Gash
[Aztech facility on Fox Island]

Gash returned to his body for a quick report

<<[Gash to team] Initial astral scout results: Mages and Adepts at the entrance, currently not engaging. Shedim attacking the main gate. Security areas and command areas are warded. Many watchers, one flayed spirit>>

<<[Gash to Sticks] Sarge do you want me to investigate further or help deal with the mages / Shedim at the entrance?>>

Now he was back in his body, Gash took the opportunity to scan the communication logs

<<[Gash to Jax] Hi Jax. I'm Gash (magical supression), I've been scouting and AFB (that's like AFK but the B is body). Shitty deal. Glad to have you with us>>

<<[Gash to Trismegistus] Welcome aboard. I'm now a corporal: dead man's shoes. Sticks is the boss: He's a good man, and we have been through worse than this together. As far as need's go: my usual role is Magical Suppression. I am not much for the old spell casting, but I kill enemy mages/spirits real well and stop them being nasty to us. If you can lay down the mojo on the bad guys while I keep their mojo off us, that would be good.>>

Trismegistus---"Magic Support"
[In Flight]

Trismegistus goes back to his studies as he waits for Sticks to answer his question. He barely gets a chance to review the ectoplasmic gradients of The Darkness when his commlink buzzes again. However, he is pleasantly surprised to hear that it is another one of the Awakened contacting him.

<<[Trismegistus:] Thank you, Corporal. I understand there have been more than a few field promotions of that sort as of late. Combat spells are my specialty, and while I can handle the occasional wizard's duel it sounds like you are much better suited to the task. Let me know what targets you need neutralized, and I will do my best to keep you free to eliminate Awakened enemies.>>

Having another mage on the team should at least make this assignment more bearable than the last one.

Just don't let your guard down. In the end, only you can determine whether or not you deserve to survive...

[Flight Omega 7: ETA to target 12mins]

The ride is choppy, and for Jax crammed into the hold of the second Dragon, less than comfortable as your mech braces itself against the yaw and pitch of the turbulent ride. The others fare somewhat better with more breathing space around you...but that just gives you more time to see the AR displays of Downtown Seattle as you pass to the west of it...

...fires rage across the city and the dirty mushroom cloud that rose over the core has begun to thread out and drift east away from you. There are still pockets of light in the various corp towers with their off-grid power but otherwise the majority of the plex is shrouded in smoke and darkness.

Your tacnet traces a flight of fighterjets, Guard Eagles probably, launched from Fort Lewis, as they pound some invisible target in the Bellevue area.

Matrix access is spotty but mostly filled with people crying out in despair for assistance that isn't liklely to come...in the end Kit has silenced any external feeds beamed in from your ground units as they forcibly take control of the ferry...

...you have your mission, hopefully whatever it is that Stillwater has you doing will have some bearing on the crap that everyone down there is dealing with...then again perhaps they just want to save themselves, who the hell knows? They certainly aren't telling you everything...

[Flight Omega 7: ETA to target 12mins]

<<Shedim as well as mages and adepts. Well this just got more fun.>> Sticks looked over the tactical display. <<Alright Mages, any suggestions on how we go amphibian? That bridge is a killing field, as well as being covered by Shedim apparently. I'd like to come up on the island from the south west, if at all possible.>>

Sticks sent out tactical displays to everyone, highlighting is prefered entry points. He also looked at what kind of drones he had access to.

<<ETA to LZ is 12 minutes. After that we'll have an hour or so of footing it.>>

He buried the thoughts of all those civilians. This was one fragged up future they had us playing in.

Trismegistus---"Magic Support"
[Flight Omega 7: ETA to target 12mins]

Trismegistus looks up again from his research. Frustrated with the constant interruptions, he places a digital bookmark in his pocket mage library on metaplanar harmonics and oscillatory dissonance. He listens to Stick's short briefing, pulls up the tactical readouts of the base. He mulls over the new problem: how to float heavy mecha over to the island. He pulls up the readily available information on the convoy's mecha, considering tonnage, waterproofing, and maneuverability.

<<[Trismegistus:] Moving people is not so much of an issue as moving the heavy equipment. Sergeant, do the convoy's mecha have any aquatic ability? If so, then the most logical solution would be to summon a powerful-enough water spirit and have it boost the mecha's speed. If not, are they designed or capable of being jury-rigged to withstand pressure and water submersion? Suitable earth spirits might be able to help you trudge along the bottom. Another possibility is to search the drop point for any remaining vessels that can handle our cargo. Of course, there is always the possibility of Shedim and other enemy targets lurking in abandoned vehicles.>>

Trismegistus---"Magic Support"
[Flight Omega 7: ETA to target 12mins]

I take it that is a "no."

Grumbling, Trismegistus reopens his pocket mage library and returns to his research while awaiting an answer.

[Under The Sound]

The inky waters of the Sound at night make an eerie view through the vid screens when they dimly relect the firestorm engulfing the Tacoma dock fronts...the skyline sensor pod relays the incoming view of Fox Island as you approach the facility from the West. The sub captain turns round to Sticks

"We are detecting active sonar sweeps from drone sensors near the shore line. I'll plot their positions on your tactical map and you'll have to do your best to avoid them. I can't take the Belle in any closer without lighting up their defense grid but the monster in my hold can ride in on the mini without suffering any lasting damage. Looks like it's time for you to go and get wet!

Is there anything else I can do for you before you go?"

Sticks shook his head, "No, we're good to go. Don't get caught in this mess." He used the drone to take him back to his Mecha. "Either way, we won't need you."

Sticks buckled himself back in and brought up the team tacnet. <<Alright soldiers. It's time to make this facility ours. Be prepared for major resistance. Racoon, soon as we make landfall, find high ground and be ready to take out their mages. I'm going to go in now and see what I can do about their electronic security.>>


Sticks detached his Mecha from the sub, and set Faraman on pilot duties. "Faraman, get me close enough to target their relays without being on sonar" He dropped into full VR and reached out across the ether to find an Aztech signature.

[Aztech facility on Fox Island]

Your mech sinks into the mud at the shoreline as you wade out of the Sound. Ahead of you is a fairly dense treeline, the pines a dark wall against the light pollution of the facility beyond and the burning skyline of Tacoma beyond that.

You reach your digital clutches out to the mesh and your displays light up like a close up of a nebula on a clear night. There is a fairly dense autonomous sensor net, some of the nodes seem to be roving suggesting drones operating on random patterns. The network is encrypted as you had anticipated but your code breaking software is second to none and it breezes past this layer of defence. The data out here is mostly surveillance and is a dull view of dark woods lit by the occasional thermal signature of some of the local fauna. You detect an agent query on one of the nodes so it would seem that this area isn’t directly monitored by human hand. Nearer the facility there may well be more hardwired units but this distance away they are clearly relying on their network security being better than the tools brought along by your average investigative reporter or occasional runner.

There are three dense concentrations of wireless activity on the island and comparing them against your sat images one of them is clearly the control tower towards the centre of the facility. The second is probably the security hub near the living quarters and the Fox Island bridge and the third is probably a secondary control node in the event of a catastrophic failure of the other two.

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]


Sticks smiled as he copied the AccessID of the agent. This should give him some more useful information. Modifying his AccessID he targeted the nearest sensor drone and scanned it for any possible traps, bombs, or honeypots. He reached out to find a flaw in it's defenses.

<<Everyone please hold while I make us a hole to approach the beach with.>>

Trismegistus---"Magic Support"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

When he enters the submarine, Trismegistus immediately feels his fire spirit's displeasure at having to follow her current master underwater.

This was not part of our bargain, Animus, grumbles the spirit.

Don't worry, I won't command you into the water.

See that you don't.

Don't make promises you might not be able to keep.

Trismegistus snorts, sitting down and pulling out his pocket mage library and starting up his research yet again.

Summoning her out there would be...wasteful. I think I can afford to give a spirit my word this one time.

Perhaps, Anima replies, her voice layered with palpable contempt, but it would be wise not to get in the habit of making bargains with other spirits. Don't forget that you are mine, Animus. There are some things that are no longer yours to give.

She leaves his presence on that note, making him shiver ever so slightly at the intensity of her response. She had become more and more possessive of him as of late, and he starts to wonder if perhaps he has gotten over his head in making a pact with her. He returns to his research, hoping that the quest to solve The Darkness distracts him from his mentor's last words.

Trismegistus---"Magic Support"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

As soon as Trismegistus steps out of the submarine, he feels Anima begin to writhe in rage and vitriol.

This place...it has been defiled by your kind... she hisses. Misguided mages seeking power that breaks the chain of life and death...

The Aztlaners? Likely blood magic of some sort. Anima spits at the mention of the technique. Despite her dark demeanor, Anima respects the sacrificial cycle of life and death: life begets death, which in turn begets life. Techniques that pervert that natural cycle, techniques that steal power or drain essence, disturb her on a metaphysical level. Sometimes, he suspects that it truly frightens her.

Perhaps it is time to unleash your Aspect of Fury?

He feels his mentor's mood relax, returning to her normal haughty, self-assured disposition.

Yes...that might be just the proper way to rebuke these...defilers... she coos.

<<[Trismegistus]: Sergeant, given that we have lost contact with our other mage, perhaps I should take his assignment? My mentor has a personal grudge against those who use blood magic, Azzie or otherwise. Requesting permission to release her aspect of fury on the Aztlaners.>>

Sticks
[Aztech Facility]

<<We'll unleash the Fire once I get control over their mounted defense systems. It could take a while. Tris, make sure we don't get bothered by Magical Patrols. We're going to be on this beach for a while.>>

Sticks had finally found a chink in the armor of the Command and Control center. He slipped quietly inside, and was suddenly presented with a giant stepped Pyramid. A large Sun disk floated over it, and jaguar guards roamed the area. This was not going to be easy. Sticks hadn't had a lot of experience with Aztechnology systems, but from what he did know. This one was fairly high end. He focused his eyes on the top of the pyramid. A Priest was methodically ripping the heart out of sacrificial victims, and.. eating it. He activated his Reality Filter to try and get a better understanding of what was going on. Ah, there.. it partially translated the action. The Priest was apparently a Spyder, and the hearts were bits of information being processed. Well that helped. He'd probably have to go and kick his ass.

Sticks' icon shimmered, as he changed it to match the symbology of the system. A proud warrior, with the head of a jaguar stood, where moments before the stylized Merc had stood. With a grin, he melded into the background and made his way towards the core of the pyramid. Time to find the defense system controls and turn them to his advantage.

<<I'm in. Everyone in position?>>

They had spent the last three hours crouched, ready to pounce. The drone patrols were easy enough to deal with, but the spirit patrols had proved much harder.

<<A few more seconds and we can begin the assault.>>

Trismegistus---"Magic Support"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Trismegistus can feel Anima's rage-tinged frustration upon hearing Sticks' reply. He pauses for a moment to make sure that his mentor's mood does not spill over into his reply.

It cannot be helped. I don't think it would behoove us to attack until all of us are ready, especially if we still want to study this "Darkness." He can feel her initial fury subside at his words.

...very well. Do what you have to in order to keep them alive while they are still useful to us.

<<[Trismegistus]: Understood. I will dismiss my fire spirit to summon another one that can keep most of us hidden for the time being. I would suggest instructing the stealthiest members of our group to fend for themselves while I focus on shielding the mecha.>>

I take it this means my service to you is complete.

Yes. You are free, though I will likely call another of your kind soon enough. Be well. He feels the Aspect of Fury's presence dissipate back into the astral. He sighs, disappointed that he has to waste the services of a particularly powerful spirit, but then begins preparing to summon one of Anima's Aspects of Deception. He draws symbols of knowledge and focus, improving the logical areas of his mind. He then draws another web of astral threads, and casts it out into the sea.

A figure made of water walks seductively from the ocean onto the beach. She looks exactly like the Aspect of Fury---a shapely woman with long tresses, impossibly beautiful---but her form and manner are different. She has a placid, mysterious air about her. She looks at Trismegistus and bows mockingly.

"You have called me, and I am here to serve," she says. "What would you have from me, Animus?"

Trismegistus looks about the beach, shifting back and forth between the astral and physical worlds. A temple crafted of stone and metal stands in the background, while distant packs of spirits float around the beach and watch in awe and horror as the shedim march mindlessly towards the Aztlaners taking refuge within their fortress. Blood, fear, ritualistic telesma, and futuristic gear are spattered about the scene. He frowns, trying not to calculate their odds of success.

"I need you to do what your kind does best. Assense the area and then keep us out of their notice." He points towards the temple, shedim, and spirits.

"Of course, Animus," she replies, bowing once more and then disappearing in a cloud of cool mist.

Sticks
[Aztech Facility - Security Matrix Node]

You can feel the prickles down your spine each time the patrolling IC sweeps over your icon but so far your disguise appears to be holding. Thankfully the spyder seems to be more concerned with monitoring the incoming sensor feeds from the drone net outside as they are bound to be more suspicious of your presence. No matter how smart agents get there's nothing to beat the human mind...yet.

A virtual system map is before your gaze...paths through the jungle lead to the other nodes in a complicated web of chokepoints...this place clearly isn't designed for its users to migrate between nodes with ease. Each to their own place, just as the Azzies like it! The launch control station is represented by a gigantic pyramid that dwarfs this one and is clearly the hub of the place. Judging by the system loads there will be large amounts of traffic through there. The secondary security node is likely to be much quieter, with redundant controls if anything happens to the others...you dismiss the engineering and personnel nodes for now, there may be data there but it is control that you need...

Sticks & Trismegistus
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

The wait while Sticks works his technological magic on the matrix defences is tense and tiring. The water spirit has cloaked you all in a rising mist that befits the damp laden air. This far from downtown the tang of burnt air doesn’t reach you…at least until Tris reaches into the manasphere once more to draw out a burning spirit of rage…

A small blinking alarm draws Sticks’ attention back to the real world. The drones you are monitoring have detected movement and are relaying it back along the grid. The fact that no alarms are sounding suggests it is another part of the defence system. Then one of the cameras picks up a fleeting glimpse of a threatening metallic, spined, catlike figure moving swiftly through the trees…damn, camaxtil drones are notorious for their independence – it is likely that they are off grid running hidden nodes as they don’t initially show on your electronic sweeps…they may even be immune to commands outside their compound recharging points…

A low rumbling metallic growl comes from speakers on the drone, the frequencies deliberately pitched to trigger an emotional response…something needs to be done about them before they can stumble directly into the group…

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

As he finishes the summoning gestures and pulls forth another Aspect of Fury, Tris immediately feels a familiar presence. It is the very same fire spirit he had originally called forth prior to the bay landing. She stares at him in from the astral plane with smoldering eyes, her face displaying an odd blend of disdain and amusement.

Well, well, well, it appears my service to you is not yet at an end, Animus.

Apparently not. Was it by choice or mere coincidence that you stumbled into my summoning web?

Let's just say that your Mistress carries some clout. She made a request of me. I complied.

And what would have happened had you refused, pray tell?

That is not for you to know, mortal. Though, I'm sure you're smart enough to guess at the possible consequences. After all, you belong to her now... The spirit's answer leaves Tris with an uncomfortable feeling. He thought he had known what his bond to Anima would cost when he chose to pursue it, but the recurring theme of her "possession" of him makes him think that there was an unknown price he had unwittingly paid. However, what was done was done.

When he returns to the physical realm, he notices a message from Captain West that makes him chuckle. Amid a barrage of insults and "colorful metaphors" is a notification that he is promoted to "Specialist" given the dearth of other qualified magic users. He updates his PAN immediately to bear the new military ranking, and deletes West's message without giving it another thought.

That is when he hears it.

A strange, mechanical growling starts up in the distance. He looks around trying to pinpoint its direction, but to no avail. He mentally taps his summoned and bound Aspects of Fury, letting them know that he may be calling on them soon.

<<[Trismegistus]: Sergeant, there is a strange metallic growling coming from somewhere in the distance. Seeing as technology is your purview, I am hoping you might be able to tell me what it is. Just in case your sensors have not picked it up, this is an audio stream of what I'm hearing. If it is hostile, my spirits are ready to engage it.>>

Sticks & Trismegistus
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

The air is split by a howl that sets your teeth on edge. This is followed by a shriek of fire and in the distance, some thirty meters from inside the treeline you see a flash of tracer fire...sounds like suppression rounds, designed to freak the hell out of whoever is being targetted...at least none of the fire is coming your way, if the damn things are that trigger happy then perhaps you might get away with being spotted and then taking them out...?

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Damn whoever designed those things to the Metahells! Tris mentally grumbles to himself as he hears the howls.

<<[Trismegistus]: Sergeant, I am not sure if you can see or hear whatever is happening out there, but it looks as though we may have found an opening to make a strategic withdrawal. At the very least, whatever is attracting its fire might buy us the time necessary to misdirect them. However, I need to know if you have a team that can handle them, or whether I should unleash my spirits.>>

Because if I don't hear from you soon, I may just send them anyways, is the last sentence he leaves unsaid.

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

The shriek of the tracer fire is rapidly approaching your position and you can hear the crash of foliage as something tries vainly to avoid the onslaught. Whatever is coming towards you is difficult to see, as if it is somehow fudging the air around it to mask its presence, something that the drones are clearly quite capable of ignoring…

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

This is damned peculiar...and I'm tired of waiting. Find out what is going on over there, but keep on the astral. No need to give away our position just yet.

As you wish, Animus. The recently summoned Aspect of Fury flies off towards the tracer fire and spatial distortions.

And what of me, Animus? Will you keep me leashed to your side? He can feel the tension in the bound spirit---frustrated at being dominated by a mortal, and doubly frustrated at being kept out of the action.

For the time being. I understand your concerns, but we must still wait a while. Do not worry, I will give you leave to loose your fury on our foes soon.

Trismegistus
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

When your Aspect of Fury returns in moments she is visible shaken... ~Abomination, creature of darkness and hate, it warps the astral about itself, polluting what it touches. The mechanical beasts chase it but do little harm, why it runs I do not know, who can fathom the mind of such a thing?~

At the edge of the treeline some one hundred meters from where your team crouches there is a darkness...something akin to what you saw feeding on those poor civilians back on the mainland. Tracer fire passes through it without apparant effect but it is leading those drones, and their sensors, towards your staging area...

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Trismegistus starts laughing quietly, exasperated yet not surprised by the news. Of course it would come right now. Why wouldn't it? He begins considering his options. Is spiting a superior officer worth sticking with what is slowly appearing to be another incompetent military scheme? Surely his magic could hide him, and he could watch what The Darkness does to its victims. Maybe he could even assense it as it does whatever it cares to do?

He is suddenly pulled out of his brooding by his bound spirit, who recoils in horror as the other shares what she witnessed with her sister Aspect.

Animus! We need to choose a course of action! Fight or flee? I need you to tell me what to do!

Apparently fury is easily cowed by fear, he thinks to himself, keeping that particular aside shielded from his mental links with the spirits. Nevertheless, Anima apparently picks up on it and gives a throaty chuckle from her end of their mental bond.

Give me a moment to speak with the idi...my team.

<<[Trismegistus]: Sergeant, this is Trismegistus again. I am not sure if your sensors can see this, or if you're even listening to me since I've been asking what actions I should take. Maybe you are in the middle of some sort of technological wizardry that will deal with the incoming drones. I do not know. I am not a mind-reader, as I am not that type of mage. However, I take no pleasure in having to tell you that a new issue has arisen. I sent my most powerful spirit to investigate the firefight in the distance, and it appears that the metaphysical anomaly known as "The Darkness" is the subject of the drones' ire. Their rounds are, of course, having no effect on it. However, the more pressing piece of news is that it is leading the drones directly towards our location. It is doubly troublesome because: First, the drones will report our position to the Aztlaners once they see us, and Second, that the Darkness is undoubtedly a larger and more immediate source of danger than the Aztechnology outpost.>>

He pauses, taking a breath after delivering that rapidfire speech in a flat and more or less neutral tone.

<<[Trismegistus]: Basically, I need you to give us a command: Dig in and duke it out, or pack up and get the fuck out? Which will it be, Sergeant?>>

Sometimes, I really hate being part of a team... Then there are times like this when I absolutely and wholeheartedly despise it...

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay - Astral Space]

Mal swirls into existence on the astral plane, his form carefully chosen to express wisdom and an ageless power to his would-be summoner. However, just as he is prepared to question the summoner, he feels the connection snap cleanly. He is shocked to discover that, rather than being flung back from whence he came, he instead settles into this realm more securely.

Hougan? the Loa from the Ghede family calls out across the astral as he looks for the Hougan that brought him here. This is most unusual...

As he continues scanning for his summoner, the presence of another summoner with a pair of spirits nearby catches his attention. They appear to be agitated. Writing off his summoner for the time being, he moved closer, hissing softly as he feels the astral plane grow heavier, more dreadful as he moves in that direction. He comes to a halt at a polite distance from the mage and asks, What troubles you, bokor?

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay][/b]

As the strange spirit approaches you, it’s aura vaguely reminiscent of Gash, you get a communique from Kit, the comms ops manager back with the main column

<<I’ve got a redline reading on Stick’s biomonitor…looks like he has encountered some nasty IC. I’m going to follow him in and dig him out but operational command is temporarily placed on Tris. Deal with the incoming forces and prepare to engage the facility. We have your backs – you have full authorisation on the strike capabilities of the column. We have air tactical in place now and artillery will be available shortly.>>

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Tris nearly jumps out of his skin when the new spirit materializes in front of him. What in the Metahells??? he thinks to himself. Before instincts kick in and he starts levying manabolts at the unknown entity in front of him, he hesitates and takes note of the spirit's appearance. It lacks the telltale traits of a Nahualli spirit. It is not a foaming jaguar, or a towering Aztec warrior brandishing all sorts of nasty, razor sharp weaponry. In fact, it looks more like a sagely entity from a different magical tradition. More importantly, it's more interested in talking rather than disemboweling, which is enough for Tris to consider the spirit friend instead of foe.

Take care not to let your guard down. This one stands outside of my influence.

Noted. Let me try talking to him. It would be good to have another magically inclined mind on the team.

Of course, as soon as he is about to respond, Kit breaks the bad news regarding Sticks' status and the new chain of command.

Shit.

Tris takes a deep breath, grateful for small miracles like having a helmet that covers up the expressions of fear, exasperation, and annoyance currently fighting for space on his face.

"Hello. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you're in the middle of the proverbial drek storm. Allow me to explain quickly. My unit is in the process of mounting an attack against a hostile Aztechnology facility." He points in the direction of the pyramid-like structure.

"That," he says, pointing in the direction of the incoming "trouble on the horizon", "is a hostile, seemingly indestructible...thing that disturbs even my most powerful spirits. It is leading enemy drones right to us. To make matters worse, I have just been told that I am now temporarily in command of our unit. So...that is what troubles me.

"However, there is some good news, both for you and for me. You don't have to face the situation alone, and we need all the help we can get. We can increase our odds of survival by working together. After this fight, you are free to return home or tag along---assuming any of us are left alive.

"Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment, I have to address my squad."

What do I tell them? I'm not...I'm not a "people" person... Expecting a disgusted remark, Tris is surprised by Anima's mood change. Her reply is sweet, soothing, and only slightly sinister.

The same thing a general tells his armies. The same thing a king tells his people. The same thing a god tells her supplicants. Obey and live.

He detects the unmistakable intimation that she is making towards him with those last two sentences. He shudders at the implication. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice choosing her way, he thinks to himself in the part of his mind he keeps shielded from Anima. Still, it was sound advice: stick to the plan. He composes himself before addressing the troops.

<<[Trismegistus]: Squad, I have some bad news. Master Sergeant Sticks is occupied in a hacking struggle. That leaves me temporarily in command. Worse still, that entity that we saw attacking the civilians is currently heading straight for us with Aztechnology drones in tow. The situation is grim, but we have our orders: capture the launch facility. We will get the job done. The only thing that has changed is how we go about doing it. Trust in your training, be smart, and remember: stick with the plan and we will get through this alive.>>

He takes a breath, and begins weighing his team's options.

<<[Trismegistus]: Point team, pull back from the incoming "darkness." No amount of firepower will bring it down, and we cannot afford to lose anyone. Instead, we will focus on neutralizing the drones. I would like to hit them fast and hard, and preferably from a direction that does not lead them straight to our camp. Be prepared to move out if that "darkness" gets any closer.>>

He turns back to the spirit.

"My plan is to take out the incoming drones and avoid the 'darkness' if possible. If you have any suggestions, I am not above taking advice."

Especially since coordinating a team is probably the thing I'm least capable of doing...

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay - Astral Space]


How many 'drones' are there, bokor? the spirit asks across the astral as he looks to the coming darkness. It might be better to cause them to have a little... Accident, rather than directly engage them. However, I require a vessel before being able to achieve this...

The spirit turns his eyes upon Tris and smiles slightly, Do not worry though, bokor. You shall be safe while I stand by you. If you were willing, I would offer you safety and health: a chance to receive healing from me no matter the distance between us...

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

"Bokum." Again with that word. With my charming personality, it likely means "asshole."

Tris is about to answer the spirit's question about drone numbers when he realizes that he never even ASKED his spirit how many drones she saw.

Um...do you remember how many drones you saw?

The Aspect of Fury pauses for a moment, trying to sift through her memories without recollecting her brush with the monstrosity. After a few seconds, she comes back with a tentative answer.

...three...

"My spirit says three, but with our current run of bad luck it's probably closer to three hundred. As for vessels...that is a little out of my area of magical expertise. Tell me what you need, and I'll try to jury-rig something for you. If it is only a short term issue and it does not harm the inhabited person, perhaps I could find a volunteer."

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay - Astral Space]

The spirit nods. A willing adherent to the faith would be best, though it might be better if I claim one of the local wildlife for the short-term, given the task at hand.

He thinks for a moment. If there are only three, perhaps it would be best that we who have already died be sent to quickly deal with the drones, bokor. We have already died once, after all. What more do we have to fear?

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Tris takes a moment to consider the spirit's suggestion.

"If you can eliminate them, that would be ideal. However, based on what I've witnessed from similar phenomena like that thing out there, the consequences of engaging it might be much more dire than death itself. I can send one of my spirits to assist you as well."

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay - Astral Space]

The spirit nods again. Perhaps it would be more accurate to state I shall be supporting your spirit. Direct combat is not my strong suit. If you will pardon me for a moment, I shall attempt to locate some local wildlife to allow me to directly affect the physical world.

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Tris nods.

"Understood. Let's find you a vessel, then."

All right, I take it you know what you need to do?

Yes. I shall find this one a suitable body to occupy.

Maybe you can talk some sense into your diminished counterpart? The bound spirit chafes at the suggestion, but the unbound Aspect merely chuckles.

Of course, but it will cost you. Counseling is not something that comes...naturally to me.

Never mind then. Just find the unfixed spirit something to possess for the time being.

As you wish...Animus... The Aspect of Fury lets those words hang in the astral for a moment, before scouring the immediate area for a suitable host...

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Her survey complete, the Aspect of Fury returns with the news of possessable lifeforms. She appears before Mal in the astral, a shapely woman made of fire of impossible beauty with long tresses and the stance of someone who is barely concealing ice cold rage. She looks at you with palpable envy, as you are free and she is snared by Tris' will.

Here are the suitable host I found, she says, gesturing in the directions of several small animals. Hopefully, one will be acceptable.

While the spirits converse, Tris decides to make the call.

<<[Tris] @Kit: It's high time we moved out. Requesting a jam-on-the-fly on the Aztech sensors followed by an air strike on these drones. If we have to let them know that we are here, might as well give them as little information about our force as possible. Godspeed.>>

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay - Astral Space]

Mal takes control of a squirrel swiftly and runs back over to Trismegistus, leaping from a tree to land on his shoulder. He taps his tail against Trismegistus' helmet to identify himself, then places a suggestion in the mage's mind that he should give orders to the squirrel before it goes and kills the drones.

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

When the squirrel jumps on his shoulder and attempts to make contact with his mind, Tris has to stifle a sigh.

Of all things to possess, really?

I didn't tell him to choose it...

There is wisdom in choosing an inconspicuous host. What shepherd would suspect a serpent in squirrel's clothing?

Animus! Give me an order! Let me do something!

I'm going to have to ask you all to choose another mind to hold this conversation. I have a call to take. Tris closes his eyes and opens his mind to the spirit.

"Change of plans," he says as he invites the spirit to venture forth into his stream of consciousness. "We are going to let tech deal with tech. I have called in an attack on those drones, and we are going to proceed with our assault of the facility. As for that thing out there, the Astral is our domain. I'm pulling our unAwakened forces back to prevent them from becoming fodder for the phenomenon.

"Just in case we get separated, let me call a watcher." Tris draws shaping sigils in the air, drawing forth a flicker from the Astral and shaping it into a makeshift messenger. An orb of light coalesces into existence. Tris grimaces as a flash of pain drags across his sinuses. He reaches into his medkit, pops a pill, and the pain subsides.

Be my messenger. Stay with the spirit that possesses the squirrel. If it seeks to possess your mind, let it do so.

"Oh, by the way, the name is Trismegistus, or Tris for short. Now then, any suggestions?"

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay][/b]

The thrupp of the inbound Yellowjackets is barely audible over the crashing fire from the cat drones and the sound of that thing smashing the brush aside. As the elec warfare strike begins the streams of tracer fire shudder and halt momentarily and then the shriek of the chin mounted firelance lasers from your Valkyries stike down to impale the Azzie abominations. Almost immediately a general alarm sounds in the compound in the distance but without their surveillance capabilities you have a small window to engage the foe before they pinpoint your location.

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

"Or," Tris says between the sound of heavy fire tearing through the sky, "maybe the time for talking has passed. Stick with me for now, and let us take out that facility."

<<[Tris] Ladies and gentlemen, that is our cue. Scouts, pull back from that phenomenon. There are already enough shedim walking around. If am going to bolster their number, it's going to be with Aztechnology troops. Begin the assault.>>

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

The possessed squirrel seems content to use Tris as a mount to ride into combat. Several thumps of the tail, accompanied by a pointing arm indicate the direction to go.

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

As you take off towards the compound perimeter, careful to maintain your distance from the hulking darkness, you here the whistle of inbound munitions and several small rockets head inland from somewhere out in the bay. Overhead the split and multiple bomblettes rain down over a wide area. Instead of the expected explosions a wall of static washes over your comm frequencies and you barely make out Kit's voice across the 'link

<<I've l#yed d#wn Jabberw#cky muniti##s acro#s the wh#le of your appr###h. Sh#uld co#er you# adva#ce. Co#ms wil# be sporad#c for a wh#le, bet#er than th# altern#ti#e>>

Your forward scouts cut the wire with rapid precision and you have a clear run towards the wailing compound in the distance...

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

<<[Trismegistus]: Thank you, Kit. Moving out now.>>

Tris mentally taps his bound spirit.

I need you to go out and help scout our advance. We can't be too careful, especially with Aztlan mages and their penchant for blood magic. Let me know what you find, and then I will let you know when it is time to unleash your fury.

Done. Anything to get away from that...from that THING. The bound spirit flies off ahead, scouring their advance path for potential threats...

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Mal holds on Tris' shoulder, watching for trouble or the best opportunity to cause problems for those they are assaulting.

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

As you begin your approach towards the no-mans-land zone around the complex you get a scratchy feed from your tactical overlay that indicates the shedim at the gates have redoubled their efforts to break the Azzie line. They clearly know that something is up, and although you can’t dismiss them as a threat they are providing a suitable distraction for now.

The spiritual air space over the compound is rapidly clearing as the Azzie masters summon their creations to deal with the advancing horde. It is unlikely that you will get a better opportunity to make your move than now…

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

<<[Trismegistus]: This is it. Move out, shoot to incapacitate or obliterate. Don't leave a shell for those shedim to take over.>>

The same orders apply to you as well. Let loose your fury. Leave your victims ruined and in pain, or burned to a cinder. Do not leave a host for those shedim.

Understood, Animus. The two aspects replied in tandem, and manifested into the physical realm.

"Well, my newfound friend, we march onward," he says to the squirrel, and moves with the vanguard force towards the base...

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

The complex looms ahead of you in the blocky style typical to unimaginative Azzie architecture. Once in the dead zone, Feral gestures to you

“Sticks and I will head for the security compound with these three, Javelin can take the others to the secondary station and that leaves the six of you to tackle the main tower…that ok? With comms disrupted we’ll just have to wait for your signal to begin our assault…I suspect it will be clear enough” and he does little to wipe the wild grin off his face “let’s give them hell…”

In the distance you can see and hear the flash and roar of combat. Although the Azzies are displaying some impressive firepower the shedim are proving to be resilient and should delay them for a while longer…

Mal --- "Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Mal drops to the ground and starts leading the way, pausing to address the watcher. Inform your master that I shall scout ahead. If my tail raises, the enemy is near.

Once the message is delivered, he begins scouting ahead.

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

"Indeed, and let's do our best not to join them there. We're off to the tower."

When Tris receives Mal's message, he gets Feral's attention once more.

"Our new ally is going forward to scout. Watch the squirrel's tail. If it goes up, it means the enemy is nearby."

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Feral merely raises an eyebrow at this unusual bit of information and then sets off at a lope towards his target with the others falling in behind him. This Wolf Pack lot may not have military training but they know how to conduct themselves...Javelin takes off with the others towards the far end of the complex, leaving you and your small team to approach the looming stepped pyramid.

A garbled message from Kit comes through and suddenly the complex lights go dark...only the dim emergency batteries maintaining some semblance of luminance...now is the time. A burst of speed takes you to the edge of the pyramid - Mal having indicated the way is clear. Your entrance specialist looks at you

"You want this quiet or fast? They know we're here so it's only a matter of time before they figure out where we're headed..."

He's holding up a thermite bar or his microelec tool kit in the other hand...

Trismegistus---"Magic Support Specialist"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Let the others draw the defilers' fire. It will buy you precious time, seconds that might tip the scales of fate from defeat to failure...

"Let's go in quietly. They'll know soon enough that something is up, but why make it easy on them?"

Tris steps back, and begins drawing destructive magic into his aura. The moment the door is open, he intends to make life mercifully short for any adversaries they find on the other side...

"Go ahead. I have you covered."

Mal---"Guide to the Dead"
[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

Mal extends his protective essence, known by many bokor as the Guard power, to expand out to encompass the entrance specialist along with Tris and the four closest members of their team.

[Aztech Facility Fox Island - The Bay]

“Quiet? Yes sir” and the soldier turns back to the door controls. His hand extends unnaturally and then squirm through the maglock port to access the guts of the machine behind. As the moments stretch out in uncomfortable silence (bar the screams of the shedim and the thunder of ordinance in the distance) you wonder if quick might not have been better…

Then the door opens with a hiss and a startled guard begins a turn towards you. He or she is in hardened armour covered in glyphs, some of which seem to writhe as he brings his assault rifle round with painful slowness…