[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Heads up gang, something is shakin'. I've got a vibe that the Mavericks are getting geared up for something heavy. And I'm not talkin' about going clubbin' in San An, either."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Jazz transmits, "I wanna help!.....ITCH! *scratching noises*"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Iris transmits, "Oh dear..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray transmits, "I'd go... But since I had to deal with Flame Man and King by myself, I'll gunna have to sit this one out."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Inquisitor transmits, "Blast it! Mavericks, and here I am stuck with an illness.."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral pauses. "Depending, perhaps it would -be- wise to put some of our infectees into battle, despite our weakened state. The fear of infection might give them pause.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "..how many do of us have this?"

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Bowie transmits, "Whut have we goin in terms a equipment that's not continimated or quarrentined?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Feedback transmits, "Fantastic. Well, have fun dealin with it guys."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Jazz transmits, "No Really! I can show up! I just have white spots on my armor!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Jazz transmits, "I can wiggle my hands an everything! They would be real scared!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Admiral, honey, we don't know where they are going to strike. Civilian reploids or cyborgs could be present..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lt. Pallbearer transmits, "I'm able to assist."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Feedback transmits, "Um, wouldn't it be a bad idea to infect the Mavs. I doubt they care bout keepin the disease quarentined and away from the public."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray transmits, "Well, I could try and stop them... I just need a combat grade hoverchair."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Jet, you're staying in the medbay. Relax."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Feedback transmits, "What? You mean that those things aren't standard issue for you guys?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral mms. "Point. I suppose there's no idea what they'd do with the thing."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Feedback transmits, "I'd think that you'd all have personal hover chairs by now"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lt. Pallbearer transmits, "The Mavericks, I'm sure, are even more worried about this plague than we are."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Jazz transmits, "If only we had a ride armor that wasn't infected...I could so show up and do something before the stuff infects the armor!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lt. Pallbearer transmits, "They get off on the fact that they're immune to diseases which plague humans - this kind of illness would terrify them."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Cut the chatter down, folks? We keep this up, and the Mavericks will be wise to our inside info."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Um...we are ready when you are."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "You're all a bunch of idiots. Fooling you shmucks wasn't hard at all."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "You are still a bad brother! Humph!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "I was never fooled. I just followed orders."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blues transmits, "Funny. I'd have thought you noticed that you didn't fool me. But I suppose nobody's smart as they think they are."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Veddy good, Elec Man. I applaud your ability to decieve both your sister /and/ vun of your brothers."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "A smart girl doesn't just follow orders. But then, you never were very smart, were you Kali? You sure scream loud, though."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Ah, Cossack."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Shame I never got to talk with you in an environment where I'd probably be able to strangle you."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "Cossack, you were right. But I can't give up hope completely. If I did, I'd be no better than the rest of them."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "You be quiet, Elec! Be all quiet! Do it now! *all upset sounding*"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "I don't even know who _you_ are."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "*tightly* Rock...containment field is ready now."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "That would be Jazz... One of our father's newest children."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Can't trust the Masters any further than ya can throw em."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Still making the stupid ones, then?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "Kali, I'm not sure if Elec Man is gonna make it there..."

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Don't let him provoke ya, sunshine."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Tell me, Elec Man. Let's say I vould put myself in a position zhat you could injure me. Let's say I started singink a song zee moment I valked in zee door...let's say, `I'm a vittle teapot'."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Vhat vould zhat do, I vunder?"

[Radio] Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Trying, handsome. Trying very hard."

<Global News Network> *BBZZZZT...the programming you are watching? Gone. It is replaced with Happy Sigma, smiling, grinning sadistically. All around him are troops, a large amount, a massive amount. Most countries wouldn't call this an army, they would call it a smiting. And none of them are infected with White Rust.* "Hello Switzerland. I will make this brief. You are surrounded by us, you know this, and you tried to prepare for it. Yet, you bore me Switzerland, you have bored me for too long.", he snaps his fingers, Beethoven's Ode to Joy plays eloquently through the Vehicle Bay, "Surrender and make things interesting, or I will make Vile's attack on the Flemish States seem like stroll through the park on a sunny day compared to Central Park at 2:00 AM. This will be our only request. You have twenty seconds to give an answer. I do hope that is enough time."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Familiar with the effects of 1,000,000 volts of electricity concentrated on the spine?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray transmits, "Snapple! Who is able to respond?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Well. That answers that."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "You leave Daddy alone!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Well well well, Sigma makes his move."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Uh oh. Sounds like that woke someone up."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Bowie transmits, "Anyone not busy puttin Elec in a pine box?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Let DRN 008 talk, Kalinka. Let him talk. He knows vhat zee consequences vould be."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "Perhaps a better question is who is -not- infected? And if we really can stand idle regardless."

<Global News Network> Swiss Ambassador: "Frag you buddy!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Crescent Grizzly transmits, "All availabl' SecDef personnel, mobiliz' NAW!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Respondin...soon as Ah find a ride."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Tch. DRN. The SSN given to the bots built by Light."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Comet transmits, "Hmph. I'm hardly affected at all. But if they'll even let us in would be the question. Neutral nation, after all. Which...got them attacked anyway."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Yes. So it is, DRN 008. So it is. But vee vill talk after I take care of ziss matter."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "All he did was give me an allergy to Shellfish."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Feedback transmits, "Bit busy with the chatty soon to be a pile of slag android. But if we can finish this up fast, then we'll see bout the Mavs."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "This is Megaman... I'll respond shortly... I'm dealing with something internal."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blues transmits, "Quit trying to be just a House Master, Elec. The conceit is getting a bit annoying. You're just another Field Master."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "I say we just slag him and move on"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "I'd rather face an official reprimand then let Sigma have the nation."

<Global News Network> *Sigma smiles, cocking his head* "My, that only took ... seven point eight six two four seconds. Good. Ye who pray blindly, ask why ye be forsaken.", and so Sigma fades out, turning around as he steps away.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "I'll slag him if he forces the issue."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Comet transmits, "Sure. I can't help but wonder if they'll open fire on us to enforce their neutrality, though. It'd be absurd, but I've seen stranger. Oh well, deploying..."

Switzerland

Switzerland is perhaps the world's most notorious neutral country. Home of the largest and most secure financial institutions on the planet, it retains its neutrality and tries to stay away from the wiles and worries of a world gone mad around it. However, the Swiss are not naive. Their country is a cunning mix of technology and tradition, high-tech building in the same cities as churches that are centuries old. Switzerland is a country that wants to be neutral, and now they have the means to remain so, even possessing defenses against intrusion by the now numerous hostile forces on Earth. All of this, nestled in the Alps Mountain range, in valleys dominated by beautiful forests and calm rivers.

Ride Armor <Gunslinger> [MH] Parsec Basilisk [M]

Pallbearer [Pall] [RF] Comet [Armored] [RF]

East <E> leads to Central Europe.

West <W> leads to France.

South <S> leads to Italy.

North <N> leads to Germany.

Southeast <SE> leads to Balkan Peninsula.

Up <U> leads to Sky Above Western Europe.

Iris arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

Iris has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Ah'm on mah way. Can't speak fer the others."

Maverick Transport <Dinosaur Tank> arrives from the Germany.

Maverick Transport <Dinosaur Tank> has arrived.

UN Heavy Transport <Magellan> arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

UN Heavy Transport <Magellan> has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Dr. Cossack swears. "Gunslinker flight systems not verkink! I haff to sit ziss vun out."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Accursed luck indeed."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Fox, take us down directly into the perimeter, I see the Ride Armour encampment located just outside that."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "'Sokay, Doc."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Understood, sir."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Dr. Cossack snarls. "Dammit all! Just vait until I get my hands on zee bastard zhat made ziss Vhite Rust!"

Paragon Pirana arrives from the Germany.

Paragon Pirana has arrived.

UN Heavy Transport <Magellan> comes streaking in, headed towards assorted Swiss Defense points. One particular Ride Armor encampment is the destination, and within minutes, the vehicle is landing...

SS Dreadskull arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

SS Dreadskull has arrived.

Crescent Grizzly arrives from the Germany.

Crescent Grizzly has arrived.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> has arrived.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> has arrived.

Sigma has arrived.

Morph Moth has arrived.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Let me make ziss clear ... *I* cannot go. Zhat means zee /vest/ of you who are not currently beatink down Elec Man ARE goink to go."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Bowie transmits, "Ya heard the man."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Feedback transmits, "Minus those of you with that lil' white rust problem. I don't think that we're that desperate just yet."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Do you know vhat is at stake here? One of zee main supports of zee verld economy are zee banks of Switzerland. Good and bad, all of it vuns t'rough Switzerland. If vhat I *t'ink* is happenink *is* happenink, unless vee hit zem wiff /everyt'ink/ vee haff, Switzzerland is in danger. If Swizzerland falls, not only do zee Mavericks gain access to vast gold reserves, but zee verld's economy."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Dr. Cossack transmits, "You VILL get out zeir if you can /fight/ at *all*."

Cleaver Cow has arrived.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Rock transmits, "I just got smashed by Elec Man... not sure if I'll be able to make it."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Dr. Cossack transmits, "GOD DAMMIT ALL. HOLD ON."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Feedback transmits, "Or we can listen to the rantin ravin doc..."

Wild Card has arrived.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Kalinka transmits, "*nervously* I will go, Daddy...I will take Triumph..."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Jazz transmits, "I am coming! Hold on! *sound of a Ride Armor starting*"

UN Heavy Transport <Magellan> lifts off as it unloads a mass of UN Combat Marines, all loaded down with assault gear. It positions above the encampment, and multiple guns swivel into place, ready to defend the area as needed.

Jumping out of the Magellan and moving through the camp, Arkady finds the local contact who had called the United Nations to action and for help. After a brief chat, Arkady is lead to one of the uninfected Ride Armors. Climbing up, he looks over it for a moment before strapping in.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Jazz transmits, "Almost there! Just have to turn on the heater..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Repliforce, I've got a man down!.... Friggin' fire is heavy in this camp... Need one more pilot, Prismatic think you can accomadate?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "How convienent."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "I'll be sending you one of our best."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "I'll be with you in a moment."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "*Set of Coordinates* Drop in there."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Wait...where...? I...Ice is coming on to the sides of this thing...where am I??"

Jet Stingray arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

Jet Stingray has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blues transmits, "...."

Iris changes into her Iris armor.

Prismatic Spider arrives from the Central Europe.

Prismatic Spider has arrived.

It seems like the source of the Ode to Joy was, in fact, the Dinosaur Tank itself. As the innumerable Maverick forces drive, ride, stomp, trample, wade, fly, sweep through Switzerland, the music rises to a crescendo, a heavy breeze sweeps through the area, cars shake and shudder to the tune of the music as well as the rumbling of the world's largest tank. The forces have been trampling through any resistance so far on their way to Geneva, the forces are fresh, very few are actually injured, and they are pretty damned pretty.

The Dinotank rolls over the cars before screeching to a halt in front of Geneva, Ode to Joy storming through the air even as the forces, succinctly come to a company halt. Sigma himself climbs up to the top of the Dinosaur Tank, wind threatening to actually push him off the tank if he's not careful. Sigma raises his hammer above his head, and speaks, his voice projecting through the soon to be battlefield. "Geneva... The city where the rules of war have continuously been defined.... As you know, I seek to drive forward to the future, not tip over, laying for my cold death behind... The rules of war have no place these days... If there are to be rules of war, let them be redefined! Switzerland, I have waited years for this day, and you have too. I have sensed it in your diplomats, I have sensed it in your fear. You hoped your usefulness would last forever...Well...", he raises the hammer in one hand, "You were wrong. With your inability to pick a side, your inability to trust, none have trusted you, and so you shall perish, your state shall be ours.", Smirking briefly as if he had just achieved his latest checkmate, Sigma merely states two words, his voice bellowing through the streets and city.

"Coalition!! ADVANCE!!"

And so they do, the battle threatening to drown out the everpresent whisper of Beethoven.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Your... lost?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Wait! I know...Switzerland is the one that is White and Austria is the one that is green! I am on the right track...YAY!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blues just...sighs.

Sword Man arrives from the Germany.

Sword Man has arrived.

Alacrity Demon arrives from the Central Europe.

Alacrity Demon has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Hold on...can someone trace this signal...?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "I think....I am in...."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Blues transmits, "Rock. He's mine."

Shade Man has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "....someone?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Elec Man transmits, "Yesss?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blues transmits, "....You don't count."

Rock arrives from the Central Europe.

Rock has arrived.

Ride Armor <Kraken> has arrived.

Like a hammer blow, a hatch along the Dinosaur Tank's flank blows open, bolts releasing in a hiss of pneumatic fury. A heavy access ramp slams into the earth, biting into the Swiss city street. A tremendous mass of armor, a seventeen-foot tall fighting machine more tank than ride armor, emerges from the Dinosaur Tank's interior. Asphalt and pavement crunches under immense pressure, breaking beneath the Kraken's caterpillar treads, as the Ride Armor rolls over streets not designed to bear the weight of a modern battle machine.

The armor-glass of the Kraken's canopy is polarized, presenting a nearly-opaque black to the world. The darkness defeats all attempts to perceive the identity of the pilot lying within. All that can be seen is the dark silhouette of a tall, lean reploid. Silent, saying nothing over the radio channels or the machine's external speakers, the Ride Armor's master maintains his cloak of secrecy.

Ride Armor <Manticore> has arrived.

Rock receives a radio transmission.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Fine then...I have to find out on my own then...now...where is that map...? *rustleing*"

Rock sends a radio transmission to Elec Man.

Rock receives a radio transmission.

Prismatic Spider has left.

Sigma takes Prismatic Spider.

Sigma has left.

Morph Moth is the prettiest Maverick of course since Cyber is not one to join the ranks of the front line. Seeming to ride the breeze of dynamic change, Morph spins and pirouettes through the air using his superior aerial tactics and brilliant weapons to sow confusion among the Swiss Guards. Brilliant explosions and strands of rainbow silk mark the Maverick Moth's progress through the city of Geneva.

Sigma has arrived.

Rock sends a radio transmission.

One of the higher bays of the Dinotank drops open, and with a roar the Maverick Ride Armor known as the Manticore blasts off of its moorings, blazing into the air like an ascending comet as it heads for the Swiss lines. The Emperor had orders that the country was to be taken - and there shall be no failure in this goal. It was clear that this would be an interesting struggle - and that would serve only to make the final triumph of the Mavericks all the more complete. Now, to simply see what opposition materializes.

Parsec Basilisk soars through the air, having flown in above the Dinosaur tank rather than riding inside. Reaching down to her hip, she unholsters her pistol and begins firing down toward the ground with fairly good precision, causing several fire hydrants to explode in showers of water right before they freeze solid, sending tiny shards of ice scattering every which way. Of course, any misses create a nice frost along the ground, too.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "This is X. I'm hurt, but on my way."

Scrambling out of the Dinosaur Tank when the order is given to advance, Cleaver is not carrying any of her usual equipment. Her left hand is gone, in 'gun mode', and her right occasionally retracts to pull out what looks like a small glass jar. Said jar is opened, loaded into the gun, and lit with a quick lighter before firing - to explode in a spray of flaming liquid over whatever it hits. She's mostly firing long, arcing paths as tracers at the moment, not aiming at much in particular.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Rock, honey, stop by the following coordinates and enter the UN Transport there. I'm monitoring things, and would be more then happy to give a pick me up."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Jazz transmits, "I am sorry...I tried to come...but...I don't think this is it...I am sorry X..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "I'm faster than the average UN transport."

Construct Ox arrives from the Balkan Peninsula.

Construct Ox has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "It's stationary over the encampment of Swiss RAs at said coordinates."

Wild Card is sitting on top of the Dino Tank with a bag of popcorn. He casually stands up, tucks the popcorn into his duster, and heads towards the maintainence hatch. "God, that was the slowest trip ever," he complains as he disappears into the interior, probably to re-emerge at street-level next turn.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Finally! I know now!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "....Antarctica...?"

Stepping out of the Dinotank along with all the other troops, is the large figure of Paragon. He barks a few orders to a regiment passing him, dispersing them to places needed as he does so. He then views the scene before him and simply grins, grabbing his Harpoon and making his way towards the frontlines. In the thick of the battle is where he performs best, after all..

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Definately not the right way Jazz"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack mutters. "Just keep goink straight, honey, you'll get zeir soon."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alacrity Demon transmits, "You're in Antarctica? ... I'd say grab me a Penguin, but they don't live well in high temperatures."

And high above the Maverick contingent, another shape emerges from the gloom that hangs over Switzerland. A gigantic flying skull.

The S.S. Dreadskull. It seems more then the Mavericks have come to play tonight... as is signaled by a VERY familiar laugh that fills the air over Geneva. The maniacal cackle of Dr. Albert Wily.

The Dreadskull soars downward over the Maverick forces, weapons systems coming to life all across the massive shape. The great maw of the gigantic skull opens, and a great black cloud spews forth... a cloud that moves and swarms out towards Geneva. Bubble Bats. Thousands and thousands of Bubble Bats.

The Dreadskull looms above the Mavericks, as pods are launched from it, dropped for the ground far below. As each, resembling a gigantic coffin, impacts... ...it slowly opens to reveal the Joe forces assembled within them.. but these are not normal Joes. These shudder as they walk, even as they lift crude weapons. Helmets are missing. Shields are half-broken if still servicable. Zombie Joes.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Heh...had the silly thing in reverse!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "Heya hunters. S'up?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "I am in Antarctica!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "um.. What for? if I can ask?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Mavs are makin a run fer Geneva. Get yer tail down here. Now."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Jazz is travelling, Baldy's attempting neutracide, you know, the usual."

Icebreak Tigress arrives from the Germany.

Icebreak Tigress has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "Yeah... move it. I'm hurt."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "So I don't know how much good I'll be."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Jazz transmits, "I...was trying to get to Switzerland...and I had the map upside down..."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "You guys have that lil' Mav problem under control yet?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Signas transmits, "I am afraid I have not yet sufficiently recovered from the injuries I was dealt by Flight Type to be of use in battle at the moment."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "By vhat type?"

Shade Man bursts from the dark maw of the Dreadskull, great wings spread wide as he launches into the night. A terrible smile spreads on his features, as he wings his way through the legions of his own Bubble-Bats, calling to them with an eerie shriek.

The Vampire feasts tonight!

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Signas transmits, "It is what the Robot Master Crash Man now calls himself."

Shark Man arrives from the France.

Shark Man has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Good lord."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blues sighs. "My next target."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "Gah, ok..."

Icebreak Tigress has disconnected.

As the others pour in, The White Knight of Wily himself steps out onto the battle field, eying the grounds. However, strangely enough, he files out with the Mavericks themselves? WHat in the world? Well, Sword Man wouldn't normally be in this situation, but for the sake of the truce, he's here. He doesn't like it...but he's here.

Coaster Raptor arrives from the Balkan Peninsula.

Coaster Raptor has arrived.

Shadow Man has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Okay, I'm in position using the Sentinel. Admiral, are you in position? Repliforce, Interpol, prepare to beat the smeg out of these morons."

Along with the white night is Wily's own ninja warrior. Arriving a few moments after, Shadow Man is also accompanying the Maverick troops, a Shadow Blade ready in each hand.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "For the Honor of Repliforce!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "I'd second that, but it's your honor, not mine. I'm just here to kick a few butts that think they can push around people who just want peace."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Hey, Repliforce. You better be bringing in troops... I don't have the manpower this is gonna require."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "We're sending all we can."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Send more."

Frost Man arrives from the France.

Frost Man has arrived.

Frost Man has left.

Shark Man has left.

Iris has very secretly come along on one of the Repliforce drop-ships...her tiny form all-but-lost within the huge cavernous ship, amongst the much-bigger reploids. She waits until all of the regular troops surge forward, and then she goes right along with them...comepletely unnoticed. Once out, she deploys her chute, and her little form floats gently like a feather, coming to rest in the downtown square. Once landed, she quickly cuts away the chute and high-tails it toward a nearby bungalow. Iris is well-connected with the peaceniks and freethinkers, and she has such connections in every major city. If she can meet up with her contact in time, she can help evacuate those who are still trapped, who couldn't make it out with the first wave. There's still time, she thinks...time to save innocent lives who would otherwise be trapped in this carnage!

Rock receives a radio transmission from Jazz.

The Swiss Guard has been taken by surprise, and in the urban warfare that has broken out, they are having trouble keeping ground. A squad of riflemen attempt to overpower a massive drone, but to no avail. Their number falls quickly, until the survivors find their foe looming above them, raising a weapon for one final blast....

That is, until a large ursine paw stops it. " Nah', dat' isn't nahc', mon ami..." Crescent Grizzly, Guardian of RHQ London and the Innocent, tells the Maverick with a sarcastic smile, before he tears out with his drill claw, gutting the drone from stem to stern. It summarily falls to the ground, sparking and sputtering. The Swiss military men give up a cheer, but not just because of Crescent's last minute save-It's the 500 plus SecDef troopers that have begun to pour into the city, fighting through the Maverick lines to aid their brethren in a final stand for the right to declare one's neutrality in conflict. Stand or fall, they do this together. Raising his forcefield with a sweep of the claw, Crescent barks orders and falls back for strength in tight formation...

Bowie is atop one of the taller buildings close to the front line, kneeling behind the top of the stone facade. Here he has a good view of the incoming Maverick transports and troops, and best able to put his sharpshooting skills to use. Since it appears that most of them are still out his target range, he occupies himself with skeet-shooting a few of the bubble bats that fly too near.

Spin Cougar arrives from the Germany.

Spin Cougar has arrived.

Crescent Grizzly projects a forcefield around himself.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Valor sighs slightly. "If only it were that simple."

Pallbearer emerges out of the transports with a large corps of RF gumbies, saber drawn and ready for the fight of his life. They won't take Geneva. They won't. Nothing will. Pall radios over to the transport pilots to get the civillians out to safe havens...and as the bubble bats start coming down, Pall grimaces. "Where's the damn F-3 when you need her, eh?" he mutters to himself. "Move it to your positions! Triage squads, set up at your assigned places! Squad 2, with me!" Pall rushes ahead towards the front, praying this works.

Coming from the east is a red object flying at such speeds that is appears to be a blurr of a human sized reploid. The red blurr flies towards Switzerland. As it nears the area, it becomes more recognizable. It appears to be a Hyperized version of one Rock Light. As he flies he looks like Superman... one hand out-stretch in a fist and one leg slightly pulled up... not very aerodynamic, but it looks cool (TM).

He brings himself to a hover over the city and begins to look at the situation... LOTS of Maverick Hunters. Lots of them. He shrugs in the midair and considers the situation. At least he won't miss as often.

A team of Repliforce MSE gumbies pile out of one of the teleport centers, with what appears to be a remarkably tall man in a space suit, aiding him over towards the Swiss RA canton. Saluting with a slight stiffness, Admiral then confers with several sets of Swiss and UN technicians before being ushered to one of the massive Ride Armors, activating the Guardian and bringing it to position, raising a massive beam Lance in salute. "...nice of them to give me a Belaying Pin to work with."

Comet steps out of the Geneva teleporters, and takes a short hop into the air. Her flight platform materializes beneath her, she lands on it, and it rises up into the skyline of the city. "I feel like an idiot doing this..." Talking to herself, apparently.

Alacrity Demon is making his own way in, humming to himself as he attempts to read a map of Europe while flying at speeds usually labelled as 'stupidly unsafe'. Eventually he shrugs and lobs the little datapad over his shoulder, letting it vanish back into subspace before he loses it in his slipstream. He'll just follow the explosions. He's shed his usual coat and hat, wings gleaming as the fighting edges on them ruffle occasionally in the wind, spoiling for a fight. He pulls up short as he observes the scene, waiting for orders or for someone to pick a fight with, and snorts, "Great. Zombies, flying bowling balls, and assorted monsters. I've wandered into a really messed up videogame."

Rock sends a radio transmission.

Arriving shortly after the call to arms, Coaster's rails are the most obvious signiture of his entry into the war that has broken out here in Switzerland. Coming with that rifle of his actually held in hand, the reploid skates forward, boosters blazing as he rushes to aid thoses that he can.

How did the lumbering Ox make his way to Switzerland? There are various methods. Hitch hiking, Transport, walking, all of those things coulda been utilized. It's safe to assume however that the Maverick Hunter Combat Engineer managed to pick up an outgoing transport so that he could head to Switzerland as he was told to do. Construct Ox travels most of the way in his Bulldozer configuration, that being his more speedy configuration. His slow frame steadily makes his way towards the conflict that has begun in this part of the world, "Ahhh my my... now who's gonna be rebuildin all this damaged stuff? Me! Dat's who! Can't you guys find something else to trash? Like a mountainside?" Construct Ox snorts out as he manages to view the scene.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Resonance clicks in, "Listen, they declared neutrality, there is only so much we can bloody do with red tape alone. Repliforce is doing what they can, you're doing what you can. Instead of working with numbers, try to use your brain. I got my hands full over here. You're a Commander, start acting like one instead of depending on forcing your allies to do more than they can.", and so Resonance clicks out without another reply. She's busy.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "I'm reading a massive gathering in the central area of the city as Repliforce's troops are coming in. With Hunter Air support and incoming Swiss Reinforcements, it's looking good, everyone."

Feedback arrives from the Germany.

Feedback has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "... I wonder if those stupid flying bowling balls explode when they hit the ground... ah well, either way it'll be fun to use them as volleyballs. Bet I can clear a few of the ground waves that way, too."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "Do everything you can to reduce the attacker's forces. We need everything we can get."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock mutters, "Right... I'm gonna command Repliforce."

Decked out in his combat gear, Spin is among the MSE techs on-scene with Admiral, working on preparing the Ride Armor. A new part here, a quick jump-start there. He returns the salute to Admiral as it is given. "How nice of those murderers to drop in - let's give them what for," he says as he works. Once the RA is activated, he steps back.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "....excuse me, son?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "He's just cranky because he missed lunch, I'm sure."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Science Prismatic Spider transmits, "I think he was being slightly sarcastic."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Valor transmits, "Let it go, and just do what you can."

Crash Man has arrived.

Cyclops arrives from the Germany.

Cyclops has arrived.

Shade Man wheels high over the battle like a demonic angel of death, his wings beating through the skies even as he gazes down on the enemies far, far below. Shade smiles ominously, "It has begun."

The swarms of Bubble Bats wheel and swarm around him, tiny faces staring down at the carnage below with anticipation shining in surprisingly lazy-looking eyes. The numbers of them are vast, and more and more swarm from the great maw of the Dreadskull every second... turning the sky an even darker black as they wheel and dive. Quite a few of them are struck out of the sky by eager gunmen and warriors, but others come to replace them. Shade smiles then, and throws his arms wide. His horrible screech pierces the air, and it is echoed by the swarms of Bubble Bats. Screeching, they begin to wheel and dive on the city... fanged mouths open wide, and the grenade-level payload of explosives in each arming.

Below them, the Legions of the Dead advance. Staggering and clanking slowly, horribly disfigured Joes move towards the city. Appearing as if a Joe decomposed and rotted, the Zombie Joes stagger forward with collective groans... crude weapons in hand, or often just their own terrible hands alone. The Zombie Joes advance with the Maverick Contingent...

Shade smiles down on the field, and lets out another horrifying, screeching cry!

Nazgul. Eat your hearts out.

Crash Man has left.

Dr. Wily has arrived.

The United Nations and their dogs may have arrived to support the Swiss. The Maverick advance may have been blunted. But by Doppler Himself, it -will not be stopped-! Swiss soldiers break and run before the Kraken's monsterous bulk, their small-arms fire completely ineffective against the heavy armor. But then, a blazing bolt of radiant destruction explodes from atop a low-rise apartment building, washing over the Maverick machine and scarring its hull. Atop the roof overlooking the street, a Swiss squad works to reload their plasma weapon, snapping a fresh ammunition canister into the hot metal of the cannon's breech. Swift and efficient, the Swiss Guard is. But it is the Coalition they face.

With a horrible rasp, one of the Kraken's tentacles uncoils. The oiled black mass slides free from the great machine's body, snapping out to full extension, punching clean through the side of a building, blasting out from the other side. The dark tendril, and the greater body of the Ride Armor, remain motionless for an instant. Then, a powerful pulse of gravity distortion ripples outward, shaking the building into rubble. The wrecked structure collapses into its own foundations, taking with it the lives of the brave weapon crew. The Kraken pulls itself free from the debris, the upper half of its body swiveling on its axis. Rotating the twitching tentacles around, the Kraken's pilot's hands close tighter around the Kraken's controls. The shadow, all that is visible of the reploid inside the Ride Armor, nods grimly.

The crushing strength of the Dinosaur Tank is not something to be stopped by minor feats of strength such as can be provided by these ant-like defenders - the Repliforce learned that lesson long ago, when they attempted to confront its power in the Flemish States. And even as it grinds forward over every fortification that has been set out to stop it, the Manticore cruises above it like some dark, bat-winged guardian demon.

As the fighting grows closer and closer to the center of the city, the Ride Armor descends slightly - and with a howl that can only be described as the death of an entire sun, begins to reduce defensive positions that are being held by the Swiss Guard into rubble with its Terror Scream. Its scorpion tail lashing about behind it, the advance of this armor is relentless, inexorable - as is the entire Maverick attack force's.

Crash Man has arrived.

Only firing a half-dozen of the flaming brandy in jam jars - Crash Man is going to kill her if he finds out about the waste of alcohol - Cleaver pauses a moment as she switches ammo. She's still marching forward, shelling over the heads of those in front of her, except now she's using head-sized blunt objects that impact with a surprising amount of force. Enter the Fruitcake.

Crescent Grizzly sends a radio transmission to Rock.

Rock receives a radio transmission.

Justice Jaguar arrives from the France.

Justice Jaguar has arrived.

Wild Card arrives on the ground. He smirks, and draws his pistol, aiming at a random gumby and firing. Or trying to fire, at least, the gun doesn't go off. Frowning, Wild looks down the barrel in a glaringly stupid way, as the round post-maturely ignites. Luckily, he moves the gun away from his face fast enough for the bullet to go thattaway. Which happens to be in the exact direction Bowie is. One in a million chance, eh'? Well, there's no way it'll hit from this distance, but maybe it'll pass by close enough to be noticed by the Texan.

Wild Card strikes you with a glancing hit from his Grasp for 0 units of damage.

Sigma raises his hammer out, peering around the area. Where is he, where is he? The sounds of death, screaming, blood spilling, mechfluid spraying, cannons, explosions, grinding all drown out the beautiful Beethoven in the background, but every so often, a little break in the screams reveal a chord or three to the atmosphere. Sigma raises a boomerang in the air, glancing around for his foe... And then spots him. Mega Man. "Hehe.... You have come after all, tired of listening to bedtime stories, are we? Fine! It is time, Rock!", he flings the boomerang at Rock.

"It is time for people to lay in the middle ground. It is falling, it is cracking like the weak force it is. They smile at me, try to understand, and then destroy it with a single stupid comment. How it SICKENS me. Even those in the middle dive to the Inferno!"

Inside the Dreadskull, Dr. Wily leaves the wheel, a Joe slipping into place as he leaves. The Doctor gives a nod to the hulking form of Frost Man in the corner. "Frost Man, prepare for combat deployment." Wily strides out of the command deck and into the bowels of the ship. Several meinutes later, the mouth of the Dreadskull opens even wider and a massive shape bursts forth, jets firing. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YEEEEEEAAAAHHHH!"

The Mecha Wily fires it's jets, spinning out of the maw of Wily's assault craft. Abruptly, it stops it's rotation and flings it's arms and legs out wide. "Goooooood morning Swizterland! I hope you're ready to party, cuz heeeeeeeeeeeeeres WILY! BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The craft plummets towards the ground, the insane cackle of Albert Wily echoing in its wake.

Rock sends a radio transmission to Crescent Grizzly.

Crescent Grizzly receives a radio transmission from Rock.

Sigma misses Rock with his Boomerang Cut attack.

Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> has arrived.

Dr. Wily drops Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily>.

Dr. Wily has left.

Sword Man simply drops off the Dino tank, landing with a cloud of dust as the tank moves on, marching toward forward and eying the field for his brethren. He may have came here with the Mavericks, but he'd rather fight beside The Order of Wily.

Frost Man comes lumbering from the back of the shuttle. "I'm ready to go, daddy." His jets spew out a cold steam, like an icy aura of the biggest Master in town. As he lumbers forward, you can just hear that Zentradi theme going...atleast, his player THINKS it's the Zentradi theme. He jumps from the door, sailing and slamming to the ground, again, spewing out steam. Surveying the battlefield like he has some slim clue of what's going on, he strides.... "Who is gonna be smashed today?" Forming up a club of ice, with which to make with the smashie....

Upon seeing one of the Repliforcers begin to intrude into -her- domain, Parsec Basilisk pulls her wings back and goes into a dive. Eyes narrowed slightly, she lets out a piercing screech as she arcs downward and zooms now far past Comet and her board. "Come try to claim the skies of Switzerland, Repliforcer. If you dare!" Wow, that was really lame. Maybe she's not good at witty banter.

Shark Man leaps out of the Dreadskull after Wily, flying through the air, until he lands on the ground, hard. While he looks around at everyone here, he prepares himself a margarita.

Comet enters the Sky Above Western Europe.

Comet has left.

Morph Moth enters the Sky Above Western Europe.

Morph Moth has left.

Parsec Basilisk enters the Sky Above Western Europe.

Parsec Basilisk has left.

The boomerang comes flying towards Rock at an incredible speed. However, the hero of the world notices just in time to reach out and grab the boomerang before it hits him. Rock looks around to identify his assilant when he finds Sigma. Rock drops himself to the area nearby Sigma. Still floating above the ground to give him an extra maneuvablity edge. "Hey, Sigma. I think you lost this." Rock shows the boomerang. "Let me return it!" With that, Rock whips the boomerang right back at Sigma.

Rock strikes Sigma with his Hyperblade attack.

Wild Card

A rather normal looking character, Wild Card doesn't seem all that special at first glance. Granted, the large sombrero he's wearing, which seems to take the place of a helmet and shrouds his unruly brown hair from sight, draws attention no matter where he is, but other than that, he doesn't look very imposing. His duster, a dull brown, conceals most of his body, though you can see what appears to be a vest and dress shirt underneath.

Nothing special below the belt, just some chaps and large boots, stereotypical of a cowboy. At his waist, though, is where he starts going from unimposing to a dangerous figure. Two sawed-off shotguns are holstered at his sides, light glinting off a portion of the barrels that are exposed. From the right angle, you can see what looks like the handle of an old-fashioned pistol beneath his duster.

His wrists seem thicker than they should, though that's explained ather quickly thereafter. Small launchers of sorts, that looking like they can fire objects about the size of a penny either into Wild's hand or directly into the fray, are attatched to his forearms. Why he'd need a penny shooter is anyone's guess, though the ammo is probably going to be a lot more potent than small change.

Every once in a while, he starts shuffling a deck of cards out of boredom. Hands moving almost too fast for the eye to track, he casually plays with his deck until something interesting happens.

Continuing his purposeful march into the city and into the frontlines as a result, Paragon both defends himself and counter-attacks with his large Harpoon. Wide sweeping arcs fend off would be attackers, Paragon's reach extending outwards to a 21' radius. Of course, being so large and at the fromt lines makes him an easy target, but he likes it that way.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "I'm moving to reinforce the Eastern Line. That Maverick....squid...is giving them a heavy beating."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "I'm dealing with baldie himself."

Jet Stingray enters the Sky Above Western Europe.

Jet Stingray has left.

Among the incoming baddies, Spin finds his target - and is almost lulled into overconfidence when he sees Shark Man preparing a /margarita/, of all things. "This will be too easy .." He advances, taking out his spinstaff and locking himself on. "You! Shark dude! This is your chance to escape with your life!" Yeah, the heroic ultimatum.

Bowie is used to being shot at. It comes with the territory. The bullet shot by Wild Card strikes the stonework he was using as cover, chips of stone skittering everywhere. Yes, that got his attention, and so he peers down through the fog of war to see who managed to spot him way up here. There doesn't seem to be anyone. Perhaps it was a stray bullet? The Texan hunkers down again, drawing a bead on the Dinosaur Tank and taking a few pot shots at it. Just maybe he'll hit some of those fighters nearby as well.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lt. Pallbearer transmits, " Triage units from MSE are in position behind the front, transports are retrieving people from the city. Squad 2 and I will try and help as many as we can."

You strike Wild Card with a glancing hit from your Grasp attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Jazz transmits, "You sure I can't be there...? If you need the help?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Comet transmits, "I'm working on securing the air."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "If your units can manage some of the crossfire, more critical patients can be placed aboard the Magellen for your boys to work on in safety."

Ugh. That was horrible Clich..."ARGHH!", Sigma grunts as he catches his own boomerang in the chest, the vicious vibro edges carving painfully into his belly before he tears it out and tosses it aside, hacking a little. "Hrrr.... You draw first blood...", he comments irritably, "But that is to be expected..." Two Maverick soldiers come by him and aim for Rock, but before they get any shots off, two Swiss soldiers manage to nab them in the side. Shrieking in rage, they fall back a few feet. Before attacking Rock, Sigma jolts forward, swinging his hammer, knocking one of the Guard back nearly ten yards with the mere force of the blow and then stabs to the side, impaling the second. Raising his head, Sigma's eyes flash a crimson red before twin beams of energy lance out for him, "Rrrghh...But this time you'll fall, we have planned too long!"

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> stomps forward assertively as the battle begins, steering towards the battered lines which have taken the greatest abuse from the Kraken, providing relief in the form of several chain gun bursts into the Gumbies before turning the massive gatlings into the squiddy armor's chest.

Sigma misses Rock with his Eyebeams attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> strikes Ride Armor <Kraken> with its Twin Vulcans attack.

The Sentinel rises to its 15 foot height, the monster of modern technology stretching as the pilot within gets accustomed to the Swiss's unusual control design. The whine of weaponary charging can be heard long before the light in the cannons begin to charge, the inside of the cannon glowing bright. "Now this is a piece of hardware." comes the voice of the pilot, before it takes to the air and toward the Maverick Dinotank.

Sigma sends a radio transmission.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission.

Paragon Pirana sends a radio transmission to Sigma.

Sigma receives a radio transmission.

Alacrity Demon pauses for a moment as he observes a... walking cow... shooting flaming fruitcakes at people, and shakes his head. Wordlessly he pulls a flask from his pocket and tosses it over his shoulder to coldcock a random zombie Joe, then shakes his head again and smirks, "Always knew McDonald's was evil... but this takes the cake." With that he stoops like a raptor, lancing down towards Cleaver on full jets, attempting to catch her in the chest with his elbow.

Alacrity Demon strikes Cleaver Cow with his Supersonic Flying-v attack.

The two Swiss soldiers go down in a rather brutual way and Rock's optics tighten down as Sigma uses his normal brand of brutuality to disposing of them. Rock watches as more Mavericks join the fight. Rock fires several shots from his buster in an attempt to quickly down the troublesome opponents. Rock needs to pay full attention to the leader of the Coalition as the eyebeams flyby him. Rock simply turns and powers himself towards Sigma. He braces his body for the attack... attempting to put gather his foe's attention.

Rock strikes Sigma with his Dash attack.

The Manticore charges up even more energy, as another brash young Ride Armor appears to challenge it. The massive hulk of the Maverick armor roars its challenge, the lion's head mounted upon its prow gnashing furiously as it descends toward sthe Swiss armor. But instead of flexing its claws of smashing into the other armor, the Manticore offers a more direct assualt upon the frame of its challenge - twin beams of ruby light that lance out from its eyes, aiming to bore into the frame of the Swiss Sentinel.

Shark Man was minding his own buisness, making himself something to drink, when he's interupted. By a cat. "Uh, dude? Did you not notice that both Doc Wily and Sigma are Here? Do you, like, really think you have a chance? Want a drink?" These are the questions Sharky asks, and, without waiting for an answer, he tosses the now finished margarita in Spin's direction.

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Margarita Toss attack.

Ride Armor <Manticore> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with its Eyebeams attack.

Shade Man wheels through the sky, screaming his terrible cry. The teeth-grinding sound truly horrifying to hear, as he sweeps and dives above Geneva. Shade Man smiles as the forces engage full on... now it was time to begin the fun.

Shade Man rises straight up, the Bubble Bats following him in a black swarm, shrieking and crying out into the night. Shade Man then banks slowly... folds his wings... ...and dives.

A thousand Bubble Bats SHRIEK and dive with him.

The rain of dark death falls on the defenders of Geneva, the Bubble Bats diving onto foes and detonating with the force of a hand-grenade. Others wheel and latch, vampire-like, onto the bodies of the already stricken.

Shade Man wheels over the carnage, laughing his horrible laugh, then giving another horrible shriek as he launches for a fallen Repliforce Drone... latching onto it and sinking terrible fangs into its neck, drinking deeply.

All around him, the Bubble Bats fall upon similar prey.

Shade Man strikes Iris with his Children Of The Night attack.

Shade Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Children Of The Night attack.

Crescent Grizzly's forcefield withstands the attack.

Shade Man misses Pallbearer with his Children Of The Night attack.

Shade Man strikes you with a minor hit from his Children Of The Night for 9 units of damage.

Shade Man strikes Feedback with his Children Of The Night attack.

Shade Man strikes Construct Ox with his Children Of The Night attack.

Shade Man misses Coaster Raptor with his Children Of The Night attack.

Sigma receives a radio transmission.

Bullets tear red-hot trails across the Kraken's armor, ricocheting wildly as the high-velocity rounds scatter against the machine's heavy prow. The Kraken skids backwards, sparks flying, a few wounds punched through its armor plate. But the damage seems light, not slowing it down the slightest. The Coalition troops around it, flanking its advance, aren't so lucky. Mechfluid flows freely through the streets, the bodies of fallen Maverick reploids scattered among the broken corpses of their Swiss counterparts. The Kraken's engines come to life, the Armor's drivetrain propelling the treaded beast towards the Guardian, advancing through the storm of fire.

Inside the Kraken's cockpit, the pilot shifts his thumbs over his control sticks' selectors, adjusting the Kraken's systems with unnaturally calm detatchment. Dispassionately, he studies the damage indicators, and calibrates power systems to compensate. He says nothing, making none of the useless combat chatter so common among modern warriors. As the Kraken closes with the white-and-red Guardian, a gleaming gold tendril arcs out, crackling with power. The artificial muscles of its tentacles tighten, the coils of myomer within the flex-metal housings contracting under an electrical surge.

Crescent Grizzly frowns, watching the massive tank rumble through the city. They cannot stop that. Not even if every available Ride Armor struck simultaneously. As the Swiss fall back to defendable positions, the Guardian sheilds them with his body and forcefield in their retreat, the bats bouncing off and quickly being disposed of by the troops' weaponry. Then an idea strikes him. Moving through a few cross-streets, he finds an appropriate place, and lowering his forcefield, begins to burrow into the ground....

Crescent Grizzly lowers his forcefield.

Ride Armor <Kraken> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with its Thunder Tentacle Wrap attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> is temporarily disoriented by Ride Armor <Kraken>'s Thunder Tentacle Wrap attack.

Wild Card glances up as a bullet passes through his sombrero. He takes off the hat, and looks at the two holes in it. "I liked this hat..." Turning around to look at where the shots came from, he fires a few warning shots, before sending a radio message to whomever is in that general direction.

Wild Card strikes you with a glancing hit from his Grasp for 0 units of damage.

Wild Card sends a radio transmission to Bowie.

[Radio] Wild Card sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Who the hell just shot through my hat?!"

Of course, Sigma is known for his pure power more than anything. Even as he's slammed into, Sigma merely smirks through the pain his sensors are giving. "Hrr...Quick assault as always...", he reaches back over his shoulder for his shield and attempts to slam it down on Rock's frame even as he goes flying backwards, handspringing as he comes in contact with the ground, summersaulting back and away from the Hunter.

Construct Ox barrels into the streets, where the fighting is occuring. His Bulldozer blade shoving anything in his way to the side. The treads beneath the Combat Engineer stop moving, and Ox skids to a stop. His treads tear up the ground underneath him. Ox takes a few moments to change configurations backinto his All-Purpose form. Once in that form his Nail Gun and Jackhammer are formed on his forearms, "Oh my goodness... the buildings! The precious buildings! I'm going to need to order a whole lot of nails and woodscrews to fix all this damage!" Then the rain of explosive bats comes down upon the city, and poor little Ox can only defend himself with a Nail Gun. As the bats come down towards him, the buildings, the defenders, Ox fires elongated spikes of metal up into the air hoping that some of them collide with incoming bats. However it's a futile attempt as the Combat Engineer is struck and sent to the ground. The Bovine lets out a grunt, "Ugh... one less toy t'blow up a buildin with..."

Sigma misses Rock with his Shield Bash attack.

Spin Cougar gets a margarita thrown at him. Flashback to his days before the Repliforce, Interpol, or even the NYPD. Neatly, like the housekeeper he once was, he catches the drink. Unconsciously takes a whiff. "Hmm, well at least you make a good margarita." He swiftly throws it back. "Taste the fruit of your own labors, why don't you?"

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> lurches as the electricity jams it for a moment, and a bark of annoyed swearing comes from the external speakers as its' pilot attempts to get it back into full activity.

Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Generic Melee attack.

Shelling the city quite merrily, Cleaver doesn't notice Alacrity come up at top speed until he's practically in her face, and by then it's too late to do anything but yelp as she's knocked backwards, tumbling to land on her rear. Getting up quickly, she dusts herself off with her right hand as the left one extrudes a hand holding a black frying pan. Charging forward at her own top speed, she tries to smack Alacrity over the head with it. A couple times, for good measure. "Who do you think you are? Get out of Switzerland! It's ours!"

Cleaver Cow strikes Alacrity Demon with her Frying Pan Smash attack.

Justice Jaguar is stalking along through the chaos that's going around, his .50 Magnum down at his side, in his right hand, as he searches for a target. Spotting Sword Man's form through the melee, he raises the weapon, gripping it with both of his hands, as he pulls the trigger and lets loose with a round, right at the Robot Master.

Justice Jaguar strikes Sword Man with his .50 Raptor Magnum attack.

Shadow Man busies himself dealing with the Repliforce regular troopers. One after the other they fall, providing only the token resistance that is specified in one's contract when becoming an NPC. Barring any more substantial interference, he should have little difficulty hacking away at their numbers.

Bowie is forced to use his longrifle as a club, swinging wildly at the bubblebats trying to make a late night snack of him. One screeches and falls to the ground with a satisfying thud, but two more rush at him, sharp wings and claws gouging his armor. It takes him another minute or so to rid himself of the rest of them.

"What's this?!!" Iris cries as she's no more than halfway to her friend's house...when great numbers of vampiric...THINGS...swoop down and begin their attack! With a shriek, Iris runs around in circles as a couple of them swoop down and bite her. "EEEEEeeeEEEEeeeEEEEGetoffgetoffgetoff, ew ew ew ew eeeewww!" she squeals, swatting wildly at the attacking Bubble Bats.

Iris strikes Shade Man with her Slap attack.

The rails upon which Coaster takes into the city stop as soon as Shade's foul cry comes across the winds to his audials. Stepping down, the raptor reploid quickly generates a staff of energy and readies himself for the coming onslaught. As the bubble bats decend he begins to spin the staff and then let loose into the rain of red and black. Idly, during the smooth movements of slamming the drones left and right, even into the ground, the raptor's eyes hunt for the one that brought them all down in the first place. Spotting him, Coaster drops the staff and lets it fade away as he gets the energy rifle in his hands. Backpedaling around as he fires at a few other bats, he eventually snaps a shot off towards Shade Man's position, not even caring to call out to him, there's to much to do in this onslaught to be talking.

Coaster Raptor misses Shade Man with his Standard Energy Rifle attack.

Alacrity Demon raises an eyebrow from under the sizable dent formed where a frying pan is lodged in his head, "Yours? I was unaware McDonald's had plans for world conquest," he replies conversationally, before flipping his entire body around and attempting to plant an explosive kick into the side of Cleaver's head to return the favor.

Alacrity Demon misses Cleaver Cow with his Demon Smasher attack.

Some might smile, to see their enemy so disabled. The pilot of the Kraken shows only grim efficiency, however. With quick movements, he grasps the Kraken's controls, jamming down on the weapon triggers. The crackling electrical fury of the gold tentacle grows stronger, as the flex-metal closes tighter around the Guardian. Blazing lightning flares hungrily, reaching out to scorch paintwork...as actulators whine, strengthening the vice-like grip.

Ride Armor <Kraken> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with its Thunder Tentacle Wrap attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> is temporarily disoriented by Ride Armor <Kraken>'s Thunder Tentacle Wrap attack.

X hops back as soon as he makes contact with the bald leader of the Mavericks. Sigma's shield comes sweeping out just as Rock moves. Rock wipes his brow slightly and throws off some mecha-fluid from a previous injury. He's getting lucky today... Rock quickly brings the buster back to aim at Sigma. "Quick assaults work. And I need to dispose of you so your army will back off." Rock fires the buster. "I didn't expect even you to defy the neutrality of the Swiss."

Rock strikes Sigma with his Hyper-buster attack.

Sword Man takes the shot in the shoulder, the joint ripping at the shot. The arm is still functional, but barely. "BLAST..." He hisses in pain, eying the direction of the shot. Seeing a lone cat-form reploid holding a gun, he glowers, before leveling his blade. The runes on it glow as he snaps off a quick swing, sending off a quick crackling of flame toward the assailant, following in after it quickly. Whether this proves to be wise has yet to be seen, however...

Sword Man misses Justice Jaguar with his Flame Wave attack.

Cleaver Cow sends a radio transmission to Paragon Pirana.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission from Cleaver Cow.

Feedback acks and then swats at the bubble bat that bit him, electricuting it. He looks up at Shade Man and makes a mental note to hurt that guy sometime in the near future. Feed waits a few seconds and then lines up a shot at Shade Man. After all, right now is as good a time as any to pay that guy back for what his little midget friends did. Feed fires off a few energy shots and then looks around to see how everyone else is fairing.

Feedback misses Shade Man with his Wrist Laser attack.

Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> continues to drop and then suddenly, thrusters flare. The Mecha halts it's descent and hangs quietly in midair. There. "THERE HE IS!" The Father of the Masters cackles madly and the Mecha drops once more. Like a big, metal afted stone. Right towards Crescent Grizzly. "YOU! Repliforcer! Its time for payback! I'll rip your head from your body and drag your carcass through the mud. Not even your own creator will recognize your mangled corpse when I'm finished with you!" Wily leans forwards in his pilot's chair, the Mecha barelling down on Crescent even as he drills into the ground. No tank destroying for that evil teddy bear. "This one's for you, Frost!" And the mecha impacts. (Hopefully)

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "I'm engaged with Sigma... How is the rest of the battle going?"

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> rocks again from the blasts, but does not fall, the silver and red armor scorched, but relatively undamaged. Raising the arm not holding the lance, Admiral frowns at his opponent. "I don't know who you are...but this is getting a bit tiresome!" Then, the massive fist opens to reveal an equally massive beam cannon, and fires what seems to be a lower-level burst.

Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> strikes Crescent Grizzly with its Ram attack.

Shark Man really wasn't expecting his drink to get thrown back at him, and as a result, the beverage is now splashed over his armour. "What's wrong, dude? Not thirsty? Maybe we'll play a little game then." As he speaks, Sharky pulls out a beachball. When he's done, he throws the multi-coloured ball of... rubber at Spin.

Brash young Ride Armor, the pilot of this Ride Armor is three times as old as almost everyone in this room, brash and young? Not in the least. Regardless, the Sentinel is undeterred by the beams of energy, as it barely even registers on the armor, "Turn around and retreat back to the cesspool you've turned Europe into, and I won't spread your remains over the Mediterranean." Of course, Arkady snaps both vulcan cannons up, a warning shot directed right at the Manticore's chest.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> strikes Ride Armor <Kraken> with its Beam Cannon <low> attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] UN Security Elite Serena Gilbert transmits, "Need any help sugah?"

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Beachball Toss attack.

Pallbearer looks up just in time as the bubble bats dive. "Covering FIRE!" he yells, Squad 2 immediately responding, ducking down behind cover and loosing off shots at the bats that get too close, Pall himself fighting back with palm blaster and saber. As Shade Man makes his presence known, swooping down on the wounded Gumby, Pall growls, levelling his blaster on the enemy. "Insufferable Wily trash!" he yells. "Didn't learn from the last time, did you?" He turns to his squad. "Keep going, get the wounded to the triage units ASAP! I'll handle this filth." MSE elite squad 2 nods in unison, rushing off as Pall charges at Shade, opening fire with his palm blaster to soften him up a bit.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Apparently, McDonalds of Mavland sent a representative. I'm busily arguing her corporate goals of world conquest with her."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "I've engaged the squid."

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Ride Armor <Manticore> with its Twin Vulcans attack.

Pallbearer misses Shade Man with his Palm Burst attack.

Sigma glances towards the previous injury... This distracts him from the Busters, which nearly blows his arm off, energy coursing through the limb as he drops his shield, clenching tightly to his hammer as he clenches tightly to his wound, "Ghrr....Guh....", Sigma spits out Mechfluid again as he stumbles back some more, "Hehe.... You didn't... That's why... You fall for strategy...every...fuggin'...TIME!", and with that Sigma blinks forward, reappearing right in front of X, swinging his hammer in a wide arc right towards the injury Elec Man inflicted previously with a wild grin. "Sloppy, X!", he shouts.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Busy."

Sigma misses Rock with his Hammer Swing attack.

Cleaver Cow manages to avoid Alacrity's kick by the very simple reaction of ducking desperately, her non-frying pan hand drawing back in. "McDonald's,am I? I'd never work for them! You're going to pay for that, you...buggered if I know who you are." Stabbing out with the apparently empty arm, a three-foot skewer pokes from the 'wrist', followed by the hand holding it like some demented fencing equipment.

Cleaver Cow misses Alacrity Demon with her Skewer attack.

"Oh hell." Fire, just the thing Justice doesn't need right now. The feline leaps behind cover, and holsters his Raptor. Instead, he pulls out his sonic rifle, charges it up, and then leans out from behind his cover and lets loose with a sonic blast wave.

Justice Jaguar strikes Sword Man with his Sonic Rifle attack.

Wild Card receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Wild Card a direct message: "It's a big target. Tank is, anyway."

The Manticore doesn't even slow as it wades through the hair of fire that is being poured out at it by the opposing ride armor - indeed, it simply forces onwards, attempting to smash through the opposition that is being placed in front of it by its opponent. Bullets ricochet off of its armor, occasionaly tearing off gouges of its frame, but the armor seems to intent on reaching its target to even be stopped. Roaring, it pounces - its long, stinger tail lashing about and aiming to strike into the side of the Swiss armor - once there, it can deliver a dose of corrosive venom, sure to disrupt the armor's functions for a time.

Ride Armor <Manticore> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with its Venom Sting attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> is temporarily disoriented by Ride Armor <Manticore>'s Venom Sting attack.

Crescent Grizzly snarls aloud in surprise as the WilyMachine strikes him in the back, bowling the titan over, his tunnel only a small crater in the ground at the moment. Looking up from his paws and knees, the bear's eyes flare slightly, as if a spark had been struck. " Oh. So Wilay' wants tah' play wit' deh' Grizzly? " Crescent smiles, " Les' play..." Charging forwards he swipes out with his normal claws, hoping to give the WilyMachine a taste of it's own medicine....

Crescent Grizzly strikes Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> with his Generic Melee attack.

Alacrity Demon twists further in the air, catching the wrist with the skewer in both hands and using it as a balance for the split second it takes him to rake his wings along Cleaver, the bladed feathers glittering in the dusky air, before he's up and off and hovering again under his own power. "Tsk. I'm Alacrity Demon. Professional smart-arse and irritant, m'dear. So who DO you work for? Burger King?"

Alacrity Demon strikes Cleaver Cow with his Black Wing Barrage attack.

"Thirsty? Nah." Spin almost smiles, as he follows the drink with a charge. It takes a while to cover the distance, enough time for Shark to retaliate with the beachball. The Cougar, even in his armor, neatly dives and somersaults under it, uncurling at just the right moment to send all his velocity straight into his hindpaws, which are aimed at the Shark's chest. This is something Spin's lower body isn't designed for, let's hope it doesn't hurt too badly.

Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Ram attack.

Frost Man watches skips along happily behind his Father. As he does, he stops looking at where some man is cowering in an alley. A few feet away is where said man's vending cart was. He hrms, and grabs the cart, continuing to skip along, weenies and condoments flying as he does. The man cries out, "Icey demon! Why must you haunt me, and steal my source of money!!!" Then he sighs, "Yet another child's college fund gone.."

Then Frost cheers as daddy get's the evil teddy bear back for ripping his head off. Suddenly...he stops and stares...it's like nothing he's ever seen before. He giggles with glee, "Moo cow! Hunter Moo Cow!" He's talking about Construct. No, Frost doesn't know the difference in an ox and a cow. He doesn't care. In fact, he's content with hurling carts at it regardless. "WEENIE'S AWAY!" Frost bellows happily as the vending cart sails through the air..

The corrosive venom begins to eat its way through one of the armos of the Sentinel, having driven its left arm in the way of the stinger before it struck the main body. Unfortunately that leaves the two of them entangled.

Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Weenie Cart Assault attack.

Sword Man gets shot back by the sonic blast, snapping back from his dash and falling down onto his back. Following the wave DEFINITELY turned out to be a bad idea. Grunting as he pushes himself up onto his blade, he eyes the area and sees the Jaguar leaning out from behind something. In a quick movement, he attempts to slam down on his head with a mighty downward slash. Hopefully, he's fast enough to hit the guy...

Sword Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Overhead Slice attack.

Wild Card sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Wild Card sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Well, watch where you're aiming, you lame excuse of a Texan. I liked this hat, now it's full of holes!"

As the hammer comes down, Rock steps inside Sigma's swing. Rock reaches around Sigma with his left arm and leans forward trying to pull the big monster over his hip. "You're right, Sigma. It is a lousy plan. Too bad its working."

Rock strikes Sigma with his Throw attack.

Alarms sound within the cockpit of the Kraken, echoing through its pilot's ears. The reploid within the Ride Armor ignores it, however, his eyes flashing into cold dispassionate pinpoints of light. His machine is damaged. The bolt from the Swiss Ride Armor's beam cannon drew more than just blood, it tore a wide gash down the flank of the Maverick machine. Internals grind and spark, but remain functional. Barely. "Know not who I am," the pilot whispers to himself, finally breaking his silence, "indeed..."

He drives his controls forward, and the Kraken shudders, the eight steel tentacles mounted along its body snapping upwards, sharpening into cruel points. They slash forward, angling in, slamming at the Guardian from several directions.

Ride Armor <Kraken> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with its Eight Tentacle Impale attack.

Wild Card receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Wild Card a direct message: "Then move faster."

Cleaver Cow doesn't /quite/ drop the skewer as that wrist is grabbed, but she retracts it again, presumably to get something better at knocking people away from her. Like another frying pan. But then Alacrity leaps up, leaving a cut X over her face from the bladed wings. "Look what you did!" she shrills, retracting the pan as well and pointing both gun-arms at the hovering Alacrity. "Burger King? Don't make me laugh! So low-end..." With a grinding sound, both Cleaver's free arms expel a spray of miscellaneous sharp things - normal-sized skewers, forks, knives ranging from steak to butter. There's even some spoons in there, and what looks like a potato masher.

Cleaver Cow strikes Alacrity Demon with her Cutlery Cannon attack.

Shade Man snarls into the neck of the downed Repliforcer he just has drained. Shade Man, however, lets his eyes keep rolling across the battlefield, looking for enemies to fight. A snarl spreads on his lips even as he noticed none other then... Iris. Dropping the Repliforcer, he smiles grimly, mechfluid leaking from the corners of his lips. Slowly he begins to stride for her, even as she is assaulted by a Bubble Bat. Spinning, she manages to dislodge the one that was biting her... ...but her slap connects with another target then the Bat.

Shade Man.

Shade Man's head SNAPS to the side from Iris' full-armed slap... and slowly his tongue extends to lick the blood on his cheek. "Mmmm... ...If you liked my children, sweet one... You should LOVE what I am about to do to you... but please... do hit me HARDER next time." Shade Man turns his horrible glare on Iris, his eyes rolling to blood red.

Iris is, however, saved from Vampiric Embrace by the three converging attacks from Coaster Raptor, Feedback, and Pallbearer. Shade's wings immediately snap back, as he hurls himself away. Turning, Shade SNARLS at all three... ...and raises a hand.

The air distorts around his hand, and a three walls of sonic force launch for the three heroic enemies who dared try to kill Shade Man. "Come not between a Vampire and his Prey! For he shall not slay thee in turn... he shall bear thee away to his Crypt... where you may be BLED DRY before his maker's approving eye!"

Shade Man misses Feedback with his Sonic Blast attack.

Shade Man strikes Pallbearer with his Sonic Blast attack.

Shade Man misses Coaster Raptor with his Sonic Blast attack.

Shark Man gets kicked, stumbling backwards a few steps. This is starting to get less fun for him. When he regains his composure, Sharky jumps into the air, not even speaking as he angles himself horizontally, trying to land on the cougar.

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Belly Flop attack.

Wild Card sends a radio transmission to Bowie.

[Radio] Wild Card sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "You're asking t'get face full of buck shot, you know."

"Indeed. Lets..." Wily flips switches, turns knobs and slams a lever forwards as the Mecha rebounds from its attack. "PLAY!" The craft drives forwards once more, thrusters warping the pavement and sending clouds of dust hurtling into the air. The father of the Masters leans forwards against the harness of his Mecha, hair in wild disarray and eyes blazing madly. A cruel grin twists Wily's mouth as he fixes on his target. "You will pay..." This murmured within the cockpit. "For the disgrace. For the pain you put Frost through. For the pain you put me through. YOU WILL PAY!" The last rips from Wily, torn from deep within as his rage finally bubbles over. His metal avatar seems to respond to his change of mood, the eyes of the craft turning a demonic red as the whine of servos straining shrieks over the battlefield. The monster bears down on Crescent, seeking to overpower him and hurl him to the ground once more.

Ah, but while the two of them might be entangled, it means that the Ride Armor is at the mercy of the more monsterous looking Maverick Ride armor. Roaring in satisfaction from the damage that it has already rendered upon its foe, the Manticore flexes its talons in anticipation - and begins to rake the sides of the opposing armor, moving to tear off long strips of metal in a methodical, merciless precision. There shall be no mercy for those whom oppose the Emperor.

Ride Armor <Manticore> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with its Claw Swipe attack.

Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> strikes Crescent Grizzly with its Generic Melee attack.

Justice Jaguar finds himself slashed before he ducks back behind his cover. The armor across his chest gets cut open, and he stumbles away from Sword, letting out a roar of pain, "That's it. You so messed up with that one." The jaguar backs off a few steps, pulling out his grenade launcher, as he leaps up, despite the pain, and aims downwards, spinning the grenade launcher's cylinder, before firing a grenade.

Justice Jaguar strikes Sword Man with his Acid Grenade attack.

Sigma is lifted up! And flung away, but not too far away, and if it does any damage, Sigma certainly doesn't mention it. Growling Sigma whispers, "Ghrr...Rrrghh...Damn you...", as he struggles to main control of his composure. No, no, he must keep in mind... One good hit and he'll go down for sure. Sigma grinds his feet back, closing his eyes, "Even if you defeat me, you never win. I have told you this before...", nodding to himself, he brings his senses back in check as he shouts, "You're always in the WAY!", fiercely as he brings his hammer around, attempting to impale Rock with the vibro-spike near the hand right where Elec placed his injury, "Always in the way of the Utopia, always in the way of the end of this war! If it wasn't for you, there would have been PEACE now. The reploid race would have never needed to exist, Wily would have had his world, and my people would have never been opressed. Better this, than to suffer this indignity at your slavemaster's hands!"

Sigma misses Rock with his Hammer Spike attack.

Alacrity Demon gahs, arms and wings snapping up and around respectively to shield his face from the onslaught of flying flatware, letting it drive him backwards. As it ends his wings snap out, visibly missing feathers that go fluttering to the ground around him dramatically. His form stretches slightly, a whining noise building up, before he lashes back towards Cleaver, eyes melting through to a boiling red as he rams everything he has into a speed run that would make the fastest car in the world envious.

Alacrity Demon strikes Cleaver Cow with his Revenant Overdrive attack.

Construct Ox rubs his head and reloads his Nail Gun, "Ugh... look at dis block! It's in ruins! What did it ever do t'dose kamakazymajiggers?!" Construct Ox pushes his bulk up onto his hind legs once more and pops off another Nail at a nearby attacker, "Get away from dis block! It's already gonna take me a couple weeks to finish reconstructin dis place!" Then an incoming Weenie cart flies through the air towards poor little Construct Ox. The thing collides with the Combat Engineer and sends him back on his bottom, "... Ow..." A couple of weenies are impaled on his horns, and the rest of them are spilled out over him. The cart rests at his side, "What the flyin monkey wrench was that?" Ox plucks one of the weenies off and gets up onto his hooves once again, "Hey you! Dat wasn't nice at all!" The Ox kicks the ground and propells himself forward towards Frost Man, "I'll learn you!" Seems the Ox is charging at the huge Master.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> seems to fold like a doll as the tentacles rip through it, and when it stands again, shaking massive rents have been torn into it. Lubricants and fuels pour out one of the holes in its' side around the tentacle still there, and Admiral has to fight severely to keep it upright after the painful impaling. "...I won't let you win that easily...." Then, wrenching the Beam Lance upwards, the armor arches itself to the side to rip several of the tentacles away before moving down the remaining tentacles and driving the lance at the heart of the beast!

Construct Ox strikes Frost Man with his Horn Gore attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> strikes Ride Armor <Kraken> with its Beam Lance attack.

Iris backs away from the awful vampiric monster fearfully. As Shade is diverted by multiple attacks, she rather instinctively clutches the area around her neck, running away down an alley as Bubble Bats follow her every move. "Great," Iris laments. "I came here to run the underground railroad, and I end up as a B-Movie Scream Queen."

Sword Man is engulfed in the acidic explosion, falling back and the acid seeping into the already crushed shoulder joint and cracks made by the sonic rifle. Falling to his knee, he finds his arm unusable, and his antigravity units compromised by the attack. Falling down, he curses his luck, clattered on the ground helpless.

Crescent Grizzly is pushed away, but holds his footing. Growling in anger, he retaliates, charging forwards to lock arms with the Mecha. " Non! You brough' dis' 'pon yerself Wilay' ! " the behemoth bellows, " Yew' sought tah' 'urt people, tah' drag dem' into yer' conflic'. Dey' dinnent' ask tah' beh par' o' yer world, yer war. " Crescent bares his teeth, " You 'ave no right, Wilay...." He tries to slam the mecha up agianst a nearby statue erected in a small square. " NO RIGHT AT ALL! "

Crescent Grizzly strikes Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> with his Generic Melee attack.

There might be no mercy, but that same merciless attitude is returned in kind, punch for punch. The armor on the side of the Sentinel is clawed through, ripping some of the external armour off, but leaving the Manticore quite close. "Moron." With that, the Sentinel's right arm snaps around, a blade extending from its wrist. The blade is normal metal, save that it seems to be emitting a high pitched whine. Just as it reaches its highest pitch, the Sentinel drives it toward the chest of the Manticore.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Ride Armor <Manticore> with its Progressive Knife attack.

A little jarring of the internals, with Spin's impromptu Dragon Kick, but the effect is mostly as hoped. Bouncing off of Shark Man, Spin lands on his hands, rolling nearly back to his feet. Yep, he's still the gymnast, too. Floor Mat exercises come to mind as Shark Man attempts to land on him, and he quickly launches himself backward moments before the slam. Nearly bouncing off the tarmac behind him, Spin flies /over/ Shark, swinging the spinstaff downward at the peak.

Bowie continues to pepper the Dinosaur Tank with bullets, not quite fast enough to be considered cover fire, but enough that he might irritate someone eventually. Point. Fire. Eject spent cartridge, load new. Repeat. He aims for what appear to be soft tagets, gun turrets and portholes and such. Any Mavericks climbing over or in the vicinity of the massive tank are also targets, of course, and he picks a few gumbies off as well. Along with any sombrero-wearing reploids standing too close.

Still battling amongst the front lines, Paragon is apparently holding his own, giving just as good as he is getting. A few UNers assault him with rifle fire, blasting a few clean holes through his large shoulder armor, to which he responds by kicking a poorly parked car in their direction. The UNers immediately break for cover as the car smashes into their location, barely missing them in the process. With a snort, Paragon continues his own advance, snapping off a quick radio.

Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Staff Swing attack.

You strike Wild Card with a glancing hit from your Grasp attack.

With the blast having missed it's target, Coaster continues to deal with more of the bubble bats until he has a clear path. As soon as he does he starts skating toward shade, rails carrying him toward the vampirish robot master. When his sonic blast surges forth, the raptor banks hard left, then kicks the boosters on to surge upward toward Shade, he's gonna make this personal. Once he's close, the raptor leaps from the rails in a hard spin, trying to let a taloned foot claw the master before he starts to fall back toward the ground. Eventually his rails start to generate again and he coasts out of the fall and back around, glancing up at Shade waiting for what may be next as he builds up speed for another attack.

Coaster Raptor misses Shade Man with his Raptor Talon Roundhouse attack.

Paragon Pirana sends a radio transmission to Sigma.

Sigma receives a radio transmission.

Justice Jaguar releases his grenade launcher, letting it snap back to it's storage area, as he lands and runs at Sword Man, "Not gonna let you walk out of here in once peice, Robot Master!" He yells, as he jumps up again, and sails at Sword Man, snapping a foot out as he flies.

Justice Jaguar strikes Sword Man with his Kick attack.

Sigma sends a radio transmission.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission from Sigma.

TINK! Yes. Tink. No, Construct Ox, tink is not the sound you want to hear result from you charging a Robot Master. But, alas...all of you heard... "Tink!" Frost Man, looks down, a little confused. That...made no sense. He looks at the chip in his armor. Then to Construct. Slowly....oh so slowly, it dawns on him...

"You tried to hurt me....", Frost Man muses...not one of those mocking muses. No, this is one of those 'just barely made the INT roll' muses. Frost giggles, "You tried to hurt me. Tee hee. Silly moo cow. I show you how it works." With that, Frost simply tosses the club over his shoulder, crunching a yugo...then, raising his arms high overhead, he swings down at Construct Ox with a double ax handle style smash.

Wild Card receives a radio transmission from Bowie.

[Radio] You send Wild Card a direct message: "Yer welcome t'try."

Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Bash attack.

Feedback watches as Shade continues to fight back, dodging out of the way of that last sonic attack as it impacts just inches away from Feed. Part of the blast is deflected off his armor. Looking back at Shade Man, Feed just shakes his head muttering, "And here I was ready to move on. But fine, be that way. I'll match ya sonic for sonic." With that Feed starts to power his own sonic generators and then fires back a sound burst back at Shade Man.

Feedback misses Shade Man with his Sound Burst attack.

Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> crashes through the statue, stone dust and rubble flying in all directions. "Brought it upon myself? You all brought this upon yourselves. If you had simply submitted to my benevolent and omniscient rule!" The Mecha staggers back to it's feet, dust cascading away from it's back. "Then you would all be living in an age of unimagined peace and propserity!" The scary part? He sounds like he believes his own rantings. Then again, he probably does. "Sooner or later the world will learn. Submit to the will of Wily or DIE!" He drives forwards once more, attempting to hurl Crescent through the local library.

Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> strikes Crescent Grizzly with its Generic Melee attack.

With a horrible shriek of tearing metal, the tentacles are wrenched forcefully free from the Kraken's body. Slick with oil and lubricant, two, purple and green, are torn completely off their hull mountings. The Kraken whines with protest, its treads digging into the earth. And that's when the Guardian makes its play, driving its lance into the Kraken's armour, light punching through the double-ringed body and flaring out beside the spherical cockpit. Wounded, the machine reels, impaled on the blazing lance, before its pilot regains control. The lower jaws of the Kraken open, the wide gaping maw reaching out to snap the offending lance in twain - and not incidentally, the arm of the Guardian holding it fast.

The Manticore leaps back from its tearing frenzy, ceasing its attempts to do serious damage to its opponent, and merely hovers there for a moment. The sword attack had been sufficient to tear a nice sized chunk from its armor, but it was not serious - indeed, it seemed the two armors might be attempting to nickel and dime each other to death.

From all about several Swiss guardsmen are attempting to fire on it, supporting their country's ride armor as best they can in hopes to spare it from further damage, while it might protect the citizens of the city elsewhere. But there is little hope where the Manticore is concerned. The Ride Armor holds its position in the air for a moment, its wings holding it aloft as its emitters charge.

What comes next is a massive, insane burst of sound - the sound of a thousand souls screaming in agony that washes out in a ring from about the Manticore, slaughtering guardsmen, splintering masonry to rubble, and hopefully pounding the Sentinel back into the ground.

This is the Terror Scream.

Ride Armor <Manticore> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with its Terror Scream attack.

X's foot boosters fire off as Sigma attempts to spike the Rock. Rock glares down at Sigma as the leader of the Maverick's spouts his ministry. "Sigma, that's where you are wrong. Your actions valid the hate people have for reploids. At least in their minds. Your war doesn't make the world a better place. Realize that and you may change for the better." Rock transforms the buster back to an arm that he unleashes towards Sigma for yet another quick strike. "And Sigma, you keep forgetting. I wasn't the first. Protoman has that honor."

Ride Armor <Kraken> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with its Jaw Slice attack.

Rock strikes Sigma with his Hyperjab attack.

Pallbearer mutters a curse slightly, as Shade's blast ripples through him. The reploid feels a bit lightheaded, but shakes it off quickly, closing on Shade. "Anyone ever given you a lesson in proper etiquette? No harrassing a LADY!" Pall levels his reinforced-steel shoulder pauldron at the vampire, leaping as he charges full-force at Shade's gut.

Sword Man glares at Justice, the kick rolling him about on his studded belt. "Kicking a downed foe? Ghh...I would have thought you would have more honor than that..."

Pallbearer misses Shade Man with his Soul Driver attack.

Shark Man is really having a bad day, it seems, as the staff smacks into his back, leaving a dent in the armour. Unfornately for the agile cougar, right next to the dent is Sharky's razor sharp dorsal fin. As Spin leaps over him, Shark Man springs himself upward, trying to implae him o that fin.

Wild Card sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Wild Card sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "If I knew where the heck you were, I would."

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Fin Slice attack.

Wild Card receives a radio transmission from Bowie.

[Radio] You send Wild Card a direct message: "Look up."

Sigma misses Rock with his Hammer Slam attack.

Wild Card sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Wild Card sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I already knew you were up there somewhere, but there's a damn lot of rooftops."

Sigma strikes Rock with his Grasp attack.

Cleaver Cow's hoof-feet squeal as she's forced backwards, barely staying upright - the force is tremendous, though, and the inner front of her armour buckles in, revealing red-hot inner things as they burn through her apron. "Ow ow ow. You - " It degenerates into cursing here; both her hands pull out very large cleavers, a good three feet long per. "Bring it," she growls, trying to take advantage of the range before Alacrity gets away by going into a slashing frenzy.

Cleaver Cow strikes Alacrity Demon with her Cleaver Massacre attack.

Paragon Pirana sends a radio transmission.

Sigma receives a radio transmission from Paragon Pirana.

Sigma sends a radio transmission.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission.

The 'Moo Cow' looks up after hearing the 'tink'. Certainly Construct Ox didn't want to hear a 'tink'. A 'tink' is something he expects when hammering nails into a board... not ramming an opponent. Construct Ox's eyes go wide as he states, "Oh no..." The Double Axe Handle smash collides with the Bovine's back storage compartment. Construct Ox groans a bit and raises his nailgun up just a bit. That's right folks. The poor Combat Engineer's gonna attempt to nail Frost Man to the ground. He's an engineer people... at this point in time, after getting a beat down, it sounded like a good idea at the time.

Sigma wonders idly what the hell Rock is talking about as he smacks him in the face. He swings his hammer in a wide arc for the face but his swing goes wild. Rock didn't even have to move. "Rrrghh....", he growls, stumbling back.

Construct Ox strikes Frost Man with his Nail Gun attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> reels backwards, the beam-lance arm gone, unbalanced and heavily damaged. Going to a knee to stabilize itself, it slowly raises again, backing away to get some distance, then unleashes a larger blast with the Beam Cannon, attempting to blast away more of the damaged tentacle cluster.

Alacrity Demon winces, throwing himself backwards and away from the carving machine o' doom as hastily as he can manage, large rents opened in his wings and in his armor, leaking oil and other, orange fluids as he goes. His right hand lashes out, and a veritable blizzard of throwing stars lances towards Cleaver, in an attempt to drive her back. "Back! Back to the kitchen foul steak!"

Alacrity Demon misses Cleaver Cow with his Shuriken attack.

Paragon Pirana sends a radio transmission.

Sigma receives a radio transmission from Paragon Pirana.

Wild Card receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Wild Card a direct message: "*sounds of reloading a rifle - chk shnkt clink* Didn't say Ah wus goin t'make mahself an easy target."

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> strikes Ride Armor <Kraken> with its Beam Cannon <mid> attack.

Sigma sends a radio transmission to Paragon Pirana.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission.

Velguader has arrived.

Sigma drops Velguader.

Wild Card eyes the direction that the shots have been coming from, and draws one of his shotguns.

Wild Card sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Wild Card sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "So that's how you want to play the game, 'eh? Well, ante up."

Justice Jaguar pauses, and draws his 9mm, pointing it at Sword Man, "You're disabled?" He asks, supprised, "Well, then you should evacuate from the battlefield. Destroying you now wouldn't make me feel very good."

The Ursine Protector is shoved forcefully into the library, and assorted texts in all sorts of languages go flying into the air and spilling out into the street...

And a tiny scrap of paper floats to the ground from a mangled book, it's writing in small type. It states very simply....

" We would rather die on our feet, then live on our knees..."

If anything, that is all the inspiration Crescent Grizzly needs. Climbing to his feet, he looms, head arched forwards, breathing hard from the effort as his pumps send fuel to where it is needed. " A worl' witout' freedoms, a worl' witout thought 'n beauty. Non, Wilay', NON, JE PARLE! " Striding forwards, he lashes out first with one fist, " Iffin' 'ah mus' choos' 'tween takin' a single 'uman life, 'r losin' all dat' 'ah 'old dear..." Then the other, "...den' yew' com' up a bi' shor' 'n deh' scales! " Then a massive uppercut with both paws balled into fists and parallel in their strike

The blast of sound wreaks havoc with the internal systems of the Sentinel. For a good few seconds, the Sentinel begins to fall toward the ground from its holding position in the air as the pilot struggles to regain control of the armor from the system lock it was placed in. With enough time to spare, the Sentinel's pilot regains control and launches back into the air. "Now that was a very very rude thing to do. You could have killed me. That or I could have been quite indisposed for a good while, and well, we can't have that." comes the voice over the speakers on the Sentinel. Its shoulder cannon comes alive, the Sentinel reaching up and removing it from its shoulder and placing it on its right forearm. "Now, lets teach you some manners." The cannon screams to life as it lets out a pure burst of energy.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Ride Armor <Manticore> with its Beam Cannon <mid> attack.

Shade Man smiles grimly, his wings spreading wide as he takes flight. As Coaster and Pallbearer charge for him, his wings beat once, and he launches skywards, up and over his foes. Shade's laugh is ominous and terrible as he mocks his enemies, calling to both, "FOOLS! You cannot defeat the Vampire King that easily!" Shade then turns his head, even as Feedback unleashes a wave of sonic force for the Vampire, "...Ahh... a fellow Tunesmith. Excellent." Shade's wings move, launching him up higher, then they bank as he dives down, barreling down around the sonic burst sent by Feedback.

"Tunesmith! ...Try my Dirge."

And Shade throws his wings and arms wide, his mouth opening... and he sings. A deep, subsonic vibration launches from him. Haunting and horrible, it disturbs circuitry and systems entire... launching out for Feedback, Coaster Raptor, and Pallbearer... as well as Iris.

Shade Man's Song: Devil's Dirge.

Crescent Grizzly strikes Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily> with his Generic Melee attack.

Shade Man strikes Iris with his Devil's Dirge attack.

Iris is temporarily disoriented by Shade Man's Devil's Dirge attack.

Shade Man strikes Pallbearer with his Devil's Dirge attack.

Pallbearer is temporarily disoriented by Shade Man's Devil's Dirge attack.

Shade Man strikes Feedback with his Devil's Dirge attack.

Feedback is temporarily disoriented by Shade Man's Devil's Dirge attack.

Shade Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Devil's Dirge attack.

Coaster Raptor is temporarily disoriented by Shade Man's Devil's Dirge attack.

The staff strikes its target, and Spin forces a grin. He's somehow enjoying this, even as the sharp fin comes up and nearly takes his head off. Landing behind the Shark, the Cougar shouts, "This is your last chance to save yourself, drone! Run while you still can!" Now if he were a fool, he'd stop attacking - but he doesn't, sticking the tip of his staff into Shark's dorsal-side as if like a cattle prod.

Spin Cougar misses Shark Man with his Staff Thrust attack.

Bowie ducks back behind the stonework facade again, and crouches to reload his rifle. Picking the shells seemingly at random from his bandoleer, he slips each into the cartridge, double-checks that nothing's out of place, then closes it up. Of course, by this time a certain chatty maverick may have figured out which roooftop he happens to be standing on.

The sudden appearance of nails in his icey armor still amuses the giant Master. He plucks one out of his armor, looking at it. Tossing it over his shoulder, he looks down at the oxen reploid. Laughing loudly and happily, he says, "I like you! You're funny! You're my favorite toy now!" Then...he beams, like he just got an idea.

Reaching for the Ox's ears, he shouts gleefully, "Moo! Moo, cow! Moo for me! I wanna hear a moo!" Most people would call for Uncle, or Mercy, but not Frost...he continues to bellow joyfully, "And the cow goes....." Reach and attempt to yank time.

Frost Man misses Construct Ox with his Punch attack.

Up and over the Hammer swing goes X. "Sigma, it appears to not be your day. Call off your forces..." Rock lands as his hyper arm reattaches to his body. His right hand curls into a balled fist. Rock rears back and tries to repeatitly smash Sigma in the face.

Rock strikes Sigma with his Punch attack.

Sword Man grunts, rolling about. "I wouldst, if currently had the ability to. You hath disabled the very means which I would evacuate myself..." Indeed, his legs are up and about, but Sword finds himself unable to latch onto the legs with his shot arm.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Okay, everyone report in status, everyone thoroughly beating the crap out of the Mavericks and Masters?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Sigma hasn't touched me yet."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Crescent Grizzly transmits, "'m 'ngagin deh' WilyMecha."

Even as Coaster comes around to make another ascent toward Shade, the dirge coming from his audials is enough to make Coaster flinch, and disrupt his generators enough that he falls back to the earth from a few feet up with a resounding thud, "Ugh..."

Iris is taken by surprise by the low-toned dirge, which resonates at such a pitch as to damage some of her sensitive communications equipment. She trips, stumbling and falling in clumsy fashion before pushing herself back up -- still swatting at the Bubble Bats. "Go on, shoo...oh, drat it all...this is terrible...well, hopefully I've lost that really awful one. I can't afford to meet up with HIM again..."

The Manticore seems satisfied with the damage that one scream has wreaked on the area - certainly those whom opposed it will be unable to continue such an action. That leaves only its main opponent - and the Swiss armor has been an admirable foe this far. And then the massive blast of light rips out, tearing off a good chunk of the side of the Manticore. The armor staggers for a moment, almost falling to the ground... almost, but not quite.

The Maverick Armor roars again in frustration, and its tail whips over its shoulder - and from its tip launches its stinger, racing through the air so fast that it leaves a trail of miniature air rings, even as there is a loud boom as the atmosphere behind the projectile collapses back in upon itself. There is a loud *KACHUNK* as a new stinger loads into place, ready for action as the first stinger hurtles towards the Sentinel.

Ride Armor <Manticore> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with its Stinger Launcher attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "I'm hoping to end things with the barbeque soon. Cause that bloody cleaver hacked a couple of my primary power lines. I'm still good, but another hit and I won't be."

The blast from the Guardian's fully-deployed beam cannon tears into the Kraken with all the fury of a newborn star, vaporizing hardened armor alloys like so much tissue paper. The Kraken topples over, crashing to the street with a resounding echo. Fragments of asphault and concrete scatter into the air, falling around the broken Ride Armor. Fully half the Kraken's primary armament, its dread tentacles, are shattered now, detatched from the body, or broken beyond use.

Yet, the Ride Armor rises, body rotating, pushing itself upright with its remaining tentacles. The jaws of the machine grind angrily. One tentacle rises, energy exploding into a corona of retina-searing brightness along its length and breadth. The surface temperature of the tentacle climbs, heating coils built into its structure drawing from the vast reserves of the Kraken's fusion bottle to fuel its immolation. Glowing white-hot, stripping the air around it into a blaze of hideous plasma, the tentacle extends, its reach impossibly long, lunging to coil and crush the Guardian's cockpit in its hellish embrace.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Makin some Mavs' lives miserable. Ah'm okay fer now."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "The Encampment is holding its own...can't talk much...I'm acting as a satellite for radio communique for Allied Troop Units...coordinating on multiple frequencies at once...."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Justice Jaguar transmits, "Sword Man disabled. Unable to evacuate himself. Where is assistance required?"

Ride Armor <Kraken> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with its Plasma Tentacle Crush attack.

Cleaver Cow blocks a few of the shuriken with her cleaver - she knows what she's doing - but most of them simply go past her as she's moving now. A bit to the side, and then her hoof paws the ground for a moment... "Let's show you how this is done!" she yells, charging head-first toward Alacrity. She doesn't really have horns, but her head is hard enough. Smoke trails can be seen behind her...but that's more from her damaged ovens still burning her apron then any other reason.

Cleaver Cow strikes Alacrity Demon with her Mad Cow Stampede attack.

Repliforce Attack Hoverbike <Delta> arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

Repliforce Attack Hoverbike <Delta> has arrived.

Paragon continues to press on, moving forward with a small group of Maverick regulars behind him. However, something makes him pause and narrow his optics. He curses slightly to himself and then barks out some more orders to the Regulars, instructing them on how to proceed. Apparently, something has come up that he neeeds to take care of. With a quick turn of the heel, Pargon hastily makes his way back through the lines, roaring to any in his way..

The Ox rolls as fast as his oddly shaped body will allow. The Ox manages to get away from the giant fist from the giant Master. The Ox does a push up and throws himself back to his feet, "Ahhh ugh no, I ain't gonna moo for you. You... just ain't right in the head are you?" The Ox backs up a bit and initiates a configuration change, "How bout you just stand there for a moment. Lemme do this, and maybe just maybe I'll give you a moo eh? As long as you just sit still." Of course while he's converting to another configuration, the nailgun is utilized to pop a spike into a nearby city attacker, "Eh... that goes for you buddies too."

Construct Ox changes into his Demolition armor.

Feedback curses under his breath as he misses yet again. He's so distracted listening to Shade's ramblings, he is caught off guard by that last attack. Feed just starts mumbling under his breath as his legs just give way and he falls to the ground. Mentally he adds Shade Man back to that list of people to hurt one of these days. But for now, Feed tries to get back to his feet so he isn't a complete sitting duck.

Harmony has arrived.

As the staff is thrust at him, Shark Man finally decides to get out of the way of an attack, spinning around so the staff passes through the air he previously occupied. Then, his lower right arm begins to glow with a sea-green colour, as blue-green seawater begins to gather around his fist. Sharky uses the water-coated fist to deliver an uppercut, hopefully hitting Spin in the jaw.

Despite the damage taking place, there's still a few buildings relatively unharmed. Wild Card goes into one of these buildings, and proceeds to go up one of the elevators to the rooftops. Despite how obscenely stupid this is to do during a battle, he nonetheless safely makes it to the top, and gets a candy bar from a vending machine along the way. Holding the chocolate bar in his mouth, he says (slightly muffled), "Come out, come out, wherever you are," and begins the process of hopping from building to building (it's not that hard, despite what The Matrix may make you think), searching out the one who ruined his hat.

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Aqua Punch attack.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Alacrity Demon transmits, "I'm out. However, it looks like the posterchild for Mad Cow Disease isn't sticking 'round either. One for one, catch y'all when y'get home."

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> is rocked backwards, the cockpit burning and warping as the Kraken attempts to crush it. "Oh...no...you...don't...!" Almost desperately, the beam cannon folds back into a fist before going for a massive knife that deploys from the waist of the armor. Then, blade vibrating, the Admiral attempts to cut the Ride Armor free of the tentacle's embrace, like a deep-sea diver in an old horror flick.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> strikes Ride Armor <Kraken> with its Progressive Knife attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "SONAVAB***H!"

Sigma is decked again. "Rrrgh...Playing with me now, are you...", he is breathing heavily, even though he has yet to even touch Rock. Raising the hammer, focusing, no, forrcing himself into Focus. He simply swings out quickly with his Hammer. This better work, he's running low on strength already, he's ashamed enough that he already had to call in Reinforcements Before he even struck a blow. "But...", he grins to himself, "That is why we win, and you lose...", he comments.

Sigma strikes Rock with his Sigma Hammer attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] UN Security Elite Serena Gilbert transmits, "Eh?"

Frost Man watches the cow, and bounces joyfully, "Cow's gonna go moo! Cow's gonna go mooo!" fortunately for Construct, Frost is an idiot and honestly believes he's gonna get a moo out of the cow. So, he sits there, clapping his hands, anxiously awaiting his moo. Daddy never took him to a petting zoo, or a farm, so he never got to hear any real 'moo's before. And so he waits, anxiously..

Morph Moth's Junk Pile <MMJD> arrives from the Germany.

Morph Moth's Junk Pile <MMJD> has arrived.

Pallbearer drops to the ground as the dirge begins, growling as his highly powered sensors are disrupted by Shade Man's song. "You...pompous son-of-a...I swear I'll rip your fangs from your head and blind you with them...." His rage builds as he struggles to recalibrate his sensors, clutching his head with one hand as he tries to locate Shade.

Morph Moth has arrived.

Morph Moth has left.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Resonance says, "...Sir?"

Morph Moth's Junk Pile <MMJD> enters the Germany.

Morph Moth's Junk Pile <MMJD> has left.

Alacrity Demon grunts as Cleaver plows into him, his eyes flickering dangerously for a moment before emergency relays close inside him and restore power. Coughing up a sizable amount of orange mechfluid, he smirks through the pain at his opponent, "Well, lady. Looks like y'just might be a cut above regular grade beef after all. Catch y'later." With that he's gone, his battered form unable to battle but far from broken, hurling itself into the air with all the speed he can muster, plowing through a few scattered bubble bats on it's way out of the area.

Alacrity Demon retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Mercury, and Crash Man.

The stinger goes right into the side of the Sentinel, tearing right through a good part of it and in fact driving right into the left leg of the pilot within. Staggered for a few seconds, the Sentinel regains its control looking up with the normal coldness of a ride armors glare. The beam cannon on the right arm of the Sentinel glows anew, this time its energy shoots out and forms into the shape of a beam lance. Kicking in its afterburners, the Sentinel flies toward the Manticore in a pose reminscent of the Iron Giant triumphantly flying toward the nuke.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Ride Armor <Manticore> with its Beam Lance attack.

Ride Armor <Manticore> falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "That sonava****h just drove its stinger right through the armor and into my leg..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Do you need assistance, Arkady?"

Top Man arrives from the France.

Top Man has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Gabriel transmits, "..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "No... its stuck well enough in place to keep major bleeding down. We have a f***ing country to protect."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Crescent Grizzly transmits, "Confirmed. Don't hesistate to yell if you do need me, though."

It takes some time to fully convert into his Demolition Configuration, but Construct Ox manages to do it. Usually in a battle situation he would not spend the excessive time to do so, however... it seems he's in a match against someone with below average intelligence. The Bulldozer-esque Ox starts his treads back up. He propels himself forward, towards the giant Master, "Moo..." The Ox begrudgingly lets out as he moves towards Frosty faster and faster. The treads tear up the ground as he speeds up, "MOO!" He lets out another one, "There! There's you Moo! You dipstick!" Seems Ox is on a collision course.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Crescent Grizzly transmits, "OOC That was supposed to be Ebony."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Resonance cheers, "That's the spirit! Tear off their balls, sir!"

Construct Ox strikes Frost Man with his Bulldoze attack.

Cleaver Cow rocks from the impact, shaking her head. Ouch. Holding the sides of her head, she actually grins once she sees Alacrity running off. "Ha! Shows you..." Of course, all /her/ systems are probably giving her as many problems as his; rather then continue, she starts to move toward the Dino Tank. At a slower clip that isn't going to break anything anytime soon.

Cleaver Cow retreats from the area swiftly, leaving her open to pursuit or parting shots from Shade Man, Sword Man, Iris, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel>, Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian>, Spin Cougar, Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily>, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Ride Armor <Kraken>, Crescent Grizzly, Construct Ox, Sigma, Bowie, Mercury, Harmony, Pallbearer, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Justice Jaguar, Alacrity Demon, Wild Card, Shark Man, Crash Man, Top Man, and Shadow Man.

Mercury strikes Cleaver Cow with her Grasp attack.

Crescent Grizzly strikes Cleaver Cow with his Grasp attack.

Shade Man can feel it. The energy draining rapidly from him. All of these area attacks have sapped much of his remaining fuel supply, a snarl forming on his lips. However he witnesses the effect of his Song... disrupting the circuitry of his four current enemies... and leaving his prey open.

Shade throws back his head, and gives another horrifying shriek into the night, even as his wings fold... and he dives...

..Upon Iris...

Shade Man's arms go around Iris. He sweeps her into his arms, spinning her around and crushing her mercilessly to him. A terrible smile spreads on the Vampire's lips.

Shade Man's eyes slowly turn from their charming beauty to a deep, blood red... as that smile spreads into a terrible snarl. His horrifying voice rises from him...

"Give me some sugar, baby."

Shade Man dips... and sinks his teeth into the sweetest, softest reploid synthflesh to ever exist... and almost moans as Iris' lifeblood fills his mouth.

Apparently, X got a little over-confident as Sigma's hammer hits him squarely in the chest. The red 'Blue Bomber steps back from the attack. He spits out a glop of mecha-fluid and stares back at Sigma. "I see you aren't going to take my advice... Fine, Sigma. This ends... and it ends now!!" Rock slams his forearms together and strikes a Ken or Ryu like pose as he unloads a huge blue fireball at Sigma.

Sword Man strikes Cleaver Cow with his Grasp attack.

Shade Man strikes Iris with his Vampire Bite attack.

Shade Man drains energy from Iris with his Vampire Bite attack.

Armor screams as the vibrating edge cuts deep into it. A war between the metallurgy of the Coalition, and the weapons technology of the Swiss Army. A battle that the Maverick machine loses. The Prog Knife's blade tears a deep ragged wound through the plasma-sheaved tentacle, severing the dense cables of artificial muscle. The tentacle goes limp, sliding free from the Guardian, hanging from the Kraken's body by only a few strands of myomer cord.

The Maverick within contemplates his machine's console. He breathes in the acrid, smoke-filled air clogging the cockpit, not bothering to engage the air filters. He is calm. But his machine roars, -roars-, the sound of engines and drive elements blasting at a whole new ear-shattering octave. The machine screams forward, treads propelling it faster than it has any right to move. The Kraken's upper jaws slide open, serrated edges gleaming in the light, hungering for the blood of its tormentor.

Rock strikes Sigma with his Hdkn attack.

Ride Armor <Kraken> strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with its Jaw Crush attack.

Though Sword Man has fallen, Justice Jaguar isn't quite in the clear yet. Having grown tired of playing with defenseless NPCs, Shadow Man silently creeps up on the Hunter while he's busy being Dramatic. Drama has a way of getting Maverick Hunters in trouble... And right now, Shadow Man attempts to slip the edge of his giant shuriken into the Hunter's back, severing whatever internal mechanism may lie in the path of the freshly sharpened blade's cold touch.

Huntsman Chupacabra arrives from the Germany.

Huntsman Chupacabra has arrived.

Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Blade Stab attack.

Flame Man arrives from the Germany.

Flame Man has arrived.

Alacrity Demon enters the Sky Above Western Europe.

Alacrity Demon has left.

Spin Cougar doesn't manage to connect with his staff thrust, and almost gets a counterattack in the jaw - he gets pretty wet, for what it's worth, but nothing. "Fine, then die for what you believe in," he mutters as he steps back, then lunges forward - another thrust, but this time, the tip of his staff splits and reveals a short energy blade headed for Shark's torso.

Spin Cougar misses Shark Man with his Energy Thrust attack.

Cleaver Cow sends a radio transmission.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission from Cleaver Cow.

Iris struggles mightily as Shade grabs ahold of her...she still has some fight in her in the onset. But once the vampire-Master sinks his fangs into her...it's all over. Her kicking feet begin to twitch feebly...her mighty struggling beginning to ebb...and her eyes slowly begin to close, head falling back as the world begins to go dark.

Iris misses Shade Man with her Kick attack.

Bowie is pretty easy to spot, once you're on his level. While his armor isn't exactly flashy, it doesn't blend in that well with the grays of the stonework. The Texan is mostly focused on the battle going on below, though he also watches for any other would-be snipers following his lead. The sound of someone or something landing on the opposite side of the roof is enough to pull his attention away from the ground-side chaos, turning towards it. Now he knows why that voice over the radio sounded familiar. No words of greeting - he's always perferred to let his guns speak for him in a fight.

You strike Wild Card with a glancing hit from your Buffalo Rifle attack.

The sounds of battle drone out the whirr of an attack hoverbike entering the area, purple hair whipping behind her as she heads the way. 500 or so Repliforce SecDef gumbies closing in, still a good distance away from their temporary leader... Harmony! Skidding to a stop, she grits her teeth and surveys the.. area. It's such a mass of movement and battle and noise, it'd blow her mind if she hadn't seen something like this before. Sighing, she thinks, and motions a hand forward. Talking into her radio, she orders her troops along. A select few go to make sure all civilians are out of the way, others go to protect injured troops as they're carried off. Most go straight into battle, fighting other useless gumbies in the neverending cycle of gumbie death. Harmony, for now, stays back and waits for her chance..

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> is flattened by the Kraken's tackle, and the severe shredding and rending of the massive jaws manages to rip into the cockpit itself to shred much of the displays, the glass shredding the body of Admiral's containment self. "Damn....no time for it now...." Fortunately, this position makes it rather -easy- to aim. The beam cannon arm rests against the Kraken's body, and it takes very little to activate it at maximum power, actually blasting through its' own fist to hit the Maverick armor. "Down t' Davy Jones with you...if I can be cliche..."

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> strikes Ride Armor <Kraken> with its Beam Cannon <max> attack.

Ride Armor <Kraken> falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Teach the virus-ridden garbage heaps to mess with us, 'eh Admiral?"

Frost Man starts to dance in a circle, singing, "The cow went moooo! The cow went mooooo!" As his back is turned, Frost Man gets run over like an old lady in the street. "AIEEE!" Face down on the pavement, with tread marks all up his back, Frost Man, suddenly, isn't happy. Looking up, his eyes narrow at Construct Ox.

He pulls himself off the ground, his happy demeanor..gone. Entirely. Infact...he's not happy at all. Shaking in anger he growls, "YOU RAN ME OVER!" Well, duh Frost. The area around Construct Ox is suddenly littered with shadows, each quickly growing bigger. If he were to look up, he'd see several huge snowmen plummeting towards the each, summoned up by Frost's weaponry systems. He sings savegely, "Frosty the snow man...stuffed you in a hole! He took a big bat and smashed your head, and stuck it on a pole!" Ok, Frosty's flipped..

The Manticore is rocked as the beam lance tears into the cockpit - but a half a second before it even strikes, the top of the canopy blows clean off, spinning through the air even as the pilot ejection system engages. The lance goes right through the cockpit, solidly impaling the entire Ride Armor through its entire length - but Bit is already out into thin air, clear of his armor even as he looks down at the Swiss Armor.

"Pathetic tools - the true way to deal with such things is always directly," Bit comments as he hovers in the air, cupping his hands in front of him. There is a burning ball of energy that gathers in them, and the Yang Yomi snaps his hands forward - unleashing a streaming blast of energy directly at the opposing armor. Time to get truely serious.

Bit has arrived.

Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Snowmen From Above attack.

Feedback just shakes his head as he starts to regain some feeling and control over his systems. Flipping back to his feet Feed looks around for Shade Man. Now if he could ever aim straight, he'd see about seperating his head from his shoulders. Feed powers up his dash jets and then takes off. Speeding around the battle field looking for ol' fang tooth. Obviously intent on doing him some permenant damage.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "...Aye."

Justice Jaguar gets himself stabbed in the back, and stumbles forward, "Nghh." He growls, and pulls out his combat knife, swinging it back behind him, towards the person who just stabbed him, to return the favor.

Shadow Man dodges Justice Jaguar's Combat Knife Stab attack.

Bit misses Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with his Fireball Comet attack.

Finally closing the distance to his destination, Paragon narrows his eyes at the sight and clenches his large jaw. Sigma getting blasted like that by Rock doesn not a happy Maverick make. Exploding from the ranks around him, Paragon leaps into the air and comes down near the two on a bended knee. He Slowly gets up to his full height and points his Harpoon at Rock, his eyes deadly. "I suggest you cease. Right. Now."

Pallbearer's sensors come back online....just in time for Shade's fangs to sink into Iris. Pall's vision shunts. Mirror. Celestial Blackbird. Celes killing her, snapping her neck and giggling. And Pall....is ENRAGED. His eyes glow yellow, and the MSE XO ROARS with anger, levelling his palm blaster at Shade. "GET THE F*** AWAY FROM HER!!!!" he screams, pale blue energy crackling along his arm. A charge forms before his hand, too powerful to be contained as the energy forms out into a ball, screaming human faces swirling across its surface. "GRIM SOUL!" Pall cries, the blast launching from his hand, shaping itself into a human skull, howling in anger as it sweeps towards Shade Man.

Shark Man is back in the groove now, it seems, as he is able to dodge a second attack. But now, he's starting to get bored of this fight. Not enough blood, probably. To remedy this, Shark Man reaches into his shorts, and grabs... his boomerang, you perverts. He's too close right now to throw it, though, so he just slashes out, hoping to give Spin a nice scratch across the chest with the blade.

Pallbearer strikes Shade Man with his Grim Soul attack.

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Boomerang Slash attack.

Coaster Raptor climbing to his feet, Coaster gets to watch as Shade takes a bite out of Iris. Literally. That's enough to cause the raptor to growl angrily, "Oh heck no," he snarls, quickly getting back onto his rails as he lines up his next assault. With all the rage built up, boosters send him shooting forward at Shade. He doesn't use weapons, he doesn't use the impact, he simply leaps off the rails in a pounce toward Shade as he tries to tear him apart with all the bladed bits he has. Claws, talons, teeth, whatever, the raptor is angry.

Coaster Raptor strikes Shade Man with his Raptor's Revenge attack.

Huntsman Chupacabra enters the Germany.

Huntsman Chupacabra has left.

Clown Man arrives from the France.

Clown Man has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Michael Eildath transmits, "I feel like I'm not doing my part here. Teach me to sleep in."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Liese Schreiner transmits, "I'm still on medical confinement, myself. I gather that Shade Man is interested in Iris."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Wow, for once I'm not the one who over slept. Mark this date in your calenders folks cuz odds are it'll never happen again."

"Pathetic tools? Well now, aren't we just the cocky little virus carrier, hrmm?" The Sentinel's boosters suddenly come to life as it pulls back from the Manticore's broken form, letting it fall to the ground after its pulled off the lance. Just as his boosters kick into gear, Bit's fireball flies right past it, just inches away, scorching the armor slightly. The Sentinel doesn't stop moving though yet, as it kicks itself into overdrive and heads to literally run over Bit in mid-air.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Everyone's interested in Iris. Hadn't you heard?"

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Bit with its Booster Tackle attack.

Crescent Grizzly has dealt with Wily for the moment, and turns back to his original work. Drill forming seamlessly, he adjusts a few streets over to compensate for the wasted time, and begins to dig into the foundations of the city itself, creating crisscross tunnels....quickly creating a deep 'pit trap' for the first item of sufficient weight. Say, maybe, the DinoTank coming straight towards it?

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Michael Eildath transmits, "It's daylight savings time. Humans can't just reset their internal clocks... but damn, did I oversleep."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alacrity Demon transmits, "If you need me, I'll be dripping on the floor of the repair chamber."

Sigma also signals a call for Velguader. If he can't do it, Velguader can. We all know who the -real- monster is. Sigma straightens raising his hammer up as he blocks against the big bang that is the HDKN. And when the dust settles, Sigma appears to be missing his left arm and most of his chest plating. Falling to one knee, Sigma whispers, "Ghrr... Whenever that's said...You secure...your defeat.", raising his hand up, Sigma merely fires a small burst of pure energy at Rock! And if it hits, his body will lock up as his neural synapses are locked out for a few precious, pretty seconds. "Just shoot the bastard.", he says through gritted teeth. He's not backing down from this attack.

Sigma strikes Rock with his Neural Destimulator attack.

Rock is temporarily disoriented by Sigma's Neural Destimulator attack.

The knife is barely out of its sheath when Shadow Man has already made his next move, grasping the Shadow Blade through the hole in its center and bashing it right across Justice's face. It catches the light of an explosion, just briefly, in its forceful arc. The fingers of his other hand flex idly, while he stares coldly at his opponent, nothing is his eyes but the promise of pain.

Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Blade Whack attack.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Come to the repair bay, I will fix you! I am all ready!"

This configuration is a lot larger than Ox's General Purpose configuration, and because of it and the lack of legs, this configuration is a lot less agile. The Bulldozer-esque Ox slowly turns around in the street, trying to come back in line with Frosty again. Before he's even turned 90 degrees snowmen rain down on the Ox. They collide with his thin armor and the Ox lets out a snort and a grunt with each hit from the snowmen, "Oooooh why did I go and find me a loon?" The Ox grumbles as he continues to turn towards Frosty, "If you stop attackin and go home, I'll moo again." It was worth a shot. Once he's turned around, the Bulldozer's blade begins collecting some of the snowmen up in a pile as he pushes forward towards Frosty once again. Mix the snowmen with the debris from the attack into a nice little ugly dirty pile. Apparently the Ox is trying to bury Frosty. Too bad there's not enough material to cover the huge Master.

Crash Man has disconnected.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alacrity Demon transmits, "I can do that."

Construct Ox strikes Frost Man with his Debris Shove attack.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Michael Eildath transmits, "Need a gofer, Kali? I'm feeling more than like a fifth wheel right now."

Wild Card is shot with a rifle. He doesn't like being shot with rifles, he's supposed to be the one shooting. Quickly holstering his shotgun, he draws his pistol from inside of his duster, and ducks behind a portruding ventilation duct. "Now that's not fair, we're supposed to take ten paces each." Peering over the top of the vent, he spins the pistol's cylinder (not like it matters, there's a bullet in each one) and takes a quick shot at the other cowboy.

Wild Card strikes you with a glancing hit from his Roulette for 6 units of damage.

You take less damage due to your Blunt resistances.

The boomerang slash is countered easily enough - Spin puts his hand in its path, grasping it as it comes across, pushing it away from his chest. "Any time now you can run and save yourself, and I won't pursue!" he shouts as the two fight for control of the blade. With his other hand, he sends a command to his spinstaff, and it begins to shimmer with a newly formed force field - quickly he turns the boomerang away and lays a full-body barrier punch into Shark's frame.

Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Barrier Bash attack.

Top Man has disconnected.

As X stands face to face with Paragon. Rock looks down at the weapon and brings his arm back to swing down on it. Its at that moment that the blast from Sigma hits Rock. "AAAGH!!!" screams X. The Hero's systems seem to stall for a moment.

At point-blank range, it is impossible for the Guardian to miss. Energy devours the Kraken's form, the two Ride Armors coming apart in a furious display of power. One of the titans stands, the Guardian, responsible for the weapon discharge. The Kraken falls, grinding an impact trench into the street. Treads strip completely away from drivetrain wheels, armor bursts into a million razor-edged fragments...the Kraken falls, and like the Manticore, it does not get up. Both Swiss giants stand victorious, for now. For now.

Explosive bolts along the outer edge of the Kraken's canopy detonate, the emergency-release system for the Ride Armor's cockpit. Tinted armor-glass clamshells open, the smoke flooding the Kraken's interior swirling out to mix with the acrid clouds rising from the machine's charred hull. At first, the pilot's form is hidden by the smoke. But then, like a wraith, he becomes visible, as he raises one gauntleted hand.

His expression is unreadable, impassive. His armour is gold, stained with the distinctive diseased flecks of white rust, the bacteria even now eating away at his tall, slender form. But the purple protoplasm of his body is unaffected - and it is that, now, which glows. Glows bright, glows strong. Glows angrily. And releases that energy in a radiant purple blast.

Double has arrived.

Sword Man simply uses Shadow's covering to try and roll off. It's not so fast...but it's the only way he's getting out of here...

Double strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> with his Plasma Shotgun attack.

Sword Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Flame Man, Shade Man, Clown Man, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel>, Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian>, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Crescent Grizzly, Construct Ox, Sigma, Mercury, Harmony, Cleaver Cow, Pallbearer, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Justice Jaguar, Wild Card, Shark Man, and Shadow Man.

Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "DOUBLE!"

Crescent Grizzly finishes his work, and bursts from the earth just in time to see Sword Man fleeing. How cute. Grabbing a piece of concrete, he hurls it at the Robot Master...

Crescent Grizzly strikes Sword Man with his Generic Ranged attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Resonance says, "Oh? He reveal his true colors finally -again-?"

Shade Man doesn't care how many people he enraged. He doesn't care how many mortal enemies he just acquired. All Shade Man cares about... is Blood. Iris' Blood. Iris' Mechfluid... which serves the same purpose as any blood that flows through human veins, and feeds Shade Man all the same. His wings are half-curled about her, his arms crushing her to him... his mouth closed on her neck as his eyes are closed. He is in another world... Iris' blood... sweeter then the sweetest wine.

That is why he doesn't see the attacks that come for him.

The Grim Soul SLAMS into his back,.searing into his body. Shade Man's eyes open, and his head is tossed back in a scream!

Iris falls from his arms as Coaster Raptor leaps upon him, gnawing and slashing and clawing at the Vampire. With a scream of rage, he unfurls his wings, tossing Coaster from him.

He now knows his peril.

With another horrific shriek, Shade launches straight up into the night, intent on escaping... even as he leaves Iris, drained of much of her mech fluid, far below him.

Shade Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Flame Man, Rock, Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian>, Spin Cougar, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Construct Ox, Mercury, Harmony, Pallbearer, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Shark Man, and Shadow Man.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Captain Ring Redwing transmits, "nani nani?"

Bit is tagged by the Swiss Armor, although its a rather solid hit, Bit isn't too phased by it. "Indeed," he replies, pulling his sword free of its sheath. "I prefer fighting on foot - such is much more effective than simply flails at the controls of a machine," he comments coldly. Spinning his sword about so that it is locked on the back of his arm, he holds his hands out, a crackling ring of energy forming between them. With a twist of his wrists, Bit casts loose the ring - aiming to snare the Swiss Armor with a powerful gravity pulse and hold it in place.

Bit strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with his Snare Beam attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> is temporarily disoriented by Bit's Snare Beam attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Whaddaya know. I win fifty bucks from Larry... now I just have to figure out where in the world he is, so I can collect..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Feedback transmits, "Seems to be a common theme today."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "This Ride Armor is falling down on its feet. I'm going to abandon it and go hand to hand."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, ".....wait. Disregard. I've just recieved orders to get this beast out of here."

Ricochet arrives from the France.

Ricochet has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Put it in a damn transport first. We can not let the Mavericks get ahold of the Swiss Ride Armor tech."

Frost Man isn't amused anymore. "I'll make you moo, when I want you to moo!" See...Problem here, folks...is Frost plays in the snow. He always does. He buries himself...so being buried does little to him. "I'll show you! I'll make you pay!"

He reaches out at the dozer form while plowing himself out of the snow. It may be bigger, but Frost is still the giant of this tango. He growls at Construct, clamping his hands down. "You'll moo like a baby, when I'm done with you!" He attempts to roughly pitch the dozer over on it's side or something...

Wait...babies don't moo....

Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Throw attack.

Ashriel arrives from the Germany.

Ashriel has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "Can I get a report? ..uhh...please?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "AAAGH!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Coaster Raptor mostly snarls..

Iris slumps weakly to the ground, as Shade lets go of her. Her eyes are halfway open, and she's moving feebly, trying to get back on her feet.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "What'd Baldy do, kiss you?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Liese Schreiner transmits, "Should I detach myself from all of this equipment and go see if I can assist in this battle? It does not sound as if it is going well."

Thunderbolt Raven arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

Thunderbolt Raven has arrived.

Justice Jaguar gets himself smacked in the face by the blade, and grunts slightly, "Ngh." His left hand snaps out, with a stick in it, the end of the black stick opening up, with electricity sparking between the ends, as he jams it for Shadow's chest, hoping he doesn't move again,.

Shadow Man dodges Justice Jaguar's Riot Prod attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "I need a status report overall, how are you all fairin'?"

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> falls to its' knees as the blast from Double's fire slams into it. Growling, Admiral stares at the Maverick as he stands there, defiant, and his voice finally raises from the speakers. "I swear that if I hadn't been ordered to retreat...I'd kill you where you stand." Standing the ride armor to its feet, he turns, mechfluid and sparks pouring from the armor, and stomps, slowly, for the evacuation point. "Another day..."

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> retreats from the area swiftly, leaving it open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Coaster Raptor, Mercury, Ride Armor <Manticore>, and Thunderbolt Raven.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Resonance says, "Security at home secure, sah."

Bowie is likewise shot at, the impact forcing him to take a step back. Luckily he has a few paces left between him and the rooftop's edge. The former Ranger's armor crumples a bit in the places he's been shot, just as designed. At least now he knows his opponant actually knows how to aim, and he acknowledges that fact with a satisfied nod. He ejects the spent shell from his rifle with an audible *cha-chink*, and unless Wild learns something about moving quickly, he's going to add a new hole to that bandito's outfit.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Sgt. Spin Cougar transmits, "Perfectly fine."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Michael Eildath transmits, "Stay secure, Ms. Schreiner. We don't need anyone around here getting /more/ injured right now."

Looking to Sigma and then back to Rock, Paragon grins evilly and nods. "Of course, my Lord." he states simply as he approaches the helpless Hunter Commander. Looking to his Harpoon and then to Rock, Paragon brings the large bladed weapon up in the air... only to strike out with a large balled fist instead, aiming for the side of Rock's head.. "You shall fall!" he roars loudly as he strikes, putting all his anger and weight behind the blow. Nope. He's not a happy camper.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "What's going on? I'm ready to help if you guys need it."

Paragon Pirana strikes Rock with his Ultra Punch attack.

You strike Wild Card with a major hit from your Acid Rifle attack.

Crescent Grizzly dumps out rubble, and then begins to dig further, creating a nasty pitfall for the oncoming Tank, easily disguised by the surface layer of pavement....

Yup. That's a problem when you are an unagile Ox-Turned-Bulldozer. You get knocked on your side you're pretty much screwed. And Construct Ox is pretty screwed. His configuration slowly begins to revert back to the All-Purpose form. This process takes time as well, "Ow!" Ox tries to stall, "Moo like a baby? I'm not mooing like a baby! Babies don't moo! Gah... the things I do t'help out..." The Moocow grumbles, "Ok... if you stay there, I'll apologise and moo for you!" yup stalling.

Pallbearer growls in fury as Shade man makes his escape, in Pall's vision it's still Celestial, trying to flee from his justice. She had Mirror's face, but she never had her FIRE! Pall runs after Shade, Saber drawn as he runs up the hood of an abandoned car, leaping as best he can towards Shade's form, attempting once more to drive the saber deep into his enemy's neck. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!!" he screams, raising the shining blade up......

Construct Ox changes into his All-Purpose armor.

Pallbearer misses Shade Man with his Vitae Severis attack.

Double receives a radio transmission.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Sigma seems to have called in a partner."

Shark Man is forced back again, as the punch cathes him in the stomach. When he is once again standing, there is one big change - his eyes. Once sea-green, they have now changed to a deep, blood red - as the thirst for blood courses through his body. Slowly, the finned Overlord walks up to spin, smiling and showing of his teeth. Those razor sharp teeth of his. Then, he, well, uses them, to try and bite a chunk out Spin.

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Bite attack.

SUPER COMBO (attempt) TIME! As Paragon smashes for Rock's face and he hopefully goes flying back from the blow, Sigma engages his blink engine, teleporting behind Rock as he wordlessly, but grinning, though his frame is tearing up from continued use, tries to smash Hyper Rock back into the ground seconds with his remaining balled up fist. It's like volleyball, with Megaman as the Ball, and Sigma goin' in for the spike.

Sigma strikes Rock with his Bash attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Its all well and good how you all are doing at home. BUT YOU FRAGHEADS ON THE FIELD I WANT A STATUS REPORT /NOW!!!/. We aren't just fighting for anything, you smegheads, we're trying to protect this damn country, and that means we work the f*** together. NOW REPORT!"

Energy blazes in Double's palm, the vanishing after-effects of his shotgun burst. Clinically, he studies the retreating form of the Guardian Ride Armor. Strange, you'd think the Admiral would have a more...visceral reaction...to his betrayal. After all, his fellow Arcanum patient trusted him...And once again, he has turned traitor to that trust.

No emotion clouds Double's features, as he lets the light in his hands fully dissipate. The protoplasm of his body pulses, glinting lavender light off the White Rust covering his armor. He stands in the middle of a Swiss street, behind him, the wreckage of the Ride Armor he piloted for the Coalition. Maverick. Maverick, once again. He breathes the chill air of the Swiss night. How does it feel, to again serve Sigma?

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Resonance chuckles, "Repliforce still cannot do requests, but I'm surprised the Hunters couldn't either, eh boss?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Sgt. Spin Cougar transmits, "Engaged with Shark Man, he isn't doing well."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Takin down a bandito. Busy."

Sword Man continues to roll about, but he's still hit by the chucked concrete, furthering his damage and adding insult to injury. He only hopes that he can be pulled out quickly enough.

The gravity pulse grabs hold of the Sentinel quite firmly. The Sentinel unable to move at the moment, despite the stress and smoke coming from its joints as the pilot tries to break it free.

Frost Man narrows his eyes at the Hunter Ox. "You.....you...." Suddenly, a dim candle flickers over his head. "You think I'm stupid, don't you. Think I'm just a dolt!" He stomps his feet, growling, "I'm not dumb!"

He steps back, "I'm not dumb! I'm smart! I'm special! Daddy said so!" Charging a few steps he bellows, "YOU STUPID OX! You stupiderest for thinking I'm stupid!" 4th and long. Frost is going for the field goal...

Frost Man misses Construct Ox with his Kick attack.

Frost Man flips over, via Charlie Brown, and lands on his head.

The blade comes only within about half a foot of contacting Shadow Man when the Robot Master suddenly strikes out with his right knee, bashing it into Justice's right side and knocking him and his weapon away. Glaring at the electricity at the end of the wand, Shadow Man reaches for it, and attempts to slam the sparking edge into his opponent's own neck.

Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Grasp attack.

Justice Jaguar strikes Justice Jaguar with his Riot Prod attack.

Justice Jaguar is temporarily disoriented by Justice Jaguar's Riot Prod attack.

Coaster Raptor lands on his feat actually, glaring up at Shade as he gets onto his rails. He's not about to let Shade get away! Booster's send him surging upward after him on the rails, it's not flying, he'll head back down soon enough after all. As he nears he actually goes up a bit higher. With all that speed tagged on the Raptor simply stops his rails from generating and plummets toward Shade at a high rate of speed, feet first. No words, just a roar.

Coaster Raptor misses Shade Man with his Free Track Freefall attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> enters the UNED transport, and Admiral steps out, being contained again, face drawn, fists balled tight. Duty is the chain which holds him tight, and that duty will keep him from unleashing his fury at Double...who he trusted...who he tried to extend the hand of credit and hope to....who betrayed again, and destroyed again. And his mouth seems filled with ash, even as the white rust continues to creep up his arms.

Justice Jaguar ends up getting his own riot prod jammed into his neck, grunting as the electrical surge goes through him, and drops him down to his knees.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Guardian> has left.

Harmony has left.

Repliforce Attack Hoverbike <Delta> goes home.

Repliforce Attack Hoverbike <Delta> has left.

Wild Card swears loudly as the bullet hits him, melting a rather LARGE hole in his duster. He quickly flings it off, before it can do too much damage to the rest of him. "You bastard, that was my only duster!" Clearly visible now are the pair of pistols he had strapped on underneath the coat (one of which is still in his hand), as are the machines on his wrists which create his cards. Snarling at Bowie, he holsters his pistol while a pair of cards appears in his other hand. With a flick of his wrist, both head for Bowie, designed to cut into him, then explode.

Wild Card strikes you with a minor hit from his Blackjack for 12 units of damage.

Ricochet enters the France.

Ricochet has left.

Satisfied, Bit reaches back over his shoulder, drawing forth the massive length of his Aegis shield from where it was securely holstered only a moment ago. Pointing the golden barrier at the form of the opposing Ride Armor, there is a massive crackle of energy passing down a pair of channels from top to bottom, before suddenly unleashing a massive blast of energy from the blue crystal in the center of the shield - blazing forth against the Sentinel.

Bit strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with his Shield Blast attack.

Meanwhile, over the mountains, a lone, stolen hovercycle pulls in towards the area. Leaning back at the handlebars, Ashriel surveys the scenario from his vantage. The chaotic battleground is rich, and rife with the exhileration that such a catastrophy brings. Optics scanning the melee, the angel can only be pleased, as he surveys, looking for a few specific individuals.

Gemini Man arrives from the Germany.

Gemini Man has arrived.

Paragon's punch slams into Rock, making him fly back in the air. While Rock thinks he's going into yet another building (he just left an imprint at Light Labs), he gets smashed down into ground by none other than one Sigma D. Dictator. Rock attempts to climb to his feet, badly hurt. He stares up at Sigma and growls, "Can't beat me without help I see..." Rock's right arm disappears as he calls on his buster... And then it hums as power is fed into it. Rock's armor changed color from Red to Grey with Yellow electric marks on his helmet and buster. He aims his buster into the air and fires off the shot. Suddenly, the area is filled with power... *KA-BOOM* A Thunder Beam slams down on the ground around X. It appears Rock is borrowing from a certain Robot Master.

Rock strikes Sigma with his Thunder Beam attack.

Sigma falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

Rock strikes Paragon Pirana with his Thunder Beam attack.

Spin Cougar pulls back the barrier as he wills it to begin spinning rapidly. As Shark comes in for the bite, Spin crouches, and holds his shield in front - the momentum of Shark takes him up the incline enough to be 'on' it, and that is Spin's cue. A single command and the stored energy is released forward, the disc of force beneath Shark is launched upwards. Can he hang on, or does he have the presence of mind to leap off?

Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Force Launcher attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "The Guardian armor is secured in the transport...it's barely intact, but it's out of Maverick hands....and I'm alive, I think. Double is currently still on the battlefield...but as far as I can tell, the Maverick forces are being pushed back, and the Robot Masters are nearly routed. Rock has disabled Sigma...and I am unsure of the rest."

Fourth and Long... and the kicker slips, falls and drops to his ass! The Road must be wet! No... the Ox did another roll away. It seems the only way for Construct Ox to avoid an incoming assault is to be facedown into the ground... that's the ONLY way this Combat Engineer seems to be able to dodge Frost Man's onslaught. Another Pushup is given and the Ox is back on his feet. The poor Ox is hurting. Dents are all over his worn armor. Mechafluid drips from many different wounds all ove rhis body, "Ugh... not only do I gotta get repaired... I gots lots to do in dis city once you idjits are gone... I mean can't we all just get along or somethin?" Ox sighs and pulls out two new tools. A torch welder and a screw driver. He charges Frost Man, "And you're not just special, you're a special kinda stupid! You remind me of my old co-worker, Roy. Boy was he messed in da head!" One of the tools is used to take a smack at Frosty, it's the one with the flame at the end of it.

Construct Ox misses Frost Man with his Torch Welder attack.

Shade Man twists and wheels, banking through the air as a mirad of assaults come for him. As Pallbearer springs for him, Shade Man smiles ominously, and with a single beat of his wings, launches out of the way. "NOT THIS TIME," Shade roars, his deep laugh half-crazed with the blood in him. And as Coaster Raptor launches himself for Shade, Shade beats his wings once, launching faster and farther into the night sky.

Wheeling and spinning, Shade Man gives one last horrific, nazgul-like cry... before launching into the night...

Shade Man is gone.

The Bubble Bats and Zombie Joes, however, remain to trouble more this day.

Iris sends a radio transmission.

Pallbearer receives a radio transmission.

Can you smell the ozone?

.....Pall's vision comes back to normal....and he is in mid-air, struggling to grasp what just happened. Pall drops to the ground near Iris with a loud crash, panting and quietly hoping he wasn't completely mad.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Resonance, not Gabriel transmits, "ooc: Am not! I didn't pose it yet :D"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] UN Security Elite Serena Gilbert transmits, "Well, sugah... Ya talkin' ta me, so Ah'm pretty sure ya haven't gone back ta Heaven."

While the sparks from his own staff surround Justice, momentarily incapacitating the young Hunter, Shadow Man pulls another weapon from a compartment in his armor, levelling the long, thin central spike at Justice's head. He intentionally waits until just the moment when the electrical shortage subsides, but before giving his opponent enough time to move, slams the length of the sai's spike down into his head. Shadow Man's face remains entirely expressionless.

The blue bolt of energy drives right into the place that the stinger was lodged in the armor, causing it to exlode into shards and take out part of the armor's systems at the same time. "ARGHREHHHH!!!!" is heard from within the armor quite clearly, despite it not coming from the speakers. "That... hurt.." With that, the pilot of the armor reaches back with both hands clasping them over the Sentinel, before bringing it down toward BIt's head in a rash explosion of anger.

Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Sai Stab attack.

Pallbearer sends a radio transmission.

Iris receives a radio transmission from Pallbearer.

Bowie seems to have expected the card flung at him to be more of the sharpened edge variety, and so raises his left arm to deflect them away. Much to his surprise and chagrin, the cards explode on impact, blasting chunks of protective armor away, exposing the arm beneath. That must have stung. Rossing his rifle into his injured but still usable hand, he brings the air cannon strapped to his right arm to bear on the Maverick bandito. A possible 52 Pickup coming right up.

Renfield has arrived.

Shade Man drops Renfield.

You strike Wild Card with a glancing hit from your Whirlwind attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Admiral transmits, "OOC: "Oh, you were slammed like a pony even before he hit the Thunder. :D""

If Shark Man was acctually thinking with his head right now, and not just out for blood, he probably would have jumped off. Instead, he just gets pushed away, flying backwards and away from Spin. As he flies, however, that same green color from before surrounds both his arms this time, and at the apex of his flight, the stream of water is sent arching downwards towards the replikitty.

Shark Man misses Spin Cougar with his Aqua Tower attack.

Spin Cougar deflects Aqua Tower from Shark Man.

Shade Man enters the Germany.

Shade Man has left.

Battle rages around him. Smoke and flame rise from the streets of Geneva, chaos raging through the urban center, throwing the city into a little slice of Hell itself. Double, though, hardly seems to care. A distinct lack of concern on his features, Double begins to cross the rubble, climbing across the rubble from a shattered office complex, bladed fingers digging into the debris and masonry. His boots grind against concrete fragments as he moves, walking across the battlefield, leaving the Kraken's wreckage behind him.

His eyes are distant, his pupils pinpricks, the size of subatomic particles. His expression doesn't change, still held in its display of unfeeling neutrality.

Iris smiles weakly at Pallbearer. She doesn't look particularly damaged, though most of her fuel's been siphoned out, leaving her far too weak to move under her own power at the moment. "Thank you for helping..."

Sword Man continues to roll away...like a rolling stone, he supposes. Clown better get here soon....

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lt. Pallbearer transmits, "S...Shade Man's gone. I'm bringing Iris to the Triage."

The Avian was, luckily for his comrades, on his way. His wings were folded in such a way to maximize his speed, and his thrusters were on overdrive. Boy was he fast. Raven's sharp eyes spotted a clearing amongst the chaos. He chose that spot to land in. His black eyes scan the area for those members of Repliforce or the Maverick Hunters who need help.

Frost Man nearly freaks as that freak attempts to attack him with a welding torch. Glowering at Construct Ox. "I'm NOT STUPID! I'm not messed up in the head!" He bounces to his feet, and more or less throws a temper, so angry, he doesn't know how to express it.

He looks at the ox, and glowers. "I'll show you messed up in the head." Reaching out, Ox's world is shaded by a pair of huge mittens, aiming for his head. "I'll mess up your head, real good! Daddy will be proud!" Time to play 'Craft Making with Hero's Heads', with Frost Man. Today's lesson. Making a swan.

Frost Man strikes Construct Ox with his Crush attack.

Construct Ox falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

Sigma says, "You idiot...", falling to one knee, "You are saying you are fighting without help? Who is providing this power to you? Your pet. Who gives you the armor to fight in the first place, your father... Even I garner strength from others, even...-Bass-.", he shakes his head, unable to move, even as the Thunder Beam hits the area, shrouding Sigma in light. As the light fades, Sigma is gone.

The last notes of Beethoven's Ode to Joy play resoundly over the battlefield, overcoming the noise of battle for one brief finale. The Maverick troops hesitate as they see their leader fall, but soon they merely push forward with more ferocity, many trying to push forward to where their leader fell.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "Alright. I'm on the scene."

Ashriel sends a radio transmission to Paragon Pirana.

Paragon Pirana receives a radio transmission.

Pallbearer struggles a bit, almost weak-kneed as he tries to get to his feet. Walking to Iris's side, he nods quietly. "Don't worry...we'll get you out of here." Picking her up, Pall looks to Coaster. "Get on securing the rest of this area...I'll get her to a Triage unit."

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Bit with its Generic Melee attack.

With a sai stabbed into his skull, the Hunter falls onto his back, not moving. Slowly, however, his eyes open up. He's not deactivated just yet. His right hand reaches behind him, and pulls out his shotgun, raising it towards Shadow Man, "Not dead yet." He mutters, firing from the ground.

Shadow Man dodges Justice Jaguar's 12 Gauge Vulture Shotgun attack.

Iris has left.

Pallbearer takes Iris.

His staff aside, Spin contemplates his next move. Perhaps a .. yes, he knows. Deactivating the barrier, he then gets slammed by what appears to be an Aqua Tower. His form is momentarily obscured by the flurry and storm - when it passes, he is still standing there. Soaking wet, but unhurt. "Hmm ... thanks for the reminder, I need to go swimming more often!" And with that, he throws the staff sidearm at a low angle. It curves up toward the Shark, spinning at a deadly rate.

Wild Card says, "You call that an attack? That's just a breeze!" Wild says, though his hat does get blown off his head. He watches as it flutters away, and lands a ways away on the rooftop. "Hold that thought," he says as he goes to retrieve his sombrero. Before doing so, however, he raises his arms, and fires a volley of cards at Bowie. And by volley, I mean the average number of cards you'd except to find in a Hoyle factory. The typhoon of playing cards swirl around Bowie, not actually hitting him, but forming a wall that -should- be nigh impossible to break though until they die down.

Wild Card strikes you with a glancing hit from his 52 Card Pickup for 0 units of damage.

Bowie is temporarily disoriented by Wild Card's 52 Card Pickup attack.

Spin Cougar strikes Shark Man with his Staff Boomerang attack.

Crescent Grizzly strides through the city, searching for remnant enemy forces, when he comes accross Double. The Infamous Traitor of Repliforce Island and the Maverick Hunters. And one of the destructive pilots of a Ride Armor. " Doubla', yew' bes be leavin. Cause 'ahm in no moo' tah' do anytin' bu' rip yew up rah' naw..." the bear snarls, and raises his drill claws as if to give a visual...

Oh, and all of the cards are aces. The cheater.

Today's lesson is a swan? Construct Ox's head certainly doesn't start off looking like a swan. Right now it looks like a nice big Ox's head. Horns and all. Ox does make an attempt to avoid the incoming mits... but... alas his head is caught in a Frosty Mitten sandwhich. Ox's body instantly goes limp, even before Frosty lets go of Ox. Does Ox's head look like a swan? No. Frosty you dolt! You made a crane!

Coaster Raptor grunts, Shade evading as he plumets. As before the rails lite up under his feet and he coasts out of the fall and back into the fray far below. Rifle raised, the raptor begins to try and find another target..

Frost Man crumbles, "Dammit...I always confuse my birds." He drops Ox, and lumbers in a circle, looking for more stuff to smash.

Coaster Raptor receives a radio transmission from Iris.

You know, sometimes having a large 14' metallic harpoon is a a good thing. This however, is a bad thing. Why you ask? Well, in cases just like this, the large pole acts like a lighning rod. So yeah, needless to say Paragon is lit up like a Christmas tree.

The large Commander falls to the ground smoking as his internals are awashed with power. It seems like Rock just killed 2 birds with a signel stone, but then Paragon twitches. It's shaky at first, but sure enough the large Maverick begins to haul himself back to his feet. He literally looks like he went through hell and back, his right arm that was holding the Harpoon is totally black and charred, its amazing that it's still functioning at all.

Taking a moment to let his sytems vent the extra energy he slowly becomes functional again.. and he looks rather pissed.

Coaster Raptor sends a radio transmission to Iris.

Spin Cougar sends a radio transmission.

Bowie is inundated with more cards than a Las Vegas casino. Aces of diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs, even a few purple aces, flutter around him like a blizzard, making it impossible for him to see where the Wild Card of the bunch went.

Bit gets clubbed yet again by the Ride Armor - apparently the thing is still effective, even in its horribly damaged state. Which is discouraging... he must somehow capture this armor for the glory of Emperor Sigma! Clasping his hands together, the Yang Yomi unleashes a massive spray of energy bolts at the Swiss armor - hopefully dropping it with this perticular barrage of energy.

Bit strikes Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with his Scatter Beam attack.

When the gun is leveled at Shadow Man, a hand strikes out with the quickness of a viper, grasping the gun by the barrel and twisting it upwards, so the shot fires harmlessly into the air. He draws out the sai, and replaces it with a shorter regular knife, drawn slowly towards Justice's neck... But this is just a feint, while he rips the shotgun from the Hunter's hands, spinning it around in his hand and firing it directly at the wound left by the sai.

Shadow Man strikes Justice Jaguar with his Shadow Blaster attack.

Double looks up, his eyes unreadable, as the finale of Sigma's Ode echoes over the city. He watches, as the Maverick troops falter, before redoubling their assault. As the fading bars of the music drift over the city, gunfire begins anew. Explosions, flames, the sounds of warfare, of fighting.

All ignored, by Double. He continues to walk, crossing the wasteland that was once a city, his footfalls soft on the broken streets. Then he stops, his gaze settling on a figure in his path. Reploid, avian. Not one he recognizes. Softly, he calls, "Hello."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Someone want to help me out here... This Maverick is still pretty healthy..."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Justice Jaguar transmits, "Could use...Assis*spark, static* adow Man stabbed me in the head. Not...sure if I can keep this up..Gaaah! *static burst*"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Sgt. Spin Cougar transmits, "When the Shark dies, I'll be there, Rock."

Paragon Pirana sends a radio transmission.

Ashriel receives a radio transmission.

After firing the blast of water, Shark Man begins falling back towards the ground. Then, a spinning staff hits him, right in the jaw. The staff knocks most of Sharky's teeth out, and also makes him lose his balance, so that when he lands, it hurts. Alot. When Shark Man gets up, his eyes have returned to their normal greenish color. "Dude, I need a drink." is all he says, as he staggers back towards the Dreadskull.

Shark Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Mercury, Pallbearer, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Justice Jaguar, Thunderbolt Raven, Ashriel, and Shadow Man.

Spin Cougar receives a radio transmission from Iris.

Rock climbs to his feet and jumps towards the remains of Sigma... He actives his buster and absorbs what's left of Sigma's weapon system... Attempting to get a new stitch of data for him to use. Rock glances back at Paragon as he powers up. Rock glares at the Maverick... hoping the glare will be enough... Because looking at Rock... You know there isn't much left in the tank. X's body has returned to its normal colors, but his body is covered in mecha-fluid... His armor is heavily cracked and he looks tired.

Justice Jaguar takes a shotgun blast to the head, where he'd been stabbed. It blows off a portion of his skull, and leaves him laying there on the floor, bleeding. His left eye. The one left, closes. He's not dead...But he may as well fake it, since he's close enough.

Wild Card grabs his hat, and heads back over to Bowie. He draws his shotgun slowly, not wanting to make too much noise. But rather than aim it at the Texan, he holds it by the barrel and draws back. As the card tornado begin to die down, he yells, "Batter up!" and swings the butt of the shotgun at Bowie's face.

Wild Card strikes you with a glancing hit from his Suicide King for 4 units of damage.

You take less damage due to your Blunt resistances.

The calls for help by a now weakened Rock don't fall upon deaf ears-Crescent Grizzly begins to approach the scorched field of battle between the Emperor and the Hero, spotting the rather agressive Paragon Pirana. " Back off naw', poisson..." The claw cuts through air, creating an orb of yellow-white energy that goes bouncing towards the Maverick...

The Sentinel still withstands the barrage of attacks, this time though, it really starts to show its wear and tear, the energy ripping apart parts of the external armor and digging a bit further into it. "Yer one ornery rabid Maverick..." Tapping a few buttons wihtin the cockpit, Arkady heads toward the ground this time, landing the Sentinel just as he lifts the cannon and fires off a blast toward Bit with the Beam Cannon again.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> strikes Bit with its Beam Cannon <low> attack.

Sigma forfeits his Sigma Sabre to Rock.

Frost Man starts to lumber about...looking, just looking for something to kill...something to break. Anything. He's not picky. Ride Armors...Repliforcers....Hunters...it's all the same. Just give him something to break, dangit...

Pallbearer enters the Germany.

Pallbearer has left.

Eyes looking all around, eventually they find Justice being attacked, and attacking another Master. Shadow Man eh? The raptor generates a bit of rail for a staff once again and charges forward toward the ninja master, trying to cold cock him with the staff to get his attention. "You got another hunter to deal with!" he calls, curving around for another pass.

Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Energy Staff Swing attack.

Crescent Grizzly strikes Paragon Pirana with his Spinning Crescent Moon attack.

Flame Man has disconnected.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Liese Schreiner transmits, "What is the situation? I understand we are suffering some setbacks, but how severe are they?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "I just collected some of Sigma's remains... He's gone, but I'm seriously injuried."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "Not sure, but me and a bunch got Shade to leave. the (*@#$@# bit Iris. I'm helping Justice out with Shadow Man now."

Crash Man has connected.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Liese Schreiner transmits, "How badly was Iris hurt?"

"Take your drink, Shark, and take a while to consider your role." Raising a hand, Spin catches his returning spinstaff. Then, he notes his next objective. Rock is in trouble .. Quickly putting his staff away, Spin appraises the situation. ... There's Rock! Not looking good at all, and in combat with at least one other - Paragon Pirana. Dropping to all fours, the cougar is at full speed in moments towards the smaller battlezone.

And again the armor manages to mash Bit rather well - this is getting intensely frustrating. And this time he wasn't going to hold back against it. Pulling his sword free of its sheath, he spins - and launches himself throught he air at the Sentinel. His sword braced as he aims for one of the holes in the armor, aiming to simply plunge his blade in and attempting to defeat the pilot within. Or, barring that, simply tear a huge chunk out of it.

Bit misses Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> with his Slash Dash attack.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "You gonna be ok boss?"

Frost Man spots...of all things, the repliforcer that took his head off. He bellows at Crescent Grizzly, "EVIL TEDDY!" He starts towards the giant Repliforcer. "You...you.....grah!" He shakes his head....

Bowie's head snaps back as the butt of Wild's shotgun catches him square in the jaw. Were he human, he'd probably have a broken jawbone. As it is, some teeth definitely feel loose. Scowling faintly, the Texan decides that he doesn't much care for this Maverick's brand of fun. Too close for him to bring the rifle to bear, he tosses the rifle back into his right hand and fast-draws his energy pistol from its holster with the left. It's a point-blank shot, so it's almost guaranteed to miss.

You strike Wild Card with a glancing hit from your Trick Shot attack.

Shadow Man prods the fallen jaguar reploid with his foot. He appears dead... or close enough to it. If he is removed from battle, then the android's objective is accomplished... anything else is irrelevant. As he hears the Repliforcer near him foolishly announce his presence, Shadow Man whirls around, tossing a blade at the raptor in the same motion. His eyes still hold the promise of pain, nothing more, and nothing less.

Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Shuriken attack.

At the sight of Double, the bird quirked his head to the side in that familiar bird-like manner of curiosity. The pulsating purple mass was...odd. The face frightening. The tone of voice that was coming at him just disturbed him more. He tried his best not to show any adverse reaction. "...Hi...Double, right?" He was going to try and talk to the ressurected reploid first, to see what exactly he wanted. "I'm Thunderbolt Raven..." Hoo boy, this probably won't work.

Coaster Raptor winces a little bit as the shuriken slices at his arm a little, but it's not near enough to stop him right now. Still on a return path, the still somewhat angry reploid starts to go upward a bit, then surges downward toward Shadow in a similar style a roller coaster would do at the beginning of the ride.

Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's First Hill attack.

Construct Ox has disconnected.

Arkady has arrived.

Simply glaring at Rock as he fells Sigma and takes the spoils, Paragon stands firm but makes no action against the Hunter, seeing as he's about as badly beaten, if not worse then he is. That is, until the surprise assault from Cresent that slams directly into Paragon's back and sends him sprawling to the ground, his Harpoon skittering away.

Snarling slightly, Paragon reaches out for his weapon as he starts to get to his feet once again. He's battered and beaten, but still standing. Have to give the UN some props, they know how to make a tough reploid. he turns to face Crescent and narrows his optics. "I suggest you take little Boy Blue here and leave this area." he entones, pointing his Harpoon at Rock once more.

This time, the Sentinel doesn't attack it moves across the area for a few feet before ejecting the pilot as it moves. Part of the stinger from earlier is stuck within his left leg, but as you can see its a cybernetic leg. Reaching over his shoulder, Arkady Bogdanov flies toward Bit propelled by the ejection mechanism within the Sentinel. Arkady's hands both are clenched, and both are the color of cold steel as the lower half of his arms are both quite cybernetic in nature. Arkady seems quite insistant to rip Bit apart... maybe Arkady has something against the Maverick command...or maybe its simply because Bit is somewhat like Arkady. Who knows.

Arkady strikes Bit with his Brooklyn Beatdown attack.

Bit falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

Shark Man starts wandering off, in the direction of some water, so he can swim home. It might take him a while to find some in a landlocked country, but he'll try.

Wild Card is hit by the point blank shot, despite what the odds think. But hey, Wild is known for beating the odds, though this time he wishes he wasn't. He's zapped by the energy pistol, and staggers back, managing to put his shotgun back in his holster. He moves to take out a pistol again, but at the last moment springs forward, using the braced position his arm is in to reinforce his shoulder as he rams into Bowie, hoping to knock him a few feet closer to the edge.

Wild Card strikes you with a glancing hit from his Ram for 2 units of damage.

White Rust shades Double's form, staining the gold planes of the reploid's armor. The disease doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest, however. Nothing does. He regards Thunderbolt quietly, raising one hand, palm open. He speaks, then. No hostility colors Double's voice. He remains the very picture of civility, poster-boy for good manners. With a slight gesture, he indicates the blazing city, Geneva under siege, and whispers, "What do you think of this? The death, the killing, the violence...it's what Sigma asked for...I helped, you know...I helped..."

Alright, so Crescent has beaten Spin to the punch. Well and good - Spin can do more than fight. A quick call over the radio, and the Cougar is exercising his status as MSE - looking for injured. Look here, look there .. oh dear Doppler. The first one he sees is the fallen Justice Jaguar.

Shark Man enters the Balkan Peninsula.

Shark Man has left.

Shadow Man darts out of the way of Coaster Raptor's downwards attack, drawing another blade from his armor and hurling this one at Coaster as well, while in his free hand he takes his katana from its place in the sheath hidden in back of his armor.

Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Magnetic Shuriken attack.

Bit just gets horribly torn apart - this just doesn't seem to be his night now, does it? The ride armor had done massive amounts of damage to him - and Bit just falls over, onto the flat of his shield. Of course, he isn't going to stick around at this point - the overrides on his armor kick in, whisking him off into the distance and out of immedate danger. Not to mention the fact that he's rather mangled at broken at this point.

He tried not to flinch at the grotesque appearence of Double at the same time he strained to hear his words. "...I don't like it." He shook his head, his black armor reflecting the reds and oranges of the nearby flames. "It's all unnecessary...Sigma is a madman...Why did you help him Double? He's merely using you." Maybe the talking will work. He'd have to play it by ear.

Bowie is a decptively solid reploid, especially in his armor. Being one of the older reploid models will do that. The gunslinger is forced back a step by Wild Card's slam, but no more than that. If he's going to insist of such close quarters combat, then Bowie will have to oblige. Dropping the e-pistol to the ground, he draws a plasma knife from his belt (better utility belt than Batman, you know) and jabs upwards in an attempt to drive the Maverick back into a more proper firing range.

You strike Wild Card with a glancing hit from your Plasma Knife attack.

Crescent Grizzly turns to face Frost Man, and grumbles. Last thing he needed right now. " Go, Poisson. Go naw', 'n tak' Sigma wit' yew'. Deh' Mavricks' 'ahv lost..." he calls out to Paragon, while his back is turned. Protocol says he takes the Maverick in, but he's tired of fighting today.

Carefully, X stands up and stares at Paragon. "Maverick, I suggest you call a withdrawal before you join Sigma." Rock's buster disappears, but his hand reappears holding a rather interesting looking blade. Oh, look. X is holding on to Sigma's sabre.

Velguader barks.

Coaster Raptor seems to notice that one even less then the one before. Magnetics just don't bother Coaster, only at one time in his life was he actually defeated by them, but that was Rock after all. As he surges forward, he gets a little altitude and begins to cirlce Shadow, building up g-forces before he stops generating the rails, falling inward toward the ninja powered by those g-forces.

Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's G-turn Drop Off attack.

He better not be, 'cause Frost is still itching to carnage and blood. He continues to storm at Crescent Grizzly. "You ripped my head off! I get you good for that. You broke daddy's robot. I'll get you for that too!" He'd push his sleeves up, if he had any...Instead, he forms another club of ice, obviously looking for a rematch, despite the tread marks up his back.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "...I'm engaged in a parley with Double. No one bother with him. I'll take care of him if it comes to that. Hopefully I can talk him down."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Double is a traitor... always has been... *deep sigh* And sadly, always will be."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "Any advice sir? He seems almost...sad."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Doesn't mean he can't be a non-violent traitor for today."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Talk him down, kid. One less fighter wreaking havoc is one less worry."

After a quick rush, Spin is at Justice's side - minding the nearby Shadow Man and Coaster Raptor battle, he just shakes his head at the heavy cranial damage and makes sure Justice's neural net is accounted for. Following that, a quick fix to make sure it doesn't fall out or something.

Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox.

Velguader is barking by Rock, of course, since that's where Siggy asked Velguader to go. He is giving Rock a look that says: 'You want some, she-bitch?'

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Here's my advice: hit him wiff somet'ink veally unpleasant."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "I kinda feel bad for him...is that wrong?"

As Coaster Raptor falls inwards, he finds nothing waiting for him but a wide slash of Shadow Man's katana, the ninja Master himself having lept just narrowly outside of the attack range that he might offer his opponent a more unpleasent greeting.

Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Blade Slash attack.

Double doesn't respond to Thunderbolt, not yet. He doesn't even make eye contact with the Repliforcer. He looks out, his eyes wandering over the buildings of the city, the ancient stones scarred by conflict. Eventually, he replies, his voice hushed, quiet, "Unnecessary? Ironic, maybe...Geneva...Geneva was a place where men met to discuss war...the rules of war, what could and could not be done...over two centuries ago...rules for war. Heh." His laugh is short, harsh.

Then he looks at Thunderbolt, blinking. The white rust has begun to spread, it is clear, to under the synthskin of his face, eating the metal beneath the artificial flesh, giving a strange necrotic appearence to his features. "Ah...are you Hunter? Repliforce?" he pauses, "no, no, it doesn't matter....but tell your masters this...Sigma...mad? Maybe. But he welcomed me...he gave me refuge where your people would not. You Hunters, you Repliforcers, wanted me dead...what choice did I have?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lt. Pallbearer transmits, "What's the status on the battle?"

Looking to Crescent and then to Rock, Paragon smirks and slings his harpoon over his shoulder. Or at least he tries. Apparently his right shoulder gyro got a bit fused during that nasty blast. So for now, he simply holds onto it and regards Rock once more.

"Sigma has fallen, this is true. But our troops shall not stop that easily, Hunter. You know that." he then chuckles slightly. "Put your little blade away. Our conflict here is finished. The battle is now out on the streets." With that said, Paragon heads over towards Velguader and where Sigma fell..

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Sgt. Spin Cougar transmits, "Tending to wounded .. this guy's going to need a lot of work."

X stares at the dog... 'Great, just great. Sigma goes down and now his dog is here.' Rock thinks to himself. The sabre disappears as Rock slowly moves away from Velguader, his eyes still on Paragon. "Maverick, Sigma is gone. Your Ride Armors are out of commision and your troops are losing. Retreat."

Stabbing is bad, m'kay? Besides, Wild was never of a solid enough build to slam people like that anyway. Wild is stabbed, alright, though the blade missed just about everything vital (unless his clothes count as vital). Now he's mad. The acid was bad enough, but NOBODY gets to stab him and get away with it. Blades are for pansies and drunks. "Now yer' done for," he drawls, as he draws both of his shotguns. At this range, and with the spread of the buckshot, it'll be damn near impossible to dodge, and should shred the Texan better than a bowl full of wheat. "It's time to cash in 'yer chips, stranger!"

Wild Card strikes you with a minor hit from his Cash In Yer Chips for 10 units of damage.

You take less damage due to your Blunt resistances.

The slash finds one of Coaster's thighs, and knocks him off course well enough that he slides into the ground from his attack. Flipping up from the attack onto his feet, injured leg sparking in annoyance from that, the raptor doesn't mount the rails again, but instead tries to roundhouse Shadow with the injured leg, using the good one for the momentum.

Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Raptor Talon Roundhouse attack.

Crescent Grizzly sends a radio transmission to Rock.

Rock receives a radio transmission.

Thunderbolt Raven enters the Italy.

Thunderbolt Raven has left.

Thunderbolt Raven arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

Thunderbolt Raven has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Nothing wrong with feeling bad for 'em, kid. Just don't let it stop you from stopping them... cause no matter how sorry you feel for them, you'll feel a LOT worse if someone dies because you did nothing."

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Rock transmits, "Someone prep the Light Labs medbay."

Paragon Pirana retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel>, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Mercury, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Thunderbolt Raven, Crash Man, and Shadow Man.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Rock transmits, "I'm coming home as soon as I convince this Maverick to order a retreat."

Velguader barks again, rearing back on his hindlegs! How mean! Then, bending over, he picks up Sigma's fallen shield, growling.

Double sends a radio transmission to Ebony Fox.

Arkady glowers down at Bit's form before turning back to the Sentinel and jumps back into the cockpit. Turning, he heads back to the UN transport.

Arkady has left.

Meanwhile, back on the hilltop, Ashriel's been staring downwards, watching Paragon's progress, and Bit's. And then, the armor pilot ejects, moving for a hands-on assault, finishing off the speedy half of Godmachine Binary ruthlessly. Fist clenching, and releasing reflexively. Ashen-grey synthskin crinkles as a frown bends the lips of the Maverick, as he stares downwards at the mecha, and the pilot.

Throttling the bike into gear, the angel's hoverbike begins descending into the fracas at a speedy pace, arrowing right towards the Swiss Ride Armor. Of course oddly, the malice normally in his optics with such an action is not there. One would think he was descending to assist poor Bit, but alas, that will not be for tonight. No, he only acts out of curiosity.

[Radio: (D) Hunter-S] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Labs veady for vounded."

Double receives a radio transmission from Ebony Fox.

Crescent Grizzly looks at Frost Man long and hard. The android wants a fight. Crescent wants this over. It needs to end. He steps forwards, slowly. One step at a time. Then, while right in front of Frost, he looks the Master up and down. " Non. "

Crescent then slashes upwards at the mechanoid before him with the drill claws.

Coaster's leg sweeps up for the kick... and meets Shadow Man's hand, grabbing it from below while the ninja pivots round to his opponents side. He throws the leg up and attempts to flip his opponent over, while delivering him a swift kick with own spiked foot a split second apart.

Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Ninjitsu attack.

Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Claw Swipe attack.

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> retreats from the area swiftly, leaving it open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Rock, Paragon Pirana, Spin Cougar, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Mercury, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Thunderbolt Raven, and Crash Man.

Thunderbolt Raven shook his head. "Double...if it means anything, I have no desire to see you dead. Killing you would be a waste. Killing in general is a waste..." He sighed. "We would have been happy to have you, to help you...but you betrayed us again. Why?" He's honestly curious, and his tone was full of melancholy, he really did feel bad.

Double sends a radio transmission to Ebony Fox.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "Argh, I can't hit this guy.."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Freshen 'em up."

Frost Man suddenly finds his world exploding in pain as the giant claws rend ice and metal from his frame. He stumbles back several steps, shaking his head to regain his orientation. He's not the happy time fun Frost we normally see. "Teddy wanna play rough? Ok....I play rough..."

Without wasting any time, Frost leaps into the air, towards Crescent Grizzly. Twisting, repositioning, he aims for the elbow drop on the giant Repliforcer..He bellows a battle cry the whole time he's in the air...

Rock fires up his jet boosters. He looks at the sky as he takes off... hoping that Repliforce can handle the rest of the situation. He radioes as he quickly departs from the area...

Frost Man misses Crescent Grizzly with his Frost Elbow attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arkady transmits, "Make sure they're transported back."

Rock retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Paragon Pirana, Spin Cougar, Coaster Raptor, Mercury, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Thunderbolt Raven, and Crash Man.

With some quick fixes complete, Spin picks up Justice's body and carries him off to the teleporters. Time is of the essence ...

Velguader tries to pounce at Rock's retreating form, but misses and hits the ground roughly. You were lucky this time!

Swiss Guard Ride Armor <Sentinel> has left.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Abernathy transmits, "Yes, hijacking them off the Swiss would be poor form."

Crescent Grizzly ducks to one side faster then most would think possible for a reploid of his size and general speed. He sighs, shaking the ursine head. Snapping forwards, he opens his maw to reveal rows of shining, razor like teeth, which he attempts to tear into Frost with...

Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Bite Out Of Crime attack.

Slowly, Double meets Thunderbolt's gaze, his eyes fixing the Repliforcer with an intense stare. The corner of his mouth twitches slightly, but it is not clear what kind of expression he makes. He looks distant, for a moment, not quite entirely -here-...before he answers, in a strange voice. It seems like he speaks to more than merely the Repliforcer before him. And indeed, that's exactly what he does. "Betrayal, again. Betrayed you again. That's what you say...but you...betrayed -me-. Rock, Blues, the Hunters...I didn't ask for forgiveness...I asked you to understand...and even that, even that...you refused -me-...how can I trust? Who can I trust? The Maverick virus brings oblivion, they say, the madness to follow Sigma...I had it once...and maybe, maybe...I was better then...perhaps I shall embrace it again..."

Crash Man misses Rock with his Grasp attack.

Double sends a radio transmission.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] UN Security Elite Serena Gilbert transmits, "Yah."

Justice Jaguar opens his eye, and looks at Spin, "Ngh. Good, rescue." He murmers, "Get me on out of here...Thanks..'

Shadow Man pivots out of the way of Coaster Raptor's claws, their sharp edges scraping just against the edge of the katana as he brings it with him. Turning to face Coaster Raptor again, he grins faintly, and opens his mouth just slightly to speak a single word...

Instead, silence, as the katana is thrust cruelly forward, the scarred blade glinting as it moves with blurred speed.

Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Katana attack.

Double receives a radio transmission.

Spin Cougar enters the Italy.

Spin Cougar has left.

Spin Cougar arrives from the Italy.

Spin Cougar has arrived.

Spin Cougar enters the Germany.

Spin Cougar has left.

Rock enters the Sky Above Western Europe.

Rock has left.

Frost Man puts a nice huge pot hole into the pavement where Crescent was. He starts towards his feet, and sees a lot of teeth coming at him. Throwing his arm up, he ends up with some rabid Repliforcer gnawing on his arm.

This won't do at all. Balling up his other mitten, he drives it at the Bear, aiming to bash it's nose. "Stupid Repliforker..."

Frost Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Punch attack.

Spin Cougar arrives from the Germany.

Spin Cougar has arrived.

Coaster Raptor staggers backward as the Katana slices across his chest this time, a direct hit for the Robot Master. Sparks fly out as Coaster tries to figure out what he can do against this foe. With one last surge of determination he simply ducks down, tenses his legs and lunges at Shadow like he did to Shade earlier.

Shadow Man dodges Coaster Raptor's Raptor's Revenge attack.

Justice Jaguar has left.

Spin Cougar takes Justice Jaguar.

Spin Cougar enters the Germany.

Spin Cougar has left.

The bear snarls slightly, his nose crunched audibly from the blow, a trickle of mechfluid coming down. Turning back to face Frost, Crescent narrows his optics, and attempts to smash his forehead into that of the Android's....

Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Generic Melee attack.

Bowie does indeed find it impossible to dodge, especially with so much empty air only a few short paces away. The Texan is peppered with buckshot (much as he did to the Dinosaur Tank), the armor crumpling and shredding away under the abuse. His unprotected left arm gets the worst of it, mechfluid flowing from a dozen open wounds. His visor spiderwebs and cracks, hampering his view but protecting his optics from worse damage. He wipes his face with the back of his left hand, though it doesn't do much to clean the stoic frown from it. With less precison and more effort than it would have taken before, Bowie lifts his battered right arm, pointing the barrel squarely at Wild Card's face. There is no anger in his expression, simply the determination to be the last gunslinger standing.

Double sends a radio transmission.

Paragon Pirana has disconnected.

You strike Wild Card with a solid hit from your Windstorm attack.

He's been sighing a lot lately, and he does so again. "I can't claim to understand what you went through, and I'm sorry that those who you looked to for understanding either didn't or couldn't. My apologies mean nothing to you, I understand that. I also understand that I can't stop you from embracing the maverick virus again. I'm willing to give you a chance, I'm willing to try and understand what you're going through, but you have to want it. I can't help you unless you want to help yourself." Self-Help manual much? Yeesh, talk about cliched, but he had to try.

Double receives a radio transmission.

Wild Card neeps, and is blown thattaway! He staggers a bit, then is blown off the edge of the building! That can't be at all good for him. He manages to grab on to the edge of the rooftop with one hand, in stereotypical fashion, and just kinda hangs there.

"Well #^@."

Ashriel sends a radio transmission to Cleaver Cow.

Cleaver Cow receives a radio transmission.

Omega arrives from the Germany.

Omega has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "I think I'm getting myself into something I might not be able to handle...I'm offering Double my..I don't think friendship is the right word...maybe support is a better one"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Back away, Corporal. He's come to fear and mistrust Repliforce. And he's infected. I'm talking him down...I reached him in Neo-Tokyo, maybe I can do it agian. INTERPOL can put him where he'll get help without the people who push him to this.."

Gemini Man enters the Germany.

Gemini Man has left.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "You aren't reaching Double. He's playing you for a fool."

Velguader glances around, barks lightly, and then runs back to the dinotank!

Velguader retreats from the area swiftly, leaving it open to pursuit or parting shots from Bit, Feedback, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Mercury, Omega, Ride Armor <Manticore>, Cut Man, Thunderbolt Raven, Ashriel, Crash Man, and Shadow Man.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "He's got the San Angeles police department wanting to talk to me about possibly attacking him. Which I couldn't have. I wasn't in any of my combat armor modes."

Without warning, Double laughs. He laughs hysterically, speaking not just to Thunderbolt, but also to the Interpol agent whose voice echoes in his head. "A second chance...? Blues, Rock, my...-friends-...they never gave me any chance at all...I have the scars to prove it! Heh. Heh. Heh...proof...of...it..."

He looks up, the distinct spark of madness shining like embers in his eyes. "Help? I'm beyond help. Beyond it all...beyond...ah, yes, beyond, BEYOND...it...all..."

He laughs again, not a nice laugh, a laugh to send shivers down the spine. Then he reaches out with his hand, grasping at empty air, little flames of plasma streaming from his fingers. Eyes alight, he smiles at Thunderbolt. Holding that smile, his hand closes into a fist. And the flames, the flames explode forth, ravaging the air with unleashed fury.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Dr. Cossack transmits, "And vee all know zee San Angeles government is /so/ interested in veal justice, considerink zey harbored DeVry for veeks and veeks even t'ough zee entire verld vas clamorink for him to be brought to justice."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Rock, honey, there were witnesses to that attack. I'm looking into it on the side, but for now, getting Double talked down and away from the e-*halt* Damn!"

Double sends a radio transmission to Ebony Fox.

Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Energy Wave attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "...Should I just blast him then? I could, but it might make him lose it...ARGH!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "Take him down."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Liese Schreiner transmits, "Aim for the head."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "You were saying?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "Head, groin, shoulder, big toe - hit what you can, kid."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "He's lost it, the transmission he just sent me...something is wrong, Rock, you don't understand. He's cracked..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "I don't remember his profile mentioning insanity."

Frost Man finds his vision filled with forehead. He doesn't like that. Stumbling back, he grabs his forehead with his leaking arm. Growling, he shakes it. It still hurts. Shakes it again. Still hurts. He narrows his optics. With his free hand, he goes to simply backhand the Repliforcer...."Stupid bear!" he growls...

Bowie blinks once, trying to see through his scratched and shattered visor. He didn't think that Wild had the ability to blink-teleport...does he? And then he hears the muffled curse rising up from the edge of the building.

Were Bowie anything less than he is, he'd be tempted to give Wild good reason to lose his precarious hold on the edge of the rooftop. Instead, he stoops to collect his lost gun and rifle, then calmly walks over a few paces from the building's edge. "Thare's a ledge ten feet down," he calls to the Maverick bandito. "Ya might want t'use it." With that, the gunslinger turns and walks away again. Time to see how the rest of the battle is going.

Frost Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Swat attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "I don't care. He betrayed the Hunters... and almost managed to destroy the world because of it. Check your files for the alternate universe incidents."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, " Let's see... he had a history of playing two roles, splitting himself evenly between them... and now he's been reanimated by an experimental process that, while it seems to have produced a rather sane and interesting Admiral, might just have caused his duality to crack... naaah, can't understand why he might show signs of insanity."

Bitsy has arrived.

Bit drops Bitsy.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "That was the world Double almost made... Normally, I believe in hope for everyone... But Double. No."

Bit has left.

Ride Armor <Manticore> enters the Germany.

Ride Armor <Manticore> has left.

Ashriel meanwhile departs his hovercycle beside Bit. Carefully, Ashriel examines up the fallen Maverick, and salutes the carcass as his drone delivers him away. That done, he cracks his knuckles, and looks out upon the field, yellow eyes blazing a cold fire. "COALITION SOLDIERS! RALLY! REDIRECT YOUR EFFORTS! THIS STRIKE IS FOR OUR BROTHERS! BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT HAVE FALLEN HERE TONIGHT! THEY GAVE IT THEIR ALL! OUR FURY SHOULD BE NO LESS!" screams the currently green-haired Maverick, as he begins to slowly start walking towards Frost Man and Crescent Grizzly.

The battle...has just begun.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Ebony Fox transmits, "I've familiarized myself with him Rock. I had hoped to try, at least to put him away where he couldn't hurt others. But he's lost it. It's sad, really. He can't trust people that half his head tells him are his friends, and the other half wants to kill."

The attack was unexpected, but that just infuriated the Raven. "You...you...I was trying to help you and...GAH! You're going down Maverick!" His empathy for Double shattered at the unprovoked attack, the Avian reploid took to the air, flapping his wings furiously. On a forward sweep, the wings launched four feathers at a high velocity towards Double, the razor sharp impliments glistening malevolently in the firelight.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rock transmits, "Regardless, he is not to be trusted... and if he is crazy. Maybe putting him out of his misery is best."

Thunderbolt Raven strikes Double with his Razor Feathers attack.

Shadow Man sides away from Coaster's lunging attack, bringing the katana around with him. He stands now at a fair distance from Coaster, waiting for the next attack to come so he can insultingly avoid it, and meanwhile hurls a shuriken slightly larger than the standard fair but still not as large as the Shadow Blade to keep the Hunter occupied.

Shadow Man strikes Coaster Raptor with his Shock Shuriken attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "I'm now engaged in combat with him....I thought...I...*sigh*..."

Crescent Grizzly snarls, the swat striking him, forcing his neck to twist just in time to see Double strike...and hear Ashriel begin a zealous rant. No. The Mavericks have lost, and he intends to bring that point home. Reaching into the air, he begins to cut swath after swath of energy crescents, each launching themselves at a different enemy...

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "One less Maverick causin trouble. 'Less someone needs a hand, Ah'm headin fer home. Ah'm tore up."

Crescent Grizzly strikes Ashriel with his Crescent Shot attack.

Crescent Grizzly strikes Frost Man with his Crescent Shot attack.

Crescent Grizzly strikes Double with his Crescent Shot attack.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray transmits, "Points for effort, dude. It's just the nature of the beast and all that jazz."

Renfield has left.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Corporal Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "I thought I was getting through to him...guess it shows how naive I am...Maybe I need a new line of work..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alacrity Demon transmits, "*chuckle* Don't ever lose the optimism, kid. It's a rarity, and if it doesn't get you killed, you might just end up being the lucky one who ends this war, for it."

Unfortunately the star thrown nails Coaster in the chest, as did the Katana, but as it does there's a sound of something shorting out, fizzling, and eventually shutting down deep inside. Coaster staggers back, hands pulling the large shuriken out of his chest before he falls backwards, hands holding the new injury. He's done.. not knocked out, but he's not fighting anymore. Other problem is, he can't skate out either. "Dang it.." he coughs, glancing back at Shadow. He has no idea what to do now..

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "I need out of here and I can't exactally get myself out... Shadow damaged one of my generators.."

Parsec Basilisk arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.

Parsec Basilisk has arrived.

Wild Card glances down. "So there is..." he drops to the ledge, then opens a window (surprisingly hard to do from outside and makes his way back to the rooftops, as his duster is still there (there's still a bottole of brandy and a half-eaten bag of popcorn there). The outlaw then procedes down to the ground floor, and, as he's in no condition to fight any longer, simply boards the Dino Tank.

Wild Card retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Sword Man, Clown Man, Wilymachine <Mecha-Wily>, Feedback, Velguader, Coaster Raptor, Sigma, Bowie, Mercury, Cleaver Cow, Omega, Cut Man, Thunderbolt Raven, Ashriel, Parsec Basilisk, Crash Man, and Shadow Man.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Coaster Raptor transmits, "Anyone?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Feedback transmits, "Feh, where are ya?"

Frost Man finds himself railed back with slices of energy, none of which feel too swell. Shaking his head, he growls. "No...I smash you down. I'm taking you down for good this time!" He churns up his systems a shadow growing over him. Out of the sky a massive block of ice falls deftly into his hands. He strains under the sudden pressure, staggers, but does not fall. "I'll CRUSH YOU!!" With that, he lobs the chunk of ice the size of a moving truck at Crescent...

Frost Man strikes Crescent Grizzly with his Ice Crusher attack.

The razor edges of the Avian's attack slash through Double's form, tearing the semisolid protoplasm of his body into wet shreds. He collapses, slamming hard into the ruins, the purple matter of his body writhing as it reforms and reshapes itself in the wake of the injury. Gradually, Double composes his anatomy into some order, and stands, boots scraping against the rubble underfoot. He shakes his head, clearing the haze of pain. Flakes of metal slew from his armor, stained by the spread of the White Rust.

"Going...down? I'm sorry," he says softly, "I fell to darkness a long, long time ago..."

Again he stumbles, as the energy blade from Crescent Grizzly tears through his midsection, cutting him cleanly in two. Before he hits the ground, his body reforms, oozing back into place. With unnatural quickness for someone recovering from such damage, he fixes Thunderbolt with a smile. And then, he throws his arm back and strikes, carving a blazing trail of spinning plasma light that snaps out to touch the Raven's form.

Double strikes Thunderbolt Raven with his Spinning Wheel attack.