[b][u][i]Circle of Hell- Exterior[/i][/u][/b] "[b]Ascendancy's ascendancy, let one go, and he'll either be shot by higher ups anyways or arranged back in line to go about killing the weak and different like nothing happened. Just because a bunch of rebel groups are making their hatred of them clear by actively fighting against them, doesn't mean they're the only ones with a dislike for these heartless fools. Moreover, you... [i]do[/i] realize what kind of ship this is, right? This isn't some ordinary prison convoy, I've seen this particular model often coming into and going from the worst parts of Ascendacy prisons back when I was an inmate. The kind of prisoners in this ship, assuming they're alive after this crash, are the kind awaiting Death row. If avoiding a Massacre to avoid being scapegoat for them was an objective, that plan may have already went up in smoke as soon as you arrived down here. I've seen the Ascendancy string up worse PR disasters from events far lighter than this. ...As for the gunship, you say that, but it looked to me you were too focused on that tank to even notice the Gunship hovering its way in, guns and missiles at the ready. Couldn't find any other thing to grab and throw at it, and made do with what came walking my way. If anything, the fact it was an Ascendency soldier was fortunate. If it happened to be a farmer or one of you, I'd have nothing to take it down with. Which reminds me, ...Narvia was it? I was about ready to head your way and forbade you entry for your own good, but it sounds like you're just like me; nothing I can very well do about that. Likely for the best, these kids may need all the help they can get.[/b]" The Giant said to Rachel and then to Narvia as he walked their way, being careful not to step on the liquid John still is, before staring down at the little puddle of mana. "[b]You can call me Rook, and sure thing. Hopefully we caused enough of a ruckus here to keep the Farmers from getting involved. Last thing I need right now is a stray farmer rebel getting killed here on my conscience.[/b]" The Giant, known as Rook, said to them, before extending outwards towards the ship, politely implying to let them go in first. "[b]I'd advise being careful in there. Like I said, this ship is loaded often with very dangerous individuals, who knows how many of them are out of their cages...[/b]" Rook then told them as they walked in. He once again looked to Rachel who asked him a question. "[b]In my humble opinion, I think it's dangerous to walk into the middle of a war zone like this planet and expecting not to harm a single enemy purely for the sake of pacifism or reputation. People going into a war without expecting necessary bloodshed is nothing more to people like the Ascendancy than easy targets to shoot at, whom they have nothing to lose for shooting at. If they miss your head, what are you going to do to make sure they don't go for another try? Kill them? That violates that little code you have, and they would know it. Harm them? That could work but what's the insurance they don't decide to get cybernetic replacements for whatever you break and go right back into doing as their told, attacking and killing under someone else's orders, pride of humanity? Pretty sure that's easily broken the moment kids like you are the one to take them - well-trained professional soldiers - down. You make it known that you're not out to kill them, and they will take as much advantage of it as possible. Personally, I do what I have to. I see people hurting others, I make sure they never hurt anyone else again. That's all there is to it.[/b]" Rook said. While in all that spiel he made no mention of a direct answer to Rachel's question, it would be very clear based on what he said, as well as what he did before, that he's certainly no pacifist like the others. ----- "[i]Umm...Wha-what is he doing?[/i]" the Sharpshooter whispered as he watches Rook and the others enter the ship. "[i][b]His job.[/b][/i]" the voice in his mind said via a telepathic channel. ---------------------- [b][u][i]Circle of Hell- Interior[/i][/u][/b] As the knife streaked through the corridor, Stella, Reisus, Natasha, and Eldrid may notice that the outline of the ancient lettering, which upon closer inspection looked like the letters of the Greek alphabet, were glowing with a dim white light. From out of the cloaked one's left sleeve, it pulled out what appeared to be a magic staff of wood. [hider=Circe's Hand][img]http://thewizardlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/wooden_staff_by_muoteck-e1476773590966-514x270.jpg[/img][/hider] As soon as it did, the Knife thrown at it was stopped dead in its tracks, simply floating there as if time stopped for it. As it sat there in the air, most of the runes across the hallway began to peel away from the walls in pieces and fly into the air, scattering like a black dust until most of the runes were gone, leaving a few of them behind. She touched the hard light of the blade with her staff, the tip of it igniting with a bright white flame, quickly extinguished as soon as it lost physical contact with the blade. "[i][color=black]Magic... I see. The Bane of Proxima, alive and well...unexpected...but not unaccounted.[/color][/i]" The voice echoed in their heads. The knife with the hard light blade suddenly span around until, it seemed to split off into eight identical knives, all of them with a Hard Light blade just as bright, spinning in a circle. Without warning or a flinch from the entity's part, the blades all pointed back at this group of four, once again spinning like the revolving of a chain gun before they were all shot back towards the group. Some would question how its possible for one knife to suddenly turn into eight knives, however, in this kind of magic world, it isn't so much of a stretch to assume that she managed to craft illusion-replicas of the knife. Assuming that is the case, that means only one of these knives must be the real one, but as Eldrid may point out if any of them despite to let their guard down, It seems the...odd boy, who tried to use his water to wash away the runes, has caught on to the special nature of these Runes. This one appears to know a little about runecraft...interesting. However he would find that the runes that were still left did not activate even as he tried to perform a physical contact with them. It's true that some runes are designed to activate upon physical contact with someone or something, they're commonly used as traps against any oncoming opponents unfortunate enough to step on them. However, if Eldrid is anywhere near as knowledgeable about Runecraft as he lets on, he would know that not all runes are like this, some activating as soon as they are ready, others being activated by the will of the caster remotely. It was a sound strategy, the cloaked one had to admit, impressive even, given how rare this method is. ...However, it prefers the latter's sense of control, and prefers using inks that are waterproof purely so something so simple as washing the runes off with water doesn't work. "[color=black][i][b]Strovilisméni Kataigída[/b][/i][/color]" It said, its voice distorted and without gender as it slams the foot of its staff to the ground. The Runes across the room all began glowing simultaneously, before then exploding, not in balls of fire like people would expect, but enormous and powerful gusts of wind, completely dispersing the water that was trying to activate them prematurely and blowing towards the four, as if they were all caught in a powerful wind tunnel. ...Plus side: If any of them kept their eyes even a little open, they'd notice that all the runes were now fading as they pushed the sharp and powerful winds towards them. It seems that was the last of the runes in this hallway. The cloaked one seemed to notice this too as, if any of them could see, it was now floating away from them, using the forceful winds as a distraction. ----------------------------------------- [b][u][i]Laichstarg[/i][/u][/b] As the captain and Kherol talked within the confines of Kherol's office, the sounds of footsteps could be heard outside, the iron-tipped soles making a light clunking sound as it hit the marble beneath his feet. While everyone among the Royal Guard were going about their duties across the headquarters of Laichstarg, a young 4'9" man was walking down the same path that the captain did, reading up a report paper given upon the Captain's arrival to explain the situation at hand. Even among the young and recently disciplined soldiers that made up this elite guard, this one stood out like something of a sore thumb. His knee-high boots were plated in iron as he dressed himself a pair of dark grey pants, and a matching seemingly noble vest with a large red collar over two small ponchos covering his shoulder, laced with yellow trims setting up an artistic yellow design. The mark of the Royal Guard was right on the center of his chest, as he eyes shown an emerald green and having VERY blonde, to the point of it being white, short hair. To his left side was a Royal Guard standard-issue pistol, to the right, his oddly shaped and shiny white sword, glittering in the light like a large diamond. [hider=Kotaro Winterborn][img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/skiesofarcadia/images/6/63/Ramirez.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080321052004[/img][/hider] He seems to almost always have such a stern, robotic look on his face, the kind that could kill a man and his family and not shed a tear. He can't say he is a fan of the reputation his looks and his favor with Alexander has given him. However, in the end, it would be worth it if his commitment inspires even one of these elites to go as far as they can with their talents. Maybe then, it would be safe to show them what he's really like... More importantly, he knew what he had to do as soon as he starting reading the papers in one hand while keeping his sword close to his hilt with the other. "[b]A nine-minute radio silence on a Max-Security Prison ship...? It crashed, yes, but even so that ship was carrying the Rogue Realist AI, the recovery team was well-trained soldiers, not just law enforcers...[/b]" Kotaro said seemingly to himself. Despite looking stern and cold, his tone was calm, yet gentle. As soon as he was done talking, the sword glowed a dim white light. "[i]...Maybe there was a prison break due to the crash?[/i]" a disembodied voice said, older and more gruff compared to Kotaro's own, like comparing a 20 year old son to his 50 year old father. "[b]It might but...If that was true, then they would have called and requested back up.[/b]" Kotaro said. As soon as he did, he managed to open the doors to Kherol's room, walking towards the Captain and Admiral, before giving them both a salute. "[b]Kotaro Winterborn and Paragon, reporting for duty![/b]" He said to them, more specifically to Alexander.