Super Smash Quest² - Story - Chapter 70: The Casino Has Fallen

Previous

Next

Date: 5:52:20 PM, April 30th; 4:34:56 PM, May 2nd, 2009.

Metal Man (GM): The wreckage smolders as presumably BLU is still en route.

Deloth just sits and stares at the ruins of the stadium and the casino.

Metal Man (GM): Panzer can drag it, barely. It's a rather interesting piece of work. It looks like someone took Eggman's work on machinery and tools and... modernized it.

Julian Sawyer: "...Fuck." *Julian steams for a few moments, looking upon the remains of the Stadium and Casino... then recklessly lashes out with a kick to a nearby rock.* "FUCK!"

Digifanatic: *after landing the ship, he gets out of seat and settles down on the floor of the ship, lying face up.*

Panzer growls, dragging it towards a non-fucked up piece of the field, leaves it, and starts dragging over more parts she wants for her new tank. "Nothing like a zombie tank!"

Digifanatic: "Why did he never warn us?"

Panzer: "I WARNED ALL OF YOU! Shut up Digi."

Metal Man (GM): The mismatched parts pile up in the middle of the burning wreckage. As if to mock the Questers, Levis' tank plaque, or half thereof, sits there, laying atop a destroyed Quester emblem.

Deloth just gets out of the ship wordlessly.

Panzer grabs and drags that off, too. She's snatching up whatever pieces of that tank she can find.

Aribar: "Digi, he never warned us because he was a madman."

Digifanatic: "Yeah."

Panzer sees her ship land and sends her robots out to collect wreckage.

Metal Man (GM): A hand punches out of the wreckage. Schatze stands up, dusting himself up.

Digifanatic gets up and off of the ship, sitting down next to it once he gets off.

Deloth: "...not again..."

Schatze: "Well well. If that wasn't the most rude awakening I've ever had."

Digifanatic: "Not our fault, Schatze."

Schatze: "One minute I am recharging. The next I am underground buried by rubble."

Metool: "!!!" It falls over on it's back, little feet kicking at the air by Schatze. He scared the hell out of it.

Schatze: "Of course not..." He stares at a piece of rock. "Oops."

Julian sees the ship land and stomps over to it, yelling out as soon as he gets close enough.* "Which one of you bitches was in charge of the missiles?"

Deloth: *raises a hand.*

Digifanatic: "Half of it."

Aribar: "Not me." *Hastily steps away from Julian. He also casts Wall and Ward several times around himself.*

Julian Sawyer: "...Okay, I'll rephrase. Who fired an' blew up our only fuckin' ally in this godforsaken shithole?"

Digifanatic: "The thugs were gonna go against us. Double agents."

Panzer: Metool: It kicks Schatze's boot, wanting help getting up.

Digifanatic: "Levis told them to go against us if they escaped the casino in time."

Julian Sawyer immediately lashes out with a kick as Digi speaks up, aiming to stomp his head against the side of the ship.*

Aribar: "And why aren't we chasing after Levis in the ship now?"

Schatze: "...Sorry." He straightens up the Metool.

Digifanatic: *takes the hit.* *He's probably too dazed and out of focus in his position to make it worth dodging.*

Metool: It grabs a hunk of metal and zooms away, then comes back, grabs another, zooms away... Lots of times.

Panzer looks up and sees the fighting, lifting a brow. Panzer then sighs. She drags her welding rig out of the ship and whistles, putting on a hood and dragging together a few pieces of more or less useless tank chunks, starting to weld together something.

Julian Sawyer: *KRUNCH* "How the fuck do you know? I just finished talkin' wit' them! I had a fuckin' AGREEMENT! IT WAS GONNA WORK! If you hadn't blown them to kingdom-fuckin'-COME we still woulda had a chance rebuildin' Westopolis!"

Aribar sighs. The others aren't listening to him. He goes over to the crater that was the stadium and casts Sensory numerous times to try and find any important salvageable materials. First his two spellbooks, then other important computers and documents.

Metal Man (GM): Panzer slowly welds together things. Aribar finds the smoldering wreckage of the computers and some documents, and his books.

Digifanatic: "Well, why else would Levis run over the Stadium and not touch the casino?"

Aribar sighs and holds their charred ashes... He then realizes that Peach and Luigi are going to be very, very mad.*

Panzer has her robots bring over some rubble and arrange it as best as possible for a solid foundation. She starts stacking up structural things, then putting a metal skin over it. It's turning into a small hut or something.

Metal Man (GM): Considering the building materials, you manage to do so, just slowly. It looks sorta weird with the vehicle parts mixed in. The Questers' radios buzz.

Aribar puts down the remains of the spellbooks. He heads back to the ship and picks up the radio.*

Digifanatic: *picks up radio.* "Hello..."

Panzer hears the radio... sighs, listens in on it.

Metal Man (GM): If you had time machines, you'd probably be invincible millionaires by now. :p

Julian Sawyer: "You didn't think him bein' TWO SECONDS away from knockin' over the casino had somethin' to do with it?" *Julian's still got his foot pressed against the side of Digi's head, keeping it against the hull of the ship and threatening to crush it like a grape.* "But no, you jus' had to launch tho-" *Radio! Julian picks up.* *R* "Who is it now?"

Aribar casts Panel on the ship four times in an attempt to fully restore it.*

Marley: "Good God! I just saw what happened. I'm sorry we didn't manage to help you... it was too fast! But you've done a public service, killing most if not all of the remnants of a tank division from one of the most infamous Borne company..."

Julian Sawyer: *r* "..." *r* "You're tellin' me this joker wasn't even WITH you guys?"

Panzer: "That you, Marley? Kiss my fucking ass."

Aribar: "One of? There are more madmen out there?"

Panzer continues welding on her house, robots helping her.

Marley: "He was assumed dead. His unit had been under Borne when you first attacked them."

Panzer has managed to have a series of tank barrels as structural beams in it. "Are you going to tell us something important? He got away. That's important, and true."

Julian Sawyer: *Keeps his foot against Digi's face as the conversation goes on.* *R* "He's still fuckin' out there. An' you're tellin' me there's more like him?"

Marley: "While I question the usage of missiles to the extent of wrecking your own headquarters, since you have ALSO destroyed the thugs... we at GUN could recognize your area as an official territory and send aid to rebuild. Who knows. Borne's documents were lost due to... Borne destroying them all shortly after he attacked our headquarters long ago."

Panzer: "I can build my own house. I've always wanted a tank themed house. Thanks for that fucking much."

Aribar gets into the now repaired ship. He goes to the controls and tries to start it up.*

Marley: "If you should accept our aid, we can rebuild your Stadium, albeit with more modern building codes."

Julian Sawyer: *R* "..." *Julian lets Digi go after he hears the magic phrase 'send aid to rebuild'.* *r* "That's what I've been wantin' all this time, some recognition. What's the catch?"

Deloth: *r* "...what's the catch?"

Panzer: "On what conditions?"

Digifanatic: *just listens for now.*

Marley: "The catch was originally you remove those thuggish lawbreakers... But they're dead now. So there is no further precondition."

Panzer: "Start sending aid. And another welding rig."

Marley: "We will send our aid and perhaps present a reward further once we confirm the destruction of Sergeant Levis."

Metal Man (GM): The ship starts up.

Julian Sawyer: *r* "Do it."

Aribar heads to the ship's entrance.* "I'm heading after Levis. Who's coming after me?"

Panzer: "No need Ari... He'll be tracked soon..."

Digifanatic: *slowly getting up.* "I'll wait to see what the others say, first."

Julian Sawyer: *r* "You got yo'self a deal, Marley. When can we expect them comin' in?"

Panzer pauses her work and sets out a big bowl and dumps some 90W in it for her robots to feed on, they got all excited.

Marley: "I'm sending the helicopters now."

Aribar: "Panzer, you may not have cared about this place, but I do. I thought we were going to have a home again, but it was destroyed. I'd like some revenge."

Metal Man (GM): The BLU team pulls up as well, as the Engineer walks over to the wreckage for a moment and puts a hand to his chin.

Panzer: "I'll go find him then. I know tracking. I'm a fucking Sniper."

Julian Sawyer: *r* "Good..." *scans the skies.* "So we got any idea where Levis mighta gone?"

Engineer: "...Tank done sapped mah stadium!!!"

Aribar: "Isn't he in a tank? Shouldn't we be able to just FOLLOW the treads?"

Panzer: "Ari, his tank is now my house. Arts of it."

Julian Sawyer: "'Least you ain't livin' in the garage anymore."

Panzer: "Yes. But I have all of the garage with me, minus the shell of it."

Julian Sawyer: "He was in a bulldozer..." *Looks for any bulldozer tracks leading away from the wreckage of the casino.*

Aribar sighs and just leaves the ship then. He walks off to find the remnants of a bed in the ruins.* "I give up."

Marley: "I'll arrive in person later. Marley out." *CLIP.*

Metal Man (GM): The tank treads continue for a few feet, surrounded by weird chunks of 7-foot thick armor.

Panzer: "Wait. I'm getting new intel on him as we speak... I might need to take all of you with me."

Metal Man (GM): Then they... vanish.

Digifanatic: *r* "Yes, Panz?"

Panzer sends her robots after the smaller chunks and they drag them over. She then drags over the bigger chunks into her heap.

Julian Sawyer: "I'm goin' after this guy when we find him." *Puts away his radio.* "Don't care where he is."

Panzer: "He might have another force with him."

Julian Sawyer: "We'll wreck it. Get the real GUN as backup."

Panzer: "I'll scout ahead, then." *stations her robots around her little compound to guard it.*

Julian Sawyer: "You do that."

Digifanatic: "Just give us the signal to take off if now's not a good time." *walks over the helm again.*

Metal Man (GM): The Engineer walks over.

Engineer: "So... anyone need help? I'm afraid I don't come free, but I can use this debris."

Panzer looks at the Engineer, as do her bots. "This is my stuff. You stay out of it, comprende?" *has pretty much grabbed all the parts she'll need for a tank, minus an engine, but most of those were totaled.*

Julian Sawyer takes a deep breath and sits on the steps/ramp leading into the Quester ship, hands on kneecaps.* "Never ends... I think we're all good here, Engie."

Engineer: "Understood. Okay then. Sorry I couldn't help earlier."

Metal Man (GM): He walks off. Helicopters begin arriving.

Deloth just sits down outside the ship, still in shock.

Metal Man (GM): Men begin to look around and help clear debris, leaving Panzer's stuff alone of course. One of them walks up to Julian.

Panzer sits on her junk pile, staring off blankly.

Metal Man (GM): He's another military man. Only some sort of Bird Mobian in a uniform. His badge has the normal 'G' insignia.

???: "So then, you're the people hit by that lunatic Levis, eh? Surprised to see you survived. He was known as the Lightning Killer. Strikes irrationally then flees into areas you'd swear no tank should go."

Deloth: "...Please, please just skip it and help us rebuild this place."

Panzer is overhearing this, chuckling to her robots. "Hiding in plain sight is a good tactic. So is Blitzkrieg."

Julian Sawyer: "He was hidin' up in that forest over there." *points.* "I'm surprised we never picked anything up. Thought you was scoutin', Panz."

???: "Well... what did he do first? I know him, I was once one of his peers before they broke off and went nuts."

Panzer: "I picked it up." She sighs. "I'm gathering Intel and a possible way around some obstacles. I already know where he was."

???: "You might want to listen up, 'cuz he could be back, and he might trick you again. Though I have to say, these missile marks seem odd. Ol' Levis didn't use that many at once."

Panzer: "He's being entertained right now, he's not a big concern at the moment."

Aribar goes to make a little dug-out on the outskirts of the stadium using his remaining Ele and Kinesis magic. The Quester's will is quite drained at this point.*

Metal Man (GM): Aribar does so, no problem.

Julian Sawyer: "Those missile's the fault'a these chucklefucks right 'ere." *gestures towards Digi and Deloth.* "Tell me if you find the remains of some... fox... swordsman thing in there too."

Deloth: *dully.* "He tried to make us pay him half our salaries to keep our home up. We refused."

???: "Right. Well, the trick is his bulldozers aren't very fast when they hit things." He waves a hand. "He wants you to panic. That's what happened here."

Panzer sends a robot over to Ari to do the digging for him.

Metal Man (GM): Aribar, between himself and the robot, makes a decent dugout.

Metool: *It looks at Ari blankly. It wants a treat.*

Digifanatic: *still practically doing nothing but listening at this point.*

Natalie: *Suddenly, a pile of debris has a sword shoot through the top of it, then it explodes as Raena bursts out of it with a Rising Moon kick. Once she lands, she pulls a rather battered and broken Natalie from the wreckage, who is currently unconscious.*

???: "Hit his stuff with concentrated laser or machinegun fire, maybe climb atop his tank and hit it point blank. Can't knock down that dumb thing. I've tried."

Deloth: "Thanks for not telling us this before..."

???: "Well, we thought he was dead."

Deloth: "..." *looks up.*

Julian Sawyer: "I'll keep that in mind."

???: "You killed Borne, and during the city battle we blew up his division. Seems Levis and some crazies drove off into the jungle."

Deloth: "...NATALIE!" *gets up and rushes over to the two of them.*

Panzer whistles, going back to her house, having a good bit of it done, well, about 50% by now.

???: "And then, for god knows what reason, hid out there until we had forgotten about them."

Aribar just sits down inside of it and sighs. He looks at the little robot and wonders what it wants. He grabs a nearby scrap of metal and tosses it to the Metool's feet.*

Deloth: .oO(No, no, no, not another one, not her...)

Panzer: "Oh God. Deloth found his mate."

???: "...Anyway. We'll stay around the clock to ensure if he pops up he won't be popping anything except his own head."

Metool: *It ... eats it... Then runs away after hopping up and down for a second. It flees back to Panzer.*

Digifanatic just slumps over in his chair right now; "Depressed" is probably the best way to describe him now...

Metal Man (GM): The military men and their contractors bring in non-evil bulldozers, clearing out the wreckage. He jerks a thumb at the wrecked Casino.

???: "What should we do about that? I know you mighta liked those dirtbags, but they're dead now."

Panzer pokes her head out and looks at them, eyes narrowed. "Hey, you... Got any snipers?"

Raena: "She's fine, just unconscious. She may need some medical attention, though. Is there a medical bay on the ship we can use?"

Julian Sawyer: *waves his hands dismissively.* "Knock it down, I don't give a fuck anymore."

Deloth: "I... I think so, I'm not sure..."

???: "Snipers... sure. Whatcha want?"

Deloth: "DIGI!"

Panzer: "Nothing, really. Just curious."

Colonel Berge: "My name is Colonel Berge, by the way. Sorry to have to meet you in these circumstances. Marley kept tellin' us to avoid contact for fear of making it look like he was another Borne."

Digifanatic: "Yes?"

Aribar: "We were hated on Nintendus. We were hated here. We've been betrayed by our allies and our own members. We've had organizations dedicated to our destruction... All of this because we try to defend people and attack people who would do harm to others. Why do we even try?" *The mage just tries to center and calm himself.*

Deloth: "Get any medical supplies you can on the ship! Natalie's injured!"

Panzer stands and removes her hood, saluting. "Panzer, Captain, RepliForce."

Digifanatic: "Yeah, there should be something..." *looks around for some things to aid her.*

Colonel Berge: *Salutes back.* "I figured you were some military unit of sorts."

Julian Sawyer: "..." *Slaps Aribar.* "Shush." *Turns his attention back to Berge as he stands up and extends his hand to shake.* "Julian Sawyer, Questers... ain't got a rank. Thanks for yo' help."

Colonel Berge: "You're welcome." *Shakes Julian's hands.*

Metal Man (GM): Digi finds... whatever it is. Oh. And the medical cabinet is still there. Dang thing's invincible.

Aribar: *BZZZ. He's away in his little hut, not near the others.*

Panzer: "Something like that, Sir." She drops the salute. "I'm Commander of the 1st Sniper Unit, if you need any sniping help, I can assist you."

Digifanatic: *Okay, good. He gives just about anything he can to keep Natalie stable in her current state.*

Colonel Berge: "Okay. Maybe tonight you can be on the perimeter. We suspect Levis will come back."

Aribar then thinks up an unbelievably stupid plan...*

Colonel Berge: "He'll be testing the perimeter, most likely by driving a redlined tank towards the most important thing he can see."

Digifanatic: .oO(Don't worry... don't worry... when you wake up, you'll be fine again.)

Julian Sawyer: "An' when he does, I want to know. So what, we gonna set a trap for him or somethin'?"

Colonel Berge: "Tanks and the people who drive them are more like delayed missiles for him. He must make them by the tens just to remain operational."

Panzer: "I was going to go scouting, being I also have tank experience, and I've already got a generalized layout of his formation, compound, and of how humans tick... But I will take peremeter if you wish, you outrank me as such."

Colonel Berge: "Scouting out there... frankly, not a good idea. Tanks are likely to be everywhere now."

Digifanatic: *to Deloth and Raena.* "She should be okay."

Colonel Berge: "He doesn't just attack without a backup plan."

Panzer: "Tanks have upper turret limits, and cannot attack into the canopy of the treeline."

Digifanatic: "Provided she reacts to injury the same way the rest of us do, she'll wake up and be alright."

Colonel Berge: "If he didn't he'd be dead already. Musta had three for that time we smashed his unit in the city."

Deloth: "Good, Digi, I just... I-I can't take this shit anymore."

Colonel Berge: "Perhaps, it's your own life of course... it just would be safer to stay here."

Deloth takes a seat in the ship, still not sure what exactly to do or say.

Panzer: "I can take a few hits if they see me, or I have my own backup I can call. But, as I said, it's your word Sir. If you want me to stay here and watch the perimeter, I can. I dropped a nasty bullet into his shoulder earlier. He couldn't go without medical attention for it."

Colonel Berge: "I say you stay here and... reassure your teammates foremost. You can go out there and kill all the tanks you want, but if your team isn't even up to rebuilding the place, you may well join Levis now."

Julian Sawyer: "Oh no. I don't think you know what that fucker did. He tore EVERYTHING we tried to build up here. I wanna hang his ass personally. I can probably figure out how to drive anythin' you got, I jus' wanna be out there when we take this sucka out."

Colonel Berge: "Hm."

Metal Man (GM): He looks to the wreckage. The basement is unveiled, half-undestroyed.

Panzer: "My teammates didn't listen to me, just like they never do. I'm not worried about them. As for Levis, I don't think he has it out for me, really. He doesn't know I'm the sniper."

Colonel Berge: "Well... maybe you should try to establish a chain of command amongst your team. Otherwise even a crackpot's version of a military will be able to do this to you and your friends... every time."

Deloth: "...Digi, what are we even supposed to do now?"

Panzer: "Sir, with due respect, what makes you think I haven't tried?"

Digifanatic: *muttering.* "I don't know..."

Colonel Berge: "Hm. Very well." He walks over to Julian. "Is there any chain of command here?"

Panzer: "They have no training, and will accept none. They're mercenaries with deathwishes."

Julian Sawyer: "We did have one guy. He ain't here right now. I've been tryin' to put this place together in his absence, but as you can see that didn't work to well."

Colonel Berge: "Let's forget that guy, first and foremost. People who aren't here can't lead. Number two, I see two people who seem to have a head for leadership, and a lot of shiftless individuals."

Digifanatic: *still muttering to Deloth.* "I have got to stop being so impulsive..."

Julian Sawyer: *overhears Panzer.* "When the fuck you ever offer training, Panzer? All you do is leech off us an' help when it's in yo' own self-interest. Otherwise it's all "Look at me I'm not a Quester blah blah blah you guys suck blah"."

Colonel Berge: "So why don't you talk to her--" *points to Panzer.* "And decide how both of you can share that leadership. Then you can prevent the others..." *points to Deloth and Digi.* "From..." *Points to the missiled craters.* "...It would help if she called herself a Quester, otherwise she has no real point in caring about your organization."

Panzer unslings Greenbird and levels a bead on Julian's head. "Keep fucking with me. You don't accept anyone's help or training yourself."

Deloth: "...Maybe we should just quit this whole business. Maybe we'd actually keep something."

Metal Man (GM): Berge puts a wing to his forehead. His men point their guns at Panzer.

Colonel Berge: "I'm afraid I can't have anyone being shot on my account."

Digifanatic: "The last time I quit was on a bad note... I couldn't afford it a second time to myself..."

Panzer narrows her eyes, pupils expanding. "Not on your account, Sir. I don't allow people to be smart with me."

Julian Sawyer: "Because you never fuckin' OFFER it! You think I LIKE IT when this shit happens?" *gestures to the ruins.* "You think I LIKE IT when everything goes to shit? I'd take all the help you'd care to fuckin' offer if you wasn't too busy lookin' out for yo'self to OFFER ANY!"

Panzer: "I can drag him off where no one will see me shoot him, though."

Colonel Berge: "I would suggest you talk this over without shooting. Then if you decide you are not a Quester... you should probably leave the area. Since why would you want to be blown up every time the very people you describe as untrainable mess up?"

Panzer: "Alright, Julian. You want training? Here's Lesson number one: LISTEN TO YOUR FUCKING LEADERSHIP AND REQUEST IT. THEY DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME SETTING UP FOR THINGS THAT THEY'RE NOT SURE ANYONE WILL FUCKING ATTEND. IT'S A WASTE OF FUCKING TIME!!!"

Metal Man (GM): The GUN men stand there, not saying anything more unless of course someone moves to shoot.

Aribar sits there and wonders what he should even do. For over fifteen years he has fighting with the Questers, and they've never seemed to make anything better. Despite having the resolve to fight for 'justice' for that long, he's now getting sick of it. Of course, Aribar also realizes that whining over this won't solve anything..*

Metal Man (GM): Kenku's kentucky-fried corpse is visible embedded into the ground near a melted tank.

Panzer: "Colonel, I don't want to be their leader. My unit was pristine and perfectly trained. It would dishonor their memory for me to lead these shambles." She lowers the weapon slowly, then slings it.

Raena moves from the medical bay to the bridge, looking at Deloth and Digi. "Try not to brood too much. You did good despite the results; and you have good hearts."

Digifanatic: "Thanks..."

Colonel Berge: "Then it is settled." He points to Julian. "You are the leader of the Questers, and are to take according action... educating those who panicked to request your say before doing rash actions."

Deloth listlessly waves a hand at the ruins. "If this is good..."

Colonel Berge: "Also, appoint some people beneath you, so if you vanish, you do not become like this so-called 'vanished person.' If it's good enough for Borne, whose good organizational structure plagues us all to this day, it's good enough for you."

Panzer: "Have fun Julian. Leadership means you bear the brunt of all the right and wrongdoings of your unit, the Questers."

Julian Sawyer: "WHAT FUCKIN' LEADERSHIP?! You keep talkin' about it but I ain't ever seen you LEAD anyone, nor seen you step up to the fuckin' PLATE! You jus' sit back an' snipe snipe snipe, pickin' away at whatever we fuckin' do because we ain't as good as whatever unit you was last with. An' now you're jus' fuckin' walkin' away so you don't gotta do shit. Be my fuckin' guest, get the hell off my land."

Colonel Berge: "As for you..." He points to Panzer. "You will need to claim membership in some sort of organization, or otherwise eventually vacate the location. We need to be sure you are accountable... as he says. The repliforce... has no representative we can contact, does it? Even Levis has accountability, as his men report to him and he has repeatedly indicated he is the brains of the operation."

Panzer chuckles. "This will be fun." She looks at Berge. "Very well. I shall affiliate myself with these people for now, for political purposes. The RepliForce isn't up for contact right now... That does remind me of some unfinished business."

Julian Sawyer: "Oh no."

Colonel Berge: "Then you will have to work out your issue with him, because... " He points at Julian. "You yourself said he'd be accountable for your actions... and if he doesn't want to be accountable, he doesn't have to be."

Julian Sawyer: "OH NO. You told ME, HIM, EVERYBODY that you don't want shit to do with us. I ain't lettin' you affiliate with us fo' nobody if you gonna keep that attitude."

Panzer: "If he doesn't want to be accountable, then so be it."

Colonel Berge: "It isn't really in my interest to chatter on about this, but, as the defenders of New Westopolis, we wish to ensure you do not accidentally blow it up again."

Natalie: "What are you going to do, Deloth? Sit there and feel bad about what you did?" Raena growls sharply at him.

Deloth: "That's what I'm going right now, Raena."

Panzer: "Julian, let me tell you a little something that you won't understand." She walks up to Julian, leaning up to his ear. "Guess what, when you belong to a unit for over a century, and it is obliterated, you still have loyalty to it. If I never wanted to be near or a part of this shit, why would I protect you morons all the time, and warn you of things..." >>

Digifanatic: *sighs.* "This isn't our first failure. There's a chance it won't be our last. I know we're not perfect, even if we wish we were..."

Metal Man (GM): The basement is cleared out; men begin laying work to rebuild the stadium, more or less the same as it was before.

Colonel Berge: "I will be over there for a moment. Please refrain from trying to kill one another in here--it would violate the safety standards for the contractors."

Metal Man (GM): Berge walks over to Deloth and Raena.

Julian Sawyer: "You got a funny way of showin' it."

Panzer: "I give you intel that is supposed to be just for me, from my friends in high places. But you know, that's fine. I'm not the negotiating type. You want me gone, I'll go. But then, I'll come back with more guns and armies than you know what to do with. Truth be told, I'm in the process of rebuilding RepliForce. It's not a threat..."

Colonel Berge: "Feeling sorry over what happened?" He shrugs. "At least it wasn't one of your own."

Aribar continues to brood. .oO(It is not like I can quit the Questers; no one has and lived to talk about it. But for every step forward, we take two steps back. We aren't as strong as we were on Nintendus. We can't even defend our own base, let alone others.)

Colonel Berge: "But if you sit around doing nothing then Levis will just attack again."

Digifanatic: "Yeah, I realized that..."

Panzer: << "I can assure you, but it is a very strong promise. I have no reason to kill you, but if you want to be that way about your exclusive little fucking club, so be it. What say you?"

Deloth: "..."

Colonel Berge: "We don't work in the military to just blow things up. It isn't about fun. If you dislike this work, you should move into the city and become a civilian."

Digifanatic gets one of those quasi-eureka moments...

Deloth sits there for a few minutes longer, then slowly stands up, looking upwards.

Digifanatic: *muttering to Deloth.* "We overlooked that mask. It was right in front of us."

Panzer steps back a little, dull, lifeless balls of glass for eyes boring into Julian's. "Your troops need a morale booster. I'm the least of your troubles right now. Get to it."

Deloth: "It's over, Digi... ...We've had our moment. Now we have to rebuild."

Digifanatic: "Yes."

Raena then turns towards Berge. "You're part of a military force, are you not? Do you deal often with the corrupt public?"

Colonel Berge: "All the time. I know why you never got any other allies, even."

Metal Man (GM): He points at the burnt up casino.

Colonel Berge: "Those guys were scum. The bucket bottom scum. Nearly dead, they saw fit to lessen their evil, but their reputation made you all look like scum too. The worse of their numbers turned out to be the sort of people who blew this place up."

Natalie: "Then, I have something you may find useful; a magical artifact that while rendering you blind would allow you to magically see what is truly just, and the injustices caused by those that are corrupt." She then grabs the Justice Mask from her belt and shows it to Berge.

Deloth: .oO(I thought I had that...)

Panzer steps further away from Julian, scanning the treeline for possible nosy on-lookers.

Julian Sawyer: "...There is some shit about you I will never understand. I ain't gonna be proud about this, but I know when I'm beat. You win. Welcome back, or whatever. Now, if you'll excuse me." *Julian walks off to where Del, Digi, and Natalie are. Still in the ship, right?*

Digifanatic: *Yes.*

Deloth: *Yeah.*

Digifanatic sees Julian enter the ship... he gets up and holds his hands up like he's being confronted by a cop...

Colonel Berge: "Hm... 'fraid I don't need it. You should show it to Marley."

Aribar stands up and begins pacing his dugout.* .oO(I'm a powerful mage; I have powers that others can only dream of. How can I use them to help the Questers?)

Digifanatic: "Do what you want. My impulses are way too high."

Metal Man (GM): Aribar would see people slowly assembling new supports for the Stadium.

Julian Sawyer: "Knock knock, bitches. We got ourselves a pity party in here?"

Metal Man (GM): Perhaps they would like help.

Digifanatic: "Well, right now I'm trying to get over it."

Deloth: "Do the workers need help, Julian?"

Raena: "Whoever he is, I don't think he's here." Raena shakes her head, then puts the mask back on her belt, next to the hilt of the Digi-Sabre.

Panzer watches Julian, snrking silently. .oO(My. What a command style. They never taught that at the academy.)

Aribar exits his dugout and pulls out his radio. He will get to those people, but first, he had another idea enter his head. He calls X.*

Raena: "Now if you ask me, we should look at scaring up some work to fund the rebuilding efforts, and supplies we may need."

Aribar: "Megaman X? Hello? This is Aribar Hunter of the Questers."

Deloth: "..."

Julian Sawyer: "Party's over, get yo' asses out here, we got work to do savin' the world. This was nothin' but a minor setback, no matter how much I mighta blown up in the aftermath."

Deloth: "Raena, are you sure Natalie's going to be okay?"

Digifanatic: "Yeah... don't worry, Julian, I've gotten used to it."

Raena: "Good. I'll be a little less efficient while Natalie recovers, but I should still be able to help you." She then looks at Deloth. "She will be fine, the debris protected us during the battle."

Panzer leaves her robots to finish her house and start on her new tank. ^.^ She walks over to the workers and starts lifting the heavy equipment for them.

Digifanatic: "I think we'll be able to build a better casino with more trustworthy, less shifty guys running it, too."

Panzer more or less acts like a two-legged bulldozer/truck.

Julian Sawyer: "Also: Before you go off firin' missiles at whoever? Consider what else you'll be blowin' up in the aftermath. Looks like takin' out the thugs helped more than it hurt, so I owe Digi an apology." *looks Digi in the eyes.* "I'm sorry for kickin' you in the face."

Digifanatic: "Accepted, Julian. But hey, that's you, and that's the kind of thing you like to do! You mean business!"

Raena: "Should you require me further, I'll be in the cargo bay, practicing." Raena then heads down to the cargo bay.

Digifanatic: *extends a hand for Julian in this case.*

Julian Sawyer: "An' don't you forget it." *takes the handshake.* "Hey! Fox-thing! Ain't time for practicing, it's time for rebuilding. GUN's doin' most of the heavy work but I figure puttin' yo' own effort into buildin' yo' home oughta make it mean somethin' more."

Deloth: "So... where should we start working?"

Digifanatic: "We'll find something better off."

Aribar continues walking towards the workers.* "X, we've done a great deal of work for you. Together we've practically saved your entire continent from being taken over by the Mavericks. I believe we even wiped them almost completely off the map; only Vile and a few others remain. We even destroyed the Zero Virus, something that wanted to rule your land... I may be stepping over some boundries, but I'd like to call in some favors."

Raena stops and looks back. "I'm a fighter, not a helper. Talk to Natalie when she wakes up from her unconsciousness, she might be able to help. However, should we take on another quest, I will be here."

Digifanatic: "Yeah, unfortunately, she's still out cold. We'll let her rest."

Deloth: "Raena, if you have functioning arms and legs, you can help. We need every person we can get."

Julian Sawyer: *Shrugs.* "Hell if I know, ask the construction crew" *Shakes head.* "That ain't good enough. You can swing a sword? You can swing a hammer. You can lift a wheelbarrow. Construction don't have much to do with brainpower, I know that from experience."

Raena: She looks down for a moment, then turns towards Julian, staring at him emotionlessly. "While Natalie's unconscious, I have no leader, so... I will do as you ask; for now. Just show me what needs to be done, and I'll do it to the best of my abilities."

Julian Sawyer: "Good. I'll seal off the ship so she can rest. The rest of you!...anyone seen Ari?"

Digifanatic: "There we go." .oO(Hey, if Natalie's right, Raena did have a life before she came around...)

X: *Radio.* "What is it, then?"

Digifanatic: "Hang on." *buzzes Ari on the radio.*

Aribar: *r to Digi.* "Busy, call back later."

Digifanatic: "That's not what Julian would like to hear right now."

Julian Sawyer: "What, where's he at?"

Digifanatic: *r* "If Raena can go along with the plan while Natalie's out cold, you could come out of wherever you're hiding and aid us further."

Aribar: *r to X* "Our base has been completely destroyed by a deranged military man. He will be taken care of in due time, but we have been left with nothing. There is a military presence from GUN here to track him down and to help us rebuild, but I was curious as to if we could get some help from you. Extra materials, workers, and defense would be appreciated."

X: "Sorry. I could say the same back to you. We don't have much. We've been rebuilding ourselves. With the Zero Virus gone we've begun to rebuild the human cities, but most of our infrastructure is in ruins."

Digifanatic: *to Julian.* "He's just hiding something, I don't think he walked off too far..."

Aribar: "I see. In any case, thank you for responding. Good bye."

Julian Sawyer: "Ask him again."

Digifanatic: *r* "Ari, where are you hiding?"

Panzer drags over her welding rig and starts welding in supports for the building. She yells over to Julian. "If anyone needs a quick recharge, they can use the little house I built. My capsule is in there and it can be configured to humans. It's like a super condensed power nap. Works in about 10 minutes."

Aribar would await for X's connection to cut off. He then tosses the radio into the air and fires a series of lightning bolts at it to channel off some excess range; nothing can ever go his way!

Metal Man (GM): The radio is dramatically blown up, as I see this plot movement actually hit the Questers pretty hard. Heh.

Digifanatic: *sees the bolts and jogs.*

Aribar sighs and turns away from the workers. He trudges back to the ship and wonders what Digi wanted.*

Deloth: "...So, um, Raena... if you need help, I'll be happy to assist."

Colonel Berge: "ETA on this rig should be fast enough for your tournament. We'll soak the costs on having some vendors come out while this goes on."

Digifanatic: "Wow... I realize you're not the technological type, but surely there are better things to waste than a radio..."

Colonel Berge: "In the meantime, I'll be tracking the forest." He wanders away and begins observing from the top of a vehicle.

Digifanatic: "Anyways, let's go." *walks back to the others with Ari not too far off, hopefully.*

Raena: "I doubt that I will need your help, but you'll be the first aside from Natalie I'll come to if I do." she says as she picks up a sledge hammer and starts using it to hammer down things that need hammering.

Aribar: "It was the best thing to destroy at the time." *Follows.*

Deloth nods, snaps out his tentacles, grabs some tools, and starts working.

Panzer looks up from welding at the others, seeing that they're finally helping, goes back to her welds. She finishes up on one beam, moves to the next.

Digifanatic: *just starts aiding with whatever needs to be put off... supposedly any wiring or other technological gadgetry will include his aid.*

Metal Man (GM): You help. After a while you figure it should be fine from this point on, as the GUN people stand around and the workers do their thing. All of this destruction and explosion has you wondering about what else you could do today.

Aribar would cast healing spells on whoever needs it; including Kenku's extra crispy body.*

Metal Man (GM): Kenku's body remains crispy and will revive next session.

Panzer looks at the soldiers, shaking her head and mentally noting their uselessness. She walks over to the next beam, starts welding again.

Julian Sawyer: *And, seeing as how Aribar's still with the program apparently, gets to work helping to rebuild their stadium. Cue the montage! And when that's done... Julian looks at the construction efforts.* "Hopefully this'll be built to last... now what?" *Julian looks around the area for anything out of the ordinary.*

Metal Man (GM): Nothing much at the moment. The Colonel is busy staring into the forest.

Colonel Berge: "They're moving around in the jungle. I figure they know we're looking for them..."

Panzer stands back, letting the workers take over for a moment. She looks at the soldiers that are standing around, boring into their heads.

Julian Sawyer: "Let me know if they make a move..." *Heads back to the ship to check on Natalie. Maybe she woke up by now.*

Soldier: "Whatchu lookin' at?" He stares at Panzer.

Panzer: "A useless piece of shit."

Deloth puts down his tools and sits down on the ground, taking a quick break. "Damn... I haven't worked like that in years..."

Soldier: "Strong words for someone who requires our aid."

Julian Sawyer: *Walks back over after the checkness.* "Good! You oughta do more, gives you a feelin' of accomplishment... anyone sell a mask?"

Panzer: "I didn't call for your aid."

Soldier: "Hmph." He turns his back to Panzer.

Deloth: "Just give me a few minutes to catch my breath, Julian."

Aribar: "That reminds me of an obscenely bad idea that I had concerning the mining mask."

Panzer chuckles. "Aah. To be young and insubordinate."

Digifanatic: "If it's Wario, Aribar, Del isn't buying into it."

Julian Sawyer: "Nah, I'm thinkin' we take a little break right now. 'Cause I sold the Gambler mask to the Thugs 'fore they all died, and I got payed fo' it... but it's probably been destroyed and I'm thinkin' Happy Mask guy might wanna know about it."

Panzer lifts her rifle, using the scope on it to scan across the woodline.

Julian Sawyer: "An' y'all can go try an' sell that mining mask to Wario if you wanna."

Digifanatic: "Well, if we know what's best for us, I'd rather not leave this island for a while until Levis is ground beef."

Aribar: "... Nevermind. It was not that, but I'm not even going to say my idea... In any case, I'm... Done for the day." *The half-elf would either go back to his dugout to get some sleep, or head to the construction site if it is finished enough.

Julian Sawyer: "...Ari. We got a ship. You can sleep in there."

Digifanatic: "And if we have to leave, hopefully we'll be able to have enough competent security to take care of the crises while we're away."

Panzer leaves the building and begins working on her tank a bit by bit, robots still working on it.

Metal Man (GM): Also... Julian still sold the mask and has the credit for it. Since he can't seemingly figure out where it went.

Deloth: "I may keep my mask on and work through the night. That okay, Julian?"

Metal Man (GM): Maybe the man took it with him to the afterlife.

Julian Sawyer: "Go ahead, I ain't stoppin' ya. You wanna work, you work. I'm thinkin' GUN might be enough to keep this place under control while we jaunt to the Clock Tower... but yeah, Digi's got a good point. I'd like to KNOW we ain't gonna get attacked 'fore we leave again."

Panzer: "I might be able to build some automated defenses given the supplies."

Raena: "I'm still combat-capable without Natalie, so I can go with you if you're planning on questing. Azulongmon knows we need the money..."

Digifanatic: "Julian, she's just talking about a deity species."

Deloth: "...Wait, who?"

Digifanatic: "And I guess that applies to you, too, Deloth."

Julian Sawyer: "I'm not even gonna bother. Let's get this shit built, kill Levis, THEN we can go out doin' shit again. 'Sides, we got that exhibition comin' up that oughta draw plenty of money in anyway."

Metal Man (GM): Aribar's books are fine. The books aren't specifically destroyable. The Questers, when we last saw them, were minding their own business and sellin' a mask when suddenly, some weird guy with a GUN badge began threatening them. He was mildly assuaged by Aribar and other's noncommittal speeches, then frightened by Panzer's sniper rifle aim. Eventually, Julian found him and decided the best solution was to yell at him. The man walked into the forest, Julian in tow. Then as Panzer and a few others realized he had a tank battalion ready to attack, the man unleashed his tank army on the Stadium. The Questers evacuated (slowly) and eventually got on their ship. Once in the air, Deloth bravely volunteered to aim the missiles, despite his low tech score. One of the tanks hitting the Stadium thereof, he got overzealous and aimed 14 missiles instead of 1. He fired, actually hitting the tank. But also blowing away a good fourth of the Stadium. The Questers then bickered as Panzer ordered some kind of airstrike from unknown allies and the tanks began to tear down HQ. Eventually after some ineffectual Quester moves the tanks were vanquished by the airstrike. However, Levis, the evil sergeant, went running towards the Casino under construction. Then Digi shot a missile, hitting him and making a massive cloud of smoke. Not waiting for the smoke to dissipate, Digi then fired a bunch of missiles into the smoke. BOOOM! The casino and the thugs were no more, as was a chunk of Levis' tank. Unfortunately, he escaped into the woods due to the smoke limiting the accuracy of the attack against him. And so the Questers then sort of sat there, stunned, as they received some help from GUN, which is to this moment undergoing. Not-quite continuation yet. Of course, the Questers planned to go to the opening of a library n' get some books n' chat, but nothing much was gonna happen, so I'll abbreviate it. This library has a limited selection, but plenty of copies. Later. Tier 1 spells: Minor Heal, Drain, Die, Telepathy, Ward. Later x2. Tier 2 spells: Light, Describe, Cover, Counter. Tier 3 spells: Detrap, Sesnory, History. Those are the books. Please note which ones you take now. I'll deal with the masks later, after the session or such; the King is 'busy' as of such, due to telling his side of the whole Borne fiasco to those who visit. The reason for my speed shall become evident once the actual scenario after this is seen. So... pick yo' books. K, Aribar? Deloth? May turn out it was good I flew through this, 'specially if nobody wants these books. Pick yo books, Aribar, Del. I'll give you time to pick but otherwise we'll move on to the next part, 'cuz I got something big next.

Aribar: *History, Detrap, Counter, Light, Drain.*

Metal Man (GM): I'm not saying anything, Kenku. Aribar takes out the books he chose, complete with gold-coated bookmark. They behave like they should, respective to their tiers. Okay, Del gets drain. Any more calls for spellbooks before I continue? Nope? Okay. Now for the intro to the main part of this. Panzer, other people, better pay attention. :p Main Session: It is another day, as any other, as the Questers who obtained books return to HQ, landing to the side of the under construction second Stadium. Colonel Berge is standing around, still guarding the area, as the beginnings of merchants setting up shop here can be seen. The wrecked Casino stands in the background as a sad reminder of what could have been.

Raena walks out with the rest of the group, remaining silent for now.

Metal Man (GM): The mailbox has been propped up, however no new mail has arrived yet. The basement floor of the Stadium has a roof over it again.

Kenku is up and stretching, and goes to find the others.

Metal Man (GM): Hence, the garage is functional again. Sort of.

Deloth gets out with his new Drain book stashed, heading over and getting ready to continue working on rebuilding the Stadium.

Metal Man (GM): The Colonel idly sticks a report into the mailbox and wanders off on his way.

Raena: "Well then." *Rae says, and moves to pick up the mail.*

Aribar also helps out with the rebuilding with his wide array of spells.

Raena: "Questers! We've got something!" *the fox shouts, as she opens the report.*

Kenku Sees Blade and the others "Hey all... anything been decided on who is Julian's Second?"

Panzer is outside, cranking on her tank, while chewing on something that looks like a can of oil, occasionally spitting some into the gears and rotors system on the left side of the tank, getting ready to tread it.

Metal Man (GM): Nope. No one has been. At least, that's what the silence says. Does Julian even know how to lead things? The report indicates a cluster of tanks driving around in the forest nearby. Paths have been identified through the forest.

Deloth walks over to Raena and looks down at the report.

Metal Man (GM): Cleverly built ones which can't be seen from above, but on foot, can be seen just a bit into the forest.

Deloth: "..."

Raena: "...It looks like we've another mission. Deloth, can you gather the others? It seems they didn't hear me..."

Metal Man (GM): All of them except for the few things Panzer took out, and that extra ship didn't explode. The report indicates also a question as to whether Julian should be a leader--it shows reports of Julian making shady business deals and seemingly valuing money over actually performing the function the Questers are 'supposed' to do.

Deloth turns around and whistles. "'EY! Everyone get over here!"

Metal Man (GM): Specifically, 'The relatively poor deals we detected between the Questers and the thugs and Jack and Dr. Eggman appear to trace to his influence.' It additionally warns 'The Glitz Pit is a well known criminal organization'

Panzer looks over briefly, sees Deloth being the one yelling. She goes back to spitting oil on the gears and popping them into place.

Raena: "Also, I have to question our choice of leadership..."

Aribar walks over to Deloth.

Dragoshi: *Calmly walks over.*

Kenku: "It looks like the colonel still doesn't trust us... Glitzville was my idea just to note"

Deloth: "Yeah, I don't really think Julian's our best choice..."

Kenku: "Well... discuss."

Metal Man (GM): It closes 'While I have no power to effect your organization directly, continuation of this person's leadership style may result in more broken deals and building losses.' Schatze wanders over and glances at the note, then chuckles.

Kenku: "Well... if you guys really want a leader... then lets vote on it now. The people that usually are here, are."

Raena gives out the briefing to the newcomers. "If you ask me, we should hunt down these tanks; they may contain the commander that assaulted our base."

Aribar looks over the report to see who it was issued from.

Metal Man (GM): It's from Colonel Berge of GUN, the Capital City Assistance Division. Marley is listed as his supervisor. The paper is signed both by him and Marley, showing it wasn't a one-off thing. It's an official 'assistance report', with suggestions on how to transform the 'empty wasteland' into 'a thriving community'

Kenku: "A straight hunt may not work... for all we know its a trap Levis set up."

Deloth: "So, do YOU think that we can take on more tanks and win?"

Metal Man (GM): It also shows the paths of the tanks, which snake around the jungle.

Panzer sends a robot over to the group, who looks at Schatze, sees the note, and starts nibbling on his boot and jumping up and down.

Metal Man (GM): What you do with it, of course, is up to you.

Metool: "!!!!" *It might want the note.*

Schatze: "..." *Stares at the robot* "Hm." *He points at the note.* "Are you done with that yet?"

Raena: "Agreed... Unfortunately we can't spot them from the air, the report says... If you ask me, we should probably assault each tank individually in an ambush. They seem vulnerable to melee attacks on foot."

Panzer: *Metool: It chews on his boot a little more, wanting the note.*

Deloth: "What if the tanks have radios? We destroy one, we get six more on our tails."

Dragoshi: "Let me guess. There isn't an estimated number as to how many tanks are actually there?"

Kenku: "There is no guarantee we can even get them one at the time, at least without proper equipment."

Aribar: "They're in a forest; if we're smart, we can outmaneuver any tanks in there."

Raena: "...Good point." *She then notices the mettool, turns and kneels down, handing the report to it.* "Take this to your mistress, and ask her if she has communications disrupting equipment."

Panzer: *Metool: It jumps up and down and grabs the note, gives a nod, then zooms off.*

Deloth stares at the zooming Metool. "Weird."

Panzer takes the note and glances over it, laughing. She is relayed the message from Raena/Natalie VIA some sort of bloop and bleep system, not unlike Morse code. She walks over to the group and hands the note back, Metool glued to her foot. "I don't have any. But there is one thing I want to know."

Raena: "Now onto our leadership dilemma. I think that someone with battle experience should lead, but also someone who is calm, and brave..." *The fox is cut off, she looks to the reploid.* "And that is?"

Schatze: "It has been a while since I have given any advice..." *He manipulates his fingers idly.* "I have been... watching... while I believe the good Colonel is biased against Julian... I would say you need a leader who is always or almost always around regardless of whether he was fit to lead or not."

Panzer: "Fuck it. Let's give it to Deloth and then bet on how long it lasts."

Schatze: "At least he'd be around. Just as long as he doesn't... ...control missiles..."

Raena: "Alright..." *Raena then blinks as she looks towards the ship, as a still-injured, but other wise fine Natalie walks down the ramp towards the group.*

Panzer: "Oh. The thing I want to know. I have experience with tanks. My reports tell me that they are moving through jungle terrain with no miring of treads, no getting stuck, no tree in the engines... There is something fishy."

Schatze: *Picks a missile fin out of his forehead.*

Deloth: *Sigh* "I said I was sorry..."

Schatze: "...The tanks are following paths they apparently built into the forest, according to the Colonel's report. I can't confirm since, supposedly, he's made them impossible to detect from above."

Panzer shakes her foot. "Dammit you. I told you to stay back there. Why are you clinging to my foot?"

Kenku: "My opinion on leadership... first I don't put myself up for it. I don't have enough experince. Of the others, in my opinion, Digi is the best choice. He is constantly on mission, and has lead several, especially when Garrick was not here"

Metool: "Bleep." *It just stays on her boot.*

Schatze: "I will be neutral, since I am not a Quester."

Panzer: "Bad Metool. BAD! Now you go stay over there. Go on. SHOO!"

Raena: "You have a good point, Panzer. In your opinion, how easy would it be to ambush and destroy one on foot given the terrain?"

Schatze: "...Er... not one of you Questers."

Aribar: "I have no opinion on the leadership dilemma; I've become a follower and an advisor for the Questers. But as to the tank reports... I really have nothing more to add that hasn't been said."

Schatze: "Must be residual programming of this body acting up again."

Metal Man (GM): Schatze reaches at Aribar's back for some reason, then stops himself.

Deloth: "If those tanks have some volatile fuel supplies, I might be able to Explode them, but that's just conjecture."

Panzer: "Well, it all depends. Tanks are not at home in the jungle. These are practically acting as if designed for it, but they appear to ride on a chassis built for open country models... This tells me that there is a distinct advantage in that jungle that they have made. Traps, mines, any number of things from annoying little toe-poppers to holographic trees, to complicated electrical fences."

Metool: *It crawls off Panzer's boot and settles squarely on Schatze's boot.*

Schatze: "From my limited information, this means that the paths the tanks follow would be the deadliest place to go. Of course, if we had our own vehicle it might be better off..."

Kenku: "Well... we have 1 bike and two ships."

Panzer: "Indeed. Tank Trails, as they are called, are bad stomping grounds. The logic behind it is this simple: If a tank can get through it smoothly, most other things can too."

Metal Man (GM): Depends, where did you ride the bike, Kenku?

Raena: "Hmmm. Panzer, weren't you working on a tank? How close is it to being operational?"

Metal Man (GM): If it was in the middle of that... explosion... Yeah.. ..Yeah...

Panzer: "Well, let me see. Schatze, come look at it and tell me if it's doable today, I'm doubtful... I can capture some for you all, though."

Schatze: "Hm." *Walks off for a moment.*

Metool: *It's still clinging to Schatze's boot.*

Raena: "Hmmm, if we do take one of those tanks..."

Natalie: *weakly* "Hey, guys..."

Raena: "Natalie, get back in the ship."

Schatze: *Doesn't mind it for now, as he slowly comes back.* "If the Questers aided us we could have one operational tank immediately."

Panzer lifts a brow. "Why take one when you can have one each? As far as I can tell, it needs a few more welds and to be treaded up, I can do that on my own, Schatze, can you run a good bead?"

Aribar looks to Natalie. "You are still injured from the battle?"

Schatze: "I can do whatever you can, as long as I pre-program the pattern in rather than doing the whole thing over the wireless link."

Panzer: "Hang on. I'll write a chip for you on how to weld anything." *She digs around and pops a chip into her head after taking off her helmet.*

Raena: "She was crushed by debris; it's a miracle I was there to keep her from being crushed to death." "I'm fine, a bit sore, still bandaged, but I'm good for another mission."

Schatze: "Okay." *He stands around, then motioning to the Questers* "There is another way out of the leadership issue to boot."

Digifanatic was apparently getting a bit tired from the late-night shift he was aiding Deloth and Raena on, as he's just walking over to the group. (And Deloth is currently which form?)

Dragoshi: "And, that is...?"

Schatze: "If you don't have any leaders, then simply don't have any."

Aribar: "I would keep out of sight of Julian and some others, though; it'd be just another mark against you for being too young to be in such danger."

Schatze: "It may just be that the people who try to act as leaders make a mess. Not so much anyone else."

Panzer takes the chip out, puts her helmet on, takes Schatze's helmet off and puts the chip in, puts his helmet back on. "There."

Digifanatic: "Sorry, folks, thought I was gonna wake up a bit earlier."

Dragoshi: *I suppose that would make a fair bit of sense.*"

Schatze: *Shrugs as the chip is stuck in* "...I see. I shall get to work then. ...I will do one thing however."

Deloth: *Gently* "Natalie, if you're still injured, you shouldn't be out here. We can't afford to lose any more people."

Metal Man (GM): He walks to the Quester ship.

Panzer: "The welding rig is by the tank with all the other things you could want to go with it."

Dragoshi: "Hm?"

Kenku: "No problem Digi."

Natalie starts to show her headstrong nature. "I am fine, and nothing you can say will keep me from going with you."

Raena: "I hope you know what you're doing."

Natalie: "Oh, stop worrying about me."

Panzer: "Hmm. This might not be the best idea with the new intel I just got..."

Deloth: "...If you say so, Natalie, I can't stop you. Just don't do anything rash, okay?"

Metal Man (GM): *ZOT* *SMACK* Schatze walks back.

Raena: "Yeah, yeah, yeah." *She waves off Deloth's concerns. *

Natalie: "So, we're tankbusting today?"

Raena: "That's the plan."

Schatze: "I have modified the controls of your ship."

Metal Man (GM): He crushes a small plastic button.

Panzer looks at Raena. "I can knock her out if you want me to."

Schatze: "The missiles will no longer fire more than once without making you think about it... ...a lot... ...I just don't want to wake up buried in debris again."

Dragoshi: "That's... prolly' for the best, then."

Schatze: *Walks off to weld things.*

Kenku: "That reminds me... why weren't BLU's defenses Automated?"

Panzer: "Schatze, we need to chat for a moment about some planning for this massacre." *She walks with him, sharing her intel with him and what not, in limited amounts. Mainly about the special jungle.*

Digifanatic: "Maybe their tech wasn't up to snuff."

Deloth: "Because Engineer's a dip?"

Metal Man (GM): The report says... 'Pre-existing technology was made mostly to defeat air attacks. The placement of the guns made it impossible to hit something on the ground right next to the stadium.'

Kenku: "Oh... Explains why there was so little damage from Vile."

Schatze: "...Hm." *He scratches his chin.* "Hm." *He gets another idea.*

Digifanatic: "Yes?"

Metal Man (GM): He's over by the garage, so his words are muffled.

Kenku: "Well... is there anything else needed to be discussed about the tanks."

Schatze: "The Questers have no leader figures among them, while we are basically planning everything. Why not be the leader instead, Panzer? And I... could be second in command."

Kenku: "I sorry Schatze... you have been absent many a time... and Panzer... well... yea..."

Digifanatic: "So it sounds like we're just gonna take down Levis now instead of waiting for him to come to us?" *Of course, he didn't read or hear the report so...*

Metal Man (GM): He's at the garage, Kenku. You can't hear him.

Kenku: "Oh. I do not know... depends on what people want to do. Im thinking its too risky, but most others do not seem to follow this."

Deloth: "Sounds about like it. Although I have to admit that I'm not highly optimistic about our chances."

Aribar: "I think so, Digi, but I don't know how we can do it. His army is roaming the forests around here, and they've likely made it their base. It would be dangerous territory and I don't see how we can find him."

Panzer lifts a brow. "I'd be their leader if they'd listen to me, which I doubt they would. And having you in second might scare them into thinking that the machines are trying to oppress them... Humans have stupid ideas about that. I'll accept that theory and the position and responsibility if they simply can't pick anyone else."

Schatze: "...So we just tell them what to do and they follow what we say with none of the responsibility of being a leader? That works too, I guess." *Finishes the tank welding.*

Digifanatic: "Ohhh... yeah, that'll be hard for us to go covert with."

Kenku: "Well... then are we not going to?"

Metal Man (GM): The tank, is, more or less, finished.

Panzer: "They listen to anyone who orders them around, really. There isn't much need for a leader... More need for a referee."

Digifanatic: "No, no, I'm just wondering... Wondering how we can make this work."

Kenku: "Well... actually... can we hold off on this subject for one moment, and go to a vote on leadership?"

Panzer climbs in the tank. She pokes her head out. "Want to be my gunner, I know your aim is good... It's basically mine with a slight lag."

Deloth: "Yes, Digi, that would be the sixty-four thousand coin question."

Schatze: "...I'll keep that in mind."

Raena: "Judging by what happened last time; we would be better off assaulting the tanks on foot. Missiles seem to deflect off their armor."

Metal Man (GM): The tank looks a bit melty but is functional.

Schatze: "Shall we drive the tank out to the others for a test drive?"

Panzer: "Alright. Sounds good. I'll drive. Hop in." *She turns the engine over, hopefully.*

Metal Man (GM): He gets in. Everyone would hear the tank starting up.

Digifanatic: "That they do, Raena... huh..."

Metal Man (GM): *CRACK! CRAAACKLE! VRRRR PVRRRR* It backfires before slowly starting.

Aribar: "Personally, I do not believe that we need a leader. We seem to innately stick together and have roughly the same ideals on how to solve problems. The only problems we have are when we are struck by indecision."

Digifanatic: *Makes sure he's clear of the tank.*

Dragoshi: *Makes sure to do the same.*

Natalie: "The hell was that?" *She yelps and ducks at the backfires. Raena seems unphased.*

Digifanatic: *Thinks about Ari's point for now* "Yeah... that's how I've always considering it, Aribar."

Panzer grabs the two levers above her head and pushes them all the way forward to brake both tracks, giving the engine a moment to warm up.

Deloth steps away from the tank's path.

Kenku: "I hear ya Ari, but people like the Coloniel would like to have someone to directly talk to, and probably to point blame at."

Panzer: "It needs more work, but it will do for now, Schatze."

Deloth: "...Are you sure you're going to be okay, Natalie?"

Metal Man (GM): The gauges are mostly melted, so you can't see too much about the status, but it seems to respond normally. You might notice the rather ghetto setup--it probably wasn't in very good shape to start with.

Digifanatic: "Well, as you have all found out, I am sometimes waaaaay too impulsive to lead."

Metal Man (GM): A half-melted note indicates this tank was to be 'repossessed' due to the disbandment of Borne's group.

Deloth: "And I just screw up too often to be a good leader."

Panzer: "This thing won't last long, but it will move around and provide some semblance of cover." *She pulls the levers towards her evenly, letting both tracks start turning over slowly to pull outta the garage.*

Dragoshi: "And I really wouldn't be the best decision-maker."

Metal Man (GM): The tank slowly, jerkily, rumbles out of the garage.

Digifanatic: "Besides the times when we had folks like Metal as our boss, we really haven't had a leader anyway."

Schatze: "We may be able to sneak in, considering that this tank resembles the ones Levis uses."

Kenku: "I see... well... In truth... if there is no one else... I will take it up... but I just don't know if I have the experience... and I probably need to be head slapped here and there"

Digifanatic: *Muttering* "And he often wasn't much of a boss, either."

Metal Man (GM): I'll get a snack.

Kenku: "And this doesn't mean we have to play the position as the be all do all on actions"

Panzer compensates where possible by adjusting some cotter pins and things, since she might not be the one driving it, the levers had to work a bit more smoothly in case a weaker person was driving. She pulls them back more to open the engine up and starts rolling towards the Questers.

Aribar looks to the tank for a moment and wonders if it is supposed to be making all of those sounds.

Deloth: "...Sounds like that tank's about to explode."

Natalie: "...Is that Panzer's tank?"

Raena: "...Looks a little worse for wear."

Digifanatic: "Well, she did salvage it from a bunch of damaged parts."

Kenku watches Panzer ride up with the tank "Heh... I guess that's one way to get one."

Rinith: *is following while half in a trance.* >.O

Aribar: "I believe the problem is that, at least for the more senior of Questers, all that we have done has been soldiers; never the leaders, never the decision makers, never the managers. We don't know how to run a global heroes-for-hire service."

Panzer brings it to a halt and lets the engine idle while she hops out, both tracks braked so it won't moved. She lifts the engine cover and tries to do some ghetto tuning on it.

Digifanatic: "Practically."

Deloth: "Pretty much."

Digifanatic: "Okay then... Natalie and Raena. Before you two wound up here, were you on your own or were their other pairs among you?"

Panzer: "Well... This is what is called a Zombie Tank, AKA A Purple Heart Box... It will move for a while, fire a few shots... Then at least provide cover for when it does die. Best I can do on short notice overnight out of mostly melted parts with no spares."

Metal Man (GM): The tank brings it on up and responds to the tuning, but it remains sorta messed up.

Panzer does the best she can for it, giving it more fluids out of what she had for the moment.

Natalie: "We were on our own, Gennai said that the best one to defeat DarkSakuyamon would be one from her own tribe."

Raena: "...specifically, her sister."

Panzer: "Maybe I can directly route it to me if I'll be running it."

Digifanatic: "Okay, then... well, I guess that doesn't leave many options... except maybe Panzer."

Deloth: "... Digi. Say that sentence again and think about it. Think hard."

Panzer tugs lightly on a small cable and manually ramps up the engine Rpms slowly, listening to it's purr... It's unGodly loud without the sound muffling cover over it.

Digifanatic: "Deloth, I know you can't stand her, but she was in another faction long before this. And I did say 'maybe'."

Schatze: *Glances out the window as the tank makes erratic noises.*

Deloth: "Digi, she's a psycho. That's not an opinion, that's a fact."

Kenku: "I'm sorry, but Panzer doesn't want to stay a Quester, she's not an option."

Panzer: "There is something in this thing that's still fucking it up... What is it..." *She climbs on it and sits down, rummaging gently and carefully in the engine. She pulls out a melted piece of metal.*

Digifanatic: *Sighs* "Yeah, I'm for the group theory, then."

Schatze: *Walks over and glances* "Hmmm..."

Panzer: "Mmhmm. Stupid thing." *She throws it over her back as the noise improves a little. She digs around a little more, digging out a bit more debris.*

Kenku: "Group theory or not... we have to have someone as a figure head, else Julian is gonna stay."

Metal Man (GM): The tank stops being so erratic and is about as good as it'll get.

Schatze: "Why have a figurehead if it's meaningless?"

Raena: "...I'll be practicing over here. Let me know when we're ready to move out. Natalie, I suggest you go lay down until then."

Natalie just rolls her eyes, pulling out her cards to look at them and make sure she didn't put any errors in them. "...They're about as good as I'm gonna' write."

Panzer hops down, dusts herself off and closes and rebolts the cover. "Well. That's as good as it gets as far as field ops go. Doesn't she purr like a kitten?"

Schatze: "People will talk to Julian and make deals none of you agree with. Good or bad, it's about the same as you say it would be with Panzer as leader."

Aribar: "Kitten is not precisely the word I would choose, Panzer."

Schatze: "It sounds a lot less broken..." *He looks at it* "The tank can fit about five people inside it by my reckoning."

Kenku: "Ah... this is true Schatze... but we need to have someone as a leader, group choice or not then."

Digifanatic: "I dunno, I still like the equality idea."

Deloth: "She purrs like... perhaps a Yeti."

Kenku: "Cause people are going to think us as a fractured group, the same way the Colonel did."

Deloth: .oO(Or Raena, but like I'm going to say THAT out loud.)

Panzer: "This tank holds a standard crew of six by it's configuration. It could hold us all if we can sardine in there, though it's not a good idea."

Schatze: "I've been watching you... maybe you can use consensus to deal with leadership issues. Your 'leaders' wind up being less that and more people who... seemingly act on their own impulses, ignoring what you want. Nothing against Julian as a person but... he isn't even here right now."

Kenku: "Yea, I have to agree there. He was not my first choice either way."

Digifanatic: "Fractured, huh, Kenku? I thought that by voting together and settling opinions as a group, that unites us more through the willingness to negotiate and compromise..."

Panzer: "I opt for the minimal crew of three. A driver, gunner, and a machinegunner. She won't hold together like their tanks, obviously, because this is made from blown up parts... Too much of a crowd means we all die. It gets hot inside quick and some of you just aren't made to take the heat, pardon the pun."

Kenku: "If such votes happened more, and then maybe your right. After all... I can't really speak for our allies"

Schatze: "This meeting shows that you can work as a team, without a leader... ...but in case you question that, how do you think of that?" *He points to the tank after Panzer says that.* "I will admit, I am only doing this because I wish to see what, if anything, this 'Levis' has, but... do you plan to sneak in or crash in or... what exactly?"

Panzer lifts a brow, she's still messing with the tank, more or less she's testing the turret controls.

Aribar: "You know that I'm not good with vehicles; my go-kart riding should prove that. I'd also prefer to not be in some large death box... I'll ride on the outside, or just walk."

Deloth: "Same. I probably won't ever try to drive again."

Kenku: "Sneaking in may work. Crashing in will lead directly to an ambush."

Panzer: "Who will be driving, I need to teach them how being there are no pedals or steering wheels."

Natalie: "The tank crew could act as a diversion for the others..." *Natalie adds as she continues inspecting the cards she made.*

Digifanatic: "I like that."

Kenku: "I'll drive Panz."

Digifanatic: "Now, I wouldn't mind driving the tank, as long as I remind myself shoot when told to."

Panzer: "Now, I give you this to think about. I have a good number of grenades to be able to capture fresh tanks, so don't worry about fucking this one up."

Aribar: "We don't exactly know where Levis. We could potentially interrogate any soldiers we find, though..."

Panzer: "Also, note this, because it's the only time I'll say it and it is relatively important. The more people that get -in- the tank, the harder it will be to exit it quickly and safely in the event that it catches fire or starts to blow up."

Natalie: "Me and Rae will remain on foot. we're not exactly good when it comes to a vehicle. Besides, I think the Digi-sabre now can cut through tank armor."

Kenku: "Wait... would this be just running in with the tank, with no ship backup?"

Deloth: "I'll stay on foot and cover Raena's back."

Digifanatic: "The ship might bring up too much attention."

Panzer: "I propose that the tank be a diversion, and most, if not everyone else, move in on a different part of the woods, being the tank is loud and he will expect us to gaggle together like... We always do. That's my suggestion to you, the bones of it. Do what you will. Kenku, you're driving, yes?"

Kenku: "I see... well then Digi is probably the best to drive. How much room do you got in the tank although Panz?"

Aribar: "Is there a radio in that thing, Panzer? That is, one that could be modified to broadcast outside of the tank?"

Panzer: "Radio? Not a working one. There is a sketchy PA system from another tank that might or might not work all the time, that's it. The tank holds six people in a slightly cramped, but good way, all you need is three."

Digifanatic: "Well, we still have our own portable radios... except you, Ari, but I'd be willing to share as long as you don't blow mine up."

Aribar: "Ah. I was musing about the possibility of claiming we're in the tank and ask to go to his base to negotiate a surrender or something... Doubtful that it would work, though. No thanks, Digi."

Panzer: "Not even that. One person could do it, if they knew mostly everything about tanks, but it's dangerous, because to fire, you must get up from the driver's seat and move to the gunner's seat, load the shell, aim, fire, eject the spent round and load another."

Kenku: "I'll tag along with you and Digi then Panzer."

Digifanatic: "If that's the case, I can fire for Kenku."

Panzer: "If you only want a noise maker, it will drive on it's own and can be rigged to fire on it's own."

Digifanatic: "That'll be four of us if we include Schatze on that list."

Panzer: "Who will be catching the other tanks, if I'm in this one? There is a technique to it, honestly. I don't care either way, but it's up to you if you want a tank or four after this one dies."

Raena: "I'd like you to teach me how to capture a tank, in case our stealth mission goes south."

Panzer: "The stealth mission will go south. In fact, it will crumple in a cinder of shame."

Raena: "Why do you say that?"

Panzer: "I'll teach you all how to capture tanks if you want. It's easy."

Dragoshi: "Because we're us. Of course it'll fail hilariously."

Panzer: "Because sneaking into a tank nest mid-day, on their rigged territory with their tactics will just fail. I will explain the whole thing, if you can't settle with that answer."

Aribar: "Not to mention that we aren't the stealthiest people in the world; most of my arsenal consists of loud and flashy bolts of lightning!"

Raena: "...That's enough explanation for me. Now, how do I take one? And I suppose you should teach Natalie and I how to drive and fire one."

Panzer: "It would be like me sneaking into your room in the middle of the day where you're wide awake. I'll demonstrate on this tank. Pay attention." *She walks off and then runs up on the tank, jumps onto the back and pops the hatch open, staying to the side so she's not exposed to fire, ducked down beside the turret. She then pretends to take the pin out of a grenade and toss it into the hatch, duck down and cover her ears.* "Easy as pie. The crew will be dead and you will have a tank."

Raena: "How will that not damage the controls? Or the interior?"

Panzer: "The interior is spared because it's all metal. The radio might fry, that's about it. Tank controls are sturdy and blast resistant. The blast of it doesn't blow it up from the inside out because it is shielded off from the engine, and the rounds for the cannon are stored in blast-proof containers. It will, however, blow up if you close the hatch after the grenade goes in. Because the ... Well, to skip explaining the physics of it, the 'boom' vents through the hatch and disperses into the air."

Raena: "I'll trust your explanation, then. A quick brief on the controls and we should be set."

Panzer: "If you stand over the open hatch while it goes off, you will know this because you'll be in pieces. Yum."

Deloth: .oO(Panzer actually being helpful. Wow.)

Kenku: "Ok... Umm... before we start... I'm going to make a quick phone call to check when Megaton and Glitzville will be arriving."

Panzer: "Alright. Everyone in." *She climbs in the tank. It's rather spacious. She sits in the drivers seat.* "Pile around so you can see."

Kenku: "Eh... never mind... I'll call them on the way."

Raena nods and boards the tank, while Natalie watches from her Digivice.

Kenku boards the tank, phone in hand.

Aribar sits on the side of the tank rather than inside.

Deloth jumps onto the side of the tank, swords out.

Panzer: "Why is Ari outside? He won't know what's going on."

Digifanatic: "He's never interested in tanks."

Kenku: "Eh... he will have his way to Panzer, he will have his way."

Panzer: "You have to be able to see me, and there are no windows. There is plenty of room though. Well. If he doesn't care then, when there's a nice, empty tank for him to drive and they start blasting at him, so be it."

Dragoshi: *Gets in the tank.* :x

Panzer: "Alright. See the two levers coming from overhead in front of me?" *She grasps two long, mundane looking bars with grips on them overhead.* "These."

Aribar looks to Deloth. "You'd also rather take your chances on the outside than in there?"

Deloth: "Wasn't everyone screaming at me thirty minutes ago for touching weapon controls?"

Panzer: "Alright. It's simple, as long as you remember this. Each lever is a brake. All the way forward is stop, all the way back (towards you) is go. The left and the right correspond to which track they control."

Raena: "Perhaps they'd be best explained as a throttle... unless that's somewhere else."

Panzer: "If you want to turn left, you pull the right one towards you, because the right track will start to go and the left will be still, more or less scooting. The opposite for going right, obviously. These can act as a throttle for our purposes. There is more to it, but since you'll just be driving it mostly forwards it doesn't matter. You'll be able to fully drive it around with this lesson. Feel free to mix and match as you please with the throttles, not stopping one side, but slowing it means you go diagonal, obviously, and everything in between."

Raena: "And a once-over for the turret and main cannon. As I'm sure we'll need it."

Digifanatic: *To Kenku* "When she's done, ask Panzer if you can take a few warm-up laps around the area before we head out, if you think it'll be necessary."

Panzer: "Now. For the main cannon." *She sits in the gunners seat.* "It's easy, there is a periscope-like device here that you look though. It has tick marks in it for distance in meters, and elevation in meters. You just dial it in here..." *She turns two knobs , one marked ELEV. and one marked DIST.*

Kenku: "If you thinks it's needed Digi."

Digifanatic: "Well, I dunno, you opted driving it first, so I figure if nothing else I'd be the weapons guy this time..."

Panzer: "The turret will turn and elevate or lower as it's dialed in. Then, you just load a shell..." *She turns the small wheel on the back of the chamber block (Ass of the cannon where the bullet goes in) and it flips open. She pulls out a spent round and tosses it outside. She grabs a fresh one, pushes it in, pushes the small door shut and tightens the wheel again, then pretends to hit a big red FIRE button.* "That easy. As for the machine gun... It's just a mounted machinegun."

Raena: "Those look heavy, but shouldn't be a problem for me or you..." *Raena nods a bit. *

Raena: "Anyway, I think we're set, so if we're all ready..."

Panzer: "They weigh 80 lbs a piece. And since the chamber block is in the tank, after firing ten rounds it will start to get hot as hell in here."

Kenku: "Hmm... Hey Panz, could you allow me a couple round around the base to get the hang of this?"

Panzer: "Keep plenty of water in here, and there is a fire extinguisher in the corner if a fire should start from faulty wiring. Laps? Sure." *She lets him get in the driver's seat and sits behind him.* "Don't jerk back too fast. This is a beat up old tank that might die if you do that."

Metal Man (GM): As a result of this lecture, you gain a +1 to tech checks with the tank... ...of course, descriptions of what you're doing will add on to it. A good thing to know, since... ...you have no clue what you'll encounter up there... Of course since you're not in the field there will be no checks yet. Just continue as you have been.

Raena leaves the tank, and goes to join the on-foot group, and her trainer.

Digifanatic follows in behind Kenku, taking the weapons seat. He notes and looks over the controls Panzer was discussing before, however, he decides not to touch them until it's necessary.

Kenku nods and does a couple laps around the base at a steady pace, before trying to gradually come to a stop back at the front of the base.

Metal Man (GM): I see the pattern. Schatze remains in/on the tank.

Aribar just remains sitting on the tank reading. "At this rate, I'll be through all five of these books before we leave."

Panzer: "Alright. Move Kenku, I need to figure out how fast she'll go. That way you don't figure it out by stalling the engine and getting blown up"

Kenku nods to Panzer but first passes his phone to Digi. "Call Megaton and Glitz. Need to know when they are coming in."

Panzer: "If you're staying in, sit somewhere safe, it gets bumpy, and be quiet."

Kenku pushes the throttle.

Digifanatic: *To Kenku, quietly* "Yeah, now's a wise time to call..."

Metal Man (GM): The tank speeds up.

Panzer pulls Kenku out of the driver's seat. "I said move, not drive for me."

Metal Man (GM): The tank slows down.

Panzer pushes both forward and stops the tank, climbs in the seat and sighs.

Kenku: "Fine" *and puts it away He and steps gets in a seat.*

Panzer pulls the left lever 3/4 of the way back and the tank does a 180 all fast-like. She pushes it back and looks back. "Anyone want to get off? I know how to drive these better than you..."

Deloth: "I'm good."

Schatze: "I will stay here. We almost ready?"

Panzer: "Alright. Hang on." *She pushes once on a boxed over foot pedal and there is an audible click and a green light appears, dimly.* "This is hi mode on the transfer case... You'll need it in low to dig in through the jungle, so don't mess with the floor pedal." *She pulls both levers back steadily, starting to put on speed, being slow about it, listening to the engine to make sure she doesn't push it too hard.*

Metal Man (GM): The melted speed gauge is of no help, but Schatze chimes in with the speed as it increases... somewhat slowly. 10... 15... 20... 25...

Panzer pushes it a bit harder, the bars now halfway back.

Metal Man (GM): 25... 30... 33... seems to stay there at the current setting. It gets a little bit smoky in the cabin.

Digifanatic: "Careful, Panz, we're overcooking the engine a bit."

Panzer: "One thing to remember, try your best not to expose your ass to the enemy. The engine is weak." *She shoves the left bar forward and the tank starts to do donuts and a rapid speed, at which, she gets out of the seat slowly.* "It's fine, I've got it spinning at 25... Now, someone stop it without tipping it." *She climbs out of the seat, out of the tank and jumps off, tucking and rolling away from it, walking back to watch it.*

Digifanatic gives Kenku the nod.

Schatze: "Whoa." *He holds on as the tank spins around endlessly.*

Panzer stands outside, chuckling.

Metal Man (GM): Kenku: What do you do?

Kenku steps up to the tank and pulls both throttles slowly back.

Aribar continues reading his spellbooks somehow!

Deloth just leans against the tank, waiting for it to stop spinning.

Panzer sighs.

Metal Man (GM): The tank is no longer spinning, but rather accelerating. And making loud noises.

Schatze: "...I think I have the top speed..." *He clutches the wall.* "I think we will explode if we don't slow down."

Panzer: "That engine is going to give up the ghost if he doesn't stop."

Kenku does a face palm, and pulls the throttle slowly back.

Metal Man (GM): The engine begins to go even faster. A red light pops up... hm... better slow down. You can still slow down before it's too late--but better make your choice now.

Kenku pushes the throttles forwards slowly.

Metal Man (GM): The tank slowly slows down, belching a bit of fire but then cooling down and... aside from some miscellaneous damage appears to still be alive.

Panzer watches the tank slowly stop. She goes up to it and checks on the engine while it's still running, fanning it a little and overlooking it.

Digifanatic: "Well, it is different than the airship, I'll say that."

Metal Man (GM): It smokes. Good thing: That heat melted a bunch of crud off of it. Bad thing: That heat bent it a little in places and... you'll need to do a spot repair so it doesn't shoot all the oil out in a giant pressurized glob. If Aribar's watching, he might surmise the same and be able to... use his spell...

Panzer grumbles and she stops a small spinning fan and the engine dies, then she starts to work on it without fear that idiot will drive off.

Schatze: "I believe we should prepare to leave now..."

Metal Man (GM): He motions for Kenku to get the others.

Panzer: "We should. Get that maniac out of the drivers seat."

Kenku steps out of the seat "So be it... I was planning to only ride anyway..."

Digifanatic still has his seat at the weapons' chair.

Panzer finishes the repairs and she walks over to Schatze.

Schatze: *He's right next to ye olde tank* "So..."

Kenku beckons the others over.

Natalie sees this, and grasps Rae's shoulder as she practices a few sword swings. Resheathing the Digi-Sabre, the two make their way towards the tank to receive the final plan.

Deloth gets down off of the tank. "Ready."

Digifanatic: *Taps his fingers on his other arm a few times, biding his time until Panzer and Schatze head in.*

Panzer is standing by the tank with Schatze.

Schatze: "Now..." *He scratches his head.* "The map said the entrance to this path begins there." *He points at what looks to be a solid tree.*

Kenku sits in the back seat with a sigh.

Digifanatic: "Just relax, Kenku."

Aribar: "Does the tank need a potentially more permanent repair job, Panzer?"

Panzer: "It won't last without a complete overhaul. We just need it long enough to get a better one, really."

Aribar: "Okay then; nevermind."

Kenku: "Right Digi right... I guess first time jitters does this too me..."

Metal Man (GM): The tank people are assembled.

Raena: "I think we should try and remain hidden as much as possible, while using the 'zombie tank' as it's so eloquently put as a distraction. Then some of us capture unused tanks and use them on the enemy. Natalie and I can drive and gun a tank on our own with Panzer's little lecture, but the rest of us on foot should break into two-man teams."

Metal Man (GM): Infantry people: State the position you take relative to the tank. Of note, all this preparation shall aid you in the trek ahead.

Panzer: "Being infantry units, you can come in from anywhere, or stay around the tank as cover, all depends on what you want to do."

Aribar sits on the tank.

Deloth steps behind the tank, planning to use the tank's fire as cover.

Schatze: *Sits inside the tank* "When ready... ...drive there." *He points at what appears to be a big ol' tree.*

Panzer: "Everyone set?" *She climbs into the tank and turns the engine over again, hitting the foot pedal again to switch it into low range for extra torque and all that, then starts off slowly.*

Digifanatic: "I'm good."

Kenku: "Ready as I'll ever be."

Panzer: "If I get too fast for the stragglers behind me, hit the turret with a rock and I'll slow down."

Dragoshi: *Nods.*

Panzer pulls the levers accordingly and starts for the big tree.

Aribar casts a Wall spell on himself. Hopefully that will at least allow a few bullets to ping off of him if he needs to run for cover.

Natalie and Rae nod, moving out with the tank, remaining behind a bit, and off to the left. Once in the forest proper, they start using the underbrush as best they can.

Panzer: "Schatze, you going to be my gunner, or who is?"

Schatze: "I am afraid I cannot move incredibly fast, but I can do it."

Deloth starts walking behind the tank, prepping his Ele spells.

Metal Man (GM): You drive towards the tree ...

Digifanatic: "I'm good."

Metal Man (GM): It flips down like a cheap tin prop.

Panzer tosses one of the tubes of grenaders out of the tank, almost forgetting to give it to Nat and Rae.

Metal Man (GM): You drive over it, noticing an elaborate setup of springs and devices which make it possible. You see a dirt path which has been seeded with short brush to make it appear as if it is nothing.

Panzer looks for other tank treads to follow, looking around frequently to make sure she's safe.

Metal Man (GM): But as you drive out you see a series of paths ahead.

Raena scoops up the tube of grenades, and adds it to her belt next to the Digi-Sabre.

Schatze: "I will be the navigator, since I have the map in my brain."

Panzer looks for the more frequently traversed paths, knowing they should be the safest.

Metal Man (GM): Each tube has 5 grenades. They are fragmentation grenades. It is so, since Digi has said so.

Panzer rolls on down the trails as specified by Schatze, watching for activity, or lack there of, also looking for places in the trails that look freshly messed with.

Metal Man (GM): You begin to enter a weird little place, with the infantry people following behind.

Panzer slows down a little, trying to observe it as best she can.

Metal Man (GM): Trees swivel out of your way. Fake pits are covered by bridges as you move through. Sensors are rigged all over the place. For better or worse, it most likely knows where you're going.

Digifanatic: "By the way, Panzer, where are all the rounds? They're already in place, right, or do I have to set them up first?"

Schatze: "I assume you wish to go to their base... right?"

Panzer: "Schatze, anything you can emit to stop those sensors from seeing us? And yes, I'd assume we're going to their base. Digi, the rounds are in the large built-in box behind and to the left and right of you. There's already a round in the chamber."

Digifanatic: "Okay."

Aribar scans the forest line for any metallic glints or anything out of the ordinary. He wonders what they'll find.

Schatze: "I'm afraid nothing I can do will stop it now..."

Metal Man (GM): Aribar: Search check.

Digifanatic: "Just wanted to know if I already had something to work with or not." *He takes a look at the boxes containing the rounds to see how many more are there in addition to the one already loaded.*

Metal Man (GM): Aribar detects his shoes are okay.

Panzer: "I mean can you put off signals that disable further ones, make it look like we turned off or got lost?"

Schatze: "...Nope. Nothing that would throw off the sensors without possibly damaging this tank also."

Panzer: "Damn."

Raena also keeps an eye out, looking for potential threats as they continue to follow, while remaining as stealthy as possible.

Metal Man (GM): Your conversation is cut short as you near a junction... There's a jeep there.

Aribar looks down at his feet as they dangle off the side of the tank. .oO(If there was one good thing about being sent to this abysmal planet, it is the fact that there are no shoe bandits.)

Metal Man (GM): Two men in Levis style uniforms with guns sitting around. Blade would notice they appear to be looking at a monitor in their jeep. They turn to face where you're coming.

Panzer: "Digi, blow that Jeep up."

Digifanatic: "With pleasure." (continued)

Natalie holds her Digivice up. "They were looking at something in their jeep, over." She says in a low whisper over the radio.

Panzer: "Wait, don't... We might can use that monitor."

??1: "A tank survived and took THIS long to return?" *He scratches his chin, unaware of your true purpose.*

Panzer radios back to her infantry units to stay behind the tank, out of sight.

??2: "We should help them."

Digifanatic: *Mouthing out to Panzer* "Never mind, then."

??1: "Yes."

Panzer drives near the jeep, then stops, engine idling. "Any uniforms still in here?"

Aribar would hop off of the tank and stay behind it.

Previous

Next

All properties belong to their proper owners; any copyrighted information is being used under fair use.