Scene #2601: Target Elimination: Crystal Valley

Owner	Pose
Gaius Van Baelsar	The mission, should those accept it, was a very easy mission on paper. It was to go into the area, head to the Dravanian Campsite that the knights have been doing their work in, and eliminate all targets, including destroy all equipment; Though the option was to also liberate it for someone's else own use as well. Payment would come once the mission was done and the pay was very good. Instructions on how to get there was also provided. To take one of the warp gates nearby that would lead them out to the Crystal Valley, from there they were to head straight north, moving down into the lower part of the valley. Then head up a hill cliff side. That hill cliff would give them a chance to see slightly over some of the Crystal forest direction where the Dravanian Knights had been mining. Sure enough, there they would be. Though thanks to heave push lately of the XIV Legion, this camp had gone on full alert. Advanced walking machines, that looked like a slightly more high tech version of the Garlean's Reaper walked along the borders of the mining camp. Men with their chrome steel armor also patrolled. Gunblades at ready and including some with gunlances. There was some others who had no armor on, just average workers with normal clothing, but it was easy to see which were the workers that belonged to these knights and which were the hired helped. The Dravanian Knight workers had pistol like weapons at their hip, the average joes probably from a village near by-- did not. That would be the only part of this operation that could be tricky. Pump lines could be seen moving out from the mineshafts, heading up the hill side near that camp going to a portal of some kind . From the hiss of a few of the devices, the pumps were in full service. Other types of machines could be seen moving around the grounds as well. Heavy duty drilling machines and a stake drivers moved in and out of tunnels. For those who were here just a few weeks ago, it was easy to see this place had gone into a heavy full swing. One of the pipes also seem to have a leak, as it was dripping some kind of a blue liquid from time to time...
Bertram Silent	These Garleans and Dravanians are not the Garleans and Dravanians he knows, but the prospects of these activities are no less worrying for the fact they might not impact his home. As such, Bertram is sitting behind a rock, staff in hand, watching the people present while attempting to stay, for now, unnoticed. Observation before action.
Mantigora	Mantigora didn't need directions, as she was part of the group that originally investigated the camp and determined not only were the dragon freaks camping outside of their homeland but doing so to try and harvest resources as well. Most likely to try and resurrect Bahamut or whatever the name was of the psychotic dragonic entity they worshipped was. Name wasn't important. Stopping it was. Getting paid for it, a nice bonus. But she was doing this as much out of respect for the Legatus and his people as she was for her contract working for him. The Draken huntress was hunched down on a high ridge, taking stock of how the situation has changed from last time through a pair of futuristic binoculars. Lots of pipes, lots of machinery. Lots a things needing to be sabotaged and destroyed. Grabbing a few examples of the technology would also be a bonus. DRED would love to get their greasy little paws on some of this offworld technology. Magitechnology. Whatever. Not like magitech was unusual to them either. Just look at Spellslingers. Point being, lots of machinery to break and plunder. Which is probably why she actually brought Skuzzler with this time, the Chua sitting next to her obsessively polishing his Launcher in preperation. He'd looked over all the blueprints and stuff Mantigora had gathered last time, so hopefully throwing a literal spanner in their works will be enough to slag over the operations.
Dorian Pavus	Civilians. That was always messy work to deal with. True, there was nothing in the contract that said they even had to worry about the civilians. Although if there's too much loss of innocent life, his pay might get docked. Besides that, it's bad form all around to just blow up the place and kill all the civilians. Felix has been checking on the place as much as possible in the time between job posting and strike time, though he hasn't been able to get away too much. Damn Gereon Alexius and his overprotective nature. And Felix actually is sick too, poor bastard. though it's a well-kept secret what with. Regardless, Dorian has a little bit of intel on the place thanks to Felix and one of those little snappy picture-making devices from the modern worlds. They're disposable too, so it's harder to trace their purchase. Hopefully there's been a rendezvous point set up. Dorian waits at the rendevous point, observing the situation with his own pair of binoculars (ah, these modern conveniences are wonderful, aren't they?) to see exactly what's going on, who's where, and who's what.
Gaius Van Baelsar	So far everything was quiet. At least for the moment. If the garleans were going to show to assist, you think they would have by now. The best assistance they were going to get it would seem was suddenly a low rumble over head. The crystals clattered and clattered from the vibration as they softly hummed with harmonics sound of the engine. Soon two crafts flew over, Garlean Fighters with the sleek black lines of metal and white decoration. They roared over and then opened fire on the camp as they strafed over. Several of the reapers went chasing, including a few of the guards who jumped on. Someone may over hear one of those guards say, "The XIV Legion is here! We need that back up!" This was the time to strike as Civilians were being ushered by the Dravanian Knights to safety and the alarms started to wail for full alert.
Bertram Silent	As much as Bertram dislikes Garleans, the prospect of Dravanians summoning Bahamut is a topic he shares a common disdain for. And, he reminds himself, these are not -his- Garleans, and he came to help. So, he gives one of the closest officers a Serpent Salute as he walks up to the rendezvous. "Foreign medicus here to help." And then, magic. Specifically, the Garlean soldiers near Bertram, the other foreigners who came to help, ans Bertram himself get the fortunate benefit of a transparent blue hexagonal patterned energy field to surround them. It ceases to be visible quickly, but any attack that passes through will make it light up again, and more importantly, decrease the energy of the attack as it passes through.
Mantigora	Mantigora doesn't even bother looking up as the aircraft roar overhead. She's too busy watching the reactions in the camp as the Dravanians panic in the attack. So much fun watching the prey scatter before the roar of a bigger predator. Figuratively speaking. Skuzzler on the other hand lets out a gleeful cackle at the display of aerial superiority as it lures several of the Reavers partially away from the camp. Then cocks his oversized cannon, the volatile energy canisters glowing within the chamber. "Is that it? Time to make with the explodination of filthy interlopers now?" "You could say that," Mantigora replies flatly as she puts the binocs away. "You know what to do." With that she slips over the edge, fading out of sight with her optical cloaking tech as she decends towards the encampment. "About time." With a huff Skuzzler follows after her, abiet a lot more visibly. And loudly. As in firing off a few energy mortars from his launcher at one of the drilling machines. Those always make nice big collateral damage explosions when they blow up after all. He's soon joined in the effort as his Artillery Bot clatters to the ground next to him and opens fire with its laser guns. Another bot, resembling more of a red almost squid-like cylinder, hovers nearby, it's purpose not immeadiately visible as it's not attacking or anything. Mantigora crouchs down, waiting to see who and what reacts to Skuzzler's bombardment before making her own move.
Dorian Pavus	There! That was the signal! Bertram's hexagonal field is recognized, and Dorian looks to him, offering a nod of thanks. They may be able to work together well, given Dorian also has a similar spell. Though Dorian's barrier is quite a bit weaker, since he doesn't study Spirit school as much. Mantigora's optical camoflage will probably serve her well in all the chaos. Dorian has no such benefits. Besides that, as soon as he unleashes the first bit of magic, he's going to be seen and zeroed in on. So he decides to play the part of the secondary target. Once Bertram's spell is in place he goes over the edge of the rendezvous point and heads toward the fray. Once he's close enough, he starts to unleash lightning that seeks to chain between several Dravanians. He is specifically targeting those that are herding the civilians. Because if they get the civilians inside, the place can't be blown up for fear of killing them. He is, however, specifically AVOIDING hitting the civilians.
Gaius Van Baelsar	As one part distracted, the camp is unaware that the real threat isn't the two fighters. Oh no, that was just Gaius sending them in as a distraction--- and encase things went Topsy-turvey where the team who came would need a quick pull out. As one of the fighters swings around, he takes note of the Eorzean moving assist and casting his magic. He even gives a mild return salute. If Silent had his eyes up there at the cockpit at the right time, he may notice that the armor configuration is more suited to an Elezen. Skuzzler's attack comes roaring in. The explosion on the driller machine goes up with metal pieces and a blue explosion mixed with the red fireball. The laser shots skim across the armor of some of the Dravanian Knights who open fire with their own gunblades. A few with the lances quickly leap up to get some high ground, before trying to take some sniper rounds at the small furball. Though one who is lining up a shot, gets nailed right in the shoulder and then pinged again in the chest, forcing him to reposition himself to another location. Those hearding the civilians are not really armored and they are slammed by the lightning spell. It impacts some not as bad, but those that have an oval like piece on their forehead? They are thrown back by the sheer magical spell. Though by Dorian's action, he has a few of the Armored Knight charge up after him, threatening to slash and cut him with their gunblades.
Bertram Silent	Bertram is most comfortable from far behind the front lines, no need to rush in when you can have other. Like say, Dorian, to do so for you. He quickly casts another spell to aid with Dorian's endurance, a gentle flow of energy that knits wound tight and reduces their severity as soon as they are incurred. Then, right after, he shows that he can fight, cutting winds thrown at two of the Dravanian knights that attack Dorian, and and more of the same at one of the knights that attacks Skuzzler.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian's first concern is those civilians. But with armored knights charging him, he doesn't have time for his usual eloquence. So instead? "Don't go inside!" he calls out in concern. "You'll die!" He's also putting himself between the civilans and anything that may be attacking so that none of the civilians get hurt. This in mind he can't really dodge, for fear of letting them get hurt. Sadly though, Dorian is not a tank. Which is proven when he's accosted by the knights! Bertram's spell is really his only saving grace here, leaving only one able to attack him immediately. Dorian raises his staff to parry -- though having learned from last time, he doesn't just take the blow on the haft of the weapon. No, instead he actually swings his staff at the weapon as if he were attacking it. The impact actually leads him to NOT get knocked on his behind like the last time he tried to parry, thankfully. What he DOES do is aim a spell that appears underneath the armored knights' feet as a fiery orange rune. It's a good bet that's fire. And it sure is; a big, fiery EXPLOSION happens where the rune is, hopefully still underfoot of the armored knights.
Mantigora	The gunblades shooting back bang several shots off the Assaultbot. But the downside to the blast marks rended in the bot is that it also draws it's attention towards them to fire back. Several more shots should of hit Skuzzler, but they fizzle as they deplete his energy shields instead, and earns a scoffing laugh from the Chua. Partially because the second Bot hovering next to him opens up its manipulators and starts charging energy back into those shields. "Fools! Your corrupt powers are no match for SCIENCE!" While that firefight is going on is when Mantigora makes her move, letting Skuzzler do one of the things he does best -- be a really annoying target. But with the knights focusing on him, she's able to slink up behind them, and by the time they notice her slipping out of her stealth it hopefully won't be until after she's impaled her energized blades through the backs of their armors! And then leaning over one's shoulder as Mantigora hisses, in an almost mock seductive tone "Guess who's back~"
Gaius Van Baelsar	The wind comes rushing in as the spell attempts to cut beyond the cement, steel armor. Leaving gashes in the metal and Silent gets for his attempt several bullets fired in his direction. Dorian manages to parry away a blade and his quick fire spell, knocks two of the knights off their feet. The Civilians do hear Dorian and they seem confused about what to do. They are not even sure why they should listen, causing some to just run in more quickly, with others who are actually /running/ away. The Knights don't stop them from running instead they take shots between the spells at the two mages. One of the Knights getting crafty enough to cut a barrel free from a line and then kick it right for Dorian, "Mage!" He yells out, "Catch!" Then fires a shot right into the barrel, causing it to explode on impact. Sending out a wave of blue fire across that part of the area. It even makes some of the Dravanians close in duck for cover! The one who sent the little gift can only chuckle, that was--- until Mantigora's blade slammed through his armor. "...How...?" It probably pays to spar with the Garlean Legatus after all, by proven point of Mantigora's well aimed. Her words, cause the man to gurg in reply, before he falls over. Skuzzler gets several more shots aimed his way, but one of his bots gets a lucky head shot on one of the unarmored Knights. Several of them are running up the hill to actually retreat. Others are starting to try and get higher ground to fire down at the camp. This would be over soon enough... The trouble is, as Mantigora may notice. The "leader" of this group wasn't here and the Knights at this place were not marked with the VII mark on their armor. That-- could be problems.
Bertram Silent	Bertram winces as bullets pierce flesh, and he quickly gets to work on a healing his wounds. He's halfway through the spell when he sees the ceruleum fire come his way, "Rhalgr's fury." He curses, and abandons the spell, dodging behind cover and only getting mild burns in exchange for abandoning his spell. Of course, this means he has to start it all over again.
Mantigora	A heel push to the back helps get her blades free from the armor and leave the victim to collapse to the ground. Mantigora stoops down to claim a piece of his armor as her trophy, but after kicking him onto his back to look him over lets out a cuss under her breath at the lack of any VII marked pieces. "Dirty bastards." Probably means the leader moved on once the camp was running. Dammit! On the other hand, that means there is no reason to hold back to search the camp for him. The Assaultbot actually tries to scurry after the Knights while firing at them... but comes to a problem when it gets to the bottom of the rocky slope. It's short insectoid legs are made for stability against recoil, not climbing, but it's Pathing AI won't tell it to stop and just shoot up. Which gets a facepalm from Skuzzler. "Stupid robot! Next time programming core from toaster oven, it probably smarter!" He makes a frustrated gesture to the Repair bot. "Go, go help it!" The hovering bot bobs like a nod, and zips off to zigzag around the fire to the Assaultbot. It tries to grab the other Bot with it's three manipulators, but they keep slipping off as the Assaultbot continues to try and climb. Skuzzler turns his attention back at the withdrawing forces as a few more fire down from their high ground, several shots blasting around him as he doesn't have the Repair Bot's shield booster close now. "Skuzzler just take care of this self." He slaps a stubby paw to the controls of his gauntlet and with a mechanical reverb his booster Exo Armor appears around his stocky form. It also plugs into his launcher, causing it to glow all the more brightly as the front end opens up into several protrusions that start to charge crackling viscous whips within the muzzle as it draws more power from the suit's boosting. "Higher you go.. FARTHER YOU FALL DOWN AND BOOM!" Skuzzler finally yowls, then starts laughing maniacly as he fires, the recoil of the blast knocking the Chua backwards as the spinning blaze of energy hurtles towards the high ground retreaters. The Energy Auger blast will tear into the hillside and break it apart, until it literally falls out from under the Knights.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian points in the direction of the rendezvous point. "There!" he yells to the civilians. The rendezvous point was useless anyway; the Dravanians had seen at least him exit from that space. But it was at least out of the way enough that they'd be safe there. Though that leaves him still in the line of fire. As he finds out when a handful bullets hit him. He gives a cry of surprise and pain, only his abrupt movement to one side saving him from a wound that might have been fatal. His arm and leg end up peppered with a fine sprinkling of shots, thankfully his off-arm. Hopefully Bertram's regen is still in effect. If so this is going to ultimately do a lot less damage that it appears to. He is, however, brought to a knee. When someone shouts 'Mage!' Dorian looks up. He's used to that. Unfortunately, since he's still down, if not out, he can't dodge the barrel coming at him. And then he sees that he's literally in the line of FIRE. "...Kaffas." That translates as something really crappy to anyone who heard it. Quite literally. He can't dodge. But there IS something he can do. He lifts his staff up and then strikes the end on the ground. In response, the temperature around him drops sharply, and then a wall of ice springs up before him. The Winter school isn't his best, either ... but it should keep him from being fried! And it might provide some protection for Bertram too, if he dives behind it fast enough! Also, as a side effect, it will try to freeze any Dravanians caught in its area of effect. Though it does nothing for the shockwave of the blast. Which, between the heat of the Ceruleum, and the shockwave, will probably shatter the ice without much difficulty. And throw Dorian back too. But at least the heat melted the wall, so he doesn't have to worry much about shards of ice piercing him. At most he'll get sprayed with very cold water.
Gaius Van Baelsar	As Bertram silent goes to work on trying to manage themselves and heal their burns and wounds. There was a shot hat suddenly rings out toward their position, impacting the ground right next to their foot. It was a close call, but a reminder that no where was actually safe! It soon becomes obvious if the Healer looks up slightly that a few snipers are trying to get a piece of him, but they are pretty close to a pipeline... Mantigora could easily take a piece of the armor this time and as she realizes that her real prey isn't here. She may find a Knight leaping off one of the construction cranes and trying to leap down on her with a lance! Skuzzler's little robot tires to get up and a few of the knights decide to take pot shots at it, even though a few have to duck back. It gets worse when the fuzzy psycho decides to fully suit up, taking aim, and then firing! The massive surge of energy impacts the hill side, causing it to explode outward and blasting rocks, and things over the camp. Smashing into the machines, which yank lines and causing some of the Ceruleum aether tanks to explode. More stuff for those in the camp to watch out for! It does though take out a few knights on the ground and it /does/ cause some soldiers to go flying over Skuzzler and slam into a few trees behind him. Skuzzler's attack is also something Silent or Mantigora have to worry about, but also Dorian, because unless he can get back up on his feet in time a heavy brace comes crashing down right for him. It looks bad-- very bad-- that is until one of those fighters speeds by and actually rams it aside in a dive. Oh yes-- it does a ton of damage to the fighter, but it keeps Dorian from worrying about being a flattened pancake! Thought that paticular fighter has to pull out, which is easy to see why thanks to that smoke trail on its wing... Civilians are also now getting the message and just /leaving/. The mine was seen becoming unstable after the furballs attack and no one wants to stay in it, not even the knights!
Mantigora	Well, trophy is still trophy. And proof the mission was done. And proof the real prey was still out there, which isn't so great, but Mantigora likes to be thorough in these matters. And then the mountain side doesn't just landslide, it -explodes-. Unfortunately some of the chunks fall down on the Bots, crushing them... but in a few minutes Skuzzler would be able to just regenerate them from his stockpile of summonable spare robot parts, anyways. Well, if he wasn't busy running for cover from his own handiwork, that is. "Yes, yes, BIG EXPLOSION!" The armored fuzzball dives for cover behind a toppled driller machine. "But maybe bit to close to self for own comfort." "You could of waited until AFTER we raided the place!" Mantigora snaps back, though really, seeing as blowing the joint up was the end objective, it's not entirely a bad thing. Nimbly the Draken darts out of the way of flaming debris, but that's about the only reason she doesn't see the Knight coming for her. The two bodies collide, and it's only out of sheer reflexive combat instinct that Mantigora twists with the impact and the lance slices deep down one side of her abdomen instead of puncturing it. With a grunt she lands on her back hard, with the armored man on top of her. Certainly a vulnerable position to be in normally. Or at least seem like it, until the Knight probably notices that the wound in her side is already being sealed up by her nanoskin while he's straddled over her. Not healed per say, but closed over to prevent farther injury or infection. The question is will he get long enough to actually astonish at it? Because the wound is painful but that isn't the sort of thing to slow a Draken down, as Mantigora uses her cat-like flexibility to bend up and hook her legs around the Knight from behind him, then yank down with enough force combined with the squeezing of her powerful augmented legs that even in armor would be enough to break someone's back.
Bertram Silent	Snipers taking pot shots at the healer makes for an unhappy healer. Problem is that he doesn't really have a way to be active at that kind of range, even his longest range spells can't compare with a sniper rifle. So instead he settles on continued relocation until he finds a spot that's out of their reach, taking at least one bullet and some ricochet shrapnel in the process.
Dorian Pavus	While he may not be the typical squishy mage, Dorian IS still a mage. He is neither accustomed to nor equipped for taking the kind of damage a purely physical fighter can. He DOES know how to work past pain, and if Bertram's regen is still in effect the pain should decrease soon enough. But it's not soon enough to get him out of the way of the brace. That is way too heavy for him to knock aside, and any spells he has that will be of use in pushing the brace away are also strong enough to hurt HIMSELF with. It does indeed look very bad! That brace coming down, no real way to move it, and still down. He isn't even on his feet enough to Fade Step out of the way! He cringes, shielding his face and closing his eyes, hoping he'll be lucky enough to not be completely crushed by the falling brace. And then he hears the impact of the fighter hitting the brace, and looks up. The brace is on the ground. And not on him. He breathes a sight of relief, and gets to his feet as quickly as he can. "I must remember to thank that pilot," he says under his breath. "If he survives." Anyway. Now that he's on his feet, Dorian looks around at the place. The civilians appear to have gotten the message and left (or are leaving). But that doesn't mean he's off his guard. He's using his staff as a crutch at this point, but he's still looking for any stragglers left. He catches sight of Bertram running for cover, and follows the view to where the snipers are. Hmm ... pipe. Probably carrying something that the place needs. Possibly more of that blue stuff. He shifts, to strike the end of his staff on the ground again, aiming his hand towards the snipers. It's not a wall of ice that happens this time, though. It's a line of fire that springs up in their general direction. But Dorian is MUCH better at fire magic. And there is that pipe nearby, what if it has something flammable inside it?
Gaius Van Baelsar	The lancer who managed to get Mantigora was very thankful for it. The healing does even phase him as he just leans in and a dark chuckle is there. "Maybe we should take you back to our Lord... Perhaps he would.." However such taunting ends when the graceful Draken gets her legs around him. The force crushing him and he coughs, tries to get away, but eventually--- it does him in. Bertram goes to move and the snipers try to stay on the healer. Though thanks to the rising smoke, its getting harder. Including the stability of the area is making more of the knights actually flee. This is further compounded as the last fighter races over and fires off some passing shots which claims a few lives. Dorian is thankfully thinking a bit outside the box and when he gets that chance to cast the fire wall spell. It licks across the pipes and remember that one that was leaking earlier? Yes, that comes into play now. The flames catch the leaking Ceruleum, which burts into blue flames. Soon the pipe itself starts to spew fire from the seams. Then things explode. The pipe shatters into pieces as it travels up and down. Metal shards go everywhere, blue flames consume several of the knights. An explosion rocks from inside the mine which blasts out more flames over the camp and then a massive explosion above. The portal up there could be seen exploding as the Ceruleum line explodes heading even inside! Once the smoke clears and the flames settle, even with a few blue flames lingering here and there. None of the knights remaining were moving. The camp was devastated and with it, whatever profitable resources they were gathering here.
Mantigora	"THAT ONE NOT MY FAULT!" Skuzzler can be heard shouting as the pipes light up and explode. "... But very nicely done." The furball climbs on top of the crashed driller he was using for shelter.... and sits down to watch the ensuring explosion like it was a fireworks display. Complete with 'oooh' and 'aaaah's after activating his ScanBot to record it for prosperity. Mantigora kicks the Knight's corpse out from her legs and gets up, shaking herself off. Then leans down to the man, even though he's already dead. Partially to pull a piece of his armor off as well. "Don't worry. Your Lord is going to be seeing us soon enough..." She turns and starts walking away, even as what remains of the camp is going up in explosions and flames. Because cool people walk away from explosions. That and she's getting on her personal comm line.
Gaius Van Baelsar	REMAINING ITEMS: While most everything is ON FIRE, there is a few gunswords and gunlances laying about, but they may need some repair to work. Ammo crates that managed to survive, a high tech reaper-- though it too will need some repairs, and some extra sets of armor pieces. These are the spoils of war! Take them or not. Your choice!
Mantigora	And now comes the second most fun part, next to the explosions -- looting! Gleeful cackling ensures as Skuzzler makes a beeline for the surviving Reaper. More like to start pulling it apart to study how it works and the best way to effectively disable them in battle due to the state it is in. Mantigora is utterly unsurprised by this. It'll keep him busy while she picks through the remaining armor and such. She can't wear such heavy gear, but she can possibly uses it to modify what she -can- wear with her own crafting skills.
Dorian Pavus	Suddenly all hell breaks loose. Literally Hell. Whenever people in the Multiverse speak of fiery Hell in which the wicked burn for all eternity, this is exactly what Dorian has always imagined it would look like. Everything is on fire! It's true, cool people walk away from explosions. But when an explosion is all but right at one's back, one should probably forego the Rule of Cool for 'getting the hell out of Dodge'. Or in Dorian's case, Fade Step. It keeps his behind from getting blown off, so there's that. Once things stop EXPLODING, Dorian will return to the area and see what's left. He hadn't been intending to send the whole place sky-high, but between his own fire attack and Skuzzler's exploding of all of the things on the other side, it was kind of inevitable. He sighs, shaking his head."...Certainly a climactic battle," he reasons, a note of dryness in his voice. "Though next time let's try not to alert everything within a hundred miles' distance, hm?" Far be it from Dorian to admit he screwed up, after all. Still. There's stuff here. What can they use? Not much, since most everything blew up. But there's armor. Is this the anti-magic stuff that gave him so much trouble the last time? Maybe. Of course by now its anti-magic properties are probably scorched right out! Still, stronger arm protection wouldn't hurt. Leather only does so much. There's those gun weapons, too. They're very much like Qunari gaatlok weapons. Maybe if those could be reverse engineered it would level the field against them. Dorian himself uses neither sword nor lance, but if he picks one up, he might be able to find some use for it.