Emerging: End of Days IC, Will you face the Apocalypse? Recruitment Always Open Options

[Aria]

The convoy travels at speed through the deserted woodland, the only sound being the rumble of engines and the odd tree that is light enough not to need to divert around. You are able to re-join the road before the bridge and the pace picks up as you accelerate across the cracked asphalt.

This has always been a sparsely populated bit of the barrens and it has only become more so in whatever has happened in the last few days. Your thermal scans pick out the odd scavenger, metahuman or otherwise, but they are always a significant way off and they scuttle away from you like roaches fleeing the light.

Towards Woodinville you begin to see more signs of inhabitation but everyone seems to be avoiding you, hardly surprising given that armoured convoys don't usually spell good news for the squatters around here.

Ahead in the hotspur you see plumes of dust rising from the decrepit 405…it would seem the Hellhounds have survived the catastrophe and they would appear to be keen to make your acquaintance…

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

<<[Corporal Gash] Corporal Gash reporting. I am heading to scout the Hellhounds. If they are Shedim, I will return fast. Legundo will be in my body. Any other instructions?>>

After waiting for instructions, Gash leaves his body in Legundo's capable hands, and travels as fast as only astral forms can towards the incoming hellhounds, his mana barrier whirling around him.

[PoliteMan]

Mercenary Joey "Raccoon"
Redmond Barrens

Hey boss, stop the convoy. Looks like a few locals wanna get acquainted, no use letting 'em see our toys. You want me to play this friendly or just waste em?

[Aria]

[Highway 405, Redmond Barrens]

From the vantage point of the hotspur you can see the Hellhounds are approaching rapidly on a rag tag collection of hogs and the odd four wheel drive monster, all seemingly armed or armoured in some way. Despite their rough appearance you know that they have been known, in the real world at least, to tackle Metroplex guard units from Fort Lewis and you see no reason why they would be less dangerous in this scenario.

Gash’s astral sweep reveals that they are very much metahuman with a typical mix of roiling emotions. First and foremost seems to be desperation though and you suspect that even if they haven’t had clear sight of the convoy they will be aware of its presence. They are certainly fired up enough to attack an armour unit and they might even be able to damage you.

Whilst you could divert away from the 405 that would add significant time to your journey and there is no guarantee that they wouldn’t pursue you anyway…

[PoliteMan]

Mercenary Joey "Raccoon"
Highway 405, Redmond Barrens

Feral, turn us around and get ready to burn rubber back to the convoy. Any chance you can outrun those bikes?

Joey steadies the Barret against his shoulder and takes aim at the lead rider.

Boss, I'm about 15 seconds from dropping these betelheads and getting back to the convoy. If you want any of these boys intact, now's the time to tell me.

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

Returning to his meat form.

<<[Corporal Gash] Back. Negative on the Shedim. Positive on the "They are looking for trouble". Recommendation: Nuke them Sergeant>>

[Aria]

[Highway 405, Redmond Barrens]

The lead biker is hurled from his hog as the high calibre round removes most of his ribcage in an explosive burst. His bike slews round and careens off the plating on sidecar of the vehicle travelling close behind him. The group, rather than show any fear, begin to whoop and holler and accelerate after the retreating hotspur, the scent of blood in their nostrils.

Their ramshackle vehicles are never the less fast, despite the heavy graffiti strewn plates that have been welded to every conceivable surface, and Feral looked over at his passenger

“It’s going to be tight and although we outnumber them,barely, they could do some damage before they go down…I don’t like running, let’s pincer the bastards and run them to ground…I suggest you get the rest of the column to engage...”

And he yanks on the steering column and the hotspur lunges off the carriageway, the smart tires compensating for the bank and rough terrain.

[sabs]

[Highway 405, Redmond Barrens]

<<if we nuke everyone we meet, we're going to run out of ammo. Still. lets see what we can do.>> Sticks did some quick calculations and gave Kitt some precise orders to pass down on stopping the convoy, and laying it out. <<Wolf Cub, soon as you see the bikers, start taking them out.>> <<Feral, you mangy curr, What's your ETA? Run right through us, and then spin around and come back at them. >>


Sticks moved his giant robotic self forward to the front line, spinning up his weapons, and judging optimal firing distance. <<Soon as the HotSpur is through our line, we close and fire. Lets give them a Heavy Metal welcome.>> <<Gash, soon as you get LOS. Do your Worst.>>

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

Gash nods his head, and gestures with his sword.

"They are all yours. Have fun. If you care to share any information with us about what is happening that would be useful, if not 'Hasta la vista baby'."

<<Sarge we are moving out. Let's get to that Ferry>>

[Aria]

[Highway 405, Redmond Barrens]


Feral, with a kind of wild glee, leads the Hellhounds on a merry chase back to the convoy. The hotspur’s balloon tyres spin debris into the air as he swerves and dips to avoid the sporadic fire from the whooping Go gang.

As they come into view around a curve in the highway Gash’s spells lash out and first one then others drop, catapulting their hogs into wild gymnastics that leave bits of vehicle and smears of their former riders across the hardtop.

The barrels of Sticks[b]’ minigun glow hot to thermal sight as they spit death at the incoming horde, narrowly missing the racing hotspur, and ploughing great furrows in the rudimentary armour plating bolted to their vehicles. The convoy unleashes their full fury on the gang as they enter range and their targets obviously feel that discretion will leave them to fight another day and they cut and run.

Directly into the pincer of fire formed by [b]Wolf Cub and Racoon as they coordinate their sniper fire to remove the remaining threat.

In the space of a less than half a minute you have reduced these rampaging gangers to smoking hulks that the APCs easily shunt aside to the edge of the road to clear the path…

…and then the bodies begin to move…those damn shedim obviously haven’t gone far and you feel the first quake of fear as they exert their unnatural influence over your vulnerable minds

An astral form approaches Gash and manifests next to him. You dimly recognise the woman’s form…

“Get them out of the zone, you don’t have time to play with the likes of these. The Circle will deal with them, but this is a one-time offer, once we have exerted ourselves here we are unlikely to be able to help you again.”

At her beacon a host of fire elementals appear, far more than she could control alone

“We will burn out these abominations to allow you to deal with what is important!”

[sabs]

[Highway 405, Redmond Barrens]

Sticks looked around, Shedim rising from the dead, this was a nightmare. He was about to wonder if his first engagement was going to be his last battle when the "Circle" showed up. <<Everyone, get moving. Feral, Racoon, get us the hell out of here. We're hot on your tail.>>

Sticks gave Faraman orders to get all the vehicles going. <<Tell those damn Pilots to get going now. And not stop for anyone.>> That taken care of, he started mowing down animated bodies, trying to keep them off his people and fight a standing retreat. Sticks kicked and stomped nearly dead bodies, and kept the convoy moving while the Circle did their thing and his people made their way out of the area, following Racoon's trailblazing.

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

Gash settled down in the APC and dealt with the perpetual headache that combat mages suffer from.

<<Any idea what the real threat is Sarge? The circle were not particularly helpful. Personally I think we are heading for a shedim apocalypse: can we stop at a gardening supplier as I need to buy a lawnmower to strap to my chest <ARO reference to old 2D flick>>>

[Aria]

The convoy moves on, leaving the burning bodies of your unfortunate foe to the gentle ministrations of the Circle. From Bothell you head north along the 405, the surrounding trees masking you from sight. You pass a few abandoned vehicles but otherwise the area seems to be suspiciously devoid of life.

As you turn onto the 5 there is a sudden rush of activity and you see a motley collection of vehicles in a nose to tail jam making their way away from the centre of Seattle towards the north. People are trudging alongside on foot with whatever they can carry and frequent scuffles break out over food and other things considered essential by the mob. Screams of pain and wails of despair great your sensors along with a general haze of anger and bewilderment…they clearly know as little of what is going on as you do…

Thundering down the 5 southbound you are completely unopposed until around Hall Lake a weird sight greats you, both in the virtual and the real world. Sprawling across the highway is a convoy of trucks that seem to have come to a haphazard halt. Dark and menacing AR displays proclaim the Cirque de la Lune backed with holographic images bounced off the low lying clouds showing giant masked tumblers. Figures are milling about and pointing at the exodus on the opposite side of the highway. The fleeing crowds are on the most part keeping their heads down but you can see that at least a few are taking an interest in whatever these weirdos may be carrying that might be valuable…the chance of conflict breaking out could be imminent…

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Hall Lane]

<<Just pause a minute Sarge.>>

Gash got out of the APC with his hands held in the universal symbol of "truce". Walking up to one of the people fleeing, Gash started to engage him in conversation "What's going on. Why are you all fleeing? Have you seen anything yourself?"

[Aria]

[Highway 405, Hall Lake]

The convoy comes to a halt some distance from the macabre sight of tumblers and jugglers on one side of the highway and a fleeing mass of humanity on the other. As Gash approaches a desperate looking individual to try and gather some intel you note that a group of the circus freaks have broken off and are coming towards you. They are led by a dwarf in a chequered coat of black and red and behind him the lithe figures cavort in ways that don’t look humanly possible. Above them a cloaked figure hovers, darkness and illusion spiralling around them and weaving amongst the acrobats.

Gash

The man gives you a panicked glance but never the less pauses and sets down the suitcase he has been dragging…

“What? What the hell do you mean? We’re getting away from them, the centre is full of…hell I don’t know what they are. It’s the darkness, it’s eating people…that’s when the people aren’t turning on each other…”

There is a ripple in the crowd coming towards you and suddenly the screams intensify. You see a patch of darkness lift from the trees at the edge of the highway and swoop down towards the crowd. There is a metallic crunch and an Americar is stripped of its roof which spins away to crush two of the pedestrians running from the scene. The car disappears and then as whatever it is lifts away again you can see the vivid smears of red in the fitful overhead lights…the lights that are regaining strength as the thing returns to the treeline…

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

<<[Corporal Gash] Well I've never seen anything like this. If I had to guess its Balo the Jester to the Courts of Chaos. Whatever it is: it looks like we have to stop it.

So it looks to me like there are four main targets: the figure in the Darkness, the Dwarf and the dancers.

I'm going astral to have a good look at the dwarf and the darkness. I'll report back what I see. While I do that can you lot get into a decent 'ambush' position. We might as well pick the ground we are going to fight them on. We really want to be shooting at them out of cover that won't just be a problem when a car is bounced off it.>>

[sabs]

[Highway 405, Hall Lake]

<<Cover? Out here?>> Sticks shakes his head inside his cocoon, causing the Mecha to do the same. <<Faraman, get me a tactical overhead display. Kitt, keep the YellowJackets out of reach of what ever that thing is.>> Doing some quick calculations, Sticks setup the convoy as best he could, all the while walking towards the Dwarven Jester and his crew. He came to a stop just before the Dwarf, and bent down on one knee. "That's close enough Jester, what do you want." says the Robotic voice. The Mecha's sensors swept over the group trying to identify threats, implants, anything that could be of use. <<Cub, please be prepared to take this Jester out on my signal.>>

[Aria]

[Highway 405, Hall Lake]

Sticks

As you approach the circus freaks they fan out, jumping onto each others shoulders and launching themselves into the air...from a tactical stand point they make nice tempting targets out here in the open, even if their movements are unpredictable. The dwarf looks up at you, and up some more and twirls his cane and tips the absurd top hat in your direction

You hear Feral muttering over the comm, somehow it doesn't ease your sense of danger...

<<What are they doing here? They've not been written in? Damn Aria and her meddling...it's ok Sticks , they are friends of sorts...I think...>>

The dwarf's voice is sonerous, even through the sensors on your mecha you suspect it is laden with magical suggestion...

"We came to help...you have other things that concern you this night, we thought we'd lighten your load a little if that is acceptable? ...and a little entertainment at the fall of civilisation is always welcome is it not?"

Gash

The darkness is gone but the sense of unease is clearly palpable on the astral plane...it's like its very prescence has left a signature. You have visions of a thing much like a giant ray with teeth, lots of teeth. As far as you can tell it was some sort of spirit, but not, even your extensive knowledge has no real parrallels to draw on. Given what it did to that car though it's dangerous...and the man implied there were more of them...

The circus lot are another thing entirely, some are adepts, the dwarf certainly is, and others seem to be relying on serious augmentation. The hovering spectre seems familiar...Masque? Didn't you defeat her in your first foray with the Stillwater community?

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

<<[Corporal Gash] Sounds like he is a crazed cultist. I don't know if he's a bad guy or not. He and his friends look pretty hard: adepts and cybercases.


The real bad guy here looked like that shadow and it's gone. Shall we head deeper in, ignoring these guys?>>

[sabs]

[Highway 405, Hall Lake]


Sticks laughs, the digital sound sounding strange in the air. "We do have other concerns. Good luck to you, Prince of Fools" He stands back up and starts sending orders. <<Lets get going, we've got a place to blow up. Feral, Racoon, you're on point again.>>

"We'll see you on the other side of Ragnarok." That said, Sticks, brought the convoy back in motion. <<Cub, you keep an eye on them. I want no surprises.>>

[Aria]

[Highway 405, Hall Lake]

The circus freaks and fools move to let you go by and the convoy continues on, the reverse of the mass exodus of people on the other side of the highway divide. The hotspur jolts along on point, increasingly having to divert around abandoned vehicles that show signs of extreme violence done to them. About a mile ahead of you smoke begins to rise and the darkness increases…a ripple of screams comes to you fighting the wind…the smoke is also going against the wind and you see it plunge down and engulf the highway. The cries are desperate and heart wrenching…particularly as they get closer and you can hear the abrupt cut off as individuals are silenced…

Masque’s astral form appears beside Gash, her face still masked by the disturbing blankness that sends uneasy prickles along the base of your neck

~We will draw them off you. I suggest you leave the highway here and strike across less open territory to the west~

And then she is gone. Behind you laser displays and lights stream into the air and in the astral there is a flare of power as they begin some sort of ritual designed to say “look at me”…whether or not the mad buggers will survive whatever they are drawing down on themselves it is to be hoped that you will escape the worst of it…

The darkness is approaching fast and within its seething mass you can see many many writhing forms, images of dark teeth and tentacles fill your sensors and perhaps you might wish that the milspec vision enhancements weren’t quite so vivid.

[sabs]

[Highway 405, Hall Lake - Going Off Road]

Feral and Racoon peeled off in their vehicle, while Sticks and Kitt got the convoy moving. More out of curiosity than anything else, Sticks unleashed a couple of seconds of ammo into the broiling mass. The effect, was not what he had anticipated. rhorho

The mass recoiled from the impacts of the minigun, and Sticks eased off the trigger, not wanting to piss off the thing even more.

<<Step on it people, I don't want to be here when the fighting starts. You've got our GPS destination, and basic route. MOVE IT.>>

He switched to private channel with Gash. <<Can you keep an eye on everyone, if this thing starts using Magic on people. I want some protection.>> That said, the convoy made it's way cross country, Sticks acting as rear guard temporarily. He also kept part of his brain looking at the map of their final destination. How the hell was he going to sneak his mecha in. Maybe he could use himself as a distraction, and send Racoon and Gash in. <<Faraman, show me the list of personelle we have and what their specialities are?>>

[Seth]

Corporal Gash - Magical Supression
[Stillwater Lakeshore]

<<[Corporal Gash] Sarge: It's looking quiet magically right now. I'm going to scout the target if that's OK>>

Exploding out of his body, his astral form armed and armored surrounded by the shimmering haze of a serious mana barrier, Gash paused. "Child of the Ogou I call thee". A small watcher spirit appeared. "Possess my body while I wait. Inform these others should you see any threats".

"Let's go Legundo"

Checking his bearings, Gash zoomed towards the Aztechknowledgy Launch Pad on Fox Island.

[Friendbot2000]

Jax surveyed the burning wreckage of the convoy, nearly 90 soldiers, dead. She was the only survivor. She had been in this smulation for a long time now, but losing a soldier was always tough. However this time she didn't just lose soldiers, she lost friends. Sergeant Ruthers, Private Dirken, Gunnery Sergeant Williams...dead. Something attacked them that she had never seen before, something dark and twisted. It tore through her comrades and decimated the entire unit. Through sheer skill and tenacity she managed to hold out its assault. As soon as it had arrived, it left...

Jax solemnly packed up as much supplies as she could fit in her mecha's supply compartments. Bullets, grenades, power cells, she would need them all if that thing was to come back. She hopped back into the mecha and jacked in.

She took a breath. <<Papa Bear, this is Painted Lady do you read me?>> Silence. <<Papa Bear this si Painted Lady do you read me?!>>

The comms crackled to life. <<This is Papa Bear, what is your report Painted Lady?>>

<<Convoy has been destroyed Papa Bear. unknown assailant, some sort of...darkness. No accurate description Papa Bear. I am the only survivor...they turned on each other, like something was causing them to. Then the thing came to finish them off sir. It did something with our comms sir, we couldn't call out. With your permission I would like to track this thing down sir. I got a debt to pay. I think I wounded it during the fighting.>>

<<That is negatory Corporal, you are being rerouted to join Master Sergeant Sticks's troop. Your mission is to provide support for a confirmed sheddim sighting. You are to double time it soldier. After the threat has been dealt with you will join the detachment for their assigned mission. You will be briefed once you arrive. Be careful out there Painted Lady, Papa Bear out.>>

[Friendbot2000]

Jax put her mecha in full throttle, she had to reach the convoy as soon as possible. There was no telling if that thing was coming after her or not. She got the sense that it was toying with her, following at a distance, feeding off of her fears. She had her mechsuit's sensors scanning the area, making doubly sure that she would get notice of any bogies before they knew what hit them. Then again, she wasn't exactly stealthy with her large mechsuit and its clunky, yet somehow agile gait. The sound of hydraulics pierced the air as she ran to intercept the convoy. She spotted the mass of refugees pouring down the highway before they spotted her and she did her best to avoid them. She didn't want to cause a commotion and she wasn't prepared to deal with a riot situation without some sort of backup. she breathed a sigh of relief when her sensors picked up the convoy in the distance. She upped the acceleration to its full capacity. Sensors picked up infantry, some transports, and a couple of recon vehicles, not much for a "special" assignment. Then she spotted the mecha and she smiled, it will be good to have another heavy on her side if that thing ever decides to come back.

She radioed command again <<Papa Bear, this is Painted Lady. Convoy is in sight, requesting convoy's commcodes for contact>>

<<This is Papa Bear, we read you. Comm Officer Kit is covering communications for the convoy, commcodes are 7536674-09. Glad to her you made it safely Painted Lady. Kit will brief you once you make contact. Your presence has been reported to Master Sergeant Sticks, you are to report to him directly and you better listen to orders soldier. This is no time for insubordination. Master Sergeant Sticks is out best operative and the mission is imperative. You are to follow all orders, is that clear?>>

Jax rolled her eyes <<Copy that Papa Bear, Painted Lady out.>>

Jax connected to the convoy's comm channel <<Calling Master Sergeant Sticks, this is Corporal Jax of Mech Division Raining Dawn, Heavy serial number 8473678A479T-81 reporting for duty. I have been assigned to provide support to your mission. Approaching your position at 40mph, sending GPS tracking to confirm my approach. Do you copy?>>