NinoDelDesastre
Snowdrops
Half Pint
MegaraFoxfire
sharkbites
Izurich
Owlriel
Bork Lazer
Abstract Proxy
Lildear18Maddie wasn't the only one confused by Naisha.
The outburst had taken the SOLDIER equally by surprise, causing Joe to look over with a raised eyebrow. What was with her? A moment ago, she had been alot more forgiving and before that, she'd been calling him an idiot. Honestly, if he hadn't given her a full explanation of what the hell was going on, Joe was getting the impression that this woman would've tried to kill him! She still had at least one drone in working order too, though that wouldn't be enough to... Wait, why was he even thinking this way? The woman was just irritated over them, probably over Shinra. He started to follow as Maddie/Naomi apologized in her direction. The probably-undercover Turk turned and mouthed a question at him, but Joe let off an emphatic shrug and mouthed 'No idea.' back at her. He was just doing his job, and the lack of it would have left these people down here worse off than they ever could've been. Speaking of which...he needed to make a call. Trailing behind the two women now, he whipped out his phone and dialed dispatch.
"Hello! Yeah, I found the X-1 Prototype heavily-modified and I think repairing itself in a junkyard. Dunno how it was accomplished and, to be honest, I don't care. The robot's in standby mode 'cause it can't compact and switch off. Have someone pick it up or blow it up or whatever you do in these circumstan- ...what?"
Dispatch had interrupted with new orders, new developments, and as they all exited the junkyard, he made no attempt to conceal the "Oh, you've gotta be shitting me!" followed by a hang-up and him grumbling as he caught up.
"Back to work, I go. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, you two."
He headed off towards the helicopter that had landed out in the open of the slums. Of course, only Maddie would have any conceivable notion of what Joe wouldn't do, which is what he hoped for, because it was his way of saying 'Don't do anything Turk-like, right now.'. He knew what the Turks did with loose ends, and he'd rather not find out they went and 'loose-ended' a girl in a wheelchair who's pissed at Shinra. That kinda' thing could blow up in your face. He moved on, sword on his back and helmet in hand, back to the chopper, which at least looked like it was flight-worthy. Good. He wasn't done playing air-taxi with the pilot.
"New orders: I gotta get to Junon and intercept the X-9 Prototype."
"What the hell? Are they all going random?"
"Only the prototypes, and there's still three others besides X-1, now."
"Alright, hop in. Junon's at least close by air, after all."
"Yeah, drop me by the Barracks. I'm gonna recruit some help on this."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Back at Fort Condor, Jessie was kinda' staring at the retreating robot, herself. She never heard of a Shinra creation, machine or otherwise, having any sort of self-preservation. This was a new development, one that'd worked in their favor this time, but the next time might be different. She confirmed with Akira, though, saying "Yeah, we won. Let's go see how things are, right now.". Honestly, she was satisfied by the outcome, no matter how strange it was. Without her coming all this way, the whole place could've been destroyed as the Sweepers went nuts. She felt good about that, really making a difference. Now...if she could just get the other people of Avalanche to see things a bit more her way. They wanted her explosive expertise to work on the reactors soon, because they weren't sure about a Shinra technician they had in their employ...
Inside, things were actually looking up, a bit. Several of the mercs were impressed with the two of them, congratulating them on scaring off the last mech unit, even though none of them knew how they did it. Now then, the aftermath of the whole ordeal was this: Everyone who was still alive was getting paid with a hazard bonus, owing to the unexpected complications, so Akira would be getting a decent amount of gil out of this. After all, he'd been just as useful and involved as anybody else. That was the first thing. The second thing was that the Fort Condor staff were offering wages to help with the repairs to the place as an incentive to keep the mercs on. Nothing too terribly technical, for those who weren't proficient in the machinery. Handywork, mainly, especially due to the fact that they needed the main door back in place as soon as possible. Some would accept while some would quit. Those who left agreed to get word out to colleagues that there were still contracts out here, although they did not expect Shinra to come back TOO quickly. The technicians who'd brought the Sweepers had left already, probably calling in about the X-Series Prototypes.
Everyone had much to think about. No one would blame Akira taking a lunch break, all things considered, though they did ask that he help around once he was done, and of course facilities - stores, bunks to rest in, etc. - were open to him and everybody here. He might catch Jessie trying - and failing to call her friends, but then she didn't know that they were a little busy right now...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The cellphone in Biggs' pocket suddenly came to life as there was an incoming call. It was easily audible to Kanade, though the AVALANCHE member said "I'm not taking that right now.", as he was busy concentrating on these tunnels, with Wedge slightly behind to keep an eye on the rear via his mirrors. Their immediate entry had come across some confused workers and engineers, a couple guards who were too slow to react, and a couple of mounted gun turrets that were not yet operational. That said, they weren't out of the woods Junon yet. A single jeep was still in hot pursuit, the Shinra Ranger. Lex had given them an intercom warning - which Wedge just shouted "NO!" at - and as they proceeded down the twists and turns of this place, some red lights also flashed, indicating that the lower area was now on alert. And while that didn't produce any other people in cars or motorcycles, at least a couple Slug-Rays were zipping around now. Sure, they were cheap, but they were better than nothing. The two AVALANCHE members started pumping their SMGs at those, though it was slowing them down. Biggs called back to Kanade now.
"If you've got anything that can put that guy's car out of action, it'd make this alot easier. We're getting down close to Lower Junon and we don't need him on our asses all the way to the Fort."
And meanwhile, back in the chopper...
"So, have you been able to determine their most-likely exit point."
"I have indeed, sir, but I'm afraid we won't be able to make that pursuit ourselves."
"Why not?"
"We still took a little damage, and I'm afraid the fuel line has been damaged. We must return to the pad and repair it, or wait for another helicopter."
"...very well. Make sure there's a barracade at the place they're headed for."
"Already done, sir."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The girl shouted something at them. Something bad. 'Get a move on!' No, wait. That was Beck. Wait a minute, she called them SLOW! Aaand by the time they realized this, she was way ahead, shouting something else. Something ba-
"Quit draggin' your heel and get 'er!"
All this knuckle-dragging idiocy aside, the three thugs were starting to move fast, not really paying much attention to their surroundings. No, they didn't know the area that well. In fact, they would cause a bit of a uhh...problem. You see, one of them threw a molotov at Aiko...and it missed. Would you care to guess exactly where it went?
Yes, it DID go sailing where you think it did.
There was a shattering of glass and a FWOOMMMPH!! noise as flames erupted from the nest and ummm...every single Doomrat in the area screeched out in unison, in united rage, popping out of the stonework to attack...well...everybody!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Haste hadn't worn off yet on Tace, nor had the power of Slow. He still had that advantage. In fact, he was able to execute his wing attack and that of the many thrusts, including the one at the heart. It was, as it happens, the very moment that he struck there that the owl beast's senses caught up with it, felt the ability to act properly, casted a Thunderbolt attack by reflex, got stabbed, and then felt itself get electrocuted right in the heart because of the timing of the attack. Tace would have to endure a certain level of wattage, but the Zemzelett would die of sudden heart failure...which it probably would've anyway, but the fact that it also harmed itself - They're not immune to lightning. - was just plain funny. Tace could continue wherever the hell he felt like going...and he shoould probably do that before another one of these damn birds decided he was a packet of tuna or something.
The outburst had taken the SOLDIER equally by surprise, causing Joe to look over with a raised eyebrow. What was with her? A moment ago, she had been alot more forgiving and before that, she'd been calling him an idiot. Honestly, if he hadn't given her a full explanation of what the hell was going on, Joe was getting the impression that this woman would've tried to kill him! She still had at least one drone in working order too, though that wouldn't be enough to... Wait, why was he even thinking this way? The woman was just irritated over them, probably over Shinra. He started to follow as Maddie/Naomi apologized in her direction. The probably-undercover Turk turned and mouthed a question at him, but Joe let off an emphatic shrug and mouthed 'No idea.' back at her. He was just doing his job, and the lack of it would have left these people down here worse off than they ever could've been. Speaking of which...he needed to make a call. Trailing behind the two women now, he whipped out his phone and dialed dispatch.
"Hello! Yeah, I found the X-1 Prototype heavily-modified and I think repairing itself in a junkyard. Dunno how it was accomplished and, to be honest, I don't care. The robot's in standby mode 'cause it can't compact and switch off. Have someone pick it up or blow it up or whatever you do in these circumstan- ...what?"
Dispatch had interrupted with new orders, new developments, and as they all exited the junkyard, he made no attempt to conceal the "Oh, you've gotta be shitting me!" followed by a hang-up and him grumbling as he caught up.
"Back to work, I go. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, you two."
He headed off towards the helicopter that had landed out in the open of the slums. Of course, only Maddie would have any conceivable notion of what Joe wouldn't do, which is what he hoped for, because it was his way of saying 'Don't do anything Turk-like, right now.'. He knew what the Turks did with loose ends, and he'd rather not find out they went and 'loose-ended' a girl in a wheelchair who's pissed at Shinra. That kinda' thing could blow up in your face. He moved on, sword on his back and helmet in hand, back to the chopper, which at least looked like it was flight-worthy. Good. He wasn't done playing air-taxi with the pilot.
"New orders: I gotta get to Junon and intercept the X-9 Prototype."
"What the hell? Are they all going random?"
"Only the prototypes, and there's still three others besides X-1, now."
"Alright, hop in. Junon's at least close by air, after all."
"Yeah, drop me by the Barracks. I'm gonna recruit some help on this."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Back at Fort Condor, Jessie was kinda' staring at the retreating robot, herself. She never heard of a Shinra creation, machine or otherwise, having any sort of self-preservation. This was a new development, one that'd worked in their favor this time, but the next time might be different. She confirmed with Akira, though, saying "Yeah, we won. Let's go see how things are, right now.". Honestly, she was satisfied by the outcome, no matter how strange it was. Without her coming all this way, the whole place could've been destroyed as the Sweepers went nuts. She felt good about that, really making a difference. Now...if she could just get the other people of Avalanche to see things a bit more her way. They wanted her explosive expertise to work on the reactors soon, because they weren't sure about a Shinra technician they had in their employ...
Inside, things were actually looking up, a bit. Several of the mercs were impressed with the two of them, congratulating them on scaring off the last mech unit, even though none of them knew how they did it. Now then, the aftermath of the whole ordeal was this: Everyone who was still alive was getting paid with a hazard bonus, owing to the unexpected complications, so Akira would be getting a decent amount of gil out of this. After all, he'd been just as useful and involved as anybody else. That was the first thing. The second thing was that the Fort Condor staff were offering wages to help with the repairs to the place as an incentive to keep the mercs on. Nothing too terribly technical, for those who weren't proficient in the machinery. Handywork, mainly, especially due to the fact that they needed the main door back in place as soon as possible. Some would accept while some would quit. Those who left agreed to get word out to colleagues that there were still contracts out here, although they did not expect Shinra to come back TOO quickly. The technicians who'd brought the Sweepers had left already, probably calling in about the X-Series Prototypes.
Everyone had much to think about. No one would blame Akira taking a lunch break, all things considered, though they did ask that he help around once he was done, and of course facilities - stores, bunks to rest in, etc. - were open to him and everybody here. He might catch Jessie trying - and failing to call her friends, but then she didn't know that they were a little busy right now...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The cellphone in Biggs' pocket suddenly came to life as there was an incoming call. It was easily audible to Kanade, though the AVALANCHE member said "I'm not taking that right now.", as he was busy concentrating on these tunnels, with Wedge slightly behind to keep an eye on the rear via his mirrors. Their immediate entry had come across some confused workers and engineers, a couple guards who were too slow to react, and a couple of mounted gun turrets that were not yet operational. That said, they weren't out of the woods Junon yet. A single jeep was still in hot pursuit, the Shinra Ranger. Lex had given them an intercom warning - which Wedge just shouted "NO!" at - and as they proceeded down the twists and turns of this place, some red lights also flashed, indicating that the lower area was now on alert. And while that didn't produce any other people in cars or motorcycles, at least a couple Slug-Rays were zipping around now. Sure, they were cheap, but they were better than nothing. The two AVALANCHE members started pumping their SMGs at those, though it was slowing them down. Biggs called back to Kanade now.
"If you've got anything that can put that guy's car out of action, it'd make this alot easier. We're getting down close to Lower Junon and we don't need him on our asses all the way to the Fort."
And meanwhile, back in the chopper...
"So, have you been able to determine their most-likely exit point."
"I have indeed, sir, but I'm afraid we won't be able to make that pursuit ourselves."
"Why not?"
"We still took a little damage, and I'm afraid the fuel line has been damaged. We must return to the pad and repair it, or wait for another helicopter."
"...very well. Make sure there's a barracade at the place they're headed for."
"Already done, sir."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The girl shouted something at them. Something bad. 'Get a move on!' No, wait. That was Beck. Wait a minute, she called them SLOW! Aaand by the time they realized this, she was way ahead, shouting something else. Something ba-
"Quit draggin' your heel and get 'er!"
All this knuckle-dragging idiocy aside, the three thugs were starting to move fast, not really paying much attention to their surroundings. No, they didn't know the area that well. In fact, they would cause a bit of a uhh...problem. You see, one of them threw a molotov at Aiko...and it missed. Would you care to guess exactly where it went?
Yes, it DID go sailing where you think it did.
There was a shattering of glass and a FWOOMMMPH!! noise as flames erupted from the nest and ummm...every single Doomrat in the area screeched out in unison, in united rage, popping out of the stonework to attack...well...everybody!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Haste hadn't worn off yet on Tace, nor had the power of Slow. He still had that advantage. In fact, he was able to execute his wing attack and that of the many thrusts, including the one at the heart. It was, as it happens, the very moment that he struck there that the owl beast's senses caught up with it, felt the ability to act properly, casted a Thunderbolt attack by reflex, got stabbed, and then felt itself get electrocuted right in the heart because of the timing of the attack. Tace would have to endure a certain level of wattage, but the Zemzelett would die of sudden heart failure...which it probably would've anyway, but the fact that it also harmed itself - They're not immune to lightning. - was just plain funny. Tace could continue wherever the hell he felt like going...and he shoould probably do that before another one of these damn birds decided he was a packet of tuna or something.