[Radio: (B) Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Datum: All final checks have been completed. Datum: All companies fully equiped and prepared for deployment. Conclusion: All available forces, prepare for departure."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Locrian transmits, "Yessir."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Assault Kangaroo transmits, "Yes, sir."

 

Upper Nile

 

        The Nile River is the second longest stretch of river on the planet, and the only one to flow upstream instead of down. A natural wonder to the Ancient Egyptians, and an attraction to extraterrestial life whom visited the Egyptians unknown numbers of times pre-BC. The Nile itself was a source of life to farmers by flooding their crops. The adjacent side was the land of the dead, where Egyptians 'Ka's' traveled after death. A few modern farms still dot the edges of this massive river, using high-tech methods to

irrigate their crops.

 

Krieger Wolf [Normal] [RF]             Repliforce Mobile Fortress V <F5>

[RF]

Reporto [C]                            Pharaoh Man [Son-of-ra] [RM]

Wily Farms                             Sphere Outpost <Delta> [RM]

 

Submerge <D> leads to Underneath Indian Ocean.

East <E> leads to Indian Ocean.

South <S> leads to Lake Constance (Lake Victoria).

North <N> leads to Lake Hope / Aswan Dam (Aswan Lake Region).

Up <U> leads to Sky Above Nile Region.

 

Assault Kangaroo has arrived.

Locrian has arrived.

Hi-Max has arrived.

Barrage Raptor has arrived.

 

Gemini Man has arrived.

Dust Man has arrived.

Guts Man has arrived.

King has arrived.

Shade Man has arrived.

 

The Fortress V, in all of its strength and beauty, begins to shift its awesome bulk from up high in the skies over the Sahara, pivoting majestically towards Robot Master territory. Any flying units escorting her move alongside at a slow, plodding pace. Storm Owl sits on the bridge of the flagship within his command chair. Fingers steepled, eyes glued to the tactical readouts on the display screen. There is no stealth about this mission. No treachery. No tricks. This is wielding power at its finest, and using it like a scalpel to drive deep into the heart of the enemy to one of its strongest positions. The Repliforce task force crosses into the Upper Nile region of Africa, and sentries, spies, patrols... well, they'll have no trouble figuring out what is what. Reports come to the bridge from all over the ship and the rest of the task force. Enemy sentries spotted here, scouts spotted there... Storm Owl knows better than to chase after any of them, however, and shall ignore any harriers assigned to throw his fleet into chaos. The war bird sits back in his chair, unsteepling his fingers, waiting for the chess match to begin.

 

The direct approach. Jet likes. Seated on the edge of the docking bay, Jet waits for his order to deploy, laying back as he does. Lazy... But powerful. That's how he likes to be known as.

 

Someone in Repliforce has a sick sense of humour. Seated on his silver horse, waiting nervously, Locrian ... stares at the technician who is currently strapping a parachute to his horse's rear flanks. "I thought we had landing craft for this!" the knight protests worriedly, then ... looks down at the ground. It's so far away.

 

And on the opposite side of the spectrum, is Hi-Max. He's fidgety, anxious, and totally incapable of keeping still. This is it. His big night. An official member of the Repliforce, tasked into this assault.

 

This is where he shows the others what he's made of.

 

He looks down for a moment, at the ground below. Turning back to Jet, "I can't believe you're so calm..."

 

        Leaning on a Repliforce Ride Chaser in the Docking Bay is Assault Kangaroo, Repliforce Lieutenant. Currently, he's merely waiting for the order to attack to be made, just like Jet, and then he'll drive into the scene. He's learned how to handle Ride Chasers to their fullest before the attack on the Black SHIELD base, and now he's going to show how properly he can handle them once more. He's currently not having a conversation with anybody, but he's fully prepared to attack on orders.

 

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

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

Name                Alias   Siz Idl Short Description

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

Jet Stingray        Jet     6    8m A golden humanoid reploid with the fins

Dust Man            Dusty   3    8s

Blizzard Man        Blizz   4   53s RM snowman w/limbs, orange hat, ski gear

Shade Man           Shade   4    8s

Storm Owl           Butterba5    1s Orange/red/green. Large wings. Big belly

Barrage Raptor      Major   5    4m It's a Gunsniper!

Locrian             Loc     5    1m Tall knight usually w/chrome mecha-horse

King                k       6    2m This is Your King.  Yes, that means you.

Assault Kangaroo    Kangaman3    1m

Flare Feline        Flare   4    1m

Reporto             Repo    2   22s

Hi-Max              Hi      4   10s

Krieger Wolf        Krieg   5   11s

Guts Man            guts    6    1m Guts Man the magnificient!

Gemini Man          twins   3   11m The RM twin(s) w/ crystal crest helmets

Pharaoh Man         Ra      3   31s Mummy Man!

========================== Mon Aug 30 20:56:45 2004

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

 

Krieger Wolf is also on the deck, standing next to Locrian and doing his level best to stifle a snicker. "Come on, Corporal. It'll take time to disembark from a landing craft, this'll be much faster. Trust me, what could possibly go wrong?" And with that, the wolf's VTOL fan begins to spool up as if to drive the point home.

 

Noble Griffon has arrived.

 

"The legs of my horse will snap off and render it useless," Locrian replies to Krieger dourly, slapping his helmet's visor down with a gauntleted hand.

 

What could go wrong, indeed, Krieger Wolf.

 

As the Fortress V nears the Delta Sphere, something a bit peculiar in comparison to the previous sphere assaults in Africa occurs. The ground rumbles and shakes for a moment, as huge stretches of grassland in a perimeter around the sphere rise up from their resting places. Beneath them? Massive anti-aircraft weaponry installations, all of which move to focus upon the Fortress V. Meanwhile, the Sphere itself begins to lockdown, entrances and exits sealing off, while drone forces pour out of predetermined points.

 

Nothing, indeed.

 

Where is Dust Man in all this. Nowhere to be found until he begins to unload the Metool swarms from the Sphere, the Suck Master standing on two and riding them like a wave. The broom is one hand, slapping it against the other..

 

Noble Griffon streaks through the skies, racing towards the assigned location in the upper Nile. This was not a job for Noble Griffon. Not at all, So, In his infinite wisdom, Viper activated the Blackguard Protocol. Noble is barely recognizable to any who might know him, his once pristine armor a glittering, obsidian black, and festooned with a number of spikes, barbs, and razors that look anything but ornamental. As he nears his goal, he slows, surveying the scene, making any checking in efforts he must make, to avoid being mistaken for an enemy of the very Masters he has come to fight alongside, and touches down lightly near whomever would be most likely to be giving orders.

 

A soft shine of gold in the light moves from out of the base. His cap and helmet moving with his every move in a graceful and royal walk. This fine example of gold and axe is King accept no others. His hands playing with his axe a little as he twirls it from one hand to the other. His large shield still on his back as he glances up staring up at the coming fortess. "Lets show father what a true elite can do."

 

Gemini Man obviously didn't teleport from the Sphere, nor, does he fly, but, he is here somehow. After all, Wily said to be. Stepping out of the base now--presuming he was granted access at all--he peers up into the sky at the shadow that's falling over the area. "...We're missing a good show for this."

 

        When the Anti-Aircraft weapons array rise up from the ground, the loose sand created by the tremor allows another terror to surface. SLAM! SLAM SLAM SLAM!! Hundreds upon hundreds of metallic coffins explode out of the ground. They remian inert, and lifeless for the first few moments. Until something begins beating on the metal door of the coffin, and without any sort of warning all of the coffins explode with motion simultaneously.

 

        Hundreds of drones pile out of the now useless coffins rather sluggishly. Synth joe-flesh hangs from the faces of these abberations of robotic kind. Nerpium bones cream ominously as they all stumble towards any oppositon, without any sort of thing resembling fear. Mindless.. and deadly. Following the zombie joes is a cloud of bubblebats flapping everywhere. What fun.

 

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

Civilians: 2

Repliforcers: 7

Robot Masters: 7

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

 

Guts Man is just there all of a sudden, he's only here because Dr. Wily ordered the Masters to defend, he could care less about these rinky dinky outposts. Like the behemoth of a robot that he is Guts Man lumbers in slowly, carrying a boulder in his hands for the heck of it. He doesn't deviate from his course, plowing through whatever is in his way like a juggernaut.

 

Pharaoh Man himself appears, hoving just above the sphere. " Hmph. Disgusting little vermin..." he murmers, looking off into the distance at the now rapidly approaching Fortress V. " I see an extermination is in order...."

 

And so, Storm Owl's droning, monotone order comes through the Fortress's intercom, "Repliforce Company Alpha-" For all you who prefer that spelling, "-you are cleared for deployment!" Any aerials, that's your cue to haul out and take any groundpounders you can carry. "Bravo company, you are cleared for deployment." And that'd be the ground forces. "Charlie company, hold position here and engage Pharaoh Man's advanced defences." The Fortress V slows to a crawl, position itself on a direct intercept course for the newly raised statues. "Starboard ventral weapon systems, lock on target and fire the moment we're in range. Port ventral weapon systems, commence charging and firing once we're within optimal firing position." Storm Owl peers at the tactical display as if judging the worth of the anti-aircraft installations and the lock-down procedures of Delta Sphere. "I shall be leading a squadron from Charlie Company into the battle." He tells the bridge crew. "I shall keep in contact and relay your orders." He'll get a better view from the field, and Storm Owl would not be so easy on himself to only handle /one/ job tonight.

        But before Storm can depart the ship, further defences present themselves in the form of a wave of troopers... Zombie Joes, Bubble Bats... statistics flood through Storm Owl's CPU as he calculates the proper course of action. "My God..." comes a voice from one of the weapons officer. Storm Owl shoots him a look, "The moment the anti-aircraft defences are destroyed, focus on the troopers." he orders. And then, very shortly thereafter, Storm Owl is out of the Fortress V, accompanied by aerial Repliforce troopers and overshadowed by the mighty flagship itself.

 

Noble Griffon stands head and shoulders over /most/ of the RM's, and possibly more, at 10 ft in height. He makes his way through the chaos to The formidable form of The eternal sun, Pharaoh Man, and kneels, bringing a hand to the Viper crest on his chest. " I have come to defend. I kneel before you in supplication, and submit to your command. Your orders, Sir?"

 

Krieger Wolf flips his own visor down into place, though his is one of technology and circuits rather than a call to the past. Sweeping the oncoming hordes with calculated precision, the wolf smirks slightly as he turns to Locrian. "Well, looks like we get to find out one way or the other." As the orders come down from on high, Krieger smirks and begins to back away from Locrian towards the edge of the deck. "Besides, why would

anyone want to live forever?"

        And with that, Krieger takes one step too far and seems to fall right off the deck into oblivion. He likes messing with people like that, though, because if Locrian were to follow him over he'd see Krieger descending to the ground with the aid of his VTOL engines....and firing blasts of plasma and the occasional grenade at the approaching RMs.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Hi-Max transmits, "Sure are a lot of them..."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "A bloody lot of them."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Krieger Wolf transmits, "More targets, 'sall."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Concentrate on the job at hand: We are here to eliminate the strongest point of Wily's continued rule on this continent."

 

        "Bravo company, you are cleared for deployment."

        The moment he hears that statement from Storm Owl, Kangaroo places both hands on the bike on both sides and lifts himself onto the bike. Grasping the handles driving the Ride Chaser, Assault starts the vehicle up, and veers out of the Docking Bay... landing on a hill facing downward from his direction after a second. Driving down the hill, Assault begins to drive off toward the Delta Sphere, to deal utmost damage upon the Robot Masters.

        How much damage will he do? Only time will tell.

 

Jet Stingray looks over to Hi-Max, shrugging as he gets the order to move out. "When you've been in battles in as long as me... It takes a lot to get you excited. I generally don't get a kick out of things until I've kicked some aft. Speaking that... Time to kick some aft." Chuckling to himself, the Stingray of Justice pushes off of the F5 and makes his way toward the battle.

 

Gemini Man checks his weapon... turning it over just to look at the energy readouts. Then, he clones, the simple process of splitting into two with a slight blur of blue energy. "Ready or not.""This s*** better not hurt like last time." "Shut up. Last time was fun!"

 

Sadly, Locrian doesn't have anything half as fun as VTOL engines. What he has is a large silver horse - and a parachute. "Oh Lord, we beseech thee, amen," the knight quips darkly as he looks heavenwards.

 

And then he jumps.

 

The parachute deploys after a moment, and it takes all of Locrian's strength to hang on for dear life to the destrier as it descends. "The things I do in the name of dutyyyyyyyy!"

 

Deciding down towards the battle is Barrage Raptor, using a small, single use jetpack. It's a good way to get down to the ground nice and fast.

 

Dust Man begins to order the Mets into brigade. "Hold your grounds! Take no prisoners! And if they have loose change? TAKE IT PRISONER!!"

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Krieger Wolf transmits, "Just remember the unofficial motto, guys, and we should all do fine."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Which unofficial motto?"

 

Pharaoh Man looks down at Noble Griffon as he appears, and smirks slightly. Now this, he could get used to. Gazing back upwards at the now descending Repliforce Troops, a low chuckle emits from his throat. It is deep, dark, and dry. And then, very simply, it is stated. " Kill them all. "

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Prismatic Spider transmits, "We only have about 6."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Shield Shellfish transmits, "What kind of a motto is We Only Have About Six?"

 

Noble Griffon snarls triumphantly, and rises, the smile on his face terrible to behold as he cracks his knuckles. " Understood, My Liege. Let's do some damage!"

 

        The zombie joes and bubblebats do get picked off by Krieger's attempts, but there is just too many for one person to take out (unless of course, you are General). Within the large bubblebat cloud something darts within the dark mass of bats. Suddenly, a blast of sonic energy archs out from the cloud and attempts to strike F5.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Krieger Wolf transmits, "God has a hard-on for Marines, because we kill everything we see. He plays His games, we play ours. To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Robot Masters don't go to heaven."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "That is highly illogical."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "... what a rather bleak outlook."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Krieger Wolf transmits, "Hey, it works.]"

 

Looking up as he hears the call for the ground pounders, Hi-Max readies for the bay doors to open. "Well, then. I guess I'll just have to watch you and learn, Jet." Swallowing his jitters, and hiding them away, he gets a running start, leaping from the bay doors. While he can fly, he's not an aerial combatant.

 

And so he free fall begins, giving him a few seconds to survey just what they stepped into. He responds with a simple, "Hmmm..." He scans, picking up individual targets of priority. No sense to hold back...

 

As he falls, his body slowly expands mechanically, in bits and pieces. Anyone watching could see individual body panels flipping out, and expanding, as he just grows. But from afar, it almost looks like liquid, it's so smooth.

 

Finally, this a solid *THUNK* and everything locks down. Confirming to himself, "Maximum Mode: online.", his deepened voice booms.

 

There's a shimmer in front of him as a minor field comes up, then an explosion and a glow behind him as his foot rockets ignite, sending him screaming towards the Sphere, like some black demon from the pits of Hell.

 

A black demon of JUSTICE!!

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Iris transmits, "...Funny, I don't remember that being in the handbook...OK, seriously, now, keep the chatter off this channel, that's an order!"

 

Hi-Max changes into his Maximum armor.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Iris transmits, "(off, not of)"

 

Guts Man stares upwards at the sight of the F5. He then looks back to the horizon, "Weak-afted Repliforce keeps sending all they've got to take down our little outposts. It's not like this is where we keep our secret stash of precious valuables or anything." He squints as he looks at all those advancing against the Robot Masters, "I guess it's gonna be my job to crush these gits."

 

King smiles as his axe glints in the light. His skills showing as he moves it in to a ready hold and gets ready for the battle to come. His hand reaching behind him to unlock his shield and bring it in front of him as he spots some the attacking force coming out of there large ship. "Yes, come and face death."

 

Blizzard Man has connected.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Jet Stingray transmits, "I thought the unofficial motto was 'Whoever killed the least buy drinks for...' Oops, sorry, Iris."

 

Noble Griffon brings out his mace, now as equally covered in spikes and barbs as his armor, and sneering as he takes a few warm up swings, muttering quietly to himself, and preparing for war.

 

And landing with a THUD on the ground - hardly graceful, but it's better than nothing - Locrian touches down, thankfully. He's a bit shaky after his plunge, and he whips around to cleave the straps holding the parachute to the horse with his sword, lashing out to slice the straps and cut himself free of cloth and leather. With that done, the knight grunts, grins, and charges for the fray.

 

Fortress V lumbers onward towards the anti-aircraft artillery positions. A single pin-prick of light emits from one of the heavy ion cannons on the the warship. It is soon followed by another, and another... thirty weapons blast downward in all, firing repeatedly at the embankments. Fortress V looms overhead... a vulture primed to make the final kill. The Bubble Bats begin their swarm up around the mighty vessel, and point-laser cannons begin firing at them in all directions, spewing forth chaotic waves of red energy.

It looks like nothing can stop Fortress V - right up until the energy blast from the cloud lances upwards and slashes into the powerful defences of the ship. "Ventral shields weakening! Forward section... three communication grids damaged, one ion cannon disrupted." One of the crewmen reports to Storm Owl over the radio.

        The war bird, alongside his warship, reports back. "Shift position, bearing one two five mark zero zero zero." The capital ship pivots slowly and awkwardly, but still with a grace that defies her bulk, ensuring that further strikes from the ground will hit alternating shield grids. The wave of weaponry continues to fly from her. Storm Owl, departing his aerials for now, streaks forward towards the cloud, summoning up a powerful gale to try and knock them off course and disrupt their cohesion.

 

         Reporto arrived, although most if not all of the people around this location know of it. Settled high above, using extremely capable equipment lented to him by the GNN, Reporto is watching the events unfold while nestled in the safest place possible. So far he has been somewhat interested, yet in the end it doesn't matter as much as it probably should, but he does ponder why they couldn't have thrown in a few audio receiving equipment as well as the video gear.

 

A few of the installments fall under the initial retaliatory strike of the Fortress, but a major hold strong as a storm of weapons fire fills the evening sky, the sphere and the Fortress trading titanic blows in a struggle for supremacy.

 

Krieger Wolf continues to open fire on the hordes as he descends, touching down even as the Bubble Bats move off to engage the Fortress. And he can't exactly shoot up that way without incurring the wrath of Friendly Fire, so he turns his attention to the zombies. But, if they're made like zombies, then there should be one thing they absolutely cannot stand! Inside the magazines mounted in his upper torso, a small switch is flipped and a rack moves grenade rack 'E' to one side, to accomodate rack 'F'. With a faint click, Krieger begins to lob /napalm/ grenades towards the zombie-Joes!

 

Guts Man stares in disbelief as Hi-Max powers up, who is this kid? He blinks dumbfounded "Maximum Mode?" He blinks again, "I'll show you Maximum Mode!" He rips his head right off, "Hardhat Mode!" He sticks it back on, "Guts Man Mode!" And repeat a few more times to get his point across, "Hardhat Mode! Guts Man Mode! Hardhat Mode! Guts Man Mode!" Every time Guts Man rips his head off you can see a pair of little legs running in place. But he finally locks his head back into place to continue the defending of these huge tracts of land.

 

        Zooming towards the Delta Sphere, Assault launches his motorcycle over a few Joes, and swerves through more, running over any poor sap that happens to be in his way. A minute into his drive, he notices Gemini Man. Split in two.

        He swerves to the right, and then opens the front of his Ride Chaser to reveal a long gun turret, before swerving to the left and firing several plasma shots at him. Of these shots, however, only one may hit... or may not hit at all.

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Generic Ranged attack.

 

Locrian isn't much of a ranged fighter, this he knows. But the horse clatters over the smaller opponents, legs lashing and hooves slicing through the air and through victims. The lance stabs, the shield swings, and the knight ... grins. "Well, this isn't so bad!"

 

Jet Stingray is smarter than he looks. Just trusting Hi-Max to be fine on his first battle, he tries to fly the long away around the battlefield, hoping to make his way to the rear of the sphere, in order to sneak on it and cause some damage to the inside. Okay, maybe not sneak... But blasting the rear is as sneaky as Jet gets.... Give him some slack.

 

One of the Geminis is popped in the face with the drive-by shots, and it knocks him backwards. The other just...turns to look at him. These are NOT ideal situations for a fight.... and they wonder how they can possibly press some kind of advantage. For the moment, though, they settle for firing off a few shots in the direction of Assault's ride, hoping he'll get off if they manage to bust up a tire.

 

Noble Griffon swings his mace through the air, sneering at the Hunter horde, and making a 'bring it' gesture, his eyes scanning the throng for a likely adversary. They fall on the Mounted knight, and he grins wider, making a gesture that GNN will most likely fuzzfilter out.

 

        The bubblebat swarm is slowly cut down by the tracking lasers. However, that form within the black cloud suddenly swoops to the new intruder. Storm Owl. "You are in the wrong, place owl. Prepare to die," An ominous voice speaks from within the depths of the cloud. Without any sort of warning, some demon with wings rushes straight towards Storm Owl. Ram attack.

 

        The Zombie joes on the ground continue their assauly. Any repliforce gumby caught in the armies' path is quickly disassembled messily, and a group of other drones begin to rip the nets out of the Repliforce gumbies, and replace them with downed zombie drone brains. An effective, but morbid way of replenishing troops.

 

Pharaoh Man sits atop the sphere, hovering, as he examines the battle from his perch. And then, that pesky Stingray appears. Now, now, isn't this interesting. Time to teach Jet about why you don't tresspass. Blinking, the Robot Master re-appears just behind Apple Pie. " Hello. " His scepter swings out viciously at the base of Jet's head.

 

" And Goodbye. "

 

Gemini Man strikes Assault Kangaroo with his Laser Blast attack.

 

Shade Man strikes you with a minor hit from his Devil On Black Wings attack for 8 units of damage.

 

Prism's little warmachine screams towards the sphere until an errant Anti Air Cannon shoots a beam straight into his force field, consuming his frame.

 

As the beam passes, Hi-Max is several hundred yards back. His forcefield crackles, splinters..then shatters...

 

Since lingering around weapons fire designed to take out fortresses is a bad thing, the super soldier rockets straight towards the ground, dropping out of the sky. Pulling up sends him on a crash course through mobs of zombies. Drone undead fly everywhere, bulldozed out of the way. Not that it really makes a dent.

 

Finally, the black warrior shoots up from the mob, out of reach. He scans the field, finding..there he is.

 

He simply points at King a moment, waiting for his attention, before screaming at the Royal Master like some sort of missile.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Hi-Max transmits, "I've found King on the battlefield.

 

I'm moving to neutralize him before he can hinder our other efforts."

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Royal Scepter attack.

 

Well now. Locrian wheels around from smushing the remnants of a Joe underhoof, and eyes the rude gesture that Noble Griffon is currently making in his direction. "I say, old mate, that's rather crude of you." The knight shakes his head at that, and smirks behind his visor. "But if it's rude gestures you want, I can certainly oblige." Extending one arm out and flipping a reverse-victory sign to Noble (it's the equivalent to the middle finger in England), he slips off the horse, and hits a button on the side of the silver steed.

 

Armor EXPLODES in a maelstrom of chrome, only to reform around the knight in a hulking destructive morass of metal. "Right. Care to try that again, mate?" Locrian asks from behind his mask, making a 'come hither' gesture with his sword and shield.

 

Locrian changes into his Knight-At-Arms armor.

 

Jet Stingray winces as he gets suddenly smacked into by Pharaoh, his tail lashing out before he crashes to the ground. The tail is the only thing that attacks though as Jet gets back to his feet with a grunt. "So, Mummy Man... Ready to wrap up this little fight?" he offers as he gets into a battle stance.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "Th'games are on!"

 

Fortress V is a large girl, and her maneuverings can only do so much to help her shields and hull against enemy attacks. The movements are more to throw off the accuracy of the defending weapons fire so they cannot pick off specific targets on the behemoth. The defending laser fire crashes into the shields, wave after wave. Each one causes the shields to shimmer brighter and brighter. "Ventral aft shields draining..." As per Storm Owl's course, the ship continues its maneuvers so that the other three shields are once again taking a beating to give the aft shields time to recover. But it doesn't work forever, and slowly but slowly, the defences of Fortress V begin to crumble. But while her hide may be wounded, her teeth are not, and under Storm Owl's guidance, heavy ion blasts are directed towards the artillery while the point defence laser cannons continue to spray

weaponsfire at the bubble bats.

        Storm Owl, meanwhile, has his own problems... bats and Shade Man. How utterly appropriate. "I disagree," he announces back, certain the voice can hear him. "My place is here. Should you be interested in terms of surrender for your forces, I shall be willing to hear them out. Until then, I have nothing to say to you." The owl dips down, using his speed to try and outmaneuver the swarm. As he can do that, he cannot evade the largest bat of them all. And so, he meets it - head on. The collision sends Storm Owl reeling backwards from the blow, but still in the air. How does Shade Man withstand it?

 

Jet Stingray strikes Pharaoh Man with his Sting attack.

 

You strike Shade Man with a solid hit from your Talon Crush attack.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Zephyr Gryphon transmits, "Yeah I saw! Isn't it great?"

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "'tis an exciting day."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "I look forward to dodgeball again. I'll need t'make a new team, though."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Good luck, Hi-Max. Strike hard, strike fast. King isn't a weak opponent."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Zephyr Gryphon transmits, "Yeah... I gotta start trying to organize some things."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "It's always nice t'make a name as a civilian."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Zephyr Gryphon transmits, "True enough."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Hi-Max transmits, "Understood. That's why I'm aiming to neutralize him first."

 

Noble Griffon snarls, and charges at Locrian. a self-confidant smile on his face as he tears up the ground between the two,, manipulating gravity, the same way he flies, to add momentum to his charge. Just when it looks like he's going to impact, he suddenly bows nearly double, and veers slightly, bringing to bear the razor-sharp top edge of his wing.

 

King scans the field of battle as his axe almost rimbles in his hands. King's breaks in to a smile as he turns and notices a large black warrior for the pickings. Yes, he would prove his worth to his father. "We shall enjoy removing your parts from the whole." His feet slaming in to the ground as he jumps backwards letting his shield come up and to protect his body. A large click ringing out as a new set of spikes come from his shoulder before he uses his axe to swep them off and at the large Hi-Max.

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his Generic Ranged attack.

 

        Three of the laser blasts that are shot at Assault manage to hit him and his ride. One on the side, one on HIS side, and one on his head. He tilts to the side, but he does not wipe out. At least not for now.

        Assault begins to encircle both Geminis at top speed, as if to disorient them somehow. The marsupial holds out his right arm, points at the head of one of the Geminis with his right finger, and fires off a single nail from his index finger at him, with the sound of a real nailgun "firing" accompanying it. Will this work?

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Vorpal Spike attack.

 

Pharaoh Man stops for a moment at the horrible pun made by his opponent, " Ugh...have you no tas-Nnn! " The tail lashes out, striking the Pharaoh. He stumbles backwards a step, grimacing more in rage than pain. " You will pay for that, stripling...." Concentrating, a blast of wind and sand suddenly engulfs the area around him, obscuring vision as it wears away stingingly at all caught within it....

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Sandstorm attack.

 

The Metools are starting to file out around the ground nerping and blasting little energy blasts into the fray. Dust Man points down and around. "Take them all, my little Nerps! TAKE THEM ALL!"

 

The wing is noted as Noble dives, and Locrian uses that huge tower shield he totes nearly everywhere to bring it up to block the incoming mythical creature. "I say... you do realize that gryphons were good and noble creatures in mythology? Why on earth are you assaulting /me/?" the knight demands with a snort, before taking a slash at him. It's an awkward motion, Locrian's longsword twisting and slashing at the air to try and catch the

incoming wing.

 

Locrian misses Noble Griffon with his Backhanded Slash attack.

 

Jet Stingray puts a hand up as the sand goes over him... It hurts, but worse yet... Pharoah Man scuffs the armor. "You freak! You know how long it takes me to shine this! Now Iris will have to spend hours... Buffing... Carefully...." He shakes his head. "In a friendly non-dating way! How dare yoooou!" That said, Jet kicks on his foot jets to fly right for Ra, hoping to bowl him over with his Stingray Speed.

 

Jet Stingray misses Pharaoh Man with his Torpedo Slam attack.

 

        When the two flying creatures collide in mid-air, much sound ensues. The talons of Butterball dig into the armor of Shade Man and he hisses angrily. "You may be a master of the skies... but I am a master of deception.." While Storm and Shade tumble through the air the vampire does something particulary deceitful. Two, very large blades shoot out from the forearms of Shade, and the vampire begins to grin evilly. "Enjoy your life,

in darkness!" With savage intent, the vampire drives the two blades home. Right towards Storm Owl's back.

 

         The drones on the other hand begin moving through their dead masses and they try to latch on to the F5. They were going to try and divert the Repliforce long enough so Anti-Aircraft guns could do repairs and recalibrate.

 

Though the nail hits, in fact, right on one of Gemini's cheeks, it seems to glance off. It doesn't make him more than wince. "How 'bout you get off that thing and fight us?!" "Yeah, this isn't Battle and Chase yet!"

 

Both of the Geminis charge their cannons, and, again, let off blasts, these a bit larger than the first. They're aimed directly at the Kangaroo--he can wipe out, or not. There's no REAL advantage, Gemini determines, to getting him off the bike, but standing there and shooting is a bit uninteresting.

 

Gemini Man strikes Assault Kangaroo with his Double Shot attack.

 

At these kind of speeds, dodging the spikes is impossible for Hi-Max. Grunting as he takes the spike in the shoulders, he seems more upset about being knocked off course. He screams by, just a few feet away from King. So much for slamming head-on into the Master.

 

"I'm sure you would." Hi-Max grunts as he does a 180, forcing his body to a halt, not far from King. "But that would interfere with my function."

 

He wastes no time, charging up a ball of energy around his hand. He grins. Time to scorch that pretty gold armor. "I'll bet he's a sissy boy...", Hi-Max mumbles to himself as he whips his arm around, slinging the ball of charged energy at King.

 

Well. Something in the back of Dust Man's mind says...

 

Get... Butter... we need... butter. Oh. Right. And attack Barrage. Attaaaack Baaaarrage...

 

...Maybe he should attack. He looks over at the scape, honing in on the raptor. He points his finger in her direction. "Enemy SIGHTED!" He begins to unload little bolt and screws which whizz through the air at the gunny lizard. "EAT BROKEN NUTS!"

 

Hi-Max misses King with his Energy Sphere attack.

 

Dust Man misses Barrage Raptor with his Rattling Gatling attack.

 

Pharaoh Man evades the torpedo, flaring his dash jets to duck down off to one side and away. " Pathetic creature...." he snipes, the sands fading away from view, leaving the area about the pair as it was before. " Sexual innuendo will be the least of your worries once I'm don with you, cretin! " Concentrating momentarily, a wave of flames emits from before the Pharaoh, rippling towards Jet Stingray...

 

Krieger Wolf hms, and continues to scan the area. While the FV seems to be handling the drones fairly well, Krieger looks for something a bit more deserving of his talents. That's when he sees Guts Man lumbering about, and a particularly vile grin appears on the wolf's face....holding his arm out, a long, high-tech looking rifle appears in Krieger's grasp, and is levelled at the distant Guts Man. There's a low hum and a crackle of electricity, before an anti-tank round is sent hurling towards Guts Man at hypersonic speeds! Uh-oh.

 

Krieger Wolf strikes Guts Man with his Railgun attack.

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Pharaoh Wave attack.

 

King smiles as his shield comes up and swats the energy ball off course as well to hit the ground and not its target. The royal elite showing a smile as he lands and starts to run forward to close the distance between the two. His axe raising as his shield comes up as well to block most of King from view. A large energy seems to gather in shield before a bright flash shots off as he hopes the large fellow was looking at him.

 

Noble Griffon dodges back, and kicks off that shield of Locrians, going airborne, streaking up into the sky at speed, and going into a nosedive, bulleting straight at the white knight.

 

Noble Griffon misses Locrian with his Plummet attack.

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his Royal Shield Flash attack.

 

Hi-Max is temporarily disoriented by King's Royal Shield Flash attack.

 

Oh look. Incoming! Locrian watches as Noble dives... dives... dives...Then holds his fist out for Noble to run head-first into, popping it suddenly over the top of the shield. "Surprise," the knight growls.

 

Locrian strikes Noble Griffon with his Gauntlet Punch attack.

 

Hi-Max is ready for anything. Anything except that. "Gah...." He blocks himself up, doing his best to ready for the impending attack. "Cheap tactics....", he grunts, blindly bringing his arms up defensively.

 

Jet Stingray turns around to try a second pass, but it is hit with the flames instead. He grunts it burns over his back, but he just charges over to try and give Ra a powerful uppercut. After wards, he just blinks vacently. "What about sex stuff? You being a pervert again?"

 

Jet Stingray strikes Pharaoh Man with his Smash attack.

 

Storm Owl is indeed the master of disguise. And while he is no weakling in treachery - honour is terribly illogical - Shade Man has him dead to rights. Storm Owl, taking his moment to recover from their collision, is suddenly thrown for another trip as both blades slash deep into his back, lodging them deep into his structure. Mech fluid dribbles out, but Storm's wing assembly seems relatively undamaged. "While your words," Storm Owl says through a clenched beak from the pain, "Have a certain poetic tone to them," he swerves upwards, trying to get up over Shade to gain the altitude advantage, "I cannot decipher any further meaning form them." From the war bird's wings, a wind storm begins to brew, and a blast of air is shot out from an outstretched hand, trying to knock Shade from the sky.

        Fortress V, meanwhile, tries to train as many of its laser cannons on the bats. Some are hopefully hit, but others latch onto the hull as the weakened shields allow them bypass. "Ventral starboard shields have been breached!" one of the crewmen shouts in desperation to Storm Owl. Oh oh...

 

You strike Shade Man with a solid hit from your Cyclone Storm attack.

 

Guts Man is minding his own business walking through gumbies and stuff when he's assaulted from out of nowhere. The shot hits him dead center which causes Guts Man to stumble backwards, falling onto some gumbies. Crushing them in the process. Oooops. He looks around, "Where the hell did that come from?" Suddenly a small platoon of hardhats appear. They crawl all over Guts Man inspecting his wound. One of them who we shall call Professor Hat studies the wound, figuring out how quickly it hit Guts Man and from what angle it was shot. Professor Hat nerps at Guts Man to tell him to location of his would be assassin. Staring upwards the Alpha Master spots Krieger Wolf, the kind of individual that doesn't look too random, so putting 1 and 1 together he figures Krieger is the one that fired at him, even if Professor Hat's science has pretty much already answered that question. "So

you like opening fire on people just like that huh punk?" Propping himself back up to his full height he stares at Krieger, "Well you're in for a world of hurt and no flying will keep you safe!" And with a mighty Hulk leap Guts Man becomes airborne, ready to open a can of whuppity whoop whoop on Krieger, well if he can hit him that is. But he's got his energy whip in hand as he flies to try and help him get an extra reach, he's learned over

the years that people tend to fly out of his reach, might as well as much to it as he can.

 

Guts Man strikes Krieger Wolf with his Energy Whip attack.

 

        *WHACK!!!*

        The blasts from both Geminis hit home -- right in Assault's chest. He swerves to the left and seems to hop before impact, and he is knocked to the ground by the shots. He begins to get up and he enters a crouching position, glaring at Gemini.

        There was a reason he swerved and hopped like that, though.

        The Robot Master(s) may or may not notice but the Ride Chaser, as it falls onto its side, begins to spin and slide right toward the legs of both Gemini Men. If they're not paying attention, they'll take a nice trip to the floor.

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Dual Rocket attack.

 

King smiles as the gap has been reduced to almost nothing as he speaks. "There is no such thing as cheap in a fight." His axe coming to the front as the blunt side aims toward Hi-Max's face as he aims to smash him with his hilt like a blunt spear.

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his Executioner's Hilt attack.

 

Noble Griffon shakes his head, momentarily dazed, but he's up with a snarl, and decides the high-speed approach just isn't cutting it. Brute force. You can't go wrong with good, old fashioned brute force, he reasons, and lunges forward, attempting to bypass that shield, and grab hold of the armored hunter.

 

Noble Griffon strikes Locrian with his Iron Maiden attack.

 

Pharaoh Man is struck, head snapping backwards, a splattering of mechfluid and bits of metal littering the ground. Stumbling momentarily, Ra's optics glare at the Stingray, while one hand wipes away inky black mechfluid. " Ugh. Attention span of a gnat. Wonderful...." He murmers, before an cannon forms upon his left arm. Raised at the Repliforcer, it unleashes a wave of superheated air.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Warning. Fortress V's ventral starboard shields have been bypassed. Charlie Squadron, shift position to compensate."

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Heat Wave attack.

 

Noble Griffon sneers, " Gotcha!"

 

Barrage Raptor steps away from the attack as Dust Man fires at her, "Oh, you did /not/ just do that." She growls out, as she whips her rifle around, and starts firing upon Dust Man with it.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes Dust Man with her Burst Fire attack.

 

Krieger Wolf has disconnected.

 

Locrian grunts as Noble darts through his defenses, denting armor and scratching his chrome plating. "No, mate, 'tis I who have you," the Repliforcer comments with a little growl. "And while we're on the subject of being 'gotcha'd..." The shield comes winging around, and since Noble's been so nice to go past it and get right up close and personal, he's got the room to bring it about hard and fast. "Gotcha!"

 

Locrian strikes Noble Griffon with his Shield Bash attack.

 

Dust Man is shot. Shot with bullets. Oh yeaaaaa. He grins as his soft armor deflects most of the pain. He sticks his... well, he can't. But the thought is there.

        Where were we? Oh, right. Shooting. Dust Man begins to suck again.. and suck hard. Oh so hard. Yes. Uber hard. Dust Man flexes his arms and shouts. "SUFFER MY TRUE POWER!!"

 

Dust Man misses Barrage Raptor with his Sucktastic Supersuck Deluxe attack.

 

Guts Man comes crashing back down to the ground, both feet planting themselves firmly on terra firma. He's still holding on to his whip after lashing at Krieger in mid-air. He's lost sight of his target, where could have the bugger gone to? Scanning the field reveals nothing to Guts Man, that is save for the others engaged in combat. It looks like he'll have to go back to battling those goodie gumbies and leading the plethora of hardhats out on the field that are defending the area.

 

The Super Soldier goes spinning as the hilt crashes into his skull. Hydrolic fluids explodes from his mouth as his helmet caves in from the blow. The mighty warrior goes around twice, before coming to stop.

 

There's no time lost in recovering, as Hi-Max snaps his head back up, locking his optics with Kings. "Well then. You shouldn't be bothered by this..."

 

The Repliforcer moves like lightning, rushing King. He's heard King is very attached to that axe. He makes a desperate grab for the weapon, but not in a manner of stripping it from him. In a display of strength, he attempts to use it as a handle, to flip King over Hi-Max's head and slam him into ground, like some sick suplex.

 

Hi-Max misses King with his Smash attack.

 

It's kind of like.... Bowling for Robot Masters.

 

The hoverbike hits both Geminis, and sends them sprawling to either side, shouting. They hit the ground again at the same, precise time, and roll over in somersalts at the same precise time.

 

They then, now sitting up, both shake the stars out of their eyes.

 

--wobble wobble--

 

And THEN, they both narrow their eyes at Assault Kangaroo. Leaping up in synchronicity, they both advance on their opponent. One glances at the other. "Well...now what?"

"I dunno. Just shoot him, I guess.""You first." BLAM. One of the Geminis tries to shoot Assault in the foot.

 

Barrage Raptor digs behind her back as Dust Man starts to suck, "I saw this in a video game once." She unleashes the bomb, timer ticking down, into the suction.

 

Gemini Man misses Assault Kangaroo with his Clone Laser attack.

 

Barrage Raptor misses Dust Man with her C-4 Charge attack.

 

Jet Stingray takes a step back, grunting as the air rushes over his chest. Odd, doesn't seem to have the same effect that it might on most reploids. While it causes the gold to warp and weaken about his chest plate, he just continues on and lets his tail lash out toward Pharaoh Man's knee. "I know... You really should focus on the fight instead of being a perv," Jet offers confidently.

 

Jet Stingray strikes Pharaoh Man with his Tail Whip attack.

 

Noble Griffon is forced to let go, dazed and shaking his head for the second time today. " Rrrrargh! Miserable wretch! I'll have your head for that!", and swings his mace, hard. It turns out to be a feint, however, as his arm weaves, and the head of the mace tilts away, attempting to bring the heel of the mace handle down between his opponent's eyes.

 

Noble Griffon strikes Locrian with his Pommel Smash attack.

Locrian is temporarily disoriented by Noble Griffon's Pommel Smash attack.

 

Conduit has arrived.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "I wonder if me aim's gotten any better."

 

The royal elite watches as the large opponent heads right for him and his oh so loved axe. His arm pulling it back as he back pedles and jumps in to the air. As Hi-Max keeps running he tries to flip in the air and slash the large opponents back as he runs past with a single word. "ohlie"

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "I've certainly done more shooting this year than I've done me whole life."

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his Executioner's Axe Swipe attack.

 

Locrian ... falls back on his butt. "... ow." The knight blinks, dazed, behind his helmet - and then tries to get back up. This is harder than it looks due to his impressive bulk. It's like flipping over Rain Turtle, and almost as funny to watch as he tries to dig sword and shield into the ground and heave himself up.

 

        The wind gust sends Shade Man flying into his own children. He winces momentarily, as miniscule fangs dig into his armor accidentally. Then, the vampire gets an idea. "Poetry, is something easy to deal with.. calm and colected. Cool, and refreshing. A welcome respite to the drabble that goes on in this world. You should be well acqainted with the lyrical speech.. here I'll show you.."

 

        The vampire lifts his head into the air, and he begins to hum rhythimically. The bubblebats stop their erratic frenzy and begin flying in patterns. A very soft hum is also picked up by the surrounding bats. Then, Shade Man breaks out into a beautiful and eerie tune. He adds in his demonic lyrics.. strangely enough the sound waves indend to shake Storm Owl's molecules apart.

 

        While the bubblebats are busy assisting Shade Man, the drones on the ground move about giving various makeshift repairs to all the fallen drones. Some have even sacrificed their bodies to repair anti-aircraft guns.

 

Shade Man strikes you with a solid hit from his Nocturne In The Moonlight attack for 14 units of damage.

 

The tail whip cuts accross Ra's face, leaving a thick line of oozing black substance, bubbling out and staining his bandaged face. " Nnnnn! Shut...up! " Ra snarls, thrusting forth an open hand, which slowly begins to close. In turn, gravitational tendrils attempt to latch onto Jet Stringray, trying to pull him to the ground...

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Compelling Grasp attack.

 

Jet Stingray is temporarily disoriented by Pharaoh Man's Compelling Grasp attack.

 

Noble Griffon laughs like a man insane, and drops to one knee, wrapping his arms around Locrian's middle, almost as if he's helping him up. Then, he KEEPS lifting, until the knight's feet are off the ground, and smiles as he squeezes tight, in a dark parody of a hug.

 

Noble Griffon strikes Locrian with his Lift And Crush attack.

 

        The Bomb gets sucked in just as you planned! YOU HAV-..no wait. You suck. Dust Man's crusher goes off and nothing seems to happen.

        Okay, let's go for this now. Rush her. ..Rush her? Rush her. He points the Mettools at the Raptor and calls the charge. "TO BATTLE!" He lifts his leg up.. his foot vacuums starting to go off as he rushes at Raptor. "FOR SUCKING!!"

 

Dust Man strikes Barrage Raptor with his Suck Kick attack.

 

        Sadly for the Geminis, Assault prepared himself for anything the Geminis did in response. And so, he backflips into the air, far away from the shot that was fired.

        In the middle of the somersault, he bends both legs, and both kneecaps open. When the kangaroo is facing in front of him again, you can see gun barrels within the openings of his upper legs. It's these cannons that fire small missiles aimed at both of the advancing Geminis, in an attempt to hit them both at the same time. Will he succeed?

 

Assault Kangaroo misses Gemini Man with his Dual Bazooka attack.

 

Jet Stingray is sent to the ground, grasping for forces that he can't really fight again. He pulls out his diving knife... As if getting ready to throw it... But Pharaoh Man should have more than enough time to attack before Jet can pull off the move.

 

"Hrrrgh!" Locrian struggles as Noble 'hugs' him. Chrome armor crashes and crumples as the two knights grapple and struggle. "I say," he grits out, panting, "we hardly know each other, the least you can do is buy a bloke a drink first, and I rather think I'm not your type!" It takes a moment, but in Locrian's hand... appear a few small spheres. These he palms, and instead does the only other thing he can: headbutts at Noble. "LET GO!"

 

Locrian strikes Noble Griffon with his Helmet Smash attack.

 

Barrage Raptor is kicked! And she stumbles back a little bit, "I...This is stupid." She mutters, as she peers down at Dust Man, "You are a freaking retard, you know that?" She brings her rifle around to smash Dust Man in the face...Ish thing he has.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes Dust Man with her Rifle Butt Smash attack.

 

Noble Griffon reels, really taking the punishment today, but, as is his custom, recovers quickly and comes back up with an angry growl, bringing the mace to bear again. Dodging and weaving as he looks for an opening, as soon as he sees one, he tries for an overhand smash, If this hits Locrian, the resulting sound will be GLORIUS!

 

Locrian deflects Spiked Mace from Noble Griffon.

 

A soft sigh of content emits from Ra's lips. " Do you hear that, reploid? The sounds of battle? Of your comrades dying? " He produces his scepter, stepping forwards to stand over Jet. " It is finally absent..." He murmers softly, the melee weapon crackling with electricity. "...absent of you annoying...." The weapon lashes out, "...ceaseless..." Again. "...idiotic..." And again. "...PRATTLE! " And one more to grow on.

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Scepter Sting attack.

 

Guts Man whips his own troops to defend the area better, "Hyah! Hyah! Come on you worthless hardhats! Take down the invaders! Show them that nothing can defeat the ultimate power of the Nerpium!" One of the hardhats looks up at Guts Man, "Nerp?". The Alpha Master blinks, "WHAT?!?" The little hardhats starts to tremble out of fear and quietly repeats what he said, "Nerp?" Well that just sets off Guts Man, "No you can't retreat just yet! The battle's ardly started. There's little to no oil strewn on the battlefield! Look here ya little runt, we all fight to the end! Now get in there!" The hardhat keeps trembling before receiving a larger metallic boot in its face, it nerps in pain as it sails right into the middle of things.

 

This is not going as planned. Not by a long shot. The axe cleaves Hi-Max's back quick nastily. Fluids start to pour out of the open wound. Hi-Max stumbles to a stop. He stares at the ground, trying to regain his footing, and build himself back up.

 

But for now, he needs to buy himself some time. To mount some sort of defense before this guy cleaves him in two. Turning back around, he moves to keep an eye on his opponent. He thrusts his arms outward, and a second later, there's a faint glow around his body before he falls back into a defensive stance.

 

Hi-Max brings his reflect system online.

 

Dust Man is smacked in the FACE. Yes. Well, there is a pit between his eyes.

 

Ow

 

Okay, let's do something back!......His duct begins to cycle and Dust Man rolls his eyes upward as he watches. "...Oh crap."

 

FOOMPH. The bomb Barrage sent is sent back. With love. And dirt.

 

Dust Man misses Barrage Raptor with his Trashbustion attack.

 

Storm Owl advances towards the pushed back Shade Man, planning to use his superior size to rip the robotic vampire into several pieces. "I require no respite from life, Shade Man. To take time away from work is illogical. However if it serves you waste time to make yourself more 'calm and collected', then so be it." Storm Owl continues to approach... and begins to vibrate as the bubble bats hover around their master and aid in his assault. The war bird is halted in his tracks, staggering in mid-air hundreds of feet over the battlefield. "Nnnn..." he hisses, clearly pained as the vibrations continue onward. As if caring not for his own safety, Storm Owl begins giving additional orders to his ship, directing their fire. Once done, the strategist coughs, wings shaking, but still holding him aloft to fight the master of the night. Owls are creatures of the night, and do not fear it. Storm Owl does not not fear the night either, but rather has a healthy respect for it and those who control it. The war bird's wings, suddenly propelled by a summoned wind, carries Storm Owl into the heart of the night, as Storm Owl attempts to smash into the vampire with his heavily armoured wings.

        Fortress V, meanwhile, takes full advantage of the respite from the bubble bats and unleahses an unholy string of bombarding laser fire down, unrelentless in its attempt to annihilate both the defences and the bats trying to repair them.

 

You miss Shade Man with your Wing Slice attack.

 

The mace swings, all right - and sinks its pointed teeth not into Locrian, but his shield. Well, some of the spikes dig through shield and armor and bite at his forearm, which will sting later on, that's for sure. The knight grimaces behind his visor, and with a fling of his shield, shakes the mace free. A few steps backwards to put space between them, and with a bob of his head, Locrian unleashes the handful of spheres at Noble. "HOLD STILL!"

 

Locrian strikes Noble Griffon with his Concussive Grenades attack.

 

Noble Griffon is temporarily disoriented by Locrian's Concussive Grenades attack.

 

Jet Stingray gets hit again... and again and again. Getting up despite the beating, Jet growls. "You want me to shut up and get serious. Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you." That said, Jet just turns toward his side and uses his foot jets to leap into Ra. This wouldn't be a problem... Save that he has those massive bladed fins on either side of him.

 

Jet Stingray strikes Pharaoh Man with his Fin Slash attack.

 

King smiles as he lands with a soft thud. His axe swinging back in to place as he turns himself with a flair of his cape to face his large opponent. "What are we to much for you?" His face drawn back in a smile as he moves his shield in to place and it starts to charge with a blue glow. "Here let me put you to bed." His shield letting out a low hiss as a beam of blue energy zig zags its way toward Hi-Max.

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his Refraction Beam attack.

Hi-Max successfully reflects Refraction Beam.

 

Both Geminis seem to be synched up pretty well now, and so they both leap up... the missiles shooting off and striking the base somewhere behind them. They hit the ground and look at each other. That was definitely a close one.

"My turn?" one asks the other.

"Looks that way."

"Cover me."

"Cool."

And then, one Gemini starts to run forward, trying to close into melee. While he does that, however, the second twin continues to provide cover fire to aid his charge, so the white laser blasts continue without another pause.

 

Gemini Man strikes Assault Kangaroo with his Tag Team attack.

 

Noble Griffon cries out in agony as the sphere's hit, expecting to shrug it off due to the density of his armor. Big surprise. The sonic explosion ripples through his armor, visible spider-cracks forming in its surface as he drops to his knees, dazed.

 

The fin cuts deeply into the Pharaoh's chest, tearing at armor and internal systems. A slight gasp of pain is given, and Pharaoh Man blinks away reflexively. Holding a hand to the wound, he crouches, chuckling darkly. " Yes....oh yes....let us...'get serious'. " The chuckle grows into a cackle, as a skittering, a scampering, a scornful crawling sound begins to fill the area. Lumps beneath Ra's bandages start to move, more of them, faster,

faster, until...until...

 

A swarm of hungry scarabs bursts forth from every orifice and wound upon his body, seeking to devour Jet Stingray whole.

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Scarab Swarm attack.

 

Locrian pants a little as Noble drops to the ground, and lifts up the huge longsword as he darts - this is relative, he's about as fast as an ice age - forward for the fallen gryphon. "Now, mate, I'm sending you packing! Off with you!" The huge bladed weapon whistles and falls, moving to slice hard at the dazed Reploid.

 

Locrian strikes Noble Griffon with his Downward Chop attack.

 

Barrage Raptor catches the C-4 as Dust Man fires it, and hmms, "No wonder." She says, "I set the timer too long." She shoves the bomb back down into Dust Man's chute.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes Dust Man with her C-4 Charge attack.

 

        The Kangaroo's kneecaps close as he lands back on the ground, where he prepares to take on the charging Gemini... before laser blasts strike him. Owie.

        Assault is knocked back into a roll... but after a second, he enters a crouching position, and he leaps toward the charging Gemini with a flying kick using his left leg, in hopes of striking him in the face and taking him down.

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Torpedo Kick attack.

 

Dust Man 's duct EXPLODINATES! However, he is starting to dislike Barrage's attitude! See his unhappy face? BAD UNHAPPY FACE!!

 

All that trash begins to burn. And it burns with plenty of smoke. Smoke begins to bellow out into Barrage.. as the fire BURNSHERFISTTOTHEGROUND!AHWOOOOOOO!

 

Meanwhile, Dust Man is flailing, trying to get himself off the hand.

 

Dust Man misses Barrage Raptor with his Fire Hazard attack.

 

Noble Griffon reels, and falls, snarling. " This isn't over..", he gasps, the light behind one eye flickering like it's shorting out, " N...not by a longshot! You have only won the battle! "

 

Noble Griffon retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Jet Stingray, Shade Man, Storm Owl, Assault Kangaroo, Reporto, and Hi-Max.

 

While the warrior stumbles back from the beam, his body glows momentarily. Then, following the trail of energy, a bolt of raw power arcs back to the shield it originated from.

 

There's a slow grin that forms on Hi-Max's face. "You, too much for me? Not hardly." That grin gets a little more sinister, "And for crying out loud...quit with the royal 'we' crap. You're hardly any more royal than the drones you were hiding behind."

 

He takes a few steps towards King, before the ground below his feet explodes from the force of his foot jets. Like some sort of guided missile, the demon screams towards King, shoulder first.

 

Hi-Max strikes King with his Body Check attack.

 

"Wanker!" Locrian shouts after Noble as he turns to flee. The knight watches, grumbling quietly and flipping up his visor to survey the madness that is currently surrounding him.

 

A small object falls from the F5's docking bay. After several moments the object impacts with the ground, sending up a plume of dust and sand. Only a heartbeat later a silver and blue repliforcer bursts from the dust, it would seem, Conduit is fashionably late to the party.

 

        When the wing lashes out at Shade Man, the vampire quickly moves to the side of the attack. A slight blur is left within his wake as he dodges the attack. Shade looks as if he was about to speak, and then the F5 opens fire on his children. He bellows in anger, "DO NOT TOUCH THEM!!" the vampire whirls around towards the cloud and he screeches in a high-pitched voice. The eyes of the bats suddenly turn red. "Enjoy your death, fool."

 

        The bubblebats begins to move around erratically again, but this time in a crazed frenzy. Several surviving bubblebats begin to glow brightly and kamikaze right into the F5, causing explosive damage. The other bats explode around the Owl as they are struck, and when they run into him.

 

Shade Man strikes you with a glancing hit from his Children Of The Night attack for 6 units of damage.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Jet Stingray offers weakly, "How is the battle doing... How important is it... For me.... To win?"

 

Barrage Raptor suddenly moves. A lot faster than one would expect her to, to get away from Dust Man. She whips around again, and grins, "Catch." She fires a shot at Dust Man's gut, a powerful beanbag.

 

Barrage Raptor misses Dust Man with her Beanbag Round attack.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Fortress V has come under heavy assault. Moving to engage the Delta Sphere itself."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "Jet, sir... you sound poorly. Do you require assistance?"

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Extremely, Jet Stingray."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Anthem transmits, "Jet, if you're asking that, I may have to kick you in the @$&(ing face again."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "My opponent has fled; I am available if required."

 

King feels his own attack burn him just in time for him to spot the large Hi-max flying his way. His shield does not come up in time to stop the blow as he gets it full in the chest and is sent flying backwards with a metal scrapping sound as he skids backwards on the ground. His shield is dropped and is left behind as he skids more along his path. As the force of the blow stops King comes to a stop as he slowly stands up still holding his axe. "We are more powerful then anything you can do." His chest showing a nice dent and a small line of mechfluid that has started to leak out. King starts to run forward to close the gap again as he gets closer he speaks up again. "We won't play around anymore." His large axe coming to up as he swings it toward Hi-Max with force.

 

Hi-Max deflects Executioner's Axe Charging Slash from King.

 

SLAM! The Gemini that tried to close in is kicked...right back into the other Gemini.

 

It's been a good solid evening of falling over comically, for these two. They both...stand up again.

"Well, that was a bad plan."

"Do it again."

The Gemini that was kicked makes a face at the other, pulling down his eyelid with his free hand.

"What, you wanna quit while you're ahead?"

Then, the Gemini that was kicked fires another shot. This time, he's not really paying attention to it; not aiming it, and not checking to see where it hits, while he's busy taunting his other self.

 

The shot, nonetheless, seems to be on-target, but it's taking its good old time getting where it needs to go. It just might be the slowest laser ever.

 

Gemini Man misses Assault Kangaroo with his Slow Motion Shot attack.

 

Dust Man ducks downward as the beanbag goes somewhere into the distance. Weird. Oh well. Dust Man has to do what he does best. No more flames. No more trash. Just Sucking. Lots of Sucking. Dust Man wags his fists into the air. "I will suck you for the justice of the Robot Masters! I am the GREATEST!"

 

Dust Man strikes Barrage Raptor with his Vacuum attack.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Shield Shellfish transmits, "I'll throw together my health kit. Call me if you need evacuated."

 

Jet Stingray is about to charge for Pharaoh man, but pauses at the noise. "Coward. Can't right your own battles so you..." He is cut off as he gets hammered by tons of the beetles. By the end of it, he is filled with holes and looking rather cruddy. He drops to one knee. He wonders if he should retreat or go on... And he asks on the radio. Extremely important to win is what he hears. So... he just rises up. "That the best you can do?" he offers weakly, falling to one knee again. Yeah, he is in great shape. Not. (No Attack)

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Locrian, do so."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Jet Stingray transmits, "I might need some help a little bit... Make sure everyone else is fine though. Not everyone is as blessed with Stingray Staying Power."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "Aye, sir. Jet, if you would be so kind as to not... well, not be blown apart, I shall cover your retreat."

 

Barrage Raptor is being sucked. And she trips and falls down, landing on a rock which went unsucked, "Ow." However, she has a brilliant idea. While Dust Man sucks, she leaps into the air and lets him pull her right towards him, feet first.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes Dust Man with her Smash attack.

 

*THOOM!* *THOOM!* *THOOM!* The surviving bubble bats from Shade Man's hive smash into the Fortress V's hull, bypassing the weakened shields. The beautiful ship's chassis is rippled with the explosions. One the bats explosives have died down, all seems well for a few seconds...

        *KA-BLAM!!

        Something must have ruptured... a fuel line... an ammunition feed... a power coupler... although a small prick on the ship's form, a fireball erupts from within the ship, spewing out melted metal. Oh God, a Repliforcer can even be seen falling from the hull, plumeting to a terrible demise far below. Fortress V lurches, but remains upright as she charges onward thanks to the bravery of her crew. Laser and ion fire launch forth, now seeking to bombard the Delta sphere itself!

        Storm Owl, glaring at the damage done to his baby, his pride and joy, his duty, peers at Shade Man, covering himself up with already battered wings in a desperate ploy to avoid being torn apart by other exploding bubble bats. Once the explosions have died down, Storm reveals himself once more. Wordlessly, he aims both fists at Shade and sends forth a cyclonic blast.

 

You miss Shade Man with your Cyclone Winds attack.

 

Conduit looks around the battlefield, taking in combat as it unfolds. Since there don't seem to be any Masters imediately threatening him, he decides to start reducing the drone population in the area.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Section 41 of Deck 14 has been breached. Five ion cannons destroyed. Three laser batteries offline. Several crew reported dead or heavily injured. Medical crews to the damaged area. Fortress V is moving to assault the Delta Sphere."

 

        Landing from his kick, Assault stands tall and puts his hands on both hips, from the time the Geminis collide, all the way up until they get up. He continues to stand when the attacked Gemini fires a laser... that's really slow. At this, Assault chuckles heartily, bending back a little before looking at the Gemini Men.

        "...You can't be serious. You /really/ can't be serious."

        No kidding. A laser on molasses? Clearly, Dr. Wily has been taking the time to do everything in his power /except/ improve any of his minions.

        To add insult to (potential) injury, Assault just walks right around the laser, letting the super-slow projectile go on its merry way, eventually into a rock. After walking around the laser, he continues to walk, albeit faster than before, towards the Geminis. When he gets close, he leaps up, and kicks at the faces of both Geminis with both feet. His objective is to hit them in the eyes with the claws on his feet and potentially blind them momentarily.

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Eye Crusher attack.

 

Gemini Man is temporarily disoriented by Assault Kangaroo's Eye Crusher attack.

 

Dust Man is smashed! With feet! He is thrown backwards where he slams down into a rock as well. ..Then.. his duct begins to rev upward, the cube of trash crunching about until....

 

The world goes heavily outlined for a moment, curves stylized into corners.. eyes meaningful.. and boys way too girl.. A cut section appears at the top as Dust Man's feet lock, pulling him upright and locking to the sand.. then again, his arms flail a little in the bottom section.. and finally, a cut section of the duct through the middle. Then...

 

Okay, camera pan to Barrage's PoV...and.. action lines around the ball of trash!

 

Dust Man strikes Barrage Raptor with his Dust Crusher attack.

 

Locrian lifts his head as radio transmissions flood his senses - and then he turns, stomping as quickly as he can towards Pharaoh Man and Jet Stingray. The least he can do, since he's the only one not currently engaged and /fighting for his life/, is to make sure that Jet doesn't lose that fight. "I SAY, YOU WITH THE STICK AND EGO!" the knight calls out as he advances. "NO MONARCH WORTH HIS SALT WOULD STRIKE A MAN WHILST HE'S DOWN!"

 

        Shade Man chuckles gleefully as he gets a reaction out of the bird. He winks devilishly, "You are just soo flustered up by this aren't you? Here.. you need a hug.." Shade Man rushes at Storm Owl with his fangs extended and glinting in the light. He aims for the throat of Storm.

 

Shade Man strikes you with a minor hit from his Vampire Bite attack for 8 units of damage.

 

Shade Man drains energy from you.

 

The Sphere's anti-aircraft guns aren't holding up too well-this battle may bank more on how long it will be before the Robot Masters themselves can attend to things after clearing away Repliforce interference. However, Pharaoh Man is not one to be caught unprepared. The base's normal defensive countermeasures activate, turning upon the Fotress V in a desperate struggle to buy itself time. It's lockdown armor plating is begginging to wear down, though....

 

The Super Soldier is on the ball this time around. He throws an arm up stopping the axe dead. Sparks explode from his forearm as it shoves the assault back. His optics narrow at his opponent. "You have no idea how powerful I am."

 

His jets still running, Hi-Max screams backwards through the fray, knocking drones aside out of pure force before he rockets into the sky. His bellows in a deep, booming voice, as his body starts to glow with power. "You want to know how powerful I am? YOU, who claim to be some sort of monarch, want to test ME?!?"

 

As he makes his declaration, he hovers above the battlefield, getting brighter and brighter, like a small star, becoming the primary source of light. Dimming the explosions. Reducing the retina burning laser blaze to a dull color. No longer can he be seen in the burning ball of raw energy, as arcs of lightning shoot out to random points on the battlefield.

 

"FINE. THEN PREPARE YOURSELF FOR MY TEST!"

 

Then, suddenly hundreds of balls of energy, encased in electric fields rocket from his body, beaming and arcing towards the ground at King, wiping out nearby drones, vaporizing them. The assault continues until Hi-Max is left, floating, arms outstretched in the sky...

 

Hi-Max misses King with his Sphere Torrent attack.

 

Noble Griffon enters the Sky Above Nile Region.

Noble Griffon has left.

 

Pharaoh Man stands, pulling out his khopesh as he walks towards Jet Stingray. " Oh, how I waited for this moment...yes...." he murmers, deviously. And then, Locrian has to do something noble and heroic.

 

How disgusting.

 

"Does this creature mean something to you, knight? Some sort of emotional attachment? Or is it simply a matter of honor and pride? Better yet....does it matter? " He examines the blade of his khopesh momentarily, before it ignites in flames. " Then again, do I even care!? " Turning suddenly, he moves to thrust the blade into Jet Stingray's abdomen.

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Jet Stingray with his Khopesh Brand attack.

 

Jet Stingray falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

 

The Dust Crusher crashes into Barrage, and actually knocks her over. However, she gets back to her feet quickly, "You're joking." She says, "Please. I want to know that was a joke." And she unleashes her missiles. Four big ones headed at Dust Man.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes Dust Man with her Quad-missile Launchers attack.

 

Dust Man falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

 

The slow, very slow laser, goes merrily on its way. After it hits the rock, it bounces up into the air, and sails in an angle that leads back to the base. It's not really doing anything all that interesting.

 

Assault only manages to kick one Gemini, but, this is generally enough. He puts a hand to his face, covering his eyes, and the other one does too, wincing sympathetically. At the very least...that's extraordinarily sensitive equipment.

 

Dust Man is hit in the chest with the missile launcher, acking as he BOOMED, his chest exploding as he crashs down the ground.

 

Storm Owl's hand reaches outwards, "Nnnn..." he says, clearly taken aback by this new assault. He tries to fend off Shade Man, who... I dunno, I guess avoided the cyclonic blast. But it's all for nothing, as Shade manages to batter his defences aside and sink those fangs deep into Storm Owl's throat. No near misses here, the strike is a good one, and Storm Owl's optics dim as his very life is being taken away from him. The war bird feels his limbs going weaker and weaker by the second. His mind races with possible

retaliation attempts, until finally he comes to one. With what strength he has left, Storm grabs onto Shade Man, and falls, dragging the so-called 'master of the night' down with him. "I have calculated," Storm Owl says as they plumet towards the rapidly approaching and as Shade still viciously devours his energy, "A 62.4% chance that I shall be heavily damaged by this maneuver..." And still, the ground approaches... faster, and faster... "But a 64.6% chance that YOU will be heavily damaged by this maneuver..." And, just when you think the two warriors are to crash against the ground in an early death, Storm Owl lets go, renches himself free, and swoops up, barely clearing the ground. Hopefully, Shade Man does not. Hopefully.

 

You strike Shade Man with a major hit from your Sudden Drop attack.

 

Jet Stingray is stabbed hard. And with the scarbs having crewed through his systems, the stab just lets a few vital systems spill out. Mechfluid falls as Jet coughs. "You think that will kill..." Unable to find the strength to end his statement, Jet falls on his back in the sand.

 

        After landing from his kick, Assault takes the time to shove the other Gemini a foot or so, to give space between them. He stands in the center, then leaps up with a massive spin kick using his right leg, spinning around and kicking both Geminis RIGHT IN THE FACE. Double whammy! Assault then backflips away from both of them.

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Cyclone Strike attack.

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Pharaoh Man transmits, "HEAR ME REPLIFORCE! Your 'Jet Stingray' has fallen. Know this to be the fate of ALL who cross Amun-Wily."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Pharaoh Man transmits, "You will be given no surrender, only death."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Assault Kangaroo transmits, "This is too easy."

 

[Radio: (G) Global] Storm Owl transmits, "Terms acceptable. Our surrender will not be forthcoming."

 

He's too slow.

 

He's. Too. Slow.

 

Iris is going to cry. He doesn't like seeing Iris cry. "Shiiiiiiiite," the knight drawls softly, watching as Jet collapses.

 

Locrian's expression is horror-stricken behind that full-face visor as he tromps forward, horror being replaced by fury at such a cowardly strike and snarling. "He is a very good friend of a friend of mine - and for such a /cowardly/ hit, I will /destroy/ you!" As he stomps, the knight flings off the huge tower shield and reaches over his shoulder for the haft of a weapon which has just popped out of his back... "You speak of honour and pride as if you know of them, when you know /nothing/. How dare you call yourself a ruler!"

 

The haft of the weapon is snatched, and Locrian reveals a giant golden-coloured warhammer which crackles and snaps with electricity. Sword in one hand, hammer in the other, the knight advances hard and fast on Ra, but since there's too much space to cover yet for melee fighting, he swishes the hammer down - and unleashes a bolt of electricity in the Master's direction.

 

Locrian strikes Pharaoh Man with his Thunderbolt attack.

 

Kicked in the face...or...rather, faces... Gemini Man falls back down again. But, at least Gemini Man is coming out of his stupor.

 

Slowly.

 

It actually takes him a bit of time to totally shake off the stun, and get to his feet, the second twin helping the first twin up. It doesn't really matter too much in the scheme of things.

 

That same white blast, the one he fired earlier, is still bouncing merrily, slowly, around the battlefield. It doesn't even seem to be losing any momentum, either, as it angles off the outpost itself, strikes a supply truck, and then inches back into the fray.

 

Maybe that wasn't such a bad shot after all.

 

Gemini Man strikes Hi-Max with his Gemini Laser attack.

Gemini Man misses Barrage Raptor with his Gemini Laser attack.

Gemini Man strikes Conduit with his Gemini Laser attack.

Gemini Man strikes Assault Kangaroo with his Gemini Laser attack.

 

Pharaoh Man is struck by the bolt of lightning, which sizzles his circuits, easily getting his attention. " Ohhh...did I upset you? " A chuckle. " Well then, allow me to make it alllll better...." The armcannon is leveled upon the knight, and a burst of explosive sand fires. " FOR THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING BUT PAIN! "

 

King doesn't smile as he runs backwards toward where he dropped his shield. As the attacks starts to rain down he rolls and picks up his shield just in time as the attack is absorbed in to the large tower shield. King starts to smirk as the attack misses him and he stands up proud again from behind his shield. "Is that power?" His axe gets pulled back as he smiles with a single movement to throw the axe forward in a buzzsaw motion toward Hi-Max.

 

Pharaoh Man strikes Locrian with his Sand Burst attack.

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his Axe Throw attack.

 

Hi-Max successfully reflects Axe Throw.

 

        Shade Man is slammed into the ground painfully. When the Owl looks at the wreckage below he'll see a broken and beaten. Mechfluid streams from the vampire, and it looks as if Shade Man won't be moving again. Then, something out of the ordinary takes place. The vampire pries himself from the ground with a large suction like sound. Shade looks up into the sky with a blood lust in his eyes. "Storm Owl.." He begins in a amplified voice, "Your time for judgement is at hand.."

 

        The vampire rises up into the air struggling with the force of gravity for a bit. The Robot Master looks more like the living dead, than the regular robot now. His skin is gaunt and torn in places, and with his armor dented in other places. Two nodes appear on the vampire's shoulders, and twin node busters appear in his hands. "Do you enjoy organ.. 'farcer? I do.. here, I give you a sample of my power..."

 

        He raises his hands up to Storm Owl and a faint song begins to play, as if in the distance. It starts off in D minor and it begins to build up to a familiar tune. The organ continues to play getting progressively louder and louder. Until the ancient song of the early times of humans. Toccata and Fugue, in D minor. "DIE STORM OWLLL!!!" The undead voice of Shade Man speaks.

 

Shade Man misses Locrian with his Requiem Of The Gods attack.

Shade Man strikes Pharaoh Man with his Requiem Of The Gods attack.

Shade Man strikes Hi-Max with his Requiem Of The Gods attack.

Hi-Max successfully reflects Requiem Of The Gods.

 

Shade Man strikes you with a solid hit from his Requiem Of The Gods attack for 18 units of damage.

You are below your courage-endurance point.

 

Shade Man strikes King with his Requiem Of The Gods attack.

 

        Kangaroo stands tall with his hands on his hips again, facing toward the Gemini Men as they help one another up... but doesn't pay attention to the slow-moving laser that manages to tag him in the back.

        Assault is sent flying forward to the ground. When he gets up, he finds he's close to the Robot Master twins. Really close.

        Assault gets glints in his eyes.

        Raising his left knee towards the side, he begins to throw a high-speed barrage of side kicks at the head, stomach, and legs on one of the Gemini Men. It may only hit one, but it will damage the other as well, as he discovered with his Eye Crusher. Four seconds of kicking goes on, and then the marsupial performs a spinning side kick with the other leg, to send the one Gemini Man -- and maybe the other, flying.

        If you're having trouble, imagine Kenshiro of Fist of the North Star's hundred fist attack, except using just one leg and without the cry of "ATATATATATATATATATATATATA..." which I was hoping he'd be doing, actually.

        Needless to say, though, it's going to hurt.

 

Assault Kangaroo strikes Gemini Man with his Assault Mirage attack.

 

Sand. Oh God, Locrian hates sand so very much. He's hated it since Repliforce moved to Australia after London fell, and it's not getting any better now. Locrian yelps as the sand bites, scores and stings him, and without his shield to protect him from the blast, he's now got sand in places where it chafes, bites, and flays him. "I. Hate. Sand. I rather hate it almost as much as I dislike your lack of honour," he growls, the crampons in his huge boots digging in and kicking up sprays of debris as he moves. He will avenge Jet, after all.

 

With an animalistic roar, the knight has closed to melee range - and he cuts loose with his weapons. The longsword slashes down hard and fast in a glittering arc of silver, while the previously electrified hammer whips around in a blaze of gold. Gold and silver meet and clang - but is Pharaoh Man between them?

 

Locrian strikes Pharaoh Man with his Smash And Slash attack.

 

Pharaoh Man falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

 

With the Robot Masters doing lots of damage all around, and having already taken down Dust Man, Barrage Raptor starts to back up, moving into a better firing position. Her visor's advanced targeting systems come online, as reticles appear around Gemini Man, King, Shade Man, and Pharaoh Man, though that one disapears when Locrian drops him, "Hey, Robot Masters! Game over! Time to die!" Multiple weapons ports open up across her body, as a multitude of mini-missiles fly from her, homing in on the three Robot Master targets.

Booyah.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes King with her Total Barrage attack.

Barrage Raptor strikes Gemini Man with her Total Barrage attack.

Gemini Man falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

Barrage Raptor strikes Shade Man with her Total Barrage attack.

Shade Man falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

 

Conduit is minding his own buisness, killing RM drones when he's smacked in the back by a slow moving energy blast. Turning around he looks about and spots the white ball and watches as it bounces around. That could only be one person, Gemini Man. Looking about he spots the little bugger and fires off a couple shots at him, just enough to get Gemini's attention, this is then followed up the raising of the middle finger.

 

Whip, whip, whip, WHACK

 

Hi-Max reels back as the axe cleaves into his SKULL. And thing some DAMNEDABLE laser, shoots him in the back. "MOTHER F -------" He never finishes as the horrrible sound wave rolls over him, jaring the axe loose in his skull.

 

He.

 

Is.

 

Pissed.

 

"Alright....", he growls, his body limp as he hovers there. Reaching up, with a bellow of pain, he JERKS the axe from his head, mechfluid exploding out of his skull. Dropping all the fuel he can into his rockets, he EXPLODES towards King, breaking his own speed record. (loss of mass will do that...) He screams by the Elite, nothing more than a blur. The axe finds itself neatly rested....in Kings LEG.

 

Be black blur whips back around, not even slowing down, hoping to catch King in the back. "EAT THIS, SUCKA!", he bellows as he plants himself either into King or into the ground where King was.

 

Hi-Max strikes King with his Crash Course attack.

 

Gemini Man is still busy trying to get ready to fight again...not even paying attention to what his weapon is doing.

 

As a result, it comes as somewhat of a surprise to him that he did severe damage, but, apparently, it was enough to bring down the wrath. His hologram disappears almost the moment the first kick connects with him. He's then nothing but a punching bag for several minutes. Dazed by this, he barely has enough time to glance aside before.... The lights go out a moment later. Now he's really not sure what hit him, but he's a flaming wreck.

 

Pharaoh Man is struck by first a sonic burst, causing his armor to crack and crinkle, while Ra winces in pain. " IDIOT! " he screams at Shade Man, though it matters not. And then...Locrian is upon him. Unable to counter enough of the attacks with his khopesh, the Robot Master soon finds himself wanting in the area of defense, the blows neverending...

 

...and finally, a lull in the onslaught. Broken and battered, the Pharaoh crumples into a tired heap upon the ground, unmoving.

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Assault Kangaroo transmits, "Now, then, someone please beam me up into the Fortress. I will need extensive repair."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Confirmed."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Storm Owl transmits, "Medical teams are stretched thin due to crew casualties."

 

King falls slumped over a little as the hologram finshs its attack. The once royal looking king now sporting a good many holes and his own axe in his leg. A soft smile still on his face even though all this as he stands back up and pulls his axe back out and drops his shield. His body turning toward the opponent who just put a new dent in his back to add to his front and all the other wounds from this battle. "You are nothing to me." His voice

cracking as he runs forward letting his glowing right hand come forward to grasp at his opponent in a single swift movement.

 

King strikes Hi-Max with his King's Ransom attack.

King drains energy from Hi-Max.

 

Hi-Max falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

 

"Datum: Chance of Shade Man being deactivated approximately 41.5%." Storm Owl, after his near-death experience at the hands of the ground, swoops up, hovering a good forty feet above Shade Man, armoured wings struggling to keep him in the air after that horrifying drain from the vampire. "I would suggest to you, Shade Man, that your emotions shall be your undoing. Clearly you are suffering from anger, and that shall only serve to hinder your combat..." Storm trails off as Shade Man continues on his tirade. Then the nodes appear on the shoulder, and the owl's optics widen ever so slightly. "Nnnn..." he says with obvious surprise. A sample indeed. The blast, among others, strikes Storm Owl, tossing him into the wind like a soap bubble. Battered, bruised, and beaten, Storm Owl twitches and hisses,

        "There is one variable you have not considered..." Storm peers at Barrage. "I have termed it the Barrage Raptor Factor." There is a pause as Barrage... barrages. "Thankfully," Storm Owl quips (?!), "It is a very large factor."

        Storm swoops upwards, back to his ship, back to where he shall command the battle against Pharaoh Man's remaining defences, against the very centre of the Upper Nile: The Delta Sphere.

 

Justice is a dish best served on a plate of steel. Locrian's weapons shred and smash through Pharaoh, and when the Master falls...

 

... so too does the knight, down to one knee, leaning on his sword, hammer trailing behind him. He's a wreck, armor dented and cracked, shield a memory lost in the chaos. He's bleeding, he's aching, he's really really pissed off - but he's alive, which is more than can be said for some. And so the knight stands, moving towards Jet's broken body. The least he can do is taken the poor guy to safety.

 

"Nothing...then you're..." Hi-Max's words stumble off into gibberish as the very last bit of energy is drawn from his body. Slowly his optics black out, his arms, once reaching for King's neck, slip, and fall from the Monarch's body. He tries with everything to fight it, but ultimately, it's for nothing.

 

And then, his body is limp in King's hand.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Hi-Max signal now registers as off-line and an emergency beacon is replaced.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian grunts. "Sod." Pause. "I am moving to retrieve Jet."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Get Hi-Max, too. I'll finish off King."

 

        Shade Man continues to cackle... right up to the point Barrage smacks him with the explosive attack. Shade Man, "Ngggghhns," And his body explodes messily. There is no e-ring.

 

Shin arrives from the Sky Above Nile Region.

Shin has arrived.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "Aye, ma'am."

 

        Assault bends both knees after the final kick, and holds his arms at his sides, ready for the last attack to come out from Gemini... before he witnesses Barrage's missile assault obliterate his opponent. His potential kill has been stolen... but he must be thankful. He was near death in the first place.

        He makes a radio transmission, ordering someone to beam him up into the Fortress, as he runs to take up his Ride Chaser that got wiped out, stand it up, sit on it, start it up, and begin to zoom towards the Fortress...

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "I have returned to the Fortress V and have reassumed total command of the task force. We shall attempt to cover your approach back to the ship, however it shall not be easy with the *BLAM!!*-irepower being thrown between us and the Sphere."

 

Assault Kangaroo retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Jet Stingray, Storm Owl, and Hi-Max.

 

King slowly lets his hand stop its sucking as the opponent has nothing left to give. His arm slowly moving to toss the limp body to the ground. His axe slowly twirling as he tries to show his royalness though the mechfluid and wounds. "You are nothing." He repeats to himself.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Prismatic Spider transmits, "If you need any further assistance, tell me. I have a tank here and I'm willing to use it."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "I require you with the medical teams, Commander. If you are willing to take command of their repair operations, I would highly appreciate it."

 

Barrage Raptor moves around behind King while he's holding Hi-Max. She moves up behind him, and shoves her assault rifle into his back, "Guess who. Time to get my second kill on you, and my fourth of the night, bitch." She fires at point blank.

 

Barrage Raptor strikes King with her Single Slug attack.

 

King falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

 

Hi-Max lies on the ground, next to where King lies. He manages a weak, "Sucks, donnit?" to the Monarch.

 

Junk Man arrives from the Underneath Northeast Africa.

Junk Man has arrived.

 

King doesn't have time to speak or move as the rifle lets lose on his back. A large hole showing though his middle as he falls to his knees then again forward to his face out cold. No he won't hear you comment Hi-Max.

 

Jet is big. Bigger than Locrian. The knight sighs weakly. There's no way he can carry the Stingray of Justice like this - so he quickly swaps out of his suit of armor. Metal plating explodes and reforms into a very battered, spindly-legged and tilted horse.

 

"Any port in a storm," the knight sighs. He staggers as well as he moves to heft up Jet onto the horse's back - and bleeds rather a lot as he does so. "... sod," he grimaces.

 

Locrian changes into his Horseback armor.

 

         Reporto divebombed down toward the ground, hurtling at an obscene speed only to suddenly stop above Hi-Max. "Hello Sir!" Reporto said, as he kept the camera focused on the Repliforce member. "How are you doing? Do you believe that the Repliforce have successfully vanquished the evil horde of Robot Masters that resided here?"

 

The Delta Sphere's defenses struggle, but their efforts wane under the pressure. Drones alone cannot keep the outpost going. Soon, they begin to fail, and vulnerabilities open up within the structure's security grid....it's only a matter of time now.

 

Hi-Max looks up with his one working eye at Reporto...."Of course we won..... and-d-d-d...who the h-h-hell are...y-y-you.." he glitches out..

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Get the wounded out of here. I'll go finish off the sphere."

 

Hi-Max then passes back out.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian grits out in a pained voice, "I'm working on that."

 

 

Gemini Man is unconcious on the ground. He's not the only one. He looks like he's been hit with a bomb.

 

So does Shade Man. He was hit by a bomb too.

 

Dust Man has been exploded in the chest. Yes. He was hit by FOUR bombs.And with Jet slung over the tottering horse's back (it looks kind of funny, really) - horse and Locrian wobble towards Hi-Max.

 

         "Thank you sir!" Reporto said, as Hi-Max passed out, only to hover about in circles for a few moments scanning for a new person to pester. The camera itself surveyed the whole of the battlefield, each body lain down upon the ground glanced over by the lens, and such this moment was eternally kept for any to see at a later point. "Heelllooooo??"

 

Barrage Raptor moves over to Reporto, "Hey, you. Camera guy." She says, as she motions him over with a finger, "You see that sphere?" She points at the main reason Repliforce came out here, "I'm about to go in there. I want you to film it, because it's going to be the most spectacular explosion you've ever seen."

 

And so, Storm Owl returns to his chair, his throne, his home, and his post. A trail of mech fluid leads from the chair to the turbolift and to the docking bay, following Storm Owl's trip from the battlefield, to the command chair. The crew seems both pleased to have their commander back, but also worried at the heavy damage he has received. "Status!" he barks out, expecting complete efficiency, and the crew responds accordingly, well trained and conditioned to act when needed. "Ventral shields are all but gone, the hull has suffered massive amounts of damage!" "Our starboard ventral weaponry has lost twenty total laser and ion batteries." "Engines 1 and 2 are offline... we're down to our remaining four!" The crewman does not need to tell Storm what it means if they lose any more. "Hold position here, pivot to bring our port side to bear, at heading 124 mark 003. Port

weaponry, leave the drones to our troopers. Concentrate on the Sphere itself. Keep up the barrages." As opposed to one big blast, wait, one big blast. "Reduce power to the weapon systems by 10% if you need to in order to keep the pressure on the Sphere!"

        Fortress V, lumbering, battered, and with a gutrenching hole in her lower right side, limps into her new position, sending a smattering wave of lasers at the Sphere.

 

It doesn't take much to assess the information, and for once the scrapmaster's face loses all that old, familiar... well... ...feeling. He sorta grows cold, breaking into a quick jog across the field. The explosions catch him now and again a bit, not that he notices. Bending to gether Shade's broken form, he cradles his CO and brother carefully, tucking him against his chest and shoulder, moving towards the nearest form, that of the now singular Gemini...

 

Conduit takes a few more pot shots at wondering drones, before he finally gives up, he starting to feel lonely on the battlefield and heads back for the F5.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Barrage. I am sending you information to coordinate with Fortress V's efforts."

 

         "Sure thing!" Reporto said, sounding perhaps too enthusiastic about such an event. The camera itself was turned about, and focused upon the sphere that Barrage Raptor pointed to. The camera whirred away, gathering up the images that would follow, while Reporto himself smiled broadly with the little yellow lips(Freakish things really).

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "<data stream follows>"

 

Storm Owl transmits data to Barrage Raptor so that both her and the Fortress V can coordinate their assaults.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Got it."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Barrage Raptor transmits, "I'll set the timers accordingly."

 

[Radio: (B) Secure] Assault Kangaroo transmits, "I repeat: Beam me up into the Fortress, please. I'm heading towards it right now."

 

Apparently the only one left on the field capable of collecting bodies, Locrian ... doesn't lose the irony of the situation as he stoops down to pick up the unconscious Hi-Max and sling him over his shoulder. The knight cries out softly in pain - that hurt SO DAMN MUCH ARGH but I'm okay - then grits his teeth to grasp silver reiins. "Heh. I'm the collector today," he laughs softly, strained. "Bring out yer dead... bong! Bring out yer dead... bong!"

 

Yeah. Too many blows to the head in one day for the Brit.

 

Jet Stingray just remains KOed. Nothing stunning here. Unless you think a torn up Jet is studdly, and then, well, here is your chance! Take photos now and win!

 

        Assault continues to drive toward the Fortress V, leaping over dead bodies of Joes on his Ride Chaser and swerving through rocks and trees. He is very damaged, with laser blast injuries to his side, chest, head, and back, and demands medical attention.

 

Hi-Max groans, half there, "I'm not dead, yet...."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Aft docking bay is prepared to receive you, Assault. Hold still... failure to do so could result in being caught in the crossfire and obliterated. Hold very... very still."

 

Heavy as each individual Master is, it doesn't take that much strain for him. Not even able to take the time to patch his brothers, the medic wanders across the field, careful to avoid impaling Shade as he gathers Gemini, tucking him into the partially hollow metallic chestplate, the heavy blast doors shifting to give him room. Dust is a bit more of a problem, and after a few shi9fts Junk just silently apologizes for the slashes to the vent matterial, trying to maintain the numb emptiness that shielded him.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian asks wearily, "Sir, I request a bit of assistance; I am badly wounded and carrying both Hi-Max and Jet Stingray... I humbly request a personnel pickup."

 

Gemini Man would normally complain about Junk Man. Being a limp sack of exploded robot parts, he's actually very happy to be carried off.

 

        Receiving the radio response, Kangaroo stops on a dime. He brings his body all the way close to his Ride Chaser, keeping his tail on the bike as well. He certainly is remaining still.

 

Barrage Raptor moves into the sphere, pulling explosives out and setting them as she goes.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl pauses, and then says, "Very well. Retrieval lines deployed. Any troopers capable of staying on the battlefield, however, do so. I cannot risk the safety of the ship for lone wounded."

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "Were I not carting about two unconscious, sir, I would remain down below and assist..." He grunts, struggling with something heavy. "...with further efforts."

 

A look of manic, hopeless and frustrated anger twists that ugly face, eyes closed briefly to keep out the image of the scurrying antlike invaders slowly tearing him from his home. The weight is a bit more noticeable now... Blizzard... well, he's not too small a kid there, and the skis aren't that helpful. If only Junk had the good sense to take them off... no, Blizzard is under one arm, feet now dragging in the sand... Who's left.

 

Pharaoh.

 

Barrage meets little resistance, the defenses occupied with their futile struggle to repel the Fortress V, while the drone forces are decimated beyond even regrouping.

 

Lifting his aching head up towards the wounded Fortress V, the knight closes his eyes in a brief, silent prayer, wishing it a quick job of destroying the sphere outpost. "Right. Hi-Max, I wish we'd have met on better terms, but my name is Locrian and I am currently your ride out of here." He's talking to himself, mostly, but it's comforting as he waits for his APC pickup. He will have his APC pickup, after all.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Storm Owl transmits, "Your logic is sound, Locrian. Prepare for pickup."

 

Conduit has left.

Conduit makes his way into Repliforce Mobile Fortress V <F5>.

 

[Radio: (A) Main] Locrian transmits, "Aye sir. Thank you."

 

Oddly the last remaining limb that bends to Pharaoh, the bulky form of the electroclaw, shows a gentleness that Junk never really showed in life, carefully slipping him against his side. Junk looks... well, ridiculous now. More so than normal, weighed down by his siblings, looking like a bellboy weighed down by coats... a glance actually passes over the nearby enemy, glancing at Locrian... before shaking his head, turning to take all from the field.

 

The silence stretches for long moments as the form dissapears, large ungainly shadow dissapearing among the dunes... the waiting transport, piloted by the signature Joe, One, opens silently, taking in the forms of the Masters one by one, Samsa units assisting the Joe squad that draws the Masters in and secures them, monitoring them all carefully.

 

As the sands part briefly, Junk strides determinedly across the sands, searching for the burnished, crested form of King, mismatched eyes hard.

 

Locrian turns to watch Junk Man scavenge his brothers, and a quiet sigh escapes his lips. Helmetless, armorless, and really only having his sword left... the knight looks rather small under the bulk of Hi-Max and flanked by his Jet-laden horse. "And now we all go home," he murmurs, mostly to himself, watching passively.

 

King is still out cold on his face. A large hole showing the sneak attack by barrage in the back. Yes, he would get even, as soon as he wakes up and fills in all the holes.

 

Long distance to Pharaoh Man: Storm Owl thinks the pose'll just be another 3 lines. I'd assume it's done.

 

Hi-Max has left.

Hi-Max makes his way into Repliforce Mobile Fortress V <F5>.

 

Barrage Raptor emerges from the sphere, running. She's got the timers set, and now it's time for the fun part.

 

The burnished Elite is a completely different kettle of very heavy fish, and Junk bends, deep groaning sounds emerging from his body as he drags the form of King away, careful to avoid jostling the damaged sections...

 

Fun part indeed. As the Fortress V's barrage of weapons fire tears down the defenses, which sputter their final breaths, there is gigantic flash of light. A dull roar is heard, and the very sphere itself seems to lift up into the air, propelled by fire and brimstone.

 

Before crashing back down, shattering in an explosion of metal and concrete. The shockwave washes over the battlefield, knocking down many of the drones still standing....

 

Storm Owl shakes in his chair as the Fortress V continues to take hits. Slowly but surely, however, the pressure is eased off of the ship as it begins to overcome the Delta Sphere's defences. Scores of black marks streak the fine ship. As it does battle with the Sphere, grappling retreival lines are shot out from the rear docking port, meant to bring Assault, Locrian and his burdens, home where they can receive proper medical attention. It takes great care from the crew to keep them from being caught in the crossfire. It's a tribute to the crew that they're able to handle this, keeping the ship in one piece from the defensive artillery batteries, firing on the Sphere, and *not killing Barrage*. But nonetheless, all of these things are successful. As the Sphere collapses in on itself and goes up in flames, the bridge crew gives a cheer. Storm Owl merely nods slightly and taps in several log entries. Not a moment's rest for the Captain...

 

Ah, there's his pickup. Carefully loading his horse, Jet, and Hi-Max all onto the small retrieval craft, Locrian clambers up on after, grimacing in pain.

 

         Reporto was hovering there, watching somewhat boredly through the camera as nothing major seemed to occur. It was when Barrage came rushing out of the base that reporto started to show any real interest once more with this series of events, and as the building behind her erupted in flames and explosions Reporto cheered, while attempting to fight against the shockwaves from the explosion.

 

*It's Pharaoh Man! Or Rather, Pharaoh Man being put back together. And boy, does he look pissed!*

 

" Delta Sphere Outpost....has been...destroyed. " He snarls at the last world, obviously enraged. " Despite /my/ careful preperations, it seems I was unable to account for the inability of you fools to appropriatly dispatch of the Repliforce. I felled that annoying Stingray only to turn around and find not just some idiotic Knight Man imitator, but multiple Officers still functioning and marauding for targets. I was soon disabled. "

 

" Salvage operations have already begun, but the only remaining items of worth that were not already moved in anticipation for this possibility are destroyed; only raw materials remain. Drone losses were 82.3 Percent. This is HIGHLY unacceptable. Must I do /everything/ myself?! " Pharaoh Man snarls, and kicks a nearby metool as it tries to 'console' him.

 

" The only good news from this, is that data reports up until the sphere's destruction read heavy damage to the Fortress V in the battle. Assuming at least some of you managed to defeat those a handful of those pathetic reploids, they are at the very least slowed in their campaign accross Africa."

 

" I do not plan to allow another Sphere Outpost to be destroyed. Don't dissapoint me, brothers...."

 

*WilySpinny*

 

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

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

Group:  Repliforce

Title:  Captain's Log: AAR: Upper Nile

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

 

        There's a shot of Storm Owl slumped in his captain's chair on the bridge. There's a trail of mech fluid going from the chair to the turbolift in the tattered background. The bridge has suffered damage.

 

        "Captain's Log, August 31st, 2217. Nnnn... We are currently in position over..." Storm Owl pauses to take a deep mechanical breath and to steady himself, "Over the remains of the Delta Sphere." He lets that sink in for a few seconds.

 

        "At exactly 8:46:08 Cairo local time, we departed the Sahara. Robot Master sentries and patrols detected our arrival as we crossed into Delta Squadron's territory." He pauses again in order to weakly wave off a medic who's come to the bridge to treat the wounded there. "A Robot Master defence force consisting of Guts Man, King, Dust Man, Shade Man, Gemini Man, Noble Griffon and Pharaoh Man and a legion of bubble bats, zombie joes, and anti-aircraft defence weaponry were in place." Another pause. "Only Guts Man and Noble Griffon escaped deactivation."

 

        "Our own forces, led by Jet Stingray, Barrage Raptor, Locrian, Assault Kangaroo, Hi-Max, Conduit... and myself as Task Force Commander, engaged the enemy at 9:32:23 hours, Cairo time. Hi-Max and Jet Stingray fell, but were recovered. Others received assorted damage. Fo... Fortress V has received heavy damage as a result of the defences... twenty defensive batteries have been destroyed, our shield generators have been overloaded, and two of her engines have been rendered offline. As well, there is severe damage on our starboard ventral section, and deck 14 has been evacuated. I cannot authorize any further assaults with the Fortress V until after the Battle & Chase Games. We are preparing to return to our position over the Sahara, as we are unable to withstand another Robot Master assault."

 

        Storm Owl shifts uncomfortably in his chair, and then finally intones in his droning, monotone voice: "All Robot Master resistance has been terminated. Storm Owl -out-."

 

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

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

Group:  IC News

Title:  Upper Nile Smash

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

 

        "This is Kiwi, live and on the scene for GNN in the Upper Nile, where a fantastic battle between Repliforce and Robot Master forces. And all of it was caught here by our own junior came- er... I mean, by STAR JOURNALIST Reporto!" Cough. "The Repliforce super-battle-station Fortress V bombarded the area and fought against a stiff artillery and drone resistance, while an invasion force battled against the Robot Masters. In

the end, the invaders, along with the Fortress V, overcame the defences and KILLED EVERYONE- oh, wait! I mean, drove off the evil doers. This is Kiwi, signing off."

 

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