[System]
Age:
17
Height:
5'7
Weight:
140lb
Personality:
Very social, straightforward, and friendly. A good way to describe her general attitude to friends and strangers alike would be "Hello, here I am, and I'm here to have a good time." She posses a naturally reasonable and skeptical mind, leaning more to thinking things through and strategically navigating social scenes rather than simply blurting things out. On a more personal level, she is much more depressed and hopeless, feeling like she is helplessly getting trampled by the march of time.

Fighting Style:
Doesn't stick to any particular art of any sort as fighting has never really been part of her life in any real way. She knows enough for self defense, however, and is not completely incompetent. She fights more like a soldier than a competitor, aiming to truly damage and disable, rather than bring the opponent to submission. This means she is very withheld to the idea of competitive fighting, as all she knows is to hurt and kill, not simply fight. For example, any hair pulling, palm punching, crotch shots, and other forms of "dirty" fighting are all good in her book. It's saved her life on one occasion.

Martial Arts:
No real formal art or training. Simply skills taught by both her father and her grandfather for defending herself.

History:
Born in the United States as a first generation American. Her mother and father were German immigrants who were trying to get away from their troubled families. From an early age, Avis loved aircraft and flying. All she ever wanted to do was play with toy airplanes, go to airshows, and ride in planes. As she got older, she immediately joined a Civil Air Patrol squadron nearby, and rose quickly in the ranks. There, even at the young age of 11, she got to fly her first plane. It was a small Cessna, but she was absolutely thrilled nonetheless. She didn't care too much for the military aspect of it, but did enjoy the outdoor activities it provided her. Sadly, this dream of a life was quickly crushed.

Her parents died horribly in a car accident as they were driving to pick her up from her CAP meeting. They met a slow, painful death in the hospital with Avis there to watch. She was moved to her Uncle's home, by now being sixteen years old. He was some sort of salesperson and was rarely home, hell, he wasn't even home to help her unpack, or even be at the funeral. Avis had simply become some sort of vague entity that existed there, rather than an actual niece living there in the eyes of her Uncle. To his workaholic, greedy head, Avis soon became an annoyance. Soon they moved to Japan where her Uncle's company was based out of, and there her Uncle tossed Avis into the first boarding school available... and that school was Shinjuku Academy.

Thus with only knowing a little bit of Japanese, having a German-American accent, and hair that went from blond to light grey when she was eight, her troubles only grew.

Dreams and Fears:
Avis's dream is to one day become a flight instructor or stunt pilot, as flying is the only time when she is truly happy in life.

Her greatest fear is time. She constantly deals with, and suppresses the dark truths of time that fill her mind. Whether it be the gradually shrinking chances of obtaining her dreams or the inevitability of her demise, time always seems to be an enemy to her.....

On a less metaphysical note, she also has an irrational fear of open water.

Other:
The Civil Air Patrol is essentially the US Air Force's version of boy scouts, only its open to everyone and let's you try flying planes and such. Google them if you're curious! :D

[User]
There are all kinds of schools; Elementary schools, Middle schools, High schools, Colleges, Art schools, Acting schools, Engineering schools.... and then there is Shinjuku Academy, known for its impressive graduates and its dedicated students and staff but locally known, as the Ryozanpaku, a school for fighters, the ultimate fighting school. It was a fairly large school. Large enough to hold a few usable dojos right of the dorms and a reasonably size area for mass training sessions behind the dojos. It also held its own arena that it used for competitions, such as Iron Fist Competition. It was Monday and the start of a new year, which meant for the resident students, the freshmen's Initiation Week. Though called the "initiation week", it was more or less a one day ceremony and then four days of testing the freshies' skills and abilities to see if they could handle the pressures this school put on them. For most of the school, students were in their classes or dojos; Studying up on their Art's history and some of the other basic classes, or practicing their katas and sparing with their classmates.

Elsewhere in the school, down the hall from the senior classrooms was a room with an oak door with a small plaque that read in an obsidian colored font "Student Government". Inside was beautifully decorated. Its Japanese tradition flooring and interior doors but with its décor of a more modern flare. In there sat a young man at an oak desk near the window that overlooked the entrance of the school. He wore a grey collared long sleeved shirt that was neatly pressed. On his shirt sat his patch that was a combination of the Taiwanese and Japanese flag intersecting each other. Two gold bars rested over the flags etched in with small print "SGP" for student government president. His shirt tucked into a crisp pair of black pants with polished dress shoes. His legs crossing over each other as his hand supported his head on the armrest. His bright amber eyes leering down at the newly arriving freshmen. Freshmen, The runt of the litter. They have the most to prove out of the entire school so they must move quicker and hit harder than anyone else if they want to make it so its no surprise that freshman are the first to be jumped or bullied, specifically during the Freshman initiation week. Some of the newcomers were laughing and joking with others, some with a nervous look and others just with this look of indifference about the new school. He knew what today meant and he resented it. He knew that he, as well as the student government would have to introduce the new students to the school. He turned his head towards the rest of the room where the student government sat, still watching the students roll in for the start of the new year. His stare only intensified as he heard the intercom give its traditional ring before the head of the school began his announcement for the inevitable ceremony.

"May I have your attention please students. As you know, today starts the ceremony for the new freshmen so I expect the student body to be on their best behavior. Please report to the auditorium for the freshmen initiation ceremony in thirty minutes.

"Christy-kun, have you prepared a speech for this ceremony?" He said with an exasperated sigh. He really hated doing these ceremonies. There have been a few times that he actually enjoyed it but that was when he first became president. It was a way for him to rub it in the faces of all the juniors and seniors who doubted his abilities but now, it was just the redundancy of it. "I am to assume that the rest of you are ready as well?" He asked as he turned his chair around, glancing over his cabinet. He was Huang Miyamoto, The Demon of Shinjuku, known for his initiation week and for his ability to take down the president as a freshmen, a feat that had not been accomplished before in the school. He looked over at Christina with slight annoyance as he waited for her answer.

[Assistant]
Tetsunosuke sat on a bench while enjoying the shade a nearby tree provided. He wore charcoal colored slacks, a white polo shirt underneath a black crew neck sweater, and black suede chukka boots. On his right sleeve sat a patch featuring a cartoonish looking tiger wearing MMA gloves and Vale Tudo shorts. Pinned to the patch were two golden bars signifying that he was a senior. While letting out a slight sigh, he pulled the sleeves of his sweater up past his wrists. Today would mark the beginning of his senior year at Shinjuku Academy. The place at which he had honed his abilities for the past three years. Of course, while he had been studying at Shinjuku, he could no longer take the time to compete in martial arts tournaments, which he greatly missed. However, this was inevitably for the best as he wished to focus solely on training and moving up a weight class or two. He would not be able to put his all into gaining muscle and bulking up if he had to worry about cutting for a weight class every other week in the competition circuit. Muscle was not all he was concerned with though. Tetsunosuke had also spent an enormous amount of time improving his already phenomenal skill level in order to ensure taking the world title at some point would not be unheard of.

As an announcement blared over the speakers around the school, Tetsu made a face of slight annoyance. "Well...I guess it'll be time to head over to the ceremony soon. What a drag...nothing I can do about it, though. Just gotta suck it up and go." he quietly said to himself while looking up at the tree's branches moving with the slight breeze in the air. With that, Tetsu slowly got up and began to take his time heading over to the auditorium.

[User]
Daichi was one of the very many freshman walking through the front gates, with wide eyes and anticipation. Daichi didn't walk with anyone, all of his friends weren't fighters by any means so weren't going to Shinjuku Academy. Unlike most of the freshman around him, Daichi was excited. He could fight opponents he would never have the chance to if he hadn't have come here, and more so, he can prove himself, as long as he can make it. Daichi walked over to an empty bench to quickly check his bag. Boxing gloves, check. Photo of mum and dad, check. Toiletries, check. Shirt patch, check... shirt patch? Daichi pulled out the silver stripe. Crap! He suddenly realised it wasn't on his shirt so he quickly affixed it onto his right sleeve using the Velcro. Much better. Daichi smiled at his foolery, he didn't want to be embarrassed on the first day. His uniform was pure black, which he liked, it was the colour of his vest when he was boxing.

Daichi began walking again through the front gates. The school itself was very imposing, let alone what was to come, however, Daichi saw that it was full of opportunity for him. He can make new friends, and hopefully his room mate was nice enough too. Daichi followed all of the other freshman as they probably had a better idea of where to go than he did. The initiation week would probably be one of the toughest weeks he'll face at this school, but he would have to endure. Hopefully, the ceremony should be good. At least, Daichi hoped so. Either way, Daichi made his way to the auditorium where his first steps at Shinjuku would begin.

[Assistant]
"I always have this dream.... I'm flying through the sky in a propeller plane, an endless sea of clouds stretches below me. Everything is peaceful... but suddenly flashes of light cross my cockpit. Behind me is another plane, shooting. I weave and dive to avoid him, desperately trying to gain the upper hand, but it never works. He's always on my tail. It always ends the same...

I flip my plane to get on his tail, but there he is, right there, gun only meters away from my cockpit....

Then blackness..."

Avis thought of her dream... her nightmare that had haunted her ever since she moved in with her uncle. She thought on what it could mean as she fell to the floor of Shinjuku Academy.

"Get the fuck up dumb bitch. You think you can sneak past initiation week by transferring into the junior class!?" Avis had arrived early to get her room in order and have some time to map out the school. She wasn't expecting to be suddenly punched without warning by her peers. "You think that you can just... just skip what we had to endure!? Well, it seems me and my friends here are gonna catch you up on two years of beat downs!" As Avis attempted to get up, she felt a foot slam into her stomach, the wind being knocked out of her. "I SAID STAND UP!"

Avis slowly got to her feet, as she did, she focused her mind at the current problem. "Alright, there is five of them and one of me... they are definitely all brawn with no brains... most likely the rest of this school is... and are incredibly violent. Probably have some serious fighting experience under their belt... options are limited to say the least!" she noticed her folder on the floor and an idea began to form. An escape plan of sorts that may or may not work, but a plan nonetheless. Avis bent over and picked up her folder, the aggressor waiting for her response, wanting to show that any attempt of fighting him was for naught.

Yes, he and the others wanted to prove their seniority over this transfer student. Show her what the real pecking order of this school is, and that she was scum. They wanted to-

"Wah?"

WHAM!

A folder full of papers flew into the air at the center man, giving Avis enough of a distraction to slam him in the face with her palm, easily breaking his nose. As he fell, she darted past the four others, still shocked at what just happened. It didn't take long for the group to give chase. "YOU BITCH! YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT! YOU WILL PAY!"

Running at full speed, Avis sped down the hallways zipping past classrooms before exiting the school into the court yard. A large crowd of freshman were crossing, heading towards the auditorium. Glancing behind, she noticed that group was practically throwing freshmen out of their way to get to her, barreling towards her. "God dammit. This place is fucking crazy!" she cursed to herself as she continued running.


[System]
Age: 23
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Appearance: He's rather tall, and slightly above average weight, with short red hair, and brown eyes. He very rarely wears anything formal, and typically wears a plain blue t-shirt, and trousers.
Abilities: Cuna's one ability, which he is also unaware of, is complete immunity to non-direct means of viewing. There is absolutely no known way to view him or communicate about him behinds direct methods. Scrying excludes him, cameras do not see him, sensors don't even show him as giving off any sort of presence, as if where he was was just empty space. This also includes audio, as trying to talk about him over a sort of magical means, or radio waves, somehow excludes him (talking about specifically him will be incomprehensible static, while talking about him in a group will exclude him in the group, even in the groups number [being with someone else will instead show up as someone alone]. The reason for this is unknown, but the only known way to communicate with him is to have directly seen him with ones own eyes (assuming they are not magical), or directly talk to someone who has seen him.
He is also one of the only heretics of his world, one of the few to not believe in the god Hokum.
Side note: If a robot uses cameras as its main method of vision, and said robot is sentient, it can see him, but anything else using said robots vision will not, as that would be through a medium. As a general rule, visible spectrum only, and only through direct speaking to someone.

Name: Joseph
Age: Unknown
Species: Unknown, looks male and humanoid.
Abilities and the like: Carries a sniper. Unknown, but approved by the one who is not a god, Hokum.
Appearance: A gaunt figure standing at 5' 6", wearing dark sunglasses and having semishort dark hair. Clothes vary, but typically something based around functional.

[User]
---

Two years before Hany's Ribbon decimated the Quatis home world, an unidentified flying object crash landed on their planet. Within the object a highly advanced cybernetic entity was discovered. Two years later, when Hany's Ribbon appeared on the outskirts of the Quatis solar system, the scientists of Quatis used what they had learnt from the cybernetic entity to enhance their own technology. These enhancements were used in the construction of the Quatis Fleet, with which two million Quatis were spared of Hany's wrath.

---

Present Day.
Quatis Science Ship, The Erud.
Level 9.5, Dorita Gavon Tels. Personal Lab.

 "Where did you find it?"

Dorita simpers at the question, her squinching, large blue eyes denoting the many secrets she forbade herself to tell. The specimen before her was her treasure, the embodiment of everything any scientist could ever dream of coveting. The summit of technological perfection. There it stood behind the unseen forcefield, depicting the structure of a man. Such a lie exhibited by the smooth, platinum hue of its epidermis and the white irises of its eyes, staring out across the room as though in a self-induced state of daze.

"I heard they crash landed." Science assistant Marlic adds to his question with a prying side-eyed glance at Dorita. "At least that's what the rumours suggest, correct?"

Marlic is a plump young man, a testament to his love for donuts, but really anything sweet and pastry-like. He has black hair, not washed regularly enough; oily and unkempt, as are his full bodied eyebrows. His prominent puffed cheeks complimented his full sausage lips and deeply dimpled chin. He's been Dorita's assistant for no less than three days, but it was a position he strove for over the course of the last few years since college. Being in a position of subordinate to Dino Gavon's daughter was an achievement that a great number of Quatis men could dare fantasize about.

"Rumors… rumors, rumors." Dorita replied, softly spoken as she tucks a strand of beige hair behind her ear, her eyes still coveting the cybernetic individual within the forcefield. "let's just say they had a little help with their… crash landing. But here it is…." She smiles and glances at Marlic; "all ours now."

"How much do we know about it?" Marlic asked, taking a deep breath to portray his discomforted fascination.

"Not as much as we want." She answered, placing one hand on his shoulder. "As you know, a lot of our modern technology was made possible by our studies of this… marvel of science. Shielding, teleporters, weapons and even interstellar communications were made possible from extrapolating formulas from this one individual." She removes her hand from his shoulder to give him a nudge with her elbow. "That's why I've called you here today, Marlic. I've deciphered a brand new set of formulas. They're going to revolutionize the course of Quatis existence forever."

Marlic didn't take this news lightly. His widened eyes looked over Dorita's form as though his vision could penetrate her lab coat in order to observe her lean body beneath, as if that alone was going to reveal the knowledge she held.

"What did you discover?" He said, his voice a whisper of suspense. "Did you really…? Did you figure out the formula of its epidermis layer? Seriously?"

She smiled a smile of the deepest sense of accomplishment, taking her eyes back to the cybernetic entity, saying; "That I did…. And more. I've even added a formula of my own."

Had his eyes not been attached to their sockets by fibers, blood vessels and nerves, they would have popped right out of Marlic's head. "Tell me – tell me now! What have you done, Dori?"

Dorita gives her assistant a wink and walks across the room to a polytechnic computer terminal. Marlic follows without hesitation. Once he's standing by her side again, she quickly types in a set of encrypted commands. A readout of her most recently discovered formula's scroll up the screen on the monitor.

"But that's…" Marlic reads over the formula like a wild-eyed child trying to make sense of a mathematical equation beyond his understanding. "…That's not even possible, though."

"I assure you it is." She said with an attempt to suppress the full spread of her smile.

Marlic leans in close, as if breathing on the monitor would better help him understand just what he was reading. "Is that… what I think it is?"

"Likely." She tells him, placing her hand on his back. "By the look on your face I'm guessing you're close to understanding."

"But this contradicts everything we know about metallurgical physics, about… everything. Science books will have to be rewritten…."

"The price of sweet change." Dorita admits.

Marlic shakes his head slowly in disbelief, eyes still focused on the formulas in front of him, saying; "But this simulative or mimetic alloy, it…. What you're describing is in fact a fluidic alloy that is capable of more than just kinetic function. If I'm reading this right…. It's able to simulate humanoid responses? Biological properties?"

"Let me help you out there." She obliges to inform him, though likely of a matter of impatience since she wanted nothing more than to share the news with someone: "This alloy can take on the functions of biological life, yes. In effect… it is its own self-supporting complex metallic infrastructure that functions like that of highly developed humanoid life, only better. It embodies everything; Kinetics… reflex response… synaptic and neurological activity, even regeneration properties… everything… all without the need of a brain."

Marlic turns his eyes to her, now looking more suspicious than anything else as he utters the words; "This is… silicone life."

She laughs mockingly. "No, no. Silicone life has nothing on this."

[Assistant]
"What the hell?" Magnus yelled. While being tossed around he started thinking more frantically. So much so that the world around him seemed to slow. He was partially familiar with disapproving fathers, especially with a humanoid marmot. But a Bee man? Seriously. Something about 200 times smaller than him collectively forming a man than him wants to kill him for something he didn't even do, but did think about. Meanwhile bees aggresively stung him. Forbidden love was a bit too much in his opinion. He thought it was more of a possiblity than a full on thing. But the more he thought, the more questions arose. How could a bee hive make a planet? Was it a planet? Why do they keep wanting to bother him? Why does Fanny want him? Shouldn't she be going for something her own size? And other such inqueries flew through his mind until he banged his head on a metal stationary shelf.
 "OH MY GOD" yelled SANDRA as Fanny's father broke his hand through a window and was feeling around, until grabbing Magnus and pulling him outside the ship, and flipping a switch in the process. SANDRA's voice sounds more human and seems more sensible.
 "Damn this flimsy existence. Barry dear, can you help- Barry? BARRY? Last time I agree to marry a lunatic with a moustache. Everything looks different. I swear to St. Scholastica if he turned me down again he's as good as dead."

[User]
```
where am I
```

/accessing memorybank/
/creating new memory
///STARTING MEMORY RECORDING. . .

DAY 292, YEAR UNKNOWN, DATE UNKNOWN
--------------------------/

Wrrrrrrrrrrr...

```
"damn it."
```

SAM laid there on the floor, face down, violently sprawled out. Based on the previous memory recording he made, the attempt to steer the ship to civilization didn't quite come into fruition. At least, when you look at the bright side, the ship seems to not be exploding or hurtling through space. Actually, there were quite a lot of fortunate events that came from that little mishap, the cargo barge was not completely obliterated by the potential meteoroids also whisking through the star-laden void. SAM also could have landed on a planet that was
improper for human, or any form of life. Perhaps he landed a mere mile away from the nearest city or hamlet, he could jog that distance, he did it all the time.

Enough speculation, it was time to make an informed opinion about his situation. SAM kicked off a drab green crate that fell onto him presumably from the crash landing. Something seems different about the ship, the floor has slightly less blood stains that he remembered it having. Something catches his eye, or rather the lack of something; the control panel. It had simply vanished seamlessly. He strides over to where it used to be. Wait a second...

SAM looks up at the ceiling.

There he saw the control panel.

Well, it was clear the ship landed in an unusual way, but this sprung forth an idea. The ramps to unload crates and such were on the bottom of the ship, there was a convenient little button panel right next to the ramps. All that was needed was a solution to flick some tiny silver switches. The switches would be a painless matter of throwing something and if your aim was sharp, it would open. The problem came with how to actually get up there.

Or, perhaps someone will find the crashed ship? No, only scavengers or raiders would even consider a downed cargo vessel. A rescue crew would be more desirable. Execute phase 1...

Within a few minutes, a sizable bolt was chucked at an arch at the control pad. Ping. It just nearly missed the main switch. The cargo bay ceiling was considerably higher up, or in this case, lower to the ground than SAM had thought. If at first you don't succeed...

Clonk. A miscellaneous pipe or bar he had found struck the panel with a echoing metallic clatter, vaguely in the area of the green-capped switch. It was too high up to get a clear view to see if it worked. A slow, squeaking cry emanated from the ceiling before it turned to a roaring, groaning screech. A ray of sunlight pierced, thin as a sheet of glass, through the gap in the ramp. He had a hinting notion that it was sunrise outside. A good portion of the bay was now basked in light. Phase 1 successfully executed... Now, how to get up through this new opening? Those wires for the floodlights look about as big as a rope...

Swisssh... Clink. Execute phase 2... A black strand flies towards the sky, with three broken tripod legs tied to resemble and function like a standard grapnel. SAM tracks it as it soars towards the ramp, a child watching his kite dart through the park. The sunlight obscured the hook, though, it was hard to see if it was going to actually land-
CLONK. It bounced off his visor and onto the floor. Loosening his grip on the cables, SAM swung the hook around like a lasso before trying again to land it on the ramp. Just like he previously thought, if at first you don't succeed. He waited in anxiety, premeditating if it would rebound off his visor again.

It did not.

With a hard tug, the makeshift mountain climbing gear held strong and sturdily. SAM pounced onto the cable and was hiking up it with grit and persistence. The reward of simply getting out of his crashed prison was enough motivation for him. The straining vigor of the light only grew more intense as he was closer before he saw what lay before him on the outside...

Sand.

Sand for miles and miles, nothing in sight except for sand. But SAM didn't care, at least not at the moment. The rush still painted his view of the situation as a triumph. Even as he realized that this was barely an improvement, his confidence did not wane. Climbing atop the underbelly of the great unnamed ship, he proudly stood over the desert dunes. But, it would be a while before someone or something contacts him, so he would have to play more of the waiting game. The wrrrr... fades out.

///ENDING MEMORY RECORDING. . .

[Assistant]
As the troopers prepare themselves to fire upon the doorway.... nothing comes out. For a time, there are clomping sounds up above, until eventually it quiets down, and the blip disappears off of the motion tracker.

---

The HAM troopers see a group of pretty generic infected seeming to walk, almost in some sort of line, around a corner beyond their sight.

---

The bioship seems to be drifting towards the cruiser, albeit very slowly.


[System]
"In War, the elders may give the orders, but the young are the ones who have to fight"
Alias - Darkhawk

Age - 18

Powers - Super Strength, Durability, Speed, Stamina, Reflexes and Agility, suit has wings enabling flight, retractable arm blade cable that acts as a grappling hook and Force Shields and Dark Energy that can be projected from the amulet (Darkforce Manipulation). The amulet Brandon uses is not upgraded like Chris Powell's yet

Weaknesses - He just recently got the amulet and while it gives him great power, he is an inexperienced super hero

Personality - Taciturn, Reserved, Proud

Experience - He has had his powers for a week

BRIEF Bio - Brandon is a highschool student who hails from Brooklyn New York, who happenstance came about an amulet while on his walk home one day. Upon picking up the amulet, it turned his body into an armor similar to that used by Chris Powell (aliens had left behind multiple amulets). He used his newfound power to fly across New York, and was spotted by remnants of Kingpins goons. Recognizing him as Darkhawk, they followed him and Brandon decided to dispatch them before one of them got away. Now New York's underworld knows that Darkhawk has returned, and is looking for vengeance against the former crusader on crime.

Key Differences - Brandon is not committing a "war on crime" and is not above doing less than heroic actions

Sample Story Arcs - Joining the Avengers and subsequent adventuring with them, Evading those who wish to steal his amulet

Supporting Characters - his best friend Amy, Kingpin's successor, anyone planning to steal his amulet is an enemy

"Hey, Bird-Brain!"

Name - Amy Wendell
Alias - Scarlet Bitch Witch
Age - 18
Powers - Hexes that change probability for all sorts of situations, Chaos Magic
Weaknesses - She is not as powerful as her mother
Personality - Sardonic, Abrasive, Sassy
Experience - When her mutant powers first manifested at age 13, but she does not use her abilities for crime fighting until now

BRIEF Bio - When Wanda Maximoff was desperate to have children, she used her reality manipulating powers to create children from the shattered fragments of the soul of Mephisto. These souls incarnated themselves to different parents. One of those children would be Amy, who is Brandon's best friend in High School. When Amy's mutant powers manifested, she decided to stay hidden rather than come out and join any side in the mutant conflict or superhero team and wanted to live a normal teen life. When the headmaster of the new X-Men came to Amy, she gave her an outfit similar to the Scarlet Witch's and was offered a spot as her successor due to her familiar abilities, but she declined.

 Brandon and Amy met in middle school and became friends out of necessity at first, seeing as how they needed each others help in the advanced classes in which they were enrolled. They were at first reluctant friends, but warmed up to one another eventually. Despite their differences, the two are always together and the students in the school rumor that the two are in a relationship.

Key Differences - Is not an Avenger and keeps her powers hidden, tries to avoid the superhero life and live as a normal teen
Sample Story Arcs - Amy joins the X-Men, Amy and Brandon's relationship
Supporting Characters - Brandon Lynch (Darkhawk)

[User] He chuckled at the joke leaving a small trace of a smile to match hers. "I figured it might be. I guess you could I...know my metals." he watched as the cat seem to fall asleep. He let out two fingers slowly to see if he could get her attention. In he corner of his eye he studied the girls features, a scar above her left eye a few bruises, though her eyes are what caught her attention. It wasn't the color but more like the intent in them. "Your cat has quite lovely fur? Is it a boy or a girl?"

[Assistant]
Virgil opened one eye and slowly, lazily really, hopped down out of the chair and painstakingly made it's way over to the boy the white cat seemed to sniff his fingers for a moment, then lick them. It immediately backed off, seemingly having gotten a taste of something it didn't like, but soon enough Virgil was rubbing up against his legs and purring.
While this was going on Dante was talking and answering his questions.
"Are you some kinda metalworker? Oh, and im sure she'd say Thanks if she could. I'm fairly certain she works hard on keeping her fur nice and shiny. Oh, and it's a girl. Her name is Virgil, and my name-"
She holds out her caloused, rough hand.
"is Dante"

[User]
He took her hand and shook it. Her hand while having its share of calluses was similar to his own. His hands showed signes of burns cuts and rough on the connecting joints of his fingers. It was apart of his job. "It's a pleasure Ms.Dante I'm Julius." he turned his chair the other way that way he was facing th young woman. "And sort of. Metal working is a talent I picked up at a young age. It was due to my grandfather and my teacher inviting me to America that helped me make it bloom into what is I do today. Which so happens to be a variety mix of all forms of engineeringy."
He pulled out a necklace from his hoodie. The metal thread was titanium similar to the one Virgil's name plate was made from. and attached to it was a piece of metal. One side of it a symbol of a wolf was engraved into the metal. The symbol of his family and the other side a single sentence in Latverian. "Though I will admit I do like to have fun with few side projects now and then."

[Assistant]
As Dante let go of his hand she couldn't help but notice the bruns and roughness, though with what he told her, it made sense why his hand would be that way.
"Nice to meet you Julius. I'll promise not to stab you in the back." As he pulled out the necklace she couldn't help but admire the kickass wolf on it. It also has some sort of writing on it, but she honestly couldn't tell what it was, probably the native writing of where he was from.
"That's pretty damn cool."
Dante looks under you and at Virgil.
"Hey Virgil, should I get some kinda puma done on your collar?"
The cat proceeds to hiss at Dante, probably because she hasn't gotten the onery cat more milk. Dante sighs in exasperation.
"Fine, fine. Have it your way ya prissy socialite. So.."
She turns back to you.
"Your answer was, while real cool, sparse on details. Now, trust me, I understand sometimes people don't want to talk about things, 'specially to strangers. But, if you don't mind me asking, where are you from, and what are these mysterious side projects?"

[User]
"Ah you must be curious on the writing." He placed the necklace on the table and gave a faint smile of the memory behind it. "Balance is good and all but sometimes it's better to know things. It was something my mother would always say to me and my sister as children." For a split second a small frown formed at the corners of his mouth but he quickly hid it as to not confuse his hopefully new companion.

"When I was young I couldn't really understand what she meant. But I feel like she was telling me to pick up whatever I can and make it my own. As to answer your questions. I am Latverian." He was aware of the risk he was taking revealing his place of birth. The world only one Latverian and that same Latverian tried time and time again to control it at the expense of many lives, but he was not ashamed of his country nor of his family. "As for my projects. A mans alure all depends on the secrets he keeps. As least that's what my teacher says." He says smiling a finger to his lips.

[Assistant]
Dante nodded at the quote while he said it, pretending to understand the among behind it for a moment. Maybe it didn't translate well, but she didnt really get it. She didn't want to say anything though, 'cus it looked important to him. When his face fell into a frown, Dante recognized the telltale signs of someone hiding their emotions, she knew it well from the 'to-tough-to-have-emotions' tough guy club that usually hung out around the fight ring. Although his didn't seem to put of pride.
Dante couldn't help but chuckle, a but at his 'alure'.
"Alure, huh? Well I dont know about that, but I tend to at least try to be open and honest about things and to trust people... except maybe in a fight, 'cus you know what they say about love and war.
Dante has a flicker of her memory of being shot and left for dead and her face, for a moment shows rage.  I used to trust people, but then again, here I am with Me.Julius Lateveria and I'm chatting it up with him, for all i know he's a freakin' hitman.
Dante breathes deep, and closes her eyes, forcing herself to calm down. This guy wasn't a hitman, and she wasn't mad at him. After she had taken a moment to calm herself she let a grin out at Julius.
"Sorry about that. anyway, Latveria huh? Isn't that where the Dr.Doom guy used to live?"

[User]
Taking a sip of his coffee he gulped at the name Dr.Doom. That was a name he hadn't heard for quite some time. Well the Doctor part anyway. In Latveria the would say his name as almost religious vigor. In America they would say it with caution especially around him. He picked up she was trying to change the subject which he wouldn't press onto. Though he was curious on how her hands became so rough and her face all beat up. "Yes Lord Doom main residence was in Latveria. Other contries called it a dictatorship but truthfully he helped bring my country out of it dark ages. His passing struck my people hard, even when his son took the throne it left a small void in many... including myself."

He didn't mean for those words to come out but he spoke the truth. He missed his grandfather dearly even if his version was just some program it was the closet thing he had to him. "Latveria is a beautiful place it's location just happens to be in the path of the sun, so every morning you would see it rise and change the landscape in a vibrant mix of orange and pink. You would think the snow was painted instead of white." He smiled at the fond memories of his home. "The people were proud just like its king. Though I will admit not to his extent." His last statement came out a little bit more blunt then it should have but it was true. While was grandfather was brilliant it was that brilliance that made him mad. "I don't want to seem rude but I've been talking about myself a lot. Are you comfortable in talking about yourself?"

[Assistant]
Dante raised her eyebrows a bit at the explanation. She had never really heard Dr.Doom's name in a good light. It was off to think about, but Dante could kind of understand.
"So, he was kind of like Caesar. While everyone else hates him, the people of his own country love and respect him, even after death. It's all abou, erm... what's the word... perspective! That's it... It's honestly kind of sad... If if your country is as beautiful as you say it is, it sucks that people only know about it because of Dr.Doom. I've never been outside the city so all I know is concrete and steel."
She pauses for a moment and looks like she's a million miles away. She quickly snaps out of it and shakes her head.
"Man, this conversation got way to intellectual for me. So, if you're a Latverian, what brings you to the 'ol U.S.? Money? Work? A woman? A man?
She wiggles her eyebrows.
"Both?"

[User]
Jacob had went to sleep the night before, having fought Atlantians and making a few super powered friends in the process. Today was another day. He'd wondered what Johnny Storm had in mind for his adopted Inhuman daughter, as Jacob had taken a liking to her fish out of water attitude. He stretched after getting out of the bed, and stepped over the rocks still splitting through the ground below. The young hero went upstairs and took a shower, and could hear his Uncle Ben snoring in the living room like a bear. It was only a little after nine in the morning, it was time Jacob went for a walk without being in his super suit. Tossing it in the washer he wondered what the chances of getting a stylized T on the chest were. He wasn't in the F4 so the 4 badge originally intended for it didn't look right.

Walking for awhile, Jacob came across the dock in Sheepshead Bay and got a bagel across the street at a little corner shop. He sat on a bench and just people watched.

Back at the home of Ben Grimm, the elder hero got a phone call from a forty-something Amadeus Chow. Currently a man thought to be the ONLY Hulk…

"Ben? It's Amadeus… I need some help." The man said on the phone.

"I'm way to out of shape to help out, Kid. My nephew's a tough one though, geokinetic powers and can even make a Thing suit of his own…" the original Thing said into the phone.

"Do you think he's ready to fight a pack of wild Hulks currently terrorizing the Appalachian Mountains?" the man on the other end asked concerned.

~KL~

[Assistant]
Brandon woke up at his house in a haze, dreaming about his teeth falling out. The dream gave him a foreboding sense of dread, but he decided it was typical sounding dream as far as nightmares go. Brandon walked to his bathroom to do his morning routine, and once he finished he was dressed and out the door, ready for school. He left the house and was at the school entrance. Brandon walked up the steps of the school, and began hearing whispers.

 "Just skip school, we have a higher purpose." Brandon grabbed the amulet and saw it was glowing. Brandon didn't know where the amulet came from, but it was starting to seem like bad news. Still, he decided to keep it for the awesome power it granted him. Brandon ignored the amulet and entered the school. He walked through the hallways and a group of girls greeted him.

 "Hiiiiii, Brandon." The girls said.

 Hey...have you seen Amy around?" Brandon asked.

 "Oh come on, you two aren't even dating, pay attention to us for once!" One of the girls said.

 "Well, we're working on a project together so I need her help. But thanks for the offer." Brandon said as he walked off, the girls started to swoon at the fact that Brandon just thanked them as they chatted and gossiped each other up. Brandon continued to walk through the hallways, until he spotted someone he saw was familiar. It was the Asian girl he chatted up at the café last night! Brandon approached her.

 "Hey, I knew you went to school with me!" Brandon said to her.

Darkness


[System]
Belladonna

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Character Summary
Aliases: Bella, Donna, BB
Age: 22
Birthday: December 20, 1995
Birth Place: Unknown
Gender: Female
Powers/Special Skill Set: Weapon Infusion (With Elements), Combat Prowess, and Espionage
Editorial Nickname: The Badass
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
How long have they been with X-Factor?: Two Years

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Appearance
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 120 lbs
Build: Slender Athletic
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Platinum Blonde
Skin Tone: Ivory
Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: Scar along right hip, scar along upper back, tattoo of the Yin and Yang symbol behind right ear, ear piercings on both ears
Personal Style: Bella dresses as the situation demands it, but she does get some enjoyment out of wearing things considered girly and cutesy as she fights because it gives her an advantage. She does not wear anything particular when not in a mission, preferring comfort when not in the field. She has been seen in sweatpants and a t-shirt or a stylized dress on any given day.

Her color scheme ranges based on the day also, though she usually opts for darker colors. Her hair is usually tied in twin tails or let down to her lower back. She wears make-up as she sees fit, mainly on a mission when she needs to look a certain way. She will look presentable when it benefits her or whatever task she is on.

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Psychology
Disciplined * Crafty * Impressive * Secretive * Stoic * Restrained

Sexuality: Bisexual
Relationship Status: Single
Personality: Bella doesn't show emotion. Or it could be said she shows emotion rarely. Trained to believe emotions are a weakness, she gets the job done, no matter how dirty the deed. She is disciplined and direct, though she does have a sarcastic side to her she lets out, particularly when she is annoyed.

She stands out amongst others for her dedication to the work she is in. She knows she is impressive and valuable to any who have her on their side, but she does not care one way or the other about whatever side she is on. She does the work and she gets paid. Even in the midst of torture, she can endure without shedding a tear or uttering a scream. To some, that is a valuable skill in a spy. To others, it's concerning that there may be darker things underneath that pretty exterior. She will never tell.
Habits:* Sarcasm
* Listens to music when training

Hobbies:* Watching Trashy TV
* Sparring

Fears:
* Being Buried Alive
* Cannibals
* The Bottom of the Ocean

Likes:
* Techno Music
* Dueling
* Exploring
* Detective Novels
* Proving People Wrong
* Podcasts

Dislikes:
* Assholes
* Cat Calling
* Being Spied On
* Birds
* Lines
* Fake People

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Cards On The Table
General World Skills:
* Tracking
* Espionage
* Parkour
* Lockpicking
* Poison Knowledge
* Cryptology

Combat Skills:
* Elemental Imbuement: Bella has the ability to imbue her weapons with elemental enhancements. This can be any weapon she obtains (but most notably her sword and gun)
* Sword Combat
* Firearm Combat
* Hand-to-Hand Combat
* Morning Star Combat

Medical Issues/Injuries
* None

Possessions:
* Clothing - Black Top, Checkered Mini Skirt, Black Boots
* Katana
* Handgun
* Morning Star
* Two Clips Extra Ammo
* Lockpick
* Poison Vial
* Extra Hair Ties (around wrist)
* Cell Phone

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History
Why did you join X-Factor?: It wasn't so much that Bella joined X-Factor, it was more that she was obtained. Having fought for her own freedom, she opted to use her skills and training to aid the highest bidder, which had its own danger. X-Factor allowed her to continue to fight, earn her keep, and be protected in a way. The only thing they do not have is her loyalty as she is only loyal to herself, but she will keep the team safe.

General History: Bella didn't know the joys of childhood. She never knew who her real father and mother were. All she knew was a man named Master Shien and he was cruel and demanding. With iron fist, she along with a select few other children were hardened, trained to fight, sneak, and kill. She didn't learn about the world like other children, she only saw it through blood.

However, the children still hoped for escape. The master could never break their resolve, even if he broke their bones. So they hatched a plan to escape and leave and go out into the world. It all came crashing down as Master Shien killed and slaughtered them one by one, leaving Bella along with two others. Bella took her sword in hand and challenged the master. They fought hard, each dealing blows to the other, but Bella came out on top, decapitating her "father" and leaving.

Since then, Bella had to gradually learn how the world worked. She was smart and capable though (plus the internet) and she knew her place. She began to sell her skills as a professional hitman or spy for various factions around the U.S. She was sought after due to her unflinching nature and her results.

Bella no longer cared though. She was in it for herself and knew no one else could be trusted unless they earned it. That was when X-Factor came into the scene. Hearing about her skills they offered her a position amongst the team. Bella agreed for a limited time, mainly to see how it would play out for her. Once she was satisfied, she joined up. Could she be trusted though was the question.

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Extras
Character Quote: "If looks could kill I'd be a mass murderer. Oh wait...."
Theme Song:
Anything Else: Invisible Woman, Link

*By submitting this CS in its completion I am stating I have read all the rules for this Rp and am agreeing to follow them to the fullest with respect and courtesy. I acknowledge that I can and will be removed from the RP without warning if I break a rule or cause problems with my fellow Rpers or the GM.

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Relations

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Belladonna
"I don't do friends. And yes, that's what she said."

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⟢ 🎆Respects ⟡ 🌓Neutral ⟡ 👋Acquaintance ⟡ 🙇It's Complicated ⟣
⟢ 💛Friend ⟡ 💙Good Friends ⟡ 💜Best Friends ⟡ ❣Ex-Friends ⟡ 😈Frienemy ⟣
⟢ 💘Infatuation ⟡ 💓Loves ⟡ 💗Couple ⟡ 💕Basically Family ⟡ 💞Family ⟡ 💔Ex-Lovers ⟣
⟢ ♨Tense ⟡ 💀Dislikes ⟡ 😡Hates ⟡ 👿Enemy ⟡ 👹Absolutely Loathes ⟣

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🌓 Andrew Rossi 🌓
"Smart man can grow big or small. He doesn't bother me too much."

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🎆 Demetria Clarke 🎆
"She can freeze shit, which is pretty awesome. Other than that, she's cool."

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🙇 John Watts 🙇
"He looks at me like a daughter. I...do not know what to think about this."

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🎆 Evelyn Holder 🎆
"Assassins don't have a code, but I can respect her game provided she doesn't step on my toes."

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🎆 Alannah Ó Ceallaigh 🎆
"A warrior of the past meets a warrior of the future. This will be fun."

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♨ Barbara "Bobbi" Leigh-Anne Hobbes ♨
"She's loud and grating. Could she shut up for two minutes?"

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👋 Wasley Martin 👋
"He's um...he's cool, I guess. Stop asking me!"

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[User]
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Vertigo

Location: Sisterhood Base
Skills: N/A

Elara listened to the multi-armed (figuratively and literally) woman explained who she was and if she'd seen the rogue team members. Elara raised an eyebrow as she simply revealed an elevator that would take them right to the group. This seems way too easy.

Psylocke and Spiral exchanged words. Elara glanced between the two women. Who is Mojo? And why weren't they briefed about any other potential Serval employees at the facility? Wouldn't it have been in Gardner's interest to tell them everything about this building before sending them into it?

Psylocke entered the elevator and waited for Elara. Elara was passing by when Spiral turned her direct attention on the masked mutant. Elara slowed to a stop as she spoke. Someone here could mess with perception as well? Was it another illusionist, like herself? She was wary of this stranger's information, her brows furrowing for a moment. Don't trust anyone in this building... not even the ones I came with? She was reminded of Psylocke's presence when the woman urged Elara to join her in the elevator.

"How do you know this? How can I trust you?"

Spiral smirked slightly at Elara. "Because I have been around people like this before. Don't trust them, otherwise it may end up with you getting more than you bargained for."

Elara looked over the woman's facial expression. Could Spiral even be trusted here? She simply gave the woman a nod before turning to slowly join Psylocke in the elevator. She said nothing as the doors closed and lead them down the secret elevator shaft. Her eyes turned to Psylocke, looking over every feature of her in case there was some detail she missed. If it was an illusion or a mind trick, Elara would have been able to tell. There was always something off about an illusion. Some little tell. It took great masters of the ability to notice them.

The elevator soon began to slow to a stop, and Elara still hadn't noticed anything unusual about Pyslocke. Was that woman just trying to make her paranoid? No. She was just reminding me to be cautious. Whether it was a threat or a warning, I should always be vigilant. She frowned, facing the doors of the elevator. When they opened, she could see into a computer room.

There were no white lab coats or glasses wearing technologists inside. In fact, the room was completely empty aside from a man dressed in green leather. Elara looked him over quickly, deciding that he was actually, physically there. He was tall, muscular, and donned a hood and an archer's quiver of arrows on his back.

Similar to her greeting with Spiral, Elara raised both hands as she slowly stepped into the computer room. She didn't want to make this man assume she was hostile. She could see how tense he looked, crouched by the door. Nearby there was a computer screen with multiple files on it's desktop. What was he looking at on the computer? Did it have to do with the rogues, or some other issue? was he listening at the door for the rogue members?

Elara cleared her throat gently. If he hadn't heard the elevator's arrival, he would know there were there now. "Hello. We work for Serval Industries. We're here on a call about rogue team members. May I ask who you are?"

[Assistant]
---

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Location: Machine Room w/ Casey and Rogue Team.
Skills: N/A

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The sudden pop of a pistol discharging set a ringing in her ear, though left her coherent enough to decide on the action of diving away; using the gun shot as a distraction. Jo dove away from the blade at her neck and putting distance between herself and the rest of the group. She crashed into a roll and spun herself quickly back to her feet. She manipulated her light disks in front of herself as a shield between herself and the Rogue team.

Her eyes quickly scanned the group and noticed a fight was probably the worst decision that could be made. They were outnumbered by a staggering amount. And no matter how good Casey was they didn't stand a chance in this situation. So the best course of action was discourse.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Jo started, trying to get attention. "Let's all calm down. We didn't come here to fight. We came here to just talk and get you all to agree to come back and return company property. That was all." Jo stated as calmly and honestly as she could; conveniently leaving out the part about the 'by force if necessary' option given. Though she truly didn't find that an option, especially within this very situation

[User]
Location: Machine Room
Skills: Gun Combat

---

While Bella held her sword to the woman's neck, it wasn't long before someone else emerged in the room. The other woman tried to disarm her, but missed, however, she managed to get a shot off hitting the machine Watts would be working on. And to make matters even more interesting, they were here to take them back to Serval. Bella didn't let her sword drop as she took out her gun, aiming it at Casey. While she intended to shoot the woman in the leg, she missed but hit nothing and no one else.

"Consider that a warning shot. I won't miss next time. I suggest if you do really intend to talk, you lower your weapon and I will lower mine." Bella had no intention of allowing them the upper hand, and she figured Watts and Sapphire would not be willing to just walk back to Serval because two women came in and told them too, but Bella figured they were misguided, much like all of them were before.


[System]
Gender: Female
Pokémon: Skitty
Ability: Cute Charm
Hidden Ability: Wonder Skin
Moveset:
* Play Rough
* Attract
* Wake-Up Slap
* Feint Attack

Delphi

Gender: Female
Pokémon: Ralts
Ability: Trace
Hidden Ability: Telepathy
Moveset:
* Magical Leaf
* Heal Pulse
* Calm Mind
* Psychic

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Altepa Desert]

With the silky scarf snugly fit around her neck, Piper decided to take point, an energetic bounce in each step. It was truly a wonderful day and it wasn't even close to being over. Realizing that the Delphox had a bit more to say, she stopped just a meter away, turning to look up at him. A light flush on his cheeks made her heart swell with joy. His embarrassment was a pleasant change from the primal emotions the wild Pokemon around her area displayed.

"Oh my gosh, that sounds like a wonderful idea! We would make a fantastic duo, right?" Piper squealed at his casual suggestion of officially registering together. She had heard about such teams before - the exciting and dangerous journeys they would take on together and the mysteries they'd explore. Becoming a part of such a thing frequented her mind but she had believed it to be a hopeless dream... up until now.

Nodding at his word to move forward, she waited for him to take lead before following right by his side. "I see... I'll try my best to find one." She began looking around with each step, trying to make out any possible shelters in the distance. "Um, yes, I have been caught in one before... It was a frightening experience... The lack of vision and debris painfully striking against your face... I would not want that to happen again... It was manageable... but only because I stumbled into a little cavern not too far from where I was caught. What about you?"

[Assistant]
Alodi the Delphox[Altepa Desert]

Surprised at Piper's positive reaction, the Delphox raised a curious brow, "Oh, you'd truly like to start an exploration group? Well, perhaps while we're in Folio, if they're not too busy, we could register ourselves." Putting a claw to his lip, he'd ponder, "Though, we would need a name for our team? I'm afraid I'm not very good at such things, though if you cannot think of anything, I can do my best..."

Alodi's mood darkened considerably, as his gaze fell downcast, and his voice sounded more bland than its usual upbeat melodic timbre. "I have, yes. It was a harrowing experience..." Clutching his arm with a paw, he'd continue, "I was on a training mission. We were caught in a sandstorm, however we couldn't find shelter soon enough. You... may not be aware, but after a sandstorm begins, feral Pokémon become frenzied..." Glancing at Piper for a moment, he'd then avert his gaze, "It's more terrifying than a monster house."

[User]
Devon the Totodile and Brick the Poliwrath[Entrance to the Trunk → Town Path F8]

Keldeo@Ninian
The Poliwrath's beady eyes flicked down at Lilisette as she pleaded with him to let her Team go on alone, to which he grunted. "Sorry, but you're stuck with me. At least until I see a bit more proof that you'll be able to handle yourselves on your own." As Ember edged closer to him, his bulging gaze travelled to her. "Yep. I'll just be an observer in this."

Selena's mention of his crazed attacker made Devon nod firmly. His deep brown eyes slowly drifting between the Bayleef, and then Ember. "Right. The last thing I want is to have another run-in with her, but if we do, I'd like having the backup." For a brief moment, the scene of both Ember and Selena lying dead on the floor at his feet flickered in his mind. Doing his best to fight off the thought, the Totodile shook his head and clenched his fists.

Chuckling slightly at the Grass-type's guess of his role in the mission, Brick shrugged. "It's not really like I can show you the way in a tree trunk with random formation and structure, but if you guys have trouble, I'll give you some pointers." Turning around swiftly, the battle hardened Guildie marched into the entrance of Folio's Trunk, with the children hot on his heels.

…

The coarse sand underneath their feet shifted with every step through the hollowed out room on the top floor of Folio's Trunk. Devon head slowly craning around the vast first room in awe, his lids squinting in the low light that managed to somehow sneak into the area through cracks in the bark. It's so dry in here…..You'd think that the tree would be dead from the looks of this place, but in town, all the plants are totally fine…..Weird, the air's not that bad in here either….

Brick lead the team of novice Explorers down a narrow hall, the rooted walls becoming increasingly claustrophobic for a few feet, before easing off again. Raising up a hand to stop the kid's advance, the Water Fighter poked his head slowly around the corner into the next room to scan it with his intense vision. He soon pulled back and turned around to face the kids proper, and cross his arms. "Alright, we're going into the first room proper, so we'll go over the basics one more time, and then one of you guys are leading. Always check your corners, try not to make too much noise, watch your step for any Traps, always check your surroundings before going after any items on the floor, and if you spot a suspicious looking Pokémon, sleeping or otherwise, keep your eyes on them, but do not engage them unless they attack you first, or attempt to harm other Pokémon without reason. And Ember, since it's pretty dry up in the higher floors, try to keep the Fire attacks under control. Understood?"

The little blue crocodile raised a thumb up to his instructor. "We got it Brick. We'll be careful." Looking around him at the three girls standing around him, he put his hands on his hips. "So, who's leading? I can do it if no one else wants to."

Raiden the Feraligatr[Glyph's Guild - Guild Member's Quarters]

When asked if he ever made his own tea, the battle scarred Rescuer reached down to pick up his cup again and chuckle. "Yes, I learned how to make my own from a merchant I met out on the road. It's rather convenient too, since I always have access to hot water thanks to Scald." The dancer's next question about his origins caused Raiden to hesitate for a moment before staring off thoughtfully. "It's fine, I don't mind the questions. As for where I'm from, I come from the Air Continent. I lived in a village named Daneza, near Waterfall Lake. It's a very peaceful little place. There's a small river that cuts through the middle of the town and leads out into the ocean further down, and the plant life does a nice job of keeping the town concealed from harsh sunlight. It's a haven for most Water-types."

The gator's eyes gently closed, his smile growing wider. "I still remember how nice it was when I first got there. I met that girl, Lilith, and her mother, on the dock by the beach. I recognized her mother from a long time ago, and she let me to stay with her until I was able to build my own house."

Stein the Scizor, Teth the Nidoqueen, and Glyph the Flygon[Folio Town - Outside the Guild]

Keldeo
The two large Pokémon leaning against the frame of the doorway both stood up straight when the two lion's approached. The Scizor waving a claw as he checked behind his shoulder to peak inside the building. "Hey Fuse, and judging from the fact everyone's moving around out in the main hall, I think he the meetings over." Going stiff for a moment, Stien twisted his head back around and faced the door promptly. "Oh, hello Guildmaster! Perfect timing, Fuse wanted to talk to you!"

The large green Dragon looked between both the Scizor and the Nidoqueen with a smile, before tilting his head down at Fuse and Hikari and putting his hands behind his back. "Ah, alright then. Hello Fuse, and hello to you, young miss. What did you need?"

[Assistant]
Lilisette the Kirlia[Folio's Trunk - Town Path F8]

Lord@Shiny Keldeo
Looking around, the Psychic evaluated the situation. I can't believe we're being babysat. Ugh... I know if we run into whoever tried to kill Devon would be really bad, but... we can't be babysat forever. We're going to have to be strong enough. Sigh..."

Glancing over at the Poliwrath, Lilisette reluctantly listened to his advice. It wasn't bad advice, but she felt it would be better learning it by diving in, and making mistakes. "Yeah... got it."

Devon addressed the group, and Lilisette replied, "I'm really not supposed to even be here, and you are the leader, so... I mean, unless someone has objections... I don't want to tell people what to do..."

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Altepa Desert]

Nodding happily at Alodi's words, Piper exclaimed. "Ooo, sure thing! That would be amazing!" Hearing his question, she gave another small nod and mimicked his gesture, putting a paw to her chin in thought. "Hm... I can't think of anything either... Maybe we'll get inspired when we get there!" She looked up at him and smiled brightly.

As Piper heard his tone change at the topic of the sandstorm, her smile softened, almost fading completely as she was filled with worry. Perhaps the question had upset her new friend. Listening silently, she waited for him to finish before giving a curt nod, glancing up at him so that their eyes would briefly meet. "Oh... I... I see..." She lowered her voice, the touchy subject sending chills down her spine. "A-Actually... I am quite aware of the whole... frenzy thing... I-I wasn't exactly feral back then b-but... I could feel the agitation... The other few Pokemon taking shelter with me in the cave kind of felt it too... a-and..." Gulping painfully, she shook her head. "A-Anyway... at least you made it out okay..." A little smile grew on her face as she looked to the Delphox. "T-This time it'll be different though... I think we'll be able to handle this together... so it's okay... right?"

[Assistant]
Alodi the Delphox[Altepa Desert]

Averting his gaze in response to the Skitty's hopeful words, he'd let out a sigh, "Of course. We'll be fine."

Remaining quite for an awkwardly long time—considering his usual loquaciousness—he did finally speak once more, "Unfortunately, I was not prepared for sporadic sandstorms; I have little means to defend ourselves. Even the Escape Orb I hold will prove ineffective, since this desert does not hold the mystical power of a dungeon..." Furrowing his brows, he would consider his options before continuing, "This may be a shot in the dark, but you do not happen to know Dig, would you? Even then... frenzied Pokémon could still locate us. A cave is still our best option..."

Alodi's expression darkened as he grew quiet, pondering to himself, There must be something... If we are trapped in the storm, there is no guarantee that I can protect Piper...

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Altepa Desert]

Piper nodded, a bit relieved by his statement although she knew it was most likely out of kindness. There was no actual way to tell that they would be fine.

Looking around into the vast desert around them, she tried her best to locate some sort of shelter that would keep them safe. There can't really be nothing around there... Without any results, she looked up at the Delphox with a worried expression. "I... I see..." She shook her head at his question. "I'm afraid I don't..." Turning back to look around one more time, she suggested. "M-Maybe if we press on a little further, we'll find something..." There was a sliver of hope in her voice this time, the growing winds having blown the rest of it away.

[Assistant]
Alodi the Delphox[Altepa Desert]

Closing his eyes, the Delphox took a deep breath before hastening his step. "No matter, I'm certain we'll find something..."

Almost immediately after Alodi finished his sentence, the Sandstorm picked up considerably. Particles of sand began to abrasively strike the pair of travelers. Shielding his eyes with a hand, he furrowed his brows, "Piper. Use the scarf I gave you to shield your face. You do not want to inhale any grains of sand..." Gritting his teeth, he searched around though they could now only see a few feet in front of them. That was my last piece of cloth... If I cover my mouth and nose with my arm, perhaps I'll be fine. However, if we're forced to fight— The Delphox's train of thought crashed as a sharp roar could be heard in the distance. So it begins.

Covering his breathing holes with an arm, he looked down towards his companion. "Are you holding up all right...?"

[User]
Piper the Skitty[Altepa Desert]

"Yeah... W-We'll fi- Ah!" Piper yelped out in pain as rough cloud of sand was blown into her face. Shutting her eyes tightly, she brought up her white scarf as a shield, lowering her gaze to the ground so only the top of her head would be affected by the constant stream of debris.

After letting out a few violent coughs and expelling the sand that had entered her mouth, she responded weakly, trying to keep her bright tone. However, the terrifying roar in the distance sent shivers down her spine, causing her voice to waver with fear. "I-I'm f-fine..." With her head low, she pressed on besides her partner, hoping they'd find shelter soon.


[System]
Age: 19

Gender: Female

Appearance: Onyx has black hair and green cat eyes. The skin of her entire body is covered in short, soft cheetah-patterned fur, except her wings and face. She is missing her left ear and has a scar on her left cheek from a fight she was in a while back. Her wings are like the wings of a brown hawk, and her wingspan is twice her arm span. She usually wears a shawl so that her wings are hidden unless she is flying.

Equipment: 3 or 4 small knives (and other tools), a pair of restored Twin Pistols, and a basic med-pack.

Physical Abilities: Flight, 6th sence(hunting/tracking), Speed & Agility, Stealth.

Background: Onyx's species, the Elissics, live in the mountains and old cities found there. They could be categorized as a frightening predator and enemy to all creatures, as they have barely any ability to distinguish one race of creature from another from the air, and there's barely any escape once they swoop down on their prey. They are not a particularly smart race, they can't understand old human language and can just barely manage to put back together the few relics they find from humans. They can only make crude weaponry, and are fairly simple with the other things they make as well. Their society is broken up into many nomadic tribes across the region, each having their own unique color of wings, and they have no unified head of power, so they will often fight with each other when the different tribes meet.

Onyx herself is a bit different from the others in her tribe… she likes to be alone, rather than hunting in a group, and will keep trying towards her goal until she figures out how to get there. Instead of trying to fly over the tallest mountain and tiring herself out, possibly even getting sick, she'll look for the shortest path around. She's better with strategy and quick moves than drawn-out fights and trying to compensate for a group. Because of this, she is sort of left out of everything, and she doesn't care because she doesn't want to have to feel like she can't say what's on her mind. She is often given solo missions that really don't make much difference around the tribe, and whenever she's not on a mission will fly in random patterns around the mountains, usually ending up at a large lake (or small sea) where she likes to fish using an old net she had found nearby the first time she had gone there. Onyx, just like the rest of the Elissics, doesn't worry much about the state of the world or how it got that way. They all live completely in the moment.

[User] "Ok, you go ahead and do that. I won't be gone too long." Onyx paused a moment before taking off again, debating what to say. "I don't know that you wouldn't be allowed there, but I'd think that some people wouldn't want you there anyway. I suppose it's up to you if you go or not. I wouldn't stop you, but others might try." Onyx Took off then, hovering for a moment to say one last thing before leaving. "I'll be right back, definitely before sunset."

[Assistant] Once Onyx flew away, Tarentek returned to her den and took a few minutes to store away his weapons before he searched around her kitchen for something he might prepare. He could see why she mentioned going to the market, as she did not have too much left in the way of food. What she did have he couldn't make anything particularly spectacular, so he just put together something with the remaining ingredients. He cut up the one fish she had remaining to split between them, then started to roast a few carrots with some spices she fortunately had available. As a side item, he set aside some peaches, then started to sear figs to go along with them. It wasn't exactly a traditional combination of ingredients, but with the right herbs and spices, he felt he could make something they would both like.

[User] Onyx tried not to get too lost in her thoughts as she was at the market, and she managed to do exactly that. She returned to her den after not too long, with a basket of food to show for her trip. As she put away everything she had gotten, she looked over what Tarentek had done while she was gone, not surprised by the strange use of ingredients. "Well, I got more food at the market so we don't have to have two strange meals in a row, but at least this looks edible." Onyx smiled as she spoke and sat at the table.

[Assistant] "I'll settle for edible." Tarentek commented as he served Onyx her meal and took a seat himself. The parts of the meal were strange together, but at least they tasted fine if taken individually. "I suppose I'll just relax here tomorrow, as I wouldn't want to do anything to disturb your ritual. I understand its importance to you. So what will this change for you? I know that you'll become a prophet, and you'll be considered an adult, but what comes with that? Are there any changes you're particularly looking forward to? I remember once I started being considered an adult, there were some privileges I enjoyed gaining...along with a mountain of responsibilities I wasn't so thrilled about." He recalled with a laugh.

[User] "Well, I told you about the name part already, and I suppose that's one part that I really am looking forward to a lot. Once the ritual is complete, I will be a Prophet, and everyone will call me Bri'nx instead of Onyx in respect to my new role in the tribe. That's a big change in itself, as that is the everyday proof of my acceptance by the tribe." Onyx paused to eat some of her meal before continuing. "As for my responsibilities, I will no longer have any daily tasks to complete unless I want to, and I won't have to attend the Elder's teachings and stories anymore. I will have new responsibilities though, such as looking after those who are still to come of age and going on daily patrols around the nest to help anyone who may need it. Any duties related to my role as a Prophet would also become new responsibilities for me, such as going on diplomatic missions or helping to ease the worries of the tribe."

[Assistant] Tarentek nodded. "Hmm, and I suppose I can guess what your first major responsibility will be. It is only going to be a few more days before I'm ready to go. How do you feel about visiting a foreign city? I have been to Tel Nof before, though only once. As scouts, my squad was adept at crossing the desert terrain, so we were assigned to escort a diplomatic envoy to the city. It is smaller than Amman, or most of the surrounding cities, but it is still much larger than this village. It is built on an old Human ruin, a military base. Actually, it was a place where the Humans kept the airplanes and helicopters I told you about. Not even wreckage remains of those anymore, though. All of the metal was taken and reused in building up the city. Still, the Karisskan living there were able to recover quite a few weapons, and have since gathered more from the surrounding area. Amman often traded ammunition to them. They are well armed, which is one reason I believe that they will make for useful allies." He explained.

[User] "I'm a little excited, but also very nervous. I told you I've never been in another city under very peaceful circumstances before. I hope for the success of this mission, but I worry about what would happen if we fail." Onyx fell silent for a little while, thinking. "They are your people, but how different are they from your city? Like how our tribes are different from each other, or are there less differences between your city and theirs than I am thinking?"

[Assistant] "Well...I don't know if I would call them my people. I mean, they are my species of course, but the Karisskan of Tel Nof are quite different from those of Amman. We do share a common background, but we split away from one another long ago." Tarentek began. He did not know everything about the Karisskan of Tel Nof, but he had learned some in preparation for his visit to their city years ago. "There are fundamental differences in our beliefs and the way we live our lives. We see our gods, especially Jhala, differently. For my people, as you know, we are called to develop a deep understanding of the world for the honor and service of Jhala, but the Karisskan of Tel Nof follow a different path, one that can change with their leaders. They split from our people by following their first king to settle Tel Nof. Since then, all of their kings and queens have had absolute authority over their people. They believe that Jhala imparts her wisdom on their monarch, so they serve as leader in state and in spirit. Still, those shared roots we have make them somewhat similar to my people, in a few ways. A lot of our social norms, like the way we behave and talk around one another, are similar, so I can be of help in that regard. They do trade with other cities, so they are accustomed to interacting with other races, and are...reasonably understanding when they make mistakes. Mostly."

[User] "So the major difference between their city and yours is that they follow your goddess in a different way than you do?" Onyx asked before changing her mind. "Actually, nevermind. That makes sense, they have different values, so they follow their own set of rules. The different tribes of my people are somewhat similar, those who are more focused on survival don't actually have a specific ritual for things like coming of age or a funeral, while a tribe like mine that is focused on exploration has a very strong belief in keeping the traditions of our ancestors going strong." Onyx paused a moment as she searched for the thread of thought she had started with. "So, the way their leadership works is very different from yours, but social custom is still similar. Is there anything I should know about what to, or what not to do?"

[Assistant]
Tarentek nodded. "Oh, yes, quite a few. More than I could go over in just a few minutes. A lot of it is behaviors that might offend you which you and the others will have to learn to accept. I've encountered a few of those in my time here, if you recall. I wouldn't want you or the others to think someone is trying to insult you when they're not...or that they're being friendly when they're actually trying to insult you." He said with a chuckle. "We might want to set aside some time one day before the mission to go over all of that in detail. Preferably, with the others who will be escorting me. I may ask your father to decide a few days early on who will be joining me so we can properly prepare."

Tarentek was nearly finished with his meal, though he wasn't in any particular rush. "I think you'll be fine, though, as long as you let me lead the way and try not to make any assumptions if you're unsure about what someone is meaning. You seem to have been reasonably understanding about our differences so far, even if there have been a few misunderstandings. Is there anything you can think of that the others joining us might have issues with?"

[User] "Well, the most obvious thing is that they wont want to follow your lead at first, but even after they accept that they may still be rude or insubordinate. But it also depends greatly on who 'they' actually are." Onyx quoclky made a list in her mind of all those who would be most likely to accept the mission and follow Tarentek's orders without too much bad behavior. "I can think of quite a few people that would be included in the best case scenario, but there is an even higher number of unknowns and negatives too."

[Assistant]
"I would guess that your father would want to send along the people who would best get along with me, or at least be focused enough on the mission to accept my expertise on the matter. If they do not intend to listen, it would honestly be better not to have them at all. We want to make a good impression on the locals, and there are some things that could actually get them in to some trouble if they make the wrong mistakes." Tarentek explained. He finished his meal, so he opened his canteen and sipped on his water as he continued.

"If we are lucky enough to get an audience with her, probably one of the most important rules is to do everything that the Queen tells you, without question. In diplomatic negotiations, you can disagree with her, that is fine, but in everything else, the Queen's word is absolute law, and she doesn't like to be questioned in her own home. If she wants you to do something you don't like or don't want to do, it doesn't matter; you do it. Disobeying the Queen is something they can and will arrest you for, and, well, you really don't want that." He added.

[User] Onyx finished her meal as she listened to Tarentek, and began to clean up everything while she thought how to respond. "How likely do you think it is that we will actually meet with this queen? I'm not certain that our entire group would actually go into the city, some would stay outside either to show less intimidation or simply to avoid the possibility of making any mistakes." Onyx had finished cleaning up now, so she sat back at the table and started sorting through her med-pack. "Speaking of mistakes, it would be extremely bad if we were to come to a misunderstanding while there. Are there specific, rules of court, or anything like that we would have to follow? I suppose you'd tell everyone on the mission at some point along the way, so you don't have to tell them all right now."

[Assistant]
Tarentek nodded. "There are rules specific to the court, yes. Actually, when I was there, they sent someone to us beforehand to instruct us on their rules. It seems they are not so unreasonable as to punish people for rules they know nothing about. No, they make sure to tell you the rules before arresting you for breaking them. Still, I will tell everyone all that I remember. A lot of the etiquette is simple...fluff, is how I would describe it. Who to bow to; who walks in front when you're going somewhere. That kind of thing. One thing I found strange was that guests, or anyone, really, are forbidden from talking with any of the servants while in the palace. There are specific officials who are permitted to relay orders to the servants. It's a security thing, I believe. All of the servants are...well I don't know if slaves is the right term. They all live quite well, and actually receive a good amount of respect in the palace. But, all of them are hatched in the palace, and are forbidden from speaking with anyone outside the palace...ever. Through their entire lives. I think it is meant to ensure that no outside plots ever find their way into the minds of the monarch's servants."

Though she had not asked, Tarentek paused a moment to help clean up. By this point, he had been in Onyx's home long enough to know everything's proper place. "As for meeting the Queen herself, it is actually possible. She does have advisers and other officials who can act on her behalf, but what we are going to be asking of her people is pretty major. We're asking for a military alliance against a force greater than her city could hope to conquer alone. That is important enough for the Queen herself to take interest. If that happens, just do whatever she says. We're not going to be allowed any security in her presence, so it will just be us who has to worry about that."

[User] "You've lost me. Slaves and, servants? I understand the concept of slavery but, your people actually do that?" Onyx shook her head, confused but resigned. "Nevermind, we can talk more about this later. The ritual tomorrow starts a little after dawn, and the sun set a while ago. Will you be ok tomorrow? I will be busy for most of the day, so you'll be alone for that time."


[System]
Cecilia Lang

Age: 32
Gender: Female
Disposition: Cecilia comes off as a harsh, no-nonsense enforcer, keeping the other pilots of the Preying Panthers in line and commanding them in the field. She radiates authority, carrying herself with a haughty demeanor and steely confidence. In public, she molds her image into the Panthers' stone-cold adjutant, although on the inside she is actually very reserved and apprehensive about herself. Of course, she makes no effort to reveal her softer side to her associates. When it comes to operations, results come first. Cecilia keeps a close eye on the rest of the team in the field, to better orchestrate the most successful outcome.

Background: Prior to joining the Preying Panthers, Cecilia was a security officer of the WhiteTower private security corporation. WhiteTower had a strong presence in the XCD, providing surveillance and protection to client businesses; most of which were arms manufacturers or FRAME companies. WhiteTower provided FRAME training to applicants in its FRAME Security division, where Cecilia learned the ins and outs of piloting. Once she was fully registered, Cecilia was assigned to a post at Ceres Aeronautics. Originally a designer and manufacturer of aircraft, Ceres had just taken the leap into the FRAME market as well.

Ceres's entering the FRAME industry unnerved other local corporations, wary of the growing competition within the market. KellCorp was especially anxious when Ceres unveiled the XGM-24A Handou and lost a number of prospective clients to the upstart FRAME manufacturer. In response, KellCorp decided to put matters in its own hands and go on the offensive. It sent a mercenary unit to assault Ceres's FRAME manufacturing plant and send the message to stay out of the industry.

Cecilia was among the WhiteTower personnel assigned to the facility, who were caught off-guard by KellCorp's attack. The mercenaries mounted a sudden, powerful offense and hammered Cecilia's partners into submission before totaling the plant. Although she held out with a grim determination and downed a few FRAMEs, there were too many mercenaries for her to deal with, and she was forced to surrender after her machine had been disabled.

The incident prompted Ceres Industries to respond by hiring the same mercenaries that KellCorp had sent after them, enticing them with an extremely lucrative contract. Not only did this get KellCorp out of their hair momentarily, but it gave them a means to retaliate and replace the FRAMEs WhiteTower had lost. The mercenaries happened to be none other than the Preying Panthers, and after ruining KellCorp's chances of competing with Ceres, Richard Bentz convinced Cecilia to quit her job at WhiteTower and join his unit.

Inventory:
* Heavy calibre revolver w/ optional laser module/flashlight unit.
* Carbine-length adaptive battle rifle with standard electronic sight and under-barrel flashlight.
* Combat/survival knife
* Pilots' suit with ballistic armour and equipment harness
* Pilots' helmet
* Military-spec datapad strapped to right forearm

Other: TBD
Manufacturer: Canton
Height: 4.1 meters
Weight: 5100 kg
Armor: 40 mm armorplast alloy
Speed (Walk): 52 kph
Speed (Skate): 84.2 kph
Sensor range: 4 km
Communication range: 30 km
Operating range: 700 km
Weight: 2
Power: 3

Armaments:
* MG27 Light Machinegun
-An anti-personnel 7.62 caliber machine gun built by Radley Arms. Effective range is 400 meters. Rate of fire is 650 rds/min. 800 rounds are carried in an internal drum. Weapon is mounted into the torso.
* GPR-21 Autocannon
-A 30 mm autocannon manufactured by Canton Arms. Effective range exceeds 1200 m. Penetration listed at 105 mm of vertical steel alloy. Rate of fire on automatic is 400 rds/min. Magazines house 60 rounds each. Capable of firing APDS-T and HEI-T rounds.
* MGR-2A Anti-tank Missile Launcher
-An anti-tank missile launcher designed by Cradle Dynamics. Range exceeds 1200 m. Penetration rated at 625 mm of vertical steel alloy. Uses a tandem HEAT warhead to penetrate armor. Mounted to the left shoulder.

Subsystems:
* C3 Imaging Suite
* ECM Suite - Missile countermeasure device (MCD) designed to emit a concentrated infrared signal, confusing the homing seekers of anti-tank missiles. Warheads intercepted by the MCD are redirected away from the FRAME, but will still impact and detonate wherever they are scrambled to.
* EVF "Chameleon" Active Camouflage

[User]
"You look f-" Marlene's answer to how Sarah's FRAME appeared to be holding-up was cut-off when Cecelia called for them to withdraw for debriefing, which led to Mr Bubbles making a far less than graceful series of bounding-moves down the street as Marlene saw what was left of her lens fall-off and crash into the pavement from all the jiggling, likely rendering her to pilot it completely blind.

Now, as a very rude word regarding the new status of Mr Bubbles came to mind; Sarah had two options, really. She could've popped the hatch like a normal person, or remained buttoned-up and rely on one of her team-mates to make sure she was pointed in the right direction with a series of commands and in some cases, shunting Mr Bubbles with a well-timed shoulder-bump.

...

After what seemed to remove a fair amount of paint off Yassir's shoulders, Mr bubbles came to a halt in Samigina's cargo-bay, allowing Marlene to get out and probably not have to worry about anything large and expensive getting broken... for awhile. As she saw Sarah run-off like a squirrel on a caffeine-high, she was thankful that she was the ship's problem for right now as she made sure both FRAMEs were secured in their bays before catching-up with their hyperactive-mascot.

The briefing around the holo-table, put lightly, was highly skeptical of Colonel Guoliang's motives; at least from Marlene's perspective as she looked over at Bentz.

She strummed the table a few times at the end of the spiele as she quietly debated whether or not to voice her opinion on the matter of being a non-national unit being aligned with the commands of a black-ops unit with likely a checkered history of its own. Sounded like a scapegoat-for-hire offer.

[Assistant]
-----------------

'It's over' Cecilia's words echoed around Kat's head for some time before slowly forming meaning.
"It's over." She softly repeats with a distant sense of melancholy.
A hand drags across her face as she tries to wipe away the tears and her mood.
"It's over." She repeats once again to herself as she straightens up and starts restoring partial life to her FRAME allowing it to warm up.
With a deep breath and some thought she access Cecilia's encrypted link and replies in her bravest voice.

"Sorry m'am, snow leopard fell asleep. Jus' went dark on me all of a sudden! Thinking there's some sort of failure in the heat dissipation or distribution. Probably a faulty power coupling or two, gonna shut of auxiliary and redirect focus to mobility. Just give me ten to salvage some parts from the wrecks.
Could damn use it."

Kat doesn't wait for a reply, she completely disengages all unnecessary tech, the scanners, jammers and radios, all of it. In truth Snow Leopard was hard to start, but on the fourth go she woke up.
To Kat the FRAME felt hungry, she could feel Snow's belly rumble. Just another one let down by Kat today.

As much as she could use some more tech or parts to work with, it wasn't the real reason for her gradual approach to the fallen enemies. Kat didn't understand it herself but she just had to see them, to see the carnage and destruction of their encounter. The jagged torn steal, the lifeless frames, the pools of leaking fluids - human and machine - the strewn bodies... Or what was left of.

The first civvie FRAME Kat came upon was still kicking. It lay like a helpless injured animal still twitching, sparks flying from a large hole in its chest and the open shoulder joint where the arm had once been.
The man inside the cockpit was in much the same condition. Pinned down by a large bar protruding from his chest, he cried, wriggled and sputtered. Kat couldn't bring herself to help him, or end him either, so she just watched.

When it was over and he stopped moving, Kat exited her FRAME. Keeping true to her word she went searching the civvie vehicle for parts useful for Snow Leopard. Instead she came back with a small case found just outside the mans desperate reach.

It was a personal drug stash, half full of stimulants and illegal enhancers.
Finding a secure spot in her own cockpit pit she hid it well, keeping a small select few on herself.

------- Back at base -------

"Fuck that!" Kat yells out disapprovingly from the back corner of the Command room, having opted not to sit closely around the holo table with the others. In fact since arrival Kat had been very cautious to steer clear of most people after her earlier blunder.

"It will become all 'yes sir, no sir!' And we will be fighting some fat asshole politicians personal feuds for him in no time!"
Kat's arms spoke as much as her mouth as they flailed about enacting her speech with passion.

"I signed up to the panthers! Not the friggin military!"

There was an unusual hint of aggression and/or frustration in Kat's demeanour that was out of character for her.

[User]
"And there may not be a future for the panthers if this job isn't taken. It may be too good to be true, but it's also too good to pass up. If there's one thing you learn in the military, it's how to adapt to the situation. And so, that's what we must do here."

Sabrina understood the reason the girl spoke up, but her usual military experience made her check her in her mind. Back in the military, speaking up without permission was grounds for extra PT, depending on if you were wasting your team leader's time with whatever you wanted to say. Still, she had to remind herself that this was a PMC and they conducted themselves differently. She didn't want to come off as high and mighty, but she still conducted herself as if she was still a soldier. For now, she hoped the others would understand the situation a little better. She stood at parade rest and looked to the Director.

"Sir?"

[Assistant]
"Fuck that!" The shrill of Kat's voice startled everyone in the room, not least of all Cecilia, who's face immediately twisted into a cherry-colored knot.

 "It will become all 'yes sir, no sir!' And we will be fighting some fat asshole politician's personal feuds for him in no time! I signed up to the Panthers! Not the friggin' military!"

 "If you don't LIKE it, you don't have to STAY!" Cecilia snarled. Richard gave Colonel Leung an uneasy tilt of his eyebrows, mouthing "I'm sorry." The officer, clearly dumbfounded by the sudden hostile environment, nodded and shifted his gaze anywhere but forward.

 "I've had it with this display of yours since Cradle," the adjutant continued. "I thought you could take care of yourself, but after today's stunt in the slums, I've half a mind to terminate your contract right here and now! What's the matter with you?! You'd better cut the bullshit and start acting like the Panther you so want to be; I have no problem with replacing you with someone who can handle the work, because evidently, you CAN'T."

 No sooner had the words left Cecilia's mouth than she'd realized the gravity of what she'd just said. She took a step back from the table, eyes shifting uncomfortably away from contact with the other Panthers until they settled to the floor.

 "Oh gods," she muttered in a barely-audible whisper. "Kat, I'm so sorry..."

 Cecilia took a deep breath, turning to the XCD Colonel. "<Colonel; you have my most sincere apologies. I'm sorry you had to see us this way,>" she said in fluent Xiangese. "<As field commander of the Preying Panthers, I appreciate the generosity of the XCD in this endeavor.>"

 Lang's body tingled with embarrassment. Her fury might've been just as unprofessional and misplaced as Kat's, and in front of a representative of her country, even... that's not how she wanted the Panthers to be seen.

 "<Think nothing of it, Ms. Lang,>" Colonel Leung responded. "<Every unit has its quirks. I, for one, am impressed with your record; having disciplined these laowai all these years. Allow me to be the first to welcome you home.>"

 Cecilia stammered, deciding on a polite bow instead of an audible thanks. When she returned to full height, her eyes met Richard's, which were none too happy, but neither were they accusatory.

 "Now, then. Any further constructive discussion?" Bentz asked, doing his best to reset the mood.