Blur quickly trotted along into the barracks and miscellaneous areas, directly forwards. Right before she reached a fine line, immediately before an internal, automatic door, it opened. But, obviously, not for her. 

The door was split in two vertically from the other side as it opened, the other person quite impatient, obviously. A communications link was also opened by the other individual. 

Blur came to a halt almost as soon as the door began to move, and when it fell away in pieces she took a step back. Her free hand extended to the side, trying to provide reflexive cover for Wessex while keeping the blade unignited in her hand. She’d been taught to fight wisely, and sparingly, not to attack unless she meant to kill. When the time was right, or even necessary, she’d draw. Until then, she had a comm to listen to. 

[color=6ecff6]”This is Blur of the Smith’s Rest NC unit, state your identity,”[/color] she snapped, her voice cold and dutiful. 

[color=f26522]”Ah, yes.”[/color], an eastern-accented man spoke on the channel, being overheard by the other members of the unit. [color=f26522]”I do not believe you are in the position to make demands, such as that. While a fight would amuse me, I’m afraid I got what I wanted myself, and it would be needless. Care to let me pass, or do I need to cut through you, too?”[/color]

The NC revealed itself, a slightly larger, black design, definately Red-star in origin, but heavily modified. It brought to mind a samurai, with its’ segmented armor, and its’ large curved sword. However, it did have a large round shield, a bit oval shaped to help protect its’ own legs better.

It brandished its’ own blade, a physical heat-based sword. It was still halfway in its’ sheathe, however. While Blur isn’t sure why, she could just feel it had something else up its’ sleeve as well.

She listened carefully, but was not fazed by the other’s threat. It would have been foolish to assume superiority, not knowing what the man was capable of, but he didn’t seem to have that layer of caution. She scanned him over, taking in the design of the NC as well as the armaments. The shield would prove an issue, but if it had to split its attention between offense and defense, she could abuse that, granted she was fast enough.

[color=6ecff6]”State your identity,”[/color] she said again, taking a step forward. [color=6ecff6]”This will be the [i]last[/i] time I ask.”[/color]

Blur silenced her end of the comm line momentarily, pulling up Jingo. [color=6ecff6]”If this goes sour, I want you to run past and see if there are survivors further in. I’ll hold his attention.”[/color]

With that she brought back up the Red-Star commline. She debated her next words, knowing that if they weren’t chosen carefully she could have a quick and brutal fight thrust upon her. But she didn’t have time to offer courtesy to the man. Instead she remained quiet, and waited, fingers clenched tighter around the blade’s handle. 

He seemed to think to himself, and his NC apparently mimicked his movements perfectly, its’ own hand going to its’ ‘chin’. [color=f26522]”Hmmmm… What’s the word in your language? That chess-piece. The one that moves diagonally?”[/color], his voice, would be fitting of an experienced swordsman. Haughty as well, but a certain nobility to it, if only a little.

What a strange question.

The NC snapped its’ fingers. A metallic snap, what an interesting noise. [color=f26522]”Bishop. I am… Bishop.”[/color]

Eli clicked her tongue, rolling the word around in her mouth. She didn’t have extensive experience with chess, but she was familiar enough with it. A good strategy game for sure, and she couldn’t help but wonder if knowledge of it might help one as a pilot. 

She supposed she would find out. [color=6ecff6]”You said you would cut through me too. Who else has been here?”[/color] she asked, quick to carry on. If the man was not eager to attack, she wasn’t about to strike first. 

[color=f26522]”Have you ever attacked a person with an NC grade weapon? It’s a darkly humorous sight. All’s left is a pink mist, most of the time. Their corpses litter this area, if you looked.”[/color]

No sooner did Bishop finish talking did the blade of Blur’s sword ignite. Had there been any doubts before, they were gone, and while perhaps she wouldn’t strike first Eli was certain she would be fighting the man. She raised the blade up, leveling it with Bishop’s head. Nothing was said over the comms, and if he checked, he would see the line had been cut. 

 Bishop spoke to himself, mainly. [color=f26522]“What a shame.”[/color]. The NC activated its’ own sword, the heat making a fine haze around the blade. The well-made tungsten forming the blade was effectively impervious to it. However, the NC didn’t attack just yet, it activated its’ boosters and pointed them forwards, making it do a quick slide backwards.

[color=f26522]”Guests have arrived, Rook.”[/color], Bishop spoke to a compatriot of his at another area in the facility.

Another voice replied, a certain artificialness to it, but still not robotic. Oddly peppy. [color=ed1c24]“Company? I love guests! We’ll give them a fun time, wouldn’t you say?”[/color] From the NC hangar, a series of very loud footsteps could be heard by any NC that was already inside, or the ones with more advanced sensors. Namely, Blur and Wessex. The bulkhead separating the NC hangar and the entrance-hub had a massive hole cut through it by some sort of NC-sized torch.

Rook revealed itself, a very bulky, armored unit with a short-range melee torch on its’ left gauntlet, and its’ back and right arm holding an artillery cannon each. It set up a killzone right behind Blur, likely not being noticed by her. Anyone that entered would be pulverized if they didn’t notice him in time, the shells would likely be relatively slow, but very explosive.

[color=ed1c24]”Firing line set, you kick her ass, Bishop.”[/color]

[color=8882be]”A-all units, we have one confirmed hostile NC, possibly more, inside the facility. Support Blur, she’s fighting a professional. I have no information on the specifics, but it looks to be that way. Weapons free!”[/color], The Captain noted in everyone's’ ears directly. Dammit, that 2% just bit everyone in the ass!