User:Sev40/RP Logs

CBrando's RP 1
[11:32] * Walter_Clements steps out of the backseat of the black SUV and peers around, a small smirk on his face. The refugee camp, one of hundreds like it, was squalid. Even six years after the end of the war and they still hadn't relocated everyone, letting them fester in the dirt and run down buildings the UNSC had crammed them in. [11:33]  "Sir?" Merlin-D032 stands next to him, armored up in his BDS-modified MJOLNIR. [11:34] * Miles_Babon stares at the camp through black sunglasses, simply taking it in, quiet as always. [11:34] * Walter_Clements looks over at the armored Spartan. Usually they wouldn't risk bringing in power armor, but it didn't matter in a place like this. Survelliance was nonexistance, "What is it?" [11:36]  "We've scanned the area, no hostilies, so far. We're still not sure about the local crime culture here." Merlin explained. He was clicking at his datapad as he scanned surveillance drones. [11:36] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos sits in the makeshift base of operations - actually a run-down automobile repair shop - shivering in the cold as he awaits his contact. Although h [11:38] * Walter_Clements raises a placating hand, "I wouldn't worry about the crime. They'll see that cooperating will be far more profitable than resistance." [11:39]  Merlin shrugged at the statement. "I don't know anything about the politics sir, you're the voice of reason. I just don't feel comfortable operating this close to the UNSC..." [11:40] * Cain-131 enters the automobile repair shop through the back entrance, making her way into the garage. Cain is in plainclothes, sporting a warm winter coat, jeans, a hat and gloves. [11:41] * Cain-131 enters the garage portion of the repair shop, noticing a man sitting around. "Mr Ouranos?" She asks. [11:44]  "I understand your concerns, Merlin, but I assure you that the UNSC won't be coming anywhere near here. The police barely do as it is." [11:45]  "Understood, sir." Merlin nodded at his superior's statement.<br/ > <br/ >[11:46] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos jumps up with such energy that it literally shakes the ice off his jacket. "Yep, that's me. Been waiting for you." He looks around and fumbles through the guns, ammo and trash around him. "Sorry for the mess; ey did not expect ONI to hang me out like this. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" <br/ >[11:46] <Walter_Clements> "Plus, we need you here. You'll ensure the... leader of these people behaves." <br/ >[11:47] <Cain-131> "Cain." She extends a hand for a handshake. <br/ >[11:48] <Merlin-D032> Merlin remained stoic at the statement of Clements, his shoulders sagged noticeably before straightening. This would be interesting - he was still getting used to the different environment of the PMC organization, Baal Defense Solutions and how they operated. <br/ >[11:50] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos looks behind himself, taking off his gloves and after a bit of shaking, grabs her hand. "Cain... Well, most people call me Rads, so ey'd be fine with being called that." He says with a smile, as he tucks his SMG into his jacket. <br/ >[11:51] * Walter_Clements pulls out his handgun and quickly checked the magazine before sliding it back in and holstering it, "Let's get moving, it's cold out here and the trucks will be here soon." <br/ >[11:51] <Merlin-D032> "Roger that. Let's get a move on people!" Merlin yells out to the security detail around the SUV. <br/ >[11:52] * Cain-131 nods. "Do you know the details of our mission?" She asks, wanting to make sure everyone was caught up before moving out. <br/ >[11:53] * Walter_Clements walks into the dense cluster of buildings that made up the visible exterior of the camp, run down apartment buildings and crumbling streets. Most of the streetlamps on the side looked broken and he doubted if any of them even worked. People were everywhere, on the sidewalks, on the porches, in windows, and in tents everywhere, even on the roofs. <br/ >[11:54] * Stray_G294 crouches in the mud outside a refugee tent, a dark raincoat draped over his gear and obscuring his face. He takes in the surrounding poverty with narrowed eyes, hand close to his gun. "Right in the belly of the beast. Earth's more of a shithole than I imagined." <br/ >[11:55] <+Juno_AI> (COM) You've never been here before? <br/ >[11:55] <+Stray_G294> (COM) No. It looked a lot nicer in the propaganda videos. <br/ >[11:55] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos shrugs, before waving his hand. "Somewhat. One of tose spooks told me that me and a team were to find some links for 'rogue soldiers.' Said they'll have the armour on standby." <br/ >[11:55] <Merlin-D032> Merlin walked behind Clements, keeping his carbine at alert-carry. He was scanning the roof tops and alleys for firearms. <br/ >[11:56] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos then turns around. "Tere are more of you, right?" <br/ >[11:57] * Cain-131 shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. It looks like it's just us two until further notice." <br/ >[11:57] * Walter_Clements stops in front of the largest building in the area, "This is it, leave some men out here to alert us of anything." <br/ >[11:58] <Merlin-D032> Merlin turned to the security detail, six men outfitted in non-descript combat gear belonging to BDS. "Four of you wait out here. Two with me. Andra, keep overwatch." <br/ >[11:58] <Andra-D054> "Roger that." <br/ >[11:59] <Andra-D054> The female sniper had already made her way to the top of a larger structure about 300 meters outside the BDS perimeter. <br/ >[11:59] * Stray_G294 stands up and makes his way through the throngs of refugees, keeping his head down as he sloshes through the mud. "Damn UEG. How long's the war been over? I didn't expect Earth to look like any other frontier hellhole." <br/ >[11:59] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos hesitates for a second before shrugging, picking up his belt and putting it under his jacket. "Figures. No use standing 'ere ten." <br/ >[11:59] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Sympathy for the disenfranchised? That's a new sentiment, coming from you." <br/ >[12:00] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Merlin. This place looks even shittier than New Phoenix." <br/ >[12:00] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Just stating a fact. <br/ >[12:00] * Cain-131 nods in agreement. "Lets get moving. Just standard reconnaissance for now. Lets see what we can find." <br/ >[12:00] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "We moved into New Phoenix right after the attack by the Didact's Hand and shit. There was no body living there. Here, we're talking about an entire refugee crisis that hasn't been fixed." <br/ >[12:01] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos nods. "Yep. Tere are some slums not far from here - wouldn't be a bad place to check out first." <br/ >[12:01] <Andra-D054> (COM) "They haven't moved these people to New Phoenix then? It was practically a ghost town." <br/ >[12:02] <Cain-131> "Sounds good." Cain turns and makes her way to the door. She exits the building with Ouranos. <br/ >[12:02] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "I never heard what the NGOs or what the UEG was doing about resettlement so your guess is as good as mine." <br/ >[12:02] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Andra. Focus on overwatch. I got to keep Clements safe." <br/ >[12:02] * Walter_Clements waves his entourage forward and moves inside the building, having his guards push their way past the refugees and up the stairs, eventually coming to the top floor and heading towards a room that might have said "Penthouse Suite" at one point, but years of neglect by the tenants and owners have left it barely legible. <br/ >[12:02] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Right. Radio silence." <br/ >[12:03] <Merlin-D032> "Dank place." Merlin muttered. <br/ >[12:03] <Walter_Clements> "Quite. Our contact is inside." <br/ >[12:03] <Cain-131> On their way out, Cain hands Rads a small earpiece. "Not sure if they gave you one or not." <br/ >[12:04] <Merlin-D032> "You want us to come in?" <br/ >[12:04] * Stray_G294 stumbles and catches himself against the nearest building, beset by a fit of coughing. He leans against the wall, furiously wiping blood-flecked saliva from his mouth. <br/ >[12:04] <+Juno_AI> (COM) You're in no shape for something like this. If it were up to me, you'd have been hospitalized weeks ago. <br/ >[12:05] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "I'm seeing a massive spike in electronic traffic in the area. Like, military grade. Anyone seeing this?" <br/ >[12:05] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Nah, tey didn't - bastard must've forgotten." He grabs it and puts it on, then gives it a short test before getting his hand off it. "Yeah, seems to work." <br/ >[12:06] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Yeah, in what hospital? I don't think they've got a great infirmary where ONI wants to throw me. So unless you're going to grow a body and do this yourself, just point me where I need to go. <br/ >[12:06] <Andra-D054> (COM) "I see it too. I still haven't seen anything yet. We're still secure right now." <br/ >[12:07] <Merlin-D032> "Mr. Clements. We got an unusually high level of communications traffic in the area. You want us to do anything about it?" <br/ >[12:07] * Cain-131 acknowledges she can hear him with a quick thumbs up. "Alright, lets see what we can find in the slums." <br/ >[12:07] * Walter_Clements points to the two normal guards, "You two stay here, Merlin will be enough." He then pushes the door open and walks in. <br/ >[12:07] <Merlin-D032> Merlin walks in, cutting his chatter off. Later, he needed to act like silent muscle now." <br/ >[12:08] <Merlin-D032> The two other guards went to guard the door. <br/ >[12:08] <+Juno_AI> (COM) It's your funeral, as they say. I've arranged the drop point at the edge of the camp. Navigating criminal elements is a new experience for me. I can't say I find it particularly pleasant. <br/ >[12:09] * Almandos_Mares was sat behind a ruined, waterlogged desk, probably recovered from a local dump. He looked up at the well dressed man and his armored aid, "Ah, I see the corporate sector was tired of being told 'no' over Chatter and decided to hear it in person." <br/ >[12:09] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos makes his way out; even without considering his augmentations, he fits right in as a shivering homeless. He keeps an eye out, checking out the bloodied, starving bodies around him. "Never heard of a 'Cain' lass before - you got a story?" <br/ >[12:09] * Stray_G294 pushes away from the wall and slips back into the throngs of refugees. "Better get used to it. The underworld's about all I've got left, and even that's not safe." <br/ >[12:10] * Cain-131 felt awkward wearing civilian clothes. She felt exposed without her armor - hell, she wore it for at least two years straight. She was also taller than the average person, which made her feel even more out of place. She just hoped they could get through this smoothly. <br/ >[12:11] <Cain-131> "A very long story." She said curtly. <br/ >[12:11] <Walter_Clements> "We decided we'd prefer to hear 'yes' this time." <br/ >[12:12] <Andra-D054> Merlin stepped off to the side, just into Mares's view over Clements's left shoulder. <br/ >[12:12] <Almandos_Mares> "Pfft, fat chance of that asshole. You want our people, that ain't gonna happen, friend." <br/ >[12:14] * Cain-131 looked around at the people littering the streets. Cain couldn't help but think: if it was this bad on Earth, how was it on other planets? What about her home? <br/ >[12:15] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos picks up on her wondering. "Never tought Earth was tis bad?" <br/ >[12:16] * Cain-131 shakes her head. "Not this much." <br/ >[12:16] <Walter_Clements> "You can drop the 'my people' act, we know neither you nor whatever bottom denominator Syndicate boss you work for care about these people as anything other than what we both know them as. Resources." <br/ >[12:18] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Just you wait until you see Africa - it's... not a pretty sight, lass." <br/ >[12:19] * Cain-131 kept a straight face as they continued down the street. <br/ >[12:19] * Almandos_Mares 's eye twitches slightly, "How did you know?" <br/ >[12:20] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos once they're in the slums, he starts making some glancing looks towards the buildings. "Anything on comms?" <br/ >[12:20] <Walter_Clements> "That you worked for the Syndicate? Easy. We've been watching these camps for months and have noticed the population shifts. Trucks show up, people disappear and never come back. It's the very basic form of Human trafficking." <br/ >[12:21] * Cain-131 shakes her head. "I don't hear anything." <br/ >[12:22] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos sighs. "Might need to split up ten. Too many to individually check out." <br/ >[12:23] <Walter_Clements> "Now I'm going to make you an offer on behave of my company. We will pay you, and by extension, your employers, twice what each of these people are worth to you, so that everyone profits from this. The alternative is not pretty." He gestures to the armored Merlin. <br/ >[12:23] * Stray_G294 checks a local map on the chatter affixed to his wrist and slips through another alley to find a small shack on the edge of the camp. He punches in a code and slips inside to find a large case marked with the UN refugee services logo waiting inside. <br/ >[12:23] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Well, together- you know whit ey mean." He rushes through his sentence <br/ >[12:23] <+Juno_AI> (COM) All this subterfuge is unusually careful for you. <br/ >[12:24] <Cain-131> "I understand. Keep me posted about what you hear and see." <br/ >[12:24] <Merlin-D032> Merlin just stands completely still. Attempting to seem dangerous in his 6' 3" frame. <br/ >[12:24] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos snaps his fingers and points at her. "You got it." <br/ >[12:24] <Merlin-D032> Well, he was around seven in armor but who's counting.. <br/ >[12:25] <+Stray_G294> (COM) It was hard enough smuggling myself onto the planet. It would have been impossible if I'd tried bringing even a scrap of my gear with me. <br/ >[12:25] * Cain-131 looks around, noticing a big cluster of buildings about a block from their location. "We'll meet back here in two hours." She stops. "Be safe." <br/ >[12:26] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos nods, and walks around surveying the sites; he does his best to seem like nothing more than a starving thief. <br/ >[12:27] * Cain-131 arrives at the buildings, noticing that one was significantly larger than the rest. It probably was a building of importance at some point. She noticed some figures standing around the building, and decided this would be a good spot to keep an eye out on. <br/ >[12:28] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Hey. We got a tallish figure approaching the front of the building from the west. Female. 6-7 footer." <br/ >[12:28] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Maybe bigger. Hard to tell." <br/ >[12:29] <Walter_Clements> (COM) And? <br/ >[12:29] * Cain-131 sits against a brick wall, near a group of refugees huddled around a fire. She keeps her head low, like she was about to fall asleep. <br/ >[12:29] * Almandos_Mares sighs, "I don't suppose the price is negotiable, is it? <br/ >[12:29] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos penetrates deeper into the compound, keeping his hands close around his equipment as he watches out for pick-pocketers. <br/ >[12:29] <Andra-D054> (COM) "She's....big. Like, bigger than any refugee I ever seen." <br/ >[12:30] <Walter_Clements> (COM) If the only concern is that she's tall, then move on. I'm in the middle of negotiations. <br/ >[12:30] * Stray_G294 unseals the case, revealing a stash of military grade weapons and gear inside. He begins unpacking the contraband gear, strapping on body armor meant to disguise him as a member of local SWAT law enforcement teams patrolling the refugee camp. Slinging an MA5 assault rifle over the body armor, he checks the rifle's ammunition counter before stepping back out into the open. <br/ >[12:30] <Cain-131> Cain's earpiece begins to detect outside chatter. Something was important here. Lets just hope she could find out what before they found out about her. <br/ >[12:30] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Yes sir..." Andra mumbled to herself as she zoomed off the target. <br/ >[12:31] * Walter_Clements turns back to Mares, "It was negotiable two weeks ago, now it's twice the price and no further." He shows off his handgun, still in its holster for emphasis. <br/ >[12:31] <Merlin-D032> Merlin bristles his DMR in a similar fashion. <br/ >[12:32] <+Juno_AI> (COM) I suppose there's nothing I can say to prevent you from committing any particularly heinous crimes. <br/ >[12:32] <+Stray_G294> (COM) I'll keep the collateral damage to a minimum. <br/ >[12:32] <+Juno_AI> (COM) That's not very comforting. <br/ >[12:32] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos sees a police officer step out into the open, and after stepping into a dark alley, attempts to change his communications channel with that. Failing that, he tails him for a second, trying to figure out a place he can discuss details with him in private. <br/ >[12:34] * Almandos_Mares sits there, contemplating for a moment, "Fine, take them. Wire the money to these accou-" <br/ >[12:34] * Walter_Clements cuts him off, "We know the accounts and will send the money after each delivery." <br/ >[12:35] * Stray_G294 tilts his head back, glimpsing someone break off from the crowd behind him. <br/ >[12:36] <Cain-131> Cain keeps her head tucked and body relaxed. If she was anywhere but here, she could probably fall asleep after a short while. But all of her senses were on high alert, so that was not happening. So when she felt a light tap on her leg, she had to restrain herself from eliminating said person on the spot. <br/ >[12:36] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> (COM) Found a cop - not on the channels tough. Going to check 'im out. <br/ >[12:36] * Cain-131 looks up to see a small child, no more than 8 or 9 years old, looking back at her. The child curiously gazed over Cain's appearance. <br/ >[12:37] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "We're almost done here Andra... pretty open and shut. This guy is nothing but a wet blanket." <br/ >[12:37] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Well. I'm ready to get out of here. This crowd makes me feel like we're being watched." <br/ >[12:38] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos looks around, yet he sees too many refugees around him to make any signal to get him out into an alleyway. <br/ >[12:38] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "I should mention - I think we just got dragged into a Human trafficking case..." <br/ >[12:38] <Andra-D054> (COM) "..." Andra wasn't sure how to respond to that. <br/ >[12:39] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Doesn't that kind of bother you?" <br/ >[12:39] <Andra-D054> (COM) "I really don't know..." <br/ >[12:39] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "It feels kind of wrong." <br/ >[12:40] <Cain-131> The child asked Cain for food. She replied "I don't have any kid, sorry." This didn't deter the child, who insisted on staring at Cain even longer. "What's wrong?" She asked the child. Cain kept her head high enough to be able to look around, but not look suspicious. <br/ >[12:40] <Andra-D054> Andra felt cold about saying this but she didn't want to discuss it anymore. It felt wrong for her too. "Stow it. If we get paid, we get paid and we don't speak of it." <br/ >[12:40] <Merlin-D032> (COM)"Right. Right. Money first, questions later..." <br/ >[12:41] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos now tries to close the distance on the officer. He figures with luck, he could mask his appearance after he rvs with him. <br/ >[12:41] <Andra-D054> Andra's eyes peeled back to the tallish lady but found her to be talking to a kid. Eh. Nothing special then. Her scope moves on. <br/ >[12:42] <Cain-131> "Your eyes are different." The kid comments. Cain nods. "Yeah, I'm special like that." She pauses. "Where are your parents?" She asks. <br/ >[12:43] * Walter_Clements grins, "Thank you for your time, Mr. Mares." He then opens up a com link on his Chatter, "The deal's done, bring in the trucks." <br/ >[12:43] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Figures, I've already picked up a tail. <br/ >[12:43] <Merlin-D032> "Yes sir." <br/ >[12:43] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Your refugee disguise was more convincing. You do fit the beaten down, bedraggled look much better than the police uniform. <br/ >[12:44] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Roger." Andra's sniper rifle snapped to trucks coming down a hill near the hills above, glowing in the moonlight and that of the skyline of the city. <br/ >[12:44] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Cute. Refugees aren't allowed to carry assault rifles. Now get me a cab so I can ditch this guy. <br/ >[12:46] <Cain-131> "They disappeared." The kid said, on the verge of tears. "They went in that building, and never came out." The boy pointed to the large building. Just as he said so, Cain began to hear trucks in the distance, coming closer. She noticed the boy crying quietly. <br/ >[12:46] * Juno_AI taps into the city's infrastructure, seizing control of one of the thousands of automated cabs browsing the streets for customers. The cab picks its way down the street, carefully navigating through the stream of refugees. <br/ >[12:47] <Cain-131> "Were your parents the only ones?" Cain asks. The boy shakes his head, as he continues to cry. Cain tries to comfort him, but to no avail. <br/ >[12:47] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos plays with his chatter, picking up some sort of signal. He stops and quickly looks around, trying to find the source before he's taken out of range. He shrugs, confused, and then dodges lazily out of a way as a cab narrowly misses him. He moves into a jog; he needs that information. <br/ >[12:49] <Merlin-D032> "Sir? Should we get going soon?" Merlin-D032 asks Clements, he gestures with his rifle to the door. <br/ >[12:50] * Michael_Glazer, in the lead vehicle of the convoy, comes to a stop and hops out. He's wearing a light ballistic vest, nothing like the full body armor the normal security personnel wore, but it should be enough to stop anything these people might have. The other big box trucks, about five in total, all come to a stop and the personnel inside jump out and open up the back. <br/ >[12:50] <Michael_Glazer> "We've sealed the deal, start rounding them up." <br/ >[12:50] * Cain-131 gets the kid to look at her. "Listen, I'm going to find out what happened to your parents, ok? Stay put here. Will you do that for me?" After wiping the tears off his face, the kid nods. He sits next to Cain, which makes her slightly uncomfortable. <br/ >[12:51] <Andra-D054> (COM) "The trucks have arrived." <br/ >[12:51] * Cain-131 sees the trucks halt to a stop a few meters away, and people piling out of them. What's going on here? She asks herself. <br/ >[12:52] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Do we hold our position or do we pack it up?" <br/ >[12:53] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos gets up right behind the officer, and moves in for a tap to get his attention. "Officer?" <br/ >[12:54] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos clearly doesn't care about trying to fit in anymore. <br/ >[12:54] * Cain-131 notices significant COM chatter as everything begins to unfold. <br/ >[12:54] * Walter_Clements nods to Merlin, "Let's head back out. I want to make sure everything goes over well." <br/ >[12:54] * Stray_G294 tilts his helmeted head, one hand on the cab. He slips his free hand down to the assault rifle trigger. "Citizen." <br/ >[12:54] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Yeah. Andra. Pack it up. Be the first back to the SUV." <br/ >[12:55] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Be careful. That one's rigged up with military grade communications equipment. <br/ >[12:55] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Roger." The female sniper picks up her sniper rifle and starts running back toward the BDS vehicle. <br/ >[12:55] * Stray_G294 bites back an irritable response behind his visored police helmet. <br/ >[12:56] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos raises his hands. "Woah, chill. Can we, uh, get to someplace private? Got a few things to ask..." <br/ >[12:56] * Cain-131 gets a glimpse of someone running across a rooftop. Cain couldn't make out any distinct features, other than the person wearing armor of some kind. <br/ >[12:56] * Michael_Glazer and several other men in identical outfits begin moving towards the nearest group of refugees and grabs them, moving them towards the trucks. <br/ >[12:57] * Stray_G294 tries to hide his head movements as he growls into the helmet mic. "Get me an ID on this guy. Now." <br/ >[12:57] <Cain-131> The boy besides her starts to get anxious. Cain turns her attention quickly to him, as he points to the men from the truck as they begin to grab refugees. <br/ >[12:58] <Merlin-D032> Merlin watches as the refugees are herded into trucks. He wasn't feeling very good about this. His stomach was warped in butterflies but he held his tongue. <br/ >[12:58] * Stray_G294 jerks his head at the cab, speaking louder. "Fine. Get in." <br/ >[12:58] * Cain-131 taps her left ear, where her ear piece is hidden. "Rads, something's up here." She whispers. <br/ >[12:59] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos looks towards the cab and gets in. He tries to maintain a straight face, but can't help but think something is clearly wrong. <br/ >[13:01] * Stray_G294 slips into the driver seat, sealing the door behind him. <br/ >[13:01] * Walter_Clements exits the structure and looks towards the line of trucks on the road, the people being slowly gathered up. <br/ >[13:01] <+Stray_G294> Alright. What's this about? <br/ >[13:02] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Merlin. I'm at the truck. I'll hold here and keep an eye on the truck for now." <br/ >[13:02] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Got it. We're making our way to you now." <br/ >[13:02] * Cain-131 looks back at the building, noticing some people coming out of it. She quickly rules the first civilian as not one of her targets. <br/ >[13:04] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Gimme a second..." He switches comm channels to Cains. (COM): "What's going on? Ey've just found a cop who might be able to lend us info. <br/ >[13:05] <Cain-131> "There's something unfolding here. Trying to figure out what." She whispers. "Don't have eyes on any of our targets yet, but I think I'm being watched." <br/ >[13:05] * Stray_G294 's hand twitches towards his sidearm. <br/ >[13:06] <+Juno_AI> (COM) You said you'd limit collateral damage. <br/ >[13:06] <Merlin-D032> Merlin spotted a lady staring at them, sitting on a bench across the plaza. She was...big. Sitting down, she looked like she was as tall as everyone standing. <br/ >[13:06] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> (COM): "Gotcha." He leans in, somewhat hesitating for reasons he doesn <br/ >[13:06] * Walter_Clements calls out to Michael_Glazer, "Mr. Glazer, how goes the haul?" <br/ >[13:06] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Some ONI spook doesn't exactly qualify as an innocent bystander. <br/ >[13:07] * Stray_G294 moves his hand away from the gone nonetheless. <br/ >[13:07] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> *doesn't really know. "Where's the rest of your team? Might have use for them, officer...?" <br/ >[13:07] <Merlin-D032> "Uhhh. Mr. Clements? I think I found the woman Andra was speaking about." Merlin says as he lightly taps his superior's shoulder. <br/ >[13:07] * Walter_Clements glances over. <br/ >[13:08] <Merlin-D032> Merlin points to the 8-foot tall or so woman sitting on a bench with a kid. <br/ >[13:09] * Cain-131 notices someone look back at her, staring directly into her eyes. Cain silently cursed. The guy was wearing armor, head to toe. Spartan armor, to be exact. That's most likely a target. She turns her head to the boy beside her. <br/ >[13:09] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos fiddles with his communicator again, picking up a faint signal. He looks around the vehicle, and starts eying Simon suspiciously. <br/ >[13:09] * Stray_G294 rolls his eyes behind his visor. <br/ >[13:10] <+Stray_G294> You still haven't ID'd yourself, citizen. Interfering with officers on duty is a federal offense, you know. <br/ >[13:10] <Cain-131> "Listen, whatever happens, you stay here. Do you understand?" She asks in a low tone. The boy nods back, clearly frightened at the events unfolding. <br/ >[13:10] * Stray_G294 raises a gloved hand. "So. Let's see some ID." <br/ >[13:10] * Michael_Glazer jogs over to Clements and his guards, "It's going well sir, Trucks 1 and 2 are already full, working on the rest now." <br/ >[13:12] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos reluctantly brings up the medallion of the UNSC's eagle. "I'm from the UNSC - that's all you need to know." <br/ >[13:12] * Cain-131 whispers into her coms. "Found a target. Don't know if I can slip out of here quietly." <br/ >[13:13] <+Juno_AI> ONI then, seeing as you won't fork over the ID. <br/ >[13:13] <+Stray_G294> ^ <br/ >[13:16] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos sighs, only briefly picking up the disturbance again. "Whatever - can you turn this vehicle around? Tere's someone I need to pick up..." <br/ >[13:17] <+Stray_G294> I don't think so. <br/ >[13:17] * Cain-131 flicks her eyes back to the vehicles and the men gathering refugees up. They hadn't come close enough to her yet to make out anyone in particular. <br/ >[13:18] * Stray_G294 unholsters his sidearm and rests it in his lap, barrel trained on Ruaidhri's chest. "Take off the earpiece and put your datapad on the dashboard." <br/ >[13:19] * Cain-131 tries to make out any logos or labels on the men or trucks, to no avail. What was the target doing with these goons? <br/ >[13:20] <Merlin-D032> "Sir? You want me to detain the woman?" Merlin asks, this time a little concern in his voice, toward Clements. <br/ >[13:20] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Fucking hell, knew tere was something fishy..." He does as he's told, grabbing his earpiece... Then suddenly veers his hand quickly onto his pistol, using his other one to pull out his concealed SMG. <br/ >[13:22] <Walter_Clements> "What is your concern with this woman? She's just a tall refugee, same as the others. Watch, Mr. Glazer, I want you to make special room for her in the trucks." <br/ >[13:22] * Michael_Glazer nods, "Yes sir." He takes his handgun out and begins approaching Cain-131, intent on taking her like the others. <br/ >[13:23] <Merlin-D032> "Sir." Merlin nods. He holds his tongue any further for now. <br/ >[13:23] * Cain-131 looks to the boy beside her. "Do you have some place to go that's safe?" The boy nods. "You go there, and you stay there. I'll find you later." The boy, very frightened, begins to run off, just as she spots someone walking towards her. <br/ >[13:23] * Stray_G294 slams a clenched fist into Ruaidhri's chest, forcing him up into the door with augmented strength. <br/ >[13:23] <Merlin-D032> He turns back to watching the refugee buildings, avoiding looking at the refugees or the lady anymore. <br/ >[13:24] * Cain-131 gets up from the bench, making it seem like she doesn't know the man is approaching her. She could briefly see him holding a small firearm. <br/ >[13:25] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> He yells in the car. "Cain, in a ku-" He gasps from the impact, but quickly recovers and hits him down in his elbow, struggling to resist the urge to drop it and wrestle with Simon's sidearm. <br/ >[13:26] * Cain-131 whispers into her COMs. "Rads, I'm being followed." She isn't aware of what is happened to Rads at this point. <br/ >[13:27] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> He moves himself onto his side and kicks Simon right in the chest, trying to give himself some breathing room. <br/ >[13:27] * Michael_Glazer calls out, "Hey, you! Get over here!" <br/ >[13:28] * Cain-131 turns to Glazer. She steps closer to him, but doesn't come too close. <br/ >[13:28] * Stray_G294 absorbs the impact and lashes back, striking Ruaidhri across the face. His illness is slowing him down, weakening him, but he fights through and wraps the fingers of his prosthetic hand around the man's throat. <br/ >[13:28] * Michael_Glazer makes his way right up to her and reaches out to grab her shoulder, only realizing that he's about a foot and a half too small for that. <br/ >[13:30] * Cain-131 grabs Glazer's hand before it touches her, gripping it tightly. She could begin to feel bones break. "Not a good idea." <br/ >[13:30] * Michael_Glazer cries out and goes down on a knee, "Gah! My fucking hand!" <br/ >[13:31] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Fuck, I think I've got an Aug-" He yells before he reels back from the punch, leaving an impression into the door. He drops his SMG to push Simon's torso away from him, crimping his armour. <br/ >[13:31] <Merlin-D032> Merlin's head snapped to Glazer's position and sees him kneeling. <br/ >[13:32] <Merlin-D032> He levels his DMR at the woman. "Let go of his hand, ma'am." <br/ >[13:33] * Michael_Glazer drops his handgun and reaches for her hand, trying desperately to free his own. <br/ >[13:33] * Cain-131 attempts to take the weapon out of Glazer's other hand with no effort. Just as she begins to, she hears Merlin behind her. "Just the man I wanted to speak to." She says. She pushes Glazer to the ground. <br/ >[13:34] * Michael_Glazer falls to the floor, whimpering as he cradles his crushed hand. <br/ >[13:34] * Cain-131 kicks Glazer's handgun away from him before confronting Merlin. <br/ >[13:34] <+Stray_G294> Alright, collateral it is. <br/ >[13:34] <Merlin-D032> "Uhhh. Me?" <br/ >[13:35] * Stray_G294 raises his pistol and fires twice at Ruaidhri. <br/ >[13:35] <Merlin-D032> Merlin keeps his rifle level. <br/ >[13:35] * Cain-131 nods. "Yep. You made my job relatively easy for me." She said with a laugh. <br/ >[13:36] <Merlin-D032> "Huh? ONI?" <br/ >[13:36] * Walter_Clements backs away very slowly, "What's she talking about? <br/ >[13:36] <Cain-131> "Eh, kinda, but not exactly." <br/ >[13:37] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos sees the telegraphing of his pistol, and jumps to his left into the dashboard, then uses his off-hand to aim it away from, although the bullet skins his arm, sending him yelling in pain. <br/ >[13:37] <Merlin-D032> "Well. Shit." Merlin grabs a smoke grenade and throws it at the ground. "Everyone scatter!: <br/ >[13:37] <Merlin-D032> Merlin breaks into a sprint away. <br/ >[13:38] * Cain-131 notices him running away, through the smoke, and sprints after him. She keeps her eyes locked onto him, despite the chaos of refugees fleeing to safety. <br/ >[13:38] * Walter_Clements 's eyes go wide as his Spartan body guard fled, his normal guards equally confused as they readied their weapons. <br/ >[13:39] * Cain-131 talks into her ear piece. "Made contact, pursuing him now. You think you can give me backup?" <br/ >[13:40] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Juno, dump his ass. <br/ >[13:40] * Juno_AI obligingly opens the passenger door to let Ruaidhri topple out into the muddy street. <br/ >[13:42] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos struggles to hold on, letting go of Simon as he grips for dear life into the vehicle. <br/ >[13:42] * Cain-131 pulls out her sidearm, trying to get a clear shot at Merlin. There were too many civilians around, and she didn't want to risk collateral damage. He threw another smoke grenade and pushed some refugees in her way, which had given him enough time to slip through an alley and away from her sight. <br/ >[13:43] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos attempts to bring his leg up, kicking once more to keep Simon away from his sidearm <br/ >[13:43] * Cain-131 cursed under her breath, looking around the alley she thought he had went down. She didn't see Merlin. <br/ >[13:43] <Arelynn-G056> Several rooftops away, Arelynn readied her sniper rifle, scoping in on the situation once again <br/ >[13:44] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "Copy that Cain, searching now" <br/ >[13:44] * Cain-131 heard the unfamiliar voice come in through her COMs. "Backup's finally arrived?" She asked. <br/ >[13:45] * Stray_G294 draws a combat knife and slams it up at Ruaidhri's chest. "Fuck me, of course he's augmented..." <br/ >[13:45] * Cain-131 then hears gunshots, coming from the armed thugs that tried to apprehend her. <br/ >[13:46] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "You bet your ass the backup arrived" <br/ >[13:47] <Cain-131> "Good. Lost visual of Target 1. Wearing SPARTAN armor, carrying a DMR. Target 2 probably isn't too far away." <br/ >[13:48] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos yells and his arms constrain around the knife, with his torso hanging half-out of the high-speed vehicle. He uses his legs to hold onto the buckling chair, and tries a half-assed lunge back into the vehicle, going for the SMG on passengerside's floor <br/ >[13:48] <Cain-131> "Targets look to be aiding some sort of organization, name unknown." Cain leans up against a brick wall at the edge of an alley, attempting to located the armed thugs. Refugees were screaming and running chaotically through the alleyways and streets as gunfire continued. <br/ >[13:48] <Arelynn-G056> Struggling to get a visual through the favela chaos, at last Arelynn just barely made out a Spartan charging through one of the crowded city streets <br/ >[13:49] * Stray_G294 shifts his weight, slamming his boot down into Ruaidhri's chest. <br/ >[13:49] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "Can't get a clean shot on him. Pursue? Or suppressive fire on your position?" <br/ >[13:51] <Cain-131> "Don't pursue. He's out in the open now, easier to find. Could use a little fire on my position. I need to slip away, fast." <br/ >[13:51] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos instead grabs the earpiece, but his distraction sees him thrown out of the vehicle. The knife gets imbedded even deeper as he rolls off the road. He brings the earpiece in front of his mouth, coughing blood. <br/ >[13:51] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> (COM) "Cain, hell, fucking anyone - I just had a run-in with an Augmented, fucking bleeding out." <br/ >[13:52] * Stray_G294 leans back in his seat and slams the door shut, breathing heavily. "I can't go /anywhere/ without some stupid shit going down." <br/ >[13:52] * Cain-131 hears Rads. "Affirmative. On my way to you." <br/ >[13:52] <+Juno_AI> (COM) You are on the central planet for the government that's had you listed as a high-priority kill target for nearly five years. <br/ >[13:52] <Arelynn-G056> "Roger that. Arrows of love in 3... 2... 1..." Sighting in, Arelynn opens fire, nailing her first target square through the head. Her next shot misses as the mercenary types duck from the incoming sniper fire <br/ >[13:53] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Cram it, you. <br/ >[13:53] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos rips off his shirt and holds it around his chest, and feels behind, picking up a point on his back. "Ah fuck..." He leaves the knife in. <br/ >[13:54] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Speaking of "stupid shit," as you so elegantly put it, there seems to be a firefight breaking out back at the refugee camp. <br/ >[13:54] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> (COM): "He was in a yellow cab - not sure whit rego. Wearing SWAT armour." <br/ >[13:54] <Cain-131> Most of the refugees duck for cover, making it slightly easier to try to identify the merc types. Cain levels her sidearm and scans the area, noticing they, too, had taken cover. <br/ >[13:55] <Cain-131> "Roger that. Coming to you. Stay put." She replies to Rads. <br/ >[13:55] * Stray_G294 grips the wheel tightly. "And I'll bet it's right in the middle of where I need to go. Fuck me." He turns at the nearest intersection, driving back down and trying to weave through traffic as he heads towards the camp perimeter. <br/ >[13:56] * Walter_Clements had taken cover nearby, frantically typing on his Chatter about the woman and the gunfire. <br/ >[13:56] <Arelynn-G056> Breathing in slowly, watching for her moment. One of the mercenaries shuffled behind his cover, a leg coming into view for a brief moment. Arelynn struck, the bullet piercing his leg and sending the merc sprawling out of cover to be quickly finished off <br/ >[13:57] * Cain-131 backs away from the cover, heading into the alleyway. "Keep them busy for me. I need to split. Anything bigger than mercenaries joins, then back out and meet me back at base." She tells Arelynn. <br/ >[13:57] * Walter_Clements then opens a COM link to the convoy, "I don't care how many people you've got, lock up and get out of here! Quickly! We can't lose these people." <br/ >[13:58] * Cain-131 pulls out her compact datapad, attempting to locate Rad's position. She makes her way there, sidearm drawn. <br/ >[13:59] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "Roger that." Another rifle shot rings out, taking out another merc as he popped out of cover to fire on Cain's position. "I've got you covered" <br/ >[13:59] <Ikora_AI> (COM) Cain-131 Hold on, I've got Rads. He's nearer to my position. <br/ >[14:00] <Tyler-A319> (COM) Shut up Ikora, I'm supposed to say that. <br/ >[14:00] * Cain-131 stops running, holding up in another alleyway, less than a block from the firefight. "Identify yourself." <br/ >[14:02] <Tyler-A319> I was sent by ONI along with you and Rads for backup. <br/ >[14:02] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> (COM): "Look, who cares who rescues my ass - just pick me up." He attempts to get himself up, and looks around, pulling out his Magnum to defend himself if need be. <br/ >[14:03] * Tyler-A319 a sets a navpoint on his HUD on Rads' location, and starts sprinting towards him <br/ >[14:03] <Cain-131> "Ok, get him, patch him up for me, will you?" "What's going on with these mercs?" She asks Arelynn. <br/ >[14:04] * Stray_G294 pulls into the refugee camp, ducking down at the sound of gunfire. "Pinpoint the target, now!" <br/ >[14:04] * Tyler-A319 skids and slows to a halt as he nears Rads. "Hold on out there", he says and opens a biofoam canister. <br/ >[14:04] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos spots a fully-armoured Spartan run up to him, and tries to get himself up. "Look, ey'm fine - do ya have the Biofoam?" <br/ >[14:05] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Fuck! Andra! Need help securing Clements!" <br/ >[14:05] <Tyler-A319> "Yep I do" and he inserts it into Rads' wounds, filling it with biofoam until he's patched up. <br/ >[14:05] <Andra-D054> (COM) "I hear the gunfire! I'm coming!" The female Spartan starts sprinting back into the fray. <br/ >[14:06] * Juno_AI taps into local satellite feeds, zooming in on James_Warren 's chatter signature and looping it to Stray's datapad. <br/ >[14:06] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Wait! I need you to find the sniper. Someone is supporting the Spartans out here. I'm not kidding, we got Spartans." <br/ >[14:06] <Tyler-A319> Now, describe about the augmented you ran into to me <br/ >[14:06] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Fuck....Fuck! <br/ >[14:07] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Mr. Clements. I need your location now! We got UNSC Spartans as our playdates. Worst. Luck Ever!" <br/ >[14:07] <Cain-131> "Eyes (referring to Arelynn, as she doesn't know her name yet), what've you got? What's going on down there?" Cain ducks through alleyways, attempting to return to the fray. <br/ >[14:07] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos rips Simon's knife out of him, yelling as the Biofoam burns through him. "Eh... He was bigger tan me. A little sickly, but fuck, he could easily overpower me..." <br/ >[14:08] <Andra-D054> Andra rushes to the edge of the buildings as she attempts to make headway through the scrambling masses of refugees. If this gunfire out here wasn't going to draw the cops, she didn't know if anything else would. <br/ >[14:08] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "He was wearing a SWAT uniform... I tink he's got off-world help, since I kept getting some weird interference on coms... Fuck, tis hurts!" <br/ >[14:08] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "Handful of mercs left, nothing fancy." <br/ >[14:09] <Cain-131> "Eyes on any of the targets?" She asks. <br/ >[14:09] * Stray_G294 grits his teeth, then drives full tilt towards the embattled convoy. Any refugees not already scared into shelter by the gunfire scramble to get out of the way as the cab skids to a halt by Clements's cover. <br/ >[14:09] * Arelynn-G056 swings her scope around, searching <br/ >[14:09] <Tyler-A319> Seems like he was an expert in close-quarters combat. Sounds like fun. <br/ >[14:09] * Stray_G294 ducks his head down and kicks open the passenger door. <br/ >[14:10] <Tyler-A319> Offworld? This isn't gonna end well. <br/ >[14:10] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Let's just get a Pelican. Maybe we can still catch him..." <br/ >[14:10] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Mr. Clements! Come in! Dammit!" Merlin groans as he slams his way past the refugees. <br/ >[14:10] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "I've got... there, eyes on Target 1. Appears to be returning to the firefight through one of the back alleys, far side of the area." <br/ >[14:10] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Yeah, some sort of encrypted comms." <br/ >[14:10] <Arelynn-G056> (COM) "No eyes on Target 2" <br/ >[14:10] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "I don't know how, but somehow he hacked the cab and kicked me out!" <br/ >[14:11] <Andra-D054> A sniper rifle round smashes into a concrete wall next to Arelynn's head sending dust flying everywhere. <br/ >[14:11] <Cain-131> "Roger that. Keep your eyes on him. If he tries to escape, incapacitate him. I'm on my way there." She says, just breaking through the remaining refugees back into the area she had fled from. Most of the refugees have made it into their homes. <br/ >[14:12] * Walter_Clements backs up into a corner at the appearance of the sudden car. <br/ >[14:12] * Arelynn-G056 rolls away from the edge of the building, dropping down a level to try and duck into cover <br/ >[14:12] * Stray_G294 jerks his head at Clements. "Get in, now, before you get us both shot!" <br/ >[14:12] <Arelynn-G056> "Scratch the eyes, Cain, I'm under fire." Arelynn yells into her coms. "I'll check back in when I'm free" <br/ >[14:12] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Third Spartan sighted. Sniper Rifle. Kind of lengthy looking. Maybe a III." <br/ >[14:12] <Cain-131> "Acknowledged. <br/ >[14:12] <Tyler-A319> Now Rads, breathe calmly for a few minutes. Take rest. <br/ >[14:12] <Tyler-A319> (COM) Cain, status? <br/ >[14:13] * Walter_Clements briefly looks around, his entourage either missing, bleeding out, or dead and, motivated by fear and adrenaline, hops in. <br/ >[14:13] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Fuck! Thank you Andra." <br/ >[14:13] * Arelynn-G056 peaks back around from cover carefully, eyeing the rooftops in the direction of her assailant. Nothing stands out <br/ >[14:13] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Mr. Clements! Come! In!" <br/ >[14:13] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos pushes him off of him. "Fuck that. We gotta get back..." He pulls over a car, weakly raising his badge and making his pistol noticable. "UNSC-business. We need to hijack tis vehicle." <br/ >[14:14] <Cain-131> "Trying to get our targets." Cain notices the civilian man hop into a car that had crashed in the middle of the courtyard. She scans the area for Target 1. <br/ >[14:14] * Matteus_August approaches Clements' location. "Sir, we-" He stops as he finds Clements missing from his fallback point <br/ >[14:14] <Andra-D054> Andra has her night vision settings equipped on her sniper rifle and is looking for Arelynn. "Where are you Spartan..." <br/ >[14:14] * Stray_G294 slams the door, wheeling the car around and gunning the engine and making for the highway once more. <br/ >[14:14] <+Stray_G294> (COM) I need a clear route through traffic now, before some sniper takes my head off! <br/ >[14:15] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Andra. Did you kill the sniper?" <br/ >[14:15] <Andra-D054> (COM) "No. She's still around here..." <br/ >[14:15] <+Juno_AI> (COM) I really should just turn you in before you cause any more trouble... <br/ >[14:15] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Very funny. Just get me a route out of here. <br/ >[14:15] <Matteus_August> Watching as the nearby car burns rubber to escape, Matteus catches the tiniest glimpse of Clements in the side mirror. Hesitating for only a moment, he starts trying to sprint after the truck <br/ >[14:15] * APOLLYON_Soldier decloaks in front of Cain-131, the light reflecting off of the golden dome of his Buccaneer armor and he does so. <br/ >[14:16] * Cain-131 recognizes the car as the yellow cab Rad described. She cursed under her breath once more. However, it wasn't the priority right now. <br/ >[14:16] * Cain-131 can glimpses the soldier coming out of camo, and raises her sidearm to let off a shot. <br/ >[14:16] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> He pulls out the citizen, making a run back to the slums. "Ok - Ikora, is tat the AI's name? Whatever - can you pinpoint the cab? Preferrably one with an unusual transmission signature? <br/ >[14:17] <Arelynn-G056> With a few leaps, Arelynn crosses over a few rooftops, rolling into a new vantage point. Setting up on the building's edge quietly, she scopes in on the buildings her attacker was surely in <br/ >[14:17] * APOLLYON_Soldier | His shields flare up briefly as the round impacts it. He looks at her for only a brief moment before dashing towards her, throwing a punch as he closes the distance. <br/ >[14:17] <Andra-D054> Andra sees the Spartan bouncing over the roof tops and takes a shot at the concrete wall where she stopped. <br/ >[14:18] <Merlin-D032> Merlin spots the two fighters in front of him. The female Spartan from ONI. And a newcomer, a Spartan in colors he did not recognize. He made a split second decision and fired at the sidearm in Cain's hand. <br/ >[14:19] * Cain-131 barely evades the punch, jumping to the side just as his armor brushes up against her. She swings for his helmeted head, almost making contact before a shot is fired off, and her sidearm flies out of her hand. <br/ >[14:20] <Merlin-D032> Merlin fires his DMR again. Aiming for Cain's legs. <br/ >[14:20] <Arelynn-G056> Concrete spewed off Arelynn's armor, but this time she caught the hint of the smoke trail. Swinging her rifle to bear, she quickly opened fire at the enemy sniper <br/ >[14:21] <Andra-D054> Andra drops quickly as a sniper rifle round nearly catches her shoulder. It bleeds through the air above her left shoulder, breaking her energy shields. <br/ >[14:21] <Andra-D054> "Fuck." <br/ >[14:21] * APOLLYON_Soldier | The armored soldier moves in for another blow, causing the round to hit his shields instead, flaring them up again. <br/ >[14:21] <Matteus_August> Pushing through frightened, fleeing civilians, Matteus came to a stop just before losing sight of the car that had taken Clements. Realizing he'd never catch him on foot, he looks around for a solution <br/ >[14:22] * Stray_G294 weaves through traffic, leaning back in his seat and giving way to another fit of coughing. He raises his helmet slightly above his mouth and spits bloody saliva onto the dashboard. <br/ >[14:22] <Cain-131> The round catches Cain slightly off guard, as well as the Soldier. She uses the opportunity to dive for cover behind a destroyed car. <br/ >[14:22] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "All BDS forces in the area. Anyone see Clements? This is Merlin-D032-- fuck!" <br/ >[14:22] <Matteus_August> "Bingo", he says, discovering an open top truck ripe for the taking. Finding keys still in it, much to his luck, he takes off down the road in mad pursuit <br/ >[14:23] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Merlin! I'm pinned down. Need help!" <br/ >[14:23] <Matteus_August> "He's been taking by an unknown truck," Matteus yells into his COM. "I'm in pursuit" <br/ >[14:23] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Fuck... Get him back! I'm going to help out Andra!" <br/ >[14:24] * Cain-131 spots her sidearm, laying a few feet from her. She dives and rolls to it, picking it up and firing rounds off at the Soldier. <br/ >[14:24] <Merlin-D032> Merlin flashes his IFF on Andra's personal signal. He gets a yellow wink back meaning she was there but in distress. <br/ >[14:24] <Merlin-D032> He stops for a moment and glances back at the unknown Spartan. Help him or help the unknown? <br/ >[14:25] <Ikora_AI> Ruaidhri_Ouranos Searching... can't pinpoint the exact location, but follow in the direction this road is headed towards <br/ >[14:25] <Arelynn-G056> "Give. Me. A. Fucking. Target. Dammit." <br/ >[14:25] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos shrugs. (COM): "Well tat's helpful." <br/ >[14:25] <Arelynn-G056> Shot after shot, Arelynn fired as the enemy, clearly augmented, dodged them <br/ >[14:26] <Andra-D054> Andra ducks into cover in a two story building. <br/ >[14:26] * James_Warren is on top of a different building and notices Cain on his IFF tag, having trouble fighting the other armored soldier. <br/ >[14:26] * James_Warren jumps down from the building, using his thruster pack to cushion his fall. <br/ >[14:26] <James_Warren> "Hello there." <br/ >[14:27] <Cain-131> "Focus fire on Target 1! Don't let him slip away." <br/ >[14:27] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Andra! Get to my position! We can drag the sniper in. We got an issue here!" <br/ >[14:27] <Merlin-D032> Merlin turns to face the new comer and whips out his side arm and whip fired a burst of bullets. <br/ >[14:28] <Tyler-A319> Cain, what's your status? Have you located Rads' assaulter? <br/ >[14:28] <Merlin-D032> His aim was at Warren. <br/ >[14:28] <Cain-131> "Negative. Got another problem on my hands - our priority targets." <br/ >[14:28] * Arelynn-G056 threw her sniper onto her back, deftly scaling down the buildings to find a closer angle to take on Andra <br/ >[14:28] <Ruaidhri_Ouranos> "Have we really lost that prick? What about you Ikora? Still nothing?" <br/ >[14:29] <Andra-D054> Andra fired off another round at the moving Arelynn, hoping to get a final shot before she broke into a full on sprint. <br/ >[14:29] * James_Warren returns fire with his SMG. Between Merlin's desperation and Warren's weapon's long-range characteristics, neither is doing much other than putting small dents in the other's shields. <br/ >[14:30] <Merlin-D032> Merlin slaps his automatic magnum and draws up his DMR and punches rounds into Warren's shields. <br/ >[14:30] <Tyler-A319> Alright, coming towards you! <br/ >[14:30] <Cain-131> Cain's sidearm bullets glance off of the Apollyon Soldier's shields, but she notices them breaking. She charges the Soldier. <br/ >[14:30] * Stray_G294 pulls off the highway, sliding the car into an alley indicated by Juno on the vehicle's onboard computer. "Is the camp still a hot zone?" <br/ >[14:30] <+Juno_AI> (COM) They're still blasting away at each other, yes. <br/ >[14:30] * Matteus_August had driven like a madman through the streets, and had nearly given up hope of finding Clements kidnapper. But at last he'd caught up, a hint of the yellow cab at the edge of his vision as it slid away from the highway <br/ >[14:31] * APOLLYON_Soldier readies himself as the woman charges, his arms raised in a blocking position. <br/ >[14:31] * Stray_G294 opens the door and indicates for Clements to get out. <br/ >[14:31] <+Stray_G294> Come on. We've gotta get off the main road. <br/ >[14:31] * Tyler-A319 sees a new beacon on his HUD. <br/ >[14:31] <Ikora_AI> There, that's Cain's position. That's where the targets are; we need to get there quick! <br/ >[14:31] * Cain-131 readies a punch as she collides with the man, sending them both to the ground. <br/ >[14:32] * Cain-131 punches the man repeatedly in the helmet while he tries to recover. <br/ >[14:32] * Arelynn-G056 ducked as another bullet blew past her, scraping a gash into her armor and throwing her off balance. She toppled down to the ground, just barely catching herself into a roll as she hit. It hurt like hell, but nothing seemed badly injured <br/ >[14:32] * Walter_Clements nods and does so, though it was only at this moment he realized what he had done, "Who are you? Are you with the company?" <br/ >[14:33] <Arelynn-G056> Gathering her surroundings, she readied her SMGs and took off after the enemy sniper through the streets <br/ >[14:33] * James_Warren and Merlin exhaust their weapons' magazines at about the same time, and Warren takes a second to check on Cain's fight with the unknown soldier. It seems to be going well for her, so Warren dashes over to deal with Merlin. <br/ >[14:33] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos accelerates to near the top controllable speed, rushing through the streets. <br/ >[14:33] <Merlin-D032> Merlin spent his ammunition, having missed wildly it seemed. This guy was fucking fast. <br/ >[14:33] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos nudges Tyler. "Might want to prepare to jump out..." <br/ >[14:33] * APOLLYON_Soldier manages to block some of the hits, but those that get through break his shields and hammer his visor. He brings a knee up, aiming for her gut. <br/ >[14:33] <Merlin-D032> He rushed Warren and threw a fit toward his chest. <br/ >[14:33] * Stray_G294 slides out of the car, unslinging his assault rifle with one hand and grabbing Clements by the collar with the other. "Sure, you could say that. Come on, we're dropping off the radar before the cavalry shows up." <br/ >[14:34] <Tyler-A319> I'm ready. <br/ >[14:34] * James_Warren sidesteps with his Thruster Pack, holding his leg up at the same time such that Merlin catches it in the stomach. <br/ >[14:35] <Andra-D054> Andra breaks her engagement line with Arelynn and used her thrusters to dash over the buildings. She jumps - a lot, toward Merlin's position. <br/ >[14:35] <Cain-131> His knee collides with her gut, making her reel back only temporarily. She sends a fist into the soldier's gut. <br/ >[14:35] * Ruaidhri_Ouranos takes a corner and accelerates it straight at Merlin-D032. "And... Get out now!" He jumps out of the high-speed vehicle, skinning himself but is otherwise unharmed. <br/ >[14:35] * Stray_G294 hustles Clements down the alley, moving into an abandoned car garage and activating the elevator down to the basement level. <br/ >[14:35] <Merlin-D032> Merlin takes the hit but grabs onto the leg and pulls as hard as he can, trying to send Warren head over and down into the direction of the high speed vehicle. <br/ >[14:36] * Matteus_August slams his car around the corner to exit the highway, coming to a sudden stop as he realizes there's no spare room. At the end of the alley, he spots the yellow cab and rushes towards it <br/ >[14:36] * Tyler-A319 jumps out of the vehicle, pulling out his M6D before rolling over <br/ >[14:36] * James_Warren rotates his leg as Merlin grabs it, so they both fall. <br/ >[14:36] <Andra-D054> Andra jumps in time to see the car coming in the direction of Merlin and jumps down with a ground pound, smashing the vehicle into the earth and stopping it. <br/ >[14:37] <Merlin-D032> The two Deltas regroup between Warren and Tyler, almost back to back. <br/ >[14:37] * Arelynn-G056 follows Andra through the streets, silently cursing her own lack of thruster packs <br/ >[14:39] * APOLLYON_Soldier grunts as her augmented fist slams into him, his shields still down. He grabs onto her and attempts to flip her over. <br/ >[14:40] <Merlin-D032> Merlin took a breath and noted they were now surrounded. By a Spartan II, a III, and a IV. <br/ >[14:40] * Tyler-A319 turns to face the newer Spartans, and mutters to self "Are they Gammas? If so, what are they doing here?" <br/ >[14:40] <Merlin-D032> "Fuck..." <br/ >[14:41] <Merlin-D032> There was also the unknown but he was still busy it seemed and a unknown. <br/ >[14:41] <Merlin-D032> Merlin didn't dare speak. Say anything and someone might figure out who they are. <br/ >[14:41] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Andra. Don't you dare say anything to them. We just need to fight our way out of here." <br/ >[14:41] * Cain-131 gets pushed over by the augmented Apollyon soldier, which gives her time to grab her sidearm, which was haphazardly thrown during the fight. She reaches for it, turning back and unloading rounds into the Soldier's gut. <br/ >[14:42] * Stray_G294 steps off the elevator with Clements in tow. The basement is dusty and unlit. Clearly no one has been down here in ages. He marches Clements over to a thick metal door, inputting a short code and ushering Clements inside a dusty office. <br/ >[14:42] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Got it. No talking. I'm good at that." <br/ >[14:42] * James_Warren noted that the Spartan he'd been fighting was talking with another, and took a quick second to reload his SMG <br/ >[14:43] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Smokes?" <br/ >[14:43] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Worth a try.) <br/ >[14:43] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "On my go, follow it up with grenades in all directions." <br/ >[14:44] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Now." <br/ >[14:44] <Andra-D054> Andra and Merlin threw down smoke grenades - the kind that explode. Followed by frag grenades flying in all directions. <br/ >[14:44] * Tyler-A319 notices the blip on his motion sensor as Merlin makes movement, muttering "...shit" <br/ >[14:44] <Ikora_AI> Grenades! <br/ >[14:45] * James_Warren notices the Deltas' movement and starts shooting at the two of them with the SMG, dashing backwards with the thruster pack as he does. <br/ >[14:45] <Matteus_August> Brandishing his assault rifle, Matteus approached the car. Empty. Completely. Frustrated, he kicked the car, only to hear mechanical noises from the massive garage nearby. Turning, assault rifle at the ready, he headed into the abandoned complex <br/ >[14:45] <Merlin-D032> Merlin grabs Andra by the wrist and uses his thruster pack to smash threw a concrete wall next to them. <br/ >[14:46] * Arelynn-G056 at last rounded a corner, expecting to catch Andra... only to find herself walking into a warzone as a half dozen augmented soldiers battled between each other <br/ >[14:46] * Stray_G294 releases Clements and examines the security door. "Hopefully they keep blowing each other up a bit longer." <br/ >[14:46] <Arelynn-G056> "Hell" <br/ >[14:46] <Merlin-D032> The grenades go off. Shattering concrete and sending debris everywhere. <br/ >[14:46] * Tyler-A319 kicks the grenade near him towards Merlin, and thrusts backwards <br/ >[14:46] <+Juno_AI> (COM) I can confirm the firefight is still raging. Amazing that this level of carnage can happen here on Earth. <br/ >[14:47] * APOLLYON_Soldier cries out as the rounds blow through his recharging shields and into his gut. The biofoam injectors go to work, trying to seal the wounds. He reaches for the handgun and tries to wretch it out of her hand. <br/ >[14:47] <Andra-D054> Andra follows up with a second Spartan charge and smashes through the next wall, leading both Merlin and her out the back of the building they just ran through. <br/ >[14:47] <Tyler-A319> The exploding force also accelerates Tyler backwards, crashing him into a civilian car. <br/ >[14:47] <Ikora_AI> Tyler, the two unknown Spartans are escaping! <br/ >[14:47] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Put a bunch of psychos with guns and explosives together for long enough, eventually they'll start blasting the shit out of each other. You get used to this sort of thing after a while. <br/ >[14:47] * Cain-131 backpedals, firing the rest of the magazine into the Soldier. <br/ >[14:47] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Shouldn't we go back for that other guy?" <br/ >[14:48] * James_Warren avoided the worst of the debris and is looking around to plan his next move. <br/ >[14:48] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Yes, you certainly handled this mission like a professional. <br/ >[14:48] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Look, I wasn't expecting some ONI aug to try inviting me on a lunch date. <br/ >[14:48] * Tyler-A319 acknowledges and searches the surroundings for targets, still dizzy, but noticing the two Spartans going through a broken wall. <br/ >[14:48] <Andra-D054> (COM) "What other guy!?!" Andra screams into her microphone as the two stop to catch their breaths. The building they broke through was crumbling a bit behind them. Really old foundation couldn't take the impacts. <br/ >[14:49] <Merlin-D032> Merlin sees the Spartan III through the smoke. "We need to keep moving!" <br/ >[14:49] <Andra-D054> Andra brings up her sniper rifle and puts her last bullet where Tyler is standing. <br/ >[14:50] * Cain-131 throws the empty handgun to distract the Soldier, as she roundhouse kicks him in the head, her heel contacting his visor. <br/ >[14:50] <Andra-D054> (COM)"Run! Now!" <br/ >[14:50] * James_Warren notices Tyler embedded in a car, the broken wall, and the two missing Spartans, so he runs over to investigate the wall to see if the two Spartans had run through it. <br/ >[14:50] * Stray_G294 takes off the police helmet and sets it down on the table. The poor lighting hides the full extent of the cloning sickness's effects on his face. <br/ >[14:51] <Merlin-D032> Merlin and Andra start running from the smoking building and the debris cloud around them. <br/ >[14:51] * Tyler-A319 sees Andra aiming at her, and moves out of the way as the round strikes the car, bringing out his own sniper rifle in the process. <br/ >[14:51] <+Stray_G294> Alright, Mr. Baal Defense Solutions. Now that the excitement's over we can talk some business. <br/ >[14:52] * James_Warren runs up alongside the hole. "They've gone through there, I assume?" <br/ >[14:52] * APOLLYON_Soldier stumbles backwards slightly as the handgun smashes into his visor, shattering it, allowing him to very narrowly miss the kick. He shakes his head to clear it and then stares back at Cain. He's about to charge again but pauses suddenly. <br/ >[14:52] * Tyler-A319 aims and empties the magazine at the escaping Spartans, as the building collapses. He risks it and goes near the car he was in earlier, to retrieve his DMR inside. <br/ >[14:52] <Merlin-D032> Merlin and Andra are already running, disappearing into the night and smoke back to their SUV. <br/ >[14:52] * Walter_Clements looks around, still terrified. He instinctively reaches for his handgun, only to find he must've lost it in the confusion. <br/ >[14:52] * Arelynn-G056 pings for IFF tags, marking her ONI allies amid the chaos. Noting Tyler's situation with Andra and Merlin, she moves to cover him as the enemies flee into a cloud of building dust and debris <br/ >[14:53] <Walter_Clements> "Wh-what do you want?" <br/ >[14:53] * Cain-131 uses this moment of hesitation to once again charge the soldier, readying a suckerpunch for his head. <br/ >[14:53] <Matteus_August> "Dammit, dammit, dammit" Matteus mutters to himself, moving slowly through the abandoned garage. He was no tracker, but he knew he'd heard noise from inside the structure. He just had no clue where to search, especially when his opponent was a completely unknown <br/ >[14:55] * Stray_G294 steps over to the corner of the office closest to the street level. He pulls a small explosive charge from his tactical vest and affixes it to the ceiling. <br/ >[14:55] <+Stray_G294> Walter Clements. You were one of BDS's top men out on the frontier. I really wasn't expecting to have to track your ass down all the way to Earth. <br/ >[14:56] <+Stray_G294> Why couldn't you have picked a nicer spot, like Venezia or Mamore? <br/ >[14:57] * APOLLYON_Soldier looks up just in time to see the fist flying towards him. He raises his arms to block just as the fist impacts him, sending his head flying back with a sickening pop. <br/ >[14:58] * James_Warren runs over to Cain's fight, uses his Thruster Pack to get in a position to catch the Apollyon soldier, catches him, and bodyslams him facefirst into the pavement. <br/ >[14:58] <Merlin-D032> Merlin and Andra rush back to the SUV and stop. They stop to take their breath and look back behind them. Andra had her lone SMG left to scan the area. <br/ >[14:59] <Andra-D054> Andra could still hear the fighting even after most of the civilians had long since disappeared. <br/ >[14:59] <Andra-D054> (COM) "We made it out. No tails so far." <br/ >[14:59] * Arelynn-G056 forms up around the group of other ONI agents <br/ >[14:59] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "We left that other guy by himself." <br/ >[15:00] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Fuck that. Better him than us..." <br/ >[15:00] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "We need to find Clements." <br/ >[15:00] <Walter_Clements> "Th-the company needed me here. There had been delays in finalizing a transaction. They wanted me to expedite it." <br/ >[15:00] * Cain-131 turns back towards the bigger fight. "Where'd our targets go? What's everyone's statues?" <br/ >[15:00] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Yeah..." <br/ >[15:01] <Andra-D054> Andra tossed her SMG to Merlin and stepped into the SUV's front seat and started up the vehicle. <br/ >[15:01] * Juno_AI discreetly hacks the city's network, rerouting several emergency response vehicles to the scene of the firefight and tagging the trucks full of human merchandise for local law enforcement. <br/ >[15:01] <Merlin-D032> Merlin climbed into the passenger seat and placed his pistol on the dash board while keeping the SMG at a ready. <br/ >[15:01] <James_Warren> "I'm fine, two of the Spartans we were fighting seem to have gotten away, and Tyler here was flung into a car but doesn't seem to be bothered by it." <br/ >[15:01] <Matteus_August> Struggling through the garage, Matteus at last finds the elevator to the lower levels. The rubble and dirt looked disturbed, as did the doors. Pinging the elevator, he physically cringed at the loud noises it made as it arrived. Not seeing any other way, he stepped inside and descended <br/ >[15:01] * APOLLYON_Soldier | With the occupant dead, a beep, barely audible over the chaos, begins emminating from the suit, with warning lights going off on the reactor. <br/ >[15:02] <+Stray_G294> Right. The human cargo the Syndicate's been shipping out of the Inner Colonies by the crateload. <br/ >[15:02] <Tyler-A319> Eh, it's nothing big really, I'm good. Happy to see my DMR not broken in half, though. <br/ >[15:02] <James_Warren> "I should probably get away from this guy, the suit's getting a bit warm." <br/ >[15:02] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "August! This is Merlin! Where are you?" <br/ >[15:02] * Cain-131 turns to see the body emanating warning lights and a beep. "Move it!" She sprints for cover and pushes Warren and Tyler to cover as well. <br/ >[15:02] <+Stray_G294> Good thing they had you to rub shoulders with the Syndicate and grease the wheels a bit. <br/ >[15:03] * James_Warren uses his Thruster Pack to get away, but gets partially caught in the inferno. <br/ >[15:03] <Ikora_AI> Armor's temperature's increasing; it might self-explode. Get out of its range! <br/ >[15:03] * APOLLYON_Soldier | A split second later, the reactor detonates, creating a wall of fire five meters out, incinerating anyone or thing in the way. <br/ >[15:04] <Tyler-A319> | Thankfully, Tyler heeded to Ikora's advice and thrusted in a different direction, as the suit's reactor exploded. <br/ >[15:04] * Matteus_August visibly jumps as Merlin's voice comes into his ear so suddenly. "I'm in an abandoned parking garage, other side of town," he said into his COM. "Still tracking Clements" <br/ >[15:05] * Cain-131 sprinted away, catching some of the flames on her back as she jumped to cover. <br/ >[15:05] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "We're on our way. Just ping your location. We made it out of the firefight..." <br/ >[15:05] * James_Warren notices three things immediately: his shields are down, his armor held up, and his Geiger counter was beeping wildly. <br/ >[15:06] * James_Warren takes additional cover while waiting for his shields to recharge. <br/ >[15:07] * James_Warren then notices his shields aren't recharging. <br/ >[15:07] * Tyler-A319 | The blast sends a shoulder pauldron on Tyler's left hand flying off, much to his dismay <br/ >[15:07] * Walter_Clements laughs uneasily, "What can I say? I'm good with people." <br/ >[15:08] * Matteus_August pings his location as the elevator comes to a stop at last <br/ >[15:08] <+Stray_G294> Good with the Syndicate, especially. Which makes you just the man I need to talk to. <br/ >[15:08] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Got it! We're in bound! Andra, gun it." <br/ >[15:08] <Andra-D054> Andra pushed down on the accelerator. Pushing the SUV onto the highway. <br/ >[15:08] <Cain-131> Fire burns Cain's back as she attempts to brush the flames away. She grunts as the flames burn through her civilian clothing and her skin. <br/ >[15:09] <Andra-D054> She immiediately slams into a civilian vehicle as she runs into a traffic jam. <br/ >[15:09] <Merlin-D032> "Screw it. We'll leg it from here." <br/ >[15:10] <Andra-D054> Andra grabs Merlin's full auto pistol off the dash and grabs her own off her leg so she had two. <br/ >[15:10] <Andra-D054> "Take point." <br/ >[15:10] <Merlin-D032> The two Deltas start rushing forward, jumping and hopping over cars and asphalt as they double timed at 30 miles per hour toward August's last known position. <br/ >[15:10] * Adrian_Newell gets out of his car and glares at the SUV that just crashed into it. <br/ >[15:11] * Cain-131 brushes the flames away, and can automatically feel blood seeping through her clothes and jacket. It was painful and her wounds stung as she moved, but she ignored it. "Where are the targets?" <br/ >[15:11] <Merlin-D032> Merlin flies over Newell's head. "Sorry!" He yells back to the man. <br/ >[15:11] * Adrian_Newell then notices two figures clad in armor rushing away. "That - Get back here! No you don't!" <br/ >[15:12] <Walter_Clements> "What do you mean?" <br/ >[15:12] <Merlin-D032> The two Spartans are gone over the sea of cars. <br/ >[15:12] * Stray_G294 draws a small knife and taps it against his finger. "So, how you answer my questions determines whether your flunkies out there find you in one piece or several." <br/ >[15:12] <Ikora_AI> "They're on a highway, running away. The third one, I haven't been tracking him." <br/ >[15:12] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "He's a kilo to the east!" <br/ >[15:12] <Andra-D054> "(COM) "Copy!" <br/ >[15:13] * Adrian_Newell goes behind the SUV to get the license plate number. <br/ >[15:13] * Matteus_August begins examining the decrepit garage, trying to follow a trail he can barely see <br/ >[15:13] * Walter_Clements swallows hard, "Okay." <br/ >[15:13] <Cain-131> "Where did the two run off to?" She asks Ikora. <br/ >[15:13] <+Stray_G294> Glad to hear it. <br/ >[15:13] <Merlin-D032> Merlin and Andra land next to the taxi and truck that August had reported from. <br/ >[15:14] * Adrian_Newell whips out his Chatter and calls the police. "I'd like to report a hit-and-run." <br/ >[15:14] * Stray_G294 sheathes the knife. "The Syndicate's cloning program. I know you were BDS's envoy for helping them set up their facilities on the frontier." <br/ >[15:16] <Cain-131> "What's everyone's statues?" <br/ >[15:16] <Walter_Clements> "I helped them acquire the facilities and equipment needed for it." <br/ >[15:16] * Adrian_Newell is still on the phone. "Yes, I have the plate number. What the f - they hit me, and they ran away on foot!" <br/ >[15:16] <+Stray_G294> So I'm guessing you kept detailed records of where those facilities were established. <br/ >[15:16] <Arelynn-G056> "My SMG mags are good, but my sniper's running low by now" <br/ >[15:16] <+Stray_G294> You know, company records and whatnot. <br/ >[15:17] * Walter_Clements nods, <br/ >[15:17] <Walter_Clements> "Of course, it was part of our deal." <br/ >[15:17] <+Stray_G294> So you see where this is going. <br/ >[15:18] <Adrian_Newell> "I couldn't see what their faces looked like, they were in armor!" <br/ >[15:18] <Cain-131> "Affirmative. Where are you at, Eyes?" <br/ >[15:18] <Ikora_AI> I have the location. Follow me, err... Tyler. <br/ >[15:18] * Stray_G294 sits down on the desk, running a hand down his haggard face. <br/ >[15:18] <Adrian_Newell> "I COULDN'T SEE WHAT THE FACES OF THEIR HELMETS LOOKED LIKE EITHER!" <br/ >[15:18] <Tyler-A319> You heard her, Warren and Rads, come with us too. <br/ >[15:20] <James_Warren> "I call not taking point, my shields are still broken." <br/ >[15:20] <Cain-131> "Lets move it. Today's been a hell of a shit-show." She muttered the last part under her breath. Cain looked around for a weapon, and picked up a civilian assault rifle that was lying on the ground. <br/ >[15:20] <Amanda_Newell> Honey, we have insurance, right? <br/ >[15:20] <Cain-131> "Tyler, take point. Lead the way." <br/ >[15:20] <Tyler-A319> Cain, any serious injuries? We can call for evac and you can take some rest. <br/ >[15:21] <Amanda_Newell> Honey? <br/ >[15:21] <Adrian_Newell> "I'm worried that that guy doesn't have insurance!" He gets back on the phone. "Right, so two people in full armor aren't going to stand out in the middle of Atlanta?" <br/ >[15:21] <Walter_Clements> "Yeah, I do. Off the top of my head, I remember one of them on Spartolos." <br/ >[15:22] <Cain-131> "No, I'm fine. My priority is to catch our targets." <br/ >[15:22] <Tyler-A319> If you say so. Ikora, upload NAV markers to everyone else. <br/ >[15:22] <Cain-131> "Arelynn and Tyler, lead the way." <br/ >[15:23] * Tyler-A319 | Saying so, Tyler starts sprinting. <br/ >[15:23] * Cain-131 sprints after him. <br/ >[15:23] * Stray_G294 pokes a finger at Clements. "Your datapad?" <br/ >[15:23] * James_Warren follows them. <br/ >[15:24] <Amanda_Newell> Well, don't you think it's time we brought a new car? I've been asking since a long time anyways... (her accent is British lel) <br/ >[15:24] * Matteus_August at last discovers a large, armored door. Examining it, he realizes it's locked with a keypad. Carefully, he begins trying to find another way in <br/ >[15:25] <Adrian_Newell> "You know what, sure." <br/ >[15:26] * Walter_Clements reaches into his pocket and pulls out the pad, unlocking it and pulling up the intel on the facilities, "I can transfer the data over to you." <br/ >[15:26] <Amanda_Newell> "I've always liked one of those Genets, maybe last year's newer SUV model will do us just fine." <br/ >[15:26] <Amanda_Newell> "Wait till our children see what has happened to this car." <br/ >[15:26] <+Stray_G294> Much appreciated. <br/ >[15:27] * Adrian_Newell surveys the destroyed back end of the car. "Yep." <br/ >[15:29] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "August! Come in!" <br/ >[15:29] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "August?" <br/ >[15:29] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "He's not pinging anymore... something happen to him?" <br/ >[15:29] * Stray_G294 pulls out his own datapad. "Hurry up and make the transfer. I'm running out of time here." <br/ >[15:30] <Andra-D054> (COM) "We'll just have to account for the missing later. Let's just follow the trail." <br/ >[15:30] * APD_Davis shouts over to the two Deltas. "Freeze! APD!" <br/ >[15:30] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Right. Lets' --" <br/ >[15:30] <Andra-D054> (COM) "Cops now?" <br/ >[15:31] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "I think at this point I'm less interested in killing bystanders..." <br/ >[15:31] <Tyler-A319> Tyler and the rest of the UNSC forces almost reach Merlin's position, accidentally bumping into Newell's car again. <br/ >[15:31] <Andra-D054> (COM) "We <br/ >[15:31] <Andra-D054> "We <br/ >[15:31] <APD_Davis> "Hands where I can see them!" <br/ >[15:31] <Andra-D054> (COM) "we <br/ >[15:31] <Amanda_Newell> "WHAT THE FUCK?! AGAIN?!" <br/ >[15:31] <Andra-D054> (COM) "We're on a deadline." <br/ >[15:32] <Merlin-D032> (COM) "Alright. Just throw a concuss." <br/ >[15:32] <Walter_Clements> "Gotta do a hard transfer, data is too sensitive otherwise." He pulls out a link cable. <br/ >[15:32] <Andra-D054> Andra throws a flashbang down and the two Deltas keep going deeper into the earth. <br/ >[15:33] * Juno_AI monitors the data transfer, aware of the net closing in on the interrogation room. <br/ >[15:33] * APD_Davis starts firing at the two Deltas as they run away. <br/ >[15:33] <Merlin-D032> Flashbang cooks off in front of Davis. <br/ >[15:34] * Tyler-A319 hears the gunshots near their destination, "There! Something's happening!" <br/ >[15:34] * APD_Davis kicks it away but it still goes off in his face. "Officer down!" <br/ >[15:34] <Merlin-D032> "Fuck it. Just follow the trail here!" <br/ >[15:35] * Walter_Clements | He taps a few buttons, starting the transfer. He sets the pads on the desk and lets his arms fall into his lap. While there, he activates the small transponder on his watch, sending his location to the Deltas. <br/ >[15:35] <Merlin-D032> Merlin and Andra find the elevator into the Earth. The pinging of Clements comes in strong. "Found him. Finally." <br/ >[15:36] <Andra-D054> Andra smashes through the bottom of the elevator with a ground pound to the bottom. <br/ >[15:36] * Tyler-A319 shouts, "Officer!" as he nears the fallen man. "Are you okay? Tell me what happened here." <br/ >[15:36] * Several_APD_cops were doing a drug bust as the two Spartans run past. "That's the guys they issued the APB about!" <br/ >[15:36] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Simon, you're running out of time. The BDS team is closing in. <br/ >[15:36] <Merlin-D032> Merlin follows down the tunnel. <br/ >[15:36] <Merlin-D032> "Door!" <br/ >[15:36] <+Stray_G294> Right. <br/ >[15:37] <Andra-D054> "Ready?" Andra and Merlin line up to breach. <br/ >[15:37] <APD_Davis> "They went that way! I think! I can't see much though." <br/ >[15:37] * Stray_G294 unholsters his pistol. "Let's speed this up. I don't have all day here." <br/ >[15:37] <Andra-D054> Merlin smashes down the door and draws the SMG into a firing position. <br/ >[15:37] <Andra-D054> Andra draws her pistols following him in. <br/ >[15:38] <Merlin-D032> Merlin spots Simon through the dust <br/ >[15:38] <Merlin-D032> A skinny little man in a SWAT team suit... <br/ >[15:38] * Stray_G294 whips up his pistol and aims at Clements. <br/ >[15:38] <Merlin-D032> "Drop the weapon!" <br/ >[15:38] <+Stray_G294> That's my line. <br/ ><+Stray_G294> Guns down boys, or your boss gets one in the head. <br/ >[15:39] * Several_APD_cops are chasing down the two Deltas, having tracked their locations using the array of security cameras. <br/ >[15:39] <Andra-D054> "You're talking to a lady..." Andra mumbles at the Gamma. <br/ >[15:39] * Tyler-A319 looks ahead to see no one nearby. "Must've gotten out, dammit!" <br/ >[15:39] * Stray_G294 scowls at the sound of boots behind the Deltas. <br/ >[15:39] <+Stray_G294> Jeez, it's a fucking parade. <br/ >[15:39] * Cain-131 looks at the cops. "Where are they going?" <br/ >[15:39] <Merlin-D032> "Well shit. We have company." <br/ >[15:40] <+Stray_G294> Hey, Clements, tell your goons to give us some privacy. <br/ >[15:40] <Andra-D054> Andra does a double take. "Fuck!" <br/ >[15:40] <APD_Davis> "There's a tracking device in the car, you may be able to find them with that." <br/ >[15:40] <Walter_Clements> "It's finished. That's everything you need about the Syndicate's cloning facilities on a dozen worlds. Locations, security, everything." <br/ >[15:41] <Merlin-D032> "Fuck...we're so fucked..." <br/ >[15:41] <Andra-D054> Andra grabs Merlin by the shoulder. "No time to break down. We got company!" <br/ >[15:41] * Several_APD_cops surround the building. <br/ >[15:41] * Stray_G294 keeps the gun pointed at Clements, taking the datapad and checking the transfer. "Juno?" <br/ >[15:41] <Andra-D054> Andra turned to Simon. "Who are you and right now, we're all dead unless you help us!" <br/ >[15:42] <Several_APD_cops> "APD! Freeze! You're surrounded!" <br/ >[15:42] <+Juno_AI> (COM) It checks out. And our contingency's in place outside. <br/ >[15:42] * Cain-131 motions for the rest of the team to follow the cops. <br/ >[15:42] <James_Warren> "I have a bad feeling about this." <br/ >[15:42] * Stray_G294 tucks the datapad away. "Wonderful. Nice doing business with you, Mr. Clements." <br/ >[15:43] <Cain-131> The cops have the building surrounded, and the team pushes through to get inside. "We need to capture our targets." <br/ >[15:43] * Stray_G294 trains the pistol on Clements once more. <br/ >[15:43] <+Juno_AI> (COM) Simon, no -- ! <br/ >[15:43] * Stray_G294 shoots Clements twice in the chest. <br/ >[15:44] * Walter_Clements slumps over and falls out of the chair as the rounds slam into him. <br/ >[15:44] <Several_APD_cops> "Gunfire!" The cops train their weapons onto the building. "Exit with your hands raised!" <br/ >[15:44] <Cain-131> The team makes it down the hallways, just to hear shots ring out. Cain rounds the corner, seeing the backs of the two targets. <br/ >[15:44] <Merlin-D032> "Fuck!" <br/ >[15:44] <Merlin-D032> Merlin trains his gun on Simon! <br/ >[15:44] <Merlin-D032> "Who the hell are you!?!" <br/ >[15:45] * Stray_G294 glances back at Merlin. <br/ >[15:45] <+Stray_G294> Sorry. <br/ >[15:46] <+Stray_G294> I don't like slavers. <br/ >[15:46] <Merlin-D032> "That wasn't our call!" <br/ >[15:46] <Merlin-D032> "You look as much like a Spartan as we do! Who are you?" <br/ >[15:47] <+Stray_G294> No one that important. <br/ >[15:47] * Stray_G294 jerks his head out at the hallway. <br/ >[15:47] <Merlin-D032> Merlin's eyes follow Stray's glance and sees Cain. "Fuck... they're here too." <br/ >[15:47] <+Stray_G294> You can stay here and shoot it out with the cops. Or you can follow me out of here. You're call. <br/ >[15:48] * Stray_G294 ducks, tapping his datapad and detonating the explosive he rigged to the ceiling. <br/ >[15:48] <Cain-131> "You guys are tough sons of bitches. You going to come with me, or him?" She has her rifle trained on them. <br/ >[15:48] <Andra-D054> Andra throws a smoke grenade and her last fragmentation grenade back down the hallway. <br/ >[15:48] <Several_APD_cops> "Open fire!" <br/ >[15:48] <Andra-D054> "We're with you!" <br/ >[15:48] * Several_APD_cops open fire. <br/ >[15:48] * Cain-131 backpedals, trying to avoid the explosions, however, they knock her off her feet. <br/ >[15:49] * Liro_`Zonam drops down from the ceiling and decloaks, igniting his energy sword and bringing his plasma rifle to bear. <br/ >[15:49] * James_Warren is fairly badly injured in the explosion. <br/ >[15:49] <Merlin-D032> "An Elite!?!" <br/ >[15:50] <Merlin-D032> Merlin keeps his eyes on the Elite but his SMG couldn't pick a target anymore. <br/ >[15:50] * Cain-131 lands on her back, burns running across the front of her body. <br/ >[15:50] * Liro_`Zonam turns towards Simon, "The ship is waiting for you. Go no." <br/ >[15:50] <Andra-D054> "So! We with you?" <br/ >[15:51] * Stray_G294 ducks behind Liro, using the warrior as a shield. "Got it. Time to get out of here." <br/ >[15:51] <Merlin-D032> Merlin just looks around flabbergasted. Andra had taken control of the situation but this was getting really weird. <br/ >[15:51] <Merlin-D032> Reclaiming his resolve Merlin snaps to Simon. "You have a plan? We're in. Just get us all out of here!" <br/ >[15:52] <+Stray_G294> You two want to come, feel free. <br/ >[15:52] * Stray_G294 clambers through the blasted-out concrete and back out into the street. <br/ >[15:52] <Merlin-D032> The two Deltas looked at one another and shrugged. And followed the unknown Spartan out his concrete path. <br/ >[15:53] * Cain-131 gets knocked out from the two explosions, which were in close proximity to her. <br/ >[15:55] <Tyler-A319> Tyler notices the Spartans escaping again, muttering "Is this revenge for not wanting to bring GAUNTLET since this was supposed to be an easy mission?", and blindly shoots his M6D at Simon and group, missing every single bullet. <br/ >[15:55] <Liro_`Zonam> "I am uploading the coordinates to your data pad, it is not far." <br/ >[15:55] * Stray_G294 ducks back behind a parked car, returning fire with his assault rifle. <br/ >[15:55] <+Stray_G294> Sure seems far to me. <br/ >[15:56] <Merlin-D032> "This day cannot get weirder. An Elite. A rogue Spartan. An ONI kill team with Spartans..." <br/ >[15:56] <Andra-D054> "Our client is dead and we might have just been marked for death by BDS too..." <br/ >[15:57] * Tyler-A319 | Hesitant to leave Cain behind, Tyler approaches her and orders Warren to patch her up. <br/ >[15:57] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Juno, get us some cover! <br/ >[15:57] <Merlin-D032> "Don't. Remind. Me.: <br/ >[15:57] * James_Warren also needs patching up <br/ >[15:57] * Juno_AI pointedly does nothing. <br/ >[15:57] <+Stray_G294> Oh for fuck's sake... <br/ >[15:57] * Liro_`Zonam fires at the police officers, globs of plasma burning through their simply uniforms and body armor. <br/ >[15:58] * Stray_G294 fires another burst with the rifle, then leaps up and sprints down the street towards Liro's ship. <br/ >[15:58] * Several_APD_cops die in large numbers <br/ >[15:58] * Liro_`Zonam follows behind, remotely deactivating the Phantom's cloak as they approach. <br/ >[15:59] <Tyler-A319> (Righto, change that to Arelynn) <br/ >[16:00] * Tyler-A319 | With everyone's wounds barely healed and no more biofoam canisters left, Tyler reluctantly leaves the team and follows Simon and group, shouting "Come with me if you're ready!" <br/ >[16:00] * Stray_G294 clambers onto the Phantom. "How the hell did you get one of these things onto Earth?" <br/ >[16:00] <Merlin-D032> "I'm so confused..." <br/ >[16:00] * Samuel-D150 is waiting aboard. "I see you've made friends." <br/ >[16:00] * Cain-131 sustained a major head wound, and is still knocked unconscious. <br/ >[16:01] <Andra-D054> "..." <br/ >[16:01] <+Stray_G294> Not sure what to call them right now. <br/ >[16:01] <Andra-D054> Andra's eyes behind her visor snapped to a familiar face. One she wasn't close to but she at least recognized the armor, she thought. <br/ >[16:01] <Andra-D054> "You a Delta?" <br/ >[16:01] * Stray_G294 slides inside the Phantom as another fusillade of bullets slams into the dropship. <br/ >[16:01] * Samuel-D150 scoffs. "No, I'm an Epsilon." <br/ >[16:02] <Merlin-D032> "Wait? What.... yeah, who are you?" <br/ >[16:02] <Merlin-D032> "Oh. Shut up." <br/ >[16:02] <Samuel-D150> "Yes, I'm a Delta. D150." <br/ >[16:02] <Merlin-D032> "You're...Sam?" <br/ >[16:02] <Merlin-D032> "Where the hell have you been all this time!?!" <br/ >[16:02] <+Stray_G294> Escaping now, class reunion later please. <br/ >[16:02] <Samuel-D150> "Why does that concern you?" <br/ >[16:02] <Tyler-A319> Tyler barely makes it as the Phantom lifts off. Realizing that he cannot jump and climb onto it, he manages to get one frag grenade into the hangar bay. <br/ >[16:02] <Andra-D054> "We haven't seen each other since graduation.." <br/ >[16:03] <Merlin-D032> "Fuck. He's right. Buckle in!" <br/ >[16:03] <Merlin-D032> The grenade rolls in. <br/ >[16:03] * Stray_G294 notices the grenade slip through the hatch. "Oh shit." <br/ >[16:03] <Merlin-D032> "Fuck! Grenade!" <br/ >[16:03] <Merlin-D032> Merlin tackles Andra to the side, covering her with his own armor. <br/ >[16:03] <Samuel-D150> "I'm not kicking that out, by the way!" <br/ >[16:04] * Stray_G294 throws himself away as the grenade detonates, blasting a hole in the Phantom's side. <br/ >[16:04] * Liro_`Zonam slides into the pilot's seat right as the grenade goes off, scoring the insides of the Phantom, "Are you all still alive back there?" <br/ >[16:04] <+Stray_G294> Think so. <br/ >[16:04] <Samuel-D150> "I'm not fixing that either!" <br/ >[16:04] * Stray_G294 glances at the gaping hole in the Phantom. <br/ >[16:05] <+Stray_G294> Really hope you brought something bigger than this. <br/ >[16:05] <Liro_`Zonam> "Let us hope your human scanners have not improved enough to detect Covenant cloaking." He taps something into the control pad and begins speaking in Sangheili. <br/ >[16:05] <Merlin-D032> Merlin groans, taking most of the grenade - his shields sputter and his teeth chatter but he's not dead. <br/ >[16:06] <Andra-D054> "We're...good." <br/ >[16:06] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Juno, we'd better not have a fighter squadron bearing down on us. <br/ >[16:06] <Merlin-D032> "You sure your cloaking can account for a gapping hole in your armor!?!" <br/ >[16:06] <Ikora_AI> Since when did you become an expert in accurately throwing grenades on the first try? <br/ >[16:06] <+Juno_AI> (COM) I'm jamming their sensors. <br/ >[16:06] * Liro_`Zonam | The Phantom lifts off the ground, shaky at first, but soon levels out as they fly away. <br/ >[16:06] * Juno_AI does not sound particularly pleased. <br/ >[16:07] <+Stray_G294> (COM) Yeah, yeah, mope about the dead scumbag later. <br/ >[16:07] <Tyler-A319> (COM) This is UNSC SPARTAN-A319, requesting air support now! We have a Covenant gunship at my location, trying to escape! <br/ >[16:08] <Merlin-D032> "Who are you talking to anyway, you were talking to someone down in the underground too?" Merlin addresses the unknown Gamma in front of him. <br/ >[16:08] <Tyler-A319> And Ikora, save it for later. No time for jokes. <br/ >[16:08] <Ikora_AI> I thought so. <br/ >[16:08] * Stray_G294 approaches a weapons locker in the back of the dropship, pulling off his SWAT armor and withdrawing several pieces of SPI gear. <br/ >[16:09] <+Stray_G294> You think I'd try to start shit on Earth without having some backup in the system? <br/ >[16:09] * Liro_`Zonam | The dropship peels away and rockets up, the side doors sealing up, "The air is going to get thin as we approach the upper atmosphere. I hope your suits can hold air, or you can hold your breath." <br/ >[16:09] <Merlin-D032> "I don't even know who you are..." <br/ >[16:09] <Merlin-D032> "Wait. You're...you look familiar." <br/ >[16:10] <Andra-D054> Sam should have told you that we can handle ourselves." <br/ >[16:10] * Stray_G294 dons the armor, quickly sealing up for the atmosphere. <br/ >[16:10] <+Stray_G294> Yeah, you guys looked like you were doing amazing back there. <br/ >[16:10] <Merlin-D032> "You're... Spartan G294?" <br/ >[16:10] * Amanda_Newell | Meanwhile.... <br/ >[16:10] <Amanda_Newell> HONEY I SWEAR ON GOD WE'RE SUING THE UNSC FOR WRECKING OUR CAR <br/ >[16:11] <+Stray_G294> What with your shady slave deals and everything. <br/ >[16:11] <Adrian_Newell> "You were handling it well five minutes ago, what's gotten into you?!" <br/ >[16:11] <Samuel-D150> "Wait, what?" <br/ >[16:11] * Stray_G294 scowls as he slips on his helmet. <br/ >[16:11] <Andra-D054> "Andra looks to Sam, you've been working with a known traitor all this time?" <br/ >[16:12] <+Stray_G294> And here I thought they'd taken me off the wanted list. <br/ >[16:12] * Cain-131 wakes up, barely conscious. She shakily gets to her feet, seeing that all of the police officers in the hallway are dead. The other members of her squad, no where to be found. Both the front and back of her body are covered in severe burns and seeping blood. <br/ >[16:12] <Merlin-D032> Merlin is still staring at Simon. "I-I-I... we got out of the UNSC only a few months ago." <br/ >[16:12] <Amanda_Newell> THAT SON OF A BITCH DESTROYED MY NEW MAKEUP KIT WHEN HE DASHED THE CAR, I'M NO LONGER CALM! <br/ >[16:12] <+Stray_G294> Oh, it takes one to know one, Miss BDS Muscle <br/ >[16:12] <Adrian_Newell> "They build those things to be broken, you'll be fine." <br/ >[16:12] <Merlin-D032> "You blew up Phillie..." <br/ >[16:13] * Cain-131 looks to see that the targets had fled, as well. She limped her way out of the tunnel, making it back to the abandoned garage without being detected by the police. <br/ >[16:13] <Andra-D054> "It's Andra...Andra-D054, Mr. Simon Onegin." <br/ >[16:13] * Amanda_Newell angrily kicks the car, hurting herself instead. <br/ >[16:14] <+Stray_G294> Oh great, more Deltas. <br/ >[16:14] <Adrian_Newell> "Don't do that, honey. You'll cut your foot." <br/ >[16:14] * Liro_`Zonam | The atomsphere approaches the upper limits of Earth's atmosphere and `Zonam holds his breath as a ship decloaks in front of them, a CRS light cruiser. The dropship quickly flies into the hangar and the internalized atmosphere within. <br/ >[16:14] <+Stray_G294> Don't make me kick you out that hole you let them blow in the ship. <br/ >[16:14] * Tyler-A319 | Arelynn wakes up after being knocked out, and sees Cain limping. Getting over the dizziness quickly, she runs towards her and helps her. <br/ >[16:15] <Merlin-D032> "I blame Sam." <br/ >[16:15] * Stray_G294 glances up. "If the orbital grid doesn't blast us to smithereens first." <br/ >[16:15] * Samuel-D150 turns to Stray. "This isn't something I've heard about either, is everyone keeping secrets from each other?" <br/ >[16:15] <Tyler-A319> (COM) Does anybody copy? Dammit! <br/ >[16:15] <Andra-D054> "You didn't know? He blew up Phillie like a couple years back." <br/ >[16:15] <+Stray_G294> Look, I didn't plan on picking these clowns up. All I did was shoot their boss and run away. <br/ >[16:15] <James_Warren> (COM) "I'm here, just." <br/ >[16:15] * Cain-131 refuses Arelynn's help. "Stay here with the casualties. I have to call this in." <br/ >[16:16] <Andra-D054> "You did shoot our boss. Though, you got us out of there..." <br/ >[16:16] <Samuel-D150> "Am I the only one around here who hasn't committed a large-scale crime?" <br/ >[16:16] <Merlin-D032> "You have our thanks at least." <br/ >[16:16] <+Stray_G294> Pretty sure hanging out with me counts as high treason. <br/ >[16:16] <Merlin-D032> "We haven't killed anyone yet, you know?" <br/ >[16:16] <Liro_`Zonam> "Once we cloak, we should be fine. Your sensors could not detect us on the way down." <br/ >[16:16] <Samuel-D150> "Easier than finding a NOVA bomb, I suppose." <br/ >[16:17] <+Stray_G294> Of course you haven't killed anyone. <br/ >[16:17] <Merlin-D032> "And don't you dare start about the refugees. We were there for muscle - I didn't sign up for that." <br/ >[16:17] <+Stray_G294> Just all those people the UNSC told you to. <br/ >[16:17] * Stray_G294 shoots Merlin a sideways glance. <br/ >[16:17] <+Stray_G294> And a few of my warriors back on Ramaya. <br/ >[16:17] <Samuel-D150> "I'd say you're still accomplices." <br/ >[16:17] <Merlin-D032> "We left the UNSC because they were keeping us in the back seat. Away from the front lines and defending Earth installations for the last six months." <br/ >[16:18] * Cain-131 stumbles into the garage, picking up a small radio, she communications with command, requesting field agents and medical support. Her vision goes blurry, her ears ring, and then she collapses on the ground. <br/ >[16:18] <Merlin-D032> "Those were yours?" <br/ >[16:19] <+Stray_G294> I mean, it's thanks to your shenanigans that I even know about Deltas. You really made our whole reclamation operation down there a lot harder than it needed to be. <br/ >[16:19] <Merlin-D032> "We just saw Covenant. We were on orders to recover an ONI agent, then you guys happened to land in my LZ. Not my fault." <br/ >[16:19] * Stray_G294 pulls his poncho out of the arms locker and heads toward the cockpit. <br/ >[16:20] <+Stray_G294> We haven't been shot down yet. I guess that means your cloaking is working, Liro. <br/ >[16:20] <Merlin-D032> Merlin just sighs in resignation. "What the fuck did we get ourselves into..." <br/ >[16:20] <Andra-D054> Andra just silently places a hand on Merlin's shoulder and watches Samuel-D150 with a staring curiosity. <br/ >[16:21] <Liro_`Zonam> "Good, now about what you promised us." <br/ >[16:22] <Merlin-D032> "Sam. Where have you been, all this time?" <br/ >[16:22] * Stray_G294 grimaces but hands Liro a payment chit. "Yeah, yeah, there's your payment." <br/ >[16:22] * Samuel-D150 flips off the orbital cannons through the hole in the ship as they fly past them. "Committing high treason, apparently." <br/ >[16:22] <+Stray_G294> Highway robbery if you ask me. <br/ >[16:23] <Merlin-D032> "Well, we were there providing security for BDS, our first mission actually. Wanted to test us out. <br/ >[16:23] <Andra-D054> "I wasn't informed we were taking refugees as prisoners." <br/ >[16:23] <Merlin-D032> "Neither was I." <br/ >[16:24] <Cain-131> Two pelicans, full of ONI agents and support staff, land at the garage and the abandoned building (where all the cops died and the targets escaped). <br/ >[16:25] <Liro_`Zonam> "It is not everyday I am asked to fly underneath your homeworld's orbital defense grid. Twice." <br/ >[16:25] <Merlin-D032> "I wonder if this is just a dream..." <br/ >[16:26] <Samuel-D150> "It's not like I can pinch you through the helmet. Guess you'll never know." <br/ >[16:26] <Samuel-D150> "Unless there's a clock around." <br/ >[16:26] <Merlin-D032> "I don't believe I want you too, even if you could." <br/ >[16:27] <Andra-D054> "So. Mr. Onegin. What now?" Andra asks, walking into the Phantom cock pit, she had holstered her pistols now to seem less aggressive. <br/ >[16:28] <+Stray_G294> Now? <br/ >[16:28] <+Stray_G294> I'm getting the hell out of here to part of space that wants me dead a little less than here. <br/ >[16:29] <+Stray_G294> And then I've got... <br/ >[16:29] * Stray_G294 checks the datapad with Clemmens's intel. <br/ >[16:29] <Merlin-D032> "I'd ask you drop us off at the nearest BDS settlement but I'n not sure what to do about you here..." <br/ >[16:29] <+Stray_G294> About a dozen facilities to turn over. <br/ >[16:29] <+Stray_G294> Oh, please don't try anything stupid. <br/ >[16:30] <Andra-D054> Andra catches Merlin statement half way. "We're not going back just yet. They'd kill us for this mess." <br/ >[16:30] <Cain-131> ONI agents enter the base of operations (the repair shop), and also converge on the scene of the crime in the tunnel way. They kick open the door to the garage to see Cain-131 lying on the ground, unconscious, and with third-degree burns on most of her body. <br/ >[16:30] <Samuel-D150> "It's not like they'd forget it either." <br/ >[16:30] <Merlin-D032> Merlin sighs. "We're with you I guess?" <br/ >[16:31] <Andra-D054> Andra looks to Simon. "I guess we're stuck with you, unless you plan to shove us out an air lock or something?" <br/ >[16:31] <Samuel-D150> "You say that like I might not." <br/ >[16:31] <Merlin-D032> "Please don't... I'm not really interested in killing a Gamma and trying to fight an entire ship full of Covenant right now." <br/ >[16:32] <+Stray_G294> Not unless you decide to do something heroic like "bring me to justice" or "put an end to my villainy." <br/ >[16:32] <Liro_`Zonam> "If anyone is shoving someone out of the airlock, it will be me." <br/ >[16:32] <Samuel-D150> "Or me. If you snore." <br/ >[16:32] <Merlin-D032> "We're as fucked as you are right now. We blew up an ONI base on our way out." <br/ >[16:32] <Samuel-D150> "Maybe I should look into finding a Nova bomb." <br/ >[16:32] <+Stray_G294> And here was me thinking there was nothing to like about you two. <br/ >[16:32] <Merlin-D032> (They'll be under suspicion if they're not still on Earth) <br/ >[16:33] <Andra-D054> "You say that like some kind of sadist.." <br/ >[16:33] <+Stray_G294> ONI doesn't like me, I don't like them. <br/ >[16:33] * Stray_G294 shrugs. <br/ >[16:33] <Cain-131> The ONI agents pack her, and her armor, up, and ship her to the nearest UNSC hospital. (End) <br/ >[16:33] <Merlin-D032> "No casualties. For the record." <br/ >[16:34] <Samuel-D150> "Sure there weren't." <br/ >[16:34] <+Stray_G294> You can't just play with my expectations like that. <br/ >[16:34] <Merlin-D032> "I'm not kidding. We just blew up our barracks." <br/ >[16:34] <Liro_`Zonam> "I am heading for the bridge. If you all kill one another, clean it up, or at least tell one of the Unggoy." <br/ >[16:34] <Ikora_AI> Tyler, it's done. Atleast we found our target dead. Guess today was a bad day indeed. <br/ >[16:34] <+Stray_G294> Great. I knew you Delta's couldn't all be as dependable as Sam here. <br/ >[16:34] <Andra-D054> "I killed a dozen of Atlanta's finest back there... might as well be the same thing." <br/ >[16:34] <Tyler-A319> Yeah, I guess so... <br/ >[16:35] <Samuel-D150> "Huh. Apparently I'm 'dependable.'" <br/ >[16:35] <Merlin-D032> "Whatever... Team Emergence let us walk away I guess." <br/ >[16:35] <+Stray_G294> But I'll get over it. I wasn't out to put a team together, but I guess I'm stuck with you for now. <br/ >[16:36] <Merlin-D032> "Right... we're at your beck and call... for now, sir?" <br/ >[16:36] <Andra-D054> Andra walks out and stands next to Merlin. They start chatting silently over their comms link.