2024-03-13: The Forgetting-A-Test Nightmare
- Log: The Forgetting-A-Test Nightmare
- Cast: Caruleum Vaull, Eight Orlodhari, Liam 7-020, Lucine Azul, Anita Rosetta, Amina Maina
- Where: Near The United Emirates of Orb
- OOC - IC Date: March 13, 2024 (November 0098)
- Summary: A long-deferred test comes. Caruleum Vaull, King of Earth, comes to pose his challenge to the Ra Mari II. Perhaps something will come of it.
<Pose Tracker> Caruleum Vaull has posed.
A familiar phenomena takes place around the Ra Mari II, while it is in-transit at a particularly convenient (for its imminent attackers, not for it) location where it can be shot at from below: A series of dimensional distortions that herald... nothing, at first. The machines that are delivered by the distortions are spread around the flank of the vessel in a crescent moon formation that places a strong advance party in a wide forward position, while their flanks curve backwards in smaller numbers and begin to thin. However, they are not immediately visible. The Orcusula Scout party drops into normal space with stealth systems engaged, the momentary surge of energy required to place them the only indication that anything might be there at all-- and as broad a distortion as that makes it, it's hard to pin down specific locations, even if one were aware immediately that this was a unit insertion.
A moment later, communications equipment experience interference, becoming limited to close-range operations. Far to the fore of the vessel, another distortion heralds the appearance of a humanoid machine of more classical design than the Quaestor units have displayed historically so far. The machine has a vaguely in-progress look to it, with pale steel grey armor contrasting with a brilliant green gem set into its chest. It hovers in the air by some unclear propulsion method and raises both hands with its palms outwards in a gesture that, were it made by a man, would be taken for a gesture of 'calm down' or 'hold on'. An indication that it is not there to commence hostilities, at least not itself.
Communication is established a moment later.
<< "Greetings to you, Admiral, and to all of those who follow your vision for Earth," >> comes the voice of Caruleum Vaull, video feed indicating that he is standing within a cockpit that most closely resembles in technological style a mobile trace system. << "Though I have chosen the moment to find you in what I hope to be an upswing, I do hope that I have chosen correctly. Regardless, I have delayed the second half of your test by far long enough." >>
The Proto-Gravalin folds its arms over its chest in time with Caruleum doing the same. << "I have inserted into the surroundings a number of Quaestor scout units. During their previous skirmish, they were quite challenging for Captain Greyvalley's crew to handle, though handle them they did. Your crew, I believe, represents something a little less... distorted... than Captain Greyvalley's, and so my expectations here are a little different. While we do battle, I have another question for you... it has no impact on the testing that we are doing. It is purely a personal interest." >>
A first lance of unified weapons fire hammers outward from the crescent of Orcusula Scouts, their light weapons raking the side of the Ra Mari II with surprising power for their apparent size and the strength that it would suggest. This offers a window-of-opportunity in pinning down their location and advancing on them, and on the whole doesn't seem aimed towards anything especially important on purpose.
<< "What do you make of the whirling chaos of this world?" >> Caruleum wonders, a final dimensional breach swallowing up the Proto-Gravalin and removing him from the field.
KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Eight Orlodhari, Anita Rosetta, Lucine Azul, and Liam 7-020 with Sweeping Fire! KTS: Anita Rosetta fails to Block Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire! KTS: Anita Rosetta reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire, taking 2820 damage! KTS: Eight Orlodhari has activated the Foresee Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul evades Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire! KTS: [Mirage] Lucine Azul's Glimmer Engine activates, and she slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Lucine Azul reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire, taking 0 damage! KTS: Eight Orlodhari fails to charge Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire! KTS: Eight Orlodhari reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire, taking 2540 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
The Ra Mari II often travels between Orb and Magallanica; thre's a lot of business to b had in Orb, and a number of crew make their homes there. This is one of those times. And unlike the last time those dimensional distortions appeared, Eight Orlodhari is on the bridge.
"Detecting numerous anomalies," Kall reports, a big boisterous man at the Operations station. Captain Maina--the Executive Officer of the Ra Mari II--turns towards Kall. She is a serious-minded woman who runs most of the day to day for the Ra Mari II these days, with Admiral Orlodhari oftne busy overseeing the flight as a whole.
'Hold on', the robot out front says, and Astelian at Comms puts it on-screen where directed.
"...I'll take this one, Captain," Eight explains. "He's come to test my leadership. This is the man I told you about--the 'King'."
"...Acknowleded, Admiral."
"I'm willing to answer questions," Eight says over the comms. "And it is a much better time than the last time."
Unified fire rakes out, and there is a lot of power to it--Eight directs as she goes, "Harpe--lock in and fire on the enemy with particle guns. But save your power--this is just the small fry."
The Ra Mari II fires back, its CIWS lashing out with particle cannons around the entire ship at all of the Scouts.
"Prepare mobile suit wings for deployment. Maina, you're in command of the Wings."
"Acknowledged."
"...The chaos of this world?"
Eight says. "It's growing pains. The world we lived in yesterday is not the same as the world we'll live in tomorrow. Society tries to find a new 'normal', after the collapse of the old order. And it's up to us to help that transition, to ensure that the people aren't left behind by an order that would otherwise crush them."
KTS: Eight Orlodhari targets Caruleum Vaull with Turbo Particle Cannon CIWS Mid Blast! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Shadow of Axis activates Strike! KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to Evade Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire! KTS: Liam 7-020 reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Sweeping Fire, taking 2820 damage! KTS: Caruleum Vaull evades Eight Orlodhari's Turbo Particle Cannon CIWS Mid Blast! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Eight Orlodhari's Turbo Particle Cannon CIWS Mid Blast, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Liam has been dreading and anticipating this day in equal measure. The wars between Earth and its colonies are over. Full Frontal is out of the picture. The PLANTs are now part of the SAL. Magellanica has robust infrastructure, and is working to rebuild the independent colonies. The thing that spurred Liam to risk life and limb with a band of rebels is over now. NERV needs him--more to the point, he feels obligated and dutiful to them, despite Gendo's callousness--and he can't just leave Tokyo-3 anymore.
He already feels like he's taking a risk renting an apartment elsewhere to be with the woman he loves.
But just cutting ties feels... wrong. So he asked for it: One last undercover sortie with his comrades in the Three Ships Alliance, and then it's back to duty in Tokyo-3. Just a routine patrol. One last chance to get back in Liath Macha, and then... Then they part ways. Eight is and will still be an inspiration. Rena and Riika and Anita and Lahvi and all the rest will stay friends. Friends he made when he did a tour with Londo Bell, back in the day, and doesn't have regular contact with. Lucine...
It's going to be rough, but Liam knows they'll make it through, together. They've made it through worse.
As inconvenient as the King's timing is for the Ra Mari II as a whole, it's perfect to drag Liam out of his own thoughts. Less than a minute after Admiral (Admiral!! God, Liam is so proud, and a little envious.) gives the order to launch, a grey, dazzle-patterned Mobile Suit blitzes out of one of the Monitor's hangars. Liath Macha is clearly of ZAFT design, a CGUE updated with parts from the GuAIZ line, but its head lacks the distinctive mono-eye of ZAFT suits. It's got a STRIKER pack attached to the back, a set of heavy maneuvering jets and auxiliary kit. Its visor glances at the odd distortions, and...
In the cockpit, Liam jerks the controls hard right, but it's a guess. One of the drones tags him with its fire, tracing a line of molten armor across Liath Macha's shoulder. The CGUE II whips its shield and beam rifle off their mounts, huddling behind the former while opening fire with the latter. "What the--?!" Liam squawks, equal parts indignant, curious, and terrified. He pours more beam fire downrange, trying to overwhelm the hidden scouts.
"Ei--Admiral, who is this?!"
The pilot of the CGUE II is using some sort of voice masking. Their tone is deep and masculine, but aggressively nondescript.
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Caruleum Vaull with MA-M21G Beam Rifle Rapid Fire! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Wall! KTS: Caruleum Vaull evades Liam 7-020's MA-M21G Beam Rifle Rapid Fire! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Liam 7-020's MA-M21G Beam Rifle Rapid Fire, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
It feels like it was only yesterday that she, Liam, Anita, and Shinji were playing with Eight's two little ones. Now, Lucine is dealing with another sort of life: looking over the plants sprouting in the hydroponics unit aboard the Ra Mari II. ".... The yellow tips on the leaves... could be a nitrogen deficiency. If it's growing this fast, its need for nitrogen will increase. The other levels seem to be good, from what I can tell... that's my recommendation. You guys have a different system from the Nadesico, so... experimenting will still be key." Speaking to the lab tech on staff, Lucine looks up a moment before the ship is hit. ".... Ah, I'm sure my boss won't mind if I help you all with an another issue while I'm here."
One must never leave without their standard issue fighting robot, especially since it means she's not wasting fuel on the Nadesico's dime.
After some time to suit up and deploy, the Dianthus leaves the bay, and not a moment too soon. < ".... Owl-2, reporting for assistance." > Or is it duty? The codename doesn't do much to disguise Lucine, if there was even a chance of it, but those who already know who the default pilot of the Dianthus are those already defending the Ra Mari II.
The 'King' himself is a new face to her-- not that Lucine can actually see it.
The bullets phase through the the magenta and black lines of the Dianthus, dispelling it as an illusion; the real one is shifted slightly to the side. < ".... I don't take well to people asking that question while shooting at me." >
Seeing Liam deploy, Lucine transmits. < ".... Someone very quick. Be on your guard." >
It's someone Eight seems to know, at least, since she's willing to engage in a conversation with them. < ".... How hard should we be on them? If this is a test..." > There's a detectable bit of wry humor in there; while her initial contact has made her feet a little cocky, she still wants to be cautious. Taking out the Argen-21 Beam Arbalest, the Dianthus retreats backwards, in order to perch against the Ra Mari II for a steadier shot.
Taking a moment to aim, the Dianthus lets loose a single beam, pin-pointed for Caruleum's unit. < "I wasn't here for the first part, after all..." >
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul targets Caruleum Vaull with Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Snipe!
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
One moment, things are peaceful - the next, Gidon Kall is reporting anomalies appearing around the ship. The crew of the Ra Mari II's response time is, if anything, quick, however - the moment the call goes out, Anita's up and ready.
She was napping, but it's fine. It just means she's fully rested and ready to go. Within moments, she's got her EX-Gear on and is sliding into the cockpit of her Variable Fighter.
"Svipul, heading out!" Anita announces, launching from the Ra Mari II. She listens to Eight's answer - and then raises her shield as a volley of fire races out to meet her.
"Nice to see you again." Anita greets casually, as if they haven't just entered into a combat situation. "...Yeah. People are trying to figure out a lot of things right now, and sometimes, that's gonna lead to a lot of confusion. It's fine. We just gotta hope it'll work itself out, and if it doesn't, we'll be there to lend a hand."
Anita shrugs.
"...Besides. Things are always gonna be a little chaotic. That's what you get when you're working with people." She draws her gatling gun pod, then, opening fire at the Scouts...
...And then, the Svipul takes a brief moment to offer a salute of greeting to Liam and Lucine's machines before turning its attention back to the battle at hand.
KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Caruleum Vaull with Gatling Shot! KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Guard Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Snipe! KTS: Caruleum Vaull reacts to Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Snipe, taking 3360 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull blocks Anita Rosetta's Gatling Shot! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull blocks Anita Rosetta's Gatling Shot, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Caruleum Vaull has posed.
< "'Growing pains', is it..." > Caruleum echoes, but from the waning of friendliness in his voice, he doesn't find it a personally satisfying answer. < "If that is so, the growing pains are especially regular, here... and severe. The first of your leaders that I came to... the one who plunged an asteroid towards the cradle of your civilization. Was he, also, a growing pain?" > This does not sound like a part of the test. At the same time, it doesn't seem as if the King of Earth knows exactly what it is that he's asking-- or what answer would be satisfying to him to begin with. Even so, to have come here and encountered Char Aznable at his very worst as a part of one's first exposure to Earth...
Could not be a positive impression by any stretch of the imagination.
Targeting systems find Orcusula Scouts, bulky and awkward-looking on the ground. They should be easy targets-- and yet... they fade from sight as they move, lock-ons struggling and then failing to keep up as their formation breaks and they adopt another.
< "Suppose that you had your way, comprehensively. That it was your hand and yours alone that mattered. What would that world look like, Admiral? I cannot imagine that you... have not crafted such a simulacrum in your mind, by now," > he probes, further.
The conversation happens over the sound of weapons fire pouring down into the ranks of the Orcusula, who answer the CGUE II in much the same way as they did the Ra Mari II itself-- they move, more fluidly than they ought to be able to, and flicker gradually out of sight just quickly enough to beat the lead of Liam's targeting systems. A few passing sparks fly as the edges of armor is found and scorched, but no decisive strikes find purchase that anyone can see.
< "Ah. It seems that there are those present to whom I have not been introduced," > Caruleum transmits, opening a video feed to the CGUE II. The horned alien smiles pleasantly and bows, not-quite-theatrically -- he seems too earnest to be putting on a show -- within the obvious cockpit structure he is transmitting from. < "I am Caruleum Vaull, the Quaestor's duly appointed King of Earth. This little demonstration is the second part of an experiment that I have been tasked with conducting. The Admiral was in a... state that I saw fit not to challenge her within when last I arrived, though I am given to the impression that she or her subordinates would have risen ably if I had done so." >
The video transmission ends rather abruptly, and no return fire seems immediately forthcoming.
Caruleum's unit, having dimension-shifted out before the sortie even properly began, isn't targetable; there is, however, an Orcusula unit that was evidently playing escort to him there, and it got shots center-mass from hard stealth. It flickers and crackles into view as the well-aimed shot she made lances through it... but it's big, and it's tough, and it's still there, if only just. Doesn't look like it's going to be back in stealth anytime soon, though; must've hit the gear that lets it do that.
Immediately afterwards, video communications open up with both Lucine and Anita. Caruleum's mood has visibly improved in response to something-- he claps his hands together, as far as anyone can tell, completely sincere about the suit-muffled applause. < "I would call this battle as orderly as they come. But I understand your aggravation, so I will not hold it against you. And to which of my subjects am I speaking?" >
Anita is greeted in turn with a smile. "You are... quite optimistic. The usage of Magine power to generate miracles is not an act without cost. The toll that was paid with Axis Shock alone may be catastrophic to your species. That you have crept farther and farther in that direction is a great deal of why I have been assigned to evaluate your civilization... though I find that many of your champions who use this power to be quite striking. It's a most troublesome thing."
As they have done to all but Lucine's Dianthus, Svipul's targeting systems get a good bead and are fluidly given the slip, though the amount of evasion that is going on in the crescent formation is pressing the machines together in a mildly predictable mass that might be exploitable shortly-- indeed, the lack of counter-fire has seemed quite conspicuous up until now.
The whole mass of them flicker into sight an instant later, raking beams of energy weapons fire sweeping back out across the Ra Mari II and its combatants in a wide-distribution and thereafter sustained pattern of fire.
Lucine is the only one spared this-- the back curve of the crescent formation breaks off on the left flank to collapse on the unit Dianthus heavily damaged, forming a quartet that zero in on Dianthus and return fire with vicious coordination.
KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Eight Orlodhari, Liam 7-020, and Anita Rosetta with Suppressing Fire! KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Lucine Azul with Target Priority -- Simple! KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to Evade Caruleum Vaull's Suppressing Fire! KTS: Liam 7-020 reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Suppressing Fire, taking 2700 damage! KTS: Caruleum Vaull begins a Formation attack! KTS: Anita Rosetta fails to Guard Caruleum Vaull's Suppressing Fire! KTS: Anita Rosetta reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Suppressing Fire, taking 3300 damage! KTS: Caruleum Vaull begins a Formation attack! KTS: Eight Orlodhari fails to evade Caruleum Vaull's Suppressing Fire! KTS: Eight Orlodhari reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Suppressing Fire, taking 3000 damage! KTS: Caruleum Vaull begins a Formation attack! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul evades Caruleum Vaull's Target Priority -- Simple! KTS: Critical Hit! Lucine Azul reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Target Priority -- Simple, taking 6300 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Victory activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Your Loss activates, causing Jam L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's Let Your Power Surge activates, causing Control Bonus! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates!
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Liam's troubles are not unknown to Eight. She can tell he has them; but, unless and until he decides to talk about them...
Well. In the meantim, he's here today, as are the others.
Lucine's thoughts on the plants will be taken into close consideration, but her question? "Don't take them lightly," Eight advises. "This may be a test, but it's not a drill."
But Caruleum echoes. "Ah."
"No," Eight answers, "I misunderstood you. The chaos 'now' is much less than the chaos 'then'. I was thinking in terms of a much more local moment."
No, it's not part of the test--but Eight takes it more seriously than she had an instant prior, especially when Harpe reports, "They're faster than they look, Admiral. CIWS isn't going to be sufficient."
"Captain?" Eight asks.
"Mobile Wing B, deploy," Captain Maina instructs, and a set of Nousjadel-Gers deploys from the hangar closest to the drones.
"My subordintes would have done well, I'm sure," Eight says then. "But I'm glad that you waited. I wasn't in a position to do much myself. ...I don't like being passive."
The Ra Mari II cannot evade the attacks to come; she has to rely on her armor to weather them, which at least is substantial. Nevertheless, Eight frowns.
The mobile suit wing seeps out.
"...To answer your question more appropriately, now that I understand you:"
"We all have different ideas about what's 'best' for the Earth Sphere. That was a man who believed that Earth had to be abandoned for its own sake... a position I disagree with. He was quite charismatic--but even many of his own soldiers turned. Including a good friend of mine, the helmswoman until this year of this ship."
"Perhaps a more distant eye could call them 'growing pains', and to a degree that's still true... Bt I call it a crisis point. A crisis that we have yet to solve."
What would it look like, in her eyes? In her position?
"...The conflicts we have, I doubt I could completely stamp out. But the ones pitting person against person just for 'what' they are--those I would move past. Newtype and Oldtype, Natural and Coordinator, Zentradi and human... i would have all of these work together."
"My imagination cn only guess at what we'd look like without any conflict at all--but a unifie Earth Spehre, devoted to the goodwill of all the people in it..."
"It would be at peace. And our question would not be, how can we best kill each other next? It would be, where will we go together?"
"...I do expect at least a little chaos. But if I had my way, we'd be done with these superweapons, done killing each other in new and inventive ways."
Maina, as Eight is speaking, directs the mobile suit wing--and the Zentradi within bgin to fire missiles down upon the scout units, maneuvering carefully to try to break formations.
KTS: Eight Orlodhari targets Caruleum Vaull with Ra Mari II Mobile Suit Wing Harrying Tactics! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Shadow of Axis activates Strike! KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Intercept Eight Orlodhari's Ra Mari II Mobile Suit Wing Harrying Tactics! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Eight Orlodhari's Ra Mari II Mobile Suit Wing Harrying Tactics, taking 0 damage! KTS: Eight Orlodhari rattles Caruleum Vaull, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
< "... That man is now trying to make up for the damage he's caused, as well as the legacy he's left behind." > The playfulness is gone as Lucine addresses Caruleum, replaced with a cool, polite tone. < ".... I doubt he or anyone else want to be judged for the actions of one man... especially since it was the actions of many others that detered it. Even those of us on Mar--" >
'And to which of my subjects am I speaking?'
Lucine's soft but wry commentary falls abruptly silent, as if she was trying to digest this comment. <" You..." >
If Caruleum meant it as a way to pierce Lucine's calm for even a moment, he succeeded. The Dianthus attempts to avoid the quartet, but the coordination overcomes Lucine's best attempts to outmaneuver them. One attack hits, and it's enough for the others to pile on, making that initial hit into a gauntlet the Dianthus has to endure.
Still, the Dianthus isn't *that* delicate; it finally breaks away, the arbalest exchanged for a glinting silver glaive, which it directs straight for Caruleum's unit in a crisscross of slashes.
This is punctuated by the Martian's hissing retort. < ".... My name... is Lucine Azul. And I am *not* your _subject_." >
[OOC] Lucine Azul says, "bluray: use this one"
KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul targets Caruleum Vaull with CL0-V3 Glaive Crescent Cross! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull charges Lucine Azul's CL0-V3 Glaive Crescent Cross! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Lucine Azul's CL0-V3 Glaive Crescent Cross, taking 0 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates!
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Caruleum caught everyone by surprise, then immediately began hammering them with swift, unpredictable, harrying attacks. The support craft appear to be uncrewed, judging by the way they're maneuvering, but the core unit isn't joining them. Good strategy, Liam thinks, even as he kind of hates Caruleum for deploying it.
The CGUE II stops shooting, lowers its rifle, and whirls around on its stationkeeping jets, trying to see if there's a pattern. Liam can't find one. The ZAFT-ish Mobile Suit whirls on the master unit, and in that moment, Caruleum addresses Liam personally. The cyborg's eyes narrow behind his visor. Human? He's on something like a Mobile Trace platform--that's intimately familiar. He talks like he's an alien nobleman, his claim is patently ridiculous, and worse yet...
There's something in his tone that reminds Liam of the more 'charitable' Britannian well-to-do. The ones who simply questioned your sense of morality and self-control while implying you needed their expert guidance. He saw them all the time on the propaganda they showed him as a boy. The world just needs a guiding hand, and it can't be yours--
The King of Earth calls him 'subject', and Liam's temper flares. "Name's Liam," he says, a snarl in his voice despite the masking. (Masking that Caruleum could probably pick apart, if he wanted to.) "And I'm not your experiment. None of us are! You sure you're not Britannian, o King of Earth?" But for all his venom, he handles it--and the incoming fire--somewhat better than Lucine. The CGUE II spins with blinding speed, presenting a flanking angle to the drones. Rather than bore into it head-on, the beams glance off. Still a hard hit, which rocks the whole Mobile Suit, and makes Liam grit his teeth.
"Lu, be careful!" Momentary panic pierces through the anger. Liam takes a square breath and focuses on the feel of the controls in his hands.
The CGUE II raises its shield, racks the rifle, and draws what looks like an elongated beam saber handle. It charges the drones harrassing the Dianthus, blurring through the intervening space. There's a snap-hiss, and the beam weapon ignites, forming a wide, long spear head. Liam drives the weapon through the drones--or at least where he thought they were a moment ago.
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Caruleum Vaull with JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - Slash! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Focus! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
"Yeah, we met this guy before. Showed up, asked us what we thought about some things." Anita explains for Lucine and Liam's sake. She can't blame them for their venom - she'd be upset, too, in their shoes. It might only be because Anita's... Anita that she can take it so much in stride even now.
She listens, then, to what Caruleum has to say. So, he's viewing things from that kind of perspective...? It makes sense to Anita - he seems like the kind of person who would view time on a broader scale. Eight responds expertly, though, so she doesn't need to insert her thoughts there. She nods in approval - then listens when he considers her.
Optimistic, huh...? She can't tell if he means that positively or not.
"...Sure. I've seen the kind of toll it can take." She still keenly remembers everyone having to pull Banagher back from ascending. "But, how to put it... usually, when we pull something like that out - it's 'cause something's on the line that we can't afford to lose. And when that happens... we gotta take risks. And when someone takes that power and turns it to selfish purposes..."
She keenly remembers Dr. Hell's attempt to rewrite the world with infinity.
"...We all rise up to stop it." She says.
She moves in... but these units certainly are a cut above, fluidly avoid her fire. And they retaliate, beams rushing toward her location. Anita braces herself, more fire rushing toward the Svipul and leaving burns across its surface. How much more of that can they take...?
She whirls on them - and then unleashes, to what may seem to the outside observer to be an unfocused spray of beam vulcan fire with no effort put into aiming. But there's a little more to it than that on closer inspection - there's a purposefulness to its spread, making it that much more difficult to avoid.
KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Caruleum Vaull with Lazy Spray! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull parries Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - Slash! KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - Slash, taking 2000 damage! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Charge Anita Rosetta's Lazy Spray! KTS: Caruleum Vaull reacts to Anita Rosetta's Lazy Spray, taking 3168 damage! KTS: Anita Rosetta rattles Caruleum Vaull, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
<Pose Tracker> Caruleum Vaull has posed.
'I don't like being passive.'
"Yes. I can see plainly why Captain Greyvalley suggested that you should be among those that I test. That you are among those with the vision and will to see this world shaped is far beyond a doubt," Caruleum answers, his mood seeming to remain elevated even with the grim and gritty topic that is being discussed. "So I, too, am glad that I waited. As I have just alluded to, observing heroes in action is..." He cleared his throat and folded his hands behind his back, without really being aware of whether or not he's still on video with anybody. "It is of personal interest to me. The Red Comet was far more disappointing than you have been, however. It is not well when one who steers the direction of a civilization does so with nihilism in their heart." The irony of this statement will be a long, long time in the coming.
He lapses into silence while Eight gives commands.
Down below, the Orcusula Scouts engage in another surprising display of coordination for drones-- as the harassing missile fire collapses on their position they stack up together, angle their weapons upwards, and create a moving shield-wall of ongoing weapons fire that helps better-distribute the missile swarm across the overall formation. They are still peppered -- there is simply too much coming down on them to avoid that -- but the physical damage that is done is limited to cracks and scorches and scrapes rather than broken parts.
For his part, the King of Earth shifts into a different posture, rubbing thoughtfully at his chin. "Certainly, a progressive point-of-view. And if the superweapons in particular are a special concern of yours... what would you consider to be among them? I speak of Magine power, and those seem... perhaps not prolific, but not uncommon enough. The miracle of Axis Shock is only one such example, but there are others. The 'Gundams' styled after horned beasts, also, pose that sort of danger... would you do away with these, also?"
'That man is now trying to make up for the damage he's caused...'
A long silence stretches out before Lucine's answer to Caruleum, both of Char Aznable and of all else. There is a faint twinge of aggressive intent palpable to those with appropriate senses-- though it has the combined soft-and-rough texture of uncomfortably hot sand, reflecting somebody who is play-fighting, rather than attempting to kill an opponent in mortal combat.
"Lucine Azul, is it? How remarkable," The first and most badly damaged Orcusula Scout-Escort that she sniped bursts out of formation to meet Dianthus, barreling out of the quartet and ducking beneath the swing of the glaive to barrel into Dianthus. Along its flanks move the trio that had joined it to form a quartet, and once it makes contact they begin alternating flanking fire from both directions, with the third of them pulling up the rear without using its weapons yet at all.
"But you are mistaken," says the King of the Earth, not merely to Lucine but to all of them. "Whether you recognize me as your King or no, you are my subjects and my responsibility. I am here to test you, that is so. But you have also become quite dear to me, in the short time that I have been interacting with you."
Caruleum looks rather dissatisfied on video however, and rubs at his head just below one of his horns. "I do not comprehend the comparison to Emperor Charles, however. I do not believe I have expressed even the slightest social darwinist tendencies, and I certainly do not have the free time that he so obviously does... nor do I view you with disdain in my role."
The trio harassing Dianthus from behind their tackler exhibit a very similar pattern of behavior when assailed by another foe-- one of the three bursts forward to meet the CGUE II, a solid field of plasma projecting from one of its chin guns to partly intercept the spear, which bites along the top of its body but is caught in the semi-improvised blade lock with the Scout that really does not look like it is made to do this. While it is so engaged one of its fellows splits off and trains its weapons on him, exactly as had happened with Lucine. Simultaneously--
The rightmost rear curve of what had been a crescent moon formation and is now a slipshod series of engagements flickers into sight and angles its guns across the battlefield. The machines engaging Dianthus and CGUE II fall back abruptly. They are caught in the spray that Svipul lays down, sparks and heat flying from their chasis as they flee their own overall formation's massed fire, which comes crashing down just-slightly-too-late for them to avoid it entirely. The most damaged of the Orcusula Scouts bursts and explodes between the crossfire of Anita and their own, offering some semblance of an impression of just how much of a beating these things can take.
"The effects of Magine power are not so easy to dismiss as that. Is that satisfying, even to you? Or is it simply necessary that it be so, because it is the best that can be hoped?" The King wonders of Anita. In spite of prodding her for the presumption of continued success, his mood is on the upswing again-- something she said pleased him.
KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Eight Orlodhari, Liam 7-020, and Anita Rosetta with Massed Piercing Beam! KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Lucine Azul with Staggered Beam Volley! KTS: Lucine Azul evades Caruleum Vaull's Staggered Beam Volley! KTS: [Mirage] Lucine Azul's Glimmer Engine activates, and she slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Lucine Azul reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Staggered Beam Volley, taking 0 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta evades Caruleum Vaull's Massed Piercing Beam! KTS: Critical Hit! Anita Rosetta reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Massed Piercing Beam, taking 5470 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Victory activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Your Loss activates, causing Jam L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's Let Your Power Surge activates, causing Control Bonus! KTS: Caruleum Vaull completes the Formation attack! KTS: Eight Orlodhari has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari charges Caruleum Vaull's Massed Piercing Beam! KTS: Critical Hit! Eight Orlodhari reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Massed Piercing Beam, taking 5470 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Victory activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Your Loss activates, causing Jam L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's Let Your Power Surge activates, causing Control Bonus! KTS: Caruleum Vaull completes the Formation attack! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Prospect Spirit Command targeting Lucine Azul KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Prospect Spirit Command targeting Liam 7-020 KTS: Liam 7-020 evades Caruleum Vaull's Massed Piercing Beam! KTS: Critical Hit! Liam 7-020 reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Massed Piercing Beam, taking 5940 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Victory activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Your Loss activates, causing Jam L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's Let Your Power Surge activates, causing Control Bonus! KTS: Caruleum Vaull completes the Formation attack! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari Activates Barrier Generator This unit does not have a EN Barrier.
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Eight can hear the venom from Lucine and Liam; she doesn't begrudge it. She doesn't really consider her a 'subject' either. But it doesn't affect her much, if he thinks in his civilization that it works that way, so long as he doesn't try to actually rule.
He said something about that, back then; the role of a 'King of Earth' in his society.
She notices, too--Lucine speaks of 'that man', and what he's trying to do. ...Eight has less to say about it. Instead--
Anita answers, too. And Eight listens. The energy they use... "And we will rise up, again and again."
Captain Maina cuts in, "Owl-2, Harrier-2. Just because it's a 'test' doesn't mean it's not lethal--keep your emotions in check." She wasn't here for the first part, and she's dubious of a 'test', frankly. "...And kick his ass."
Eight lifts an eyebrow, but doesn't countermand her. Fair enough, really. It is real danger, after all.
But Caruleum explains. Eight doubts it will be much comfort to Liam or Lucine. She doesn't step into that.
Instead, "Hmm. So she recommended me, then? I'll have to remember that." A pause. "...Nihilism is no place to start anything," she agrees, diplomatic enough.
But, "Cathedra probably would," Eight admits, "And we're willing to work with Cathedra in that, at least. We have indeed put away the Unicorn and the Banshee both, to be brought out only at last resort."
"...I can't control everyone, and I wouldn't want to. But where I have the authority to use such things only to counter other such threats, I think that's best."
Finally she chimes in, "I have no reason to insult you. We've discussed before my feelings about your position and mission. ...But I can't say I'm surprised to hear these young pilots balk at being called subjects, either. They've fought hard for their independence."
In the meantime, Maina gives out a few more orders; "Utilize swarm formation. Get in between their formations and bring them down, one at a time."
The first mobile suit wing of the Ra Mari II moves to do exactly that. But the ship rocks from the impact of the King's guns on the part of the drones. The guns move across the battlefield, and while the armor holds over the vulnerable parts of the ship, there will be damage to repair.
"Shields reinforce," Harpe reports. Admiral?"
"...But it's true. I would limit the things you seem to call 'Magine', given the choice. I've benefited from these 'miracles' more than once. But I've been on the opposite side of them, too."
KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari targets Caruleum Vaull with Ra Mari II Mobile Suit Wing Swarm Tactics! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Shadow of Axis activates Focus! KTS: Caruleum Vaull blocks Eight Orlodhari's Ra Mari II Mobile Suit Wing Swarm Tactics! KTS: Caruleum Vaull blocks Eight Orlodhari's Ra Mari II Mobile Suit Wing Swarm Tactics, taking 3542 damage! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
< "... Ah." > Lucine frowns, as Anita explains, and for a moment, she's unable to formulate what she exactly thinks of him. Maybe this is some rich person with more motivation than sense? A person who actually thinks they're king? Or, just simply-- < ".... What an eccentric person..." >
And indeed, what is even more interesting is Caruleum's own emotions, as Lucine is given that place of quiet after her answer. Captain Maina's words temper Lucine's anger further. She smiles. < ".... Thank you, Captain. I'll do my best. I need to properly represent the Nadesico, after all." >
When the damaged Orcusula Scout-Escort intercepts the Dianthus's glaive strike, there is a minute moment where it nearly connects with the Dianthus, it becomes evident quickly that this is also a mirage. Again, The Dianthus has sidled away at the last moment, slipping away just enough to whip out the arbalest once again, in order to fire a strong wave of beams at close range in order to get away.
Caruleum's further responses, while making it tempting to get angry again at first, lead into an arena Lucine hadn't expected: a compliment. < ".... I see." > Lucine lets out a breath, this time diverting that deflated anger towards a more productive purpose: a quip. < ".... I'm flattered, but... I'm afraid I'm taken already." >
Two can play at this game, but now that she knows the stakes, she's prepared to put up her all, but not lose her head in the process. Looking back towards Liam and Anita's units, Lucine makes a worried sound. ... She has to trust they're fine.
Instead, she asks questions. < ".... You keep saying Magine power. ... What is Magine power?" >
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Anita listens to everyone, taking in their points and Caruleum's own responses. He's really pressing them, but she feels they're giving as good as they get. As for the fight... the Svipul swings to the side to dodge the mass of beams. But outnumbered, there's a lot to dodge, and she only avoids the first volley before getting caught up in the follow-up. The Svipul recoils back, and Anita grits her teeth.
"Svipul's really taken a beating... How're you holding up?" Anita asides to her allies, before focusing on the question. She considers it, rolling it around in her mind.
"...Hmm. I dunno if I'd call it dismissal, or say I'm satisfied with it. More... acceptance, or acknowledgment." She replies. "I think it'd be better if we didn't need them. And we're not gonna sit back and leave everything to them - you can bet we're gonna do everything in our power to make a difference with our own two hands. Just... we're ready, you know?"
After all - she doesn't have any such power herself. But that hasn't stopped her from doing what she can.
And what now, what she can do...
The Svipul charges in, drawing the beam cannon from its back with both hands. The barrel flares to life, emitting a concentrated blade - going from cannon to spear as Anita sweeps it toward the Orcusola units. And then, the Svipul's rockets fire - sending it flying backward. The spear is replaced, and Svipul transforms - going from GERWALK to Fighter Mode. Missiles emerge from where they are stoward and launch outward, even as Anita takes aim and opens fire with gunpod and vulcans both, unleashing everything she has onto the enemy.
Anita Rosetta transforms to XVF-25I Svipul <Fighter Mode>
KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Caruleum Vaull with Wings of the Valkyrie Outstretched! KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Evade Anita Rosetta's Wings of the Valkyrie Outstretched! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Anita Rosetta's Wings of the Valkyrie Outstretched, taking 0 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul targets Caruleum Vaull with Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Barriage! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Charge Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Barriage! KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Barriage, taking 2310 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates!
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Perhaps Liam's reaction is unfair. Britannia made his family's lives miserable long before their neglect sealed Dublin's fate. Captain Maina's words cut in like a ray of light through an intense fog of anger. "Understood, Captain," the cyborg says. "You haven't explained yourself," he continues, pivoting to Caruleum. "What the hell is Magine? Psychoframe? That's regulated, now, because people realized how dangerous it was!" Liam takes another square breath, and perhaps Caruleum can hear the rhythm of it. Four beats in, four beats pause, four beats out, four beats pause.
The CGUE II's tackle ends in an improbable blade lock. It shoves forward, the jets on its Striker Pack firing at full blast, but the damaged-yet-massive Orcusula holds position. It responds with a flash of beam fire; the spray blasts through the Mobile Suit's right shoulder, leaving a charred, molten hole in its pauldron and the actuators beneath. The Phase Shift Armor, as resilient as it is against low-impact kinetics, can't do anything against beam fire.
There's a moment's awkward pause as Lucine says she's taken. That's probably somewhat telling. Liam recovers quickly, though, racking the shield and carefully swapping the glaive to his suit's less-damaged arm. "It was familiar," he says, to Caruleum. "Being questioned like that, like you wanted to make me look stupid." It wasn't him that was being questioned, though. What's that 'me'?
"But if you want to fight, and talk, then fair, I guess." Lucine seems to be calming a little, and that's helping her boyfriend stabilize. Liath Macha breaks right, and does a quick U-turn around one of the Orcusulas surrounding it; in the blink of an eye, it surges forward, to drive its glaive into the drone's back at high velocity. The blade itself extends at the moment of impact, potentially penetrating deeper than it should. And the maneuvers Liam is pulling... most humans would be struggling to stay conscious, at the speed he's moving.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Caruleum Vaull with JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - True Strike! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Focus! KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Evade Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - True Strike! KTS: Critical Hit! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - True Strike, taking 7800 damage! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates!
<Pose Tracker> Caruleum Vaull has posed.
'And we will rise up, again and again.'
"That," says Caruleum Vaull, "has been abundantly evident. That you do so in the most blindingly dangerous ways in all the cosmos, however..." He spreads his hands out in front of himself, as if this illustrates everything fully. There are a lot of reassurances going around about only using Magine weapons at the right time. It's degrading his mood in bits and pieces-- and yet, he reminds himself, his own Gravalin is based on similar technology, or so he understands. He is brought out of this by renewed mention of Mitsuba. "Ah-- yes. I inquired as to who I could exam. Truthfully, she was quite upset with me. I originally intended for her to be my only subject, but given the purposes of the experiments... ah, but that won't do to elaborate on just now. Suffice to say that I did not want to terminate Captain Greyvalley's cooperation."
"Your combat performance," he continues, "is quite similar to theirs. Indeed, even the behavior is a near match. Edge and Az could be compared to your... Lucine and Liam, quite easily. Though I am certain that their reasons are very different. Independence, is it...?" Despite echoing the word, he doesn't really seem to get it. Considering that he shows up wherever he wants with drone armies, it's possible that he has no real reckoning of the concept. Though he is the kind of this place, something prohibits him from elaborating on why he is doing tests of any kind. Guesses have been made, some of them accurate-- or near enough as makes no difference. But he has confirmed none.
All along the battlefield, the Ra Mari II's mobile suit wing begins to engage the more-than-slightly scattered Orcusula Scouts. There is a moment where the feeling of Caruleum is a little childishly competitive-- but he reels it in, and refrains from doing whatever it is that he thought to do. The ongoing program for the Orcusula Scouts appears to adapt them to four-unit squads, diminishing at most to two units when there aren't enough to team up with, as happened when Liam started running interference for Lucine. There aren't enough of them though, and they don't have any 'elite' units within them; their capabilities are uniform. The more isolated the are, the more battered they get from individual strikes-- they can't stack together to distribute the damage like they were doing, or at least they can't as easily.
In all, Ra Mari's mobile suit wing is effective in splitting them up. Only thing left is to bring it home...
"I am told," Caruleum muses aloud, "that those who do not desire power are the best suited to it. If you are an example of it, Admiral, then I think it must be true. I will hold you to that-- if ever you are given a choice to diminsh Magine power's hold on your species..." He trails away, the implication clear enough. The feelings that underpin the statement are tenuous but hopeful-- he's not certain that it's something that will happen in practice, even if the opportunity presents itself.
But he wants it to. This little exchange, a test that was not planned at all -- he wants that to come to pass very badly.
Then he's distracted again-- by a request for clarification, and a statement that Caruleum does not understand. He tilts his head to one side, smiling but obviously confused even without the ability to read his feelings. "It is only natural to be flattered," he says, "but I do not understand what you mean when you say that you are taken. The Admiral has suggested that you dislike the notion of being ruled, so it cannot be that you already have a King. Or perhaps it is merely that you have a commander?"
Waves of beams crash into the damaged Orcusula that was pursuing Dianthus, and it crumples to the ground and explodes under the force of the attack-- it had been on its last legs, despite operating well. Meanwhile, Svipul is well able to take advantage of the Ra Mari II's mobile suit wings scattering the Orcusula Scouts, a rain of missiles falling down amidst them. They begin to collapse into a retreat position even as one or two are overwhelmed and explode, sending only small bits of debris scattering across the battlefield.
"With your own two hands," Caruleum repeats, slowly.
By now, Caruleum has been asked to explain Magine power several times, and the battle begins to draw to a close. He hums thoughtfully, "Magine power is a specific kind of technological branch which enables major distortions of the fabric of space and time. It distorts probability and asserts its own logic; at times this is structured, and at others it is arbitrary. The event known as 'Axis Shock' is one expression of Magine power, and the machinations of the one called Dr. Hell have heavily abused Magine power as well. Indeed, almost every usage of Magine power that has occurred within your civilization has been reactive in some form with its abuse. This, among other concerns, brought your civilization to the attention of the Quaestors."
Caruleum does not catch the meaning of the awkward pause because he doesn't understand the exchange at all. Actually, almost everything that Liam says after demanding an explanation about Magine power just confuses him more. Slowly, he says, "It has been my... impression... that members of this civilization become cantankerous if they are expected to adhere to the manners that I expect of them. Although I think you are often quite rude and unaware of the situations in which you find yourself, I do not think you are stupid." Although foolishness would be preferable to what he HAS found here, for his own purposes.
The CGUE II takes not merely one drone but several that are arrayed around it, cleaving through the first and reaching another at its back, the explosions that follow peppering their retreating 'comrades' with shrapnel.
The battlefield is now littered with destroyed Orcusula Scouts, though the explosions have left little enough intact-- the odd half-a-beam-cannon, the stray limb. They're probably designed not to leave much to salvage. Those that remain drop back into stealth mode, flickering out of sight for a moment.
Within his cockpit, Caruleum Vaull straightens up and gestures loosely, making another rare command to the drones. They flicker back into being, arrayed in an alternating line pattern that makes them quite easy to target and shoot but also makes it clear, even before they begin to power up their guns again, that they are about to engage in a final volley of coordinated fire.
Each remaining weapon functioning -- some of the Orcusula have asymmetrically functioning weapons due to damage sustained, especially from Anita's missiles -- hums to life and pours fire into the Ra Mari II, once again not aiming for a particular spot but much more singularly focusing their attention on the vessel for that instant.
There is a pause, and every alert system that there is begins to warn Lucine that everything here has zeroed in on her in particular-- and true to that warning nearly the same pattern of fire falls across her machine as it did the Ra Mari II itself, with only a small contingent of the Orcusula turning their fire instead on Anita and Liam.
The moment that follows the hail of weapons fire is eerily quiet, with sizzling barrels smoking in the evening air, and cloaking devices either failing or declining to re-engage.
KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Eight Orlodhari with Target Priority -- Singular! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Lucine Azul with Target Priority -- Singular! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Liam 7-020 with Staggered Beam Volley! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Caruleum Vaull targets Anita Rosetta with Staggered Beam Volley! KTS: Eight Orlodhari has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Anita Rosetta KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Caruleum Vaull's Staggered Beam Volley! KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Caruleum Vaull's Staggered Beam Volley, taking 2220 damage! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari fails to guard Caruleum Vaull's Target Priority -- Singular! KTS: Eight Orlodhari reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Target Priority -- Singular, taking 6300 damage! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Lucine Azul evades Caruleum Vaull's Target Priority -- Singular! KTS: Critical Hit! Lucine Azul reacts to Caruleum Vaull's Target Priority -- Singular, taking 7500 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Victory activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Your Loss activates, causing Jam L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's Let Your Power Surge activates, causing Control Bonus! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Anita Rosetta guards Caruleum Vaull's Staggered Beam Volley! KTS: Critical Hit! Anita Rosetta guards Caruleum Vaull's Staggered Beam Volley, taking 3660 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Victory activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's This Is The Light Of Your Loss activates, causing Jam L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Caruleum Vaull's Let Your Power Surge activates, causing Control Bonus! KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Prospect Spirit Command targeting Anita Rosetta KTS: Caruleum Vaull has activated the Prospect Spirit Command targeting Anita Rosetta
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Captain Maina seems satisfied by Liam and Lucine's responses; she says only, "Acknowledged," to both of them as they go about the battle. But Eight is still talking to Caruleum as Maina directs the mobile suits. And there is more, yet, to say and to hear.
"I can't argue that what we do isn't dangerous. But we're still learning to handle the power that we wield; I gather that your society is more advanced, on that front." A pause. She listens about Mitsuba... "I see. Thank you for the eplanation."
But they're dong similarly? Interesting. Still, "Indepedence. It's very important to people in general."
The mobile suit wing is effective--and they hope to say that way. "Hold pattern," Maina instructs them. "Operate defensive strategy."
None of them have died yet. She intends to keep it that way. To Anita Eight says, "Ship's armor is pretty battered--we're not in danger of decompression, but we're going past what i'd call safe limits for the civilians on board."
The drones flicker--and he explains Magine power.
"I see. Yes. I agree with the pilot Rosetta," she says, using the formal name because--well, Kings are formal. "We want to achieve what we can without relying on those 'miracles'. In the ideal world... we won't need them."
"But we haven't achieved that world yet. We still have actors like Dr. Hell around," even if he's gone.
But the weapons hum to life, pour power into the ship--and many of its CIWS particle guns are overwhelmed completely, armor melting into slag and guns becoming useless. The particle field defending the ship is almost completely exhausted; the shields protecting it are down.
"I see," Eight says. "Well... I don't aim to lose," she says, "Even in a test."
Those who don't desire power... "That may be true. But you may hold me to it. If I get the chance, I will diminish that hold. We don't need to distort time and space to achieve the world we dream of. We'll do it with our own hands."
Then..
"Captain, have your mobile suits hold position," Eight says. She is still watching Caruleum if he's still broadcasting--and still broadcasting in her chair, in turn.
"...Harpe. Fire pattern three. Break through what defenses remain."
"Yes, Admiral!"
The Ra Mari II's beam cannons finally light up--and in a flurry of motion and fire, blast out in all directions at the drones.
If it works...
"And we intend to do just that."
KTS: Eight Orlodhari has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari targets Caruleum Vaull with Guided Beam Cannons - Pattern 3! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Shadow of Axis activates Wall! KTS: Caruleum Vaull blocks Eight Orlodhari's Guided Beam Cannons - Pattern 3! KTS: Caruleum Vaull blocks Eight Orlodhari's Guided Beam Cannons - Pattern 3, taking 3575 damage! KTS: Eight Orlodhari's Forced Insightactivates!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
Anita's question is answered promptly. < ".... I'm good. The person is fast, but I'm keeping up. Be careful, though..." > She's beginning to see why Anita and Eight are willing to talk with this person.
< ".... I'm sorry, it was rude of me to joke like that." > Lucine's tone even seems slightly apologetic; somehow, she had assumed the person who called himself 'King' was just an eccentric millionaire, rather than someone who may not be familiar with the culture Mars and Earth, as well as similar settlesments, share. < ".... That is, I have someone I care deeply about. I realize that wasn't what you meant, earlier, but your reaction... I wonder what that person will say, if they hear that question, I wonder? But, joking aside... yes. Independence... is important to me. But... my perspective is a little different, since I'm from Mars, originally. But... not so different in the end, as you've seen here." >
Caruleum obliges with an explanation of what Magine power is, and, with it, Lucine realizes something. The complex reaction she had read from Caruleum... it wasn't because of they were talking about Char, but because Lucine had referred to the Axis Shock.
< ".... No, that couldn't have been from Magine..." > Lucine's words sound confused. < "That was from a collective of people joining together. We'd call it a miracle because..." > She had also placed it under the bucket of Newtype abilities, along with similar events had have happened in one year earlier. < ".... Dr. Hell is not a Newtype, that's impossible--" > Again, she lets her mouth get ahead of her thoughts. < ".... I mean-- this seems to be a very wide category." >
A switch is flipped; Lucine goes from feeling like she's combatting a man who feels fun to tease and play rough with, to someone she needs to hide away from.
Her nervous silence only makes the sudden blaring of alert systems, along with the warning bells in her own mind, startle her. Her reflexes are sharp; this isn't a case where surprise nets Caruleum the upper hand. However, even as Caruleum can probably tell where the Dianthus may have been able to slip away again from the grasp of the Orcusula's assault, his layout is far too wide to allow its pilot the chance. The onslaught whittles down nearly all of the Dianthus's defenses before she's able to pilot the smoking Dianthus out of the way.
It can't be that Caruleum specifically is targetting Newtypes; Lucine is certain she would have felt that as clear as any siren. Could it be... a matter of pride? Or competition? Lucine hopes so.
She'll assume it is, and that the best thing to do is continue on at full throttle.
< ".... Let me show you what I'm capable of, then..." > She's suddenly speeding away, weaving in and out of the laser fire until she raises high into the clouds, positioning the Dianthus against the sun. Waiting until Caruleum's attention is taken up by the others, the Dianthus drops dead in the sky in a daredevil stunt, glaive held downwards. Its faceplate shows the expression as graceful and neutral as an eagle's, but Lucine's is far from it, her face red and twisted. Just like her dad taught her.
Land a strike, directly on their head, and then, it won't matter if you can't move for a few moments after that.
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus. KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Lucine Azul targets Caruleum Vaull with CL0-V3 Glaive Dragoon! KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates! KTS: Caruleum Vaull charges Lucine Azul's CL0-V3 Glaive Dragoon! KTS: [Mirage] Caruleum Vaull's Deceptively Quick activates, and he slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Lucine Azul's CL0-V3 Glaive Dragoon, taking 0 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable. KTS: Lucine Azul's Gymnopdie No. 1activates!
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
"So we want to wrap this up quickly, then." Anita replies as Eight updates her on the Ra Mari II's status. Things are getting dangerous, and there are some precious things they don't want to risk. Lucine is holding on, too.
Eight agrees with her - and Anita nods. Caruleum repeats her words.
"That's how it should be." Anita says. She listens to his explanations, but she doesn't have anything extra to add - instead, focusing back on the fight.
The scouts open fire and Anita grits her teeth, bracing herself. Most of them go for the Ra Mari II, but Svipul is in such a state that she needs to be careful of even a small amount of fire.
"I'm still hangin' in there..." Anita comments with a grin. Anything more and she might need to retreat - but before that happens...
Anita flies. Svipul darts agilely in between the Orcusola units, tracing patterns through the air. There's a daring acrobatic nature to her flight that distracts and draws attention - and then, mid-flight, she opens fire, offering pressure with more missiles and more gatling fire.
KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus. KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Caruleum Vaull with Dazzling Acrobatics!
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Liam slams through the formation of Orcusulas, emerging from the other side in a shower of debris. The CGUE II does a little flourish with its glaive, and then its shield slides down and snaps into place. It's sparking and wounded, but still in the fight.
Wholly unfamiliar with Captain Greyvalley and the Dreisstrager, Liam doesn't really know what to make of Caruleum's comparison. He does keep harrying the Orcusulas as the tide turns, keeping them from grouping up with tight, intense turns and sudden maneuvers. The G-forces build on his chest, but he breathes freely. He can feel the thoracic pressure regulators keeping his lungs and heart safe, as well as the familiar tension in his ribs.
"Admiral York's a good person," Liam says, despite the pressure.
It makes the thought of leaving harder.
But what Caruleum says next earns a sputtering cough from the cyborg, who has no idea if he should correct the impression or not. Lucine's fear takes precedence. "Lu, focus!" His own fear is proven horribly justified as the drones open up in perfect formation on the Ra Mari II--and on the Dianthus, which doesn't have the advantage of being massive and well-armored. More drones turn on Liam, and he spins to put his shield between his Mobile Suit and the enemy. Beam fire rakes the face, carving lines in it. Some of it leaks through to clip the CGUE II's thighs, chest, and functional shoulder. More red lights ignite in Liam's cockpit.
But the one thing on his lips: "LUCINE!" She's all right. She's still alive.
The CGUE II sees what the equally-battered Dianthus is doing, and moves to complement. As Lucine comes in from the top, Liam hangs back a moment, letting Anita run interference. She's good at that. Liam comes at the Orcusulas from the side, glaive weaving back and forth in wide, sweeping strikes. He's trying to clear a path to Caruleum, even though his machine is phase-shifted, and untouched.
And if Liam has his way, well--the point of that glaive is going to end up meters from the alien machine's center of mass, even if he can't damage it, and doesn't want to.
Sometimes it's about sending a message.
KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Caruleum Vaull with JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - Whirlwind Strike! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Alert! KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Block Anita Rosetta's Dazzling Acrobatics! KTS: Best Defense! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Anita Rosetta's Dazzling Acrobatics, taking 3375 damage! KTS: Anita Rosetta begins a Formation attack! KTS: Anita Rosetta rattles Caruleum Vaull, making his next maneuvers more difficult. KTS: Caruleum Vaull fails to Charge Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - Whirlwind Strike! KTS: Critical Hit! Caruleum Vaull reacts to Liam 7-020's JS-F03A 'Gae Buidhe' Beam Glaive - Whirlwind Strike, taking 5280 damage! KTS: Liam 7-020's The Houndactivates!
<Pose Tracker> Caruleum Vaull has posed.
"Respectfully," Caruleum says, but it's impossible to make it SOUND totally respectful, even though he's smiling quite sincerely, "I would struggle to find a respect in which my civilization does not outpace yours. We would need to delve into the most subjective comparisons to even begin to have a meaningful conversation. It is, for instance, the case that there are no members of my species who are not biologically optimized-- and we do not suffer the generational fertility problems that your Coordinators do. The units that I have deployed to test you are our most basic scout units... though you are doing better than most civilizations would. The vast majority could not cope with the Orcusula Scout at all."
As boastful as that was, this battle spoke for itself-- it could be that Caruleum is a better coordinator of drones than he's letting on, but he doesn't SOUND or FEEL dishonest. Given how he answered the 'taken' comment however, he seems to be remarkably innocent in some very strange ways... there might be holes in his understanding that are causing miscommunications.
"Why is independence so paramount?" He asks, illustrating neatly exactly one of those communication problems. It would seem to be a strange thing for a man calling himself King to fail to understand, and then again on the other hand... he has adapted MOSTLY well to the reality of needing to address people a little more carefully, in spite of the ego that he exhibits.
'We'll do it with our own hands.'
The hope that began just a few moments ago swells, just a little. Again, it is plainly evident that Caruleum wants these promises realized.
Cannons align, and Orcusula react-- clusters of them shift forward directly into the path of fire, clumping on top of it and accepting the firepower to preserve units at their rear. Some fail completely-- they burst into flames and vapor, leaving those behind them utterly exposed. Others succeed, and are melted into balls of protective molten slag that blunts the weapon fire against their comrades at the rear, secondary explosions shaking the battlefield from these 'Orcusula Balls' a short while after.
'I'm sorry, it was rude of me to joke like that.'
"I do not understand," Caruleum says, simply. He still doesn't after Lucine explains, because he doesn't actually understand what's rude about the joke even when he comprehends it; though it may be melding with his general understanding of earthlings (and adjacent) as being sort of rude in general in a way that makes the whole exchange moderately useless.
'No, that couldn't have been from Magine.'
Here, Caruleum sounds and feels impatient. "It is possible," he says, "to create energy projection weapons by a variety of methods. A laser is not the same as a particle beam weapon is not the same as a variety of alien technologies with which your civilization is not familiar, is not the same as an orgone cannon. However, Magine may be tapped in many different and disparate ways. Your so-called psychoframes access Magine power by running a conduit through your species's collective unconscious and actualizing the consensus result... or the result dictated by a particular individual interfaced at a central point, disregarding the greater whole."
"The Magine power accessed by Dr. Hell is not different in outcome, simply in its means of interface. Nu Gundam, Unicorn Gundam, Banshee Gundam, the work of the Photon Power Laboratory, the power that these devices and organizations reach towards are ultimately Magine power. It is not by tapping collective belief and the resonance of empathy alone that such miracles may be wielded," he concludes. At once, he is crabby about needing to elaborate about it, and happy to have had the opportunity to talk about something that -- though dangerous -- is kind of cool and interesting to him.
Lucine is correct, though-- he is not targeting Newtypes. If the texture of his intent were to be finely reviewed, anyone could tell that he simply estimated Lucine to be a similar threat to the Ra Mari II itself, and had the drones prioritize her. This might offer the suggestion that this fight isn't as potentially lethal as might have been reckoned-- but this alien takes his job so seriously that it's hard to say exactly where he draws the line.
There is no greater evidence of this fact than the showdown that follows, in which several Orcusula Scouts tilt backwards to watch the Dianthus take up a position against the sun, and watch... and watch... and watch...
And then simply scatter from her path, focusing everything on not getting caught in her dive attack. To their credit they manage this and-- finally, the stealth fields come back online on those few. Their energy signatures vanish.
No, in fact-- Caruleum's consciousness, though observing from some adjacent dimension, shifts notably in response to Anita's feelings in particular. He may not be a Newtype exactly, but he possesses some level of awareness of the ebb and flow of feelings.
The Orcusula do not react, however-- no command is given to adjust for whatever he actually perceives. Svipul darts deftly through their ranks, pulling them away from others at the same time as it scars and weakens them for follow-up...
Which comes in the form of CGUE II.
Caruleum merely smiles at Liam's assertion, and as it did with Anita a moment ago, his presence is a little responsive to Liam's feelings-- he draws the connection between the pair, misunderstood words gaining new meanings.
"Ah," he says, a sense of vague interest behind him.
All of the Orcusula that the CGUE II follows up on are cut down, the weakness that Svipul introduced during its distraction-attack causing them to buckle and explode. There IS a faint sense of disappointment, but it isn't a serious one. To Caruleum, the Orcusula are practically toys-- and he would've preferred to see them win. Indeed, if he amassed the very few that remained -- no more than four, from the look of the battlefield, though how functional they are is arguable -- he might be able to press the contest.
But he doesn't. Stealth systems kick back on, and energy signatures fade as they power down weapons.
"You ARE an able civilization. That is twice now... though it was not trivial for you," The King of Earth muses. "Ordinarily I would offer a small boon of information for the trouble, but we have traded quite a lot. Still... if there is something the Admiral requires, I may come and hear it soon. For tonight, I bid you good evening. In the future, you may expect me in your mess hall."
And there, battle and communication alike end.