thespaceopera: (red alert)
Voices from Heaven ([personal profile] thespaceopera) wrote in [community profile] driftfleet2017-11-11 05:54 pm

sooner or later, god'll cut you down.

Who: Everyone
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Lato'li's orbit and also planetside.
When: Forward dated to 11/15.

[The Interceptor Fleet moves into position, waiting for the last few shield generators to fall. And in the early hours of the 15th, they do. The shield dissolves with a blip as if it was never there, leaving the man-eaters as prone as their prey. The Interceptors send out a transmission-- an unholy mix of Cockney and Australian that graces every available communicator-- if they answer it.]

We’re firin’! Do yer worst, Vieziri! We’re gonna kick yer sorry arses so hard you’ll kiss the moons!

[Five Interceptor ships swoop out of the dark and unload their various weaponry onto the Vieziri warships. At the same time, people stranded on the planet below ready the anti-aircraft guns onto their makers. And of course there is the Fleet itself, battered and yet beautiful across the velvet sky, as they fire everything they have.

Now the Vieziri start moving. Though the big red ship can’t do much maneuvering, the rest of the Vieziri warships certainly can. They fire back at the Interceptors and whoever else fires at them, willing to defend their leader and lose their lives in the process.

Luckily, the Interceptors have their own daring ships, which may look familiar to those who were here for the raider attack. One is emblazoned with racing stripes and flames all along the hull, and it moves so fast it nearly enters hyperspace. It’s there and gone in a flash, weaving past the enemy in crazy thrillseeking loops. Still another Interceptor ship is painted red and orange with a gold plate near the front, which reads BAMF with no explanation. This one has guns aplenty and easily weathers any duel it gets into. The third Interceptor ship is beautiful gold and black, sleek as hell and engineered with sense; this one packs the most gadgets and formidable guns of all calibers, and appears to do the most damage. Trailing behind is a much smaller ship, so nondescript it almost doesn’t stand out at all-- that is, until it forms a barrier to absorb some oncoming fire and reflect it back at the Vieziri.

There’s one ship that’s missing, though-- the one that was blown up several months ago after the heist. In its place is a small black ship that runs invisible to radar, sweeping past with silent speed as it lets loose a barrage of photon missiles onto the Vieziri flagship.

Down below, the Vieziri come out in full force-- one last stand before the warlord falls, trying to finish their fell rituals. Some of them rush the encampments, some go for the cities. Near the restored comms tower, a cloaked figure with a plain white mask fights their way through the onslaught using a plasma blade and a laser rifle.

After an hours-long siege, the big warship finally takes too much fire and breaks apart, lighting up the sky with falling shards like stars. The biggest debris burns up in orbit, but little pieces still rain down. It signals the end as the Vieziri begin to retreat both on ground and in the air. The loss of their leadership leaves them scattered and panicked.

The Fleet has won the day, but as the sun rises again over the wreckage, there is still plenty of work to be done.]


[ooc: Feel free to assume the Interceptors are helping your ships! The gold and black ship can be hailed and will give responses, as she’s been the main point of contact during this plot. You can also run into Zhade, though tags will be slow for both accounting for RL things. Please mark Zhade or Interceptors in the header of your toplevel if you’d like NPC interaction.

Any questions should be asked on the plot post for phase two.]
veilstrike: (moods that take me and erase me)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-15 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's always interesting to watch Justice fight because he sees things she doesn't - he sees the way that they think and reacts to that while she has to do her best to react to tells in their body and their movements. Perhaps it's easier for him, or maybe it's more confusing - either way, it's curious to watch, and Leilani lets herself have a moment to catch her breath as Justice catches up with the things attacking them.

Her nose wrinkles and she shakes her head. She wants about ten baths, now. ]


No. I'll manage. You need to focus on yourself right now, Justice.

[ Splitting his attention isn't going to do either of them any good and she's been through worse. Almost. ]
whatisright: (5)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-16 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Justice won't press the issue, since pain relief requires that he tamper with her mind and he will never try to pressure someone into allowing him into their mind, but he will have a small concerned furrow in his brow as he cuts down another Vieziri.]

Very well. My offer remains open.

[And he'll keep a careful eye on her, just in case her injuries are more serious.]

How are your mana reserves?
veilstrike: (you have made him so lonely)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-16 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Her sense of self-preservation might be low, but her desire to protect the people around her is as strong as ever. Determined, Leilani does her best to sort herself out, shifting on her feet to try and get rid of the awkward aches and pains that are distracting her even as she tries to pay attention to the world around them. They're not safe, and she's well aware of it. ]

I appreciate it. Thank you.

[ It just won't happen while they're fighting, not as far as she's concerned. ]

Good enough. Nothing to fear for.
whatisright: (1)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-18 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Justice nods in acknowledgement, beheading the last Vieziri in their corner of the camp. There are more clustered around the medical tent, a knot of Vieziri trying to push back the Fleet invaders. Justice sheaths his blade and draws his gun, picking off a few of them that aren't locked in battle with people from the Fleet.

The ground is littered with Vieziri bodies, and Justice sees no dead Fleeters. They're winning. At this pace, it won't be long before they clear the base or the Vieziri try to run into the woods.]
veilstrike: ❧ icons by maerad unless otherwise stated. (what a pair you make)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-18 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ As much as she tries to keep her head up, it's obvious that she's tired. The exhaustion is getting to her, and she grits her teeth, forcing her body to move. It's not the first time she's been this desperate and on edge and it means that she knows just how far she can actually push herself, how far she can go - and how long it'll be until she collapses.

Moving forward, she takes a deep breath before she nods her head, summoning more of her magic. ]


I'll go left.
whatisright: (5)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-19 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I will take the right.

[She is flagging, but Justice trusts her to know her own limits and adjust for them.

Justice will leave room for the Vieziri to retreat--they will not be as dangerous in the woods without their weapons or supplies, and cornered enemies become a hundred times more lethal--and he opens fire, careful not to hit any allies.]
veilstrike: (give him freedom)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-19 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She isn't up to a full on battle, not really, but she doesn't have much of a choice. Leilani grabs her weapons up into her hand - her good hand, the flaring green a reminder that she should be trying not to use her anchor - before she storms forward, heading to the left. The Vieziri look momentarily shocked by her fervor but she doesn't care; she cuts the first one down and darts to the side, willing her magic into her fingertips and slamming a Stonefist between them.

The urge to summon fireballs has never been so strong, but she can't risk it with so many allies around.

Instead, she brings up another Veilstrike before calling for Twisting Veil, making her magic just a little bit stronger. It's enough to make the Vieiziri coming closer twist, turning their backs to head in the opposite direction, panicking at her fury. ]
whatisright: (8)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-21 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Her magic sings, and despite how focused he is on the battle, he can't stop a pinch of wistful nostalgia for the Fade.

Vieziri flee towards him to avoid her magic, and his machete and gun cut them down. Some are smarter and sprint for the breaks in their walls, running into the woods--he lets those ones go, because he has his hands full with the ones still fighting and he does not like the idea of shooting someone in the back as they run.

The Vieziri's outside defenses had been robust, but after cracking through and taking down many of their fighters, they're splintering, and the lack of organization is making them easier to pick off. Maybe it won't be long before they have cleared this camp.]
veilstrike: (at it’s corners)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-23 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She has no restraint when it comes to the cannibals and she doesn't stop - the magic comes until her fingertips feel a little prickly, almost numb, until her limbs are almost shaking from the effort she's putting in. There's no Cassandra to tell her to stop and no friendly mage to press a lyrium potion into her hand - no one but her own determination to fight, and that's what keeps her going.

They keep rushing back and away and Leilani chases after them, slipping forward and using what's left of her power to build an ice wall. There's not much they can do now and they scatter, terrified of the strength she and Justice clearly share when they work in tandem. They don't want to die, and Leilani is content to let them go as long as they flee far away from people that are suffering.

When there's a break in their line and their numbers falter, she turns to look at Justice, pleased and a little smug. ]
whatisright: (5)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-25 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[The Vieziri are retreating. Justice keeps his guard up, since they have not stopped being dangerous, but he slides closer to Leilani, which has the advantage of forcing the stragglers towards the door. He is concerned that the mage is going to collapse, so he would like to be close by if she does.

He nods his approval nonetheless, giving the camp a visual sweep to see if there are any stragglers that plan to launch another attack.]


You should rest soon.

[Justice isn't going to bother asking her how she's feeling because he can tell. Luckily, it looks like the battle will be over soon, if it isn't already.]
veilstrike: (there was a time)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-26 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps.

[ She watches the Vieizir go and she breathes out, shaking her head and rubbing her hand over her eyes. She's exhausted, and she hasn't given herself much time to recover after her kidnapping... Even if she's not sure she can really call it a kidnapping when she had deliberately let herself be caught.

Glancing over, she offers Justice a small smile, breathing out hard as she drops down to sit on the floor, stretching her legs out in front of her. She feels close to actually passing out and sleeping for a few hours sounds amazing. ]


Are we safe?
whatisright: (11)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-26 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Justice reaches out mentally, searching for stragglers. He finds a few, but they are snuffed out before he even has a chance to mention them, until the camp is empty. They have one. The battle is over.

Justice should probably go take stock of the camp's inventory and casualties, but instead, he sits down next to the mage. It's not as though he senses any of their own seriously injured.]
We are safe, yes.

[He looks her up and down, caging her magical exhaustion.] ...You may take some power from me, if it would be helpful. [It might give her a boost, at least, and he trusts her not to turn the connection against him.]
veilstrike: (you tell me they love you)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-26 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ It helps, knowing that the battle is won, at least for now. Her relief is clear as she leans back on her arms, closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths - and then she settles down, leaning down, curling around herself and making herself comfortable. Her stomach is still in knots and her mind is running a mile a minute, but otherwise she thinks that she might be okay.

Ignoring the anchor. That's a good thing to ignore.

Turning her head, she blinks at Justice for a moment, a little surprised, but then she relaxes. ]


No. I'll be alright. I just used my Anchor too much and there's no lyrium down here. [ She flops back so that she's sprawled out on the ground, closing her eyes again. ] You need it for yourself.
whatisright: (5)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-26 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
It would not tire me to give you some. You would be recovering, not using me to perform complex magic. [If Justice can last through helping Anders heal a bunch of refugees, perking up Leilani is nothing.

He does not reiterate his offer to ease her pain. He told her that it was open. He does not want to press her on the topic unless she brings it up.]
veilstrike: (that you hear at night)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-26 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
That does not necessarily mean that it is healthy for you either. [ Still, she moves, wiggling a little so that she can adjust her own weight and lean against him, just enough so that it doesn't feel as though she's struggling to keep herself upright. Her hand reaches for him, absently, and she pats her fingers over his. ]

I can recover just like this. Sometimes a friend is much better than any magic.
whatisright: (8)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-28 07:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Justice stiffens at the contact in surprise. Even nearly three months after leaving behind Kristoff's body, a part of him still expects mortals to keep their distance no matter how much they like him, and it's an unfamiliar sensation to have someone just lean on him like this.

After a moment, he relaxes again. Touching isn't unpleasant, even if it's unfamiliar. Sort of like being called a friend.]


Very well. I can do this much.

[Justice doesn't know how much he's allowed to touch her in return, but he decides it's probably not against any mortal touching rules to gently pat her hand in return. It's tempting to reach for her Marked hand, but he's not sure if that's allowed, or if it would hurt her too much for him to do it.]
veilstrike: (a cold and broken hallelujah)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-28 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When he stiffens she makes to lean back and pull away, not wanting him to be uncomfortable, but he soon relaxes and she sags against him a little more. It reminds her of the times after a battle she would drape herself over Bull or laughingly sit on Dorian's lap and have the two of them scoff and scowl at her, secretly delighting in her ridiculous behaviour. It's almost like being at home again, and it makes her heart hurt just a little.

It's getting easier, but it'll never really be okay, she thinks. ]


Thank you, Justice. I appreciate it.

[ He pats her hand and she wants to laugh - it's such a soft, childish gesture that all she can do is reach out with her hand - the Anchored one - and hold onto his, squeezing his hands gently. ]
whatisright: (2)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-11-30 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Her hand on his is like holding the song of the Fade.

The music of home hums on his palm, spreading across his skin, so bright that it blocks out all the mental noise around him, and he's hit with a bittersweet stab of nostalgia.

Unconsciously, he practically melts, relaxing significantly against her and grasping her hand tightly, keeping it close now that he's been given implicit permission to touch it.

Yes. If he closes his eyes, it's almost like he's home.]
veilstrike: (i don't know you)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-11-30 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She doesn't notice it until Justice leans against her, relaxing and shifting. His hand grasps hers and she blinks, eyes widening, but then -

Oh. Of course. The Anchor. A connection to the Fade, and she offers it out to him without thinking. Softening, she moves closer, leaning against him. ]


You can do this more often.
whatisright: (10)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-12-03 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
May I? [Justice’s voice can often be more expressive than his face, not least because it doesn’t occur to him to try hiding his feelings. He sounds hopeful. He hadn’t wanted to ask, because the Mark is attached to her and he doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable by demanding that he be allowed to touch her, but she’s offering. He didn’t ask and she’s offering. It’s an open offer, even.]

You are kind.
veilstrike: (you have made him so lonely)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-12-03 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Yes.

[ It's just hand holding and it seems to make him so happy; it's certainly the easiest thing she's done to please someone in recent memory. No murder, no tracking down monster hearts, no Red Lyrium, just simply holding hands. It comforts her, too, and she smiles, relaxing enough that her eyes finally close properly. ]

I will hold your hand whenever you wish. I'm being a little selfish too.
whatisright: (2)

[personal profile] whatisright 2017-12-09 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. That is good. [If she gets something from it, then that makes Justice feel that much better. It makes the gesture mutual, and he can take all that connection to the Fade without feeling selfish or like he’s taking advantage.

Now don’t mind him melting against you, Lei. He’d like to just bask in the Mark for a while.]
veilstrike: (let him go)

[personal profile] veilstrike 2017-12-09 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's nice, she thinks, that the Anchor could be good for something other than closing rifts and slowly killing her. Justice is content, almost catlike as he leans against her, grasping on to a connection to the Fade with everything he has, and she squeezes his palm gently with her own.

She is glad she can make someone happy in these strange times. ]


Rest for now, Justice, and I'll rest with you. We're safe.