Sorry for the delay, I did manage 64% of the turn yesterday, but irc chat distracted me. Blame Terenos, damnit.
---
Turn 9
Calla"We need to hurry, we both have a city to protect, and I have a sister to avenge" let them drive the car to the artefact and try to rest up before the inevitable battle
'Agreed. I have questions... a lot of them, and so will my superiors, but that has to wait,' the lieutenant says. 'I'm Lieutenant Ribeiro, and, uhh, you already... told me your name.'
[5] The guns in the hills above you - you think there's two or three batteries, old coastal defenses - speak again, and you see explosions ripple open the water surface in the distance. No black carapace catches your sight this time, but you know it's there. Ribeiro sees your worry and speeds up. You pass several barricades of anxious, confused soldiers with a few words by the lieutenant, cementing your faith in choosing to do it this way.
A blanket of black storm clouds approaches fast from the ocean, probably the same storm that struck just before Gaugathun surfaced - you wonder if it's connected to the creatures themselves, and if you could do the same.
'Are you going to hold on for now? I'll get medical aid for you in the upper base,' he soon asks as you make your way up the hillside. Before you can answer, he curses softly and continues; 'Hang on... that's the colonel. He'll want to know why I'm not at my station. Do you, uhh, want to do what you did with us?'
[3] The jeep draws to a halt just past the next barricade, and a thick-set, immensely muscled man in army fatigues peers in. The lowest artillery battery is some distance behind him in a fortified emplacement, the guns silent for now.
'Lieutenant? What the hell are you doing up here? Who is this?'
Up ahead, you see the church - three levels of streets up.
'Sir, I, uhh...' the lieutenant says, looking at you pleadingly. He obviously didn't bother inventing any sort of cover story, but given the rush, you're not surprised.
Calla - Abyssal Hybrid
Health: Torso: Moderately Wounded!
Inventory: Empty
Traits and Powers:
*Beyond Human (As an Abyssal half-breed, you possess incredible physical and mental capability. You are capable of mental 'psychic' warfare and considerable thought suggestion, and of easy genetic manipulation by touch on-the-fly, even to fatal extremes. +1 to mental power, +2 to mutation and genetic alteration)
*Aura of Terror - INACTIVE (You share the Deep Ones' incapaciting presence, which causes deep fear and anxiety in the mortal psyche. You are currently suppressing your aura.)
Current Effects: None
Location:
Alex nods to Theo, "Right, I don't like the idea of leaving while innocents are in danger but we can't help anyone agianst that thing alone. I vote for leaving but coming back with help."
Theo says nothing, keeping his eyes on the road. Lucia murmurs in agreement with you - the first real sign of her having any idea of what's happening since everything went to shit.
There's not much traffic, [4] though there's an unusual amount of police cars present and just before you reach the airport a convoy of military vehicles passes you towards the coast. Fortunately, the way is completely devoid of roadblocks or obstacles of any sort.
[6] The way to the private terminals is full of cars, but that's no problem for Theo. He hits the brakes, stops the car, and gets everyone out. Without pausing for a second, he wades between the cars, with the rest of you in tow. The sight of determined men with guns silences anyone with a problem. Nobody stops you as you make your way through locked gates - you smash them in - into the hall where the Foundation private jet is trapped. Rodriguez steps down the ramp and comes to meet you.
'More bad news,' he says. 'They've got a modicum of control over the air traffic by now. They won't be able to stop us from leaving, but we could make sure nothing comes after us if we clear out the control tower. I doubt there's any need, though, and it would slow us down. They've got their hands full.'
[3][1][2] Your regeneration has been slow, but the damage to your head is looking much better already.
---
Alex Vondgas - Imprisoned TitanHealth: Head:
Moderately Wounded!Inventory: Empty
Traits and Powers: *
Immortal Prisoner (In the back of your mind, ever-raging, ever-moving, lays 'the Fae', a Titan from before the dawn of history. By tapping into its power, you can take on incredible physical and mental capability. The more of yourself you give in, the more powerful you become, but the higher the risk of losing control is. Your current control level is High. +1 to physical damage, -1 to all taken damage)
*
Slow Regeneration (Your control over the Titan grants you slow wound regeneration. Heal all wounds by 1 on a 3-6.)
Current Effects: None
Location: Airport Private Terminal, Thailand
Turiel angled the throttle to adjust the fighter to the landing area. "Yes, Command. Is there a reason you did not tell me earlier about all these - the pictures and such. They are very familiar, I have to restate. Is there also a reason on why Moscow did not want others to engage on this, even if this threat was to the general populace?
Next is, why scramble only three fighters to assess this threat? Would the public know about this presence? It had destroyed forests and plains, valleys and villages. Surely even a cover-story won't work here.
In short. What just happened?"
Ask Command.
Able to multitask effectively, you listen to Command's reply while touching down. There is whispered conversation on the channel before you're answered.
[4] 'You must understand, Operative, that things have changed enormously just now,' the voice says. 'It was seen best not to reveal the entirety of our knowledge to the government. As a result, I fear military response will be sorely lacking for quite some time yet. That is not to say we knew this would happen - and we are still not sure if this was an isolated event, or part of something bigger.'
There's a long pause after the last bit, perhaps for dramatic effect. Some of your handlers in the Projekt are prone to melodrama. Knowing this helps little.
'We had scheduled a briefing on these matters for next month - it was felt you needed time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle beforehand. Again, our information is sorely lacking. The Projekt's foremost goal is evacuation of the planet, if matters come to that.'
You wonder for the purpose of the fighters, then. Pressure from Moscow for something practical, perhaps... or a test model for something to function beyond Earth atmosphere.
'As you said, this is beyond 'covering up'. We had planned for a gradual, controlled... reveal. The effect this may have on the human psyche could be...' he trails off. 'Please stand by, Operative, we are receiving additional data...'
There's a sharp intake of breath. You use the time to draw your plane to a halt and turn off all the needed components. 'You... you better come inside. We've confirmed several identical or similar attacks all over the world,' the handler says, and adds, to someone else; 'This surpasses even our worst-case scenario, general. Preliminary reports show both type ones and twos, including several unidentified forms. You have the documents there, sir. And... we're getting live image data from Danzig, sir, hang on.'
You don't hear any possible clarification, because you've stepped out of the KOSCHEI and onto the tarmac. Mechanics and repair crews swarm you and the plane, unusually silent. Someone heads in to take it to the launch tunnel - you feel a pang of concern over someone untrained touching
your plane.
Several other operatives are waiting for you at the doors to the facility - Katya and Devdan, who are 'hybrids' like you - you have a terrible suspicion of the real meaning of the word from today - as well as Cihet, a silent, elderly man claiming his powers are gifts from God, though according to the Projekt overseer he's a remnant of a morally dubious experiment in the Caucasus in the 70's, and three Russians drawn from the military and intelligence services. The last of them have undergone training from hell compared to the rest of you, but are practically always in a good mood. You wonder how they do it.
[2] 'We caught some of that on the perimeter cameras,' Katya says as you approach. You have trouble parsing her thick accent. Your grasp of Russian is rudimentary enough as it is. 'I can't believe you brought that thing down. If I'd been there, I'd have pissed myself and run straight back home. I'm not kidding.'
'What's going on, Turiel?' Devdan asks directly, sounding worried. 'We've been told to get to the control center, but nothing else. What was that thing?'
Turiel - Star God HybridHealth: Unharmed
Inventory: Empty
Traits and Powers: *
Beyond Human (As a Star God half-breed, you carry within your veins incredible physical and mental capability, but more importantly, innate knowledge of Star God technology and powers, including rudimentary control of your Nexus Field.)
*
Nexus Field - OFFENSIVE MODE (You have the power to control a personal force field that can be used to redirect and turn away attacks, supercharge fired projectiles, energy weapons and physical
attacks, or knit together wounds or mechanical damage. Only one mode can be active at once. Defensive: +1 to dodge. Offensive: +1 to damage. Regenerative: Heals all wounds/damage by 2 on a 3-6.)
Current Effects: None
Location: At the Ark Projekt Facility, Western Siberia
"Well...the Doctor is inside."
Examine the man's behavior and body language.
The older supersoldier, Glazunov, gives a forced smile. 'Alright. I suppose you've dealt with the cult here, then? Excellent work, agent.'
[3] Maybe you're not at your best right now, but you can't really tell much on him. His whole appearance and way of speaking seem forced, nervous, like he was waiting for something. A moment passes in awkward silence. Even Rotov seems more confused than fearful of the giant.
Glazunov coughs. 'Shall we get going then? The locals can mop any loose ends up.'
[4] Right at that moment, your radio begins buzzing. You bring it to your ear, but can't make out anything except static. If your call to the Society was jammed, whatever's causing could still be on. This is the team's private channel, though, so it's probably from the agents in the altar chamber.
Combatants (Altar Chamber)Agent Zelenko
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [2/5 - 1] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Trained Agent (+1 to Dodge, -1 to Enemy Dodge)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Agent Kaminski
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [3/5 - 1] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Trained Agent (+1 to Dodge, -1 to Enemy Dodge)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Agent Darkin
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [3/5 - 2] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Trained Agent (+1 to Dodge, -1 to Enemy Dodge)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Agent Mihailov
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [3/5 - 1] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Trained Agent (+1 to Dodge, -1 to Enemy Dodge)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Agent Rotov
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [5/5 - 2] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Trained Agent (+1 to Dodge, -1 to Enemy Dodge)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
---
Alexei Zielkov - Experimental Superman
Health: Unharmed
Inventory: Compact SMG [18/18 - 2] (Fires six shots per turn, -3 to Damage), Heavy Pistol [5/5 - 0] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage), Flashbang [1]
Traits and Powers:
*Genesculpted Superhuman (Your extensive genetic modification and training have made you superior both physically and mentally to any other human being alive. The Shackled, on the other hand, are another matter entirely. +1 to all Damage taken, -2 to physical Damage, +1 to Dodge.)
Current Effects: None
Location: Main doors, Warehouse 59, Vladivostok
Erik Tourigny - Abyssal Hybrid
Health: Unharmed
Inventory: Empty
Traits and Powers:
* Beyond Human (As an Abyssal half-breed, you possess incredible physical and mental capability. You are capable of mental 'psychic' warfare and considerable thought suggestion, and of easy genetic manipulation by touch on-the-fly, even to fatal extremes. +2 to mental power, +1 to mutation and genetic alteration)
*Aura of Terror - INACTIVE (You share the Deep Ones' incapaciting presence, which causes deep fear and anxiety in the mortal psyche. You are currently suppressing your aura. -3 to Combat Rolls around you, fear checks every turn)
Current Effects: None
Location: Inside the altar chamber, Warehouse 59, Vladivostok
Ignore the mindless survivors, and look for those that are still sane, or semi-sane, if I find any help them escape
With only a moment's hesitation, you turn your back on the monsters and wade into the flooded terminal, keeping your eyes open for anyone with even a fragment of sanity yet. Some of these people seem more afflicted than others. You suppose their minds were more resistant or stable than the others. They're still no good for you, unresponsive to anything you do. Wading through the dirty water is difficult enough without some of the more affected ones throwing themselves at you or blocking your path - you throw them quickly aside. Behind you, at the doorway, the first of the mutation forms enter and begin cutting down the madmen without much resistance - [4] though you notice they take several alive and begin dragging them back towards the vast lifeform entrenched at the end of the runway.
[1] Pushing through a shortcircuited security post, you step on someone under the water's surface. [5][Dodge:5] You sense movement and leap off him just in time to avoid a swinging baton - not that there was any chance of it really harming you. As you watch, the man - a security guard - rises back to the surface and levels a compact pistol at you. A wild grin bisects his face. He says nothing, breathing heavily. [2] Fumbling with his weapon, the poor man drops it to the floor again underneath the water. The grin dies down. He looks down like a sullen child.
You don't have time to waste - you hear another scream, hoping it is someone still in charge of their mental faculties. [3] You rush forward, navigating into a hall of empty storefronts and broken terminals. There's less water, here, thankfully - the other face of the building took most of the blow. Still, there more than enough bodies drifting amongst the rubble for you. You scan for the source of the sound - unsure if you're in the right place - and any survivors.
[5] There's a splash of water from your right, and you turn to see two security guards running towards you with their hands held up. Behind them comes a third, carrying an elderly man by the arm. The first guard stops in his tracks when he sees your makeshift spear, frowning. You spread your arms to show you mean no harm.
[1] The second begins to shout something, but is cut short by the glass window in the ceiling crashing inwards with explosive force under the weight of two tonnes of sinous flesh and hardened carapace and a predator's mind. Carried on by two large wings, the flier mutation form descends into the hall with a rain of glass and a bloodchilling screech.
[2] The guards run and scatter, but the nearest one is too slow. [Dodge:3] A spinning shard of glass slams into his [BP:6][Damage:5-3+3=5] leg with enough force to topple him over. He goes down with a roar of pain, blood gushing out of the wound. [Dodge:5] You have better luck, hitting the ground to avoid the barrage.
'What the fuck?' is the first thing you hear from the guards to your right, followed quickly by a strained; 'Run! We'll hold it off!'
[5-1-1=3][Dodge:2-1=1] A pistol shot goes off, [BP:7][Damage:6-3=3] but the towering flyer barely seems to notice the hit scored on its leg. It looks like something out of a nightmare, all inhuman flesh and shell and multiple glowing eyes. [3-1-1=1] The other guard can't even bring himself to fire, staring at the thing in shock. The third is in too much pain to even consider it.
[3] The old man is frozen in place, stumbling to his back on the floor. You still don't know where the screaming from earlier came from, but you have no wish to bring its source into this anyhow.
CombatantsHunter Flyer Mutation Form
*Left Leg: Slightly Wounded
*Monstrous Flyer (-1 to Dodge, -1 to Enemy Combat Roll)
*Armour-Piercing Beak (+1 to Damage)
Wounded Security Guard
*Left Leg: Heavily Wounded!
*Heavy Pistol [5/5 - 0] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Inexperienced (-1 to Combat Rolls)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Second Security Guard
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [4/5 - 0] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Inexperienced (-1 to Combat Rolls)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Third Security Guard
*Unharmed
*Heavy Pistol [5/5 - 1] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Inexperienced (-1 to Combat Rolls)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
---
Alfonz Wulfric - Imprisoned ReaperHealth: Torso: Slightly Wounded! Left Arm: Minor Cut!
Inventory: Imbued Junk Spear (+1 to Damage)
Traits and Powers: *
Immortal Prisoner (Drawing from the Reaper in your head, you are physically and mentally superior to any normal human on the planet. You have innate power over the life forces of living beings, and can draw, give and imbue it at will. Your current level of control is high.)
*
Life Force [0/6] (You can imbue objects and living beings with life force to create more potent weapons and combat constructs. You will regain spent life force automatically over time, and by devouring others - though this bears the risk of harmful energy damaging you. You can also draw the life force of others and imbue it as long as you also include some of your own.)
Current Effects: None
Location: Terminal Doors, Lakefront Airport
Gray's eyes narrowed. "Fisher is lying. Maybe to protect us, I don't know, but he's lying." He began pushing his way through the crowd after saying that to Thomas, making his way towards Fisher. When he reached Fisher, he reached out, mentally. "Tell me, Fisher. Don't dumb down the facts, don't you dare lie, just tell me... what is happening!?" As he said this, his eyes narrowed in anger, his aura began to flare, as he lost control over it. It projected his anger. "We won't be safe, will we Fisher?" He began trying to either pull the information he needed from Fisher's mind, or coerce it out of him. "I want to know all of the information you have on these happenings. Oh, get someone on the backup power would you?" His voice stayed cold, icily so, his rage like the depths of the ocean.
Find out what's happening, using my aura of terror, and my mental abilities if need be. Then reign in my anger and aura.
[5] 'What? What are you-' Thomas starts, but you're already making your way through the darkened room towards the good doctor. Unaltered, he and the other staff will take a moment to adjust to the darkness - the rest of you have no such problem. You've pushed yourself close to him before he can react.
'Tell me, Fisher. Don't dumb down the facts, don't you dare lie, just tell me... what is happening?' you demand, and momentarily lose control of your aura. Fisher catches the full brunt of your unrestricted power for a moment. [2] He doesn't take it well. His expression changing from confusion to total, mind-numbing horror in the span of a few seconds, he lets out a cry of fear and turns to run. You catch him by the sleeve and continue your tirade.
'We won't be safe, will we Fisher?' you shout at the terrified man. He whimpers in reply, trying in vain to push you away. 'I want to know all of the information you have on these happenings. Oh, get someone on the backup power, would you?'
You hear someone call for you, but you're focused on Doctor Fisher. When he still doesn't say anything, you repeat your demands, pushing into his mind for the information. [5-1=4] What you get is a confused jumble of emotions and thoughts, mostly fear, obstructing much of what you'd like to see. Digging in, you find to your dismay that he knows very little. But there's something else in the back of his mind, a concern or fear of...
'Gray! Gray, what the fuck are you doing?'
You blink, turning your head slowly towards the voice. Alex grabs you and pulls you away from the doctor, looking at you like a madman. The lights flicker back on to reveal others staring at you as well, though some appear to have fled through the open door, with the staff going after them.
[1] Doctor Fisher collapses to his kness, holding his head in his hands. He begins crawling towards the corner, sobbing.
Thomas takes you by the arm and together with Bray they guide you to the side.
'Ah, Jesus, look at him, Aaron. It's gonna take hours for him to get back from that. What were you thinking?' Thomas asks, looking pitifully at the doctor.
Alex looks around the room, seeing the lack of staff. 'Who gives a shit? Did you see that thing? That could not be real,' she says. 'Maybe this is another test? They want to see how we'd react to something like this?'
'We didn't get off to a good start, then,' Thomas mutters. Without leadership, the subjects seem to be panicking again.
Aaron Gray - Abyssal Hybrid
Health: Unharmed
Inventory: Empty
Traits and Powers:
* Beyond Human (As an Abyssal half-breed, you possess incredible physical and mental capacity. You are capable
of mental 'psychic' warfare and thought suggestion, as well as easy genetic manipulation, especially for war. You have also been blessed with extraordinary toughness and mental fortitude. +1 to physical Damage, -1 to taken Damage, +1 to mental defense.)
* Aura of Terror - INACTIVE (You share the Deep Ones' incapaciting presence, which causes deep fear and anxiety in the mortal psyche. You are currently suppressing your aura. -3 to Combat Rolls around you, fear checks every turn.)
Current Effects: None
Location: Briefing Room, SD Project Main Facility, Western Australia
---
Durr, mcclay's regeneration was supposed to kick in earlier already. I rolled for the previous turns as well now.
I've finally turned to 1st person with Alexei. Though it seems I've slipped a bit into it in the previous turns, oh well. And done the opposite with others. *sigh*
Author
Topic: Their Coming Is At Hand - an Eldritch Horror RTD (Turn 10! Spots open!) (Read 33603 times)