Chiro

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Phnom Penh International Airport, The City of Phnom Penh

The situation had changed, and Henri would follow Marta and Nil in dealing with the Prime Minister. He followed the example of others and grabbed the shield.

Cambodian National Assembly Grounds

When Henri had heard about Myron's ability to turn people into data, he had assumed the experience would involve seeing the cyberspace and traveling through it, with weird sounds and lights, with the possible inability to smell, taste and perhaps touch.

Nope, it was essentially being in a state of unconsciousness, with the mind seeing one location at one moment, and a second location in the next. Henri nearly flinched seeing the Airport suddenly change into the National Assembly, with the Prime Minister himself right in front of them.

The politician certainly didn't waste any time making a break for it, nor his guards in opening fire. Quickly Henri activated Leonidas.

"Down!" He yelled to his compatriots, taking a position between them and the gunners for maximum protection. "You go get the Prime Minister! I keep them busy!"

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Phnom Penh International Airport, The City of Phnom Penh

Henri considered his options. He didn't have that much medical knowledge, something he had realized when his shield's limits got in the way of saving an important Arms Master from cancer.

However, the convention center had shown Leonidas's liability in tight spaces, while fighting regular troops along with Arms Master allies. They had managed to escape, and Henri had managed to improve the situation by scouting ahead of the team, but the reality of the situation remained.

"It might be for the best, if I help with the triage and safeguard Private Chang" He finally declared. It was unlikely that his and Lupe's powers would be needed to be active at the same time, and Leonidas worked better with regular troops, anyway. "However, I'm ready to move, if needed elsewhere."

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center, The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022

On one hand Henri was relieved in the arrival of additional forces, but that alone wouldn't ensure their survival, let alone triumph. There was a great risk of death, especially with Nil, who Henri had taken in his arms in shame of having frozen earlier.

"I can fight, yes" Henri confirmed to Myron, "My shield is as strong as ever, and I have plenty of stamina for my neutralization aura. However, I can't leave Nil exposed to harm. She needs medical attention, or stabilization, or anything that can ensure her survival."

He sighed, considering the situation.

"If the Chinese indeed believed the Cambodians can deal with us on our own, they either have something specifically prepared for us or..." The thought made Henri go silent. "They know I'm a liability..."

It actually made sense. Leonidas was an anti-magic Arm, and this building is highly enclosed. Henri would need to act as a front scout or limit Leonidas for melee. Otherwise the field would disarm the group as well as the enemy.

"I may need to split from you"

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center, The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022

"No, no, no" Henri hissed as he listened to the declaration.

Everything that could have gone wrong had. Not only was Cambodia now de facto enemy, but their unit was public enemy number 1.

"Y-yes sir!" Henri confirmed as Noel laid out their plans.

Not that escape would be any easier even when fighting. Henri didn't know how well the Cambodian army was trained in Anti-NA combat, but a well placed bullet could change a game. And they weren't exactly wearing armor. It was then that Superbia made its move.

Henri looked at the situation. On one, there were the troops. On the other, Superbia. The power would be easily dealth with by Leonidas, but that would leave him exposed to the guns of the soldiers. Worse, the office was tiny, 15 meters in diameter at most. If Henri activated the field now, it would affect everyone. He would need to get really close to Superbia and the soldiers.

Close? That was it! Superbia was standing on the ground, not floating. Leonidas could still neutralize things by touch in the passive state. It would be risky, to say the least, to charge into the crowd, but Leonidas would give actual cover and the rest of the team could still fight.

Henri put Leonidas in front of him and charged towards Superbia, hoping the rest of the team would be able to give him the promised cover.

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022

The convention had barely started and already they're declaring war.

Noel gave another nod of acknowledgment, before saying to Henri, "Volunteer Janssens, keep close to us and ready your Noble Arm for use at any time. An Avatar of Superbia is pure energy so your Arm can probably instantly dispel it. Now, we will wait for the Cambodian security detail to meet to coordinate with them and prevent any more untoward incidents from happening."

@Letter Bee

"Yes, Sir! Henri confirmed, giving a short salute in confirmation. Kid or not, he was right. Henri needed to be, where he could maximise his shield's power.

People kept piling in, from military personnel to ambassadors and relevant assistance personnel. Henri, however, tried not to lose Noel in the crowds, while at the same time avoiding drawing attention. Henri wasn't exactly sure, how high profile he or his power was, but considering he had taken part in battles with his neutralization ability, he probably wasn't unknown by any means.

Most of the conversations and newsfeeds flew past Henri's thoughts, but he could feel his heart stop, after hearing of Angelito Jaime's death.

They had asked him for help. Henri knew that Leonidas wouldn't have been sufficient to be of use, but he couldn't help but feel he should have done something, anything. Now a legend and a living deterrent had passed away.

Thirty lousy seconds Henri cursed to himself the time limit of his shield. If only it would suffice at least against this Superbia

Not that it would be much help, now that so much mobility had been lost with Jaime.

But no point crying over spilt milk. The conference was ongoing and order to be kept. Henri continued to keep a close eye on the Lieutenant and the surroundings.

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022

The day had started relatively lightly for Henri. Some breakfast and preparations for the briefing ahead. He listened carefully, as Alonso gave his speech. He wondered, if he'd ever get used to the idea of a junior having command over him.

This must be what the sailors felt seeing snotties Thought Henri to himself thinking back to the young midshipmen of the Maritime Era. Granted, Alonso was a man grown, not a 12 year old boy. Still, it really showed how times had changed more dire, that people as young as him gained officer positions.

And speaking of dire things, in the midst of Noel's rant the Zodiac appeared. Henri tried to stay put and unnoticed. He had, after all, played a critical role at the dam, even if it wasn't due to Leonidas. For an Arms-Master to be brought down by a regular gun was probably not something one or their comrades wanted to be remembered by.

Then there was this new face. Henri tried to remember the name Yulian Suburov, but couldn't recall anything. Either he hadn't been to the Ukraine, or had remained classified until now. Huo Ren's comments suggested either scenario. Still, with the name Chainbringer Henri could get a pretty good picture of what the Russian's Noble Arm looked like.

The Zodiac were certainly not wasting any time making threats. The convention had barely started and already they're declaring war. Henri stayed quiet, nonetheless, keeping an eye on the situation. While he had some chosen words in mind, they could wait for later, if there was a need to mention them at all.

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Mischief Reef/Đá Vành Khăn/Panganiban Reef

Henri was packing, as he heard the news through the Radio. "So, the second coming of Roosevelt decided to try his hands at foreign affairs"

Not that Henri really cared for what the POTUS was planning. Someone else might have been hopeful that the rest of the world would receive a piece of American reforms, but Henri knew better. The USA simply wanted to secure again their position in world politics they had been losing as of late. And even if their thoughts were more altruistic, a politician rarely was skilled beyond their specialty, if they were skilled at all.

But enough about politics. Henri needed to consider all the equipment he'd need in Cambodia. Besides the regular military gear, Henri needed to iron his formal suit. It was likely he'd be guarding some VIPs in Phnom Penh, and that would mean black suits, ties and sunglasses.

The whole job was exhausting enough that once Henri was finished, he needed a shower. The refreshing water admittedly helped to strengthen his spirit again. After drying, grooming and dressing, Henri looked at himself in the mirror.

"How did that saying go again" He pondered. "Oh, right. He's tanned, rested and ready for action"

With that, Henri took his suitcases and prepared to join the others.

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Mischief Reef/Đá Vành Khăn/Panganiban Reef (Facilities) - 11/01/2022 08:10 UTC+8

"None taken, Lieutenant" Henri replied, saluting. The fact that he couldn't be much help on the matter really frustrated him, but he did his best not to show it.

"If anyone needs me, I'll be at the gym" He notified everyone as he watched Nico leave. It was good to inform everyone, especially in a situation like this.

As Henri reached the gym, there were some looks at his direction, but for the most part the soldiers inside were focused on their own training. Henri himself noticed a vacant sandbag and claimed it. He allowed himself to release his frustrations, as he pounded the sack with punches and kicks.

"30 seconds" He growled as he continued pounding,"30 lousy seconds, and everything returns to normal. Who can perform a surgery in less than a minute. And you can't even use Arm assistance, because they'll be neutralized as well."

Henri had to stop to take a breath after the assault. Never would he had imagined to wish the Leonidas was smaller. Size of a pin or something. Something that could be fit into a wound.

No. Wallowing over limitations was of no help. Weapons existed for different purposes. Anti-air is anti-air, and anti-tank is anti-tank, and that's something that can't be changed. If they found a way to improve Henri's ability, he'd take the opportunity, but now all he could do was what he was good at.

"Though, there is one thing I could improve" Henri thought to himself, as he saw the weightlifting bench. A kilo or two for the personal best might improve his mood.

He would continue training maybe an hour, before resting again, or something came along.

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Mischief Reef/Đá Vành Khăn/Panganiban Reef

"It's still so frustrating. New Roosevelt, bah!" Henri exclaimed, referring to the nickname the POTUS received from his corporate busting, "Real Teddy would have worked both in and out of his country, not leaving one side rotting!"

Henri closed his hands into fists, but quickly released them with a sigh. "Who am I kidding. It's everyone's fault, really. US may be isolating itself, but it's not the first time it has done so. Meanwhile Europe pretty much allowed America to handle all the military matters, so they could focus on their economies. It is just like economic bubbles. They've happened in the past, but everyone's just as surprised, when they happen."

He was quiet for a while, listening to Alonso's and Makri's conversation. Henri wasn't sure, how much use he'd be in a surgery. There were so many things that went wrong, and Leonidas's field was indiscriminate. Then the realization kicked in.

"Oh, I see." He finally said. "Well, who am I to force therapy. I'm not even a trained medic, let alone a doctor. I mean, if it came to that, I'd probably volunteer for help, but I'm not sure how much use I'd be. My power only lasts about half a minute, anyway, while a surgery would take hours. Meaning that if the tumor bounced back to magical once the field is gone, it wouldn't be much of a help. I suppose I could go and touch the cancer, but it wouldn't be hygienic by any means."

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Henri

Mischief Reef

"Damn it!" Henri exclaimed after reading the message, "Trouble, Trouble, Trouble... With a capital T"

But complaining wouldn't help. The fact was that US aid in the crises both in Europe and Asia were expected to run dry, and others would have to know about them as well.

To be honest, it didn't really matter, who Henri told about it first. Everyone would need to know sooner or later. It was best to just go an see, who he'd meet first.

Soon Henri stumbled upon Nico and Noel. The two seemed to be attempting to get closer to each other, so to speak, but nothing deeper than that had happened yet. Or at least not that Henri could see. Whatever the case, this seemed like a good spot to start.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you two" he apologized, "But I think you should see this."

Henri presented the message to Nico. "As you can imagine, if America pulls itself out of the Ukrainian and ASEAN matters, we will be left all alone. Call it a hunch, but this might be their first targets, if it's not already. But, what do you think?"

@Creative Chaos