|
Post by Raz on Nov 18, 2016 15:03:01 GMT
"I know, that's why you should have that up at all times while we're inside the trial. You'd be like a turtle without it's shell in there if you take it off. No, the idea would be for you to throw her through the wall like a breach charge. She engages with the target and we close in behind her."
|
|
|
Post by JerkOfAllTrades on Nov 18, 2016 15:03:24 GMT
"A fair point", nodded Ivory, "As for wall... can't say I ever experienced something like this. But yes, pretty sure i'll be fine." She grinned in return, but bursted out laughing after hearing Greyman's remark.
|
|
|
Post by Moferiah on Nov 18, 2016 15:17:58 GMT
"Yeah, that should be doable. Especially if both he and the target will be in my field of vision", agreed Scavenger after some brief consideration. "I mean... it's not a sniper rifle after all."
|
|
|
Post by silent15 on Nov 18, 2016 15:37:15 GMT
Vergil accepted the pistol, trying to avoid showing his discomfort with the weapon. "Understood. I'll keep trying to figure out precisely what our masked man's power set is as well. From what I can tell so far, it it's likely something subtle, so if he attacks, it's most likely going to be with conventional weapons."
|
|
|
Post by Raz on Nov 18, 2016 15:54:26 GMT
"I had a feeling it was something along those lines. It's the same for me, my power set isn't exactly flashy so I make due with conventional weapons." Merc to a longer look at the Doctor for a moment. "I may have another role for you once we get in there but for now I think we'll keep you as a combat medic. Since we can safely assume that this trial isn't going to be a time challenge, I think our goal for the first hour or so is to scout the area and find a suitable campsite. I've been in the field for ops that have taken weeks to accomplish. If Vaihl wants to test us then I think it's safe to assume that this trial isn't all it appears to be." He shakes his head ruefully, thinking of the lioness. "She's much too clever to use such an elaborate city replica as nothing more than a game of cat and mouse."
"Before we go any further, I'm offering each of you a chance to turn back. Things are bound to go beyond what we expect in there. Some of us are going to get hurt. I can already tell some of you are uncomfortable with the weapons I've given you." He sighs, "If you're here solely for the money and aren't willing to get hurt or be pushed to your breaking point then this likely isn't for you. My family's lives are on the line here so I can't turn back and if there is someone who's not committed to seeing this through then you need to turn back now." His piercing stare moves to each of the candidates in turn.
|
|
|
Post by projectekertest33 on Nov 18, 2016 16:04:16 GMT
Greyman sneers "Oh just get on with it some of us have plans today." (So much paperwork still to do).
|
|
|
Post by Moferiah on Nov 18, 2016 16:46:23 GMT
Maybe it was just her imagination, after all Merc was addressing the whole group, but his words felt like a personal challenge. Livie grasped her gun so firmly that her knuckles turned white. No, she was determined to do her best from the start, if only for the sake of Cecilie. And that didn't change. ...If anything, now she had all the more reasons to do so. Still... That didn't mean, she can't be worried about things she might have to do.
|
|
|
Post by Envy on Nov 18, 2016 16:55:57 GMT
Techint smiles " Alright let's get this show on the road people! Also regardless i'll be watching you all from afar if you're in a bind i'll come ah running so please be safe everyone!" Techint looks down over the ledge and jumps while in the air he disappears in a flash of azure. Meanwhile XJ flies up in the air and jets up into the holo city.
|
|
|
Post by silent15 on Nov 18, 2016 18:45:43 GMT
Vergil paused, considering Merc's words. "I've always been fascinated with Darwin syndrome," he spoke softly. "A condition that causes such remarkable changes to the human body? If it could be directed, the potential to benefit humanity would be... vast. Working for Ms Barbas is the best chance I could possibly have to study it. And besides, this isn't the first time I've put myself in personal danger for a chance to advance my work." He paused, memories of that night rising up unbidden. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, before gripping his gun more firmly and looking Merc in the eye. "So don't worry about me."
|
|
|
Post by Raz on Nov 18, 2016 18:55:25 GMT
He nods and places a hand on Vergil's shoulder. "Good man, I might make a soldier out of you yet." He said with a grin. The kind a sergeant would give to those under him. "Lets get moving then, you lot can head in. I need to have a word with paradox before this thing kicks off." He gives the group one last inspection before chuckling and shaking his head. "I'm not entirely certain what may best me first, this Ten fellow. Or you rooks." With that he heads towards the armoury. "Paradox, step outside would ya?"
|
|
|
Post by Snoe on Nov 18, 2016 20:19:27 GMT
Ten hadn't gone far in fact he'd moved in a bit. Looking to ambush and rattle a few recruits, the Technopath looked like he was going on solo recon... not the worst idea but not the brightest. Ten reached to his grenade belt and picked up his baseball bat.
"Lesson one: personal weaknesses be aware of them long before that of your enemies." Tens voice sounded on the cities many speakers.
Ten pulled the pin and hit the grenade like a baseball aimed flawlessly at the flying drone "Did you all know that most Technopaths brains transmit on an electromagnetic signal let's see what happens when you hit them with an emp." Ten had a few hypothesis but was about to see how the boy in the machine would handle it.
|
|
|
Post by Alexodia on Nov 18, 2016 20:49:36 GMT
It was quite remarkable how easily he could slip into a state of peace such as this; it seemed to be almost his natural state in a way. Not in a way that suggested he was inherently peaceful...but in an even better way; through choice. This is how he had driven himself to be, not how he was. Perhaps that was better in itself; who he was hadn't brought him anything but misery. In the beginning, perhaps, but no longer. That was his own fault. But natural ability was often, if not always outclassed by work. Work and perseverance had brought him here, and had also brought him to this application, of sorts. A desire to better himself; a desire to make his presence at least somewhat bearable. He wasn't succeeding at that, if the mercenary was of any indication. He hasn't conversed as much with the others, but the panic exuded by the mercenary was rather powerful; it always was when the ones whom they care about the most are threatened with danger, only just making the realisation that the mercenary may have perceived it as such. It wasn't a direct threat on his part; just a reminder of the inevitable. His look was hopeful from the moment he came in; he has someone he cares about, but better yet, he still has them. They haven't been taken away from him. They would be, though; in some way. They always would be, but he could tell the mercenary would fight until his last breath and beyond to make sure that that didn't happen. He recognised that look; he had it himself at one point. Rather foolish in itself...but far more admirable than anything he had seen in a long time. He knew how it felt to have the dangers of yourself take away the ones you care about, he mused. He didn't know the mercenary very well, but he knew how it felt more than anyone. He didn't know what was coming, but he doubted the mercenary would submit to the flow of the current even if he recognised the futility. Perhaps it was past time for him to fight as well.
Suddenly, a loud banging on the armory door disturbed his silence, hearing it as almost a distant voice in his peace. Hearing the thick Eastern European accent of the mercenary requesting him to step outside, he opened his eyes slowly, staring at the door thoughtfully. Making a decision in his head, he blinked resolutely before he slowly rose to his feet and walking slowly towards the locked armory door, slowly unlocking it and opening the door to see the mercenary outside, ready to deliver another knock. Locking eyes with the mercenary and boring his intense gaze into the Ukrainian's eyes, he turned around without a work and headed back into the armory. "Close the door, please" he murmured to the mercenary, heading back into the centre of the armory. Hearing the mercenary comply with his request after a slight delay, he turned around and sank back to the floor, resuming his previous position and closing his eyes.
"I do not regret what I informed you of, nor do I take it back." He spoke calmly and softly into the silence, feeling the Ukrainian's eyes bore into him as he spoke. "But I recognise how that must have made you feel. More than you may expect. If you want to reject what I said, you may do s freely. If you want to scream and insult and attack me, you may do so freely. I may have given you a fair warning, but I forgot my place." He continued just as softly, all too aware of the locket resting softly against his chest, rising and falling with his steady breaths. "We are meant to be compatriots in this trial, and I have not given you any reason to place your trust nor your favour towards me. And for that, I apologise. But if I have overstepped your boundaries or crossed a line...then my wellbeing is yours to decide." He finished, all too aware of how the mercenary may be feeling. It was a dangerous proposition, but he needed to establish at least some form of rapport. The mercenary still had a chance that he did not. If the mercenary was ever going to see him as anything other than dangerous or volatile...he had to show him that he was at least willing to try.
|
|
|
Post by Envy on Nov 18, 2016 20:55:08 GMT
"So grenades were part of the test I see will at least I have something to work with." A ray of azure emits from the drone Techint comes back to the humanoid drone that he had left with the others. JX actives it's combat subroutine out of underneath of the drone a barrel pops out and a red beam shoots at the grenade hurling towards it.
With another flash of azure Techint appears before everyone. "So looks like he on top of things around here not even 5 minutes I was in there and like Babe Ruth he tried to hit a home run. So where did Merc run off to? Hey Scavenger did you see Merc run off to somewhere because I have a small idea to give him." Says Techint grabbing his cane and activating the claptrap drone.
|
|
|
Post by silent15 on Nov 18, 2016 21:09:23 GMT
"He hung back to speak to Mr Bell." Vergil answered. "Did you happen see where Ten was or at least which way the grenade came from?"
|
|
|
Post by projectekertest33 on Nov 18, 2016 21:12:14 GMT
"So our glorious leader has already abandoned us." Mutters Grey. "Wonderful. Come on let's hear what you saw short stuff."
|
|
|
Post by Envy on Nov 18, 2016 21:22:59 GMT
"The grenade come a little ways away from he if I had to say he not that far away from here. Plus he using EMP against me so he countering me hardcore saw I can't use the drone if he looks around for them. So I need another way to do recon on him since he has my kryptonite. Says Techint leaning on his cane.
"The one thing I can do is tap into the speakers since his voice comes through the speakers in the city. That indicates he is a mic to talk to use so if I can hack into the speakers and somehow trace the mic to him that would be great but something like that takes time." Techint spins his cane around.
|
|
|
Post by Raz on Nov 18, 2016 21:32:22 GMT
Pavle stared at the man for a long while. Til finally he shook his head as a breath escaped him. "I don't deny your words, nor do I refuse to see that they have merit. They do, and you're right. Chances are I'll lose those I care about regardless of what I do as you have. But...I still have to try to keep them safe. The second that I stop trying, I've given up on them, as you have." His icy gaze holds no malice, only pity. "You've lost those you care about and you keep their memory like an anchor that keeps dragging you down. You've trapped yourself in a prison of your own making. And with each waking moment you're alive you're reminded that you've failed." Again he shook his head and sighed. "You haven't failed, the fact that you're still here shows that you haven't. You're still alive, you keep their memories alive, which means you've kept them alive. The only way you've failed, is that you won't allow yourself to accept that they're gone. The longer you spend miserably trodding through days with their ghosts haunting you, the longer you disrespect their memories." He removes his helmet and holds it in the crook of his arm. " I can't help you, but I can show you a way for you to help yourself. Hit me."
|
|
|
Post by Alexodia on Nov 18, 2016 23:09:44 GMT
Upon hearing the last two words of the mercenary, his eyes snapped open in surprise. He hadn't been expecting that; he hadn't been expecting any of that. But the final part thoroughly threw him. "What?" He asked shortly, in a more hostile tone than he had expected. Upon hearing the reaffirmation of the request from the mercenary, he felt emotion continue to threaten to bubble beneath the surface, but this wasn't the usual happiness, or fear, or sadness. It was anger.
"Is that how you handle things? Hmm? You hit them? Well, I don't doubt that works for you, but it's slightly more complicated for me>" He began, keeping great care to steady his neutral tone, his gaze boring into the mercenary. "You see, I've never really seen the appeal of finding employment as a mercenary, because I don't find a great deal of pleasure in what I can do, but of course you wouldn't know that; you don't know the disparity of our powers, you couldn't know that what you just said could've effectively signed your own death warrant." He continued, closing his eyes once more and only barely noticing his voice rising and his breathing growing slightly heavier. "You see, you...can punch things or shoot things and then go back on your merry way back to the ones you love, but what happens when the punching and the shooting results in you not being able to go back, hmm? Oh, but I'm probably overreacting, hmm?" he continued further, his voice rising dangerously close to a shout, feeling the emotion thrash inside him like a caged beast. "Unleashing what you can do personally won't cause any problems, no, but I will. That's my problem, my fucking anchor. I hit you, everyone loses themselves, I let loose, EVERYBODY loses themselves. That is me, that is my anchor, that is who I am and who I am always cursed to be, and I will NOT allow it to happen again!! I will not-" he was cut off by a loud crash in front of him, the floor thudding. Feeling his eyes snap open once more, they widened even further at the sight of the mercenary cowering on the floor, huddled in the corner and covering his head with his arms, severely hyperventilating with his helmet lying forgotten at the door. His mouth dropping open slightly in horror at his loss of control, he immediately began damage control, tempering his emotions and corralling them as fast and as effectively as he could. Feeling his expert resolve and experience kick in instantly, he felt his own breathing steady out almost instantaneously, watching as the mercenary's deep, irregular breaths evened out just as quickly, the abject terror he was feeling balancing out to normal emotional range within a few seconds far faster than any natural methods of control could even hope to match, before feeling the mercenary's bewildered eyes land on him.
Jutting his head upwards slightly to scramble together some shred of dignity, he rose to his feet, his eyes as apologetic as he could manage. He didn't dare show any emotion now, not after that display. Watching as the mercenary stood up, his eyes still baffled beyond belief, he slowly stalked over to the mercenary with a million thoughts running through his head. It seemed he could no longer go with the aura of mystery completely now. The mercenary had now got a taste of what he could do, despite his best efforts. Perhaps he wasn't suited to be here, but as he reached the mercenary, eyes steady and unblinking, he realised that he wouldn't have known his emotions were so fraught had he not come here. Temper something for so long, it's bound to burst out, no matter your level of control. He didn't know how much the mercenary could deduce from that little display, but it was more than the nothing he previously had. Perhaps it was a confession of sorts. As much as he didn't to face it, the mercenary was right. He carried the ghosts of the ones he loved on his shoulder for every second that he lived, always a prompt, always a reminder of what happens when he lets anybody get too close. He lived it every day; both in memory, and with the last shred of a happy memory wrapped around his neck, softly beating against his chest as he walked. He still couldn't let them go now, he mused as he reached the mercenary, looking up at him in silent apology. But this mercenary had drawn something out of him he didn't even know existed from the mere fact of being able to relate. That was much less than he had expected, but perhaps that was all it took. He couldn't let them go now. But that brief display of emotion made him feel more liberated than he had in years. For the sake of his ghosts, he had to be willing to try.
"I do apologise...sincerely. You...asked me to hit you." He murmured softly, conveying the most sincerity into his voice he could, never thinking to insult him as such to break eye contact. "But, I think...we should rather save the true punches for the enemy. Hmm?" He asked questioningly, before sharply nodding with a ghost of a smile on his face and walking over to the door, unlocking the armory and swinging the doors open with a flair before heading over to the other applicants, leaving the mercenary with the implications of what happened and his silent promise to overcome his precautions and work with him. He was a minimalist that way; after all, less can be more.
|
|
|
Post by Raz on Nov 19, 2016 0:24:23 GMT
He stood there for a moment blinking as though he'd just seen something otherworldly but then again, he had. After a few more seconds of silent wonder he shook himself out of his stupor. "Ha, this is why I like to punch my problems away. If the boy keeps them bottled up like that he's going to explode for real." He picked up his helmet, loaded his machine gun and stepped outside. "Anya, if you knew the shit that I deal with for your benefit..." He shook his head smiling, letting the sentence trail off. "Ah well, time to see what mischief the rooks have gotten themselves into. Lord knows I can't leave Grey alone."
With that he ran after the group to see what the situation was. "Doc, give me a sitrep. I heard an explosion."
|
|
|
Post by Moferiah on Nov 19, 2016 6:01:42 GMT
Apparently Livie was so focused on her inner pep talk, that she almost missed Techint's question. Thankfully doctor was quick to answer in her stead, she nodded gratefully confirming his words. The fact that their opponent had counter measures to their powers wasn't unexpected, but still this confirmation was unpleasant. At least his actions might help pinpoint his location. Considering the scale of this simulated city it would take days, should he choose to simply lay low. Soon after Technopath's finished his report Merc came back bringing along shorter man, she glimpsed when they just arrived down here. Even though he was smiling ukrainian mercenary looked somewhat rattled, but he couldn't even begin to guess why.
|
|
|
Post by Snoe on Nov 19, 2016 6:26:25 GMT
Ten was certainly happy with himself but showing off wasn't the point. If these newbies were going to come up against someone that knew what they were going to do before they did it, it'd be fair if he gave them some tips and trick in the meantime while he waited for them to reconnoiter and come up with a plan... not too mention to see the best they can offer by making them better Vaihl wanted to see the works add some pressure and it wasn't going to be some street by street. That was too easy and like he'd mentioned to Vaihl unfair, so this hide and seek mission wasn't the point. It was showcasing their abilities strength and creativity. Or so the boss thoroughly lectured Ten about for three hours yesterday while she finished up a few more new toys to field today.
"Not bad trying to scan the city Techboy but you're not going up against someone that doesn't know you're coming." Ten pointed out that particular flaw in logic "If you're target is unaware he's being chased yeah go for it throw up a plane or two, if you're 'chasing' on the other hand consider keeping your little bird in tight spaces near cover or using multiple drones with a nice little distract and flank maneuver... I use'em too kido, gotta love gadgets and with your abilities the reaction time alone is head and shoulders above any 'human'... accept me, I saw it coming."
Ten laid that little hint, 'saw it coming' give the group bread crumb. Few folks ever figured out Ten's abilities before it was too late to formulate a strategy around it. "Don't make me go on the hunt... on second thought...Nah miss Barbas may hunt me down... that's scary... nuff said folks." Ten teased them and made his way to a parking garage, finding a vehicle to get around. His ability put him 'ahead' of his opponents but he was still hampered by human biology... he still got tired not like Vaihl or Vyde.
|
|
|
Post by silent15 on Nov 20, 2016 16:37:11 GMT
"Techint went scouting with a drone. Ten saw him and hit an EMP grenade towards with a baseball bat." Vergil reported. "Ten also needs to learn to shut his mouth, as you give away too much information if you start monologuing. Based on what he said, I've narrowed his power set down further. He most likely has some form of enhanced perception although whether that takes form of superior senses or mental abilities is still unclear."
|
|
|
Post by Raz on Nov 21, 2016 3:18:06 GMT
"Ah, Doc, as Napolean once said, never tell your enemy when he's making a mistake. Now he may not monologue like a Saturday cartoon villain any longer." He scanned the group. "Tech, where are you? You alright?" He glanced at the twins. "You two, get inside that building. I want you on over watch while we check on Tech. He shot a stare at Paradox. "See if you can pinpoint Ten's emotion trail. We might be able to get the drop on him."
|
|
|
Post by projectekertest33 on Nov 21, 2016 3:28:11 GMT
"And myself glorious leader." Said Greyman with his now almost permanent sneer.
|
|
|
Post by Raz on Nov 21, 2016 3:33:40 GMT
"Thought you were smart enough to know what needed to be done without me telling. I see I was wrong, well as glorious leader decrees, you should make sure the sly bastard isn't thinking about striking us again."
|
|
|
Post by projectekertest33 on Nov 21, 2016 3:47:22 GMT
Greyman's jaw clenched with anger he wondered from how far he'd need to dash for the momentum to liquefy the Ukrainian's bones he was a big guy so maybe 50 meters? It would hurt like hell but might just be worth it but no that was inefficient and would most likely result in his immediate and permanent termination by Vaihl besides the veteran might yet be an asset and Greyman did not dispose of assets for silly things like vengeance.
"Very well I will sure insure the guard's attention is on me but you'd better think of something quick." Saying this he dashed a significant distance into the ground floor of one of the slightly taller buildings relying on his shield protect him from the rubble as the building collapsed and then dashing into a wide open area and yelling "Come on rent-a-cop let's see if you add up to anything meaningful!"
|
|
|
Post by Snoe on Nov 21, 2016 7:54:25 GMT
Ten had been taking cover for a time waiting for a counter attack and then it came in the form of the dashman. The brittle-bones-boy Vaihl had expressly said not to break this one but if he did it to himself Ten couldn't possibly be blamed... no Vaihl would still blame him.
Ten walked casually into the street after Greyman had passed his position Baseball bat on his shoulder the other hand in his pocket before strolling into view. They didn't wanna chat so this one just needed a little pantomime to goad into attack Ten struck the pose of a bull-fighters giving the tails of his coat a heroic flick and standing straight base ball bat pointed toward his enemy.
Ten's focus on Greyman, gauging the the many ways this could go down, over and over running the possibilities of the next ten seconds. Ten knew he'd dodge the attack, there wasn't alot of variation to this guy's attack inline charging... very Toro Toro! Ten waited for the attack and prepared a wire snare in the off hand.
|
|
|
Post by JerkOfAllTrades on Nov 21, 2016 13:47:47 GMT
Ivory complied with Merc's command and, together with her sister, sneaked into a building, using distraction created by Greyman's actions. On the way she grown a couple of bone protrusions around her glasses earpieces. It should fixate them, so they wouldn't fall off. She had no desire find herself nearly blind in the midlle of a fight.
|
|
|
Post by Envy on Nov 21, 2016 14:20:43 GMT
Techint sits down Indian style tapping away on his laptop. Sending in a couple of his drones to fly in the city only in alleyways through.
A little bit more before I can find a route into that speaker system. "I'll give Ms.Barbas this that she does have some good security measures. But it's still tech and well tech can't be mastered only manipulate.
|
|
|
Post by Moferiah on Nov 21, 2016 14:27:21 GMT
Not wasting any more time for response two sisters quickly got moving. Judging by a loud crash of collapsing building Greyman's distraction must've been successful, but who knows how much time it would buy them. Speaking of buildings, finding herself in the middle of simulated city felt slightly of surreal. It was really good. Amazing even, considering simulation didn't only include buildings, but also city population. For a moment Livie wondered: if she didn't know it was a simulation, would she be able to tell the difference? Likely only in a subtle feeling one can have sometimes while dreaming, where everything looks normal, but at the same time in the back of your mind you know, something feels off. But now wasn't the time for this kind of thinking.
Quickly sneaking in the building Merc pointed out, twins promptly moved into position that allowed them to keep an eye on both the group as well as Greyman. Bonaparte was hidden at the entrance of the room to "guard" their backs. Of course his actions were still entirely dependent on Scavenger's commands, but at the very least, if they were ambushed, he would be standing closer to their assailant. It's not like she could make him do much else in their current position anyway.
|
|