[i]"Kill it too, then. God knows that America cannot stand cowards attempting to circumvent His will."[/i] --"Washington", Page 3. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/27357/posts/ooc?page=34#post-1881528]((Maps here))[/url]. --- [b][center]Retrieval Team[/center][/b] --- Traveling with a half a dozen helicopters, they diverted off while the others continued on north and west of their deployment zone. Hovering a few feet overhead, the pilot radios them back and chuckles. [b]"Ever tried a HALO jump?"[/b] There's a thud heard in the cockpit as his co-pilot smacks him. [b]"Ignore that gentlemen. Y'all are just gonna take a step out about two thousand feet above target. There's no safe place for us to land that we can be sure Eve cannot detect to attack us from. This also means that if y'all want emergency evac in case things go to shit, y'all will have to advance out to a combat zone before we'll be willing to pick you up. That's how jittery this Eve bitch has command, just so y'all know."[/b] With a nod, they hover above the deployment zone, and look about the area underneath them. It was a suburban neighbourhood, likely what was once upper class. These neighbourhoods were known for their higher class stealth predators, ordinarily off limits to civilians. Underneath them, there was an auspicious lack of organic material. No grass, and the trees were dead though still present. There also seemed to be a lack of insects and animals, save for a small kitten that ran and hid underneath an abandoned SUV when the helicopter began to hover overhead, which was still plainly visible to anyone looking in that direction. There was a mansion in this part of town as well, and both Nathaniel and Georgia felt drawn to it by psychic emanations: Eve was in the building, attempting and failing to mask her presence. Anything else one could say was left purely to the imagination, save for the parachutes on those lacking any method to slow themselves down. The helicopter pilots radio back once more. [b]"Oh, and Eira, your mech will be dropped in with parachutes as well. When it lands there's a cutoff switch in your cockpit to disconnected the lines. Carolyn wanted us to pass that along to you in case you didn't know."[/b] With that said, Eira's mech is disconnected from the undercarriage of the helicopter, and after a few seconds, the chutes deploy. [b]"It should autopilot itself to wherever you land thanks to that little technogibberish thing you got."[/b] They were likely referencing her ability to give her mech basic commands. --- [b][center]U-ARM Wing - West[/center][/b] --- A pair of helicopters arrives to the scene of the western front. Some soldiers and materials had already been deployed it seemed. The helicopters land on the street and quickly drop mechs from undercarriages and let the group off. Colonel Marie Black and Sergeant Morai Lee step out together as they look around at the surrounding area. Suburbia. [b]"Are you sure they'll try to storm this street?"[/b] Morai asks. [b]"They could just go through other parts of suburbia."[/b] The Colonel shakes her head and motions around. [b]"Anywhere we aren't protecting is being guarded by another squad. We're just certain the main force will attempt to penetrate the perimeter here because U-ARM will want to take the shortest route possible. This is the shortest route."[/b] Morai nods, though uncertainty was still in his eyes. [b]"If they went with the shortest route in my country, they would be slain by cultists before they'd make it ten feet."[/b] Marie shakes her head. [b]"Not here. Not in The Last Bastion of civilization. Now, do what you do best Morai."[/b] Morai nods and quickly moves towards the edges of suburbia, carrying two large bags likely filled with explosives. Looking back at the group deploying from the chopper, she pulls out a cigar and lights it, activating her lightning rifle as it emitted a low hum. [b]"We won't have long. Deploy yourselves and offer any suggestions now. 'Cept for Morai. Just don't go anywhere he's been. Trust me."[/b] She grins, a steady stream of smoke flowing away from her cigar as her radio squacks to life. [b]"THIS IS COLONEL RICHARD F. MILLER. I've heard Colonel Marie Black is over there. I am humbled."[/b] Marie Black grabs the radio and responds sharply. [b]"This is Colonel Marie Black. By the authority invested in me by Bunker Chicago and the Council of ADAM, I order you to stand down and go home. This is our manhunt, not yours."[/b] There's laughter heard through the radio before a sharp inhale. [b]"My, my, we both know the real objective of your little autocratic regime is to impose further control on a population that is mentally imprisoned through your vicious propaganda. Washington Himself has given me my orders from the spirit of America and her heavenly ruler, God. Upon His word, I will--"[/b] Marie turns the radio off with a shrug. [b]"Let him rant to empty space for a while. Maybe it'll buy us an extra minute or two."[/b] --- [b][center]Shadow Zone Wing - North[/center][/b] --- As with the Western Deployment Zone, a pair of helicopters land and deploy the group into the combat area. A typical suburban neighbourhood, though rundown and decrepit, and lacking any organic material whatsoever: No birds, no dogs, no trees, no grass, not even insects. A quick and sure sign that there was a significant presence of Shadow Zone forces in the area. As mechs are deployed and soldiers land, Abimael cautiously looks to Bruce and blinks. His eyes were sheer black, and he had been nervous the entire flight. Now, on the ground however, he seemed outright frightened of something as he looks to his squad mates. [b]"I hear them. There are howls, and... An Angel is leading them. I can hear His voice, it is... Beautiful."[/b] He looks outside of the chopper nervously, down the long, wide road. [b]"... And angry..."[/b] Carolyn looks with concern to Abimael and motions to step out of the helicopter and walk with her towards the mechs. Her robotic puppy follows her out, wagging its metallic tail. [b]"Try not to rely on Abimael's premonitions too much. They're useful, but this is his first real battle, he may panic, keep an eye on him."[/b] Her robo-dog barks. [b]"As well, reinforcements will arrive from other areas as the battle progresses. We may also be requested to give reinforcements if we have any to spare."[/b] Finally, she reaches her mech and taps its ankles, activating it from its cold slumber. [b]"In the meantime, you're in command. I'll offer orders only if you fail to do so."[/b] She looks at him sharply. [b]"Don't throw away people's lives needlessly. That's all I ask."[/b] As she climbs into her mech's cockpit, everyone's radio in the local area crackles to life with heavy amounts of static. [b]"This is Michael, of the Shadow Zone. Hear my voice and heed these words men of Sodom: You have already slain one of our more beloved Children, Adam. Now you attempt to do the same to Eve. We shall not allow this. Step out of the way and you shall be spared this day. This is our only warning."[/b] The transmission ceases as Carolyn stares at her radio in surprise. [b]"They're... Not supposed to... Have radios..."[/b] Thus, it was clear. They had only a brief time to set up and get ready for the incoming fight. --- [i]"Ryan, you let her slip away. The entire plan is falling apart."[/i] [i]"I'm already on it, I swear. The Council of ADAM needn't worry. The same mistake will not be made twice."[/i] [i]"It cannot be made twice. If it is made manifest once more, there will be no third attempt."[/i] [i]"I... Understand. I've sent Marie and her specialist squad to take care of it."[/i] [i]"And what if Eve is able to make them see things her way, hm? What if she uses them to manifest her foolish dreams once more, hm?"[/i] [i]"That is what I've sent Alyss for. She will take care to ensure that Eve returns home. With us."[/i] [i]"Good... Because if Eve is not contained, not only will her manifesto destroy us, it will destroy the last bastion of civilization humanity has left."[/i]