captain to get Kaiju info. Gary speaks up for clarification on one things, <"So is everyone here telling me that someone did this to Ruri?!"> Gary shakes his head thinking to himself, amateur.

        Still at the end of the day someone had turned Ruri, the girl that called him a friend, into a monster and he certainly was not going to forget this. He was not a good guy to make an enemy of, so he would have to track some names down when this was all over. For now though he was sticking with the original plan. As the fireball flies toward the ENACT it raises it's blade rifle and slices the thing in two. The heat causing some paint to peel and the cockpit to warm up a bit but nothing else. To the beast infront of him Gary speaks <" You are going to have to try better then that if you don't want me to reach her. ">

        Everyone else was trying to reach Ruri some way and seemed to understand things on some metaphysical level that Gary didn't get. So instead he is going to be the one that simply slices open the monster and pulls her out by force. The ENACT dashes in circles around the beast attempting to confuse it while slowly , methodically, making slashes with his sword here and there, death by a 1000 paper cuts.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Ruri Hoshino with Feinting Strike!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Alexis Kerib with Dazzling Acrobatics!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

"Complicated!? You just untie the sash and strip it right off!" She calls out to Rena, as she whines, seeming undisturbed by the implications of 'stripping it right off'.

"Hey Skull-4! You tell her how easy it is! You're the expert!"

Ryoko no.

"Also see? Listen to Inez! That's what happens if you go out there without a suit!"

However, Ryoko underestimates the 1-2 combo of Liam and Hikaru, "You-!" 'Live under a rock' For a moment, Ryoko is mixed up, because she technically lived IN a rock for a while, "Mind your own business! Who pays attention to that Zonder stuff anyway!?" She calls at Hikaru (And Liam by extension!?), disturbed.

There's a strange sense of connectedness from Lucine, that Ryoko isn't unfamiliar with. As Jirak roars with the force of their alienation. "<Ruri-!>"

Energy swords rip towards her, and the Aestivalis' Distortion Field comes up, as one after the other contacts it, energy dispersing even a sthe shield flickers.

And then all of a sudden her Aestivalis careens out of the energy cloud, tackling into the much larger Jirak, the Aesti positively diminutive in comparison as she slams in and takes hold of the giant Kaiju.

"<What the hell!? Ruri! What's eating you! You have any idea what a big dumbass you're acting like on your birthday?>"

Ryoko after all, can't hear her, can't feel her or understand what she's struggling with.

She can refuse to let go though, that's something she's always been good at, so she does just that.


 KTS: Ryoko Subaru targets Ruri Hoshino with Standard CQC <Normal> Tackle!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has completed their actions for the round.
Riika Sheder tosses a coin: Heads
 KTS: Anita Rosetta rattles Alexis Kerib, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Anita Rosetta's Dazzling Acrobatics, taking 3375 damage!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta begins a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

Riika tries to keep communicating with Ruri, even though she's not getting anything back. Riika is not terribly sensitive to psychic phenomena; she feels, intently, that Ruri is there, but no words. Ruri might be addressing her, but she can't really hear it.

And yet she still tries anyway. "Ruri! Look, everybody is here for you! We came for your party, and we're still here now. Omoikane is helping, too." She can't respond to the feeling of difference - though if she could, she would, for she understands too, to an extent; a Coordinator on a ship of Naturals working to bridge the gap between them - but she can speak to Ruri, and try to calm her down. "We ...ah!"

Riika flinches away from her speakers, which have abruptly picked up a hellacious discharge of what is closest to speaker feedback than anything else. Other sensors and scanners are giving equally garbage readings for a few moments as Nadesico's jamming (...that is jamming, right?) does its job.

And it isn't even aimed at her! She can still see, and after the first squeal she can hear, too... though her ears are ringing, and that isn't electronic at all.

And she's got a new incoming message. With the practiced multitasking of a Coordinator pilot, Riika flips open the contact from Omoikane, sliding it up into the corner so she can look at it when she can spare a moment from dodging around the terrible arm-whip.

It flicks at Svalinn, and Riika's first reaction is to get out of the way, cutting at it with the beam glaive to sever the tip. But the lash is longer and faster than she expected it to be, and it snags Svalinn Feather's leg, wrapping around it and jerking it to a halt. Its flight thrusters burn, but Svalinn only pulls the whip out to its full extension with her machine bobbing on the end of it, unable to break free.

"Come on...!" Riika reverses the beam glaive, holding it higher up on the haft - more like a two-handed sword. The variable blade goes into full chopping mode, broadening and flattening until it's practically a long rectangle of cutting edge. She slams it down, trying to cut the lash enough so that Svalinn Feather pops away like a seed squirted out of a melon, overaccelerating with enough force to slam Riika back before she compensates correctly for flying in an atmosphere and evens out.

Riika glances up at the communication, finally. It's a more full room than she half-expected it to be, but a lot of it simply isn't relevant; photos, posters, music discs, none of it is likely to be important at the moment (or, really, her business). She hesitates as her gaze passes over the plush, but that doesn't seem like the right style. There's the mobile -

That's a little out of place, to Riika. It looks a little childish for Ruri to want to still have. And she's right in that it's important, if for the completely wrong reason - but she can figure out her mistake later.

"There's a hanging set of figures," Riika transmits back to the Nadesico. "Fish, and other sea life. A whale?" Riika might be one hell of a mechanic and engineer, but she didn't actually place very highly in biology. "The whale's a little apart. But this thing is sea life, isn't it? This kaiju?"

Okay, she *definitely* did not do nearly as well in biology.
 KTS: Riika Sheder targets Ruri Hoshino with JS-F03 Isarnkoll Beam Glaive Slash!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        < ".... Is this.... what he did to Akane? How did all of you free her?" >

        Liam's breath sticks in his throat for a moment. <"I don't know,"> he says, to Lucine alone. <"Maybe? I don't know how Knight got her out of there. There was some kind of face under the armor, and he dove inside--"> Another pause. <"Keep reaching out. I know it's hard. I know you can.>"

        <"Understood, Riika."> Liam is in no place to look for a phone at the moment, but the Nadesico's crew can. If Alexis did plant something in Ruri's room, they'll find it. None of them are alone out here, and they'll do whatever it takes to save Ruri and stop this rampage.

        Liam's heart tightens as Ranka starts to sing. It grounds him, even as he jukes the CGUE II wide to avoid that first, vicious swing. "<Good shots, Ra Mar-->" He trails off as Gomora reveals its next trick--his eyes widen, and he latches his Mobile Suit's shield into position. Liath Macha darts back, but that just means it's damaged less by Gomora's flying tail. The shield dents inward. Bits of armor fly off the torso and arms. Liam brakes sharply to avoid slamming, back-first, into the Ra Mari II. G-forces slam into him, and he takes a moment to catch his breath.

        If BioNet hadn't done extensive work to make his bones so durable, he could've ended up as yet another example for Ines' Reasons of Why Piloting Without A Normal Suit Is A Terrible Idea.

        "<No,>" Liam says to Anita, who has also gotten thoroughly CLOBBERED. <"It's my job,"> he says, a moment later, to Ryoko. If he's griping, then he's probably not concussed. Liath Macha's CWIS starts to wind up as the machine's flight levels out--it shoots up and away, towards the water, sending a hail of good old-fashioned ballistic fire Gomora's way.

 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Gary Biaggi's Feinting Strike, taking 5000 damage!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Ryoko Subaru's Standard CQC <Normal> Tackle, taking 3440 damage!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Riika Sheder's JS-F03 Isarnkoll Beam Glaive Slash, taking 3000 damage!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Alexis Kerib with 20mm Multibarrel CIWS Retreating Volley!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

Nova, not actually needing to keep her hands on any controls, fistpumps when her attack strikes home, having the exact effect she hoped. And quickly needs to focus back on the evasion, not feeling confident that a giant claw will have any less of an ability to flatten her than a giant foot. While she's is still managing to move the Sukeban quickly enough to stay one step ahead, she can feel the air displacement against the Arm Slave, informing her in no uncertain terms of the force of those blows. She swallows, trying her best not to focus on what might happen but rather continuing to avoid it from doing so. Complicating that is...

"Ew, its tail...!" Which is now just flying around now, somehow? "I can't track it - it's like it's got a will of its own!" Better not be the will of a person in there. Her scans could have missed it, it's not like she's scanned a Kaiju before. But no, she can't think that. Not if she expects to be able to keep fighting effectively.

"Got it - I'll keep hitting it from below!" With one damaged leg and no tail... damaging the other leg seems like the obvious call. "Saucers!" With that cry, the shoulders of the Arm Slave detach, rocketing off towards Gomora's undamaged leg, unleashing a rapid-fire beam barrage when they get close.

There isn't much time however, as the required mental focus on Naoko's part is soon broken, when something hits her mind like a ton of bricks. Being massively susceptible to such things, she hears Ruri's cry from the heart, as clearly as if it'd been directed towards her specifically.

'I don't want you to know! You'll just be scared of me! I'm different!'

...It's like her own thoughts of many years are being echoed back to her. It seems that she and Ruri would get along in more ways than she thought. Would Ruri hear her if she...? She has to try. Focusing her mind on the other Kaiju, she attempts use her mind to respond. Without even realizing that, through the cybernetic link in her machine, she is amplifying her 'broadcast' in a way that would make it that much easier for Ruri in particular to hear.

>"It's hard isn't it, being different? It's hard to believe others can understand you, isn't it? It's lonely... but you don't deserve to be lonely, and no one wants you to be lonely. They're trying their best, just like you. So please... don't push them away."<
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has activated the Attune Spirit Command.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki targets Alexis Kerib with Remote Saucers!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

        "<Yeah! It was that scumbag, Alexis Kerib! He hurt Shinjo-senpai and now he's hurting Miss Hoshino!>" Shinji transmits to Gary, simmering with anger.
        
        In the physical, Kaworu's humming doesn't stop. Despite this, his voice transmits to Ruri clearly. "I won't be scared," he promises her gently. He can't speak for the others, but he can and does speak for himself. After all: "I'm different, too."
        
        Different in a different way from Ruri--but different all the same. Shinji glances over his shoulder at his dearest friend; it's something he knows by now, but there's an air of an admission here that he just doesn't know enough about to pin down. He knows there's things Kaworu can't tell him, and he accepts that, just as he accepts he's a Coordinator (to his knowledge), but... just how different is he?
        
        Later, deep in the night, he'll wonder about it. Right now, he grits his teeth and focuses back on the battle--on doing what he can do. This time, knowing what Chaos Jirak is capable of, he's ready to position himself and Unit-01 better as those energy swords fly out again. Protecting themselves fully with the A.T. Field, he drops it when the barrage subsides and rushes in to have Unit-01 slam a knee up into that massive throat.
        
        But... how did they all save Akane when she was inside a kaiju? "<Rikka Takarada bared all of her feelings towards her, and the rest of us supported her,>" Kaworu transmits to Lucine and everyone. "<While the others fought, Rikka sang.>"
        
        So in essence: keep doing what they're doing. He smiles as Omoikane transmits the contents of Ruri's room--just as Riika suggested it in the first place, it looks as though she's zeroed in on the commonality. He'll leave that to her, then.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari targets Ruri Hoshino with Eva-01 Unarmed Brawl!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka can feel that sense of isolation, of alienation from Ruri. It's strong enough to nearly bring her to tears. She can't hear her mind you, but she doesn't need to. She was wired to be someone of feeling, understanding. And so her eyes mist up, but as Ruri shores up her barriers, and feelings of isolation. Her own feelings however for there to be none are clarion clear.

        I'll sing it louder then. Until you hear us.

        BGM - ibid

And she makes a gesture, as if raising her palm to Omoikane, even in the midst of her song and dance choreography

                        < ANALYSING . . . SET VOLUME = HIGHER() >

The song broadcasts louder, at Omoikane's own prompting, and Ranka's voice tries to match it. To sing about bonds, to sing about not letting people go. To tell her that she won't abandon her. More and more of Omoikane's holographic displays show her reaching out to her as she sings soulfully to the energetic rhythm.

        "Link my heart with yours, pull the unseen bonds closer.
        "Don't let go the people you met by fate.
        "Soon, your smile into strength, your tears into courage,
        "I believe they will change, in the stillness before daybreak."

If it were just her effort, perhaps, she knows it would be doomed. But if all she can do is sing Ruri's song and reach out to her, then it doesn't mean there aren't countless people fighting for her right now, illustrating the meaning of the song far greater than anything she can do. Elevating it to new heights as she trades out Harro to Archimedes, presenting him in her hand, even as he flaps up excitedly at the tune.

        "The days that keep changing, when you become tired of chasing,
        "The palm of your supporting friends will be warm.
        "Someday, when you meet the one you love, continue to chase your dreams together."

And so she sings, she sings her heart out, she sings to amplify and elevate the efforts of those who would rescue her friend from her current state, she sings to encourage them onward. It's not her song, it's Ruri's song, and she shares it to demonstrate the courage that she knows Ruri has always held deep within her heart.

        "But you will be afraid of losing something.
        "When feeling pain, heal each other.
        "When feeling happy, share with each other.
        "I want to protect our common dreams."

The song itself, directing the others forward, on what to focus upon, the bonds worth holding in their hearts, the words and feelings that bind them. The feelings of moving forward together. While she does not stop singing to communicate their feelings, she still offers guidance, it's within the song itself.

The song Omoikane wrote for Ruri, is what she hopes to help save her with.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        There's always a tension with taking the slow and steady route. Usually, Yurika's quick to consider the idea of trading the Nadesico's field for increased firepower - because firepower is betterpower! Ye who shoots hardest wins fastest! But when she needs to consider NOT vaporizing something for once...

        "Hold steady on the Field! If anything, pump MORE power to it!" Those bizarre mouth-mounted energy swords rip more effectively though the Nadesico's Distortion Field, all while Yurika grips an Omoikane holo-window like a plushie.

        "Captain - Omoikane's flagging the location of Ruri's room specifically. ...It appears that...Miss Riika's telling everyone about how there's some secret in there? A figurine we have to get rid of..." Minato relays.

        That almost doesn't land for Yurika, who makes the bold move of charging up the Gravity Blast at the Nadesico's belly, lurching the ship closer to try to tackle the Jirak with the budding field. There's a million things on her mind trying to fight these kaiju - especially when, as nonspecific as it is, she gets such horrible -vibes- from those powerful inner thoughts coursing out of Jirak. She can't hear Ruri, no - but she can taste the whiff of damnable, bitter praise. Toxic yet sweet - like sugar-coated styrofoam, revolting and untenable to eat. A few tears are welling up in her eyes. "...Ruri...I...it must be hard for you. Needing so much help, yet needing just as much to stand up on your own. ...If I just treated you like anyone else, of course it wouldn't be enough, since I knew that you had...such a difficult way getting here..."

        Eventually though, she does get her act together, and calls into the observation room. <<Captain York? Eight?! Hiiii, can you - please do me a little favor? We're all terribly busy and it's all hands on deck right now. This shouldn't be anything too big, and take your time! But - Omoikane's gonna show you the way to Ruri's room, and there's some sort of whale-like figurine that needs breaking apart. Apparently that will help! Riika seems to know what's happening! I don't get it, but it can't hurt, so - pretty please!>>

 KTS: Yurika Misumaru has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Ruri Hoshino
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru targets Ruri Hoshino with Gravity Blast - Atmospheric Wide Spread!
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ranka Lee targets Alto Saotome, Shinji Ikari, and Liam 7-020 with All-Out.
 KTS: Ranka Lee has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ranka Lee has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Hikaru Amano
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to parry Shinji Ikari's Eva-01 Unarmed Brawl, taking 4125 damage!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ranka Lee orders an all-out attack, raising Shinji Ikari's Skill!
 KTS: Ranka Lee orders an all-out attack, raising Alto Saotome's Skill!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino's Force Wall L1 activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Yurika Misumaru's Gravity Blast - Atmospheric Wide Spread, taking 1800 damage!
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable.
 KTS: Ranka Lee orders an all-out attack, raising Liam 7-020's Skill!

<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.

Enba notes Nova's plan, but doesn't say more to it at the moment; they're inclined to trust the pilots under Rena not to be stepped on if they can help it.

Gomora strikes again at the Ra Mari II, building momentum in time to smash against the ship. Chovan pulls back on the controls, maneuvering thrusters burning to try to get out of the way, but she can only partially evade; it hits hard, and the bridge shakes. "Gh--" Licia hangs on.

Enba doesn't hear the whispers within the kaiju's heart. But Eight does.

Eight indeed has faith in them. She tries to communicate that to Omoikane, though she doesn't know what's going on there; she knows that it's hard for him, though. So she has to try to say as much without letting on too much about his nature...

And then Eight hears Ruri's words. Her words, that Eight can't reply to without clogging up the airwaves. "Ruri," she says. "It's..."

She resists, the urge to reach out to her directly. She knows Ruri never liked that. But it's hard not to hear her heart just now.

Eight looks away from the music as she hears the others. As she hears Yurika, calling to her. "Captain?" Eight wonders. Then, "..." Some sort of... figurine...

"On it!" Eight calls through her own radio to the bridge, and pushes herself back up again. SHe looks to Ranka. "I'm going to do something I hope helps. Keep on singing!"

Then Eight starts out the door, and begins to rush towards the room. "Which way!:?"

She'll follow directions as needed. She's never been to Ruri's room, but...

But if there's something she can do--

Meanwhille, the Ra Mari II has had a chance to charge its main guns, and straight for Gomora green particle beams crash forward ll of a sudden with a trrible ZOT!

 KTS: Enba Rezza targets Alexis Kerib with Guided Beam Cannons - Blast Shot!
 KTS: Enba Rezza has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Enba Rezza has activated the Resupply Spirit Command targeting Alto Saotome
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Liam 7-020's 20mm Multibarrel CIWS Retreating Volley, taking 1500 damage!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 repulses Alexis Kerib, forcing him to disengage.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Naoko Suzuki's Remote Saucers, taking 4590 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Enba Rezza's Guided Beam Cannons - Blast Shot, taking 4050 damage!
 KTS: Enba Rezza repulses Alexis Kerib, forcing him to disengage.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

Hikaru's gambit to stab through the kaiju's heart to Ruri didn't quite shake out as expected... she receives a staunch roar in return. It carries feelings with it... but they are feelings of rejection aren't they?

And then Chaos Jirek tries to overwhelm the tiny, tiny Aestie with blades of energy. From this close up, only one thing to do... "Distortion Field, GO!" She shouts, and the blades simply bounce and dissipate. "It's gonna take a lot of energy to maintain this... but for Ruri-chan, I gotta do it!"

The distortion field expands, and envelops Chaos Jirek if only for a moment. Everyone is bearing their heart out, in words, and in song, and feelings... Hikaru does what she does best by being foolishly persistent. "I know you must be hurting real bad, Ruri-chan... and maybe you felt like you couldn't talk about it. That's usually what it is with these stupid kaiju, honestly!" She puffs, still pushing with that Distortion Field. "I don't know what jerk got into your heart or your head and told you this is the only way. But I know they're one thing! A foolishly, foolish fool!"

She has to hold out, along with Ryoko, they just have to, until Ranka can finish that song, and until the curse of that whale plushie (Hikaru can't believe she's saying this) is broken. But she will - because Ruri's guidance has always given them the strength they need.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano targets Ruri Hoshino with Distortion Push!!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino's Force Wall L1 activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Hikaru Amano's Distortion Push!, taking 2200 damage!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano repulses Ruri Hoshino, forcing her to disengage.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        < "....... Weird... Dad never told me about that part of why you shouldn't fly in a dress..." > Lucine's contribution to Ryoko's argument in favor of proper flight suit protocol is vague, while also casting doubt on a dead(?) Martian's name. < ".... But it's not like we had any..." >

        The Jirak swings its arm swing with deadly force-- certainly enough to crush through the Dianthus's defense. < ".... ah!" > It takes all of Lucine's concentration to dodge, and dodge she does...

        .... while she continues her psychic exchange with Ruri.

        She shouts, even, with words. And in trying to shout back, she shouts physically instead.
        For better or worse, her radio is still on.

        < "You think everyone would be scared of you? Because you're different? I'm different too!! That's why I'm able to contact you! .... It might not be in the same way you are... or the way everyone is, in their own way, on the Nadesico... but... why do you think I stayed?! I could have held a grudge for what happened on Mars... but I didn't, because I felt that you all did what you could!! You, and Yurika, and Megumi... Jun... Minato... all the pilots..." > Lucine's voice breaks with the nakedness of merely *touching* on that point.

        And then, silence, as Lucine's eyes stare at the radio dial. < ".......... crap... ah. .... um..... that is..." >

        She just barrels through with it.

        < "Ryoko! Izumi! Hikaru! Keep going! It's like Kaworu said! You don't have to sing, you just have to be the person Ruri's gotten to know you as!" > She swallows, her throat still dry from her scream. < "The same goes for everyone else out here. Ruri knows you, but she's scared, of what all of you would think, if you knew her. It's not up to me to reveal it, but... if you've already figured out... what my words earlier were implying, then you might have an idea about Ruri. ..... But, it's not even just about that. I don't know what it's like to be put into a position like she's had to be, to be tailored towards it, even... We all know a part of what it's like, and that's... why I think Ruri has felt as comfortable as she has around us. That's why.... Kerib made a fatal mistake. We're all here, on her day. We won't let him do this again!!" >

        'There was some kind of face under the armor, and he dove inside--' Liam's words flash through her mind.

        Maybe it's time to do things like Knight would. She's not seen the young man since his transformation, but she's seen enough of him in battle to know his tactics.

        She brandishes her glaive, rising up high into the sky. "..... Please don't let this end badly....!" The Dianthus slices down at a steep angle, towards the head. If there is no hole--

        She'll make one herself.


 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus.
 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
 KTS: Lucine Azul targets Ruri Hoshino with CL0-V3 Glaive Dragoon!
 KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino partially guards Lucine Azul's CL0-V3 Glaive Dragoon, taking 2880 damage!
 KTS: Lucine Azul has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Lucine Azul roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Rena's funnels allow her to effectively close the gap without ever getting back in, her relentless assault peppering Gomora with fire, sparks firing off of its body with each successive shot. Gomora roars, trying to make an all-range attack of its own with that tail -- but it's slow going, as the kaiju is beset on all sides.

The gunpod harassment does an excellent job of distracting Gomora, though it meets that distraction with a lumbering gait, closing the distance and offering a fierce claw-slash; the tail finally reaches Rena, albeit late and slow. It winds up for a second attempt at Ruri... and immediately gets met with a barrage from those remote saucers, the beams destabilizing its footing.

Its response to that is to let its footing fall in earnest; after all, it is so terribly big, and the Arm Slave quote small. It wouldn't even need to fall on Nova to deal catastrophic damage.

Liath Macha's ballistic fire hits Gomora's horns this time, as it starts to fall while he fires up and away, the beast staggering around as best it can. The tail moves back toward Gomora, and then out toward Liam -- only to try to push through the CGUE into the Ra Mari II, flying through the fire from that main gun array. It's pretty pulverized by the time it gets there -- but that just means there's no risk in putting all the force into it.

Alexis, meanwhile, watches the heroes of the day begin to put together their plan -- it's obvious that the degree of coordination is increasing. Even this, it seems, is something they've very nearly reduced to procedure... even though so few of them were even present for poor Akane-kun's ordeal in the first place.

Hm. The world does seem to grow bored of repetition.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Enba Rezza's Three Steps Ahead activates, and the spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Enba Rezza
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Naoko Suzuki's Guarded Mind activates, and the spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Naoko Suzuki
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Naoko Suzuki with Gomora Flop!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Enba Rezza with Gomora Flatten!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Rena Lancaster with Gomora Grip!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Anita Rosetta with Gomora Grip!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Liam 7-020 with Gomora Flatten!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Anita Rosetta, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: Anita Rosetta blocks Alexis Kerib's Gomora Grip, taking 5360 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Anita Rosetta!
 KTS: Enba Rezza partially guards Alexis Kerib's Gomora Flatten, taking 5384 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Enba Rezza!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster fails to retreat.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
 KTS: [Spirit Defense] Rena Lancaster's Belief activates, and her spirit endures.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Rena Lancaster, reducing her Morale significantly.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster fails to react to Alexis Kerib's Gomora Grip, taking 6420 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Rena Lancaster!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Liam 7-020, reducing his Morale significantly.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to Parry Alexis Kerib's Gomora Flatten, taking 7740 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Liam 7-020!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki successfully evades Alexis Kerib's Gomora Flop

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Not if you've never worn one before!" Rena answers Ryoko, even if she gets a little red-faced at 'stripping it right off.'

Rena hears splashing, but knows it's in her mind. She steadies her breath, as she feels that. Something Ruri felt.

"Ruri..."

Something Ruri remembered.

She can see something, in her mind's eye. Shadows on the wall, hands thrown up; words spoken to her. "You're what you want to be, Ruri!" Rena calls out to her. "Not... not what other people say you are!"

Then, she nods at Anita. "Yeah," she says. "It's not stupid, that's for sure!"

Gomora's tail swings around...

...and catches the Gaia Gear Alpha bodily. The Minovsky Barrier flickers and bursts apart in a static-filled eruption. The white Mobile Suit is smashed, armor crumpling and folding; the left arm is suddenly twisted into an ugly angle, the beam saber going out, and then the tail hits the ground. Dust explodes upward.

The Gaia Gear Alpha doesn't rise from the dust.

The tail comes back up -- and the ruined beam saber hilt is shoved into the scales of the kaiju's tail. The Gaia Gear Alpha clings to it. Lightning arcs across it; the bent and broken armor is torn open in places. The optics blink, behind shattered glass. But it holds onto it.

Rena sways in her cockpit, a trail of blood running down her forehead; she got slammed into a gel-pad, which is now being pulled back into the cockpit. The Gaia Gear swings its fist back.

And it ignites with green fire, as motes of green light burst out around it. The Gaia Gear moves less on its damaged servos and bent frame, and more in spite of those things. The Psychoframe drives it forward.

The still working right fist punches out -- and then the Gaia Gear Alpha shoots forward on thrusters, ramming the fist -- and the burning light of the Psychoframe -- for Gomora's tail.

"I'm not... leaving Ruri... BEHIND!"

 KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Rena Lancaster targets Alexis Kerib with Gaia Flash!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to rush.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Rena Lancaster's Gaia Flash, taking 2902 damage!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster has engaged Alexis Kerib!
 KTS: Rena Lancaster completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        The Messiah can protect Ruri's home and Ruri's friends; that's what Alto can do. And though Chaos Jirak does stand under his assault, he is... possessed of more holes, than he was, that vast suit of a monster. Parts of him are tattered, and the abyss lies beyond. His maw is an abyss, as well, as energy swords fire out to answer Alto's assault.

        Chaos Jirak does not bleed, though sparkles of white light emit, from him, on grievous wounds. When Gary carves in, for instance, and takes out a hundred little slices out of him -- or when Riika's glaive slices in towards him, taking one piece out, but rather a larger hunk. (The pieces dissipate into light, shining into nothingness.)

        Inside Chaos Jirak, Ruri clutches her own heart. "My dreams... I can't see them. I don't know... am I the fool? A word that should not be used in everyday life. But... it's not difficult. Nothing has ever been difficult... for me..."

        Nova and Kaworu speak, to her, and she shakes her head. "There's no one else like me," she insists, voice hot with bitter tears. "I'm alone. I'm not like Athrusa-san, and I'm not like Kaworu-san, and I'm not like Omoikane, either. Everyone who was like me, they're gone. They're gone..." She frowns, as she struggles with Rena's words, in turn, and says: "What I want to be..? Don't be foolish... can you just decide something like that?"

        Ruri never did like people opening the door to her soul, as Eight well knows. She's closed herself behind so many; she is not open, to human hearts, the way she is to machines. But here she stands, neither dreaming nor awake, a liminal space of hypnic jerks and splashing rivers.

        "... I'm anomic," Ruri mutters, to herself, as some echo of Hikaru's words reach her too. "Apart. Estranged. Alienated. Mr. Kerib knew..."

        And it's that alienation which fuels Chaos Jirak, now... though that song, those words, may certainly be making him slower.

        Ryoko takes hold of him -- and he roars, as he grapples with the far-smaller Aestivalis. By all sense and logic, he ought to squash Ryoko like a bug, but her burning spirit (and her Distortion Field) simply won't allow it; she occupies his claws with her vicious assault. All a sudden he only has one hand, free, at any one time.

        It means that when Unit-01 dives back in, he can't abjure Shinji's assault so easily -- though his great maw opens, firing another fireball at the other hulking giant from point-blank. Finally he spins, and flings Ryoko's Aestivalis... towards Riika's Gundam, now, with that same whip-arm. How unlucky is she to get used as the bludgeon twice in a row?! This sucks!

        It's a lucky break, though -- because it gives Yurika a chance to fire the Gravity Blast Cannon without hitting any of their friends. Yurika is trying not to vaporise everything, for once, but even a Gravity Blast with distributed force is still STAGGERING FORCE; Chaos Jirak is blown backwards, crashing into the sea. He roars, as he rises, as he charges and fires another round of fireballs --

        -- only to meet Hikaru, and her own Distortion Field, as once again David assaults Goliath. Her own burning spirit pushes the Field larger, and for a moment, Chaos Jirak is frozen, on the field.

        To understand what happens next -- we have to understand what's happening inside the ship.

        Omoikane does, indeed, guide Eight, with helpful arrows pointing the way. Archimedes follows along behind her, bouncing as quick as she can. The door is locked, but only on the first attempt to open it; Omoikane overrides the lock, and opens the way. Up there, hanging apart from everything else, in a room which swims like the ocean...

        ... there's Jirak, who has possessed that whale. The hanging ornament glows, softly, with white light particles. And it's terribly high up there -- even Eight's height might not be enough for her to reach without hopping.

        Luckily, Archimedes can fly -- a little. She flaps her little head-wings, and rams right INTO the cord hanging the whale from the ceiling; the whale falls into Eight's hands, while Archimedes tumbles to the ground. (It's okay; she bounces.)

        The hatred which is pouring from this figurine, now it's activated... Eight will know, in an instant, that this is the thing that has been absorbing Ruri's dreams all this time. This is the thing to destroy.

        And when it shatters --

        Outside, Chaos Jirak stabs his arm-whip towards Lucine, as she charges his prone form. But her surgical assault is powered by something much more powerful than his overwhelming, universe-spanning hatred; she knows just where his heart is, where RURI is.

        She doesn't quite move Hell and Heaven to get to her... but maybe Guy Shishioh would appreciate the effort she makes, today, anyway.

        Because Lucine's glaive carves into Chaos Jirak's heart, and as the Dianthus grasps it and pulls it away, the light which shimmers to nothing reveals -- Ruri, in her hands. Ruri, slumped and dreaming, in Lucine's palm.

        In her sleep, she mumbles, audible enough for Lucine's speakers to pick up: "Oh... our common dreams... even if I don't remember, I'm with everyone, here... and we're dreaming, too..." .... now Chaos Jirak isn't possessing her dreams, she understands what Ranka's telling her, without any more conflict.

        Chaos Jirak SCREAMS -- but there's a hollow, in his heart, now.

        With Ruri safe, you're clear to bring him down.

 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Alto Saotome with Mouth Energy Swords Blast!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Shinji Ikari with Mouth Fireball Point Blank!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Ryoko Subaru with Arm-Whip Grip!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Riika Sheder with Arm-Whip Shove!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Yurika Misumaru with Mouth Fireball Lob!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Hikaru Amano with Mouth Fireball Point Blank!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Lucine Azul with Arm-Whip Strike!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino anchors Ryoko Subaru, forcing her into close range.
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru parries Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Grip, taking 1050 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has engaged Ryoko Subaru!
 KTS: Riika Sheder fails to Parry Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Shove, taking 4000 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino repulses Riika Sheder, forcing her to disengage.
 KTS: Riika Sheder has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Riika Sheder has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari parries Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Fireball Point Blank, taking 1050 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has engaged Shinji Ikari!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano successfully evades Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Fireball Point Blank
 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru fails to retreat.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Yurika Misumaru fails to evade Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Fireball Lob, taking 2850 damage!
 KTS: Lucine Azul retreats from the attack!
 KTS: Lucine Azul successfully avoids Ruri Hoshino's Arm-Whip Strike
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome partially guards Ruri Hoshino's Mouth Energy Swords Blast, taking 2784 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

!?

Whale plushie curse!?

Be the person Ruri's gotten to know her as!?

"And how will me being MYSELF help!?" Ryoko says, in this moment perhaps feeling guilty for all the times she's yelled at Ruri, but...

... Lucine's words make her fall quiet a bit in self-loathing, and self-deprecation. The whip arm comes down, and the distortion field encased arm of the Aestivalis deflects it aside before it can brutally crush the Aestivalis against it, keeping its claw occupied, as Lucine's glaive shines, pulling her out of the heart, "<Ruri-!>"

She breathes, seeing the dreaming girl in her palm then immediately starts SHOUTING, "<You complete and total DUMBASS! Worrying us like that! Haven't you heard Prospector say it enough when he thinks we're not listening?! He recruited the very best - with slight personality disorders!>"

Doesn't that sound like she's insulting Ruri? ALL OF THEM???

"<In what world does DIFFERENT make you anything but one of us!?>"

Distortion field still empowered, she simply has her Aestivalis grip ahold of Jirak, as she sets the thrusters into overdrive.

"Complete Goddamn Fool-!" Ryoko whispers quietly to herself, in her cockpit, eyes full of tears after her tirade at the girl she'd come to care for, even if she always sucks at expressing it.

At this range, point blank, the distortion field and the momentum behind it grates against Jirak's outer shell to push her Aestivalis against the armor, until it gives.

Eventually though in Ryoko's reckoning, it always does eventually, and then-! Well... it's not pretty what happens to anything that loses a fight with a distortion field.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        <"Like hell I am!"> He kind of is.

        Alto would put more effort towards seething at Ryoko for that comment, but he's a little busy right now.

        The Messiah rapidly closes the distance towards the Chaos Jirak, soon reaching it down near its legs. Pulling up, the Messiah begins to spiral around the creature as it rises, trying to distract it and throw it off balance.

        That's not all though, as while circling, Alto is looking up at the monster's body, his eyes glancing across its surface. The cockpit sensors register the movement, assigning missile locks wherever he looks.

        The kaiju breathes its energy swords at him again. And this time Alto is not as in quite a good position to take them. Several slam into his machine, throwing off his spiral and sending him spinning through the air.

        Alto fights with the controls to try and right himself, not having a lot of luck as the g-forces pin him to the side of his cockpit. This would have been a lot less painful with his flight suit!

        Nonetheless, Alto manages to jam his left control stick down, triggering a transformation. The Messiah rapidly rearranges into Battroid mode, the sudden change in aerodynamics and thrust direction bring it to a quick stop. It hovers in the air, thrust blasting out of its feet as its head looks down at the kaiju.

        His cockpit now inside his robot's chest, Alto looks at the screen showing him the view of his VF's eyes. It shows the Chaos Jirak. It shows Lucine carving her way into it, reaching inside, and returning with Ruri in her palm.

        There is relief.

        But now there is also anger. At the thing that caused this.

        The other thing that Alto's screen shows him, is the numerous missile locks all across the creature that he was able to acquire. He presses the launch trigger, calmly saying, "Die."

        Launcher ports spread throughout the Armored Pack's parts snap open, revealing one hundred and twenty eight micro-missiles awaiting beneath.

        In a blast and dizzying array of smoke trails, every single one rushes out from the Messiah and dances through the air towards Chaos Jirak.

 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alto Saotome targets Ruri Hoshino with All The Micro-Missiles!
 KTS: Alto Saotome has completed their actions for the round.


 KTS: Ryoko Subaru targets Ruri Hoshino with This Is Not the Gekigan Flare Shut The Hell Up!!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Gomora is sufficiently distracted - but of course, such distractions means that its attention will be right on her. With a grimace Anita turns to face it, raising her shield even as the Pinpoint Barrier crackles to life. The claw meets her Valkyrie, and the sheer impact of it forces her back through the air. She grits her teeth as the Svipul restabilizes itself. But for now she's worried about...

"Rena!" Anita calls out, worried - but she breathes a sigh of relief again as the Gaia Gear Alpha emerges with that telltale glow. And not only that... it seems like Ruri has been safely retrieved as well. In that case, there's only one thing left to do - finish this, for her sake.

"Alright." Anita says, rolling her neck. Once again, Svipul draws the Gungnir SC from its mouth. It accelerates toward Gomora - then flies upward at just the right second. It climbs upward - then, at the peak, transforms into Battroid Mode and descends, driving the spear into with both hands with the benefit of falling momentum.
Anita Rosetta transforms to XVF-25I Svipul <Battroid Mode>
 KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Alexis Kerib with Spear Mode - Piercing Strike!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.

A huge monster slams into the RMII. The ship is very sturdy, but when dealing with blows at things of this sheer size, there's only so much being even bigger can do; there are dents in the ship's armor, and the tail leaves a mark in the side of the ship that will have to be repaired and rocks the internals. The gravity inside the ship compensates for much of the interior, but the bridge is shaken, and Rezza has to hang onto the chair to avoid being pushed away. The guns on that sector of the ship will need repair, too, and already Licia is turning the ship to point other guns at the kaiju.

Eight, in the meantime, rushes through the corridors of the Nadesico. She cannot focus on her worry; she has a job to do. But when the lock works, when Eight can get in--

Eight's not going to be doing any jumping very high anytime soon, enhanced muscles or not. She hasn't stopped being very pregnant. But Archimedes handles it, and when the figure falls into Eight's hands, she almost flinches at the sheer hatred in it.

"...I won't let you hurt her ANY MORE!"

Eight slams the figurine down to the floor, and stomps on what remains to boot.

Then, over her radio, "It's done! Go!"

...If Omoikane's sensors happen to find her hugging Archimedes when she sits down, surely that's not that important.

In the meantime, Itsuki Kazama sits at her console, flipping switches and moving up dials as she reaies the Ra Mari II's remaining guns. ANd at the orders of her acting Captain--

"You heard her Pattern 4. Fire at will."

And so Kazama does; like a conductor weaving a symphony, she starts firing green particle beams, and they crash towards Gomora like a terrible curtain of destruction.

"Mobile wing, get out there to support Rosetta and Lancaster." Rezza doesn't even look at the resultant explosions.

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

        Shinji doesn't know the song Ranka's singing--either what it is or that Ruri wrote it. As Ranka continues to sing, her voice carrying farther and louder, though, her message seeps into his consciousness: But you will be afraid of losing something...
        
        If she's singing this song because it's the best way of reaching Ruri, then maybe Ruri and Shinji have more in common than he realized. Maybe--maybe both of them are less alone than they think.
        
        He almost laughs at himself for the very thought. Of course he's not alone. Kaworu's right at his back, isn't he? He's always had his back. That thought, and this song, are enough to bolster his spirit, even as Chaos Jirak belches that fireball at Unit-01. Though Shinji wasn't expecting a fireball specifically, he recognizes that the open maw means an incoming attack, and this time pulls Unit-01's prog knife in time to help cut the air between the flames. At this range, some of it inevitably still splashes forward onto Unit-01's armor, scorching the violet plating, but the rest disperses off of her A.T. Field.
        
        In the realm of the heart, Ruri still rejects the others. "Even so, I won't be afraid of you," Kaworu replies, soft and patient. "It's true you're not like me. In the same way, I'm not like you. Despite this, you aren't afraid of me either, are you? That makes me happy, Ruri. I'm happy that you and I and Omoikane are friends."
        
        This is true no matter what. Within the Nadesico, Eight destroys the whale figurine, and in response, an opening forms in Chaos Jirak--enough for Lucine to pierce through the kaiju and come away the other side with Ruri sleeping in the Dianthus's palm.
        
        "She's safe now," Kaworu tells Shinji. "There's no more need to hold back."
        
        "Lucine, you did it!" Shinji calls, joy and relief rising in his voice. He nods once, lowering his chin and tightening his grip on the controls at Kaworu's words. "Right! Kaworu, let's get rid of this thing that's been tormenting Miss Hoshino together!"
        
        Kaworu's smile deepens as his eyes soften with affection at his dearest friend. He shifts his grip on his own controls as he leans forward. "Together," he agrees.
        
        With Shinji screaming in defiance, and Kaworu's presence encouraging him at his back, the two Children bound to the scenario combine their wills, which translates through Unit-01 into a two-handed grip on that progressive knife. She bends one knee forward and pulls the knife back--then RAMS it upwards into Chaos Jirak, the blade's intense vibrations potentially doing some extreme damage.
 KTS: Enba Rezza has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has failed to disengage.
 KTS: Enba Rezza has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Enba Rezza targets Alexis Kerib with Guided Beam Cannons - Pattern 4!
 KTS: Enba Rezza has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to retreat.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Anita Rosetta's Spear Mode - Piercing Strike, taking 4770 damage!
 KTS: Anita Rosetta has engaged Alexis Kerib!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari targets Ruri Hoshino with Progressive Knife Drive!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Enba Rezza's Guided Beam Cannons - Pattern 4, taking 6120 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Whale thing? In Ruri's room? Alexis Kerib? Oh God. Ranka can feel the implications lining up and it's so unsettling, but she can't let herself stop. Instead she just bobs her head frantically at Eight to hurry, as she continues in her impromptu dance choreography.

        BGM - ibid

        "In your tear-filled eyes, the reflected stars glitter dazzlingly.
        "The wind moves the worries of tomorrow into you.
        "And the wind beats against your stirring heart,
        "but the answer is swaying in your chest, in the stillness."

The feelings of separation are strong, so strong, and so she sings, more and more, the emotion of trying to tear down the walls with Ruri's own song growing to the climax of the song. As she reaches out her hand one last time towards Ruri, allowing the emotions to carry through in her voice.

But it is not her hand that catches Ruri. Relief floods her the moment she feels it, the wall falling, from Eight's efforts, from Lucine's glaive digging into the heart, and her palm bringing out her friend. Joy, relief, so many feelings in this moment, as she clutches her mic with both hands, and sings the final verse of Ruri's song, calling upon those gathered to finish this.

        "Link my heart with yours, pull the unseen bonds closer.
        "Don't let go the people you met by fate.
        "Soon, your smile into strength, your tears into courage,
        "I believe they will change, in the stillness before daybreak..."

As the instrumentals start to fade, Ranka pants with breath, and quietly says. "Thank you Omoikane..." Her eyes fasten to the girl still, in Ruri's palm, as she then says quietly, almost inaudibly, with a smile on her face...

        "Happy Birthday, Ruri."

 KTS: Ranka Lee targets Ruri Hoshino with Designate!
 KTS: Ranka Lee has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Ranka Lee has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Alto Saotome
 KTS: Ranka Lee has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Hikaru Amano

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

Riika can't hear Ruri's heart. Not clearly.

But she can sure hear Lucine talking to her and work backwards from there. Lucine might be mortified, and Riika feels second-hand embarrassment - but she still has gotten enough to figure out the topic, especially with Lucine's follow-up.

"We're all different!" Riika swerves Svalinn Feather, avoiding one arm strike, though Jirak seems to still be moving and ready for another. "I'm a Coordinator who lives around Naturals - people are afraid of me and what that means, and I hate it, too! And I'm not the only person who's different... even if I won't give everyone's secrets." And can't, in many cases. "But that's what the world is... everyone is different from everyone else, and 'society' - and 'friendship' - is us finding the common links between us, to pull together anyway!"

And then Lucine breaks through, pulling out -

Riika would cheer if she wasn't so focused on flying. "You did it!" She flips back to the Nadesico: "Sheder to the Nadesico - you found the right thing! Lucine's got her. We can clean this up from here, I think!" She's pulling in close to Chaos Jirak, where it's at the most dangerous, even as Lucine has the opportunity to pull away. "I'll cover you!" she says, swerving right in, switching the grip on the glaive. Two-handed, stanced for power rather than finesse, blade heavy and penetrating, a point that broadens.

She swerves again - around Ryoko. Chaos Jirak backhands Svalinn for its trouble, sending the MS tumbling for a moment until the thrusters catch her. They blaze at full power, the G-forces pressing hard against Riika as the Svalinn drives in at a frankly irresponsible level of acceleration for anyone but a Coordinator. (But she is a Coordinator, so it's merely discomfort to the point of pain instead of actually murderous.)

She flies right into the hole, in fact, where she tries to punch right through on sheer momentum and force.
 KTS: Riika Sheder has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Riika Sheder has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
 KTS: Riika Sheder targets Ruri Hoshino with JS-F03 Isarnkoll Beam Glaive Decisive Assault!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liam should tell Lucine she's on an open mic, but in that moment, his heart does some flips entirely unrelated to the acrobatics his Mobile Suit is performing. It wasn't even a year ago that Lucine was scared of people finding out what she was. Now, she's reaching out to Ruri, just like she reached out to Leina.

        This does not, mind, make his present situation any easier, because the kaiju he's fighting has his scent. Gomora's tail is, at least, the size of a passenger shuttle. A direct hit from it would be like a head-on collision with the same. Liam hits the jets, and pulls through the gut-wrenching acceleration.

        SMASH

        That's the sound of the kaiju's severed limb striking Liach Macha's legs. The CGUE II tumbles back from the impact, the AMBAC struggling to keep it upright as the tail keeps moving. Liam grits his teeth and braces--he doesn't need to look to know the legs' servos and endos have been mangled to uselessness. Liath Macha barely clears the danger zone, shedding bits of ruined metal in its wake.

        But from this angle, he can see the Nadesico's teamwork in action. Ryoko relieves Chaos Jirak of a hand. Yurika lands the Gravity Cannon with what for her is shocking restraint, blowing the kaiju back. Hikaru pins it down, and then something happens..

        And Lucine strikes. Liam can only watch for a moment as the glaive cuts deep, and the Dianthus pulls something--someone--out. It's Ruri. She's free. His heart leaps into his throat. "<SHE'S FREE!>" Liam shouts, "<FINISH THIS!>" He should withdraw. It's the obvious course, but Liam's friends and allies have a fire in them, and it's contagious.

        Liath Macha's Mirage Coating flickers, lending the Mobile Suit an eerie appearance as it ceases evasive maneuvers and dives back towards Jirak. Its glaive unfolds, drops into its hands; it tries to catch Gomora in the throat, and then DRAG the spear through its neck. Liam has no words for either the kaiju or Alexis Kerib--merely a wordless, defiant roar as he pushes his grievously-wounded CGUE II --along with himself--even further.


 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
 KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Alexis Kerib with JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - True Strike!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.

        Gary continues to carve away at the beast as the creature is assaulted from all sides. In the process he hears the Ikari boy give him a name, "Alexis Kerib. I am definately going to find him and have some words." The threat is to an empty cockpit but who knows maybe he caused this person to sneeze a bit at the mention of their name with such bloodlust behind it.

        Then the words come through that Ruri is safe, <"Glad to hear she is safe. Get her out of here before something happens to change that."> Even Gary is a bit surprised at himself as he sighs some relief. No its just that he has plans for Ruri and they almost got ruined, thats all it is.

        The monster seems to be plenty distracted and Gary plans to take advantage of it. The ENACT Drops low to the monsters feet and comes up with a driving thrust straight up the creature trying to slice Jirak open straight up the middle. Anyone who is sensitive to such things would absolutely feel the bloodlust now radiating from the ENACT.
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
 KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Ruri Hoshino with Blade Rifle - Sword Combo!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

"Personality disorders?!" Hikaru pipes at Ryoko's impassioned plea to Ruri. "I haven't been diagnosed with anything!" She... knows what she means, though. This is rough and tough Ryoko's way of caring and she's come to know it well.

And then Lucine makes her final gambit. "I... I'm trying, y'know!" Hikaru calls back. "Being my authentic self's all I know how after all... whether Ruri likes that or not." She frowns, watching Lucine fly through, attempting to free out Ruri herself. "But hey - what are you trying to-"

It's only a few seconds, but it feels like an eternity before the Dianthus receives Ruri in her palm. Ruri put them through so much trouble, but... she's safe now. "Lucine, that was SO incredible!" Hikaru cheers from within her cockpit. "You looked like a real knight in shining armour just then!" She knows the battle isn't over, as Chaos Jirak makes one final stand. "Right-o! Ryoko-chan and me will cover you while you get her back to the Nadesico no problem!" She smiles, wide and confident. Now that Ruri's not in there anymore... Hikaru feels she can truly go all out.

Seemingly, Ryoko has the exact same idea as they set their Distortion Field thrusters to overdrive and just... recklessly charge! "You put up a real good fight, Mr. Whale... but taking away Ruri-chan was a dirty trick! And in the end, dirty cheaters never win! Right, Ryoko? Now say it with me!" She has the stupidest grin on her face even through withstanding enough G-Force to take most pilots out of commission. "DOUBLE! GEKIGAN! FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!" She shouts, as the flaming charge of the Distortion Field engulfs Chaos Jirak, this time with the full ensemble of violence it's capable of.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has activated the Enable Spirit Command.
 KTS: Hikaru Amano targets Ruri Hoshino with Is this the Gekigan Flare?!!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        It worked. It *worked*. Ruri lies sleeping in the Dianthus's palm. While the Dianthus would be considered a 'small' mech by standard measurements, its palm is large enough.

        'Dad, can you give the Dianthus working hands?'
        'It should be able to hold weapons, yeah, if that's what you mean.'
        'What about if it needs to do something more delicate? Like it was picking a flower.'
        '.... I mean, I guess I could improve it, but what sort of big ass flowers are you thinkin' about, Lulu? '

        < "Ohgodohgodohgod, I got Ruri, I got Ruri!!" > Lucine's voice is breathy with fear, adrenaline, and most of all: that wonderful high of doing something that dangerous and getting away with it on the other end.

        She latches away in a full retreat instantly, careful not to endanger the precious cargo she carries.

        ~~--!!
        
        Her sense of danger flashes, just in time; the whip passes just through a tip of one of the Dianthus's wings. Lucine shifts the balance to account from the break on momentum. She can't pull stunts with someone in the Dianthus's-- *in her*-- hands.

        < "... I'll work on getting Ruri to safety." > She's calm now, determination woven through her words like steel. < ".... All of you know what to do from here." >

         The serious facade breaks when Hikaru compares her to a knight. Lucine squeaks audibly over the radio, then clears her throat. < ".... Cover me as best you can; I was lucky that time, but I don't know what the kaiju will do to reclaim Ruri." >
 KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to retreat.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - True Strike, taking 7800 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has been defeated!
 KTS: Liam 7-020 has engaged Alexis Kerib!

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

Gomora wobbles, following the Sukeban's bombardment. By all rights, Nova should have been terrified by what was about to happen. However, not for the first time, her optimism - her pride as a Miracle Worker - is what saves her. She was counting on her absolute success, therefore she was counting on Gomora to topple following her attack, and thus her retreat is already well underway before that actually happens.

Even so, this is a herculean effort. Having to split her mental focus between controlling her remote weapons, communicating to Ruri, and sending her machine into full retreat at top speed... Had she been able to examine the situation objectively and thought about the odds, she would have to say this is a close to impossible effort. Not something she would be keen on ever attempting.

Yet attempt it she must, she has no time to think about it. She just has to do it. And somehow, against the odds, she actually does manages to gain just enough distance to escape being landed on by a giant falling dinosaur. She even perfectly times a quick upwards boost at the end, so as to avoid secondary damage from hazards following in the wake of the Kaiju's impact.

She feels so validated by this moment. Every single one of those extra thrusters she added was worth it. Every little bit of overclocking them past the recommended safety limits was, too. This is what being a Miracle Worker is all about.

At least, that's how she's going to feel, assuming they can actually finish off the fallen Kaiju while they have the chance. It's now or never - while it can't move easily, she needs to strike with all she's got. Dropping its club, Sukeban instead directs its energy reserves to its hands, which glow a dangerous red as they rapidly build up heat.

In this state of mind, Ruri's negativity just bounces right off of Nova, and she responds in a manner that is far too jovial for the situation, but that much more earnest.

>"You're wrong! There are people like you, people like me - Miracle Workers! Though what we can do is different, we can help people in ways no one else can! And if you don't know the way... then Nova Stellar will teach you! That's a promise!"<

With that, the Sukeban's hands glows even brighter as their color shifts from red to white, and they close into fists. Then the Arm Slave charges forward - targeting the Kaiju's head, now that it's low to the ground and within reach. It delivers three strikes in total, a right straight, a left hook, then its hands are brought together for a massive hammer blow. With each punch thrown, she speaks a single word that comprises the ultimate attack name she came up with.

"Heart! Beat! Shakeeeeer!"
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki targets Alexis Kerib with Heart Beat Shaker!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has completed their actions for the round.
 KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Naoko Suzuki's Heart Beat Shaker, taking 8710 damage!
 KTS: Alexis Kerib has been defeated!
 KTS: Naoko Suzuki has engaged Alexis Kerib!


 KTS: Ranka Lee designates Ruri Hoshino, making her easier to target and opening her to indirect fire.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Alto Saotome's All The Micro-Missiles, taking 8520 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alto Saotome's The Twinkle Of A Tearful Planet activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: Alto Saotome roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino's Force Wall L1 activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Ryoko Subaru's This Is Not the Gekigan Flare Shut The Hell Up!, taking 6050 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Ryoko Subaru's In the End All I Do Is... activates, causing Insight L1!
 KTS: Ryoko Subaru has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Shinji Ikari's Progressive Knife Drive, taking 4500 damage!
 KTS: Shinji Ikari has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Riika Sheder's JS-F03 Isarnkoll Beam Glaive Decisive Assault, taking 5580 damage!
 KTS: Riika Sheder has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle - Sword Combo, taking 7080 damage!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has been defeated!
 KTS: Gary Biaggi has engaged Ruri Hoshino!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino's Force Wall L1 activates, negating 1000 base damage.
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino fails to react to Hikaru Amano's Is this the Gekigan Flare?!, taking 6240 damage!
 KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Hikaru Amano's I'll Introduce Myself! activates, causing Jam L1!
 KTS: Ruri Hoshino has been defeated!
 KTS: Hikaru Amano has engaged Ruri Hoshino!

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Fingers gripping her upper railing with white knuckles (this thing should really be reinforced at this rate), Yurika is almost intrusively sending everyone as much data about positioning and lines of fire and supply lines and monster attack patterns as she can. Frankly, she realizes she's too gung-ho about the Gravity Blast even at low levels. She was hoping it'd just kind of vaporize like the outer skin of Jirak! Maybe that was too risky. Maybe it would've been a repeat of-

        *SMACK* - Yurika claps herself on the cheeks to focus - and she's practically SCREAMING and CHEERING - "LET'S GO YES, DOUBLE GEKIGAN FLARE THAT BASTARD! LUCINE DON'T YOU DARE DROP HER OH MY GOD THERE WE GO THANK YOU RIIKA AND EIGHT AND ENBA AND ALTO AND AND AND---" there's SO much stress being fumed out that Yurika's shaking and weak in the knees, stumbling backwards against her own console and immediately ordering to reposition the hangar bay to be as close to the Dianthus as possible. "Medical teams to the hangar ASAP, get Ruri as far away from that thing the MOMENT Lucine is on board! Retrieve anyone who's injured! Keep me updated on EVERYTH - no, wait, I'm going down there! The delicate situation's over with, right? Uhhh Jun-kun, you take care of anything fightey that happens, we went to school together you should know the basics if some Federation guy comes calling. Do a good job and I'll promote you from - - - " Yurika realizes, abruptly, that she isn't exactly sure what Jun... does? He just kind of. Hangs out. "mrbl mbl huo, - to Official Secretary! BYE-"

        And the clatter of heels at full sprint marks Yurika's restless racing to make sure she's there to retrieve Ruri to safety the instant she's aboard.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

The Gomora has to make a decision, with its monstrous-yet-animalistic brain, where to orient the remainder of its attention. It settles on Rena, charging forward and meeting the strike with its arms. This does a great job of mitigating the effects of Rena's attack, but leaves it fully open to everyone else. Anita falls straight for it, piercing through its horns and cracking them through; the Ra Mari II fires a barrage and sends up great sparks and plumes of smoke from the monster. The CGUE II finds its mark with its beam glaive, piercing through the neck. Despite this, the titanic beast holds on...

... but shouting your finisher has a bit of a special effect, as does baring your heart. The tiny Arm Slave drives its fist into the head -- and with the neck weakened, starts to tear it off with sheer force.

Unlike the kaiju of the Computer World, this one is not hollow -- the use of a different device, no doubt, creates different effects. Regardless, though, it is defeated -- lying still as life signs fade away from the beast.

The assembled heroes have the momentum, now. Alexis doesn't relish watching the end -- the catharsis will no doubt disappoint him, as it so often does.

"... Happy birthday, Ruri-kun," he offers the sky, before slipping behind the billboard, gone in the next moment.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        Ruri yawns, and pushes herself up, in the Dianthus's palm -- though she remains sitting. "Oh!" She exclaims, and exclaims it, strangely. "It wasn't just... a weird dream? Then, you're all..."

        That's when she catches sight of Chaos Jirak, and puts at least some of it together. "Ahh!!" She gasps, scrambling back in Dianthus's hands. She clutches onto one of its vast fingers, and cries: "Lucine-san, help...!" Chaos Jirak lashing out at the Dianthus -- even if it's not trying to hit her so directly -- is terrifying. The thought that Chaos Jirak will try and take her back is scary, too.

        Luckily, Lucine's thinking of protecting Ruri first and foremost -- so she's quickly spirited away from the front lines. That doesn't mean Ruri can't hear everyone, though. Palms to the Dianthus, she uses its radio, too. She hears Gary telling Lucine to get her to safety; she hears that he cares, too. If that's what she wants to hear, well...

        (And along with its radio, its sensors -- even if Ruri's eyes aren't good enough to see what's happening on the battlefield, after Lucine takes her a safe distance away, she can still see how hard everyone's fighting. All of Alto's missiles... Gary's blades... Liam's glaive, and Anita's spear... Omoikane even transmits that Eight's fighting for her, though he does not, thankfully, share the image of her resting on the side of her bed and hugging Archimedes in the process. Just the very, VERY stomped whale.)

        Ruri could, in a sense, hear everyone before -- but through a dreamlike haze. Jirak is a creature who possesses a girl's dreams; Ruri wasn't quite awake, inside Chaos Jirak. Now her mind is clear, as she listens to Ryoko shouting. "Ryoko-san, you're saying that if there's no one like me, that just means I fit in?" She asks, and she's at least starting to regain her usual stoicness, from her unsettling awakening. "I guess... you're right, aren't you? Mr. Kerib made it hard to see what was right in front of my face... since everyone's different, on the Nadesico. And not even just the Nadesico, right..? I remember hearing..." Riika; she remembers Riika's voice. "... yeah. Finding common ground, right? Right, Riika-san...?"

        She sits, on the Dianthus's palm, because she doesn't want to fall. "I like your 'self,' Hikaru-san," she says. "And Lucine-san, and the Captain... even Ryoko-san, though we're always arguing. You're a bunch of fools, but that's not so bad. I like it better when people aren't afraid to make mistakes."

        Ruri tilts her head, and asks Nova -- with her words, through the Sukeban's radio -- "You're saying I'm a 'Miracle Worker'...? Is that it...? ... okay. I'll hold you to that." Even if she was trailing after Anita, coming here, it looks like Nova's strategy of getting to know Ruri after coming to the party was a sound one.

        She smiles -- actually smiles, for once in her stoic-faced life -- and says: "I'm glad we're friends, too, Kaworu-san. I'm glad... I'm glad I have so many friends. I won't let go of any of you..."

        She doesn't leave it to implication, either, though her next message Omoikane has to help along by opening a communication window to the Observation Deck: "... Ranka-san, Omoikane... I could hear you. If I couldn't hear you, I don't know if I could have heard anyone else..."

        Her transmissions end, then -- but only because the Dianthus has safely delivered Ruri back to her home, the Nadesico. Let us take a moment to look back outside --

        Where Chaos Jirak rages, made vulnerable by song and deprivation.

        He is FURIOUS, but he is empty, now; though he tries to charge Lucine, to get his source of power in this world back again, a veritable hail of missiles blinds him. Unit-01's Progressive Knife carves into his form, and Shinji will find it is so much easier to pierce him now that he has no more heart; the Knife vibrates, and one of Jirak's arms sparkles to nothing-light in an instant. The Svalinn has another approach in mind, taking advantage of the moment of his distraction to tear INTO that hole, THROUGH that hole, and the surgical cut becomes a gaping wound in an instant of impossible heat and cleaving.

        Inez, still on the Observation Deck, comments to the camera: "And this, you see, is why we encourage our pilots to always wear their pilot suits. Of course, it helps if you're a Coordinator, too! Oh! Shall I explain Coordinators? Yes, I had best --" she keeps on going for a solid five paragraphs, but we're just going to cut away.

        Back to Gary's bloodlust: he cleaves up from below, and suddenly Chaos Jirak is gutted more like a fish than a whale, all the way up to his strange cetacean throat-mantle. This would kill any living person, of course, or even any person in a standard Gundam -- it's a testament to kaiju that Chaos Jirak makes it work, using the two parts of himself as two stranger, more horrible legs.

        His last ones, being clear.

        Because in come the Aestivalises -- and is this the Gekigan Flare? Ryoko was quite clear that it wasn't -- and two at once they flare up, burning-hot and enraged. The Distortion Field, in their capable hands, is a tool of exquisite violence; Ryoko's power and Hikaru's cunning both express themselves, here, as Chaos Jirak --

        Well, it's not pretty what happens, generally speaking, but this could be called pretty. In a fashion.

        Because Chaos Jirak glows white, and then dissipates into light, little sparkling motes which rise and fade. Something falls from him, just the same -- a crystal, inert. It might be worth catching, and studying, to understand the threat.

        Happy birthday, Ruri-kun...

        Say, what did happen to Ruri? Well --

        "-- Captain," Ruri squirms, as she's ENGULFED in a hug which one imagines has been going on for UNCOMFORTABLY long, "I'm fine, really -- fool --"

        -- Ruri's fine.

        And after Yurika can be sure of that -- Inez does report to the medical bay to look over her, now her explanations are all done -- after all that's handled, finally, finally, everyone can gather on the Nadesico with the Birthday Girl.

        With little green Haro hair-ties keeping up her twin-tails, Ruri smiles, to everyone, too.

        "Thank you for coming to my birthday party," she says.

        "Thank you for saving me, everyone."

        They have Tanabata at home -- but it's bound to be a good celebration, anyway.

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

Gifts come from those who are far away, as well.

From a personal email address from Britannia comes a short message:

"happy birthday. 1v1 me xoxoxoxoxuxo rinrin"

And an attached Gift Package. The Gift Package includes 200 PITCOINS suitable for premium content in PITFORGE and a copy of a puzzle game that involves something of go, something of match-three games, and something of "an adaptive AI is constantly adjusting the entire playboard, which starts at 60x60 and goes up from there." Reviews indicate "I think this is impossible" and "I finished level 6 and literally became a New Type." User-assigned tags include #bastard, #cantstop, #no_cheats and several more obscure things.

From an obscured email address comes another message -- actually, three of them. Eventual detective work would find them to be coming from random office computers, apparently the product of the ol' "free drive in the coffee room" scam. Most of them were on the Moon or in the Republic of Zeon.

"Dear miclone,

"Sorry I vanished on you! I really enjoyed our talks. It'll probably be a while before we meet again, and I'm not as young as I used to be. Don't worry about me too much; I'm keeping busy out there.

"I wasn't able to be there for my kid when he turned what I estimate is thirteen in your case but might be fourteen since you had a kind of deceptive skull structure. (Surgery?) But I know enough to say that this is a formative time, in a lot of ways, when the iterative complexity of your self enters a new realm of reality, a Prigognic leap of complexity. Most people end up defining themselves in ways they don't realize until later.

"Nothing is written. Our bones, our blood, our brains; everything can change and nothing is written. But there are some limits in the system, at least for now. So in addition to a happy birthday I'll just tell you:

"Grow yourself the way you want to be."

There is no signature, although Ruri Hoshino can probably make an educated guess on the origin.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        AND HUG SHE DOES.

        Yurika's SOBBING the moment she's confirmed Ruri's safe and sound and stable and present in her arms. It's actually kind of obnoxious and she's sniffly and oh heck. The kind of warm welcome that almost might make one wish they were back inside the kaiju dreamland hell-bubble.

        "I PROMISE you that we're spraying SO MUCH anti-death-kaiju disinfectant all over your room so that this doesn't happen ever again, and if that Alexis guy ever shows up I'm gonna invent a watch that you can press so that I'll run on over and CLOCK him in the face and and-"

        "OH RIGHT HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALSO!" And Yurika crowns this festive celebration with-

        -a cowboy hat???

        yurika what is wrong with your presents

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Gomora falls, and so too does Chaos Jirak... and so, the fighting slowly draws to a close. Anita sits back, breathing a sigh of relief as she sinks into her seat for a moment.

And so, she returns to the Nadesico along with everyone else to check on Ruri. There's visible relief when she seems.

"Happy birthday, Ruri." Anita offers with a smile. Having reunited with Anita, her Haro's wing panels flap excitedly.

"Ruri! Happy birthday! Happy birthday!" The little robot chirps.

Anita has, of course, brought a gift, and it is... a full set of tools for building and maintaining Haros! They can be used on other things too, technically, but the cute Haro branding on them is a huge draw. She doesn't know if she had any yet or if she relied on others... but, she figures it might be about the time she might be interested in some of her own.

...And, accompanying this is a set of printed pictures of wildlife, each taken from approximately Haro height. It seems Anita's Haro wanted to give a gift, too...

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liath Macha whirls in mid-air, glaive raised for reprisal that does not come. This puts Liam in the perfect position to watch as a tiny, eccentrically-designed Arm Slave damn near punches Gomora's head off. Despite the alarms blaring in his ears, he takes a moment to open the comm. "<Good strike!>" Liam says. "<And good job, Ra everyone! Rena, Anita, let's bring this home.>" He can catch up with the brave Arm Slave pilot when his machine isn't hanging on by a thread.

        A little while later, the brave, wounded CGUE II rests in a repair rack aboard the Nadesico, and the party actually begins. Liam returns with Lucine. There was a brief interval where no one saw them. Odd.

        Liam's present is a white noise generator, which can be either plugged in or induction-charged. It features stochastically-generated noise types, including Thunderstorm, Rain, Waves, Wind in the Forest, Fan, and many more.

        "Happy Birthday, Ruri," Liam says. "I... wanted to get something practical. I have one, and it's helped. I hope this can help you."

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

        It's a different experience from usual when Chaos Jirak dissolves to dust after getting stabbed. It's weirdly off-putting, and Shinji can't put his finger on why.
        
        Fortunately, he doesn't need to think about it for much longer. With Ruri rescued, everyone pours on the heat, and soon Chaos Jirak is done with entirely. He and Kaworu return Unit-01 to the carrier, and soon they're both back aboard the Nadesico.
        
        "Um, it isn't much, but Kaworu-kun and I got this for you," Shinji tells Ruri with a little smile as he offers her a small present, soft and wrapped in shiny paper with a blue ribbon. Inside is a hand-stitched wallet fashioned made to look like a cute white bunny. (Did they make it? No, they picked it up from a small market somewhere.)
        
        "Happy birthday, Ruri-san," Kaworu adds warmly.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        And of course, after the kaiju have been defeated, Sheryl's plane finally arrives. Small flights are convenient for how they attract less attention, but bad weather can be such a beast.
        
        When she arrives, dressed in a pale pink babydoll dress with dark tights and high heels, Sheryl tosses her hair over one shoulder and strides over to the birthday girl with a flat, circular present in hand. "Ruri! I can't believe you let this party pop off without me," she jokes. "But that's how it is for a girl who's becoming a woman. We pop off whenever we want~."
        
        Sheryl winks and hands her the gift. Inside is a high-end silver mirror compact, a little larger than Ruri's palm, with travel-sized make-up of various kinds--foundation, blush, beeswax lip gloss, and so on--in various pale tones that complement Ruri's skin, both dry and wet so Ruri can experiment with them and find what she likes in her own time. And if she doesn't like any of it in the end... there's always a use for a mirror.
        
        "To help you find your style as a woman," Sheryl informs her, smile brilliant.

<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.

        The ENACT has landed it self back in hiding and Gary, a little bit more disshevled then before the battle but still looks like some playboy philantropist that would end up on the cover of GQ.

        As he watches the others all give there gift he once again stands off in the back watching the others. Eventually when everyone else had given their presents he would approach and produce a small gift bag. The bag contains two hair ties with Haro bobbles on them. Gary takes at the other Haro stuff given and says, "I figured you might have a normal pair so I fixed these up to be something special. One has a hidden blade that comes out from middle of the ball. The other one has a rather powerful microtransciever in it. I am sure you can figure out what to do with it."

        Gary was hesitant before on telling the party guests what he had hidden in them, but after today, well perhaps supplying the young lady with a few more survivor tools would help her in situations like today.