The Alien Wars 6: Reality Strikers

Session 74

The Heart of Darkness

Session Start: Tue Jan 17 00:00:00 2023
Session Ident: #fumoffu
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-647.4.15
<DeathStar> Location: Asteroid C
<DeathStar> *Ren checks the fridge, finding it empty, falling to her knees in despair*
<Seraphna> **Si chomps on pocky**
<DeathStar> *Ren eyes Si*
<Sara> <Kaori> It wasn't me.
<Seraphna> **Si slowly chews**
<DeathStar> *Ren tackles Si*
<Seraphna> **Si squeaks**
* Jackieness has joined #fumoffu
<DeathStar> *Taiga works at her station*
<DeathStar> *ignoring the commotion in the background*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Where is all the bread?"
<Seraphna> Si> Taiiiigyyyy!
<Sara> <Kaori> I don't know! It wasn't me!
<DeathStar> *Taiga holds out stick to Si*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Alright. We need decide who these Hearts can be - be it they are hearts, places, items. Or all three. *She turns in her chair*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *walks in* "Mmmmm... is it safe yet?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Are we still debating it might be connected to this Xevil yet?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "The heart of the bread." *looks a bit sulky at the lack of food*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...was that actually a debated item?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> There was some compelling theories
<Seraphna> Si> I say the foodmongers launch a shopping mission for groceries.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Oh, no, there's no bread heart."
<DeathStar> *There's some munching heard in the cafeteria*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "We just need to stock up on..." *rushes over*
<DeathStar> *Akatsuki has taken all the food - showing herself to be Ren and Charlotte's offspring*
<DeathStar> <Ren> ...
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm... it seems you created your own antagonist."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "It was you..." *falls to the floor like the guy in the Silent Hill 2 dog ending*
<DeathStar> *Ren sniffles*
<Alicia> * Akatsuki looks over, food still in mouth
<DeathStar> <Ren> If it was Kaori, I could have done something. *ominous*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Then why not set boundaries with your child?"
<DeathStar> *Taiga pauses, looking a little perturbed*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> That looks ...strange.
<Alicia> * Akatsuki looks over there, too
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "What? Now that the food mystery is solved, the only remaining issue interfering with our work is groceries."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm?"
<DeathStar> <Erevis> What is "strange?"
<Seraphna> Jaime> Something newly odd?
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I have markers on everyone of interest that might be related to this heart business and one step further, people associated to them. *She motions at Kaori* So with Kaori, I have markers on the Giblins
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Hess' datapad was overriden a moment ago and then went offline at Kaori's and her's place.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I'd need to use the PAX's computers for more information.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'm sure no-one will mind."
<Seraphna> Si> Or check their place?
<DeathStar> <Ren> Yeah, we could go straight there
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Taiga, try to get access to the PAX's quipment while we do a physical check in."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Yeah, do that. It'll take me a bit to get the gates ready for our missions. <Erevis> I will send a message to the PAX now
<Sara> <Kaori> I see...
<DeathStar> <Ren> Alright, lets go then!
<DeathStar> *Ren heads for the teleporters, lifting Aka up*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Strikers, move out!" *heads to the transporters*
<Seraphna> **Jaime moves to help while Si rests her chin on Taiga’s shoulder**
<DeathStar> *The Strikers head out and arrive at a nice neighborhood, the teleporters setting them down at a hub system a few blocks away. Ren begins to jog along the streets toward the house*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *heads there with Ren
<DeathStar> *The group arrives at nice house, with a gamer feel*
<DeathStar> *Ren peeks in the window*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Pretty sure this is the place."
<Seraphna> Jaime> So many LEDs.
<DeathStar> *Ren tries the door and it swings open*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...Mmmm...sus."
<DeathStar> *Ren moves in slowly, peering about, ears twitching*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I feel that."
<Alicia> * Akatsuki searches for vents
<DeathStar> *There are indeed fox sized vents*
<Alicia> * Akatsuki sneaks in via the vent. Sneaky fox.
<DeathStar> *Ren moves about the house slowly; Akatsuki spying someone in one of the rooms, kneeling*
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comms> Can you hear me>?
<Seraphna> Jaime> Yes beautiful
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comms> I'm here on the PAX looking at the information; it looks like Kaori and Hess have plenty of the latest technology. Do I have permission to hack into it?
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comms> Their retro stuff is no good for what I need
<Alicia> * Akatsuki watches from the vents, and also listens
<Jackieness> <Noire> *comm* "Permission grante. Proceed."
<DeathStar> *The person Akatsuki sees is shifting through Kaori and Hess's stuff, tossing it aside as they examine it*
<DeathStar> *Adeline can be heard accessing materials*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Lets see. Oh. Ah. Interesting. I didn't know that about them. Hm. Alright. LEts see. Y ou have someone in the house with you. Also I'm rewinding a console's camera back a few hours to see what happened right now
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...where?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "And who?"
<DeathStar> *Adeline brings up an image of a purpled hair woman, who's face is down, shifting through a room with material - they look familiar*
<DeathStar> <Ren> That looks like ...
<Jackieness> <Noire> *nods and proceeds to that room*
<DeathStar> *The woman glances up - X* <X> Ah? Hello, kids. *She peers back down, tossing some stuff, making a tch sound* Hess' emergency beeper went off and there's no sign of her
<DeathStar> *X has set said beeper to the side*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We're also looking for her."
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comm> I have something. One moment. *their datapads beep*
<Sara> * Kaori frowns
<Jackieness> <Noire> *checks*
<DeathStar> *Ren glances down and it shows, though the angle is bad, from the camera some men with glowing eyes using their power and almost hyperspace like strength to overpower Hess and pulls her out of the house; only sheer bad luck allowed Hess to get away from a moment to use her datapad to activate the beeper and send a message that they intercepted, hence the override. They grab the datapad and leave with it*
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comms> I am beginning to track the datapad now - I'll turn it on
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Bold..."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Why take Hess?
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comm> Better question is how they got past Taiga's sensors. Even if they used the tree, moving around here is a risk
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Taiga will figure it out."
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comm> I'll inform her.
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comm> The datapad is now on. *She sends the location to the group when their datapad beeps from an incoming call - from Hess' datapad*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...charming. Answer it."
<DeathStar> *Ren checks - it looks to be downtown. Ren answers and a harsh voice speaks*
<DeathStar> <Unknown> If you want her back, you will give us the one called Kaori in trade.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Denied."
<Jackieness> <Noire> *makes the gesture to cut the call*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I refuse to trade hostage for hostage."
<DeathStar> *The call ends*
<DeathStar> <X> *seethes*
<Seraphna> Jaime> **sighs** Well we know one thing. They have no idea that Kaori lost her power.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "That explains why they grabbed Hess."
<Alicia> * Akatsuki pops out of the vent, assuming that purple hair is X
<DeathStar> *X peers at Akatsuki, then nods, having not detected her*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We can assume these Illium are stronger than the rank and file on Alt."
<DeathStar> <X> I'll attempt to go to this location and get her back.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "You may be overconfident. We don't know what we are dealign with yet."
<DeathStar> *X grinds her teeth while Ren muses* <Ren> We should sneak to it and see what we can find out
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comms> I'll attempt to hack the nearby traffic lights and cameras. I am sure Cassandra will not mind
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Agreed."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Let's go."
<Sara> <Kaori> Life used to be so much simpler... *she notes quietly*
<DeathStar> *they head for downtown using the teleporter system, arriving and following at the building districts, warehouses, and other places where things are built; Ren pulls Kaori close for a hug*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Hey. We're here for you, Kao
<DeathStar> *X plops a hand on Kaori*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...distance?"
<DeathStar> *Ren studies, then points at a clinic nearby* There. <Adeline on comm> I have cameras on it
<DeathStar> *The clinic looks like it's run down*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Adeline, is that place still in use? Coudl there be additional hostages besides Ness?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comm> It looks like it was shut down a year or two ago.
<DeathStar> <Adeline on comm> Used mainly as a place to sleep
<DeathStar> <Ren> So it could have hobos?
<DeathStar> <Ren> Like Si?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Right. Keep an eye out for potential hostages then. LEt's find a way in that they won't see coming.""
<DeathStar> *The group suddenly appears on the roof*
<DeathStar> *from a ripple*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...like that..." *looks around the roof for an entrance*
<Seraphna> Si> I am not a hobo.
<DeathStar> *Ren jerks at Si appearing out of nowhere and falls toward a small skylight*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *tries to grab Ren with tendrils*
<DeathStar> *Ren flails, hanging over the glass*
<DeathStar> <X> Hello, Si
<Jackieness> <Noire> *reels Ren back to safety*
<DeathStar> *Ren pants*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Nice work."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "No more surprises." *oves to the skylight and kneels down to take a look*
<DeathStar> *Ren reaches over with and opens a panel for everyone*
<DeathStar> *the group sees Hess tied up, gagged, and placed against the wall, with three Illiums pacing about her*
<Sara> * Kaori jerks, stifling a noise
<Jackieness> <Noire> *nods* "...X, we'll get into position to grab Hess. When we are in position, you take the skylight to front them. Once hess is out of harm's way, we'll support you."
<DeathStar> *X nods*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *goes through the panel with the others*
<DeathStar> *The Illiums turns toward the group, pulling out glowing weapons*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Go." *forms a spray of small Dark Matter balls to throw them off balance*
<Seraphna> **Jaime teleports to one side and blasts Hyperspace at them**
<Seraphna> **Si starts superheating one’s armor**
<Alicia> * Charlotte strikes for the eyes with tendrils, in between throwing TK blasts at them
<Jackieness> <Noire> "*comm* "X, go."
<Alicia> * Akatsuki cheers on in the background
<DeathStar> *X fires arrows at the Illium as Ren leaps and slashes at them; as her arrows attacks the Illium, who are swingin, their crystal like bodies being chipped away but growing more, forming protection for their eyes, they go on the offensive and stab at the team while X appears by Hess, lifting her up. The Illium almost hyperspace/manifest warp by her, stabbing in her shoulder as she pulls out*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *drops Dark Matter right into the middle of the Illium trio*
<DeathStar> *they strain against it, a crytalize ball appearing to engulf it, but it takes them a moment and they are clearly focused on it for a brief moment
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...get Hess out of here."
<Seraphna> **Jaime focuses on their crystal and starts trying to break it up with earth power**
<DeathStar> *X ripples out of the building and down the street, one of the Illium giving chase. Ren pauses, then chases that one out the front door*
<Seraphna> **Si flings flame at one’s eyes**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *focuses on maintaining the Dark Matter effect*
<DeathStar> *The two remaining Illium zoom forward, grabbing Si and slamming her against Jaime, as they double team team them with manifested like attacks, hyperized crystal growing at rapid rates*
<DeathStar> *Then zoom into another room away from the group*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Charlotte, help Ren!" *moves after the pair*
<DeathStar> *as Noire follows, something erupts from the ground to try to encase Noire*
<Seraphna> **Jaime grunts and muses, then skates after them**
<Sara> * Kaori dives into the action and tries to get Noire out of the way
<DeathStar> *Kaori yanks her back into Jaime*
<DeathStar> *since she was following*
<Alicia> * Charlotte moves to assist Ren, even as Noire barely escapes encasement
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Nnnnn...how irrtating..."
<DeathStar> *The group still inside would feel a trembling*
<DeathStar> *outside, Charlotte would see Ren has moved across the way to a warehouse*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Pull out!"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "What's in there?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves to get out of the building*
<Seraphna> **Jaime warps them all outside**
<DeathStar> *The clinic begins to have giant crystals explodes in pointy crystalized objects, like something out of a mini Centerpoint, that then breaks apart*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...Jaime..you're the expert...what wdo you think that was?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> I saw one of them chase X in here. Come on. *she pulls the door open when a giant chard of crystal shoots out for her gut*
<Seraphna> Jaime> They’ve somehow powered their manifestations with hyperspace directly I think.
<Alicia> * Charlotte blocks with TK
<DeathStar> *Charlotte slows it down enough for Ren to roll*
<DeathStar> *it then shatters to pieces*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I need to refine my powers to better counteract their own..."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Don't you dare attack my wife."
<Seraphna> Jaime> I need to touch one of them.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Keep after them!"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Heh, thanks. *Ren slips into the warehouse, following the bloodtrail X has left. The lone Illium nowhere to be seen, nor X*
<Seraphna> **Jaime feels out for the pure rage that is X**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves after them*
<DeathStar> *as the others move to join at the warehouse, Kaori would feel hands on her legs*
<Sara> <Kaori> A-Ah?
<DeathStar> *The Illiums form from together and begins to drag her off while they others are distracted*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *turns when she hears Kaori*
<Sara> <Kaori> H-Hey!
<Seraphna> **Si fuus and dives at one with a flaming bunny kick**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Distraction!" *goes after Kaori now*
<DeathStar> *Ren finds X holding HEss, having freed her and manged to defeat the Illium in the warehouse - so she believes. The crystal dust moves past Ren and Charlotte for an exit* <Ren> What?
<Seraphna> **Jaime muses, then encases the dust in a ball of concrete**
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Is that dust alive?"
<DeathStar> *Si hits the Illium dragging Kaori, slowing it down*
<DeathStar> *The dust pauses*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *leaps, forming her Dark Edge as she slashes at one of the Illium dragging Kaori*
<Seraphna> **Si spins into another kick**
<Seraphna> Jaime> Tar and gravel. Absorb that.
<DeathStar> *Noire sends it away from Kaori. The Illium sinks into the ground*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "JAime, emergency teleport now."
<DeathStar> *Hess moves to Kaori to check her over* Are you okay? *she checks for holes*
<Seraphna> **Jaime does as asked**
<DeathStar> *the group appears on Asteroid C*
<DeathStar> *Taiga glancing up*
<Seraphna> Jaime> I win.
<Sara> * Kaori twitches
<DeathStar> <X> *eyes her wounded shoulder* Great.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Kaori, Hess. You are now both under emergency protective custody."
<DeathStar> *Hess peers up, holding Kaori's hand* We--- Ow.
<DeathStar> *She glances down at Kaori's hand*
<DeathStar> *it looks like a sneaky piece of crystal has snuck itself into Kaori's hand, making some blood run down from Hess' hand as she held Kaori's hand too hard*
<Seraphna> Jaime> We’ll want to extract and quarantine that.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "We can get your shoulder fix... ohhh. Yeah, we need to get that crystal out."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...damn...Taiga, cna they trace us here?"
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Probably. *She takes Kaori's arm, examining it, then begins to scan her* ... It's definitely doing something to her body.
<DeathStar> <Hess> What? Is it hurting her?
<Seraphna> Si> Fixitfixitfixit.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Extract t then see if you cna use it to figure out how to kill them."
<Jackieness> <Noire> 8turns on her heel* "I'm tired of them mking us into fools."
<Alicia> * Charlotte attempts to use tendrils as a tweezer to remove it.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> *moves to extract it, when the piece zaps Taiga, doing nothing to Kaori. Taiga ends up being sent flying across the room and lands in a smoking pile*
<DeathStar> *Charlotte ends up the same*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Mom! Char!
<DeathStar> *She runs over to Charlotte, though*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Give me that crystal!" *tries again, bracing herself, dumb or brave enough to try again*
<Seraphna> **Si picks up Taiga and shares healing**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm..." *projects dark energy to Charlotte to incrase her strength*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> *Twitches* I-I think I have an idea of what it's doing
<DeathStar> *She leans on Si*
<Seraphna> Si> What?
<DeathStar> <Taiga> *brings up Kaori's bio scan, with Hess holding Kaori close*
<Alicia> * Akatsuki tries singing one of Victoire's songs, which likely does nothing but moral support
<DeathStar> *the scans showing Kaori's bio scans 'healing' Kaori - and restoring her abilities. You know which ones*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Wait… how? Why?
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I can only surmise she can naturally restore it overtime an they're speeding it, or they stole it from Wind
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "So, this isn't a sneaky way for them to try to grab Kaori?"
<Seraphna> Jaime> Still not good, they probably want to use it.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Oh I'm sure they wanted her; they probably wanted to take her and restore it
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Yeah, but the crystal isn't an attempt to take her."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm... they obviously know she lost her powers, but still need her specifically."
<DeathStar> <Ren> For this Heart stff
<DeathStar> <Taiga> We'll have to see if Wind has fallen and been taken.
<Jackieness> <Noire> 'So its not just the power, but the person wielding that power that matters."
<Seraphna> Jaime> These Illium are my descendants right?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...possibly."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> *muses* Honestly? It depends on if you become the Empress.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Just thinking if they evolved from my family their powers might be simple to copy.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> This is an alternate reality where the Illium win and it seems time is in such a state of flux
<DeathStar> <Erevis> Jaime.
<DeathStar> <Erevis> *She opens her mouth, then closes it*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Is that wise?"
<DeathStar> <Taiga> The fact the Illium are growing more and more adaptable leads me to hae theories.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Probably not.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> When we began to face them, they were easily beatable; know they're throwing down with you
<DeathStar> *now
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "That does suggest Jaime, to be honest."
<Seraphna> Jaime> You think they have my Legion power?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Something like it, yes."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...Jaime...your copy ability is probably the cause of their annoying nature."
<Seraphna> Jaime> **huffs**
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Alright, we need to check in with the Alternate Reality and Wind's.
<DeathStar> *Taiga checks who all they have*
<Seraphna> Jaime> I actually wonder now if any of my kids got it.
<DeathStar> <X> I'll assist
<Jackieness> <Noire> "If its genetic, then it just needs to manifst some time in the future."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Okay, I'll bring in Cheryl and Angela and some others to help with the Alternate Reality for the time being, then we can come in later.
<DeathStar> *Taiga begins to dial the Classic Reality* Lets have Kaori come with us just to be safe. If this place is compromised
<DeathStar> *Taiga checks her watch and steps through, putting Hess on monitor duty to guide them*
<DeathStar> *Ren has Aka join Hess, then follows*
<Sara> <Kaori> Okay...
<Jackieness> <Noire> *goes through*
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Cheryl's Manor
<DeathStar> *Cheryl drinks beer, eyeing a request from Taiga* Looks like Taiga wants us to help her out with a Strikers mission.
<DeathStar> *She stands up, feeling her pockets for the shuttle keys*
<Seraphna> Angela> Well it’s been a while. Do we pack Chii?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Yeah, *she eyes the drunk fox* Go ahead and grab her---- *The master computer begins to have an alarm, having been rebuilt after EarthGov took everything*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> What could that be about.
<Seraphna> Angela> Probably another invasion.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl makes a noise and reaches over to hit a button, bringing up trouble on the moon at Tsukiyomi's shrine area* Looks like someone is trying to start something. *She muses* I'm sure Taiga can wait a few, lets go up and hit up Alder
<DeathStar> *Cheryl moves to the shuttle, picking up Chii*
<DeathStar> *John is already there, snoring*
<Seraphna> **Angela follows, Tabby hopping in**
<DeathStar> *Cheryl prepares the shuttle and the group flies for the moon, soon arriving at the port, having sent Christina a message; Cheryl, Chii, and John stepping off and having to deal with the lines* <Cheryl> I remember when we could skip this
<DeathStar> *She downs another bottle*
<DeathStar> <John> Ahhh, fresh moon air
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "It's good optics to deal with the problems of the common people anyway."
<DeathStar> *John hands Hotaru and Tabetha moon flowers*
<Seraphna> Tabby> **grins**
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "People will absolutely look better on you if you also know how annoying these lines are."
<Seraphna> **Angela muses** Think this has to do with the other nonsense?
<DeathStar> <John> You look better better on me, girls
<DeathStar> *Chii ugggghs*
<Seraphna> Angela> Chii what does your fox sense say?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We'll see. We should convince Alder to quit her job up here and go into business with us
<DeathStar> <Chii> That John needs to quit having sex for a year.
<DeathStar> <John> I'd die
<Seraphna> Tabetha> That’s how he gets his cardio in.
<Seraphna> Angela> Wait, sex counts as training?
<DeathStar> *The group walks along the neon streets, Cheryl preparing to get a buggy to head out to the shrine*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Well... it is exercise..."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl pulls Hotaru close to her*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> If you ever need me to deal with him, just say so
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "I know."
<DeathStar> *Zephyr slips out of the crowd, pulling her hood down* Funny meeting you all here
<Seraphna> Angela> Hey cutie.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> What brings you here? <Zephyr> The PAX is preparing to launch soon and I've been hearing troubling rumors
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "What sort?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Anything we need to kick in the face?
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> That some group calling themselves by the Code Name the Hand right now is planning to sabotage it, but when I try to get more information I get nothing. I fear they'll do something when the PAX is the most vulnerable - but the security will be at it's highest too
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> So I want to actually have some proof. I'll talk to Alder some to see if the police have anything, then go back
<DeathStar> *Cheryl finishes paying for the buggy*
<Seraphna> Angela> At the least they should delay the launch then.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> All in. *John hops in the back and Zephyr gets in the side*
<Seraphna> **Angie and Tabby get in**
<DeathStar> *After everyone is in, Cheryl takes off, riding across the moon, soon arriving at the shrine of Tsukiyomi, Moon Goddess*
<DeathStar> *As they ride up, the shrine looks dark*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "It's not meant to look like that, is it?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Nope.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I'm not sure. *John gets out and moves over slowly when he's blasted away by something like hyperspace, crystal embedded*
<DeathStar> <Chii> Shit
<DeathStar> *Chii hops over and rushes inside; a moment she goes through the shrine roof*
<Alicia> * Hotaru moves to check on John
<Seraphna> **Angela follows Chii and Tabby helps Hotaru**
<DeathStar> *John strains to sit up, burn marks on his chest along with crystals that bleed*
<DeathStar> *Chii clings to the broken roof as Cheryl moves in. 3 Illium are there, with no sign of Tsukiyomi. They seem to have been placing symbols along the wall when interrupted and police sirens can be heard*
<Seraphna> **Tabetha gives him her strong healing and works on him**
<Seraphna> **Angela frowns, forming her armor and sword**
<Alicia> * Hoatru moves to assist the others once Tabetha has things under control, summoning her scythe
<DeathStar> *The Illium begin to form a crystalalized hyperspace fire at them as they come in, trying to blow it up in their faces*
<DeathStar> <Chii> *Drops in behind, stabbing at them but gets herself thrown into the bedroom*
<DeathStar> *Zephyr begins to charge her dragoon bustah in the distance*
<Seraphna> **Angela slides user a blast and slashes for one’s legs as she flashes a holy blinder**
<Seraphna> **under
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> *shields with her arms, getting torn up a bit and rushes in, whipping at arms to make it fire upward*
<DeathStar> *Angela blinds the one*
<Seraphna> **Angela seizes on it to slash and bash at the Illium**
<Alicia> * Hotaru moves in to slash at the faces of the Illium
<DeathStar> *Cheryl joins Angela, grabbing at it's face and pushes her fingers into it's eyes, while Hotaru's special scythe stabs and drops i*
<DeathStar> *The remaining one drops a crystal ball that begins to explode the front of the shrine, engulfing the dragoons, making it so they can't move, charged with manifested hyperspace*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We--gotta get ... out...
<Seraphna> **Angela growls and reaches out to try and form with Cheryl**
<DeathStar> *Chii leaps onto the last Illium, trying to consume it's soul and distracts it when John leaps in and jumps on Hotaru to do the same as Cheryl and Angela form*
<Seraphna> **Taberha from a distance starts to smash at the crystal with TK**
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> CLEAR
<DeathStar> *fires her bustah*
<Seraphna> **Angela mech smashes her way out**
<Alicia> * Hotaru moves clear from the site, in dragoon form
<DeathStar> *blows up the front of the shrine as Chii rides one of them*
<DeathStar> *leaving crystal dust all over the place*
<DeathStar> *that blows around oddly*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "What's going on with that dust?"
<Seraphna> **Tabetha eyes the dust, vibrating the air around it and Psy-Screams into it**
<DeathStar> <John> I am not sure. And there's no sign of Tsuki
<DeathStar> *The dust drops*
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> We'll have to solve the mystery of Tsukiyomi - for a price. *As the cops arrive*
<Seraphna> Angela> I think Taiga theorized she might be one of those Heart things.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I'll show these bad guys I have no heart
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> John, Hota, Angela = we're taking the Striker case
<Seraphna> **Angela shows her a panda video on her control screen**
<DeathStar> *the dragoon gear awwws*
<DeathStar> =SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Geyze
<DeathStar> *Neekito has returned, while others like Selena are still on the Mew Mew*
<DeathStar> *Celes greets Neekito, having come to the Academy to check on everything*
<DeathStar> <Neekito> It would appear that the situation on the tree is mostly unrelated to us, but due to it's proximity to us, it could become a problem
<DeathStar> *Gwen meanwhile is eyeing all the Dragon Nests Liana has brought*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *remains in her lab being Lana*
<Seraphna> Talia> My dragon army.
<DeathStar> *Takes a Dragon Egg and brings it to Lana's Egg, setting it down*
<DeathStar> *Lana's Lab
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"
<DeathStar> <Gwen> A new pet!
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Why are you bringing us eggs?"
<Seraphna> Talia> I’ll name you Claws and you Smokey and you Rawr.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhhhh?"
<Seraphna> Talia> And you the big one will be Gwen 2.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Not Ariel 2?"
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Anyway, I--- *There's a boom sound that shakes the Academy. Gwen steps out to look up
<Seraphna> Talia> That one is Gwen 3: Gwen Returns.
<DeathStar> *The Dragons flap, displeased*
<Seraphna> Talia> Mew? What was that?
<DeathStar> <Celes> I wonder what that is about?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I don't think they like those names."
<Seraphna> Talia> I named that one Ceil.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *looks out a window*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Well, I like that name, but..."
<DeathStar> *As Ceilidh says that, up in the sky one of the Suisen ships that was in orbit to prepare to help pull the PAX has begun falling due to engine trouble - right toward the Academy*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Incoming!"
<DeathStar> <Celes> *Stands, panicked while Gwen flails, running around in circles. Bonnie steps up*
<Seraphna> Talia> Ut oh! Let’s bring it safely down!
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhh!"
<DeathStar> <Bonnie> Mmmhm!
<Seraphna> Talia> Fae use wind! Cloudy make a soft water landing! Old Lightning Dude look buff!
<DeathStar> *Fae blinks, then tries to use a massive amount of water, while Cloud makes a pool of water*
<DeathStar> *sinking some of the school*
<DeathStar> *massive amount of wind even
<Seraphna> **Terra panicked and makes a giant tree to help catch it, full of pillow fruits**
<DeathStar> *The giant tree grows in the middle of the academy*
<Seraphna> Talia> Umm.. someone use all this to enact Talia’s genius plan!
<DeathStar> *The Suisen Ship begins to burn into the tree, brekaing through it, when suddenly - a new ship appears, the Aquarius and begins to pull it back*
<Seraphna> **Terra sniffles as the sacrifice of Mr. Tree**
<DeathStar> *Who knows if this genius plan would have worked, as the broken, firey tree burns and the Suisen ship and the Aquarius strain with each other over it*
<DeathStar> *Eventually with the wind going on, the Suisen Ship is set down outside the Academy*
<Seraphna> Talia> My plan worked!
<DeathStar> <Gwen> *opens his eyes* I-It did?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!"
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Did someone sabotage the ship? Or did something strange happen?"
<DeathStar> *The Aquarius begins to try to put it out, with Cookie aiming at it*
<Alicia> * Ceilidh tries to put out, or at least dampen, the fire with some water magic, though she's not the most powerful
<DeathStar> *Celes helps*
<Seraphna> Talia> The ship is saved. Talia gets bonus EXP!
<DeathStar> *Bonnie joins Ceilidh and Celes as the giant burning tree soon becomes a smoldering husk*
<Seraphna> Terra> Poor tree. I’ll regrow you even bigger!
<DeathStar> <Gwen> We have a giant tree and lake in the school now
<DeathStar> <Cloud> ... *Sneaks off*
<Seraphna> **Terra starts making it grow more with fruits and flowers**
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Well... we still have a school at least..."
<Seraphna> Talia> Talia opens school swimming pool with tree fort!
<DeathStar> *The Aquarius lands nearby* <Celes> I imagine an investigation will have to be conducted into that ship
<DeathStar> <Celes> We should request one of our people be part of it. Lana? Ceilidh?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I'll go."
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I'll certainly help investigate."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We cna both go."
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Right. Two heads are better than one."
<DeathStar> <Celes> Thank you.
<DeathStar> <Celes> I'll go greet Captain Hildegard and Airym
<Seraphna> **Talia kidnaps Cloud to talk adding fish to the lake**
<DeathStar> <Cloud> Ah? But I thought it was a swimming pool
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<Seraphna> Talia> Fish swim!
<DeathStar> Location: PAX
<DeathStar> *Lenneth slams her hands down* What the hell happened? Was it sabotage? <Ao> We don't know yet; with our launch date so close, it is possible.
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> I want that ship looked at closely. I know the captain is claiming an engine failure but I'm not going to have anything happen to the PAX. <Ao> Also some of the Academy is requesting they be part of the investigation due to the school being threatened.
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> That's fair
<DeathStar> *Lenneth leans back, then seems to think* The Aquarius was the ones who helped slow it down, right? Can we supplement them as one of the ships to help pull us into space?
<Seraphna> Leyaeh> They’d be way harder to sabatage.
<DeathStar> <Ao> I agree. <Lenneth> That is what I am thinking--- *Iko walks in, slamming her head down* <Iko> What is going on with these people
<DeathStar> *Lenneth looks confused*
<Seraphna> Leyaeh> Hello Iko.
<DeathStar> <Iko> The races under the Suisen Empire have begun to accuse us of the wildest things that make no sense and are threatening to pull out; the Cartel is being bolder lately with their claims and the Erusians are even giving us a cold shoulder. I half expect Cassandra's people to stop returning my calls or Myria to quit working for us
<DeathStar> <Iko> It's like be a bitch to Iko day and quit working with us day
<Seraphna> Leyaeh> Ah.
<Seraphna> Leyaeh> I think the Illium are making their moves.
<DeathStar> *Iko makes a sad cat sound*
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> Alright, everyone get a move on. Give the Academy what they need. Clearly we do not have time anymore. We need to get into space as well.
<DeathStar> *she claps her hands* Lets go
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<DeathStar> *Yuki walks off the ship onto the ground, with Mireille following as Celes meets them*
<DeathStar> <Celes> That was a timely intervention. <Yuki> Yeah, it was around time for us to come back and refuel and check on things when we spotting that ship going down
<DeathStar> <Mireille> The Suisen Empire is offering us a job. *hangs off Yuki's arm* They wish us to take the place of the ship that went down
<DeathStar> <Yuki> *glances at Airym*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "There is no reason to object."
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Also the Cartel is stating that Geyze should refuse to work with the Suisen Empire in any capacity and that they have a better deal in the wings and jobs
<Seraphna> Cookie> Things are getting spicy here.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Though the channel seems a little different than usual
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Hm?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Different? How?"
<DeathStar> <Yuki> I feel like I am missing something. <Celes> I confess the same
<Sara> <Erica> Different?
<DeathStar> <Mireille> It's.... almost completely the same but ...*She tries to put into words* The channel and frequency is the same but the vibration of it is off.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> I imagine a normal computer might would be fooled but I am a spirit
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Examine that communication."
<Seraphna> Cookie> False messaging?
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Will do!
<DeathStar> <Yuki> How would you fake it when it's practically the right channel?
<Seraphna> Cookie> It’s like how I can plant a thought
<Seraphna> Cookie> Put your own signal in and make people think it’s their own
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Scary
<Seraphna> **Cookie demonstrates by making Yuki think Cookie deserves candy**
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Its possible that it originated as an authentic signal that was intercepted and replaced."
<DeathStar> *Yuki hands it over*
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Hey, my candy
<Seraphna> Cookie> See? **shares with Mire**
<DeathStar> <Mireille> The more I examine it, I have a theory.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> And I do not think you all will like. *She fiddles with hands*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> What is it?
<Seraphna> Cookie> Lay it on us.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> The messages are "Appearing". As if it's coming from nowhere. The messenger is attempting to make it look like it is coming from the cartel network by making it appear in the same area, with the same frequency and so on, but it's like they are popping in. ... from another reality
<DeathStar> <Mireille> I am using this theory due to Momma Erica's slight difference
<Seraphna> Cookie> We should tell Lenneth.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Or her old vibrations
<Jackieness> <Airym> "We must find a means to disrupt these incoming signals."
<DeathStar> <Celes> I will inform her - it looks like we have more problems then I imagined. <Yuki> I bet that ends up being our job
<DeathStar> -TBC-