Member
King Kindred
Megatron
ScreenAcne
Fetzen
Andre Valias
Snowdrops
CriticalHit
Knight 72 hours ago - Galactic Bazaar Docks
(A collab with @Letter Bee)
-pssssst-
It was faint, very faint, but the sound of a spray can could be heard if someone was close enough to the cargo hold of the Xuanxang, the metallic smell of faint spray paint lingering in the air, and for those on the bridge, if they looked at a good enough angle through the cockpit window, would be able to see a thin black mist the outline of someone near the ship's hull.
It seemed that while Amy and Iris were dealing with their sleepover, and Samuel and Tarak were training to fight, someone quietly entered the dock where their ship landed, borrowed a ladder and walked up it with an etching sticker on one hand, and a can of spray black spray paint on the other.
He was an odd one, seemed to stick out like a sore thumb by the looks of the jean jacket over a fancy cotton shirt, the beige leather pants, and some dusty but elegant blue shoes. His skin was tanned a nice brown to match his gelled back hair, and his eyes were covered by golden-tinted sunglasses. The very look of him screamed of a sense of elegance, almost to a point of being outright gaudy.
It seemed he wasn't alone either. At the bottom of the ladder was a girl, looking about 17-19, give or take. A fair caucasian skin with long red hair to match her equally red eyes, brimming with this child-like glow to it. Whereas the man up top looked like he was a rich nobleman, she looked almost the opposite, wearing dirty clothes with a multitude of patchwork done to it, as if she was the daughter of a beggar on the streets.
Seems these two were spray-painting something on the Xuanxang, with the man doing the actual painting while dropping cans he no longer needed, and the girl below catching each one...sometimes with her head.
"Heeey, Are you done yet?" The girl asked annoyed, as if she was on some boring trip.
"Almost, little one. One should not rush perfection." The man responded, a hispanic accent rolling off the tongue.
"...'Perfection', you're painting over a sticker with holes, truly you're the next Picasso."
"'Ey, Boss wants it to really show itself and you can't do that with something as static as using one color." The man responded, tossing the last spray can for the girl to catch and peeling off the stick to show off the design he painted on the Xuanxang: A rather colorful, if not a little tacky moon with a small laser shooting outward, and the word "Moonstrike" under it.
"Not bad if I do say so myself, Might have been made better if I had the time and better tools to work with, but I'd say I did the best with what I had." The man said as he climbed down the ladder to meet up with the girl.
Natasha was no fool, although she was no genius either. With valuable cargo (coughRealistcough) in the crew’s hands, as well as the rather hasty attack on Ascendancy Stock Markets, she knew that someone had to watch the ship itself just in case danger approached. And someone spray-painting a signal of their true allegiances to a rebel organization was a clear and present danger. That was why she had activated her ship’s surveillance cameras, part of an anti-theft security system installed on almost every ship (and every car, boat, and vehicle in this technological age).
Her next move was to send a direct message to Moonstrike One using her emergency comm with a recording of the entire event attached as a file to the text, asking: Are these your folk? They seem to know.
Then once Natasha was done, she made sure her armor and weapons were ready, then made sure to go out to meet ‘The Chad’ and ‘The Beggar’, her names for this strange couple. After clearing her throat to get their attention, the ship Captain said, “What are you guys doing with my ship? You do realize that vandalism is a crime here, right?”
Best to not bring up the fact that they know she’s Moonstrike yet.
In any ordinary circumstance of vandalism, the owner coming out to give them a lecture and more was a good time for them to run for the hills. She even had weapons and armor on her like she was about to go to war with them to boot. She seemed a bit overprotective...but the man couldn’t deny liking that kind of thing in a woman as he turned to Natasha, extending his arms in grace.
“And the lovely Senorita graces us with her presence. Would I be right in assuming you're the Capitana of this beautiful vessel?‘ The man asked her, a charmed smile on his face, his eyes blocked from view thanks to the tint and reflective shine of his sunglasses. The girl beside him looked at Natasha and pointed at herself with a bubbly smile, as if to say “Who, me?”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to call it Vandalism; more like a painting a badge or medal to show you officially as one of us. Boss heard word of your success, and that attack on the stocks, a pretty gutsy way to go above and beyond in the name of a greater call for freedom. Apologies for coming uninvited though, Moonstrike’s pressed for time, and Ascendancy eyes are always watching. Can’t afford to waste much time waiting for your approval on the matter and risk the lot of us. Besides, it would have been nice as a harmless little surprise from us to you.” The man explained, calmly and suave, a smile on his face as he spoke. To say he has charisma may be a bit of a stretch, but it’s at least clear that he’s had this kind of talk before, simply by how comfortable he seemed explaining himself to Natasha.
“If you want to give a medal, mail it to us,” Natasha was having none of it. “Don’t make us incapable of any more covert missions. Or is open war about to start early?”
Obviously, it wasn’t. Obviously, they weren’t Moonstrike. But nor were they Ascendancy, otherwise this entire matter would have come to blows by now. So did it mean that some other group was involving themselves in their matters? Her head hurt - It should be one of the kids who should be investigating, but they’re currently busy making trouble in the Bazaar. Nevertheless, the Captain waited for their answers to her question.
Common sense and some sass to boot, he hasn’t been around her for even a minute yet, and he already liked this one. He couldn’t help but to resist a chuckle when she mentioned mailing in a medal.
“Mail? In this kind of environment where the Ascendancy’s even trying to hound on private lines? I prefer a more physical and direct approach to things. Aside from that, I must say, the fact you managed to pull off covert operations on a beautifully noticeable ship such as this is in itself quite a miracle. But you did gain quite a sum from that stock escapade in question, Si? Surely you can buy yourself something to cover it up when necessary, I happen to know a good place outside the Bazaar near the middle rim of the system that can give you a nice stealth covering for a decent price. Just slap it on, switch it on and off whenever you need it, and problem solved.” The man said, walking in front of the graffiti he made and throwing his arms up towards the air as if eccentrically showing where to put whatever he was talking about.
“So much for Artistic Integrity, eh, Picasso?” The girl spoke up, a cat-like smile across her face as she smugly looked at him.
“Quiet you.” He simply and calmly said in response, to which the girl gave a small chuckle of her own.
“Well, yes,” Natasha said, “Or I can just paint it over with the type of paint which can be chipped off to reveal the original design underneath.”
She paused and glared at them and said, “By the way, if you two really are Moonstrike, you must know the secret passwords, right? Or the Moonstrike secret handshake?”
Okay, that last one was a bit mocking. But Natasha was curious to see how far this charade would go.
The man had no retort for her when she suggested the cheaper option of easy-to-remove paint. Seemed like something that’d be a pain to work with, but hey, some people like the challenge sometimes, and he could only shrug in that respect. He then heard her essentially wanting proof of his loyalties via a password and handshake.
“Heh, lindo… New Moon’s Secrecy; Full Moon’s Light, and let me just add that you positively radiate with both, Capitana.” The man said, winking to her as he smiled.
Unbeknownst to the two of them, a shard of glass from above began falling towards Natasha’s at a speed of which would leave a cut wound.
Natasha blinked as she said, “How do you two know that -”
Before the shard of glass cut through her shoulder pad, causing her to scream, almost screech. Whirling around to look at them, she said as she searched her belt for a med-kit but found none, “What was that? It could have been an accident, but if you know what people I serve, you also know that there are few coincidences in my line of work.”
She then seized on the excuse to go back to the ship, to confer with Moonstrike One once the latter had received her message, “I have to go to my ship’s medbay, sorry about this.”
"Ooof, You alright there, Capitana?“ The man said concerned, cringing the moment he saw the glass hit her shoulder. He then looked up as if trying to figure out where that shard came from.
“I swear, they really do need to get around to fixing up these docks, they seem like they get worse every time we come here.” He then said, essentially thinking aloud. When Natasha was about to head back into the ship, the girl suddenly chimed in, running towards Natasha.
“Oh you don’t have to do that.” She cheerfully said.
“No, I’m pretty sure she does.” The girl ignored the man’s words as she grabbed a bit of white cloth from a pocket, licked it, and then attempted to plaster it onto the wound as if it’ll stick...which it clearly wasn’t. As soon as he saw that, he immediately grabbed her and pulled her away from Natasha, the cloth with her.
“No, Bad Xis, that’s a bad, bad Xis.” He said, as he successfully pulled her away from Natasha.
“Apologies, Capitana, I can’t imagine that was comfortable. Try not to hold it against her, she’s from a really backwater planet far into the Outer Rim, and hasn’t quite nailed down the societal rules as of yet.” He told her, the girl still having a cheerfully innocent smile as if she was playing a game, much to his annoyance.
“Ah yes, how I know the password. I would think it obvious; I got it from the boss. That aside, I did my job, and it’s clear we’ve overstayed our welcome, so you go get that patched up and we’ll take our leave. I do hope we’ll have a chance to meet again. Adiós, Capitana. ” The man said, carrying the girl under his shoulder as he left, the girl - Xis he called her - not seeming to mind.
Xis, probably a fake name, thought Natasha. Well, time to check with Moonstrike One after getting this wound treated - Is Dr. Millard still in the crew, by the way?
She also uncharitably thought that the girl might have infected the wound with something. Either way, time to come back to the ship...
Galactic Bazaar - Burning Marketplace
Maria continued to hover above the area to oversee the rescue and subsequent escape operation, noticing that Nero has hijacked one of the Security's craft...and subsequently driving it out of control, which was enough to make Maria pinch the top of her nose until he gave out his report.
<Hey guys, I don't want to put the pressure on or anything, but I found a couple of bounty hunters or something looking to pinch escapees from the Circle of Hell. And while they didn't seem interested in me, they DID mention they were looking for a guy wielding white flames, and lookit that! White flames, all over the place! When we're done with this, there is going to be such a frigging chew-out session that you'll be hungry, just watching. Which reminds me, I bought a cake. Just saying.>
Wait, Bounty Hunters? Could they have made a bounty on her and Alan's heads and sent them out that fast across the galaxy? Maybe it was the AI that gave that much more urgency...or maybe 'Joey' has been busy since they parted with him back there.
But then he described them. Two of them, one with a fancy dress, the other with a cloak...a cloak...
"...A cloak?"
Se then looked towards the ships, and noticed some kind of black thin cloud, a black mist of some sort in the distance.
"Oh no..."
Well, good news: they can't be bounty hunters. Bad news? ...Whoever Nero met with was far, FAR worse. At the very least, she's seen that black mist-like thing before as it flies over their heads. The best way to describe what dust in the air looked when sunlight reflects off it: Unnoticeable to the point of practically unless you focus hard enough to spot it. From her position in the air, it was easy for Maria to see it from afar due to it looking like a black rain cloud from a distance. The flame pillar was also a suitable light source that made it possible to see the particles of the mist, if only barely.
The mist seems to be inactive, simply lingering above everyone - herself included - as if watching over the scene that's happening. But since there's no knowing at the moment if or when it might start being active, it was best to hurry this up and make a retreat. Especially since the security are likely especially pissed over Nero's hijacking of their gunship, them immediately trying to shoot it down as they make their way closer to them.
Fortunately, her comrades are starting to head over there to help with the situation at hand. Avelyn giving out information regarding the police, Big Brother Tarak and Samuel doing what they could to keep the situation from getting worse; everyone was effectively working like a well-oiled machine. Although one has made a rather daring request.
<"I'll go ahead and carry him once he's drained. If you don't mind.">
"I won't stop you, but exercise caution. Even after the extinguishers have done their job, he'll likely still have high heat emanating from the body. We won't have time to cool him off completely, so you'll have to carry him as is when they're finished." She responded.
The Extinguishers, needless to say, were doing their job. It certainly took more than one for a magical flame such as this, but in mere seconds, the pillar of flame subsided, and at the epicenter stood Alan, covered in the Extinguisher agent, his arms still up in the air, but finally coming back down in exhaustion. He was breathing deep breaths as if just after a long and arduous marathon - which indicated that at least he was still alive.
Though one would say him being alive at all was an impossible miracle in this situation. Not because of the flames he was right in the heart of, nor the enervation of releasing his energy for so long... But because of the small glowing crystalline stalagmites that appeared to have burst out of his body. Anyone who has been in the frontline of the war would recognize what that was: Kaisoken Crystals, the very thing that was grinded into dust to give the Star Marines their powers. Small spikes of Kaisoken crystal came out of random parts of the body during his time in the fire and stayed out after it was put out.
As the flames died out the crystal slowly began to retract into his body, the wounds they make closing up as soon as they fully entered, leaving him standing with a small holes here and there in his clothes, leaving him there, spitting out what was in the extinguishers they blasted at him, as well as some white hot plasma that was left in his mouth.
"...Was it good for you?" He weakly said in jest, a just as weak smile on his face, perhaps as some way to try and ease up the tension in the air, or as a way to show to his likely worrying friends that he was alright. Either way, as soon as he said that, he collapsed to the floor, residual heat still on him.
"It's ok, he's unconscious but still alive. Everyone volunteering to take him back, now's your chance. Be careful though, his body's still exuding some heat. Everyone else, initiate full withdrawal back to the Xuanxang. Klein, follow them to the ship." Maria said telepathically, knowing that Klein would likely have no idea what their ship looked like as she made that specific order him him.
However, just as she was ready to fly out, they would all hear a beastly roar from above, like that of a great lion, as the mist started to condense itself and once again formulate a black cloud over their heads, streams of darkness started coming down like tornadoes yet without the powerful wind that would compliment one.
Those funnels of darkness detached from the cloud, each one giving itself a grotesque but humanoid shape before manifesting it into reality. Landing on the ground, in front of the unconscious Alan and facing everyone else were what could only be described as...
"By order of the Low-Father, we demand justified subduction by enforcers of local law! Surrender or Die!" One of them said, pointing its axe at them. Even Maria was not avoiding conflict as one of them grew wings and headed right for her. The goblins on the ground - about the same amount as the amount of people currently at the location - did not wait for an answer as they rushed towards them like old-age savages.
It seems things got complicated.
Galactic Bazaar - Stock Trade Center
"Annnd, Donity-Done! -Whew- Getting the data through that network's like trying to shove a fat man down a chimney." The high-pitched disembodied voice of "R" said.
"At least that means we'll be getting gifts regardless. Remove the traces and take your leave." The old man said in response to him. Arms placing device all over the place the minute he heard R's voice, marking each one with a glowing orange crystal inserted into them.
"Rrrroger that boss. Giving this place a good clean up, then running off." R replied, the screen now showing a simply drawn hand - like that of a stick figure - with a wrinkled square - supposedly a cloth - rubbing down on the data and erasing the data that was on it, in a vain similar to a paint program's eraser function until there was nothing left but a blue screen, which then switched off. The old man then turned to the other two.
"Captain, the edits have been made and saved to the network." He said. Arron making a big stretch before then walking towards the two.
"Aye aye. Time to get back to the ship then, Me hearties. Can't wait to hear them landlubbers grovel as they look at tomorrow's morning news. ...Bones, have the others reported in?" He said to them with a smile, as he walked out, the other two following suit, before turning his head towards the old man as he walked out the door.
"Prince and Eve's meeting with the local mafia was reported to be a success. Sal reports to have sold about 30 ships independently and applied the red herring to the target as instructed. Xis has secured the target sample, and imagine is currently out there...'having fun' as it were. Lastly Muse reports an all-clear around the Typhon, and is prepping it for takeoff as we speak. Should be done by now, in fa-." Bones explained. He was interrupted by the whirring sound of a small laser pistol warming up ready to fire. Not one either, but several.
In front of them as they walked out was Agent Carmichael, and several Bazaar Security officers, all with their pistols pointed at the trio.
"Silent alarm...?"
"Silent alarm." Needless to say, they sent a group after them amidst the distraction quicker than they expected, irritating Bones.
"Et tu, Professor? I knew this pirate scum was capable of gathering people to his cause, but I never expected you - you of all people - to betray us, betray me. I thought it was odd you happening to need my help right when I nabbed the pirate brat...You even suggested which ship I bring him to. But why...You were one of the best scientists in the Ascendancy, why would someone like you fall in with Pirates?" Carmichael asked, his words emphasizing the hurt and betrayal he felt.
"...Would answering that make any difference, Agent?" The Professor asked rhetorically. Carmichael gave a sigh and shook his head in response, his gaze turned towards the Captain.
"Arron Falcon, You're under arrest for breaking and entering, as well as for your other crimes. You and your crew are not escaping again. Put your hands up and surrender or we pump you full of holes." Arron, Bones, and Arms did as told, with Arron having a smile on his face.
"At least you got Persistence going for you Herlock... Too bad the whole lot of ya's always in the dark or this land 'ould be thrivin'!" Arron said. While he clearly had more to say, Carmichael knew exactly where this was leading towards when he spouts nonsense out of the blue like this. He wasn't going to play this brat's game again, and so he fired at Arron. Arron was quick to duck however, the laser shooting a hole in his captain's cap, which prompted the other two to react in kind, and for the officers to start firing at them. Arms' Metallic namesake served as suitable shielding for him against the lasers, but it wasn't lasting for long against the rapid fire as they all darted to their left, off the side of the steps and making a run for it.
...And pressed a button on the back of his right wrist.
Within seconds, the devices he placed inside the trade center glowed immensely, and eventually unleashed a mighty Explosion, Completely blowing up the Trade Center, blowing away all the officers that were nearby, some of them getting crushed in the rubble.
Carmichael, who immediately went to chase after the trio the moment they made their run for it, looked back to see what happened, the whole building they were in now a smoldering rubble topped with its own smaller pillar of regular flames. He winced from the horrific sight before he started running again, his face riddled in anger.
"...YOU BASTARD!" He yelled, chasing after the three, shooting his laser as he ran. Little did he know that an aircraft flew overhead, a rope ladder coming down which the Trio then grabbed.
"Good try, Herlock! Next time you wanna chase in shadows, try coming with a little light!" The captain said, a continuation of what he was saying before, as he threw something down right in Carmichael's path, and by the sudden intense light that stopped the agent, it was a flashbang. By the time he could see clearly again, the ship - and the pirates - were nowhere to be seen.
With a scream of frustration, he simply stoof there for a good few minutes, then walked back towards the wreckage that was once the trade center in defeat. He could at least help out rescuing those who got hurt by the explosion.
Bazaar Rooftops
As the two paladins hopped from rooftop to rooftop, seemingly without much direction as they move farther away from the pillar of flames, Zebul covered one of his eyes with his hand as it glowed a violet light. What he saw was a skyview of what was happening below with the Pillar of flames and everyone who was trying to extinguish it. It seemed the mist over them is transmitting visual and auditorial signals directly into Zebul's mind, and what he saw through it was a...quite a sight to see.
"Targets confirmed. One escaped convict from the Circle of Hell, I imagine the other one is within that pillar of flames, causing it. The rest of the people around the vicinity appear to be their allies. At least one of them fits the description Warden De'Silva gave us."
"Then they're likely a part of the supposed Inspectors we heard about, the top potential suspects behind the Realist theft."
"Yes, that seems to be the case...Also, It seems Nero...is taking one of the Security aircrafts for a joyride." Zebul looked relatively embarrassed by the actions of Nero in particular, as if it was his own kid riding that aircraft the way he was. Nuletta couldn't help but chuckle a bit as they took a stop to their hopping on a particularly tall building.
"Has he now? Well we can't have that, now can we...? If they're the rumored Star Marines, then our best bet would be to gather information on them, and the best way to do that right now, is to have them demonstrate. Zebul, tell the children to send some scouts and engage with them. Send some of them to the nearest docks while you're at it, I want a photo of all ships inside." Nuletta said. Without a word, Zebul nodded, and extended his hand, and as if controlling the mist with it, he sent some of it above the docks where the Xuanxang was held. He then looked towards her.
"What about Nero?" He asked her.
"...That one is my responsibility." Nuletta said. The two of them then heard a powerful thunder and felt a small shockwave of wind, as they looked to see a pillar of Smoke in the direction of the Trade Center.
"They made their move. ...Looks like Nero's Discipline will have to be...indirect." She then said. Her eyes glowed a golden yellow as she and Zebul moved towards the smoke, a shadow left behind without anything casting it, moving the opposite direction of her.
As Nero piloted the craft, he likely wouldn't notice it, the white eyes that suddenly appeared on his own shadow, multiple eyes below two bigger ones, forming an eerie grin as hands dressed under a dark blue veil of night emerged from it.
But even if he didn't notice that, what he would likely notice easily was a faint whisper.
"Nero..." The voice eerily said, raspy and distorted like the haunting of a ghost. Did Ophelia perhaps found him? ...Was she behind him?
No, but what it was, was likely just as unwelcoming. As its hands creeped towards Nero, as if trying to pull him into itself.
@FalloutJack
Galactic Bazaar - Northwest shopping area
The largest checkpoint of Guards were a fair distance away from the action going on where the Pillar used to be. After all, nobody in their right mind would stage a command point near a dangerous magical inferno guarded by a bunch of magical kids to boot. Still, she had the right idea and the right location for it, where best to learn of their enemies movements than right at the core of their current operation?
Still, it was a risky and dangerous move, and almost inevitably it led to some of them heading in Avelyn's direction. Maybe it was an accidental sound they overheard, maybe a sniper saw movement and reported in, or maybe one of them just had a good eye and noticed something off in her direction and wanted them to check it out just in case. How didn't matter, what did, was that there was some trouble to be had now.
Or rather there would be, but while they were slowly making their way towards the psychic, they would overhear something in the distance. It was faint, but considering they couldn't even see where it was coming from, they can tell that whatever it was, it was Loud. They could then see something in the distance as the noise got louder and louder. It didn't take long to find out what it was...
It was pretty clear that the music was very old, must have been 22nd, maybe even 21st century, due to the instruments used and the random nonsense it spewed as its verses for some ridiculous reason, it felt practically parody in a way thanks to that.
More importantly, The jeep playing it was heading straight for them. Security naturally tried to ask it to halt, and for their efforts, they were ran over one after the other. They all tried shooting at it, but jeep was about as durable as it looked, if not more so, and began drifting and swerving around them, running over anyone in the way before then stopping in front of the shop entrance where she was hiding. Hopping up from his seat, and taking one of his guns out, he started firing at a few more security officers before hopping off the jeep and ducking behind it as cover.
It was Joey Albion, the other prisoner they rescued who left himself behind when they left Plenty.
"Hey there kid, You're one of Natty's pals, right? Mind helping me plow the road so we can get to the Xuan-pa?" He said to Avelyn with a goofy smirk on his face, seemingly outright ignoring the situation he put himself in.
