Personification Life IC IX - [Semi Open]

[New Aksarben]

"If we can use magic I could possibly use mine to physically push them back while we retreat. I'm not the best at shield spells but I could use a type of one to create a magical barrier they likely couldn't get through. I would quickly be drained though. I'm very much a novice at them, but It could help buy us time if they break through while we are escaping across the vines." Sterling piped up, a bit of hope in his voice as he walked over towards the vines, watching as the insectoid named Ki flew across the street to land on the bank. If only they had wings like him, or Willow. Then they wouldn't have to use this vine bridge and would already be across and in the bank mostly safe and sound.

"Or I could just head into the bank if you'd prefer. I could do that just as well from in there. Create a magic shield that is. Or I could not, just in case we attract more undesirable enemies."

[Monfrox]

Varona kept mentally pacing around the room as she watched for anything else that would point to a clear sign of what to do. She got her answer when FUBAR gracefully approached her position and told her to evacuate. She sighed and swiftly collected her rifles. She slung both over her shoulders and used one arm to hold each onto her back. She dashed from the apartment room, through bedrooms, and went to break out a window. She crossed two arms over her face, but had the other two free ones hold onto the frame. She broke the glass out, but remained on the sill, able to take a few seconds to plan her next move.

The building next to this seemed to only have a small second floor before it went to another one. She'd have her luck cut out for her now, but she knew she could do it. As long as she was off the ground, and fast, she'd make it. So, she jumped across and tucked herself up. She landed and rolled off her back into a slight jog along the floor. Her eyes darted ahead and looked for the next course to take in her path. She played this game all the way until she reached the last building standing on the side of the street before the bank. She looked down at the nanites and judged the distance from the bank. "Too much to hope..." She said. She climbed up as high as she could and stared below. Bones heal. Nanites don't. Either she tried to get across with a leap of faith, or sit there until the wall crumbled out into the street and made stepping stones. She looked for the others if they'd be willing to aid her.

[The Drone Empire]

Dani watched the scene unfold from the floor of the bank lobby, looking out. It was impressive, moments like this reminded her just how interesting a people they all were, and a terribly small flutter of excitement filled her. Of course, the sight of the dark, mercury-like liquid was readily there to off-put her joy, and FUBAR was certainly acting strange, leaping hither and yon. Certainly, though, death by consumption was a fate most gruesome, a series of memories threading through her head with vivid scenes and haunting screams.

She stared out at the mirror-like pool, contemplating how bad it could be; if she went head first, it would be over in seconds.

Nevermind, that would prove bad for everybody..

[Giovenith]

Swirling green originated from Kale, as Giovenith looked on in admiration at her friend's talent, and the lifesaving results it brought forth. Lovely!

"Great work, Kale!" Giovenith praised, looking along fondly at the bridge. Danger was still present, but now they had a chance. If approved, Sterling's magic could probably come in handy too. One sore spot in all of this was Marcus' comment about him handling the evil water, though... what did that mean? She felt pressed to ask, to force him to promise to not get himself mixed up with those things, but swallowed it all back. Now was not the time to be demanding.

"Alright," Giovenith stood up straight. "Don't worry about me, I've got great balance. Sterling, if we just stay calm and watch our feet, we'll be just fine."

[The Carlisle]

Kale blushed and felt elated as the others praised here. "Seriously, its nothing much," she said in an embarrassed tone, "Anyways, we should go across. Follow me." She walked along the vine bridge, taking a few strides forward. The vine bridge stood still as stone. She turned back to the others. "Come on, the bridge is safe. I wouldn't make a bridge with holes in it," she said, feeling a slight shiver run down her spine. Joe walked onto the bridge, stopping just behind Kale.

[Erucia]

Marcus punched the air with his fist and then hugged Kale tightly. "Awesome, most awesome! Beyond awesome!"

His eyes drifted to the others gathered with him. They weren't really combatants. "Kale, would you take Giovenith and Sterling across? Ray can follow behind since he has a gun. I can bring up the rear and follow Fred and Jorgen. If they try to get across this bridge, I'd be the best one for them to run into." He didn't go into detail on why.

A shadow caught his attention momentarily and he watched Ki sail across the street and land on the bank. That just left Varona, Death and New Guy.

The thought of having to cross the newly-made bridge wasn't the most appetizing idea for Ray's safety complex, but at the same time it was more suitable than being consumed by a swarm of nanites. It was all about priorities. "Gio, as Marcus says, I'll follow behind! I can't say that I have your balance, but I think it's enough not to fall off," a worried grin was accompanied to Gio. The level of calm that Gio displayed was certainly encouraging to Ray, and he felt that he'd likely be left wondering how she held the kind of courage she did after this was all done and over.

'Done and over' being the key three words of the day, of course. Kale starting the walk across the bridge was the go-ahead, and Ray made sure to stay behind Gio and Sterling. His gun remained at the ready, though it would likely be a peashooter in respect to harming the nanites. A flamethrower might have been more handy.

[New Aksarben]

Sterling nodded and followed behind Gio, carefully placing his hooves on the vines where it seemed the most secured. Now was a bad time to be wearing these socks, but at the least he was fairly confident that he would be safe crossing like this. If he fell, he hoped he could use his magic to catch himself. Surely if he had to do it to save his life he could be excused using his magic. He would rather not be overwhelmed by whatever the evil metallic stuff was. He took a deep breath as he glanced back, hoping that he didn't see the metal stuff on the roof yet, and that they still had time to go slowly.

[Giovenith]

Giovenith was right behind Sterling, keeping her arms out and making sure not to focus on the danger of the situation. So long as one walked like normal, they could make it. It was thinking about the ground below that messed you up. That wasn't counting Giovenith's time spent with cats and her slight draconic edge. The only worry the truly held was for the others.

[The BranRiech]

Looking back as he heard Torii's shouting, Bran tore his eyes away from the stairs and looked back to his friend. "Yeah!? Come on, Torii, we need to get to higher ground!" He shouted, still a bit hushed, though, but he looked honestly freaked out that there was an unseen foe somewhere. He had no idea that the nanites couldn't enter the bank though, he knew much less than that (Didn't even know there were nanites looking around for them to be honest).

What he did hear though, was the triumphant shouts from across the way, in the building next door.

He heard the voices getting closer however, and assumed that the others who hadn't ducked into the bank were now making their way over.

--

Natiya calmly followed along, taking in the bustling urban scene she was looking at, reading every little sign she could as Aleki guided her into a building. "This is the place, eh?" She smiled, looking around. Not much had changed in the art of lobbies over the years somehow, but the sounds of manufacturing sounded a bit closer than usual, and the glow from the forges (Or what she assumed were such) provided a nice lighting effect in the front.

[Torsiedelle]

Looking back as he heard Torii's shouting, Bran tore his eyes away from the stairs and looked back to his friend. "Yeah!? Come on, Torii, we need to get to higher ground!" He shouted, still a bit hushed, though, but he looked honestly freaked out that there was an unseen foe somewhere. He had no idea that the nanites couldn't enter the bank though, he knew much less than that (Didn't even know there were nanites looking around for them to be honest).

What he did hear though, was the triumphant shouts from across the way, in the building next door.

He heard the voices getting closer however, and assumed that the others who hadn't ducked into the bank were now making their way over.

"B-but the vent up here!", Torii shouted back, pointing to the vent in a panic. "I-I..."

"Whatever's out there sounds like it's focusing on the streets. Let's see what it is first, then go upstairs. I found a vent that could probably lead to the vault, and I was just about to ask Nick to check it out. The vault will be much safer."

She didn't notice the nanites at first; only after a quick glance did she see the water moving, and its metallic sounds, and she knew it was Drone, just like during their last invasion. It seemed to be stopping at the bank, however, which was a little reassuring, but she didn't let her guard down. She'd follow Bran upstairs as quickly as she could, should they start climbing the steps, but for now, she just watched.

[Fvaarniimar]

Looking back as he heard Torii's shouting, Bran tore his eyes away from the stairs and looked back to his friend. "Yeah!? Come on, Torii, we need to get to higher ground!" He shouted, still a bit hushed, though, but he looked honestly freaked out that there was an unseen foe somewhere. He had no idea that the nanites couldn't enter the bank though, he knew much less than that (Didn't even know there were nanites looking around for them to be honest).

What he did hear though, was the triumphant shouts from across the way, in the building next door.

He heard the voices getting closer however, and assumed that the others who hadn't ducked into the bank were now making their way over.

"B-but the vent up here!", Torii shouted back, pointing to the vent in a panic. "I-I..."

"Whatever's out there sounds like it's focusing on the streets. Let's see what it is first, then go upstairs. I found a vent that could probably lead to the vault, and I was just about to ask Nick to check it out. The vault will be much safer."

She didn't notice the nanites at first; only after a quick glance did she see the water moving, and its metallic sounds, and she knew it was Drone, just like during their last invasion. It seemed to be stopping at the bank, however, which was a little reassuring, but she didn't let her guard down. She'd follow Bran upstairs as quickly as she could, should they start climbing the steps, but for now, she just watched.

(Some of the following sentiments would likely come through the connection.) Nick didn't want to pull away from Torii. This sort of closeness felt special, and he didn't want it to end- additionally, the girl's calm was helping the cat to not completely freak out and as mentioned Nick was helping her keep her balance. He'd gotten to know her well enough so that he'd be quite upset were anything to happen to her.

On the other hand... He did want to actually be good for something...
<Okay. I'll need a boost, though- actually, could you ask Bran to? He's taller.>

His fear would, for a few moments before it abated, make the girl feel physically ill.

[Terintania]

Nex watched what was happening with narrowed eyes, not entirely sure exactly what it was, but knowing it probably wasn't a good thing. When the vine bridge stretched from some other building to the bank, he stood up, looking at August. "We should probably go with them," He said, since Marcus and some of the others seemed to know the most about the invasion and this world and whatnot. And so, he climbed on to the vines and began heading towards the bank.

[Lithuanian Empire]

Nex watched what was happening with narrowed eyes, not entirely sure exactly what it was, but knowing it probably wasn't a good thing. When the vine bridge stretched from some other building to the bank, he stood up, looking at August. "We should probably go with them," He said, since Marcus and some of the others seemed to know the most about the invasion and this world and whatnot. And so, he climbed on to the vines and began heading towards the bank.

August looked at the vine bridge. No, it's not really safe, he said. Even if he knew what it is like, he would have still thought it is unsafe. But there was no choice. The nanites swarmed the down floors, and touching them would not be pleasant. August took a deep breath and climbed on the vines, following Nex.

[Motoneuron]

Ki stayed low, wanting to minimize his chances of being targeted as looked around the building for any potential threats aside from that weird pool and also looked around to see if there was any way out. Whatever that that was he had to assume that even though they appeared to not be able to enter the building, the unknown enemy would be able to outlast them in a seige.

He noted the vine bridge connecting to the bank and the group coming across it. That was good, he was going to need the others in order to survive out here. Not all that long ago he would have been astounded by that bridge of vines but with everything that had happened it barely registered as an oddity.

He was obviously filled with nervous energy, ready to take action at any time. He restlessly fluttered his wings and tapped his fingers on his armored exoskeleton as he made his way around the roof to get a full view of the surrounding area. He caught sight of a dried canal that was devoid of any threats that he could see. It could possibly be a way out but he'd have to regroup with the others and they'd have to find a safe way to get to it.

[Cerillium]

Marcus looked back before stepping from the bridge to the top step in front of the bank. Nothing seemed to be following - yet - but he didn't doubt that trouble might be right around the corner. He scanned those present and took a quick head count. Varona had joined them, Nex and August had found their way across, Dani was safe and sound, and those who had been with him (Sterling, Ray, Giovenith, and Kale) were fine. He looked up and spotted Ki and then noticed Kale's plant creature off to the side. He wasn't too concerned about Dia; the Conservator could freeze time and breeze his way over if he really wanted to.

His eyes then turned to scrutinize the vines. They were starting to wither away in spots where they touched the bank itself. Something was protecting the bank. Something had allowed Kale's magic to touch the structure just long enough to get everyone to safety. It was puzzling; Marcus hadn't known of any buildings in Vaffelhelm that were immune to magic (or able to physically counteract it).

Metal fingertips touched the bank's cold marble exterior. "Hey, if it's not to much to ask, please let the plant stretcher remain. And FUBAR. We can't leave him out there. You let Dani in. Let him in, too, okay? And that Tilktep, if he's needing a place to settle for the night."

The boy drew a steadying breath and then shouted to the Drone to join them. FUBAR hesitated and then, very cautiously, worked its way across buildings to set a single "foot" onto the bank property. He set down a second and then the rest. The magic protecting the bank seemed to have accepted the thing as part of the group. FUBAR repositioned himself on the bank's dome to serve as additional security.

Turtleboss squirmed and Marcus set him down. The waterbear waddled into the bank and took up residency under a desk, and the boy followed him inside. The interior was dark and cooler than outside. He noted that the teller cage was lowered and preventing them from accessing the space behind the counter. He took stock of the door as well (it was the only way in other than that vent) as well as the door beyond it which was marked "private"; if there was a safe, it would be somewhere back there behind that particular door.

"We'll run out of daylight soon. Should we camp out here or should we try to access the vault? Something tells me that the bank - or whoever owns this building - will prevent nanite woes, but I can't speak for it keeping any of the other factions out. It's going to be cold, and we can't light a fire without alerting everything for miles."

Then he was done. Marcus stepped back from leadership and ran a hand over his brow. He was tired and dirty and stressed. He was out of his league and out of options other than to suggest resting for the night and taking the canal early the next morning. He didn't even feel human anymore, thanks to giving away hood space and his boots. Most of all, it had been his idea to go for high ground and, were it not for Kale, people would be dead. He assumed the Drone's response was the best one to mimic without even bothering to think things through. He trusted the machine's response without even considering the humanity around him wasn't mechanical in nature. He realized that he had hugged Plant Girl because, deep down and subconsiously, he had already recognized the futility of his own actions; Kale was a savior.

"I'm an idiot," he muttered under his breath. Who was he to lead anyone? He was just a kid compared to some of the others. Ray was trained for this stuff. Dia was a cop. Death was, well, death. Bran and Varona were soldiers. So was Torii. The new guy seemed at ease in this odd environment. Ki could fly. The Pony was intelligent. Kale had magic. Dani knew her tech. He was just a Novice with a few tools, some augmentations, and a false sense of... what, exactly, he didn't know.

He looked towards Giovenith again. She was every bit as fragile as her own paper horses, although he knew she had intense inner strength. He'd rather die than let anything happen to her yet she took to the department store because of his urging. That killed him more than anything else. His rash decision might have brought on her demise. Marcus turned away and found a wall to lean on. His back pressed into it and then he slid down and took a seat on the dirty floor. It was time to stop being stupid and trying to lead.

The boy was so wrapped up in his angst that he failed to even realize FUBAR had behaved less like a Drone and more like a Silica Animus. The oversight was solely on him.

[Torsiedelle]

(Some of the following sentiments would likely come through the connection.) Nick didn't want to pull away from Torii. This sort of closeness felt special, and he didn't want it to end- additionally, the girl's calm was helping the cat to not completely freak out and as mentioned Nick was helping her keep her balance. He'd gotten to know her well enough so that he'd be quite upset were anything to happen to her.

On the other hand... He did want to actually be good for something...
<Okay. I'll need a boost, though- actually, could you ask Bran to? He's taller.>

His fear would, for a few moments before it abated, make the girl feel physically ill.

The girl looked down from the nanites, to Nick in a worried expression. His fear was really great, and it doubled with her's so that she couldn't help her shaky legs. With the kittie held tightly in her arms, Torii jogged to Bran and stopped at her tip toes. "Mr. Nikanor", She said, shaking around a bit as the cat's fear subsided. It felt so weird...

"The stairway to the vault is behind the teller's counter, but it's shut down. That vent over there might be a way to it, but I don't want to risk getting in trouble, and Nick can move around better anyhow. Can you lift him up into the vent? I'm too short."

Although Bran wasn't much taller, but a few inches would still make a difference. Bran probably had a better balance at the moment, too. Torii was geared to jump at the slightest happening.

She payed little mind to the arrival of the group, though she was still happy for them. Wait, the rest of the group...

Still holding Nick, she turned her head back towards everyone, specifically Marcus and the older men, and Dia if he showed up soon. "Oh, also", She started, including Bran, as if adding on another note, "That door with the chain thing might lead to the vault, too, but it's too strong for me. I'm sure we could probably break through it with enough force. That could be an alternative to me and Nick using the vent."

[Giovenith]

Giovenith chirped and cooed to Turtleboss before gently taking him up in her arms and offering soothing babytalk to the creature. Poor little waterbear, she dearly wished he had not been living sucked into all of this. Turtleboss was just a wee thing, who only wanted and deserved to waddle through life without care. None of them deserved this.

Holding her pet close, Giovenith took a quiet moment to appreciate the presence of all her friends, who all had managed to escape unharmed. Physically, anyway. Who knew what kind of nightmares would plague them in the near future after this was all over. Her eyes took special care on each companion, before finally landing on the crumpled and defeated Marcus. Nobody here was in the cheeriest of dispositions, but the young cyborg for all the world looked like he had been impaled with a rod of destitution. The starchy scuffle of sneakers on dust approached the boy, heralding the crouch of Giovenith.

"Marcus?" she asked quietly, taking care to keep a safe physically-lingual distance in case he wished to be alone. Tucking Turtleboss comfortably behind her bent knees, the godling carefully reached out and brushed her fingertips against his sleeve. "Marcus, are you... um, can I..." She searched for a question that wouldn't be patronizing. There were few. He obviously wasn't alright. She didn't think there was anything she could offer to do for him that would make much a difference.

Finally, Giovenith ran her hand down his arm and took his hand in her own. "Remember when we promised to be there for each other, in the cave? Will you let me be here for you now, friend?" She gave his hand a squeeze.

[New Aksarben]

Sterling was doing his best to breath deeply and steadily to keep calm, but he couldn't help but glance towards windows and doors, half expecting the evil water to break through and flood the area. It was very unnerving to think they had very narrowly escaped death, only thanks to Kale. If she hadn't shown up they all would have died almost certainly. Marcus's quick thinking on asking Kale to do her plant magic thing had been absolutely brilliant, when Sterling's mind had been freezing up from terror. He had done nothing at all really to help. Plus he-

'Oh.... oh no.' Sterling thought suddenly, his eyes widening a bit and glancing around the room for something that he had been entrusted with. 'Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no no no no no!' The pony realized that they had lost the water. With it their time was much more limited in this place, and their options as well. He started shaking a bit, realizing how stupid it had been to simply leave the water in the department store. now there was no guarantee it could ever be recovered again, unless they were lucky and the evil water receded.

But seeing as people were already busy with their own problems, Sterling went back to his deep breathing again to calm himself down. Hopefully Sterling hadn't unintentionally doomed them to a death by dehydration.

[Cerillium]

Giovenith chirped and cooed to Turtleboss before gently taking him up in her arms and offering soothing babytalk to the creature. Poor little waterbear, she dearly wished he had not been living sucked into all of this. Turtleboss was just a wee thing, who only wanted and deserved to waddle through life without care. None of them deserved this.

Holding her pet close, Giovenith took a quiet moment to appreciate the presence of all her friends, who all had managed to escape unharmed. Physically, anyway. Who knew what kind of nightmares would plague them in the near future after this was all over. Her eyes took special care on each companion, before finally landing on the crumpled and defeated Marcus. Nobody here was in the cheeriest of dispositions, but the young cyborg for all the world looked like he had been impaled with a rod of destitution. The starchy scuffle of sneakers on dust approached the boy, heralding the crouch of Giovenith.

"Marcus?" she asked quietly, taking care to keep a safe physically-lingual distance in case he wished to be alone. Tucking Turtleboss comfortably behind her bent knees, the godling carefully reached out and brushed her fingertips against his sleeve. "Marcus, are you... um, can I..." She searched for a question that wouldn't be patronizing. There were few. He obviously wasn't alright. She didn't think there was anything she could offer to do for him that would make much a difference.

Finally, Giovenith ran her hand down his arm and took his hand in her own. "Remember when we promised to be there for each other, in the cave? Will you let me be here for you now, friend?" She gave his hand a squeeze.

The boy flinched at the sound of his name and then he withdrew from his dark thoughts. At first he imagined the touch on his arm was a pale spider but then Giovenith's hand tucked into his own and he realized that one of his companions - his utmost dearest friend - was pulling him from his self-depreciation. Stray strands of her hair were captured by the sun's fading glow and, although her face was in shadow, he knew that concern had probably stripped away her normal smile.

His head turned to peer into the eyes of the girl that might have died from his stupidity. Someone had tuned the world out for him and he felt like a small child sitting inside a confession booth. "I'm sorry, Giovenith. If Kale hadn't - if she wasn't here, then - it's just - stupid."

Her hand's warmth crept into his skin and he silently vowed ten times over to never let harm come to her, then mentally kicked himself for thinking he could do anything to protect a god. She needed an Ogoti, or a Charumati, or ten more Conservators. They all did, true, but especially her. He didn't know what drew him to protect her so or why this need to see to her well-being was so deeply engraved upon his heart. Conflicting thoughts made his brain buzz. He drew a measured breath and leaned his head against the cool marble behind him.

"You reminded me that I'm human. In the past, I mean. I'd forgotten how good it was to be that. I've just realized that I'm too human to be of much use here, and not human enough to know how to put my thoughts into the right words. I made a snap decision based on my needs - on a machine's needs - and that decision could have gotten all of you killed. Dia was smart. He stood his ground and thought objectively, and didn't listen to me. And I'm sorry I put you all in danger. I'm so sorry."

[Terintania]

Nex was relieved when they got to the bank, in his own way. He didn't really show it, and just looked around cooly and calmly, to see if everyone was there. They seemed to be, but Marcus seemed to be having some sort of break down and Sterling seemed to be freaking out. "Everyone makes mistakes," Nex said to Marcus,"Separately, we all make mistakes. It's teamwork here that will keep us alive, not the success or failure of one man. You could have gotten them killed, but they're all alive, whether it's thanks to Kale or thanks to someone else, they're alive, and that's what matters. Dwelling in the past and on our mistakes will not help anyone, and if you fall apart, you will only mess up more," Probably not the most uplifting inspirational speech ever, but Nex wasn't really used to talking to people.

With that, he looked at Sterling, and quickly realized one of the things he may have been freaking out about. "Where's the water?" He asked, tilting his head.

[Giovenith]

Human? How could he have forgotten that? Giovenith briefly wondered this, until she let her gaze graze over Marcus and take in the obvious. Ah. Giovenith knew little to nothing about Marcus' people or faith, and was well aware of such, but his confession conveyed enough to let her unravel the reasons behind his knotted gloom.

Pulling herself closer to him, she began to speak. "I read a book once, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' There was things that didn't make it into the movie, one of which was the Tinman's story. Tinman used to be fully flesh, and one day fell in love with a girl, whom he tried to make a house for. But his ax had been enchanted without him knowing to slip and cut him up. Everytime the Tinman lost a limb, he went to a local smith to get a replacement made of tin. He lost his arms, legs, head, and finally his mid-section, till he was completely made of tin. Because of this, he thought he'd lost his heart, and abandoned his work and girl to be alone in the woods. Only did he leave when Dorothy promised the wizard would give him a heart.

"But as we know in the story, the Tinman did have heart all along, caring for his friends and helping with the journey the whole time. The wizard told him he'd had a heart all along, because there was more to a heart than the organ itself."

Wrapping an arm around Marcus' shoulders, similar to how he often did with her, she pulled him in a protective, nurturing embrace and went on. "There are many ways to be one thing. Strong, smart, creative, caring. Part of being human is making mistakes, sometimes big, sometimes little. Not just humans, but many things. This is a universe filled with topsy turvy, for better or for worse. I can't tell you the future, but I know the present... the present tells me that this will be difficult for all of us. We will all make the most dreadful of mistakes in dreadful circumstances. But we've been through the eye and belly of the unimaginable before, so the past will never change, but the future is ours to mold." Giovenith reached up to wipe some dirt away from Marcus' cheek, pulled her arm back, then rested her head on his shoulder. "Let's do our best to make it best. There's still a long way to go."

People were beginning to wonder about supplies, and Giovenith mentally prepared herself for more challenge ahead. To her, it made sense some things would have been lost in the panic. They would sort it out soon enough.

[Monfrox]

"I hate to interrupt, but finding the vault for shelter would be a very good idea right now." Varona said to the others. "I'll take watch at the front door. Just come get me when you get it sorted out." She trusted they would find it own their own time, as she still took it upon herself as a soldier of promise to watch the obvious entrances. She crouched low against the counter and glared out the doorway to the cityscape beyond. One set of arms held her Kalash, and the other held onto her ATR, each at her sides. She rested her real right arm on her right knee while the other one was pressed to the ground in a stance that seemed to convey a heightened state of alertness.

[Mincaldenteans]

A savage yalp tore from Ru'hOff and Ha'nS' throats as they stormed into battle and, at least for a short while, things died in unspeakable ways. The darkness allowed for a bit of concealment and thus an opportunity for a bit of brutality that would be tenderly described here were it not for the damned PG13 rating. Needless to say, there were more efficient ways to kill things than with swords. Ha'nS didn't give it a second thought until he had already waded through a screeching, quivering (and now properly dead) pile in search for the next cluster. It was then that common sense returned to him and he remembered the purpose for the mission.

The Cultist-turned-Klingon latched his fingers around a furry mass and walked towards the light with it. It writhed in a fashion, desperate to escape him and then... it did escape him entirely as realization struck the animal-loving former Nazi. The tribble hit the ground and rolled to the side as Ha'nS stood aghast at the whole situation.

Dolf, you fucking asshole, why didn't you tell me they were little... stunted... schwabbelig-maus?!

Ru'hOff's voice echoed from the cave rather through their mental tether. "Don't be fooled, brother! Mezran says they're evil!" Perhaps it was because the exploding shrew incident had fostered a sense of rodent loathing in the man, or perhaps it was simply because Ru'hOff had dealt with them prior, but he didn't seem hesitant to slaughter the things.

Ha'nS shook his head. Not even Slaanesh employed anything so ridiculously cute in appearance. He returned to the cave, snatched two from their resting spots and unceremoniously dumped them into his field bag where they'd float in hammerspace alongside some grenades and old bullets. He was War's cultist, and War didn't fight anything that couldn't defend itself. Honor and mercy were mingled alongside a sense of fair play. He'd no sooner attack a hedgehog than a tribble, and even waging extermination on a plague of field mice in Australia was beneath their code of conduct. The tribbles simply couldn't fight.

The Klingon wiped the blood from his face and spat out a bit of fur. He was through. Ha'nS stepped back into the humid air and found a rock to rest on while his brother, much to his disappointment, continued to slaughter things beside Mezran and ChryS.

A party of brooding Klingons marched up towards Ha'nS, their weapons sweeping across the foliage that stood in their wake. They chatted among themselves in low towns, their dialects had distinct gruffer tones that made them travelers from the lowlands of the continent. Each wore a hodgepodge of leather armor with precious few metal pieces that adorned at strategic areas on their bodies. They stopped when they saw Ha'Ns at the entrance and the leader, a portly figure of middle age and even messier mane that passed for hair, narrowed his eyes and looked upon the Cultist in disguise.

"nuq Davang naDev?" (What are you doing here?) Asked the warrior, to which two of his entourage had taken opposite sides of the man. "pa' 'e' naDev ngaSwI' tu'lu' maH!" (We were supposed to be here!)

The warrior on the left nudged his arm and shook his head, "Matters not, we are all here for the same enemy, let us rid ourselves of this vermin and head back for wine and food!"

A warrior's cry echoed from deep within the cave that caught everyone's attention. Mezran was having a field day despite the pitch black interior.

"That stupid toD'saH, does he think he can wipe out a nest of those taHqeq'pu with just a blade? He'll be here all night!" Laughter erupted from the group, the portly warrior chuckling himself before continuing, "Someone bring oil and fire, we will burn these filthy creatures."

Either it was the warrior's penchant to drone on about the uses for fire against the tribbles, or maybe he just liked to himself talk, either way, the portly warrior continued as though everyone were interested, "We had a few next in the Bierqh'an lowlands where I am from. We had a similar infestation of those creatures that all but consumed the underwater reservoir that supplied our village. No matter how many we slayed, six would appear, than six more, than eighteen - it was madness. We figured out fire and oil worked best as these foul beasts catch on fire like matches. This cave," he gestured to his chin, "It leads to a large water source that Varth has since been forced to seal and look elsewhere. Today that shall change!"

"What of the bellowing idiot inside? I think I hear more than one of them," one of the warrior's men asked. This one looked as though he barely past the Rite of Ascension; his facial features were delicate, almost feminine and the only saving grace from being mistaken for a female were his broad shoulders, height and his voice. It was too bad his inexperience was showing with his question.

"What do you think you petaQ?" The middle aged warrior sniped impatiently at his subordinate, baring his teeth and looked as though he had half a mind to strike the younger warrior for such stupid question. He waved the young warrior off to the cave before them, "Get them out and set this cave to flames! Today, Varth recovers their much needed water source!"

"Cha'veh!" The warrior saluted quickly and motioned for a few more Klingons to follow him in with torches.

"So," the portly Klingon began again, taking out a canteen made of targ-hide, He took a swig of his drink and offered to Ha'nS after, "What is your name and house?"

[Tiltjuice]

Contrary to both Marcus' initial command-like reaction and the advice from Nex and Am, Dia had decided enough was enough. For all that he and his were (wrongly) considered heralds of Death, they never brought it. What they valued was life, and if that meant his own's top was about to empty - well, a curveball was a curveball. Never mind that Fate could make it fly backward, do a barrel roll, and then open itself up like a banana peel for someone to slip on.

He grit his teeth and rolled off the cars. In the blink of an eye, he was on the roof of the building across from the textile factory. A series of divots marked the places where he'd literally slammed his armored feet into the walls of the building and sprung up it.

Lying flat, again, he crawled to the far edge and melted a hole in the roof railing, hopefully to see down the road from which the nanite stream had come. The sudden exertion had him sweating and panting inside his armor; but its nature as a highly heat-resistant suit helped to insulate him from sensors. At least partially. He hoped.

[The Drone Empire]

Dani half-heartedly pitied Marcus; the other parted shamed him for declaring such a status of himself. She too was human, or in the flesh at very least, though in mind by part just the same. So long as she could empathize and sympathize she regarded herself at least that much human, but there still lingered that growing fragment of Drone that now claimed a mind of its own. It, too, heard Giovenith's story, and wished it true, this axe , that would detach these fleshy appendages, so that it may piece by piece reassemble something greater.

Clearly, though, such a procedure would be far too complex for self-doing. Besides, Dani didn't want to, she'd gotten fairly used to being human, it was an acquired taste, but there was little to do. Just as there was here, so little to do, for her at least. She wasn't too agile, nor a great climber. She eyed FUBAR, wondering if he could maybe force himself through the doorway into the larger room and open the door himself; it would take very little effort for him, but there were other, more less passive solutions.

She stood up, brushing off the dust from herself, then turning more towards Marcus.

"You really are too hard on yourself, we have very limited options in a place of very apparent hostility. Nanites aren't invincible, they're just ruthless... and crafty." she said as she turned now towards the collective pools and streams of machines. They should be grateful; the nightmarish cousins of these very same creatures, zeptomites. Nanites were more passive, and simple. What perplexed her is their presence here, collectives this large are usually found flowing through the veins and arteries of a ship, repairing and dissolving, not toying with the groundly matters that their destructive successors had been so prevalent in.