Chapter Four: High Stakes

[Kaerri]

Spoiler: Valkyrie currently in Guardian mode

Elinor's character sheet
Action Points: 4/6

In the Valkyrie:
Initiative: +4 = +1 JKD, +2 MECT, +1 Valkyrie
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT

M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 170/350 M.D.C.

Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (21/25 bursts) (-1 this action)
- two sets (7/10 missiles total) of HEAP SRMs
- one set (5/5 missiles) of Fragmentation SRMs
- one set (15/15 mini-missiles) of HEAP minis

Elinor saw the triple-blast of the Beastmaster's plasma pistol, but despite her training and best efforts, the burning bolts seared into her Valkyrie's Main Body. The impact rocked her and Cera mercilessly. To her credit, Cera did not cry out like a human pilot might have, but instead gritted her teeth as if she had been punched.

Elinor's HUD politely and vibrantly informed her that her mech had been damaged. The test pilot inside of Elinor begged her to glance at the damage. With that glance, she saw just enough melted hypercarbon and smoke to know her Valkyrie was still holding strong and airworthy. For the time being...

A test pilot soon learns what damage to her craft can be ignored in favor of continuing the current flight profile, and what requires a landing so that ground teams can repair and prep for the next flight. Of course, different criteria apply when you're being shot at... Elinor's reaction to the hard impact of plasma bolts was much like Cera's, though her glance at the damage readout had turned her expression much more sober than normal. She kept all worry out of her voice (mental or otherwise), though. No sense worrying anyone until there was real trouble.

"Come... Come in. Cyg... Cygnus team? Uhhh..."

"Mack!" If Elinor's grin was less exuberant than it would have been before the hit she'd just taken, there was no mistaking the relief in her voice. "Glad to hear ya, ma'am. This guy's a real nasty sonofabitch, and damn lucky to boot, but we're holding on so far. If you happen to get this door open, watch out for his missiles. They're not computer-guided, there's a critter inside that steers 'em and mag-locks it to your hull so it can reach your cockpit." Mario and Toph's actions caught her attention about then. "Whoa, nice shots, guys! Damn precise, Mario!"

Elinor decided it was about time she made her own shots, and did so, firing her GU-11 once more at the Beastmaster. Cera had the missiles well in hand, so she didn't want to mess with those.

Which reminded her.. Privately to her gunner, she asked, "Hey, Cera? I haven't yet picked up any Zentraedi. Anything you guys are saying that I need to know, tell me? Sounds like y'all are just throwing mud, but if there's more than just taunts and insults, pass it on."

 

[Purr]

Elinor lined up the evading Beastmaster and took the shot. The 55mm rounds flew straight and true - the smoking, flaming Beastmaster swerved hard to avoid the blast...

... and Elinor's burst missed by mere feet.

 

[Psychie]

Toph is torn in her feelings. A part of her is very upset that Elinor missed her shot, but another part of her is exultant that she gets her chance to finish off the Beastmaster herself. It is a feeling that she has never felt before, and is not entirely sure where it is coming from. Through the Nexus, she sends the thought, "Everyone, watch yourselves! He has another missile primed and ready to launch! Be ready!" Privately, she is of the thought that of all of the possible targets, he will most likely aim at her with that deadly weapon, and she hopes that Cera can shoot it down before it hits. Her poor Ajax is not going to be able to take much more punishment.

Spoiler

Currently in Battloid mode

Toph's/Muppet's Ajax munitions:
2 / 15 Mini Fragmentation 5d6 MDC
0 / 15 Plasma/Heat 1d6x10 MDC
and 24 / 30 HEAP 1d4x10 MDC

Muppet's Ajax (170 / 400 M.D.C.)

Number of Attacks: 7
Strike: +12
Parry: +13
Dodge: +14/+18 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +4
Action Points: 4

 

[Sherwood]

Mario watches his readouts as they creep closer and closer to the red zone with more than a bit of anxiety. But, his training is keeping him from going into panic mode. "No worries on my part, LT. I expect that I'll have my hands full enough from those Regults, and I'm doing my best to hold my own." Soon, my main cannon will be cycled and ready to fire once more. Then I can start to lay down some hurt on these assholes!

Spoiler

APFSDS x 30/25 rounds (Range: 4 miles. 3D6x10 M.D.)
HEAT x 6/6 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D.)
MPAT x 6/5 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D. to a 50 foot radius)
Plasma x 6/6 rounds (Range: 1.5 miles. 2D8x10 M.D. to a 25 foot radius and an additional 4D8 M.D. per minute for 1D6+1 minutes

Main Body: 475 / 350
Left Shield: 500 / 390
Right Shield: 500 / 320

Currently in Battloid mode

In the Hover Tank
Number of Attacks: 8
Strike: +10 / +12 with the EU-11
Parry: +16
Dodge: +15 / +17 in Transport Mode from Combat Driving
Roll With Punch: +6
Disarm: +3
Pull Punch: +4
Initiative: +3
Action Points: 2 (2)

 

[Purr]

The lights blinked briefly on Toph's HUD informing her she was out of plasma missiles. Yet this was no cause to worry. There was indeed something inside Toph's fighting brain that yearned for the Beastmaster's destruction. Something deep within her inner being prowled in an irrational, yet perhaps instinctive, manner.

It was rage.

This feeling inside of her made several things certain. The Beastmaster had to die. She had to be the one to kill him, be it with missiles, guns, or her bare hands. If not her, then she had to witness his destruction with her own eyes. Absolute proof of his demise was a must.

As Toph focused on these sensations, she felt the taste of something familiar in her lips. It was blood. Her blood. Unconsciously, sometime during this combat, she had bit into her lower lip. At this discovery, these desires for the male's destruction threatened to grow from a great longing to an outright demand.

What Toph did with these feelings was up to her.

* * *​

"Good to hear from you, LT. I'd happily report in, but things are going a bit crazy right now, and I need to focus on not shooting Toph's mecha as I try to save her bacon."

"We're getting our butts kicked by six Regults and a Beastmaster in a modified MPA suit! This is not going well!" Toph does sincerely hope that Mario's good intentions to 'save' her from the Wargoth won't backfire on her.

"Mack!" If Elinor's grin was less exuberant than it would have been before the hit she'd just taken, there was no mistaking the relief in her voice.

Over the polyphonic nexus, the Wild Cards could feel Shirley's great relief washing over her. Though it had been a short time, Mack had clearly missed her squadmates. That she had been missed too by all of them made her feel good and either she did not, or could not, try to hide that in her current state. Her feelings at the moment were coming in a lot more clearly than her words. The Californian sounded as if she were coming out of a deep dream of the greatest magnitude.

Hearing that her beloved squad was in dire trouble made Shirley's stomach queasy. There was a brief feeling of helplessness followed by a struggling idea that tried to blossom forth like sunlight bursting through a raincloud. It was all Shirley could do to speak. When she did, she sounded like a woman struggling desperately to waken. Her words over the squadron channel, though filled with iron resolve, came between deep breaths as she tried to get more oxygen into her groggy brain.

"Sa-- Sam! The Cards are... in deep. This is it! So whatever... in blazes... you're gonna do... do it now!" Shirley paused. "I'll... pop the door... at your signal. Co-- copy?"

Two heartbeats later, there came the sound of a microphone being keyed twice. It was Spaceman Sam's reply and as any T.A.S.C. pilot could tell you, this was quick fighter pilot language for "O.K."

* * *​

Which reminded her.. Privately to her gunner, she asked, "Hey, Cera? I haven't yet picked up any Zentraedi. Anything you guys are saying that I need to know, tell me? Sounds like y'all are just throwing mud, but if there's more than just taunts and insults, pass it on."

"But Elly Nor, we are 'throwing' missiles, not mud?" Cera replied in a confused tone. Slang, even simple slang, was an element of culture that appeared beyond the reach of the newly-born Auxiliary Specialist's comprehension. "In case you misunderstand," she tried to explain, "Toph Kirin and the Beastmaster clone are exchanging promises of destruction. They are quickly on their way to becoming lifelong enemies, however long that lasts. I propose to you, Dentalla, that this is a ritual of sorts - one we Meltrandi must follow - for we exist to destroy the execrable Zentraedi!!"

 

[Psychie]

Toph fires off a glare at the Beastmaster as she feels her heart beating powerfully in her chest. "Mario, hold your fire until the Beastmaster fires his next Wargoth, then target it with your rifle. Do not fire on the Beastmaster. He is mine to deal with. Am I clear?" One way or another, the battle between the two of them will end with one of them in a body bag.

Spoiler

Currently in Battloid mode

Toph's/Muppet's Ajax munitions:
2 / 15 Mini Fragmentation 5d6 MDC
0 / 15 Plasma/Heat 1d6x10 MDC
and 24 / 30 HEAP 1d4x10 MDC

Muppet's Ajax (170 / 400 M.D.C.)

Number of Attacks: 7
Strike: +12
Parry: +13
Dodge: +14/+18 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +4
Action Points: 4

 

[Sherwood]

A part of Mario wants to argue the point - respectfully, of course - with Lt. Kirin, but the disciplined soldier in him slams that door shut with a quickness. He could recognize the Voice of Command from her, and knew that this was no time for a mere Corporal to verbalize any disagreements. With a bit of a gulp, he responds, "Crystal clear, ma'am. I'll hold my fire, and if the Beastmaster launches another Wargoth, I'll do my best to knock it out before impact." Just don't miss your shot, LT.

Spoiler

APFSDS x 30/25 rounds (Range: 4 miles. 3D6x10 M.D.)
HEAT x 6/6 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D.)
MPAT x 6/5 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D. to a 50 foot radius)
Plasma x 6/6 rounds (Range: 1.5 miles. 2D8x10 M.D. to a 25 foot radius and an additional 4D8 M.D. per minute for 1D6+1 minutes

Main Body: 475 / 350
Left Shield: 500 / 390
Right Shield: 500 / 320

Currently in Battloid mode

In the Hover Tank
Number of Attacks: 8
Strike: +10 / +12 with the EU-11
Parry: +16
Dodge: +15 / +17 in Transport Mode from Combat Driving
Roll With Punch: +6
Disarm: +3
Pull Punch: +4
Initiative: +3
Action Points: 2 (2)

 

[Kaerri]

It was Spaceman Sam's reply and as any T.A.S.C. pilot could tell you, this was quick fighter pilot language for "O.K."

Elinor didn't know any more than Mack what Sam was up to, but something was clearly in the wind. Better get ready for anything, she figured. If she was in his line-of-sight or flight path and needed to move, or if there was anything else she could do to help, she wanted to be ready do so.

"But Elly Nor, we are 'throwing' missiles, not mud?" Cera replied in a confused tone. Slang, even simple slang, was an element of culture that appeared beyond the reach of the newly-born Auxiliary Specialist's comprehension.

Elinor chuckled. "It's an analogy. Means you're trying to make them feel dirty, kind of, not actually be dirty."

"In case you misunderstand," she tried to explain, "Toph Kirin and the Beastmaster clone are exchanging promises of destruction. They are quickly on their way to becoming lifelong enemies, however long that lasts. I propose to you, Dentalla, that this is a ritual of sorts - one we Meltrandi must follow - for we exist to destroy the execrable Zentraedi!!"

Do not fire on the Beastmaster. He is mine to deal with. Am I clear?"

Elinor's eyebrows raised, but her only comment was to Cera. "Yeah, I'm getting that. Even half-Meltrandi get into that ritual, looks like!"

 

[Purr]

The towering alien warriors fought on. Bolstered by the Beastmaster and his relentless attacks, the five of six active Battle Pods lit the aerospace hangar alight again with their twin particle beam cannons. Their target was Mario.

Toph's words had come true. She saw the Beastmaster burning. His body-become-power-armor was red with flame and heavily trailing with smoke, but it only seemed to fuel his hate for her destruction. This time, he directed both his automatic grenade launcher and his wargoth-cannon on the T.A.S.C. pilot and her damaged aircraft.

The Beastmaster gnashed his teeth and stared at Toph with all the hate in his being. He roared at her. "Deceitful female! Dishonorable piece of trash! These micronians with you will watch you die!"

His chest-cannon roared. The wargoth-missile fired. Both with Toph in their crosshairs...

Elinor's eyebrows raised, but her only comment was to Cera. "Yeah, I'm getting that. Even half-Meltrandi get into that ritual, looks like!"

Cera had only one reply. "Toph Kirin's blood awakens, Dentalla!"

 

[Sherwood]

Mario sees the incoming fire and braces for the impact, keeping his eye on the Wargoth missile. I have to knock that out so Toph won't get blasted. She's counting on me to get the job done.

Spoiler

APFSDS x 30/25 rounds (Range: 4 miles. 3D6x10 M.D.)
HEAT x 6/6 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D.)
MPAT x 6/5 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D. to a 50 foot radius)
Plasma x 6/6 rounds (Range: 1.5 miles. 2D8x10 M.D. to a 25 foot radius and an additional 4D8 M.D. per minute for 1D6+1 minutes

Main Body: 475 / 250
Left Shield: 500 / 290
Right Shield: 500 / 230

Currently in Battloid mode

In the Hover Tank
Number of Attacks: 8
Strike: +10 / +12 with the EU-11
Parry: +16
Dodge: +15 / +17 in Transport Mode from Combat Driving
Roll With Punch: +6
Disarm: +3
Pull Punch: +4
Initiative: +3
Action Points: 2 (2)

 

[Purr]

Once again, Mario was assailed by a hail of giant particle beam fire. Inside his Veritech Hover Tank, Mario felt the shuddering impacts of their heavy blasts against his shields, but then there was the sudden and very-attention-getting experience of one twin-blast getting through and scoring against his tank's hull.

His tank skidded back from the force causing sparks from his mecha's feet to light the floor. The photograph of the dog hanging on the cockpit shook violently. More importantly, part of Mario's HUD flickered for just a moment, then relit back to full strength. It would take more than this to take the New Yorker out of the fight.

* * *​

The wargoth-missile fired and was in the air. The thing flew erratically at first, then straight on at Toph's Ajax.

That was until five laser blasts erupted from Mario's EU-11 and each hit it dead center. The resulting explosion was deafening and powerful enough to scatter debris and light wreckage all about the aerospace floor. But the Beastmaster was not the least bit annoyed. He had the micronian Ajax dead in his sights when he let his volley of grenades fly.

"Die, you honorless cretin!" The Beastmaster grinned and roared. "The waste my wargoths leave behind is worth more than you!"

Toph saw the burst of explosives heading right at her. Giving everything she had, she dodged - and was surrounded by a deadly airburst of grenades. The blasts shook her mech mercilessly, very nearly causing her to fly into another column, but when the smoke cleared, Toph's battered Ajax hovered in mid-air, intact and defiant. It was clear she had somehow, someway evaded every one of his grenades aimed on her.

Toph had tasted his worst - and lived to tell the tale.

It was just like the moment when she and Hitomi had been sparring. At first, there seemed to be no defense against Hitomi's pak sao, and perhaps at Toph's level of skill there yet wasn't, but what she had was just enough against the likes of the Zeki-Zentraedi Beastmaster's best. This she had just proven...

The Beastmaster, his hypercarbon hide smoking with damage, raged in disbelief. "WHAT?! THIS CANNOT BE!! WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO KILL YOU, MICRONIAN?!"

And in that moment, a song that Hitomi liked to play after class just popped into Toph's head...

Spoiler: Flash

"Flash" by Perfume. I think Toph (and Psychie) have earned some really good J-pop. Good going, Psychie! This Beastmaster officially hates Toph more than ever! =)

Meanwhile, a door on the far end of the aerospace hangar rose quietly. It was the door that the Wild Cards had used to enter the aerospace hangar; the blast door that had divided the squad. The Wild Cards noticed the dark corridor was clear and empty of mecha, human-made or otherwise. It seemed to hold only shadows.

It became Toph's turn to act. What does she do?

 

[Psychie]

Toph is only peripherally aware of Mario's sacrifice of his own safety to risk a shot to take down the incoming Wargoth aimed at her. "Good shooting, Corporal! Now, lets see if I can hold up my end of this firefight!" With a wordless scream of rage, she aims her arm mounted pulse laser at the Beastmaster and fires, letting it take along with it her hatred at this abomination.

Spoiler

Currently in Battloid mode

Toph's/Muppet's Ajax munitions:
2 / 15 Mini Fragmentation 5d6 MDC
0 / 15 Plasma/Heat 1d6x10 MDC
and 24 / 30 HEAP 1d4x10 MDC

Muppet's Ajax (170 / 400 M.D.C.)

Number of Attacks: 7
Strike: +12
Parry: +13
Dodge: +14/+18 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +4
Action Points: 3

 

[Sherwood]

Mario is getting more and more pissed off. "Damnit, Lieutenant! You have got to do better than this if you are going to take out that Beastmaster! And I can't take much more pounding on my armor before I go up in a blaze of light. At least my main gun is almost cool enough to fire again! But you have got to finish off that asshole before he and his Regult side kicks kill us all!"

Spoiler

APFSDS x 30/25 rounds (Range: 4 miles. 3D6x10 M.D.)
HEAT x 6/6 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D.)
MPAT x 6/5 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D. to a 50 foot radius)
Plasma x 6/6 rounds (Range: 1.5 miles. 2D8x10 M.D. to a 25 foot radius and an additional 4D8 M.D. per minute for 1D6+1 minutes

Main Body: 475 / 250
Left Shield: 500 / 290
Right Shield: 500 / 230

Currently in Battloid mode

In the Hover Tank
Number of Attacks: 8
Strike: +10 / +12 with the EU-11
Parry: +16
Dodge: +15 / +17 in Transport Mode from Combat Driving
Roll With Punch: +6
Disarm: +3
Pull Punch: +4
Initiative: +3
Action Points: 2 (2)

 

[Psychie]

With an angry snarl, Toph replies, "Gee, you think so, Corporal? Soooo glad you pointed that out to me!"

 

[Kaerri]

Spoiler: Valkyrie currently in Guardian mode

Elinor's character sheet
Action Points: 4/6

In the Valkyrie:
Initiative: +4 = +1 JKD, +2 MECT, +1 Valkyrie
Number of Attacks: 6 (+4 JKD, +2 MECT)
Ranged Strike: +9 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems
Ranged Strike with GU-11 gun pod: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 Valkyrie, +1 Weapon Systems, +1 GU-11
Missiles will have their own Strike which is generally 4 = +3 missile, +1 Weapon Systems
Melee Strike: +10 = +4 PP, +2 JKD, +2 MECT, +2 Valkyrie
Parry: +12 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic Parry (Jeet Kune Do)
Dodge: +15 while flying = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
--Automatic dodge while flying
Auto dodge while flying in fighter mode: +16 = +4 PP, +3 JKD, +1 Athletics, +2 Combat Flying, + 2 MECT, +4 Valkyrie
Roll with impact: +10 while flying = +1 Athletics, +2 Gymnastics, +3 Combat Flying, +1 MECT, +3 Valkyrie
Disarm: +1 = +4 PP, +1 MECT
Pull punch: +6 = +4 PP, +2 MECT

M.D.C. by Location
*Sensor Head – 100
Arms (2) – 125 each
Hands (2) – 50 each
Utility Arms (3 in right forearm) – 10 each
Legs (2) – 150 each
Feet/Vectored Thrust Nozzles (2) – 100 each
**Wings (2) – 150 each
***Vertical Stabilizers (2) – 75 each
Head Weapons (1A has 1, 1J has 2, 1R has 3, 1S has 4) – 50 each
GU-11 Gun Pod – 150
Wing Hardpoints (2 each) – 20 each
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment – 175
****Main Body – 170/350 M.D.C.

Valkyrie munitions:
- GU-11 Gun Pod (21/25 bursts)
- two sets (7/10 missiles total) of HEAP SRMs
- one set (5/5 missiles) of Fragmentation SRMs
- one set (15/15 mini-missiles) of HEAP minis

"Cool it, folks," Elinor advised in a tone as calm as she could make it. "Fight the bad guys, not each other. And Mario, get yourself back in cover before you get hit again."

The empty hallway behind them beckoned, but Elinor figured there was no chance of getting Toph to leave before this jerk-face was dead, plus there'd probably be a mutiny in her own cockpit. Besides, if they could only land a few on these guys, they'd be toast! Besides again, Mack and Sam were up to something, and without knowing what, all she could do was hold up her end of the fight while they did whatever it was they were doing.

Zentraedi/Meltrandi rituals could wait, Elinor decided. Luck hadn't favored them too much so far, and she wasn't going to count on it now. Keeping her sights on the Beastmaster, she fired her GU-11 once more. She'd come so close last time!

 

[Purr]

Toph's dodge was a thing of miracles, but her counter-attack was fired a second too soon and she knew it the moment are ion blasts left her barrel. Toph only managed to pulverize a far wall with her strike.

BRRRRRRRRT!

Unfortnately, history repeated itself for Elinor. Her GU-11 burst came close, very close, but with an aerobatic dodge that seemed right out of Elinor's own playbook, the Beastmaster once again eluded Elinor's rounds. Instead, the burst pummeled a pillar, turning it into a smoking ruin in a matter of seconds.

He taunted Elinor with a mocking grin. "You fail yet again, incompetent micronian! You are as much a failure as your ruined, doomed planet! Ha ha ha!"

Then he turned his rapid-fire plasma pistol on Toph and loosed. Searing bolts of destruction flew at Toph. "Roast in pain, fool! I shall see you dead yet!"

 

[Purr]

Spoiler: Mood Music

"Trip Like I Do" by The Crystal Method

What Toph currently lacked in weapon accuracy, she still made up for in defensive abilities. She smoothly maneuvered her Ajax battloid out of the path of the crimson superheated plasma bolts and for a moment, she could watch them harmlessly fly by like little comets. They exploded behind her somewhere.

"Blast you, worthless female!" The Beastmaster seethed and shook his fist at her. But then something caught his heartless alien eyes and forced them off of Toph for a moment. "What is this?"

Down the corridor, from beyond the recently-raised blast door, came a great series of bright shining lights. They were clear and white and absolutely blinding. Along with it came a great, mechanical roaring sound. The source of these sensations moved into the aerospace hangar and stood just outside the doorway, illuminated by the hangar's remaining lamps and the fires that dotted your battlefield. It was the Super Tomahawk.

Hovering as if on a great, invisible cloud of air, the heavily modified, shining destroid stood facing the hangar bay doors that closed you off from the outside and the blessed freedom beyond.

The Beastmaster and his Battle Pods saw this spectacle and staggered. This sight visibly shook them save for the stunned pilot still on the deck. The Beastmaster spoke as if reciting something the Zeki-Zentraedi knew well. "The... the key to the Broadsword..." Then he stopped abruptly before he finished the sentence.

But then you heard Cera's voice in your minds. Through the intimate and private state that was the polyphonic nexus, she finished as if she too were reciting. "The key to the Broadsword... is the key to the Maelstrom!"

"No, no!" The Beastmaster pointed at the Super Tomahawk. He shouted in Zentraedi "My lord! The key is active! It is impossible, but it moves!" He listened for but a moment and then reacted. He ordered his Battle Pods fiercely. "Destroy the key! Destroy it now!"

From behind the Super Tomahawk, another great and thundering sound could be heard - the screaming sound of Valkyrie engines. The candy-apple Red Baroness soared past the destroid and into the aerospace hangar with a vengeance. Her Valkyrie was in Guardian mode; her GU-11 training on the Beastmaster that was in the process of putting her squadmate into a position of, as Toph had put it, "getting their butts kicked."

Over the squadron channel and loudspeakers, you heard Shirley's voice - and she was pissed. She snarled in womanly fury at the Beastmaster.

"Back off from my Wild Cards, you son of a bitch!!"

Over the polyphonic nexus, Shirley offered. "Muppet! I can try and gun him, but you called him as your kill! Do I take the shot?"

How does Toph respond?

 

[Psychie]

Only a brief moment of indecision crosses over her, then the more reasonable Human side of her comes forward and reminds her of her responsibilities as a member of a team, not just as a solo pilot grabbing for glory on her own. "Do it! Take him out as fast as you can! He's exceptionally dangerous, and the sooner he's dead, the sooner we can clean up the rest of these bastards!" Still, it would have felt damn good to know that she was able to do it on her own....

Spoiler

Currently in Battloid mode

Toph's/Muppet's Ajax munitions:
2 / 15 Mini Fragmentation 5d6 MDC
0 / 15 Plasma/Heat 1d6x10 MDC
and 24 / 30 HEAP 1d4x10 MDC

Muppet's Ajax (170 / 400 M.D.C.)

Number of Attacks: 7
Strike: +12
Parry: +13
Dodge: +14/+18 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +4
Action Points: 3

 

[Purr]

Shirley nodded and gritted her teeth. She had no idea what a Beastmaster was or why this alien warrior seemed to be part of his machine as opposed to just being the pilot of it. All she knew was that it seemed badly damaged and still her squadron considered it a great threat.

Shirley closed in on it fast. she wanted his attention solely on her. She felt she could ponder later what it wanted with Spaceman Sam and the Super Tomahawk.

"Another ridiculous female!" the Beastmaster rolled his eyes, but soon he was engaged in a close range furball. Shirley's GU-11 thundered. The Beastmaster's grenade launcher roared. Yet neither combatant scored on the other.

Still, Shirley had gotten what she was after; he was going after her.

The Battle Pods turned their cannons from Mario and toward the Super Tomahawk. The Zeki-Zentraedi inside did not understand why they had been ordered to change targets. But, then again, they had been created only to obey and destroy.

Once again, it was Mario's turn. Finally, his tank's main gun was ready to fire again. What does he do?

 

[Sherwood]

With the green light flashing on his HUD, Mario has a predatory grin. About damn time that cannon cooled off enough to fire again! Lets score me some more kills. Flipping the lever to switch back into his Tank mode to ready his main gun for action once more. Kicking in his external speakers, he shouts, "Tankers for the win! HOOORAH!" With that, he fires a Silver Bullet at the nearest Regult, hoping for a catastrophic kill.

Spoiler

APFSDS x 30/24 rounds (Range: 4 miles. 3D6x10 M.D.)
HEAT x 6/6 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D.)
MPAT x 6/5 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D. to a 50 foot radius)
Plasma x 6/6 rounds (Range: 1.5 miles. 2D8x10 M.D. to a 25 foot radius and an additional 4D8 M.D. per minute for 1D6+1 minutes

Main Body: 475 / 250
Left Shield: 500 / 290
Right Shield: 500 / 230

Currently in Tank mode

In the Hover Tank
Number of Attacks: 8
Strike: +10 / +12 with the EU-11
Parry: +16
Dodge: +15 / +17 in Transport Mode from Combat Driving
Roll With Punch: +6
Disarm: +3
Pull Punch: +4
Initiative: +3
Action Points: 2 (2)

 

[Psychie]

Toph is feeling rage unlike anything she has ever felt before. She has taken pride in her life that she has worked tirelessly to save lives, and there are many people on this Earth that would be dead if it were not for her surgical skills. But now, she is filled with the need to kill this abomination. This time, it has to end it. Without a word, she pulls the trigger on the pulse weapon, hoping to hit her hated foe.

Spoiler

Currently in Battloid mode

Toph's/Muppet's Ajax munitions:
2 / 15 Mini Fragmentation 5d6 MDC
0 / 15 Plasma/Heat 1d6x10 MDC
and 24 / 30 HEAP 1d4x10 MDC

Muppet's Ajax (170 / 400 M.D.C.)

Number of Attacks: 7
Strike: +12
Parry: +13
Dodge: +14/+18 to Auto Dodge While Flying
Roll: +7
Initiative: +4
Action Points: 3

 

[Purr]

With that, he fires a Silver Bullet at the nearest Regult, hoping for a catastrophic kill.

Unfortunately, the only thing to die is another heavily-damaged Gnerl aerospace fighter. Mario's round flies right past the Battle Pod and scores a direct hit on the fighter, blowing it to smithereens and displaying yet again the striking power of the Silver Bullet.

But now, she is filled with the need to kill this abomination. This time, it has to end it. Without a word, she pulls the trigger on the pulse weapon, hoping to hit her hated foe.

Mario and Elinor's firing on the arrogant Beastmaster had distracted the Zeki-Zentraedi to his limits, but Shirley's highly-aggressive intervention and the near-melee closeness of her red Valkyrie exceed that limit. Before the Beastmaster knew it, Toph had a shot lined up on him, even given the strange luck of the battle. Crosshairs locked on him, Toph pulled the trigger.

Distracted as the damaged Beastmaster was, he turned toward Toph's blast and tried too late to react. He saw her shining ion pulse flying at his face.

"NOOO!" he trembled. "NOT TO A FEMALE!! NOT TO A FE--"

The Beastmaster's fiery end was a sight to be seen. As his bio-armor erupted, his remaining wargoth-missiles detonated too. Shirley pulled back and out of the blasts and raced back toward her team.

"Zentraedi leader blown to bits!" she shouted over the squadron channel to celebrate the kill over a recorded channel. "That was one hell of a kill, Muppet! Let's have that one painted on your Ajax!"

Cera raised her fist so high and hard, it smacked Elinor's canopy. Still, the Ura-Meltrandi did not wince from it. Her cheer for Toph's kill came from her very soul. "Go to oblivion forever, you honorless... JERK-FAAACE!!"

With their leader destroyed, the five active Battle Pods staggered and spread out in confusion.

It was Elinor's turn. What does she do?

 

[Kaerri]

Elinor was just as loud as her gunner, and for the same reason. "Yeah! Way to go, Toph!" A grin spread over her face as she watched Beastmaster-bits spread out across the battlefield.

Now for the mopping-up. Elinor turned her sights on the nearest Battle Pod and let loose a burst. "Fox five," she called, remembering to do it over the Nexus this time.

 

[Purr]

The Battle Pods were nearly motionless. Elinor guided her targeting reticle until it was upon one of them and then squeezed the trigger. With a great muzzle blaze, her GU-11 fired and hit the pod she was aiming for! It's new-looking armor seemed about half-ruined after her 55mm explosive rounds smashed into it.

This attack woke the pods up. Immediately, their turrets began to swerve and target randomly. They moved as if confused and off-center.

All of a sudden, another great clamor took place in the Zeki-Zentraedi aerospace hangar! What alarms and lights had not been destroyed began to blare and flare and create a bay-wide scene of alert. The last time this had occurred, the launch doors, that immense quartet of spaceworthy barriers, had opened for War-queen Taniya and her crew of deadly females.

Now the Wild Cards could see those tremendous portals, each the size of large human buildings, sliding open. In but scant moments, the Wild Cards once again saw the Floridian night sky outside - the very skies humanity had been warring over against Lord Dolza's Zentraedi all these years.

Cera appeared confused when she saw it. Shirley broke into a smile, for she knew freedom when she saw it.

"Right on time!" Shirley exclaimed over the squadron channel.

"Indeed, Leader Mack?" asked Cera.

"Yes ma'am! I told the computer I Traversed to open about now and it's done it's part! Let's drop that last bomb and get out of here! Mario? You ready?"

But as the Wild Cards continued the battle against the Zentraedi pods, it was Mario who noticed something altogether different about the skies outside. For one thing, they were clearly very high up. How high, he could not tell, but it seemed it was not a healthy drop for anything that could not fly.

The New Yorker strained his eyes against the skies. They seemed odd somehow. There was a distortion in the air, the kind one sees when the air is extremely hot or there are clouds of nigh-invisible gasoline fumes about. That distortion was far too large to be created by a single mecha, and yet there it was, just outside the alien starship about 200 yards out, if the tanker had to guess.

None of his fellow teammates had spotted it, and perhaps it was nothing, but it appeared to Mario that he was the only one in his present company to have noticed it at all.

If he was going to say something about it or let it go, that time was now...

 

[Sherwood]

Mario looks out, feeling that something was wrong, but not knowing what. "Hold on, LT! Check my eyes, but I think something is wrong with the sky!"

Spoiler

APFSDS x 30/24 rounds (Range: 4 miles. 3D6x10 M.D.)
HEAT x 6/6 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D.)
MPAT x 6/5 rounds (Range: 2.2 miles. 2D6x10 M.D. to a 50 foot radius)
Plasma x 6/6 rounds (Range: 1.5 miles. 2D8x10 M.D. to a 25 foot radius and an additional 4D8 M.D. per minute for 1D6+1 minutes

Main Body: 475 / 250
Left Shield: 500 / 290
Right Shield: 500 / 230

Currently in Tank mode

In the Hover Tank
Number of Attacks: 8
Strike: +10 / +12 with the EU-11
Parry: +16
Dodge: +15 / +17 in Transport Mode from Combat Driving
Roll With Punch: +6
Disarm: +3
Pull Punch: +4
Initiative: +3
Action Points: 2 (2)