Ulysses HAMMERJUSTICE

Ulysses was now genuinely annoyed. The other Cyborg had essentially Usurped his own course of action, and threw bribery on top of. Forcefully, he pulled the man back. "Can I pay for my own damn mess? god..." He said as he fished through a compartment on his thigh, and produced a bag labeled 'for property damag' Apparently, he had ran out of room on the label for the E. He fished out of that bag what appeared to be a datadisk of some kind. "Lesse, that should cover the standard fee for vaporizing four and a half square feet of drywall, as well as additional fees for disturbing the peace, as well as the additional fees from a third offense." Oh, it was beyond his third offense, but it was only his third offense in this city. He of course never understood what the big deal was. Walls could be replaced, and he never destroyed anything all that big outside of a mission.

He did however, lament the fact that the child seemed afraid of him. Or that none of his 'partners' seemed to like him that much. Ever. In fact, whenever he came around people just seemed to get angry.its not like he could help it, destruction and such was what he was built to do, it's coded into his very soul. At least he could get past the 'exterminate all mages' part. He was no murderer, he just liked to explode inanimate objects. Oh well, it seemed like he would probably be ordered to the back again and forbidden from doing anything. Such was his fate. He doubted he'd even get to pick some locale to show the girl.

While such tragic events transpired, Koemi stood far from the scene and kept her involvement with the criminal activity at a minimum. Pitch on the other hand, did not appreciate all the excitement in the slightest. The bird cringed at every loud excerpt and took cover within his partner's clothing as the large, dangerous, individual distastefully responded. As forces surrounded, she remained the silent and transparent figure she usually would default to.

The girl seemed to be intelligent enough to dismount the dangerous person, which was the biggest relief to her so far today, Emi wasn't too weak-hearted but she'd rather finish this mission peacefully and quickly if it could end that way. Beringer was then targeted by the loud-juggernaut for not allowing his 'mess making self' to pay for his own destruction costs. In which she silently agreed with the annoying person, as no one should have to pay for his own wrong-doings.

"I-Is it over?" Silently asked the raven within the depth's of Emi's dress.

"Hope so, this has been enough excitement for today." she responded.

It was broad as daylight that the suspicious AI was still hiding something. The ship had cloaking, [i|they[/i] weren't caught yet and for the seemingly most easy part they now required the aid of 3 Champions? Myriel considered to either try a hack into the shady guy's data structure or maybe the box itself, but considering the risk involved and, even if she would know, there was no turning back, and thus ultimately decided against it. Unlike the strangely familiar one, the Mohawk woman had at least the courtesy to introduce herself; but fated herself to be called onee-chan into all eternity. Myriel just gave a small chuckle in return before the ship finally arrived and they all got on board.

"This should be easy enough, just don't go stirring up trouble. I'm looking at you blondie" Someone with a Mohawk... was Tara really given the impression of the trouble maker? She, who was probably the most lazy life-form in Agar Mythos? Somehow, this truly hurt her feelings, giving a way more agitated response that surprised Myriel yet again."Me? Trouble? Who do you think you are talking to? I hope I don't have to lift one finger." Joining the Demon Lord's cause, Myriel put an arm around her."Don't you worry onee-chan, my beloved Knight is everything else but a delinquent." Blushing a bit, Tara concentrated on a random point in the environment.

Teasing Tara one way or another, Myriel shifted her attention towards the silent one who finally decided to give her share too. Vydia, Vydia... yes, she definitely heard that name before and would make sure to check Revelation later; and seeing as she couldn't quite recall it wasn't of much importance anyways. Making sure the captain of this ship wasn't around yet, Myriel let go of Tara before proceeding with a friendly smile. "Well Vydia, I think we are all very aware of whatever is going on, this is not going to be as easy as it sounds. I am not suited for frontal confrontation... and Tara won't even take this serious unless my life is in danger, so I think that box would be best left in my care?"

Out of the three champions, the one named Marian introduced herself first. She knelt down at eye-level --a thing that, Kid observed, many grown-ups did when initiating a conversation with the Dimensionaut – and confirmed that they were in fact part of the mission. The Raven-Haired woman also mentioned that he had just missed the contractor, and when she described how odd he looked, recalled the giant lizard fellow that nearly stampeded through them from earlier.

“He sure was quick to get out of here...” The side of his mouth tensed up after he clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Darn. Well, that’s okay. I’m sure you girlies, uh, I mean ladies, wouldn’t mind giving us the details then?”

Marian’s attention turned towards M’Larky with a warm and engaging welcome, something the Shiba Inu was unaccustomed to after being onboard Robonaut for quite some time.

--"And hello to you too, M'larky. Are you not fond of flirting with girls? Because I would totally fall for you if you started flirting with me."--

M’Larky’s ears perked up. He barked in such a hurried pace, that the translator on his frame suit had trouble relaying the entire message. “Oh Wow. Nice Girl. Nice Scarf. Red. I like color. I’m fond? You flirt. Me? Wait! You’re falling!?”

In eye-blinking speeds, M’Larky immediately darted around and behind Marian so the inventory bags swabbed around his back would cushion her. “I catch. Wait. Catch. Want to play catch?!”

Kid stared at M’Larky with a jaded indifference, the kind that parents give their children after they’ve made a mess that they just cleaned up for the hundredth time. “So…they have Dye Shakes here. Have any of you tried them?” He said plainly. “That’s one of the reasons why I chose this mission really. Yup. Dye Shakes…” His smile was so wide that his dimples began to hurt.

Meanwhile, in sub-orbit…

Robonaut had been observing the entire scene unfold from the very beginning. In his Piloting Chambers, a holo screen showed a 3D gif of a rustic fireplace, and on one of the instrument panels was a Holo-object in the form of a near-empty glass of white wine. Nobody was in the pilot chair of course. In fact, all of the data could have easily been accessed through his internal core. Using holo-screens in such a nature was only for Kid's benefit, but he liked to display them about like this, especially when no one was onboard, as a personal quirk.

“Yezzzz...Peace & quie+ @ las+…” Its deep, mechanical voice reverberated into the soothing orchestra number that bounced around his interior walls. The contents of the holographic wine glass drained to the bottom, and within seconds, slowly reloaded into another full glass. A second Holo-Screen was monitoring the café. Robonaut zoomed in on Kid’s flustered expression whenever M'Larky opened his mouth. “010101013020020310101002300101001010!” Robonaut laughed, joyously.

Gem stood underneath a tree, mildly irritated by the drizzle that was clinging to her hair and exposed skin while dampening her clothing. She was already late, having foolishly wasted time cleaving through a herd of mindless drones cutting wood. They would die anyway if the necromancers minions found them but it was ultimately a pointless, wasteful action that was nonetheless required because it was desired by her Master. She scowled and soon after grimaced as the horrible screeching met her ears. Pulling the long sword from its sheath she began to run towards the town, quickly meeting with grotesque monsters wielding unidentifiable weapons.

A lunging strike was parried with a flick of her sword tip followed by a sweeping swing that cleaved through from hip to shoulder, severing the monster. Another flick took off a monstrosities arm at the elbow a split second before it was run through and pinned to a tree. She wrenched it free and cut the tree down in a single mighty blow, her blade cleaving through the living wood as if it was a green sapling. The Oak fell and crushed another pair of attackers in a spray of water, mangled limbs and blood.

Soon enough they were coming in groups of three and four. She was getting closer to the town, just able to make out the shape of the walls through the drizzle and trees. The enemies began to close in thicker as she stepped out onto the road near the gate, spotting other champions doing battle within the gate. Gem began to cleave her way in that direction, simply cleaving through weapons rather than blocking them.

Central Hub

It was no more disheartening than seeing his face upon the face of a wall with his name printed in bold black letters beneath. That is to say, it wasn't disturbing at all. It was the norm, and it was so often failed. The mission he had seen posted to the mission board earlier had since disappeared hours ago, signalling that it was finally undertaken, and he was once again a part of a wild game of cat and mouse. Pitiful it was that they no longer sent the hoity-toity hotshots of the day, and resorted instead to continual mission postings in hopes that maybe some no-name would have the skill or luck to catch him.

Sprite walked about the streets in full view, hidden by the waves of bodies swimming about him. His face was covered by a bandanna, obscuring his features save for the electric blue eyes glowing from underneath the hood. For the time being, no one gave him any particular looks. The posters showcasing him in all his glory were taken months ago in an entirely different getup. Since then, his choice of clothing has changed several times to avoid detection. Without his visage to judge similarity, the populace was left to simply assume he was but another civilian. Completely invisible.

Until the poor champs managed to get any bit of information on his whereabouts, he had little inclination or worry to go into hiding again. He likely could walk straight past them in this crowd and spark little suspicion. And if push came to shove, he always had a quick way out. After several capture or murder attempts, he had grown weary of fighting all for naught. Lifting a hand from his warmed pockets, Sprite pulled forth a small photograph of a certain individual whose appearance was dominated by full-body armor. Central Hub was not his destination, but as he had just risen from a long period of hiding within it, he had yet to make his way to the far-off target.

Sprite walked for the nearest train station that led out of the city, pointedly quite close to the heroes of the mission...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-



"So you've been to jail?" the girl suddenly asked of Averus, looking quite neutral but having a strangely surprised tone to her words. She averted her attention from whatever tiny creature was skittering along the floor and into Averus's very eyes. There was something entirely different than any common program to them, and for all of his wisdom, he couldn't quite deduce what it was. What could be felt, however, was a quiet but unnerving sense that this program didn't exactly belong here, or anywhere for that matter. It was a thought not of his own, that was for sure, which made it all the more peculiar. With time, it had passed.

Before even allowing for the man to respond, she became seemingly disinterested and made for the door despite the commotion, appearing entirely unfettered by what was even happening. There were a number of police outside, each quite on edge at the appearance of Ulysses armor, deducing quickly that it was his doing that had alerted the nearby populace. Receiving calls of someone unloading firearms had raised red alarms and a hasty dispatch. Given the quickness of Ulysses "surrender" made them only more confused. Data that was pulled up on the champion averted concerns, however, and they realized what type of person they were dealing with.

When Beringer attempted to bribe them, it only furthered the strangeness for each and every officer there. It seemed almost too weird that they still maintained hands upon their firearms. One of the officers approached Beringer, taking the cash with hesitation, but altogether appearing like a man who thought himself quite lucky.

"Well then, Uh..." he stammered, looking between the two armored men, "I suppose this will suffice for damages. Given the nature of your... comrade, we won't need to bring you back to the bars." Ulysses' offers of cash went unwelcome, however, as if the officer was willing to accept only certain amounts of bribery. He had standards, apparently. The officer retreated back to his comrades and had them off rather dejectedly, as if they were still expecting something to happen. The police gone, the champions were once again left alone, but not without the stares of several civilians in the area. The onlookers eventually dispersed as well, returning to their own lives.

Delphia spoke up between Beringer and Ulysses, having appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"I hope you're as generous during meals," she stated to Beringer.

---

In the darkness of a common room, a young woman clicked perfectly on her keyboard, the strokes and accuracy a hint at her social tendencies. The glow of a computer illuminated her face, turning an otherwise passive grin into a rather unnerving stare. Lines of text appeared continually over multiple web pages. She was apparently chatting with several different groups of people at once.

A light pinging noise alerted her empty eyes to an exclamation mark appearing at the bottom corner of her screen. Ignoring the chat rooms, she opened up a new tab to a single, much more concise line of words.

>Muppet has entered the chat room
>Muppet: Hello Sam
>Berkowitz: Who is this
>Muppet: I'm here to alert you of an addition to Agar Mythos you'll greatly enjoy. I hope you'll cooperate.
>Muppet: Hello? I'm quite certain you're still around.
>Berkowitz: No guarantees.
>Muppet: We'll see.
>Muppet: A certain someone qualifies for your...
>Muppet: Tastes
>Berkowitz: What are you talking about?
>Muppet: I know. Feel free to speak openly. This room is very secure. I have made certain of it.
>Berkowitz: I'm leaving.
>Berkowitz has left the chat room.

The girl sat back in her chair, still staring quite quizzically at the computer screen. She had closed the window, returning back to the familiarity of her normal chat rooms. Still, she seemed quite disturbed, leaned back and far from her keyboard.

Ping. A chat room had opened up, one she hadn't ever created or entered for that matter.

>Berkowitz has entered the room
>Muppet: Please spare me the troubles. I am quite tired tonight and in dire need of sleep.

The girl instantly leaned forward, a quick bead of sweat forming on her forehead, clearly distressed.

>Berkowitz: Your seriousness has caught my attention.
>Berkowitz: I'm listening
>Muppet: Good. I need you.
>Muppet: And I'm certain -once again- that you need what I have.
>Muppet: Titan. Tomorrow. I can make your dreams come true, and you won't have to be caught.
>Berkowitz: Where?
>Muppet: Heaven's Plane Skybridge. Use an old form. 2:00 PM JST
>Muppet has left the room.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-



The interior of the ship was well-kept, seemingly brand new with polished metal surfaces and unscratched or marked buttons and labels. The cargo bay door acted as a ramp up into the ship's largest room, which was then filled only with small stacks of tied-down boxes and palettes. It seemed more like a private, single-employee delivery service ship than a major shipping name. Amidst the four girl's conversation, a fifth made herself apparent.

Short, petite, cute. The girl who had entered the cargo room through a small hallway at its side waltzed right in with a cheer in her step. Wearing a pair of goggles and toting a few miscellaneous engineering tools on her belt, she was made out to clearly be the ship's owner, if not the engineer.

"Hidie ho there folks!" she brilliantly called out, saluting the gathered champions, "I'm Helia, your pilot for the ride to Nihon. Here's to getting along!" Taking a step forward, she looked on each of the girl's faces, one after another, as if to cement the images in her head. "So what are each of your names? I'll likely be shipping you guys back here after it's all done. whatever it is you guys are doing," she stated. Reaching into her pocket, she revealed a remote control of some sort, which she passively pressed a few times, clearly familiar with its layout and functions. The ship sprang into motion with a jolt, lifting off the deck floor before slowly picking up in speed.

"I might also be seeing you guys sometime or another, if you ever get picked for the Auroran battles, that is. Or if you just wanted to visit!" The vibrance in her demeanor was practically infectious, seeming almost to saturate the air with happiness itself. It was no wonder the ship seemed so bright; it must have been coated with her personality endlessly.

Beringer took a couple steps back from Ulysses as he was pushed aside. However, the officer had accepted Beringer's rather generous bribe, allowing Beringer only a small amount of relief before the officer refused Ulysses's payment for his actions. Beringer stiffened, prepared for an outburst by Ulysses, quickly nodding to the officer, "Have a wonderful day officer."He then turned to Ulysses somewhat worried, "I'm sure my payment will cover it, if it makes you feel any better, you can just pay the expenses to my account later. Though I don't expect it of you, I am not exactly short on funds." Beringer seemed tense, nearly jumping back when Delphi seemed to suddenly appear between the two of them.

"I hope you're as generous during meals." Delphi says, directing her words toward Beringer

Beringer smiled behind his mask, a kind smile, his camera displaying the young AI directly in place of his sight. "Of course, now the choice is up to you really; I can either have something cooked up for you at my home, or we could travel through the city and see where you want to eat. Of course, I have some rather pleasant restaurants in mind, but it appears today, you will be the target of ministration, so you may choose where, exactly, we may go." Beringer gazed at Delphi for a few moments, deciding whether or not he would have the chance to scout her mind, at this point, she was a blank slate to him.

Turning around in a rather grandiose manner with his arms extended, he addressed the Champions that were with him on the mission, "Now, I invite all of you to join in this dining event, I will pay for the food, if you'd be so kind as to humor me..." Beringer trailed off. His train of thought slowly drifted away as he began to realize how difficult it was to maintain a polite conduct by not intruding upon the minds that surrounded him. He eventually regained his sense of purpose continuing to push forward possible arrangements. His vigor would've been found odd for anyone that knew him. "Also. As a proposition to resolve who maintains custody of Delphi, I would like to propose my household as the resting place for her, as it can house many guests" Beringer tilted his head somewhat, awaiting the response of Koemi and Averus whilst still weary of Ulysses who seemed to take offense for Beringer's payment.

Well, being emotionally repressed sure made Delphia a blunt one. But being blunt was part of being curious, so Averus could rest easy in the fact that she indeed had the capacity to sorta care about herself. At least this Research-turned-Protection mission wouldn't be something as annoying as protecting Delphia from her self-destructive habits. Brushing a strand of hair from his forehead with a flick of his wrist, Averus said, without breaking pace, “Of course I have, youngster. You only live once, and I can't get information about a prison without serving some time myself, after all. Of course, it wasn't exactly intentional. Some newbie police officer just forgot what sort of person I was when he arrested me for verbal sexual harassment. Whatever that means.”

Somewhere along the way, she had made eye contact with him, and it was only at the end of his small explanation that he properly looked into her own eyes. It was only then that he realized there was something distinctly odd about this nigh-universal program. A unique sensation, brought forth by an intuition that came with two years of recording every single champion that ever came to Agar Mythos. Yet, the oddity did not phase him, and Averus kept eye contact with her until she turned away and walked off. There were things for him to research after all. It seemed like he would be asking for a few favors that night. A normal champion may be unnerved, but Averus was simply amused. Delphia really was interesting, a real piece of work incomparable to all those other shallow champions who were simply told to 'act' dark and mysterious.

Rejoining with Beringer and Ulysses after the police had left, the Archivor said, as he fiddled with his Champion Archives to find the contact information of a particular individual, “Rich little kid, aren't you? Well, it'd be bad manners to refuse free food, so I'll be tagging along. Be sleeping over at your place as well, Beringer. My archives regarding the personal abodes of other champions is pretty lacking, so that would be useful.”

“Et toi, crow lady?”

Koemi perked up as she was addressed, not by her name however. The topic at hand seemed to be accompanying this Beringer fellow along with the mission subject to dinner, and although she would really like to speak her mind and say 'No', monitoring the subject's safety was a priority at the moment. So the nodded silently to the strange man, brushing some hair behind her hair and looking nervously to the others within their small company. And with that, she pointed upwards at the frenzied flock who seemed shaken up about something, fluttering like injured butterflies. The one at her shoulder, along with the woman herself did not seem to be phased with the fellow actions.

"But if we have to stay, I'd prefer to sleep outside."

Her expression changed, quickly at that, from the mellow nerve-wracked face to that of seriousness.

"They need somewhere to roost."

Limbs, blood, and somehow still active pieces of flesh were littered about the forest floor, the only sign of ichor being a slightly darker patch of mud, or an area so literally drowned in it the ground failed to soak it in. Trickles of creatures still came in, though they seemed to be the tail end of the invasion. A dozen or so remained, as well as the larger one, but the danger was still evident. Both of Gaul's skeletal warriors were separated bone-by-bone until they were but the husks they originally sprouted from. Gaul himself seemed to disappear, as if flitting into nothingness, and Sariel was no where to be found, presumably still lagging behind.

The larger machine-corpse seemed to notice Theow's intent considering how driven he was at charging towards its own position. Scrambling forward, it took strides over its smaller shambling comrades, surprisingly careful not to crush its allies. Its mantis-like claws clanged upon its metallic forearms like some death knell, steaming breath seeping from its toothy maw. With no warning, presumably due to the lack of bodies between it and Theow, the creature rampaged forward, suddenly quite faster than expected. With raised talons, it swung down at Theow like a pair of guillotines.

By contrast, Ekho received the easiest portion of the mob, though it could have been attributed to her beastly patterns. As the larger one converged on Theow, however, the zombies seemingly realized the danger of remaining nearby, and turned their sights on Ekho instead, encircling her quite quickly in a tightening circle of pink flesh and rusted metal. Luckily for her, Mother Fran noticed her situation and darted forward to help. Amidst the rain, moaning, shambling, and clanging metal, her voice was faint but Ekho could clearly see she was persistently speaking. Given the seriousness of her expression and the relentlessness with which she spoke, Ekho could have guessed she was praying during the battle. Her flamberge swung to and fro, cleaving countless minions, the weapon glowing a miraculous light as it did so. Some of the bodies sported grievous scorch marks upon their wounds.

---

The path clear, Gem saw her chance to make a break for the greater safety beyond; her fellow mission champions were cleaning up what looked to be their own singular group of zombies. Before she could take the chance, however, a great commotion caught her attention from behind. Some of the zombies she had ignored in favor of getting closer to the others stepped aside in their march as a much greater foe presented itself.

This one was clearly much more intelligent than the rest, an electricity crackling about its skull-less cranium. It moved with purpose and without difficulty; it walked as any normal living creature would. In its hands, a brutish weapon was held upright in both of its armored hands. A massive double-ended scythe of some sort that looked more like it was bludgeoning than cutting. Though its sunken face was exposed, the rest of its body was not. The zombie was clad in thick armor from head to toe that clearly put strain on the creature's strength, though it still moved persistently towards Gem. A few dozen feet between them, it readied its weapon, holding it to its side as if preparing to sweep her aside. A grizzly smile overcame its face as it picked up the pace.

They pressed in on all sides, surrounding Ekho and reaching for any flesh they could tear. The Beast Queen was just beginning to panic when chanting touched her ear. Soon, Mother Fran had came to her rescue, sword splitting limbs from limbs. Ekho spun her spear, upset at being a damsel-in-distress, and scraped the skin on an enemies' neck. She thrusted the pole weapon into his gut, blood gushing and covering the spearhead like a modest skirt. A damned deadling knocked Talus from hand, the spear clattering too many feet away, and grasped at her arms. Nails raked across her shoulders and rancid breath warmed her nose. Snarling, she pulled it closer and green miasma swirled from her mouth. The mist-like venom enveloped several bodies and began to sizzle against their dead flesh. The woman who showed a noteworthy resemblance to a snake took this opportunity to heft her thick thighs around the zombie's neck, twisting her torso and tearing it's head with the momentum. Slamming into the ground and rolling back up, she stole the few feet and grappled for Talus - before she could, a rotting body smashed into her and she grunted. She reared back her elbow and delivered a harsh blow into his nose, then wrapped her arm backwards around his neck and pounding into his spine until she could hear the deafening snap.

Gem stopped and turned, the tip of her sword sweeping just above the ground. She watched it stride towards her. Gore from her vanquished enemies dripped from her sword and streaked her arms. She looked the new enemy up and down, smiling. She raised her sword and waited for it to get closer.

"Well, you're a big one. Let's play."

As it charged she activated Asynchronous, one stepping forward, unarmed and turning around, the other stepping back with the sword in both hands. As the monstrosity began its charge the twin with the sword ran forward, stepping into her twins outstretched hands to be thrown high into the air. They activated Leap, the twin on the ground jumping to the other midair and they swung the blade towards their enemies head.

Mai shook her head at the whole wild scene, picking up and handing him the folder, "Here. That's all you need to know." if he got there for wherever, at least he probably knows how to read.

When she sat down, Mai made sure to scoot farther in beside her sister. She didn't really like animals, and when you added talking and defective logic, things just got worse. Suppose it was funny, but she wasn't the type to laugh at such things anyway. It was kind of messed up to laugh at it, in fact.

Her eyes glanced back and forth, wondering whether or not things would be difficult with this sort of party. she decided that it mostly depended on this "Sprite" fellow, but It almost certainly wouldn't be a breeze. Sitting back, looked up to the sky, pulling up an internal clock. It must've been 20 minutes and they still haven't done anything yet. She wasn't the type to like to lead groups, since it's simply too much hassle. Though if things got too boring, she might. Back to the notion that he is a runner made it even more of a hassle, keeping track of them and him.

But a thought struck her; she could always just leave them behind.

I'll give it another 10 minutes... just 10.

With that, she closed her eyes and got comfortable, a slow peace landing on her. At the very least, it was cool in there, and an ice-cream would sound fantastic right about now.

Ulysses HAMMERJUSTICE

Ulysses was pretty damn angry, that's for sure. Here he was, legitimately paying the fines for said behavior outlined in the various laws in the place, and they take the goddamn bribe. Titan's finest. Still, greed on it's own was not exactly evil, and he knew he shouldn't go around murdering cops (obviously). Still, this guy... He was debating whether to uppercut him so hard he'd form an intimate relationship with the moon, but Delphi had appeared between them, said something to Beringer(He couldn't quite make out what she said, she was awfully soft-spoken), and left. After a moment of calm, Ulysses managed to... well, calm himself. 'Go murderlize Beringer' was not a good plan.

He took a moment to retrieve his armor, which at this point had collapsed into two packages. He picked up one of them, which instantly unfolded and applied itself to him. This was an extremely light version of his armor, useless in combat, that he wore as a sort of casual attire. He had been in his battle ready configuration earlier because he thought he was actually going to be deployed somewhere useful. The other package looked more or less like an extremely overcomplicated large suitcase, which he lifted up. As he listened to Beringer speak, he rolled his eyes. Yeah, he was rich or something. So what? Would he use that money to actually help anyone? Unlikely. Hell, out of all the credits Ulysses earned more than half of it went to whatever given charity he thought needed it. "Yeah, I guess I'll go. It's not like I need to eat, but I don't really have a house to keep her in anyway. Besides, it's not like I have a choice in the matter anyway, huh?"

It was electricity that arced off the re-dead corpses that provided the best sensation.

The wet thunk of metal, slick with rain and blood, pounding into the flesh of the trembling monstrosities. The delectable crunch and shock of a blade digging into steely supports. The screaming sizzle of the undead muscle and fat as the lighting bursting them like oversize water balloons. The final tremble of the desecrated corpse as it lapsed back into its eternal rest, the supports that kept it bound to the world brutally severed. The scent of charring flesh and hot metal mixing in a rising torrent of heat and death. The sight of the once-feared monsters broken by superior forces that they could not comprehend. The glimpse of unshaken resolve in the dead eyes of a ghoul, even as the metal that supported it was twisted and broken by brutal blows.

All pleasant in their own way, Kore mused, but the best would definately have to be the dying dregs of energy that sparked off the zombified creatures in their last moments.

The electricity crackled along his databound body, carefully stimulating the untouchable. The screams of the damned were transmitted even without vocal cords, turning the metal swarm's sensory organs into a pleasant cacophony of anger and hatred. It was a simulation like no other.

The hulking mass of metallic blades and armor plates hovered forward into the next of the smaller monsters, carefully taking the time to crush its remaining spine before terminating it with a stab to the head.

He'd come to this town(Where he was currently making a long path of re-death over to where most of the fighting seemed to be taking place) on the grounds that he was able to harvest the data on the monstrous Stitchenstein's creatures if he killed said scientist. A pity, really, but Kore was certain that the NPC would come to understand why he had to die if a superior being came along to smash all that he knew into itty-bitty fragments.

The champion gave a dark chuckle, filled with maniac clarity and carefully augmented tones, taking out another one of the weaker units with another swift blow to the exposed skull.

Itty-bitty. Ha.

Beringer glanced from Delphi to Averus, "I am delighted that you agree to my proposition," Beringer turns towards Koemi, smiling behind his mask, awaiting her response with his tilted head, despite his near haughty posture, he always seems to tilt his head when speaking with others.

"They need somewhere to roost."

Beringer smiles, "By them, I would assume you mean your many companions. I feel they have the same tastes as I do. Nature is quite adept to calming the nerves...there will be plenty of trees for your friends. I live in Azuba Nagasaka area, if that means anything, though it would be more eloquent to show than to tell." Nodding his head, Beringer turned back towards Ulysses, who still seemed to be sulking somewhat.

"Yeah, I guess I'll go. It's not like I need to eat, but I don't really have a house to keep her in anyway. Besides, it's not like I have a choice in the matter anyway, huh?"

Beringer approaches Ulysses, standing beside Delphi, though keeping some distance from everyone, "I'm sure you do not trust me to Delphi alone. I understand my reputation, however minimal, is not pleasant. But it seems that we are headed that way... unless you want to leave our mission to the remainder of us, then by all means, the choice is yours. Otherwise, it appears we will be settling at my...abode...for this evening." Beringer turns with a strained sigh, looking back towards his mission objective, "So it is your choice Delphi, would you prefer dinner in the city, or at my home. It is entirely up to you."

Delphia seemed to ponder in though, the key word being 'seemingly', however. She was clearly distracted in other ways, observing the surrounding city street, this time attentive to several things far more macroscopic than a bug. Eventually however, she once more lost interest and returned to the concerns of her so-called guardians. A quick glance over the whole lot of them elicited altogether different words than 'guardianship'. Their colorfulness cemented their silliness in her eyes, though she was adept at hiding such emotions. She spoke up,

"I'd like to..." she trailed off, considering the two options money-bags offered, "a home cooked meal." Her eyes narrowed and she looked in between the gazes of the four present quite rapidly, as if scanning them for their own vague opinions or reactions. She crossed her arms and puffed out her chest like a spoiled child, expecting them to comply regardless of her apparent concern for differences in choice. "I don't like being outside, and Beringer's pockets look like they can afford a fancy home," for a split second it seemed as though she were smirking, "but we'll see if he is any good at cooking." Tapping her foot lightly, it became apparent that she was becoming impatient despite having just made the decision.

"I hope you have a car or something, I don't like walking," she complained.

Beringer bows ever so slightly, "I am afraid I drive the LF-LC parked across the street. Unfortunately it is a coup, so there is little room for more than two people, much less space for extra armor, I can hardly fit myself." He sighs, it seems as if the only real window to Beringer's emotions are through his sighs, which he happens to do often enough. Seemingly made uncomfortable by the inconvenience, Beringer simply stands for a few moments, before carrying on his bravado. "How unfortunate indeed...There are many solutions to this, the least complicated to me, would be that I drive my coup home, and the others would get to my home via taxi. Who Delphi rides with is of little circumstance, though I believe it is of her choice."

Beringer glances at the other participants of the mission, he couldn't imagine any of them were all too pleased with any of his suggestions, but he was merely aggravated he could not see into their minds. It wasn't a corporate mission after all, so why would he use mission tools for his own leisure? The coup across the street blinks automatically, Beringer faced his comrades on the mission, though seemingly eager to escape his company, "My address is 1-53 Azabu nagasa kacho 106-0043, I hope you all arrive there soon." Beringer's head tilt seems to have gone away and he turns on his heels. Appearing to have assumed that Delphi would go with the rest, Beringer already began walking to the edge of the street.

As the mechanized abomination slashed down at him Theow threw himself forward and into a roll, managing to narrowly avoid both of the blades but losing most of his momentum with his dodge. Undeterred by this and realizing his advantage at being under the creature, Theow sprang out of his roll the moment his feet were on the ground, aiming his twin blades for the beasts underbelly in a double thrust. As quick as Theow was though the quadrupedal monster was just as quick, scuttling backwards and out of the range of his strike before it could hit home. Not one to let his opponent regain its composure, Theow pressed the attack by charging forward, blades slashing the air in front of him to keep the beast on the defensive. Spying an opening, Theow jumped back from a retaliatory slash from one of the creature's blades, feinting being off balance as the creature rushed forward to finish him off.

As the beast came forward again, blades swinging down from both sides in a clear attempt to cut him in half at the waist, Theow buckled his knees and dropped under the attack. Off balance and unable to withdraw it's arms, the creature could only roar in pain as Theow rose from under it's blades and cleaved through both of it's arms at the elbow with his own scissor like attack. Even as the beast scuttled backwards to put distance between them Theow was on the move, putting away his blades and grabbing the severed 'hands' and hurling them at the retreating monster like javelins. Knocked over by the impact of the makeshift projectiles the creature could do little besides flail it's legs futily as Theow strode forward and caved it's head in with the heel of his foot. Content with his work and pleased with himself, Theow turned his focus to clearing out the rest of the creatures.

With one last heavy slump, the final walking corpse had met its eternal end and fallen to the wet earth. Theow stood before a massive mangled body pierced by the metal it had once used itself to try and cleave the champion. Blood seeped forth from its upper portions, from its head and its missing arms, behaving like a waterfall that dissipated into the ground, overcome by the much greater torrent of rain that followed. Ekho removed her hand from the base of another zombie's spine, quite sure at that point the thing was vanquished.

Mother Fran surveyed the scene, eyes drooped in exhaustion as the rain dripped from the veil and onto the tip of her nose. Her flamberge was held outward, catching the rain as if desiring to soak in its cleansing properties. The blood that coated it slowly slid away from the winding blade, and once fully gone, she returned it directly to her side. No more moans escaped the caged mouths of re-dead beyond, no scratching metal, and no pattering of naked feet. The forest was quite, save for the storm, for the moment.

The priestess turned to face the group, a vague smile emanating from her soaked face.

"Thank you all for the help. The swiftness with which you all felled these creatures..." she paused, as if taking a moment in consideration, "gives me hope that we may fully remove the problem. They very rarely come in great groups like this back to back, and so I believe we may have some time before the next brings danger to the town gates." Resting her arms, she slammed the ground with her sword, piercing the mud until the weapon was suitably stabilized in an upright position.

"If you also deem it wise, I believe we could attempt to search for Stitchenstein in his very forest." The distinct sound of steel crashing upon steel caught their ears, however, screeching from within the deeper confines of the forest. Mother Fran immediately retrieved her sword, granted little time to rested her arms. Her look of concern to the gathered group indicated she wished for them to follow suit, and she made off further into the woods.

---

The armored creature's charge went unabated, and even as the twins descended upon it, it did not hesitate. With jangling plates of armor, it stomped forward a few more paces, raising its double-ended scythe to meet Gem's strike, easily intercepting their own weapons in a clash of steel. With their airborne nature, they could only land in a spot behind the armored zombie, rolling over its block and back down to the wet ground with a splash.

Turning about to meet the twins, the zombie brought its newly reared weapon over its head and down upon them. The scythe's nature allowed for the very tip of its blade to potentially strike on of them should their arms fail to keep the weapon far enough away.

---

Kore found his path cleared, easily crushed with the immense strength he possessed. The group he found ahead, close to the town gates, had suddenly broken into their own movement. But rather than returning to the safety of their town, they proceeded closer into the forest, failing to notice Kore's great stature and form. Nevertheless, it merely made the distance between the two less great, and the robot need only move to his left through the forest to intercept them. Surely his form wouldn't cause concern if her were to appear suddenly before them all.