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

[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.]