[00:01:15 Jun 2070 - Basement - Aztec Pyramid]
Master Sergeant Huicton is makes good his escape. "Phew that was close he thinks". It's a tough life being a scout, but the good Master Sergeant hadn't expected anything to go wrong when he went to the storeroom to collect a pad of paper. Suddenly there had been the sounds of bangs and crashes, the doorway crashed open, and General Quarter's had sounded.
Given that the good Sergeant was actually exactly where he would like to be: watching the enemy up close and in a place with plenty of hiding placing, he stayed put, and start reporting on their position to the Major.
The God's only know how they spotted him a few seconds before the assault. Probably some sort of divinatory magic's. Then had come the hideous blast's of magic. Still at least he had been able to get out of line of sight of that huge spirit. Mind you that were-bear was tough too. Tough but slow, and the Master Sergeant had managed to dodge both his blows before escaping into the pyramid to report to his Master. All I have to do now is deal with this pesky spirit!
Full Version: IC - Shadow's Dawn: Diving into the past
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 - Second floor - Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Aztech 4]
Camaxtli Cenyaotl also known as Spirit bane, was humming a happy tune. He was wearing the traditional robes of Xipe Topec: layered human skin, with dangling hands and feet from his belt that had been made into powerful magical fetishes. Unlike most priest's Spirit Bane's items had been made by the God himself, he was truely blessed. There were invaders in the temple, but they were part of the Master's plan. Only a spirit could try and interfere with his task, and Spirit Bane was well named
The two guards behind him held an old soul. Lean'drea the bard, constrained by a yoke of restraint. The yoke was large and made of wood, but magically potent. Anyone held by the Yoke could only obey. The Master had taught Spirit Bane how to eat souls and draw their power into himself. Lean'drea would be the most powerful soul he had ever consumed, and with it Spirit Bane would acquire immortality. It was a good day to be alive.
One more task for the Master and immortality beck...
Spirit Bane's happy musing was broken by two simultaneous unpleasant events. Firstly the arrival of four Nissan Hoverdrones which starting shooting at his guards, and secondly the appearance of a huge Blood spirit. A spirit that Spirit Bane had met before.
"Sanguine where is your master?"
"You cannot stop me now...the blood is mine....mine...Die!" Sanguine was not in the mood for talking. Spirit Bane sighed, and looked at Sanguine in the special way his master had taught him. Sanguine screamed as his form was ripped into shreds. His form began to disrupt, but there was no escape to the metaplanes, and Spirit Banes reached out with his mind sucking Sanguine into one of the mummified hands. "Lunch" he thought.
[Background: Aztech 4]
Camaxtli Cenyaotl also known as Spirit bane, was humming a happy tune. He was wearing the traditional robes of Xipe Topec: layered human skin, with dangling hands and feet from his belt that had been made into powerful magical fetishes. Unlike most priest's Spirit Bane's items had been made by the God himself, he was truely blessed. There were invaders in the temple, but they were part of the Master's plan. Only a spirit could try and interfere with his task, and Spirit Bane was well named
The two guards behind him held an old soul. Lean'drea the bard, constrained by a yoke of restraint. The yoke was large and made of wood, but magically potent. Anyone held by the Yoke could only obey. The Master had taught Spirit Bane how to eat souls and draw their power into himself. Lean'drea would be the most powerful soul he had ever consumed, and with it Spirit Bane would acquire immortality. It was a good day to be alive.
One more task for the Master and immortality beck...
Spirit Bane's happy musing was broken by two simultaneous unpleasant events. Firstly the arrival of four Nissan Hoverdrones which starting shooting at his guards, and secondly the appearance of a huge Blood spirit. A spirit that Spirit Bane had met before.
"Sanguine where is your master?"
"You cannot stop me now...the blood is mine....mine...Die!" Sanguine was not in the mood for talking. Spirit Bane sighed, and looked at Sanguine in the special way his master had taught him. Sanguine screamed as his form was ripped into shreds. His form began to disrupt, but there was no escape to the metaplanes, and Spirit Banes reached out with his mind sucking Sanguine into one of the mummified hands. "Lunch" he thought.
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 - Second floor - Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Aztech 4]
Lean'drea is shocked awake. The previous week had been spent in a doze, carrying this accursed Yoke around. The Aztech's had not been kind to such a beautiful Elf, but Lean'drea had lived though worse. The Yoke was falling away from her, slowly. A carefully aimed bullet had shot the clasp off.
Around Lean'drea was a scene of battle: the clamshell armoured guards appeared mostly immune to the Taser's off the four Nissan Hoverdrones that were attacking. In front of Lean'drea was a human who was wearing a deeply disturbing and magically powerful outfit.
[Background: Aztech 4]
Lean'drea is shocked awake. The previous week had been spent in a doze, carrying this accursed Yoke around. The Aztech's had not been kind to such a beautiful Elf, but Lean'drea had lived though worse. The Yoke was falling away from her, slowly. A carefully aimed bullet had shot the clasp off.
Around Lean'drea was a scene of battle: the clamshell armoured guards appeared mostly immune to the Taser's off the four Nissan Hoverdrones that were attacking. In front of Lean'drea was a human who was wearing a deeply disturbing and magically powerful outfit.
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 -Storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Aztech 0]
Major Nopaltzin snarled. Being knocked onto his backside was not a common experience for him. His fire control systems had already began to track that pesky elf, although they were a little shaken under the sonic barrage. Damage control systems within his body were already beginning to repair and contain the damage, and while his biomonitor was indicating amber, it had a long way to go before reaching dangerous levels.
The Astral from that was casting magic's at him could wait. Crosshairs converged on the elf, his tacnet fed advisory data: ammunition, radar, sonar, multiple images from the dragonflys, head cameras from his rapidly diminishing troops. All of them helped him focus his rage on that elf.
The minigun was already spinning and firing, carving into the concrete above. The Major walked the line of fire towards the elf.
[Background: Aztech 0]
Major Nopaltzin snarled. Being knocked onto his backside was not a common experience for him. His fire control systems had already began to track that pesky elf, although they were a little shaken under the sonic barrage. Damage control systems within his body were already beginning to repair and contain the damage, and while his biomonitor was indicating amber, it had a long way to go before reaching dangerous levels.
The Astral from that was casting magic's at him could wait. Crosshairs converged on the elf, his tacnet fed advisory data: ammunition, radar, sonar, multiple images from the dragonflys, head cameras from his rapidly diminishing troops. All of them helped him focus his rage on that elf.
The minigun was already spinning and firing, carving into the concrete above. The Major walked the line of fire towards the elf.
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 -Matrix - Aztec Pyramid]
Jonathan considers the tactical situation. The Major knocked over, and heavily engaged in physical combat. Now if ever was the time to attack. Triggering the virus that would destroy the tacnet, he checks himself in the mirror. Bright red suit, smart tie, gold cufflinks, the hair do perfect. Time to go engage the Major.
Morphing into the Major's node: the middle of the tacnet, he looks appreciatively at the tiny almost transparent imps that were jumping onto the back of each of the troopers. The major was a different matter
<<You. Traitor. I will kill you. I will kill your wife. I will kill your children. I will serve their hearts to my Master>> The Major was not happy to see him. Clearly he had seen the imps, and worked out who was responsible
Jonathan lifted up his right hand and snapped his fingers. Nothing happened. The Major's Icon smiled <<I am prepared for your treachery Jonathan, you cannot hurt me>>
<<It's better to die, than to serve you and your master. And speaking of dying Major...lets start with you>>
Jonathan considers the tactical situation. The Major knocked over, and heavily engaged in physical combat. Now if ever was the time to attack. Triggering the virus that would destroy the tacnet, he checks himself in the mirror. Bright red suit, smart tie, gold cufflinks, the hair do perfect. Time to go engage the Major.
Morphing into the Major's node: the middle of the tacnet, he looks appreciatively at the tiny almost transparent imps that were jumping onto the back of each of the troopers. The major was a different matter
<<You. Traitor. I will kill you. I will kill your wife. I will kill your children. I will serve their hearts to my Master>> The Major was not happy to see him. Clearly he had seen the imps, and worked out who was responsible
Jonathan lifted up his right hand and snapped his fingers. Nothing happened. The Major's Icon smiled <<I am prepared for your treachery Jonathan, you cannot hurt me>>
<<It's better to die, than to serve you and your master. And speaking of dying Major...lets start with you>>
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 - Second floor - Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Aztech 4]
Lean'drea
Lean'drea blinks several times and gives her head a small shake. As she feels it clearing, the sound of the combat around her suddenly fills her ears. Not the clanging of swords, but the bursts of gunfire. That's right, it wasn't the time of blades any more, it had long since passed, just like each age.... Lean'drea gives herself another shake of her head and focuses on the situation.
She ducks slightly to try and make herself less of a target for flying bullets, and reaches to her head to nimbly remove the gag from her mouth. She can feel her magic being drained away by this place, but her voice is her most potent weapon anyways, especially as she realizes she isn't wearing her own armor or clothing. Another moment to assess the threats around her... two guards and some... person clothed in human skin, her captor. She decides quickly on her course of action calling over the din of gunfire to the two guards next to her "Kill the man behind you!", making sure to use the Aztech's language for the best chance of being understood, and ducking down to a crouch so as not to get caught in their fire or be targeted by mistake.
She felt her voice crack, she hadn't been allowed to speak in ages, and the magic had drained away some portion of her usual vocal prowess, but still, she doubts it has affected her enough for those guards to ignore her order, but too many more orders might get difficult quickly.
[Background: Aztech 4]
Lean'drea
Lean'drea blinks several times and gives her head a small shake. As she feels it clearing, the sound of the combat around her suddenly fills her ears. Not the clanging of swords, but the bursts of gunfire. That's right, it wasn't the time of blades any more, it had long since passed, just like each age.... Lean'drea gives herself another shake of her head and focuses on the situation.
She ducks slightly to try and make herself less of a target for flying bullets, and reaches to her head to nimbly remove the gag from her mouth. She can feel her magic being drained away by this place, but her voice is her most potent weapon anyways, especially as she realizes she isn't wearing her own armor or clothing. Another moment to assess the threats around her... two guards and some... person clothed in human skin, her captor. She decides quickly on her course of action calling over the din of gunfire to the two guards next to her "Kill the man behind you!", making sure to use the Aztech's language for the best chance of being understood, and ducking down to a crouch so as not to get caught in their fire or be targeted by mistake.
She felt her voice crack, she hadn't been allowed to speak in ages, and the magic had drained away some portion of her usual vocal prowess, but still, she doubts it has affected her enough for those guards to ignore her order, but too many more orders might get difficult quickly.
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 - Basement Storeroom][/b]
background count:0
Bjeorn takes a look at the situation. The Major is pointing his death ray at toward's his friend Fearghas. Bjeorn charges into the middle of the troops, and smashes into the Major. The red haze of battle settles upon him. Here is a foe worthy of Bjeorn's respect.
Bjeorn focus's his magic into his hands and strikes hard. The good old one two. To Bjeorn's surprise the first blow had almost no effect. Its a long time since thats happen thought through his berserk fury, but it only made him madder. Focusing harder, he pounds and his left hook has a much better effect, and hears something break inside the armour.
background count:0
Bjeorn takes a look at the situation. The Major is pointing his death ray at toward's his friend Fearghas. Bjeorn charges into the middle of the troops, and smashes into the Major. The red haze of battle settles upon him. Here is a foe worthy of Bjeorn's respect.
Bjeorn focus's his magic into his hands and strikes hard. The good old one two. To Bjeorn's surprise the first blow had almost no effect. Its a long time since thats happen thought through his berserk fury, but it only made him madder. Focusing harder, he pounds and his left hook has a much better effect, and hears something break inside the armour.
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: Aztech 4 (?), reduced powers: Drake powers, attribute boost, photgraphic memory, enhanced perception
Ryl briefly amazed that Bjeorn ignored the fleeing scout and lept back down into the fray below...ah well, let's hope that we can deal with him later...
...pushing these distractions from her mind she flew through the degrading tacnet and with consumate skill, although a lack of subtlety, began to peel away the layers of code around the Major...hopefully she would be in before he killed her friends.
As she stepped into his node she whispered to Garyn and the agent, in the form of her lover of old, stepped forward between her and the looming IC
Hopefully with Spike's aid they would be able to defeat them and step beyond to the control node that she could see ahead, the beating heart of this cybered abomination...
background count: Aztech 4 (?), reduced powers: Drake powers, attribute boost, photgraphic memory, enhanced perception
Ryl briefly amazed that Bjeorn ignored the fleeing scout and lept back down into the fray below...ah well, let's hope that we can deal with him later...
...pushing these distractions from her mind she flew through the degrading tacnet and with consumate skill, although a lack of subtlety, began to peel away the layers of code around the Major...hopefully she would be in before he killed her friends.
As she stepped into his node she whispered to Garyn and the agent, in the form of her lover of old, stepped forward between her and the looming IC
Hopefully with Spike's aid they would be able to defeat them and step beyond to the control node that she could see ahead, the beating heart of this cybered abomination...
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Room 12 - Aztec Pyramid]
[Resonance Well 2]
Her mind set on the task at hand, despite her trepidation at facing the Major, Angel sets out for his link. It is a well-fortified bastion, but this is her domain, and the energy of the place urges her on. The adrenaline now running through her body mitigates the strain as she draws in the Resonance to bolster her tools far beyond their original capacity, and begins dismantling the external defenses wholesale, completely unconcerned with being noticed.
A suitable hole is soon created, and Angel's icon forces its way through, quickly followed by her erstwhile protector. A quick look around draws in the basic layout, and the presence of the guards, as well as an odd dracoform icon she's never seen before.
That's no one I've seen before. One of the people here to help? Or maybe the Major upgraded? I hope it's a helper.
Instincitvely raising her defenses, Angel watches how the others react to her arrival.
[Resonance Well 2]
Her mind set on the task at hand, despite her trepidation at facing the Major, Angel sets out for his link. It is a well-fortified bastion, but this is her domain, and the energy of the place urges her on. The adrenaline now running through her body mitigates the strain as she draws in the Resonance to bolster her tools far beyond their original capacity, and begins dismantling the external defenses wholesale, completely unconcerned with being noticed.
A suitable hole is soon created, and Angel's icon forces its way through, quickly followed by her erstwhile protector. A quick look around draws in the basic layout, and the presence of the guards, as well as an odd dracoform icon she's never seen before.
That's no one I've seen before. One of the people here to help? Or maybe the Major upgraded? I hope it's a helper.
Instincitvely raising her defenses, Angel watches how the others react to her arrival.
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Matrix - Aztec Pyramid]
Major Nopaltzin hatred has increased. Betrayed by his own security staff, attacked by worthless Mages, punched by some half human bear thing, and his bio monitor is beginning to move towards red. Its time to teach these hackers how to fight. Madly and furiously he activates his mostly deadly program, chortling to himself as his virtual self moves to attack Jonathan.
<<You'll need to be better than that Major>>The blast of unpleasant energies from the Major wash around the red suited icon. Jonathan adjusts his tie, buffs his nails then <<Behind you Major>> two small imps appear and begin to take huge chunks out of the Major's icon which begins to spark.
Major Nopaltzin hatred has increased. Betrayed by his own security staff, attacked by worthless Mages, punched by some half human bear thing, and his bio monitor is beginning to move towards red. Its time to teach these hackers how to fight. Madly and furiously he activates his mostly deadly program, chortling to himself as his virtual self moves to attack Jonathan.
<<You'll need to be better than that Major>>The blast of unpleasant energies from the Major wash around the red suited icon. Jonathan adjusts his tie, buffs his nails then <<Behind you Major>> two small imps appear and begin to take huge chunks out of the Major's icon which begins to spark.
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Research level, Room 12 - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: Golden Beauty 4, Force: 6
Mandala considers his situation.
The spirit killer is just outside the door. The girl named "Angel" is awake but doing something he can't figure out. She is in a containment unit which is powered down at the moment. Can she even get out if she wants to? It has a one-way viewing port, so if he goes inside, he can't see out. If he leaves, and the spirit killer comes in, he can just plug the unit back in or open it and do something nasty. If Mandala were to open it, where could he take her, as she cannot dematerialize? Sometimes it's hard to think in terms of the limitations of metahumans.
While considering options, Mandala piles more furniture and equipment in front of the door.
background count: Golden Beauty 4, Force: 6
Mandala considers his situation.
The spirit killer is just outside the door. The girl named "Angel" is awake but doing something he can't figure out. She is in a containment unit which is powered down at the moment. Can she even get out if she wants to? It has a one-way viewing port, so if he goes inside, he can't see out. If he leaves, and the spirit killer comes in, he can just plug the unit back in or open it and do something nasty. If Mandala were to open it, where could he take her, as she cannot dematerialize? Sometimes it's hard to think in terms of the limitations of metahumans.
While considering options, Mandala piles more furniture and equipment in front of the door.
[00:01:15 Jun 2070 - Above Basement Storeroom]
background count:0
Alyena finishes cleansing the area as her spirit fails to possess the master sergeant.
"Continue to attack" she urges her ally as she turns her attention to the basement storeroom once more. Behind her a stunball rips into the foe.
In a blur of smoke and light her astral form flashes down and takes in the scene below. She winces slightly at the sight of the spirits that face her companions. To her experienced eye the two largest radiate an aura of pure Evil. The smaller spirits that surround them, though unpleasant, are as nothing in comparison.
Gathering her power, a ball of smoke and lightning spins from Alyena's astral form and expands to claw at the spirits before her. As she suspected the lesser spirits vanish almost at once, the larger two however turn towards her, light still raking their evil forms. They rush to claw at her, as her bright light dances within the smokey armour, a disc of smoke becomes a shield to parry the attack. Alyena's light briefly fades as some of the attack gets through. It flares back to full strength as a second ball of lightning hits the evil, one of the spirits fails. The other attacks again and is parried a second time, this time she takes no damage and prepares to attack again!
background count:0
Alyena finishes cleansing the area as her spirit fails to possess the master sergeant.
"Continue to attack" she urges her ally as she turns her attention to the basement storeroom once more. Behind her a stunball rips into the foe.
In a blur of smoke and light her astral form flashes down and takes in the scene below. She winces slightly at the sight of the spirits that face her companions. To her experienced eye the two largest radiate an aura of pure Evil. The smaller spirits that surround them, though unpleasant, are as nothing in comparison.
Gathering her power, a ball of smoke and lightning spins from Alyena's astral form and expands to claw at the spirits before her. As she suspected the lesser spirits vanish almost at once, the larger two however turn towards her, light still raking their evil forms. They rush to claw at her, as her bright light dances within the smokey armour, a disc of smoke becomes a shield to parry the attack. Alyena's light briefly fades as some of the attack gets through. It flares back to full strength as a second ball of lightning hits the evil, one of the spirits fails. The other attacks again and is parried a second time, this time she takes no damage and prepares to attack again!
[00:01:16 Jun 2070 - Basement Storeroom]
The moment the minigun barrel started spinning again, Fearghas dashed to the left in a roll, moving into cover behind the storeroom shelves and summoning a spirit from the netherworlds at the same time. Hide me, now! he thought to the spirit. He lifted himself off the ground and towards the ceiling, reciting his chant once again and still moving left. As soon as his head was clear of the top shelf, he rotated his body around and let loose another spell at the furious Major. Unfortunately, the Major had let loose another barrage of machine gun fire, much more erratic and widespread this time, and he felt one, then two, then three bullets hit him in the shoulder and chest.
He thought for a brief second where there might be better cover nearby to shield himself from the rest of this death barrage - for a brief second. Then the back of his head slammed into the storage shelf behind him, and everything went dark as he plummeted 5 meters to the floor below.
QUOTE (Seth @ Jun 6 2011, 05:20 AM) 
Major Nopaltzin snarled. Being knocked onto his backside was not a common experience for him. His fire control systems had already began to track that pesky elf, although they were a little shaken under the sonic barrage. Damage control systems within his body were already beginning to repair and contain the damage, and while his biomonitor was indicating amber, it had a long way to go before reaching dangerous levels.
The Astral from that was casting magic's at him could wait. Crosshairs converged on the elf, his tacnet fed advisory data: ammunition, radar, sonar, multiple images from the dragonflys, head cameras from his rapidly diminishing troops. All of them helped him focus his rage on that elf.
The minigun was already spinning and firing, carving into the concrete above. The Major walked the line of fire towards the elf.
The Astral from that was casting magic's at him could wait. Crosshairs converged on the elf, his tacnet fed advisory data: ammunition, radar, sonar, multiple images from the dragonflys, head cameras from his rapidly diminishing troops. All of them helped him focus his rage on that elf.
The minigun was already spinning and firing, carving into the concrete above. The Major walked the line of fire towards the elf.
The moment the minigun barrel started spinning again, Fearghas dashed to the left in a roll, moving into cover behind the storeroom shelves and summoning a spirit from the netherworlds at the same time. Hide me, now! he thought to the spirit. He lifted himself off the ground and towards the ceiling, reciting his chant once again and still moving left. As soon as his head was clear of the top shelf, he rotated his body around and let loose another spell at the furious Major. Unfortunately, the Major had let loose another barrage of machine gun fire, much more erratic and widespread this time, and he felt one, then two, then three bullets hit him in the shoulder and chest.
He thought for a brief second where there might be better cover nearby to shield himself from the rest of this death barrage - for a brief second. Then the back of his head slammed into the storage shelf behind him, and everything went dark as he plummeted 5 meters to the floor below.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Basement storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
Major Nopaltzin snarls. Sitting on his ass, trapped within the minigun harness was not his idea of a good time. Killing this were-bear is front of him was. At the least the horribly dangerous Sound Bombing elf, one Fearghas by name if his records were correct was down. Hopefully not dead. The Major's master needed the invaders captured not killed. Activating the quick release button he shakes the harness off. As he stands up, his shoulder launcher lobs a grenade accurately at GREMLIN's last doberman in the storeroom.
"Bjeorn I presume. Well that master has a message for you. 'Prepare to meet your Maker'". His vibro-cyber spurs emerge from his arms, as the major prepares to skewer Bjeorn.
The stunned, dazed and knocked down troops that were with him, were taking withering fire from the Doberman's, but their armor was holding. Their training is obviously very good, or perhaps they just haven't realized how outclassed they are. From their prone positions, they swivel their assault rifles toward's Bjeorn and each fire 2 short controlled bursts.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Outside Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Spirit Bane consider's his options. The prisoner is free. Still she doesn't look very dangerous, and if the best she can do is... His rumminations are ruined as charging around the corner from downstairs comes a fleeing spirit. "More Food. The Master is good" he thinks then his momentary happiness turns to distress as following the spirit come 6 Cadarvermen. Spirit Bane knows just how dangerous they are, and is in no mood to face them. Before Spirit Bane can react, before the guards even knew they were there, the Cadarvermen strike. A frenzied flurry of blows, limbs flying through the air, entrails exploding. The scene is like that of a horror movie when a red splash hits the wall.
Spirit Bane mutters a spell "Master save me!" and turns and flees to Angel's room. He turns the door knob and pushes.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Matrix - Aztec Pyramid]
A swarm of troops, clearly low ranking agents, appear around Jonathan and SPIKE with a Master Sergeant leading them. Dressed in combat fatigues, the agents move to attack. The Major's icon shimmers as the Master Sergeant applies a trauma patch to the Bleeding Blade icon. Jonathan, reaches inside his coat and extracts a grenade, which he drops at his feat, then summons a magical shield around himself and SPIKE. SPIKE redoubles his attacks on the Major's icon, which starts to show more sparks.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Major Nopaltzin's commlink - Aztec Pyramid]
Angel finishes her flurry of blows, driving the human guard icons backwards. The two dogs are not quite fast enough, one is severely damaged, while the other takes a nasty cut to the shoulder. The dogs pause, sniff, then one leaps upon angel, the other onto Ryl. They vanish just before they arrive.
Major Nopaltzin snarls. Sitting on his ass, trapped within the minigun harness was not his idea of a good time. Killing this were-bear is front of him was. At the least the horribly dangerous Sound Bombing elf, one Fearghas by name if his records were correct was down. Hopefully not dead. The Major's master needed the invaders captured not killed. Activating the quick release button he shakes the harness off. As he stands up, his shoulder launcher lobs a grenade accurately at GREMLIN's last doberman in the storeroom.
"Bjeorn I presume. Well that master has a message for you. 'Prepare to meet your Maker'". His vibro-cyber spurs emerge from his arms, as the major prepares to skewer Bjeorn.
The stunned, dazed and knocked down troops that were with him, were taking withering fire from the Doberman's, but their armor was holding. Their training is obviously very good, or perhaps they just haven't realized how outclassed they are. From their prone positions, they swivel their assault rifles toward's Bjeorn and each fire 2 short controlled bursts.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Outside Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Spirit Bane consider's his options. The prisoner is free. Still she doesn't look very dangerous, and if the best she can do is... His rumminations are ruined as charging around the corner from downstairs comes a fleeing spirit. "More Food. The Master is good" he thinks then his momentary happiness turns to distress as following the spirit come 6 Cadarvermen. Spirit Bane knows just how dangerous they are, and is in no mood to face them. Before Spirit Bane can react, before the guards even knew they were there, the Cadarvermen strike. A frenzied flurry of blows, limbs flying through the air, entrails exploding. The scene is like that of a horror movie when a red splash hits the wall.
Spirit Bane mutters a spell "Master save me!" and turns and flees to Angel's room. He turns the door knob and pushes.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Matrix - Aztec Pyramid]
A swarm of troops, clearly low ranking agents, appear around Jonathan and SPIKE with a Master Sergeant leading them. Dressed in combat fatigues, the agents move to attack. The Major's icon shimmers as the Master Sergeant applies a trauma patch to the Bleeding Blade icon. Jonathan, reaches inside his coat and extracts a grenade, which he drops at his feat, then summons a magical shield around himself and SPIKE. SPIKE redoubles his attacks on the Major's icon, which starts to show more sparks.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Major Nopaltzin's commlink - Aztec Pyramid]
Angel finishes her flurry of blows, driving the human guard icons backwards. The two dogs are not quite fast enough, one is severely damaged, while the other takes a nasty cut to the shoulder. The dogs pause, sniff, then one leaps upon angel, the other onto Ryl. They vanish just before they arrive.
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 - Inside Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Marduk tunes his perception to the TacNet again and queries it for an update. Gathering the info from it, Marduk shifts his perception to Angel's room where Mandala is guarding. "Mandala, My friend. Spirit Bane is just outside, beset by 6 Cadavermen. Unfortunately there is another with him that we would like to rescue." He looks about, "I will do what I can about Spirit Bane."
Dematerializing again, Marduk flits to stand next to Lean'drea. He seems about to say something, but insteads watches and listens.
Marduk tunes his perception to the TacNet again and queries it for an update. Gathering the info from it, Marduk shifts his perception to Angel's room where Mandala is guarding. "Mandala, My friend. Spirit Bane is just outside, beset by 6 Cadavermen. Unfortunately there is another with him that we would like to rescue." He looks about, "I will do what I can about Spirit Bane."
Dematerializing again, Marduk flits to stand next to Lean'drea. He seems about to say something, but insteads watches and listens.
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The fray outside heightens as new combatants arrive, and efforts to enter this room begin. The blockage at the door will only hold so long. Mandala considers opening the machine that encases Angel, but his electronics knowledge does not extend to understanding much about interfaces with metahuman physiology. He could harm her if he tries.
Ambrose could unhook her no problem. Hmm. Alright. Enough with playing their game. Time to bring the play into my court.
~~ I'm still with Angel, but you won't see me now. Need someone with biotech skills to remove her from the machine that encases her. ~~
Mandala dematerializes, and reforms on a table by the wall as a handheld multimeter. He bends his aura to match the dark, lifeless astral presence of the other machines around him.
Let them come. While they puzzle out who blocked the door, they will waste more time. And the right opportunity may present itself.
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The fray outside heightens as new combatants arrive, and efforts to enter this room begin. The blockage at the door will only hold so long. Mandala considers opening the machine that encases Angel, but his electronics knowledge does not extend to understanding much about interfaces with metahuman physiology. He could harm her if he tries.
Ambrose could unhook her no problem. Hmm. Alright. Enough with playing their game. Time to bring the play into my court.
~~ I'm still with Angel, but you won't see me now. Need someone with biotech skills to remove her from the machine that encases her. ~~
Mandala dematerializes, and reforms on a table by the wall as a handheld multimeter. He bends his aura to match the dark, lifeless astral presence of the other machines around him.
Let them come. While they puzzle out who blocked the door, they will waste more time. And the right opportunity may present itself.
[unknown time - inside a dream]
Fearghas wakes from the blackness. The last he remembered was dodging the main blast of that horrible gun.
He is sitting at a metal table in his finest ceremonial armour. Sitting opposite him is hooded man, the face of the man is hidden in shadows. The mans hands are visible, peeking out of the deep sleeves, and have a slight scalyness about them: perhaps a severe case of psoriasis. The fingernails look...odd...blackened and thicker than normal. Held by the hands is a wooden box, engraved with snakes. The box draws your attention: you have seen it before, and you have a strong urge to open the box. There is a faint smell of antiseptic, which fails to mask the musky odour of the man in front of him.
Looking around Fearghas sees a cell in the corner with Aren curled up in his bed. Asleep? or ...
"Well Fearghas its a long time since I've had the pleasure of your company" says the suprisingly well modulated voice of the man. "I'd like to thank you for coming to attend my little party. I do so like willing participants. Its so appropriate that you and friends should pay a visit now, as in a very real sense I have you to thank for making all of this possible. In a sense I am in your debt."
"The man holds the box, and inspects it. "So many thousand of years this has been feeding me, keeping me alive during the dark times. Without I would have been banished like my brethren. And there is still some power left. The Therans really knew how to enchant things! So when I open the box in just a few minutes, the power of the ritual combined with the destruction of the Theran engine held within it will be enough to allow my brothers to return. And I will have made it all possible for them! My power will grow beyond all imagining!"
This man really likes his monologue Fearghas thinks
"As I do so dislike being in debt, I think its only fair that I pay you back for placing the engine in the box. I even have found a reincarnation of the White Rose who made it possible for you to steal the engine from the Therans, although she is still very young, so I can pay my debt to her too. It is too late for you to stop the ritual. Only my death can stop the appocalypse, and you do not know my truename. You don't even have the box, which might make it possible for you to learn it, so I you might as well accept your fate. The wards in place around this place are strong enough that I will have finished the ritual before they are broken."
"Alachia has planned well, but left it too late. She has not broken her pledge to me, and her timing was supperb. "Until the ritual is performed" was the wording, and the ritual is indeed being performed. I see from your expression that she has not told you what is happening which would also break her pledge. I have enjoyed her suffering over the last 10,000 years, perhaps her failure here will freshen her up, and provide new enjoyment."
"My brothers are returning, and hell will be unleashed upon Earth. I can let you survive it. I helped you the last time, at the bequest of another, I can help you this time. If you join me, I will offer the route of blood and pain. So I my debt will be repaid by giving you a chance for life. I have a choice for you. The choice is simple: I need some sacrifices and sacrificers. Which would you rather be?"
Fearghas wakes from the blackness. The last he remembered was dodging the main blast of that horrible gun.
He is sitting at a metal table in his finest ceremonial armour. Sitting opposite him is hooded man, the face of the man is hidden in shadows. The mans hands are visible, peeking out of the deep sleeves, and have a slight scalyness about them: perhaps a severe case of psoriasis. The fingernails look...odd...blackened and thicker than normal. Held by the hands is a wooden box, engraved with snakes. The box draws your attention: you have seen it before, and you have a strong urge to open the box. There is a faint smell of antiseptic, which fails to mask the musky odour of the man in front of him.
Looking around Fearghas sees a cell in the corner with Aren curled up in his bed. Asleep? or ...
"Well Fearghas its a long time since I've had the pleasure of your company" says the suprisingly well modulated voice of the man. "I'd like to thank you for coming to attend my little party. I do so like willing participants. Its so appropriate that you and friends should pay a visit now, as in a very real sense I have you to thank for making all of this possible. In a sense I am in your debt."
"The man holds the box, and inspects it. "So many thousand of years this has been feeding me, keeping me alive during the dark times. Without I would have been banished like my brethren. And there is still some power left. The Therans really knew how to enchant things! So when I open the box in just a few minutes, the power of the ritual combined with the destruction of the Theran engine held within it will be enough to allow my brothers to return. And I will have made it all possible for them! My power will grow beyond all imagining!"
This man really likes his monologue Fearghas thinks
"As I do so dislike being in debt, I think its only fair that I pay you back for placing the engine in the box. I even have found a reincarnation of the White Rose who made it possible for you to steal the engine from the Therans, although she is still very young, so I can pay my debt to her too. It is too late for you to stop the ritual. Only my death can stop the appocalypse, and you do not know my truename. You don't even have the box, which might make it possible for you to learn it, so I you might as well accept your fate. The wards in place around this place are strong enough that I will have finished the ritual before they are broken."
"Alachia has planned well, but left it too late. She has not broken her pledge to me, and her timing was supperb. "Until the ritual is performed" was the wording, and the ritual is indeed being performed. I see from your expression that she has not told you what is happening which would also break her pledge. I have enjoyed her suffering over the last 10,000 years, perhaps her failure here will freshen her up, and provide new enjoyment."
"My brothers are returning, and hell will be unleashed upon Earth. I can let you survive it. I helped you the last time, at the bequest of another, I can help you this time. If you join me, I will offer the route of blood and pain. So I my debt will be repaid by giving you a chance for life. I have a choice for you. The choice is simple: I need some sacrifices and sacrificers. Which would you rather be?"
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
Ryl paused for a nanosecond as she considered spoofing the trace, but then the enemy knew they were here and there was little they could gain from the exact knowledge of her whereabouts.
<<Angel? We have little time...they are coming for you and we need to shut down the Major so that my friends can defeat him in the flesh...we must reach his command and control node...>>
She turned her attention to the offensive IC and her ‘link did its thing to interpret her mental commands...a coruscating stream of white fire erupts from her icon’s mouth and engulfs the IC as she roars her defiance
background count: 0
Ryl paused for a nanosecond as she considered spoofing the trace, but then the enemy knew they were here and there was little they could gain from the exact knowledge of her whereabouts.
<<Angel? We have little time...they are coming for you and we need to shut down the Major so that my friends can defeat him in the flesh...we must reach his command and control node...>>
She turned her attention to the offensive IC and her ‘link did its thing to interpret her mental commands...a coruscating stream of white fire erupts from her icon’s mouth and engulfs the IC as she roars her defiance
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Room 12 - Aztec Pyramid]
[Resonance Well 2]
Seeing the defending IC attack the other icon, Angel considers her options.
Well, I guess they're probably a friend? Why else would the Major's watchdogs attack them? I should help them, then maybe we'll be able to chat. I wonder what they're like... No, can't waste time. I need to get to the Major to stop this.
Raising her arms to the digital sky, she summons forth a storm, raining down a series of lightning strikes all around the guards and their dogs. The first strikes go wide and she scowls, redoubling her efforts. The second set is a bit more effective, coming close enough to scorch the watchdogs, but still missing the more dangerous guards. Finally, her repeated blows catch one of the guards off balance, completely obliterating his icon in a shower of sparks and electrical arcs that further wound the nearby dogs.
<The one and only! I'm glad you're ok. MR. CHIPS told me you needed help with the Major. He's mean. I won't let him hurt people any more. Your friend is cute. We should go. Only one bad guy left here now.>
[Resonance Well 2]
Seeing the defending IC attack the other icon, Angel considers her options.
Well, I guess they're probably a friend? Why else would the Major's watchdogs attack them? I should help them, then maybe we'll be able to chat. I wonder what they're like... No, can't waste time. I need to get to the Major to stop this.
Raising her arms to the digital sky, she summons forth a storm, raining down a series of lightning strikes all around the guards and their dogs. The first strikes go wide and she scowls, redoubling her efforts. The second set is a bit more effective, coming close enough to scorch the watchdogs, but still missing the more dangerous guards. Finally, her repeated blows catch one of the guards off balance, completely obliterating his icon in a shower of sparks and electrical arcs that further wound the nearby dogs.
<The one and only! I'm glad you're ok. MR. CHIPS told me you needed help with the Major. He's mean. I won't let him hurt people any more. Your friend is cute. We should go. Only one bad guy left here now.>
[00:01:18 Jun 2070]
background count: Aztech 4, reduced magic: 2 mage, 2 adept
Everything seems to be happening so quickly. With the haze of the mind control still on her, and no magic to speed her reactions Lean'drea can barely keep up with what is going on. Before she even notices they are near, those... things had killed the two guards she'd hoped to use as protection. Lean'drea nearly wretches at the sudden explosion of gore right next to her, but manages to hold her stomach and keep her mind focused. She backs away slowly, thinking for a moment to try and command them, then remembering that they're very unlikely to be controlled by her voice. Her next thought is to order Spirit Bane in between herself and them, but he takes off and begins making plenty of noise to draw their attention, which seems like just as good of a distraction. Without having performed her centering ritual in weeks, her powers are severely weakened and without any gear her options are similarly limited.
With such overwhelming odds and no good idea of who is friend or foe, Lean'drea decides that retreat is her best option. A silent retreat, which means no centering herself properly. Without a sound she casts as strong a spell of invisibility as she can manage in this cursed aspect, making sure to mask it and her own aura so as to be as difficult to see on the astral, remembering that creatures of this sort were generally dual natured. Trusting that it will keep her hidden she runs with as little noise as she can, following Spirit Bane but looking for a different door to duck into, checking them lightly and quickly as she passes, but failing that heading for the stairs.
background count: Aztech 4, reduced magic: 2 mage, 2 adept
Everything seems to be happening so quickly. With the haze of the mind control still on her, and no magic to speed her reactions Lean'drea can barely keep up with what is going on. Before she even notices they are near, those... things had killed the two guards she'd hoped to use as protection. Lean'drea nearly wretches at the sudden explosion of gore right next to her, but manages to hold her stomach and keep her mind focused. She backs away slowly, thinking for a moment to try and command them, then remembering that they're very unlikely to be controlled by her voice. Her next thought is to order Spirit Bane in between herself and them, but he takes off and begins making plenty of noise to draw their attention, which seems like just as good of a distraction. Without having performed her centering ritual in weeks, her powers are severely weakened and without any gear her options are similarly limited.
With such overwhelming odds and no good idea of who is friend or foe, Lean'drea decides that retreat is her best option. A silent retreat, which means no centering herself properly. Without a sound she casts as strong a spell of invisibility as she can manage in this cursed aspect, making sure to mask it and her own aura so as to be as difficult to see on the astral, remembering that creatures of this sort were generally dual natured. Trusting that it will keep her hidden she runs with as little noise as she can, following Spirit Bane but looking for a different door to duck into, checking them lightly and quickly as she passes, but failing that heading for the stairs.
[00:01:20 Jun 2070 - Basement Storeroom][/b]
background count:0
The few remaining guard's point their little guns at the hulking Bjeorn, and pull the triggers. He sidesteps, he ducks, he weaves. Many of the bullets shoot at where he was and not where he is. A few bullets catch him anyway, but most of those bounce off his huge body.
background count:0
The few remaining guard's point their little guns at the hulking Bjeorn, and pull the triggers. He sidesteps, he ducks, he weaves. Many of the bullets shoot at where he was and not where he is. A few bullets catch him anyway, but most of those bounce off his huge body.
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 -Outside Angel's Room- Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Aztech 4]
Lean'drea went invisible just as the machine gun nest at the end of the corridor opened fire. It sprayed the area with bullets, obviously hoping to severely damage the unarmored Cadarvermen. The results were not what they hoped for.
As one the Cadarvermen spun, faced the gunners and charged. Their undead resiliance was enough to turn the bullets into mere annoyances. It was also enough to increase their fury, fuelling their combat prowess. Moving with insane speed, the Cadarvermen were hit by one more set of ineffective bullets before smashing into the nest. It was short. It was brutal. It was bloody. The screams were loud, and the shredding unpleasant. The bullets stop firing.
As the screams begin, Spirit Bane moves across the corridor. His futile banging on Angel's door was not working, so he moves across to the door of the blood pump room. As he does so....
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 -Outside Angel's Room- Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Tainted 6]
"Why have you disturbed me at this delicate time. I have given you a simple job, and I see you have failed me". The spirit of a man in a hooded robe materialises just behind Spirit bane. The spirit radiates a cold terror, chilling Lean'drea and sucking away her magical powers.
"I need two sacrifices. Bring them, or you will be one of them".
The spirit points a scabby hand at Angel's door and a bolt of magic hits it, destroying it.
"You may use these tools to help you".
With a wave, the spirit calms the Cadarvermen who begin to shamble back toward's Spirit Bane.
"Do not fail me again".
With this the Spirit vanishes
[Background: Aztech 4]
Lean'drea went invisible just as the machine gun nest at the end of the corridor opened fire. It sprayed the area with bullets, obviously hoping to severely damage the unarmored Cadarvermen. The results were not what they hoped for.
As one the Cadarvermen spun, faced the gunners and charged. Their undead resiliance was enough to turn the bullets into mere annoyances. It was also enough to increase their fury, fuelling their combat prowess. Moving with insane speed, the Cadarvermen were hit by one more set of ineffective bullets before smashing into the nest. It was short. It was brutal. It was bloody. The screams were loud, and the shredding unpleasant. The bullets stop firing.
As the screams begin, Spirit Bane moves across the corridor. His futile banging on Angel's door was not working, so he moves across to the door of the blood pump room. As he does so....
[00:01:19 Jun 2070 -Outside Angel's Room- Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Tainted 6]
"Why have you disturbed me at this delicate time. I have given you a simple job, and I see you have failed me". The spirit of a man in a hooded robe materialises just behind Spirit bane. The spirit radiates a cold terror, chilling Lean'drea and sucking away her magical powers.
"I need two sacrifices. Bring them, or you will be one of them".
The spirit points a scabby hand at Angel's door and a bolt of magic hits it, destroying it.
"You may use these tools to help you".
With a wave, the spirit calms the Cadarvermen who begin to shamble back toward's Spirit Bane.
"Do not fail me again".
With this the Spirit vanishes
[00:01:18 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
Ryl winced as the IC first evaded her strike and then seemed to absorb Garyn’s efforts into its code...damn thing didn’t even let the cascade take place, it just soaked up the enforced coding errors into its structure - she wouldn’t have been surprised if it had stood back and laughed at her efforts. Bloody cyber zombie was a much greater challenge than she had anticipated and it really didn’t help that they hadn’t had sufficient time to probe their target before being thrust into this situation...damn Alachia and her machinations.
Ryl couldn’t deny that this was important, Angel’s presence proved that, but given the timescales that she usually worked in this seemed like unseemly haste...surely these events could have been foreseen and dealt with before this critical time?
Of course the Enemy are tricky, perhaps they really had been able to conceal themselves this time...
Thankfully Angel’s lightening strikes finally overwhelmed the IC and left the path open to them
<<We must strike that C&C node now! I will scan it for traps but we may have to risk going in blind...even at matrix speeds we are running out of time...>>
background count: 0
Ryl winced as the IC first evaded her strike and then seemed to absorb Garyn’s efforts into its code...damn thing didn’t even let the cascade take place, it just soaked up the enforced coding errors into its structure - she wouldn’t have been surprised if it had stood back and laughed at her efforts. Bloody cyber zombie was a much greater challenge than she had anticipated and it really didn’t help that they hadn’t had sufficient time to probe their target before being thrust into this situation...damn Alachia and her machinations.
Ryl couldn’t deny that this was important, Angel’s presence proved that, but given the timescales that she usually worked in this seemed like unseemly haste...surely these events could have been foreseen and dealt with before this critical time?
Of course the Enemy are tricky, perhaps they really had been able to conceal themselves this time...
Thankfully Angel’s lightening strikes finally overwhelmed the IC and left the path open to them
<<We must strike that C&C node now! I will scan it for traps but we may have to risk going in blind...even at matrix speeds we are running out of time...>>
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
No sooner does Mandala take the form of an instrument, that the door to the corridor disintegrates into flying fragments hurtling throughout the room. they bounce off the containment cage and Mandala with equal lack of effect, but the piled machinery at the door parts like so much dandelion fluff in the wind. The way in is completely open. Through the dust, Mandala can see Spirit Bane, his aura clear and easy to recognize. So is his emotional state, which radiates like a beacon.
Wow. I hope that ...something ... that appeared outside just before the blast is really gone as the spell suggests. I have enough trouble on the way as it is. But wait. Spirit Bane is afraid! Ehhhhhxcellent.
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
No sooner does Mandala take the form of an instrument, that the door to the corridor disintegrates into flying fragments hurtling throughout the room. they bounce off the containment cage and Mandala with equal lack of effect, but the piled machinery at the door parts like so much dandelion fluff in the wind. The way in is completely open. Through the dust, Mandala can see Spirit Bane, his aura clear and easy to recognize. So is his emotional state, which radiates like a beacon.
Wow. I hope that ...something ... that appeared outside just before the blast is really gone as the spell suggests. I have enough trouble on the way as it is. But wait. Spirit Bane is afraid! Ehhhhhxcellent.
[unknown time - inside a dream]
Oh, dear.
Fearghas sat in his chair quietly while the hooded figure spoke. When the figure has said his peace, Fearghas raises his gauntlet-covered hands and claps them with deliberate slowness and awkwardness. "Well said, Ysrthgrathe, well said indeed. Couldn't have said it better myself, and thank you so very much for kindly inviting us into your humble grave for this get-together of yours. I must confess, I was rather hoping - a small hope, really - that I would not have the misfortune of meeting you here today. I do lead a busy life, you understand. But ah well, Fate has an interesting sense of humor sometimes, so nothing to be done about it, I suppose. I would have thought that seven thousand years would have done a bit more to change your sense of fashion, though. Those robes went out of style centuries ago. Tsk tsk." He shakes his head in a disappointed sort of way.
"As far as what you're trying to accomplish, well, it's an interesting idea, to be sure. A bit amusing, actually, since I'm not quite sure you've thought this all the way through. I'm afraid you're going to have to refresh my memory regarding this debt of yours, though. That was so very long ago, you know, and one can only remember so much over the course of several thousand years. I'm sure you understand. And while you're at it," he gestures a thumb toward the corner of the room where Aren lies, "what's he doing here?"
Oh, dear.
Fearghas sat in his chair quietly while the hooded figure spoke. When the figure has said his peace, Fearghas raises his gauntlet-covered hands and claps them with deliberate slowness and awkwardness. "Well said, Ysrthgrathe, well said indeed. Couldn't have said it better myself, and thank you so very much for kindly inviting us into your humble grave for this get-together of yours. I must confess, I was rather hoping - a small hope, really - that I would not have the misfortune of meeting you here today. I do lead a busy life, you understand. But ah well, Fate has an interesting sense of humor sometimes, so nothing to be done about it, I suppose. I would have thought that seven thousand years would have done a bit more to change your sense of fashion, though. Those robes went out of style centuries ago. Tsk tsk." He shakes his head in a disappointed sort of way.
"As far as what you're trying to accomplish, well, it's an interesting idea, to be sure. A bit amusing, actually, since I'm not quite sure you've thought this all the way through. I'm afraid you're going to have to refresh my memory regarding this debt of yours, though. That was so very long ago, you know, and one can only remember so much over the course of several thousand years. I'm sure you understand. And while you're at it," he gestures a thumb toward the corner of the room where Aren lies, "what's he doing here?"
[unknown time - inside a dream]
You'll have to excuse me a moment. I have a human resources issue to deal with. It's quite tiresome really, you just cannot get the staff anymore" For a few moments the robed figure seems to fade out, leaving Fearghas in the dream.
You'll have to excuse me a moment. I have a human resources issue to deal with. It's quite tiresome really, you just cannot get the staff anymore" For a few moments the robed figure seems to fade out, leaving Fearghas in the dream.
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Basement- Aztec Pyramid]
[Background: Tainted 4]
Major Nopaltzin snarls as he attacks the annoying dancing bear thing. Unfortunately for him, this bear dances too well, and it dances out of reach. Taking advantage of this, Alyena launches another mana bolt. At first it seems that the bolt will deflect off the Major's impressive magical defenses, but then he stumbles into the full path.
A siren sounds on the Major's belt, his vision goes red, and damage control and recovery system inform him that critical damage has been received. Chemicals dump into his blood stream, forcing unnaturally fast clotting, valves close around major arteries that were beginning to hemorrhage. The anger in him, was replaced by flight signals, as preprogrammed emergency escape and evade routines were triggered. His cyberlimbs move with a mind of their own carrying the critically injured form with it.
Moving faster than the eye can see, the Major flees, some active spirit support clearly helping his unnatural movement. On the monitors, Ryl and Angel can see the Major appear almost by teleportation back in the security room, where Jonathan's coffin is, as he presses the "open" button on the panic room. Huge roller shutter doors start to open
[Background: Tainted 4]
Major Nopaltzin snarls as he attacks the annoying dancing bear thing. Unfortunately for him, this bear dances too well, and it dances out of reach. Taking advantage of this, Alyena launches another mana bolt. At first it seems that the bolt will deflect off the Major's impressive magical defenses, but then he stumbles into the full path.
A siren sounds on the Major's belt, his vision goes red, and damage control and recovery system inform him that critical damage has been received. Chemicals dump into his blood stream, forcing unnaturally fast clotting, valves close around major arteries that were beginning to hemorrhage. The anger in him, was replaced by flight signals, as preprogrammed emergency escape and evade routines were triggered. His cyberlimbs move with a mind of their own carrying the critically injured form with it.
Moving faster than the eye can see, the Major flees, some active spirit support clearly helping his unnatural movement. On the monitors, Ryl and Angel can see the Major appear almost by teleportation back in the security room, where Jonathan's coffin is, as he presses the "open" button on the panic room. Huge roller shutter doors start to open
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
<<There seems to be a guardian IC in the node ahead, although no more than you have already dispatched here, but I don't want to risk getting separated...we go together on three...?>>
background count: 0
<<There seems to be a guardian IC in the node ahead, although no more than you have already dispatched here, but I don't want to risk getting separated...we go together on three...?>>
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Room 12 - Aztec Pyramid]
[Resonance Well 2]
With Ryl and the agent distracting the final guardian, Angel takes a moment to line up a final strike. The guard stands little chance as the lightning courses through it, shattering its icon into a digital shower, finally ending the conflict in this node. The reprieve doesn't last long though, as the Major begins a retreat to safety in the world of atoms. A new urgency comes to the front, as it becomes obvious that the Major intends to shut himself off from his enemies to prevent their ultimate victory.
<Good plan! Looks like we need to work fast, or he's going to get away.>
So saying, she prepares a quick countdown to synch up with Ryl, then transfers her icon to the next node as soon as that countdown reaches zero.
[Resonance Well 2]
With Ryl and the agent distracting the final guardian, Angel takes a moment to line up a final strike. The guard stands little chance as the lightning courses through it, shattering its icon into a digital shower, finally ending the conflict in this node. The reprieve doesn't last long though, as the Major begins a retreat to safety in the world of atoms. A new urgency comes to the front, as it becomes obvious that the Major intends to shut himself off from his enemies to prevent their ultimate victory.
<Good plan! Looks like we need to work fast, or he's going to get away.>
So saying, she prepares a quick countdown to synch up with Ryl, then transfers her icon to the next node as soon as that countdown reaches zero.
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
With the nanosecond countdown syncing her with Angel, Ryl launched herself forwards into the C and C node...her icon blurring as the cloaking program sought to render her code invisible...
Temporarily ignoring the mysterious botnet and its unknown task she launched her attack program on the guardian IC the second she entered the node, Garyn following suit a digital heartbeat later
Coruscating white fire burned afterimages into the dark scene as she lit up the Aztech warrior standing before her
background count: 0
With the nanosecond countdown syncing her with Angel, Ryl launched herself forwards into the C and C node...her icon blurring as the cloaking program sought to render her code invisible...
Temporarily ignoring the mysterious botnet and its unknown task she launched her attack program on the guardian IC the second she entered the node, Garyn following suit a digital heartbeat later
Coruscating white fire burned afterimages into the dark scene as she lit up the Aztech warrior standing before her
[00:01:24 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The swarm threatens to eat away at everything in the room, including Mandala qua voltmeter and Angel's life support.
This will never do. Hiding here will only guarantee eventual death for both of us. I could try to draw them away. Well, let them be fewer. Sorry, all of you who may have been innocent victims once. Perhaps this will free your souls. Good thing I can't see Angel!
Mandala draws the mana to him, pulling far more than he can handle safely in this room. This is going to hurt. He releases it in a blast of spiritual energy, flooding the room with enough force to wash away the souls as equally weakened as he by the background of Angel's goodness. The sheer volume of spirits in the room generates an astral firework of magnificent proportions, as scores upon scores of them light up from the released energy.
A couple of springs inside the voltmeter twist and break. Could have been worse, I guess. Now... what will happen?
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The swarm threatens to eat away at everything in the room, including Mandala qua voltmeter and Angel's life support.
This will never do. Hiding here will only guarantee eventual death for both of us. I could try to draw them away. Well, let them be fewer. Sorry, all of you who may have been innocent victims once. Perhaps this will free your souls. Good thing I can't see Angel!
Mandala draws the mana to him, pulling far more than he can handle safely in this room. This is going to hurt. He releases it in a blast of spiritual energy, flooding the room with enough force to wash away the souls as equally weakened as he by the background of Angel's goodness. The sheer volume of spirits in the room generates an astral firework of magnificent proportions, as scores upon scores of them light up from the released energy.
A couple of springs inside the voltmeter twist and break. Could have been worse, I guess. Now... what will happen?
[unknown time – inside a dream]
For the moment, the room is at peace. It is an unsettled peace, an anxious peace, not unlike that moment on a battlefield just before the shots ring out and the screaming begins. The silence hangs heavily in the air.
Fearghas takes a moment to look over the room in which he has found himself in more detail. He is sitting in an old, unadorned wooden chair that has clearly seen better days. The wood is partly rotted and blackened in places along the backrest and legs. The chair has a slight wobble to it, and the armrests seem to be covered in various claw marks and small scratches: signs that the chair has seen more than one struggle in its lifetime. Most look to be from metahumans, though a few newer markings are thinner and less spaced apart than the others – perhaps a windling made these. The simple metal table before him sits coldly upon an equally cold concrete floor. To his right, a number of somber-looking futons lie in cells behind bars, as if waiting for something or someone. His companion of old, Aren, lies unconscious upon one of those futons. His breathing is labored but quiet. A ring of keys hang on a small rack attached to the wall near the cells. Fearghas counts the total number of cells. 1, 2, 3, 4… 8. 8 total cells for prisoners. Fearghas’s eyes widen ever so slightly as he realizes the importance of that number. “Well… you’re too kind, Ysrthgrathe,” he says, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He puts his hand on the surface of the table as he prepares to rise.
paindeathyellingscreamingFEARGHASripcutslicebashFbreakingbonesEskinshifttearingl
igamentsA”theworms,they’Reinmyhead,GetthewormsoutofmyheAd!”impalementSanguishtormentdyingLETUSHELPYOUFEARGHAS”makeitstoppleasemakeitst
opyoucankillmysonyoucankillallofthemjustpleasemakethepainstop!”WECANHELPYOUSAVETHEMtearingthoughtwormshorrormarkssuicidebonessomanybo-
He jerks his hand back from the table. The voices fall silent.
Metal screeches sharply against concrete as he pushes the chair back and rises to his feet. He eyes the keys suspiciously as he approaches the cells; he remembers Ysrthgrathe's reputation as a master of trickery from all those millennia ago, and it's best not to touch anything in this...whatever it is. A metaplane, perhaps. He stops in front of the barred door to Aren's cell. "Aren, are you awake? What happened to you in this place?"
He receives no answer. The windling looks to be barely conscious. Suddenly Fearghas has an idea. "Let's see if this won't loosen your sleeping tongue, old friend," he says, as he attempts to launch a spell at the barely conscious figure. He hopes that it is not too late to get some answers about this nightmare...for dead pixies tell no tales, especially ones touched by a Named Horror.
For the moment, the room is at peace. It is an unsettled peace, an anxious peace, not unlike that moment on a battlefield just before the shots ring out and the screaming begins. The silence hangs heavily in the air.
Fearghas takes a moment to look over the room in which he has found himself in more detail. He is sitting in an old, unadorned wooden chair that has clearly seen better days. The wood is partly rotted and blackened in places along the backrest and legs. The chair has a slight wobble to it, and the armrests seem to be covered in various claw marks and small scratches: signs that the chair has seen more than one struggle in its lifetime. Most look to be from metahumans, though a few newer markings are thinner and less spaced apart than the others – perhaps a windling made these. The simple metal table before him sits coldly upon an equally cold concrete floor. To his right, a number of somber-looking futons lie in cells behind bars, as if waiting for something or someone. His companion of old, Aren, lies unconscious upon one of those futons. His breathing is labored but quiet. A ring of keys hang on a small rack attached to the wall near the cells. Fearghas counts the total number of cells. 1, 2, 3, 4… 8. 8 total cells for prisoners. Fearghas’s eyes widen ever so slightly as he realizes the importance of that number. “Well… you’re too kind, Ysrthgrathe,” he says, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He puts his hand on the surface of the table as he prepares to rise.
paindeathyellingscreamingFEARGHASripcutslicebashFbreakingbonesEskinshifttearingl
igamentsA”theworms,they’Reinmyhead,GetthewormsoutofmyheAd!”impalementSanguishtormentdyingLETUSHELPYOUFEARGHAS”makeitstoppleasemakeitst
opyoucankillmysonyoucankillallofthemjustpleasemakethepainstop!”WECANHELPYOUSAVETHEMtearingthoughtwormshorrormarkssuicidebonessomanybo-
He jerks his hand back from the table. The voices fall silent.
Metal screeches sharply against concrete as he pushes the chair back and rises to his feet. He eyes the keys suspiciously as he approaches the cells; he remembers Ysrthgrathe's reputation as a master of trickery from all those millennia ago, and it's best not to touch anything in this...whatever it is. A metaplane, perhaps. He stops in front of the barred door to Aren's cell. "Aren, are you awake? What happened to you in this place?"
He receives no answer. The windling looks to be barely conscious. Suddenly Fearghas has an idea. "Let's see if this won't loosen your sleeping tongue, old friend," he says, as he attempts to launch a spell at the barely conscious figure. He hopes that it is not too late to get some answers about this nightmare...for dead pixies tell no tales, especially ones touched by a Named Horror.
[ Spoiler ]
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Room 12 - Aztec Pyramid]
[Resonance Well 2]
Moments after transferring herself to the new node, the IC lording over what appears to be a collection of bots manages to break through the routines Angel had gathered to mask her presence. Its whip lashes out towards her, and she reacts swiftly to defend herself from it, though something seems to be draining some of her bandwidth as the reaction is a little more sluggish than usual. It's still enough for her to deftly dodge the attack though. Witnessing her new compatriot's relatively ineffective attacks on the IC, she sends a quick message, <I can distract this one. You should go on ahead. We don't have time to waste if we're going to stop the Major. Something seems to be eating up a lot of resources too, response is a little sluggish>.
[Resonance Well 2]
Moments after transferring herself to the new node, the IC lording over what appears to be a collection of bots manages to break through the routines Angel had gathered to mask her presence. Its whip lashes out towards her, and she reacts swiftly to defend herself from it, though something seems to be draining some of her bandwidth as the reaction is a little more sluggish than usual. It's still enough for her to deftly dodge the attack though. Witnessing her new compatriot's relatively ineffective attacks on the IC, she sends a quick message, <I can distract this one. You should go on ahead. We don't have time to waste if we're going to stop the Major. Something seems to be eating up a lot of resources too, response is a little sluggish>.
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 -Aztec Pyramid Matrix]
Major Nopaltzin snarls as he ducks and weaves to dodge the attacks of SPIKE and Jonathan. His icon sparks, reforms and sparks again. Frantically he tries to jack out, and just succeeds. This does not do his emotional state any good at all. Frantically he continues to push on the panic room door.
[unknown time – inside a dream]
"Where was I" the form of the Hooded Man solidifies. "I have to apologize for the rude interruption. One of my minions was failing at a task, but I have sorted him out now"
Back to the monologue
"Ah yes, I was explaining about choices, about how I was hoping you could take the role of Sacrificer rather than Sacrificee. You feeble mortals have such pitiful memories. It seems to me only yesterday that you recovered the Key of Hecate that the Therans were using to mess with the mana levels, and put it in my box. It was quite a gamble I took: choosing to preserve your race, in exchange for a chance to live through the dark times. And that gamble worked!
In fact it worked better than I imagined. Such a useful tool technology has proven to be. I had always thought Artificer to be mad, constantly harping on about the uses of machines. But no... with the technology now available, even the dragons cannot hide. My brothers will feast. And I will become the first among them!
Without my name you cannot hope to defeat me, and if you had it the battle would be over: the wards smashed...
The monologue was continuing, but Fearghas was no longer really listening, it was becoming more dream like. Then with a shock, he wakes up, the faceplate of a clearly possessed trooper applying a strong ammonia compound under his nose.
Major Nopaltzin snarls as he ducks and weaves to dodge the attacks of SPIKE and Jonathan. His icon sparks, reforms and sparks again. Frantically he tries to jack out, and just succeeds. This does not do his emotional state any good at all. Frantically he continues to push on the panic room door.
[unknown time – inside a dream]
"Where was I" the form of the Hooded Man solidifies. "I have to apologize for the rude interruption. One of my minions was failing at a task, but I have sorted him out now"
Back to the monologue
"Ah yes, I was explaining about choices, about how I was hoping you could take the role of Sacrificer rather than Sacrificee. You feeble mortals have such pitiful memories. It seems to me only yesterday that you recovered the Key of Hecate that the Therans were using to mess with the mana levels, and put it in my box. It was quite a gamble I took: choosing to preserve your race, in exchange for a chance to live through the dark times. And that gamble worked!
In fact it worked better than I imagined. Such a useful tool technology has proven to be. I had always thought Artificer to be mad, constantly harping on about the uses of machines. But no... with the technology now available, even the dragons cannot hide. My brothers will feast. And I will become the first among them!
Without my name you cannot hope to defeat me, and if you had it the battle would be over: the wards smashed...
The monologue was continuing, but Fearghas was no longer really listening, it was becoming more dream like. Then with a shock, he wakes up, the faceplate of a clearly possessed trooper applying a strong ammonia compound under his nose.
[00:01:24 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The swirling mass of spirits shudders with the astral impact of Mandala's spell. Most of them cease motion, hanging in astral space like so many discarded candy bar wrappers in orbit. Ahhh. The outer ward still holds. We really should do something about that.
Those that remain have no doubt where the spell came from, and hurtle in rage at meter-Mandala. In an almost comic dance, the voltmeter hops left and right, dodging the attacks of the remaining spirits. Meanwhile, more of them drift into the room from the corridor, where one spirit enters the body of Spirit Bane, animates it, and moves off down the corridor.
Possession, too? What are these things? This is ridiculous. I could be here all day clearing them away. Try again.
Mandala draws mana into himself again, and once more radiates an astral shockwave throughout the room. This one he controls better than the first, and the massive energy, even twisted by the background, fails to hurt him.
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The swirling mass of spirits shudders with the astral impact of Mandala's spell. Most of them cease motion, hanging in astral space like so many discarded candy bar wrappers in orbit. Ahhh. The outer ward still holds. We really should do something about that.
Those that remain have no doubt where the spell came from, and hurtle in rage at meter-Mandala. In an almost comic dance, the voltmeter hops left and right, dodging the attacks of the remaining spirits. Meanwhile, more of them drift into the room from the corridor, where one spirit enters the body of Spirit Bane, animates it, and moves off down the corridor.
Possession, too? What are these things? This is ridiculous. I could be here all day clearing them away. Try again.
Mandala draws mana into himself again, and once more radiates an astral shockwave throughout the room. This one he controls better than the first, and the massive energy, even twisted by the background, fails to hurt him.
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - In the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
It took several seconds for Fearghas to realize where he was and why he was being rather rudely saved from a riveting conversation with an ancient and sophisticated genocidal and sadistic being used to practicing sadism millenia before Marquis de Sade was even born. When he finally did realize where he was and who was over him, though, he smiled. This was more to appreciate the irony of being brought back from a near-death experience with medical attention administered by a corpse than any actual relief at being conscious again, although he felt that, too. "You have ten seconds to explain to me who the hell you are and why you are leaking blood and brain fluid on my nice prisoner shirt," he said to the spirit in a deliberately deadpan tone, which he'd discovered centuries before to be a very effective way to prevent spirits from picking up on his sarcasm.
It took several seconds for Fearghas to realize where he was and why he was being rather rudely saved from a riveting conversation with an ancient and sophisticated genocidal and sadistic being used to practicing sadism millenia before Marquis de Sade was even born. When he finally did realize where he was and who was over him, though, he smiled. This was more to appreciate the irony of being brought back from a near-death experience with medical attention administered by a corpse than any actual relief at being conscious again, although he felt that, too. "You have ten seconds to explain to me who the hell you are and why you are leaking blood and brain fluid on my nice prisoner shirt," he said to the spirit in a deliberately deadpan tone, which he'd discovered centuries before to be a very effective way to prevent spirits from picking up on his sarcasm.
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - In the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
The corpse leaning over Fearghas looks a little put out by his comment.
"My apologies for leaking body fluids over you, M' Lord. However, I felt it acceptable to do so in order to achieve the close contact necessary to aid you"
The accent and air of slightly condescending subservience could not have been bettered by Jeeves at the height of his career.
"If you will excuse me, I have other tasks to attend to." Giving a small bow,"M' Lord" the corpse turns away and begins to climb through the hole in the ceiling.
The corpse leaning over Fearghas looks a little put out by his comment.
"My apologies for leaking body fluids over you, M' Lord. However, I felt it acceptable to do so in order to achieve the close contact necessary to aid you"
The accent and air of slightly condescending subservience could not have been bettered by Jeeves at the height of his career.
"If you will excuse me, I have other tasks to attend to." Giving a small bow,"M' Lord" the corpse turns away and begins to climb through the hole in the ceiling.
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Snake Head's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Having blasted the Major with Stun spells and watched him flee with Bjorn in hot pursuit, then summoned a spirit to first aid Feargas, Alyena turns her attention to the room above.
"Things are definitely getting a little hectic" she thinks to herself. As the task spirit follows her up into the room and bends over her body to begin first aiding she grimaces slightly "Feargas does have a point about the leaking"
Turning away she starts to weave a wall from the smoke that swirls around her astral form. Not a moment too soon, as rage spirits start to flow into the room, causing damage as they come. Some claw at Alyena's mana barrier, damaging it slightly. She hurls a Slaughter Spirit at them, wounding enough to become the centre of attention.
"Life is full of these little injustices, time to show these things who's boss!"
She gathers her strength as all the rage spirits attack the barrier causing it to flash red over its surface. With an ancient battle cry Alyena attacks again and watches with grim satisfaction as many spirits fail and the others flee.
"Me thinks 'tis time to regroup"
At a gesture of command the task spirit leaves the corpse to sprawl upon the floor and enters Alyena's body. Bowing slightly to her astral form the body follows the spirit back to the basement and Feargas
Having blasted the Major with Stun spells and watched him flee with Bjorn in hot pursuit, then summoned a spirit to first aid Feargas, Alyena turns her attention to the room above.
"Things are definitely getting a little hectic" she thinks to herself. As the task spirit follows her up into the room and bends over her body to begin first aiding she grimaces slightly "Feargas does have a point about the leaking"
Turning away she starts to weave a wall from the smoke that swirls around her astral form. Not a moment too soon, as rage spirits start to flow into the room, causing damage as they come. Some claw at Alyena's mana barrier, damaging it slightly. She hurls a Slaughter Spirit at them, wounding enough to become the centre of attention.
"Life is full of these little injustices, time to show these things who's boss!"
She gathers her strength as all the rage spirits attack the barrier causing it to flash red over its surface. With an ancient battle cry Alyena attacks again and watches with grim satisfaction as many spirits fail and the others flee.
"Me thinks 'tis time to regroup"
At a gesture of command the task spirit leaves the corpse to sprawl upon the floor and enters Alyena's body. Bowing slightly to her astral form the body follows the spirit back to the basement and Feargas
[00:01:21 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
Ryl grimaced as her processing speeds became achingly slow as the botnet ate up all the available bandwidth. She was in the C&C node, however, and the agent attempting the reboot crumpled under her blistering wash of digital fire that she sent sweeping across its icon.
With half her mind focused here she also did a sweep of the camera feeds to see what was going on elsewhere in the pyramid. The feed was erratic but something was causing damage in Angel’s chamber...it was time to end this now and get Angel out!
She swept forwards to the second agent and with delicate attention slid her claws under his chin...the spoof program translated her commands into a caress and then a sharp bark of an order as it assimilated the control protocols for the agent...
background count: 0
Ryl grimaced as her processing speeds became achingly slow as the botnet ate up all the available bandwidth. She was in the C&C node, however, and the agent attempting the reboot crumpled under her blistering wash of digital fire that she sent sweeping across its icon.
With half her mind focused here she also did a sweep of the camera feeds to see what was going on elsewhere in the pyramid. The feed was erratic but something was causing damage in Angel’s chamber...it was time to end this now and get Angel out!
She swept forwards to the second agent and with delicate attention slid her claws under his chin...the spoof program translated her commands into a caress and then a sharp bark of an order as it assimilated the control protocols for the agent...
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
Mandala watches as the life pod containing Angel opens with a hiss, coloured gasses escaping. The remaining rage spirits find a new target, the vulnerable girl now unprotected by machinery.
This will not do.
Mandala pulls every erg of mana he can into him, and channels it into a massive blast of astral energy into the room. The wave washes over the spirits in the room, lighting them up on the astral plane like so many Roman candle balls, but equally intense pain washes over Mandala, blanking his senses for a split second. The display dial on the front of his voltmeter persona pops out, dangling on wires and bobbing back and forth. Smoke rises from somewhere inside him.
Ow.
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
Mandala watches as the life pod containing Angel opens with a hiss, coloured gasses escaping. The remaining rage spirits find a new target, the vulnerable girl now unprotected by machinery.
This will not do.
Mandala pulls every erg of mana he can into him, and channels it into a massive blast of astral energy into the room. The wave washes over the spirits in the room, lighting them up on the astral plane like so many Roman candle balls, but equally intense pain washes over Mandala, blanking his senses for a split second. The display dial on the front of his voltmeter persona pops out, dangling on wires and bobbing back and forth. Smoke rises from somewhere inside him.
Ow.
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The remaining rage spirits in the room succumb to the energy of Mandala's spell and hang unconscious in astral space. Though his body aches deeply from the effort of the spell, the rare sense that he has won a good fight flushes Mandala with a sense of accomplishment.
Not bad for a lover, eh?
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
The remaining rage spirits in the room succumb to the energy of Mandala's spell and hang unconscious in astral space. Though his body aches deeply from the effort of the spell, the rare sense that he has won a good fight flushes Mandala with a sense of accomplishment.
Not bad for a lover, eh?
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
Ryl silently cursed this system slowdown, time to leave. Delivering what she hoped would be the killing blow to the Major, a cocktail of bliss and nitro via his onboard bio control systems, she toggled the mental switch to disconnect her from his nodes before the wifi was severed and dumped her.
She assessed the camera feeds once more...there were cadavers everywhere and judging by the uniforms some of them had been Aztech soldiers moments before. The rest of the images were equally confused.
They needed to regroup and forge on. They had secured 27a but the mission was far from over...that ward needed to come down and Angel still needed to be secured.
~The Major is offline for now. I am moving to Angel’s room, I think those of us not protecting 27a should regroup there and assess what we have still to deal with...~
background count: 0
Ryl silently cursed this system slowdown, time to leave. Delivering what she hoped would be the killing blow to the Major, a cocktail of bliss and nitro via his onboard bio control systems, she toggled the mental switch to disconnect her from his nodes before the wifi was severed and dumped her.
She assessed the camera feeds once more...there were cadavers everywhere and judging by the uniforms some of them had been Aztech soldiers moments before. The rest of the images were equally confused.
They needed to regroup and forge on. They had secured 27a but the mission was far from over...that ward needed to come down and Angel still needed to be secured.
~The Major is offline for now. I am moving to Angel’s room, I think those of us not protecting 27a should regroup there and assess what we have still to deal with...~
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Room 27A - Aztec Pyramid]
Background Count: 0 (+2)
Marduk picked the knife back up, and tucked it back into his belt. He reconnected himself to the Magical TacNet. Being able to reach out and help any of his Group, was too important.
~~MindNet
We need to get the outer wards down. Sorry about the spirit frenzy, I did not anticipate the Dagger doing that. What is everyone's status.
MindNet~~~
Marduk examined the Skull, willing his Analytical Mind and Arcane Eye to decipher it's use and function.
Background Count: 0 (+2)
Marduk picked the knife back up, and tucked it back into his belt. He reconnected himself to the Magical TacNet. Being able to reach out and help any of his Group, was too important.
~~MindNet
We need to get the outer wards down. Sorry about the spirit frenzy, I did not anticipate the Dagger doing that. What is everyone's status.
MindNet~~~
Marduk examined the Skull, willing his Analytical Mind and Arcane Eye to decipher it's use and function.
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
With the immediate threat of rage spirits neutralized, and no more sign of Spirit Bane, Mandala dematerializes and moves to the life-support pod. The dense pack of unconscious spirits on the astral plane make navigation to the pod ... interesting. Like swimming through a pool filled with flotation devices.
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Aura Masking power
He materializes in the form he chose millenia ago to be his 'natural' form in this world, a man of middling age and mixed race, bald, dressed in white, flowing robes and leather sandals. He activates the orderly drone with the appropriate switch and a verbal command, "Free the patient from all restraints and connections."
Mandala bends over the recumbent form of Angel, smiling at her. "Welcome back to Earth, child. I am a friend, and wish you no harm."
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
With the immediate threat of rage spirits neutralized, and no more sign of Spirit Bane, Mandala dematerializes and moves to the life-support pod. The dense pack of unconscious spirits on the astral plane make navigation to the pod ... interesting. Like swimming through a pool filled with flotation devices.
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Aura Masking power
He materializes in the form he chose millenia ago to be his 'natural' form in this world, a man of middling age and mixed race, bald, dressed in white, flowing robes and leather sandals. He activates the orderly drone with the appropriate switch and a verbal command, "Free the patient from all restraints and connections."
Mandala bends over the recumbent form of Angel, smiling at her. "Welcome back to Earth, child. I am a friend, and wish you no harm."
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 -Ground floor Barracks - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Aztech 4
Bjeorn runs into the Barracks after the Major, and sees the Panic RoomTM door slam shut in front of him. He eyes up the door. It doesn't look that hard: only a couple of minutes hard labour. It was then that he spirits startled him. Around 10 charged into the room, 3 of them attacking him at once.
Bjeorn has been a true berserker for longer than these rage spirits, and he can show them a thing or two about getting cross. Moving surprisingly gracefully for his size, Bjeorn dodges the first attack, dodges the second attack, but just get grazzed by the third. In true Bearserk fashion he ignored the puny strike and replied with a mighty strike of his own.[/color]
Background: Aztech 4
Bjeorn runs into the Barracks after the Major, and sees the Panic RoomTM door slam shut in front of him. He eyes up the door. It doesn't look that hard: only a couple of minutes hard labour. It was then that he spirits startled him. Around 10 charged into the room, 3 of them attacking him at once.
Bjeorn has been a true berserker for longer than these rage spirits, and he can show them a thing or two about getting cross. Moving surprisingly gracefully for his size, Bjeorn dodges the first attack, dodges the second attack, but just get grazzed by the third. In true Bearserk fashion he ignored the puny strike and replied with a mighty strike of his own.[/color]
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Above the storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
background count: 0
Ryl flexed her shoulders as she withdrew from the intensity of the hotSIM VR to focus on the raging spirits outside the room. They needed to be dealt with quickly so that they could reach Angel in the next room.
~I am going off comms for a while...I will route any messages through the tacnet so that we can maintain communications with Angel and Jonathan while they are still in the matrix~
She set her agents to monitoring her system and then stretched her senses inwards to the core of her being and Willed the change. Her muscles rippled and reality seemed to blur somewhat until a silver drake is filling the room.
Ryl unfurled her wings and fire licked her jaws as she saw into the astral and realised there were many more spirits than she had anticipated, Marduk had been busy!...she charged her magic and prepared to wade into the fray
background count: 0
Ryl flexed her shoulders as she withdrew from the intensity of the hotSIM VR to focus on the raging spirits outside the room. They needed to be dealt with quickly so that they could reach Angel in the next room.
~I am going off comms for a while...I will route any messages through the tacnet so that we can maintain communications with Angel and Jonathan while they are still in the matrix~
She set her agents to monitoring her system and then stretched her senses inwards to the core of her being and Willed the change. Her muscles rippled and reality seemed to blur somewhat until a silver drake is filling the room.
Ryl unfurled her wings and fire licked her jaws as she saw into the astral and realised there were many more spirits than she had anticipated, Marduk had been busy!...she charged her magic and prepared to wade into the fray
[00:01:25 Jun 2070 - Room 27A - Aztec Pyramid]
Background Count: 0 (+2)
~~~Mindlink
Looks like the Spirits have the same Aura as the dagger. If you mask your aura to match, they should leave everyone alone. Here, let me mask mine, and I'll show you what it should look like.
Mindlink~~~
Putting words to action, Marduk concentrated on the dagger, and Masked his Aura to match.
Background Count: 0 (+2)
~~~Mindlink
Looks like the Spirits have the same Aura as the dagger. If you mask your aura to match, they should leave everyone alone. Here, let me mask mine, and I'll show you what it should look like.
Mindlink~~~
Putting words to action, Marduk concentrated on the dagger, and Masked his Aura to match.
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Aura Masking power
Cool idea. I wish they had told me this 3 seconds before I had switched powers.
~~
Thanks. Great idea. I hope it will help Angel if one with her is like them.
~~
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
Mandala focuses on the auras of the myriad spirits floating around him, looking for nuances missing from Marduk's example. He folds and blends his own aura, simulating that of the spirits.
Excellent! That should work. For me, anyway.
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Aura Masking power
Cool idea. I wish they had told me this 3 seconds before I had switched powers.
~~
Thanks. Great idea. I hope it will help Angel if one with her is like them.
~~
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers
Mandala focuses on the auras of the myriad spirits floating around him, looking for nuances missing from Marduk's example. He folds and blends his own aura, simulating that of the spirits.
Excellent! That should work. For me, anyway.
[Borris Talshakovsky. Groundhog Day]
Boris dreams. The same dream over and over again.
In the distance is the head and shoulders of his Queen she is repeating his orders, and giving guidance. The head keeps blurring, morphing from the Queen that he loves to a reptilian face.
He moves along a narrow walkwalk between two tall towers, accompanied by blurred figures, all in party clothes. The guards in front of him laugh, their faces the face of a Jester. The mocking words were aimed not at him but to the head of the Queen. "This memory is barred to you and yours". The guards raise their glass rapiers and pierce him with unnatural skill.
Boris wakes into a room, sitting across a table from a man in a hooded robe. The man speaks "again...You reached the tower this time. Take this charm to use against the guards. I must know..." and suddenly Boris is dancing at a party with an attractive elf, one Alyena if his memory serves him right. Waiters carry delicate, expensive food and drink on platters. There is a fine 4 string orchestra playing from the minstrels gallery. A dwarf, Marduk by name, in the corner nods to him. It is time to begin, and the couple dance towards the back door by the dwarf and go through it.
In the kitchens are jesters, cooking dishes. The voice of the queen in his head says "remember...set the hot fat cooker on fire". As the jesters all turn towards him, laughing menace in their eyes, Boris tosses a fire charm into the fryer which explodes into flames. The jesters turn away to deal with the fire, and Boris proceeds. "Well done" praises the Queen's voice.
At the back of the kitchen Boris finds the servants stairway up the tower. "Wait" says the voice in his head. Rolling down the stairs are hordes of wind up toys laughing and mocking. The toys continue down past him to the basement. "Now quickly..." and Boris heads up the stairs. As he goes past a glass window it explodes "what??" exclaims the voice, and the tower begins to fall "Stop! I forbid this! Come back now...we are nearly there..." says a weakening voice in his head.
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Pyramid - Inside Room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background count: Aztech 4
Boris snaps awake. Unfamiliar lights and text superimposed across his vision, as though he were wearing a helmet with a Head Up Display. Boris is rolling across broken glass and plastic in a wash of water. Around him are figures in regeneration tanks, and there are hordes of spirits attacking those tanks. The spirits that broke the glass that freed him snarl angrily and move to attack him.
Smoothly Boris reaches for the magic that has been his birthright, his pride and joy. The magic that has granted him power and respect from his peers, and separates him from the rank and file. Shocked, he finds only the faintest of echos as his body begins to move itself away from the attacks of the spirits.
Boris dreams. The same dream over and over again.
In the distance is the head and shoulders of his Queen she is repeating his orders, and giving guidance. The head keeps blurring, morphing from the Queen that he loves to a reptilian face.
He moves along a narrow walkwalk between two tall towers, accompanied by blurred figures, all in party clothes. The guards in front of him laugh, their faces the face of a Jester. The mocking words were aimed not at him but to the head of the Queen. "This memory is barred to you and yours". The guards raise their glass rapiers and pierce him with unnatural skill.
Boris wakes into a room, sitting across a table from a man in a hooded robe. The man speaks "again...You reached the tower this time. Take this charm to use against the guards. I must know..." and suddenly Boris is dancing at a party with an attractive elf, one Alyena if his memory serves him right. Waiters carry delicate, expensive food and drink on platters. There is a fine 4 string orchestra playing from the minstrels gallery. A dwarf, Marduk by name, in the corner nods to him. It is time to begin, and the couple dance towards the back door by the dwarf and go through it.
In the kitchens are jesters, cooking dishes. The voice of the queen in his head says "remember...set the hot fat cooker on fire". As the jesters all turn towards him, laughing menace in their eyes, Boris tosses a fire charm into the fryer which explodes into flames. The jesters turn away to deal with the fire, and Boris proceeds. "Well done" praises the Queen's voice.
At the back of the kitchen Boris finds the servants stairway up the tower. "Wait" says the voice in his head. Rolling down the stairs are hordes of wind up toys laughing and mocking. The toys continue down past him to the basement. "Now quickly..." and Boris heads up the stairs. As he goes past a glass window it explodes "what??" exclaims the voice, and the tower begins to fall "Stop! I forbid this! Come back now...we are nearly there..." says a weakening voice in his head.
[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Pyramid - Inside Room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background count: Aztech 4
Boris snaps awake. Unfamiliar lights and text superimposed across his vision, as though he were wearing a helmet with a Head Up Display. Boris is rolling across broken glass and plastic in a wash of water. Around him are figures in regeneration tanks, and there are hordes of spirits attacking those tanks. The spirits that broke the glass that freed him snarl angrily and move to attack him.
Smoothly Boris reaches for the magic that has been his birthright, his pride and joy. The magic that has granted him power and respect from his peers, and separates him from the rank and file. Shocked, he finds only the faintest of echos as his body begins to move itself away from the attacks of the spirits.
[Immortal Li - inside a dream][/b]
Immortal Li wakes from the blackness. The last he remembered was meeting Tsung Tsien, a Wuxing employee of dubious reputation in a dum sum shop. Then Tsung's face became darker and deeper and suddenly
Li is sitting at a metal table in his finest Hanfu. Sitting opposite him is hooded man, the face of the man is hidden in shadows. The mans hands are visible, peeking out of the deep sleeves, and have a slight scalyness about them: perhaps a severe case of psoriasis. The fingernails look...odd...blackened and thicker than normal. Held by the hands is a wooden box, engraved with snakes. The box draws his attention: he has seen it before, and has a strong urge to open the box. There is a faint smell of antiseptic, which fails to mask the musky odour of the man in front of him.
"Well Hua Shan Li, you were hard to find. I thought that the Council's goons would find you before I did. Still I have you now. "
I do seem to be suffering from deja-vu, but I suppose that is as nothing compared to what will be happening to you soon. There was an unpleasant chuckle from the hooded man.
I seem to have a little problem Sifu Li. You don't mind if I call you Sifu do you? I find myself suffering from renqing, and I wish to discharge that debt. So I will offer you the same deal that I have made some of your.... Immortal Li began to fade from the dream, a need to cough spasming through him." what is happening..."
With a roar the hooden man reached for Li, hands transforming into claws, gripping Li's clothes. "No. This is intolerable". Rasping breath comes from the man with the effort of stopping Li waking. "Give this message to the others...I am waiting for them. I will fulfill my debt to them, and they will live through the Apocalypse. It is your choice, and their choice, whether to join me as servants or slaves."
Immortal Li wakes in a pile on the floor. Long trained reflexes had enabled him to survive the fall out of the ruptured regeneration tank, but some of the needles were still in his arms, connected by long thin cables to the ruined wreckage. His arms, legs and body were already reflexively doing the cool martial arts flip which would end with him on his feet, his legs performing a cool sweeping kick while he was at it to fend off the...
What was he doing? One moment he was in a dim sum shop in Seattle, the next he was fighting a horde of angry spirits.
And what was that? Li looked at the back of the other metahuman in the room. There was more cyberware than he had seen on a single body before. Something about the form looked familiar, but it was hard to tell from the back.
Immortal Li wakes from the blackness. The last he remembered was meeting Tsung Tsien, a Wuxing employee of dubious reputation in a dum sum shop. Then Tsung's face became darker and deeper and suddenly
Li is sitting at a metal table in his finest Hanfu. Sitting opposite him is hooded man, the face of the man is hidden in shadows. The mans hands are visible, peeking out of the deep sleeves, and have a slight scalyness about them: perhaps a severe case of psoriasis. The fingernails look...odd...blackened and thicker than normal. Held by the hands is a wooden box, engraved with snakes. The box draws his attention: he has seen it before, and has a strong urge to open the box. There is a faint smell of antiseptic, which fails to mask the musky odour of the man in front of him.
"Well Hua Shan Li, you were hard to find. I thought that the Council's goons would find you before I did. Still I have you now. "
I do seem to be suffering from deja-vu, but I suppose that is as nothing compared to what will be happening to you soon. There was an unpleasant chuckle from the hooded man.
I seem to have a little problem Sifu Li. You don't mind if I call you Sifu do you? I find myself suffering from renqing, and I wish to discharge that debt. So I will offer you the same deal that I have made some of your.... Immortal Li began to fade from the dream, a need to cough spasming through him." what is happening..."
With a roar the hooden man reached for Li, hands transforming into claws, gripping Li's clothes. "No. This is intolerable". Rasping breath comes from the man with the effort of stopping Li waking. "Give this message to the others...I am waiting for them. I will fulfill my debt to them, and they will live through the Apocalypse. It is your choice, and their choice, whether to join me as servants or slaves."
Immortal Li wakes in a pile on the floor. Long trained reflexes had enabled him to survive the fall out of the ruptured regeneration tank, but some of the needles were still in his arms, connected by long thin cables to the ruined wreckage. His arms, legs and body were already reflexively doing the cool martial arts flip which would end with him on his feet, his legs performing a cool sweeping kick while he was at it to fend off the...
What was he doing? One moment he was in a dim sum shop in Seattle, the next he was fighting a horde of angry spirits.
And what was that? Li looked at the back of the other metahuman in the room. There was more cyberware than he had seen on a single body before. Something about the form looked familiar, but it was hard to tell from the back.
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