OPERATION SEXY MARIO: CONCLUSION

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 19th
Location: The UE Holding Compound, and surrounding area.
Characters: Anyone being rescued, doing the rescuing, or doing the distracting.
Summary: There have been some slackers freeloading off the UE for the past couple weeks or so, so let's go drag them home.
Warnings: Likely violence! Let a mod know if we should update this.

Those meant for distraction and those meant for rescue alike are both loaded onto the same stolen highspeed train. It's a great distance to cover, but the train manages in just under two hours, and deposits both groups three miles from the Holding Compound — a desolate and cold area, with rocky, uneven ground, small but jagged hills well-scattered and covered in scraggly trees — and there they part ways.

The diversion is sent away north, to draw United Earth attention and aggression upward, further into the continent, while the rescue team takes a much slower and quieter route to approach the Compound from the south, closest to Exsilium. The rescue team's orders are to wait a full half hour, to be sure that all forces who can be drawn out of the Compound to meet the sudden onslaught from the north will have already left.

The diversion team won't have an easy job of it. The soldiers are heavily armed, and trained to fight to the death before they surrender. They're grouped in organized squadrons, about 20 in each, and seem to outnumber Transports by three to one. Scattered throughout these soldiers are the Masked, the UE's special forces. These soldiers strike with a deadly precision, enhanced speed and strength, and highly advanced weaponry. Also, oddly enough, they seem to have a few smaller members among them, standing about 4 feet tall, and wielding strange powers… Those familiar with the powers of their kidnapped friends may see distinct similarities.

The Compound itself, when the rescue team makes their way in, will be very quiet. All prisoners had been forced into locked rooms (together or separately — whatever was most convenient) before the soldiers had left to face the encroaching threat. There are still personnel left to man the base, of course, and a few of them are armed soldiers — but for the most part it's scientists and researchers. Careful, though. Even scientists and researchers are perfectly capable of sounding the alarm to bring back the armed threats.

Once everyone is out of the Compound, the train will begin running a return trip. It will be kept as long as possible, while the distraction teams sneak back from the battlefield in small groups, but it can't wait forever. Those on the battlefield for the longest, the hardest hitters or the most dedicated fighters, might just have to find another way home. So… any Transports with relocation abilities feel like lending a hand?

Comments

the worst people tbh christopher omg

[substitutable]

[Red. Red. Red. Red. There were two different kinds of red he knew -- reds he liked, like the color of his jacket and the color of Ayano's scarf, and there were reds he disliked, like the blood that she must've spilled that day and the color of the dan members' creepy eyes and the color of the blood spilling from the scientists Christopher and Erika were killing, like the color of the blood that splattered Erika's dress.

And Shintaro finds his feet glued to the ground, eyes wide as he stares in horror at the massacre he wasn't expecting to see nor desired to. He had wanted to avoid it. They were enemies, certainly, but where was the need to kill when it could have been avoided had them simply run away? He'd wanted to avoid seeing death more than anything -- he didn't even like hospitals -- and now he's sure he'll never get the sight out of his head. He raises a hand to his mouth to press against it, willing the bile to go down and not make him choke so he can squeeze out words.

He holds his breath then gasps for air and swings his arm forcefully to unfreeze his body.]

-- Safe?! What the hell are you two doing?!

[inhumanity]

[With a grin, Christopher slams his elbow hard into the spine of the last scientist, sending her towards Erika for the killing blow. He isn't as bloodstained as he might be when he turns that grin on Shintaro.]

We're running, of course! Running into danger. Running into walls! Running into the hamster wheel of death and life. Isn't it grand how they return to nature? Erika, shall we take Shintaro and go?

[vimdicare]

[Erika catches the scientist by the hand and - in a gesture reminiscent of a dance - dips him down so she can slice his throat before spinning him out to the side, into the pile of the rest.

The worst part is she giggles. It's hard not to when Christopher is feeling so much better than earlier.]

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, illusions to illusions and dreams to dreams. But Shintaro-san has a mission for a different illusion. Illusions are so much trouble...

[After responding to Christopher in their own tongue, she smiles kindly at Shintaro.]

This was necessary. The way through here is clear now, though, if you would like to take this route. Though it might not be the most scenic view.

[substitutable]

[There are some things in the world you want to keep your eyes off of but can't tear them away from. Horror movies and games, horrifyingly gross Y**tube videos, two relatively friendly people slicing and ending the lives of people clearly weaker than them, enemy or not. Even if wants to run in the opposite direction, Shintaro finds his feet glued to the floor and his knees shaky, refusing to let him move in any direction.

Red. Red. Red, red, red, red, red red redred. The smell of blood is strong and the smell of death is strong, and he feels like he's suddenly been spun upside down. His stomach twists itself in his body and he sways, sinking down, one hand covering his mouth as he drops to his knees and leans forward, clutching the front of his shirt as he feels bile rush up his throat.

He didn't eat anything since earlier this morning, though. There's nothing in there, so the stomach acid burns his throat and his eyes tear up. The smell hit his nose the moment the sick hits the floor but he just gasps and glares up at both of them, hastily wiping his mouth--]

You enjoy this?

[inhumanity]

[Erika's elegant finisher earns a burst of applause from Christopher. He comes over to lean an arm on her shoulder, peering down at Shintaro as he vomits. Poor boy. Some people just aren't good at this sort of thing.]

Anything with a friend is a game to play until the end. I'm in awe of the elegant workings of the heart that makes friendship the greatest fertilizer for joy.

[vimdicare]

[Oh dear Shin please don't throw up that's so gross. Erika pats her skirt lightly for a handkerchief or anything like that before going to one of the bodies and patting it in the same manner.]

Having sympathy for the people who consider us no more or less than cattle isn't healthy, Shintaro-san. Valuing life is understandable to most people but I've read their reports. To consider them worthy of your concern is a crime.

[Erika hops over the corpse and hands him a few tissues for his mouth.]

[substitutable]

[You just got that from a corpse, Erika. That's so gross too. Shintaro ignores her offer and pushes himself to his feet, eyes decidedly looking away from the bloody mess on the floor.]

Treating lives like toys or game pieces is no better, either. [The lack of morality in Christopher and Erika's words sickens him. Rather, the disagreement between their words and his idea of good sickens him. He can't get his thoughts to spin in the same direction as theirs.]

... Whatever. Just don't do this around Momo or Ayano.

[inhumanity]

And let them die? Why, that seems too cruel. Is this the sting of betrayal? Sharper than a rose's thorns, sweeter than its smell: elegant tragedy is mine at last. [Christopher dramatically falls into Erika's arms.]

[vimdicare]

[She catches him and smiles. He's so ridiculous it can cheer her up from Shintaro's obvious disgust.]

That's an easy agreement. We hadn't intended to put on a show. It was simple catharsis.

[substitutable]

[He shoots Christopher a look.]

I'll keep an eye on them. Quit it with your melodramatics you weirdo.

[And then at Erika.]

Even most villains won't participate in catharsis like this.

[inhumanity]

[His eyes light on Shintaro. He chuckles warmly as he pulls himself up to his feet. When he speaks, he gestures freely and grandly.]

Most villains may not. Many heroes want to. Let's stand outside of good and evil, and guide ourselves only by the beautiful and ugly natures of our hearts.

[And then a pause, and Christopher brings a hand to his mouth.] Wait, sorry. My heart doesn't have a nature. It's whims will have to do instead!

[And then he attacks. For someone who doesn't know Christopher, the shift from conversation to attack is impossible to follow. One minute, his limbs are all lose and careless, and the next they're aimed for precise and powerful violence. But for someone who has fought alongside Christopher as often as Erika? It's easy to see it coming, and not difficult at all to stop him before a fatal kick lands.]

[vimdicare]

[Erika wants to summon her scythe - it's her automatic reaction these days - but lucky for Shintaro, she has time to change her attack and leaps up, kicking Christopher under the chin to knock him down. It isn't as hard for a hit as she could do but alas.

It's only once she lands and blinks at him that she understands the purpose. And she laughs. He really is a good friend.]

I'm sorry, Shintaro. Don't worry. He won't hurt you around me.

[substitutable]

[Shintaro doesn't see Christopher's attack until it's right in front of him, and he doesn't see Erika's retaliation until it's already landed. He flinches, shutting his eyes tightly and raising his hands to defend himself, and it's only after Erika's spoken that he opens them back up nervously, wondering about the impact that never came.]

... What the hell was that for?

[inhumanity]

[Christopher topples back and sulks, holding his chin.]

Ouch! That hurt.

[He doesn't sound hurt.]

But nothing is more wounded than my soul! To be betrayed by a friend when betraying a friend! Is this the justice they call karma?

[vimdicare]

[She smiles and translates in the least helpful way.]

Christopher is always helpful. Shintaro-san, you're going to faint at this rate. Please get some water and take care of yourself. You're a very normal boy after all, yes? This sort of mental duress can be damaging.

[substitutable]

... Sorry.

I get what you're saying, but I've got people I need to keep an eye on. This mission isn't supposed to be as violent as you're making it.

... I'll be fine.

[inhumanity]

Then shall we continue on, Erika? This errant boy can surely keep an eye on himself. [He holds a bloody hand out to her.]