Tourist Trap (Tyr)

Nemesis

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 2, 2019
520
2
18
#1
January 2nd, 2881
Central City, Italy
Rubicon RD Institute (Tourist Center)
3:10 PM


If there was a single drawback to returning to civilization after a life on the battlefield, returning to school had to be it. Many times, she had considered that facing a hail of bullets would have been preferable to a math exam, having to write essays, or - Heaven forbid! - prom.

But today... Wasn't that bad.

The visitor's center at RRDI was jam packed with students, giggling girls in white and navy uniforms clustered in small groups and cliques. The purpose of the day was a field trip from St. Cecilia's scuola media superiore, a private school catering to those in the UN whose duties often involved travel... although the assignments had been quickly forgotten as the head teacher slipped out for a drink.

Natalie Ortuz stood in the middle of it all. Her right arm was closed around a large plush of Jenny the Rubicund Jellyfish, and a hat adorning the facility's logo sat upon her head. Her other hand clutched a bag of assorted merchandise - shirts, books, coffee mug, some sort of novelty sparkling red tea - one of nearly everything in the shop. A thin smile of contentment was on her pale features, as she silently planned how to distribute them among her peers at SONG.

A distant boom interrupted her thoughts.

Artillery? No.

"...Is that... thunder?"
"Scary~"
"Was that in the forecast? I thought the snow was supposed to be light today..."

The girls chattered amongst one another as they looked out the windows, rain now starting to pour down on the city.

Natalie watched it as well, in pensive silence. Her arm squeezed the jellyfish just a little tighter, as a chill went up her spine.

Peace was such a fragile thing.



City Outskirts,
Altitude: Approx 18,000 meters


1714489767004.png

A thick carpet of clouds filled the sky, casting the otherwise bright winter's day into darkness.

Something vast. Ugly and bulbous, a grinning face with rows of broad, shining teeth, accompanied by a low, droning hum. But no such ship existed, not in all the world. It couldn't. Even if in the midst of the jamming storm it had generated, its shape had been discerned, none but a madman would think its ugliness to be anything more than a trick of the imagination.

Within the storm, there was the grinding and gnashing of metal, as a pair of impossibly vast doors swung open. Without even a moment to waste, two silhouettes were disgorged from the monster's innards, dropping out of the sky like meteors, three pairs of glowing eyes leering through the darkness as they descended towards the unsuspecting earth below...

1714491257765.png

1714491346473.png
 
Last edited:
May 12, 2024
7
0
1
#2
Completely unrelated and uninvited to the company tour is one abnormally long trailer truck, that housed who-knows-what in the back, and one female driver in the front who was on her way towards the direction of the city. It wouldn't take long for anyone to figure out that she was a foreigner just by the way she was dressed. That, or she had an outdated sense of fashion, sporting a western cowboy outfit with a leather gripping the wheel while the other was hanging out in the open window, the fringes on her buttoned shirt flowing in the air.

"-Hiiiiiiighway ta hell~! On a highway ta hell, I'm on a-" Suddenly, the radio's song interrupted the singing cowboy, with static filling her ear and ruining her cheerful mood. She leaned forward to adjust the frequency, taking her eyes momentarily off the road. "D'aw, hell. I had ya fixed just yesterday, why are you failin' me now? .. Stupid piece a' junk, when's everythang gonna stop bein' a pain in my-" As she leaned back to look at what's up ahead, her eyes widened and her instincts immediately forced her to halt the vehicle in the middle of the road, coming to a skidding stop. She couldn't believe what her eyes was beholding. More importantly, she didn't want to believe what was happening, because of the fact of that was the one place she didn't want to get annihilated, and let out a long sigh thanks to her terrible luck.
 

Nemesis

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 2, 2019
520
2
18
#3
Two thundering impacts, one after another, shook the earth beneath the would-be cowgirl's feet, sending up enormous clouds of dust into the sky. Clods of dirt and snow rained down wetly on the surroundings, as within the murk, the first of two shapes began to emerge.

It was tall and broad-shouldered, a pair of menacing looking blades protruding from either side of its skull-shaped head. Colored a garish plum and almost glowing cardinal, it strode out of the cloud with long, steady footsteps, eyes glowing as its head swiveled slowly in the direction of the institute.

1715633808765.png

A slithering, coiling motion soon followed close behind it. A pair of leering, serpentine heads colored a sickly green, its arms terminating in crude, three-pronged claws that dropped to the earth, the second interloper moving on all fours behind its companion. It was like a child's rendition of a two-headed dragon, its body - much like its companion - rounded and smoothed, hearkening back to a different time.

1715633598680.png

The green one's eyes flashed - and a pair of rays slashed out into the afternoon sun with an alien sounding buzz, into the closest cluster of structures it could see. The ray passed over the building's surface - and in an instant, melted solid concrete, metal and rebar all dripping, melting puddles. Its companion, for its part, did not partake in the wanton destruction - at least, it seemed, not yet.




As the vehicle drew to a halt, its occupant may also have spied something unusual.

A lone figure, running as fast as her feet could carry her towards the chaos, pushing past the crowds fleeing to safety. Clad in a school uniform, skirt swaying, occasionally delivering an elbow to the face before bursting through the crowds.

Natalie's eyes were as wide as anyone else's. Not in all her years on the battlefield had she ever seen anything like this. There were stories, certainly - those left over from the Mu War, of titanic monsters that would level entire cities in the blink of an eye - but never did she think she would live to see one herself.

A quick glance back.

Too many people, too few shelters. There wasn't enough time.

Could she really do this alone?

A deep breath... and a slow exhale in the cold, wintery air. An inner stillness, settling over her.

Yes. The battlefield. This was her home. Not the classroom. She knew how the world worked here, the same as it ever had.

Kill, or be killed.

1715635200638.png

"Let's do this."

Her hands closed about the red jewel, dangling from a simple, silver-chain necklace... and she closed her eyes. Let the feeling take her, the words roll off her lips, a clear clarion call that rang in the ears of all who heard it.

"Rei Shénshòujìng rei zizzl..."​


1715636702830.png

A brilliant flash that was both light and darkness at once.

A gleaming fan glistened in the winter sun, flashing as it flicked away the vestiges of the transformation. A dark armor now wrapped the girl's body, a jaw-like helmet closing about her features, hiding her eyes from view. Within its confines, it was already mapping the surrounding area, giving her a detailed readout of the terrain.

She was going to need every bit of help she could get.

Knowledge flooded into her mind from the device embedded in the back of her skull. It was far from a pleasant feeling, one you never managed to get used to. And among it-

A sharp intake of breath.

(Those are... Bardos Island's Mechabeasts!)
 
Last edited:
Aug 8, 2021
55
0
6
#4
"Sir, we've two unidentified energy sources above! Presumed hostile, they're descending fast!"

"What?" The man in charge of the Institute City's security went over to the man that had called out to him. Sure enough, two massive energy signatures right above them. How had they gotten that far without being noticed?

He frowned. "Send in four Ephemeras. There is no need to raise an alarm."

"Sir? But the protocol..."

"Is just ink on paper. There is no need for a citywide alarm." This was not the first time the Institute City had been attacked, nor would it be the last. They could not disrupt the goings of the entire city every time they were attacked, the impact that would have on revenue was far too great to ever entertain. No, the Ephemeras would contain the threat, whatever it was, and the loss of human life would be less than the cost putting a stop to the city would cause. He went back to his desk to formulate what to say about the inevitable impact, to assuage the concerns of the rest of the city.

"Why have you not raised the citywide alarm yet?"

His irritation at such a stupid question was washed away as soon as he recognized the voice on the speaker. "Ma'am! There is no need for it, it will only cause undue chaos." Why was the CEO contacting them? How had she even found out about the attack so quickly?

"This is not an attack on the outskirts but in the middle of our city! The company guidelines were changed for a reason! The impact on revenue in the long run will be much greater if we just twiddle our thumbs. The alarm. Now. And do not send the Ephemeras. Send in Azores, and inform Etna to get ready in case Azores alone is not enough."

Gritting his teeth, he did as told, praying that it had not cost his job.




Throughout the city, alarms blared out of the speakers littered all around. At the visitor's center, the employees began to guide tourists and denizens of the city alike to safe shelters, with similar sights happening all over the city. While the warning alarms did their job, a voice was kind enough to explain just where the imminent danger was, and how there was no need to panic if you were far away from it.

RRDI takes the wellbeing of those under its protection with utmost seriousness.
 
May 12, 2024
7
0
1
#5
The cowgirl had seen the red-signs everywhere metaphorically- quite literally too with the alarms flaring, and was already on reverse gear to get out of dodge. It was at that moment when she aligned herself to see a girl much younger, braver and potentially more naive than her had faced the monstrous beasts alone.

Just when she had thought she'd seen everything, however, her eyes were beheld to a transformation much like those older magical girl shows. What she can only explain as power armor covering that girl in top-to-bottom. Though, it had a lacking amount of coverage in certain areas..

"... Girl oughta be outta her mind if she think she can take these on. I ain't riskin' this!"

She thought out loud to herself, reluctant at first to leave her, but it was a dog's world out there. Everyone's out for their own, but her foot couldn't bring itself to press on the pedal. She bit her lips, and her tapping fingers were getting antsy.

"... I oughta be outta my mind too, if I'm leavin' a lil' girl by herself to take 'em on. Might as well get ma money's worth outta this." Thus, the cowgirl fetched for her radio. But instead of blasting tunes to ride to, she was trying to contact the source of where those speakers were coming from, making an open frequency call to the institute itself.

"Howdy there, this is gun for hire AC pilot Fikusa Hiden speakin'. I was passin' by when I had seen the wildest lil' thing." She said, her eyes glancing quickly to the position of the two mechabeasts. "Two of 'em, actually. Seems like y'all are in a bit of a pickle, but I'm willin' ta pull y'all outta this one for some... compensation~"

Her tone wouldn't hide what she meant: cold, hard cash. Not only would she potentially be able to walk out with a clear conscience on her mind, but it could result in her gaining RRDI's good will. A twofer.
 

Nemesis

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 2, 2019
520
2
18
#6
The twin-bladed Mechabeast - the one known as Garada K7, slowed its movement as it approached. With a whistle, a pair of missiles spat from the pit-like eyes in its skull, trailing black smoke as they snaked through the air towards the distant city. Natalie rocketed up to meet them, the twin engines at her feet flaring like a pair of violet stars.

"Light!"

1715642277885.png

Rays of sunshine erupted from the mirror's edge, slicing before her, bending and curling. With a gasp, she snapped it up and out - and the ribbon stretched skyward, snapping at the tips of the warheads, slicing deep into their metal hulls.

They arced forward, driven by their own momentum... before each segmenting neatly in half, peeling away harmlessly away from the Institute.

With another wave of her fan, small mirrors erupted from its surface, expanding as they flew towards the city into almost-invisible barriers.

Once more, the twin-headed Doublas M2 brought its rays of death to bear on the city's outer buildings, the light illuminating its pointed, ugly features - but this time, the beams refracted unexpectedly as they struck the mirrors, spitting them back at its issuer. The Mechabeast lurched back in surprise, only narrowly avoiding being decapitated by its own weapon.

So far so good.

"This is Natalie Otkaz of SONG, providing assistance. Please get as many to safety as possible-"

Movement.

The skull-faced one reached up, and removed one of the bladed weapons from its head, its lack of eyes doing little to hide the obvious: that it was now tracking the offensive little dot before it, zipping through the air in manic patterns. Down came the arm with the force of an atomic haymaker - and cleaved a building in half, only narrowly missing the flitting Gear-user as she dove for cover.

She now had their attention.
 
Aug 8, 2021
55
0
6
#7
It didn't take long for the mercenary to receive their answer, as an even female voice replied to her. "You and your AC are known to us. We will pay you 25,000 credits. If that is not to your liking, you may leave. The City will survive with or without your aid Ms. Fikusa."

At the same time, Natalie's radio crackled to life with a faint strain on her ears. "The evacuations are already underway. RRDI is grateful for your assistance Natalie Otkaz of SONG, thank you."

Over the city, the evacuation efforts were underway. Often hampered by people panicking, but proceeding nonetheless. The defenses of the City were also being activated, in the form of great turrets rising from their holds and Patrol units taking to the skies and rooftops. If more attackers descended on them, the City would be ready for them.

"Reinforcements are en route. The first reinforcements will arrive at your location in two minutes. Try to hold on until then, Natalie Otkaz and Fikusa Hiden."
 
May 12, 2024
7
0
1
#8
Fikusa clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes at the admittedly low amount of reward. "Frickin' cheapskates." She muttered to herself.

But, it was good enough for the merc, pulling back her radio to give an answer. "Pleasure doin' business. I humbly accept yer terms."

It was then that she had gotten out of her truck and climbed up a side ladder to the top of the trailer she had been pulling. Pressing a remote stored in her breast pocket had caused the top of the trailer to slide open, revealing what was stored inside which was none other than Fikusa's personal AC, Vagrant, stored and ready for combat, along with its weaponry on the side.

She made haste quickly, seeing the monsters' unrelenting attacks and the girl fighting by herself. The trailer was lifted by itself into an upright while Fikusa was making her final safety checks. Now with the rust-colored AC at an upright position, its yellow visor came to life as it grabbed the hanging weaponry on the sides of the trailer, the machine gun and the howitzer in the right and left arms respectively.


Armed and ready, Fikusa cracked a smile, with her machine gun cocked. "Showtime, ya freaks o' nature!" she boasted to the two monsters over her speakers, wanting to gain their attention as her thrusters flared up to propel her towards them.
 

Nemesis

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 2, 2019
520
2
18
#9
Thrusters fluttered as the Wielder hurled herself back from the swung foot of Garada K7. A wave of dizziness washed over Natalie - and she suddenly realized why.

LiNKER!

She'd forgotten to take it! That neon-green liquid, resting at the bottom of her bag - of all the times! Small wonder everything felt like it took twice the effort as usual. She needed to get away and-

A glint overhead, as something caught the sun as it shrieked down towards her. Almost on reflex, the fan in her hand spread wide into a disc-shape, swung instinctively overhead. She had just about enough time to gasp-

"Oh-!"

WHAM!

A building splintered apart as one of the scythe-blades smashed down, a spray of sparks where it met the girl. Fikusa might have seen her ping off the edge of the blade like a little bullet, smashing through the window of a nearby apartment with a crash of shattered glass.

As if radiating a certain smug satisfaction, the Mechabeast then rounded upon the new arrival.

Just an AC. Well within their ability to handle.

One arm lazily lifted the gleaming blade - and with a single, fluid motion, hurled it bodily in Fikusa's direction. A spinning, boomeranging edge of death that sheared apart everything in its path between them as it began to lope forward, more than happy to meet its new foe head on.

"GSHHAAAGHH!"

Doublas M2, for its part, seemed to be content for its partner to handle the emerging situation, and resumed its march towards the facility. The twin beams lashed out once more, searing away the closest row of turrets as it crawled on all fours towards the Institute...
 
May 12, 2024
7
0
1
#10
The new challenger opened her mouth at the girl being flung into a building, but having no time to grieve, she side-stepped the incoming hurling boomerang. Their contact was close enough for it to leave a mark on the AC's paintjob, but it left an even bigger one on the cowgirl's truck, splitting it into two.

Realizing what just happened, the mech stopped and its head glared straight on to the mechbeast.

Now it's personal.

"... Ya done did it now, boy."

She growled at the beast, flipping up a switch and slammed down her fist at a button labelled "OB". Panels at the back of the AC opened up that revealed even more thrusters before they blasted away the cowgirl at blitz speed.

Using this quick assault to overwhelm her enemy, the AC fired upon Garada K7 ten missiles, flying behind the clouds of smoke they emit to keep the monster on the move while closing in.
 

Nemesis

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 2, 2019
520
2
18
#11
The thundering Mechabeast didn't even slow as it plowed into the cloud of missiles, a carpet of blasts ripping across its upper body. Plumes of flame and smoke momentarily obscured both combatants from one another - but the thing's rounded silhouette in the smoke was almost unmistakable as it tracked her. The skull-like face turned towards her, seizing its remaining blade as it took a calculated step forward-

1715727350412.png

And swung out at chest height, its left forearm extending at the elbow like an uncoiled spring, giving it greater reach as it attempted to rip the offending AC clean in half. Light shone off the blade like the grim reaper's own as it ripped towards her - but here at least, she could see that some damage had been done, a series of holes ripped in the beast's Super Steel Armor that now spewed black smoke of their own.

In the distance, if she were able to hear it over the roar of the AC's own engines, the unmistakable roar of the boomerang now making its return trek to its owner could be heard.
 
May 12, 2024
7
0
1
#12
The girl had noticed the cleaving blade from the corner of her camera, but it was far, far too late to change her trajectory at this point. She underestimated how smart these beasts were, and at the speed she went- It'll be over before she knew it.

But if she can't dodge into any other direction, she'll just need to dodge into the monster.

Coming at the beast with just as much recklessness as it did to her attack earlier, she kept moving forward and narrowly avoided a fatal hit, instead bringing it down to losing only her feet which went flying in the air with the leftover thrust they had.

"I'ma smash through ya, longhorn!"

Bracing herself for impact, the AC would be on a collision course to crash into the mechbeast with top speed, attempting to bring it down into the ground for an easier time of taking it out.

It was clear that this was no ordinary, calculating Raven piloting a older-model AC. Rather, it was more like a super robot pilot behind the wheels of a machine that in no way, shape or form should handle this wild fighting style.
 

Nemesis

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 2, 2019
520
2
18
#13
Unexpectedly, the AC suddenly changed direction and careened towards the lumbering, atomic-powered death machine bearing down on it. This seemed to catch even Garada K7 itself unawares, the faintest moment of hesitation in its movement as it slowed.

The sound of the impact echoed all across the frosty plains, scattering birds, sending up a spray of sparks with a screech of metal. The Overboosting Armored Core's engines flared and sputtered treacherously under the additional weight, but sure enough it carried the two of them forward.

A swing of the beast's arm, still clutching the wicked scythe, ineffectually slashed at the air as it attempted to free itself - before being plowed into the ground by wild woman's strike. Clods of dirt and snow frothed in all directions, the impact alone bone-rattling in its intensity. A spray of green goop from the thing's chest wound splattered across the surface of her AC, dripping like slime down its rusted chest - some kind of oil, perhaps?

Momentarily stunned, the Mechabeast looked down at its foe, its outstretched arm now sparking - and a pair of missiles popped into view in its eyes, twin laser sights laggardly tracking her through the frozen mist.



Five Years Ago
Unknown
Third Week of Compatibility Trials
23/118 Subjects Remaining


1715731458477.png

A dark, gritty room. A thin, dirty white robe covering her body, as she leaned against a solid concrete wall.

She remembered how cold it was. The other bodies, emaciated, either wandering about in the cell, or like her, slumped over and waiting.

Distant, familiar voices. A sharp, mechanical beep - and then, nothing. Murmering in the next room, beyond the bars.

"Flatlined."

"Bring in the next one."

The sound of a door opening and closing. A girl's body, limp, dressed the same as the rest of them, was dragged past by an orderly.

Some of them met her lifeless, glazed gaze. Some of them retched. Some, occasionally, cried. The ones that had been snatched from warmth, from safety. "they" often didn't go for those - it would cause a problem, after all, if someone well off started a manhunt. There were plenty unwanted children in the world for their purposes-

But most were silent.

The ones who'd never had a life to lose.

The ones like her.

That was the thing she remembered most. How quiet it was. Like sheep waiting for the slaughter.

What good would tears do any of them now?

1715731528032.png

"That was... Ida..."

Natalie opened her eyes. The girl sitting next to her had spoken. One of her squadmates.

She hadn't bothered to remember their names.

It was easier that way.

"Nattie?"

But they knew her.

Always in first. Always out last. Pulling them through, one at a time. Always seeing the mission through. The other girl's pale features and blue eyes still seemed very much alive, as they peered into her features.

"Aren't you scared?"

She blinked, slowly.

How could she try to explain how she felt to someone who wouldn't understand? All her life, she'd wandered the battlefield. Always been at the center of a storm of violence.

Death had been her constant companion, her only friend.

Of all of those here, she would welcome a little rest.

When she didn't respond, the girl drew her knees up to her chest.

"You're really brave. You always have been. It's not your fault... we ended up here..."

The urge to speak welled up within her once more, but again - how could she ever explain it?

"I guess this was the only way it could have ended for us."

More muttering. They would select the next one soon, and it would be yet another roll of the dice. Another prick at the neck of that strange green fluid. Each week there was more of it... and in the aftermath, less and less of them.

What they were looking for, she couldn't fathom. Such questions didn't matter, and weren't for her to ask to begin with. They had almost drifted back into uncomfortable silence, when the girl suddenly spoke again, wistfully.

"If it's you, Nattie... Maybe..."

"Why me?"

The words burst from Natalie's chest, and she inwardly cursed herself.

"You're wrong. I'm not different." She said, bluntly.

"Don't burden me... with your delusions."

The way the poor girl shrunk back from her. Sliding across the floor as if physically shoved back. She hadn't even heard her voice rise. Hadn't felt the way her face must have contorted. So unnaturally. So far from what they were used to seeing.

"...I'm sorry, Nattie. I just..."

Trembling. Shaking. A twinge of regret flickered in Natalie's heart. She slightly raised a hand.

Say something. Anything. Don't let this be the last thing she ever hears.

Too late.

The door slid open, and a voice called out:

"B38."

Her number.




Water from the burst pipe splashed down her face in a slow, steady stream. Reality swam back into focus for Natalie. Her hand slowly closed about the fan, as if physically pulling herself back to life.

Slowly, groggily, she rose to her feet. The fan-like shield, bent almost double from even that glancing blow, snaked back into its original configuration at her command. She felt blood dripping down her face. A concussion, at the very least. Not the first time. Wouldn't be the last.

More explosions in the distance. She couldn't do anything like this - but she also couldn't just leave the city to its fate. She couldn't ever show her face at HQ again after that. Her mission would be a failure.

What was that they had said, when she watched what the other Wielders were capable of?

"The song must come from your heart."

Natalie limped to the edge of the building... and beheld the flames, rising in the distance blearily.

And what, she thought, if you had no heart?​