it's gonna rain - and it never ends

[thespaceopera]

[ It's midday, or close enough to it that the sun is blazing red hot above the planet. Everything seems ordinary - for disturbing, red-tinted values of ordinary, anyway. But the normalcy doesn't last for long.

Without warning, an explosive sound shocks through the jungle. It doesn't come from any one central point, but rather several points, scattered throughout, strategically placed to the advantage of someone. And from those massive shocks rises a wave of missiles - large, fast, and apparently, freely flying. They're guided, and they've locked onto their target: any foreign ship that is currently within Lato'li's atmosphere.

There's no way to mistake it. They're headed right for the Fleet.

The first wave feels a bit sporadic - timings might be off, but the missiles are still deadly, and if they hit, they hit hard. Shields might withstand this wave, but ships without shields will take direct hits. The ability to stay airborn is very, very quickly lost.

The second wave is much more precise, expertly timed and executed by whomever is firing from below. Even smaller shuttles get caught in the crosshairs, and those ships that lasted through the first volley will take a few more shots. If shields saved you before, they will fail here, giving out under the strain.

And the third wave comes, a little bit longer after, to finish the job. There are more of them, and they are far more advanced - they make the previous two volleys look like warning shots. This time, it's all missiles launched, all targets acquired.

Seven Fleet ships - and many, many shuttles - fall out of the sky, headed straight for the surface at alarming speed. Only four ships manage to escape the assault and exit the planet's atmosphere, retreating to orbit as fast as possible. Those lucky enough to have been in orbit can only watch as all of this happens.

But the missiles aren't the only thing up their sleeve. Just when the dust settles, while the network is surely lighting up with activity, attempts to contact one another and check on the status of fellow ships and crew, A loud, quick, terrible screeching noise shocks the network. It drowns out all communications on any connected devices - ship or personal. Ships in orbit will see all on-board systems flicker, then fizzle out, all non-emergency systems have gone completely down.

And with that.. there's silence. Perhaps too much silence. No matter what you do, no matter which buttons you press, which channels you try, there is no connection. Those who have dropped to the surface are entirely radio silent, and those in orbit have been reduced to the barest of abilities and life-support, with the bare minimum of contact.

So... What can you do now? ]


(( ooc: Feel free to use this post as a mingle for all your crashy or missile-dodgy needs!

• The following ships have been shot down: Bishop, Bloodsport, Blue Fish, Goldstone, Heron, Tourist, Twin Roses.
• The following ships are now in orbit: Blameless, Caprine, First Breath, Huntress, Iskaulit, Red Fish, Starstruck, Vanquish, Wonderduck

Good luck, Dear Fleet...~ ♪ ))

Comments

[axi]

[At the sudden noise, Kaname turns to get a reading before grabbing Freyja and hightailing it towards the open ground.]

There's four that I got signals from, and they're spreading out in an arc behind us! [Stealthy and unnoticed are left behind. She reaches back to grab Freyja's hand and haul them both forward in the dark. Dodging trees and branches makes it just that much harder to gain speed and distance, so Kaname yells back to her friend.]

Freyja, light!

[livesfastdiesung]

[Well, okay. She doesn't need anymore urging than that, the rune on her head standing up and shining with a bright pink light (that seems to sparkle, too) so that they can see where they're going even as she runs.

The noises of their pursuers are coming more rapidly now, though. Any notion of stealth has been abandoned now that they're so close to the trio, and the cracking and snapping are more apparent than they've ever been.]

How much further!?

[moseyin]

[Cloud turns long enough to heft his sword back over his shoulder and swing, sending a crescent of force back behind them toward one of the sources of sound; there's a brief squawk of pain as the other three pursuers burst from the undergrowth, two heading for Cloud and one leaping past him for Kaname and Freyja.]

[axi]

[In a last minute bid for open space, Kaname shoves Freyja forward, and they emerge at the edge of the valley by a large slope leading downwards. She hears the noise of one being hit followed by the emergence of the rest as she drops her supply bag at her feet and unholsters the gun at her hip. Good call, Nami.

Aiming at the one following her, she shoots twice, barely missing the first time and the second hitting it squarely in the shoulder. It's knocked back with a shriek, no longer barreling towards the pair, but not completely incapacitated either. Kaname clenches her jaw, and aims again, too focused on this one to notice the previously injured fourth emerging from the trees to charge towards Freyja.]

[livesfastdiesung]

[And barrel towards her it does, and while she does try to dive out of the way, she doesn't quite succeed. The Vieziri lands on her, knocking them both to the ground with a loud thud and an even louder yelp. The last time this situation had happened was her audition, and that wasn't even real. But this one was. Normally they're in something that's trying to kill her, and not... this. And she doesn't have a proper way to defend herself, she was never really one for weapons even with some training!

So she stares up at the Vieziri that's on top of her, who's preparing to kill her while it has her in this position. The alien even goes to slice at her with its machete.

And that's when Freyja does the only thing she knows how to do. She sings, of course. Her runes shining brighter than it ever has before, too.]

We've only got one shot at love, so let's have fun inside you, let's share a selfish kiss!

[At the very least, well, the Vieziri on top of her pauses the descent of the machete.]

[moseyin]

[That's enough.

These assholes are fast, but not much in way of durability. Cloud manages to bodycheck one of them into the trunk of a tree, where it slides down lifelessly as he turns and catches the other in a messy slice across its torso that drops it to the ground, dying or dead.

Freyja starts singing and he turns, sees the alien atop her and just slings his sword over like a boomerang; it catches the Vieziri in the side and it topples off of her with a shriek, babbling something poorly-translated about prey animals as Cloud chases it down, yanks his sword out and just cuts the asshole's head off.]

Shit. You good?

[axi]

[She hears the yelp and her eyes widen, causing her to fire three shots into the one across from her. Once it's absolutely down for good, Kaname turns around to see Cloud finish off the one threatening Freyja. She grabs the supply bag and hurries over, offering a hand to help the girl up.]

Thank you. [Cloud receives a tired looking smile of relief.] Hey, are you okay? Sorry, it ju--

[Actually, maybe they're not good just yet. The noises bring a few more to check what's going on! This time, two more from the forest and two from the valley. Kaname whirls around to look, tugging her friend closer to her.]

It stopped when you sang, right...? [Meaning they might as well try it here! Or something similar. So she picks up the song herself.]

When the lightning scorches the heavens, my passion flares up, and I am reminded that heart and body are one. It's a listlessness I can't describe.

[livesfastdiesung]

[Freyja takes the offered hand, pulling herself up—but not dropping her guard, she knows before they even appear that there are more coming, especially wiht her rune already being as bright as it is.

And again, the Vieziri seem to stop, almost as if they're entranced by Kaname's song. Freyja picks up the song quickly.]

We met, we looked for each other, in the darkness of space bloomed our shining flower of fire! Shoot through my heart with the light of the stars! Bang, bang, bang!

[Seriously, though. It's certainly having an effect on the Vieziri, they seem to be struggling to approach them in any kind of dangerous manner because of how deeply entranced they seem to be.]

[moseyin]

[Well that is goddamn useful.

Whatever those two are doing with that, it's hitting the Vieziri like a pumped up Slow spell. Cloud wastes no time hefting his sword and cutting down their new assailants before they can even raise their own weapons.]

...looks like your singing works after all, [he says, boot on the chest of a corpse as he pulls his sword out of its gut and grimaces at the mess. He really needs to get something better as soon as possible.]

[axi]

I guess it does. [Despite the relief that comes with it, tension's still evident in her posture as she eyes the bodies and grips the supply just a little tighter. It doesn't take much to figure out what she's thinking. With a clenched jaw, she crouches down near one, glancing up to Cloud.]

Keep an eye open for more, I'll see if they have anything of use. Freyja, keep an eye out, too, and don't look over here.

[Because damn it, Kaname does not want her seeing this. And in true RPG fashion, she begins her search of their persons. Yes, it's corpse looting.]

[livesfastdiesung]

[She had a feeling, just from watching Kaname's face, but she does as Kaname says and doesn't actually turn to look. Instead, she busies herself with keeping watch and paying an unusual amount of attention to the screen that pops up from her technails to ensure no one else is gonna sneak up on them.]

It's clear for now... I don't sense anything either.

[moseyin]

[What, don't look at her search the bodies? What's the big deal with that?

Cloud doesn't say anything, opting instead to remain silent as he stares out into the jungle, straining to listen and look. It's starting to get a little dark, the sun having since arced past the leaves overhead on its approach toward the horizon, the sky darkening to blood and burnt umber.]

...I think we should cross the valley. None of our assailants had guns; high ground won't make enough of a difference to risk the loss of time.

[axi]

[Because reasons, Cloud. Because reasons.

She does find a couple useful items that she sticks into her supply bag before standing up. In her other hand is what looks like a machete wrapped in old cloth. Kaname tucks that through the bag's strap.]

We don't know that they won't. [Trailing off, she looks at the horizon, too, pursing her lips.] But you're right. Let's try to keep the upper edge of the valley in sight as best we can, though. It'll serve as a guide point if nothing else.

[livesfastdiesung]

Whatever you guys think is safest...

[They're still better at this whole survival thing than she is, so she's gonna just go with them, and she starts walking in the agreed upon direction.]

Anyway, we don't know if they were holding back guns or somethin'. They could've been testin' us and hopin' they'd get what they wanted without them. We just surprised them with the singing.

[moseyin]

[They could switch to guns later, but Cloud isn't betting on it. In fact, he's hoping they get out of the woods without any more confrontations like that; it had been way too close for comfort, either of them could've easily been stabbed if they hadn't caught them with the singing.]

That wasn't just surprise, it definitely did something. Can you guys keep that up as we move?

[axi]

Of course we can, we've done it during conditions much worse than this. [Like always being shot at. Or with their friend bleeding by their feet.

Kaname moves past Freyja, taking point again, with Cloud to bring up the rear.] For now, it'll be better if we switch off singing, if only to keep lines of communication open. Freyja, I'll take care of it for a bit so you can rest, all right?

[And she does begin a new song, a calmer one this time. Hopefully it takes some of the edge off of them.]

[livesfastdiesung]

[Freyja can't say the break isn't welcome, but she still can't help but sway even as she walks with Cloud and Kaname.]

Kaname-san is right. We've done it under a lot worse than that! A lot of the time, if we're not moving, we're gonna get hurt really badly.

[moseyin]

[Well the path down into the valley isn't exactly a hiking trail, so Cloud goes first to test out the stability before checking back to see if either of them need any assistance coming down.] What's a lot worse than that? You almost got your head lopped off.

[axi]

[Kaname remains singing as she partially slides/walks down the trail, nodding to Cloud in a thanks anyway type of thing. Carry on, since she won't join in the conversation for a little bit.]

[livesfastdiesung]

We've been shot at! There've been things thrown at us, and there were some times where I'd be dead if Hayate hadn't protected me... [And she never, ever doubted that Hayate would protect her.] Ehh, and on my home planet, they were gonna execute us 'cause we were traitors, especially me, 'cause I was singin' for the enemy.

Violence just kinda happens, and it's always scary, but we can't help the people we're supposed to help if we don't sing in those kinds of situations.

[And that's when she starts trying to get down. She's actually somewhat decent at doing it, minus a few stumbles here and there. She grew up on a snowy planet, so while not the same, it's helped her learn how to be careful while traversing some terrain.]

[moseyin]

[Oh good, they're both mountain goats. Not that he thought Kaname couldn't, what with the...jumping from orbit thing.]

Sounds hard. [Cloud squints at the trees in the upper end of the valley, looking for any flashes of metal or rustling indicating an approach] I can fight easy enough, but singing too? Too much brainwork.

[livesfastdiesung]

Kinda. But it's okay, 'cause it helps people out. Singin' just comes naturally after awhile!

[At the very least, for the moment, it doesn't seem like anything is approaching.]

[moseyin]

[After one more look around -and checking with the two idols for any readings- Cloud waves them across the valley, keeping a pace between them and checking and forth as they make their way to the other ridge of the valley slope.]

If there's anybody here they might be waiting for you to stop singing, Kaname. Or we just got lucky and only ran into a small hunting party.

[livesfastdiesung]

Mm, but we don't know for sure, so if Kaname-san needs a break then I can take over for her, too.

[She's sure to keep checking everything out with her technails here and there, though, just to be sure.]

I didn't think our singin' would work as well here, but it's nice to see that it does what we need it to do.