2023-02-23: Unwound

• Cast: Angelo Sauper, Banagher Links, Full Frontal, Spectre of the Banshee
• Where: L4 - Near the Ra Mari II
• Date: U.C. 0097 02 23
• Summary: It's little surprise that being on board a ship with the Sleeves is stressful to Banagher Links and would prompt a need to get away. In the midst of his joyride in the Gundam Unicorn to unwind from it all, he's ambushed again by the mysterious Banshee. It certainly seems grim for him until unlikely saviors arrive...

---

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Sleep has been elusive. Even with Audrey and Leina safe and HaroCon to look forward to, Banagher finds himself unsettled whenever he's alone. He can't escape the image of all those hands trying to grab him -- mentally and spiritually.

And if Banagher is suffering, he won't be the only one. Wandering through the hallways of the Ra Mari II, his feet eventually bring him to the hangar, and he looks up at the Unicorn.

Unspoken words pass between the Gundam and her pilot. At least -- they do to Banagher's heart. It's almost as though he can see her distress in the curve of her metal face, the way her hands hang at her sides. And she can see it in him, he thinks, in the dark circles under his eyes and his hunched shoulders.

Moments later, Banagher is in the Unicorn's cockpit, waiting for permission to launch.

"We just need a little time out with the stars. Then we'll both feel better." He says to the Gundam.

Permission is radioed in, and they rocket forward. As soon as the walls of the hangar are left behind, Banagher feels a weight lift from his shoulders. Space surrounds them, holding the Unicorn and her pilot safe and sound as they hover in place.

A deep, cleansing breath in. Out. A smile. "Here we go. Show me how fast you can run, Unicorn!"

Urging the thrusters to their maximum output, the Unicorn charges away from her home ship, racing out into the stars. Banagher laughs, guiding the Unicorn with an easy hand. In perfect harmony, they race ahead, trailing blue starlight.

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        Tis so cold out here between the stars.

        It is one of the earliest lessons any Spacenoid learns, how cold their world can truly be. How terrible the universe outside their cylindrical sanctuaries can be, that they cannot even take one step outside without protection.

        Thus must they bring it warmth. Banagher and the Unicorn certainly do, as they streak across space like a blue comet, for the sheer joy of it. Racing from one length to the next as fast as possible. There is so much sincere joy in this action, that he might almost forget the cruelty, the apathy. How it wears one down like coarse sandpaper the longer you live.

        Some things don't forget, in fact, some things lurk within it. His sensors pick up nothing at first, as a dark shape moves out from behind a small drifting asteroid and punches it in high gear perpendicular to his position, on an intercept course. The telltale shriek is silenced by the vacuum of space, there is no psychic resonance to pick up on at all.

        That changes the next second. His senses fill with the sheer weight of the dread pressure again, that survival instinct throbbing on high gear with the sense that he is prey and that a predator is near.

        It is not a mobile suit he sees at first, it is the psychic effigy ethereal and wispy, vaguely avian with its violet slits for eyes. A single hand of taloned fingers falling upon him in its predatory descent. Look again, truly look. Within a split second it is the Banshee, armor obsidian, jagged gold horn upright. The interlocked plates of its gauntlet already separated into that wicked vibronail. He can see them vibrating, he can hear nothing of course within the vacuum. A beam saber is already ignited within its opposite hand.

        And as it comes there is something like a muted whisper within his soul, the creeping sensation that a boogeyman's breath is upon his ear, its fingers a shadow upon his neck. There is no escape, none within the susurrus of contradictory feelings.

                        play play play play play play play
                         close your eyes close your eyes
                        play play play play play play play
                         close your eyes close your eyes
                                        m i n e

Its clawed vibronail swipes down at the Unicorn's left arm as if intending to shear it off outright.

KTS: Spectre_of_the_Banshee has deployed as a Boss for 3 opponents. 
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Banagher Links with Armed Armor VN Impale!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee anchors Banagher Links, forcing him into close range.
KTS: Banagher Links fails to Parry Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor VN Impale, taking 3800 damage!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Banagher Links!

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

This rush of freedom and joy -- it leaves all his burdens behind. Banagher will have to take them up again once he returns, but for now, this is fine, right? It's important to rest. Dr. Bidan said so, all the way back in Sweetwater.

And, already, both Banagher and the Unicorn /are/ feeling better.

Hardly paying attention to the sensors -- who would menace him out here? who could outpace the Unicorn? -- Banagher is shocked at the shriek of the Banshee, utterly unprepared. He jerks around until his cameras lock onto the dark shape quickly approaching. There's only one thing it could be.

"No -- no, not again." He hisses, fear accelerating his heart rate. "Nnh--!"

Psychic pressure washes against the Unicorn, and she responds immediately. The NT-D transforms the cockpit and beyond, but Banagher isn't ready. There's no harmony between Gundam and pilot. With only fear to pick up on, the psychoframe radiates it, outward and inward, looping into Banagher's heart again and again.

Scarlet light shines out against the stars.

Injectors in his back wake him from his stupor. Banagher gasps, shakes his head, focuses on the Banshee. It's already armed, and it's coming for them -- there's no time to run.

Gritting his teeth, Banagher draws the Unicorn's own beam saber. If they don't fight--

At the end of the last fight, the Banshee reached out to embrace them. What did it want? He doesn't want to find out.

Sweat breaks out on the back of Banagher's neck at the arrival of the horrible, childlike impressions again. He shivers, terror making his hands clumsy on the controls.

"I'm not making that mistake again." He manages, then clicks on the radio. "<Who are you? What do you want!?>"

Raising the saber, the Unicorn attempts to protect itself against her attacker. It's not enough -- the vibronail rakes through her armor, shattering her left arm. It's still attached, but only just.

The sensations only get stronger. Banagher breathes, in and out, fast and terrified.

"<Get away!>" He yells, slashing out with the beam saber in the Unicorn's other hand.

Banagher Links transforms to RX-0 Unicorn Gundam <Destroy Mode>
KTS: Banagher Links targets Spectre of the Banshee with Beam Saber Slash!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 58.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 75.
KTS: Banagher Links 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 Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee blocks Banagher Links's Beam Saber Slash, taking 1200 damage!
KTS: Banagher Links has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!

<Pose Tracker> Full Frontal has posed.

Full Frontal was in need of a good stretch. His attempts to puppeteer Sayla had not borne much fruit, but she had been primed for his game board. Yet even so, the Ghost of Char was restless. A side effect of bringing the remnant spirit so near its dear sister? Regardless, getting away from the din and proximity of so many voices and minds would be a refresher for his mind. Even as a vessel such as himself needed to be polished every now and then to remain in peak condition.

As Full Frontal departed the Ra Mari II in the Sinanju, he eyed the Unicorn in the distance, the boy having foolishly departed with no escort, no backup, no cares in the world. The cold void of space was no children's playground.

Staying just out of the Unicorn's sensor range was a manageable feat, and tailing the holder of Laplace's Box had paid off in spades. Weakened, alone, disoriented, the Unicorn's left arm hanging from an almost literal thread...it's almost as if fate was gifting him the perfect game state.

Smiling with morbid glee, Full Frontal punched his acceleration to its peak and ascended into the dark verticality of the field, the crimson silhouette of the Sinanju looking down upon the Unicorn and the Banshee like a bird of prey eyeing the vermin beneath it.

The Ghost of Char had been unsatisfied with the lackluster outcome of the prior battle. Barely a shot and the Banshee had scurried away back to its masters. Yet this was no simpering hound...there was a different presence now altogether, wasn't there?

No need to hold back then.

Popping out his shield's bazooka attachment, Full Frontal caught it on his rifle's under-barrel, aiming with dispassionate precision. The cartridge flares into life, the barrel expelling a rocket directly at the Banshee's arm, even as it comes down to carve at the Unicorn with an extended beam saber.

"Show me what you can do, Vist lapdog."

KTS: Full Frontal has deployed in MSN-06S Sinanju.
KTS: Full Frontal targets Spectre of the Banshee with Rifle Bazooka!
KTS: Full Frontal has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Full Frontal enervates Spectre of the Banshee, reducing their Morale significantly.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to Intercept Full Frontal's Rifle Bazooka, taking 5500 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Full Frontal's The Ghost of Char activates, causing Deject!

<Pose Tracker> Angelo Sauper has posed.

Spacenoids learn early on if they want to know warmth, they need to provide it.

Sometimes, they learn further that no matter what sort of kindling you provide, someone will stamp it out, and then all you're left with is the cold comfort of that warmth's memory.

And sometimes --

        <<"You're really a one-of-a-kind twit, aren't you?">>

-- sometimes they learn that what you need isn't warmth, but a scalding flame.

The contemptuous voice of Angelo Sauper broadcasts to the Unicorn Gundam and its pilot seconds after the Ghost of Char makes his presence undeniably known on the battlefield. As the Sinanju's rocket flies through the void between stars, the little glimmer of thin wires catching light from beam particles and an exploding bazooka round reveals the presence of two large cannons, floating directly beneath the two Unicorns. Mega particle barrels gleam with bright emerald-white light --

Before a cross-section of beams scorch the emptiness of space to try to catch the Banshee in their cross-hairs as it attempts to deal with the Sinanju's assault.

The wires of the mega particle cannons begin to retract immediately thereafter towards their home at the sides of the Krake Zulu, hovering near the Sinanju -- having departed to provide back up for Full Frontal shortly after the Sleeves commander's departure.

Within his cockpit, Angelo manages a scornful, unhappy smile as he cocks his head, staring at the sight of the Unicorn in peril. Half-lidded, violet eyes contemplate the Banshee. It feels different, somehow -- but as deliberately closed off as he keeps himself, Angelo couldn't begin to say why. Instead, his gaze falls on the Banshee's white-armored, damaged counterpart. Angelo hardly wants to be helping -him-, but really, he has no choice.

<<"Can you go even a -week- without gleefully tripping head-over-heels into peril?">>

He thinks he's handling it well.

KTS: Angelo Sauper targets Spectre of the Banshee with Mega Particle Ambush Formation!
KTS: Angelo Sauper has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Angelo Sauper rattles Spectre of the Banshee, making their next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee blocks Angelo Sauper's Mega Particle Ambush Formation, taking 2220 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        The fear within Banagher is palpable, as he asks who is within it, what it wants. The Banshee is utterly silent on the matter, there is just the impression of soft gleeful laughter. The Unicorn transforms as expected latched into its armor, it lets go the moment that beam saber ignites. And as it falls the Banshee's right hand opens to catch the Unicorn's hand in mid-descent.

        The NT-D should be able to easily overpower its opponent, and yet Banagher is certainly not at his best, not in control, there is a twisted shudder of strength, the arm begins to try and force it back, its components seeming to buckle slightly under the force of it. With a demon's strength, it begins to turn the Beam Saber bearing hand right back towards him. The Saber coming closer and closer towards the Unicorn's head.

        It is so fixated on its prey, that it almost doesn't see another Spectre coming at it, its head turns at the last moment, the Bazooka's shot being met with a burst of Vulcan fire. It matters not, the explosion still rocks the Banshee, throwing it away from Banagher, sporting a crack within its obsidian armoring, right as Angelo follows up on his Captain's lead with a surprise burst of mega particle cannon fire.

        This time its met by the blue gleam of an I-Field as the Banshee twists, grabbing the shield from its backpack in mid-motion, raking across it, yet still penetrating to some degree. Putting the shield back, there is a growing pressure of its anger anger anger A N G E R. The Banshee shakes, then spasms, then SCREAMS its fury into the void.

        No sound may carry, but it still rips across the senses as acutely as nails across metal. Its fit feels so human, too human for a mobile suit, near epileptic, as its armoring slides apart, bright orange-gold plating of Psychoframe shimmering as it appears all throughout its frame. The horn splits open into its jagged V, crowning it.

        The shaking stops.

        And then as if in mirror of one of Full Frontal's favorite tactics, in a flash of blue in a twisting movement its upon him in the blink of an eye, a Beam Saber ignited within its right hand. Rather than attack with it, the Banshee's gauntlet splits open into talon like nails that begin to vibrate.

        Even before it falls, there's a reaction between the Sinanju and the Banshee, out of the cockpit suddenly erupt a myriad of sickly purple hands, that twisted around each other in awful masses, and latch down upon him on a level that is beyond the mere physical.

                        Hatred Resentment Jealousy Suffering
                                DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
                                         F O R
                                        M I N E
                                          M E
                                DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
                        Despair Sorrow Emptiness Guilt Anger

        He was emptied out to be a vessel, to bear the will of the Spacenoid, and hands respond in kind by filling him within with the pitch black of its hostility at the meagerest of touches. They fill, and fill, and fill latching onto him possessively to him as if from on the inside out as if to make him theirs, and theirs alone.

        It cares not that he is claimed by more than just it, that it belongs to more than just it, it cares not. As far as it is concerned there is only one singular outcome of this engagement between two Hounds.

                                Y O U A R E M I N E

        The Claw descends, to try and dig heavily within the Sinanju's armor, and shred its armor components heavily, before using the claw as a fulcrum to turn itself towards the Geara Zulu. There is not so much of a reaction within him without the medium of the Psychoframe within his Geara Zulu, a spike of feelings of worthlessness.

        Twin prongs rotate forward, as the beam smartgun of the Banshee charges, telegraphing its intent. A violet stream of beamfire chaotically shifting to follow after him, before the trajectory whips wildly right back towards the Unicorn, trying to lash it from the legs down.

Spectre of the Banshee transforms to RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee <Destroy Mode>
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Full Frontal
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Full Frontal with Armed Armor VN Catch and Kill!
KTS: Spectre_of_the_Banshee Changes attack to Angelo Sauper and Banagher Links with Armed Armor BS Full Barrel.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Full Frontal's Collective Will activates, and its spirit endures.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Full Frontal, reducing its Morale significantly.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee anchors Full Frontal, forcing it into close range.
KTS: Full Frontal blocks Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor VN Catch and Kill, taking 6231 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Full Frontal!
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Rouse Spirit Command.
KTS: Angelo Sauper has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Banagher Links rushes into the attack!
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 partially guards Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Full Barrel, taking 8040 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Angelo Sauper fails to evade Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Full Barrel, taking 6030 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

With the NT-D active, Banagher's awareness expands -- but the Banshee tamps down on that, monopolizing his spirit. He doesn't reocgnize Full Frontal and Angelo's presences until they're close enough to fire.

<<"You're really a one-of-a-kind twit, aren't you?">>

"What?!" Banagher cries, as his cameras display the Sinanju and the Krake Zulu. He barely even registers the insult. Are they here to finish the job -- capture him, and the Unicorn? What other purpose could Full Frontal and his awful sycophant have, following Banagher out here?

"Nngh-- No, no--!" Banagher panics, as the Unicorn's arm is forced back. Red lights illuminate the cockpit as the Unicorn's arm cracks and buckles under the strain. She's going to be forced to destroy herself. "Unicorn, please--!"

...Full Frontal fires on the Banshee, even as it attacks the Unicorn. Angelo follows the Ghost's lead. Banagher doesn't have time to express his shock, taking the chance to put some distance in between him and the black Unicorn.

As the Banshee screams again, Banagher cries out in turn, clutching his helmet. It hurts -- those feelings are so aggressive, so painful. It reminds him of Loni, in those few moments they faced each other at Torrington. It hurts, it hurts!

The red psychoframe in the Unicorn's left arm flickers, threatening to extinguish. Still unable to find harmony with his Gundam, Banagher trembles in his pilot's seat, wrapping his arms around his chest. Ride the wave. Ride the wave. Ridethewave ridethewave ridethewave!

Heart pounding, Banagher lowers his head, trying to steady his breathing. He isn't successful. Terror is embarrassingly clear in his voice. "<...Full Frontal. ...Angelo. What are you doing?>" Banagher asks on a public channel. "<Why -- why are you here?>"

"<This is -- hardly gleeful!>" Banagher replies to Angelo, annoyance breaking through his fear. Of everyone to come to Banagher's rescue, why did it have to be /him/? "< I don't even know how this thing is /finding/ me! I was out for two minutes!>"

...Angelo does have a point, though.

As the Banshee turns her gaze on Full Frontal, Banagher feels a modicum of psychic malice lift. It's enough to steady his hands on the controls. He's got to make it back to the Ra Mari. Audrey -- Audrey is waiting for him!

Awash with determination, Banagher grits his teeth. In response to his slowly-awakening anger, the Unicorn ignites a second and third beam saber across her arms. Her left arm is too damaged to hold one, but this is the best he can do! Of everything he tried last time, this worked the best!

The Unicorn charges forward, trailing starlight once more. Banagher can see the Banshee lining up a shot, but he's too close -- he's just going to have to believe in his Gundam.

...the Banshee targets the Unicorn's legs. Even with him racing forward? The cockpit should be an easy target. What... why? Why is it attacking non-lethally?

Torn from these thoughts by the smartgun's fire, Banagher cries out at the devastating blow. The Unicorn's legs are practically shredded, hanging loosely beneath her.

"I'm sorry -- I'm sorry!" Banagher squeezes his eyes closed against the tears forming. "Please, just a little longer!"

The Gundam answers him with a scream of her own. With three sabers, she tears at her sister, trying to destroy the Banshee's clawed arm.

KTS: Banagher Links targets Spectre of the Banshee with Four-Saber Combo!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 45.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 45.
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 parries Banagher Links's Four-Saber Combo, taking 1500 damage!
KTS: Banagher Links has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!

<Pose Tracker> Full Frontal has posed.

Full Frontal is amused. Yes, that's it. Fill me with woe. Fill me with rage. Fill me with the despair and void of outer space. I have room for it all. Entrust to this vessel the wellspirng of your failures, for in the end, I will be left to carry them forth to the end of time.

Yet even such declarations are not enough to shield the Sinanju completely from the ravages of the Banshee's Armed Armor VN. Shards of the sinanju's shield are sent flying, one beam emitter shredded like tinfoil, and the heraldry at the front is rendered a shattered mask of its former gilded glory. The sheer force of the blow was causing the Sinanju's left arm servos to shriek in agony, as sparks crackled along its cracked plating. Still functional. Still serviceable.

For now.

Locked into combat with the Banshee, the Sinanju had limited means to make use of its mobility. Yet, this too was an opportunity. Moving with lightning quick actuation, the Sinanju ignited one of its beam tonfa, slashing forward as quick as a comet. Full Frontal answers Banagher dispassionately.

"Why am I here, boy? I care only for the Box. If the Unicorn is destroyed and you are taken because of your foolishness, the Spacenoids will lose their means for independence and salvation. The hopes and justice of millions in space reside in that machine you've so carelessly handled." Continuing his retort even as his attack proceeds, Full Frontal's disapproval and disappointment is evident. "Cardeas Vist was a fool to entrust the Unicorn to you. You claim to believe in its potential and possibilities, yet all of us here witness how callously you treat the carrier of Laplace's Box."

Returning his attention to the Banshee, the Ghost of Char focuses his Newtype powers in response to the spectre's prior attempts at intrusion.

Pathetic.

If this is all you can bring to bear against me, your fate is already sealed.

The spirit within adds its disdain.

What could you possibly know of despair?

If you would like to dance for me once more, then by all means, puppet.

KTS: Full Frontal has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Full Frontal targets Spectre of the Banshee with Arm Saber!
KTS: Full Frontal has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Full Frontal rattles Spectre of the Banshee, making their next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee parries Full Frontal's Arm Saber, taking 840 damage!
KTS: Full Frontal has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!

<Pose Tracker> Angelo Sauper has posed.

<<"Did you think we came here to shoot you down? You're already doing an -exceptional- job of that all on your -own-.">>

Mega particle cannons locking into place at the Krake Zulu's side with a click silenced in the dark of space.

<<"We're your -babysitters-.">>

Angelo Sauper curls gloved fingers around the controls of his mobile suit as his targeting arrays lock on to the distant form of the Unicorn Banshee, activating its NT-D. His lower lip curdles and the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as he hears - no, /feels/ - that scream, a sensation muted by a Newtype heart that's gone to great lengths to make sure others can't see it.

Unicorn. -Unicorns-. It's -always- them--

It's gone.

"Wh-- Captain!"

Behind the blue tint of his helmet, Angelo's eyes widen. Thanks to the Krake Zulu relying purely on a Quasi-Psycommu - a measure deployed, ironically, to address the issue of the Unicorn and its NT-D - there's really nothing to latch onto in Angelo's machine.

But the Banshee finds a way to strike out at what matters to him, all the same.

Worthlessness seeps into his soul, and within it finds itself a comfortably lived-in spot to settle; worthlessness has been a companion to Angelo most of his life. He's grown comfortably numb to the transactional, exploitative nature of the world.

But the only man who gave him any worth is in danger and-- and-- without him--

<<"You don't have the right to EVEN APPROACH HIM, YOU FILTHY WRETCH!!">>

Memories of laying on that same filthy bed just waiting for an answer or an end are choked down as the Krake's mega particle cannons detach once more, thrusters igniting as they wind outward into more prime positions for assault. The Krake's thrusters ignite at the same time, Angelo guiding both machine and weapons simultaneously with unspooling wires and furious ignition; the Banshee is too close to the Sinanju to use the mega particle cannons -yet-; so instead, the Krake aims its machine gun and fires as it banks above the Banshee, rounds of green beam fire lancing through space in precision bursts that aim for its head, its arm joints, and its thrusters -- all intent to dislodge the black Unicorn and -repel- it from the Sinanju, as best the Krake can.

He won't go back.

He won't ever go back.

KTS: Angelo Sauper targets Spectre of the Banshee with Beam Machine Gun Barrage!
KTS: Angelo Sauper has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee successfully Evades Angelo Sauper's Beam Machine Gun Barrage

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        The prongs of the smartgun rotate back, as Banagher apologizes to the two Sleeves that come to his rescue. The Unicorn charges at the Banshee, and a Beam Saber rises to meet it, a single Saber shifting trajectory to intercept two. The third descending where it seems as if it will strike cleanly. The claw shifts back into a gauntlet the exact same moment.

        A beam Tonfa erupts, intercepting the last at the very last moment. The strength of the Banshee's NT-D pushing back with a fury at him. The sense of violet hands surround him, consume him, cover his eyes yet again.

                                 CLOSE YOUR EYES

        It's a horrific twist upon what Amuro Ray once said to him, before aiming for the Unicorn's reactor, this sensation like he might die in this moment.

        Nothing like that happens. Full Frontal comes at him with a swipe of Beam Sabers, and the skill of the Ghost of Char forces the Banshee to reconsider its lock, with a flash of blue, it leaves the Unicorn behind to engage its more dangerous foe.

                        DESPAIR DESPAIR DESPAIR DESPAIR DESPAIR

        It is like a hollow echo, and gleeful childlike laughter, as if something that would tear the wings off butterflies in innocent psychopathy.

        The beam saber clashes against the Beam Tonfa, and the strength of the Ghost of Char's suit makes it break from the lock within moments-

                           YOU KNOW YOU KNOW YOU KNOW
                          HOUND HOUND HOUND HOUND HOUND
                          DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE

        The Beam Smartgun suddenly rotates out, its blue thrusters flaring into a backward ever shifting diagonal, the beam whipping around erratically in a whipping array of suppressing fire even as the Beam Machine Gun begins focusing upon it.

        There's a sudden change of trajectory, as it corkscrews, only barely staying ahead of his burst of machine gun fire. In the end, his shots only burn off the tip of one of the jagged protrusions from the Banshee's horns.

Then far too quickly, it charges at Angelo, it's its Beam Tonfa making the transition to Saber, as it holds two Sabers in its hands.

A quick feint is made, before the second Beam Saber attempts to skewer his suit from one shoulder then right out the other of the suit trying to render him utterly helpless.

        Then diving backwards like a diver upon a board, it then twists in its descent and levels off, as it flies at the Unicorn, and spares it nothing within a dizzying array of savage yet elegant strikes that move to test its guard again and again and again.

                          PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY

        The feelings within Banagher's head are a contradiction of wicked elation, soaring glee, and deeper look deeper and you might feel-

                                   NOTHING

KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Full Frontal with Armed Armor BS Retreating Shot!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Angelo Sauper with Beam Saber Rush!
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: Full Frontal has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Full Frontal has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Full Frontal successfully Evades Spectre of the Banshee's Armed Armor BS Retreating Shot
KTS: Banagher Links has activated the Rouse Spirit Command.
KTS: Angelo Sauper has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Angelo Sauper has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Banagher Links fails to retreat.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Banagher Links, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Banagher Links fails to react to Spectre of the Banshee's DESTROY-->SELF-SACRIFICE, taking 9360 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at -6763
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.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee enervates Angelo Sauper, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Angelo Sauper fails to evade Spectre of the Banshee's Beam Saber Rush, taking 5520 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Spectre of the Banshee's Hands Meant For Holding activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has engaged Angelo Sauper!
KTS: Angelo Sauper has activated the Dash Spirit Command and has disengaged.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

After seeing the way they devastated the General Revil, watching Full Frontal and Angelo struggle against the Banshee fills Banagher with fear. This is looking bad. Really bad.

Full Frontal's words are cutting. Banagher /has/ been a fool, taking the Unicorn out for a joyride alone. He's just -- so tired, he only wanted a few minutes...

"<...I was stupid. This was so stupid.>" Banagher murmurs, within the shattered Unicorn. "<I'm sorry.>"

Audrey... Leina... Is he going to make it back to them?

Angelo's voice is still irritating, even in the midst of his panic. Banagher wants to snap at him, but -- Angelo is right, and they both know it. Hissing out a breath, Banagher looks up at the Banshee, its aggression and despair starting to drown him.

His attack was worthless. Purple hands return, and Banagher /screams/, shaking his head back and forth blindly. He can feel each finger pressing in against his soul, amplified by the enemy NT-D. It's overwhelming. He's never been able to create very powerful psychic walls, but this -- it's as though his soul is being torn away. Tears escape his forced-shut eyes.

As familiar words echo into Banagher's heart again, all he can think is how grateful he is that Leina isn't here, this time. Between bursts of panicked breaths, he manages to smile -- Audrey and Leina are safe.

Another echo of Torrington, though Banagher doesn't realize it, plays out before him. What must've been the final blow is interrupted by Full Frontal -- just as Sayla Mass saved the Unicorn from Amuro. The pressure on the young pilot abates, and his eyes fly open with a gasped breath. Full Frontal takes on the Banshee. Saving him -- no, saving the Key.

Fully overwhelmed, Banagher can only watch as Full Frontal and Angelo battle on. Even connected to the NT-D, he can't find the strength he needs to move. Frozen to his very core, Banagher trembles, eyes darting between the fighting mobile suits.

But it doesn't last. It can't last. The Banshee's objective is clear -- it wants the Unicorn, for whatever purpose. As it comes to Banagher again, he feels the return of those hands, and he turns his head away. At last, the Unicorn moves, trying to dart out of the Banshee's path--

Unsuccessfully. The Gundam is torn apart by oddly graceful strikes. Scarlet light extinguishes, and she transforms back down into her Unicorn form. Another wave of psychic pressure washes over the drowning Banagher. As he falls further, awareness torn from the physical world, that /nothingness/ rises up to meet him. Desperately, he reaches out, trying to cling to those closest to him.

Audrey! Leina!

Their bond is too distant. Banagher slumps in his seat, lost.

<Pose Tracker> Full Frontal has posed.

Full Frontal watches the Unicorn finally shut down, its frame unable to withstand the sheer savagery of the Banshee. The Black Lion mauls its sibling viciously, tossing aside the remnants and the bruised key within to later drag back to its master's lair. "Banagher Links. You disappoint me. Even with a suit superior to my own, you can barely muster the ability to defend yourself, let alone defeat the enemy before you. Do you truly think you can protect anyone like that? I thought the taste of murder would have finally forced you to grow, but it appears to have merely degenerated you instead. Pathetic."

Without even a second glance back, Full Frontal hailed Angelo over their comms line. "Angelo. Take what's left of the Box and the Key back to the Ra Mari. We must not lose it, or all we've struggled for thus far will be for naught. I will join you once you've retreated far enough." The Ghost of Char unleashes the full force of his Newtype pressure. Inheritor he may be. The second coming he may be. The successor to the title he may be. In this moment, it does not matter.

I am the Red Comet. You shall not lay claim to my quarry.

Dashing towards the Banshee even as the Krake Zulu retreats in protest, Full Frontal focuses on his foe. Ignoring the waves of protests from Angelo's thoughts, the supreme commander of the Sleeves roots himself in close combat with the Black Lion. Full Frontal slashes down with both of his beam sabers against the Banshee's armaments, the glow of their clashing weapons illuminating their eyes. Raging red against the measured emptiness of emerald green. "Your masters will not have the Box or the Key this day. It is my prize, and mine alone."

If either Angelo or Banagher looked back, all they would see is the back of the Sinanju, standing tall, standing proudly, against the demon of the void.

"Come, spectre. Show me your utmost. You've displayed such might...and yet I find you wanting. Is this berserk strength all you have to offer me?" Waves of contempt slap aside the despair-drowned hands of the Banshee's psychowaves, like a school teacher disciplining an errant child.

Very well then. Let us proceed to your final judgment.

The victor shall write the tale, and the vanquished become it's villain.

But come, let us cast aside titles and pretense, and reveal our true faces to one another.

I am...

KTS: Full Frontal targets Spectre of the Banshee with Twin Sabers!
KTS: Full Frontal has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Full Frontal anchors Spectre of the Banshee, forcing them into close range.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to react to Full Frontal's Twin Sabers, taking 4940 damage!
KTS: Full Frontal has engaged Spectre of the Banshee!

<Pose Tracker> Angelo Sauper has posed.

Part of the Krake Zulu's armor still bakes in the wake of the Banshee's previous shot, but Angelo pays it little mind. The commander of the Royal Guard is tunnel visioned on his duty - on the only thing that matters to him in this sick joke of a life...

... and ultimately, he pays for that.

Beam bursts miss their, even if they manage to peel the Banshee off of the Sinanju. Angelo's lips twist, spitting out a curse of frustration to the side as he jets the Krake backwards. Its mono-eye flashes a pinkish-red as it focuses in on the corkscrewing path of the Banshee.

But the Sleeves pilot has overextended himself, this time; before thrusters can properly engage, the beam saber of the Banshee TEARS through the Krake's violet, heavy shoulder armor, it crackles and splinters silently, spitting electricity and molten, rapidly-cooling metal into space.

His teeth grit, Angelo feels a seeping futility of failure scratch at the back of his mind -- he couldn't pin down this Banshee - this UNICORN - this FILTH -- he couldn't -- couldn't even --

<<"Get AWAY from me!">> snarled with the desperate anger of a wounded animal, it's everything Angelo can do to let thrusters ignite and -rip- away from the Banshee just before it descends upon Banagher and his Unicorn. For a moment, the Krake floats seemingly immobile in space as the Banshee tears apart its prey like a wild lion. Spite rises like bubbling bile in Angelo, drowning feelings of vulnerability and the cold pit of anxiety in his core; he doesn't lift a single finger to try to stop that violence, if he even could.

He just watches, with a narrow-eyed gaze filled with the scorn of someone who can't even take pleasure in seeing someone they hate be put in such peril.

As inert as the Krake seems, though, the nature of remote weaponry means that appearances can often be deceiving. He waits -- waits for the right moment -- waits for the Banshee to overextend itself -- waits for Banagher to marinate in failure and desperation a little longer -- and then...

... large, mega particle cannons roll into place on either side of the Banshee, glowing bright, ready to attack, before--

        Angelo.

"What--?"

The cannons pause. Angelo blinks. He starts to protest like a kneejerk reaction.

And then he realizes he was about to question Full Frontal. As if the past three years of proof weren't enough for him. As if a single, stupid machine could make him doubt--

"Tt--!" a pause, as white hot frustration tempers down towards deference, reflected in the dip of the wounded Krake's mono-eyed head.

<<"... Yes, Captain. The field is yours.">>

And then, the mega particle cannons ignite.

Not to catch the Banshee -- but to ward it OFF, the X-shape of their formation creating a caging fence to repel the Psycho-frame machine from its sibling, and better prepare it for the Sinanju's counterattack...

... as the Krake itself drops towards the ruined form of the Unicorn.

Banagher reaches out to Audrey. To Leina.

But it is Angelo Sauper who spitefully takes hold of him in coincidental and very literal fashion as he does, grabbing that ruined machine as its thrusters begin to ignite again, ferrying them both away from those two vessels in the distance.

He couldn't pin the thing down. Someone else might have reflected on how that stubborn single-mindedness might well have cost him.

Angelo, however, in these moments of vulnerability he never wants to have to feel again...

"... You damn brat... if it weren't for you...!"

... Angelo elects to pin the blame entirely on Banagher.

KTS: Angelo Sauper targets Spectre of the Banshee with Mega Particle Cage Formation!
KTS: Angelo Sauper has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee fails to react to Angelo Sauper's Mega Particle Cage Formation, taking 6110 damage!
KTS: Angelo Sauper begins a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Spectre of the Banshee has posed.

        The Banshee is briefly more still than it has been in some time when the Unicorn finally falls, as Banagher cries out. Perhaps it was the sheer force of its focus, its intentionality upon him in that moment.

        The Banshee cannot hear the exchange between Angelo and the Red Comet, but it can hear that psychic resonance of its quarry, the Banshee suddenly turns towards the most dangerous opponent on the field.

        The Ghost of Char.

        Cast aside everything, titles and pretenses, reveal their true faces to one another? The Banshee shrieks psychically at the challenge, as it braces itself to meet Full Frontal's challenge. Whatever feelings it had for felling its quarry now replaced by FURY.

        It's twin sabers flash, and catch the Banshee between its held up guard, melting plates of Psychoframe and carving a scar across its frame. Before it can respond, Angelo's Mega Particle Cannons catch it from both sides, in a horrific blast. Despite the original delay in its firing, it still synergizes with his Captain's attack beautifully as its fire blossoms in the night.

        The X formation obfuscates its visuals long enough that the Banshee sees him making off the Unicorn far too late, and that pressure just grows, the effigy of the predatory bird igniting.

        If it could but catch him-!

        The Ghost of Char is in the way, I am...

        The strange reaction in the Psychoframe occurs within, as those sickly psychic hands try to seize upon him, but there is something unnerved within it now, a growing anxiety that seems to overwhelm the fury presented.

        I am...

        Flashes of myriad imagery, nonsensical perhaps to him, hands upon hands upon hands within a void where only the two of them exist. No...

        It's not just the two of them, is it?

        Before he can plomb deeper into those true faces, the Banshee careens towards him in one final furious charge, itself rotating fully upside down to his position with a savage brutal arc of its Beam Sabers.

        That pass wildly over him - it's charge a feint, before the Banshee dives away in a blue flash, relying perhaps on the speed of the Unicorn model as it flies away erratically towards a shoal zone.

        It will likely disappoint the Ghost of Char that it met his challenge and flinched, but perhaps this particular Hound knows its priorities too well to take these kinds of risks.

KTS: Spectre of the Banshee targets Full Frontal with Pass!
KTS: Spectre of the Banshee has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Once Angelo has dragged the devastated Unicorn away from the battlefield, Banagher gradually comes back to himself, pulled away from the epicenter of psychic pressure. As he surfaces, he turns back to look, his spirit shimmering green against the violet malice.

Who are you?

Banagher closes his eyes, and opens them in physical space. Humiliation and regret greet him, towed along with Angelo. Arriving back at the Ra Mari II is going to be miserable. With a sigh, he pulls his helmet off, running his hands through sweaty brown hair.

Watching the Banshee soar away in his cameras, Banagher feels a sense of foreboding uneasiness -- one that will not leave him anytime soon.

<Pose Tracker> Full Frontal has posed.

Full Frontal and the Sinanju watch dispassionately as the Banshee retreats. So very empty. So very inane.

So very disappointing.

As the Black Lion flees back to its masters, the Red Comet turns its back and fires its thruster binders, screaming through space back towards the Ra Mari. The Krake Zulu and the remains of the Unicorn come into view as Full Frontal frowns.

Perhaps he will need to take a more...personal hand in sculpting the Key. This could not be allowed to happen a second time and put the fate of the Spacenoids at risk. After all...

A vessel must fulfill the needs of its people.