[Open] Motherfucking cannibals on this motherfucking plane-- I mean ship

[padadin]

Who: The Blameless crew and whoever wants to help them fight the boarding cannibals
Broadcast: No
Action: Yes, on the Blameless
When: Some random day this week
Notes: Some threads may get a bit bloody, please warn accordingly

[The SS Blameless doesn't have a security augment - hell, it doesn't even have a security officer. Between that and having their engineer on the surface (which means the ship damage isn't completely repaired), the Blameless stands as one of the most vulnerable ships in the fleet right now.

So of course, it's the perfect target for the Vieziri to test the waters when it comes to boarding.

They're covered from head to toes in heavy armor, and they're pretty tough - but so it's this crew. And they aren't going down without a fight.

Bring it on.]

Comments

[the_tailor]

[He'd been planning on going down to the surface to fight there, to rescue Hunk and Pidge and Shay and everyone that he could. Even if Shiro was against him doing so. Despite firm orders, Lance just couldn't obey; every part of him was screaming at him to get down there. If anything bad happened to his team, especially his best friend, and he could have prevented it... He'd never forgive himself.

Even though Looma came back, and he was never incredibly close to her, the underlying guilt of being unable to save her (and the small populace who didn't make it off of the planet) was still lingering. He was supposed to be a hero. His duty was to save people. What good was he if he couldn't even do that? Was it just Blue that made him able to do what he wanted--needed to do? Was it only the blue paladin who could save people, not Lance?

It was on the way to the shuttle bay that the Blameless was boarded.

Thankfully, Lance is already in his armor, and armed with the rifle Looma had gotten him for his birthday. It isn't his bayard, but it'll have to do. As much as he still feels that pull to go to the surface, he can't abandon ship. He won't.

Not all of his shots are able to pierce through the Vieziri's armor, but he's doing his best to figure out the weaker spots to aim at. Right now, he's focusing on keeping the Vieziri's from coming too far into the ship. The more he can stop near the entrance, the better.]

[tempredmental]

[The main reason both Keith and Lance were in their armor and armed in the first place was because of that planned trip to the surface. Keith knew he couldn't risk getting stranded down there himself at the moment, but he also knew he wasn't going to be able to stop Lance from going. So, the compromise was for him to come over to the Blameless and offer him a ride. They had planned to drop down in the shuttle just far enough that they wouldn't take any of the anti-aircraft fire or at least be really hard to hit, but that Lance could at least perform a high elevation jump using the jetpacks in his armor.

That plan, however, was ruined when the ship was boarded. Tucked around a corner, Keith was using his shield to give Lance cover so he could take anyone out from their location. It was a little nerve-wracking, to be honest, as patience was never Keith's strong point, and he had the handle of his deactivated energy sword clenched tightly in his fist as he waited. If anyone got past Lance's gun fire, he'd take them out with the blade.]

[the_tailor]

Don't worry, samurai. I got this.

[He can tell how impatient Keith is getting, and if it weren't for the seriousness of the situation, he'd let an enemy or two get by just for the red paladin to be able to fight. But this isn't just some routine battle against Galra sentries. They're fighting enemies they've never fought before, with weapons that aren't molded to them like their bayards are. And hell if he's going to let Keith's urge to fight get in the way of his safety.

Still, there are a lot of Vieziri, and his rifle doesn't fire as fast as he wish it did. A few do get through, and while he's confident in Keith's fighting skills, he wants to keep those numbers as low as possible.]

[tempredmental]

Do you?

[It was a reflex to challenge Lance like that, and Keith was definitely reacting to the stress of everything at the moment by being a snarky jerk. He knew it, and he'd probably come around and eventually apologize to Lance later, but, for now, he was getting impatient and really just wanted to run in and take these guys down. But, he also didn't want to leave Lance without some sort of shield cover. He couldn't use his own shield and the rifle at the same time because of his arm position.

Keith didn't actually want anything to happen to Lance.

Still, he spotted the few that got through... where the Vieziri armor protected them from Lance's rifle fire. That was it. He wasn't waiting any longer.]

I'm going in. Cover me.

[He didn't even wait for the acknowledgement before he deactivated the shield and charged in to engage the first warrior, one-on-one.]

[the_tailor]

Yeah, I do. So why don't you shut up and trust me this time?

[It isn't--angrily said, but Keith's words rubbed him the wrong way. Lance wants to prove that he's capable, that he can protect people. He can't let Keith's taunt get him down from that.

Of course, though, Keith leaps out at the enemy without even waiting for Lance to acknowledge their change of strategy. Because of course he does. Lance grumbles to himself as he continues to pick off as many Vieziri as he can before they can even reach Keith.

If something happened to him, and Lance couldn't protect him...]

[tempredmental]

[He was terrible at showing it, sure, but Keith actually did trust Lance. They'd been though a lot, and Lance had proved himself plenty of times. It was just sometimes easier to keep that banter between them and not acknowledge anything else. He didn't respond to Lance's last comeback as he charged in, the blade managing to slice through in the right spots... joints, places were the plates joined together and had slight gaps for the sake of body movement.

He brought his leg around, slamming his foot home in the center of one attacker's chest, knocking them back into several others in the boarding party behind them.]

[padadin]

[The armor is getting incredibly annoying to deal with. These guys shouldn't be so hard to fight, Shiro should be able to take them down without so much fuzz... but that damn armor.]

Lance! [He shouts as he jumps into the fray, his arm hot and glowing.] I'll try to pierce their armor! Shoot as soon as I open a spot for you!

[A scream for a Vieziri puts the period on that sentence as Shiro's energy hand-blade cuts beyond metal and reaches skin as well. Quiznaking armor!]

[the_tailor]

[That damn armor is right. It's difficult to find just the right spots to shoot, weak points in their armor, little nooks and crannies that bullets can easily get through...

Shiro making those nooks for him, though, is an enormous help.]

Got it!

[As soon as Shiro draws his arm away, he fires at the gash left behind. The bullet flies into the Vieziri unhindered, and they crumple to the floor soon after.]

things are getting bloody in here

[padadin]

[Shiro can feel some burning in his chest - but it's not the physical kind, it's emotional. Because he's pretty sure that guy just fell dead and dammit, isn't the war at home enough? Does he have to drag these teenagers into killing here too?

But this isn't the time to think about that - there's a ship to defend. The Vieziri are changing into a more defensive stand too, aware now of what a combo the two Paladins make together. So they get together behind a shield to charge against Lance, and Shiro sees red.

There's no hesitation - his glowing hand reaches the guy at the front, breaking the armor but still going until it burns flesh and cuts arteries, blood making a mess all over his armor.

One less to go.]

oh noooooo

[the_tailor]

[It's jarring to see Shiro covered in blood like that, to put it mildly. They've fought against plenty of enemies, but rarely have they had to kill another living being up close like this.

It isn't fully sinking in yet, might not for a while. The killing he's already done in the past certainly isn't something he spends much conscious thought on. Right now, the only focus is to survive and to protect, and if that means firing a bullet into the neck of another Vieziri near them, then that's just what it is.]

[padadin]

[It's not a panic attack - not really. He's learned to channel those into fighting during his first days in Voltron. But seeing himself covered in blood definitely triggers some sort of episode, and Shiro goes all wild, his movements raw and desperate, the precise strikes of someone trying to survive.

Powerful punches and kicks send them back through the way they come when possible. When not? Then they don't survive the arm.]

[brothersboots]

For Shiro

[Waiting around is hard for Edna. She's not exactly the most patient of people. Or the most forgiving. And being unable to go down to check on that hypocritical exorcist and the rest of her weirdo family is hard. She's used to doing what she wants. She is learning that she can't.

She hates it.

But at least she's not stomping around the Blameless. No, she's in her office, finally cleaning up the chair that she shattered many months before and considering just what she wants to do with the remnants. She can't take them over to the Iskaulit to her mountain.

A loud crash and a change in the ship's normal atmosphere has the Earth Seraph grabbing for her parasol as she heads into the hallway to the rest of the ship.]

What in the Five Lords—

[She's cut off by a shot at her head.]

Who are you?

For everyone else

[Yep, that sure is a column of crystal appearing from the ship's floor to spear one creepy, shooting long-eared intruder. And watch the boulder flying through the air too.]

Get. Out. Of. My. Way.

[the_tailor]

[Holy--What. The floor's shooting out crystal and where the quiznak did that boulder come from? Lance is distracted for a moment before regaining his senses and firing off a few more shots at another intruder. There's a lull after, enough for him to turn around and see a young girl standing near him.]

Whoa. Did you do that?

[brothersboots]

[Here is the flatest look to ever exist. Why are all the humans so silly around here?]

No. The ship did it.

[A golden light gathers under her feet and then her arms are covered in what looks like heavy metal gauntlets.]

If you continue to look around so stupidly, they'll shoot you. And I won't heal you.

[the_tailor]

This whole---magicky thing you have going? It's not exactly something I'm used to seeing!

[Though, granted, activating his bayard kind of looks like magic too.]

[brothersboots]

Are you new here?

[It's a legitimate question as she hurls another boulder from her gauntlets at a cannibal that's gotten up. She hasn't used Crystal Tower again because it takes too long to cast with this kid trying to take her attention with mundane questions.]

Less chatting, more fighting. Remember, if they scratch you, I'm not healing you. You'll have to ask Eizen.

[padadin]

[The Vieziri takes a step to approach her, but he never reaches her, because Shiro suddenly appears out of nowhere, slamming his body against the attacker and sending him against the wall. Enough to dumb him for just some seconds.]

Edna, we're being boarded. Get ready to fight or go somewhere safe!

[It's said with his leader voice, leaving no room to argue - it's not like he gave her an order though, he did include options. She's more than what she looks, he reminds himself as his arm starts glowing purple. No time to think about little girls forced to battle.]

[brothersboots]

[Edna looks over at the ship's captain and blinks in thought. She could go back into her office and let these...things do whatever they want to whomever they capture. Or, she could vent her frustration at life in general and help out Shiro.

Instead of being a brat.

Get to fight. Or listen to lectures from Meebo, Sorey and Shiro for not helping....

It's almost a no-brainer when she lives up her umbrella and shoots rocky projectiles at their attacker.

She did owe Shiro for the save there.]

Then I think it's time that I let them know how incredibly vexed I am right now.

[If she stomps, will he lecture again?]

[padadin]

[It depends on how much the stomping damages the ship...]

Whatever you're going to do, do it now. [His voice is a mix of a growl and a huff as he punches another asshole out through the way he came.] Their armor is tough and they recover fast.

[His hand never stops glowing as he grabs a Vieziri's mask and helmet and destroys it, leaving his head free for hits.]

[brothersboots]

[Well, not the ship, but it'll be magical and Earth-based. Will he be surprised

She approves of the curt tone in his voices and uses her artes to strengthen her hands for a super punch that sends the Veiziri flying through the hall and taking a few of his friends with him. Clear hallway now.]

Is that fast enough for you, Captain?

[Okay, so she's still annoyed, but less so than before.]

[padadin]

[He's tired, frustrated, angry, just a ball of negative emotions that should explode any minute now. Even Shiro's patience has a limit, especially when he's bottling up all of this not to encourage panic. A leader must be in control at all times after all, he's got to keep his poker face, gotta keep it together for the sake of his crew.

He's lost a crew once. He isn't going to lose them again.

The boarding doesn't surprise him, he's been on the edge and waiting for an attack at any second. His arm starts glowing as soon as he sees the boarders, all the frustration he's been bottling up the past few days finally finding release in his fists.

It's a hard fight, considering how well protected they are, but Shiro is also a tough warrior, covered in Altean armor and slashing his way through with his arm. He throws as many cannibals as possible through they way they came, but knocking them off seems to be impossible. His fighting becomes more raw and desperate the longer the fight lasts - it's as if he was in the ring again, fighting to survive to entertain the Galra.

Considering the cameras here? Almost no difference.

And when someone comes closer and the assholes try to attack then, Shiro jumps in the middle, like the protecting pack leader he is.]

Hey! I'm your opponent! You want them, you get through me first.

[tempredmental]

[Keith wasn't sure if Shiro even knew he was standing there or if he was just on some sort of protective autopilot at this point. Then again, he wasn't even sure if Shiro knew he was even on the ship in the first place.

He'd gotten separated from Lance at some point, and the group had been coming down the corridor at full speed when Shiro suddenly jumped in. Keith balked, having to stop himself mid-swing of his energy sword to avoid hitting Shiro's still human arm. Even with the Paladin armor, he couldn't imagine it would have been a pleasant thing to have happen.]

Shiro! I've got this!

[Now let him fight!]

[padadin]

[Protective autopilot sounds about right, honestly. Shiro would love to know what the quiznak is Keith doing here, but he'll leave that for later, when he isn't surrounded by cannibals that wants to kidnap him or kill him. Or both.]

Keith! Can your sword actually hit them?

[Because they sure are armored and incredibly tough to hit. At least he's still capable of pushing them away - there is one that tries to approach him from his side and Shiro kicks him with help of his heel jets as his glowing hand cuts the armor of a second one, creating a dent on his armor.]

[tempredmental]

[Well... it sort of hit them? Keith wasn't going to waste time explaining it. While with Lance, he'd seen that they were durable and even bulletproof in some situations, so he'd focused on looking for weak spots and hitting those. He nodded.

He didn't bother waiting for Shiro to even acknowledge it. Instead, he charged in to cover Shiro's back. It was the easiest way to let Shiro know what he had figured out with the armor plates. He could get the blade into the seams and joints, taking them down that way. It wasn't easy, and required a lot of accuracy in his strikes. The individual fights were long as a result, but there didn't seem to be a better way at the moment.]

[padadin]

[With any other person, he probably would need to hear some words, some kind of acknowledgment from the person he's trying to protect - it would help him to stay grounded on reality, not to get lost in his mind.

But this is Keith, his dear old pseudo little brother, and they don't always need words. They should, some times, because damn if Keith couldn't do with a bit more of communication, but for fighting? Keith isn't his right for nothing. They have each other's backs and their movements almost in sync.

He catches on the plate trick quickly, and Shiro starts striking there with his hand too, occasionally dumbing a guy just for enough time to turn him and leave it open for Keith to hit him with his blade while he moves on another group.

The fewer reached Keith, the better.]