Moscow - Commercial District

 

        This is home to dozens and dozens of corporate headquarters and offices, as well as the Moscow Stock Exchange. Skyscrapers and Stratoscrapers, adorned with the logos of the companies, dominate over the city, connected via transport walkways. Limos, taxis, and various other forms of transportation zip through the spaces between the massive buildings, trying to get their occupants to their destination as fast as possible. Traffic tie-ups are common around rush hour, but usually everything gets back to normal soon enough.

 

Fantasia [Armor] [M]                   Silver [Silver] [C]

Overclock [Standard] [M]               Flame Stag [M]

 

 

South <S> leads to Moscow - Production District.

East <E> leads to Teleportation Area--Moscow.

West <W> leads to Moscow - Northern Downtown.

 

Sewa arrives from the Teleportation Area--Moscow.

Sewa has arrived.

 

============================ Players in your Area ============================

Name                Alias   Siz Idl Short Description

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm Owl           Butterba5    0s Orange/red/green. Large wings. Big belly

Sewa                Sewra   3    1m

Overclock           OC      4    1m Humanoid, metallic, white/silver

Fantasia            Improvi 3    2m Hlgrphc Rp - Stndrn Armor+SklMsk.

Silver              ChibiX  1    8s

Flame Stag          Stag    6    1m 10' deer with flame antlers

========================== Mon Aug 16 20:55:02 2004 ==========================

 

It's really frikkin' cold in Moscow.

 

The massive stratoscrapers ensure that sunlight on the street is sporadic at best, so there's little to no heating. Because of this obvious fact of nature, most people are fairly heavily bundled. So, nobody finds it too out-of-order when a heavily-robed figure emerges from the teleportation area. So heavily dressed is he, that he can't even be seen clearly beneath the fuzzy wool and heavy leather. The figure glances over his shoulder to ensure that his comrades are still present.

 

<Remember the plan,> he begins, in whispered German. <Fantasia distracts the guards at the Stock Exchange, me and 'Overclock' move past to trash anything that moves. Nobody play hero, we're only here to test their defenses. Anything that's smashed or stolen is good.>

 

Overclock doesn't speak very good German yet. He strains to hear the message, narrowing his eyes, shaking his head a couple of times. He catches his name, of course, it's in English. ... He nods, getting the general idea of the instructions. He's pretty sure. All he's wearing is a jacket, which...he'd honestly like to keep in good shape, so he doesn't pull it off right away, but he does unzip it. "<What are we ... attacking?>"

 

Fantasia has disconnected.

 

Storm Owl is, as fate would have it, on an extended mission. The aerial Fortress Commander was planning to make a stop off in Moscow to discuss financing and supplies for the Fortress V with several contractors. His ship was damaged by the Robot Masters last night, and Storm Owl will not tolerate anything less than perfection when it comes to restoring her to her original state of efficiency and effectiveness. The bitter cold of the artificially created dawn due to the Russian skyscrappers cause ice to build up on Storm Owl's wings as he continues to make the long, lonely flight. Another mech might be bewildered by the vast, empty lands of Russia in this bitter-cold afternoon. It's enough to make one wonder just how small and insignificant one is on this cold planet in this infinitely more cold universe.

        But no, such ramblings are for philosophers and the emotionally inclined. Storm Owl bides his time making calculations and plans within plans about how best to manipulate the people around him for the benefit of Reploidkind. The resurrection of the Fortress Battleship is a potent turn for the better, giving him considerable leverage. And this brings us back to Storm Owl's extended, cold, lonely mission to Moscow. He's not at the city yet, but he shall be soon.

 

[Radio: (C) Chat] Bolero transmits, "DAMN IT! I NEED GROUPIES TO CREATE A BAND NAME!"

 

[Radio: (C) Chat] Bolero transmits, "WHERE ARE THE GROUPIES?!"

 

Flame Stag blinks beneath the heavy clothing, as he notices that they're one person short. The stag mutters something unpleasant, before returning his attention to Overclock. "<Change of plans. We're one person short, so we'll have to skip the pleasantries. Follow my lead.>" With that, he begins to approach the rather busy Moscow Stock Exchange. In spite of the crowds, a guard notices the heavy clothing and comes over. "<Pardon me friend,>" the guard begins, in Russian. "<But I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to remove your coats and hats while you're here. It's a security measure.>"

 

Flame nods, as if in understanding, but turns slightly to Overclock as if to say 'You first?'

 

        Over Russian skies, a tiny speck of chrome tears through the air, brow furrowed in concern. It's the Littlest Interpoller, Silver, and he rips through the clouds, sending them out in wakes behind him. On his way to Moscow, he'd heard some nebulous radio chatter and decided to check it out.

 

Overclock tips his head sideways, and just shakes it. "Dammit. I don't speak f*****g Russian at ALL." However, he's happy to remove his coat, anyway, ironically, since he just doesn't want to get it dirty during the firefight. He then, quite happily hands it right to the guard. Of course, this reveals the Maverick symbols on his arms, quite plainly. As the guard takes his coat, he flexes his fingers... then he punches the man in the face. "Thanks."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Mimos transmits, "If anyone who knows human medicine is there, I might need you /right now/."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Oh great. For what?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider sigh. "Caduceus, where are you?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Plasma Harrier transmits, "What happened?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Mimos transmits, "Doctor Doppler. He's yelling in German at nobody."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Shield Shellfish transmits, "I'm on my way as well. If I can't help, I can at least keep him restrained if need be."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Mimos transmits, "He doesn't need to be restrained. He's just yelling. /I/ can restrain him - he likes me."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Shield Shellfish transmits, "...well that's interesting. In that case, call if you need me."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Mimos transmits, "Why is it interesting?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Shield Shellfish transmits, "For no reason to continue discussion over secure channels. I'm out."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Do we have any human physicians available?"

Silver has disconnected.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Shield Shellfish transmits, "...human doctors, or a doctor for humans?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Doctor for humans."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Mimos transmits, "Can I open the door?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Shield Shellfish transmits, "I know some basics. Don't know how much good I'd be, though."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "I'm on my way with a crew. We can at least see if his problem is in the cybernetics."

 

Storm Owl ducks down from high in the crisp air, ducking below the futuristic skyline of Moscow. Weaving and maneuvering through bridges, past towers, under expressways and over buildings, the war bird careens through the city at an impressive speed, passing other, slower Reploids and leaving them in their wake. Rude or otherwise, Storm Owl simply recognizes his importance over a common civilian who does nothing to fight against the evils of the Maverick and Robot Master factions. Storm Owl's trajectory will take him relatively close to the impressive Stock Exchange building, and at his velocity it wouldn't take him too long to change course and make it there.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Mimos transmits, "I think it has something to do with the Virus. I'm going to open it now."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Shield Shellfish transmits, "Damnable virus."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Flame Hyenard lets out a LOUD howl. "BUUUUUUUUURN!"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Wait until we're there, Mimos."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Flame Stag facepalms.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Gate transmits, "No thank you."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "No, no."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "Venison is terrible burnt."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Flame Hyenard transmits, "TRUE.ALOWSIMMERPERHAPS?"

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "By all means."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Dalet transmits, "Milk by any other name..."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "...what is it with ye and milk, anyways?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Hunters, do you have any medics on hand who can treat humans, specifically cyborgs and cybernetically-altered humans?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Um. I can to an extent."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Excellent. Can you join us on the Fortress V?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews shuffles a little. "I suppose I could... If I'm told how to get there."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Can someone fetch our dear Doctor Matthews?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Um... can't you just give her teleporter clearance?"

 

Flame Stag chuckles quietly as the security guard goes down, stunned. Flame reaches up to toss the heavy woolen hat aside, exposing his head to view and allowing him to re-ignite his flame antlers. "<Such a shame you had to pick us out of the crowd,>" Flame begins, in German, before flexing synthetic muscles...the heavy robes strain and then shred, revealing Flame in all his (relative) glory.....moments before he fries the man into ash with an extended burst from his flamethrower, anyway.

 

Naturally, the use of heavy weapons in a closed space cues panic. People scream, and begin to flee from the direction of the Stock Exchange in massive numbers! Flame doesn't help this along by firing tongues of flame at their retreating backs. A few slower people get fried then and there.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "No, I'm not authorized to do it anymore."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Plasma Harrier hmms, "Where is she located?"

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "So we have to physically bring her here...?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "So where do you need me? I do warn you I'm not terribly good if a lot of blood is involved, though."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "You can bring her in on your clearance."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Mimos transmits, "There's no blood."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Flame Hyenard transmits, "WHATYOUFOOLSUPTONIGHT?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "What is your location? We'll be sending a Repliforce agent to bring you on board."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Will do."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Currently at the Fish."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "....Fish?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Our base. It's a nickname."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "... Alright.. where should I meet you?"

 

"Try to leave some of them alive," Overclock says, speaking his usual English, as he looks down at the burned body. ... He has his reasons, of course. "And mind my damn jacket. That cost money, you know." Then again, he doesn't have much restraint, himself, as he starts to charge up power. He's expecting company more challenging than human beings, so he's not going to waste lasers. His shoulders groan, strain, and rev up, then, he punches another guard; one that was foolish enough to actually try and run him down. This one is a bit more than knocked-down.

 

Overclock channels power, and charges up his systems to optimize his strength.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "I can be in Torontreal in a moment if that helps any."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Immensely. Meet you there."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Gate transmits, "Apparently, ignoring you."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Flame Hyenard transmits, "OBVIOUSLY!"

 

Storm Owl's relative solitude is suddenly destroyed by a barrage radio-chatter. Russian authorites mix with the panicking shouts of civilians, merging into a chaotic frenzy of activity. *-en attacked!* *Oh my God, they're killing them!* *Fire Engine #25 enroute! Full gear, everyone!* *All police, converge on the area NOW!* *Running rampa!* *Can anyone hear me?! He's coming for m-* *-nyone... assistance is required... please!*

        Without missing a beat, the blur that is Storm Owl slashes away from his previous course and streaks up over a bridge, down through a tunnel and up high into the sky again, streaking towards the source of this conflict. Storm Owl activates his own radio as he does so, speaking in his droning monotone. "Datum: There has been a terrorist attack in Moscow. Datum: Several confirmed dead. Hypothesis: Local radio chatter implicates a small Maverick team. Conclusion: Civilian evacuation required. Datum: I am enroute, and shall report on my findings. Rules of Engagement: If the oppertunity presents itself, the opposing force is to be terminated."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Datum: There has been a terrorist attack in Moscow. Datum: Several confirmed dead. Hypothesis: Local radio chatter implicates a small Maverick team. Conclusion: Civilian evacuation required. Datum: I am enroute, and shall report on my findings. Rules of Engagement: If the oppertunity presents itself, the opposing force is to be terminated.""

 

[Radio: (C) Chat] Bolero transmits, "Storm... When you arrive, you have to quote the Borg."

 

[Radio: (C) Chat] Bolero transmits, "And yes, that is an order."

 

[Radio: (C) Chat] Storm Owl transmits, "No."

[Radio: (C) Chat] Bolero transmits, "... Aww... Come on... Please?"

 

[Radio: (C) Chat] Storm Owl transmits, "I have work to be done, Commander."

 

        Holy Cramp! Attack on Russian Soil! This can't be tolerated! Actually, Sewa strolled in rather unawares that the Mavericks would be attacking until she hears the heavy weapons fire. Jolting a little, and half-fearing a riot, she sees lots of humany types (and reploidy types) fleeing for their lives which seems to imply more 'attack' than 'riot'. Cringing, she grabs ahold of a random passerby, "How many injured?", she asks, "What's being attacked?"

 

        "I don't know, let me go! They're attacking the Stock Exchange!", startled Sewa -does- let go, and frowns. <Marion, pleease open the garage for the CKF? Thanks.>, Sewa transmits before dashing towards the Stock Exchange herself.

 

Flame Stag nods to Overclock, turning towards the doors and raising his arms....another burst of flame from his wrist-mounted flamethrowers and they're fused shut, making entrance or egress rather difficult for 'norms'. The stag turns and begins to head towards a door in the back leading towards the 'trading floor', which is rapidly clearing out. "Hm...." Without preamble, Flame tosses a ball of lava through the door without care for where it lands, then slams said door shut. "Well now....the point of this exercise was to see how long it takes for 'that army' to show up.....so, shall we wait?" he asks, rhetorically.

 

Overclock can't run even as fast as a human being can, currently, so he fires his weapons at a blonde woman, striking her in the back of the leg. She stumbles...though most people are definitely clearing out in a hurry. "Sounds good. I want a hostage. Or patient. Whichever."

 

And lo, there is not only a mass exodus from the Stock Exchange with panicking, hurt, wounded, and frightened people, but also mass ingress of the brave, the trained, and the willing. Soldiers dedicated to fighting blazes regardless of the dangers to themselves, and men, women, and Reploids sworn to protect their neighbours and possess the badge to prove it, converge on the site of the disaster. Two people, heavily armed, and so many are already dead. The cowardly act of attacking those who cannot defend themselves must be paid back with full retribution.

        But aside from the police, the firemen, and the volunteers like Sewa, there is a golden/orange defender that arrives on the scene, immediately surveying the damage. The doors, welded shut to keep those who would protect and serve from those who would harm and subvert, are the first target. Storm Owl raises his hands and spreads them wide. A furious burst of air smashes against them, blowing apart the partially melted entrance. "Anyone who is here to defend," Storm Owl says in a booming, commanding voice usually reserved for the bridge of the Fortress, "Will get their chance." Storm stares through the now open doors to see what might be within.

 

        Sewa doesn't step inside! Is she even hear to defend! She crouches by someone with an injured leg and crouches down to treat it, "This is the second time they've been attacking an economic target, I'm sure the foundation's going to appreciate your help her, sir.", she asks about the status of the CKF via tightbeam, frowns at the result, and then lowers her hand. "We should probably move these people out of the way as soon as possible!", she shouts to whomever is the chief emergency officer on scene.

 

Flame Stag nods, gesturing with his thumb in the direction of the woman that Overclock crippled. Then, there's a loud *CLANG!* as the doors are thrown wide. Flame turns around, flames wafting from his hands like a foul wind. "Why thank you," he begins, before raising his arms to face towards the Repliforcer. "We shall do just that." Yep, he knows that wasn't addressed to him, but the irony is still there. And with that, twin gouts of flame are sent hurling towards Storm Owl!

 

Overclock runs after the woman who is stumbling, rather than the Repliforcer. He was tired of...losing catches to heroes, so he's going to make a move first before the rest of the fight starts. He puts another shot in the back of the woman's leg, not really hearing her screams. Then, when he's sure she's properly immobile, he turns around and makes ready for whatever might be next. Hopefully a challenge.

 

Storm Owl gets a whole lot of advice from those around him. Most of it is emotional, illogical gibberish about saving this, or that. There's even idiotic mutterings about vengeance. The rapid breathing of the human officers can be seen in the cold air. But Sewa's advice is sound. "Agreed." He says back to Sewa, briefly taking his optics away from the entrance to nod to the femme. But before he, and the assembled brave police officers and firemen can even begin to organize an evacuation plan, the perpetrators of this heinous act present themselves. The bitter cold of the outside air is met with the passionate fires of the Coalition, extinguishing the cool afternoon in one, swift blaze. Storm Owl and the officers try to shield themselves from the blaze, throwing up their arms, ducking out of the entrance... whatever they can, but nothing can truly prepare them for this.

        The beautiful, lovingly carved entrance to the stock exchange begins to burn, flames licking up. With a battle soon to be raging, is there any real hope of putting this thing out? Storm Owl knows full well that his powers of wind would only serve to turn this into even more of a disaster. The piercing cry of the woman shot by Overclock is heard, fueling the courage of the the firemen, who brave the flames to rush in and try and get to the hostages through the building-up smoke. Storm Owl, for his part, advances towards Flame Stag. He has no mobility in here, and he has no wind powers.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Datum: Situation has escalated. Datum: Maverick flamethrowers have ignited the building. Datum: Hostages are within. Hypothesis: Use of wind will only increase the spread of the blaze."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Suggestion: Get a hose."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "..What is going on?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Or break a water main. There's got to be one nearby."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "The situation is greater than what one hose can solve. However the local fire and police officials have arrived and are with me now."

 

        Sewa doesn't move in, she moves the lad she's working on out and away first, she's not a Repliforcer, and she'd rather avoid a direct confrontation with anyone, as such is her duty as a reploid constructor (so she -perceives- anyway.) The CKF slowly approaches through the city to assist in the various efforts. "Come on, we have to clear the area before we can do much -inside-!", she complains to the others still present, "There may be falling debris, we can get to the people inside then, Storm Owl can handle it until then!", she scans for other survivors while she doesn't have equipment to handle a 'battle' anyway.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "Storm Owl, do you require assistance?"

 

Flame Stag waits quite patiently for the firemen to get near. He looks over at Overclock, nods, then turns and explodes into motion. The stag almost seems to disappear from sight for a moment, appearing briefly visible over one of the firemen with a massive Japanese greatclub in hand....then he's gone again, and the man quite literally crumples from an extremely powerful blow. With one of the meddlers dispatched, Flame slows to a stop in front of Storm Owl, and without preamble attempts to whack the Repliforcer in the side of the head with the implement.

 

Looks like Flame has it under control. "Good," Overclock mutters to himself. He decides he might as well keep hunting. He walks, rather than running, away from the entrance, further into the building. He's intensely searching at this point, since so many have ran....he stops just short of sniffing the air for prey.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "<static>"

 

Quiet Man arrives from the Teleportation Area--Moscow.

Quiet Man has arrived.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Can someone check on Storm Owl? It's been a while since he reported in."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] As Text Data, Quiet Man transmits, "UNIT QUIET MAN DISPATCHED TO SCENE. ETA 45 SECONDS."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "Where was his last location?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Bolero transmits, "Moscow."

 

Simian Monk arrives from the Teleportation Area--Moscow.

Simian Monk has arrived.

 

'Storm Owl can handle it until then'. The words flicker in the war bird's audios, is cross-examined by his logic circuits, computed, analyzed, and debated from within. The conclusion is that the statement is made in false hope. Given the circumstances, the terrain, the surroundings, the entire overall situation, and the merciless opponent, Storm Owl has calculated his chances of defeating Flame Stag and Overclock alone at a dismal 3.5%. But that's not really the objective here... the objective is to get the hostages out of here so that the battle can be taken up to a more favourable location. The fireman that Flame Stag singles out is no doubt dead from the blow. The only warrior here gets into the best ground-based defensive stance he can.

        The ability to suppress emotions or no, nobody can be in an ordeal like this and not feel the sickening drain of fear deep in their gut, and Storm is no exception. Storm puts up an admirable effort against Flame's blow, bringing up a wing to block the assault, but in the end, there can be only one result - the brutal club smashes through the wing, ripping off metallic wings and striking Storm in the head with a heart-sinking -thud-. Storm Owl's optics go black momentarily as he falls, nearly passing out from the attack. Prone, and on the ground, Storm Owl lashes out with a foot, trying to slash Flame with his talon.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "Affirmative."

 

        Sewa doesn't know Overclock's combat capabilities, but she knows Flame Stag's a wimp! At least, that's how she figured it while in the Coalition herself. Sewa thinks a lot of Mavericks are wimps because they kept getting beat up and sent to her for repairs, so maybe she's not entirely accurate on that point either. Then again, the point of the statement wasn't for Storm Owl's sake but for the injured, whom Sewa rapidly helps finish evacuating before a giant robotic >"< fwooms into the area and hovers above her head.

 

It is a cold, cold afternoon in Russia. One does not need to be within Moscow to know of this horrifying terrorist act. The radio-waves are clogged with messages. Loved ones trying to reach each other for the comfort of knowing they're still alive. Friends and family desperately attempting to find out the fate of their missing who work in the area. Police organizing the situation, diverting traffic here, cop cars there, ambulances here. Firemen geting as many trucks and personnel to the area as possible.

        And it all centers on the Moscow Stock Exchange. The lovely building is beginning to burn, and with an opposing force on the inside, what can be done against the blaze? The flames are beginning to lick higher and higher. Sewa is outside, treating a lad. Inside the building are the frightened hostages, the perpetrators of this crime, the brave firemen and police officers who are courageously trying to break through to get to those who need protecting, and Storm Owl, the lone warrior on the side of angels.

 

Angels don't always require wings.

 

Bursting through a skylight with a dull 'thoom', Quiet Man rides a tiny sonic blast just before him, to cushion the fall. With him is Shaunybear, the infamous panda Mascot of many trades. Wasting no time, the android grabs a nearby fallen metal pole, and lunges at Flame Stag, lashing out with the brunt of the metal object in an attempt to force the Maverick away from the fallen officer.

 

Shaunybear joins in as well with a snarl, taking a piece of debris to the offending reploid as well...

 

        The buildings of Moscow are familiar to Simian Monk, because a close friend of his lived here until recently. Due to the fact of DoubleMint, said friends are now living in an undisclosed location. Thus, the Maverick Hunter leaps over the tops of the buildings with apparent ease. He lands on one of the buildings in the distance and evaluates the situation. This situation seemed familiar. Albeit, it was all the way across the Atlantic, back in New York with a burning orphanage. What he is about to do worked last time, and now he's going to see if it works again.

 

        Simian Monk leaps from his vantage point on one of the higher buildings with his whip equiped. The long stringy metallic wire lashes out and wraps around a lamp post as the Monkey swings into one of the lower windows of the burning building. He breaks through the glass carefully, and he lands in a roll.

 

        After gathering his bearings, Simian measures the situation before him.

 

Overclock manages to find himself another slowpoke, this one, in fact, being an older man who probably just couldn't run as fast as the others. This, however, doesn't matter to him. In fact, it makes him smile. "Cool." He looks up...noticing the fire is already spreading to this part of the building. Rather than shoot the man in the leg like he did the woman, however, he just grabs him by the shoulder, shaking him as he catches up. The shoulder 'snaps' under the pressure, but that's only because Overclock doesn't know his own strength. Well, actually, he does know it, but he doesn't care. "Want to live?" he asks the man. "Leave with me."

 

Flame Stag is about to raise the tetsubo and give Storm Owl a finishing whack, when the wily Repliforcer lashes out with a foot. Flame leaps back, and is about to fire when Quiet Man bursts in. The stag leaps back /again/, tossing the tetsubo aside and gritting his teeth. He pauses for a moment, as if gauging the opposition. Then, he smiles thinly....there's a faint rumble, then the ground beneath begins to bulge....and finally, there's a loud *CRACK!* as the concrete gives way, and a gout of lava comes rushing out at the gathered 'good guys'.

 

Storm Owl doesn't believe in angels, wingless or otherwise. But he does believe in reinforcements. Another mech might cheer at the arrival of Simian and Overclock, but Storm Owl does not. He's focused on the mastermind of this disgusting, cowardly act. The firemen braving the ever increasing flames and the broiling heat feel like, just maybe, they have a chance to save some lives... to confront the evil of this crime and stare it down. "Where are you?!" "I'm here to help!". With the smoke becoming thicker, the firemen are trying to find as many of the trapped as they can, but it's swimming against the rapids. Nevertheless, they persist in their duty. Some of those are found, and some even led outside, but others are not so fortunate. Lady luck is fickle tonight... some survive to be reunited with their family, and others die a horrible death at the hands the Coalition's Overlock. Little rhyme or rhythm for those who live and those who do not.

        As if things could not get worse. The very ground itself erupts to battle alongside the Coalition, and Storm Owl has to scramble back up to his feet. Storm Owl can and does hover over the raging torrent. The brave firefighters cannot, and those trapped in the path of the river are sent to their doom. Before the war bird can retaliate, there's a loud ~CRASH~ as part of the ceiling comes crashing down, weakened by the unholy fires. A solid beam lands at Storm Owl's feet, partially in the lava. Storm Owl reaches down, grabs it swiftly, ignoring the burning on his hands, and savagely swings the partially melted beam at Flame Stag's face. Vicious and painful or not, this is entirely the logical thing to do.

 

The flames continue to rise... the smoke grows thick enough to burn ones eyes, the heat makes one long for the bitter cold of outside, and the entire building is beginning to creak under the pressures of this ordeal...

 

Shaunybear, at the eruption of lava, quickly flees, hopping from untouched debris to debris as best he can, getting clear. This isn't a fight the panda can join in on, anymore. Quiet Man, however, holds the makeshift staff behind him, and raises hand towards Flame Stag, while mentally noting Simian Monk's presence.

 

A concentrated blast of sonic force is fired at the Maverick, trying to force him away..or at least break his concentration enough to keep this lava in check.

 

        The Monkey's eyes narrow perceptively as he gathers in what he needs to know. When all is set, he dashes around the inside of the building and he expertly avoids the 3-way fight. Instead, he stops near the entrance and he spots an injured human female. Simian Monk stops near by, and notices the wound on the woman's leg. Simian lowers down to one knee and scoops the woman up in his arms. First things was first. Simian smashes the front door down with one leg and gets the woman to safety. "Miss.. do you know who did this to you? I am a Maverick Hunter, I am here to help, you can trust me," The female looks up into Simian fearfully. Right now. Anything robotic scares the fragile human.

 

        "He--It, went that way.. he did this to my leg..it..cyborg.. he was saying to come peacefully," As the woman says this, she points in a given direction, and Simian Monk nods acceptingly. With a quick 'Thank you', and the sound of dash systems being activated Simian dashes off in the direction of the cyborg.

 

        The Maverick Hunter runs as fast as he possibly can in the given conditions to reach the cyborg that has been trying to capture humans.

 

        Sewa is still outside, thank god! However, she's finished with her work, so she makes a small guess on the doorway size, glances to her 'vehicle', and then with a small shrug guides it towards her. One of the boxes open up, and she hops inside, the box seals up again, and she flies inside. She doesn't attack the stag, clearly she's trying to drag the people still inside -out-. The vehicle is just to keep her from being blasted apart on accident. Or rather, on purpose.

 

Flame Stag is knocked away quite forcefully by the combination of Storm Owl's beam and the blast of sonic energy. The stag briefly seems to consider his options, then remembers what exactly they're here for. Not to take anything of value, that's for sure. Rather than charge back in, thusly, he pauses and then raises his hand....at his bidding the lava suddenly explodes upwards, splattering against the ceiling and burning into it while droplets fly in all directions.

 

Overclock has his hand on the new victim still, and is dragging the old man, plainly against his will, back toward the entrance. Apparently he has every intention of making a 'pile.' The man is in pain, taking deep breaths, and when he tries to shout Overclock grips a bit more tightly on his shoulder. He nods to a message across his radio, and responds. Of course...he'll meet up with Simian long before he reaches the actual entrance.

 

        Which is precisely what Simian wants to do. When the Maverick Hunter encounters the 'cyborg', he furrows his brow. Now, he was having second thoughts if the female back there needed her eyes checked. It looked like a humanoid reploid. However, all notions of confusion are lost, like cherry blossoms in the wind. Simian Monk stands in a ready position and he growls threateningly.

 

        "This is your first and only chance to let the human go, ALIVE /and/ kept in the condition he is in. If you do not comply with these terms, Maverick, I will have to use physical force. You have no right to take this human with you," The Monkey's anger boils again. He almost became one of the Mavericks about a month ago, and now he wanted revenge.

 

Quiet Man raises an arm to shield his optics, taking a step back from the pillar of lava. Definitly not the enviroment best suited for combat. Turning, he looks for Storm Owl, to determine what the priority of the situation is-capture, defeat, or rescue...

 

Storm Owl is struck by at least a dozen droplets of lava, and the pain causes the partially liquified beam to slip from his hands to the ground below, where it melts unceremoniously into the floor. Storm Owl, sporting burns all over his body, peers upwards, alarmed at the damage this stunt has done to the rest of the building. "Datum: This structure has received considerable damage to its support beams, Hypothesis: This wing of the building is no longer stable. Conclusion: Collapse imminent." Storm Owl peers at his allies, but the thick smoke prevents even his sharp sight from spotting anyone. "We don't have time, Simian... We must evacuation!" he shouts, eraising his voice to be heard over the crackling flames. Even as he shouts, the sick creaking of a building doomed to perish in fire foretells what is to come. Storm Owl hovers and stumbles towards where he knows the exit to be. Sewa is going to have her hands full. His audio sensors can barely pick up the desperate cry of a hostage, pleading to be rescued. Surely it would only take ten... maybe twenty seconds to locate her within all the smoke and free her from whatever has her pinned down. Storm Owl does not even consider it, taking the logical, cold, and merciless course of action. Storm, with those firefighters still alive - some clutching victims, bringing them to safety - make it through the burning entrance.

        And then the building can take no more. It's given all the warnings it can, and now the entire wing collapses in a loud, depressing crash. The priority, dear Quiet Man, is none of those three options, but rather making a desperate escape.

 

Overclock hears the creaking, too, and he winces. If a burning rafter falls on him, he's just as screwed as anyone else. But he wants to keep the human. "If you want him to LIVE, you'd be better off leaving him with me."

 

And then... CRASH, bits of the cieling start to fall down all around him. Overclock switches priorities, building some fire in his legs. The grip on the man loosens slightly, though, he's still strong--he's still, well, a 'robot.' "Find your own way out." Overclock starts to run for the entrance.

 

Overclock channels power, and charges up his systems to optimize for speed.

 

Quiet Man turns, and, a ripple appears in the air before him, just before a destructive cylinder of sonic energy is unleashed, creating a momentary 'tunnel' to the outside among the collapsing debris. Breaking into a run, the silent android tries his best to get clear before the awfully makeshift exit decides otherwise....

 

Flame Stag hears the sound of creaking, and has just the presence of mind to shout "INCOMING!" before making a break for it. A good thing, too, because a giant chunk of stone hits the ground where he was just a second ago. The Maverick bounds from stone-to-stone, staying one step ahead of the collapsing structure....

 

        Simian Monk looks around cautiously, and when the building begins to collapse. "This isn't over, Maverick. I swear it," The Monkey is ready to give chase, but the shrill scream of a human catches his immediate attention. Simi does not spare another second on contemplating the Maverick's demise. The Maverick Hunter leaps from his stnading position onto the next highest point that has not collapsed. After a quick overview of the main floor lobby, he spots the human that Storm Owl left behind.

 

        Simian is not a being of logic and reason, but a being of hope and wisdom. The primate leaps again using his full speed to latch on to the human on the ground, and with a precise shoulder ram into the wall he begins his descent to the ground. He keeps spinning in the air, and he lands on the ground with a definate 'oof'. His armor cracks, and the human is bruised, but relatively unharmed. However, Simi does not stop here. He gets back up, and makes a dash out of the shadow of the building.

 

        Sewa catches up the injured lady and hops out of her mech to crouch by the woman's leg to examine the injury. She opens up a medkit and gets to cleaning the wound. And what's that? Another cry? Her ears twitch and she glances around quickly before she hefts up the woman and dumps her into one of the 'boxes', "Stay there for now, someone else needs help.", with a quick glance around, she peers uncertainly for where she heard the 'cry'. She swears as the building starts to crash. She spots Simian catching the human who was shouting out, so Sewa makes a run for it too, guiding the >"< out alongside her. If anybody else runs along with her and seems to be falling behind, Sewa hefts up the person and carries them out herself.

 

A piercing siren wails from one of the gathered police cars. One wing of the Moscow Stock Exchange, collapsed... many perished within. But the tally would have been much higher, and the destruction much worse had had they not ventured within. Storm Owl, one wing partially shattered, a dent on his head, and specks of burn marks all over his golden/orange armoured form, tries to first looks upon the scene of the disaster, rising up awkwardly into the air due to his damage to view the scene from above. The collapse, at least, did put out much of the blaze, but the fire crews have to react quickly to make sure it doesn't spread to the rest of the building. Storm Owl's keen eyesight then turns upon the Mavericks, and he spots one who made it out. Without warning, Storm Owl raises a hand and sends a barrage of compressed air at Flame Stag, seeking to blow him away.

 

Well, tried for two, got one, but one was better than none. Overclock doesn't leave out of the main entrance; he leaves out of a new one made by a falling wall, and singes his armor up in the process. He lets out a fairly audible shout at this, though, there is also the shout of the man he's dragging behind him... and a cry out for help, in Russian. Nevertheless, Overclock does make it outside before the wall collapses.

 

Flame Stag raises his arms in defense as the air comes rushing towards him, buffeting him about....the stag narrows his eyes at Storm. "How many distractions do I have to make before you turn the other way?!" he lets out, in exasperation, before sending a tongue of flame lashing out towards the survivors. Hopefully taking advantage of the distraction, Flame leaps up towards a lamppost, richochets off, pushes away from an office building, and is gone. Whoosh!

 

That distraction will do the job of making Storm Owl turn the other way quite nicely. "Datum: Bystanders in danger. Datum: Enemy forces withdrawing." There's a slight pause, and one might just think that, even for a second, Storm Owl might take the oppertunity to try and destroy Flame Stag rather than save the bystanders, working under the theory that, in the long run, lives would be saved by the Maverick's potential destruction. But then, he makes his decision. The owl focuses his energies, his strength, his power of the wind on the burst of flame. A whirlwind is conjured up, sweeping up the licking flames and surrounding it, keeping it contained so it cannot spread through elsewhere. Finally the fire is out, but Storm Owl hasn't a chance of stopping any Mavericks today. "Until next time, Maverick," Storm Owl mutters.

 

Quiet Man stops, clear of the wreckage, and examines the situation. Shaunybear, fur singed, wanders over next to him, plopping down on the street. The bear makes a slight grumble, and a single nod acknowledges it's presence, before the two turn, and begin to stride away...

 

After Simian gets the human to safety, he doesn't see the maverick come out, so with a burst of speed, and power, he leaps into the air, trying to get to the other side of the building. He has someone he wants to find.

 

Simian Monk retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Storm Owl.

 

Flame Stag has disconnected.

 

Overclock has to go all the way back to the teleporters...but, well, something does slow down his full-speed run, and that is the fact that he actually stops to retrieve his jacket, which he left outside by security. It's still there. But burned. He scoops it up and throws it over his shoulder, which slows him down slightly, especially since he still has a man thrown over the other.

 

        This delay leaves ample time for Simian to catch up with Overclcok. He lands with a thud in front of Overclock. He narrows his eyes again, "Don't think you're leaving too quickly, Maverick. I told you this wasn't finsihed," He keeps his stance low, and ready.

 

        Sewa opens up her >"< again and carefully hands the lady off to some Emergency Personel already on scene. She plunks down to sit down, and take in a few breathes as she waits for permission (and funds >_>) to assist in cleanup.

 

Storm Owl touches down on the ground near where Sewa has sad down. The war bird has ended up on the other side of the wing from Overclock and Simian after the great escape, and thus is in no position to assist the monkey at the moment. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asks, knowing that this is Sewa's territory now. Storm idly watches as the lady is cared for by the Emergency Medical Personnel.

 

Overclock turns the hand with the man in it, so that he's still holding him by the shoulder, but now, in front of him. A bit like a human shield. The man just mutters, a rather sick-sounding, "<I don't want to die...>" in Russian. Since Overclock can't speak the language, he can't assure the man at all that his death at this point is really only likely if Simian attacks. But he does say something of that ilk to the Monk.

"I take them live," Overclock says, glaring at Simian. "If you shoot, he won't live."

 

        Simian flicks his hand briefly, "Who ever said I shoot?" The Monkey narrows his eyes, "Now, this is it. Your last warning, was before the building collapsed. You either let the human go, and leave relatively unharmed, or I will liberate the human away from you," The Monkey grouwls angrily, "And of course, cowards like yourself hide behind victims of war..." The Monkey does not look like he will back down.

 

        Sewa says, "Help clear away the rubble? There could still be survivors. I can't magically find them by looking through rocks, so this'll take a while...", she doesn't seem to be in a good mood. There were plenty of people who -didn't- survive after all. "Beyond that, I need permission to move rubble here since this isn't the US."

 

Quiet Man has disconnected.

 

Storm Owl looks at the rubble that used to be one of the wings to the building. Clearing away the rubble is going to be a... daunting task, and one which Storm Owl isn't going to be able to do anything about other than a token effort. "I'm sure you'll be able to get the permission." Already Russian firefighters and police officers and random volunteers are trying to clear stuff away. The organization is pitiful, but the effort is well-meaning.

 

"Can't you see... that I'm helping people?!" Overclock's face twists in anger.

"< Please, please, god help me. >"

"I'm helping them out. CAN'T you see that?! NO. You people have to go... and STEAL Doppler... when I'm the only person with the right methods to SAVE him!"

"< Don't let me die... >"

"You're the murderers, the creeps. I'm a healer. I HELP PEOPLE!"

Overclock raises his other fist... flipping out his laser to point it at Simian. He's clearly...quite upset, and his brain can't figure out if it's time to fight or run. He doesn't want to lose...or even hurt...his 'catch.'

 

        Sewa nods, and then cringes, "Hey, hey, be careful what you move! Top before bottom! Careful where you stand!", she glances to the others, "It'll just be a few moments, I need to wait until some 'Corp employees drop by in some construction mechs anyway."

 

        Simian understands spoken Russian. Experience does a person well. Especially having friends and working in the Balkans. "Do you not hear your.. 'patient'. He is screaming for help, fool. LET HIM GO!" He drops even further and his hand twitches. Already, lock-on systems are initiated. "I tire of the Maverick cause. You are the sum of many troubles I have seen in the past month. I intend to stop my troubles."

 

        With a sudden burst of speed, he lashes out with his hand it's a fairly quick motion, and small miniscule blades glisten in the light. They reach out towards Overclock's eyes.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Unfiltered Fey *Bip* *Bip* *Bwee-oh* *Bip* "Awesome, triple score."

 

Simian Monk strikes Overclock with his Eye Rake attack.

 

Overclock is temporarily disoriented by Simian Monk's Eye Rake attack.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "Lucky bastard."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Unfiltered Fey transmits, "Luck has nothing to do with it. Skill, dearie, is the key. Now for my patented trick shot! HAH!" *Bip* *Bwee-oh* "Never saw it comin'."

 

Someday, Overclock will remember he has a visor for a reason. He so rarely remembers to lower it BEFORE someone goes for his eyes. He puts one hand to his eyes, and stops for a moment, cringing...but this time, he remembers not to let go of the human. So he's still, but there's still that dilemma of what to do now...

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "Storm Owl! I have a hostage situation on the other side of the building. I have a Maverick Reploid stunned, but he has a death grip on an elderly human."

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "<still crackling with static> Confirmed. I am on my way."

 

        Simian grunts affirmatively, and he shoots his arm down to Overclock's arm that is around the human. Simi twists his arm, in an attempt to looses Overclock's other arm. He tries to keep as much pressure on the Maverick Reploid, but trying to lay off the human as much as possible.

 

Storm Owl stands by Sewa, knowing that his strength can do little to move rubble, especially in his damaged state. At the crackling of his radio, however, Storm Owl once more takes flight, "It would seem the ordeal is not over yet." Storm Owl, one wing broken, flies over the rubble towards Simian and Overclock, careful not to startle the latter.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Glaive transmits, "Do you need assistance?"

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Storm Owl lets Simian answer that, as he knows the situation there a tad better.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "No, I do not Glaive, thank you."

 

Overclock opens his eyes again. They're scratched...but they work. For a moment, he visibly glares. Then, with a sudden jerk, he shifts down his eye-visor, and it covers up the scars Simian placed over both of his eyes. "You have a whole building full of people to help. I'll even help you with them...if you want," he says, there being some Maverick meanace still in that voice.

 

Overclock reacts to Simian's attempt by tightening his grip. He can't do that, and flare his jets, at the same time, so there's a shift as his quick body starts to power down in places. The man, of course, screams, since his shoulder is already broken, and now, his arm is hanging very limply.

 

Striders have wiped life from the planet, Marya is the tragic child of Sage Harpuia and Fairy Leviathan, born from their mutual love, overcoming the inabilty of the two loves to procreate."

 

        Sewa blinks, "Huh? That so?" She follows after Storm Owl... On foot. Woe to anybody who tries to jack open the CKF in the meantime! She assumes it has something to do with Simian Monk, but she doesn't know much of the details all the same.

 

        With a grip on Overclock's hand, "Yes, but this man has a family, and you are trying to take him away from being rescued. By the proper authorities," Then, with a quick snap with his other elbow, he attempts to slam Overclock's arm as strong as he can muster. Which if done by a regular reploid would not have done well, but with the proper application of weight and gravity, it multiplies the power behind it.

 

        If Simian succeeds, he is trying to break Overclock's arm clean off. It may not release from the man's shoulder, but it will at least get him free.

 

Storm Owl finally reaches the area, but stays off a ways and lets Simian work his magic on this. Storm doesn't wish to get in the way, but he's now here and can offer up additional firepower should Simian require it. But hopefully Overclock will realize it's better to quit while ahead - there's a whole lot of angry Russians who would love to have a word with him.

 

Now, Overclock uses American parts, this is a well-known fact.

However, Overclock only trusts one person to repair his very important, very specially-engineered arms. And that one person is him.

 

The arm doesn't break totally off. It breaks...partially. But then, the break strikes a line, and highly toxic, glowing, blue coolant sprays out all over Simian, on the human man, and over Overclock's arm as well. The human naturally screams; the stuff is COLD and it BURNS.

 

[Radio: (E) RF-MH-Secure] Simian Monk transmits, "Attention! I need assistance for this man! It is very important. Extensive coolant burns."

 

        That, was a very bad move of judgement on Simian's part. He now realizes this. He says in Russian in pained speech, "<<Please, I will get you out of here. Do not fret,>>" He bites back another scream of pain. He growls, and tries to get himself to prevent more damage on the human. With a quick wretch he gets the human free. Simian already feels bad enough that he got him some acid burns.

 

        Simian attempts to get the human away from the Maverick, but it comes with a price. Simian is covered with more coolant, and it burns his own armor. As he gets the human away, he tries to look for someone to take him.

 

============================ BB Post in Progress =============================

Group:  IC News

Title:  Terrorists Strike Moscow

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

        All over the nightly news are reports of a Maverick terrorist attack in Moscow. This is one such news report. There's an image of a mostly collapsed building, burnt with rubble strewn all about. One wing fell and was completely destroyed. The rest of the building is, relatively, stable. A large solemn Reploid speaks.

 

        "On-Air Brown-Bear reporting from the Moscow Stock Exchange where, just hours ago, two Maverick arsonist terrorists gained access to the financial building. A blaze began just as crews reached the site of the disaster area. With hostages trapped inside, firefighters, police officers, and several volunteers battled both the blaze and the terrorists inside the burning building. Finally, the wing collapsed due to the damage." There's a sad pause. "Twenty-eight are missing. Rescue workers are still hopeful of recovering some of those trapped under the rubble, but with each passing hour the effort turns from a rescue operation to recovery."

 

        "A tense situation followed involving the rescue of one hostage by Hunter Simian Monk as the Mavericks fled the area. It is clear that many more would have died were it not for the bravery of those who stood up." There's a shot of a Russian firefighter covered in soot. He looks exhausted as he speaks into the camera. There's a voice-over for those who do not know Russian. "<The wing suffered heavy structural damage, and we knew it was only a matter of time before it collapsed, but we also knew there were people still trapped inside... we had to do what we could.>"

 

        Another brief interview is of Storm Owl. He speaks in his droning monotone, but even he is a tiny bit emotional at the situation, "In such a situation, all that is possible is attempting to contain the situation to keep it from spreading. The enemy holds the superior terrain, the superior circumstances, and the superior initiative. Many were simply unrecoverable."

 

        Back to On-Air Brown-Bear, "The rebuilding process will begin once the rubble has been cleared. More on this as it develops..."

 

==============================================================================

 

        "Holy craaa...", Sewa clamps her mouth shut... takes in a breath. Coolant burns! What a -wonderful- day! She looks towards Overclock and says, "You better get out of here for your own good, there'll be support any second, and as far as I can tell, you're alone in enemy territory, OC."

 

Overclock grips his 'bleeding' arm with his other hand, trying to contain it...though it's already clearly building up heat in the area around the leak, and starting to smoke a bit at the shoulder. "I hope you jerks... are happy... with your work."

Maybe the human will have to become a cyborg anyway...after this. He takes some comfort in that as he fires up his dash-boots to leave.

 

Overclock retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Storm Owl.