2023-02-17: Pulse

• Cast: Banagher Links, Mineva Lao Zabi, Eight York, Lucine Azul, Liam 7-020, Christina MacKenzie, Spectre of the Banshee
• Where: Side 5 Shoal Zone
• Date: U.C. 0097 02 17
• Summary: Following a psychic pulse through space leads Banagher, Mineva, and the 3 Ship Alliance into a battle against the Banshee. Reaching out in an attempt to find understanding, they receive more than they bargained for when it reaches back...

Trigger Warning: Psychic Horror

---

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        Look into space. Really look into the inky black, devoid of the stars. A tug, a pull, a compulsion, a thread. It calls to you. It's like you could fall in, could drown within it. The reason people can fight in space, is the knowledge that if they fell in, someone would come for them, would try to save them from the sheer hostility, the antithesis to human life.

        A pulse. A throb. A heartbeat. Something is out there. Could it be drowning within it? Look deep within the ocean, is something out there? Does something need saving?

        Follow the thread, and the blackness fades into debris. Twisted metal, jagged rock, slow moving debris. The shoal zone is a solemn place, a graveyard preserved, never decaying, but still deadly. Careful. You could become part of it too.

        Keep going. Keep going. Then deep within, something is visualized, floating within the void as just another piece of space flotsam. In black and gold, bearing a jagged, wicked horn. It is still within the dark, inert, unmoving. And then its eyes gleam, and in a realm beyond which only the awakened can peer into, two slits appear in the dark, wounds, gashes, or perhaps they were always there.

        BGM Start: DESTROY-->SELF-SACRIFICE - Gundam Unicorn OST - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ_9ebbrzUg

        They open, sickly lines of violet within the two ethereal borders. They stare. More of this presence appears around the mobile suit, moving lines and wisps which give the feel like it's wearing the beyond, fingerlike talons curling along either side of the mobile suit.

        A tremor runs through the mobile suit, akin to an epileptic fit, it spasms, and shakes uncontrollably. Then something screams and screams and SCREAMS, before becoming a low keening wail as this pressure, this sense of hostility grows.

        Amidst the tremors, it is like frames of visual are lost to the human mind. One moment, a weapon is mounted on its back. The next, its in its right hand. The forearm jerks up, as a beam magnum spews fire within space, violet lines which core debris and small steroids alike, a blue haze like a penumbra rippling outwards to torture anything that even comes near it with its far too intense armor melting heat. None of the trio of shots are truly aimed, but given the deadliness, do they have to be?

        Something is different, something has changed. The god that is possibility need not always offer good ones or kind ones. You felt something drowning, and now your choices are merely to sink or swim.

KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Liam 7-020, Lucine Azul, Eight York, and Banagher Links with Magnum Wildfire.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Spectre of the Banshee
KTS: Eight York's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
KTS: Eight York fails to evade Spectre of the Banshee's Magnum Wildfire, taking 2560 damage!
KTS: Banagher Links rushes into the attack!
KTS: Banagher Links partially guards Spectre of the Banshee's Magnum Wildfire, taking 4620 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 10399
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Spectre of the Banshee's Magnum Wildfire, taking 2520 damage!
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Lucine Azul, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Lucine Azul fails to evade Spectre of the Banshee's Magnum Wildfire, taking 5460 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

It was a dark and terrible presence that prompted Eight York to deploy. Standing about the Ra Mari II, she had a sudden feeling--a certainty. Something was wrong. "..."

"Rezza," Eight had said over the radio. "You have the ship. I'm going to investigate something."

"Captain?" they had asked.

"...It's important. And I'm not going alone."

"Indeed you are not," comes a voice from beside Eight, as Lavnadim looks to her intently. "...My heart," he says, "I will go with you."

Eight smiles. "...I wouldn't have it any other way."

So, Eight York would lead a group out; truthfully, Lavhi is usually her copilot in the Koenigin Monster. Right now, she sits in the pilot's seat, with him in the gunner's. The Monster is a pale red unit, the familiar image of Rena, in cute size, on the nose with a muffin a cheerful antidote to the horror on display here. But Eight's expression is serious, nonetheless, as she pilots her bomber within. And the Beam Magum's sheer power slams towards them. Eight cannot avoid it, but the Pinpoint Barrier System activates, deflecting much of the worst of the hit. The unit shakes.

Something...

"Lavhi," she says. "I feel a darker presence than before. ...Let's play this carefully."

"Yes," he answers.

"Prepare the missiles. I want to give her a warning shot. See what we're dealing with. On these coordinates... Mark!"

"Mark!" Lavhi works the controls, and two missiles blaze out towards the Banshee, on a direct course.

KTS: Eight York targets Spectre of the Banshee with VB-6 Koenigin Missile Array High-Speed Launch!
KTS: Eight York has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to Intercept Eight York's VB-6 Koenigin Missile Array High-Speed Launch, taking 3510 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Something... calls. Tugging at Banagher's spirit. It barely even feels like a decision, as he dresses in his pilot suit and climbs into the Unicorn. Something is out there. And it's out there for /him/.

From the Ra Mari II, the Unicorn Gundam launches, already gleaming brilliant green against the blackness of space. Banagher is oddly quiet as he pilots, focused wholly on searching. Reaching his mind out as far as he can, bolstered by the strength of the Unicorn's psychoframe. They're one, now. Banagher has no fear of being consumed by the NT-D.

Cameras zoom in on each piece of debris, searching for movement. The Unicorn is still. Nothing, nothing... But the feeling remains. That pervasive call. It can't be ignored. There will be no peace until the source is found.

"Audrey," Banagher murmurs, speaking at last. "Do you see anything..? It's all just debris..."

Slowly, the Unicorn moves forward again, Banagher tapping her thrusters forward bits at a time.

Until--

Eyes gleam in the darkness. Fear radiates from the young pilot, shooting down his spine like lightning, only a heartbeat before a SCREAM. Banagher cries out in distress, one hand clutching at his heart. Fear, fear, fear--

The Banshee. He knows before the Gundam can fully be seen. Nothing else could move like that, scream like that. The Unicorn reacts, shuddering in kind, though Banagher holds on to their harmony.

"This is wrong." He manages, voice broken with horror. "This is -- different, something's changed!"

The Banshee arms herself. Banagher becomes aware of other people existing around him, and he opens his comms in horror. "<Everyone! Be careful, the beam magnum -- it's too powerful!>"

"<Banshee pilot!>" Banagher turns the full force of his amplified awareness to his Gundam's sister unit. "<Something's -- wrong! I can feel it. We'll help you! Please!>"

Despite his words, the Banshee fires. Banagher glances to Audrey beside him for a moment, terrified for her to be caught in the middle of this duel. But she's told him, time and again. Her choice is made.

"Audrey. I love you." Banagher says, with a strained smile. "It's going to be okay! I can handle this!"

Before the young pilot has even turned his gaze back to the Banshee, the Unicorn charges. No weapons are held in her hands, she simply reaches out for the other machine, trying to stop the Banshee from firing again without hurting her pilot.

"<Please, listen to me! We can help you!>"

KTS: Banagher Links: Will Barrier Activates.
KTS: Banagher Links targets Spectre of the Banshee with Pass!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 88.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 60.
KTS: Banagher Links has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Mineva Lao Zabi has deployed as a Sub Pilot for Banagher Links!

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

The same call pulls at Mineva, too. There are no words; none are needed. She simply looks at Banagher and nods, suiting up and strapping herself into the passenger's seat. She grips tight at the armrests...

And braces herself as the psycoframe activates. It takes time to adjust, like stepping out of a cave into the sunlight. It's not as bright as it is for Banagher--but it's different, this time, too. Less relentless.

She searches with both her eyes and her mind, and shakes her head to Banagher's question. "No. Nothing," she says quietly. Nothing but twisted metal and crushed dreams.

She misses the Banshee until it announces its presence--until its gaze pierces into her. Her heart leaps into her throat. A chill sweeps over her, as she tries to find her center, reaching out toward Banagher. Her hand finds his, and she feels his warmth through their normal suits, and passes along her own. A post to moor one another to.

This feeling... the pilot... it's not Lilith, or Salem. But she can't shake this feeling, like she knows them...

She nods to him, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "I love you, too." She doesn't affirm his assurance that it'll be okay.

She doesn't need to use words for that.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        In Greek mythology, there is the tale of the siren: a beautiful being that bares the face of a woman and the lower half of an animal, sometimes a bird or fish. Their sweet song would attract passing sailors to crash their boats against the rocky islands they inhabited. The ocean of the past may as well be the inky black of space of now, for all the mysteries it contained in those times. Sailors and entire ships could disappear with little to no trace, with nothing left behind to show how their stories ended.

        It wouldn't be the first time Lucine has been lured into death's grip on the song of someone in danger. The first was an Angel. The second.... this.

        Liam would have noticed Lucine looking away, then standing a little further away, focusing on something in the distance. And... then, she was gone, running down the hallway.

        She might have disappeared, if she wasn't stopped by the amount of time it takes to put on a pilot suit, so Liam would likely catch up. "There's someone out there. I can... feel something."

        The Unicorn is gone from the bay; its presence is hard to miss. The Dianthus, less so. There's no budging Lucine on this, but Lucine can't see a reason why not to, at this point.

        Flying in the Dianthus into the shoal zone, Lucine locks onto something. < ".... I have a visual, I think..." > She taps on her screen. < ".... I see it, it's..." >

        E y e s l o o k i n g b a c k

        'Everyone! Be careful, the beam magnum -- it's too powerful!!'

        Lucine's mind is seized with fear. Her hands hold the controls, but are left with only the physical memory to guide them. The Dianthus responds, twisting away--

        This pain cannot be denied.

        The shot lands squarely on the Dianthus's side with enough force to cause it to spin topsy-turvy in space. The automatic controls kick in before Lucine has a chance to become unconscious.

        < ".... The banshee... could do this...?" >

KTS: Lucine Azul targets Spectre of the Banshee with Pass!
KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to react to Banagher Links's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to react to Lucine Azul's Pass, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liam's starting to get good at the whole 'clandestine pickup' thing. Yesterday, he took a trip to Tenchu, then met one of the Ra Mari's shuttles at an out-of-the-way hangar on the Orbital Ring. His secret mission, aboard the fugitive flagship, was...

        To help install a new set of high-throughput hydroponic beds. Lettuce, kale, chard, microgreens, sprouts: the luxury of salad in the depths of space. The mushroomery is next on the list. Truly the foulest collusion.

        Liam was joining pipes in the guts of the water-circulation unit when he noticed Lucine staring at nothing. By the time he managed to extract himself, she'd made her escape, and he hurried after, shouting her name. By the time he caught up with her, he made it clear he was coming with her, no ifs, ands, or buts. This time, Liam did not bring a Mobile Suit of his own, but the Ra Mari II's vast hangars supplied a remedy.

        A CGUE repainted from stock ZAFT colors trails closely after the Dianthus, its blade and shield already in hand. <"I... feel something,"> Liam breathes, his body ramrod-straight against his cockpit restraints. <"This isn't right."> He has no Newtype's sense to guide him as he scans the debris field, only the increasing, throbbing pressure in his head, the gut-churning sensation that something's wrong, wrong, /wrong/.

        The CGUE's mono-eye (Not a /Zeon suit/, Lima reminds himself) scans through the debris. The arm of a Zaku, severed at the shoulder, still cluthing a long-dead Heat Hawk. Fragments of what might've been a GM's lower torso. More recent debris, on a slow, steady trajectory from Heliopolis: bits of Strike Dagger.

        <"/There/!"> The Banshee. Liam recognizes that silhouette from the skirmish in orbit. But this time, it's alone, and it doesn't hail them, and Banagher's distressed, and Lucine--

        <"LUCINE!"> Liam screams, and he moves on instinct. The CGUE twists on its axis, jets firing to put that heavy shield between its body and the Beam Magnum's withering fire. Energy sears the enamel off the shield's face, and melts into the armor beneath. It holds, for now. In a flash, the CGUE charges at the Banshee, its physical blade held before it. At the very end of its charge, it moves to JAB that blade into the Banshee's guts, to knock it back and away from the others, to disorient the pilot before they can cause any more harm.

        "Who's in there?" Liam growls, his voice a knife's-edge scrambled by vocal filters. Unrecognizable. But his /presence/ is still very much there, albeit dim compared to those of the Newtypes. "Identify yourself!"

        This is more like the banshee his mother told him about. When the banshee howls, someone is going to die.

KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Spectre of the Banshee with MA-M4A Heavy Sword Disorienting Blow!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Liam 7-020 rattles Spectre of the Banshee, making their next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to Parry Liam 7-020's MA-M4A Heavy Sword Disorienting Blow, taking 2775 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!

<Pose Tracker> Christina MacKenzie has posed.

        Christina MacKenzie, Bowerbird of Space Trash, had heard the news of a clash of forces at the edge of the atmosphere--capital ship batteries, high-grade Gundams, and even the awed whispers about an impossibility made real, lives saved. For her, this meant an opportunity to trade away her excess of parts, check in on any victims in need of help, and claim rare, unattainable salvage. The reports of a pink double-zeta lighting up the sky, of course, were completely irrelevant in her decision. She had just reached the bridge, to pay her respects to the Captain of this...admittedly ridiculously huge vessel, when the call went out. Chris had no sense for this sort of thing, and she wasn't as familiar with this crew's tells, but had spent more than enough time close to Newtype folk to know when something was wrong--and when something was <red>violently<n>wrong.

                "Captain York, well met, you're sortieing personally? Permission to escort?"

        If so granted, Chris would bark a command into her suit's wrist, demanding MAIRO ready her <steelblue>oldest friend<n>. <stbl>The Oberge<n> shuddered, and a crane arm from the cargo hold's roof unfolded, taking hold of the protective tarp wrapped around the kneeling metal titan, and spooling it up. MAIRO, meanwhile, was hurriedly pushing a scrap pile out of its way--no sense evacuating to the vacuum all the components she'd come to trade out. The Tristan, to its credit, was already garbed in its Chobham armor, menacing with spikes of vectored thrusters, and its eyes glowed a warm lime. Waiting for its <lghtrd>oldest friend<n>.

        Ascending into the (frighteningly complex looking) cockpit, Chris called to Captain York on the band she'd used to request dock, "Christina, Gundam Tristan <Failnaught>, requesting permission to sortie!" Once concurred, Chris engaged the Oberge's tow line, flinging it away before she engaged its ample thrusters. "LAUNCH!" The armored knight's eyes blazed <grn>emerald<n>.

KTS: Mineva Lao Zabi has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Banagher Links
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has deployed in RX-78AN-01FA Gundam Tristan <Failnaught>.
KTS: Christina MacKenzie targets Spectre of the Banshee with Pass!
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to react to Christina MacKenzie's Pass, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        
        A missile flies towards the Banshee, it isn't looking in that direction even within its shakes. Then abruptly it is looking right at the Koenig Monster. Vulcan Fire streams out of its head in erratic patterns, and the missile careens detonates against the frame, knocking it off position.

        Liam demands identification, and there is no IFF signal present he would identify. Wielding a sword to jab, Liam would see a Beam Tonfa erupt from one of the Banshee's hands, moving to cover its vitals. The blade screeches across the black armor plating, the sheer weight of causing a screeching blow that knocks the Banshee back into a dizzying spin. It does not right itself beyond arresting its momentum, its shaking unceasing.

        The Unicorn charges in, regardless of the hit from the Beam Magnum. The Unicorn, it stops, not attacking, entreating it. For a time, his intentions seem to even be reaching it, because the Banshee doesn't fire the Beam Magnum anymore, despite having it dead to rights. Instead, with a blast of static, it is stowed away again.

        Its movements remain static across a monitor, across instruments, even the human eye perceives its movements as if there is information that is missing. It is there one moment, another the next, and back again shortly after. Only the thinnest threads of hints that there had been any movement at all.

        The fingerlike talons keep closing in, closer and closer, like the void space around the Gundam is solid, thick. Whatever resistance it is meeting is fading swiftly. Because the hands fully enclose around the Banshee, which erupts in one last psychic howl that briefly overwhelms the mind.

        BGM Change: 1st Movement, Banshee - Gundam Unicorn OST - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQg1RlfyFtI

        The spasms stop, the suit is still again, the image has faded. Then abruptly, interlocking plates of armor begin to separate, revealing gleaming orange-gold of Psychoframe hidden throughout the mobile suit. Its horn splits into the V adornment that Gundams are famous for, complete with its own jagged idiosyncrasy. Crimson fills its optics once more. The spectral effigy that was there before reemerges, this time overlapping the Banshee, its movements now in sync with it. The banshee lifts a hand with a new fluidity of movement, the spectre echoes it in a pose that is predatory in no uncertain terms.

        Mid-transformation attempts to reach out to the Banshee by Banagher need not wait long for contact. As their Psychoframe becomes a medium for that transmission, an image of a pilot within a suit of black accented with violet and gold appears hazily as the chair within the Banshee tip back into the NT-D position he's well familiar with, it is like swimming through an ever-distancing mire to reach them but it feels like it can be done with enough time and effort. That this vague sense of familiarity clear to nearly everyone here could become less ambiguous, clarified if only they kept going. It matters not, they have not that time, the helmet turns to look at his spirit beyond shaded faceplate as if they have noticed.

        Something reaches back in response to the stimulus. Violet smears of digits and arms latch onto his wrists and force him back before seeping out of the Unicorn's psychoframe like a swarm, impressions of forearms extending and twisting around each other as numerous hands reach for him and Mineva within the confines of these wonders of Newtype technology and oppress them on a level that is not merely physical. Feelings that are not their own seep in at their touch as if by osmosis.

                JEALOUSY RESENTMENT
 HELPLESSNESS SORROW FEAR LONELINESS
                ENVY M I N E HATRED
     DISGUST LOSS REGRET FRUSTRATION
                DESIRE ANGER

        The hands try to grip the pair with a sense of intense possessiveness. Eight and Lucine will not feel its touch, but it will see it. The impression of hands, masses, swarms of them curling about each other as if uncaring about tying itself in knots reaching slowly through the void possessively towards the two of them. Even Liam and Chris might see a brief static image, like a blur, a vague horrific sense of familiarity. Did they actually see that? Is something coming for them? It appears to be gone. A chill may run down their backs.

        The Banshee is abruptly right in the Unicorn's face in a flash of blue, its face looming within its monitors, and that hand that was raised suddenly separates, the plates of the gauntlet becoming clawed, gleaming yellow fingers, that begin vibrating violently, spectral talons overlaying it. It drives its claw downward straight into its right shoulder, as if to shred its components, the vibrations then stopping with the claw still dug in.

        There's an eruption of movement, as the Banshee dives at Liam's CGUE trying to drag the Unicorn with it, the Tonfa he saw earlier fading just briefly enough to fold out of its forearm, the Banshee grabs it as it ignites and tries to drive through one shoulder, and through the frame impaling it from the other shoulder before the saber blade vanishes, and it stows it back in its arm before kicking it away.

        Then pivoting in a disorienting swing to the occupants within the Unicorn its opposite arm then extends outward, twin prongs rotating forward, as energy builds in the central chamber. A violet beam lashes out, scouring the area, melting through more debris and smaller asteroids like violet napalm as it moves in chaotic patterns, trying to track the Koenig Monster and scour parts of its hull before then it then jerks to try and catch the arriving Gundam Tristam in the stream, trying to lash it from the waist down.

        For now it seems the Banshee does not fire again at Lucine's Dianthus, but is that truly a mercy? It will not spare her those creeping hands extending ever closer towards her.

Spectre of the Banshee transforms to RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee <Destroy Mode>

KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Banagher Links with Armed Armor VN Catch and Kill!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Liam 7-020 with Beam Sabers High-Output Strike!
KTS: Spectre_of_the_Banshee Changes attack to Eight York and Christina MacKenzie with Armed Armor BS Full Barrel.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Lucine Azul with Pass!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Eight York fails to charge.
KTS: Eight York's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Eight York, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Eight York partially guards Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Full Barrel, taking 7440 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Liam 7-020, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Liam 7-020 fails to Parry Spectre of the Banshee's Beam Sabers High-Output Strike, taking 7800 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Liam 7-020!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

"Granted," Eight answers Christina. She smiles wryly, "I wish we had more time to talk first, but if you'd like to come along, I won't say no." She is... troubled. That much is clear. But it seems she gets that already.

"Permission granted," Captain York tells Chris when it's time. For the others she listens. Lucine and Liam, there. Banagher...

"Banagher!" Eight calls, "Damn it, don't let yourself be drawn in, it's trying to kill you!"

Lavnadim echoes, "It does not appear to be the previous pilot--"

He is cut off by a scream from Eight as that psychic scream tears against her mind. "Aaaah!"

IT is only for a moment, though. "Lavhi," she says. "Something is wrong. Protect Banagher!"

She sees, but does not feel, th violet smears. She sees that grasp...

The vulcans were as nothing. /This/ is far more; the violet beam scours the area and Eight's Monster is caught up within it, the Pinpoint Barrier protecting them from the worst but the blast still scoring through the hull. Lavhi says, "We cannot continue in this way."

"...You're right," Eight says, and hovers over an asteroid. "Hang on while you can!" Eight calls over the radio to the others. "I'll call in the ship!"

"Captain York to Ra Mari II. We require reinforcements as soon as possible. Coordinates--"

As she speaks, she hovers over that asteroid and initiates the transformation. The Monster begins to shift, its nose pointing forward, its whole form adjusting and changing as it becomes a squat machine with two gigantic arms and huge railguns at its back. The missiles are still present but the true artillery of the unit is manifest in this form.

Then the railguns FIRE with a massive blast, and the entire Monster /shoots/ back out of the way, propelled by sheer recoil into the debris field.

"Hang on!"

Eight York transforms to VB-6 Koenigin Monster <Standing Modes>

KTS: Eight York has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has gained proficiency bonus.
KTS: Eight York targets Spectre of the Banshee with 320mm Railguns Maneuvering Shot!
KTS: Eight York has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Rouse Spirit Command.
KTS: Eight York has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Banagher Links's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee anchors Banagher Links, forcing him into close range.
KTS: Banagher Links blocks Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor VN Catch and Kill, taking 6696 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 3703
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Banagher Links!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee blocks Eight York's 320mm Railguns Maneuvering Shot, taking 1470 damage!
KTS: Eight York begins a Formation attack!
KTS: Christina MacKenzie's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Christina MacKenzie, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Christina MacKenzie blocks Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Full Barrel, taking 5720 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Valor Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

The Banshee stows her weapon. For a moment, Banagher's heart leaps in hope. Did he do it? Could he have reached them? Squeezing Audrey's hand, he waits, enduring the static that bursts. The way this Gundam moves... It's really unsettling. How is she even doing that? But if she's choosing to stand down, it doesn't matter.

The Banshee shrieks. Hope shatters.

Golden light merges with green, and the Unicorn shudders, trying to react to the other psychoframe. Both Banagher and his Gundam work to keep it under control, but the effort consumes all his attention. "No, no, stay with me!" He begs the Unicorn.

Going physically still, Banagher is taken by the vision of the other pilot being taken by the NT-D. His spirit, luminous and green, floats within the Banshee's cockpit. "No... Don't give in!" He breathes, as the familiarity hits him. Who is this? Who would step into this horrifying machine? /Why?/

The opposing pilot turns to look at him, and Banagher startles, gritting his teeth. Hands -- endless hands reach out, grappling the young pilot's spirit. Screaming in horror, Banagher struggles against them. He has to get away!

Golden eyes open in his proper body as he returns. "Get away from her!" He snarls at the encroaching hands, sweeping his free arm at them as if to ward them away. Ghostly and terrifying, his efforts are in vain. Horrible emotions flow in, and Banagher hunches over, gasping. They puncture his spirit so cleanly -- he's never had any defense against this. Tears well up in his helmet.

"Leave her alone! I'm the one you want!" Banagher cries, holding his arm in front of Audrey. "I'm the Key!"

Reacting to a brilliant flash of warning, the Unicorn brings her own shield up against her sister's claw. Banagher and Audrey both are tossed inside the cockpit as the vibrating weapon shreds the Unicorn's shield and keeps going, digging in to try and destroy her shoulder.

"<S--stop!>" Banagher calls to the other pilot, terror fluttering in his chest. "<Stop it!>"

Again, his words mean nothing. The Banshee stabs her through the shoulder, kicks the Unicorn cleanly in her middle, and yanks on as she charges toward Liam. Banagher squeezes his eyes shut, trying to keep his dinner in his stomach.

The Banshee's attention turns to his friends, and Banagher gasps, collecting himself. Horror and sick-feelings flood his spirit and his mind, and he can't -- breathe, can't focus. They've got to get away. But if they leave this thing--!

"Ngh--!" Banagher shakes his head. "Unicorn!"

Immediately, the Banshee's sister screams her own challenge, trumpeting across the emptiness of space. Two beam sabers ignite on her wrists, and two more are taken into her hands. They have to hit this thing /now/, and hit it hard!

He can't see, through this spiritual assault, but the Unicorn can. Banagher closes his eyes, putting his faith entirely in the Gundam.

"Audrey. Hang on." Banagher manages.

Freeing herself from the Banshee's grasp, the Unicorn throws her shield away. Thrusters trail blue starlight as she charges again, full-speed, whirling against the black Gundam. Magenta beam sabers strike again, and again -- only ever for non-lethal areas. No matter what, he's not going to take a life, not again.

"<It's not too late.>" He manages, through the haze of grasping hands and emotional pain. "<Whatever... whatever happened. It's not too late.>"

KTS: Banagher Links targets Spectre of the Banshee with Life & Death!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 42.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 30.
KTS: Banagher Links has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to Parry Banagher Links's Life & Death, taking 9480 damage!
KTS: Banagher Links has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!
KTS: Banagher Links roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
KTS: Banagher Links completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

The Banshee's movement disorients Mineva further. Those eyes, that piercing gaze in the dark, the pressure... everything makes her want to run. To flee. To be anywhere but here, as those claws bear down impossibly.

But here she is. She knows that this is where she needs to be, by Banagher's side. Fighting the Vist legacy... fighting to save whoever they've tortured and put into this monstrous machine.

That tortured howl digs deep into her, and she whimpers, clutching her head, pinpricks of magenta clouding the edges of her vision. She closes her eyes... only to find the psychic spectre projected upon her mind's eye instead, and the hazy vision of the pilot as well.

Who...? she wonders, eyes open once more as their gaze fixes upon Banagher, briefly before all rational thought vacates her mind as shadowy hands spill in. They reach, grasp, seize, they whisper dark and wordless emotions, an all-consuming possessiveness that knows her, cutting to her core...

She struggles against the bonds of her seat, kicking at intangible clutching hands. Mineva screams, blinded by her own tears, insensate from the horrors all around her.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        The Banshee moves like a video stream seen through interference. It makes it /extremely/ difficult to predict, giving the already-powerful Mobile Suit more of an advantage. The one mercy is that it does not feel like the Void-thing that stole the Dianthus. Liam could feel its sorcerous might, in all its hideous glory.

        Static smears itself across Liam's vision as the Banshee tumbles away. He shakes his head, violently, and hits the jets. The CGUE tilts back, AMBAC compensating as it burns its thrusters to take it away from the Banshee. "<Banagher,>" Liam says, his voice on a razor's-edge of fear. "<Banagher, /who's in there/?"

        It's not the previous pilot. Lahvi confirms Liam's suspicions. "<"What is it doing-->"

        Another shudder-stop-shudder of motion, and the Beam Tonfa lashes out. The horrid sense of wrong wrong Wrong Wrong WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG scrapes against Liam's senses. The blade swipes, futilely, at the space where the Banshee's forearm was two seconds ago. The tonfa plunges into the CGUE's chest, cutting from one shoulder to the other. Gobbets of molten metal bleed from the wound: slagged armor, fused circuitry, melted hydraulics all merged together. "<Severe damage,>" Liam chokes out, his voice going numb, clinical. The Banshee kicks him away, and the CGUE spins, leaving a debris-trail in its wake.

        Lucine. Banagher. Eight. A cocktail of fresh catecholamines flows into Liam's blood as the regulators atop his adrenal glands get to work. The AMBAC compensates, helps him right the CGUE and sheath its sword. Out comes the machine gun, tucked to the shoulder as Liam comes at the Banshee from the side. A hail of lead races through the void, at the unspeaking, unreasoning, unpiloted(?!) Mobile Suit.

KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Spectre of the Banshee with MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Blitz!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee successfully Evades Liam 7-020's MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Blitz
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Spectre of the Banshee

<Pose Tracker> Christina MacKenzie has posed.

        Chris hard-burns into the fight, only for her instincts to screech violently to flee, to brace herself. No, it--it was...there was something, like the scent of a perfume, dancing just beyond the edge of memory. Sorrow? Agony? Despair? These, at least, can't fully stop her. She already trades blows with those in her sleep. Still, that fleeting, lost memory is the only thing that distracts her from charging full-on into the beam assault. As the memory dances at the edge of her mind, the glimmer catches the edge of her vision. She clenches her sticks back, too uncertain of the attack angle to vector around it, instead hammering her controls to lace the air with an octet of INCOMs, threads dancing out and arranging in front of her, a powerful beam barrier that diffuses the energy of the strike away from her cockpit. The shield is too front and center, however, to stop the beam from raking violet scars across the Tristan's legs, bubbling and blistering even the thick Chobham plating.

        Tristan, for his part, begins to wail as the delicate balance of circuitry works, recursively, to compensate against the barrier's burden and the sudden damage. But Chris isn't listening, trusting him to pull himself together. No, her eyes narrow afield, on the blazing, glimmering Gundams, and on the brave fool still appealing to the black knight berserker.
        "<Noncritical. Captain, I'm engaging!>"

        As the violent Gundam sinks its claws into the Unicorn, a voice from her most recent waking nightmares filters back into her awareness, shouting, desperate, and it wasn't long ago that she failed to support him in time. Banagher, was it? ("Leina's...")

                A roar erupts, and perhaps the only way to tell the difference between Chris's voice and Tristan's verniers is that one of them bursts out over the open channel.
                "<Not thIS TIME!>"

        Chris's right hand slips from her stick, diving into a full-arm grip controller--not that anyone could see it, but it's more obviously ripped out of an Arm Slave--and she twists, fingers dancing, spinning the Tristan in a blazing pirouette, past and encircling the Banshee as it reels from the Unicorn's precise assault. The INCOMs, no longer a shield, now a sparkling, yo-yo choreography of suppressive fire, flit fire and retreat, as the Tristan spins just out of reach.
                "<Stay right there!>"

KTS: Christina MacKenzie has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Christina MacKenzie targets Spectre of the Banshee with Ribbon Dance!
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        The Dianthus flies backwards, attempting to get a distance between those grabbing hands, as if they weren't further manifestations of the Banshee's siren song of despair.

        Fly, fly, fly, you will never get away.

        < ".... Liam, It's okay... I just... need to collect myself." > Lucine massages a hand over her forehead. She clenches her teeth, then lets her face fall at ease, her hand shifting back to its place on the controls. < "... You may have an advantage here. I think... it's broadcasting at Newtypes. That's why...." >

        Lucine doesn't know how wrong she truly is. All someone would really need is self awareness, perhaps, in order to fall into the Banshee's sphere of influence.

        The Dianthus pulls out the albarest from its back, charging it up as it finds that clean line from it to the Banshee.

        < "Banagher. I got a clear shot. Don't cross over to the right any further than that." > She pauses, fighting to keep her voice calm. < "I won't aim for the cockpit. It's possible... that this is the same situation as with the Shambloo, right?" >

        'Severe damage.'

        Lucine doesn't wait for Banagher's reply. Hawk gold eyes focus in. < ".... Firing now." >

        The arbalest fires a shot clean through the hands that reach up towards them all, a complusive defiance burning in the pilot's chest.

KTS: Christina MacKenzie anchors Spectre of the Banshee, forcing them into close range.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee partially guards Christina MacKenzie's Ribbon Dance, taking 1650 damage!
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!
KTS: Lucine Azul targets Spectre of the Banshee with Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Aim!
KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee partially guards Lucine Azul's Argen-21 Beam Arbalest Aim, taking 4464 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        Captain York shouts advice, and cooperating with her copilot, the Monster shifts and gets a bead on the Banshee with its railguns. Still hanging onto the Unicorn, the Banshee has few options for defense. Grasping a shield from its back, it clicks as it mounts onto its right forearm wisps of spectral fury hanging over it. An I-Field shines, but that will do little against a Railgun. Instead what shines are gleaming plates of Psychoframe that show within the field, as the Banshee catches the shot headon. The sheer weight of the impact would likely knock it into an Asteroid if not for the fact that it was latched onto Banagher, the Banshee's grip loosens notably from it as the shield sports a crack dead center.

        Quickly stowing it back away, the Banshee looks at Eight and those twin violet slits in the dark fasten upon it, and there is this intense feeling of possessiveness, this oppressive weight to it. Like it wants to make her M I N E. There is no touch, however it may prickle uncomfortably at that nascent sense of maternal feeling within her. The Beam Magnum is drawn anew. A single shot is fired at where it's set down, disintegrating its footing, before it snaps it back into the backpack with a fluid motion.

        Who? What? Excellent questions Liam. Despite the CGUE taking such severe damage, he recovers admirably. As the machine gun fires, the Banshee suddenly becomes a blur, zipping in strange patterns around the debris field, barely staying ahead of his enhanced reflexes as the fire scours debris its hides behind. The Banshee's head peaks out eventually as if it were playing a game. And returns the favor with its forearm releasing a quick burst of lashing beamfire.

        Something about Christina's resolve causes the Banshee to turn in time as if catching wind of her intent, that strange sense of possessiveness growing within Chris' mind. And suddenly she can swear she sees a brief flash of BERNIE as the INCOMS surround and fire, the Banshee juking, twisting and turning to try and stay ahead of it. It's so much, it's too much, the Banshee is caged in. Its gauntlets interlocking plates suddenly separate as the fast vibrating talons within are raised, trying to shear through the cord holding the INCOM in a drive straight for the Tristan's shoulder.

        The damage is done though, Lucine collects herself, long enough to fire, the impression of arms flash in her field of vision, and Lucine's Hawk golden eyes focus in, the Arbalest fires through the hands which do not react at first, until the shot strikes clean home from the opening that Christina bought her. Some of the gleaming orange-gold plating buckles as the Banshee's attempted hold on Chris is broken as the mobile suit itself is hurled right into the fire of one of Chris' INCOMs. A psychic shriek resonates through the area, even as the hands for the moment vanish from their extension towards her. The Banshee's Beam Smartgun prongs rotating forward as it slashes a swiftly spreading shot of that wildly chaotic blast of beamfire, making escape difficult at best for the Dianthus.

        Unnerved by the Banshee's presence, Banagher howls to stop, to cease, the Banshee is pitiless, the predatory spirit actually sends a titter of psychic laughter through the void, floating into his head, the hands curling around him and Mineva all the more. Sabers whirl in the dark, and its remaining beam tonfas ignite, they catch one blade, but his other shears off the cracked shield, and part of a targetting prong that belongs to the beam smartgun. It's not too late he entreats.

        Drawing two Beam Sabers from behind, it charges, a flurry of blows aimed to lash its Psychoframe over and over with graceful yet savage blows. And Banagher will feel the spiritual impression of hands closing down over his eyes as if to smother his vision.

        That laughter grows, horribly, and a certain wicked glee enters into him and Mineva, this impression of a feeling which can only be expressed with a singular word in how his soul translates it.

        PLAY PLAY PLAY
PLAY PLAY PLAY
        PLAY PLAY PLAY
PLAY PLAY PLAY

        Something shines in the dark, as the Banshee and the Unicorn resonate. A light spills forth, a spherical shape crackling around them. Some may recognize the danger, as the two Psychoframes resonate, as the Psyco-Field forms between the two mobile suits. The light of miracles is anything but a miracle in this space, those feelings of Mineva and Banagher attempting to understand those of the Banshee. Negative feelings spill out, fingerlike talons gripping around the Unicorn.

        Then abruptly there's another intensifying of feeling, a comingling of strange emotions before another feeling floods them both.

                NO NO NO

        The Banshee screams as it suddenly separates from Banagher in a quickened movement and the field fades, apparently rejecting the possibility of another AXIS SHOCK here and now. The Banshee tries to fly a distance from the Unicorn, as if its regathering itself, the predatory effigy suddenly erupting with wisps of spiritual energy as this sense of RAGE grows.

KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Banagher Links
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Banagher Links
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Eight York with Beam Magnum Shot!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Liam 7-020 with Armed Armor BS Retreating Shot!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Lucine Azul with Armed Armor BS Spread Shot!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Christina MacKenzie with Armed Armor VN Crush!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Banagher Links with DESTROY-->SELF-SACRIFICE!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Eight York fails to charge.
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Eight York's This Path Was Our Choice activates, and her spirit endures.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Eight York, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Eight York partially guards Spectre of the Banshee's Beam Magnum Shot, taking 8040 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Eight York has been defeated!
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Lucine Azul, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Lucine Azul fails to evade Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Spread Shot, taking 8320 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Liam 7-020's Catecholamine Regulation System activates, and his spirit endures.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Liam 7-020, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Retreating Shot, taking 4290 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee repulses Liam 7-020, forcing him to disengage.
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Christina MacKenzie, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee rattles Christina MacKenzie, making her next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Christina MacKenzie parries Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor VN Crush, taking 885 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Christina MacKenzie!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Banagher Links's Determination activates, and his spirit endures.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Banagher Links, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Banagher Links fails to parry Spectre of the Banshee's DESTROY-->SELF-SACRIFICE, taking 9720 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at -6017
KTS: Banagher Links has been defeated!
KTS: You're out of the fight. Consider using +eject to leave the battlefield.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Banagher Links!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee roots their unit, coming to a standstill and leaving them vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Eight does not think that Banagher reached the pilot.

"I don't know," Eight admits to Liam as to what they're doing. Lavhi for his part focuses on working the systems for a moment, a blown fuse protecting them from the damage the surge in power would otherwise have done. "We have a problem," he says to Eight. "Our systems are heavily damaged."

She does her best to keep the group together, but against such a terrible foe there's only so much to be done. This Psychoframe, this use of horrid miracles...

A more superstitious woman would think that it is 'payback' for what they were able to save before. But it only flits through Eight's mind, dismissed as quickly as it comes.

But then the machine looks at Eight, and she feels as if it runs through the ship to view her directly. She shudders at that sudden, oppressive weight. "I--"

It is uncomfortable, indeed. But the shot hits their footing, and the Monster goes tumbling down into space. "Gh--"

"Hang on, Eight!"

Lavhi boosts the stabilizers, and reaches over to initiate the transformation back as soon as they're clear, whcih Eight confirms and completes as soon as she recovers. "I won't--"

"I'M NOT YOURS!" she shouts back, and though it is not over the radio those with a psychic presence may /feel/ Eight's words nonetheless. Lavhi looks to Eight. "You are not," he says. "This machine and its strange pilot--they are too powerful to assail in this small group."

Banagher still hopes it's not too late...

"<Banagher!>" Eight calls. "<Get out of there!>"

She starts to direct the Monster back, through the debris field, in order to let the debris block any further shots. "<Captain York, calling a retreat. The Ra Mari II will be here soon. Pull back for reinforcements.>"

Lavhi fires off some suppressive fire, but the Monster is too damaged to engage in any more pitched combat for the moment. He says, "<Banagher.>" He pauses. "<You cannot reach her today. You must consider tomorrow, instead. There is always hope so long as you continue to live.>"

"<Lucine, Liam, Chris. That means you all too.>" Eight's voice crackles to life again. "<The ship will be here any moment, with more mobile suits. Pull back.>"

She knows Christina isn't usually under her command--but she's accepted it for this mission, and that will have to do.

In the distance, the great red form of the Ra Mari II comes into view... And begins to grow larger. Soon, it will be within range.

But still, Eight feels that shivering. Something inside her...

"Eight," Lavhi says quietly, and reaches out to put a hand on her arm. "It is all right."

"...As long as we can get the others out, I can worry about how I feel later," Eight answers him, and that will have to do, though he frowns.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

"<Liam! I can't tell, but they're a really powerful Newtype. They're projecting these--!>" With his eyes still closed, Banagher tries to reach Liam, but can't quite bring himself to describe the horror he and Audrey are experiencing.

At Lucine's call, the Unicorn jerks to the left, trying to open up a better shot for Lucine. "<Thank you. I can't tell what's going on at all but that doesn't mean they should die. Just -- try and stay away from the Banshee!>"

Audrey's terrified reaction shatters something in Banagher, and his motivation changes immediately. All he cares about is getting away. Get Audrey safe -- everything else can come afterwards!

The Banshee laughs at them, and Banagher growls. "<You think something's /funny/-->" Cut off with a scream, Banagher shakes his head back and forth, trying to get the hands away from his eyes. Squeezing them further shut does nothing to get rid of the image.

"A--Audrey, I can't--" Banagher takes a gasping breath, terrified. "I can't see."

How do things just keep getting worse?! It's almost childish, the laughter, the desire to play -- if they weren't being torn apart both spiritually and physically.

Even with his eyes sealed shut, Banagher can feel the Unicorn resonating with her sister. "<Stay back! The Psychoframes -- nngh!>"

Green light clashes with gold, destruction rolling out from the dueling Gundams. Space trash and asteroids alike vaporize in its wake. Maybe this will be enough, maybe he can summon another Miracle...

No.

The Banshee pulls away from them, and Banagher gasps as the pressure eases off his eyes. Blinking them open, he glances first to Audrey. "Are you okay?! Audrey!"

Spiritual energy explodes as the Banshee gathers, washing over the Unicorn. Green light begins to flicker. Banagher screams as if the energy is flaying his skin. Again, he fights against vomiting. His vision flickers, head lolling forward.

Eight orders him to get out, and his fingers twitch on the Unicorn's controls. The Unicorn doesn't respond. Green light dies, and the Gundam begins to fold in, her v-fin snapping back into a singular horn.

The Banshee's final attack has affected both pilot and Unicorn both. Magenta sabers extinguish. It seems they're helpless, floating in space halfway between safety and whatever terror is within the black Unicorn.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Endless hands clutch at Mineva, clinging to her, the pawing sending chills down her spine. Fear. Helplessness. Impotence. Whatever ability she may have had to push back against the assault is broken down, her barriers breached. She feels tiny. Vulnerable. A mere pinprick at the center of a vortex.

She curls up in her seat, clutching her knees to her chest, heated breath fogging the visor of her helmet, head swimming. She flinches at the giggle... Banagher's voice pulls her out of her own head, and she looks up, toward him. She lets out a shudder, and-- she recognizes this feeling.

A psycho-field. No. No, no, no--

The Banshee retreats. The hands disappear, and the pressure eases. She gathers her thoughts, barely. This is... play...? But the psycho-field is a thing to be avoided...

There's too much for her to understand it all before she's knocked nearly cold by the psychic pulse, only kept conscious by Banagher's distress. She can't fail. She can't fall. Not while he still needs her.

"B... Banagher..." she says weakly, her voice shaky as she moves to take his hand again. "It's going to be okay..."

It has to be, she thinks, as she stares out at the Banshee.

Trembling, she opens her comm. <"We're... dead in the water,"> she reports. She's not sure she has the energy to say more.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        The Banshee shrieks, and the gardener feels it like a icepick winding into her brain.

        The Banshee's beams cut chaotic angles, making it an impossible gauntlet to even pull through. The Dianthus was never built to be hit-- just to dodge. That was all that was needed.

        Sweat clings uselessly to Lucine's brow, soaking uncomfortably into her hair under the helmet in the zero-G environment.

        Her heart beats fast. She wants to get away.

        ".... I still have _one shot in me_," Lucine breathes, as Eight orders an attack. < "..... Laying down cover fire." >

        Her hands clutch the controls.

        The Unicorn isn't moving, however.

        The Albarest charges, the saturation and brightness of the magenta hued lights increasing to a white, haloed by a faint violet red.

        < "Banagher isn't responding... Liam, Christina, are your units holding up? I think we need to extract the Unicorn. Banagher and Audrey... must have dealt with the brunt of thar last attack...." > Audrey's message confirms as such. < "The Dianthus can't handle much more.... but I can lay down cover fire. The two of you need to get the Unicorn away in that moment. One of you may need to take on some of the Banshee's attacks if I miss. I'm giving you data from my vantage point. Please.... be careful." >

        It felt wrong to say 'I love you' to Liam then, with Christina in the channel, but Lucine makes peace with it.

        She'll tell him when they're back on the ship. < "Coordinating shot. Get ready in 5.... 4.... 3..... 2...... 1..... Firing now." >

        A swan's final dance. An explosion of arrows loop and corkscrew like feathers in a relentless wind, as chaotic as the Banshee's shots where before. All of them will be aimed at the Banshee, but not all of them will hit.

        If it gives them one second of leeway, it will be worth every bit of power expended.

KTS: Lucine Azul has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Lucine Azul targets Spectre of the Banshee with Lacrimosa!
KTS: Lucine Azul has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee partially guards Lucine Azul's Lacrimosa, taking 2250 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        'I just... need to collect myself.'

        "<Not okay,>" Liam chokes out. The status board bathes him in red. The Banshee cut clean through the main power shunt, and the auxiliaries struggle to keep up. Liam's pulse pounds in his ears as he hits the jets, boosting the CGUE up and away, but the Banshee's already got his number. The smartgun fires, and punches clean through the Mobile Suit's leg at the hip-joint. Metal shears free from maneuvering forces. The CGUE's severed limb floats off, white-hot and smoking at the end, to join the debris field. Liam's eyes go wide as wrongwrongwrongwrongwrong hammers at his senses..

        A gleaming pile bunker, punched through the cockpit, so /close/ to him. Sharp, bloody pain in his face from where the spall cut him.

        Liam can only watch--one eye in the future, and the other in the past--as the Banshee and the Unicorn struggle, Psychoframe resonance building. His stomach churns as he coasts on his momentum.

        The Unicorn goes limp and dead. Only Audrey's voice keeps Liam from assuming the worst.

        "<Lucine--!"> Liam chokes out, his voice agonized. She can't stop that thing alone, and if she gets its attention, it will kill her. He can't help her.

        "<Intervening, Unicorn.>" Liam's voice is as tense as garrote wire. The CGUE still has enough maneuvering thrusters--and enough power--to close with the Unicorn, and grasp it by the shoulders. Once he's got it firmly in hand, Liam sets course for the Ra Mari and hits the jets. He's careful. The Unicorn's offline, an he knows Banagher and Audrey can't handle g-forces as well as he can. (Neither of them went through the same invasive surgeries he did.)

KTS: Christina MacKenzie has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has activated the Alert Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Christina MacKenzie has posed.

        She sees him. <yellow>She sees him.<n> She sees him, clearer than the last time she sketched, clearer still than the last time she dreamt what she could still remember. Sixteen years, and that handsome face, smiling like there isn't a care in the world. Smiling like he wasn't ready to kill to save. <grey to red gradient>Kill to save, kill to save to kill, soldiers kill soldiers to save soldiers who kill soldiers killing to save innocents, n<Golden>NO!<normal>
                hISs, craCKle, BURst into voice transmission, heedless, "<--O! You can't be him, he haunts me already. He fought to save people, beast, and so do I! I won't let you claim any of us while I stand!>"

        The Banshee, for its part, seems to giddily take her up on her offer, lunging aggressively, its intent to gleefully dismember Tristan obvious even without the psychic phenomena radiating through the space. Chris reels her INCOM in, almost quick enough to save it from those claws--half the INCOM spins off into space, as the other half trembles, taking shelter in the Tristan's shoulder.

                "Quick, quick, not quick enough!" The forearm pods, INCOMs safely jacked into the main throughput supply, erupt with beam sabers, containment fields flexing together to cross the sabers and catch that vicious swipe as it bites into--through--the Chobham shell. The violence, the /claim/, laid bare like the Tristan's shoulder, sends shivers down Chris's spine, and she grits her teeth against the buffeting assault, narrowly repulsing those rending nails before they dig past, into the circuitry. Then, with just as little warning, the feral Banshee pivots away, a snapshot fired, a lunge at the Unicorn, and from the comm chatter, psychically assaulting the pilot no less. Chris scans the battlefield, heart climbing to her throat as York's Monster takes cover, as the violent magic of possibility unfurls and collapses, as the Unicorn slackens like a TKO'd boxer.

        York makes the call. But the Unicorn and its pilots... <"Captain, we cannot extract yet. Tristan is functional, I can cover our retreat, if...--Miss Lucine. Understood. Liam, was it? I'll tame the beast. Get them out. Let's all go home.>" She spoke none of her fear. Not a word of the possibilities of failure. No, she wouldn't make that real. Maybe it wasn't a true 'Miracle'...she can't save the world, can't even change it, but, if she can save just two people who can... That's enough of a miracle in her book.

        Five. The Tristan accelerates towards the Banshee.
                Four, the flames of RAGE flare out, and Christina can feel the metaphoric heat licking at her, cockpit sweltering in despite the emptiness of space.
                        Three. Face to face, Chris realizes her hands are shaking, and a grin spreads across her face. ("This thing...Hah! It's true terror. Bernie, please, I have to get back to my family... It's not time yet. Come on, Tristan. Let's go home.")
                                Two. The Tristan <Failnaught> belies none of his pilot's tremors, careening smoothly, straight at the Banshee in a head-to-head dive, INCOMsabers flaring, plasma containment lagging behind the hard burn. If it's as animalistic as it seems, it'll meet her challenge head on. In fact, she's relying on it.
                                        One. The Tristan throws its arm out, but there's no weight behind the impact, as the vectored thrusters twist and turn, spiraling the Tristan below the plane, arcing under the Banshee's feet as six--no, five, that shoulder is damaged--INCOMs spool out, corsucating with light as they drag hot plasma lines through space, thrusters countering, bringing the Tristan--and Christina--directly behind the black knight, hiding from Albarest's fury in its shadow.



         Zero. Moment of impact. Win or lose. "<--TRISTAN, FULL BURN, HOOOME!!>"

KTS: Christina MacKenzie targets Spectre of the Banshee with Crucible!
KTS: Christina MacKenzie has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee successfully avoids Christina MacKenzie's Crucible

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        
        Does it think something's funny? Does it? Does it? Does it? Does it? Banagher tries to hold on through the lashing it gives the Unicorn, through the resonance of negative feelings, but in the end, he's down. The hands close over him as if possessively, as if smothering his unconscious form within the confines of the Psychoframe And the Banshee, flies towards it, stowing all weapons away. Mineva beset by those spiritual limbs will see it growing closer and closer within its viewscreen, as the mobile suits arms move as if to encircle around the Unicorn, the spiritual sense of talons around the Banshee diminishing. Is it going to be okay?

        Lucine fires at that moment, and the Banshee jerks away from its trajectory, an explosion of looping arrowheads sliding around the mobile suit, it falls back as they trace a continual trajectory towards it. The Unicorn flies around a piece of hull that must have been here since Loum. The arrowheads perforate it, and on the other side the Banshee screams as if it had been struck by its plasma fire.

        Only to see Liam's CGUE flying away with the Unicorn. And the Banshee charges after it, screaming its RAGE into the psychic plane. The RAGE continues to grow at the lingering sense of Eight's rejection, until the Ra Mari II comes into view. This hardly seems like it will stop the Banshee on its own, as it gains upon Liam's CGUE, the gauntleted claws separating. Liam will feel that looming wrongness gaining upon him, like a prickling sense of doom on crawling across his back but, Chris strikes at that moment, accelerating towards it with a fury in a dive, cutting it off.

        The Banshee moves as if to drive straight through the Tristan with its vibrating nail. Then the INCOMs spool out, as hot plasma cuts it off. Suddenly beating a hasty descent perpendicular to the Tristan, its thrusters fire as it pivots around the hot plasma fire that just continually cuts it off. It tries to arc back around to continue the chase, but more beams fire, as Chris' last one sears off a piece of its horn. The CGUE is a long fading speck now.

Despite it all, the Banshee looks like it will continue the chase, all the way to the Ra Mari II. The Beam smartgun suddenly rotates into position as if to set up a long distance shot, violet energy charges up, glows. It's radio suddenly crackles within the Banshee's cockpit. The charge in the Beam Smartgun suddenly fades, as it rotates back into an inert position.

        All at once that sense of hostility just dies, as if the flame were snuffed out. The interlocking plates of Psychoframe suddenly close up as it returns into its obsidian armor, the golden horn merging from its split position. The Banshee then turns, and flies away as a blue streak, swerving around the debris of the field to avoid further shots from the Dianthus or the Tristan.

...---...

        "Hmmm. Some damage, mostly to the shield. Get repairs underway immediately." The stout form of Alberto Vist floats throughout the hangar of the Federation clop class as he speaks into an earpiece before turning to an aging Japanese man supervising the care of their pilot. "All in all a successful test. I have to say I had my reservations before given your track record but you've certainly delivered. I'm impressed, with your assistance we'll have this embarrassing family matter settled in no time, Doctor Murasame."

        "Your praise means nothing to me boy, my only care is the chance to advance a field that has lacked vision since Gryps. You presented an opportunity to get out from underneath the tedium of clandestine operations, I took it, that is the extent of our arrangement."

        "Ah, yes- yes of course." Alberto took out a handkerchief from his suit pocket and dabbed it to his forehead, "And when will our pilot be conscious again?"

        "Shortly. Shall we prepare for sortie against this 'Three Ships Alliance' while they are on the back foot?"

        "Ah, no no that won't be necessary! There's too much risk involved. We'll wait for a more fitting opportunity."

        "The lack of ambition within your generation never ceases to astound me. If we must then an extended session might be in order."

        Alberto sounded aghast, "Absolutely not! You're allowing time for adequate rest and that's final!"

        "Pah. Fool, squandering our limited time with such trivialities."

        Alberto Vist despite being a soul unused to microgravity finally managed to land himself beside the Doctor, as he points a finger at him.

        "Insult me all you want, but I'm in charge here, never forget that!"

        "How could I, with how often you remind everyone of this fact? Fine, adequate rest time will be slotted in."

        A pinging intrudes, as Alberto looked at his datapad, he pushes himself away, calling out as he goes.

        "Keep at it, Aunt Martha is demanding an update. Be glad I'm the one fielding it."

        "And is that how you believe you prove your quality? I suppose I do appreciate the break from your mewling and hand-wringing."

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Banagher's not responding--and then Mineva reflects that they're dead in the water. "Lavhi," she says. "Can we get enough power to tow the Unicorn?"

"It is possible," the engineer answers, "But not in time to rescue him from the assault of the Banshee."

She's not the only one shouting things over the radio at the Banshee. Chris, too, has something to say. She files it away, for now. ...And notes that she is out to protect all of them.

Lucine mentions cover fire, and Eight can accept that. The questions of whether they can get the Unicorn out--

Chris transmits back, and York answers, "<Acknowledged and agreed. We all go.>"

Eight's orders were under the supposition that they /could/ all leave, after all. She has no intention of leaving Banagher behind. Leina asked her, if she thought their alliance would risk for one family member...

For Eight, at least, today: the answer is yes.

"<We're counting on you, Liam.>"

As Liam move for the Ra Mari II, the Monster too begins to move. "<Tristan>," she says. "<Unicorn is clear, and the ship is in range. You are clear to withdraw.>"

Indeed, the Ra Mari II comes closer, coming to a stop so that the other can return to the hangar. The Banshee looks as if it will continue the chase, and already other mobile suits are surging out of the ship to answer. ...But when the Banshee suddenly flies away..

Eight sighs in relief. "<...This is Captain York," she says. "<Regroup. Get a team from medical to the hangar immediately.>"

They'll have to tend to Banagher...

Lavhi, from the copilot's seat says, "You should also see medical," with a frown on his face.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Banagher isn't fully unconscious. His eyes flutter as he floats in the space between asleep and awake. The spirits of those around him rage and burn, and he feels distressed -- he doesn't like fighting.

Audrey's voice cuts through his stupor, and Banagher squeezes her hand, raising his head just enough to smile sideways to her. "'m okay..." He mumbles.

Flinching both in body and spirit as the Banshee approaches, Banagher's fingers twitch again on the controls. They need to move--! But...

The Unicorn's sister approaches with her arms wide. Something about it... The young pilot's eyelids flutter. They're sisters. Spiritually, Banagher reaches a hand out.

Who are you? Why are you so upset?

Alas, the Banshee is warded off, her scream silenced by the heroics of Banagher's allies. Relief floods through him, except for a tiny splinter of deep, deep regret and sorrow. Why..?

Liam saves the Unicorn. Banagher feels him close, mumbling a "<Thank you,>" though it's so quiet Liam may not hear. As they gain more distance from the Banshee, the young pilot wakes more and more, until he's sitting up in his chair again.

"That was... really awful..." Banagher winces, holding his head in his hands. A splitting headache throbs in his temples. "Audrey, please, tell me how you're feeling?"

When they get back to the Ra Mari II, Banagher will allow himself to be checked out by medical. He's okay, he just needs rest -- even if his dreams will be haunted by a black spectre tonight.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        The CGUE is fast, but it's also missing a leg, and operating on auxiliary power. It has lead time on the Banshee, but the moment Liam feels his hackles rise, he knows the game is up. "<Hold tight,>" he says, and he twists to put the CGUE between the Unicorn and the Banshee. Turned halfway to the side, its battered shield is the only defense between him and the onrushing Mobile Suit. Come on. Come on, he thinks.

        He's starting to hear the screams. That psychic pressure feels so much like the crush of bodies on the fleeing transport. The screams--

        Chris intervenes. The CGUE's mono-eyed head traces the Tristan's attack vector, but Liam doesn't even have to adjust. It's a straight shot from there to the Ra Mari II.

        Later--when the brave, wounded CGUE has docked--Liam joins Banagher and the others for a checkup. Voluntarily. It gives him something to worry about that wasn't how easily they were lured in, or how close they came to death.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Mineva squeezes Banagher's hand, sighing quietly and closing her eyes for a moment. The vision of that specter is still there, in the back of her mind's eye.

But she nods. "I'll be okay," she says quietly, just above a whisper.

She's... less than okay right now. But... "I'll be okay," she repeats, a little louder, a little smile on her lips.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        The plan... came together. Lucine couldn't even say it was *her plan*; in the end, it was just a suggestion. Liam and Christina carried the rest of it all on their own.

        When the Dianthus returns, it is barely able to open due to the carapace being dented in.

        Lucine doesn't mind; she simply tells anyone who asks that she'll meet them at the checkup spot, once Ra Mari's technicians unseal her.

        And she tells the truth, because it doesn't take them too long before she can slip out and stagger away.

        At some point, as they wait for checkup, Liam will just feel Lucine settle into the seat next to him, and, if he doesn't pull away, she leans her head against his shoulder quietly, closing her eyes.