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

Train ride back; Open

[concealingeyes]

[Kido must look as exhausted as she feels. Getting Momo and Mary out of that horrible situation wasn't fun and her stomach churns remembering yet another dirty mission. This wasn't the first time she saw some corpses - and last time, the first time, was so much worse in that regard - but this was the first real battlefield, to see fights in action. Last time they got 'lucky' landing in an area already cleared out. The chaos and the terrifying realisation that some of those soldiers were using their friends' abilities, that the UE had that sort of power to capture and hurt them...

Anger still burns in the back of her throat. Helpless to stop them, to fight back in a way that hurt that as much as they hurt her friends, why couldn't they do more here, why were they here if they couldn't fight-

She needs to see Kano. She needs to check on the others, on Kaede and Flora and the rest of the Dan, too. So much she needs to do right now and she needs to get up and be a good leader for a little longer. Then, maybe, she'll let herself rest.

But for at least a minute, it's okay to sit down. She'll make an excuse to check the bandages on her thigh. When she's done she'll finish her duties.]

[copia]

[ Kaede is going to beat Kido to the punch first. She's moving around checking on everyone she knows, making sure they are on the train back, and she happens to spot a purple sleeve, and the flash of green hair.

She closes the distance between them faster than she expects, but she doesn't take a seat next to the older teen. Actually, her face is a mix of relief, because Kido's okay, but also anxiety, because Kaede checked her inbox and saw the text message conversation between them, and it unnerves her that she doesn't remember it at all. ]

Hi...

[concealingeyes]

[Kaede isn't the only anxious one. Just like with Kano, she worries if there were any hints of truth in what she said. Maybe she really doesn't want to 'play family' with them. It wouldn't be fair to force that on her when she misses her real family so much.

But to Kido, she is real family and seeing Kaede making that sort of face, unsure what Kaede feels about her, doesn't compare to seeing Kaede safe and here. She reaches out and tugs on her arm to pull her into a somewhat awkwardly positioned hug.]

...Hey, sis.

[copia]

[ She lets Kido pull her into a hug, and sits down to make it easier on her as she uses one arm to hug her back. The simple action and the greeting is enough to make her tear up, and she presses her forehead to Kido's shoulder. ]

I saw the last text messages between us before I disappeared, and whatever I said, I didn't mean it, Kido.

[ She sniffs as she sits up, looking at the older girl through watery eyes. ]

I don't remember anything about that day, especially that conversation, but I'm so sorry I hurt you with such words, because they still came from me. I would never want to squash our relationship.

[paraleyes]

[Just because things are over doesn't mean she can relax. There are people here in need of her immediate attention hurt far more than she is -- maybe not physically (physically too), but emotionally. Mary still wants to do what she can, so one of her first acts after boarding is to check up on Kido.

Don't be sad, friend.]

Hey, Kido...

... Are you okay?

[concealingeyes]

[Kido looks up, surprised to be the one checked on; and she can tell that's what Mary's doing. So it's even more important for her to give her a confident nod and a small smile.]

I'm fine. What are you doing up though? You need to get some rest. It was a long day for you.

[paraleyes]

I just wanted to make sure... you were okay...

[It's not her usual shy trailing off. This wasn't nearly enough of a spotlight to have her start that with Kido -- she was past comfortable with her by this point.

No, she's just, as Kido predicted, exhausted. But she can fight it for a little while longer. She has to be sure everyone is okay first.]

... I'll sleep soon. You're okay, Kido...?

[substitutable]

[While Kido's sitting, Shintaro walks into the car she's in. He's got his earbuds plugged in, playing music loud enough to block out some thoughts but quiet enough that it doesn't disturb anybody in the vicinity. He walked in with his eyes on the ground, but upon entering he glances up, locating the easiest path through without bumping into people and also locating the girl he messaged just a few hours before, resting and apparently injured.

He's got to admit: he's glad that this mission is ending with Kido still around. No more disappearing girls and bright lights. He's seen enough of death in today alone to last him a third lifetime. Tugging one of his earbuds out, he approaches her, sinking into a seat across from her.]

... Mission complete, huh? You okay?

[concealingeyes]

[Shintaro, meanwhile, looks okay and she's grateful. If anything happened to them, well...

Nothing happened. She has to keep that in mind. Everyone is okay and even if it's going to take work, they'll manage. They've always managed to climb back out from any despairing situation.]

I'm fine. [She's bad at lying but Shintaro never pushes her on it. He probably doesn't have the energy to do it today, either.] But yeah, a successful mission. Good work. ...I mean it, thank you.

[substitutable]

You don't have to thank me. [He sighs, sliding down a little in the seat.] It's not really a sort of mission I want to be thanked for. [Gross, freaky, murderous pair of monsters he swears to god he's going to put jalapeno juice in the next thing Christopher and Erika put in their mouths.]

How'd your end go?

[overclocking]

[Chrono and his group of various bad decision makers are among the last to board the train before it leaves, which he counts as fortunate; it means he can walk the length of the train (Slowly, but mostly steadily, he prides himself on at least that much- though blood still drips sluggishly down one arm, from the wound at his shoulder. He pays it literally no mind.), peering into every car until he can be sure that all the familiar faces are safe and unhurt. In most cases he simply continues walking, but in this particular case—]

Kido.

[More a relieved exhale than anything else, before his eyes light on the bandages.] You're hurt?

[concealingeyes]

[Kido looks up, starting to smile. There are so many people on her mind right now and he was one of them. But of course, if anyone could save him, it was Rosette.]

Ah, Chrono, it's- [She stops. Blood?] O-Oi, wait a second! Don't worry about me, what happened?! Is everyone all right?

[She can't do anything but she forces herself to her feet with a wince to check on his arm.]

[overclocking]

[He raises both hands in a placating gesture. The blood is obviously coming from the wound at his shoulder, but the bleeding has at least slowed to a very dull drip. In retrospect, he might need to get it bandaged before checking on anyone else. There are enough other things to fret about without trivial matters adding to them.]

Everyone is fine! Rosette's checking on someone, but she's here. There's nothing to worry about. [Her wince doesn't go unnoticed, and he takes a step closer, trying to urge her back down.] You probably shouldn't be putting weight on that.

[velveteened]

( the train hasn't left yet, and oz is wandering. he'd been found by break, lenalee, and gil, the last of whom who had dropped him off here with the sternest of instructions to stay put and keep to safety for once.

and, for once, he listens.

looking for familiar faces helps take the edge off his worry, and he pauses with some surprise and relief when he sees kido. )

I should have realized you'd be here.

( fond, as he approaches her. he's still in the ue hospital clothes, now scuffed from the escape and with some fresh blood staining one of the sleeves )

[concealingeyes]

Oz!

[Her smile is a bright one; so many friends disappeared, little parts of her life, that seeing them all right could almost make her forget the whole thing.]

Of course. I wasn't going to sit by while they took you all away. How are you feeling? You look... [A beat.] ...goofy in that.

[velveteened]

( he laughs, moving to sit by her for the moment. )

If I'd known we were having company, I'd have worn something better.

[fortissimos]

[ By some minor miracle, she hadn't gotten herself killed during the escape — and by an even bigger one, she'd gotten onto the train before it left. Normally she'd be out there fighting until she dropped, but the last week has taken a toll, and she's completely worn out; the kind of exhaustion that not even having her powers back can cure. (She's keeping her magical girl outfit on, though, because fuck hospital clothes.)

Still, she's done too much sitting around in the compound to keep doing it now. She paces up and down the train, checking on familiar and unfamiliar faces alike — but she needs a break by the time she reaches Kido, and takes the chance to slump into a seat beside someone she knows with a tired wave. ]

Hey.

[concealingeyes]

[The outfit surprises her but it's the tired look doesn't suit the energetic girl she met before. Then again, can she blame her? Sayaka seemed like the type to jump into any action so she's probably worse off than she looks.

Still, Kido smiles.] Hey. I like your outfit. I mean it, it's cool.

[fortissimos]

Ah... yeah. Thanks.

[ She'd normally be enthusiastic, but enthusiasm takes effort. Staying transformed isn't a matter of fun or pride this time, just a way to try and forget the last week. ]

Did you come with the rescuers? [ With the amount of time she spent in the compound, she was at least passingly aware of everyone there. Unless there was a second one, then... ]

[revelation]

[ although she is tried, Madoka paces the train with a bright smile (fittingly matching her magical girl costume) to anyone she passes. after all, everyone here sacrificed a lot to come and save them, didn't they? the least she could was help in return... even if it was something as simple as healing injuries sustained in the distractions and rescue.

so— she heals the bruises, scraps, cuts and gruesome wounds. smiling even as her white gloves as soiled in dirt and blood, but even that vanishes under the effects of her magic and Madoka continues to pace without worry.

spotting Kido is what makes her pause, she vaguely remembers the girl— when the apartments had been destroyed, she had offered kind words and so it takes little for Madoka to approach her. although she is smiling, she stares worriedly at the bandages on her thigh. ]

Hey there, were you hurt? I can help... if you'd like.

[concealingeyes]

[Kido looks up, a little surprised. That girl... She remembers her. Back when that sort of disaster seemed like the worst thing that could happen. Now, sitting here nursing her wound and trying to act like it doesn't hurt - well, compared to earlier it doesn't - she knows she'd much prefer having to worry about just their apartments being bombed.

She's changed, too, or maybe she was like this all along. She looks so bright, it's a relief just seeing someone holding together that well.]

Ah... only if it's not any trouble for you. You must be getting tired from healing all of us, huh?

Re: Train ride back; Open

[reassures]

[Nill looks about as exhausted as Kido does. This isn't the first time she's had to deal with something like this, and not the first time she's had to stay alive in such terrible conditions. It never really makes it easier to do - it just makes it a little easier to survive. She'd joined the distraction team knowing kids would have probably signed up for it, but she didn't manage to keep an eye on Kido through the whole thing. As tired as she looks, she's relieved when she finds her on the train. She stands for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one else needs it, before taking a seat beside Kido.]

How are you doing?

[She glances at her thigh, the bandages there, and then back up at Kido. Nill herself is wearing mostly dark clothes. She has the same jacket she usually wears, though her wings are inside, safe against her back, but the rest is a little unlike her usual outfit. There's some rips in her clothes, mostly on the arms and one on her side, but it's difficult to tell if she's actually bleeding. There is some dried blood in her hair though, which is tied back and up, out of the way.]

[concealingeyes]

[Kido is grateful that it's Nill. She's a bad liar in the first place but right now it's tiring to pretend she isn't still a bit of a mess. She's still angry at the UE for hurting Kano and the rest of her friends, for the damages done in the rescue mission, but it's ebbing away into a weary concern for everyone. Everyone but herself, of course.]

I'm, uh, probably as good as I look. [She frowns looking over Nill.]

I know this isn't new to you but... are you hurt anywhere? Everything okay?

[justgo]

Hey.

[She's doing her runs, making sure everyone's fine and there's nothing she needs to worry about. Still restless, Tess notices Kido, the way she looks and thinks about her and Momo, and the others in their small group. A breath out and she takes a knee nearby, motions towards the bandages.] Where'd that come from?

[concealingeyes]

Ah, Tess. Hey. [Kido gives her a slight smile, trying to be cool still. Considering how much she wanted to seem capable to her - to anyone older she met - it's important she's fine right now.]

This is from some fire blast or something one of those soldiers shot off. I got it wrapped up at least.