Tank O The Lake

Myriad Reality

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*My silhouette becomes visible through the storm, facing the opposite direction*

@Heroic

Oh, what now?

Myriad Reality

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Tch-
*Leaps several stories into the sky once again, landing on a solid platform of energy that forms beneath my feet. Using said platforms as they repeatedly form beneath my feet and dissipate, I dash away in the sky*

@Armed Forces

*Alexandria sees this, and shoots off after Leon at a medium-transonic speed.*

Unknown: ALEXANDRIA, STOP!

*Alexandria immediately halts to look at Mikhail. Both I and Katerina are thoroughly astonished, as this is the first time he has spoken in years.*

Mikhail: Alexandria, don't hurt that man. That's not like you. Come down. You want a hug from Uncle Misha?

*Alexandria's glow begins to wane as she descends, until she is dark and hovering only about six inches off the ground. She floats towards Mikhail and they engage in what must be a rather uncomfortable hug, as Mikhail is wearing a set of power armor.*

Myriad Reality

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Screw that. We're winning with her around.
*The storm continues to weaken*

@GalaxyRaider

Ugh, fine. Let's do this.

*The android extends its arm, its circuits crackling with relayed psychic energy. With a bang, the storm is briefly forced away from Melody before I pull her even harder back towards the anchor. As I do this, however, my android shell begins to fail and disintegrate, not meant for such power to be channeled.*

Myriad Reality

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*Inhales deeply, then exhales deeply*
I'll go, but I'm not leaving. I'll be in the shadows.
*Leaps upward from the ground straight to the rooftops, disappearing from view*

@Armed Forces

*Hovering over a nearby intersection, Alexandria is emitting a glaring purple light and seeming to partially phase at random. As an NKVD truck nears her, a psychic lightning bolt immediately rends it from existence entirely.*

Alexandria!

*Alexandria turns to look at me, her eyes glowing violet. I drop my weapons and begin to slowly approach her alongside Katerina.*

Alexandria, it's okay. You're okay. We're not going to hurt you.

Katerina: We won't let them hurt you, either. Never, ever, ever.

Alexandria: GO AWAY!

*Her voice shakes the earth. I stumble, then steady myself.*

Alexandria, remember what we do? Breathe in, breathe out. In, out. Understand?

Alexandria: I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HURT!

I don't care if I get hurt, Alexandria! You need to calm down. Please. Before you hurt yourself.

Alexandria: DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!? IF YOU STAY... I'LL KILL YOU!

Alexandria, you're still my daughter! You're still Alexandria! Should I fetch Uncle Misha?

Alexandria: NO! GET AWAY!

Alexandria, please! I- I beg you! I don't care if I die, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you got hurt.

Alexandria: THEN WHY... IS HE HERE?

*Alexandria's arm phases and reappears pointing directly at Leon. Her eyes glow brighter.*

LEON, RUN!

Myriad Reality

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Then this is going to be a sacrifice regardless.

@Source

I'll try anyway.

*The Vampyrs begin to gather, touching hands and entering a collective meditation. The reality storm begins to dissipate around them, extending to reveal the form in the cloud before finally stagnating.*

Myriad Reality

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You shouldn't throw away your technology.

@Source

I mean, I would bring my Vampyrs, but there's not enough of them to push the storm back permanently.

Myriad Reality

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I'm more resilient than I look. I came here to scout things out, not to kill anyone, but I'll be darned if I just let a child get taken like that.

@Armed Forces

No. She's the danger now, and if you stay here, it'll only get worse!

Myriad Reality

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*Is sent flying by the explosion as well, crashing into the wall of a building not far from you two, then I falls to the ground groaning*
I wish I knew that was coming...
*Pushes myself to my feet*
We all need to get away.
*I run to you to, offering a hand to help you to your feet*

@Armed Forces

Katerina and I have to stay. We're the only ones she'll listen to.

Myriad Reality

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That speed is impressive. Saves me having to rip the car apart too.
*Pulls back out my second pistol and maintains covering fire against the opposing vehicles as best I can*

@Armed Forces

Katerina: And you didn't even set an ambush?

*She turns, drawing her sniper rifle and firing a .50 anti-tank round directly into the engine of the truck behind. It swerves out of control and strikes a second building.*

Katerina: You're getting complacent, Alexei.

I know, I know.

*I look down in shame as I open the door. Due to this, I don't immediately see what Katerina gasps at. I look up to see that Alexandria is gone, in her place a shimmering purple field.*

Oh, blyat.

*The truck detonates in a purple flash, sending both Katerina and I flying. I grab her in midair and turn so that my armor absorbs most of the fall, feeling a rib give way in the process.*

Leon, you need to get away now.

Myriad Reality

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*Narrows my eyes and turns my head, using my pistol to take shots at the truck behind, with the goal of either taking the gunmen out or providing covering fire in the process*
Careful, partner.

@Armed Forces

*I look at the lock to see that it's using a cypher I know nothing of, then shout a curse that is lost in the wind, knowing that I cannot breach the door.*

No, no! NO!

*Just as I begin to despair, a dark silhouette leaps from a nearby rooftop and grabs onto the rear railing of the vehicle in one fluid motion.*

Katerina: Privetstviya, comrade.

*She waves a hand at me, gesturing for me to move.*

Let me do my work, silly man.

*With effortless precision, she hacks into and unlocks the door.*