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Capes of Denver: A Worm RP

Quite possibly the biggest callout list I've ever had to do. Oh well. For the Wards we still need @Gardevoiran@BCTheEntity@Lugubrious and for the Jacks we need everybody that isn't Alice. @yoshua171@BCTheEntity@Eklispe@Crusader Lord

5 days, lovelies. Remember you can volunteer to skip this round too (which I definitely understand for the Wards on this go around but you still need to let me know).

World of Light

World of Light

So, I'm not sure if this is okay, but I was planning on maybe joining as a specific slime from the Dragon Quest: Monsters series, so I thought I'd ask first. Is it okay if I do that?

@Lugia

You're a giant amphibious psychic bird god from beneath the ocean. As far as I'm concerned, that's a massive downgrade.

World of Light

Courier 6

Level 2 - (17/20) EXP
Location: Scrapyard - Right
Word Count: 1067

As soon as the radio on the Courier’s arm started playing his favorite soothing, relaxing song, the Courier let the tension in his shoulders subside. Ah, Johnny Guitar. That angelic voice could make sweet sweet love to his ears as easily as a bolt action carbine. He was so mesmerized that he hadn’t even noticed the large pig like man, Roadhog, save his bacon. He barely noticed when Zer0 reappeared by his side, taking additional shots at the robots from behind their cover.

”This is taking too long. I think I’ve got an idea!” Uh oh. A Courier idea was a dangerous one. Taking notice of one of the Omnic robots that had been wrecked by Zer0’s B0re power, the Courier reached out from his cover, grabbed the robot by its arm, and yanked the thing back behind the scrap with him. ”This is gonna take some time, but it should end the battle damn fast if it works!” he announced, before getting to work.

Popping open a small chamber on his Pip-Boy, the Courier tugged out a long cord, then looked over the barely functional Omnic for a receptacle he could use to plug his Pip-Boy into. A couple seconds later and he found what he was looking for, though it required he tear off some of the armor plating around the thing’s metal skull. Once jacked in, the robot’s diagnostics began to display across his arm-mounted computer screen. ”Haha! They’re compatible! Yes!” Tap tap tap danced the fingers of his right hand across the tiny keyboard mounted to his left arm. First he had to make himself familiar with the coding of these things, and damn was he impressed with what he saw. Sure, the hardware they were sporting wasn’t anything to write home about, with the somewhat average guns and the mass produced armor plating that didn’t even cover their whole exoskeletons, but the software, that was a thing of beauty!

The coding kept changing right before his very eyes, almost like it was evolving, like it was learning! Was the technology of the Big Empty even this advanced? The Courier imagined what these robots could accomplish if they had constructed better vessels for their programming, and quickly decided he did not like the idea one bit. Self aware robots.Learning robots. They could wipe out humanity so easily, at least in his world, scattered and broken as people were. Luckily for him there was still some baseline code that remained the same in the unit, no matter how the rest of it changed and evolved. That made sense, as the learning protocols in these things could easily cause them to shutdown if proper failsafes were not in place. All it would take would be to accidentally move the wrong 1 or 0, and then… Well that’s what robotics and computer experts like him were for.

The Courier delved deeper into this baseline coding, eyes taking in everything that he could. The Omnic’s red optical lense glared at him, clearly wanting to punish him for this invasion of its soul, but without a functioning body incapable of following through. Heh. Fucking robots. Ah, fascinating, that would be useful. So they communicated with one another on a wireless telecommunications network. Just a little deeper, and he could exploit them…

Pew!

”Argh!” The Courier clutched his left shoulder, the jerking reaction nearly pulling the interface cord free from the robot it had been plugged into. The monitor of the Pip-Boy began to fade as he realized his mistake and quickly forced the jack back in more securely. That stray shot had almost cost him everything! Luckily Blazermate had heard his cry of pain and reacted quickly, patching up the injury with expedience. ”Thanks, pardner,” he waved the medabot off with two of his fingers, concentrating back onto his work. This was too important…

Yes! There it was! An emergency override code!Broadcasting the code through the Omnics’ network would force them to shutdown against their will! It wouldn’t do a damn thing with those other robots, and at some point the Omnics would notice the broadcast signal and evolve an algorithm to neutralize it, but at least it would take out a considerable number of the Omnic forces across the entire Scrapyard, helping all of his companions and the rabbits, before they developed a defense. ”Hold on to yer hats, amigos! A bunch of robots are about to eat dirt!” The Courier copied the failsafe code and began to transmit, using his Pip-Boy’s radio as the point of origin, and routing through the interfaced Omnic’s processors. If they attempted a counter-hack, it’d run through the Omnic as a proxy before reaching his Pip-Boy, at which point he’d be able to disable the connection.

BOOM!

One of the rabbit creatures simply vanished into a fine red mist. The Courier perked up, spotting small tufts of white fur floating about in the air. He blinked a few times, trying to focus on what had just happened. Then it clicked. That sound. He already heard it not five minutes ago. Even amongst the explosions of the grenade launcher and the bullets flying through the air, the Courier could recognize a .50 caliber anti-material rifle.

”That idiot! That brahmin pie faced mother fucking idiot!” He scanned the area for where the shot could have come from, instinctively looking up to the hill they traversed to get there. Sure enough there was Michael setup with his rifle, smoke rising from the muzzle. ”WE COULD APPEAL TO THEM! THEY COOPERATED YOU FUCKING SHITSTAIN!”

His curses and insults meant nothing, and it was too late. The rabbit creatures recognized the betrayal (not that Michael could have known) and reacted exactly as one would expect: they turned hostile. And here was the Courier, holed up in a corner unable to move without interrupting the signal that would shut down Omnic robots, practically a sitting duck. Ratchet called out a plan, but the Courier wouldn’t be able to take any part in it. Gritting his teeth, he armed himself with his .44 magnum revolver and prepared himself to put a bullet in anything that got too close, if it wasn’t friendly.

World of Light

Will be getting a post up in about four hours.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Verum Autem Ex

Leonard listened intently as Bugsy rambled on nervously, finding it rather amusing, even charming to an extent. Then the comedian declared that it was "hip to be square," and that's when Leonard couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Bugsy was kind of pathetic, but in his own way that made him endearing too. At least when he owned it, made it his, rather than fight it. "Thus you have named your stand. Most agreeable. I find myself in accord with what Blue suggests. Should you lack other mean of transportation you can ride with me. Just take care to hold tight, as I have no spare helmet to provide. And before I forget, here is my card."

Leonard handed one of his hand-painted business cards to the man then gestured for Bugsy to follow him, heading out from the park and into the parking lot where he had his motorcycle ready to go. "The Speedwagon Foundation will be most fascinated in your abilities, Mr. Malone. They can offer study and training, if you so desire."

Capes of Denver: A Worm RP

@AruthaFor the most part this character is looking really good and I like the concept as a whole. However he does need a more fleshed out and thorough history. What events led up to him becoming who he is right now? Where did he develop the most important aspects of his personality? What was home life like, where'd he come from, etc.? Second bit that's not all that important but I wanted to address it anyway is that you listed the holographic communicator standard to all Denver Protectorate, but also an earpiece. These would be one and the same. Decoy's communicators are all types of communication devices built into one, and usually integrated directly into the costume. Once these things are rectified, I'll be more than glad to welcome Constellation to the Denver Protectorate (and lord knows they'll need the backup for sure).

Apologies on how long it took for me to look this bad boy over. Unfortunately CS critiquing is usually the thing that takes me longest to get around to, and I was sick over the weekend and Monday to add onto that, but thank you for being patient and waiting for me. Give me a tag once you've made the necessary edits and I promise I'll look over the changes in a more punctual manner than the initial critiquing. :)

Capes of Denver: A Worm RP

Wards: Identity Confirmed

@Old Amsterdam@yoshua171@Gardevoiran@BCTheEntity@Lugubrious

The Wards had begun their clever plan to trap Collin and his contact with a few simple and happy words. Gather together for a bonding exercise, isolated in the mountains. Better yet, do so today by playing hooky! It was a delicious piece of bait, dangled ever so tantalizingly right in front of the traitor's nose. If Collin was indeed lying the whole time, if he never had any problems with his power and had been using it to gather covert information this whole time, he'd have to act on this. It was too tempting not to. At least that's what Decoy thought, sitting in her chair, eyes glued to the hidden cameras planted all around Collin's room. She had double checked the power nullifier and saw that it was indeed switched off, more convinced than ever that wiring Ira's technology into her system was the right decision.

As the Wards' conversation began, Collin didn't seem to react much. He simply sat on his bed, playing on a video game console that had been supplied to keep him entertained. It wasn't until Alessa laid out that they would be in the mountains, away from anybody else and without equipment, that the young boy showed any reaction. He perked up, his ears twitching. Yes. Take the bait. I'm monitoring you. Take it... He paused his game, setting the controller aside, then held still as if concentrating. This was something he had done many times in the field or in the office when he heard something that he wanted to focus on, to isolate. He had to be concentrating on the Wards now, or this was one Hell of a coincidence.

Kendall threw in her approval, but had little else to offer. Collin made no reaction on her screen. Then Evelyn spoke up, adding in that they should play hooky and go today. No sooner had the words parted from the girl's lips did Collin's own raise in a smile. That was the nail in the coffin, as far as Decoy was concerned. There was no way he couldn't act on this kind of tantalizing information. If the PRT thought the Wards were participating in school, told nobody of their whereabouts, and isolated themselves from the public eye with no equipment, there could not possibly be a better opportunity for the Community to attack them. Then Elliott spoke up and Collin frowned a moment. The tinker zoomed in on his face, particularly his lips, as he was saying something out loud.

"Why would Elliott be so agreeable to spending time with them if he didn't have to? That's not the Elliott I know." That's what she interpreted from his lip movements. Dammit, the kids were overselling it and now he was suspicious! Not good not good not good. Her fingers twitched incessantly, and she began to chew on her hair out of nervousness. Was he not going to take the bait?

"I have urgent information." Immediately her nerves calmed and Decoy focused on his lips again. The sensors in the room indicated no sound was being made, which could only mean one thing: He was talking to his contact, implanting the speech directly into their head. Subarashī.

"But use caution, I have my doubts as to the authenticity. The Wards are discussing a group bonding activity, a hike through Red Canyon Park, today during school hours. No costumes, no equipment. The perfect time to bring them to Father to be adopted. Elliott seems to be on board, which is concerning to me." Yes! He took the bait! His doubts didn't matter one iota, no amount of caution could save them now! Decoy fixated on her second camera feed, zeroing in on her second suspect. The man she had believed to be a Community operative for the entire time she had been placed in Denver. Her suspicions were confirmed as her expert lip reading told her everything the man had to say.

"Understood. I'll approach them, then test the waters by saying that Decoy was listening in and sent me to be the responsible adult, and then I'll offer to take them myself. That sort of irresponsible behavior wouldn't be out of character for me." Decoy grit her teeth. What a horrid, reprehensible man. She never trusted him, not for one single solitary picosecond from the moment she met him. But of course, keep your enemies closer... Now she had all the proof she needed, but it wasn't time to send the signal yet. They had to end the conversation first, or the second mole would get suspicious if Collin simply stopped talking out of nowhere.

"Use best judgment on this one. Are you sure you can take them all by yourself? You know what's happening today. There won't be any backup and I can't leave my post." Peculiar. Something happening today? No backup? Were the Community planning on some big move? This could be troublesome.

"You've got the most seniority of all the kids here, and I trained you. I know what they can do. It'll be a snap." Yeah, we'll see how much of a snap it'll be when every PRT trooper in the building converges on your location, asshole.

"Acknowledged. Just try not to fuck up."

"Language, Collin."

"Whatever. I told you what you need to know. I'm out."

There it was. The opportunity that Decoy was waiting for. In a flash her right index finger pressed a holographic button to her side, sending out a single message that had been queued up in advance, a message that would be sent to all of the Wards' holographic communicators without any sound or vibration. Do it.

---

---

The Jacks: The Battle Begins

@yoshua171@BCTheEntity@Eklispe@Old Amsterdam@Crusader Lord

Chatterbox's plan was going swimmingly. Better than could be anticipated, really. It had seemed that with so many people in an utter panic that their mental fortitude had been somewhat diminished and thus the effect was stronger. Or perhaps the cumulative effects of several thralls acted on a higher curve than simply being stacked? Something to file away for later, but for right now it was merely important to note that the crowd was quickly swayed to his specifications, not just in concourse A where he was, but in all the concourses. If the various text reports he were receiving were to be believed, at least. It was difficult to tell with his thinker-aspect constantly drifting in and out, running haywire. Nonetheless what he could see with his own eyes backed up the data he was being fed: a massive herd of sheep, and they were his flock.

Thunderbolt and Whimsy were ready to go. The combination of Thunderbolt's absolutely jacked body with Whimsy's power meant that they'd be able to charge in a straight line to get to concourse B, saving several minutes of travel. In the process they wound up grabbing Chatterbox as well, the real Chatterbox, for the trip. His weight would naturally slow Thunderbolt's charge down, but only by so much. Without having to worry about any sort of obstacles they would be able to make the transition in about a minute.

Meanwhile, Alloy emerged from the bathroom, costume beneath clothing, to see that the area had changed quite a bit since she had gotten changed. The plane crash was back, corpses and all, oh wait it just vanished again but the corpses remained. What the hell was going on?! At least the crowd was behaving much more orderly. Without the crazed panic it was easier to observe what was going on and that's when her eyes locked onto a most interesting and unfamiliar figure. Clad in a green coat with a matching hat, but wearing a concealing metal suit beneath, this figure walked among the crowd as a silent observer. They seemed to glitch out before her very eyes, then vanished utterly but only for a few seconds. They reappeared again a moment later, about ten feet ahead of where Alloy initially spotted them.

World of Light

Courier 6

Level 2 - (15/20) EXP
Location: 1-1, Ancient Gardens->Scrapyard
Word Count: 1251

Damn. These rabbit creatures had spunk, Courier 6 had to give them that. Despite the heavy lead they had, he at least expected to be able to catch up quickly. Wasteland courier and all that. Sadly, this was not the case and they maintained a healthy lead way up ahead. The good news was that he didn’t have to worry about losing stamina or falling short on breath, since the robot (Blazermate he think it said was its designation?) kept pace with some sort of hover tech and locked a beam onto him that not only cleaned up his wounds quite nicely, but kept him healthy and in tip-top shape. If nothing else, the Courier felt confident that he would at the very least outlast those weird rabbit creatures. With the backup provided by both Zer0 and Ratchet joining him, the Courier was confident there would be nothing to worry about.

BOOM!

The air distorted nearby in a straight path, and suddenly the rabbit holding the hat simply no longer existed, the white hat getting picked up by another as they continued their frantic fleeing. The Courier instantly recognized both the sound and the effects of what had just happened. One of his companions, it seemed, was sporting an anti-material .50 caliber semi-automatic sniper rifle. Those weapons were designed to destroy the engines of tanks, and here this guy was shooting little rabbits with them?! The air shear alone would have put that white hat, and by extension Kirby, in danger! Whoever it was using that kind of overkill would need a stern talking to about proper gun control and safety, yes they would. But of course that would need to wait until after the Courier had caught up to, and brutally murderized, the little rabbits ahead of him. Preferably with point blank shotgun blasts.

Another minute or two of sprinting at top speed (thanks, Blazermate! I’ll be sure to get you a good oil change when I can!) and the Courier made it to a new section of this patch-work quilted world. Technological marvels could be seen for a great distance all around and across a fantastical racetrack. Unfortunately most of those technological marvels were talking on two legs and shooting anything that moved. So, you know. There was that.

”Robots?” the Courier muttered under his breath. ”Haha! Robots! I love robots! 50 bottle caps says I could dismantle any of those metal monsters out there! Haha! Maybe I’ll get you some upgrades, eh Blazermate? And uh… You too, Zer0, if you’re a… Um… A robot. Are you a robot? Whatever, doesn’t matter.” Utilizing his V.A.T.S., and thankful for Blazermate’s healing beam keeping his stamina maxed out, Courier 6 surveyed the area in far greater detail in far less time than anybody could normally calculate the risks.

The robots were embroiled in a bitter battle against the rabbit creatures, both sides showing off an impressive array of weapons, though the rabbits had more variety to the robots’ superior firepower. Some of the rabbits appeared to be large (for their species) brutes, carrying heavy blocks to smash with. Some had energy weapons, which seemed to be barely effective (ha! Score one for conventional firearms! Take that, energy weapon nerrrrrrds!). Others appeared to possess healing packs similar to his stimpacks, or Blazermate’s healing beam. Damn, those guys could make the whole thing a pain. Another variant still were hopping around on… Were those springs? Ha, how cartoonish! 6 absolutely loved it! Then he spotted another larger type of these creatures, these ones carrying tower shields and shotguns. Ah, they were rabbits after his own heart, he had to admit.

After a couple minutes (from his enhanced perspective, while merely no more than four or five seconds in real time) of surveying the chaos down below, the Courier took notice of the rabbit squad in possession of King Bowser’s dapper white hat, now atop one of the larger of the creatures as they were suddenly surrounded by attacking bots. An ambush. That didn’t bode well for Kirby, since the robots would be killing indiscriminately. Meanwhile, blocking the path to the castle Bowser had been so keen to reach was a series of turrets with a single individual maintaining them. That could prove to be a problem.

The best way to deal with this situation would be for the entire group to gather together in a turtleshell formation, circled around one another as they slowly made their way through the battlefield until they were close enough to deal with the turrets. Diving headfirst into an ambush to save Kirby would be a complete fools’ errand, practically suicide under the present conditions. So that is exactly what the Courier did. He was being paid to make sure Bowser and Kirby made it to the castle. The Courier never missed a delivery.

6 didn’t bother waiting for the rest of the group to get their with him. He didn’t bother voicing his plan aloud to the few that had already come ahead with him. Instead he let out a loud ”YEEEEEHAW!” as he charged forward, shotgun in hand. Either Zer0, Blazermate, and Ratchet would follow, or they would not. What they did was of no concern to the Courier. As for Bowser, Michael, the centurion guy, and all those others still behind? They were on their own. He saw the opportunity and he had to take advantage of it now, before the battle formations changed. Waiting meant that the route he had mapped out in his head through his V.A.T.S. observations would be rendered obsolete, and he’d have to battle through the hordes to get to Kirby.

No, that was unacceptable. The Courier ducked, dodged, and weaved between the most exposed flanks of rabbid and robot alike into the rightmost area, where the squad of rabbids had been ambushed. He jumped into the fray, right behind one of the Omnics with a particularly large gun arm, tearing out a series of wires behind the robot’s neck, sending its combat protocols into a frenzy. Bullet after bullet burned through the gun chamber as the Courier held the largely defunct robot in place, manually manipulating its movements to gun down several of its own kind. One, two, three, four fell to the friendly fire before his puppet lost power and shutdown.

”Couldn’t last any longer than that? Aw, dammit.” He held the hunk of metal up in front of himself as more of the robots, Omnics and others alike, turned their attention to him to fire. Having a metal shield in place was a great deterrent for bullets! The Courier poked his shotgun out from the side and blasted another two robots, bullets tearing holes in his duster as they narrowly missed his skin.

”I c’n see yer not evil, rabbits, just varmints! Give me the hat and I’ll save yer sorry asses! If you don’t, then you all take a dirt nap too!” Blam! Another robot down, but the Omnic he held was too damaged to be used as a shield anymore. He tossed it aside and rolled behind some scrap for cover, while turning his radio back on. The sounds of bullets flying through the air were punctuated by the smooth singing of Peggy Lee performing Johnny Guitar.

World of Light

Apologies for the double post, only did it because edits don’t work with tags. @Lugubrious since we’re at the scrapyard now where you said we’ll encounter @Hokagae’s HK-47, would it be possible to spare the Master’s strength and liberate HK via robotics expertise via Courier 6 and/or other mechanical experts like Tora and Ratchet?