Nondescript News

[Raleigh]

Eh? Given its composition I suppose there are a few options. Dia 4. *Casts the spell following it up quickly with a few others.* Holy. Zom 5. Ra Tilt. Hm.. if those fail I suppose I also have from the physical arts quite a few options as well as relying on the good old fashioned Astral Break.

[Feng]

Bones sits in his study looking gloomy. The blood tests had not provided anything of substance and slowly, yet surely, the foul air had continued to drain the strength of his crew. If things continued to deteriorate at this pace, he would probably have to turn around. Then again, there was no telling if his crew would last that long...

He gazes absentmindedly at a small jet black shrine on his desk. The shrine is dedicated to Smoking Toaster, the Chibi Guardian of Trickery. As he watches the light from the ship's lantern reflect off the metal shell of the ceremonial toaster an idea suddenly occurs to him.


Half an hour later the ships doctor is in the study.

"Tell me old friend... What beats air?" says Bones

"Pardon?" says the doctor, a confused look on his face.

"Think back, Doc. Think back to your time with the Chibiwanbanshu. What beats air?"

"If your talking about military tactics sir, then I suppose the answer would be fire. What are you getting at though?

"The same strategy applies here I would think" says Bones. "In order to purge the foul air aboard we should use...?"

"... FIRE! I think I see where you are going with this."

"I had no doubt about your ability to catch on old friend. I take it you still have your usual stash of herbs and incense in your quarters yes?"

"Yeah, but I thought you hated the smell of that stuff."

"Now is not a time to worry about personal tastes. I want you to burn the stuff throughout the ship. Lets see if the power of Smoking Toaster can cleanse the sickness aboard the Storm Crow. It's worth a shot at the very least."

"Aye" says Doc as he hurries to his office to grab as much incense as his small arms can carry.

As for Bones, he goes off to the kitchen to see if he can find a nose plug. He had a feeling it was going to be a long flight to the Eastern Lands...

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Overhead, the CTC's fighters veer off to the side, just as several green-black beams pierce the skies, eventually fading into the darkness. The source of the lights remain unknown until bolts of lightning illuminated several aircraft- resembling birds of prey more than typical jet fighters, their wings shift and twist, causing them to quickly divert their courses to pursue the patrol fighters. Almost immediately, the enemy contacts unleash a nearly constant stream of green-black beams at the patrol, likely causing a change in priorities.

The fighters immediately break up their formation, scattering as the green-black beams strobe through the clouds after them! The CTC aircraft are quite sophisticated, with vectored thrust engines allowing them to make impressive feats of maneuvering, only limited by their pilots bodies -- and these pilots are full-conversion cyborgs, their remaining living organs well protected by their artificial bodies. With direct neural connections to their craft, the airplanes can respond almost like living beings -- which they'll probably need, given the exotic nature of their opponents.

Thus, the airplanes jink, swerve, and VIFF about, trying to evade their pursuers -- and each aircraft tries to lure its attackers into the targeting reticules of its partners, launching missiles and firing lasers at targets of opportunity!"

Still some distance away, the CTC landing forces encounter their first trial in the form of the looming, rocky crags. Taking it slow and boost to a higher altitude help the various vehicles clear the rocks with room to spare- but given all the interference with the instruments, it's possible that not every transport or tank is so fortunate. Some possibly veer too close to the rocks, where they find the rocks are surprisingly (if not supernaturally) tough, and able to effortlessly grind even armored hulls to nothing. Others lose their balance and find themselves careening into the waters, quickly sucked into the dark depths, or again, ground into the rocks.

Of course... there's always the possibility of trying to destroy the rocks, to make further landings and departures an easier affair in the future.

The ground-effect vehicles had hoped to be able to rise up high enough over the rocks -- but as the first transport goes slow and boosts its engines to gain enough lift, one of the escorting scout vehicles smashes into one of the rocks as its sensors fail! The first transport makes it clear, but one of the hovertanks, trying to proceed around the rocks, instead drops too low, and is sucked into the waves as its engines strike the water!

The second transport pauses, and decides to try and clear a path through the rocks instead. Missile turrets swing into position, and open fire on the stone pillars, the accompanying hovertanks opening fire with their own plasma cannons as well!

[Raleigh]

*Watches to see what his spells will do to the undead seeming kraken like creature.* It never fails that when I travel over the sea I find some sort of monster. And I didn't even trail corpses below my ship this time either.

[Anonymouse]

"Squeak squeak..."

Raleigh's cast spells impact some sort of barrier interposed between him and the monster. Even if it were weak to holy/undead targeting spells, it doesn't seem like he's putting enough juice into his spells to penetrate the barrier. The barrier itself seems to be sufficiently powerful that there isn't even an after-explosions from the spells- the spells simply splash into it before they each gave a whimper as they were casually snuffed out completely. Of course, the beast only seems to be more pissed off at the pest like incantations, and swings more tendrils at Raleigh, misses sending tidal waves in every direction which help to obscure it's maw beneath the sea periodically.

Overhead, the condition of Lord Bone's crew improves, as the incense and FIRE seem to disspell the miasma afflicting the crew. After a couple of hours, the fatigue seems to leave the crew, and their original vigor returns. Of course, there's no telling that they'll have sufficient incense to burn all the way to the continent, and there's the issue of how to explore the continent if the air itself is potentially fatal as well? Tough stuff for Bones to mull over, surely, but at least time is on his side to make a decision- at least until his crew reports unusual activity in the storm ahead- highlighted by a strobing green-black beam of light which lances a bit too close to the Storm Crow.

Up ahead, the life or death firefight continues for the CTC patrol with them eventually, through concerted teamwork, taking out one of the aircraft which plunges to the sea below, trailing purplish flames. However, that only seems to incite a new frenzy in the existing aircraft, which begin to use their laser weapons more aggressively. This new aggression is compounded by another small group of the interceptors arriving, with two each firing a pair of green crystalline missiles at the patrol. These missiles break apart after they close some distance sending a wild maelstrom of tiny rockets screaming at the patrol fighters. Though each missile seems unassuming, they eventually rupture and collapse into inky darkness, notably drawing in the surrounding clouds like black holes. Always a good sign.

Back at the rocks, the tanks and transport rip into the rocky crags, slowly chipping away at them, until they begin to crack and break apart under the constant barrage of plasma and explosives. Soon, enough of the rocks are blasted away that the transport and tanks can more safely squeeze between the crags. As they do sneak by, lookouts probably notice the rocks crackling with blue energy slowly bleeding into the sea.

"Squeak squeak..."

[Raleigh]

Hehehahahahaha. Finally something to actually fight with. *Simply lets the tendrils pass through him as they lash about. Being able to turn immaterial coming in handy.* I suppose I should up the power from that of a simple human to something more appropriate then or rather fight smarter than harder neh? No point in upping my ante yet. *Swirls his finger around in the air and a circle forms around what he assumes is the size of the beast in the water. Spreading out from that circle the water begins to approach subzero temperatures at a rapid rate.*

[Feng]

The essence spreads through the hallways and cabins of the Storm Crow as Doc and a few other Chibi chant prayers and incantations to the Smoking One, asking for his aid in dispersing the foulness aboard the black ship.

Bones observes the ceremony briefly before turning back to his charts. While there was enough incense to last for about a month or two, it was unlikely that it would last long enough for the criminal mastermind to set up a decent base of operations in the eastern continent, let alone mount an expedition. Fortunately for him, now that he's identified the alleged source of the foulness, solutions flow to him like water through an open dam.

Sitting at his desk he fiddles with the chess pieces, forming various formations and patterns with them.

"Sir!" shouts a member of the Chibiwanbanshu, who materializes into the study in a burst of blue smoke. "We're encountering strange lights on the port side!"

"Excellent!" shouts Bones, striking a dynamic pose. "We're getting close then. Tell the helm to take evasive action. We don't want our hosts to know about our arrival too soon."

"Sir?" asks the Chibi ninja, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

"The curious storm, the unnatural lethargy, the curious lights. Clearly something unnatural is at work in the eastern lands. Something is working very hard to keep curious truth seekers like ourselves out."

".... .... What are your orders sir?"

"Prepare the Chibiwanbanshu for landing. Once we reach the coastlines we will lead a landing team to scout out the area and set up a landing point for our troops back home."

"That might be problematic sir. Engineering has mentioned reports of electromagnetic interference in the area. Our mail portal technology might not be able to reach this far out in these conditions."

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Up ahead, the life or death firefight continues for the CTC patrol with them eventually, through concerted teamwork, taking out one of the aircraft which plunges to the sea below, trailing purplish flames. However, that only seems to incite a new frenzy in the existing aircraft, which begin to use their laser weapons more aggressively. This new aggression is compounded by another small group of the interceptors arriving, with two each firing a pair of green crystalline missiles at the patrol. These missiles break apart after they close some distance sending a wild maelstrom of tiny rockets screaming at the patrol fighters. Though each missile seems unassuming, they eventually rupture and collapse into inky darkness, notably drawing in the surrounding clouds like black holes. Always a good sign.

It's a hard enough struggle for the CTC fighters to just hold their own against the strange alien ones -- the destruction of one of them actually cause for a brief moment of elation amongst the pilots! However, as another interceptor patrol arrives, the CTC fighters find themselves outnumbered and outmatched, with two of the planes suffering hits from the laser and missile fire!

Deciding flight is the better part of valor, the aircraft dive, and streak off northwards at nap-of-earth altitudes, hugging the ground as they blast across the countryside!

Back at the rocks, the tanks and transport rip into the rocky crags, slowly chipping away at them, until they begin to crack and break apart under the constant barrage of plasma and explosives. Soon, enough of the rocks are blasted away that the transport and tanks can more safely squeeze between the crags. As they do sneak by, lookouts probably notice the rocks crackling with blue energy slowly bleeding into the sea.

The first transport GEV, having evaded the rocks, makes its way for the shoreline with its escort, maneuvering to try and set down in what looks like a relatively secure position!

Meanwhile, the second transport GEV and its escorts finally blast their way through the rocks and proceed after the first, although the dissipating energy is noted. The group spreads out a bit cautiously, not wanting to be caught off guard should the destruction of the rocks have any unforeseen side effects.

[Anonymouse]

"Squeak squeak..."

Raleigh quickly finds that being immaterial doesn't seem to help with the monstrosity, whether due to spells on the beast or it's own apparently undead nature, the tendril smash at him or whatever faux body he may be using to distract it at the time. As the water begins to freeze, the movements of the beast seem to slow- until it gives a massive bellow, crushing the ice apart with it's unfeeling body, and emitting a noxious cloud of fumes at Raleigh, disintegrating everything in their path!

Far above, the evasive maneuvers of the Storm Crow seem to keep it out of sight of the interceptors. Though, given the firefight with the other group of fighters in the distance, Bones may need to give thought to other competition- or potential allies for his expedition... Regardless, the mail portals may encounter trouble indeed due to the interference- this may just call for some additional calibrations, or they may need to look into timing the portals, as by now, the Storm Crow has seen a couple of cycles of weakening and strengthening of the storms and the interference.

In the pitched dogfight of interceptors and patrol craft, the damaged CTC fighters are essentially a total loss- as the interceptors attacks seem to be one hit kills- especially the missiles as the moment anything strikes the event horizon, they're drawn into nothingness and disappear in seconds. Upon beating their retreat though, the interceptors quickly give chase, apparently not wishing to allow them to return to their base of operations with any further information. Looks like they may need to run distraction if the rest of the CTC's forces intend to make it to shore in time.

Speaking of the other forces, as the CTC advance to shore, they soon come to notice activity at sea near by: Massive waves, flashing lights, and an enormous object protruding form the sea- things just get better and better!

"Squeak squeak..."

[Jello Shot Mischa]

In the pitched dogfight of interceptors and patrol craft, the damaged CTC fighters are essentially a total loss- as the interceptors attacks seem to be one hit kills- especially the missiles as the moment anything strikes the event horizon, they're drawn into nothingness and disappear in seconds. Upon beating their retreat though, the interceptors quickly give chase, apparently not wishing to allow them to return to their base of operations with any further information. Looks like they may need to run distraction if the rest of the CTC's forces intend to make it to shore in time.

The CTC fights are flying northwards, of course -- not westwards towards the CTC fleet! The reason for this may become apparent as a set of missile launch tubes opens up ahead of the flight path of the fighters, sand spilling away as it raises slightly from the surrounding wasteland, and as the CTC fighters streak overhead, there's the flare as a dozen hypervelocity surface-to-air missiles blast off, homing in on the interceptors that are now closing in on them!

Speaking of the other forces, as the CTC advance to shore, they soon come to notice activity at sea near by: Massive waves, flashing lights, and an enormous object protruding form the sea- things just get better and better!

The ground-effect vehicles slow as they detect the battle occurring along the shoreline, although a few of the scout vehicles decide to press on ahead to get a better look at the battle!

[Raleigh]

*Seems amused that somehow the physical tendrils manage to knock him about while he was immaterial. He quickly rights his attitude so he doesn't plummet into the waters below.* How fascinating.... and improbable. *A wind sweeps the fumes away from Raleigh so he doesn't even have to deal with it directly.* So which option to use? Meh, there are bigger fish to fry. *Raleigh steps out from his own shadow.* Raleigh1: I'll go onward while you deal with the pest. *Raleigh2 nods while the original flies up to a suitable height and continues onward to the continent.*

Raleigh2: I suppose since you desire brute force I should grant it. *This version of himself fires off like a rocket straight at the creature and just about where he has noticed its barrier to be placed he slashes out with the lengthened nails on one of his hands.* Probe the barrier first. Determine if dispell is needed. If not tear through it like those laughable AT fields.

[Feng]

At the moment Bones is concerned primarily with reaching the continent undetected. Alliances can wait once a proper base of operations has been established. That said, the Storm Crow continues with its evasive tactics.

[Anonymouse]

"Squeak squeak..."

Unsuspecting, the several of the enemy interceptors are struck head on by the missiles launched from the dark continent. Unlike the previous fighters which eventually fell to the sea, these fighters begin to bulge and spew energy haphazardly before glowing green and disintegrating into specs of ash.

Some of the interceptors manage to toss out flares, chafe and even seem to emit lasers, in the attempt to throw off the missiles, with mixed results, while the final few are struck- but repel the powerful concussive blasts with blue, almost crystalline force fields before beating a hasty retreat back to land... Though that doesn't mean additional interceptors aren't on the way.

At this point, the Storm Crow likely spots the various explosions further north and reads approaching objects from the land mass, heading right at them via their choice of detection method. A wise man once said 'medical, please prepare to receive ALL of the crew', though that need not apply here, but evasion will only get you so far if someone's specifically attacking you. This in mind, preparing defenses is probably a good idea before the Storm Crow reaches the object's like of sight- or maybe the other way around?

Down below, the beast bellows in anger at losing the original Raleigh- but is quickly distracted by the second attacking. *the initial barrier is defeated by his nails, but he soon finds that the barrier is layered upon itself. The layers themselves aren't that strong by themselves, but they're distracting enough- especially as the beast swings more tendrils at the second Raleigh, the air screaming with the beast's fury.

As several tendrils flash about the sea, the beast's maw begins swallowing the ocean, creating an nigh unstable vortex towards it- whether this hampers the scout vehicles is one thing, the waves from the tendrils are still an issue. As they approach, they probably begin to realize how immensely large the beast is... and perhaps wonder if it's alone.

Otherwise, the landing force is largely left alone- as is Raleigh, who finds himself on a barren, dead beach, complete with bones, rusting pieces of metal, and other assorted pieces of decayed items. The air is repugnant, even to him. With or without the need to breath, the 'air' itself is anathema to him, so perhaps some form of protection is a good idea, if he intends to explore the land mass further...

"Squeak squeak..."

[Raleigh]

*As the tendrils hit Raleigh2 he seems to explode into a cloud of spores. The fungal spores begin to alight along the tendrils and settle in where ever they can as a few portions of the cloud pull back and reform into Raleigh again.* Hm... really attacking me physically is usually stupid. Still, I suppose I should do something about the danger it is posing to the CTC. Time for a rarely used spell. Tractor Beam. *Shifts gravity and the like around the creature in order to set it to rise into the air.*

*On the dead beach.* Well judging by the smell I've either found an entire dead colony of sand mirks or I'm getting closer to the problem. This drain is beginning to annoy me though despite having endless life energy. Oh well, easily enough to fix. *His skin becomes an ashen grey as his eyes shift to a red color. His hair turns almost white in response to whatever he has done as well.* If its a land of death then becoming undead should help buffer me from the effects.

[Raleigh]

*Looking around while on the beach he turns to see how close the others are to landing.* Hm... I feel like I should take out a radio and play A World Without Logos or something at this point.