2023-09-08: Tempest in Azadistan: The Changing World
- Cast: Marina Ismail, Teletha Testarossa, Sousuke Sagara, Diamondback Vipers (NPC), Roux Louka, Liu Mei Wang, Gary Biaggi, Xia Twins, Regina Everhart, Tieria Erde
- Where: Azadistan Solar Power Station
- Date: U.C. 0097 09 08
- Summary: An AEU-backed Solar Power exchange station in Azadistan comes under assault by insurgents who wish to drive the Federation out of their country. But whose hand are they playing into?
At the same time, driving through the battlefield, the Shuffle Alliance tries to extract the traitor who nearly got the Tuatha de Danaan destroyed.
<Pose Tracker> Marina Ismail has posed.
The contemporary solar power relay was a magnificent, overwrought, and terribly fragile marvel of technology.
The long-range transmission of power from the European elevator must remain continuous, no matter the miles and miles of intervening terrain, inclement weather, and armed combat capable of threatening the pipeline. The network to distribute that power across the nation of Azadistan, inconsistent and hampered by age and disrepair. The automation of redundancies and safeties to mitigate the known risks; the authorization chains and personnel teams trained to respond to the unknown risks. The AI monitoring the usage and voltage patterns to constantly optimize the flow and safeguard exposed wires as untold families across Azadistan suddenly find their long-abandoned powergrid revived, with new potential for prosperity--and personal injury.
So much work... It's hard to believe that this opportunity has finally, after so long, been bequeathed to Azadistan.
Marina Ismail couldn't help but stop along the catwalk to stare in awe at the massive capacitor towers stretched out beyond the reinforced glass, her fingers touching the glass as if to reach out towards her country's future. Now, clinics could proliferate in rural regions, and international trade might finally be accessible to the common folk. And yet, the future didn't match the steady industrial lighting above her head.
"Is it..." she started, voice struggling to reach even her two companions over the vigorous hum of the machineries. "Is it truly acceptable for me to be here while Rasa--while esteemed Imam Rachmadi is still missing?"
"My Princess, there's nothi--"
"Why, exactly now, when the country is anxious, is when we should seize the opportunity to show our composure." The Reformist senator, tone unconcerned, spoke over Shirin, as though the woman hadn't opened her mouth. "After all, the Traditionalists wouldn't waste time to take advantage of our disorganization."
"My Princess," Shirin reasserted, "ADIA agents are working around the clock to follow up on the testimonies and evidence they have. There is no indication yet that it is part of a concerted attempt on conservative voices. The imam will be found, whether you navel gaze upon your lapels or you stroll through this photo op. Let's just get this wrapped up and return soon."
A patronizing male voice resumed speaking over her, something Shirin was thoroughly familiar with.
"Miss Bakhtiar, please, don't make such scary faces while we are being filmed. You'll upset the Princess."
A photo op indeed, the European journalist was documenting just about every step Marina and the senator took in this place, Marina's guardian Bahar trailing quietly, at a polite distance. Nasrin was downstairs keeping an eye on the cameras throughout the facility, just in case. She'd seen nothing so far--and seen almost no one. It didn't quite sit right.
Shirin refrained from scowling at the senator, and advanced towards their facility guide instead.
"Is the facility on skeleton crew today? There were many more workers around when I did my last walk-through."
"Yes... We had several employees call in sick today. I think they're afraid of getting the Princess ill?" Something in the facility manager's confusion made that feeling worse. It crawled up Shirin's back, like the deliberate, slow steps of a threatened scorpion...What was it?
KTS: Mobile Weapon Team has deployed in eEXM-17 Alto. KTS: Mobile Weapon Team's eEXM-17 Alto has been disabled.
<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.
[7 HOURS EARLIER]
"What you are about to do has not been approved by Mithril Command."
So says Lieutenant Commander Andrei Sergeivich Kalinin, the Operations Director of the Mithril West Pacific Battlegroup. There were the members of SRT in front of him and a few people connected via encrypted lines, broadcasting the conference room dim and a projector lit on the wall. Tessa was standing beside the massive man, watching each member one by one.
"Due to the delicacy of the situation, we will assume Mithril itself is compromised until the traitor is detained." A click of a remote; The man himself on the screen. Identification photo, a few details about his height, age, nationality, close relatives, and so on. Notably, his rank of Major has already been stricken. "This will be a search-and-secure operation for Vincent Bruno." Click. "We've receieved intel on his location from the Shuffle Alliance."
Click. Azadistan lights up on the next slide, points on the country's map of reported, confirmed, and plausible sightings. "Due to the unrest from Laplace's Box, there's a high probability of him appearing during one of their protests." There was money moving. Armaments exchanged. Follow the money, follow the people, and you can find spots where the embers will burst into flame. "Intelligence suggests that there is an attack planned here by rebel forces." A specific point: A relatively new solar energy project in the local newspapers. Quite an accomplishment.
"Your objective is to secure Vincent Bruno alive and cognizant. The operation will begin on landfall in Azadistan."
___
[NOW]
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMpPIRnWbPY Drivin' to the dead - Shade
The TDD-1 was at Merida Island, repairs and restocking going apace. There was only the glance of the current situation on a monitor every so often; She didn't have to keep constant vigilance over it. SRT could proffer themselves accordingly.
The plan was comparatively simple: Secure Bruno. Drag him down, out of the nation. Pick him up, bring him 'home', and extract information in a 'willing' and 'peaceful' manner.
The silent tap of her finger against the arm rest. Nothing to do but wait. Uruz-6, Uruz-7, and Uruz-2 were up there alongside the others. Uruz-9 is waiting. They could handle whatever complications were at play.
"Colonel." The lightest nod in response. Other work had to be done today while the unit was at 'play'.
KTS: Mobile Weapon Team has deployed in eEXM-17FT Alto Flight Type.
<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.
What was it...this feeling of growing doom?
The explosion at the outer wall is the sound of the other shoe dropping. Improvised mortars assaulting outer lines; soon after that, reports over the radios of old mobile suits and arm slaves trudging through the sands. It's scavenged equipment, but the guns are no museum pieces as shells the size of a human being start churning up the sand. They'll have to get past outer defenses before they can get to the solar plant, but...
They might just. And if they do, the damage to Azadistan would be difficult to account.
But the line isn't...quite in proper order. They have the element of surprise, but the head of the spear is blunt. How could that be?
*
"Clean in and out you said!!" Melissa Mao harangues.
"YEAH I KNOW," yells the blonde.
"TEN MINUTES TOPS, YOU SAID!!" Mao yells, slamming a clip into her assault rifle.
"How was I supposed to know--!"
"It was fairly obvious they had a backer," the driver notes, and then shifts gears to swerve around a pothole. Sousuke Sagara is in a green jacket, a bit unseasonable for the weather but necessary for carrying the several handguns he just used while extracting the fourth person in the car.
Vincent Bruno is unconscious because Mao hit him in the face with an G36 machine gun.
"I thought he was smuggling porn not OVERTHROWING THE GOVERNMENT!" Kurz wails. "Most people take a break after they piss off a secret paramilitary, you know?!"
Several of the mobile suits that are SUPPOSED to be attacking the power plant are instead chasing after the woefully under equipped little Fiat 500 Sousuke is driving wildly past the solar farm.
"Sousuke what is this ROUTE?!"
"The most efficient path is directly past the solar farm!" Sousuke yells.
"AND AN ACTIVE BATTLEFIELD!"
"It can be two things, Ma'am."
"Gah! Fuck it," Mao grunts, charging her rifle and then popping out the top of the sunroof. Nothing to do...but try and survive. "ROCK AND ROLL!!"
<Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
The old man looked at his watch--it had been exactly ten minutes and forty seconds since he'd last checked the time. Despite his vaunted discipline, he couldn't quite help it; his heart was beating faster now, the perspiration beginning to collect on his skin. He wiped his hands on his combat vest and double checked his prosthetic leg. Ran through the start-up sequence of his mobile weapon. And once more, for the last time, waited.
It started quietly. A few contractors painting the outside of a brick volatiles shed happened to look at their watches and nod to each other. They walked away. A security guard spilled his coffee on a monitoring station keyboard and pressed napkins to it, flickering the feeds on and off. A few of the Azadistani mobile weapons positioned around the perimeter took a step or two backwards, pivoting slightly towards their neighbors.
It started quietly, and then it was suddenly all too loud. Fire bloomed, and the dust sprang into the air as explosions rang out along the mobile weapon perimeter. The local comm bands were suddenly awash with uncoordinated yelling, but amidst it one chorus repeated itself, like a mantra:
"Oust the Foreigners! Kill the Foreignists! For Azadistan!"
<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.
7 HOURS EARLIER:
Roux Louka, on a secured line and with the SOUND ONLY tag up, quietly eats chips out of a bag. She is wearing a T-shirt and reviewing the briefing on a memory-foam contour pad. She does not look very glamorous.
NOW:
This cockpit feels completely wrong, thinks Roux, who is used to panoramic views, but she can make it work.
A Lion with REA fire patrol colors and insignia has been flying low towards the ground, staying in echelon with the TDD's primary team, and in that lion is ROUX LOUKA - HEROINE OF SPACE - BEAUTY QUEEN - and angel in the sky.
"You know, if it wasn't for the battle," Roux muses to herself, "I imagine they'd be having a good time right now, wouldn't they? Carrying a stunned VIP through hostile territory... it must be like old times for them."
Roux watches the vehicle with a benign and loving eye.
Someone comes out of the top.
Roux clicks the signal to transmit to the Fiat 500.
"Why are you sticking your head out of the car," Roux says. It is not really a question. "Do not stick your head out of the car. Oh my god. Aren't you people from Earth, don't you know how dangerous - oh, you have a gun. Now I have different questions."
<Pose Tracker> Liu Mei Wang has posed.
A group of three pairs of footfalls travels along to rendezvous with the royalty of Azadistan. They, whose hands have been so unjustly influential in the formation of this nation's history. If any set of faces is exactly what the conservative faction rightfully fears in the meddling of outsiders in Azadistan's affairs, it'd be them.
At the front, dressed in the usual beige suit and tie expected of any Britannian - the suave and collected Alejandro Corner, an influential power broker in the Federation Assembly. With a courteous smile, he greets the slightly wary group of Marina's entourage with all the expected grace and elegance. "Good day, Lady Marina. The sight is beautiful, now that it's complete, isn't it? I'd like to extend yet more thanks to you and the rest of your nation for enduring the turbulence of change, all for the sake of a brighter future." It was Alejandro's voice that was the firmest outside voice calling for this solar collector project to go through - he spoke with the warm passion of a man who truly believed in the potential for this country to change the fate of this land in turmoil.
"And may I say, it's a very beautiful nation.~" Behind Alejandro, dressed in a glamorous variant of Azadistan's local dress, a breezy and heat-deflecting robe cut a little tighter than most women in this country would favor - it's none other than the socialite from Neo-China, Liu Mei Wang. Her smile flits from Marina, to the towers, to...somewhere beyond. To a distant billow of smoke on the horizon. She knew full well that these decisions were turbulent and discomforting to Azadistan's fragility - but isn't it wonderful? "Oh, don't mind me for the most part. I'm traveling with Mr. Corner here mostly...as a favor. I didn't actually have anything to do with the solar collector project, but Azadistan itself...fascinates me. In this really fluid and compelling part of the world...I think it's this one, Lady Ismail, that will take center stage in the history books."
The last member of the entourage, a flowily dressed and androgynous form in pale blues and white, is quieter, their eyes even further than Liu Mei's, their green hair catching the breeze so easily. An almost disarmingly tranquil figure, this Ribbons Almark is - such that when the first explosion sounds, they don't make a single misstep or change in stature at all. Simply stepping next to Alejandro, and carefully informing to him specifically, but audibly enough for everyone gathered to hear:
"The seventh dangerous scenario has come to pass. I'm waiting on confirmation for who exactly is responsible, but I'm fairly confident it's that external players have goaded extremist members and insiders alike. Princess Marina, do be advised - those employees who 'called in sick' so suddenly and mysteriously are very likely to be abetting them. You should probably act under the assumption they're involved."
<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
Sitting at the edge of the battlefield in a much dirtier unmarked ENACT is soemone that people would call a good guy. They would obviously be confusing him for someone else as Ali Al Saachez. The comms channel is picking up the emergency channels and listens to the reports of the beginning of the chaos.
Still this doesn't mean he is sitting on the sideline, he is simply making sure that no one comes along and tries to play the hero to soon. Chaos needed more chaos after all. Switching to the AEU comms he speaks up, <"This is Lieutenant Biaggi, Azidistan is in need of aid. Fires have erupted and an insurrection is breaking out. We need military support here. I report we need military support here before things become anarchy.">
The order is given as he chuckles to himself sending a random set of coordinates somewhere in the city for them to rendezvous. As everyone knows when people are shouting oust the foreigners what you really need is more foreigners.
<Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
There were only about three saboteurs among over a dozen pilots posted around the facility. Three was more than enough. The IFFs were a mess, with no one defending the power plant really sure who they were supposed to be firing at. Neighbor fired upon neighbor. Azadistani soldiers fired autocannon shells through their companions. And in the middle of it all, a sand dune vibrated, until finally the dusty and scarred Alto shook itself loose from a tarp.
"Alright, Diamondbacks! This isn't our first time fighting people with names like ours, and it won't be the last! But it's gone too far, and it's time to get this country back on track! So what do we do?"
The chaotic chatter turned into a singular roar.
"Yes, Colonel! Oust the Foreigners! Kill the Foreignists! For Azadistan!"
<Pose Tracker> Xia Twins has posed.
The time has come... the Insurgency is here to wreak havoc in Azadistan, as mobile weapons spring to life. The Xia Twins, and Gauron by extension, however? They have their eyes on a very different prize. A prize the chaos of the situation turned into a perfect opportunity.
"It's just as we predicted, Sis," Yu Fan tsks, leaning against her custom Zy-98 Shadow. "Mithril have come to reclaim the rat among their ranks." She says, blunt. "Only to be chased into a den of snakes... how unfortunate." Yu Lan adds, as that tiny little Fiat 500 rumbles forward.
"I'm leaving you with the Insurgents, sis. Do as you see fit with that machete of yours, why don't you? I'll chase after Mithril in the Shadow... to break that Sousuke Sagara for our Sensei. Just tell Al-Saachez I'm busy." Understanding their respective roles, the twins get to work, as Yu Lan slips into the shadows, and Yu Fan's Shadow pursues.
"Activating ECS stealth mode..." Scanning the surroundings, she finds that Mithril has at least something resembling an armed mobile weapon. "It's never that easy, is it?" She tsks, spinning around her dual-wielded oversized Monomolecular Cutters, ambushing Roux's Lion with a twist of the knife. "Move. You are in the way of Sensei's mission." The piercing, cold voice of a teenage girl commands Roux, forcing her to fight back, lest the Fiat 500 be in danger.
KTS: Xia Twins targets Roux Louka with Large Monomolecular Cutters - CQC Blow! KTS: Xia Twins has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Xia Twins's Biorhythm activates Valor and Focus! KTS: Tieria Erde has deployed in GN-005 Gundam Virtue. KTS: EN Barrier activated! KTS: Roux Louka has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins enervates Roux Louka, reducing her Morale significantly. KTS: Xia Twins rattles Roux Louka, making her next maneuvers more difficult. KTS: Roux Louka fails to parry Xia Twins's Large Monomolecular Cutters - CQC Blow, taking 4680 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Xia Twins's Shoot to Kill activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Xia Twins's Eyes of Despair activates, causing Deject! KTS: Xia Twins has engaged Roux Louka! KTS: Roux Louka has activated the Spirit Spirit Command. <Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.
Azadistan's solar energy project is coming to fruition... but, it has been seen - there are those who seek to disrupt it. Such disruption would only incite more violence.
Thus, it is time for them to make a move against those who would stake the flames of war.
Chaos surges amongst the mobile weapons gathered around the plant, as they start to fire at each other. Within her cockpit, Regina frowns...
...And suddenly, in one swift motion, it is there - an unmarked Maganac, beam-resistant cloak around its shoulder, is upon one of the mobile weapons, grabbing its weapon and raising it to the sky before it can fire upon another of its siblings.
"Silence!" Regina shouts. "Enough. This has gone too far. Cease your infighting, before you destroy that which you wish to protect."
She releases the weapon.
"But if violence is still your desire... then come! Test your mettle against me. And I - I shall meet you in kind!" She challenges. Maybe some will heed her words - or maybe they'll all turn on her.
She would be fine with either outcome. She has made herself a target, attempted to divert their attention onto her. At the very least, it's a start.
<Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
Tieria sits in the cockpit of the Virtue, arms crossed as the chaos begins to ensue over open comms. For every advancement the world makes, there are those who would wish for the status quo to stay. Perhaps they benefit from it. Perhaps they fear the new. But in stoking the flames of war, that comfortable normal will never return.
He closes his eyes for a second and lets out a sigh.
The first embers of a dying Sphere glowed in front of Celestial Being. It was up to them to stomp them out.
"Gundam Virtue, engaging."
Tieria opens his eyes, arms darting to his controls as the hulking GN rising from its idle state. The Virtue was on the edge of the battlefield, both to avoid detection and to take advantage of the Virtue's long range capabilities. Taking aim on an Enact also near the outskirts, the Virtue digs its legs into the ground, lifting the GN Bazooka and firing a warning shot.
KTS: Tieria Erde targets Gary Biaggi with GN Bazooka Shot! KTS: Tieria Erde has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Gary Biaggi successfully evades Tieria Erde's GN Bazooka Shot
<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.
Mao yells into her earpiece, "Keep the mobile weapons off us, we'll handle the vehicles!" Then she grins, a smile across her face like a slash. "Puttin' my head out the top's not even the most dangerous thing we're doing TODAY!" she yells, and laughs with a soldier's glee as she opens fire on a few vehicles chasing them.
"Those pickups do NOT look like they bought them down at the bazaar," Kurz notes, leaning out the side, aiming down sights just so to....take out a wheel with a single perfect shot!!
Nothing happens. "Bulletproof TIRES? Who are these guys!?"
"We gotta get handsy down there home to find out!" Mao barks, and resists the urge to drive her boot into Bruno's groin. He'd wake up.
"Jeeze, even I wait more than 40 seconds!" Kurz laughs back, sighting up for another shot. "Gonna try to force the windshield," he adds, more seriously.
"You don't," Sousuke and Mao say at the same time, and Kurz harrumphs before Mao nonetheless acknowledges his call and peppers an armored window with enough bullets that Kurz's round blasting in blows through and kills the driver.
Sousuke notes on the Shuffle band, "This is Uruz 7! We have the target in custody and are escaping! But the enemy's noticed us and--!"
"SHADOW!" Kurz bellows.
"--are sending mobile weapons!" Sousuke calls.
KTS: Liu Mei Wang is now subpiloting for Regina Everhart.
<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.
The low-flying Lion is low-profile, yes, but it is an aerial machine, and so when the Zy-98 approaches --
Roux has a bad feeling, but it's a nebulous sort of bad feeling; it's probably oriented more towards the SRT team down there and wondering if some stray round is going to turn the head of that beer-drinking lady or Beecha's secret half-brother into so much human jambalaya. Which means that when the enemy attacks --
Roux's reflexes are enough to bring the Assault Blade forwards, but the most that can be said is that it kept her from being instantly destroyed. Part of the outer cowling of the Blade falls away as Roux finds her breath catching in her throat. Sick, cold dread! A pulsating sensation from the attacker.
In her guts for a moment she thinks: Maybe - Maybe I should listen.
And then what, Roux thinks to herself.
Let them die down there. This voice is a killing voice; they won't survive. Maybe the VIP would, but --
Her shoulders tighten. Her teeth set.
"I'm in your way?" Roux answers the Shadow. It sounds a little weak, but...
"TOO BAD!" Roux says, as she pushes the button to activate whatever the 'power' mode is on the assault blade. And as it begins to swing Roux sees something wondrous.
For the Assault Blade on the Lion is not simply a durable piece of shaped and treated metal that has been reinforced, as many Mobile Suits have used. It does not carry a beam emitter, nor does it use electrical or thermal means to superheat an edge to allow it to more easily cleave through resistant metal. The brilliant minds at Isurugi took a different approach: Lateral velocity with cutting blades.
And so when she activates the BLADE POWER, Roux's heart rises, because she sees the tooth of the blade begin to blur as an enormous electric-motor WHRRRRRRRR sound -- suitable for the enormous bladed bits to be accelerated to the point of visual indistingushiability to human eyes -- erupts from the Assault Blade.
My God, Roux Louka thinks. It's a chainsaw.
"This isn't going how you expected, is it?! CHAINSAW MURDER!" Roux cries out, sweeping the Assault Blade forwards in a brisk double-handed strike after the Zy-98. "Ohhh!! Did Sensei teach you what to do when they fight back!? Go tell Sensei to come himself if he's got something to SAY to the RELEGATED EAST ASIAN FIRE PATROL!" Roux may not have remembered what the REA in REA stands for.
The car is answered in a much tenser tone of voice. <<"Yeah I see that! Does this thing have a weakness or something? I think it's got active camo or something, there's nowhere it COULD have come out of--">>
KTS: Roux Louka targets Xia Twins with Assault Blade Slash! KTS: Roux Louka has completed their actions for the round.
<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
The Enact was not being aggressive, no weapons drawn, low power mode, and truthfully Ali had hoped it would be passed over as some derelict suit that broke down or something. So he was quite surprise when the warning shot of the Bazooka flies right in front of his suit. "Oh ho, looks like someone came to play with me. "
The Enact powers up to full power, shaking off some of the desert sand that gathered on it. The unit tilts its head left to right, almost like it is trying to pop it's neck before turning and looking toward the virtue.
Over comms Ali's voice can be heard, <" So if it isn't Gundam Chonk coming out to play."> The Enact's thrusters power on as it begins to hover over the sand and then flies toward Virtue while shooting wildly with its rifle.
KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Tieria Erde with Blade Rifle - Rapid Shot! KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Tieria Erde fails to charge. KTS: Tieria Erde's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage. KTS: Tieria Erde partially guards Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle - Rapid Shot, taking 2640 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Marina Ismail has posed.
"What's going on?? What's happening??" shouted the senator, as explosions began to boom through the building. None rocked it--it was a very solidly built building. Evidently, the construction crew hadn't been told that this facility was never meant to last.
Marina stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her. "You're...A-Ambassador Corner? And you're... What are you all doing here, why now?" Marina was shocked enough by the trio's appearance and the cryptic messages they bore that her practiced, slower speech faltered back to a normal girl's pace. "What-, what are you saying? Azadistan...'s future? Extremists and insiders? Is something going to happen to the power plant after all this?"
Shirin stepped smoothly in front of Marina with her hand in her jacket, as Bahar corralled the senator, photographer, and facility manager--the last of which was under his particularly sharp gaze, right now.
"You have thirty seconds to explain yourselves. Did you know of this incident and not inform us? If you're a threat to Princess Marina--" Shirin suddenly put her hand to her ear, listening. "They what?! Bring him alive if you can, but Nasrin, the intel's not worth dying for. Secure us an exit." Shirin leveled her gaze back to Alejandro and Liu Mei. "If you knew this could happen, you wouldn't have come here without a plan to get out. What are your terms?"
KTS: Xia Twins parries Roux Louka's Assault Blade Slash, taking 1260 damage! KTS: Roux Louka has engaged Xia Twins! <Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
Oh yes, Tieria thinks he's familiar with this man...cannot for the life of him recall his name. The Virtue's barrier partially glances the rifle shots off, its thick armor absorbing the rest. The large Gundam glides in closer, GN Drives glowing green.
"Hm."
He shrugs off Gary's taunt as he fires off several more Bazooka shots.
KTS: Tieria Erde targets Gary Biaggi with GN Bazooka Rapid Fire! KTS: Tieria Erde has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Gary Biaggi blocks Tieria Erde's GN Bazooka Rapid Fire, taking 1530 damage! <Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
A few of the defenders--the real ones--raise their guns and start shouting when the Maganac grabs their companion, but her bold words shocks most of them from their panic, and the local Sergeant speaks up before anyone else fires at the brave interloper.
"Who are... No, it doesn't matter. Whoever you are, thank you! Efreet squadron, form up!" The defenders backed away from Regina, some guns still leveled at her, and finally turn towards the advancing forces.
The turncoats, for their part, can't decide on a unified action. Two of them fire their main autocannons at her, and the other one starts running towards the plant, hoping to close the distance.
Further in the distance, a LAM truck among the advancing forces has Regina's Maganac in its sights, and four plumes burst from the back as the corresponding warheads streak in!
KTS: Diamondback Vipers has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Diamondback Vipers targets Regina Everhart with ExAMACS Assault Rifle Barrage! KTS: Diamondback Vipers has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Regina Everhart has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Regina Everhart blocks Diamondback Vipers's ExAMACS Assault Rifle Barrage, taking 3675 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Liu Mei Wang has posed.
As the situation becomes wildly untenable - as an outright coup d'etat becomes a very realistic possibility, Ribbons calmly speaks up, "While the gesture would be rather unkind towards our hosts, we should likely leave. Should the terrorists succeed, give their stated goals - it's likely we'll be a target in their crosshairs. Mr. Corner, Liu Mei, you left Hong Long to guard the shuttle, didn't you?"
Swirling a glass of whiskey and standing up carefully from his seat as the sounds of gunfire and explosions arise, Alejandro slowly shakes his head Ribbons' way, reassuring him: "We hardly came here without proper protection. In a volatile part of the world like this, one's own aides are a key piece to getting projects like ours done. Princess Marina, and - Miss Shirin, was it?" Alejandro's arms spread diplomatically, reassuring the royal guardians that he's not about to pull out something dangerous.
"In trying times like these, your suspicions are just your loyalty to your nation. I understand. Please don't consider our foresight as being somehow on the inside of our scheme - we simply overprepared contingency plans as part of our security detail. While Azadistan is moving forward quite marvelously, the potential for budding political dispute at an unfortunate time is simply something to take into account. We did not come here with 'terms', I assure you. We just came here to ensure that the solar collector project was not compromised. Thus, you can safely believe you have at least one added shield - the one that will protect us, as long as we remain in your company, will thus protect you as well. Our own 'princess' is prepared herself, after all..."
Liu Mei stands confidently, almost inspiringly, in front of the setting sun, a light in her eyes as she sees all this unfold. One little cell phone whipping out later, and a window with her voice pops up in Regina and Tieria's cockpits alike. "It's begun, hasn't it? I see. There's no internal problems at the palace just yet. Let's see. Virtue, be careful with that errant mobile suit you're engaged with. We don't have any data on that one. M-2-" Her little codename for Regina at the moment, "I suspect you're closest to where they're keeping Minister Rachmadi. Here, judging by the way enemy formations are laid out thanks to our friendly sniper's overview from before...they're likely to be in a circle abooooout five kilometers northeast. Securing his safety is the primary concern - arguably a little more crucial than securing ours. I'll be back in touch - Princess Marina's security detail is clearly quite anxious."
It's the only way she can hide the wide, excited smile on her face - to keep looking forward at unfolding turmoil.
KTS: Liu Mei Wang targets Tieria Erde and Regina Everhart with Awe. KTS: Liu Mei Wang has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Liu Mei Wang has activated the Focus Spirit Command targeting Regina Everhart KTS: Liu Mei Wang inspires awe, increasing Regina Everhart's Morale! <Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
Ali sighs at the lack of verbal response, and instead gets a barrage of bazooka fire. The Enact moves low to the ground and begins to serpentine as it raises its shield up to protect it from any shot he can't get around. As the unit gets closer to the gundam the bazooka fire seems to dial in a bit more and some stress cracks in the shield begin to form.
<" Look what do you think you are even doing here. Don't you know what a private party is. Its not like this really even concerns you. "> Ali decided that if the Virtua's pilot wasn't going to respond back it would just be better to try to get them to go away. Maybe he could trade for one of the other more talkative combatives.
Still that decision doesn't stop the ENACT from actively attacking the Virtue. This time the shots are a little more focused in an attempt to get the big lug pinned down while continuing to charge in.
KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Tieria Erde with Blade Rifle - Leading Shot! KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Liu Mei Wang inspires awe, increasing Tieria Erde's Morale! KTS: Tieria Erde's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage. KTS: Tieria Erde fails to evade Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle - Leading Shot, taking 3960 damage! KTS: Gary Biaggi begins a Formation attack!
<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.
As expected, Regina's actions draw attention. Weapons are raised at her... but someone speaks up in her defense.
"A passerby. Go, and fight well." Regina answers simply to Efreet Squadron's sergeant. With them departing, that must mean the ones left behind are...
...Very well. Her true opponents are clear.
As she eyes them carefully, she receives communications from Liu Mei.
"Yes." Regina confirms, switching over to private communications for a moment. "They used plants to sow discord among those gathered here."
She goes quiet as Liu Mei continues, considering her words.
"A circle five kilometers northeast... Understood. I will proceed there as soon as the situation permits." Regina replies. For now however - she comes under fire. The Maganac braces itself against autocannon fire, bullet after bullet impact the armor underneath its cloak, and soon enough, this is joined by missiles. For these, the shield is raised. A formidable barrage - but when the smoke clears, the Maganac is still standing. Its sights are set on the one attempting to flee.
"...You cannot escape." Vulcans fire at the other units as a deterrent - but the true attack comes for the fleeing unit, a leg sweeping out to knock its own right out from under it.
KTS: Regina Everhart targets Diamondback Vipers with Leg Sweep! KTS: Regina Everhart has completed their actions for the round. <Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
"War's breaking out. No better reason for us to be here." Tieria responds bluntly and curtly as the rifle shot hits its mark. The Virtue never was quite good at maneuvering.
The GN Cannons on each of the Virtue's shoulders pull up and bring in energy, pushing it out in a cone to cover any direction the Enact could go.
KTS: Tieria Erde targets Gary Biaggi with GN Cannon Spread Shot! KTS: Tieria Erde has completed their actions for the round.
<Pose Tracker> Xia Twins has posed.
"You're sharp," Yu Fan grimaces, as Roux raises forth the Assault Blade, as metal clashes against metal. "I was aiming for the cockpit, of course." Obstinately, it's a compliment coming from Yu Fan, who's almost definitely outright killed so many others with this very trick.
"Fine then... we shall do this the hard way." She concludes, as the Assault Blade switches on for the counterattack. Perhaps, like Roux, she was expecting some kind of beam weaponry, or a heated blade like an Arm Slave might have.
Certainly, neither combatant expected a chainsaw blade. "Ugh!" Yu Fan grits her teeth, quickly raising her Heat Hammer of all things to try and stop it. "Chainsaw murder... seriously? Any more tricks up or sleeve, or can we put an end to this pointless charade." Yu Fan smirks, although it's probably not easy to hear over the UGLY sound of chainsaw blade and what amounts to explosives on a stick clashing.
"Sensei is... he's busy." Yu Fan snarls, as Roux hits what's clearly a sore point. "Although I'm sure he'd love to be more than anything... I will more than suffice for this mission. But don't worry. I'll be sure to give him your warmest regards upon return."
%"Relegated East Asian Fire Patrol? What... what are you even talking about? And you're so persistent too..." Yu Fan is normally incredibly cold, collected, professional and precise on the battlefield - especially when piloting an Arm's Slave. And yet... she's never met someone so exasperating and vexing as Roux Louka herself.
"It's no wonder you keep Mithril's company, but I made myself clear. I will not let that car escape. Even if the likes of you stand in my way." It may seem obvious that an Amalgam operative would want to snatch Bruno right back. But she's after something else entirely of course.
Having said her piece, she swings what remains of that very Heat Hammer she used to push back Roux's assault, attempting to bring it all down upon the Lion.
KTS: Xia Twins targets Roux Louka with Zeya B3M HEAT Hammer No-Discharge Swing! KTS: Xia Twins has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Xia Twins's Biorhythm activates Alert and Wall! KTS: Roux Louka has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Roux Louka fails to retreat. KTS: Roux Louka fails to react to Xia Twins's Zeya B3M HEAT Hammer No-Discharge Swing, taking 3690 damage! KTS: Xia Twins has engaged Roux Louka!
<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.
"Electronic Concealment System, Invisibility mode!" Mao yells back at Roux. "It's a huge power hog, it won't be able to use it again while it's engaged with you! Don't give them time to switch power distro and you're fine!" PANG "whoop!" Mao yelps and ducks back inside as the insurgents chasing them fire wildly. Why are they so engaged, huh?
*
"No. No!" Tailleur Persimmon growls, pacing in his den. He was nowhere near this operation, of course - he's not even in the same place as the imam, somewhere he can quite confidently disappear in moments if he must. But still he yells into his radio, patched in to the insurgent network: "Do not allow that vehicle to escape! Bruno knows your faces, your homes! He'll ruin it all! Khh!"
He slams the radio down and stalks to the chair at his desk and flops into it, cursing in French.
His phone beeps in his pocket. He pulls it out. He sneers. "Michel Lemon," he says, and throws the phone across the room. "I've no time for the home office's absurd games! Unbelievable...!"
He grabs the radio again, changing bands to just his own hires. Just Ali and the Twins. "Bruno is in that car. Save him or kill him, I don't care which!"
*
Mao leans the window with an RPG and blows a truck completely end over end. "HAH! Eat that, shitlips! SOUSUKE! How we looking!?"
"If that Shadow catches up to us, it won't matter how far away we've gotten," Sousuke notes back, and then steers hard as a chunk of road nearby explodes.
KTS: Gary Biaggi blocks Tieria Erde's GN Cannon Spread Shot, taking 3180 damage! [O-SHF] Roux Louka> also to avoid embarrassing myself, i can use ranged attacks while engaged, right [O-SHF] Rikka Takarada> You can! The only thing that changes are the calculations that it uses. [O-SHF] Roux Louka> That won't stop me because I can't read. [O-SHF] * Rikka Takarada nods with pride. <Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.
Yu Fan was aiming for the cockpit -- "Then who were you talking to?" Roux answers Yu Fan without really thinking about it.
God damn it, Roux thinks as she brings up her weapon and doesn't exactly CATCH the blade since, obviously, anything that locked into the Assault Blade would probably swiftly destroy one or both of them, but certainly bounces it loose and away from what would have IDEALLY been a punishing blow. Roux wheels the controls back -
The curse of aerospace technology! Rather than darting back in a surge of AMBAC, the Lion's thrusters shift into rear firing mode -- which means that Yu Fan is able to strike a blow which is *mediated by* but hardly *neutralized by* the sudden pull backwards. Roux curses under her breath.
"Go ahead and try any time you like," Roux continues, her eyes narrowing. "Make your move, but I'm going to put six holes into you before you hit the pavement. You want to take them down? I guess you're just out of luck. If Sensei's going to pull out your toenails for it, maybe it's time to find a new sensei."
Roux's eyes widen slightly. "It's a great idea - it's what I did! Dr. Devi's enlightened me to the dark shadows behind your actions! The only thing that's holding me back is this damn suit -- if I was in 'that machine'," (yes, that sounds great, I'm really cooking, thinks Roux, awarding Roux Louka a TOP ACTRESS medal in her heart) "you'd be nothing but a cooling memory now!"
Roux has, perhaps, proven that she cannot defeat Yi Fan in a battle of blades. Fortunately for her, she has another option. Now that she has even this gingerly amount of range, the cask-shaped missile launchers that you might expect to hold some kind of suppressant foam bomb...
Reveal themselves to be full of missiles! They fire downwards, possibly taking out pursuit vehicles that fell behind, though this was not Roux's intention.
The resulting barrage aims down at the Zy-98 as Roux answers the team in the car. <<"She's saying her sensei sent her on this mission or something -- does Mr. Betrayal know anything about that? She's good, dammit! I wish I had a Beam Saber--">>
KTS: Roux Louka has activated the Strike Spirit Command. <Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
Tieria's comment finally comes over the comm and in response Ali laughs <" Oh god for a moment I thought you were some AI Pilot or something. Thank heavens I get get to actually defeat a human pilot." > Ali really hated those mobile dolls that the stupid Tubarov made, there was no fun from them.
The shield strains as the close range of the ENACT's shield begins to bend and warp as the energy from the Virtue's attack super heats it making it soft. Ali has to check to make sure the arm is still intact afterwards but seems like it is damaged but still functional.
Finally the ENACT has gotten to its preferred position in relation to the Virtue as the rifle switches to its sword mode. The thrusters of the ENACT kick up as it rushes towards the Gundam as it attempts to slash its sword across the Virtue hoping to cut away some of that damn armor.
KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Tieria Erde with Blade Rifle - Sword Combo! KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Roux Louka targets Xia Twins with Cask Missile Pod Volley! KTS: Roux Louka has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage. KTS: Tieria Erde parries Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle - Sword Combo, taking 840 damage! KTS: Gary Biaggi has engaged Tieria Erde! KTS: Gary Biaggi completes the Formation attack! KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins rushes into the attack! KTS: Xia Twins partially guards Roux Louka's Cask Missile Pod Volley, taking 2300 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
Tieria clicks his tongue at the further taunts. The man was obviously trying to get a rise out of him, dirty tactics. Wouldn't work here. The Virtue quickly pulls out its beam saber and parries the slash from the Enact, pushing it away and following up with a swing of its own.
"Try focusing!"
KTS: Tieria Erde targets Gary Biaggi with GN Beam Saber Swing! KTS: Tieria Erde has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Tieria Erde rattles Gary Biaggi, making his next maneuvers more difficult. KTS: Gary Biaggi parries Tieria Erde's GN Beam Saber Swing, taking 465 damage! KTS: Tieria Erde has engaged Gary Biaggi!
<Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
("Beautiful, what a waste of a fucking good ambush,") he thinks, the old man codenamed 'Baa'. ("Random Foreigners spoil a trap, and now there's an APC ripping through my lines with one of the fucking spooks in it? Useless! I should have just started and ended this all myself!")
Regina's vulcan barrage is still powerful enough to punch through the poorly-kept armor on the two Azadistani suits. Sparking from the punctures, one is forced to its knees behind its shield, though the moment the vulcans let up, it recklessly continues firing its cannon, "For Our Azadistan!"
Unfortunately, it's still not enough to stop the Maganac from crunching into the leg armor of the runner, buckling the frame and sending it tumbling over itself. Its lights dim, and it doesn't get up again.
It's while Regina is dispatching the saboteur that the Maganac's sensors allow her barely a second of warning, before the sand-masked Alto bursts around the corner, wings and treads both kicking up the terrain as it lunges forward, weapon raised.
"I'll take you up on your challenge, but you better not fucking regret it!" he bellows, punching the throttle and sweeping towards Regina at high speed.
KTS: Diamondback Vipers has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Diamondback Vipers rushes into the attack! KTS: Regina Everhart rattles Diamondback Vipers, making his next maneuvers more difficult. KTS: Diamondback Vipers partially guards Regina Everhart's Leg Sweep, taking 1971 damage! KTS: Regina Everhart has engaged Diamondback Vipers! KTS: Diamondback Vipers targets Regina Everhart with ExAMACS Spear Topple Strike! KTS: Diamondback Vipers has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Regina Everhart has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Diamondback Vipers rattles Regina Everhart, making her next maneuvers more difficult. KTS: Regina Everhart parries Diamondback Vipers's ExAMACS Spear Topple Strike, taking 750 damage! KTS: Diamondback Vipers has engaged Regina Everhart! <Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
The Enact raises it sword and catches the beam saber with its own as the beam saber is redirected to slide away scrapping a layer of metal away from the blade. Ali grins as he responds, <" I'm sorry, did you think I was taking you serious. You are going to have to pick it up if you are going to make me focus.">
The ENACT ducks down as its boosters rev upward kicking up as much sand as possible around the two. Using the sand as cover the ENACT moves back towards Virtue and begins to try to hack at the right shoulder, Ali wanted a trophy to take home.
KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Tieria Erde with Feinting Strike! KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage. KTS: Tieria Erde parries Gary Biaggi's Feinting Strike, taking 600 damage! KTS: Gary Biaggi has engaged Tieria Erde!
<Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
Tieria nearly yawns as the second strike is just as easily parried away, the Virtue quickly boosting back to get some distance. The GN Cannons raise again and charge, charge, charge, keep charging.
"That's a shame. It'd probably help you."
The cannons fire off a massive concentrated beam right at the Enact!
KTS: Tieria Erde targets Gary Biaggi with GN Cannon Charged Shot! KTS: Tieria Erde has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Wall Spirit Command. <Pose Tracker> Xia Twins has posed.
Yu Fan finds Roux's backwards thruster maneuver to be impressive to say the least. The machine may not be in her favour - but she uses it well, Yu Fan surmises. She makes equally good use of taunts as well! An area in which Yu Fan's expertise is significantly more lacking.
"You don't understand... I'd survive six holes and more to carry this out." Yu Fan counters, clearly not realising trying to argue about something like that means she already lost.
Find a new Sensei? The thought is... well, it's just utterly unthinkable to Yu Fan and Yu Lan both! "You don't know a thing about him.. the Sensei took my sister and I in when we had nothing left. Taught us to defend ourselves against a cruel world that needs to change or burn. I'm doing this out of respect and loyalty... not because he forced me to or something so shallow as that."
Roux throws out a certain name, continuing to show off her impressive acting skills to boot. "Doctor Devi? Ah, from the REA's very own Institute of Continuing Study. Wrong guess. I have nothing but contempt for that woman." She answers, venom in her tone.
"So why don't you back yourself up with more than empty words and a couple fancy tricks?" She goads her opponent, until those missiles start flying. Ugh. Yu Fan hates having to fight from so far back, charging the Shadow straight ahead, damned if it takes a couple stray missile hits. Bolstering her assault as she fires two Grustin missiles of her own as she chases the Lion closer to Sousuke and his group.
And Persmimmon wants to speak to her now of all times? "I know," she answers him coolly as she demands they catch Bruno and bring him back or kill him, depending on preference. "I couldn't care less about what happens to him, really. You have everything to lose here -- but luckily for you, I have everything to gain by capturing that vehicle. Unfortunately, I'm rather busy taking care of this resistance they sent at me, but don't worry... I'll take care of your little spy for you." And the transmission cuts as she continues to face down Roux in her Lion.
KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Gary Biaggi fails to evade Tieria Erde's GN Cannon Charged Shot, taking 4880 damage! KTS: Xia Twins targets Roux Louka with Grustin AT-19 Missile Double Fire! KTS: Xia Twins has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Xia Twins's Biorhythm activates Alert and Strike! KTS: Roux Louka has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Roux Louka retreats from the attack! KTS: Xia Twins enervates Roux Louka, reducing her Morale significantly. KTS: Roux Louka fails to evade Xia Twins's Grustin AT-19 Missile Double Fire, taking 4950 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Xia Twins's Shoot to Kill activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Xia Twins's Eyes of Despair activates, causing Deject!
<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.
Regina whirls. Her cloak flares out, obscuring the Maganac's figure to make targeting difficult even as the cannons continue to fire recklessly. Let them fire. She's in close range, now - they may fire on her, but their allies will have to contend with the cannonfire just as much as she does.
The runner falls... and then, her sensors light up in warning. She only has a second to act - less than that, even. The Maganac is forced to take a step back but as the raised weapon is swept toward her, one of its hands shifts, redirecting it so that it cuts into armor away from any sensitive equipment.
The man's voice... Older, she reasons.
"I do not intend to, old soldier." Regina replies. The Maganac steps forward again to impart momentum before unleashing two quick punches, one after the other in fluid motion.
KTS: Regina Everhart has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Regina Everhart targets Diamondback Vipers with One-Two Jab! KTS: Regina Everhart has completed their actions for the round. <Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
The Enact is pushed back along the sand as it faces the brunt of the charged shot. Alarms in the cockpit go off warning about the damage that is occuring to the unit as Ali does his best to readjust things. Finally he is able to wait out the charged shot.
Ali tsks to himself as he let his ego get him into such trouble. Reaching around it's back the ENACT produces a miniature missile launcher and unleashes it's contents towards the Virtue Gundam. <"Catch!">
KTS: Gary Biaggi targets Tieria Erde with Blade Rifle Attachment - Missile Launcher Narrow-Area Volley! KTS: Gary Biaggi has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Diamondback Vipers blocks Regina Everhart's One-Two Jab, taking 3639 damage! KTS: Regina Everhart has engaged Diamondback Vipers! KTS: Diamondback Vipers has activated the Trick Spirit Command. KTS: Liu Mei Wang has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Tieria Erde <Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.
Roux breathes more heavily as she fights the Lion. It's an old phrase, perhaps, but it's feeling more and more literal. I should have done more drills in this, she thinks, rather bleakly, even if the alarm notices are at least politely subdued.
Is that just because they're low key in this one?
The woman speaks to her. Something about what she says feels like swallowing a cold lump of lead.
"Yeah," Roux answers her, "I'm sure this one's different."
She tries to swerve away from the missiles. Does it work? Well, the problem is that there's two, which is definitely cheating. At one's impact, one of the Lion's thrusters decides that that's enough and to just stop working, which makes Roux curse as the entire machine lists in that side. Struggling to keep it something-like-level, she does not respond -- her deceptions were seen through. What else is there to say?
<<"If you've got anti-aircraft, now's the time,">> Roux tells the car grimly even as the Lion does not seem to do very much for several seconds. Did the weapons crash? Can --
It's quiet, as railguns often are. The projectiles make loud noises as they rupture the sound barrier in Earth's atmosphere and pressure, of course, but compared to the boom of explosives, they're minor. Three from one, another from another, two four two --
So I wonder what it is, Roux thinks: Did sensei kill the parents? Steal orphans? Who knows; maybe he genuinely is a good person. But, Roux thinks with her eyes flicking down the highway, either he's short on help... or...
Despite being meaningfully short of 30, Roux feels momentarily, terribly old.
KTS: Roux Louka targets Xia Twins with FT Railgun Staggered Fire! KTS: Roux Louka has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Xia Twins charges into the attack! KTS: Xia Twins partially guards Roux Louka's FT Railgun Staggered Fire, taking 3016 damage! <Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.
Sousuke feels a chill down his spine. Sensei? Why does that fill him with an unimaginable dread...
"SAGARA!" Mao yells down at him, which gets his attention enough that when a man with a bazooka rides out of an ambush position ahead of him, Sousuke is able to veer off the road and let the missile take out an enemy Tendus that had been skating closer. "We gotta go FASTER!" Kurz yells.
"I'm going as fast as I can with this!"
"Yeah, yeah, drop weight, we know!" Kurz yells, throwing an entire rifle out the window and grabbing a grenade from the weapons cache behind the rear seat. "I can't aim for shit on these roads, though!" he yells, and throws it, and it explodes next to a wall and achieves Nothing. "Maybe we SHOULD just kill this son of a bitch," Kurz mutters, glaring at Vincent on the floor.
"BELIEVE me, I get it!" Mao yells. "But he was in the middle of all this! That's TWO stories we need to wring out of his scrawny neck!"
Mao pops out of the roof, a shotgun in hand and emptying it into the nearest car, which swerves out and crashes into the facility wall. They're near the far end of the facility, but--
"SOUSUKE!" Mao yells down, when Yu Fan's missiles cruise at them. "I see it! Hang on!!" Sousuke yells, and slams on the *brake*, swerving the car into a handbrake turn that drifts them completely around a corner and behind a chunk of signage that those missiles turn to floating metal confetti.
"The town's *the other way*, Sousuke!"
"It's not a problem! This road has access too! I familiarized myself with the area!"
Mao bites out a curse and ducks down to touch her headset. "Dealer, this is Uruz-2! We've gotta scrub evac A! We're heading east now around the side of the power plant! Plan for evac route D!"
A massive KABOOM rattles the frame of the Fiat as a high-penetration shell sheers the entire roof in half. "FUCK ME!" Mao yelps. Kurz giggles to himself until she kicks him in the head.
KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Tieria Erde rushes into the attack! KTS: Tieria Erde's EN Barrier activates, negating 1000 base damage. KTS: Tieria Erde partially guards Gary Biaggi's Blade Rifle Attachment - Missile Launcher Narrow-Area Volley, taking 2460 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
The Virtue rushes through the barrage of missiles, minimizing the damage taken, wordlessly pushing past the Enact and turning back to face it, pulling up the GN Bazooka. The armor in its center opens up, the back of the bazooka directly connecting with the GN Drive inside, a glow coming up the barrel until a fire!
KTS: Tieria Erde targets Gary Biaggi with GN Bazooka Burst Mode! KTS: Tieria Erde has completed their actions for the round.
<Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
The Alto pivots around, swirling its spear back from where it connected with Regina's Magarac, preparing for the next exchange of blows with a deadly glee. Baa shifts the weight, sliding in the sand to slip away from the close quarters machine, but Regina's agility and reaction speed simply outstrips even his Alto's liquid movements, landing a deflecting strike against one of the wings, while the other punch strikes true, hammering into center mass with a reverberating thud. The Alto skates backwards, damaged wing bent, as laughter rings out from its cockpit.
"Missy, I like your spirit. If I were younger, I might try my charm for your favor! But today, there's only one kind of dance, and it's the only one this body can still manage. How's this?!"
The sandstone Alto's turbines roar to life again, the bent housing on one dragging a grinding sound up in frequency. Sliding backwards, the suit starts weaving near the defending suits, grabbing one and clutching it close, bracing an assault rifle onto its shoulder and firing wildly in Regina's direction, as the pilot yells her anger.
KTS: Diamondback Vipers targets Regina Everhart with ExAMACS Assault Rifle Barrage! KTS: Diamondback Vipers has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Regina Everhart has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Regina Everhart has activated the Wall Spirit Command. KTS: Regina Everhart blocks Diamondback Vipers's ExAMACS Assault Rifle Barrage, taking 1650 damage! Gary Biaggi has connected.
KTS: Gary Biaggi blocks Tieria Erde's GN Bazooka Burst Mode, taking 3960 damage! KTS: Gary Biaggi has been defeated! KTS: Tieria Erde roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
<Pose Tracker> Xia Twins has posed.
Even from within the Shadow, Yu Fan can feel Roux's complete and utter despair. It's something she happened upon countless of times when carrying out the job, but this time, it leaves an inexplicable feeling of... emptiness, when it looks as if the Lion has stopped moving. An opponent she found foolish, but couldn't help but respect.
It may have gone quiet, but it turns out that isn't quite over just yet as the railgun fire rocks the frame of the Zy-98 Shadow, pieces of armour shattering apart even as it continues desperately charging forward.
It's not enough, as the Arm Slave stares down the barely kept-together Lion, dual Monomolecular Cutters in hand. "You fought well." Yu Fan tells Roux, surprisingly earnest. "Out of my respect, I'll give you a swift end." The way the twin blades slice forth is fast and airy, making a devastating amount of force look all-too effortless and nonchalant, no matter where on the Mobile Suit it strike.
Unlike her Sensei - unlike Gauron, she is not the type to savour a kill. She doesn't even check to see whether the pilot of the Lion is dead or not, giving Roux plenty of time to escape in actuality. For all intents and purposes, she completed her goal of shaking off the Lion to get the Fiat, and that's enough for her.
%As she continues to focus on where the Fiat goes, still relentlessly pursuing it as if her life depended on it. She thinks she has them dead to rights... but it seems at least someone in there is crafty - taking an exit she had no idea even existed. "Dammit... I'm starting to lose him." She whispers under her breath, firing one last desperate round of bullets to the Fiat with the very monomolecular rifle she just tried to down the Lion with. "You cannot run forever, Sousuke Sagara."
KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Focus Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Valor Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Xia Twins targets Roux Louka with Large Monomolecular Cutters - Mission Complete! KTS: Xia Twins has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Xia Twins's Biorhythm activates Valor and Trick! <Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.
The reactions of Regina's opponents are good. His experience shines through in his movements. If her machine weren't similarly outfitted for the terrain, he might even have the edge over her.
"For me, this is the only dance there is. So, indeed. Let us dance." Regina replies. The Alto slides backward, grabbing a defender and firing wildly in Regina's direction. The Maganac braces itself, shield raised to protect its sensors and its cockpit even as bullets rattle against its armor. But she can see the sort of weapon he's using, and anticipates a lull in the fire...
...Now.
The Maganac accelerates, shield still raised.
"My apologies - brace yourself." Regina announces, as she tries to bull rush them both in order to separate them (albeit roughly), before the Maganac's other arm emerges from the cloak - this time, holding the handle of a heat tomahawk. The blade flickers to life and is swung for the Alto...
...but at the last second she reverses, spinning in place to strike at the back with the reverse edge of the weapon in an attempt to daze Baa.
KTS: Regina Everhart targets Diamondback Vipers with Heat Tomahawk Disorienting Blow! KTS: Regina Everhart has completed their actions for the round. KTS: Roux Louka fails to retreat. KTS: Xia Twins enervates Roux Louka, reducing her Morale significantly. KTS: Roux Louka fails to react to Xia Twins's Large Monomolecular Cutters - Mission Complete, taking 7440 damage! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Xia Twins's Shoot to Kill activates, causing Insight L1! KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Xia Twins's Eyes of Despair activates, causing Deject! KTS: Roux Louka has been defeated! KTS: Xia Twins has engaged Roux Louka!
<Pose Tracker> Gary Biaggi has posed.
Ali could have sworn he came here with a full mobile suit. The last blast of the Virtue appears to have removed both of the units arms and a good portion of the upper left shoulder and half the head. It's surprising that the unit hasn't done the natural thing and fallen over and exploded, just what did Ali do to this poor mobile suit to keep it from blowing up.
Ali frowns as he ducks low and uses the thrusters to once again kick up a good amount of sand before using it as a means to retreat from the Virtue. Is he going to tell any of his current associates about this? Not if he could help it, better to some how twist this as his victory, it just cost him 2 arms and half a head.
<Pose Tracker> Marina Ismail has posed.
"Yes, Shirin Bakhtiar. It's exceptionally dangerous to give up freedom of movement by entering a vehicle controlled by a kidnapper." Still... "--Nasrin, can you confirm the Ambassador's shuttle? Please embed a sleeper packet to ADIA with the identities of the craft, and meet us there."
"Shirin, are you sure that you must be so cautious? Certainly, this is an unusual situation, but if they know where Rasa might be..." Her formal bearing has at least largely recovered in her voice, though her posture and darting glances at the surroundings indicates plenty of lingering worry.
"Princess, they have information about him that they did not share with us. They means they have their own goals, which can never be mistaken for ours, even if we take their help right now. Bahar, please ensure we don't leave any of our current party behind."
"Wait, Shirin; surely we are not going to leave the workers here if they are in danger? Please, Madam Dubois, can you evacuate the workers, just in case?"
KTS: Diamondback Vipers has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Diamondback Vipers has activated the Alert Spirit Command. KTS: Diamondback Vipers has activated the Strike Spirit Command. KTS: Diamondback Vipers retreats from the attack! KTS: Diamondback Vipers successfully avoids Regina Everhart's Heat Tomahawk Disorienting Blow
<Pose Tracker> Tieria Erde has posed.
Tieria clicks his tongue as the Virtue begins to pull back.
"Virtue, pulling out. Keep at it."
<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.
The despair Roux feels may be of a different sort than the one that Yu Fan commonly encounters, but in the end, that's not really going to make a big difference, now is it? The barrage doesn't punch the Zy-98's ticket --
This had been when Roux began thinking of an exit plan. Just like any good mercenary!
Bail out? Ha ha, that's funny. Maybe she'd get the exciting experience of some black-site PMC prison, just like the ones she's helped disrupt. The Lion, at least, is a fairly robust machine, and the Lion turns to present something towards the flourishing Shadow.
The already damaged side and its thruster nacelle.
Is this stupid? Yes. But Roux saw a button and as she feels the Lion scream and lurch, metal shreds flying into the road below them, she feels a certain... something in the Lion's layout. Roux slams her knuckled fist into the button.
EMERG. BOOST goes 'click.'
The remaining thruster erupts in sudden incinerating force. Roux is shoved back by the hand of Acceleration into her seat and pulls back on the main control stick on pure reflex, which is good, because she nearly hit the ground. "SHIT--" The Lion does not so much 'fly off' as 'hurtle towards the horizon,' gaining altitude temporarily along the way...
But it lost about 20% of its mass, including an engine, and discharged most of its weapons. (The Assault Blade lays, forlorn but extremely cool, on the road a kilometer or so back. Two kilometers, maybe.)
<<"-- ood luck -- see if i can m-- --ndia--">> Roux crackles on the Shuffle band. Coherent speech! A good sign! For someone.
<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.
A bullet the size of a person removes the top of the Fiat.
Mao and Kurz reflexively press themselves down into the floor looking like they've just felt someone walk on their graves. Sousuke hears the windows explode and barely flinches.
A brassy voice hollering at him after breaking all the windows in the art room, 'SOUSUKE!'
Sousuke can't jam the accelerator more than it already is, but he leans into the wheel as if it'll help. "That's let some weight off, at least. We're nearly in the clear. The Shadow won't mind the mountains too much, but I doubt that pilot's local. They won't know the area."
His fingers tighten on the steering wheel, his thoughts turning to noise. He doesn't even hear Mao rattling out updated status to the area. Maybe she's telling Roux to stay safe.
Soon, the Fiat, and Vincent Bruno, are away. The attack on the solar plant is...a success, of a kind? The insurgents put forth more power than anyone expected, though the dust is still settling.
But the attack itself was only the beginning of the storm.
<Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
He'd lived plenty long, seen good men die and bad men die and seen men he never came to know die at his own hand. But he wasn't ready yet, not when Azadistan was on this foolhardy Reformist bent, and certainly not now that his retirement has finally gotten exciting again! So when that machinecannon empties its magazine and falls silent, he's more than happy to toss it away, gripping his poor hostage all the tighter.
When Regina bursts from the clouds of bullets and sand, Baa's heart is thudding, on the razor's edge of life and death again after all this time away. The Maganac collided Baa's human shield with dreadful force, rattling all three. Brittle teeth clattered together, and he felt one chip away, hawking the piece into the cockpit as he grinned, speckles of blood on his lips. And yet... Years and years of experience saw that axe swing out, glow bright. He knew he could escape, but the maneuver would cost an arm at best. His breath stops for a moment as the axe rises, but he doesn't close his eyes. He hears the apology, the formality, and the lingering grip of the Maganac on its heat hawk, and begins to laugh to himself in the cockpit as it flips before it comes down.
The Alto shoves the hapless defender away, kicking out its feet to tangle it with the Maganac. It's not much of a dodge, since the mobile suit lands flat on its back. But this is the Colonel's Alto, and there may be many like it, but this one is his. The turbines in the wings blast flurries of sand into the air, and the tank tracks on its back spin hard against the sand.
The comms crackle to life. "Hah, Hhahaha!! Ya just can't help yourself, can you girl? You had me, dead to rights. Your hand is light but your soul ain't heavy enough to kill someone like me!" Mocking the enemy whose attempt to spare you let you escape... That sure is a look.
When the miniature sandstorm finally clears away, details resolve one by one.
The Alto is in rough shape.
It's seen better days.
It's kneeling towards the sunset just beyond the power plant.
With a rocket launcher braced on its shoulder.
"I hope to see you sooner in my next life, Missy. Thanks for the dance."
<Pose Tracker> Marina Ismail has posed.
Bahar's voice crackles over the comm in Nasrin's ear. "Princess Marina has boarded the Ambassador's shuttle."
"God is great. I'm on my way."
Nasrin crossed through the outer threshold of the facility towards the landed shuttle, and something in the corner of her eye chilled her to the core.
The solvents annex... volatile, flammable chemicals, kept regulated and away from the facility.
The door was left wide open, and the glimmering light of the flames of war showed deep scrape marks near the doorway.
"Bahar, launch the shuttle."
"What? You're almos--"
"LAUNCH IT NOW!"
It didn't need much to turn a barrel of flammables into a blast wave.
A single rocket is more than enough.
<Pose Tracker> Diamondback Vipers has posed.
The blinding flash and burning light existed for an instant, before the shockwave hit the sand and flung it all into the air. An old man's laughter was distorted by the electromagnetic interference, as the facility was enshrouded in a suspended dust cloud.
And like a djinn born from children of the mud, the dust became expanding, smokeless fire.
For Azadistan
<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.
Regina closes the distance - but with a hostage, Baa has an advantage in this situation. She's forced to catch the defending mobile suit, setting it aside a bit more carefully than her attempt to separate them, before continuing her attack -
But it isn't quite enough. The Alto manages to slip away before the heat tomahawk connects.
"...Mm." She starts. The dust clears, and she sees it. Even if she moves now...
It's too late to act.
"...It was a good dance. Thank you." Regina replies. The Maganac's cloak furls around it protectively.
"...I am retreating as well." She says, switching back over to Celestial Being communications. She leaps back, to put as much distance between here and herself as possible.
<Pose Tracker> Xia Twins has posed.
The Fiat is gone - Yu Fan expected as much, but she is not angry. They lost Bruno, but that's hardly a concern to the twins anymore. They'll have plenty more chances to get what they really came for.
Instead, she links back up with her sister, who went out on-foot while this all went down. "How was your end of the mission?" Yu Fan asks her sister, guiding her into the cockpit of the Shadow.
"See for yourself," Yu Lan replies, bluntly, sharpening her machete. "Total chaos. Exactly what we came for."
"Then I suppose it's time we make our own exit," Yu Fan, nods, shifting the Shadow back into ECS invisibility. "This certainly gives us time to consider our next move," Yu Fan crosses her arms, noting the disaster on the surface. "Why, with this much unrest, we might even have a chance to get back at Mithril and Amalgam all at the same time."