Scene #8859: GFF 2.5: Cue the Music

Owner	Pose
Kale Hearthward	- cuts the robot in front of him open. Ishirou's scans, both past and present, help - but Kale could manage the cut on his own, really. He can feel the person inside the robot, just as easily as his eyes can see the outer shell. The person inside the robot falls out, lying on the ground, still unconscious - though alive and unharmed. Kale doesn't stop to watch them fall, however - he's already moving onto the second, and the third- "Hey, wait-" Zephyr is saying. Kale ends up breaking a clean dozen robots before he stops, panting - not out of breath physically, but instead the equivalent mentally and emotionally. This was not a rational conscious decision that was moving him, it was borne of desperation and being overwhelmed, and such things take no less a toll than a fear or anger response. T PLUS 20 SECONDS: Kale's down on the ground again, kneeling, trying to sort things out. A dozen robots are broken, and their captive people freed, out of the many, many remaining here. Zephyr has grabbed a handset radio from his toolbelt, and has it keyed up to speak into it.
Ishirou	Ishirou moves without thinking, he reaches a hand up to the radio and remotely disables it before moving to Kale who is on the ground. It's not going to stop what's about to happen, but it will delay it. He grabs Kale by both shoulders and stares into his eyes. He's about to say something, fails, and then tries again. "Kale, we have to decide what we're doing here now. Either way, we're surrounded... or we're going to be. What are we doing here..?" he asks, wanting to follow Kale's lead, but right now Kale's emotional state is out of sorts. Ishirou wants to make sure this is what Kale truly wants, but right now it's looking like this is... Complicated. "We have to make a choice now, and I think it's too late to go back... please stay with me. Do we stay and fight or go?"
Aidan Proudpick	THEN Aidan pulls the hand back, his eyes drifting up to watch Kale, to slide towards Zephyr and offer a 'it's been a rough day' forced smile. He was focused on the thing he wanted. To try and say that one sentence to Kale. To seek support from Sarracenia. His eyes never land on Zephyr. They keep sliding. Down rows and rows. When the physical limitations of his skull keeps his eyes from going further, Aidan turns on the spot. "There's so many," Aidan whispers. "I- didn't- there's so many. Did all these people live in Quicknest? Is thisâ¦" Twenty years. All these people were- slaves, dead, because of him. People who would wake up in a world controlled by the Gale Empire. A world with people that would hate them. Fear them. "This is- this is my fault." The true scope of how many people are here hits Aidan like a sledgehammer to the gut. Just lean back into the abyss, just embrace letting someone else do i- He glances towards Sarracenia, and grabs a table to keep himself from leaning all the way back. He looks over at Ishirou, who at least cares about the situation, even if he lacks sympathy for Aidan. Do something! Do something! Do something! Do something! DO SOMETHING! DO SOME! THING! DO SOMETHING! Aegis expands over Aidan's arm until he grabs it in one hand. He watches Kale work, slashing them open. Shame. Shame that Kale was braver to do this instantly rather than shrink away and plot. Aidan joins him, using his shield to smash open robots until Kale drops. NOW Aidan steps forward, not touching Ishirou, but speaking loudly to catch his attention. "We needta get out of here, Ishirou. He's in no condition to lead right now." Then back at Sarracenia, "Do you have anything in your bag of tricks?" He looks over at Zephyr, who is taking his time to talk into the radio. "What the fuck are you doing? He's suffering, who are you calling?"
Sarracenia	Of all the things that could have happened, the people that would be the one to make the first aggressive move here...Kale was not the one Sarracenia was expecting. She blinks in surprise as he breaks the first robot, and watches for a few moments as he breaks more. People are released from inside, unconscious but apparently alive and otherwise unharmed. This is really all the opportunity the princess needs. A smirk spreads across her face. "Excellent." she says, and reaches into her purse to pull out a doll that looks somewhat like a turtle with a bike helmet on. She gives it a squeeze and in a puff of white smoke she is in a green and yellow jumpsuit with a similar bike helmet on. She snaps and a large white boomerang, about as tall as herself, appears in her hands. She is about to throw it when Aidan says they should get out of here. She blinks, freezing mid wind-up...then just spins and throws it anyway. It bounces off a few robots, breaking them open to release those inside, then comes back. She catches it with a spin before looking to Aidan. "...you want to just leave? Uh...I mean, I do not really have anything that will help us escape faster. Usually I would suggest one of my flight power ups, but...there are airship patrols here. I am not certain that would help." She thinks for a few moments, then mmphs as nothing comes to mind and looks toward Ishirou and Kale. "If we are leaving, we really should go now. The Emperor seemed quite deadset on his plan." She moves toward Kale and Ishirou. "Kale..." She offers a hand. Her bandaged hand. All her bandages are more visible in her current outfit. It is not just her hand and head. Much of her torso is wrapped as well. "We should free them all. But, I suppose it is unlikely we could free them all today without a large fight. If we block the doors we might be able to free enough of them to force the Emperor's hand before we have to flee." Aidan asks Zephyr who he is calling, and Sarracenia smirks. "The authorities, most likely. And with the Emperor here that most likely means Imperial guards. If we are -not- intending to free them all here and now we should leave quickly." The princess seems ready to break every tin can open, though.
Kale Hearthward	More of the robots open with Aidan's and Sarracenia's efforts - another half dozen each. They could do more, but - do they have the control and knowledge to open them without hurting the people inside? Would they risk that? "There's an incident on the staging floor - we need - hello?" Zephyr tries to figure out what's wrong with the radio. "I'm calling for the guards, obviously?" "Do we - we're in the middle of the heart of the empire," says Kale, and then he drops his swords, bringing both hands up to the sides of his head. "Nnngh - everyone just - stop thinking so loud..." Even without Zephyr being able to call for help, there is shouting from outside - somehow the alarm's being raised regardless. T PLUS 40 SECONDS: Kale's still having a breakdown. 24 robots are broken, and their captive people freed, out of the many, many remaining here. Zephyr is trying to figure out why his radio isn't working. There's shouting coming from outside.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan looks over at Ishirou, grabbing up the swords, "Can you carry him? I don't think he's gonna like being princess carried by me outta here." Back at Sarracenia, "And three or four powerful Gale Knights, at least."
Ishirou	"Alright, then out we go.." Ishirou says to Aidan and rumbles to himself at Kale. He can't blame him /too/ much given the situation, but it is still... rumble-worthy. Aidan asks if he can carry Kale, and Ishirou just nods once at Aidan. He transforms with RESCUE again, helping Kale up. Either scooping him into a carry or to his feet and guiding him along towards an exit. "Come on Kale, follow me and we'll get out of here, he says, placing the headphones he had back into his hands so that he can start concentrating again.
Sarracenia	Sarracenia considers. There are a -lot- more robots here than she expected. "Aidan, how big was your town? Are these all from Quicknest?" she asks as she gives that giant boomerang another throw. She isn't going to just sit idle while they discuss, after all. "Alright then! A fighting retreat! We leave however Kale and Ishirou got in here, freeing as many as we can along the way and importantly harming no citizens or guards if at all possible." She looks toward Ishirou as he picks up Kale, waiting for him to lead the way. Then, she looks to Zephyr. "If you and your Emperor are so confident what you are doing is right, ask your fellow citizens if they would like to volunteer to enter those machines." she says as she runs to the door. She pulls out a fire flower, but instead of powering up with it she holds it up and blows over the top of it. Fire shoots out like a flame thrower, aimed at welding the frame of the door she and Aidan entered through closed to buy a bit more time. Then, she's off with the others.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan stares at Zephyr, mouth open slightly. "You... what?" Aidan is a romantic at heart. He can't imagine ANYONE'S ex acting like this. It's absurd. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. "So much for being a Galean Citizen." He nods at Sarracenia, putting up a barrier over the door. "That'll hold for now." Aidan looks at the people on the ground. This won't end well for them. "If you don't think we can defend against airships," he nods towards Sarracenia to trust her.
Aidan Proudpick	"This is everyone from the entire Kingdom. No boomerangs. No breaking anyone else. I.. I can't even..." Aidan rolls over the ground, grabbing one of the people by the arm and hefting them over his shoulder, his back, in a military carry. "Let's go."
Kale Hearthward	"What are you talking about?" asks Zephyr to Aidan, confused. "Even citizens can't break the law! Actually that's... the entire point..." "I can -" Kale manages to say. Getting the headphones on helps. "I can - get going on my own." He manages to follow or be lead towards the back exit. There's guards trying to get in through the front door that Aidan and Sarracenia have sealed, but there's also a few coming in through the back exit. They aren't sure whether they should be going after the elites yet or protecting Zephyr and the robots inside, however, so the two groups can mover past each other in the confusion. That doesn't last long, however, as Zephyr tells them what's going on, and they about face and start going after the elites. By that point, the elites are out on the street - Kale's trying to figure out how to retrace their steps to the warpgate, and muttering directions. T PLUS 60 SECONDS: The group is out on the streets. The guards are giving chase. Aidan is holding onto one (1) person.
Ishirou	"I can retrace our steps back, just follow me!" Ishirou looks at Kale, remembering the way they came. Of course, this means maneuvering around the OTHER group of protestors. That's a lot of people, and it might cause trouble with the people pursuing them. "If you can fly, follow me, if not..." he says, and offers an OPTION, which will do the flying for them. Ishirou starts retracing their steps, trying to help Kale along first, because the others should be fully capable of being able to get themselves along. The end goal is to lose themselves in the protestor crowds should they be fast enough.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan forces the swords into Kale's hands, nodding at him, a grin on his face as he's already up and running. "I don't feel so bad about having knocked him out all those times." "Wish I had brought more of these." Aidan reaches into his tail, pulling out a line of several apple sized black balls, carefully packed parchment paper around them. Aidan pulls one off of the balls, hurling it back towards the guards. When it hits, it explodes into a small cloud of ground glass, pepper, and soot. "Smoke would help, but NOT any big fires," he glances back towards Sarracenia. Aidan opts for the OPTION, since he doesn't really want to rocket with a man on his back.
Sarracenia	Sarra seems confused by Aidan's concern. "They are citizens of the Empire now. They should be taken care of properly if that is true. They did nothing wrong, after all! ...unless being freed from one of these is a crime? And bringing them with us just puts them in more danger! Aidan, leave them for now!" Zephyr says they are breaking the law. Sarracenia hmphs. "You and your Emperor are encroaching on the natural rights of these people by continuing to use these robots! I am sure we have the advantage in the court of public opinion!" she calls out as they leave. 'Smoke would help, but NOT any big fires,' Sarracenia mmphs with a flat expression. "I do not use weapons that only distract.." she mutters. Once they are all out, Sarra once again seals the door with fire quickly before following. Flight doesn't seem like the best option to her, but she uses one of her leaf power ups to get those raccoon ears and tail and joins the others in the air. And to -attempt- making a smoke screen, she pulls out a bomb with a fuse and lights it quickly before throwing it in a wide arc. It explodes in mid-air, hopefully obscuring their path some. Or showing their path like a flare. It's 50/50 really.
Kale Hearthward	The second protest group (the one concerned with Quicknest treatment) is easy enough to find, and Ishirou uses them as an obstacle. The protest group stops to watch the obviously-offworlders flying off, along with the guards making chase. There's murmurs - Aidan and Kale are both recognized, it seems. The guards get slowed down by Aidan and Sarracenia's arsenal, and Ishirou can lead the group right to the checkpoint - and honestly right over the checkpoint, and directly into the warpgate. And this particular warpgate links up to a podunk americana town - one with enough cover and people to relax in, finally, with only a token amount of effort needed to cover one's tracks. "... Ugh," says Kale, when they finally stop, going to find a bench to sit down. "Whatever it is you're going to say..." he says, but doesn't voice the rest of that thought.
Ishirou	"Are you okay?" Ishirou asks Kale, landing and sitting down on the bench next to him. The RESCUE disappears again, as he's back into his normal clothing. He's more than willing to sit and recover their stamina right here, but he's also wanting to check in on Kale himself. After all, he had a meltdown in there... "Maybe we shouldn't chat strategy until things are calmed down some..." he says more to the others.
Aidan Proudpick	"Yes, Sarracenia, every ruler in power tells the truth. It's not a distraction. It's about breathing. We made them to... Well." Aidan heaves the young unconscious rat onto a bench. "It's fine. I'll bring them to my place in Ohio. I can afford some tents and I got a pretty big backyard. There's enough forage around to make food." One. It's a start. He sucks in a breath. Thinking hard about what he wants to say, before, "You hurt a lot of people. More than just Quicknest. You helped ruin a lot of lives." "What you gonna do about it?"
Sarracenia	'Whatever it is you're going to say...' "...say it quickly?" Sarracenia finishes with a smirk. She giggles, seeming quite happy after that little adventure. She even does a bit of a twirl...which inevitably causes her to wince and sit down on that bench beside Kale. And her expression is more serious after. 'Maybe we shouldn't chat strategy until things are calmed down some...' Sarracenia hmms, then nods lightly. "I suppose. Calmer minds are better for that sort of thing." 'Yes, Sarracenia, every ruler in power tells the truth. It's not a distraction. It's about breathing. We made them to... Well.' Sarra seems a bit confused by Aidan. "...what? Made what?" she asks, then hmms. "...but, even you were given citizenship. And it sounds like you are infamous enough for even the Emperor to know you. If he did not arrest you, surely he will not retaliate against the others...?" She sounds uncertain now. Aidan asks what Kale is going to do, and Sarra looks to him expectantly.
Kale Hearthward	"... Yeah. I mean, diplomacy's probably shot, but that could have gone a lot worse... Nobody went and punched the Emperor, or anything like that. I can't believe I'm saying it, but that's above the bar here, isn't it." Aidan speaks his piece. "..." "Are you... really doing this right now. Right after I had a breakdown." "And are you really winding up and throwing this stone from within your glass house?" Kale takes a breath. "Fine, though. Fine. I shouldn't have expected anything else from you. What am I going to do? First I'm going to go ask Parsons - beg, if I have to, for some help. Courses or training or whatever, so that that doesn't happen again." "While that's going on, I'm going to go deal with Petra, and get the people out from under her control. That's more straightforward." "And the Gale Empire - can't be allowed to hold onto those people. I'll figure something out." "Now. What are you-" he points a finger at Aidan. "Going to do about the situation? Since you've had more time to think about it than me, and you're feeling confident enough to start kicking me while I'm down, you have to have a better answer, right?"
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan pulls out the ID card and set of papers, looking over it. "Well, I just committed a crime, I'm pretty sure if I try to go and shop for clothes, they'll arrest me." He flips the card back and forth, holding it up to look at it from the side, looking for any trace of a tracking device. Watch training is thorough. He snorts at Sarracenia, "Well, I beat up the chief engineer a few times and punched a couple holes in an airship." He looks back down at the ID Card, "Guess I forgot that people actually listen to what's going on. I figured they'd have forgotten I even exist by now." He shrugs his shoulders. He folds his arms, but his voice is soft, contrite, "Yea, I wish someone had asked me the same question, actually." He snorts, not having expected so much venom, but he sits down on a nearby bench. He deserves it. "I just hadta know. I hadta know now." He leans backwards all the way, "I might be able to find Watch contacts in the city. Otherwise," Aidan grimaces, not liking that he doesn't have a firm plan, but plowing forward, "I gotta find that protest group. And I might be able to drag up a few accelerators. I don't know, but it's all I got." I'm going to find them and blow up every airship in that city if I have to." He snorts, "Mother's the Counciler of Defense. Gonna see if I can discredit her too." "And don't fucking talk to me about kicking someone when their down," he glances over towards Kale. "I know I got scared about Quicknest." He looks back out at the sky. "I'm gonna bring this kid to my house. I'm gonna make dinner. I'm gonna go to bed. And when I wake up, I'm gonna do better. I'm gonna get those people out, and if I get the chance, I'm gonna punch that stupid mask off Gale's face."
Sarracenia	'Are you... really doing this right now. Right after I had a breakdown.' Sarra starts to say something, but Aidan has better things to say. She has an inkling of part of what Aidan is going to do, but hearing more is good. At the mention of the Emperor, she shakes her head. "He is certainly something. Claiming that using those robots is the only way to achieve his goal. Offering to bribe us if we would look the other way. And then claiming he is not a 'bad guy'." She pauses. "...he mentioned Lilian and Petra. I wonder if he is being coerced in some way, or if he actually is just a bad guy?" She looks to the other two for their opinion on it.
Kale Hearthward	"Sorry, your mother is what now?" "Nevermind. Okay. That's... a start. I'm not exactly thrilled about you running wild blowing up parts of my home, but- whatever." And then to Sarracenia, Kale raises an eyebrow. "I'm sorry - are you asking if Dame Commander Lilian Rook and Petra Soroka are - coercing the Gale Emperor? I just want to make sure I heard you right." Once he gets his answer, he gets up. "I need to go home and rest."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan shakes his head over at Sarracenia, "The Emperor listens probably to the radio. He knows where we are uhhh insecure. Where to push buttons and try and get us on his side." Another clawed hand over his face, "One more thing to work on."
Sarracenia	'I'm sorry - are you asking if Dame Commander Lilian Rook and Petra Soroka are - coercing the Gale Emperor? I just want to make sure I heard you right.' Sarracenia blinks, then giggle nervously, "...ah...n-no, not precisely. But, he seemed to imply that he was feeling pressure from them...or others like them as well. Though, perhaps it is as Aidan says and it is more from what he has heard than what they have said to him. Or he was simply trying to gain sympathy from us." She coughs lightly into her bandaged hand. "I-in any case, we should all get some rest. We have planning to do later." Aidan also gets a curious look from Sarra. "...your mother is a Minister of the empire...?" The plot thickens! She will definitely ask more about that later!