Log Title: Water War
Characters: B.A.T.s, Pip, Scarlett , Zarana , Chameleon , Metal-Head , Interrogator , Inquisitor , Greathawk and Barghest
Location: Priapt - Ukraine - Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Date: October 11, 2023
TP: MASS
Summary: Cobra and G.I. Joe clash near Chernobyl while Cobra hunts for Heavy Water.
As logged by Barghest
Priapt - Ukraine - Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
The Exclusion Zone was a study in contrasts. Some said that in the CEZ that Nature had reclaimed the Earth. But it was wildly acknowledged that you could hear no insects. No birds. Reports from people taking tours, or trespassing, or government employees doing routine inspections near the sight of the disaster or Prypiat; the town that housed Chernobyl's workforce and their families all corroborated this.
Some animals, desperate, hungry, or diseased and out of their senses, could be found here, might even attempt to set up dens. But the radiation contaminating the very ground was often enough to drive them away, often to die of sickness from proximity for too long. Only flora seemed to thrive, long grasses, trees and shrubbery having come to claim what it could, where it can.
<< "Right" >> his voice keeping on local comms, to reduce the chance of broadband interception, Barghest's suit was equipped with the modifications used to make his brief, recent, foray to Cybertron. Filters, personal atmosphere, radiation shielding. It made him bulkier, but it also made him much more alive and with less need of the pills he has in a 'feeder' within his helm. << "Keep it tight, follow y'geigers, find us a proper place to sink our pumps." >> MOLE pods, modified for water collection and transport were nearby, waiting to be summoned in - to access high concentrations of contaminated ground water, << "Keep yer mince pies peeled, we might 'ave some Ruskies, Pearly Kings, or even the Joes drop in on us if we ain't cautious and get ourselves spotted."
They were all assembled in the woodlands within the exclusion zone. Closer to Chernobyl than to Pripiat - where ground water sources were identified. But that was decades old data, from the Soviet Union - hard to be exact.
Scarlett and Chameleon were in the Czech Republic, trying to make contact with Daina, to gather some intelligence on what is going on inside Russia, when they heard from some contacts, that HumInt in the Ukraine, had reported a possible sighting of Cobra, near the Chernobyl sight. They put their heads together, discussed it, and did not like the way it smelled. So, they convinced Daina to find them a ride into the area. They were given an OLD Mi-17 Hip, without any guns aboard. They were also able to get permission from the Ukraine Government to fly into their airspace.
Inquisitor has her assignment to Barghest. And as part of her own interests are chemical in nature, she's come along to this venture. Personal curiosity and a drive to succeed at her assignment, she's wearing heavier armoring than usual herself, helm'd and with a pocket Geiger mounted on a vambrace. Fully enclosed, she's following directions as given, noting, "Limit what topsoil and debris you disturb, the radiation has had some time to be robed in dust and plant debris. If you didn't take your iodine before we got here, well, it's been a while since there's been a radiation study done for exposure in this area. My lab is open."
Chameleon sighs as she gets on a bit heavier gear to go into the exclusion zone, checking it over and making sure it's properly on. "Always the fun jobs, vhen I come out. The Atoll, now this." She laughs just a little.
Scarlett shrugs, as she pilots the OLD Soviet Helicopter towards the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, "You must like the Radioactivity... Or did you just want to glow in the dark, and one up your sister?" They are still a little ways out, and they really do not know where in the Exclusion Zone they are headed.
Metal-Head is wearing his usual rig, but with a few additions for the potentially dangerous terrain. Like the others, he's got a dosimeter clipped to his coverall. Unusally, he's not bareheaded. Instead, he's wearing a Nomex hood and gas mask.
<< "Bad enough we'se gonna need a scrub in the bold power once we get on our merry from here." >> Barghest grunts, looking to his HUD and to his own counter as they move, looking to one of the B.A.T.s set on scanning mode as well, the frown audible in his tone.
The lack of nature sounds, save the breeze sawing through grass and trees, punctuating the juxtaposition of deathly stillness with vibrant plant-life in abundance.
<< "Figure we'd take a peep at what som'r this 'ard water does to the... special subjects, eh? " >> head turning towards Inquisitor as Barghest continues to walk, tapping the equipment as a force of habit before he looks to Metal-Head, << "An no side-trips to the reactors... don't rightly recall if the slugs is even still in there, wot?" >> tone calm, despite the tension in his body language.
Chameleon shrugs a little bit as she watches, glancing around worriedly at the aging helicopter for a moment. "At the atoll, I did not get very close. I vas alone and at a depth where a hull breach could have proven fatal. That is vhy I simply vatched and reported. Going in on the ground? Is a whole other thing." She smiles. "Still, interesting vor, always."
<< "I'm certain there is special soap for this, Barghest. Don't forget to wash behind your ears when we do leave here." >> Inquisitor steps carefully, watching her reader as well as reviewing pings and flickers in her HUD. The lack of noise, natural that is, doesn't disturb her in the slightest. With a sidestep to avoid tracking into the heavier footprints of the B.A.T.s, she hmms, eying readings.
<< "I do hope we have some overage to add to the experimental lists, yes." >> Tone sliding merry a moment, one could almost imagine a twinkle and a coy smile. Save for the digitized voice and, well, the unknown person inside the Inquisitor suit. << "Elephant's foot is still inside the sarcophagus, they put a new building over the old one not too, too long ago... We're downhill and should... see some feasible points to drill soon. Old homesteads. And old homesteads had wells." >>
Scarlett shrugs, "Going in will mostly depend on if we see any sign of Cobra Activity." She tries flipping a switch to bring up a HUD, and it doesn't seem to work, "And at the moment, we do not have IR or Thermal Imaging... so it will depend on the Mark 1 eyeball to spot them." The Mi-17 HiP, while advanced in 1980, has been surpassed by many others. Likely why they were able to get a hold of one so easily.
Metal-Head blinks. << "Uh, no way I'm going near the reactor! Side trips? Are you crazy? Let's get in an' get *out*! >> He's quiet for a moment. << "There's an *elephant!?* Is it like a mutant or what? I saw that movie! The diaries one? Is it a zombie? >>
Chameleon nods at that, considering it. "Lovely." She checks to see if she brought a pair of binoculars with thermal or magnification, in her pack. "Vonder how close ve will hafe to get to the reactor."
Movement in the woodland near those individual houses is, for the time of year, a concern for the Cobra agents on sight. Fall was stripping leaves from trees and sighting the movements of the few B.A.T.s working directly in the field was notable for the mass of the two or three among the flesh and blood agents.
<< "It's a ruddy movie, 'course there's no elephants or zeds." >> Barghet tries to keep the exasperation from his tone while looking to one of his gauntlets, the red hued dark eyelets of his helmet catching reflections of filtered sunlight and dappling his armor.
The staccato clicking of the Geigers starts to intensify and heads of androids are turned by the sounds of incoming rotors. A rattling that makes the burr of a door-stopper spring pleasurable. But that's the whole intent of the counter. Get your attention. Make hard to overlook. It was literally a matter of life or death.
Inquisitor heaves a silent sigh, listening to the chatter about the elephant. A shake of her helm'd head and she continues to follow the B.A.T.s, just not walking where they are as weight disturbs the topsoil. And downhill, downwind...' She's already going to have to deal with decom of her rig as it is.
<< "It is a mass of black corium underneath the reactor itself. The name was given due to the shape. I would not advise a visitation unless you wanted to volunteer to test a particular compound for me and how it reacts to extreme radiation?" >> Digitized voice thoughtful before she stops moving.
<< "We were not anticipating pick up this soon were we?" >> Best to ask and not assume, this is someone else's time schedule.
Scarlett sighs softly, "That depends on the Snakes. If they are not too close in, we won't have to go too far to try and stop them. If they are not here, or they are close to the reactor, then we will be getting close. Which is why I had you take those Anti-Radiation Pills." She sighs softly and begins to scan the ground for anything out of the ordinary.
Metal-Head grunts. << "It was based on a true story so..." >> Metal-Head snorts. << "Ohhh no, last time I volunteered for something, I ended up driving around in a van like a goon for I don't know how long." >>
<< "Cor... based on a true story ain't mean er'thing in the movie's factual." >> he takes a breath, as though to try and persist on this before he seems to recognize the futility and then he's further rescued by Inquisitor, << "We wasn't expectin' t'tally ho by airlift, love. S'what the MOLEs was for..." >> canine slanted helmet turning towards the sound of ancient, by military standard, equipment being audible if not quite yet visible. Barghest tries to follow the looks of the B.A.T.s who seem to be trying to make visual contact themselves.
The B.A.T.s continue to move towards the stronger readings, head rotating in visual scanning mode.
<< "Wonderful." >> emits form the armored woman as she turns, head tilting, hand coming up to tap the side of her helm as she works to track the source of the craft. << "I'm not loaded out for heavy ranged. I'll stick with the B.A.T.s and work to determine the target drill point. >> A shake of her head, a silenced grumble and she follows the androids, running her own scans and passing along that information to them through short range signal. The more eyes... optics, visual sensors, the merrier.
Chameleon slides the window open a little bit, picking up her binoculars. "The binoculars von't replace the infrared, but iv there is movement, i can try to zoom in at least." She peers through to see if she can notice anything out of place or moving. Other than wildlife.
The Mi-17 is now likely in view, as it approaches the area.
Scarlett sighs softly, and murmurs, "We are inside the Exclusion Zone. Let me know if I start to glow... that will be the time to leave." Her eyes continue to scan for any sign of Cobra, while keeping the helicopter on an even level. She does, however, ensure that Chameleon has the best view of the ground, as she has more attention to give to the search.
Metal-Head also watches the BATs. He's been in the field with them enough to know that the androids' motion detectors are a good early warning system. << "We got incoming? I can handle it. >>
<< "Copy." >>
Barghest's shield is unlimbered from where it rests on his back, sliding his arm through the loop and gripping the stanchion as he continues to turn and scan above.
Other than Cobra there is no wildlife down below. And because of the nature of their operation; moving with pronounced discretion was almost an impossibility. One of the B.A.T.s sends a message to Barghest's HUD, turning his head as he in turn bounces it towards the others who've the tech hooked up, all while declaring, << "Eyes up. We might have civilian eyes..." >> a notable octave of malice slipping into his tone, << "Metal-'Ead?" >>
He was the ordnance expert here, after all.
The B.A.T.s keep moving, their radiation detection equipment sending triangulating signals to one another and the Cobra agents - but also standing practically in the open in a yard between a small single-family home and the treeline.
Inquisitor works to assist in locating someplace to dig. She knows her hel isn't quite as adept at range as the B.A.T.s are, but she does know that for closer pinpointing, she might have the sensitivity. Cross-transmitting << "Have they signaled a point or do we need to bail, Barghest." >> not that pointing out the obvious is any help.
Chameleon peers at the location of the the home at the treeline, and the moving BATs, frowning and glancing over to Scarlett. "confirmed, BATs sighted." She points out the location then. "That's our confirmation they're here. Just a matter of where the ones ordering them are..." She keeps peering.
Scarlett nods, ever so slightly, "We need to set down, and put a stop to this...." She looks over the area, trying to locate a parking lot, or somewhere that landing will not kick up a bunch of dirt. Not a lot of options, but there is a couple. She starts to move the Helicopter towards one of them, "I am going to set this thing as quickly as I can..."
Metal-Head rolls his shoulders, checking the status of his equipment as he starts scouting for the intruding civilians. << "I'm on it," >> he says. <<Warn 'em off or get rid of 'em, Barghest? Makes no difference to me." >>
The signal from the B.A.T.s strengthens and they all turn their bodies towards the center of their combined signals, indicators appearing on HUD systems. << "That's our dig point... If we bolt, we've got coordinates... But we may not get ano'ver chance at this spot, gel." >> the B.A.T.s then begin turning towards the helicopter, tracking is movement. << "Bring 'em in to start pumpin', Inquisitor." >>
Rolling his shoulders and stepping back, Barghest's SMG is lifted, sensors in his gauntlet and the firearm putting a magazine status on his heads up.
<< "If they live, they get a story. If they don't, and there's enough left... I get resources." >> allowing carte blanche for Metal-Head.
Inquisitor gestures for the B.A.T.s to begin their work, dig and pump out the liquid they're after. << "On it. A take two would have nosey neighbors." >> She focuses on working with the android units and their target. << "Copy that, focusing on the dig point. >>
Chameleon keeps watching for anything or anyone else to show up, though she concentrates now mostly on watching the BATs and what they do. She frowns. "The BATs seem to be converging on a location...."
The Mi-17 only starts to slow its forward movement, as it dives for the parking lot. "Hold on! Once we hit the ground, get out fast... this thing will attract bullets!" Scarlett calls out to Chameleon. Her hands hold the controls steady, altitude diving, while airspeed only slows. This is not going to be a nice, easy landing. Probably destroy something important....
The Mi-17 hits the concrete, hard. The Landing gear snap, sparks fly, but it does come to a stop, and a quick flip of a switch later, the rotors begin to slow, and Scarlett gets out of the Helicopter as quickly as a quick collection of her gear will allow!
Metal-Head sees the helicopter going down. "Typical Soviet equipment," he mutters, shaking his head. << "Barghest, the 'copters down, can you spare a few BATs for me to go hunting our lookie-loos?" >>
<< "Bloody hell..." >> that chopper was coming down into a far more controlled 'crash' than panicky civilians would, << "Well. Time to rustle up the custard creams." >> nodding to Metal Head and tapping a control to get the B.A.T.s he can spare, a pair of them, to move with Metal-Head now.
Checking his systems and moving to get abreast of the other, trusting the remaining B.A.T. to watch Inquisitor's back as they move in.
Interrogator has landed Peklabog cloaked a short distance away, cloaked, having flown in as back up. He stands ready and waits for those in the crashed copter to show themselves. He radios to his fellow Cobra << "I'm here, waiting." >>
Chameleon grabs her bag once the helicopter lands/crashed heavily onto the pad, shaking her head a bit. "Ouch." She grabs her bag then. "Still, if it's just the gear, it will fly out vell enough." She climbs out quickly.
Scarlett slips from the Mi-17 Hip and gathers her wits about her. She begins to scan the area, for someplace to take cover, and motions Chameleon towards what looks like an Abandoned storage building of some kind. "It will provide some cover for us...." She begins to quickly move towards the building, her crossbow raised, ready for anything.
Zarana is currently darting along, a heavy weapon mount over a ther, humming along the comms, "We did start the fire... As the world was churniung we added to the burning... We did start the fire... We wanted to make it a pyre, throw it all on a wire..." The song did... Not go that way.
Greathawk may not look like she's suited up and ready for a party, but do't let the coverall jumpsuit fool you. She's armed with her usual - hunting knife, sidearm, whole-ass sword and more. The Mi-17 hits the ground and... well hello extra person. Maybe she's been practicing her 'I am not a ninja' skills. Or simply an animation error. Rolling out of the craft, she hits the ground and seems to slide into what undergrowth there is in the area, not 'quite' silent or invisible, but pretty close. Pulling a mask up over her face, hair coiled into her jumpsuit and a bandanna on her head, she looks... more like a car mechanic really. "Scarlett, on your call, I can activate the party trick."
Metal-Head is a bit disappointed he didn't get to shoot down the Joe helicopter. Or...the Soviet helicopter the Joes were using so... The helicopter, he wanted to kill a helicopter and he didn't get to, but there's Joes out there and while he's usually anti-armor, he can definitely do anti-personnel as needed. He scans for targets.
Billy Joel... He'll accept it. Not his preference, but The Stranger had his place after all. Scuttling up to get in place, Barghest's shield is brought down with a 'CHONK' of the pointed bottom digging into cold soil and bracing spikes shoot out to increase the stability of his bulwark.
<< "Looks like we're gonna 'ave some over for tea, innit? We gotta either give 'em the ol' split 'n' wiggle so they can't suss us out, or we'll 'ave to go all kaboom on their cover." >> still speaking over direct line-of-sight comms over broadband, looking in Metal-Head's direction when he makes that suggestion << "Eh, mate?" >>
The B.A.T.s back by Inquisitor keep feeding sensor data to he approaching MOLE units. Their systems clicking as their internal Geiger counters continue to sound. Unable to serve for more than mobile sensor pods while the rest 'go to work'.
Interrogator moves tactically towards the crashed helicopter, keeping his helmet's sensors detecting Off World materials. With all the Joes been showing recently, somebody has to catalogue it. He sweeps with his modified assault rifle, being mindful of Metal-Head's weapons capability and giving him plenty of room to unload if he has to. He reports over Cobra Comms << "Sweeping and will autosend targets detected and any combat related data gathered. I'll duck and dodge if you fire, Metal-Head, just give me warning." >>
Chameleon nods as the storage building is pointed out, moving for it quickly as well. "Understood." She moves quickly towards it, holding her weapon and looking around quickly as she moves to it.
Wait, when did Selena arrive? Scarlett looks back over her shoulder, then shrugs. She's not one to turn down free reinforcements, before they are needed. "Why wait, Selena? Maybe you'll scare them into running?" She has her back to the storage building now, leaning against it. At least for now, no one can shoot her in the back, if the Joes do happen to be surrounded.
Greathawk can be pretty sneaky when she wants to. There's a thumbs up given, "Now you see me..." Armor shimmering into life around her, encompassing her in metal and other things. "Now you really see me." Softly digitized voice through the external speakers. back to the storage building, waiting a moment for everything to synchronize before stepping around the building, "Time to draw aggro." A shrug.
Selena takes a half step back as some of those tattoos visible here and there -glow- briefly before she's enveloped in armoring that seemingly comes from nowhere and inside her body all at once.
And as the Joes are busy going to work to scramble at getting themselves arrayed into a defensive formation, Zarana is going to pause in her approach. Rather than going to charge forwards, getting ou ta sniper rifle or an automatic weapon to take potshots... Or rushing in to try and engage in close quarters combat... She goes to take the heavy weapon off of her back - which looks like a fat pipe, wtih a tripod to brace it as she goes to drop the stick down. The tube then starts to angle about as the Cobra Comms have her singing 'The Internet is for Porn'.
Metal-Head nods as he hears Interrogator's offer over the comms. << "You point out the target, I'll say the word an' you can consider that your warning," >> Metal-Head says. << "As long as you're not near them, you should be fine. I don't miss." >>
Peering from behind his shield, Barghest scans his HUD, frowning behind the cover of his helmet and peering to try and get a good view of the incoming forces.
<< "Oi, Zarana.... think you better start tryina put warheads on foreheads..." >> the glow spotted in the distance had his attention. Reminded him of something. << "N'The Word is given Metal-Head, light 'em up. Y'll either hit 'em or pop'm out've cover, wot?" >> shifting his posture and resting his SMG into one of the gunwale divots on his shield, trying to line up where he thinks targets will be coming out.
Interrogator grins ghostly as his helmet broadcasts Greathawk and says into Cobra comms << "Let me try engaging Greathawk solo to see how I'd do against Kreiger or his boss. If I get too tore up, then let 'em fly. >>
He aims the gun and says, "How's your friend? Still trolling on the Internet instead of working?" before firing.
Chameleon gets to the storage building and looks through her binoculars again quickly, as she settles into the spot, frowning. "It looks as though Zarana is trying to set up a mortar." She frowns. "I can see about distracting her from it, though." She switches the binocs for her rifle, peering through the sight of that to line up a shot.
"Not a bad idea, Chameleon." Scarlett mentions, as her eyes lock on Barghest's form. Her eyes narrow, and she mutters, "I've got the guy with the shield..." She raises her crossbow, and aim's for the Brit. Her power crossbow fires a bolt, just a normal one, at the former alley-Viper.
Greathawk's suited self looks around the corner of the shanty the joes took to shelter behind and in. And just happens to get a pinged hit against the plating shielding her. There's a shimmer of lighting, "Taking fire." she notes, ducking back to tally targets. "Alright, so we're trying to drive them off. Copy that." She crouches, then leaps -upwards- coming over the building itself, flight systems engaging. "How's th' bad costume association' treatin ya'?" she asks in return, armoring shifting when she pulls some kind of space rifle off her back. A flick of an armored finger and she fires off a series of solid slugs right back at Interrogator. "Thought you were all done with th' evil overlord schtick?"
The shot from Chameleon goes wide at her, and Zarana goes to hum, "Porn, porn, porn!" She goes to somehow stabilize the tripod, which takes a crew of three on paper to handle, aim, load, and fire... And then goes to POP a round off over at the Joes on the ground! The explosive flies high in an arc, and then would land SOMEWHERE clos eto them (or at least she intended). It would go BWOOM from the impact, setting off a blast radius of fragmentation explosives for nearly fifteen meters wide!
Metal-Head grunts, starting to target general targets of convenience - less to attack the individual Joes than to send explosives downrange to make some noise and add to the confusion of the battlefield. If he's lucky, maybe he'll scare a few Joes into running out from cover. << "Fire in the hole!" >> he says over Cobra comms. << "Bang! Bang! Bang!" >>
Looking up and following Interrogator's fire, Barghest's head perks up slightly at the sight of the target and the grin is audible in the distorted voice emitted from his helmet.
< "Allo poppet!" >
A sinister, tittering, chuckle chasing after his words and Westlake is following the increase in fire building up in the area, his aim on Chameleon suddenly thrown wide when a crossbow bolt slams into his shoulder, drilling through reinforced plates and twisting him at the waist. << "Bloody hell!" >> bit out through gritted teeth before he leans out, HUD systems giving him trajectory data before he's got his weapon aimed. << "Light 'em up! Get stuck in!" >>
Not the only one getting stuck in - from the northwest, another chopper is skimming high enough over the treeline for aerial insertions speed, the high velocity transport closing, swinging wide to bleed momentum while one of the side doors open to allow for troopers in BDU and flak vests to bail out. Chutes popping to slow their descent at lot altitude - enough to make men and women tumble and roll to break their falls before giving a, "YO JOE!"
Interrogator staggers as Greathawk's bullets hit him and he replies through his pain, "This is about being able to move people and things, not evil overlord. There's enough of those around, worse than any in Cobra."
Then Metal-Head says the Magic Words and he takes evasive action as he draws a regular pickaxe, not Cui, and tries to catch Greathawk with it as she gets close.
Chameleon gets singed a little bit from the mortar, cursing softly to herself and shaking her head, "Okay, so that wasn't deterring enough." She switches to burst fire, and sights Zarana in again quickly. "Perhaps a more significant strike will work better."
Even as Scarlett's crossbow cycles another bolt into position, she allows it to fall from her fingers, catching on its strap. She is then shot, the bullet impacting her armor, and only penetrating a little. It is time to get up closer to her foe and leave Chameleon in cover. "Advancing!" She calls out to her team. As she moves forward, she brings out a grenade from her belt, and she flings it at Barghest, "Hey! Catch!" She calls out, hoping to distract Barghest, but not counting on it.
Greathawk brings that combo-rifle up to block Interrogators pick-axe as he closes the distance. "Eh... Movin' people you say?" Twisting the rifle to try and lock the pick from being pulled away so she can stay -on- Interrogator. "Sneakin' around places where you're not invited doesn't give me warm fuzzies, man. Honestly. Didn't wanna run into you like this." Doesn't stop her from pivoting in place to send a knee out at the man. "Yeah yeah yeah. Well aware of that. Lab, a year lost. Kinda know about th' evil in this world, Alexander."
The shot goes to hit her as that forces Zarana to drop the mortar, "Fine you Joe H*, time to break it like your mamma gave you!" The quote didn't... Go that way! Even as she also goes to yell out at Greathawk along the radio <<Your setup f**8king sucks! The Power Rangers called, they want their ripoff toys to not look so f****** r****** and done up in crayon!>> She would taunt in obscene language before going to cackle over and take out her own heavy rifle, moving to take several shots back over at Chameleon. "Yer sis wants yer head on a pike and I think you'd be pretty as a hood ornament!" There was the Zarana they all knew and loved that made Interrogator cry!
Metal-Head's dodgy hearing and his noise protectors mean he doesn't so much hear the Joe helicopter approaching as he feels the thrum of the copter's blades displacing air. He looks up and grins. Alright, an American helicopter, now *that's* a challenge! "BANG!" he yells, aiming his main attack at the helicopter and a few smaller "Bang's" are aimed at falling Joes. Geneva Convention? He's never attended it.
Head ducking at the explosions going off, Barghest continues to hold to cover, thumb dialing up the settings on the submachine gun in hand when the spherical munition hits. He's got enough time to blink and try to swing his shield in the direction of the ordnance, but too late when the explosive goes off - one side of his body pelted with shrapnel and the shockwave throwing him back.
<< "Corr!"> It's all he can get out before the air is pushed out of him as he skids along the ground, opening up with wild shots aimed for Scarlett - trying to halt her from passing him by.
As the chopper takes a hit and begins to pull back, seeking to find a place to hold on station without taking fire - one of the uniformed soldiers is cast towards the ground when shrapnel tears into their chute. Watching their comrade fall, others call out - furious, opening fire on the anti-armor expert.
Interrogator has partial attention on the data coming in and being broadcast to the rest of Cobra present and frowns as he hears incoming Joes in a helicopter. He checks Pek real quick and sees it's ready to fly and then says quietly, "One year here. How many at Home?" as he slips the pickaxe from the attempted grab and avoids the kick.
"We both knew meeting like this was inevitable when you joined the Joes. There didn't seem to be much interest from the EDC for me and mine either, so I had to go back to prepare Cobra for what's ahead. I don't know what you and the Joes know or have ready, I just know you have Cobra outclassed in Off World gear and Tech. We're going to need everyone. I need to know if I finally meet with Kreiger and things get violent if I have a chance at walking away."
Seeing she wants to stay close,
Interrogator draws his knife and slices at her.
<<Cobra>> Zarana says, "Stop flirting and ask her out already! She's totally your type!"
<<Cobra>> Zarana says, "Walker gave you a tetanus shot, you'll be FINE."
<<Cobra>> Interrogator says, "One, I give myself shots. Two, I'm getting over the death of a Girl Friend."
Chameleon tenses slightly, then evades the fire from the opposing rifle. "You vill hafe to do far better than that iv you vish to take my head to my 'dear sister', Zarana." She smirks and pulls a smaller weapon, firing a quick 'zip' of rounds from it. "And do better than I do, as well."
<<Cobra>> Baroness says, "Veri is dead?"
<<Cobra>> Interrogator says, "It was in the news."
<<Cobra>> Baroness says, "I must have missed it. Likely when I was buried in paperwork from the Australia Mission."
<<Cobra>> Zarana says, "So it's the rebound!"
Scarlett draws her Knife, not even stopping when Barghest shoots at her again. "You have the shield, but do you know how to use it?" she wonders. As she gets close to Barghest, she smiles at him, then goes to stab him. She has stabbed enough Cobra Code Named operatives, what is one more?
<<Cobra>> Interrogator says, "I'll send you the article, Baroness. Zarana, there's stages to go through. One is meeting with that thing that killed her. Spoiler, it might not be friendly."
"Didn't have t' be. You went back. An' here we are, both walkin' paths you helped make. Helped make myself but yeah whatever." Greathawk's armoring takes the hit, the blade catching on and running up to a joint, cutting in. "Y' scared th' hell outa me, Alex. An I was sick. I ran." Twisting back, nimble despite the additional weight. "Dude, you got -androids-, how's that make you lower classed." He wants to play with knives, she's happy to oblige, pulling her fighting blade out in right hand, and drawing an actual katana from her back with the other.
"How many at home? Man, please. My home's gone. Makin' a new one here. But you wanna tally? sure. Which bit? Not like it'll do you any good. Can't find out if I'm lyin or not." Greathawk slashes with the katana in an upswing, having it in reverse grip before darting close to cross slash with the fighting knife. "Been wearin' th' armor for... 2 years? 3? Eh, 3 now. Countin' th lab. Creeped me out, Alex. So, I ran. An'... glad I did. Makin' myself a new life here. And doin' what I know."
The bullets go to fly past her, and Zarana goes to snap out a large knife and closes the distance towards Chameleon! "Well, I suppose I'll just see how pretty you are when I gut you and carve you up!" Cackling maniacally as she would charge in wihh the knife up! Only a Dreadnok would bring a knife to a gunfight (as opposed to a katana like a ninja would). Moving to charge on in at Chameleon. Fist going to try and brawl into Chameleon's face! "I'll even do you a favor. Pretty sure you can't fit a watch on you in that outfit. So I'll tell ya what time it is!" Going to try and slam her thigh up between Chameleon's legs. "RIPPING TIME!" Going for a series of very, very brutal and very, very dirty strikes.
Calling out along the comms to Interrogator << Just F****ing kiss her already! >>
Metal-Head is an excellent shot - but he's even better at dodging. One has to be when one goes up against tanks and other armored vehicles. He grins, the expression smug as he dances away from the incoming fire. He hit the helicopter and made it retreat, now to keep the Greenies busy and off the others.
Knifed, a weak point in his armor found and blood flowing as he's forced back, Barghest growls - smg dropped and barrels extending from his vambrace to begin spinning up while the former viper attempts to backpedal. Disoriented by the concussion ringing his ears and further by the bloodloss making things gray some.
Greenshirts on the ground advance in leapfrog towards the Cobra agents, sod and soil hurled into the air by Metal-Head's fire on them, one falling behind a shed as small arms fire strikes and others take up angry calls on Metal-Head, trying to return the favor on the Cobra agent.
Violet hued bolts of cohesive light are hurled downrange by Barghest as he continues to back up, shoulder rolling and attempting to un-numb his shield arm while trying to draw a bead on Scarlett.
One soldier with Sergeant chevrons draws down on all of the crossfire, attempting to get a good shot Metal-Head while they can.
Interrogator feels the blade cut through his armor and lets out a cry of pain. He asks painfully, "You failed there, how do you plan on stopping it here? We keep tearing into each other and we should be working together to get a way to move people and things for when the next Invasion happens. There's those on my side who won't and those on yours. We had a chance, nobody backed us so we did what we do. The EDC failed us both and is failing Earth. No wonder so many are doing their own thing and brushing them off. The EDC might be too little too late, like Ascension Wing. However, me and the Wing are putting ourselves out here and trying. Like you are."
He slashes at Greathawk with his knife.
Chameleon almost cracks up laughing when she hears Zarana shouting that into her comm while fighting, though she lets out an 'off' when she's struck, growling softly and swinging back around, trying to shift her momentum to see if she can't get Zarana off her a bit for a moment.
The violet energy knocks Scarlett back, and to the ground. She has to shake her head to clear the bells and ringing. "Well, someone's got an upgrade...." She mutters softly, even as she brings out a Shuriken from her quick release sheath on her forearm. Her knife has skittered away when she was hit by the energy blast, whatever the hell that was. From her back, she throws the Shuriken at Barghest!
"Protect who I can, do what i can. That's all most folk can do, Alexander. Most lil folk don't ahve guns n armor n weird bald scientists makin up strange world breakin' things." Greathawk pivot twists, that harder slash raking along side and then up across one of the series of wing vanes along her back, cutting through the thinner plating there. The speaker picks up a 'hn=ffff' before cutting out momentarily. She continues ta move, spinning to add momentum to an actual katana strike. "Things take time, Alex. can' all be rushing in where angels fear t' tread. Pushin' and shovin' an' yellin' only makes people more stubborn. Really. You need home trainin' Diplomatic training."
This fight isn't going well. Zarana's not going to let herself be beaten up by a nerd here! She moves to try and slam her elbow up and into Chameleon's gut as she forces herself up and off the ground from the throw! Her next attempt is a swing over to attempt to slam her knee to Chameleon's side, then her fist going about to twist to try and strike her amongst hte head. "C'mon brat, mommy's gonna give youa spankin!"
Metal-Head is fast on his feet and agile - but it's not the bullet with your name on it you have to worry about. It's all the ones addressed to 'Occupant' that's the problem. Fortunatley for Metal-Head, his rig takes most of the damage, though a couple shots hit him and send him looking for cover. << "I'm hit! Medic!" >>
Capitalizing on Metal-Head being forced back the soldiers on deck begin setting up fire positions, opening up and fanning fire across the field in the hopes of forcing heads down and keep Mr. Finlay down and away from the firing triggers of his ordnance launchers. The call for a medic causing a redirecting of an auxiliary MOLE pod that draws additional fire from the BDU clad troops.
Bloody ninjas.
It was the thought that registered after he realized his HUD had gone funky and he saw the blade point coming through his left eyelet, stopping centimeter short of his actual eyeball. It'd been disorienting at best, harrowing at worst and it was a quick swipe of his hand to pull the throwing star from his helmet while his impaired HUD reports his systems were still recharging.
< "Ruddy ninjas!" >
Payton Westlake twists and attempts to take advantage of Scarlett getting to her feet by trying to put the edge of his shield into her chest.
There is a shift mentally after that massive katana hit and a scream. A colder voice replies, "Home training, diplomatic training. As if we aren't all racing the clock. You're not the first to tell me that. When you have no 'Home' or when your home isn't stereotypical, what then? When things are promised to be a certain way and are lies told by hypocrites, what then?"
Interrogator takes the pickaxe and swings at Greathawk as Metal-Head calls for a Medic, he replies on Cobra Comms << "Peks open for Cobra wounded. I'm pretty bad too, Pip can fly but he's no Medic." >>
Coordinates to Peklabog's location pop up in Cobra HUDs and Devices.
Chameleon swings herself around and away from the elbow, rolling aside from the knee and strike at the head, actually laughing slightly. "You really think so, hm?" She swings her own elbow up and in, trying to jam it onto the size of Zarana's.
Scarlett rolls to the side, when the shield comes at her! She is able to move out of the way of the shield, and she turns her roll into a dive at Barghest's feet, as she attempts to grab them, and use her momentum to toss the larger man away from her!
"Do not speak to me of th' have nots and unwanted. Mountain trailer trash, been on my own since I was 14. Not a lot of options for work for a girl child in th' boonies." Greathawk brings the katana blade up and slide-blocks the pickaxe again. "Been homeless. have had nothin'. Been used, tossed aside, escaped situations with nothin more than th' shirt on my back. I am th' little folk. Y' band together with your people and do... what needs t' be done." Her armor flashes, energy pulsing down her arms and she rears back flipping her fighting blade to lock to her gauntlet. Then reaches to grab Interrogator... And throw him. Away, into the ground, into the pek, but an attempt is made. "Don't come at me, bro. You won't like it."
This is not the day of the secret evil terrorist organization determined to rule the world. << Got it. We're not gonna wuss out here. >> Zarana would argue over the comms ass he would move to try and slash upwards with her knife! Going to try and stab it, stab it good and go to try and hook it over to get in a dolid WHACK in. "Let's find out if yer finger looking good, Brat!"
Interrogator lands near Pek and smiles faintly. Not the best way to gather Intel, still, some was gathered. He gets up slowly out of necessity and sees who else is falling back as he says to Greathawk, "At least you're upbringing was honest. You knew where you started and what was happening. Me, no. You can only drift if you had a base or home to start at. Another day, another time, we can talk more about this. Maybe without the weapons and armor being used." He braces for an attack as he waits for Barghest's orders and sees who he can try to help.
Hurled into the air, Barghest's field of view goes awry and he has a moment to recall similar events weeks back before he smashes face first into the ground, holding there while his canon of a neck strains against his weight. Pole-axed as he is, the man actually slides on the grown, kisser in the dirt and digging a furrow to either side.
With a hefty grunt he falls forward onto his chest, sparks shooting from parts of his suit as he struggles to get to his hands and knees, << "Medic..." >> dizzy and disoriented.
Metal-Head has been in this business long enough to know that when you're given a chance to retreat, you freaking take it. Especially when you're not sure if the highly explosive set of gear you're wearing is still structurally sound. He starts heading for Pek, wanting to get the hell outta here!
Interrogator lands near Pek and smiles faintly as he injects himself with something to kill the pain but help him remain focused. Not the best way to gather Intel, still, some was gathered. He gets up slowly out of necessity and sees who else is falling back as he says to Greathawk, "At least you're upbringing was honest. You knew where you started and what was happening. Me, no. You can only drift if you had a base or home to start at. Another day, another time, we can talk more about this. Maybe without the weapons and armor being used."
He says to all the Joes, "Are you going to let me gather the wounded, or going to take us prisoner?" Not waiting for an answer, he moves to whoever looks worse as Peklabog's engines cycle up.
Pip knows the drill, if they go for prisoners, take off with whoever can scramble in and get the data to Cobra Island. Boss Spooky can gather Intel in prison, same as anywhere else.
Chameleon gets stabbed into nastily, possibly even exaserbating it by her next move, when she shifts and tries to swing full strength to the upper arm, to see if she can't break the hold to get away... "I suggest you start evacuating the ares, honestly, your friends are all leaving."
Scarlett calls out to Interrogator, "I'd prefer to see you in prison... but before I change my mind, take your wounded, and leave." She brings up her crossbow, and aims it at Zarana, "Zarana! Better go with your 'friends', before they leave you behind, and I then get to take the cost of the car you destroyed, out of your hide! Insurance no longer covers acts of Dreadnoks!"
Greathawk gives an impolite gesture to Interrogator as he manages to land near his aircraft. Sword is sheathed and her high tech rifle comes back out. She loads something into the large bore barrel, braces herself, and fires off a series of grenade rounds -at the Peklabog-. Well At interrogator but he's managed to duck into his craft.
If the other Cobra troopers weren't bugging out Zarana would totally keep on going. Yeah, totally so. Definitely. "You f****** PANSIES!" Of course, this meant that the Joes would Joe-Pile her. They had to have another phrase for it because they were Joes and they were like Smurfs when it came to theme naming. "I'll get you next time!" One can almost HEAR the clash with 'NEXT TIME' as she goes to quickly brace herself against Chameleon's strike, and points dramaticlaly behind Chameleon. "GET HER!" Then she's going to rapidly book it around the evacuation route.
Leaving her back open to Scarlett..
Metal-Head makes his way to the Peklabog, seeking a ride back to base and medical attention. Next time, Joes! Next time!
<<Cobra>> Barghest says, "Fallin' back... corr..."
Retreat is called and the MOLE units moving in come to provide a place for agents too wounded to keep up the fight to climb aboard, the androids controlling them pulling the wounded aboard, among those number Barghest is cursing and bleeding all over as mechanical hands help him into the secondary seat of the already cramped vehicle cabin.
The other drill mounted vehicles firing to keep heads down, rather than firing for effect, as Cobra is forced back from their prize and their work with MASS is delayed again.
Inquisitor is bundled up by B.A.T.s that had been assigned to her as is Metal-Head when he is close enough for them to lift him to relative safety - the lenience of the Joes being a boon to Cobra, if a disadvantage to the do-gooders. The craft begin to roll back, moving from where the softer groundwater sources may cause problems before they begin drilling beneath the surface and away.
Scarlett watches Cobra retreat, and glances at the others. She sighs softly, "We better vacate as well, before we have to spend too long in quarantine."
Chameleon nods a little bit at that. "Right." She packs up her weapons and looks over at the helicopter. "The next landing for that should be interesting." She smiles just a little.