Sutoratosu

"So you guys wanna play?" Mareek asked as the Gibles began popping up like whack a mole around him He he caught on pretty quickly that the young dragons meant this to be some type of game. "Alright, Nemo, Java, get out here." The Cubone and Porygon were released from their balls in twin flashes of white light, looking around and noting the Gibles... well, Nemo did at least. "Cube!" he called, happy to be involved in a game. Java just looked at his Trainer as if the boy was trying to patronize him. "Well, at least one you wants to play," he sighed, turning and walking away from the Dragons. "Have fun, Nemo. I'll be watching..." Java didn't follow him as he left, though, just hovered there, looking at Nemo with a strange stare. Then the Porygon's attention was drawn by the growing cloud of white smoke from nearby... and needless to say, he headed over to it to investigate, only to bump into Claude on accident in the blinding stuff.

In the Skies... A burst of the blazing aura cloaking the bird of prey issued forth the moment it made contact with Crusader, along with the pained cries of both avian GAOs. the Staraptor was the first to plummet from the sky, it's neck torn apart from the collision with the Metal Bird's bladed, sleek body. It's wings were singed with the power of it's own attack, it's feather's burning bright blue as it tumbled to earth, looking like a fallen angel. Crusader wasn't in much better condition though. The last assault had nearly killed him from the impact force and raw transfer of energy. His armor around the face and neck was melted a little from the heat of the Staraptor's friction, unable to see out of one eye due to the damaged metal. His chest was scorched, but otherwise unscathed... but he too was plummeting down to the earth like a fallen star in the morning, gleaming silvery light in the sun as his battered form soon came to pick up terminal velocity. The thing was obviously out cold. He eventually managed to come to though, just in time to straighten out and manage to gain a little altitude, smacking into the top of a few trees over near Corporal Robertson and his team before ultimately losing control and crash landing right next to the Commander. ((Battle Intensity Tier: 3)) Jory's Fireteam Oliver was so startled by the sudden incident that he stopped his attack with a jolt and turned around, looking at the torn earth behind Jory... and at Crusader. The Metal Bird lay there in the dirt, struggling to retain consciousness... but at least it had won... and lived to fight another day. But a medic would be needed... and soon. Meanwhile, The tangoes had noticed the small fireteam trying to flank them thanks to the covering fire they had chosen to lay down. A few moments later a couple bolts of electricity began to be fired at them from a few GAOs behind cover in the distance, streaking through the air like bolts and charring the trees and cover around the team. One even managed to hit Oliver, though the Geeko seemed to not be too injured, but it definitely felt it, that much was for sure... in fact, he seemed to be having a few problems moving now, like all of his muscles had suddenly stiffened or something... but then just as suddenly as it happened, the firing and the thunderbolts all stopped... and if Corporal Robertson and his team weren't mistaking, their could swear that is was raining...mud. The Force on the Hill Surge smirked when he saw what Private Cannon was doing. He had an idea of his own now... "Here, let me help you with that, soldier," The moment later the Green Bipedal Frog creature was out again, And again, the skies darkened over their enemies and deluge began, rain water mixing with the dirt Pimparella had tossed into the air. The result... was that instead of raining dirt, it was now raining mud. The firing stopped. as did the bolts of electricity. Everything stood silent. Surge held up his hand in a halting gesture, ordering the team to hold further fire. A few minutes passed... then a few more... still silence. What the hell had just happened? ***** Fort Bexly Auxiliary Genetics Laboratory; 09:32 Hours, September 20, 2062 "Six months of researching this damn subject..." Ray snarled in frustration, slamming his Laptop shut and tossing the thing aside. He rubbed his temples, trying to reign in the anger he could rising like a steady tide. Six long months... for all that time, he had been assigned to this project from hell, this pursuit that had proved beyond pointless; To try to determine why these Creatures had so much power at their disposle, why they were capable of what they were. He had worked tirelessly, taking countless expeditions into the forest and mountains, observing GAOs in their natural habitats, their behavior, even the environment around them itself. He had evaluated the GAO Partners of countless Soldiers in the program, run battery after battery after motherfucking battery of worthless test, or rather, test that had ultimately proved to be worthless to his study. He had even studied his own GAOs, Salem and Romulus both... all with the same amount of yeilded results, nothing. He was done. over six months, he'd gotten nothing for all his work, not even the most minuscule of relevant results... well, perhaps that was exagerating. He had found one thing, whatever the reason, the power exhibited by these new species of animal definitely had something to do with Energy to Matter Transference. That seemed to be the basis of everything... EtM Theory. The energy given off by GAOs in the forest and accompanying Soldiers gave off a nearly identical energy signature as was detected at Hiroshima after the incident. But he had known this many months ago, had figured it out right after being assigned to Bexly, it was the very basis with which he had constructed the Signature Reader that all Soldiers carried with them; a basic principle, the more power a GAO naturally has at it's disposle, the higher it's energy signature will be. And over the last six months... all he'd really done was learn what he already knew. "Fuck it... I'm done, I'm just...fucking done." He continued, resting his elbows on the table, his head in his palms. "The idiots should never have assigned me to this study... I'm a Genetic Scientist, Damn it. I have a fucking PHD in Biology and Genetic Manipulation, not fucking Physics!" with that last sentence he kicked the table in a rage, sending it, along with the piles of research results on it, toppling over onto the floor with a loud slam. he got up from his chair, kicking that over as well and stalking for the door of the Auxillary lab, deciding that McCarthy and his lackies could clean up his damn mess since they had been so disgustingly ignorant as to miss assign his talents and expertise. He needed to go talk to someone about this utter bullshit... where was Oak? The old professor had always been there for him in the past...

Links are working perfectly fine for me, soldier. EDIT: Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, it should be showing up on the actual thread itself. Weird why it's glitching out... I insert videos (Mostly Music) from Youtube Playlist all the time on here and they always show up right and work properly for me...

Well, when did the Commander do this? I never noticed... I think that requesting this be pinned wouldn't be too unreasonable.

"What would we have to do exactly?" Ethic asked from the ceiling, before adding a quick "Sir." Alright, maybe this whole thing would work out OK afterall... If the killer down there managed to keep himself in line, that is. But Ethic was fairly certain that was a very big If.

updates coming tomorrow.

Signed, because social/ legal discrimination based on anything other than merit makes no sense to me, soldier.

"Come again, soldier?" Bane's voice rang out over the comms. he didn't sound quite so angry this time though... "Did you say 'Thunder Bird'?" meanwhile there was still no sign of where he or Quiet could be... it was like they were ghosts or something, stalking them all from just beyond sight...

Galen "I think will then," Galen said, Taking the white envelope and stowing it in his cop uniform. He got up from the chair and headed over to the computer, curious to scope out who he'd be working with from here on out.

"Holy shiiiiiiit....." Ethic said, putting his hands up and reaching for the sky...erm, floor in this case. He recalled his whip blade, looking down the barrel of the Machine Gun. These things looked like they could do serious damage, especially at close range, and he wasn't all that eager to go feeling a boat load of hot lead tearing through his flesh. On the other hand though... maybe this was just what they needed to keep the Psycho in check. Time to start talking. "Well, one could say We're travelers, you see," he said in his friendliest tone, turning to look down towards the old guy with a crap ton of fire power at his disposle. "We kinda...wondered into hell by accident, it's a long story, but I'd be more than happy to sit down and to tell it all to you and explain ourselves; if you'd be so kind as to call off these guns... keep them on the guy still on the ground though, please...he's hellbent on killing anyone he can get his hands on, which is the reason for the little fight you just walked in on us having..."

Lucille stood there for a moment, pondering the repercussions of the choice she had just made one more time. "Remember... I can always fail intentionally if I need to..." "T-thank you," she stammered, accepting the slip of paper. "I'll be sure to do that." and with that she turned and exited the boundaries of the ward, heading back towards Elemus where he stood like an apathetic statue of sorts. He spotted the slip of paper the moment Lucille got close. "Didn't you yourself say before heading off that the point was to "Scout" them, not join?" "I haven't been chosen, Lucille corrected him, holding up the slip to where the Mouse was hiding and reading the text through it's sight. She wasn't familiar with it, then again though, she had never had much reason to go traipsing around the Living Quarter... Elemus on the other hand, well, she had proof that he did. "Here," the young woman said, shoving the slip into the Hunter's hand, closing his fingers around it. "I'm sure you know this address, for one reason or another, if you'd be so kind as to guide me there..." "You're enjoying this, aren't you, girl?" he said, reading the paper over... he knew exactly where it was, passed by it often when going about his illegal affairs, in fact. "Lucky guess," he admitted, before following with. "But this will cost you fifty percent more, seeing as you've already drawn out this charade." "Get me there and back alive and well, and I'll double what I told you this morning." That was all the man wanted to hear. He turned and started walking out of the Assembly hall, electing to not bother taking the girl by the arm this time given her...tag along guest. If she could see now, then she should be more than capable enough of finding her own way without being led by the hand like a child. Lucille followed not far behind him, the mouse coming out of it's hiding place and retaking it's perch on her shoulder. She'd release it if she found something more suitable to take Theo's place, but for now it would just have to do... ((I'll leave it up to you what happens now, Sergeant Dobbs. I don't really know exactly what the situatin with the crowd currently is, what with that sudden beheading and all...))

So... anyone up for a game of "Keep away", people edition?

Leon was getting up, slowly but surely. And he was a bit pissed to say the least, even with this whole "Sky Slayer" business he'd gone and gotten into in this cycle, this was ridiculous. He should've never gotten involved in Rosse's little scheming and conspriracies... all he had ever gotten was hate and copious amounts of cringe worthy flaming from it. And here Arthur was, the old bastard he had fucking SAVED, once upon a time, now trying to kill him and his Party mates... "Now now..." he tried chiding his rising anger. "He can't remember anything, after all... it's not quite his fault." But even as he tried the self placation to keep from any needless violence right now, he lifted his left palm, stripping off what was left of his breast plate with the other. Ah, Muinnat blades... great when you're the one swinging them, but not so much when it's in the hands of the other guy. "Stop," he ordered, voice strong as steel. Deric didn't even bat an eye. "Stop or I will fucking kill you!" That rage filled outburst seemed to draw his attention. "You're not that important boy, go on, fucking test my patience here and now, and I will tear you apart like the rabid dog I truly am and send your sorry ass back to Elise. Anansi will have you back again before too long, Arthur, I can always wait around and get to you later; the only one who it is imperative we find soon is Circe." Unfortunately, it didn't work... because the Knight only glared at him... and then started stalking forward once more. "I'd like to see you try, Sky Slayer. Your legend ends this night." By this point Leon had made it over to Darius' side, placing his hand on the man's bastard sword and lowering it from the ready. A moment later the knight could see a harsh light blazing in between the Sky slayer's fingers, Electricity and thunder beginning to crackle and dance across the cloudless night sky. He clapped his palms together in a ritual like motion, bringing them back apart a moment later, the light now cloaking both hands and leaving streaks in the air. The wind began to stir, growing stronger and faster... Sand and small stones were beginning to be picked up in drifts around them. A few white, blazing winds began to issue from Leon's hands, swirling forth one after another and going wild like animals. Darius could recognize them as being similiar to the same winds he'd seen Leon use in the vision from the past Anansi had showed them. "This is the wrath of the one of the strongest pieces of magic there is... the wrath of the first Apocrypha," he warned, obviously done with this whole situation from the tone of his voice. "You have one last chance. Stand down, or I will give you a beating that you'll be sure to always remember." Deric finally stopped this time, taking a few steps backwards even, when he saw the Conjurings Stratos was up to. "A mass murderer and a Sorcerer," He spat. "How low can you progress?" "Start talking to him," Leon suddenly ordered, glancing at Darius. His voice and glare left absolutely no room for argument, not unless one were crazy, that is."It's obvious the damn fool won't listen to anything I might say. And I suggest you do it now, because I've no patience left with him... before long he may well be nothing but a splatter in the sand."

((You're right, Corporal, it has.)) Darius plowed into Deric just in the nick of time, saving Leon from an untimely death and sending himself along with the other knight sprawling in the sand. It wasn't long before the man shoved Darius off of him with a sudden kick to the sternum, getting up and glaring down at the young warrior, the same wolflike, grief tainted fury present in his eyes as before. He looked like he wanted nothing more than to tear his throat out with his bare hands. "So you're going to interfere, are you?" he snarled, just now noticing his sword had been knocked away however. It didn't matter, his hands would suffice just fine, as they had so long ago on that night... He unclipped his tattered Cloak from his armor, letting the thing fall to the ground as he stalked closer, Fist clenched and prepared to strike. "Fine, if you're so eager to throw away your life... I don't care anymore."

Oh, the irony...in so many more ways than it seems.

"That was... unexpected..." Lucille thought to herself, broken out of her previous train of contemplation when the Woman offered her an recruitment opportunity. "Either things just took a turn for the horrible, or they're working out far better than I could've hoped." Something stopped her from blindly accepting the offer though, it was none other than prudence. While yes, if she were to apply, and actually get accepted, she would be able to find what was really going on, once and for all, not being stuck here to listen to propaganda designed to draw in people like moths to a flame. But on the other hand, it was the Swords party... from the things Leon had been spouting, Lucille knew full well she held no sympathies for their ideals, nor would she likely ever. But on yet another hand, if she accepted, she might get a chance to finally find a way to slap some sense back into her brother... She could act, couldn't she? She didn't necessarily like doing it, constantly lying, but she did do it everyday at the shop, after all, out of necessity. How many people beside their closest employees even knew she was blind? How many people would still take their business seriously if they knew a woman who was completely blind had partial ownership? She might not think that her lack of sight hampered her potential capabilities and competence, but that by no means meant other people wouldn't. This would just be another bout of necessary Acting. And if she changed her mind, she could always just intentionally flunk the whole thing and go on to look into the Shields or Scales... "Um...I don't see any reason why_not," She answered Elizabeth finally, maintaining the act she was already putting on. "Very well then, I'd be glad to apply."

"Thought he would do that," Ethic mused to himself as he brought up his arm and lashed the table with his extended blade, slicing it into nothing but splinters before it even got close to him. He borught the thing around again, prepared to dish out another strike... only to find that the table was the only thing the Killer had thrown at him. And he could see why; the bastard was going for Rose now. The damn table toss had been nothing but a distraction. "Goddamn it..." he sighed. "She's done for. The bastard moves too fast for me to get there in time, and by the time she notices him, it'll still be to late..." He noticed motion out of the periphery of his vision though, turning his gaze to the source and finding non other than Kenny down there with Rose. Maybe she and Enya weren't screwed after all... wait... did Kenny even notice the psycho running up on them? The hell was he doing, why was he just standing there chit chatting- Goddamn it... "Hey, Kenny," Ethic called as loud as he could down below. "You've got company down there! Take his ass down, won't you?"

"Good," Rossephus said, stepping closer to Maximus slowly, hands in the pockets of his coat. His voice sounded grim as night. "I don't want you to change your opinion of me, any of you, because I deserve to be thought of as you already do. The things I have done in the past, both in this world, and far more so in the last, Makes me far worse than a monster. So I'm not going to sit here and try to defend myself against being called out as such." He stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ekarder at this point, facing towards the Castle Doors. His face was an unreadable mask. "I don't know how many have died by my hand or by my orders over the eons I've lived," He admitted. "I don't know how much suffering and pain and destruction I've caused. You're absolutely right, Maximus... I am a monster. And I fully accept that fact. But I'm a monster with a conscience. Just as I've done horrible things in the past, now I'm trying to stop even worse from occurring. And I don't expect you all to believe me, you've no reason to, as you've cited, but I just pray that at least a few of you will despite that, because this world will be the next to fall before long. And I'm not a savior, and I know and fully accept that." He turned and faced the entire group now taking a step away from the warrior. "You all are." he said. "Look, I don't expect you to believe me or trust me, any of you. I know the things I've done, my sins have all been accounted for, and I hope that someday I burn in the hottest fires hell has to offer; to give at least some justice to those who have been wronged by me, including you all this night. But before I burn, I intend to do what I can to help stop this world's destruction. But I'm not sitting here with a proposal for you all to join me, nothing of the sort. You all... have been chosen. call it either Fate, or just random chance, but the world's lies in your hands and the hands of a few others who will be traveling in the dessert soon. I'm not here to recruit you, I'm here to tell you that this world, and every single person in it, needs you. and they need you now."

"Sorry about the bounty by the way," Rosse said sincerely. "Added quite a bit of insult to injury there... back to our discussion though, I shall give you all the short version, rather than the long winded lectures I was forced to have shoved down my throat so many times by countless priests. The Primal Keys, Alpha and Omega, are two unimaginably powerful tools, or weapons, depending on you point of view. And it is with them that the very concept of Existence was ever even able to come about. In summary from what I recall from those boring schooling moments of my childhood; They are the two forces that existed when all was nothing but void, pure, pitch black nothingness. Twin lights, that birthed forth a being endowed with their very power... a being called Orphont, or "GOD" if you will, stands for "Generating, Organizing, and Destroying" the cycle which the keys are working through at every single moment in time, more on that later though." He began pacing back and forth, as if giving a lecture in a university somewhere. "Brace yourselves now, this is where it gets a bit confusing. It was Orphont, or GOD, again, which ever suits your fancy, who created the first Realm of Existence, and the first world. What you all and I and all these Snipers around us and every single beetle, bug, bird, fish and beast are standing in, is known as the Second World, created during the Second Realm of Existence. Now, I'm sure some of you may be curious as to why the first Realm ended. But before I go into that, I'll stop and take any questions you might have at this moment. Anyone? any takers? don't be shy now, the more you understand, the easier things will be for you in the future..."

One man. One bullet. One giant, monstrous looking bird...thing...Electric outlet? weapon maybe? Honestly, it was getting hard to believe at this point that some of this stuff was being actually cooked up by Mother Nature's son, Evolution. Regardless, the bullet Whit fired hurtled through the air, the beast wheeling around just at the most inopportune moment it could... A simple move of it's wings. that was all that ended the issue. That simple act of strafing... put it's eye directly into the path of the bullet, whereas it was set to make impact on the armoring of it's chest... one simple predatory behaviour function in it's brain. That was all it took to turn Whit's shot into the shot that killed the Thunder Chicken. The bullet entered through the eye, deserving the ball and nerve, cutting it's way right through into the brain. And it was over. A final death keel was heard by everyone on the transport as the thing fell out of the sky and went silent, a loud crash issuing forth as it's corpse plummeted into the forest canopy like a lead weight, smashing trees and tearing up earth as it skidded to a halt right in the path of the Vehicle. The moment it was dead, the comms, along with everything else, came back online. The first thing Whit heard was Stone's voice, sounding...actually impressed. "Excellent shot... soldier." and then just as soon as his voice rang through, it was gone. But little did Whit know that right at that moment, Stone was editing the mission roster... there was no way in hell he was going into Eden with Major Bane is this sniper wasn't in the company with them... The pilot of the Transport changed course and moved around the body as if nothing had happened, and they continued their mission, everything that had just transpired being sent back to Base Camp...

"Ah, guess it's time to get down to business then," Rossephus said, turning his attention away from the Alchemist and to Octavia. "It's just a question of where to begin..." "Start with the keys and go on from there, then explain Shatter points and finish from that point." Atton said from the opened door way into the Castle, eyeing Trystane... "Just as you told us..." "Atton!" a voice suddenly called from behind him. It sounded oddly familiar, Samiel, perhaps? "The bastards are surging forth again, we need you back below!" The gaint cast one more glance at Trystane, then without a word disappeared back inside the keep, leaving them alone once more with Rosse. "Right...right," he said, looking at each of the travelers in turn. "Very well then, let's begin. Who here knows anything about the primal keys, anything at all? how about you, Matrim?" he seemed to have chosen the man's name as if drawing it randomly from a hat.

Congratulations, Murdoc

Happy birthday, Soldier. on a quick side note, I'm assuming that if you're able to post this, then your computer issues are solved?