Let's be war buddies...

[initiates]

Date & Time: 18th, beginning at 2100 hours, through to the 20th.
Location: All around Exsilium.
Characters: Everyone!
Summary: The United Earth decides Exsilium had obviously not learned its lesson back in October, and does another round of humble-making bombing for those impertinent exiles. OOC info can be found here.
Warnings: Violence, death, general gloom and doom.

The warning had gone out approximately two hours before the bombing began, broadcast to any available receptor on the island: UE aggressions incoming, bombs expected; please proceed to Catacombs immediately. It repeats over and over, right up until the first bomb, aimed at the Hold itself, silences the signal.

The air is thick with smoke and worse. Every one to two hours another bomb shakes the island. Buildings crumble and shatter, but the focus is on the Hold and the native hospital. Initiative employees, some sick as anyone else, are steadfast in their escorting natives and transports alike into the underground catacombs. For two days the bombs continue ceaselessly, dropped by their cloaked and invisible carriers overhead.

The United Earth is nothing if not thorough.

Comments

TWO MU AND YOU: a catacomb entrance lovestory [OTA]

[firstroar]

[barely a day on his feet and the bombs fall. his timing is...fair enough, then; he's at least given a chance to do some good. not as much as he'd wish, but beggars really can't be choosers.

the woman at his side is all the more reason to stand up: he fears for Physis being so close to the surface when the ground rattles, but her confidence in him protecting the both of them keeps him steady, gives him the extra push he needs to remain.

they don't need voices to call out and lead those lost to the entrance, and by their own wills pale light keeps the entrance safe from dust and chemicals growing thick in the air for as long as they remain there.]

This way. You're almost there.

[terrot]

[ she doesn't waver at in the least as she adds her power to his, strengthening the shield as the cavern above them shakes with each impact. by his side, they can achieve what they need, or they will fall hand in hand. it's better than having him work so distantly, where she couldn't be there to help if something happened to him. her only regret is that she should have seen this coming. ]

So, this is how the enemy meets us. Weakened, they thought we'd be conquered.

[firstroar]

Too many people make that mistake.

[machines, too. but that need not be said; they both know it.

while he keeps his eyes forward, out toward the streets outside, his hand sought out hers – a gentle yet steady grip.]

They're amazing, aren't they? These people here...

[terrot]

[ her own fingers wrapped tightly around his. there is some fear there, but she tries not to show it. people and machines, some who are almost both. she heard him here, but she can't tell blue that. too much wrapped into that, too many reminders of problems caused both in the past and future.

for not she only focuses on the task at hand, and his hand in hers. ]

A resilient people, and they haven't lost their hope. Just being around them, standing with them, I can feel their strength bolster mine.

[ she turns her head to face him with the hint of a smile. ] And you have protected them well.

[firstroar]

No.

[his head shakes a little.]

They've protected me. There's power here well beyond my own, and strong wills...

[terrot]

[ she squeezes his hand. ] You've protected each other. That power beyond you is collective, we are all a part of it. And you, Blue, are also.

I have no doubt that there are many lives here you have affected for the better.

[highfrequency]

[Raiden is hunkered in a corner, glowering, sword clutched in his hand. He's not so much showing people the way in as he is standing guard in case anything goes wrong.

He's tucking his tongue into the corner of his mouth, thinking dark thoughts when he sees the pale glow light up the tunnel entrance. Something about it calms his nerves. Seeing people working together, helping each other.... It reminds him what it is the Transports are fighting for.]

How are you doing that?

[terrot]

[ physis turns her head toward the sound of raiden's voice, furrowing her brows at the weight of his emotions. she isn't sure what to conclude about him just yet. she doesn't answer his question. ]

It's alright. We're here to help, that we can all be safe here.

[firstroar]

As are you.

[Blue's reply is more distracted, his attention more focused on the barrier, on trying to detect those struggling to find their way.

yet if that massive swirl of rage so close to them threatens Physis...]

[highfrequency]

[It's not much of an answer but Raiden manages to respond with a thin, feeble smile.]

Well, thanks. For the help, I mean.

[He doesn't just mean with guarding the tunnel, he means with all of this madness in general. The whole situation is a bit ludicrous.]

[terrot]

[ she's unsure whether she should pay it so much mind, blue needs her attention with him. but still, there's something troubling the man that she can feel. it's palpable, in the air around them, and she wonders if she shouldn't try to help in some way. ]

And perhaps we should also be thanking you. [ it's building off of blue's words mostly, but also trying to feel around at raiden's intentions. ]

[boughtabookstore]

[ She wanders up towards the entrance to the catacombs at some point during the early part of the bombings, wondering if she could perhaps provide a little bit of assistance out there. But before she can reach the entrance she reaches Physis and Blue, pauses just within the circle of their light and smiles a little. It's good to see that they're both well and the feel of them is comforting. ]

Lighting a beacon?

well i guess this means notifs are fifty minutes late

[terrot]

[ physis raises her head at the sound, smiling. ]

Yes. Guiding those outside to safety, and holding a seal to maintain that safety for those already within.

ALSO TOYOTA

[firstroar]

[even though he himself doesn't turn to regard their visitor, there's a significant shift in Blue's mood; it's a relief to hear Ros nearby, safe. he's sure he doesn't have to worry about Gamora, but...]

It's what we can do.

also me

[boughtabookstore]

[ but Ros is rather human, something that has kept her below ground when she'd rather be up there. still. she smiles a little back at them. ]

It's good to have a welcome home committee. Do you need anything? Food, water?

[terrot]

Water will be fine, thank you.

[ she pauses a moment before adding onto it. ] Rain went ahead of us, into the catacombs. [ he should be safe, she's sure. but she can't help feeling concerned. ]

[acemedium]

Ah.... what is that?

[Maya had been in the right direction before, but the light catches her attention (wait, wasn't it that you weren't supposed to go towards the light - and the voice in her head startles her more than anything]

[Maya's in bad shape, physically, coughing, scratched up, dirty, struggling - her regular cheer is nowhere to be found, despite relief at finding the entrance, she's terrified and worried for Phoenix more than anything else. Where was he...?]

[terrot]

[ physis senses her pain, and though she can't see her difficulty in reaching the cavern's mouth, the feelings of desperation are enough. ]

Blue. She'll need help to reach us.

[firstroar]

Wait for us.

[he leaves her side, bracing himself as he passes through the threshold of their shared barrier, having his own alone to sustain him in that foul air. he can't move fast enough on foot...like a man on the moon, he strides and floats lengths at a time until he can reach her, following her troubled thoughts.

she doesn't wander alone for long.]

Maya. [he says and thinks it simultaneously, giving his call much more presence. he doesn't wait for her reaction to reach out to her, hands on her shoulders.]

Come with me. It's not far now.

[acemedium]

[Maya startles again at the voice in her head, and then at his hands on her shoulders--]

B-Blue? [Was he the one doing that? In any case, dazed as she is, she automatically leans into his hands and walks towards him when prompted - but she's staring]

What's happening...?

[terrot]

[ as she waits for their return, physis keeps the barrier steady, letting its glow shine brighter to guide the way for their return. ]

[hornedomen]

Move to the light.

[Ico spoke to a group of citizens. This was not the first group he led though he started to think that it could be his last. His body felt weak and it had become difficult to ignore the various pains in his body. He stood beside Blue and he counted the people as they moved into the catacomb. Five, they were all there.]

I'm glad you're okay. Will you both be safe out here?

[He spoke while panting, his breath fogged up the gas mask he wore.]

[terrot]

[ physis smiled down at ico as group passed through the barrier she and blue held steady. he was brave to do the work he did, but she feared it may be too much. ]

We are where we need to be. Are you sure you won't follow them in?

[firstroar]

[Blue's eyes never leave the road ahead as those people pass through, but he by no means ignores their passing. nor of Ico's, who he does turn his head to regard him at length as Physis speaks.]

You're very tired. If you intend to help others, you must tend to yourself first.

[hornedomen]

May I rest here? Maybe I could help; I have light.

[He was not ready to stop entirely. As long as he had some strength left, he wanted to help in any way he could.]