Flying the Coop (Sess)

Hitura Rael

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#21
"The Genion is our priority. No mention was made of your survival, traitor."
"Which one? The real one? Or the half assembled mockery you're about to miss?" James' hands lifted off the controls ever so slightly before tensing. Gripping the controls hard would not be good at the moment...He had to control his anger, not charge in and ram Genion's fist into the mouthy little cockwank's face...

The Genion's proximity alarm chirped, prompting James to put his hands on the controls again. The Azure machine flinched back from the beam that engulfed the knights. "Good, disgraceful cockwaffles." There was no remorse for their loss.

"Following his advice might boost your life expectancy. But only if you run."
Of course, the remaining knights didn't run. They never did. Vengance was always the first thing in their mind and pursued wrecklessly. He let them go to find the hidden 'angel' in the dark. Their voice was familiar... but from where? Another proximity alarm broke him from his pondering. The Genion sprinted away from the hangar before it went up in flames. He frowned at the trio of Gespenst and readied for combat. But... It wouldnt do to fight if it was unnecessary.

"Not here to fight you or quell whatever you're doing. I'm escorting a Terran vessel to safety. Stand down," He did not dare risk looking away from his enemies. "Merida, can you find if the ship made it out?"

The woman jumped at the sound of her name and stared up at James for a moment, her brain slowly catching up with reality. The dazed look on her face resolved into unease and fear, then masked by resolve as she searched through the monitors.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#22
Group one provoked and crippled. Moving on to group two.

Liana allowed herself a satisfied smile as the Lunarian forces attacks bounced off her barrier. She turned her attention to the second group of hostiles, and her smile immediately vanished. Terra Sentinel. Significantly higher priority than the lunatics from the moon. Angering the Lunarians was more than enough, and depending on their actions might even be allowed to live. But the Gespensts needed to die.


Thrusters roared as the Aion burst out from the asteroids it had been hidden in, launching itself at the Lyunpees - and directly between them, more than fast enough to smash through anything stupid enough to stand in its way. The massive machine twisted mid-flight, its chest opening up to unleash a barrage of missiles onto the Gespensts. She kept on moving, twisting her approach so she was charging behind the cloud of missiles. A technique developed after her last squabble in a colony, a desperate move which had proved more effective than she'd have believed.

"Don't bother. They're willing to kill anyone who sees them. Just start shooting. And don't stop until they're dead."
 

GEAR

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#23
Liana's surprise charge roughly bulldozed the two remaining Lympees aside, sending the mass-produced machines sprawling - but they weren't on the backfoot for long. Only a moment longer, and they were in hot pursuit, Orgon Guns flaring rounds into her exposed back. What kind of fool, they thought, would ever turn his back on a Knight of the Moon?

The Gespensts, for their part, were seemingly more prepared than the Knights for the onslaught of Shadow Mirror's specialty machine. As her missile swarm shot out at them, they reacted as one - all three opening fire with their firearms, shotgun blasts and machinegun rounds clearing the swarm with almost mechanical precision.

However, her charging immediately behinfd the swarm caught them unawares, one machine being caught by her rough tackle - but within her cockpit, a proximity alarm would have sounded as the black machine found a handhold, closing its arm around her machine's exterior armor plates. The trio of plasma stakes on its left arm crackled to life as its visor glowed.

"Jet Magnum."

The Mk-IIM slammed its fist home into the chest of the Aion, aiming to completely discharge the plasma-bucklers and destroy its assailant in a seemingly suicidal strike - or, perhaps they were simply past caring about their own survival.

Turning as one, the remaining two machines fell upon her as well, opening up with their handheld M90 Assault Machineguns, seeking to drown the Shadow Mirror operative in bullets.

Meanwhile, near James the transport vessel was emerging from the hangar - just partially behind the Genion. Flanking it were a pair of off-white Axios, not much - but better than nothing, at least. The Genion's radio crackled to life, as the supervisor he had previously spoken to's voice came through the void.

"James, we're moving out. If you can hold out for three minutes, we should be clear."
Perhaps, however, it was easier said than done.

In the distance, there were more emerald gleams on the horizon - and no mere Lympees were these. It was time for the Knight Police to bring out the big guns.

Each of the nine Knight Machines that had materialized carried on its shoulder a cannon of truly gargantuan size - one that matched even the Terran Barrrelion, yet no Lunarian scientist would ever admit to taking inspiration from them (oh heavens no!). The lead machine surveyed the chaos before it... And raised a hand.

"There's a civilian ship, Sire."
"It's Terran in origin. Blow it apart!"

Almost as one, the Dona Lympees arms snapped into their fearsome barrels, transforming each machine into a fearsome artillery platform. Glowing lights filled their Orgone Cannons barrels, preparing to rain absolute destruction on both James and the DEI vessel-

"S-Sire!"

The last second warning almost went unheeded, as the lead machine glanced up - only a for a bolt of what appeared to almost be lightning ripped through its body, tearing it - and four of its fellows - to shreds, causing the remaining machines to scatter in disarray.

"...Pretty sure I told you..."

Appearing just on the edge of the Genion's sensors, a familiar form loomed - both figuratively and literally, over all present. The Geminia lowered its palms, energy still streaming from its fingertips, and affixed its younger twin with a fiery neon stare.



Within the cockpit, the pilot sighed, and opened his eyes. Seems he'd been foolish to think he could rid himself of the young man with that performance alone.



"...to stay put, didn't I James?" Said Gerart Enfield.
 

Hitura Rael

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#24
"Don't bother. They're willing to kill anyone who sees them. Just start shooting. And don't stop until they're dead."
"I figured, but it's only polite to give them a chance to not kick hornets nests." No mercy then, The Terrans were all gonna die, either from the mystery machine or by the Genion, and they better pray that the familiar sounding woman got to them first.

"James, we're moving out. If you can hold out for three minutes, we should be clear."
James watched the machine move in to tangle with the Terrans, the Genion making to move in and lend aid... But he had other priorities at the moment and it could wait until the ship was cleared.

"Acknowledged. If you see the opportunity to bolt take it." The Genion reached for it's weaponry. With swift, practiced motions, the remotes were assembled and released to flank the Genion at either shoulder. James frowned at the distant glimmers. "Shit..." he muttered under his breath. His luck was terrible today. He didn't feel any need to move to defend the ship though. If it was blown up... that mockery went with it and they could escape on their own. The scientists had poor judgement. He was almost disapointed when something ripped through the knights ranks and halted the ship from being blasted to bits.

"...Pretty sure I told you..." "...to stay put, didn't I James?" Said Gerart Enfield.
James shifted his attention to the ships savior and almost cursed again. He did not need another engagement with Einfield right now. Or ever in his opinion... But... it was an opportunity... He shifted his comms to focus on the Geminia.

"Could we talk about my not staying put once we're clear? I'm Escorting that ship out of the war zone. It has a half assembled Genion made of spare parts on it. We... really need to talk. Not fight- Talk." He wasn't about to admit he was going to blow that mockery up himself. Not until he knew where Gerart stood on that thing. The Genion charged forward to engage the knights with Gerart.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#25
Barrier at Critical. Shutting down in five...
Liana flinched at the sight of her own machine smashing through the Lunarian mechs like toys, the various altrets about additional forces giving her pause. So much for causing a little trouble and getting out - this was becoming a full-on warzone. Thinking about things in terms of units was becoming counterproductive. Every force in play had to be disabled - but the problem needed to be broken down. Deep breaths. Even the violence outside became oddly silent to her, every sound fading away except the relaxing thump of the repeated impacts against her armor. But soon even those slowed, and after a second of contemplation her eyes snapped open with a new purpose.

Executing defeat in detail. Need to think faster.



Scenario one:

Let the detonation consume the Gespenst - rely on barrier to defend rear armor while crushing Terra Sentinel. Pile bunker on unit one, beam on tw-

No.. that won't work. Too much damage sustained from explosion. Barrier will be crippled. Death certain. Different approach required.

Scenario two:

Pre-empt the Gespenst by firing missiles early. Kill all three, then switch focus to the Lunarian-

Too big. Missiles are only guaranteed a single kill. And even if it could, too much time has passed. Need to combine solutions. Now.

Scenario three:

Launch missiles. Kill first. Use momentum to sandwich Gespensts two and three before exploiting-

No more time to think. Executing.



Her Aion's torso exploded outwards as the Jet Magnum pierced into it, the second rack of missiles launching point blank even as the plasma stakes caused them to detonate. While the chain reaction would tear a huge hole in her machine's chest, the TS machine would be lucky to get away with only losing the arm. Not many machines could survive a rack of missiles going off in their face, but the area around the racks had been hardened specifically to defend against something cooking off the ammunition.

"Fatal mistake."

One down, two to go. Gespensts two and three would each see one of the Aion's hands extend towards them, beam guns firing for suppression as she turned the super robot towards the one on the right. No chance of scoring a kill, but... that wasn't the point. She wanted to distract them, make them spend those vital seconds defending while she got behind them. And more importantly, got them pincered between her and the Lunarian police force. One last gesture opened a global communication line, aimed at both 'unknown' units and the supporting Axios.

"Our chances of survival increase if you start eliminating the enemy gifted. Get to work."

Her tone was clipped, cool and analytical with a definite hint of malice. She'd spoken without thinking, ironically enough - used the term from her world rather than theirs. But it didn't matter. They'd understand.
 

GEAR

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#26
"A second Genion?"

Enfield's avarice seemed to fade somewhat, the surprise seeping into his voice in response to James inquiry - but he quickly shook it off. Whatever Selene was planning, whatever the young man thought of him... They'd settle accounts when the moment was right. Still... A part of him was glad to see him alive, despite his demeanor.

"...You're right, Sir Steelheart. Words can wait."

The remaining five Dona Lympees had now reformed, gawking at the behemoth and the cerulean machine bearing down on them.

"G-Geminia?! The Knight of Knights is here?!"

"That's right." Said Gerart, the Geminia's right hand glowing bright as it pulled the Broken Lightwave Blade, Formenia from its palm. The titan brandished the weapon at the Knights, tip gleaming with the keen edge of Dimensional Force.

"Who among you is brave enough to strike me down?"

"F-fire! FIRE!"

Three of the colosal arm cannons opened fire on the Geminia as Enfield joined James' charge, with another two targeting the Genion itself. Nothing his D-Field couldn't handle - but the young man would be in for a rough ride if either artillery-grade round connected.

Meanwhile, the Gespenst that had struck the Aion was enveloped in the ensuing blast as its missiles cooked off. It was questionable whether the operative knew - less so cared whether he lived or died, as the machine was practically motionless as it was swallowed by explosions, its own reactor going critical and detonating with all the force of a bomb in Liana's vicinity.

The remaining two paused momentarily at her communication, even as the scattered chunks of their comrade flew about them... but only then for an instant. Both raised their arms reflexively as her beam guns opened up, tearing gashes in both of their frames - yet neither so much as budged an inch backward, waiting out the torrent of fire in complete, stoic silence. Her communication would display as received... Yet, eerily, there seemed to be no response.

Witnesses had to be eliminated. The Lunarian prototype could wait. Sparks flared from both units shoulders as they paused to reload their weapons, several small plate-like shapes being dispensed into the surroundings. The woman's wit had only won her the most momentary reprieve.

"Slash Rippers."

Six total, the bladed disks hurtled forward, bladed arms emerging from their sides to whirr to life, each intended to shear the tenacious Shadow Mirror Agent's machine limb from limb.
 

Hitura Rael

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#27
"Yeah. You're not with the Terran eggheads tryin to swipe the spare then?" James asked Einfield alone, ignoring most of the other communications. The woman though, said something that struck at some foggy memory. It was something she said... gifted?

James glanced back over to the other woman's struggle. "Damnit..." He muttered, "Can you handle those back there for a minute while I bail her ass out?"

James didn't wait for Einfield to respond. The enemy would wait for no one and he did owe the woman one. The Genion accelarated backward, twisting to both dodge the artillery rounds and turn and face the black machines bearing down on Liana. He'd take a few hits if he had to, the D-Field could handle it. The remotes charged ahead of him, announcing the Genion's approach in a rain of emerald plasma firing upon the disk shapes.

He couldn't afford to leave the knights at his back for long. He pushed the Genion as fast as she could, using the momentum to deliver a painful blow to the back of the first Gespenst in the back, following through with the strike to keep going forward until the momentum could be shifted to turn around again and charge back to the knights.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#28
Attack drones. Remote-controlled suicide bombs with blades tough enough to rip through her armor. No AI... that ruined any real chance of predicting their movements. All this, and her machine was already heavily damaged from the suicide run from the first Terra Sentinel target.

Not a good situation to be in.

Note to self - upgrade firepower. Missiles and beams aren't cutting it in direct combat.

Liana's barrier was first to go - the bubble of green energy winking out for good with a quiet whine before the Slash Rippers could even get in range. But this was a deliberate shutdown. She was going to need every bit of energy she could get, and a glance was enough to tell her that those remotes were built to rip through barriers. Every weapon had a weakness, though.

This one just happened to be the Pilot.. Three drones per Gespenst, but if the controller went down they were just sharp chunks of metal. She'd need to take out one while evading the othe-

"Can you handle those back there for a minute while I bail her ass out?"
Oh. Plans thoroughly destroyed by the Genion's arrival, Liana took a second to refocus before driving her engines to the max - aiming for the other Gespenst with one arm outstretched and the other covering her cockpit. The attacking arm started twitching as the Aion barged directly through the remaining Slash Rippers, micro-adjustments being made on the fly as mind and machine calculated the optimal strike point.


Cockpit. South five degrees to eliminate computers. West three to ensure pilot damage. Adjust for possible damage from enemy drones-

Too late. Impacting.

What appeared to be a punch would shift into a real attack an inch away from the Gespenst, twin pile bunkers spearing out of the Aion's arm and hopefully into the cockpit of the unfortunate Terra Sentinel pilot. One was aimed for the human inside, but the other spike was angled towards the control system - hopefully at least ruining the machine if not killing the pilot outright.
 

GEAR

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#29
Perhaps it was the acceleration that caught it off guard - but one of the dark Terra Sentinel machines hesitated just long enough for Liana to close the gap. The Pile bunkers slammed out - and violently hit home in a shower of sparks, sending a spray of blood across the Aion's arm as the Gespenst seizured in its grip - before finally going limp.

Only one machine remained, now.

Yet it had paused in its assault. Was it... Fear, perhaps? Or something else?

"...Gkktzzk.."

https://soundcloud.com/tistory%2F06-laplace
The Gespenst's black head twitched unnaturally, its radio emission suddenly flaring a burst of static - before a new, different voice took hold. One that would not be known to the world until much, later.

"[OVERRIDE ACTIVE: RELEASING LIMITERS.]"

The designation of the machine in her system flickered as its IFF signal was manually reconfigured - or it seemed, activated some form of hidden program, the reactor output of the machine spiking suddenly. The resulting code was old - ancient, even, dating back to the earliest days of the Directory in Shadow Mirror's databases, but easily identifiable:
HYPER-ONE


The rifle was discarded, and a beam sword drawn from the machine's left arm as it accelerated towards the Aion, cycloptic eye glowing like a minature sun.




As James darted away, there was a sudden... prickling at the back of his neck, an inexplicable pull at his psychic senses. As he passed the transport with its three Axios, he would have seen, looming in the rear camera, the form of the Geminia. Had Enfield possibly finished that quickly? He was saying something, loudly, as the third Axio drew close-

...

"DIE, AMBRIEL!"
"JAMES-!"
transparent-blood-splatter-23.png
Two voices shouted at him simultaneously.

A spray of crimson in the void, a flash of emerald light, little more than a split second. Not even a fraction of a lifetime, yet in that space.

Everything had changed.

The Geminia drifted away from him now, those precious droplets of life now peeling forth from the wound across its cockpit where it had moved to protect him.

"Nrghh... GAAAAGHHH!"

The assailant rasped and spit, as the "Axio" turned to regard the Genion, grasping its own gaping wound... Yet the pain in his voice quickly turned to grudging admiration as the mirage about his machine began to fade.

"As expected... Of the Knight of Knights!' He spat, already feeling the seared flesh in his stomach mending. Here, he had thought that Enfield would sit back and let Steelheart die, but... no, he had thrown himself in the way. Well, that suited him just fine - after all, that was who he was after. Taking out the younger thorn in his side was just a bonus.

And what a bonus it was going to be.

At last, at last! THE TIME HAD COME AT LAST! Yes, he would let them see it, his "self", in all its glory, as he pried the Sphere from Enfield's cold, dead hands!

It was... large. Larger than the Genion, albeit not by much - it couldn't have been over thirty meters tall, yet the dark, angular wings that erupted from its shoulders, the smooth contours, the sleek, avian features that put one in the mind of a bird of prey- This was no Lunarian machine, no. This was... something else, entirely.

1594820423822.png

Ze'ev laughed hysterically within the cockpit as the Shurouga drew itself up to its full height, spreading its arms wide, as if to welcome an old friend.

"I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU, JAMES STEELHEART!"​
 

Hitura Rael

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#30

James shivered at the hairs raising on the back of his neck. The genion swung around to face it's rear, careful firing of thrusters and boosters to redirect the momentum, expecting to have to clash with the Geminia. In one split second everything was painfully clear. He had let his guard down. Enfield took the hit to protect him, and one cold, cruel, malicious thought devoid of the warmth of life, frosted at the edges with the cold of the grave echoed through his mind. One familiar yet distantly not... A tingle of a memory of something twisted and dangerous...

"Kill that black bastard."

He would not let that mech shift. He would not let it intimidate him. Only one thing kept him grounded to reality, from losing himself to the darkness that ate away at his very soul. Protect Enfield. The Genion charged forth as the machine drew itself up. Mechanisms slid and locked into place, the GAI mode propelling the Genion forward faster. James put everything into speed, the machines fist pulled back. Within seconds, the Genion was in Ze'ev's face and then, if he wasn't quick enough, her fist would be in his cockpit.
 

GEAR

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#31
"Do you remember me? JAMES STEELHEART!?"

The Genoon seemed to almost shift in mid swing as it burst towards Ze'ev. He knew what the future held, the Sphere of the Dreaming Twin Fishes guiding his mind relentlessly towards his "dream". Yes, so long as he did not lose sight of that, there was no possible way he could lose! He almost laughed as the Shurouga swung its head to the side, body following after i-

WHAM

Then, his world was spinning as the Dimensional Force generated by the GAI's outstretched fist ripped at the Shurouga's frame, compacting its face into little more than slim, tattered shreds of its former self, his machine's entire left arm shorn away with it in one blow. He felt something in his breast then - was it that emotion called "fear"? No, of course not - the Twin Fishes had shown him the outcome of this encounter! He could not be afraid, he could not lose! He could not fail!

One human's will could not be enough to conquer "fate"!

"Do you remember that Hell-kissed plane we called home?" He shrieked back at James, already sensing time beginning to unwind, as the damage to the Shurouga began to discomport itself as it danced back like a mad crow, desperately trying to put some distance between itself and the murderous blue ogre.

"If you do, you'll lay your life down now, Sun-Eater! FLY, FAMILIARS!"

From the Shurouga's battered shoulders screamed the Tragic Genocider - six phantasmal crows, wreathed in destructive energy, that lanced out towards the Genion - ripping, shearing, tearing at its face, its chest, its exposed parts, trying to slow the inevitable closing of the ranks in a flurry of claws, beaks, and wings that fought to keep James from his foe at any cost.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#32
"If the gamekeeper has to come out personally for one wolf..."

That callsign. The significance of the history was lost on Liana, but that didn't mean the name slipped by her. Hyperion. Obviously not in the flesh, but having him appear in spirit was dangerous enough. Survival was no longer guaranteed, but even if she fell here drawing him out was a victory. Something for her colleagues to pore over, dissecting every aspect of his fighting style in the aftermath of this duel.
>Combat data backup complete - exporting to black box now.
>WARNING - T-Link Barrier system has been damaged. Further usage may render system inoperable. Do you wish to reactivate the barrier?
>[Y/N]
> Y
The Aion's barrier shimmered to life once more, but what was once a pure sphere of light now flickered - revealing split-second gaps as it struggled to maintain output. Her focus was perfect, but the machine was not. Prolonged combat would be a mistake - she had to end this before it could properly begin. So the Beta remained still, leaving itself blatantly open to any sort of attack.

"Maybe he needs some better attack dogs."

She'd move as soon as the Gespenst came within range, re-using the pile bunker from before for a cheap shot on the arm holding the plasma stake. Regarldess of whether it succeeded or failed the immediate move afterwards would be to jet backwards, building some more space - and buying time to start to understand how her enemy fought.
 

Hitura Rael

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#33
b1 copy.jpg

The crunch beneath Genion's fist didn't seem quite as satisfying as it had in previous fights. No triumphant thrill, no sense of accomplishment and wonder at hitting the foe. No sense of relief. All James felt was... empty. Perhaps a light brush of disappointment crossed his mind that he had missed the target. This would not do. Not. At. All.

b2.jpg

A momentary distraction from his disappointment gave Ze'ev the window he needed to fly, else the assault would have continued. A disturbed, muffled, and almost clear memory flashing through James' mind.

A sense of dread and finality; compounded by anger, sorrow, and lost hope, yet hope was all he had left, born by the shoulders of a little girl. The face filled his mind, he had a sense of knowing she was older than the face, yet all he could think of was the little red headed child he had raised. His little princess. A last tranquil morning interrupted by a shadowed figure and a damaged, twisted, blackened abomination that goaded the specter on before James and the Genion engaged with the darkness...

James shook his head and cleared his mind. Whatever that was, it was nothing to do with him. The memories of a dead man or a fever dream. His focus redoubled on the headless monster before him. Red crept into his vision, blurring the edges. Like being in a blood stained tunnel. There was only one goal here, one thing to do. Destroy him.

b3-5.jpg

The Genion charged again, barreling straight for the Shurouga. For the most part, the familiars went ignored, an annoying bird to be brushed aside by speed and velocity. The ones that did get a good swat were any that went near the face or cockpit. He was grudgingly obligated to protect those. The face he could understand, he needed those cameras. But why did he need to protect the cockpit?

A small voice somewhere distant cried out, begging and pleading. Why? For what? How annoying. He ignored it. He only had one purpose. Destroy that man. But the distance was irritating. Fast as Genion was it was not fast enough. He needed to strike. The only satisfaction he'd ever know was when this man's blood stained his hands.

A wave of blood red energy crawled toward him, a gesture from Genion discharging emerald energy, colors shifting to purple and then blue... And then...

The Genion GAI's hand stretched forward,thumb and middle finger pressed together. The intent was there, in James mind. His focus was soley on the the annoying insect before him. The tension hung around him in the air as his target drew closer with the Genion's speed. The hum of energy around him filled him. He could feel it gather... and then... Void memory and action became one. Snap
 

GEAR

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#34
Snap

The spectacular detonation that occurred took Ze'ev's breath away. Even having seen the GAI perform a similar feat, he had never dreamed that this world's incarnation would exhibit this kind of power. Not this soon! Even so - the Sphere of the Twin Fishes would not have misled him, and the certainty of his victory was the only reason he was able to endure the ensuing nightmarish pain, as the plume of Dimensional Force shredded the already beaten Shurouga even more. For a moment, all was still... and it seemed like James had vanquished his foe.

The ruined up half of the Shurouga lay in space, oil-like blood filling the area around the two of them. A low, cynical voice crackled to life over the communications, wet and racked with static.

"Ha... Hahahah..."

Somehow, the dark angel turned its head towards the Genion, raising its one remaining arm.

"You lose... Ambriel..." He hissed.

"You... LOSE!"

And with that, he flicked the last of the blood into place. All around them, the seemingly random splatters clicked together, now to James eyes forming a coherent pattern - an interlocking series of circles, akin to those used by Prana users. It was a seemingly impossible outcome, even as terrible power built in them, Ze'ev's dark cackle rising to a fever pitch alongside its brightness. Too close, too much strength, nowhere to go-

The roar in his ears was deafening-



Location: ???
Time: Unknown


"James."

A voice in the dark. A familiar one, at that - Enfield's. It was as if the two were sitting back to back, so close was his presence - yet that could not be so.

"I apologize for... All of this." He said, quietly.

"I should have trusted you.

I... Couldn't let Selene die. I panicked, and... Well. You see what happened.

I never... Really was much of a thinker.

For so many years, I've felt guilt... because I could not fulfill my obligation as a Knight, so long as I loved her.

And because of that... I lost everything.

This...
"

1596699739871.png

...There was a burst of verdant in the dark. A green light that flickered into being, one that seemed to reflect the entire universe, and yet at the same time be a wholly self-contained prism, one that was both himself, and Enfield both.

"Is my curse. And now, it will be yours." Continued Enfield, solemnly.

"The "Sphere of the Quarreling Twins". Mankind's light against the darkness.

To master it, you must balance two "contradictions" within your heart.


If you can do so... There is still hope for us all."

There was a short pause, as though he were thinking carefully, before he continued.

"James.

You must succeed... Where I failed.


Genion is the key to Luna... To Selene's freedom.

I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive her.

And... me, I guess.

Don't let this creep win! You're better than him, and his ugly-ass crow of a robot!

I'll be cheering you on.


...


No matter what happens, you won't have to go it alone."



Present Day

"Hahahahaha! HAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The Shurouga's body twisted and warped horribly as it pulled itself back together - even the victim of its own Rumbling Discalibur had not been enough to send the immortal occupant to the grave. Yet, as he cast about, it seemed as if his gambit had paid off - exactly as the Fishes had predicted. Victory was his!

"All blown away, and not a speck of debris!" He remarked, chuckling as the black machine spread its arms wide, before turning its attention to the wreck of the Geminia.

It extended a hand, beckoning towards where the cockpit was located, Ze'ev's voice rising into a commanding shout:

"Now, QUARRELING TWINS! COME TO ME!"

There was a green glimmer of light - and then...

...Nothing.

He felt nothing.

But, he'd done it, hadn't he? The Fishes couldn't possibly be incorrect! His predictions were always accurate...! So... then... Why wasn't the Sphere his? Where could it have-

Slowly, the realization began to hit him as the Malice Detector on the Shurouga suddenly chirped a warning... Though, perhaps too late to prevent what was about to occur.




The Aion's arm flashed out as the Gespenst danced close. The way it moved was simultaneously erratic, and yet controlled - as though the high output its thrusters were currently pushing were nothing new to whatever had gripped the controls. Its features lit by the plasma blade, it smashed against the pile driver, deflecting the strike expertly - and as it danced backwards, Hyperion followed.

"Intruder from another world."

On a priority channel, a voice crackled over the radio from the Gespenst as it rocked back and forth in Liana's vision, shoulder thrusters jinking it back and forth at a rate that would have snapped the neck of an ordinary pilot.

"You are not welcome here."

It burst once more, just barely out of sight - and lunged, an overhead swing with the blade aimed at her right arm, before accelerating into a violent shoulder-check aimed to tackle into her chest, before swinging back around, driving the beam sword directly into her chest - a suicidal move to say the least, one which risked enveloping both of them in the resulting reactor explosion, yet Hyperion seemed not to care - the life of a pawn, after all, was something to be expended where convenient.
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
0
16
Somewhere in the UK
#35
"You don't get to choose if people accept me."

Liana replied back on the same channel without any hesitation, feeling a strange sort of enjoyment at being personally addressed. This was - as far as she knew - first contact with Hyperion by an operative. In the flesh. Not that he seemed to have any. The movements were unnatural - if there was a pilot in that Gespenst, they were already dead.

"You're not even human."

A miss. It would've been the killing blow - but that was assuming the machine was bound by the sack of meat in the cockpit. Her predictions needed to be corrected. Means to properly counter the next strike while ensuring her own-

A suicide rush. She severed her own train of thought as soon as Hyperion's machine returned to view, seeing the blade fall in slow motion as her mind ran through possibilites. Solutions. Answers. But throughout every theorised maneuver, one thought got stuck in her head.

This isn't a fight I can win.


The same killing blow repeated over and over in her mind. Failure upon failure, death after death. 'Hyperion' was willing to suicide his machine to kill her - Disposable puppets had their uses. But this was his last puppet. Opportunity knocked, and while this wasn't normally an option she was willing to take...

But that doesn't mean I have to lose.

Right now what she needed most was to live. Too many things she wanted to do. Actually admitting that was difficult, but... whatever the reasoning, dying was out of the question. It was a waste. Of her life, of the effort she'd put in.. of the effort others had put into her.


>ATA
>WARNING: THIS WILL IRREVOCABLY DESTROY THIS MACHINE. ARE YOU SURE?
>Y
>DESTRUCTION IN 5... 4...
Liana's cockpit was bathed in red as the black box was ejected, dropping into her lap seconds before she hit the eject button. The core of the Aion was launched out of the back seconds before the reactor detonated, the barrier winking out one final time as Hyperion's sword ripped into the torso. One explosion became three, the beam cannons having overloaded themselves when the self-destruct was activated.

Her Aion was dead.

Mission status:
Uncertain.
 

Hitura Rael

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 29, 2018
326
1
18
36
Northeast Ohio
www.worldanvil.com
#36
The explosion cleared, revealing the somehow still moving Shurouga. But not much longer. He would wipe that stain from space for good. Every word from the enemy pilot might as well be static buzzing in his ears. The Genion streaked recklessly ever toward the remains of the Shorouga. If the patterns registered in James' mind, he did not care. Ever closer he drew, the static reaching a high pitched crescendo, and then...

Silence... broken by a familiar voice.

He blinked, gasping as if cold water had been poured on his head. The last few moments were... a red hazed blur.

"I apologize for... All of this. I should have trusted you. I... Couldn't let Selene die. I panicked, and... Well. You see what happened. I never... Really was much of a thinker."
That tone... Cold gripped at his heart. Knots twisted in his stomach, the unpleasant sting of tears held back prickling at his eyes.

"For so many years, I've felt guilt... because I could not fulfill my obligation as a Knight, so long as I loved her. And because of that... I lost everything. This..."
He flinched at the sudden burst of light.

"Is my curse. And now, it will be yours. The "Sphere of the Quarreling Twins". Mankind's light against the darkness.nTo master it, you must balance two "contradictions" within your heart. If you can do so... There is still hope for us all."
James forced a smile, no longer able to hold back the tears, "Why are you giving me this...? You need it to power the Geminia..."

"James. You must succeed... Where I failed. Genion is the key to Luna... To Selene's freedom.I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive her.And... me, I guess. Don't let this creep win! You're better than him, and his ugly-ass crow of a robot! I'll be cheering you on."
"I forgave you the moment I found out what she was planning... please... don't leave me..." The familiar cold consumed him, a crushing weight on his chest... This pain came again too soon. He hated it...

"No matter what happens, you won't have to go it alone."
The world burst back to life around him.

For a brief moment, James knew what he was doing, though how he didn't quite know. The Genion moved in a way she never had moved before, an after image left behind in her wake a split second before the rush of detonating energy. The Genion GAI shifted out of the field of vision. James stared in awe and horror as the damn Shurouga was *still moving*. How do you beat something like that? He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and shifted his gaze. The answer was he couldn't. His eyes flicked over to the battle the familiar sounding pilot had been waging in time to see their opponent rushing in a suicide move. He had one shot to grab the Geminia and the other pilot. It may be futile, but there was a chance the Genion could get them all to safety.

He fought away the numb feelings in his body. He exhaled slowly, holding on to that despair and glimmer of hope. One last time, the Genion charged forward, building energy in it's fist. As it neared the Shorouga, it unleashed the energy in one punch, aiming for the mech's upper torso to eliminate the head and shoulders. IT would take precious time for it to reform, hopefully mostly weaponless. But the Genion did not stop. She continued forward, slowing enough to wrap an arm around the wreck of the Geminia, then resumed a charging speed to grab the Aion's core.[/quote][/quote]
 

GEAR

Administrator
Staff member
Jun 15, 2018
1,165
1
18
#37
"T-this isn't possible!" Sputtered Ze'ev as the Genion seemed to fill his vision, nothing but a vast inescapable fist.

"How can this be-!?"

The outsider's eyes were as wide and white as porcelain dinner plates as pure terror filled his mind - and in that moment of blind, puerile fear, he felt his dream fumble from his grasp-

And his heart practically stop in his chest, as the Shurouga gave a gutteral, unnatural, treacherous rattle beneath his body, its eyes flickering as the Sphere's power waned... and faded. For a split second, Ze'ev was as paralyzed as his own metal steed... and just as powerless.

Had he overswung? He couldn't help but think, desperately -

Had fate turned against him in the end?

There was a loud crash as the Genion's punch collided with the dark messenger's head, sending whatever parts weren't immediately atomized, erased from existence by the vibrant flow of Origin Law that now rippled about its wrists, scattering into space. This time, the wounds inflicted did not heal - and the mutilated chassis could only hurtle backwards, slamming into a chunk of debris itself before becoming still.

He waited. Suddenly, he was very aware of certain things - the coolness of the sweat on his forehead, the rattling of his breath, how his arms just wouldn't seem to stop shaking. It was black, he thought. The future was black. All he could see was black. He had no dream. He had no existence. He had nothing.

Was nothing.

...

How much time passed? He couldn't say for certain. He could only wait, shivering in the dark. Wait for the finishing blow to be dealt. It never came. Gritting his teeth, he thumbed a nearby monitor - and the cockpit hissed open, exposing the young man to the void. He walked out, head turning irritably left and right, in search of his enemy.

Streaking away from him was a glowing green trail, one that arced up into the stars above, like a ribbon tied amongst the constellations.

In the distance, he could see the retreating form of the GAI's backside. To his vision, it glowed with the fire of a neutron star, powered by the newly acquired Sphere within its chest. He'd failed. They'd gotten away. The Dreaming Twin Fishes... It had misled him, somehow.

Ambriel... No.

James Steelheart had spared him.

Why?

Ze'ev closed his eyes, and let his breathing return to normal. He reached down inside himself, feeling for it - that sensation, that knowledge, that belief of the future. The vision this world needed... and felt it plume to life in his chest. There was a hum and a rumble under his feet, and he knew without even turning his head that his chariot had been restored, the power of the Sphere flowing through its body once more.

He had been this close to certain destruction, he reflected. One that he could not return from.

He would have to be more careful...

Next time.

Slowly, he raised a hand in the direction of the glimmering ribbon above... And closed it into a fist, as though ripping it from the heavens.

He had to become much... Much stronger.​




"Come, then."

The response to her accusation seemed to be no denial - the Gespenst continued its madcap acceleration, steadying the gleaming blade in its grasp, its features lit by the burning plasma.

"Show me the strength that's needed to save this world."

There was a terrible screech of metal - and the blade buried itself up to the hilt in the chest of the otherworldly machine. The Gespenst's head turned up to glimpse the escape pod, but it was already far too late. The twin cannons and core both detonated, swallowing the dark Personal Trooper instantly in a triple-blossom. The last thing Liana would have seen of it, through the haze, was its shattered visor, mono-eye beneath still glaring after her even as it being rent asunder, burning like the setting of a foreign sun.
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
0
16
Somewhere in the UK
#38
Movement. Someone was-

Liana bounced off the side of her cockpit when her escape pod was seized. No more inertics meant a lore more care needed in her movements. The knock did some good, at least - it knocked her out of the trance she'd been in. Reality finally caught up, the sheer gravity of what she'd done to win hitting her in the face. She'd tossed away the last memento of her old home to win a battle against a puppet. No data was worth that.

But whats done is done. She couldn't undo the losses already endured. Only make sure they didn't go to waste. She opened a video feed with her 'Saviour', removing the tint on her helmet's visor to make a better first impression. Whether or not he could be trusted, acting friendly would show good faith on her part.

--

"Thank you for the assistance. Once we're clear, I'd appreciate a drop near one of the colonies."

Two small notches in the top of her helmet betrayed the presence of inhuman ears, and the tail shifting around at the back of the pod made her status as a changeling fairly obvious. She wore an obviously forced smile at first, but after a few seconds it would vanish - being replaced with a suspicious gaze. Something else about the battle had just come to mind. Piercing golden eyes stared into the camera, waiting for James's own feed to open so she could confirm or deny her suspicions.

"...I know your voice. Who did you say you were again?"
 

Hitura Rael

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 29, 2018
326
1
18
36
Northeast Ohio
www.worldanvil.com
#39
Genion's hand wrapped around the escape pod, pulling it close to her chest. It was so small and frail... They couldn't risk further damage. It NEEDED to be protected. James did not look back. He was afraid of what he'd see. The Shorouga pulling itself together, chasing after him... the barrier wouldn't extend to the powerless Geminia, if Enfield was alive... he wouldn't last long. If he looked back... then that fear could be confirmed... and then he'd slow- "Stop thinking about it." he scoled himself mentally.

Minutes dragged by, distance crawled between the Genion and Shorouga and... nothing. No attacks, no chase... Did he miscalculate and manage to kill him? Well. No way to find out now. But he couldn't slow... Not yet.

"Thank you for the assistance. Once we're clear, I'd appreciate a drop near one of the colonies."
He nearly jumped out of his seat when the video feed of the other pilot popped up on screen. He stared at the notches, then the tail. And for once today he felt something other than rage and sorrow. Curiosity. Were those real? More importantly, Were they fluffy? He was glad that he didn't have the feed up just yet, so she couldn't see him jump... or stare. That shame was... Oh crap. He glanced down between his feet.

Merida glared up at him, her tanned toned skin a little pale in comparison to her normal complexion. Oh boy he was in trouble. But why was she not hitting him yet? Or yelling? He schooled his face and turned the feed on to both Liana and Enfield, trying not to portray the exhaustion he felt, or the worry. Or the itch to stop, crack open the Geminia like a walnut, and pull Enfield into the Genion. He was pretty sure there wasn't room...

He focused on Liana's eyes, unbothered by the look. Merida's was far scarier. Mostly because she was right there with ample opportunity to act on her rage.

"...I know your voice. Who did you say you were again?"
"James... And uh... this is Merida." He pointed down to the diminutive woman sitting on the floor, not that he could tell if she actually showed up on the feed with her height. But mentioning her stature was a one way trip to several bites and a concussion. "Enfield, are you... are you alive in there?"
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
0
16
Somewhere in the UK
#40
James.. James.. she'd met someone with that name before online. The odds of it being the same person were... ridiculous. Almost impossible. But the video feed was a good as a confirmation. Same James. Except now he was a notable figure - especially with that.. sphere. She let out a quiet chuckle, her tail relaxing as she lay back in the pod.

"Funny. We have met, but I doubt you remember. Day everything went to shit."

Her first real foray into online gaming was... proving rather useful. Maybe she'd have to fire it up again if she got out of this alive. For now it was best to just be friendly and hope for the best.

"By the way, my name's Liana. Just in case you'd forgotten. It's nice to see you again~"

The eagerness at the end was... somewhat fake. Liana just hoped it wasn't obvious enough to turn them away. She needed to ensure they were willing to trust her - or at least to not hand her over to the first authority they ran into. Anything beyond that was simply a bonus.