Ser Masterful tilted their head upwards so that their curved visor approximated a smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Kaylid. Please do not feel too disheartened about it. If we are needed, we will be called. I'm just glad I could convince someone on it." They jerked their head towards the Elysians. "I did not want to risk an altercation here, where we might hurt others, by trying to say what I have said to you to the Elysians. Intervention is a touchy subject, especially now in an age where individuals can have more destructive force invested in them than ever before."

Armor store

"Yeah, nice to meet you as well." Kaylid responded, biting his cheek a little still. He felt uneasy despite agreeing with his decision, though that is largely a product as he looks around at the scene. Many others seemingly battle hungry like was a moment or two ago.

"...sounds like you've dealt with stuff like this before?" Kaylid partly questions though in a way that makes it clear, he feels its redundant. Atleast by what he reads from Ser Masterful, which admittedly... Is harder than reading most humans. Not like engineering knowledge helps him here.

edited 21st Oct '16 5:36:54 PM by darkdestinysoul

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

Way to go, Lucas. You were so stubborn in your insistence to get out that you forgot there was already a way to scout the attackers. One that didn't result in you being mincemeat.

" I... I'm sorry, ma'am," Lucas said, somewhat dejectedly.

ARMOR, On the Way to the Hangar

Sylvester continued to head for the hangar, as he was making his way he noticed that there was not a single member of the security team in the hallways or anywhere he could see them... so it seemed to really be some kind of training for the new students here... well... and if that was the case... he might as well get a good grade at the beginning... unannounced training excercises... now that was something he had done before and he knew very well that one should ideally treat them as if they were real.

edited 18th Oct '16 10:35:31 PM by Sergey_Smirnov

"One may feel fear in the face of danger so long as one banishes fear when danger actually arrives"

"I have a few years of military service under my belt, yes." Ser Masterful replied with a nod. "But all of my people do, and I have supplemented it with extensive scholarship regarding military procedure and doctrine." They placed one hand behind their head. "To be perfectly honest with you, I am more a scholar than a soldier and that sort of positioning may cost me my reputation here at ARMOR. What about you, Kaylid? I am not going to assume your age when neoteny and genetic modifications are so common, but I am intuiting that you are overall somewhat new to the field of personal mechanized warfare."

Kaylid twitched a little, at what was said, Neoteny and all... (Even if he only partly-understood what it meant) Then again, the bit followed about genetic modification is technically true and likely the reason his development is late.

Responding, a hand behind his head as well. "Mostly yeah, I've been trained as an engineer, till recently I was mostly just doing test piloting to check our repairs..." He is sympathetic to the scholarly side, he could understand with his engineering background.

"I did get forced into some live-mech combat against pirates before I came into this... Which is something." Kaylid finishes, his tone on this final note slightly pained at the thoughts; though he felt it was important for him to mention since he isn't a complete novice he has actually experience, having actually fought and survived combat before.

edited 21st Oct '16 5:36:43 PM by darkdestinysoul

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

"Well, self-defense might be fairly different from what you will run into here at ARMOR." Ser Masterful replied. They were about to go on about fighting for a cause and the ethos behind that, but that horse was dead and thoroughly beaten. "We will most likely be participating in many armed interventions or security actions and be forced to back up threats of force with real shows thereof. You will need to be willing to take action and if necessary end a life. This may be contributing to ugly stereotypes about the Kersh, but it is still the case that I have few compunctions about this and would love to hear some interesting counterpoints about it."

ARMOR Hanger

In front of the group walks a giant mound of red flesh, who totally wasn't lost after accidentally breaking a help terminal. Not at all. Looking at group, it speaks in a deep voice.

WHAT'S GOING ON?!?

edited 21st Oct '16 5:32:28 PM by ZenithBloodedge

The measure of a man is not his courage, but rather the size of his gun.

Armor store

Kaylid clenched a fist slightly. "I get that, I know it'll be different. My dad was in the military, he had a job to do. He had his reason to fight, to try and make a difference... and i've got mine." He reconfirmed not only his reasons for being here to himself but his determination. Though how well it would hold up when tested is still to be seen.

"Also sorry, I don't actually know much about the Kesh..." He admitted, feeling a little bad like maybe he should know more.

edited 21st Oct '16 5:44:41 PM by darkdestinysoul

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

"Neither do we!" Ser Masterful slapped their knee and issued forth a powerful laugh. "We are the only wholly mechanical society in the galaxy! There are other peoples who have created AIs, some even as sentient as us, but we are the only sovereign nation of sentient AI." They tapped their forehead, struggling for a word. "It is... the word escapes me. Perhaps 'echo chamber' is appropriate. The only people who philosophize about the Kersh are the Kersh themselves, which means that even 1,014 years later, we are no closer to unraveling whether or not we are truly alive—which means that we are free to kill as we see fit, because killing a Kersh might just be like smashing a microwave. Ghost In The Shell, by Shirow Masamune, hit upon what many of my people have thought of, though, with his concept of a 'Ghost.' Did you ever read that?"

ARMOR Store

Another crash rocked the station, this time much closer to the store. Maya lost her balance, falling towards the floor but rolling back into a crouched position.

"Still think it's some engineering fault?! I know an explosion when I feel one."

A flashing message came up in the corner of their HU Ds, though unlike the first, this was red.

DIRECT LINE ESTABLISHED. STANDBY FOR ANNOUNCEMENT.'

A woman's voice came over the comm lines.

"Attention all students and faculty members. This is your principal speaking. Our communications and defence networks have been jammed by an unknown intruder. The intruders have also initiated lockdown procedures on the main halls and the security team quarters. Please remain calm, and do not panic. I am already formulating a plan of action to repel the attackers."

The message flashed again.

ANNOUNCEMENT MODE DISABLED. DIRECT MESSAGE ENGAGED.

The voice spoke again.

"First year students, reports say that the store is not under lockdown effect. It appears our attackers did not expect you being late to head to the hall. I don't want to ask this of you all on your first day, but...your mechs should be in the hangars. All those who are capable of piloting them in combat, please launch and repel the attackers. All those who are not up to it, keep your heads down and stay in the store. You have authority to request the issuing of firearms from ARMOR Core should they manage to board the Academy. Reports say that the attackers are piloting standard, mass-produced models, though of what models exactly are uncertain. We are certain that there are mechs equipped with heavy weapons such as missiles and beam cannons. Nothing your mechs shouldn't be able to avoid or endure, but do be careful. That is all."

The message indicator shifts to gray, before vanishing.

Direct line terminated.

Maya looks around at her fellow classmates, a bit jittery. One gets the feeling that she's getting rather excited despite herself.

"Well...what are we waiting for?! We don't have all day!"

With that she breaks into a sprint, dashing out the door and down the hallways.

edited 23rd Oct '16 12:03:32 AM by UndyingPhoenix

Looks like I was right. Someone is trying to invade the compound.

"Apparently, the drone won't be needed for anything other than its intended uses," Lucas responded to the other two Elysians. "Now come on, Laura. We need to be ready to defend the school."

Lucas once ahead went to exit the store, following Maya to the hangar

ARMOR Store

Kaylid is taken back by Ser Masterful's response, the sudden laugh not what he expected though a small smirk appears across his face as he listens and then responds. "Ghost In The Shell, yeah actually my uncle use-" Cue the second explosion going off causing Kaylid to crash over and to the ground and side.

The message began playing while he laid crashed upon the floor, almost as he had calmed himself down completely and was content that it would be handled. Only really once the message was over he started to push himself back up onto his feet, looking back to Ser Masterful, perhaps surprisingly not in a 'I told you so way' but more to confirm what he heard.

"Well that's the call you were waiting on." He watched Maya and Lucas charge out. "We should probably try and catch up." finishing though actually waiting to see if there was any objection, despite a look in his eyes similar to before though, more hesitant, less either battlethristy or gloryhunting.

edited 23rd Oct '16 2:43:28 AM by darkdestinysoul

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

ARMOR, On the way to the Hangar

Sylvester did not stop as the announcement came... this seemed serious... if that was a training then they went quite far with it... so... chances were that this was infact none... he was glad that he went so fast, so he was near the hangar already. Soon enough he went into the hangar and to his mechbay. The small lift brought him and his AI to the cockpit quite fast as he jumped in, the AI following soon after. He fastened his 5-point-seatbelt as the AI was linking herself with the system already. Quickly he switched a few buttons, initiating the startup procedure.

• Cockpit sealed;
• Air supply initiated;
  • Airflow - Nominal;
• Life-support-system - Activated;
• Reactor - Starting Fusion Reaction;
  • Fusion mass - Stable;
  • Reaction - At normal level;
  • Power output 250kW... 500kW... 750kW... 1MW;
  • Pressure - Nominal;
• Coolant-circuits - All functioning;
• Heat Sinks - Activated;
• Switching to internal power - No fluctuations detected;
  • Purging umbilical cable;
• Beginning sensor check;
  • Activating optical camera - Visual feedback - Check;
  • Activating thermal sensors - Thermal feedback - Check;
  • Activating audio sensors - Audio feedback - Check;
  • Comm-system - Check;
• Sensors all checked and ready;
• Beginning thruster check;
  • Main Thrusters - Check;
  • Vernier Thrusters - Check;
• Thrusters all checked and ready;
• Beginning joint check;
  • Neck Joint - Check;
  • Shoulder Joints - Check;
  • Elbow Joints - Check;
  • Wrist Joints - Check;
  • Finger Joints - Check;
  • Knee Joints - Check;
  • Ankle joints - Check;
• Joints all checked and ready;
• Now releasing holding clamps - RGM-89S [SV] Stark Jegan standing free;
• Activating ATC;
• Beginning weapons check;
  • Vulcan Guns - Check;
  • 60mm Machine Cannon - Check;
  • Grenades - Check;
  • 3-tube Missile Pods - Check;
  • Large Anti-Ship Missiles - Check;
  • Beam Rifle - Check;
  • Beam Guns - Check;
  • Beam Sabers - Check;
  • Shield internal Missile Launchers - Check;
  • INCOM - Check;
• Weapons all checked and ready;
• Activating ATS;
• Pre-Launch check complete;
• Disengaging control-locks;

He stepped on the catapult "Sylvester Volkov, RGM-89S Stark Jegan, LAUNCHING!" He felt the familiar feeeling as he was pressed into his seat as the catapult launched him out of the hangar.

edited 23rd Oct '16 9:57:27 AM by Sergey_Smirnov

"One may feel fear in the face of danger so long as one banishes fear when danger actually arrives"

"I agree!" Ser Masterful declared, and headed for the hangar. "The idiots were lazy and didn't lock down every room out of redundancy! This shall be easy. Kaylid, I am requesting docking permission on your mech. Elegantem Stultitia works best when it is allowed to combine with others, you see."

Jace sprints towards the Hangar.

"Didn't think I'd get to show you guys how a real mech pilot operates today."

He slides to a stop in front of the cargo box and holds his eye up to a small blue light attached to a panel on the side.

Jace Talos, Confirmed

The cargo box unfolded, revealing the brilliant red mech suit.

"It's go time..."

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

En-route to Hangar

"Reques docking..? Alright, I trust you know what you're doing." Kaylid responded setting off himself towards the Hangar as well as quick as he could while carrying his things still. "What way do you mean it'll combine?" He questions as he runs.

edited 23rd Oct '16 11:25:22 AM by darkdestinysoul

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

"Elegantem Stultitia can combine its parts with another mecha to link their systems together." Ser Masterful explained. "The arms can lend defense and spare weapons, the head improves weapon power and sensor input, and the legs act as either extra legs or as spare propulsion, depending on the model being attached to." Ser Masterful mashed a keypad, got a door open, and let the both of them out into ARMOR's hangar. "Do you have any kinetic weapons, Kaylid? The head sadly only augments weapons with physical projectiles."

Armor Hangar

Kaylid shakes his head as they get inside. "Ut uh, not really. Other than missiles and being able turn Dawnstrider's fist into a projectile, I only got some lasers and melee weapons. You got any? I might be able to use them. He explains rushing over towards his Mech, gulping slightly as he is about to start climbing up towards the cockpit looking back.

"If you think its a good idea still, I could certainly use the speed boost and extra defense." He comments, taking just another moment to see if there was anything else Ser Masterful wanted to say before he did climb up and activate Dawnstrider .

edited 23rd Oct '16 2:13:34 PM by darkdestinysoul

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

To Docks

Zae quickly made a motion for Elaine to follow before she bolted down towards the docks. In fact, it seemed like she even dropped to all fours somehow gaining a bit of a burst of speed before grinding to a halt once she reached the docks. She swiftly pulled out her tablet as she scrambled back up to her feet in a rather perfect manner and remotely opened the cockpit for Silentium Luna and riding the boarding cable all the way up.

As the cockpit closed she set the tablet in a slot, engaging the mecha itself, causing numerous systems and hard light screens and keyboards to appear. Zae rapidly started to type, running startup diagnostics and checking the all around status. She finally engaged the systems for pack docking, and arranged for the Fenrir pack to connect. Finally she typed out a message to the others:

<Silentium Luna -Fenrir- Ready to Fly.>

Maya darted towards the hangar as well. However, she also began to shed. Jaclets, shirt and bra discarded on the floor as she approached Kekoa, unclothed. There were several odd ports in her body along the spine.

She quickly clambered in the mech, it was cramped within. She felt three plugs insert into her spine. She collapsed as the coffin like cockpit filled with a gliwing bright blue liquid, suspending her now empty body.

Kekoa Mano lurched forward, opening and closing It's hands. It walked forward, patting its tight, both opened up, revealing large cleavers which it drew.

"Ready for combat." Lokes voice sounded odd. Both drreamy, like she wasn't fully conscious. However, it had a feral growl as an undercurrent.

Good to be back

"I can just attach it to my own weapon then." Ser Masterful saluted Kaylid as he climbed into his mech, then began their own boarding procedure. They stood in front of Elegantem Stultitia's hunched form on the far side of the hangar, and their chest opened, revealing the glowing brick of CPU's that was their brain. A hatch opened up on the larger machine, and a manipulator wire snaked out to snatch it out of the smaller machine's chest. Ser Masterful collapsed, and Elegantem Stultitia took the brick into itself. In a moment the primary engines powered on, the lights came alive, and the many cameras covering the mecha swiveled around to get their bearings.

"Elegantem Stultitia online," Ser Masterful spoke into the radio, through their new body. They didn't even turn around to launch, the legs simply swiveled to point the correct way and sent them cruising out of the dock. Now floating in space, the machine pivoted and swiveled around to look for Kaylid's machine. "Elegantem Stultitia, ready to combine. Kaylid, we still need a name for the assemblage thereof. That is far more important than you would think, I promise you."

D'Angelo rushed into the hangar, arriving late due to helping staff get to medics and safety. Scrambling into Corona, he started suiting up into his outer piloting suit. "Sorry, for the hold up, what's the word?"

Hallway to Hanger.

Through the static and Hellion doing it's best to bark directions at the slightly lost Doctor, he managed to make it to the destination everyone was heading to. ...Having a slight head-start over most of his peers had helped.

"...So...what's the verdict..."

...Take a guess. All systems are green, everything's primed and fired up, I was going to leave without you if you didn't get here in the next two minutes.

Giving a weak smile and nod, Doc didn't waste much time climbing up the ramp. Everyone else seemed to be arriving at this point.

"Well, er, let's go deal with these...hostiles and try to make it back safe and sound. Hopefully we won't have to, um, patch any one up when we return, so, well...good luck out there, everyone."

edited 2nd Nov '16 7:28:20 AM by TheRealWren

Hope you weren't expecting anything witty here. Maybe some day.

Time to drive

Elaine saw Zae's motion and made a brief noise of protest...she had just found the correct map. Before sighing and following along, albeit trailing behind given the other girl's speed. As the others climbed into their various robots Elaine ran over to where Seraph stood.

When she arrived the hatch opened up as if the robot had been waiting for her. Elaine smiled and dropped in, rapidly reaching the cockpit and beginning the activation sequence as the hatch closed behind her. "Seraph, online and hopefully syncing up with comms if you guys can hear this." the bluenette commented as she flipped a series of switches to their various positions..

-dramatic music ensues-