Chapter 5 Home is where the Heart is (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Honestly the technology never stopped being amazing, who knows what level of magic they'd need to make something this huge disappear from sight! But here it was, the giant golem would suddenly seemed to bend the very light around it, before disappearing from view! Still there was little time to enjoy it as a red square popped up... an enemy.

10 seconds? Should be enough "Big, mean and ugly up ahead! Let's strike while he can't see us! Which weapon, Janet?" why Janets breath seemed to still and disappear was still unknown to Rikke, but they needed to act! If the shock had not disappeared the rogue would pick the rifle weapon for an opening assault on the beast!

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

More heavy breathing echoed in Rikke's ear. The timer ticked down once more 5 seconds left. Janet had froze acting quickly Rikke popped up the auto cannon. The massive rifle sitting easily in the golums hands. It was ready to fire just as the shimmering barrier around Widow faded away causing the large brute to look right at the widow before starting to charge.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Well the rogue was certainly not going to wait! Heck they couldn't wait! "Janet!" Rikke called out, before taking the shoot if she could by herself! Hopefully the lumbering beast wasn't particulary agile!

"Janet! I could really use some help right now!" more than likely a single burst was far from enough!

Spoiler

Shoot!

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke (Ubberific)
Status
Rikke: Hp: 57/62, Pp: 45/45, Ep: 45/45, Status = Fine
Widow (mech) 62/100 hp

Rolls

Spoiler

Rikke fires! 77 vs 40 HIT! 90 Damage (Using spirit warrior power energy blast X 15)
Battle orge attacks auto hit non moving target 38 damage (-20 armor)
Rikke and Janet take secondary damage of 5

Rikke let off her shot her aim perfect. The energy shot from the rifle easily cutting threw the demons darksteel armor. Except it was a rally big demon and it was still coming. Rikke saw the giant warhammer rise up its dark steel glinting in the faint light. "JANET!" Seemingly snapping out of it Janet began to move but it was a little to late as the hammer rained down jerking the rogue around in the cockpit. Twice she felt her head hit against her seat and was thankful she had a helmet on. Above her Janet swore as Widow finally began to move. A message flashed up on Rikkes screen "Left missile bay damaged jettisoning for safety." Rikke felt a thump as she saw the mangled pod fall to the ground as she was up dated informing her she had only 5 anti tank weapons left.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke felt herself rattled in the golem, but thankfully the lights were still on! "Janet give me full battle control, we're not fighting at range!" the rogue wouldn't lock away weapon control if Janet objected ofcourse... though if she got the golems control in hand, perhaps they could avoid the other golems fate!

Janet gives Rikke the full controls:

Spoiler

This time the mech felt rushed as suddenly Rikke felt herself quite literally dropped into the battlefield! "Sword!" the rogue slid along the ground as she got into a combat stance the silver blade in-hand... even if the mech screeches like mad, that hammer would much more than just strain it! The golem mirroring her movements quite suddenly the huge machine seemed to gain quite the boost in it's evasion and offensive capabilities, if only just due to it's pilots abilities! "Come on, Ugly!"

Spoiler

Rikke gains passive bonuses: +24 dodge; +14 damage; +12 attack rolls
Rikke goes into a Battle Dance! [+12 to attack/dodge; -4 pure damage done to the rogue]

LIGHTNING STRIKES!

If Janets refuses to give over full control

Spoiler

"Fine! Then just keep that hammer off us!" the rogue quickly looked over her weapon selection "Whats effective against this thing?!" she'd either use whatever Janet suggested or if not given enough time let loose another quick burst from the auto-cannon!

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke (Ubberific)
Status
Rikke: Hp: 57/62, Pp: 45/45, Ep: 45/45, Status = Fine
Widow (mech) 58/100 hp


Rolls

Spoiler

Rikke attacks lighting strikes 62,58,72 all hit a grand total of 136 damage after armor
brute dies

"Damn it Rikke I got blood in my eyes I can't see take over." Just like that Rikke was in control of the mech. Dropping the auto cannon Rikke drew her blade assuming an all to familiar stance. Dashing forward Rikke slashed out with the blade in rapid succession. Her first strike hit the monsters legs sending him down, the second loped off his arm causing the brute to drop the massive weapon. Her third went straight threw his chest ending the creature. Standing there as the beast fell to the ground Rikke got a glimpse of the battlefield all around her lay the skeletal remains of demon and human alike. She hadn't seen it yet due to her position before but now that had full view and control she could tell where and what she was standing on.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

With Janets injury there were no objections to the rogue taking control! Rikke would quickly take up her stance, with how the machine worked it felt more like she was battling the creature rather than the machine was responding to controls.

They couldn’t take another hit like the last one! Rikke would absolutely push the absolutely towering golem to it’s limits as it dashed forward, moving far quicker than a construct of this size should be able to!
As she closed in the brute reved up it’s attack Rikke not only easily read the attack, but already saw how to end the giants beasts existence! The machine churned out as Rikke almost heard the energy soar to it’s limbs! Moments before a barrage of Lightning fast attacks struck the beast!

With the final strike plunged through the creatures chest, Rikke would spin and tear the blade out, making the beast fal lifeless behind her. Rikke steadied her breath briefly, though she tried to remain calm on the outside, inside she was absolutely alight from the rush! It was one thing fighting beasts of her own size, it was another fighting mountain sized beasts inside a golem of similar size!

“Yahoo~! Janet did you see?!” Rikke laughted out merrily as she quickly looked around for any other threats… while there were no red cubes, there was red text… the "A.I." voice would cry out “Warning, Heat levels at critical.” A bright ‘Overheat’ alarm continued to beep briefly, before calming down. The whole golemn itself briefly smoking, before it returned to normal.

Rikke saw all the sights, it was hard to ignore, but right now they needed to investigate the other golem! One of the few things that didn’t seem to be from whatever calamity happened here from ages ago.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

As the overheat alarm blared out Rikke felt the golum kneel as the AI announced an emergency shutdown. Once more Rikke saw her life support timer pop up at 20 minutes. Above her she could hear Janet breathing deeply and swearing slightly. Looking up and back Rikke saw a small droplet of blood fall from Janet's station. "Damn it where is that first aid kit." Given her position she could only see the foot of her friend and it too was covered in small droplets of blood. If Rikke asked how bad it was Janet would tell her the straight up truth. "That spy must have cut the safety straps in Widow they snapped as soon as we were hit. Thankfully I had my helmet on. Though its gonna have to be replaced the view screen is shattered. I can still fly but weapons will be all yours now.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"I'm not talking about the golem..." Rikke frowned trying to catch view of her friends, thankfully the rogue knew that around the eye, while it bled badly the injury itself could potentially be neglible.

The rogue glanced to the timer and then to their current situation "I... may have overdone it a bit." she'd smile sheepishly to herself. Honestly unless they went out Rikke would just have wait until the golem was working again...

"So... it's not poisonous outside is it?" honestly the area looked like something from the most horrible tales imagineable, below the wind tattered sands all too clear remains of death and destruction scattered the landscape. The bleached bones and haunting ruins of a past clearly peaceful little town... "I'm not sure I want to step out there..." though somehow the rogue suspected they arrived at this precise location for a reason.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Janet stopped her cursing a moment, no doubt she was taking the view in herself. "The air is breathable but harsh. If you go out there I would leave your helmet on." There was another long pause. "I should have paid better attention to our heading. This is not how I wanted to revisit the last stand of the 1st Southern Crolian army. This is where everything went wrong." A moment later things began to activate in the cockpit again with lights turning on and systems booting.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Well that sounded... incredibly unplesant "Y-yeah... I'll sit this walk out." the rogue gave a faint smile and looked to the horrid carnage below, listening to Janet speak "Last stand?" she'd raise an eyebrow "Could you tell me more? What was the battle... how'd it end like... this?"

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

As things started working again Janet spoke of it. "It was during the second phase of the demon invasion. For the most part our army was able to keep the demons at bay easy enough, but something changed. I don't know where they came from but the demon forces quadrupled overnight. Command was in panic. No matter the tactic or firepower brought in the demon forces where like a ravenous beast. Each attack gobbling up a part of the army or whole towns. The decision was made to evacuate the whole area. Thankfully we managed to hold on this ridge line here and force the demons back so the civilians could escape. For awhile we thought we could make our stand here and push them back but thats when hundreds of those big brutes showed up. Even the firepower of my Lance and the tanks could bring them all down and we got stuck in a fighting retreat. We lost a lot of good friends that day." Janet stopped for a moment as the widow began to move again taking flight leaving the bones of the dead behind. "They pushed us all the way to the nest before we managed to deplete their numbers that they had to retreat. Needless to say on that day the 1st army ceased to be."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Janet fought in this battle "But... I thought this was an ancient battle." the rogue looked below "Has there been no agreement to allow the recovery of the dead?" honestly Rikke was used that such sights were usually only marks of battles long since past... to think all of this happened fairly recently, no doubt the demonic influence greatly increased the areas decay.

"Speaking of those brutes... what the heck are they? I've never seen them this big." Rikke continued the chatter "We took one of them down in the tank we salvaged, the bastards don't even leave a body behind just a small crystal." the event still lingered in the rogues mind, the brute they slew on the day of the assault hadn't disappear "Infact..." if she could Rikke would turn around to check the corpse she just left, be it with Janets assistance or not.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Looking as they moved on Rikke indeed saw the creature devolve into nothingness. "Yeah they do that Im not sure why. Its like they rapidly decay into dust. Its been well documented among the troops. As for our dead well... remember what I said about the area sucking your energy away. No one can stay long enough to perform proper rites not to mention this is hostile territory any recovery would have to be guarded from attack. Which means exposing more people to the waste sickness." Fielding the question before Rikke asked it Janet spoke again. "We call the energy drain Waste Sickness. Its the only thing that seems to fit. Thankfully its fully recoverable after a few days. Speaking of which if we linger much longer we are going to start feeling it ourselves." Kicking into overdrive Widow suddenly picked up speed.

It wasn't long before the land became green again and a voice echoed over the com. "Southern Crolian mech unit please identify yourself." Rikke head a switch flip. "This is Captain Janet Rain. Flightplan 23004 on a recovery mission." There was a pause and the voice spoke again. "Affirmative captain please deactivate weapon systems and wait for an escort." "Roger control." Janet flipped a switch before pressing another button which alerted Rikke to her weapons systems being shut down. "Assholes. Even fighting and bleeding together they still don't trust us."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Waste sickness.... a weakness that slowly ramps up, but is quickly recovered from. From her time with the succubi, the rogue couldn't help, but draw some relations, but it was probably nothing "So it was used as a weapon?" the rogue would inquire more about the phenomena before them as they flew.

"By the way... what was that back then?" the rogue looked to Janet, the shock had passed thus the girl was free to ask "What made you freeze up, Jan?" no doubt it was either the tanks or the golem, though the rogue couldn't be sure... "Who was this 'Guardian'?"

As Janet explained... or refused to talk about it, a whole new voice suddenly appeared?! Janet would take the lead in communicating with this new entinty as Rikke would only listen and take notes "Who's that?" she'd quickly add after the answer "Think they'll be trouble?" after the last checkpoint incident, the rogue couldn't help, but feel a bit vary of these 'border guards'....

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"I don't think its used as such intentionally just has a side effect that happens to hurt us. Not that the demons mind." The flew a moment longer before Rikke asked the question that was heavy on her mind. "Guardian was the lance leader. I was her second in command. She was my best friend. Seeing her resting place like that just.. brought back memories." Though after that admission Janet kept quiet no doubt her emotions riding high. Still after awhile the new voice spoke. "Don't worry Rikke that's just Bardian flight control they are expecting us. Ahh there they are look to your right." Peering over Rikke saw a Vital though this one was far more

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meant for fighting. "Control Im going to set myself on auto pilot while I tend to an injury. I had a scuffle in the waste." Roger Captain. We will alert you if you need to change course."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

The rogue looked to the Armored Vitals curiously "So.. they're going to take us where we need to go?" honestly Rikke had no love for how unneccesarily strict the area was... then again she had no reference why things were as they were right now "We can fight and we can travel, why the escort?" somehow it didn't feel like it was for the duos safety... still Rikke wasn't going to start a conflict, though she would remember keep the disappearance device in mind, just in case.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"They are worried that we might be a scout for a larger invasion force. But given that we are allies at lest on paper against the demons they have to let us in. Doesn't mean the don't do their damnedest to make it annoying as hell for us." A moment later another vital joined on the left. "Mech Unit be advised that local police are engaged in a shoot out. Please avoid Maybeck and adjust course to 2.4.4.3." Janet gave a quick affirmative before making the course change, and after awhile the duo landed in a small field. Looking about Rikke saw one armored car pull up and discourge several soldiers. They seemed relaxed anyway clearly joking some even pointing up to the impressive machine. "Oh great gawkers." Janet sighed as she got the widow into a resting position. A moment later systems began to power down as Janet explained the rest of the way would be on foot as they where approaching an ancient shrine and landing Widow there might cause damage. Soon enough the command pod opened up blinding Rikke with real sunlight for a moment before her eyes adjusted. As before several soldiers stared at the mech and upon spying Janet and Rikke gave out several cat calls. Janet took it in stride and moved to speak with a more reserved man while Rikke got down.

Off in the distance a wooded area could be seen with a

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over a path that headed in. Rikke could move up to hear what Janet was talking about or take in more of the area. The soldiers despite their cat calls looked all very young and raw unlike the wargs she had spent the better part of a week with.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

So gawkers came in two forms? Rikke snickered at the thought, it wasn't too surprising that the men cheered at these huge constructs... heck in her time quite a few were made for much more basic weapons "Alright, got it." she'd confirm Janets short briefing and soon enough the mech stopped moving along exit!

As the fresh air rushed in, instantly the scent in the air hinted that they were hardly in Crolia anymore. From the shifted structures, to very subtle changes in the flora this definedly felt like a foreign land... until the catcalls made it clear people were not exactly all that different.

While Janet kept her composure and perhaps lightly growled, Rikke was... a bit more extravagant. The rogue looked to the cheers and flicked her hair playfully, giving the boys a playful wink. Between the two while Janet was a sight onto her own, Rikke seemed more along the lines of 'pilots' only appearing in the more perverse fantasies! From her fairly generous cups, to her luscious long legs and even to her clearly far more freespirited attitude, no doubt the girl drew quite the number of looks.

Still the rogue wasn't looking to flirt or toy with the young soldiers, even if she did enjoy teasing their gazes a little bit. Whatever the case Rikke would either go inspect the archway if it was nearby or stick close to Janet, giving priority to the sights rather than listening in to what was likely official speech.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Janet eyed Rikke as she moved to the archway but didn't say anything letting the rogue take a look. It seemed rather old the wood old but well taken care of. It was a deep burgundy in color. Looking down the path it straddle Rikke saw it lead deep into the woods where large groomed apple trees grew. The bright red fruit glinting in the distance. A moment later Janet rejoined her. "This doesn't look so bad." Looking it over Janet adjusted her weapon belt. "The officer of those yahoos over there told me that the shrine is off limits to casual visits. I guess its caretakers are very very strict. It wasn't easy to convince them to even allow us." Looking at the shrine Janet began to move forward her own body while not as ... developed as Rikkes still getting cat calls from the soldiers. Following close by Rikke saw Janet keeping an eye to the sides of the path. Was she looking for danger or just curious. Rikke had to admit the air did feel charged with a certain energy that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.