EVENT ★ THE BATTLE FOR OSKA

[futurologists]

THE BATTLE FOR OSKA A message is sent to teams Audentes, Unicorn, and Ambrosia via magitek early in the morning, alerting all users to expect to be rifted back to Oska in three hours. Shortly after that comes a message from the Queen of Terra Felis, requesting that recruits stop by the palace briefly to receive her blessing. Any recruits who oblige her will find that her blessing is actually a very physical gift: a feeling of peace that washes over each person as soon as they step into the palace. This feeling will persist for the next 12 hours, and comes with a boost to either strength or speed for the duration of it. It's the Queen's way of wishing her departing guests good luck. Then comes the rift, and finally, Oska. ARRIVAL Oska isn't doing well. The devastation is immediately apparent in the blistered and blackened stone of the castle, completely blasted apart in some areas. Plantlife about the castle has been completely shredded, entire trees reduced to splintered stumps. The area recruits are rifted into is temporarily safe, guarded by team Mariposa, all of them of a large, fiercely warlike species, each heavily armed. There are only five of them, but that's enough to defend the little corner of Oska set up to receive the incoming teams. The largest, most battle-scarred member of Mariposa issues no orders, but fills arrivals in on the situation: there are several models of robots focusing on the destruction of the castle. Hear that distant, repetitive thud? The largest robots, the 15-foot (457cm) models, area busy hammering at an interior wall, trying to break into the Mechanical Room. They're the main priority -- but don't lose track of the flanking and defensive models, they're there to cause whatever carnage they can while the largest ones tear down the castle itself. Basically, take out every robot you see, as fast as you can. Those who can't fight have another, even more important job. There are defense nodes scattered throughout Oska, some inside the castle, some outside, even some in the village. These are small panels that blend in with the scenery. They each need to be opened up and rebooted with an access code put in via number pad. When every single node has been rebooted, the cloaking device will fully activate throughout this entire dimension, getting it permanently off of Zymandis's radar once more. Any recruit who volunteers for this job will have a map of each node location sent to their magitek. The robots don't seem to realize the importance of these nodes and usually ignore them, but will attack anyone they see working at one. OPPONENTS The biggest models are the PW15s; with sledgehammers at the end of their arms, they're programmed just to break down and tear apart foundation. They're currently working on busting their way into the Mechanical Room, where the TIMELINE.exe is kept. They must be stopped. Without the TIMELINE.exe, ALASTAIR is left aimless and adrift. These machines work ceaselessly at their task, and can only be distracted by focusing temporarily on a target right in front of them. Otherwise, they will ignore any attacks on them and keep working on the wall in front of them until they are torn apart themselves. PW15s are guarded by the Shielders. These are the basic eight-foot (245cm) models, but each comes with a large light shield it will use to defend itself and the PW15s. They stay behind these impenetrable shields and fire lasers from safety, but don't have very advanced programming. They will swivel around to face their target, leaving themselves open to attacks from behind. Tag teaming these robots is very effective. Airbombers can be tricky to navigate, as these robots fly. They're light and fast, but shots from their canons don't do much more than issue small but severe burns. The real danger is in letting one get directly overhead, as once it has done so it will release two to six bombs, which do great damage to people and property upon impact. The last model to look out for is the T15, which is small but tenacious. These are no bigger than a large dog, and will scuttle quickly forward until they've spotted a target. At that point they plant themselves and begin to fire a concentrated beam of laser at whatever they've spotted until it has stopped moving. These models have very simple programming and few defenses, but are impossible to dissuade from firing while their target is still in sight. They have no sense of object permanence, though, and even ducking behind scenery will confuse one into thinking it's eliminated its target. THE FIGHT The arrival of the three teams from Terra Felis do a lot to tip the scales in Oska's favor, but the fight still rages for a full day after their arrival. Team Kittypaw can be seen engaging throughout the grounds -- Uruz and Dagny fiercely defend the stables and the squidge garden, and are tired but nowhere near ready to give up. Cassie leads attacks into robot-heavy areas with gun-blazing gusto and seems to be having the time of her life, but even her energy isn't unlimited. Cherenkov and Crowley are on defense node duty, and can be spotted as a black or white streak on their way to activate the next node, avoiding the bulk of the fighting. Anyone who needs a break will be instructed to visit the library. Not even the robots are a match for the librarians, who have made it their utmost priority to ensure that nothing unauthorized sets foot among the books. Food and pillows have been brought in, and the area can be used as a base for resting and refueling between fights. Between fending off robots, the librarians will still warily scrutinize anyone eating or drinking too close to a book. They've allowed it, but don't push your luck and get messy. The fight drags on for almost a full, exhausting 24 hours, but just as dawn begins to come to the little scrap of Oska's dimension, a shimmering races briefly through the sky as the last defense node is rebooted and the shield is reactivated. Any remaining robots jolt and then go still, permanently offline. (Friendly robots might also feel a jolt, but are spared any damage thanks to careful programming.) The collective teams of ALASTAIR finally have a moment to breathe and relax. The fight is over. AFTERMATH There is a lot to rebuild and, unfortunately, some mourning to do. Services for those fallen in the fight will be held the following day. They are quick but heartfelt affairs, with friends of the downed recruits speaking a few words about what will be most remembered and missed about their comrades. Overall, though, the mood is grimly triumphant -- they've just managed to fend off Zymandis, after all. Or at least, a fraction of Zymandis. There are quite a few murmurs of gratitude for the shields being restored in time to stop anything bigger from finding them. The castle begins to slowly rebuild itself, rocks teetering their way back into place and tapestries slowly restitching themselves. Left to its own devices, it would probably take several years of this for the castle to fully restore itself. It very obviously appreciates recruits lending a hand to rebuilding, though. Suits of armor will bring workers little trinkets of gratitude, or food from the kitchen, which produces it in generous heaps. The castle's rebuilding efforts will even focus a little more strongly on the rooms of anyone helping out, down to any personal effects that were damaged in the fight or otherwise. Welcome home, Audentes. Rebuilding will last for the full three weeks given until their next mission, and still won't be complete by the time they ship out. But still, try to relax before your next trip out. OOC NOTES This log will last ICly and OOCly for three weeks (with the initial battle lasting one day), with the next mission beginning on 21 May. Please use this post to plot amongst yourselves! The other ALASTAIR teams in Oska at the moment are Unicorn and Ambrosia, who were with Audentes in Terra Felis, Kittypaw, Mariposa, who greeted the new arrivals, and Kraken, a 10-recruit team made of various aquatic and amphibious species who use the lake as their home base during the fight. More teams will be rifting in to help with reconstruction, after the battle is over. Questions about this log can be directed here. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ. You may also submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Comments

[dishearten]

( it is a great deal easier to move with the heavy suit of metal helping in the process, yet there might not be a perfectly painless way to get a huge block of metal back into the arch it has been knocked from. still, for all the hefting, once they get the rock close enough it snugs into place, almost seeming grateful for the aide. Graham pats at the block, a little bemused by the magic but glad to see the castle slowly slotting back together all the same. )

Yeah? What's stopping you now?

( it's not a challenge, or taunting, just curiosity. honestly he doesn't know that much about Emma's magic, despite the fact she has it, and that she is a savior capable of breaking the darkest curse their world has ever known. he's only seen flashes here or there, even Emma herself seems reluctant to bring up what she can do, so since she's brought it up he doesn't see the harm in asking. )

[sheriffing]

[ the castle's no different than the suits of armor, is it? they get handed little tokens of appreciation for their efforts, as if this place wants to be whole again. the magic doesn't surprise her, maybe it just reminds her of how much she could do if she tried a little harder with an ability she's resisted using more often than not.

so it's fitting that Graham asks what he does, because she's never sure how much to say about magic. it's not as if he's seen the power of good as often as he's been hurt by the darkness. magic is a weapon he's had used against him in the past. she knows he wouldn't think of her that way, but the association there makes things a little more complicated.

she glances up, silent for a moment before she settles on the simplest version of the truth.]

I guess I don't really think of myself as... magical. And we both know it's a power thing to fool around with.

[dishearten]

( it's a fair concern, though Graham can't be particularly heated about most things without a heart. perhaps that makes his bias against magic even more remarkable, though — even heartless, he's made a clear point of avoiding magic wherever he can. rationally, he understands that magic is not inherently evil, and that it could be used and wielded for good. however, when the cost of magic could often be quite catastrophic, even for 'good' magic... it always seems wiser not to tempt fate.

still, it feels a bit wrong to try and suggest Emma ignore a part of herself. Graham doesn't understand magic, yet nothing about Emma could possibly be horrible, and there's no one he'd trust more with it. )

It might be more dangerous not to know what you're capable of. We never know what we'll be up against. ( a slight offering, though it's clear he won't try to force Emma's hand either way. it's just a thought. )

[sheriffing]

[ he has a point. she might be afraid of what she is, but she's also afraid of it catching them off guard. the last time her magic kicked in out of nowhere it saved her life, but next time who knows what it will do?

she's done enough experimenting to know that her abilities work here, it's not as if they're in a land without magic or ALASTAIR has done anything to limit her. somehow having that control makes her more inclined to guard her abilities than to use them. if she screws this up, it's all on her.] I've thought about it.

[ she's thought about it a lot, yet she's not entirely sure how far to go without someone coaching her. magic works differently in every world, it's not like she's going to find someone familiar with hers.] I can never decide which is worse. Testing my magic and braving the price, or leaving things the way they are.

[ it's a question without outright asking him what he thinks of it. she won't push, but she might like to know.]

[dishearten]

( the brick back into its proper place, the suit of armor leaves them, probably to find some more pressing matter to devote itself to. Graham himself doesn't rush off; while he can't exactly feel as weary as he should, he still tries to pace himself with the awareness that there's only so much the human body can take. having Emma near does give him a glimmer of awareness, soreness in muscles he rarely notices on his own. it's a good enough hint not to push too far.

taking a breather allows him a moment to consider the conundrum she's facing. it is not one he can claim to be an expert on, yet he can hear the unspoken question in her tone. Graham is willing to give her what he thinks when she asks for it; it's a nice freedom to be allowed to share his thoughts, after all. it does require him to think about how he should respond before he does, though the silence is not uncomfortable as he dusts off his hands and lets himself chew over the idea. )

You are the product of true love. In our world, there is nothing stronger, or more beautiful. ( he's heard stories of it, he's seen the power of it, and he's even felt the touch of it, he thinks, though that's a dangerous line of thinking. ) It's a part of you, Emma. Ignoring it would be like ignoring the blonde in your hair, or the freckles on your cheeks. I think that would be more dangerous, to pretend it doesn't exist, than finding how to master it.

[sheriffing]

[ she's a little grateful for those few moments before he answers. it means what Graham has to say isn't strictly to make her feel better about her magic, or to support her because he might feel like he's supposed to. if the awareness of all that he's seen makes her nervous to go too far in using her abilities, it also makes his perspective an honest one. knowing all she might be capable of, does he still think it's something she should pursue?

it seems like he does, and the breath she releases with that agreement seems to lessen the weight on her shoulders. being magical is oddly terrifying for someone like her, yet he breaks it down into something more manageable. she can handle blonde hair and freckles more easily than she can embrace the idea that she's like the wizards she used to read about.

but then she catches up to everything he's said and she's struck by how sweet a sentiment that is.] Thank you. [ not for agreeing with her, but for putting it in terms that don't leave her fearing the worst of this. instinct brings her closer before she can think anything of it at all, and even though they're not shut away from the rest of their teammates behind a self-locking door, she doesn't resist the gentle affection she wants to offer him for being there for her.

it's just a kiss, not even on the lips. her lips press to the scruff against his cheek, where she's grown used to the scratch of a beard that almost requires the start of a smile. she's not sure if they do this, it's not something they've discussed, but it gets harder and harder to hold back with him.]

I'll think about it. I guess it wouldn't hurt to look into what resources we do have around here.

[dishearten]

For what? ( there's a small line in his brow as he looks at her, though judging his expression he's not terribly put out by the offering, even if he is quite genuine in not knowing what he did to deserve any thanks. Graham is more than aware they're not in a quiet place, or beyond a closed door that could afford them some margin of privacy when she moves closer.

he doesn't do anything to stop her, though, as she presses her lips to a cheek that is far too scruffy these days. he ought to work on that. there's a tug upward at the corner of his mouth as he glances down at her, clearly forgiving of the possibility of public eye. for Graham, it has never been a secret he holds for himself. he can handle a kiss to the cheek in public, if she wants to offer one. )

There are a few with magic on the team. Loki might be able to aide you. ( kind of funny, that Graham would suggest a god of mischief; but at least the younger one, he trusts well enough with someone so very important. ) Whatever you do, be careful. You're a sum of your parts, Emma Swan, not a fraction of them. ( yes, her magic was a part of her, but that didn't make it of more value than anything else. like her blonde hair and dusting of freckles, for example. all of her was important, at least to this Huntsman. )

[sheriffing]

[ she looks down for a moment at his question, smile only growing wider with the understanding that he doesn't know what she's grateful for. it's a different perspective, one where having magic doesn't feel like the end of the world or the only advantage she might have around here. he could have gone in another direction; shut it down because of what he's been through, encouraged her to keep her from being afraid. neither one of those sounds like something Graham would do, instead he's helping her to sort through the possibility of seeing where this leads.

he even has a suggestion, even if she blinks for a moment at the name he offers up to her.] Loki? [ the Loki who's been here for forever, or the one who came later? she got a weapon from the former for being a pain in the ass, but the latter is easier to talk to and yet... questionable, at best. Graham has to know one of them better than she does, he's more of a team player with the members of Audentes.]

You know I'd be careful. [ which is why that name is something of a surprise. once the shock passes, it's a little easier to manage.] I'd have you looking out for me, too. [ it's a small step in the right direction for her to admit she'd rather not go down this road alone. she'd like to pretend she knows exactly what she's doing, but in the event that she doesn't, well. they agreed to a partnership. if there's one person she can count on around here, it's him.]

[dishearten]

The younger one. ( though, perhaps it'd be more fair to say the younger looking one. Graham has met them both, helped the elder find his way to Oska after the transporter had deposited him in the wrong place at first. they both had an overwhelming amount of magic, enough to intimidate a man that had been on the wrong end of too much of it, yet the one he'd known longer seemed slightly more unselfish with it.

not selfless, mind. but that was certainly an important quality to win even a slight token of faith from Graham. ) Beyond his antics, he's trying to be better than he was. I suspect he could help you, though you might need patience to get through his nonsense. ( which was such a loving thing to say, really, though Graham doesn't seem to be catty about it. just matter-of-fact. one has to deal with a lot of nonsense when you're dealing with a Loki. )

I don't know you would, extreme caution doesn't seem to always be your strongest suit. Have no fear, though, I intend to give you ample reminders ( however, that one is definitely teasing, as he offers her a quirk of smirk to cement it. she might always be a bit of a bull in a china shop, but Graham seems to like that about her. and yes, despite his teasing, he does know she'd be careful. they both knew the weight magic could carry, it would be foolish to pretend it wasn't something to be considerate of. ) Suppose you're doomed to that, indeed. ( such a bitter fate, isn't it, to have a huntsman glooming around watching out for her... poor Emma. )