sooner or later, god'll cut you down.

[thespaceopera]

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.]

Comments

[this_loser]

Yeah, you mentioned the singing.

[He's ... more confused. But follows after her dutifully, excited to see where this is going. There's a skip to his step.] So like magical voice powers? Is that the kind of thing you did back home? That's incredible!

[axi]

[People are comparing it to magic so much, she almost doesn't feel the need to correct them anymore. Almost. But it does cause her to chuckle.]

It's not magic, but it's harder to explain right now. And, kind of, yeah, that's what I do back home. Our voices served as the cure for a disease called Var Syndrome, which caused the sufferers to go berserk and lose control of themselves. It's also had an effect of enhancing a person's piloting abilities at times. [Kaname gives what's basically a sheepish smile.] Like I said, it's a little complicated.

[this_loser]

[It still sounds like magic to him, but he'll take her word for it. If it's not magic, then that's even more fascinating.] Maybe when we're not in the middle of a big space battle, you can explain it to me? Believe it or not, I don't mind complicated. [And if it involves tech, which is the only other explanation he can come up with, then he's even more interested.]

[axi]

If you're up for it, I'd be happy to. [And she would. There's always something comforting in discussing her own world, no matter how weird it is to people.]

Once we've got things set up, we'll be borrowing the cargo bay for the operation. I hope that won't be a problem. [Kaname pauses, then gives a slight one shouldered shrug.]

You're more than welcome to stay and listen if you wanted as well.

[this_loser]

I would be more than up for it! [He loves learning about other people, and now where they come from. And if they let him snap off a few pictures to store away those memories, all the better.]

I don't see why not. It's all for the greater good, yeah?

[He rocks back on his feet when she stops moving, skips to the side, does everything but stop.]

If you don't mind? Yeah! I'd love to! Is it okay if I...? [A camera materializes from the ether and he holds it aloft in question.]

[axi]

Then I'll hold you to that, Prompto. [And she will.] Mm, it is. It should let out fleet and the Interceptors get off some key shots.

[She watches him move around. Something about the footwork amuses her. The camera suddenly appearing causes her to blink, but she only nods.]

I don't mind at all. If I'm being honest, I sort of miss having an audience sometimes. [Kaname gives him a sheepish smile.] Of course, if you think it's picture worthy.

[this_loser]

Good. We can use all the help we can get.

[It's uneasy, feeling like a sitting duck up in space. He's a gunman. He's done his part - Noctis and Luna are back on board. No one is invading his ship. It's good to know there are others who can do more.

The camera is more than a hobby in times like this. He raises it in victory.] Of course it's picture worthy! We need to commemorate this moment. Don't worry! I'll make sure you look good!

[axi]

How very true. [Her words not only refer to their singing but to the Interceptors as a whole.] It feels good to bring something different to the table here, I'll admit, since we're not really fighters in the typical sense.

[Kaname can't help it: her hand moves to her hair, noticing how out of place some of it is compared to normal. She's not a vain person exactly, but she still likes to look her best.] Thanks. I'll need help with that now, huh?

[this_loser]

There's lots of different ways to fight. I can't wait to see what you can do.

[There is nothing wrong with her hair that he can see.] Huh? No. I just meant... You look, you look fine. Pretty. Pretty fine. [He should check the settings on his camera now.]

[axi]

Maybe we can start a new fan base right here. [It's an appealing idea, actually.

Kaname exhales in amusement.] Thanks, I think.

[But now the sudden attention to his camera has her curious. She moves from her spot to stand next to him and look at the camera.]

What're you doing?

[this_loser]

I'll be president of your fan club.

[It's unfortunate how easily he blushes, and how obvious it is under all the freckles.] Yep.

Um, adjusting the, um... [It had just been an excuse to do something else, but he really does need to fiddle with the settings if he wants any of the pictures to come out right.] The light isn't very good here, so there's ways to compensate for it. And I've got some nice filters on this one.

[He snaps a quick shot of a crate on the other side of the room. It comes back with a big white glare, so he goes through the adjustments again before taking the picture again. Less of a glare.] See?

[axi]

Let's wait until you actually hear us first.

[She does notice and holds back a giggle, but when he demonstrates the difference between pictures, her curiosity gets the better of her. Kaname moves a little closer to get a good view of the images.]

What if there's too much light? How do you deal with that?

[livesfastdiesung]

[A WEIRDCREEPY GIGGLE IS HEARD ACROSS THE ROOM]

[this_loser]

[He's used to one or more of the guys hovering over his shoulder when he's showing off pictures. The screen is small. He knows how it is. He tilts the camera a bit for her benefit and runs through the settings again.]

Too much light, you want to do something like this. [He aims for just under one of the overhead lights.] See, It's still got a bit of a halo there, but the contrast is, um...

[Was that a giggle?]

[axi]

[The giggle is a very familiar one she chooses to ignore, instead focusing her attention on the screen's picture]

It looks good, as far as I can tell. Mm, well balanced maybe? Is that a better way to put it?

[Kaname takes a step back to look at the photographed area in contrast to the picture.]

The technology's very commonplace at home, but it's still so strange to think how a few filters or adjustments can change how we perceive something.

[this_loser]

[He grins, nodding in agreement. Well balanced was a good way to describe it. He decides against deleting that one just yet.]

That's what I like about it. Well, one of the things. You can capture a moment in time, frame it up however you want.

[axi]

One of the things? Sounds like there's more to hear about. [But not at this very moment.]

I'll trust you to get our good sides, all right?

[Kaname can't help but grin. Maybe it is a little bit of a challenge.]

[this_loser]

[He could talk her ear off. But right now there's work to do, right?]

I'll delete anything that isn't flattering, promise!

[He gives her a thumbs-up. Challenge accepted.]

[axi]

[If she can deal with Freyja, he'll be no problem.]

Don't do that. We'll just have to compare the good and bad pictures to see how skilled you really are.

[Maybe she's only joking.]

[this_loser]

[Oh no. He'll be deleting any and all accidental butt shots before she sees them.]

Heh. Sure. Prepare to be impressed!

[axi]

[Oh, pish posh.]

You're creating high expectations for yourself, but I'll prepare.