OOC: Thinslayer, we can't continue until you give us directions to the crime scene.
Return to Cradle 2 RP Story Thread
((Come on, Keep OOC to a minimal guys. Remember: OOC should be done in the Discussion Forum not here. Spamming the Story Thread will not make Thin come any faster...))
Luke covered his eyes as he walked out into the sunlight. He had been in the infirmary after he had suffered an injury fighting at a Deconstruction zone. Taking a hammer to the arm, Luke was confined to the infirmary for the past couple of days. Heading over to the bulletin board to see what he missed, surprise was clear on his face as he saw that there had been two murders. Hmm I wonder who did these murders, maybe it has something to do with the Morai. I should help! turning away, Luke walked over to the Hall of Heroes. He wondered as he went what he would be able to do to contribute. He hesitated at the entrance, gathering his thoughts. Then he walked in and made his way straight to Commander Barrus, Luke saluted and gave his request. "Sir? I was wondering if... maybe.. you know... help figure out the murders?" Stepping back, Luke waited for an answer.
Barrus drew his sword and pointed it at the door. "Go forth to the depth 4 terminal and begin your investigation there. Be safe, knights." He twirled his sword and saluted.
Then he noticed Blesse's sign. "Oh, sure Blesse. Gimme a bit." He fished out his tablet and flicked through it a bit. "Aha. I believe this is what you're looking for." He uploaded the list to her system.
"Will that help?"
If you look at the list, the only pattern you see is that many (though certainly not all) of the entries are of people who have a record of anger-induced violence. Some of them were detained for assaulting their fellow knights over quibbles. Some were reprimanded for excessive and degrading language. Others were simply written up for speaking disrespectfully to a superior. The remainder weren't written up for anything, but pride or egotism of some sort was a commonly-listed personality trait.
One of those on the list of the murdered was himself indicted for murder.
Suddenly, the recipe dispenser Sono was using burst into flames. He quickly backed away from it, turning to the others. "I Didn't Do That!'
"Good luck on that investigation of yours Blesse. I'm heading down the the scene of the crime."
With Sonosuke, and Renao at his heels, he walked over to the Arcade, which was emptier than usual due to a murder. Yes, another . They said he was killed in some sort of ritual, but it didn't really matter to him. He turned back to his team.
"Alright, before we go down there, any questions or needed bathroom breaks? Or anymore alchemy machines we need to break, 'cause I thought that was funny."
"I guess I'll have to accompany you then, a second pair of eyes could find something you miss"
Marsh said, in a Jolly tone with a snakish twist hidden within it.
(Let's find this 'Queen Valkerie')
The thought with a twisted grin. This was a scar he had been waiting to earn for a long time.
"That is, if you'll have me Blesse"
"I have a question" Gwen asked, having suddenly shown up behind the group. "Who's our first target?" She strutted up to Jaxter, playfully twirling her Divine Avenger. "Snarbies is probably the closest. King Tinkerbell is a bit too far away for my comfort." She gazed up at the night sky and added, "Also consider that he pretty much built this rock, giving him a home-field advantage."
She drove her sword into the dirt. "It's your call, commander."
Jaxter rubbed his eyes a bit, checking if she was really there. And if Marsh was there too, since hey both seemed to materialize out of thin air.
"I'm still sober, right? Ok good. I say we go for Sir Snarble, since he would probably be the easiest to start on... Stay by the bell and you'll be fine people, let's move."
Brandon smiled broadly as he gave the Stranger a large pat on the back for his purchase. The Spiral Knights had nearly run out of Minerals since leaving Cradle, and he had to admit how much fun it was preparing a meal with such interesting recipe enhancers. Of course, he couldn't neglect the other materials prime for preparing some of the most exotic dishes he could imagine. Though, what adventures he had had with Biscotti because of the 'magical rocks'.
Carrying the large sack of ingredients slung over his shoulder, Brandon could only think of the wondrous things that the knights would dine on, now that they had resumed duties to the enigmatic planet. With everything that was going on, every knight was sure to hunger for a nice meal, he thought merrily.
Making his way back to the Garrison, he wondered what awaited him now that he had come back to his birth home. Thirty years had transpired since he had last seen the sapphire skies and rusted buildings of Haven.
Still sober...that's a laugh for the ages.
"Let's find this 'Queen Valkyrie'," someone said in a crystal-clear voice. Or at least, she thought someone said. But no one had spoken. After all these years, I'm *still* not used to my telepathic hearing. Sounds like the new guy's voice. She glanced back at Marsh. Yup, that was you, big boy. She chuckled and looked ahead at the lift they were approaching.
She stepped on and watched in amusement as the rest of their party crowded onto the platform.
[The fight with the sentinel begins, Affraiel charges up the claymore and fires at the giant’s head, the sentinel becomes temporarily stunned. Elzilia flanks the sentinel and jumps onto its back, the giant is aware of the pesky sting on his back and attempt to brush her off, but Affraiel kept him occupied with another sun light blast.]
Affraiel: *yells* “This way ugly! Your uncle Affraiel got a solar sandwich for you!” *charges up another beam*
Sentinel: *moans* “!!!” *pummels Affraiel*
Affraiel: *dodges* “Ha! Missed!” *blasts the sentinel with another beam* “Are you even aiming?!”
[The sentinel loses it poise and stumbled, Elzilia manages to cling on and moves onto the sentinel’s neck. Affraiel throws the claymore to Elzilia and shouted.]
Affraiel: *shouts* “Elzilia! Finish him off!”
Elzilia: *catches the claymore* “Playtime is over!”
[At the last second, just as Elzilia is about to split the sentinel’s neck in half, the sentinel fought back but brushing Elzilia off from his back. Elzilia stumbles but instantly moves out of the way before she could be pummelled into dust by the sentinel’s fist. The golden claymore flies of and struck itself into the rocky ground nearby.]
Sentinel: *moans in frustration* “!!!” (STAY STILL!)
Affraiel: *shakes his head* “Crap, this is going nowhere!”
Elzilia: “Hey old man! I still got a trick down my sleeve!”
Affraiel: “Then what are you waiting for? Show it!”
[Elzilia uses her muscles motion to relocated all of her bio steel skin to her right fist, the bio steel clumped up on her hand and formed the shape of a wrecking ball. Elzilia then puts her engine thruster to the maximum power and jumped onto the sentinel’s head. In one powerful right hook, the stony face of the sentinel is smashed into pieces, it is rendered blind by the blow. Affraiel then runs in for the finish, he picks up the claymore and charged one final solar beam, aimed straight for the sentinel’s neck. The solar beam trusted through the neck and the sentinel crumbled into dust. The other Valkyries, seeing that both the sentinel and the rock giant are down, fled for their lives.]
Affraiel: *whistles* “WOOOO, THE SENTINEL IS DOWN FOR THE COUNT!”
Elzilia: *coughs and relocated her bio steel skin* “Damn… I don’t feel too well… so hungry…” *coughs and falls unconscious*
Affraiel: “Eh, Elzzy? Elzzy! Hey, wake up! What do you mean you are hungry?” *sees a Valkyrie in the distance* “Hey! Is that you Valkyrie boy?”
Midnight: *nods his head* “Yes, Sir, it is me… sorry for stalking you…” *sees Elzilia unconscious* “What happened to Miss Elzilia?”
Affraiel: “Eh, I don’t know, but I think we should find some food and rest in a cave for now… the sun setting…” *picks up the claymore* “Here carry this for me…” *gives the claymore to Midnight and pick up Elzilia onto his back* “Argh! My back! Damn… I am getting too old for this… hmm, Elzilia needs to lose some weight. This girl gotten alot heavier since we first met…”
Midnight: “Umm, Mister Affraiel, I can carry Miss Elzilia in your stead?”
Affraiel: “Don’t sweat it kid! Your uncle Affraiel still got a few years more youth left in me. Now let’s get to a shelter and start a fire, do you by any chance got a tinder box?”
Midnight: *takes out a poorly made iron canister out of his dress pocket* “Yes, Mister Affraiel, I got one right here!” *takes another box out his backpack and smiles* “This is my ration for the week! We can have a fest tonight!”
Looking up at the champion she nodded as the three blue dots of her hood shrank for a moment as if blinking before returning to full size. She then went back to the computer setting the tablet thing down and went to work. Looking back she shook her head. Picking up the table she wrote.
I am going to stay here and work communications and work on a Profile of our killer. I have a good idea of who it is, but I want to confirm it with a little profiling first. Your welcome to stick around and help, but if you are, can you get me a white board or something to get our notes on?
Holding that up long enough for the man to read she turned and started typing on the computer getting into the Military Police's Mainframe. Taking the information as quickly as she could to start her profiling. Why do I have a bad feeling that list they gave me was incomplete. The only thing binding the victims together is their anger, but everyone gets angry over time. The only oddity here is the murder. She paused for a moment as she looked down at the knight who had Murder posted on his record. Well, all the others have no history with any of you. Only anger problems and it seems their anger was bad enough to start a lenching over so...Wait, what if that's it. If I can eliminate the Possible and look at the Impossible I bet I can see the pattern!
Turning around Blesse started to write on the tablet.
I need you to got to Barrus and ask him to release the full file and footage from the Knights helm's from the Murdered Knights. I have a feeling I know the connection but we need the recorded data that is stored with the intel department. Which means we need access to the records before they delete all of them. Even if we are only able to get two, I need them!
"I didn't even set it on fire." Sono stepped on the elevator. "I was just looking through the recipes and it just caught on fire. I think I still have water in my boots from the sprinklers."
*And what exactly were you doing while looking through it.*
'Shut up. That doesn't freaking concern you.'
*Alright alright. Just hope no one in the group can read minds, or else they'd know you were trying to break it open.*
Sono looked around to find no one looking at him. 'When we get back home, you're going into Mech's head.'
*Not sure how you're gonna do that, me being your Conscious and all, but okay.*
Location: the golden spire, Valkyrie’s sacred ground, depth 23
[The golden spire glowed in the edgeless night, its light emulated all the way to the camp fire setup of Affraiel and Midnight, Midnight, who lost his wings during the fight with Elzilia, is feeling alienated as Affraiel, who has a big appetite, started to empty out his ration box.]
Midnight: *stomach cramps* “Ugh, Mister Affraiel, I think you should spare some for Miss Elzilia… isn’t she hungry?”
Affraiel: *nom nom nom* “Hmm, yeah, almost forgot, sorry kid…” *stuck a ration biscuit into Elzilia’s mouth* “There, she is fed…” *tosses another packet of ration packet to Midnight* “There, all happy now…” *looks at the golden spire in the distance* “What is that? That thing must be made of pure gold or something?”
Midnight: “Yes, Mister Affraiel, you are quite correct! The golden spire is considered divine by my people, a gift to our kind by our beloved creator, father paradise…”
Affraiel: *sneers* “Father Paradise… What is wrong with you, Valkyrie boy, are you religious or something? Or did you just have the stupid knocked out of you by Elzzy?”
Midnight: *fidgets* “No, Mister Affraiel, I am serious! My old sisters told me of his great descend into this world a long time ago, he gifted us the divine power which we hold till today. The power is sustained by three sacred spires, gold, platinum and diamond spires. Each one hidden in a secret location, the map I am holding only reveals the golden spire, I was not told of the location of the two other spires due to my low rank…”
Affraiel: *chuckles* “You kidding me? If we can take out that spire over there, we would become millionaires! Who cares about the other two spires? Platinum? What is that? Diamond? Not really my best friend, Elzilia might want it though, heh heh…”
Midnight: *panics* “But if you and Miss Elzilia managed to destroy the spires… the balance of this world would be lost!”
Affraiel: “You think so? What balance does the Valkyrie or white council bring to this world anyway? So far all they did is killing people…”
Midnight: “My queen only kill those who has sins… it is a part of the justice system that we put in to enforce the commandments of cradle. Those who slayed the blood of the innocent must be punished… It is what is right!”
Affraiel: *sneers* “So you are telling me, that the white haired brat, or your Queen… is going around killing people because they killed people? What kind of BIGOTRY is that?!”
Midnight: “Bigotry?”
Affraiel: *Frowns with frustration* “Still don’t get it? Tell me this, who protects the innocent, from the woman who protects the innocent? This so called justice crap? Is nothing more than a soothing word that she say to herself every time when she takes a life away, it spares the burden of all the sin she created… I may have killed a lot of people in my life, I lost count at 108 as a matter of fact, but I paid dearly every life I took… I can still see their ghosts, hovering around me… calling me a sinner, do I deserve this?”
Midnight: “Did you kill because you seek justice? I can use my prayers to ease your pain…”
Affraiel: *looks menacingly at Midnight* “Spare your prayers… and No, I kill because I choose to, I fought for what I believed is right and I killed whoever stood in my way, I justify nothing, I have already paid my tribute, this planet, this, clockwork, was my purgatory, my final trial is neigh, once the three spires are destroyed… I will finally rest, in the paradise that I was fighting for my whole life…”
Midnight: “The Paradise? It would be a Heresy for a murderer to enter the paradise if he is not redeemed…”
Affraiel: *face palms* “No, not the paradise you came from you idiot! I want the one that is in my dream, that little island floating in the middle of nothingness, away from this world and its problems. I will sleep there in an eternal slumber, away from bloodshed and war… with nothing but peace in my heart, wind blows, leaf falls… just the way I liked it…” *snugs into his prison mattress and falls asleep*
Midnight: *shakes his head* “… Mister Affraiel, I really wished that I could understand your suffering… maybe I will give it another try someday.” *falls to sleep*
[OOC: please don’t kill Affraiel at this point :- ( ]
Cicero, suddenly realizing that his new master was gone, walked into the Auction House. He smashes open a window with the butt of his Polaris, then steps inside. He swaps his tunic for Mighty Cobalt armour, a step down from his previous gear, but it was all that was in stock.
He sprinted to the hall, watching the lift descend slowly. By the time he reached it, the lift was ten feet down. Then, he did something insane; he jumped after it.
Cicero plummeted for the drop, landing on Sono. He muttered an apology, then realized he had one weapon.
"Does anyone have a spare sword? It appears that mine was destroyed in a fiery explosion."
Sono pushed Cicero off and brushed himself. "Next time warn us before using me as a fall pillow." He took a spare Combuster off his back. "Here. Unless it's not good enough for you, that is."
"It's fine, thank you." Cicero says, taking the Combuster. He swings it experimentally, twirling the blade in his hand.
This will work.
Retreving a rather large blackboard, marsh took the time to read the scribbles.
"Something about radiant crystal drought? Bah, nothing important"
Some impatient finger snaps in the distance meant he was taking too long. So with a swish of a few erasers, he made ready the blackboard for their own use. A sudden realization came over Marsh. The video...it could be possible that one of them had recorded him. Though the champion he was wearing didn't seem to have any helm device, what about the others? If they saw him killing one of the knights, he would be put at the same priority as the Queen. After all this time, he had finnally rallied up enough attention against her for the spirals to assign death squads like this one to chase after her. If they treid to search for the second one...
(Gotta find and erase that file...)
He thought, scooting the board over to his waiting 'partner'
"Um," Sono leaned against the railing, "do you guys think it was a good idea to leave Blesse by herself with Anders?"
"The mute? I dunno." Cicero says nonchalantly, strapping the Combuster to his back.
Picking up the piece of chuck on the bottom of the board Blesse started to write out a time line, one each one was the time and date of the death of the Knights she had a report on, some of them where noted for anger problems and getting written up. However at the bottom she wrote one word. Murder.
It was nothing special but she had it away from the rest of the writing as if to keep it appart. She then looked at the Champ. He seems rather out of place for a simple check...Wait, his armor.
Reaching over to the table she turned on a function which made the console she was working on bring up a hollow map with the squad's names and ranks. However she left Ander's out for a reason. With a quick hand she took the table and wrote out;
Damn, I was going to get a backround file on our guys to make sure we don't get targeted by this killer. It seems the most likely would be the Thief guy but for some reason it's not letting me get your Profile. Can you write down your ID into the codex? It will make this easier.
Sure it was simple thing for any knight to remember their ID codes for it was what they used to get into higher up area's of the Order. The Hall was not a place you needed you code since it was for all Knights and tracking that many people coming in and out was just too much. Please know it, if you don't thank god the Baron and the others are here with us right now. She then held out the tablet and moved back some to get the man room for the console. When in fact she moved back just far enough that his 'weapon' would just out of range but kept him within her Ten yard reach of her Fire. The real Anders will know this with out thinking. Thankfully unless the person inside their is not the real Anders I have lots of backup here.
If you gents are done conversing, I'd like to go find the first man on the hitlist. I'm very bored and not even a drink can cheer me up, so I think we should go now."
Jaxter sat on the elevator, waiting for his comrades to follow.
The elevator presses into the hard, frozen earth. "Freeze Stratum," Cicero mutters to himself. "Gonna be a while before Snarby makes an appearance."
He turns to Gwen. "You know what? I barely know you but... I think I'm in love."
Gwen smirked and playfully jabbed Cicero in the shoulder. "I dunno kiddo, we'll see how much you love me when I emasculate you with my mad skills," she joked with a chuckle.
As soon as they arrive, they hear someone crackle over the com system, "Mayday! We are under attack! I repeat, we are under attack! All knights report to the surface immediately!"
((OOC: Ninja'd))
"Do- Do we go back?" Sono re-adjusted his Gokai.
Jaxter replied to the com system, swearing.
"What's happening? Who's attacking you?"
"I'm dead serious" Cicero says to Gwenivere, his adoration coming out of every pore. "I would follow you to the ends of the Universe."
"I don't know. It all happened so fast! Reports are pouring in faster than I can assess them, and- and- oh my gosh, I can't take it anymore! I'm so, SO sorry..."
The line cuts off, leaving everyone puzzled and alarmed.
Including Gwen. She sits down on the icy ground and curls up to think. Will Snarble wait for us? Will the Fallen wait for us? The Morai won't. Can I manipulate them into fighting the Council for us?...actually, that's not a bad idea! Maybe if we draw them into the Clockworks...
She looked up at Jaxter. "I say we go back and engage them. Then we lure them into the Clockworks so we can trick them into fighting the Council for us!"
"They won't," Cicero says to Gwen, realizing that she was concerned with the White Council.
He steps forward, turning to the squad. "Go after the White Council, I will find the squad." He declares, striding off deeper into the level.
"They won't," Cicero says to Gwen, realizing that she was concerned with the White Council.
He steps forward, turning to the squad. "Go after the White Council, I will find the squad." He declares, striding off deeper into the level.
The suddon calls started to come alive as the hall became a buzz. Reports flew across the console faster then Blesse could read but she understood it all too well, it was a attack. Thankfully it was no sege but it could turn into one. Walking over to the console Blesse started typing faster then her mind was letting her thing. Reaching over she waved off Anders' his idenity would have to wait for a moment longer. She then quickly sent a message to Jaxter's team.
Come back! We need all the help up here we can get, I will send Anders off to help with the forward fight, the rest of you should come back up and cover the Gerrmison. If that falls we are going to lose a command center. After that you should send in the stongest of us to get their attention and have a special team enter around. It might sound dumb but at this point it's needed if we are under attack from the source I think it is. Surprise will not be on our side.
With the message sent Blesse turned to 'Anders' and started writing him a message as well.
I will hold the screen here, as for right now I need you to head out and start getting rid of the invator's as best you can. Keep them out of the hall and the Germmison. I will join you or some one from Jaxter's team will.
She then held the Tablet up for the man to read.
Jaxter nodded, a bit irritated, but agreeded with Gwen.
"Fine. Are you sure you can do that? We don't even know if they're powerful enough for the Council." Jaxter loaded his Huns. "But if you can do it I'd be real grateful. We need to the Council dead."
Jaxter motioned to Sono and Renao to follow him back to the Town Square.
"As for you two lovebirds, or at least one of you," Jaxter remarked to Gwen and Cicero, "You two go check the Biotech Lab with Marsh if anything happened."
Sono leapt back on the lift. "I've been itching for a fight all day. Come on, Renao."
Looking into the codex, the screen was blinking, waiting for an entry. As he leaned into the machine, his right hand began touching the keys, while his right rested upon the pommel of his sword. Perhaps his birthdate?
THe ground quaked, as the lights flikered, various messages and pop ups flooded the screen. Blesse pushed Marsh aside as she went about her business. Holding up a small tablet, she wanted him to leave and help fight the wave.
Understood, meet back here soon
He signaled with his hands, as he drew his large sword he gave a salute to the little firebug.
Stay safe, shorty
He said before he left, she was cute when she was mad. But the message was a real warning, accidents happen...especially in the fog of war.
(To the frontlines, then. Looks like i'll have to bring the slaughter to the lambs)
"I need to find them" Cicero says, slinging his pack across both his shoulders. He plants a kiss on the forehead of Gwenivere, then walked off.
Gwen stood there, stunned and more than a little outraged at Jaxter's comment. "Lovebirds!? We are NOT in love! That- it's just Cicero, I swear! And wipe that smug grin off your face!!" Her cheeks reddened and blushed furiously as she stammered to fight the right words to object with.
Ugh, now I've just made matters worse by denying it. Great job, Gwen. Just great. She facepalmed and turned to Cicero, giving him a death-glare. "No funny business from here on out," she scolded angrily before stomping off with him into the Clockworks.
"I figured you'd come." Cicero says matter-of-factly.
"I did say at least one of you." Jaxter laughed. As he walked into the Bazaar, he thought.
'Cicero's been acting weird lately. I'll need to talk to him in private later.'
Gwen folded her arms and huffed at him, still flustered from the kiss and the "lovebirds" comment. Mhm. It's not like I like you or anything. That would have sounded really cliche if I'd said that out loud. She continued stomping in the snow, muttering random things to herself about nothing in particular.
She suddenly stopped and glanced around. Something is here, and it isn't friendly. Listening carefully, she barely managed to pick up a slight stepping sound over the roaring winds. Wolves. They don't know we're here, and I'd rather not kill them if I don't have to. Cicero might not agree with that perspective, though; best pretend like nothing's wrong.
"Hmm. It's nothing. Carry on." she muttered quietly.
Just as he was about to walk out the door, he saw Blesse waving frantically at him, a message on the pad she held in her hand. He squinted, and was further annoyed.
"We're spread thin already...Marsh, stay with Blesse and guard the surrounding area."
"Soooo... know any songs?" Cicero asks jokingly, wincing as the joke came out.
That was a bad one. Sorry.
Gwen nodded, but judging from her silence (and slight scowl), she was clearly in no mood to sing any.
Not until you've at least apologized. Vog, I remember now how much I hate it when people randomly fall in love with me and try to kiss me.
Cicero sighs, and continues walking in mute silence.
Vog. I blew it. I always. Frickin'. Blow it.
"Okaaay, so not much of a singer apparently." Cicero says, glancing at the spectral outline of a wolf in the distance. He dismissed it as nothing.
"Garrison, right?" Sono checked in with Mech, who lived near the Hall.
"Mech, what's happening over at the Garrison?" He listened to the report, occasionally nodding. "Alright. Thanks bro." He hung up and turned back to Jax and Renao.
"So, What's going on, Sono?" Renao said, Fingering something in her sidepouch.
As Jaxter walked away for a second time, he entered the Bazaar, and destruction was everywhere. Fire crowned every building in sight, Strangers and knights alike running for cover. Gunfire rained from above, spreading rubble and rock everywhere.
"What the hell...is this the Morai?! How did they get past the outer defenses?"
His question answered itself.
OOC: Thinslayer, I summon thee.