Nondescript News

[Anonymouse]

"Squeak squeak..."

Upon consuming the ghost, Raleigh is immediately met with a sickening feeling- one he is likely unaccustomed to- if it weren't for his experience with the miasma earlier. The ghost itself seems to have become poison unto itself due to the miasma, as he quickly suffers from a draining feeling before the emptiness of the ghost is filled and leaves him. Looks like his earlier idea of sending a beast to eat the dead wouldn't have been real effective either. The zombie continues its attack regardless of Raleigh's own troubles, gradually growing faster and more vicious while its flesh progressively turns completely opaque and it's eyes become lit with an orange, angry glow. It seems the zombie is slowly being warped into something different and nightmarish which could become truly troublesome if Raleigh doesn't deal with it soon.

At sea with the CTC's main fleet, the aircraft manage to carry out the samples with relative ease compared to the CTC's struggles to enter the dark continent zone. It seems that leaving the continent's airspace is like going with the flow of a river. A raging river, but a river regardless, as the air craft may find themselves moving at a high velocity than originally expected. Strange. Regardless, once the aircraft arrive and the CTC deploys their new task force, perhaps they are better prepared for the journey than their predecessors and are able to brave the barriers with greater success and less loss of life...

At the CTC's base, it seems Bones and his companions are less acquainted with the environment than the others, for as they attempt to venture out from the CTC base, they find that despite the gas masks, the miasma quickly attempts to strip the very life from them- and all burn away at their persons like a acid. Indeed, it was for good reason the CTC and the Steel Talons have been trucking around outside the base in self contained powered armor- it seems much less tends to try to reduce any less to mere bones. Perhaps Bones should reevaluate his equipment- or ask the CTC and ST for something he and his companions could borrow. Otherwise... well, he could end up being true to his name in the end. But then again, maybe Doc has learned something more about the miasma in the meeting which he could use to better prepare for real exploration- without the chance of impending death, as the miasma is definitely worse than it was in the air over the sea.

Regardless, before venturing out too far from the base, Bones catches sight of some manner of person up ahead, wreathed in black flames. The figure gestures, somehow impressing on him to turn back for his own good. But before his curiosity gets the better of him and he reaches his end, the figure bursts, exploding into a plume of flame, probably getting the attention of some CTC or ST soldiers in the area.

(I didn't want to come off as harsh, but I felt like there was a slight misunderstanding to the harsh environment of the dark continent. ^^; )

"Squeak squeak..."

[Raleigh]

**At Raleigh's test site***
Raleigh2: Seems I was a bit too slow. I was hoping to see if I could either seal or control you but you aren't exactly a pure undead now. And I had all these nice ofuda too. Oh well such is life.. undeath... err... well whatever. *Makes note that eating the ghost has a similar effect to what his own energy does to those who try to take it.* Enough of you. *He catches an incoming blow with his hand and sends a pulse of energy into the creature. This little pulse should cause its molecular structure to begin to collapse.* Join the dust of this place. So much for this test. *Waits to make sure the zombie/creature is dissolved before turning into water dismissing this body.*

[Feng]

(Don't worry about it. I should have paid more attention. Besides, excitement!)

Bones, who has been in the rear of the failed recon team, quickly falls back from the acidic mist, shielding himself with his cloak as he stumbles back to the base, gasping for air.

Unfortunately, some of the Chibiwanbanshu are not as fortunate as the miasma burns away at their flesh. Soon they burst into green flames, their suicide charges activating. In short order nothing but ashes remain of the ninja.

*Cough* "It would appear I've underestimated this hell hole, *cough, cough*" he gasps as he picks up a radio.

::Doc! Get over here, immediately!::

::I'm in an important meeting discussing business with the other factions. Can it wait?::

::NO!:: says Bones, less composed. ::This is urgent *wheeze*. Remember the air we encountered earlier? It gets much worse further out as the air is extremely acidic. Half of my recon team have been consumed. *cough*::

::Yikes! I'll be on my way...::

::Hurry. Things are beginning to ge (Static)::

"Excuse me," say Doc, standing up. "I have to take care of some important business. I'm sure my brother can take my place while I'm away..."

He gets up and hurries his way outside.


"Ah, excellent" says the guard taking the letter. "This should do the trick."


Meanwhile, deep beneath the sea surface Bone's trump card, the Sea Monkey, hovers silently beneath the waves accompanied by its armed escort.

Within its hull, hundreds Chibiwanbanshu reinforcements (along with a highly trained communications team) await orders from the advance team.

:Sir!: says a communications operative, :We've received communication from the East. The Storm Crow has made landfall on the northern coastline at the CTC camp. We've also received word that a reconnaissance team has received heavy casualties, something about a miasma native to the area.:

:What are our orders?:

:Currently we're to delay landfall until the mail portals are online. In the meantime we're to deliver a message to our base back home...:

:Fire away....:

[Jello Shot Mischa]

At sea with the CTC's main fleet, the aircraft manage to carry out the samples with relative ease compared to the CTC's struggles to enter the dark continent zone. It seems that leaving the continent's airspace is like going with the flow of a river. A raging river, but a river regardless, as the air craft may find themselves moving at a high velocity than originally expected. Strange. Regardless, once the aircraft arrive and the CTC deploys their new task force, perhaps they are better prepared for the journey than their predecessors and are able to brave the barriers with greater success and less loss of life...

The CTC aircraft makes its way back to the Muffinville continent, its crew rather relieved to be away from the chaotic and dangerous weather near the other continent. It proceeds to a rather remote and well-hidden research facility, a concealed hangar opening up to welcome the aircraft. There, armed troops stand ready, along with scientists protected by virtually every defense the CTC possesses, as they offload the components and transport them to secured laboratories for further study. Detailed analysis ensues, particularly in an effort to better understand the defenses and weaponry used by the opposition.

Meanwhile, the newly arrived task force almost doubles the size of the existing one, with the research vessel leading two heavy cruisers and three destroyers, along with two transports carrying additional ground-effect vehicles to try and resupply the new CTC base.

(Don't worry about it. I should have paid more attention. Besides, excitement!)

Bones, who has been in the rear of the failed recon team, quickly falls back from the acidic mist, shielding himself with his cloak as he stumbles back to the base, gasping for air.

Unfortunately, some of the Chibiwanbanshu are not as fortunate as the miasma burns away at their flesh. Soon they burst into green flames, their suicide charges activating. In short order nothing but ashes remain of the ninja.

*Cough* "It would appear I've underestimated this hell hole, *cough, cough*" he gasps as he picks up a radio.

::Doc! Get over here, immediately!::

::I'm in an important meeting discussing business with the other factions. Can it wait?::

::NO!:: says Bones, less composed. ::This is urgent *wheeze*. Remember the air we encountered earlier? It gets much worse further out as the air is extremely acidic. Half of my recon team have been consumed. *cough*::

::Yikes! I'll be on my way...::

::Hurry. Things are beginning to ge (Static)::

"Excuse me," say Doc, standing up. "I have to take care of some important business. I'm sure my brother can take my place while I'm away..."

He gets up and hurries his way outside.

Major Durant glances at Doc as he departs, but says nothing, her attention focused for a moment on reports she's now receiving from the patrols outside of the base. She says nothing out loud, but as Doc makes his way back through the corridors, a young man in body armor meets up with him. "I'm Lieutenant Carter," he says, falling in step along with Doc. "I've been assigned as your liaison for now. You're heading out to meet up with your companions, yes? We're preparing a transport with medical equipment as we speak, if you require any assistance."

[Feng]

"Greetings Lieutenant Carter," says Doc. "The Chibiwanbanshu is pleased to have the assistance of the CTC in our mission. If you can provide my team with some form of transportation I think we can intercept the survivors of the failed expedition. The Storm Crow should have sufficient medical supplies, enough to sustain injuries until the mail portals are online.

"What concerns me though is what to do with this acidic fog that is plaguing my comrades in arms... I think it will take more than shimmer weed to provide adequate protection."


Meanwhile, Bones and the surviving Chibiwanbanshu stagger back towards the CTC base. One by one, more Chibi ninja succumb to the miasma, their bodies burning away in a greenish flame that erases all evidence of their passing. The Chibi ninja are a very secretive lot and take extreme measures to protect their secrets.

"Onward men *Hack* *Cough*. The base is in sight..."

[Jello Shot Mischa]

"Greetings Lieutenant Carter," says Doc. "The Chibiwanbanshu is pleased to have the assistance of the CTC in our mission. If you can provide my team with some form of transportation I think we can intercept the survivors of the failed expedition. The Storm Crow should have sufficient medical supplies, enough to sustain injuries until the mail portals are online.

"What concerns me though is what to do with this acidic fog that is plaguing my comrades in arms... I think it will take more than shimmer weed to provide adequate protection."


Meanwhile, Bones and the surviving Chibiwanbanshu stagger back towards the CTC base. One by one, more Chibi ninja succumb to the miasma, their bodies burning away in a greenish flame that erases all evidence of their passing. The Chibi ninja are a very secretive lot and take extreme measures to protect their secrets.

"Onward men *Hack* *Cough*. The base is in sight..."

The lieutenant nods, as the two pass through one of the airlocks outside. A CTC transport vehicle is already waiting for them. "I took the liberty of co-opting one of the vehicles scheduled for patrol and had some extra medical supplies put on board, just in case. We should be able to catch up with your companions in a few moments," he says, holding the hatchway open so Doc can board the vehicle.

Once Doc is on board, the CTC vehicle peels out of the base, producing a rather bumpy ride -- but time is of the essence! Lieutenant Carter helps Doc find a seat and get himself secure, bracing himself against the vehicle's hull. "We've found that certain chemical treatments seem to at least slow down the corrosive effect of the miasma," he explains as they travel. "Environmentally-sealed armor seems to be necessary, though. Although some of the URD techs have apparently been coming up with some new way to clear the air..." He shakes his head. "I'm just damned glad it seems to work enough to keep the air around the base clear. Living 24/7 in a suit sucks."

[Funny Hat + Funny Accent]

Is it known if the walker's shields extend through the ground beneath them or can one come up under the shield? Also, is their power armor made up of this soul steel too or some other metal? I ask since it sounds like your troops have encountered them more often than I think any of the rest of us.

*Rommel pauses for a moment, probably accessing information in his neural network.*

"As far we know of at the moment, it is believed that Nokel's Black Plague soldiers use soulsteel in their armor. As for the shields, we believe that they extend in a protective barrier in all directions as landmines have had no effect on those monstrosities. Any other questions?"

(OOC Note: I'm making this post just before a class. If no one posts between now and when I finish my classes, then I'll either edit the next section into this one or make a new post.)

[Raleigh]

Hm.. perhaps an ant lion pit spell might deal with the walkers?

**With the Chibi***
Elenore: Excellent. Lets get the supplies and have them moving toward the base, neh?

[Anonymouse]

"Squeak squeak..."

In the miasma filled wilderness, the tainted zombie screeches as it's struck by the energy and almost instantly breaks down, being reduced into little more than dust and ash as a result. There seems to be no response after the creature has dissolved at first, until a plume of red flame flares up from the ashes with the slight echo of laughter before it's extinguished. Huh.

Bones manages to reach the CTC transports with a few of his companions before expiring himself at just the nick of time. Weakened, but not dead, he has perhaps gotten a better understanding of the harsh conditions of the dark continent and will live to tell the tale another day. Regardless, the rendezvous with the CTC soldiers may have done more than just save their lives- now Bones and his companions are able to explore those ruins to the northeast. Without dying a sad, pointless death. Always nice. Regardless, the quick treatment of the other survivors manages to save those that reached the vehicles with Bones, but the cost of his early venture may have ended his exploration if it weren't for his reinforcements off the coast...

Out at sea, the Sea Monkey and its escort doesn't encounter any further aggressors, though their crew likely notice a great deal of wreckage on the sea floor- wreckage that went unnoticed from above the waves, but appears to be far older than the wreckage from the subs that were destroyed earlier through the efforts of the CTC. The news of Bones' near death may have shaken some of the chibiwanshu, but the new knowledge of what precautions can be made to prevent similar results are at least somewhat encouraging.

The scientists back at the hidden CTC lab have their work cut out for them as the pieces of the destroyed subs are unloaded. From what they can see from just the pieces provided, the CTC has recovered at least two energy projection systems. One system appears to be relatively complete- but seems to lack the original processing unit to regulate it's output and make other calculations. The CTC scientists will likely have to build a processing unit from scratch before they're able to test the unit. The other unit is another story at it's heavily damaged and missing key pieces. Furthermore, this system seems to draw more energy than the other system when they try to see how much energy it can project. They may be missing a wall as a result as well, but the pieces they used to blast the energy outwards seem undamaged from the unintentional release of energy from the system. It's highly likely the system is related to the beam weapon that the one attack sub was attempting to use against the CTC fleet before it was annihilated.

Back at the rocky crags bordering the miasma infested zone, the new CTC fleet arrives without incident. Given the efforts of the previous vessels, they already have a whole to enter through. However, passing through the gap, careful observers may notice the gap is smaller than it was after the assault of the CTC vessels before, as though the rocky crags were somehow regenerating from the damage they took earlier...

(I THINK that's everyone for now.)

"Squeak squeak..."

[Feng]

Contrary to expectation, the Chibiwanbanshu take the possibility of Bone's demise quite well. In fact his reckless abandon has earned himself such infamy amongst the Chibi ninja that a dead pool has been formed by members of the lower ranks.

So much for loyalty. Then again, if the Chibiwanbanshu were model minions, they wouldn't have mutinied just months earlier.


ANYWHO, the Sea Monkey and its armed escort decide to explore the wreckage below. Green beams of light scour through the wreckage hoping to gleam what secrets that may be hidden below.


Bones and the handful of surviving ninja (about a third of the original expedition) hold a brief moment of silence for the dead Chibi.


"So..." says Doc, breaking the silence.

"So..." continues a rattled Bones. "So, any ideas what we can do about this mist?"

".... ....I have some ideas, although I think maybe we should leave this vile land altogether."

"No.... No, we've come to far to give up just yes" mutters Bones. "After all this adversity I'm determined to find the source of this misery and snuff it from this earth. You can flee if you wish, old friend, but I'm staying here."

".... ..... So lieutenant, what's the history of these ruins exactly?"

[Jello Shot Mischa]

Hm.. perhaps an ant lion pit spell might deal with the walkers?

"Judging from the scale of these walkers, it would have to be a significantly large pit to try and trap one..." Major Durant points out.

The scientists back at the hidden CTC lab have their work cut out for them as the pieces of the destroyed subs are unloaded. From what they can see from just the pieces provided, the CTC has recovered at least two energy projection systems. One system appears to be relatively complete- but seems to lack the original processing unit to regulate it's output and make other calculations. The CTC scientists will likely have to build a processing unit from scratch before they're able to test the unit. The other unit is another story at it's heavily damaged and missing key pieces. Furthermore, this system seems to draw more energy than the other system when they try to see how much energy it can project. They may be missing a wall as a result as well, but the pieces they used to blast the energy outwards seem undamaged from the unintentional release of energy from the system. It's highly likely the system is related to the beam weapon that the one attack sub was attempting to use against the CTC fleet before it was annihilated.

Back at the rocky crags bordering the miasma infested zone, the new CTC fleet arrives without incident. Given the efforts of the previous vessels, they already have a whole to enter through. However, passing through the gap, careful observers may notice the gap is smaller than it was after the assault of the CTC vessels before, as though the rocky crags were somehow regenerating from the damage they took earlier...

The CTC scientists get to work! Seeing that the first system appears to be lacking a control system, they start bodging together a neural network to try and figure out what sort of control system it needs, although they take great pains to ensure any computer system connected to the device remains isolated and independent of the CTC's own computer network.

The second device, given its nature as an energy projection device, is plugged in to a portable energy core. They're not so foolish as to connect it to the main power plant or something, after all! Still, they suffer damage to one of their walls as they test the various power requirements, and ultimately turn more towards trying to determine exactly what the nature of the weapon is, based on its components, comparing them to known laser, particle beam, plasma, and more esoteric energy weapons.

The CTC task force deploys another pair of GEVs, which start skimming across the water with a light escort! They maneuver through the gap in the crags, although the fact that they appear to be slowly regenerating is noted.

Bones and the handful of surviving ninja (about a third of the original expedition) hold a brief moment of silence for the dead Chibi.

"So..." says Doc, breaking the silence.

"So..." continues a rattled Bones. "So, any ideas what we can do about this mist?"

".... ....I have some ideas, although I think maybe we should leave this vile land altogether."

"No.... No, we've come to far to give up just yes" mutters Bones. "After all this adversity I'm determined to find the source of this misery and snuff it from this earth. You can flee if you wish, old friend, but I'm staying here."

".... ..... So lieutenant, what's the history of these ruins exactly?"

The CTC transport may be a bit cramped inside, depending on how large Bones' contingent is. It also lacks an airlock, but utilizes an overpressure system to keep the miasma out, recirculating its internal atmosphere through mechanical filters to keep the air clean.

Lieutenant Carter lets Doc and Bones talk the matter over, until he finds himself addressed. "I'm afraid we don't have much concrete information yet," he admits. "Preliminary remote observation indicates it appears to be a ruined city, and given its position along the coast we believe it was one of the cities attacked in the first wave, which means it may have useful information regarding how the initial stages of the invasion took place. We're assembling a small force to reconnoiter it, if you wish to accompany them."

He pauses, looking over the various Chibi, trying to guess if the CTC have equipment suitable for their builds. (I'm not sure exactly what size the Chibi minions are... XD)

[Raleigh]

That or I shrink the mechs. The spell is made for large targets anyway. Set it off in the middle of an enemy's marching troops and watch their morale take one heck of a hit even if none of them are killed. Plus its good fun to watch when a phalanx or more drops down and scrambles to get away. Are there likely to be any flying opposition? I know we saw some ships earlier but I ask if there are any that are good for air to surface combat.

[Teddy]

As the colossi fall one by one, Shadow stops his lazy floating to watch his brother. Shade likewise does so, after pushing his men far away. He has a grimace on his face, as he slumps. “What the hell is he doing…?”

Corvus meanwhile, is knocked around by the opposing side’s fireballs and shots. He sways and staggers, but doesn’t fall. Eventually he just stops for a split-second, and it looks like he’s about to topple over. But that instant passes and the man slams his fist down in front of him, sending out a ripple in the dimensional fabric of the deadlands. It probably sets off every single sensor every other faction has, but Corvus doesn’t care.

The wave rips Nokel’s army out of their armor, quickly followed by an ever expanding half-sphere of fire. A chorus of voices shrieks from it, as if screaming from very far away. Where the fire touches, it briefly fixes the landscape (though it is twisted and contorted by human standards.) After the gigantic display of Corvus waving his metaphysical brawn around, he seems immensely pleased with himself…

And promptly falls flat onto his face.

“Oh my~ It looks like he’s already worn himself out.” Shadow says, his swirling runes already forming around Corvus before he’s devoured by the miasma. “Why would he do something silly like that~?”

“Help? It’s a signal for something.” Shade takes a seat, motioning for his men to stay there. “It’s not for Nokel. Or for the various other idiots fighting here. If I know ‘im, he’s callin’ HER over here. We ain’t here to wage a war. Corvus just wants some sweet sweet lovin’.”

Shadow hmphs at this, his horrors coming to a rest around the passed out Corvusto. “I guess we’ll just have to wait here and pray that help comes before more armies.”

[Funny Hat + Funny Accent]

*Rommel adjusts his jacket slightly.*

"Anyway, since there are no further relevant questions, I will proceed with the briefing on Nokel's tactics. Now, given that they're a highly mobile force, like my organization or the CTC, his forces love to pursue out-gunned or fleeing enemies. Despite this tendency, they are extremely wary and resourceful. The moment they sense a trap being pulled on them, they are more than willing to cut off the pursuit and essentially disappear for a juicier quarry. This leads into their second favorite tactic: traps. Rule of Thumb: If Nokel's forces are fleeing from you, IT'S A TRAP. No exceptions. If they seem weak or under-powered, that means their heavy-hitters are about to tear a new waste disposal system for you. Hit and run is another favored pastime of his forces, so don't get suckered into those sorts of fights if you lack the firepower or mobility to go toe-to-toe."

[Raleigh]

Well using traps is just logical. It would seem Nokel prefers guerrilla tactics despite having a sizable force judging from what you say Rommel. *Makes note the Steel Talon ignored his question about air support.*