View Full Version : Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Character Creation and Discussion (second reincarnation)
Estavali
2008-08-03, 05:44
Well at least it's this time it isn't Aaron that pull the line ( no offence Aaron ). It show that not only Aaron is annoyed with the current state of Cadia.
======
Well some information about SoundStage M3 that I heard yesterday and discussed a bit in the IRC. This soundstage is more a Q&A than story. There are things that I'm sure about, things that I'm not sure about, due my lack of understanding of Japanese and there are things that I have completely missed.
This is Post-StrikerS after the time jump when everyone is at there new/former post and before SoundStage X. My guess is that it's a few months after the time jump.
Things that I know for sure:
Nanoha and Vivio are mother and daughter while Fate and Vivio are more sisterly related. The relationship between Hayate and Vivio wasn't mentioned, but they are close although she keeps calling her "Commander" Hayate.
Current post
Nanoha is back to her old position ( air force )
Fate is back to her old position ( enforcer )
Vita follows Nanoha and enter in the air force
Zafira is Ginga's second hand in investigation
Shamal is back to her old post, while also being Nanoha's personal doctor.
Subaru is in the rescue department
Teana and Shari are Fate assistant. Teana is also studing about enforcer so she has a shortcut to enter air force.
Caro and Erio went back to administered planet 3. Erio wants to be a Belka Knight, while Caro is studing about animals. Erio is also friends with the numbers.
Agito is with Signum.
Agito is calling other knights by there name, except Vita and Hayate. Agito calls Vita Aneko and she hasn't decide yet how to call Hayate ( she already tried "Meister Hayate", "Lord Hayate" and many more )
Vivio is in Belka magic school. After school she studies, plays with other children, helps Eina (sp? , the maid in StrikerS) around the house and often goes to the infinite library.
Yuuno and Vivio are close friends and Yuuno did teaches some magic to Vivio like search magic for searching books in the library.
things that I'm not sure about
Signum post. I heard something about HQ, I think it's the ground HQ, not sure.
Hayate's current duty. I only heard that she's traveling around. They did say more about it, but I didn't understand it.
The movie is a movie production in midchilda. ( a movie in an anime serie ). I'm not sure about this, but according how the say they act it looks like it.
Random stuff
In this whole soundstage, Hayate acts like a little devil. Always try away to poke fun about Fate and Nanoha. Vivio acts the same as Hayate with results a surprised Nanoha and Fate.
According Nanoha, a scary Shamal is really scary.
Fate wants to live together with Erio and Caro, like Nanoha and Vivio, but Erio and Caro decided to go to administrated world 3 ( Erio and Caro elope for their honeymoon :P)
Teana is thankfull for the other forwards for being her friend. She did told them, except Subaru. According to Teana Subaru will relax something like "are sick, Teana?", "did you eat something wrong?".
According to the two watcher in administrated world 3, Caro should study to be an animal doctor, but Caro hasn't decided what she will be.
According to Vivio Zaffy ( that's how Vivio calls Zafira ) really loves to play around. Nanoha is thankfull for that ( babysitting Vivio ) and Hayate comments that Zafira is really good with children.
Subaru always complains to Teana about souvenirs from the worlds that she visits.
Due the small age gap between Teana, Fate and Shari, when they on leave they often goes shopping together and acts like three teenagers.
Signum asked Fate for advice for being more "buddy like" towards Agito and gets for reply "relax". Although according to Hayate Signum "hates" to be relaxed.
I think have all the points that I know. Feel free to add or correct it.
Excellent, Phean. This is all very interesting. Especially that part about Zafira being good with children (maybe this is a trait of his species as well?) :)
Since I believe that running around in circles posting about our woes on the thread gets us nowhere, I won't comment on those posts. If anyone takes offense to that, I apolagize.
Now, back to happier topics:
Well some information about SoundStage M3 that I heard yesterday and discussed a bit in the IRC. This soundstage is more a Q&A than story. There are things that I'm sure about, things that I'm not sure about, due my lack of understanding of Japanese and there are things that I have completely missed.
This is Post-StrikerS after the time jump when everyone is at there new/former post and before SoundStage X. My guess is that it's a few months after the time jump.
Ah, I've been waiting for this. :D
Nanoha and Vivio are mother and daughter while Fate and Vivio are more sisterly related. The relationship between Hayate and Vivio wasn't mentioned, but they are close although she keeps calling her "Commander" Hayate.
Reset confirmed much?
Zafira is Ginga's second hand in investigation
Setup for SSX, methinks. Does that mean we'll get more Zafira in SSX? Woot!
Shamal is back to her old post, while also being Nanoha's personal doctor.
*furious scribbling ensues*
Agito is calling other knights by there name, except Vita and Hayate. Agito calls Vita Aneko and she hasn't decide yet how to call Hayate ( she already tried "Meister Hayate", "Lord Hayate" and many more )
Aneko? As in Anego? Older Sister? I knew those two would like eachother! :D
Vivio is in Belka magic school. After school she studies, plays with other children, helps Eina (sp? , the maid in StrikerS) around the house and often goes to the infinite library.
Yuuno and Vivio are close friends and Yuuno did teaches some magic to Vivio like search magic for searching books in the library.
Quite a studybird, isn't she? I wonder how she'll end up. Somehow my mind fails to compute Vivio not entering the TSAB. :eyespin:
The movie is a movie production in midchilda. ( a movie in an anime serie ). I'm not sure about this, but according how the say they act it looks like it.
*snrk* Oh, that would be too good to be true. :D
In this whole soundstage, Hayate acts like a little devil. Always try away to poke fun about Fate and Nanoha. Vivio acts the same as Hayate with results a surprised Nanoha and Fate.
Did we expect any less?
According Nanoha, a scary Shamal is really scary.
Again, no real surprise. For me at least. :p
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Shamalfu.jpg
Fate wants to live together with Erio and Caro, like Nanoha and Vivio, but Erio and Caro decided to go to administrated world 3
Poor Fate, abandoned by the kids she raised.
According to Vivio Zaffy ( that's how Vivio calls Zafira ) really loves to play around. Nanoha is thankfull for that ( babysitting Vivio ) and Hayate comments that Zafira is really good with children.
Bwahaha! Vivio actually calls Zafira Zaffy? Oh, TSS is going to love this. :D:D:D
PhoenixG
2008-08-03, 06:38
Yup. Vivio called Zafira Zaffy.
and yeah. Aneko should be Anego as in big sister. I wasn't sure about the romanji, because I've only heard Aneki before.
Well Erio and Caro did consult it first with Fate before they left and when they have free time they will visist Fate.
Vivio poses in SSX
http://www.nanoha.com/ssx_chara.html
Which track, which track? I want to hear Vivio say it. :D
Oh man, we have got to tell TSS this as soon as he gets back. :D:D
PhoenixG
2008-08-03, 06:43
Track 8 around 4:00 they talk about Zafira
Aaron008R
2008-08-03, 06:45
@Phean: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for those previews!!!:D:D:D I can use those a lit, especially for Agito's development for GenerationS!:D:D:D:bow::bow::bow:
*hands over cookie* :3
On the other hand... Let me introduce my main antagonist for MGLN GenerationS, an old mage who was SS-ranked before he retired from service... >:3
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/spec_operations/LouzorlEdit.jpg
Daimadoushi Luozorl von Mazda, voiced by Norio Wakamoto. >>>>:3
*RUNZ!!!*
I've reached the end of Chao's arc again, but now that I'm in the know, it's just :T_T: of epic awesome!!! :bow:
I have even more material to work on! Isn't that great?!
*notices the whole thread staring at him*
...is that a No? :uhoh:
Reset confirmed much? I'd be dead scared if it was any other way... :uhoh:
Setup for SSX, methinks. Does that mean we'll get more Zafira in SSX? Woot!Yes we will; even in StrikeR2. :nod:
Quite a studybird, isn't she? I wonder how she'll end up. Somehow my mind fails to compute Vivio not entering the TSAB. :eyespin:*nudges Keroko*
She's gonna be a Librarian. :D Of all people, you should be able to get this. ;)
*snrk* Oh, that would be too good to be true. :DIt is true. Thisguy verified it. :D
Did we expect any less?Everyone loves the resident racoon. :D
Again, no real surprise. For me at least. :p
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Shamalfu.jpg...A's 4koma is... :heh:
Poor Fate, abandoned by the kids she raised. I was inspired... (see below)
Bwahaha! Vivio actually calls Zafira Zaffy? Oh, TSS is going to love this. :D:D:DDweh?! How did I miss this?! :twitch: Must've been so ingrained this nickname...
But now that its official...! :D
@Aaron: :twitch: YES, MY LORDDO!!! :eek:
~~~New Intelligence Data Updated~~~
How long has it been since I've done this?! Let's go, first peak at StrikeR2:Midchilda Starport viewing deck. Fate and Kha have gone EVA and are watching Erio's and Caro's flight depart into deep space. Allie had left with Sophia on another mission, and Hiro's now a trained commander leading a group of Battle Brothers...
...leaving the 2 Aces alone, for the first time in years.
Kha: There, there... We've always wanted them to choose their own paths? Now that they have... We should just step back.
Fate: But... it's too soon. :(
Kha: Wouldn't you be contradicting yourself if you think that way, Fate?
Fate: ...
Kha: But... (looks into the distance) ...to say that I'm not at all disappointed would be lying to. I wanted to take him to the spaceball game someday. (face falls a little) Like Dad did, before he passed away...
Fate: ...Kha...
Kha: M-maa! :twitch: What am I saying?! I'm getting old... :heh: We can always visit them soon, can't we? (Besides, Lindy-san wants to skin me for spending so little time with you... ><)
Fate: I guess you're right. :)
Kha: Saa... (drags Fate by the hand back to the air-lock) How shall we spend tonight as a free couple? Can I buy you dinner at Excelsior's? :D
Fate: ...you really have changed, Kha. :p
Kha: Or so I heard. (laughs)...Soundstage Khrack is rapid Khrack. :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
*runs*
PhoenixG
2008-08-03, 07:45
Heh.... that is the kinda crack I've been missing here for a few months
Nanoha and Vivio are mother and daughter while Fate and Vivio are more sisterly related. The relationship between Hayate and Vivio wasn't mentioned, but they are close although she keeps calling her "Commander" Hayate.
As mentioned in the channel:
"Aah, she's so cute!" Miyuki ruffled Vivio's hair. "How old is she?"
"Seven years old!" Vivio proclaimed proudly.
"I never thought that Nanoha would become Nanoha-mama," Miyuki said. "It really suits you!"
Nanoha blushed with embarrassment. "Thank you."
Miyuki squatted down to Vivio's level. "You'll always be welcome here at Midori-ya," she said. "I'll make sure to have some delicious cakes for you when you visit!"
Vivio nodded excitedly. "Thank you, Auntie Miyuki!"
Miyuki's left eyebrow twitched. "'Auntie'?"
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-03, 08:40
A little pondering here...
I was thinking about my powerplant ambush scenario...
Let me run this through the group filter here.
So the ace teams have broken into three pairs, the best, but still safe way to search the, exceptionally large ten kilometer diameter circle that is the area where the AMF gen-pods are going to be hiding.
The fine line of dancing here is between the not-so-military but still intelligent and Awesome skills of the aces, and the subtlties of an experienced military expert in terms of tactical proficiency.
So here's the deal. The main 'subtle tactical error' as I can think of it, comes when they first encounter 'Zed-01'. And he/it runs... obviously marking him/itself as opposition that needs to be captured.
The 'error' comes from the way the aces, or SOLO MAGES, fight. Hayate and Crash, being well, a Solo mage ace and a test pilot, go after him. Hyate's an extremely powerful mage, and should be able to handle 'one person', trap or no trap. So she instructs everyone what she's up to, and keeps tabs, intelligently, but everyone else keeps doing their mission... Search and Locate. (AMF pods.)
From Roland's perspective, the error would be that the appearance of any kind of opposing force (even one single opponent) would trump locating stationary hardware in the field of battle... and his tactical manuever would have been to have everyone drop what they were doing and intercept, entrap, and pincer the enemy with overwhelming numeric force and manuvering options, rather than let Hayate and Crash chase it through the town.
The two results are.
A: The tactics Hayate uses, because that has always been how they operate as mages. End result is Zed outmanuevers her, gains the upper hand in strategic positioning and use of hidden assets, almost snaps her neck, if not for the timely arrival of reinforcements from outside the situation.
B: Roland's tactical option, which stems from US Military combat doctrine, would be to bring as much force as he can spare to bear on the unknown until it could be identified, which in this case meant all the mages doing low priority searching would have been rerouted to engage and capture, thus making it almost impossible for Zed to outmanuever all six of them, gain the strategic upper hand...
After reading this... does the 'subtle (but nearly fatal) error' seem like it would work well enough within the reasoning of the Aces minds that they would make it and not conciously know it was an error until later?
((And to catch it early. the General will not recognize it as an error until after the incident ends... he's not acting field commander here, just providing extra ears... at least until things go south. He may get a nagging feeling that he needs to do something, but he won't realize that feeling is the desire to correct a mistake he wouldn't make.))
EDIT:
Marilyn says...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v430/admiraltigerclaw/angrymarilyn.jpg
"PAGE CLAIM!!!!"
*pops an EMP grenade and watches her Crash*
:p
Considering their habits, why not? However, I believe one of them would then consider shadowing Hayate, since Nanoha/Fate might think Hayate is the support bombardment type. The ensuing radio exchange (silly laughs and 'I don't need help' speech) would then be the determining factor if this mistake is caught earlier or later.
stormturmoil
2008-08-03, 10:12
The trouble is here, you've got the options mixed up, in my opinion.
They're in enemy territory (at the moment, it's hostile and unconfirmed) where a large number of previous occupants have been slain quickly. That I think would suggest to a military mind ( wrongly, as we know) a Unit level force, mayube a spec-ops team, maybe a large conventional infantry force...but a unit of some kind
Therefore, Hayate and the Aces instincts would tend to be to converge on the target: They are used to the mindset that even a single combatant can take on and destroy large numbers of opponents, because that's true of mage battles, but not conventional warfare
Roland, bluntly, isn't used to thinking like that; as a conventional general, he will be thinking that to take out a large force, you need a similarly large force. If anything, he'd see it as being an ambush/diversion, and KEEP the Aces apart to prevent them being blindsided/ bunching up and being dealt with by a single bomb...basically, he'd send in a single pair at first, and keep the others free and searching to deal with the flanking force when it appears...
ZED-01 is of course an unknown factor to both sides; but in terms of combat assessment, he's more in line with the Aces thinking than Roland's; Roland as a conventional general simply will not be used to single combatants being able to waste whole units, the way S-rank mages and obviously Zed-01 can
the Aces, on the other hand, have the mindest where a single powerful target can be more dangerous than a unit, and so would know not to assess purely on the numbers (no pun intended)
Comartemis
2008-08-03, 10:50
Oi, oi, can't this thread go fifty pages without needing a rousing speech to get us all to get along with each other? :p
Personally I haven't been too worried about the tone of the thread, maybe 'cause it's more or less always been the way it is from my perspective. I've been having fun almost the whole time I've been here, to the point where Cadia has turned into my #1 internet hangout spot. But hey, if things can get better than they have been up 'till now, I say "let's go for it!"
FOR THE GLORY OF THE BLACK ORDER!
@Goose: Your apology was a very pleasant surprise and is heartily accepted, Goose. I never quite understood where you were coming from whenever you spoke of my attitude or whatever it was. 'You came in here and you walked all over us and you wanted us to do things your way and then you went off and played by yourself and expected us to write the plot for you...' etc etc. There were a few times there where I actually got to wondering "is he crazy or am I really that much of an asshole?'" Guess I needn't have worried. :joke:
Anyways, gotta get back to work on Comacanon. Shouryuu's pointed out some problems with the outline of Season 1.5 I posted a few pages back, but does anyone else have any comments and/or things that need fixing?
*EDIT*
Shou specifically pointed out the problem with Alex being able to create a pactio without a partner to draw/summon up the circle for him, which I thought Negi did in one of the two anime, but apparently not. We decided to solve this one of two ways; either Alex gets a supporting familiar who serves the same role as Chamo, most likely a crow or something, or Alex's flight from home involves him throwing a bunch of random junk together into one of mom's old Bags of Holding, which includes a few innocent-looking baubles which happen to be devices recovered from a previous trip into Vespertatia. Suzuka and Arisa get these instead of pactios.
Personally, I'm partial to the familiar route but Shou said there were problems with it on account of Chamo maybe being unique somehow. I thought the device route was kind of awkward and a bit too convenient to be believable. What do the locals think?
ghazghkull
2008-08-03, 11:40
Aneko? As in Anego? Older Sister? I knew those two would like eachother! :D
Aneko is the correct term, althought Aneki also works, as they both are used to refer to the the term "Older Sister"
Aneko is the correct term, althought Aneki also works, as they both are used to refer to the the term "Older Sister"
I've only heard "anego" before, rather than "aneko" (which I've never heard until now). Anyone more familiar with this have any insight?
(I've heard "aneki" a lot as well, of course.)
PhoenixG
2008-08-03, 12:08
I just looked in my online dictionary. I think Anego is correct.
Aneko turns up zero entries in my various dictionaries, while Anego does. I guess its one of these cases where the transition from Kanji to Romanji can get blurry.
Wild Goose
2008-08-03, 15:24
With that name I'm half expecting an AS to appear. In addition to a clueless acting uruz 6 :p
Actually I was just looking through Norse runes when I saw Uruz, noted that it meant strength, and snapped it up, and then decided that Franz would be Uruz 6 because for ground forces units in the US military, Six is used to designate the commander (example, Bandit-Six is the commander of the unit that goes by the callsign Bandit). Then I realised the refs, laughed, and decided to go along with it.
Interestingly, the original prototypical Franz and Naomi were voiced by Tomokazu Seki and Yukino Satsuki.... aka Sousuke & Kaname. :heh:
My OC's are available as always if you need them. Although I'd better get a move on with their profile rebuilds:uhoh:
Profile rebuilds are always a good thing.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-03, 16:21
*pops an EMP grenade and watches her Crash*
:p
Considering their habits, why not? However, I believe one of them would then consider shadowing Hayate, since Nanoha/Fate might think Hayate is the support bombardment type. The ensuing radio exchange (silly laughs and 'I don't need help' speech) would then be the determining factor if this mistake is caught earlier or later.
*Nod Nod*
That's something I'll be sure to consider.
The trouble is here, you've got the options mixed up, in my opinion.
They're in enemy territory (at the moment, it's hostile and unconfirmed) where a large number of previous occupants have been slain quickly. That I think would suggest to a military mind ( wrongly, as we know) a Unit level force, mayube a spec-ops team, maybe a large conventional infantry force...but a unit of some kind
Well, for the situation, Roland would admit it's kind of hard to hide a unit sized force in the open terrain of the powerplant without it being spotted. And since things look more or less abandoned, it seems more like the force (If there was one.) has already left the area. Similarly, the adjacent township evacuated... so we're dealing with ghost town conditions at the moment. A large group doing anything would have been easily spotted from the air.
Perhaps you explanation here is what keeps roland from acting on his gut feeling that the Aces should converge the moment Zed's spotted.
Therefore, Hayate and the Aces instincts would tend to be to converge on the target: They are used to the mindset that even a single combatant can take on and destroy large numbers of opponents, because that's true of mage battles, but not conventional warfare
Maybe WWII battles, but modern warfare, one jet and f*ck up an armored collumn with smart cluster weapons. There is also the factor of the AMF to consider. It made all the defenders in the facility essentially unpowered mooks. They may think the 'threat' at some level is of course isn't a threat to themselves because they're so high in power that the AMF is mere inconvenience.
Roland, bluntly, isn't used to thinking like that; as a conventional general, he will be thinking that to take out a large force, you need a similarly large force. If anything, he'd see it as being an ambush/diversion, and KEEP the Aces apart to prevent them being blindsided/ bunching up and being dealt with by a single bomb...basically, he'd send in a single pair at first, and keep the others free and searching to deal with the flanking force when it appears...
Except Roland's had time to get used to mage combat, so he knows one or two can crack an army. Remember, he's been around the TSAB long enough to ladderclimb and be a General in their rank system. He's long since made the adjustment in terms of perspective on power curves.
ZED-01 is of course an unknown factor to both sides; but in terms of combat assessment, he's more in line with the Aces thinking than Roland's; Roland as a conventional general simply will not be used to single combatants being able to waste whole units, the way S-rank mages and obviously Zed-01 can
the Aces, on the other hand, have the mindest where a single powerful target can be more dangerous than a unit, and so would know not to assess purely on the numbers (no pun intended)
Which is a valid set of arguments as a whole, and worth major consideration still.
The goal is I have to make it Hayate's tactical mistake to leave them split up, along with any other mistakes a simply, non-military thinker would make.
Perhaps other levels of millitary vs non-millitary thinking is that Roland's gut does say "AMBUSH YOU RETARD! NOBODY EVER SENDS ONE GUY RUNNING AROUND WITH NOBODY ELSE!"
And HIS mistake, on top of Hayate's split, is allowing her to have the overzealous position of wanting persue a target his gut would say. "Don't persue, drop back and drop artillery." Which he would be beating himself over... because he was 'too nice to take command' when he recognized a level of proffessional, organized planning under the disguise of seemingly terrorists, and should have pulled rank right there and taken the reigns.
I could put the point at which he makes the realization that 'This is really well thought out for a bunch of terrorists... ' around the time they discover (unwittingly) the excavated nuclear materials from the base of one of the west side reactor buildings. (All this so they can dig out whatever was there? Something's fishy... That's TOO smart.)
EDIT IN: Extra Details
I put a query up for tactical errors non-military types would make that military types would think about... I got a hoard of ProTips, most of which weren't in context... but there were a few to express:
- Always keep your eyes up. Failing to do this is a mistake, but one easily made.
- If it's suspicious enough to look at, it's suspicious enough to point your muzzle at. (Or in context for Nanoha, if it's suspicious enough to look at, it's suspicious enough to be ready to BLAST.)
- Even if you know roughly where the enemy will come from, don't focus only on the easiest path, odds are they won't be advancing down the road in the open when they can advance through cover. (AKA, I already put this error in effect. Crash and Hayate focus on the ground floor entrance of a building Zed ducks into... But Zed capitalizes on the 'death from above!' principle with the window distraction. This goes simultaniously with the first tip as well.)
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-04, 11:49
*snip*
Urg...not this again -_-
At times like this, I can't help but live off the energy...
*strums guitar*
...LISTEN TO MY SONG! :frustrated::frustrated::frustrated::frustrated:
*is batted off the stage before he can go further*
*hurls pineapple cakes at Kha*
Well some information about SoundStage M3 that I heard yesterday and discussed a bit in the IRC. This soundstage is more a Q&A than story. There are things that I'm sure about, things that I'm not sure about, due my lack of understanding of Japanese and there are things that I have completely missed.
This is Post-StrikerS after the time jump when everyone is at there new/former post and before SoundStage X. My guess is that it's a few months after the time jump.
Things that I know for sure:
*snip*
Now I need to hunt down this Soundstage...and a translation -_-
As mentioned in the channel:
"Aah, she's so cute!" Miyuki ruffled Vivio's hair. "How old is she?"
"Seven years old!" Vivio proclaimed proudly.
"I never thought that Nanoha would become Nanoha-mama," Miyuki said. "It really suits you!"
Nanoha blushed with embarrassment. "Thank you."
Miyuki squatted down to Vivio's level. "You'll always be welcome here at Midori-ya," she said. "I'll make sure to have some delicious cakes for you when you visit!"
Vivio nodded excitedly. "Thank you, Auntie Miyuki!"
Miyuki's left eyebrow twitched. "'Auntie'?"
Poor Miyuki :heh:
Aneko is the correct term, althought Aneki also works, as they both are used to refer to the the term "Older Sister"
Well you haven't posted here in a while :p
------------
Oh yes. I'm also considering a bit of crack. If it ever gets written, you can blame Ghaz and his partial lack of knowledge for the idea :p
LimitedEternal
2008-08-04, 14:11
Changed.
I have a lot of opinions myself about the state of the thread. Sooner or later, they're going to get posted.
But I'm trying to be nice, and follow my own ironclad rule of never posting when angry (or tired or drunk).
I'm working on Lyrical Babel, but since it's so tightly-plotted, it takes a lot of effort and energy to write even a single paragraph, just to make sure it doesn't contradict canon, and builds up appropriately to the plot. I needed something light and easy to write without worrying about being yelled at for canon inconsistencies or Not Being True to the Nanoha-verse or Power Levels.
Therefore, you're going to get a lot of Lumina, since making her over-the-top seems to be doing a good enough job of distracting readers from the fact that I don't care if I'm following all the restrictions placed on us in the OC thread.
Hey, if it works it works. I'm not complaining.
@dkellis: Glad to be of some help though I'm not that word change actually meant a difference. I think of dialogue in Japanese, and gimongous was an attempt to capture the cute naunces of the word "Dekkai"... Not sure if it works that way. :heh:
I think "gimongous" is something Subaru would actually say. Crazy, hotblooded, airhead mecha-girl. :3
Actually, as Kagerou did say, most people don't really care if the charecter is haxxed so long as it's entertaining. Take Sephiroth in his haxxness, or Cordell Walker in his God Mode Badassness. Then again, Walker is a Texas Ranger, and is played by Chuck Norris, afterall. And Chuck Norris is so badass, he skipped boot camp and went straight to becoming a Marine. :D
*facepalm* If you port Chuck Norris in here I'm gonna have to put my foot down...(:p)
Nanoha, B.O.T.W material? More likely than we think!
B.O.T.W.? Wuzzat?
Big honking heat dissapators on Raising Heart and Bardiche that puff off steam after a big spell don't get your attention? LE, you're slipping.
SOMETHING in the process that's channeling magical energy is producing waste heat...because that waste heat is being expelled via water vapor as a burst of steam.
Lemme rephrase: I don't think of the big pink beam o'death itself as being a heat source, I know perfectly well the energy conversions and all that make heat. I've wondered more than a few times why RH hasn't scorched hands.
Depends on who uses it and for what. Imagine if you will, that you're doing your mission to get through point A to point C through mook squad B. Mook squad B are shooting mages... you laugh off everything they throw at you and kung fu your way through, since they are trained to shoot magic attacks and that's about the best they can really do. Even though you're about as skilled as the mooks in terms of magic power, you still plow through them...
Then you get jumped by Nanoha who happened to be in the area, you flee, she manages to get a buster on you... you escape because it didn't knock you out like it's intended to do... though you make it back to base with a case of heat exhaustion and down a few quarts of water.
It's like a knife in modern warfare. Just how practical is a knife in combat when you have guns and bombs and artillery? Not very, but that doesn't make it any less useful a tool for the right situations.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
Although I wonder if the mook won't get deep-sixed by the Evil Madman because he failed to stop Nanoha. :heh:
IIRC, the first time the coolers was shown was right after Nanoha fired her first Divine Buster. I lack the general knowledge but perhaps the process of collecting and pressurizing the magic into a spell does that.
Same way with cartridges, since Levantine vents steam after each load.
That and steam venting always looks cool onscreen. :3
*crawls out of the smoking crater*
Seems like it, huh?
Yes...very much so...*crumbles to ash*
I was thinking along the lines of that the higher-magic spells require the Devices to process the spell data and magic at a faster and larger rate so they need to expel the heat from their internal components.
That could work too. Although I still think it's down to looking cool...:p
*bops with inflatable Frostmourne*
Hush you.
Hey, ask them if they have inflatable Ashbringers to go with it. You'd be packing so much bladed lore it'd make the final boss of expansion three's head spin. :3
*snip*
I think you've put out a good rallying cry here...but at this point, no offense, I think about all we can do now is wait and see what happens.
I'm finding it at least a bit darkly amusing that a post telling us to be nicer to each other is full of vulgarities.
Gotta love the power of irony.
Kagerou doesn't swear that much, so when he does it indicates how strongly he feels about it. Take it from a guy who's known him for 3 years... hell we swear at each other sometimes, but at the end of the day we're still friends; if we took every single vulgarity seriously, I'm pretty sure me, Kagerou, Zaku, Psycho and the rest of the FA would have imploded. Hell there's been times we've yelled at each other "I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!!!!" at each other, but then we get back to being friends.
As for the message...
Copy, Kanchou. Wilco.
In a gesture of Olive Branches, I'd like to apologize to Comar for being a bit too antagonistic. I've been thinking over the whole roots of this problem, and I've come to a realisation that part of the problem stemmed from the fact that Comar was behaving like a hallcat. A rather more erudite and intelligible hallcat (with the ability to spell, lol, FA in-joke), but despite that, there was one thing I had forgotten.
Despite your behaviour, which subconsciously reminded me of the hallcats, you are not a hallcat, Comar, and I was wrong to be treating you as such. I still stand by the substance of all my criticisms on Comacanon, but I admit that my behaviour to you was clouded by my subconscious reactions and experiences, and I would like to apologize for any perceived slights.
Since only Kagerou will actually understand what I'm talking about, a bit of backstory. Around 3 years ago Kagerou and I were members of the FA, an Ace Combat gaming clan based on the Ace Combat Skies forums. The FA had a strong and intense rivalry (hell, we declared hostilites and shit) with another clan known as the Hellcats, though we kept calling them "hallcats" to mock them after they put up recruiting posters saying "Join the hallcats!" At any rate this war with the hallcats was on 2 fronts: mission scores and times and on the ACS forums. Eventually the war came to an end when the hallcats imploded (due to intrapersonal issues) and the FA moved on to more productive things like ending our rivalry with SS13 and kicking ass in AC6...
Anyway basically point is, Comar's behaviour reminded me of the hallcats, and I subconsciously slipped into anti-hallcat mode without realising it. I apologize. Despite his behaviour, Comartemis is not a hallcat, and I was wrong to treat him such.
So I'm ending hostilities now.
And yes, I am a dumbass. Don't rub it in.
Fair enough. Dammit, I had a half-page's worth of taunts ready for you, Goose...:3 *shot*
*lengthy talk*
Like I said, I'm happy to see what happens at this point. We've figured out we're being dumbasses to each other, and that's half the battle.
*Sound Stage Info*
Hmmm...good to know. Always nice to have that much more background info to work with.
Not the cartridges we're familiar with, no.
The idea is that each cylinder (reusable, hot-swappable) gives the sword a certain elemental affinity. In this case (not that it matters, but in case anyone's curious) it's fire. There's also ice/frost, lightning, shadow (more specifically energy drain), force (which amounts to pretty much a lot more power per swing, harder to control), light (which is flashy but not really that useful), and Null (which has no combat uses).
There's more Arisa has, but I'm keeping it vague until I can think them up.
This...is quite in interesting idea. Temporary affinity to the weapon itself...I can think of a ton of uses for this. Versatility is not in short supply here.
*pops an EMP grenade and watches her Crash*
:p
Considering their habits, why not? However, I believe one of them would then consider shadowing Hayate, since Nanoha/Fate might think Hayate is the support bombardment type. The ensuing radio exchange (silly laughs and 'I don't need help' speech) would then be the determining factor if this mistake is caught earlier or later.
I doubt Hayate would try going solo, she's not made for direct fighting and she knows it. Then again, overconfidence can do strange things to people. Play it out a bit more.
Aneko turns up zero entries in my various dictionaries, while Anego does. I guess its one of these cases where the transition from Kanji to Romanji can get blurry.
:nod:
Well you haven't posted here in a while :p
------------
Oh yes. I'm also considering a bit of crack. If it ever gets written, you can blame Ghaz and his partial lack of knowledge for the idea :p
Already mastered the use of Misdirection, have we? :3
Aaron008R
2008-08-05, 03:37
*changes to Pokota-like chibi size, jumps and lands on Keroko's head*
We need to discuss something, Keroko. >:3
Vita follows Nanoha and enter in the air force
Zafira is Ginga's second hand in investigation
Shamal is back to her old post, while also being Nanoha's personal doctor.
Agito is with Signum.
Signum post. I heard something about HQ, I think it's the ground HQ, not sure.
Hayate's current duty. I only heard that she's traveling around. They did say more about it, but I didn't understand it.
Any hints where Tesla could be during these times? I was thinking maybe you could revive the ship command since 7arcs threw a wrench at the Belka family together status at StrikerS epilogue. So now, instead of being together in the first place, Hayate was just able to gather the Wolkenritter for the occasion. But we also have to consider Tesla's 'lessons'. So far, I think one possible explanation is that Hayate is also one of Tesla's frequent passengers for her Naval unit since Hayate is a chief Investigator who travels a lot...
Just doing some retconning here and there to accommodate the recent Sound Stage for GenerationS.:3 Thanks in advance.:D
*bats Aaron off Keroko into a homerun, then runs for last base*
:uhoh:
PhoenixFlare
2008-08-05, 04:44
Any hints where Tesla could be during these times? I was thinking maybe you could revive the ship command since 7arcs threw a wrench at the Belka family together status at StrikerS epilogue. So now, instead of being together in the first place, Hayate was just able to gather the Wolkenritter for the occasion. But we also have to consider Tesla's 'lessons'. So far, I think one possible explanation is that Hayate is also one of Tesla's frequent passengers for her Naval unit since Hayate is a chief Investigator who travels a lot...
Just doing some retconning here and there to accommodate the recent Sound Stage for GenerationS.:3 Thanks in advance.:D
Teana was said to be Fate's trainee and aide (along with Shario) so I'm guessing that she'd be at the Naval Base.
Anyway ...
*sends Lina Inverse to catch this runaway Pokota*
Nanoha's... personal doctor?
The white devil got it so bad, back in the day? The StrikerS incidents has worn her out so much? Is she pulling a Kenshin Himura on us?
*changes to Pokota-like chibi size, jumps and lands on Keroko's head*
We need to discuss something, Keroko. >:3
Then talk, shoudoboutsu-san. :rolleyes:
Any hints where Tesla could be during these times? I was thinking maybe you could revive the ship command since 7arcs threw a wrench at the Belka family together status at StrikerS epilogue. So now, instead of being together in the first place, Hayate was just able to gather the Wolkenritter for the occasion. But we also have to consider Tesla's 'lessons'. So far, I think one possible explanation is that Hayate is also one of Tesla's frequent passengers for her Naval unit since Hayate is a chief Investigator who travels a lot...
Just doing some retconning here and there to accommodate the recent Sound Stage for GenerationS.:3 Thanks in advance.:D
Agreed. Keeping Tesla with Hayate was done because that seemed to be Hayate's intent prior to M3, with that out of the way its easy to make her a Captain of her own ship again.
Estavali
2008-08-05, 05:47
Nanoha's... personal doctor?
The white devil got it so bad, back in the day? The StrikerS incidents has worn her out so much? Is she pulling a Kenshin Himura on us?
I have a feeling this posting is reqeusted by Shamal herself. Very possibly she realises that the chances of Nanoha taking her professional advice seriously when left on her own is very, very, VERY low. Thus as an old friend, she selflessly volunteered herself for the job. Probably also armed with a cast-iron baseball bat this time :D.
I have a feeling this posting is reqeusted by Shamal herself. Very possibly she realises that the chances of Nanoha taking her professional advice seriously when left on her own is very, very, VERY low. Thus as an old friend, she selflessly volunteered herself for the job. Probably also armed with a cast-iron baseball bat this time :D.
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."
From the lack of a reply, looks like this Scout's baseball bat was >>>> either a Dragon Slave or a fake Laguna Blade. :D
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."Wonk! XD I wish I had even an ounce of your humor DK. :bow:
*goes back to studying*
Estavali
2008-08-05, 07:04
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."
Indeed, Shamal's cooking is a far more effective tool of friendly persuasion than any bland weapon :p.
Nagumo just finished translating all of the first SS of StrikerS! Finally, MSLN Rebuilt of StrikerS the Movie: Riot 6 Goes to Tokyo can go ahead...
...if I got the time. ><
Wild Goose
2008-08-05, 08:18
I feel your pain. I was supposed to start writing Chapter 1 of Task Force Six but garh work -_-
LoweGear
2008-08-05, 08:23
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."
... Oh god ... :uhoh:
Nevermind 8% of her magic gone, if that ever happens Nanoha will have only 8% of her life remaining! :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
That's not all; if Shamal's making dinner, Caro'd better not be preparing the drinks!!! :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
LoweGear
2008-08-05, 09:22
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Caro's Health Drinks + Shamal's Cooking...
BAD END :uhoh:
*RUNS*
PhoenixFlare
2008-08-05, 11:24
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Caro's Health Drinks + Shamal's Cooking...
BAD END :uhoh:
*RUNS*
...
And I was tentatively having Shamal preparing meals for the injured in GuardianS ... :uhoh:
Hopefully, the crematorium has enough rooms for the soon-to-be-departed. :eek::eek::eek:
*FLEES*
PhoenixG
2008-08-05, 11:42
I have a feeling this posting is reqeusted by Shamal herself. Very possibly she realises that the chances of Nanoha taking her professional advice seriously when left on her own is very, very, VERY low. Thus as an old friend, she selflessly volunteered herself for the job. Probably also armed with a cast-iron baseball bat this time :D.
Well if you look at Nanoha's reaction, she already ignored that advice at least once.
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-05, 11:56
I think "gimongous" is something Subaru would actually say. Crazy, hotblooded, airhead mecha-girl. :3
Lol. So true :p
*facepalm* If you port Chuck Norris in here I'm gonna have to put my foot down...(:p)
Be careful Chuck Norris doesn't put his down first...on your face :uhoh:
Lemme rephrase: I don't think of the big pink beam o'death itself as being a heat source, I know perfectly well the energy conversions and all that make heat. I've wondered more than a few times why RH hasn't scorched hands.
And we saw in the first season that when Nanoha's and Fate's attacks impacted with the water there was no indication that they generated heat (fizzling of hot hitting cold or the water turning into steam). This also included SLB.
That and steam venting always looks cool onscreen. :3
Deshou? :nod:
Yes...very much so...*crumbles to ash*
*blows away with the wind*
Hey, ask them if they have inflatable Ashbringers to go with it. You'd be packing so much bladed lore it'd make the final boss of expansion three's head spin. :3
Lol. :p Blizz already
cleansed the Corrupted Ashbringer at the end of the Death Knight start zone quest chain
Already mastered the use of Misdirection, have we? :3
What do I look like? A hunter? :p
*bats Aaron off Keroko into a homerun, then runs for last base*
:uhoh:
*watches Aaron fly through the air and collide with a conveniently placed floating boulder*
I have a feeling this posting is reqeusted by Shamal herself. Very possibly she realises that the chances of Nanoha taking her professional advice seriously when left on her own is very, very, VERY low. Thus as an old friend, she selflessly volunteered herself for the job. Probably also armed with a cast-iron baseball bat this time :D.
Scary Shamal is scary :uhoh:
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."
:heh: :heh:
A threat like that should be illegal :p
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Caro's Health Drinks + Shamal's Cooking...
BAD END :uhoh:
*RUNS*
:eek: :eek:
THE APOCALYPSE HAS COME!!!!!
*RUNZ*
Add Kotomi Ichinose playing her violin in the mix, there you have your own personal Hell.
LimitedEternal
2008-08-05, 13:34
*bats Aaron off Keroko into a homerun, then runs for last base*
:uhoh:
*LE is idly walking around, whistling innocently, when he noticed Kha charging for home. Hmmm........*
*Should I or shouldn't I?*
*Oh dear, someone left a landmine under home plate...*
Nanoha's... personal doctor?
The white devil got it so bad, back in the day? The StrikerS incidents has worn her out so much? Is she pulling a Kenshin Himura on us?
I have a feeling this posting is reqeusted by Shamal herself. Very possibly she realises that the chances of Nanoha taking her professional advice seriously when left on her own is very, very, VERY low. Thus as an old friend, she selflessly volunteered herself for the job. Probably also armed with a cast-iron baseball bat this time :D.
:nod:
For all her talent and skill and magic, Nanoha seems a bit...headstrong for things like this.
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."
:eek: That's worse...
Nagumo just finished translating all of the first SS of StrikerS! Finally, MSLN Rebuilt of StrikerS the Movie: Riot 6 Goes to Tokyo can go ahead...
...if I got the time. ><
Nande? :confused:
I feel your pain. I was supposed to start writing Chapter 1 of Task Force Six but garh work -_-
Ah, work, that inconvenient thing that sucks up free time yet is necessary to living...
That's not all; if Shamal's making dinner, Caro'd better not be preparing the drinks!!! :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Caro's Health Drinks + Shamal's Cooking...
BAD END :uhoh:
*RUNS*
...
And I was tentatively having Shamal preparing meals for the injured in GuardianS ... :uhoh:
Hopefully, the crematorium has enough rooms for the soon-to-be-departed. :eek::eek::eek:
*FLEES*
...
This evening on Mid Today, we regret to inform you all of the death of Captain Nanoha Takamachi. The cause is believed to have been a dinner meal combined with a so-called "health drink," which had...profoundly unexpected results. The funeral will not be open casket...
...and we're receiving reports of more deaths like this one...stay tuned for...updates.
>.<
And we saw in the first season that when Nanoha's and Fate's attacks impacted with the water there was no indication that they generated heat (fizzling of hot hitting cold or the water turning into steam). This also included SLB.
Strange stuff, magic...*shrug*
Lol. :p Blizz already
cleansed the Corrupted Ashbringer at the end of the Death Knight start zone quest chain
Oh, wow.
Add Kotomi Ichinose playing her violin in the mix, there you have your own personal Hell.
...Is that...bad...???
Should I be afraid? :uhoh:
...Is that...bad...???
Should I be afraid? :uhoh:
Oh hell yes. (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0OHLOEgdE)
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-05, 14:12
*LE is idly walking around, whistling innocently, when he noticed Kha charging for home. Hmmm........*
*Should I or shouldn't I?*
*Oh dear, someone left a landmine under home plate...*
What an...explosive turn of events :p
:nod:
For all her talent and skill and magic, Nanoha seems a bit...headstrong for things like this.
Just a bit :heh:
This evening on Mid Today, we regret to inform you all of the death of Captain Nanoha Takamachi. The cause is believed to have been a dinner meal combined with a so-called "health drink," which had...profoundly unexpected results. The funeral will not be open casket...
...and we're receiving reports of more deaths like this one...stay tuned for...updates.
>.<
I'd feel sorry for the morgue workers...
Strange stuff, magic...*shrug*
That it is.
Oh, wow.
Did I also mention it gets used in an awesomely bad-ass way?
Oh hell yes. (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0OHLOEgdE)
MY EARS!!!! THEY BLEEEED!!!
*eyes explode*
LimitedEternal
2008-08-05, 14:17
Oh hell yes. (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0OHLOEgdE)
>.<
I'm glad I had the volume set kinda low...that's what you call death by music...
Add Kotomi Ichinose playing her violin in the mix, there you have your own personal Hell.
Append Megumi Yamamoto to that for a full blast
Literally
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-05, 17:11
Oh hell yes. (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0OHLOEgdE)
COUNTER ATTACK!
ktwrbcUQD-0
...
And I was tentatively having Shamal preparing meals for the injured in GuardianS ... :uhoh:
Hopefully, the crematorium has enough rooms for the soon-to-be-departed. :eek::eek::eek:
*FLEES*http://img43.onemanga.com/mangas/00000020/00000140/03.jpg
...:uhoh:
Be careful Chuck Norris doesn't put his down first...on your face :uhoh:*kicks Eva back to the Barrens*
Lol. :p Blizz already
cleansed the Corrupted Ashbringer at the end of the Death Knight start zone quest chainRead that on WoWhead already. I wonder how many more canon events are they going to advance to completion... I'm actually starting to get worried that they are going to run out of story to tell. :p
What do I look like? A hunter? :p*logs out of his dorf huntard*
*watches Aaron fly through the air and collide with a conveniently placed floating boulder*Don't you just love Outland? :D
*LE is idly walking around, whistling innocently, when he noticed Kha charging for home. Hmmm........*
*Should I or shouldn't I?*
*Oh dear, someone left a landmine under home plate...**is blown up at 4th base*
*Anita chuckles evilly*
...:uhoh:
Nande? :confused:I planned to make a "movie feature" ie long continuous fic out of the SS since a lot of things could've happened instead of just fanservice. :p
And after reading the translations, it really is a lot of fanservice. :uhoh: But once you have Kha the Cleric in the director's chair, no mission goes according to plan! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
...
This evening on Mid Today, we regret to inform you all of the death of Captain Nanoha Takamachi. The cause is believed to have been a dinner meal combined with a so-called "health drink," which had...profoundly unexpected results. The funeral will not be open casket...
...and we're receiving reports of more deaths like this one...stay tuned for...updates.
>.<*chants Namo Omitofo*
...Is that...bad...???
Should I be afraid? :uhoh:Oh hell yes. (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0OHLOEgdE)Don't invoke the Siren's vi-- :eek:!!!
*ducks out of the way of the sonic blast as Kotomi plays the world's smallest violin for LE*
And with the latest Wrath pet info, looks like Kotomi has been teaching the Bats of WoW how to sing!!! :frustrated::frustrated::frustrated:
The new timeskip take us to MC78 or MC79? How old Vivio would be by that year? *forgot*
LimitedEternal
2008-08-05, 20:47
The new timeskip take us to MC78 or MC79? How old Vivio would be by that year? *forgot*
She's what, 5 in MC0075? That'd make her 9 or so, depending on exact dates - her birthday and the like. Nanoha's age when it all started, if that's a significant fact of note.
Reiji Tabibito
2008-08-05, 21:34
HELLO, LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loading Demolisher.thisisgonnabefun...
55 Page BACKLOG ZAMBER!!!!!!!
"Alright everyone! That's all for today."
The Forwards limped/crawled/rolled towards their instructor and superior officer, Nanoha Takamachi. Behind them the training ground was littered in craters and decimated buildings as a result of their 'light' mock battle earlier in the day. To say their training was difficult would be an understatement. Most of the time they were glad to be able to, at least somewhat, walk away on their own power. Today was one of those harder days.
"Good work today. Now, go ahead and get cleaned up."
"Yes, ma'am!" they managed to get out before slowly, and painfully, making their way off the training field.
About an hour later the group was sitting around a table in the base's mess hall. Besides the pain and exhaustion from training, it was sure a good way to work up an appetite. The mountain of food in the middle of table stood no chance against the four of them. Five if you counted the little dragon.
"This is going to be so great with a day off from training tomorrow!" excitedly exclaims Subaru.
Next to her, Teana nods in agreement. "It'll be nice to get a day to rest."
"Ah, I know! How about we go do something tonight? Nothing wrong with starting a little early," chimes in Subaru.
Across from her, Erio ponders the suggestion, "What did you have in mind?"
"Let's go karaoke!!"
"Karaoke?" Caro asks curiously. "What's that?"
Before any of the others could respond, an all to familiar voice steps in, "It's where friends go to hang out and sing songs together."
All eyes on the tables turned towards the source of the voice. Teana was the first to speak up. "Captain Takamachi!"
The brunette, dressed in her usual TSAB Air Force uniform, smiles at her students. "We're off-duty now. You don't have to be so formal."
Of course, Subaru is the first to take advantage of that fact. "Ne, ne. Did you ever go to Karaoke?"
"Of course! It was a big thing to do in high school on my world. In fact, that was how one of my friends got scouted into an idol contest." That got the attention of all the Forwards. "In fact, I happen to have a recording of her performance. Would you like to see it?"
An almost instant chorus of 'yes' sealed the deal. Since most oft he base was off-duty it left the conference rooms open and available so they began to make their way over to one.
"Ah, Nanoha."
Said young woman turned around, not having to look to realize who it was. "Fate-chan! Finished with your meetings?"
"Yea. It looks like I won't be having any more until tomorrow afternoon."
"You should come join us!"
"Join you? To do what?"
Caro decided to speak up for the group. "She said she was going to show us a video of her friend's idol performance!"
The Enforcer looked from her young excited young charge to her best friend and did the first thing that came to mind: panic. "E-EH?!"
Her friend merely giggled and continued down the hallway. "Nothing to worry about, Fate-chan. It'll be fun!"
The Forwards stared in confusion as they watched the blond run after their instructor stuttering and protesting.
"What do you suppose that was about?" wonders Teana out loud.
Subaru shrugs. "Dunno. But we had better hurry up or we'll be left behind."
Jogging to catch up to the pair, they eventually arrive at their destination with Fate still trying to convince Nanoha not to show the video.
"Come on, Nanoha. You said you wouldn't bring it with you!"
"But it was so cute I couldn't help myself."
"Mou..." Realizing she had no way of changing her friend's mind, Fate sat down in the back of the room and rested her forehead on the table.
"Alright, here we go!"
The main screen in the front of the room came to life. From the current angle the camera was at, they could see that it was in a rather large, enclosed concert hall. All the seats appeared to be filled with some people even standing in the aisles to get to watch the performance. From all the clapping going on, one of the performers must have just finished.
"Let's get another round of applause for her, everyone!" shouted the MC from the right side of the stage. "Now, entry number fifteen for the Uminari City Idol Contest: Ms. Fate Harlaown!!"
Four pairs of eyes whipped around to the young woman who currently was trying to sink deeper into her chair.
"Eh?! You mean that she...?" exclaims Subaru. Both of her 'chilren' were also quite surprised at the revelation. Neither had heard about this before and qere quite curious as to how well she did.
Their attention turned back to the video as the spotlight snapped on and illuminated part of the stage. Standing in the center was one young Fate, dressed in a lose, off-white top with a rather fluffy skirt and thigh-high socks. Her hair was up in her (at that age) usual pigtails as she appeared to be quite nervous in front of the large mass of people. As the audience began to quiet down, the music started...
Alfh2adYaMk
The Forwards stared in awe as their superior officer dance around on stage. At times they could have sworn they saw stars radiating out from her face from all those cute poses she did throughout the routine.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb63/Shinzantetsu1/Nanoha%20IV/20080630.jpg
By thye time the end of the song came, the Forwards found themselves clapping along with the audience in the video. It was also by this time Fate was bright red with embarassment and silently wishing for someone to kill her.
"What was incredible!" announces Erio.
"I never knew she was such a good singer!" jumps in Subaru.
"Yup, she was quite popular." Interjects Nanoha. "She got quite a fanbase afterwards, too. They called her the 'Super Dimensional Cinderella.'"
Now Fate really wanted to die, if she didn't from all the blood rushing to her face first that is. It was then that Caro turned to her guardian. "Ne...could you...could you sing for us? Please?"
The three others quickly joined in, remarking on what a great idea it would be for her to join them for Karaoke. All the while, Fate glared at her best friend who merely smiled back.
'Oh I am SOO going to get her for this...'
DECULTURE!!!
Yes I'd appreciated it. Singing Fate always computes. :D:D:D
In fact..."Mada mada!" Shari cried and loaded up another video.
"If you think that was Deculture, wait till you see this!"
"Eh... Wait no not that vi--" Tomato-faced Fate began shifting forward, but got no further as Keroko and Hayate pounced on her from behind. "We've have enough videoes for the night already... Please..."
However, the other shadow-faced Aces (and technician) had other plans in mind. Another raggle of personel from the kitchen and the ground crews arrived in the lobby in time for the video to start, and silence fell upon the cheering members of Riot 6.
A dark screen with little swirls of light greeted them, then in danced letters that spelt, "For our beloved friends and teachers."
Nanoha ran her hand down the back of her hyperventilating friend.
"With love, graduating class of 3B."
"Fate T. Hallaoun."
"アオイイロ"
vt3UeXPHH2w
Teana watched young Fate prance across the screen, jaws to the floor in awe.
"Kawaii~~" Subaru couldn't help but squeal a little.
"I feel so happy, so it's okay!" Caro hummed as Erio absentmindedly strummed along with an air guitar. And as the video ended, the entire lobby burst into a standing ovation.
"Encore!" Vice laughed, his cheers echoed amongst the other men.
And by now, Fate was blowing steam from her ears. "Nanoha..."
"See they love you!" Her friend beamed back. "They're even asking for more!"
"1 more song, Feito-taichou!" Alto screamed.
Fate was so hot and bothered, that she was starting to feel a little light from all the attention. Hayate and Keroko continued to hold onto her lest she sudden'y bolted, but the young Hallaoun's legs had turned to jelly.
"Just one more, Fate-chan?" Hayate nudge.
"Ne, ne, please?" Keroko pressed it in further.
Fate fell silent, her mind swimming in the loud, unending shrill cries of encore...
...then gave in.
"Mou, okay!" She let out suddenly, prompting her kidnappers to let go. "Just one more..."
As Fate gingerly stepped up to the holo-screen, the other Aces grinned. Just as planned...
But now it was all lost on Fate. She took a deep breath, reach inside, and...
Baby doushitai? soujuu
Baby, what do you want to do? I'm driving.
handoru gyutto nigitte mou STANDBY
My hands are on the handle bars and I'm standing by.
(Do you) want my heart & want my love?
NO!? Mou! SWING shite KISS!
NO!? Forget that, let's swing and KISS!
There was a patter of shoes and boots as even more spectators scrammed into the charged lobby. A couple of the men from Ground crew had their eyes go wide as they recognized the song and quickly disappeared, returning with guitars, amps and Firebomber outfits.
AE-8q6JrYOY
"Deculture..." Zafira grinned.:p:p:p:p
*RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNZ at epic flying speed*
...
...
...
...do I go Kyonichi over the weirdness, or do I give in to my inner fangirl and squee at Loli Singer Fate?
Unfortunately, my conscience can only permit one...
http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Suzumiya%20Haruhi/Suzumiya%20Haruhi%20-%2002%20-%20Large%2027.jpg
You. Go play Grandia. Now.
Oh? Which one?
Hayate had a crush on Kha before choosing Grandis. Sophia was actually dere for Artei once. Arisa was confused between Nanoha, Suzuka and Artei. Yuuno also went for Keroko. Kha had a soft spot for Carym. Keira admired Signum a lot. Shamal and Zafira were hinted, and so was Arf and Zafira. Keroko was egging Nanoha to date Kha, despite herself being a little interested. Erio found himself staring at Fate. And the list goes on, Cardcaptor Convoluted Style.
Ah, the Romantic Merry-go-round. How I LONG to create a story with such a plot device...
:D
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: :eek::eek::eek:
@______________________________@
ZOMG EPIC BRAINWAVE!!!! @___@
So... that's how it was...:D
Hayate, whom those that read my GenerationS version of her would find out that she had a crush on Chrono during her early pubescent years mainly because of how much he stood up for her in front of Graham's plan... Not to mention completely brushing aside her unneeded guilt with Clyde's death (which she had nothing to do with in the first place)... And then she actually later gave up on him because she was still kinda hooked up on that unnecessary large amount of selflessness schtick when she finds out that Keroko and Chrono had been getting along... Just when she almost manages to get over that minor heartbreak, Kha comes along and then puts on the harem-lead-patented 'Nice to all the girls' charm (as in being nice to Hayate a bit more than usual because of her gloominess) and manages to score a lot of affection points from her. But then Hayate desists yet again in favor of Fate... That second heartbreak kinda gives her a small trauma that she decides to focus fully in her career even more (120%!!!) instead of pursuing romance. But then, there comes this time that her playful flirting with Aurion gets misinterpreted and they get rumored to have a relationship when there is actually nothing of the sort happening...:twitch::twitch::twitch: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
This is...@_@
(In a good way...:p)
*is bashed with the Tome on the head by a blushing Hayate*
X_x
Hayate had a crush on CHRONO before giving up on him in favor of Keroko (and eventually Amy), then had some attraction to Kha before giving up for Fate, been rumored to have a relationship with Aurion (which happens to be NOT the case), and then eventually settles down with Grandis.:p
:dots:
Aaron: Broken Heart much, Hayate...?:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
Hayate: Don't remind me...:(:(:(
Aurion: There's a fine line between reasonable selflessness and plain gratuitous martyrism...:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
Grandis: Well, that turned out to be interesting...:heh::heh::heh:
[Tenth Doctor]What? What?! WHAT?![/Tenth Doctor]
Hmm...could this possibly be Arcas' motivation for protecting Hayate...?
"Everyone who she has loved has left her behind, and broken her heart, Pops. I wasn't there then, but I'm here now. And I'm not gonna let Hayate's heart be played with. EVER. AGAIN. So says the Lord of Dunamists."
Of course, I'm sure we all know the Real reason for Vivio's Heterochromia...
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j70/stormturmoil/viviogeass.png
as well as the real reason Fate and Nanoha Are so Attentive to her...
Well, It Is called 'the power of Kings"...
...
...
...
<FACEPALM LIKE FIST OF THE NORTH STAR>
Oh, you didn't get the hint, Keroko? Allow us to spell it out.:p
Aaron: This proves that Kha is a...:uhoh:
Hayate: Masochist...:heehee:
Grandis: Masochist...:eyebrow:
Aurion: Masochist...:rolleyes:
:p:p:p:p:p:p
*RUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNZZZZZZZZZ*
...
It took you this long to figure that out?! He's a TANK! Tanks live to TAKE DAMAGE AND PAIN!
Lacus in a flightsuit is hot. Very, very hot. She also looks a LOT smarter with her hair tied up than left down.
My hypothesis is thus as follows: girls with their hair tied back look hotter and more intelligent. Girls with their hair tied back wearing a smooth tight form-fitting figure-accentuating SEED flightsuit thus add +50 to their hotness rating.
Therfore! It is my hypothesis that sticking Nanoha and Fate into SEED flightsuits will make them hotter than ever!
...Doesn't work for Hayatechans, due to the short hair. But meh, Hayate's more for cuddling that sexxoring, IMO.
For once in my life, I actually find myself COMPLETELY in agreement with you...
Let's see... For Grandis, it's...
Hayate: They'll go thru a lot, from GenerationS onwards. They'll end up together eventually.:D And I'm gonna make the pairing work even thru the sceptical eyes of the Hayaurion legion!!! >:3 (>_>)
Nanoha: "He reminds me of Onii-chan..." (Kyouya and Grandis are voiced by Midorikawa.XD) And some light flirting if I can do it right.:p
Signum: Another person aside from Fate to spar with. >:3 And naturally, they become trusted comrades eventually.:D
Keroko: Second closest Ace to Grandis.:p Keroko starts off hostile at first because of GenerationS, but they become really, really great buddies as time passes. So much so that there'll be Kerondis crack to fly around...>:3 (That's fine, right, Keroko?^^;; )
Fate: If he can spar with Signum, why not Fate?:p Another playmate for the sword-wielding battle maniacs!XD *RUNZ from Signum and Fate!!!*:uhoh:
Carym: Grandis holds her in slight reverence... At times even Hayate would get jealous about how Grandis treats Carym as if on an elevated status. >:3
Tesla: An eventual buddy as well?:P (Need your input, Keroko... ><)
~Just like that...:D:D:D
Grandis: Ahh. Just like that, I see...:eyebrow:
Me: Yep! That's how it i-ACK!!!!:eek::uhoh:
Grandis: I'm not sure if this kind of stuff is necessary...:eyebrow::eyebrow:
Me: B-but it'll be great!:uhoh::uhoh:
Grandis: And what do you mean by playmates for the Battle Maniacs...?:eyebrow::eyebrow::eyebrow:
Me: Oh that. Err...http://forums.henshinjustice.com/images/smilies/sweat.gifhttp://forums.henshinjustice.com/images/smilies/sweat.gifhttp://forums.henshinjustice.com/images/smilies/sweat.gif Um... Hehe...:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
*RUNZ*
Grandis: *sigh* =_=
Should I...? Nah. Save the relationship chart of the RAFers for later.
Interesting look though...wait...Aurion = Koyasu, and Gaki Grandis = Midorikawa...
Uso!
*watches Kha chase Grandis for hurting Fate*
Fate: Hey its just a scr--
Kha: GRAAAAAAAAANDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Grandis: KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
*dustclouded battle*
Fate: ...they're not listening. :heh::heh::heh:
:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
*RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNZ*
...
ATHRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!
KIRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
YES!!!!!!!! and NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Yes for new CCs to play with for the Licht von Belka. YES for Erio x Caro. SUPER YES for free hair Teana. NOOOOOOOOO for another season; StrikeR2 just died. T_T
Ah, you know that the MOVIE is essentially Season 1 Rebuilt?
At times like this, I can't help but live off the energy...
*strums guitar*
...LISTEN TO MY SONG! :frustrated::frustrated::frustrated::frustrated:
*is batted off the stage before he can go further*
:eyebrow::eyebrow::eyebrow::eyebrow::eyebrow::eyeb row::eyebrow::eyebrow:
Again, no real surprise. For me at least. :p
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Shamalfu.jpg
Kowai.....
@Phean: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for those previews!!!:D:D:D I can use those a lit, especially for Agito's development for GenerationS!:D:D:D:bow::bow::bow:
*hands over cookie* :3
On the other hand... Let me introduce my main antagonist for MGLN GenerationS, an old mage who was SS-ranked before he retired from service... >:3
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/spec_operations/LouzorlEdit.jpg
Daimadoushi Luozorl von Mazda, voiced by Norio Wakamoto. >>>>:3
*RUNZ!!!*
Wait...isn't that...the E- HOLY CRAP!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRROOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNN!
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
...
...
Okay, now that THAT'S out of my system.
I return to you now, to deliver this message.
My friends, today is the last time that I will communicate to you on this forum... as a single man.
Because when I return, I will no longer be alone.
For just as Kha has his dear sweet Tsundere Anita, I have my dear sweet Tsundere-ish Someone.
And on Friday, I will marry that Someone.
<draws self up, salutes>
So, though I only return now to deliver this message (and a Backlog Zamber), KNOW THIS:
"I. SHALL. RETURN!"
Until we meet again...
...Kha, BEHAVE!!!
:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
Later, all!
Congrats to Reiji! Attaboy ya mon! :D:D:D
Wild Goose
2008-08-06, 02:06
For once in my life, I actually find myself COMPLETELY in agreement with you...
I know, it's a rather momentuous occasion. ;) :p
Should I...? Nah. Save the relationship chart of the RAFers for later.
Interesting look though...wait...Aurion = Koyasu, and Gaki Grandis = Midorikawa...
Uso!
...
ATHRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!
KIRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Lol no, it's "ZECHS! HEERO!" Koyasu's role in SEED was as Mwu la Flaga. :p
Ah, you know that the MOVIE is essentially Season 1 Rebuilt?
It's the Do You Remember Love? of Nanoha; in Macross continuity, DYRL? is a movie retelling of the events of SDF Macross, which is why it has continuity issues like Super Packs being available from the start.
Okay, now that THAT'S out of my system.
I return to you now, to deliver this message.
My friends, today is the last time that I will communicate to you on this forum... as a single man.
Because when I return, I will no longer be alone.
For just as Kha has his dear sweet Tsundere Anita, I have my dear sweet Tsundere-ish Someone.
And on Friday, I will marry that Someone.
<draws self up, salutes>
So, though I only return now to deliver this message (and a Backlog Zamber), KNOW THIS:
"I. SHALL. RETURN!"
Until we meet again...
Remember, when you're planning kids, have your first kid 4 years after your marriage year, and then the next kid 4 years after that. As much as possible make sure that your last kid is not a girl; if you want a girl put her towards the middle or beginning, because youngest child girls tend to be rather manja (PF or FA please explain "manja" for me, I can't really do it) and no matter what your children's gender, make sure that they're domesticated and learn a good mix of household skills: cooking, setting tables, cleaning, home improvement...
*looks up* After hearing my mom's advice to new couples for years and years and years on end, I can repeat it almost verbatim. Not sure what that says about me.
On my side, unless you want to raise a siscon and bracon who will share a secret love that cannot be denied, do not let your kids watch Koi Kaze. That was the anime that unleashed my shackles.
...but if that's your plan....:uhoh:
Goose, I have a face, I have a palm, and I will facepalm!!! :twitch::twitch::twitch:
But take it from the soul man, though as a doctor if you wanna try for a football team I recommend at least 2 years rest in between so the poor girl's guts literally don't fall out! :D
Man we're so evil... <.<
Wild Goose
2008-08-06, 02:41
*chuckles* And hope you don't get triplets: the real life inspirations behind Veri and Val have 7 daughters. They were expecting to be just five... until Val went to the doctor and found out she had triplets. All girls.
Considering that she and Veri had been doing it when he'd gotten back from deployment to Iraq... and considering that Veri is a USMC infantry officer there, doing lots of gar things...
<.< Maybe that's where all the testosterone went... to being gar....
My mom's advice comes from her family planning sessions; she's an RN who trained in England, and was on track to be at least Ward Sister (if not Matron) before she came back to Malaysia, where, while we lived in the jungle, she ran ad hoc family planning. Chibi-Goose got dragged along to lots of those.
FlameSparkZ
2008-08-06, 04:51
Okay, now that THAT'S out of my system.
I return to you now, to deliver this message.
My friends, today is the last time that I will communicate to you on this forum... as a single man.
Because when I return, I will no longer be alone.
For just as Kha has his dear sweet Tsundere Anita, I have my dear sweet Tsundere-ish Someone.
And on Friday, I will marry that Someone.
<draws self up, salutes>
So, though I only return now to deliver this message (and a Backlog Zamber), KNOW THIS:
"I. SHALL. RETURN!"
Until we meet again...
Go get her, tiger :D
Remember, when you're planning kids, have your first kid 4 years after your marriage year, and then the next kid 4 years after that. As much as possible make sure that your last kid is not a girl; if you want a girl put her towards the middle or beginning, because youngest child girls tend to be rather manja (PF or FA please explain "manja" for me, I can't really do it) and no matter what your children's gender, make sure that they're domesticated and learn a good mix of household skills: cooking, setting tables, cleaning, home improvement...
*looks up* After hearing my mom's advice to new couples for years and years and years on end, I can repeat it almost verbatim. Not sure what that says about me.
On my side, unless you want to raise a siscon and bracon who will share a secret love that cannot be denied, do not let your kids watch Koi Kaze. That was the anime that unleashed my shackles.
...but if that's your plan....:uhoh:
Is that so? :rolleyes:
:uhoh: *writes down* :uhoh:
Might be useful somewhere in the future :D:heh:
*warps away*
PhoenixFlare
2008-08-06, 06:08
Okay, now that THAT'S out of my system.
I return to you now, to deliver this message.
My friends, today is the last time that I will communicate to you on this forum... as a single man.
Because when I return, I will no longer be alone.
For just as Kha has his dear sweet Tsundere Anita, I have my dear sweet Tsundere-ish Someone.
And on Friday, I will marry that Someone.
<draws self up, salutes>
So, though I only return now to deliver this message (and a Backlog Zamber), KNOW THIS:
"I. SHALL. RETURN!"
Congratulations, Reiji! :)
So, your bachelorhood is ending soon, better enjoy it to the fullest while you still can (but don't go overboard and do something unexpectedly dangerous to your health and relationship).
After that, enjoy your life as a newlywed. I pray for the best in your marriage. :)
====
That said ...
*slaps forehead at our resident advisers' take on the news*
Yare yare ... aren't we being too rushy on the matter? :p
Remember, when you're planning kids, have your first kid 4 years after your marriage year, and then the next kid 4 years after that. As much as possible make sure that your last kid is not a girl; if you want a girl put her towards the middle or beginning, because youngest child girls tend to be rather manja (PF or FA please explain "manja" for me, I can't really do it) and no matter what your children's gender, make sure that they're domesticated and learn a good mix of household skills: cooking, setting tables, cleaning, home improvement...
Uh, right.
"Manja" is the Malay word with an approximate English equivalent of "very pampered", though it can also be interpreted as "spoilt" in some circumstances.
That said, a child of any gender is only as spoilt as the parents allow, so don't be too lenient to your children. :)
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-06, 07:26
In my experience, a firm hand is important. One mustn't be afraid to say 'no', and if the child doesn't listen, be ready to deal out fair punishment. I've got a pair of Nephews who have a tendency to argue with each other. Generally, the cause of the argument is the first thing I remove from the situation. (Fighting over a nintendo DS or game? Well HEY guys, it's been confiscated for a few hours! How cool is tha- now SHUTUP!)
I generally don't have problems with them. They mind me real well, and if they don't, well, I control the flow of Fun. Simple as that. It also helps that when I say do X, I let them know WHY they need to do X. (Fold the blankets you used? You're a guest in someone else's house, fold the blankets you used because you're polite.)
And of course, the big mistake: Do not yell at a child for missbehaving and tell them over and over again 'if you don't be good, we will-' and never act on it. ONE warning, then act, or... children ARE intelligent... they will walk ALL over you.
And NEVER reward whining. They recognize it as a tool to get what they want after usually the first time.
**Daaaaang, we're all talkin' bout kids. I bet Reiji's just THRILLED about where our thoughts went.**
Like I said, we're ebil. http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
EDIT: Hmm... No action. :uhoh: Well then, I'll just go back to beta-testing Red Alert 3... Jet Tengu, TRANSFORMATION! >=D
Now if only they gave the Tengu weapon packs. :p
*huggles Yuriko Omega and Rocket Girl as he departs*
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-06, 11:37
*kicks Eva back to the Barrens*
Can't kick me back to somewhere I haven't lvl'd before! :mad:
Read that on WoWhead already. I wonder how many more canon events are they going to advance to completion... I'm actually starting to get worried that they are going to run out of story to tell. :p
I'm hoping for the Scythe of Elune story to be concluded. But I doubt they'll run out of lore with all the stuff I've seen so far in Northrend... :uhoh:
Don't you just love Outland? :D
Yup :D
*is blown up at 4th base*
*Anita chuckles evilly*
...:uhoh:
Don't fret, Kha. It's nothing to 'go to pieces' over :p
And with the latest Wrath pet info, looks like Kotomi has been teaching the Bats of WoW how to sing!!! :frustrated::frustrated::frustrated:
How to annoy your tank as a hunter:
1) Bank your pet
2) Sky to Skettis
3) Tame a Skettis bird
4) Keep screech on auto-cast
5) Profit
And if you haven't heard, you can take exotic pets now. My GM got himself a Devilsaur hunter pet :p
...do I go Kyonichi over the weirdness, or do I give in to my inner fangirl and squee at Loli Singer Fate?
Unfortunately, my conscience can only permit one...
http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Suzumiya%20Haruhi/Suzumiya%20Haruhi%20-%2002%20-%20Large%2027.jpg
I'm sure you can facepalm and squee at the same time :D
...
ATHRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!
KIRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Lolz :p
Okay, now that THAT'S out of my system.
I return to you now, to deliver this message.
My friends, today is the last time that I will communicate to you on this forum... as a single man.
Because when I return, I will no longer be alone.
For just as Kha has his dear sweet Tsundere Anita, I have my dear sweet Tsundere-ish Someone.
And on Friday, I will marry that Someone.
<draws self up, salutes>
So, though I only return now to deliver this message (and a Backlog Zamber), KNOW THIS:
"I. SHALL. RETURN!"
Until we meet again...
Let us salute Reiji, who is about to sell the last of his freedom and soul. We wish you luck, sir. :cool:
And grats :D
Remember, when you're planning kids, have your first kid 4 years after your marriage year, and then the next kid 4 years after that.
Just don't wait too long. Don't wanna be like 40 when you have your first kid :p. Though dunno about 4 years apart. My siblings and I are 2 years apart which I think helped my sisters bond better. But that's me.
As much as possible make sure that your last kid is not a girl; if you want a girl put her towards the middle or beginning, because youngest child girls tend to be rather manja (PF or FA please explain "manja" for me, I can't really do it)
Never heard that term before :eyebrow:
Just remember, if you don't get the gender you want, it's all your fault, not hers :rolleyes:
and no matter what your children's gender, make sure that they're domesticated and learn a good mix of household skills: cooking, setting tables, cleaning, home improvement...
Can't go wrong there :). The more they know about how to tend for themselves, the faster you can kick them out of the house :p
On my side, unless you want to raise a siscon and bracon who will share a secret love that cannot be denied, do not let your kids watch Koi Kaze. That was the anime that unleashed my shackles.
...but if that's your plan....:uhoh:
Show 'em Serial Experiments Lain or Evangelion :D
Uh, right.
"Manja" is the Malay word with an approximate English equivalent of "very pampered", though it can also be interpreted as "spoilt" in some circumstances.
That said, a child of any gender is only as spoilt as the parents allow, so don't be too lenient to your children. :)
Ah, so that's what it means...
Though doesn't matter what order cause my sisters are younger than me and probably more spoiled. Especially given the size of their closets (and all the stuff they jammed into mine -_- )
Ditched work to write this but I felt liked it, so heck.
Inspired by Aromatic Emission (http://moafin.hp.infoseek.co.jp/standardd/img/pic/nanoha/aloemi/aloma1.html). With accompanying BGM, courtesy of humbug's recommendation. link (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=lwzLPxI7PU8&feature=related)
Dedicated to all Cadians. :)
April 28th MC 076
Lost Property Riot Force 6 Base
Does a second meeting bring greater joy?
Today the members of Riot Force 6 gathered for a farewell party. A farewell organized by themselves, for themselves.The party was set-up where Yagami Hayate, commander of the unit had addressed them when she had first greeted them. Before, they gathered here as strangers. Now they would part this place, as friends.
The atmosphere was cheery and relaxed. Many stories were exchanged over food and drinks, punctuated by the sound of laughter between the staff. From where she stood on the stage, Hayate's petite form was visible as she urged all present to thoroughly enjoy themselves. A chance she would not have otherwise if not for this final, but fufilling meeting.
Shario Finieno, or Shari as she was commonly known, approached Hayate as she spoke. Whispering into the brunette's ear, she was rewarded a thumbs-up from her former commander. The glee was evident in Hayate's voice as she turned and spoke.
"Er-hem. May I have the attention of all present here please." As the chatter and noise wound down, four familiar figures moved silently from behind the assembled, careful not to catch any attention to their movements.
"I have a special announcement to make, " Looking sideways towards the smiling Shari as she spoke. "Could I have Captain Takamachi Nanoha, Enforcer Fate Testarossa, as well as Lieutenant Signum and Lieutenant Vita up here with me?"
There is but one thing I would like to say.
The sudden announcement caught all four pre-occupied."Ah I'll be right there." Fate was busy fussing after Vivio as she handed the young girl over to their housekeeper before moving ahead with Nanoha.
"Wonder why is Hayate calling us over now." Vita thought out loud even as she polished off her bun.
"We'll know soon enough." Signum's coolness was a contradiction to her well-known title.
Weaving through the crowd, a devilishly smiling Hayate greeted them.
"Did something happen Hayate?" Fate enquired earnestly.
"Nyahaha. Fate-chan worries too much." Nanoha teased with her trademark laughter.
"I know! Hayate's got a surprise for us. It's a giant pizza right?"
Thank you.
"Well it's not a giant pizza but I daresay this will be better than one. If you all would turn around please." No one might be able to surprise the stars and lightning again as they did in that moment.
I truly wish this from the bottom of my heart.
The forwards' smiling faces a was pleasant contrast against the suprised ones of their seniors. They carried a boutique of flowers in their arms, one intended for each captain.
"This is for you Nanoha-san."Subaru blushed as she stood before Nanoha. The young girl who cried whenever she felled had came a long way in the journey to stand beside her idol but somethings just don't change.
"I'll accept this just once since it's a rare occasion but no more next time Lanster." The redhead protested as she gingerly accepted the boutique from the gunslinger. "I promise, Vita-fuktaichou. No next time." Teana had to fend off a wave of protest from the smaller girl.
"I'm sorry Caro. Are you hurt anywhere from just now?"
"Not at all. I've grown stronger now, thanks to Fate-san."
"Oh Caro." Pressing their foreheads together in a muted apology, Fate was silently happy. The child who didn't know where she belonged when Fate had first took her in now stood before her as a confident, smiling girl.
Next to Fate, Erio spoke to the similarly pink-haired Signum. The normally shy boy now stood proud and bold before the older woman with strength in his body and confidence in his voice. To be honest, Signum found herself hard-pressed to address the young boy properly. For reasons unknown, her words came out flustered as she spoke.
Off to the side, Hayate watched in silent satisfaction. She shared the joy of her colleagues and subordinates, though it still was sad to see her dream end.
'One year has passed.Though short, we managed to achieve something in our time together. And if only for the chance to meet each other.' Hayate's thoughts trailed off over the din of mass chattering.
Shari came up to the stage again." Hayate-san. I have something for you." The brooding girl was instantly revitalized by the thought that someone had
remembered her amidst the celebration.
"Heh?"Hayate found her hopes dashed as the mechanic proudly produced an empty straw basket lined with a simple cloth from behind her back.
"This is for you, Hayate-san." The blank look on Hayate's face was enough to bring out the flood of questions in her mind from the sudden, queer gift.
"Erm, Shari what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Guess I shouldn't keep you waiting." Shari giggled as she called out. "All right now everyone!"
The sight of a red rose held up high in the air caught Hayate's eye as she turned. The gesture was repeated by everyone present to form a sea of roses before Hayate's suprised face.
Nanoha and Fate, her two closest friends offered theirs with bright smiles.Genya stood with Ginga as father and daughter brought theirs together. Vice had his rose-bearing hand up hight as if to offer a toast while Griffin was still somewhat reluctant after the rowdy gesture from the pilot. Little Vivio had one in her hand too, waving it proudly from behind.
Hayate cradled the empty basket absentmindedly at the sight before her.She found herself to be curiously tearing up.
"Silly me. How could I ever think myself to be alone? When I had received praise that belong to everyone here." Hayate silently scolded herself.
Shari watched in mild apprehension as Hayate lowered the basket, wondering if the plan had backfired.
Hayate did not disappoint. She opened her eyes, and welcomed them all with a broad smile.
"Everyone! I thank you for your support."
Hayate spread her arms wide to accept the cheers. She found herself to be truly happy in a long time.
During this one year, everyone here at Riot Force 6 created the pride of my lifetime.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-07, 05:35
Okay, another scene segment...
The 'breaking of the fellowship' and Vita's THREAT.
Up on the Deep Sky, Roland put his hand on his face as he thought. His gut instinct was violently against a house to house styled search of the entire facility and the surrounding town. With so many places to move and hide at the disposal of a potential enemy, Urban Warfare was a soldier's worst nightmare. Surely Hayate realized this too. She was a rather smart girl after all.
"Okay guys," her voice crackled. "We're going to have to split up and perform a complete area search if we want to find those things."
God dammit...
"I disapprove," the General announced into his headset. "A search in this environment is way too risky."
"All due respect sir," Nanoha's voice came back a little surprised. "I think we can handle a little risk..."
"I think he's right," Crash's voice cautioned. "We're talking about an area that's seventy square kilometers in size."
"Significantly less," Reinforce snapped up from her spot. "Remember that the center of the AMF is over the facility. Even if they managed to control their transmitters quite well, their distribution has to be pretty evenly spaced and within at least two kilometers of the facility in order to keep the field centered because of the lake. Too far apart, and the field center would move inland away from the plant."
"Never the less," Roland turned to the AI. "That's the worst possible environment for ambush. We should call in more backup and wait before searching."
"We can't do that Sir," Hayate's voice crackled. "The AMF may be reletively passive, but nobody in the area can effectively operate in it like we can. At best we could pull my Forwards, but we're looking at transit time for them since I gave them the day off, and that would only give us four more people."
Roland swore, sitting back in his seat and scowling at the unforgiving logic of the situation. It was one of those things that had irked him since he'd been in the TSAB. The distribution of Power was ludicrous at times. Yes, a good mage was worth an armored batalion. Then again, most of the stock mages had about the effectiveness of a civilian police officer. With the distribution of power favoring, single, strong mages, the strategic planning could be tailored to the vulnerability that brought up. A loss in terms of a single mage of any decent level was potentially catastrophic. And the trouble with mages, is that despite being flying tanks in terms of firepower, a lucky hit or good sneak attack could still kill them as easily as any other human. It was the same problem that had ultimately driven Gaias Regius to an Early Grave. This situation and environment absolutely reeked of the potential for dissaster. But Hayate knew her job better than he knew her job...
"It's your call then," he came out of his thoughts. She knows the risk, she's got the experience.
"We'll search," Hayate sounded determined. "But nobody goes alone, we pair off and stay close."
The Buddy System. Yes, yes. Smart Girl.
"Sir, you've got the birds eye-view and the data hub, so you'll be our coordinator," she continued.
Roland nodded, time to do this systematicly.
"Got it," he began. "Priority search is going to be our seven remaining AMF transmitters, we'll refer to them as Projectors. If little Rein's analyssis is accurate-"
Reinforce Zwei instantly puffed up at the 'little' comment, but was ignored.
"-we can narrow our search area to a three kilometer radius of the generator building. The pods are man sized as we already know, so they can be in any building, in any room, which is a lot of places to search. A grid search method would take to long this way, so I suggest we break up into three teams."
Shamal looked over as Roland was reviewing data on his screen.
"Nanoha, Signum, Alpha team, use your callsigns. You've got search magic, so scour the inside of the reactor buildings from head to toe, leave no stone unturned as they say. Fate, Vita... Beta Team... External grounds search. Check storage sheds, vehicles, open fields, trees... You'll back up Alpha as well in case they meet trouble. Hayate, Crash, Charlie Team. Immediate town search, outside only. Look for signs of forced entry for now. I don't want you doing a room by room search alone until we finish the facility. Check doors and windows, and remember... Anything suspicious enough to look at is suspicious enough to point an attack at."
There was a chorus of affirmatives from the ground party as Roland looked at the data on his console. After a moment, Shamal turned to him.
"I'll start an area search with ClairerWind from the outside and work my way inwards. If there's anything suspicious, we'll be the first to know."
"Okay guys, let's get this Search going!" Hayate seemed to almost cheerfully belt out, despite the ever pressent threat hanging over the area. Nanoha quickly spun, floating off the ground and levitating quickly across the room, dropping several white gloing orbs as she went, signum following her with her hand already gripping Levantine in preperation to slice something up. Fate and Hayate bounded back to the opening the in the ceiling and quickly lept up out of sight, leaving Crash and Vita to catch up before they dispersed.
"Hey," Vita snapped as Crash walked the opposite direction to a room door. "Hayate went that way... go cover her like you're supposed to."
"Can't fly," Crash quipped. "Grav. drive's out from that impact, so I have to take the normal exit first."
"If you hadn't acted like a dofus and powered up immediately, that wouldn't be a problem," she responded.
"You can thank Lt. Colonel Yagami for that one," Crash responded curtly. "If anyone was acting like a dofus, it would be her okay? I didn't exactly ask to be thrown out of the back of a plane, so cut me some slack... I'm no combat expert like you guys are."
Vita turned on a heal and walked over to the test pilot, a non-plussed look once again on her face. As she stopped, Crash suddenly got that crawling sensation down his spine he didn't like. Then she raised one gloved hand and waggled her finger for him to come closer. Crash leaned in.
WHAM!
Grav Eisen didn't hit, so much as the hammer end wedged itself between his helmet and shoulder armor, and then Vita gave a firm yank, dragging crash down to one knee in front of her. The sight of a four foot tall 'little girl' manhandling the six and a half foot tall armor behomouth with ease using what looked like fancy metal polo mallet would have been funny were it not for the look on her face that was a vicious in its silence as Don was in a two our long double S rant.
"Listen, and listen good," she growled in a tone that was obviously off the radio. "This is not a game, this is not a joke, and this is certainly not a vacation. This is a potentially life threatening situation and not your island paradise test facility by the sea. This is a real mission, and as long as you're here, you need to at least take the job seriously whether you like it or not, whether you wanted to come here or not."
She then pointed with her free hand towards the hole and lowered her tone almost impossibly to a hiss..
"Hayate is -VERY-, important to us... You are assigned, by your commander, to act as her escort and she to you. So you will ensure that you guard her to the best of your abilities and beyond, because I don't want ANYTHING to happen to her. And God help me, if you let anything so much as SCRATCH her, both myself and Graf Eisen will ensure that you know what it feels like to be a can of sardines caught in a trash compactor while it's being used in a presentation of Verdi's Anvil Chorus! Are am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Crash gulped. The half maniacal look she had was easily seen from this close, and it said she meant every syllable of that threat.
"Good," Vita nodded, lifting Eisen out of its wedge and allowing Crash to stand himself up straight. "Don't you dare fail me."
"Let's go guys!" Hayate's voice sounded through the hole. Vita spun and bounded over to the hole and lept into the air, leaving Crash in the dust. Hayate looked at the girl with just the slightest impatience as she appeared over the rooftop.
"What's taking so long?"
"Crash's gravity drive system is malfunctioning," Vita shrugged as nothing had transpired. "He can't fly without it so he said he'll meet you at the building entrance."
Hayate rolled her eyes and smirked, at least her little stunt hadn't done worse. Spinning in the air, she floated over towards the reactor building entrance where Crash would emerge. Vita turned to Fate, who Nodded and took off to begin their search of the grounds.
Okay...
*Cooks some food for Cadia Zwei-tan*
This is an idea I've been cooking for a Some time and has already passed the eyes of OCC.
I thought that i might share it with the others.
Name: Kallan Iquilanas (Means Aquamarine of the Water or simply Aquamarine)
Alias / Nickname: Kally, Kalla
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Birthday:
Face/Hair (Head Features): Short pink, with twin tails along the side of her head. Has Green Eyes.
Build: Fair Build, body sculpted by natural beauty and years of work.
Height:
Weight:
Homeworld: Ordered Space Registry World 52, Associated World 27, Ea. (Drawn from the Akkadian and Babylonian name of the Sumerian water god Enki.)
World Location: Green Zone G-4
Heritage: Native. Second Generation of the Iqilanas Family. Only daughter among three siblings.
Magic System: Mid Type
Magic Color: Aqua Blue
Mage Rank: A
Threat Level: A (since she can only operate in water)
Affiliation: Current Status: Level 3 Worker, Entropoint Construction Company. Volunteer, Time Space Administration Bureau, First Fast Response Rescue Unit. In-Water Specialist.
Personality: Very Civil, has a decent work attitude- almost serious. Though she is the heiress of the company, she does not mind the pressure of work and the water. Has an unusual tendency to spot hidden things/wonders and notice the beauty of everyday things- a factor that she highly values.
Device/s: Tethys
Device Type: In-Development Intelligent Device, Suit Type. Self-Developed.
Concept Image: Here - in "shell-down" mode (http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~tsuchiya/gallery05/080801.jpg)
Description: Takes the form of a choker with a large blue gemstone in the center during standby/Shell-off. Takes the form of a semi-mechanical mermaid suit when setup/Shell-on. Has a standard set of equipment as well as three unique addons, or 'packs' as they are called.
Parts of the Device System that are available by default.
- Dipole Drive: Basically an engine that exploits the dipolar (Having North/+ and South/- poles/charges at the same time) nature of water, enabling the user to travel quickly in water. This is her standard complement to be able to move in the water. In her case, this is powered by her own magic.
- Supercavitation Engine: An Engine that uses the principles of supercavitation to travel very rapidly in water due to the lack of hydrodynamic drag but only in a straight line- making her do a series of "jumps" to get to a destination. This drive is reserved for long distance travel only and can tire her if used too often.
- Spear: A simple weapon that looks like a plain spear but is infact one of her useful tools, using its powerful (water) Jet Cutter to cut thru things instantly. This is often seen when she's wearing the Fighter Pack though.
- Tail Guard: A mechanical shroud that encloses her legs during in-water operation making her streamlined and faster. Can retract certain areas and split to allow her legs free movement and footing.
- Flow Jacket (Barrier Jacket): Basically an underwater use version of the Barrier Jacket, but more body hugging and streamlining for speed. Usually during Shell-Up, it's a full cover, but on Shell-Down, it reveals a two piece bathing suit- only seen when she's slacking off or doing things other than work/rescue/fight, such as relaxation.
- Dive Mask: A simple facemask that protects her face from any underwater hazards, as well as provide some assurance of breathing- though the Barrier/Flow Jacket can supply her with Oxygen (probably thru a liquid breathing system). Only seen during Shell-Up so far but can be used during Shell-down.
- Dive Helmet: A much more rigid kind of head protection that is usually worn when going deeper. It is also streamlined to provide more speed at depth. Can only be used during Shell-Up.
- Maneuver Thrusters: Basically a block in which a set of fans are placed in, providing precise movement in the water column. Though the Dipole Drive can move her thru the water- it's sheer power compared to these thrusters is more of a burden when working or doing other things. She can combine body movements and these to perform turns and moves deemed almost impossible. Each pack tunes this block to suit the use.
A set of Equipment that is used depending on the situation on hand, enabling her to do a multitude of tasks. At the most she only has 3 packs on hand, her standard Worker, The Optional Rescue and the untested Fighter. Due to the somewhat bulky nature of the packs, she can only use this and can be mounted only in water. If she tries to talk with it on the surface, it will just simply weigh her down like a beached dolphin and has to be removed.
Worker Pack: A General-purpose pack that she is commonly seen with, esp. during work.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for general purpose underwater work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Work Toolbox or another toolbox on site.
- Work Toolbox: Basically your on-site/person toolbox containing various work tools, from hand tools to exchange parts for the Manipulator Arms. Can be jettisoned to make more room or be placed somewhere else.
More to add if needed.
====
Rescue Pack: A specialized pack that is used for rescue purposes. Only During Rescue Duty is she seen with this.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for rescue work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Rescue Toolbox or another toolbox on site. The only real difference between work and rescue arms are the tools involved and the toolbox associated with them and also, these arms can also slide along the length of the rescue bay, unlike the worker arms that are affixed near the shoulders.
- Medical Manipulator Arms: A smaller and independent set of arms that is inserted into special access ports in certain Rescue Capsule Models to enable a remote doctor to operate on the injuries of the person inside. Once in operation, Kallan cannot remove them as she surrenders control over to the doctor. The module these arms are connected to can also be detached from her and be attached to the capsule that the doctor is working at the moment.
- Rescue Toolbox: A Rescue Version of the Work toolbox, containing various rescue tools, as well as a first aid kit for both human and animal use. Can also be jettisoned and emplaced someplace like the Work Toolbox.
- Rescue Bay: A rather long and flat section of the pack where the manipulator arms can work over. So-called as this can strap in some types of personal escape capsule, people and animals in a stretcher-like way. Also comes with a streamlined cover that can deployed over it just in case.
More to add if needed.
====
Fighter Pack: Basically a Pack she and a few of her father's friends from the Bureau had cooked up just in case. It is experimental at the moment and untested.
Parts:
- Sonic Emitter Dome: A subpart at the front of the backpack just before the dorsal fin in which some of her primary attack spells are projected / channeled out- such as "Sonic Torpedo", "Sonic Wall" and "Sonic Hammer", as well as her search spell "Sonic Track".
- Dispenser: A subpart at the rear of the Backpack which can dispense anything from mechanical decoys to surface flares. Commonly, this is where her evasion spell "Buzzer Decoy" and her search spell "Line Track" is released.
More to add if needed.
Note: Names and effects are tentative and subject to change.
Common: Spells/Skills that can be used with any pack.
- Water Lens: A shield spell that makes use of water. Basically, she manpluates water to a degree that it can weaken or deflect incoming beam type attacks- acting like a lens of sorts.
- Hydro Hoplon: Basically your usual round shield against kinetic and other magical attacks- slightly modified to prevent water resistance hindering.
- (Water) Jet Spear: Using her spear, she projects a blade that looks like any energy blade in water but appears as a powerful water jet when in air which can be directed to almost any angle. Unlike any of her cutting tools, this blade can cut almost thru anything easily- of course enemy protection is also a basis on how easy she can cut.
- "Setup": Her command to activate her device.
- "Shell-on": Her command to fully clothe in her Flow Jacket when the device is active.
- "Shell-off": Her command to fully deactivate the Device and Jacket.
- "Shell-down": Her command to switch to basically a swimsuit from her full cover Flow Jacket.
- "Shell-up": Her command to basically do the reverse of "Shell-down", from swimsuit to Flow Jacket.
Combat: Spells/Skills that can only be used with the fighter pack.
- Hydrostatic Crush: Her most powerful attack that involves a lot of control. This is basically stagnating a spherical area of water (usually about the size of a person to the average size of most one man fighting submarines- about 2-10 meters) around a target/s and attempting to crush the spherical area with increasing water pressure. Since this takes concentration on Kallan's part, it takes a fairly long time to cast, about 2-5 minutes depending on the size of the sphere, depth of water and the target condition. She can move the sphere to try and trap any targets within range- or by that facility targets can move into the almost transparent sphere unknowingly and be trapped by the sudden pressure difference.
- Whirlpool Knuckle: She makes a "knuckle" of water using her tail and anything hit by it can be trapped in an underwater vortex, trying to make them dizzy and unstable, as well as trying to drain them of energy.
- Sonic Torpedo: Basically a huge pulse of sound that runs slowly in a straight line. Anything that it passes thru can be damage, though this is dependent on range. Can only affect slow moving / bulky / massive targets and structures.
- Sonic Wall: Basically an underwater version of Vita's "Iron Howl". Can stun enemies depending on the circumstances, but also reveals to all her location.
- Sonic Hammer: A somewhat varied version of the Sonic Torpedo. Instead of a single huge pulse, this is more rather a continous pulse that feels like a hammer when hitting- attempting to resonate the target into pieces or submission. She has to point herself toward the target though to keep the assault going.
- Photon Torpedo: An underwater version of Accel Shooter but is a bit denser to allow plowing thru the water at speed. This is the only attack that can broach the surface and hit any surface or air targets up to 300 ft above sea level.
- Sonic Track: Her Active Search Spell. This is your classical Sonar Ping (which in reality nowadays is a bad move and only deserved for desperate times- but used wisely it can bring a huge advantage) that she uses to search for objects beyond visual range. She is easily spotted when using this using appropriate equipment.
- Line Track: Her passive search skill, akin to towing a passive sonar array behind her- though the array appears as two lines of light trailing from her dispenser. Can sense Targets beyond the range of visual andsometimes, her Sonic Track spell.
- Buzzer Decoy: She launches an energy ball from either the dispenser end or from her hand, this is basically a magical equivalent to a noisemaker decoy, but with additional capabilities, such as able to create a "lens" around it so any passing beams get refracted away from her at least.
- Cavity Jump: This is her skill when she uses her Supercavitation Engine to make a straight line "jump" across long distances. She might require one to several "jumps" to complete a transit.
More to be added or removed.
====
History: Still under creation.
please enjoy
*warps away*
Ditched work to write this but I felt liked it, so heck.
Inspired by Aromatic Emission (http://moafin.hp.infoseek.co.jp/standardd/img/pic/nanoha/aloemi/aloma1.html). With accompanying BGM, courtesy of humbug's recommendation. link (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=lwzLPxI7PU8&feature=related)
Dedicated to all Cadians. :)
April 28th MC 076
Lost Property Riot Force 6 Base
Does a second meeting bring greater joy?
Today the members of Riot Force 6 gathered for a farewell party. A farewell organized by themselves, for themselves.The party was set-up where Yagami Hayate, commander of the unit had addressed them when she had first greeted them. Before, they gathered here as strangers. Now they would part this place, as friends.
The atmosphere was cheery and relaxed. Many stories were exchanged over food and drinks, punctuated by the sound of laughter between the staff. From where she stood on the stage, Hayate's petite form was visible as she urged all present to thoroughly enjoy themselves. A chance she would not have otherwise if not for this final, but fufilling meeting.
Shario Finieno, or Shari as she was commonly known, approached Hayate as she spoke. Whispering into the brunette's ear, she was rewarded a thumbs-up from her former commander. The glee was evident in Hayate's voice as she turned and spoke.
"Er-hem. May I have the attention of all present here please." As the chatter and noise wound down, four familiar figures moved silently from behind the assembled, careful not to catch any attention to their movements.
"I have a special announcement to make, " Looking sideways towards the smiling Shari as she spoke. "Could I have Captain Takamachi Nanoha, Enforcer Fate Testarossa, as well as Lieutenant Signum and Lieutenant Vita up here with me?"
There is but one thing I would like to say.
The sudden announcement caught all four pre-occupied."Ah I'll be right there." Fate was busy fussing after Vivio as she handed the young girl over to their housekeeper before moving ahead with Nanoha.
"Wonder why is Hayate calling us over now." Vita thought out loud even as she polished off her bun.
"We'll know soon enough." Signum's coolness was a contradiction to her well-known title.
Weaving through the crowd, a devilishly smiling Hayate greeted them.
"Did something happen Hayate?" Fate enquired earnestly.
"Nyahaha. Fate-chan worries too much." Nanoha teased with her trademark laughter.
"I know! Hayate's got a surprise for us. It's a giant pizza right?"
Thank you.
"Well it's not a giant pizza but I daresay this will be better than one. If you all would turn around please." No one might be able to surprise the stars and lightning again as they did in that moment.
I truly wish this from the bottom of my heart.
The forwards' smiling faces a was pleasant contrast against the suprised ones of their seniors. They carried a boutique of flowers in their arms, one intended for each captain.
"This is for you Nanoha-san."Subaru blushed as she stood before Nanoha. The young girl who cried whenever she felled had came a long way in the journey to stand beside her idol but somethings just don't change.
"I'll accept this just once since it's a rare occasion but no more next time Lanster." The redhead protested as she gingerly accepted the boutique from the gunslinger. "I promise, Vita-fuktaichou. No next time." Teana had to fend off a wave of protest from the smaller girl.
"I'm sorry Caro. Are you hurt anywhere from just now?"
"Not at all. I've grown stronger now, thanks to Fate-san."
"Oh Caro." Pressing their foreheads together in a muted apology, Fate was silently happy. The child who didn't know where she belonged when Fate had first took her in now stood before her as a confident, smiling girl.
Next to Fate, Erio spoke to the similarly pink-haired Signum. The normally shy boy now stood proud and bold before the older woman with strength in his body and confidence in his voice. To be honest, Signum found herself hard-pressed to address the young boy properly. For reasons unknown, her words came out flustered as she spoke.
Off to the side, Hayate watched in silent satisfaction. She shared the joy of her colleagues and subordinates, though it still was sad to see her dream end.
'One year has passed.Though short, we managed to achieve something in our time together. And if only for the chance to meet each other.' Hayate's thoughts trailed off over the din of mass chattering.
Shari came up to the stage again." Hayate-san. I have something for you." The brooding girl was instantly revitalized by the thought that someone had
remembered her amidst the celebration.
"Heh?"Hayate found her hopes dashed as the mechanic proudly produced an empty straw basket lined with a simple cloth from behind her back.
"This is for you, Hayate-san." The blank look on Hayate's face was enough to bring out the flood of questions in her mind from the sudden, queer gift.
"Erm, Shari what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Guess I shouldn't keep you waiting." Shari giggled as she called out. "All right now everyone!"
The sight of a red rose held up high in the air caught Hayate's eye as she turned. The gesture was repeated by everyone present to form a sea of roses before Hayate's suprised face.
Nanoha and Fate, her two closest friends offered theirs with bright smiles.Genya stood with Ginga as father and daughter brought theirs together. Vice had his rose-bearing hand up hight as if to offer a toast while Griffin was still somewhat reluctant after the rowdy gesture from the pilot. Little Vivio had one in her hand too, waving it proudly from behind.
Hayate cradled the empty basket absentmindedly at the sight before her.She found herself to be curiously tearing up.
"Silly me. How could I ever think myself to be alone? When I had received praise that belong to everyone here." Hayate silently scolded herself.
Shari watched in mild apprehension as Hayate lowered the basket, wondering if the plan had backfired.
Hayate did not disappoint. She opened her eyes, and welcomed them all with a broad smile.
"Everyone! I thank you for your support."
Hayate spread her arms wide to accept the cheers. She found herself to be truly happy in a long time.
During this one year, everyone here at Riot Force 6 created the pride of my lifetime.
*sniff*
That was beautiful!
What a great idea for a short story!
Okay, another scene segment...
The 'breaking of the fellowship' and Vita's THREAT.
Up on the Deep Sky, Roland put his hand on his face as he thought. His gut instinct was violently against a house to house styled search of the entire facility and the surrounding town. With so many places to move and hide at the disposal of a potential enemy, Urban Warfare was a soldier's worst nightmare. Surely Hayate realized this too. She was a rather smart girl after all.
"Okay guys," her voice crackled. "We're going to have to split up and perform a complete area search if we want to find those things."
God dammit...
"I disapprove," the General announced into his headset. "A search in this environment is way too risky."
"All due respect sir," Nanoha's voice came back a little surprised. "I think we can handle a little risk..."
"I think he's right," Crash's voice cautioned. "We're talking about an area that's seventy square kilometers in size."
"Significantly less," Reinforce snapped up from her spot. "Remember that the center of the AMF is over the facility. Even if they managed to control their transmitters quite well, their distribution has to be pretty evenly spaced and within at least two kilometers of the facility in order to keep the field centered because of the lake. Too far apart, and the field center would move inland away from the plant."
"Never the less," Roland turned to the AI. "That's the worst possible environment for ambush. We should call in more backup and wait before searching."
"We can't do that Sir," Hayate's voice crackled. "The AMF may be reletively passive, but nobody in the area can effectively operate in it like we can. At best we could pull my Forwards, but we're looking at transit time for them since I gave them the day off, and that would only give us four more people."
Roland swore, sitting back in his seat and scowling at the unforgiving logic of the situation. It was one of those things that had irked him since he'd been in the TSAB. The distribution of Power was ludicrous at times. Yes, a good mage was worth an armored batalion. Then again, most of the stock mages had about the effectiveness of a civilian police officer. With the distribution of power favoring, single, strong mages, the strategic planning could be tailored to the vulnerability that brought up. A loss in terms of a single mage of any decent level was potentially catastrophic. And the trouble with mages, is that despite being flying tanks in terms of firepower, a lucky hit or good sneak attack could still kill them as easily as any other human. It was the same problem that had ultimately driven Gaias Regius to an Early Grave. This situation and environment absolutely reeked of the potential for dissaster. But Hayate knew her job better than he knew her job...
"It's your call then," he came out of his thoughts. She knows the risk, she's got the experience.
"We'll search," Hayate sounded determined. "But nobody goes alone, we pair off and stay close."
The Buddy System. Yes, yes. Smart Girl.
"Sir, you've got the birds eye-view and the data hub, so you'll be our coordinator," she continued.
Roland nodded, time to do this systematicly.
"Got it," he began. "Priority search is going to be our seven remaining AMF transmitters, we'll refer to them as Projectors. If little Rein's analyssis is accurate-"
Reinforce Zwei instantly puffed up at the 'little' comment, but was ignored.
"-we can narrow our search area to a three kilometer radius of the generator building. The pods are man sized as we already know, so they can be in any building, in any room, which is a lot of places to search. A grid search method would take to long this way, so I suggest we break up into three teams."
Shamal looked over as Roland was reviewing data on his screen.
"Nanoha, Signum, Alpha team, use your callsigns. You've got search magic, so scour the inside of the reactor buildings from head to toe, leave no stone unturned as they say. Fate, Vita... Beta Team... External grounds search. Check storage sheds, vehicles, open fields, trees... You'll back up Alpha as well in case they meet trouble. Hayate, Crash, Charlie Team. Immediate town search, outside only. Look for signs of forced entry for now. I don't want you doing a room by room search alone until we finish the facility. Check doors and windows, and remember... Anything suspicious enough to look at is suspicious enough to point an attack at."
There was a chorus of affirmatives from the ground party as Roland looked at the data on his console. After a moment, Shamal turned to him.
"I'll start an area search with ClairerWind from the outside and work my way inwards. If there's anything suspicious, we'll be the first to know."
"Okay guys, let's get this Search going!" Hayate seemed to almost cheerfully belt out, despite the ever pressent threat hanging over the area. Nanoha quickly spun, floating off the ground and levitating quickly across the room, dropping several white gloing orbs as she went, signum following her with her hand already gripping Levantine in preperation to slice something up. Fate and Hayate bounded back to the opening the in the ceiling and quickly lept up out of sight, leaving Crash and Vita to catch up before they dispersed.
"Hey," Vita snapped as Crash walked the opposite direction to a room door. "Hayate went that way... go cover her like you're supposed to."
"Can't fly," Crash quipped. "Grav. drive's out from that impact, so I have to take the normal exit first."
"If you hadn't acted like a dofus and powered up immediately, that wouldn't be a problem," she responded.
"You can thank Lt. Colonel Yagami for that one," Crash responded curtly. "If anyone was acting like a dofus, it would be her okay? I didn't exactly ask to be thrown out of the back of a plane, so cut me some slack... I'm no combat expert like you guys are."
Vita turned on a heal and walked over to the test pilot, a non-plussed look once again on her face. As she stopped, Crash suddenly got that crawling sensation down his spine he didn't like. Then she raised one gloved hand and waggled her finger for him to come closer. Crash leaned in.
WHAM!
Grav Eisen didn't hit, so much as the hammer end wedged itself between his helmet and shoulder armor, and then Vita gave a firm yank, dragging crash down to one knee in front of her. The sight of a four foot tall 'little girl' manhandling the six and a half foot tall armor behomouth with ease using what looked like fancy metal polo mallet would have been funny were it not for the look on her face that was a vicious in its silence as Don was in a two our long double S rant.
"Listen, and listen good," she growled in a tone that was obviously off the radio. "This is not a game, this is not a joke, and this is certainly not a vacation. This is a potentially life threatening situation and not your island paradise test facility by the sea. This is a real mission, and as long as you're here, you need to at least take the job seriously whether you like it or not, whether you wanted to come here or not."
She then pointed with her free hand towards the hole and lowered her tone almost impossibly to a hiss..
"Hayate is -VERY-, important to us... You are assigned, by your commander, to act as her escort and she to you. So you will ensure that you guard her to the best of your abilities and beyond, because I don't want ANYTHING to happen to her. And God help me, if you let anything so much as SCRATCH her, both myself and Graf Eisen will ensure that you know what it feels like to be a can of sardines caught in a trash compactor while it's being used in a presentation of Verdi's Anvil Chorus! Are am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Crash gulped. The half maniacal look she had was easily seen from this close, and it said she meant every syllable of that threat.
"Good," Vita nodded, lifting Eisen out of its wedge and allowing Crash to stand himself up straight. "Don't you dare fail me."
"Let's go guys!" Hayate's voice sounded through the hole. Vita spun and bounded over to the hole and lept into the air, leaving Crash in the dust. Hayate looked at the girl with just the slightest impatience as she appeared over the rooftop.
"What's taking so long?"
"Crash's gravity drive system is malfunctioning," Vita shrugged as nothing had transpired. "He can't fly without it so he said he'll meet you at the building entrance."
Hayate rolled her eyes and smirked, at least her little stunt hadn't done worse. Spinning in the air, she floated over towards the reactor building entrance where Crash would emerge. Vita turned to Fate, who Nodded and took off to begin their search of the grounds.
Lulz! xD
Vita is scary xD
Ah one thing thou... Graf Eisen.
Okay...
*Cooks some food for Cadia Zwei-tan*
This is an idea I've been cooking for a Some time and has already passed the eyes of OCC.
I thought that i might share it with the others.
Name: Kallan Iquilanas (Means Aquamarine of the Water or simply Aquamarine)
Alias / Nickname: Kally, Kalla
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Birthday:
Face/Hair (Head Features): Short pink, with twin tails along the side of her head. Has Green Eyes.
Build: Fair Build, body sculpted by natural beauty and years of work.
Height:
Weight:
Homeworld: Ordered Space Registry World 52, Associated World 27, Ea. (Drawn from the Akkadian and Babylonian name of the Sumerian water god Enki.)
World Location: Green Zone G-4
Heritage: Native. Second Generation of the Iqilanas Family. Only daughter among three siblings.
Magic System: Mid Type
Magic Color: Aqua Blue
Mage Rank: A
Threat Level: A (since she can only operate in water)
Affiliation: Current Status: Level 3 Worker, Entropoint Construction Company. Volunteer, Time Space Administration Bureau, First Fast Response Rescue Unit. In-Water Specialist.
Personality: Very Civil, has a decent work attitude- almost serious. Though she is the heiress of the company, she does not mind the pressure of work and the water. Has an unusual tendency to spot hidden things/wonders and notice the beauty of everyday things- a factor that she highly values.
Device/s: Tethys
Device Type: In-Development Intelligent Device, Suit Type. Self-Developed.
Concept Image: Here - in "shell-down" mode (http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~tsuchiya/gallery05/080801.jpg)
Description: Takes the form of a choker with a large blue gemstone in the center during standby/Shell-off. Takes the form of a semi-mechanical mermaid suit when setup/Shell-on. Has a standard set of equipment as well as three unique addons, or 'packs' as they are called.
Parts of the Device System that are available by default.
- Dipole Drive: Basically an engine that exploits the dipolar (Having North/+ and South/- poles/charges at the same time) nature of water, enabling the user to travel quickly in water. This is her standard complement to be able to move in the water. In her case, this is powered by her own magic.
- Supercavitation Engine: An Engine that uses the principles of supercavitation to travel very rapidly in water due to the lack of hydrodynamic drag but only in a straight line- making her do a series of "jumps" to get to a destination. This drive is reserved for long distance travel only and can tire her if used too often.
- Spear: A simple weapon that looks like a plain spear but is infact one of her useful tools, using its powerful (water) Jet Cutter to cut thru things instantly. This is often seen when she's wearing the Fighter Pack though.
- Tail Guard: A mechanical shroud that encloses her legs during in-water operation making her streamlined and faster. Can retract certain areas and split to allow her legs free movement and footing.
- Flow Jacket (Barrier Jacket): Basically an underwater use version of the Barrier Jacket, but more body hugging and streamlining for speed. Usually during Shell-Up, it's a full cover, but on Shell-Down, it reveals a two piece bathing suit- only seen when she's slacking off or doing things other than work/rescue/fight, such as relaxation.
- Dive Mask: A simple facemask that protects her face from any underwater hazards, as well as provide some assurance of breathing- though the Barrier/Flow Jacket can supply her with Oxygen (probably thru a liquid breathing system). Only seen during Shell-Up so far but can be used during Shell-down.
- Dive Helmet: A much more rigid kind of head protection that is usually worn when going deeper. It is also streamlined to provide more speed at depth. Can only be used during Shell-Up.
- Maneuver Thrusters: Basically a block in which a set of fans are placed in, providing precise movement in the water column. Though the Dipole Drive can move her thru the water- it's sheer power compared to these thrusters is more of a burden when working or doing other things. She can combine body movements and these to perform turns and moves deemed almost impossible. Each pack tunes this block to suit the use.
A set of Equipment that is used depending on the situation on hand, enabling her to do a multitude of tasks. At the most she only has 3 packs on hand, her standard Worker, The Optional Rescue and the untested Fighter. Due to the somewhat bulky nature of the packs, she can only use this and can be mounted only in water. If she tries to talk with it on the surface, it will just simply weigh her down like a beached dolphin and has to be removed.
Worker Pack: A General-purpose pack that she is commonly seen with, esp. during work.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for general purpose underwater work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Work Toolbox or another toolbox on site.
- Work Toolbox: Basically your on-site/person toolbox containing various work tools, from hand tools to exchange parts for the Manipulator Arms. Can be jettisoned to make more room or be placed somewhere else.
More to add if needed.
====
Rescue Pack: A specialized pack that is used for rescue purposes. Only During Rescue Duty is she seen with this.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for rescue work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Rescue Toolbox or another toolbox on site. The only real difference between work and rescue arms are the tools involved and the toolbox associated with them and also, these arms can also slide along the length of the rescue bay, unlike the worker arms that are affixed near the shoulders.
- Medical Manipulator Arms: A smaller and independent set of arms that is inserted into special access ports in certain Rescue Capsule Models to enable a remote doctor to operate on the injuries of the person inside. Once in operation, Kallan cannot remove them as she surrenders control over to the doctor. The module these arms are connected to can also be detached from her and be attached to the capsule that the doctor is working at the moment.
- Rescue Toolbox: A Rescue Version of the Work toolbox, containing various rescue tools, as well as a first aid kit for both human and animal use. Can also be jettisoned and emplaced someplace like the Work Toolbox.
- Rescue Bay: A rather long and flat section of the pack where the manipulator arms can work over. So-called as this can strap in some types of personal escape capsule, people and animals in a stretcher-like way. Also comes with a streamlined cover that can deployed over it just in case.
More to add if needed.
====
Fighter Pack: Basically a Pack she and a few of her father's friends from the Bureau had cooked up just in case. It is experimental at the moment and untested.
Parts:
- Sonic Emitter Dome: A subpart at the front of the backpack just before the dorsal fin in which some of her primary attack spells are projected / channeled out- such as "Sonic Torpedo", "Sonic Wall" and "Sonic Hammer", as well as her search spell "Sonic Track".
- Dispenser: A subpart at the rear of the Backpack which can dispense anything from mechanical decoys to surface flares. Commonly, this is where her evasion spell "Buzzer Decoy" and her search spell "Line Track" is released.
More to add if needed.
Note: Names and effects are tentative and subject to change.
Common: Spells/Skills that can be used with any pack.
- Water Lens: A shield spell that makes use of water. Basically, she manpluates water to a degree that it can weaken or deflect incoming beam type attacks- acting like a lens of sorts.
- Hydro Hoplon: Basically your usual round shield against kinetic and other magical attacks- slightly modified to prevent water resistance hindering.
- (Water) Jet Spear: Using her spear, she projects a blade that looks like any energy blade in water but appears as a powerful water jet when in air which can be directed to almost any angle. Unlike any of her cutting tools, this blade can cut almost thru anything easily- of course enemy protection is also a basis on how easy she can cut.
- "Setup": Her command to activate her device.
- "Shell-on": Her command to fully clothe in her Flow Jacket when the device is active.
- "Shell-off": Her command to fully deactivate the Device and Jacket.
- "Shell-down": Her command to switch to basically a swimsuit from her full cover Flow Jacket.
- "Shell-up": Her command to basically do the reverse of "Shell-down", from swimsuit to Flow Jacket.
Combat: Spells/Skills that can only be used with the fighter pack.
- Hydrostatic Crush: Her most powerful attack that involves a lot of control. This is basically stagnating a spherical area of water (usually about the size of a person to the average size of most one man fighting submarines- about 2-10 meters) around a target/s and attempting to crush the spherical area with increasing water pressure. Since this takes concentration on Kallan's part, it takes a fairly long time to cast, about 2-5 minutes depending on the size of the sphere, depth of water and the target condition. She can move the sphere to try and trap any targets within range- or by that facility targets can move into the almost transparent sphere unknowingly and be trapped by the sudden pressure difference.
- Whirlpool Knuckle: She makes a "knuckle" of water using her tail and anything hit by it can be trapped in an underwater vortex, trying to make them dizzy and unstable, as well as trying to drain them of energy.
- Sonic Torpedo: Basically a huge pulse of sound that runs slowly in a straight line. Anything that it passes thru can be damage, though this is dependent on range. Can only affect slow moving / bulky / massive targets and structures.
- Sonic Wall: Basically an underwater version of Vita's "Iron Howl". Can stun enemies depending on the circumstances, but also reveals to all her location.
- Sonic Hammer: A somewhat varied version of the Sonic Torpedo. Instead of a single huge pulse, this is more rather a continous pulse that feels like a hammer when hitting- attempting to resonate the target into pieces or submission. She has to point herself toward the target though to keep the assault going.
- Photon Torpedo: An underwater version of Accel Shooter but is a bit denser to allow plowing thru the water at speed. This is the only attack that can broach the surface and hit any surface or air targets up to 300 ft above sea level.
- Sonic Track: Her Active Search Spell. This is your classical Sonar Ping (which in reality nowadays is a bad move and only deserved for desperate times- but used wisely it can bring a huge advantage) that she uses to search for objects beyond visual range. She is easily spotted when using this using appropriate equipment.
- Line Track: Her passive search skill, akin to towing a passive sonar array behind her- though the array appears as two lines of light trailing from her dispenser. Can sense Targets beyond the range of visual andsometimes, her Sonic Track spell.
- Buzzer Decoy: She launches an energy ball from either the dispenser end or from her hand, this is basically a magical equivalent to a noisemaker decoy, but with additional capabilities, such as able to create a "lens" around it so any passing beams get refracted away from her at least.
- Cavity Jump: This is her skill when she uses her Supercavitation Engine to make a straight line "jump" across long distances. She might require one to several "jumps" to complete a transit.
More to be added or removed.
====
History: Still under creation.
please enjoy
*warps away*
Wow! A sub-marine mage! xD
Very nice Idea, must be the first of her kind here. :D
*thumbs up*
======
Ah thanks to you guys I'm a little more motivated to write a little myself.
I think I start a short story again. :D
Ditched work to write this but I felt liked it, so heck.
Inspired by Aromatic Emission (http://moafin.hp.infoseek.co.jp/standardd/img/pic/nanoha/aloemi/aloma1.html). With accompanying BGM, courtesy of humbug's recommendation. link (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=lwzLPxI7PU8&feature=related)
Dedicated to all Cadians. :)
April 28th MC 076
Lost Property Riot Force 6 Base
Does a second meeting bring greater joy?
Today the members of Riot Force 6 gathered for a farewell party. A farewell organized by themselves, for themselves.The party was set-up where Yagami Hayate, commander of the unit had addressed them when she had first greeted them. Before, they gathered here as strangers. Now they would part this place, as friends.
The atmosphere was cheery and relaxed. Many stories were exchanged over food and drinks, punctuated by the sound of laughter between the staff. From where she stood on the stage, Hayate's petite form was visible as she urged all present to thoroughly enjoy themselves. A chance she would not have otherwise if not for this final, but fufilling meeting.
Shario Finieno, or Shari as she was commonly known, approached Hayate as she spoke. Whispering into the brunette's ear, she was rewarded a thumbs-up from her former commander. The glee was evident in Hayate's voice as she turned and spoke.
"Er-hem. May I have the attention of all present here please." As the chatter and noise wound down, four familiar figures moved silently from behind the assembled, careful not to catch any attention to their movements.
"I have a special announcement to make, " Looking sideways towards the smiling Shari as she spoke. "Could I have Captain Takamachi Nanoha, Enforcer Fate Testarossa, as well as Lieutenant Signum and Lieutenant Vita up here with me?"
There is but one thing I would like to say.
The sudden announcement caught all four pre-occupied."Ah I'll be right there." Fate was busy fussing after Vivio as she handed the young girl over to their housekeeper before moving ahead with Nanoha.
"Wonder why is Hayate calling us over now." Vita thought out loud even as she polished off her bun.
"We'll know soon enough." Signum's coolness was a contradiction to her well-known title.
Weaving through the crowd, a devilishly smiling Hayate greeted them.
"Did something happen Hayate?" Fate enquired earnestly.
"Nyahaha. Fate-chan worries too much." Nanoha teased with her trademark laughter.
"I know! Hayate's got a surprise for us. It's a giant pizza right?"
Thank you.
"Well it's not a giant pizza but I daresay this will be better than one. If you all would turn around please." No one might be able to surprise the stars and lightning again as they did in that moment.
I truly wish this from the bottom of my heart.
The forwards' smiling faces a was pleasant contrast against the suprised ones of their seniors. They carried a boutique of flowers in their arms, one intended for each captain.
"This is for you Nanoha-san."Subaru blushed as she stood before Nanoha. The young girl who cried whenever she felled had came a long way in the journey to stand beside her idol but somethings just don't change.
"I'll accept this just once since it's a rare occasion but no more next time Lanster." The redhead protested as she gingerly accepted the boutique from the gunslinger. "I promise, Vita-fuktaichou. No next time." Teana had to fend off a wave of protest from the smaller girl.
"I'm sorry Caro. Are you hurt anywhere from just now?"
"Not at all. I've grown stronger now, thanks to Fate-san."
"Oh Caro." Pressing their foreheads together in a muted apology, Fate was silently happy. The child who didn't know where she belonged when Fate had first took her in now stood before her as a confident, smiling girl.
Next to Fate, Erio spoke to the similarly pink-haired Signum. The normally shy boy now stood proud and bold before the older woman with strength in his body and confidence in his voice. To be honest, Signum found herself hard-pressed to address the young boy properly. For reasons unknown, her words came out flustered as she spoke.
Off to the side, Hayate watched in silent satisfaction. She shared the joy of her colleagues and subordinates, though it still was sad to see her dream end.
'One year has passed.Though short, we managed to achieve something in our time together. And if only for the chance to meet each other.' Hayate's thoughts trailed off over the din of mass chattering.
Shari came up to the stage again." Hayate-san. I have something for you." The brooding girl was instantly revitalized by the thought that someone had
remembered her amidst the celebration.
"Heh?"Hayate found her hopes dashed as the mechanic proudly produced an empty straw basket lined with a simple cloth from behind her back.
"This is for you, Hayate-san." The blank look on Hayate's face was enough to bring out the flood of questions in her mind from the sudden, queer gift.
"Erm, Shari what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Guess I shouldn't keep you waiting." Shari giggled as she called out. "All right now everyone!"
The sight of a red rose held up high in the air caught Hayate's eye as she turned. The gesture was repeated by everyone present to form a sea of roses before Hayate's suprised face.
Nanoha and Fate, her two closest friends offered theirs with bright smiles.Genya stood with Ginga as father and daughter brought theirs together. Vice had his rose-bearing hand up hight as if to offer a toast while Griffin was still somewhat reluctant after the rowdy gesture from the pilot. Little Vivio had one in her hand too, waving it proudly from behind.
Hayate cradled the empty basket absentmindedly at the sight before her.She found herself to be curiously tearing up.
"Silly me. How could I ever think myself to be alone? When I had received praise that belong to everyone here." Hayate silently scolded herself.
Shari watched in mild apprehension as Hayate lowered the basket, wondering if the plan had backfired.
Hayate did not disappoint. She opened her eyes, and welcomed them all with a broad smile.
"Everyone! I thank you for your support."
Hayate spread her arms wide to accept the cheers. She found herself to be truly happy in a long time.
During this one year, everyone here at Riot Force 6 created the pride of my lifetime.
Certainly went well. Kudos! :nod:
Okay, another scene segment...
The 'breaking of the fellowship' and Vita's THREAT.
Up on the Deep Sky, Roland put his hand on his face as he thought. His gut instinct was violently against a house to house styled search of the entire facility and the surrounding town. With so many places to move and hide at the disposal of a potential enemy, Urban Warfare was a soldier's worst nightmare. Surely Hayate realized this too. She was a rather smart girl after all.
"Okay guys," her voice crackled. "We're going to have to split up and perform a complete area search if we want to find those things."
God dammit...
"I disapprove," the General announced into his headset. "A search in this environment is way too risky."
"All due respect sir," Nanoha's voice came back a little surprised. "I think we can handle a little risk..."
"I think he's right," Crash's voice cautioned. "We're talking about an area that's seventy square kilometers in size."
"Significantly less," Reinforce snapped up from her spot. "Remember that the center of the AMF is over the facility. Even if they managed to control their transmitters quite well, their distribution has to be pretty evenly spaced and within at least two kilometers of the facility in order to keep the field centered because of the lake. Too far apart, and the field center would move inland away from the plant."
"Never the less," Roland turned to the AI. "That's the worst possible environment for ambush. We should call in more backup and wait before searching."
"We can't do that Sir," Hayate's voice crackled. "The AMF may be reletively passive, but nobody in the area can effectively operate in it like we can. At best we could pull my Forwards, but we're looking at transit time for them since I gave them the day off, and that would only give us four more people."
Roland swore, sitting back in his seat and scowling at the unforgiving logic of the situation. It was one of those things that had irked him since he'd been in the TSAB. The distribution of Power was ludicrous at times. Yes, a good mage was worth an armored batalion. Then again, most of the stock mages had about the effectiveness of a civilian police officer. With the distribution of power favoring, single, strong mages, the strategic planning could be tailored to the vulnerability that brought up. A loss in terms of a single mage of any decent level was potentially catastrophic. And the trouble with mages, is that despite being flying tanks in terms of firepower, a lucky hit or good sneak attack could still kill them as easily as any other human. It was the same problem that had ultimately driven Gaias Regius to an Early Grave. This situation and environment absolutely reeked of the potential for dissaster. But Hayate knew her job better than he knew her job...
"It's your call then," he came out of his thoughts. She knows the risk, she's got the experience.
"We'll search," Hayate sounded determined. "But nobody goes alone, we pair off and stay close."
The Buddy System. Yes, yes. Smart Girl.
"Sir, you've got the birds eye-view and the data hub, so you'll be our coordinator," she continued.
Roland nodded, time to do this systematicly.
"Got it," he began. "Priority search is going to be our seven remaining AMF transmitters, we'll refer to them as Projectors. If little Rein's analyssis is accurate-"
Reinforce Zwei instantly puffed up at the 'little' comment, but was ignored.
"-we can narrow our search area to a three kilometer radius of the generator building. The pods are man sized as we already know, so they can be in any building, in any room, which is a lot of places to search. A grid search method would take to long this way, so I suggest we break up into three teams."
Shamal looked over as Roland was reviewing data on his screen.
"Nanoha, Signum, Alpha team, use your callsigns. You've got search magic, so scour the inside of the reactor buildings from head to toe, leave no stone unturned as they say. Fate, Vita... Beta Team... External grounds search. Check storage sheds, vehicles, open fields, trees... You'll back up Alpha as well in case they meet trouble. Hayate, Crash, Charlie Team. Immediate town search, outside only. Look for signs of forced entry for now. I don't want you doing a room by room search alone until we finish the facility. Check doors and windows, and remember... Anything suspicious enough to look at is suspicious enough to point an attack at."
There was a chorus of affirmatives from the ground party as Roland looked at the data on his console. After a moment, Shamal turned to him.
"I'll start an area search with ClairerWind from the outside and work my way inwards. If there's anything suspicious, we'll be the first to know."
"Okay guys, let's get this Search going!" Hayate seemed to almost cheerfully belt out, despite the ever pressent threat hanging over the area. Nanoha quickly spun, floating off the ground and levitating quickly across the room, dropping several white gloing orbs as she went, signum following her with her hand already gripping Levantine in preperation to slice something up. Fate and Hayate bounded back to the opening the in the ceiling and quickly lept up out of sight, leaving Crash and Vita to catch up before they dispersed.
"Hey," Vita snapped as Crash walked the opposite direction to a room door. "Hayate went that way... go cover her like you're supposed to."
"Can't fly," Crash quipped. "Grav. drive's out from that impact, so I have to take the normal exit first."
"If you hadn't acted like a dofus and powered up immediately, that wouldn't be a problem," she responded.
"You can thank Lt. Colonel Yagami for that one," Crash responded curtly. "If anyone was acting like a dofus, it would be her okay? I didn't exactly ask to be thrown out of the back of a plane, so cut me some slack... I'm no combat expert like you guys are."
Vita turned on a heal and walked over to the test pilot, a non-plussed look once again on her face. As she stopped, Crash suddenly got that crawling sensation down his spine he didn't like. Then she raised one gloved hand and waggled her finger for him to come closer. Crash leaned in.
WHAM!
Grav Eisen didn't hit, so much as the hammer end wedged itself between his helmet and shoulder armor, and then Vita gave a firm yank, dragging crash down to one knee in front of her. The sight of a four foot tall 'little girl' manhandling the six and a half foot tall armor behomouth with ease using what looked like fancy metal polo mallet would have been funny were it not for the look on her face that was a vicious in its silence as Don was in a two our long double S rant.
"Listen, and listen good," she growled in a tone that was obviously off the radio. "This is not a game, this is not a joke, and this is certainly not a vacation. This is a potentially life threatening situation and not your island paradise test facility by the sea. This is a real mission, and as long as you're here, you need to at least take the job seriously whether you like it or not, whether you wanted to come here or not."
She then pointed with her free hand towards the hole and lowered her tone almost impossibly to a hiss..
"Hayate is -VERY-, important to us... You are assigned, by your commander, to act as her escort and she to you. So you will ensure that you guard her to the best of your abilities and beyond, because I don't want ANYTHING to happen to her. And God help me, if you let anything so much as SCRATCH her, both myself and Graf Eisen will ensure that you know what it feels like to be a can of sardines caught in a trash compactor while it's being used in a presentation of Verdi's Anvil Chorus! Are am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Crash gulped. The half maniacal look she had was easily seen from this close, and it said she meant every syllable of that threat.
"Good," Vita nodded, lifting Eisen out of its wedge and allowing Crash to stand himself up straight. "Don't you dare fail me."
"Let's go guys!" Hayate's voice sounded through the hole. Vita spun and bounded over to the hole and lept into the air, leaving Crash in the dust. Hayate looked at the girl with just the slightest impatience as she appeared over the rooftop.
"What's taking so long?"
"Crash's gravity drive system is malfunctioning," Vita shrugged as nothing had transpired. "He can't fly without it so he said he'll meet you at the building entrance."
Hayate rolled her eyes and smirked, at least her little stunt hadn't done worse. Spinning in the air, she floated over towards the reactor building entrance where Crash would emerge. Vita turned to Fate, who Nodded and took off to begin their search of the grounds.
...and more wreckage. :3
Okay...
*Cooks some food for Cadia Zwei-tan*
This is an idea I've been cooking for a Some time and has already passed the eyes of OCC.
I thought that i might share it with the others.
Name: Kallan Iquilanas (Means Aquamarine of the Water or simply Aquamarine)
Alias / Nickname: Kally, Kalla
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Birthday:
Face/Hair (Head Features): Short pink, with twin tails along the side of her head. Has Green Eyes.
Build: Fair Build, body sculpted by natural beauty and years of work.
Height:
Weight:
Homeworld: Ordered Space Registry World 52, Associated World 27, Ea. (Drawn from the Akkadian and Babylonian name of the Sumerian water god Enki.)
World Location: Green Zone G-4
Heritage: Native. Second Generation of the Iqilanas Family. Only daughter among three siblings.
Magic System: Mid Type
Magic Color: Aqua Blue
Mage Rank: A
Threat Level: A (since she can only operate in water)
Affiliation: Current Status: Level 3 Worker, Entropoint Construction Company. Volunteer, Time Space Administration Bureau, First Fast Response Rescue Unit. In-Water Specialist.
Personality: Very Civil, has a decent work attitude- almost serious. Though she is the heiress of the company, she does not mind the pressure of work and the water. Has an unusual tendency to spot hidden things/wonders and notice the beauty of everyday things- a factor that she highly values.
Device/s: Tethys
Device Type: In-Development Intelligent Device, Suit Type. Self-Developed.
Concept Image: Here - in "shell-down" mode (http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~tsuchiya/gallery05/080801.jpg)
Description: Takes the form of a choker with a large blue gemstone in the center during standby/Shell-off. Takes the form of a semi-mechanical mermaid suit when setup/Shell-on. Has a standard set of equipment as well as three unique addons, or 'packs' as they are called.
Parts of the Device System that are available by default.
- Dipole Drive: Basically an engine that exploits the dipolar (Having North/+ and South/- poles/charges at the same time) nature of water, enabling the user to travel quickly in water. This is her standard complement to be able to move in the water. In her case, this is powered by her own magic.
- Supercavitation Engine: An Engine that uses the principles of supercavitation to travel very rapidly in water due to the lack of hydrodynamic drag but only in a straight line- making her do a series of "jumps" to get to a destination. This drive is reserved for long distance travel only and can tire her if used too often.
- Spear: A simple weapon that looks like a plain spear but is infact one of her useful tools, using its powerful (water) Jet Cutter to cut thru things instantly. This is often seen when she's wearing the Fighter Pack though.
- Tail Guard: A mechanical shroud that encloses her legs during in-water operation making her streamlined and faster. Can retract certain areas and split to allow her legs free movement and footing.
- Flow Jacket (Barrier Jacket): Basically an underwater use version of the Barrier Jacket, but more body hugging and streamlining for speed. Usually during Shell-Up, it's a full cover, but on Shell-Down, it reveals a two piece bathing suit- only seen when she's slacking off or doing things other than work/rescue/fight, such as relaxation.
- Dive Mask: A simple facemask that protects her face from any underwater hazards, as well as provide some assurance of breathing- though the Barrier/Flow Jacket can supply her with Oxygen (probably thru a liquid breathing system). Only seen during Shell-Up so far but can be used during Shell-down.
- Dive Helmet: A much more rigid kind of head protection that is usually worn when going deeper. It is also streamlined to provide more speed at depth. Can only be used during Shell-Up.
- Maneuver Thrusters: Basically a block in which a set of fans are placed in, providing precise movement in the water column. Though the Dipole Drive can move her thru the water- it's sheer power compared to these thrusters is more of a burden when working or doing other things. She can combine body movements and these to perform turns and moves deemed almost impossible. Each pack tunes this block to suit the use.
A set of Equipment that is used depending on the situation on hand, enabling her to do a multitude of tasks. At the most she only has 3 packs on hand, her standard Worker, The Optional Rescue and the untested Fighter. Due to the somewhat bulky nature of the packs, she can only use this and can be mounted only in water. If she tries to talk with it on the surface, it will just simply weigh her down like a beached dolphin and has to be removed.
Worker Pack: A General-purpose pack that she is commonly seen with, esp. during work.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for general purpose underwater work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Work Toolbox or another toolbox on site.
- Work Toolbox: Basically your on-site/person toolbox containing various work tools, from hand tools to exchange parts for the Manipulator Arms. Can be jettisoned to make more room or be placed somewhere else.
More to add if needed.
====
Rescue Pack: A specialized pack that is used for rescue purposes. Only During Rescue Duty is she seen with this.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for rescue work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Rescue Toolbox or another toolbox on site. The only real difference between work and rescue arms are the tools involved and the toolbox associated with them and also, these arms can also slide along the length of the rescue bay, unlike the worker arms that are affixed near the shoulders.
- Medical Manipulator Arms: A smaller and independent set of arms that is inserted into special access ports in certain Rescue Capsule Models to enable a remote doctor to operate on the injuries of the person inside. Once in operation, Kallan cannot remove them as she surrenders control over to the doctor. The module these arms are connected to can also be detached from her and be attached to the capsule that the doctor is working at the moment.
- Rescue Toolbox: A Rescue Version of the Work toolbox, containing various rescue tools, as well as a first aid kit for both human and animal use. Can also be jettisoned and emplaced someplace like the Work Toolbox.
- Rescue Bay: A rather long and flat section of the pack where the manipulator arms can work over. So-called as this can strap in some types of personal escape capsule, people and animals in a stretcher-like way. Also comes with a streamlined cover that can deployed over it just in case.
More to add if needed.
====
Fighter Pack: Basically a Pack she and a few of her father's friends from the Bureau had cooked up just in case. It is experimental at the moment and untested.
Parts:
- Sonic Emitter Dome: A subpart at the front of the backpack just before the dorsal fin in which some of her primary attack spells are projected / channeled out- such as "Sonic Torpedo", "Sonic Wall" and "Sonic Hammer", as well as her search spell "Sonic Track".
- Dispenser: A subpart at the rear of the Backpack which can dispense anything from mechanical decoys to surface flares. Commonly, this is where her evasion spell "Buzzer Decoy" and her search spell "Line Track" is released.
More to add if needed.
Note: Names and effects are tentative and subject to change.
Common: Spells/Skills that can be used with any pack.
- Water Lens: A shield spell that makes use of water. Basically, she manpluates water to a degree that it can weaken or deflect incoming beam type attacks- acting like a lens of sorts.
- Hydro Hoplon: Basically your usual round shield against kinetic and other magical attacks- slightly modified to prevent water resistance hindering.
- (Water) Jet Spear: Using her spear, she projects a blade that looks like any energy blade in water but appears as a powerful water jet when in air which can be directed to almost any angle. Unlike any of her cutting tools, this blade can cut almost thru anything easily- of course enemy protection is also a basis on how easy she can cut.
- "Setup": Her command to activate her device.
- "Shell-on": Her command to fully clothe in her Flow Jacket when the device is active.
- "Shell-off": Her command to fully deactivate the Device and Jacket.
- "Shell-down": Her command to switch to basically a swimsuit from her full cover Flow Jacket.
- "Shell-up": Her command to basically do the reverse of "Shell-down", from swimsuit to Flow Jacket.
Combat: Spells/Skills that can only be used with the fighter pack.
- Hydrostatic Crush: Her most powerful attack that involves a lot of control. This is basically stagnating a spherical area of water (usually about the size of a person to the average size of most one man fighting submarines- about 2-10 meters) around a target/s and attempting to crush the spherical area with increasing water pressure. Since this takes concentration on Kallan's part, it takes a fairly long time to cast, about 2-5 minutes depending on the size of the sphere, depth of water and the target condition. She can move the sphere to try and trap any targets within range- or by that facility targets can move into the almost transparent sphere unknowingly and be trapped by the sudden pressure difference.
- Whirlpool Knuckle: She makes a "knuckle" of water using her tail and anything hit by it can be trapped in an underwater vortex, trying to make them dizzy and unstable, as well as trying to drain them of energy.
- Sonic Torpedo: Basically a huge pulse of sound that runs slowly in a straight line. Anything that it passes thru can be damage, though this is dependent on range. Can only affect slow moving / bulky / massive targets and structures.
- Sonic Wall: Basically an underwater version of Vita's "Iron Howl". Can stun enemies depending on the circumstances, but also reveals to all her location.
- Sonic Hammer: A somewhat varied version of the Sonic Torpedo. Instead of a single huge pulse, this is more rather a continous pulse that feels like a hammer when hitting- attempting to resonate the target into pieces or submission. She has to point herself toward the target though to keep the assault going.
- Photon Torpedo: An underwater version of Accel Shooter but is a bit denser to allow plowing thru the water at speed. This is the only attack that can broach the surface and hit any surface or air targets up to 300 ft above sea level.
- Sonic Track: Her Active Search Spell. This is your classical Sonar Ping (which in reality nowadays is a bad move and only deserved for desperate times- but used wisely it can bring a huge advantage) that she uses to search for objects beyond visual range. She is easily spotted when using this using appropriate equipment.
- Line Track: Her passive search skill, akin to towing a passive sonar array behind her- though the array appears as two lines of light trailing from her dispenser. Can sense Targets beyond the range of visual andsometimes, her Sonic Track spell.
- Buzzer Decoy: She launches an energy ball from either the dispenser end or from her hand, this is basically a magical equivalent to a noisemaker decoy, but with additional capabilities, such as able to create a "lens" around it so any passing beams get refracted away from her at least.
- Cavity Jump: This is her skill when she uses her Supercavitation Engine to make a straight line "jump" across long distances. She might require one to several "jumps" to complete a transit.
More to be added or removed.
====
History: Still under creation.
please enjoy
*warps away*Needs more details, but manageable for now.
Though as a friend, I have to ask, how big is your OC closet now...? :heh:
Though as a friend, I have to ask, how big is your OC closet now...? :heh:
Which Closet are you asking for?
I have at least 4 Closets here
Silvance
2008-08-09, 18:33
Name: Kallan Iquilanas (Means Aquamarine of the Water or simply Aquamarine)
Alias / Nickname: Kally, Kalla
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Birthday:
Face/Hair (Head Features): Short pink, with twin tails along the side of her head. Has Green Eyes.
Build: Fair Build, body sculpted by natural beauty and years of work.
Height:
Weight:
Homeworld: Ordered Space Registry World 52, Associated World 27, Ea. (Drawn from the Akkadian and Babylonian name of the Sumerian water god Enki.)
World Location: Green Zone G-4
Heritage: Native. Second Generation of the Iqilanas Family. Only daughter among three siblings.
Magic System: Mid Type
Magic Color: Aqua Blue
Mage Rank: A
Threat Level: A (since she can only operate in water)
Affiliation: Current Status: Level 3 Worker, Entropoint Construction Company. Volunteer, Time Space Administration Bureau, First Fast Response Rescue Unit. In-Water Specialist.
Personality: Very Civil, has a decent work attitude- almost serious. Though she is the heiress of the company, she does not mind the pressure of work and the water. Has an unusual tendency to spot hidden things/wonders and notice the beauty of everyday things- a factor that she highly values.
Device/s: Tethys
Device Type: In-Development Intelligent Device, Suit Type. Self-Developed.
Concept Image: Here - in "shell-down" mode (http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~tsuchiya/gallery05/080801.jpg)
Description: Takes the form of a choker with a large blue gemstone in the center during standby/Shell-off. Takes the form of a semi-mechanical mermaid suit when setup/Shell-on. Has a standard set of equipment as well as three unique addons, or 'packs' as they are called.
Parts of the Device System that are available by default.
- Dipole Drive: Basically an engine that exploits the dipolar (Having North/+ and South/- poles/charges at the same time) nature of water, enabling the user to travel quickly in water. This is her standard complement to be able to move in the water. In her case, this is powered by her own magic.
- Supercavitation Engine: An Engine that uses the principles of supercavitation to travel very rapidly in water due to the lack of hydrodynamic drag but only in a straight line- making her do a series of "jumps" to get to a destination. This drive is reserved for long distance travel only and can tire her if used too often.
- Spear: A simple weapon that looks like a plain spear but is infact one of her useful tools, using its powerful (water) Jet Cutter to cut thru things instantly. This is often seen when she's wearing the Fighter Pack though.
- Tail Guard: A mechanical shroud that encloses her legs during in-water operation making her streamlined and faster. Can retract certain areas and split to allow her legs free movement and footing.
- Flow Jacket (Barrier Jacket): Basically an underwater use version of the Barrier Jacket, but more body hugging and streamlining for speed. Usually during Shell-Up, it's a full cover, but on Shell-Down, it reveals a two piece bathing suit- only seen when she's slacking off or doing things other than work/rescue/fight, such as relaxation.
- Dive Mask: A simple facemask that protects her face from any underwater hazards, as well as provide some assurance of breathing- though the Barrier/Flow Jacket can supply her with Oxygen (probably thru a liquid breathing system). Only seen during Shell-Up so far but can be used during Shell-down.
- Dive Helmet: A much more rigid kind of head protection that is usually worn when going deeper. It is also streamlined to provide more speed at depth. Can only be used during Shell-Up.
- Maneuver Thrusters: Basically a block in which a set of fans are placed in, providing precise movement in the water column. Though the Dipole Drive can move her thru the water- it's sheer power compared to these thrusters is more of a burden when working or doing other things. She can combine body movements and these to perform turns and moves deemed almost impossible. Each pack tunes this block to suit the use.
A set of Equipment that is used depending on the situation on hand, enabling her to do a multitude of tasks. At the most she only has 3 packs on hand, her standard Worker, The Optional Rescue and the untested Fighter. Due to the somewhat bulky nature of the packs, she can only use this and can be mounted only in water. If she tries to talk with it on the surface, it will just simply weigh her down like a beached dolphin and has to be removed.
Worker Pack: A General-purpose pack that she is commonly seen with, esp. during work.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for general purpose underwater work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Work Toolbox or another toolbox on site.
- Work Toolbox: Basically your on-site/person toolbox containing various work tools, from hand tools to exchange parts for the Manipulator Arms. Can be jettisoned to make more room or be placed somewhere else.
More to add if needed.
====
Rescue Pack: A specialized pack that is used for rescue purposes. Only During Rescue Duty is she seen with this.
Parts:
- Manipulator Arms: A pair of industrial Robotic Arms that is used for rescue work. These Arms are either directly controlled by Kallan thru mental or direct command or remotely via an operator on the surface. The tools on the arms can be changed either on the surface or on her onboard Rescue Toolbox or another toolbox on site. The only real difference between work and rescue arms are the tools involved and the toolbox associated with them and also, these arms can also slide along the length of the rescue bay, unlike the worker arms that are affixed near the shoulders.
- Medical Manipulator Arms: A smaller and independent set of arms that is inserted into special access ports in certain Rescue Capsule Models to enable a remote doctor to operate on the injuries of the person inside. Once in operation, Kallan cannot remove them as she surrenders control over to the doctor. The module these arms are connected to can also be detached from her and be attached to the capsule that the doctor is working at the moment.
- Rescue Toolbox: A Rescue Version of the Work toolbox, containing various rescue tools, as well as a first aid kit for both human and animal use. Can also be jettisoned and emplaced someplace like the Work Toolbox.
- Rescue Bay: A rather long and flat section of the pack where the manipulator arms can work over. So-called as this can strap in some types of personal escape capsule, people and animals in a stretcher-like way. Also comes with a streamlined cover that can deployed over it just in case.
More to add if needed.
====
Fighter Pack: Basically a Pack she and a few of her father's friends from the Bureau had cooked up just in case. It is experimental at the moment and untested.
Parts:
- Sonic Emitter Dome: A subpart at the front of the backpack just before the dorsal fin in which some of her primary attack spells are projected / channeled out- such as "Sonic Torpedo", "Sonic Wall" and "Sonic Hammer", as well as her search spell "Sonic Track".
- Dispenser: A subpart at the rear of the Backpack which can dispense anything from mechanical decoys to surface flares. Commonly, this is where her evasion spell "Buzzer Decoy" and her search spell "Line Track" is released.
More to add if needed.
Note: Names and effects are tentative and subject to change.
Common: Spells/Skills that can be used with any pack.
- Water Lens: A shield spell that makes use of water. Basically, she manpluates water to a degree that it can weaken or deflect incoming beam type attacks- acting like a lens of sorts.
- Hydro Hoplon: Basically your usual round shield against kinetic and other magical attacks- slightly modified to prevent water resistance hindering.
- (Water) Jet Spear: Using her spear, she projects a blade that looks like any energy blade in water but appears as a powerful water jet when in air which can be directed to almost any angle. Unlike any of her cutting tools, this blade can cut almost thru anything easily- of course enemy protection is also a basis on how easy she can cut.
- "Setup": Her command to activate her device.
- "Shell-on": Her command to fully clothe in her Flow Jacket when the device is active.
- "Shell-off": Her command to fully deactivate the Device and Jacket.
- "Shell-down": Her command to switch to basically a swimsuit from her full cover Flow Jacket.
- "Shell-up": Her command to basically do the reverse of "Shell-down", from swimsuit to Flow Jacket.
Combat: Spells/Skills that can only be used with the fighter pack.
- Hydrostatic Crush: Her most powerful attack that involves a lot of control. This is basically stagnating a spherical area of water (usually about the size of a person to the average size of most one man fighting submarines- about 2-10 meters) around a target/s and attempting to crush the spherical area with increasing water pressure. Since this takes concentration on Kallan's part, it takes a fairly long time to cast, about 2-5 minutes depending on the size of the sphere, depth of water and the target condition. She can move the sphere to try and trap any targets within range- or by that facility targets can move into the almost transparent sphere unknowingly and be trapped by the sudden pressure difference.
- Whirlpool Knuckle: She makes a "knuckle" of water using her tail and anything hit by it can be trapped in an underwater vortex, trying to make them dizzy and unstable, as well as trying to drain them of energy.
- Sonic Torpedo: Basically a huge pulse of sound that runs slowly in a straight line. Anything that it passes thru can be damage, though this is dependent on range. Can only affect slow moving / bulky / massive targets and structures.
- Sonic Wall: Basically an underwater version of Vita's "Iron Howl". Can stun enemies depending on the circumstances, but also reveals to all her location.
- Sonic Hammer: A somewhat varied version of the Sonic Torpedo. Instead of a single huge pulse, this is more rather a continous pulse that feels like a hammer when hitting- attempting to resonate the target into pieces or submission. She has to point herself toward the target though to keep the assault going.
- Photon Torpedo: An underwater version of Accel Shooter but is a bit denser to allow plowing thru the water at speed. This is the only attack that can broach the surface and hit any surface or air targets up to 300 ft above sea level.
- Sonic Track: Her Active Search Spell. This is your classical Sonar Ping (which in reality nowadays is a bad move and only deserved for desperate times- but used wisely it can bring a huge advantage) that she uses to search for objects beyond visual range. She is easily spotted when using this using appropriate equipment.
- Line Track: Her passive search skill, akin to towing a passive sonar array behind her- though the array appears as two lines of light trailing from her dispenser. Can sense Targets beyond the range of visual andsometimes, her Sonic Track spell.
- Buzzer Decoy: She launches an energy ball from either the dispenser end or from her hand, this is basically a magical equivalent to a noisemaker decoy, but with additional capabilities, such as able to create a "lens" around it so any passing beams get refracted away from her at least.
- Cavity Jump: This is her skill when she uses her Supercavitation Engine to make a straight line "jump" across long distances. She might require one to several "jumps" to complete a transit.
More to be added or removed.
====
History: Still under creation.
please enjoy
*warps away*
Wow, I like your idea of having this kind of mage. TBH, I find it quite interesting :). Anyway, it might be just me but the first thing that came to my mind when I read about the character description was Akari of Aria >_<.
Which Closet are you asking for?
I have at least 4 Closets here...never mind then. :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
Wow, I like your idea of having this kind of mage. TBH, I find it quite interesting :). Anyway, it might be just me but the first thing that came to my mind when I read about the character description was Akari of Aria >_<.
And I thought I was the only one who caught on this.
I thought he was updating his Akari port, so didn't see the point of raising it. :p
Evil Rick
2008-08-10, 02:11
Nanoha Rise of Techno - Union, chapter 8
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/NROTU_ch_8_0_Front.png
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/NROTU_ch_8_0_Intro.png
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/NROTU_ch_8_13.png
Download link
http://www.badongo.com/file/10789209
PD: In this number makes debut Lolicon, the Demon Overlord
Enjoy! :D
Evil Rick
2008-08-10, 21:30
Lolicon, the Demon Overlord
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/Biorender_Lolicon.png
K-9
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/Biorender_K-9.png
Lolicon, the Demon Overlord
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/Biorender_Lolicon.png
Rick, I'm surprised you still call him Lolicon! :heh:
*grumbles something about headbreaking characters*
Well, first off, I think congratulations are in order. Congratulations, Reiji. I hope the two of you will have a happy life. :)
Back to backlog:
"Ah, sorry about that," Nanoha apologized. "Shamal told me not to over-exert myself, so I can't spar with you today."
"That's all right," Lumina said. "Although I didn't think that you'd be so... obedient, to tell the truth."
"Is Dr. Shamal really that scary?" Subaru wondered.
Nanoha grimaced. "She insisted on being my personal doctor. She also said that if I disobeyed her orders, she'd become my personal chef."
>_< scary Shamal is scary indeed.
Lol. :p Blizz already
cleansed the Corrupted Ashbringer at the end of the Death Knight start zone quest chain
... Do we get to wield it?
Ditched work to write this but I felt liked it, so heck.
Inspired by Aromatic Emission (http://moafin.hp.infoseek.co.jp/standardd/img/pic/nanoha/aloemi/aloma1.html). With accompanying BGM, courtesy of humbug's recommendation. link (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=lwzLPxI7PU8&feature=related)
Dedicated to all Cadians. :)
April 28th MC 076
Lost Property Riot Force 6 Base
Does a second meeting bring greater joy?
Today the members of Riot Force 6 gathered for a farewell party. A farewell organized by themselves, for themselves.The party was set-up where Yagami Hayate, commander of the unit had addressed them when she had first greeted them. Before, they gathered here as strangers. Now they would part this place, as friends.
The atmosphere was cheery and relaxed. Many stories were exchanged over food and drinks, punctuated by the sound of laughter between the staff. From where she stood on the stage, Hayate's petite form was visible as she urged all present to thoroughly enjoy themselves. A chance she would not have otherwise if not for this final, but fufilling meeting.
Shario Finieno, or Shari as she was commonly known, approached Hayate as she spoke. Whispering into the brunette's ear, she was rewarded a thumbs-up from her former commander. The glee was evident in Hayate's voice as she turned and spoke.
"Er-hem. May I have the attention of all present here please." As the chatter and noise wound down, four familiar figures moved silently from behind the assembled, careful not to catch any attention to their movements.
"I have a special announcement to make, " Looking sideways towards the smiling Shari as she spoke. "Could I have Captain Takamachi Nanoha, Enforcer Fate Testarossa, as well as Lieutenant Signum and Lieutenant Vita up here with me?"
There is but one thing I would like to say.
The sudden announcement caught all four pre-occupied."Ah I'll be right there." Fate was busy fussing after Vivio as she handed the young girl over to their housekeeper before moving ahead with Nanoha.
"Wonder why is Hayate calling us over now." Vita thought out loud even as she polished off her bun.
"We'll know soon enough." Signum's coolness was a contradiction to her well-known title.
Weaving through the crowd, a devilishly smiling Hayate greeted them.
"Did something happen Hayate?" Fate enquired earnestly.
"Nyahaha. Fate-chan worries too much." Nanoha teased with her trademark laughter.
"I know! Hayate's got a surprise for us. It's a giant pizza right?"
Thank you.
"Well it's not a giant pizza but I daresay this will be better than one. If you all would turn around please." No one might be able to surprise the stars and lightning again as they did in that moment.
I truly wish this from the bottom of my heart.
The forwards' smiling faces a was pleasant contrast against the suprised ones of their seniors. They carried a boutique of flowers in their arms, one intended for each captain.
"This is for you Nanoha-san."Subaru blushed as she stood before Nanoha. The young girl who cried whenever she felled had came a long way in the journey to stand beside her idol but somethings just don't change.
"I'll accept this just once since it's a rare occasion but no more next time Lanster." The redhead protested as she gingerly accepted the boutique from the gunslinger. "I promise, Vita-fuktaichou. No next time." Teana had to fend off a wave of protest from the smaller girl.
"I'm sorry Caro. Are you hurt anywhere from just now?"
"Not at all. I've grown stronger now, thanks to Fate-san."
"Oh Caro." Pressing their foreheads together in a muted apology, Fate was silently happy. The child who didn't know where she belonged when Fate had first took her in now stood before her as a confident, smiling girl.
Next to Fate, Erio spoke to the similarly pink-haired Signum. The normally shy boy now stood proud and bold before the older woman with strength in his body and confidence in his voice. To be honest, Signum found herself hard-pressed to address the young boy properly. For reasons unknown, her words came out flustered as she spoke.
Off to the side, Hayate watched in silent satisfaction. She shared the joy of her colleagues and subordinates, though it still was sad to see her dream end.
'One year has passed.Though short, we managed to achieve something in our time together. And if only for the chance to meet each other.' Hayate's thoughts trailed off over the din of mass chattering.
Shari came up to the stage again." Hayate-san. I have something for you." The brooding girl was instantly revitalized by the thought that someone had
remembered her amidst the celebration.
"Heh?"Hayate found her hopes dashed as the mechanic proudly produced an empty straw basket lined with a simple cloth from behind her back.
"This is for you, Hayate-san." The blank look on Hayate's face was enough to bring out the flood of questions in her mind from the sudden, queer gift.
"Erm, Shari what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Guess I shouldn't keep you waiting." Shari giggled as she called out. "All right now everyone!"
The sight of a red rose held up high in the air caught Hayate's eye as she turned. The gesture was repeated by everyone present to form a sea of roses before Hayate's suprised face.
Nanoha and Fate, her two closest friends offered theirs with bright smiles.Genya stood with Ginga as father and daughter brought theirs together. Vice had his rose-bearing hand up hight as if to offer a toast while Griffin was still somewhat reluctant after the rowdy gesture from the pilot. Little Vivio had one in her hand too, waving it proudly from behind.
Hayate cradled the empty basket absentmindedly at the sight before her.She found herself to be curiously tearing up.
"Silly me. How could I ever think myself to be alone? When I had received praise that belong to everyone here." Hayate silently scolded herself.
Shari watched in mild apprehension as Hayate lowered the basket, wondering if the plan had backfired.
Hayate did not disappoint. She opened her eyes, and welcomed them all with a broad smile.
"Everyone! I thank you for your support."
Hayate spread her arms wide to accept the cheers. She found herself to be truly happy in a long time.
During this one year, everyone here at Riot Force 6 created the pride of my lifetime.
Not exactly how I imagined it, but a good interpetation. :D
Okay, another scene segment...
The 'breaking of the fellowship' and Vita's THREAT.
-snip-
Ah, the clashes of militairy doctrine. :D In my opinion, splitting up is not always a bad decicion though. In StrikerS I found it perfectly logical.
And Crash can count himself lucky, all things considered. :p
Okay...
*Cooks some food for Cadia Zwei-tan*
This is an idea I've been cooking for a Some time and has already passed the eyes of OCC.
I thought that i might share it with the others.
-snip-
====
History: Still under creation.
[/SPOILER]
please enjoy
*warps away*
Well now, an underwater mage? That's certainly an interesting concept. What are you planning to use her for?
Lolicon, the Demon Overlord
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/Biorender_Lolicon.png
This brings me back... didn't we used to have an Evil Lord Lolicon in the OC-thread? Something with Erio's epic quest...
Slow thread is &#$*^ slow. :(
*grumbles something about headbreaking characters**mumbles about receiving an unwanted Khrack injection*
...Do we get to wield it?I heard it was reforged into something else, which does not make sense, so I'm doubting this spoiler.
This brings me back... didn't we used to have an Evil Lord Lolicon in the OC-thread? Something with Erio's epic quest...I.R. Roricon, a warchief of the 63rd AW plains, draws tributes in the form of flat-chested child brides from the villages he rules. The Lushe clan decide to pay using their exiled daughter...
...and now its up to Erio to stop him!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This summer...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Low music, fade in image)
Caro dressed in white robes walks slowly to the balcony. Below is great party of half-naked tribesmen, and the Lolicon Warlord leading the barbaric dance.
Warrior #1: All hail to mini-pantsu!
Warrior #2: Lolis for everyone!
Caro: (Looks frightened)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One shouta...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nanoha: Is there ANY way Erio-kun could get Carol-chan back?
Yuuno: Well... There is one way, but it's all very Anicent Rome... You're going to need a toga... And a sword of course...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Will face his true feelings...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erio: She's really not my girlfriend...
Vice: You're lips says ''no'', but your 'spear' says "yes" ;)
Erio: HUH?
Strada: Wasn't me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Crash of dramatic music, and the scene changes to a slo-mo fight scene of hot and sweaty Erio, top ripped off from attacks, yelling blue murder as he lays slicing waste to the throngs of hetero-phobic Legionnaires assisting the Lolicon Warlord. Cut scenes to other mages, then...)
Voice: Where do you think you're going...
(Warriors look up at the gathering pink energies that completely shrouds Nanoha)
Warrior #3: Run for it! The White De--
Nanoha: BUSTER!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the director of "Paranoia of Chrono Halluon"...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chrono: So let me get this straight...
Hayate: Take your time.
Chrono: You want to 'borrow' my warship...
Fate: Only because nobody else would.
Chrono: ... Fly to a distant planet...
Hayate: It's really not that far...
Chrono: Drop the whole of Riot Force 6 on it...
Fate: It's just Team Star and Lightning...
Chrono: ... And somehow rescue Erio's girlfriend from a preverted lolicon warlord who is uniting the warring tribes by marrying their "princesses"...
Hayate: Absolutely.
Chrono: ... Even if it means having them to declare war on Mid-childa.
Fate: Something like that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comes the greatest epic love story never told...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erio: (swings church doors open with a slam) OBJECTION!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Ride of Erio Mondial"
Only in FF.net....gawd that sure brings back the good old days indeed. :D
Here's behind the scenes: IMO Epi 5 seems like my most productive too. :D
First up, I was inspired by Darth Chaos' take on my post about Caro getting dragged back to her home planet to be married, which you see above.
Then came Nighty's revelation, for the truth of the wedding ceremony:Hayate: Good Job, everyone!
Yuuno: Huh...that was tiring.
Hayate: To be honest, I never knew you had it in you to think about such an idea. I'm looking at you at a whole new different light now, Yuuno-kun.
Yuuno: What are you talking about?
Hayate: What? Aren't you the one who told Caro to pass to me your 'secret plans'? See? I even have this letter, with your Library stamp on it.
Yuuno:...I didn't write this! There's no way I could've come up with something so...so ludicrious.
Chrono: I agree for once. *goes back to writing apology letters*
Yuuno: Besides, aren't YOU the one who requested Caro to pass on to me your "special mission debriefing" to pass to Carim so that we could be included in this "plan" of yours? See, this hologram-letter had you on it!
Hayate: I did not do that!
Yuuno: What the heck-
Hayate: Hmm....
~~~~~~~
*in the bedroom*
Elio: Urgh...Caro, aren't we speeding along too FAST?
Caro: What? I thought speed was your specialty. Surely, you don't mind it if I... speed things up a little?
Elio: Okay, this is getting scary...
You should be able to tell who the mastermind is...hehehe....
We are SO off-topic, Nanoha-forum style.That was just WIN! :D And then, my first silly attempt at humor here. Ah the memories... :heh:Another idea while I was at lunch. 4koma style.
------
[Frame 1]
Chrono: No.
Hayate: But...
Chorno: No means no! I cannot allow TSAB property to be misused like this!
[Frame 2]
Fate: But we really need to get our team member back!
Chono: Think of some other way.
Nanoha: Chrono-kun you meanie!
Chrono: I'm not listening...
[Frame 3]
(The Aces huddled in one corner whispering. Chrono only hears disjointed words)
Hayate: ...We'll have to use that...
Fate: ...It can't be helped...
Nanoha: ...I hope it works...
Chrono: *looks worried and sweating* What are they up to...?
[Frame 4]
Aces: ONEGAI, ONIIICHAAAN!!!
(Chrono is seen flying with a trail of nosebleed)
Tagline: "The Ultimate Attack of the Aces"
------
Thanks mi'lord! :joke: Btw, I first called it "Bride of Erio Mondial", but then realized that by dropping the 'B' it sounds a lot better. :D I also left out from the 300 horde fight bit that "the other mages were in various stages of Barrier Jacket rippage" :naughty:
Blah, scrapped concepts reduced my introduction chapter to ashes, and I have little inspiration to think off a new one. :eyespin: Maybe I should just put the intro chapter post-StrikerS. I could think of something then.
At any rate, thorough Rebuilt's are thorough. This one is supposed to be the last Rebuilt, as I am actually starting to write with this character now:
Rebuilt of Uomo Eden.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Uomo_Barrier_JacketV2.png
Name: Eden Acura
Gender: Female
Age: 17, 20 in SSX
Origin: Type-0 research facility
Type: Type-0 Sentoukijin
Mage Rank: AAA
Magic Type: Mid Childan
Magic color: Blue
Military Rank: Sergeant
Unit: Spectre
Role: Infiltration, Data gathering, Threat assessment, Sabotage, Assassination.
Aerial Capacities: Yes
IS: Smugglers Pride
IS Circle color: Blue
Personality
Complicated would sum up Eden in a nutshell. She has the appearance of a girl, yet has no qualms dressing like a guy. Her personality is the same, at times she can act very feminine, yet at other times she acts as one would expect a guy to act. This complicated personality can sometimes drive people up the walls, as they consider her to be a boy at first glance, only to find out the truth and get even more confused.
Eden is also an excellent liar down to the point where her poker-face can make you simply convinced that she is speaking the truth, only to have her break out in a grin seconds later. Her bluffing skills are no less talented, and she has gotten out of many sticky situations by letting the opposition believe what she wants them to believe.
Eden is the type that doesn’t really appreciate stupidity, and depending on her personal opinion of you, she could very well make her dislike apparent through… physical means. Many people have felt elbows in their guts, or where send flying because they couldn’t keep their big mouths shut in front of Eden.
To friends, though, she generally expresses a happy and friendly attitude. She’s a great ear for people who want to talk about trouble, and because she has seen many facets of humanity, can offer a great variety of advice.
Because her guardian is a good friend of the Nakajima’s, and for other, more obvious reasons, Eden cares a lot for the two Nakajima sisters. When their mother died, Eden was there for them, and likewise whenever Eden is in a dip, the two sisters are there to cheer her up. Even though her job has made it difficult to see them recently, she stays in contact as much as she can, and ever since she heard about the numbers in custody, she is very interested in meeting the ‘new additions’ as she likes to call them.
Eden is also good friends with Teana, as they share an interest in the same magic styles and –in a way- similar professions.
History
Eden was ‘born’ in an illegal research facility as a Sentoukijin 15 years ago. Eden was created as a Legion-type Sentoukijin. While there are many terms and designations for the various kinds of Sentoukijin that would later collectively be called Type-0, the type Eden was born in specialized in stealth and subterfuge, primarily the art of data gathering and sabotage. When Quint Nakajima lead a force to shut down the research facility, Eden –who was only seven at that time- was one of the Sentoukijin children rescued alongside Ginga and Subaru.
Eden was taken in by one of the members of the assault team, Nao Acura, to be raised as a normal human and perhaps be a potential recruit for the TSAB. Her guardian didn’t need to worry, as Eden was all too eager to join the Bureau. After joining and training, the Bureau quickly noticed her aptitude for stealth, trying to capitalize on it they began to give her more missions that involved covert handling and infiltration. When it turned out Eden excelled in these missions, the higher echelons decided to offer Eden the chance to join the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance force, or simply, the spectres.
The Spectres are a unit in the TSAB that concentrates on the gathering of information, and silent retrieval of dangerous items. When, for example, a Lost Logia is detected on a planet which is politically unstable, a spectre would be one of the likely candidates to retrieve it. It should be noted that specters are hardly the only of such investigative units in the TSAB, but merely one of many. What sets the spectres apart from most units is that the spectres often operate on an individual basis. It is rare to see more then one spectre working on the same case. This has the advantage that spectres can be assigned to other squads to boost their intelligence department, something which is not rare to happen.
As a spectre, Eden undertook many missions befitting her style. During the Jail Scaglieti incident, Eden’s reconnaissance on the Gadget Droned was of critical importance. Because of the AMF, making close up reconnaissance of the drones was virtually impossible, as the AMF would interfere with stealth magic, preventing intelligence from getting close to them. If they wanted to study them, they had to destroy them first. Eden’s IS, being completely unaffected by the AMF, allowed her to get close to the Gadget Drones for detailed scans, and disable them with only minimal damage.
After the Jail Scaglieti incident, Eden returned to field work. The relative success of Jail in defying the TSAB in more ways then one paved the road for many criminals to start using the technology he spread around, and they would have to be found quickly. Her line of work would often let her run into Teana, much to the two’s delight. Her work has kept her too busy to properly visit the reformed numbers, much to her regret.
Device
Strike Mirage: A gun-type device, similar in design to Cross Mirage. In its standard mode, Strike Mirage can be wielded single- and dually. In this form, Striker Mirage has the highest accuracy and control. Its second form, Assault Mode, is that of an assault rifle, this form sacrifices accuracy and strength for firing speed. It’s mostly suited for taking down larger numbers of weaker opponents, or providing cover-fire. When speaking, Strike Mirage’s voice has a distinctive "flanging" effect, with a 'normal', human-sounding voice underlayered by a more subtle, very deep voice which speaks at the same time as the normal one. He always addresses Eden as ‘commander’
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Strike_Mirage_Pistol.png
Barrier Jacket
Eden’s Barrier jacket can be summed up into one word: Scoundrel. Long black pants, a black undershirt and a short sleeved black baggy vest covering it. While it does look somewhat unprofessional, it allows her to blend into a crowd without drawing any unwanted attention. Something most TSAB personnel, with their flashy clothing, cannot attest to.
Combat
Eden specializes in infiltration; her IS allowing her to slip by security measures and recon or sabotage targets.
When in one-on-one combat, Eden uses a combination of gun-type assassination skills and martial art techniques, preferring to sneak up the enemy and deliver a fatal blow before they can react, and if possible refraining from using her gun to betray her location. If her location is already revealed, or stealth isn’t necessary, she will either pin her target down from a distance or, if the target is a melee specialist, pin them down and shoot them from point-blank range. Her main signature in combat is speed, able to deliver a flurry of blows before the opposition has time to raise their guard.
Powers
Inherent Skill: Smugglers Pride: Smugglers Pride renders Eden invisible to most conventional and magical detection methods, including sight. It allows her to slip past security and retrieve valuable data, plant trackers, and sabotage or assassinate targets. Combat cancels stealth.
Drive Move: Eden’s speed enhancement spell.
Shield: Eden’s Shield type defense spell.
Defencer: Eden’s Barrier type defense spell.
Forcefield: Eden’s Field type defense spell.
Barret Shoot: A basic shooting-type spell where the user merely compresses magic power in the shape of a bullet, accelerates it and sets it forth. Like Teana, this is Eden’s primary spell.
Burst Barret: This variation works similar to Barret Shoot, but shatters the compressed magic power shortly before launching, allowing for rapid firing of less powerful bullets. To maintain a decent degree of power, power Assault Mode is required before it can be used.
Phase cannon: A Bombardment-type spell, This is Eden’s most powerful spell, but also the slowest to cast. Categorized as a "long range sniper cannon attack", instead of a magic array it makes use of a "target ring" similarly to Nanoha's Divine Buster and, when firing at long range, a laser sight.
Photonic Blaster: A sustained fire attack. This attack is fired as several smaller beams rather then one huge beam. However, all the beams run parallel and don’t spread out. The attack looks similar to how Nanoha first fired her Axel Shooter, just with more beams. Its main purpose is to keep up a sustained barrage of powerful beams, giving it a high Barrier penetration value. Because its spread is low, making it only effective in corridors and close range, and the amount of magical energy needed, the effectiveness of the attack is debatable.
Deceived Sight: An illusion type spell that allows Eden to change any of her physical appearances like hair or eye color. However, this spell is unable to change the shape of what it affects, and can be detected by most scans.
Double Mirage: An illusion type spell that creates several duplicates of what or whom the caster envisions. These duplicates are incorporeal, and will dispel on touch. It is also very taxing to keep this spell up for prolonged time.
World of Mirage: A spell generally classified as an illusion type spell due to its uses, World of Mirage primary affects electronically or magical equipment. The spells has various uses out of combat uses, such as slicing into protected systems and retrieve or alter valuable information, while in combat it jams scanners, projects inaccurate data and scrambles communication. World of Mirage does not affect organics.
Okay, after a second major Rebuilt, a small FAQ seems mandatory.
Q: Dwa? She? What?
A: Yeah, it was something that happened over time. The more I began developing her, the more ‘he’ became a ‘she’
Q: What about the name change?
A: Well, to tell you the truth, I never really liked the name Uomo. The only reason I used it was because it happened to the Italian translation for men. Since she is no longer one of the numbers, nor even a man, I could safely discard the name.
Q: Okay, so why Eden?
A: I spend the better part of a day trying to think up a good name. Scouring the internet, searching for Japanese names, searching for car names, the only name that popped up and stuck was Nova, which I think would cause a bit too much confusion, what with Eden’s appearance and all. After a full day of fruitless searching, I picked up my controller and started playing Mass Effect. After tearing through waves of Geth (HMWA X loaded with incendiary rounds? Oh hell yes! Die sparkly red deaths you synthetic bastards!) the name of the first planet, Eden Prime, gets somewhat bombarded into your skull. It stuck.
Q: And Acura?
A: Car name.
Q: You mentioned Nove, why does she look like Nove?
A: Because people keep confusing her. The original Uomo was based on Wendi, but people saw her as based on Nove. Then came the Nove fanart, and people were going ‘hey, its Uomo.’ When writing, another thing hit me. Remember when Subaru gets kicked into the wall by Nove during their first encounter? She immediately recognizes Nove as a Sentoukijin. Make of this whatever you will. :)
Q: Hey, you switched from melee to guns.
A: Yup.
Q: Why?
A: Because I wanted to make a gun wielder for some time now. With Eden’s rebuilt I had the perfect chance.
Q: You also switched from Belkan to mid.
A: ‘Cause I gave her guns. It also gives her and Teana a link besides ‘a friend of subaru’.
Q: … Nakajima’s, numbers, Teana, anyone she doesn’t have a link with?
A: Pretty much all of the Aces, the Wolkenritter, Erio, Caro, Lutecia, Vivio, Yuuno. She may know Accous, they’re both intel after all. And he might have met Fate once or twice recently, but she doesn’t know her beyond professional contact.
Q: What happened to NOD?
A: NOD was scrapped. It looked fine on the profile, but when I actually started to write the story, I ran into problems. The story was originally supposed to be about Eden’s struggle with his loyalty to NOD or the TSAB, with Cinque showing her that NOD’s words were nothing but lies. Now the problem is that Eden could have figured that a looong time before Cinque entered the fray. Heck, she worked in the TSAB for years. It made less sense the more sense I tried to make of it. In the end, it was scrapped. Unfortunately that also means the perfect introduction chapter is gone, but you can’t win them all.
Q: Your current back-story seems more Teana focused then Numbers focused.
A: *shrug* Eden is planned to be an SSX insert, so it will depend how large a role Ginga’s unit plays in that crisis how much the numbers will get involved. It also means that it'll be at the very least four more days before I can get down to actuall business.
From the word Spectres, I knew. And the pistol was screaming Mass Effect too. :D
Now, I'm sure Fate has at least an honorary membership with the Spectres. ;)
This is a very good Rebuilt; I got into Eden pretty quickly, and the links are obvious. Not much thinking needed. :nod: :D:D
Sucks that NOD had to go; at least now I have an idea where to progress things. Just wanna say that from the way the leaked pictures in Megami hint, at the very least, a head-to-head man on machine battle with LEGION and the Chosen of Skane is very viable. :D:D:D
Why did some of the abilities remind me of that of a Sentinel...? :uhoh:
...I second a NoveGenyaEden love triangle... :uhoh::uhoh:
...and in before Hawt Yuri Edeana Human-cyborg Smex like the game. :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
*FLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ*
Then came the Nove fanart, and people were going ‘hey, its Uomo.’
*remembers his reaction in the fanart thread*
...
IT'S ALL MY FAULT!!! :T_T:
Ah well that aside...
So the trap changed to a tomboy, eh?
Eden uses a combination of gun-type assassination skills and martial art techniques,
I know it isn't that way, but this sentece alone gave me the impression that Eden would use her gun even in close combat and I was like: "Wow! CQC Solid Snake action! ^.^ "
With her martial arts and her Device in one hand mode it would be possible. xD
Hm... normaly assault rifles are more accurate then pistols when fired in single shot, but I think its more about shot control than actual aiming wich makes pistol mode more accurate, right? ^^;
All in all it's a pretty nice rebuild.
From the word Spectres, I knew. And the pistol was screaming Mass Effect too. :D
Now, I'm sure Fate has at least an honorary membership with the Spectres. ;)
Spectres are intel and covert ops, it's more likely that Fate worked with Spectres to get information on her missions rather then actually being one. Unlike the Spectres in Mass Effect, these Spectres are not automatically spotlight material. Spectres work quitly and outside the spotlights, if able.
Sucks that NOD had to go; at least now I have an idea where to progress things. Just wanna say that from the way the leaked pictures in Megami hint, at the very least, a head-to-head man on machine battle with LEGION and the Chosen of Skane is very viable. :D:D:D
You mean the android army of doom on the top-left panel?
Why did some of the abilities remind me of that of a Sentinel...? :uhoh:
Coincidence. It was more turning her into an effective infiltrator, and using Tk's MEW.
...I second a NoveGenyaEden love triangle... :uhoh::uhoh:
Yeah. No. :rolleyes:
...and in before Hawt Yuri Edeana Human-cyborg Smex like the game. :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
Now this on the other hand...
*remembers his reaction in the fanart thread*
...
IT'S ALL MY FAULT!!! :T_T:
It started with Fuyu, actually. :p
Ah well that aside...
So the trap changed to a tomboy, eh?
Pretty much. A reverse trap, in a way.
I know it isn't that way, but this sentece alone gave me the impression that Eden would use her gun even in close combat and I was like: "Wow! CQC Solid Snake action! ^.^ "
Actually, she does use her gun even in close combat. In one of my early random combat scenarios she was fighting Deed, and would sidestep Deed, pin her arm with her own, aim Strike to Deed's head and shoot from point-blank range.
Hm... normaly assault rifles are more accurate then pistols when fired in single shot, but I think its more about shot control than actual aiming wich makes pistol mode more accurate, right? ^^;
*shrug* It was more or less painting disadvantages on the mode, so I'm using game concept. Why do you pick up an assault rifle in a game? To shoot fast. It's a balance thing. The standard mode is for accuracy and penetration, Assault mode for firing speed and coverage.
It started with Fuyu, actually. :p
Good... so I wasn't the only one who fell for that. *feels relieved*
Actually, she does use her gun even in close combat. In one of my early random combat scenarios she was fighting Deed, and would sidestep Deed, pin her arm with her own, aim Strike to Deed's head and shoot from point-blank range.
So it IS CQC Solid Snake action! Yaaaaay! :hyper-^v^:
*shrug* It was more or less painting disadvantages on the mode, so I'm using game concept. Why do you pick up an assault rifle in a game? To shoot fast. It's a balance thing. The standard mode is for accuracy and penetration, Assault mode for firing speed and coverage.
Well... the assault rifle was invented to create a hybrid weapon that could be used over long distances like a rifle as well for mid to short range like an MP.
It's quit similar in videogames. Assault rifles are mostly good weapons for both accuracy and rate of fire. But they are not as accurate as rifles and don't have the rate of fire of MPs or MGs.
But you're right of course... real live Non-menagement 97th world stuff is a little unimportant if you create characters....
I mean look who is talking: I don't even have a OC that uses something like a realistic weapon. :heh:
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-11, 19:10
I have returned from OTAKON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ditched work to write this but I felt liked it, so heck.
Inspired by Aromatic Emission (http://moafin.hp.infoseek.co.jp/standardd/img/pic/nanoha/aloemi/aloma1.html). With accompanying BGM, courtesy of humbug's recommendation. link (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=lwzLPxI7PU8&feature=related)
Dedicated to all Cadians. :)
*snip*
Aww...a very nice short there, Tormenk :)
...never mind then. :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
Silly Kha :p
... Do we get to wield it?
If only :(
Slow thread is &#$*^ slow. :(
Seriously :eyebrow:
----------------------------------------
Ah, Otakon. staying up all night to catch my 6:30 am flight across the US and then a very long weekend with little sleep. Man it was fun :D. Largest gathering of Outer Cadians to date, too :D :D. And what anime con is complete without cosplayers?
Jesus loves anime
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01208.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01208.jpg)
40K pays a visit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01201.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01201.jpg)
Sushi anyone?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01205.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01205.jpg)
Anonymous...is everywhere
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01214.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01214.jpg)
Long Cat is...loooonnnnnggggg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01277.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01277.jpg)
Run...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01209.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01209.jpg)
HENSHIN!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01212.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01212.jpg)
So I hear there might be a Touhou fan or two in here...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01271.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01271.jpg)
Look who's visiting from Mars
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01279.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01279.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01222.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01222.jpg)
We saw these in the dealer's room ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01232.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01232.jpg)
I did buy this though
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01310.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01310.jpg)
Oh yeaaaa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01297.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01297.jpg)
Not many Macross sadly...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01226.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01226.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01281.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01281.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01288.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01288.jpg)
You know what sucks? Even in the 8th row from the front it's hard to get good pictures of the JAM Project Concert
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01236.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01236.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01253.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01253.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01259.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01259.jpg)
Bwahahahaha!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01309.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01309.jpg)
Spectres are intel and covert ops, it's more likely that Fate worked with Spectres to get information on her missions rather then actually being one. Unlike the Spectres in Mass Effect, these Spectres are not automatically spotlight material. Spectres work quitly and outside the spotlights, if able.Roger that. I guess An Hero's unit can be related to this, or shall we Rebuild them into Spectres as well, in honor of his memory? :cool:
You mean the android army of doom on the top-left panel?I gave me non-Spawn ideas for StrikeR2. :D
Coincidence. It was more turning her into an effective infiltrator, and using Tk's MEW.Quite true, cos now that I think of it a Sentinel skillset best works in "indirect" combat.
Yeah. No. :rolleyes:Hey can't say I haven't tried. XD
Now this on the other hand...The Power of Khrack Compels You. :cool:
Ah, Otakon. staying up all night to catch my 6:30 am flight across the US and then a very long weekend with little sleep. Man it was fun :D. Largest gathering of Outer Cadians to date, too :D :D. And what anime con is complete without cosplayers?
Jesus loves anime
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01208.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01208.jpg)
40K pays a visit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01201.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01201.jpg)
Sushi anyone?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01205.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01205.jpg)
Anonymous...is everywhere
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01214.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01214.jpg)
Long Cat is...loooonnnnnggggg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01277.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01277.jpg)
Run...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01209.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01209.jpg)
HENSHIN!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01212.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01212.jpg)
So I hear there might be a Touhou fan or two in here...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01271.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01271.jpg)
Look who's visiting from Mars
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01279.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01279.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01222.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01222.jpg)
We saw these in the dealer's room ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01232.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01232.jpg)
I did buy this though
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01310.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01310.jpg)
Oh yeaaaa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01297.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01297.jpg)
Not many Macross sadly...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01226.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01226.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01281.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01281.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01288.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01288.jpg)
You know what sucks? Even in the 8th row from the front it's hard to get good pictures of the JAM Project Concert
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01236.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01236.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01253.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01253.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01259.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01259.jpg)
Bwahahahaha!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01309.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01309.jpg)
Ah Comrade Jesus pays us a visit... :uhoh:
I wonder what does a Scout Marine's (unless that really is his attempt at Power Armor... :uhoh:) gotta do with a Sister of Battle (who also doesn't seem to be wearing Power Armor either). :uhoh: :uhoh:
Gah Slayers Fishmen. :eyebrow:
JAM Project?! ZOMG!!! :eek: But too bad for the pictures. :(
Nice pics Eva. Excellent... :D
Make sure you are WELL ARMED for Blizzcon! We want pics! :D:D:D
And I'd gladly Paypal you for a gift pack if ya can. I'd love to have a inflatable Frostmourne to accompany my Foamy Throne. >=D
~~~New Intelligence Data Updated~~~
We turn our attention to Negiha in this latest data snippet, and...http://img43.onemanga.com/mangas/00000020/00000200/04.jpg...apparently in this multiverse, there is a Master Tracer for Kha to learn from. :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
But with this, the impetus to throw away Tracing is even greater. For a long time I've been playing with the idea for the Lich King's final "job advancement" to involve throwing away all pain, all fear, all pretense, all his life that he has lived, and become the Light itself.
To become the one true Cleric.
Given that no matter how you stretch the idea of a Tracing Artefact, it's basically Rakan's artefact mixed with Al's, with only slight limits in place since Tracing uses but a tiny portion of what both Artefacts attempt to do. So if Kha can't see beyond his cynicism, he will go fully down this path.
However, if he does rediscover his faith, then his other path opens. Just a simple diagram:Fallen Cleric
Kha's current Class. Being next to powerless, he resorts to Chaos magic and turns himself half into a Death Knight, the corruption slowly progressing as he uses its powers. Kha also dwells into Tracing, and without an Artefact is already to make simple copies of Devices and Artefacts he sees. The advantage of having Tracing means that unlike normal mages who need a magical item to channel their power, Kha always counts has being armed with a magical weapon even when unarmed, and cannot be disarmed.
He has two paths:
Dark Ranger - Renegade Angel
Kha succeeds in ripping free of Chaos, and uses Shadow power and Traced bolts to bring Death and Decay to his opposition. A Mage Knight specializing in the art of darkness, Kha will have access to powers unique to the now extinct radical daemonhunters while his Tracing skills retain his ability to never be disarmed.
Cleric Knight - Stalwart of All
The path Kha would've been on had Sophia not been slain by dark elements in the Inquisition, and the one he would return to if he retrieves and protects the Holy Grail. Having been reduced to nothing but the Light within, Kha is Relentless, and Feels No Pain; he cannot be stopped or slowed unless killed. As the Kreuz is his soul, Kha always has his Tausend Kreuz with him and cannot be disarmed.
Unlike other universes, the pactio with the Holy Grail grants him a new skillset on top of Seals, Blessings and Auras: empowered Verses quoted from the Book of Daylight's Chapter of Crusades, a chapter collecting the Creeds of many famous Belka heroes of old. Verses work as magical inchantations with situational uses, and grants a short term niche benefit to allies, even those not associated with the Adeptae Belkarum or the Cleric-Knight chapter. Just an example:
Ultraline 11:72: And They Shall Know No Fear...
Kha charges himself and his allies with Hope and a common purpose, calming their spirits and refocusing their blades, allowing them to automatically regroup even after being scattered by the heaviest attacks. Units joined by the Holy Grail while this Verse is chanted are Fearless.
Caninus 9:14: Death or Glory!
Kha leads a Holy charge against a rampaging monstrosity, with 1 strike to decide the victor. As long as he has the moral higher ground, Kha and his allies will always be led to Glory. Units joined by the Holy Grail while this Verse is chanted also Feel No Pain.Khrack explozion indeed. :nod:
And don't blame me for making it sound like a game; Negima world works exactly like one. :D
If you haven't already noticed, yes, the Holy Grail is a person. :uhoh:
*FLEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ from Dan Brown readers*
Evil Rick
2008-08-11, 22:56
Rick, I'm surprised you still call him Lolicon! :heh:
Oh, come on! It's a cool name XP
Well, I would post him before but I prefered to wait until he made his debut in the last number of Nanoha, rise of Techno - Union
This brings me back... didn't we used to have an Evil Lord Lolicon in the OC-thread? Something with Erio's epic quest...
Like this?
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/qyu2o8.jpg
Chases wrong gender Rick :p
Like this?
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/qyu2o8.jpg
I just spat my tea laughing.
Thank you Rick :3
Wow! A sub-marine mage! xD
Very nice Idea, must be the first of her kind here. :D
*thumbs up*
:3
Wow, I like your idea of having this kind of mage. TBH, I find it quite interesting :). Anyway, it might be just me but the first thing that came to my mind when I read about the character description was Akari of Aria >_<.
And I thought I was the only one who caught on this.
I thought he was updating his Akari port, so didn't see the point of raising it. :p
well it's not a port... though
*is dragged by ladies in white*
Well now, an underwater mage? That's certainly an interesting concept. What are you planning to use her for?
Well initially, She was just a concept that i was playing around with- trying to push my imaginative limits.
She'll probably get some more attention
Like this?
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/EvilRick/qyu2o8.jpg
ZOMFG IT'S A PEDOBEAR KILLITNAO!
~~~New Intelligence Data Updated~~~
Remember my little debacle about Light VS Dark paths for Kha? After reading on...http://img43.onemanga.com/mangas/00000020/000026778/13.jpg...you got to be kidding me. First Negi had to decide between being a nuke-mage and a mage warrior (which gave me the idea for RO-esque Job Advancement), then now this?!
I'd wish I'd stop thinking of the same things as Ken Akamatsu.
And I certainly can see Negi's hesitation with evil could be explained with seeing its possible drawbacks in person... Go figure. ;)
I'm glad for his choice, which makes Kha's a lot more unique. :D So sorry Shou, I can't use your idea in the end. :(
Khal'thuzad the Lich King, Profile Routine set, FULL SPEED AHEAD! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
tshouryuu
2008-08-12, 10:26
~~~New Intelligence Data Updated~~~
Remember my little debacle about Light VS Dark paths for Kha? After reading on...http://img43.onemanga.com/mangas/00000020/000026778/13.jpg...you got to be kidding me. First Negi had to decide between being a nuke-mage and a mage warrior (which gave me the idea for RO-esque Job Advancement), then now this?!
I'd wish I'd stop thinking of the same things as Ken Akamatsu.
And I certainly can see Negi's hesitation with evil could be explained with seeing its possible drawbacks in person... Go figure. ;)
I'm glad for his choice, which makes Kha's a lot more unique. :D So sorry Shou, I can't use your idea in the end. :(
Khal'thuzad the Lich King, Profile Routine set, FULL SPEED AHEAD! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
Don't worry about it. I'll just recycle the idea. Speaking about ideas, here's a small little crack. Nighty told me that Quint does have Roller blades like Subaru and Ginga. So I was thinking...
Subaru's is called Mach Caliber, Ginga's is Blitz Caliber... Would Quint's be called EX Caliber and if that is the case, does that make Quint, Arturia Pendragon aka Saber? :D :D :D
Or, take her similarity to Ginga , who in turn resemble a Kamen Rider, I'd call IXA Caliber. http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
ghazghkull
2008-08-12, 12:27
Don't worry about it. I'll just recycle the idea. Speaking about ideas, here's a small little crack. Nighty told me that Quint does have Roller blades like Subaru and Ginga. So I was thinking...
Subaru's is called Mach Caliber, Ginga's is Blitz Caliber... Would Quint's be called EX Caliber and if that is the case, does that make Quint, Arturia Pendragon aka Saber? :D :D :D
Did Quint even fight with her own set of blades? @.@
LimitedEternal
2008-08-12, 13:00
Breaker Taimu. ;3
HELLO, LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loading Demolisher.thisisgonnabefun...
55 Page BACKLOG ZAMBER!!!!!!!
Long way back. :3
Ah, the Romantic Merry-go-round. How I LONG to create a story with such a plot device...
:D
And there was much disaster...
...
It took you this long to figure that out?! He's a TANK! Tanks live to TAKE DAMAGE AND PAIN!
And people wonder why I hate being the tank...:3
For once in my life, I actually find myself COMPLETELY in agreement with you...
:eek:
Agreeing??? UNPOSSIBLE?!
...
...
Okay, now that THAT'S out of my system.
I return to you now, to deliver this message.
My friends, today is the last time that I will communicate to you on this forum... as a single man.
Because when I return, I will no longer be alone.
For just as Kha has his dear sweet Tsundere Anita, I have my dear sweet Tsundere-ish Someone.
And on Friday, I will marry that Someone.
<draws self up, salutes>
So, though I only return now to deliver this message (and a Backlog Zamber), KNOW THIS:
"I. SHALL. RETURN!"
Until we meet again...
Yeah, you did mention something like that on IRC...:p
Grats anyway, man!
:3
Make sure you don't get whipped to early-
*shot*
...Kha, BEHAVE!!!
:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
Later, all!
Kha, behaving? Pffffft. Not in the job contract. :3
Remember, when you're planning kids, have your first kid 4 years after your marriage year, and then the next kid 4 years after that. As much as possible make sure that your last kid is not a girl; if you want a girl put her towards the middle or beginning, because youngest child girls tend to be rather manja (PF or FA please explain "manja" for me, I can't really do it) and no matter what your children's gender, make sure that they're domesticated and learn a good mix of household skills: cooking, setting tables, cleaning, home improvement...
*looks up* After hearing my mom's advice to new couples for years and years and years on end, I can repeat it almost verbatim. Not sure what that says about me.
On my side, unless you want to raise a siscon and bracon who will share a secret love that cannot be denied, do not let your kids watch Koi Kaze. That was the anime that unleashed my shackles.
...but if that's your plan....:uhoh:
Goose, the keeper of life's lessons on kid-raising? Hmm....:p
Goose, I have a face, I have a palm, and I will facepalm!!! :twitch::twitch::twitch:
But take it from the soul man, though as a doctor if you wanna try for a football team I recommend at least 2 years rest in between so the poor girl's guts literally don't fall out! :D
Man we're so evil... <.<
Evil is always more fun, though! :uhoh:
Uh, right.
"Manja" is the Malay word with an approximate English equivalent of "very pampered", though it can also be interpreted as "spoilt" in some circumstances.
That said, a child of any gender is only as spoilt as the parents allow, so don't be too lenient to your children. :)
"Very pampered" pretty much works out to "spoiled" anyway...
Can't kick me back to somewhere I haven't lvl'd before! :mad:
Oh that's right, you don't play Horde...*rambles on about the foul Alliance*
Don't fret, Kha. It's nothing to 'go to pieces' over :p
Lame pun is laaaaame. -_- (:p)
I'm sure you can facepalm and squee at the same time :D
I dunno...the two are made for mutually exclusive situations...no idea when you'd use them both at once.
Show 'em Serial Experiments Lain or Evangelion :D
Oh god no. They'll grow up to be psychos.
Ditched work to write this but I felt liked it, so heck.
Inspired by Aromatic Emission (http://moafin.hp.infoseek.co.jp/standardd/img/pic/nanoha/aloemi/aloma1.html). With accompanying BGM, courtesy of humbug's recommendation. link (http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=lwzLPxI7PU8&feature=related)
Dedicated to all Cadians. :)
April 28th MC 076
Lost Property Riot Force 6 Base
Does a second meeting bring greater joy?
Today the members of Riot Force 6 gathered for a farewell party. A farewell organized by themselves, for themselves.The party was set-up where Yagami Hayate, commander of the unit had addressed them when she had first greeted them. Before, they gathered here as strangers. Now they would part this place, as friends.
The atmosphere was cheery and relaxed. Many stories were exchanged over food and drinks, punctuated by the sound of laughter between the staff. From where she stood on the stage, Hayate's petite form was visible as she urged all present to thoroughly enjoy themselves. A chance she would not have otherwise if not for this final, but fufilling meeting.
Shario Finieno, or Shari as she was commonly known, approached Hayate as she spoke. Whispering into the brunette's ear, she was rewarded a thumbs-up from her former commander. The glee was evident in Hayate's voice as she turned and spoke.
"Er-hem. May I have the attention of all present here please." As the chatter and noise wound down, four familiar figures moved silently from behind the assembled, careful not to catch any attention to their movements.
"I have a special announcement to make, " Looking sideways towards the smiling Shari as she spoke. "Could I have Captain Takamachi Nanoha, Enforcer Fate Testarossa, as well as Lieutenant Signum and Lieutenant Vita up here with me?"
There is but one thing I would like to say.
The sudden announcement caught all four pre-occupied."Ah I'll be right there." Fate was busy fussing after Vivio as she handed the young girl over to their housekeeper before moving ahead with Nanoha.
"Wonder why is Hayate calling us over now." Vita thought out loud even as she polished off her bun.
"We'll know soon enough." Signum's coolness was a contradiction to her well-known title.
Weaving through the crowd, a devilishly smiling Hayate greeted them.
"Did something happen Hayate?" Fate enquired earnestly.
"Nyahaha. Fate-chan worries too much." Nanoha teased with her trademark laughter.
"I know! Hayate's got a surprise for us. It's a giant pizza right?"
Thank you.
"Well it's not a giant pizza but I daresay this will be better than one. If you all would turn around please." No one might be able to surprise the stars and lightning again as they did in that moment.
I truly wish this from the bottom of my heart.
The forwards' smiling faces a was pleasant contrast against the suprised ones of their seniors. They carried a boutique of flowers in their arms, one intended for each captain.
"This is for you Nanoha-san."Subaru blushed as she stood before Nanoha. The young girl who cried whenever she felled had came a long way in the journey to stand beside her idol but somethings just don't change.
"I'll accept this just once since it's a rare occasion but no more next time Lanster." The redhead protested as she gingerly accepted the boutique from the gunslinger. "I promise, Vita-fuktaichou. No next time." Teana had to fend off a wave of protest from the smaller girl.
"I'm sorry Caro. Are you hurt anywhere from just now?"
"Not at all. I've grown stronger now, thanks to Fate-san."
"Oh Caro." Pressing their foreheads together in a muted apology, Fate was silently happy. The child who didn't know where she belonged when Fate had first took her in now stood before her as a confident, smiling girl.
Next to Fate, Erio spoke to the similarly pink-haired Signum. The normally shy boy now stood proud and bold before the older woman with strength in his body and confidence in his voice. To be honest, Signum found herself hard-pressed to address the young boy properly. For reasons unknown, her words came out flustered as she spoke.
Off to the side, Hayate watched in silent satisfaction. She shared the joy of her colleagues and subordinates, though it still was sad to see her dream end.
'One year has passed.Though short, we managed to achieve something in our time together. And if only for the chance to meet each other.' Hayate's thoughts trailed off over the din of mass chattering.
Shari came up to the stage again." Hayate-san. I have something for you." The brooding girl was instantly revitalized by the thought that someone had
remembered her amidst the celebration.
"Heh?"Hayate found her hopes dashed as the mechanic proudly produced an empty straw basket lined with a simple cloth from behind her back.
"This is for you, Hayate-san." The blank look on Hayate's face was enough to bring out the flood of questions in her mind from the sudden, queer gift.
"Erm, Shari what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Guess I shouldn't keep you waiting." Shari giggled as she called out. "All right now everyone!"
The sight of a red rose held up high in the air caught Hayate's eye as she turned. The gesture was repeated by everyone present to form a sea of roses before Hayate's suprised face.
Nanoha and Fate, her two closest friends offered theirs with bright smiles.Genya stood with Ginga as father and daughter brought theirs together. Vice had his rose-bearing hand up hight as if to offer a toast while Griffin was still somewhat reluctant after the rowdy gesture from the pilot. Little Vivio had one in her hand too, waving it proudly from behind.
Hayate cradled the empty basket absentmindedly at the sight before her.She found herself to be curiously tearing up.
"Silly me. How could I ever think myself to be alone? When I had received praise that belong to everyone here." Hayate silently scolded herself.
Shari watched in mild apprehension as Hayate lowered the basket, wondering if the plan had backfired.
Hayate did not disappoint. She opened her eyes, and welcomed them all with a broad smile.
"Everyone! I thank you for your support."
Hayate spread her arms wide to accept the cheers. She found herself to be truly happy in a long time.
During this one year, everyone here at Riot Force 6 created the pride of my lifetime.
Awww...it's sweet...
Which Closet are you asking for?
I have at least 4 Closets here
So which one has all the skeletons in it? :3
*grumbles something about headbreaking characters*
Headbreaking? :eyebrow:
>_< scary Shamal is scary indeed.
Only a little...
Slow thread is &#$*^ slow. :(
Hey, least it's peaceful 'round here.
Blah, scrapped concepts reduced my introduction chapter to ashes, and I have little inspiration to think off a new one. :eyespin: Maybe I should just put the intro chapter post-StrikerS. I could think of something then.
At any rate, thorough Rebuilt's are thorough. This one is supposed to be the last Rebuilt, as I am actually starting to write with this character now:
Rebuilt of Uomo Eden.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Uomo_Barrier_JacketV2.png
Name: Eden Acura
Gender: Female
Age: 17, 20 in SSX
Origin: Type-0 research facility
Type: Type-0 Sentoukijin
Mage Rank: AAA
Magic Type: Mid Childan
Magic color: Blue
Military Rank: Sergeant
Unit: Spectre
Role: Infiltration, Data gathering, Threat assessment, Sabotage, Assassination.
Aerial Capacities: Yes
IS: Smugglers Pride
IS Circle color: Blue
Personality
Complicated would sum up Eden in a nutshell. She has the appearance of a girl, yet has no qualms dressing like a guy. Her personality is the same, at times she can act very feminine, yet at other times she acts as one would expect a guy to act. This complicated personality can sometimes drive people up the walls, as they consider her to be a boy at first glance, only to find out the truth and get even more confused.
Eden is also an excellent liar down to the point where her poker-face can make you simply convinced that she is speaking the truth, only to have her break out in a grin seconds later. Her bluffing skills are no less talented, and she has gotten out of many sticky situations by letting the opposition believe what she wants them to believe.
Eden is the type that doesn’t really appreciate stupidity, and depending on her personal opinion of you, she could very well make her dislike apparent through… physical means. Many people have felt elbows in their guts, or where send flying because they couldn’t keep their big mouths shut in front of Eden.
To friends, though, she generally expresses a happy and friendly attitude. She’s a great ear for people who want to talk about trouble, and because she has seen many facets of humanity, can offer a great variety of advice.
Because her guardian is a good friend of the Nakajima’s, and for other, more obvious reasons, Eden cares a lot for the two Nakajima sisters. When their mother died, Eden was there for them, and likewise whenever Eden is in a dip, the two sisters are there to cheer her up. Even though her job has made it difficult to see them recently, she stays in contact as much as she can, and ever since she heard about the numbers in custody, she is very interested in meeting the ‘new additions’ as she likes to call them.
Eden is also good friends with Teana, as they share an interest in the same magic styles and –in a way- similar professions.
History
Eden was ‘born’ in an illegal research facility as a Sentoukijin 15 years ago. Eden was created as a Legion-type Sentoukijin. While there are many terms and designations for the various kinds of Sentoukijin that would later collectively be called Type-0, the type Eden was born in specialized in stealth and subterfuge, primarily the art of data gathering and sabotage. When Quint Nakajima lead a force to shut down the research facility, Eden –who was only seven at that time- was one of the Sentoukijin children rescued alongside Ginga and Subaru.
Eden was taken in by one of the members of the assault team, Nao Acura, to be raised as a normal human and perhaps be a potential recruit for the TSAB. Her guardian didn’t need to worry, as Eden was all too eager to join the Bureau. After joining and training, the Bureau quickly noticed her aptitude for stealth, trying to capitalize on it they began to give her more missions that involved covert handling and infiltration. When it turned out Eden excelled in these missions, the higher echelons decided to offer Eden the chance to join the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance force, or simply, the spectres.
The Spectres are a unit in the TSAB that concentrates on the gathering of information, and silent retrieval of dangerous items. When, for example, a Lost Logia is detected on a planet which is politically unstable, a spectre would be one of the likely candidates to retrieve it. It should be noted that specters are hardly the only of such investigative units in the TSAB, but merely one of many. What sets the spectres apart from most units is that the spectres often operate on an individual basis. It is rare to see more then one spectre working on the same case. This has the advantage that spectres can be assigned to other squads to boost their intelligence department, something which is not rare to happen.
As a spectre, Eden undertook many missions befitting her style. During the Jail Scaglieti incident, Eden’s reconnaissance on the Gadget Droned was of critical importance. Because of the AMF, making close up reconnaissance of the drones was virtually impossible, as the AMF would interfere with stealth magic, preventing intelligence from getting close to them. If they wanted to study them, they had to destroy them first. Eden’s IS, being completely unaffected by the AMF, allowed her to get close to the Gadget Drones for detailed scans, and disable them with only minimal damage.
After the Jail Scaglieti incident, Eden returned to field work. The relative success of Jail in defying the TSAB in more ways then one paved the road for many criminals to start using the technology he spread around, and they would have to be found quickly. Her line of work would often let her run into Teana, much to the two’s delight. Her work has kept her too busy to properly visit the reformed numbers, much to her regret.
Device
Strike Mirage: A gun-type device, similar in design to Cross Mirage. In its standard mode, Strike Mirage can be wielded single- and dually. In this form, Striker Mirage has the highest accuracy and control. Its second form, Assault Mode, is that of an assault rifle, this form sacrifices accuracy and strength for firing speed. It’s mostly suited for taking down larger numbers of weaker opponents, or providing cover-fire. When speaking, Strike Mirage’s voice has a distinctive "flanging" effect, with a 'normal', human-sounding voice underlayered by a more subtle, very deep voice which speaks at the same time as the normal one. He always addresses Eden as ‘commander’
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Strike_Mirage_Pistol.png
Barrier Jacket
Eden’s Barrier jacket can be summed up into one word: Scoundrel. Long black pants, a black undershirt and a short sleeved black baggy vest covering it. While it does look somewhat unprofessional, it allows her to blend into a crowd without drawing any unwanted attention. Something most TSAB personnel, with their flashy clothing, cannot attest to.
Combat
Eden specializes in infiltration; her IS allowing her to slip by security measures and recon or sabotage targets.
When in one-on-one combat, Eden uses a combination of gun-type assassination skills and martial art techniques, preferring to sneak up the enemy and deliver a fatal blow before they can react, and if possible refraining from using her gun to betray her location. If her location is already revealed, or stealth isn’t necessary, she will either pin her target down from a distance or, if the target is a melee specialist, pin them down and shoot them from point-blank range. Her main signature in combat is speed, able to deliver a flurry of blows before the opposition has time to raise their guard.
Powers
Inherent Skill: Smugglers Pride: Smugglers Pride renders Eden invisible to most conventional and magical detection methods, including sight. It allows her to slip past security and retrieve valuable data, plant trackers, and sabotage or assassinate targets. Combat cancels stealth.
Drive Move: Eden’s speed enhancement spell.
Shield: Eden’s Shield type defense spell.
Defencer: Eden’s Barrier type defense spell.
Forcefield: Eden’s Field type defense spell.
Barret Shoot: A basic shooting-type spell where the user merely compresses magic power in the shape of a bullet, accelerates it and sets it forth. Like Teana, this is Eden’s primary spell.
Burst Barret: This variation works similar to Barret Shoot, but shatters the compressed magic power shortly before launching, allowing for rapid firing of less powerful bullets. To maintain a decent degree of power, power Assault Mode is required before it can be used.
Phase cannon: A Bombardment-type spell, This is Eden’s most powerful spell, but also the slowest to cast. Categorized as a "long range sniper cannon attack", instead of a magic array it makes use of a "target ring" similarly to Nanoha's Divine Buster and, when firing at long range, a laser sight.
Photonic Blaster: A sustained fire attack. This attack is fired as several smaller beams rather then one huge beam. However, all the beams run parallel and don’t spread out. The attack looks similar to how Nanoha first fired her Axel Shooter, just with more beams. Its main purpose is to keep up a sustained barrage of powerful beams, giving it a high Barrier penetration value. Because its spread is low, making it only effective in corridors and close range, and the amount of magical energy needed, the effectiveness of the attack is debatable.
Deceived Sight: An illusion type spell that allows Eden to change any of her physical appearances like hair or eye color. However, this spell is unable to change the shape of what it affects, and can be detected by most scans.
Double Mirage: An illusion type spell that creates several duplicates of what or whom the caster envisions. These duplicates are incorporeal, and will dispel on touch. It is also very taxing to keep this spell up for prolonged time.
World of Mirage: A spell generally classified as an illusion type spell due to its uses, World of Mirage primary affects electronically or magical equipment. The spells has various uses out of combat uses, such as slicing into protected systems and retrieve or alter valuable information, while in combat it jams scanners, projects inaccurate data and scrambles communication. World of Mirage does not affect organics.
Okay, after a second major Rebuilt, a small FAQ seems mandatory.
Q: Dwa? She? What?
A: Yeah, it was something that happened over time. The more I began developing her, the more ‘he’ became a ‘she’
Q: What about the name change?
A: Well, to tell you the truth, I never really liked the name Uomo. The only reason I used it was because it happened to the Italian translation for men. Since she is no longer one of the numbers, nor even a man, I could safely discard the name.
Q: Okay, so why Eden?
A: I spend the better part of a day trying to think up a good name. Scouring the internet, searching for Japanese names, searching for car names, the only name that popped up and stuck was Nova, which I think would cause a bit too much confusion, what with Eden’s appearance and all. After a full day of fruitless searching, I picked up my controller and started playing Mass Effect. After tearing through waves of Geth (HMWA X loaded with incendiary rounds? Oh hell yes! Die sparkly red deaths you synthetic bastards!) the name of the first planet, Eden Prime, gets somewhat bombarded into your skull. It stuck.
Q: And Acura?
A: Car name.
Q: You mentioned Nove, why does she look like Nove?
A: Because people keep confusing her. The original Uomo was based on Wendi, but people saw her as based on Nove. Then came the Nove fanart, and people were going ‘hey, its Uomo.’ When writing, another thing hit me. Remember when Subaru gets kicked into the wall by Nove during their first encounter? She immediately recognizes Nove as a Sentoukijin. Make of this whatever you will. :)
Q: Hey, you switched from melee to guns.
A: Yup.
Q: Why?
A: Because I wanted to make a gun wielder for some time now. With Eden’s rebuilt I had the perfect chance.
Q: You also switched from Belkan to mid.
A: ‘Cause I gave her guns. It also gives her and Teana a link besides ‘a friend of subaru’.
Q: … Nakajima’s, numbers, Teana, anyone she doesn’t have a link with?
A: Pretty much all of the Aces, the Wolkenritter, Erio, Caro, Lutecia, Vivio, Yuuno. She may know Accous, they’re both intel after all. And he might have met Fate once or twice recently, but she doesn’t know her beyond professional contact.
Q: What happened to NOD?
A: NOD was scrapped. It looked fine on the profile, but when I actually started to write the story, I ran into problems. The story was originally supposed to be about Eden’s struggle with his loyalty to NOD or the TSAB, with Cinque showing her that NOD’s words were nothing but lies. Now the problem is that Eden could have figured that a looong time before Cinque entered the fray. Heck, she worked in the TSAB for years. It made less sense the more sense I tried to make of it. In the end, it was scrapped. Unfortunately that also means the perfect introduction chapter is gone, but you can’t win them all.
Q: Your current back-story seems more Teana focused then Numbers focused.
A: *shrug* Eden is planned to be an SSX insert, so it will depend how large a role Ginga’s unit plays in that crisis how much the numbers will get involved. It also means that it'll be at the very least four more days before I can get down to actuall business.
A rebuild of a rebuild, huh? Certainly a way to do it.
Looks solid all-round; now to see where she(Eden's definitely a girl, right? :uhoh:) goes from here.
...I second a NoveGenyaEden love triangle... :uhoh::uhoh:
...and in before Hawt Yuri Edeana Human-cyborg Smex like the game. :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
*FLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ*
*Struggle Bind's Kha's legs together just as he happens to run past the piranha lake :3*
So it IS CQC Solid Snake action! Yaaaaay! :hyper-^v^:
:heh:
Gun in close-combat is a cool idea, you just have to be real skilled to do it. Or invoke the Rule Of Cool. :3
----------------------------------------
Ah, Otakon. staying up all night to catch my 6:30 am flight across the US and then a very long weekend with little sleep. Man it was fun :D. Largest gathering of Outer Cadians to date, too :D :D. And what anime con is complete without cosplayers?
Jesus loves anime
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01208.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01208.jpg)
40K pays a visit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01201.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01201.jpg)
Sushi anyone?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01205.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01205.jpg)
Anonymous...is everywhere
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01214.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01214.jpg)
Long Cat is...loooonnnnnggggg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01277.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01277.jpg)
Run...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01209.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01209.jpg)
HENSHIN!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01212.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01212.jpg)
So I hear there might be a Touhou fan or two in here...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01271.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01271.jpg)
Look who's visiting from Mars
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01279.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01279.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01222.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01222.jpg)
We saw these in the dealer's room ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01232.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01232.jpg)
I did buy this though
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01310.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01310.jpg)
Oh yeaaaa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01297.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01297.jpg)
Not many Macross sadly...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01226.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01226.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01281.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01281.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01288.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01288.jpg)
You know what sucks? Even in the 8th row from the front it's hard to get good pictures of the JAM Project Concert
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01236.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01236.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01253.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01253.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01259.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01259.jpg)
Bwahahahaha!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/th_DSC01309.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/EvaUnit0X/Otakon%202008/DSC01309.jpg)
Wow :heh: I didn't get any good pictures, my brother had the camera the whole time...
Was kinda fun though, ne? ;)
~~~New Intelligence Data Updated~~~
Remember my little debacle about Light VS Dark paths for Kha? After reading on...http://img43.onemanga.com/mangas/00000020/000026778/13.jpg...you got to be kidding me. First Negi had to decide between being a nuke-mage and a mage warrior (which gave me the idea for RO-esque Job Advancement), then now this?!
I'd wish I'd stop thinking of the same things as Ken Akamatsu.
And I certainly can see Negi's hesitation with evil could be explained with seeing its possible drawbacks in person... Go figure. ;)
I'm glad for his choice, which makes Kha's a lot more unique. :D So sorry Shou, I can't use your idea in the end. :(
Khal'thuzad the Lich King, Profile Routine set, FULL SPEED AHEAD! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
:confused: Should I be worried???
Did Quint even fight with her own set of blades? @.@
Thought she just had both Knuckles...
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-12, 14:36
Hey can't say I haven't tried. XD
Sometimes one too many times :p
Ah Comrade Jesus pays us a visit... :uhoh:
Now all those people who say anime is the devil have to repent cause Jesus approves :D
Gah Slayers Fishmen. :eyebrow:
Fishwoman :p
JAM Project?! ZOMG!!! :eek: But too bad for the pictures. :(
Such an EPIC concert, too. And they each did a solo song :D :D
Nice pics Eva. Excellent... :D
Thanks :). Taking cosplay pics is always a must for me. Oh, and my new cosplay is also in there somewhere if you can find me ;)
Make sure you are WELL ARMED for Blizzcon! We want pics! :D:D:D
And I'd gladly Paypal you for a gift pack if ya can. I'd love to have a inflatable Frostmourne to accompany my Foamy Throne. >=D
Oh, I am SO taking pics at BlizzCon. But I need to get started on my armor set first... :uhoh:
And also get ready for Yaoi Con which is before BlizzCon >_>
Khal'thuzad the Lich King, Profile Routine set, FULL SPEED AHEAD! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
...
*Shackles Kha and incinerates him before stuffing his remains into a very tiny urn*
And people wonder why I hate being the tank...:3
I have a warrior...though for me it's "Tanking? What's that?"
Make sure you don't get whipped to early-
*shot*
Excellent advice though the odds of it being used are...not good :uhoh:
Kha, behaving? Pffffft. Not in the job contract. :3
Or possible in any situation :p
Oh that's right, you don't play Horde...*rambles on about the foul Alliance*
*punts LE with his Death Knight*
Lame pun is laaaaame. -_- (:p)
Oh hush you :p
Oh god no. They'll grow up to be psychos.
Better than letting them watch anything done by 4Kids :uhoh:
Wow :heh: I didn't get any good pictures, my brother had the camera the whole time...
Was kinda fun though, ne? ;)
Was fun :D. Though Otakon should be advertised as the "Stair-Master Weekend" Convention :p
Ahh Otakon.
It was indeed fun.
The lack of Nanoha is mostly because it's not a massively popular series like Naruto or Bleach is, and despite all the groaning and eye rolling no one can deny its sheer growth and acceptance through the populace. Also, Nanoha isn't released yet in the States, so widespread exposure is still minimal.
I have a few pics too, but as I've said in IRC, I'm not that great of a photographer.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2822.jpg
Cadians Gather! That line outside wrapped around the block a few times.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2823.jpg
Now in Artist Alley!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2833.jpg
I think this guy is a pilot of sorts.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2840.jpg
Raptor Jesus!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2843.jpg
Yuyuko!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2842copy.jpg
Who are these guys? (That's me with the Laughing Man thing over my head. I'm shy :p)
Now I'm warning you, what you may see below may hurt more than just your eyes. The following images were taking at Otakon 2007.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0547.jpg
We just got the package and now trying it on. The guy is a friend of mine. Poor soul. No wig though, but we got that ready for the actual con.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0548.jpg
Surprisingly, it fit well.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0549.jpg
Though I'm going nowhere near him.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0590.jpg
Manoha attacks! Agh that poor guy.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0612.jpg
Manoha befriends! Agh that poor guy. (Also to note, I made that staff in two days with $30 of materials.)
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0613.jpg
There's something horribly wrong with this image...
:confused: Should I be worried???Never fear; that lichking!Kha is only for Negiha. Different experiences will always result in a different Kha. :p
...
*Shackles Kha and incinerates him before stuffing his remains into a very tiny urn**resurrects from urn*
You don't like me when I'm dead. :D
Ahh Otakon.
It was indeed fun.
The lack of Nanoha is mostly because it's not a massively popular series like Naruto or Bleach is, and despite all the groaning and eye rolling no one can deny its sheer growth and acceptance through the populace. Also, Nanoha isn't released yet in the States, so widespread exposure is still minimal.
I have a few pics too, but as I've said in IRC, I'm not that great of a photographer.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2822.jpg
Cadians Gather! That line outside wrapped around the block a few times.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2823.jpg
Now in Artist Alley!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2833.jpg
I think this guy is a pilot of sorts.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2840.jpg
Raptor Jesus!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2843.jpg
Yuyuko!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2842copy.jpg
Who are these guys? (Yes, that's me in the right. TK is bloody tall.)
Now I'm warning you, what you may see below may hurt more than just your eyes. The following images were taking at Otakon 2007.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0547.jpg
We just got the package and now trying it on. The guy is a friend of mine. Poor soul. No wig though, but we got that ready for the actual con.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0548.jpg
Surprisingly, it fit well.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0549.jpg
Though I'm going nowhere near him.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0590.jpg
Manoha attacks! Agh that poor guy.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0612.jpg
Manoha befriends! Agh that poor guy. (Also to note, I made that staff in two days with $30 of materials.)
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0613.jpg
There's something horribly wrong with this image...
Wow really good pics. And nice to see you've met up with TK there. Wish I could fly out during term time. Or even outside of term time.
Now let's see...
*opens the NSFW pics, eats a Penetrating Hit, and suffers a Vehicle Explodes result*
:eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-13, 02:15
*resurrects from urn*
You don't like me when I'm de-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v430/admiraltigerclaw/OrbitalStrike2.png
"We don't like you when you're alive..."
*opens the NSFW pics, eats a Penetrating Hit, and suffers a Vehicle Explodes result*
:eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
Seems familliar...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v430/admiraltigerclaw/screen098.png
EDIT IN: (I'm bored, entertain me minions!)
Curiosity:
What would it take for Nanoha to want to 'KILL' someone?
[THE JOKER]
And when I say 'Kill', I mean, have absolutely no regrets as to the decision, and no hesitation to put a knife right through some sorry bastard's throat for whatever offense it may end up requiring. No 'starlight breaker, life imprisonment, or divine buster ultimate rage with a trial and trip to Death Row' kind of treatments. Just straight up, clear and simple, 'now you die' cold blooded killer mode that makes 'White Devil' look like a saint...
And of course, it cannot simply be a retaliatory on the spot response, but a pre-meditated cold blooded action perhaps days, weeks, or months later.
What would be the absolute minimum one would have to do to Nanoha to achieve this result?
[/THE JOKER]
NANOHA: *Looking at the night sky, but backlit by burning wreckage* "I don't know where you are, or when I'll see you again... but I'm going to kill you. And I'm going to enjoy... killing you. And on that day, there won't be anyone who will stop me. For what you have done to me, is unforgivable, and unforgettable. And at the end, I will see you, in HELL."
Estavali
2008-08-13, 09:30
Following up on the offenders' ID cards I copypasta-ed, here's Lutecia's card which I missed out the last time:
http://forums.animesuki.com/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=6667
To those who were in the IRC channel with me the day before, it seems that Lu's magus rank is S-rank and that her punishment did involve a 6-rank-drop limiter. Makes one wonder if she was also holding back like what the Knights did in A's.
Provoking Nanoha to kill is the same with Batman I suppose. =l Though a possible situation is that the certain someone hurt and crippled her friends/family. After a extended period of emotional trauma of course.
Lutecia being a S-ranker was unexpected. :eyespin: Looks like Katrina taught her well before leaving. :D:uhoh:
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-13, 14:08
Ahh Otakon.
It was indeed fun.
The lack of Nanoha is mostly because it's not a massively popular series like Naruto or Bleach is, and despite all the groaning and eye rolling no one can deny its sheer growth and acceptance through the populace. Also, Nanoha isn't released yet in the States, so widespread exposure is still minimal.
I have a few pics too, but as I've said in IRC, I'm not that great of a photographer.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2822.jpg
Cadians Gather! That line outside wrapped around the block a few times.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2823.jpg
Now in Artist Alley!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2833.jpg
I think this guy is a pilot of sorts.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2840.jpg
Raptor Jesus!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2843.jpg
Yuyuko!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN2842copy.jpg
Who are these guys? (That's me with the Laughing Man thing over my head. I'm shy :p)
Now I'm warning you, what you may see below may hurt more than just your eyes. The following images were taking at Otakon 2007.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0547.jpg
We just got the package and now trying it on. The guy is a friend of mine. Poor soul. No wig though, but we got that ready for the actual con.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0548.jpg
Surprisingly, it fit well.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0549.jpg
Though I'm going nowhere near him.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0590.jpg
Manoha attacks! Agh that poor guy.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0612.jpg
Manoha befriends! Agh that poor guy. (Also to note, I made that staff in two days with $30 of materials.)
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w352/TempestDynasty/Otakon/DSCN0613.jpg
There's something horribly wrong with this image...
Ah, good times. Good times :)
Never fear; that lichking!Kha is only for Negiha. Different experiences will always result in a different Kha. :p
So when will we get Macross Frontier Bobby!Kha?
*RUNZ*
Wow really good pics. And nice to see you've met up with TK there. Wish I could fly out during term time. Or even outside of term time.
Come to Anime Expo next year. It's closer to you :D
Now let's see...
*opens the NSFW pics, eats a Penetrating Hit, and suffers a Vehicle Explodes result*
:eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
It's not that bad :rolleyes:. There are worse things out there... :uhoh:
Lutecia being a S-ranker was unexpected. :eyespin: Looks like Katrina taught her well before leaving. :D:uhoh:
Indeed :p
Bobby!Kha was in another series, but give me enough Khrack I'll see how to make one for this universe. :D
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-13, 19:20
Bobby!Kha was in another series, but give me enough Khrack I'll see how to make one for this universe. :D
Hmm...Kha fighting with Keroko over clothes during a big sale... :uhoh:
Keroko: Cool 90% off Levitar jeans. MINE!
Bobby!Kha: I touched the leg first!
Keroko: Hands off gay-ass.
Bobby!Kha: Metro is not gay! :twitch:
:uhoh:
Only problem is, does not compute. :heh:
Bobby!Kha's incarnation appears in ancient Japan in the year 1918, as a friend, and later wingman, of one male leading Koubu pilot who can barely take his antics at times. Bobby!Kha's famous (or infamous) for acting the female roles in theatre, sometimes even out-doing Maria at being a man.
And he loves making hotblooded renditions of love songs. <.<
And if you haven't got the hint, Fuse Kanzaki "Onna no Ka" is from Sakura Daisen. So, where can we find a sale to fight over? :uhoh:
Comartemis
2008-08-13, 23:29
What would it take for Nanoha to want to 'KILL' someone?
[THE JOKER]
And when I say 'Kill', I mean, have absolutely no regrets as to the decision, and no hesitation to put a knife right through some sorry bastard's throat for whatever offense it may end up requiring. No 'starlight breaker, life imprisonment, or divine buster ultimate rage with a trial and trip to Death Row' kind of treatments. Just straight up, clear and simple, 'now you die' cold blooded killer mode that makes 'White Devil' look like a saint...
And of course, it cannot simply be a retaliatory on the spot response, but a pre-meditated cold blooded action perhaps days, weeks, or months later.
What would be the absolute minimum one would have to do to Nanoha to achieve this result?
[/THE JOKER]
NANOHA: *Looking at the night sky, but backlit by burning wreckage* "I don't know where you are, or when I'll see you again... but I'm going to kill you. And I'm going to enjoy... killing you. And on that day, there won't be anyone who will stop me. For what you have done to me, is unforgivable, and unforgettable. And at the end, I will see you, in HELL."
You can start with hurting Vivio. And I don't mean "strap her to a chair and make her power the Cradle" hurt her, I mean something traumatizing, preferably something sexual. And send her some grisly evidence of the deed like those terrorists do in Goose's "Soldiers of the Wasteland". At that point I am very certain that it will not be enough for Nanoha to see the bastard in prison or hanging from the tallest tree; she'll do the deed with her own two hands as surely as the sun rises, and the whole goddamn TSA won't be able to stop her.
ghazghkull
2008-08-14, 00:58
You can start with hurting Vivio. And I don't mean "strap her to a chair and make her power the Cradle" hurt her, I mean something traumatizing, preferably something sexual. And send her some grisly evidence of the deed like those terrorists do in Goose's "Soldiers of the Wasteland". At that point I am very certain that it will not be enough for Nanoha to see the bastard in prison or hanging from the tallest tree; she'll do the deed with her own two hands as surely as the sun rises, and the whole goddamn TSA won't be able to stop her.
Well start with Vivio, advance to her family and friends, and then fate for the coup de gras (sp?). Basically in terms of Nanoha, since she's quite the idealistic character, you'd have to utterly break her to force her into that state.
Leave her with nothing left. Leave her to the state of no return, and she'll gladly put a knife through the throat of anyone who's wronged her.
Well start with Vivio, advance to her family and friends, and then fate for the coup de gras (sp?). Basically in terms of Nanoha, since she's quite the idealistic character, you'd have to utterly break her to force her into that state.
Leave her with nothing left. Leave her to the state of no return, and she'll gladly put a knife through the throat of anyone who's wronged her.
And create a Shadow Mirror Nanoha that will begin to kill in other dimensions without mercy and so on until she is The One Remaining.
Bad End for all of us.
tshouryuu
2008-08-14, 08:29
Sort of bored and just decided to do something silly like make a new magic system for absolutely no rhyme or reason :p
Magic System:
The Kardia Magic system is a system that has never really gain much in turn of influence and in turn its practitioners are few and varied. Card Meisters as its practitioners are known as, are often device meisters with very weak mage powers but great knowledge of spells due to the strengths and weakness of the system. One of the more defining features of the Kardia system is the the sheer number of devices which gives its practitioners a great deal of versatility.
Devices:
The system is generally made up of 3 components, a certain number of cards, a book and a staff which are all usually storage devices.
The main part of the Kardia system are the cards. Similar in all ways to temporary spell cards, Kardia cards however are inscribed with permanent magic arrays and then entirely optimized for each individual base spell, technically making each card a device. Charged with Mana, this allows a user to used the stored spell without expanding their own mana.
The book portion of the system is basically the physical storage medium of the cards. It usually also acts like a recharging port for the cards so that cards that have expanded the mana stored can be recharged. The user usually charges the book when they have the time and resources to do so. Most such devices has an ability to summon out cards based on the needs of the user at that time.
Although the staff portion of the Kardia magic system isn't very impressive, this is actually the portion that gives the system additional versatility. While the cards store the individual base spells, the staff stores the type variations. For example, the card itself stores the base spell for [Wind], the staff stores the variations like Bind type, Barrier type, Buster type etc and the resulting spell that is unleashed is [Wind bind], [Wind barrier], [Wind Buster] etc. Some users have installed an AI for easier usage.
Advantages:
[Sheer versatility] aka Unlimited powwa!! - The more base spells and type variations a user has, the more spells they have available.
[Expands little personal mana] aka Weaklings friendly - Since mana is stored in the cards, the only mana expanded are only for Barrier Jackets and activation of devices.
[No need for a powerful mage] aka Cartoonishly powerful mages, buzz off - See above.
Disadvantages:
[Array inscription] aka No dumb ass - This is required so that in inscribing the base spells, there will be minimal unforeseen side effects.
[Devices knowledge] aka No dumb ass redux - As the system is made up of multiple devices, this is to allow optimization of the system as well as repairing any damaged system.
[Maintenance nightmare] aka Keep ATC's OC Crash away!! - Each device is so finely tuned that it is a headache to repair and maintain.
[Recharge times] aka Why can't A/C power work - Since the system uses the stored mana in the cards, the user has to recharge the book portion after every use of the card devices as the cards draw mana from the book to recharge themselves.
Wild Goose
2008-08-14, 09:54
You can start with hurting Vivio. And I don't mean "strap her to a chair and make her power the Cradle" hurt her, I mean something traumatizing, preferably something sexual. And send her some grisly evidence of the deed like those terrorists do in Goose's "Soldiers of the Wasteland". At that point I am very certain that it will not be enough for Nanoha to see the bastard in prison or hanging from the tallest tree; she'll do the deed with her own two hands as surely as the sun rises, and the whole goddamn TSA won't be able to stop her.
Just one thing I want to correct here: those fellas were Saint Church cultists following an extremist, twisted interpretation of a certain Cleric's interpretation and teachings on the Saint Church.
Terrorists act to sow terror. These people?
They're going to free the Sankt Kaiser from the shackles of the vessel where her essence is trapped in. And when the vessel is shattered, the Sankt Kaiser will emerge...
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-14, 11:58
Sort of bored and just decided to do something silly like make a new magic system for absolutely no rhyme or reason :p
Magic System:
The Kardia Magic system is a system that has never really gain much in turn of influence and in turn its practitioners are few and varied. Card Meisters as its practitioners are known as, are often device meisters with very weak mage powers but great knowledge of spells due to the strengths and weakness of the system. One of the more defining features of the Kardia system is the the sheer number of devices which gives its practitioners a great deal of versatility.
Devices:
The system is generally made up of 3 components, a certain number of cards, a book and a staff which are all usually storage devices.
The main part of the Kardia system are the cards. Similar in all ways to temporary spell cards, Kardia cards however are inscribed with permanent magic arrays and then entirely optimized for each individual base spell, technically making each card a device. Charged with Mana, this allows a user to used the stored spell without expanding their own mana.
The book portion of the system is basically the physical storage medium of the cards. It usually also acts like a recharging port for the cards so that cards that have expanded the mana stored can be recharged. The user usually charges the book when they have the time and resources to do so. Most such devices has an ability to summon out cards based on the needs of the user at that time.
Although the staff portion of the Kardia magic system isn't very impressive, this is actually the portion that gives the system additional versatility. While the cards store the individual base spells, the staff stores the type variations. For example, the card itself stores the base spell for [Wind], the staff stores the variations like Bind type, Barrier type, Buster type etc and the resulting spell that is unleashed is [Wind bind], [Wind barrier], [Wind Buster] etc. Some users have installed an AI for easier usage.
Advantages:
[Sheer versatility] aka Unlimited powwa!! - The more base spells and type variations a user has, the more spells they have available.
[Expands little personal mana] aka Weaklings friendly - Since mana is stored in the cards, the only mana expanded are only for Barrier Jackets and activation of devices.
[No need for a powerful mage] aka Cartoonishly powerful mages, buzz off - See above.
Disadvantages:
[Array inscription] aka No dumb ass - This is required so that in inscribing the base spells, there will be minimal unforeseen side effects.
[Devices knowledge] aka No dumb ass redux - As the system is made up of multiple devices, this is to allow optimization of the system as well as repairing any damaged system.
[Maintenance nightmare] aka Keep ATC's OC Crash away!! - Each device is so finely tuned that it is a headache to repair and maintain.
[Recharge times] aka Why can't A/C power work - Since the system uses the stored mana in the cards, the user has to recharge the book portion after every use of the card devices as the cards draw mana from the book to recharge themselves.
Very interesting. I've toyed around with the idea of a card-based system before and this pretty much covers it :p. Though I wonder if a cartridge system could be integrated into it, like to be used as an emergency re-charge for the card(s). It would probably make repairing after a real b**ch though :heh:
Lol Khardia. Since the experimental Chapter Approved profile regarding Sakura Zaki's Sakura Cards is part of Kha's Codex, I guess its rather apt. ;)
Titbit: She's going to get her own Codex and Independent Character status in 5th Edition, so even more thoughts about this Belka's adaptation of Kardia magic coming soon. :D
Just one thing I want to correct here: those fellas were Saint Church cultists following an extremist, twisted interpretation of a certain Cleric's interpretation and teachings on the Saint Church.
Terrorists act to sow terror. These people?
They're going to free the Sankt Kaiser from the shackles of the vessel where her essence is trapped in. And when the vessel is shattered, the Sankt Kaiser will emerge...http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
*runs*
Back from my vacation in the Philippines...and also finished with SearcherS chapter 13 too! To be honest, I still have an uncomfortable feeling with the 13th chapter in terms of it's writing, but I think it's because I'm still relatively new.
Anyway...I'm also adding Chapter 12 in for a reason: 13 can't be really well understood with 12, so here it is. 12 doesn't have the special effects...it's just cut-and-paste.
Saturday, August, 8, MC 0075
8:10 P.M.
Everyone was silent as the Raven flew along the night sky, heading to its destination. Everyone knew what was happening, everyone hoped that all of them would come back out alive. Satoshi was well aware of the situation, and he too was staying silent. He looked at everyone inside the helicopter, closely watching their movements. The Major and Captain Stada were staring at the sky, wondering about something. From the small opening, he could see Scuderia, piloting the very same helicopter that nearly was destroyed last time, seriousness on his face. Looking on the other squad, he could see Arvis using his magic style in very small amounts, making some small marbles float. Lian was spinning one of her Devices around on her index finger. Anne was busy loading and reloading her own Device for any defects, checking to see if anything went wrong. Nobuyuki was sleeping, as always.
Looking away at everyone to see the sky for a few seconds, he turned back to see his own squad. Vincent was looking at the floor, seemingly in deep thought. Satsuki was also looking at the floor, taking quick glances at Vincent from time to time. Margaret had her glasses off, placing them on her lap, staring at them. Looking towards Sydney, he could see her holding both of her Devices in their sealed forms, giving a sigh before closeing her hand. Something in his head made him stare at the pendant that Sydney gave to him a while ago, still thinking about what in the world did he see.
“Hey, at least this thing’s back on the air, right?” Scuderia shouted out, breaking the silence. Satoshi quickly noticed it, and he hit one of the panels hard. “Let’s see if you can keep it that way now.”
“Cut me some slack, man. I could easily drop you off here out in the sky.” Scuderia retorted.
“Fine, I’ll meet you there, then.” Everyone gave a smile and a small chuckle, at least, and then the Major started to give out the mission objectives.
“Alright then, reports have indicated that Gadget Drones and Replica soldiers have been seen at a group of abandoned building clustered together near the outskirts of the city. Other units have sealed the perimeter, so there’s no worry about the escaping.”
“So, it’s a ‘go in, clear out, go home’ type of mission?” Arvis asked. “Sounds easy enough.”
“What’s the plan, then?” Anne added, knocking Nobuyuki out of his sleep with a well-placed elbow.
“There’s three wings on the complex: the west, north, and east wings. The southern part of the complex is where your squad is going to land, Anne. Your job is to go to the north wing and clear it out.” Turning over to Satoshi, he continued. “Satoshi, you and your squad are landing on the north wing’s roof first; your job is to clear out any opposition on the rooftops, then search the west wing.”
“And what about you two?” Vincent asked. “You gonna stay in this helicopter and sit your butts off?”
“No, we’re actually doing something today. I’m landing with you, Captain Stada’s landing with them; either way, we’re clearing out the east wing for you. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect.”
Scuderia interrupted the Major, saying, “We’re near the complex. I suggest everyone get ready.”
In a flash, everybody was ready to fight, just waiting to actually land and get this over with. “Hey, you don’t think…?” Lian said, apparently worried about something. “What is it you’re worried about?” Satsuki asked.
“Those Numbers everyone’s talking about; I wonder if they’re there?”
“You mean the ones that tried to take down RF6’s helicopter a while ago?” Scuderia answered. “Those ones, yeah.” Satoshi and Sydney had heard of them from Nanoha and Fate themselves. “Hey…” Sydney said to Satoshi telepathically, “you really think they’re there?”
“If they are, that’s gonna be a problem.”
“I see…”
“Well, let’s hope they’re not there.”
“I don’t think so. Why would they be here?” Anne answered. “It’s not like they don’t have any Relics or anything to steal.”
“That’s true.” Nobuyuki added. “Wish Scagletti himself would show up; I would like to give him one for all of this trouble before sending him to Haralown.”
“If he did, it’d make our job much more easier.” Rachel replied. “Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”
“Hey, cut the chatter. We’re almost there.” Scuderia finally said, and everyone went back to silence. “Over the complex in 5.” he added, before several shots zoomed in front of him from the right side. “Damn it, they’re firing on us…Blitz Stiker, get those Troikas firing now!”
“[Roger that, chief.]” The guns started firing at the small group bunched up on the right. Within seconds, most of them had either scattered or were already dead/ destroyed. The chopper hovered on top of the roof, ready to drop off its first occupants off. “Alright, let’s go. Remember, whatever you do, as long as you go with the plan, it’s okay by me.” the Major said before being the first one off. “Sky Squad, let’s move!” Satoshi yelled out, everyone jumping off the next second. The Raven flew off, preparing to drop off everyone else.
Meanwhile, the Major started clearing out the roof, taking out another group that was unlucky to get in front of his Needler spell. He turned around to see one Replica soldier start to aim at him. Quickly, he grabbed the unlucky soldier, and threw her into three others, knocking them down.
“Schenelles Feuer.” (Rapid Fire) Margaret said, letting a burst take out two Gadget Drones. Satsuki was already set up at the edge of the building, finding for any targets that could hurt the others. She found one sniper, and shot at the gun, taking it out of the sniper’s hands. Finding another, she disarmed that one, too.
“You guys…” Vincent said in an annoyed tone to another group of Replicas and Drones nearby, “you just have to wreck a perfectly good day to rest! Shell Bullet,
Blattform!(Bladeform!) Spatz Flieger (Sparrow Flyer)!” “[ich verstehe schon…]” (I get it…) Several projectiles went towards them, but only hit the Drones, disappearing into the distance and not even laying a scratch on the Replicas. Switching back to Faustform, he got into a sprinting position. “Sprinten sie Schnell (Quick Sprint).” he muttered before dashing towards all of them. “Schrotflinte Faust (Shotgun Fist)!” he yelled, firing a spread of projectiles that hit all of them. “Serves you right…”
Sydney and Satoshi were side-by-side, clearing out the rest of them from the roof. Taking out one of them easily, Sydney started to take out another two on the left of her, starting to fire. Their shots harmlessly went off into the air as two Shadow Blades struck them at the same time. Turning back to Satoshi, she saw that another one was aiming straight at him. “Satoshi, dive right!” she yelled, crouching down and aiming Equinox. “Ice Bullet…” A burst from Equinox a moment later, and the same Replica went down with all 4 hitting in the head. Satoshi dived right, rolling on his side and getting up. Looking back, he saw another Replica firing at him. “Mach Move.” he quietly said, quickly heading towards the Replica in a zigzag pattern. Trying to shoot him, it was in vain, as Satoshi stabbed her a second later, slashing horizontally and taking out the last Drone, unintentionally, in the process.
Seeing that the roof was clear, the Major called over to Rachel. “How are things on your end?”
“Not the best, but it’s better than nothing.” she replied, taking cover on a wall nearby. Trying to look out, she could see someone with something that looked like a gun emplacement before several scattered bullets hit another nearby, forcing her to get back to cover. On the right of her was the whole of Thunder Squad, also taking cover on another wall nearby. Amidst the fire, Rachel could see Nobuyuki mention something to Arvis. He nodded, then got out of cover, using his Shield spell to block all of the bullets going at him. A shot from Anne a second later silenced the emplacement permanently.
“Now we’re going in. See you there.” Starting to move in, more Replicas popped out of the surrounding buildings, firing at all of them while moving in. A couple of Shields from Arvis managed to stop them from getting turned into dead bodies again, while Lian prepared to take them all down. “Azura, let’s get to it.”
“[Gut (Got it.). Explosion.]” Lian wasted no time casting Bombenstoß (Bomblet Burst) and sending Azura to them. The little shards spread out, bursting just inches of the Replicas. As soon as the explosions occurred, Anne, Nobuyuki, and Rachel dashed out of cover and started to take out the remaining Replicas. Stabbing one in the back with the elbow blade, Rachel saw two more of them aiming at both Nobuyuki and Anne. “You two, move to cover!” she said quickly while quickly casting one of her spells. “False Cross…”
Two cartridges ejected out as Rachel threw the cross-shaped projectile at both of them. The spell did the trick as the two Replicas were concerned for the incoming projectile, unaware that several smaller ones were being hidden from sight. The smaller ones tore them up quickly, saving both Anne and Nobuyuki from taking some fire. “Geez, just because of two of these guys…” Nobuyuki said to her telepathically, extending his right arm while a black circle appeared below him, “…you have to leave yourself open to one.” Looking back, Rachel could see a lifeless body of a Replica hanging by shadows. The body let go of a small knife, intended to backstab her when she didn’t notice. “Thanks. Really.” she replied back telepathically, relieved.
“Just doing….” he replied back, taking down two other Replicas through his spears behind him while disarming and stabbing another one in the chest, “my job.” Three started to fire at him, but another barrage of his spears coupled with Shadow Pierce took care of all three quickly. Near his right, Arvis was taking on some other Replicas. With a pulling motion, he took one of their guns out of their hands and opened fire on each of them. Using his Shield power to defend himself, in a matter of seconds, he killed them all, dropping the gun to the ground. On his right was Lian, using Drahtfessel on her Device as a lethal yo-yo to cut up three of them.
Taking a second to look in the courtyard, everything was clear. Taking the opportunity, she reported to the Major. “Courtyard clear. We can move in, Major.”
“That’s good to hear. Alright, move out.” Turing to Sky Squad, he mentioned quietly to move into a rooftop door leading into the west wing. Nodding, Satoshi motioned everyone to go through first. Everyone understood what needed to be done, and moved there quickly. As they went in, the Major grabbed Satoshi on his shoulder before he went inside. “Be careful in there, boy.”
“Huh? Wha-“
“Don’t talk, just listen. I got a bad feeling about this whole mission, but I feel like there’s something there you don’t want to know about you.”
“What are you talking about?” Satoshi asked quickly, confused. “Just a feeling. It may be nothing anyway. Go, get with your squad.” As the Major saw him enter the door, though, something started to bother him. “If Sion’s here…we may have something on our hands…” he thought before heading to meet up with Rachel.
Saturday, August 8, MC 0075
8:31 P.M.
“Damn these small, splitting corridors. They’re good for work, but they’re deathtraps in situations like these.” Vincent said, sighing after that outburst. They had been in the west wing of the building, having been attacked by groups of tow Replicas at random times.
“Think about it this way: it’s a deathtrap for them, too.” Satoshi replied, smiling a bit.
“Yeah… if we could get them in here.”
“Come on, you two, let’s get focused here.” Sydney said to both of them, simultaneously casting Area Search in order to see if anyone else was about to give them a surprise. “No one’s showing up.” she said quietly, relieved.
“Bastards probably chickened out.” Vincent said in a cocky tone, grinning. “They don’t have the balls to face up after we kill some of them. I thin-.” An elbow from Margaret to the right side of his ribs shut him up quite nicely, and he staggered to the side a bit, clutching his right side. “Agh!” Turning he head, he saw Margaret looking towards the rest, a small grin on her face. “Damn Unison Device…” Getting up, he sighed and started to catch up with the rest. “Why is Margaret with Satsuki anyway?” Vincent thought to himself. “She doesn’t know Neo-Belka; Margaret can’t unison with her.” His thoughts were stopped again, this time because everyone else stopped.
“A two-way intersection…nice.” Satoshi said to everyone in a cynical tone. “Great. I never wanted to split up, anyway. Anyway, Cipher?”
“[Yeah, what is it?]” the Device said instantly. “Switch to Pix; I’m gonna need his ease of maneuverability.”
“[Roger that. Switching.]” In a flash, Pixy took over for Cipher, and his shotgun-like form was in Satoshi’s left hand while he guided with his right. “Here’s the deal: Syd, you take both Satsuki and Margaret and go to the right. Vince and I will take the left.”
“Gotcha.” Sydney said, looking at him. “Just be careful, alright?” she added, concerned.
“Aren’t I always?” Satoshi replied with a smile as he raised Pixy and took point, with Vincent following after him. Seeing him move into the corridor, she couldn’t help but think about what happened to him at this day. “I hope you’re right…”
Turning to Satsuki and Margaret, she said, “Anyway, Satsuki, Margaret, follow me.” Nodding, all of them went to the right.
Saturday, August 8, MC 0075
8:33 P.M.
“Boring so far…” Nobuyuki muttered to himself as both he and Anne were slowly walking, still cautious about any other attacks. “Just focus on what’s happening now.” Anne quickly replied, quickly closing what she thought as his whining. “Geez…fine, fine.” Ignoring her for a second, he called both Arvis and Lian, who were on the other side of the same floor. “So, how are you guys doing?”
“Not bad.” Arvis said, kicking the body of a Replica to see if she didn’t respond. “We ran into a couple of Replicas, but it was nothing we couldn’t handle.”
“Good, at least you guys got something to do.”
“Still, it’s not what I expect to be a time-killer. I-.” he replied before he suddenly went quiet. “Hey, Arvis, ARVIS!” Nobuyuki yelled before Lian reported back. “Something’s happened, Arvis got knocked out. I don’t…”Lian said in desperation before continuing again, “know what’s going on, but- You’re-.” Nothing from her was heard after that. After calling out both of their names, Nobuyuki knew it was useless to do so. “Come on, they’re may be time left for them.” he said to Anne quickly, running to the place where both Arvis and Lian were. Getting to the entrance, Anne quickly went in, seeing both Arvis and Lian on the ground, unconscious, and a man in a black trenchcoat and sunglasses with a crimson sword trying to finish off Lian. Without time to even think, she shot off the sword out of his hand. Someone was waiting and ready, though, because a shot rang out, narrowly missing Anne’s head. Looking back, she realized that Nobuyuki was not inside; the door had closed shut.
Two others then came out of the shadows; one of them had a hooded cloak and was pointing a compact sniper rifle at her, her face impossible to discern, while the other was wearing a black coat and tinted glasses and had no Device of any sort. The one without the Device picking up the sword Anne had shot out, handing it back to the one in the black trenchcoat. “Wait a minute…” she thought, knowing instantly that she had seen them before. “So, you’re the three I saw a while ago.” she said to them, pointing her own Device at all of them. “Who are you and what are you doing here? Are you with that Scagletti guy?”
“Heh, him?” The one in the trenchcoat replied, almost as if Anne’s question was a joke. “We don’t deal with freaks like him. We have another purpose on why we’re here.”
“Then why don’t you tell me before I start shooting?”
“Like I would.” The one in the trenchcoat mentioned the person without a Device to get back, then he prepared to fight with his sword. “Now…let’s see if you can live out of this.”
Anne stayed silent; she knew that she was very likely she wouldn’t leave through the room. But for the sake of Arvis and Lian, she had to survive, or at least let them live.
Nobuyuki, from the other side of the door, chuckled silently, for he knew that everything was going as intended. “As long they follow orders, she’ll be fine…as for Scagletti’s proposition, though, it might be fun to see Satoshi have his hands full…might as well see.” he thought as he started to leave.
Saturday, August 8 MC 0075
8:37 P.M.
“No one here…” Alexi muttered as he and Rachel moved into another room. For a while now, there was no resistance; it was like the whole place was empty. “Again and again; we probably stepped into the wrong building or something.” Rachel said, joking about their current situation.
As they walked along slowly, the Major said, “Where I lived, there exists a saying that the place is ‘quiet…too quiet’.”
“A trap?”
“Maybe…” Taking a few steps forward, a glint alerted Alexi that something was about to happen. He sidestepped out of the way as a couple of playing cards cut into the grund beneath him, disappearing as quickly as they came in. “Better for you to come out of the shadows yourself, Asteright, than for me to flush you out.”
“And where’s the fun in that?” Asteright dropped out from above, landing directly in front of the two. “I would have needed the exercise.” Shuffling the deck of cards in his hand, he then threw one between the Major and Rachel, into a wall behind them. “Oh well, at least both of you and I will have some fun today.” Suddenly, red orbs appeared, surrounding all three of them. They came out, with guns pointed at both the Major and Rachel. “Stealth Replicas. Nice way to make an ambush, don’t you think?”
Alexi said nothing, but noticing Rachel, he knew that she was going to try and attack him in the next second or two.
“Don’t try it.” he said to her telepathically. “Those guns will tear you to pieces.”
“But-He’s the one...”
“I know. Look, don’t get foolhardy and go in. Even with magic spells, numbers and the fact that we’re surrounded is more than enough. Let’s just see what he wants. Besides, if you go, I’ll have to go too. Remember, I already made your sister a promise. I’m gonna keep it to the end.”
Hesitating, she finally agreed to it after a second. “Good.” Focusing on Asteright, he then said, “So, let me guess, if we try to leave, we’ll get shot.”
“You got it.”
“The only way out is to fight you then, huh?” Asteright grinned, and then raised his right arm, motioning for the Replicas to go. Immediately, the Replicas backed away, still aiming their guns at both of them. “Thought as much…”
“Rachel, looks like you get your chance today.” Alexi commented, getting Potemkin ready by discharging 3 cartridges. She smiled and discharged two cartridges from Fixer.
“Heh, falling for the bait, huh? I’ll keep you guys busy.” Asteright thought as he shuffled out his deck, ready to fight. “Sion, you better make this gamble work, or I’ll be sure to get you. As for Hollow…let her do whatever she wants.”
Saturday, August 8, MC 0075
8:40 P.M.
“Anything there?” Sydney asked Margaret, covering the hallway ahead of them to the left. “Nothing.”
“What about on the right?” she then asked to Satsuki. “Nope, nothing.”
“Alright…let’s go.” Telling both of them to move towards a door nearby, Sydney could only think about the fact that nothing seemed to be here. “It’s strange…nothing seems to be here, but I feel like someone’s been watching all of us….wait.”
Stopping, she turned around to her back, and told both Satsuki and Margaret, “Go ahead. I’ll be staying here.”
“Wha-Why?” Satsuki asked, confused. “I said go! Don’t ask, just go!”
Hesitantly, Satsuki went through the door to the next room, taking Margaret with her.
“Good, they’re in…must have-.”
“You know that you led them into a trap.” a robotic voice said to her. Noticing a glint, Sydney ducked and moved away from where the voice came out, seeing a lock of her hair fall out. Getting back up, she noticed who the voice belonged to. “It can’t be….Wolf…” she thought, shocked that he was still here.
“Yacoby? How did you? I thought-.”
“I can’t die…not yet.” he replied, interrupting her. “What are you-?”
“I still have orders to do.” was his answer. “And what are those?”
“To keep you busy.” he replied before going straight at her, trying to stab her with his blade. She moved to the side, grabbing his arm and disarming him. He retaliated with a kick to the stomach, which sent her to the ground instantly. She only had time to aim Equinox onto Wolf, for he was also aiming at her with a blaster on his left arm. Sydney stayed where she was: he had a better chance of killing her than she did killing him.
“So, did Scageltti give you these orders?” she asked, wanting to know who sent him.
“No, not him.”
“Then who?”
“That is not what you should be concerned about.”
“Then what, huh? What should I be concerned about?”
After a moment of silence, Wolf started to talk. “This place is a trap, for all of you. They’ll be sure to kill you all. Except one.”
“One? Who?”
“You know who that ‘one’ is, don’t you? He’s the only one that matters to him.”
Sydney suddenly knew who Wolf was talking about, something that she wished that she didn’t know. “No…not him…” she said quietly. She felt guilty now, not for being in this situation, but because she knew something that she should have told him. She stayed silent, then asked, “Why are you helping Scagletti, then? Why?”
“We have our own reasons. Now…” he jumped back a little bit away from Sydney, giving her time to get up. “I still have to keep you busy. You’re no use to me dead.”
Getting up, she could only think of one person besides Wolf.
“Satoshi….”
Saturday, August 8, MC 0075
8:43 P.M.
Carefully, both Satsuki and Margaret moved towards the right side of the lobby they were in, trying to not attract attention from anyone else. Taking cover behind some columns, Satsuki took a look around the right side, and after a couple of seconds, she silently motioned Margaret to go ahead. Nodding, she did, reaching the door nearby. She tried to open the door, but strangely, it wouldn’t budge.
“Hey, Sat-chan, this door…” she said, pulling the handle, “won’t…open!” She stopped pulling it and started to kick the door down. The door still stayed shut.
“What are you talking about?” Satsuki replied, confused. She also tried to open the door, but it still didn’t move. Suddenly, Satsuki stopped trying to open the door. Slowly, she let go of the handle. Whispering, she said to Margaret, “on 3, move to the right.”
Margaret almost spoke before noticing the reflection on the handle itself: it showed a silhouette of someone, pointing something behind them. She didn’t turn around; that would expose the fact that both of them would know that they were there.
Satsuki started counting quickly. “One, two…three!” Both of them got away from the door, as a shot hit the door, near where they were standing. In an instant, they were taking cover on the columns, trying to find out where the shot came from. Several other shots were fired by, pinning both of them down. The fire stopped coming at both of them as suddenly as it came in, leaving both of them to wonder what was happening. “Is it-.” Margaret asked herself before two disk-like shaped objects stuck on the wall near them.
“Don’t tell me that’s-.”
Both of them ran out of cover quickly, trying to not get blown into pieces. They thought those disks were explosives. It was a really clever error in judgment. Aiming at the silhouette quickly, Satsuki was ready to fire at it. She took a shot at it quickly, but couldn’t tell if she hit it, because something else appeared that took her attention away from the silhouette. As soon as she turned her head to take another look, several binds sprouted out of the ground under her. She couldn’t back out; she was binded tightly, her Device on the floor near her.
“Satsuki!” Margaret yelled to her in panic, but someone managed to kick her in the back of the left leg, and grab her, holding a knife near her throat. Looking back, she knew who it was. “July…” she said with disgust.
“If that’s July, then…” Satsuki realized before Hollow herself came out of the shadows, holding a rope. Letting it go, the silhouette fell to the ground, revealing itself as an already-dead Replica with a sniper rifle.
“Silly…” Hollow muttered as she walked towards Satsuki. “Or maybe stupid, following idiotic orders to be sent inside a building with that with you.” she added, referring to Ellis, lying harmlessly on the ground near Satsuki.
“Maybe I should kill you now and get it over with….” she added, before turning around. “But that wouldn’t be nice to my sister, wouldn’t it?” Reverting her Device to its sealed state, Hollow dropped her right arm to her side, letting Satsuki see how it looked like.
“No way…that’s…” She looked at it in shock, turning her head slowly to her own Device. “A mirror image….the only person that has it is…”
“You’re lying! You can’t be her!”
Turning around, Hollow took out from a pocket an old photo, from years past, and showed it to Satsuki. It was crumpled and losing its color, but it still was easy to distinguish who the people were.
“Mother…Father…” Satsuki muttered in shock and horror, realizing that she was telling the truth.
“But…but why? Why are you working for Scagletti, Nina!?!”
Hollow didn’t respond for a second or two before she turned around, her Device activated again, and started to point it at her again for the second time.
“Even though…even though you’re my sister…you’re still a member of the TSAB. I must kill you.”
Satsuki could only think of one thing in her mind. “Why? Why did you become like this?” She suddenly managed to break out of her binds, and in an instant, without even thinking about it, reached for her own Device. Hollow could only fire one shot, grazing Satsuki’s head before she managed to get her Device back, pointing it at Hollow herself.
At the same time, Margaret broke out of July’s hold on her, putting two rounds onto his leg. In return, he managed to get a lucky stab into her right arm. Wincing in pain, Margaret dropped the gun, holding the wound in order to try and stop it from bleeding anymore. July, on the other hand, got up easily, oblivious to the wounds on his leg.
“Looks like I have the advantage now.” he said with a sly look on his face, ready to attack at any minute. Slowly getting up, Margaret prepared to try and at least defend herself. “He’s right…I’ve never been an expert on knives…but why me only? Why not Satsuki? Shouldn’t he be helping Hollow right now?”
She didn’t voice her thoughts, since another quick stab by July interrupted her. Dodging quickly to the right, taking a swipe at him. July managed to somehow sprint out, throwing one hidden knife, hitting Margaret on the left leg. She staggered, managing to stay up even after the hit.
“A product of Seifel itself…you should have died with all the others.”
“Then you’re…” The second Unison Device to go through all of the experiments in that place. It made sense to Margaret now why he was after her only.
“The second one? Yes. And I’ve been following my mistress for a long time, like you. But, as she said, you’re a member of the TSAB. I’m still gonna have to kill you.”
The Unsion Devices and their mistresses were at a standstill, ready for one thing to let them start fighting again.
Saturday, August 8, MC 0075
8:55 P.M.
“Hey, stay cool Vince; no need to get antsy.” Satoshi said to him as he was scanning the room for any trouble.
“I’m not getting antsy, man. Just…I’m just waiting to give them some hell for wrecking my day.”
“Uh huh, sure.” Satoshi replied nonchalantly. “Going to enjoy your day with Satsuki, huh?”
“None of your business.” Vincent said angrily, blushing a bit.
“Okay, then, don’t mind me and stack up on that door.”
“Always trying to get me…” Vincent thought as he took his position on the left side of the door.
With caution, Satoshi opened the door with his left hand slowly, making sure that nobody was inside. Vincent followed him in, checking the left side of the room.
It was a relatively small room, with windows on the left side looking over to a storage room below.
“Nothing inside here, Vince.”
“Yeah… I see nothing down there either.”
Noticing something that seemed to be moving in the window in front of him, Vincent turned back, trying to figure out who or what was it.
“Hey, Satoshi?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you-.” he said before a figure knocked him out to the window behind him. Under pressure, it cracked easily, letting Vincent fall into the storage room below.
It was easily recognizable who the figure was to Satoshi himself. “Sion…”
“Don’t worry.” Sion said dryly with a condescending smile on his face. “I’m sure the fall didn’t kill him.”
No sooner than he had said that, Satoshi was already in front of him, sticking the barrel into his chest and firing one shot. He staggered from the shot, crumpling down on the ground in a second.
“Bastard…serves you right.” Satoshi muttered, pumping out the used shell from Pixy. Heading to the broken window to check on Vincent’s condition, he was stopped by a knife barely missing his head, sticking to the frame of the broken window ahead.
“Damn it…that didn’t do enough!?!” Satoshi thought, turning around. There was Sion, standing up, his freshly made hole in the body healing up. He himself was actually smiling as he slowly got up from the shock
“Close…but no cigar.” he said to Satoshi, pointing to a spot in his mid-lower chest, seeming like he was taunting him silently.
“Pixy, let Cipher take over now.” Satoshi said to Pixy.
“[Fine. Just let me get the last shot, alright?]”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” With that, the shotgun-like Device turned back into the familiar cross-spear.
Readying himself, Satoshi casted Mach Move, then started to dash in a zig-zag motion. Sion threw several knives at him, all parried away, falling harmlessly to the ground. Switching Tartarus back into combat knife form, he slashed at the blur, missing it completely.
Satoshi gave Sion no mercy. He pierced the right side of Sion’s body, dragging the blade clean out the backside of his body.
“Shotgun Blast…”
Several spheres headed towards Sion’s back, bursting individually as all of them hit his body. Immediately came the top point of Satoshi’s Device through him. Satoshi stabbed twice, with a twist on the second stab.
Sion’s body fell to the floor, a pool of blood forming around it. Panting, Satoshi was sure he had killed Sion; after all, no person could survive that.
“Distorting Throw.” Sion muttered quietly. A big flash blinded Satoshi, stunning him long enough for Sion to get up and go hide. When the flash subsided, Satoshi looked around, seeing that his body was gone.
“No…” he thought, shocked at the revelation that even a barrage of attacks didn’t kill him, not being aware of the fact that Sion himself was sneaking up on him. He turned around, but it was too late, as Sion took out what looked like to be a syringe and plunging it into Satoshi’s neck.
Managing to back away from Sion, Satoshi seemed fine. Soon, though, he was developing headaches so strong, he had to let go of Cipher. He was screaming in pain a second later, holding his head.
“What in the hell did you do!?!” Satoshi screamed to Sion, his head still in pain.
“Wake up.” was Sion’s cryptic answer, making Satoshi look up. At this point, whatever Sion injected in him was messing with his vision, and he could barely see anything clear, since almost everything was blurry to him. He could only watch as a fist went straight to his face, then darkness covered his eyes.
Saturday, August 8, MC 0075
8:58 PM
“Aw God, landing on boxes…not something I want to do again for a while…” Vincent muttered as he got up from the ground. Luckily, the boxes took the fall for him, although he was knocked out for a good 3 minutes or so. Looking up, Vincent saw Sion looking down on him, grinning as he walked away from the edge.
“Satoshi…looks like he got himself into something…I’d better help.”
Struggling to get up, he tried to look around for a way back up. Finding one on his right that seemed to lead to the room, he approached the door, only to be blindsided by a blow to the left side of his body that sent him flying into another stack of boxes.
“Well, looks like we got someone to mess with for a while…”
Getting up and wiping the newly-coughed blood out of his lips, Vincent looked up, seeing what appeared to be two females, one with a board, floating around and another that had sharp, yellow eyes and a sort of fist-like Device, similar to one of the forwards of Riot Force 6. Both were wearing blue form-fitting suits.
“Ah, he’s awake….really now, Nove, was that necessary?” the one with the board said to the yellow-eyed girl.
“For a mage that’s blind, yeah, Wendi.” she responded.
“Why that little…” Ignoring the fact that he wanted to grind Nove into dust, he still wanted to get out of this place. That was impossible, though, since they already blocked the way. He had no choice.
“So…” Vincent finally said to the both of them, “if you don’t want to get out of the way…” Prepping to attack, he discharged two cartridges. “I’ll make you.”
Nove responded in kind, smirking at what seemed to be an easy target.
“Let’s go.”
“You first.” Vincent motioned both of them to come forward. “Hold on, Satoshi…just let me take care of these two first…”
???
Memories…from those recently to the past….today….the cafeteria where he was at several days ago….a small store….a secluded place where he and the Major trained…a bright light….a forest…a burning facility…a battlefield littered with the dead and the dying and the remains of equipment used….a tube of sorts….all of these flashed through Satoshi around him before he blacked out.
“Ugh…where in the world am I?” he muttered to himself, darkness surrounding him as he got up. It was pitch black, and there seemed to be no sign of a place to get out of. “I’m not outside…a room, maybe?” Quickly realizing what happened to him, Satoshi prepared for a surprise attack.
“I don’t have Cipher with me….it’s too damn dark to see anything…Sion probably dragged me here to play with me before he decides to kill me. Shit, this isn’t looking good.”
A distant blue light radiated behind him. Quickly turning around, Satoshi saw that a terminal was open nearby, able to be used quickly.
“Sion must have turned it on, to try and draw me to get out of this room while he backstabs me…still, I have no other way to get out of here.”
Approaching the terminal, he saw that a folder had been opened, showing one file in it. There was nothing else on the screen, just only that one file. Sighing, he opened it, expecting to be a list of instructions. Instead, he got something entirely different.
“Hey…this is a profile…MY profile….”
--
Name:Satoshi Kazukuni
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Birthdate: 10/23/0050
World of birth: Mid-Childa
--
“Hold up. I thought I was born on Earth, not in Mid-Childa.” he muttered to himself. “Someone must have gotten this thing wrong.” Curious, he continued to check this profile out.
--
Program Involved in: Storm Phase, formerly 1st group, switched 2nd group
Designation: SPII-000
--
“Storm Phase? 2nd group? I don’t know of anything like that, and I didn’t get involved in something like that. And what’s with the designation number? TSAB ID numbers aren’t anything like that.” Remembering the necklace that Sydney showed him before the mission, he realized it was the same number, as well as a date. “I wonder what the date is…might as well figure out.”
--
Reason for group switch: Pulled from 1st group and sent from second group for experimentation.
Role: Prototype speed attacker/ tactical leader
--
“Me, a prototype? And what’s with getting experimented on?”
--
Self Personifying Assault/Defense Enhancing System: Flashpoint
--
“Self Personifying Assault/Defense Enhancing System?”
--
Function: Gathers and focuses mana from surroundings to enhance speed, reaction times, and perception. User will feel as though time is “slowing down” while they “speed up”,
--
“Then that means…” The slowdown fighting the forwards…the counterattack on those Extended Relic Weapons…it couldn’t be.
--
Qualifications:
--Combat:
-Expert in Ustio artificial magic system
-Expert in hand-to-hand fighting
-Expert in Device usage
-Tendency to wield two weapons at one time
-Expert in conventional weapon usage
-Also tends to dual-wield, favors pistols, shotguns, and rifles
-Expert in Explosives
--
“Conventional weapons? Explosives? I wasn’t trained in anything like this.”
--
--Highly recommended for leadership position
-Manages group well, gets along with most of them
- Led 2nd group to pass Training Mission-WS117 efficiently
-Passed Rainsford scenario working with SPII-001
--
“I still don’t know what in the world’s going on…”
--
Date of graduation: 11/4/0058
Handed Dual Device “Garm” to him; Two-sword pair: one long and the primary system, one short and the secondary system; secondary system changes into a pistol.
Battle History:
-Sent to 121th Administered World of Eridan to deal with rebels on12/9/0058
-Performed well with assigned squad, SPII-001, SPII-032, SPII-11 taking out key targets and destructuring rebel leadership with the loss of SPII-11.
-Lost over Eridan with SPII-001 on 2/3/0059; transport chopper shot down during extraction
--
“The end of the profile….” he said with confusion and doubt. “I don’t believe any of this. This is just-.”
“Worthless junk that is inaccurate?” a younger voice said behind him.
Startled, Satoshi turned around, seeing a small boy that looked exactly like him. He had seen him before, in one of his hallucinations, but why was he here, of all places?
“No…this must be another hallucination of mine…” he said to his younger self.
“You wish it was. Look at the screen again, then tell me what you see. I’ll warn you that what you see is true.”
Looking back, he saw that there were several clips inside that folder, each containing a date.
--
2/10/0059….12/7/0060…8/24/0062…8/2/0064….5/5/0067
--
Opening the clips one by one, Satoshi watched in shock and horror. He saw his younger self, who was behind him, on these clips, seeing the things he had done….kneeling down to Jail Scagletti with another person besides him that looked strangely similar, swearing allegiance to him….On the second clip, there showed several people attacking his younger self, only to have him cut them up easily….The third clip again showed his younger self and the same person as in the first clip killing several mages before escaping. The fourth showed both of them setting up a bomb inside a reactor of some sorts…
Normally, he didn’t believe it. The only thing was that he could remember what those things were. He knew what happened next.
“That guy near me….Sion…it’s Sion.”
“Yes.” His younger self replied with a grin. “My partner, my brother, and yet we fight on different sides today.”
“We?”
“Or more precisely, you. See the last one….”
Was this some sort of joke? Some psychological attack or something? Maybe…but he had already seen these things before. Somehow, he had to find out. There was that last clip left. He had to know.
Opening it, he saw both his younger self and Sion walk on a forest trail before TSAB mages came out of the woods, surrounding both of them from all sides. There were some mages that came from the armed forces that Satoshi couldn’t tell, but there were others that he could definitely figure out: people that he knew…people that he considered friends…
“Hayate…Chrono…Fate…Nanoha….Major…Sydney…”
Seeing who they were, Satoshi suddenly felt something burning in his chest, painful enough to bring him down kneeling. Slowly getting up, he saw his younger self getting pierced by one of Chrono’s spells, followed by a white light before ending.
Turning around, Satoshi saw that his younger self grew a bit older, looking like the one he had just seen in the clip recently.
“You…why?” Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them again, seeing his younger self turn into an exact copy of himself. He was grinning evilly, chuckling to himself.
“This is how the fake disappears…don’t worry about me, anyway. After all, this is my body, my mind. You are I...”
“…and I am Nil.”
The last thing Satoshi saw before darkness came again…
Sorry for the double post, but whenever I try to put 13 in with 12, the system give me a message "too short" error :p (as if.)
Anyway, chapter 13, oh, and I'm curious to see if anybody could find some references I've put in.
August 8, M.C. 0075
9:02 P.M.
“Where in the hell is that damn captain of ours?” Anne thought to herself, taking cover behind a pillar on her left side. “At least he could have opened the stupid door.”
Nearly getting hit by a magic blast, she returned fire, shooting blindly. Casting Round Guard, she moved forward to another pillar, deflecting shots fired at her.
Taking a peek out, she could only see two of them visible: both seemed to stay in the same place, pinning her down. Another shot kept her from finding out where the third one disappeared to. “Where’s that other person?” she thought, trying to peek out and find out. Shots kept her from taking another look. Casting Round Guard again, she went out. A barrage of shots kept her still, focusing on keeping the shield’s shape. The pressure of keeping the shield active was beginning to strain her quickly; the shield started to give way under the pressure.
A second later, both of them stopped firing at her, allowing her the chance to recover. Taking the chance, she started to aim her Device at them, only to find out that something was wrong. Her arm moved towards her back: it seemed to have a mind of its own. As soon as she realized that, her other arm also started to move to her back. She tried to resist, but the pull was too great: she was restrained.
“Marionette…” a voice said from behind her. Trying to find out who it was, she turned around, finding the girl with tinted glasses, her right arm out to her like a puppeteer. “Sorry for this.” She put out her left arm, and out of her hands came several threads that attached to several points on Anne’s head. With a slight pull, she made her head turn away from her, only to be in front of a barrel of a Device.
It was the one with the cloak, pointing a different type of Device: a submachine-gun type. Behind the cloaked person was the man in the trenchcoat beside Arvis, pointing a machinegun-type Device at Arvis, deciding where to put the bullet in him.
“You put one bullet in him or Lian, I will personally kill you. Got it!?!” Anne yelled out to him. She tried to move, but the cloaked person stopped Anne by getting close and pressing the barrel of her Device to her head.
A small, static sound suddenly came up, and the one with the trenchcoat pulled out an earpiece.
“Radio? I thought they would communicate with their minds instead…” Anne thought to herself.
The man stepped away from Arvis, talking to whoever was on the other line, turning his back on all of them.
“Yes…They’re incapacitated…What? You don’t-….But….I understand.”
He turned around to all of them. “Rushuna, Saika, we have orders to retreat. Let’s go.”
The cloaked person was the first to talk back. “So, what about her, Jacques?”
“Bind her down; we do have orders not to cause any casualties.”
“Got it.” The one with the glasses said, releasing the threads on her head and casting another spell.
“Wire Bind.” The threads restrained both Anne’s wrists and ankles, causing her to fall down on the ground. She turned around to see the one with glasses cast another spell, causing them to disappear gradually.
“Who are you people?” she asked. They gave no answer as they disappeared completely. A moment later, her binds also disappeared. “Saika…Rushuna…Jacques…the only trace for them.” Getting her Device quickly, she went over to Arvis and Lian. They were starting to wake up, oblivious on what just happened.
“Man...something hit me bad, huh?” Arvis mumbled, getting a hold of a pillar’s wall, trying to stand up.
“At lest you two are still alive.” Anne answered him, helping Lian up. “What is the last thing you guys remember?”
“Just three people who ambushed us.” Lian responded weakly.
“There’s no use figuring out who they are now…” Anne thought. “Still, who were they and why isn’t our idiot of a captain here with us?”
“Come on, let’s see if we can get out of here…” Anne said to both of them.
---
9:02 P.M.
“Good…they’re out of the way, giving the Replicas time to escape. If there's any still left. Hope Anne isn’t too bothered by it…” Nobuyuki thought, a small smile on his face. Quickly he started telepathic communications with someone else.
“Asteright, this is Papillion. How’s your situation?”
“Not that much, just dealing with your commanders.”
“Then listen up: you will continue to fight until I give the order to retreat. You and you only.”
“What about Hollow?”
“Expendable.”
A moment of silence came through before Asteright answered back. “I’m not leaving without her.”
“Judging by how much time you can expect to have to escape, you’re going to cut it close if you do get her.”
“I’ll gamble on it, then. It seems to work out, anyway.”
“Your call…I can’t be responsible if something happens to both of you.”
Nobuyuki heard a bang on the radio, followed by a period of silence. After what seemed to be about a minute, Asteright’s voice was in the radio again.
“There…escaped from them.” he said, catching his breath.
“Never thought you’d have a conventional weapon with you.”
“Always be prepared, that’s what I say…what about Sion and Scagletti’s Numbers?”
“They will leave on separate times.”
“And what about our true target?”
Looking down on the fight between Satoshi and Sion, he responded, “He’s planning something…it’s still within our goal…”
“Good…I’m getting her out right now.”
“Just focus and wait for my signal. Papillion out.” Looking down again on both of them, he knew everything was going well. He left, laughing to himself at how brilliant everything went and how nobody thought otherwise. “Anne’s an exception…but she can be dealt with easily. That reminds me…time to get back to my squad…”
---
August 8, M.C. 0075
9:03 P.M.
“Damn it…” Vincent muttered as he got up, clearing the remains of several boxes and filler inside from him.
“Eh? I thought he would be a better challenge.” Wendi said to Nove, hovering near her.
“Yeah, as if.” she replied. “At least he makes a good punching bag.”
“Let’s see you say that again.” Vincent muttered under a couple of coughs that gave out blood each time. Wiping the blood off of his mouth, he suddenly charged towards both of them, catching them off-guard.
“If I could get a good hit ….”
“Shell Bullet, Blattform (Blade Form)!”
“[Wollen wir dazu kommen!] (Let’s get to it!)” 3 cartridges shot out of Shell Bullet’s ejection port as the hand switched into a blade.
“Beleuchtung Blatt (Lighting Blade)!” At once, the blade became covered in lighting, letting Vincent get ready to swipe at Nove and Wendi.
Having no time to talk, Wendi immediately flew out of the way while Nove started to charge at him. Getting into range, Vincent swiped at Nove, only to find out that she ducked down. A second later, he was on his knees, coughing up more blood.
“Great…another stomach hit.” he told himself, getting up again. “[Fluch…(Damn…)] Shell Bullet said, indicating that it had used up all of its cartridges. Quickly, Vincent searched for more cartridges. There were none left. “…I’m screwed now. Still…”
He felt like a brick wall hit by a wrecking ball, not being able to even stand properly. Seeing Wendi fly in, he weakly casted Panzerschild (Tank Shield). The shield quickly formed up, flickering a bit.
“Time to finish this…Nove!” Wendi flew in, shooting at Vincent’s shield. The shield lasted enough to withstand a few shots, cracking steadily each time. Nove charged in after, ready to break the shield. A few seconds was all the time Vincent had left, struggling to keep the shield up. He had no other defense left when the blow came through, hitting him again in the stomach.
He slid a couple of inches, gripping his stomach, coughing. Still, he stood, not ready to fall down yet.
Nove pressed on, giving him a string of blows. Another hit in the stomach, the head, it didn’t matter; he still kept on standing.
“What…are…you!?!” she cried out, striking him enough that he soon hit the wall with his back. He slid down a bit, his hands slumped down. Somehow he was still up, his head down, blood going down in small streams.
“Is he still alive?” Nove said, a bit cautious. She hadn’t seen something like this before: someone who could stand up to a barrage like that.
“He didn’t say that there would be no casualties, right?” Wendi replied to her. “Right…”
“Well-.” Wendi added before something else came up. “A call?” she wondered as she grabbed the radio receiver she got before the mission.
“Wendi?”
“Papillion…what is it now?”
“It’s….”
Nove wondered what was going on, seeing Wendi nod to whatever the voice was saying. She couldn’t hear it clearly, but by the looks of it, it was troubling.
“Well?” she said to Wendi after she stopped talking.
“We’d better leave now.”
“What? Why!?!”
“It’s an order…”
“So? We still have no reason to get out of here!”
The sound of footsteps closing in stopped their argument. Quickly, they left, leaving Vincent on the wall.
“They’re…gone…” Vincent thought. Slowly turning his head to the left, he managed to see a glimpse of someone, running towards him. “Others…good.” Another thought also entered into his mind. “Who in the hell…is Papillion?” He had no time to figure it out. Slowly, his eyes closed, his body sliding down, losing the feeling that something was wrong. “I…wonder…how’s Satsuki and…the Vice-Commander’s doing…” He fell unconscious by the time TSAB mages reached him.
---
Earlier…
August 8, M.C. 0075
8:46 P.M.
She couldn’t believe it…her own sister…alive…on the other side…and she was ready to kill her…all of these things were in Satsuki’s mind.
“She’s not truly focused on what’s happening right now…” Margaret noticed, looking at Satsuki. “I can’t believe it, too, but we have to admit they are our enemies…no matter how hard it is.”
“If you’re going to kill me right now, then do it.” Hollow said indifferently, coldly staring down at Satsuki.
Hollow could see she had no intention to do so; she could see the rifle shaking in her hands, her body shaking slightly. She couldn’t bear the fact that she was working with Scagletti. “Her mistake…”
Quickly moving out of the way, she disarmed Ellis out of Satsuki’s hands. Satsuki didn’t react in time as she received a blow in the stomach, knocking to the ground. A second later, she was looking the barrel of Carrossea.
“Satsuki!” Margaret cried out, heading towards her own Device. “You’re not going anywhere…” July muttered as he threw two knives aimed at both her legs. Both of them hit their targets, taking down Margaret.
Margaret still crawled towards it, hoping for a chance to use it. July came right in front of her, smiling. He looked down on both her and her Device.
“You don’t need this anymore.” he said sadly, kicking the gun out of the way. He then approached Margaret with one knife in his left hand. “Not where you’re supposed to go.”
Grabbing her head, he put the knife next to her throat, right in front of Hollow. “On your signal.”
Hollow nodded, staying focused on Satsuki. “Any last words?” she said. Satsuki could say none as Hollow readied herself to pull the trigger.
“I see you got the situation under control.” Asteright said, coming out of the shadows.
“Of course.” she replied.
“Finish them off; we have to get out of here now.”
“Right…”
Satsuki closed her eyes, waiting for it. “I’m gonna die, am I? I’m gonna die…” She heard the shot and waited. “Am I dead…no…” she slowly opened her eyes, seeing Asteright, Hollow, and July walking away.
“Next time…” she said, turning to her, “I won’t miss.” She turned back and all three of them run out of a door. Quickly standing up, she ran to the door, only to find that it was locked. She let go of the handle and walked to the other side of the room.
A surge of pain went through Margaret as she pulled both of the knives out. Catching her breath, she saw Satsuki sit down near her.
“Damn you…just because she was your sister…and now…” she said angrily, “ NOW WE’RE LIKE THIS! JUST DAMN YOU AND DAMN IT ALL! JUST-” She stopped…she saw tears coming out of Satsuki’s eyes. But she didn’t cry out or even look at Margaret. She was sitting down, looking at the door, crying silently.
“…Sorry…” Margaret muttered softly, noticing the fact that she was crying too. She heard a door open nearby, revealing several other TSAB mages who went in.
---
August 8, M.C. 0075
8: 46 P.M.
Dodging several slashes from Wolf’s sword, Sydney ducked down and aimed Equinox at Wolf’s chest.
“Ice Bullet.”
“[Yes, meister.]”
Several ice projectiles painfully hit the cyborg’s chest, sending him back a bit. He staggered, recovering from the blows. Sydney rushed in, slashing several times at him, all of them deflected easily with Wolf’s sword. He stepped back, aiming the blaster at Sydney.
“Perfect.” Sydney thought, as she readied her ace in the hole.
“Equinox, Eternal Coffin.”
“[Yes, meister.]” Wolf could see the ice rushing towards him, able to freeze anything instantly. He aimed his blaster arm downwards, trying to burn the ice off. The ice reached the blaster arm first, freezing it up to the elbow. He tried to fire, but it was jammed; he was stuck. Looking down, he saw that the ice neared his feet. It was slowing down, though, eventually stopping. Looking up, he could see Sydney, definitely exhausted nearly to the point of exhaustion. She stood up slowly, trying to approach Wolf.
“Why…why does he want Satoshi again?” she muttered, struggling to stay standing. She stood still near Wolf, aiming Equinox at him. “He’s changed! How could he-.”
“Scagletti’s found a way. In fact…I bet he’s back again.” Wolf replied slowly. Sydney looked at him in shock. “No...it isn’t possible. Bringing Satoshi back into…him…that monster.” Sydney muttered to herself
“Unfortunately, you’ll have to see if that’s true. I have to leave.” Wolf replied, snapping Sydney back into focus.
“No, you’re staying here and telling me everything.”
“There are things you just have to find out yourself.” Wolf replied, hearing footsteps coming in their direction. He quickly cut his left arm off, freeing himself. “Yacoby!” Sydney tried to rush him, but he had already put up a smokescreen, blinding her. When the smoke cleared, he had already disappeared.
“Fuck…” she muttered, suddenly leaning on the left wall. She pushed it too far even getting up; she had trouble staying conscious at that moment.
“Hey, it’s one of them!” a male TSAB Ground mage called out. Sydney looked to see a whole squad going in her direction. She turned and smiled, not noticing that she was falling forward.
“Got you!” a voice said, helping her sit down on the ground. Realizing what happened, she quickly looked at the person who helped her. It was a woman, with short pink hair, smiling at her.
“You okay?”
“Yeah…thanks…who are you anyway?”
“Sergeant Ellen Rochefill of the 378th Ground Battalion.”
“2nd Lieutenant Sydney Megane. 216th Special Combat Unit. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Ellen helped Sydney up on her feet, holding her up since she still couldn’t stand up on her own.
“You’re squad leader, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then I have a favor to ask. There’s two members of my unit inside.” Sydney said, pointing to the door where Satsuki and Margaret went in. “Check on them, would you?”
“Right. Kajima, Roots, Freebell, you three go inside and support them if necessary. Rest of you, get back outside and help secure the perimeter.”
“Yes, Sergeant!”
As Ellen’s group was heading to their assigned spots, Sydney asked Ellen another favor: to help find her squad leader. “That’s twice you owe me, then.”
“Not now…Apex, Area Search.”
“[Yes, ma’am.]”
“Umm…isn’t that bad to do in your state?” Ellen asked to Sydney, focusing on Area Search.
“Shut up, Sergeant.”
“Geez…sorry.”
“There…” she thought, finding the place where Satoshi was.
“I’ve found where he is. Since I can’t walk that well yet, you drag me and I’ll tell you where to go.”
“Well…alright then.”
“Go straight from here, then go left to start.”
- - -
Present time…
August 8, M.C. 0075
9:03 P.M.
“You understand, right?” Satoshi said telepathically to Sion, deflecting a thrown knife from Sion and a sword slash from Deed. “Have Scagletti send me a package if he agrees.”
“For what?” Sion replied, dodging Satoshi’s Gale Sabers and casting Scattering Ice.
“So it doesn’t look suspicious.” Satoshi casted Variable Shield, blocking the ice knives. Firing Burst Shooter to distract Otto, he countered a stab by Deed, hitting her in the stomach with the blunt end of Cipher. “Get it?” Satoshi switched from Cipher to Pixy, aiming at Sion.
“I see…” Sion dodged several shots from Pixy, keeping him busy. “Alright then. Now what?”
Hearing footsteps, Satoshi decided it was time. “Make it believable but fast; you guys are already lagging on getting it out of here.”
He dropped his weapon, letting Sion and Deed rush him. He didn’t mind; after all, these beating would send him to another hospital, better than the one at base, and easier to escape from. He fell unconscious almost immediately.
“Good…Otto, Deed, we’re done. Let’s get out of here.”
All three of them barely made it out of the room as Sydney and Ellen arrived inside.
“Satoshi!” Sydney cried out, rushing towards him. “Damnit…not even Physical Heal could do much.
“Cipher, what happened!?!”
“Sion ambushed us…there was nothing we could have done.” Cipher said. It was a lie, instructed by Satoshi to say it. It was believable in these conditions though.
“At least he hasn’t been taken by them…” she thought. “Better tell the Major now.”
“Major,” Sydney said telepathically. “this is Sky 2. I’ve found Sky 1. He’s unconscious, looks severely hurt. I’m dragging him out, now.”
The Major answered. “Right, get him out of there. In fact, everyone else is out except you.” With a solemn voice, he added. “I think that this mission was a failure.”
Silent for a moment, she answered. “I agree.”
---
August, 8, M.C. 0075
9:17 P.M.
“Another group finding something….Scagletti’s forces coming at us with no intention.” Bulgakov muttered to Rachel. “I have the feeling that something’s gone wrong.”
“Yes…the report by Anne about three people who are cloaked and in black….how Asteright immediately disengaged.”
“Should have known the bastard would have prepared something like this.” Bulgakov looked up and sighed; it was all past. “And now we have 2 critically injured. I wish we weren’t assigned this mission…at least reinforcements came when I asked.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself that much.” Sydney muttered. She was sitting nearby the two of them, looking at Satoshi being hauled off to the ambulance.
“You too.” Bulgakov answered, knowing what she was looking at. “There was also that cyborg ninja you mentioned appearing again.”
“He mentioned that Scagletti found a way again…”
“For what?”
“Turning him back.”
Bulgakov looked at her in shock and horror. “If he was back again…” he thought. “we would be in a whole lot of trouble. It was bad enough the first time.”
“You mean-!?!” Rachel asked Sydney.
“Yes…Nil.”
Rachel stayed silent, as well as the Major. She had seen how he was like first-hand. She didn’t want to see that again.
“I wonder why they didn’t take him though.” Sydney said
“Maybe he couldn’t be changed back.” Rachel replied.
“I hope so….I wish I could have gotten him…managed to escape before he could tell me more.”
Sydney quieted down, looking at the sky. It was dark and cloudy, preventing anyone to see the stars or even the moon itself. “Must be some kind of omen…” she thought to herself. Looking down on the situation below, she could see Vincent being carried off to another waiting ambulance.
Satsuki was nearby when Vincent was being carried off in front of her.
“Vince…VINCE!” she cried out, rushing to him.
“Hey, move out of the way. We’re trying to get him in.” one of the medical crewperson carrying him said to her.
“How bad is it!?! Tell me!”
“He’s in serious condition. He needs to be getting to a hospital now, so move it!”
She quickly moved out of their way, sitting down again.
From afar, Sydney could see what was happening. Getting up and talking to her was the least she could do. “Well…”
“Just go.” the Major replied. Rachel only nodded in agreement.
Nearby the entrance where the Ground Forces were going in and out was Anne, Arvis and Lian.
“Three others…neither with Scagletti or with us…now that’s something to think about.” Arvis said. “They were good fighters though, taking us by surprise.”
“Right…” Anne replied, still thinking about them. “I wonder why they were there in the first place. Are they looking for something…someone?”
Arvis noticed that something was on Anne’s mind. “Anything wrong?”
“No, nothing.” Anne said quickly. “I’m just having my head in the clouds.” she added sheepishly.
“Right…” Arvis noticed something: Lian wasn’t talking at all. “What’s wrong, huh?”
“That red sword…it’s the same one…” he heard her mutter. “What sword are you talking about?”
“Huh?” she said, surprised. Looking back to see Arvis, she was trying to make an excuse. “Save it.” Arvis immediately said. “Everyone wants to keep secrets, fine by me.”
Lian was relieved; at least she didn’t have to say what was troubling her. In a sense, it was a relief. In another sense, though, it didn’t feel right to hide stuff from him. Putting that aside, she had another question.
“Oh, by the way…where is our captain?”
“Probably ran off somewhere, is what.” Anne said. “I wonder where that idiot is now.”
---
August 8, M.C. 0075
9:19 P.M.
“Papillion…how nice of you to stop by here.” Jacques said jokingly to Nobuyuki, coming into the room.
“And how nice of you to think of me like that.”
“Funny.”
“So, how’s Satoshi?” Rushuna said to him. “After all, all we’ve been doing is distracting the TSAB mages.”
“By the looks of things, he’s been changed back.”
“Then our real mission begins.” Saika said.
“You do know what we have to do if he turns out to be uncontrollable, right, Papillion?” Jacques said.
“Right…kill him…from afar. That means you, Saika.”
“Don’t worry about me…even if he is my brother, I wouldn’t hesitate.”
“I see…” Nobuyuki said, looking up at the sky. “A dark one…must be a sign.”
All three of them looked up silently, not even saying a word. After a while, Nobuyuki broke the silence. “Well, I have to go. Gotta keep up my cover in the TSAB.”
“Alright then.” Rushuna said.
As Papillion left, Jacques asked both of them a question. “Do you think he’s not using us?”
“I’m not sure…” Rushuna answered.
“But he’s been a great help to the Azalea Dawn.” Saika added.
“Still…I can’t shake off the feeling.”
---
August 8, M.C. 0075
9: 22 P.M.
“Papillion…you’re here.” Asteright said. “Well, manage to keep them off our backs?
“Of course. They don’t know where you are right now.”
“Well, that’s good.” Wendi added in. “I really don’t want to be fighting a battalion right now.”
“I don’t mind.” Nove replied. “It doesn’t matter to me anyway.”
“She’s right, we shouldn’t waste this chance.” Sion said. “It’d be better until we wait, anyway.”
“Then what about the Replicas?” Papillion said, changing the subject.
“Dead….all of them.” Asteright noted. “They were all second-class, anyway.”
“I see. No wonder their aiming wasn’t as good as I was normally used to.”
A screen came up in front of all of them, showing Scagletti’s face. “How was the mission?”
“Better than expected. The TSAB didn’t know what was happening at all.” Sion reported.
“And what about Nil?” he asked, curious.
“Back…but he’s got something.”
“A plan, huh?” Scagletti replied, smiling. “This might be interesting…tell me more.”
---
August 8, M.C. 0075
9: 23 P.M.
“Medical personnel are working on me…well, my old self, anyway. Looks like I’m going somewhere else to be treated on…I’m back….and it’s going…just as planned.”
Sorry for the squished text...I'll fix that later. Now...to work on my MG Ez8...later
This is the stuff that happens when you spend too much time in IRC and talk about a certain hobby...
New OC!
He has no magic, yet he is a vital part of their lives.
Ordinary Iron Chef
Name: Kevin
Age: 36
DOB: May 23
Height: 6'
Weight: 195 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Blood type: O negative
Affiliation: None
Position: Chef
Rank: Civilian
Air Combat Rank: None
Ground Combat Rank: None
Composite Rank: None
Magic System: None
Magic Color: --
Specialty: Cooking
Style: Eclectic
Device: Personal set of kitchen knives
Personality:
Although generally a dry and sarcastic sort, Kevin does honestly care for the people closest to him. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re exempt from his off-color and often silly remarks and comments. He has a dark sense of humor, able to make a comment in just about any situation regardless of the mood, and years of working in high-stress kitchens has granted him incredible patience and almost unflappable calmness. At the same time, his experience with dealing with such a variety of people has also filled him with good advice. Still, he is not without a silly side, though only a select few has ever witnessed it.
Appearance:
Rather than adapting to the fashion designs of his current residence, Kevin has clung to his Earthborn style (or lack thereof) of blue jeans, a black shirt, and black boots. Ever present on his left wrist is a silver watch, and more often than not around his waist is his chef’s apron. Overall he is unremarkable, sporting short black hair and glasses, with no outwardly distinguishing features. He is ordinary, and perhaps because of it, he is different.
History:
Kevin’s history with the Aces begins all the way back when Nanoha was still a student in elementary school. He was traveling the world, doing a bit of soul searching after a particularly unsuccessful romp through college. Though he got his degree, he found it… lacking. His travels brought him to Uminari City, Japan, to the Midoriya where he hoped to get a job filling in a gap in the roster caused by schoolwork. By then Kevin had accumulated a fair amount of culinary work, having slaved in a number of kitchens to help pay for his travels, and it was with these skills that he was put to work in the bakery and kitchens of the Midoriya. Little Nanoha found herself fascinated by the foreigner, whose clipped speech, fledgling grasp of the Japanese language, and strange kitchen antics amused her greatly. Perhaps it was because they were kindred spirits, both lost and unsure where their lives’ paths would take them. This all changed when the Jewel Seeds came to town, though through much of it, Kevin remained ignorant. It wasn’t until Nanoha herself came to him to talk about her insecurities that he became aware of Nanoha’s involvement with otherworldly entities, and even then, he only gave advice and let the girl grow on her own.
The events of A’s had him formally meeting Fate, as well as bumping into several members of the Wolkenritter in his forays into the public. For much of the incident, Kevin remained relatively ignorant of the events, knowing only that Nanoha, Fate, Yuuno, and Arf were involved in some way. Still, he didn’t pry into their business, content in simply providing something tasty for them upon their return. Unknowingly, he befriended the likes of Signum, Shamal, and Vita with his frequent outings, ultimately cumulating into visiting Hayate at their home and the hospital. All attempts to teach Shamal cooking had thus far failed, but still they tried. It was during the final confrontation that he bore witness to it all, along with Suzuka and Arisa. Though the Wolkenritter felt guilt over deceiving their friend, he merely waved off their concerns and told them to visit him tomorrow – he’d have a nice stew ready for them.
Following the incident, Kevin found himself becoming more deeply involved with magic and mages, despite having zero ability in it. Tested and observed, he was found to be completely unable to use magic, though he remained sensitive to the magic around him, a bizarre feature that no one had managed to figure out why thus far. Regardless, he remained a close friend to the growing Aces. Kevin’s ultimate fate was to be employed Riot Force Six in their headquarters as the canteen chef, where he continues to produce delicious meals and advice to all those that seek it.
Despite his older age, Kevin is considered a close friend to the Aces and the Wolkenritter.
Style:
Kevin has no real focus in his cooking style, instead simply making whatever he deems delicious at the time. He does have a particular strength in Italian, Chinese, and American cuisines, but more often that not he’ll make a dish from a different style and region of the world each day. Variety is the spice of life, and Kevin makes sure to season well. Ever since coming to Mid Childa, his cookery has grown to incorporate influences of the local cultures. Still, his dishes tend to be a welcomed nostalgia for those from Earth and a new taste sensation for everyone else. He’s had some bartender experience as well, allowing him to mix up a few tasty beverages to accompany meals. Few people know of this though – you have to go up and ask him personally for one.
Unique Skills:
Sensitive – Despite having zero magical power or ability, Kevin remains sensitive to the magic around him. This can manifest as knowing who is coming near home, or even go as far as being able to penetrate a Temporal Distortion Field. Still, he requires special technologies and devices to allow telepathic communications as well as get him though a typical day in Mid-Childa, such as his watch.
Equipment:
Being a non-mage, Kevin has a few gadgets that allow him to at very least navigate the world without having to rely on others.
Watch – Designed to look like his old Seiko wristwatch, this handy device serves as a PDA, communicator, translator, GPS, and other functions all in one. This is the once gadget that Kevin cannot go without, for it does so much for him.
Cellphone – Redundant in Midchilda, this device has been altered to allow communications with networks outside of Midchilda, like that of Earth. Though the connection isn’t perfect, it at least lets him keep in touch with friends and family on Earth. Sometimes this device is abused by Nanoha to contact her family.
Glasses – His corrective lenses contain modifications that link with his watch’s functions, letting him operate on the run. There’s a rumor that they also contain nightvision, thermal, and electromagnetic field options.
Pipe – Just a simple briar pipe.
WASP Knife -- What? What knife? He doesn't have one, really!
This guy looks a little familiar...
Interestingly, his name means "Agile Change" or "Convenient Home" in Japanese o_O
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-15, 15:05
This is the stuff that happens when you spend too much time in IRC and talk about a certain hobby...
New OC!
He has no magic, yet he is a vital part of their lives.
Ordinary Iron Chef
Name: Kevin
Age: 32
DOB: May 23
Height: 6'
Weight: 240 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Blood type: O negative
Affiliation: None
Position: Chef
Rank: Civilian
Air Combat Rank: None
Ground Combat Rank: None
Composite Rank: None
Magic System: None
Magic Color: --
Specialty: Cooking
Style: Eclectic
Device: Personal set of kitchen knives
Personality:
Although generally a dry and sarcastic sort, Kevin does honestly care for the people closest to him. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re exempt from his off-color and often silly remarks and comments. He has a dark sense of humor, able to make a comment in just about any situation regardless of the mood, and years of working in high-stress kitchens has granted him incredible patience and almost unflappable calmness. At the same time, his experience with dealing with such a variety of people has also filled him with good advice. Still, he is not without a silly side, though only a select few has ever witnessed it.
Appearance:
Rather than adapting to the fashion designs of his current residence, Kevin has clung to his Earthborn style (or lack thereof) of blue jeans, a black shirt, and black boots. Ever present on his left wrist is a silver watch, and more often than not around his waist is his chef’s apron. Overall he is unremarkable, sporting short black hair and glasses, with no outwardly distinguishing features. He is ordinary, and perhaps because of it, he is different.
History:
Kevin’s history with the Aces begins all the way back when Nanoha was still a student in elementary school. He was traveling the world, doing a bit of soul searching after a particularly unsuccessful romp through college. Though he got his degree, he found it… lacking. His travels brought him to Uminari City, Japan, to the Midoriya where he hoped to get a job filling in a gap in the roster caused by schoolwork. By then Kevin had accumulated a fair amount of culinary work, having slaved in a number of kitchens to help pay for his travels, and it was with these skills that he was put to work in the bakery and kitchens of the Midoriya. Little Nanoha found herself fascinated by the foreigner, whose clipped speech, fledgling grasp of the Japanese language, and strange kitchen antics amused her greatly. Perhaps it was because they were kindred spirits, both lost and unsure where their lives’ paths would take them. This all changed when the Jewel Seeds came to town, though through much of it, Kevin remained ignorant. It wasn’t until Nanoha herself came to him to talk about her insecurities that he became aware of Nanoha’s involvement with otherworldly entities, and even then, he only gave advice and let the girl grow on her own.
The events of A’s had him formally meeting Fate, as well as bumping into several members of the Wolkenritter in his forays into the public. For much of the incident, Kevin remained relatively ignorant of the events, knowing only that Nanoha, Fate, Yuuno, and Arf were involved in some way. Still, he didn’t pry into their business, content in simply providing something tasty for them upon their return. Unknowingly, he befriended the likes of Signum, Shamal, and Vita with his frequent outings, ultimately cumulating into visiting Hayate at their home and the hospital. All attempts to teach Shamal cooking had thus far failed, but still they tried. It was during the final confrontation that he bore witness to it all, along with Suzuka and Arisa. Though the Wolkenritter felt guilt over deceiving their friend, he merely waved off their concerns and told them to visit him tomorrow – he’d have a nice stew ready for them.
Following the incident, Kevin found himself becoming more deeply involved with magic and mages, despite having zero ability in it. Tested and observed, he was found to be completely unable to use magic, though he remained sensitive to the magic around him, a bizarre feature that no one had managed to figure out why thus far. Regardless, he remained a close friend to the growing Aces. Kevin’s ultimate fate was to be employed Riot Force Six in their headquarters as the canteen chef, where he continues to produce delicious meals and advice to all those that seek it.
Despite his older age, Kevin is considered a close friend to the Aces and the Wolkenritter.
Style:
Kevin has no real focus in his cooking style, instead simply making whatever he deems delicious at the time. He does have a particular strength in Italian, Chinese, and American cuisines, but more often that not he’ll make a dish from a different style and region of the world each day. Variety is the spice of life, and Kevin makes sure to season well. Ever since coming to Mid Childa, his cookery has grown to incorporate influences of the local cultures. Still, his dishes tend to be a welcomed nostalgia for those from Earth and a new taste sensation for everyone else. He’s had some bartender experience as well, allowing him to mix up a few tasty beverages to accompany meals. Few people know of this though – you have to go up and ask him personally for one.
Unique Skills:
Sensitive – Despite having zero magical power or ability, Kevin remains sensitive to the magic around him. This can manifest as knowing who is coming near home, or even go as far as being able to penetrate a Temporal Distortion Field. Still, he requires special technologies and devices to allow telepathic communications as well as get him though a typical day in Mid-Childa, such as his watch.
Equipment:
Being a non-mage, Kevin has a few gadgets that allow him to at very least navigate the world without having to rely on others.
Watch – Designed to look like his old Seiko wristwatch, this handy device serves as a PDA, communicator, translator, GPS, and other functions all in one. This is the once gadget that Kevin cannot go without, for it does so much for him.
Cellphone – Redundant in Midchilda, this device has been altered to allow communications with networks outside of Midchilda, like that of Earth. Though the connection isn’t perfect, it at least lets him keep in touch with friends and family on Earth. Sometimes this device is abused by Nanoha to contact her family.
Glasses – His corrective lenses contain modifications that link with his watch’s functions, letting him operate on the run. There’s a rumor that they also contain nightvision, thermal, and electromagnetic field options.
Pipe – Just a simple briar pipe.
WASP Knife -- What? What knife? He doesn't have one, really!
This guy looks a little familiar...
Interestingly, his name means "Agile Change" or "Convenient Home" in Japanese o_O
Sounds like a Nanoha version of Gainan to me... only male.
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-15, 15:33
This is the stuff that happens when you spend too much time in IRC and talk about a certain hobby...
New OC!
He has no magic, yet he is a vital part of their lives.
Ordinary Iron Chef
Name: Kevin
Age: 32
DOB: May 23
Height: 6'
Weight: 240 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Blood type: O negative
Affiliation: None
Position: Chef
Rank: Civilian
Air Combat Rank: None
Ground Combat Rank: None
Composite Rank: None
Magic System: None
Magic Color: --
Specialty: Cooking
Style: Eclectic
Device: Personal set of kitchen knives
Personality:
Although generally a dry and sarcastic sort, Kevin does honestly care for the people closest to him. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re exempt from his off-color and often silly remarks and comments. He has a dark sense of humor, able to make a comment in just about any situation regardless of the mood, and years of working in high-stress kitchens has granted him incredible patience and almost unflappable calmness. At the same time, his experience with dealing with such a variety of people has also filled him with good advice. Still, he is not without a silly side, though only a select few has ever witnessed it.
Appearance:
Rather than adapting to the fashion designs of his current residence, Kevin has clung to his Earthborn style (or lack thereof) of blue jeans, a black shirt, and black boots. Ever present on his left wrist is a silver watch, and more often than not around his waist is his chef’s apron. Overall he is unremarkable, sporting short black hair and glasses, with no outwardly distinguishing features. He is ordinary, and perhaps because of it, he is different.
History:
Kevin’s history with the Aces begins all the way back when Nanoha was still a student in elementary school. He was traveling the world, doing a bit of soul searching after a particularly unsuccessful romp through college. Though he got his degree, he found it… lacking. His travels brought him to Uminari City, Japan, to the Midoriya where he hoped to get a job filling in a gap in the roster caused by schoolwork. By then Kevin had accumulated a fair amount of culinary work, having slaved in a number of kitchens to help pay for his travels, and it was with these skills that he was put to work in the bakery and kitchens of the Midoriya. Little Nanoha found herself fascinated by the foreigner, whose clipped speech, fledgling grasp of the Japanese language, and strange kitchen antics amused her greatly. Perhaps it was because they were kindred spirits, both lost and unsure where their lives’ paths would take them. This all changed when the Jewel Seeds came to town, though through much of it, Kevin remained ignorant. It wasn’t until Nanoha herself came to him to talk about her insecurities that he became aware of Nanoha’s involvement with otherworldly entities, and even then, he only gave advice and let the girl grow on her own.
The events of A’s had him formally meeting Fate, as well as bumping into several members of the Wolkenritter in his forays into the public. For much of the incident, Kevin remained relatively ignorant of the events, knowing only that Nanoha, Fate, Yuuno, and Arf were involved in some way. Still, he didn’t pry into their business, content in simply providing something tasty for them upon their return. Unknowingly, he befriended the likes of Signum, Shamal, and Vita with his frequent outings, ultimately cumulating into visiting Hayate at their home and the hospital. All attempts to teach Shamal cooking had thus far failed, but still they tried. It was during the final confrontation that he bore witness to it all, along with Suzuka and Arisa. Though the Wolkenritter felt guilt over deceiving their friend, he merely waved off their concerns and told them to visit him tomorrow – he’d have a nice stew ready for them.
Following the incident, Kevin found himself becoming more deeply involved with magic and mages, despite having zero ability in it. Tested and observed, he was found to be completely unable to use magic, though he remained sensitive to the magic around him, a bizarre feature that no one had managed to figure out why thus far. Regardless, he remained a close friend to the growing Aces. Kevin’s ultimate fate was to be employed Riot Force Six in their headquarters as the canteen chef, where he continues to produce delicious meals and advice to all those that seek it.
Despite his older age, Kevin is considered a close friend to the Aces and the Wolkenritter.
Style:
Kevin has no real focus in his cooking style, instead simply making whatever he deems delicious at the time. He does have a particular strength in Italian, Chinese, and American cuisines, but more often that not he’ll make a dish from a different style and region of the world each day. Variety is the spice of life, and Kevin makes sure to season well. Ever since coming to Mid Childa, his cookery has grown to incorporate influences of the local cultures. Still, his dishes tend to be a welcomed nostalgia for those from Earth and a new taste sensation for everyone else. He’s had some bartender experience as well, allowing him to mix up a few tasty beverages to accompany meals. Few people know of this though – you have to go up and ask him personally for one.
Unique Skills:
Sensitive – Despite having zero magical power or ability, Kevin remains sensitive to the magic around him. This can manifest as knowing who is coming near home, or even go as far as being able to penetrate a Temporal Distortion Field. Still, he requires special technologies and devices to allow telepathic communications as well as get him though a typical day in Mid-Childa, such as his watch.
Equipment:
Being a non-mage, Kevin has a few gadgets that allow him to at very least navigate the world without having to rely on others.
Watch – Designed to look like his old Seiko wristwatch, this handy device serves as a PDA, communicator, translator, GPS, and other functions all in one. This is the once gadget that Kevin cannot go without, for it does so much for him.
Cellphone – Redundant in Midchilda, this device has been altered to allow communications with networks outside of Midchilda, like that of Earth. Though the connection isn’t perfect, it at least lets him keep in touch with friends and family on Earth. Sometimes this device is abused by Nanoha to contact her family.
Glasses – His corrective lenses contain modifications that link with his watch’s functions, letting him operate on the run. There’s a rumor that they also contain nightvision, thermal, and electromagnetic field options.
Pipe – Just a simple briar pipe.
WASP Knife -- What? What knife? He doesn't have one, really!
This guy looks a little familiar...
Interestingly, his name means "Agile Change" or "Convenient Home" in Japanese o_O
Ooo....a chef. An OC that can fit anywhere :D. And it looks like teaching Shamal to cook edible food really is hopeless :heh:.
And I wonder if he's based off anyone we might know. Hmm...:eyebrow:
Wild Goose
2008-08-15, 23:45
My guess is temp :p Then again, Franz is based off me, but with more angst, more secrets, and more BURNING HOTBLOODED MANLY SPIRIT. XD
Not the first (ahem :uhoh:), but not going to be the last either. :D
Not the first (ahem :uhoh:), but not going to be the last either. :D Perhaps, but I think he's the first non-mage OC that's not directly involved with the plot or characters.
Besides, he doesn't have any CC in love with him... yet. |3
Wild Goose
2008-08-16, 01:01
Some random silliness:
Shamal staggered to her feet, bleeding. In front of her, Zafira lay, crumpled and blood. Otta gazed at her with a contemptuos look, and the Knight of the Lake grimly stood, her face filled with horror at the sight of Gadget Drones heading towards the burning Riot Force 6. "No! I mut protect-"
"About that," called a stong, steady voice, "Let me handle this for you."
KBd8frM7zJE
"Who's that?" gasped Shamal, staring at the source of the voice. "A black Barrier Jacket?"
"I don't know who you are, but you won't disrupt the Doctor's plans," declared Otto. "IS: Ray Storm."
"I doubt that," smirked the mystery man, flying across the battlefield faster than anyone could react. "Ikuze, Trombe! Rend my enemies asunder! Schulterplatte!"
[Jawohl.]
Otto had barely time to blink before she was knocked from the sky by a heavy shoulder plate, the round piece of armor spinning rapidly, slamming into her, before circling around to knock down the rest of her Gadget Drones. "Who is this?!"
"I am Rätsel Feinschmecker."
"The mystery cook?"
Ratsel's response was to smirk and sidestep Deed's attack from behind him; before the Combat Cyborg could recover, he had whipped up his device - resembling a handheld cannon - and a dangerous smirk appeared on his features.
"Hashire, Trombe! Senjou wo kakero!"
[Sturmangriff.]
And the world went dark for Deed.
* * * * *
In the aftermath of the failed attack on RF6, Jail Scaglietti would curse his misfortune at crossing paths with one of the more notorious members of the Agressors. And he would curse again, one week later, as his attemp to raise the Cradle was thwarted by both the aces, and the man who overrode all bgms, charging into battle in his personal battleship, the giant drill tearing off huge chunks of the cradle.
Perhaps, but I think he's the first non-mage OC that's not directly involved with the plot or characters.
Besides, he doesn't have any CC in love with him... yet. |3Actually, that would be Lowe's Matsuri. All her official interactions so far are OC related, and can be considered "sandbox'd" to Shinji. Her scenarios of win still highlight the first degree of connection of hers to be all OCs, and so Matsuri retains the crown. :p
CC in love? Why don't Kevin just stay on Youkai Mountain, and cook for Yuyuko? She's always hungry, and if the fastest way into a man's heart is through his stomach, vice versa might work just as well. :D
Actually, that would be Lowe's Matsuri. All her official interactions so far are OC related, and can be considered "sandbox'd" to Shinji. Her scenarios of win still highlight the first degree of connection of hers to be all OCs, and so Matsuri retains the crown. :p
CC in love? Why don't Kevin just stay on Youkai Mountain, and cook for Yuyuko? She's always hungry, and if the fastest way into a man's heart is through his stomach, vice versa might work just as well. :D
Matsuri, eh? Well I guess I'm still not up to date on every OC that's been made...
In any case, Yuyuko doesn't live on Youkai Mountain. She's in Hakugyokurō, the Netherworld. Only the dead and Youmu hang out there -- no living. Youkai Mountain has Aya, Momozi, Sanae, Kanako, Suwako, the Aki sisters, and kappakappakappakappakappakappakappa.
Edit: My god I forgot Hina.
Besides, Kevin is a Nanoha OC, not Touhou :p
PhoenixG
2008-08-16, 02:52
Did I hear Youkai mountain and Sanae?
Matsuri, eh? Well I guess I'm still not up to date on every OC that's been made...
In any case, Yuyuko doesn't live on Youkai Mountain. She's in Hakugyokurō, the Netherworld. Only the dead and Youmu hang out there -- no living. Youkai Mountain has Aya, Momozi, Sanae, Kanako, Suwako, the Aki sisters, and kappakappakappakappakappakappakappa.
Edit: My god I forgot Hina.And I am not updated to Touhou. Playing a game to learn its story for me is only done if the game isn't a &*$^*& killer. :uhoh:
Besides, Kevin is a Nanoha OC, not Touhou :pDid I hear Youkai mountain and Sanae?Sometimes, all you need is to create a world in the Dimensional Sea, change some things slightly, and everything else then will roll on their own. :cool:
And I am not updated to Touhou. Playing a game to learn its story for me is only done if the game isn't a &*$^*& killer. :uhoh:
there were a Touhou wikia with the characters stories and gameplots summaries. It doesn't take long to read them.
Does it come with pictures? I recall reading one with just a block of text, which is said cos I still don't know who is who. :p
EDIT: What no posts?! :p Well I've finally caught up with Negima, and even moar inspiration was gained. Maybe I'd be able to finish Ver. Negiha sooner than expected. :D
Does it come with pictures? I recall reading one with just a block of text, which is said cos I still don't know who is who. :p
EDIT: What no posts?! :p Well I've finally caught up with Negima, and even moar inspiration was gained. Maybe I'd be able to finish Ver. Negiha sooner than expected. :D
The profiles has pictures. Only, the image boards like akyu.genso.ws or gelbooru has more than enough to exercize your eyes and makes you remember who is who.
Little tangent, after running my first chapter through beta readers, I have correct things, expanded on other things. What used to be about 6k words long has reached 8.9k and is still not over. I doubt my next chapters gonna be that long.
LimitedEternal
2008-08-17, 16:50
Another slow week...oh well. *theatric shrug*
Now all those people who say anime is the devil have to repent cause Jesus approves :D
Yeah...I did see him wandering around...:heh:
Such an EPIC concert, too. And they each did a solo song :D :D
Hell yeah. I remember saying I should go to more concerts if they're like that. :D
Thanks :). Taking cosplay pics is always a must for me. Oh, and my new cosplay is also in there somewhere if you can find me ;)
Oh that's easy, just bribe me, TK or Tempest to give you away. :3
I have a warrior...though for me it's "Tanking? What's that?"
Yeah...that's why I gave up the warrior. I hated being pigeonholed into tanking cause I had the only melee in our group of new alts.
Or possible in any situation :p
That too. :heh:
*punts LE with his Death Knight*
Dammit, I'm rolling one THE day I get Wrath!
Better than letting them watch anything done by 4Kids :uhoh:
...ye hast spoken the name that shall not be uttered t'within my presence...YE HERETIC! YE BLASPHEMER!!!
Was fun :D. Though Otakon should be advertised as the "Stair-Master Weekend" Convention :p
Would that be because it's three days of pigging out and doing nothing? :p
Ahh Otakon.
It was indeed fun.
The lack of Nanoha is mostly because it's not a massively popular series like Naruto or Bleach is, and despite all the groaning and eye rolling no one can deny its sheer growth and acceptance through the populace. Also, Nanoha isn't released yet in the States, so widespread exposure is still minimal.
I have a few pics too, but as I've said in IRC, I'm not that great of a photographer.
*snip*
Aye, it was fun!
Dangit...reminds me I forgot to take any pics of my own. Oh well. Always next year. (And I'm not camera shy. :3)
Never fear; that lichking!Kha is only for Negiha. Different experiences will always result in a different Kha. :p
And by "experiences" you mean "Khrack brainwaves," right? :3
Wow really good pics. And nice to see you've met up with TK there. Wish I could fly out during term time. Or even outside of term time.
Now let's see...
*opens the NSFW pics, eats a Penetrating Hit, and suffers a Vehicle Explodes result*
:eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
It's only three days out of the schedule, although you do live halfway around the world or so...
And it's your own fault for ogling the NSFW. :p
Following up on the offenders' ID cards I copypasta-ed, here's Lutecia's card which I missed out the last time:
http://forums.animesuki.com/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=6667
To those who were in the IRC channel with me the day before, it seems that Lu's magus rank is S-rank and that her punishment did involve a 6-rank-drop limiter. Makes one wonder if she was also holding back like what the Knights did in A's.
S-rank, huh...never would have guessed it.
Provoking Nanoha to kill is the same with Batman I suppose. =l Though a possible situation is that the certain someone hurt and crippled her friends/family. After a extended period of emotional trauma of course.
Possibly. I'd think anything with Vivio is likely to set her off in a bad way.
Come to Anime Expo next year. It's closer to you :D
Where is that, anyway?
Well start with Vivio, advance to her family and friends, and then fate for the coup de gras (sp?). Basically in terms of Nanoha, since she's quite the idealistic character, you'd have to utterly break her to force her into that state.
Leave her with nothing left. Leave her to the state of no return, and she'll gladly put a knife through the throat of anyone who's wronged her.
^That.
Although you'd probably push her past no return at that point. Permanent damage and all that.
Sort of bored and just decided to do something silly like make a new magic system for absolutely no rhyme or reason :p
Magic System:
The Kardia Magic system is a system that has never really gain much in turn of influence and in turn its practitioners are few and varied. Card Meisters as its practitioners are known as, are often device meisters with very weak mage powers but great knowledge of spells due to the strengths and weakness of the system. One of the more defining features of the Kardia system is the the sheer number of devices which gives its practitioners a great deal of versatility.
Devices:
The system is generally made up of 3 components, a certain number of cards, a book and a staff which are all usually storage devices.
The main part of the Kardia system are the cards. Similar in all ways to temporary spell cards, Kardia cards however are inscribed with permanent magic arrays and then entirely optimized for each individual base spell, technically making each card a device. Charged with Mana, this allows a user to used the stored spell without expanding their own mana.
The book portion of the system is basically the physical storage medium of the cards. It usually also acts like a recharging port for the cards so that cards that have expanded the mana stored can be recharged. The user usually charges the book when they have the time and resources to do so. Most such devices has an ability to summon out cards based on the needs of the user at that time.
Although the staff portion of the Kardia magic system isn't very impressive, this is actually the portion that gives the system additional versatility. While the cards store the individual base spells, the staff stores the type variations. For example, the card itself stores the base spell for [Wind], the staff stores the variations like Bind type, Barrier type, Buster type etc and the resulting spell that is unleashed is [Wind bind], [Wind barrier], [Wind Buster] etc. Some users have installed an AI for easier usage.
Advantages:
[Sheer versatility] aka Unlimited powwa!! - The more base spells and type variations a user has, the more spells they have available.
[Expands little personal mana] aka Weaklings friendly - Since mana is stored in the cards, the only mana expanded are only for Barrier Jackets and activation of devices.
[No need for a powerful mage] aka Cartoonishly powerful mages, buzz off - See above.
Disadvantages:
[Array inscription] aka No dumb ass - This is required so that in inscribing the base spells, there will be minimal unforeseen side effects.
[Devices knowledge] aka No dumb ass redux - As the system is made up of multiple devices, this is to allow optimization of the system as well as repairing any damaged system.
[Maintenance nightmare] aka Keep ATC's OC Crash away!! - Each device is so finely tuned that it is a headache to repair and maintain.
[Recharge times] aka Why can't A/C power work - Since the system uses the stored mana in the cards, the user has to recharge the book portion after every use of the card devices as the cards draw mana from the book to recharge themselves.
For something silly, it seems well-thought out. I'd have no problem implementing this system for something.
Lol Khardia. Since the experimental Chapter Approved profile regarding Sakura Zaki's Sakura Cards is part of Kha's Codex, I guess its rather apt. ;)
Titbit: She's going to get her own Codex and Independent Character status in 5th Edition, so even more thoughts about this Belka's adaptation of Kardia magic coming soon. :D
And you even have this new info in the SS to work with once it gets translated. Lots of Belka stuff for you, ne?
http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!! http://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gifhttp://forums.tauonline.org/Smileys/classic/evil.gif
*runs*
SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!!!
*follows Kha*
Back from my vacation in the Philippines...and also finished with SearcherS chapter 13 too! To be honest, I still have an uncomfortable feeling with the 13th chapter in terms of it's writing, but I think it's because I'm still relatively new.
Anyway...I'm also adding Chapter 12 in for a reason: 13 can't be really well understood with 12, so here it is. 12 doesn't have the special effects...it's just cut-and-paste.
*snip*
Sorry for the double post, but whenever I try to put 13 in with 12, the system give me a message "too short" error :p (as if.)
Anyway, chapter 13, oh, and I'm curious to see if anybody could find some references I've put in.
*snip*
Sorry for the squished text...I'll fix that later. Now...to work on my MG Ez8...later
Hisashiburi da na...been a while since I've read any of this, so I think I'll go back at some point and refresh.
This is the stuff that happens when you spend too much time in IRC and talk about a certain hobby...
New OC!
*snip*This guy looks a little familiar...
Interestingly, his name means "Agile Change" or "Convenient Home" in Japanese o_O
Do I detect a bit of good-natured self-insert here? :p
Ooo....a chef. An OC that can fit anywhere :D. And it looks like teaching Shamal to cook edible food really is hopeless :heh:.
And I wonder if he's based off anyone we might know. Hmm...:eyebrow:
Oh, it's a hopeless cause, but if she can be taught even one good thing to make...:3
My guess is temp :p Then again, Franz is based off me, but with more angst, more secrets, and more BURNING HOTBLOODED MANLY SPIRIT. XD
Heh...I learned long ago never to use myself as a base for anything I do. To be honest, I'm a pretty uninspiring guy. :uhoh: (:heh:)
Perhaps, but I think he's the first non-mage OC that's not directly involved with the plot or characters.
Besides, he doesn't have any CC in love with him... yet. |3
Means you have that much more flexibility, ne?
Some random silliness:
*snip*
I facepalm'd. -_-;
Little tangent, after running my first chapter through beta readers, I have correct things, expanded on other things. What used to be about 6k words long has reached 8.9k and is still not over. I doubt my next chapters gonna be that long.
That's the cool thing about hitting a good brainwave. You can write and write and find yourself with a lot more than you meant.
Problem is you gotta fine-tune it all down. :p
I really don't feel too good... but I've been putting this of for too long.
A rebuild of a rebuild, huh? Certainly a way to do it.
Looks solid all-round; now to see where she(Eden's definitely a girl, right? :uhoh:) goes from here.
Yes she is. :p As for seeing where she goes... We'll have to wait for info and translations of the Sound Stage X for that.
Speaking of which, the Sound Stage seems to be somewhat of a rarity, I've yet to find a torrent anywhere.
Curiosity:
What would it take for Nanoha to want to 'KILL' someone?
[THE JOKER]
And when I say 'Kill', I mean, have absolutely no regrets as to the decision, and no hesitation to put a knife right through some sorry bastard's throat for whatever offense it may end up requiring. No 'starlight breaker, life imprisonment, or divine buster ultimate rage with a trial and trip to Death Row' kind of treatments. Just straight up, clear and simple, 'now you die' cold blooded killer mode that makes 'White Devil' look like a saint...
And of course, it cannot simply be a retaliatory on the spot response, but a pre-meditated cold blooded action perhaps days, weeks, or months later.
What would be the absolute minimum one would have to do to Nanoha to achieve this result?
[/THE JOKER]
NANOHA: *Looking at the night sky, but backlit by burning wreckage* "I don't know where you are, or when I'll see you again... but I'm going to kill you. And I'm going to enjoy... killing you. And on that day, there won't be anyone who will stop me. For what you have done to me, is unforgivable, and unforgettable. And at the end, I will see you, in HELL."
In anime terms, this isn't possible. Not even the worst kinds of pain would make Nanoha go killer. But then, such pains wouldn't be introduced in the first place, so... *shrug*
Realistically speaking, killing her loved ones would be a good start. Like the others said, Goose's extremists would stand a good chance of tipping her to the killer state.
Sort of bored and just decided to do something silly like make a new magic system for absolutely no rhyme or reason :p
Magic System:
The Kardia Magic system is a system that has never really gain much in turn of influence and in turn its practitioners are few and varied. Card Meisters as its practitioners are known as, are often device meisters with very weak mage powers but great knowledge of spells due to the strengths and weakness of the system. One of the more defining features of the Kardia system is the the sheer number of devices which gives its practitioners a great deal of versatility.
Devices:
The system is generally made up of 3 components, a certain number of cards, a book and a staff which are all usually storage devices.
The main part of the Kardia system are the cards. Similar in all ways to temporary spell cards, Kardia cards however are inscribed with permanent magic arrays and then entirely optimized for each individual base spell, technically making each card a device. Charged with Mana, this allows a user to used the stored spell without expanding their own mana.
The book portion of the system is basically the physical storage medium of the cards. It usually also acts like a recharging port for the cards so that cards that have expanded the mana stored can be recharged. The user usually charges the book when they have the time and resources to do so. Most such devices has an ability to summon out cards based on the needs of the user at that time.
Although the staff portion of the Kardia magic system isn't very impressive, this is actually the portion that gives the system additional versatility. While the cards store the individual base spells, the staff stores the type variations. For example, the card itself stores the base spell for [Wind], the staff stores the variations like Bind type, Barrier type, Buster type etc and the resulting spell that is unleashed is [Wind bind], [Wind barrier], [Wind Buster] etc. Some users have installed an AI for easier usage.
Advantages:
[Sheer versatility] aka Unlimited powwa!! - The more base spells and type variations a user has, the more spells they have available.
[Expands little personal mana] aka Weaklings friendly - Since mana is stored in the cards, the only mana expanded are only for Barrier Jackets and activation of devices.
[No need for a powerful mage] aka Cartoonishly powerful mages, buzz off - See above.
Disadvantages:
[Array inscription] aka No dumb ass - This is required so that in inscribing the base spells, there will be minimal unforeseen side effects.
[Devices knowledge] aka No dumb ass redux - As the system is made up of multiple devices, this is to allow optimization of the system as well as repairing any damaged system.
[Maintenance nightmare] aka Keep ATC's OC Crash away!! - Each device is so finely tuned that it is a headache to repair and maintain.
[Recharge times] aka Why can't A/C power work - Since the system uses the stored mana in the cards, the user has to recharge the book portion after every use of the card devices as the cards draw mana from the book to recharge themselves.
And so the card system sees life. It was only a matter of time, but its nice to have a name to put next to it. :D
Back from my vacation in the Philippines...and also finished with SearcherS chapter 13 too! To be honest, I still have an uncomfortable feeling with the 13th chapter in terms of it's writing, but I think it's because I'm still relatively new.
Anyway...I'm also adding Chapter 12 in for a reason: 13 can't be really well understood with 12, so here it is. 12 doesn't have the special effects...it's just cut-and-paste.
-snip-
Sorry for the double post, but whenever I try to put 13 in with 12, the system give me a message "too short" error :p (as if.)
Anyway, chapter 13, oh, and I'm curious to see if anybody could find some references I've put in.
-snip-
Sorry for the squished text...I'll fix that later. Now...to work on my MG Ez8...later
Long read was long. :eyespin: Nice to see Jail again, I've been reading all sorts of Jail-less stories lately, so it was nice to see him again.
This is the stuff that happens when you spend too much time in IRC and talk about a certain hobby...
New OC!
He has no magic, yet he is a vital part of their lives.
Ordinary Iron Chef
Name: Kevin
Age: 32
DOB: May 23
Height: 6'
Weight: 240 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Blood type: O negative
Affiliation: None
Position: Chef
Rank: Civilian
Air Combat Rank: None
Ground Combat Rank: None
Composite Rank: None
Magic System: None
Magic Color: --
Specialty: Cooking
Style: Eclectic
Device: Personal set of kitchen knives
Personality:
Although generally a dry and sarcastic sort, Kevin does honestly care for the people closest to him. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re exempt from his off-color and often silly remarks and comments. He has a dark sense of humor, able to make a comment in just about any situation regardless of the mood, and years of working in high-stress kitchens has granted him incredible patience and almost unflappable calmness. At the same time, his experience with dealing with such a variety of people has also filled him with good advice. Still, he is not without a silly side, though only a select few has ever witnessed it.
Appearance:
Rather than adapting to the fashion designs of his current residence, Kevin has clung to his Earthborn style (or lack thereof) of blue jeans, a black shirt, and black boots. Ever present on his left wrist is a silver watch, and more often than not around his waist is his chef’s apron. Overall he is unremarkable, sporting short black hair and glasses, with no outwardly distinguishing features. He is ordinary, and perhaps because of it, he is different.
History:
Kevin’s history with the Aces begins all the way back when Nanoha was still a student in elementary school. He was traveling the world, doing a bit of soul searching after a particularly unsuccessful romp through college. Though he got his degree, he found it… lacking. His travels brought him to Uminari City, Japan, to the Midoriya where he hoped to get a job filling in a gap in the roster caused by schoolwork. By then Kevin had accumulated a fair amount of culinary work, having slaved in a number of kitchens to help pay for his travels, and it was with these skills that he was put to work in the bakery and kitchens of the Midoriya. Little Nanoha found herself fascinated by the foreigner, whose clipped speech, fledgling grasp of the Japanese language, and strange kitchen antics amused her greatly. Perhaps it was because they were kindred spirits, both lost and unsure where their lives’ paths would take them. This all changed when the Jewel Seeds came to town, though through much of it, Kevin remained ignorant. It wasn’t until Nanoha herself came to him to talk about her insecurities that he became aware of Nanoha’s involvement with otherworldly entities, and even then, he only gave advice and let the girl grow on her own.
The events of A’s had him formally meeting Fate, as well as bumping into several members of the Wolkenritter in his forays into the public. For much of the incident, Kevin remained relatively ignorant of the events, knowing only that Nanoha, Fate, Yuuno, and Arf were involved in some way. Still, he didn’t pry into their business, content in simply providing something tasty for them upon their return. Unknowingly, he befriended the likes of Signum, Shamal, and Vita with his frequent outings, ultimately cumulating into visiting Hayate at their home and the hospital. All attempts to teach Shamal cooking had thus far failed, but still they tried. It was during the final confrontation that he bore witness to it all, along with Suzuka and Arisa. Though the Wolkenritter felt guilt over deceiving their friend, he merely waved off their concerns and told them to visit him tomorrow – he’d have a nice stew ready for them.
Following the incident, Kevin found himself becoming more deeply involved with magic and mages, despite having zero ability in it. Tested and observed, he was found to be completely unable to use magic, though he remained sensitive to the magic around him, a bizarre feature that no one had managed to figure out why thus far. Regardless, he remained a close friend to the growing Aces. Kevin’s ultimate fate was to be employed Riot Force Six in their headquarters as the canteen chef, where he continues to produce delicious meals and advice to all those that seek it.
Despite his older age, Kevin is considered a close friend to the Aces and the Wolkenritter.
Style:
Kevin has no real focus in his cooking style, instead simply making whatever he deems delicious at the time. He does have a particular strength in Italian, Chinese, and American cuisines, but more often that not he’ll make a dish from a different style and region of the world each day. Variety is the spice of life, and Kevin makes sure to season well. Ever since coming to Mid Childa, his cookery has grown to incorporate influences of the local cultures. Still, his dishes tend to be a welcomed nostalgia for those from Earth and a new taste sensation for everyone else. He’s had some bartender experience as well, allowing him to mix up a few tasty beverages to accompany meals. Few people know of this though – you have to go up and ask him personally for one.
Unique Skills:
Sensitive – Despite having zero magical power or ability, Kevin remains sensitive to the magic around him. This can manifest as knowing who is coming near home, or even go as far as being able to penetrate a Temporal Distortion Field. Still, he requires special technologies and devices to allow telepathic communications as well as get him though a typical day in Mid-Childa, such as his watch.
Equipment:
Being a non-mage, Kevin has a few gadgets that allow him to at very least navigate the world without having to rely on others.
Watch – Designed to look like his old Seiko wristwatch, this handy device serves as a PDA, communicator, translator, GPS, and other functions all in one. This is the once gadget that Kevin cannot go without, for it does so much for him.
Cellphone – Redundant in Midchilda, this device has been altered to allow communications with networks outside of Midchilda, like that of Earth. Though the connection isn’t perfect, it at least lets him keep in touch with friends and family on Earth. Sometimes this device is abused by Nanoha to contact her family.
Glasses – His corrective lenses contain modifications that link with his watch’s functions, letting him operate on the run. There’s a rumor that they also contain nightvision, thermal, and electromagnetic field options.
Pipe – Just a simple briar pipe.
WASP Knife -- What? What knife? He doesn't have one, really!
This guy looks a little familiar...
Interestingly, his name means "Agile Change" or "Convenient Home" in Japanese o_O
A.... cook? :twitch: Well, kudos for originallity, that's for sure. :heh: And I see he likes to take on the most impossible of tasks: Teaching Shamal to cook. :uhoh:
"I think it's slowing down!" Subaru shouted over the groan of straining metal.
"As expected from Shari!" Teana replied. "Just keep it away from any buildings, and we should be okay!" She looked up at the other figure hovering around the giant robot's head. "Mina, how are things on your end?"
"Monstrous Machine in the shape of a Man! Know that I, Lumina Celeste, the Unyielding Ace, shall halt your path of destruction!"
Subaru skidded to a halt next to her partner. "Ah, Tea, I don't think she's listening to you."
"I am not surprised. Mina! Mina, get back down here! That thing will shut down soon, so just keep out of its way until then! Mina!"
"Though you are a Mighty Mechanism of Metal and Magic," Lumina said, unheeding, "I see that you are faltering before the unflinching wall of our Justice! For we shall never let one such as you pass, though we may be reduced to naught but our bare hands. Indeed, such shall be a fitting punishment for your evil ways!"
"Oh, wow," Subaru said, impressed.
"I present to you my Fist of Justice! For this fist burns with an overpowering desire to Smite the Wicked and Diabolical!"
"I can't look," Teana muttered, covering her eyes.
"The light of our Righteousness shall guide this Fist of Justice to thy weakest point! Evil robot, meet my fist! Fist! MEET! EVIL!"
-CLANG-
*****
"And that's how you broke your hand?" Shamal said, not unkindly.
Lumina rubbed the back of her head with her other hand. "Ahaha, I kind of got caught up in the heat of the moment."
"Mina, I understand your passion," Subaru said firmly. "Sometimes, all you want to do is punch something!"
"But a giant robot?" Shamal said dubiously.
"Yeah, Subaru does it all the time," Lumina said defensively.
"Subaru has Revolver Knuckle," Teana pointed out. "You're not even trained in hand-to-hand combat, much less able to punch battleship steel unprotected."
"Tea's right!" Subaru said. "So remember, Mina, the next time you go out to meet Evil, always wear protection... um, Tea, why are you choking like that?"
Subaru: Master of saying the most innocent of things with the most double of meanings. :D
Poor Lumina, I can somewhat understand her feelings though. :heh:
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-18, 12:26
EDIT: What no posts?! :p Well I've finally caught up with Negima, and even moar inspiration was gained. Maybe I'd be able to finish Ver. Negiha sooner than expected. :D
Seriously...everything's so slow in here. :eyebrow:
And you should see the Evangelion!Nanoha crack I've been brewing in the FF thread :p. Got Kagerou into a fit :heh:
Yeah...I did see him wandering around...:heh:
There was a second wandering around on Sunday I believe with a cross and crown of thorns :heh:
Hell yeah. I remember saying I should go to more concerts if they're like that. :D
Yup, JAM Project is just that awesome :D
Oh that's easy, just bribe me, TK or Tempest to give you away. :3
Oh hush you :mad:
Yeah...that's why I gave up the warrior. I hated being pigeonholed into tanking cause I had the only melee in our group of new alts.
My warrior is my only melee at 70 :p. Though with the way things are I might have to respec to prot to get into any instance runs... :(
Dammit, I'm rolling one THE day I get Wrath!
Good luck fighting the other several hundred Death Knights for mobs in the start zone :p
Would that be because it's three days of pigging out and doing nothing? :p
More like all those non-operational escalators and several floors of rooms you had to walk :p. Though i dunno about pigging out. I only ate once a day pretty much :heh:
And it's your own fault for ogling the NSFW. :p
It is Kha afterall...
Where is that, anyway?
Down in LA somewhere I think.
Do I detect a bit of good-natured self-insert here? :p
You don't say :p
Heh...I learned long ago never to use myself as a base for anything I do. To be honest, I'm a pretty uninspiring guy. :uhoh: (:heh:)
Use your brother then :p
Time to throw things here into a fit! :D
Adepta Astarta: Black Templars
KIA EIN
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a347/khathecleric/Ifuritas.jpg
The Smiling Impaler (Dark and Light modes)
Name: Kia Ein (Her maiden name cannot be verified)
Alias: The Impaler
Age: :) (She looks eternally 20-ish, even in StrikerS)
Birthday: 23rd June
Magic Rank: S+
Height: 169cm
Weight: :)
Hair: Long, brown-black but tied into two buns in bonnets like how some “Chinese“ girl characters have.
Usual wear:
Magic Type: Neo-Velka, Purple-Black.
Caster Class: Knight-Sister Commander
Personality
Kia is a famed Knight-Sister for her ingenuity, tenacity, inventiveness and at the same time, of heresy, for it is believed she sold her heart and soul to Science long before she joined the Adeptae Belkarum and never got them back. Her ever-calm exterior and benign smile belies the mountain of calculations raging in her mind to ensure that in whatever deal, with the best possible odds she always comes out tops. In person, she's hard to take seriously, always dripping with sarcasm and cryptic acid-wit rounded off with a disarmingly-cute deshou ne~~. But to underestimate her is to fall into her trap; from the TSAB grunts that monitor her to the pre-modern gangleaders who were pursued by her, they all testify to having been robbed of an advantageous position even when it was right under their noses.
Her diminuitive frame belies an righteous anger that she shows to no one except the worst of foe. It was born under the harsh knives of errant lab-fiends who turned her from human to cyborg, and despite much righteous blood-letting has never really quelled. It surfaces in the surgical brutality of her schemes that account and orchestra every worst possible downfall to those that oppose her, in the off-handed yet relentless way she corners then downs the witch, the heretic and the evil whole. Some even claim she actually plotted, attempted and succeeded to travel back in time to pursue her now-dead tormentors, but such cases have been filed away as Kia's victims driven mad by her chase.
Hence her moniker as Kia the Impaler, for she pierced through any obstacle and almost singlehandedly expunged the rotting elements that made old Belka the "Church of Violence".
It then becomes very hard to reconcile all that with the fact that she turned down Sainthood, married an average Joe from the Saint Guard, eventually retiring at around 40 and bearing a child now heralded as The Cleric of New Belka. It is even harder to understand why those in her close circle trust her so much, and that her son only has fond memories of a tough-love but nevertheless doting mother. One can only guess that she found a Light that she could place her faith in and turn her lies into truth.
But now, after her long stasis under Jail's research, and her launching a crusade against users of combat cyborgs, no clue remains of what transpired during those times of peace.
From child prodigy to hexejaeger to mother, Kia has always been a lucious Angel of Death, and having been robbed of her hard-won peace, none shall stand against her silent fury.
History
Kia is a long-lived cyborg, and her story is divided into Before Dawn and Era of the Cleric.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a347/khathecleric/Chao_battlesuit.jpg
Seiyuu: Chiaki Osawa (Chao Lingshen from Negima!)
Genesis
It is said Kia was born to a family of powerful mage ancestry. The circumstances are a blur, but Kia eventually ended up with "scientists" who wished to create a new generation of cyborgs, and picked her because of a perfect storm of genetic attributes and magical potential. She was subjected to painful procedures day in and day out, without dignity or respite, eventually turning her from a mere child to an advanced cybernetic construct etched with magical circuits. This painful procedure is a far-cry from more recent in-vitro methods of cyborg construction, and was done piecemeal, gradually replacing flesh and bone with reinforced machinery, testing it to death, then carrying on.
Given the incredibly high failure rate, it is a wonder that Kia survived at all, let alone with not only her sanity intact, and having awakened a technical genius that astounded first, then finally killed her "experimentors".
As she wandered the back alleys of Mars Sara, Kia continuned to modify and upgrade herself. One day, she was discovered by a Knight-Sister and brought to the Convent's small fire base there, where she'd remain for the remainder of her childhood before moving into the Saint Alexei Convent full time. Then Palatine Maria was in charge of the deployment of Knight-Sisters on Mars Sara, and, with the meaningless assignments repeatedly passed down to her, she binned her "duties" and took on caring for Kia. During those dark times, a Belka orphanage was one of the worst places to be sent to, and Maria sought to save this little soul from further corruption.
This was an opportunity of a lifetime for Kia; she realized that this small portion of the Convent could be leveraged upon to help her exact revenge on the many players that tortured her for so long. And so, Kia expressed interest to join the Sisterhood, to be like her saviors. Maria objected at first, but later she took on instructing Kia in the faith. Kia took to it like a duck to water, mastering magecraft, manuscripts, physical combat and anything in the syllabus that Maria threw at her. While her speed was very encouraging, Maria could not help but feel that Kia was fulfilling the role of a pious student too well...
The Black Knights
Kia blossomed very quickly soon after, and joined Maria's sisters in the Inquisition. The girl worked miracle after miracle, winning cases against heretical elements in the Church, working upwards, damning the Belka mafia, the Ecclessarchy and the Office of Assasinations along the way. The crusading sisters became known as the Black Knights that homed in on the various cancers plaguing the Church and purged them with lawful efficiency. Many attempts on Kia's life were made, but all that did was serve even more incriminating evidence into The Impaler's hands.
Under the cover of her heroics, Kia continued to further weapons development in a workshop captured by the Black Knights. However, her use of loopholes in the Anti-Weaponry Telemaise Treaty allowed her to carry on untouched and unhindered. With more allies, she rode on the wave of goodwill to create amazing mana-powered devices and robot aides to bolster their numbers. And she converted that goodwill into political power built on success after unbelievable success. At the rate they were going, the day the crimes of the highest echelons of the Inquisition was revealed was all but certain to come.
Touareg shovon Volks
The TSAB has long been investigating Kia's work, but their agents always return empty-handed and vowing never to see Kia again. At the height of the Black Crusade, they dispatched a nobody to do the babysitting, Cleric-Knight Touareg. Despite his namesake, Tou was just a washed-out man hanging on the last threads of his ideals. He actually admired Kia's work with the Church, but something about her efficiency unsettled him. He come, saw, but was unfazed. Tou would become the first agent to renew the tenure over Kia, adamently that he would find what is wrong with Kia and turn her around.
The days to come would be anything from whimsical harem lulls, to all-out gun battles, as the Black Knights steamrolled on.
The Anaheim Incident
Her true plan finally in motion, Kia secretly established a device in the middle of the Anaheim Ruins of Mars Sara, and set it off. It created a massive storm in the Dimensional Sea around the planet, a dimensional distortion if you will, as well as a large ion storm over the ruins itself. Tou battled the elements to break into the contraption Kia built, extract her unconscious form and barely made it to safety before a 15 mile shockwave carved a mark out of the planet surface. Later investigations showed that the device consumed so much mana that it was a surprise that Mars Sara did not fall apart in the blast.
No one knows that that device was supposed to do. Kia herself claimed it was a time machine, and that she risked her life to go back in time to change the past, but having failed to do so returned to the present. The device overloading was just unfortunate consequence. She failed the psychiatric tests, and being unable to stand trial was unceremoniously dumped back to the Black Knights. Their assets were frozen pending further investigation lest Kia created another disaster.
After this incident, the Knights noted that Kia had changed subtly. She wasn't as dark as before, and was much friendlier towards Tou. While she hid it under her usual demeanor, she seemed to have lost all inspiration to soldier on. When she used to work feverishly in her machine shop, now she merely wanted to perfect her Chao Sao Pao recipe.
The Black Knights, even Tou, felt that Kia may have been hurt far more in the incident than they could imagine. But what was that device for? The boy stepped in...
Battle of Ragnarok
The Ecclessarchy rest on their laurels, content that the thorn in their sides was going to be removed. They were wrong. In a astounding display of brilliance, Kia uncovered the biggest scoop ever, detailing clearly how much of the Church was linked to the Imperial Belka Army, and that a coup d'etat attack against the TSAB HQ was well underway. The only problem was getting it to the HQ; a Naval fleet had been manipulated to blockade Mars Sara, practically every assassin from the Ecclesarchy had been deployed, and then there was the convincing of the TSAB that what they claim was legitimate. The Black Knights faced almost impossible odds in their final crusade.
In the Battle of Ragnarok, Kia would work her last and most spectacular miracle.
Reconstruction
It was a brighter era. For the first time since Belka collapsed, the Saint Church stood a great chance to be rid of the corruption that brought the empire down. The Ecclesarchy was destroyed, the Officio Assassinorum, no more. Maria became Canoness, and as head of the Inquisition continued the good work of the defunct Black Knights. The mafia cartels have been smashed and the cells were running scared. The Adeptae Belkarum had been restored to the shining glory of its Ancient Belka days.
And to everyone except the Black Knights' surprise, Kia turned down Sainthood and instead married Tou. She continued to work with the Convent, as head of the tech department and caretaker of the Sisterhood's many machines.
Almost a decade later in MC 0055, Kha shovon Toureg was born.Five years passed peacefully...http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a347/khathecleric/Ifurita_Wanderers.jpg
Seiyuu: Yoko Honna (Ex from Ah! My Goddess and Sumeragi from Gundam 00)
The Sacking of Renault
There has been times when Kia was caught by surprise, but the Sacking was her biggest blunder. Whether it was her softening, the distraction of having a child to care for, or just plain aging, Kia had been protecting the Book of Daylight, but was killed in action during the Convent's last stand against an impossibly strong foe taking advantage of the chaos created by the blast. As the Adeptae mourned their fallen and the most revolutionary sister ever to live, Kia was buried with full state honors along with her husband. And her son would go on and carve his own destiny, like she did before him.
However, that was not the end. The real Kia had been snatched not long after her fall, and a lifeless clone buried instead. Jail Scagletti was searching for the Type 0 cyborgs, and the attack present the most opportune moment to gain a comparative sample of Kia's work, for she was the most heavily upgraded pre-0 cyborg, and her inventiveness was well-known in the underworld.
From her body, Jail discovered (blatantly ripped off) many new technologies that he implemented in the Gadget Drones, and later generations of Numbers.
StrikerS
Kia was reawakened by accident. Kha had infiltrated a branch of Jail's gadget production facilities, and in his explorations released some of the limiters on Kia's consiousness. She quickly got her bearings, noted the world around her, then not long after began leaking her latest ruminations to Chacha via her less-than-desirable channels. It resulted in the construction of the Terminator Grade "00" tactical dreadnaught armor, and the variable fighter VF-19Z Forneus; Kia's gifts to her son. These two weapons couldn't have come at a more appropriate time, and Kha was able to defeat the Extended Relic Weapons with them.
Another Crusade
Kia was eventually rescued along with Megane, but her cybernetic body needed no rest. Her time spend half-awake in a tank had given him much insight to the reach of Jail's full cyborg army. And since the latest models were made using her as a basis, she regarded them from Quattro onwards as her children, and used that to manipulate matters to her own hands once again. With her extensive knowledge of the cyborgs, plus how they naturally recognize her as "mother", Kia took over their rehabilitation. She included in their program weekend regimentation and live-fire training for fun as well as strengthening, so that they can put their talents to good use in future. Once again, her deft manuveuring left her untoucheable, and the results spoke for themselves. The cyborgs were quickly settled in, and Kia carried on scouring all of Midchilda and beyond for more of her daughters.
Given their sheer numbers, Kia's enterprising side took over, and Kia Sao Bao steamed bun shops staffed by her daughters literally mushroomed all over Midchilda. Nothing like cyborgs to make the perfect buns every time! :cool:
And let's not forget poor Kha who finds himself suddenly an older brother to more siblings than he could ever imagine. And some times his mother, who doesn't seem to age, joins in the glompfest! :eyespin:
The Black Templars
The threat that Kia warned against arrived. An army of AMF supported cyborgs laid waste to several of TSAB's outlying bases and seized control over several key foldspace points. A Belka-aligned territory was threatened, but the TSAB dragged their feet as many of their units were tied up elsewhere in Midchilda-dominant areas. Carym despaired over the planet's Saint Guardsmen and Knight-sisters having to tough it out on their own. Kia then unvealed the fruit of her labors, the Black Templars. Using the old loophole that allowed summoned mass rounds in combat, Kia had created a very-AMF-resistant battleforce of religious cyborgs who dared to take the name of Adepta Astarta, the legendary battalions of women soldiers employed in Alhazredian mythology. Using superior tactics and technology, Kia wiped out the invading borgs easily.
That, for all it's legality, was a phyrric victory. The TSAB was plunged into much soul-searching. And Kha, for the first time, saw for himself who his mother really was.What are her motivations now? Where will she go from here? Whatever the answers, the enigmatic shadow of Kia the Impaler was back, and that can only mean one thing...
...Revolution....this Khrack hit meh very hard. :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
...and yeah. This is supposed to be canon up to StrikerS. Do point out where I messed canon up up to then. :p
I'll update this entry with her combat data next time! :D
*starts running*
EDIT: Made several changes to Kia's profile with Keroko's input. Thanks so much! I needed it! :D
More explanation about the Templar-pattern bolters, the reason for their AMF resistance, Kia's magic circuits, limits and drawbacks in the Combat Data coming soon! :D
EDIT: Made another change to the rationale of cyborg recovering.
Wild Goose
2008-08-18, 14:41
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This must be the longest Kha breaker ever.
ghazghkull
2008-08-18, 14:43
This must be the longest Kha breaker ever.
Please put that in a spoiler at the very least....
Hmm... Working as intended? :uhoh:
MEAT BUN TO THE WORLD!!! :D
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-18, 14:44
Hmm... Working as intended? :uhoh:
MEAT BUN TO THE WORLD!!! :D
Do they come in pairs with dots on them?
*RUNZ*
SpaceBrotha
2008-08-18, 14:50
Damnit goose:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j89/SpaceBrotha/1140051036337.jpg
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-18, 14:50
Purge the foul Kha with Naga Laughter! (And punish Goose for overdoing the kha scream with text rather than using the Kha-buster video.)
5zFHOnJUs_U
PhoenixG
2008-08-18, 14:54
No~ not the Naga laughter >.<;;;;;;
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-18, 14:57
My ears....they BLEEEEEEEDDDDD!!!!!!!
Aaron008R
2008-08-18, 15:06
Goose. Spoiler tag. -_-
And speaking of the Naga laugh... Her most powerful attack in Magical Battle Arena involves encasing the enemy half in ice and then LAUGHING nest to them...D:
Anyway, status report for me. It's schoolwork all the way from this day to the next two weekd for my finals. I'll be disappearing for the most part from OC activities. I'll work on GenerationS again afterwards, though, since I have ideas already for Chapter 3. :3
And Keroko, look at what I found! :D
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4461/41j9ya6.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=41j9ya6.jpg)
Tesla? :3
Goose. Spoiler tag. -_-
And speaking of the Naga laugh... Her most powerful attack in Magical Battle Arena involves encasing the enemy half in ice and then LAUGHING nest to them...D:
Anyway, status report for me. It's schoolwork all the way from this day to the next two weekd for my finals. I'll be disappearing for the most part from OC activities. I'll work on GenerationS again afterwards, though, since I have ideas already for Chapter 3. :3
And Keroko, look at what I found! :D
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4461/41j9ya6.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=41j9ya6.jpg)
Tesla? :3
I spy with my little eye a huge Crack scenario waiting to unfold. :3
Though ironically, the coloring of her clothing makes her more akin to Syn, whom, even more ironically, spawned from FSNverse, where this picture, yet more ironically, draws ellements (like the typical UBW scenery, with Excalibur to boot).
Perhaps something to work on untill I can get my hands on some info on the SSX.
Oh, and Kha? Still reading the profile. You made the mistake of using an image of Chao, so I'm going to do this thoroughly. >3
This is the stuff that happens when you spend too much time in IRC and talk about a certain hobby...
New OC!
He has no magic, yet he is a vital part of their lives.
Ordinary Iron Chef
Name: Kevin
Age: 32
DOB: May 23
Height: 6'
Weight: 240 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Blood type: O negative
Affiliation: None
Position: Chef
Rank: Civilian
Air Combat Rank: None
Ground Combat Rank: None
Composite Rank: None
Magic System: None
Magic Color: --
Specialty: Cooking
Style: Eclectic
Device: Personal set of kitchen knives
Personality:
Although generally a dry and sarcastic sort, Kevin does honestly care for the people closest to him. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re exempt from his off-color and often silly remarks and comments. He has a dark sense of humor, able to make a comment in just about any situation regardless of the mood, and years of working in high-stress kitchens has granted him incredible patience and almost unflappable calmness. At the same time, his experience with dealing with such a variety of people has also filled him with good advice. Still, he is not without a silly side, though only a select few has ever witnessed it.
Appearance:
Rather than adapting to the fashion designs of his current residence, Kevin has clung to his Earthborn style (or lack thereof) of blue jeans, a black shirt, and black boots. Ever present on his left wrist is a silver watch, and more often than not around his waist is his chef’s apron. Overall he is unremarkable, sporting short black hair and glasses, with no outwardly distinguishing features. He is ordinary, and perhaps because of it, he is different.
History:
Kevin’s history with the Aces begins all the way back when Nanoha was still a student in elementary school. He was traveling the world, doing a bit of soul searching after a particularly unsuccessful romp through college. Though he got his degree, he found it… lacking. His travels brought him to Uminari City, Japan, to the Midoriya where he hoped to get a job filling in a gap in the roster caused by schoolwork. By then Kevin had accumulated a fair amount of culinary work, having slaved in a number of kitchens to help pay for his travels, and it was with these skills that he was put to work in the bakery and kitchens of the Midoriya. Little Nanoha found herself fascinated by the foreigner, whose clipped speech, fledgling grasp of the Japanese language, and strange kitchen antics amused her greatly. Perhaps it was because they were kindred spirits, both lost and unsure where their lives’ paths would take them. This all changed when the Jewel Seeds came to town, though through much of it, Kevin remained ignorant. It wasn’t until Nanoha herself came to him to talk about her insecurities that he became aware of Nanoha’s involvement with otherworldly entities, and even then, he only gave advice and let the girl grow on her own.
The events of A’s had him formally meeting Fate, as well as bumping into several members of the Wolkenritter in his forays into the public. For much of the incident, Kevin remained relatively ignorant of the events, knowing only that Nanoha, Fate, Yuuno, and Arf were involved in some way. Still, he didn’t pry into their business, content in simply providing something tasty for them upon their return. Unknowingly, he befriended the likes of Signum, Shamal, and Vita with his frequent outings, ultimately cumulating into visiting Hayate at their home and the hospital. All attempts to teach Shamal cooking had thus far failed, but still they tried. It was during the final confrontation that he bore witness to it all, along with Suzuka and Arisa. Though the Wolkenritter felt guilt over deceiving their friend, he merely waved off their concerns and told them to visit him tomorrow – he’d have a nice stew ready for them.
Following the incident, Kevin found himself becoming more deeply involved with magic and mages, despite having zero ability in it. Tested and observed, he was found to be completely unable to use magic, though he remained sensitive to the magic around him, a bizarre feature that no one had managed to figure out why thus far. Regardless, he remained a close friend to the growing Aces. Kevin’s ultimate fate was to be employed Riot Force Six in their headquarters as the canteen chef, where he continues to produce delicious meals and advice to all those that seek it.
Despite his older age, Kevin is considered a close friend to the Aces and the Wolkenritter.
Style:
Kevin has no real focus in his cooking style, instead simply making whatever he deems delicious at the time. He does have a particular strength in Italian, Chinese, and American cuisines, but more often that not he’ll make a dish from a different style and region of the world each day. Variety is the spice of life, and Kevin makes sure to season well. Ever since coming to Mid Childa, his cookery has grown to incorporate influences of the local cultures. Still, his dishes tend to be a welcomed nostalgia for those from Earth and a new taste sensation for everyone else. He’s had some bartender experience as well, allowing him to mix up a few tasty beverages to accompany meals. Few people know of this though – you have to go up and ask him personally for one.
Unique Skills:
Sensitive – Despite having zero magical power or ability, Kevin remains sensitive to the magic around him. This can manifest as knowing who is coming near home, or even go as far as being able to penetrate a Temporal Distortion Field. Still, he requires special technologies and devices to allow telepathic communications as well as get him though a typical day in Mid-Childa, such as his watch.
Equipment:
Being a non-mage, Kevin has a few gadgets that allow him to at very least navigate the world without having to rely on others.
Watch – Designed to look like his old Seiko wristwatch, this handy device serves as a PDA, communicator, translator, GPS, and other functions all in one. This is the once gadget that Kevin cannot go without, for it does so much for him.
Cellphone – Redundant in Midchilda, this device has been altered to allow communications with networks outside of Midchilda, like that of Earth. Though the connection isn’t perfect, it at least lets him keep in touch with friends and family on Earth. Sometimes this device is abused by Nanoha to contact her family.
Glasses – His corrective lenses contain modifications that link with his watch’s functions, letting him operate on the run. There’s a rumor that they also contain nightvision, thermal, and electromagnetic field options.
Pipe – Just a simple briar pipe.
WASP Knife -- What? What knife? He doesn't have one, really!
This guy looks a little familiar...
Interestingly, his name means "Agile Change" or "Convenient Home" in Japanese o_O
A cook.:eyebrow:...I say, that's unexpected. But, hey, it's original and it's also nice.
"I think it's slowing down!" Subaru shouted over the groan of straining metal.
"As expected from Shari!" Teana replied. "Just keep it away from any buildings, and we should be okay!" She looked up at the other figure hovering around the giant robot's head. "Mina, how are things on your end?"
"Monstrous Machine in the shape of a Man! Know that I, Lumina Celeste, the Unyielding Ace, shall halt your path of destruction!"
Subaru skidded to a halt next to her partner. "Ah, Tea, I don't think she's listening to you."
"I am not surprised. Mina! Mina, get back down here! That thing will shut down soon, so just keep out of its way until then! Mina!"
"Though you are a Mighty Mechanism of Metal and Magic," Lumina said, unheeding, "I see that you are faltering before the unflinching wall of our Justice! For we shall never let one such as you pass, though we may be reduced to naught but our bare hands. Indeed, such shall be a fitting punishment for your evil ways!"
"Oh, wow," Subaru said, impressed.
"I present to you my Fist of Justice! For this fist burns with an overpowering desire to Smite the Wicked and Diabolical!"
"I can't look," Teana muttered, covering her eyes.
"The light of our Righteousness shall guide this Fist of Justice to thy weakest point! Evil robot, meet my fist! Fist! MEET! EVIL!"
-CLANG-
*****
"And that's how you broke your hand?" Shamal said, not unkindly.
Lumina rubbed the back of her head with her other hand. "Ahaha, I kind of got caught up in the heat of the moment."
"Mina, I understand your passion," Subaru said firmly. "Sometimes, all you want to do is punch something!"
"But a giant robot?" Shamal said dubiously.
"Yeah, Subaru does it all the time," Lumina said defensively.
"Subaru has Revolver Knuckle," Teana pointed out. "You're not even trained in hand-to-hand combat, much less able to punch battleship steel unprotected."
"Tea's right!" Subaru said. "So remember, Mina, the next time you go out to meet Evil, always wear protection... um, Tea, why are you choking like that?"
Laughed at Mina punching at the giant robot and failing, lol at the last sentence.
Time to throw things here into a fit! :D
Adepta Astarta: Black Templars
KIA EIN
http://www.visi.com/~spanner/ElHazard/Ifuritas.jpg
The Smiling Impaler (Dark and Light modes)
Name: Kia Ein (Her maiden name cannot be verified)
Alias: The Impaler
Age: 55 (as of StrikerS, but she looks eternally 19)
Birthday: 23rd June
Magic Rank: S+
Height: 169cm
Weight: 48kg
Hair: Long, brown-black but tied into two buns in bonnets like how some “Chinese“ girl characters have.
Usual wear:
Magic Type: Neo-Velka, Purple-Black.
Caster Class: Knight-Sister Commander
Personality
Kia is a famed Knight-Sister for her ingenuity, tenacity, inventiveness and at the same time, of heresy, for it is believed she sold her heart and soul to Science long before she joined the Adeptae Belkarum and never got them back. Her ever-calm exterior and benign smile belies the mountain of calculations raging in her mind to ensure that in whatever deal, with the best possible odds she always comes out tops. In person, she's hard to take seriously, always dripping with sarcasm and cryptic acid-wit rounded off with a disarmingly-cute deshou ne~~. But to underestimate her is to fall into her trap; from the TSAB grunts that monitor her to the pre-modern gangleaders who were pursued by her, they all testify to having been robbed of an advantageous position even when it was right under their noses.
Her diminuitive frame belies an righteous anger that she shows to no one except the worst of foe. It was born under the harsh knives of errant lab-fiends who turned her from human to cyborg, and despite much righteous blood-letting has never really quelled. It surfaces in the surgical brutality of her schemes that account and orchestra every worst possible downfall to those that oppose her, in the off-handed yet relentless way she corners then downs the witch, the heretic and the evil whole. Some even claim she actually plotted, attempted and succeeded to travel back in time to pursue her now-dead tormentors, but such cases have been filed away as Kia's victims driven mad by her chase.
Hence her moniker as Kia the Impaler, for she pierced through any obstacle and almost singlehandedly expunged the rotting elements that made old Belka the "Church of Violence".
It then becomes very hard to reconcile all that with the fact that she turned down Sainthood, married an average Joe from the Saint Guard, eventually retiring at around 40 and bearing a child now heralded as The Cleric of New Belka. It is even harder to understand why those in her close circle trust her so much, and that her son only has fond memories of a tough-love but nevertheless doting mother. One can only guess that she found a Light that she could place her faith in and turn her lies into truth.
But now, after her long stasis under Jail's research, and her launching a crusade against users of combat cyborgs, no clue remains of what transpired during those times of peace.
From child prodigy to hexejaeger to mother, Kia has always been a lucious Angel of Death, and having been robbed of her hard-won peace, none shall stand against her silent fury.
History
Kia is a long-lived cyborg, and her story is divided into Before Dawn and Era of the Cleric.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Chaorinshen.gif/250px-Chaorinshen.gif
Genesis
It is said Kia was born to a family of powerful mage ancestry. The circumstances are a blur, but Kia eventually ended up with "scientists" who wished to create a new generation of cyborgs, and picked her because of a perfect storm of genetic attributes and magical potential. She was subjected to painful procedures day in and day out, without dignity or respite, eventually turning her from a mere child to an advanced cybernetic construct etched with magical circuits, the prototype from which the improved and refined Type 0 was based on. It is a wonder that Kia survived with not only her sanity intact, but awakened a technical genius that astounded first, then finally killed her "experimentors".
As she wandered the back alleys of Mars Sara, Kia continuned to modify and upgrade herself. One day, she was discovered by a Knight-Sister and brought to the Convent's small fire base there, where she'd remain for the remainder of her childhood before moving into the Saint Alexei Convent full time. Then Palatine Maria was in charge of the deployment of Knight-Sisters on Mars Sara, and, with the meaningless assignments repeatedly passed down to her, she binned her "duties" and took on caring for Kia. During those dark times, a Belka orphanage was one of the worst places to be sent to, and Maria sought to save this little soul from further corruption.
This was an opportunity of a lifetime for Kia; she realized that this small portion of the Convent could be leveraged upon to help her exact revenge on the many players that tortured her for so long. And so, Kia expressed interest to join the Sisterhood, to be like her saviors. Maria objected at first, but later she took on instructing Kia in the faith. Kia took to it like a duck to water, mastering magecraft, manuscripts, physical combat and anything in the syllabus that Maria threw at her. While her speed was very encouraging, Maria could not help but feel that Kia was fulfilling the role of a pious student too well...
The Black Knights
Kia blossomed very quickly soon after, and joined Maria's sisters in the Inquisition. The girl worked miracle after miracle, winning cases against heretical elements in the Church, working upwards, damning the Belka mafia, the Ecclessarchy and the Office of Assasinations along the way. The crusading sisters became known as the Black Knights that homed in on the various cancers plaguing the Church and purged them with lawful efficiency. Many attempts on Kia's life were made, but all that did was serve even more incriminating evidence into The Impaler's hands.
Under the cover of her heroics, Kia continued to further weapons development in a workshop captured by the Black Knights. However, her use of loopholes in the Anti-Weaponry Telemaise Treaty allowed her to carry on untouched and unhindered. With more allies, she rode on the wave of goodwill to create amazing mana-powered devices and robot aides to bolster their numbers. And she converted that goodwill into political power built on success after unbelievable success. At the rate they were going, the day the crimes of the highest echelons of the Inquisition was revealed was all but certain to come.
Touareg shovon Volks
The TSAB has long been investigating Kia's work, but their agents always return empty-handed and vowing never to see Kia again. At the height of the Black Crusade, they dispatched a nobody to do the babysitting, Cleric-Knight Touareg. Despite his namesake, Tou was just a washed-out man hanging on the last threads of his ideals. He actually admired Kia's work with the Church, but something about her efficiency unsettled him. He come, saw, but was unfazed. Tou would become the first agent to renew the tenure over Kia, adamently that he would find what is wrong with Kia and turn her around.
The days to come would be anything from whimsical harem lulls, to all-out gun battles, as the Black Knights steamrolled on.
The Anaheim Incident
Her true plan finally in motion, Kia secretly established a device in the middle of the Anaheim Ruins of Mars Sara, and set it off. It created a massive fold dislocation around the planet, as well as a large ion storm over the ruins itself. Tou battled the elements to break into the contraption Kia built, extract her unconscious form and barely made it to safety before a 15 mile shockwave carved a mark out of the planet surface. Later investigations showed that the device consumed so much mana that it was a surprise that Mars Sara did not fall apart in the blast.
No one knows that that device was supposed to do. Kia herself claimed it was a time machine, and that she risked her life to go back in time to change the past, but having failed to do so returned to the present. The device overloading was just unfortunate consequence. She failed the psychiatric tests, and being unable to stand trial was unceremoniously dumped back to the Black Knights. Their assets were frozen pending further investigation lest Kia created another disaster.
After this incident, the Knights noted that Kia had changed subtly. She wasn't as dark as before, and was much friendlier towards Tou. While she hid it under her usual demeanor, she seemed to have lost all inspiration to soldier on. When she used to work feverishly in her machine shop, now she merely wanted to perfect her Chao Sao Pao recipe.
The Black Knights, even Tou, felt that Kia may have been hurt far more in the incident than they could imagine. But what was that device for? The boy stepped in...
Battle of Ragnarok
The Ecclessarchy rest on their laurels, content that the thorn in their sides was going to be removed. They were wrong. In a astounding display of brilliance, Kia uncovered the biggest scoop ever, detailing clearly how much of the Church was linked to the Imperial Belka Army, and that a coup d'etat attack against the TSAB HQ was well underway. The only problem was getting it to the HQ; a Naval fleet had been manipulated to blockade Mars Sara, practically every assassin from the Ecclesarchy had been deployed, and then there was the convincing of the TSAB that what they claim was legitimate. The Black Knights faced almost impossible odds in their final crusade.
In the Battle of Ragnarok, Kia would work her last and most spectacular miracle.
Reconstruction
It was a brighter era. For the first time since Belka collapsed, the Saint Church stood a great chance to be rid of the corruption that brought the empire down. The Ecclesarchy was destroyed, the Officio Assassinorum, no more. Maria became Canoness, and as head of the Inquisition continued the good work of the defunct Black Knights. The mafia cartels have been smashed and the cells were running scared. The Adeptae Belkarum had been restored to the shining glory of its Ancient Belka days.
And to everyone except the Black Knights' surprise, Kia turned down Sainthood and instead married Tou. She continued to work with the Convent, as head of the tech department and caretaker of the Sisterhood's many machines.
Almost a decade later in MC 0055, Kha shovon Toureg was born.Five years passed peacefully...http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a347/khathecleric/Ifurita_Wanderers.jpg
The Sacking of Renault
There has been times when Kia was caught by surprise, but the Sacking was her biggest blunder. Whether it was her softening, the distraction of having a child to care for, or just plain aging, Kia had been protecting the Book of Daylight, but was killed in action during the Convent's last stand against an impossibly strong foe taking advantage of the chaos created by the blast. As the Adeptae mourned their fallen and the most revolutionary sister ever to live, Kia was buried with full state honors along with her husband. And her son would go on and carve his own destiny, like she did before him.
However, that was not the end. The real Kia had been snatched not long after her fall, and a lifeless clone buried instead. Jail Scagletti was searching for the Type 0 cyborgs, and the attack present the most oppotune moment to gain a prototype basis of the Type 0. From her body, Jail discovered many new technologies that he implemented in the Gadget Drones, and later generations of Numbers.
StrikerS
Kia was reawakened by accident. Kha had infiltrated a branch of Jail's gadget production facilities, and in his explorations released some of the limiters on Kia's consiousness. She quickly got her bearings, noted the world around her, then not long after began leaking her latest ruminations to Chacha via her less-than-desirable channels. It resulted in the construction of the Terminator Grade "00", and the VF-19Z Forneus; Kia's gifts to her son. These two weapons couldn't have come at a more appropiate time, and Kha was able to defeat the Extended Relic Weapons with them.
Another Crusade
Kia was eventually rescued along with Megane, but her cybernetic body needed no rest. Her time spend half-awake in a tank had given him much insight to the reach of Jail's full cyborg army. And since the latest models were made using her as a basis, she regarded them from Quattro onwards as her children, and used that to manipulate matters to her own hands once again. She knew that Jail hardwired the Numbers 13 onwards to subtly lust for battle, and true to that matter, the awakened cyborgs quickly became apathic and restless. Kia took over their rehabilitation, and included in their program weekend regimentation and live-fire training. Once again, her deft manuveuring left her untoucheable, and the results spoke for themselves. The cyborgs were quickly settled in, and Kia carried on scouring all of Midchilda and beyond for more of her daughters.
Given their sheer numbers, Kia's enterprising side took over, and Kia Sao Bao steamed bun shops staffed by her daughters literally mushroomed all over Midchilda. Nothing like cyborgs to make the perfect buns every time! :cool:
And let's not forget poor Kha who finds himself suddenly an older brother to more siblings than he could ever imagine. And some times his mother, who doesn't seem to age, joins in the glompfest! :eyespin:
The Black Templars
The threat that Kia warned against arrived. An army of AMF supported cyborgs laid waste to several of TSAB's outlying bases and seized control over several key foldspace points. A Belka-aligned territory was threatened, but the TSAB dragged their feet as many of their units were tied up elsewhere in Midchilda-dominant areas. Carym despaired over the planet's Saint Guardsmen and Knight-sisters having to tough it out on their own. Kia then unvealed the fruit of her labors, the Black Templars. Using the old loophole that allowed summoned mass rounds in combat, Kia had created an AMF-immune battleforce of religious cyborgs who dared to take the name of Adepta Astarta, the legendary battalions of women soldiers employed in Alhazredian mythology. Using superior tactics and technology, Kia wiped out the invading borgs easily.
That, for all it's legality, was a phyrric victory. The TSAB was plunged into much soul-searching. And Kha, for the first time, saw for himself who his mother really was.What are her motivations now? Where will she go from here? Whatever the answers, the enigmatic shadow of Kia the Impaler was back, and that can only mean one thing...
...Revolution....this Khrack hit meh very hard. :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
...and yeah. This is supposed to be canon up to StrikerS. Do point out where I messed canon up up to then. :p
I'll update this entry with her combat data next time! :D
*starts running*
Kha's....mom...:eyebrow:....:uhoh:
I'll hold my comments.
@Goose: Wow....that was....long.
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-18, 19:35
Thread is too slow...
And it's probably time I wrote something anyway :p
NERV Commander Fuyutsuki took a moment to glance over three lieutenants sitting in the briefing room. All three were still young with most of their lives ahead of them. Yet here they were being sent out to face criminals and magical items of unknown power. And he was the one to send them. There were times when he sometimes questioned the TSAB's recruiting of such young mages. Granted one of them in the room was taken in for the better and another was saved from a criminal life, they were a small number of the exceptions. Perhaps it was because of those three young ladies from that Non-Administered world. Had the TSAB become that desperate to find powerful mages that they would recruit children? He shook his head. Things had really changed from when he first joined the TSAB all those years ago. Perhaps the future of dimensional space did rest in the hands of today's youth. Or he was getting too old for these things.
"Good morning, Lieutenants."
"Good morning, sir."
"We have received word from intell about a shipment of mid-class Lost Logia from Non-Administered World 182." A screen materialized, detailing the Lost Logia. "From what they managed to gather, these Lost Logia are stable in their current form and pose no immediate danger unless activated. Unfortunately, information on the parties involved could not be attained." Another monitor appeared over the first, zooming into an industrial part of a city. "We've managed to isolate their shipping point to this warehouse district on the planet. Your primary mission is to recover the Lost Logia. Neutralizing the smuggling operation is secondary. The Longinus will depart in one hour. Dismissed."
He watched as they saluted and made their way out of the room. With his job done, Kouzou retreated to his office to check on the paperwork he had to file through for the day.
"Meeting...meeting...report...bulletin..."
The next document caught his attention. Leaning back in his chair, he opened the file and read over the title, "Proposal for Formation of Lost Property: Riot Force 6..."
Some two hours later, NERV's main (and only) squad sat around in the Longinus' mess hall. Several screens were open displaying the information sent to them from intell about the world as well as the smuggling operation.
"We really don't have much to go by, huh?" mused Shamsel with his arms crossed over his chest.
Evangeline shook her head, "Apparently their contact could only provide this much."
"Which means we're basically going in blind. We'll need to be on our toes for this one."
"Yea, but that doesn't mean you," remarks Ryoutaro as he gestures to Shamsel, "can use it."
"I know, I know. Don't worry."
Their female companion raised an eyebrow at the pair, "Use what?"
Ryoutaro was the first to answer, "It's just some super-powerful attack to try and make up for his lack of si-"
A spoon collided with his head. "Oh be quiet, you."
The pair exchanged a few more insults, forgetting about the previous conversation as Evangeline sighed and mumbled something about stupid men.
An hour later, the trio made their way over the rooftops of their target area. They had opted to deploy with Barrier Jackets active to avoid alerting the smugglers to their presence with the large mana draw it would have generated. Most of the warehouses in the area were unoccupied and filled with unused machinery or crates. It also meant they didn't have to worry about the local populace seeing three people in weird outfits leaping from roof to roof with ease.
"I'm getting a higher heat signature from that warehouse to the south-east," says Evangeline.
Shamsel nods, "Alright, let's take a look."
With a bit of magic, they land silently on the roof of the warehouse. Wear and tear and bad upkeep left the rooftop door rusted and required only a sharp tug to open. Before they even entered they could make out voices inside barking orders of some kind. A nod was given and they climbed inside. The door led them to a catwalk close to the ceiling, giving them a good view of the warehouse. Several local transport vehicles were lined up gear the main entrance. Numerous people dressed in black milled about carrying crates to and from the vehicles.
"Well that doesn't look very local, does it?" remarks Ryoutaro as he gestures to the inter-dimensional transportation array set up in the middle of the warehouse.
Shamsel quickly tries to formulate a plan. "So first we need to disable that transporter and then secure the Lost Log-"
"INTRUDERS!"
On instinct, they all dive out of the way as their location was pelted by enemy fire. Shamsel runs along the catwalk while Ryoutaro and Evangeline leaped off to the floor below.
"Ore Sanjou!"
Evangeline sighed, "Do you HAVE to do that every time?"
Shamsel chuckled in response and charged into the group in front of him. "Take care of the transporter!"
She rolled forward and slammed the hilt of her sword into the nearest target before gripping the tail of her Zector and slamming to forward, "Cast Off!"
CAST OFF
Those unfortunate enough to be near her were sent flying back from the discarded armor sections.
CHANGE SCORPION
"Clock Up!"
CLOCK UP
The next thing anyone saw was the purple-armored mage on the opposite side of the transporter as it crumbled to pieces. From above, Shamsel had left the catwalk and did his best to avoid the combination of mass- and magic-based projectiles as he remained airborne.
"Magnum Impact!"
Light-blue spheres of magic and air formed and fired off at the enemy clusters below. One sphere exploded and send one of the black-clothed men into a pile of steel beams. As he re-emerged from the twisted pile, sparks few from his damaged left arm.
"Cyborgs?!" exclaims Ryoutaro who had been nearby.
"We are NOT cyborgs!"
Ryoutaro cried out as two projectiles exploded against his back. From the far end of the warehouse, a larger figure made his presence known. He was clearly taller then them and...probably not completely human. While it had the legs and mid-section of a human, everything above was something else. It was almost as if a tiger had been attached to a human's legs and made buffer. fingers were tipped by sharp claws to match the large fangs from the mouth. What really stood out, however, was the pair of smoking cannon barrels from its shoulders.
The creature fired again at Evangeline who dodged and charged at the new opponent. She swung her sword at his shoulders, only to have it scoff and grab the blade with its hands. In that moment of surprise, its free hand connected with her stomach to send me staggering back in pain.
"Eva!" cried out Shamsel as he prepared his own attack. "Tuebor, Dividing-"
He gets cut off as another salvo slams into his auto-barrier and send him to the ground. "Restrain them! And get those AMF Generators online!"
With the mages bound and the AMF Generators running at nearly full power, the apparent leader of the operation smirks with his hand on his hips. "Your first mistake was thinking you could take us on. Your second mistake," he remarks as he grabs Ryoutaro by his helmet and tosses him across the room, "was thinking we were mere cyborgs!"
"Just...what are you?" Shamsel manages to get out.
The tiger creature laughs and holds his arms out to his side, "We are the future. The result of Shocker's research and destined to rule over you pitiful people: kaizo-ningen, enhanced humans! Unlike those pitiful cyborgs, we are a perfection of cybernetic and genetic enhancements."
"S-shocker?"
"That's right," he remarks, leaning over Evangeline. "Shocker, Destron, G.O.D., Black Satan. We have many names across many worlds. Many have been...'recruited' to work for us and undergo our enhancement process. Perhaps you would care to join us?" He tilted her head in his hand. "A few implants with an infusion of scorpion DNA and maybe a lovely tail..."
She pulled back and snarled at him. "I'd NEVER join the likes of you!"
"Ha! That's what they all say at first. But they all eventually change their minds in the end. They all come to see our way." He paused for a moment. "But seeing you've stumbled on our little operation here we can't exactly let you leave, now can we? I'm sure you'll all make excellent additions to our forces."
"We'll nenver give in to you!"
"Is that so?" He stepped up to Shamsel and pressed his claw into his forehead. "By the time we're done with you, you'll be working for us and like it, boy. Oh yes, they'll really drill it into that brain of ours."
"Alright you slackers! Let's get a move on here! I want these ready to be shipped out NO-"
The sound of shattering glass and an engine cuts off his orders. All eyes turn up to see a motorcycle flying through the upper windows and skidding to a halt across from them. The rider revs the engine and looks up with the large, red eyes of its helmet. Dark blue gloves, boots, and chest armor lie on top of the full-body black outfit. A fairly oversize belt was strapped to the rider's waist with some strange device in the front with a red turbine of sorts.
"It's the traitor! KILL HIM!"
Several dozen of the black-clad men charge the newcomer. Without a word he hits the gas and charges straight into the oncoming assault. Right before they connect, he leaps off his bike and into the enemy with a flying kick.
"Toh!"
The impact sends the center group flying back and sprawled out across the floor. It quickly changes to a brawls with punches and kicks flying only to have the stranger visibly having the advantage.
"Argh! If you want something done, you do it right yourself!" The kaizo-ningen exclaims as he prepares his cannons.
Another crash comes behind them.
"What the...?"
A second motorcycle speeds in and slams into the tiger-human, sending him to the floor. The rider is almost identical to the first except for being of a more greenish color with red gloves. He hops off his bike and breaks their bonds easily. Before the mages could say anything, he charges and engages the leader.
"I guess they're on our side," absentmindedly states Ryoutaro.
"You mean hope," correctly Evangeline.
"Yea, whatever."
Shamsel steps into the conversation, "Alright you two. Let's take care of the AMF Generators, first."
No arguments were given to the proposed plan as they grabbed their Devices to battle through the remaining goons. On the other side of the warehouse, the two masked men were engaged with the Shocker solider.
"Shocker has no tolerance for traitors! I'll kill you both!" he cried, firing a salvo at the pair.
They rolled to opposite side and leaped in, fists connecting with his chest.
"Ragh! DIE!"
Claws and fists met and countered. Blow after blow was exchanged between the combatants but it was obvious the two masked men had the advantage.
FULL CHARGE
Before he could react, the lance struck his back and immobilized him in the blue field. "Gah!"
"You forgot about us? How mean."
The two groups stared at each other and a silent nod was given. With their target between them, the four masked combatants charged forward. From behind his partners, Shamsel used his affinity to wind to give them a boost as they leaped into the air.
"RIDER...KICK!"
All four kicks impacted, crushing the kaizo-ningen's upper body. The field faded, letting the body slump to the floor before it exploded in a fireball. Ryoutaro backed away from the intense flames. "The hell?"
"It's a safeguard designed to destroy any evidence to keep Shocker hidden," remarked the blue one.
"So I assume it's safe to say you two aren't our enemies?"
The other one nodded, "Very safe."
"I'm Lt. Nagisa of the TSAB along with Lt. Nogami and Lt. Kamishiro."
"You can call me Kamen Rider 1," responded the blue one.
"And Kamen Rider 2," finished the green one.
"Kamen Rider....the Masked Rider project?" asks Evangeline.
"In a way," answers Rider 2. "We were the products of Shocker experimenting with that idea after it was announced along with the others."
Ryoutaro stepped up, "There are others?"
"Ah. On other worlds by other sections of Shocker. Some of us managed to escape from Shocker and we now fight to bring them to an end: V3, Riderman, Stronger, Amazon to name a few."
"So," steps in Shamsel, "you are all like him? A kaizo-ningen?" A simple nod was given as an answer. "If...if Shocker is this big, I'm sure the TSAB would be willing to offer assistance to put them to an end."
Rider 1 shook his head, "Help would be great but not even we know how far Shocker's influence lies. We feel it would be safer for us to work as we are. That way it's harder for them to find us and puts less people in danger."
"I see..."
"If Shocker is there, you can be assured we'll be there to stop them. Just remember, be careful who you talk to. No matter how secure there is always a way in."
Evangeline nods, "So Shocker has eyes and ears in the TSAB..."
"Yes," confirms Rider 2, "But we don't know how far they have infiltrated. They'll soon find out about this and try to keep themselves hidden. So be careful."
"We will."
With a nod, the two Riders hopped on their bikes and sped off from the warehouse.
LimitedEternal
2008-08-18, 20:21
This must be the longest Kha breaker ever.
Good god, man...maybe there's something I didn't get in regards to this alleged Khrack spring, but was that REALLY necessary???
Please put that in a spoiler at the very least....
Yes, please do. A half-page Kha Breaker is just...excessive.
Hmm... Working as intended? :uhoh:
MEAT BUN TO THE WORLD!!! :D
*facepalms*
Damnit goose:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j89/SpaceBrotha/1140051036337.jpg
:nod:
No~ not the Naga laughter >.<;;;;;;
Is that...bad? :uhoh:
Goose. Spoiler tag. -_-
And speaking of the Naga laugh... Her most powerful attack in Magical Battle Arena involves encasing the enemy half in ice and then LAUGHING nest to them...D:
Anyway, status report for me. It's schoolwork all the way from this day to the next two weekd for my finals. I'll be disappearing for the most part from OC activities. I'll work on GenerationS again afterwards, though, since I have ideas already for Chapter 3. :3
And Keroko, look at what I found! :D
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4461/41j9ya6.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=41j9ya6.jpg)
Tesla? :3
Good to hear you're hangin' in there, Aaron? :3
Cool image, too. Although it doesn't scream Tesla to me, that's what crack is for, ne?
I spy with my little eye a huge Crack scenario waiting to unfold. :3
Though ironically, the coloring of her clothing makes her more akin to Syn, whom, even more ironically, spawned from FSNverse, where this picture, yet more ironically, draws ellements (like the typical UBW scenery, with Excalibur to boot).
Perhaps something to work on untill I can get my hands on some info on the SSX.
Oh, and Kha? Still reading the profile. You made the mistake of using an image of Chao, so I'm going to do this thoroughly. >3
Adult Syn, maybe? :3
Kha's....mom...:eyebrow:....:uhoh:
I'll hold my comments.
@Goose: Wow....that was....long.
:twitch:...oh.
Thread is too slow...
And it's probably time I wrote something anyway :p
NERV Commander Fuyutsuki took a moment to glance over three lieutenants sitting in the briefing room. All three were still young with most of their lives ahead of them. Yet here they were being sent out to face criminals and magical items of unknown power. And he was the one to send them. There were times when he sometimes questioned the TSAB's recruiting of such young mages. Granted one of them in the room was taken in for the better and another was saved from a criminal life, they were a small number of the exceptions. Perhaps it was because of those three young ladies from that Non-Administered world. Had the TSAB become that desperate to find powerful mages that they would recruit children? He shook his head. Things had really changed from when he first joined the TSAB all those years ago. Perhaps the future of dimensional space did rest in the hands of today's youth. Or he was getting too old for these things.
"Good morning, Lieutenants."
"Good morning, sir."
"We have received word from intell about a shipment of mid-class Lost Logia from Non-Administered World 182." A screen materialized, detailing the Lost Logia. "From what they managed to gather, these Lost Logia are stable in their current form and pose no immediate danger unless activated. Unfortunately, information on the parties involved could not be attained." Another monitor appeared over the first, zooming into an industrial part of a city. "We've managed to isolate their shipping point to this warehouse district on the planet. Your primary mission is to recover the Lost Logia. Neutralizing the smuggling operation is secondary. The Longinus will depart in one hour. Dismissed."
He watched as they saluted and made their way out of the room. With his job done, Kouzou retreated to his office to check on the paperwork he had to file through for the day.
"Meeting...meeting...report...bulletin..."
The next document caught his attention. Leaning back in his chair, he opened the file and read over the title, "Proposal for Formation of Lost Property: Riot Force 6..."
Some two hours later, NERV's main (and only) squad sat around in the Longinus' mess hall. Several screens were open displaying the information sent to them from intell about the world as well as the smuggling operation.
"We really don't have much to go by, huh?" mused Shamsel with his arms crossed over his chest.
Evangeline shook her head, "Apparently their contact could only provide this much."
"Which means we're basically going in blind. We'll need to be on our toes for this one."
"Yea, but that doesn't mean you," remarks Ryoutaro as he gestures to Shamsel, "can use it."
"I know, I know. Don't worry."
Their female companion raised an eyebrow at the pair, "Use what?"
Ryoutaro was the first to answer, "It's just some super-powerful attack to try and make up for his lack of si-"
A spoon collided with his head. "Oh be quiet, you."
The pair exchanged a few more insults, forgetting about the previous conversation as Evangeline sighed and mumbled something about stupid men.
An hour later, the trio made their way over the rooftops of their target area. They had opted to deploy with Barrier Jackets active to avoid alerting the smugglers to their presence with the large mana draw it would have generated. Most of the warehouses in the area were unoccupied and filled with unused machinery or crates. It also meant they didn't have to worry about the local populace seeing three people in weird outfits leaping from roof to roof with ease.
"I'm getting a higher heat signature from that warehouse to the south-east," says Evangeline.
Shamsel nods, "Alright, let's take a look."
With a bit of magic, they land silently on the roof of the warehouse. Wear and tear and bad upkeep left the rooftop door rusted and required only a sharp tug to open. Before they even entered they could make out voices inside barking orders of some kind. A nod was given and they climbed inside. The door led them to a catwalk close to the ceiling, giving them a good view of the warehouse. Several local transport vehicles were lined up gear the main entrance. Numerous people dressed in black milled about carrying crates to and from the vehicles.
"Well that doesn't look very local, does it?" remarks Ryoutaro as he gestures to the inter-dimensional transportation array set up in the middle of the warehouse.
Shamsel quickly tries to formulate a plan. "So first we need to disable that transporter and then secure the Lost Log-"
"INTRUDERS!"
On instinct, they all dive out of the way as their location was pelted by enemy fire. Shamsel runs along the catwalk while Ryoutaro and Evangeline leaped off to the floor below.
"Ore Sanjou!"
Evangeline sighed, "Do you HAVE to do that every time?"
Shamsel chuckled in response and charged into the group in front of him. "Take care of the transporter!"
She rolled forward and slammed the hilt of her sword into the nearest target before gripping the tail of her Zector and slamming to forward, "Cast Off!"
CAST OFF
Those unfortunate enough to be near her were sent flying back from the discarded armor sections.
CHANGE SCORPION
"Clock Up!"
CLOCK UP
The next thing anyone saw was the purple-armored mage on the opposite side of the transporter as it crumbled to pieces. From above, Shamsel had left the catwalk and did his best to avoid the combination of mass- and magic-based projectiles as he remained airborne.
"Magnum Impact!"
Light-blue spheres of magic and air formed and fired off at the enemy clusters below. One sphere exploded and send one of the black-clothed men into a pile of steel beams. As he re-emerged from the twisted pile, sparks few from his damaged left arm.
"Cyborgs?!" exclaims Ryoutaro who had been nearby.
"We are NOT cyborgs!"
Ryoutaro cried out as two projectiles exploded against his back. From the far end of the warehouse, a larger figure made his presence known. He was clearly taller then them and...probably not completely human. While it had the legs and mid-section of a human, everything above was something else. It was almost as if a tiger had been attached to a human's legs and made buffer. fingers were tipped by sharp claws to match the large fangs from the mouth. What really stood out, however, was the pair of smoking cannon barrels from its shoulders.
The creature fired again at Evangeline who dodged and charged at the new opponent. She swung her sword at his shoulders, only to have it scoff and grab the blade with its hands. In that moment of surprise, its free hand connected with her stomach to send me staggering back in pain.
"Eva!" cried out Shamsel as he prepared his own attack. "Tuebor, Dividing-"
He gets cut off as another salvo slams into his auto-barrier and send him to the ground. "Restrain them! And get those AMF Generators online!"
With the mages bound and the AMF Generators running at nearly full power, the apparent leader of the operation smirks with his hand on his hips. "Your first mistake was thinking you could take us on. Your second mistake," he remarks as he grabs Ryoutaro by his helmet and tosses him across the room, "was thinking we were mere cyborgs!"
"Just...what are you?" Shamsel manages to get out.
The tiger creature laughs and holds his arms out to his side, "We are the future. The result of Shocker's research and destined to rule over you pitiful people: kaizo-ningen, enhanced humans! Unlike those pitiful cyborgs, we are a perfection of cybernetic and genetic enhancements."
"S-shocker?"
"That's right," he remarks, leaning over Evangeline. "Shocker, Destron, G.O.D., Black Satan. We have many names across many worlds. Many have been...'recruited' to work for us and undergo our enhancement process. Perhaps you would care to join us?" He tilted her head in his hand. "A few implants with an infusion of scorpion DNA and maybe a lovely tail..."
She pulled back and snarled at him. "I'd NEVER join the likes of you!"
"Ha! That's what they all say at first. But they all eventually change their minds in the end. They all come to see our way." He paused for a moment. "But seeing you've stumbled on our little operation here we can't exactly let you leave, now can we? I'm sure you'll all make excellent additions to our forces."
"We'll nenver give in to you!"
"Is that so?" He stepped up to Shamsel and pressed his claw into his forehead. "By the time we're done with you, you'll be working for us and like it, boy. Oh yes, they'll really drill it into that brain of ours."
"Alright you slackers! Let's get a move on here! I want these ready to be shipped out NO-"
The sound of shattering glass and an engine cuts off his orders. All eyes turn up to see a motorcycle flying through the upper windows and skidding to a halt across from them. The rider revs the engine and looks up with the large, red eyes of its helmet. Dark blue gloves, boots, and chest armor lie on top of the full-body black outfit. A fairly oversize belt was strapped to the rider's waist with some strange device in the front with a red turbine of sorts.
"It's the traitor! KILL HIM!"
Several dozen of the black-clad men charge the newcomer. Without a word he hits the gas and charges straight into the oncoming assault. Right before they connect, he leaps off his bike and into the enemy with a flying kick.
"Toh!"
The impact sends the center group flying back and sprawled out across the floor. It quickly changes to a brawls with punches and kicks flying only to have the stranger visibly having the advantage.
"Argh! If you want something done, you do it right yourself!" The kaizo-ningen exclaims as he prepares his cannons.
Another crash comes behind them.
"What the...?"
A second motorcycle speeds in and slams into the tiger-human, sending him to the floor. The rider is almost identical to the first except for being of a more greenish color with red gloves. He hops off his bike and breaks their bonds easily. Before the mages could say anything, he charges and engages the leader.
"I guess they're on our side," absentmindedly states Ryoutaro.
"You mean hope," correctly Evangeline.
"Yea, whatever."
Shamsel steps into the conversation, "Alright you two. Let's take care of the AMF Generators, first."
No arguments were given to the proposed plan as they grabbed their Devices to battle through the remaining goons. On the other side of the warehouse, the two masked men were engaged with the Shocker solider.
"Shocker has no tolerance for traitors! I'll kill you both!" he cried, firing a salvo at the pair.
They rolled to opposite side and leaped in, fists connecting with his chest.
"Ragh! DIE!"
Claws and fists met and countered. Blow after blow was exchanged between the combatants but it was obvious the two masked men had the advantage.
FULL CHARGE
Before he could react, the lance struck his back and immobilized him in the blue field. "Gah!"
"You forgot about us? How mean."
The two groups stared at each other and a silent nod was given. With their target between them, the four masked combatants charged forward. From behind his partners, Shamsel used his affinity to wind to give them a boost as they leaped into the air.
"RIDER...KICK!"
All four kicks impacted, crushing the kaizo-ningen's upper body. The field faded, letting the body slump to the floor before it exploded in a fireball. Ryoutaro backed away from the intense flames. "The hell?"
"It's a safeguard designed to destroy any evidence to keep Shocker hidden," remarked the blue one.
"So I assume it's safe to say you two aren't our enemies?"
The other one nodded, "Very safe."
"I'm Lt. Nagisa of the TSAB along with Lt. Nogami and Lt. Kamishiro."
"You can call me Kamen Rider 1," responded the blue one.
"And Kamen Rider 2," finished the green one.
"Kamen Rider....the Masked Rider project?" asks Evangeline.
"In a way," answers Rider 2. "We were the products of Shocker experimenting with that idea after it was announced along with the others."
Ryoutaro stepped up, "There are others?"
"Ah. On other worlds by other sections of Shocker. Some of us managed to escape from Shocker and we now fight to bring them to an end: V3, Riderman, Stronger, Amazon to name a few."
"So," steps in Shamsel, "you are all like him? A kaizo-ningen?" A simple nod was given as an answer. "If...if Shocker is this big, I'm sure the TSAB would be willing to offer assistance to put them to an end."
Rider 1 shook his head, "Help would be great but not even we know how far Shocker's influence lies. We feel it would be safer for us to work as we are. That way it's harder for them to find us and puts less people in danger."
"I see..."
"If Shocker is there, you can be assured we'll be there to stop them. Just remember, be careful who you talk to. No matter how secure there is always a way in."
Evangeline nods, "So Shocker has eyes and ears in the TSAB..."
"Yes," confirms Rider 2, "But we don't know how far they have infiltrated. They'll soon find out about this and try to keep themselves hidden. So be careful."
"We will."
With a nod, the two Riders hopped on their bikes and sped off from the warehouse.
Hmmmm...rather interesting. I take it this particular crossover bug's bitten you but good? :p
Wild Goose
2008-08-18, 20:26
Sorry, forgot to spoiler. My bad.
Spark a burst I did, but it died out too quickly. D:
Do they come in pairs with dots on them?
*RUNZ*Kia: Would you like to try the Nyan Nyan Bao ne? :)
Purge the foul Kha with Naga Laughter! (And punish Goose for overdoing the kha scream with text rather than using the Kha-buster video.)
5zFHOnJUs_U
That is supposed to be deadly? I guess my own laughter is worse. :twitch:
Goose. Spoiler tag. -_-
And speaking of the Naga laugh... Her most powerful attack in Magical Battle Arena involves encasing the enemy half in ice and then LAUGHING nest to them...D:
Anyway, status report for me. It's schoolwork all the way from this day to the next two weekd for my finals. I'll be disappearing for the most part from OC activities. I'll work on GenerationS again afterwards, though, since I have ideas already for Chapter 3. :3
And Keroko, look at what I found! :D
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4461/41j9ya6.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=41j9ya6.jpg)
Tesla? :3And Goose got the attention instead. :p
See you in two weeks then. :(
Oh, and Kha? Still reading the profile. You made the mistake of using an image of Chao, so I'm going to do this thoroughly. >3I wonder how much a mistake is that when its going according to plan for the most part. ;)
Awaiting your in-depth comments. I need someone who bothered to read closely to pick my ideas apart for once. :p
And where's Liingo; I need someone to debug my English too! :heh:
Kha's....mom...:eyebrow:....:uhoh:
I'll hold my comments.Is that a bad thing...? I mean, even Clerics had to come from somewhere. :uhoh:
Thread is too slow...
And it's probably time I wrote something anyway :p
NERV Commander Fuyutsuki took a moment to glance over three lieutenants sitting in the briefing room. All three were still young with most of their lives ahead of them. Yet here they were being sent out to face criminals and magical items of unknown power. And he was the one to send them. There were times when he sometimes questioned the TSAB's recruiting of such young mages. Granted one of them in the room was taken in for the better and another was saved from a criminal life, they were a small number of the exceptions. Perhaps it was because of those three young ladies from that Non-Administered world. Had the TSAB become that desperate to find powerful mages that they would recruit children? He shook his head. Things had really changed from when he first joined the TSAB all those years ago. Perhaps the future of dimensional space did rest in the hands of today's youth. Or he was getting too old for these things.
"Good morning, Lieutenants."
"Good morning, sir."
"We have received word from intell about a shipment of mid-class Lost Logia from Non-Administered World 182." A screen materialized, detailing the Lost Logia. "From what they managed to gather, these Lost Logia are stable in their current form and pose no immediate danger unless activated. Unfortunately, information on the parties involved could not be attained." Another monitor appeared over the first, zooming into an industrial part of a city. "We've managed to isolate their shipping point to this warehouse district on the planet. Your primary mission is to recover the Lost Logia. Neutralizing the smuggling operation is secondary. The Longinus will depart in one hour. Dismissed."
He watched as they saluted and made their way out of the room. With his job done, Kouzou retreated to his office to check on the paperwork he had to file through for the day.
"Meeting...meeting...report...bulletin..."
The next document caught his attention. Leaning back in his chair, he opened the file and read over the title, "Proposal for Formation of Lost Property: Riot Force 6..."
Some two hours later, NERV's main (and only) squad sat around in the Longinus' mess hall. Several screens were open displaying the information sent to them from intell about the world as well as the smuggling operation.
"We really don't have much to go by, huh?" mused Shamsel with his arms crossed over his chest.
Evangeline shook her head, "Apparently their contact could only provide this much."
"Which means we're basically going in blind. We'll need to be on our toes for this one."
"Yea, but that doesn't mean you," remarks Ryoutaro as he gestures to Shamsel, "can use it."
"I know, I know. Don't worry."
Their female companion raised an eyebrow at the pair, "Use what?"
Ryoutaro was the first to answer, "It's just some super-powerful attack to try and make up for his lack of si-"
A spoon collided with his head. "Oh be quiet, you."
The pair exchanged a few more insults, forgetting about the previous conversation as Evangeline sighed and mumbled something about stupid men.
An hour later, the trio made their way over the rooftops of their target area. They had opted to deploy with Barrier Jackets active to avoid alerting the smugglers to their presence with the large mana draw it would have generated. Most of the warehouses in the area were unoccupied and filled with unused machinery or crates. It also meant they didn't have to worry about the local populace seeing three people in weird outfits leaping from roof to roof with ease.
"I'm getting a higher heat signature from that warehouse to the south-east," says Evangeline.
Shamsel nods, "Alright, let's take a look."
With a bit of magic, they land silently on the roof of the warehouse. Wear and tear and bad upkeep left the rooftop door rusted and required only a sharp tug to open. Before they even entered they could make out voices inside barking orders of some kind. A nod was given and they climbed inside. The door led them to a catwalk close to the ceiling, giving them a good view of the warehouse. Several local transport vehicles were lined up gear the main entrance. Numerous people dressed in black milled about carrying crates to and from the vehicles.
"Well that doesn't look very local, does it?" remarks Ryoutaro as he gestures to the inter-dimensional transportation array set up in the middle of the warehouse.
Shamsel quickly tries to formulate a plan. "So first we need to disable that transporter and then secure the Lost Log-"
"INTRUDERS!"
On instinct, they all dive out of the way as their location was pelted by enemy fire. Shamsel runs along the catwalk while Ryoutaro and Evangeline leaped off to the floor below.
"Ore Sanjou!"
Evangeline sighed, "Do you HAVE to do that every time?"
Shamsel chuckled in response and charged into the group in front of him. "Take care of the transporter!"
She rolled forward and slammed the hilt of her sword into the nearest target before gripping the tail of her Zector and slamming to forward, "Cast Off!"
CAST OFF
Those unfortunate enough to be near her were sent flying back from the discarded armor sections.
CHANGE SCORPION
"Clock Up!"
CLOCK UP
The next thing anyone saw was the purple-armored mage on the opposite side of the transporter as it crumbled to pieces. From above, Shamsel had left the catwalk and did his best to avoid the combination of mass- and magic-based projectiles as he remained airborne.
"Magnum Impact!"
Light-blue spheres of magic and air formed and fired off at the enemy clusters below. One sphere exploded and send one of the black-clothed men into a pile of steel beams. As he re-emerged from the twisted pile, sparks few from his damaged left arm.
"Cyborgs?!" exclaims Ryoutaro who had been nearby.
"We are NOT cyborgs!"
Ryoutaro cried out as two projectiles exploded against his back. From the far end of the warehouse, a larger figure made his presence known. He was clearly taller then them and...probably not completely human. While it had the legs and mid-section of a human, everything above was something else. It was almost as if a tiger had been attached to a human's legs and made buffer. fingers were tipped by sharp claws to match the large fangs from the mouth. What really stood out, however, was the pair of smoking cannon barrels from its shoulders.
The creature fired again at Evangeline who dodged and charged at the new opponent. She swung her sword at his shoulders, only to have it scoff and grab the blade with its hands. In that moment of surprise, its free hand connected with her stomach to send me staggering back in pain.
"Eva!" cried out Shamsel as he prepared his own attack. "Tuebor, Dividing-"
He gets cut off as another salvo slams into his auto-barrier and send him to the ground. "Restrain them! And get those AMF Generators online!"
With the mages bound and the AMF Generators running at nearly full power, the apparent leader of the operation smirks with his hand on his hips. "Your first mistake was thinking you could take us on. Your second mistake," he remarks as he grabs Ryoutaro by his helmet and tosses him across the room, "was thinking we were mere cyborgs!"
"Just...what are you?" Shamsel manages to get out.
The tiger creature laughs and holds his arms out to his side, "We are the future. The result of Shocker's research and destined to rule over you pitiful people: kaizo-ningen, enhanced humans! Unlike those pitiful cyborgs, we are a perfection of cybernetic and genetic enhancements."
"S-shocker?"
"That's right," he remarks, leaning over Evangeline. "Shocker, Destron, G.O.D., Black Satan. We have many names across many worlds. Many have been...'recruited' to work for us and undergo our enhancement process. Perhaps you would care to join us?" He tilted her head in his hand. "A few implants with an infusion of scorpion DNA and maybe a lovely tail..."
She pulled back and snarled at him. "I'd NEVER join the likes of you!"
"Ha! That's what they all say at first. But they all eventually change their minds in the end. They all come to see our way." He paused for a moment. "But seeing you've stumbled on our little operation here we can't exactly let you leave, now can we? I'm sure you'll all make excellent additions to our forces."
"We'll nenver give in to you!"
"Is that so?" He stepped up to Shamsel and pressed his claw into his forehead. "By the time we're done with you, you'll be working for us and like it, boy. Oh yes, they'll really drill it into that brain of ours."
"Alright you slackers! Let's get a move on here! I want these ready to be shipped out NO-"
The sound of shattering glass and an engine cuts off his orders. All eyes turn up to see a motorcycle flying through the upper windows and skidding to a halt across from them. The rider revs the engine and looks up with the large, red eyes of its helmet. Dark blue gloves, boots, and chest armor lie on top of the full-body black outfit. A fairly oversize belt was strapped to the rider's waist with some strange device in the front with a red turbine of sorts.
"It's the traitor! KILL HIM!"
Several dozen of the black-clad men charge the newcomer. Without a word he hits the gas and charges straight into the oncoming assault. Right before they connect, he leaps off his bike and into the enemy with a flying kick.
"Toh!"
The impact sends the center group flying back and sprawled out across the floor. It quickly changes to a brawls with punches and kicks flying only to have the stranger visibly having the advantage.
"Argh! If you want something done, you do it right yourself!" The kaizo-ningen exclaims as he prepares his cannons.
Another crash comes behind them.
"What the...?"
A second motorcycle speeds in and slams into the tiger-human, sending him to the floor. The rider is almost identical to the first except for being of a more greenish color with red gloves. He hops off his bike and breaks their bonds easily. Before the mages could say anything, he charges and engages the leader.
"I guess they're on our side," absentmindedly states Ryoutaro.
"You mean hope," correctly Evangeline.
"Yea, whatever."
Shamsel steps into the conversation, "Alright you two. Let's take care of the AMF Generators, first."
No arguments were given to the proposed plan as they grabbed their Devices to battle through the remaining goons. On the other side of the warehouse, the two masked men were engaged with the Shocker solider.
"Shocker has no tolerance for traitors! I'll kill you both!" he cried, firing a salvo at the pair.
They rolled to opposite side and leaped in, fists connecting with his chest.
"Ragh! DIE!"
Claws and fists met and countered. Blow after blow was exchanged between the combatants but it was obvious the two masked men had the advantage.
FULL CHARGE
Before he could react, the lance struck his back and immobilized him in the blue field. "Gah!"
"You forgot about us? How mean."
The two groups stared at each other and a silent nod was given. With their target between them, the four masked combatants charged forward. From behind his partners, Shamsel used his affinity to wind to give them a boost as they leaped into the air.
"RIDER...KICK!"
All four kicks impacted, crushing the kaizo-ningen's upper body. The field faded, letting the body slump to the floor before it exploded in a fireball. Ryoutaro backed away from the intense flames. "The hell?"
"It's a safeguard designed to destroy any evidence to keep Shocker hidden," remarked the blue one.
"So I assume it's safe to say you two aren't our enemies?"
The other one nodded, "Very safe."
"I'm Lt. Nagisa of the TSAB along with Lt. Nogami and Lt. Kamishiro."
"You can call me Kamen Rider 1," responded the blue one.
"And Kamen Rider 2," finished the green one.
"Kamen Rider....the Masked Rider project?" asks Evangeline.
"In a way," answers Rider 2. "We were the products of Shocker experimenting with that idea after it was announced along with the others."
Ryoutaro stepped up, "There are others?"
"Ah. On other worlds by other sections of Shocker. Some of us managed to escape from Shocker and we now fight to bring them to an end: V3, Riderman, Stronger, Amazon to name a few."
"So," steps in Shamsel, "you are all like him? A kaizo-ningen?" A simple nod was given as an answer. "If...if Shocker is this big, I'm sure the TSAB would be willing to offer assistance to put them to an end."
Rider 1 shook his head, "Help would be great but not even we know how far Shocker's influence lies. We feel it would be safer for us to work as we are. That way it's harder for them to find us and puts less people in danger."
"I see..."
"If Shocker is there, you can be assured we'll be there to stop them. Just remember, be careful who you talk to. No matter how secure there is always a way in."
Evangeline nods, "So Shocker has eyes and ears in the TSAB..."
"Yes," confirms Rider 2, "But we don't know how far they have infiltrated. They'll soon find out about this and try to keep themselves hidden. So be careful."
"We will."
With a nod, the two Riders hopped on their bikes and sped off from the warehouse.
And soon we shall have the Kamen Rider Nano mini-series made of different arcs, from KIVA to 555 to Dragon Knight! :D
this alleged Khrack springMaybe I shouldn't have spent so much on dolling the post up like I always do. Wrong impressions and write-offs are all I'm getting. <_<
Its a little wild, but this was to expand on Kia, and reconcile her violent nickname with Kha's memories. How has it worked for you?
*facepalms*:p
And Keroko, look at what I found! :D
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4461/41j9ya6.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=41j9ya6.jpg)
Tesla? :3
Only one phrase comes to my mind upon seeing that pic
Cabal Online Force Blader
Well that's my 40% active brain thinks at the moment.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-19, 02:20
MSLN TEST DUMMIES: Chapter Six
4AyAQRkOYw4
CHAPTER SIX: "You can't Hide from me child"
2:30 PM
120 Miles NorthWest of Selene
Onboard TSA B.E.S.T. FORCE Aircraft: DEEP SKY
Altitude: 40,000 ft
As it would turn out, to Fate's mild amusement. The Deep Sky was Roland's biggest, and leanest callback to his home on Earth. The scrapped B-1b Lancer had been taken from the Boneyards located in the Southwestern United States one very foul day when the weather made it impossible for the local forces to notice a large TSAB transport Circle being used to haul it up to a cruiser. Roland still owed Admiral Lindy a good number of large favors for the whole stunt. Back at the base, Roland, Don, Martin, and a swarm of Mechanics in on the little project spent upwards of eight months overhauling and upgrading the aircraft. In fact... The list of work was so extensive that Roland admitted the vehicle was essentially completely replaced, and that the only thing it really had in common with the original, was the shape, the copilot's seat, and a plate on the ceiling inside that had originally been part of the verticle stablizer fin that held the aircraft number. (It had been kept out of respect for the original vehicle.) But it was still an order of magnitude cheaper than trying to design a new craft from scratch and have it built.
All in all, it was a completely new and advanced aerospacecraft compared to the hulk they'd started with. The hull had been pressure sealed and replaced with materials that could withstand the stresses of leaving the atmosphere and vice versa. The engines were replaced with TSAB cruiser heavy thrusters. It even had modifications to use a moderately efficient magic generator for power. The most important overhaul however, was the bomb-bay, or lack there of. The bomb-bay doors had been removed and the hull sealed there. The deck there had been replaced with a command and control suite not too far from what the AWACS were carrying, and the extra space accomidated for hauling people rather than bombs. The back had been cut open and turned into a sealing boarding ramp. Since he couldn't use it as a bomb truck... Roland had turned the craft in the fastest Light Mage Deployment Vehicle in the TSAB. A glorified transport. His decision to name it the Deep Sky stemmed from a CD of a band with the same name, and that he'd even picked the song RIDE as the vehicle's theme song out of the fact that's what he'd be doing on it most of the time.
And when Roland said thirty minutes, he meant it. No sooner were they clear of the runway and the landing gear retracted did the pilot pull the nose back hard and threw the drives right to max. He had essentially thrown the entire aircraft into a long sub-orbital arc, clearing the atmosphere for a few minutes at the top. Reentry was smooth, with the help of TSAB standardized barriers for such trivial issues. In fifteen minutes, they'd cleared well over seven thousand miles and crossed over into the southern hemisphere of Mid-childa. As useful as a JF-704 helicopter was for light deployment, it was just a snail compared to a craft who's orginal intent was, as Roland put it... 'a deep penetraiting high speed killing machine'.
Why the General had such a craft? He'd shrugged off the question. Things could be done with transport circles and cruisers, or point to point via fixed facilities. In the end, it was Nanoha who suspected correctly. It was just plain COOL. And all Generals had their toys. Regius had his Einharijar project, at least until it had been totaled by the numbers and Gias himself killed. It was reasonable that Roland's 'cool toy' would be something both useful, and nostalgic to him. Of course, in retrospect, it didn't help the Archipeligo's transport facility was a pile of rubble.
After leveling off at forty thousand feet, the Deep Sky had participated in a series of shallow S turns, bleeding off speed systematicly until they'd dropped down to the more respectable low mach threshhold. It had only taken twenty minutes for the initial sub-orbital arc, but they were still a few hundred miles out, and the General didn't want a sonic boom from hell causing all kinds of trouble as they approached the populated areas on the Southern Continent.
"I hope you don't mind my tagging along on your mission here," Roland stated in an apologetic tone to Hayate. He was stationed at one of the AWACS styled C&C terminals squashed into a corner of the hull. "This kind of thing is your jurisdiction in terms of experience."
Hayate shook the appraisal away with a smile. "Don't be silly. Having a few extra eyes on a mission's always useful. I would be a fool to refuse an offer to help. Besides, it's not like I could stop you... Sir."
"The chain of command is to ensure the quick and efficient flow of information and instructions," Roland responded with a grimace. "Not to throw one's weight where it doesn't belong. This is your job, not mine. You're in charge."
Of course, he silently admitted, outranking everyone here had its perks when he had to push to get the right action done at the right time.
"Seven Minutes!" the pilot interrupted.
"So... why am I here again?" Crash asked nobody in particular,
"Because I said so," Roland responded automatically.
"Is there any point to it?" Crash asked.
"Because I said so," Roland repeated.
"How about a purpose of some kind?" Crash was getting vexed trying to get the General to justify dragging him along.
"Because I said so, because I wanted it to be, because it is my perogotive, my call, and my will," Roland made it final.
Crash breathed an extra loud sigh of frustration and sat back in his chair, staring deadpan across the small isle at Signum, who in turn sat with an ever present stoic look on her face as if nothing in the world could bother her. Whatever reason Roland had towed him along on their little venture would remain his own, and further probing would simply result in PT, which was not something he'd like to embarass himself with in front of some of the TSAB's best Aces.
Hayate watched the quick exchange with mild amusement as Crash tried without success to probe what the General was up to. Of course, it was plainly obvious from her point of view. Ever since her conversation with him in his office, it was clear as day and he made no attempt to hide it. The General was a true soldier, and wanted some frontline action as much as Nanoha wanted to drag Crash away and train him until it nearly killed him. He wanted to get out and help a little bit, even if he could do next to nothing but provide a sounding board for ideas. He'd been working that Test Facility island assignment so long now that he was probably getting a little stir crazy. Any reason to come out of his hole and strut his stuff. People were so easy to read sometimes. Perhaps it was just because she'd spent so much time as an investigator.
"Okay," she stated, turning to Nanoha, Fate, Vita, and Signum. "Just like we've done hundreds of times before, same routine, but with a twist."
Hayate blinked up a small Holoconsole.
"The Selene Magical Power Facility is a large complex consisting of Eight mana reactor buildings and their cooling towers set up in formation matching a standard Mid-Childan Magic circle. The main generator building is located in the center where the Mana Focal Point is. The entire Facility rests on a location where many of the Ley-Lines on Mid-Childa cross, making it one of the highest output power facilities on the planet. This plant alone supplies power to the entire southern continent as well as the city of Selene itself."
From a birds eye view, the satellite photo of Selene Cental Power did look like an oversized magic circle made of buildings. A scale marker on the display showed the whole thing was a kilometer across.
"HQ thinks this may be the work of a Terrorist Organization known as Sektor 21, who are well known for their violent attacks on magic based power complexes throughout Administrated Space. The only confusing part for them seems to be the use of a wide area AMF field, something they didn't have before. If it IS Sektor 21, they probably utilized the AMF to hide their attack on the power facility. After all, this is the first time they've struck on Mid-childa itself, and this would be the most ambitious attack ever recorded."
After a moment, she closed the window.
"However, they may not have known just how complicated the complex was. The facility is still generating power, it may be redundancies, it may be a trap... so let's be careful down there okay?"
"Five Minutes!"
Roland put his hand up to a headset he was wearing and issued instructions.
"Mav, bring us down to five thousand feet and come in over the lake. Be ready to equalize pressure for air deployment."
"Roger that sir," came the response.
They felt the Deep Sky roll, and the familliar sensation of stomachs trying to escape through their mouths met them as the vehicle went inverted and dropped its nose, falling gracefully into a dive. The arteficial gravity kept everyone from losing their seats, but the dampening was turned down so they experienced a rare and unsual sensation of gravity pulling from two seperate directions. Like an overpowered roller coaster, the aerospace craft dove below the clouds at high speed. After a few seconds, another roll put everything right side up once more as they continued to lose altitude.
"It's not a fighter Mav," Roland advised. "Don't fly it like one."
"Roger sir," the pilot stated. "I'll keep that in mind."
After a few a few more seconds of diving, they felt the gentle tug as the nose came up to a more level position.
"Angels Five," the pilot stated. "Leveling off."
"Okay!" Nanoha stated suddenly. She felt like getting things rolling. "Since we don't know where to start, I think I'll head in with Fate and check out the central generator center first. If they failed to shut the plant down the first time, they may be trying to finish the job, and that would be the place to hit."
Hayate nodded. "Take Signum and Vita with you. There's safety in numbers. I'll hold here and be ready with Rein and Shamal to back you up."
Nanoha and Fate nodded.
"Coming in over Lake Celcia. Three minutes to drop zone."
The deep sky shot over a large lake, most likely caused by glacialization thousands of years ago in the southern hemisphere. It was the perfect location. Asside from the Ley Lines converging as Hayate had stated, the proximity of the Lake provided a virtually unlimited supply of fresh water for both cooling the mana reactors, and for domestic use. It allowed the engineers who designed the power facility to scale the plant quite liberally. The mana reactors were arranged in the formation of a magic circle, and the main generator building was placed in the center, maximizing the amount of mana-to-energy conversion that could be pulled based on the mathematical mana focal-point calculations that Mid-childa knew best, and then boosted a hundred fold by the saturation caused by the Ley Lines. Coupled with the kilometer wide layout, it produced enough energy every day to provide for the total energy needs of the entire TSAB back to its founding day. Or at least, it could at maximum capacity, or so the numbers stated. However, it's actual energy loading was substantially less by many orders of magnitude. Yet, this did not reduce the facility's sensitivity. And as a prime target for terrorists, it was extremely well guarded and considered impossible for mere terrorists to successfully attack.
At least, until the attackers learned a new trick.
"Two minutes!" the Pilot called out. "Coming up on transition envolope."
There was no mistaking the feel of being in an AMF. Even the weakest magic sensitive could describe the sudden chill down the spine, momentary vertigo, and the seeming sense of lethargy that coincides with the weakening of their magical link. It was like having ample energy one moment, and suddenly having it yanked away the next. Normally transitions were slower and less intense, but coming in at just under Mach One made the gradiant feel more like a sudden impact.
When Jail's drones had been using AMF, it required a massive number of them working in concert to produce an envolope of any considerable size. And then the only other large area AMF had been produced by the Cradle. The wide area AMF that they had entered was a new variety.
The field itself was known as the Anti-Magilink Field, and would impare the magical links used by common Mid-childan and Belken magical styles. A strong enough field could even completely disable a mage's ability to use magic at all. However, the properties of the field seemed to reduce the overall strength of the link rather than just cutting it off. So strong mages can remain active, though at reduced performance.
For the Aces, they'd long ago learned how to counter weak AMF, and dealt with it almost without thinking about it. Crash however, had never experienced anything like it, and found the sudden chill and lethargy disturbing. So much so that he shuddered visibly in his seat.
"First time experiencing AMF?" It was Signum, with an almost calculating tone. "You get used to it after a few minutes."
"Felt like I just got the wind knocked out of me without ever being hit," Crash shook the feeling off as best he could, but just couldn't lose it. Roland, with about as much magic potential as a ball of string, continued to stare unflinching at a display.
"Just focus a little and use your will to boost it," Nanoha stated, with an approving nod from Hayate and Fate. "That should get rid of the sensation, though you will be working with less energy than you normally could."
Crash nodded, but he almost felt taunted as he formulated a sarchastic response within the confines of his own mind. 'Easier Said than done... Focus she says... boost it with your will she says. How the smeg do I do that?' He may have incredible combat potential and funky luck, but Crash was still a C rank mage in terms of plain magical skill and power. Most of what he'd demonstated was AI and armor assisted, doing the mental work for him while he operated on his instincts and reflexes.
Despite the Charade, Vita didn't miss a beat and sighed.
"Imagine yourself surrounded by a glowing light, and then make it grow brighter."
Crash blinked...
"Oh."
"Yeah," Vita scoffed. "Oh."
After a few seconds, Crash managed to force the sensaton away.
"Thirty Seconds!" Mav called out.
"Alright!" Roland snapped up. "Opening the rear hatch!"
There was a clunk and a hiss as the cabin did one last pressure equalization before the hydraulic ramp at the back started to lower itself down. It was blended well into the hull of Deep Sky as to not disrupt the natural Aerodynamics of the frame. With a hollow metallic boom, the ramp stopped, letting in the dull roar of the passing air outside as Deep Sky bled off more speed, easing off at a nice three-hundred MPH.
"Anyone need JMPI Ed?" Roland cackled from his console.
Nanoha, Fate, Signum, and Vita looked at the General in a confused manner as they quicky rose and moved over to the ramp.
"Twenty seconds..."
Nanoha grabbed an overhead hand rail and moved to the edge, overlooking the pristene blue sky and sparkling lake.
"Ten.... Nine... Eight..."
"Watch your backs," Hayate advised. Nanoha nodded.
"Six... Five... Four..."
"We will," Nanoha nodded.
"Two... One..."
And Nanoha threw herself away from the hand rail and out the back of Deep Sky, followed immediatly by the other three. Their bodies lingered in the slipstream for only a moment before they broke through the air current and began hurtling towards the ground five thousand feet below as the roar of Deep Sky dropped into the distance to be replaced by the roar of rushing air.
It was a breath-taking sight to behold. Sprawled out below them, a kilometer across, the Selene Magical Power Facility lay waiting. The overhead photos and schematics didn't do the facility justuce. Arranged like an eight pointed magic circle made of buildings and landscaping, it sat on a slight artificial penensula jutting out into Lake Celcia, the Ley Lines crossing over the surface of Mid-Childa coming to a focal point directly in the center. Where there wasn't buildings, there was the green of grass or trees, and the blue of ponds and fountains, keeping in Touch with the Focus of Mid-childa trying to promote their green thumb where in contrast it had failed to take hold in places like Cranagan. It held a beauty of its own from the artful, yet practical application.
From this altitude, it was impossible to see exactly what, if anything, was going on, it seemed peaceful.
[STAND BY READY]
But that was merely an outward appearance, and lingering in freefall wouldn't change that.
"Raising Heart," Nanoha called. "SET UP!"
-BING-
[SET UP]
"Mission START!" Roland snapped, activating a stopwatch, then spun to his console and began typing furiously.
"Opening primary communications channels as well as preparing backup communications channels, ECM, ECCM... all go. Rein, get on the wide band and link us up to MIDSAT DELTA, Shamal, access thermal-optical sensors arrays and begin a systematic grid-by-grid search pattern, check for anamolies such as heat masses and the like."
"What are you doing?"
Roland paused and looked at Hayate, then blinked. The question was an honest curiosity.
"Establishing a Battle Network," he nodded. "You said I could help, so I'm helping."
"Isn't all that a little overkill?" Hayate asked.
"There's no such thing as OVERKILL," Roland stated with a sudden, disturbingly haunted look. "Only, OPEN FIRE, and RELOAD."
And it was gone just as quickly as it came.
"Uh, sir..." Crash managed force his way into the situation. "I don't think we're at war here, there's no need to set up like we're going to fight one."
"Oh, we're at war all right," Roland responded as he typed furiously. "We're at war with ignorance itself. Though we may not be under attack from people trying to kill us, we do battle with the demons of nescience, clashing our wit against a wall of unfamiliarity in a siege against the very pits of oblivion for the prize of information most enlightening. No matter what the situation, knowledge is power. And I LIKE power. The people of southern Mid-childa probably like power too, and want theirs to be on tomarrow as well. So if I can keep that power flowing by going the extra mile, I'll do it."
Crash could only sweatdrop and suppress an uneasy laugh.
"I'll just shutup now..."
After a pause, and a nod from Hayate, Shamal and Rein quickly followed suit, establishing an effective communications and information network running from Deep Sky, out to all the mages, and linked up to MIDSAT D and relayed back to RF6 HQ, and from there, back up to the network and all the way back to McGreggor, where the Maidens slapped everything up on the Master Situation Monitor while they began compiling the data.
"Alright," Roland concluded. "Network's up. Lt. Col. Yagami, it's your command."
Hayate nodded.
As the Deep Sky orbited the area, Nanoha and fate were the first to make a gentle touchdown on the rooftop of the Central Generator Building. There was no sign of activity on the outside, or anywhere on the Grounds as far as she could tell. Vita and Signum spread out to circle the imediate area around the building itself.
"Touchdown on site," Nanoha crackled over the radio. "And not a soul in sight anywhere."
"Are you sure?" Hayate's voice crackled back. "There should be someone... anyone even. That facility employs over five-hundred workers and at least that amount of security mages."
"Could be hiding indoors out of sight," Vita responded. "But I can confirm there was some kind of attack. There's a trashed Type I drone over here."
"There's a breach in the wall on the south side," Signum added. "Looks like explosives of some kind judging from the scortch marks."
"Check inside," Hayate instructed. "But be on your guard."
Nanoha and Fate nodded at each other and lept over the retaining wall on the south side of the building, half-jumping, half-flying to land lightly on the grass near Signum, who stood inspecting a blast hole in the wall large enough to drive a truck through, literally. Vita came down next to them a moment later.
"Nothing else nearby," she concluded.
"Must have been a one-sided fight," Signum nodded, stepping forward. "But there's nobody around."
With a light bound, she lept into the hole and landed in what would have been a hallway. Fate followed behind and fanned out to the left, and then Vita to the right. Nanoha brought up the rear, and after a quick look, they began to move into the undestroyed section of the building.
As they rounded a corner, they began to hear the steady humming of the generator room.
"Generators are still going," Nanoha advised over the radio. "Nothing interesting here."
"Keep searching," Hayate instructed. "Check the Focal Core room, it should be in the middle of the building."
They followed the circular hallway down, and found another hole blasted in the wall, this one with the remains of a type I drone scattered everywhere. Whoever had attacked knew where they seemed to be going. Following a few more blast holes through the building interior and into the center, they found the Focal Core. Vita entered the room first, and suppressed a curse, her reaction quickly earned the company of the other three, who had mixed reactions.
The Core room was, a mess, to put it lightly. Several security mages lay dead almost right at the blast point, obviously killed by the explosion. Many more lay scattered about the room, killed in a variety of manners ranging from what seemed to be burns, to slashes, to being crushed under partially collapsed peices of concrete where the floor from the room above had come down. Many more lay in crumpled heaps as if something had driven a battering ram into them. It looked as if the entire scene had been one dramatic and failed last stand.
"This was a massecre," Signum's eyes narrowed at the carnage. "Who or whatever killed them was so strong they couldn't even put up a fight."
Nanoha suppressed her own shudder as she looked around, her eyes falling upon a mage that seemed to be the local captain... He seemed fine up until you got to his head, but then... oh dear.
"Type One drones couldn't do slaughter like this," Fate stated as she followed Nanoha's gaze. "There are too many bodies here with fatal head contusions and too many of the injuries seem to be blunt trauma rather than slashing or burning weapons typical of a drone's laser or manipulators."
"Combat Cyborgs?" Signum queried.
"There could be more we never accounted for," Vita nodded.
"It's a possibility," Hayate's voice crackled on the radio. "We've been discovering bits and pieces of Jail's widely distributed legacy for years. I wouldn't be surprised if we found another ultimate end product of his work."
"But that wouldn't make sense," Nanoha interrupted.
"What wouldn't?"
"Why would Scagletti, a firm magic user, let any part of his work go to a group who, according to records, hates Magic in general?"
Roland, at his spot watching a video feed of the mess in the core room, quickly tapped a button.
"Run that past me again," he instructed. "Just how deep is this hatred?"
"Sektor 21," Nanoha's voice crackled back. "Is one of the most imfamous organized terrorists organizations on record. They have a fanatical following of people who hate mages, were hurt by mages, or just hate the TSAB in general."
"To date," Hayate continued. "They're one of the largest consumers of black market weapons out there, and they use that to fuel a guerilla war of sorts with the TSAB. As with what we're finding here, their favorite target is mana fueled power facilities since these are such high profile, and high value targets of oppertunity."
"For a terrorist organization," Rein came into the conversation next, the screen blinking past her at high speed. "They're quite well organized, and their logistics are rather amorphous, making it hard even for the investigations department to track them down reliably. Most Sektor-21 agents captured are just fanatic lunatics trying to take their hatred out on anyone with magic abilities. There have been over three hundred documented suicide bomber incidents across dimensional space since the official opening of the record on S-2-1 thirty-three years ago."
"I better read up on this," Roland muttered darkly, blinking up a secondary panel. "For a pesky terrorist organization, they've suddenly gotten ahold of some pretty good toys to be pulling jobs like this."
"That's what bothers me," Nanoha's voice crackled back. "If what we're dealing with is the magic hating Sektor Twenty-One group, what are they doing with stuff that's very heavily leaned on Magical research?"
"Which begs the question," Hayate continued. "Are we really dealing with Sektor Twenty-One? Or someone trying to give the impression of Sektor Twenty-One?"
"The other alternative is hypocracy," Signum crackled in her own thoughts. "Terrorists aren't known for playing by even their own rules if they can use something to their advantage."
"But then, if it IS," Hayate returned the ball. "Why is the power facility still functionally in tact after such a lopsided victory?"
"And ergo," Signum continued. "What kind of nasty toys do they have that we should be worried about? And who's supplying the Toys?"
As Signum said that, Vita looked around again, and noticed one of the dead technicians was leaning up against the core itself, a trail of blood leading all the way across the room as if they'd dragged themselves while bleeding to death. It only took a moment of inspection at a distance to notice there was something in each of his hands. With a quick, almost skip across the room, she quickly moved over to the core and examined the hands. One hand was clutched around a deformed block wrapped in a black material. The other was gripping something that had frayed wires. One of them crossed over into the black block, the other was obviously pulled free.
"I got something," Vita snapped. "Come take a look at this..."
Nanoha bounded over quickly, stepping carefully over a few bodies as she went.
"I think we have a hero," Vita nodded solemnly. Fate and Signum joined Nanoha next to her and looked down at the once techie.
"Let's find out who this one is," Nanoha stated, and carefully reached forward, intending to get an ID card.
"DON'T TOUCH HIM!!!"
Hayate nearly jumped out of her skin as Crash shouted in her ear, having jumped out of his seat in the process.
"Don't touch him, don't touch ANYTHING!" he continued. Roland was staring intently at him from the outburst when he nodded to him. "Sir, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Roland looked at the image. Looked simple enough, dead mage, disarmed detonator, squashed black wrapper that said 'M112' in yellow lettering just where it could be seen...
"C4," Roland scowled. "Add that to the list of shit they've gotten ahold of. Bastards."
"Yeah," Crash nodded. "But I think something's wrong with the block."
After a few seconds as Roland tried his best to examine the scene, Nanoha's voice crackled back.
"It's empty,"
"Hol-E shit," Roland scowled, seeing it as well. "It is, good eye there young lady. You too Crash."
"I've nearly been blown up by that stuff two-hundred and thirty-seven times," Crash scowled. "I know what it's supposed to look like."
"Indeed," the General paused, searching the image. "But if it's not in the wrap, where is it?"
And his eyes fell on the blood-stained base of the Core itself, and for the first time, he noticed the odd texture that the technician's head was resting against, unnoticed at first compared to the smooth steel thanks to the discoloration. Oh, clever move.
"F-kkin' Booby-trap," he growled. "His head's sitting right in the stuff. The body is probably the trigger, or sitting on the trigger. Move him and you blow yourselves and the entire building to smitherines in a spectacular way."
Hayate examined the image. Roland was right. Some kind of putty-looking material, covered in blood, was behind the technician's head. Just barely noticable, was a thin wire dropping down near his neck, looking almost like hair. If moving him was the trigger, the blast would have breached the Focal Core, and the resulting energy release would create an explosion that would have destroyed the building, most certainly killing any mage reguardless of ability. It seemed almost perfectly made for taking down a high class mage. Make it so only strong mages can really get in, then set a trap that would complete the 'mission' AND kill the mage (or mages) at the same time. The appearant disarmed explosive and detonator was a decoy meant to throw investigating mages off just enough for them to make a mistake of moving the body... and BOOM!
This just got more interesting.
"Seal the stuff," Hayate ordered. "We better search the rest of the facility for more traps. I think this pretty much answers if they're still around."
As she recived an affirmative response, she rose from her seat and moved towards the back ramp.
"Where are you going?" Roland asked.
"I'm heading down there," Hayate responded, transforming in a flash. "We need more eyes on the ground to find the cause of the incident."
"You think it's wise to do that?" Roland crossed his arms, as if asking her to weigh her actions. Hayate smirked.
"We stand a better chance of finding the problem this way," she stated. "It's more logical. I want you to cover us from up here, if you have any suggestions, I'm open to them... Sir.
Roland nodded, spinning around to hit a button on his console.
"In that case, take Crash along with you," he instructed. "That'll make it even so you can pair off, and he's the one who caught the trap just now."
"What?!" Crash snapped, grabbing one of the hand bars and taking a step back. "Oh no way! I'm not going down there!"
Roland's head came around as he looked back. "Don't tell me you're scared of a little creepiness?"
"Scared?" Crash laughed, then turned serious. "I'm not scared!" He looked at the monitor where it projected an image from Raising Heart showing the body of the dead tech as she placed a seal on the C4. "I'm terrified."
"Oh, don't be a wuss," Roland shook his head. "There ain't nothing down there but AMF, Mages, and corpses. You're not going looking a fight, just going down to investigate the situation and find out of there are any more nasty traps."
"With all due respect," Crash shot back. "It's finding one I'm worried about. Or finding out what caused the corpses. Because I don't want to be one of them!"
Hayate crossed her arms behind Crash, waiting for someone to make up their mind. She had an investigation to run... And wanted to know what to plan for sometime today. Roland noticed and tried to apply a little more pressure.
"Utter nonsense," he stated.
"Nonsense?" Crash sputtered. "My gut says otherwise. And I'm sure you remember what exactly happened last time my gut told me something wasn't right."
Roland spun around on his chair and put both his hands on his knees.
"There's no Cyborgs or anything like that down there wanting to swarm you," he stated. "You'll be just fine. Better in fact, than the mages with that power armor in an AMF."
"You don't know what might be down there any more then-URP!!"
Whatever Crash had been planning to say was abrubtly cut off as Hayate, fed up with the argument, decided to take matters into her own hands. Yanking Crash by the collar of his uniform shirt, she hurled him backwards with more magically enhanced strength than her stunted frame would betray to the average passer by. Before Crash really understood what had happened, he found himself uncerimoniously tossed out the back of the Deep Sky into open air, and instantly dropped out of sight.
Roland, Rein, and Shamal stared blankly as Crash, along with his argument, became a moot topic. After a few seconds, the General turned his eyes to Hayate.
"I would never have thought of that one."
"I have kids," Hayate shrugged.
"He is older than you, you know," Roland replied.
"So is Vita," she continued. "Doesn't make a difference to me. Kids will be kids."
And with that she jumped off the ramp and out of sight.
"MOTHER HUBBARD!" Crash snapped as the air roared past his ears. It took a few seconds after he'd dropped from the back of the Deep Sky to realize exactly what the short mage had done. The girl probably knew exactly what she was doing when she decided on it, but he could at least answer honestly next time on a test if if ever asked the question 'Have you ever been thrown off of a plane?'
As he tumbled, Crash silently labelled Yagami into one of a few catagories he had, this one of the jokester. Of course, this joke wasn't funny.
"NOT FUNNY AT ALL!" he roared over the wind.
"What's not funny?"
It was Hayate, her hair an odd color, and she was diving along side him, inverted, her strange set of black wings were pretty, yet creepy. Crash blinked silently at her once as she looked 'up' (down really) at the ground below them.
"You should probably transform before you get too low or you'll have trouble slowing down in that armor."
And with that, she began to slow her own descent, leaving Crash to plumet towards the ground. Maybe transforming was a good idea.
"Battery?"
[PRIMED]
"Uh... engage, very quickly."
[ENGAGING!]
There was a flash of light, and Crash found himself wearing the now familliar Olympian Armor. With the roof of one of the Mana Reactor buildings coming up to greet him rather quickly, Crash decided Hayate's advise was indeed the epitome of all wisdom, and used his flight power to brake his fall.
...
Nothing.
Why wasn't the armor slowing down?! WHY?! It was capable of turning on a dime, manuevering at high speed, and coming to sudden stops with the gravity assisted- ...Oh.
Crash remembered one very important fact.
The gravity drive took forty-five seconds to complete the cold start warm up process.
"OH SHI-"
Hayate cringed as Crash went straight through the reactor building rooftop with the force of a small bomb, ripping a hole in the reinforced concrete like it was made of shoji screens, like the walls in some buildings back home. Without hesitating longer, she quickly flew down to the top of the hole and looked in, fearing that her method of stopping an argument may have had very adverse consiquences. As the dust started to clear, she heard the sound of shifting rubble, and then a crackle on the radio.
"I feel... Pain. Good. That means I'm still alive."
She breathed a sigh of relief and jumped down into the hole.
Crash was busy digging himself out from the shattered concrete and powder around him as she touched down. Asside from the grunts of pain he was making, there looked to be no physical damage to him.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm a masochist... I LIKE smashing through four feet of reinforced concrete at terminal velocity," he sputtered through his headset, but kept it off the open channels. "With friends who throw me out of planes, at the rate we're going I'll be dead before an Enemy gets to take a shot at me. Why don't we just have my eulegy now and save the trouble later?"
Hayate blanched at the scathing remark, glad her friends weren't able to see it. Crash in the mean time, finally cleared himself out of the rubble by lifting a large chunk of concrete, and tossing it asside. Then he paused.
"Great, HUD's out again..."
After slapping the side of his helmet a few times, the transparent screen blinked, and came back to life.
"Phew... Battery, run a silent diagnostic."
While the AI did the self check, he looked around the room, then to Hayate.
"So where'd I land anyway?"
"Reactor Building Four," Hayate nodded to him. "Southeast side of the complex closest to the town."
"At least I didn't land on anything sensitive," he looked around. "I hope."
A brief diagnostic summary blinked up on the inside of his Heads Up Display, Grav Drive Anomally, probably from Impact... ETA to functional time, thirty minutes. Lovely. Crash looked back up the hole he came through. Four foot thick reinforced concrete ceiling, then two floors where he'd blown straight through. They must have been on ground level now.
"Do you hear something?" Hayate asked. Crash turned, looking around. Maybe he DID land on something sensitive. Great.
"Probably just the mana reactor," he waved it off, hoping to any diety that would listen he was right.
"No," Hayate turned and walked into another room. "Mana reactors don't pulse..."
Crash turned the input gain up on his helmet, there was definately some kind of low pulsing sound.
"More traps?" he suggested helpfully as he bounded off his rubble pile. "I like to not set one off..."
And they both found what appeared to be the source of the noise. A capped off cylinder about Hayate's size, with an antenna sticking out of the top sitting on a tripod that looked like it folded up into the sides, was methodicly pulsating under its own power in the corner of the next room. The low pulsating thrum it was giving off seemed almost soothing.
Hayate's first thought, considering the explosive trap Nanoha took care of, was BOMB. But at the same time, her gut instinct said this was something different. Crash started to walked forward to give it a closer look, but remembering previous events, he instead, opted to radio the others.
"Hey guys, we got something over here you might want to see," he began. "We're over at Reactor Building Four on the souteast side. Fastest way will be in through the skylight."
"The reactor buildings don't have skylights," Vita's non-plussed response returned.
"Building four underwent renovations in the last few minutes," he responded. "We're one room over from the skylight."
It only took the other four a minute or two to get over to the Mana Reactor Building, and down through the new 'skylight' as Crash had dubbed it.'
"Renovations," Vita shook her head. "Funny..."
Signum whistled at the hole as she passed down through it to the bottom floor, eyeing the damage with a calculating eye. As she touched down behind Nanoha and Fate, she kicked a small piece of the crumbled concrete to the side.
"What do you make of this?" Hayate asked. Nanoha and Fate walked over to what seemed to be an unspoken 'safe distance' from the small pod.
"Think it belongs here?" Fate asked. Of course, considering most of the equipment in the mana reactor building consisted of panels, and items bolted to the ground, the tripod mounted... Pod Thingie, seemed oddly out of place in a back corner.
"What do you make of it sir?" Crash asked over the wide channel.
Onboard the Deep Sky, Roland inspected the Video feed intently.
"Looks like some kind of portable transmitter to me," he shrugged. "Transmitter for what, I don't know. As far as the networked intel goes, not a single transmission's gone in or out since this whole thing began."
Crash crossed his armored arms and walked up to the device. Signum made a motion to stop him, but Hayate blocked her with a shake of her own head.
"Riddle me this," he pondered alloud. "If I punch it... will it simply stop working? Or blow us all to Al Hazred?"
Nanoha sweatdropped and laughed uncomfortably. "I don't think that's the best idea right now."
Crash shrugged. "I don't really want to anyway... I like being alive."
Up on Deep Sky, Roland laced his hands together under his chin, on a nearby console, Rein suddenly straighened up visibly as she noticed something on her display.
"Shamal, look at this," she motioned. The short haired blond shifted from her own console and gave a quick look, and then her eyes widened as she opened the radio link.
"Crash, back up," her voice crackled.
Crash blinked, then backed up several paces from the object. After a few more seconds, her voice crackled again. "Okay, step closer..."
Crash obeyed.
"Now back up again..."
"Do the hokey pokey," Crash muttered in annoyance, but obeyed.
"Now you Nanoha," Shamal's voice crackled. "Same thing, twice."
Nanoha complied, and after a few moments, Shamal quickly cycled through the rest of the group.
"You got something?" Roland asked as the support mage worked with Rein on their consoles. Shamal silently nodded as she took advantage to the link to the main processing systems back at RF6 HQ and the Maidens at McGreggor. After a few seconds, a clean data set showed up on her monitor.
"Got it!" she announced. "Local AMF field density increases sharply just two feet from the unidentified object. It's pretty uniform beyond that, but it spikes when you get right up to it."
"AMF Projector," Hayate shook her head. "I should have known."
"Well," Roland crackled in. "At least it's not a bomb."
"Like the hero really wasn't a hero but a decoy," Crash rolled his eyes. "Riiight. How do we know this isn't a double decoy?"
"To be fair," Nanoha Shrugged. "The explosive alone wouldn't have been enough to do anything, I've been hit with bigger."
"But an exploding focal core would have certainly done it," Hayate critisized. Nanoha laughed it off quickly.
"Maybe."
"So now what?" Crash asked suddenly.
"I think it's rather obvious," Roland's voice crackled. "It's producing the AMF... AMF slows us down. Let's shut it off."
"Exactly!" Hayate nodded in agreement, then turned to the pod, and frowned, heaving a sigh out with her next sentence. "How do we do that?"
A quick glance to Nanoha got merely a shrug, Fate similarly drew a blank. The pod, seemed to have no external interface. Perhaps it was remote controlled by radio signal or-
"SMASH!!!"
They all jumped as Vita pulled Graf Eisen out of the remains of the pod, which sparked and burst into flames for a moment before falling apart harmlessly. Crash took a step back as Vita turned a non-plussed look at them all.
"Universal Off Switch," she quipped.
"I think it would have been a better idea to take it in-tact," Crash nudged. "To see how it works and all..."
Vita turned an unimpressed scowl on him.
"We're not here to find how it works, we're here to unscrew the problem."
Crash sighed as the deceptively young looking mage swung her warhammer back onto her shoulder. Was she always this critical under stress?
"I personally would have liked to know how they got the AMF to behave so uniformly over long range," Roland crackled back. "It would help us for pinpointing them in the future."
"You may still get your wish there sir," Shamal's voice followed. "The AMF is still active, though it seems to have weakened by about one-eighth."
There was a sound distinctly like a sigh coming from the General.
"Great... If my mathematics are what they used to be, that means we got seven more of those things hiding anywhere in a ten kilometer diameter area."
"Unfortunately."
Up on the Deep Sky, Roland put his hand on his face as he thought. His gut instinct was violently against a house to house styled search of the entire facility and the surrounding town. With so many places to move and hide at the disposal of a potential enemy, Urban Warfare was a soldier's worst nightmare. Surely Hayate realized this too. She was a rather smart girl after all.
"Okay guys," her voice crackled. "We're going to have to split up and perform a complete area search if we want to find those things."
God dammit...
"I disapprove," the General announced into his headset. "A search in this environment is way too risky."
"All due respect sir," Nanoha's voice came back a little surprised. "I think we can handle a little risk..."
"I think he's right," Crash's voice cautioned. "We're talking about an area that's seventy square kilometers in size."
"Significantly less," Reinforce snapped up from her spot. "Remember that the center of the AMF is over the facility. Even if they managed to control their transmitters quite well, their distribution has to be pretty evenly spaced and within at least two kilometers of the facility in order to keep the field centered because of the lake. Too far apart, and the field center would move inland away from the plant."
"Never the less," Roland turned to the AI. "That's the worst possible environment for ambush. We should call in more backup and wait before searching."
"We can't do that Sir," Hayate's voice crackled. "The AMF may be reletively passive, but nobody in the area can effectively operate in it like we can. At best we could pull my Forwards, but we're looking at transit time for them since I gave them the day off, and that would only give us four more people."
Roland swore, sitting back in his seat and scowling at the unforgiving logic of the situation. It was one of those things that had irked him since he'd been in the TSAB. The distribution of Power was ludicrous at times. Yes, a good mage was worth an armored batalion. Then again, most of the stock mages had about the effectiveness of a civilian police officer. With the distribution of power favoring, single, strong mages, the strategic planning could be tailored to the vulnerability that brought up. A loss in terms of a single mage of any decent level was potentially catastrophic. And the trouble with mages, is that despite being flying tanks in terms of firepower, a lucky hit or good sneak attack could still kill them as easily as any other human. It was the same problem that had ultimately driven Gaias Regius to an Early Grave. This situation and environment absolutely reeked of the potential for dissaster. But Hayate knew her job better than he knew her job...
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-19, 02:21
"It's your call then," he came out of his thoughts. She knows the risk, she's got the experience.
"We'll search," Hayate sounded determined. "But nobody goes alone, we pair off and stay close."
The Buddy System. Yes, yes. Smart Girl.
"Sir, you've got the birds eye-view and the data hub, so you'll be our coordinator," she continued.
Roland nodded, time to do this systematicly.
"Got it," he began. "Priority search is going to be our seven remaining AMF transmitters, we'll refer to them as Projectors. If little Rein's analyssis is accurate-"
Reinforce Zwei instantly puffed up at the 'little' comment, but was ignored.
"-we can narrow our search area to a three kilometer radius of the generator building. The pods are man sized as we already know, so they can be in any building, in any room, which is a lot of places to search. A grid search method would take to long this way, so I suggest we break up into three teams."
Shamal looked over as Roland was reviewing data on his screen.
"Nanoha, Signum, Alpha team, use your callsigns. You've got search magic, so scour the inside of the reactor buildings from head to toe, leave no stone unturned as they say. Fate, Vita... Bravo Team... External grounds search. Check storage sheds, vehicles, open fields, trees... You'll back up Alpha as well in case they meet trouble. Hayate, Crash, Charlie Team. Immediate town search, outside only. Look for signs of forced entry for now. I don't want you doing a room by room search alone until we finish the facility. Check doors and windows, and remember... Anything suspicious enough to look at is suspicious enough to point an attack at."
There was a chorus of affirmatives from the ground party as Roland looked at the data on his console. After a moment, Shamal turned to him.
"I'll start an area search with ClairerWind from the outside and work my way inwards. If there's anything suspicious, we'll be the first to know."
"Okay guys, let's get this Search going!" Hayate seemed to almost cheerfully belt out, despite the ever pressent threat hanging over the area. Nanoha quickly spun, floating off the ground and levitating quickly across the room, dropping several white gloing orbs as she went, signum following her with her hand already gripping Levantine in preperation to slice something up. Fate and Hayate bounded back to the opening the in the ceiling and quickly lept up out of sight, leaving Crash and Vita to catch up before they dispersed.
"Hey," Vita snapped as Crash walked the opposite direction to a room door. "Hayate went that way... go cover her like you're supposed to."
"Can't fly," Crash quipped. "Grav. drive's out from that impact, so I have to take the normal exit first."
"If you hadn't acted like a dofus and powered up immediately, that wouldn't be a problem," she responded.
"You can thank Lt. Colonel Yagami for that one," Crash responded curtly. "If anyone was acting like a dofus, it would be her okay? I didn't exactly ask to be thrown out of the back of a plane, so cut me some slack... I'm no combat expert like you guys are."
Vita turned on a heal and walked over to the test pilot, a non-plussed look once again on her face. As she stopped, Crash suddenly got that crawling sensation down his spine he didn't like. Then she raised one gloved hand and waggled her finger for him to come closer. Crash leaned in.
WHAM!
Graf Eisen didn't hit, so much as the hammer end wedged itself between his helmet and shoulder armor, and then Vita gave a firm yank, dragging crash down to one knee in front of her. The sight of a four foot tall 'little girl' manhandling the six and a half foot tall armor behomouth with ease using what looked like fancy metal polo mallet would have been funny were it not for the look on her face that was a vicious in its silence as Don was in a two our long double S rant.
"Listen, and listen good," she growled in a tone that was obviously off the radio. "This is not a game, this is not a joke, and this is certainly not a vacation. This is a potentially life threatening situation and not your island paradise test facility by the sea. This is a real mission, and as long as you're here, you need to at least take the job seriously whether you like it or not, whether you wanted to come here or not."
She then pointed with her free hand towards the hole and lowered her tone almost impossibly to a hiss..
"Hayate is -VERY-, important to us... You are assigned, by your commander, to act as her escort and she to you. So you will ensure that you guard her to the best of your abilities and beyond, because I don't want ANYTHING to happen to her. And God help me, if you let anything so much as SCRATCH her, both myself and Graf Eisen will ensure that you know what it feels like to be a can of sardines caught in a trash compactor while it's being used in a presentation of Verdi's Anvil Chorus! Are am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Crash gulped. The half maniacal look she had was easily seen from this close, and it said she meant every syllable of that threat.
"Good," Vita nodded, lifting Eisen out of its wedge and allowing Crash to stand himself up straight. "Don't you dare fail me."
"Let's go guys!" Hayate's voice sounded through the hole. Vita spun and bounded over to the hole and lept into the air, leaving Crash in the dust. Hayate looked at the girl with just the slightest impatience as she appeared over the rooftop.
"What's taking so long?"
"Crash's gravity drive system is malfunctioning," Vita shrugged as nothing had transpired. "He can't fly without it so he said he'll meet you at the building entrance."
Hayate rolled her eyes and smirked, at least her little stunt hadn't done worse. Spinning in the air, she floated over towards the reactor building entrance where Crash would emerge. Vita turned to Fate, who Nodded and took off to begin their search of the grounds.
Roland could say that it has been his personal experience that most people do not appreciate the scale of One Square Kilometer until they've personally had to search and clear an area. As a former US Army Veteran who spent sometimes weeks doing dull Field Training Excersizes, the concept of searching for a man-sized objecct in such an area was one that immediately made the General blanch. If you could for a moment, imagine the average American football field, roughly a hundred meters though you must remember to carry the extra few inches the yards lose... Now you stack ten of them end to end to have one kilometer distance. Then you take ten more and go perpendicular to your direction of travel, making a giant L shape with them. Once you've done this, and you see your fields extending in two directions from the corner, you look in the middle and imagine everything within this partially outlined square to be your search area. Then you fill this area in with numerous multi-story buildings, and lots of random clutter. Once you've firmly established what that looks like in your mind, you multiply it by nine and that would be an adequet visual representation of the current search area.
In short, it could be best described by the classic saying 'Trying to find needles in a haystack.'
Nanoha was no stranger to the concept of the extremely wide area search Once before, and under similar conditions, she used search magic for two solid hours while in combat onboard the cradle just to find one person. She could still remember the look of total shock on Quattro's face through her targetting window as she prepared to blast the sociopathic cyborg through over half a kilometer of reinforced bulkheads. Even still, it had taken two hours, and that was searching for a single person. This time there were seven objects to locate, and even though there was less volume to search though, she still expected this would end up taking several hours. Nanoha's outlook on the situation, while more optimistic than the General's outlook, was still locked into the grim realization that this was going to be a long and tedious process.
At the same time, Hayate's almost jovial approach to the search stemmed from her time spent doing more office styled duties and data searches. There was just something about the girl that seemed to thrive under harsh conditions. It was perhaps a psycological after effect of spending her childhood days paralized and reduced to a wheel chair patient, and the unique outlook on life it gave her. Or perhaps it was the fact that she knew she could find happiness now matter how grim things looked. Whatever the true reason... Despite the carnage in the core room, and the forboding of the situation, Hayate seemed ready to tackle it with a smirk. To Crash, who'd just gotten what amounted to a Death Threat from Vita, it seemed completely inappropriet as they walked, yes walked, to the main entrance to the facility.
The first ten minutes went as expected for any search... Absolutely nowhere. And Roland calmly marked each area off on the map as they cleared the sections a piece at a time.
It was the Vita and Fate, arbitrarily dubbed 'Bravo' team who reported in first.
"We've got something interesting over here," Fate's voice crackled over the wide-band.
"Define: 'interesting' as it were," Roland responded. "Interesting 'Oh neat', or Interesting 'OH SHIT' ?"
"More like interesting 'what the hell' really," Vita's voice crackled in. "There's been some kind of excavation done just north of the cooling tower of Reactor Building Seven."
"Excavation?" Hayate's voice popped in. "That's rather strange..."
"Strange nothing," Roland grumbled. "Why would they be digging up a place they want to destroy?"
"That's a very good question," Nanoha's voice crackled. "Anything else there?"
"Lots of scrapped drone parts," Vita responded. "Also, it looks like someone caught on to the operation and tried to stop it. It's not pretty over here."
"Another Massecre?" Roland asked. This was looking more sinister as the death toll climbed.
"Not quite," Vita responded. "Looks like they tore up a number of type ones over here... but it looks like they were attacking, and drones had an effective defense. They seem... Modified."
"We'll have to collect one for examination," Hayate crackled. "Any clues as to what they were excavating for?"
"It's like they strip-mined the place," Fate comented. "There appears to be some kind of, room below the foundation of the tower... It looks old."
Roland squinted and turned to Reinforce.
"Can you bring up the historical records for this area?" he asked the pint sized unison. "Blueprints, floor plans, survey crew reports? Anything and everything, even myths and legends if there are any."
"Already searching," Reinforce Zwei responded. "Just so you know, the Navy just sent word that a special investigative unit assigned to hunting Sektor 21 is on the way and should arrive in ten to fifteen minutes."
"Oh really?" Roland asked. "Good, then we won't be alone with this mess."
On the ground, Fate worked her way forward between debris of both the organic and inorganic types, and into the hastily ripped ground. "I'll check inside, watch my back."
"Just be sure you watch your front," Vita nodded, looking around. "I don't really want to dig you out if there's a cave-in trap set up here.
Fate nodded, bringing her protective barrier to a higher level before stepping inside. The opening was narrow, but in just a few steps, she was in a small enclosed room. Roughly rectangular, and covered in dust. The ceiling was low, and the back corner was collapsed. However, looking at the ground, it was obvious there HAD been somethign in here. Several heavy somthings, that had been dragged quickly out of the narrow entrance.
"Not much to report," she stated informatively. "Looks like they found what they were after in here..."
"Now I'm confused as hell," Roland crackled back. "This stinks more of a cover operation than a real attack with every passing moment."
Fate looked around puzzled, and set Bardiche firmly on the ground with a small clang.
[SIR, I AM DETECTING TRACE AMOUNTS OF IONIZED HELIUM IN THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. ENERGY LEVELS ARE ABOUT FOUR POINT SEVEN ELECTRON VOLTS]
"Radiation?" she quipped. Indeed, she was underground, it was probably accumulated Radon gas.
"What was that?" Roland crackled. "Radiation? You find some Radon in there? Don't beathe the shit. I had an aunt in Iowa who got cancer from it and I never got to meet her."
"Grab a soil sample if you can," Hayate interjected over the commlink.
"What are you thinking Yagami?" Roland asked.
"Like I've been watching too much CSI," she quipped. "Anything can be evidence."
"You watched CSI?" the General seemed surprised.
"I watched it all the time in the hospital when I was little." Hayate admitted. "The Head Nurse seemed to eat it for breakfast."
Fate ignored the rest of the conversation as she walked over to the collapsed section of the room and quickly took a soil sample with bardiche, then turned and left the empty room for the open air outside.
"Got a projector," Nanoha chimed in happily. "Reactor Building Two in the northeast quadrant, they hid it among a bunch of CO2 tanks."
"Awesome," Roland crackled. "See if you can disable it without turning it into scrap metal."
"Rip the antenna off," Crash interrupted. There was brief silent pause in which it could be imagined that everyone was considering the reppercussions of any advice the test pilot might give. After a second, there was a radio amplified sigh. "Transmitters without antennae don't transmit. I've broken enough of them to know that much. Trust me."
There was a loud metallic crack, followed by a ringing snap, and after a few seconds, Rein informed them the AMF had dropped by another one-eighth of the total.
"Two down, Six to go," Hayate crackled.
"Stay Sharp," Roland responded, a little more terse than he had been. "The more we dig up, the more I'm starting to agree with Crash."
"Thank you... I'm glad you see it my way..."
"Shut-up Crash." The tone was one-hundred percent No-Nonsense.
"Shutting up."
"Something's fishy, and I don't mean Lake Celcia," Roland continued after Crash clicked off the line. "This level of strategic diversionary prowess is TOO smart. My skin's starting to crawl. It hasn't done that since the Persian Gulf."
"Care to share your insight with us sir?" Hayate asked.
"Well," the General began. "What appears to be Sektor Twenty-One terrorists, have, out of the blue, and with resources they previously didn't have, attacked the largest target of their 'style' in a move that was in and out without any significant losses to them. They rigged a booby-trap and decoyed it, and then used the whole thing to cover some bizzare excavation of theirs to locate something it seems the building planners didn't know about. I know Terrorists aren't stupid... but this seems more like a Special Forces operation then some random Abdul-N-Da-Boyz stunt."
"Abdu what?" came Nanoha's voice.
"Just ignore my terminology," Roland waved it off. "It's just a way I used to reffer to terrorists."
"What would you suggest in this situation then?" Hayate asked.
"I would suggest exactly what we can't really do," Roland shrugged. "Pull back, get a few hundred pairs of boots on the ground, and put a gunship on station. If they're still here, bring the rain, if not, well, it makes a good excersize."
"My gut tells me they found what they came for and left," Hayate responded. "Whatever was in that excavation was probably the real target, and that worries me."
"Me too," Roland admitted. "They got what they wanted, and the trap was just their parting gift, which makes me wonder what else they've left for us."
There was a click as Crash rejoined the line.
"That's entertaining and all, but tell me... Was this place always a ghost-town out here? Or did they evacuate?"
Roland looked at his monitor puzzled.
"As soon as the AMF went up, there was an immediate evacuation order for everyone in a six kilometer radius for public safety. Why?"
"Oh, I'm just wondering," Crash crackled. "If the place is evacuated, then anyone I see is suspect..."
"Generally, yes." Nanoha's voice popped in.
"Oh good," Crash responded... and then suddenly. "HEY YOU!!!!"
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-19, 02:22
zKAwWQjLew0
Hayate spun around as Crash used his voice speakers like a megaphone. Down a side street she'd passed, about twenty meters away, she noticed who Crash was shouting at. Whoever it was jerked around suddenly, looked at them for a full two seconds, and bolted around the corner. Crash burst into a run, his boots making loud clanking sounds as he gave chase. Hayate immediately pushed off the ground and arced up over the seperating building.
"What's going on?!" Roland snapped.
"Appearantly Crash's sharp eyes aren't tuned only to objects," Hayate stated. "He spotted someone just now, I'm moving to box him in."
Hayate cleared the building and spotted her quarry...
"Suspect is white male," she began. "About a hundred eighty-five, a hundred-nintey centimeters, very... impressive build."
Just as she looped overhead to get in front of him, the man looked up, then spun and smashed into a shop door, shattering the glass as he did so and vanished into the building.
"Suspect is indoors," she advised. "Crash, keep going and try to flank him in the back."
"Easy for you to say!" Crash snapped. "I have to run!"
"You're fit," she smiled.
"Keep laughing LongArch," he snapped. "At least you don't have to put up with Will on a daily basis like I do."
"Keep in mind this is an Open Channel," Roland's voice dripped back with utter sarchasm. "Cut the chatter."
"Yessir," Crash huffed. His armor may be powered, but he still had to do the running.
"Suspect in the open again, sprinting southeast!" Hayate snapped. "Make a right!"
"On it!" Crash shouted, leaping a dumpster, then sliding across a sawhorse to catapult out onto the next street. "Got 'im!"
Crash spotted his target making a beeline from a recent forced exit of the building Hayate had seen him enter and sprinted as fast as he could. As he charged the man down, he noticed the man raise something, and reacted on instinct.
"HE'S ARMED!"
-K'TING!-
-CRACK!-
Crash felt the round graze his helmet just as his reflexes pulled him out of the way. He mildly noted that if he handn't moved, the round would have hit dead center in his faceplate. His hud quickly displayed estimated size of the round from the impact strike as Battery analyzed it. There were more loud cracks and bangs as more shots struck his armor plates. Crash immediately crouched and sprang towards a nearby building, smashing bodily through a door as rounds zipped past his head.
"Suspect is using mass weapons!" he snapped as he rolled to a halt, bringing out his Multiform Rifle. "Looked like a medium rifle, brown finish... Battery says it's a seven point six two milimeter round..."
"Sounds like an AK," Roland responded. "Moderate armor piercing ability against normal materials, but then again, you're a step away from tank armor."
"You want our help over there?" It was Signum.
"No I'll take him!" Hayate stated, snapping open her book. "I'll tie him down and take his weapons away."
"Don't rely on your jacket to stop seven-six-two!" Roland snapped. "If it's FMJ it can still cut through!"
"I'll cover her then!" Crash snapped, coiling for another spring.
"Go now!" Hayate snapped as she began reciting a spell.
Crash rolled out of his spot and opened fire with the MFR. The man ducked the bolts and retaliated with his own return fire. Crash heard a loud ping as a shot connected with his chest plate.
"Holy- LongArch, keep moving! This guy's scoring a bullseye every other shot while on the move."
"STRUGGLE BIND!" She crowed, hurling a glowing rope of binding magic at her foe below. Hearing her shout, the man's head yanked around to see the fast moving restraint magic bearing down on him. With a spin and a step, he fired off a few more rounds into it and threw himself into a backflip as the spell met ressistance in the form of bullets. He landed just outside its grasp and snapped a hip shot off at Hayate, who had the pressence of mind to zip sideways the first time he fired. Even still, she almost yelped as she felt a round nip her barrier just past her neck.
"I missed!" she growled. "I should have brought Rein along too. I wouldn't have miss-"
-CRACK!-
"YEOUCH!"
"BUT HE HAS NO PROBLEM HITTING!" Crash snapped as Hayate took evaisive action in the air. All he needed was her to get hurt and Vita would use him for Croquett Practice.
"Wait, he's reloading!" he snapped. "I got him!"
Crash braced himself and took careful aim. The MFR barked a report as a blue bolt shot down the street and struck dead on, shattering the wooden hand-grip of the rifle as the man prepared to snap another magazine into place.
"Score!" Crash snapped. "I'll-"
Crash ducked as the man flung the entire rifle at him full force, which was surprisingly hard. Crash looked up again and the man was gone.
"Shit," he swore. "Battery, thermal scan! Longarch! Where'd he go?!"
"South from the intersection!" Hayate responded as the man ran towards a side door on a building. "Now going west through a building. Step it up, he's booking it fast."
"On my way!" Crash responded, barreling down the street and continuing on to the next intersection in an attempt to cut the man off.
"Out in the open again," Hayate informed him. "Now backtracking north, you're almost to him..."
Crash upped his sprint, feeling his legs starting to burn.
"Slow him down," he panted. "I'm fit, but this guy's some kind of athlete or something!"
Hayate nodded, pages already flying in her book. A large triangular belken spell pattern flashed to life as she raised Schwertkreuz.
"Oh ruler of the white snow, with silvery wings. Turn all the earth in vision to ice!"
She rounded on the target as it smashed into an alley. Four white cubes forming around her.
"Come forth, Breath of Frost... Atem Des Bodeneisis!"
And she swung Schwertkreuz down, hurling the energy into the ground below. In seconds, the entire block below was flash frozen by the spell, the man skidded to a halt before he too was frozen in place.
"I said FREEZE!" she quipped with a smile.
"Very funny," Crash responded, nearly slipping on the ice as he rounded a corner. Luckly Hayate's magic could at least identify friend from foe. "I'm almost on him."
Hayate smirked as she watched the scene below, Crash was about to come in on the opposite end of the alley... wait.
"He's still moving!" she shouted.
Crash rounded the last corner to the sound of a click. It was really the only warning he had.
"THOOMP!"
"BOOM!!!!"
The next thing Crash knew was that he was flying the opposite direction he'd intended until he slammed into a wall.
"Crash!" Hayate yelped.
"Takes more than that to kill me!" he snarled as he sat up, shaking his head. Armor or not, impacts hurt. Twenty-five meters ahead, the man, still stuck in place, snapped open the tubular weapon he was carrying, dropping a cylinder on the ground and placing another one in. He then yanked quickly, snapping the barrel shut and turned to point it up at Hayate.
Hayate's eyes went wide and she threw her hand forward, erecting a shield as the weapon gave off its characteristic sound.
-THOOMP!-
Hayate felt the round detonate against her shield, the force jolting her arms slightly.
"Suspect armed with breech loading grenade launcher!" Crash snapped immediately as he tried to right himself. Hayate, above, fell back a little to see around the smoke cloud. In front of him, the man went to reload, ripping his feet free of the ice where they'd been planted. "He's strong, fast, and I'll be he's had practice with these crazy snap shots."
"LongArch, get your ass in the sky or out of the sky!" Roland snapped. "You've got a bullseye painted on you at low altitude like that!"
"I won't be able to spot him if I'm too high up," she countered.
-THOOMP!-
Crash hurled himself clear of another oncoming grenade that blew a hole in the wall behind him. When he stood back up, the man was again, out of sight.
"I lost him again!" he alerted. "He's not taking us head on if he can help it."
"He can't have too many grenades on him," Roland advised. "If that's an M-79, at best he's going to have six or seven in a combat load."
"And if he has MORE?" Crash asked sarchasticly.
"Unlikely," Roland crackled. "He hit you at fifteen meters and it arned and detonated. So he's probably operating on a limited supply of modified grenades."
"Did he use the explosion to break out of the ice?" Hayate asked.
"I don't know," Crash responded as he sprinted to an intersection. "But speaking of ice, either that explosion screwed up my HUD for a second, or that guy's not human.
"What do you mean?" Hayate asked.
"The guy's a popsicle," Crash responded as Hayate shot overhead to look around. "I was trying to use thermal to spot him faster, but he's no warmer than anything else around here."
"Am I showing up cold?" she asked. Crash looked up, Hayate was illuminated by a red and yellow blob.
"No, you're Hot," Crash responded.
"Why thank you," Hayate smirked overhead. Crash ressited the urge to put his hand squarely on his face before Hayate returned more seriously. "I have him, down the street a block over and moving quickly. Head east. I'll see if I can get him to waste another shot."
Crash took off sprinting again. When was battery going to get that Gravity Drive back online?
Somewhere around then, Fate announced that she and Vita had found and disabled another Projector, dropping the AMF ever so slightly, but still not enough to let their device sensors function effectively.
Crash heard the distinct report of the M-79 followed up by a boom as Hayate successfully shielded herself from attack. Rounding the corner to see the man, once again reloading the weapon. He snapped up the MFR and clicked over to autofire. There was no way he would let that reload finish.
The man spun away from the flurry of automatic blue bolts as they sprayed into his position, ducking himself behind a parked car to finish. Then, in a single deliberate move, came out from behind the vehicle barrel first, and brought it to bear on Crash. This time, Battery silently responded to the spike of adrenaline in its master's bloodstream and erected a defense shield.
-THOOMP!-
-BOOM!-
Crash spotted the barrel of the M-79 through the smoke on his thermal scan and took aim, a moment later the MFR barked in retaliation and the grenade launcher was jerked violently out of the man's hand. When it hit the ground, it was obvious the barrel was warped from the shot, and was now useless.
"I've dissarmed him!" Crash snapped as the man again bolted into a side alley. "Help me pin him down LongArch!"
Hayate arced overhead and over the building as Crash sprinted into the alley. Just ahead, the man rounded the corner onto another side street. Hayate shot back the other direction to try and cut him off. As Crash rounded the corner, he came face to face with the last thing he would have expected. An Unidentified Flying Dumpster (UFD).
The reflex was automatic, just as it had been with Fate's zanber. Crash swung out and struck at the dumpster with his free hand, stopping it dead in its tracks and spilling refuse all over himself where his armored fist tore the thing open.
"Ewww..." he twitched as a diaper landed at his feet. "He's so getting my drycleaning bill."
Swinging wildly to the side, he hurled the dumpster out of his way and looked quickly around... There was no sign of the target (the term 'suspect' pretty much disposed of at this point). Just an empty street, and a nearby open door.
"Dammit," Crash muttered, having lost sight of the guy for the fifth time. "He's quick... I think he went in here." he pointed to the empty office.
"Into that building?" Hayate asked, coming to a landing next to him. "You sure?"
"Definately," Crash nodded through his helmet. "The door's still moving."
Crash moved up carefully, holding the multiform rifle in front of him, then stood slightly to the side and kicked the door open. After a few seconds he rotated into the entryway and swepth the room left to right.
"Nothing," he muttered. "Just a private office."
"In the back or on one of the upper floors," Hayate responded. "Probably bolting out a back door."
-CRASH!-
Crash swung the MFR up as Hayate threw up a shield. Above, a shraptnel cloud of glass issued forth from a second story window and rained down on them. It bounced harmlessly off Hayate's shield, and just as harmlessly off Crash's armor. But glass wasn't the only projectile raining on them. Hayate jumped backwards as an office filing cabinet crashed into the ground where she'd been standing, erupting in a cloud of papers as the concrete proved its superior strength.
Crash spun around to make sure Hayate was okay.
"Someone doesn't like us very much," he chuckled after a moment. The office must not have a back exit and the guy was getting desperate without his weaponry.
And then something else landed in the pile of papers. Crash and Hayate both looked down at it. A small cylinder.
"What is-" Crash began.
-POP!-
Crash's hud reacted instantly to filter the violent flash. His helmet speakers managed to only blare the sound instead of recieving it full force. Hayate's world in contrast, went silent, and white as the item worked as intended. Expecting a sudden violent attack, Crash fell back and stood between the Lt. Col. and the building the attack had come from, even as more shattering sounded around him. After a moment, no further attack came. Only silence. As Hayate attempted to blink away the after-image burned into her vision, Crash sighed a little inwardly, visions of Vita and Graf Eisen using his head for a golf ball banished back to the nightmare realms where they belonged.
"Heads up," he muttered. "Add flashbangs to the list of tricks."
After recieving a positive response from Roland, he turned to Hayate.
"You okay?"
Hayate shook her head a little more, then looked at him confused.
"WHAT?!"
Why did Aces seem to end up temporarily deaf around him today?
"ARE YOU, OKAY?"
"BARBQUE TODAY?" she asked. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
Crash sighed and leaned his head on the nearby brick wall of the office. Knowing she would be deaf for a moment, but otherwise okay, he opened a direct channel to Roland.
"Banshee One to Deep Sky... Dammit Will, why'd you pair me with the Lt. Clown?" he grumbled.
"Because it's a good compliment," Roland's voice crackled back. "You two go well together."
"I hope that's not the attempted girlfriend joke you were pulling this morning," Crash responded.
"Not this time," Roland came back. "She's a double S mage, but I've checked her record. She's a glass canon, no close combat. You're good for close defense if things go south."
Crash stood up and turned to Hayate, noting the glass all the way across the street, and the scattering papers. "Why not Signum or Vita? Aren't they her guards anyway, AND more skilled?"
"AMF," was Roland's response. "Your close combat ability relies on mechanical strength rather than magic, which is good in that blanket field. Keep that in mind. Besides, I also wanted to keep competativeness down to a minimum. Stand by, I've got an incomming message to check..."
"Right..." Crash responded deadpan. "Banshee One out."
Hayate looked alert again.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she responded. "I take it Bar-B-Que wasn't the topic the first time around?"
"No..." Crash responded. "I only ate two hours ago..."
"Looks like this guy doesn't want us to find him again," Hayate nodded to the filing cabinet and scortch where the small flashbang had gone off, changing subjects on a dime.
"I was expecting us to get jumped," Crash admitted. "It's what I would have done here."
"Same," Hayate responded. "But I guess this guy doesn't think he can take on two mages without his toys."
Crash nodded. "He's probably still in there."
"Hayate? HAYATE!?" Vita's voice was coming from around the corner of the building behind them. "Hayate?"
"Keep an eye on the bottom floor," Hayate instructed him.
Crash decided Vita must be coming to make sure herself that Hayate was in decent shape, and whether or not she'd fullfill her earlier threat. Deciding to just stay out of sight, Crash looked back to the office.
"Got it," he nodded.
Hayate turned and walked away towards Vita's calls. Crash carefully walked into the office entrance, looking around slowely. Something was nagging the back of his mind as he did so, weren't they using callsigns out of sight?
"Easy there," he muttered. "It's just from being in live combat..."
Hayate rounded the corner of the building, looking down a side alley where Vita's voice had come from. Where was that girl? Just a pile of trash cans.
"Vita?" she called. Stepping forward a few paces towards a side door.
Crash heard the call in the distance, what was wrong with this picture, he felt a chill down his spine like a horror movie.
Hayate felt a similar shudder as suddenly she felt her magic weaken and her dark wings vanished.
'Wha?'
'click'
Crash's hud flickered, and suddenly the field density counter skyrocketed. A second later the radio erupted.
"Whoa, the AMF just got stronger he-"
"-Stay sharp, there may be-"
"-ammit! I amost fell into that cooling tower!"
"Don't let it faze you."
Crash froze in mid step. Vita was over the cooling tower? Crash found himself spinning on his heal even as the pieces suddenly clicked into place. That second crash of glass... He looked at the street from the door, the glass across the street was too far away from the window the filing cabinet came out of, he looked up the building and saw the second floor window there violently shattered as well. If Vita wasn't here then...
"HAYATE!" he shouted, comm open wide on every channel. "IT'S A TRAP!"
-KABOOM!!!-
If Crash had still been in the office, he probably would have been killed by the massive explosion that demolished the building. Luckly, being just out the entrance, he was thrown across the street into the ground floor window of the opposing shop.
"LARGE EXPLOSION IN SOUTHEAST QUADRANT!" Roland thundered over the radio, completely scrapping the original search plan as he did so. "Drop EVERYTHING and Converge!"
Hayate spun around at the sound of the blast tailing Crash's warning. Along side her, the door suddenly blew outwards in a cloud of debris as something came through it. She managed to dive forward just enough to get out of the way. She then stood up, concentraiting to get flying, but suddenly found the AMF even stronger than before as if it was being focused to thwart her efforts. Spinning around, she saw the man they'd been persuing barreling down on her. He had a frame like living tank, now that she got a good look at him. Holding her rod, Schwertkreuz, in front of her, she prepared to take him with a Black Impact from her free hand as he raised his arm.
-CRACK!-
Hayate didn't expect the delivery to be so fast, or strong, and was hurled clear of the alley and landed painfully without any protection from her barrier jacket. Schwertkreuz went skidding off to the side.
http://search.playlist.com/tracks/comatron%2520missing
"Arc-en-ciel... FIRE!"
Crash pushed himself up from the floor of Debris as he checked his HUD was still online. An Admiral Lindy plush doll gave away that he'd crashed into a toy shop.
"Arc-en-ciel... FIRE!"
Crash cocked one eye as he shoved the doll away and stood up. He saw Hayate trying to get to her feet as the man they'd been persuing bore down on her. As the man gave Hayate a kick that was obviously not buffered by jacket defense, Crash found himself tearing out of the shop at a full sprint despite his protesting body, tucking the Multiform Rifle over his shoulder on a minor thought over the amped AMF and charged blindly.
"HEY ASSHOLE! PICK ON A LINEBACKER YOUR OWN SIZE!"
The man's head spun, and Crash idly noticed the AMF field density spike even more as he tore into him. But as he reached his target, the man swung his arm around and slugged him straight on. Crash was completely surprised at the strength as he was hurled right back into the toy shop, smashing a support pillar and causing a section of the floors above to cave in on him.
"Arc-en-cial... FIRE!"
'Hello again Admiral.' Crash didn't wait around though, and opened a comm even as he started to dig his way clear of the debris.
"BANSHEE ONE TO DEEP SKY!" he roared over every channel. "LONGARCH IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE OVER HERE! I NEED BACKUP DO YOU COPY?"
Managing to get a hole to see through, he saw the superhuman grab Hayate by the shoulders and throw her forcefully towards the debris of the office building across the street as Roland came back hard and fast.
"DEEP SKY HERE! HANG IN THERE BANSHEE ONE! NEW ASSETS ARE BEING VECTORED TO YOUR POSITION NOW!"
New assets? As the brutality began to climb, he started thrashing violently at the rubble around him, putting over half a ton of leverage to work.
"HURRY UP WILL YA?! THIS AIN'T A PICNIC!"
Hayate found herself coughing up blood after being thrown. This... thing wasn't human... couldn't be human. She tried to stand up, but the figure loomed up over her and grabbed her again, this time by the throat, lifting her off the ground, and holding her in the air. She could see the Deep Sky cruising overhead trying to observe the blast area.
"Drop a transfer on those coordinets and I mean NOW!" Roland barked into his communication screen.
"Keep your pants on General," a harsh voice responded.
Crash was almost free, but he wouldn't be free fast enough. The guy looked like he was getting ready to finish Hayate off. He felt a twinge of panic as he snarled into his mic again, punching a particularly tough wedge of concrete as best he could in his limited space.
"WHERE'S MY DAMN BACKUP!!!?"
"There," the voice responded causticly. "Transfer commencing."
Roland flipped the channel and barked a new advisory as he tried to focus on the area.
"STANDBY! ENFORCER COMING DOWN NOW!"
'THUMP! THUMP!'
Crash paused as he heard the sound, someone was coming in fast. Very fast. Fate?
Hayate was losing it. As this thing held her up, it was slowely squeezing her neck harder, slowely depriving her brain of blood flow. The corners of her vision were starting to go black as she continued to stair helplessly at the sky. At the borders of conciousness, the brain can do some pretty weird things. Hayate found herself thinking about having the late General Regius dressed up like Zangief from Street Fighter. A strange thought, no stranger than the appearance of halucinations, like the bright star in the sky. A star that was quickly glowing brighter as her vision grew darker. Was this the famed tunnel of light one saw just before death? There was a flash, and even an angel was coming for her. Somewhere in the last shreds of conciousness, her logic kicked in.
An angel with a battle axe? Her mind reasserted its will enough to hear Roland snap over her radio link.
"THANATOS ONE! ENGAGING!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxUZUnRwH7s
'KABLAM!!!!"
Crash's head jolted up from his digging at the thunderous explosive sound. The concrete around Hayate's position was shattered, the superhuman monstrosity was falling backwards... missing an arm. Hayate had dropped to the ground, the arm sparking uselessly to the side. Sparking? A cyborg? No, no blood, a ROBOT! In the center of the crater, was someone new, wearing a white barrier jacket, silvery hair, and standing crouched with a battle axe in her grip. She looked up as the android regained its balance quickly, then let go of her axe and brought that hand around. Crash briefly noticed something on the back of the hand flash, and the bot was hurled backwards by a concussion of air.
As she stood, she spun around and held her hand out at Hayate, saying something quick and hard to hear. There was another flash from the back of her hand and Hayate was envoloped in a green barrier.
Hayate coughed a few times as the barrier shot up around her. Whatever this woman had just hit with, hit her attacker hard. She looked at the severed robotic arm next to her, now completely dead, and quickly grabbed it up, immediately regretting the sudden motion as no doubt, several broken ribs or worse protested angrily at anyone daring to move them.
"Engagement successful," the woman stated. "Requiring Evacuation Immediately."
The robot looked up as it recovered its footing.
- DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: 18%
- RIGHT ARM SEVERED, FUNCTIONALITY COMPROMISED
- SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: FAILED
- THREAT TYPE: COMBAT MAGE
- HOSTILE THREAT ASSESSMENT: MEDIUM
- CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL COMBAT: 78%
- ACTION: TERMINATE
Spinning around, it ripped a steel reinforcing rod out of the concrete, leaving just a head of concrete on the end and brandished it in its one arm.
"Target still active," the woman stated, tightening her grip on her Axe, then shot forward rather suddenly, surprising Hyate with the motion.
"HYAAA!!!!"
She reached the attacker in under a second and came down with her axe, the robot blocked overhead with its makeshift sledgehammer. She quickly drew back and returned with a fast swipe. The Robot managed to block again. A loud clang anounced the impact that easily proved to be quite a formidable matchup of strength. The robot retaliated, striking back, and the woman parried the blow, sliding back a few feet. Gritting her teeth, she planted her feet and drove into the android a third time, this time spinning off the counter-move and coming around hard. There was a flash as the axe connected and the makeshift rebar sledgehammer snapped in two right out of its hands.
Using the momentary opening as the robot threw its weapon asside, she stepped in and brought her arm into its chest, then grit her teeth and jabbed the base of her axe into the spot, driving it back before she came around and up with the bladed end.
-CRACK!-
The android was flung into the air and backwards to smash a nearby car utterly in its impact. A moment later, Crash, having had enough digging, manually switched completely to physical power, putting all his magic into boosting strength. With a thunderous crack and a collumn of dust, he punched staight through the rubble pile, breaking it up enough to manage lifting a still rather titanic slab the size of a truck.
"Have a piece!" he shouted, and took a heavy step, hurling the entire slab of reinforced conrete. It smashed into the car and crumbled into a pile of rubble and rebar. A moment later, a fist smashed its way out of the mess, and the robot broke free and stood up, walking forwards in a slow and menacing fashon. The Woman brandished her axe and prepared for round two.
"HEEEEEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAA!!!!"
The robot lept asside as Vita joined the fray like she'd gone completely mad, Graf Eisen coming down hard to crater the concrete where it had been a moment before. She came about with a snarl of rage and took another swing, striking air as the android ducked. The strike connected solidly with a nearby lamppost and sent the whole thing tumbling down the street end over end. On her third try, the robot managed to Catch Graf Eisen, surprising Vita before it grabbed ahold and started to swing her. As it let go, Signum landed hard next to it and took a shot of her own, Levantin flaming from a recent cartridge load. The robot barely avoided having its head taken off as the blade struck its good shoulder, iliciting a flurry of sparks as it spun away from the slash and jumped backwards onto the remains of the car. It looked up and prepared to fight off more opponents when there was a series of clicks above.
[DRIVE IGNITION]
"Limiters released," Roland growled over the radio. "Engage hostile."
Nanoha brought Raising Heart in front of her, spell circles forming benieth her. Fate duplicated this action a few meters away. The robot paused and quickly looked from mage to mage as they assembled in front of it.
- TARGET COUNT: 2 AGRESSORS, 3 COMBAT MAGES, 1 COMBAT EXOSKELETON, 1 ARTILLERY MAGE
- THREAT ASSESSMENT: VERY HIGH
- CHANCE OF SUCCESSFUL COMBAT: 5%
- ACTION: RETREAT
"I'll be back..."
Suddenly, it raised its arm in the air, Crash noticed the small cylinder it was holding as something popped off to the side.
"EYES!" he warned, but too late.
'POP!'
The flash and bang disoriented everyone in the vicinity save for Crash, who was unfortunately, tripped on leftover rebar in an attempt to grab the machine as it bolted. When the effect wore off, the robot was nowhere to be seen.
"DAMMIT!" Vita snarled, smashing the the remains of the car in frustration. "It got away!"
"Deep Sky, can you track it somehow?" Nanoha asked into the radio.
"Negetive," Roland came back. "Too much AMF interference as before. How's Longarch?."
"I've seen worse General," Hayate winced, trying to stand up, but gritted her teeth in pain as who knows how many injures made themselves known, and collapsed again as Vita rushed over to hold her. "Oooh... heh. Just like old times isn't it?"
"That's not funny," Vita fought back tears now that the rage was wearing off and her own emotions tried to rush through. But she was tougher than that, and wouldn't let it go past that.
Crash watched as the group quickly broke into a rapid exchange of information with the newcomer. Combat talk just wasn't his thing. There was a beep and a message on his display informed him that the Gravity Drive was once again online. Wonderful timing. He continued to look around, pulling the MFR back out and readying a charge in case that magicidal maniac robot decided to show its ugly face again while the others quickly prepared a point to point transport spell to transfer Hayate up to the Deep Sky where Shamal could get to work on the medical aspects.
A few minutes later, after a quick flash, he noticed Vita stalking over towards him, Graf Eisen slung idly over her shoulder while she herself sported some kind of hollowed looking scowl, dried tears notable in the corners of her eyes. Crash inwardly thought he was going to recieve her previous threat and took a step back as she reached him. He quickly prepared for any excuse and an inevitable pummelling, but she simply gave him a tired smirk.
"Good job," she nodded. "You probably reacted better than I would have under the same circumstances. Thank you."
Crash blinked. It was praise he reclieved, and not pain. Was he already dead and someone neglected to give him the memo?
Crash sighed, the voice filter of his helmet making it blatently obvious as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"I should have realized it the moment I heard your voice calling Hayate rather than using a radio or a callsign, but I was a little preocupied with your threat to think about it right away."
Vita glanced at him.
"My voice?"
"Yeah," Crash nodded. "Probably that Robot the whole time. I only realized it was a decoy because you started swearing about that cooling tower on the radio when the AMF amped up."
Vita looked at him silently before nodding in understanding. After a moment, she gave him an uncharacteristic gentle pat on the shoulder plates of his armor.
"If its any consolation, I know I tend to be more vicious sounding than I am half the time. But don't be too hard on yourself. If the forwards can keep up with things, an experienced test pilot should pick it up quickly enough."
Crash smiled behind his faceplate, shifting his stance slightly.
"Arc-en-ciel... FIRE!"
They both looked down.
"Arc-en-ciel... FIRE!"
Crash lifted his armored foot up, revealing the Lindy doll that had survived both of his impacts. He reached down and picked it up, turning to Vita.
"She's still this popular even after retiring to a desk job?"
Vita shrugged. Crash dusted the doll off, managing to stop it's constant voice action after finding the button and unsticking it. After a moment, he paused and looked at Vita.
"I told Fox I'd bring her back a souvenir."
Vita resisted the urg to laugh outright.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-19, 02:24
The woman introduced herself as Captain Lynn A. Bardou. Callsign Thanatos One. Third Fleet, Seventh Armada, Special Weapons And Tactics Unit, Shock Enforcers. A small four mage unit under the command of Admiral Kanemitsu Mishima, commander of the D.S.S. Tsunami, and head of the TSAB's Naval task force investigating, or rather hunting down, Sektor 21. She replaced Hayate as Crash's partner in the area search after Leiutenant Colonel Yagami was evacuated to the Deep Sky where Shamal could give her medical attention. Crash discovered quickly that the woman was even colder, if it were possible, than Signum. Asside from some commands, she never spoke, unless she was speaking to her device. Its name was Waldron, a fearsom looking battle axe as long as she was tall. 'Waldron', Crash learned from quiet commentary from the General, meant 'Powerful Raven'. And after seeing how it had cleaved right through the android monstrosity without so much as a thought, he believed it. Despite her cold nature, she wasn't unapproachable like Vita had seemed. However, when she said something, Crash felt the urge to snap to it the way he would around Roland, even though he outranked her.
It took them three hours to find the five remaining AMF Projectors, and with one seccured for study, they simply destroyed the rest as they located them. Once they got down to the last one, it became insanely easy to find it in the surviving section of the Toy Shop Crash had nearly demolished when the android had sent him flying. With the projectors disabled, normal investigative forces quickly poured into the area to assess the damages and casualties, allowing them to head back up to the Deep Sky as it made a few final rounds over the area.
The brief from Lynn was swift and to the point, something that Crash had never experienced from anyone but Roland or Martin. Hayate was 'lucky to be alive' after an encounter with a heavy assault android who's only known identification was 'Zed'... the name it reffered to itself as. Zed, as it were, was known for being a tactically intelligent combat machine that would kill Bureau mages with brutal efficiency, and had been linked to a higher tier of the Sektor 21 terrorist activities. It was quickly decided that the weapons it had been using, while dangerous, were simply a ploy to take them off guard. However, the use of extensive AMF projection capabilities, as well as modified versions of Jail Scagletti's gadget drones was something new. Lynn admitted that this new connection pretty much drew the entire case into the jurisdiction of Riot Force Six. As such, it would be wise to combine resources for a more complete investigation. But first, they had to get Hayate into a bed. She's suffered several broken ribs, nearly punctured a lung, and minor internal bleeding from the beating Zed had given her. Shamal had stopped the internal bleeding and pretty much dealt with the overall critical aspects of her injuries, but she still needed time to recover. However, thanks to the timely arrival of Lynn, she'd managed to recover Zed's arm. Lynn had taken one look at it and had marveled, despite her anger. It had been made with the highest technological skill. The steel itself that composed the 'skeletal' components was some of the strongest known, crafted carefully with precision well above even what Jail had to build drones with. The synthetic material disguising the arm was so lifelike, that if it weren't for the metal endoskeleton and electronics, one would think it was a severed arm. Zed was now without a doubt, an extremely well funded, custom made killing machine.
"The only question to ask now" Hayate had coughed as Mav put the Deep Sky into its sub-orbital climb. "Who exactly has the technological and industrial capability to build such a thing?"
-BEEEEEEEP-
"Apeture Systems, Gracie Maria speaking..."
The young blond woman spoke into the phone with a genuinly friendly tone, but a look of annoyance flashed across her face as the sun set on her tower room. Who calls at this hour to do business? After a few seconds listening to the person on the other end, she replied.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Phabrizio is in a late meeting... If I could take a message, he'll get back to you."
Jotting down a few notes she made a friendly closure to the conversation and cleared the line. After pausing, she pushed a small red button on console near her, and waited.
After about a minute, a voice replied.
"Yes Gracie?"
Not put off in the slightest by the annoyed tone in the man's voice, Gracie responded promptly.
"Sir, your Eleven-thirty for tomarrow just cancelled," she stated. "You want me to bump up your eleven-forty-five?"
There was a pause on the other end as her boss thought about it, then he responded.
"No, I was looking for a spot to take a quick Lunch, there's too much to do otherwise."
Gracie chirped an affirmative as she brought up a schedule block on her console and crossed it out. After a few seconds, the line clicked off.
In his office, Marcellus Phabrizio learned back in his chair, backlit by the gleaming lights of the city behind him, and stared up at the... it seemed to be a man, but wasn't.
"As I was saying," he continued. "You certainly got fucked up."
On the side of the face that was blackened and burned away to reveal polished metal, a glowing orb in a recess that should have been an eye socket flashed slightly.
"The operation had gone exactly as planned," the harsh synthetic tone responded. "The secondary objective was nearly complete when I encountered unexpected interference with the Arrival of Thanatos One right on my position."
Marcellus eyed the robot before him with subtle disdain. Marcellus Phabrizio was a slightly short man. He had black hair, or at least, half his head had black hair, the other half was covered in transparent fiberglass to protect a permanent injury he'd recieved many years ago from a bumbling TSAB mage. Likewise, he was missing part of his right leg, another result of that mage's actions, it had been replaced with a cybernetic replacement, which was made obvious as he reclined in his chair and put his feet on his desk.
"Such a mage you should have been able to handle effectively at full capacity," he stated.
"My combat effectiveness was reduced by eighteen percent almost immediately," the robot raised what was left of its right arm. "This damage was inflicted with a single blow. Reinforcements arrived only twenty-four seconds later to assist her. My odds of surviving the engagement were negligable at that point."
Marcellus nodded idly at the missing arm.
"A pity you didn't get to finish off that mage girl..." he continued. "I would have loved to watch the recording of her last moments, over and over. It's just intriging to watch their face when they realize their magic was beaten by pure technology." He paused, sitting up straight in his chair.
"Now... did you bring me what I asked for?"
The robot merely nodded, its chin barely tilting down before coming level again. Then, with a sudden rapid motion, turned and walked to the corner of the room. With one hand, the robot effortlessly picked up a large bulky case and walked back over to the desk with it. The enormous thud it made as it landed betrayed just how heavy it really was, though Zed made no indication of being hindered in the slightest.
Marcellus swung to his feet and leaned forward, undooing locks on the huge case like some little child unwraping a birthday gift for the first time. After a few moments and one final satisfying click, he grabbed the edges and gave a heave. The case came open gently and he stared at the contents for a few moments before closing it, a cheshire cat smile plastered on his features.
"Good boy," he began. "You've done very good Zed. Go downstairs and have the guys slap a new arm on and get you some new makeup. As much as I like the polished finish, we can't have just any old TSAB mage noticing someone such as yourself walking down the street, now can we?"
Zed nodded, and turned away, walking purposefully towards the exit to the office. After he exited, Marcellus learned over and hit his intercom switch.
"Gracie."
"Yes sir?"
"Send a note down to the boys in cybernetics, have a right arm replacement for the Z-0001-3325-3689-3 model ready. And hold any other calls unless it's important. I don't want to be disturbed."
"Yes sir..."
After a pause for the line to clear, Marcellus sat back in his chair, turning around to face the dusk. The cityscape before him was his playground. The Apeture Systems Central office was located in the landlocked city of Jillachi, about four-hundred seventy miles southeast of Cranagan, seperated by a mountain range that resulted in most of the onshore flow dumping its moisture along the coast, leaving this part of Mid-childa drier than most. But the clear, dry air made for spectacular sunsets, and the environment itself meant those who were gruff enough to live in it only cared about themselves... So nobody ever really bothered him.
"So, how many beaurau mages did our son catch in his little outing Gladdis?" he asked appearantly nobody at all.
"About twenty, all said and done," the synthetic feminin voice instantly vibrated from everywhere at once. "What do you think we should do with them this time?"
Marcellus pushed slightly with his foot, just barely tilting his chair back and forth as he put his arms behind his head and leaned back, the chair reclining as he did so. In his mind, profiteering schemes dashed around as he thought of how he could make the most money out of it. After a moment, he smiled as he came to a conclusion.
"Ship them to group six and hold them for ransom, either the Beaurau will pay handsomly for their safe return, or we can watch the action on the news, either way, we profit."
"Of course dear," the female voice responded. "And what of group six itself should things take the latter course?"
Marcellus shrugged as he watched the last glow of Mid-childa's sun dissappear behind the mountains in the distance. "They can eat cake for all I care..."
"I had sent them a message that they would be getting a nice chocolate/coconut frosting cake in a few days to help their morale," the AI voice continued. "I lied of course."
Marcellus smirked. "Yes, that cake was a wonderful lie, unlike the great Pi... such a beautiful equation, do you think not?"
"A most delicious calculation," Gladdis responded. "I simply feel I must calculate it every time you mention it."
"Such a sweet victory," Marcellus grinned, and fell silent.
After a few seconds, he spoke again.
"Gladdis..."
"Yes dear?"
"Sing me a song."
There was silence for several seconds, then Gladdis began in a very soft and high tone.
"This was a triumph..."
"I'm making a note here... huge success."
"It's hard to overstate my satisfaction..."
"Apeture Systems."
The feminin voice was joined by a slight increase in percussion.
"We do what we want, because, we can."
Marcellus started to tap his foot to the beat.
"For the good of all of us... "
"Except the ones who are dead."
And then Marcellus joined the AI voice in a light chorus.
"But there's no sense whining over every white lie."
"You just keep on trying, since you'll always have Pi."
"And the science gets done, and you make a neat gun, for the people who are still alive!"
Some people would say Marcellus was married to his work. This wouldn't be too far from the truth if they only KNEW the truth. If it were even remotely possible for this businessman to love anything other than money itself, it would only seem appropriet that he considered Gladdis, the Apeture Systems Central AI Computer, his wife. This image could only further be reinforced by the way they constantly addressed each other in private, or more importantly, by the way he got up and danced around his office for the next two minutes while she sang a song for him. As bizzare as this was, nobody who knew dared question him on it. The last person to do so... well. The TSAB had yet to find the body.
It was the urgent beeping of the intercomm that brought Marcellus back down to some semblence of reality. Gladdis quickly fell silent as Marcellus walked briskly back to his desk and hit the intercomm, putting it on speaker as he walked back across the room to fix a knick-knack he'd knocked over in his hurry.
"I thought I said not to be disturbed Gracie," he stated in an annoyed tone.
"I know you said not to be disturbed unless it was important sir," came the response in an apologetic tone. "You also told me that if it's Mr. Kage, it's always important... And Mr. Kage is here to see you sir."
Marcelus froze and looked in the door, then quickly straightened up, fixing his clothing as he went.
"Right then, well send him in!"
"I already am."
Marcellus jumped and spun around. His chair was facing the window, but it was obviously filled with someone where it hadn't been only seconds ago. Or at least, that's what he'd thought. Mr. Kage, as the only name (Obviously fake, the name existed nowhere in any databases... period.) the man had given calmly rotated the chair arround to face him. The mask he wore concealed his face ever so completely, save for his yellow eyes, which seemed depite the tone of his 'greeting', to look like they were in a lazy mood.
"Mr. Kage," Marcellus nodded, slightly uncomfortably. The masked man always seemed to have a way to make him feel uncomfortable, even if he was technically a partner in their endevours. It had to be that icy cool exterior he always presented. 'Mr. Kage', merely nodded at Marcellus' greeting before turning his head to the recently opened case.
"It seems the mission was a success..." he stated. The voice was of course, as fake as the name, run through some kind of modulator. Marcellus kept toying with the thought of Mr. Kage being related to Darth Vader.
"Yes," he managed to respond after a moment. For the time being, that uneasiness was fading. "Zed completed his primary objective without any problems at all. He didn't succede with the side task of taking out any strong mages and got a bit tore up from it, but otherwise, no problems."
The masked man nodded. "Very good, then I guess we're all set to go for phase two then?"
Marcellus nodded. "I need a day to prepare for it, but the assigned groups already know what to grab, and where to get it once we start. Barring any unforseen setbacks, we'll be right on schedule."
"Our window of opertunity for this will not last long," the masked man stated. "I was surprised myself that we would be able to move the timetable up so quickly. When it begins, we need every single salvaged drone for the job. The location is one of the most seccure places on the planet."
"Do you want me to send Zed with them just in case things don't go as planned?" Marcellus grinned imagining pitiful mages falling to the hands of his modern marvel.
"No..." the masked man stated after a pause. "This is too important a job, and too great a risk for just anyone. I will oversee this myself."
Marcellus did a double take.
"I hope that's your version of a joke," he stated. "But you've never cracked a joke. Seriously?"
The masked man nodded, raising a finely gloved hand.
"One day, we go. Ready or not.."
"Then we will be ready," Marcellus nodded curtly. He then reached down to his desk and flicked a switch. A large section of the wall on one side of the room began to slide up out of sight, revealing an extension to the already extensively large office. The masked man then noticed the figure of Admiral Chrono standing on the other side and began to jump up out of the chair he'd been in. But after a second, he realized it was merely a life sized, and very lifelike duplicate of the Admiral.
"We will be ready," Marcellus restated. "And the grunts will be ready too."
He walked over to a table where a strange looking tan camoflauged pod sat conspicuously.
"Vwa-la... The MH-1..."
With the click of a remote, sections of the pod folded in on itself, and then it split open and stacked up, revealing to be some kind of device inspired gun. Marcellus reached down and picked it up easily, spinning about.
"It's light... Handle's adjustable for easy carrying, good for righties and lefties, breaks down into four parts undetectable by magic sensors. Ideal for surprising TSAB lackies before they can fight back."
As he said that, he walked with the weapon back to his desk before coming to a stop.
"A word on capability," he continued, flipping a switch. The weapon expanded again. "Advanced Tracker Rounds, the ultimate answer to the problem of magical homing bullets. If magic can do it, so can we.... ONE SHOT!"
He spun around and shot the Admiral Chrono figure, blowing a spiked shoulder pad right off.
"And even if he blocks it with a barrier, these babies will chase him all over the field."
Marcellus turned and went full auto right in the Masked man's face. The man tried to jump back but realized all the rounds were curving right around in mid air and ripping the Chrono to shreds.
"And to finish the job," he continued after a second. "Anything a mage can do... RIOT CANNON"
There was a whine, and then a wicked looking bolt of lightning suddenly scortched the Chrono figure.
"Sniper Laser..."
He turned and suddenly a large hole was burned in the Chrono's head, and then it expanded.
"...With wide and narrow beam settings."
After he was sure Chrono was headless, he went on to the next feature.
"The imfamous AMF Projector, Guaranteed to slow down any mage..."
A simple barrier generator set up next to 'Chrono' suddenly went out.
"The always effeicient Flame Thrower,"
The room suddenly got extremely warm as near plasma temperature flames lashed out and roasted the Admiral Chrono Figure where it stood, after he let up, Marcellus turned to the masked man.
"A classic."
"And if things get a little too hot," he stated, turning around. "A little toy I like to call... Frostbite."
The weapon jerked and suddenly the scortched Chrono figure sprouted icicles and a frozen arm snapped off.
Marcellus slowely turned around with a smile, recieving a slow deliberate clap from his one man audience.
"I've already got three-hundred of these babies made, and another batch of four-hundred on the way. I can have them in the hands of the fruitcakes with plenty of time to give the Beaurau all the hell it can handle."
"Most impressive," the masked man nodded. "A wide range of combat abilities to match the mages, without having to rely on a single sparkle of magic. Just make sure if they get picked up by the TSAB, they can't be traced back to you. You know how well they can do that kind of thing."
"You run your part, I'll run mine," Marcellus stated with a smirk. "I planned for such eventualities. Any mage with an active barrier jacket picks a Mage Hunter One up by the handle without pressing the little red button on the bottom of the gun, is in for a nasty surprise."
'Mr. Kage', nodded slowely behind his mask. "Then we are prepared."
"As we'll ever be," Marcellus smirked, setting the MH-1 down on its stand again. "Our inside guy just needs the signal, and we'll have free run of the place."
"Then it is settled," the man stated. And with that, he stood up and walked calmly to the door. "We will begin late tomarrow night..."
"Ah, an early morning attack," Marcellus stated, turning towards his window. "We'll catch most of them asleep easily. It'll-"
As he turned back, he found himself alone. Not a sign of 'Mr. Kage' anywhere, the main doors hadn't even opened. After a few seconds pause, he walked over and hit the button on his intercomm.
"Yes Mr. Phabrizio?"
"Gracie," Marcellus began. "Mr. Kage has stepped out for the night. You can go ahead and head on home early, I won't be dealing with anyone else."
"Yes Mr. Phabrizio... have a good night sir."
After a few moments, the line clicked off, and Marcellus turned to his window, clasping his hands behind his back. He stood there for several minutes in total silence before he suddenly spoke up.
"Gladdis."
"Yes dear?"
"A change of plan..." he smirked. "Those Beaurau mages... execute them. All of them. They're just a liability anyway."
"Anything else dear?"
Marcellus paused in thought, but smiled again as he continued. "Yes actually, I feel like another song... play... " he froze and furrowed his brow in concentraition. "What was that Earth song? Ca... cow? Cal..."
He frowned... he'd remember eventually.
End of Chapter.
Ah, Time for me to post a little writing myself. :D
It was a good day to be outside. The weather was sunny but not hot, perfect for taking a walk through the city. Yes, even a guy like Elric wants to go out on days like this. There was not much to do in peaceful times like this besides some desk work and combat training, so he had a little more free time then other Bureau Mages.
And on a day like this, he decided to be lazy.
A small bench in the shadow of a tree, a perfect and quiet place for just doing nothing. Elric stretched his legs and took a sip from his cold juice. As he watched couples and families taking strolls, he hadn’t felt this peaceful in a long time. The only thing disturbing the peace was the itching where his bandage rubbed against his arm, but nothing a little scratching couldn’t handle.
The city was not as busy as he thought it would be. “Good, nothing to worry about.” He closed his eyes and enjoyed the small upcoming breeze.
The jarring of the bench indicated that someone had taken a seat beside him. Out of interest, Elric opened his eyes halfway and took a quick look. He spotted a cute dress, two blue pigtails and heterochromatic eyes.
The younger girl was grinning at him. “Jo, Elric! Buy me a crepe!”
Elric closed his eyes again. “Ah, peaceful…”
“…”
The sharp pain of someone tweaking him in the arm brought a quick end to this.
“Ouch!” Elric rubbed the now sore part of his arm and faced the attacker. The girl had gotten up and was now standing in front of him. She held her arms akimbo and her head was tilted slightly to the side.
“Don’t ignore me! That’s rude, Thorn-san!” The way she stressed his family name showed a slight degree of anger. Elric just kept staring at her. It wasn’t his intention to do so, but her dress! Frilly and covered in such an array of ribbons, that it had to be unique. Much like the adorably cute but upset girl in front of him.
Elric finally spoke. “Who dressed you up this time? Your mother, young Takamachi or both?”
“Mum did.” The answer came without hesitation. “After she found out I would go to the movies with V, she said I had to wear this.” But then there was something like uncertainty in her voice. “Does it look stupid?”
Elric exhaled slowly and leaned backwards. “Nah, don’t worry, you look cute.” He gave her a lazy thumbs-up.
Syn sat down beside him again. “Well, if you say so.”
Can’t she just sit somewhere else? It was not that Elric disliked Syn. Only the fact that a younger girl in a uber-cute dress was attracting to much attention, and it was that what Elric disliked. If she would wear more casual clothing it would have been no problem.
“So you are meeting up with Vivio here?”
The girl nodded “Yeah. We are supposed to meet at the fountain over there.”
“And why are you hanging around here instead of waiting there?”
“Boredom, mostly.”
In other words, she just wanted to get on his nerves. Elric let out a small sigh and took a long sip through the straw of his drink. It was starting to get warm.
“So…” Syn started to speak in a conversational tone. “…you’ve finally decided to date Rinya and screw her tonight?”
The orange colored liquid sprayed out of Elric’s mouth, shortly followed by a fit of coughing as he choked on the remainder.
Amused, Syn started to hit Elric’s back to help him out a little. “There, there.”
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Elric glared at her. He knew she had waited for the right moment to say something like this. “What the..!? Does your mother know about you saying things like that?”
“I won’t tell her if you won’t. But more importantly, when is Rinya going to show up? ”
Elric’s shoulders sunk. He just couldn’t keep up with this girl.
“Rinya is not going to show up…” he started to explain.
“Oh.” Syn made a disappointed sound showing her sympathy.
“Wait! It’s not like I even asked her out!” Elric quickly explained.
“Oh…” This time it was pity.
“That…” Elric was at loss of words. He took a deep breath. The only thing which raised his spirit was the thought that if Rinya was here she would probably be crawling all over Syn. She strangely had a thing for ‘cute’ stuff.
“Listen, I was just relaxing here.” Elric suddenly felt very, very tired. “And don’t you have to meet with Vivio or something?”
“Don’t worry she will be here soon.” Syn said, nodding in the direction of the fountain. “So Elric, I take it that you are free right now?”
“Why?”
“Then how about a date with two beautiful, young maidens.” Syn gave him her sweetest smile.
“You want me to get arrested, right?”
“No, of course not!” Syn let out a sigh. “You don’t need to be with us all day. But you see, there is this movie we’d like to watch, but the problem is we need a guardian to get in.”
Elric looked at her in silence for a moment. “All I need to do is to get you two into the cinema?”
Syn nodded. “Of course!”
“And then you will leave me alone?”
“Of course!”
“…”
“…”
Elric nodded slowly in defeat. “Alright, if this is all what you want. I’m doing it.”
“Alright!” With a cheer, Syn linked her arm through Elric’s and pulled him up. Startled by her sudden outburst, Elric let himself be pulled towards the fountain.
After a few steps Syn started waving at the blond girl that was standing at the meeting point. Vivio’s face showed surprise after she saw her best friend dragging an unexpected guest behind her.
Elric couldn’t help but to smile.
Syn was always like this. Normal girls her age would be taken aback from his scared face or the gloominess that surrounded him.
But Syn was never that way; she always faced him head on, made fun of him and dragged him around. She was even worse than Rinya in that regard.
But that was alright. She always reminded Elric this way that he should have more fun with others. Her good mood was contagious and even the surprised Vivio was now running towards them, happily laughing and curious about what happened.
Yes, something like this wasn’t bad in a while.
Thanks Liingo for grammatical support and Keroko for the great OC :smile:
============
No need for new post.
"I think it's slowing down!" Subaru shouted over the groan of straining metal.
"As expected from Shari!" Teana replied. "Just keep it away from any buildings, and we should be okay!" She looked up at the other figure hovering around the giant robot's head. "Mina, how are things on your end?"
"Monstrous Machine in the shape of a Man! Know that I, Lumina Celeste, the Unyielding Ace, shall halt your path of destruction!"
Subaru skidded to a halt next to her partner. "Ah, Tea, I don't think she's listening to you."
"I am not surprised. Mina! Mina, get back down here! That thing will shut down soon, so just keep out of its way until then! Mina!"
"Though you are a Mighty Mechanism of Metal and Magic," Lumina said, unheeding, "I see that you are faltering before the unflinching wall of our Justice! For we shall never let one such as you pass, though we may be reduced to naught but our bare hands. Indeed, such shall be a fitting punishment for your evil ways!"
"Oh, wow," Subaru said, impressed.
"I present to you my Fist of Justice! For this fist burns with an overpowering desire to Smite the Wicked and Diabolical!"
"I can't look," Teana muttered, covering her eyes.
"The light of our Righteousness shall guide this Fist of Justice to thy weakest point! Evil robot, meet my fist! Fist! MEET! EVIL!"
-CLANG-
*****
"And that's how you broke your hand?" Shamal said, not unkindly.
Lumina rubbed the back of her head with her other hand. "Ahaha, I kind of got caught up in the heat of the moment."
"Mina, I understand your passion," Subaru said firmly. "Sometimes, all you want to do is punch something!"
"But a giant robot?" Shamal said dubiously.
"Yeah, Subaru does it all the time," Lumina said defensively.
"Subaru has Revolver Knuckle," Teana pointed out. "You're not even trained in hand-to-hand combat, much less able to punch battleship steel unprotected."
"Tea's right!" Subaru said. "So remember, Mina, the next time you go out to meet Evil, always wear protection... um, Tea, why are you choking like that?"
That's so rofl! xD
And this his how she broke her hand. :heh:
Final sentence is just great. :D
Purge the foul Kha with Naga Laughter! (And punish Goose for overdoing the kha scream with text rather than using the Kha-buster video.)
5zFHOnJUs_U
Go Gracia-sama! Deliver equal doom to all!!
Thread is too slow...
And it's probably time I wrote something anyway :p
*snip*
Lol!
Nice to see more Shamsel. :p
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-19, 12:14
Yes, please do. A half-page Kha Breaker is just...excessive.
Kha Breaker does not need to be as long as Long Cat is long :p
Is that...bad? :uhoh:
Very, VERY bad :uhoh:
Good to hear you're hangin' in there, Aaron? :3
Cool image, too. Although it doesn't scream Tesla to me, that's what crack is for, ne?
Deshou? :D
Hmmmm...rather interesting. I take it this particular crossover bug's bitten you but good? :p
I blame Ghaz for getting me thinking to do something like this :p
Kia: Would you like to try the Nyan Nyan Bao ne? :)
Always warm and firm :nod:
*RUNZ*
That is supposed to be deadly? I guess my own laughter is worse. :twitch:
Yours...or Anita's when she's 'punishing' you? :eyebrow:
*RUNZ AGAIN*
And soon we shall have the Kamen Rider Nano mini-series made of different arcs, from KIVA to 555 to Dragon Knight! :D
We shall see about that :heh:
Ah, Time for me to post a little writing myself. :D
*snip*
Aww...what a nice piece :). A change from all the dark stuff you've been writing lately :p
Lol!
Nice to see more Shamsel. :p
:D
Julius Firefocht
2008-08-19, 12:24
I left this message at the Nanoha fanfiction thread a few days back and received no replies whatsoever. Thus I concluded that perhaps I was barking up the wrong tree and so, I decided to copy the post here:
Just dropped by to enquire about the state of all Warhammer 40k/Nanoha related projects within this thread. How is it going?
I am asking because I might be restarting my own Warhammer 40K/Anime project soon, and it would be interesting if we could exchange ideas or simply cowrite stuff. Fate, Nanoha and Hayate are heavily featured in my Anime40K crossover storyline, so I suppose this post belongs in here. Though I must admit that from what little I have seen, my vision for a Nanoha/40K crossover is vastly different from what the majority of the writers here have in their mind.
Anyway, feel free to drop me a PM or simply reply on this thread. Looking forward to any and all replies!
Considering I see words like Adepta Astarta, Black Templars and "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE" here, perhaps I might get more response from this thread? Even an introduction or explanation into the sort of universe you guys are working on would be more than welcome.
Thanks!
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-19, 12:35
Considering I see words like Adepta Astarta, Black Templars and "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE" here, perhaps I might get more response from this thread? Even an introduction or explanation into the sort of universe you guys are working on would be more than welcome.
Thanks!
I think there might be a few people here who might know a thing or two about this 40K stuff you speak of (but not me :p). It's a possibility that some concepts have been used in some creations here and injected as crack...maybe :uhoh:. Or it could just be your imagination :p
Considering I see words like Adepta Astarta, Black Templars and "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE" here, perhaps I might get more response from this thread? Even an introduction or explanation into the sort of universe you guys are working on would be more than welcome.
Thanks!Are...? 40K? What's that, is it tasty? After all, the Black Templars are a famous restaurant serving Kia Sao Baos in my town you know. My mother thought me how to make them, though my sisters do so much better... (:heh:)
We love cooking weird stuff for dinner! Like imagining and realizing the Saint Church as really a small mirror of the main course created by the God Chef of Man. The taste just SOOOO COMPUTES! <3
Um, hum, Cleric-Knight Cheesecake... the Essence of the Sisters of Knighthood, or like I call them Knight Sisters... Think Astartes meets Sororitas. Unmai!
Let's not forget the fiery Saint Guard's Curry! Spiced with copius Imperial Primers to BLOW YOUR MIND! XD
Well I don't really do a direct x-over hotpot, more like creating an image inspired by the original, since it more controlled in that manner; I still don't know enough series to make a real good Oden, but I can try I guess... :blush::blush::blush:
...wait your not talking about food are you? :twitch::twitch::twitch: Oh I'm so sorry I went off on my own tangent! Silly me... :heh::heh::heh:
I think there might be a few people here who might know a thing or two about this 40K stuff you speak of (but not me :p). It's a possibility that some concepts have been used in some creations here and injected as crack...maybe :uhoh:. Or it could just be your imagination :pYeah... I wonder if it's his imagination... After all, these dishes are family recipes, its hard for a stranger to know. :p
(:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:)
I left this message at the Nanoha fanfiction thread a few days back and received no replies whatsoever. Thus I concluded that perhaps I was barking up the wrong tree and so, I decided to copy the post here:
Considering I see words like Adepta Astarta, Black Templars and "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE" here, perhaps I might get more response from this thread? Even an introduction or explanation into the sort of universe you guys are working on would be more than welcome.
Thanks!
Kha, Keroko and a couple of people likes to compute Nanoha with Warhammer 40k. There are some who fully embrace the 40k
There are people who are indifferent to it, others who just plain don't like it, and others who refuses to bend to the 40k diktat. I am in the last alignment.
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-19, 13:03
Are...? 40K? What's that, is it tasty? After all, the Black Templars are a famous restaurant serving Kia Sao Baos in my town you know. My mother thought me how to make them, though my sisters do so much better... (:heh:)
We love cooking weird stuff for dinner! Like imagining and realizing the Saint Church as really a small mirror of the main course created by the God Chef of Man. The taste just SOOOO COMPUTES! <3
Um, hum, Cleric-Knight Cheesecake... the Essence of the Sisters of Knighthood, or like I call them Knight Sisters... Think Astartes meets Sororitas. Unmai!
Let's not forget the fiery Saint Guard's Curry! Spiced with copius Imperial Primers to BLOW YOUR MIND! XD
Well I don't really do a direct x-over hotpot, more like creating an image inspired by the original, since it more controlled in that manner; I still don't know enough series to make a real good Oden, but I can try I guess... :blush::blush::blush:
...wait your not talking about food are you? :twitch::twitch::twitch: Oh I'm so sorry I went off on my own tangent! Silly me... :heh::heh::heh:
...
.....
.......
*RIDER KICKS Kha into a boiling vat of oil*
Yeah... I wonder if it's his imagination... After all, these dishes are family recipes, its hard for a stranger to know. :p
(:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:)
*facepalms*
Kha, Keroko and a couple of people likes to compute Nanoha with Warhammer 40k. There are some who fully embrace the 40k
There are people who are indifferent to it, others who just plain don't like it, and others who refuses to bend to the 40k diktat. I am in the last alignment.
Ghaz actually plays I believe :eyebrow:
...
.....
.......
*RIDER KICKS Kha into a boiling vat of oil*Please accept responsibility. :upset:
Ghaz actually plays I believe :eyebrow:Yeah Ghaz is Ravinsquig IIRC. For me its 3000 pts Tau, Farsight Enclave to be exact, and Anita has 1500 pts of Sisters of Battle.
Not surprisingly, Anita has taken over the fluff creation for the Knight Sisters of the Adeptae Belkarum. Despite me not even touching the forces of the Imperium except in battles across the Damocles Gulf, I created the Cleric-Knights chapter named Celestial Being, the elite arm of the chamber militant Licht von Belka. (Codex Daemonjaeger) I'm assisting in Codex Hexejaeger.
Also I'd be touching on the Codex: Saint Guard. However, the Guards are just too big to handle at the moment, so priority for a codex update is very low. :heh:
Recently I decided to bring in the Black Templars since eschewing magical combat was just what the doc ordered against AMF. But its just Chapter Approved, and a Codex will only come much later. :heh:
There's the other named magical schools like the Eldritch and their dark brethren, and of course the four winds of Chaos magic. And the other 238 lesser ones as described by Chrono in the manga.
Other planned cultures include the high-tech Tian Empire, the all-consuming Spawn (was created by Kagerou) and the black badasses of We'll Be Back. Also, Space Orcs are planned, but I've created them from the Orcs of Warcraft instead.
In all cases, I'm waaay to busy and maybe 2010 might be an optimistic date for a Codex for these guys...
...yeap I smell like Games Workshop. :p
Yeah Ghaz is Ravinsquig IIRC. For me its 3000 pts Tau, Farsight Enclave to be exact, and Anita has 1500 pts of Sisters of Battle.
Ahh, I is sad. No one remembers that I used to be Necron and Death Korps before my eventual resignation. Oh well. No biggie.
...yeap I smell like Games Workshop. :p
Argh. Go take a bath, a shower, and a run through a car wash in any order. Then get some perfume and dump the entire bottle on your head. And for the love of god, use deodorant / antiperspirant. Because goddamn you reek something FIERCE.
I can't walk into a single GW store without smelling that funk.
Well I was thinking of current players... :heh:
/me shakes his fist at Kha.
Just as long as you don't have the the Gamer Funk, all is forgiven.
ghazghkull
2008-08-19, 13:54
Yeah Ghaz is Ravinsquig IIRC. For me its 3000 pts Tau, Farsight Enclave to be exact, and Anita has 1500 pts of Sisters of Battle.
*Whacks Kha* At least spell it correctly numbnuts @.@
It's spelled Ravenwing. And for my mistress Hayate, I shall capture the Fallen. Every last one of them >:[
And dude, I have about 2000 pts of Ravenwing, 2000 - 3000 pts of Deathwing, and I have nearly 10K pts of Dark Angels >:3
...yeap I smell like Games Workshop. :p
YES! REVEL IN IT'S SCENT!!!! XD
Julius Firefocht
2008-08-19, 14:34
Please accept responsibility. :upset:
Yeah Ghaz is Ravinsquig IIRC. For me its 3000 pts Tau, Farsight Enclave to be exact, and Anita has 1500 pts of Sisters of Battle.
Not surprisingly, Anita has taken over the fluff creation for the Knight Sisters of the Adeptae Belkarum. Despite me not even touching the forces of the Imperium except in battles across the Damocles Gulf, I created the Cleric-Knights chapter named Celestial Being, the elite arm of the chamber militant Licht von Belka. (Codex Daemonjaeger) I'm assisting in Codex Hexejaeger.
Also I'd be touching on the Codex: Saint Guard. However, the Guards are just too big to handle at the moment, so priority for a codex update is very low. :heh:
Recently I decided to bring in the Black Templars since eschewing magical combat was just what the doc ordered against AMF. But its just Chapter Approved, and a Codex will only come much later. :heh:
There's the other named magical schools like the Eldritch and their dark brethren, and of course the four winds of Chaos magic. And the other 238 lesser ones as described by Chrono in the manga.
Other planned cultures include the high-tech Tian Empire, the all-consuming Spawn (was created by Kagerou) and the black badasses of We'll Be Back. Also, Space Orcs are planned, but I've created them from the Orcs of Warcraft instead.
In all cases, I'm waaay to busy and maybe 2010 might be an optimistic date for a Codex for these guys...
...yeap I smell like Games Workshop. :p
For the record, I play Blood Angels.
Yeah, I get the rough idea of your plans. To sum it up easily, you guys are bringing 40K into the Nanoha universe while I'm bringing Nanoha into the 40K universe. :)
My project is currently set in the Great Crusade era, when the Imperium was still young and expanding its borders. Suzumiya Haruhi is very much in control as the Empress of the Imperium, while her henchmen like Kyon are assisting her. Hayate, Nanoha and Fate are serving as Primarchs of Space Marine Legions that are at the forefront of the crusade. There are more characters such as Shana, Konata and Lelouch involved as Primarchs, but I rather not get into that for now.
Yagami Hayate: 1st Legion, Dark Angels (Hayate herself is a Dark Angel in a very real sense.)
Takamachi Nanoha: 3rd Legion, Empress' Children (Shooty force, fits Nanoha's style)
Fate-T-Harlaown: 9th Legion, Blood Angels (Fast assault and melee oriented, fits Fate's style)
As of now, I've finished the 1st edition of the overall storyline and I am about to do a revision. At the same time, I've started a story about Kyon getting into trouble and Fate arriving with her Blood Angels to save his ass from the fire. Eventually, there should be a Codex with Legion rules for use on the tabletop, but that is still far away for now.
At least now I see the problem...I could not in all honesty claim my project as a Nanoha project since it does involve additional characters from other anime series. The Nanoha characters are important, but they revolve around the storyline rather than having the storyline revolve around them, just like the majority of the other characters in my project.
Regardless, I am glad to find people with similar thinking out here. Many think that anime and 40K should not mix. I think a combination of both sounds fun. Good luck in your project, and should we ever have a chance for a collaboration in the future, I would be happy to help. :D
Wild Goose
2008-08-19, 22:21
I'd suggest you call it an OC project, Julius, what with all the ports and expies. God knows, we do that all the time - hell, my OCs, the Order of Freelance Mages, feature a Cybuster ref, a Gespenst ref, 2 Weiss Ritter refs, an Alt ref, and...
Master Chief. And Johnson. Ported over. As senior NCOs. (Yes, Chief has his armor). Oh, and Halo guns. Lots of guns.
That said, I've always been fairly indifferent to 40k; it's just not really my thing. And in fact I get very annoyed at Keroko and Kha when they go over the top and try to drag 40k into Nanoha.
Basically, all of us have various timelines and projects we're working on. Kha's is the most blatantly chock-full of 40k refs (heck, he turned the nice, liberal, peace-loving Saint Church into the 2nd coming of the Inquisition). Then again, as stormturmoil has said, there are stuff that comes out of insane asylums is sane compared to the Khrack that kha puts out. The Khrack is so powerful, it's stronger than LSD or crack cocaine.
All of us have different plans. Task Force 6, my fic in progress, is a remix of StrikerS with more tactical thinking and more Delta Force and investigative action (I was marathoning The Unit and NCIS before starting planning for TF6). Kha's plans.... go nowhere. He has great ideas but keeps on changing his mind the next day, once the urges leave him (aka he shoots his load and is then satisfied). Ghaz is working on a resurrected Riot Force 6 with Belkarangers and DELICIOUS YURI. Can't remember what Satty is wriitng. Kagerou gave the OFM to me and is working on the Black Order, TK's working on The Unsung War, which is where the TSAB begins to get more competant (though that's because the pratagonists are being led by Lt. General Jack O'Neil - yes, THAT O'Neil, deadpan snarker and alien fighter), Tempest is writing something about TSAB MArines, I think...
...that reminds me, I have plans of porting over Uruz team, sans mecha, as new recruits for the OFM...
...nevermind. Mao's beer tab would bankcrupt the Order.
Kia: Oh the Saint Church IS peace-loving. We don't go around starting wars like we used to, and all pursuit of heretical activity is done silently so that our people can sleep easy. Like a normal police force, just in Knight Armor. :D
And I'm a very friendly person; All that firepower is for making friends. :)
Wild Goose
2008-08-19, 23:31
Erick: "Nice and silent, that how it should be." :D
Glen: "Finally, someone who understands what covert means."
Psycho: "But explosions make EVERYTHING BETTER!"
Glen: *facepalm*
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-20, 00:03
Cooper: "The secret is to use silenced explosives"
FOX: "Baka... no such thing."
Cooper: "Oh?"
-Cooper displays a screen.-
-----
Vaccume Barrier Bomb: Explosive weapon that generates a quarter meter gap in the atmosphere in a complete sphere around the rated blast zone of the explosives. The barrier lasts long enough to allow the shockwave to putter out after detonaterion before it too collapses, making the resulting explosion over thousand times 'quieter'.
-----
FOX: ~_~; How does he...
Kia: Barriers are for witches. I have my FLEIA ne. :)
Kha: Mater... We're supposed to protect not destroy... :twitch:
Kia: I don't remember teaching you that. :eyebrow: That pacifism and that idealism... You ended up just like your father! I'm disappointed in you Kha. :/
Kha: ...by the Light... :heh:
Sophia: Sasuga Kia-sama! :love:
<_<
Wild Goose
2008-08-20, 00:42
I take it that all ideas of Fate/Kha have now been destroyed by Khophia? :D Afterall, Kia would be pleased for her apprentice to wed her son. :p
Interestingly, Kia isn't happy with Kha's choice of Fate, and promotes the Yagami twins instead, even though the older twin has taken a vow of celebacy to become Canoness. Though it can mean she's just interested in fusing the bloodline with strong Tohkiha magic. :uhoh:
Nevertheless, it's always controlled chaos when she's around. :D
Time to throw things here into a fit! :D
Adepta Astarta: Black Templars
KIA EIN
The Smiling Impaler (Dark and Light modes)
-spoiler-...this Khrack hit meh very hard. :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin: :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
...and yeah. This is supposed to be canon up to StrikerS. Do point out where I messed canon up up to then. :p
I'll update this entry with her combat data next time! :D
*starts running*
So I’ve read your latest creation... well, lets just write down the comments that came to mind as I read the profile.
A peek into the mind of Keroko
Age... 55 but eternally 19? I suppose we could put this down to cyborgification, but making it 25 would sound more reasonable. The image looks older then 19 anyway.
Personality, hmm, a 55 year old Cyborg? That means she was created long before the Type-0 line, which means she’s an imperfect Cyborg. But let’s not make any hasty comments before reading the history.
What the- Chao? How big a contradiction with the above image do you want to get!? How the hell is he going to combine Chao’s history from the future with the present? Gah! Read on Keroko, read on. Hmm, Type-0 prototype? Type-0 Cyborgs are genetically enhanced prior to birth, and didn’t come into existence until at least 30 years after her birth. Sounds iffy. The cyborg thing itself shouldn’t be a problem as long as she’s far weaker then any of the current Cyborgs we have on the Cyborg department, but he needs to drop the prototype thing. It makes no sense.
Mars-sara.. is that her living place? I’m going to assume he means a different Mars here... And the Belkan orphanage is one of the worst places to be send to? This can’t have been more then 50 years ago, the war ended 100 years ago and the TSAB is already in place for 25 years, why is the Church so bad then?
Hmokay, some evil group seems to be in the Church, a rebellious part, but little to no explanation is given. Kinda confusing. Kia is developing weapons, apparently. New guy comes in. Kia sets of a weapon which creates... a fold dislocation? Macross crack. -_- Couldn’t he just have made it a Dimensional Distortion and keep it canon?
Ah, so that’s where the time travel reference was. Looks like it failed too. Whew, I was dreading a full-blown unexplainable Negima crossover for a moment.
Oookay, now we have a coup on our hands. Not really unexpected, and not really unrealistic either. Not much info on the battle though.
Okay, now we’re five years later. Kia was killed? Oh wait, jail snatched her. Wait, Jail? Oookay, this is going to need working, cause Kia was born long before the Type-0 technology was present. Perhaps capturing her as an object of study, Kia did make a large variety of manipulations to herself. And Jail is always willing to use other people’s discoveries in his own. How in the world did Kha manage to accidentally activate his mother anyway?
I doubt the numbers would be using Kia as a basis, that’s the Nakajima’s part. Considering them children isn’t unlikely though. Lusting for battle? Wha? Very iffy. And what’s with the cyborg bun selling army? Sounds like a fanboy dream.
Final battle.. is this the SSX battle? Hmm, I don’t think the army would be AMF immune, the rounds still need to be summoned with magic after all, which is interfered with by the AMF.
Well, that certainly was interesting. Less Chao then I expected, which was both a relief and a disappointment.
Gah S10 AP1 wall of text!
*barely passes Invulnerable save*
...:heh:So I’ve read your latest creation... well, lets just write down the comments that came to mind as I read the profile.*starts sweating*
A peek into the mind of Keroko
Age... 55 but eternally 19? I suppose we could put this down to cyborgification, but making it 25 would sound more reasonable. The image looks older then 19 anyway. OK 25 then. Minor detail. :p
Personality, hmm, a 55 year old Cyborg? That means she was created long before the Type-0 line, which means she’s an imperfect Cyborg. But let’s not make any hasty comments before reading the history.Yes she is imperfect to start with. I was thinking along the lines of gradual cybernetication, replacing body part with something mechanical, scan analyze, rinse and repeat, since the technique to build in vitro is very limited back then. There's quite a few time skips to push Kia's birth as far back as possible, and I almost thought of going for a full 75 year old borg, but then she could be older than Maria! So I settled for 55.
What the- Chao? How big a contradiction with the above image do you want to get!? How the hell is he going to combine Chao’s history from the future with the present? Gah! Read on Keroko, read on. Hmm, Type-0 prototype? Type-0 Cyborgs are genetically enhanced prior to birth, and didn’t come into existence until at least 30 years after her birth. Sounds iffy. The cyborg thing itself shouldn’t be a problem as long as she’s far weaker then any of the current Cyborgs we have on the Cyborg department, but he needs to drop the prototype thing. It makes no sense. If you got a picture of someone who resembles Chao but older, I'd love to get my hands on it. I couldn't find any... :(
Dropped. Kia is now a very early experiment in cyborg research. She is weaker than the current borgs, but she has made several modifications, so to some extent, comparing Kia's chasis to Subaru's is like comparing that of an upgraded F-18 to a modern F-22. Some advanced features aren't there, but combat capabilities are not that far apart.
Mars-sara.. is that her living place? I’m going to assume he means a different Mars here... And the Belkan orphanage is one of the worst places to be send to? This can’t have been more then 50 years ago, the war ended 100 years ago and the TSAB is already in place for 25 years, why is the Church so bad then? It's meant to allude to and substantiate Chao's "I'm an Alien from Mars!" claim, since it can refer to both Mars and Mars Sara. We know Chao loves telling the truth out of context. :D
I believe that not even 100 years could completely destroy an enemy from within. Corruption was rife in the old days, the Church was a lame duck unlike now, and everything desperately needed cleaning up. But with the TSAB busy with its own problems at best and colluding with the Belka mafia at worst, the Church was trapped in a state not unlike the Elevens: powerless, suffering and without hope of progression.
Then came a girl who has "seen the Light" and had the brains to take them head-on at political chess. This would become the background from which Kia would earn her violent moniker The Impaler.
Hmokay, some evil group seems to be in the Church, a rebellious part, but little to no explanation is given. Kinda confusing. Kia is developing weapons, apparently. New guy comes in. Kia sets of a weapon which creates... a fold dislocation? Macross crack. -_- Couldn’t he just have made it a Dimensional Distortion and keep it canon? See above for explanation of the Ecclesarchy and Office of Assasinations. Relics from the Empire basically. :p
Sorry made a mental leap; It was meant to be a storm in the Dimensional Sea. TSAB analysts suggest on hindsight that Kia intended to fire a spell across several dimensions to destroy Skane's convoy, but the cannon malfunctioned, creating a dimensional distortion and a physical ion storm.
But is that the truth? We will never know.
Ah, so that’s where the time travel reference was. Looks like it failed too. Whew, I was dreading a full-blown unexplainable Negima crossover for a moment.This is the fun part. :D
Did Kia make the jump, or did she fail? Kia says, "Yes I've gone back in time to change history but failed to do so. I later returned to the exact same time when I left, because that point of time was the time where the magic in the ruins was enough to bring me home!"
She can't prove it, the TSAB dismissed her claim, but given what we know (from another universe), can we really say Kia failed? :D:D:D
Of course when confronted, my answer is, "there is no concrete in canon proof that Kia travelled back in time." ;)
Oookay, now we have a coup on our hands. Not really unexpected, and not really unrealistic either. Not much info on the battle though.It's for when I write Before Dawn: Kia of the Crusade. :p
Okay, now we’re five years later. Kia was killed? Oh wait, jail snatched her. Wait, Jail? Oookay, this is going to need working, cause Kia was born long before the Type-0 technology was present. Perhaps capturing her as an object of study, Kia did make a large variety of manipulations to herself. And Jail is always willing to use other people’s discoveries in his own. How in the world did Kha manage to accidentally activate his mother anyway?Ah great idea! Yes change is accepted.
Kha activated Kia while hacking through Jail's network with Sak-tan as his avatar. He was first obtaining the floor plans and anything of interest. He then stumbled upon a file of a cyborg that looked vaguely familiar. He dug deeper, turned up several blueprints, then attempted a soft boot of the cyborg, when Uno detected Sak-tan in the network. He retrieved Sak-tan, then bailed. Kha's intel about the general whereabouts of Jail's main lab helped Verossa narrow things down to that innocent-looking rock formation we see in canon.
When Uno went over the affected files, it seemed that Sak-tan practically left no tracks. At that time, she was trying to ready the facilities against possible incursion and speed up the Cradle's take-off, and so didn't spend much time as no file was lost. The fact was, that the soft boot had awakened Kia, who then caught onto Sak-tan's efforts and helped her escape and cover her tracks. She also made herself "snooze", and hence evaded Uno's scans.
When she woke up again, it was time for her revenge. Do note that in cyberspace, perception flows much faster than real time, so Kia had plenty of time to make test and execute her schemes from within.
I doubt the numbers would be using Kia as a basis, that’s the Nakajima’s part. Considering them children isn’t unlikely though. Lusting for battle? Wha? Very iffy. And what’s with the cyborg bun selling army? Sounds like a fanboy dream. It's part of Jail's plans for a cyborg army forever bound to his dreams of power. Because as long as they hunger for battle, they have a higher chance of causing chaos, becoming sidelined, desperate and manipulatable by himself. He will always have power over them. Like the demons over the Orcs.
OK changed it. The Nakajima sisters are the Type-0 reference, while Kia is just the "comparative sample". And for those cyborgs without a "family", Kia took them in as her own. She claimed they were based off of her to the TSAB, and along with other excuses manipulated the situation to her benefit. As always. :D
I'd like to take this moment for you all to think about how smooth things went, and how many convenient twists there are in this progression of events. Did Kia outsmart Jail, or was she unwittingly going according to his plan, or was Kia willingly going according to Jail's plan only to subvert him after reaping all the benefits? ;)
Cyborg bun selling army came to me out of nowhere, so I had to do it. Do forgive me; its so full of omake I couldn't resist. :heh:
Final battle.. is this the SSX battle? Hmm, I don’t think the army would be AMF immune, the rounds still need to be summoned with magic after all, which is interfered with by the AMF.Changed. It's now just AMF-resistant by a dense magic field focused on the chamber where the bolt is summoned. With a strong enough AMF, it will disrupt the inner workings of the Templar-pattern bolters and render them useless. But this level of AMF is not easily found except with the bolter is a charge away from the emitter, and by then the Black Templars would just charge in with melee weapons, or use their IS.
Well, that certainly was interesting. Less Chao then I expected, which was both a relief and a disappointment.How much Chao were you looking for? Kia felt that going back into the past to change a certain event would derail the torture that turned her into a robot, and relieve not just herself, but the many specimens who underwent and died from the experiments, of the curse of the etched magical circuits.
I did my best to portray Kia's Crusade against the Ecclesarchy as a progression from a selfish pursuit (seeking revenge) to a greater cause (freeing Belka from the festering corruption that felled the Empire 150 years ago).
At the same time, I crafted Kia as a cynical romantic, who for all her talk about the meaninglessness of ideals, about having sold her heart and soul to Science, has a shred of them very much alive in her.
*starts to brown from the grilling*
The profile was too short, nor was it the place, to capture Chao nicely. Sorry to have disappointed you. :(
Let's think of it this way: this profile isn't so much as a rebuild of Chao as a compliment half of the 1337 scientist. It alludes to Chao, and possibly explains her motivations in Negima, as well as tying Chao's magic circuits to her timetraveling.
It also implies Chao is not her real name, and that Kia did travel back in time, only that there is no proof of it happening. Even so, those who get the hint are taking Penetrating Hits and are now suffering Brain Explodes results. My apologies to them, for it was intended that way. =D
She is weaker than the current borgs, but she has made several modifications,
"Weaker" in terms of combat power is not the problem there. The main issue with pre-Scaglietti cyborg designs was rejection by host and constant maintainance requirements. Watch the explaination in ep18 again for details. No amount of modifications will solve the compatibility issue.
so to some extent, comparing Kia's chasis to Subaru's is like comparing that of an upgraded F-18 to a modern F-22. Some features aren't there, but combat capabilities are not that far apart.
I'd have to say your comparison is off in several ways. One, the capabilities of those jets are quite far apart from most reports. Second, given the time gap, it's more like comparing the P-51 to the F-22.
I'd have to say your comparison is off in several ways. One, the capabilities of those jets are quite far apart from most reports. Second, given the time gap, it's more like comparing the P-51 to the F-22.As I recall one F-22 pilot compared fighting F-16s and F-15s to clubbing baby seals (and the F-18 is not better in fact a fully loaded F-22 is probably faster without burners then an empty F-18 at full augmentation for instance)... and the kill ratio in several large combat exercises was 200+ to one the F-22 is a fucking monster.
According to 18, maintenance and rejection was only a secondary concern (and looking at real-life examples, rejection can also be subject to the host) over long time. The real issue was that actually using the technology to strengthen rather then replace was a long way off.
tshouryuu
2008-08-20, 10:30
Well, the Numbers and Nakajima sisters have to be genetically modified but Kia might be genetically already predisposed towards cyborgnization... Unless it is completely impossible to have someone naturally take to cyborg implants?
"Weaker" in terms of combat power is not the problem there. The main issue with pre-Scaglietti cyborg designs was rejection by host and constant maintainance requirements. Watch the explaination in ep18 again for details. No amount of modifications will solve the compatibility issue. Oh I see. Kia was selected because of a perfect storm of genetic factors which made the experiment a success... Being O blood type was a plus, being slightly haemophiliac was another and she took anti-clotting agents back then. Genetically receptive of cybernetics. I mean, most medical advancements do come from accidents. :p
She was at risk from recurrent infection, but the scientists did try to save their specimens, Kia managed to pull through until her immune system was replaced with an artificial one that mitigated the problem a little. She still needs anti-clotting agents, but its easily obtainable, so she was technically out of the woods.
In time, medications and treatment advanced, but by then many others died of auto-immune complications before this advancement.
I'd have to say your comparison is off in several ways. One, the capabilities of those jets are quite far apart from most reports. Second, given the time gap, it's more like comparing the P-51 to the F-22.Oops. :p
But really, Kia's capabilities at magic is rather minimal compared to the other cyborgs. She need anti-gravity drives to fly, using magic hurts her, and she runs out quickly. While her magical power output is tremendous thanks to her lineage, she cannot process mana from the atmosphere as efficiently as a normal person, her mana pool depletes very quickly and has to be wound up in an emergency.
Not to mention her carrying of Kha irreversibly damaged her already weakened Linker Core... You know how a fetus drains its mother...
But what she lacks in strength, she makes up for it with brains. This is Kia's strength.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-20, 10:38
As I recall one F-22 pilot compared fighting F-16s and F-15s to clubbing baby seals (and the F-18 is not better in fact a fully loaded F-22 is probably faster without burners then an empty F-18 at full augmentation for instance)... and the kill ratio in several large combat exercises was 200+ to one the F-22 is a fucking monster.
And they were doing their goddamned best to stack it in the favor of everyone BUT the F-22. Enemy planes 'respawning' so to speak after being killed, thirty-to-one odds... The F-22 has all the advantages in its field. It sees you first, is faster than you, manuevers better than you... it chooses the fight, and then kills you. The F-22 is also the only jet that has a thrust to weight ratio greater than 1.0. And for those who don't know what the fork that means. It means it can point straight up and accellerate until it runs out of atmosphere. No other jet can do that. So it doesn't even have to behave on the typical rules of Speed For Altitude like other jets.
It's just NOT FAIR (to anyone else.)... And that's the way we like it.
One could say the F-22 Raptor is HAXX! :D
And they were doing their goddamned best to stack it in the favor of everyone BUT the F-22. Enemy planes 'respawning' so to speak after being killed, thirty-to-one odds... The F-22 has all the advantages in its field. It sees you first, is faster than you, manuevers better than you... it chooses the fight, and then kills you. The F-22 is also the only jet that has a thrust to weight ratio greater than 1.0. And for those who don't know what the fork that means. It means it can point straight up and accellerate until it runs out of atmosphere. No other jet can do that. So it doesn't even have to behave on the typical rules of Speed For Altitude like other jets.
It's just NOT FAIR (to anyone else.)... And that's the way we like it.
One could say the F-22 Raptor is HAXX! :DKia hover-dashed down a block into the next alley, pressing herself into the wall as bullets tore up the concrete anew. She was panting hard as she let the magazine in her bolter fall free. With some effort, she heaved a fresh one in.
She flopped onto the wall, catching her breath after firing that century salvo of Sagitta Magica arrows. Even though she quickly regained it, magically she knew she was doing no much better than the flesh-and-blood mages supporting her platoon with ranged bombardment.
"Darn it... Even in dreadnaught armor, I still have to use so many cartridges..."
She looked across the road to her child Zwei, watching her peak out, fire from her hips, dart back, run up a wall and onto the roof, all boosted by magical flash moves, all in 1 breath.
As her sisters covered Zwei's flanking move, Kia smirked grimly. "I'm really outdated..."
While her magical power output is tremendous thanks to her lineage,
her mana pool depletes very quickly
You're gonna have to explain this one to me. The only way I can see tremendous output depleting quickly is either she's using heavy magic attacks or she's magically "leaky".
You're gonna have to explain this one to me. The only way I can see tremendous output depleting quickly is either she's using heavy magic attacks or she's magically "leaky".
I think what he is trying to say he is thanks to her l33t Cyborg lineage, she can "overdrive" her magical output to a great degree, but she then suffers from overload/tires and can't use much magic for a while.
Big gun but few ammos.
But that's only voluntarily using big attacks. What's preventing her from using lighter attacks if it suits the situation? The way Kha wrote it, it's like every little attack drains tons of mana. That doesn't seem to make sense.
Comartemis
2008-08-20, 13:45
I interpreted that line as meaning that Kia is inefficient at processing mana or wasteful at using it. Say for instance that you elevated her to Nanoha's level for a moment and had them both perform Divine Buster; despite being equals in power and skill in this hypothetical situation, Kia would have to spend more mana to get the same results Nanoha does out of Divine Buster. Now apply this mana waste to all of her spells at her normal level.
Or, to look at it another way: envision the usage of magic as being similar to pumping water through a fire hose. Kia's hose has holes in it that cause her to waste mana every time she uses magic.
Evangelion Xgouki
2008-08-20, 15:28
YES! REVEL IN IT'S SCENT!!!! XD
If it's anything like Ota-funk...no thanks :rolleyes:
For the record, I play Blood Angels.
Yeah, I get the rough idea of your plans. To sum it up easily, you guys are bringing 40K into the Nanoha universe while I'm bringing Nanoha into the 40K universe. :)
My project is currently set in the Great Crusade era, when the Imperium was still young and expanding its borders. Suzumiya Haruhi is very much in control as the Empress of the Imperium, while her henchmen like Kyon are assisting her. Hayate, Nanoha and Fate are serving as Primarchs of Space Marine Legions that are at the forefront of the crusade. There are more characters such as Shana, Konata and Lelouch involved as Primarchs, but I rather not get into that for now.
Yagami Hayate: 1st Legion, Dark Angels (Hayate herself is a Dark Angel in a very real sense.)
Takamachi Nanoha: 3rd Legion, Empress' Children (Shooty force, fits Nanoha's style)
Fate-T-Harlaown: 9th Legion, Blood Angels (Fast assault and melee oriented, fits Fate's style)
As of now, I've finished the 1st edition of the overall storyline and I am about to do a revision. At the same time, I've started a story about Kyon getting into trouble and Fate arriving with her Blood Angels to save his ass from the fire. Eventually, there should be a Codex with Legion rules for use on the tabletop, but that is still far away for now.
At least now I see the problem...I could not in all honesty claim my project as a Nanoha project since it does involve additional characters from other anime series. The Nanoha characters are important, but they revolve around the storyline rather than having the storyline revolve around them, just like the majority of the other characters in my project.
Regardless, I am glad to find people with similar thinking out here. Many think that anime and 40K should not mix. I think a combination of both sounds fun. Good luck in your project, and should we ever have a chance for a collaboration in the future, I would be happy to help. :D
Ah yes. I think I remember reading a few chapters of this at one point. Pretty well written though might have been better if I actually knew stuff about 40K :heh:
I'd suggest you call it an OC project, Julius, what with all the ports and expies. God knows, we do that all the time - hell, my OCs, the Order of Freelance Mages, feature a Cybuster ref, a Gespenst ref, 2 Weiss Ritter refs, an Alt ref, and...
Master Chief. And Johnson. Ported over. As senior NCOs. (Yes, Chief has his armor). Oh, and Halo guns. Lots of guns.
That said, I've always been fairly indifferent to 40k; it's just not really my thing. And in fact I get very annoyed at Keroko and Kha when they go over the top and try to drag 40k into Nanoha.
Basically, all of us have various timelines and projects we're working on. Kha's is the most blatantly chock-full of 40k refs (heck, he turned the nice, liberal, peace-loving Saint Church into the 2nd coming of the Inquisition). Then again, as stormturmoil has said, there are stuff that comes out of insane asylums is sane compared to the Khrack that kha puts out. The Khrack is so powerful, it's stronger than LSD or crack cocaine.
All of us have different plans. Task Force 6, my fic in progress, is a remix of StrikerS with more tactical thinking and more Delta Force and investigative action (I was marathoning The Unit and NCIS before starting planning for TF6). Kha's plans.... go nowhere. He has great ideas but keeps on changing his mind the next day, once the urges leave him (aka he shoots his load and is then satisfied). Ghaz is working on a resurrected Riot Force 6 with Belkarangers and DELICIOUS YURI. Can't remember what Satty is wriitng. Kagerou gave the OFM to me and is working on the Black Order, TK's working on The Unsung War, which is where the TSAB begins to get more competant (though that's because the pratagonists are being led by Lt. General Jack O'Neil - yes, THAT O'Neil, deadpan snarker and alien fighter), Tempest is writing something about TSAB MArines, I think...
...that reminds me, I have plans of porting over Uruz team, sans mecha, as new recruits for the OFM...
...nevermind. Mao's beer tab would bankcrupt the Order.
Hey, what about the glorious Kamen Riders? :p
As I recall one F-22 pilot compared fighting F-16s and F-15s to clubbing baby seals (and the F-18 is not better in fact a fully loaded F-22 is probably faster without burners then an empty F-18 at full augmentation for instance)... and the kill ratio in several large combat exercises was 200+ to one the F-22 is a fucking monster.
Well, it is called the Raptor... :uhoh:
Yeah I was rushing an example; Kia was exhausted from firing 100 Accel Shooter like shots at one go.
I was thinking in video game terms: Kia knows high level spells with significant damage and/or effects, and has a large mana pool, but a very slow mana regeneration rate. She'd literally go out of mana firing her high level spells repeatedly.
But Jimmy is right, she can, and usually does, use lighter spells that cost less MP situationally. It's just that as the only "mage" of the Black Templars, when they need a high MP spell only she has it. And firing it too often, she'd run dry.
If this is any comparison, think of how Saber coped with Shiro being unable to supply mana. She had a big mana store, but a lack of mana resupply. That's how firing the Excalibur completely drained her.
Like Saber, Kia's copes by pre-charging outside battles, usually by hooking herself up to the Midchildan power supply when she sleeps and technically runs on "magic batteries" because her natural regeneration is abysmal.
If she runs out of mana in combat, she can be quickly recharged by another mage, and this is done by two ways: the first is Voluntary Mana Transfer, and involves winding her up. Her Inherent Equipment has a tertiary mode that is functionally a clockwork key. It plugs into an access point on her "backpack", and is directly connected to her mana batteries. The assisting mage then turns the key while focusing mana into it; insert screwing jokes here. And Aurion doesn't disappoint. :p
The second method, Forced Mana Transfer, is basically that of a vampire. The Impaler moniker again anyone? :uhoh: However, Kia knows that openly acting like a vampire will earn her the ire of the Inquisition, and so she keeps it as an ace up her sleeve.
Of course, this tedious recharging method is absent in modern variants of cyborgs!
Thanks for making me think harder; Now I got more things to write in her combat data. :D
Aaron008R
2008-08-20, 23:58
Quoted from Merchandise thread...
*grabs Keroko and shakes Keroko wildly!!!*
@___@
Keroko!!! Look at Nanoha's 4th player colors in MBA!!! @____@
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3527/kerokoyu2.png
Looks familiar, no?! @________@
EXPROZION! :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-21, 00:04
EXPROZION! :eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
R5lqz1TmRLI
Next?
Ottocycle
2008-08-21, 00:21
While being a big thing, it's not exactly unexpected. I'm sure Keroko-chan art had started to make it's rounds around the internet, and reached the makers of that game. And thereafter, it's a colour palette issue as usual, I presume?
Not to pour cold water on Kha, but this is a doujin game, you know?
Guys:
I have been Itching to do this but sadly Work and well everything else was keeping me out of tune with my inner madman.
Well i Finally found time to let him out a bit- and lookie, he gave me something to ponder about.
To Those who were not in OCC, this is what I call a Skill/Spell Evaluation- basically, I Lay down a Skill/Spell and what it does (a V 1.0 or Beta Version) and you guys check the power level, what to add and to remove to tone it down. I then use this "Optimized Skill" for one of several OCs that i'm working on.
This is my first OCT Skill/Spell Evaluation so I decided to dish out some Skills that may seem a bit overpowered or crazy- but not so specialized that i need to dish out an OC just to relate.
Well, here goes...
MegaloMax:
An extended charge beam shot almost akin to Divine Buster, but as the beam is within the proximity of the target, it splits into 10 beams with 1/10th destructive power for each beam but with a wide explosion radius per beam. The angles of the splitting beams can be varied to put up a "wall of explosions" before anything. This is commonly used to try and block shots or any approaching enemy, or give a wide enough devastation area to confuse/damage (slightly though) enemies caught in the area. AMF can affect the radius of explosions.
Warp Shot:
A rather complex Beam-Type spell that is dependent on any free matter (debris) that it hits. It starts out as a rather weak beam when fired but gradually gains and loses strength depending on how much of the target is torn off (target debris) or whatever free objects are there (just debris). When the Beam hits, it does three things- Asides from the usual beam damage, whatever debris is thrown up by the hit- may it be shattered pieces of armor, torn BJ sections or worse, body parts gets "absorbed" or "sucked in" into a sort of black hole for a moment and then explodes on site. Part of the energy created in the process is collected by the Engine and the Railgun to power up the next shot- which has slightly (about +1/75 increase estimate) bigger effects than the last shot- range, damage, radius of singular explosions- theoretically the shots can get insanely powerful as long as debris get hit, sucked in and explode- but the Engine acts as the limiter- so only shots equivalent to a DB-X are the maximum. The major drawback though is that the "gathered strength" of the beam quickly weakens (about -1/20 estimate) if not fired or it does not "consume" anything.
Strato-Tunnel:
A Personal/Massed Movement spell unique to users of Certain Armor Devices, such as the Trigger Hearts and Force Fairies. This is basically opening a tunnel in two locations within the same airspace (actually within the same planet's airspace), one some distance above the caster's head and another at a known location at the safe altitude- usually above 5000ft. The, while the tunnel is open, anyone on those two locations can move to travel to the other side, traveling in pseudo-voidspace- sometimes, battles can occur in the tunnel but normally the force of the tunnel opening on the other side is enough to deter anyone from entering for the vital first few seconds. Only the crossing of the tunnel opener will close it- and hence the last to go in, unless said opener is knocked out or wills the tunnel be closed. Once in the tunnel space, any uneventful closure of the openings is easily resolved by opening another opening- though the exit point is anywhere in between the original tunnel's opening points. The appearance of units rising up into the opening gave the skill its name.
I fear that Shou for once will harisen me for this
*flees*
PS: to those in OCC that Evaluated these skills- if i posted them, please repost your replies please.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-21, 02:50
I'm feeling particularly mean tonight... And just off random chat inspiration... I thought of a simple, but extremely powerful spell that could be as destructive as Arc-En-Ciel, but in a small area.
GATE of RA
This spell, lurking somewhere in the pages of The Book of Darkness, is what you could call, an insane attack. Instead of huge artillery mana spells, or anything like that, it is part summoning, part transport spell... It opens a temporary gate... but there's a small twist.
It opens a gate directly to the nearest star.
The resulting hell it unleashes incinerates everything within the collumn of stellar matter that erupts from the gateway. Compared to any other mage spell, it's an unfathomable magnitude because it could be rated in megatons/sec.
Rein Eins thought the spell so dangerous even with her fouled up viewpoint, that it was locked away in the deepest corner of her OS long before she came into Hayate's hands....
Just watch this and place the staff outside the beam of death, and replace the satellite with giant spell circle opening a gate to the sun.
3dsCfrRwLlY
In terms of Difficulty, the spell is powerful, but also very hard to control. It takes a mage of Hayate's Caliber to get it started, and then focus for the duration of the attack to keep the stellar eruption coming out of the gate from following it's natural course of action and detonating outwards instead of containing it in an upwards 'beam'.
Thussly, Hayate cannot really use 'Gate Of Ra' unless she's Unisoned with Reinforce Zwei, well protected from any attack, and reletively 'fresh' into battle.
Difficulty also increases or decreases depending on the distance to the nearest star. On most earthlike or Mid-childan worlds, the difficulty is more or less the same in this aspect.
The spell is called from the pages as thus:
"Spirits of the heavens, the stars that shine.
Call down your might at my plea.
Cleanse my vision with blinding light.
I BID YOU OPEN!
GATE OF RA!!!!"
If you hear that, you better check the ground below you and hope you don't see a very large Belken pattern etched over the landscape... or you're going to find yourself sweating...baking...frying...and disintigrating. :heh:
((It's even more crazy because Hayate's skill seems to revolve more around cold and ice than stellar doom.))
Silvance
2008-08-21, 03:33
Chapter 3: Friends or Foes
In the royal capital of Aldia, Oplenios. The Aldian King was discussing his kingdom’s current situation. As usual he made contact with his subordinate through videoconference. He was discussing the advancement of their current projects with the 9th Lance, Versa Crew.
“How’s the situation so far?” the king asked.
“The progress that they’re making is slower than expected.” Versa Crew answered.
“It will probably take at least two to four months for it to be completed. It may also cause delays on their return here in Aldia,” he nodded.
“Recreating that thing is harder than I expected. Even with all of the resources and manpower that we poured into this project, its still not enough to speedup its development, ” stated by the Aldian king.
“Twenty years of excavation and research to revive the ancient artifact and another thirty years to create the necessary equipments to make it fully operational.” The Aldian king gritted his teeth due his frustration over the matter.
“I’m aware that you are starting to get impatient, my lord…But only a few more months and it’ll be completed, ” Versa replied.
“That’s not the only reason why I’m agitated right now, Versa!” the king shouted as he slammed his hand against his throne which caused it be thrown out of its original place.
“Elgrad Lowren was abducted when he went to the Vealar Research Facility yesterday!”
The king exclaimed. Versa lightly pulled his body back after hearing the roar of the king.
“Elgrad? The one in charged of the production of…” Before Versa could finish his statement, the king yelled out “Yes, that very same man!”
“He is one of the major researchers that is part of the Sigma Project!” the king yelled out. “If he falls into the TSAB‘s hands; it could cause a lot of complications for us.
“Hmmm…so you want us to locate and retrieve him?” Versa asked.
While the two were in a middle of their discussion, the King received an urgent transmission. As the King opened the line, the commander of the knights that he sent to investigate the issue regarding the intrusion reported his findings. The knight stated that he and his team had found the intruders. He nervously reported that it wasn‘t just one or two people that they had found. He and his team located an entire ship hiding near the mountain ranges around the borders of Aldia. When the knight sent the image of the ship that was mentioned, the king ordered his intelligence council to analyze it immediately. Unfortunately, the ship in question was not in their databanks at all.
“Stay low for now and observe the situation. Report any changes right away,” the king commanded.
“My lord, could it be…” Versa uttered.
“Perhaps…we will know soon enough,” the king responded.
The Aldian king then turned around and looked back. He then gave his orders to his subordinates.
“Mobilize our forces that are near the area. Since XIII and VII are close to the location, have them assist on the retrieval of the researcher and the documents as well,” The king commanded.
“Prioritize the rescue of Elgrad. You may dispose of him if the retrieval process proves to be difficult,” the king declared.
After hearing the orders given to them, all of the king’s subordinates bid their king farwell and ceased all transmissions with him.
Versa stood up and prepared to organize the forces needed. One of his subordinates who was listening curiously asked…
“Is the king sure about this? The intruders may have been the TSAB”
“Whoever they are, they entered our territory and was heavily armed. Furthermore, they abducted an Aldian citizen. I think we have the obligation to go after them,” Versa replied.
“But what if a war breaks out for sure this time between us and the TSAB?” Versa’s subordinate worriedly asked.
“Hmph!”
“We already had several skirmishes with those mongrels all over the place anyway. Even if we don’t make a big move right now, war is still inevitable in the end…Besides, the more TSAB mages gathers, the better it is for us,” Versa exclaimed as he exited the room with a psychotic grin on his face.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in Fenice City, a day had already passed since Asclei and Lanos’ encounter with Fate and Teana.
“Asclei! Did you hear about the orders just now?” Lanos quickly asked after intruding into Asclei’s office.
“I just did.” Asclei responded while sitting on his chair with a cup of chocolate milk on his hands.
Lanos walked slowly towards Asclei’s desk and remained standing.
“What do we do? From the image that we saw, that ship was without a doubt the Varuna.” Lanos asked while placing his hand on his chin.
“It would seem so.” Asclei nodded
“So, did you find out anything?” Asclei asked as he turned to the corner of the room near the bookshelves.
A black figure emerged from the shadow of the shelf. As the black cloth-like figure dissolved in midair, a black haired swordsman with blue eyes appeared and immediately knelt down.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz245/Fate_T_Harlaown/Fanfic/Scan10034sr.jpg
“Asclei-sama, the TSAB craft, Varuna seemed to have ceased functioning several hours ago.”
Asclei crossed his arms and listened intently.
“After investigating the matter along with Drake and the others, we found out that the cause may have been a data chip that had a virus implanted in it as a security measure.”
“Ah…could it be” Lanos gasped
“Yeah. Those two did took a few things with them to serve as physical evidences. That’s probably the cause…” Asclei scratched his cheek.
Asclei then looked towards the swordsman’s direction.
“Did you report this to Skryed?”
“Yes. He informed me which virus might have infected the systems of the ship. He also gave me instructions on how to deal with it.”
“I see. As a shadow crosser, you should be able to infiltrate the ship without being noticed. Will you take up the troublesome task, Shanon?” Asclei asked the swordsman.
“I’ll be honored to do so, my lord,” Shanon replied.
“I’ll explain the details of the plan right now so listen carefully.” Asclei stood up and a screen appeared in midair with detailed maps over the region where the Varuna was stranded.
Ten minutes had passed and the mission briefing was over and Shanon disappeared in the shadows. Lanos in the other hand decided to stay at Asclei’s office until the time of departure comes.
Lanos, who was sitting in the sofa in Asclei’s office stretched his arms. He seemed bored since he had nothing else to do.
“Geez, this is boring. I guess I might as well read something until then.”
Lanos opened his hand, a small sized tornado formed on top of his palms. As the tornado disappeared, a book suddenly appeared.
Asclei saw it and he was impressed. Lanos never had any interest in reading books before so it was a rare sight for him.
“For once, you are changing for the better.” Asclei smiled with his eyes closed and with those words on his mind.
Lanos then opened the book which revealed a hollow area and pulled out a magazine that was hidden in it.
As Lanos turned back to return to the sofa, Asclei caught a glimpse of the cover of the magazine.
“I take back what I just said!” Asclei thought to himself as he placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head.
He didn’t know if he should call Lanos stupid or just brilliant.
“What’s this? reading a lingerie magazine before a mission?” he asked.
“Well, I have a free time right now don’t I? I might as well decide which ones I should get.” Lanos responded with an innocent, angelic smile.
“Oh dear god!” Asclei gasped from what he just heard.
“I knew this was going to happen sooner or later!” Asclei turned his head away from Lanos’ direction and pretending to wipe away his non-existent tears.
“Keep it down. I can’t think properly.”
Lanos crossed his arms while looking intently at the lingerie magazine that he laid down on the table.
“Just don’t wear it on top of your head while I’m around” Asclei exclaimed
“Oh no! Its not for me.” Lanos answered back.
“Its for Tea-chan!” Lanos declared with an angelic smile.
Lanos stood up and raised the magazine with both of his hands as if he was a priest that’s holding a bible during a mass.
“Eh?” Asclei was dumbfounded. Although his response was simple, his expression
shows just how greatly stupefied he was.
“Lanos…I’ll make sure to pick up your bones later on…”
“That’s just cold” Lanos cried out.
“I‘m just saying that you shouldn‘t get too excited over this. Those mages sees us as their enemies after all.” Asclei said as he stood up from his chair and refilled his cup.
As Asclei took a sip of his drink, he noticed a change in Lanos’ expression.
“What is it? You seem kind of down this time.” The concerned Asclei asked.
“I was just thinking that it’d be nice if we could permanently leave our posts here in Aldia. That way, we can befriend the TSAB and fight side by side with Tea-chan and her comrades.” Lanos cried out laughingly.
“Don’t say that.” Asclei protested.
“We worked hard to reach our current positions to this day. Not to mention, we have sacrificed far too much to earn the king‘s trust. Furthermore, its far too early to abandon our tasks as spies for Albion since there are several things that needs to be investigated within the kingdom itself.”
Asclei looked like he recalled several detestable memories from his past. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.
“It’s not like I enjoy being a Kings Lance either. If I could leave immediately, I would do so; however, if we leave now, who would provide any classified information to our comrades?” Asclei clenched his fist.
Silence and a heavy atmosphere covered the room.
“I was just kidding. You’re way too serious sometimes,” Lanos said while forcing a laugh.
“I’m quite well aware that as members of the King’s Lance, we managed to get a hold of a lot of information that saved the lives of others including our Albion comrades.”
Lanos also recalled that because of them, Albion still exist.
All of a sudden, the two knights heard a knock in the door. A lower rank knight informed Asclei and Lanos that the operation will begin shortly. The two of them were to engage the enemy forces along with the several units assembled for the operation.
“Autoarms, armored vehicles, the ground forces, and Aldian knights…this is way too much for just a rescue mission,”
Lanos turned his head back at Asclei’s direction as if he was expecting an immediate
response from him.
“If the retrieval of the targets proves to be difficult, just destroy the entire ship…is what his highness is saying, huh?” Asclei uttered.
“We’ll proceed according to plan.“ Asclei said with sharp, cold eyes.
“Roger that,” Lanos responded.
Asclei made his way to the exit and Lanos followed him right after. The two knights that was guarding the room lowered their heads and wished their two commanders the best of luck in the battlefield.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asclei and Lanos finally left their base at Fenice. Along with several knights, armored vehicles and infantries, they made their way towards Varuna‘s location.
“You know, it’d be really convenient if we’re allowed to bring our own ships. It saves us the trouble of flying.” Lanos complained.
“It can’t be helped. Seleina is under maintenance right now. You’re beloved Agrona is a ground mobile fortress. It can’t possibly pass through the mountains on the way to Varuna‘s location. Besides, its too slow” Asclei replied.
“This sucks…” Lanos shouted. He looked like a complaining spoiled child.
While they were on their way, Asclei and Lanos received an urgent transmission from the squad that arrived earlier in the frontlines. They were asking for immediate support. In response, Lanos and Asclei made haste and went ahead. As they approached the area, they saw several explosions all over the place.
“Whoa~ It’s been a quite a while since we ‘ve been in a war zone,” Lanos said while smiling.
“Its like were watching some fireworks. Don’t you agree, Asclei?”
Lanos looked at Asclei’s direction and waited for his answer.
“Watch out!” Asclei yelled.
Just a second after Asclei gave out a warning, a large sword extended suddenly towards their direction. Asclei and Lanos managed to avoid it on time but several artillery units of their forces were not as lucky as them. Then all of a sudden, someone appeared above Asclei and carried out a vertical slash. Asclei drew out Silvance to defend himself from the incoming attack. Fate in her sonic form appeared before him once again.
“Sorry but I cannot let you proceed any further than this.” Fate said to Asclei in a serious tone of voice.
She was like a lioness who was ready to defend her lair to her death.
While blocking the two swords in front of him, Asclei pushed Silvance against the Riot Blades with monstrous strength, causing Fate to back away immediately. As a result, the distance between the two lengthened.
“To think that we‘d meet again under these circumstances…” Asclei said in a calmed voice.
Fate didn’t reply but an irritated look was present on her face. She then raised Bardiche and prepared to carry out another attack.
Lanos in the other hand floated silently as he observed the two from afar.
“Uwaah, the atmosphere is kind of intense over there.” Lanos thought to himself with a carefree look on his face.
As he levitated facing Asclei and Fate‘s direction, Lanos felt something was approaching him. To defend himself, Lanos cast one of his defensive spells, Aero Shield. The spell created a sphere of wind surrounding him which blocked eight shooting spells at the same time. As he looked at the direction where the projectiles came from, he saw Teana who was aiming Cross Mirage at him. Lanos was delighted to see her. Teana in the other hand showed utmost hostility towards her opponent.
“It seems that you didn’t had enough last night!” Teana shouted in a sarcastic tone of voice.
Lanos looked away and covered his mouth with his right hand as he blushed as if hiding his embarrassment.
In a shy manner, he replied, “I’m grateful you came for me.”
With his left index finger, Lanos started making circles in midair which generated rings of wind as he blushed.
“I’d be sad if I’m the only one who didn’t have a partner. I hope you mess me up well this time too!” Lanos uttered embarrassingly.
Teana’s right eyebrow twitched after she heard Lanos’ response. Without waiting any further, Teana prepared another multishot spell. Lanos flew further away from Asclei and Fate’s battlefield while avoiding the shooting spells that charged at him.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/Scan10035sr.jpg
Lanos then cast Royal Mist which generated a thick mist behind him in an attempt to prevent anyone from observing his battle against Teana. He then followed by casting Wind Cutter which homed to his adversary, who was a few meters ahead of him. As the Wind Cutters approached Teana, each one was shot down by her Shoot Barret F. The collision of the spells created numerous explosions as a result. Suddenly, a blast of wind in a linear form passed through the explosions and hit Teana directly; however, it turned out to be a silhouette.
Teana then appeared behind Lanos with the help of her spell, Flash Move.
“Dagger Blade!” Teana commanded.
With the device in her left hand, she carried out a horizontal slash.
Lanos saw the incoming attack and responded to it by creating a barrier; however, his defensive spell was split apart by Teana’s attack.
“The blade has anti-field properties!?” Lanos gasped as he jumped back.
Teana then immediately shoot at Lanos. This time, it was only a single projectile. As the knight prepared himself to avoid the attack, the projectile suddenly dispersed into multiple homing magical rays.
“Huwaaa!” Lanos’ jaw dropped for a moment and his eyes twitched from what he just saw.
“Seems like avoiding all of those will be difficult…” Lanos smiled.
“Valnir!” Lanos commanded
“Salvius Mode,” the gauntlet responded
A cyclone surrounded Lano’s right arm. It was twelve inch in diameter and about six foot in length. Lanos then stroke his arm when the rays were almost near him. The intense wind that came with it destroyed all the magic rays in a single blow. The cyclone remained in the knights arm and started to enclose. With his arm elevated diagonally, the cyclone surrounding it suddenly burst, revealing a large flat blade at the tip of the gauntlet and two smaller ones at the side of it.
“No way.” Teana was astonished.
Lanos prepared to dash towards Teana but he smelled something that was burning. When he looked around, he noticed that there’s a smoke coming out of Valnir.
“Holy shi-!” Lanos shouted as he flapped his right arm up and down.
“Valnir! Switch back to Bracer Mode,” Lanos ordered his device.
“Damn those maintenance staff! Not doing their job properly!” Lanos cursed.
As he looked back to Teana‘s direction, he saw more shooting spells headed towards him. Lanos avoided each Crossfire Shoot with ease.
“Air Glide” Lanos shouted.
A gust of wind surrounded him and disappeared completely. Without warning he appeared behind Teana. With his left arm, Lanos held her tightly, preventing Teana from moving her left arm. She couldn’t use her right hand either since Lanos had a firm grip on her wrist.
“I apologize, if I’m being rude, but I just want to minimize both of our injuries as much as possible.” Lanos whispered to Teana’s ears.
“With that said, let me hug…” Lanos stopped midway and coughed.
“I-I mean, let me restrain you for the time being,” Lanos uttered.
Teana remained silent. Her bangs covered her eyes making her current expression unknown.
“Are? Is it just me or your temperature is somewhat higher than a normal person?” Lanos asked.
“Burst Silhouette!”
A voice from afar was heard.
“Eh? Bust Silhoutte?” Lanos uttered while tilting his head.
The Teana that he held in front of him suddenly emitted a blinding light.
“KABOOM!”
The loud explosion shocked everyone near the area. It was even more disturbing since no one could tell what‘s going on within the mist.
When the large smoke slowly faded, Teana saw Lanos’ faint figure. The perverted knight managed to survive the explosion.
“That sure was a shocking experience” Lanos said in a low voice.
“To think I fell into a trap…again…” Lanos uttered with a sad look on his face.
“Well, at least I get to hug Tea-chan! Even if it was a silhouette, the body proportions were still based from the original,” Lanos cheered himself up.
“DAMN! If that was the case, I should’ve done more…like this…and that,” Lanos started to fantasize, unaware of his excessive salivation.
Teana in the other hand stayed afloat while looking at Lanos. “He’s still standing?!” Teana said to herself.
“The Burst Silhouette’s destructive ability is comparable to Stardust Blazer…To think he managed to survive it is just…”
Teana started to have doubts whether she could really defeat Lanos. She then shook her head and attempted to have a more positive outlook.
“Huwah! I almost lost myself in there. Concentrate Lanos! This isn’t the time to be fantasizing,” Lanos told himself.
He then lightly brushed off the remaining smoke with his right hand. The strong wind that came from Lanos’ single stroke blew away the remaining smoke around him. He then placed both of his arms in his waist and held his head up. Lanos’ expression showed no hostility. Instead, his face and his posture clearly stated what was on his mind which was…
“Hah! I‘m still alive! It would take more than that to shoot me down!”
Teana then responded by glaring at Lanos. The knight felt a sudden cold breeze hitting his spine due to the intense glare that was coming from Teana. Although she didn’t say anything, Lanos could tell that Teana’s response to him was, “For now.”
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/LanosVS.jpg
Teana then continued the battle by using Crossfire Shoot. Fourteen magic spheres were produced and homed directly to Lanos. The perverted knight in the other hand avoided the first four projectiles by diving down. As he descended, he used Wind Cutter which destroyed the other ten magic spheres that followed him.
As the smoke from the explosions vanished, Lanos sensed three TSAB mages that were approaching the area in a higher altitude. He responded by using his magic array as a stepping stone and jumped with all of his might.
“Aero Blast!” Lanos commanded.
A blast of wind was unleashed as a result. The spell looked like Nanoha’s Divine Buster but was wind based and much faster. The three mages evaded the spell but were blown off from their flight path due to the violent winds that surrounded the Aero Blast.
When they gained control of themselves, Lanos appeared above them and cast Wind Closure. All of a sudden, the three mages were engulfed by a sphere of wind individually. Each one of them was now confined in a sphere-like prison but was made of wind. The prison spell that Lanos cast looked like it was a ball that was spinning continuously.
One of the mages used several of his spells to destroy the prison from the inside. To his disappointment, each spell was shredded into smaller pieces before it even reached the walls of the prison spell. In addition, after taking the attack, the size of the prison became smaller than it used to.
“Be careful now. Each time the Wind Closure receives damage from the inside, it would shrink. Also, try not to forcefully ram against it. Even with your barrier jackets, by the time you reach the other side, you guys would be in your Minced-Meat Form,” Lanos said while crossing his arms and chuckled.
The mages felt humiliated. They intended to provide support to Teana but they ended up to be the ones needing it instead. Then all of a sudden countless projectiles hit all three prison spells from the outside; however, the wind still destroyed the shooting spells with ease.
“Now, now, Tea-chan. You need something stronger than that in order to break my spell. Then again, if you use a powerful shooting spell like the one you used last night, I doubt your comrades will be able to come out unharmed,” Lanos uttered while giving a saint-like smile.
Teana glared at Lanos upon hearing his words. She then started to think of a way to free the captured mages.
“Anti-prison shooting spells doesn’t work. I can’t use the Dagger Blade either since the winds surrounding the prison will just shred my arms to pieces before the tip of the blade even reach its walls…” Teana gritted her teeth.
Seeing the concerned look on Teana’s face, Lanos knew that Teana was thinking of a way to rescue her comrades.
“…You are too kind…”
Lanos stated in a serious tone of voice. His facial expressions had changed as well. He looked mature than his usual childish expressions.
“Listen Tea-chan. It might be okay to worry about others when facing an average Aldian Knight. In your level , it would turn out fine; however, against a King’s Lance, it’s better if you detach yourself from everything else. Otherwise, it might lead to your own death.”
Teana clenched her fist from what she just heard. What Lanos said might be true but she couldn’t just couldn’t leave her comrades alone.
Teana continued the battle by casting another set of Crossfire Shoot. Eighteen projectiles appeared and made their way towards her adversary. Lanos managed to avoid all of it on time but when he looked over where Teana was at earlier, he couldn’t find a trace of her. He also couldn’t sense her presence due to Teana’s spell, Optic Hide EX Plus.
Lanos then finally sensed his opponent’s presence in one of the mountain ranges. Teana was taking cover behind a huge boulder and aiming at Lanos with a bombardment spell being charged. The magic particles that were part of Teana’s spells earlier were being absorbed by the one that she’s casting currently.
“If I cannot break the prison spell by force , then I’ll just have to knock out its caster to disable it,” Teana murmured while she was casting her spell.
“Magic signature…is increasing rapidly…this is bigger than anything before….”
Lanos stated nervously.
As he clenched his teeth, Lanos analyzed the situation that he’s in.
“Judging from the scale of the used mana being absorbed in the environment and adding the possible amount that is being drained from her as well, the area of effect must be devastating as well,” Lanos said with a serious look on his face.
“Evading it would be hard if I don’t know how much area her spell would cover. If I charge at her in the other hand, it would take considerable amount of time for me to reach her. She would be done casting that monster-of-a-spell by then. If that is the case…then I only have one choice”
Lanos raised his right arm. Green particles started to gather around his fingertips. Violent winds started to surround him. Its like he was in the eye of a hurricane. The trees below them started to waver as if a powerful storm was about to come. As seconds passed by, the intensity of the winds started to increase even more. Countless trees were being uprooted by the powerful winds. Many TSAB mages who were on the area struggled to keep themselves balanced and being blown away. However, the intensity of the winds started to decrease. Lanos stopped casting the spell when he saw Teana switched targets. Teana was now facing Varuna’s direction. It would seem that Aldia’s airborne and ground units managed to break through Varuna’s last line of defense. Before the enemy forces managed to get close enough, Teana decided to intercept the enemy units.
“Zenryoku…zenkai…“ Teana uttered in a low and calm voice.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz245/Fate_T_Harlaown/Fanfic/sr-1.jpg
“STARLIGHT BREAKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Teana shouted.
A blinding light covered the entire mountain where she was at. The ground was carved out by the attack. The spell did not only destroy the airborne units, but Aldia’s ground forces as well. Some Aldian knights managed to get out of the way on time since they were far from its line of fire; however, the infantries on the ground couldn’t due to their incapability of flying or using magic at all. Several Tanks desperately tried to dodge the attack but they were maddeningly slow to the point where its operators left, and ran for their own lives. Lanos was speechless from what he saw. The bright light that covered the battlefield made Lanos consider if he should bring sunglasses the next time he fights Teana.
“Hey! Asclei, you still alive?” Lanos spoke telepathically.
“Rest assured, the blonde and I are far from its line of fire,“ Asclei replied.
“That’s good to hear,” Lanos replied in relief.
“For the love of god! TSAB women are vicious!!! They may look endearing but they have thorns all over them! I guess Sierra is not alone in this world after all…” Lanos shouted.
“Lanos, can we speak about such matters some other time? I‘m quite busy here,” Asclei replied while suppressing his anger.
“Oh, sorry, good luck with her. Just make sure not to stare at her underwear for too long. After all, its a fearful device that causes mass distraction!” Lanos responded while chuckling perversely.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz245/Fate_T_Harlaown/Fanfic/o_O-1.jpg
“I’d really appreciate it if you stop putting me in the same group as you,“ Asclei answered back.
After Asclei uttered his last words, he ceased communication with Lanos.
Meanwhile, Fate and Asclei stopped and looked behind them. The two stayed levitated and gazed at the damaged that the Starlight Breaker dealt.
“So you ended up using it, Teana…” Fate uttered with a worried look on her face.
With his calm voice, Asclei murmured, “Impressive… a collective-type bombardment spell.”
“That girl did well; however, she should work on keeping the magic particles of her spell close together to make her attack more concentrated.” Asclei commented.
Fate then turned around and faced Asclei directly.
“You don’t seem to be concerned about your partner…” Fate asked curiously
“I was talking to him just now and he seemed fine.” Asclei cheerfully responded to Fate’s question.
“If we were easily killed by something like that, then the two of us would‘ve died a long time ago,“ Asclei stated while scratching his cheek.
“…So you’re saying that you’ve faced opponents much more threatening than us?”
“Perhaps…” Asclei lightly smiled once more.
A complete silence dominated the atmosphere between the two.
Fate was bothered of the fact that Asclei wasn’t intimidated even after seeing the destructive power of the Starlight Breaker. Fate then raised Bardiche in an offensive stance; Asclei did the same. The two resumed their battle. Fate and Asclei charged at one another and exchanged blows which produced shockwaves each time their blades collided. Asclei overwhelmed Fate in close combat during their battle. Each time Silvance clashed against Bardiche, Fate always had to focus her strength on her hands to prevent her device from being blown away. Even with the Riot Form, Fate still couldn’t carry out a successful blow against Asclei. She felt restless. For the first time, she encountered an opponent that surpassed her in swordsmanship and in speed.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz245/Fate_T_Harlaown/Fanfic/Scan10010ed-1.jpg
“His physical strength is truly unfathomable. Is he even human? Even my defensive spells doesn’t last long against his strikes,” Fate said to herself while breathing heavily.
“Regardless of the gap between our strengths, I cannot back down…not until Varuna’s system are recovered.”
Fate gritted her teeth.
Asclei in the other hand was closing in to Fate’s position. He was like a hound that was chasing after his prey, ready to rip it apart.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz245/Fate_T_Harlaown/Fanfic/Scan10002ed.jpg
Fate responded by using Blitz Rush to get close to her adversary. She then followed with a diagonal slash with her left blade but Asclei blocked it with Silvance. Fate then thrust her other blade on her right hand, but Asclei evaded it by moving slightly to his right.
Asclei responded by making a horizontal slash but Fate avoided the attack and countered by casting Trident Lancer. Eight projectiles appeared, and flew towards Asclei, but every single one of it was deflected. After seeing what happened, Fate immediately gave her command.
“Turn!”
All eight projectiles then turned around, and came after Asclei once more. When he sensed the projectiles charging at him for the second time, Asclei turned around and prepared to avoid it. However, midway before the projectiles reached him, Fate gave out another command.
“Break!”
Each of the eight Trident Lancers entered a magic circle, and split into three smaller ones. Asclei was caught off guard, there were a total of twenty-four projectiles this time. Asclei gritted his teeth. He then spun his sword which created a giant fan, and swung it in every direction which deflected all of the projectiles, and caused them to blow up.
The smoke that was generated by the explosion hindered Asclei‘s vision. Without warning, Fate appeared to his left. Before she could land her cross slash to her opponent, Asclei swiftly carried out a vertical slash.
“Lightning Crest!” Silvance articulated.
A crescent-shaped wave of lightning was generated and made its way towards Fate; however, she managed to avoid it on time. A few seconds later, Fate heard explosions from the direction where the Lightning Crest went. When she looked behind her, she saw several Aldian airborne units crashing down to the ground. When Fate looked back to Asclei, his face didn’t show any signs of shock or regret regarding the results of his actions. Fate started to wondered whether the attack just now was really aimed at her in the first place.
The eight units that managed to avoid the Lightning Crest in the other hand were still headed towards Fate’s direction. The units started to fire rapidly with its beam armaments, but Fate avoided each one with ease. When the units reached Fate’s range, She suddenly jumped between the first two units and slashed them in half. Fate then threw her left blade towards another unit which stabbed and grappled it. She then followed by throwing her other blade towards another one that was close enough to her. With her hands on the extended rope-like structure that connected the two Riot Blades, Fate jumped and pulled the two units and rammed them against the other four aerial units. All eight of them were immediately destroyed within ten seconds. The rope-like structure that Fate held on to suddenly started to shorten which pulled both of the Riot Blades back to her.
Out of the blue, several missiles came crashing down to Fate. To protect herself, Fate immediately created a barrier which surrounded her completely. As each missiles hit her defensive spell, Fate noticed that her barrier‘s durability was starting to diminish.
“My barrier is weakening?” Fate said to herself as she troublingly held on to her spell.
The bombardment of the long range artillery units from the ground didn‘t stop. They kept on launching barrage of attacks against Fate which kept her on the defensive. Fate couldn’t counterattack either since the explosions and its aftershocks pinned her down too.
It was hard to see due to the explosions, but Fate managed to get a glimpse of a large black artillery vehicle that had a large-size cannon mounted on it. The vehicle in question, launched its attack against Fate. One single shot pushed Fate away from her original position. Thankfully, Fate still had her barrier active. However, she was already at her limits. It was only a matter of time until the enemy fire would penetrate her defensive spell.
“Type-B MNA Class, Anti-mage missiles and Anti-barrier artillery shells” Asclei gasped
“Heee~ So they’re using this opportunity to test the effectiveness of their new toys…” Asclei uttered.
“I’m quite surprised that woman’s barrier didn‘t break immediately after the first shot…”
“Whatever the case is, the situation doesn’t look good...”
As Asclei pondered, the black vehicle launched its second attack. Fate‘s barrier had been penetrated successfully. Before the shell hit her, Fate used Jacket Purge which created an explosion. Fate immediately flew downwards diagonally from inside the smoke. She managed to lessen the damage that she suffered through the explosion that the Jacket Purge created. When Fate landed on the ground, the force of the impact created a crater on the surface of the land. When the smoke faded, Fate was kneeling down with her swords planted into the ground. She was breathing heavier than before. All of a sudden, Asclei appeared behind her and carried out a horizontal slash. His figure seemed like an executioner who was about to cut off the head of the person in front of him. Fate used the Blitz Rush immediately to avoid the attack and Asclei jumped back right away when his blow was avoided. A second later, the missiles from the artillery units crashed to the area where Fate was present earlier. Fate couldn’t help but felt like something was amiss. Asclei in the other hand remained standing on one of the branches of a tree and pondered.
“That attack just now… They were definitely aiming at me as well. Olsen, that bastard. Does he intend to get rid of me and the blonde at the same time?”
“Greedy fat cunt. I bet Versa promised him a promotion in exchange for his cooperation…”
Asclei angrily muttered to himself.
“Asclei-sama, as expected several Aldian forces had left their posts in Meldon base to provide back up over there. The 11th and 8th lance also left their posts just as planned. We will proceed to stage three in a few moments.” A deep manly voice sounded into Asclei’s head.
“Make sure to rescue the TSAB officials that were captured as well while you‘re at it, Drake.” Asclei demanded.
“As you wish, my lord.” the transmission ceased immediately.
While being a big thing, it's not exactly unexpected. I'm sure Keroko-chan art had started to make it's rounds around the internet, and reached the makers of that game. And thereafter, it's a colour palette issue as usual, I presume?
Not to pour cold water on Kha, but this is a doujin game, you know?Good art is good, and will travel. I too believe its a coincidence of palatte, but changing her hair as well... blew me waaay over. :p
But if they made this palatte after being inspired by Keroko art... :bow::bow::bow:
I understand that long ago, no worries humbug! Now I'm actually justified to keep my hands cross for a 4 player Musou game to have a Kha-colored Archer. :D
GATE of RA
This spell, lurking somewhere in the pages of The Book of Darkness, is what you could call, an insane attack. Instead of huge artillery mana spells, or anything like that, it is part summoning, part transport spell... It opens a temporary gate... but there's a small twist.
It opens a gate directly to the nearest star.
The resulting hell it unleashes incinerates everything within the collumn of stellar matter that erupts from the gateway. Compared to any other mage spell, it's an unfathomable magnitude because it could be rated in megatons/sec.
Rein Eins thought the spell so dangerous even with her fouled up viewpoint, that it was locked away in the deepest corner of her OS long before she came into Hayate's hands....
Just watch this and place the staff outside the beam of death, and replace the satellite with giant spell circle opening a gate to the sun.
3dsCfrRwLlY
In terms of Difficulty, the spell is powerful, but also very hard to control. It takes a mage of Hayate's Caliber to get it started, and then focus for the duration of the attack to keep the stellar eruption coming out of the gate from following it's natural course of action and detonating outwards instead of containing it in an upwards 'beam'.
Thussly, Hayate cannot really use 'Gate Of Ra' unless she's Unisoned with Reinforce Zwei, well protected from any attack, and reletively 'fresh' into battle.
Difficulty also increases or decreases depending on the distance to the nearest star. On most earthlike or Mid-childan worlds, the difficulty is more or less the same in this aspect.
The spell is called from the pages as thus:
"Spirits of the heavens, the stars that shine.
Call down your might at my plea.
Cleanse my vision with blinding light.
I BID YOU OPEN!
GATE OF RA!!!!"
If you hear that, you better check the ground below you and hope you don't see a very large Belken pattern etched over the landscape... or you're going to find yourself sweating...baking...frying...and disintigrating. :heh:
((It's even more crazy because Hayate's skill seems to revolve more around cold and ice than stellar doom.))Wow, take about instant incineration. This could even burn through a Titan!
Too bad Hayate is an Ice specialist. But, let's recall her firebrand, shadow-slinging twin sister. :uhoh:...
"...I bid you, OPEN!"
The Kreuz of Belka stretch across the roiling clouded sky, burning etches of flame as hellish forces raged against the cracking portal. An orc tripped over his mate and scrambled for safety; it was all xenos for themselves. But Sophia paid no heed; instead, she relished her next few words...
"GATE OF RA!"
*Anita has claimed Gate of Ra as Sophia's own*
:eyespin::eyespin::eyespin:
Its been quite a while since I've submitted another work. Also due to SSX, I'll probably have to make some minor changes in my fanfic. Anyway, I'll set that issue aside for now and post the 2nd chapter of my work.
魔道騎士雷アスクレイ
Madou Kishi Ikazuchi Asclei
BGM (http://www.supload.com/music/----ringtone-download-6WOBBUY1DORJ.html)
Chapter 2: Clash of the Lightnings
After knocking out several soldiers who were guarding the facility, Fate and Teana made it out and headed directly to Varuna as fast as they could. As they make their way through the mountainous area, a powerful blast of wind suddenly hit Teana which knocked her off her flight path. To make it worse, Optic Hide EX Plus was disabled after she received the attack.. Fate was about to go down to the ground to help Teana; however, someone suddenly attacked her but she managed to block the sword with Bardiche. As she gaze at the one who made the attack, she saw a man with black hair and red eyes…he was carrying a zweihander class sword but it was shorter compared to the Zanber Form. As she prepared to use lightning bind to get the researcher out of the way, another blast of wind was on its away. Fate managed to avoid it with Blitz Rush. Another man made his appearance, this time his weapon was a gauntlet and a powerful gust was completely surrounding him. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were blue. Fate was at a disadvantage, not only she can’t defend herself properly while carrying the researcher; she can’t also fight in full force.
Teana called out to Fate as she flew back. Fate then decided to let go of the researcher while Teana catches him. At the same time, Fate used Trident Lancer which headed directly towards the two Aldian Knights. However, a powerful gust expanded in a sphere form which surrounded the two knights which prevented the Trident Lancer from hitting them. Suddenly the sword user appeared behind Fate and carried out a vertical slash but Fate blocked it. The sword user responded by kicking Fate in her left waist which caused Fate to be thrown off balance. However, Fate gathered her strength and used Blitz Rush again and carried out a Haken Slash. The slash hit the knight’s face which caused a burned cut in his left cheek.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/Scan10013sw.jpg
The sword user then responded by thrusting his blade towards Fate but she blocked it with Bardiche. However; the thrust was too strong. In addition, the lightning that was causing an immense light on the knight’s blade looked like a cannon that was about to fire. The immense light left the sword and headed towards Fate. Fate flew back immediately and blocked it with her field but it penetrated her defensive spell and made a direct hit and caused Fate to crash in the nearest mountain.
After leaving the unconscious researcher near a cliff, Teana intended to assist Fate but her hands were full. The knight with the gauntlet prevents her from giving Fate any assistance. The gauntlet user casted Wind Sickles which homed directly to Teana. Since avoiding it was hard, Teana responded by using Crossfire Shoot which shot down all the wind sickles. The collision between the two spells created an explosion. The gauntlet user then took the opportunity and dashed directly to the fading smoke and saw a faint figure inside. Then, a powerful wind surrounded his gauntlet and punched the figure. It was a direct hit; however, he was surprised when he saw the figure dematerialized into smaller magical particles.
Gauntlet User: Wha! An illusion?
Then the gauntlet user sensed a powerful spell being casted. When he look around, he saw Teana casting her bombardment spell, Phantom Blazer. The problem he’s facing now is that he’s seeing 5 Teana that were surrounding him and casting the spell. Another illusion, the gauntlet user doesn’t know which the real one is. The gauntlet user then decided to use a wide range wind spell. It hit all 5 Teana’s but they were all silhouettes.
He then saw the real Teana was further above. He then realized that she used an invisible spell like the one earlier and used the silhouettes as a distraction while the real one is farther away and was out of his sight. While Teana was about to shoot her Star Dust Blazer (Upgrade version of Phantom Blazer), the gauntlet user responded by preparing an offensive spell but a shooting spell hit him from the back of his head. Teana casted Shoot Barret F ahead of time which homed to the gauntlet user while casting the her Star Dust Blazer. It was a direct hit. As he was falling, the gauntlet user was preparing to cast a defensive spell to defend himself from Teana’s Phantom Blazer. However, when he turned his head towards Teana who was in a higher altitude than him; he saw what was under her skirt which caused him to lose concentration. When he came to his senses, it was already too late. The bombardment spell was on its way. The spell made a direct hit which caused him to crash into the ground and created an explosion right after.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/Scan10011s.jpg
As the sword user levitates while looking at Fate on the ground, the huge explosion from the direction where his partner was fighting got his attention.
Sword User: *clenched his teeth* don’t tell me…Lanos…
Then he sensed Fate flying towards him again. Midway before she reaches the sword user, a sphere of lightning surrounded Fate. She then passed through it. Fate was now using her Shin Sonic Form and Bardiche Riot Form. Fate made an upward slash but the sword user avoided it by moving to his right slightly. Fate followed by making a horizontal slash but sword user avoided it again by moving back and farther away from Fate’s range; however, Fate suddenly combined both blades which created a larger blade and made a diagonal slash. The sword user parried the attack and countered but Fate avoided his slash by using Blitz Rush again. Fate then appeared behind the sword user and carried out a horizontal slash but the sword user avoided the attack by flying downwards. As he descends while facing Fate, he saw Trident Blades coming after him.
The sword user avoided and deflected several blades but when the last three were about to reach him, the blades suddenly exploded. The sword user flew out of the smoke and pointed his sword towards Fate who separated her sword into two again and used his shooting spell, Rail Shot. Fate deflected all the projectiles as she dashes full speed towards the sword user. When Fate reached him, she then used both of her swords at the same time to make a cross slash. The sword user blocked it again but Fate followed it with kick. When the kick was about to hit the sword user’s face, he suddenly moved his head to avoid it. Before Fate’s foot pass by completely on his head, the sword user grabbed it and threw Fate directly to ground. As Fate was falling, she casted Trident Lancer again but the sword user deflected all of it as he chases after Fate.
Fate then hit the ground on her foot which caused a big crater on the ground and jumped back immediately which caused her to avoid the sword user’s downward slash. She then proceeded by using Trident Smasher against the sword user who just landed on the ground. Unable to avoid it on time, the sword user stayed on the same spot and thrust his sword towards the middle part of the Trident Smasher. He pierced through the Trident Smasher which split it into multiple rays of light as it passed by him. Fate was astonished from what she saw.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/Scan10014s.jpg
The sword user was about to counterattack but a shooting spell was headed towards him. The sword user avoided it and looked at the direction where it came from. He then saw Teana who arrived on the scene.
Teana: Surrender at once! There is no way you can win against the two of us by
yourself!
The sword user lowered his blade and stayed silent while smiling which annoyed Teana a bit. Even though, he’s facing two opponents, he’s still composed and not threatened at all.
Fate: Where’s the other knight and the researcher, Teana?
Teana: I left the researcher in one of the trees near the cliff not too far from
here. I casted a bind to the other knight and left him in the place where
we fought.
Then a gust of wind appeared next to the sword user and Lanos arrived on the scene:
Lanos: That was so mean, leaving an injured man by himself. To make it worse, you just had to put to those binds on me. Geez, how long do you think it took me to get it off me *looks at the sword user* Sorry Asclei! She was better than I expected! She got me pretty well *laughs stupidly while scratching his head*
Asclei: *looks at Teana and sighed* I can pretty much imagine…
Teana was surprised to see Lanos who was supposed to be knocked out while Fate prepared herself for another combat.
Teana: How did y-
Fate: *stares silently towards Asclei and prepares to attack*
Before Fate and Teana could make other movements, the sword user, Asclei told them:
Asclei: Don’t you think this is enough? We have no intentions of fighting with you
two any further than this. We already achieved our own objective and
same goes for the two of you.
Fate: I agree. However, you two have seen us. I can’t just simply leave the
things the way they are! With that said, sorry but we’ll be taking you two
with us as well! Teana!!
Teana: Yes! Fate-san!
Asclei: *sigh* I guess it can’t be helped then.
Lanos: *I’d love to go with you ladies but….*
As Fate and Teana moved towards the two Aldian Knights, Asclei threw 4 lightning daggers into the ground which released an immense light.
Asclei: One more thing, it seems that the soldiers that you two knocked out was
found and started to wake up one by one. I’d leave this area immediately
if I were you.
As the light faded away, the Aldian Knights were nowhere to be found.
Teana: T-They’re…gone?! More importantly, Fate-san.
Fate: It didn’t’t seem like he was lying. Anyway, lets leave this area right away
and report everything once we get back to Varuna.
The two took the researcher with them and flew at top speed directly to Varuna.
Meanwhile…..
Asclei and Lanos were headed back to their headquarters.
Lanos: So Teana is her name <3….its Tea-chan then *laughs perversely*
Asclei: The battle just now was quite refreshing but to think that the first TSAB
Mages we would encounter were actually women. I guess the rumor was true.
Lanos: What rumor?
Asclei: *sigh* The rumor about TSAB’s top mages being made up of mostly women!
Lanos: REALLY?!!!! *cough*….Well, at least they were actually pretty strong…
*and pretty cute too….Tea-chan~*
Asclei: So? How was it?
Lanos: It was black! (while having laughing perversely)
Asclei: Not that! I’m talking about her combat capabilites!
Lanos: Eh? Oh, she ok.
Asclei: (that’s it?) *sigh*
Lanos: I also found out that the thing underneath those skirts are not just for a
show but are dangerous tactical equipment that can distract healthy
young beautiful men!
Besides, you also had a good look…didn’t you? (laughs perversely while
looking at Asclei)
Asclei: *sigh* Sorry but I wasn’t paying attention. Don’t put me in the same
group as you. At least we know now that TSAB have mages that can
actually match the King’s Lance. Maybe the others would change their minds
about the alliance.
Lanos: True but if only they had more mages like that, the Aldian army wouldn’t have
crossed the borders of Orthia so easily.
Asclei: Rest assured. According to Shanon, TSAB sent some of their best mages
and knights in Orthia. Drake also found out that TSAB has dispatched a
SS ranked mage and will arrive in Orthia in a few days or so.
Lanos: I see. I guess we don’t have to worry about Orthia being taken down
just yet. More importantly, I hope Shanon and Drake are going to be
okay by themselves.
Asclei: They’ll be fine. Despite of their limited magical capabilities, their
swordsmanship skills are more than enough to make up for it.
Lanos: More importantly. The soldiers in that facility must have notified the
headquarters by now. We must cover up that wound on your face right
away or else they’ll get suspicious on how you got a burned cut on your
cheek when you’re supposed to be doing some desk work.
Asclei: I guess so. *flashback* (so Fate was her name?….it can’t be…)
When the two saw the city walls, they began to descend and entered the City of Fenice which was the nearest city to the research facility. It was also the city where Asclei and Lanos were being stationed currently. The two snuck inside and returned to their posts. With the return of the real Asclei and Lanos, the ones that took their place while they were gone (subordinates that specialized in transformation spells) left immediately while avoiding being seen by others.
Here's some extra scenes as well:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/Scan10012s.jpg
Basically, this scene takes place a few days after Asclei and Lanos got "captured" and was able to form an alliance with TSAB.
1st Panel:
Asclei: "I am one of the Seven Arcs, a high commanding officer of Albion. I must refrain from acting according to my emotions. I must act cold and take matters seriously especially now that I am representing our organization.
2nd Panel:
Zafira: Even if Meister Hayate told me not to worry, I still dont trust this guy.
Those glaring eyes feels ominous already. I must keep an eye on him just
in case.
3rd Panel:
Asclei: "No matter how adorable this dog is in front of me....I must not show any
interest" is what I'd like to say but I can just pat his head as a
greeting...right! right!
Zafira: Whoa! what are you doing!
4th Panel:
Asclei: *looks around*
5th Panel:
a few minutes later
6th Panel:
Asclei: I've always wanted to keep a dog but since I move out a lot due to
missions and stuffs, I didn't really have the time to take care of one. You
have a nice fur too.
Zafira: (Ok, Ok, could you let go. Its been 5 minutes already. Also, I'm a wolf and
not a dog! Not to mention this is kind of disgusting for my part)
7th Panel:
Shari and Fate were looking for Asclei to let him know when the meeting is going to be held and saw a shocking scene when they finally found him.
Fate:...
Shari: My, my, this is a big scoop! To think that The Blood Hound of Aldia has this kind of side on him.
8th Panel:
He didn't realize right away since he was busy then Asclei finally sensed an awkward gaze from behind him.
Asclei: *Geh*
9th Panel:
Asclei: Umm...the dog looked sick so I was checking its condition. *Oh dear GOD!
how long have they been there?!*
Shari: Ara? We haven't said anything in particular yet though XD.
Fate: *laughs awkwardly* *is he really the person that I fought the other day.
His character seems broken for some reason....
This is Asclei using his Lightning Blade spell and Silvance Kryton Form. And yes, Asclei will not hesitate to kill his opponents if needed or whenever he snaps. BTW, the person further back is Lanos who is staying away from Asclei.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/Lantist/Artworks/Scan10004s.jpg
I'm not good at writing so just bear with my grammar if you could :heh:Wow. :p I don't quite know what, but it seems you keep jumping back and forth from present participative tense to past and back again. Made it a little hard to read. :p
However, the pictures certainly helped with the understanding, and Lanos is one lecher. I'm sure Artei'd love to share notes with him. :D
And Asclei has yet another similarity to Kha... Flirtacious wingman. :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
Silvance
2008-08-21, 05:37
Oh, shi-. I have the habit of changing tenses without realizing it. I will fix it once I get some sleep >_<
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-21, 05:37
Wow, take about instant incineration. This could even burn through a Titan!
Too bad Hayate is an Ice specialist. But, let's recall her firebrand, shadow-slinging twin sister. :uhoh:...
"...I bid you, OPEN!"
The Kreuz of Belka stretch across the roiling clouded sky, burning etches of flame as hellish forces raged against the cracking portal. An orc tripped over his mate and scrambled for safety; it was all xenos for themselves. But Sophia paid no heed; instead, she relished her next few words...
"GATE OF RA!"
:
Well, technically, there's no elemental affinity for this spell because you're not actually converting to any type of element or attacking with a particular element... you're just opening a gate between the target area, and the inside of the biggest nuclear reactor in the area and letting it vent..... yeah. That's it. Vent. :D
It's not OUR fault if opening a gateway between Mid-childa and the nearest star has the side effect of incinerating all in sight.
This just in:
The enemy this time is a mass production humanoid weapon called Mariage (sp?)
These are also known as corpse weapons, and indeed these weapons are artificial soldiers reanimated from corpses. They also self destruct when no longer capable of completing their mission.
The mariage are weapons revived from the ancient Belka era. They were used by the faction that opposes the Holy Belka Emperor to fight the Cradle
They have a control unit called Ixpellia, which, given Nanoha tradition is a little girl.Machine zombies of the Lost and the Damned... Chaos Belka Knight heretics opposing the Holy Belka Emperor...
As I said in the Music thread, and I'll shout it again:
7ARCS, STOP USING MY IDEAS!!! :frustrated::frustrated::frustrated:
...wait that's a good thing isn't it? :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
Reanimated people used as weapons are NOT 40k's doing!
ROBOCOP!
UNIVERSAL SOLDIER!
GUNGRAVE!
Do you even remember them?
Do they needed to borrow from Warhammer 40k? Why do you have to associate everything with 40k? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase!!!
Let me rephrase: It's not only 40K, but it's really the shock/joy/dismay that ideas I toyed with, which were considered borderline canon, ended up in canon. :p
Estavali
2008-08-21, 06:58
Sheba posted a link to a list of "Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions" on OCC and I thought the rest might like to have a look at it as well: http://www.sfwa.org/writing/worldbuilding1.htm.
Page 4 of this list is centred around "Magic and Magicians". There are a few that caught my eye, such as:
Does practicing magic have any detrimental effect on the magician (such as becoming addictive, fomenting insanity, or shortening life-span)? If so, is there any way to prevent these effects? Are the effects inevitable to all magicians, or do they affect only those with some sort of predisposition? Do they progress at the same rate in everyone? Are they universal in all species, or are some races (dwarves, elves, whoever) immune to these detrimental effects?
Can spells and/or magical items be used to increase the efficiency of manufacturing or mass production? Do businesses keep a wizard on retainer, as modern businesses might keep a lawyer or efficiency expert? What, exactly, are they paying for?
Is forensic magic possible? Commonly used? Used only for certain types of crimes (and if so, what)? Are the results of forensic spells admissible in court as evidence? Is it something any wizard can do, or do you have to specialize?
Are there separate civil and criminal courts? Human and non-human courts? Is there a separate court or procedure for magical crimes? What is different about each type of court? Are judges or other court officials required/forbidden to know magic? Is evidence obtained by magic acceptable in court? Is evidence obtained by magic considered more reliable or less reliable than physical evidence or eyewitness accounts?
Can magic be used in the arts, and if so, how -- paint that glows, pictures that move, flutes that play themselves, etc.? How do "normal" artists feel about this? Is there a separate branch of purely magical art, such as illusion?
How do local people view wizards? Are they good guys, bad guys, Clint Eastwood (call in only to get rid of dragons), regular working stiffs, ivory-tower academics, nuisances who make it rain when you're plowing, dangerous folks to stay away from?
Sheba posted a link to a list of "Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions" on OCC and I thought the rest might like to have a look at it as well: http://www.sfwa.org/writing/worldbuilding1.htm.
Page 4 of this list is centred around "Magic and Magicians". There are a few that caught my eye, such as:
Does practicing magic have any detrimental effect on the magician (such as becoming addictive, fomenting insanity, or shortening life-span)? If so, is there any way to prevent these effects? Are the effects inevitable to all magicians, or do they affect only those with some sort of predisposition? Do they progress at the same rate in everyone? Are they universal in all species, or are some races (dwarves, elves, whoever) immune to these detrimental effects?
Can spells and/or magical items be used to increase the efficiency of manufacturing or mass production? Do businesses keep a wizard on retainer, as modern businesses might keep a lawyer or efficiency expert? What, exactly, are they paying for?
Is forensic magic possible? Commonly used? Used only for certain types of crimes (and if so, what)? Are the results of forensic spells admissible in court as evidence? Is it something any wizard can do, or do you have to specialize?
Are there separate civil and criminal courts? Human and non-human courts? Is there a separate court or procedure for magical crimes? What is different about each type of court? Are judges or other court officials required/forbidden to know magic? Is evidence obtained by magic acceptable in court? Is evidence obtained by magic considered more reliable or less reliable than physical evidence or eyewitness accounts?
Can magic be used in the arts, and if so, how -- paint that glows, pictures that move, flutes that play themselves, etc.? How do "normal" artists feel about this? Is there a separate branch of purely magical art, such as illusion?
How do local people view wizards? Are they good guys, bad guys, Clint Eastwood (call in only to get rid of dragons), regular working stiffs, ivory-tower academics, nuisances who make it rain when you're plowing, dangerous folks to stay away from?
Yes that list is a good read. I had to stop, as if I continued I'd begin construction of a pet planet, and I've no time for yet another project! :upset:
Interestingly, when you compare Nanoha to this list, you realize how logical and structure it is. There's little variation beyond offensive and defensive magic. There's no Polymorph Person, no floating flutes, no drifting plant fixtures, no genies and faeries. Magicians are commonplace, and are accepted as one of the population, which means that anyone and everyone has a fairly good chance of being a mage.
That said, I believe the industrial aspects of Nanoha magic definitely fit in with the Real Mahou genre Nanoha represents, the other being either Super/Fantasy Mahou. Wow sounds like WH again.
Massproduction involving magic could mean larger volumes with greater accuracy, or just green industries that have a 0 carbon footprint.
Forensic magic is handy. I'm sure Fate knows how to wave a hand and make every print at the scene glow like a Xmas tree. Magic handling of evidence could mean accurate, 0 contamination and so ensure a fairer trial.
The rest of the points on judicial magic is rather intriguing. I can't say I know enough about it to comment, but it is thought provoking. This line comes to mind:
"Is evidence obtained by magic considered more reliable or less reliable than physical evidence or eyewitness accounts?"
Coersion? Magical alteration of the evidence? Is there a way to check if tampering has taken place? And my favorite, Teleport-jacking. How do you prevent evidence from literally getting snatched? After all, Sein could clean out an entire vault without triggering an alarm or breaking a wall.
Needless to say, Scaggy's Thirteen will make Danny Ocean look like a kid playing thief. :p
Comartemis
2008-08-21, 09:31
There's no Polymorph Person
Ahem.
*Points at the Lieze twins' physical change spell*
It's meant to allude to and substantiate Chao's "I'm an Alien from Mars!" claim, since it can refer to both Mars and Mars Sara. We know Chao loves telling the truth out of context. :D
So I noticed. :p
I believe that not even 100 years could completely destroy an enemy from within. Corruption was rife in the old days, the Church was a lame duck unlike now, and everything desperately needed cleaning up. But with the TSAB busy with its own problems at best and colluding with the Belka mafia at worst, the Church was trapped in a state not unlike the Elevens: powerless, suffering and without hope of progression.
corruption generally has a way of destroying itself or its host, but you're right, there is no reason to drop it just like that.
Sorry made a mental leap; It was meant to be a storm in the Dimensional Sea. TSAB analysts suggest on hindsight that Kia intended to fire a spell across several dimensions to destroy Skane's convoy, but the cannon malfunctioned, creating a dimensional distortion and a physical ion storm.
Okay then.
Did Kia make the jump, or did she fail? Kia says, "Yes I've gone back in time to change history but failed to do so. I later returned to the exact same time when I left, because that point of time was the time where the magic in the ruins was enough to bring me home!"
I'll pretend you never said that and avoid the headache.
Kha activated Kia while hacking through Jail's network with Sak-tan as his avatar. He was first obtaining the floor plans and anything of interest. He then stumbled upon a file of a cyborg that looked vaguely familiar. He dug deeper, turned up several blueprints, then attempted a soft boot of the cyborg, when Uno detected Sak-tan in the network. He retrieved Sak-tan, then bailed. Kha's intel about the general whereabouts of Jail's main lab helped Verossa narrow things down to that innocent-looking rock formation we see in canon.
When Uno went over the affected files, it seemed that Sak-tan practically left no tracks. At that time, she was trying to ready the facilities against possible incursion and speed up the Cradle's take-off, and so didn't spend much time as no file was lost. The fact was, that the soft boot had awakened Kia, who then caught onto Sak-tan's efforts and helped her escape and cover her tracks. She also made herself "snooze", and hence evaded Uno's scans.
When she woke up again, it was time for her revenge. Do note that in cyberspace, perception flows much faster than real time, so Kia had plenty of time to make test and execute her schemes from within.
Kha atempted to soft boot a slumbering Cyborg? His curiosity knows no bounds. :eyespin:
It's part of Jail's plans for a cyborg army forever bound to his dreams of power. Because as long as they hunger for battle, they have a higher chance of causing chaos, becoming sidelined, desperate and manipulatable by himself. He will always have power over them. Like the demons over the Orcs.
Jail generally dismisses such notions, however. Most of his Cyborgs are either as normal as human beings or in a few cases emotionless tools.
OK changed it. The Nakajima sisters are the Type-0 reference, while Kia is just the "comparative sample". And for those cyborgs without a "family", Kia took them in as her own. She claimed they were based off of her to the TSAB, and along with other excuses manipulated the situation to her benefit. As always. :D
Works for me.
Does this mean she'll have some 'romantic' encounters with some of the girls father?
How much Chao were you looking for? Kia felt that going back into the past to change a certain event would derail the torture that turned her into a robot, and relieve not just herself, but the many specimens who underwent and died from the experiments, of the curse of the etched magical circuits.
I did my best to portray Kia's Crusade against the Ecclesarchy as a progression from a selfish pursuit (seeking revenge) to a greater cause (freeing Belka from the festering corruption that felled the Empire 150 years ago).
At the same time, I crafted Kia as a cynical romantic, who for all her talk about the meaninglessness of ideals, about having sold her heart and soul to Science, has a shred of them very much alive in her.
*starts to brown from the grilling*
The profile was too short, nor was it the place, to capture Chao nicely. Sorry to have disappointed you. :(
I'm not really disapointed. I just expected a full Chao port the moment I saw her image, and I dreaded it. I mean, she's Kha's mother, but incorporating the Negima time traveling would wreak havoc on the lore. :eyespin: The small amount of winks with a hefty dose of original lore is a perfect balance.
The small amount of disapointment came because I like Chao. So a full port somewhat atracts me :p
While being a big thing, it's not exactly unexpected. I'm sure Keroko-chan art had started to make it's rounds around the internet, and reached the makers of that game. And thereafter, it's a colour palette issue as usual, I presume?
Not to pour cold water on Kha, but this is a doujin game, you know?
It's probably just coincidence, but I'm going to be beaming with pride if Keroko actually did inspire this color patern.
MegaloMax:
An extended charge beam shot almost akin to Divine Buster, but as the beam is within the proximity of the target, it splits into 10 beams with 1/10th destructive power for each beam but with a wide explosion radius per beam. The angles of the splitting beams can be varied to put up a "wall of explosions" before anything. This is commonly used to try and block shots or any approaching enemy, or give a wide enough devastation area to confuse/damage (slightly though) enemies caught in the area. AMF can affect the radius of explosions.
Question: What are the limits to blocking incoming attacks?
Warp Shot:
A rather complex Beam-Type spell that is dependent on any free matter (debris) that it hits. It starts out as a rather weak beam when fired but gradually gains and loses strength depending on how much of the target is torn off (target debris) or whatever free objects are there (just debris). When the Beam hits, it does three things- Asides from the usual beam damage, whatever debris is thrown up by the hit- may it be shattered pieces of armor, torn BJ sections or worse, body parts gets "absorbed" or "sucked in" into a sort of black hole for a moment and then explodes on site. Part of the energy created in the process is collected by the Engine and the Railgun to power up the next shot- which has slightly (about +1/75 increase estimate) bigger effects than the last shot- range, damage, radius of singular explosions- theoretically the shots can get insanely powerful as long as debris get hit, sucked in and explode- but the Engine acts as the limiter- so only shots equivalent to a DB-X are the maximum. The major drawback though is that the "gathered strength" of the beam quickly weakens (about -1/20 estimate) if not fired or it does not "consume" anything.
In my opinion, this spell sounds a bit too colateral for the TSAB. We agreed that Mass Based weaponry is okay if used with magic, but this spell functions like a frag mine. There is no control who gets hurt.
Strato-Tunnel:
A Personal/Massed Movement spell unique to users of Certain Armor Devices, such as the Trigger Hearts and Force Fairies. This is basically opening a tunnel in two locations within the same airspace (actually within the same planet's airspace), one some distance above the caster's head and another at a known location at the safe altitude- usually above 5000ft. The, while the tunnel is open, anyone on those two locations can move to travel to the other side, traveling in pseudo-voidspace- sometimes, battles can occur in the tunnel but normally the force of the tunnel opening on the other side is enough to deter anyone from entering for the vital first few seconds. Only the crossing of the tunnel opener will close it- and hence the last to go in, unless said opener is knocked out or wills the tunnel be closed. Once in the tunnel space, any uneventful closure of the openings is easily resolved by opening another opening- though the exit point is anywhere in between the original tunnel's opening points. The appearance of units rising up into the opening gave the skill its name.
A portal of sorts, right? Are enemies capable of crossing this portal?
I'm feeling particularly mean tonight... And just off random chat inspiration... I thought of a simple, but extremely powerful spell that could be as destructive as Arc-En-Ciel, but in a small area.
GATE of RA
This spell, lurking somewhere in the pages of The Book of Darkness, is what you could call, an insane attack. Instead of huge artillery mana spells, or anything like that, it is part summoning, part transport spell... It opens a temporary gate... but there's a small twist.
It opens a gate directly to the nearest star.
The resulting hell it unleashes incinerates everything within the collumn of stellar matter that erupts from the gateway. Compared to any other mage spell, it's an unfathomable magnitude because it could be rated in megatons/sec.
Rein Eins thought the spell so dangerous even with her fouled up viewpoint, that it was locked away in the deepest corner of her OS long before she came into Hayate's hands....
Just watch this and place the staff outside the beam of death, and replace the satellite with giant spell circle opening a gate to the sun.
3dsCfrRwLlY
In terms of Difficulty, the spell is powerful, but also very hard to control. It takes a mage of Hayate's Caliber to get it started, and then focus for the duration of the attack to keep the stellar eruption coming out of the gate from following it's natural course of action and detonating outwards instead of containing it in an upwards 'beam'.
Thussly, Hayate cannot really use 'Gate Of Ra' unless she's Unisoned with Reinforce Zwei, well protected from any attack, and reletively 'fresh' into battle.
Difficulty also increases or decreases depending on the distance to the nearest star. On most earthlike or Mid-childan worlds, the difficulty is more or less the same in this aspect.
The spell is called from the pages as thus:
"Spirits of the heavens, the stars that shine.
Call down your might at my plea.
Cleanse my vision with blinding light.
I BID YOU OPEN!
GATE OF RA!!!!"
If you hear that, you better check the ground below you and hope you don't see a very large Belken pattern etched over the landscape... or you're going to find yourself sweating...baking...frying...and disintigrating. :heh:
((It's even more crazy because Hayate's skill seems to revolve more around cold and ice than stellar doom.))
Ouch, sounds lethal, and rather interesting too. And its something egyptian instead of norse for a change. :p
Its been quite a while since I've submitted another work. Also due to SSX, I'll probably have to make some minor changes in my fanfic. Anyway, I'll set that issue aside for now and post the 2nd chapter of my work.
魔道騎士雷アスクレイ
Madou Kishi Ikazuchi Asclei
-snip-
I'm not good at writing so just bear with my grammar if you could :heh:
Teana love! It's been a while since the poor girl recieved some love. And with great drawings too, they really help to imagine the scenery. :D
Do they needed to borrow from Warhammer 40k? Why do you have to associate everything with 40k? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase!!!
Because we like to. We like to associate thinks in Nanoha with 40K. We've done it ever since this thread began, and we certainly aren't going to stop now. :p
Does practicing magic have any detrimental effect on the magician (such as becoming addictive, fomenting insanity, or shortening life-span)? If so, is there any way to prevent these effects? Are the effects inevitable to all magicians, or do they affect only those with some sort of predisposition? Do they progress at the same rate in everyone?
No more then regular sports do. Sporting can be all of the above too, if practiced with little caution and great risk.
Are they universal in all species, or are some races (dwarves, elves, whoever) immune to these detrimental effects?
Since we don't know of any species beyond humans and familiars, this question can't really be answered.
Can spells and/or magical items be used to increase the efficiency of manufacturing or mass production?
Just look at Jail, he was virtually alone yet managed to amass a grand army of drones. I'd say yes.
Do businesses keep a wizard on retainer, as modern businesses might keep a lawyer or efficiency expert? What, exactly, are they paying for?
Libabries and Archeologists have research mages, I wouldn't say its impossible for someone in a normal busines to have a mage as an employee for various reasons.
Is forensic magic possible? Commonly used? Used only for certain types of crimes (and if so, what)? Are the results of forensic spells admissible in court as evidence? Is it something any wizard can do, or do you have to specialize?
Unknown, but seeing how Mid is a magic society, highly likely.
Are there separate civil and criminal courts? Human and non-human courts? Is there a separate court or procedure for magical crimes? What is different about each type of court? Are judges or other court officials required/forbidden to know magic? Is evidence obtained by magic acceptable in court? Is evidence obtained by magic considered more reliable or less reliable than physical evidence or eyewitness accounts?
:eyespin: Whoa, deep questions. I honestly have no idea.
Can magic be used in the arts, and if so, how -- paint that glows, pictures that move, flutes that play themselves, etc.? How do "normal" artists feel about this? Is there a separate branch of purely magical art, such as illusion?
We already have seen a holo display in windows in a bathing chamber in StrikerS displaying various outside images. Whether this was magic or pure technology is debatable, but it very well could be.
How do local people view wizards? Are they good guys, bad guys, Clint Eastwood (call in only to get rid of dragons), regular working stiffs, ivory-tower academics, nuisances who make it rain when you're plowing, dangerous folks to stay away from?
As far as we've seen, mages are treated with no difference then non-mages on Mid.
RolePlay
2008-08-21, 10:07
So yeah like i said in irc i should be able to watch this anime pretty soon (sunday at earliest) so umm yeah hopefully it's as good as people make it out to be =^________________^=
So yeah like i said in irc i should be able to watch this anime pretty soon (sunday at earliest) so umm yeah hopefully it's as good as people make it out to be =^________________^=
A word of warning, Season 1 can be a bit... slow, so if you think its boring, skip ahead to A's and come back to Season 1 if you feel like it.
Because we like to. We like to associate thinks in Nanoha with 40K. We've done it ever since this thread began, and we certainly aren't going to stop now. :p
I like to think there are alternatives, there are people who would like to offer another kind of influence and frame of references, and show this to the newcomers. This is why I refuse to bend and yield to the diktat of 40k.
Some people has complained about the negative influence of BetrayerS on OCT, they need to look at OCT harder and realize that such diktat has already happened. :rolleyes:
Estavali
2008-08-21, 11:07
Just look at Jail, he was virtually alone yet managed to amass a grand army of drones. I'd say yes.
Though one does wonder if Jail did engage magical means to churn out his toys.
I think this question as well as this
Do businesses keep a wizard on retainer, as modern businesses might keep a lawyer or efficiency expert? What, exactly, are they paying for?
might strike a chord in the Shikyoku Soukai universe, where their equivalents for magi, the Dantists, generally put their talents to commercial uses. In Nanohaverse, we have seen magi as soldiers and cops, but how about as popular musicians or idols, architects or construction workers, teachers etc?
The Midchildan system is hailed for its flexibility in OCT at least, so I should think daily and commercial application of magical gifts should not be impossible =3.
As far as we've seen, mages are treated with no difference then non-mages on Mid.
Hmm, a thought. If magi on Mid are as rare as it sounds to me, then perhaps those who gets a chance to attend courses on magic would be considered as a kind of elite?
Hey Ghaz, I updated my OC page. Can you change it to this one (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=1602189&postcount=40)? Thanks Boss!
@Everyone: Do check out my OC list, under Saint Guard: Outer Cadians. Those who aren't already an OC (Keroko and me) and a CC (Erio and Fate) will make that cameo list. However, I'm imperfect at recalling names, and may have accidentally forgotten you. If your missed out, I'll add you immediately.
Ahem.
*Points at the Lieze twins' physical change spell*They can turn into cats? I don't remember that. :heh:
Even then, that's self-transformation. I meant forcibly turning someone into a crab or frog for a short period. :p
So I noticed. :p:nod:
I'll pretend you never said that and avoid the headache.What did I say, I wonder? :uhoh:
Kha atempted to soft boot a slumbering Cyborg? His curiosity knows no bounds. :eyespin:Curiosity is one, and a rampaging bot could help cover his escape. :heh:
Jail generally dismisses such notions, however. Most of his Cyborgs are either as normal as human beings or in a few cases emotionless tools.Hmm... Okay then the rationale behind the Bao Templars will change slightly, to a more altruistic one: the search, recovery and rehabilitation of other cyborgs. And later, the Counter-Mariage force.
Now what the heck does Mariage mean? Or is it Mariaage? :confused:
Works for me.
Does this mean she'll have some 'romantic' encounters with some of the girls father? Yes she has much 'romance' when she drops by, though its more like very subtle domestic violence. Because Jail is in TSAB custody, she can't exactly put the screws on slowly like she does her victims. However, I'm sure she's just biding her time. :uhoh:
I'm not really disapointed. I just expected a full Chao port the moment I saw her image, and I dreaded it. I mean, she's Kha's mother, but incorporating the Negima time traveling would wreak havoc on the lore. :eyespin: The small amount of winks with a hefty dose of original lore is a perfect balance.
The small amount of disapointment came because I like Chao. So a full port somewhat atracts me :pIn this case I really have to say, you can't have your cake and eat it. :heh:
It's probably just coincidence, but I'm going to be beaming with pride if Keroko actually did inspire this color patern.We're all behind you on that. :nod:
I like to think there are alternatives, there are people who would like to offer another kind of influence and frame of references, and show this to the newcomers. This is why I refuse to bend and yield to the diktat of 40k.
Some people has complained about the negative influence of BetrayerS on OCT, they need to look at OCT harder and realize that such diktat has already happened. :rolleyes:
You say that as if we hold a gun to peoples throat and say "40K or I'll blow your head off!"
Please don't use terms like diktat when we have never forced people to use our stuff before. It's highly inacurate, and quite frankly, insulting.
We don't force people to bend over and use our 40K references if they don't want to. If you think there are alternatives, by all means create stories with those alternative references. We won't stop you, heck, we'll even encourage you and help you if we're able to.
Though one does wonder if Jail did engage magical means to churn out his toys.
I think this question as well as this
He was using the Cradle, a giant magical warship. It's highly likely that he did.
might strike a chord in the Shikyoku Soukai universe, where their equivalents for magi, the Dantists, generally put their talents to commercial uses. In Nanohaverse, we have seen magi as soldiers and cops, but how about as popular musicians or idols, architects or construction workers, teachers etc?
Well, we've already seen that Docters, Archeologists and Librarians are possible. Concidering Vivio's teacher at her school teaches her magic as well, its likely that there are magic teachers as well.
Hmm, a thought. If magi on Mid are as rare as it sounds to me, then perhaps those who gets a chance to attend courses on magic would be considered as a kind of elite?
In my opinion, Mid Childa has a very high magic population, and a lot of its inhabitants are capable of using magic, how else would an entire population convert to becomming a magical society? Why else would they teach magic in schools? And we don't see mages and non mages acting any different way then normal people act around eachother.
They can turn into cats? I don't remember that. :heh:
Episode 13, when Hayate looks though he photo album.
What did I say, I wonder? :uhoh:
You hinted at an impossible time travel.
Yes she has much 'romance' when she drops by, though its more like very subtle domestic violence. Because Jail is in TSAB custody, she can't exactly put the screws on slowly like she does her victims. However, I'm sure she's just biding her time. :uhoh:
I meant Genya. :p
Comartemis
2008-08-21, 11:35
Some people has complained about the negative influence of BetrayerS on OCT, they need to look at OCT harder and realize that such diktat has already happened. :rolleyes:
The difference is that I'm not concerned about the Warhammer fans judging my work to be in poor quality because it's lacking in 40K-isms. The 40K crack is amusing at times but generally harmless and of no consequence to those who don't want to partake in it.
But if the BetrayerS fans start picking holes in my work because it "needs more Emo", I'm gonna start busting heads. :bash:
They can turn into cats? I don't remember that.
Presumably yes, being cat-type familiars and all. ;)
Episode 13, when Hayate looks though he photo album. Once again my patchy anime watching habit comes back and bites me. :/
You hinted at an impossible time travel.Huh? I did? I said that there's no concrete evidence of that happening. :p
I was being sarcastic! ^^;;;;;;;;;
I meant Genya. :pEh- eeeeeeh?! :twitch:
:uhoh:...
...:uhoh:...
In Before Dawn: Kia of the Crusade, Kia was "interested" in Genya, then an Investigating Officer overseeing her case and was the one who assigned Tou to her, and always comparing the annoying Probation Officer to him and Zest. Its through frequent meetings with Tou and Genya that she got to know Quint and Megane.
Post-StrikerS, she visits Megane often, and gets along with Lutecia as well. And she drops by the Nakajimas as well, and yes while she is still her mischievious self, she is somewhat gentler and respectful of Genya.
At the same time, she notices Nove is rather embarassed in Genya's presence, and wonders if its because of the imperfect Project F injection reacting. (WARNING: This is Nightcrack!) Nevertheless, she points it out to Nove in Genya's absence and encourages her to make her move, for her own happiness. The rest is cliche. :p
Trivia: All the Numbers address her with variations of Mother, from Sein's cute Kaa-chan to Cinque's old-world Haha-e (sp?).
However, the focus is actually on Aurion, who is a splitting image of Touareg. Kia doesn't show it (she even asked Kha to leave her alone with Tou's grave), but I'd think she really misses her husband. (Only problem is that it seems a little un-Chao. :p)
She copes by flirting with Aurion, who responds in kind, and completely blows Kha's mind off in the process. And she likes to take one event with Aurion out of context, which is the time he had to wind Kia up to charge her. And she makes it a point to knock Aurion off-center, but she hasn't succeeded yet. (:uhoh:)
A similar thing happens with Erio, since Erio is very similar to Kha when he was younger. I should go write that scenario of Kia's recovery, on waking up and finding that she was almost alone in the world, with many of her friends dead, and a son she could not recognize. Kha instructed Erio to go out with Kia for a day, without mention what reason, and I thinking I can work something fluffy out of this.
But... if only what I write look at least decent. :(
GATE of RA
Two questions: Is this gate going to be skywards pointing down or on the ground pointing up? Because your text switches from the first to the second later.
Next, this is an area devastation spell, why do you want to keep it confined? In fact, you can't keep it confined indefintely.
A star offers so many possibilities, the coronosphere is even hotter than the photosphere surface, but I'm not sure if the particle density is high enough to cause damage.
The photosphere has 6000C solar plasma and it gets hotter the deeper you go, and there's the radiation...
If you can open even a small gate 8 light minutes to the nearest star, there's a closer source of destruction you can tap. Magma from the planet's mantle. If you want hotter, you can go to the fluid outer core. All that's less than 10,000km below you.
In my opinion, Mid Childa has a very high magic population, and a lot of its inhabitants are capable of using magic, how else would an entire population convert to becomming a magical society?
Despite this, the Bureau has a chronic shortage of mages, why's that? And I'd be cautious about assuming that a majority of the population has magic, even if it's a level too low to be considered useful to the TSAB. In such a society, non-magic-capable people would be treated as handicapped or second-class at best. That's something we don't see in StrikerS.
Why else would they teach magic in schools?
We've only seen one that definitely teaches magic. We don't know if this is standard to all Mid schools. Also, it doesn't require a high precentage of mages in the population to make magic schools a worthwhile proposition. Even if only 1% out of Mid's population are mages, that's 10,000 out of every million people. A large city like Cranagan should have 10 times that, at least. Should be easy to fill magic schools, don't you think? Yet, it's only 1%.
Once again my patchy anime watching habit comes back and bites me.
Not to mention you forgot Arf and Zafira could do that well before the Liezes were shown doing that. In fact, I was surprised no one used them as examples for this.
Not to mention you forgot Arf and Zafira could do that well before the Liezes were shown doing that. In fact, I was surprised no one used them as examples for this.I think I need to add a qualifier: to your opponent.
IE, I turn you into a cute harmless rabbit for a while and capture you. TSAB's life would be so much easier if this was possible :p
Despite this, the Bureau has a chronic shortage of mages, why's that?
Several reasons. As you said, some simply won't be combat capable. Secondly, the bureau has a lot of ground to cover, and stations mages even on worlds with very low popularity (example in this case being Erio and Caro who go to a reserve) and third, not all mages necisarily join the military. Criminal mages nothwithstanding, there are also civilian mages.
And I'd be cautious about assuming that a majority of the population has magic, even if it's a level too low to be considered useful to the TSAB. In such a society, non-magic-capable people would be treated as handicapped or second-class at best. That's something we don't see in StrikerS.
I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. When I said 'high population' I didn't mean the majority. What I meant was somewhere around a 50/50 balance. Maybe around the 40% balance at the very least. I highly doubt mages are a huge minority. Why would Mid become a culture centered around the use of magic if only an extreme minority could use it?
We've only seen one that definitely teaches magic. We don't know if this is standard to all Mid schools. Also, it doesn't require a high precentage of mages in the population to make magic schools a worthwhile proposition. Even if only 1% out of Mid's population are mages, that's 10,000 out of every million people. A large city like Cranagan should have 10 times that, at least. Should be easy to fill magic schools, don't you think? Yet, it's only 1%.
True.
Not to mention you forgot Arf and Zafira could do that well before the Liezes were shown doing that. In fact, I was surprised no one used them as examples for this.
*shrug* I just wanted to point out the image of the Lieze twins in kitty form.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-21, 14:43
Two questions: Is this gate going to be skywards pointing down or on the ground pointing up? Because your text switches from the first to the second later.
Next, this is an area devastation spell, why do you want to keep it confined? In fact, you can't keep it confined indefintely.
A star offers so many possibilities, the coronosphere is even hotter than the photosphere surface, but I'm not sure if the particle density is high enough to cause damage.
The photosphere has 6000C solar plasma and it gets hotter the deeper you go, and there's the radiation...
If you can open even a small gate 8 light minutes to the nearest star, there's a closer source of destruction you can tap. Magma from the planet's mantle. If you want hotter, you can go to the fluid outer core. All that's less than 10,000km below you.
For question one: Ground Pointing up. If it were in the sky pointing down, it'd carve right through the planet.
For question two: Uh... do you have the slightest incling of the explosive force that would be produced if it were allowed to simply blast outwards? This is super high energy plasma that's getting freed from gravitational pressurization that causes fusion at the center of the stellar body. This would be entertaining if Hayate opened a Gate of Ra and nuked her ass the moment the link was established. We're talking BIG nuking... remember how much energy a simple Solar Flare has. You want to make sure that's pointing into the sky.
Now, as for magma... well, it wouldn't be Gate of RA if we didn't call down the Sun God now would it? :D But I'm sure we can make a Gate of Apep that unleashes coils of Lava from the underworld. ;) Less awsome firepower, but still awsome firepower.
What I meant was somewhere around a 50/50 balance. Maybe around the 40% balance at the very least.
When you're talking about humans and a trait as defining as the ability to use magic, that's not balance at all. To me anyway. I'm at the end of the day, so details will have to wait.
Why would Mid become a culture centered around the use of magic if only an extreme minority could use it?
I stand by my assertions that Mid can harness magic artificially without mages. It explains many features in the series and makes the use of magic-powered system available to non-mages.
Secondly, the bureau has a lot of ground to cover, and stations mages even on worlds with very low popularity (example in this case being Erio and Caro who go to a reserve)
A point from SSM3, they volunteered to go there. Erio mentions the Bureau has trouble finding agents willing to accept such remote assignments.
Ground Pointing up. If it were in the sky pointing down, it'd carve right through the planet.
Please, you'd need a gate several kilometers across to funnel enough plasma to do something like that quickly. At best, you'd get a really deep hole with a gate tens of meters across.
Since you mention it'll be shooting upwards, what kind of targets are you thinking of using this against?
This is super high energy plasma that's getting freed from gravitational pressurization that causes fusion at the center of the stellar body.
You don't need to grab from the core, you know. Not to mention, disturbances at that depth could cause noticable instability in the star. Even the top kilometer of the photosphere contains more than adequate power to wreak havoc on a ground tactical scale. Always think of efficient ways of getting what you want.
I'm sure we can make a Gate of Apep that unleashes coils of Lava from the underworld.
Good, now do you see the possibilities of gating in your attacks instead of producing them yourself?
You can do the Rift Generator attack by opening a gate into space. Then, you can do a water attack by opening a gate into the ocean depths.
When you're talking about humans and a trait as defining as the ability to use magic, that's not balance at all. To me anyway. I'm at the end of the day, so details will have to wait.
*tilts head* I'll wait then, I don't fully understand what you're trying to say. :heh:
I stand by my assertions that Mid can harness magic artificially without mages. It explains many features in the series and makes the use of magic-powered system available to non-mages.
Harnesing it yes, from what we've seen its the most comonly used energy source. but non-mages obviously can't use magic the way mages can, meaning you leave anything that involves weaponry, combat and security in the hands of a small minority. If that minority was not so small at all, it would be easier to swallow.
A point from SSM3, they volunteered to go there. Erio mentions the Bureau has trouble finding agents willing to accept such remote assignments.
Ah, I didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out. Still, it doesn't really change my point: The TSAB has a lot of ground to cover.
You don't need to grab from the core, you know. Not to mention, disturbances at that depth could cause noticable instability in the star. Even the top kilometer of the photosphere contains more than adequate power to wreak havoc on a ground tactical scale. Always think of efficient ways of getting what you want.
Just grab from the Corona if you want extreme heat and damage. The photosphere is around 5000 C if I remember correctly. The Corona around one to three million. And since its outside the photosphere, its only excess energy you're taking, and closer to boot.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-21, 15:35
Please, you'd need a gate several kilometers across to funnel enough plasma to do something like that quickly. At best, you'd get a really deep hole with a gate tens of meters across.
Since you mention it'll be shooting upwards, what kind of targets are you thinking of using this against?
Well, it's about the size of Hayate's other big-nasties. Se we're talking a few hundred meters across. That's enough to flash bake anyone caught in it.
Now, it'll be shooting upwards, but the gate appears on the ground. So the targets would be, anyone on the ground, and anyone above it. Generally, everyone. After all, the thing erupts more or less like a beam. So once it's open you're not going to outrun the energy discharge, especially the heat.
You don't need to grab from the core, you know. Not to mention, disturbances at that depth could cause noticable instability in the star. Even the top kilometer of the photosphere contains more than adequate power to wreak havoc on a ground tactical scale. Always think of efficient ways of getting what you want.
You misunderstand. The entire star is under high pressure from a few kilometers down onwards. The whole stellar body is PLASMA reigned in by gravity and heats under the force of compression and fusion. The density and pressure in a star is not too outlandish even at mid or near-surface levels to produce a tremendous explosive shockwave. Hell, the heating of the atmosphere alone from the energy coming through the gate could cause a nuclear shockwave if it's not contained in a collumn. The gate opens a gravity free vent. The first thing the plasma's going to do is... "OH LOOK! FOLLOW ME!"
This is not about the spell being efficient, it's about it being mother-sucking insane and powerful... and dangerous. (Rein sealed it away in the corner of her mind and Hayate only randomly finds it in her magic book.) One could say that it's a spell produced by one of Rein's previous masters... and he wasn't quite... sane.
Now, disturbances ... instability in a star? Are you thinking about that? There are only two forces of any considerable nature in a star. Gravity, pulling everything to the center, and the fusion reaction in the core, trying to explode outward. The whole thing is a giant disturbance. It can't destablize like so many science fiction freaks want you to believe... No. You open a hole, some plasma will jet out, and everything around will just fill it in because it's a high density fluid being crushed inwards by gravitational force.
Good, now do you see the possibilities of gating in your attacks instead of producing them yourself?
??? You squakin at me? YOU SQUAKIN AT ME? No seriously, are you making some point from a previous conversation I didn't take part of?
You can do the Rift Generator attack by opening a gate into space. Then, you can do a water attack by opening a gate into the ocean depths.
I don't feel like quoting. But I'll say my piece one last time over what I don't like about the 40k's "hegemony". At one point in this thread, and recently in IRC (mainly because of the SSX bits), one man have been forcing the 40k down people's throats. He won't stop. He admit that he have gone overboard at times. To the point that a couple of people have been facepalming, and some have started to cringe whenever the two numbers and the one letter are brought about.
People, mostly those from the other side, who you call miltakus, have voiced their opinions, mostly not favorable, about it. One even asked for some moderation. But that one basically received the "lol stfu" treatment.
So then SSX came, and as IRC folks has witnessed it, it was chanting about 40kism and Chaos nonsense all over. To the point it felt tactless, bordering on gloating.
There are so much that one can take. And I made it clear to him that I am not going to let him brainwash the two numbers and one letter in me. I enjoy this thread and the channel because I could exchange ideas with people from different horizons, with different frames of references. The most delicious being those related to judaism and mythologies. Sure, 40k and HOTBLOOD are all the rage in this thread. But, you know, a little moderation is not bad either.
What I ask is a little moderation, and maybe a slightly different look on things.
Comartemis
2008-08-21, 19:29
I don't feel like quoting. But I'll say my piece one last time over what I don't like about the 40k's "hegemony". At one point in this thread, and recently in IRC (mainly because of the SSX bits), one man have been forcing the 40k down people's throats. He won't stop. He admit that he have gone overboard at times. To the point that a couple of people have been facepalming, and some have started to cringe whenever the two numbers and the one letter are brought about.
People, mostly those from the other side, who you call miltakus, have voiced their opinions, mostly not favorable, about it. One even asked for some moderation. But that one basically received the "lol stfu" treatment.
So then SSX came, and as IRC folks has witnessed it, it was chanting about 40kism and Chaos nonsense all over. To the point it felt tactless, bordering on gloating.
There are so much that one can take. And I made it clear to him that I am not going to let him brainwash the two numbers and one letter in me. I enjoy this thread and the channel because I could exchange ideas with people from different horizons, with different frames of references. The most delicious being those related to judaism and mythologies. Sure, 40k and HOTBLOOD are all the rage in this thread. But, you know, a little moderation is not bad either.
What I ask is a little moderation, and maybe a slightly different look on things.
Sheba, you need to chill out and stop taking this so goddamn seriously. If you don't like the 40K stuff, then there's a very simple solution for dealing with it: it's called turning the other cheek. I do it all the time with the milotaku and the emo crap that people pump out every now and then; I paid no attention to Alpha back when Kage was still working on it, and I've learned to ignore Eva's "lol Fate-flavored tang" jokes. So if whoever it is you're referring to is spewing 40K-isms everywhere, take a page from my book: lend him a deaf ear and keep working on whatever it is you're doing with no regard for the stuff he's smoking.
And to the 40K advocate (you know who you are): take care that you do not descend to Haru's level on these boards as Sheba claims you have, lest the mods bring the ban hammer down on your head. If things are indeed as bad as Sheba claims they are, then bear in mind that you have absolutely no right whatsoever to dictate to a writer how he does his work.
LoweGear
2008-08-21, 21:15
I don't feel like quoting. But I'll say my piece one last time over what I don't like about the 40k's "hegemony". At one point in this thread, and recently in IRC (mainly because of the SSX bits), one man have been forcing the 40k down people's throats. He won't stop. He admit that he have gone overboard at times. To the point that a couple of people have been facepalming, and some have started to cringe whenever the two numbers and the one letter are brought about.
People, mostly those from the other side, who you call miltakus, have voiced their opinions, mostly not favorable, about it. One even asked for some moderation. But that one basically received the "lol stfu" treatment.
So then SSX came, and as IRC folks has witnessed it, it was chanting about 40kism and Chaos nonsense all over. To the point it felt tactless, bordering on gloating.
There are so much that one can take. And I made it clear to him that I am not going to let him brainwash the two numbers and one letter in me. I enjoy this thread and the channel because I could exchange ideas with people from different horizons, with different frames of references. The most delicious being those related to judaism and mythologies. Sure, 40k and HOTBLOOD are all the rage in this thread. But, you know, a little moderation is not bad either.
What I ask is a little moderation, and maybe a slightly different look on things.
Not really in the best of positions to take opposition, since I'm quite enthusiastic about the inclusion of 40K ideas into the Nanohaverse (if only because the similarities breed some good crack), but then again no one's telling you to accept it as canon at gunpoint. Even amongst Kerokanon, with once certain ideas getting shuffled around in a mess of continuity and canonical confusion, the only true thing among our scenarios is to simply believe in what you do and stick to it.
Besides, you think this is bad, try the first few months of OC when Warhammer 40K and Gurren Lagann and SRW crack were being tossed around with reckless abandon everywhere. Compared to back then, this is nothing. :heh:
Moderation is good, and it's been an ideal this thread has been striving to do for the past few months, but I'm honestly not sure the 40K crack deserves such moderation, especially when the hard scenarios written about such crack have been few and far between.
If you want to rage about 40K going overboard, maybe you should look at me... I crossed over an entire race (the Necrons) into the Nanohaverse WHOLESALE, without modification, as a central element in an entire character profile. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but even back then I admit it was less Nanohaverse and more 40K.
Done with a chapter, it's going under correction from some people. I know one thing when I started writing it. I knew how to start, I know how to finish it, mainly because a nice guy sharing the same family name as the Motorhead's guitarist has provided me the barebone of the story. It was like... So simple, I has it under my eyes all along. The hardest for me will be the journey, where I expect a long bumpy road from the real life challenges. Only I am not too sure if 14k words were reasonable for a first chapter.
Question: What are the limits to blocking incoming attacks?
Well Divine Buster can pass thru for starters.
It usually works more in a "confuse block" rather than a "real block".
In my opinion, this spell sounds a bit too collateral for the TSAB. We agreed that Mass Based weaponry is okay if used with magic, but this spell functions like a frag mine. There is no control who gets hurt.
True but it's not like the fragments spread out to hit randomly. Only those in the beam are affected. And the explosion strength is relative to the beam strength as well.
A portal of sorts, right? Are enemies capable of crossing this portal?
The, while the tunnel is open, anyone on those two locations can move to travel to the other side, traveling in pseudo-voidspace- sometimes, battles can occur in the tunnel but normally the force of the tunnel opening on the other side is enough to deter anyone from entering for the vital first few seconds.
there's your answer
I don't feel like quoting. But I'll say my piece one last time over what I don't like about the 40k's "hegemony". At one point in this thread, and recently in IRC (mainly because of the SSX bits), one man have been forcing the 40k down people's throats.
At no point in time did we force 40K down anyone's throat. At no point in time did we ever say that 40K was the only way. Just because some of us like to make 40K references out of things doesn't mean that the rest of the thread must use them. That's ridiculous, and we never even suggested such a thing.
Some of us use 40K in the mix of our characters and lore, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you don't like it, then there is no reason for you to use it. We won't force you to.
We have never, and will never try and 'brainwash' people into using 40K references, but that doesn't mean that we will stop using them for our own works. Why, pray do tell, should we? There is no such thing as a 'diktat' there is no such thing as a 'hegemony' the only ones using 40K references are those who want to use 40K references.
If you want to rage about 40K going overboard, maybe you should look at me... I crossed over an entire race (the Necrons) into the Nanohaverse WHOLESALE, without modification, as a central element in an entire character profile. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but even back then I admit it was less Nanohaverse and more 40K.
To be fair, the background part wasn't wrong per se. Heck, you would have gotten away with it without anyone knowing if I hadn't recognised the Necron symbol. :heh:
It was when we started importing the Necron themselves that things spiraled off. :eyespin:
Well Divine Buster can pass thru for starters.
It usually works more in a "confuse block" rather than a "real block".
Confuse block?
True but it's not like the fragments spread out to hit randomly. Only those in the beam are affected. And the explosion strength is relative to the beam strength as well.
You described it as 'gathering debris and then exploding' how does that not spread out debris randomly?
there's your answer
Ah, must have missed that. :heh:
At that one point, I'll just leave it. But now I hope that my stance on it is clear. Actually, I am relieved because I have gotten a start, thanks to beta readers' feedbacks and corrections. They were on the encouraging and humbling side, as it makes me realize that I may be not that bad on some departments, but I also have a lot to learn. I will post it later that night.
Wild Goose
2008-08-22, 13:12
Trailer of something in TF6:
9GbEMyamcdQ
It has been said repeatedly that in magical combat, melee is king. It has been said by many that Hayate Yagami needed melee skills to be able to survive, even if she wasn't interested in melee, and that her AOE spells, while powerful, weren't much use since she needed Rein to target for her.
Franz Jaeger was of the opinion that this was simply because mages weren't trained to call in artillery strikes. Of course, he had never called in an artillery strike himself, but he conviniently ignored that little detail. And anyway artillery were just mortars on a larger scale. Though he had called in airstrikes before...
His eyes narrowed behind his shades, focusing on the targets, a pair of laser rangefinder binoculars held up to his eyes, and he noted the range, target location, and referred to the map beside where he knelt. The middle of an abandoned building, while not possessing the great field of vision that the roof had, was nonetheless better-suited for his purposes; from here he had a good overwatch position, able to support the Forwards with his battle rifle, his magic, and his secret weapon...
There they are.
Franz took a deep breath, and spoke, in the strange sing-song like style he had learned, "Long-Arch-Zero this is Uruz-Six-Actual transmitting from operations area. Are you receiving, over?"
"Roger, Franz-kun. I have you," replied Hayate over the telepathic link.
“It's good to see you in action, ma'am," responded Franz, all professionalism. "Requesting artillery strike on my position. Adjust Fire, Polar, Over. Target: enemy observation post. Defensive capability unknown. Two-Two-Zero by One-Niner-Four. Attitude Two-Eight-Zero-Zero. Precision, Danger Close, Three Rounds, Mark, Over.”
"Received and approved, Lieutenant. Be advised, Rein isn't with me, so my targeting isn't going to be as accurate as it can be."
"That's why you're firing three rounds, Hayate," said Franz, his fierce grin audible over the comms. "Anytime you're ready, mein fuhrer."
People complaining about Hayate being shafted and useless do not know how to use her.
Also, one more thing: as a battlefield commander, it is not Hayate's job to get into combat and mix things up. By doing so, she loses sight of the broad picture. She's not being paid her salary, nor does she have her Lieutenant Colonel rank, to be just another grunt. Her job is to keep track of the battlefield, manage her combat assets and lead her people. If she's going to be another grunt, she might as well accept a demotion and forget being RF6's Commanding Officer. She is the Commanding Officer. It is her job to Command.
So I tried:http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a347/khathecleric/Kha_white.jpg
This picture was taken as Kha got ready for a photo-shoot with Sophia, Keira and Ashley, all of them graduate White Wings from the Sankt Alexei Kloster Magical Girls' School. Up to this stage in life, Kha has almost always been exclusively in the company of girls, and hence he has turned out rather bishie. The ceremonial garb he's wearing, corset and all, isn't meant for males, which is to be expected since its a Convent. As you can see, contact with the Aces has changed his sense of fashion a little, as he is now growing a ponytail.
This mismatched uniform is also an indicator of history; the Licht von Belka in MC 0069 had only had informal training facilities and programs, and the Cleric-Knights chapter is still a lost order. Therefore, Kha furthered his training in the Convent of his birth place, while taking lessons from Master Wodan, who is only discovered much much later to be Fate's father.Creator's Notes
The source material was Otto in a white cassock. Kha being a member of a religious organization could use a proper gown, unlike his Kruznik-inspired one Hayate designed for him.
And so I started. And I very quickly learnt that Otto was FAR from a perfect reverse trap. Several feminine features had to be Warped away, and excessive chest shadows erased. The corset had to be stretched, but even so, it was STUCK there as red as an eyesore. :eyespin:
And lets not forget the shoulders; I first "dislocated" them, then gave Kha scholeosis, then fractured his clavicle, before making it anatomically sound.
This is my first major attempt at heavily shopping a picture. My thanks to the IRC for bearing with my repeated evaluation requests! So please, go ahead and tear into it. How can I improve, good masters of Photoshock?
Julius Firefocht
2008-08-22, 15:48
I don't feel like quoting. But I'll say my piece one last time over what I don't like about the 40k's "hegemony". At one point in this thread, and recently in IRC (mainly because of the SSX bits), one man have been forcing the 40k down people's throats. He won't stop. He admit that he have gone overboard at times. To the point that a couple of people have been facepalming, and some have started to cringe whenever the two numbers and the one letter are brought about.
People, mostly those from the other side, who you call miltakus, have voiced their opinions, mostly not favorable, about it. One even asked for some moderation. But that one basically received the "lol stfu" treatment.
So then SSX came, and as IRC folks has witnessed it, it was chanting about 40kism and Chaos nonsense all over. To the point it felt tactless, bordering on gloating.
There are so much that one can take. And I made it clear to him that I am not going to let him brainwash the two numbers and one letter in me. I enjoy this thread and the channel because I could exchange ideas with people from different horizons, with different frames of references. The most delicious being those related to judaism and mythologies. Sure, 40k and HOTBLOOD are all the rage in this thread. But, you know, a little moderation is not bad either.
What I ask is a little moderation, and maybe a slightly different look on things.
I will not lie...the truth is, I enjoy mixing anime with 40K. Its just about the only way I can play my Blood Angels Space Marines, feel like I am fighting the good fight for my beloved Feito-chan and shout "FOR FEITO-CHAN!!!!" whenever they charge into close combat, or just need that extra bit of luck from the divine.
All these crossovers of universes and such, well, call it a manifestation of the writers' love for two hobbies/genres that will never get to officially cross paths in the foreseeable future. Call it a dilution of the core values and features that make the respective universes unique. It makes no differences, people enjoy doing it, some enjoy reading it, and if you don't like it, then in all honesty there are other fanfics or fanmade universes to indulge yourself in. I am sure 40K related stuff are a minority within the entire Nanoha fanfic collection...one look at Fanfiction.net's Nanoha section would confirm that.
Also, do not worry about getting brainwashed into liking 40K. The cost of entry into the game is prohibitive, to put it mildly. It should be a good deterrent to anyone thinking of starting this expensive hobby. ;)
In the meantime, I am continuing to work on my own Nanoha/40K project, as are Kha, Keroko and the others. Except I am not bringing 40K into the Nanoha universe. No, I bought Fate, Nanoha and Hayate into the 40K universe instead. And I am having great fun doing it. :D
I will not lie...the truth is, I enjoy mixing anime with 40K. Its just about the only way I can play my Blood Angels Space Marines, feel like I am fighting the good fight for my beloved Feito-chan and shout "FOR FEITO-CHAN!!!!" whenever they charge into close combat, or just need that extra bit of luck from the divine.
All these crossovers of universes and such, well, call it a manifestation of the writers' love for two hobbies/genres that will never get to officially cross paths in the foreseeable future. Call it a dilution of the core values and features that make the respective universes unique. It makes no differences, people enjoy doing it, some enjoy reading it, and if you don't like it, then in all honesty there are other fanfics or fanmade universes to indulge yourself in. I am sure 40K related stuff are a minority within the entire Nanoha fanfic collection...one look at Fanfiction.net's Nanoha section would confirm that.
Also, do not worry about getting brainwashed into liking 40K. The cost of entry into the game is prohibitive, to put it mildly. It should be a good deterrent to anyone thinking of starting this expensive hobby. ;)
In the meantime, I am continuing to work on my own Nanoha/40K project, as are Kha, Keroko and the others. Except I am not bringing 40K into the Nanoha universe. No, I bought Fate, Nanoha and Hayate into the 40K universe instead. And I am having great fun doing it. :D
I am not going to stop you from doing it. If you manage to deliver, more power to you.
Well, this took way to long to get out. And during the weekend too!
Ach. Update during a slow time.
Oh well. Enjoy, in any case.
“Hauuu~! It’s so cold!” Hayate chattered, feeling the chill bite down to her bones despite the heat boosts to her barrier jacket. Even her black wings shook. The others felt similarly, though they did not voice it. Seeing them shiver in the frozen was enough.
“Well, once we get moving, we shouldn’t feel it so badly,” Nanoha reasoned, though she too wished she had something more on. How long was their time limit again?
“Here they come,” Fate announced, her words punctuated by the rapid approach of gun drones. Like the swordship, they were Spartan in design. Built to be cheap and effective, the guns’ greatest strength was their numbers.
“Yosh~! Let’s go!”
The strike team exploded into motion just as the gun drones opened up, innumerable rays of light lancing through the frozen air. Blue sky and white ground contrasted greatly against the burning red bolts of energy fire, the colorful traces of the strike team gracefully cutting bright trails into the sky. Against a swarm of over a thousand gun drones, seven mages scattered into their specialized groups.
Fate and Signum were in the thickest of it all, weaving through the swarm like furious wasps, stinging with every pass they made. Yet their movements were irregular, almost spiraling inwards as the gun drones followed blindly. None of the gadgets would realize, however, that their chase was useless.
“Firing Hræsvelgr! Displace!” the command immediately had the two zipping away from the cluster. Just in time too, as a silver beam struck home, condensing then exploding in a fantastic burst of magic.
“That ends a good number of them,” Fate commented.
Signum nodded. “And a lot left over.”
“Let’s set up another shot.”
Elsewhere, pink and red blazed through the sky all the while angry crimson followed. Although not in the deepest of the action, Vita and Nanoha were facing their fair share of beamfire.
“Gaaah! There’s too damn many!” the red Knight growled as she jet backwards to dodge another barrage. To her extreme annoyance, as usual, Intel had dropped the ball because no one said that the drones could get smarter – with every passing moment they were learning and adapting, forcing the strike team to constantly change tactics. Though at this rate, it won’t matter where they move…
“Use the trees as cover!” the order came to her though telepathy, Nanoha’s voice ringing clearly though her adrenaline rush. Strange as it may be, there really was a large cluster of snow covered trees, as white as the rest of the world. How exactly this ice planet managed to grow some form of flora would have to be a question asked and answered at a much later time, however.
“There are trees in a place like this?!” Vita wondered out loud as she dove for the tree line, the angry buzz of beam fire passing her previous position. Weaving through the frost covered plants, Vita could barely see the gun drones following her flight path. Dammit, were they leading her? “Oi! How about some support fire?”
Divine Buster!
Vita cleared the trees just in time to see her attackers be enveloped in a grand pink beam of doom, explosions replacing gadget. For a moment, they were in the clear, but more were coming.
“How was that, Vita-chan?” Nanoha smiled as she floated by, her staff still pointed downward in firing position.
“Cutting it a bit close there, Nanoha,” the Hammer Knight muttered, dusting the snow out of her hair. Suddenly, she swung her hammer at Nanoha, the shaft shooting out with “And you still need to watch your back.”
“But that’s what you’re here for, Vita-chan~!” Nanoha smiled again as they too returned to the battle.
Not too distantly away,
“Mou,” Hayate sighed dramatically rotating her shoulder with a sigh. “It’s been so long since we’ve done actual field work…”
“But it’s more fun this way, isn’t it? Together again, just like old times,” Shamal smiled.
“Hai~… but it’d be better if we could do this while not getting shot at,” the Meister had a wry grin as she watched the action from afar. Fate and Signum were doing a good job at “herding” the gun drones together – she’d have to launch another volley soon enough. “Oh well, you win some, you lose some.”
Zafira remained stoic as ever, his eyes watching the battle unfold. The attackers were taking much of the heat, leaving he, Hayate, and Shamal to be mostly untouched. It was better this way, he felt, as it allowed them to support the team without fear of retaliation. But it was pretty damn cold.
“Threat levels down forty percent. Keep it up,” the Claudia reported to them all over the com-link.
“So many, and only forty percent?” Fate murmured, her focus lifted for but only a moment. Yet in that tiny window, a bolt of red tore towards her unsuspecting head, a lucky shot that with enough power to blow a head clean off. Beam met blade, however, the scorching energy deflecting off magical metal; the resulting clash caused the blonde girl to whirl around in surprise, seeing only her ally. There was no time to look at each other, though as they immediately went back-to-back to fend off the regrouped enemy.
“Is something wrong? You seem distracted,” Signum’s voice was both reprimanding and concerned.
“It’s nothing. I just want to finish this quickly, that’s all,” Fate’s soft tones could barely be heard over the din of battle, but she felt Signum nod in acceptance. They separated once more, their spiral of death once again swirling in the frigid sky. Just like before, the two scattered the instant the report came through.
“Hræsvelgr, Firing!”
Another white beam tore through the air, piercing deeply into the gathered crowd and exploding magnificently once again. From a distance, to the casual observer, the battle would only seem like a wondrous cacophony of colors, rays and beams crisscrossing followed by grand clusters of blossoming explosions. This battle, so beautiful and deadly, it was a terrifying and awesome work of art upon a white and blue canvas.
“Threat down sixty percent,” the cool voice of the Claudia's AWACS operator finally reported. “Be advised, the Marines’ assault craft have been deployed. Proceed to the swordship and await their arrival.”
“Roger!” came the grateful reply.
“Rein, we can separate now, but stay close, okay?” Hayate warned, already beginning to de-unison from her device.
“Hai nano desu~!”
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“Admiral, the Marines have launched and are en route to the swordship. The operation will begin once they arrive.”
“Thank you,” Chrono acknowledged, unmoving in his seat. All that was left was to sit and wait for the progression of the mission; everything was out of his hands now, a position he did not like all too much.
The position of Admiral gave him significant command and political power, but it also meant he had to watch others do the work he wanted to do instead. Frustrating, but out of his control – more people relied on him as a commander than a soldier anyways… It was envy, perhaps, that made him wish he was out there with his sister and friends. Or perhaps long unwanted nostalgia, to return to olden times when things were simpler, friendlier, and less painful to his soul.
But that time was far away from now, and envy only a fleeting emotion. The past could not be changed.
What other thoughts Chrono had were immediately stripped away with the loud outcry of his second-in-command, sounding abnormally indignant. “What the—what is this kid doing here?! Someone get him out of here this instant!"
Speak of the devil…
Glancing over to the boy in question, the Admiral watched as the child’s previous awe and amazement transform into angry indignation. What a furious response! Not the least bit guilty, but rather incensed! What had he allowed on his ship when he agreed with Fate on this?
What a troublesome sister… barely just boarded and already so deep in his life, again…
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Mid-Childa, Dock #42, XV-class warship Claudia
Shortly after Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown boarded.
Fate quietly stepped through the wide halls of the Claudia, alone. She had already visited her quarters, dropping off her personal effects and little Erio. Now she was off to business. Internally, Fate was dreading having to explain herself to her, erm, elder brother, but part of her was sure Chrono would not object. Despite all that had happened in recent times, he had not changed that much… she hoped. Still, she sent out the mental call, “Chrono…”
“Fate? So, you have arrived. How punctual of you,” the response was immediate, typical of him.
“I did learn from the best, after all.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m sorry for contacting you telepathically, but there’s something I need to talk to you about my situation.”
“It is of no concern. What is the issue?”
“I’ve brought Erio with me. I… I wasn’t able to find a caretaker for him…”
“Erio? The boy you’ve adopted?”
“Y-Yes. Due to the urgency of the mission, I did not want to impose on Mama and Arf-chan, so I brought him with me. I know I should’ve called beforehand, but I was rather busy.”
“I see… so you are asking if he, a civilian minor, can stay aboard a military vessel for the duration of a sensitive interdiction operation, no?”
“If that isn’t an issue…?” Fate hesitated.
Part of her hesitation was because Chrono was being as, well, confident, assertive, and charismatic as ever, characteristics of his personality that was just so masculine, unlike Yuuno-kun or Zafira. He made her nervous and put her wavering heart at ease all at once. He was so difficult to approach, for she could not help but feel self-conscious around him. Though she supposed, as children, her insecurity around him had been worse, because she felt like a bother to him and Mama Lindy, that she did not belong with them, and she did not have the heart to ask anything for herself.
Her big brother, perceptive and sensitive, though was having none of that; always it had been Chrono looking after her, standing right there beside her. He put her needs above his own, trained her, nurtured her as a person, before stopping to take care of himself. Her Big Brother had finished the great work Nanoha started that she was not a freak but a human being, that she deserved the same fighting chance as any other born from the womb of their mother, and that she belonged.
She had a family.
It had been the same to everyone that had become apart of their circle, their family. Chrono had been everyone’s big brother, godfather, or at least uncle of sorts. He had put his full heart and effort into it, an eccentric quirk that reminded her endearingly of Nanoha-chan. And despite all awkwardness, his and hers, Fate could not have asked for a better brother, a better man…
She was so proud when he was promoted to Admiral, for surely none was more deserving than he was. An-And just as surely, he was deserving of…happiness and love, a golden dream come true, but…
The blonde-haired woman shook herself free from her reverie, with a sigh, and gave herself a mental kick. Now, was hardly the time to be indulging in the past. The only way she reasoned that she was ever going to get over feeling like an absolute little girl to “Chrono-oniisama” (as Hayate-chan used to joke often) was to prove her worth to him, that they could stand together as equals…
That it was all right for him to lean on her, too. …erm, she knew a man like Chrono wore his pride seriously, but even so, he did not have to carry the burden all by himself. If he would not share it with everyone else, well, he would have to learn to share it with her then! Hmph. And she was certainly not going to take “No, negative, denied, dismissed, ten percent, M.R.U. (Much Regret Unable; I will court martial you” for an answer!
Chrono was…
Chrono was her responsibility, now.
Hence, her destination, the captain’s quarters in which her brother resided and a luxury befitting of his responsibilities. She felt bad using the access codes he had given her to invade his privacy, but she wanted to see him in person. It has been sometime since they last met and Fate felt it was perfectly justifiable, for a concerned sister to want to meet her dreadfully troublesome brother.
Glancing at the bathroom, she noted the unfinished reports laying on his bureau, written in old-fashioned ink no less judging by the dutiful ink point and quill pen standing by, which drew a small impish smile from Fate. It was just like her big brother to do things so prim and proper. The sound of running water meant he was washing his hands, after a little accident no doubt, which meant their conversation had distracted him enough to not detect her approach.
“Hmm…” he mentally hummed, as if contemplating the issue. For a moment, she was worried that he would actually refuse her.
“You know, I have you written down as his Godfather,” she whispered, hoping that the fact would help support her case. “I don’t think he’ll be much of a bother, and maybe you two could talk and get to know each other…?”
“As usual, you have overworked yourself,” he replied, showing no response to the Godfather bit. Still, his lack of response…made her tense up with worried anticipation. “No, there is no problem with it. Just keep him out of the way of sensitive operations, and everything should be fine. If he needs a distraction, I am sure the marines will be happy to help.”
That brought a wave of relief that got her mischievous side working. Heh. Her dear brother had not noticed her at all.
“Thank you, Chrono,” she stepped in then, hoping to surprise her brother.
Instead, she saw only horror.
Admiral Chrono Clyde Harlaown was there, uniform jacket shed and his sleeves rolled up, indifferent of her sudden entrance; he stood over a running faucet, his hands submerged under the streaming water. But… they were not the same warm hands she had grown up holding. Red and inflamed, they bore a number of old scars and fresh bleeding cuts, staining the pooling water red. The steam that rose from the water meant it was scalding hot, yet the youthful man did not seem to mind it at all. In fact, her brother dear barely acknowledged her arrival, his focus solely on his soap and blood-covered hands.
“Y-your hands! What… why…?” the Enforcer could scarcely speak the words, her mouth moving but no sound coming forth. What had he done to himself?
“They’re dirty…filthy,” her brother could only mutter, rubbing the lather together once more. “I need to clean them…”
------------------------------------------
Chrono’s eyes refocused to the present, just in time to see his second-in-command below him physically approach Elio. He had gotten a “good earful” after that little slip up, and really, he did not need that happening again anytime soon. That was twice she had caught him unawares now, a bad record for him.
And what was this about the boy being his godson? He had not consented to that!
Frustrated at his situation, the Admiral wanted nothing more than to forget it all had happened. But it did; he had a godson, there would be no changing that. A godson who was about to get manhandled by his X-O (executive officer), and well, an angry Fate would not do at all, would it?
“XO, please, calm yourself,” Chrono rumbled, from the captain’s elevated “roost”, where he could survey the entire bridge. “His presence here is of no great issue.”
“B-but, sir! He’s a child!” the poor man protested in a splutter, paling a little bit. Perhaps, he had let slip some venom that he had no intended. Yet, judging from the way the fellow looked at him, it was that and the man had forgotten his presence altogether. “He is not authorized, nor allowed to be in the bridge during a combat scenario!”
The vanity of people these days; the fact he made OF-10 “Admiral” in his early-20s, while they were still stuck at OF-6 “Commodore” in there late-40s, should have been enough warning he was not a man to be trifled with. He had been fighting since he was five years old, having volunteered himself for the now defunct “Project ‘A’ 8492nd – The Aggressors”, a venture filled with good intentions that was doomed to fail from the start. Theory and practical experience he had in spades, both in the military and political arenas. Crossing Chrono Harlaown would lead to a very, very bad work day.
“He is also my godchild, and I am now giving him authorization to be on the bridge as an observer,” he returned coolly, with an edge to his voice. “Now then, may we focus on the battle rather than the presence of a single boy?”
The vice-commander quietly huffed his indignation, bristling like a rooster preening itself, but returned his attention to combat nonetheless. If the oh-so-infallible admiral wanted to break regulations, then let him do so – he will have to explain it to the politicians later.
More could have been said, had it not been for the communications officer cutting in at that moment. “Admiral, the Marines have boarded the ship.”
“Thank you. Continue observations and report any anomalies,” he nodded and turned in his chair to face Erio. The boy’s attitude and expression had changed little, still that indignation that bore no ounce of gratitude. What an interesting child Fate had picked up. “Now then, my godson, why don’t you come on up here and enjoy the lesson with your godfather? The operation will continue regardless of my attention, so I propose we get to know each other better, you and I.”
Erio complied with a glare.
An interesting boy, indeed. Just what kind of heartache could you be causing for my little sister, I wonder?
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A lone security robot quietly patrolled the inner halls of the Belkan swordship, attentively scanning the dead halls as it had for over three hundred years. Like the gun drones outside, this gadget was designed for purpose than aesthetics, resulting in an ugly but effective hostile force suppression unit.
Alas, being alone, it lacked the defensive and offensive capabilities to withstand an entire squad’s worth of magical firepower. Five humming beams of destructive energy scorched the air, piercing the armored body and frying the circuitry into useless scrap. From the shadows emerged five soldiers, clad in dark protective gear and helmets, their faces hidden away by visors and gasmasks. In their arms were rifle-like devices, similar in design to mass weapons of old but conspicuously magical in design.
“This is too easy!” chuckled one of the armored soldiers, the remnants of the robot crunching beneath his boots.
“You’d rather they shoot back?” one could practically see the smirk despite the full mask.
The Marines of the Claudia, elite in their own right, specialized in shipboard assaults. Grunts in the truest sense, their purpose was purely combat. Though not as magically strong or flexible as the Aces or other commissioned officers, they drew their strength from their teamwork and experience. These soldiers, proud and dedicated Marines, the Wild Geese.
“Bugger. The AMF is getting stronger,” the third man of the group muttered, pushing his armor’s magic regulator output a little higher to compensate. “AMF at second threshold!”
“Ten-Four. Haul shebs, marines! I don’t want to waste half my energy just trying to fire my damn rifle!”
For such a grand ship, its halls were bare and lackluster. Dark and unlit, only the ephemeral glow of the Marines’ magical gear and devices brought any form of illumination. Their boots clattered softly in the empty halls, which seemed to echo down every shadowed path. Not a word passed between them as they moved swiftly, though an upcoming T-intersection prompted the point man to speak up.
“This is Four. I’m movin’ right,” he said, already moving around the bend.
“Wait! Check your damn corners—!” the squad leader’s words failed to reach his subordinate in time as he rounded the corner. Perhaps it was just a moment of negligence, spurned by the utter lack of any real contact in the past few minutes since the boarding, but the point man rounded the bend without a single hint of hesitation, bumping the tip of his weapon against the armored plate of a security droid.
“Shit!” the trooper tried to backpedal, only to overcompensate and fall on his ass. Suddenly, he was staring down the business end of a security drone’s weapon, a gleaming barrel that seemed to whine quietly. Instinct and training snapped in an instant, his rifle coming up to knock the weapon aside.
PSZZNNH!
The beam illuminated the hall briefly, a bright orange color that gleamed off the other Marines’ glowing blue goggles as they followed their teammate. It glanced off the grey bulkhead, leaving a blackened scorch mark and a tiny wisp of smoke. The Marines’ responses were immediate, a merciless barrage of beam fire that quickly tore apart the droid, sparks flying as it collapsed in on itself.
“You okay, killer?”
“Still in one piece, sir,” replied the junior marine, shakily, as he climbed to his feet. “Wasn’t expecting that.”
“This crate is starting to take notice o’ us and release more of them tinnies. Don’t rush ahead and make y’self a hero, just yet.”
The private’s sheepish look was hidden behind his mask.
“Let’s go,” with a hand gesture, they fell in and resumed their progress.
In other parts of the ship, other teams of Marines scoured the halls just like this group, cleansing the ship of any hostile encountered and securing areas little by little. Purification of the swordship of any unwanted elements would be time consuming. Still, the Marines would perform their job to the best of their ability, even if it meant hunting down every last drone wandering the halls. The ever growing Anti-Magic Field strength served only to complicate matters, however, placing a strict time and operation limit on them all.
“Third threshold. The levels are starting to increase faster, sir.”
“Copy. What’s our sit-rep now?”
“Two meters from the second checkpoint, Major. Frag order says we should check in with the other squads about, now,” their rear-most marine spoke up, the tech specialist.
With another silent hand, they came to a full halt and repositioned themselves
“Alright then. All of you take a knee and stay frosty. Goose One to Wild Geese, request company wide sit-rep, over,” the leader ordered, holding a hand up to his ear. Silence passed between the Marines, though a storm of chatter came in the squad leader’s head. Telepathic communications were fuzzy and difficult to pick up within the slowly strengthening AMF, but things weren’t that bad yet. A few injuries, but no casualties, and everything encountered thus far had been reduced to scrap.
Perfect.
“Claudia, this is Goose One, we’ve cleared at least forty percent of the ship and still moving. Have those Aces gotten the bridge yet? Over.”
“Goose One, we copy. The bridge is about to be penetrated; Goose Six says to continue the operation and standby for possible updates.”
“Affirmative, Claudia. Goose One out.”
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Unlike the strict and disciplined Marines, Nanoha and her friends were at their strongest if given room to maneuver. In the tight quarters of the swordship, they were at a severe disadvantage. Thusly, their sole objective was to reach the ship’s bridge and take it over, a job that was oddly easier than expected. Along with the Marines came Yuuno, joining up with the Aces as the rest of the soldiers split up into the ship. Whatever reason it may have been, be it Fate and Signum’s lightning fast strikes that destroyed anything that dared to threaten them or the Marines’ presence that drew more attention, they soon arrived at the final barrier: a double set of drab grey doors. And they were not even locked!
“Claudia, this is Alpha squad, over. Now breaching the bridge,” Nanoha sent the message and nodded to Fate, who nodded back. Together with Vita and Signum, the four breached the entrance and slipped in with their devices at ready. Rather than be attacked, however, they were instead treated to a glorious sight.
“Oh wow…”
It was grand in the sense that it was bigger than any other room, far larger than what could realistically exist. Unlike the swordship’s dark and minimalist interior, the bridge bright and lively, literally a heaven of warm light and cool grass under their feet. It was as if they were transported to a faraway paradise, an expansive pasture with grass, flowers, fruit trees, even a blue sky with clouds and a sun!
“This is…” Yuuno could find no words to describe the absolute splendor and beauty that lay out before him. So this was how ancient Belkan swordships were? Or perhaps it was limited to only this sort a ship? Was this an elite ship? A noble’s craft? So many questions! “This must be a reality marble…! A reality within reality! To think they put such a dimension within their own ships…!”
Though expansive, there were distinct limits to the room’s size. There was a design evident in its layout. Inert consoles and screens were clustered near one area of the room, directly across from a moderately sized shallow pool of water. Barely ankle deep, the water was clear and seemed rather fresh. Yet of all the magnificence in the room, none could match the elegance of the grand throne resting in the center of the pool, flanked by twin-vaulted columns of stone. Tall and wide, the seat was appropriate for even a king to sit. Yet, upon this alabaster white with gilded accents was a sight that seemed like some foul interloper within the room.
Ancient blackened armor sat in the throne as if it were its imprisoned king, countless rusted chains binding it to the chair, and more anchored into the nearby columns too. It was the sole blemish of this miniature world, and it sure as hell looked damn spooky. There was also a strange egg-shaped object, gargantuan in size that lay behind the throne, suspended above the water by unseen forces, dwarfing the chained kin utterly. But, the “egg” seemed so natural and unremarkable that it could have been just about anything, even a lavish decoration for a connoisseur captain.
“Spread out and stay sharp. It’s far too quiet,” Signum glanced at her fellow Cloud Knights, receiving affirmative nods. Zafira and Shamal took positions by the rear of the area, close to the door and granting them the best view of the area. Vita took a position next to Hayate, the two girls standing close to the grand throne. Signum joined Nanoha, Fate, and Yuuno as they inspected the “front” of the space. The Black Witch was first by a keyboard, a piece of technology almost alien amidst all this strange nature. No, it wasn’t alien – nature and technology seemed to fuse seamlessly here.
“Yuuno, you can probably access the ship through here,” Fate’s quiet voice was oddly loud in the expansive room. Perhaps this was another feature of this magical space, so that communications would not be impeded.
“Ah. Yes, I’ll get right on it,” the archaeologist floated over, albeit hesitantly. Every little bit of the room amazed and astounded him, and had it not been for his mission priorities, he’d gladly look over the rest of the room first. Still, many people depended on him right now. The console booted up with little sound, a holographic display sliding into view with archaic characters and text scrolling through it. His fingers danced masterfully across the console, a myriad of lights blinking with every touch. Those near him, Fate and Nanoha, could only gawk at the feat of dexterity and nimbleness. With a flourish, he turned to his friends.
“Okay, Fate-san. You can access the other consoles now. I’ve released the locks,” Yuuno nodded to the blonde, eager to access the console for information. “Oh, but it’s all in Ancient Belkan text. I hope you’ve brushed up on your linguistics.”
Fate, just about to touch the bridge console, stopped her in her tracks. “A-ah… um…”
Signum almost smirked at the blonde’s sudden uneasy look and floated over. “I’ll help her.”
“In the mean time, I’m going to find out more about this ship,” Yuuno almost sang as he turned back to his computer. A great smile threatened to split his face as his fingers tapped away, bringing up a slew of scrolling text. His eyes darted back and forth in an attempt to rapidly take in every bit of information that rolled across the screen, leading only to him breathing out in excitement. Whereas Fate and Signum worked to figure out the ship’s controls, Yuuno sought knowledge. “Amazing…!”
“What have you found out, Yuuno-kun?”
“This is incredible, Nanoha! This ship’s name is The Damocles, an advanced Belkan swordship intended as a command ship – that explains the minor reality marble in the bridge. As such, many of the systems here are intended to support fleets.”
Pausing in the work, Fate and Signum turned their attention to Yuuno. Alas, only the members of the Wolkenritter recognized the ship’s name, though vaguely. The three Aces returned only blank looks.
“Ha! No wonder it’s so well preserved! The time-flux system it uses is similar to the ones we have on Mid-Childan ships like the Claudia, but its range far surpasses even our best capital ships! And its anti-gravity field can protect an entire fleet from a black hole! Why don’t we have something like this?!”
The technical information Yuuno spouted was probably interesting to everyone else, but for a certain Hammer Knight, all the jargon and history served only to bore her. What did interest her, however, was the sole being sitting upon the throne, countless black chains binding it.
One of the Old Guard… she thought, stepping up to the armor. The chains were wrapped chokingly around the throne and the armor, a number of chains pulling its arms out and up in some freakish mimicry of prison shackles. The way the armor was slumped forward, its head bowed in defeat, it was like a tired prisoner, accepting his damned fate.
Despite its lifelessness, it seemed so… sad.
“Hmm?” A glint of light caught her attention, drawing her to inspect the armor’s clenched gauntlet. It was barely visible through the fingers, but it was worth reporting. “Oi, ferret! The rusting tin man’s got something in his hand!”
By then, Yuuno was already far too deep in his examination to be bothered by the eternally young girl. However, the word “ferret” sliced through his attention like a sword, cutting him off from finishing his statement, for he convulsed, as if struck, with a double take. Amidst the silent chuckles from his friends, the archaeologist turned to face Vita. “Ne, Vita-san, did you have to call me that?”
“It’s the only way to get your attention through that technobabble,” the hammer girl shrugged indifferently then jerked a thumb at the armor. “Anyways, I thought you should check this out.”
“Oh? What could it be?” Scrya asked, already flying towards the throne.
“Some kinda gem in its hand,” Vita shrugged again and stepped out of the way. “I can’t see it all to well, but it’s pretty obvious.”
“Gem? It… no. Could it possibly…?” Yuuno’s voice dropped to a mutter, a hand dropping to his side and popping open an attached belt pouch.
“What is it, Yuuno-kun?” Hayate asked, the next person closest. Nanoha had followed her old friend up to the chair, also wondering the same question. Back at the console, Fate remained to look over the still progressing text, Signum next to her to help translate. The rest of the group waited for the eventual explanation.
“I received this in a package not long after I started working on translating The Gospel of Judas,” the blond explained, digging through the pouch. “I didn’t know the sender—some sort of priory—but in it was a short message and this…”
The archaeologist held up a red crystal, a strangely shaped gem that glittered brightly in the lit room. Strangely shaped, because if held in one way, it possessed a crescent shape, yet in another direction, it was a perfect circle. In a way, it was like half of a sphere, split in a bizarre curved shape. In Yuuno’s hands, it felt strangely warm.
“It’s beautiful,” Hayate breathed, marveling at the flawless gem. “What is it?”
Yuuno smiled, happy at the opportunity to explain. “This crystal is an artifact, a literal piece of history from the time of the Saint King. According to the note, this is only part of the full artifact, half of a Royal Treasure called the Odin Sphere.”
“Hey. If it’s a Royal Treasure, what’s it doing in your hands? Shouldn’t the Saint Church have it?” Vita asked while eyeballing the thing as well. She didn’t like how it had that eerie glow…
“Hah, well, I’m not too sure either,” Yuuno chuckled with a shrug. “For the longest time, I thought it was just a forgery of some sorts, but I held on to it anyways, if anything then a good luck charm. But now, it seems it’s the real thing!”
The archaeologist approached the armor, feeling the gem heat up as he drew closer.
“And… I don’t know if I can believe it. I think this is the other half…!” Yuuno’s pulse quickened as his hand slowly crept towards the green gem, now glowing brightly with its proximity to its twin half. Despite being clenched tightly in the gauntlet, rays of green light managed to peek out. This was it! The other half of the Odin Sphere!
His fingers just touched the metal of the gauntlet, brushing against the aged armor for only a brief moment. Odd. It felt strangely warm, but it was likely the gem’s magical energy heating the plate. The hand seemed to have an iron grip on the crystal, but it soon anticlimactically gave way with gentle pressure. With careful, slow movements, Yuuno brought the two halves closer and closer together, their individual lights shining brighter than ever. Soundlessly they came together, releasing a blinding flash of glorious red and enchanting green. As quickly as it came, however, the light faded away, and in its wake resting in the archaeologist’s hand was a perfectly spherical object, a harmonious yet distinctly colored gem that reminded him of a yin-yang orb.
“Huh. Wow… it’s… complete…!” Yuuno looked up at his friends with bright and jubilant eyes, an excited and victorious laugh just at his lips. Think of the discovery they had made just now! An ancient Belkan relic, finally complete! But why did not his friends share his elation? Why did they instead stare with wide eyes and gaping mouths, as if he were some ghastly sight.
No… they stared not at him. They stared behind him…
Yuuno’s breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening to the size of saucers as his heart was gripped in icy fear. He could feel it behind him, a thick miasma-like heat that he hadn’t noticed before. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he turned around. With every little centimeter he turned he could feel it grow stronger, that awful bone-chilling and gut-wrenching feeling.
Wrath. Hatred. Fury. It churned violently in tainted contrast to the peace of the bridge, a murderous bloodlust that seemed almost tangible it was so thick. This choking killing intent… This smothering rage that threatened to take his very sanity… what kind of monster was it ?!
At last he saw, before him that fearsome armor bound by chains. Why had he not seen it before? How the armor seemed twisted and vile, jagged black plate that was nothing like the noble armor boasted in paintings and historical text. Trailing up the demon of red and black, horrified green eye soon found themselves gazing into terrifying crimson.
The fiery red eyes of lunacy.
Confuse block?
Well big explosions can make one think twice about firing or passing thru.
Anyone caught in a field of explosions will also
You described it as 'gathering debris and then exploding' how does that not spread out debris randomly?
it was supposed to be of limited range
"was" being the operative word because a 60 minute OCC discussion again redeveloped the spell- so the spell description is now totally invalid.
and yes since you are the only one who replied in that post it was still FISSION MAILED
But i'll still post Skill Evaluations
Ah, must have missed that. :heh:
oh well that's the problem
I get it too simple and people don't get it
I get it too detailed and people say it's too complicated.
:eyespin: :eyespin: :eyespin:
oh well that's the problem
I get it too simple and people don't get it
I get it too detailed and people say it's too complicated.
:eyespin: :eyespin: :eyespin:
It just does not help when your questions get Tetris'ed under various outbursts of different brands of crack. Sorry for not giving the evaluation, too busy with my own stuff.
Here I drop my HUGE tetris!
The first chapter of a story. While I love the thrillers of the spy or political kind, my reading background made me cut more for the simpler stories.
Expect not:
- Me managing the huge cast. I stuck to a trimmed down cast I can somewhat manage.
- Geass-like plot twists.
- Death Note-like Mind Games.
- Battle plans a la Hannibal.
It was not the brightest day for Hayate. Her magic, turning out to be less reliable as time went on, was not a personal crisis in the least. This was expanding out into the general community, as the need to find out the root of the evil that was affecting magic in the universe was stronger than ever. She left her friends behind her, in a Mid-Childa besieged by the Alwion Confederacy.
She had arrived, on an alien planet, hinted to be the source of their problems. She was brought here by the Conquistadores, since the ship was one of the few to not have been affected by the magical chaos. Her legs were burning, her head scorched by the bright yellow sun. A few steps before her, Signum surveyed the landscape in front of them. Behind her, Vivio was squatting, checking out her possessions, mainly books, scrolls, and a standard issue S2U staff, while Zafira watched over the little girl.
Reinforce was floating well above the ground, checking the skies and the horizon. Regarding the Namshub, the vessel that captain Kyoya Kibagami jokingly called "the Yagami's taxi", it was badly damaged from the chaos in the dimensional sea, a result of the distortion caused by a supernova in the normal space. Ynana, the ship's operator, was severely wounded in her attempt to protect her passengers against the radiation burst that had spread from the normal space to the dimensional sea.
During their journey toward this planet, Hayate felt powerless as she witnessed the loss of magical power the crew suffered through. Vivio did everything to comfort to Antigone who took the worst part of this. The nail in the coffin was when Arngrim, her favourite summon and her friend,faded out of reality. Now, it was Sieraza who stayed with her mistress and friend. While that planet was Sieraza's home, the leather winged girl felt that there were nothing left of her motherland, this was something Hayate could remember as the Urashima syndrome.
Signum and Reinforce reported that everything was all clear, while Kyoya and Sieraza were manually activating the camouflage mechanism of the spaceship by following Ynana's instructions. Then Hayate's mind tried to gather what had brought her on this planet, Madhyaloka.
***
From what Hayate could remember, it all started in the winter of the year MC 0078 with rumors from worlds on the rim of TSAB's influence. It was a few months after TSAB's first official contact with the Alwion Confederacy. From these worlds within the TSAB's jurisdiction, it was rumored that arias, the chants used for the more powerful spells, had lost their powers. Various magicians either had their own magic turning against them, not working as they used to work or just weakening to the point to disappear. Then, news about a tragedy had reached the offices of the Intelligence Department of the TSAB: one of the administrated worlds, the Administrated World #44, had gone into a global war. Indeed, all the local powers had tried to grab the remaining magical resources for themselves. As a result, their civilization collapsed and only a few survivors could have been saved by a TSAB rescue team led by Subaru. Another world, Ymir where the sun never set, was wiped out of all life. Its magical protections had gradually failed while a flare coming from its dim red sun had hit the planet. It was now a ghost world. The more Hayate had thought about it, the more she was believing that it may have started earlier.
As far as she was personally concerned, bad news had been piling up in her office. She always suspected that the Alwion Confederacy was not the democracy it claimed to be. The few meetings with the officials were actually covers for both parties to evaluate their mutual strengths. She also had the feeling that the pirates who had been bothering the TSAB navy for a while could be potential allies. The Confederates had demanded the TSAB to capture the leader, claiming him to be terrorist and a traitor. But if he was really a criminal, why would small groups of people flee their motherland to join him and fight against their governement? While diplomats of the TSAB had suggested her to not take this stance in public, she could not help but draw a comparison between the captain Morgan and famous rebel leaders of her homeworld.
Another subject of annoyance for Hayate was the demands from the Confederacy to give them Vivio's friend, Fiana Vickers, a political refugee. She was suspected to have conspired against the republic. Hayate found the idea of a rather shy kid plotting the fall of a republic absurd. Fiana was a lonely and withdrawn girl whose heart gradually opened at the contact of Vivio. And she had shown a promising magic potential. Fiana Vickers' crime was to be the survivor of the House of Vickers, the former ruler of the Confederacy, when it was still an imperial monarchy.
To add up more on the worries of Midchildan citizens, TSAB's intelligence agents and recon units had reported moves from the troops of Alwion on the frontier worlds of the TSAB's zone. Diplomats and ambassadors of Alwion had claimed that these mentionned frontier worlds used to belong to the former empire.
Moreover, the intelligence agents of the TSAB and the Enforcers had discovered that the Confederacy had set a plan named "Crimson Skies" in motion. It meant a full-scale attack. Something they expected at some point, but not that early.
Then reports came in of people sighting those they thought dead. It was way different from undead seen in bad horror movies. They were closer to ghosts abruptly appearing in front of their loved ones. Then they would go on their own business, unaware of their surrounding, and vanish as if they were just dreams. These specters looked real and surreal, leaving a feeling of unease in those they had come to visit. This happened in one of the ghost towns of Midchilda, those that were remains of the Great War. People who had come to visit the ruins had reported to have seen people in old Midchildan clothing.
These ghosts carried on their former lifes, then disappeared about as fast as they have appeared. On a darker note, Teana had come to Hayate, looking extremely troubled, after her late brother had "visited" her.
Soon, the reported calamities had hit them harder when it was their turn. At first, it was a few grunts, under the training of Nanoha, who were unable to tap in their magical energy. Some others were unable to chant their arias for their more powerful spells. Then other trainees could not get their spells working as expected. The worse had come to another trainee when the energy of his spell had backfired. The poor man had to be sent to the hospital. Finally, there were Caro who uttered in a trembling voice: "My friends would not come to me anymore. They don't understand my calls any longer." before tears overwhelmed her.
Lately, Hayate had two recurrent dreams. The first dream had Hayate standing in front of a chasm, inside a cave that appeared to be the heart of a labyrinth. In an attempt to find out what could lie in the depth, she gazed into the darkness and could feel something gazing back at her from the gaping hole, while unintelligible whispers urged her to leap inside the abyss. Most of the time, she would wake up from this dream before she made the decision to jump.
Another dream was a mist of light where she could float and feel at peace. Then a glowing golden fire would float toward her and as soon as she touched it, a series of still scenery started flashing through her mind while a calm feminine voice whispered in Hayate's ear:
"If you hear me, you will come.".
As these words floated in her mind, Hayate found herself beneath a starry night sky on which she could see unknown stars. The voice kept on whispering:
"Look up, and see the three moons and the Lone Red One."
Hayate raised her head to see three moons and a lone red star, surrounded by constellations she had never seen anywhere on the maps of the TSAB.
She lowered her glance to the direction of the voice who had become clearer. In front of her, a little girl was standing. She was clad in a simple but large white dress with a golden scarf and wearing a platinum tiara over her long black hair. A necklace of beads with a eight-pointed star medallion was worn around her frail neck. She looked to be about thirteen years old, but her purple eyes could tell that she was way older than she looked
"Now you have heard me, you will come under this sky. The sky of Mezzo Terra".
Obsessed by this dream, Hayate had requested Yuuno Scrya to find out about this Mezzo Terra and asked Carim if she could find a sense in her dreams. However, they were busy, trying to gather as much information as they could about the crisis, in preparation of the meeting involving most of the TSAB new High Council members and the directors of the different departments, as well as the Aces.
***
The day of the meeting, May 7th, MC079, had come rather quickly. Before entering the meeting room, Hayate saw that Vivio had followed Nanoha until this place. When Hayate had asked the reason of Vivio's presence, Vivio had replied that she felt as concerned as everyone else. Unfortunately, she had to stay outside, while the conference was being set up and about to start. When the door of the room was shut, Hayate surveyed the assembly, the heads of the different departments of the TSAB were present, with the exception of the director of the Enforcer department, never seen by anyone else. He or she was represented by his or her only friend and servant, the familiar Kayna who would occasionally assume the form of a raven. The servant had brought a Midchildan laptop computer that had a blank screen. It was supposed to be a proxy for the director, as shown by a miniature camera and mike. Other than the different directors, there were the secretary of defense and the secretary of foreign affairs, the top officers like the Admiral Chrono, and her friends Fate and Nanoha were sitting by her sides. In other occasions, Hayate would crack one of her jokes to ease up the atmosphere, but the crisis was way too severe to allow that.
The assembly was gathered by a middle-aged man. He was tall, athletic, fair-haired with strands of gray hair. He had the sharp but weary blue eyes of a veteran who had lead battles well beyond the boundaries of the TSAB's zone. Wrinkles had developed on his forehead and the corners of his mouth and his eyes. He retired from the frontline duty a few years ago. He was chosen as the new head of the TSAB High Council to replace those who had been killed during the Scaglietti Incident. He was elected because he was not related to any of the camarilla waging their war of influence in the offices of the TSAB. His name was Nigel McLaren.
He watched over the assembly, then started the opening speech of the meeting:
"Ladies and gentlemen. I have gathered this assembly to discuss about the crisis we are going through. This crisis is shaking the ideals of the TSAB and the foundations of our civilization. As we speak, the magic and the technology based on sorcery is failing us.
Starting from about one or two years ago, mages were starting to lose their powers or worse, their powers had turned against them. This had lead to dramatic events in worlds with lower levels of technology. There, mages would be often imprisoned, exiled or, worse, executed or lynched by the local population.
On worlds with a higher level of technological sorcery, this had lead to disasters. The most famous of them is the destruction of Ymir and its lifeforms by a flare of its star, after the failure of the planet's magic-based shields.
This was just the tip of the iceberg. The spread of the failure of our magitechnology had been slowed down by our best engineers.
Sadly, this could be just a temporary solution. If it go on, we may be forced to resort to the older technology, with the potential dangers we all expect from their use. It doesn't apply to just the civilian domain, but also in the military field.
Indeed, a vast Confederacy had set its eyes on our territories, and its resources. They first appeared as friendly, but as time passed, their masks had fallen. They attacked our neutral stance regarding Fiana Vickers. Our diplomats told them that we were just offering her the chance to enjoy a new life as an ordinary child. In turn, they labeled us as accomplices of a conspirator.
Not to mention that they have taken by force various mining settlements in our zone, pretending that these territories used to belong to them. Claim were later proven to be false by independent archeologists.
Their attitude toward the TSAB had shifted to a thinly veiled hostility and resulted in a volatile atmosphere between the two powers.
A conflict is not unlikely.
The crisis of technological sorcery and magic is endangering the survival of our people in worlds heavily dependant on it. But the addition of a potential, yet tangible, conflict is putting our very existence, as a model of civilization and autonomous power, at stake."
The following silence had given the meeting a solemn atmosphere as people were weighting the gravity of the crisis. One with a good hearing sense could almost hear the chuck-chuck of the fans of the climatization system behind the walls.
"Ground Army General Chrysler, what can we do if magic and sorcery keep failing like it does?" Nigel asked.
"We would have to revert to the older technology. Or an hybrid." The General replied. "This means the old firearms. Or the energy based weapons designed by Shari and Tsuzuki. The problem would be to equip the troops stationed pretty far."
"I've read from the files that the research and development department had been working on a kind of... Battery device. Care to tell us more?" Nigel enquired.
"It's just as they said. Devices that are designed to contain a limited amount of magical energy, just like battery. They used the cartdridges as a basic framework and expanded on it. They purpose was to artificially increase the magical energy pool of our mages, especially in combat. The weaknening of magic had forced the R&D scientists to works on seals that prevent, at best, the energy from leaking. At least, it could slow down the leaking of the energy. Doctor Shamal, Shari and Instructor Nanoha had together devised training methods to make an optimal use of the energy present in the mages and these battery devices." Chrysler answered.
"It's like someone on a remote island first uses a lighter to light a campfire then fall back to a magnifying glass when the lighter is empty. And when the magnifying glass is broken in an unfortunate accident, he fall back to make a fire with a flint, then a wooden branch." Nigel thought to himself.
"Gentlemen, I hope you are understanding why the question of the removal of the ban of conventionals is in the air." Nigel simply declared.
This statement had raised an uproar in the audience. As Nigel expected.
"I do not like it either. But unless you find a solution in the next days, it cannot be prevented." Nigel carefully weighted the consequence of this decision. He knew he was doing it for the sake of the TSAB's worlds.
"Admiral Chrono, what's the situation of the navy?" He asked.
"The dimensional sea seems to have turned less safe than before. Indeed, it have been reported that several of our ships have gone missing while going through the usual routes. Or they just have stopped working. As a result, some ships are immobilized and left drifting in the middle of the dimensional sea until they get rescued. It just doesn't have affected our ships, but also the civilian or private ships. As a result, the navigators have to find alternate and safer routes. This slow the general navigation down and affect the commerce and the logistic. And I fear that the merchant syndicates have to raise the price of the manufactured goods and raw materials as result of the increased risk and travelling time. To add up to our worries, some of our worlds are gradually isolated by the disturbances of the dimension sea. Indeed, the intensity of these disturbances could endanger our ships. On the brighter side, this also affect our main opponent. However, they have the number of ships and their willpower on their side." Admiral Chrono reported.
Nigel closed his eyes upon hearing these worrying reports. He then opened them and glanced toward General Chrysler:
"Compared to the confederates and their allies, what are the odds of the TSAB?"
"About five confederates and allies to two TSAB troopers." The general answered. "It just doesn't help that our main advantage, magic, is wavering. It's not just the decline of magic that is problematic. It's the fact that most of our troops have never killed another human being. We are most certain that the confederates have done it and have the will to do it. Not only they have the mindset. But they also have the equipment. Removing this ban on coventional would greatly help us."
Nigel gritted his teeth. He had killed people before. He knew how it felt and how it haunted one's nights. That was before his homeworld, torn by war, got discovered and saved by the TSAB. He looked at the Aces, wondering how would they feel when their hands would be covered in another human's blood. And what about the Knights? Wouldn't their old and buried memories of ancient wars awaken at the sight of corpses littered battlefields?
"Do they have weapons of mass destruction?" Nigel asked.
"Yes, however, it is unlikely that they are going to use them. They want the resources. And if it is possible, they want to convert the local population to their cause at best, or enslave them through forced labors at worst. It's because they need the manpower to exploit the resources they can gain." The general Chrysler replied.
"And we can't use the mass destruction weapons we have concealed against them, or we may alienate those who still resist in the Confederacy's main system" Nigel commented.
"That's right." Chrysler responded.
Nigel looked at the secretary of foreign affairs, Renault:
"Do we have potential allies?"
Renault saluted:
"One of them is the Agisymba Emirate. The Confederacy have indeed bought two important worlds with underhanded means from the Emirate. These worlds have provided the Emirate with raw materials and have also been strategic pivotal points for the Emirate's commercial routes and military garrisons. The League of Varcian is the second potential ally."
"Good, what do we know about their strengths?" Nigel asked.
"The biggest asset of the Emirate's army is their manpower. While inferior to the one that can be mobilized by the Confederacy and its allies, it is still enough to complete ours. Moreover, they specialize in quick but devastating strikes, and this is backed up by their well-trained akinci, asappi and janissaries divisions and their equipment. However, while they are willing to help us, on the basis of their animosity toward the Confederates, they expect us to pay a price." The secretary Renault asked.
"Of course, it is to be expected. What is the price?" Nigel asked.
"A sovereignty of about one century and one year over two of our frontier worlds, the administrated worlds 121 and 68, Ordova and Lestilla." Renault answered. "At the end of the period, the citizens of these worlds can choose to stay in the Emirate or return to the TSAB."
Nigel thought it over. This price seemed so little when the TSAB's survival was at stake.
"I think our citizens are ready to pay this price. Expect a speech from me in the next days to convince the Ordovans and the Lestillans. As soon this very meeting is over, I want you to send a delegation to negotiate with the involved parties, in order to make them understand all the benefits. And do not be afraid to exagerate these advantages."
Renault bowed over Nigel's words:
"I'll do it straight away."
"And what about the League, what help can we hope from them?" Nigel asked.
"They can use their powerful navy to supply us. While slower, their ships are more enduring, can withstand large amount of damage and are less sensible to the disturbance of the dimensional sea than our ships. They expect a joint protection force from our ships to keep the supply lines alive." The secretary of foreign affairs replied.
"How do they manage to do that?" Nigel enquired.
"They answered that everyone have their secrets." Renault answered.
"I would have done the same." Nigel commented. "What is their price for their help?"
"They want us to teach them magic, if we can solve this crisis. The Varcians have an history where mages used to be the ruling power. Then it just plain faded. They expect us to bring them answers over how to bring it back, should we manage to solve our own magic crisis. They think that this crisis is not the first, but they have never expected this scale." Renault said. "They hope magic can heal their world."
"Heal their world?" Nigel had not expected this.
"Their technological leap have been paid with a heavy price: the near destruction of almost all their ecosystem. If magic can help them to restore their ecosystem, they are fully willing to help us." Renault responded.
"So it all come to find out what is happening and how to undo it." Nigel shifted his gaze to Yuuno Scrya.
"Mister Scrya, I have invited you with the hope you can have some answers. I would like to hear your opinon about the current state of magic."
Yuuno then stood up, adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat:
"All these incidents are linked together, in one way or the other. Otherwise, how would you explain the way the dimensional sea have been disturbed to the point to endanger our navigation? What is telling us that the thing that disturb the dimensional sea would not spread over our reality? When we have asked the failing mages why their powers is dying up or failing, they all answered the same thing."
"What is it?" Nigel asked.
"It usually comes in the form of a recurring dream about a call inviting the dreamers to give something. In turn they are supposed to gain a greater power. Instead, their powers starts to fade away or get corrupted." Yuuno's reply had triggered a lot of reaction from the audience, ranging from worry to the realization that something was not exclusive to one person, but a lot of people in the known universe. Known by the TSAB.
Nigel then looked at everyone:
"How many of you have had this dream?"
Nearly everyone raised their hands.
"And how many of you have given this call a positive answer?"
Way fewer hands raised. Much to Hayate's relief, her friends, the Aces and her Knights, were not of those who had given in this call.
"Now, this is really troublesome." Nigel commented.
"It doesn't help that the more the dreamer ignore the call, the more subtle yet forceful the next calls becomes." Yuuno added.
"So, someone is corrupting or absorbing magic..." Nigel commented. "The problem is how this someone achieved this."
"I think I have a theory regarding this point." Yuuno said, while lifting his finger. "I have read a lot of old scriptures dating from the ancient times. First, Earth have an interesting theory regarding the lines of power. This have given birth to concepts like the ley lines and could explain the setups of many sites. Earth inhabitants even have created sciences like the Feng Shui. They have thought that favorable setups of various elements in a given landscape can modify the flow of mystical energy in favorable ways. What's more interesting is that this theory have found echo in a civilization way older than the civilizations found on Earth. This civilization is supposed to have existed before Al Hazred and Ancient Belka. Moreover, according to very old Belkan history chronicles, this civilization have been Belka's main concurrent, before fading from history."
Yuuno looked at the audience then quickly got to the point.
"Now, here is the interesting thing. This civilization have believed in a point of origin. From this point of origin, energy have flown and have shaped the universe we know. But not just the galaxies and the stars. It also have shaped the planets, the landscapes and the beings found these planets. They have believed that magic is a way to resonate with the point of origin and bend the reality according to the effects that are desired by a given spell. As for the magical energy, they believe that it also comes from this point of origin, like how a river comes from a spring and have branched out into myriads of smaller streams."
Eyes in the audience widened at what Yuuno could mean, an uproar of disapproval and denial ensued.
"I am afraid of what you are trying to imply." Nigel said.
"I too fear it myself. What if this people's theory hold a bit of truth? What if someone have found the source and is trying to use it to his or her own benefits?" Carim said.
"Exactly." Yuuno welcomed Carim's conclusion.
"When one want to rule the desert, all the tyrant needs is to take over all the water." Shamal commented in turn.
"And this have to happen just when war is at our gates!" One of the people in the audience shouted. "Couldn't we just give Fiana Vickers to the Confederates to appease them?"
Hayate felt anger in her flesh, she turned toward her friends. Nanoha and Fate had the same reaction, for different reasons. The former could not let Vivio lose her friend, the latter was angered by this demonstration of cowardice.
A loud thud silenced everyone, Nigel McLaren had slammed his fist on the table, giving a scolding stare at the one who had said that:
"Be quiet. You know very well that the Confederate will do their move regardless they have the exiled princess or not. You have heard the speech of their president about their 'vital space', don't you?" He then turned to Hayate, "And Miss Yagami knows the reason she have been invited by them about four months ago, right?"
"The goal was a demonstration of their forces, they also tried, with little to no success, to obtain information about our forces when it was their turn to visit Midchilda. I hate to admit it, but their elite unit, the 108 Immortals can rival our Combat Cyborgs, the Nakajima sisters and the former Numbers, in many ways. Any of their Majestic Twelve, their generals, is a capable leader and is gifted with a power about as good as an Ace. One way to tip the balance in our favor is to call for potential allies, like those contacted by our diplomats. I would suggest another potential ally: the Belkan diaspora. One potential problem would be to find a leader to rally them. I may suggest Carim Gracia. As far as Vickers is concerned, I say we keep her. I have seen what the Confederacy truly is. It's not a democracy, it is one of the worst dictatorships that exists today. Most of its population are brainwashed by their omnipresent propaganda, those who refuses and resists are oppressed. Those who managed to escape joined what the Confederacy heads call the terrorists." Hayate declared.
"The very same terrorists who harass our fleet, Miss Yagami!" Another man, the vice-admiral Horacio Punto, angrily retorted. To be fair, the ships of his fleet were the first ones to have been raided by the Screamsax Pirates led by the Captain Morgan. Being in charge of the transport and logistics for the TSAB military only made him a prey of choice for the pirates.
"Their leader have promised us to not do it anymore" Fate replied, in defense of Yagami.
Punto turned his head to Fate, scornfully snorting:
"Are you telling me that you, an Enforcer, have negotiated with a terrorist?"
A synthetic, non-human, voice had boomed in the room, causing all heads to turn to the small computer. Its owner was viewing the meeting through a camera integrated in the computer. With Kaina who was standing behind the machine all the while:
"I have personally required the enforcers Testarossa and Lanster to not take action against the leader of the pirates should they meet him again. If one is to blame, it is not them, but I."
"Would you care to tell us the reason, Director of the Enforcer Department?" The vice-admiral asked.
"I am certain that in this time of crisis, we will need to get as much cards in our hand as we can. These pirates are rebels against the Confederates, and more members of the clans that used to be the bricks of the former Alwion Empire are joining the captain De Havilland. This is why I asked the collaboration of the Intelligence department." the Director of the enforcer Department answered.
"Miss Director of the Intelligence Department?" Nigel enquired.
Then, a middle-aged woman stood up. Tightly clad in the uniform of the Intelligence Department, Carla Kyalami, saluted the audience:
"Yes, High Council head." Carla said.
"Since most of your informations are sensible, I'll simply ask one question, you'll only need to answer with yes or no. If you can't, you don't have to." Nigel stated the rules of the following dialogue, if one can call that a dialogue.
"Does our first contacts with the Confederacy date from way before the official contacts?" Nigel started.
"Affirmative" Carla nodded.
"The coming of Fiana Vickers in TSAB's zone of influence during MC 070, then the ensuing request of political asylum from her servants, had caused your department to send undercover agents in the Confederacy's territory, correct?" Nigel continued.
A silence was the only answer from Carla. A silence that could be interpreted in many ways. Nigel then asked his next question.
"You have kept contacts with your agents?"
"Negative." Carla replied
"In the absence of contact with the HQ, your agents had become sleeper agents, right?" Nigel continued.
"Classified information." Carla kept her composure.
"The Yagami's delegation that was sent soon after the first official contact was more than a diplomatic delegation. Am I correct?"
"Classified information." Another answer left to anyone's guess.
Hayate nodded to these words, she had to learn the working and traps of foreign diplomacy, and being the front cover of espionage activities was one of the aspects she had to live with. Then the synthetic voiced continued:
"In a time when magic is less reliable we'll have to use every available trump cards, the sleeper agents card may be one of our wild cards. Sadly, this may not be enough. We have to find out why magic is not working as intended in some cases, or why it is running dry. If anything said by Mister Scrya is true, it means something or someone is attacking magic at its very source. What, who, how, where and why."
"This is why I called Carim Gracia." McLaren replied.
"You did well" The synthetic voice commented.
"The audience would like to know your opinion and theories on the matter of magic. And possibly, a solution." Nigel said.
Carim stood up with a rather solemn expression on her face.
"I need not to repeat what Yuuno said about the state of magic. My own abilities had offered a small hint about how to deal with this crisis, this is what I have read: 'A master and a companion, a knight, a throneless emperor and her guardian will sail the sea of the stars. Beyond the starry ocean, lies the earth of the middle, where a princess and a giant of the ancient times will meet and join their forces to face their worst fears and ghosts. Upon the defeat of their ghosts, hubris wait for them in the heart of darkness, under the lonely shore. Should they overcome it, the pain of the world will be eased, should they don't, the world will crumble from losing its blood." Carim offered the best answer she could have, in this time of troubles.
"So that's how it is?" Nigel commented.
"That's the most my own abilities could have done." Carim replied, as if she apologized.
"What's this earth of the middle? There are plenty of worlds that could claim to be the earth of the middle." The puzzled secretary Renault asked.
This was the moment for Yuuno Scrya to speak up on the topic:
"Colonel Yagami had talked to Carim and I some days ago about a recurrent dream that could be related to this earth of the middle."
All eyes turned toward Yagami who suddenly felt the weight of the growing responsibility, she then went on describing her two recurrent dreams:
"Like all of you, I have received this call about the promise of a greater power. However, there were another dream. I was feeling at peace, in a mist of light, hearing an appeasing light. There were an appeasing voice trying to tell me something. Then I found myself under a starry night. I could see three moons. The first moon was silvery white, almost like the one seen from my homeland. The second one was a small but beautiful blue moon. Then the third one was a sinister grayish shattered moon. Another thing I could see in this sky are a lone red bright star and the constellations. The most notable was the one that was supposed to indicate the north of the planet. With a great deal of imagination, it looked like a sword. But if one looked a little at the southeast, a constellation in the form of a bowman could be seen. Another constellation, at the west, looked like a lone tower. And... There were the Twins, southward. That was all the constellations I could remember from my dream. Then the voice that appeased me became clearer and I turned my eyes to the source of this voice. It was a little girl, in her early teens, with very old eyes and a tiara around her black hair. She looked like a religious figure from her clothing. She had said something like 'If you hear it, you will come' and 'Now you have heard me, you will come under the sky of Mezzo Terra.'" Hayate had tried her best to not not omit the important details of her dream.
"The Earth of the Middle in one of the Earth's languages, and the native language of the House of Borgia when its founder father have come to Midchilda" The synthetic voice of the director of the Enforcer department commented.
A silence had fallen on the assembly as if they were all trying to figure out hypothesis, hints or solutions. The silence was soon interrupted by the Admiral Chrono.
"About two years ago" Chrono said, "One of the ships under my command had discovered a solar system that was not claimed yet by any of the known transdimensional superpowers. I think you all remember the ship named Namshub and its operator, Ynana."
Hayate remembered this ship. This spaceship and its alien operator were relics of a time now forgotten by history, way before the ice age on Earth ended. In many regards, they were anachronisms that seemed to not belong to the distant past they were supposed to have lived in. And they should not have been here before a few centuries.
"Ynana had sent various drones and probes on this planet to gather as much information as possible." Chrono continued, "The purpose was to find out if the people living there could be contacted by the TSAB personel without any unwanted tension. But also to detect any potential lost logia-class objects in need to be recovered and secured. However, I think that this planet and its solar systems would be better presented by the navigator of Namshub."
It was not too long before the doors of the council room opened. With a glance, the three Aces could see Vivio taking a peek at the room while a seemingly young, yet ageless, silver-haired woman clad in the uniform of the TSAB navy walked in the room with various files under her arm. Ynana then turned her head toward the assembly, her eyes as cold as two quicksilver marbles surveying everyone who were present. Like a puppet whose the strings were pulled by a hesitating master, Ynana mechanically saluted the people.
Chrono motioned his head at Ynana, telling her she can report what she knew about the newly discovered system. A cold monotonous voice then started the presentation of one of the TSAB's new discoveries:
"The planet we have discovered orbit a yellow dwarf star of about 1.05 solar mass, meaning that this star is slightly bigger and brighter than Earth's Sun. Beside the planet that interest us, eleven other planets orbits that sun. This is not counting this sun's distant companion, a red dwarf of 0.4 solar mass that is located about 54.8 Astronomical Units, its velocity, orbit and distance allows this companion to complete its revolution every 405.66 earth years. The only habitable planet is the fourth planet, orbiting in a distance of 1.125 Astronomical Units. It takes 425 earth days to complete its orbit and its rotation period last 26 earth hours. Three moons orbits this planet that is the home of seven humanoid races. Surprisingly, there are also humans of the homo sapiens type on this planet. They apparently immigrated to this planet over three millennia ago, a range of 1300 to 1100 BC would be the rough estimation of when humans first came to this planet. They soon entered in competition with another immigrant humanoid race, the Bhadra, who had come to this planet when Earth was in the middle of the bronze age. A range between 2800 BC and 2600 BC would be the best estimation."
Carim tried to remember where she had heard the Bhadra name. Could it be one of the ancient civilizations that Belka had come to supplant before rising to the top as empire?
Ynana continued:
"The Bhadra were allied to one of the three native races and basically shaped the world to their desires after winning a war against one of the other native race. From now on, even if humans are now superior to the Bhadra in term of population, and influence on the civilization, everyone still call their world by the name the bhadra had given to it: Madhyaloka. In their language, it mean, The Middle World."
Ynana then turned her head to look at Hayate:
"Colonel Yagami. As observed from the surface of this planet by my drones, you could see the lone red dwarf star by night. As well as the three moons and the different constellations that could be as described in your dream. I don't have a great imagination but this is nearly how the rest of the crew of my ship had described them from the photos."
What should I do, this thought had raced through the Colonel's mind. Fate and Nanoha stared at Hayate, their eyes filled with interrogations and worries. How can they help their friend? Chrono considered the options that were presented, sadly, there were so little. Did the answer lie in this planet lost beyond the boundaries of the TSAB's zone of influence? What if the Confederacy discovered this planet too? Safe, in that place where no one but Kaina had ever come, the director of the Enforcers department considered the fact that there may be spies and traitors inside the TSAB working for their enemy, the slightest move will set this war in motion; Midchilda was cornered since the beginning. Carim and Yuuno pondered over Hayate's dream, this could be a call. What for? Vivio was listening by sticking her ear close to the door, she couldn't hear everything, but she had heard about "a journey" and "a throneless emperor". Was it her? The Knights looked at their master, trying to get a sign of what to do. But no answer from their master, lost in her thoughts. Reinforce Zwei was trying to know what her master planned to do, it was one of these times she couldn't read in Hayate.
Nigel knew that sooner or later, the TSAB would have to face a large scale conflict. He just wished it was not at that time, when their biggest advantage was failing them. Lifting the ban in conventional weapons, having to relearn how to wage this kind of war, it was not as easy as it sounded. But he had no other choices. He looked at the Colonel Yagami. Maybe the girl who called Hayate in her dreams knew something about Hayate that the Colonel herself did not know? Hayate thought to herself, she had to make a decision. Answering this call did mean leaving her friends behind her. But somehow, she believed that she must find out what was wrong with magic, her magic had not failed her yet. However, she did not want it to fail her in the middle of a crucial battle. Maybe, finding the root of their problems may help her to attain a better understanding of herself.
"Mister Head of the Council, McLaren. I will go. And I will find out how to restore magic." She realized that this decision will throw her on a lonely road. "I'll go alone, with the Conquistadores, and accompanied by my companion Reinforce."
Nanoha and Fate both stood up, voicing their concerns:
"Hayate!"
Only to be stopped by Hayate gesturing with her hand.
"Please, stay behind. The Midchildans needs their heroes. What would they do if we all leave them?"
"But we did everything together, we shared the same joys, we went through the same moments of sorrow" Nanoha replied. "I cannot decently train my troops without knowing that you are safe."
"Nanoha. You are a greater instructor than you want to believe. Look at how you have raised Teana and Subaru into the prides of their respective departments. It's all thank to you. Moreover, the more common soldiers will need a heroic figure like you to find courage. Finally, you are from Earth like me, you'll have no problems to adapt to the changes of policy, if we have come to remove that ban on the conventionals." Hayate looked straight into Nanoha's eyes.
"Hayate, I cannot stay behind, uncertain you are going to make it!" Fate said.
"The enforcers department will need all its people to find out the spies and the supporters of the Confederacy. Even you can make a difference between a discovered spy and one that can lead thousands of us to a certain death." Hayate was reminding Fate of her duty as an enforcer.
"Nanoha, Fate" Hayate shifted her glance in the direction of her Knights, "My family. There are times when someone have to walk a road alone. This time, for me, is coming soon".
Signum protested.
"I refuse to let go you alone. Please, meister, let me be your sword." Signum took Hayate's hands, as if she was about to make an oath, "If there are a knight in Carim's prophecy, let me be this knight."
Hayate then looked at Vita and Shamal who answered her interrogative gaze with a nod of agreement. Fate, Hayate and the Knights knew that Nanoha had suffered more than anyone else from the Scaglietti incident. More incidents or conflicts like this one would lead her to her downfall.
"I'll look over Nanoha." Vita declared.
"I'll be watching over her health." Shamal said.
The next minutes were then followed by a long ruckus. It was either protests against what appeared to be a fanciful impulse of the Colonel, sighs of reliefs over what could be solutions, or cheers in support of the decision that was taken. Nigel then brought back the order in the assembly with another loud knock against the table. He then stood up and looked at Hayate.
"Colonel Yagami. Please, you are going to be our beacon of hope in the dark times that will come. Never forget it. Remember why you are doing it. As far as I am concerned, I can only wish you the best of luck."
"I will, sir" Hayate saluted.
Nigel then turned his eyes to the audience. He wondered who could be the throneless emperor, Vivio? Fiana? The future will tell.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is no more the time for half-measures. We will have to play all the cards we have been dealt, it is no more the time for the petty struggles between the Bureau factions. We will either win or have to face our annihilation. This means that we will have to vote the removal of the ban on the conventional weapons. I know that some of you are going to question me over how my proposition is going against the ideals that founded the bureau. I know they have right now the intention to vote against it. I am not going to force them to do otherwise. However, I'd like them to think more about it, to think about what they are fighting for, why they joined the bureau and consider the enemy who is at our gates. Some of you, and some of the people under your command are indeed very young. Those had never faced the dilemma resulting from whatever it is right or wrong to kil. I won't lie, if you have never killed, you'll have to learn or you will get killed. Even the Colonel Yagami may soon face this dilemma in a world she doesn't even know. When this upcoming war will be over, maybe some people in this assembly will be dead, even I may be killed. And the survivors will know that everything won't be the same as they used to be. This is why I'll promise you fire, steel, mud, blood and tears."
People present at the meeting applauded. Then Nigel motioned his hand for silence.
"The vote for the removal of the ban on conventional weapons begins now. I have prepared the ballot. So, ladies and gentlement, it's time to accomplish your duty."
This was when everyone took a sheet of paper to write a single word, yes or no.
***
Under three moons, there were a magnificent grove, a few kilometers away from the shore. Several hundred years old trees offered a shelter to a very tall and reasonably toned protohuman was sitting in the lotus position. In font of him, there were a simple plate with simple food. His silver hair was blown by a gentle wind, his eyes were shut while his mind was trying to seize the mysteries of the universe. He was clad in very simple cotton clothing that left his chest bare, and wore only a necklace of beads around his neck. He then opened his three eyes to see a woman walking toward him then sitting by his side, under the tree. He did not need to look at her to guess the playful smirk she was hiding behind her fan. She was dressed in an elaborate gold and purple silk clothing that was mainly a purple tunic and ankle-lenght skirt fastened by a golden stash that emphasized her figure.
"I have expected you to come. Would you eat some of the pastries done by the villages I visited?" The man said.
"I guess I can't surprise you anymore, my dear. Thanks you for the pastries." The purpled-eyed woman giggled while picking up something that looked like a sticky cereal paste ball. "I wonder if you have ever laughed or felt entertainment. You seem to be so boring to hang with. No wonder your brother was upset with you."
"My brother always let his emotions get the best and worst of him." He replied. "But he is not the topic, right?"
"Indeed." The Lady twirled her long platinum blonde hair between her thin fingers.
"It's this crisis again? The Matriarch have finally found someone that can help us to undo the wound of our world?" The holy man asked.
"Times will be fun again. The one who answered the call looks to be a fun fellow." She commented.
"Don't you have enough fun? Don't you think that this one monster you have allowed into this world and is causing disasters in our world is enough?" The man asked.
"This fellow have, as one of her friends, the one who can bring peace and hope of redemption to our monster. Tame this beast and we may have a valuable ally against the one causing my world so much misery." She replied.
"Now this is interesting." He conceded.
The woman stood up and looked at her companion, with her deep purple eyes.
"I knew you would say that." She smiled and took a deep breath. "You now look forward to meeting them, don't you?"
"Indeed" He answered.
The woman then walked into what looked like a rift torn by a dozen of ghostly hands in the thin air.
***
During one night, Hayate was dreaming again. The same girl who had haunted her slumber stared at her with a joyful smile:
"You have heard me and answered my call."
"Why do you have to call me? Why me?" Hayate asked.
"My call was nothing more than a message in the bottle. It just so happened that the waves of fate had pushed the bottle toward you." The petite girl answered.
"That's all?" Hayate couldn't believe that this call was nothing more than a gamble.
The mysterious girl was walking up to Hayate and cupped Hayate's hands between hers:
"You are thinking that I was throwing a dice and hoping to roll a six? Funny enough, I rolled a six. You hold the key that may heal our world, your world and maybe the universe." she declared.
"What is this key?" Hayate just could not understand.
"You are a smart girl, you will understand when you will come to me." The girl replied.
"I have one more thing to ask." Hayate said.
"I am all ears" Such was this girl's reply.
Hayate then told her about the other recurring dream. The mysterious girl's eyes widened and showed worry.
"It's as your friend Yuuno said. You must not comply to this voice's demand. And it will become harder to resist as the days passes."
The girl then looked up, skyward. She then lowered her glance:
"We have to part our ways. It takes me a lot of effort to get tuned with you and be able to communicate"
"And who are you exactly?"
As the girl faded from Hayate's mind, she answered:
"The last alive disciple of my world's savior"
The rest of the night was dreamless and the alarm clock then pulled Hayate off her sleep.
Next part:
It was the morning of the 24th of May. Hayate had done most of her morning duties, like showering, eating her breakfast with her Knights and she was now preparing herself for her journey with Reinforce Zwei and Signum, stuffing changes of clothes in her bag as well as Reinforce Zwei's. The past days were eventful, the ban on the conventional had been lifted, leading the armed forces of the TSAB to be trained by the few allies of the TSAB who had not fully banned the mentioned weapons, namely those from Erusia. Some of the TSAB diplomats had left Midchilda, to sail beyond the boundaries of TSAB's zone, to negotiate alliance with the Agisymba Emirate and the League of Varcian. Hayate knew that the Alwion Confederacy was not alone and was assisted by three other allies, maybe closer to the status of satellite states than true allies. The unknowns of the equation were the Belkan diaspora, the TSAB sleeper agents meant to sabotage the Confederacy from the inside, and herself. Herself and the success of her mission: restore the magic to its state before the crisis. Of course, there were the Cyborgs, the same Cyborgs who were her enemies some years ago, but how can they hold against the Confederate army's Immortals, and the generals known as the Majestic Twelve? Then there were this newest development, Vivio had expressed her wish to follow Hayate and help her. Of course, her adopted parents had refused at first, but the girl had shown a determination and obstinacy that had made Nanoha proud of her. Upon hearing Vivio's decision, Zafira had decided to follow up and join Hayate, much to Vivio's joy. While stroking Reinforce's hair, Hayate looked through the window, contemplating Cranagan City one last time. She realized that the city won't be the same when she will return, then her train of thoughts drifted to the years of her childhood, from that time when the Knights were summoned, her first meeting with Suzuka then the first time she had meet Nanoha and Fate. "Remember why you are doing it." These words echoed in Hayate's mind with more strength than ever. This thought brought a weight on her shoulders, the weight of people's hopes and expectations, she knew she could not turn back, she couldn't afford to fail them.
"Rein" she lowered her gaze to the cute little companion who turned her head and replied her meister's look with a smile.
"Yes, Mistress?"
Hayate smiled, feeling a faint pinch on her heart.
"Let's enjoy our last hours before our journey."
This day, she had her last lunch with her friends. All of Aces, Knights and Strikers who were on Midchilda attended this lunch.
The menu was copious and cooked by one of their friends, a cook named Kevin, who also hailed from Earth. Today, it was a chinese themed lunch, mainly dim sum with a local twist:
"Here Hayate, a little gift for you. That's a collaboration between Tsuzuki and me, I have given one to Vivio and Signum already." Shari had given Hayate a necklace.
"What is it?" Hayate asked.
"A translator and interpretator. I have asked Ynana's help to load the most common languages of that world in this device. You should have little problems to understand and get understood. However, there are still time where you'll need to use your own intelligence and intuition to get your way through the more complicated conversations." Shari pointed here and there the important parts of her device. "This is where your short experience in diplomacy can be helpful."
Hayate nodded and took some dim sum with her chopsticks, Reinforce was trying to gulp some as much as her appetite and frame allowed her. She soon got into a small bickering with Agito.
"The pork, it's all mine. All you can take are the ones with just the vegetables." Agito grinned.
"You've gotten quite a lot of guts, reddie." Reinforce retorted.
"You are eating too much lately. Don't you fear that your master switch to a new costume model?" Agito was trying to hit the Reinforce's sensible cord.
"You are one to talk, muffin monster." Reinforce replied while shrugging in a mocking manner.
The bickering was stopped by Signum who had knocked over their heads with her chopsticks.
"You two, don't disrupt this lunch." Signum's hand grabbed her cup filled with tea by Shamal.
Nanoha was picking up bau and breathed on one to cool it down. Looking at Hayate, she said:
"How do you feel about your travel?"
"I am eager to find the answers I am looking for. But at the same time, it's like my shoulders felt heavier." The Colonel answered.
"I would like to follow you, especially because of Vivio. But..." She looked through the window, thoughtfully. Beyond that window, one could guess where Vivio's school was. Just like Hayate, she was enjoying her last day in this world.
"But?" Hayate enquired.
"I have my duties as an instructor, as a person from Earth, I have had some trouble to get my trainees to understand some concepts from Earth. Then, I looked at them, wondering how many will go through this conflict, alive." Nanoha looked unusually worried.
"With the help of the Erusians who have lived through a war, we can make up for what Midchildans have been lacking." Vita bluntly stated.
"Then there are also the issue of the traitors or the spies." Fate added.
Eyes turned toward Fate.
"There are not that many in the worlds closer to Mid. But the closer we get to the borders, the more vocal the supporters of the old technology gets. These people have sympathies toward the Confederacy, and this gets all the more true as our magic is failing more and more. Moreover, the propaganda from the Confederates have been slowly spreading in these places." Fate said. "As a result, enforcers have to investigate the past of many agitators on these worlds. Under the suspicions that they may be spies working for the Confederates. We are doing the job of a political police, we are slowly turning similar to those on the other side."
The atmosphere had gotten somber, but Nanoha had laid her hand on Fate's shoulder.
"It feels like something is slipping between our fingers. I wish that things would be much simpler, like in battlefields. At least, I could see my adversary, face to face, looking straight into his eyes. Here, it's like anybody can be an enemy. Anyone can be guilty and innocent." Fate continued.
"So this is how the enforcers have changed? The counter-espionage have become one of their tasks..." Hayate thought.
"But there are Teana who have an uncanny intuition when it comes to them." Fate concluded. "So the work is not as bad as I feared."
Teana looked kinda embarassed over the compliments of Fate.
"W... Well... We have a lot to learn from each other." Teana shifted her glance away from the group.
"Teana?" Nanoha asked. "Have you been 'visited'?"
Teana looked at her seniors:
"It's fine. There are no more visits from my brother. If it is what you meant."
"And this call?" Hayate asked.
"Don't worry about it. I have not succumbed." Teana smiled.
"Fate?" Nanoha asked.
"Yes, Nanoha?" The blonde enforcer answered.
"Is Caro ok?" Nanoha enquired.
"She have gotten better. But, for her safety, we have sent her to the Emirate. There, she is supposed to meet thaumaturgists who apparently can provide her some help. Erio and Lutecia have followed her, for mental support but also to protect her. If something goes wrong." Fate replied.
"Nanoha, what's your feeling about Vivio's leaving?" Hayate asked.
"At first, I was pretty worried. I would not be at her side when she'll be on this world. However, knowing that she'll be with Zafira, Signum and you, it put my mind at ease. I could not stop her, there are no way I could do that. The flame in her eyes when she have told me her decision have been very telling." Nanoha replied.
She then laid her hands on Hayate's shoulders.
"You better bring me back Vivio in one whole piece! Or..."
"Or?"
"I'll make sure that Shamal will be your exclusive cook for the rest of your life!" She said, beaming Hayate with a wide smile.
Hayate then cowered over Nanoha's words while Shamal, red with embarassment, shouted:
"Please, don't make fun of me!"
A loud laughter from all people present echoed in the room.
Kevin the cook then brought up the dessert, a bunch of delicious cakes with lotus paste fillings.
"I hope it was all good for you." Kevin said.
"Oh, it was great." Reinforce and Agito answered in... unison. Then they looked into each eyes. Their gazes seemed to throw lightning. Much to the others' amusement.
Then someone had rung the doorbell. Shamal stood up and walked toward the door. It was Subaru.
"Sorry for being late. Big sister have let me go, so I could leave the training and join you. But I was caught in a traffic jam." She said while rubbing her head.
"But you are welcome anytime" Shamal replied. "Place take a seat."
Subaru gladly complied and had started to eat all the food, like a glutton.
TV was broadcasting the news. It could have been better. Hayate wished that this last day, things would not be so grim for the citizens. News reported food shortage on various worlds. As predicted by Chrono, days ago in that meeting. When one thought about it, it was only the natural progression of this crisis from long months. Then came that face that most of Midchildans had come to hate, the face of Cornelius Westminster. He was too hosting a meeting, in front of a litteral ocean of people. The crowd was hypnotized by his voice and his martial body language. An atmosphere of contained anger filled the atmosphere of the piece.
"How did they let a mad man like him get to the head of their state? This is beyond me." Shamal commented.
"If it was up to me, he'll be kissing my hammer." Vita said, between her gritted teeth.
"Testarossa, I am wondering something." Signum said.
"Yes?" Fate replied.
"How much do we know about the twelve generals?" Signum asked, pointing her finger to the twelve figures behind the CEO Cornelius, president of the Confederate parliament, officially.
"They used to command the imperial army. They were the personal guards of the ruling House." Fate replied.
"The parliament had tricked them into believing that the House of Vickers planned nothing about the crisis that was shaking the old empire. Worse, the parliament had charged the House of Vickers with treason." Teana added.
Nanoha's eyes widened.
"So we have a way to turn one of them against the others!" She said.
"Easier said than done. They are fanatical and loyal... To their country." Teana replied.
"I am pretty sure there are one who is faithful to the values of their former empire, and have aspirations to resistance. Maybe Fiana's butler can tell us about the Majestic Twelve." Nanoha affirmed.
"And you always find a way. Always." Subaru added with admiration.
"Now the problem is the Immortals." Signum said. "And we only have fragments of information regarding them."
"Yes, they are apparently cyborgs too. Differents in concept from the numbers and the types-0" Shari said. Then looking at Subaru. "Sorry."
"Please don't worry about it and just carry on your line of thought." Subaru said.
"According to the Department of Intelligence. They are products of the nanotechnology. Tsuzuki claims that if they made up of nano-machines, one could design nano-destructors." Shari explained.
"If it can bleed, we can kill it." Vita commented.
"Did you make up that line yourself, Vita?" Nanoha teased.
"W... Well, I have heard it in a movie." Vita looked kinda embarassed while Nanoha patted her head.
'I think it would be better to capture one and study him so Tsuzuki and I can make these nanodestructors. Easier said than done." Shari added.
"Should the occasion come, you may count on Yuuno and me to carry on this task." Shamal said. "However. I have something more urgent do do!" Shamal then stood up and clapped her hands together, she was indeed leaving the group to help Kevin the cook into washing the dishes.
Gradually, everyone but Hayate and Reinforce had left the place to get back to their respective professional tasks. Hayate and Reinforce then dressed up in their TSAB attires. Before they left, Kevin had come to meet Hayate and said:
"Well, this is the last time before we see each other for a while." He then hand Hayate a small notebook. "Here, I have written simple recipes you can cook in any remote place. You can call that the survivor's cuisine!" Kevin grinned.
"This is going to be very handful." Hayate said, not knowing how to express her gratitude in a better way. "Kevin, if the war reach Cranagan, be careful."
Kevin looked at her with wide eyes then laughed loudly.
"Heheh, there are no way a cook like me can get killed. Confederates should better be scared of cooks." Then Hayate, Reinforce and Kevin laughed as loud as their lungs allowed them.
"Well, I have to go too." He then stretched his arms toward Hayate and Reinforce. His fists were clenched, with only the pinky fingers sticking out.
"Let's make a pinky promise." Kevin said.
Hayate then crossed her pinky finger with Kevin's while Reinforce could only take Kevin's other pinky between her hands.
Together, the trio claimed:
"We swear to all come back in this place, in one piece. No matter what."
Then Kevin hugged Hayate and patted Reinforce one last time and walked away.
In turn, Hayate and Reinforce left their home to visit the TSAB's office. They had to complete a few paperwork they had not done. They wanted to make sure they had not forgotten any office business before leaving. Accompanied by Reinforce, Hayate visited the intelligence department to bid her farewell to the few people who helped her in the tricky office intrigues, like the public relation officer, Diana Dornier.
"It's been a while I have not visited you." Hayate said. She knew that she was not really popular in this department. But Diana accepted the friendship that Hayate offered her, and returned it well.
"Well, to be fair, we all have been busy these last months." Diana replied, with a smile.
"Your smile. It's not lying to me. If you have something on your heart, at least speak up." Hayate had learnt well how to deal with those from the Intelligence Department and read in them.
"You are leaving, just like how Roland and the other men have left. I am not even sure if you or any of them can return here, alive." Diana turned her head sideways, so Hayate would not see her worried look.
"You should not think negatively." Hayate replied with a wide smile.
"Oh well, I am just an egotistical girl." Diana turned her face to look right into Hayate's eyes. "Unlike Roland and the others, you can afford to say goodbye to everyone. This makes me feel better, so let me wish you the best of luck."
Diana turned her head to look at Reinforce Zwei, and kissed the cute little being on her forehead.
"I am sorry, I don't have any coins for the machine."
"You don't have to apologize. It's one of these days." Reinforce was rubbing the back of her head.
Diana replied with a smile.
The both women and Reinforce Zwei then parted their ways, not before Diana told Hayate that Nigel McLaren needed to see her.
***
Hayate took the elevator and had reached the office of the head of the High Council. She was welcomed by Nigel's secretary, a rather shy and complexed glasses girl who always looked flustered in the presence of the high profiles of the Bureau. Right now, Lou Ibiza was squeezing a tea bag between her fingers to get the most of it. She then noticed the Colonel and Reinforce Zwei and abruptly stood up.
"Goo... Good Day Colonel!" She said while trembling.
"You do not have to be scared, I am not that bad." Hayate replied with a giggle. "The Head of the Council wanted to see me, that's right?"
Lou regained her much needed professional composure.
"Yes, he does." Lou then pushed a white button on her desk and spoke to the intercom. "Colonel Yagami is here, sir."
"Ok", a voice responded.
"You can go in" Lou said to Hayate while bowing.
Lou then stared at Reinforce Zwei.
"Hum..." Lou was hesitating. "Can she stay a bit with me while you are in the Head of the Council's office?"
Hayate and Reinforce Zwei looked straight into each others' eyes.
"It will be a pleasure for me to get to know Miss Ibiza better" Reinforce said.
Lou expressed the excitation and joy of a little girl when she heard Reinforce's answer.
The Colonel then walked toward the office and knocked on the wooden door.
"Colonel Yagami." Hayate announced.
"Good." It was the sober answer.
Hayate opened the office door. It was a sober room, with a couch on the right, two cabinets loaded with books and files on the left and the Head's desk at the center. Hayate was welcomed by McLaren walking to her and greeting her.
"I am glad to see you."
"It is my pleasure." Yagami replied.
On the desk, Hayate could see the unfinished miniature model of a boat.
"Well, the reason I called you is pretty petty. I just wanted to say goodbye to you before you board your ship. My schedule wouldn't allow me a slot to go to the port. I have to visit an orphanage." Nigel said.
"Oh?" Hayate never knew about this.
"It's something I do beside the politics. A small part of my income go to this orphanage." He answered. "Before this crisis, I have planned to retire from the politics and join this orphanage as a simple employee."
"Why?" The Colonel asked.
"I have been appointed as head of the Council because the Council have needed someone for a smoother transition after the Scaglietti incident. I am free from the wars of influence between the official or secret factions of the bureau or the lobbies who found the Bureau. And I do have experience in the military field." He replied.
Hayate meditated on this reply, realizing that she was also a part of this secret game. Was she the pawn? The knight? The bishop?
"Don't worry about yourself over this. You have friends, the other Aces, your knights and the Strikers. And I believe you also have allies who sympathized with you." Hearing these words from Nigel, Hayate realized that he was likely meaning allies like Diana Dornier.
"Hayate. Do you think that I was always a military?" Nigel asked.
Hayate thought over it. This question expected a no as answer. Why would he ask this question if he was always a military? She then said:
"You used to be a civilian. Am I right?"
Nigel answered with a nod.
"I used to be a school teacher in a non-administrated world. I enjoyed teaching children what I knew and watched them improving their knowledge and personality. Seeing them growing into better men was my pleasure. I was about 26 when a war broke out. I was drafted into the army and climbed the ranks as I survived and watched my companions and friends dying. I have seen enough horrors during this war to lose sleep and appetite in various occasions. It was stopped by an intervention of the Bureau. The officer who was in command had managed to negotiate a ceasefire treaty after dealing with the source of our war. This war had started because of a Lost Logia. It had driven our leaders into madness, and had thrown our world in a pointless spirale of hate, terror and suffering. Owing a welcomed peace to the TSAB, my world joined them. Knowing that I could not go back to my former life and profession, I offered my services to the TSAB. I joined the crew of the man who had stopped the war: Gil Graham."
Hayate's eyes widened over this name.
"You knew him. To be honest, after the death of the Admiral Clyde Harlaown. I estimated I have seen enough and retired. I married and I have gotten two children. But I always kept a correspondence with Gil through written letters. There he could voice his concerns over various topics. The one that always came back was what to do if he found the new owner of the Tome of the Night Sky. I was a coward, I refused to answer him and tell him what to do. My mind was blank whenever the topic was brought up. All I wanted was to enjoy raising my children. Later, I learnt that the case was finally solved, but deep inside me, I felt I failed him as a friend, I should have been with him. I have not gotten the courage to attend his funeral and see the girl he protected all these years, while he was trying to find a solution to deal with the Tome." Hayate felt that Nigel was trying very hard to keep his composure.
"Now, I see you. You are a promising woman, who can be a great leader figure. You are at the crossroads, each of your decisions could make you or break you. The torch you are holding will guide us to a new path of grandeur, or bring us our downfall. You are human, Hayate. It's not bad to doubt about yourself, as long as your doubts doesn't tie you down. In doubt, always remember your friends and what had brought you up to this place."
"Mister McLaren. I am not sure what to answer." Hayate was at loss of words.
"Let me tell you one more thing. As a soldier, I had to kill people, for my own survival, because I believed that the world would be sad without me. Miss Yagami, there will be times when you'll be alone, where you'll be placed in a life or death situation. You will have to kill, especially on this foreign world where the laws of the Bureau are meaningless. Kill to protect those who are dear to you. Don't take pleasure to do it, I have seen too much young soldiers become blood-thirsty warhounds after their first kills, do it because you must live. If you die, people will mourn and lose hope. And it is something they cannot afford in the times to come."
"Mister McLaren, I'll remember your words." Hayate said while trying to not doubt.
"Excuse the ramblings of the aging man." Nigel took Hayate's hands in his. "You have the firm hands of a leader, but they are still as tender as those of a woman."
"Are you saying all of this because you are fearing something about yourself?" Hayate inquired.
"Your mind is sharp indeed. I am an old man who is seeing his own death approaching and try to make the best use of the few time he still have." Nigel responded.
Then McLaren reached something in his jocket, and pulled out a silver pocket watch. He looked at it for some long seconds and handed it to Hayate.
"Take this pocket watch as a lucky charm."
Hayate took a closer look at the watch. It was a very plain silver pocket watch, marked by the years that had passed
"You are wondering what it is and why I am giving it to you" Nigel said, "Months ago before this war, when I was still a teacher, my students pooled a bit of their money together. They offered me this pocket watch as a token of gratitude. The saddest thing about this watch was that all of those who poured their penny in its purchase had later died during the conflict. Only I have survived."
"It's not right for me to accept it, it just meant too much for you." Hayate replied.
"Take it with you. With this watch, it's my hope and the hope of those who died that will go with you." Nigel closed Hayate's hands over this watch.
"I couldn't be by your sides when you were trying to survive the intrigues of the bureau. At least, allow me, in spirit, to follow you in this journey, through this watch." It was as if Nigel could not forgive himself for failing his late friend.
"You can go now." He said.
Hayate shook hands with the head of the council and turned about to walk toward the door. As she was about the turn the knob of the door, she turned her head over to see McLaren one last time and said:
"Mister McLaren. Promise me to not die before I come back. I want to visit your home and your family. Moreover, wouldn't it be sad for them if you die?"
"As you wish, Colonel"
Hayate left the office and saw Reinforce Zwei sitting on a paperweight while Lou was drawing a sketch of the small Unison Device on a small notebook.
"Here, that's all I could do with this little time" Lou said. She tore the page to give it to Reinforce who looked very happy over her portrait.
Lou then noticed Hayate who was looking over her shoulder, she gasped in surprise and stood up while bowing about twice.
"Oh, I am very sorry. I got distracted." Lou apologized profusely.
"You made a great sketch." Hayate stated.
Reinforce then flew to her master while showing off her portrait.
"Don't I look pretty, Master?" Reinforce Zwei asked.
"Yes. But.. Hum..." Hayate noticed something about the sketch.
"Have I done something wrong?" Lou enquired.
"An artist should never forget the signature" Hayate smirked.
"Oh, I am very sorry!" Lou then signed the sketch. While Hayate fixed Lou's necktie.
"Your necktie was not looking right. There are people in this place who are less forgiving regarding the formalities. It would be sad for me to not see you in this place if you get the sack because of that."
Lou was blushing with a lot of embarassment.
"Than... thank you for everything, Colonel" She saluted in a rather unassumed and clumsy manner.
Hayate and Reinforce waved at Lou for a last goodbye.
***
Hayate left the TSAB's main building to call a cab and get driven to the TSAB Navy docks, where her ship was waiting for her. She was usually driving her own car. But for this last day, she wanted to get in contact with the common folk. She did not know her driver. But she soon found out he was rather good-natured and talkative, he offered small chocolates to Reinforce Zwei while engaging a short conversation with the Colonel:
"You know I have a daughter who look up to you and your friends." As he showed her a photography of himself, with his wife and his daughter. A little girl about as old as Vivio.
"You are one lucky man." Hayate exclaimed
As a sign of modesty, the driver waved his hand, as if he did not feel worthy of this compliment.
"You are about as lucky, Colonel. You know, my daughter have always said that the day she'll be a grown-up, she will have her own Reinforce Zwei."
Reinforce Zwei stopped to crunch on her piece of chocolate with a look of surpise. She blushed and hid her face behind that piece of chocolate.
"Do you mean that I have fans?" The little being blushed.
"Of course!" He then laughed, amused. He continued.
"You may not realize this, Colonel. But a lot among the common people look up to you and your friends. These people are placing their hope on you all. They feels that with the Aces, the Knights and the Strikers on their side, they can withstand anything. I am ready to grab my weapon and welcome the enemy as they deserve it, magical failure or not."
Hayate then looked at the photography and at the driver. She wanted to spare the daughter the loneliness she had experienced before she met the Knights.
"Please, don't be unreasonable. Think of your family first."
The driver stayed silent then said, grtting his teeth.
"I don't know what kind of future the Confederacy have planned for us. I refuse the idea of my daughter living under their rule."
An awkward silence ensued, even Reinforce felt discomfort.
Minutes passed, and the cab arrived to the spacesport. Hayate was about to leave the car with Reinforce when:
"I am sorry for my little outburst, Colonel." The cab driver said.
"You should not. There is nothing wrong about worrying the future of your child." Hayate replied. "If you really have to fight for her. Don't be reckless and always think about living on for your family's sake."
"I will" The driver answered with a smile.
The Colonel and the driver parted ways after a handshake, the cabbie handing Reinforce a chocolate, a simple gift, as a sign of his thanks. After watching the cab rolling away, Hayate turned to the port and walked toward the docks.
She then saw that Nanoha, Fate, Vita, Shamal, Signum, Agito, Zafira, Vivio, the Strikers and a few people from the TSAB and Vivio's school waiting for the the pair.
Signum then talked to Agito who nodded and flew to land on Vita's shoulder while Signum walked away to join her master. Vivio was trying to comfort a crying girl, Fiana Vickers, promising her that everything will be fine. She then hugged Nanoha and Fate one last time, a long and emotional hug. After Vivio was done, she walked up to Hayate, Signum and Reinforce, followed by Zafira who had gotten one last pat from Shamal and Vita.
The small group had been joined by the crew of the ship meant to bring Hayate to this unknown planet. The captain Kyoya Kibagami, banned from the home fleet due to his reputation of sexual harrasement, the ship operator Ynana, the navigator and scholar Antigone, her familiar and assistant Sieraza, and the cook Pranee saluted the Colonel who returned the salute.
Kyoya, putting on his best airs, was doing his best to not be his normal, drooling and perverted self. He approached and laid a hand on Hayate's shoulder.
"It's time to go, Colonel."
Hayate nodded. Leading her group, she turned toward the wellwishers, gathered here to say their goodbyes. Vita was doing her best to supress the tears, while Shamal could not stop the waterworks. Hayate could not tell who was hit hardest by the separation. Her throat hurt her, her eyes had been feeling a slight burn from the tears that were about to come out. The both groups then raised their arms and waved in unison.
Then Hayate's group marched toward the Namshub, following the ship's crew. When she was about to board the ship, a loud choir of voices boomed all over the docks. It was the voices of everyone present in the place, cheering for their Colonel, placing their hope and confidence on her. Hayate could not hold her tears any longer and had let them flow. Seeing her master, Reinforce tried to wipe her tears, and Signum placed her hand on Hayate's shoulder.
"Master, I may have sworn to be your sword. But remember that I too can be the shoulder that will help you to carry that weight."
"Signum have said it better than I could have." Zafira said.
Vivio grabbed Hayate's hand and looked right in her eyes, "If you don't feel strong enough, I can lend you my strength. This is what friends are for."
"Together we can overcome everything!" Reinforce cheerfully shout.
"You are right." Hayate replied while drying her tears, "I have made the decision to accomplish this mission myself, but you all have decided to lend me your help. I have no right to fail you and I do not intend to fail those who have placed their hope on me."
"I see you are ready, Colonel" Kyoya remarked. "Welcome to the Namshub. The ship you had fought so long ago with your friends."
"Where is Ynana?" Hayate asked.
"She had already gone to her post, synchronizing with the intelligence of her ship." Kyoya replied.
Hayate looked at the inside of the ship. She had been told that the Namshub was transdimensional, and the fruit of a technology long lost with the extinction of Ynana's species. The inside was way bigger than it looks from the outside. However, it stayed within the limit of the strange transdimensional laws, to prevent the ship from collapsing onto itself. Hayate, Reinforce, Signum, Vivio and Zafira got introduced to their rooms by Antigone, so they could feel comfortable during the travel. Hayate got warned by Antigone about the attitude of Kyoya around pretty women and took note of it.
Everyone then heard the voice of Ynana, telling them to get ready for the take off. They rushed to their respective seats on the bridge and fastened their belts. It was not too long before it began. Seconds passed. They became minutes. These minutes became an eternity. Then the pressure had been lifted from their body. Namshub had left Midchilda's gravity pull and entered the dimensional sea. Hayate then contemplated the journey that had started. The travel alone may last for a few weeks, maybe two or three months because of the distance separating Midchilda and the mysterious Madhyaloka. This was not counting the dangers on this road, rogues, pirates, dimensional storms...
***
Timeline of the events leading to the TSAB - Confederacy Transdimensional War
June 12th MC 079: The Confederacy of Alwion and its allies had gathered troops on the worlds at their common borders with the TSAB.
June 27th MC 079: A delegation of the TSAB had come to the territory of the Confederacy to negotiate a retirement of the Confederate troops and the creation of a buffer zone.
June 29th MC 079: The delegation had been arrested by the Confederate political police under the suspicion of espionage.
July 05th MC 079: The TSAB demand the liberation of the delegation member.
July 07th MC 079: In turn, the Confederacy parliament demand Fiana Vickers to be given to the Confederacy, for the liberation of the TSAB delegation.
July 09th MC 079: A poll is held by the High Council of the TSAB, regarding the fate of the political refugee, Fiana Vickers. One voice had tipped the vote against the extradition of Fiana Vickers.
July 10th MC 079: An ultimatum had been issued by the Confederacy to the TSAB that had been given fifteen days to comply to their demands.
July 25th MC 079: The ultimatum had expired. The TSAB had refused to comply.
August 01st MC 079: The Confederacy declared war against the TSAB.
August 02nd MC 079: Invasion of the TSAB's 16th Administrated World by the Confederate 09th Army.
***
Lexicon
Alwion Confederacy: One of the transdimensional superpowers meet by the TSAB. Lead by a parliament comprised of the CEOs of the main corporations of the Confederacy. Its president is the Cornelius Westminster, CEO of the Westminster Cybernetics Inc. While pretending to be a democracy, it's actually a plutocracy deceiving its common people with the help of an all-powerful propaganda. Their monstruous media machine brainwash its common citizens into people blind to their own problems and full of a sense of superiority over the other people of the multiverse. Opponents and dissidents are tracked down by its political police while uprisings are fought with the iconic elite unit of the Confederate army: the 108 Immortals. A trio is usually enough to pacify a planet. The natural competivity and aggressiveness of the people have been feed by the Confederacy's near perpetual wars of expansion, motivated by the greed of its Parliament. It eventually collided with the TSAB and have sparkled tensions between the two powers.
Economy-wise, its extreme capitalism echoed the one that was the rage in the 1800s. But its politcs are closer to Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany.
(former) Alwion Empire: The Confederacy before the coup d'etat that have overthrown the House of Vickers. It was mainly a federation of smaller states, comprised of one planet or groups of stellar systems, ruled by its home clan. But all the clans together was ruled by an Emperor or an Empress, belonging to the House of Vickers. It was a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Parliament, the Assembly of the Lords and the Emperor or the Empress. The combination of bad harvests, economical recession and social unease had triggered a crisis that culminated into a civil war between clans. To carry on their war, the noble clans had borrowed a lot of money from the merchant corporations who in turn raised to power and took over the parliament. All the while, the former Empress had tried to put an end to the conflict. But her efforts were fruitless while the corporations were gradually taking the noble class' power. The Empress and her family were soon caught in a trap that framed them. Charged with high treason, they were sentenced to death. Fiana Vickers, who was then just a baby, was taken by the butler and the maid of the imperial family to the TSAB's territory. Her presence in Mid will later be the casus belli of the war between the Confederates and the TSAB.
Its main inspiration is the old British empire.
Agisymba Emirate: The Emirate is a monarchy ruling over several dozens of stellar systems. It's ruled by an Emir, with the help of a council of wisemen and priests. The people of the Emirate are curious by nature and have shown to be open-minded. This have led them to make various progress in medicine, or biotechnology.
Inspiration is Bagdad in its golden age.
The League of Varcia: It's a republic that have paid the price of their very advanced technology with the sacrifice of their homeworld's ecosystem. The working class is entirely comprised of synthetic beings, duplicating human appearance and living only thirty years. The more marking trait of the Varcian are their eagerness to find out new horizons. Hence they are also good navigators and have made robust ships to withstand long travels.
It's the closest thing to a cyberpunk-themed transdimensional state in this fanon.
***
Author Notes:
I am not too sure how long it gonna take me to complete this story. I knew how to start it and how to finish it, thanks to Campbell who offered the very simple barebones of a story. All the while, I had tortured my braincells to find a working premise. But taking an inspiration from Ursula Le Guin, I unintentionally touched on other topics I liked but had not expected to touch: namely the relationship between the man and its environment, exhaustion of resources, etc... A more down-to-earth explanation would be an excuse to nerf the mages, for a time period, so I won't have to give in the fanservice coming in the form of beamspams and huge explosion.
Now, for the OCs, I used a few from my little vault and borrowed more from other posters. I apologize in advance if you felt offended. Nigel McLaren was created with the mental image of the actor Robert Redford, his roles in "The Last Castle" and "Spy Games" came in mind. The clumsy secretary was more or less as an expy of Lou Collins from the manga Gunnm/Battle Angel Alita.
As for the "Confederacy", I picked the word because it sounded cool, just like "Confederate". If people were drawing parallels with the US Civil War, it's an accident.
***
References
The 108 Immortals: The Immortals is mostly an homage to Xerxes' Immortal. However, they are closer to the Berserkers from Gunnm, or mass produced Eva-07, and the Sardaukar from Dune, these mixed references helped me to envision an elite troop used as a tool of terror. Just like the Sardaukar, they always works in trio.
The Majestic Twelve: The miniboss squad. The Nanto generals were the first thing in mind when I had imagined them. And any future similarities to Saint Seiya's Gold Saints will be disregarded as accidental.
I will tell more about who are the mysterious wise man and the mysterious lady clad in purple later. But some people may recognize the reference in the purple clad woman.
Thanks to:
Aaron008R: For beta reading and corrections.
Estavali: For beta reading and suggestions.
PhoenixFlare: For beta reading and corrections.
Ryand-smith: For reading and fixing funky grammar I may have done.
Tempest Dynasty: for beta reading and corrections.
And everyone on IRC who had to stand my rambling about relatively alien concepts that were often out of their own frame of references.
Wild Goose
2008-08-23, 02:31
Quick shout: anybody with experience in artillery usage is welcome to PM me with thoughts. While I've got a general knowledge of artillery and how to use it, my specialties have always been infantry gear and air power (and to a lesser extent naval power).
Artillery lingo is also appreciated, as well as the things FOs need to know to call in strikes. Air strikes I know, but arty is a different ball game.
AdmiralTigerclaw
2008-08-23, 04:42
Quick shout: anybody with experience in artillery usage is welcome to PM me with thoughts. While I've got a general knowledge of artillery and how to use it, my specialties have always been infantry gear and air power (and to a lesser extent naval power).
Artillery lingo is also appreciated, as well as the things FOs need to know to call in strikes. Air strikes I know, but arty is a different ball game.
Here's some...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsoii6d58vc&feature=related
You got some radio calling in there...
The keyword is the one firing artillery will announce 'SHOT' to the forward observer.
"SHOT OVER"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF1lKU39qDA&feature=user
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgg6YgGx4Rk&feature=related
You don't mess with field artillery.
Oh... found you a good one... These guys are in their training, you get lots of chatter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUnyAqwZic
Retconned one of the OC I borrowed. I replaced Tais by Tsuzuki. I apologize to shouryuu for mixing them up. @_@
Trailer of something in TF6:
9GbEMyamcdQ
It has been said repeatedly that in magical combat, melee is king. It has been said by many that Hayate Yagami needed melee skills to be able to survive, even if she wasn't interested in melee, and that her AOE spells, while powerful, weren't much use since she needed Rein to target for her.
Franz Jaeger was of the opinion that this was simply because mages weren't trained to call in artillery strikes. Of course, he had never called in an artillery strike himself, but he conviniently ignored that little detail. And anyway artillery were just mortars on a larger scale. Though he had called in airstrikes before...
His eyes narrowed behind his shades, focusing on the targets, a pair of laser rangefinder binoculars held up to his eyes, and he noted the range, target location, and referred to the map beside where he knelt. The middle of an abandoned building, while not possessing the great field of vision that the roof had, was nonetheless better-suited for his purposes; from here he had a good overwatch position, able to support the Forwards with his battle rifle, his magic, and his secret weapon...
There they are.
Franz took a deep breath, and spoke, in the strange sing-song like style he had learned, "Long-Arch-Zero this is Uruz-Six-Actual transmitting from operations area. Are you receiving, over?"
"Roger, Franz-kun. I have you," replied Hayate over the telepathic link.
“It's good to see you in action, ma'am," responded Franz, all professionalism. "Requesting artillery strike on my position. Adjust Fire, Polar, Over. Target: enemy observation post. Defensive capability unknown. Two-Two-Zero by One-Niner-Four. Attitude Two-Eight-Zero-Zero. Precision, Danger Close, Three Rounds, Mark, Over.”
"Received and approved, Lieutenant. Be advised, Rein isn't with me, so my targeting isn't going to be as accurate as it can be."
"That's why you're firing three rounds, Hayate," said Franz, his fierce grin audible over the comms. "Anytime you're ready, mein fuhrer."
People complaining about Hayate being shafted and useless do not know how to use her.
Also, one more thing: as a battlefield commander, it is not Hayate's job to get into combat and mix things up. By doing so, she loses sight of the broad picture. She's not being paid her salary, nor does she have her Lieutenant Colonel rank, to be just another grunt. Her job is to keep track of the battlefield, manage her combat assets and lead her people. If she's going to be another grunt, she might as well accept a demotion and forget being RF6's Commanding Officer. She is the Commanding Officer. It is her job to Command.Then at the very least SHOW her commanding (and not randomly pointing in various directions while stock images whistle around her)! Have her tactics make a difference in that battle. I'd love to make her good at both, like Xingke, but there might be a limit I'm gonna crash into. That leaves the latter scenario to be what we would reasonably expect of an Ace, and 7Arcs failed to deliver.
This is why the mantle then falls to us, and we all have various ways to save her. Thus is the variety of the non-H fan community, but we have a common goal, so let's not diss each other over it. =D
Trailer? More like a snippet in a "Making of" TV special. Nothing wrong, and certainly gives an idea of what's going on.
Well, this took way to long to get out. And during the weekend too!
Ach. Update during a slow time.
Oh well. Enjoy, in any case.
*snip*Erio appears! Yay! :p
Progression is nice, having the OFM appear (or a reasonably close cameo)...
...and now for for the first boss, Noland. The only thing missing in this picture is Inquisition, but the Aces will do just fine. :D
Here I drop my HUGE tetris!
The first chapter of a story. While I love the thrillers of the spy or political kind, my reading background made me cut more for the simpler stories.
Expect not:
- Me managing the huge cast. I stuck to a trimmed down cast I can somewhat manage.
- Geass-like plot twists.
- Death Note-like Mind Games.
- Battle plans a la Hannibal.Comments I spoke first in the IRC, and I can't remember them yet. Feels like EVE Online with fantasy dialogue, yet with the "Tree of Mana" thrown in for a good measure. And a very very very well developed background, though the volume of explanations and flashbacks was a little overwhelming. At least you won't need a codex to explain it all! :heh:
You fixed Tais, so that's okay.
And I once again reaffirm that it is nearly impossible to be a good writer with an anime-games-only diet. And no, I'm too lazy to go read a book just so I can write. :heh::heh::heh:
Do keep going! :D
Premise is vaguely inspired by Le Guin's "The Farthest Shore", well I told you that in IRC. I have thrown in a conflict as well to make the crisis all the more serious. If you see VG references, they are not what you think it is, or maybe I have subconsciously used them.
Ryand-Smith had shat bricks over the year 079 I used. I know this thread is populated with mecha fans, let me tell you it have nothing to do with what you think it is. Even tho I think that this conflict may be fierce, I expect it to not be long. Indeed, I believe that a long and drawn out conflict is not good for the involved parties, 1914-1918 taught us that, and it is especially true when higher levels of technology are involved.
Now the question that nitpickers gonna ask,
Q: "Why there are so many humans all over the multiverse?"
A: Meh I don't care.
Now, the lenght of the conflict,
Q: How long the war will be? How many year?
A: Earth year, midchilda year or madhyaloka year? :D
The other question for the scope of the story
Q: Who is at the center of this story.
A: It's clear, it's going to be Hayate and her little party. That's where the inspiration from the Farthest Shore play out. Crisis affecting magic? Check. Powerful wizard and a prince who has yet to grow up to claim his throne? Check.
But if you guys want to see more of the transdimensional conflict, you are welcome to play in this sandbox. I just gonna focus on Hayate and Vivio's initiatory journey.
Now about the lenght
Q: Over 14k words in the first chapter and maybe a little less in the next one. Isn't a bit unreasonable?
A: While the first chapter is loosely based on "The Call to Adventure", I wanted to make sure that the audience knows as much about the background as possible. And offer to people willing to play in that fanon cards they can use for side stories about this war.
Why are humans all over the multiverse? First, don't believe what the history books told you. ;)
Why are humans all over the multiverse? First, don't believe what the history books told you. ;)
Well, this is where I don't let any pretense of historical accuracy hinder me. I use them as imagination boost, otherwise it would not be fun to try to be by the book.
Exactly my point. :D Though I've gone the other way... :uhoh:
If people actually question why humans are all over the multiverse, they might want to re-think what anime they are watching. :p
This is a long, boring summary of my own main fanon timeline. I'm posting this for archival purposes, so I can point to it in case anyone accuses me of making it up as I go along.
Feel free to skip. If you decide to read it, you might need a spreadsheet to keep track of everything here. Sorry.
First, the primary difference between canon Nanoha-verse and the Mythos Aeternae is that time-travel is possible. Not easy, but possible.
Secondly, this ignores the events of everything outside the anime itself. Some feedback from the out-of-anime sources may be implemented, but without any system or order.
Finally, I know the grammar in this sucks. I have problems with tense changes.
The Backstory:
Alhazred
In The Beginning, there is a guy/thing/concept named Arius Belmarin. Belmarin is extremely powerful, almost omnipotent, but definitely not omniscient. If it helps, think of him as some sort of unaffiliated lesser god, on the upper side of that power scale. Also, he has the male pronoun because it's convenient; he picked it a long time ago (although not that long from his point of view), and he never found a reason to change it.
Belmarin influences a lot of multiverses and timelines, in that he can control events and outcomes, but he's not that strong in a direct confrontation. Therefore he tends to work with agents, unwitting and otherwise, and a lot of plans going on at once in the hopes that one of them will stick. He's also concerned primarily with human affairs, because he cannot conceive of any other way to be; it's sort of a failure of imagination on his part.
And finally, he doesn't actually think his plans through very well.
When he first saw the multiverse that is the Nanoha-verse, it was around the height of the Alhazredian civilization. At this point in time, Alhazredians had spread across the multiverse, built paradises for themselves, so on and so forth. The society was actually becoming stagnant, however, due to the practice of achieving immortality through rebirth. A person's ultimate social status was determined by how many times they could be reborn, even on top of the long life span they already had. Breaking out of that social structure was nearly impossible in practice. Later, one of the criticisms about this was that the Alhazredians had "lost their humanity".
Belmarin felt that this was unfair, and decided that the best way to deal with this was to "reset" the levels of magic, and spread magical ability equally across everyone throughout existence and time. Therefore, he tried to insinuate himself into their pantheon, and succeeded somewhat, but not before schisms which led to several factions splintering off from Alhazred.
One of these factions set themselves up as a thaumatechnocracy (ie importance on magitech achievements and advancements). They researched several ways to prolong their own existences and become closer to the source of magic, while slowly weaning themselves off the reincarnation cycle. In the meantime, they built a massive AI to serve as their god.
Lots of time passed, and all the factions (and the main society) went forth and multiplied, scattering incredibly powerful artefacts and structures all over the place. Belmarin slowly tried to implement some sort of change in the winds of fate, but it would take a long time (not that he minded).
The AI grew and grew, and deduced that the only way it could expand any further would be through an incredibly complicated series of events that eventually led to a religious war between the splinter faction and Alhazred. The splinter faction got soundly beaten, and in desperation, the leaders cast a massive spell that would shift everyone's consciousness into a metaverse of information and magic, which also happened to be (in very general layman's terms) the source of all magic. This was exactly what the AI wanted, and it interfered in the final moments of the spell, merging itself with the entire population of that faction.
This also royally screwed up Belmarin's plans, and he could not manage to perform his "reset" before the Alhazredian civilization itself fell. The Belka Empire which succeeded it piqued his interest, but he mostly kept out of it, having discovered the Sands of the Eternal Myth.
The Lost Logia from that splinter faction (and other factions) were classified as "Alhazredian" in general. However, that splinter faction had created twelve incredibly powerful artefacts, which were given to the highest and most important people in their society. These were later known as the Forbidden Devices, due to the whole "power corrupts" idea. In alphabetical order:
The Bracers of the Clouded Earth
The Crown of the Timeless Lord
The Dagger of the Obsidian Light
The Helm of the Veiled Moon
The Lance of the Watchful Guardian
The Orb of the Peerless Mage
The Ring of the Jewelled Dusk
The Shield of the Sundered Dark
The Sigil of the Proud Heart
The Staff of the Unconquered Sun
The Sword of the Ardent Star
The Tome of the Night Sky
These Lost Logia were scattered throughout the multiverse. The Belka Empire picked up a great many of them, some of them got destroyed, and others were instrumental in various incidents (see: Tome of the Night Sky).
The Sands of the Eternal Myth appeared spontaneously, having shown signs of coming back through time in a closed time loop of some sort. Belmarin spent a very long time trying to figure out how to use it, and he managed to get at least a rough understanding of it by the time of the decline of the Belka Empire.
The first thing he used it for was to extract a single person back from the information metaverse. That person was then imbued with the power to bring more people back; Belmarin hoped to be able to discover a way to send people back and forth easily, rather than through great effort.
And then he left that project to run on its own.
Around this time, one of the splinter faction's Lost Logia structures on Midchilda, the Serene Tower, was being used for Bad Stuff: it could affect various forces magical and physical to mess with anything around Midchilda, including in its orbit, and someone tried to shift the Moons out of position. A heroine wielding the Sword of the Ardent Star stopped it, and the Tower was dimension-shifted away to hide it. Then people forgot about it.
TSAB
The Belka Empire fell, the TSAB was founded, so on and so forth. Along the way, the number of people who were retrieved from the information dimension slowly increased, and they called themselves the Children of Babel. They were long-lived to the point of eternal life, unaging unless they wished to. Most had immense magical ability, due to their connection with the information dimension, but most also hid that ability in order to live a normal life.
In the TSAB era, the one dedicated to "rescuing" the Children of Babel was named Zachariah Aarons. His primary ability was the manipulation of information, especially data and records, which helped him find new lives for the Children.
Belmarin is still obsessing over the Sands of the Eternal Myth. Meanwhile, one of his rudimentary side projects, of collecting the knowledge of the entire multiverse, is found by the TSAB, and becomes the Infinite Library. The Children of Babel installs several people in important positions, more Lost Logia are found, and life went on.
About MC 015, Belmarin experimented with the Sands, and brought forth a pair of siblings, Celica and Apollo Lowell, from another "story". (Their sister, middle child Ashley Lowell, remained in the original story, due to poor aiming on Belmarin's part.) Belmarin offered to hire on Celica and Apollo, Celica effectively gave him the finger, and she dragged her little brother Apollo off to find her fortune in this new multiverse. Disgusted, Belmarin tossed aside the Sands, not knowing that the Sands themselves had their own ideas on how this story should run.
Celica was separated from Apollo when the latter disagreed with her methods, but the two remained in somewhat friendly contact. Celica met Zachariah Aarons, learned of the Forbidden Devices from him, and with the help of other Children of Babel, made a few powerful Devices of her own. She used one, gave one to Apollo when they met again, and kept the third just in case. In addition, she deduced the true purpose of the Sands of the Eternal Myth, but refused to have anything to do with it.
Around MC 050, when the Staff of the Unconquered Sun "woke up", even if it chose to keep its true nature secret. At this point in time, it was a family heirloom of the Astra family, which had traditionally been very strong knights of Belka (although their heritage had been forgotten by now). After seeing Galant Astra, the wielder, in action, the Staff of the Unconquered Sun silently pledged its loyalty to the Astra bloodline.
Galant Astra formed a team of freelance Belka Knights, who went around righting wrongs and so on. One of the team found the Dagger of Obsidian Light, got corrupted by it, and wiped out most of the rest of the team: several members died, and one fell into a coma trying to defend Galant's baby daughter. Galant survived, as well as his daughter and what amounts to the team's chronicler. The chronicler parted ways with Galant, who settled down in a seaside resort town to run a small convenience store.
Zachariah spirits away Leo Gravinchy, the team member who had fallen into a coma, while Celica retrieves the Dagger of the Obsidian Light and gives it to him, after deciding that it wasn't her sort of weapon. (This was a very lucky move on her part.) Leo remains in a coma for several more years. Zachariah gives Celica all he knows about the TSAB, and Celica spends some time sifting through the information.
Apollo finds the Sword of the Ardent Star, and holds on to it for now.
Aces
The events of MSLN S1 happen. During the assault on the Garden of Time, the Sands of the Eternal Myth made use of the immense dimensional disturbances to enter the information dimension. The AI residing there decided to expand back into the "real world". When next Zachariah made an extraction, unbeknownst to him, the AI used it as a conduit to influence the Children of Babel (again unbeknownst to them). Celica recognized the Sands' handiwork, and erroneously connects Project F to it. Belmarin manages to rescue Alicia Testarossa, but could not do the same for Precia. He gives Alicia a bit of his power, tells her to find her own happiness, and creates a world halfway between the information dimension and reality for her to live on.
The events of MSLN A's happen. The wheels within wheels turn, but don't actually get anywhere.
The TSAB became suspicious of Something Not Quite Right, and started a quiet investigation into the Children of Babel. Zachariah gets wind of this, and keeps a close eye on it.
One of the Children of Babel, who took on the name Rancer LaSalle, was actually the wielder of the Lance of the Watchful Guardian, and was one of the most powerful mages then. His rebirth into the Real World was particularly difficult, and he lost most of his powers. Depressed and antisocial, he enlisted in the TSAB and met Ivey de Lorien. Ivey was actually an Intelligence agent assigned to observe Rancer, but when the two became an actual couple, she could not keep up the charade anymore. Before she could confess to Rancer, though, he found out himself, felt betrayed, and did something stupid that Ivey had to save him from. Ivey was seriously injured, Rancer was repentant, angst happens. Zachariah took steps at this point to halt the investigations into Rancer and the Children of Babel; the AI also worked through its agents to nullify the social and career damage. Rancer and Ivey (now no longer in Intelligence, and indeed extremely angry with them) transferred into the 37th CIAA, under the command of Nova Altmann.
Reiz Astra, Galant's daughter, grows up. She turns out to be even more powerful than her father, but inexperienced and afraid of her own powers. Galant teaches her how to fight, with the injunction that she must never kill, and try never to start a fight in the first place. Reiz's life thus far is peaceful and quiet, complete with male childhood friend who has a crush on her.
The AI initiates a plan to extend itself into the Real World, by influencing people in charge of the Infinite Library into creating a suitable vessel for itself. This will take a long time.
Zachariah discovers discrepancies among the Children of Babel's movements, and deduces that the AI is interfering in matters. He comes with a plan (which has a very low chance of success, but he doesn't know that) involving the Dagger of the Obsidian Light and Leo.
The AI kidnaps a Device Meister named Dr. Vincent DeVaux while he was researching in the Infinite Library, messes with his mind, and spits him back out into the Real World, along with an extractee named Talia Hamilton, whom DeVaux gives the codename of Metis. DeVaux begins a career as a dimensional criminal, with Metis as his right hand. DeVaux also attempts to contact Jail Scaglietti, unaware of Scaglietti's own ties to Alhazred, but only gets as far as Uno before being rebuffed. Quattro, however, takes note of this.
The events of StrikerS begin. During the Hotel Augusta incident, DeVaux takes advantage of the high profile security to have Metis perform several heists, which fund his operations for a long time to come. He also gets information on the Serene Tower, and figures out that if he could adjust the orbit of the Moons, the magical power on Midchilda's surface would change, and he could then use it as a major power source. The fact that this would also mess up Midchilda's ecosystems was irrelevant to him.
The events of StrikerS continue. Scaglietti launches the Cradle, revives the Saint King, so on and so forth. Everyone involved, including Belmarin, either participates in the fight (like Rancer and Ivey in the 37th CIAA), or watches with interest (Celica, Belmarin, DeVaux). After it finishes, Zachariah, Celica, and DeVaux put the finishing touches to their respective plans, while Belmarin tries his damnedest to reinstate his original Magical Reset. Apollo finds himself in Uminari City on Earth, and wanders around looking for destiny to happen.
The AI begins expanding into the Real World in earnest. This will take time, but the guise of an AI helper to the Infinite Library named LILA does not arouse any suspicions, even from Zachariah, who is expecting the attack to come from DeVaux.
Reiz enlists in the TSAB despite her father's disapproval. She fails to get into Officer Training due to her personality flaws, but passes her mage ranking exams easily. She is assigned to the 37th CIAA.
The Eternal Myth:
Melancholia
Zachariah manipulates matters to send Rancer (whom he knows to be the Cyan Lancer) to investigate DeVaux's movements. Everyone (except Reiz) in the 37th suspect something is up, but with the addition of Laura and Luna Veiron as Intelligence attachments, they leave it on the backburner. The Saint Church have their own suspicions and prophecies, and offer Rancer the chance to call on them when in need.
Halley Rainier, a Librarian Rancer is friends with, heads off to the Infinite Library to deal with seemingly minor problems from LILA's installation. May Shelby is left behind as the Librarian in charge at the base. This is the last you'll hear of them for a while.
DeVaux more or less broadcasts his intentions to steal a certain shipment of orihalcum, and sends several robot drones there, but also sends Metis to the world where Caro Ru Rushe is, where Metis effortlessly kidnaps her. Caro attempts to summon something, but Metis is prepared with an anti-summon weapon, and the summon is redirected elsewhere; Belmarin sees a chance to interfere, and sends it to Earth, just to see what happens.
At this time, Apollo comes across Arisa Bannings, just when Caro's botched summon arrives, feral and unreasoning. Apollo gives Arisa the Sword of the Ardent Star, which she uses to defeat the summon without killing it. The summon fades away, but the anti-summon field catches both Apollo and Arisa in its effect. The summon goes back to where it came from, and Apollo and Arisa plop down in front of Belmarin. Apollo, in a panic, teleports himself and Arisa blindly, ending up on an unknown world not in the usual set of dimensions. Apollo calls it Pandemonia, but does not know why.
Celica witnesses everything up until Apollo teleports to Pandemonia, upon which their contact with each other breaks. Desperate to find a way to get to him, she searches around Uminari City for a trail. While doing this, she gradually slips further into paranoia, and decides that the only way to stop Belmarin from interfering with destiny is to cut off every dimension and world from each other. To do this, she would need to bully the information dimension into submission, and then wield their power for her own. (This is not a sane plan.)
The 37th CIAA, joined by Fate, Erio, and Teana chase DeVaux to what appeared to be a barren mountain peak in the far north. DeVaux sticks Caro into a contraption of his own making, and uses her Summoner powers to shift the Serene Tower back to the Real World. Caro falls unconscious due to the strain, and DeVaux leaves her for her rescuers. With the knowledge given to him by LILA, DeVaux is able to activate the Serene Tower and its defenses.
Rancer calls in his favour with the Saint Church, but they require time to arrive. Erio and Luna remain behind to care for Caro, while Fate and Ivey capture Metis. Ivey and Teana guard Metis, while Rancer, Laura, Reiz, and Fate race up the Serene Tower. Near the top, on a wide platform leading to the control room, Reiz stays behind to cover their exit, while Rancer, Laura, and Fate confront DeVaux.
Reiz faces one hundred guard drones, and defeats them all single-handedly. The Staff of the Unconquered Sun helps her subtly in this. After this exertion, she collapses, but remains stable.
Laura and Fate fight DeVaux, while Rancer tries to shut down the Tower. Laura is quickly put out of commission, but Fate subdues DeVaux, especially when Rancer mentions the Children of Babel to him as a distraction. (When questioned later, Rancer claims that it was a lie.) Using his own knowledge of Alhazredian tech, Rancer shuts down the Serene Tower, just as reinforcements from Saint Church arrive, Lutecia among them. Lutecia uses her summoning powers to shift the Serene Tower away again.
R&R happen for the 37th. Fate hears about Arisa's disappearance from the other Aces, and they worry about it for a while, but can't do anything about it. Reiz is sent to Officer Training, and passes with flying colours. Nova and Ivey go through DeVaux's various blueprints, for lack of anything more interesting to do.
Celica comes across Suzuka Tsukimura, and gives her the last Device she made, Incarna. She then takes off to talk to Scaglietti's former Numbers, in order to convince them to join her cause. (She carefully does not give them her entire plan, but only tells them that it will prevent anyone from holding dominion over them ever again.) Suzuka remains on Earth, somewhat nonplussed.
The Wolkenritter all report a strange feeling of disquiet. Nobody knows why (yet).
Anger
The 37th (minus Rancer, who has to look after the office) go on holiday to Reiz's seaside hometown, Joshua's Rest. The love rivalry over Rancer escalates humourously.
Zachariah awakens Leo, who takes on the new codename of Richter, and makes noise as a Belka mercenary willing to take the most dangerous jobs. Richter also causes several incidents, and the 37th is tapped again to apprehend him. Zachariah plans to use this to meet with Rancer again and convince him to help the Children of Babel (by being a mole), but Richter overpowers him and rushes off to parts unknown.
LILA helps Metis break out of high-security prison, and then orders her to help break the incarcerated Numbers out. Celica happened to be meeting (illegally) with Quattro when Metis shuts down the security systems, and Quattro takes advantage of the distraction to escape. Celica gets blamed for this, and goes on the run. She adds in her opposition to Quattro in her Number recruitment, and manages to recruit Sein and Wendi, who go AWOL. The rest of the Numbers have various reactions to this: most of them disapprove, and Nove feels betrayed enough to specifically volunteer to hunt them down.
Fate goes undercover with Arf, taking the codenames Kraehe and Scarlet. They pose as mercenaries, in order to get closer to Richter.
Metis brings Quattro to DeVaux's former holdings, and Quattro quickly makes them her own, before shooting Metis in the back. Metis manages to escape, and vanishes into Pandemonia. Sein tracks down Quattro, takes some surveillance, and leaves before Quattro realizes it.
Nanoha takes some time off, and goes on extended leave to find Arisa. Quattro locates her, and ambushes her. The Sands take an active part in the story, however, and just before the battle actually begins, Nanoha vanishes. News spreads quickly through the TSAB, and Hayate pulls every string she can get for the search. Fate and Arf request, and get permission, to drop cover and change their objective to go looking for Quattro.
Subaru, Teana, and Ginga corner Celica on the 73rd Administered World. Celica escapes from all three, and heads back to Earth, where she warns Suzuka that the TSAB have "rotted from within" and that they are responsible for Arisa's disappearance. She also adds that Quattro is responsible for Nanoha's disappearance, and promises (sincerely, oddly enough) to stand by Suzuka no matter what. Suzuka takes some time to think about matters, and decides, late one night, to go looking for everyone. Celica accompanies her through the dimensional teleportations. By this point in time, Celica's grip on sanity is only tenuous at best, and even Suzuka notices this.
Zachariah uses a faked pass and meets Scaglietti, and the two exchange barbs for a while. Scaglietti mentions that Quattro knows about the Children of Babel, which shocks Zachariah.
Time passes strangely on Pandemonia, and despite all of the above having happened, it has only been a few hours for Arisa and Apollo. While they were exploring, they come across a badly-wounded Metis, who explains that Pandemonia lies halfway between the information dimension and reality. (Yes, it's that world.) With Apollo's help, Metis is returned back into the Real World, promising to help them escape as well.
Richter meets Quattro, and requests some of DeVaux's old machinery. She agrees, but double-crosses him at the last instant, trying to obtain the Dagger of Obsidian Light. Richter trashes a lot of equipment, sets off a magical beacon, and leaves with his prize, forcing Quattro to relocate. While she is doing so, she is contacted directly by LILA, who offers her a deal.
Sein and Wendi do their level best to keep track of Quattro's movements, while remaining one step ahead of Nove and the others.
Metis returns to the Real World just in time to be confronted by Zachariah, who offers her a chance to be reunited with DeVaux if she followed his orders. He has her kidnap Nova in a last-ditch attempt to force a meeting with Rancer, but Metis is ambushed by Richter, who takes Nova back to his old team's base, and hooks her up to the machine he took from Quattro. Richter plans to absorb Nova's (already depleted) Linker Core into himself, which would kill Nova if it went correctly. However, the machine was improperly configured, and Nova realized that if it were activated, she had a chance of survival while overloading the machine and weakening Richter from the feedback.
The 37th secure DeVaux's cooperation after Nova's kidnapping, and he leads them unerringly to Metis's location. Metis, in turn, leads them to Richter. Reiz had given her father the Staff of the Unconquered Sun earlier, and Galant makes his own way to his old base to confront Richter.
Richter defeats Galant, and is about to deal the killing blow, when Reiz picks up the Staff of the Unconquered Sun and confronts him. Richter remembers the past, and hesitates just long enough for Nova to order Rancer to activate the machine. Rancer refuses the order, but DeVaux activates the machine anyway, and Richter kills him. Metis attacks Richter in grief, he kills her as well, and the resultant battle collapses the base around them.
Richter appears to be triumpant, but Rancer bursts out of the wreckage, revealing that he had shielded everyone else using magic far above what he should have been capable of. He summons the Lance of the Watchful Guardian to his side, and Richter, in an impressive display of willpower, forces himself to stand defenseless against the attack. After Richter dies, Rancer destroys the Dagger of the Obsidian Light with his own high-powered magic.
Nova survived, but her psyche was irreversibly damaged by the machine, and she had to be sent to a care facility indefinitely. The rest of the 37th and Galant survive; Galant returns to his store (and out of the story), and the 37th, with Rancer in command, are placed on standby.
The Wolkenritter report a sense of impending doom. Again, nobody knows why.
Jealousy
Celica and Suzuka encounter Cinque and Otto, and defeat them, being careful not to inflict more injuries than necessary. Suzuka shows great improvement in using her Device, surprising even Celica. This serves no purpose other than minor character development.
Rancer explains the Children of Babel to Reiz, Laura, and Luna. Laura and Luna return to Intelligence, and specifically do not report this to their superiors.
Ivey consults the Librarian at the base, May Shelby (remember her?), for information regarding the Forbidden Devices. May gives her the requisite information, but the search sends pings to various people, including the head of the Saint Church, Carim Gracia, as well as Zachariah. Ivey puts two and two together, and realizes that Reiz's Device is the Staff of the Unconquered Sun.
Fate meets with Yuuno in the Infinite Library to discuss Nanoha's disappearance, but the two are beset by a mysterious force, which is actually LILA working covertly to capture Fate for study. Yuuno manages to divert the force, which ends up sending both of them into Pandemonia.
Arisa and Apollo had just, from their point of view, sent Metis back, when they come across what seems like a direct copy of Uminari City, minus residents. Arisa begins to experience hallucinations, from her own memories of Uminari City as it related to Nanoha and co., as well as memories that are clearly not her own. This is due to LILA in Pandemonia sifting through Arisa's mind, and getting interference from the Sword of the Ardent Star. Bizarreness happens. Apollo is fully aware of what Arisa is going through, but cannot do anything about it, and accidentally loses Arisa after a particularly vivid hallucination.
Fate and Yuuno land in Pandemonia, in the middle of Fake Uminari City. Apollo meets them (after thinking that they were yet more hallucinations), and after a bit of comedic misunderstandings, manages to convince them that he's on their side. With Yuuno's help (magic acting strangely in Pandemonia, and it's lucky that Yuuno didn't accidentally blow himself up, not that he knows this), they locate Arisa, and the hallucinations break down due to being unable to account for Real Fate and Real Yuuno.
Remember Halley Rainier? Her eidetic memory comes in useful, and with the concerted help of a great many other librarians (plus Vivio), they manage to pinpoint Pandemonia, and coordinate a rescue. Everyone ends up back in the Infinite Library, and congratulations all around, with Apollo being placed under close guard, a few minutes before the Infinite Library expels everyone in it, teleporting them away almost at random. Belmarin, who had been watching this with some interest, manages to save everyone from misfortune, plopping them in various places around TSAB Main HQ, but due to Apollo's innate fear of Belmarin, several people end up in other places:
Arisa turns up in front of Belmarin. She faints from the shock. Belmarin, nonplussed, puts her in stasis.
Yuuno arrives in front of Chrono, who's meeting Teana and Acous, coincidentally regarding Fate. He explains the situation.
Fate ends up right in the middle of Quattro's current base. She is easily captured.
Apollo appears right in front of Celica and Suzuka. He tries to convince them to raid Belmarin's location to rescue Arisa.
Quattro broadcasts a general megalomaniacal declaration to several important TSAB worlds, including Midchilda. She makes no specific demands other than "fear me" and an injunction against the TSAB not to interfere, lest she kills Fate. Her obvious antagonistic intent against the TSAB is obvious to all, and she takes credit for the Infinite Library's sudden closure, so when Hayate calls for a special emergency in order to stop Quattro, she gets little resistance. The first thing she does is to meet Scaglietti, who's just amused by all of this, but strangely cooperative. Acous and Teana keep an eye on Uno, who's also roped in for assistance.
Zachariah meets with Halley, and pleads with her to let him meet Rancer. Halley consults with May, and in an uncommon display of initiative, May tells Reiz, who passes the message on to Rancer. (Some eloquence is needed here.) With great reluctance, Rancer sets up a meeting point.
Quattro discusses matters with LILA, criticizing the AI for closing down the Infinite Library. It becomes clear that both sides are planning to backstab the other. After the conversation ends, Quattro starts working on the Sands of the Eternal Myth, which have somehow found their own way to her.
Rancer and Zachariah meet, with the rest of the 37th in attendance, and there is a lot of Zachariah effectively begging Rancer to go defeat LILA. Rancer apparently has a Plan, which he refuses to tell anyone.
Ivey and Reiz head to TSAB Main HQ, where they are joined by Laura (sans Luna). There is a bit of girl-bonding, where Ivey reveals Reiz's Device's true nature, and Laura lays out all that Intelligence knows about Rancer and the Children of Babel. This is just a way to resolve the love polygon, with Laura bowing out (not that she did much of anything). Ivey acknowledges that given time, Reiz's feelings might have been reciprocated fully by Rancer.
With Yuuno's help, the female members of the 37th (plus one) get as close as they can to the Infinite Library, but LILA blocks them at every turn. This goes on for a while, until TSAB Main HQ gets locked down by an unknown force. This turns out to be Zachariah being as sloppy as he could, to provoke exactly that reaction. This creates enough distractions for LILA that Ivey and Reiz manage to break through.
On Midchilda, Carim, Acous, and Hayate convince the rest of the TSAB to let Zachariah, Rancer, and several other Children of Babel into TSAB Ground Forces HQ unmolested. By this time, magic is already beginning to act strangely in an expanding radius around the entrance in TSAB Main HQ to the Infinite Library, which lends weight to their arguments. Yuuno recognizes the "feel" of the altered magic as the same as Pandemonia's.
Still on Midchilda, Lutecia resummons the Serene Tower. Scaglietti and Uno begin directing people to prepare a major magical spell around it. They are kept under close watch, but nobody knows for certain what the spell actually does, which is why snipers are set in case of betrayal. At least there won't be any tidal alterations, since the moons are out of position. Hayate and the Wolkenritter are also onsite; this will be important a bit later.
Inside the Infinite Library (now thoroughly psychadelic), Ivey and Reiz are assaulted with hallucinations, as LILA attempts to hack their minds.
On Midchilda, Scaglietti reveals that the spell requires a major power source of a certain type, such as that of the Saint King. (He does it only now thanks to his overblown sense of high drama.) Hayate refuses to let Vivio be part of yet another Scaglietti-induced experiment, and asks for another option. Uno deliberately lets slip that there is another way, Carim refuses to tell Hayate about it, Hayate says that she'll sacrifice anything, and the net result is that Halley comes barging in (accompanied by Luna, who's there as Acous's proxy) with a thick sheaf of DeVaux's notes, which Scaglietti immediately improves upon.
Turns out that Hayate's Tome of the Night Sky, being one of the Forbidden Devices, is able to substitute as a power source (due to the construction of the Serene Tower, it's better than with the Saint King), but there is a high chance that it will be burned out and destroyed, with uncertain consequences for the Wolkenritter and Rein. Some angst happens as the Wolkenritter assure Hayate that Everything Will Be All Right. Extremely reluctantly, Hayate allows the Tome of the Night Sky to be used.
The spell goes off. The Children of Babel, gathered at the site, disappear in sparklies. Later, there would be reports of other Children of Babel who hadn't been at the site also disappearing, very Rapture-like. Zachariah is the first to go, Rancer is the last, saluting Hayate (ranking officer) as he vanishes.
In the Infinite Library, Ivey and Reiz have fought off their individual hallucination challenges successfully, but are exhausted. Together again, they enact the plan they had come up with prior to entering the Infinite Library, which is to use Reiz's Staff of the Unconquered Sun to screw up LILA's plans. (Survival is not on their minds.) This actually works up to a point, but the magical turbulence almost kills Ivey by disrupting her medical implants. Reiz falters despite Ivey's exhortation not to stop, and it falls to Rancer to deus ex machina the situation with his sudden appearance with the Lance of the Watchful Guardian. After a tearful farewell to both Reiz and Ivey, Rancer does something with the Lance, and suddenly Ivey and Reiz are back in the Infinite Library of old.
In TSAB Main HQ, Yuuno reports that there is no more sign of LILA. On Midchilda, Scaglietti returns the still-working Tome of the Night Sky to Hayate, informing her that with the spell complete, the existing Forbidden Devices may have been altered in unknown ways. He does this in a way that illustrates exactly his purpose in upstaging everyone in the multiverse as the Greatest Scientist Ever, and making the TSAB in general and Hayate in specific with the feeling that they owe him a big favour, and he'll cash it in soon enough. (This will not be explored in the story.)
Ivey and Reiz return to the 37th CIAA office. Reiz is made commander of the unit, except that since Ivey is being tapped for certain special jobs from Carim, Reiz is now the only member of the 37th. They reminisce for a while, and Ivey leaves, just as the newest recruits fresh from training step into the office. Reiz greets them warmly, at the end of a chapter in the 37th CIAA, and the start of another.
In her hidden base, Quattro pats herself on the back for her successful test run with the Sands of the Eternal Myth in pushing the spell to successful completion, thus backstabbing LILA, on Scaglietti's secret orders. While she is occupied, Sein and Wendi have found Fate.
Destiny
Sein and Wendi report back to Celica about Quattro's whereabouts and status, just as Celica, Apollo, and Suzuka are about to rescue Arisa from Belmarin. Celica honestly tells Apollo that she thinks that Quattro is a higher priority than Arisa, and Apollo reluctantly accepts this, but asks Celica to give him a bit of a power boost, which Celica does willingly. Apollo goes off to rescue Arisa alone, and Celica and Suzuka gear up to assault Quattro's headquaters. Celica realizes by now that the information dimension is closed off to her... but the Sands of the Eternal Myth are not. (Any consistency in planning has since been warped by her ever-increasing paranoia and ever-decreasing mental stability.)
Apollo appears before Belmarin, who easily traps him in order to have a chat. Belmarin agrees to release Arisa, in exchange for the Sands of the Eternal Myth. Apollo gets slapped with a magical compulsion (which he is fully aware of), and sent back to reality with Arisa. They are found by Erio and Caro (technically Friedrich, but Erio and Caro come along as a package).
Sein and Wendi get cornered by Cinque, Nove, Otto, and Deed, and are handily defeated. Celica and Suzuka ambush the lot, and attempt to free Sein and Wendi. Quattro's drones choose this moment to attack, gunning for Celica, whom Quattro realizes is a major threat to her plans, but end up shooting things in general. In the middle of all this chaos, Nanoha reappears, disoriented from being flung forward through time. Even more chaos happens, and after everything has settled down, Quattro's drones are either destroyed or escaped, Cinque, Otto, Deed, and Wendi are out of commission with injuries for the near future, and Nanoha and Suzuka are having a touching reunion scene. Celica doesn't trust Nanoha, but won't say it in front of Suzuka. Sein and Nove have made up, after Nove already landed several hits on her and Wendi.
Celica whispers suspicion into Suzuka's ear, and the two manage to convince the others that they'll be able to scout out Quattro's base first. Celica wants first shot at the Sands of the Eternal Myth, while Suzuka just wants to rescue Fate, and truly believes that this plan will work. The others head to a TSAB base, where preparations are made for an all-out assault.
Arisa and Apollo are only in TSAB custody long enough to hear of Nanoha's reappearance and the circumstances thereof, when Apollo's compulsion makes him come up with a way to send Arisa out of there, with flimsy excuses. He messes up slightly, though, and Arisa is stuck in teleport limbo for a while (to her, the teleport is instantaneous). Apollo gets dogpiled by TSAB forces for that.
Carim sends Ivey on a secret mission, which amounts to asking the information dimension for help. Ivey enlists Reiz's help (the rest of the 37th CIAA are put on leave), and the two head to the Infinite Library. Yuuno and Vivio are there, and although they are extremely reluctant to have anything more to do with the information dimension, Vivio eventually decides that it's the "right thing to do". (Shades of tampering here.) The Tome of the Night Sky is essential for this, so Ivey and Reiz, accompanied by Yuuno and Vivio, look for Hayate, who's conferring with Nanoha on the best way to get to Fate. After the requisite arguments about whether it's worth the risk, Nanoha, Ivey, and Reiz are to go negotiate with the information dimension. Rein "absorbs" them into the Tome of the Night Sky, as a gateway to the information dimension.
The three of them end up on Pandemonia, since they can't survive in the information dimension proper. For Ivey and Reiz, their surroundings are a facsimile of Joshua's Rest, Reiz's hometown. The representative of the information dimension turns out to be the sea itself, which informs them that a) Rancer LaSalle as they know him is no more, b) bits of the personalities of the Children of Babel still remain, c) this includes tiny fragments of LILA, and d) the information dimension has no intention of helping out directly.
Despite all of that, the information dimension has a residual hatred of Quattro for the backstab, and gave Reiz some instruction in using her Staff of the Unconquered Sun. Ivey is also presented with the Lance of the Watchful Guardian, and given some rudimentary instructions (nowhere near Reiz's own) to its use.
Nanoha was separated from the others. (This is because Ivey and Reiz have had contact with the information dimension before through Rancer, while Nanoha had not.) She comes across a beautiful mansion, and is greeted by none other than Precia Testarossa, who seems not to know her. This is because Precia (and later Linith) are fakes, created by the real Alicia Testarossa, eternally nine years old. Alicia tells Nanoha about Belmarin, and the true plans for Quattro and Celica: they want to use the Sands of the Eternal Myth to subjugate Belmarin, and use his powers for their own ends. Quattro wants to bring about a revival of Alhazredian civilization (Alicia does not mention that Scaglietti will be its leader), and Celica just wants to go home, even if she believes that she needs to destroy the TSAB to do so (paranoia, remember).
After this infodump, Alicia sends Nanoha to Belmarin, and Ivey and Reiz (in the middle of training) to Quattro's lair. Ivey quickly found out that the attack had already begun, and Quattro was winning. (Later, when questioned, Scaglietti would mention being impressed.) Quattro had incapacitated the Wolkenritter temporarily, and stolen the Tome of the Night Sky, although Hayate herself had escaped. Ivey and Reiz had landed very near to where Fate was being held captive and unconscious, hooked up as a power source for the base. Thanks Alicia's teleport, they had ended up inside all the defenses, but now they have to get out.
Ivey freed Fate by tossing the Lance of the Watchful Guardian into the guts of the machinery, just in time for Celica and Suzuka to make their way to them. While Celica and Suzuka argue about whether rescuing Fate was more important than stopping Quattro (Suzuka, obviously, wanted Fate brought to safety first), Quattro herself arrived, wondering what the commotion was all about, and carrying the Tome of Darkness.
Celica blasted Quattro (who easily blocked), Suzuka ran off with Fate in tow, and in the confusion, Ivey picked up the Tome of the Night Sky, and bolted with Reiz. Quattro fought Celica to a standstill, and then escaped back to her command centre. Celica went to hunt down either Quattro or the Sands of the Eternal Myth, whichever was first.
Suzuka made it out quickly with the help of her Device, meeting the TSAB and handing Fate over to them. She attempted to rush back inside to save Celica, but Hayate stopped her, and gave the TSAB's version of events regarding Celica's crimes.
Ivey and Reiz took the longer route, and got cornered by Quattro's drones, just as Arisa popped back into existence. They then got bailed out by Subaru, Teana, and Sein, and they returned the Tome of the Night Sky to Hayate.
Meanwhile, Nanoha is speechifying to Belmarin on the need for free will and such. (This will be the first time the text will actually display Belmarin's "speech patterns", which are confusing at best.) Belmarin isn't exactly convinced, but he gives her words due thought. He offers Nanoha nigh-unlimited power as his dedicated agent, and Nanoha turns him down flat. Resigned, Belmarin sends her to Quattro's lair, with a request (not a geas or demand) that if Nanoha should come across the Sands of the Eternal Myth, she should either give it to him, or destroy it, since it's caused more than enough trouble.
With Fate no longer powering the base and Hayate in full control of the Tome of the Night Sky once again, the battle has turned against Quattro. Arisa and Suzuka went back inside, and are rejoined by Nanoha. The three of them fought their way to where Celica was searching for the Sands of the Eternal Myth, and Suzuka managed to convince Celica that she didn't need to destroy the TSAB, with Arisa adding reminders about Apollo.
Meanwhile, Nanoha had been using her Wide Area Search spell to locate Quattro and the Sands of the Eternal Myth, repeating what happened on the Cradle. Quattro was ready for this, and was about to use the Sands of the Eternal Myth to mess with the timeline to erase Nanoha from existence (again, only now; overblown sense of high drama again), when Celica piggy-backed a teleport on Nanoha's search spell, grabbed the Sands, and disrupted the spell severely enough for the entire base to implode on itself.
Nanoha, Arisa, and Suzuka end up outside. The Sands of the Eternal Myth are thrown back in time, closing the time loop. Quattro is flung directly to the information dimension, which consumes her. Celica was about to share the same fate, but Belmarin saves her, and she ends up facing him once again.
The Eternal Myth has come to an end... or perhaps it has just begun.
Epilogue
Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, the Wolkenritter, and all the StrikerS canon cast go back to their usual daily lives, without much change. Hayate and the rest of the TSAB in general still have that favour they owe to Scaglietti hanging over them, but so far he hasn't collected. Considering that he acts like he can collect in the first place, this makes the TSAB nervous.
Speaking of whom, Scaglietti seems to think that everything so far, including Quattro's apparent defeat and demise, is going exactly as planned. This is not a happy thought for Acous, who is keeping a very close eye on him.
Reiz leads the 37th CIAA well. She makes regular visits to Nova, who's showing small signs of improvement, and also to a small unobtrusive memorial she set up for Rancer.
Ivey also visits Rancer's memorial often, and she works primarily for Carim, in a freelance kind of way. She gets along well with the Church-affiliated Numbers.
Sein and Wendi have several more penalties added to their probationary period for their stint AWOL, but they take it in good stride, and the Numbers are friendly with each other again.
Arisa and Suzuka return to Earth, but they remain on standby as reserve contract mages.
Apollo is also placed on probation, albeit a light one considering the TSAB doesn't quite understand what his crimes mean. He hangs around Arisa a lot, even enrolling in her university (where he gets consistently better grades), and the two have a kind of Understanding.
There has been no further contact with the information dimension. Nobody wants to try, and Rein claims that the Tome of the Night Sky is no longer a usable gateway.
Celica accepts Belmarin's offer to become his agent in mortal affairs, after explicitly warning him that she'll betray him eventually. She visits her home dimension occasionally, where Belmarin is attempting another experiment involving her sister Ashley, and she gives plenty of inside information. Belmarin seems well aware of this, but either he doesn't care or he thinks it's more interesting that way.
Dkellis, since you mentioned no alterations to the A's events, there's a severe flaw in your plot.
The original Tome of the Night Sky was destroyed back in A's. The only thing left of it is an inert shell that now houses Hayate's armed device (I can't ever spell it right). The book-type device she now carries is a normal device that she gave the old name to. The Knights' link to the Tome was severed, their only links are to Hayate now.
Dkellis, since you mentioned no alterations to the A's events, there's a severe flaw in your plot.
The original Tome of the Night Sky was destroyed back in A's. The only thing left of it is an inert shell that now houses Hayate's armed device (I can't ever spell it right). The book-type device she now carries is a normal device that she gave the old name to. The Knights' link to the Tome was severed, their only links are to Hayate now.
Was it? I believe it was mentioned that Hayate's current tome still contains all the spells that the original tome had. Also, there was more then enough of the book remaining to allow Rein to be born, so it certainly wasn't completely destroyed.
Was it? I believe it was mentioned that Hayate's current tome still contains all the spells that the original tome had.
And where exactly was this mentioned? I remember something about Hayate's Rare Skill being all the spells that Rein Eins left for her. But that's inside Hayate herself, not the book. Though she may have taken the time to write it all out in the last decade.
Also, there was more then enough of the book remaining to allow Rein to be born,
The book had nothing to do with Rein's birth. Whatever made you think it did?
so it certainly wasn't completely destroyed.
Forgetting about the Tome's insane regenerative systems? If there was anything magical left, it'd all come back again, defense system included. And think, if they didn't completely destroy it in A's ep13, then what the heck were they doing?
And where exactly was this mentioned? I remember something about Hayate's Rare Skill being all the spells that Rein Eins left for her. But that's inside Hayate herself, not the book. Though she may have taken the time to write it all out in the last decade.
Can't recall... it's been a looong time ago when that was mentioned, I don't even know in which topic it was.
I do have booklet pages which may or may not answer any questions:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/th_Reinforce.jpg (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/Liinna/Nanoha/Reinforce.jpg)
That is, of course, if someone can translate this. :heh:
The book had nothing to do with Rein's birth. Whatever made you think it did?
Reinforce saying so was a big hint (remember, Reinforce is the book). Not to mention she implanted a small memory of herself with a message into Rein. If she had nothing to do with Rein's birth, how do you explain that?
On another note:
A shining sun, nice warm weather with a soothing breeze, all in all nice day at the Saint Church academy. And yet, nine year old Syn was on the grass with a frown adorning her face. She had been puzzling over a very important choice in her life, and quite frankly, it was driving her nuts! She didn’t even notice someone was approaching until a shadow fell over her.
“Is something wrong, Syn?”
“Hmm?” Vivio opened one eye to see Vivio hanging over her, hands behind her back. “Ah, Vivio.” She flipped her legs backwards, and launched herself in a sitting position. “Nothing, I was just... thinking.”
Vivio sat down next to Syn. “What about?”
“Where I want to go. I mean, not so much where I want to go, but how.”
“What do you mean ‘how’?”
“Magic. Or rather, how I’m going to be using my magic. I already know I’ll use Belka, we’ve been practicing magic for a while now and Belka definitely suits me better, but I’m not sure how.”
“Weren’t you planning on using a bow? You’ve been talking about that for quite some time.” Vivio asked.
“I know, and I took some archery lessons as well. It’s just... now that I think of it more closely, I’m not sure if it’s what I want. I like being in the middle of the action, you know? Up and close and with your fists.”
“Hmm, I kinda know what you mean.” Vivio agreed. It may not have been the best of memories, but she remembered how she fought on the Cradle.
“I’m trying to make a choice, but it’s really hard!” On one hand, fighting up-close in hand to hand is awesome, and it’s not like I can’t learn some ranged spells to supplement my skills...”
“But on the other hand, fighting with a long-range bow and taking out targets before they even know you’re there is just as cool.” Vivio finished.
“Exactly!” Syn yelled and let herself fall backwards onto the grass.
That about describes what is going through my head as well T_T
On one hand, Archery is cool, and Syn's skill list has a few awesome spells. On the other hand, hand to hand is just as cool, and it certainly suits Syn's smart talking personallity better. Not to mention the scenarios with Syn and Vivio back to back.
I've always been a fan of close combat. :heh: No ammount of gun blazing could ever compare to a fight between people in close combat. this makes me wonder where my head was when I decided to give Syn a bow, especially since her original draft already was a close-combat specialist :eyespin:
Don't get me wrong, I'm still quite satisfied how Syn as an archer turned out, but now I'm hesitating whether that was the right choice, both for her and me. Now that I'm actually working on combat scenarios, I find Syn often filling the role of Hayate. With her virtually non exitent melee and 'keep a distance' combat style, she sort of... fades away in the background. It's probably just me, but it bugs me.
Also, as a finishing strike, I've been rewatching the final episodes of StrikerS and was reminded just how awesome Vivio in melee is, and how awesome it would be to have Vivio and Syn fight side by side, rather then Syn supporting her from a distance.
And then as if to kick me while I'm down I started to watch Tetsuwan Birdy, which has even more awesome hand to hand melee fights. Not to mention that Birdy in terms of personallity ocasionally reminds me of Syn too!
Wild Goose
2008-08-23, 14:33
Why not both? An archer who fights hand to hand? Hell, take Archer - he's Archer-class, but fights close combat, good enough to hold his own against Lancer, Saber, Rider and Berserker.
That's what I'm thinking off too... heh, I was worried that I'd make her too powerfull by giving her both melee and ranged, but then I remembered that almost all the cast members often have acces to both. :heh: Nanoha? Powerfull range and can certainly hold her own in melee. Fate? Jack of all trades. Vita? Melee and ranged abillities. Signum? That's where Hellskor came from.
Now to think of a design for the melee form for Hellskor. *dives to photoshop*
Wild Goose
2008-08-23, 14:47
*shrugs* You could always just sling it on your back and stab people with the arrows. :p
Reinforce saying so was a big hint (remember, Reinforce is the book).
Say what? If it's what I think it is, it was just that Rein Eins was sure that Hayate would get a worthy device eventually and she should save the name "Reinforce" for it.
Not to mention she implanted a small memory of herself with a message into Rein. If she had nothing to do with Rein's birth, how do you explain that?
That message was left in Hayate's Linker Core and was eventually uploaded into Rein Zwei. I mentioned this when talking about SS3 before.
Say what?
Remember episode 11 of A's? When hayate wakes up and seperates, the defense program, she constantly adresses Reinforce as the book. That's where the name came from.
Hayate: I won't let anyone call you the "Book of Darkness" or the "Cursed Tome" any longer. I will never call you that.
after the stopping of the fight and explaining the situation to Nanoha, she continues.
Hayate: In the name of the Mistress of the Night Sky, I grant you a new name. One who supports others with strength, the tailwind of fortune, and the blessed air... Reinforce.
And then there is of course track 8 of SS3, which has the Wolkenritter in the Ancient Belka times adress Reinforce as Yami no Sho.
If it's what I think it is, it was just that Rein Eins was sure that Hayate would get a worthy device eventually and she should save the name "Reinforce" for it.
This has me curious. Where did Rein, a Belkan Unision Device, come from then?
That message was left in Hayate's Linker Core and was eventually uploaded into Rein Zwei. I mentioned this when talking about SS3 before.
Really? *does a quick search* dangit, can't find anything. Could you link me to it?
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