Rifts Japan

[Sherwood]

Onboard the transport, you can feel the subtle change in the hum of the engines as the airship slows down in preparation for landing. The pilot makes an announcement over the PA system, "Everyone, we have been cleared for landing. Please buckle up. We will be on the Ministry building in thirty seconds."

Out on the rooftop, those standing there can see the airship start to slow, its ducted fans tilting to ease the large ship down to make a gentle landing, the five other SAMAS suits keeping their positions around the ship as it slows.

 

[Purr]

Snowfall, never having taken his safety belt off, simply waits patiently as he cleans and returns the ship's borrowed earbuds to their case. What fun that had been!

 

[Sherwood]

The transport slows and gently lands on the rooftop, and its engines power down. Soon after that, the outer personnel hatch of the transport opens to allow the passengers to exit. Onboard the transport, the three VIPs and their aides all rise from their seats and start to grab their things in preparation for departure. What are Snowfall and Kimi doing?

Eonivar
As you are standing there with Minister Feng, Prime Minister Xu, Major Izumo and the rest of the group with you, your Sixth Sense is going off, indicating that within the next sixty seconds, life threatening danger will come to the area around you. You are not sure where the danger is coming from, nor what the target of the danger is, but there is something about to go on that is pinging your Psi powers like crazy.

 

[Purr]

Snowfall is busy leaving the vehicle and taking in his new surroundings with an eager eye. He has returned to his old-looking form (70-year-old handsome cuss). Looking sharp in his brown and red robes (in truth, his spirit garment), he waits only for Kimi whom he shares his best manners. As they exit onto the roof, Snowfall is taking in the view, looking at everything and everyone - for here is the first taste he has had of Hiroshima since before the Cataclysm!

He is glad to have returned here and eager to see what has changed!

"Oooiii! Kimi-chan!" he beckons. "What a sight to behold!"

 

[Eonivar]

Ando's eyes widen and he broadcasts over the tacnet and yells across the rooftop.

"PRESCIENT WARNING! INCOMING DANGER WITHIN SIXTY SECONDS, DIRECTION UNKNOWN, THREAT UNKNOWN. Call back the Imperial Escort. I am creating a telekinetic shield over the departing VIPs and the Ministers." He focuses and looks over the situation. "Major, Takuma, Fuyumi, Fuchizaki I am leaving you outside the shield so you may commence fire once our potiential enemy appears. Imperial Team, exit out of the transport and go north 3 meters, and you will be beyond the shield. Ministers, VIPs, non com personnel I recommend evacuating to the stairwell, my shield will cover you as best as I can. MOVE MOVE MOVE!"

<Ando activates telekinetic force field.>

Ando moves to be center in between the arriving VIPs from the transport and the Ministers and their assistants, a shimmering tunnel like shield appears in a way that covers the exiting VIPs from the transport, as the Prime Minister and the Minister and another administrative personnel.

Spoiler: Ando Stats

MDC: 170
Absurr Life Node MDC: 300
Kuru Street Armor: 75
ISP: 195
Current ISP: 195-30 = 165

 

[Psychie]

As Kimi is heading down the stairs to the rooftop, she is looking around, both in curiosity for this new place and also for any signs of threats to the important people on the transport that are coming down behind her. Seeing nothing of concern, she motions for the dignitaries to follow.

Walking out, Kimi starts to head over to the waiting ministers when she hears the shout over the sound of the background noise. Raising her staff in one hand, she forcefully grabs the nearest person to her and yells, "Don't just stand there like an idiot! RUN! I'll cover for you! Move!"

 

[Sherwood]

Steve Freeling D. Rex GunMan2 You all hear the shouted warning of danger on the tactical net. What are you doing?

 

[GunMan2]

As soon as the warning came from the man named detective Ando, he belives his files said had erected the shield up. the ninja borg already had his combat rifle out and looking for his target. His sight and mind went blank as the combat program takes on control of his body searching for any hostiles in the area. "Takuma, combat program deployed." Was all he said as he scanned the area.

The borg looked mostly like a typical Japanese teenager who has a neutral facial expression with hazel eyes, an angular face and a small nose. His body was covered in a black ninja suit which was covered with small tiger where the heart is, combat cargo pants and combat boots were the final touch to his look. However, underneath all this was a machine made for stealth and assassination specialization. He hazel eyes hide the fact that they are cybernetic but on closer look one could see them look more robotic than human. His current form is thanks to his cyber disguise skin which hides most of his borgparts but to get his tanto and pistol which are in his left leg he will have to drop it on that part. His left arm hides an explosive surprise for any fool who thinks they can mess with them. He was unsure if this alliance will even work but he does not care he got a mission and he will make sure he ends it with perfection.

About 12 seconds after the warning Taku's brain had made the perfect formation "Everyone form a diamond around the VIP. One at the front, one on each side and on in the back." He did not look to see if they listened to do the formation as he was more focused on finding the enemy and keeping their package alive.

 

[Purr]

As they exit onto the roof, Snowfall is taking in the view, looking at everything and everyone - for here is the first taste he has had of Hiroshima since before the Cataclysm!

He is glad to have returned here and eager to see what has changed!

"Oooiii! Kimi-chan!" he beckons. "What a sight to behold!"

Snowfall and Kimi's feet have not been on the rooftop for 10 whole seconds when this happens!

"PRESCIENT WARNING! INCOMING DANGER WITHIN SIXTY SECONDS, DIRECTION UNKNOWN, THREAT UNKNOWN.

Not even 10 seconds! "Hiiiroooshiiimaaa!" exclaims Snowfall in pure glee. "You never change! I love you, Hiroshima!"

In no time flat, people were running all over the place, orders are shouted, psychic barrier manifested, chaos threatens to become panic, only the order from training and discipline might save the day! You name it - it was happening! Danger! Here! Now! But...

...what was this?

Spoiler: Floating Museum.

"08 floating museum" produced by Kenji Kawai for the Ghost in the Shell (1995 animated) Original Soundtrack.

Snowfall's experience and supernatural mental faculties work to culmination and decision with rapidity only known to the able, aged, and wise. The entire team was moving to defend the VIPs. But if this were so, why did the enemy strike now and not when they were in the air? Striking right after the dragon escort left - that would have been the perfect time to destroy everyone on the flying vessel! Who could have saved us if we had gone down then? Indeed, what might the draconic spiritual escort outside have detected that the technological might have missed? These were questions for another time.

If the VIPs were not the target, what could the enemy's true motive be? What did that leave? The seeds! What else was there? How they could know about the seeds at all was its own mystery for another time. For now, if the enemy had hit the vessel in mid-air, the seeds would have been likely destroyed with the ensuing crash (Snowfall thinks "likely" because one never knew when it came to the gifts of Kyoto's most-blessed tree)! That made perfect sense!

So instead of doing what everyone else was doing, Snowfall does his own thing - his elderly form zips through the chaos and toward the last place he saw the holy seeds of the Millennium Tree! He only hopes he can make it there in time!

 

[Sherwood]

The chaos on the roof goes from bad to worse in a heartbeat when the ten man security force that was standing guard suddenly raise their weapons and start firing - directly at the transport ship! Luckily enough for everyone still on the aircraft (including Snowfall who just ran back inside) it is armored enough to take a few hits. But it will not last for long under the withering blaze of energy weapons.

There are three of the guards that split off from the remaining seven that are all moving towards the group with Prime Minister Xu and Minister Feng; but these three are moving way too fast for any unaugmented human. They must be either Juicers or Crazy enhanced, and from the looks of things, they have mayhem in mind as they aim their weapons at the two politicians.

Initiative roll time!

Purr you got a total of a 16 with the +3 I gave everyone.

21 - enhanced psycho security 1-3
16 - Snowfall
15 - Major Izumo
14 - SAMAS flight 1-5
11 - psycho security force 4-6
7 - psycho security force 7-10

Steve Freeling in order to roll initiative, it is a d20 plus any modifiers you may have - in your SAMAS suit you normally get a +8, but thanks to the warning call you have an additional +3. You roll the dice and the target is to roll high as you can plus your bonus. You can roll here in the IC thread or in the OOC one.

 

[Psychie]

Kimi will try to move to place herself between the three speedy guys and the Minister's party.

Total of a 18

Spoiler

MDC: 460
ISP: 70
PPE: 285
Action Points: 6

Millennium Tree Staff of Defense
MDC: 600
PPE: 40
Damage: 2d6 SDC/3d6 MDC
Can be used to parry projectiles at a -6.

Combat Bonuses
Number of Attacks: 3 / 4 with Staff
Strike: +10
Parry: +13 / +14 with staff weapons
Dodge: +18
Roll: +8
Initiative: +4 / +10 with Zanshin
Perception: +5
Save vs Horror Factor: +7
Critical Strike on a Natural 20
Critical Strike from Behind
+2 on all Saving Throws

 

[Sherwood]

Kikimura let's get you into this shindig. You are one of three people that have been recruited by the Republic of Japan to help them deal with a rash of demon incursions. The Republic is not as magic savvy as the Empire of Japan, so it is hoped that you, Snowfall and Kimi To can aid the local team of agents under the Ministry of Metahuman Affairs' control.

As a part of this help, a magical tree sapling known as a Millennium Tree is being gifted to the city of Hiroshima from the Millennium Tree in Kyoto. This is a very rare and precious gift, and you are a part of the escort to get the Tree safely to Hiroshima. Right now, you are inside the armored transport aircraft in its cargo hold with the sapling, waiting for the all clear to open the main doors to exit with the Tree.

However, things don't go as planned. You hear over the intercom of the transport excited voices exclaiming that there is an attack underway by agents of the Ministry security force, and they are trying to destroy the transport!

At this point, you know that there was a security escort that flew in with your airship of six powered armor suits, but if they were going to be the ones to try and destroy the Tree, they could have done so long before now. Right now you don't know how many targets there are, but you can hear the sound of energy weapons firing and hitting the transport.

Please give me a d20 roll for initiative, and add the initiative bonus of +7 to it from your sheet.

Edit: your metal power of Sixth Sense is going off, giving you ample warning that you are in danger.

 

[Eonivar]

Ando gasps as their own guards turn against them as he prepares to fight . Ando stands in the path of the three guards rushing the Minister and Prime Minister.

Initiative Roll = 1D20+3+6 (sixith sense bonus) = 14+9 = 23

 

[Sherwood]

Current initiative

23 - Ando
21 - enhanced psycho security 1-3
18 - Kimi To
16 - Snowfall
15 - Major Izumo
14 - SAMAS flight 1-5
11 - psycho security force 4-6
7 - psycho security force 7-10

 

[GunMan2]

Takuma is prepared and ready to shoot down all targets to end them. Its how he was trained and its how he will operate.

Initiative roll 10 + 3 = 13

 

[Sherwood]

Kikimura and Steve Freeling holding on initiative rolls from you guys

23 - Ando
21 - enhanced psycho security 1-3
18 - Kimi To
16 - Snowfall
15 - Major Izumo
14 - SAMAS flight 1-5
13 - Takuma
11 - psycho security force 4-6
7 - psycho security force 7-10

 

[Steve Freeling]

Fuchizaki is none too pleased with this development, and even less pleased with the revelation that it's an inside job. The guards would see him glaring at them if it weren't for his helmet, a none too friendly sight of a usually friendly man.
Initiative Roll: 9 + 8 + 3 = 20

 

[Sherwood]

Eonivar is up first

23 - Ando <====
21 - enhanced psycho security 1-3
18 - Kimi To
16 - Snowfall
15 - Major Izumo
14 - SAMAS flight 1-5
13 - Takuma
12 - Fuchizaki
11 - psycho security force 4-6
7 - psycho security force 7-10

 

[Eonivar]

Ando, standing between the others and the three incoming security members, takes a slow Tai-Chi stance, focusing his mind, and gazing straight at the incoming attackers. Calmly he raises his hand and directs his energy toward them, sending a wave of force that seemed to blur the air in front of him towards the three attackers.

Ando uses his Super telekinesis to attempt to push the three attackers off the top of the building. He will put forth 500 lbs. of force (50 ISP worth)

And he loses his focus as they approach.

Attack = 1D20+5 = 2 = AUTOMATIC MISS

Spoiler: Ando's Stats

MDC: 170
Absurr Life Node MDC: 300
Kuru Street Armor: 75
ISP: 195
Current ISP: 195-30 = 165-50 = 115

 

[Sherwood]

The three enhanced troopers run forward and skid to a stop at the telekinetic shield that Ando put up. They raise their energy rifles and fire a spray into the shield, causing it to drop and exposing the crowd to their weapon fire. Luckily the weapons expended their deadly force at the shield and did not continue forward.

Psychie is up

23 - Ando [1]
21 - enhanced psycho security 1-3 [1]
18 - Kimi To <====
16 - Snowfall
15 - Major Izumo
14 - SAMAS flight 1-5
13 - Takuma
12 - Fuchizaki
11 - psycho security force 4-6
7 - psycho security force 7-10

 

[Psychie]

With an angry growl, Kimi sets her staff spinning before she makes a quick feint towards one of the three speedy troopers, then she shifts her stance enough to swing the staff against one of the others, hoping that her ruse will be enough to take her target by surprise.

Total of a 24 to hit, doing 9d6 MD
Damage is 26 MD if I hit

Spoiler

Hand to Hand Damage: Inflicts 1D6x10 S.D.C. on a restrained punch, 6d6 M.D. on a full strength punch, or 2D4x10 M.D. on a power punch (counts as two melee attacks).

MDC: 460
ISP: 70
PPE: 285
Action Points: 6

Millennium Tree Staff of Defense
MDC: 600
PPE: 40
Damage: 2d6 SDC/3d6 MDC
Can be used to parry projectiles at a -6.

Combat Bonuses
Number of Attacks: 3 / 4 with Staff
Strike: +10
Parry: +13 / +14 with staff weapons
Dodge: +18
Roll: +8
Initiative: +4 / +10 with Zanshin
Perception: +5
Save vs Horror Factor: +7
Critical Strike on a Natural 20
Critical Strike from Behind
+2 on all Saving Throws

 

[Kikimura]

Tula would step out of the transport at the sight of her comrades getting into battle. She spat on the ground and stretched, looking around at the attackers.

8+7= 15

 

[Sherwood]

The target of Kimi To's swing tries to dodge, but stumbles into the swing instead (rolled a 4 on the dice). His armor is cracked and damaged, but it is still holding on.

Purr is up with Snowfall

23 - Ando [1]
21 - enhanced psycho security 1 [1] armor damaged
21 - enhanced psycho security 2-3 [1]
18 - Kimi To [1]
16 - Snowfall <====
15 - Tula
15 - Major Izumo
14 - SAMAS flight 1-5
13 - Takuma
12 - Fuchizaki
11 - psycho security force 4-6
7 - psycho security force 7-10

 

[Sherwood]

A quick bump for Purr

 

[Purr]

( Kikimura D. Rex Eonivar GunMan2 Psychie Sherwood Steve Freeling Teh Frixz - I apologize if I missed anyone. Here we go! Hang on to your hats everybody! =) )

Snowfall swiftly grabs the Millennium Tree sapling and calls out to Tula, his currently-elderly expression filled with alarm and great resolve. "They are going to destroy this vessel! Quickly! Get out of here before they destroy you with it! Tell Kimi, I return to Inari and Master Oran - she will understand." Snowfall bundles the sapling protectively against his body, his body heaves with a heavy sigh. "Under attack by the Ministry's own forces! There is only one thing to do - and I must do it! Inari! Please protect this precious sapling! Japan's future may depend on it!"

If Tula has not fled by now, Snowfall gives her one last warning glance to the exit to save her own life...

... before he vanishes like some ghost in a tale of legend in an attempt to escape through the confusion and chaos. Through the hull of the vessel, he flies in his Cloud form to be gone on his way... back to Kyoto where the sapling is safest.

Spoiler: Snowfall's Plan and Thinking.

In his natural Chi Cloud Form, Snowfall the Kitsune is invisible to the eye, intangible and able to flow through any solid object, and completely unharmable save against Chi combat (OOC Note: Sherwood does not have Chi combat in his games). Speeding through the hull of the ship as fast as he can, he begins making his way down along the edge of the Ministry of Metahuman Affairs building, down toward the street while the enemies blast away at the vessel.

His plan is simple but time-consuming. Being a native of Japan, Snowfall knows quite well in which direction Kyoto lies from Hiroshima and its approximate distance. Snowfall wishes to fly straight into and under Hiroshima's city streets and then, inside the earth, travel directly towards Kyoto at best possible speed with no one the wiser.

His thinking? From here on out, I ask that you put yourself in Snowfall's red spirit garment here. Snowfall's own deity, Inari, personally handpicked him to keep the sapling safe. The mission can be restarted, but one cannot simply replace this holiest of relics. Nor is Snowfall about to deny Inari, his own patron spirit.

Snowfall's thinking is, "We are being attacked by Hiroshima's own forces!" He does not know what is going on and he is not about to hang around to find out - not with the sapling in danger. Therefore, with Hiroshima proving unsafe, Snowfall will not stop until he has flown all the way back to the New Empire, specifically Kyoto. The sapling, he believes, is safer there than anywhere on Rifts Earth.

According to Google Maps, the distance from Hiroshima to Kyoto is 361 kilometers/224 miles. Snowfall moves at 32 kilometers/20 miles per hour. That's a minimum of 11 hours travel time if nothing gets in his way. And if it does, he flies through it or around it.

Left to his own devices, the Japan-loving 750+ year-old foxiest divine messenger will protect that Millennium Tree sapling at all costs including his life. Once he reaches Kyoto, it is straight to the spirit world where Inari reigns to tell all. There, he will ask his lifelong patron deity what to do next with this holiest of saplings. If possible, he will visit and update Master Oran in the Shinto Temple at the Millennium Tree. After this, he will try to find some way to contact Kimi and Tula.

Because that is what Snowfall would do in-character. =)