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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 4, 2017 20:27:36 GMT
Taking "say hello to Rosebud" to mean "ensure my specimen is healthy", that was already one of their goals... Well, repeating an objective was fine, and it was likely of some importance to the professor. Meeting the request with a simple nod, all that remained was to get secure. He wasn't overly worried about Hugh's proclamation, either... He probably meant it literally.
At any rate, by now his colleagues ought to be capable of using the Engine, so there was no reason to delay.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 5, 2017 14:41:48 GMT
Delilah gave Hugh an appreciative smile, and a gentle pat of his incredible biceps. "I believe in your abilities Mister Beef, please be as attentive to the surface as you are in all of your other duties, there is so much to learn. Be safe, all of you." The professor watched as they climbed into the pods, hands folded over her front, manually triggering the activation of each. Light flooded from the seams of each pod, before it locked itself down for twelve hours. Nothing shy of an explosive device would disturb them on this end.
There was the usual light, but no sense of vertigo or distance accompanying the change of transmission range.
Evan comes around in a small burrow in the coils of a large purple serpent, the Dunsparce's head nestled into the curve of her hood, the embrace clearly an affectionate and familial one. Three's impressions of the female are strong and protective, if overbearing. The Arbok prefers the name Sheila, and spent the afternoon sunning herself to better warm her eggs as dusk fell. Younger snakes of other varieties wander to and fro on the visible path out of this nesting room, occasionally peeking in to see what their mother is up to. They don't disturb when they see that she is resting.
Hugh finds himself in the throes of heavy labor, Gunshow's impressive musculature bulging with the effort. Stone grinds underfoot as he pushes against the outer hull of the drop pod a sheer cliff face at his back. The landing had been a rough one, and stopped just short of the precipice. The Machoke understood the importance of this metal box, especially to Three, who could fly again if they figured out how to make it go up. To either side of the fighting type, a female he had courted in the days leading up to this moment. Despite his distractions he had observed the slow crawl of the metal box towards it's inevitable destruction. Lila, a Jynx that was set in her ways and found Gunshow charming for his helpful nature, but became angry when he insisted he had to do anything for her because she couldn't. The other, Artesia, was an aspiring warrior with an odd choice of weapon, even now bracing the wooden 4x4 against the object of their attentions.
Near the summit of the mountain, overlooking it all, Ulrich floated beside the Golett they had sent to the surface. It had since identified itself as 'Architect'. Collaborating with the information they had been given, it had not in fact gone berserk. At least not in the traditional sense, but it was obsessed. Sensing some manner of kinship with the mask-faced creature, Ulrich the Second had held close to it. For days, it had been whittling away at the mountain with it's hands. Walls with runic markings had begun to take shape, as had an antechamber with a bowl-capped ceiling. It didn't tire or rest, it simply did. It was like nothing ever conceived of or designed by human hands, despite the Pokemon itself having been built in a lab generations ago.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 5, 2017 16:26:53 GMT
At first there was simply darkness, and then the reassuring pressure of gravity returns. After days of floating around, it feels a little bit weird, but, nonetheless, it's nice to not have to worry about accidentally moving in some way you weren't intending to.
He realizes that the pressure doesn't just seem to be coming from gravity. Opening his eyes, Evan's first thought is a moment of panic, before he registers exactly what's going on. As the Dunsparce's impressions flood him, and he realizes that he's not about to get eaten (probably), he relaxes.
For a bit, he just absorbs the strange feeling of being nestled up close to another living being. It's warm and not objectionable, even if it is a little disquieting to be wrapped up in a giant snake more than twice his size. Especially since she could probably crush him quite easily. Eventually, he does his best to look around without disturbing the giant serpent.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 5, 2017 16:32:31 GMT
The Surface... For some reason, it wasn't as pleasant a reunion... Arrival? Hmm, a tricky concept. While the First Ulrich could appreciate, did appreciate the monumental achievement that was planet-fall, it was tempered by the muteness of the Second Ulrich. Well, no matter, leave the nervous excitement to Three, and the bravado to Gunshow.
Now, as for what Ulrich the Second had been doing since planet-fall, it appeared to mirror its operator's own interests! Not only were the Prototype Golett immensely successful, but it was taken in by some non-rampaging purpose! Would he let their Chief of Security learn that his 'experiment' had born results? ...perhaps.
While decidedly not biologically inclined, that both Yamask and Golett had been in this place for days, now, the latter tireless in work and the former in watching, was impressive even for him. Was it a simple disregard for its own limits, or was the worker actually as tireless as it seemed? What would the people on the Ark think of such a potent-yet-safe tool!
...That was enough amazement. It wouldn't do to waste time, thinking of what needed to be done after returning. There was work to be done! Starting at what might be the simplest point, Ulrich stirred, shifted to the side of the implacable Architect, and said, "Remind me, Architect, where did you receive this design? I saw nothing like it, among the humans." Or at least, nothing in recent memory... Really, the entire process left more than a few questions buzzing around. Hopefully the Golett could multitask. "And to confirm, Architect, you estimate that you will be able to complete it, at your present pace?"
While he waited for a response, the researcher continued to observe the form that was taking shape, still rather amazed at how industrious their drone could be.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 5, 2017 20:52:08 GMT
It was always unnerving. That feeling. Hugh could never tell when he was Hugh until he was very much not Hugh. That blink before realities. One moment, he was in the pod; as if dreaming. The next, he was somewhere else, a part of Gunshow's reality. Then, to some extent, part of Gunshow. Once more, reality 'popped'. --- The Gunshow didn't pause a moment in his herculean effort, giving no indication of the handsome parasite that had just entered his mind. His eyes drifted towards his two friends and the Gunshow laughed and roared. Such magical muscles! Such machismo! His face was a portrait of joy. How long had been since he had worked his muscles like this? Bah! Who cares! It was far too long! "Ah, don't you worry little friends! I have this! I am the Gunshow. This is nothing!" With a truly formidable grunt, Gunshow redoubled his efforts. Little Three was counting on him to keep this safe! And, now that silly Lola and the little Artesia were behind him, he couldn't dare to let up! But, just how had he met these too? Gunshow could not remember. Something, something. Muscles. Though it was not in the nature of a Fighting Type to make friends with a Psychic, Lola was a kindred spirit. The Gunshow could tell. She did not have the same, 'look at me, I'm so smart', sort of way about her that some of her kind did. She was such an intense mon. Such a powerful mon! A free spirit! Perhaps, a monly spirit! Artesia was somewhat easier to remember. They met doing something. Yes! It was something alright! And then, something else happened. And Gunshow knew better than to just let the shuttle go down the cliff! The Gunshow stared at her naked blade. Yes! Deep down, he knew. Blade was like belt. Never lose belt. Never lose blade! It would be simply a tragedy to have such a fantastic weapon be crushed by metal shuttle thing! Hugh Gunshow would not allow it! Push Gunshow and co, Push!!! If it matters, the total base Power of the Group is 11+4+4. Gunshow can drag up to 1500lbs, while Lola and Artesia can handle 280lbs respectably, for a total of 2080lbs.
For Athletics, Gunshow rolled 21. Lola rolled 14. And Artesia rolled 13, presuming that they are currently mostly at base stats.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 12, 2017 17:47:43 GMT
Sheila stirs against Three, her coils tightening affectionately around the Dunsparce as she flexes her hood. Stretching and yawning, she butted her nose into his cheek before releasing him from her hold. As with the night before, to Evan's sharpening memory, she took a count of her eggs. The clutch was her pride and joy, six eggs in all, and it was rare she went more then two hours without checking up on them. "Good morning." She took a moment to stretch out her body. "It's about time for me to go hunting, and basking to tend the eggs, they get cold if left too long." She explained. "You will stay until tonight, it will be safer after dark." As she often addressed him, it wasn't a request, delivered with a motherly firmness.
"We are the awoken, the timeless built by the makers in ages past to call the children home." Architect answers cryptically. "The beacon will rise above the surface and it's people will seek the depths for answers." Little inflection carried in the artificial Pokemon's voice, and it gave no indication it was paying Ulrich any attention beyond the answer to his question. Broad flat hands chipping and shearing the rock, scoring the surface with those markings. "It will be done."
The pod yielded ground through the combined effort of Gunshow, Lila, and Artesia, grinding back up the incline slowly. With the bulk of it still weighing on the incline, it was a blessing that another happened to be nearby to give the mass the sideways push it needed. "HOO-AH!" Came a booming battle cry just as Gunshow's companions began to flag, their strength sagging when GUnshow's would not relent! A massive figure of impressive girth and stature striking the side of their precious ship with a generous amount of force, nudging it off the fast track from the cliff.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 12, 2017 18:49:59 GMT
Evan tenses up slightly as the coils tighten, but then relaxes again when he realizes that it's just another form of affection. It's something that he probably should be more cognisant of, given the fact that the nanomachines had been transferred, but there's still something about a giant snake - well anything, really - more than twice your size, that's unsettling.
It is surprisingly nice having another being in close proximity, though. Even though 'being engulfed in the coils of a snake' isn't exactly something that he would have volunteered to do, it isn't that bad. There's a small sense of loss after being released, but there's also relief, as he's able to stretch and move again. Including those (still) useless wings...
He's not really prepared to argue with Sheila, so doesn't protest the command to stay. He's not really sure where he would go, anyways. The mention of hunting does make him realize that he's a bit hungry, though. But not for meat, the thought of that fills him with revulsion. Plants. He takes an internal breath in order to build up some confidence - this isn't exactly like talking to Rosebud, or even Gunshow - before saying, a little hesitantly, "Uh, since you don't want me going out, I don't suppose that you happen to have any plants or anything like that down here that I can nibble on in the meantime?"
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 13, 2017 16:56:17 GMT
"Hoo-hah! Victory for Gunshow!" Cried the Hughshow, pointing his fingers into the sky with a V for victory. The pod was, presumably, safe for the meantime, having been saved from careening off the cliff. Muscles prevail again! Muscles, ever prevail. He placed a happy, but firm and polite hand upon his samurai companion and smiled at Lola with a mighty, but stupid grin. "We have done well. Now I must train harder, until I can throw this pod back into the sky for snake friend!"
Hughshow smiled and rounded the pod to meet his newest comrade in arms. "Hoo-hah friend! I see you have strong muscles as well! Where have you been training, so that we may both be powerful alpha mons?"
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 14, 2017 2:23:47 GMT
Mulling over Architect's cryptic words for a moment, and sorely wishing for answers now rather than later, Ulrich found his awe tinged with dull annoyance. Although, it raised the question of how the Yamask had spent its time near this worker... Clearly it wasn't their winning conversational skill. Well, no matter, that was the cost of specialization; at least the name Architect was an apt one.
Electing to leave the annoying, highly effective drone to its mission for the moment, he went instead to survey the local area. Not so much for a clue as to why Architect would start here (for now he was assuming some arcane reason, really), but to get some sense of the terrain... That, and the concept of a sweeping view down the mountain was an interesting one...
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 15, 2017 18:57:50 GMT
Sheila paused near the exit to the section of the barrow the two of you shared. "Not something we keep, there might be a few roots in the lower tunnels." Her sharp eyes soften as she considers you again. "Once you leave the boulder field and get into the tree line, you should find berry bushes among the trees. They are sparse this high on the mountain, but you need to eat. Please be careful, return when you can." Encouraging and warm, she slides past a few of her young in the main corridor, leaving you to tend to yourself for the day.
Exploring the barrows, and you realize just how extensive they are. Like some sort of extended family unit. Many of the inhabitants are Ekans, and clearly young, something you just naturally seem to register. A Seviper sits in a small nook to one side of the exit, the glint off of his long fangs catching Evan's attention before those red eyes do. Beyond the home space, a sprawling boulder field, the barrow tucked into a shaded nook not visible from the surface. Crags lead away from this spot, allowing movement through the scree mostly undetected, easily defined as up the mountain and down the mountain by the slant to the worn dirt path.
Lila has a seat and fans herself, Artesia giving an expert flourish of the 4x4 piece of lumber she treasures so, swinging it up under her arm. Standing taller then Gunshow easily by a full head and shoulders, and nearly twice as wide, his new friend had broad, flat three fingered hands and fierce eyes set on a head that almost seemed too small for his body. "Far and wide my muscular friend! Far and wide! Climbing the highest mountains, wading the thickest marshlands, fording the fiercest rivers! This is home though, this is home. Welcome to Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest of the Four Spires!"
He spoke in a booming voice, sweeping a broad hand across the view off the cliff face. "Four mountains ring the valley below, a lush paradise with a single canyon leading to the outside world. I am Kiai, The Keeper. Tell me friend, were you here when this metal box caught fire and struck the mountain?"
Ulrich is treated to the view of three other mountains, with a singular pass leading to the south. At this height, the peak of the mountain itself, it is clear that this is the highest point in the immediate area. Old snowfall sits at the edges of the flattened courtyard bearing the same chip marks as the rest of the structure the Architect has begun, piled to the sides as it is, it would seem that this area had been cleared of snow before the masonry had even began. With the cloud cover near the treeline, the air would likely be quite thin up here if Ulrich the Second required it at all. Some distance down on an outcropping, Gunshow addressed a hulking figure with two other humanoid Pokemon.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 16, 2017 1:08:28 GMT
"I will do what I can," Evan says, "I certainly do not intend to seek out danger. Once I've eaten, I plan to return." Maybe bring back some stuff if I can, so I don't need to do this again as soon.
As he makes his way through the barrows, he marvels at the amount of information that just seems to be naturally coming to him. It makes this world seem much more warm and welcoming... well, in general. Discounting the fact that he's a plant-eater in a den of hunters. That particular fact is less than reassuring.
Getting momentarily distracted by the shine of the Seviper's fangs, he makes his way to the exit, looking around both for predators - well, the kind that didn't seem to be inclined to take him in... which is probably most of them - and the tree line that was mentioned. Because, apparently food was that way. But, better to go hungry if need be than risk getting eaten. Even if he wouldn't (probably) die from it, it would likely not be pleasant.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 16, 2017 5:54:49 GMT
That Architect, how very impressive. But how to put the other Golett to work? We would be remiss not to use such an effective tool, and if they have no functional limit to endurance... Reverie aside, he could contemplate nature on his own time, there was work to be done.
Given how high this summit was, it was suspect whether the more biologically comprehensible specimens would be able to survive for extended periods at such heights. Something to consider before showing Hugh what their little experiment had resulted in... Perhaps Evan, too, but he and Three were, for want of a better term, 'skilled at disappearing'; if he were to search for the duration of their dive, it wasn't a guarantee that he would even find them. Him?
While sampling the view from the lofty summit of the highest mountain in the range, the unmistakable arsenal of a Gunshow a ways off was a surprising sight. As was a creature that seemed even larger. Hopefully the duo wouldn't leap into an engagement and find themselves out of their depth... Actually, that might be valuable in its own right. And with backup specimens acquired, the risks are only minimal. All the same, if it comes to that it would be best to bear witness... Such thoughts entertained the researcher as he drifted down, confident that the Golett would continue its single-minded work toward its creation, and deeming the much more volatile Machoke a more urgent matter.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 17, 2017 15:36:02 GMT
The Hughshow is indeed volatile. Volatile, with jovial, testosterone spirit that is! "Whoaoaoa! The world! Truer words were narry spoken my buff comrade!"
With training grounds established, Hughshow slaps the side of the shuttle with resounding force. "I shall answer your question directly. Both I and this shuttle fell like a star in the sky from a hooman sky palace!"
He says this as if it were the most natural thing in the world and smiles broadly. "I am hoping to fix this strange thing, so that I may launch tiny snake friend back into the sky, where he would prefer to be."
A tear of reminiscence comes to Hughshow's eye. Three was so happy there. He raises his fists towards the sky and screams at the top of his voice, "I shall return you to the sky, diminutive friend! Gunshow swears it!"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 21, 2017 12:31:06 GMT
"That one's really fat and squinty." Comes a young voice with a giggle. "Shhhhhh it'll hear you, Mom said we were supposed to sneak up on it! She'll get mad again." A second. "It's too late, it heard you, let's get it!" A third.
"Yaaaahhhhh!" Came a rallying cry, three small brown puppy looking Pokemon with stony collars around their necks bounding over one of the rocks to Three's right, barking and showing their teeth, closing with his position.
Ulrich has little difficulty with the terrain, and as a creature without any real substance sees no threat from predators. There was a sense of power to the structure that Architect was putting together, it resonated and pulled at his senses and thoughts even as the ghost tried to leave it. Some distance away the sensation faded, and before long he at last was reunited with Hugh and his new companions.
"Ah yes, of course, of course. We all must uplift our weakest inner selves beyond the stars! I have not seen something so large or heavy go so high, but if you gird your loins and find the strength within your chakra I believe you will accomplish even this!" Kiai slapped a broad hand on his middle, letting the sound reverberate off the cliff side. The Hariyama didn't comment on Gunshow's comment of falling from the sky, but did quirk an eyebrow thoughtfully at it.
(Perceptions from The Gunshow and Ulrich 2 Please~)
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 21, 2017 18:19:48 GMT
A litany of curses runs through Evan's mind, as he is beset upon by predators. Apparently he hadn't been as sneaky as he'd thought. His first instinct is to try and get away from them... but the more rational part of his mind says that as long as they're on his tail, he won't be able to stop for food. Or rest. Or probably head back to the nest... Well, if I make it out of this, Sheila's probably going to kill me anyways... he thinks, dryly.
Despite every fiber of his being screaming against it, he decides that he should at least try and se if he can dissuade them. They sound young, so, maybe if enough resistance is encountered, they might decide to look elsewhere. Quickly, he looks around, seeing if there's anywhere in the scree that he might be able to use to cut their numerical advantage down a little bit. Because he doesn't really feel like being surrounded. The thought of an escape route makes him feel better.
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 23, 2017 16:46:16 GMT
The Hughshow clapped his meaty hands together and smiled broadly. "Ah Kiai sensei! Your words inspire me! Yes! I shall send the weak snake, skyward!"
His meaty maw opened, perhaps to say something else, but the strong, handsome eyes of the Gunshow caught a glimpse of a familiar Ghost friend descending the hill. All further thoughts were suspended in favor of waving broadly at the friendly, though slightly malicious Ghost.
"Ho friend! I see you there! Come! We must train until I am strong enough to throw the shuttle skyward!"
Yes! Training! Now they just need to find friend snake. Oh, what joyful adventures was he getting into?
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 23, 2017 17:57:19 GMT
Did he really need to reconvene with the others? Surely they would know to come investigate once they saw Architect's magnificent work, so if he were to simply remain there, they would come to him... And even if not, did he have to leave now? Why not head back and- Bah! He's spotted me. I- fine...Returning the wave with less enthusiasm, less of a gunshow, and... Well, just a smaller greeting overall, Ulrich continued his determined trek down. And what did the Researcher get for the trouble of meeting up with his cohort? Talk of throwing their shuttle back into orbit?! Beneath the impassive face of the Yamask, Ulrich was stunned. His more expressive human face might have even gaped at the suggestion, but thankfully that was far from any trouble that might occur on the Surface. After an inscrutable look at the companions Gunshow had assembled ( was the Machoke that charming to those sorts? He's gathered quite the following in our absence), Ulrich replied, "...right. A novel idea, dispense with all the unnecessary elements, like the fuel, and we'll have you launch it again by hand... Have you seen the Dunsparce, or has your 'training' been too important?" Ulrich2 Perception: 13 after Operator modifiers
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 25, 2017 12:02:37 GMT
With Three's current position, it seems beyond continuing to retreat down the mountain, he'll be surrounded on two sides very soon, thankfully the third won't be able to engage should that happen. Currently one of the three pups is blocking the trail going up the mountain and advancing, the other two are moving along the tops of the rocks, hopping stone to stone to flank the Dunsparce.
(With a move action, one will catch up to you this turn. With a sprint, they will have to sprint to keep up and I'll need to run some numbers to determine if they can outpace your overland. There is also the risk of a dead end or another encounter going breakneck away from this one.)
Kiai waits quietly for the Yamask and Machoke to finish their discussions, quietly admiring the view of the valley with a powerful stoic presence. Following the Hariyama's attention, Ulrich and Hugh discover something entirely new and unexpected. Civilization
It is hard to tell at first, as it resembles nothing they would conventionally recognize as architecture, but the odd bunched appearance of the trees in a certain area of the valley, and the movement of figures throughout calls heavy attention to it. Organization. Cohesion.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 25, 2017 15:35:42 GMT
"Look," Evan says, a little dryly, while glancing around at the surroundings and slowly backing away from the dogs, "How about we compromise? You let me go, and I'll tell everyone how well you snuck up on me. You don't get hurt, I don't get hurt, everyone's happy."To punctuate his words, he rear back, like he did on Gol, and glares at the nearest one, eyes opening fully for once (Ow, bright!). He holds that for a moment, before bolting away. Tagging the nearest Rockruff, and using Glare on it, Spending an AP. Critical hit, the target is Paralyzed, Three Gains 5 DR for 1 round. Evan gains 1 momentum from hitting, and 1 more at the end of the turn.
Current Momentum: 2
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Post by birdy51 on Jun 26, 2017 13:57:40 GMT
"Look," Hugh says a little slyly. He lowers his voice in a conspiratorial, shocked way as he gazes at his surroundings thoughtfully for the first time. "Do you see all of the trees my friend? They are so organized and prim."
The Gunshow shakes his head, filling in for the information that he did not know. This was all planned. Organized. Perhaps they were little houses. Shrines. Anything of minor importance that could be. But the Pokémon did this. They planned, all of this. Hugh pondered this quietly separately from the Gunshow. The professor, she was not going to believe this!
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