Chip nodded, already keeping an eye on his temp gauge but not liking the idea of locking up. "Temp seems fine," he commented. He looked at Derek's agonised face and smiled apologetically. "This is why the techies hate us. And why having a field one would be handy."
"Tir, Cavalry Beta and Scout," Cypher said suddenly, hailing the Tir. "Approaching from almost due south, thirty clicks moving at sixty five."
"Acknowledged, Cavalry Beta Starleader," Xu answered. "Kodiak-00 is approaching from your eleven o'clock. You should see them soon."
"Thanks Tir. Cavalry Beta out."
Cypher had barely signed off when a very bulky, menacing looking and yet very elegant mech popped up on a ridge not far ahead of them. "Speak of the devil." Cypher smiled and nodded as the face of Starzone's older brother appeared on their comm. "Captain."
Epoch smiled, glancing over the comm and then looking out as the stars approached.
Speaking of devils...
Trajctory and Starzone separated, Trajectory automatically pulling a gun as he ducked behind a rock. Starzone had somehow spidermonkeyed up between two rocks and was braced between them. They made eye contact.
The beauty of having a deep level bond was the ability to share raw thoughts and emotions. This of course was also a disadvantage, but anyway. In the few seconds it took to think, they'd hatched a plan, modified aspects of each others ideas and then agreed. Keeping an eye on the building the shot and Daemun's presence were originating from, Trajectory began stealing closer, moving from cover to cover. Starzone did the same, somehow soundlessly creeping along the side of the cliff, concealed by pockets of deep shadow. Moving about the same speed, they closed on the building.
"Don't read it," Byte said quickly and perhaps unnecessarily. "That one and anything like it we'll give to Doc. The rest the Brain Trust can look at."
The stars passed below Epoch. The Kodiak disappeared from the ridge and reappeared behind them, striding behind and between the Timber Wolf and the Atlas.
"Man that don't sound cool," a new voice piped up over the comm. It was coming from Epoch's comm but Epoch's mouth wasn't moving. Epoch himself looked amused. "Dude we could hear you from miles away. What you do?
Chip smiled, again looking apologetic. "Had to get off a cliff real quick."
Epoch shook his head while the disembodied voice laughed.
"Good to see you back and safe, too, Scout."
Flak smiled. "Good to be home."
"Security check complete," the disembodied voice said. "You're pickin' up all sorts these days. Is that a Lupe in Battlesuit-22? And a cat riding with Timber Wolf?
***
They both felt their quarry move. Heh, "quarry". It was easier in their minds to consider themselves the hunters but the way this particular game was going it was just as likely that they were the hunted. The only advantage they had was that there were two of them but in some cases hadn't proven any more effective. Lorus had barely noticed them.
Trajectory returned fire after dodging another bullet, and run and gunned his way to some cover that was slightly larger. He sensed, picking up Starzone's energy on the other side of the malevolent presence they were tracking. He glanced around the rocks. Felt the presence. Took a potshot.
Starzone continued soundlessly slinking along the side of the cliff. She spied a glint of metal closer than where she knew Trajectory was. Twisting and keeping three points of contact with the rock face, she sighed a landing zone and kicked off, describing a neat somersault in the air and landing almost soundlessly as she hit the ground in a crouch and rolled behind some cover.
She heard Trajectory take another shot, and started sneaking closer.
(ooc- I'm guessing being all demonic and stuff Daemun would be able to activate the blocking ability whenever he felt like it which would be more useful as getting cramped in the middle of using a Psion ability hurts whereas knowing that they can't use it stops them from trying, they can usually feel blockers otherwise ;)
"I can assure you I will not be reading it..." Rav'una responded as she snapped the book shut and slipped it back into her bag, looking back up to Byte as she added "At least not anymore. Whatever that is book is Byte...I do not like it. It uneases me..."
"And in turn gave the techy more work..." Derek muttered under his breath with a roll of his eyes, trying not to be overheard but chances are at least someone would have caught a glimpse of what he had just said. It was any wonder if Derek even knew he had said anything out loud. On one hand it was great to have some work and feel important but even a techy like Derek drew a line somewhere.
Before anyone could else could respond to what had been asked Derek was the first to say anything, rather proudly at that as he rested his hands behind his head with a confident sort of grin and an almost smug look on his face as he replied "You're good at these guessing games. Yup-ah, I'm a Lupronian, home planet Lupron"
"And you could say I am a feline-type, yes" Rav'una chimed in shortly after that, her tone immediately saying a lot about her sense of character just as Derek's response said a lot about his. Only Rav'una had only said one line and didn't do much else. Derek, typically, liked to make himself shine.
Meanwhile... *Insert comic page turn effect here*
Daemun was never one to let others take him down too easily at all and his records had shown many, many victories he could easily hold proudly in frames on a large wall. Of course that wasn't to say he was never at all defeated, he just rarely ever was. The other thing that made him kind of dangerous was his level of determination and how he held onto grudges too strongly. Which also was a bit of a weak point in him too. Still, he was never one to go down without a fight and when push came to shove he knew how to push and push hard. Then again those persuing him, in particular currently, no doubt were the same in that sense. They don't take any pushes without shoving back.
It was a close call when a few bullets managed to hit through a wall Daemun had ducked behind and was forced to roll along the wall, sniper rifle in hand, and press himself back against it as a pot shot burst through the wall right beside his head. Close call but unfortunately for Trajectory not close enough.
Daemun suddenly felt a wave of energy and shot a glance in the direction, which just so happened to be where Starzone had just landed. Trajectory's other shot managed just barely miss him again and Daemun knew at this point something had to be done. They knew where he was, more or less, and that just wouldn't do. Placing the tip of his right index and middle finger up against his temple he shut his eyes and concentrated for a moment, a small ripple effect spreading outward a little, causing his fur and trench coat to lightly sway for a second or two, a high pitched sound ringing out along with it before settling into silence as the ripple in turn faded off into the distance. Once the ripple was out and over with, which lasted only a second or two, he opened his eyes again and lowered his hand with a smirk.
"Let us see how easily they can find me now..."
(OOC: Good call! I wasn't too sure when exactly would be a good time since Daemun usually uses it only when he really needs to. Then again we are talking about some Demonic Martian Mouse out for REVEENGE who will stop at nothing pretty much to achieve his goal so...guess I better start dishing out the blockings! XD!)
"It's not doing much for me either,' Byte said, glancing over her shoulder at the book with a wary expression, like she thought it might suddenly sprout teeth and attach them.
"Lupronian hey. Might quiz ya while you're workin' on the Dire Wolf." Epoch tilted his head slightly, staring at nothing in particular. The disembodied voice teased, "What techy do you know that can't run their mouth while workin'? Eh? EH?" Epoch smiled again with a conceding expression.
They approached the Tir from the mech bay side. The ramp dropped. The Atlas sidestepped and turned at the same time, scanning the horizon as it covered the doorway. The injured Dire Wolf limped in, the horrendous crunching noise decreasing in volume as Chip slowed right down to walk up the ramp. Byte followed close behind, Scout star trailing immediately afterwards.
"Go on in, Atlas-01," the disembodied voice said.
"Yes sir," Cypher smiled slightly and guided his mech up the ramp, closely followed by the Kodiak.
Scout headed off to where they usually docked, towards the rear of the mech bay where the smaller mechs were kept. Cavalry was docked behind Front Line. Inside, the aching knee joints was nails down a chalkboard put through an amplifier. Chip had a pained expression when he finally docked and popped his cockpit to get out.
ooo
A flash of annoyance ran over Starzone's face as she felt the familiar buzzing in the back of her mind. So the bastard could block. And deliberately too. Keeping low to the ground she heard Trajectory fire a few more distractive shots. He was trying to hit him but the primary purpose was to keep him busy while she snuck.
And sneak she did.
She lost him briefly as he disappeared amongst some rocks. Keeping low and flitting with all the grace and noise (which was to say, none at all) of a restless spirit from rock to rock, keeping her senses alert, Starzone headed in the direction she had seen Daemun take. She hadn't gone far when his presence almost knocked her over with the sheer strength of it. She hesitated for a moment. He wasn't nearly as terror inspiring as Lorus, but he felt plenty powerful enough. Possibly out of their league. Still, he had threatened Strike and Flak and they weren't going to let him have them.
Starzone stole forward and spotted Daemun again. She waited until he was returning fire at Trajectory and pounced.
"As I assumed by your reaction..." Rav'una replied firm yet calmly, not wanting to make it sound like she was lashing out at Byte for no apparent reason at all but making it clear that book did not make her any easier than it did Byte. And so she slipped away and under wraps to be inspected later by someone who knew how to handle it better. Rav'una had dealt with all kinds of books and scrolls and fancy artifacts and such but there were times when even she knew better than to look further into things. She had hardly began to look into this particular book and even she felt a chill run down her spine. Not a good sign at all when reading anything so she took Byte's advise to leave it to someone else to look into.
"You mean you want to hear me babble on about who and what I am?" Derek asked with a smirk and a light chuckle to boot "Well if you're looking for someone to chat to while workin' you've come to the right wolf" Derek grinned, chuckling a little more, amused by Epoch's sense of character. Looks like his hard day of work ahead of him wasn't going to be so bad after all.
"Ouuu how I hate that noise..." Derek later cringed when Chip had parked his mech in its apropriate position, Derek then in turn undocking his Battlesuit and parking it near by, popping open the hatch and hopping out sucking in a deep breath of fresh air through his nostrils. "Aaaah, the sweet smell of overheated mech joints and leaking oils...wait..." Derek perked a brow with a quick "Leaking oils?" before exhaling deeply with a extended grunt of sort as he rolled his eyes a moment. "Perfect...even less sleep for me tonight..." He muttered to himself before proceeding to head on over to the changing rooms/area to prepare himself for the long hard labouring work of repairing the damage.
Meanwhile...
So far Trajectory was doing a good job of keeping Daemun distracted, Daemun in turn even returning fire with a few sniper shots which, hadn't Trajectory had the skill and know-how to keep out of his view and all, would have hit him perfectly in some pretty lethal spots. Daemun spotted a barrel with a "Flamable Liquids" sign stained with old paint onto its label and took a shot, sending the barrel into a blasting boom of fire and debris particles flying in every which direction before scurrying off further into the structure he was hiding in.
He could feel a presence very close now. A little too close for comfort...
Daemun was intent on keeping his new threats occupied and, if need be, take them down in the process. He was so close to reaching his goal and he wasn't about to go down without a fight and knowing Daemun he would do whatever it takes to keep himself standing and keep the mission alive until success. But these two were different. He could feel that they were tough opponents and would certainly give him a fight to remember. Perfect!
He had stopped to take another shot when suddenly spotted someone heading straight for him out of the corner of his eye and quick as a shot he turned in the direction of which Starzone pounced at him, pushing his palm out and sending a shockwave of energy and debris straight at her, the shockwave knocking up a bunch of small rocks and miscellanious items that so happen to get in the way as it tore its way toward Starzone. His shot had failed due to the distraction and what not which was lucky for Trajectory since Daemun had him right in his sights and was just about to pull the trigger when Starzone made the pounce.
Things moved. As Derek was scurrying off to prep himself for a long night, Flak had wordlessly vanished, presumably to go see Strike like he said he was going to do. Three brawny, casually alert but otherwise deceptively civilian looking mice appeared to escort Blaze's unwilling Catatonian passenger, who was only just starting to regain consciousness, elsewhere. Epoch had at some stage come to ground and appeared to be busy wiring his Kodiak into the central console. The younger pilots gathered not far away from where he was working, joined not long after by a very disgruntled looking Streak.
"Girls, meet Rav'una, assassin extraordinaire," Byte introduced the Scout girls to Rav'una. "That's Blaze," she pointed to the strawberry roan girl, "and Sangria." She pointed to the younger looking bay girl.
ooo
Starzone was surprised at some point after her reflex kicked in and she switched, running up the wall of the nearby building and bounded off, arcing over the shockwave, bits of rock and other shrapnel lancing an annoying but not serious lattice of pain across her forearms through the red strips, some of them striking hard enough to cause tears in the fabric, the scar tissue beneath revealed. She landed at the epicentre of the shockwave almost directly in front of Daemun, her tail lashing out and ripping the gun from his hands, catapaulting it somewhere into the darkness. Flames burst to life in her hands, licking up her arms to the elbows, not scorching her but deinitely very real and very capable of scorching others, and she lashed out at Daemun as Trajectory scrambled towards a better position.
(ooc- correct me if I'm wrong but I'm currently running with Daemun being a "switch it on" ability user rather than an "always on" ability user as the always on thing for blockers is usually a latent talent, at least the way I run things ;)
It wasn't long before Derek was in his working gear, tools in hand, and made his way to the mechs, starting with Chip's first since it seemed a little more of a prioty to get those joints fixed. Fortunately there wasn't too much further damage caused by forcing the parts to move on the way back and overheated the joints was another fortunate thing that was avoided. Still, it would take Derek a lot of screwing around and re-wiring to get things back up and moving the way they should and he would need to use his Battlesuit to made some of the major moving and repairs along with a lot of heavy lifting he'd need to use it for too. Although his Battlesuit also, apparently after some inspection, was in some need of some minor repairs as well.
Derek sighed as he stood and stared at the mechs for a good while before then with an idle shrug he thought to himself out loud "Well...better get to work I guess. No point in standing here gawking at it all" And so with that Derek proceeded to start working on the mechs.
Rav'una meanwhile had made her way out of Byte's mech and was being introduced to the Scout girls, Rav'una in turn showing a more calmer side to her as she saluted them in her people's traditional manner, one clenched hand placed over the middle of her chest and small bow made before with that collected posture of hers kicked in as she gave her greetings in returns.
"Well met Blaze. And you also Sangria."
Typically she wasn't overly enthusiastic and quite serious and to the point but just as everyone else so far had figured out so to would the Scout girls that this was just a part of Rav'una's character and actually she was being quite nice and polite. All things considered.
"Assassin extrodinare?" Rav'una smirked at Byte "If I did not know any better Byte I would say you are being quite generous in your compliments"
Rav'una sure had a funny way of saying "Thank you" half the time.
Meanwhile...
Daemun let out a frustrated "Gargh!" as the gun was taken from him and launched far beyond his reach but he would prove he didn't have the need for a weapon in a combat scenario. As Starzone lashed at him he quickly side stepped out of the way, feeling the heat of the flames as he was clipped accross the chest but surprisingly only his shirt and a bit of his fur was torn and singed in the process.
Just as quickly as he had moved out of the way he made a quick burst forward, his own hand engulfed in a flame of its own only it was a blue colour as he launched a quick punch forward toward Starzone's side, his punch fast and brutally launched forward as he curled his lip with a growl so to speak, his dash kicking up a little dust from his heels as his boots grinded the dirt in the sudden stop moments before his fist hurtled toward Starzone's side.
(OOC: Well basically he's a little of both actually. He has certain qualities and such that are pretty much an "automatic" switch on but the majority of what he does is a "switch it on" kind of scene. Basically he uses what he needs when need be but some things happen automatically. Since he's a demon type pretty much anything goes, just about :). )
Both Blaze and Sangria returned the gesture in a natural fashion, except that their right fists were more to the left over the heart, as the salute was a standard formal greeting/acknowledgement. Seemed some things were common no matter where in the universe you were. Like coffee.
"See this is why you can never be in Front Line," the disembodied voice teased, suddenly coming from the central console just above where Epoch had finished wiring.
"Aww shut up Kodi," Chip responded, turning towards the source of the voice and grinning. "Come out here so I can kick your arse." A light flickered and a creature that looked like an organic version of the Kodiak popped into view, standing before the console.
"Bring it on, matey," the hologram snorted, looking amused as it sat down and lazily scratched an ear. Epoch looked over his shoulder at the hologram and smirked, shaking his head in amusement.
Streak strode in, hands thrust deep into the pockets of his coat which billowed out behind him as he entered.
"Byte," Cypher said, "take Rav'una and the bag of tricks to Doc. Then report to Strike."
"Yes sir," Byte saluted, smiling playfully as she added "Bossyboots!" before grabbing Rav'una's arm and running out of the mech bay wth the bag of stuff Rav'una had snagged.
"You two should probably go make sure your mum's not havin' a cardiac," advised Cypher. Looking heavily amused by Byte's antics, Blaze and Sangria also left the mech bay by the lower doors.
ooo
Starzone lashed an elbow out and felt it connect, with what she didn't know. She sensed volatile energy, too close. She threw up a flame shield on one side of her ribs as she felt the broiling energy of Daemun's flame-encrusted fist slamming into her side milliseconds before the fist itself collided. She exhaled sharply, lifted off the ground by the force from the punch, a lot of the force that should have broken her ribs cancelled by her shield, but there was nothing she could do about the momentum. Her unexpectedly light frame struxck the wall hard, knocking loose a bit of plaster, and she tumbled to the ground, the flames in her hands extinguished for the moment.
As she was colliding with the wall, Trajectory popped up from behind some rocks, strafing as he fired four rounds out of each of his two sliverguns at Daemun's back.
Rav'una was pleased to have a welcomed gesture returned and it indeed it seemed that some things were not so different on other planets. She felt maybe it was time to allow herself to trust others a little more than she usually did although it would be difficult for her since she rarely trusted anyone at all. Still, that didn't mean she didn't show her respect when need be or that she didn't apreciate a polite gesture when she recieved one, in particular in this scenario where she had greeted others welcomingly and as kindly as she could, still maintaining her professionilism and being true to her nature as always.
She didn't expect to be suddenly yanked away but even Rav'una found herself chuckling in amusement as she darted off with Byte, her bag of goodies in tow. Hey, even Rav'una had to see to her more playful side every once in a while although she wasn't as bold to be as much of a smart alleck to others on the team as Byte. At least not yet. Give it time though and she'd soon be dishing out sarcasm and playful insults in no time.
Derek meanwhile was busily welding and snipping wires into place, having had to remove the majority of the joint cogs and replace them with some fresh ones along with checking some other random things along the way. There was an oil leak in one of the mechs which didn't make Derek very happy at all but he did his job and proceeded to work on the mechs as need be. It would be a very loooooong night for him it seemed...
Meanwhile...
Daemun had at least managed to knock Starzone back with the striking force of the momentum of his punch but otherwise hadn't succeeded in doing anything more than that, that he was aware of at least. But no sooner had he prepared to strike again did he suddenly hear the sounds of gun fire and the first bullet scraping along the side of his arm as he attempted to dodge the shots, turning sharply as the other three struck him in the chest, sending him back into a small pile of barrels with some force.
It seemed like he was down for good. But someone like Daemun couldn't go down that easily and sure enough after a moment to recover Daemun stood slowly from the pile of barrels, glaring at Trajectory with pure rage in his eyes, the slit-like pupil of his left eye thinning as a strong sign of such.
"For that...you must pay!"
Lifting his right arm and with a quick flick of his wrist he sent all three barrels flying in Trajectory's direction, quickly pushing his palm out flate as he sent a small burst of energy that shattered the barrels into bits of sharpened debris giving them a shrapnel grenade like effect once they got within a short distance away from Trajectory.
After they'd gotten a little way down the corridor, Byte slowed to a fast walk/casual lope, heading for a lift. "We'll run this stuff down to Doc and then go grab some food," Byte said. "Donno 'bout you but I'm starvin'. Not quite enough to not wanna get rid o' these in a hurry though." She gestured towards the bag with a distrustful look. "Specially that creepy ass book."
ooo
"Oi Derek." Chip watched, timed and then playfully yanked on Derek's tail when he wasn't in the middle of welding or snipping or doing anything immediately important that would damage the mech. "Comin' for food or you want us to bring you something?"
In the near distance, Epoch had gone over to the sullen Streak and clapped him on the shoulder in a big brotherly fashion. Cypher was standing not far from them, looking back towards where Chip and Derek were.
ooo
Starzone curled reflexively as Daemun crashed into the barrels. She pulled herself into a crouch, steadying her breathing and watching Daemun like a hawk. Trajectory was also in a ready position and watching. Neither of them believed he was permanently down for a second. Sure enough, Daemun staggered to his feet. Trajectory's eyes dilated as he saw the change in Daemun's eyes. Starzone didn't see it but she felt it.
Trajectory moved faster than was humanly (mousely?) possible within the accepted bounds of normal physics, but seeing as he couldn't match the speed of light he wasn't able to outrun the shockwave. He raised his arm to protect his head as a couple of barrel pieces crashed into his side, and was violently thrown off course by a stake through the forearm. He went through most of a roll before springing to his feet, that arm trailing with the stake dangling crazily from it.
Trajectory took another potshot with his good arm. If he had time he would have lined up for right between the eyes, but considering time and range he settled for somewhere in the head region. As he was doing that Starzone unsheathed her blades and leaped quite high for Daemun, aiming to land on his back.
Rav'una soon in turn slowed her pace into that calm yet collected manner she seemed to hold so naturally without even an effort made to make it stand out almost perfectly as she got around the corridor along with Byte. Food would have certainly been a welcomed thing but Rav'una soon explain with a small shake of her head "In all honesty I have adapted quite well in regards to dealing with hunger. That having been said...I could use something to eat, yes"
With her attention turning momentarily to the bag she carried Rav'una looked back up to Byte with a nod or two in absolute agreement with what she was refering to. "I agree. Of all the strangest things I have come accross in my time I certainly can assure you that this book is one of the few, very few, of which makes me as uneased as it does...We may not need to do so but this "Doc" individual needs to be aware of the dangers this book may well hold Byte. I can not stress that enough." For something to bother Rav'una this much it had to be something serious indeed. She was a tough cookie to crumble and this much, in as little time as everyone knew her by now, was rather bluntly obvious. Anyone of this nature and strong will to be uneased by anything should raise a bit of a red flag.
Meanwhile over at the Mech Bay...
Half tucked under a section of the mech there was a quick "Argh!" of surprise followed then by the sound of thumping metal and a small "Ow..." before Derek came sliding out from his work position, rubbing his forehead as he looked up at Chip and replied with a few slow nods "Yeah I'd love to join you all but right now apart from having slight concussion (spelling sucks...) and nearly having my explode I'm not so sure" With a tired and a grunt Derek pulled himself up and turned to take another look over the mechs.
"I've got so much work to be done yet and I feel like I haven't even started" Derek exhaled, turning to Chip with a small smile as he added "Screw it. I could use the break. What time we eatin'?"
And meanwhile elsewhere...
Daemun appeared somewhat relatively calm on the outside but fury burned in his eyes and he kept his focus on both mice and didn't allow himself for a second to be distracted. The moment Trajectory drew his gun Daemun actually had heard the trigger be pulled and like something out of a tense action scene practically watched as the bullet zipped straight his head, ducking quickly to a side as the bullet rushed by him and barely grazed the side of his right cheek. Ignoring the stinging burn of a bullet graze to the cheek Daemun suddenly sensed another attacked from behind, turning sharply and drawing a pair of blades of his own, bringing them up to block the incoming blades Starzone held and if effective he would turn add to that attack with a fancy flick of his right blade in such a way it would cut deep accross Starzone's forearm. If not at very least he would avoided being stabbed in the back.
"Doc knows what he's doing. Mostly." Murdoc was their best bet given Darkmoon's absence. If Darkmoon were around Byte would have handed the book over to him in less than a fraction of a heartbeat. Byte hit the button for the lift and they waited. Eventually it reached their floor. A bunch of young pilots and techies trooped out, the pilots saluting Byte as they passed, her returning the gesture with a smile. Byte and Rav'una piled into the empty lift and Byte hit the button for a low floor.
ooo
"Cavalry may have the longest running repairs but you don't wanna see Front Line after a fight," the hologram quipped cheerfully.
"We can go now," Chip said after glancing at Cypher. "We'll meet up with Byte and Rav'una at the eatery."
"You joinin' us Captain?" Cypher invited, looking up at Epoch. Epoch conteplated for a second, then shrugged and nodded. Chip walked over to them.
"Where'd Streak go?" he inquired.
Cypher half-shrugged, looking casual to the casual observer but looking worried to his brother. "He took off. I'd say he went back to his bolthole."
Chip nodded in understanding, glancing up at the slighhtly more openly concerned Epoch.
ooo
Starzone exhaled sharply as her attack was countered by moreforce than she could muster. Keeping the blades up to shield herself, she switched momentum and planted both feet hard into Daemun's solar plexus, stomping down hard to power a backflip kick off him. She felt a searing white hot pain along her left forearm and yelped, landing in a crouch on all fours. The red strips along her left forearm dangled, tattered and ragged and exposing her furless, scar riddled forearm.
As soon as he'd fired Trajectory broke into a run, closing the distance between himself and Daemun as Daemun turned to face Starzone. Electricity crackled dangerously around his fist as he charged up, he heard Starzone yelp, felt the hot searing pain across her arm as a faint phantom one in his own, and drove his fist towards Daemun's kidneys with intent to discharge when he struck flesh.
"I only hope that by 'mostly' you mean 'well enough not to make any mistakes'..." Rav'una bluntly responded as she entered the lift and stood beside Byte as the button was pressed and they proceeded down to the next floor. Exiting the lift once it opened again Rav'una followed Byte to the next lift, not meaning to be rude by practically ignoring everyone else but there was obviously something on her mind. Once in the second lift and with the doors shut Rav'una decided to explain with her hand rested on her chin in thought as she leaned up against the side wall of the lift "I do vaguely recognize the symbol upon the front of that book. It is dark, yes, however it is rather ancient and I have heard stories amongst my people of such a symbol marking a possibly endless amount of potential. What that potential is varies per myth and legend."
Meanwhile...
"No, I guess not" Derek began with a purposely exagerated shiver "But man can I imagine what that must be like" Turning to the hologram with a bit of a perked brow Derek asked almost rather randomly "By the way, you wouldn't happen to know a Kortana by any chance, would you?"
Making his way over to the changing rooms soon enough and taking off his techy gear and slipping his trenchcoat back on over his clothes he felt that familiar relief of being back in his original attire again, making sure he was cleaned up before heading out to Chip and co. "Something must have him bothered..." Derek later commented as he approached the small group, still straightening his trench coat before turning to the nearest reflective object and straightening his fur-tuff/hair before straightening and turning back to Chip and the others with a small shrug. "Whatever it is I'm sure he'd let us know" Derek added then with a small concerned perk of his brow "Right?..."
Meanwhile elsewhere...
Daemun felt the impact of Starzone's move as she flipped off of him, gripping his teeth as he let out a grunt and stumbled back, pushing himself into a backward tuck-and-roll and flipping back and up onto his feet again, turning then to block Trajectory's move with a quick thrust of his fist, that blue-ish flame-like energy bursting to life around his fist as he pushed it forward with great force straight toward Trajector's own fist in an attempt to make both fists colide. As he did this he struck out with other hand, palm flat and in a self defense style, straight for Trajectory's jaw, all the way using his tail to whip back a small rock in Starzone's direction. Not much of a move on that final part but he was showing that though he had his back turned he wasn't completely unaware of who was behind him.
Indeed this was going to be one very long and brutal battle...
Byte exhaled rather harshly. It might have been construed as annoyed even though her demeanour wasn't coming across as particularly annoyed. "Normally we'd give it to Darkmoon. He's a priest. And a Psion. But he's not here. Doc is the next best option. He hasn't fought any demons but he's managed to stop a bunch of us getting axed by one so I count that as mostly."
The lift halted on the target floor and opened into the sleek looking medical facility. Byte sauntered in, heading to the receptionist desk. "Misty," she said cheerfully. The pale grey furred lady sitting behind the desk adjusted her spectacles and smiled pleasantly at the two of them. "Byte. And nice to see you've recovered well young lady," she said to Rav'una.
"Doc free? We have some supernatural shit for him to look at." Any casual observer would have thought Byte a bit of a sceptic with that attitude. Misty frowned briefly, then arched an eyebrow. She picked up the phone at her desk.
"Hello Murdoc. Byte's here to see you. She has some things you might be interested in. I'll send her in." Misty hung up the phone and looked up at them. "Go on through."
"Thanks Misty."
Byte led the way through the medical facility, and to Murdoc's office up the back. He was sitting in his usual spot in the computer nook, somehow minding three screens at once.
"Hello Byte. Who's your friend?"
"Hey Doc. This is Rav'una." Byte motioned for Rav'una to dump the contents of the bag on a nearby steel table. "She's got some stuff you should look at. And a story to tell about one of 'em too."
ooo
Kodi cocked his holographic head in an inquisitive fashion, regarding Derek out of aether blue eyes. "Donno. What they look like?"
Epoch looked slightly more perturbed at Derek's question, though it was more reactive than anything else.
"Hell yah he's bothered," Chip said almost off-handedly. "If Starzi sent him back it means they're dealin' with somethin' big and supernatural."
ooo
Trajectory changed his fist into an open hand and lashed around Daemun's wrist, discharging. He felt a lot of his energy being nulled by Daemun's but hoped the bastard still wore a decent shock. He grounded and flicked his hip, powering pulling Daemun towards him, at the same time twisting his head out of the way of the palm coming at his face. He felt a sting as the energy laced him but the palm itself didn't connect nearly as hard as it might have, and stepped rapidly past the other mouse, throwing an elbow at his face.
Starzone flicked the rock out of the way with barely a thought and sprang in lightly, aiming to shoot past Daemun and slash him across the back with her blades on her way through.
Rav'una simply nodded to begin, showing with the few small nods that she made silently that she understood, and then after curiosity got the better of her. She had to ask. "I have heard the name "Darkmoon" be tossed about in some of the latest conversations however I am curious...Who exactly is, or was, Darkmoon? What, apart from being a Psionic Priest, was his role?" With a small shake of her head even though she added her second part to that with a her usual calm yet firm manner it was alot more comforting than what it usually would have been. "Forgive my curiosity but I must know. And I am certain the Lupronian in your team is curious about this as I am. Although I have a feeling he has his ways of showing his style of manners and dares not ask. As bold as he may be."
Now heading out of the lift and making her way to the reception desk along with Byte, Rav'una came to a stop just beside her at the desk, turning her attention to the receptionist with a small smirk, amused apparently by what she had just said but also apreciative toward the compliment and the fact that someone else actually gave a care.
"You would have be one of the few who have ever called me a "lady". I'm hardly lady material." Rav'una chuckled before bowing her head a moment as she added "Never the less I am grateful for your gesture of care. Your medics did their job brilliant" With a small clearing of her throat Rav'una scratched the back of her neck a little as she added "Oh and uh...do tell the medic who I grabbed when I awoke that it was nothing personal. Simply an instinctive reaction is all."
With that she let Byte take over from there, placing the bag of goodies and the book on the desk and leaning up against it as she waited. Once the clearence was given Rav'una took her bag of goodies along with her as she once again followed Byte to the next destination.
Once in Murdoc's office Rav'una entered with a small nod to greet the doctor, not really being one to know exactly how to greet someone apropriately half the time since she lacked that social touch that a lot around these parts seemed to have more of, and approaching the table she turned the bag upside down over it, allowing the contents to fall out and then proceeded to spread it out all, leaving the book for last.
"I came accross these gadgets and blueprints, apparently plans of some form, during my inflitration in our last mission" Rav'una began "Most of it seem to be records of many forms although a lot of it I am not familiar with. Most of these technologies are far too advanced for me to know or recognize too well however I do know that they must hold some strong level of importance. However...the most interesting, and unsettling, item I came accross was this..." Rav'una revealed the book, laying it down on an empty spot on the table and sliding it a little closer, taking her hand away as she continued "I only opened it to take a quick look at it however I did not read for long before firstly I wished not to do so any further and Byte suggested we leave it to you to look at. However what caught my attention was the symbol on the front of it. My people, as I explained to Byte, have spoken of such symbols and from it many myths and legends have formed, some even suggesting some level of great power and/or potential from such a thing. Perhaps a key of some form or a first step into something much, much deeper. Most of it is hear say and fairy tails, legends and myths carried on through the ages. Most of it."
Meanwhile...
"Well I've only met her once but she's about yay high" Derek gestured her height with his palms, measuring a good height for a holographic AI, small enough to stand on a console and be noticed "Sort of blue-ish in colour, long hair, sexy body, smart AI, good sense of humor. Single." Derek smirked at that last part. "You'd remember her if you met her."
Later turning his attention back to Chip, Derek blinked some at his response before rubbing his chin in thought with small frown to match. "I don't like the feeling of this...Not one damn bit..."
Meanwhile elsewhere...
Daemun recieved a small yet effective enough shock through his body that was just enough to throw him off guard, feeling the impact of an elbow to his face before he even had the chance to try and block and though he had he managed to defend back against the full shock of Trajectory's energy enough of it slipped through his defenses to Trajectory's favour. His head snapped accordingly in the opposite direction from the elbow to his face as the momentum struck him into a small stumble, the impact causing the small cut on his cheek from earlier to open up a little more, blood dripping down his cheek as a small splat of it hit the dusty ground at his feet.
"Urghn! Good move..."
Quickly he shook the effect of the hit off with a brief shake of his head, side stepping and turning around so to face Starzone and Trajectory and to avoid being slashed, whipping his tail out in an attempt to yank Starzone's feet right from under her, in the process pushing his right palm out and sending out another energy move only this one was particularly unique. As it blasted out of from his palm it formed onto a skull of sorts, sharpened canines and with a evil touch, the energy based skull soaring out toward Trajectory with a spine tingling screech. If effective it would impact and explode with a blast of energy that would have knocked Trajectory right back into the nearest wall/solid strucure.
Murdoc picked up the book. The very first thing he notced was the uncomfortable tingling sensation in hi hands when he touched it, accompanied by a phantom feeling of having picked up something greasy. He made a face and put it down again, unconsciously rubbing his hands on his lab coat. "What does your folklore say, Rav'una?" Murdoc inquired, picking through the rest of the items, keeping the stranger items and some not so strange ones, flicking through the notebooks and plans, keeping a couple but mostly putting the more ordinary items and most of the notebooks and plans back into the bag.
ooo
Kodi listened to the description, his ears flicking on occasion. "Doesn't sound familiar. She get online much?"
"Oi Kodi, you joinin' us?" Chip asked the hologram. The Kodiak AI regarded Chip with a smirk.
"For all the eatin' I do. I'll see ya up there."
"Come on." Cypher said as Epoch led out of the mech bay, his two half tails lying flush enough to look like it was single one except for the tip, which was split. The brothers trooped after him.
ooo
Trajectory could move augmented fast but he was not nearly as fat as Starzone. Starzone would have gotten out of the way. Reflex had him twisting out of the way as he felt the oncoming barrage and he was away enough to avoid the full force of the energy blast. He saw the skull in all of its detailed, toothy gore just as it hit him.
Starzone went with the flow as the tip of Daemun's tail curled around her ankle and flipped her foot out, twisting in the air and describing a deceptively graceful somersault considering how clumsy she felt, offset by a slight stumble on landing. She barely glanced at Trajectory as he was blasted backwards. Damping down slightly so that the intensity of the heat at his front and the sharp pain as he struck rock at the back didn't affect her so much, she got into Daemun's face, one blade arcing towards his eyes, the other slicing at his groin.
Now being inquired about her folklore Rav'una had to try and keep it all as brief as possible. Which would be difficult considering the many things she could explain in regards to it all in all. Although for now she would stick to at least the more important answers and from there throw in other answers when and if need be.
"There are many tales that speak of such a symbol used upon another book of darkness" She began to explain "Although this book was not found on our planet. It was said to open gates to another world, all gates leading to the same world but in different areas of it, and should one open them it would unleash the forces of its world upon whatever lands they can take. In order to stop them one must shut all the gates. However other tales speak of that symbol being the mark of a greater diety who would grant you a great power if you succeed in its task. Other tales speak of the book itself holding the key to immortality or to becoming that of a god or goddess of sorts. However these are only a few of the many tales and legends surrounding such a book and the symbol upon it...This book is particularly different from that of which is described which leads me to believe that it is based upon these legends but holds a much darker history and purpose behind it...It is difficult to seperate fact from fiction from all that surrounds such a mystery amongst my people."
Something suddenly seemed to bother Rav'una as she went silent for a moment, frowning deeply as she turned her gaze to a side and seemed deep in thought, troubled by some memory of what she hoped had been forgotten. Apparently it wasn't at all forgotten but rather remained dorment until now.
"I...do recall a particular time when I was a child seeing a priest turn shortly after having found a book frightengly similar to this that we have now. I remember...so much of it...It disturbed me and very little ever does..."
Meanwhile...
"Umm, not too sure to be honest" Derek shrugged "Last I spoke to her she was working for some military or other. I'm guessing she's busy these days but I might still have her ID if you ever want to chat. Heck, I'm surprised I even met her yet alone got her ID" Derek chuckled, settling then when he heard Chip and snapping his attention over to his direction quick smart.
"Heh, guess that's my cue to scurry" Derek smirked as he turned his head to look at Kodi before then with a small salute he added "See you where the food is" and with that turned to follow the crowd.
Meanwhile elsewhere...
Daemun didn't waste any time in turning to face both his opponents at once, dispite Trajectory now being thrown back due to his attack, and Starzone's ability to still land on her feet, regardless of it being a little clumbsily so due to the trip, was actually impressive. He ducked his head back quickly and lifted one hand to knock Starzone's wrist with a quick block, doing likewise to stop the second slice from making contact before bending back into a quick backflip, kicking his leg up straight and aiming to knock Starzone right under the chin with a heavy boot.
Murdoc listened as he stuffed the unneeded items into the bag, looped the top shut and then started moving the items he had chosen around the room. As Rav'una spoke he looked like he was expecting as much of what she was telling him. "That's...what I was afraid of," he murmured wen she'd finished, more to himself than the girls. When Rav'una voiced her flashback, he turned to her unhurriedly, his eyes intense. "If it wouldn't traumatise you too much, I would like to hear it," he said.
ooo
The boys trooped over to one of the stairs, bounded up onto the corridor and after a short stroll through deceptively labyrinthian tunnels (on closer inspection it was just a main tunnel with several small offshoots), they popped out above the Atrium. Epoch led the way on one of the overhead bridges straight across to the eatery in the middle, and when they entered, Kodi rezzed in not far away.
"What took you so long?" the hologram called cheerfully. Epoch smirked.
"Table for seven assuming Byte and Rav'una are joinin' us?" Kodi inquired.
"Better make it eight, big guy," Cypher said, sounding remarkbly like Chip for a second.
Kodi narrowed his eyes in a very fake looking scowl. "You wait til our next training session," he growled playfully, and ambled off to a nearby table that would fit all of them.
the triplets snickered and ribbed each other. Epoch once more looked amused and led the way over to the buffet meal that had been set up. They each grabbed a tray and started piling food.
ooo
Starzone again went with the slap on the wrist, and good thing too, if she'd done anything else she would have worn a boot in the face. As was she wrinkled her nose as air molecules displaced by said boot whirled past it. Ideally she would have liked to jump into his back and knock him off balance, but although they could augment they still had to pay some attention to the laws of physics, and the laws of physics decreed that not even augmented should she cancel momentum that fast, at that particular point in time it was taking all of her concentration to stay where she was and not faceplant Daemun's boot considering she'd been moving forward quite fast at the time.
She stopped cancelling and resumed the momentum when Daemun came up from his backflip, her blades whirling dangerously as she whirlwinded them at his head and torso, hoping for a lucky hit but just as much expecting him to block them, more using them as a distracion to hide the kick she was going to throw at this lower abdomen/groin at first hint of an opening.
Trajectory staggered upright, looked down as the stab wound through his arm started bleeding more profusely again. Fast motion was making him feel a bit light headed. He clamped his other hand over the wound and expended a bit of energy to stop the bleeding. Doc was going to kill him, but no time to perform microsurgery now. Not that he even had a clue how to do that anyway. He looked up in time to see Starzone launching her whirling blades attack and moved around to blindside Daemun.
Rav'una was not too comforted by Murdoc's reaction to what she had said earlier but at the same time had half expected it. With all things considered it actually made her feel a little more sane and in place. For some reason she didn't really see a place such as this to be too supersticious or believe in a lot of the mambo-jumbo crap she had just blurted out. But for her and her people it was a reality they faced almost every day, a part of their culture one could say dispite that they also combined technology with the ways of the old.
With her flashback now in question Rav'una remained silent for a good moment or two, still frowning and keeping her gaze off to a side and it didn't seem like she really wanted to say anything. But she knew more than anyone that some things needed to be faced and challenged and so with a slightly lowered gaze, still to a side, she told her story. And this is what she said...
"It is a long story but I will tell it for it is something better not left to the shadows. When I was very young, although old enough to easily remember especially this event, I used to speak regularly to a priest of our village. I had only just began my next step in my training to be what I am today and had gone to visit him to recieve a blessing for my trials. What I had discovered was that he came accross an odd book and the more he read into it the more it tempted him to the point where it eventually had turned him for the worst. Day by day he grew more wicked, more dark in his ways and soon became...something...something else. He was still of our kind but the look in his eyes, those evil, twisted eyes...no, his soul was damned. His features struck fear into my heart and he lashed at me, attempting with every strength to slay me in the very Cathedrial itself. I had no choice...I faught back and because of how young I was I still was not trained well enough to be better prepared."
"He and I faught for hours, tooth and nail clashing against fur and flesh until finally I found a weakness. Somehow, I don't even know how exactly, but somehow I broke through his strengths and struck him hard, forcing him to his knees. He let out a blood curdling scream and spoke in a tone that haunted my dreams for years afterward...He said to me "Your family is as worthless as your very soul! You are as damned as I am for your chosen path will bring you nothing but suffering! Just as it did your father..." At that point all I remember is reaching for my blade and then-" Rav'una's gaze lowered further more as she shook away the hurt from the memories although even with her strength she could not hide away the tear that escaped her as she added with a deeper frown "I was forced into killing the very one who had helped me for so many years and had helped me through all my troubles when no one else could or would. The last thing he said to me was when my blade had struck his chest. He reached up, held me close enough to whisper in my ear and said but two words..."Thank you..."...Then he...died at my feet..."
Meanwhile...
"Boy, I can sure tell it would be easy to get lost around here..." Derek noted as they made their way along the main tunnel, blinking some at all the smaller areas that branched off from it like some kind of tree root. It wasn't long before he was out of there however and fortunately so since he was starting to wonder if there was an actual end to that tunnel.
He held back a laugh behind a smirk at what Cypher had said, barely in time as a small snicker escaped him and he let out a quick clear of his throat as he continued onward, letting himself settle so to be laughing at the wrong time.
Derek really must of been getting pretty used to being here by now since it had been a while that he's been in the Tir and all and he obviously wasn't shy about what he served on his plate. Stepping in line he must of made a selection of just about every type of food that was there, his plate by the end of it just barely able to balance all the food that was there. Oh yeah, he certainly had an appetite when he was hungry that was for sure and wasn't shy about it either. It was any wonder that if that he ate that much regularly how on earth he managed to keep his figure.
Meanwhile elsewhere...
It was a successful block at least but not a successful boot to the head/face, Daemun in turn landing back onto his feet in a crouch of sorts with a curl of his lip, blood running down the open wound on his face. The fact he was bleeding proved that he wasn't exactly immune to physical attacks however the more he faught the more he seemed to be able to fight on. Although it came with a price as his energy would eventually start to drain but the question was by the time that even started to happen, would Starzone and Trajectory still be able to continue with the fight? A change of strategy would eventually have to emerge for everyone in the fight, Daemun included, if anyone was aiming to claim a victory any time soon.
Quickly standing Daemun reacted to incoming attack with a quick dash forward, ducking down into a slide kick and just barely avoiding the lower blade as it skimmed past the top of his ear, taking a small clip of fur along with it, and using the momentum of the slide he pushed himself a little to the side to stop quickly, bringing his foot up so to aim to strike Starzone right in the middle of her torso. It was a risky move that could have earned himself a knife or two in the torso and head hadn't he of ducked at the last second.
What he hadn't noticed during his attack was that Trajectory was up and standing again, no doubt feeling the effects of the last attack still but now being on the move and within Daemun's blindside it was any wonder in which direction this was about to turn.
Murdoc exhaled softly in almost a sigh. He didn't exactly wish the experience on anyone but it was encouraging that even considering she was highly trained from young, Rav'una as a youth had managed to defeat a demon. Though there were so many demons of so many varying strengths...still any hope was good in this situation. He glanced at the Psion sphere, its perfection marred by the crack caused by Sydonai. He wasn't sure if that was going to cause problems or not.
Byte was thinking as Rav'una told her story. When she was done, Byte turned to her and inquired: "Did he look creepy like the guy that cracked our comm?"
ooo
"Just stick to the main corridors and you'll be fine," Chip said. After loading up with food (and all the boys seemed to have appetites that matched Derek's), the boys joined Kodi at the table he'd found. Both Chip and Epoch laughed at Cypher, though Epoch was silent about it unlike Chip's more raucous and boisterous laughter. Kodi would actually have taken up close to two spaces if he'd been a more physical presence, as was he was perched next to Epoch and partway through him, which was slightly disconcerting for anyone not used to such a sight.
ooo
Starzone twisted to one side, pulling her arm up between her ribs and the incoming boot. The kick connected, she relaxed her arm to absorb most of the blow and flew backwards with it, hitting the ground, rolling once and using the momentum to propel herself back to her feet, stepping back a couple of steps to wash pff the rest of it. Even allowing for her small stature she'd still flown back quite a lot further than one would expect. She was starting to look a little ragged. Her eyes burned with deeper intensity than at the start of the fight. The faint red tint that had been in them earlier had flooded her eyes, turning the whole lot a blood red.
Trajectory stopped at quite a close range and using the proximity, charged up the air immediatey around Daemun, the air crackling dangerously around him. Starzone raised her left hand, then closed it into a fist. The electrified air combusted violently. Trajectory spun and started moving out of range of the small but very volatile explosion.
In truth it hadn't really occured to Rav'una up until recent years that what she had defeated was a demon of sorts or someone possessed by one, it seemed. Unless the priest was hiding something all along but that remained a mystery that may never be solved. It was a hardship for her to have to go through with it and though she had killed others at an early age to have to kill someone she felt close to and considered a form of support and a friend was something even an assassin can find hard to deal with and accept. (OOC: Oh wow! You actually remembered the crack in the sphere! Kudos to you! ^..^ )
Though she would have much prefered to have pushed those memories back into the deepest area of her memory bank and lock it away for good again she found herself skimming through its pages, turning her attention to Byte with small shake of her head. "Somewhat and yet not so" She began, clearing that up as she explained "The one in communication screens, though little that I was able to see him, certainly holds a resemblance in the sense that his eye is quite different than the other and he holds that burning hatred in him. Although whoever that is seems to be bonded somehow and able to control whatever it is that within him. The priest was not so fortunate...His appearence was like of something straight from the nightmares of one's darkest, coldest thoughts, his eyes pure white and almost glazed over as though he should of been dead and yet not, his fur not as healthy as it once appeared and his face held pure evil in its expressions with a burning fury in his actions that seemed ravenous and beyond all control. This...Daemun individual...he seems different somehow...and yet there are similarities in his charactistics"
Meanwhile...
"Easy for you to say..." Derek muttered in slight unsurity as he made his way toward the tunnel exit to grab some food and sit himself at the table along with everyone else. Fortunately he had seen holograms more than enough times to be used to them and so Kodi didn't seem to bother him in regards to being partially through someone at all. Heck, Derek kind of knew what that felt like having been there, done that before. Especially with all the various gadgets and whats-its-hoozies he's fiddle around with in his lifetime.
"Alright! Chow time!" Derek grinned before munching his way into the food careless and actually making a bit of a mess in the process. Wolves will be wolves no matter what shape and form they come in...
Meanwhile elsewhere...
Daemun's own eyes held a difference of their own, more so particularly his left eye with the pupil so slimmed it was obvious he was both focussed and furious in his moment of battle. Yet at the same time...there was a hint in them that somewhere in him he was actually enjoying it in some twisted sort of way. Either way the one thing that was certain was that he was determined to win the fight and even though he had already recieved heavy blows he was still standing strong. Injured, yes, and aching, certainly, but nothing that stopped him or seemed to weaken him a great deal. Physically he was more than able...un-mousely able to withstand a heck of a beating and still go on strong.
No sooner had he had got to his feet that he was suddenly engulfed in a field of electrified air and too late too soon did he realize the position he was in. The blast would have been enough to kill anyone instantly, or at very least injure them in desperate need of medical attention and probably close to death. However, perhaps to everyone's surprise, once the dust settled Daemun stood within the center of small crater of sorts, smirking wickedly, his coat waving in the wind and torn at the edges, a cold chuckle gradually forming into a small wicked laugh of contentment.
"Well that certainly was was impressive, I'll give you that much" Daemun smirked, barely more than a few more cuts and grazes randomly over his body and a few more added to his face, one hand held up in a clawed fashion and absorbing a final spark of electricity before he lowered it slowly to his side "But even such a powerful attack is not enough to bring me down so easily. Hehehe, so typical. You fight with brawn and power yet not once have you stopped to think of what could really be my defeat. I will leave that to you...But in the meantime perhaps now would be a good time to show you my alternate form"
What Daemun did next was like something out of a twisted horror move as he opened his palms out with his fingers out stretched, crossing the over as he brought them close to his face with a wicked grin imprinted in his expressions as he slid them to the sides his face and reached one down to the side of his jaw, literally tearing away the skin like it was some sort mask, peeling his entire body completely of it but rather than some fleshy version of him as one may have expected instead now stood the very demon within...or that he was? His physique and snout snapped and cracked into place and morphed as need be to adjust and now taller, yet still slim and fitly built, he looked far more wicked than before, his skin a dark black colour, his tail thicker and more suited to his form and though one eye was now a pure white the other still remained that ice blue with that slit-like pupil he bares.
(OOC: Like this dude http://kyoht.deviantart.com/art/First-Born-11989079 would be the best example. If the link works...XD!)
His voice too had changed to something more chilling and darker than ever. With his hands held out to his sides he hissed almost contently "Let us finish this...There is much fun to be had. Hmhmhmhm..."
(ooc- ahh good old Kyoht. Seen that. :)
"Where are Starzi and Traj?" Murdoc asked abruptly, seeking confirmation rather than asking a question.
Byte glanced at Rav'una. "They went after that guy. He said he was after Strike and Flak."
"That's what I was afraid of." Muroc looked once more at the Psion sphere, his mind racing. "You girls eaten? Go up and eat."
Byte looked momentarily confused, but that was one order she was happy to comply with. "C'mon Rav'una." Byte motioned for Rav'una to follow her and headed back out. As they left Murdoc turned to his comm. Once they were back in the lift, Byte hit the button for the level the eatery was on, then leaned against the wall.
"Darkmoon's a really powerful Psion. And a priest. He started mentoring Starzi and Traj when he first came to the Tir, when we were all really young. Taught 'em to get a grip on their abilities and stuff. They became his acolytes when we got older. They came back recently without him, and we noticed they were a bit different. They've started wearing power blockers when they're in here. And we figured that Darkmoon must have been controlling them until they could control themselves. They're kinda lost without him and they're scared of accidentally hurting us coz they can't fully control their abilities."
The door opened to the eatery leven and they crossed the corridor into the eatery, easily spying Kodi's bulk above the table where the boys were wolfing. "Hungry?" Byte asked unnecssarily as she led the way into the eatery, grabbing them a couple of trays.
ooo
Starzone lowered her head slightly, sighing in exasperation. "Why," she said softly, "do you lot always talk so fucking much?"
Trajectory felt a ripple of energy speed through him. It increased in intensity and he stepped back, damping down the pain as Daemun shredded reality and demonised. His hand flew to his forehead as he felt the skin peel back and his Ajana push through.
Starzone did not break eye contact, raising her head as Daemun towered over her. She hissed sofly as the skin peeled away from the glistening blood red gem set in her forehead. Her hands enlarged slightly as the claws on the ends got bigger. Having no one around to break the minds of, they didn't fight the changes.
"You got some kind of inferiority complex?" Starzone challenged, her voice taking on a multitone polyphony, sounding like several people speaking at once. "Gotta make up for your lack of skills in other areas? That why you're after Strike? Coz he's so much better than you?"
Trajectory moved extremely slowly and warily, staying in Daemun's blind spot, moving into position.
ooo
Darkmoon felt a ripple of energy and looked up from the book he had been studying. A moment later Lorus also looked up, but at Darkmoon. The two turned to look at each other.
(OOC: Then you see where I got my inspiration from, :P. Kyoht, Dark Natasha and Goldenwolf are my top three favourite artists!)
At the same moment Byte glanced her way Rav'una likewise glanced her way and then turned her attention back to Murdoc in silence. She had a bad feeling about this from the start and if Murdoc was concerned also it more serious than even Rav'una knew. Very little phased her very much at all these days but something like this was not something to be taken light heartedly.
Typically Rav'una didn't show much more emotion in her serious expressions but it was obvious she wasn't comfortable with any of this at all. A light twitch of the end of her tail indicated this further and the fact she was also hungry started to make her a little irritated also. But she held herself pretty well all things considered and with Byte later gesturing for her to follow she did so without hessitation. Stopping just at the door Rav'una turned to Murdoc and gave a small nod.
"If you required my assistence Murdoc I want you to know it is available to you at any time. Good luck doctor..."
With that she turned and followed Byte to the lift, standing with her arms folded and listening to what was being said. "It sounds to me that they have suffered a loss as great as my own" Rav'una began with a surprising level of sympathy in her tone, especially since she didn't even look at Byte and remained serious in her expressions but none the less she was listening and certainly felt for Starzone and Trajectory. "The priest I told Murdoc of recently was a kind of mentor of my own. He helped me control my anger and emotions, assisted me when I needed the support the most, and all in all I owe him a great deal for a large portion of what makes me who I am today. Unfortunately..." Rav'una paused with a lowered gaze, her ears folded back although she still managed to remain calm and seemingly hardly changed on the outside "Such mentors often leave in the most unexpected ways as though that in itself is a trial to learn from..."
As the doors opened Rav'una quickly straightened herself out again, pushing back the memories and emotions for the sake of keeping them hidden and to not show her weakness so openly and proceeded to follow Byte out of the lift, her stride as collected and confident as ever. "Famished actually" She smirked in her response. Rav'una certainly knew how to switch her emotions on and off quite easily. After all, it was a great part of her training to maintain emotions and such. Often such things could be the downfall to one's fight.
Meanwhile...
"Perhaps the same reason why you always feel so confident in yourself" Daemun smirked, flashing a quick image of a twisted scene of a body littered battlefield for a brief second behind him. A small glimpse of the kind of twisted things he could do but even he knew mind games do close to nothing when fighting a Psion. In particular those as powerful as he was fighting now.
Daemun, now in his demon form, was quite intrigued by the changes he saw in Trajectory and Starzone and it seemed the more pain and hatred he felt the more, gradually, his power seemed to bloom. In this form he would be much tougher, faster, and able to withstand a lot more punishment and unleash far more unforgiving force than in his more vulnerable martian mouse form. He could still be injured, yes, however that one weakness remained...
"Inferiority?..." Daemun's tone turned more cold and viciously serious as he snarled with one fist clenched so tight his claws had began to dig into his palm "He is the very meaning of inferior as far as I am concerned! I don't lack in skill, that much I can prove to you. No. Strike cost me my career, my life, and it is because of him my very name was run down into the mud of missery my life soon became! No, I assure you I have far more legitimate reasons to want him dead..." Reaching his hand up he pointed a bloody figure, due to the now bloody palm from what he had done to it, and hissed with a glare "You know nothing of what I have gone through! NOTHING! My lust for revenge only begins with him! Others will soon follow until I am satisfied that every last fool who ever even so much as gave me an awkward stare will pay!"
"Oh I wouldn't do that if I where you..." Daemun soon began, this time addressing Trajectory. Somehow Daemun knew he was there. Perhaps a new level of sense.
"The girls are here," Kodi said as Byte and Rav'una approached the table with their own trays. The boys shuffled over and the girls slotted in, Rav'una ending up beside Derek.
"Hey Kodi," Byte said to the hologram, then glanced carefully around the table. "No Streak?"
The boys glanced at each other. "I'm guessing he went back to his bolthole," Chip said.
"We're probably gonna need him for debrief later but no real point pullin' 'im out til then," Cypher added. Noticing the bag Rav'una was carrying he inquired, "You guys got stuff to run to Brains Trust?"
"Yeah," Byte replied through a mouthful of food, "it can wait." She looked over at Derek. "How you copin'?" she asked, poking him in the thigh with the end of her tail. "Ever seen anything like old creepy before?"
ooo
"Ahhh huh,' Starzone smirked, folding her arms loosely across her stomach, hands resting on her elbows as due to the size of them she wasn't able to fold her arms properly. Her tail made a whip crack sound as it lashed the air behind her. The demon blood did not go unnoticed, the fact that she'd just caused him to draw his own blood meant she'd touched a raw nerve. "Legitimate. Right. Diddums want revenge coz everyone else lost faith in him and followed the better leader? Too hard to admit you fucked up? That it's your own stupid fault that your life is a train wreck?"
Trajectory froze when addressed, calculating the distance he had to move, the speed he knew he could move at, the time he had to do what he needed to do assuming he could move faster than Daemun, and who knew how fast Daemun in his current form could move. Material and Dream were warped and very borderline in the current area thanks to Daemun's attempt at a scare tactic, or show of power, or whatever he had decided to peel his skin off for, and decided that given the unknown it was probably safer to stay put for a while.
He was more concerned about where Starzone was heading. He was aware from their bond that she was trying to bait him, maybe get him to spill and find some sort of truth, some sort of closure, assuming he could hear himself beyond being convinced that he was right, maybe get him to fly off the handle and make some stupid mistake. Seemed kind of suicidal to him but then again so was taking on a demon. And Starzone could be bitingly scathing even before she'd taken the mantle of vengeance.
ooo
Lorus watched as Darkmoon paced restlessly, pausing on occasion to look out the window in the direction his kids were. He smirked slightly as he only just felt Darkmoon probing the ties that bound them. Lorus sent him a very gentle reminder of who was in charge. Darkmoon placed a hand on his throat, then looked at Lorus. Their eyes met only briefly before Darkmoon looked down.
Derek gradually stopped eating as he found himself suddenly sitting beside Rav'una, who in turn gave him a firm yet calm sort of stare and for a good few moments they just stared at each other, unsure apparently how to even react to one another and Derek seemed more surprised anything.
"You know..." Derek began, waving a chicken bone at Rav'una as he smirked "You're a lot sexier up close"
Rav'una responded to that by slowly reaching up to grab the chicken bone between her index and middle finger and with a quick twist of her wrist snapped the bone right in half, Derek in turn blinking some as he held the chicken bone up with a perk of his brow. "I'll...take that as a warning then..."
"It is nothing personal..." Rav'una smirked "I just wanted you to know to be careful and not just assume all females will melt at your feet"
"Never even hinted that"
Rav'una just Derek one of those looks like he had said the dumbest thing she had ever heard and that the facts were so obvious it was a wonder how ever Derek could of missed that. But apparently he either certainly did or was too proud to admit it as he perked a brow at her with a quiet "What?..." and a quick shifty eye moment after that.
"Males..." Rav'una rolled her eyes with a shake of her head. Derek just couldn't help himself "So does this mean we're friends?" Derek grinned, Rav'una turning to him once more with a small frown. "Well of course it means we are still friends you fool, we are part of the same bloody team."
"Point taken, well put." Derek nodded and immediately shut up after that.
With that Rav'una simply listened from that point as she began to eat while Derek meanwhile was snapped out of his little moment by a quick poke at his thigh, letting out a quick "Hey!" before exhaling with a roll of his eyes as he stated out loud "Is there anyone who doesn't want a piece of me today?..." With that he listened to what Byte asked, giving that answer a good long thought before then with a quick shake of his head he replied "No. Unless you want to include Mr Mystery swirling around inside me. Apart from that most of what I've heard are mostly just a bunch of stories but this guy totally freaks me out. And I don't get freaked out by anything!"
"That is because you have never seen an actual demon before" Rav'una bluntly yet respectfully pointed, taking a bite of the piece of meat in her hand before adding through a mouth full of food "Believe me, once you have you'll wish you hadn't. Of course that all depends on the demon."
"You know, talking with your mouth full isn't very polite" Derek noted with a smirk, Rav'una giving him a mocking glare as she pointed at him with the piece of meat as she said "What it Lupronian..."
"So you did miss me" Derek smirked. He sure liked to push his luck but fortunately Rav'una had a respect for him...even though right now she could of pierced a hole through his forehead with her glare as she slowly chewed the food in her mouth.
Meanwhile....
"My fault?! My fuck up?!" Daemun's aura began to burn, flames the colours of dark blues and black forming gradually around him, the energy he was pushing out growing furiously as he curled his lip and hissed furiously as he pointed to himself as he said "I am not the one who choice for others to turn a cold shoulder my way! That is only a fraction of my reasons for turning so coldly upon others! By the time I lead those troops I already was frowned upon for simply being who and what I am! You know NOTHING of what I went through for you are just arrogant and pathetically careless as the rest of the misserable lot who jabbed at me with their poor sense of judgement and dislike purely because they simply did not, nor wished to, even begin to understand me!" Pointing at Starzone with his aura burning stronger now he snapped "Do not tell me that were it you in my position that you would not have done the same! No...Strike was a better leader and I admired him for that. Until he too turned his back on me. THAT is when I began to care less!"
Daemun was showing his true form and colours and by tearing off the outside he revealed the demon within. The warp of reality, though it was only for a glimpse second, was a show of how he could easily manipulate things quickly and make others see what he sees in his mind. Even going beyond that if need be. However this was not a tactic he was about to use as it would be useless against a Psion. Though what did remain a mystery was what exactly he was now capable of doing. Trajectory may well of stood a chance however Daemun's current state and form made him practically invincible. Still, he could be defeated either way. But it would be hard to say just how long he remain standing strong for in the fight now.
Starzone was certainly starting to strike more than just a small nerve and Daemun seemed to thrive off it. Apart from being pissed off and rapidly more so as she went on Daemun himself seemed to be pulling a little trick of his own. The more negativity thrown at him, the more darkness he absorbed and in turn the more his power grew. That said there was a limit to this. Never the less all this anger and the insults thrown his way, though they angered him beyond compare, was actually at the same time benefiting him.
At this point...who knew how this battle would end. And if they began to fight again, how long could they handle each other? Each seemed to be at the prime of their power now and fighting would be like a clash of the gods so to speak. The tension was thickening.
Epoch, Kodi and the triplets observed the exchange with some amusement, remaining silent as the banters and vaious shows took place. Finally, Cypher broke in wth his characteristic gruffness: "Get a room." He smirked slightly, indicating it was mostly a joke. They finished up their meals.
"Time for debrief." Cypher stretched and rose. "You guys comin'?" he looked at Derek and Rav'una.
ooo
*starzi* Trajectory sent, deep level so as to be undetectable. The warning was probably unnecessary but Trajectory wouldn't have been able to stop himself from delivering it regardless. He had an idea what Starzone was trying to do but wondered if it was going to backfire in a spectacular fashion.
As Daemun's flared up, Starzone took a couple of steps back, not breaking eye contact. When he pointed she sprang lightly up onto the roof of the building behind her, coming to about eye level with Daemun (ooc - assuming he got as tall as I think he did and allowing for the fact Starzone is short ;). As unaffected by his mind games as she was, she had been paying attention. "Are you stoned or just fucking stupid? Look at your own goddamned memory. You went all evil shadow demon on them and THEY WERE SCARED OF YOU!"
Trajectory kept a wary eye on Daemun's tail as he once more very slowly inched towards the position he needed to be in if he was needed.
Derek shut up with a small glare Cypher's way as Rav'una meanwhile chuckled with a roll of her eyes and a small shake of her head. "Hardly my type" She replied as Derek just exhaled with a streak of a grunt, looking upward and holding his hands out in an according gesture as he said out loud "C'mon, cut me slack here!"
"You, my good sir, need to learn to relax" Rav'una noted, poking Derek in the ribs.
"Umph!" Derek rubbed his side a little with a small frown as he looked at Rav'una and replied "You know, I'd apreciate if you didn't do that anymore..."
Turning their attention back to Cypher now the two nodded in agreement, Derek washing down his last part of his meal down with a quick drink and standing up with a salute and a grin as he stated "You betcha!" as Rav'una meanwhile stood up in a more casual style, nodding once at Cypher with her usual sense of character and professionalism kicking into gear again.
"Ready when you are"
Meanwhile...
(OOC: He's fairly tall but not a giant or anything, lol. However probably in comparison to Starzone he would be somewhat taller, yes ^..^.)
"WRONG AGAIN!" Daemun hissed with a deep growl to his tone "They feared me long before my gifts where known and only a select few ever gave me even a glimpse of a chance! Only when they found out more of me did everyone turn further more away and so then tell me why I would have even wanted to care beyond that point. Tell me that since you seem to know me so fucking well!"
Daemun's tail began to curl to a side as though he was about ready to strike to a side, his attention focussed on Starzone but too in the back of his mind he kept a weary note of Trajectory's position. With a crack of his tail he delivered a ripple of energy that was so strong it swept some distance to his left, zipping past a distant building which in turn a second or two later blasted away as though it was just hit by a small nuke. It was a warning more than anything yet what was curious is he didn't direct it at either Starzone or Trajectory. If they were fighting, why waste that move on just a warning? Maybe he had so much energy flowing through him now that he needed to disperse some of it. Seemed the more likely reason.
"Didn't realise you were breedin' 'em now," Chip said to Byte, making sure he was well out of both Derek and Rav'una's immediate strike range when he spoke as they got up.
"I had nothin' to do with it," Byte retorted, moving so she was out of the line of fire if it came down to that.
"Come on children. Comin' sir?" Cypher turned to grin at Epoch, who was getting up out of Kodi. Epoch thought for a while, then half shrugged and nodded. He turned to Kodi, antennae glittering vaguely.
"Yeah all right," Kodi answered, stretching languidly through the table and then sitting down and lazily scratching behind one ear. Cypher stood aside and let Epoch take the lead, Kodi lumbering beside him. Cypher fell in on the other side of Epoch, Chip and Byte trailling raggedly after them.
They headed up to the conference room. Epoch paused outside the door, then stopped like he was listening to something a very long way away. Cypher looked up at him curiously. "Sup?"
Epoch exhaled harshly, then turned abruptly and headed back down the short corridor they'd entered by, breaking into a run when he hit the main corridor. Kodi for his part vanished.
"Epoch!" Cypher yelled, before the triplets hurried after him.
They made it to the aerotech hangar in time to see one of the aerotechs having just taken off and disappearing into the distance, Kodi standing in the spot it had been parked in. Epoch slowed to a fast walk, moving to stand beside the hologram.
"Too late," Kodi commented unnecessarily.
ooo
Starzone partly turned her head so she could see what happened out of the corner of her eye. Mental note: avoid disinegrating energy. Maybe if he got worked up enough he'd disinegrate himself. She stood up and refocused on Daemun. "Wanna know what that sounds like to me, demon boy?" she taunted, "sounds to me like you were runnin' the unit based on fear rather than respect. No wonder they didn't like you."
ooo
Strike reached over and turned off his in flight comm as his aerotech sailed towards the triangle Xu had marked out as being roughly where Daemun was located. As he approached, he immediately noticed his instruments starting to flicker and go strange. Ignoring the feeling of dread welling in the pit of his stomach, Strike ignored the instruments and started flying by sight, using the instruments as a measure of if he was getting closer.
Rav'una wasn't normally so child-like but Derek just had a way of bringing that side out in just about everyone. Although it seemed the two were quite at each other's throats there was some unspoken level of respect for one another none the less. Either that or Rav'una was just showing her more unique way of telling Derek that he wasn't getting on her nerves enough to make her hate him. Yet. Though they certainly had near opposite kind of personalities. Rav'una was your typical smooth and self disciplined assassin type with a firm hold on her emotions while Derek was the more bold and out-in-the-open type who generally let his emotions run wild and free. Which often lead into all kinds of troubles for him. Although he had proven he has some good level of control when it came to the more serious stuff.
It was a good thing that neither Derek of Rav'una heard what Chip had said to Byte as they moved on or he probably would have had an ear full as a result. At least from Rav'una. Derek would have just made some smart arsed remark and got on with it. Rav'una may have well held a grudge.
With Epoch stopping all of a sudden Rav'una immediately went into alert mode, her attention snapping to his direction while Derek stopped with his ears perked and along with a brow as he watched Epoch suddenly dash down the hall.
"What...the?" Derek looked really confused and a little unsure right now. "Okaaaaay...Someone wanna explain to me what the hell that was just all about?"
Meanwhile...
"I wasn't running anything..." Daemon hissed, his aura still burning strong dispite the little energy outburst he just flung to that poor defenseless building. "If you weren't so cocky and proud of yourself you would have heard what I just said. I did not ASK for others to fear me nor was it in my original intentions. Explain to me how that is running anything! No...Again, you are mistaken. They feared me because they did not choose understand me. In time I found a better use for that fear but that was long after my hatred grew beyond its bounds..."
"But go ahead, taunt me further" Daemun suddenly smirked, a cold chuckle rolling smoothly into the open, his head lowering just slightly but those intimidating eyes of his seemed to almost pierce right through Starzone as he continued with a more darker tone "Hate me if you must. Be angry at me if you will. In the end...you are just like all the others. Ignorance plays its role in your lack for better judgement and I see it in what you say. You do not listen to yourself as much as I have listened to you. Oh yes...there is no care for me in your heart. This much I see clearly"
"Lockdown." Epoch spoke for the first time since Derek and Rav'una's arrival, and it suddenly became blindingly obvious why he never spoke. The artificial voice was surreal and harsh on the ears, for some reason sending a chill of unease through anyone in hearing range. Epoch cast molten gold eyes past the orange clad techies working on the aerotechs and onto the group.
The opening to the hangar began to close. It didn't take long before it was too small to admit an aerotech. The techies were scrambling around doing techy things at a much more frenzied pace than they had been before Epoch issued the order. When his eyes alighted on them, the triplets seemed to freeze, then stiffened to attention.
"Yes sir," they responded in unison, like good little soldiers.
"Chip, make sure Streak stays put."
"Yes sir," Chip managed with a bit of effort, snapping off a salute before charging off down the corridor.
"Byte, guest room. Take Rav'una."
"Yes sir," Byte said, pulling on Rav'una's elbow as she also started running down the corridor, as if to get away from Epoch's voice as much as to obey his orders.
"C'mon Derek," Cypher said, hustling Derek in the direction of the door and using his name for once, "we're gonna need your leet techy skills on our mechs."
Epoch paced them as they scuttled back towards the mech bay.
ooo
Starzone's grin widened, showing off her wicked incisors. "Is that the heart of the matter demon boy? You think no one loves you so you make yourself unloveable to prove that no one loves you?" Her eyes flicked up, and an exasperated look flashed across her face to hide the sinking feeling in her heart as Strike's aerotech landed in the near distance.
The hood popped and Strike removed his helmet before springing lightly out of the cockpit. The adrenaline was coursing around his body so hard every fibre on his body was standing on end. With every step he took towards the towering monstrosity whose eyes he still recognised, he wanted to turn and run. He kept pressing forward though, keeping his eyes down until he lost the nerve to go any further, still well out of physical strike range. Taking a deep breath, he fought down his fear and looked up at Daemun.
"You wanted to see me?" he managed in a fairly neutral expression.
"Apparently..." Derek responded with a roll of his eyes, exhaling deeply as he just knew he wasn't going to be getting very much sleep for the next few nights at very least. Well at least if for now they could all get back to base alright and in one piece that would be a good first step. And Derek should consider himself lucky that for now the battle was over. That is with Daemun still running about somewhere being the current exception.
While everyone was preparing to enter back into the Tir, Rav'una decided to take another look over all the stuff she had managed to snatch up, the occasional piece held up for further inspection before she would proceed to take a closer look at the other things.
"I didn't have a great deal of time during the mission to take a proper look at all of this" Rav'una began to explain, taking particular interest in a very old, darkly toned book that was reasonably well kept considering how old it looked, black leather binding its cover.
"Thus far, from what I can tell, this book is something of which rises some concerns in my view..." She proceeded to explain, almost as though thinking out loud but with the intentions for it to be heard "It speaks deeply of all forms of black magics and even has various rituals of sorts all of which is written in some very ancient text or another. I am not certain what it could be exactly but I can say what is odd about this particular text is that even though it is not of a language I recognize...it is easily read..."
Meanwhile...
Daemun all the while was watching from his position, having lost sight of Starzone but not completely loosing the sense of her presence. From what he could tell...she was drawing closer. Odd how silent she was but this only intrigued him further into finding out more. In the meantime he took another shot, this time from another position, but had missed when Trajectory had ducked behind some cover.
"Damn!..." Daemun whispered to himself with a firm expression, growling in a sense of the word as he reloaded and scurried off to another position. He knew better than to stay in one spot for too long.
You ain't got a life 'til ya live it free!
(Thanks Nightbeat/Katana for Derek's picture! ^..^)