Nondescript News

[Raleigh]

Alright, I'll have a corresponding seal placed near your base over there. Will that be acceptable? If so Ebony will place it within the quarter hour. While we await the arrival of the boys in power armor could I look over your notes? I might as well familiarize myself with a more detailed break down so I don't have to have my own people do the work a second time.

[Feng]

"Ah, so my information was correct. I wonder if my encrypted message was intercepted by them..."

(Sips tea)

"Hopefully we'll be reaching dry land soon. I'm getting to grow tired of this endless ocean..." -_-

[Funny Hat + Funny Accent]

*Through the holes torn through the deathly cloud cover, A gleaming knife of humanity burns away any remaining clouds for the moment as a high-energy Electro-Magnetic Pulse ripples outward.*

<Goldeneye device activated. Trooper Six, get your ship moving!>

<Trooper Six acknowledges. THOR, DIVING!>

*And so the mighty Assault Frigate with its twelve attached Predator-class DROP SHIPS and its cargo of nearly a thousand ANGRY soldiers plummets from its place in orbit. Its targeted landing zone is a convenient mountain range nearby the CTC's expeditionary base. This is a vessel designed to survive crashing, due to its tendency to do so in the testing phases. It is, in all reality, a vessel designed to survive being killed. Most things die when they're killed. A Roughneck II laughs at that concept.*

---
*Meanwhile, the Lieutenant explains to the CTC patrol that they just burned the last of their wounded a few kilometers out from the base. While the lift is appreciated, the platoon will make better time without waiting, so if they could show the way...?*


----
"Ah, Comrades! Act Two start soon. Grab popcorn and get music! I have good stories to tell! Start with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlgZSGlq ... re=related "

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Alright, I'll have a corresponding seal placed near your base over there. Will that be acceptable? If so Ebony will place it within the quarter hour. While we await the arrival of the boys in power armor could I look over your notes? I might as well familiarize myself with a more detailed break down so I don't have to have my own people do the work a second time.

Major Durant nods. "I'll relay the information along to the commander. They'll probably detach a liaison to meet up with Ebony at the desired location. As for the miasma... I suppose so, although I wonder if you'd prefer to speak with the scientists working on the array. Or even examine it yourself, as we wait."

"Ah, so my information was correct. I wonder if my encrypted message was intercepted by them..."

(Sips tea)

"Hopefully we'll be reaching dry land soon. I'm getting to grow tired of this endless ocean..." -_-

Further out at sea, the Intrepid finally manages to launch another sortie of fighters, this group heading for the Storm Crow! As they approach, they try to signal the airship, requesting an update on their status.

*Meanwhile, the Lieutenant explains to the CTC patrol that they just burned the last of their wounded a few kilometers out from the base. While the lift is appreciated, the platoon will make better time without waiting, so if they could show the way...?*

Realizing that there's little point in travelling further to examine the wreckage of the drop pods, the CTC patrol turns about and escorts the remaining Zone Troopers to the expeditionary base!

The base is largely constructed out of prefabricated components transported in on the CTC's two heavy ground-effect vehicles, although they've apparently already managed to construct a fortified outer wall with batteries of sensors and automated weapons. Additional troops in powered armor and robotic units patrol around the outer perimeter, pausing to greet the returning patrol -- and the escorted Troopers. One of the CTC soldiers introduces himself as Lieutenant Brede, and offers to act as a liaison for them while they're at the CTC base. Taking note of their equipment, he explains that the interior corridors of the facility may be somewhat cramped, and offers the usage of the vehicle hangar should they need to attend to their equipment.

[Teddy]

Months of waiting, of testing, of scouting, and the trio in front of the army stops, watching the blackness swarm towards them. Corvus stares forward, the grin slowly fading into a mask of determination. Somewhere, he wants to burst out into a massive speech, but knows that this is no longer the time for words. He raises a hand, his voice booming across the desolation for miles around. Stealth was never his strongest suit.

"Mages, gunners, and archers to the back! Open fire! I want them reeling even before they reach us. Mine? I want you HERE, in the thick of it. Remember what he did to your home!"

The sky above Corvus lights up with hundreds of arrows, fireballs, and various other projectiles in arcs heading straight down towards the plague. Most come from one of the four 'horsemen' that float ominously above the twisted demons. Past the three in the front rush the horde of demons, headlong into the chaotic mass of battle. Shadow sidles up to his brother, hissing in his ear.

"If we're only here for fun, leave Shade and I here. You go off and find your little objective."

The larger man shoves the one next to him off. "In good time. I'm not fleeing my first battle here. Not when I can make a difference."

"If that's the case, we're also being watched~ And not just by Nokel."

"Let them watch." He gives a small shrug. "If need be, we'll crush them under our heel too." Corvus clears his throat and lets out another roar as he himself lunges forward, fists shimmering slightly.

Meanwhile, Shade's small contingent of troops begins moving outside of the main army, to the side, it's leader a blur of flashing steel to anything that's stupid enough to come forward. The fifty or so 'marines' he has with him bristle with silver and gold weaponry, all ready to face down the ravening monsters that have invaded their continent.

Shadow floats back to his horrors, giving discrete gestures to various parts of the battlefield. Some spew out shards of glass in arcs, others weave mysterious witch-fires that shoot forward, burning all they touch to less than ash. Most just tremble limbs and psuedopods in anticipation, when they finally can join the fray. The four Horsemen circle overhead, still doing nothing.

(So, current formation:
Horde of demons, with a very pissed off horrible monster throwing creatures like rag-dolls: Pushing forward.
Soldiers: Still numbering 50, being led by Shade: Moving to the outskirts of the battle for some mysterious reason.
Horrors and Horsemen: Staying back for the moment, lending ranged support to the demons.)

[Raleigh]

Very well. Got any particular scientist in mind? Scarlet is already examining the miasma and comparing it to others we've encountered before including my own death winds from when I was sealed. Has the miasma affected any of your machines a great deal? If not I might be able to at least have some units from my mAlice project sent here.

****Near the CTC Headquarters*****
*A black cat hops down from a nearby building before reassuming the form of a tan middle Eastern woman wearing a black suit (male patterned no less)) for the moment. She looks around to see if she can find her contacts.* Ebony: Hm... the boss's anticipation of the fight is growing and its making me restless.

****Aboard the Storm Crow*****
Raleigh2: I could deal with that but it looks like we are about to have support fly in. Do you wish to wait until they arrive or shall I fold space and get us there already? Also, I've heard that you might be able to help with this miasma stuff according to Durant.

[Funny Hat + Funny Accent]

Realizing that there's little point in travelling further to examine the wreckage of the drop pods, the CTC patrol turns about and escorts the remaining Zone Troopers to the expeditionary base!

The base is largely constructed out of prefabricated components transported in on the CTC's two heavy ground-effect vehicles, although they've apparently already managed to construct a fortified outer wall with batteries of sensors and automated weapons. Additional troops in powered armor and robotic units patrol around the outer perimeter, pausing to greet the returning patrol -- and the escorted Troopers. One of the CTC soldiers introduces himself as Lieutenant Brede, and offers to act as a liaison for them while they're at the CTC base. Taking note of their equipment, he explains that the interior corridors of the facility may be somewhat cramped, and offers the usage of the vehicle hangar should they need to attend to their equipment.

*The Lieutenant introduces himself as Second Lieutenant Alexander Rommel and accepts the offer of a liaison and the use of the vehicle hanger. They could use the space to check their gear as well as change into more 'normal' clothing.*

---
*High in the skies, a fiery comet descends from orbit.*

---
"I hope Comrades enjoying story! We get to GOOD STUFF soon!"

[Anonymouse]

Following the lull of the orbital strike, the CTC's quick response catch three of the remaining subs unawares, punching large holes in their hulls, resulting in them taking on water and slowly sinking a slow death into dark waters of the sea. The fourth manages to bring it's defenses back online, and beats a hasty retreat, but not without firing off several more torpedoes at the large ships before diving into the depths. The three sinking vessels eventually explode under water, sending huge shockwaves through the sea.

Lord Bones' patience seems to have paid off, as his airship has finally reached the beach head that the CTC and others seem to be congregating at. From their vantage point, a vast waste land stretches out before him, several sites scattered about to the edges of visibility standing in stark contrast to wasteland around them. Despite this, there seems to be absolutely no settlements of any kind aside from the obviously military oriented base the CTC are establishing.

Meanwhile, Bones' trump card continues to make good progress, with their signature still no inciting any reaction yet, even as it approaches the shore to the south...

Far overhead, the sky booms as the huge Steel Talons' vessel screams towards the continent, the shrinking gap in the clouds serving as the perfect opening to enter without the harassment the drop pods experienced. With the widespread effects of the Golden Eye device in account as well, the electromagnetic interference seems minimized for a time as well, giving the Steel Talons ample time to make course adjustments, and land where they please. Of course, that pesky miasma is slowly eating away at the already worn vessel, due to the reentry through the atmosphere, so its landing may not be the most gentle.

On the other side of the continent, Corvus and his brothers roar into battle!

Explosions rip into the blob as the various ranged attacks cut into the vast numbers of the oncoming plague of soldiers- indeed, the blob IS made of soldiers, each garbed in black, fully body armor with skull-like masks donned over the faces of their helmets. Each is armed with an assortment of weapons, ranging large high vibration melee weapons, to energy weapons of all sorts. Some begin to hang back as red runes form across their black armor, and cast rolling balls of yellow-blue flame at brothers' army. But as the armies smash into one another, and the brothers hurl about the king of death's minions like rag dolls, the rumbling very obviously seems to come from something MUCH bigger than the hordes they're scything through.

Beyond the hills, huge metallic objects begin to rise slowly over the crests, booming thuds shaking the ground more violently now. The objects become more distinguished with time as six immense quadrupedal mechanized walkers, bristling with weapons, and featuring large heads housing some manner of huge projected energy weapon. Little red sensory lasers sweep the battlefield, eventually concentrating on the brothers' armies before the smaller weapons, each a menace on their own, open fire, sweeping the battlefield with beams of energy, swarms of missiles, and magnetically accelerated projectiles.

[Raleigh]

*Remembering to do so, Raleigh places a marker for the ruins he had seen on the CTC map so they would know where it is and be able to prepare the set of soldiers that would go with him.* Ah, this is going to be a good day. I can feel it.

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Very well. Got any particular scientist in mind? Scarlet is already examining the miasma and comparing it to others we've encountered before including my own death winds from when I was sealed. Has the miasma affected any of your machines a great deal? If not I might be able to at least have some units from my mAlice project sent here.

*Remembering to do so, Raleigh places a marker for the ruins he had seen on the CTC map so they would know where it is and be able to prepare the set of soldiers that would go with him.* Ah, this is going to be a good day. I can feel it.

****Near the CTC Headquarters*****
*A black cat hops down from a nearby building before reassuming the form of a tan middle Eastern woman wearing a black suit (male patterned no less)) for the moment. She looks around to see if she can find her contacts.* Ebony: Hm... the boss's anticipation of the fight is growing and its making me restless.

Major Durant glances at Raleigh. "I hope it's not going to be a good day in the 'a good day to die' sense..." she says somewhat wryly, before pausing to consider incoming information. "It seems the Steel Talons will be here shortly, so there may not be time to talk with the scientists, I suppose. The miasma itself largely has a corrosive effect, that we've been able to tell, although there are secondary effects upon the health of those exposed to it. We've been able to use environmentally-sealed equipment and certain chemical treatments to stave off its effects, fortunately, although the geomantic array seems to hold the potential of a more effective means to resist it." She studies Raleigh for a moment. "Would you care to share any details about this mAlice project of yours while we wait?"

Meanwhile, Ebony will soon be approached by a woman with long white hair, wearing a CTC uniform -- Special Adjutant Caine.

*The Lieutenant introduces himself as Second Lieutenant Alexander Rommel and accepts the offer of a liaison and the use of the vehicle hanger. They could use the space to check their gear as well as change into more 'normal' clothing.*

Lieutenant Brede nods at the greeting, and motions for the Zone Troopers to follow after him, leading them through the main gates into the expeditionary forces' compound proper. Here the troopers will find that the facility itself is largely composed of several prefabricated, modular buildings, many of which have been partially buried underground, with additional fill material overtop to provide additional protection. Long range artillery (primarily through what appear to be massdrivers, although some missile-based artillery can be seen) is being moved into place, with communications being spread about into several slender towers, to avoid any single strike from cutting off communications. Most of their long-range communications also seem to be based on point-to-point systems, using lasers to transmit to high-altitude drones or satellites.

The vehicle hangar itself has only been partially buried in the ground. Due to its size, it can't be sealed against the exterior environment, but fortunately the miasma appears to have retreated from the area around the CTC facility, giving the Zone Troopers a reprieve from its corrosive effects. The hangar itself is largely occupied by tending to the vehicles damaged in the landing, with a couple of more conventional ground vehicle being prepared for deployment.

Lieutenant Brede finally shows the Zone Troopers to a compartment set aside for the staging of the CTC's own powered armor. Since the CTC armor is larger and bulkier than Zone Trooper suits, it should provide sufficient space for the troopers to tend to their equipment. As the troopers finally have the opportunity to relax, Brede turns to Second Lieutenant Rommel. "I believe Major Durant would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience," he explains. "Let me know if your troops need anything else, though. We should be able to spare at least a meal at the mess, and some of the techs might be able to confer with your soldiers about possible defenses against that corrosive crap out there."

Following the lull of the orbital strike, the CTC's quick response catch three of the remaining subs unawares, punching large holes in their hulls, resulting in them taking on water and slowly sinking a slow death into dark waters of the sea. The fourth manages to bring it's defenses back online, and beats a hasty retreat, but not without firing off several more torpedoes at the large ships before diving into the depths. The three sinking vessels eventually explode under water, sending huge shockwaves through the sea.

The three CTC ships finally withdraw from the coastline. The two destroyers have taken some light damage, but fortunately nothing serious enough that they would need to return to drydock. The mood isn't entirely jubilant however, as their first real engagement could be considered to be only a marginal success at best, and they begin working out plans for how to make a more effective response in the future...

[Raleigh]

The mAlice are androids pure and simply put patterned as females of course. I was using Muffinville as a testing ground for several models where they would have to duke it out to see who got to be the mass production model and whose line remains forgotten prototypes. Sadly outside events prevented the test run from being completed so I still have all of the prototypes. This place could be as good a test ground as any. For that matter I could summon some of the still functioning Abominations of one of my incarnations. They were made to survive any environment.

**At the CTC Headquarters****
Ebony: Hello Caine. Where do you want the circle for the transport? Also, I need to discuss a security precaution with you as we set this up.

[Teddy]

The demons balk for a split second, seeming on the edge of fleeing from the six colossal war robots. Until Corvus picks one of his own troops up and tears it limb from limb. He roars again, much more primal than the last. The "FORWARD." is almost lost. His own troops seem to think better of crossing him and plunge back into combat with renewed vigor (or fear. There's lots of fear there too.)

As the horrors and the demons have swaths cut from them, Shadow looks up from filing it's nails, putting a finger to it's mouth. "Six is a liiiiittle unfair, eh? Let's see... Shade can probably take two, Corvy's leading~ So! Pestilence, stay here, give more cover fire for the morons. Target the glowing ones. That'll get rid of a few. Death, War, Famine, each of you has a mech to kill. I have one as well!" Three of the cloaked figures dart from their position above Shadow's horde (which is now starting to lurch forward, the writing shapes beginning to shove the black things into their ravening maws) and go to engage a mech in up close an personal combat. One wields a scythe, one a hammer, and another a spear. Shadow itself glides over the battlefield, though not as fast as the horsemen, clapping as tentacles made of LAVA pull themselves from the ground among Nokel's troops, flailing around them.

Shade's men have taken some casualties, the power armor imploding in on itself, leaving naught but scrap metal where there was a man before. One of Shadow's 'designs' to keep Nokel from claiming his technology. He tells himself sacrifices must be made. But he's finding that hard to believe as he leads a suicidal charge forward to a mech, silver blade gleaming. "Still alive, still alive..." He mutters to no one in particular, as if ever second is going to be his last.

Corvus has plunged headlong into combat, shrugging off swords and energy. There're deep gouges in his fancy suit of metal, but he's too carried away to even notice. Every swing or backhand knocks a few more troops off of their feet, black armor splintering like glass. As another volley of projectiles shoots off, Corvus looks up from the din around him, yellow eyes focusing on one particularly unlucky mech. One massive hand reaches out, grabbing an equally unfortunate demon (the closest thing to him) and his other hand balls up into a fist.

Baleful runes spread up and down Corvus' fist arm as he hoists the demon up in front of him. It roars at it's master, but doesn't struggle. Such is it's lot in life. Corvus's fist slams into the demon, sending it towards the mech as a shrieking ball of energy. His horrifying grin grows ever wider, showing rows and rows of teeth that he simply shouldn't have or even be that SHARP as his other hand reaches out much quicker this time, grasping at the black armored figures two at a time, starting a volley of unwilling creatures.

The remaining horseman provides cover fire for the demons, though it's not being particularly careful with it's dozens of arrows all at once. Some demons fall, pierced by their allies arrows. Meanwhile, the other three engage the mechs, still eerily silent. Shadow itself is nearing one, after sowing some chaos.

Shade and his men are the slowest moving, as mere mortals. But they can at least hack at the legs of one.

(Current Positions and Strategies:
Corvus: Using fear to keep his demons in line. Using his demons and the enemy as projectiles.
Shadow: MAGMA KRAKEN MAGMA KRAKEN
Shade: Advance slowly with the 46 troops he has left, take down a mech hopefully.
Horrors: EAT EAT
Demons: Oh jeez we're going to die no matter what aren't we
Horsemen: Death, War, Famine: Attacking one mech apiece. Pestilence: Still littering the battlefield with arrows.)

[Feng]

The Storm Crow slowly hovers a few over the shoreline just outside the CTC base of operations. Just before a landing crew disembarks, the Chibiwanbanshu telegraphs a response to the CTC craft informing them that the enemy aircraft have made a retreat and that the Storm Crow has reached the shoreline.

"Well, we were able to stave off the miasma by burning ceremonial incense aboard the ship. Unfortunately, the Storm Crow's supply is beginning to dwindle, although I've sent word to my agents in the Chibi district to stockpile as much as they can."

(Sips tea)

"Anyways, shall we disembark?"


Meanwhile...

Bone's 'trump card' continues to lurk off the shoreline, making no discernible movements...


What could it be up to?

[Raleigh]

Raleigh2: Ah, I could probably arrange for more of that incense to arrive shortly. Care to tell me which kind it is?

No need for me to do so. I'm already inside the base speaking with Durant so you'll see me there. I'm going to dismiss this body once you head out.

[Funny Hat + Funny Accent]

Far overhead, the sky booms as the huge Steel Talons' vessel screams towards the continent, the shrinking gap in the clouds serving as the perfect opening to enter without the harassment the drop pods experienced. With the widespread effects of the Golden Eye device in account as well, the electromagnetic interference seems minimized for a time as well, giving the Steel Talons ample time to make course adjustments, and land where they please. Of course, that pesky miasma is slowly eating away at the already worn vessel, due to the reentry through the atmosphere, so its landing may not be the most gentle.

*The roar of almost one thousand enraged voices drown out the screams of the Thor's engine systems as it plummets seemingly out of control due the corrosion eliminating the control surfaces of the warship's exterior. The vessel rocketed into a formerly inactive super-volcano, causing said geographical nightmare to erupt in a cataclysmic explosion. Several cubic miles of debris and volcanic ash were flung out as the super-volcano suddenly became half of its original height. One could be forgiven for thinking that the Fourth Mechanized Battalion would be doomed to die in vain from its remains being enveloped in the rapid-moving pyroclastic surge of lava. For long minutes, nothing except for the rage of an awakened super-volcano could be heard, seen, or felt.

Anyone who thought such things might be forgiven, but they would still be wrong, very wrong indeed. For within the bowels of the undying beast, its brood of raging soldiers geared up for war and the right moment to blast open passageways through the lava flows.*
---

Lieutenant Brede nods at the greeting, and motions for the Zone Troopers to follow after him, leading them through the main gates into the expeditionary forces' compound proper. Here the troopers will find that the facility itself is largely composed of several prefabricated, modular buildings, many of which have been partially buried underground, with additional fill material overtop to provide additional protection. Long range artillery (primarily through what appear to be massdrivers, although some missile-based artillery can be seen) is being moved into place, with communications being spread about into several slender towers, to avoid any single strike from cutting off communications. Most of their long-range communications also seem to be based on point-to-point systems, using lasers to transmit to high-altitude drones or satellites.

The vehicle hangar itself has only been partially buried in the ground. Due to its size, it can't be sealed against the exterior environment, but fortunately the miasma appears to have retreated from the area around the CTC facility, giving the Zone Troopers a reprieve from its corrosive effects. The hangar itself is largely occupied by tending to the vehicles damaged in the landing, with a couple of more conventional ground vehicle being prepared for deployment.

Lieutenant Brede finally shows the Zone Troopers to a compartment set aside for the staging of the CTC's own powered armor. Since the CTC armor is larger and bulkier than Zone Trooper suits, it should provide sufficient space for the troopers to tend to their equipment. As the troopers finally have the opportunity to relax, Brede turns to Second Lieutenant Rommel. "I believe Major Durant would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience," he explains. "Let me know if your troops need anything else, though. We should be able to spare at least a meal at the mess, and some of the techs might be able to confer with your soldiers about possible defenses against that corrosive crap out there."

"Much appreciated. We should be fine. I'm surprised though that the CTC's heavy infantry use larger suits than our own."

*After a few short minutes, the Zone Troopers have displayed their lack of care toward common modesty and clothed themselves in the customary dress uniforms, which resemble battle uniforms for most armies with the armored plates and reinforced clothing. While most of the unit inspects, cleans, and repairs their equipment, LT Rommel then indicates to Lieutenant Brede that he's ready to meet with the CTC Major along with his two most-senior Sergeants.*

"Ready when you are."