Session Start: Sun Aug 17 18:23:29 2003
Session Ident: #taw
* Logging #taw to 'logs\EsperNet\#taw.20030817.log'
* Stark waves the a woven steel pad "You know you waaaant iiiiit."
<Ire> Session 94: Hostile Takeover.
<Ire> Time Chart: October 8th, 2222
<Ire> Location: Altros
<Ire> GM: *for the past 3 days, Altros has traveled towards the city that Ire indicates is the capital of this zone. Ire's goal, it seems, is to question the leader about what happened to President Slasher, hoping to find some type of connection between the quick rise of 7 leaders and the "death" of Slasher*
* Ire stands on the bridge, not sitting in his chair. His hands are clasped behind his back as he stares at. Ahead of them is a rather moderate sized city, nothing on the scale of Mega City, but pretty modern compared to the Rainforest zone they were in.
* Dahok looks out at the city
<Stark> Civilization.
<Ire> We'll station Altros here and have it remained cloaked. We don't want to show up on any scanners they might have. A battleship designed by Mega City showing up here might make the African government think that Mega City is now including them in their little war with Canada and Britain.
<Silouette> *quietly* ...a city with no more damn freaky plants. Finally.
* Ire grabs a datapad, checking something.
* Stark eyes Sil.
<Ire> A few of our people have requested some personal time for themselves, so they'll remain here on Altros. Which is good, I suppose, we need people watching the Altros.
<Stark> You seemed to repel them for the most part, what are you relieved about?
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* Ire turns away from the viewscreen, placing the datapad on his chair. He walks towards the exit.
<Ire> I'll be getting a shuttle prepared for us.
<Stark> Dahok and I will join you shortly.
* Dahok stands up and begins walking after Ire
* Ire steps out and is gone, leaving the 3 alone.
<Silouette> *slowly looks over at Stark* ...that's the reason.
* Stark follows out.
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* Dahok makes his away along the ship towards the hanger
* Ire makes his way to the hanger. He makes a gesture to Jake, who immediately begins to prep the shuttle.
* Silouette heads after the others.
<Ire> Jake: *preps the shuttle up and opens the hanger doors. Wind blows in, though not overly strong*
* Ire pulls himself into the shuttle and takes a seat in the far back.
* Dahok walks into the hanger and walks over to the shuttle
* Ire leans back in his chair, brooding. If anything, he seems like he's somewhat depressed. Then again, that's how he always seemed like when the team first met him.
* Dahok steps onto the shuttle and takes a seatalong the side
* Stark gets on the shuttle.
<Ire> Jake: Everyone ready to fly Jake-Air?
<Dahok> We're shy Sil.
<Ire> Jake: She's kind of hot.
* Silouette steps on at that moment.
<Ire> Jake: Eep.
<Silouette> ......
<Dahok> I'll give you 20 bucks if you can tap that.
<Ire> Jake: H-Hi Sil
<Ire> Let's go.
<Ire> Jake: Right. *quickly closes the shuttle door and lifts the shuttle off the deck, flying forward and out of the Altros. He makes a quick turn and flies towards the African city.
* Dahok turns and looks out the window
<Ire> GM: *the view is strangely soothing. Grasslands that suddenly make way for a medium sized modern city, much like the college town Vesperton, that is 50 miles from Mega City*
<Stark> Warren, do you suppose the leader of the zone will support us?
<Ire> I don't know. I hope we can get answers from him straightforward. We can't afford to make an enemy out of every zone.
<Dahok> Nice city.
<Silouette> ...oh...THAT would be fun...
<Silouette> ...we've got enough people after us.
<Ire> Indeed.
<Stark> Considering, it would appear that the only zone leader that would support us would be one that thinks we're his or her ticket to further power.
<Ire> Jake: *tilts his head as he hears something over his headset. He begins to talk back into the headset, something about needing a place to land*
<Ire> Well, we have Mega City obviously breathing down our necks. The Rainforest Zone is currently governmentless and is experiencing a political struggle for power. The Rainforest Area will be too busy with internal strife to bother with us for months. Janus wants our heads and have the powers/means to do it.
<Ire> Jake: I got landing permission. The docking fees are will within our budget.
<Dahok> Who's to say the Rainforest Zone will even care about us. I mean the leader was the one who worried about keeping his power. The new person might not even know what was going on.
<Ire> Point.
<Silouette> ...that would be a relief.
<Stark> We took out the leader, most leaders keep a second in command. Yet we never ran into said person.
<Ire> GM: *they begin to fly over the city. Down below, the streets have small little dots of cars and people walking about. Some of the taller buildings, though no where near the impressive height of Mega City's skyscrapers. They pass by them all and begin a descent toward what seems to be a docking area for incoming traffic*
<Dahok> Probably didn't have one because that would be someone who could back stab him.l
<Dahok> Plus the Rainforest Government might blame MegaCity for our actions.
<Ire> Unlikely.
<Dahok> They may have thought we were still apart of their faction.
<Ire> Unlikely.
<Dahok> Never know with them. If anything the power will have shifted over to the Brahnks Elders until something can be resolved.
<Stark> There's no doubt they know who we are. We may yet experience a level of strife from that zone, but Warren is correct: It will take some time for them to organize enough to do so.
<Ire> NRP: Oh, yeah, the real name for this area is the Grasslands Zone, though Ire calls it the African Zone*
<Ire> GM: *the shuttle moves into the docking area and lands next to a row of other shuttles.*
<Ire> Jake: Alright, I'm going to talk to the manager of this docking bay. I'll see you guys when you're reading for takeoff. Try not to piss off to many people this time.
* Dahok stands up from his seat and walks over to the door and opens it, stepping out
* Stark steps off of the shuttle, and looks around.
* Ire steps out next, looking around. He spots an exit sign and walks in that direction.
<Silouette> ...piss people off? Us...? *steps off*
* Dahok follows behind Ire
<Dahok> So what's our orders Ire?
* Ire walks along the docking area until he comes up to an elevator. Noting this is probably the way down to the ground floor, he taps the button.
<Ire> Locate the building that Xavier Baptiste is in and try to schedule a meeting with him.
<Dahok> Sounds like a blast.
* Ire raises an eyebrow at Dahok
<Ire> A blast?
<Ire> GM: *the elevator doors open with a chime*
<Dahok> Uh yeah...figure of speach..
* Dahok steps onto the elevator
* Ire steps into the elevator, leaning against the back wall.
<Dahok> NRP: speech
<Silouette> ...more literal than not these days.
* Ire suddenly speaks up, almost automatically
<Ire> This area is depressing.
<Dahok> Why do you say that? It's peaceful
* Ire waits until Stark is on and hits the lobby button.
<Ire> ... *shifts* A peace that's inside a prison.
<Dahok> But a peace that keeps people happy.
<Ire> Hardly. They can never leave this simulated world. If an enemy comes in, they will have to stay in here and die or be taken over.
<Ire> GM: *The doors open on the lobby. It seems to be a small area and the exit is a glass door on the right side*
<Dahok> Huh...guess I never thought about it that way.
* Ire steps out.
<Ire> By eating simulated food and drinking simulated water, their bodies are like that of a simulation now.
* Stark eyes Ire. "They step out of the simulation and all that arrives on the other side are possibly a few bones.
<Ire> Correct.
<Dahok> We made it out fine.
<Ire> We don't eat simulated foods.
<Ire> Mega City has always imported.
<Dahok> What about all the people who've transported from zone to zone?
<Ire> No one has ever left the African Zone. Britain and the Rainforest, while there is simulated food there, also have a way of making food from supplies from other worlds. They have their own sufficent means of making real food.
<Ire> At least real enough they can leave their respected zones without immediate death.
<Silouette> ...fun.
<Dahok> So they're trapped forever and most don't even know it.
<Ire> Correct.
<Ire> It was a problem that wasn't discovered for years. When the Galactic War gave rise to this simulated world, no one knew the consequences of living in such a place.
<Stark> If you can even consider them alive. They, in effect, don't exist.
<Ire> President Slasher's researchers found out a lot about this thing, which is why Mega City is strictly imported. Also, he's managed to terraform enough of the real Earth to make it almost liveable. While there is nothing but sand and desert, the "Rages", powerful storms that hit the area, are almost gone.
<Ire> Also, they said the oceans boiled with lava. That, too, is almost corrected.
<Dahok> But what if they were to suddenly start eating real food, wouldn't the effects slowly reverse themself?
<Ire> A reasonable assumption.
<Dahok> To do something like that a man would have to have resources beyond belief and an intelligence to match.
<Ire> NRP: I love how you buff up Slasher, Dias!
<Dahok> NRP: I know.
<Dahok> NRP: I'm only speaking the truth though!
* Ire steps outside the docking bay building. They are on the streets of the city, almost similar to that of Mega City, though not on a grander scale. Ire almost seems at home here.
<Ire> Lets ask some people where the government building is located. Anyone will do.
<Silouette> ....you'd think a place like this would atleast have a map.
<Ire> GM: *people are walking along the sidewalks, engaging in conversations with each other. From teenagers to senior citizens, you can take your pick of options*
* Stark walks over to a senior citizen.
<Ire> Old Man: *looks at Stark as he approaches*
<Stark> NRP: <Stark> Bring me to your leader.
<Stark> Excuse me, where is the capitol building?
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<Ire> Old Man: Oh...oh hold on...I know this...
<Stark> NRP: <Ire> *walks up to an infant* You, child, tell me where your leader is.
<Ire> NRP: LOL
<Dahok> NRP: Ire: *pulls a gun out and aims it at the infants head* Stop with the crying and tell me!
* Ire walks over to a four year old.
<Ire> Where is the location of your leader, Xavier Baptiste?
<Ire> Child: *Stares wide eyed*
<Stark> NRP: <Ire> *joins the others* We must go to Gogahgoo. Damn Africans and their weird language.
<Ire> The location. Now.
<Dahok> Could he be any blunter?
<Silouette> ......
<Ire> Child: *busts out crying and hides behind it's mother. The mother slaps Ire*
<Ire> Old Man: *gives Stark the directions, after a some stumbles and fumbles in his memory*
* Dahok mouth drops as Ire's slapped
<Ire> ...
<Stark> Thank you, Sir.
* Silouette shakes her head in disbelief
<Dahok> Hooobooyyy.
<Ire> GM: *the mother quickly carries her child away. Ire just stares*
<Stark> NRP: <Ire> And If that detective movie was right, they like me. *has been thrown up on by the baby* Though in that movie the detective was saving a bat.
* Ire walks back to the others. He looks rather unemotional, except for a red mark on his face.
<Dahok> Hey Ire...you got a...*motions on his face where Ire's red mark is*
<Ire> A what?
<Ire> Old Man: *tries to tell Stark his life story*
<Dahok> ...Nothing.
* Stark eyes the others and turns to the old man.
<Stark> May your life end timely.
* Stark joins them again, and gives them the directions.
<Ire> Old Man: What does that mean, you young whipper snapper?
<Ire> Alright. Lets get some transportation.
* Ire looks a taxi cab. He stands there, but it just drives by.
<Ire> ...
* Ire turns, watching the next Taxi Cab drive along their way.
* Ire waves his hand, but the taxi cab just drives by, too.
<Ire> ...
* Ire turns, eyeing the next taxi cab who comes their way.
<Dahok> Having problems chief?
<Ire> Yes.
* Stark walks out into the road.
* Dahok looks at Stark
<Dahok> 5 gil says he gets hit.
* Stark stands against traffic, leaning on his walking stick.
<Ire> GM: *the taxi cab keeps driving towards Stark, with no signs of slowing down!*
<Ire> NRP: For those with good memories, Session 94 of TAW1 was a session the Hunters got in a taxi and toured Mega City.
* Stark raises his Staff and prepares to throw it (like a spear!)
<Dahok> 15 gil!
* Dahok looks over at Ire
<Ire> Taxi Cab: *finally stops, inches from Stark*
<Dahok> Damnt!
* Stark lowers his guard and walks over to the taxi cab.
* Dahok fish's in his pocket and pulls out 15 gil
<Silouette> ...should have taken that bet.
<Stark> You will give us a ride to the capitol building. *gets in*
* Ire also seems irritated, but probably for different reasons than Dahok. He opens the door and gets into the taxi cab.
* Dahok slides in next to Ire and hands him the 15 gil
* Ire hands it back over.
<Ire> I do not want it.
* Silouette climbs in
<Dahok> Bah...*pockets it*
<Ire> GM: *the packing order is as follows: Stark, Ire, Dahok, and Silouette, from left to right.*
* Stark has taken the shotgun.
<Silouette> NRP: Great, we've got SIDS
<Ire> GM: *the taxi cab driver starts up the cab and begins driving along*
* Ire glances over at Silouette, then looks straight ahead. He rubs his chin with his right hand as he sits there, almost as if he's still in his mood.
<Dahok> Someone want to give him the directions?
<Ire> Stark is beside him. He will do it.
<Stark> He's a taxi driver, he appears to know the way already.
<Dahok> Soounds good.
<Ire> GM: *the drive seems it will take several minutes. Perfect time for conversation*
* Dahok looks over at Sil and sniffs the air
<Dahok> I was wondering something Sil.
<Silouette> ...what?
<Dahok> How is it that your dead but don't reak of decay? In fact how come you don't decay?
* Stark looks over his shoulder to the others. "Who's hungry? Dahok?"
* Ire makes a face at Dahok's questioning and looks out the window.
<Silouette> *shrugs* ...I haven't a clue. I wasn't involved in the project in that sense.
* Dahok is surprised at the tone of her response
* Ire looks out the window, a somewhat subdued expression on his face as he glances out.
<Dahok> Well atleast whatever was done works.
* Silouette nods slowly
<Ire> GM: *they begin to pull up on the street where the government building is located.*
<Dahok> Have you ever wanted to feel alive again?
* Silouette glances up front to see if they're on cabbycam
<Ire> GM: *doesn't seem that way*
<Dahok> Yeah-ok...
<Stark> Silouette, you should bite him and make him undead as well. *says in a menacing manor, eyeing Dahok*
<Silouette> *straight faced* ...arrrrrrgh...
* Dahok looks towards Stark
<Ire> GM: *the taxi cab pulls up into the circle before the government building. As he brings it to a park, he begins to print up the total amount of money and hands it over to Stark. It is 65 gil*
<Dahok> She's not a zombie for christ's sake.
* Ire decides now is the time to get out of the taxi cab. He opens the door and steps out, closing it behind him.
* Dahok pushs's the door open and steps out on Ire's side
* Stark gets out, too.
<Ire> GM: *the taxi driver begins to demand Stark pay*
<Stark> NRP: Sil's still in.
<Dahok> NRP: But he gave the bill to you!
* Silouette gets out.
<Stark> Oh, hey, Dahok. I bet you a gil I can get you to pay the tab.
* Ire sighs at the jabbering taxi cab driver. He begins to fish around in his pockets, gathering the gil into his hand.
* Dahok ignores Stark and begins walking towards the government building entrance
<Stark> NRP: You guys suck.
* Ire hands it to the taxi cab driver and walks towards the revolving door entrance.
<Ire> GM: *the government is twenty stories tall, with glass windows all over the building. You can't see in, though. A revolving door is the only way in and out of the front entrance
* Ire walks over to the revolving doors and steps in.
* Ire revolves around and steps out into the quaint lobby, where people bustle about. One big desk is in the front against the back wall, where a lobbyist is talking.
* Dahok steps through the doors after Ire and looks around, his bare feet make a squeeking noise as he walks
* Stark walks over to the lobbyist.
<Stark> Hello, miss.
* Ire tries to ignore the sound and follows Stark over.
<X1> NRP: <Miss> Miss? What'd you mean, 'miss'?
<Ire> Lobbyist: *holds up a hand for Stark to hold as she finishes talking to someone else, who is holding a stack of papers. After he walks off, she turns to look at Stark, almost irritated* Yes?
* Dahok spins around taking in the area
<Stark> Oh, terribly sorry to interrupt. We have an appointment with Mr. Baptiste. That's scent, is that a strawberry moisturizer? *smiles to her*
<Ire> Lobbyist: No. It's not. What's your names? *she flips out her appointment book*
<Ire> GM: *not much to look at, except the fact some people are staring at Dahok's bare feet. They think he's from one of the nearby villages*
<Stark> My associates, James Tilburt, Damon Wigel, and myself, Fredrick Galding. We represent Janus Corp.
<Ire> Lobbyist: I do not see anything about you having an appointment today.
* Dahok ears pick up on Starks words
* Dahok walks over to Ire and whispers something into his ear
* Ire tilts his head to listen.
<Stark> Are you sure? We made this appointment two weeks in advance.
<Ire> Lobbyist: I'm sure, Mr. Galding. I see nothing about an appointment.
<Silouette> ...how typical.
* Dahok pulls his head back
* Ire pauses, looking at Stark.
<Stark> We aren't going to leave because of clarical error. We brought an example of our latest equipment *gestures at Sil*
<Ire> ...
* Ire looks at Silouette.
* Dahok leans next to Ire's ear again
<Ire> Lobbyist: What exactly do you mean, Mr. Galding? She's just a woman.
<Stark> And we went far out of our way to bring this between zones. Make whatever calls are necessary, we won't make this trip again.
<Stark> Just a woman, you say? That's the beauty of it.
<Ire> Lobbyist: *begins to look uncertain now*
<Silouette> ......
* Ire shakes his head to what Dahok is saying.
* Ire leans over.
* Stark looks at the Lobbyist, his face quite serious.
<Ire> Lobbyist: I don't understand. What is so special about her?
* Dahok looks over at Ire, an uncertainty on his face
* Ire looks rather calm, turning back to look at the spectacle.
<Stark> ... Sil, show the woman.
* Dahok cross's his arms rubbing his left shoulder as he waits
<Ire> Lobbyist: Oh, tee-hee. I'll send you right up!
<Silouette> NRP: Just about to hit enter, and now I'm confused =/
<Ire> Lobbyist: *talks into the phone and waves them to the elevators* It's like, tee-hee, floor 15.
<Stark> NRP: Me too.
<Ire> NRP: You should see a personal conversation between me and Gar, then!
* Stark quirks his brow.
* Stark setps onto the elevator.
* Dahok walks over to the elevator and steps on, leaning against one of the walls
* Ire walks over and steps into the elevator, too.
<Stark> NRP: BRB.
* Silouette steps onto the elevator.
* Ire taps floor 15's button, shaking his head.
<Ire> I'm confused.
<Dahok> Maybe she saw my muscles and instantly became giddy.
<Ire> ...
* Ire stares.
<Silouette> ...I'm surprised you admitted it.
<Ire> That I'm confused?
<Dahok> Or that I'm sexy?
<Ire> ...
<Silouette> .....the former.
<Ire> Well, she did a complete personality change. I find that odd.
* Dahok flexes his left arm
<Ire> ...
* Ire smacks his forehead with his comm. link
<Dahok> Or maybe she caught a wiff of some guys pheromone and she became instantly excited.
* Ire smacks his forehead with his comm. link some more.
<Ire> GM: *the doors open and ahead of them is floor 15. A hallway with a series of offices are seen, with another big desk at the end of the hallway. Chances are, the guy they want is at the far end*
* Ire begins to walk down the hallway. Some of the office doors are open and people can be seen inside, doing paperwork. He ignores them for the most part, as he approaches the big desk at the very end where a secretary sits, doing paperwork
<Ire> Secretary: How may I help you?
* Dahok steps off the elevator and follows behind Ire
<Ire> I'm....*pauses, not remembering the name that Stark supplied moments before*
* Ire looks to Dahok.
<Dahok> He's James Tilburt, he suffers from a little bit of memory problems.
<Ire> Secretary: I see. You're the people who wished to speak with Mr. Baptiste.
* Dahok nods
<Ire> Secretary: He's inside his office, waiting to speak with you. Hold on as I page him. *she reaches over, hitting the page.* Mr. Baptiste, the Janus people are here to speak with you. I'm sending them in. *she looks up* Proceed through the door to my left. *she points at the door*
<Ire> Thank you.l
* Ire turns and walks towards the door. He opens it and steps into the office. Mr. Baptiste office is full of pictures of himself and his family, all over the wall. His desk is moderate and has a nice view of the city behind him. He stands, a black man with white hair. He wears some glasses and is dressed in a suit.
* Dahok follows behind Ire
<Ire> Baptiste: Welcome. Have a seat. *He gestures to several chairs in front of his desk*
* Ire nods, stepping over and taking a seat.
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* Dahok slides the chair over and sits down in it
*** Kim[AWAY] is now known as Silouette
<Ire> Baptiste: Now, what is it that you boys wanted to show me?
<Dahok> Mr. Galding should be bringing it in in a little bit
<Ire> We actually have a question for you. We want to know anything you know about Pr---*he's interrupted by a page coming in from his machine.*
<Dahok> He said something about making it look pretty.
<Ire> Baptiste: Hold on. *he smiles apologetically and hits the button* Yes, Nancy?
<Ire> Nancy: There's something you should see, sir.
<Ire> Baptiste: Alright. Hold on a moment boys. I'll be right back. *He steps out of the office*
* Ire leans back in his chair.
* Dahok looks over at Ire
<Ire> ...
<Ire> GM: *time passes*
<Silouette> ......
* Ire stands up and paces over to the window, looking out at the city. There seems to be some activity going on, as the small "army" this zone has gathers down below. It's a rather side amount.
<Ire> (small)
<Dahok> I wonder where Mr. Galding is.
<Ire> Secretary: *Steps in* I'm sorry to inform you, but you must leave immediately. There's danger coming and we don't want you caught in the crossfire.
* Ire turns to look at the secretary, walking over a few steps.
<Silouette> ...danger?
<Dahok> What kind of danger are we talking about? *stands up*
<Dahok> *turns to Sil* Sil
<Dahok> *turns to Sil* Sil, when did you get in here?
<Ire> Secretary: It seems that the Siberian Zone has declared war against us and is moving in to invade.
* Silouette shrugs off Dahok
* Ire narrows his eyes.
<Ire> But your forces have no chance of stopping the Siberian Zone.
<Ire> Secretary: ... We know. However, with the other zones experiencing their own problems, we're on our own.
* Dahok looks over at Ire
<Dahok> NRP: Those damned RUSSIAN BASTARDS!!
* Ire folds his hands together behind his back.
<Ire> Well, we must leave. We'll not have a chance to talk to Baptiste and make it out of here before they arrive.
<Ire> GM: *as if on cue, explosion sounds can be heard nearby, as if bombing is occurring*
<Ire> Lets go you two.
* Dahok nods
* Ire moves past the secretary and out the door, back into the hallway. He moves down it towards the elevator.
* Dahok follows behind Ire
* Ire stops at the elevator and hits the button.
<Ire> GM: *explosion sounds get nearer, as if the bombing run is headed their way*
* Silouette steps on. "...what a waste of time."
* Ire gets on, also.
<Ire> Indeed. This zone will be easily taken over. Baptiste is a dead man.
* Ire hits the lobby floor button.
* Dahok stands across from Ire
<Dahok> They were probably waiting for the right time to take over this area.
<Ire> GM: *as the elevator moves down, suddenly the entire building rattles, as if a bomb has impacted against the building. The lights on the elevator blink, then suddenly the elevator is plummeting*
<Ire> Dammit. Brace yourselves.
* Ire stumbles against a wall, holding on.
* Dahok grabs against the bar
<Ire> GM: *The elevator falls, the emergency breaks activating and stopping them on floor 3. However, debris from above slams into the elevator and they plummet again the last three floors, slamming heard. The elevator's roof caves in and debris pours in on them and the floor bangs upward*
* Ire is nailed in the arm by a sharp piece of metal.
<Ire> ARGH.
* Dahok covers his head with his arms and takes several shards across his arms
<Ire> GM: *the emergency lights flicker, then die out. They are in darkness*
<Silouette> .....ow.
* Ire grimaces, knowing they can't see his expression in the dark. He grabs the metal shard in his arm and begins to yank it out.
* Dahok lets his eyes adjust to the darkness and he makes his way over to the elevator doors and grabs onto one half of it, slowly pulling it open
<Ire> We need to get out of this building. The next...*ungh*...bombing run will be the end of it. *he yanks it completely out, throwing the metal shard away. He places his hand on the wound to slow the bleeding*
* Ire stands up and leans against the wall next to Dahok, helping him pull.
<Dahok> Sil, give us a hand please.
<Ire> NRP: Brief pause.
<Dahok> NRP: *taps his fingers impatiently*
<Ire> NRP: Back
<X1> NRP: This brief pause has turned into a prolonged hiatus!
* Ire strains, blood oozing out of his wound as he tries to move the elevator. Dahok and himself are making little progress so far.
<Silouette> ...you're not strong enough? *helps open the door*
<Dahok> Har Har...*muscles strain as he pulls*
<Ire> GM: *the doors begin to open to open a little faster, but it's still extremely hard. After it's about half-way open, the door just stops budging all together. On the other side, the lobby seems deserted and lights are sparking. It seems to be in one piece, though*
<Dahok> *slides out the half-opened door and looks around for any injured*
<Ire> GM: *they all seem to have been evacuated*
* Ire moves out, gripping his arm again. He looks around, then moves for the revolving doors, which have stopped moving*
<Dahok> Ire, do you know anything about the Siberian Area's methods of war?
<Ire> Overwhelming the enemy and battering them until they surrender.
<Silouette> *climbs out and scans over the area* ...how nice and quaint.
<Dahok> So we can expect a lot of people then...They shoot first ask questions later?
* Dahok continues walking alongside Ire
* Ire aims his handgun at the glass doors and fires, shattering them. He steps out in front of the government building. All around, areas have been blown up by the falling bombs. Smoke rises from several places all over town and several buildings have collapsed. No one seems to be around in front of the government anymore, though gun shots and firing can be heard somewhere down the street, just out of sight*
<Ire> Basically.
<Dahok> How excessive.
* Dahok steps through the glass door
<Dahok> NRP: broken glass door
<Ire> They will most like bomb the the docking bay area so people cannot flee. That means that if Jake hasn't gotten out of there already, the shuttle and himself are most likely destroyed.
<Dahok> Can you comm him?
* Ire grabs his comm even as Dahok is speaking the words. He holds it up to his mouth
<Ire> Jake?
* Ire sighs, shoving it back into his pocket
<Ire> All signals are being jammed.
<Dahok> We can only hope he smelled trouble and got out in time.
* Dahok looks around
<Dahok> Where the hell is Stark?
<Silouette> ....this IS Jake we're talking about remember.
<Ire> I don't know. But I'd assume he gotten himself out of the building before it was bombed. *he glances behind them at the goverment building, which is smoking and half of it missing*
<Ire> GM: *nearby the shooting us stopped. Seems like whatever armed resistance the Siberian Forces met they've dealt with quickly. A thunderous marching sound can be heard coming towards the government building*
<Stark> You assume correctly, Warren.
<Dahok> ...*looks up* They're heading this way.
* Ire turns to where Stark's voice came from.
* Dahok close's his eyes
<Silouette> ...atleast these guys aren't after us specifically.
<Dahok> They probably don't care what affiliation we have, we're on their turf that they're conquering.
<Dahok> We've got big trouble Ire.
<Dahok> I wanna say over 300 troops are heading this way.
* Ire glances around
<Ire> Lets head the opposite way, then. Stay ahead of them.
* Ire moves away from the government building, moving quickly down the street.
* Stark nods.
* Silouette keeps pace, not particularly wanting to fight an army today
* Dahok follows behind Ire
<Ire> GM: *As they move off, another bombing run occurs. The government building explodes behind them, sending sharpnel and pieces flying as a thick lair of dust flies up*
* Dahok covers his face as the dust flies over
* Ire slides off balance as the dust flies past them. He grimaces.
* Silouette stumbles slightly, but doesn't fall.
<Silouette> ....not at all subtile, are they?
<Ire> No.
<Ire> GM: *in those few precious moments, the Siberian Army can be seen, barely though through the layer of dust flying around. They start off as black specks that become larger and larger as they move forward*
* Dahok sqiunts catching a glimce of the siberian army
<Ire> GM: *a couple of mechs land near by, at the wreckage of the government building. They begin to turn around, their brown armor blending in with the dust rather well. They hold large beam rifles as they scan for anymore targets
* Dahok feels the ground rumble as the mechs land
<Silouette> ...maybe we should make like civilians.
<Dahok> Something big just landed.
<Ire> Right. So lets run away like we're afraid.
* Dahok begins running in the opposite direction of the troops
* Ire follows Dahok, gripping his wounded arm with a grim look of determination.
* Dahok keeps an eye out as he runs
<Ire> GM: *the mechs turn, spotting the running targets. They pause for a moment, noting that they are more likely civilians. One of the mechs, probably a pilot with a mean streak, begins to walk after them*
* Silouette keeps moving, scowling when she hears a something large getting closer.
* Dahok turns his head around and looks to see a mech following after them
<Dahok> We've been spotted.
<Ire> GM: *the team is coming up where they can take a street to the right. It's about 40 meters ahead, though. Once they get past the big buildings on the opposite street, they will no longer be in front of the mech. However, ... the mech emerges from the dust, aiming it's beam rifle at them*
<Ire> Don't stop now. Keep moving!
<Ire> GM: *the beam rifle begins to light up with energy*
* Dahok continues sprinting full speed
* Silouette darts as fast as she can... mecha energy weapons = bad.
* Ire moves as fast as he can, closing the 40 meter gap fairly easily. He dives to the side of the building as he moves onto the next street. With the building between him and the mech, he catches his breath, then moves ahead again*
<Ire> GM: *the mech fires, the energy zooming across the ground, tearing it up as it moves overhead. The energy zooms straight ahead at the building, hoping to nail the team before they get behind it*
* Dahok veers to where Ire went and leaps
<Stark> This certainly isn't what I expected to happen.
<Ire> GM: *the beam weapon smashes into the building, instantly blowing it up and sending debris flying through the air as most of it is vaporized*
* Silouette dive rolls into the side path
<Ire> Keep moving. ... No time to stop.
* Ire runs down the new street.
<Ire> GM: *the mech begins to walk forward again, trying to get them in a line of sight once more*
* Dahok hits the ground and rolls and push's himself back up and running
<Ire> GM: *just in luck, up ahead their shuttle can be seen, it's ramp lowered, as it flies along towards them. Just as soon as it's overhead, it twists and hovers in place as he lowers down*
<Ire> The shuttle!
<Dahok> Good man.
* Ire dives, grabbing the ramp and pulling himself up into it. He nods at Jake.
* Dahok sprints towards the ramp
<Ire> GM: *the mech steps onto the new street, aiming it's beam rifle at the shuttle. The weapon begins to blow with energy*
<Ire> (glow!)
<Ire> Hurry, we have to lift off now or the shuttle blows up. *he yells down at the others*
* Silouette darts inside
* Dahok turns around and lifts his hands up, several seconds later several strands of vine erupt out of the ground and into the air, wrapping around the beam rifle. Dahok quickly drops his hand trying to the yank the beam rifle down*
<Ire> GM: *the beam weapon begins to accumulate energy rapidly. A few more seconds...*
* Dahok turns around and leaps onto the ramp
<Ire> GM: *the beam rifle, overly large, doesn't BUDGE*
* Stark jumps onto the shuttle.
<Ire> NOW!
<Ire> Jake: *throws the shuttle upward, right as the energy shoots out. It passes under the shuttle, tearing bits of the bottom out as it vaporizes it. The beam energy flies on and smashes into a building nearby, blowing it up*
<Ire> Jake: *begins to fly upward and away from the city*
* Dahok flicks his fingers and the vines drop back underground
<Ire> GM: *suddenly, up ahead, a Siberian battleship can be seen, hovering over the city. It's a bit smaller than Altros, being an original model from President Slasher's days. It seems they've brought in the big guns for this takeover, as if to show the world the Siberian Zone is all powerful. And it seems that battleship is intent on stopping the shuttle!*
<Ire> Jake: Fuuuuck.
<Ire> GM: *the battleship's cannons begin to fire out beam energy at the shuttle, threatening to vaporize it. Jake just sends them into wild manuevers to avoid it, but it's obvious he's not a skilled pilot*
* Ire sets his jaw, wondering if he should bring Altros into this.
*** Alicia has joined #TAW
* Dahok grabs onto hang bar as the wild manuevers ensue
* Ire slams into a seat. He buckles up.
<Ire> Everyone okay?!
<Ire> Jake: My God, there's just too many weapons. We're going to blow up!
<Silouette> ...I'm not de... forget that.
<Dahok> We got any flares?
<Ire> GM: *suddenly the battleship stops firing. One large cannon emerges and begins to charge up. It's obvious it's about to blow them straight out of the sky*
<Ire> Jake: Jesus, no!
<Dahok> What if we use the city as cover?
<Dahok> Fly along the streets and use building to keep them from locking on us.
<Ire> They might fire at the city, though, Dahok.
<Dahok> They already have.
<Ire> Jake: We got no choice! I say we do it!
<Ire> ...
<Ire> Jake: *begins to have the shuttle plummet back towards the city*
<Dahok> That and it'll make them look more ruthless to the other areas.
<Silouette> ......
<Ire> GM: *the weapon adjusts to aim at the city, still charging*
<Ire> Jake: *levels out on the street, flying along them. His face is thick with sweat and his hands are trembling as he tries to keep from hitting buildings*
<Silouette> ...if you can get the ship to shoot their ground troops, that'd be a plus.
<Dahok> I like the way she thinks.
<Dahok> Fly towards those mechs maybe?
* Ire slides into the co-pilot seat, running scans on the battle ship's weapon.
<Ire> Jake: Gotcha. *flies towards them. The mechs, turning, begin to fire their own beam weapons at the shuttle, tearing chunks out of it. Jake eeps and flies away again*
<Ire> Mechs: *lift off and fly after the shuttle this time, intent on catching it*
<Dahok> Ouch...not a good idea aparently.
<Ire> That's an ultra omega cannon. If they fire that, they'll level this entire city in an instant.
* Ire looks up at the sky.
<Dahok> They wouldn't be that ruthless, they'd kill they're own men!
<Ire> Jake: Y-Yeah!
<Stark> Indeed, the city will be leveled.
<Dahok> We need to get inside the Altros.
<Dahok> Can the Altros fly while cloaked?
<Ire> GM: *suddenly, the sky lights up blue as the beam fires straight down at the city. Everything seems to slow down as the blue energy lances downward towards the city, illuminating everything in it's path*
<Ire> ....
<Ire> Jake: Oh hell.
<Ire> Now! Now! Fly straight out of the city. We have to clear the blast radius!
<Ire> GM: *the beam impacts into the middle of the city, causing an instant crater. Moments pass, then the resulting force emits in a circle, instantly turning buildings to dust as a blue rings emits into a large outer circle, hitting building after building. The wave catches the ground troops, instantly vaporizing them, then hitting the mechs, knocking them out*
<X1> NRP: <Jake> The blast wha-*BOOM*
<Silouette> ........ *has no words for this*
<Ire> GM: *the shuttle flies straight ahead as the blast wave follows behind them. They emerge out of the city just as the wave demolishes this, turning it into an instant vaporized hole. The shock wave doesn't hit the shuttle, as it just stops. The battleship, overhead, just remains in position, letting them go. It's almost as if they blew it up to make a point.*
* Dahok looks out the window
<Dahok> To kill one's own men...they have no morals.
<Ire> ...
* Ire leans heavily against the controls.
<Ire> Jake: .... Heading for the Altros.
<Stark> No.
<Ire> Jake: *flies the shuttle ahead, moving towards the location of the cloaked Altros*
<Stark> They may not be aware of the Altros. We can't go there.
<Ire> Jake: What do you mean? We have to get out of here.
<Dahok> It's cloaked, we can use this time to fly into the bay.
<Dahok> We can use the blast smoke as cover and fly right in.
<Stark> They'll notice we disappeared.
* Ire says nothing. He seems to thinking hard.
<Ire> Jake: Dude, we're going to the Altros. Christ!
<Ire> Jake: *seems on edge. He's literally shaking
<Ire> GM: *the shuttle flies away from the rising smoke cloud behind them and enters the Altros' invisible hanger. He docks the shuttle, then Jake immediately runs off to the bathrooms*
* Ire steps off the shuttle, standing there. He walks towards the stairs to go up to the bridge.
* Silouette heads for the bridge as well, wanting to be able to keep tabs on that other battleship.
* Dahok lets the hang bar go and walks upto Jake and pats him on the back
<Dahok> Good job Jake.
* Ire steps onto the bridge. He takes his seat in the Captain's chair, leaning forward. The battleship just remains in position over the city, as if occupying the area.
* Dahok gets off the shuttle
<Ire> We should leave the Grasslands now. The Siberian Zone has occupied the area and made their point. Xavier Baptiste is dead and will no longer be able to answer any questions about Slasher. *he says, speaking to Sil*
* Dahok makes his way to the bridge
<Stark> <Junior> So THAT'S what the ruckous was about.
* Ire turns to look at Junior.
* Silouette smirks slightly, but nods.
<Ire> Indeed.
<Ire> I'm going to set course for our next destination now. *he thumbs it into his chair, turning the cloaked Altros away from the devasting sight before them. They begin to fly away*
<Dahok> *steps on the bridge*
<Stark> <Junior> We almost sent a rescue team, but Jerry almost made us get out as fast as possible. We compromised, obviously.
* Silouette sits back in a chair and closes her eyes, seeming to speak something, though without saying anything.
<Ire> Our next stop is....the British Isles Zone.
<Dahok> We'll stand out drastically you know.
<Ire> We obviously cannot take the Altros in. We'll have to leave it cloaked and take an unmarked shuttle in.
* Dahok nods
* Ire stands.
<Ire> I'll be in my quarters.
* Ire walks out.
<Silouette> ...least the chances of them getting completely wiped out while we're there are slim.
<Ire> S.E.S.S.I.O.N E.N.D.S
Session Close: Sun Aug 17 21:32:29 2003