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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 22, 2009 16:03:44 GMT 8
((OoC: Hello, everyone here are my friends. Shit hasn't hit the fan yet, so the moderator's blade hasn't struck, but it's been readied for potential use. Just watch yourself because you're toeing the line.))
Emperor Tatsu
"A weapon stolen? What stolen weapon could warrant the world being at stake?" A vague sign of worry appeared on the Emperor's face.
"However, we do sell our technology to keep our army and economy moving. Here is a list of purchasers since we arrived in this area." A tiny orb appeared in front of Yuki, and expanded into a small handheld computing device.
"All of our technology is encoded with a serial number of the purchase order. Please utilize this number to find the party responsible, the serial numbers are listed next to the purchase parties. Their stated address has also been provided."
Tatsu bowed slightly.
"Thank you for informing us of this development. We will screen our purchasers more thoroughly in future. Godspeed. Please, follow Kariya to the door."
A slightly built officer stepped forward, and bowed, then walked out, signalling for the others to follow.
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Post by Mathus on Jun 22, 2009 19:03:27 GMT 8
'Is that so? Perhaps I shall return here after this mess is all over. Could use some of their technology in the future'
Sol followed the others out, trying not to make any eye contact with anyone.
'Hopefully they won't stop me cause I wandered around just now..'
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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 22, 2009 21:59:24 GMT 8
ERSM MRAI/A-05, 35th Squadron, Unit 03
"Skies all clear." The Tengu pilot broke off from his flight path, turning back to join his squadron at the rendezvous point approximately fifteen kilometres away.
It was then he noticed the anomaly.
A blip flashed on his radar screen, thirty miles away. He looked and confirmed a black dot on the location.
A regular New Technia drone, no doubt. There were a lot more of them nowadays.
"35th Zero-Three, bogey spotted. Moving to intercept."
"Hawkeye Zero-Two to 35th Zero-Three, roger that, over."
The fighter pulled off bearing again, heading around toward the black dot that slowly inched closer.
"10 miles to VIF range."
The Tengu pilot moved closer.
"Bogey 100,30 low, declare."
No response. The pilot bugged on UHF again.
"Bogey 100,30 low, declare."
Still no response.
"35th Zero-Three to Hawkeye Zero-Two, no response."
"Stand by, 35th Zero-Three."
That was the signal. He flipped open his gun and missile pods, readying his thumb for fire.
The target was finally within visual identification range -
Su-37 Terminator. The "TARGET LOCK" indicator flashed on the Tengu pilot's HUD.
"Hostile! Report, hostile!"
"Affirmative, 35th Zero-Two. Clear to engage."
The Tengu pilot released his missiles - only to watch as the Terminator spun, evading them. He caught a brief glimpse of the plane as it flew past him -
"Gunmetal gray with red wingtips..." He whispered in horror.
The Terminator's missiles collided with his plane, exploding in a shower of metal shards and shrapnel as the Tengu fell to the ground.
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Post by Carillus on Jun 22, 2009 22:15:04 GMT 8
Kamin heard the hollow sound of an explosion a few miles away. Spinning, she raised her binoculars to the sky.
I was right...
A fighter plane, Su-37 by the looks of it.
Weren't those still in the prototype stage...?
She watched in horror as dozens of the Empire's fighters swept in to engage it, only for the Terminator to dispatch them as if they were mere flies.
An ace of that standard... is that even possible?!
The entire Empire air force had been destroyed in the span of one and a half minutes. The Sukhoi jet swept across the sky, heading straight for the base of the Empire. A pair of bomb bays opened, revealing an orange cylindrical bomb not unlike a cruise missile.
GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast. The largest non-nuclear explosive weapon ever created.
Kamin gritted her teeth. If that bomb dropped, it would decimate almost the entire base at once.
But... How do we stop it?
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Post by theburntone on Jun 22, 2009 23:03:45 GMT 8
"Sir, there is an unknown aircraft on the way. It appears to have taken out most of the Empire's air force."
Constantine heard the explosions before he saw them. Rising to the top of the cliff, he watched the battle occur. The Tengus had been decimated almost as fast as they took into the air.
"Impossible... Ai, get me a signature on that thing! Quick!""
"Sukhoi Su-37 Terminator, NATO designation Flanker-F. It appears to be armed with a GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb."
"That can't be good. Kamin, know any way to stop this thing?"
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Post by Carillus on Jun 22, 2009 23:09:36 GMT 8
Kamin bit her thumb.
With that skill...
She turned to Constantine.
"Can you ping the Command Centre for information? See if the Empire people know anything about this. In this situation, they should accept if we try to help... try to get information."
They might get more friendly with us later, too...
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Post by Shirafune on Jun 23, 2009 0:12:16 GMT 8
There's nothing we can do can we? Somehow, it's all out of our league.
"Then you might as well watch things play out."
Tsubasa decided on the best course of action; to leave the Empire and it's mysterious enemies and whatnot be while scrambling to get as far as she could from all the commotion.
"Acceleratio!"
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Post by theburntone on Jun 23, 2009 0:19:17 GMT 8
"Ai, you heard her. Give me a linkup to the Command Centre."
"Yes, sir. Hopefully they don't think we're hostile. Okay, connection established."
"Greetings, honourable men of the Empire. I am Constantine Ward, part of the team sent by New Technia. My teammate and I have observed a Sukhoi Su-37 Terminator, carrying a dangerous payload of a GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb over your airspace. I humbly believe that it is in both our best interests to stop that thing. But to do that, we need more information on the aircraft. Therefore, it is my humble request that you would give us the information we need to stop it. Thank you."
Constantine had always done this with the SWORD officers back when he was in their captivity. Blowing up their egos was certainly the best way to get things done with officials.
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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 23, 2009 0:37:20 GMT 8
What followed on the other end was general swearing and the sound of people tripping over their own feet. There was no doubt that the Command Centre was in dire straits.
Eventually, someone took the microphone.
"Screw the diplomatic talk, this is the second time that... thing is here. We're uploading all the data we've managed to gather on this person to you. Please help us! We have no idea why he's attacking this time, the previous was just a recon where he shot down our autonomous attack drones..."
A data link was uploaded.
"They call him Cipher. Gunmetal gray with red wingtips - his signature."
Revealed Knight List and Bios updated.
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Post by schrodinger on Jun 23, 2009 2:17:24 GMT 8
Yeah, I don't sense a lot of trust from this guy. Never mind. Wait, what's that...
You've attracted some heat from the local authorities for your antics in here. Off to a good start, are we?
Eh, no biggie. The law has its place. More importantly, though, what's that sound?
I suggest you ask someone actually in your immediate physical vicinity. You've got plenty of flunkies to pick from.
Venser didn't really need all that much confirmation to know that there was something wrong with the hum in the air. It didn't sound like the kind of sound typical machinery would make - somehow it was more threatining. More malicious. And it was getting louder.
"Tell me, Mr. Ando. Do you hear that?"
He was in the midst of asking the question when they walked past a large window, set in the wall of the barracks. One look outside told Venser plenty, without Ando having to reply. Venser held up a hand to silence him as he took in the sight.
There was a plane headed right for the base, looking very heavily armed. Judging from the debris falling to the ground behind it, it'd already scored a kill. Or two. Or ...many. Not a good sign.
He turned sharply to face Ando.
"We cannot allow that plane to reach this base. Our prince's life is in danger! Have the air defense forces deployed immediately - we must stop it before it's too late. Move, now!"
He spoke with gravitas, authority, and urgency. And magic. Yes. Plenty of that, too.
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Post by RaineScarlet on Jun 23, 2009 11:10:05 GMT 8
Something tugged at the edge of Sierra's consciousness the moment chaos broke out among the military officers. Panic and fear tainted the air, along with a sense of impending doom. Something was coming.
She staggered over to a nearby window as she picked up random snatches of conversation. "Bomb" and "threat" were really all she needed, as well as the destructive flying machine zooming around outside. Tsubasa's hasty retreat registered dully in her mind.
It's either stay and die, or run away. She realized with some shock.
No, no. She knew she could not run. Not when so many lives were in danger.
It's for the land.[/b] She told herself. So the spirits will not suffer.[/b] And yet, even as she told herself this, she knew that she also desired to help the humans here. Such was her nature.
Why did it just have to end like that? What if there were some way to prevent the bomb from exploding? Either short out the mechanism (if that were possible) or prevent it from reaching here at all.
"What can I do... I don't know anything about the attacker." The Undine clenched and re-clenched her fists systematically to prevent another panic attack during the battle.
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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 23, 2009 11:49:37 GMT 8
Ando wheeled to face Venser.
"Unfortunately, sir, the entire air force has already been deployed. What you see there IS the entire air force."
He turned to exit the room -
and locked it on his way out.
Nagama's voice came over the intercom.
"I do not know who you are, but you are definitely not the high ranking officer you claim to be. This room has been proofed against every sort of penetration possible - physically impregnable, and the lead that lines the walls make mental and radio communication virtually impossible. You're not the only one around here with magic, either."
The walls sparkled with the sheen of an anti-magic field.
"This problem we will worry about. You are a spy working for them, are you not? The ones who are attacking us now. Your disguise would have been foolproof if your information source had not been so weak."
The sound of a button being pressed. A shield had been activated.
"Firstly, I am not Nagama. I am his son, Koyuki. Secondly, there is no 'mainland'. This is the only place we have and we will defend it with everything we have. And lastly, there is no 'Prince'. The Emperor is Tatsu, and he never had a child."
A few clicks.
"Enjoy your stay, infiltrator."
[[All connections cut off. Aether connections are still present but extremely weak with static.]]
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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 23, 2009 12:00:02 GMT 8
Command Centre
A brief crackle, then the command centre pinged through again.
"Constantine, are you still there? Aim for the connection between the bomb and the plane. That will jettison the bomb before it reaches us, and because it isn't armed yet it will not explode. I'm uploading a guide now."
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Post by Mathus on Jun 23, 2009 16:53:16 GMT 8
'What a nuisance..why can't trouble leave us alone for once..might as well just stop this..'
Sol opened his hands in the direction where Tsubasa had fled in and materialized on her chains that are linked to his fingers.
'And you're not going anywhere..as you're needed here'
Sol began to drag Tsubasa back.
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Post by skiboydoggy on Jun 23, 2009 21:34:45 GMT 8
As the barrage of activity started, Yuki felt more insignificant than ever. All of these people that he was with had done their fair share of fighting, and they were far stronger than he could hope to be at this point. Unfortunately, from what he could tell, the enemy was far stronger than they were too. It was not simply a case of shooting down the plane and hoping for the best at this point, because the plane simply could not be shot down that easily. A ragtag bunch of adventurers could not possibly do what the entire Empire of the Rising Sun air force failed to do.
This was something that needed a touch of the creative.
"We should get outside. There's nothing we can do in here."
As if there's anything we can do at all.
Yuki broke into a run and headed straight outside the compound, intent on figuring something out by the time the bomb started falling. There had to be something he could do, and he was not going to let himself be paralysed by fear. The fear that he was going to be useless. He was going to become a hero, and there was no way a hero could end his hopes and dreams here by refusing to help in such a situation.
"Bombs of high yield generally don't arm the moment they leave the bomb bay... If we could destroy it before it arms itself..."
Yuki's powers were definitely not suited to sniping bombs out of the air, but he was not the only one in the group. Surely amongst them, there would be somebody who could manage it.
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Post by Carillus on Jun 23, 2009 22:24:31 GMT 8
Kamin saw Tsubasa head out of the compound, but watched as Sol pulled her back in a very unorthodox way.
Looks rather wrong, in a way. Wait, this isn't the time to think about this!
She looked back, and saw Yuki ran out of the compound.
"Yuki! We have to do something about that thing before it reaches us!"
She pointed in the general direction of the plane, which had just pulled off Pugachev's Cobra perfectly, shooting down five pursuing Tengus in the process.
Such a high level of maneuverability even with a 10-ton bomb hanging off it... Both the fighter and the pilot are amazing...
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Post by schrodinger on Jun 24, 2009 3:57:10 GMT 8
I'd be more worried about this if I didn't know about that plane. Either they've got a way to handle it, or they're going to get blown up.
It was getting ever closer, plowing through whatever resistance it encountered on its way. Whoever was piloting it knew how to fly, and how to kill - not a good sign for the people in his sights.
Well, no sense hanging around here cooling my heels. If this place does get hit, I'm not going to be stuck inside a building when it happens. I've got a far better chance of survival out there than I do in here.
Wait, what?
He'd just seen a bunch of people exiting a structure nearby, none of them members of the Empire. As far as he knew, anyway. There were some people he recognised, some he didn't, and they were all preoccupied with staring at the plane.
Good to see I'm not the only one worried around here. Man alive, I need a drink.
Reaching for his hipflask, he knocked back a shot of synesthesium, savoring the cool rush in his system that it brought.
Alright. First things first.
He continued gazing at the window, but he wasn't looking at the scene unfolding outside. What he was examining was the workings of the barrier that had been set up around his temporary prison.
Never thought that the Spellcraft Theory course back in the Academy would have any real application. Boy, am I glad I didn't fail the Spellbreaking test.
As he traced the magical mechanisms of the barrier with his eyes, he reached for the knife sheathed at this side, and brought it up to the windowpane. Severing the proper threads that kept the barrier stable would render it ineffective, if only temporarily, until it was repaired. And repairing an enchantment like this took more than enough time for him to make good his escape.
Two deft cuts, and the job was done.
A quick glance outside told him that it was maybe one or two metres to the ground, and the coast was relatively clear, with everyone out there still fixated on their impending fiery (and probably explodey) doom.
Here goes.
He reached into the pocket of his coat and withdrew the rifle he'd purchased earlier on. It had been unwieldy to sling around, so he'd stashed it somewhere more convenient for his travels. Pockets of Holding weren't quite as good as Bags of Holding, but they did an acceptable job.
Emptying a full round into the windowpane, and shattering it in a tight, man-sized shape, he swung the hilt of the rifle into the window as hard as he could, leaving a jagged hole big enough for him to jump out of. Not a particularly safe method of exit, but better than nothing. At least he could get a breath of fresh air again.
He re-stashed his rifle.
And now, time to take the plunge.
Bracing himself for impact, he leapt out, fading into invisibility as he left the confines of the room. He bent his knees as he hit the ground, dissipating some of the shock and preventing himself from obtaining a brand new set of broken legs.
Oh, welcome back. It seems we encountered some interference from an unknown source just then. Well, I say 'unknown', but you don't need to be a genius to figure out who's behind it.
Yeah, I get the idea. Listen, I need to get over to those people ASAP. Can-
Sliding, this close to a disruption mechanism? I don't recommend it. You'll just have to hotfoot it, kid. No quick fixes for you until you get well out of range of that thing.
One more thing. Those people don't even know you're here, do they? If you turn up next to them, the guys in charge around here will see you, and suspect them of whatever it is you've been charged with. Good to see you're getting along with people again, but don't go sabotaging their lives with your own troubles. You have to get to a safe distance first, and reassess the situation.
...I understand. It'd be unfair of me to malign them, even accidentally, wouldn't it?
He thought back to when he'd last made someone else pay for his own misdoings, and smiled, a little bitterly.
It's best for everyone like this, isn't it?
You know I can't answer that. Get moving.
He got moving.
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Post by RaineScarlet on Jun 24, 2009 9:49:30 GMT 8
Sierra stayed a moment longer than the rest of the group to absorb the information that had flashed up on some screens-- the information about the bomb.
So it could be shorted out. Her breathing slowed as she devised a plan in her mind, and soon, she shot after Yuki and Kamin.
"Wait... Please..." The Undine said, out of breath not from exhaustion, but from the sudden rush of ideas.
"I have some idea, but I need everyone to work together..." She cast a sideways glance at Tsubasa and Sol, who were currently engaged in... something.
She paused for a second as she considered her companions' abilities. Kamin, Tsubasa, and Constantine were the only ones who could fly, though Sierra didn't like the idea of taking to the air while the plane was still in action. Yuki's ability ... she thought harder ... It could help the fliers maneuver quicker in the air... Or it could slow the fall of the bomb if it did indeed drop. The same could be said for Sol's Telekinesis. Constantine, with his knowledge of mechanics, could probably assist in the actual shorting out of the bomb (or the password cracking).
"I'm not close enough." Sierra said simply.
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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 24, 2009 12:29:40 GMT 8
66th Knight - Cipher
It didn't take long for the pilot to notice the high concentration of magic in such a small group. The radar signature was larger than an A380 in flight.
Everyone uses magic these days. But they're dangerous, all right.
Flipping the two switches on his flightstick, he armed missile racks 2 and 5, and acquiring the targets within miliseconds, he fired off two HARMs.
In three seconds, the missiles accelerated to two thousand three hundred kilometres per hour, and sped toward the motley crew assembled outside the base.
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Post by theburntone on Jun 24, 2009 23:54:32 GMT 8
"Sir, incoming HARMs. There's two of them."
"Damn. Ai, give me a light fighter heat signature for three kunai. Create, kunai, four. Charge, launch."
The kunai, charged with several kilowatts of electricity, radiated electromagnetic radiation and heat, imitating an F-5 Eagle, hopefully luring away the HARMs. They flew off into the distance towards the incoming missiles.
"Prepare, Blitz: 1000 Needles, charged, launch configuration 10 metre spacing. We'll give that sucker one hell of a shock."
The needles rearranged themselves on his back, preparing for the shot.
HP: 200 MP: 280
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Post by schrodinger on Jun 24, 2009 23:59:55 GMT 8
It was fortunate that the building he'd been in was close to the boundaries of the base - but then again, if it hadn't been, he wouldn't have been inside it in the first place. Throwing a glance over his shoulder as he ran, he could see that there were now missiles headed towards the base.
Groovy. Why does it even need that bomb if it's this heavily armed anyway?
Overcompensation?
Nice.
He kept running towards the wall of the base, waiting to see when he'd be clear to safely slide out. He was probably clear for the time being, what with everyone being focused on the plane, but it was unlikely that his escape had gone unnoticed.
3 metres. I don't think it can seriously disrupt me at this point, can it?
Probably not. How far do you want to go?
Uh...far. Far, but still in this area. I need to see how this is going to pan out. Get to high ground, you know?
Prepare for takeoff.
Phasing into an ethereal form, he skated across a path of æther, letting it carry him up and out of the base, alighting swiftly on a cliff face, about a kilometer away.
Alright. Now what do I do? Do I try to protect the place? Or paint a bullseye on it or something? Or just stand by and do nothing?
It's up to you. Think they'll forgive you this easily?
Yeah, right.
He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. Was there anything he could do to change the battlefield significantly? By himself, probably not.
Think I could send a message across the Grid?
To whom? You don't even know any other magi in this world.
I have to contact the people I met earlier. Got to see if they've got a plan, see if there's any way I can help.
It's going to be pretty weird for whoever you're messaging. You want to make someone think they're seeing things, maybe having a case of schizophrenia?
Oh, come on. It's my best shot here.
Okay, okay. Who do you want to message?
Just let all of them know.
Venser inscribed a circle of runes in the air in front of him, and wrote into it using his finger. His message would be sent across the æther and appear before their eyes, though it was only present in their minds, and not in reality.
Hi, guys. I'm somewhere nearby, watching the plane flying towards you all, and I'm really sorry I can't actually join you down there, but there are various reasons behind that. Do you all have a plan to get out of this alive, and do you need any help? (By the way, if you want to reply, just think about me and read your message out inside your head. It's a bit strange, I know, but I'm assuming you don't have time to find postage.)
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Post by theburntone on Jun 25, 2009 0:08:45 GMT 8
"Hi, guys. I'm somewhere nearby, watching the plane flying towards you all, and I'm really sorry I can't actually join you down there, but there are various reasons behind that. Do you all have a plan to get out of this alive, and do you need any help?" (By the way, if you want to reply, just think about me and read your message out inside your head. It's a bit strange, I know, but I'm assuming you don't have time to find postage.)
"YAAH!"
Constantine fell backwards, the words that popped up startling him.
"Sir, I have detected psionic radiation transmitting a message. Want me to reply?"
"Send this. Okay, Venser. Where are you? Please help us get rid of that fighter jet. As far as I know, there's some kind of 50 kN electromagnetic coupling on it holding the bomb. If that's taken out, the bomb drops and becomes harmless. Or maybe you could try hacking the azimuth and elevation computers on the bomb. 16-digit access code, 72-bit encryption. You up to it?"
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Post by NPC Controller on Jun 25, 2009 0:36:56 GMT 8
66th Knight - Cipher
The HARM, designation AGM-88 - in other words, an Air-to-Ground Missile. These missiles were created to take out radar installations - thus the name, High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile.
It was a piece of trivia few knew, but a single magus produces more X-band radiation than three airport towers combined.
In other words, very hot.
The HARMs sped straight past the kunai, barely even swaying off their course.
It was then that a huge stream blipped across the entire radar screen. This was a rare occurrence, but Cipher knew exactly what it was -
"Magic."
A residual painted line straight to the target. Turning his head, he locked on the the huge radar signature that formed a ball on the end of the stream, and fired off another HARM from rack 2. Instantly, it disappeared into the sky.
Deliver the payload, then return to base. Eliminate any impeding forces along the way.
Those were the orders, and those orders were his to keep. He readjusted his bearing, and sped his jet past Mach 1.5.
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Post by skiboydoggy on Jun 25, 2009 1:04:52 GMT 8
"Okay, Operation Kunai obviously failed. We'll need something far more radioactive than that to draw it off course. That, or shoot it down. Anybody has any gigantic Fireballs of Doom or equivalents to spare? Something like that should be able to do both."
Yuki rather wished he could cast a Fireball of Doom spell right now, but his abilities worked in a different way, and as of now, were not suited to taking down planes flying at supersonic speeds, nor was he good enough to take out their payloads on his lonesome. This was going to be a team effort, and considering how much he knew about the team, this made him wish he had bought the satellite cannon thing when he was still in New Technia. On the other hand, he had zero confidence of actually hitting a plane with something like that, and aiming for the missile brought along with it a whole barrel of other risks.
"Anyway, how are the missiles homing at us? We're not producing any heat or radiation. Nothing noteworthy anyway... The only thing we all have in common is..."
Mana. The only thing they had in common was that they all could use magic.
This was bad, this was very bad.
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Post by Carillus on Jun 25, 2009 1:32:41 GMT 8
Kamin suddenly stopped.
Maybe there is something i could do.
Spreading her wings, she took off from the cliff, and hovered in mid-air a few hundred metres up from her fellow teammates.
"Irefir Ongestaca Mipedes Ovemener, Repareite ou Teceptina."
Kamin charged up two huge balls of light in both hands. This was a quick-charge move - but consequently, her stamina suffered immense pressure.
This should work.
"Irefir Ongestaca Mipedes Ovemener, Teceptina eu Aunceil!"
She threw out her arms, and instantly, the light balls exploded into dozens of lances of light. The lances shot forward, covering an area thirty metres across.
Enough for an intercept, at least.
------------------- HP: 180 MP: 120 [-140]
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