Futuristic Starpath: Burning Sails [IC] [CLOSED]

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform - Misc. Rolls
Shun attempts to disable local spider drones. D6 used. Chance Roll = 5. Chance successful. Spider drones have been shut down in the immediate area.

------
​

Once the flickering ball of light touched the ground in the middle of the spider drones, it burst, coating each of the drones in the immediate area with its contained data. The drones twitched and stumbled about, before eventually collapsing as their systems shut down. Shun's attempts had been successful. Loudmouth spoke up a moment later. "We should-a killed the bitches." he said, before moving over near the wall which they'd be breaching through in a few moments. The rest of the group moved up as well, as they prepared to breach into the platform in an effort to take it out of the equation when the shit hit the fan.

Above, the Mordred moved about as the group prepared to engage the incoming blips. The fighters mounted atop and on the bottom of the vessel disconnected, as Aesha and Olivia moved to engage. Soon enough, the objects emerged from the storm. Two heavy fighters, sent to scout out why the platform went dark. "Engaging enemy fighters. Let's rock." said Aesha, letting off a volley of missiles at the incoming fighters as they arrived. Olivia followed her lead, unleashing her own missiles at the targets.

 

[joshuadim]

Vance gave a thumbs up and a grin towards Shun when the spider drones nearby were rendered useless. "Nice goin' Shun!" he said before turning back and moving forward with the group. Looked like a standard breach and clear operation they were prepping for, and as such Vance got into position to be in the vanguard for when the music started.

 

[Breadman]

Petar moved into position. It was time to breach. He moved in right behind Vance. If the patriot wanted to be the man of the hour so bad, then the initiative should be rewarded.

"Karina, you have the charges."..."Everyone else form up and get ready to go. There's going to be fireworks."

 

[Viper Actual]

Daniel formed up behind Petar. "Copy that, stacking up." He checked his rifle one more time, taking a look at the holographic ammo counter. The medic took a deep breath and exhaled, waiting for the bang.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Along with the others, Shuren forms up next to the door with his hands close to his ears in anticipation; not wanting to turn temporarily deaf for when the charge goes off.

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform - Misc. Rolls 2
Karina attempts to breach into the station. D6 used. Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful. Six of six drones on the other side obliterated.

------
​

"Understood. Breaching." stated Karina, slinging her rifle onto her back temporarily and moving up. She passed by Jackson, grabbing a large circular charge off his back before stepping over and slamming the charge onto the wall. It stuck as it should, locking in place as she gave the central detonator in the center a twist and jerked outward. The detonator activated the charge, before detaching from the charge itself. She moved back into position, gripping the stick shaped detonator in hand.

"On three. One...two...three." she said, before clicking in the green button atop the detonator with her thumb. The charge promptly detonated, a loud THOOM sounding off as the wall exploded inward. Inside, six drones that were moving about on the inside of the station were pummeled and destroyed by the incoming debris and blast. The group then quickly moved in, stepping through the rubble and smoke (and over the remains of the drones.) Further in, six other drones turned about, ready to engage the intruders.

 

[Dmaster]

Shun gave an acknowledging nod to Vance as they moved up to breach. At a safe distance he hovered away from the would-be doorway, sure to avoid the explosion and resulting debris. Once it rattled the air and foundation of the building, he rushed in with the others and took a combative stance.

The automated defenses were too spread out for a singular burst this time, so he fired off a few bolts from his hand aimed at the two closest drones.

 

[joshuadim]

Almost immediately after the blast, Vance rushed into the fray as adrenaline pumped through his body at breakneck speed. He quickly saw the positions the remaining drones were in and took note of this before planning his next move. He grabbed the wall with his hands and pulled on it, causing the metal to crumple and a section of it to tear off quickly before holding it in front of him as a shield and advanced forward to get closer to them.

"If you wanna get up close to these tin cans, get right behind me!" Vance announced as he walked ahead with his improvised barrier.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"If you wanna get up close to these tin cans, get right behind me!"

So Shuren didn't. He keeps his distance from Vance and the others, just to lessen the risk of accidentally getting any of them caught in the chain lightning coming from his rifle. With this in mind, he picks the drone furthest from the group and starts firing thunderous bolts at it.

 

[Breadman]

If you wanna get up close to these tin cans, get right behind me!

"What are shotguns for, but saying hello?" Petar responded as he maneuvered behind Vance. The former mercenary was careful with his aim, firing off shots at the drones.

 

[DG-117]

Pearl scanned about the maintenance area that the team had found themselves in aboard the train, it was quite spacious, large enough for all of Scalpel Team to fit comfortably in. Still, Pearl Scanned the area intensely for several seconds. Making sure to disable any camera or alarm insight with a well-placed EMP dart before heading straight to a computer station.

Pearl quickly recognized from her time spent researching every public and lightly encrypted file that they could find relating to this station that this model of Traincar had three sections, those being Maintenance, Cargo and Passenger. The Operation of the Train itself was handled by an automated system, which, given that the team had little less than a half hour of travel time. Pearl was able to access the system of the Traincar in a hasty fashion with little threat.

Pearl was an expert in such things and a simple industrial standard holo-lock to keep lowlifes and disgruntled employees out was easy enough for someone that was dealt with much tougher systems in the past to overcome in less than a few minutes. The course of action was to discreetly disable any ability for anyone within the Cargo or Passenger section to receive or transmit any messages while quickly establishing a system to send false positives to any incoming radio check.

Next was taking control of the Cameras located on the Traincar while putting up a fake stream of the Maintenance Area that showed the area cleared, Pearl prepared two additional false footage reals for the other sections just in case.

After everything was done on the console, Pearl suddenly turns to face Lauren, twisting her body in a hasty fashion that was quite common for a Sanghvi to perform. Though still quite unusual for the many that were unfamiliar with the Sanghvi and how effortless they moved despite being made from rock and crystal.

"All systems are cleared! We're still in the dark from their sensors for now." Pearl peaked up, speaking quickly and loudly. Pearl seemly realized their anxiousness about the situation. Gunfire and all, it was frightening, to say the least. Yet oddly exciting in a sense.

"Oh, I also got access to this car's system. Should be useful!...Hopefully." She cheerfully yet timidly added on a second later.


===

Kalashi took a moment to breathe once the traincar started moving, taking a moment to ingest a shot of Tox through their mask respirator to ease her Mind about the fact they were literally on the doorsteps of her biggest hunters. Still, she managed to find that the planet's atmosphere felt nice to her mechanical joints.

The Veteran Mercenary scanned her comrades for a moment, getting past the D-Tier Security guarding site wasn't too tough. However, getting into a fully manned outpost was going to be a much harder challenge. Some sort of edge was going to be needed. Something to even the odds a little.

Perhaps one of her Comrades had an idea, maybe even a half-decent one at that. Besides, talking with them and getting on their good side would make this all easier in the long run, hopefully.

And thus, with a finished shot of tox ingested and tossed aside, Kalashi turn her glassy eyes to the rest of the team, and with a shrug of the shoulders, she asked;

"So what's the plan for getting into the station without getting put down six feet under?" Kalashi said while leaning against the wall with eyes locked wide on the rest of Scalpel team.

 

[Viper Actual]

Daniel shakes his head as the team chatters about. Maybe if he cared a bit more he'd ask them to shut up and focus. Then again he wasn't in charge.
He followed Petar like a shadow, keeping his gun trained forward and close to his colleague's right shoulder in a tactical fashion.

Once combat kicked off Daniel fired three shots at one of the drones, lifted his muzzle and sidestepped over to Karina where he assumed his tactical stance once more. "I got you covered Thiel, go!"

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform - TURN 1
Shun = 10, 8 + 1 (9. Petar's Competitive Edge.) CH Roll = 10. Does 4 DMG to Spider Drone #1, 1 DMG to Spider Drone #2. Spider Drone #1 dead, Spider Drone #2 HP =2
Vance = 6 + 1 (7. Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 DMG (The Gift) to Spider Drone #3. Spider Drone #3 HP = 1.
Shuren = 7 + 1 (8. Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 DMG (Drav's Armorer) to Halcyon Drone #1. Halcyon Drone #1 HP = 1.
Petar = 8 + 1 (9. Competitive Edge.) Does 2 DMG (Sadistic) to Spider Drone #2. Spider Drone #2 dead.
Daniel = 8 + 1 (9. Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to Halcyon Drone #2. Halcyon Drone #2 HP = 2.
Karina = 9 + 1 (10. Petar's Competitive Edge.) CH Roll = 6. Primal Rage Roll = 4. PR Chance = Failure. Does 3 DMG to Halcyon Drone #3. Halcyon Drone #3 dead.
Jackson = 4 + 2 (6. Petar's Competitive Edge, Daniel's Predator Stims.) Does 2 DMG (Boom Operator) to Halcyon Drone #2. Halcyon Drone #2 dead.
Loudmouth = 5 + 1 (6. Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 DMG (TIMBER!) to Spider Drone #3. Spider Drone #3 dead.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform - TURN 1 (ENEMY)
Halcyon Drone #1 = 6. Does 1 DMG to Shun. Shun HP = 14.

---

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - TURN 1
Aesha (Hotshot) = 9 - 1 (8. Hotshot.) Does 4 DMG (Hotshot, Ace of Spades) to Interceptor #1. Interceptor #1 HP = 3.
Mordred = 8. Does 1 DMG to Aethon Flyer Drone #1. Aethon Flyer Drone #1 HP = 2.
Zou = 5 + 1 (6. Aimbot 2.0.) Does 2 DMG to Aethon Flyer Drone #2. Aethon Flyer Drone #2 HP = 1.
Olivia = 10. CH Roll = 9. Does 4 DMG to Interceptor #2. Interceptor #2 HP = 3.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - TURN 1 (ENEMY)
Interceptor #1 = 3. Misses Aesha.
Interceptor #2 = 5. Does 2 (Corporate Combat) - 1 DMG (1. Roku's Fly or Die.) to Mordred. Mordred HP = 14.
Aethon Flyer Drone #1 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Aesha. Aesha HP = 14.
Aethon Flyer Drone #2 = 2. Misses Olivia.
Aethon Flyer Drone #3 = 4. Misses Aesha.
Aethon Flyer Drone #4 = 3. Misses Mordred.
Aethon Flyer Drone #5 = 3. Misses Mordred.
Aethon Flyer Drone #6 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Olivia. Olivia HP = 14.
Aethon Flyer Drone #7 = 6. Does 1 DMG to Aesha. Aesha HP = 13.
Aethon Flyer Drone #8 = 2. Misses Olivia
Aethon Flyer Drone #9 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Zou. Zou HP = 14.
Aethon Flyer Drone #10 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Zou. Zou HP = 13.
Aethon Flyer Drone #11 = 3. Misses Mordred.
Aethon Flyer Drone #12 = 1. Weapon Jam.

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​

The group moved into the breach, opening fire on the drones that turned to rush them. Three spider drones, and three flying ones. Easy enough. Shun's psionic bolts ripped one of the spider drones to pieces, while the other simply knocked its target back a few inches. Petar's shotgun blast would be the one to finish that particular drone off. Vance moved in quickly with his makeshift shield, and proceeded to bash the third spider drone with it. It wouldn't be put out of commission, however, as it managed to remaining standing just long enough for Loudmouth to cleave through it with his chainsaw. Meanwhile, Shuren fired off a shot from the lighting rifle, hitting one of the flying drones, heavily damaging it as the sudden surge of electricity poured through its circuits. It remained flying, however, firing off a shot at Shun which damaged his torso plating.

The rest of the group fired upon the other remaining flying drones. Daniel fired off a few shots at the second drone, with Jackson finishing it off with a grenade from his grenade launcher. The explosion knocked the third flying drone aside, right into Karina's sights. She fired off a single shot from her laser rifle, the beam evaporating the drone as it hit. "One left." she said, before turning her aim on the remaining flying drone.

---
​

As the fighters arrived, Zadra voice crackled through Aesha and Olivia's comms. "I've got a dozen more signatures on the screen. Drones. Must have stayed close to the interceptors to cloak themselves. I'm sending Zou out onto the hull to help." Aesha smirked. "Just more fun for us!" she said, before locking onto one of the interceptors and unleashing a missile. It zipped through the air, detonating close to the fighter and causing heavy damage to its hull. Olivia did the same, hitting the other interceptor with one of her own missiles. Once the battlesuit had made its way out onto the hull of the Mordred, Zou opened fire with his autocannon on one of the drones as the cluster made their way towards them. The shots damaged the heavily armored drone, but they kept coming. Zadra, from where she sat, opened fire on the lead drone of the cluster as well with the front cannons of the ship, further damaging it.

Soon, the enemy would open fire on them. The first interceptor attempted to retaliate against Aesha, firing off several shots. He missed, however, as Aesha easily avoided the incoming fire. She wouldn't avoid some of the drones, however, as two of them managed to pepper her fighter with shots. The other interceptor would manage to hit the Mordred with gunfire, but thanks to Roku's flying, the damage was minimal. Some of the drones would attempt to shoot the Mordred as well, but the shots missed as Roku attempted to dodge the incoming fire. Some of the others would target Olivia and Zou, whom both took hits from the smaller targets.

Zadra's voice soon sounded off through the Mordred's intercom. "I need people on the turrets, asap!" Drav quickly moved for one of the guns, reaching the tunnel and climbing up into the top turret. Meanwhile outside, Aesha moved in for another hit on the interceptor she had fired on before. Zou also took aim, attempting to take out some of the drones swarming around them.

------
​

Lauren grinned. "Excellent work." she said, giving Pearl a thumbs-up, before looking back to Kalashi. "Well, more sneaking around. We need to find that inside man, and make sure they're safe. Then we gotta get to that corvette. Could steal a few more uniforms."

 

[joshuadim]

Albert interrupted his long conversation with Vincent as the ship rumbled from a hit and the intercom blared to life. "Well shit... gotta make myself useful somehow." Albert said as he got up and ran his way through the armory and made his way to the turret area. He saw Drav climbing into one of them, and so climbed into the other. Unlike the former however, he was entirely inexperienced in this and had to learn on the fly. Fortunately, it was a relatively simple setup for a turret station as Albert climbed in and got himself settled. Truth be told, he was ready to puke for nervousness but he needed to help out in some way.

"OK... ok... just point and shoot... right? Simple enough it seems. Point the gun at the enemy." Albert said to himself as he got used to the controls. The turret moved a bit as he tested it and before long he found the enemy off in the distance. "Alright, let's see what kind of firepower you got here."

Albert then pulled the trigger and let loose a salvo at a drone.

---

"Good work team!" Vance yelled out as a single drone remained standing, seemed like the others would take care of it and as such Vance made his way as a vanguard, continuing to hold his makeshift shield in front of him as he advanced forward slowly.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"And what does this 'inside man' look like so I won't shoot him?" asked Typhon. "I'm not in the mood for causing another mishap tonight."

 

[Viper Actual]

"Copy that!" Replied Daniel before taking a knee. He raised his rifle and fired three shots at the remaining drone.

---

Nathalie, who was still in the stolen uniform, rolled her neck and shoulders. "Relax Typhon," she said. "It's probably some low-ranked technician. Easy to spot."

 

[Breadman]

"Kill it and we'll move on." Petar said to the team. He turned his attention to Vance who was going forward with his makeshift shield. An old world American man with a shield. Like one of those old movies. "Hey big guy, slow down. Don't get separated."
---
Vincent couldn't do much after Albert went to man the turret. He was brave and willing to step up, which was good, but the priest feared for his friend. Unlike most other members of the crew, he wasn't a hardened criminal nor had battle experience.

Vincent did the only thing he could do. He prayed. For Albert and for the ship to make it though fine.

 

[Dmaster]

The Ayr fell back slightly as he was battered in the chest by the drone's weaponry, his head quickly swiveling to the responsible machine before he drew closer to it. "I will make you regret that, machine." he spat, leveling his hand to the lone drone as he uses his psionic abilities to compress the air around it as well as the automaton's own armor plating. As he did so Daniel fired off his own shots at the drone for good measure. Hopefully it would be rendered a hole-ridden ball of scrap at this rate.

Once that was done Shun returned his hands to the small of his back, quietly floating behind the rest of the team. "Let us move on."

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform - TURN 2
Daniel = 3 + 1 (4. Petar's Competitive Edge.). Misses Halcyon Drone #1.
Shun = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 3 DMG to Halcyon Drone #1. Halcyon Drone #1 destroyed.

---

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - TURN 2
Aesha (Hotshot) = 8 - 1 (7. Hotshot.) Does 4 DMG (Hotshot, Ace of Spades) to Interceptor #1. Interceptor #1 destroyed.
Zadra = 6. Does 1 DMG to Does 1 DMG to Aethon Flyer Drone #1. Aethon Flyer Drone #1 HP = 1.
Drav = 6. Does 2 DMG (Khergan Pride) to Aethon Flyer Drone #1. Aethon Flyer Drone #1 destroyed.
Albert = 9. Does 3 DMG (Unlikely Hero) to Aethon Flyer Drone #3. Aethon Flyer Drone #3 destroyed.
Zou = 9 + 1 (10. Aimbot 2.0.) CH Roll = 7. Does 4 DMG (Aimbot 2.0) to Aethon Flyer Drone #4. Aethon Flyer Drone #4 destroyed.
Olivia = 9. Does 3 DMG (Scalpel and Hammer) to Interceptor #2. Interceptor #2 destroyed.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - TURN 2 (ENEMY)
Aethon Flyer Drone #2 = 10. CH Roll = 3. Does 2 - 1 (1. Fly or Die.) to the Mordred. Mordred HP = 13.
Aethon Flyer Drone #5 = 9. Does 1 DMG to the Mordred. Mordred HP = 12.
Aethon Flyer Drone #6 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Aesha. Aesha HP = 12.
Aethon Flyer Drone #7 = 4. Misses Aesha.
Aethon Flyer Drone #8 = 1. Weapon jam.
Aethon Flyer Drone #9 = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 3 DMG to Zou. Zou HP = 10.
Aethon Flyer Drone #10 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Zou. Zou HP = 9.
Aethon Flyer Drone #11 = 8. Does 1 DMG to Olivia. Olivia HP = 13.
Aethon Flyer Drone #12 = 4. Misses Olivia.

------
​

The remaining flying drone was quickly dispatched, though by Shun as Daniel's shots missed their mark. Karina gave him a solid pat on the shoulder in response to his miss, before moving up with the others, rifle shouldered. Loudmouth was more vocal, making a 'wah wah waaaaah' noise before waddling off after the group with his chainsaw readied. As the group paused for a moment, looking over a series of thick metal catwalks scattered across the area along with large pieces of machinery. There were a few small corridors between the machinery, but not enough to effectively use as cover. Down below, nothing but empty air...and a long fall should one slip. There were also other drones floating or moving about. Most looked like the ones they had just fought, but a few looked like dogs, while others were flying through the use of stabilized jets and armed with twin laser cannons on their arms. They seemed uninterested with the group for the moment. "We should move inward as quickly as possible." said Karina, motioning with her rifle barrel across the section of the station to some doors on the far side hundreds of yards away. "Watch your step, of course."

As soon as she finished speaking, an alarm sounded throughout the section. Red lights began to flash on the walls and pillars, and the drones seemed to halt for a brief moment. Then the door on the far side opened, and a squad of soldiers emerged from it. These looked like true soldiers, instead of security guards, and they were followed by three tall and heavily armed robots. "I thought this place was supposed to be unmanned?" said Karina. Loudmouth quickly replied. "It WILL be once we're through with the place!" he said, revving his chainsaw twice before darting ahead across one of the catwalks ahead of them.

---
​

Aesha let out a cackle of laughter as her missiles connected with the interceptor once more, forcing it to explode into a fireball of twisted metal and debris. "Scratch one intercep--" she manage to get out, before seeing another flash nearby. Olivia had scrapped the other. "Scratch TWO interceptors, excuse me!" she said, with a grin. Afterwards, both fighter pilots turned their weaponry on the drones swarming about. As they attempted to outmaneuver the drones, they were peppered with gunfire. Not enough to cause major damage, but it still shook their fighters.

The Mordred zipped about, under the expert control of Roku, as they were fired upon by the drones. Some of the shots hit the plating of the ship, melting some of the metal, but it was mere superficial damage. Zou, however, was getting hammered by drone gunfire, a shot hitting his torso while another hit his leg. As he readjusted and took aim again, a drone exploded above him. Drav had obliterated one with the top turret of the Mordred, ripping it to pieces with concentrated gunfire. Albert, surprisingly, did the same on the bottom of the vessel. His shots rang true, destroying a drone with a single salvo. This was all the incentive that Zou needed. He wasn't going to be outdone. He took aim with his autocannon and opened up on an oncoming drone, the shots ripping the craft to pieces. The debris zipped by, Zou simply stepping aside to avoid it.

The group continued their efforts, choosing new targets and opening up with their weaponry. Acting as proverbial bug zappers to the drones.

 

[joshuadim]

"YES! Ha ha!" Albert yelled out as he threw his hands up in excitement as he destroyed one of his drones. Beginners luck? Maybe. But that still meant that he removed one of the drones from the playing field. But the Mordred, and its pilots, continued to be pounded by more drones flying about. As such, Albert quickly adjusted his aim and fired upon another drone, hoping to repeat his luck from before.

---

Vance took point as the group moved ahead into the station and found themselves near more enemies. "Well, that's unfortunate." Vance said as Karina relayed the info to the group, "But nothin' we can't handle, right?"

Vance slowly made his way across one of the catwalks, debris shield held to his side as to protect himself from enemy fire and motioned for someone to follow.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

“No!” Yells Shuren, after Loudmouth ran off to bring the fight to the soldiers ahead of them. “Robotic boy! Do not commit a stupid!”

And unlike him, the only thing he’s charging is his rifle. The barrel glowing white, wrapped in the crackling of lighting in anticipation of having to save Loudmouth’s dumb self from getting pulverized.

 

[K0mori]

Nagarska Airfield - Spirra - Kanad Collective - May 18th, 2422

The air above is filled with the familiar sound of shrieking Black Fleet starfighters, but the reaping danger which followed their cry from the beginning is absent. Where has it gone? Is this a dream?

The world must be ending.

Vixaya looks to the sky and sees nothing but an unfamiliar expanse of cerulean, gleaming with abundant and benevolent sunlight. The fighters leave trails of crisp white and red smoke, the colors of the Batakya, and of the Collective itself. Her supposed homeland hung a patriotic banner in the heavens. It is a declaration that Spirra has rejoined the fold after all the killing, the unending cycle of death, vengeance, and more death, as if somehow nothing had changed at all. But something had to have changed- a machine of greater size and complexity than any mech or starship can't simply grind to a halt without an incredible force. All the memories of her lost childhood flow through her like a lifeless, poisoned river. Whatever tipping point the two sides had reached that brought about this peace makes no difference to the orphaned pilot. She had never been given time to sit and question why it had all come to pass. She only knew that the Collective had taken her mother, and then her father, and there was no other life for her except the one she had been trained for.

She is an unclean thing, an inbred mutant shaking off the dirt of a long-entrenched position, having emerged from a hole in the ground. An ugly thing, born of ash and bloodshed and raised for a purpose which is evaporating just like the rain puddles on the runway. The world has finally expelled the last of its malady and she does not belong there anymore. There are guns firing, but joyously, impossibly.

This cannot be.

The world is ending, just as she always secretly feared. Voices echo elation at the most insane notions of nothingness. No more battles, no more killing, no more anything familiar. Her entire world...

The war is over.

X-070 stands nearby, primed as always for combat, its many repairs and upgrades forming a mosaic of its innumerable victories and defeats, meaningless in the eyes of the one who holds its key. The tablet she carries, enclosed in the pouch on her hip, is silent. There would never be another alarm to scramble. There would never be another reason to become what the enemy now called Dar Vamakra, "the Savage."

She begins to breathe heavy. She will be found. Maybe not today, but someday, the Collective will seek her out, wanting to know who robbed it of the lives of so many pilots and soldiers. When had there ever been rules? Vixaya cannot imagine a world governed by logic, rather than emotion, but in this new, alien world which is taking the place of Vixaya's reality, there are laws... Rules govern all the facets of life she had never experienced, social norms she didn't even know she could violate. Laughably, there were even laws governing war, supposedly- as if it ever mattered how men and women were slaughtered.

They will grow tired of this peace, Vixaya knows. The old wounds will ache. The hatred will return, and the lust for vengeance will overcome this momentary civility. Deep down, she knows that her battlefield moniker is merely a reflection of that same instinct present at the heart of every kanad. Hurt anyone enough and they will expose their capacity to destroy. They will destroy peace by unearthing the past and then reburying it on soil they could freely trod on, inventing new victories out of old defeats. They will want to know. They would search, and they would find the adolescent murderer and send her to the place where most of her sacred few friends had gone, and then they would all become the history of the Collective.

The thought creeps over her. There is no one by her side to face the horror. The few friends which hadn't been taken by the war would move on now to lives out of Vixaya's reach. There was no other home but the hole she had risen from. She could choose not to live in this new, peaceful world. She looks at her bedroll and her few possessions. An OBV rifle stands against the earthen slope, primed and ready. She still has troubles managing its length and weight, but if she could simply position herself correctly, she could-

"[Little girl?]" a very strange, old voice calls out to Vixaya as she stands entranced on the runway. She turns and finds herself looking at two scale-covered aliens that she recognizes as sereks from the holovideos her comrades had shown her when they tried to teach her the storied history of her people. One is exceedingly old and decrepit as she hobbles along with a cane, but her crimson scales and golden mane give her a mythical brilliance in this strange, post-war world. Beside her, a tall and brutishly-strong looking male with blue green scales and a similarly striking platinum mane looks on with a boldly positive expression. The old one had been the one to address her, and she smiles with many fangs. "[Little girl, are you Vixaya, daughter of Sirikada Rozel?]"

Vixaya nods, silently.

"[I thought so,]" the old serek says, closing her eyes. There is a warm, motherly aura about her- something Vixaya can barely recognize. She cannot deny it being there, however, and she listens carefully as the serek continues to rasp sweetly. "[You don't know us, do you?]" she asks, and Vixaya merely stares. Undeterred, the old woman simply taps her cane a few times on the ground and chuckles to herself, prompting a ragged cough. The younger serek leans over and places his hand on the woman's back, who merely shrugs him away as if the infirmity within her is part of the grand and mysterious joke that only she can fully appreciate. "[Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Vixaya. My name is Neasha Kyral. My son,i Siosa, and I own the Belladonna Company that's been supplying your Resistance for years, now.]"

Vixaya looks beyond the two and notices a small shuttle craft near the end of the runway, which had landed so elegantly and quietly that Vixaya had failed to notice. Years of watching and listening for the Collective's howling banshees had made her blind and deaf to the civility of the galaxy's norms. On the body of the shuttle is a circular logo with what appears to be a kanad face in the center, one she had seen many times throughout the war but had never questioned. "[W- Why did you help us?]" Vixaya finally asks in a small, unsure voice. "[How do you know me?]" she asked a moment later.

The younger serek doesn't react or seem to comprehend. Perhaps he doesn't speak Kanad. The elder is pleasently surprised by Vixaya's naivety. "[You lot paid us,]" she answers. "[We go wherever conflict arises and loan weapons and other assistance for money. You've probably never had use for money. Am I wrong?]" Neasha waits patiently as Vixaya stares, and then, finally, shakes her head sheepishly. "[That's what I thought. Out there, you might think the stars orbit the galactic center, but in truth they really revolve around the almighty credit.]" Neasha breaks into a coughing fit before continuing. "[As for you, little one, you are related to an old friend of mine. I've wanted to meet you for years now, but until now it's been too dangerous to visit this planet in person.]"

Vixaya doesn't say anything, she won't pretend to understand what Neasha is getting at. "[...Did you know my parents?]" she finally finds herself asking.

"[No... But I know someone who ought to be important to you nonetheless,]" Neasha explaines, a hint of sadness appearing in her eyes for the first time. "[Have you ever heard of a kanad they called 'the Bloody Fox'?]"

Vixaya's eyes drift to the muddy pavement, her mind again struggling to remember the once-pointless lessons her comrades had given her. She eventually shakes her head and feels ashamed. Neasha however, only feels greater pity for the girl, and approaches her. "[There's so much I can teach you, little girl. The Bloody Fox was - is - your grandmother. And she is quite possibly the most incredible kanad to have ever sailed these stars. Would you like to come with me? I could tell you everything about her.]" Neasha again tries to approach Vixaya, but the latter steps back, guarded, distrusting, and yet her golden eyes hold no malice, only fear.

"[W-why?]" she stammers out, wanting to continue, all I've done is fight, and there is no fighting left.

Neasha seems to understand, however, and tries to soothe her. "[I think you could be great like her. Moreover, when I learned she had a descendant fighting on this world, I couldn't ignore it. I feel that helping you is a way of honoring my friendship with Yanim.]"

Vixaya takes another step back. "[There is no Grandmother Yanim.]"

"[No...? Perhaps a great aunt, then? Your Grandfather Ryvik's sister?]" Neasha stands still, now, waiting for Vixaya to comprehend. As the young girl tries to piece together the fragments of her family tree that she could recall, Neasha continues. "[Yanim left two children in Ryvik's care, whom he raised as his own along with the children he had with Vixe, your namesake. But your mother, Iskaya, was one of Yanim's two, along with Viprada. So Ryvik is not your grandfather. He is your great uncle.]"

Vixaya shakes her head in disbelief as she wanders back toward her bedroll and picks a canteen off the ground, dumping the remainder of its contents into her mouth in a single gulp. She visible shakes with every movement. She has never felt known before, not even by her own devil of a father. To even her closest friends, Vixaya seemed like she had simply fallen out of the sky one evening without a single connection to the galaxy outside Spirra. "[...this changes nothing,]" she finally admits.

"[You don't know that,]" Neasha cautions. "[I can take you to her.]"

"[T-to a grave, you mean?]"

The serek woman crosses her arms. "[Yanim Terika - the Bloody Fox - lives in the deserts of Duroma to this day. And,] she adds, with a biting resentment, "[she doesn't age.]"

The two stare at each other for some time. Vixaya doesn't believe Neasha, but finds no reason not to go along with her. What else could possibly await the orphan aside from a fatal blast from her own OBV? There remained one question. "[And then what will I do?]"

"[You'll do what you already do. The war is over on Spirra, but there's always a war somewhere. And since it's my business, I will send you where the wars are, and you can make us very wealthy. You have no reason to stay here, little one. Now come on,]" she urges, "[this air is too moist for my liking.]"

---

Vixaya awakened in her quarters on the Mordred moments later, as she followed Neasha toward the Belladonna shuttle. Zadra's voice called for assistance on the guns, and, for once, the young kanad felt functional in some way, even without Renate there to hold her hand. You've probably never had use for money, she remembered as she ran towards the bridge. It was true. Her contribution to the Reavers wasn't about money and never would be. It was just the same as ever before. She came because she was requested. She came to be used, and not wasted. She came because she had been paged.

She arrived at the bridge and wordlessly took up the guns to relieve Zadra there. Her blank expression became less innocent the moment her claws touched the weapon controls.

 

[Breadman]

Vulkov's initial instinct was to move behind any cover he could find. Difficult given the catwalk and the only one being Vance who was now charging headlong, much to his annoyance. Still he had a weapon and thought of someone's abilities that might come in handy in this as he blasted the nearest soldiers.

"Hack or disable those robots and waste those soldiers."

 

[Infab]

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Outer Interior) - TURN 3
Enemies: 4 CorpSec Infantry, 1 CorpSec Sergeant, 3 Satyr Heavy-Infantry Drones, 4 Myrmekes Swamer Drones (Spider Drones), 4 Halcyon Aerial Drone (Flying Drones), 2 Laelaps Hound Drones, 2 Harpy Floater Drones
Vance = 6 + 1 (7. Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 2 DMG (The Gift) to CorpSec Sergeant. CorpSec Sergeant HP = 6.
Loudmouth = 10, 5 + 1, 8 + 1 (6, 9. TIMBER!, Petar's Competitive Edge). CH Roll = 9. Does 5 DMG (TIMBER!) to Laelaps Hound Drone #1, 2 DMG (TIMBER!) to Harpy Floater Drone #1, 2 DMG (TIMBER!) to Spider Drone #1. Hound Drone #1 HP = 3, Floater Drone #1 HP = 6, Spider Drone #1 HP = 1.
Shun attempts to shut down some of the drones. D6 used. Chance Roll = 5. Roll Successful. Hound Drone #2, Floater Drone #2, Spider Drones #3 & #4, and Flying Drones #3 & #4 shut down.
Petar = 4 + 1 (5. Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Infantry #1. CorpSec Infantry #1 HP = 7.
Karina = 8 + 1 (9. Petar's Competitive Edge.). Primal Rage Roll = 2. Chance Failed. Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Infantry #2. CorpSec Infantry #2 HP = 7.
Daniel = 5 + 1 (6, Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 1 DMG to CorpSec Infantry #3. CorpSec Infantry #3 HP = 7.
Jackson = 10. CH Roll = 10. Does 5 DMG (Boom Operator) to Satyr Heavy-Infantry Drone #1. Satyr Heavy-Infantry Drone #1 HP = 3.
Shuren = 6 + 1 (7. Petar's Competitive Edge.) Does 4 DMG (Drav's Armorer, Reroute to Remain, Zaptastic!) to Hound Drone #1. Hound Drone #1 dead.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Unmanned Platform (Outer Interior) - TURN 3 (ENEMY)
CorpSec Infantry #1 = 3. Misses Petar.
CorpSec Infantry #2 = 10. CH Roll = 3. Does 2 - 1 (1, Drav's Armorer.) DMG to Vance. Vance HP = 14.
CorpSec Infantry #3 = 2. Misses Daniel.
CorpSec Infantry #4 = 8. Does 1 DMG to Karina.
CorpSec Sergeant = 7. Does 1 DMG to Petar.
Satyr Heavy-Infantry Drone #1 = 2. Misses Shun.
Satyr Heavy-Infantry Drone #2 = 4. Misses Vance.
Satyr Heavy-Infantry Drone #3 = 3. Misses Shuren.
Spider Drone #1 = 9. Targets Loudmouth. Dodge Roll = 7. Loudmouth takes no damage (DOWN HERE).
Spider Drone #2 = 10. CH Roll = 4. Does 3 DMG to Loudmouth. Loudmouth HP = 12
Flying Drone #1 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Loudmouth. Loudmouth HP = 11.
Flying Drone #2 = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 3 - 1 (2, Drav's Armorer.) DMG to Vance. Vance HP = 12.
Floater Drone #1 = 1. Misses Loudmouth.

---

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - TURN 3
Aesha (Hotshot) = 6 - 1 (5. Hotshot.) Does 4 DMG (Hotshot, Ace of Spades) to Aethon Flyer Drone #5. Aethon Flyer Drone #5 destroyed.
Vixaya = 8, 5. (Rabid Savage) Does 3 DMG (Rabid Savage) to Aethon Flyer Drone #12, 3 DMG (Rabid Savage) to Aethon Flyer Drone #7. Aethon Flyer Drone #12 & #7 destroyed.
Drav = 7. Does 2 DMG (Khergan Pride) to Aethon Flyer Drone #2. Aethon Flyer Drone #2 destroyed.
Albert = 3. Misses Aethon Flyer Drone #6.
Zou = 5 + 1 (6. Aimbot 2.0.) Does 2 DMG (Aimbot 2.0) to Aethon Flyer Drone #8. Aethon Flyer Drone #8 HP = 1.
Olivia = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 3 DMG to Aethon Flyer Drone #10. Aethon Flyer Drone #10 destroyed.

Eta-Tau VII - Outpost Xi-11 - Above Unmanned Platform - TURN 3 (ENEMY)
Aethon Flyer Drone #6 = 4. Does 1 DMG to Aesha. Aesha HP = 11.
Aethon Flyer Drone #8 = 10. CH Roll = 1. Does 2 - 1 (1. Fly or Die.) DMG to the Mordred. Mordred HP = 11.
Aethon Flyer Drone #9 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Olivia. Olivia HP = 12.
Aethon Flyer Drone #11 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Zou. Zou HP = 8.

------​

Out of the blaring sirens and alarms, the intercom speakers crackled and hissed before a loud feminine voice began to articulate. "Attention: All sub-autonomous units, unregistered malcontents detected within your vicinity. Priority code: Isolate, Prosecute, Pacify, Sterilize." The announcer was monotonous in its sterile delivery, clearly synthesized. Its words were repeated throughout the enormous metallic chambers that made up this side of the station's interior. However, the lingering echo was soon drowned out by the marching of boot stomping of the arriving infantry squad.

Clad in bulky combat armor that looked to double as a heavy hazmat suit, their deep amber visors shimming brightly against the dark, dim interior. Out of their inconsistent sizes and builds, displaying the wide amount of races that have been financially conscripted into the bulk of the Odyssey's corporate military arm, one stood the largest of them and had some additional communication equipment attached next to their striking magenta glass visor that only offered a rough glimpse at the shape of their brutish face. "Malcontents...Insurgents! The crime of violating Phalanx property is worthy of autonomous judgment! Drop your weapons or prepare to receive corporate punishment immediately!" The hunched figure barked in a loud, thundering tone as they drew their weapon while gesturing orders with their three-finger off-hand. The Phalanx squad's tactical gear clanging and inaudible radio chatter soon followed as they quickly scattered about the area.

The group from the Mordred obviously wasn't dropping their weapons, as some moved towards the soldiers. The others hung back, firing off shots at the various targets in the area. Loudmouth darted across the catwalks, swinging his chainsaw at anything he deemed a threat. He carved a gash out of one of the hound drones, tearing through its plating like paper with the modified chainsaw's teeth, before turning the weapon on the floater drone's jets that were keeping it afloat. After slicing through one of the jet's engines, he then swung at a spider drone, slicing off one of its legs. As the hound drone turned about to strike at Loudmouth, it received a shot from Shuren's lighting rifle. The drone promptly exploded after violently shaking from the surge of electricity through its circuits. The other drones that Loudmouth had attacked attempted to defend themselves, with the Spider Drone swinging at him and missing. Another spider drone moved in from nearby, and scored a stab into Loudmouth's armored shell. "You BITCH!" he shouted, before being peppered by pulse-laser fire from a flying drone that swooped in. The Floater drone he had attacked also missed, aim thrown off by its damaged jet engine.

Shun attempted to level the playing field a bit, hacking into several of the drones in the area and shutting them down. The drones collapsed one by one, eliminating half of the smaller threats. Now the group could focus more on the larger ones such as the infantry team that had just entered the area. Vance moved up, using his makeshift shield as cover as he fired off shots at the Sergeant ahead. A few connected, scorching the Sergeant's torso armor, but the Sergeant was aiming for a different target to fire back at. Petar. He fired off several shots from his laser rifle, one or two hitting Petar as Petar opened fire with his shotgun. A pair of shotgun slugs ripped from the weapon, hitting one of the infantry grunts across the catwalks as he darted into cover. Once in cover, the grunt returned fire but missed.

Karina fired off a pair of shots from her rifle, hitting the second of the infantry grunts as he slipped behind a pillar. The grunt peeked out after a moment, and chose to fire upon Vance whom was moving up across the catwalks. A few shots from his laser rifle hit Vance, but thanks to the work that Drav did on his suit, he shrugged them of with ease. A third grunt was spotted and fired upon by Daniel, whom scored a hit. The grunt returned fire, but missed Daniel as he quickly rolled out of the way. The fourth grunt fired on Karina, attempting to seek vengeance for her shooting his comrade. The laser fire hit, forcing Karina to wince a bit as it burned through some of the cloth between her armored plating on her side.

Jackson decided to target the large drones that were following the infantry, taking aim with his grenade launcher and sending a grenade their way. The shot connected, nailing the center drone in the chest and detonating quite violently. It didn't put the Satyr drone down, but it did exceptional damage as the drone was now hobbling about with a large portion of its torso plating damaged. The drones then attempted to fire upon the group, but missed their targets due to shock from Jackson's grenade blast.

"We need to put some pressure on them. Use some of the other catwalks to flank them." said Karina, taking aim and firing off another set of shots at the grunt that had shot her as she walked towards one of the catwalks on the right. Attempting to flank around the side of the Sergeant and one of his men. Meanwhile, Loudmouth continued his work on the drones nearby that weren't put down using Shun's hacking.

---
​

The drones were being eliminated quickly, now that the Mordred and crew could focus on them instead of the interceptors. Vixaya joined the bridge crew and took up the gunner controls, much to Zadra's surprise, and managed to eliminate two drones in one go. "Great shooting! Keep it up!" said Zadra, moving back over to her previous seat at the comms. Zou, outside on the hull, opened fire on a drone as it closed in. He was only able to damage it, however, as it flew by and fired off several shots which damaged the hull of the Mordred. He was then hit by another drone shot, which burned a hole in his armored shoulder joint. Shrugging it off, he continued to fire on the drones moving about.

Aesha and Olivia continued their work in their fighters, firing off bursts from their secondary weapons to destroy the drones and saving their missiles in case another set of interceptors appeared. The drones managed to score their own hits on the fighters, inflicting minor damage. Drav and Albert continued firing on the drones with the Mordred's turrets, Drav scoring several hits and destroying a drone while Albert's shots missed their mark.

 

[K0mori]

March 14th, 2424 - Nagashy - Seloveha

"She's telling the truth," an ayr confirmed in the interrogation room. "She only knows of what she speaks."

Renate looked at her captors tiredly. It was in the small hours of the morning by the time the selovehans had managed to track down an ILA-certified detective who could read minds. "Do you believe me, now?" she asked, testily. They had tried everything, from repetitive questioning, to mind-altering serums injected into her neck, to basic threats of violence and torture, but Renate couldn't offer any more details than she had already given, and there wasn't enough information to even fill out a proper booking form. Renate Veil was a woman from nowhere. She was an upyri cyborg who could not remember anything but a name which may or may not actually belong to her, and scattered events dating no further back than the previous week. She had worked for "the company" which she could not identify, and had been sent to "destroy the Hunter-Killer factory."

She was not aware that she had been anything more than a machine, and then suddenly, she was alive.

"We have nothing else to go on. Their techniques must really be terrible if they managed to brainwash you so successfully," the lead detective admitted. "Still, we can't release you. There's nothing that says this lapse won't wear off. What if your, em, 'programming' takes control again? You killed without hesitation on your way in, and nothing's saying you won't do the same on the way out."

"Then how long will I be here?" Renate asked. "I'm... hungry, I think. They must have handled my food when I returned from missions. I'm certain I've never eaten in the field."

The interrogation team glanced at one another. "We'll get you what you need," the lead detective answered. "As for how long you'll need to stay here, I can't say for sure. When we contacted the ILA about your capture, they reported it to Terika Systems, which wants to conduct a study on your cybernetics. You aren't the only one of your kind, and they're very interested in knowing more about you. In fact, if their drones send back video, then they'll probably recognize you."

"Oh..." Renate replied, looking somewhat lost. "Well, at least you all believe me, now. I didn't mean to do it," she said with misty eyes. "I swear."

Reluctantly, the detective gave her a pat on the shoulder. "We know. It's not fair, but you have to wait."

---

Renate glanced at her teammates in Scalpel Group while they rode in the maintenance area of the train. She had been rather unsuccessful at introducing herself or speaking up when opportunities arose, but now, as they planned for their next moves, she felt inclined to say something. "I agree with Typhon. We need to know what the man looks like. If I can get close, I can use my shield and my body to protect him. There's not a whole lot on me that feels pain," she explained.

---

Vixaya didn't acknowledge Zadra's rallying encouragement. It was as if she was utterly lost in her task as her yellow eyes flew about in their sockets, soaking up every inch of the viewport in search of more targets. Her already unstinting, unfeeling gaze only became more intense and unsettling as she began to bare her fangs. A drop of drool hit the floor between her feet.