2024-11-29: Enforcing Order
- Log: Enforcing Order
- Cast: Iselia Seraphinite, Victoria Spectrolite, Kathras Fari, Flay Allster, Aurora Dusk, Liam 7-020, Lucine Azul
- Where: Ireland, Britannian Union Historic Kingdom
- OOC - IC Date: 0099-11-29
- Summary: A farming village in rural Ireland reports a terrorist attack in progress and requests help... but it takes a turn for the strange when report goes out of the presence of unusual, unidentified machines of unknown origin. As responders arrive on the scene, they find both the terrorist forces and the initial defense response wiped out, with the unidentified machines declaring this area under their protection. They are the Keepers of Order - and order will be kept.
<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.
The Britannian Union Historic Kingdom has long fallen on hard times. It seems that trouble is quick to find it - and easy for the rest of the world to overlook. But life goes on, and the people who live there do what they can to survive. They've grown accustomed to hardship - so it is no surprise when a farming community in rural Ireland reports a terrorist attack in progress. The usual requests for help go out, and the initial defense team goes to meet them...
...And soon another, more panicked distress call goes out. Something else has arrived, as well - unidentified machines of unknown origin, wielding strange powers. And that is where the call ends. And at the scene -
The fields surrounding the farming village - the inhabitants of which have all already evacuated to the disaster shelter - are littered with the wreckage of mobile suits. Both those belonging to the terrorists, and to the local defense force - and indeed, the only machines that remain standing are those of a make not seen before. Standing taller than most mobile suits, a machine resembling a slender, masked sorcerer stands amidst the wreckage. Its mask is reminiscent of the face of a woman bowing her head in prayer, and accompanying this machine is a pair of giant hands forged from stone, magic, and metal.
"...How unsightly." A woman's voice emanates from the machine. "Everything we have heard is true, it would seem. This world is in dire need of a firm, guiding hand... lest it draw others into its own, inevitable destruction. This disorganized rabble is proof enough."
The machine - the Autowarlock known as the Manus Deenbell - shakes its head.
"Still - you have done fine work today, Spectrolite Sorcerer. Was this your first live combat experience? I am aware of some of your-" She continues - and then she is interrupted by a gunshot ringing out. One of the nearby defending mobile suits has found what's left of its strength to take aim and fire...
...But one of the two hands descends, palm open, harmlessly intercepting the shot.
"Disobedient." The woman intones - and the Manus Deenbell turns to face the one responsible. The hand reaches out, grasping the mobile suit by the head and lifting it into the air, to eye level. "You should be grateful. Your lacking response nearly spelled disaster. Had your foe been the slightest bit organized, this land would have already been put to the torch. Your inadequacies have endangered those under your care - and so, I see no recourse but to relieve you of your duty."
She speaks louder - loud enough for all those in the vicinity to hear, transmitted by magical means.
"Rejoice, for we are the Keepers of Order - and in our magnanimity, and by the grace of Ende's wisdom, we shall take this region under our protection. Thus is the will of the God of Wisdom - thus relayed by Iselia, Seraphinite Sorcerer." She declares - and then, the hand squeezes tight, crushing the head of the mobile suit and allowing it to fall.
"Now, go - take your wounded, and report what happened here to those above you. They shall know what has transpired." She demands of the pilot - and they are quick to comply, scrambling from the ruins of their mobile suit and fleeing. Iselia watches them depart, the Manus Deenbell folding its arms behind its back as she turns to her ally.
"...This is a start." Iselia says. "A beginning - let us see what comes of it."
...Which may come sooner rather than later - for these words have been relayed - and those who have heard they may be arriving even now.
<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.
Not far from the machine standing among the wreckage, another has taken position in the air above the former site of battle, similar in its design and stature. Of primarily ebony coloration and wearing an ornate, expressionless golden mask, this one strikes more the figure of a dark wizard, billowing black cloak and all, one hand laid upon the other as it observes the situation below.
Remaining stoic as it hovers in place, it takes no action as the woman commanding the Manus Deenbell delivers her judgment, only showing a brief loss of composure one second before gunfire interrupts her speech. A minute displacement of its hands is all that confirms an impulse to intervene, though they are just as quickly shifted back in a show of faith and lack of concern - this could never be anything that would be of any threat to one such as the Seraphinite Sorcerer.
It's really only of annoyance, to the one commanding the black machine as well, left unable to properly respond when addressed. She waits patiently for the matter to be settled, before the far younger yet no less formal-sounding voice of the airborne unit is finally heard.
"I thank you for your earlier praise, before the rude interruption. To address your inquiry, yes, this has been the first non-training combat engagement I have been a part of. No issues to report, the Umbra Deenbell has performed fully according to projected standards and expectations. Milady's work is truly impeccable."
Though the machine itself remains unmoving, within the void of its cockpit, a large tome levitates next to Victoria Spectrolite, turning its pages seemingly on its own accord as the teenage girl adjusts her gold-rimmed spectacles.
"...I had expected more from the opposition, if I may be so bold. Records indicate that this is hardly the best this world has to offer. Which only serves to further underscore the lack of proper global diligence." The book slams shut, quickly disappearing from sight as it retreats into the darkness. "Be that as it may, now that the circumstances have changed, I estimate high odds of a second wave of responders, smaller in number, but of a more significant threat level. This will be a good opportunity to take measure of those called into action once matters are deemed important enough to expend a decent effort."
Looking out over the fields below, covered in the remains of machines kept clear from the village proper, Victoria shakes her head.
"Deplorable indeed, for such a response to arrive far too late to have made a difference in regards to these homesteads. I give thanks to Ende for guiding our swift travels, and the prevention of innocent casualties this day."
<Pose Tracker> Kathras Fari has posed.
The distress calls come one after another. The Aion--and its Captain, Kathras Fari--are the closest NUNE battleship able to respond, thanks to their having been in the AEU region in the first place already for unrelated reasons. But even they aren't fast enough to stop the Something Else.
The Aion is an Agammenon-class carrier, large and dark, and it sails through the atmosphere towards the mobile suits at hand.
Jakallo on the bridge balks at what he sees. "What the Hell?" he wonders. He is usually a reserved fellow, but seeing the strange mobile suits there... "Weapons ready, Captain."
"Acknowledged, Mr. Jakallo." Kathras Fari sits in the Captain's chair, arms on the console armrests, frowning. He regards the ruined machines. Deplorable...
Zhukov chimes in, "They look like some sort of... wizards! Their IFFs are unfamiliar, Captain."
Jayaissa scowls. "I never liked 'magic' much," the helmswoman says, as Lanra Gavarre adds, "Mobile suits at the ready, Captain. Your orders?"
"...First, open a channel."
"Aye, sir!"
To the radio, Fari says, "Unidentified mobile suits, your assault here constitutes an act of war on our Earth Sphere government." Unidentified, despite their identification; it's a specific maneuver. "You have made yourself an enemy of law and order. Surrender now and your lives will be spared."
"This is Captain Fari of the Gaia Sabers ship 'Aion'. You have ten seconds to comply."
"Ms. Gavarre. Deploy all mobile suits. Get targeting data on that one and transmit it to all of our pilots."
"Aye, sir! AION Mobile suit complement! Achilles Squadron and irregulars! You are cleared to launch! Immediately begin the assault!"
KTS: Kathras Fari targets Iselia Seraphinite with Designate L1! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite accepts Kathras Fari's Designate L1! KTS: Kathras Fari designates Iselia Seraphinite, making her easier to target and opening her to indirect fire. KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Kathras Fari's Designate L1, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
A terrorist attack in Ireland is not uncommon. but it's still a cause for concern for those who would protect the Earth. Attacks like these are yet another symptom of a broken world, and perhaps it's because of that, that the order comes just a little too late. Flay has a certain affection for the Historic Kingdom - it's where she was born after all - but it wasn't where she was raised, because it simply wasn't as safe as a country like Orb. But now... Flay isn't the one who needs protection anymore.
Apparently, the defense team has been compromised, and the Aion has orders to launch against mysterious assailants wielding mystical powers against terrorist and defender alike. "How arrogant," Flay sticks her nose up, as she readies her helmet. "They think that just because they're powerful, they can do whatever they want? We'll teach them just who they're messing with." Flay says to Aurora, and that may as well be construed as an order to engage on sight.
Well, the Aion at least gives the strange sorcerers a mere 10 seconds before it's engage on sight. Of course they can use their magic to fly, so the Strike E, a common sight in the Aion as of late, mounts with the Aile Striker pack before it's cleared to launch. "Got it, Commander Gavarre! Allster team, you ready? There's only two of them, but we don't know what they're capable of... so be careful." Flay signals, and that includes Aurora for this mission. "Aile Strike, heading out!"
The Gundam rockets over to meet the Manus Deenbell, as Iselia transmits her speech to the enemies she made. "Some Keepers of Order you are, looking at the mess you gave us. Feel free to leave, because no one needs your protection!" The CIWS guns burst to life as the Strike builds momentum. It's only a warning volley, of vulcan fire. "That's the only chance I'm giving you."
KTS: Flay Allster targets Iselia Seraphinite with M2M5 'Todesschrecken' 12.5mm Automatic CIWS Dash-and-Fire!
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
When the order to sortie comes out, Aurora is already in her assigned GN-X. She climbed in and prepared to deploy once they began approaching the contact zone, and has been spending the last few minutes ruminating. The Aion has been sent to defend against first terrorists, and then 'unidentified units' in Ireland... the land where her brother comes from. A land that already witnessed invasion, and the terror that can come from the skies, twelve years ago.
The terror that stole his family from him, just like it stole hers 16 years ago, when they were both small.
She clenches her hand around the flight stick. She's not a helpless child anymore. She won't let it happen again. Preventing this from happening again is her mission. The mission of the Gaia Sabers. "Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Deploying!"
Aurora's GN-X's drive activates, and it comes soaring out of the Aion's hangar with the Allster team to intercept the unknown contacts. Following Flay's lead, she locks her FCS onto the apparent lead enemy unit and squeezes the trigger on her flight stick, beam vulcans thrumming as they add themselves to Flay's 'warning shot'.
KTS: Aurora Dusk targets Iselia Seraphinite with Beam Vulcans Burst! KTS: Aurora Dusk has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Iselia Seraphinite engages parry against Flay Allster's M2M5 'Todesschrecken' 12.5mm Automatic CIWS Dash-and-Fire! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite poorly reacts to Flay Allster's M2M5 'Todesschrecken' 12.5mm Automatic CIWS Dash-and-Fire, taking 3240 damage! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite fails to engage Block against Aurora Dusk's Beam Vulcans Burst! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite moderately reacts to Aurora Dusk's Beam Vulcans Burst, taking 2610 damage! <Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Victoria is correct. There is a second force on its way, and it's not just the Gaia Sabers, either. Something that looks a bit like an old-fashioned bomber--or a Monster, in shuttle form--is on approach, following in the Aion's wake. In the Akashima's cockpit, Liam takes deep breaths as he surveys the terrain below. There's carnage strewn across the green hills, but for the most part, it seems blessedly devoid of dead or wounded civilians.
"Captain Fari," Liam transmits, "this is pilot Liam, here to provide support in a situation of interest to NERV."
The aircraft stoops into a dive. Its airframe unfolds, revealing the Akashima's true form--that of a massive, well-armored machine. It's the size of an Eva, but far less gracile, painted black and grey.
"Unidentified forces," Liam says, over the open comm, "identify yourselves and your purpose here, immediately." He's tense--horrifically so--but he does not see the point in joining in the Gaia Sabers' 'warning shot'. Instead, the Akashima raises its right arm slightly, putting the cannon mounted there on full display.
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Victoria Spectrolite with Pass! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Valor! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite accepts Liam 7-020's Pass! KTS: Best Defense! Victoria Spectrolite successfully reacts to Liam 7-020's Pass, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
The call for help may have been meant for certain channels, but Terminal isn't above investigating, especially when it's on a pilot by pilot basis. When another distress call reports a mysterious third party intervening with "strange powers", Lucine feels the need to at least scout and investigate, if from afar. The Dianthus's small size (at least in comparison to other units commonly on the field) and gear makes it easier to watch from afar; the Nadesico pilot is unfamiliar with these strange units, or their group. An errant fringe group trying to exact some strange flavor of 'justice'? Lucine can only hope that, if the pilot's cockpit was situated in the head, that their death was too quick for them to register, regardless of what role they played.
Should she intervene? She has no backup. This could be something better delivered as data, rather than intervening; further complications could make it even harder on the surrounding villages. Ireland may be her boyfriend's beloved home, but no one asked for her to carry on the torch for them, or, quite possibly, die for them.
Still. They drew blood. Proudly.
When Liam's signature pops on the Dianthus's display, the decision is made for her. Piloting the Dianthus low to try to sneak into a better position as the larger units approach, Lucine positions the crouched Dianthus against some tall cobblestone ruins, still smoking from the battle before.
Care is taken to take out the Dianthus's arbalest, Lucine draws a perfect line from it to Victoria's machine. She does not, however, shoot, or risk her cover being blown by announcing herself over more general channels. With magic, who knows what cards they might have up their sleeve?
Lucine's voice crackles from Liam's comm, on a private channel. < "Liam. I have a clear shot on the one in the air from my position." > 'I'll shoot when you say', is the part Lucine doesn't say. Liam may be in no mood to offer that command, and she may need to make the decision for him.
KTS: Lucine Azul targets Victoria Spectrolite with Pass! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite accepts Lucine Azul's Pass! KTS: Best Defense! Victoria Spectrolite successfully reacts to Lucine Azul's Pass, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.
"I am pleased to hear it. Do inform me if that changes." Iselia replies, as Victoria reports no issues. She listens, then, as she continues to make her observations. She is quiet, the Manus Deenbell standing stock still, until eventually...
"Just so." Iselia replies. "A good opportunity, yes - to gather information, and for you to acquire more combat experience."
The machine nods.
"Truly, today is blessed." Iselia agrees... and goes quiet, as a shadow appears on the horizon. It heralds a ship, sailing through the skies - and the Manus Deenbell turns to regard it.
The Captain makes his declaration, and Iselia listens.
"Well met, Captain Fari. I am Iselia, Seraphinite Sorcerer of the Keepers of Order." She greets in turn. "'Gaia Sabers'... You are the local peacekeepers, then? We share a common aim. Upholding law and order is our divinely invested duty. We have simply fulfilled a need where the initial response was found wanting. If you take issue with that... Then, come. Demonstrate to us that you have the means to make good on your promise."
The Aion's mobile suit complement launches... and among them, are the Strike E and a GN-X.
"Those who claim not to need protection are often those most in need of it. This 'mess', as you put it, came about due to a dereliction of duty. It only proves our necessity." Iselia replies to Flay - and the Manus Deenbell retreats back away from the Strike E and the GN-X, floating back through the air, and one of the floating Hands moves in to intercept their weaponsfire. It flinches, briefly, from the volley - but flexes, ready for the next wave.
"Victoria," Iselia asides privately to the pilot of the Umbra Deenbell. "You may proceed as you see fit, but do not take unnecessary risks. Our goal is to simply take their measure."
Her attention turns back to those targeting her, then.
"Allow me, in turn, to demonstrate just a portion of Ende's wisdom. Witness the lightning Dogma, Tonitars!" The hands of the Manus Deenbell - the ones attached to the machine itself, as opposed to the free-floating Hands - are held out wide... and then light traces through the air, forming circles. And from these circles lightning streams forth toward the Strike E, the GN-X, and the Aion. Magical in nature, rather than any sort of natural phenomenon.
KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Kathras Fari with Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Flay Allster with Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Aurora Dusk with Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS! KTS: Kathras Fari fails to engage charge against Iselia Seraphinite's Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS! KTS: Kathras Fari successfully reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS, taking 3040 damage! KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Rouse Spirit Command. KTS: Flay Allster engages evade against Iselia Seraphinite's Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS! KTS: Critical Hit! Flay Allster poorly reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS, taking 4180 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Iselia Seraphinite's Ende Wills It activates, causing Nullify! KTS: Aurora Dusk engages charge against Iselia Seraphinite's Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS! KTS: Aurora Dusk successfully reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Lightning 1-10-2: TONITARS, taking 3040 damage! KTS: Aurora Dusk has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Aurora Dusk's I've Accepted the Machine that I Am activates!
<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.
The imminent response is not unexpected. Victoria did predict it, after all. Perhaps a bit sooner than she'd reasoned, but it doesn't make a difference. 5 minutes late, 5 hours late... it's late, either way, and not meeting the strict standards of the Keepers of Order is unacceptable. And when the Gaia Sabers' command vessel communicates its demands...
There's overt, if modest laughter in response, from the black machine in the back. Iselia may be more used to others claiming the Keepers of Order to be enemies to law and order than Victoria is. To her, that just sounded completely ridiculous. She will respond to it as well, though. She may be young, but she's a Sorcerer in her own right. Corrections from Iselia notwithstanding, she will state their intentions accordingly.
"I believe you misunderstood, Captain Fari. We do recognize your jurisdiction. We simply recognize that your enforcement of it is lacking. As Keepers of Order, it is our sworn duty to bring Order to chaos wherever it appears. Our methods are proven effective across the universe. If you wish to maintain control of what is rightfully yours, cooperation would be to your benefit."
Obviously there will be no surrender. And obviously the other side won't stand down either. Obviously. There's only one way this can go, Victoria is well aware. And so, the Umbra Deenbell stands - or rather, floats - at the ready for what is to come, arms lowering to its sides to prepare for battle. Waiting for Iselia's guidance, should it be offered. When she is given free leave to act...
"Understood. In that case..." She pauses, realizing, "...Milady, there are others. They seem unaffiliated with this group. Then, I will ensure they do not interfere while you mete out the proper response here."
Turning to face the Akashima, the Umbra Deenbell stoicly looks on as it approaches, studying carefully, but not acting immediately. And when an introduction is requested, the girl controlling it obliges.
"I am Victoria, Sorcerer of Spectrolite, representative of the Keepers of Order. Our purpose here is rather self-evident, is it not?" Victoria's Deenbell spreads its arms, indicating the wreckages below. "Your dedication to the cause of Order has been judged wanting. How will you respond? Please, if you would be so kind... demonstrate to me your resolve."
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDZGdGhGnnk
Without further warning, the multi-colored gems embedded in the Umbra Deenbell's frame detach from the machine, revealing themselves to be autonomous machines in their own right: orb-shaped, five in number, each with a different color. Yellow, green and gray remain to orbit the Deenbell, while the red and blue orbs shine brightly, before they project magical circles, heralding the imminent attacks.
"Won't your friend join us as well?" she inquires calmly, revealing that she is quite aware of Lucine's presence, before intoning, "Behold the Dogmas of Flame of Flood, Agni and Undine!"
Sure enough, a pillar of flame is projected directly beneath Akashima, seeking to engulf it whole, while the blue orb unleashes a tightly-compressed water blast, acting not unlike a laser beam. Though of course, both of quite magical in nature.
KTS: Victoria Spectrolite targets Liam 7-020 with Scorch 4-10-5: Agni! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite has activated the Resupply Spirit Command. KTS: Victoria Spectrolite has activated the Resupply Spirit Command. KTS: Victoria Spectrolite targets Lucine Azul with Torrent 4-10-4: Undine!
<Pose Tracker> Kathras Fari has posed.
Just because they're powerful, they can do whatever they want. Is that how it is?
"Acknowledged," Fari says to Liam over the same channel, nodding to his comms officer. "Feel free to rely on our support."
A common aim, Iselia says. She identifies herself as a sorcerer, and Gavarre scowls, but Fari just lifts an eyebrow. "Very well," he says. "If that's how you'd like it..."
"So be it. The Gaia Sabers will protect what belongs to us."
Ende's wisdom, as it turns out, is lightning. Jayaissa blinks as she identifies, "Magic!? She's just like--"
Lightning crackles towards the Aion, and the ship can't get a handle on defense effectively except to weather it and let its armor take the blow. Systems crackle, but the electrical shielding holds.
Fari narrows his eyes. "We'll have to devise appropriate countermeasures..."
GN-X mobile suits start launching two at a time from the Aion after the initial pair, and Gavarre talks over the radio, "Don't let their flashy tricks get to you. You're trained for this, Allster, Dusk. Magic is just a science we're not familiar with."
"Mr. Jakallo. Full beam spread at these coordinates. Let's show her our hand before our suits get up too close, yes?"
"Aye, sir. Firing beam cannons!"
Achilles Squadron is on its way--but before it gets there, great green beams of power slam out towards Iselia's sorcerous mobile suit!
Fari considers Victoria's words, in the meantime. "I see. Is that so? Well, how magnanimous. I'll certainly include your findings in my report."
KTS: Kathras Fari has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Flay Allster KTS: Flay Allster's SEED Factor activates! KTS: Kathras Fari has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Aurora Dusk KTS: Kathras Fari targets Iselia Seraphinite with Heavy Ship Fixed Beam Turrets Burst! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Iselia Seraphinite fails to engage Guard against Kathras Fari's Heavy Ship Fixed Beam Turrets Burst! KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Kathras Fari's Heavy Ship Fixed Beam Turrets Burst, taking 3900 damage! KTS: Lucine Azul engages evade against Victoria Spectrolite's Torrent 4-10-4: Undine! KTS: Critical Hit! Lucine Azul poorly reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Torrent 4-10-4: Undine, taking 6720 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Victoria Spectrolite's All Is As Ende Wills activates, causing Sparkle! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to engage Guard against Victoria Spectrolite's Scorch 4-10-5: Agni! KTS: Liam 7-020's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage. KTS: Liam 7-020 successfully reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Scorch 4-10-5: Agni, taking 4611 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
The Keepers of Order's declaration is clear. They don't think the Gaia Sabers are capable of doing their job as the protectors of Earth, and so they have stepped in. If their attitude wasn't so self-righteous, maybe Flay would be willing to accept their help... but it's what Iselia says to her personally that seems to strike a cord. Maybe it's because she isn't entirely wrong. "The most in need of it? You... you don't know anything about me!" She shoots back, squinting as her vulcan shots are intercepted by... a floating hand.
"...And besides that, it would be a lot easier to do it properly, if you didn't show up and started attacking everyone. Don't you think?" Would they have been able to deploy sooner if it wasn't for the Keepers of Order's intervention? Or would the Historic Kingdom have been simply ignored like it always was?
To demonstrate just what the Keepers of Orders are capable of, Iselia's Manus Deenbell unleashes blasts of lightning from its hands. Knowing that means trouble, Flay tries to shift the Aile Strike back for an evasive maneuver, but it's hard to outspeed lightning.
The Tonitars makes a direct hit, sparks crackling against the Strike E's armour... as the Gundam shifts from its red, blue and white colour scheme to a monotone grey.
"W-what?" Flay's eyes widen, hands still on the control stick. It should be fine, she knows to prepare for anything, but there's that exact same fear she felt when Elisa Kafim did the same to her with her own magical lightning.
"But... they managed to overwhelm the VPS Armour!" She exclaims, when Gavarre tells her and Aurora to stay sharp. Still, it seems the Commander's words were encouraging, because she manages to bounce back just as quickly. "That's fine... I don't need the Phase Shift Armour for the likes of them!" Because the Strike E can still very much power its own weapons.
And the now-grey Gundam doubles back, aiming its beam rifle towards the Manus Deenbell and its floating Hands. "If you think it's power that will keep people safe, then... why don't we show them ours, Second Lieutenant?" And to Iselia, she adds, "Just disappear already!" Green blasts of beam rifle rain upon both the Manus Deenbell - frenzied and chaotic, and yet... there's resolve and focus behind each shot all the same.
KTS: Flay Allster targets Iselia Seraphinite with 57mm Enhanced High-Energy Beam Rifle Beam Blitz! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Iselia Seraphinite engages block against Flay Allster's 57mm Enhanced High-Energy Beam Rifle Beam Blitz! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite moderately blocks Flay Allster's 57mm Enhanced High-Energy Beam Rifle Beam Blitz, taking 2940 damage! <Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
Something in Aurora's eyes sparkles when she sees the Balor arrive, even before she hears Liam's voice over the radio. The smaller unit taking up a sniping position isn't familiar to her, but it's taking a bead on one of the enemy contacts, so she assumes it's an ally. Maybe it's one of NERV's. They don't have any units like that, but then again, the Gaia Sabers are constantly building new units too. IFF will handle it.
Floating hands. No wires. Gems. Psycommu? Are the enemy Newtypes, or...
It's no problem. Aurora is more than a match for any Awakened, natural or...
Aurora watches alertly as the mechanical sorcerer gestures, wary of an attack even if no weapons are visible. The magic circles, drawing themselves in the air like some kind of TV light show immediately scan themselves to her as an attack, and when the arcane lightning bursts forth from them, she's already primed to dodge even before the telltale warning sting in the back of her mind.
"Incoming!"
Her GN-X dances through the air, grazing alongside the crackling fulmination as she charges towards Iselia's Dogma.
Flay's Gundam immediately loses its VPA, and Aurora calls out to her. "Lieutenant!" Her eyes snap back to Iselia. She has to worry about herself, and Flay will be fine. She responds to Kathras's encouragement, too. "Understood, Captain!"
"Keep order? You attacked our garrison in the middle of- Fine. You want a fight? How's this?"Charging into melee range, Aurora draws, activates and slashes with her beam saber in one smooth diagonal motion, and then she draws a second, swiping back and forth in a rapid flurry.
KTS: Aurora Dusk targets Iselia Seraphinite with GN-X Beam Saber Rapid Flurry! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite fails to engage Parry against Aurora Dusk's GN-X Beam Saber Rapid Flurry! KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Aurora Dusk's GN-X Beam Saber Rapid Flurry, taking 3059 damage! KTS: Aurora Dusk rattles Iselia Seraphinite, making her next maneuvers more difficult.
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
"Understood," Liam says, to Captain Fari. Privately, he hopes relying on him won't be necessary. As the two 'unidentified' pilots reintroduce themselves, Liam glances at a side console, watching as the computer compares tone, inflection, and other characteristics with the signal it intercepted on approach. "Target identities confirmed. Don't know who these 'Keepers of Order' are..." Liam trails off, and a silent shudder makes its way down his spine.
The worst thing is, they're not even completely wrong. They were in the right place at the right time to save lives. Maybe some of those people will decide it's better to live within their 'order' than Britannia's.
Lucine's voice crackles through the comm, and Liam's primary objective immediately changes. "Gotcha," he says, over that same, private channel. Aurora speaks up a moment later. Liam takes a deep breath, and reminds himself that he can handle this. He needs to focus.
Victoria addresses him directly. Liam grits his teeth. Something in her tone reminds him of the bully who kept getting him in trouble for speaking Gaeilge with other kids in the schoolyard. "It is," Liam says. "And you sound like a real piece of work." He glances to the side again, where the computer takes images and processes them. Again and again, each shot fails to turn up a match. 'Sorcerer', he thinks. He's seen what Elisa and Yuliana can do. He has no reason not to doubt. Flame erupts from what he can only describe as 'nowhere', engulfing the Akashima. The machine takes a thunderous step back, its Pinpoint Barrier flickering around it. Warnings light up Liam's cockpit--severe thermal stress to the lower legs, armor damage. "All right," Liam says. "You want to go? Let's go, then. There's one thing people like you understand."
The Akashima's targeting computer chimes. The megaparticle cannon mounted on its right arm begins to glow. The big machine slips into a stable stance, the gun braced against its torso. A moment later, a pinpoint blast of particle fire erupts from the aperture, blazing through the air at Victoria's Deenbell.
KTS: Victoria Spectrolite's Strength Through Faith activates! KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Victoria Spectrolite with EL-444P Variable-Output Cannon Array - Target Locked! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Wall! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite engages block against Liam 7-020's EL-444P Variable-Output Cannon Array - Target Locked! KTS: Best Defense! Victoria Spectrolite successfully blocks Liam 7-020's EL-444P Variable-Output Cannon Array - Target Locked, taking 3150 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
Liam hears a resigned sigh from Lucine's radio as Victoria refers to Liam's 'friend'. < "... Shit. Should've known--!!" > Lucine at least has the wherewithal to shut her voice feed before the water "beam" shoots, easily piercing through the Dianthus's cover. The cobble wall collapses on the Dianthus before Lucine can pilot it out of the way, weighing it down as the beam hits it in turn, dealing a double whallop.
This is what Lucine gets, for playing by the rules, while also, not playing by the rules, seeing as she didn't identify herself.
It's a temporary delay; the Dianthus may have been dealt a particularly bad blow, but it's still able to fly. And fly it does, emerging from the rubble like a disgruntled wasp that was temporarily buried under a handful of sand.
Will its sting be just as inconsequential?
The Argen-21 Beam Arbalest, still drawn and ready, delivers a bright beam of energy towards Victoria's unit.
< "..... This is Lucine Azul of the Nadesico, coming in for reinforcements," > the pilot adds dryly, now that the illusion of cover's been blown. She can taste the blood in her mouth as she says it-- she must have bit the side of her mouth during the wall collapse. < "I could have used the fire to warm up. Very unfair of you." > This, of course, is directed towards Victoria.
KTS: Lucine Azul targets Victoria Spectrolite with Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Snipe! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite engages evade against Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Snipe! KTS: [Mirage] Victoria Spectrolite's Ende's Cloak activates, and she slips into a mirage. KTS: Best Defense! Victoria Spectrolite successfully reacts to Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Snipe, taking 0 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.
It feels good to Victoria, getting to flex her magical muscles, so to speak. She's spent most of her available studying, researching, and developing magic - what would that all have been for, if she didn't get to put it into practice? This is her chance to prove that she's the real deal, a prodigy in every sense, of power and ability at a level that must be respected, even by those who previously failed to show her respect. For someone piloting such a threatening-looking machine, she's radiating little else but joy and satisfaction as she gleefully sends elemental blasts Liam and Lucine's way.
And yet, throughout it all, Victoria's attention is not just on her immediate opponents. It's everywhere, all at once. The Awakened may even sense it: the feeling of constantly being watched, by a presence that's somewhat unsettling. Though her demeanor may have been calm and her emotions positive, there's just something oddly off-putting about the pilot of the Umbra Deenbell.
That demeanor changes somewhat at Liam's words, Victoria's eyes narrowing. "People like us, you say?" She can't respond more than that right away, realizing she's being targeted by that big cannon. Instantly, all five of the colored orbs take position in front of the Umbra Deenbell, projecting protective magic circles. When the particle beam impacts, the machine is forced back, but most of the damage was effectively kept at bay by its magical shielding.
Lucine arrives to have her say, and the Deenbell quickly retreats. And not just from its position... from sight, entirely. A strange mist is left in its wake as the Umbra Deenbell closes its cloak, vanishing completely. The shots fired after it don't find purchase, as it reappears some distance away, and Victoria calmly continues her train of thought.
"Did I do it wrong, is that the problem? Should I have challenged you to a formal duel to decide who is in the right, perhaps? This is your way, is it not? Might makes right?" Make no mistake - Victoria has done research before coming here. "Your world is in a truly sorry state of affairs, I must say. How can you possibly expect your laws to be upheld, when one can simply bash another's skull in to overturn them?"
The wizard-like machine waves its hands in front, creating a large series of magic circles, consecutively, but at such speed that it may well appear simultaneously. "Well, unfortunately, I am not yet done being 'unfair'. Now then... I hope you have sufficiently warmed up?" She can't suppress a giggle. She didn't mean for that to be wordplay, but she did just use a Fire Dogma. "In that case, you will have the honor of witnessing my personal brand of Dogma. Bring low my foes, Dogma of Darkness, Nigranti!"
What can only be described as a wave of pure dark energy is projected outward, fanning out to cover a large area directly in front of the Keepers' mech, impacting with the force of a sledgehammer. Victoria is many things, subtle is not one of them.
All the while, she has been monitoring the battle with the Gaia Sabers, and... well, she's not concerned, obviously. Naturally, Iselia has it handled, she has little doubt. But that doesn't mean she can't help out a little bit. Projecting her voice through magical means, Victoria informs her mentor of her intentions.
"Milady Iselia. Please allow me to assist with some small measure of Odic empowerment."
Raising its arms, the Umbra Deenbell summons a magic circle directly underneath the Manus Deenbell, before expelling tendrils of dark energy to seep into Iselia's machine as Victoria calls out: "Might of Exedo!"
KTS: Victoria Spectrolite targets Liam 7-020 and Lucine Azul with Darkness 3: Nigranti! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite targets Iselia Seraphinite with Heart! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite accepts Victoria Spectrolite's Heart! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite bares her heart, letting Iselia Seraphinite deal some extra damage! KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Heart, taking 0 damage! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020's The Hound activates! KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to engage Evade against Victoria Spectrolite's Darkness 3: Nigranti! KTS: Liam 7-020's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage. KTS: Liam 7-020 successfully reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Darkness 3: Nigranti, taking 4500 damage! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite begins a Formation attack! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Lucine Azul's Morning Star activates! KTS: Lucine Azul engages evade against Victoria Spectrolite's Darkness 3: Nigranti! KTS: Lucine Azul poorly reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Darkness 3: Nigranti, taking 5500 damage! <Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.
Victoria offers her own rejoinder to Kathras, and Iselia doesn't interrupt - quietly approving, but not voicing it directly. Their intentions are made clear - but it seems that there are other forces present, as well. Iselia had assumed them part of the Gaia Sabers unit, but unaffiliated...
"I see. Then, fight well." Iselia replies.
"I would ask nothing less of you." Iselia replies to Kathras. And soon enough, the Aion joins the fight directly. The Aion's cannons fire, and one of the Hands moves to intercept - but even they can't fully shrug off the full force of a battleship's weapons. The cannons push it back and out of the way, and the Manus Deenbell is forced to dodge to the side as the beam continues toward it, leaving a trail across the arm.
Her attention is turned to Flay, next.
"My apologies if my words struck a nerve. This was never intended to be personal. But the point still stands." Iselia replies. "Perhaps so. Perhaps we should have asked politely before intervening. And as the village burned due to the inadequacies of the local guard, we would at least have the knowledge we performed the necessary niceties."
Her lightning seems to have an effect on Flay's mobile suit - but it doesn't deter her as she takes aim. The other Hand rises as she unleashes a volley of beamfire toward the Manus Deenbell, moving to defend its master. Chaotic, but resolute and focused at the same time... the Hand is kept busy defending against it.
...And with the other still recovering from the Aion's assault, the Manus Deenbell itself is left open, which Aurora capitalises on at Flay's request.
The GN-X draws its beam saber and slashes, and one of the Manus Deenbell's clawed hands races out to catch it. There's a faint glow of energy around it as it catches the beam saber - though it's not enough to parry the weapon fully, the beam digging into its side.
"You have talent." Iselia observes.
Victoria, then, offers her assistance. She invokes her Dogma - and tendrils of dark energy seep into the Manus Deenbell. It rolls a shoulder experimentally.
"My thanks, Victoria." Iselia replies. "I shall use this power to its fullest... starting with that ship."
The Manus Deenbell turns its attention toward the Aion, casting its hands out once more.
"Be crushed by the weight of the world... Earth Dogma, Cadere!" Iselia incants. Light traces magic circles through the air in front of her in a circle - which then gather and form into one. These circles vanish... and then reappear directly above the Aion. Something starts to come through the magic circle - and then, as the spell is completed, it emerges fully - a large mass of stone, descending right toward it.
...And a moment later, while one might think the machine needs to recover from its spell, too quick to be seen by the naked eye, quicker than the machine has displayed any ability to move, the clawed hand flashes out toward the GN-X in a thrust to pierce through it and any defenses it may bring to bear.
The Manus Deenbell's attention turns, then, toward the Strike E, holding one hand out.
"Basalt!" Iselia calls out. This time, only a single magic circle is formed - which soon spews out earthen projectiles like a gatling gun toward the Strike E, in an altered form of the spell employed by the Rune Golems the Keepers of Order use as footsoldiers.
KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Kathras Fari with Earth 1-10-6: CADERE! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Aurora Dusk with Unseen Thrust! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Flay Allster with Earth 1-10-2: BASALT! KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Aurora Dusk KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Flay Allster engages guard against Iselia Seraphinite's Earth 1-10-2: BASALT! KTS: Flay Allster successfully guards Iselia Seraphinite's Earth 1-10-2: BASALT, taking 2975 damage! KTS: Aurora Dusk engages react against Iselia Seraphinite's Unseen Thrust! KTS: Aurora Dusk successfully reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Unseen Thrust, taking 4650 damage! KTS: Kathras Fari has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus. KTS: Kathras Fari fails to engage evade against Iselia Seraphinite's Earth 1-10-6: CADERE! KTS: Critical Hit! Kathras Fari poorly reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Earth 1-10-6: CADERE, taking 5400 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Iselia Seraphinite's Ende Wills It activates, causing Nullify! KTS: Aurora Dusk has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
<Pose Tracker> Kathras Fari has posed.
Gavarre keeps a particular eye on Aurora on her readouts, after the way she charges into melee. But Flay seems strained by--admittedly, a stressful activity. They overwhelmed the VPS armor...
"That's right," Gavarre says when Flay says she doesn't need it. "Remain adaptable, and your squad will back you up."
Power that keeps people safe. That's the idea, isn't it?
'People like them'. Fari does not answer Liam's statement to the enemy. Instead...
He listens. He listens to Victoria's beliefs, not just her magic. He notices the Might that comes.
"Careful," Fari says. "Jayaissa, prepare for evasive maneuvers."
He then says to Victoria, "That's one option. One option that would've spared the machines and lives that were risked fighting you and the terrorist enemy here. But you could also have simply opened diplomatic channels. NUNE is always willing to talk."
This is a lie.
Necessary niceties, Iselia calls them. "Those 'niceties' are order in and of themselves," Fari says. "Observing protocol, considering diplomacy; these are the matters of law. Law and order are all that stand between us and chaos. If we all simply broke away to do each what he thought was 'right'... that would be chaos."
Cadere comes, the Earth Dogma. Something comes through, a large mass of stone that rushes towards the ship from above. It crashes into the ship, tearing against armor and crushing decks. There is significant damage, though not enough to stop the ship's functions.
"Sorry, Captain. It just--came out of nowhere!" Jayaissa says.
"Stay calm," Fari says. "We've dealt with such things before. We will again. There are still only the two of them."
"...Yes, sir."
Gavarre says, "Achilles Squadron! Get in position and overwhelm her!"
The GN-X squadron 'Achilles' finally makes it to the battlefield proper, six rushing Iselia's machine directly. Three stay back to fire their beam rifles; three move forward to try to pin her in place with beam sabers. They are powerful, state of the art, in good sync--
But they are not Order. Will it be enough?
"We have different experiences with 'magic'," Fari offers Iselia. "In the Earth Sphere.. it is primarily a weapon of chaos. Know that you won't be popular for using it."
KTS: Kathras Fari has activated the Rouse Spirit Command. KTS: Kathras Fari targets Iselia Seraphinite with AION Mobile Suit Wing Victory Tactics! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Iselia Seraphinite engages intercept against Kathras Fari's AION Mobile Suit Wing Victory Tactics! KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Kathras Fari's AION Mobile Suit Wing Victory Tactics, taking 300 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
< "...." > So this is what it's like, when Lucine's own Glimmer system ignites?
It's only fair.
Still, it's more than that. Lucine is beginning to sense it, even through the thrill of battle: their opponent... is happy?
Also... them realizing where Lucine was, even before she struck, was no fluke. Lucine feels eyes everywhere, like she's being watched.
For someone used to using speed and her own senses to keep ahead of her opponents, Lucine realizes this is a bad sign.
For now, the pilot ignores Victoria's words, feeling they are as much a weapon as that mech's magical arsenal. She's in no shape to offer a fair rebuttal, especially when the next attack, when it comes, may be enough to put the Dianthus out of commission if she's not careful.
'Bring low my foes, Dogma of Darkness, Nigranti!'
.... Well, Lucine was *not* expecting *that*. < "Damn it!" > The Dianthus is a few seconds too slow to avoid the area-spanning attack, coating her sensors in dark, and causing the Dianthus's warning bells to begin ringing. "... I know," she coaxes her suit, grimacing at the flashes of red. "Give me one more attack."
Righting the Dianthus, Lucine patches a direct line to Liam, once again, unable to trust much else in the way of communication due to these twos' unspecified powers.
< "I'm outmatched here. They're able to sense the field. But I'm going to level the playing field while I still can. Use it to your advantage, Liam." > She frowns. < "And, when I go down... cover me." > He may not have seen how they dealt with that soldier's suit, but Lucine won't take the chance that they'd choose to do otherwise for hers. She probably doesn't even need to tell him or anyone else here of that possibility.
Swooping over like a swallow against a dusk sky, the 'crown' atop of the Dianthus's sprays a glittering mist of particles, rapidly expanding to encompass a larger field. It's more smoke and mirrors compared to the actual magic Victoria and Iselia possess, but, it may be enough to rattle Victoria's senses temporarily.
< "Now's your chance!!" > Lucine calls out, as she fires some shots into the brightly glittering cloud.
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus. KTS: Lucine Azul targets Victoria Spectrolite with Lunate Crown v.2 Cloud Forest! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite engages parry against Lucine Azul's Lunate Crown v.2 Cloud Forest! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite successfully reacts to Lucine Azul's Lunate Crown v.2 Cloud Forest, taking 3500 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
"Nobody's telling you not to act. We're telling you to give us a heads up when you do... or at least not shoot at the people you're trying to help keep order!" Aurora indignantly points out what looks like an obvious flaw in Iselia's reasoning.
'There's one thing people like you understand.' 'This is your way, is it not? Might makes right?' Aurora listens to Victoria's little speech, and Iselia's exchange with Kathras. This is indeed their way, ever since she was a child. Without power, you cannot protect anything, least alone yourself. And Aurora is done being trampled on. She grits her teeth, as she feels the thrill of fighting flow in her veins.
She can feel something else, too. "It's like... being watched?" She shakes her head. This pressure is... odd. Aurora flexes her own soul back at Victoria, aggression pulsing in her aura.
Iselia catches the beam saber, and while Aurora didn't manage to take her down, she can tell her enemy isn't invincible. Just strain a little more, and she'll have it... She appreciates the compliment.
Iselia launches her attack, but there's nothing Aurora can do for the Aion except continue fighting. Victoria launches her own attack, and Aurora raises her beam rifle to suppress it. "Get away from my brother!" She doesn't manage to fire properly, though. Before she gets the chance, something rings in her head. The enemy machine next to her bursts into a sudden movement, thrusting towards her, trying to impale her on its claw-!
Aurora brings her saber up, just before the attack comes out, bringing it into blocking position just in time to prevent the worst of the damage, but she still takes a solid hit, and her rifle fire impacts the ground harmlessly. Retaliating, she yanks on her controls. The beam saber twists away, before - swoosh - flying back as Aurora delivers her own thrust towards the Manus, trying to gouge its head!
KTS: Aurora Dusk targets Iselia Seraphinite with GN-X Beam Saber Through And Through! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite engages parry against Aurora Dusk's GN-X Beam Saber Through And Through! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite moderately reacts to Aurora Dusk's GN-X Beam Saber Through And Through, taking 3500 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
Iselia apologizes, and Flay isn't sure if that strikes even more of a nerve. Or whether she even wanted an apology from this woman. "Tch... that's fine. It's just... I know what it's like to be on the other side of this. What it feels like to lose everything, knowing you have no power to take it back. So maybe it's a good thing you managed to save them..."
Despite what she says, the Strike E draws both of its beam sabers from the Aile Striker pack, eyes gleaming gold as they stare down the Manus Deenbell. "But I never want to be that powerless again! And there's no way I can entrust that to you!"
And Gavarre reminds her that if she remains adaptable, she has her squad to back her up. "Adaptability... right." That's always been the Strike Gundam's greatest asset - so maybe she has to make it her own as well.
So even if the Phase Shift Armour isn't functional right now, Flay doesn't panic at the sight of the magic circle of Iselia's Basalt spell, trying to weave through the stream of rocks with the beam sabers in hand. It's not a perfect defense, cracks forming in the already damaged limbs of the Strike E... but she survives it.
But all isn't quite well, as Aurora begins to act... erratically. Pressure, being watched... did she ever mention having a brother. "Hey... is everything alright? Don't let their words get to you... we've got to put a stop to them." She tries to encourage her, when Aurora goes in with her own beam saber in combination with the Achilles Squadron.
"...Say, if it's really order you want, I'll give it to you by putting a decisive end to this fight." Flay says, as she throws one of her beam sabers towards the Deenbell's Hand. But that's just a feint - the real attack comes in the form of a downwards swing from behind with the other saber. "If we can do that much, I hope you'll agree to peacefully leave this place alone."
KTS: Flay Allster targets Iselia Seraphinite with Aile Beam Sabers Combo! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite fails to engage Parry against Flay Allster's Aile Beam Sabers Combo! KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Flay Allster's Aile Beam Sabers Combo, taking 4125 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
'This is your way, is it not? Might makes right?'
'...And as the village burned due to the inadequacies of the local guard, we would at least have the knowledge we performed the necessary niceties.'
Liam's jaw tightens until his teeth grind against each other. He takes deep breaths, and tries to simply accept the rage igniting in his heart. It won't stay silenced. It demands action. It crawls up his throat, urged on by the fact that Victoria is so damned calm and happy, even, as she speaks, just like--
Just like--
"SHUT UP!" Liam bellows. "You come to MY home, act all high and mighty because you were here when the BRITANNIANS weren't! They don't care. And don't you DARE tell me YOU CARE, EITHER!" His focus has narrowed to one point. There's no tells from the robot itself--no aiming of cannons or ignition of blades. Just verbal commands from the pilots, whose voices make Liam's tunnel vision constrict even further.
The shadowy wave washes across the battlefield. Liam hears Aurora screaming at them to get away from him. The Akashima rocks back, nearly bowled over by the shockwave. Bits of armor peel from its legs, crumpling to the ground. Lucine...
"No, don't talk like that, Lu," Liam snaps, remembering to toggle back to her channel. "Don't give them that. I won't give them that!" But she's giving him an opening. Clarity returns. Liam breathes, and aims the reticle on his screen. A moment later, more particle-beam fire roars from the Akashima's main gun, first a sustained shot, then a few more snapshots.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Victoria Spectrolite with EL-444P Variable-Output Cannon Array - Spread Fire! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Strike! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite fails to engage evade against Liam 7-020's EL-444P Variable-Output Cannon Array - Spread Fire! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite successfully reacts to Liam 7-020's EL-444P Variable-Output Cannon Array - Spread Fire, taking 5640 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.
Iselia listens, hearing Fari's words. She nods to herself. This view she can respect.
"In this we are in agreement. An individual's judgment cannot be trusted, yes. In any other situation, it is as you say. The law must be respected. Protocol, as well. But we stand in the light of Ende, God of Wisdom, and follow his will. Where mortal actions are insufficient for what is at hand, we act with divine guidance." Iselia replies. "Perhaps that we speak even now is according to his will. In the future, this may enable further conversation."
Achilles Squadron is ordered to act. Six powerful, state of the art machines, each one with a talented pilot. They attack with supreme coordination - three firing upon the Manus Deenbell with beam rifles, and the other three approach to pin her in with beam sabers. It's difficult to find an open moment. Beamfire crashes against the Manus Deenbell, and her clawed hands are put to work turning aside the sabers. It's difficult to find an opening, but an opening is made, and when that happens -
"Refuto." Iselia speaks, the Manus Deenbell extending a hand forward. With her Dogma invoked a great pressure bears down on the Achilles Squadron from all sides, holding them in place and preventing action if they don't retreat in time.
The Hands, recovered now, turn toward the Aion. They point toward it, fingers splayed out - and beams of energy fire forth from them toward the battleship.
"It is regrettable, but such is our burden to bear." Iselia says.
Iselia regards Aurora, then.
"It is as I said. Their dedication to order was found wanting, and put this area in jeopardy. They required education." Iselia explains, and pauses for a moment.
"Brother, is it? I was not aware." She considers for a moment. Aurora presents the worst of her attach - the moves for a thrust at the Manus Deenbell's head. A clawed hand rushes to catch the arm, just barely turning it aside. The beam grazes the mask - but it continues to smile serenely in prayer all the same.
The Manus Deenbell retreats back - and the Hands return. One rushes toward the GN-X with a devastating punch - before the other descends down toward it in an open-palmed strike.
Iselia considers Flay next, then - and her words give her pause, for a moment ...But despite that, Flay has the resolve to still fight.
"...I see." Iselia replies. And when she races forward, one of the Hands retreats form its attack on Aurora to defend against the thrown saber - but the feint forces Iselia to reorient quickly, attempting to catch the blade. Attempting to, but not quickly enough - the Strike E's beam saber leaves a deep scar down the machine before it can be pushed away.
"Is that so. Then, show me. Demonstrate to me that you can - but know that I will move to do the same." Iselia replies.
And, just like before with Aurora, the Manus Deenbell begins to move rapidly. Claws wreathed in magic flash out, as if trying to tear the machine apart piece by piece. A brutal combination, contrasted with her calm voice and the Manus Deenbell's serene smile.
KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Kathras Fari with Energy - RADIUS! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Aurora Dusk with Judgment Combination! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite targets Flay Allster with Serene Disassembly! KTS: Kathras Fari fails to engage evade against Iselia Seraphinite's Energy - RADIUS! KTS: Kathras Fari successfully reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Energy - RADIUS, taking 4050 damage! KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Rouse Spirit Command. KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Flay Allster engages charge against Iselia Seraphinite's Serene Disassembly! KTS: Best Defense! Flay Allster successfully reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Serene Disassembly, taking 4125 damage! KTS: Aurora Dusk engages charge against Iselia Seraphinite's Judgment Combination! KTS: Critical Hit! Aurora Dusk poorly reacts to Iselia Seraphinite's Judgment Combination, taking 6200 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Iselia Seraphinite's Ende Wills It activates, causing Nullify!
<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.
It shows in the bearing of the Umbra Deenbell that its pilot expected the battle to be over, after that. It also shows in the voice of its pilot, who brings a hand to her glasses as she gazes thoughtfully at a floating series of - to most - undecipherable characters. "Hm. So, your machines could handle that much. Interesting. I must adjust the data accordingly. Be that as it may--"
She's shocked into silence, when Liam starts yelling at her. She sure wasn't expecting that to happen. She didn't say anything wrong, after all. Everything was completely accurate, the Keepers' records don't lie. Why is he being so irrational about this? She genuinely doesn't understand this at all, and has no idea how to respond to it.
Instead... she is forced to respond to the Dianthus, coming in to attack again. The Umbra Deenbell makes a motion as if to shield its eyes from the particle shower, responding to Victoria's thought. The floating orbs shift back into a defensive position, managing to deflect at least a few of the shots from striking the machine. And Victoria, confidence shaken, loses her composure, demanding, "You! The damage to your machine is plain to see, why persist even so? Stop this foolishness!"
In spite of that ominous feeling just now, there's something else being communicated through the pilot's emotions, loud and clear. There is no killing intent there. There is only distress, first from being yelled at, and now from worry of causing greater harm than she had intended. She will strike back, because she must, but the aim is deliberate: the weaponry, to remove the ability to fight. Lingering darkness surrounds the machine's hands, shaping into large claws that swipe at the Dianthus in an attempt at forceful disarmament (and possible dismemberment).
Her ability to react sufficient hampered, Liam takes advantage of the opening to get a clean shot in on the Umbra Deenbell. Magic circles appear, but are incapable of stopping the massive beam entirely before shattering. Forced on the defensive, Victoria's machine takes several more smaller hits, before her composure breaks entirely.
"ENOUGH!" she bellows, her voice no match for Liam's, but considerably louder than the way she's been talking thus far. "Do you know how far we've traveled for the sole purpose of saving your collective skins from self-destruction?! Yet you would dare bare your fangs at us, when the evidence of our claims is right before you?! You... you... ungrateful miscreant!"
Following the Umbra Deenbell's hand motions, a veritable wall of magic circles appears before it, each crackling with magical energy. All that Victoria has left to say now is, "I tire of this! ATTONITARS!"
There is a similarity, to the Lightning Dogma that Iselia used earlier. Victoria's variant is purple in color, and greater in sheer volume, but it's ultimately still a heavy barrage of dark lightning that's sent the Akashima's way.
KTS: Victoria Spectrolite targets Lucine Azul with Shade 1: Deplecta! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite targets Liam 7-020 with Gloombolt 1: Attonitars! KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
<Pose Tracker> Kathras Fari has posed.
Gavarre keeps an eye on the battle as best she can, coordinating mobile suits. Lucine's difficulty; Liam's anger. Aurora's care for her brother... and Flay's concern.
Fari is considering Iselia as well as the battle, though, and he nods thoughtfully at her statement. Divine guidance, she calls it. He is doubtful, but, "It's true. It may yet enable conversation. Diplomacy can be... rocky."
"But just because we might be able to talk later doesn't mean we'll back down here. The people need to know that we will respond when they are in danger."
An opening is made. Achilles Squadron is good--but they aren't as good at Iselia's Manus Deenbell. Pressure extends, and they quickly retreat at Gavarre's direction. "Sir," she says on the bridge. "Achilles Squadron can't get through. We'll have to rely Allster and Dusk."
"Acknowledged," Fari says. Then, over the radio, "Command brings with it many burdens," to Iselia.
The energy fire gets to the ship, and once again, Jayaissa for all her skill can't maneuver the huge ship out of the way in time. They crash against the ship's underside, blasting the paint and the armor both, but the ship holds for now.
Gavarre comes back over the radio to Flay and Aurora. "If you can buy us a moment's breathing room, we have a targeting solution on their leader with our cannons. A little longer!"
Fari narrows his eyes at the display. "...Mr. Jakallo. You are authorized to use full power."
"Yes, sir. They're out of the way of the village, it looks like..."
"Acknowledged. Fire at will."
"Yes, sir!"
The main guns on the Agammenon swivel towards the Manus Deenbell and begin to charge. Crew on the bridge call, "Main cannon, full power! 100%!"
"Fire!"
"Firing!"
The ship hums with power as it brings to bear the full might of its cannon against Iselia's magic.
...If Iselia couldn't survive something like this, there wouldn't be much point talking to those 'Keepers of Order' later anyway.
"Your resolve is strong. But so is that of our pilots, as you can see. And we won't leave them behind today."
Victoria's outburst in turn gets a faint smile from Kathras that only Lanra Gavarre noticed.
But Jayaissa instead narrows her eyes. "...Witch," she mutters, not picked up by the radio.
KTS: Kathras Fari's The Loyal activates! KTS: Kathras Fari has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus. KTS: Kathras Fari's The Loyal activates! KTS: Kathras Fari's The Loyal activates! KTS: Kathras Fari has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Kathras Fari's The Loyal activates! KTS: Kathras Fari's The Loyal activates! KTS: Kathras Fari targets Iselia Seraphinite with Heavy Ship Fixed Beam Turrets Focused Assault! KTS: Lucine Azul engages evade against Victoria Spectrolite's Shade 1: Deplecta! KTS: Critical Hit! Lucine Azul poorly reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Shade 1: Deplecta, taking 4620 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Victoria Spectrolite's All Is As Ende Wills activates, causing Sparkle! KTS: Lucine Azul has been defeated! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Kathras Fari's The Loyal activates! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite engages block against Kathras Fari's Heavy Ship Fixed Beam Turrets Focused Assault! KTS: Best Defense! Iselia Seraphinite successfully blocks Kathras Fari's Heavy Ship Fixed Beam Turrets Focused Assault, taking 3550 damage! KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to engage guard against Victoria Spectrolite's Gloombolt 1: Attonitars! KTS: Best Defense! Liam 7-020 successfully reacts to Victoria Spectrolite's Gloombolt 1: Attonitars, taking 4950 damage! KTS: Victoria Spectrolite completes the Formation attack!
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
Iselia moves to show her dedication to maintaining order, and her claws are much too fast for Flay to properly react to. And at the same time, the Aion needs her and Aurora to buy them some time. "It's tight, but I'll do what I can!" She agrees. "So don't hold back."
With that, Flay decides the best thing she can do is move in with an offensive stance - arms widespread with beam sabers out, hoping that the beam blades repel her magic assault even a little bit while the Aion charges. And while that prevents Iselia from tearing apart any of the Strike E's vital components, she does claim an arm and a leg.
"The way you think..." Flay strains, trying to keep the Strike E's damaged frame on balance. "It just terrifies me. So I'll..." She closes her eyes, for just a moment.
And as the Strike shattered, so too does a seed in its pilot's heart. When Flay opens her diluted eyes, the world becomes just slightly louder - she even can subtly feel Victoria's pressure, when she couldn't before. But it's Iselia's calm serenity, a pressure in itself, that Flay zeroes in on. She meets it with a berserk-like clarity of her own, just as she was able to do during the Junius Seven incident.
Paying no mind to the damaged Phase Shift Armour, the Strike E's remaining arm raises its beam rifle, as Flay circles around the Manus Deenbell for a series of lightning fast, decisive shots, until the Strike has given everything it has to give. Between the Aion and Aurora, and Liam and Lucine keeping Victoria at bay though - it'll all be over soon, whether order is kept or not.
KTS: Flay Allster targets Iselia Seraphinite with Strike High-Mobility Attack! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite fails to engage Block against Flay Allster's Strike High-Mobility Attack! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Flay Allster's Strike High-Mobility Attack, taking 5580 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
'The damage to your machine is plain to see, why persist even so? Stop this foolishness!'
Now, Lucine chooses to speak. < "... Even a Martian like me knows it's not just about might on this planet!" > It's a calculated statement, based on a singular thought that seized Lucine moments before: where, exactly, are these people from? Why do they hold themselves separate from people here?
How will they respond? Lucine can feel their emotions, most notably the lack of malice. It quells Lucine's own anger down a level, causing her to wonder at just what sort of people lay inside those two magical mechs. Still, she can't deny the overflowing anger behind her from Liam, or the side of the battle raging against Iselia, as she fights to hold her own. They've drawn blood. Whatever their motives are... < "You talk like you're not from this planet yourselves. If you're from somewhere else... you still have a lot of learning to do." >
Still, she's being realistic. This pilot's machine is a compliment to hers, managing to skillfully undo Lucine's methods of creating distance and avoidance. It'd only make sense that she'd--
"...." Liam's raging fire snaps Lucine back as he urges her on. Sure, she may be 'being realistic', but how realistic can they be, when the other side is using magic? She lets out a breath. < "... Right. I'll give it all I got!!" >
Swipes of dark claws cleave the sky in front of the Dianthus; try as she might, it's impossible to Lucine to outmaneuver them. Still, the Dianthus tries, slipping from one swipe--
--and into the trail of another.
The Dianthus's left arm goes flying off with part of a propeller, throwing the Dianthus's trajectory off as it struggles against Earth's gravity. The short distance to the ground offers a tight but unpleasant advantage of keeping the damage to the Dianthus limited when it crashes; the two narrow feet slice into the ground as the main body falls over like a ballerina bending downwards.
Whether Lucine likes it or not, she'll be spending the rest of this battle upsidedown.
Still, Liam's words won't be in vain; even if the Dianthus is down, the pilot inside is quite safe, as long as the two are forced away.
Her voice is harried, still recovering from the rough landing, but it's clear enough. < "Liam, I'm still here. ... Show them how you do things here, on Earth!" >
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
Aurora makes a tch noise as the Manus defends against her 'decisive strike'. The obnoxiously serence face of the Dogma, unchanging, mocks her efforts. Not the result she'd hoped for. "I'm... I'm fine, Lieutenant. It's just... the second unit feels weird." She responds to Flay, obviously not calm, given the circumstances, but not evidently distressed either. No, she hasn't mentioned a brother before. The board is clear for Flay to infer whatever she likes about either potential brothers with NERV or possible Cyber-Newtype Typical Symptoms (tm). "Yeah, we'll show them," she says, preparing for another swipe.
She doesn't get the chance to show them right then and there, because the Manus picks then to begin its combo attack. First, a fist slams into her GN-X, smashing the armor and sending it off-balance. Aurora tries to regain control and dodge, but the open palm blasts her away, sending her rocketing through the air, machine sparking and sirens screaming.
In the distance, Liam rages against his foe, and his wrath spills into the surroundings. Spills over Aurora, lighting her veins on fire. That's right... this is his home. How dare they come here and threaten his home again?! Aurora's eyes flash with anger. In her sight, the present enemy and the enemy before - from the first time - begin to overlap, and a sharp-clawed viciousness bleeds from her like juice from a crushed fruit. Her ears ring, louder than the hostility filling the battlefield, louder than the blaring alarms in her cockpit, as she picks herself back up.
Raging is all well and good, but words are cheap. Action is what gets results. The Aion declares its gambit. "Acknowledged!"
The situation may be desperate. But Aurora isn't thinking about that. Her eyes are wide open, darting from side to side. Her soul is wide open, and she can feel her enemies, feel their movements. All that exists, all that she is, is here, in this moment. She opens the throttle, ignoring the complaints of her engine as she rockets to the side, flying around the Manus, peppering it with suppressive fire. "Lieutenant! Together!"
As Flay makes her own attempt, the GN-X turns rapidly and dives towards Iselia, bracing its saber against itself in an attempt to impale her!
KTS: Aurora Dusk targets Iselia Seraphinite with GN-X Beam Saber Through And Through! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite fails to engage React against Aurora Dusk's GN-X Beam Saber Through And Through! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite successfully reacts to Aurora Dusk's GN-X Beam Saber Through And Through, taking 4500 damage! KTS: Iselia Seraphinite has been defeated!
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Liam still has no idea what to make of those orbs. Are they like bits or funnels, or something stranger? He doesn't have the time or presence of mind to think about it. The enemy's losing focus. He needs to--
The enemy's losing focus?
Liam takes a breath. He realizes, in that moment, that the person in the Umbra sounds less like some sort of horrible enforcer wizard and more like... someone who is unnerved. Shaken. Unprepared, even. Liam thinks: 'Good'. Liam feels horrible that he thinks that. Liam wants to get her out of that robot and talk to her, explain to her that she did the right thing, but did it for...
The light of the God of Wisdom.
He's still angry. That anger only sharpens as the Dianthus falls from the sky. The Akashima takes a step forwards, settling its bulk between the Umbra Deenbell and the much smaller machine. It braces as the lightning surges up, and rakes across its chest. The insulation saves most of the electronics inside--including, importantly, the secondary sensors and the targeting and weapon-control systems. The Akashima pitches forward, and collapses to a knee.
Liam's hands shake as he pulls them away from the controls. Slowly--haltingly--he reaches up and pulls his helmet free. A moment later, a transmission patches through to the pilot of the Umbra Deenbell. Liam's intensely flame-blue eyes stare into the camera. There is still fury in his voice, but it's a much more controlled thing. "Show me your 'order'," Liam says. "I won't shoot back."
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Victoria Spectrolite with Pass! KTS: Liam 7-020's Tactical Intelligence activates Valor!
<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.
"I can respect that. I bid you then, demonstrate your power. Show them what you are capable of when called upon." Iselia replies. And then later, as he speaks over the radio once more, "Indeed, it does."
Flay, tells her that the way she thinks terrifies her. That doesn't get any response. Instead, she watches the Strike E closely - though worse for wear, down two limbs and with its Phase Shift Armor damaged, Flay still pushes it. Perhaps it's the reduced weight that allows it to fly so quickly. The free-floating Hands move to defend the Manus Deenbell as Flay begins to circle around it, firing shot after decisive shot. There are only so many they can intercept - they are quick for their size, but there are still only two of them. Shots still manage to land on the Manus Deenbell itself. And as Flay keeps the Hands busy, Aurora moves in to capitalise on this.
The Manus Deenbell shifts, just slightly. The GN-X dives in, beam saber braced. It thrusts forward - finds its mark, stabbing straight through the Manus Deenbell. A claw reaches up, grasping the beam saber to rip it away.
...And as Flay and Aurora have been keeping her busy, the Aion has been preparing, to. The breathing room it needs has been bought - and the main cannon unleashes at full power. Its enough to demand the attention of both Hands of Absolution and Retribution, moving forward to form a wall. The beam races forward, and the Manus Deenbell disappears with the light. But when it clears...
...It's still standing. Heavily damaged but no less serene, even with half of its mask missing to reveal the faceless machine beneath. It continues to smile serenely, and nothing suggests that Iselia's demeanor is any different.
Still... she recognises when the battle is over.
"Excellently done. I see now what you are truly capable of. Thank you. This has been a valuable experience. Were more of your fellows like you, then perhaps our intervention would not have been needed." Iselia says. "We shall leave you... for now. Our business here is not yet complete - but when we return, perhaps it shall be on better terms."
The Hands, cracked and damaged, return to her side.
"We have seen enough, I think. Victoria, I will be taking my leave. Whenever you are finished, you are authorized to use the Return Dogma. ...But do not linger too long." Iselia says privately. The Manus Deenbell's arms raise, a magic circle appearing beneath its feet... and with a flash of light, it and the Hands are gone.
<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.
As Victoria struggles to untangle her machine from Lucine's, she has some words in response to the claims addressed to her. "I have performed my due diligence in terms of research, the conclusions are obvious and crystal clear. Your perspective cannot possibly be called an objective one - an outside observer's is exactly what is needed here!"
There isn't any way to reach a consensus here, not today. Victoria has heard few words that haven't sounded completely irrational to her. Only that captain... of all those she's heard, only he seemed like he understood even a little of what she was saying.
But might is still a common, simple language, and one that she speaks fluently. With some effort, she manages to force the Dianthus down and into a position from which it will no longer be a factor. Even then, there is a pang of concern, until the moment she's able to confirm the pilot's presence hasn't vanished after the heavy landing. That just leaves...
A forceful shouting match, punctuated by heavy damage on both sides. Victoria needs a moment to catch her breath, after that. A moment which, surprisingly, is granted to her. At this point, she wasn't expecting that pilot would stop until their machine was rendered entirely inoperable, much like the other. She has a talent for observation - she knows that Liam could still fight, even if in a heavily disadvantaged state. Yet he's choosing not to. 'Perhaps there's hope after all', is all she can conclude about that.
She... doesn't know what to make of his actions, after that. What is he inviting her to do, exactly? The 'won't shoot back' part makes her think that he is expecting an execution. Were their intentions really that badly misconstrued?
At the very least... Victoria decides to show her face. Even that comes in the form of a magical projection, rather than a transmission. Lilac eyes peer at Liam from behind a large pair of golden-rimmed spectacles. The girl with long orange hair certainly looks the way her voice sounded - like a girl in the mid-teens, and all business. Finger raised, she pushes up her glasses as she studies Liam briefly.
"'Order' is not a concept so easily grasped," she begins, as if about to give a lecture. But a lecture doesn't happen, her following words kept short. "...I apologize for that shameful display. Seeing that you are willing to display such a grand gesture of trust, even after that, gives me hope that we may yet see eye to eye." But that's for future worry. For now, that's all she says, before the projection is terminated.
Iselia, too, informs her that it's time to withdraw, which is just as well. "Matters appear to be settled on my end. I will return shortly to review our findings, milady."
There is but more thing that she wants to do before she departs: Open communications to the Aion. She only shares her voice with the ship, but she'd feel remiss not to leave a final response on the table there.
"Captain Fari. You said that NUNE is always willing to talk, yes? The Keepers of Order, too, are always willing to talk. However, history has taught us that many are not willing to listen - not unless one's words were first proven to come from a position of power. I do not believe our 3000 years of experience has led us to the wrong conclusion, this step was surely a necessary one. May our next meeting be more amicable."
With that, the Umbra Deenbell wraps its cloak around itself, the magic circle below it whisking it and its complement of orbs away in a manner identical to the Manus Deenbell a moment earlier.
<Pose Tracker> Kathras Fari has posed.
It's all very civilized, talking in these machines of war. Kathras Fari doesn't miss a beat in that conversation. Iselia Seraphinite bids him show what they can do, and his ship does just that. They do not hold back, as Flay says.
Terror can be effective as a motivator, it would seem. But Gavarre notices the way Flay operates with such... expertise, even beyond her usual.
"Hmm..."
Lucine is upside-down. Aurora goes with Flay together. And Liam...
"Hm. So that's his way," Fari reflects of Liam. "...He suits them."
Who? Gavarre wonders. But she doesn't ask.
Instead, as the Aion fires, and Iselia's Manus Deenbell is still standing...
"If you should approach in friendship, we will listen in same. ...But should this happen again, we won't hesitate to defend our interests," Fari says to her.
"But hopefully, we can see better terms. The world doesn't need more chaos."
His attention turns to Victoria, then. She has a response, and he likewise only shares it with her for the moment. "This is true," he says. "We'll certainly remember a meeting like this. ...But I can't say whether it will work for or against your perspective."
He doesn't have time to say much more before she departs. So instead, he looks to Gavarre, and murmurs something. Then-
"NERV pilots," Gavarre says over the wide-band radio, after a moment's exchange with Fari. "We have teams standing by for recovery and repair, if you wish."
They heard 'Nadesico'. But maybe they're interested in being on good terms with Nergal? ...Whatever the truth, they surely have some angle. Or at least, Fari does.
"Ms. Allster. Ms. Dusk. You did well out there. Please return to the ship for repairs and debrief." Gavarre finishes things there. She is... concerned, to say the least, at some of what she saw...
But it's worthwhile, all the same.
<Pose Tracker> Aurora Dusk has posed.
As soon she senses the Aion is ready to fire, Aurora breaks off from Iselia, squeezing off a few parting shots for good measure as the frame of her MS rattles with her rapid movements, letting the bombardment do its work.
For a few seconds, the GN-X stands there, waiting for the smoke thrown up by the beams to clear. Soon, it does so, revealing...
...a heavily damaged but intact enemy. Aurora tenses, preparing to go in for another assault, and opens her mouth to demand a surrender-
-but Iselia speaks first, declaring her intent to leave. Aurora is tempted to demand a real surrender, but the whine of her engine reminds her she's in no shape to pursue an enemy she doesn't have to fight.
Turning her head to look at how Liam's fight is going, she witnesses his Akashima... kneel in front of her and stop fighting? Is he daring her to do it? "What are you doing, Brother?!" Is he too kind for his own good? She pushes her airframe to try and move closer to Liam... but she doesn't fully draw a bead on Victoria, even though she's ready to fire on her. She can tell, from her experience and her senses. The pilot isn't willing to go through with it. Probably. She keeps her rifle close in case she's wrong.
She wasn't wrong, apparently? Aurora adds her own reply. "Yes. If you want to pick a fight with us, we'll show you that we aren't helpless." Victoria departs, leaving Aurora mildly confused. Was this all saber rattling?
...weirdoes. She opens a channel to Liam and Lucine, appearing on their screens. She's mostly finished the 'panting with exertion' phase. "We did it. Are you two okay?"
Kathras congratulates the irregulars. "Thank you, Captain." She hopes Liam and Lucine will take him up on his offer. It'd be nice to chat with them some more here.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
Just moments ago, everything had felt like it was moving so quickly, and now it's all slowed to a halt, as the adrenaline rush fades, until it's almost like it was never there. The combined efforts of the Gaia Sabers managed to wreck Iselia's Deenbell, though it still stands. And smiles. And Iselia thanks them for it.
"You Keepers of Order are really strange..." Flay says, though, the exhaustion of battle begins to kick in. "And I don't think I'll take back what I said about you being scary, either." The half-wrecked mask only serves to highlight that. "But I don't think either of you meant any harm. Just... don't forget about the perspective of the powerless, okay?"
She watches, as Liam too, makes his own decision to protect someone who was powerless in the moment, standing between Lucine's damaged Dianthus and Victoria's own Deenbell. Though Aurora doesn't quite seem to understand, Flay can respect it.
It's probably thanks to Aurora and her GN-X that she can even say that, though. "That was a lot to take in... but we make a pretty good team after all, hmm?" She smiles. "You heard the Commander. Let's head back to the ship."
"You can trust her," Flay adds, a little more discretely when the topic of the 'NERV' pilots comes up. She knows Lucine's true affiliation, but she decided to keep it to herself. It wasn't terribly relevant. "The Nadesico took me in and offered repairs after a Vajra attack. I think we can offer the same to one of theirs."
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
It's a few moments before Lucine sees fit to respond, just yet, stunned silent by Liam's tactic. "...."
'Outsider's perspective'.
< ".... She called herself an outsider, indirectly..." > That is Lucine's answer, rather than 'is she okay'. However, Lucine being deep in thought over something is, in itself, an admittance of being at least partially alright. < ".... Ah, yes. Just... upsidedown. That was one design flaw I was never able to figure out... I'd appreciate being held upright before I start getting a headache." >
Her speech has returned to the quiet, thoughtful tone it's had before when Aurora met them on foot. < ".... I was not as focused on the others, are they alright--" > Lucine stops, realizing that Fari's offer was to her as well as Liam. She is, in a sense, a 'NERV' pilot, in the sense she came to the aid of one.
There's a cautious ping on Liam's line; well, Lucine *thinks* it's Liam's line, but her fingers misdial to the public channel. < "..... Should I.... accept, Liam? I'm afraid I'm not... really in the position to think about these things. Though this might be more your decision, since... I'm a little stuck." > Pause. < "..... Sorry, but... could you grab my arm?" >
The line is let open for a little while longer. < ".... You... were very dashing, coming to my aid like that. I know I shouldn't enable that, but, it was reall--... eh? OH--" > The call cuts off into embarrassed silence.
Lucine's face is red for more than one reason, now.
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Is Liam daring the self-proclaimed Keeper of Order to shoot him? Is he demonstrating willingness to lay down his arms, or just being spiteful? (It's all of them.) He does feel a spike of alarm as Aurora notices what's happening, and calls out to him. Victoria can see it too--his eyes widen, and he glances towards the GN-X on his panoramic display.
He's taking a gamble, either way, betting that Victoria won't try to finish the job.
This time, he's correct. Liam meets the projection's gaze, as if he could do the same with Victoria herself, and nods. "...Yeah," he murmurs. The Umbra whisks itself away. Then--
"Lucine," Liam says. His face starts to redden. "Yeah, I can get your arm. We can get you some bay space. I could... use repairs, but can make it back under my own power if need be." The Akashima is extremely large, after all. Things click in Lucine's head. Liam wonders how much damage control he'll have to do, but... could've been worse, all things considered. Could've been so much worse.
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
A moment later, a transmission comes through Aurora's tightbeam. "I'm fine. Lucine's fine. We're both kind of shaken, I think."