Turn 1
Note of the Day: Though all Abyssals possess a dangerous mind-affecting field, there is practically nothing than can resist a Dreamsinger at close range.
---
Calla"Raul! what's going on? I can hear the cannons firing but there is no alarm" Keep up with Raul, if it is something I should help with or obsever do so, otherwise chat with Raul
'Hey, Calla. I don't think that'll last for much longer,' Raul says. His tone becomes more serious. 'We had a sub out there. Lost contact half an hour ago. Ribeiro gave the order to shoot flares out, see if anything's heading our way. I'm heading up to the roundroom to bring these to him.'
He motions with the files in his hands. Calla falls in step as Raul starts up towards the upper floors of the outpost. The 'roundroom' is an old artillery bunker built into the cliffside long ago, converted into a command and observation room for the rest of Stillwater Station. The military outpost hosts a handful of submarines and heli squadrons for keeping an eye on the coast. The guns and the mines are to block Abyssals from entering the rivers, and if they fail, thanks to her they still have something extra. It's been enough... for now. This is just one outpost and defending the entire coast is impossible.
Brazil has not faced any incursions for several months now. The fact does not give Calla solace. She can feel them, every waking moment, moving in the ocean depths. Sometimes she thinks she can recognize Gaugathun among them.
Calla's not surprised to see it raining outside as they come up to the bunker. Even without one of them near, it feels like there's always a storm going on these days, atleast on the coast. The roundroom is full of activity, soldiers and staff moving between bright monitors and occupied computer terminals. The grey concrete walls are practically invisible beneath the wealth of screens and cables. The air smells of rain, coming through the opening in the wall - she supposes they used to fire the artillery out through it. In the middle of it all stands Ribeiro - Calla's first real ally from Guadapari. He's come a long way - he's Captain Ribeiro now, for one.
'Sergeant, Calla,' he says, all-professional, when the pair reach him. Gouveia hands him the files, and Calla's eyes drift to the horizon through the slit in the wall.
The descending flares light up the night with their reddish glare, illuminating the tips of waves as they crash into the cliffs and coastline. Further out there's little human eyes could see... but Calla is not human. Her sight isn't quite on par with what military optics can do, but it is superhuman.
[3] The sea seems, if not calm, undisturbed from below the surface. A cold drizzle of rain chills the morning outside, but otherwise it seems as normal as any day can be here. The treetops are strangely devoid of animal sounds, though, but in these times it's hard to tell if that signifies anything. [1+1=2] Calla reaches out with her mind, but are rewarded only with a pounding headache. If there's anything out there, it's beyond her senses.
'Can you feel anything?' the Captain asks after a moment. 'I've half a mind to send choppers out. Have them sweep the area the sub was in last.'
There's an unspoken question of Calla's opinion at the end that she can see in his mind as clearly as it was written on a chalkboard. She knows her unique senses would be of more use than searchlights onboard, though that doesn't actually cross Ribeiro's mind. The captain has never really learned to protect his mind - sometimes Calla thinks that's her fault - and she can see his swirling worry and guilt over the sub crew and the steel layer of determination keeping it all from affecting him in the slightest.
Calla - 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. +1 to mental power, +2 to mutation and genetic alteration)
*Aura of Terror - INACTIVE (You share the Deep Ones' incapacitating presence, which causes deep fear and anxiety in the mortal psyche. You are currently suppressing your aura.)
Current Effects: None
Location: Stillwater Station, Colares
Alex brushes his hair out of his eyes before pointing at the city.
We go around, I don't want some fucking sea spawn breaking all of our shit because we wanted to fell safe. No place is safe anymore, so let's just get fucking to it.
Alex lights a cigarette and smiles.
Remember, whoever gets the first kill gets double alcohol rations, I want first blood.
Theo grimaces at Alex's tone, but grunts his assent. He revs the engine and turns the jeep towards the marching Olympians. The warmachines lumber through the landscape with agonizing slowness and the jeep roars past them in no time. They take a side road going past the city, occupied by one or two recon vehicles who don't pay them much heed. Theo speeds up to leave even them behind. Alex's cigarette tumbles out of his hand onto the withered fields and he mutters a curse.
The road is still in good condition, surprisingly enough, though Alex thinks the Olympians coming behind them will make short work of them. Their forms tower over the car and Alex tries not to think about what would happen if they decided to step on the compact vehicle.
[1] 'Alex, is that-' Theo starts, just before an inhuman shriek splits the air. It seems to come from many throats simultaneously, high and low, everywhere and distant, reverberating in the air in a way that sends chills up Alex's spine. [1] Theo goes white, losing his grip on the wheel and slamming back in his seat as if pushed by some physical force. [1] Before Alex can take the wheel, the car pulls to the left and rushes over the edge of the road at high speed.
The jeep goes tumbling, rolling over in the cold dirt, [6] but it's of remarkably sturdy make. Alex takes the battering he receives slamming against the car's insides with calm - in fact, it seems to take more of a beating - and it draws to a halt a moment later, ending up on its side.
Alex climbs out of the vehicle with a grunt. [3] It takes him a moment to see them. Circling above the road are two vast, black shapes with batlike wings - the newest batch of mutation forms, no doubt. Their cries brought down Theo, so it'd be fair to say they've got some kind of debilitating effect on mortals. As Alex watches, the nearest descends with the whoosh of great, sinuous wings. The thing has a serpentine, eyeless skull with - Alex notes as it opens its mouth - three, snapping jaws in one head, moving individually in grotesque movement. It seems improbable the stretched flesh can support all of them.
The thing lets out another piercing shriek, facing Alex. It seems to know what he is, standing on the edge of the road peering down at the field with their crashed jeep.
---
Theo
*Out of Sight
*Unharmed?
*Heavy Pistol [4/5 - 3] (Fires one shot per turn, -3 to Damage)
*Frag Grenades (2)
*Veteran Agent (+2 to all Combat Rolls, +1 to Dodge, +1 to Hit)
*Squishy Mortal (+3 to all taken Damage, -3 to physical Damage)
Flier Mutation Form
*Unharmed
*+1 to Damage
*Flier (-1 to Dodge when on the ground)
*Hunter Mind (+1 to Combat Rolls)
Flier Mutation Form
*Distant
*Unharmed
*+1 to Damage
*Flier (-1 to Dodge when on the ground)
*Hunter Mind (+1 to Combat Rolls)
Alex Vondgas - Imprisoned TitanHealth: Unharmed
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 when out of combat.)
Current Effects: None
Location: On top of a military jeep on the outskirts of Poznan
"I must suppose someone must have at the very least seen the direction taken by the trucks. Unless these men who 'stole' the corpse were able to blind or kill any kind of military presence in a very reasonable radius." the soldier comments, his disturbing gaze turning to the young officer, unblinking and devoid of emotion. "What was that direction?"
Talk.
[4] The officer answers Zielkov's stare evenly. 'They left through the main gate, sir, and it seems likely they then proceeded out of the island by the western bridge. If not, and they remain on the island, we will find them, sooner or later,' he says. 'I have the guards' descriptions of the drivers, if you want them.'
Alexei nods. Two bridges lead out of Kronstadt back to the outskirts of St. Petersburg. Both bridges are guarded, as he saw when they came through. They would hopefully had cameras with functioning records, but that would be unimaginably good luck. The guards, atleast, should be of some use.
The general, interrupting his thoughts, grimaces. 'Eh... look, Mr. Zielkov, I told you, we'll be launching a full investigation. There's no need for your people to interfere. In fact, I rather think the authority in this matter remains with me.'
Alexei Zielkov - Experimental Superman
Health: Unharmed
Inventory: Automatic Pistol [12/2] (Fires 3 times per turn. -3 to Damage.)
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: 'Angelfall' Military Zone, Kronstadt Island
Alfonz stands up pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and shimmying one of the few inside out into the palm of his hand he sighs before speaking,
"Well lets go see whether we pulled the suicide mission or the definitely suicide mission cards, I'm starting to get the feeling that we're going to get replaced by those matchboxes of warmachines."
With that Alfonz lights the smoke, takes one puff and makes his way down stairs to meet with General Moore.
'Hey, it can't be replacing if they've never used us,' Bell points out.
The group is still chatting excitedly when they get down to find Moore waiting with Division staff, among them scientists and analysts who've run most of their 'training' and tests so far. The General is a big, powerfully-built man with a heavy-set face with broad, cragged features. He's known to have a temper to watch out for, which is probably why he ended up in charge of the Damned on the field instead of some more prestigious post.
He steps up when the group arrives, looking them over - and his eyes pause on Wulfric.
'Put out your goddamn cigarette when talking to a superior officer, Wulfric,' he says. He doesn't wait for him to obey - just expects it. 'You've got a job to do. Now, I've taken the liberty of signing you up for the opfor in these exercises. I suggested something a bit more special to the command and they said yes.'
He pauses, enjoying the heavy silence.
'This is how it's gonna be. You're gonna head out into the woods, and they're gonna let loose their Rainbows on your asses. They're gonna try to take you out, you're going to last until the timer runs out,' he says at last. 'Though if I were in your shoes, I'd give back as hard as I got. Don't want them looking too good on the record, now do we?'
He looks to the side, where another officer is standing. 'Williams there will take you to your area when you're ready. Any questions?'
Alfonz Wulfric - Imprisoned ReaperHealth: Unharmed
Inventory: Empty
Traits and Powers: *
Immortal Prisoner (Drawing from the Reaper in you rhead, 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 [6/6] (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: USMW Field Exercises, West Virginia
"We should go with them, yes. Whatever reprimands they may have for us... honestly, does it matter? If they plan to march on into a town that's been attacked and get out at all, let alone with some mere casualties, without people like us... they're insane. I've been getting a bit restless sitting around in a jeep all day, too..." Aaron looks grimly between Thomas and Alex. "So. Thomas, will you join us?"
Go help the poor squishy soldiers with the town. Try not to get stopped leaving the convoy.
Thomas sighs. 'Fine, I guess. Just... let's not charge in guns blazing, right? These guys know what they're doing.'
[4] The driver frowns. 'Wait, what are you talking about? You can't just go. It's dangerous out there.'
Alex gives him a level look. 'More dangerous than we are?'
The driver pales. Sputtering, he stumbles away. 'I'm... I don't...' he manages, and tries to force a weak smile. Alex ignores him, settling herself onto the controls. Aaron only has a moment to wonder if she's ever been on the wheel of anything until now, before she's already pulling away from the convoy. She nearly smashes into the truck in front of them and Aaron can practically hear Thomas grimace.
The jeep clambers out to the dust and begins to move up the convoy. The wind and the roar of the engine are the only sounds for a while, but then Thomas speaks up.
'You didn't need to scare him like that,' he says. Anyone could tell he's not happy, but to Aaron his nervousness and guilt seem to jump out of his mind.
Alex makes a sound, and seems to soften a bit. 'Yeah, okay. I'll apologize to him later. But come on, can't you enjoy this a bit? I've never even had a car before. And we're out of that fucking line for once! Enjoy the... dust-filled desert air! We're free! We could be going anywhere!'
'Yeah, but we're going over there,' Thomas says, pointing at the black smoke rising in the horizon. The shapes of the last military vehicles are visible through the dust cloud, spreading out as they approach the town. They pass the last of the convoy without being challenged.
Alex rolls her eyes. They continue in silence for a moment longer. The outskirts of the town come into view, low-lying buildings in white and red with withered gardens. A gas station at the end of the road proves to be the source of one of the pillars of smoke, the blackened remains of the tanks scattered over the area. The convoy probably hoped to refuel here. They slow down as they find two military cars stopped opposite the station, their machinegunners scanning the line of houses. The rest of the vehicles are presumably up ahead. More smoke arises from up the hill in several locations.
'So, do we just...?' Thomas trails off. The town seems unnaturally quiet. Aaron's senses pick out the wind and little else, though the soldiers ahead are practically glowing with tension, expecting trouble. Granted, anyone would be expecting trouble here.
Alex seems to be at a momentary loss as well. She follows the gunners' gazes, trying to see something they can't with her superhuman sight.
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: In a 'borrowed' jeep, Western Australia
"Quick sweep through the area, individually. The more ground we cover in the fastest time, the more sectors we can cover and hopefully the better our scanner radius."
Alessa turned the radio frequency to the general state after answering back in Russian, however crude it still sounded, aware that if in case any other voices were present, they'd be heard. This was more of a curious notion than not, as even the vastness of the landscape fazed her compared to what she was now viewing through the optics.
This was what the world was facing, and it was a great enemy.
"What kind of instruments are present, Sacha Katya?" she said, keeping her own accent in check. "We aren't authorized to fire on this thing, so do we have anything in the means of reconnaissance?"
Inquire, then commence scouting/investigation.
There's a moment of crackling static before Katya responds.
'Right, this is your first recon. It's all mostly automatic. The rest is what they told you in training - adjust the cameras if they're out of focus, make sure you're getting in your readings from the equipment - nothing you can really do if that breaks - et cetera et cetera. I'd worry more about not crashing and dying horribly,' she says.
She begins to take her plane down.
'I'll take the portside first, if you don't mind, see the big girl in all her glory. You can have whatever those things in the buildings are. Just fly as as close as you can, keep the plane steady, make sure you're not swarmed by fliers. You've flown before, you know the drill. Okay... here we go.'The
BUKAVAC sweeps down. For a moment, it brings to mind some glorious bird of prey, but then Alessa is focusing on her own flight and loses sight.
[5] The city comes closer fast, and she can see the Great Mother in all her glory. Katya goes in fast towards the massive being. She's a good pilot, Alessa knows, but can't help thinking no-one should have to fly that close to an Ancient. Mortal pilots could not take its sheer, dominating presence at all, though. She see the Deepspawn around the Abyssal explode into movement, but Katya is long gone, turning around to circle.
On her own front, the buildings begin to whoosh past her and she slows down, making sure the camera is functioning. There's a ceaseless clatter below her as it continues to take shots and video feed. Alessa looks at the purplish forms among the buildings, definitely organic. [1] There's not enough time to see all the details, but she can't divine their purpose from their shape alone - nests of orbs through the neighbourhood, connected by vast vein-like growths running through the area. They're the size of tree trunks and seem to block roads at points, though mostly they hang above.
[3] As the aircraft passes the remains of an old hall, there's a burst of activity and she catches sight of a handful of dark shapes launching themselves from within. She gives them a quick look through her optics, but they don't appear to be nearly fast enough to keep up with her. It's only a matter of time before a mutation type that can appears, unless she gets lucky.
Alessa continues her route up the section of the city. The scanners are working as intended and data in many forms - thermal, infrared, radiation - pops up on her screen. It's mostly gibberish to her, though even she can tell there's an alarming amount of lifeforms even without the huge swarm at the Deep One's feet.
'Yeah, bitch, call up your storm. Lets us figure out how you do that... or so they told me,' Katya's voice cuts in - a barely audible tinge of nervousness in it - and Alessa glances to see dark clouds begin to gather by the water's edge. She sees Katya's plane as it races up, outpacing a dozen flier forms hovering around the Ancient.
Alessa surveys the rest of the city. The two Vanguards she spotted earlier remain where they are, one in the Old Town - or what remains of it - and one moving back towards the sea. The Old Town one, closer, is maybe two thirds the size of the Great Mother, a broad, armoured shape lying low - though obviously visible - among the crushed buildings. Long, antennae-like strands of flesh wave in the air all across its body. The other is not clear at this distance, but Alessa notes its crouched form and beetle-like shell.
Something catches her eye on the inland approach to the city. Human vehicles, from cars to military APCs, are gathered haphazardly around the roads, with what could be human shapes milling about them.
---
Status: Unharmed
Location: Polish Airspace, near Danzig
Equipment:
*Nexus Cannon [-] (Fires once per turn. -1 to Damage.)
*RUS SmartBombs [12] (Fires three per turn. -1 to Damage. +1 to Hit.)
*Firefly Air-to-Air Missiles [6] (Fires one per turn. -2 to Damage.)
Special Traits:
* Field Booster (Capable of co-opting and considerably enlarging a pilot's Nexus Field.)
* Heavy Fighter (+1 to taken Damage)
Alessa Tairon - 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 - DEFENSIVE 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: Inside the cockpit of the KOSCHEI Modified Jet Fighter, above Danzig
Author
Topic: Their Coming Is At Hand II - an Eldritch Invasion RTD (Turn 9!) (Read 23264 times)