The Torch

[C.T.]

The bridge was surprisingly easy enough to find. It was an obvious target and in seeking it, Impulse would find the following.

The remains of what was once a base camp for the old team. Equipment would be set up, a generator deactivated in the corner and connected to computers and spotlights. Two las-turrets would also be seen at the door, both deactivated as well. Beyond that, a few sections placed off for cooking, rest and a laboratory use would also be seen. The last with a monitor that was filled with static. The soldiers with him would look to him.

"Orders...Sir?"

@C.T.​

"Hmm. A generator and turrets..." His mind raced at lightning speeds, running through countless ideas and scenarios for why it would all be abandoned...before dismissing it for now. "Right. Orders. Yeah." If only Kaldur or Nightwing were here. "Try to get the generator running, see if you can scrounge any data off any of the computers connected to it." Bart strode on, heading for the lab. A monitor just buzzing static. He narrowed his eyes slightly before superspeeding through, trying to see if there was anything worth a look left in the remains of the base camp's lab.

@Ringmaster​

 

[Verite]

"The other Sin Vessels... aren't as severe as Wrath, but those other six can be contained, I can assure you that."

Saying that, Crona was sure that the other six could be contained easily in comparison of someone trying to get a hold of the sin of Wrath. However, as Crona would've said that that was all she had to share as intel, something else came to mind. It wasn't that crucial, but for some reason, this felt like a personal need that she had to address. A part of her knew this while another part of her didn't... and it was almost brief and subtle, the feeling of sadness. The more she wanted to deny it, she felt it more instead, and by that alone, she needed this addressed.

"... I feel that this is more of a personal matter, but I must say this. If it is possible, keep a watchful eye over Lapis Lazuli. Being involved with the Murder Game that related to the Arch Demon's downfall... and a former Blood Institute member... I fear that she would need this supervision... in the case of something happening to her..."

Not even realizing it, Crona had a steady amount of tears going down her face, the feeling of sadness resurfacing when the thoughts of Lapis Lazuli came about.

@Verite​

Ocelot was admittedly somewhat taken aback when Crona would seem to suddenly tear up in front of him. From his perspective, she had been so calm and cool-headed before, so for her to suddenly emote in this manner would naturally surprise most people. It left him silent at first, wondering what to say and do as his brain raced.

As far as he remembered, Lapis Lazuli was the alias of Rinato Dormi, a young woman that had been involved in the so fabled story of the Arch Demon's Downfall. Though there were a few more fine details about it, that was generally the extent of what Ocelot knew about her. Perhaps Commanders Naegi, Kieran, or Xenohart knew some more, but perhaps not to the degree of what Crona might know.

Her whereabouts were currently unknown. It's not like people were exactly easy to find in the greater multiverse, but the Coalition wouldn't be as highly regarded as they were if they let anything like that stop them. After all, with their new resources and man power that had only grew after the Arch Demon's Downfall, resources that were very much needed in light of the new threats spurred on by Kirei Kotomine, Bernkastel, among others, it wasn't like finding people was impossible.

Though, they had to take care that if they did find a Lapis Lazuli, it was the right incarnation. But they could worry about that later.

With a sigh, he scratched the back of his head somewhat uncomfortably. Being a soldier, once surrounded by tough guys who rarely emoted, for all his accomplishments, Major Revolver Ocelot was not exactly sure what to do when a girl before him would break down crying.

"I... I see what you mean," the young man nodded, clearing his throat to gather his bearings, "Yes, playing a part in defeating the Arch Demon wouldn't exactly give you a low profile, especially when the incident has been recorded by presumably numerous organizations," he added, crossing his arms in an attempt to maintain his professionalism.

Because he was just too cool to be the kind of person who would offer such a girl a pat on the shoulder.

"I'll put some men on it as soon as I can. However, I must ask you to understand... With the other bases that the Coalition must cover, including the prevention of further Murder Games to happen, facing complications with the Multiversal United Nations, training the new recruits here at The Torch, and so forth, coupled with the confidence that Ms. Lazuli is in good company and is able to take care of herself, as well as this Institute flying under our radar for so long... It may not exactly be a high priority gesture in the eyes of the higher-ups, but I'll try my best."

@Gummi Bunnies​

 

[Ringmaster]

Clare unsheathed her sword and moved forward with caution. She sniffed the air, trying to see if she could catch the scent of the beast, hoping that it wouldn't have anything to do with Yoma.

Either way, whether the thing responsible was Yoma related or not it would likely meet the same fate.

"Stay on guard and proceed with caution. One wrong move will lead to the same fate as these men before us." she spoke, not bothering to look back at the soldiers that gad accompanied her.

@Ringmaster @C.T.

"Acknowledged."

Came the quiet reply of the power-armored Sword soldier. Weapons up, the three moved into flanking position letting Clare take point and the third moving to the back. Which meant anything coming through would be facing a crossfire of bullets and a very, heavy sword in the front. You had to feel sorry for whatever was down here....Or possibly not.

The other soldiers had power armor as well, each of them had been ripped apart like paper dolls though professionals as they were, the Sword soldiers didn't react. Sense-wise, the air was full of old blood and steam. What had happened here, had occurred for at least a full week ago at the least. The only reason it was still fresh enough to smell was the humidity. The steam preserved some measure of it, enough to be detected here.

And then the left soldier said aloud, one hand holding up a handgun the size of a sawed off shotgun in the power-glove and the other, with a motion detector.

"Movement, fifteen yards and retreating."

Upon reaching the spot, they'd find bloody footprints.

Human ones and fresh, heading east.

@Takumi

------------
​

"Hmm. A generator and turrets..." His mind raced at lightning speeds, running through countless ideas and scenarios for why it would all be abandoned...before dismissing it for now. "Right. Orders. Yeah." If only Kaldur or Nightwing were here. "Try to get the generator running, see if you can scrounge any data off any of the computers connected to it." Bart strode on, heading for the lab. A monitor just buzzing static. He narrowed his eyes slightly before superspeeding through, trying to see if there was anything worth a look left in the remains of the base camp's lab.

@Ringmaster​

"Yes sir."

One moved to work on the generator. Another went to begin work on the turrets, ensuring they wouldn't be attacked if they brought them to life. The last would be fulfilling Impulse's orders as he moved to the computer sections and began work. It would take a while, but they had cross-training for just this sort of emergency...As they worked, Impulse would find the following in his speed searching.

There was a lot of cleaning material, mostly for soft objects...Like paper and parchment, which was a strange thing to bring in a place like this. There were also a number of symbols, copied out and looking like various animals. Hieroglyphics perhaps? Someone thought so at any rate, with datapad entries on Egyptian, Alteran(by a Dr. Jack Daniel's) and more. All crossed out, and a frustrated tone in the last note read as the following.

'Not right. No syntax!'

A note below that, a few weeks later according to the date next to it said simply.

'Connors has the right of it.'

"Sir?"

One of the soldiers stood at respectful attention behind Impulse. Upon being noticed, he'd speak.

"We got the generator running, looked at the computer. Most of the information was wiped, but we got something you should see."

It turned out to be the turret records. The computer recording how many shots each fired, both on screen as it played in the five-hundreds and rising rapidly. At the one thousand mark, both turrets stopped.

"Something came that the turrets were firing at, a lot of them....And then they didn't. Not a mark on the walls sir, not a scorch."

@C.T.​

 

[Takumi]

"Acknowledged."

Came the quiet reply of the power-armored Sword soldier. Weapons up, the three moved into flanking position letting Clare take point and the third moving to the back. Which meant anything coming through would be facing a crossfire of bullets and a very, heavy sword in the front. You had to feel sorry for whatever was down here....Or possibly not.

The other soldiers had power armor as well, each of them had been ripped apart like paper dolls though professionals as they were, the Sword soldiers didn't react. Sense-wise, the air was full of old blood and steam. What had happened here, had occurred for at least a full week ago at the least. The only reason it was still fresh enough to smell was the humidity. The steam preserved some measure of it, enough to be detected here.

And then the left soldier said aloud, one hand holding up a handgun the size of a sawed off shotgun in the power-glove and the other, with a motion detector.

"Movement, fifteen yards and retreating."

Upon reaching the spot, they'd find bloody footprints.

Human ones and fresh, heading east.

@Takumi

------------
​

"Yes sir."

One moved to work on the generator. Another went to begin work on the turrets, ensuring they wouldn't be attacked if they brought them to life. The last would be fulfilling Impulse's orders as he moved to the computer sections and began work. It would take a while, but they had cross-training for just this sort of emergency...As they worked, Impulse would find the following in his speed searching.

There was a lot of cleaning material, mostly for soft objects...Like paper and parchment, which was a strange thing to bring in a place like this. There were also a number of symbols, copied out and looking like various animals. Hieroglyphics perhaps? Someone thought so at any rate, with datapad entries on Egyptian, Alteran(by a Dr. Jack Daniel's) and more. All crossed out, and a frustrated tone in the last note read as the following.

'Not right. No syntax!'

A note below that, a few weeks later according to the date next to it said simply.

'Connors has the right of it.'

"Sir?"

One of the soldiers stood at respectful attention behind Impulse. Upon being noticed, he'd speak.

"We got the generator running, looked at the computer. Most of the information was wiped, but we got something you should see."

It turned out to be the turret records. The computer recording how many shots each fired, both on screen as it played in the five-hundreds and rising rapidly. At the one thousand mark, both turrets stopped.

"Something came that the turrets were firing at, a lot of them....And then they didn't. Not a mark on the walls sir, not a scorch."

@C.T.​

"Human footprints...." Clare muttered as she glanced down at them. Gazing ahead she'd continue, heading east as the footprints had.

She wasn't expecting to see that, but after all of her years seeing Yoma shift and change form the slight surprise quickly wore off.

First mission and already she was dealing with strange creatures. Not like she really cared or complained.

Lucifer said that they'd be on channel 5 right? Clare still wasn't used to technology unfortunately, since she came from a rather mediaeval world and all.

@Ringmaster

 

[C.T.]

"Yes sir."

One moved to work on the generator. Another went to begin work on the turrets, ensuring they wouldn't be attacked if they brought them to life. The last would be fulfilling Impulse's orders as he moved to the computer sections and began work. It would take a while, but they had cross-training for just this sort of emergency...As they worked, Impulse would find the following in his speed searching.

There was a lot of cleaning material, mostly for soft objects...Like paper and parchment, which was a strange thing to bring in a place like this. There were also a number of symbols, copied out and looking like various animals. Hieroglyphics perhaps? Someone thought so at any rate, with datapad entries on Egyptian, Alteran(by a Dr. Jack Daniel's) and more. All crossed out, and a frustrated tone in the last note read as the following.

'Not right. No syntax!'

A note below that, a few weeks later according to the date next to it said simply.

'Connors has the right of it.'

"Sir?"

One of the soldiers stood at respectful attention behind Impulse. Upon being noticed, he'd speak.

"We got the generator running, looked at the computer. Most of the information was wiped, but we got something you should see."

It turned out to be the turret records. The computer recording how many shots each fired, both on screen as it played in the five-hundreds and rising rapidly. At the one thousand mark, both turrets stopped.

"Something came that the turrets were firing at, a lot of them....And then they didn't. Not a mark on the walls sir, not a scorch."

@C.T.​

"Ancient hieroglyphics, symbolic animals...Egyptian and more. And a reference to someone named Connors--" He blinked, interrupted in vocalizing his thoughts. Spinning rapidly in place, he nodded to the soldier. "Yeah? Well that sounds more useful than this." Bart followed the soldier, viewing the recording until the end. "...Or not. Not crash at all. That leaves more answers than questions. Not even a hint of collateral damage? Nothing at all?" He rushed off in a blink to inspect it for himself before returning a second later in a gush of wind. "You're soldiers, trained and knowledgeable with weapons. What are the specs on these turrets?"

@Ringmaster​

 

[Ringmaster]

"Human footprints...." Clare muttered as she glanced down at them. Gazing ahead she'd continue, heading east as the footprints had.

She wasn't expecting to see that, but after all of her years seeing Yoma shift and change form the slight surprise quickly wore off.

First mission and already she was dealing with strange creatures. Not like she really cared or complained.

Lucifer said that they'd be on channel 5 right? Clare still wasn't used to technology unfortunately, since she came from a rather mediaeval world and all.

@Ringmaster

"Ancient hieroglyphics, symbolic animals...Egyptian and more. And a reference to someone named Connors--" He blinked, interrupted in vocalizing his thoughts. Spinning rapidly in place, he nodded to the soldier. "Yeah? Well that sounds more useful than this." Bart followed the soldier, viewing the recording until the end. "...Or not. Not crash at all. That leaves more answers than questions. Not even a hint of collateral damage? Nothing at all?" He rushed off in a blink to inspect it for himself before returning a second later in a gush of wind. "You're soldiers, trained and knowledgeable with weapons. What are the specs on these turrets?"

@Ringmaster​

Around that point, the comm would activate as Lucifer spoke to both.

"This is Lucifer. Giving progress on our actions, the bulkhead leading to the Engine Rooms has been sealed from the outside. But we've discovered a faint signal from within though, from Major Yayoi's equipment. Cutting through it now. Any luck on your ends?"

@C.T. @Takumi

-------

In the living area levels, the lights began to flicker...One of the soldiers frowning as he gently whapped the side of his motion sensor in the manner universal across the multiverse.

Another would be peeking into an adjacent room, to see if anything was within.

Seeing nothing but a creepy metal statue however, he turned around and went back to eyeing the perimeter.

--------

"These are C-Mark I. Automated Sentry Guns. No ammo, they draw it all from the generator which makes them invaluable for certain missions. Full power, you could put a hole through a rampaging Nexu easily."

"Hmm. A generator and turrets..."

As one, they all turned in surprise to see....Someone who looked very much like Impulse, accompanied by three soldiers in power armor perfect down to the last detail. In shock, they watched as the Impulse opposite pondered before smiling.

"Right. Orders. Yeah. Try to get the generator running, see if you can scrounge any data off any of the computers connected to it."

Though as they made to step forward into the room, all vanished into thin air.

One of the soldiers near Impulse broke discipline long enough to say the following.

"The hell was that?!"​

 

[C.T.]

Around that point, the comm would activate as Lucifer spoke to both.

"This is Lucifer. Giving progress on our actions, the bulkhead leading to the Engine Rooms has been sealed from the outside. But we've discovered a faint signal from within though, from Major Yayoi's equipment. Cutting through it now. Any luck on your ends?"​

"Define luck." He just snarked back through the comms. Before he had the chance to speak up further...​

"These are C-Mark I. Automated Sentry Guns. No ammo, they draw it all from the generator which makes them invaluable for certain missions. Full power, you could put a hole through a rampaging Nexu easily."

"Hmm. A generator and turrets..."

As one, they all turned in surprise to see....Someone who looked very much like Impulse, accompanied by three soldiers in power armor perfect down to the last detail. In shock, they watched as the Impulse opposite pondered before smiling.

"Right. Orders. Yeah. Try to get the generator running, see if you can scrounge any data off any of the computers connected to it."

Though as they made to step forward into the room, all vanished into thin air.

One of the soldiers near Impulse broke discipline long enough to say the following.

"The hell was that?!"​

"Ohhhh, so it's going to be like that, huh?" Bart snickered. "Well I'm hazarding a guess here, and just a guess, but I'm betting on some temporal distortion at work. You know, before I signed on with this outfit I spent a good while as a hero. Built a time machine, went back in time, saved the world. Wasn't easy, breaking the time barrier. The zeta and chronotron radiation levels have to be in perfect sync. And it's only a one time use. I could likely construct one here, if I had the right tools. If that guess is right, that could explain why there's no indication of the turret fire even though it happened. And why we just got hit with specters of the very recent past. I'd say that's pretty crash but that doesn't get us anywhere. What were these guys getting into down here?"

He hit the comms again. "Houston we have a problem."

@Ringmaster​

 

[Takumi]

Around that point, the comm would activate as Lucifer spoke to both.

"This is Lucifer. Giving progress on our actions, the bulkhead leading to the Engine Rooms has been sealed from the outside. But we've discovered a faint signal from within though, from Major Yayoi's equipment. Cutting through it now. Any luck on your ends?"

@C.T. @Takumi

-------

In the living area levels, the lights began to flicker...One of the soldiers frowning as he gently whapped the side of his motion sensor in the manner universal across the multiverse.

Another would be peeking into an adjacent room, to see if anything was within.

Seeing nothing but a creepy metal statue however, he turned around and went back to eyeing the perimeter.

--------

"These are C-Mark I. Automated Sentry Guns. No ammo, they draw it all from the generator which makes them invaluable for certain missions. Full power, you could put a hole through a rampaging Nexu easily."

"Hmm. A generator and turrets..."

As one, they all turned in surprise to see....Someone who looked very much like Impulse, accompanied by three soldiers in power armor perfect down to the last detail. In shock, they watched as the Impulse opposite pondered before smiling.

"Right. Orders. Yeah. Try to get the generator running, see if you can scrounge any data off any of the computers connected to it."

Though as they made to step forward into the room, all vanished into thin air.

One of the soldiers near Impulse broke discipline long enough to say the following.

"The hell was that?!"​

"There's bodies that have been torn apart down here. Movement has been seen and there are human shaped footprints in the blood. If you call that "luck" then..." there was a pause on her end as she glanced to the statue.

"Hmph." she huffed under her breath.

@Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

"Define luck." He just snarked back through the comms. Before he had the chance to speak up further...​

"Ohhhh, so it's going to be like that, huh?" Bart snickered. "Well I'm hazarding a guess here, and just a guess, but I'm betting on some temporal distortion at work. You know, before I signed on with this outfit I spent a good while as a hero. Built a time machine, went back in time, saved the world. Wasn't easy, breaking the time barrier. The zeta and chronotron radiation levels have to be in perfect sync. And it's only a one time use. I could likely construct one here, if I had the right tools. If that guess is right, that could explain why there's no indication of the turret fire even though it happened. And why we just got hit with specters of the very recent past. I'd say that's pretty crash but that doesn't get us anywhere. What were these guys getting into down here?"

He hit the comms again. "Houston we have a problem."

@Ringmaster​

"There's bodies that have been torn apart down here. Movement has been seen and there are human shaped footprints in the blood. If you call that "luck" then..." there was a pause on her end as she glanced to the statue.

"Hmph." she huffed under her breath.

@Ringmaster

Lucifer listened carefully to Clares report, frowning before he spoke.

"Alright then. You've experience, so I won't say what to do, other then wish you a good hunt."

At Impulse's return as he mentioned a problem, Lucifer pressed his comm.

"Go ahead, I'm right here."

-----

"Creeped me out, thought it was a person at first."

The soldier told Clare casually as he shone the light on the statue.

Dismissing it of little importance, he turned away and turned his light for the direction of the footprints.

"Frost, take point."

"Roger."

Still holding up his motion sensor, he slowly advanced towards the footprints, following before he turned a corner and was gone about ten feet distant.

And then there was a clattering noise as his flashlight rolled out into view.

"Frost!!"

@Takumi
-------------

"Time distortions? Magic or science?"

"No thaumic sensors here...If this is a thing, its roots are scientific. Maybe we'll find something to help us pinpoint when and why it comes?"

And then the turrets whirred to life, raising up as the lights began to flicker and die around them. The third soldier smacked his hand on the generator, but that wasn't the problem.

Something was coming....

@C.T.​

 

[C.T.]

At Impulse's return as he mentioned a problem, Lucifer pressed his comm.

"Go ahead, I'm right here."​

"Seems time related. Recording of turret fire, heavy at that. But no damage at all to the walls, no residue. Top it all off, just had...the sight of ourselves. Specters, hallucinations, something just feels off and wrong--"
​

"Time distortions? Magic or science?"

"No thaumic sensors here...If this is a thing, its roots are scientific. Maybe we'll find something to help us pinpoint when and why it comes?"

And then the turrets whirred to life, raising up as the lights began to flicker and die around them. The third soldier smacked his hand on the generator, but that wasn't the problem.

Something was coming....​

"...And it gets even worse. I'll call you back." Impulse finished, thumbing off the comm. With each flicker of the lights, his sense of foreboding increased. "Something tells me we may not have that kind of time. Stay here. Form up, I'll go to check this out myself." He started forward.

@Ringmaster​

 

[Takumi]

Lucifer listened carefully to Clares report, frowning before he spoke.

"Alright then. You've experience, so I won't say what to do, other then wish you a good hunt."

At Impulse's return as he mentioned a problem, Lucifer pressed his comm.

"Go ahead, I'm right here."

-----

"Creeped me out, thought it was a person at first."

The soldier told Clare casually as he shone the light on the statue.

Dismissing it of little importance, he turned away and turned his light for the direction of the footprints.

"Frost, take point."

"Roger."

Still holding up his motion sensor, he slowly advanced towards the footprints, following before he turned a corner and was gone about ten feet distant.

And then there was a clattering noise as his flashlight rolled out into view.

"Frost!!"

@Takumi
-------------

"Time distortions? Magic or science?"

"No thaumic sensors here...If this is a thing, its roots are scientific. Maybe we'll find something to help us pinpoint when and why it comes?"

And then the turrets whirred to life, raising up as the lights began to flicker and die around them. The third soldier smacked his hand on the generator, but that wasn't the problem.

Something was coming....

@C.T.​

Clare was moving forward towards where Frost had went, ready to attack or defend if need be. Her guard was up tenfold now and the last thing she'd want was a death on her watch.

@Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

"Seems time related. Recording of turret fire, heavy at that. But no damage at all to the walls, no residue. Top it all off, just had...the sight of ourselves. Specters, hallucinations, something just feels off and wrong--"
​

"...And it gets even worse. I'll call you back." Impulse finished, thumbing off the comm. With each flicker of the lights, his sense of foreboding increased. "Something tells me we may not have that kind of time. Stay here. Form up, I'll go to check this out myself." He started forward.

@Ringmaster​

Lucifer growled, turning to the soldiers.

"Get back up, help them. I'll go on myself."

"Sir?"

"Now! They may need you!"

And as they left, Lucifer turned his gaze to the half open door as he approached and slid in without so much as a whisper and was gone....He hoped they'd be alright.

But for now, all he could do was trust them as he ran through the dark engineering level.

---------

Down the flickering tunnel, Impulse would see the following. A transluscent, almost transparent swarm of creatures surging down the tunnel. A time distortion again? Well if so, they should be harmless-

"SCREEECH!"

And then one flickered and vanished in time, reappearing six feet forward from its old position in a blink as it slashed down at the floor, leaving very real claw marks gouging in the metal.

And all of them approaching Impulse and his team fast.

-------

Around the corner, another statue would be seen. One with its arms raised and mouth open in a snarl as it looked at Clare in mid-pounce.

"HOLY SHIT!"

The sound of lasfire echoed behind where the others were as her soldier buddy said panicked.

"THEY MOVE! THEY FUCKING MOVED!"

And indeed, where once there was nothing behind them, another angel statue would be waiting. In calm, twisted pose as it seemed to stare into their souls.

@Takumi
​

 

[C.T.]

Down the flickering tunnel, Impulse would see the following. A transluscent, almost transparent swarm of creatures surging down the tunnel. A time distortion again? Well if so, they should be harmless-

"SCREEECH!"

And then one flickered and vanished in time, reappearing six feet forward from its old position in a blink as it slashed down at the floor, leaving very real claw marks gouging in the metal.

And all of them approaching Impulse and his team fast.
​

"...That's not good." He deadpanned, quickly dashing away in a blur back the way he came. "Change of plans, we need to leave. Fast. We got incoming. Slow for me, but for you...plus, they seemed almost transparent. I don't know if anything you got can deal with that."

"IwouldonlybeabletocarryoneofyouonmyshouldersatatimesothatoptionisoutunlesstheothersfeeluptowaitingormaybeyouallcanholdonandI'llphaseusthroughoneofthesewalls, whatdoyathink?"

@Ringmaster​

 

[Takumi]

Lucifer growled, turning to the soldiers.

"Get back up, help them. I'll go on myself."

"Sir?"

"Now! They may need you!"

And as they left, Lucifer turned his gaze to the half open door as he approached and slid in without so much as a whisper and was gone....He hoped they'd be alright.

But for now, all he could do was trust them as he ran through the dark engineering level.

---------

Down the flickering tunnel, Impulse would see the following. A transluscent, almost transparent swarm of creatures surging down the tunnel. A time distortion again? Well if so, they should be harmless-

"SCREEECH!"

And then one flickered and vanished in time, reappearing six feet forward from its old position in a blink as it slashed down at the floor, leaving very real claw marks gouging in the metal.

And all of them approaching Impulse and his team fast.

-------

Around the corner, another statue would be seen. One with its arms raised and mouth open in a snarl as it looked at Clare in mid-pounce.

"HOLY SHIT!"

The sound of lasfire echoed behind where the others were as her soldier buddy said panicked.

"THEY MOVE! THEY FUCKING MOVED!"

And indeed, where once there was nothing behind them, another angel statue would be waiting. In calm, twisted pose as it seemed to stare into their souls.

@Takumi
​

Clare reacted quickly, moving to try and cut the statue in half with her blade straight down the middle.

"Try not to panic! Stay focused!" she ordered, occasionally glancing at the rest to make sure they didn't end up like the deceased they had seen moments before.

@Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

"...That's not good." He deadpanned, quickly dashing away in a blur back the way he came. "Change of plans, we need to leave. Fast. We got incoming. Slow for me, but for you...plus, they seemed almost transparent. I don't know if anything you got can deal with that."

"IwouldonlybeabletocarryoneofyouonmyshouldersatatimesothatoptionisoutunlesstheothersfeeluptowaitingormaybeyouallcanholdonandI'llphaseusthroughoneofthesewalls, whatdoyathink?"

@Ringmaster​

"Do it sir. As fast as possible- THEY'RE COMING!"

The turrets were moved into position to buy time as two of the soldiers dropped to one knee, weapons out and aiming down the corridor.

"We've no idea what's through the walls, we could step out anywhere. But if you can open the bridge?"

And perhaps, they might have sanctuary.

And then the creatures rounded the corner as the turrets, accompanied by the two Sword soldiers opened fire.

"COME GET SOME!"

@C.T.

---------------
​

Clare reacted quickly, moving to try and cut the statue in half with her blade straight down the middle.

"Try not to panic! Stay focused!" she ordered, occasionally glancing at the rest to make sure they didn't end up like the deceased they had seen moments before.

@Ringmaster

"ITS NOT GOING DOWN! ITS ABSORBING MY WEAPONS POWER PACK!"

And the panic broke as Clare smashed hers to bits.

"...Energy! Physical attacks might-"

And there were two. By glancing away, both Clare and the lone soldier left would find themselves facing the one that had been following....And the others, poking their heads out from the doors in midstep.

The Soldier winced.

"Ma'am? We're surrounded it looks like. Orders?"

But if they were...How did the bloody footprint leaver get away?

@Takumi​

 

[C.T.]

"Do it sir. As fast as possible- THEY'RE COMING!"

The turrets were moved into position to buy time as two of the soldiers dropped to one knee, weapons out and aiming down the corridor.

"We've no idea what's through the walls, we could step out anywhere. But if you can open the bridge?"

And perhaps, they might have sanctuary.

And then the creatures rounded the corner as the turrets, accompanied by the two Sword soldiers opened fire.

"COME GET SOME!"

@C.T.​

"On it! It'll be done...in a flash. Heh." Without wasting any more time he dashed off to go do just that.​

 

[Takumi]

"Do it sir. As fast as possible- THEY'RE COMING!"

The turrets were moved into position to buy time as two of the soldiers dropped to one knee, weapons out and aiming down the corridor.

"We've no idea what's through the walls, we could step out anywhere. But if you can open the bridge?"

And perhaps, they might have sanctuary.

And then the creatures rounded the corner as the turrets, accompanied by the two Sword soldiers opened fire.

"COME GET SOME!"

@C.T.

---------------
​

"ITS NOT GOING DOWN! ITS ABSORBING MY WEAPONS POWER PACK!"

And the panic broke as Clare smashed hers to bits.

"...Energy! Physical attacks might-"

And there were two. By glancing away, both Clare and the lone soldier left would find themselves facing the one that had been following....And the others, poking their heads out from the doors in midstep.

The Soldier winced.

"Ma'am? We're surrounded it looks like. Orders?"

But if they were...How did the bloody footprint leaver get away?

@Takumi​

"Be careful and try ro take down as many as possible with a level head. You know hand to hand or something similar yes? Use it to your advantage..." as she said this her eyes changed from silver to their cat like golden counterpart. Her facial features began to take on the characteristics of her Yoma half and her right arm pulsated just slightly, veins buldging as she gave a grunt almost as if the physical change was painful to some degree. Her voice sounded slightly grizzly in this state.

"I'll do my best to keep you alive..." she added.

@Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

"Be careful and try ro take down as many as possible with a level head. You know hand to hand or something similar yes? Use it to your advantage..." as she said this her eyes changed from silver to their cat like golden counterpart. Her facial features began to take on the characteristics of her Yoma half and her right arm pulsated just slightly, veins buldging as she gave a grunt almost as if the physical change was painful to some degree. Her voice sounded slightly grizzly in this state.

"I'll do my best to keep you alive..." she added.

@Ringmaster

Reminded and no longer fearful, the lone soldier began to attack with a power armor fist. But unfortunately, well...

She blinked.

And Clare was left alone. All smashed in her path, but behind they came...And then the grate lifted and a scaly, green hand grabbed her leg and dragged her down the vent forcefully.

Sliding further and further, she'd roll out into a room...And in the corner, a creature would be watching her.

Aloud, it spoke.

"Youuuu....Coalition?"

Words were difficult, as it tried to make itself understood, twitching at every noise with a hiss.

@Takumi

----------
​

"On it! It'll be done...in a flash. Heh." Without wasting any more time he dashed off to go do just that.​

Speedforce managed to get the combination of the bridge doors, sliding it open. Returning, Impulse would see two soldiers dragged into the horde as they fired and fought back. The third would yell.

"CAN WE DO ANYTHING?!"

Around that point, the turrets would be engulfed and then the horde swarmed en mass towards the two.

@C.T.​

 

[Crow]

"Do it sir. As fast as possible- THEY'RE COMING!"

The turrets were moved into position to buy time as two of the soldiers dropped to one knee, weapons out and aiming down the corridor.

"We've no idea what's through the walls, we could step out anywhere. But if you can open the bridge?"

And perhaps, they might have sanctuary.

And then the creatures rounded the corner as the turrets, accompanied by the two Sword soldiers opened fire.

"COME GET SOME!"

@C.T.
​

"Laser Lance!"

A voice emerged as a good radius of the horde were blown back by an emerging, flying entity from underneath.

"Laser Javelin!"

The mysterious voice yelled as a volley of mysterious energy-like lances rained upon the horde.

A mechanical winged humanoid landed from the ceiling.

"I'll help however I can! What's the plan?" the angelic man looks at the turrets being consumed by the horde. He prepares a pair of energy-like armblades akin to katars...

@C.T. @Ringmaster​

 

[Takumi]

Reminded and no longer fearful, the lone soldier began to attack with a power armor fist. But unfortunately, well...

She blinked.

And Clare was left alone. All smashed in her path, but behind they came...And then the grate lifted and a scaly, green hand grabbed her leg and dragged her down the vent forcefully.

Sliding further and further, she'd roll out into a room...And in the corner, a creature would be watching her.

Aloud, it spoke.

"Youuuu....Coalition?"

Words were difficult, as it tried to make itself understood, twitching at every noise with a hiss.

@Takumi

----------
​

Speedforce managed to get the combination of the bridge doors, sliding it open. Returning, Impulse would see two soldiers dragged into the horde as they fired and fought back. The third would yell.

"CAN WE DO ANYTHING?!"

Around that point, the turrets would be engulfed and then the horde swarmed en mass towards the two.

@C.T.​

Suddenly being grabbed by the leg and pulled down a vent led to a few bumps and bruises along the way. She hit her head at some point but wasn't very phased by it.

"Yes...I am..." Clare said. She took in his appearance carefully before speaking again.

"Were you with the last squad?" she asked, noticing his attire.

@Ringmaster