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Lyra Lyra didn't say anything as she stood up, wrench in hands, and moved over to Mira's side. She knew next to Mira's sword her own attacks would be as nothing, but she could at least distract or hinder... whoever the figure was. After being such a hindrance to the others, it was the least she could do.

Lyra "M-Mira, Mira, please... L-let's not antagonize them right away, all right?" Lyra's words sounded hollow and desperate even to her. She knew it was a futile effort... but she at least had to try. Something about this whole situation seemed... very wrong, and immediately spoiling for a fight wouldn't help anyone at all. Quickly turning towards the figure, Lyra tried to think of something to defuse the situation with... "P-please excuse her, all right? W-we've just had a big fight and we're all a little stressed out. Our employers didn't inform us of your arrival - you know how higher-ups can be, I'm sure. Can you at least tell us who you are and what your intend to do with the creature? I-I'm Lyra, by the way. Lyra Concept," She added, almost as an afterthought. Voidmother, Lyra hoped that this wouldn't turn violent. If it did... Oh, her vow to not help Mira seemed so petty and stupid now. She couldn't do much to help, but at the same time, she couldn't just do nothing...

Lyra After catching her breath, Lyra stood up to check over the others... and realized something was wrong. Very wrong. Things tended to get quiet after fights, yes, but... nothing like this. Trying her best to conceal her fear, Lyra gripped her wrench tightly once more and... Waited. Even if whatever was causing this was something that could be hit with a wrench, what was she going to do? On monstrosities like Trick and the avatar of Greed, she'd barely done anything at all. Well, Lyra mused, even if her attacks couldn't make a dent, she could at distract it for a few seconds at least...

Lyra Lyra didn't say anything, instead taking a few moments to catch her breath. It had been a hell of a lightshow that had just transpired. She'd been all full of piss and vinegar when she'd been swinging... but after seeing that, Lyra could barely bring herself to move. All she'd done so far was waste valuable medical supplies. Next to people who could end fights with a single attack... she was nothing.

IP nodded, standing back up from where she had previously been bowing. "Can you teach me how to reduce an enemy's defenses, or increase the amount of damage an enemy receives? I already have the ability to increase the damage my allies inflict, but it may be more efficient to weaken an enemy's defenses instead."

This was something she was familiar with. The sensation of the wrench jolting a little as it met a moment of resistance, the shouting of her foes - but this time, something was invigorating her - no, pushing her beyond her normal limits. She just hoped she she could use this to put the fight to an end sooner. She'd collapsed enough times after a battle to know sometimes one didn't realize the strain they put on themselves until it was too late. Then Lyra got struck in the back by a wave of fire. "Oh, piss off!" Then Lyra got shot in the back. Seemed Lyra had left a survivor. Dumb of her. "And you! You can just go fuck off and die quietly! You're nothing special!" Lyra attacks the SS Squadron with Crush, dealing 4d4+10 damage and reducing their damage output by 3! Then, Lyra attacks CFW Magic with Rush, dealing 1d8+4 damage twice! Also, if her next attack hits CFW Magic, it will have one damage die added! Adrenaline: Cooling Down. 0/3 Turns Left... Blur: Ready! Fiasco: Cooling Down. 0/3 Turns Left... Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Swapper: 1/1 Charge left! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LI_z-Bn5I48d837UGMKB7nYVC0mINoXoXFeK0vUtJQs/edit?usp=sharing

Trusting that Lexiel could heal Mitsurugi in time, Spray decided to patch up Ako again, rushing over through the chaos to quickly patch up her wounds. Spray uses Quick Bandage on Ako, healing her for 3d4+10 points of health and removing all physical status effects from her! Sneaky Beaky Like: Ready - 2 Uses Left Field Surgery: Ready Blinding Smoke: Ready Chemical Break Lights: Ready https://docs.google.com/document/d/16cXVdmyiMiUSL1fwnUk3MxklayDVd8lZ0dwab2wZtcA/edit

For a moment, IP seemed to be at a loss for words upon Yuugi's insistence, but nodded, retrieving the shield she offered. "I, actually... A large part of my mission will involve combat, and I cannot rely on one set of strategies or tactics to succeed. While I wasn't able to witness its full power firsthand... I can sense that your fighting style could be useful in my mission. If you'd be willing, Hoshiguma Yuugi..." IP bowed deeply, upper body nearly perpendicular to the ground. "Would you teach me how to fight?"

"Well, I'm sorry, ma'am, but my 'guy-gin craft' is all I got! Well, that and my medical training. Speaking of which, uh..." What was her name again? "Angel lady! Hang in there! I'm gonna patch you up real quick!" Spray uses Quick Bandage on Lexiel, healing her for 3d4+10 points of health and removing all physical status effects from her! Sneaky Beaky Like: Ready - 2 Uses Left Field Surgery: Ready Blinding Smoke: Ready Chemical Break Lights: Ready Loadout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16cXVdmyiMiUSL1fwnUk3MxklayDVd8lZ0dwab2wZtcA/edit

Lyra had honestly lost track of what was going on. A soccer team, soldiers that looked like bad guys out of war films, the monument thing was awake now... Whatever. Lyra couldn't think about that - focus on swinging. And swing she did. Lyra uses Rush on the SS Squadron! She deals 1d8+4 damage twice! Also, her next attack will have one damage die added! Then Lyra uses Fiasco and Crush for her second action! She deals 5d4+8 damage twice, reducing the SS Squadron's damage output by 5 points! Adrenaline: Ready! Blur: 2/3 Attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Swapper: 1/1 Charge left! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LI_z-Bn5I48d837UGMKB7nYVC0mINoXoXFeK0vUtJQs/edit?usp=sharing

Lyra wasn't sure what the hell was going on, but she knew that scavenging the metal pile had proven helpful, and she doubted her wrench could do much of use to Magic - so she decided to continue searching for resources - this time going over the shrubs. Lyra tries to harvest from the Shrubs Patch to sell for Elder Coins! She also bids 13 Elder Coins on the Loot-Crate! Adrenaline: Cooling down. 1/3 turns left... Blur: 2/3 Attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Swapper: 1/1 Charge left!

IP stood still for several seconds, before reloading its weapon and shaking its head. "I... I'm sorry. I merely attempted to use the rules to..." The android stopped itself mid-sentence, seeming to realize Yuugi likely wasn't in the mood for hearing excuses, "I suppose attempting to manipulate the rules of the duel was... disrespectful and underhanded of me. If you are still willing, I would have a proper duel with you this time. If you are not willing to have another duel..." The android gestured to where the shield lay. "You may keep what I wagered as a penalty for my dishonorable conduct. Unless you have some other form of reparations in mind."

Joaquin just shrugged as Scarlet walked off. Then it hit him. Alex's fist, that is. "Ow! The hell was that for?" "Was for trying to pull... whatever the hell that stunt you were trying to pull even was. I need a drink." Without any further words, Alex left his seat and retrieved a cooler from the Party Van's back. Alex opened it and pulled out two cold bottles of... some amber unmarked liquid - one for himself, and one for Joaquin. After a few moments of drinking in silence - save for the crunching of Joaquin eating some snacks he'd taken from another box in the Party Van's back - Joaquin began to speak again. This time, however, he was much quieter. Almost afraid, even. "So... what do you think we're going to be doing, exactly?" "You think I know that any better than you? It's going to be helping him in some way we won't ever know about, let alone see. Same as our time in the NEP, same as our time in the Corvids." "... You really like to get reductive when it comes to this sort of thing, you know that?" "Why else do you think I got stuck with you instead of actually making it somewhere in the NEP, huh? I don't know jack about 'bigger picture perspectives', and I wasn't about to do the dick-sucking required to make up for that shortcoming." "That totally explains last Thursday." "The point of the drinks was to stop you from saying things like that." "I've said nothing of the sort. What I've implied, on the other hand... Really, though. You don't expect any better from them?" "That Jack guy seems like he's got the greed of the SNC with the unprofessionalism of the Corvids. Toss in a dose of Great Leader-tier pride and a pinch of the Spacer's upper-class facade, and you've got a recipe that'll serve an entire nation. Not all at the same intensity and all, but still..." "Haha! Well said, well said! But we'll still be working for him?" "Honestly, seems just like before. We don't really have a choice, do we?" "... Hey, you want some of these?" "Yeah, thanks." With that, the two went back to eating and drinking in relative silence.

Joaquin just gave a sad smile as he shook his head almost pityingly. "You know, listening to you, I'm reminded of someone I knew back on Solo Nobre." The man turned to his partner. "Wouldn't you agree that this gal seems kinda like her?" "Don't really see how that's relevant-" "Just answer the question." Alex sighed and nodded reluctantly. "I guess she does seem somewhat similar in attitude, at least. There a point in comparing our only source of medical care to people she wouldn't know right in front of her?" Joaquin tilted his head back and forth in an exaggerated manner, as if he was literally rolling his thoughts around in his head. "Oh, I was just thinking of a way to tell her her sarcastic behavior wasn't terribly unique or interesting. Want to tell her make it fuck off before I fall asleep right here where I'm sitting." "And thus your pattern of insulting doctors continues. Which, by the way, also isn't terribly unique or interesting. And I'm telling you to make it fuck off before I knock you out right where you're sitting." "Hey, I'll have you know it's-" Waving his words away, Alex turned to Scarlet. "Don't worry too much about him. He's always like this." "Don't be patronizing, Alex! I'm sure she already knows that we're the comic relief who are supposed to die near the end to signal the permanent change in tone," "If you want me to do some punching on your behalf, Scarlet..."

"Good to know we're not the only ones." "What about you? What do you bring to the table? I mean, the two of us got this baby," Joaquin slapped the door of the Party Van to emphasize his point, "And Scarlet's got her rifle and other kit - I'm assuming the not-human's got her own skillset, but I'll ask her about it later. But your rifle sure isn't as fancy as hers, and you don't seem to be glowing with supernatural powers yourself, not that we're any better in that regard." "Unfortunately, we don't have much in the way of firepower right now besides our Stutter machinegun. And as much as I'd love to ram our foes, our vehicle isn't really in the best shape for that." "What are you talking about? We're packing plenty of fire and power right in our glove box!" "Fifteen tapes of 'Avenged Sevenfold' is not an appropriate substitute for a good Carlos!" "It sounds a hell of a lot better!" "And I'm sure they'll play 'em at our funerals!" Despite the snark and arguing, the two men seemed happy to be shouting at one another, like it was a ritual they'd practiced hundreds of times before.

"At the end of the day, it was your fault you chose to trust someone whose hobbies include paint huffing and insulting Loyalist Soldiers at the nearest Texas -" "Alex!" "Joaquin, shut up! I'm - oh." There was an awkward pause as Alex realized he'd been ranting right in front of the people who were going to be his colleagues. "Heh. Nice one." "Oh, go fuck yourself." "I think we both know who I'd rather fu-" "Joaquin, shut up!" Alex took a moment to catch his breath. If one looked closely enough, one might detect a bit of a blush beneath the goggles he wore. Joaquin's own face sported a big dumb grin. "Anyway, I'm Alex, that's Joaquin. I suppose you could say we are, but more specifically, we're here about a contract. We, uh, don't have to buy the terms and conditions to it, do we?" "What's their deal, anyway?" Joaquin asked, gesturing to Scarlet and Sucrose. "The two of them haven't started kissing or kicking one another, so I'm gonna guess their relationship isn't the same as ours."

Spray took a quick look over at his colleagues, noticing that Ako wasn't in pretty good shape. Moving over to her, Spray said "Hold on, I'm gonna patch you up," and quickly worked to bandage her wounds. Spray uses Quick Bandage on Ako, healing her for 3d4+10 points of health and removing all physical status effects from her! Sneaky Beaky Like: Ready - 2 Uses Left Field Surgery: Ready Blinding Smoke: Ready Chemical Break Lights: Ready Loadout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16cXVdmyiMiUSL1fwnUk3MxklayDVd8lZ0dwab2wZtcA/edit

IP's aim was carefully calibrated, and the android seemed unfazed by the bullets surrounding it. It suddenly aimed its pistol at Yuugi's sake bowl and let off a burst - perfectly timed and aimed such that each shot of the Auto 9/45 would strike the bowl. IP attacks Yuugi's sake bowl with its Auto 9/45, dealing (6d4+7)*3 damage to it! This attack ignores the target's DR and cannot miss or be dodged! HP: 72/72 0/20 HARM 0/20 HEAL Methadone: READY Emergency Response: READY Weapon Guidance: READY Aim Assist: COOLING DOWN - 0/3 TURNS LEFT Auto 9/45: READY 4/4 BURSTS LEFT Tomahawk: READY Character Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AmfnfA_EeqdBmeZyqxIuu0aZRg9lFZ4LJm6cKOXupbY/edit?usp=sharing

IP nodded and said nothing, merely standing with its Riotshield and Auto 9/45 aimed at her. Though Yuugi couldn't see it, IP's systems were already active, scanning the oni for what places could be most easily hit, and what could be hit the hardest... IP uses Aim Assist on itself! Its next attack will inflict a critical hit for triple damage (increased from double due to Memory Module: Target Cracker)! HP: 72/72 0/20 HARM 0/20 HEAL Methadone: READY Emergency Response: READY Weapon Guidance: READY Aim Assist: READY Auto 9/45: READY 4/4 BURSTS LEFT Tomahawk: READY Character Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AmfnfA_EeqdBmeZyqxIuu0aZRg9lFZ4LJm6cKOXupbY/edit?usp=sharing

Lyra froze for a moment when the vending machine began advertising its services. Elder coins? That didn't sound good... but Lyra's wrench wasn't exactly making a whole lot of progress, and the thought of picking things up for money tempted her too much pass the opportunity by. Lyra tries to harvest from Metal Patch B to sell for Elder Coins! Adrenaline: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left... Blur: 2/3 Attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Swapper: 1/1 Charge left! Loadout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jUJNdZRBFSjJKpAIqAFU4L1_UXf1qcSLfgr7KRJtwsU/edit?usp=sharing

The cargo container opened to reveal two people sitting in the front of a van with tank treads. The van was painted a bright blue, with an odd-looking machine gun mounted to the top. The two people inside were busy having some kind of argument. "... fuck me... ...understand their murderous tendencies... ...life debts? ...already owe me one of those?" "... could've done things... ...professionally. ...obtuse as fuck... ...force us to sign...." "... the SNC? ...that guy... ...disappearing?" "... SNC gives a shit... ...two nobodies with a van... ...one gun?" "Wh- Alex, you asshole! I'm not a nobody!" "Joaquin, you fucking pillock, that wasn't what I meant!" The argument was interrupted when Alex spotted the odd woman in front of them, and, appearing to forget about their argument, he rolled down the windows so she could better hear the two of them. "Oh, hey. I'm Alex, this is Joaquin." "I love the gun you've got there." "Joaquin, what the fuck are you doing?" "I'm trying to be friendly!" "By ruining any semblance of professionalism we have?" "Oh, come on, our new boss tossed us out here in a shipping container! And we're not exactly in suits and ties, now are we? Pull the stick out your ass, okay?" "That's no excuse for overt flirtation straight away!" "What makes you think it's 'overt flirtation'? First off, you know I'm not that kind of guy. Second off, it's a nice-looking gun!" "You thought the exact same thing about Derek's last contraption before it gave you those burns on your hands!" "Your twitchy fucking hands snapped off the safety!" "And whose fucking fault is it that it was placed right on the barrel and had all the durability of a twig?" The two of them seem to have completely forgotten about the two people they were trying to talk to.

“I... What?” “We’re on board.” “Excuse me?” “Come on, Alex! Remember that promise we made each other? If what they’re saying is true - and I doubt anyone’d go so far to try to trick us - then we’re going to die as far away from Solo Nobre as possible! Okay, granted, we might just die in another heavily oppressed shithole-” “Joaquin, shut up!”

IP frowned, shaking its head at the offer to bet something. "I'm afraid I have little of value that I am willing to risk in this fight, Miss..." the android trailed off for a moment as it realized something. "You speak as though you've fought that way before," IP said, removing its shield and showing it to her. "I'm uncertain the exact value any equipment of mine would have to you, but I am willing to risk something. If I win, please teach me your knowledge of fighting - especially relating to fighting in the manner you described. If I lose, you may have this shield. It's a Kaida Corporation Viking Riot Shield - capable of offering a degree of protection against attacks of various kinds, including ballistic weapons and explosives. It's also light enough to be used in combination with a weapon such as a PDW, while remaining heavy enough to be a weapon in its own right. Is this an acceptable wager?"

Lyra nearly rushed at Magic right then, but stopped when the structures appeared. Something told her that they were going to be the key to bringing forth the 'Deity of Greed and Consumption' that Magic had gone on about. And that meant they had to go down. Luckily, as an ex-Glitcher, Lyra knew a little about breaking things. Lyra attacks the Power Plant with Rush, attacking it twice for 1d8+4 damage each! If Lyra then attacks the Power Plant with a move other than Rush, she will add 1 damage die to that move! Adrenaline: Ready! Blur: 0/3 Attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Swapper: 1/1 Charge left! Loadout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jUJNdZRBFSjJKpAIqAFU4L1_UXf1qcSLfgr7KRJtwsU/edit?usp=sharing

Lyra frowned, trying to shake off the feeling of inner dread the whole situation was giving her. And trying to ready herself for what she was about to say. At the very least, it might distract Magic while the others got into position... She just hoped this wouldn't result in a repeat of last time... "What an amazing fucking dumbass! You got ears on you like a snake, and the planning skills of a tapeworm! Did you really think the universe would just sit back and let you destroy it? In case you haven't got it through that thick skull of yours, we're here after putting all of your previous criminal colleagues in the dirt! You're the only one left! And that means your only options are to give up this harebrained scheme, or get your skull turned concave by yours truly! And since you just spat on the first choice, that narrows down things a whole hell of a lot!"