View source for 5291/Getting Back On Track

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/03
|Location=Brimsteel Frontier
|Synopsis=The expedition to the north mountains has a rough start when bandits try to rob the train.
|Cast of Characters=711, 571, 215, 770, 906, 750, 42, 7
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Steam and smoke plumed into the air as survey train was chugging its way across long unused rails. The top of the walls and watchtowers of Loadstar's fortifications were barely visible on the horizon behind the long journey into the frontier. The engine was smaller than the super-trains that did most of the frieght hauling, but was also a lot more specialized for this sort of task. For one it had no cowcatcher, rather the entire front end of the steam and pulsarium powered machine was a large wedge for plowing away debris or overgrowth that might cover the tracks. Like the occasional *WOOMF* of dust that goes up as it chugs through a sand dune that's been blown over the rails.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Behind it follow a few freight cars loaded with gear for the surveyers and supplies for the intended reconstruction at the end of the trip. This was a big endeavour to reopen the old mountain mines and Cassavhan was sparing no expenses on the matter. But the large amount of potential finance tied up in those materials is why there was being no cutting short on defenses against potential danger, either.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the end of the train was a caboose as one would expect. This is what has been set aside for Corona and her allies to occupy for the trip. The bunking was sparse, only a few of them would be able to sleep at a time in shifts. Or be like Corona who's capable of collapsing pretty much anywhere for a power nap. Shelves, lockers and other storage bins have been provided for the gathered's personal gear and supplies.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the center of the car was a large metal table that, thanks to some of the machinist's automatronic devices, was arrange with a three dimensional map of the regions they were travelling towards, complete with a little toy-like train chugging along across the lowlands as they were now.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And probably the best indicator of how important this is to Loadstar and the business of its administrator is that she was herself present. Callie Cassavhan, amiably known as 'Miss C' to those who worked for her, sat at one end of the display table. The collie woman did kind of stand out from her contemporaries, if only because the business woman's attire was a bit cleaner than fanciful than Corona's constant state of organized chaos or the scruffy flannel and demin of the beaver standing next to her. "You all have my deepest gratitudes for agreeing to this operation. Re-establishing the mines in the mountain region to the north is our only option right now to keep Loadstar prospering, thanks to the Moleman infestation of Rocksfall that was discovered by the many likes of you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka was pretty quick to say 'yes' when Corona made a job offer to her. She was raring to get back into work on Brimsteel. On the train, she cut a striking figure. Besides being obviously human in appearance, she was armed well with an automatic shotgun sling on her shoulders. "Considering the lengths you went to in hiring us, we expecting any trouble?" She wonders. The Molemen can't still be a threat this far away, can they?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Iria's quick to take this as well. She's always looking for action, and when there's a chance for action, she'll never turn it down! On the train, though, one might find she looks more like an android with her silver bodysuit of armor, since she's chosen not to wear her cape this time around. Regardless, Iria's listening intently to what's being said.<br><br>"They could still be there," Iria comments. "Or there might be something else there lying in wait for us. We have to proceed with caution!" She smiles a little. "Fortunately, I always come prepared!" She points to her pistol holstered by her right thigh and the assault rifle strapped to her back.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:770|Target Sparktail (770)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And of course, when traveling across deserted lands where bandits and heavens-know-what-else, it's a good bet that the rangers are going to send some help along. Considering how often Target 'visits' Corona's 'yard', is it any surprise that the sparktailed Kobold is among those in the caboose? No. It shouldn't be. What may be a surprise is that he's on a tipped back chair, near a corner, hat obscuring his eyes while he's snoozing. Clearly someone thought this run would be a cake-walk. . . <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Murphy is smiling somewhere.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:906|Yang Xiao Long (906)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Babysit a train full of survey equipment and personnel, protect them from any problems along the way.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yang sits with her feet propped up on the back of a chair, laying on the seat with her head dangling and her hair forming a blonde pool on the floor. Sounded simple enough, but with her experience with the White Fang's militant arm and their assaults on supply trains ensures the brawler isn't playing this lax... despite her current composure.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>Somehow Rebound has gotten herself hanging upside down from the luggage rack and is doing inverted sit ups from there, "So basically it's a pretty standard job. Go in, kick out any squatters, and make sure the place is safe for the workers." She grins, upside down, "So this should be fun."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Escorting a train? Given the kinds of things they've run into here... Staren is prepared as best he can, with the Star Hawk running alongside the train. Most of the time, it's basically on autopilot while Staren focuses on whatever, like working on the Warp Iris's herald. That's also how it is that he can be here in the caboose for this meeting. Aside from the colors and the helmet (currently off), Staren's flightsuit actually looks pretty in-place here.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Honestly I'm a little surprised you didn't hire us to deal with the molemen, but from my perspective this is an interesting job too."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He sits up a little straighter. "Still, there's something I've been wondering: This mine we're going to, I assume it was closed down because it became unprofitable. What was the problem with it, and how do you plan to overcome it now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br>Given Kotone's week? She would be happy to deal with molemen, or whatever else Corona's world had to throw at her. She was happy to show up and she smirked a bit at the mention of the molemen. <br><br> "I just hope they learned their lesson not to do what they did, again." <br><br> &lt;&lt;Hey Alexis I heard you got a new gig, hope it works out and keeps you out of trouble.&gt;&gt; <br><br> Kotone was aready for trouble though suited up in stealth get and wearing light armor but she seemed to be pretty relaced and she gave Sparktail a look and a grtin as well. <br><br> "Oh hey Target." <br><br> She has to wonder what COrona is up to just exactly and she gives her foxy friend gets a grin from her as well.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>"Iffen there wasn't possible dangers, y'all wouldn't be here," Corona remarked as she ambled up next to Maaka, patting her friend on the shoulder briefly. Then jabs a thumb over her shoulder the way she came. "Engineer says we're goin' 'bout fast as we can right now. Last sandstorm left too many drifts over the tracks to hit full steam until we get farther out."<br><br>"Because even if we did drive em back out, Rocksfall was too damaged by the Landviathan to simply be redug and reopened," Bucksaw replied to Staren's first question, lisping slightly due to his oversized buckteeth. "That an it's better iffen we don't stir 'em up. They's been quiet ever since."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Almost too quiet.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"On the contrary, profit wasn't the issue." Miss C leaned forward a bit, picking up a pointer from the table and directing towards the mountain that is the largest object on the map. "With the discovering of closer strikes likes Rocksfall, it became inefficient to haul the distance out to Mt. Thundersmack. This is before the stronger, faster super-trains were developed, mind you. Until now, there was no need to go back."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But we're in luck," Corona joins in, pointing at a small cluster of buildings near the base of the mountain. "Prismatic Point is still standin'. Even few stubborn ol' folks still livin' out there. Mostly trappers an' such."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Which means," Miss C concludes as she sits back again, "the mines should be usable still, abiet neglected. But that is why we're making a survey expedition to make sure."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And see if there's anythin' to the rumors of ghost trains!" Corona's eager remark gets her a withering look. "Oh don't give me that look Miss C. Y'all know as well as Ah do that there's plenty supernatural shenanigans on this hunk o' rock."<br><br>"Wait, Prismatic Point?" Bucksaw murmured. "Ah thought they was namin' it Rainb--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miss C promptly slapped a gloved hand over the beaver's mouth. "I told you there were legal issues with that name they couldn't use it!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren nods at the explanation. Then: "There are rumors of ghost trains?!" He looks to Corona for further explanation.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sometimes, this world kind of reminds him of Morg's. But Morg wouldn't be interested in a mercenary operation such as this...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"At least you knew who to go to for muscle." Maaka comments, popping her neck in time. "Usually employers pick out the wrong talent first because they're cheap." She looks at the buildings Corona points to, narrowing her eyes. "These trappers gonna be hostile if we show up to clear them out?" She asks. Squatters tend to be...antsy, when mercenaries show up asking them to get the hell out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Cracking her knuckles, Iria shakes her head a little. "Don't care what might be waiting for us. We can take 'em, I'm sure!" She smiles with that usual scowl on her face, giving her that determined look she generally has when she's in the mood for action. "If they try anything funny, we'll teach 'em a lesson they'll never forget!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:906|Yang Xiao Long (906)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ghosts, Bandits, big, ugly monsters. Long as I can punch 'em, we're all good." says Yang without moving from her spot. She's got the air of a really chilled out dog that's found an odd, but comfortable position to just melt into.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:770|Target Sparktail (770)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chattering about so many places, at the mention of Rainbow R-, the ranger in the corner stirs, peers up at the beaver, Miss C, then when NOTHING is said, he seems to settle back down to his previous position. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>The kangaroo does a few more inverted situps, and then unhooks her heels and backflips off of the rack, landing softly on her feet, "Ta daaaa~" she bows to the gathered mercenaries, "Sure it's no Cirque de Solei but it's the best you get."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miss C sighed softly, gave Corona another stern look for bringing it up, then folded her fingers together as she relented. "Running a railway through the mountains is a precarious notion. Still is, even with stronger trains and better engineering. Dangerous jobs lead to... stories to explain strange things happening." Then shook her head. "No, no, hopefully they won't need 'clearing out'. If anything they could benefit from re-establishing the railway to ship their goods out and supplies in. But we've got a long distance to travel and I'm not taking any chances on running into trouble or not."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Brimsteel's got plenty of those... we're just hopin' to not run into many of 'em." Corona scratched the back of her head. Hackles were a bit up for no reason. Surely not from the brief glare from the kobold's corner.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But first we need to make a stop at Rust Junction. The rest of the survey crew is there finishing up a previous assignment. It's another former boomtown along the route that can be reopened as a storage and distribution point if it's sta--" A loud whizzing and then thunderous booming drowns her out briefly. "--What the bloody blue hells was that?!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's not even finished with her exasperated exclaimation before Corona has run over to a window, pried it open and stuck her head out to look. Staren can probably see it too if he looks into whatever sensors the Star Hawk has. Coming up behind and beside the moving train was a rolling dust cloud in the wake of a motley menagerie in pursuit. Many of them riding on mechanical horses that cruise on jets of steam rather than having legs, or in steam-engine powered jeeps and buggys. While bringing up the rear is some bastard child of a locomotive and a flatbed truck.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which is also the source of the noise, firing off some large steam-pressure cannon that detonates a shell just off to the side of the railway, a huge plume of desert grit gysering upwards from it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Corona yips and jerks her head back in as one of the rider's snaps off a rifle shot, the bullet sparking off the frame of the window meer seconds behind her. "That big of a vehic'lar posse can only be the Black Hats. However the hells they even found out about this!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:906|Yang Xiao Long (906)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yang is on her feet and heading for one of the doors mere seconds after the first shell goes off. The second has her already opening the door and clambering up onto the roof. "I'll try and break up their formation! Staren, see if you can't do something about that big cannon!" she shouts, using her radio to relay her suggestions.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gauntlets unfold, and a quick loading motion has red shells with orange tips loaded into the revolving chambers. She then starts punching the air, sending packets of explosive energy out at the approaching vehicle gang. They seek, very mildly, mostly to correct their cources from the rather unconventional launch method.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>As soon as the shell goes off, Iria's got her assault rifle ready and she's heading out along with Yang. "I'll back you up," Iria calls out as she follows Yang outside onto the roof. Once she's outside, she opens fire with her assault rifle. Even if it doesn't do much damage, hopefully she can help cover Yang.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka drops to the floor as a thundering explosion is heard, "GET DOWN!" she barks, moving to cover Miss C as she draws her sidearm. Clutching the .45, she peers outside to get a good look at the situation. "I got the employer." She reassures aloud, poking out to open fire upon the bandits when she swaps back to her Benelli M4. At least the spread of 3" shells of buckshot ought to drop any unfortunate bandit the pellets strike.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br>Kotone Yamakawa says "So we can make use of it and get it rolling again? Bandits? Hopefully Sparktail;'s got a big enough lockup for that." She grins more....then somethign goes boom anbd Kotone reels fromt he sound a biot she grips the all of the train car and ends up warping it a bit as hee fingers dig into the material that make it up. <br><br> Kotone sighs as she her matter maniplator out and pulls an SMG out of it before puttng the tool away and makes ready, she's also snagged a few freezer foam grenades from the looks of it. <br><br> I'll do what I can to make them keep their heads do... and there goes Yang." <br><br> She'll find a window to snap a shot off from but Yang may have the right idea.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:770|Target Sparktail (770)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Somehow, someway, that Kobold over in the corner is, currently, sleeping through it. That's... probably strange. Right? ... No. No it's not. Stick around Kobold Korner sometime. Loud Things Happen.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But 'strange things' <span class="underline fg_n bg_n ++ u">are</span> happening, that need to be explained." Staren points out, before everything goes pear-shaped. He sits up in alarm as she rushes to a window, then realizes he can just check the Star Hawk's sensors... "The 'Black Hats'? Tell me what you know over the radio." He puts his helmet on, then runs to the door. Energy wings appear on his back to carry him to the Star Hawk's waiting cockpit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once he's ready for actual combat... Well, the Star Hawk isn't exactly made for shooting behind itself That's okay. It leaps into the air and transforms to hybrid mode, like a fighter plane with arms and chicken-legs. Then it spins around, flying backwards using thrusters in the legs.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren looks over their opposition for a moment. Yang suggested he try to stop that cannon... it's as good a plan as any! A firing port on the right arm pack opens, and the barrels inside spin up before unleashing a hail of hypersonic slugs at the vehicle. He's aiming low -- he can't aim precisely in this situation, but by sheer volume some of the rounds will probably hit a wheel. He'll see how well the bandits' creation can handle that...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>"Good I was starting to get bored anyway." Rebound says, as she turns her head to the side and pops her neck, before she walks forward, away from the back of the caboose and out the front door.<br><br>A few moments later, she appears on top of the train caboose, "Hey you shitbirds, listen up!" She yells out to the attacking Black Hats, "You all picked a really freaking dumb train to attack, so I am going to give you one chance to turn your happy asses around and get out of here before I unleash the holy wrath of god upon you!"<br><br>Her response is a gun shot that whizzes right past her, "Well nobody can fault me for trying." She presses down and leaps off of the train, flying back towards one of the larger steam engine looking vehicles, to pummel whoever is on it into various stages of unconciousness.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Steam-horses and bandits go sprawling across the dusty landscape as they're shot with return fire from the defenders. Yang's 'punching shotgun' for lack of a better description nails straight into one of the dune buggys, the explosion flipping it over and into the air. Others swerve around to avoid the assault rifle fire, kicking up roostertails in their wake.But there's a method to the outlaw's madness, as sheer numbers still allow several of them to get up close to the survey train and jump on, either to try and get inside or climb up to deal with the defenders on the roof. A good look confirms Corona's suspicious, because while the styles are different every hat worn by the badits is as black as tar.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Much appreciated," Miss C replies to Maaka as she's getting up. Bucksaw pulls a longarm rifle out from under the table and tosses it to her, Miss C turning and firing off a shot out the backdoor of the caboose that sends one of the boarding bandits sprawling backwards off the walkway. "But my family didn't get to be one of the biggest industrial operations on Brimsteel by sitting idle." She may be a businesswoman first but she apparently knows how to handle herself.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sparks fly as the hypersonic slugs slam along the side of the cannon-engine, hot chunks of metal shrapneling from the hit. The vehicle leers a bit, but the sheer number of wheel assemblys it has to support it's size and not crumple under the recoil of the cannon keep it going.<br><br>"And -this- is why we didn't skimp on the help." Corona grabs the SPAS Makka gave her, cocks it with one of the special breaker rounds she made for it, and fires it into the front of a jeep to take out it's engine and stall the vehicle. "They're tech theives. Pro'ly after the survey gear and supplies fer their black market. Stuff like that sells big on the frontiers, folks don't ask questions where it came from." She glances over her shoulder while she's reloading. "AND SOMEONE WAKE THAT KOBOLD UP!" Seriously. The last one you would expect to be sleeping through such things.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rebound can't fly by the kangaroo can certainly JUMP GOOD, and slam one of the jeep driver's head into his controls. Probably several times before the bandits riding on back try to get her off and retake control of the vehicle.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka notices as Miss C is tossed a rifle, and nods in approval when she opens fire. "SUre makes this easier." She comments, before opening fire on the bandits. Her shotgun barks loudly with every shot, as she shoots bandits off the side of the train cars like she was plugging turkeys.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She reloads, using slugs this time, before taking more accurate shots before the bandits get aboard. Can't let these guys swarm them directly in a situation like this after all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bandits are swarming the train! That will kind of have to be someone else's job, though, unless they want him to turn the afflicted cars into swiss cheese...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The cannon-engine is too stable for him to disable this way.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He has alternatives... Perhaps, even though he's not working under the Union's massive expense account, he should still carry plenty of missiles for mercenary missions like this. Still, it's not like he has NO missiles...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then, maybe he's too ready to solve every problem with explosions. There's another possibility: With all the bandits swarming the train, the way is clear...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Star Hawk holds its left arm out in front and below itself, a beam shield forming around n attached projector. And... Staren charges! Aiming to fly just over the cannon vehicle, then to draw a beam saber and skewer it from above!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Meanwhile, all Iria can do is try to move to a better vantage spot as the bandits start to swarm the train. She pauses to re-adjust her aim while loading a new clip into her assault rifle. "Good thing I came prepared! You never know what might jump out at you!" She opens fire on the bandits again. "Sorry, no ticket, no ride!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:906|Yang Xiao Long (906)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BLAM BLAM BLAM... CLICK. "Tch... Should have packed more Kinesis shells..." She lowers her arms to her sides, and with a flick of both wrists, purges the spent shells with a dull THWUMP, and the dull clinking of empty casings bouncing off the roof of the caboose. She reaches into her belt pouches, and pulls a pair of shell clips, orange cases with yellow 'tips' tosses into the air, then smashed into with the open revolver mechanisms, causing the clips to separate and the shells to lock into place, before the slide mechanism ratchets back into 'ready' position.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks along the train, to see figures leaping up from the vehicles that got past the initial barrage of fire. "They're boarding... I'll go see if I can't dissuade them with some blunt force diplomacy." she says, then chuckles to herself. "I'm out of Kinesis shells anyway, can't fight from range without 'em."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She takes a running leap, and fires a short-range concussive blast behind her to leap across to the next car roof, bringing a fist around in a heavy haymaker hook punch, which ends in a shotgun blast of pure kinetic force to the face of the unlucky bandit. If the impact didn't kill him outright, the sudden lack of 'being on the train' should do the trick. She moves on to the next one, juking any incoming fire, and using her honed melee skills to dodge or parry any attempts at smacking her back, flares of golden light marking her Aura helping absorb the blows.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>At least she stuck the landing, it would have looked REALLY BAD if she had missed the landing and fallen off of the vehicle. Once she lands, she slams the driver's head into the console. She does this two or three more times before one of the other crewmen grabs her. She uses her free hand to push the guy back down into the console so he'll keep them steady..ish..And then turns to try to shake the guy who's grabbed hold of her, "Hey now, personal space!"<br><br>She kicks backwards with one of her feet, to plant a heel into his gut and knock him off of her, turning around to face the others. She hasn't bothered to use her Impact Drivers yet because she doesn't feel that she needs them for these guys, "I gave you a chance, come on!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br>Kotone Yamakawa is taking pot shots but for the moment she stops and she tilts her head to Corona and maaka. <br><br> "I'm going out i got an idea..." <br><br> She's not Rebound but she certainly can do some crazy jumping. She's going to attempt ot get on to the roof of the trian car and then wait for a moment to leap from the car to the nesres of the attackers chasing the train she'll end up air dashing and double jumps as she goes and the miscfornate bandit would get the full shock of the Eelware built into kotone's body too if she manages to pull this off.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Someone has to give the engineer credit. There's a raging firefight erupting all around the train and it hasn't wavered an inch in speed. Then again neither have the bandits, despite running into heavy opposition. They're being shot, pummeled, and vehicles blown out from under them. But whatever the Black Hats want on the survey train, they must want it really badly. Gunfire out the windows keeps anyone from getting onto the caboose for too long. Those that do manage to hold on go up... Even when going up to the roof proves to be a Bad Time when people like Yang and Iria are waiting for them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The cannon angles up, steam hissing from various joints as it prepares another shot. This time they've got it dialed in on the engine for sure. The chamber is slammed shut, dials spinning up as pressure builds... And then a big shadow passes overhead. That's all the warning the operators get to leap off before the flying machine comes down to drive it's fancy glowing sword down through the cannon. And through the cab beneath. Fortunately the driver is just comically squished to the side of his seat to avoid being skewered as well.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yelling about waking up the Ranger didn't fall on deaf ears though. Hopalong clamors out of the crate it had been recharging in, and like a jerk kicks the legs of the chair from under the kobold. If that doesn't wake him up nothing will.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not that driving a vehicle is much better right now. Kotone does some Crazy Cyborg Shit(tm) to land on one of the dunebuggys and electrocute the bandit driving it. The rollcage doesn't do anything to deter electric warfare, nope.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Normally having a friend standing between you and their attackers would be problematic. But not for Corona as she pulls out Starslinger, leans back out the window and fires a few times. The energy beams briefly fly away from the fight, only for their physics warping to kick in and impossible angles to home in on the other two guys trying to wrassle Rebound off the jeep.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Looks like y'all runnin' out of lu--ack!" Corona manages to yelp out as a mechanical claw punchs through one of the windows and grabs onto her. Miss C turns and fires off a shot, but it just sparks off the machinery as she's got to avoid shooting her own mechanic as she's yoinked out of the window.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A moment later she's smacked down onto the hood of a halftrack, another claw grabbing the tarp over the back and throwing it off. Which just reveals several more clockwork limbs, ending in claws and other destructive impliments. But fortunately no tentacles. So it's not THAT THING.<br><br>The clockwork limb hoists Corona off the hood and holds her up as steam hisses from seams in front of the core of the contraption and it opens up so the goat sitting inside can be seen with his wicked grinning. "Now I've got you, A-a-arclite. Whe-e-ere is it?!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Corona swirms a little as she turns her head aside in a snub. "Ah have no idea what yer talkin' about."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which gets her thumped back down against the halftrack in response. "Lia-a-ar!", bleats the bandit angerly. "They sa-a-aw you using it when you were fixing the clock tower!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:770|Target Sparktail (770)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The chair goes crashing into the floor of the car. What follows is a nice long string of Words That Should Not Be Repeated. They're abruptly cut off when Corona is grabbed by a giant clock work !King-Kong like thing and gets yanked out of the car. "The bloody'ell's goin on?! Why didn't anyone get me up!" <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sigh.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Realizing that Black Hats are basically crawling -all over the train-, Target doesn't waste a whole lot of time with the ones on the train at the moment. Anyone that was in the car could handle those. Instead, the Vex Ranger actually dives -out- of one of the windows, the VEX armor slipping into it's main travel form before it goes spinning along the ground near the rails outside. After gathering some momentum, Kobold-Vex-Armor-Sphere goes cuuuuurling around before slamming into the side of one of the many Black Hat Vehicles outside. .. After that it just turns into Kobold Pinball and the ranger is going for a new high score.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka's shotgun is hit with a stray bullet, and she curses as she tosses the wrecked weapon aside. THen she notices the source of the shot, a bandit breaking in through the walkway the others missed. She draws her pistol and opens fire, aiming to hit the bandit in the chest.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After that, she doesn't wait to see if she hit him, charging him full force with a roar that could wake the dead as she delivers a -furious- running knee, charging through the wall if there's one at all between them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she falls, for a brief moment, before she grapples onto the side of the train, dangling there as she opens fire upon buildings from the outside during her climb back up to the side of the car.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren looks down at the cannon... No operators now, huh? He guesses it's not a threat anymore. Cool, maybe they can take it for parts...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But a glance back in the direction of the train reveals he's not the only mecha pilot here. He shuts off the sword and turns to zoom back over to the train, thrusters kicking up a plume of dust in his wake. "HEY!" he announces over the speakers. "Pick on someone your own size!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He considers just opening fire, but maybe talking first will give Corona a chance to get free...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Unfortunately, the bandits are getting closer, and Iria's just run out of ammunition. To make matters worse, she doesn't have time to reload. Strapping her assault rifle to her back, she proceeds to engage the enemies with some standard kicking and punching techniques. "Messing with me and you're messing with the best!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>"Aw hell, Corona!" Rebound gets distracted as she sees her friend hauled out of the train, and for her trouble gets smashed in the back of the head by a massive wrench. As she crashes down onto the deck a bunch of the guys pile on top of her. They manage to pin her to the deck of the vehicle, while the driver recovers enough to regain control. She's not going to be much help for Corona at the moment.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>A fancy space sword through the cannon-engine does wonders for disabling it, the vehicle starting to lag farther and farther behind. Even if the cannon still worked the train was quickly gaining out of it's firing range. Some Ranger Pinball does a number on several of the remaining vehicles, meaning the bandits already on the train don't really have a way to get back off.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bandits pile in on most of the defenders though, and there's still more than enough of them to go around even if they're already bruised and battered. We seem to be hitting that point where it starts to look bad before someone or something manages to turn it around in the nick of time.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Corona lets out a gasp as she's hauled up again, but manages to glare at the cockpit. "Ain't ya a bit short to be a bandit leader?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"DON'T CA-A-ALL ME SHORT!" Which certainly seems to get the goat's gruff, he almost literally looks like he'd be turning red as he stands up defiantly... and isn't much taller than the kobold would be. "I a-a-am Alexa-ander Xa-avier Copperchoke, The Third! But these boys just call me the Copper Kid!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What, because yer only as tall as one?" Corona snarks back.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"STOP MA-AKING JOKES AT MY SPECIES EXPE--" And that's when it's apparent that she wasn't squirming because of his bad exposition, as red hot sparks fly from the claw from one of her Cutters slicing through it. "Dammit fox!" He drops back into his seat and yanks on the controls, clockwork mech hoisting up from the back of the halftrack to lash limbs at Corona again as she scrambles down the hood of the truck again. "Just give me the book already!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile back in the caboose Miss C goes wide eyed for a moment, then looks rather pale as she flops back in her chair. "Did he.. did he say THE THIRD? That would mean... Sparks and garters! Just thinkin about that oily old geazer doin THAT makes my gullet wanna extradrite my lunch."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now that Corona's free, Staren stabs his fancy space sword at the goat's machine. "Hey! Are you seriously gonna <span class="underline fg_n bg_n ++ u">ignore</span> me?!" He's ready to /mess things up/ with those swords if Copper Kid doesn't do <span class="underline fg_n bg_n ++ u">something</span>!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br>Kotone Yamakawa is now on the buggy and intending to take control. She'll take the weel from the shocked out pilot push them into the passenger sear and grins. <br><br> "Come on now lets go." <br><br> She'll take control of the craft and start to move to use it ot interfewar with the other raiders. If ther's no weapons it's time for her to get into some very agressive driving.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maaka climbs up the grapple cable, making her way back up to the caboose. She climbs aboard, reloading her USP, before she hears the goat talk. "...oh, great. Guess this is happening." She grumbles, before calling out "NOBODY CARES!" she shouts at the snobby goat, while reaching to reload the pistol as she takes cover.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>Corona's in trouble, and Rebound won't let that happen. She likes Corona, she's not gonna let one of her few friends die without a fight.<br><br>She activates the Impact Drivers, which slam down onto her fists under the pile of goons holding her down, and then punches upwards, knocking them all away from her, before throwing a Impact powered punch down into the bed of the vehicle, causing it to flip through the air. She then uses this flipping motion to propel herself through the air, pushing off of the flipping vehicle towards where Corona is being attacked.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:770|Target Sparktail (770)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maybe not a high score, but at least a lot of the other vehicles are getting so banged around that you could swear that sound effects were sounding out as the Vex-Ball went bounding around from one place to another. Seriously though, Goats? Really? No way these fellas are the 'greatest of all time', far from it. So what's a ranger to do when their friend and (involuntary) supplier is in trouble? <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The answer to that is pretty simple. The sphere, as it had been banging around, had been turning and setting itself for another transformation. Using one of the remaining vehicles, the orb bounds upward, rebounds off the roof, and then goes careening toward Billy Goat Gruff and his Four Armed Flailing Machine, transforming along the way, "HEY SHORTIE!" Yes, pot, this is kettle calling. I have a gift for you. A sucker punch.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rebound flips a truck to catapult herself back into the fight. Just as... you know what, we'll stick to just calling him by Copper Kid, it's shorter to use, is about to try and grab Corona again. But the roo impact on its back shakes the machine forward just far enough that his grab misses. "Get off!"<br><br>Somewhat ironically, despite the multiple limbs trying not one of them can actually reach Rebound. It's like that one itchy spot on your back you can't scratch yourself.<br><br>Corona takes the oppritunity to get the hell off this ride, jumping back over to the survey train.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just in time for the kobold missile to come blasting in. "STOP CALLING ME SHO--" Well Alexander at least has getting interrupted like a villain down pact, as the high velocity punch gives Maaka a wonderful shot as it throws the goat backwards into the cockpit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Followed by one of the other vehicles trying to avoid Kotone's manic bumper car attempts swerving into the side of the halftrack instead, pinning one of the mech's limbs between the two vehicles. As one sparks and the other starts to smoke. That's usually not good for vehicles, even steam powered ones. Less fuel to catch on fire.. and more contents under considerable pressure.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Cur-ur-urse you Arclite!" That limb is not going anywhere, so Alexander resorts to shoving Target away and hitting the emergency switch, closing the cockpit back up and then jettisoning it out of the mech's body. "Next time I'll ge-e-et you and that guidebook too!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah reckon y'all wanna get 'way from that junker!" Corona pulls out her shotgun and fires a blast into one of the halftrack's treads, just to make sure it slows -away- from the train before it blows up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Corona shouts a warning, Staren flies away from the failing mech. "Seriously?!" He watches it self-destruct below him. "What a waste..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:770|Target Sparktail (770)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a wild grab for Alex's collar, but being shoved sends the ranger tumbling down out of the machine before the Kid goes rocketing up up and away. Don't mind that puff of sand and dust fading behind the racing vehicles and the train. The ranger will, hopefully, catch up in a few minutes. Though if people listen close, there's another string of explitives echoing from where he met a dune. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:711|Corona Arclite (711)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By the time the wreck finally blows its steam tanks and the explosion lights up the sky, it is well far behind the train still chugging along. Might need some patching up when they reach their first stop, but the train and it's protectors are still in one piece. And now they know who's been behind at least one of the outlaw gangs.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And to think this is just the -start- of the expedition north.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br>Kotone Yamakawa woops hey it's fun she won't lie about it she's getting to cut losein a way she doesn't often get to do she'll turn the buggy over to SparkTailwhen everytyhing is ove though she pulls to the side moving to keep up speed to keep with the train or she'll have to run after it, which she /can/ do but it's not something she's let the multivese know...for the most part.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:750|Rebound (750)}} has posed:'''<br>Once safely back abord the train, Rebound disengages the Impact Drivers and finds herself a seat to put her butt down in. Thankfully enough people in this world have tails so it's designed for that. She rubs her face with her hands, "We haven't even made it halfway up there and already pirates are trying to get at us. This is gonna get worse before it gets better."<br> <br>
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