Thomas's journey was rather uneventful so far, which he was glad for. It gave him time to think and finalise his plan. Not his assault plan, because that was quite simple. He was sure he knew the reason the conflict began, though his theory wouldn't explain how it blew up so suddenly and so quickly. He had some suspicions, so he had to investigate. When he got to the city he wouldn't have to worry about normal players, though there may have been outlaws here and there if the updates he'd been given on the situation were entirely correct. Nevertheless, all he'd need to do was get in, investigate and get some screenshots.

Instead of his assault plan, he was thinking about his plans for the journalism club. There were a lot of things it needed to pick itself up again. It needed manpower, it needed contacts, it needed lots of things.
[color=gray][i]"One step at a time."[/i][/color] Thomas thought.
He needed the manpower first. He wouldn't be able to rebuild it back to its glory days, but he could change the foundation. It would grow over time, even after he graduated, and it would come back. He just had to take it slowly and carefully, and if he did he could ensure that it never disappeared again.

Thomas was taken out of his thoughts by the a familiar flapping of wings and a wailing voice.
[color=gray]"Harpies."[/color] Thomas muttered under his breath.
The infamous newbie killer, the dreaded harpies. They were aerial based with a form of crowd control that was difficult to defend against and they were often encountered in packs.

In short, they were rather annoying.

Thomas was beginning to feel drowsy from the harpy's song. He drew his sword as they closed in before silently commanding his puppet to shoot at them. They dodged most of the shots but one of them was clipped twice and disappeared into a small pile of xp crystals.
[color=gray]"..."[/color]
There were still 4 more, and his puppet didn't have that many bullets. The harpies's songs grew in intensity and the puppet master held his head in an attempt to stay awake. He staggered a few steps before collapsing on the ground, his puppet following suit. The winged women came in for the kill, their voices becoming deeper and more insidious as they approached. They swooped down to the prone figures aiming their claws at their vulnerable forms.

Suddenly the metallic forms sprang up and spun in the air, blades lashing out at the feathered targets. They dropped to the ground as the xp crystals fell to the floor.
[color=gray]"Looks like I was right."[/color] The puppet master said at last. [color=gray]"Sense share makes it easier to resist."[/color]
He shared his hearing with another player lowering his ability to listen to the harpies and making their ability have less of an effect.
[color=gray]"Didn't think it'd work out so well, and you probably can't hear me anyway, but..."[/color] Thomas said as he picked up the crystals. [color=gray]"Thanks."[/color]
He terminated the skill as he picked up the last of the crystals. [color=yellow][i](+200 XP)[/i][/color]

[color=gray]"Well, that was a pleasant diversion."[/color] Thomas said, stretching his arms above his head.
His puppet stood silently next to him and Thomas liked to think that it agreed. It hadn't been affected at all by the song of the harpies but he'd made it fall anyway to fool their AI. There were a lot of useful things he could do with his puppets, though there were a lot of things it couldn't do as well.
[color=gray]"Let's get going."[/color] He told it as he began walking.
The puppet followed him silently.