JBRam2002

Fabula Nova Crystallis: War of Transgression

Julian led Madeleine in the opposite direction from the Pulse team. The duo preferred silent coordination to explanations, and together they closed the distance swiftly and silently. Julian had been promised that the infiltration would be smoith sailing, but he couldn't help but feel like the whole situation was a bit more quiet than even he had anticipated. A lone guard stood watch outside the building, staring into the distance and listening to the sounds of battle from a few blocks away, no doubt both jealous of the glory his comrades were experiencing and relievef that his duties kept him far from harm.

Julian and Madeleine pressed themselves into the shadows, waiting for something to distract the guard's attention. A moment or two passed, and the guard sighed, shook his head, and began to scout towards the other side of the building. The pair took this chance to cross the street, hoping that night and the distant battle would muffle their footsteps. Julian placed his hand on the door and looked back at Madeleine, awaiting confirmation that she was ready. A nod greeted him, and Julian quietly pulled open the door.

Inside the warehouse were stacks and stacks of unlabeled wooden crates. Out of curiosity, Julian lifted the lid on one, but it appeared to contain nothing but straw. The crates were stacked a dozen feet high in most places, and formed rows that led to the back wall about 50 feet away. The back wall appeared to be newly constructed of sheetrock, while the sides and roof had corrugated metal sheathing and exposed steel joists. To even a casual observer, it was fairly obvious that there was something more hidden behind that wall.

More important was that the warehouse appeared empty, as far as Julian could see. He and Madeleine rounded a corner and nearly collided with Noir and his group. "This is too damn easy," Julian muttered, a note of concern on his voice.

No sooner than the words escaped his mouth, klaxons began to sound, the piercing noise filling the air. A handful of crates nearby explosed open, and scandroids and PSICOM soldiers burst out, cutting off the exits. "Pulse infiltrators! Apprehend them!" One of the soldiers called out as bullets began flying. "Protect the package!"

"Time to start running!" Julian called out as he turned and began racing for the back wall. He darted between crates, doing his best to break lines pf sight from the soldiers and hoping the others could keep up. Once he reached the back wall, a doorway that was previously concealed by a stack of crates came into view. Julian fumbled in his pocket for a moment and retrieved an ID card, which he then hastily swiped into the security panel next to the door. A loud click sounded, and he threw open the door, holding it open for those behind him.

This was the first time Julian had gotten a chance to turn around and check on the others. Nadia and Nyxia were hot on his heels, with Noir a few steps behind. Riya was nowhere to be seen, and Madeleine was limping along in the distance. "Hurry!" Julian called out aa a bullet ricocheted off the door jamb.

Suddenly, a stack of crates exploded as a behemoth swiped them aside, blocking Madeleine's path and glaring at Julian. The others had made it inside, and there was no time. Julian locked his gaze with Madeleine's and saw her whisper the word "go." He nodded as the behemoth began to charge and closed the door just moments before the whole building shuddered with a thud.

Muffled screams from the girls could be heard, and a soldier spoke up, stating that there were no other exits. A few soldiers tried the door, but it wouldn't budge. Another voice called for a batterimg ram, and footsteps could be heard runming away from the door.

The chaos ensuing outside the door was juxtaposed with an eery silence emanating from within. More than silence: the air in front of them seemed to nearly devour sound, their labored breathing and heartbeats silently echoing through the space like an intruder. Before them, a vaguely feminime mechanical form stood, bound in chains. It peered at the group, and a voice echoed in each person's mind, neither masculine nor feminine, but somehow both.

"In vainglory we arose, shouting challenges at the Gods. But prevail we did not. Our doom it is to walk the Chaos until time's end. I am Shemhazai, the Whisperer."

A flash of light and thunder rolled as time seemed to stand still. Images of powerful figures flashed through each person's mind, interspersed with glyphs that held no meaning. When the vision faded, strength seemed to fill each person, and a burning sensation drew each individual's attention to a spot on their body. It was there that the mark of the fal'Cie appeared.

Chapter One: Escape from Bresha

D&D Advanced [Searching for Group]

@The Harbinger of Ferocity so for the 5e game, you are planning a good-only party? Just to help me start planning. Also, core only, Core + official, or UA included?

Persona - Academic Akrasia

Kimiko Maita

@Crimmy@Savo@GarlandDaHero

Finally, an ally appeared. Although Kimiko generally was unfond of company, Ikari Suzune was one of the few people who were able to spend much time with her, whether through perseverance or ignorance was another matter. Kimiko flinched as the taller girl bull rushed towards them, but despite the harsh to Ikari could use on men, she was nothing but gentle with Kimiko.

"Do not worry, Ikari-san," the shrine maiden replied, ever so slightly uncomfortable with being made into an armrest. "They have not deigned to touch me. Yet. This kouhai is named Frosty-san..." close enough... "and he has seemed relatively pleasant... up until now." Kimiko frowned at Alexander. His response was understandable given the greeting, but it was no way to deal with one such as Suzune. Not wanting to be caught physically in the middle of a verbal firefight, the miko turned to face Suzune.

"Remember, Ikari-san, it is our duty to be good senpais to the underclassmen. However shall they learn otherwise? And it seems Sasaki-san was sent on a recruitment mission. I have already suggested to him that requests for 'dudes' shall be less than helpful in acquiring female compatriots, to a predictable response. Perhaps I should stop by? Chorus could spare me for one session, I believe."

It was little coincidence that all of Kimiko's attention had turned to Ikari at her arrival, mostly due to her being one of the few people Kimiko was comfortable conversing with. It was fairly noticeable as well, with the miko barely even glancing in the direction of Alex at his mention, and nearly entirely ignoring Hayate. To Kimiko's mind, she cared little about what they thought of her, but Ikari was a somewhat closer acquaintance. Friend might be too strong a word. Maybe.

D&D Advanced [Searching for Group]

I've never tried d20M (and have never been a fan of 3.5e), so my vote would be for the 5e game. I am too busy at the moment to commit to learning a new system, sadly.

Persona - Academic Akrasia

Major plot posts SOON. Start making friends you can trust early.

@Crimmy

But can we really trust anyone?

Also, a post from @GarlandDaHero would be welcome by Maita-san, if you get a moment~

Omega Station / Boop!

"Don't come any closer, or I'll shoot!" The gun quivered in Ryobi's hand as he faced down the knife-wielding assailant. This was supposed to be part of training, not a stand off. Ryobi had only been a cop for a few days. His navy uniform had yet to even get dirty, and the badge he wore was so shiny that one could see one's reflection in it. Which Ryobi had relished in several times already.

The man with the knife laughed a single, sharp guffaw. "Yer a scrub. Anyone can see that. You don't got the guts to pull the trigger. Yer just a lil shitstain with a shiny new badge. So what yer gonna do is let me walk on outta here. Don't no one need to get hurt. I keep this cash. You don't get stabbed. Everyone's happy." He began to step forward, the knife still pointed at Ryobi.

"I s-said stop!" Ryobi's voice picked the worst time to crack.

The thief's haughty grin just widened as he continued his approach. "I'll give ya a hint, kid. If you ever pull a gun on someone, ya better be ready to use it. If ya pull out a gun and ya just don't got the guts, yer dead." His eyes glinted, and the knife moved.

--BLAM!--

Ryobi didn't even remember pulling the trigger, but the next millisecond was etched into his mind forever. One moment, the man was approaching, the knife beginning its arc towards the young officer. The next, everything was red, and there was a ringing in Ryobi's ears. The back of the thief's head seemed to explode, and the bullet continued its trajectory, embedding itself into the brick wall.

The worst part of it all was that smile. Even after the thief was most certainly dead, the smile remained: a twisted, evil, self-important smirk. He hadn't even seen the bullet coming, and in all honesty, neither had Ryobi. When his CO arrived from her short stint in the bathroom, she had congratulated Ryobi on doing the right thing. Sayako had sympathized, but never could empathize. The mandatory week in psych report did nothing to stop that grin from haunting his memories. His first kill. He had hoped it would be his last.

~ = + = ~

Ryobi stared at the scene before him, comprehending what he had just interrupted. Jan sat in her chair, her blouse ripped open and her panties dangling around an ankle. This was a scene he had witnessed before, but in a much different context, and anger was the only emotion he could feel. His gaze returned to the man on the ground. "Fucking shitstain," he murmured, stepping on the dead body as he approached Warden Pryce.

There was only one thing to do. Ryobi wrapped his arms around her in an embrace, silently waiting for the moment to pass. Ryobi's strength in conversation was as a listener, but he was absolute shit at comforting someone with words. Instead, the hug would have to do, as any words that sprang to his mind fell flat.

After a minute or two, he remembered Kitt and looked back towards the doorway awkwardly. Even though Pryce's state of undress was not his fault, an embrace with a mostly nude superior was something that garnered a measure of embarrassment, especially given their shared history. Thankfully, Kitt didn't seem like someone to judge, or so he hoped.

Beginner's DnD 5e Game - Group 2

The captain reached out towards the paper offered by Athera. At least this one looked real. He began to glance it over as one of his men seemed distracted by something off in the distance. The captain sighed and shoved the letter at the distracted soldier. "Go get Loxim," he ordered, "then take the day off. You're useless today." The guard stammered a yes sir, then ran back towards the building.

The captain shook his head. "New kid on the job," he explained. "If he's gonna keep acting like that, he won't last another week. Next time you need to see the General, just ask. A 'please' wouldn't hurt either."

Soon after, the gnome that the group had seen during the parade exited the building and waved at the group as he jogged up. The door behind him opened again, and the guard exited with much less spunk, slinking off with a somber look on his face in the direction of the docks.

"Greetings, and well met!" the gnome called out cheerfully. "The name's Loxim! I'm what you might call the General's assistant. Keep his books, get him tea, all that fun stuff. Now, this here letter..." Loxim waved the letter in the air. "We were expecting your patrons to join us. Instead they sent you... not that I'm complainin', or nothing! Just expected someone different."

Loxim waved off the captain, then motioned for the group to join him. "Come on inside. We've got some important matters to discuss. Something fishy's been going on, if you pardon the pun." He waited for the party to enter the building and closed the door behind him. "Welcome to Aengus's barracks!" he proclaimed joyfully.

The inside of the building was decorated sparsely. There were a couple of city flags behind a desk on the right, and a threadbare rug covered the wooden floor. Towards the far end of the room were a couple of jail cells, both currently empty. On the wall was a weapon rack with various swords, spears, and other martial weaponry, some of which looked fairly expensive. To the left was a smaller desk with a stack of papers scattered around a teapot. In front of the larger desk stood a middle-aged bearded man with a dour expression that was now easily recognizable as General Aengus Cavanaugh. He was clad in the same ceremonial plate mail he wore during the parade, although he had removed the gauntlets and pauldrons already and was in the process of removing his chestplate. Under his armor was a simple white shirt that appeared to be stained with use. He looked up as the group entered, and his expression softened for a moment.

"Hail, friends," Cavanaugh spoke up, his deep voice reverberating through the room. "I wish I could bring good tidings. Despite the festivities outside, there is little to celebrate today. I had sent a message to your benefactors asking if they could assist us, but evidently they are indisposed at the moment. Not to worry, however. I am sure you will be able to help, if the news of your defeat of the sea hag rings true." He set the chest piece he had removed on the floor and ran a hand through his hair. "Damn armor gets hot in that sun. Never liked the pomp that came with this job."

Loxim reached into a drawer in the small desk and produced a half dozen teacups, which he then began to fill with tea. "Hope you don't mind a simple brew. We were expecting your patrons to show, but didn't realize you would be coming this soon."

Cavanaugh nodded, taking up a cup himself. "Please, take a drink. Ask your questions. Relax a moment. We can commence business discussions shortly."

Omega Station / Boop!

There weren't many people Ryobi respected more than Warden Pryce. Day in and day out, she took the worst of the insults, shouldered the blame, and worst of all, filled out reams of paperwork while everyone else had gone home. Today had been especially bad in all fronts. Ryobi felt exhausted from splitting up fights between an inmate and an asshole with a mouth. Benton deserved every bit of what he got, and he should know better. Worse, a few stray punches had found their way back to Ryobi. He would owe Benton one for that.

Tired as he was, the thought of driving back to Home Bay was not at the top of his to-do list. Sayako and Benji were on a rare shore leave, but Ryobi had to miss out to cover an emergency shift. That meant while his family enjoyed a few weeks back on Earth, Ryobi was getting punched in the lip by Officer Benton. Sure, it only stung a little while, and Dr. Ami had already checked it out, but the circumstances simply made Ryobi less willing to take that journey home.

And now they led here, with a coy look on his superior officer's face, and a half-empty whiskey bottle dangling between her fingers, an invitation like no other. A moment passed where Ryobi had hesitated, the warning lights flashing in his brain, telling him to politely decline. The next moment, those warnings were drowned by a swig from the bottle.

Maybe he had done so to get to know the warden better. Maybe it was to join her in the celebration of the end to a miserable day. Maybe Ryobi was feeling a little lonely himself, or perhaps a different feeling than loneliness had crept up in response to the obviously inebriated woman in front of him. Maybe her hair being down made Ryobi see her as more than his boss, more than Warden Pryce, but a woman. Janetta. Jan.

Ryobi nodded and held the bottle back to Pryce, his expression clearly saying "challenge accepted." Good thing they were both off duty. And that the door was closed.

~ = + = ~

Two figures in the direction of the Warden's office. That could mean just about anything. There could be a couple of looters, or two officers searching for Prtce. Or maybe Janetta herself was there, with either a friend or a foe. In any case, it was more likely than not thst Ryobi wanted to remain unseen and unheard until he could get more information.

"Ok, Kitt, listen carefully. It is vital that we are quiet here," Ryobi replied in a low whisper. "If those are inmates, our only advantage is surprise. We're gonna sneak up there, and you're gonna scan them again. As soon as you know who's in there, you gotta let me know. Quietly."

Ryobi thought for a moment. Alright, how about this: if the Warden is in there, raise your right arm. If it's inmates, your left. Anyone else, just tap me on the shoulder. Got it?" Without waiting for a response, Ryobi darted forward, keeping low to the ground, his feet landing heel-toe so as to minimize noise. Kitt did her best to keep up, and although she was certainly not programmed for stealth, she seemed to be able to move forward without much commotion. It wasn't long before Ryobi got her signal: two hands raised: an inmate and the warden. That could only mean Pryce was in trouble.

The good news was that they were still out of earshot of the door. Those scanners had a longer range than Ryobi had expected. "Alright, what else can you tell me?" Ryobi whispered. "Quietly!"

"The identities are Janetta Pryce and Timothy Ginhearst, sir. Mr. Ginhearst has his back towards the door and Officer Pryce is sitting, facing the door in a chair." Kitt peered towards the door, fiddling with her sensors. "It seems that Mr. Ginhearst is quite agitated, as his heart rate is rather high. I am unsure of Officer Pryce's condition, but she is alive."

That was more disturbing than Ryobi cared to think about. He darted forward once again, hearing muffled shouts from inside the door. Profanities peppered the man's ululations, and Ryobi gripped the knife tightly. He would have just one shot at this.

Ryobi took a deep breath in, then out, calming himself despite what he could clearly hear transpiring inside the room. One second. Two. On the third, Ryobi pushed open the door with his left hand and rushed forward, bringing the blade about to hopefully sever the man's jugular.

~ = + = ~

"Long day, hm?" The fingers ran through her hair with an unintentional elegance. Ryobi doubted she even knew. Why was she approaching? Why is she handing out the bottle?

Why is she... oh.

Don't tell my wife.

Persona - Academic Akrasia

@GarlandDaHero Hey, if you have Skype, @Savo and I would like to discuss a potential way to morally decimate Savo's PC.

I mean... future plans :P

Persona - Academic Akrasia

Kimiko Maita

@Crimmy@Savo

Kimiko blinked at Alexander when he explained his name. At least she could pronounce Alexi. "Furu... Fusuta...Furusuta-san... Ach." She sighed, wondering how those Westerners handled names like that. Maybe if she said it quickly? "Fursti-san, then. I hope our future endeavors are beneficial for the both of us." She gave a short bow, then continued walking, enjoying the silence for all of three seconds before Hayate interrupted it again.

"Perhaps if the Drama Club is looking for 'dudes,' you should focus your recruitment efforts on Farce-san." Nope. Still not right. "If you intend the colloquial definition of 'dudes,' you may wish to look for someone who is not already involved in a club. Chorus takes up the majority of my free time, and I have little interest in parading on a stage in gaudy outfits pretending to be someone I am not." As if Kimiko didn't do that every day anyways when she worked at the shrine.

Kimiko began to wonder if it would seem unbecoming if she began jogging ahead. Deciding against it, she gave another sigh and attempted at least to maintain a more pleasant conversation. "It occurs to me that I do not know what performance your club is planning. Perhaps if it is not entirely boring, I might offer a moment of my time to see your progress. After all, that is what you thespians prefer, is it not? An audience for your endeavors?"