Log started: 11/5/02 9:59:04 PM Kain's Office(#3038Ten) This is more or less an standard office for Kain to deal with Blue Strider business. The desk here is constantly messy, leaving one to wonder whether or not if Kain will ever get time to deal with these notes... Off to one side is a Bowl and such for Buster, Kain's dog. [Radio: (C) Global] Alpha transmits, "Doctor Wily?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Jet Stingray transmits, "Don't believe so. If you want to speak to a high ranking Repliforcer, I'll be the dude to talk to along with Prismatic Spider of the MSE. No ion cannon for you it would seem." Eastern China In the 21st Century China was completely under Communist control. Eventually they struck out and tried to claim more land for their 'red' plague, grasping Papua New Guinea. After the New Guineans revolted at the end of the 21st century, the Chinese laid waste to the country with nuclear weaponry. The resulting global feedback from the U.N. and it's countries was astounding. China was literally stripped of all military and independent government, becoming an overcrowded, economically crippled husk of land. The population continued to grow, until Chinese emmigrated across the globe to find suitable locations to live. Now, China is a shadow of what it used to be instead of a gigantically overcrowded Metropolis, though it remains on unsteady terms with the U.N. Contents: Contents: Crush Crawfish [M] Sword Man ["casual"] [RM] Metal Man [Armor] [RM] Duncun [Unarmored] [MH] Hong Kong Northeast : Honshu East : Taiwan Southeast : Vietnam Southwest : Siam North : Korea West : Western China Up : Sky Above China [Radio: (C) Global] Sounds Human Dark Static transmits, "Bah. If the Stardroids had killed us all, it would've just meant some other planet would be being razed by them. Fighting back is always the right thing to do." Alpha arrives from the Sky Above China. Alpha has arrived. Kalinka arrives from the Korea. Kalinka has arrived. Gemini Man arrives from the Hong Kong - Northern Outskirts. Gemini Man has arrived. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Pah, I fail to see why everyone considers them such a threat. Aside from some mediocre pyrotechnics style attacks and large unhappy seafood dedicated to world peace, I have seen nothing in the records to show the Stardroids as any major threat." News Camera #1 has arrived. Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Rigger. [Radio: (C) Global] Kain transmits, "One word, DeVry -- SUNSTAR." The Camera turns on. [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "Hey, someone hear the sound of @#$-flaking?" Announcement: Capricorn shouts, "Live news on for anybody who wants to watch but not participate." [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "The term 'planetary annihilation' comes to mind, DeVry." [Radio: (C) Global] Gemini Man laughs a little... "Hello, DeVry. Still trying to get your two cents in?" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Sunstar? Wasn't that an orange drink from the late 70s?" [Radio: (C) Global] Software Pirate Man transmits, "IT be ironic, in my eyes, that the Stardroids failed to send us to Davy Jone's locker... but now it looks like their ship alone might do the trick?" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Its orbital, affix some gantry rockets to it and push it away from the planet." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Its basic physics." [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "During re-entry, DeVry?" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "Yes?" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Its undergoing re-entry? ...blast, I knew when my mets went dead it was a bad sign..." Kalinka receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (C) Global] Kain transmits, "I'm hoping that fate would be mercifully... and it hits you first, DeVry." [Radio: (C) Global] Software Pirate Man transmits, "I think that yea of replifoarce who consider yerselves to be so brave get up there and triumph over the odds and all that rubbish yer always gettin' on with." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I am presently at no fear of any orbital debris, unless it is truly massive in scope and hits me dead on." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "Would that we be so luckt." It's early morning in China, and out in one of the rural towns along Hong Kong's sprawling border, the locals are gearing up for a hard day's work of... rice fishing and kung-fu and shaolin soccer and other traditionally Chinese things. A few are busy watching the news, however... concerned over this latest bit about 'shards' of Starhaven splitting off and dropping towards the Earth. Still others are gathering in the streets, pointing up to a flicker of darkness that loom overhead... from a distance, appearing as nothing more than inky black slivers, too high up to determine their size. They move in parallel, turning in slow circles high in the air, like hawks circling their prey. Overdrive Ostrich arrives from the Hong Kong - Northern Outskirts. Overdrive Ostrich has arrived. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "My question still remains, why did no one affix rocket to push the topic out of orbit before this inanity" [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "A reading from the book of Wily." Alpha sends a radio transmission. [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "....for a scientist, you're really good at ignoring the science, aren't you?" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "You are not paying attention, DeVry? A massive distortion field crushes anything that approaches the station, you fool." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "Oh, I don't know DeVry, maybe it was the gravity field that crushed anything which got to close?" [Radio: (C) Global] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Because of the highly destructive gravity field around the station, DeVry?" [Radio: (C) Global] Software Pirate Man transmits, "Yea should stop flappin' yer balasted gums and listen t' h' news, DeVry ye seadog!" Alpha receives a radio transmission from Dr. Wily. [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Now. To ignore the idiot among us - has anyone determined the likely site of impact?" [Radio: (C) Global] Metal Man transmits, "Already plotted sir." [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Well?" [Radio: (C) Global] Kain transmits, "...thank you, Ballade." Alpha sends a radio transmission to Dr. Wily. [Radio: (C) Global] Metal Man transmits, "Gemini, Sword and my self are enrout to eastern China which is the likely area of impact" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "I see no need to keep this piece of... ah, thank you. Eastern China. It would seem the region's curse remains in effect. A pity we were driven out. The Chinese could have been one with the people of Africa." Alpha receives a radio transmission from Dr. Wily. Repliforce Space Shuttle arrives from the Sky Above China. Repliforce Space Shuttle has arrived. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "A pity indeed." [Radio: (C) Global] Software Pirate Man transmits, "Arr, I wish I could help yee out, really... but I have a bit o' grog to sleep off, yee understand?" Kalinka has to come out here, where she really shouldn't be...hiding amongst the rural homes and gathering crowds to witness the spectacle of the Starhaven re-entry. It's worth the risk, she surmises...for science, if nothing else. Alpha sends a radio transmission. [Radio: (C) Global] Software Pirate Man transmits, "If yee notice any large pieces of expensive debris, I'll help yee with that in the mornin', okay?" Alpha receives a radio transmission from Dr. Wily. Alpha sends a radio transmission. Alpha sends a radio transmission. Crush Crawfish is more or less crouching down, he is resting back on his tail while mid-calf deep in rice plants. His large claws are crossed over eachother, effectively creating a shield in front of his body. His antennae move every so often, noting the presence of others as they near or arrive. His eyes are trained upwards however, on the slivers. Alpha receives a radio transmission. From the edge of the town, bearing down on the location of the falling debris, a small hovercar carrying Robot Masters finds its way to the scene. Not many of them, just Sword, and Metal Man, with Gemini Man 'untwinning' sitting in the back of the convertible-top car. Hey, it was smaller than the shuttle, and less likely to be hit by falling starjunk. Just when you thought it was safe to watch TV via telebroadcast satellite, a news broadcast interrupts your favorite shows.. That's how it goes right? Taking a moment to gather his bearings, the armor-clad Duncun peers about at the blissful scene, checking. People ignorant of distaster.. check.. Sharp objects of Doom? Double check.. Eyes trailing upward, he watches the shining objects. Alpha sends a radio transmission to Dr. Wily. Repliforce Space Shuttle streaks through the upper atmosphere at high speeds. It's passangers, Repliforcers, intent on making it here and taking out the falling debris before they reduce the civilian population to so much cinder and mush. Alpha receives a radio transmission. Overdrive Ostrich stands near Crush in the rice fields, peering upward at the falling debris with an expression of almost detached interest. Sword Man merely sits rigidly in the passenger seat of the hovercar, looking upward at the impending flaming doom above them. He remains silent, but the look on his face is one of grim expectance and determination. Metal Man is sitting in the back seat of the hovercar and tinkering with some techinal gear at the moment and patching it into a jack in his neck. "Okay almost got the remote scanners hooked up and good to go." Kain comes... via HoverTaxi. After paying the Cabdriver (who drives in a insane hurry) the one called Special K, peers upwards at the falling shards... as he takes out his Cipher and starts powering it up... Alpha sends a radio transmission to Dr. Wily. Alpha receives a radio transmission. Crush Crawfish's antennae move in Overdrive's direction. "It's going to hit the fan any minute now.. good thing we aren't stupid enough to be camping under the falling stuff.." He says in a gruff voice, the rest of his body not moving. It's true really, the section of rice field the two Mavericks occupy is a fair distant from the estimated contact point. Breeze arrives from the Hong Kong - Northern Outskirts. Breeze has arrived. The larger shards continue to gracefully turn... it would appear that they're not dropping straight towards the earth; whatever arcane construction is behind them has allowed them to catch an updraft and slowly glide towards the ground below. But they're big enough to act as sails. The smaller ones... all the 'flakes' that split off Starhaven with the big slivers... It begins to rain blades. Deathly quiet bolts of black drop from the sky, peppering the roads in little streaks; hardly any warning before lines of protruding black plates of some alien mineral peppering the dirt. The random gawkers who watch the approaching shards scream and begin to scatter as the smaller flakes cut them here and there- one commoner grasping tight at a laceration along her upper arm, another backing up with a start from a curbside table he had been sitting at, split down the middle by a twfoot black blade. People immediately begin to run for cover, not waiting around long enough to be struck directly. Those large shards may look serene, but if they're anything like their smaller kin, it's not going to be pretty when they touch down. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Jet Stingray transmits, "Hey... If this stuff is coming down, we should start getting people out of the area. Repliforce is moving in, but if you guys already at the scene could start doing that, it would be cool. Nothing is less cool that pointles...." Pauses. "Too late it would seem." Gunsmith Cat has arrived. Crush Crawfish has disconnected. Kalinka scatters right along with the crowd -- picking up a crying baby who's been abandoned in the panic that ensues. Clutching the baby to her chest, she dashes to the temporary 'safety' of an old car, shutting herself inside and ducking under the back seat as she tries to calm the squalling child. Gunsmith Cat steps out of the Comet in the upper atmosphere, growling as she sees shards of black flashing past and pushing free, antigrav system kicking in and pushing her away from the exhaust of the shuttle as she orients on the shards. Her chestplate kicks open as she attaches a few final power cables to the backpack-sized generator strapped in place of her gatling guns. A moment later her gravity weaponry kicks up, purple energy flaring as she reaches down with her overpowered system and tries to halt as many of the blades as she can over the populated areas, to redirect them away from where they are a danger to people. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "...blasted television, keeps flicking in and out...bah *click* bah *click* Is there anything on -besides- this infernal battling *click*" Breeze arrives in the city via teleporter, just in time to see shrapnel falling outside. "Like something out of bad sci-fi apocalypse films...", an observation to herself as she glides out of the teleporter building, already using gravity and air controls to ward off shrapnel from hitting her. And anyone reasonably near her will enjoy this benefit too, since she's definately taking efforts to cover others on the streets. [Radio: (C) Global] Kain sounds can be heard before K mutters, "No S***, Sherlock!" [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "GODJIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRA!" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "...times like this I wish I went to the trouble to build or purchase a Re-Beta Player..." Overdrive Ostrich crouches down lower, hoping he's far enough away what with the gliding blades and all.. he doesn't fear cuts, but enough of them could do some serious damage.. Jet Stingray has arrived. "Don't get too close," Gemini Man says to...whomever it is that's really driving this Master machine. He stands up in the back of the seat, and peers over, up at the skies. "If this ISN'T a dropship or something, we're outta here," he says. Apparently his attention span is just that short... [Radio: (C) Global] Metal Man transmits, "I think everyone should pool the bounties on landon into one sum..." Sword Man blinks as he sees the smaller ones crash down. "BLAST IT!!!" Reaching over from the passenger side, he fiddles with the wheel, hoping to try and avoid the raining shards should they come down upon them...only to realize he has no idea how to turn the auto drive off the thing. "Grrrggh....if only I had the ability to control this infernal carriage!" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Offer all the money you wish. If no one can catch me, its meaningless." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "*chuckles* I'm surprised people haven't started turning in my masks claiming to have defeated me" [Radio: (C) Global] Gemini Man just...laughs. [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "Becuase you can buy them from a little store in Podunk." [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "That's because we like to keep them as ashtrays, instead." Duncun watches this for a few seconds before realizing the danger that he's in. Quickly he moves to get out of the way, floating upward accelerating as he does so. Before he gets above the shower, however, he's met with a few blades, cutting into his armor like a razor. He stops for a moment, and looks down, and starts heading to get some of the people out of the way, trying to use his yyos to snatch them out of the larger chunks. "This stuff doesn't mess around." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "No, that store sells cheap granite rip-o....you're being fascetious, aren't you" Kain just stares. (No way... as Sarah would say...)oo. He stoles the Cipher away, and proceeds to helping the civilians. He can't stop the shards, because heck, ALIEN metal. It probably can't be deflected off course, nor damaged. He proceeds to help a injured couple away... to some form of shelter, while stating: "I am Kain. I will help you." [Radio: (C) Global] Kain transmits, "All of the bounties... I think that would make roughly 134.6 Million Z. Hrm." [Radio: (C) Global] Job transmits, "Ya it would" [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "Not really. They're now making copper ones, painted metallic. I should know, cause I bought the rights." Barrage Raptor has arrived. [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Interesting. Would you be interested in an 'original' for a mold?" [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I would dispatch forces to aid in Hong Kong, except I can't discern if large metal condors or attacking, or a re-run of I Love Lucy..." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "A mold? An original, numerous copies are already in the private collector's market." [Radio: (C) Global] Kain transmits, "You're getting senile, aren't you?" Even as the shining black rain cuts into the Comet's hull, a low hum begins to emanate from it as the bay shudders, then creaks open, revealing a large grid of antigravity repulsors, pointed back into the sky. The source of the noise is pretty obvious, as the giant antigravity array is lifted into the air ,extruding from the vehicle. Powerful pulses of antigravity wash out, doing it's best to push back the deadly sliver rain. Gemini Man rolls his eyes. Sword Man continues to provide proof that he's an idiot. Without moving from his seat, Gemini appears right next to Sword Man, near the driver's seat, and just pushes a button, shutting the car off. It stops, right in the middle of the danger zone. A shard just barely misses hitting it. Gemini doesn't seem to care. "Get out and walk," he says to Sword. Then, he reaches a hand above his head, and materializes that same holographic umbrella that he used the night of the big rain storm. A small chunk of rock hits it and bounces harmlessly off. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "No, the comm-systems have not yet been fully enabled...." [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "That Ricky. He's such a maroon." [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "Naw. We got an original a while back. I think some Maverick Hunter put it on ebay. Thanks for the offer though." [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "This is at least preferable to three and a half hours ago when all I was recieving was garbled Arabian pornography intermixed with the digital sound from a Horse Race" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Hrm. I believe we may still have a fragment of his 'body'." [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "...See, now that was just wrong." [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "Go to the corner old man, and don't speak up. Some of us are tryin to drink here!" [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "I like your style son. Particularly that you're underage." [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "Technically, so are you. And in france, I'm legal. So, Viva la France!" Repliforce Space Shuttle slows down, keeping itself as steady as possible for the operations on the hull. The blades begin *thwak*ing it every now and again, repelled by the hull's defensive system as best as possible. Of course, the protection won't last forever, and things are likely to get worse as they enter further into the debris field. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Isn't France presently under Maverick occupation?" Pharaoh Man arrives from the Hong Kong - Northern Outskirts. Pharaoh Man has arrived. [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, " Back to the corner, walking dead!" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Hrm. You do realize that there are outstanding contracts for advertisement for Wilybeer outside of Africa. As well as distribution contracts." Sword Man glares at Gemini as he seemingly patronizes the swordsman. However, unwilling to stay in one place, for fear of the raining death, he exits, looking upward still as more pieces come down. "Blast it all..." Walking up to one of the shards, he attempts a quick examination of it (which consists of him trying to slash through it). He fully expects it to resist his blade, but it can't hurt to try. Jet Stingray is not on the Comet as the anti-grav waves are coming from the craft... Instead, he has leapted out to do his best to save the day. Using his foot jets to only slow his fall, he lands a little harder than he wanted to. Still, any landing you can walk away from... Looking about to the sky for a moment, he just lets the MSE to their thing while he hands the saving people bit. First things first... Save a pair of people from a burning wrecked car. "I not a leader, I'm not a MSE... So why the heck have I been more of that then kicking aft?" he complains as he rips off the door and takes out the unlucky couple inside. [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "Oh. Sweet. You're a beer pimp." Gunsmith Cat continues to work on the shards for as long as she can, before she rotates slowly, eyes shutting for a moment as she focuses, then opening again with an inner light as she roars a challenge at the on-rushing giant shards, a beam of purple energy so dark and concentrated it seems shot through with black exploding from her systems to press against the falling metal, like a gigantic purple hand, demanding they return to whence they came, or at least attempting to slow their progress. [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "I see. Well, perhaps we should discuss distribution, and endorsment. I presume Crash Man's your unoffical mascot?" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Official as well, I believe. I have seen children as young as six attempting to emulate him." The efforts of this small town's impromptu heroes begin to pay off, and the flurries of raining black shards yield easily to the antigravity waves that repel them; black streaks of descending shards scattered when their arc of descent is disrupted, fluttering to the grown nearby almost harmlessly, even shattering in mid-air. It seems they're fairly brittle, and truly dangerous only when plummetting along their edge. Within time, the black rain ceases- the small shards shaken loose by whatever occured onboard Starhaven having all dropped from the sky. Fortunately... it's just a quick shower of them. The damage is minimal, the casualties even more s only minor knicks and cuts here and there. In places, the streets flood where pipes near the surface have been sliced open by blades; in others, cars burn where their engins have been impaled, or buildings sag where their supports have been severed. The two king shards continue to circle, and as they glide closer and closer to the Earth below, they appear to be moving faster... dropping more quickly, circling more.. hungrily. With every full circle, they catch the light of the midmorning sun and glint like mirrors; they're tipped at an angle, and more so by the moment. It would seem that, as they fall, they're beginning to tilt towards the earth, and when they do, they're likely to begin falling fast. [Radio: (C) Global] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Statements such as that make me wonder if I -should- throw in with the Maverick" [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "I am the Youth of the Nation." [Radio: (C) Global] Jared Kintane transmits, "Right. Have your people call my office. We'll do lunch." Metal Man looks up at the falling bit of Starhaven and starts running scans of it as it decends. "Okay I'm tracking it now eta to impact... Should be about 45 to 60 seconds." Well thats for the bit he is tracking right now as he hops out of the hover car and does his best to dodge the shards while tracking them. "The big ones are going to hit... [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Crash Man? Make it happen." Kalinka remains in a bit of a bind -- but there isn't much she can do about it at the moment. She remains crouched in the abandoned car, in the company of an abandoned baby whom she's clutching protectively against her. A large shard of ship smashes through the car's windshield. "Oh, terrific. -- Ssh, baby, do not cry, it is okay...ssh ssh...Daddy would disown me if he knew I was here!" As the shard-shower slows and stops, Kalinka finally feels safe enough to creep out of the car. As she does so, she catches sight of the very large shards, plummeting in an almost calculating fashion...and her eyes widen in abject fascination. Jet Stingray sends a radio transmission. [Radio: (C) Global] Crash Man transmits, "Hohah." Gemini Man lowers his umbrella with a flick of his arm, and the hologram is gone. The second twin peers up at the skies in greater earnest. They aren't doing anything to help, but at least they aren't in the way. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man brings up a live feed from his scanning gear which he is using to track the king fragments. "Here see if you tech types can make any use of this..." Sword Man finds himself rather surprised when the blade DOES manage to do something. It doesn't slash through, but like some of the repelled pieces, the shard shatters at the force. "Odd....they are brittle...perhaps...perhaps..." He looks up towrad the larger shards, focusing on them and pondering... [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "/How/ interesting." Breeze watches as the effects of the shrapnel shower grow in some ways, and are mitigated in others. Launching into the sky, she heads towards the general direction of the two larger shards. "Here's hoping they've listened..." More talking to herself, it seems. Her hands raise over her head, and a large tornado forms below one shard, a dark purple glow of lightened gravity forces below the other. There's probably no hope this show of elemental force will stop these shards, but if they slow them down...that's her intent. Jet Stingray puts the two humans he said in a lobby of an office building before looking out. Is that the crying of a baby, he just heard? Must have been nothing. Moving outside of the building, he looks about to try and figure out where he is needed next. Duncun pauses as he uses his yyos with varying degrees of success, attempting to move as many people closer to safety. He's pushing the limits of his speed here, whipping the yyos out as quickly as they return while speaking to someone from behind the mask. Slowly he takes a breath before looking upward. He nods to Metal man and then quickly moves upward, saying something along the lines of. "Alright you peices of junk.." He swings with the yyo trying to get it attatched to the falling peice. "Let's see how you like Mr. Newton." Jet Stingray receives a radio transmission from Jared Kintane. Jet Stingray receives a radio transmission. Jet Stingray receives a radio transmission. Jet Stingray receives a radio transmission from Jared Kintane. Kalinka begins rocking the baby in her arms, smiling as she seems to have some success in calming the infant. Now, she moves to a metal overhang, up against an old ramshackle store. All the while, she keeps an eye on the crowd for a panicked looking mother -- but she sees none. As people starts to get cleared up and away, Special K pauses briefly to look around and to glance at his upper right arm where a long jaggered cut appears. Gritting his teeth, K tores off a piece of his Strider Gi, and bandages as best as he could. Glancing back up at the two 'father figures' of the shard storm, K draws out the Yang and focuses a bit of white energy, before letting loose with a small plasma shot. (It would probably reflect it, but it doesn't... maybe those things can be destroyed... if not forced away...)oo. Jet Stingray sends a radio transmission to Jared Kintane. Barrage Raptor finally exits the airlock on the Comet, jumping out and falling! Falling faster, until she manages to pop the parachute she brought with her, and float her way down towards the ground...She hopes it doesn't get sliced up by falling metal before she gets to the ground, though.. Overdrive Ostrich mentally runs through his weapons.. none of which have anything near the range to attack such a distant object, even if that WERE a good idea. Although.. give the size, they might shatter on impact.. but whatever. When I say 'big' shards, I mean it. As they appeared when they first split off Starhaven, the things are easily the size, from front to back, of your average 747, though with the sleek black shape of a spyplane. Albeit an abstracted, sinister Dr. Seuss meets Picasso spyplane. Those that assault them from below with wind and gravity alike are all but dwarfed by the things as they swoop overhead... silent, though creating an audible whistle in the wind. As the two big shards fall, one is relatively lower than the other- and it is this one that takes the brunt of the efforts to stop it. As its twin continues to drift serenely, still cutting a spiral through the sky, the disrupted shard begins to tip, its pointed nose angling towards the ground, its broad rear pitching up towards the sky. Wobbling slightly, it falls a much faster pace, no longer circling, but dropping rapidly. It would seem all of the effort to knock it back up, have only brought it down faster... but have also knocked it off course... aiming it at a field on the edge of the village? Perhaps- as the plummeting shard shimmies and yaws, it's difficult to tell where it's going to land, but maybe, if enough force was exerted on it, its descent could be controlled... Jet Stingray receives a radio transmission. Repliforce Space Shuttle cruises through the air, a magnificient bird of... something. A slight bit of preciously scarce energy is diverted from the hull defense to the engines as they propel towards the more menacing one, diverting it's course slightly to give Barrage a more favorable landing spot. Breeze sees her delay tactics having dubious usefulness. "Ridiculous...if only he were here!" Realizing she may get crushed soon, she jets out of the general descent path of the shards, but changes her efforts to focus on the one closest to the ground. More gravity and air controls on her part spring forth as the first ones dissipate, though these focus specifically on pushing the first shard sideways; away from the village as best as possible, towards that field... Sword Man blinks as he sees the efforts to halt the pieces only make matters worse. "Blast it all!!" Looking upward, he tries to see what's causing the speed up...finally, he gets an idea. "AIM FOR THE NOSE OF THE SHARDS!! FORCE IT'S DESCENT TO SLOW! IF WE CANNOT DESTROY THEM, THEY WE MUST SLOW THEM!!!" Of course, Sword can do little from here, with a lack of ranged weaponry, so he is merely relegated to watching from the sidelines. Barrage Raptor floats down. Floaty floaty. Lands, finally, and then turns to keep an eye on the second shard, the one that's not plumetting yet. Since those are her current orders. Gemini Man sits back in the back seat of the car. God, it's so funny when Sword Man cares. "Dibs on whatever's inside those things," says the other twin. Too many cooks spoil the broth... Or so the saying goes. Deciding that there are enough people focused on the direct threat, the Stingray of Saving the Day worries himself on the small ones. Like making sure people take cover. As he does, he seems to be having... a radio conversation. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "Sword Man has the idea." Metal Man heads Sword's idea and starts to pitch in to the effort to slow the wreckage down. Several blades appear in his hands and in short order he is slinging at the nose of one of the two king shards. "I'm on it!" He says in a calm tone. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "And Aqua Man has the gay. This is a very one-sided conversation." Repliforce Space Shuttle swings around, lending it's own powerful (yet jury-rigged) array to assist in moving the faster-falling giant shard... But how long will it last? Duncun moves over to the side of the shard and starts to pull, straining against the gravity feild around him with effort. A grunt and a heave sounds out from him as his weak little body attempts the near impossible. He just hopes that his small effort will somehow help. Without a warning, his radio starts playing, some ancient ballad that seems awkward and somewhat inappropriate during this time of crisis. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "Odd we are warmachines not whore bots. None of us are build with that equipment. Now if you don't mind Mercanry I have a job to do." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Sword Man transmits, "If you have nothing to add, Mercenary, then perhaps thou shouldst leave thy prattle on the main Global channel." Jet Stingray sends a radio transmission to Jared Kintane. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "Now, now, if I have nothing to add, it may merely be because I've not been properly briefed. This could be a cry for help, so to speak. Not like any of you are /paying/ me to help save the world, or anything." Jet Stingray receives a radio transmission from Jared Kintane. Gunsmith Cat pauses her efforts for a moment, then redoubles them, aiming for the nose of the huge chunk, focusing every dreg of energy she can muster into the assault, while her targetting system calculates frantically, using the current known flight characteristics of the shard to attempt to redirect it further away from the village. Kalinka remains where she's standing, for the moment, trying to gauge where these shards might find purchase in the ground. In the meantime, she continues to rock the baby in her arms. The baby's much calmer now, much to Kalinka's relief because she's becoming concerned that she might be stuck with the little tyke for a while. "I should call you something...give you a name, so you are not just 'baby'...hm, I think I will call you 'Pyotr' for now." Jet Stingray sends a radio transmission. Fine. Ballade wants Gemini to help. Sure. He's been in enough trouble already this week, as it is, just with his unWelcome enthusiasm. Might as well... Throw them off the trail? "There's nothing our laser can do," he says to Sword. "It just bounces off of things like that. Got other suggestions?" Kain starts turning up the juice of his Cipher, bit by bit until the plasma Yang blast looks like a Megablast (on the civilian scale). His hands hurt from the outpouring of the force that is meant to be used in a melee setting (read: Yang Cipher or Yang's Fury... which are the same) into a blast meant for the falling (quickly) shard. (Come on! Slow it down!!!)oo. Woe. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth. The sky is a light with a hail of deadly fire, an armeggedon from some celestial force yet to make itself known to those it may very well obliterate from existance. With all the ffort, all the courage, and all the skill and strength of the Earth's defenders, things still look bleak. Even the twisted and evil defend the third rock from this galaxy's stun-It is their home. Which is why Pharaoh Man blinks into existance some distance ahead of the still falling shard, in full battle dress. " Hrmph. Stardroids...no, they are but fools. Fools with power they do not have the true ability to wield or comprehend. A pity. " Ra raises his scepter towards the chunk, and begins to chant in a long lost egyptian tongue, eyes alight with the flames of the desert sun itself. " " A concentrated mass of wind and sand appears, and in a pinpointed strike at the center of the falling chunk, the tiny grains striking and rubbing the area in an attempt at fastpaced erosion. Pharaoh apparently has a plan... The plummeting shard drops faster and faster as it angles more and more towards the Earth, soon falling at a faster pace than any falling object really should... its razor-thin profile causing it to slice through the air, nigh-unimpeded by any friction it might run against. As the efforts to slow or even redirect its descent are boosted, they have a noticable effect- the massive black blade no longer wobbling, angling instead towards the field it only breezed towards before. Faster and faster, the wind-whistle it creates approaching more of a shriek- before it touches down. The towering blade slips as easily into the earth as a harpoon into water, sinking past the damp soil of the field with the grind of stone against metal. Though its impact slows it considerably, it still drops quickly, sinking fast, sheathing itself halfway within the ground before coming to a halt. A split is torn in the earth along the blade's axis, running up towards one end of the field and the other- while rumbling shockwaves radiate outwards, jostling flimsy village-houses on their frames, sending vast clouds of mud and dirt billowing into the air. But the chaos does not last, and in mere moments, the shockwaves fade, the trembling earth calms, the rumbling earth fades. A hundred feet of paper-thin, razor-edged mineral stick out of the ground in an odd asymmetical shape, resembling modern art more than an extraterrestrial threat. The other shard, though, continues to glide... Metal Man finds its odd he is trying to save the day for once but he shoves it out of his mind. he does not want to br crushed and he has his orders after all. More blades of death and even a suad of dagger drones are launched at the falling shade but get nothing but fragments. Alpha has left. Metal Man does a loacal broadband transmission. As the shard impacts and the earth trembles briefly, Kalinka steadies herself and the infant as best she can. "Hang on, Pyotr...oooh, I see it in your eyes, you wonder what that was! *Tremblies*! Let us go see what it was, hm? We shall have to be very careful...and quiet...and we cannot get too close. Looks are free." With a wink, she begins slinking away from the buildings. Never mind waiting for a suggestion, then. The shard's dropped, and that's the cue Gemini takes to move. As the shockwaves from the landing rumble the ground beneath the Master car, he hops out, and starts to rush over to the still-cooling Haven fragment, his twin following at a slightly more sedate place. They want to take a closer look. Sword Man remains impassive, staring intently as the shard starts to come down. As the piece lands and shakes the earth, he attempts to keep his balance. Luckily, he doesn't need to do to this for long. However...the second shard still looms over head. And considering his idea to slow the first one had little effect, he's not sure what to do with this one. Jet Stingray merely yells at a kid to get some cover and away from the windows as he notices the other shard come in. Sighing as he gets his orders, his gets out his armcannon and starts walking calmly out toward the shard. "Yea, Stardroid Glass O' Death... Just what I always wanted for Christmas." He looks over to Gemini. "Dude... I would recommend you chill out a little." Gunsmith Cat phews as the first shard falls, then carefully turns herself towards the other shard, pulling on all the information she gleaned from the first one and carefully, carefully using her antigravity to nudge it when it appears to lose it's glide path, using every tiny trick of her trade to try and keep it gliding until she can find a decent place to bring it down. Pharaoh Man pushes onwards. He knows not fear. He knows not death, for it has long ago claimed Ra. He only knows that an extraterrestial force threatens his home, and that the Pharaoh cannot stand for such a trespass. Another hand, with some resistance, places itself onto the scepter which guides the sands agianst their target. Meanwhile, both his hands and scepter begin to gather a crimson light, which starts to slowly swirl and coalesce towards the tip of the item, right at the Amun-Ra profile. He begins to transmit a message on all frequencies, << Strike at its center, NOW! Break it into small, managable chunks that will either burn up or easily be diverted! >> The Sun God's message finishes just as the large orb of massed energy completes itself, and with a final push, the Robot Master launches all his effort into a Pharaoh Shot-The True Might and Legacy of the Egyptian Lords of the Sand. Nice. Modern Art would be nice... IF Modern Art wasn't trying to pierce you through like a spear. Regardless, the moment the shard hits, K is taken off his feet and stumbles about for a moment. Reality and Mother Nature soon reserts itself and things are back to normal. Save for that last giant shard. "Does anybody have an idea? ANY at all?" K questions. Repliforce Space Shuttle Duncun releases his yyo at the last minute, gasping at how close he came to dying, but still loving the rush. His adrenaline pumping he looks upward. "Well, perhaps we should hitch a ride.." He starts to rise up, following, with eyes furrowed. "I don't like how these shards are reacting..." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "Don't blast the last one apart..." Barrage Raptor turns and runs her way towards the shard that's hit the ground now, to help secure it, like the boss spider said for her to do. Since, yeah...It's her job. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "It seems to be gliding." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Blue Dragon Director Kain transmits, "For Now." Repliforce Space Shuttle 's cpilot sends out a return signal... <> [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "This is the most interesting coversation I've ever overheard where I've had no idea what the hell is going on." Pharaoh Man grumbles, <> [Radio: (D) Alliance] Ballade transmits, "I suggest you turn on the GNN radio feed then?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "What, and watch television? Rots the brain, unless I'm on it." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Bass transmits, "Large hunks of Starhaven are racing towards the Earth at terminal velocity. They should have /highly/ entertaining effects." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Ballade transmits, "...Mmm. No, wait. That's the tapped transmission from Metal Man's skull." Gunsmith Cat broadcasts [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "See? There's a mechanoid that knows when a question needs answering. I /must/ watch this." Repliforce Space Shuttle begins banking, suddenly a bit more perky due to increased energy levels. It's a bit of a rough bank, but it's as gentle as possible for the benefit of the on-hull crew. The boosters fire and Comet begins approaching the second shard. Breeze watches as the first one lands with less than devastating effect on the people below. "Not yet?" She listens to various suggestions, and sets her sensors to follow Gunsmith's own efforts. And should it prove practical, reinforce them in concert with the Repliforcer. Kalinka slips away with the baby...NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. Well...perhaps not. But she's obviously got some plan that's taking her away from the village proper. Overdrive Ostrich has disconnected. Kalinka has disconnected. The remaining large shard takes as well to Gunsmith's manipulations as its fallen sibling did- beginning to wobble a bit, disrupted from its flight path. But though it's been disrupted, the various efforts to keep it up in the air- considerably more gentle, not just a brunt swat to keep it flying- manage not to drop the second shard as quickly as the first. It's inevitable that it touches down, but it would seem that Gunsmith, the Comet, and others have found a way to, if not control, but influence the big shard. It proves surprisingly resilient to Pharaoh's and other's assaults... its sheer black surface merely reflecting the sand and heat cast towards it. For something so paper-thin, it's surprisingly strong... then again, it is what appeared to be armoring Starhaven. Pharaoh Man growls. He had promised a crater for parking a new SkullSphere on to Amun-Wily. Oh, another day. Shrugging, Pharaoh blinks back groundwards, and heads for the first shard, hoping to take home a chunk for analysis. Gemini Man reaches the downed first shard first, despite the objections of some of the others that might be following him there. He looks at it, up and down, examining but not getting too near, not wanting to risk damage from the friction-heat of its long fall. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " Hello Mr. Kain." Sword Man continues to watch upward as this time, the efforts to keep the shard from falling TOO fast work. He grins, watching and following it's path, walking toward the first shard, fairly confident the next shard will not have quite the adverse effect the first one did. Gunsmith Cat smiles in relief as the shard responds to the efforts of everyone, and continues running her targetting program, sophisticated as it is, as a makeshift balancing device. A quick radio goes out, Breeze snaps back over radio, "" Toward this end, she tries to shove it towards open plains like the last one was, using more gravity-forces on her end. Unimaginative, but why change what's worked? Duncun follows through the sky, prepared to apply his yyos to move anyone away from it's path, in case it starts to fall suddenly again. He hasn't had a work out like this in a long time, but it feels good to be able to work his usually incapable leg muscles. The odd music is still playing out of his speakers, but this time it's a bit more appropriate.. Instead playing "The Day The Earth Stood Still.." Jet Stingray turns on his faceplate amp to try and speak to Gemini, still calmly walking toward the first major piece of Starhaven to make itself known. "Hey, I said listen to me, you freak! You even think of stealing that piece of Stardroid history and I will kick your aft from here to Russia!" Gemini Man has reconnected. Metal Man is holding back for the moment as he can't quiet get a clean angle on the shard. Also it seems others have plans and he choses to leave them to their own efforts for now as he just keeps tracking and scanning it. Kain watching as the Repliforce has things in hand... as does the Hunters... Kain stoles the Cipher away and draws out a datapad, and begins taking notes... Pharaoh Man could care less. He begins to examines the shard, and a khopesh appears with a *Bamf* from subspace in place of the scepter. To the trained eye, it's obvious he's looking for the best place to hack off a chunk. The master of sands hums a simply tune while he eyes the shard, eyes almost looking bored at the matter. The Comet and Gunsmith keep the shard gliding onward, beginning to make good time in slowly cutting its way away from this particular village, though Breeze's sudden efforts to bring the thing down nearby set it to wobbling once more- it begins to waggle back and forth as it glides along, its broad rear edge fishtailing this way and that. Too many conflicting waves directing it, and it might not maintain a stable flight for long. Still, the thing MUST come down sometime- it's not flying, it's gliding, and sinks just a bit with every foot it travels. The ocean is still quite a ways away... [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "Mr. Mikage. What can I do for this night?" Gunsmith Cat shrugs, selecting a spot that seems clear and decently far away from everything, and helps Breeze guide it towards a 'landing' there. She's already learned that it's not worth fighting the wind. Too darned stubborn. Breeze wisely backs off as she watches the effects, curbing her impulses and terminating her gravity-shoves. Then without a word, she turns and begins flying off for the city proper again, towards the teleporters. Strange reversal of approaches, that. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " I was hoping we would make out some deal, if you are interested." Duncun looks back to ensure that these were the last of the shards, checking the skies carefully upon seeing the current one handled. He does this while returning to the village, needing to land soon and recharge his armor. [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "*suspricious* ...what sort of deal, may I inquire?" Sword Man continues his way toward the shard, seeing things rather under control. Hearing Jet shout out to Gemini, he shouts out, "Calm thyself, Sir Stingray. Even if we deemed it necessary to claim the shard, it would likely be implausible to claim the whole shard." He walks up to the Stingray, giving him a quick glare, before looking toward the shard itself. Quickly, he tries to touch the shard. He knows the friction heat on the thing is likely quite a bit...but then again, he's guarded against the fires of his own blade. Even if it IS enough to harm him, his armor would likely absorb most of the damage....right? Gemini Man has partially disconnected. Repliforce Space Shuttle moves into range for the antigravity emitters. It begins establishing a holding pattern, which will hopefully maximize the effects of their efforts. Breeze has left. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Something that will end up helping you and your allies." The first shard remains in place, looming over the approaching Robot Masters, its shape only accentuating its towering appearance. Oddly enough, it's cool to Sword Man's touch... while it may have dropped straight through Earth's atmosphere, it's so thin that it can't retain much heat at all. Its surface is a dark black, reflecting light only from a sharp angle, otherwise appearing as an inky shape of blackness in the sky... truly an unusual substance. The second shard, still floating along, continues to wobble as efforts to keep it going- wherever they're supposed to be going- are curtailed or cut entirely. Soon, its tip drops towards the earth, and the thing speeds up, falling out of its glide, and beginning to fall, much like the first. Undeveloped land, sparsely wooded, stretches out below... Gunsmith Cat tries to keep the shard's fall from being quite so earthshaking this time, while guiding it patiently and with a touch of worry towards the best landing spot she can find out of the available. The worry because the power pack on her back is beginning to give out from sustaining her gravity emitter. [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "*still suspricious sounding with a taint trace of interest* I am listening, Mikage-san." Barrage Raptor is, uh, still around the shard, waiting for orders for her to do something other than make sure no one steals it. Not that it'd be easy to steal something that size.. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " In times like this one would need to put away their differences for the greater good. So in doing so, I believe I will ask if I can help you." Sword Man blinks as he feels the metal. "Odd...'tis cool. No heat at all..." He strokes his chin as he ponders this... "'Tis obvious this would be alien metal, but still, 'tis remarkable nonetheless..." He pushes against the shard, testing it's resiliancy. Too bad he doesn't have a scanner or something. Gemini Man looks at the downed shard. Well, does seem safe enough, then. The twins pace around it, in a circle, looking at it from two angles at once. If there doesn't seem to be anything at all to it other than random debris, they'll lose interest fast. Pharaoh Man shrugs slightly, satisfied that it will matter little. The khopesh erupts in a coat of flames, licking gleefully at the blade. Ra readies the weapons with both hands, before he begins striking the thin side of the shard, hoping to begin cutting away a 'present' for his master. Jet Stingray points his armcannon at the Robot Masters at the shard. His optic twitches a little, never a fan of being ignored. [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "Agreed. You will, of course, have to talk to the other factions, as I can't speak for their leaders." Duncun lands on the ground, walking about a bit as he adjusts and then starts to go from house to house, checking for any major injuries around. He realizes that the shards are probably more important, but he needs to ensure that there are no people dying.. or worse.. from the catastrophe. He's perhaps the least enjoyable that he's been in a long time, not liking the idea of ending someone's life so easily.. Gemini Man stops, standing in front of the angry Jet. The second Gemini Man still paces around, looking. "Problem?" asks the first Gemini. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " I believe both my finical support and as well as my connections will be of some use. Will it not?" The silent, fallen shard is, well, an alien thing, and Gemini finds little to look in terms of detail. It's just one big, black sheet of metal, or stone, or... something. Though not for long. The moment Pharaoh's khopesh strikes its flank, a network of cracks lace up through the entire expanse of the plane-sized shard- while it reflects broad attacks with the greatest of ease, the razor-edged strike of a sword dashes it to pieces. The sound of a thousand windows breaking fills the air in an audible roar, as the towering shard begins to collapse in place. Much like the rain of small shards before, this one falls in many tiny, slivery blades- the Robot Masters, Barrage, Jet, everybody standing nearby must move -quickly- or face getting doused by falling slivers and chunks of whatever. The second shard, still gliding, or maybe falling, or... moving along, sweeps near the ground; swinging outward as it does, appearing to 'flutter' towards the earth in its last moments, rather than -STAB- like the first one did. As it sweeps horizontally, spinning as it falls, it passes through a few trees- literally. Its razor edge catches the trunks from the side, shearing the greenery as easily as a sword slices through a weed. It eventually hits open earth at an angle... casting up a thick spray of mud, skipping along like a stone, then slowly, slowly skidding to a halt in the middle of a field, several hundred feet away from where the first shard once stood. [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "Yes. Yes, it would." Pharaoh Man blinks into the air with a laugh of triumph, " Excellent. " Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " Who shall I speak with? And will you help support me in this Mr. Kain?" Gunsmith Cat nods approvingly as the shard comes down, then hovers over to Pharaoh Man, pulling a bullhorn from subspace and flicking it to eleven, a setting that holds the title 'Farvengnugen', and aims it at him from point-blank range, "YOU, WITH THE FLAMING PHALLIC OVERCOMPENSATION. RELEASE THE SHARD OF ALIEN ARTIFACT. YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S BEEN OR WHAT IT'S PLAYED IN LATELY." At this distance, of course, the noise is just shy of being an actual attack. Sword Man blinks as the cracks form. Knowing what this brings, Sword dashes out of the way, unwilling to get dashed with the papercuts from hell. He glares at Pharaoh from afar, but only once he's at safe distance. Is blinking into the air ABOVE the shard. Hovering is such fun. Pharaoh Man is blinking ABOVE the shard, rather. [Radio: (C) Global] Prismatic Spider growls... Pharoah Man, you IDIOT! [Radio: (D) Alliance] Jet Stingray transmits, "You freaking morons! Why the heck did you touch it? You know, if anything bad comes from inside, I know who to blame!" Barrage Raptor gaaahs! And she turns and just tries to /run/ to get out of the way of the falling shards before they kill her. So she can kill him.. [Radio: (C) Global] Prismatic Spider transmits, "OOC: add quotes to that last part. :)" [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "Rock, General, Wily... and Sigma, I suppose. And I will support you. You got me in your corner, Mikage-san." Metal Man is keeping back for the moment watching the others going for the shard. "RA! What are you doing!! Stick to Scanning it YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!" Falling shards of Stardroid ...what-have-you aren't too much of a problem for the twins. The holographic Gemini merely disappears. The original Gemini holds up his arm, and is holding, suddenly, the Gemini-symbol umbrella. Amazingly enough, it doesn't slice to instant ribbons as the shards impact with it. Made of solid light, it has the tensile strength of...whatever Gemini pleases. He chuckles at the chaos. [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "I would not be too worried about something breaking out - those are overly thin for that. Unless you speak of microbes, which would be released in any case." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Pharaoh Man transmits, "I'm after a sample. And you've been watching too many horror movies, Jet Stingray. This is obviously just part of the hull. And chemical analaysis is better with a sample." Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " Thank you Kain. Your support is most appreciative." Duncun has disconnected. [Radio: (C) Global] Prismatic Spider transmits, "He could have wated for the hazmat team to arrive and check it out first. Now one of them is shattered like glass... If this is Stardroid base armor, no wonder why it's in pieces right now." [Radio: (C) Global] Gemini Man transmits, "It probably has some kind of particular chemical property that you geek types should be ALL over." Kain is busy chatting on his radio. He glances over at Phar, with a eyebrow arched... before diving for cover as Shards II: Electronic Boogie of DEATH starts... raining. He glances at Sword, "...are all your 'brothers' this STUPID?" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Mmm. Given how it reacted to direct energy assault, I would not be so certain." Jet Stingray flies back to avoid the oncoming shower, shouting into his radio as he does. [Radio: (C) Global] Metal Man transmits, "It appears to be hull plating from my view of it and did you get those scan results I uplinked to the join channel Repliforcer? Can you make anything of them?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Jet Stingray transmits, "Try nanomachines... Pharaoh. We have /no/ idea what we are working with here. This techonolgy is way over our heads." The disintegrating shard manages to land in a heap WITHOUT cutting anybody to ribbons, half of its pieces lying on its sides, the other half stabbed into the earth like the large towering shard that created them. The second, still complete shard rests rather still in the field that it landed in, making no more threatening movements. The sky above is clear... there doesn't appear to be any more falling. For the time being, the danger appears to have passed. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Your heads, Jet Stingray. Never underestimate Amun-Wily." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Bass turns the reverb setting up on his voice. "Or it could have been made out of /Chemical *X*/!" [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "Admittedly, I do agree it would have been wise to wait for scans, but frankly, we do not have the luxury of waiting for you to share results, or control the sample source. And do not tell me you did not intend to do such." Gunsmith Cat is approaching from above, and thus unconcerned with the collapsing shard. Her volume level should be illegal at the distance of one meter she holds from Pharaoh though, "WELL, OBVIOUSLY OVERCOMPENSATING FOR SOMETHING MAN, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "Or magic pixies. It's Stardroids. Stop guessing and accept it." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Ballade transmits, "Indeed. Chemical X. The Doctor lost his beaker of that a while back." Gemini Man lowers his umbrella again as the shards stop falling. He doesn't dismiss it, just kind of holding it to his side. Then, he picks up one of the small shards off the ground, looking at it, then idly tossing it up into the air a few times with his free hand. His gaze wanders over to Kain. He heard that. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Blue Dragon Director Kain transmits, "...If that so, I'm expecting the Stardroid versions of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup to show up shortly..." Sword Man looks toward Kain with a glare...then calms down a little bit. "I wonder that myself, sometimes..." He glares toward Ra again before stepping toward the scattered bits and taking up a piece of the material himself, examining it through his less that scientific eyes. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Ballade transmits, "I'm sorry. That reference fails to parse." Pharaoh Man turns around to Gunsmith, chuckles, and continues. He begins to collect assorted samples, and stuffing them in storage compartments on one arm. " Sword Man, apologies for catching you in that. But really, you could stand up to such threats. You are a child of Amun-Wily after all, and your blade-skill gives you some interesting deflection capabilities..." Ra comments, trying a little diplomacy. " Now, could you get one of the larger shards? You're best suited for the job..." Before he starts asking for favors. [Radio: (D) Alliance] Blue Dragon Director Kain transmits, "Watch Cartoon Classic Network. Particularly a show called 'Powerpuff Girls'. *sighs* Stupid show, but Sarah got me hooked on it." Repliforce Space Shuttle slows down to a crawl, almost hovering, before slowly making a circle around the landing site and verrrry carefully putting down not terribly far away from the remaining intact shard. Gunsmith Cat patiently steps on the shards Pharaoh is attempting to gather, "And what, praytell, makes you think you're going to just up and leave with these? No offense, but with the truce going on I should note that NONE of us know if these things are dangerous yet... and it'd suck royally if we all died because they were spread across the planet, you know?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "How... 21st Century." Jet Stingray just makes his way back to the scene, making sure to avoid all the shards and the like. He growls faintly, clearly annoyed... Then again, Jet is often annoyed when it comes to focused friendliness with bad guys. Gunsmith Cat receives a radio transmission. When stepped on, the smaller pieces break easily. Crunch, crunch. Gemini Man looks over at Gunsmith next. He's still got a shard in his hand, himself. "Oooo...catfight?" he questions, looking at Pharaoh Man. He then rolls his eyes. "There's plenty of pieces for everyone," he says to the cat. As to how HE feels about truces, he agrees with Jet on ONE respect. Kain slowly gets up and offers a brief glare at Pharaoh as well. He picks up a shard carefully, and examines it before storing it in his belt. (Sarah should take a look at this...)oo. Gunsmith Cat sends a radio transmission to Ballade. Gunsmith Cat receives a radio transmission from Ballade. Barrage Raptor just keeps quiet, at least off the radio, and has her hand down near her side, ready to break out any number of her weapons as soon as she needs to. Pallbearer has arrived. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " I am sure you can assist me in becoming part of this. And kain..." Pharaoh Man sighs, " Ugh. You're still here. As for the Alliance, it is only in mutual defense of the planet should the need arise. And I do not plan to stand by wasting time when the samples can be safely checked in Robot Master facilities, instead of gawked at and taped off. As for dieing....I've been there, done that. " he comments, eyeing the crunchy tidbits. .oO(Curiouser. Curioser.) " If you didn't understand that, Crash Man has a way of putting it...lets see.....'Bite Me, You Reploid *****'. Mmmmmyes. " [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "Cowboy Bebop is a far superior bit of 21st century animation." Gunsmith Cat sends a radio transmission. Sword Man sighs. "Indeed. There are enough pieces about for all parties concerned to study. And enough quabbling. There is a greater threat, so perhaps we could maintain a slight facade of civility?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "Cowboy What? Christ, you people have your heads stuck in the past." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Ballade transmits, "Pharaoh Man. You will blink directly into quarentine with your samples. Once we have determined they pose no threat to the health of Wily, you will be decontaminated and then allowed to leave. I do not anticipate this taking more than... forty eight hours. I will comission the Base computer to sing songs for your entertainment during the process." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "No its called Spark Man is an animation junky. Try licing with him for about 13 years and not have some of it rub off on you." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Some reading material from my personal studies will suffice." Gunsmith Cat nods, "I'm well aware there's plenty for everyone. But like I just told Ballade... do you really want Wily anywhere near these before someone finds out if they're going to kill him through some Stardroid disease?" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Dynamo transmits, "Play something by Boba Fett and the Assassin Droids, Ballade!" [Radio: (D) Alliance] Metal Man transmits, "OOC living." Pharaoh Man chuckles, " Foolish Reploid. We are well aware of that, and Ballade, as usual, will and has done his job. " Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " Kain-san, please do NOT refer to me by my name." [Radio: (D) Alliance] Ballade transmits, "Any provided reading material would be vaporized during deconatimation. I'm sure the computer can read aloud to you. In fact, it seems quite thrilled to share some of it's collection." [Radio: (C) Global] Prismatic Spider transmits, "You don't think we would have shared? I seriously doubt that your master would be as forthcming as we are on this issue. Besides... I'm sure this is only the beginning of the deterioration. If we don't do something, there will be much, much more of this material than we want to have on the planet." Gemini Man looks down at the shard in his hand. Listens to Ballade's orders. Then, tosses the shard away, over his shoulder. "Not our problem, we guess," he says. And starts to walk off for the hovercar again, still with his umbrella, in case the other big chunk feels like exploding, too. [Radio: (C) Global] Ballade transmits, "We shall see. As it may be, you have my word I will share our findings." Pallbearer heads out from the comet at the intact shard, gumbies of MSE squad 2 following and surrounding the massive piece, both beginning their investigation of the piece and also making sure that anyone and /everyone/ stays back a safe distance from it. Pall himself reaches out with his scanners, trying to get a reading on the shard. [Radio: (C) Global] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Such untrusting allies." Jet Stingray lifts his armcannon to Pharaoh Man again. "Listen to me, undead moronic coward. Now, you stop bad mouthing my men or something bad will happen." He pauses as Ballade speaks. "Too late." Satisified with the fate of the RM, he just moves to Barrage and Gunsmith. "You two allright?" Gunsmith Cat nods, still quite content to hover there, slightly off the shards, "That being why I told him to come down here. I'm more than willing to share, seeing as you did just help save that village... but not until someone determines if this will kill everyone, or if it's safe." She smirks at Pharaoh, "Death without Wily to put you back together is a little different than your pansy little e-ring trick, after all." [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "*sounds of running, glass shattering and brief curses* You are quite Welcome, Mikage-san. And ignore the cursing. An Master nearly successfully tried to kill us all." Ballade has arrived. Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " Really now. It seems like alliance is breaking even now, Mr. Kain." Pharaoh Man shrugs, " My god does not abandon me...." he comments, and begins to charge the first of many blinks to take him to designated decontamination facilities. Far overhead, incoming at really disgusting speeds... is the Howling Lament. Ballade's personal jetbike. And /nothing/ is quiet about it's approach. The engine makes a sound that can be described as an angry female cat in heat, stuffed full of nails and chalk, being dragged across a serrated blackboard. Loud enough to be heard several miles away. Ballade sends a radio transmission to Pharaoh Man. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission from Ballade. Ballade sends a radio transmission. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. Metal Man sends a radio transmission to Ballade. Ballade receives a radio transmission from Metal Man. Pharaoh Man stops suddenly, and is forced to 'hold it' as far as his blink. Gunsmith Cat lets a lazy, lopsided, and totally infuriating grin overtake her face, almost palpably smug, "I'm sure he would if you got him killed." Noting the arrival and recognizing it's pilot, she smiles, "Finally. Someone with a brain and rank on you arrives." [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "I won't." Dynamo arrives from the Hong Kong - Northern Outskirts. Dynamo has arrived. Gemini Man knows that sound. Indeed. Not in trouble, this time, though. He's followed orders...kinda...and he's not carrying anything that needs quarantined. He looks up and watches the bike on its way.... Pharaoh Man taps his foot, impatiently, wincing slightly at the sound with displeasure. Sword Man sighs and drops the shard he carries, watching as Ballade rushes in with appropriate fanfare. Snapping up, he salutes the Elite as he passes by, relaxing a bit and lowering his hand as the Violent Elite nears the group. Metal Man snaps Ballade a Slaute as well and thinks the Elite must not be in a good mood. Jet Stingray just hrmms as it seems Ballade has come out to handle things... That usually isn't a good thing. Luckily this isn't a battle so he isn't at risk. Moving toward the town, he tries to find a place to get some bottled water. No battling needed from him, so Spider can handle the wonders post shower goodness. Ballade simply bails off the jetbike, still travelling well in excess of sane speeds. Something vaguely... boxlike under one arm, the Elite plummets towards the earth before tossing something out behind him. There is a blast of sound as the miniature retrrocket blasts to life, slowing the Elite before he hits the ground at an easy run. "Pharaoh Man. Bring me the sample. If any of the rest of you wish to speak on this matter, approach." Kain nods simply at Ballade, "Ballade," the strider states evenly. Gunsmith Cat quietly hovers off the pile, landing and nodding amiably to Ballade as he lands. Once again she sighs internally... So cute, yet so evil... it's just not fair. Ballade returns the nods he's gathering with a brusque one of his own, setting the boxy object down on the ground. Now that he's close, it's clearly a containment device of some sort. All sorts of warning labels adorn the sides. Dynamo shimmers and flashes, his armor fading in over his body. Dynamo blinks, rather randomly, into the area, looking amused. Sword Man raises an eyebrow and turns toward Rally, a sort of "Did you just say that" look on his face. Gemini Man nods to Ballade as well, though he doesn't salute, per se. He kind of...blinks slowly at him. Then, his gaze flickers to the side, as Dynamo appears. He glares. Pharaoh Man nods, and approaches Ballade. Holding out his arm, three compartments opening up with a slight hiss, each holding different pieces of the hull. " Do you have coordinates to a designated decontamination area, Ballade? " Ra asks, waiting for the Elite to take them, " Or have your orders changed? " The Camera turns off. News Camera #1 has left. [Radio] You send Mikage Yukiato a direct message: "What can I say. The Masters are like puppy dogs. Cute... yet... annoying." Mikage Yukiato sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " Indeed." Gunsmith Cat stretches a little, then starts to hover away, on her way towards... wherever she's decided to go next. Though anyone with sharp eyes would note the backpack she's wearing is totally drained, and she looks tired. Jet Stingray turns around and moves to head toward Ballade, using his foot jets to hover over the shards. "I'd like to have a word with you... Nothing serious, just wanting to figure out the matter with the shards will work out. We have no qualms with you taking a sample as long as it is reasonable and we have enough to do our own tests. The main problem we had... Well, was the one we voiced. But it seems that you feel the same as we did, so it is of no concern. We would like to take the intact shard with us... Considering that we brought it down almost entirely ourselves, it seems only fair." Ballade snaps open the case, and gestures for Pharaoh Man to place the shards into the container. "In just a moment. First, I want you to apologize to the representatives of Repliforce and the Maverick Hunters you insulted and ignored." He gives the Pharaoh a thin smile promising... something unpleasant if disobeyed. "And mean it." Ballade waves a hand at Jet. "I have no objection. Take the larger piece - this is a sufficient sample." Dynamo pauses. "I knew it'd be worth my time to come down here tonight." "Well. Just when we thought this was going to be a completely boring evening, the great Dynamo makes an appearance." He grins, sideways, at Dynamo... "You're here for Metal Man? We've already had ours." Gunsmith Cat pauses, turning back with an eyebrow arched at Ballade's statement, then grins. A soft murmur, "Cute AND polite... Why are all the ones I might be interested in evil?" Then continues her slow, tired way towards the nearest teleporter. Ballade blinks slowly, having... overheard Rally's comment. Super Bodyguard Hearing and all that. He raises his head in her direction with a small frown, and then turns his attention back to Pharaoh. He'll deal with the Repliforcer... later. Barrage Raptor has disconnected. Barrage Raptor has connected. Pharaoh Man gives a look of surprise and shock at Ballade. Apologies? From Ra? Surely, the Elite must be made. But there isn't much Ballade could do save.....well, it would be unpleasent, painful, and drawn out until Pharaoh would beg his god to snuff out the life given to him. " Very. Well. " The Master of Sands says through gritted teeth. Using the charge in his blink systems, he appears in front of Gunsmith Cat. " My apologies, madame, for my rather rude behavior. I haven't had the best of weeks, and the current situation leaves me all the more on edge. " the android says, calmly. " If you should need my services during this...alliance, do not hesitate to ask, Amun-Wily's approval pending of whatever it should be. " A slight bow, and then his blink begins to charge.... Metal Man looks over at Dynamo and seems normal save for s scouter like scanning tool over his left eye. He just looks at Dynamo. "Ah the mercanry. I still wonder about the coward who hired you. Oh well I guess I'll just have to go out killing till I find some answers about that when we are done with you." Gunsmith Cat nods, "No problem. I didn't mean to force a confrontation, but neither one of us wants undo death, I'm thinking. I'm sorry in return for being obstinate, but it was meant in a good fashion." She then skirts around Pharaoh, heading on her way. Jet Stingray just watches Balllade look to Gunsmith and frown, not sure why he would be doing that. Curse his lack of super cool hearing. He merely nods to the Elite and just folds his arms and makes sure that people leave in an orderly fashion and don't come after his men. Protective? Just a little. Sword Man just....stands there for right now. He's not really doing much at the moment, for lack of ideas from his player. Dynamo shakes his head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. To think I would be so foolish as to attack you, Metal, in the open, surrounded by your allies, and during a time of peace and happiness-due-timminent-death? For shame. I'm good, but I'm not /that/ good. And I'm no fool, either." He sighs, turning to watch Pharaoh apologize. "No, for now, I shall abide by this truce, at least until I have sufficient reason /not/ to." He waves a dismissive hand. "Kill as many people as you want, Metal. One of the advantages of being me is a distinct /lack/ of morals. I just don't care." Barrage Raptor has reconnected. Barrage Raptor has partially disconnected. Gemini Man hmphs. "That's funny." He takes a step toward Dynamo. Just...one step. "Turns out the truce doesn't INCLUDE you. So if you don't feel comfortable with us taking our collective chunk out of your hide... Maybe you should move along." Pharaoh Man gives only a solemn nod, before blinking out of sight towards his next target-Jet Stingray. " As much as we both obviously detest each other, I think both can agree we must come to compromise as to each other's 'methods' of operation. You can understand the distrust held by myself and most likely my brothers as to this Alliance, especially with what it concerns defending agianst. You have my apologies for whatever offense given towards you in my zeal to gather samples for Amun-Wily. He is at heart a scientist, and would not be pleased should we be unable to obtain him such a prize for study..." Ra speaks in the same tone as he did with Gunsmith, though a bit more seriouse, a bit more professional. Years of evading, usurping, and at times ignoring rank structure has apparently given him a slight skill at beauracracy, in the terms of knowing how to speak to who. When his wellbeing is threatened. Metal Man says, "but prehaps your employer will care..." Ballade smiles thinly at Pharaoh. "Well done." He tightbeams a series of blink coordinates to Ra. "Given that, I have instructed the computer to provide you with those books you wish to peruse onscreen." The shard in place inside the container, he snaps it shut and presses a switch on the side. There's a faint humm coming from the box now, and for those with the equipment to detect it... a high grade forcefield. "Well, that settles that." He turns slightly to regard Jet Stingray. "Unless there is something else?" He pointedly ignores both Dynamo and the other Robot Masters confronting him. Dynamo's not covered by the alliance. At all. Gunsmith Cat enters the Korea. Gunsmith Cat has left. Repliforce Space Shuttle powers up engines... but lower power, this time, merely howevering. It slowly slides towards the shard and stops within distance to hook up the tow cables. Repliforce Space Shuttle opens up on loudspeakers - it's Ricochet. "This good?" Jet Stingray just silently nods to Pharaoh Man, his tail starting to curl around his legs but not touch them. To Ballade, he responds, "Not at all... Thank you for understanding the truce. I apologize for any harsh words directed toward Wily or his creations for the time being. Of course, as it was with the last truce related to Stardroids, as soon as things go back to normal, don't expect it to last." Dynamo shrugs, ignoring Gemini Man. "Not in my job description," he says to Metal. "And it really depends on who's employing me whether or not I'm covered. Wouldn't it be a /shame/ if you ganged up on me, then suddenly found you'd broken the truce and not even known it. Quite a PR coup for my employers, or potential employers." Pharaoh Man chuckles darkly, " Oh, I do not...." He tells Jet Stingray, before giving a nod to Ballade. " If you don't mind, also instruct it to give me access to feeds of this conflict..." he says, motioning towards Dynamo and Company. " I'd love to see just how they disembowel the annowing mercenary..." "Of course, Apple Pie." Ballade raises a hand slightly, and presses something on his gauntlet, behind the blaster. High overhead, the Howling Lament ceases circling, and descends in a neat, tight spiral. Even Ballade's ride is sleek and composed, even if it is loud. "As you wish, Pharaoh." He stows the container onto the Howling Lament, and climbs onto the bike. "Good day." Pallbearer nods up towards the shuttle. "Good! Squad 2, hook it up!" The MSE squad quickly sets to work, throwing tarps over the shard to cushion it before stringing several heavy-duty towcables around it, being careful not to break the surface of the space debris. As the process finishes, Pall looks up to the comet, signalling for ziplines for the squad and himself. "Right, let's get this thing out of here!" Pall says, grabbing hold of the line and yanking sharply on it to bring him up to the shuttle. Jet Stingray narrows his eyes at his would-be rival. In a tone that he doesn't care if it gets heard or not, he offers, "I'll get my rematch and get the victory I deserve... One day." That said, he turns around and flies off. Pharaoh Man smiles thinly. Oh, how he loves that phrase. 'As you wish.' He chuckles, and blinks away. " See you in 48 hours..." Pharaoh Man goes home. Pharaoh Man has left. Gemini Man does a quick check to see if he cares about Dynamo's employers and how it might effect the truce he's already genuinely irritated by. And, no. Gemini doesn't care. But his backup seems to be wandering off scene, and he's not exactly thrilled about taking on Dynamo on 'his own' again. He glares a moment longer at the mercenary, then heads back for the car. Dynamo waves. "Toodles, Gemini-kun and Gemini-chan. Ja ne!" Ballade fires up Howling Lament, and screams off over the horizon. Go jetbike! And I'll get you next time, Stingray! Duncun has connected. Sword Man sighs, watching on, giving a slight glare toward Dynamo, before he heads off toward the car himself. However, he decides to give a little present, one he's picked up from a few of his brothers. As he leaves, he lifts up his hand, and gives Dynamo the ol' one finger salute. Obviously, the swordsman thinks VERY little of Dynamo at the moment. Pallbearer has left. Dynamo shakes his head. "How sad. You should use your other hand more. Much more polite." Barrage Raptor has left. Jet Stingray has left. Repliforce Space Shuttle begins powering up. Slowly... ever so slowly... the craft moves, gently jerking the shard up and out of the dirt. Once it's free, it slowly begins speeding up, headed towards Resolution Point. Repliforce Space Shuttle enters the Sky Above China. Repliforce Space Shuttle has left. Sword Man has left. Gemini Man has left. Ballade enters the Western China. Ballade has left. Dynamo ahhs, and goes back to walking around. Metal Man has left. Duncun has left. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Tartarus $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 15/2 Posted Author Dirty Work? Wed Nov 06 Dynamo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dynamo, the world's most renowned and feared soldier-for-hire, is once again actively pursuing employment. What do you need? Dynamo can meet those needs. Protection. Assassination. Bounty Hunting. An extra hand with a weapon. Combat Expertise. Well, those needs can be met, exceeded, and all at a very reasonable fee. Contact Blade Marionette in the SaikyRyuu Dojo in beautiful Tartarus and arrange a meeting! $$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$ BB Post in Progress $$$$$$ Group: Civilian Title: AAR: Eastern China ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Civ Factions Only. That you guys in the Yaks, UN, Red Dragons, Blue Dragons, and The Bonnes. If you want to know what this is about, talk to those who are in good enough in any one of the above factions. This message is also GNN Reporter-proof and DeVry-Proof.) (Videofile - Kain) Choas happened in China. As in raining pieces of Starhaven. Sharp pieces that is extremely britter to the touch. (File: pharisaidiot.avi -- Pharaoh smashes a very big piece of Starhaven shard, sending the pieces raining down on others. Metal Man, Sword Man, and Jet Stingray can be seen.) At least not all is lost... (The camera pans down to a desk. Upon which there is several shards. 5 in all, All roughly hand-sized.) If you want a piece, just talk to me. Oh and Sarah? I want a primarily report on the shard we're going to keep by tomorrow. Director K out. (Cue your own spinnies! HUZZAH!!!) $$$$$$$$$