Ryonara

Deep Ground Online (Hiatus)

I'll try and post soon. @KoL, was there anything in particular you wanted Itsuko and Hibiki to do over the time skip? I'd imagine that they would meet up for the festival too.

The War of the Three

Posted! I'm sorry if Hibiki didn't respond to any of you in particular, I promise she'll show more attention to you in my next post.

The War of the Three

Hibiki & Shizuka

It wasn't long before the forces of the Machina were set out. Grafdakka went on ahead, and already Hibiki could see him in action from so far away. The Angels reacted rather quickly to their attack, but perhaps that was expected in the Nexus. It was a world that knew nothing but war after all. At any moment, one's home could become a battleground. Fortunately Grafdakka was doing his part well, drawing away the angel's anti-air fire. The demons were on the offensive as well, with two massive demons armed with corrupted Machina weapons charging the front lines. The angels launched everything they had at them, including a very impressive bomb. Of course, Hibiki was unaware of the traitor in their group, but it matter very little to her. As long as they continued to fight there, they won't notice the others.

Hibiki, Shizuka, and the other aircraft were flying in low and slow around the fortress, intending to get them from behind. The escorts that came with them separated, most of them anyways, and committed to bombing runs against the angel's front lines in order to continue drawing their attention. The demon's massive energy cannon attack only served to help increase the machina's effectiveness at being both a distraction and an actual threat, as jet fighters flew past at sonic speeds and unleashed their payload of chemical weapons. A little something that Hibiki was "inspired" by Victoire, seeing that most demons and angels were made of flesh. While it'd certainly be effective against Hibiki and Shizuka, right now it was only Grafdakka and Endian, both who were machines and thus wouldn't be harmed by the flesh eating gas.

As they flew closer Hibiki was giving out orders, but soon noticed that she actually had a line towards High Queen Eos. Perhaps it was just a commander thing, but Hibiki was tempted to use it. However she wasn't sure if she wanted to show High Queen Eos how reliant Hibiki is on others if she calls her for her first deployment as commander. But then again what was worse, asking for help to secure victory, or losing because of pride? Hibiki chose to try and contact High Queen Eos, but instead of being able to converse with her Hibiki was only allowed to leave a message. "That makes sense. Ahem, High Queen Eos, this is Commander Hibiki Meido. We are approaching the Forges of Alt Signia and the battle is already well underway. Commander Grafdakka has taken unit Endian to draw enemy fire while I shall take my forces to infiltrate Alt Signia and complete our mission. I wish to ask for any assistance you can provide, be it intel or even just encouragement." Sounds of explosion were getting louder and closer, telling Hibiki that she didn't have much time left. So she finished off her message as politely as possible. "We are near the battle, so I must leave soon. And my Queen..." Hesitating, Hibiki knew that so far the Machina hadn't been doing so well. She had promised victory so many times, yet failed to deliver. And now so much more was riding on her as their commander.

A hand was placed on Hibiki's shoulder, and when she turned to look she saw Shizuka's smiling face. Despite Hibiki's own doubts, Shizuka had faith in her sister. Even if Shizuka was scared, she knew that she could rely on Hibiki to help her. And so far Hibiki hasn't failed her yet. Finding new hope in her sister's smile, Hibiki turned back towards Queen Eos. "I'll bestow upon you the absolute best victory!" Soon after sending the message the transports were close to the drop off point. Fighter jets had covered their landing with smoke and fire, masking their approach. Before they dropped Hibiki gave everyone one quick reminder of their objective. "Drop in and meet up at the rendezvous point in ten minutes! We will split into two groups and remain on the move. Minimize enemy contact but leave no witnesses. Those with the bombs, use them as you see fit, but remember they aren't grenades! They can either be set to explode remotely or on a timer, and they have quite a punch. Use them wisely. High Queen Eos watches over us. Operation, start!"

Shizuka and Hibiki jumped out of the transport together. They were close enough to one of the buildings that Shizuka, while carrying Hibiki and their equipment, was able to safely land for the both of them. There was no angels in sight but that wouldn't last for long once they send troops over to investigate the damage over here. Wordlessly the two sisters moved on to a safe, relatively secluded location where Hibiki set up the way point. It was a nice spot that gave the two sisters a view of whoever came pass. Hibiki had her pistol out, attaching a silencer to it while Shizuka wielded Seier, a Valkyire sword. Hibiki didn't know that Ascalon was gone now, but Shizuka knew what happened to it. It went back home. Both armed and ready, they would wait for their allies to show up before they continued further inside.

@Flamelord@Mega Birb@KoL@Lonewolf685@TheWindel

The War of the Three

Good newws @Ryonara.I don't know what sort of scale the GMs are working on, but thus far from what they've told me large scale deployment of VX gas across the entire battlefield doesn't count as a Trump Card (in spite of the last Machina trump card being literally depth charges)

Sound fun?

@Flamelord

Well that'll be pretty bad if it gets into the angel's base. But if it's outside of it I'm not worried since I only want Grafdakka out there, and I doubt he'll be affected by nerve gas. Might even make it into a tactic Hibiki will be using if she can call in for some air support.

So should the trump cards, as we're calling them, for each battle be based on the commanders? For example, Dora and Torag would be empowered to summon forth a steel titan or something.

@Mega Birb

I don't mind this idea. I know Shizuka's trump card is essential to winning the objective against the angels (Stealing their teleporter and the supplies with it), and maybe Hibiki's trump card could either be the demolition charges she gave each of the other players. One charge is good enough to blow through a wall, two through important structural support like a bridge or something, and three could take down a whole building if it's strategically placed. This could be helpful if we want to weaken the angel's defenses or kill something very tough, like the angel's trump card or the demon's.

The War of the Three

<Snipped quote by Ryonara>

Both ways work, but I think that having Eos contact them mid flight will have more of an Ace Combat feel to. Like on those sorties you are in such a hurry that the briefing is issued during the combat. I'll have her do that as soon as @TheWindel posts the battle's OP.

@KoL

That sounds cool! I kinda want Hibiki to be piloting an airplane now. I was also wondering how the transports will be taking us to the battlefield. Will they drop us off somewhere outside the base or can they try to get us closer? I was hoping Hibiki and Shizuka, since they're stealthy units, could get behind enemy lines to help the rest of her team get in.

The War of the Three

It's be cool if Eos could do that for Hibiki. Since it seems like everyone is kinda in a hurry, would Eos contact Hibiki and the others as they fly en route or something? Or should Hibiki try and contact Eos first? I can edit it into my last post if that's the case.

The War of the Three

Would Eos send that information to Hibiki?

@KoL actually if Eos micromanaged nearly all of the Machina, could she feed info to Hibiki and the others during the mission, at least concerning things like a map or troop positions?

The War of the Three

Hibiki & Shizuka

Shizuka was reading information about angeleic rituals when she received Eos’s command to get ready for deployment. She was doing some more research about the target that they would be after as well, but this seemed to take a higher priority. Shizuka rushed back to her sister’s side as fast as she could, using one of her new holy rituals that created wings for her. It took a minute to cast and it’ll only last for ten minutes before she’ll need to cast it again, but having flight whenever she needed it would be vital.

By the time Shizuka met back with Hibiki, she was already getting geared up. She had her new biotic rifle, side arm, and other equipment sans her armor. Additionally, she had a new mechanical leg. Hibiki smiled at Shizuka as she slung her rifle behind her shoulder. ”Let’s get to work sis! Send me the data you’ve received so far and I’ll think up of a plan.”

Shizuka and Hibiki arrived to the air docks where Eos had send them fast transport to the next battlefield. Many of their allies were there, but they would lack heavy ordinances like the Eliticor or Contender. But that was fine with Hibiki, she wasn’t good at commanding big things like that. She’s better with small groups instead. Since they were the new commanders of this battle, along with Grafdakka, Hibiki took it upon herself to give everyone a quick rundown on the plan.

”The objective of the next battle is simple: Stop the demons and remove the angel’s new supplies! We won’t have any heavy ordinances to help us, so we need to fight more subtly. But that’s not to say that we won’t give them our all! This will be mainly a stealth mission: I will lead a small group with me to infiltrate the Angel’s base of operations to sabotage or destroy their supplies.” Hibiki walked to a few others who she would be taking on the mission, specifically Tatiana, Marquis, and Endian. She handed each of them a set of three cubic bombs. ”These are demolition charges that we’ll need to strategically place within the Angel’s base to either break down their defenses or destroy their supply depot. Ideally however, Shizuka would be able to steal the supplies right from underneath the angel’s.”

Shizuka looked around surprised, not expecting Hibiki to call her out like this. When her sister turned towards her, she gave Shizuka a silent, confident smile. Swallowing her doubt Shizuka spoke as loudly as she could. ”I… May- No, I can! I can take control of the device they are using to teleport their supplies in from Ruthria. For a short while anyways. We will also be using their teleporter to evacuate from the battle after we have taken control of their teleporter, as bring back as much supplies as we can. With my spell, I can also disable their teleporter, that way once we escape and even after they remove my control over it, they will not be able to teleport supplies directly there.” Giving her sister a thumbs up Hibiki turned back to everyone else.

”Our goal is to get Shizuka to the Angel’s main teleporter so that she can disable it and give us a chance to escape. While it would be best if we could take the supplies, as long as we deprive the angels of it we can also destroy them if necessary.” Hibiki then turned to Grafdakka, or at least someone she assumed was representing Grafdakka. She also called him directly over the communications in case he wasn’t here at all. ”Commander Grafdakka, you will not be with us during the infiltration. I will need you to lead a force of your own to cause a distraction big enough to concern the Angels and Demon. You main enemy will be the angels, so try not to fight with the demons so that the angels will be fighting on two fronts. However as the demons are still our enemy, if you sense weakness or believe you can take the opportunity to do massive damage to them, take it! I cannot promise any evac for you, so please fight to the death.”

Hibiki wanted to give everyone one final hurrah before they’re set out to fight again. ”I have walked through valleys of sin and oceans of light. I have looked demons and angels in their eyes. I have heard the whispers of dark things that wanted my soul, promises of an afterlife free of burden and life. And never once have I encountered anything that has struck the fear into me that either would feel if they ever truly understood the resolve of the Machina of Man!”

@Flamelord@Mega Birb@Lucius Cypher@KoL@Lonewolf685@TheWindel

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

Yue looked between all the girls and bowed her head. "If that's all then, I shall... Go train. Ah, I'll come back later today with the rest of my things, and clean up as well." She would have just done it on the spot, but Yue felt like she had already overstayed her welcome. Turning and leaving the room Yue quickly left the dorms, then Beacon, and headed back to the motel she was staying at. All her things were still there, including her weapon. Part of her felt embarrassed about lugging it around since it didn't exactly fit the image of a refine and dainty maiden. But at the eldest child she was to wield it for the sake of the Schnee family. And for better or for worse, Yue was going to have to master it.

Taking her things and checking out of the motel Yue didn't return back to the dorm despite carrying a considerable amount of luggage. After that outburst from Skyra, Yue figured it would be best to let Skyra be by herself for now. Though there was a bit of conflict as Yue wanted to be there for Skyra if she needed anything, and she seemed like she needed many things. Perhaps a stern talking to, or a hug. But Yue wasn't sure which. For now however, she focused on the task at hand: training. Carefully placing the large metal contain on the ground, Yue unlocked it to reveal her weapon: The Moonlight Greatsword. Even in the day, it's luminescence could be seen. It shine so bright in fact, under direct light it was hard to see directly. Yue was told to use this to her advantage to blind her enemies with the sun's glare, though she still needed to get use to it herself.

Yue had chosen to do some training in an open, but fairly remote garden. It was spacious enough for her to do her maneuvers, but Yue was almost certain no one was going to be here. It was nice, quiet, and pretty. Once she had cleared a space Yue started with some basic, repetitive swings to warm up. The sword was very heavy in her hands, which made sense since it was nearly taller than she was. But as her father told her, the weight of the blade is the weight of her responsibilities. She must learn to burden this weight, to hold it with strength and conviction. And if she should ever lose hold of her blade, her honor and duty, instead of being freed she'll only find herself defenseless.

Yue continued to do these basic swings about twenty times, then switched to a different, but still fairly simple sideways swing. Her feet were firmly planted in her combat stance, meant to hold her position but also allow her to burst forth with great speed. This way she could either stand and protect others or rush to their aid. As she kept swinging her sword, Yue's mind wandererd to her surroundings. She knew a few of the plants off hand, mostly flowers. The ones she remembers best she associates with little fairies that she believes they could turn into. If you treated them nicely, the fairy might show itself and say hello. They could use their leaves to heal wounds, but if they use all of it they'll wilt. If a flower is wilting, that means the fairy has left it and has gone to look for a new home. To make sure that the fairy finds a new home, one should take a wilting flower and let it join with others. From the flower, it's seeds would grow a new, and the fairy not only finds a new home, but hopefully other fairies who'll be it's friends.

Taking a short break Yue was aware that she wanted to be that fairy. Her parents had put her here, in Beacon, just when she felt like their constant watch was starting to drive her mad. Here Yue was going to find others like her and befriend. She'll have a new home here. At least, that's how Yue imagined it. But right now Yue was alone, and there were no fairies among these flowers. Not even a whisper in the wind. "Now I made myself sad..."

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

"A hoonter must hoont."