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[sub][color=#B9BABC]	T H E  F I E L D S[/color]     ◇     [color=#6A5B7E]J u n e  6[/color]     ◇     [color=C54E4E]M o v i n g   F o r w a r d[/color][/sub][hr]
Her gunblade penetrated deep into the now miry ground. Olivia leaned against the hilt of the weapon to support the weight of rain and mud on her presence. The stench of earthen roots and putrid fluids invaded her senses. The last effort carried the brunette onto her feet, rusty and frigid air escaping her lungs. Olivia beheld the grace of the ice queen and her forceful weapon as a marvelous display of fury and efficiency. The two women combated the threat in tandem, similar to how they had sparred against each other at the academy and completed various simulations as a duo. Monika’s fervent attempts against the tiny, almost comical mushrooms that bounced around their larger host were suddenly brightened by a massive beam of energy coming from a nearby vehicle. The plasma melted away the Mordrem’s protective bark, but much of the heat of the beam reflected back to its source and knocked about whoever launched it in the first place. However, it was not for nothing. Monika was able to amply cut through the monstrosity and finally bring it down. The tiny spores rapidly withered along with their host.

The silence of the rain fell upon them. There were no more vehicles passing the Guardians and the screech of the Mordrem creature vanished with its death. Olivia’s clothes were completely soaked at this point, and her hair was tangled mess clad with sprouting bits of mud. She made her way across the torn battlefield to check on everyone. Most of the team appeared to be alright, minor scratches and bruises that were already vanishing due to the spirits mending their sanctuary. Olivia nodded at Rogart to let him know that she was fine. She could tell that the man was of the overly protective kind, which was not a bad thing in itself. However, Olivia had not expected his kindness to Eric to extent to her as well. Nicholas and Graham were the skillful, capable men that she needed not worry about. Her hand gently graced Niko’s shoulder as she passed him by—being of certain aesthetic appeal, she could not help herself but to be soft—and she patted Graham on the back as appreciation for his impressive acrobatics. Monika had managed to propel herself all the way to the vehicle wherefrom the plasma beam had been launched. That girl did not seem to appreciate the amount of punch her abilities packed. 

	[color=8C7D98]“Alright there, darling? You should get a feel for your own recoil,”[/color] Olivia smirked at Monika.

Coming around the vehicle, Olivia was surprised but delighted to see one of the Conrad brothers laying in the dirt after being knocked back by the reflection of his own attack. The brunette landed him an arm and pulled the hunky man up on his feet. 
	[color=8C7D98]“Well, well, if it isn’t one of the better halves,”[/color] Olivia smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair. [color=8C7D98]“Your brother is going to kick your ass when he finds out about this, you know,”[/color] she continued with a light tone on her voice. [color=8C7D98]“And believe me, I will tell him just to see what he does with you,”[/color] Olivia teased the boy and slapped the boy’s arm. [color=8C7D98]“Anyway, I’m just kidding—you know that right?—Stick around with us and we’ll get through this.”[/color]

Olivia tapped on the window connected to the driver’s seat of the transport. The glass disappeared into the mechanisms of the door and the sullen driver spoke: “We have to get moving. We’ve already broken protocol by stopping." Olivia called for the other to gather and load up. When they were all set, the driver made sure that the remaining distance was closed with great speed and accuracy. The team reached the Mobile Operations Vehicle within half an hour, where the transport was picked up and docked. The large hangar quite a chilly atmosphere, which did not sit well with the Guardian’s soaked clothes. They were greeted by an officer who offered them to shower and change into dry garments.

	“Welcome to Nautilus. Your team has been requested to attend a meeting with High Command within the hour. There are showers and dry clothing at your disposal at the lower decks, should you desire it.” The officer was brief with his instructions, knowing that the Guardians had been on a Mobil Operations Vehicle many times before. He promptly left them to their own decisions.

	[color=8C7D98]“Okay. I need a shower and those dry clothes, at least. Take care of yourselves and then meet in the command tower within an hour,”[/color] Olivia said.

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[sub][color=#B9BABC]	K I N A B A L U   S U M M I T[/color]     ◇     [color=#6A5B7E]J u n e  6[/color]     ◇     [color=C54E4E]C h a o s   &   T u r m o i l[/color][/sub][hr]
	[color=7C585A]]“Whatever you say, pretty boy.”[/color] It was the only thing Selene could crack out of her mouth at Thael’s commands. She did not despise him in any way, but the heroic leadership trope was not a particular appeal to her. Once the dark figure had revealed itself as a threatening consciousness, standing behind Thael’s protective and bulky properties was not so bad anymore. Xander appeared to have the same idea, as his warm and furry body pressed against Selene’s side. The wolf nearly growled at the dark figure at this point. 

	[color=7C585A]“Easy there, boy. . . Easy.”[/color] Selene’s hand smoothly ran through the creature’s hair. [color=7C585A]“There is naught to fear, if there is naught to lose. . .”[/color] The girl mused and mumbled. That sweet yearning and scent of crimson matters invaded her senses. Her spirits began to stir within her body and manifest themselves, hungering for nourishment of prey. Selene could feel her canine teeth growing every so pointer within her mouth, and the smokey shadows of some gloomful spirit began to mystify her presence.

Without hesitation, Selene swung her vile Fleshreaver into position, trailing her body. The weight of air from that motion moved Xander’s fur akin to a breeze across grassy fields. Her feet silently braced themselves for the coming effort. Petty words would never solve this encounter. She longed for death, a worthy entity to send her to the afterlife. Selene sprung from the dusty ground, cracking it with her strength, and propelled herself forward in a fierce leap. The smokey shadows swirled around her in a dance of void and gloom. The distance between her and the dark figure closed rapidly. A the half way mark, Selene raised her offensive Fleshreaver and forced all her strength into a swing that would make air void and disintegrate rock upon impact.

Subira and Thael were the better minds compared to Selene. Diplomacy was a noble aspect, but entities of the dark were inherently devoid of such finesse.