2022-11-25: The Descending Star

• Log: 22 11 25 - Descending Star
• Cast: Riika Sheder, Rau Le Creuset, Lily Jung, Michiru Tenjou, Himeyuri Oono, Serinas Nikola
• Where: Frontier Side 4 - Shoal Zone
• OOC - IC Date: 0096-11-25
• Summary: Fresh from a scouting mission gone wrong, Riika meets ZAFT's welcome committee.
• Notes: Takes place the same day as The First Star despite the difference in OOC time.

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<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

FRONTIER SIDE 4
LAGRANGE 1

The Frontier Zone is one of the most war-ravaged places in space.

Damaged heavily during the One Year War, it hasn't really been rebuilt in any sort of organized manner. Some areas are now cleared of debris, but other areas decidedly aren't, with fields ranging from 'slightly dangerous' to 'flying here is not a good idea' to 'don't get hit by space junk because you will die!'.

There are some Federation colonies in the clearer areas, but of the worst parts, nobody has ever spent the money and time to clean them up. It's a place where someone could hide and a place where junk goes to die.

Recently, Riika Sheder and a team of pilots were sent to into the ruined parts of the Frontier to find a location for ZAFT to use, either as a flight path to get to the Moon under cover or as a safe point to hide while making skirmishing strikes against both the local colonies and Lunar space. It's not glamorous work but someone has to do it, and though it isn't normally Riika's specialty, she was sent, and as the only red-uniformed pilot put in command. It gave her a good opportunity to run some additional tests on her GuAIZ.

And under normal circumstances, it would have been safe. The Federation does not have a strong defensive force in the Frontier. The worst that could happen is a skirmish and then a quick return.

Under normal circumstances.

What *actually* happened is that Riika, extremely difficult to understand between Minovsky interference and the electrical issues in some of the Frontier Zone, indicated that some kind of emergency had occured and that she would be leaving the Frontier through a very different route than she'd entered it, exiting near the more dangerous part of the Frontier, dense with often-electrified debris. A full report was to follow in person. Any ZAFT ships capable of recovering her squad should meet her at the listed coordinates.

And indeed one was nearby... though Rau le Creuset had intended to speak to Riika for an unrelated reason to her rescue.

The group is now approaching the designated meeting point. There was no time given, and she arrived much later than the other members of ZAFT, piloting a machine that has obviously seen battle damage, though not critical. The Phase Shift Armour must have done a lot of work. Her yellow GuAIZ is a very faded shade of yellow indeed, as Riika is running it at minimum power.

On the GuAIZ, there are various dents and bashes where the Phase Shift Armour didn't quite turn a blow aside, one of the legs appears damaged at the knee and isn't moving very smoothly, and the GuAIZ is missing its lower left arm from just below the elbow down - a beam cut, judging by the shear pattern. There's a new logo on the wing of the GuAIZ EFT: a flop-eared rabbit face with a pair of glasses and a rather angular RS beneath it, all on a hexagonal crest.

She is alone. The other three members of her squad are nowhere to be seen.

Riika has to avoid significant debris on her approach in, which she does slowly and carefully, firing her suit thrusters only in short bursts. She might be low on power. She starts broadcasting as soon as she sees the other members of ZAFT, voice only - no video. "Sheder here. I'm glad you could make it to the recovery point. The Frontier Zone had Britannians in it on defensive patrol, with G-Hound forces - we were ambushed halfway through our patrol." A pause, and then: "I'm sorry to report it, but - the others - they didn't get out. I can give a full report, but the Britannian Princess on site killed them."

She sounds upset, but as firmly controlled as she can manage.

<Pose Tracker> Rau Le Creuset has posed.

        --- Earlier ---

        "We have a traitor among us."

        An ominous way to start a mission briefing aboard the Nazca-class 'Vesalius'. Rau Le Creusets glances over those who have gathered, observing their reactions and giving them a moment to absorb the bombshell before he drops the next one. Which quickly comes soon after.

        "The traitor's identity has been discovered... It's one of our fellow pilots, Riika Sheder."

        Another big hit, given that they've flown with her before. Once again Rau pauses to give the others time to wrap their heads around it. He then goes into further detail.

        "Her frequent questionable decisions. Unauthorized use of non-standard combat methods. Interactions with noteable Federation assets. Her involvement in the disaster at JOSH-A. And more recent actions, have led ZAFT Command to brand her as such. The Supreme Council Chairman himself has placed upon me the authority and responsibility to carry out her sentence."

        Rau doesn't need to go into further detail as to what that is as everyone here knows there is only one sentence for the crime of treason in war time. A rather final one.

        A little more quietly, Rau says, "I understand if someone of you may wish to sit this mission out. As such no one is being ordered to participate. But I would remind you that it's situations like this that can be amongst the most dangerous threats to us and the PLANTs. If not dealt with, there could be significant repercussions... Which is why I will be fulfilling my duty to ZAFT by completing this mission."

        Rau gives another pause for the others to take this all in before he starts to lay out the details of the upcoming mission...

        --- Now ---

        The small ZAFT force had reached the arranged meeting point ahead of time, thus giving them an opportunity to set up before Riika's arrival. It probably comes off as a little strange to find her 'rescue' forces deployed, already waiting for her and in a combat formation. And perhaps of more concern is the white CGUE at the head of the formation. Rau's machine.

        After Riika's report about what happened, there is a noticeable lack of response for a short time. Before Rau's CGUE raises the machine gun in its right hand and points it towards Riika's GuAIZ. His voice then filters out across the comms of those present, "Riika Sheder. Command has judged you a traitor to ZAFT and to the PLANTs. Surrender now and your sentence will be carried out as humanely as possible."

<Pose Tracker> Lily Jung has posed.

Lily, who has been attempting to find her own path - but has been having trouble actually meeting up with the Sleeves so far - is shocked the moment Rau Le Creuset drops that first bomb.

Floating within the briefing room, touching the ceiling with one hand, she grasps at her mouth with the other. Her expressive blue eyes widening. Her heart stills at the idea of there being a traitor amongst them. Had she missed anything obvious?

But when the identity comes, she blurts out; "No way, she wouldn't do such a thing!" With a quick instinct to defend the short woman. She remembers meeting Riika when she was still under captain Talia Gladys - and has flown alongside her many times. But still, she can't get a read on Rau's emotions in that moment. Even as she stares at him, a slight flutter in her heart allows doubt to creep in. "Would she?"

She raises her hand to apologize and bows her head. "Apologies for my outburst." She manages, though her heart quickly steels itself, trying to reject the premise. But Rau is a convincing man. The fact that she was involved with what happened at JOSH-A... Lily had not been there. But that sheer accusation itself is not one someone like Rau would just throw around like that!

She quiets a bit. The idea of sitting out the mission is one her heart grasps at, trying to protect her. But she is loyal to ZAFT's cause. However, most of all... she wishes to learn what happened. She wishes to talk to Riika. And if this is the last time she can... then she must go.

Hope burns bright within her.

--- Now ---

As they maneuver into the Frontier Zone, Lily feels this awkward slight headache. The lightning that ripples in this place feels ominous. But most of all, she feels like this place just... it feels like death. Like people are lost here. Debris, dead Mobile Suits, torn apart ships amidst the 'landscape' of space.

As they proceed towards Riika's unit, damaged as it is, this all feels like it's so many forces to take against a singular person. The EWAC Zack is notable against the rest of the ZAFT units, as it floats a ways to the left of Rau Le Creuset. She watches as that weapon gets leveled, and Riika is given her accusation to her face.

As Hope is squashed by this intense Worry, and subtle waves of hesitation and hope. Always hope. The machine doesn't have its weapons out.

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

After the announcement, Michiru went directly to the person she trusts most. Himeyuri. Because quite simply, she doesn't believe the accusations for a moment. What she finds far more likely is a framing, probably by an ACTUAL federation infiltrator. There's a few people she can think of who might fall under that category. "Hime-hime. I don't think this is true, or right at all. Riika's been nothing but kind to all of us. She warned us about the explosion those Federation Monsters used to destroy both our people and their own so callously! And Most importantly of all, of everyone who's been on the ship, and... in ZAFT as a whole really, Riika is the sole person I've met who liked Gekiganger. So, speaking bluntly, there is not a single chance she's actually the traitor."

Her reasonings may not be the most sound, but she clearly believes them all with an ironclad grip. Her eyes are burning, wanting to right what she sees as a grave injustice toward, if she's being honest, the person who her trust of ranks only second place, just below Hime-hime herself.

---Presently---

Michiru is deployed in the Galaxia. Its shape and coloration are DISTINCT. Michiru herself is still conflicted, and doesn't know for sure about this whole thing. But... Hime-hime wouldn't lie to her. Her explanation makes... sense, at least. So if everything is as they say, then... she'll have to do this. Even if using Galaxia for this kind of operation makes her sick to her stomach. She won't be doing much talking... She's put music in her ears, to try and drown out the questions. She's Hime's knight. Her protector. And she won't falter in that mission.

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.

        The captain of the Socrates spends little time on on other ships, but Rau le Creuset had called an urgent meeting. She's left her own ship to XO Zelinn- and brought something else with her. She stands in the briefing room, waiting to receive his message. The mention of a traitor elicits a gasp from Himeyuri, her hand going to her mouth and her eyes widening. Riika-chan, a traitor?

        But if a man such as Rau says it... it must be true. She doesn't speak as Rau lays out the reasoning. She'd seen the reports- it was such a Kyo'akk weapon she unleashed on the Earthlings. They had obviously deserved it, but it should have been a red flag. "To think someone could misunderstand so badly..."

        But Himeyuri is also not one to let sit by. Uncertainty such as this is devastating to the spirit of heroes. "le Creuset-san. Allow me to join you on this mission. To betray one's comrades is the lowest of the low, a knife in all our hearts. I would look this traitor in the eyes, and have her know the harm she has done to all of us." She turns toward Lily after her outburst. "This doubt is what she wants, Jung-san. She wants us unable to trust each other. Unable to believe in each other. She wants to weaken our hearts and shatter our resolves. I wonder what price she extracted from the earthlings for her soul."

        There is no doubt whatsoever in Himeyuri's heart.

        --- After the Briefing ---

        "Michi..." Himeyuri looks pained, and takes Michiru's hand. "Maybe Rikka is a noble Aquamarine, or maybe she is a Miga Cua, cruel and vile. The only kindness we can offer is the fate that awaited them. If Riika was ever truly our ally, then her sacrifice will not be in vain." No doubt, no uncertainty. "She used Kyo'akk monsters, Michi. I saw the reports. And even Prince Akara understands Gekigangar- sometimes more even than Ken or Joe." But not Akira. Never Akira.

        And then Himeyuri pulls Michiru into a hug, caring, kind, gentle. "If Riika truly understands the spirit of Gekigangar, then I will be the one to inform her loved ones that she will not be going to the beach. And if she doesn't- then we are administering the justice of Gekigangar." She steps back. "Let's Gekiga-in, Michi."

        --- Now ---

        Next to the Galaxia, an ExAMAC that resembles nothing so much as a heavily modified Zaku, with a pink floral paintjob (and an elaborate heart on the back) waits in space, it's large sniper rifle anchored to her arm. It is unimportant to know the why, but Rau is in command. Give her a chance to surrender before her execution, as he says.

        "Sheder-san." No Riika-chan anymore. She can re-earn that kindness in death. Here, she is the enemy. And one cannot reason with an enemy. "I suggest you take le Creuset-san's offer. Do not make all here suffer more for your betrayal."

        It's the kindest path that can be offered.

<Pose Tracker> Serinas Nikola has posed.

        --- Earlier ---
        Serinas is NOT towering over everyone today. She really does spend almost all of her time miclonized! She's in the meeting room in her usual ZAFT uniform -- She actually picked the miniskirt version and paired it with tights and short black boots, just because it's different from the utilitarian clothes she was used to on the colony.

> THERE IS A TRAITOR
        Serinas gasps and leans forward in her chair slightly, hanging on Rau le Creuset's next words.

> It's one of our fellow pilots, Riika Sheder.
        "No way!" she cries out at the same time as Lily Jung, nodding in agreement at 'she wouldn't do such a thing'.

> Rau reads the rap sheet
        Serina takes this in with concern. "She was the one who warned us to *escape* at JOSH-A..." she gasps. "...Are you saying Command really thinks she's the bomber?!" Serinas can't believe it, and there's another issue more to the immediate point:

> There is no jury, Riika has been judged in absentia, and Rau is to be her executioner.
        "Wha... what? You... doesn't there have to be a trial?" Serinas has seen movies! There always has to be a trial! Maybe the Earth Sphere justice system is different from what its CULTURE showed to her, though...

        She's quiet for the rest of the briefing, brow furrowed in thought.

        Sit the mission out? ...If she's going to do that when someone's in trouble, why is she even here? She could have not enrolled, and just lived with her family on the PLANTs, hoping she wouldn't be needed.

        --- Now ---
        A second CGUE is deployed amongst the ZAFT suits, a darker grey rather than le Creuset's white so as not to be confused for it. While they wait in dreadful silence for Riika's arrival, Serinas stares at space on her screen. She turns her head to the scarf hung up on one side of her cockpit.

        --- Months Ago ---
        Sheryl's concert is under attack! This was supposed to be a peaceful mother-daughter outing, but... Serinas can fight. As she's about to run for the construction suits she remembers seeing on the way in, her mother stops her. "Wait!"

        Serinas stops. "What?"

        Her mother removed the sea-green scarf from around her own neck and put it around Serinas's. "The heroine should have a scarf, right? It's not quite the right style, but..." Lani adjusts how it's draped over Serinas's shoulders. "There."

        Serinas sighs, blushing a bit. "Mom..." Then once let go, flashes a smile and a thumbs-up. "Don't worry! I'll protect everyone!" And she runs for a machine, scarf trailing behind her.

        Later, at the end of their unexpected crash-vacation in Japan, her mother gave her a scarf in the proper hero style.

        --- Now ---
        Executing a friend without trial can't possibly be what a hero would do...!

        The commander points a gun dramatically. Serinas reacts without thinking.

        "No!"

        Fortunately there is no physical action -- merely Serinas reaching a hand towards the screen. Her CGUE takes no action. She feels like waves of worry are washing over her, but there is also Hope, and she clings to it like a bit of driftwood in a stormy sea.

        Himeyuri sure is trying to quash that hope, though.

        "R-Riika..." Serinas finds her voice again. "Please... there must be some explanation for all this, right? A-and if she provides an explanation, we'll have a proper trial, right? W-we can't do this! We're the good guys! We can't just shoot someone without proof!"

KTS: Lily Jung has deployed in RMS-119 EWAC Zack - Pink Psyco Test Type.
KTS: Serinas Nikola has deployed in ZGMF-515 CGUE <Serinas Nikola>.
KTS: Serinas Nikola has changed loadout.
KTS: Michiru Tenjou has deployed in bEXM-29 Gardnova Galaxia Custom.
KTS: Rau Le Creuset has deployed in ZGMF-515 CGUE.
KTS: Riika Sheder has deployed in YFX-600R GuAIZ Experimental Firearms Type.
KTS: Riika_Sheder has deployed as a Boss for 5 opponents.
KTS: Himeyuri Oono has deployed in bEXM-28-GT Revernova Otome.

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

At first, it's a relief to Riika that there's more than one pilot at the rendezvous point. It means they took her seriously, and she doesn't actually know if there are still Federation troops after her. She went faster than the Britannians could keep up with, at first - she thinks - but who they might have called or signaled, she has no idea.

Though, it is a little odd the way they've set up. Most of them do not have weapons out - Rau excepted, but that's a *big* exception. She knows that CGUE, and it's the last machine she'd expect on a recovery trip.

And then he speaks up.

Riika's reaction is to freeze up in her cockpit for a moment, with the gun pointed *right at* her. Her blood feels cold. She can't say that part of her didn't expect *something* to happen, with what she's done lately, but to have it so soon, so immediate, and so direct - no. That she wasn't expecting.

Riika hesitates for a few moments. Then: "I'd like to know exactly what I've been accused of. Please. I'm not a traitor to ZAFT. It's something else! I've - "

She can't say it. Well, she *can* say it, but if she said what she's thinking, the only thing that might save her, it would get a group of other people dead through no fault of their own. And even though it's the easy way out of this situation, maybe, or at least the thing that would give her the best chance of survival...

No. She can't. They don't deserve that.

So rather than finish that sentence, Riika trails off. The GuAIZ, originally a faded yellow, brightens up to its usual yellow-orange as Riika actually turns the Phase Shift Armour back on. The combat batteries are mostly recharged after the previous battle, thanks to the Minovsky reactor, but she still doesn't want to trust it far... and she doesn't want to fight them, anyway.

"I don't want to fight," Riika says, quietly. "But I'm not going with you to be killed either. I'm sorry." And she's surprised to find that she means it, too. She never thought she'd be encountering ZAFT soldiers like this.

Minovsky activity around the GuAIZ intensifies as Riika adjusts the fusion throttle. It could be a precursor to either firing or using the thrusters at high power; she had the suit halfway to shutdown before and it needs to be running at full intensity again.

KTS: Riika Sheder targets Himeyuri Oono with Pass!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Michiru Tenjou with Pass!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Rau Le Creuset with Pass!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Lily Jung with Pass!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Serinas Nikola with Pass!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 380.
KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Rau Le Creuset fails to react to Riika Sheder's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Lily Jung fails to react to Riika Sheder's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou fails to react to Riika Sheder's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Serinas Nikola fails to react to Riika Sheder's Pass, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Rau Le Creuset has posed.

        Rau is well aware that a number of those present have doubts about this situation. That was unavoidable, given what's happening. But it's also acceptable. The fact is, no matter how this plays out, it's already gone rather well. Doubt has been placed. Riika Sheder's death has been ordered. Any accusations. Any attempts to talk her way out of this will be coloured by the judgement that has been passed upon her and only make her look more suspicious.

        She doesn't try though. Smart. Rau has to give her credit for that. He replies, <"You know what you've done. Unleashing monsters. Colluding with the enemy. Attempting to redirect suspicion away from you by warning everyone about the bomb at JOSH-A-Something none of the rest of us were aware of-was an interesting move. Were the warning not so late that we still lost so many comrades there... With everything else that Command has been able to gather about you, your guilt is undeniable.">

        Riika then refuses to submit. So Rau says calmly, <"So be it.">

        Rau's CGUE bursts to the side, trying to move into a different firing angle as it pulls on the trigger of its weapon. The machine gun fires off a burst of bullets towards Riika's GuAIZ. Rau's aware of its capabilities, the Phase Shift Armor in particular. But he also knows that the system isn't perfect. Enough firepower will break through.

        As Rau maneuvers through the initial attack against Riika, he counters back to Serinas, <"The proof has been gathered, Serinas! The judgement has been made. We are soldiers in a war. We don't always have the luxury of knowing everything behind the things we are tasked to do. But I believe in ZAFT and what it stands for. And when our supreme leader asks me to do something for ZAFT, I will see it through to the end!"> He presses his attack further!

KTS: Rau Le Creuset has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Rau Le Creuset targets Riika Sheder with MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Maneuver Shot!
KTS: Rau Le Creuset has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Lily Jung has posed.

'The doubt is what she wants' is what Himeyuri had said. And if that is true, she's succeeding. Even as Lily remains here in space, seeing Riika's approach, she senses hope at first. Hope for their presence. Then... despair. This deep dark undercurrent of dispair.

Lily's eyes look hopeful for just a moment that maybe she'll lay down her arms. Or that she'll just flee at top speed. But... who is going to be able to pick her up? In fact, if there were someone to pick her up, that'd just secure this whole mess, wouldn't it?

Rau's words are convincing. More importantly, he's a figure of incredible authority and legitimacy. ZAFT isn't perfect, and certainly its findings could have been spoiled by something else. But... Rau would do the research. That feeling of 'confidence' from him in the meeting room earlier...

<"Riika..."> Lily tries to say something, but Serinas is already asking for something. Yet, she can only feel despair. And while Lily may be a powerful NewType... Riika isn't. She doesn't get the context. Is this the despair of being caught? The despair of a sentence of death?

But all they get is that she doesn't want to fight, and that she refuses to be killed. She says she's not a traitor, but she never explains. <"Riika, you're being accused of being involved in what happened at JOSH-A."> She tries to explain.

But then her Haro warns her of the rising energy signal, and Lily's instincts take over. Regret reaches her mind in the same moment that her instincts take over. As one of her weapons shifts from the back of her machine, and a pearlescent purple beam of light flashes straight towards the GuAIZ's arms.

It goes so fast, she doesn't even realize she is doing it. But survival is something that was trained into her since she joined this war. Partially thanks to Riika.

KTS: Lily Jung targets Riika Sheder with Twin Longblade Rifle - Psyco Model - Attuned Shot!
KTS: Lily Jung has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Himeyuri Oono fails to react to Riika Sheder's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Riika Sheder's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Riika Sheder partially guards Rau Le Creuset's MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Maneuver Shot, taking 3420 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 53580
KTS: Riika Sheder successfully Evades Lily Jung's Twin Longblade Rifle - Psyco Model - Attuned Shot

<Pose Tracker> Serinas Nikola has posed.

        Please, please, say something. Somehow it will be alright. It has to be!

        Serinas Nikola really is young. She hasn't experienced betrayal or the loss of a comrade like this.

        Rau charges into combat. Some distant part of her mind notes that it's a solid opening, probing defenses while repositioning, moving to make it easier for him to shoot his opponent than her to shoot back -- probably what she'd do.

        Rau's words make sense. He's right, in real life, Command are people just like her trying to do the right thing. The thought of how suspicious this all looks would have occured to them. They're not like the authorities interfering with the cowboy cop's persuit of justice -- those characters were Naturals. Coordinators are smarter than that.

        Still, it feels unreal. Like something that can't happen. Like a nightmare she's got to wake up from. Make it stop make it stop make it stop, this can't be happening! She can't even feel the hope any more, but the negative emotions don't give her focus or harden her heart, now she's just tumbling through the waves... She hasn't felt despair like this. Even news of the war when she arrived was... distant. It's not like she was *here* for Junius 7.

        Training takes over, a little bit. Part of her watches for movement, ready to dodge in the opposite direction Le Creuset is moving if an attack comes. It's a small, practiced motion to make her CGUE draw its machine gun and take aim...

        ...But knowing Riika is inside the suit her targeting reticle is hovering over, and hasn't even fired a shot yet, Serinas just can't. She can't shoot that familiar face, with no weapons drawn, that hasn't even attacked. Energy levels are rising, but...

        M-maybe she'll run? Maybe she'll run. Yeah, it doesn't make sense to fight all five of them. Maybe she'll run!

        Or maybe Serinas will wake up...

KTS: Serinas Nikola targets Riika Sheder with Pass!
KTS: Serinas Nikola has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

The back and forth earlier between the two 'oddball' ZAFT pilots had taken some time. But as it stands, Michiru was broken down completely by the course of events. But at this point, she's putting only one thing into her mind. Instead of being here in the moment, she breathes in, letting the audio she's feeding into her ears override everything else. In her mind, she's not fighting an ally. Instead, that yellow machine is actually a Kyo'akk kikaiju, helmed by an infiltration agent.

That's the only way she can get herself to fully commit to doing this.

"Hime-hime, we'll engage together! Back me up from a safe range!" Michiru's specialty is getting in close by comparison after all. So she goes in swinging, looking to close the distance as she changes the loadouts on Galaxia's gun. She understands the need to get through the phase armor, but that's not quite her forte. First, she has to try and open up a shot for Hime-hime. So she's going with courage, swinging a fist at Riika's machine to put the focus on herself as a big, obvious target. Surely the others will also open fire, once there's an opening. Surely.

KTS: Michiru Tenjou targets Riika Sheder with Heavy Fist!!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder fails to react to Serinas Nikola's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 53580
KTS: Riika Sheder's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Riika Sheder fails to Parry Michiru Tenjou's Heavy Fist!, taking 1080 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 52500
KTS: Michiru Tenjou has engaged Riika Sheder!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou begins a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.

        "I'm disappointed in you, Sheder-san." And the disappointment in Himeyuri's voice is real, radiating off her. Not just for her, but for Michiru, for ZAFT. She sends a message to Michiru in private. "I'm sorry, Michi. She doesn't have the courage of her convictions to stand for what she has done. She didn't understand."

        Himeyuri lifts the massive sniper rifle. "I'm counting on you, Michi! Expose her vile heart- and I'll put a Gekiga beam through it!" She waits as Michiru goes in for the punch, running the targeting calculations and then- "Sheder-san, it's time to face justice!"

        And concentrated Graviton Beam fires straight towards the GuAIZ. It's not sustained fire but the weapon is *not* something ZAFT have deployed before. Or as most R&D would know, been able to deploy before. This is something wholly new- except for those who have seen the Nadesico in action. But even that required a battleship. The Energy pack on the Revernova's back vents into space for... quite a while. "Hrrm. Sustained fire seems difficult right now. Note for later."

        Still, that doesn't mean she can't act. "The battlefield is no place for wavering hearts, Nikola-san. Sheder-san is the enemy. Treat her as such or return to the ship." Himeyuri's voice is calm, and surprisingly gentle... and yet. There's something menacing in it. "If you can't do either, don't get in the way. I shall speak to le Creuset san afterwards."

KTS: Himeyuri Oono targets Riika Sheder with X-GT-01 Gravity Sniper  Beam!
KTS: Himeyuri Oono has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder fails to Evade Himeyuri Oono's X-GT-01 Gravity Sniper  Beam, taking 4480 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 48020
KTS: Himeyuri Oono completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

The GuAIZ is already damaged. One-handed, with smaller impact points that the Phase Shift Armour partially or completely dealt with, and internal damage from being grappled and thrown. Riika can't handle a prolonged engagement in it, even if she wanted to, and she's not convinced she does.

But she does have to survive, if she wants to see this through, which means she may have to engage until she can get away.

Rau fires his machine gun, and he's right; the Phase Shift Armour helps, but it's already been stressed by the GuAIZ EFT going through one complete battle, and it's not a perfect defense to begin with. He hits the already damaged leg, drawing sparks from the yellow-orange plating and starting to break through near the knee; it ends up being less bullet holes and more a steadily expanding rip between two plates as the PS Armour disperses the impact, but not enough. "..." He won't listen to her. He'll have an answer no matter what she says.

But by that point Riika is moving. The thrusters on the GuAIZ are largely intact (one of them on the back-mounted flight unit appears to be slightly misaligned, giving her a slight leftward turn until she straightens out) and it moves *fast* when she's willing to spend the energy. Riika keeps an eye on it as it ticks downward, judging the rate as she jerks first to one side, then the other, narrowly eluding Lily's shot.

It'll be fine as long as she goes easy on the beam gun, she thinks, followed by: I don't even *want* to use the beam guns!

"I know!" she replies to Lily. "But even if you believe nothing else, believe this: I had nothing to do with the bomb. I found it in the base, active, and warned people as soon as I could." Though there's what Rau says, too...

Serinas is right: Riika does run. She banks sharply, heading toward the debris field - the place where it's thickest, hardest to fly. It's actively dangerous here; she has to maneuver several times, the thruster wings of the proto-Fatum flight unit giving her increased mobility. Michiru plows into her, fist-first despite an attempt by Riika to deflect with a beam saber, sending her rolling as she kicks away from the Galaxia, only saving herself from an impact with an emergency maneuver that leaves her sore. She cuts back without even thinking about it, but she alters the angle mid-swing to only go for the Galaxia's arm, intentionally avoiding the torso.

And then, though she's picked up some distance, she's still a target for an experimental weapon. The gravity beam slams into the GuAIZ, and its Phase Shift Armour - though not capable of much against an exotic gravity weapon - means that the outer plating holds together, causing more damage to the internal structure of the MS. Sparks and a brief surge of gas erupt from the already damaged leg that Rau just tore up as something inside snaps, then vents.

Riika fires back, a snapshot as much out of panic as anything else to disrupt Himeyuri's aim. At this distance from her she can't try to avoid a critical blow as well as she could against Himeyuri, but it's a single shot from a railgun to convince her to keep her head down. The railgun on the other hip fires a similar shot at Lily while the vulcans cover her retreat and check Serinas' possible advance.

It's from her back the last set of shots come - the flight lifter mounted there fires all three of its integrated rapid-fire beam guns at Rau, a steady barrage to keep him occupied. Unlike the other targets, Riika is less restrained here - he's enough better as a pilot than she is that she can't go easy on him or he'll just destroy her.

"I'm sorry! Everybody...!" She can't say any more - not so long as Rau is right there. And now Riika is dragging the battle right into the most dangerous part of the debris field. It's the only way she can think of where she might possibly get away, risky as it is.

KTS: Riika Sheder targets Michiru Tenjou with MA-M01 Lacerta Double Beam Saber Single Slash!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Serinas Nikola with MMI-GAU2 Picus 76mm CIWS Retreating Volley!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Lily Jung with MMI-M15 Xiphias Rail Cannon Shot!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Himeyuri Oono with MMI-M15 Xiphias Rail Cannon Shot!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Rau Le Creuset with MA-4B Fortis Rapid Beam Cannon!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 465.
KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Lily Jung has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Lily Jung fails to evade Riika Sheder's MMI-M15 Xiphias Rail Cannon Shot, taking 4800 damage!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Michiru Tenjou blocks Riika Sheder's MA-M01 Lacerta Double Beam Saber Single Slash, taking 1470 damage!
KTS: Riika Sheder has engaged Michiru Tenjou!
KTS: Rau Le Creuset fails to react to Riika Sheder's MA-4B Fortis Rapid Beam Cannon, taking 4560 damage!
KTS: Serinas Nikola has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Serinas Nikola has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Serinas Nikola successfully Evades Riika Sheder's MMI-GAU2 Picus 76mm CIWS Retreating Volley
KTS: Himeyuri Oono's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
KTS: Himeyuri Oono blocks Riika Sheder's MMI-M15 Xiphias Rail Cannon Shot, taking 2100 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Lily Jung has posed.

As narrow as Riika manages to avoid Lily's shot, there's beauty in it. The girl watches as the machine jerks just as she's about to squeeze. One doesn't need to be a NewType when an attack is coming in. Especially not when a weapon is coming out to float out from behind her modified EWAC Zack -- the Longblade Rifles are not small.

The Zack grabs the weapon immediately, and Lily directs it to push forward. The Mobile Suit rocketing forward - though it's having trouble keeping up with the kinds of speeds that the GuAIZ can reach. The Zack is outmoded, even in its current state. Sophisticated only by measures of time past.

The maching lurches as it gets caught not moments later in some of the static of the area. The hair on the back of Lily's head practically rising as she feels the subtle 'tension' growing within the region. Following after her along with her allies.

Someone who isn't guilty would be trying to plead their case. Would be telling them why what they did wasn't suspicious. What actually happened. She just... stumbled upon the bomb? Even if it's true, it's such a weak premise. She just... found the bomb, active.

But... that's the thing. This she can sense at least. Riika's pleading voice sounds earnest.

Lily bites her lower lip a bit as the pink machine flows and shifts between some debris, trying to keep up. But when coming out of a corner, Riika's vulcans catch the machine. Tearing across its chest and doing some serious damage to the older style mobile suit - ripping chunks off of its armor and causing alarms to immediately go off within her.

But this woman who sounds so earnest may kill her if she doesn't take this seriously. After all, Riika is fighting for her life.

So Lily, as her eyes begun to burn a little - her mind starting to race - only manages two sounds.

<"I'm sorry."> As the machine halts for a moment and takes a second to aim. Aligning its rifle towards Riika's machine. Aiming for its shoulder.

'What a weak statement' - she thinks to herself. Can Lily do no better than saying that she is sorry? Even as the light pulses out from the Zack's Longblade rifle, a flaring blue line that cuts through debris and straight for her machine, she can't find her usual hope.

KTS: Lily Jung targets Riika Sheder with Twin Longblade Rifle - Psyco Model - Attuned Shot!
KTS: Lily Jung has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder successfully Evades Lily Jung's Twin Longblade Rifle - Psyco Model - Attuned Shot

<Pose Tracker> Serinas Nikola has posed.

        The fight begins in earnest. People are talking. Some of them at her. This can't keep happening, but even more than that, her inaction cannot continue. Still, Serinas is paralyzed, until the Enemy fires at Himeyuri and she sees the next attack coming at herself. She jukes out of the way automatically.

        Serinas leans into it. Make combat decisions. Accomplish the objective. Nothing else matters. She doesn't have to feel it, as long as she's focused on that. She doesn't have to feel anything, except... no, it's not even her Zentradi side calling for the blood of her enemies. That would be Feeling. This satisfaction is below the level of conscious thought.

        The Enemy is attacking her Allies. She has to stop the Enemy from being able to attack anymore.

        But it's Riik--

        Her grip tightens. Lose focus and... something really bad will happen. Just don't.

        Still, she's briefly rattled. Some piece of her brain, somewhere, decides it's a good idea to charge in, to tear them apart. And before that can be questioned, her coordinator side is already calculating the best places to strike the GuAIZ.

        The grey CGUE charges, in a random, three-dimensional zig-zag pattern, firing the machinegun on full-auto to give the enemy one more thing to react to and increase the chances of defenses being overwhelmed.

        And then she's close. She goes right for the wounded leg, firing a burst point-blank and then deploying the armblade, trying to cut right into that gap in the armor as it comes out, and then put as much force as possible into ripping it free.

        Hit or miss, while her AMBACS system positions her for the next melee attack, the gatling vulcan in her shield is pointed forward, spewing slugs. Make a frontal counterattack dangerous. Spin, come down with a diagonal slash. Kick, then chase -- use the gatling to keep the Enemy on the defensive, unsure which way to move, before throwing all your momentum into another stab with the armblade. All damage inflicted is another step closer to victory.

        Victory is... what is she doing...?

KTS: Serinas Nikola uses hyper reloader
KTS: Serinas Nikola targets Riika Sheder with Final Blitz!
KTS: Serinas Nikola has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Riika Sheder fails to Parry Serinas Nikola's Final Blitz, taking 4050 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 43970
KTS: Serinas Nikola has engaged Riika Sheder!

<Pose Tracker> Rau Le Creuset has posed.

        Riika is right about a number of things. But particularly that going easy on Rau is a rather dangerous approach at this point. The man definitely seems intent on killing Riika. The others might see it as devotion to ZAFT and the task he's been given. But right now the truth is hard to grasp.

        Rau fires his thrusters to move his machine out of the way of the beam shots, but they still manage to rip through the leg of his CGUE. A few quick button presses jettisons the damaged limb, while readjusting thrust values to account for the lost mass.

        Seeking Riika making a run for it, Rau follows without hesitation, the larger thrusters on his CGUE's back raising up and firing to push him further into the debris field. Quick movements on the controls have him dancing around the larger pieces as he gives chase, calling out as he does so, <"This is a path you should have avoided. Your own actions have led you to here. You've only yourself to blame.">

        Finding a firing angle on the GuAIZ, the CGUE raises its left arm this time. The minigun in the attached shield spins up, firing a rapid stream of bullets at the other machine.

KTS: Rau Le Creuset targets Riika Sheder with M7070 Shield+28mm Vulcan Barrage!
KTS: Rau Le Creuset has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

It would be easy to say Michiru isn't especially bright, on a first impression. She comes on strong, and the way she talks feels... off, most of the time. Like she's imitating the speech patterns of a long-past age. She's generally kept her particular fanaticism restrained of course, only displaying it in subtle ways. Through her baking usually. Or when talking to Himeyuri in private. Beneath those issues though, she's clearly given to enough sense to graduate the officer's academy with some distinction. And even to have a squad who begged to fly under her command.

It's no secret she has also done some things that aren't... perfect, by ZAFT's standards. She's talked to at least a few enemy pilots. She's filed investigation reports that, unknown to her, were dismissed and shredded. She's not gone for the kill on occasions when she obviously could have. That's a piece of what she's drowning out. IF the voice in her heart is right. If this is framing. Wouldn't she be on the docket next time this happens?

She can't hear that voice right now. She's shut it off, telling herself it's all the manipulation of invaders and infiltrators. Monsters seeking to twist her mind. To subvert the very soul of courage and passion itself. To herself, she's humming a certain song to keep herself in this space, in an almost mechanical tone of voice. Anyone observing and listening... Nobody is. Only Hime-hime is tuned to hear her. And she can only hear Hime, of the voices out there.

As for what people can SEE, on the other hand. They see the Galaxia's arm twist, to catch the saber's blade on its palm, where it punches through to minimal effect. It cuts a thin strip of the armoring, but little else. With the GuAIZ retreating, Galaxia draws its gun into both hands, taking careful aim as it gives chase. "I'll restrain it with the capture rounds as best I can."

This isn't Michiru's forte. She's at her best using other types of weaponry. But she knows her way around a gun well enough at least. "Hime-hime. Fire on my count. 3. 2. 1... Gekiga... CONFINE!" She opens fire, shooting out a net that emits a weak electric pulse on impact. It's meant for missions where the objective is to take in a unit intact. Or for restraining allies if they lose control... (Why would an ally lose control mid-fight?) But on this occasion, it's for making sure everyone else can do what's right here. The only respectful thing for the memory of what Michiru thought would be a beautiful, lasting friendship.

KTS: Michiru Tenjou targets Riika Sheder with Net Cannon!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder successfully avoids Rau Le Creuset's M7070 Shield+28mm Vulcan Barrage
Intercept not permitted in RangeEngaged

KTS: Riika Sheder successfully Evades Michiru Tenjou's Net Cannon

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.

        Between the distortion field and the Revernova's force shield, Riika's railgun barely manages to clip Himeyuri's unit, but it's still enough to knock ExAMAC back. And all this chatter, all this doubt. Riika's doing exactly what she intended to. Spread doubt, and fear. Amongst all these weakhearted soldiers.

        The Admnirals were right. Women weren't suited to combat. Especially women without the sheer weight of responsibility on their shoulders that Himeyuri is. Their hearts are too soft, all of them.

        She watches the way Riika ducks and darts out of the way of the weapons. She can't risk her getting away. "If I.... reconfigure energy flow... Yes. And calculations there..." She aims past Riika, then pulls the trigger.

        The power backpack on the back of the Otome explodes in a burst of... something, and a physical shell flies past Riika, into her path-

        Where a micro black hole opens up, and tries to drag her into it. How long has she been sitting on these weapons? It's only for a moment, but the sheer sudden violent gravity burst, before collapsing into nothing and vanishing. Will it be enough to put end to this treachery, and their doubts? It will have to be. That nightmare rifle isn't firing again today.

KTS: Himeyuri Oono has activated the Attune Spirit Command.
KTS: Himeyuri Oono has activated the Enable Spirit Command.
KTS: Himeyuri Oono targets Riika Sheder with X-GT-01 Gravity Sniper  Microsingularity!
KTS: Himeyuri Oono has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder partially guards Himeyuri Oono's X-GT-01 Gravity Sniper  Microsingularity, taking 5301 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 38669

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

Though Riika is not trying to kill the ZAFT squad, it's a battle. Things happen out of your control - out of anyone's control. And with all she's seen, all she's done -

Riika can't die here. It's a selfish thought, she knows. She absolutely could simply give up, and end this with no more bloodshed (well, except her own). But then the things she needs to do would be left undone. And while Riika isn't egotistic enough to think that nobody can do them but her, she doesn't think anyone else is in a position to.

Not that she is, right this minute, either...

Lily is a Newtype; Riika isn't. She still sees the shot coming, her reactions Coordinator-swift and her skills as sharp as they have ever been. For someone who started life as a test pilot and mechanic, she's rapidly improving to something beyond that. She rolls through an aileron roll, dropping 'down' and 'left' from her flight path's orientation as the beam zips past where she was instants ago. It comes so close that it nearly skims one of the lifter's wings. Riika fires back mid-roll, again more trying to drive Lily away than anything else.

Serinas coming in does serious damage. She rips open the leg - rips off the leg in another spray, leaving Riika in a machine with abruptly altered maneuverability characteristics. She banks sharply to avoid slamming herself into a chunk of debris, cutting back at the other machine.

The battle is now moving into the *most* dangerous part of the debris field. The chunks are larger here, often accompanied with clouds or trails of smaller but still dangerous junk, some of which are electrically charged. Riika plows through a cluster of small, fist-sized chunks (her fist, not her robot's), her Phase Shift armour deflecting much of the impact but still having part of the already-damaged arm rasped away by the repeated blows.

It's the cover that saves her. Riika gets Michiru's net tangled in the very cloud she just passed through, then swerves behind another chunk, shielding herself from the worst of Rau's bullets with it; a couple glancing blows hit her anyway, but the Phase Shift armour is up for stray shots. Though the battery is starting to look dangerously low.

Something in her cockpit squalls an alarm that Riika has never heard before in her life. Two alarms, overlapping: one a proximity alarm, and one that her scanner software produces when it has no idea what just happened. Riika drops, sharply, and that saves her from literally flying into a micro black hole.

The shockwave still smashes the suit downwards, blasting against the back of the machine. Riika once again narrowly avoids direct impact with a large, sharp-looking chunk of what was once, a dozen years ago, a battleship... but she clips the other leg against it, sending her in a semi-controlled roll. She fires wildly through the roll, using the beam rifle for the first time. Most of the shots hit nothing at all, but a few might get lucky.

"..." They really want her dead. There's no other reason to bring weapons of that scale. In that moment, Riika's hope of getting through this without further conflict ends. Except she can't fight. She's going to have to take a risk.

Riika is breathing hard as she evens out her suit, red warning lights showing in a dozen systems. She can't keep doing this. Even if she wanted to fight back (and she does not, really, want to hurt anyone here except maybe Rau) she couldn't take all five of them, several armed with equipment she's less familiar with and can't predict as well. She's good. She's not *that* good.

So she accelerates. Riika choose to dive directly into the most hazardous field of the debris, constantly making microcorrections and trusting her excellent piloting skills to keep her safe. She avoids hitting anything for the moment.

KTS: Riika Sheder targets Serinas Nikola with MA-M01 Lacerta Double Beam Saber Single Slash!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Lily Jung with MMI-GAU2 Picus 76mm CIWS Burst!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Rau Le Creuset with MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle Maneuver Shot!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Michiru Tenjou with MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle Shot!
KTS: Riika Sheder targets Himeyuri Oono with MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle Shot!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 534.
KTS: Riika Sheder has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Rau Le Creuset fails to react to Riika Sheder's MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle Maneuver Shot, taking 4410 damage!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Michiru Tenjou blocks Riika Sheder's MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle Shot, taking 660 damage!
KTS: [Mirage] Lily Jung's EWAC Mirage activates, and she slips into a mirage.
KTS: Lily Jung fails to evade Riika Sheder's MMI-GAU2 Picus 76mm CIWS Burst, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Himeyuri Oono's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage.
KTS: Himeyuri Oono blocks Riika Sheder's MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle Shot, taking 1920 damage!
KTS: Serinas Nikola fails to Parry Riika Sheder's MA-M01 Lacerta Double Beam Saber Single Slash, taking 4920 damage!
KTS: Riika Sheder has engaged Serinas Nikola!

<Pose Tracker> Rau Le Creuset has posed.

        The chase is getting more dangerous as Rau puts more and more concetration into dodging the debris. But he manages well enough, keeping up with Riika and at some points gaining ground. Riika does manage to get a good move in, firing her weapon at Rau while he's busy dodging a particularly large part of a former ship. The beam rips through the left elbow of his CGUE, causing the whole arm with attached gatling shield to rip away and float off to join the rest of the junk.

        But Rau doesn't give pause at this damage as he continues forwards, further taunting, <"It doesn't matter where you go. You have nothing now. Even if you run to your Federation allies, you'll still be the outsider. There'll be nothing you can do. You'll eventually be tracked down and then it'll be over.">

        Rau manages to maneuver into an opening to fire on Riika again, raising the machine gun in his CGUE's remaining hand and firing a long barrage.

KTS: Rau Le Creuset has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Rau Le Creuset targets Riika Sheder with MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Blitz!
KTS: Rau Le Creuset has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Lily Jung has posed.

Lily's Zack shifts instinctively in a manner that quickly shows that much like Riika, Lily isn't going to stay the kind of young pilot she has shown her self to be. When the lifter wings come close, firing in midst of her roll, the Zack shifts and moves in a manner that borders on precognition, and then passes.

The bullets that zip towards her have Lily shifting her machine downwards and between the debris. Lightning tears through the region, almost catching the machine. Instead, it ignites some of the fumes coming from her machine, creating a beautiful blue-pink mixing light as she is forced to take up a new position.

From its lower position however, is when things get odd. This lurching sensation within Lily, just before the Black Hole forms. In that moment, she fires her weapon once more. The brilliant blue light sweeping straight into space... only for it to bend along the micro black-hole, coming in for an awfully accurate shot towards the remaining weaponry on Riika's machine.

Within the machine, Lily is starting to pant, feeling a sick feeling in her chest, as Riika's emotions reach Lily bit by bit. The conflict in her heart driving a conflict in the girl's own. Fighting because she must, but though Riika speaks no words...

Lily is beginning to understand that something else is going on. If Riika was truly a traitor - she wouldn't be going this soft on them. She would not show kindness.

That's what she believes.

KTS: Lily Jung has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Lily Jung targets Riika Sheder with Twin Longblade Rifle - Psyco Model - Sniper Shot!
KTS: Lily Jung has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Serinas Nikola has posed.

        Serinas starts to snap out of it. Her blade is plunged into the GuAIZ, but... what is she really achieving, here?

        Riika is forced to pull away briefly to avoid crashing into debris. Armaments and black holes(?!?!?!) go flying. And then--

        The Enemy is attacking. Serinas doesn't react fast enough, trying to knock the GuAIZ's arm aside and just getting a series of glowing-hot wounds scored in the CGUE's armor for her trouble, before attacks from her allies drive Rii--the Enemy off of her.

        Focus. One or two more slipups like that and you might be dead...

        Her coordinator mind tracks the tactical situation, even with so much shut out. The CGUE retracts its armblade and ejects the empty machinegun magazine before slotting a fresh one into place. The battle has driven ...The Enemy into a debris field. It will be distracted by dodging debris. As long as she doesn't enter that part of the field herself, that gives her an advantage, even if the Enemy tries to fire back.

        Serinas adjusts her firing angle, flying 'up' to land on the 'side' of a large chunk of battleship wreckage, bracing as she raises both the machinegun and gatling gun her 'upward' to fire on the Enemy from its 'above'.

        The Commander is talking to the Enemy. That's... not important. Keep fighting. Keep fighting and you don't have to... to...

        Serinas's hands are shaking. She tightens her grip, squeezing both triggers and holding them down as as a hail of munitions demonstrates 'accuracy by superior firepower'. A lot of it will miss or hit debris. A lot of it might not. There's a lot of a lot of bullets to go around.

        What... what did the Commander say?

        Nothing... Even if you run... outsider... Nothing... tracked down... over...

        Riika, no...

        Serinas's eyes start to water.

        Her helmet's microphone picks up even a choked whisper: "Riika... Why... did you do this...?"

KTS: Serinas Nikola targets Riika Sheder with MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Full-Auto Barrage!
KTS: Serinas Nikola has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder partially guards Lily Jung's Twin Longblade Rifle - Psyco Model - Sniper Shot, taking 4620 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 34049
KTS: Riika Sheder's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Riika Sheder partially guards Serinas Nikola's MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Full-Auto Barrage, taking 3895 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 30154
KTS: Serinas Nikola roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable.
KTS: Riika Sheder's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Riika Sheder partially guards Rau Le Creuset's MMI-M7S 76mm Machine Gun Blitz, taking 2329 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 27825

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.

        As Riika flees into the debris field, the Otome halts. Without it's main weapon, and the power pack destroyed, it would be foolish for her to flee after her. Michi is the better pilot of the two, and her Gardnova would struggle for mobility.

        She listens to Rau's speech, frowning. "Rau-san," how informal of her. "Please don't waste valuable words on her. This problem can only be solved with action." She can only stare. "We should prepare for when she reemerges."

        Her next message is just for Rau. "...We need to find if she has poisoned anyone else's hearts. We need to stop it spreading by any means necessary." She's staring at a readout in her cockpit.

        "If we cannot steel these weak hearts with the justice of our cause," Himeyuri mutters to herself, "then we must steel them another way." She stares at the designs. A number of variants of the Batta... and a massive cannon. "Or must we provide the steel ourselves?"

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

The stress of forcing herself through this method is starting to get into Michiru's head. She's outright singing in the Galaxia's pilot block, belting out the song of Gekiganger with a voice that would be great for music. Hime-hime's told her as such before. That she could take up singing as another peaceful life choice. Just like opening a bakery. But of course... she has no desire to. No matter how often she's pressed on it. Her calling is to pilot. To defend people from invaders and monsters alike.

The fire in her eyes is burning now. A wild blaze that tears down everything in its path. In that spirit, there's only one thing Michiru can do, to protect Hime-hime from all possible threats. To ensure the traitorous Kyo'akk agent won't leak knowledge of their distinctly unusual weaponry and systems. She's turning up the main cannon to full. Giving it a second to charge up, as the Galaxia opens its torso... "For the Saintess...! Let's Gekiga-in... GEKIGA... MAX FIYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" In her right frame of mind, she'd never try to do this to Riika. But... now, she has to be the one to defend the Saintess. To ensure her path and happiness remain unblemished. The Gravity Blaster, for it IS identical to the Nadesico's infamous weapon, rips through open space, swallowing up debris as it races toward the GuAIZ, trying to cut it off before it can get away. Its range should be sufficient... has to be. She can't go after, through that zone. She'd be cut off from everyone, AND sustain unimaginable damage, with no real hope of recovery.

KTS: Michiru Tenjou targets Riika Sheder with Galaxia Blaster MAX!!
KTS: Michiru Tenjou has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Riika Sheder fails to react to Michiru Tenjou's Galaxia Blaster MAX!, taking 7700 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Michiru Tenjou's Villainy Will Never Succeed! activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 20125
KTS: Michiru Tenjou roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

"..."

The most frustrating part, to Riika, is that she can't answer Serinas. She *can't*. Some of the accusations, though distorted, are true. She really did work with Alexis, not High Command, and attack Ptolemaeus. Others, she can't say what she truly knows without putting other people, people who don't deserve it, at risk.

There's a surge of anger that isn't directed at anyone here except possibly herself, though there's determination behind it, and focus.

But focused as she is on Not Crashing, and hampered by a suit that is rapidly running out of both endurance and power, Riika is struggling.

Serinas' bullets skitter across the flank of the GuAIZ, once again failing to puncture with neat bullet holes but instead leaving dents and rents behind as the Phase Shift Armour is overwhelmed. It's running so low on power that Riika has had to manually throttle it downward, the colour of the GuAIZ fading slightly as she fails to hide it.

Similarly, Lily's blast strikes - but the Phase Shift does nothing against that. She tears off most of the remaining arm, the beam rifle lost along with the hand. Half an arm, one leg; the GuAIZ is missing a whole lot of accessory parts by this point.

Himeyuri doesn't fire, but Himeyuri doesn't need to; Michiru does enough for both of them. The gravitational shockwave catches the GuAIZ firmly, simultaneously crushing and tearing; in the cockpit, Riika lets out a yell as more of her alerts go flat red. The GuAIZ has almost nothing left. She's losing control of its flight path -

And she is. It weaves in a decidedly non-straight manner as Riika tries to retain control. She looks like she's fighting the poor balance and mismatched thrusters, and she's starting to win, pulling up straight and narrowly skimming a chunk of metal, so close that it draws sparks from the half-an-arm as she makes momentary contact to push off it.

But then Rau's bullets hit.

They hit something exposed in the GuAIZ. It's hard to see what, but what control Riika had momentarily achieved is lost in an instant; the GuAIZ spins out, flying deeper into the debris zone. It bounces off one piece of debris, tumbling wildly before it slams front-first into another, more distant one, that discharges its held charge with what would be a thunderbolt crack in atmosphere but up here is nothing but a faint blue flash. A moment later, and a great explosion erupts from the center of the GuAIZ as the Minovsky flux drops suddenly to zero.

When that clears, that twice mech-sized piece of debris is tumbling away from the group, the GuAIZ impaled on it by the shoulder, its remaining leg dangling loose into space. What parts are visible are a dull, uncoloured grey.

<Pose Tracker> Rau Le Creuset has posed.

        Rau watches on his screens as the barely controlled GuAIZ proceeds to crash into one of the large pieces of debris. The explosion that results is briefly blinding. But once it fades, Rau watches closely...

        ... There's nothing. His system scans the explosion point and the space around it for any signs of movement. Still nothing...

        It's over.

        <"Mission accomplished.">

        Words normally worth celebrating, this time they likely have a heavy feeling to them given what they mean.

        As Rau begins to make his way calmly back out of the zone and to the Vesalius, he privately responds to Himeyuri, <"It doesn't matter. The path we're on, the path of this war... It's set. There's not much anyone can do to stop it now. All that's left is to see it through to the end."">

<Pose Tracker> Serinas Nikola has posed.

        There's an explosion. The Enemy... stops attacking. It's... hard to see just what parts of the GuAIZ are left, if the cockpit block is among them.

> Mission accomplished.

        What? No, don't they have to check on the Enemy, to make sure it's... to make sure Riika's...

        ...

        ...Rau le Creuset isn't foolish enough to not make sure, like those movie characters who leave the villain, or the hero, for dead. He's a coordinator. He would make sure. That means he's sure that Riika's...

        Riika's...

        Serinas' hands leave the controls. She... she ran from facing it by pushing it all away, but the reality she's come back to is UNIMAGINABLY WORSE than the nightmare she fled.

        Riika Sheder is dead.

        And partly... by her hand.

        The teenage pilot curls into a ball in her seat, radiating despair and regret for the other psychic-sensitive types in the area.