IC: Rahzahkea looks up from staring at the floor to looking at Syreio instead. "Ah, Syreio. It is good to see you again. How is Malvo doing these days?"
"Ah yes, the equipment. Was Nekra able to add any of our requests to the Suva?"
IC: "Ah, Toa Rahzahkea. Good to see you as well. You look quite well, after, well, what happened." She clears her throat.
"Er, anyways, yes! The masks and tools were easy enough, and for the more specific requests... well, I'm getting ahead of myself. Is everyone here?" Pheore looks around. Tuhi, Kinaki, Rahzahkea, Takua-
Lync drops down in the midst of the group, dusting her armor off. "Does this mean you'll finally stop yelling at me for going in the basement, Pheore?" Pheore suppresses a laugh and a smile, turning back to Syreio.
"Yes, I think we can get started now."
"Excellent. Now, if everyone can follow me...." Syreio pushes past the group, descending the new set of stairs into the basement. Pheore follows right after her, while Lync hangs back, trailing the last of the group down.
The stairs curl down, depositing the group at the edge of a wide, domed room. Panels line the walls around them, with a shiny, domed structure taking up the center of the room.
IC: The soldiers of the Storm Legion stop in their track as a psychic pulse washes over the camp. There is no pain in the action; it's not an attack. There is, however, meaning - a summons. Come, the wave of thought says, assemble outside the walls. Warriors and raiders begin to pack up what they're doing, responding to the summons.
Already outside stand six figures, armor a scattering of blacks and greys. The Shadowguard. Velika's boogeymen, once upon a time; now members of the cause like anyone else.
Twelve steps apart from the others as the soldiers begin to gather, arms waving as he gives directions and trades assurances with the people around him. Nine hangs back, leaning against a makeshift podium set up outside, his eyes scanning over the crowd. Six is beside him, sitting cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed as she reaches out through her shadow sense.
Thirty-five and Eighteen are just beside the podium, with the others in person but distant in thoughts. They seem to be arguing, a familiar sight to the soldiers, Eighteen gesturing wildly while Thirty-five rolls his eyes.
And behind them all, One looms ominously, his shadowy, cloaked form seeming out of place in the late morning sun.
On the other side of the podium stands the source of the psychic summons, silent and cloaked in navy. To her right stands an elite skrall, hand on the pommel of their intricate sword.
Inside the walls of New Atero, Borom pushes into the tangled mess of wires and machinery that was the stolen transfer device from the Red Star. He moves to the control station, looking around for Huringa and Improbus.
Vezon groans and rolls out of his sleeping cot as Zhiode projects her mental message out into the camp, angrily rubbing sleep out of his eyes. His thoughts are foggy, and his head is killing him, but he can just about remember that the person transmitting the message is somebody he'd do well to listen to. As he clambers to his feet and begins to trudge out of his tent towards the perimeter of Atero, the addled half-Skakdi tries to piece together what exactly had happened last night.
Tensions had been high among the Storm Legion, and so Vezon had offered drink and good cheer to his fellows in these trying times. However, most of what he could remember was drinking all the Thornax spirits himself and singing half-remembered renditions of old Skakdi war songs horrendously out of tune. Still, he'd had a pretty good time, and with his fickle theory of mind could only assume that the others had had a good time too.
Eventually, Vezon gathers with the other warriors outside the walls, and does his best to stand at attention and salute, squinting in the harsh desert sun and silently cursing his lack of alcohol tolerance.
Muhahhahahahaa... AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! -A fun night out at the apocalypse
IC: Kinaki nods approvingly. "It's--" "A Toa suva!" Tuhi squeals at a much higher pitch than he meant to. He shuts his mouth and stares at the wall, wondering how he became so proficient at embarrassing himself.
Takua, who had been looking noticeably more tired the last week or so, looked around and said: “Is that all?”
IC: Syreio nods. "Yes, yes, a Suva indeed."
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
Posts: 8,250
Species: Human. I'm pretty certain of that. Kanohi: Kanohi Bluglass, Mask of Anti-Glare Prescription Glasses Weapons and Equipment: Equipment: Flat caps. A wallet. A driving permit.
Weapons: I have an awesome katana on my wall.
Takua, who had been looking noticeably more tired the last week or so, looked around and said: “Is that all?”
IC: Syreio nods. "Yes, yes, a Suva indeed."
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
IC: Tuhi hops up and down with his hands placed over his mouth. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Kinaki looks around, dumbstruck. His anxiety about the war was forgotten just for a moment. Tuhi rushes to the radio table. “This map is great! There’s Av-Kini, and Nuju Observatory, which means we are…” he follows a few streets and points to a particular spot. “Here!”
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
IC: Tuhi hops up and down with his hands placed over his mouth. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Kinaki looks around, dumbstruck. His anxiety about the war was forgotten just for a moment. Tuhi rushes to the radio table. “This map is great! There’s Av-Kini, and Nuju Observatory, which means we are…” he follows a few streets and points to a particular spot. “Here!”
Takua looks at the communication equipment. “...But why is it in the basement? Wouldn’t it make more sense to build this all in a tower?” His eyes blink sleepily.
Last Edit: Dec 23, 2021 23:07:58 GMT -6 by We Are Vashari
“No one ever stood atop the heavens before. Not you, or I, or even the gods. But the unbearable vacancy of heavens throne ends now. From now on, I alone will stand at the top.”
Takua, who had been looking noticeably more tired the last week or so, looked around and said: “Is that all?”
IC: Syreio nods. "Yes, yes, a Suva indeed."
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
A flash of light appears over the jungle for a moment, and then in the next moment is gone. As it recedes, three Toa stand in a small clearing.
An Earth Toa with brown-black armor. A Toa of Lightning and Shadow. A gold-blue Toa of Water.
Kirathel blinks and shades her eyes with one hand, her second rubbing at her mask absently. "Using this is tiring," she complains. "I thought we'd be closer to the radiant zone but..." She shakes her head and rattles off a series of curses. "One minute."
The mask hums and glows faintly, Kirathel's eyes screwing up into little slits before relaxing. "Agh. It's..." She points ahead, some distance to the north. "...north. A mile or two north. There's a lot of them around it."
"Be ready," she says flatly. Without another word the Ga-Toa starts trudging forward, arms flat by her sides and expression vacant and uncaring. The Toa seem to be alone, despite what their comrade has said. Not a trace of any sentient life is visible save a few small insect Rahi crawling around the trees nearby.
***
Some distance ahead, a crystalline mass lurks just beneath the trees.
Last Edit: Dec 23, 2021 20:28:15 GMT -6 by Kirathel
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
A flash of light appears over the jungle for a moment, and then in the next moment is gone. As it recedes, three Toa stand in a small clearing.
An Earth Toa with brown-black armor. A Toa of Lightning and Shadow. A gold-blue Toa of Water.
Kirathel blinks and shades her eyes with one hand, her second rubbing at her mask absently. "Using this is tiring," she complains. "I thought we'd be closer to the radiant zone but..." She shakes her head and rattles off a series of curses. "One minute."
The mask hums and glows faintly, Kirathel's eyes screwing up into little slits before relaxing. "Agh. It's..." She points ahead, some distance to the north. "...north. A mile or two north. There's a lot of them around it."
"Be ready," she says flatly. Without another word the Ga-Toa starts trudging forward, arms flat by her sides and expression vacant and uncaring. The Toa seem to be alone, despite what their comrade has said. Not a trace of any sentient life is visible save a few small insect Rahi crawling around the trees nearby.
***
Some distance ahead, a crystalline mass lurks just beneath the trees.
IC: Shadus nodded, taking in his surroundings. He liked the jungle. Offered plenty of shadows. His weapons were unsheathed. He was prepared. "I'll watch our backs. We don't want any of those things getting the jump on us."
He glanced at Seriac. "Think you can take up the front?"
A flash of light appears over the jungle for a moment, and then in the next moment is gone. As it recedes, three Toa stand in a small clearing.
An Earth Toa with brown-black armor. A Toa of Lightning and Shadow. A gold-blue Toa of Water.
Kirathel blinks and shades her eyes with one hand, her second rubbing at her mask absently. "Using this is tiring," she complains. "I thought we'd be closer to the radiant zone but..." She shakes her head and rattles off a series of curses. "One minute."
The mask hums and glows faintly, Kirathel's eyes screwing up into little slits before relaxing. "Agh. It's..." She points ahead, some distance to the north. "...north. A mile or two north. There's a lot of them around it."
"Be ready," she says flatly. Without another word the Ga-Toa starts trudging forward, arms flat by her sides and expression vacant and uncaring. The Toa seem to be alone, despite what their comrade has said. Not a trace of any sentient life is visible save a few small insect Rahi crawling around the trees nearby.
***
Some distance ahead, a crystalline mass lurks just beneath the trees.
IC: Shadus nodded, taking in his surroundings. He liked the jungle. Offered plenty of shadows. His weapons were unsheathed. He was prepared. "I'll watch our backs. We don't want any of those things getting the jump on us."
He glanced at Seriac. "Think you can take up the front?"
IC: "Of course!" Seriac adjusts her shield, stepping in front of Kirathel. She pulls her staff, testing the weight in her hands with a few practice swings. She had been learning as much as she could in the past week, but she still had no idea how well it would work in actual combat. Only one way to find out, I guess.
IC: Kirathel watches Seriac swing the staff, eyes critical as they usually are. "I didn't know Toa carried more than one tool. I suppose the Vanguard aren't...normal Toa though."
She clicks her teeth together. Even from this distance Seriac can see they're small and nasty needle-things, set in fleshy gray gums. The Ga-Toa turns her head a moment later to stare northward as they walk. "More weapons should be useful. Yes. Useful."
At least she can use it on herself if they get past us, Kirathel muses. Seriac didn't strike her as someone who'd be particularly dangerous in the hands of their enemy. But they had a way of making people crueler. Best not give them any more ammunition. "Tell us if you see any movement, even if its something small," the Ga-Toa says sleepily. "These zones your "AEGIS" friends found are quite odd. When I was with them I thought for sure we were underground somewhere."
A rahi bird flies past Shadus and into a nearby tree, perching and staring at him. It lets out a hoarse cry.
Takua, who had been looking noticeably more tired the last week or so, looked around and said: “Is that all?”
IC: Syreio nods. "Yes, yes, a Suva indeed."
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
IC: Rahzahkea folds his hands and does a few turns to make sure he can take in the surroundings. His eyes flit with particular care over the weapons arrayed before them, and the display boards showing different scenes on them. His gaze drifts over to the maps as he finally speaks. His voice is somber, focused, with just a hint of strain behind it.
"Impressive as usual. The displays should be useful for coordinating action within the city grounds. The weapons appear usable, if basic." He holds out a hand, telekinetically lifting a short spear from the rack and spinning it a few times to examine it. The Toa gestures and the weapon returns to its place on the rack. "A faster method of transport between here and topside would be optimal. But that can be arranged at a later date, you've already proven Nekra's usefulness in this regard."
"This will suffice," he says, though his gaze and voice appear equally distant. The Toa's thoughts are elsewhere.
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
IC: Kirathel watches Seriac swing the staff, eyes critical as they usually are. "I didn't know Toa carried more than one tool. I suppose the Vanguard aren't...normal Toa though."
She clicks her teeth together. Even from this distance Seriac can see they're small and nasty needle-things, set in fleshy gray gums. The Ga-Toa turns her head a moment later to stare northward as they walk. "More weapons should be useful. Yes. Useful."
At least she can use it on herself if they get past us, Kirathel muses. Seriac didn't strike her as someone who'd be particularly dangerous in the hands of their enemy. But they had a way of making people crueler. Best not give them any more ammunition. "Tell us if you see any movement, even if its something small," the Ga-Toa says sleepily. "These zones your "AEGIS" friends found are quite odd. When I was with them I thought for sure we were underground somewhere."
A rahi bird flies past Shadus and into a nearby tree, perching and staring at him. It lets out a hoarse cry.
IC: "Oh, well it's not really more weapons; I'm just training with the staff, so I have my old sword here for back- BIRD!" Seriac swivels, bringing her shield up and pointing her staff at the creature. She glances from Kirakira back to the bird, then over to Shadus.
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
IC: Rahzahkea folds his hands and does a few turns to make sure he can take in the surroundings. His eyes flit with particular care over the weapons arrayed before them, and the display boards showing different scenes on them. His gaze drifts over to the maps as he finally speaks. His voice is somber, focused, with just a hint of strain behind it.
"Impressive as usual. The displays should be useful for coordinating action within the city grounds. The weapons appear usable, if basic." He holds out a hand, telekinetically lifting a short spear from the rack and spinning it a few times to examine it. The Toa gestures and the weapon returns to its place on the rack. "A faster method of transport between here and topside would be optimal. But that can be arranged at a later date, you've already proven Nekra's usefulness in this regard."
"This will suffice," he says, though his gaze and voice appear equally distant. The Toa's thoughts are elsewhere.
IC: Syreio's attention flits between the different Toa, unsure of where to start. She exchanges a glance with Pheore, who motions to Rahzahkea.
The Vortixx follows Rahzahkea, nodding as he speaks. "Well, if you're unfamiliar with use of a Suva, Toa Rahzahkea, you can use it to transport weapons as well. As soon as you're attuned to the structure you can dismiss weapons you're holding to the Suva, and recall them at will."
"And if you're unimpressed with the weapons, well..." She steps away, searching through an adjacent rack. "Ah, here it is! Of course we filled the ranks with your usual suspects, but I put in some requests for a few more specialized designs." She pulls from the rack a long, polearm weapon. She offers it to Rahzahkea.
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
"No need to sound so happy about it," Lync mutters with a smirk from behind the others.
"Toa Pheore and Toa Rahzahkea were quite adamant that your team be outfitted to the best of our ability," Syreio continues, the exchange lost on her. "Of course that means a plethora of Toa Tools, launchers, and masks at your disposal, but you can only be expected to carry around so much. Having already tested - and, might I say, improved - the technology for our own Nekra Suva in Ga-Magna, it was only appropriate that you be outfitted with a Hagah Suva of your own."
Syreio nods to Pheore, who taps a control on the wall. In unison the panels rise, revealing racks of Toa Tools, polearms and blades of all shapes and sizes arrayed alongside several more unique options. The soft blue glow of lightstones in the ceiling also brighten, casting the domed Suva in the center in a hazy spotlight.
"One more thing, before you start playing with the new toys," Pheore says, clearing her throat. In a blur she crosses the room, standing next to Syreio. She turns to the wall closest to the stairs, where a low counter and series of shelves hold all manner of radio equipment, with a series of display screens hanging from the wall above them.
"I wanted to be able to keep better track of when and where things were going wrong. Radio lines to the Guard Force and New Order, with displays to keep everyone on the same page." She turns, inputting something onto a control board, and the displays come to life, a central display showing a map of the city, with other displays showing more specific regions of the city, nearby settlements, and so on.
"Of course, of course; happy to provide." Syreio smiles. "Any questions?"
IC: Tuhi hops up and down with his hands placed over his mouth. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Kinaki looks around, dumbstruck. His anxiety about the war was forgotten just for a moment. Tuhi rushes to the radio table. “This map is great! There’s Av-Kini, and Nuju Observatory, which means we are…” he follows a few streets and points to a particular spot. “Here!”
IC: Lync scans over the map, eyes half-focused as she thinks. "Yeah, good eye. Now let's see..." She moves to the control panel, fiddling with it for a few seconds. "Come on, this can't be that hard-" She's interrupted by a soft chime from the console. A red dot appears right where Tuhi pointed, rhythmic circular pulses spreading from it.
"See? Totally not hard." Lync leans back, crossing her arms with a smirk.
IC: Tuhi hops up and down with his hands placed over his mouth. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Kinaki looks around, dumbstruck. His anxiety about the war was forgotten just for a moment. Tuhi rushes to the radio table. “This map is great! There’s Av-Kini, and Nuju Observatory, which means we are…” he follows a few streets and points to a particular spot. “Here!”
Takua looks at the communication equipment. “...But why is it in the basement? Wouldn’t it make more sense to build this all in a tower?” His eyes blink sleepily.
IC: Lync shrugs. "I guess it's more like a bunker this way? But having a watchtower sounds cool; Pheore, tell them to build a watchtower next!" Pheore glances over from her conversation with Vako. Their eyes meet, and Lync looks away, staring at the screen. Pheore shrugs, mentally noting the idea for later.
IC: Borom clears his throat, tapping the hilt of his sword against one of the machines. "As interesting as this conversation is, I believe there are more pressing matters to attend to. How is the machine? Are your final checks proceeding well?"
IC: "Oh I have no idea," Huringa says to Improbus with disturbing cheerfulness. "The emotive capacity of MU Inhabitants only seems like it would hinder the baseline goal. If the behavior of the Makuta was any indication, it's a wonder it didn't turn out worse. Maybe it was a glitch in the programming. Or maybe one of them took direction action, though for what reason I can't imagine-"
"-and we are almost perfectly acceptably decently ok in terms of the aforementioned very important wiring," the Kestora rattles off as they change topic with impressive speed. "I'm taking stock of it again but so far all the routing is functional. Maybe it could be prettied up, but it should work."
IC: Borom nods. "Be sure it does; our lives depend on it." He steps past the Kestora, until he's standing in front of Improbus. He examines the mechanized psychopath intently; he had never seen that happen before. Today wasn't a good day for it.
IC: The soldiers of the Storm Legion stop in their track as a psychic pulse washes over the camp. There is no pain in the action; it's not an attack. There is, however, meaning - a summons. Come, the wave of thought says, assemble outside the walls. Warriors and raiders begin to pack up what they're doing, responding to the summons.
Already outside stand six figures, armor a scattering of blacks and greys. The Shadowguard. Velika's boogeymen, once upon a time; now members of the cause like anyone else.
Twelve steps apart from the others as the soldiers begin to gather, arms waving as he gives directions and trades assurances with the people around him. Nine hangs back, leaning against a makeshift podium set up outside, his eyes scanning over the crowd. Six is beside him, sitting cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed as she reaches out through her shadow sense.
Thirty-five and Eighteen are just beside the podium, with the others in person but distant in thoughts. They seem to be arguing, a familiar sight to the soldiers, Eighteen gesturing wildly while Thirty-five rolls his eyes.
And behind them all, One looms ominously, his shadowy, cloaked form seeming out of place in the late morning sun.
On the other side of the podium stands the source of the psychic summons, silent and cloaked in navy. To her right stands an elite skrall, hand on the pommel of their intricate sword.
Inside the walls of New Atero, Borom pushes into the tangled mess of wires and machinery that was the stolen transfer device from the Red Star. He moves to the control station, looking around for Huringa and Improbus.
Vezon groans and rolls out of his sleeping cot as Zhiode projects her mental message out into the camp, angrily rubbing sleep out of his eyes. His thoughts are foggy, and his head is killing him, but he can just about remember that the person transmitting the message is somebody he'd do well to listen to. As he clambers to his feet and begins to trudge out of his tent towards the perimeter of Atero, the addled half-Skakdi tries to piece together what exactly had happened last night.
Tensions had been high among the Storm Legion, and so Vezon had offered drink and good cheer to his fellows in these trying times. However, most of what he could remember was drinking all the Thornax spirits himself and singing half-remembered renditions of old Skakdi war songs horrendously out of tune. Still, he'd had a pretty good time, and with his fickle theory of mind could only assume that the others had had a good time too.
Eventually, Vezon gathers with the other warriors outside the walls, and does his best to stand at attention and salute, squinting in the harsh desert sun and silently cursing his lack of alcohol tolerance.
IC: Twelve claps Vezon on the shoulder as he passes by. "Still recovering, I see?"
IC: A small group of figures comes up the mountain pass, approaching the north gate to the city. Terenoa casts a glance around at her friends, trying to hide her apprehension.
"Well, we finally made it back." The past week and a half had been a wild gukko chase, a fruitless attempt to find some lead on the fugitives they had left the city in pursuit of. At least they all came back alive, she supposed.
Takua looks at the communication equipment. “...But why is it in the basement? Wouldn’t it make more sense to build this all in a tower?” His eyes blink sleepily.
IC: Lync shrugs. "I guess it's more like a bunker this way? But having a watchtower sounds cool; Pheore, tell them to build a watchtower next!" Pheore glances over from her conversation with Vako. Their eyes meet, and Lync looks away, staring at the screen. Pheore shrugs, mentally noting the idea for later.
“Well, I’m a gunsmith not a structural engineer. I’ll trust it.” Takua shrugs. “Anyway, I think this is ready for a test. Want to give it a try, Lync?” He asks, holding up the weapon in his hand.
“No one ever stood atop the heavens before. Not you, or I, or even the gods. But the unbearable vacancy of heavens throne ends now. From now on, I alone will stand at the top.”