AzyWng

Upon noticing that her target had disappeared, IP switched over to one of the saplings, firing upon it with her handgun. IP attacks Sapling A with her Auto 9/45, dealing 6d4+6 damage! HP: 42/65 ???/20 HARM - DUALITY ACTIVE - All healing performed is boosted by 30% for the next three turns 14/20 HEAL Methadone: COOLING DOWN - 3/4 Turns Left Emergency Response: COOLING DOWN - 3/4 Turns Left Weapon Guidance: ON COOLDOWN - 2/3 Turns Left Aim Assist: READY DISABLED DUE TO SILENCE Auto 9/45: READY 3/4 Bursts Left Tomahawk: ON COOLDOWN - 1/3 Turns Left

As Lyra lay collapsed on the ground, only vaguely aware of what was happening through the pain, she wondered what was wrong with her. She'd confronted Mira for her recklessness earlier, and yet it was the contractor who'd charged in this time - and this time, she'd been punished for it. Everyone else seemed to be doing fine from the glimpses she'd caught, and now, not only had two people had to stop to help her, they hadn't even succeeded. She just hoped they could do fine without her. Otherwise, she'd be dragging the team down even - Her thoughts were interrupted by a strange sensation of warmth. The pain disappeared, and before she knew it, Lyra was on her feet again... And looking up at the massive mech that had just approached. Lyra knew she couldn't take on such a creature. Though the pain was gone, Lyra still felt weak. She'd need to rest up and heal before she even tried to approach that thing, and she needed to make sure her allies focused on the people who really mattered - never mind how Perlita had just put her back on her feet. "Perlita, Gabriel, go take care of the others! I'm gonna rest up and be back with you when I'm ready!" Lyra uses Breathe on her turn, healing herself for 2d6+7 points of damage! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 2/3 turns left... Blur: 1/3 attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 2/3 turns left... Swapper: 1/1 Charges left.

IP follows up her tomahawk strike with a burst of her handgun. IP shoots Reimu with her Auto 9/45, inflicting (6d4+6+12)*1.8 damage! HP: 65/65 ???/20 HARM - Calculating damage 14/20 HEAL Methadone: COOLING DOWN - 2/4 Turns Left Emergency Response: COOLING DOWN - 2/4 Turns Left Weapon Guidance: ON COOLDOWN - 1/3 Turns Left Aim Assist: READY Auto 9/45: READY 4/4 Bursts Left Tomahawk: ON COOLDOWN - 0/3 Turns Left

IP nods at Masako's command, face expressionless as the tengu did her work. Then the gynoid pulled out her tomahawk and threw it at Reimu in one swift motion. IP throws her Tomahawk at Reimu, dealing [(2d4+8+9)*1.9]+12 damage! HP: 65/65 0/20 HARM 14/20 HEAL Methadone: COOLING DOWN - 1/4 Turns Left Emergency Response: COOLING DOWN - 1/4 Turns Left Weapon Guidance: ON COOLDOWN - 0/3 Turns Left Aim Assist: READY Auto 9/45: READY 4/4 Bursts Left Tomahawk: READY

IP put on a burst of activity, first injecting Lambda with a syringe that popped out of a compartment in her left arm, then rapidly offering a series of instructions to Masako about the effective use of polearms in combat. IP's Emergency Response activates! As a free action, IP uses Methadone on Lambda, healing Lambda for for 3d4+9 HP and decreasing damage received by 15% each turn for four turns! IP provides Weapon Guidance to Masako! All her weapons will deal 20% more damage for three turns! HP: 59/65 0/20 HARM 0/20 HEAL Methadone: COOLING DOWN - 0/4 Turns Left Emergency Response: COOLING DOWN - 0/4 Turns Left Weapon Guidance: READY Aim Assist: READY Auto 9/45: READY 4/4 Bursts Left Tomahawk: READY

IP drew her weapon and shield as soon as Reimu said "extermination", aiming the gun at her. IP seemed to emit a few beeps as she suddenly said, "Unsafe environment! Activating Emergency Response Protocol. All non-combatants, leave the area immediately!" IP activates her Emergency Response for Methadone! If an ally falls below 40% HP, IP will use Methadone on them as a free action, ignoring one turn of cooldown! 0/20 HARM 0/20 HEAL Methadone: READY Emergency Response: READY Weapon Guidance: READY Aim Assist: READY Tomahawk: READY

Lyra had made a mistake. She'd seen too many films - she was expecting tasers, machine guns... But not poison sprayers. Maybe, if she was lucky, she was being sprayed with something meant for riot control - she'd seen that in films too, sometimes. That meant the gas would disperse in the open air and was less likely to kill her. If she wasn't... Well, for one thing, she might be choking on a war crime. Did this place have war crimes? In between the pain and the effects of whatever she'd inhaled taking their toll, it was hard for Lyra to keep things like that straight in her mind. Maybe she'd be able to shout something about that at her foes if she made it through this. Didn't matter at the moment. At the moment, she needed to try to get herself out of the mist and into some fresh air before someone had to drag her out - leaving two people unable to contribute instead of one. Lyra uses her turn to Breathe, healing herself for 2d6+7 HP! She also delays her turn until after Perlita's! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left... Blur: 1/3 attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left... Swapper: 1/1 Charges left.

IP remained quiet, giving the garden a look around, Upon seeing the saplings, IP seemed to freeze where it was, its posture suddenly faltering. IP nearly fell over before she finally managed to look away from the saplings, and when she looked back up at the party, she seemed afraid. "What... what are those saplings? A-and why did they... produce those unusual effects?"

IP nearly drew her gun when Yuyuko darted out, but relaxed once it was clear she wasn't hostile. After hearing the invitation, the gynoid nodded. "We would be honored, Madam. But first..." IP turned to Masako. "How soon will LOTUS reappear?"

Lyra frowned, pulling out her Swapper and confirming her suspicions. Whatever those pulses were, they were disabling her items - and likely the items of her colleagues. Looked like she had she had some priority targets to deal with. Approaching the crowd of Item Jammers, Lyra began her usual shouting. Hopefully her armor hadn't been disabled, or this fight might be more than a little painful. "OI! YOU CHEAP METAL PIECES OF CRAP? YOU THINK YOU'RE SAFE, STANDING BEHIND YOUR COLLEAGUES? WELL THAT'S GONNA DO YOU A WHOLE LOTTA NOTHING WHEN WE CLOSE IN AND VOID YOUR WARRANTIES!" Lyra Taunts Item Jammer Pods No. 28, 29, and 30, taunting them for three turns! If they choose to attack, they must target her! Adrenaline Dodging: Ready! Blur: 0/3 attacks left! Fiasco: Ready! Concussion: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Swapper: 1/1 Charges Left DISABLED: ITEM JAMMED

Lyra'd smelled burned machinery and plastic before - when she'd been able to afford a grenade launcher to take out armored foes - but never so intensely as what she was smelling now. Once again, she was thankful for her helmet - because it meant nobody could see her grimace in disgust. As she approached the rubble and spotted the two girls, she frowned. Those were probably Brave's mooks they were fighting off while Lyra'd been trying to take out... whatever it was she was fighting not too long ago. At any rate, it looked like she was about to get into another fight - and this time, she wouldn't blame Mira or anyone else for charging in. After all, she intended to do just that. Gripping her wrench tightly, Lyra began sprinting towards the crowd of bots. If they all decided to close in, the two might not last very long. Lyra at least had the advantage of armor and quick reflexes - it was time to put them to use. "OI, YOU METAL FUCKERS! GET YOUR SENSORS LOCKED ON THIS BUNCH! OR ARE YOU JUST GOING TO PILE ON TOP OF THE TWO YOUNG LADIES YOU'VE SURROUNDED LIKE THE WASTES OF SCRAP METAL YOU LOT ARE?"

IP quietly said, "Data gathered from various combat reports suggest that in the event combatants are sent flying, surviving the shrapnel and explosive blasts that cause such flight tend to be greater concerns. Your world likely behaves differently from mine, however. Nevertheless, regardless of the fairy's state, I promised not to interfere."

Lyra was about to press the issue further - maybe asking whether the swordswoman's own survival was non-important, or mentioning the fact that 6D hadn't quite recovered from being swallowed, or even bringing up the fact that nobody had the ability to predict what they would be going up against next - but the contractor stopped herself. Why was she doing this? Putting aside the fact that Mira was quite the fighter - so her confidence was likely at least somewhat deserved - Lyra had no reason to press further beyond some sense of guilt for her own past. Besides, Mira was hardly the same as the people Lyra had failed. The contractor and swordswoman had no connection, and Mira certainly wasn't as kind as they were. Realizing that... things suddenly became a whole lot simpler. So Mira thinks she's capable of keeping herself safe? Nothing bad happened this time, so she doesn't need anyone else's help? Working with the rest of the team isn't important? That can be put to the test. If it turns out she's right, and she doesn't need the assistance... that's just fine. And if it turns out that she's wrong? Well, Lyra wouldn't exactly rush to Mira's aid. Call it a learning experience. Lyra had done worse things to better people in the past. "Fine, then. Any change in the status of Brave?"

"When I came across it, the dolphin was bashing at the fence of the park trying to get in. I wasn't about to let it get the first shot." As much as she wanted to give Iowa and Bridgett trouble for not assisting her, she had to admit wrongdoing this time. "But suppose I should've tried to get backup first. I hadn't expected to require the assistance of so many others just to injure it. I'm sorry." Before she could hear the response of her colleagues, however, she did have someone else to talk to. Rushing up to Mira, Lyra stood in front of her. "Hey, before we get over to the next fight, the two of us need to talk. What you did earlier - charging into battle without a plan of any kind, without the support of your allies - is completely unacceptable! It wasn't you charging at the thing with a sword that took it out - it was Bridgett and Iowa's fire that did - and even with their assistance, 6D got swallowed up by that thing! What if it's you that gets taken out next because we weren't able to catch up with you? We were brought here as a team for a reason - we can't take these things out just by ourselves, and neither can you! The sooner you realize that, the better. Do you understand?" Lyra honestly wasn't sure how Mira would respond. Would she acknowledge? Pay lip service? Pretend to listen? Attack her with her sword? At any rate, she at least needed to make sure she tried to get Mira to understand the need for teamwork.

IP stared for several seconds before shaking her head. "While Youmu did mention that Yuyuko had complained of hunger, I seriously doubt that we will be able to -" IP suddenly froze up for a few seconds, before sighing and continuing along the road. "We should get moving. We are losing valuable time. If you wish to execute your plan once we have arrived, I will not interfere."

"As a matter of fact, I have no experience in devising plans such as yours. Is there anything I can assist with, or should I simply wait for you to execute the plan?"

"Androids don't die," IP said. "And just what is it that you are planning? What did you buy?"

IP followed along, turning to the swordswoman, her expression softening this time. "I am not familiar with this region, and I have never seen such a method of conflict resolution. As for our odds of success? Our employer chose us and sent us to this location for several reasons - at least one of which is that we are not just regular humans. If we were not capable of completing this mission, I doubt they would bring us here at all. In addition, at least two artifacts were already retrieved prior to this attempt - and that was before UB-65 -" she gestured to the submarine woman " - and I arrived. We will be able to save your mistress. That you can be assured of."

IP turned back to Youmu, the gynoid's maid headdress shaking a little, as if it didn't fit quite right on her head. This time she asked, "Back to my earlier question... You still have not explained what 'danmaku' is exactly. If it is not a model of firearm, what is it?"

IP stared at Masako as she dragged Rory away. As soon as she was gone, IP simply asked, "That person was selected to be a member of this team?"

As she turned around to survey her handiwork (trying not to shiver too much), Lyra leaned back a little to dodge the bullet flying at her. Not much of an issue, she'd been shot at dozens of - Her vision jolted suddenly as Lyra felt the familiar pain of a sword wound. She turned to look at her attacker and saw - Mira. Lyra probably should've expected that from the person who had charged into battle barely an hour ago. At any rate, the wound didn't feel too deep, so Lyra decided she could shrug it off. Breaking free of the ice, the contractor rushed at the dolphin to perform her own attack, followed up by a throw of the wrench. Maybe her first attack wouldn't hit as hard, but even if she didn't believe Atton's words, she could feel them boosting her. Lyra attacks the Plaid Dolphin with her Wrench, following up with a Point-Blank Throw! She will hit twice for 3D4+STR (-80%) + 2D4+STR damage! Lyra is too proud to accept the help of others! The buff she received from Atton is halved! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left. Blur: 0/3 Attacks Fiasco: 3/4 Dodges Point-Blank Throw: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 1/3 turns left. Damaged Item Teleporter: Ready! Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper: 2/3 Charges Damaged Rechargeable Emergency Shield: Ready!

"Danmaku? I am... not entirely certain what those are. Does Yuyuko have access to a heavy machine gun? A vehicle equipped with a cannon?" IP seemed to have calmed down now, and just looked confused. "As for the ability to invoke death... Are there any specific precautions we could take to resist this power?"

After listening to Youmu's explanation, IP lowered her shield and holstered her weapon, though her expression remained the same. "Please do not threaten my colleagues again." After a brief pause, she then asked, "Where is Yuyuko, and what weapons and tactics does she prefer to use? From what you've told us, diplomacy may not be an option."

IP didn't even flinch when Masako struck her. She also didn't listen, if the words she said were any indication. "This woman has threatened us with a sword. I shouldn't have to explain the severity of that threat." She did, however, allow Masako to approach the distressed swordswoman and give her the business card, though she tensed up when the 'detective' poked the woman on the nose.

Dammit. Not fast enough to avoid the first hit... But with the creature distracted as it was, it probably wouldn't be able to hit her as hard the next time. Probably... She'd been depending on that word more than she'd hoped as of late. Lyra shook her head, trying to clear it of distractions - both from the pain and from the memories. Right. Now that the dolphin was focusing on her, she could fall back on an old tactic. Anyone who'd used a Swapper would know about it. Lyra pulled out her device - jury-rigged as it was - and pointed it at the Dolphin. When it was going to hit her with its second attack, she'd switch positions. If it decided to try to crush her, it'd find itself way out of position. If it tried to hit her with another wave, it would be the one being struck - and while Lyra knew it was probably immune to poison itself, it was still susceptible to physical force. Lyra uses her Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper on the Plaid Dolphin! The two units will switch places - meaning that all attacks that were targeting one will instead hit the other! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 2/3 turns left. Blur: 0/3 Attacks Fiasco: 2/4 Dodges Point-Blank Throw: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left. Damaged Item Teleporter: Ready! Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper: 3/3 Charges Damaged Rechargeable Emergency Shield: Ready!