NODE: Kingdom of Reclamation - The Unknown Key

NODE: Kingdom of Reclamation - The Unknown Key
Date of Scene:	20 June 2014
Location:	The Homeworld
Synopsis:	The door is unlocked... Army is built. Now... episode 3 is on the way...
Thanks to:	Abstractum.net and everyone involved
Cast of Characters:	Kirito, Tomoe, 118, 151, 162, Fuki, 309, 347, 450, Karian Icefang
Tinyplot:	When They Return

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Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
There is a reason the doors are sized this way. The two groups find themselves in similar hallways, after Fuki opens both doors, both are castle-like environments, but they're formed out of stone that's been set in place over what clearly looks like the interior of a tiny, modern ventilation shaft, sized heavily up in the case of the larger group.

The larger group find that the hallway decays with distance, while the smaller group find it more well-maintained as they go. When both emerge from mildly damaged steel doors that have been reforced out of vent coverings, they will find themselves both the same height. They will also find themselves within a massive suburban home, decayed from thirty years of lack of maintenance. The upper level - or possibly roof - has been blasted away by the ages, leaving jagged walls. Pots from the kitchen, walls, couches, tables, chairs, and other structures have all been repurposed into garrisons and barracks, mess halls, meeting places, armories... The (relatively) massive residence has been turned into a castle over the ages.

The door to the basement, breached before, remains closed, but with a hole blasted through it leading down into the vaguely dungeon-esque area. But what Fuki might have been doing down in there and setting up is going to be up to her. Tonight, though, it's likely to come to fruition, whatever it might be.

Fuki has posed:
As soon as the group enters the abandoned 'castle', Fuki's up and off towards the basement, the Shinki looks to be in a massive rush with that key trailing behind her. From the hole there looks to be a small glimmer of light inside, possibly from things being set up from before. "Hurry up everyone. To your left are modified shinki flight packs to use. They'll last quite a while without having to use your magic or whatever you use!"

Left behind are ten packs... One Fubuki styled pack labeled strictly for Kirito. Three Altrines, Three Altines and three Eukrantes.

Karian Icefang has posed:
Karian had agreed to give Fuki his assistance, and was even agreeable to being brought down to the size of the Shinki. Of course, Wodnyr was ever present at his side. "Seems I missed alot...But if you need a brusier, I'm here." He says, strapping on the flight pack.

Tomoe has posed:
Tomoe was willing to put things aside to deal with anything to do with the node and so here she wa to help the feds infamous Shinki ninja. She head something about this place was different and soon she'd ralize wait I'm action figure sized.

"This is a whiole new way to view the world..." She reaches out to go for one of the Altrines flight packs and will put it on, uncertain if her normal flight might workm, and hey trying something new, right?

Lizbet (309) has posed:
Lizbet was, for some reason, just kinda waiting at the door for Fuki to show up. Arms crossed, all Stoic and such. She's said nothing so far, though.

Once they enter the 'castle', she looks around herself, taking everything in. And then... she follows Fuki, still not speaking a word!

She has her Abstractum with her, of course, held across one shoulder in a traditional 'cocky shounen protagonist' sort of way.

Zephyr Windstar (162) has posed:
Zephyr nods over to Fuki, then looks over at the flight packs. "HMm..." she goes and grabs one of the Eukrantes packs, and straps it on. "Divine Wind, sync up with the flight pack's systems." she commands her Device, the axe chiming out softly.

She reaches up, after securing the pack over her Barrier Jacket, and fondly strokes the circlet atop her brow. "You ready Galeforce? I'm counting on you." says the Mage, smiling softly before looking to the others. "Right then, Sneaky, what's the plan?"

Hei (118) has posed:
Hei also agreed to assist, because any chance to possibly fight Them seemed right to him. He also agreed to the size change, but he can work with it. He has his grappling hook blade, after all, and now a flight pack. His mask is on, as he takes a Eukrantes Flight Pack and straps it on, his glove-type Abstractum Wuqing on his hands.

"How do these flight packs work?", Hei asked towards Fuki. He's..never used anything like this before.

Zeno (450) has posed:
Once more the black armored Zelnogrard is here. Enter Zeno, a miniaturized bolter clasped in her hands, the military Shinki racks the bolt on her gun win utter silence. She already has a Jump Pack of her own, courtesy of Techmarine Archimedes, formerly of the Ultramarines chapter.
"I'm here."
Not much to say.

Ainsley (151) has posed:
Ainsley shows up in her leather armor set, with that strange and ordinary-looking longsword. She glances over at Fuki as the jetpacks are indicated. She doesn't bother with aesthetics, just picking an Altines pack at random and figuring out how to put it on with some difficulty.
She steps over to the door to the basement, figuring that everyone is going to be heading downstairs. They are, after all, going to see what those dolls in the case are for and if they can be charged up. Maybe they don't need charging? The lizard girl hasn't the foggiest idea how shinki work. She does sense the vague nature of electricity from them, so she just assumes they need to be charged regularly.
She reaches up to adjust Nom de Plume on her snout. "Let's get a look at the ones in the case today," she says to the glasses Abstractum in a hushed voice. "Maybe we can gain some insight for Fuki. It does not seem like the type of situation that would conceal information from us."

Kirito has posed:
A black (with purple trim) jetpack sort of thing, huh. Kirito can appreciate the black scheme, but the pink...

Well, nothing gained from turning it down. Being able to fly in the dark will be something! He hoists up the machine and straps it on. "Controls, controls..." Of course, it better have SOME way to control it. Maybe a joystick? Well whatever it is, he hunts for it and is still finishing strapping the thing on while he walks over to Fuki.

The boy clearly has no problems working with her, Confederate or no. He gives her a friendly glanceover, rubs his chin a little...

"It's a fun way to view the world." He asides to Tomoe, then announces, dropping his arms to his sides, "What exactly is our plan?"

Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
Down below, a huge mass of electronic equipment. The BASEMENT DUNGEON, which appears to have previously been a BASEMENT BEDROOM, with its wide, crisscrossing stone structure, the tv repurposed as a theater and the bed as a meetingspace, the floor flooded into becoming a lake, now has power! Power and lights! There's humming electronic repositories, modeled after Shinki cradles but clearly designed mostly for the local Shinki knockoffs.

A massive, blast-proof, water-tight collector's case is here as well. It's full of every single model of the local Dolls - not Shinki, but very, VERY much similar - in original packaging, mint condition, clearly reverently kept, alongside a vast amount of equipment.

The Dolls are now ACCESSIBLE, as the group has unlocked the massive COLLECTOR'S CASE LOCK. You also have functioning cradles. The unique part about the local Dolls, though, is that you don't have strictly defined models. Kitbashing is heavily encouraged; someone here to work can custom-build the individuals.

You've enough materials to build an army. They'll beed to be specced out, of course, specialized for whatever roles you might wish to give them. External modules provide extra power, extra range, extra strength, extra processing power, all sorts of things... You're able to build an army and its specialties from the ground up! And there's enough materials here that everyone will be able to lend their specific tactical inclinations as they see fit to the task.

Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
Galeforce is briefly prompted. "I'm ready in case anything goes wrong, don't worry!" A firm affirmative noise from the circlet.

Fuki has posed:
Fuki's standing in front of the case, the thing wide open and the key strewn away somewhere. Fuki's eyes are wide and she's down on her knees. "Oh, my... Master... I wish you were here to see this. It's... so... beautiful." Fuki looks down, a grin upon her face. "Yes... yes I can build this... I'll need help."

Fuki turns around, drawers wide, everything open. "Welcome everyone. Stronghold Kourin. This is where we're going to make our stand to help this land. There's enough parts here and enough bodies to build anything we need, and you all are going to help. You all have inputs and specialities that I cannot match so I request for each of you to gather quite a few dolls and build to your specialities."

She turns around towards the case, "I'll handle a front line assault team. Everyone else... work with your specialty. Let's make us an army!"

Ainsley (151) has posed:
The lizard girl quickly adapts to the jump pack functionality, seeing as she already knows how to work her own jetpack. When she gets into the basement, she finds her way to the case and takes a look over the parts. She is scanning for 'FUNCTION' for the ones that do not seem apparent at a glance. Once she has classified each of the parts in this fashion, she would inform the others of what they do.
And then her first priority is creating a doll that has a scouting speciality. She makes sure to pick lightweight parts, and gets speed and range upgrades. Throwing together one or two of these is a good idea. "We need scouts to get information on the surroundings and relay tactical information back to us," she would inform Fuki, in a soft tone of voice, "That kind of resource would be invaluable in these early stages."
Ainsley can't help but feel a little... off. She is fairly certain that the people they'll be facing in this Node are not going to be as clear and easy to judge. They may, in fact, be good people seeking to unite together under some kind of flag of peace, even if it may be a flimsy rule run by a Pure Wielder.
The determined frown on her face betrays the conflict in her mind, but not its exact nature, since it doesn't stop her from working.

Zephyr Windstar (162) has posed:
Zephyr cracks her knuckles, as she approaches the open case. She looks over the parts, then flits over towards a manual. "Right, first things first, lets find out what the bits do..." she flips through, looking up each part, before having Divine Wind make holo-models of each, with a brief explanation. "Right... lets do this!" she says. The screens follow her as she gathers some parts, checking them against the screens, before she goes about making a test model. "Okay, this goes here... maybe that... hmm, two smaller, or one large gun and a melee..." ponder, part install, system scan.

Divine Wind gleams brightly as it provides processing power, and suggests alterations in the designs coming out. The first doll seems to take the form of a lightly armoured, but heavily armed aerial fighter, one that would use agility and speed to survive. "Those scouts will need some firepower to keep them safe, these should be able to get across a battlefield quickly to provide support!" she calls over to the others, grinning.

Lizbet (309) has posed:
Lizbet... looks somewhat conflicted. She's read the reports, of course. She knows enough about this place to not be surprised by anything she sees. But... building an army? For -Fuki-? She's not totally sold on this idea.

She spends a few minutes in thought - probably looking to everyone else to just be considering what she wants to make. Then she looks at Max, and sighs. "...Being on the same side as her feels weird," she complains, before getting to work.

Her armour is pretty useful in this situation! It has its own arms, you see, designed to be stronger than her own - so hefting around manuals and the like is pretty easy for her. As for what she wants to design... well, that's obvious, surely? Melee-ranged strike units. Designed to get in fast and hit hard. Sacrificing defense for speed, maueverability and firepower... Although perhaps 'firepower' isn't the best word to use here.

Karian Icefang has posed:
Karian looks over and ponders over what was availible. Opting to add to the overall firepower, he starts building up the more heavy weapons types of dolls.

Hei (118) has posed:
Hei silently gets to work on building, trial and error for him. He focuses on small, but lethal, capable of remaining out of sight. Basically, tiny assassin robots. He builds a few of them with aerial focus, airborne snipers, with another set of sniper tanks, remaining behind and taking as much damage as possible, whilst dealing as much as possible. Finally, he makes a set of close-ranged grapplers, built to get in, and murderize. Hei is a very jolly person.

Tomoe has posed:
Tomoe is now got her oack and is amused at the wings.

"All right, and humm so we're going to get to work? I'm mostly good and humm I can handle that."

She's got an idea to start building a number of front line shock troopers. Tank and spank, it's what she knows after all so she's going to get to work on that idea.

Kirito has posed:
Ugh. This is kind of creepy, putting together PEOPLE for the specific purpose of combat. And what's more, combat for a purpose he's not entirely sure of. Is it right to put together PEOPLE for this? Even if the people in question are totally cool with the idea?

Some questions just don't have easy answers. the Shinki appear to enjoy carrying out their functions, but were they programmed to do that?

Thinking about this kind of stuff too much would give him a headache, so for the moment, he decides not to.

Instead, after spending some time reading over a few manuals and parts lists (quite a feat, at his size, with turning a single page requiring a bit of a workout) he begins his project.

The first group he assembles uses large, tough parts that forgo most offensive power. There's lots of armor and shields - metal shields, energy shields, energy armor, whatever's necessary. They all are equipped with small weapons - pistols, daggers, short swords, whatever's at hand. These are the Tanks.

The next two groups are quick and nimble, sacrificing defensive ability to maximize offensive power. One group is equipped with heavy ranged weapons - rifles, longbows, whatever is available. The other group has axes, greatswords, dual beamswords... this group's designed to hit hard and fast and without stopping. The best defense is a good offense.

The final group consists of support roles. Any parts that can grant healing abilities, radar sensors, scouting, organization and buffing. They're lightly armed and armored, but are more nimble for the sacrifice. This group also gets the most emphasis on flight, if those parts are rare.

Zeno (450) has posed:
Army building?
Zeno sets to her task.
"Mmh." Nary a word from the old soldier model, she starts piecing together... Snipers. Commandos. Infiltration units that can get around without being seen and operate independantly for days at a time.

Fuki has posed:
Fuki's floating upwards, watching the resulting building. Flying around to each group, Fuki gives a nod, smiling. "I'll be taking some for my personal set. Build a few of your best for this. I'll want to have my honor guard quite strong for leading the charge." she gives a pat to each of the helpers back... except for Lizbet. Lizbet gets a stern look, "I know you don't like me but I appreciate you coming to help against this common enemy. As the saying goes, an enemy of my enemy is a friend." a pause, "So thank you." and with a polite bow, Fuki heads back towards the shelf.

Looking at the ones available, she nods. "Welp, time to build the backup for the honor guard." going through everything, Fuki seems to start building her own set. Ninjas. ALL the Ninjas.

Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
THE HARD-DRIVE DATA RECOVERY PROCESS has finally finished. There wasn't a lot salvagable after thirty years of weather exposure, but the incredible technical genius of both the Union and Confederacy were able to extract some key pieces of information.

The previous owner of this was a doll enthusiast, likely male (we'll tastefully avoid the details of how this was determined), with a significant interest in the supernatural and magical fantasy, alongside real-time strategy and 4X games. Last activity of this area was thirty one years ago, exactly one year before the estimated time of humanity being wiped out within the Node, thirty years ago. An auspicious date, but perhaps just a coincidence. There's nothing at this time that indicates what connection, if any, the Collector has with the current state of the world.

Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
Fuki has crafted the ASSAULT BATTALION, the QUEEN'S SCYTHE.

Ainsley has crafted the SCOUT BATTALION, the BLEEDING SCRYERS.

Zephyr has crafted the AERIAL BATTALION, the BLAST HORNETS.

Lizbet has crafted the ASSAULT BATTALION, the GLASS BLADES.

Karian has crafted the HEAVY BATTALION, the FORTRESS WALKERS.

Hei has crafted the SNIPER BATTALION, the SMITING HANDS.

Tomoe has crafted the HEAVY BATTALION, the FAE BASTIONS.

Kirito has crafted the MIXED BATTALION, the HOLY TRINITIES.

Zeno has crafted the RECON BATTALION, the HARSH SHADOWS.

All of them are slowly beginning to come to life, gradually waking in their charging cradles. None of them have any real, substantial memories, of course, but they're immediately assuming a pleasant and obedient demeanor about all this, and already seem to be assembling themselves into a hierarchy based on which of them were created to work directly with Fuki.

Colonels commanding all nine battalions are now ready to receive orders; their subordinates are already replicating the designs the visitors have given them, putting the rest of the parts to work!

Fuki has posed:
Fuki grins, that smile bright and wide. "I.. am going to enjoy this all." she whispers, rubbing her hands together. "Everyone, the squads you've created are now under your control. You are commanders of each individual battalion and I trust you will execute each with precision and care." she pauses, "I'll have the Queen's Scythe battalion behind me and the Honor Guard battalion, full of members from each of your squads, as my personal protecctors."

Fuki looks over everyone, a serious look coming back upon her face, "We're only just starting here. We have nothing to go on beyond this area. The recon team, aerial team and scout team, I want you all to give a detailed map of the area and anything around. Try not to get too close to be seen but close enough to give accurate reports."

"All combat battalions, we'll have our fun soon."

Karian Icefang has posed:
Karian watches with satisfaction as his force comes to life. "Well met. I know you will all make me proud. Your task is simple. Push forward and take down anything designated an enemy,"

Hei (118) has posed:
Hei paces around his force, as he addresses them with commands. "Smiting Hands, we're not the assault force. We're the support. The ones they don't see coming. Aerial Snipers, you remain above, taking out those hard to reach. Land Snipers, you take out those threatening your comrades. Assassins, you swoop in, kill silently and efficently. Grapplers, you shock them, you take them in, and you destroy them.". Hei is also slightly frightening. And is getting rather into this, it seems. "Good luck."

Ainsley (151) has posed:
Ainsley nods at Fuki, a gentle motion. She turns and speaks to the Bloody Scryers in a confident, but neutral tone of voice. "You will be assigned to investigating the area directly surrounding this building and identifying various points of tactical importance. Pick out code words for landmarks and relay them back to myself and to Fuki. We will need to keep track of major choke points, areas of high danger potential and areas we can take advantage of to lay traps for any who might try to attack."
She waves at two of them, "You two. Assemble a few more scouts. You and you, you're coming with me. Any extras created will be required to go out ahead of other batallions. You are some of the first ones into the battlefield. We'll be counting on you."
Ainsley turns and leaves the basement area, ready to start mapping out the areas directly around the house. Only exterior zones for now, nothing inside any adjacent structures, so that other teams know where to start.

Kirito has posed:
As the squads come alive and aware, apprehension spreads across Kirito's face. A growing sense of dread gnaws at him, that maybe he's not made the right choice about this. But man, it would be really lame to question these 'newborns' about their reasons for doing soething, wouldn't it?

He really, REALLY doesn't like thinking about using sapient AI as tools, yet these 'combat dolls' have no other purpose. It's a troubling thought!

"......" So he's a bit speechless when some of them turn to him, asking for orders. "I hope everyone's functioning right. Raise a hand if you're not. This squad," He nods over at one of the group, that has the best equipment and parts, "is under Fuki's command." And he designates the Shinki with a gesture and point!

"The rest of you will be acting under my command. Until we have the info from the scouts, our mission is to guard this building."

Zephyr Windstar (162) has posed:
Zephyr is grinning like a little kid. "Aww yeah!" she says. fist pumping as the first of the Blast Hornets com wake up. "Alright! You guys are our eyes in the skies! You swoop in and blast 'em to hell and back, got it!?"

She waves the first four over, then points toward Fuki. "You four. You're her Honor Guard. Protect her with your lives. Show 'em how the Hornets sting!"

Tomoe has posed:
Tomoe seems to be pretty pleased a with the results of the legion but she wonders how aware her creations are? She has no idea but she knows they need bodies. She takes note of that and makes up her mind to not treat her creations as disposale.

"I see Fuki."

IT's also very strange to be so tiny now but she's getting used to ir, right?

Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
The newly crafted forces seem hard at work already, many already heading upstairs to work on the defenses and other similar suchlike. Though all stayed to hear Fuki's speech and give enthusiastic words of affirmation as she speals to them!

Each bit of direction is confirmed; leaders begin assigning roles when they're not obvious. Hei, Kirito, Karian, and Zephyr are all receiving confirmation, and Ainsley can get to work on the arduous process of mapping out the surroundings with her high-efficiency expert scouting group.

Like the Shinki, the dolls seem made for battle, but these, especially seem made for war! Or at least, obedience, which makes them instantly functional under Fuki's command.

Fuki has posed:
Fuki smirks a bit, eyeing the dolls, the oh so loyal companions she has now and the commanders of the battalions. "Queen Fuki greets this army with grace. Let's cleanse this land and restore order... to a land that has none. Ursurp the one who holds the entire land in disarray! Cleanse the ones who oppose us and start a new rule, one that benefits everyone!" she finishes her speech with a flash of light and what looks to be ornate costume armor. "I will lead us to victory!"

Kirito has posed:
Kirito's startled by the industriousness of the newly created forces. The whole thing is still immensely unsettling, but for the moment, this is Fuki's show. He'll just have to see what comes of this before judging. After all, there are plenty of Shinki about and they don't seem to be so caught up about their natures.

So he's privvy to the speech and finds himself shocked by the suddenness of it all. Even then, his mind floods with doubts and questions. Who is it really who united the land and holds the reins, and what do they want, what do they expect?

Is randomly forming an army and just up and marching on them, without even learning who the enemy is and their reasons, simply because the narrator for the nodes said 'here is the problem,' going to end in tears? They had not even met a single person in this world yet.

The boy's shoulders sag and, without saying a word, he's sprouting this immensely scowly expression - although it's just staring off into space...