Krayzikk

IC: It was enough to make her gnash her teeth and wish for Madrihk's return. She hadn't been the man's biggest fan, she hadn't liked his deputy much more, but back in the ILF's heyday no one had gotten their feathers so ruffled. She had her own reasons to be irritated with Skorm and Zueya; she'd gotten irritated with the big moron faster than she should have because of it. But someone so determined to pick out the negative, the abrasive, when she was trying to provide a critique was bound to get under her skin. Someone kitted out to fight like the two Kalta should know better. Both of them should understand what real unit cohesion was, the same way Plag did, the same way the Highlanders did. It must be something about being part of a 'Toa Team'. All that time with the same five people, all that lip service to Unity, had to rot the brain. Unit cohesion didn't exist because you made a plan. It came from practice, from drilling, and if you lived long enough from shedding enough blood to believe, on the most unconscious level, that your people knew how to do their job and that they'd do it properly. That you didn't have to keep one eye looking over your shoulder in case someone did something you didn't expect. Just because Skri didn't always get along in groups didn't mean she didn't know how it worked. And it was why she missed the ILF. Chaotic, abrasive, occasionally violent they might've been but she knew them. And they knew her. Even the littler group, the remnants that took Ko-Koro back. Give her Alfon and Ril to go along with Plag. Reo, too. With those four she'd have felt comfortable walking into Karzahni itself. If they failed they'd die laughing. But she took the meaning of Plagia's nudge and stayed quiet, giving the Lieutenant a curt nod when he issued final instructions. She didn't bother saying anything else; she had better uses for her energy. She had already fished a packet of seeds out of her jacket and dumped some of them into her hand. Working in Ko-Wahi had forced her to get clever, and if she didn't have any native plants to use she could at least limit her energy expenditure a little. Growing a plant from a seed took energy, but less than conjuring it from thin air. And grow is what they did; quickly and steadily, sneaking up her arm and around her shoulders. Circling loosely, again and again. With a quick palming motion she slipped a few of the incipient plants onto Plagia's shoulder, too, where they did much the same. It probably looked a little ridiculous; such numerous, looped plants brought to flowering and, for the moment, suspended there. But she thought she'd need them soon, and it was better to be ready. "Huh?" Skri blinked a little when her friend whispered, drawing her back to the present. A little grin crossed her face as she bent down, just a little, to get closer to Plagia's ear when she whispered back. "You're on. Deal."

IC: Krayn shrugged with all of the eloquence at his disposal. A noncommittal, vague answer that conveyed uncertainty more than any anything else could have. It wasn't a simple answer. The last time he saw Dorian he had still been a Lieutenant. That encounter, one for which Skyra had also been present along with a number of people Krayn would never meet again, had been the catalyst for his resignation. It hadn't been more than a few months but so much life had occurred in that time. His return to Po-Koro, his trip to Onu-Koro. The crew of the Fowadi's decision to split up and go to scout Ko-Koro. Stopping Xxeth. His injuries in the fighting. His left shoulder ached and he rubbed at it absently. "What else should I do?" Rather than confrontational he posed a genuine question; a request for advice from someone who wasn't sure of the right thing to do. "I resigned my commission because the worst was over. I went to Ko-Wahi because I couldn't do nothing. I still can't. Especially not now that he's back. I know what I have to do, but I don't know how." A note of frustration crept into his normally collected tone. "I can't do it alone. Not just because I can't do enough, but because I don't have the resources. Ammunition costs a lot when you can't make it yourself. I've got a little money if I go and pick up my things from Onu-Koro, but most of my gear is gone. I can't draw on the Force's backing, I don't think I'd be welcome back even if I wanted to. I don't even really have a house anymore. Po-Koro's awful but it's the closest thing I have to a home these days. What else can I do?"

In Ga-Wahi I think the three major groupings right now are the gathering at the Takea, Leah's party coming back from the Darkwalk, and Whitehot and Co. giving Sato a tour of the Wahi. The latter, at the very least, should be pretty easy to jump in on. Probably Leah's little trio as well.

IC: "Well," Sinshi turned her attention again slightly, after nodding politely at Leah's departure. Hogo Karoru had departed as well, and Dai went to her office. She could— and would— check in with the Dashi later. In the meantime, she had certain niceties to observe. "If you would like, Sato, Whitehot and I can show you around the village. I'm sure you have questions. As do I, as it happens." IC: The Onu-Matoran laughed a little at the display, patting Cancer apologetically on the shell. He doubted it was overly comfortable to cart all three of them along but he would make the trip much shorter. He didn't have anything else to say, not yet, and he was... not content, but resigned to continuing in personal silence for a time while he thought. OOC: Tarnok, Leli, Kellin and Cancer to Onu-Wahi.

IC: "It's yours, Skyra, I've seen enough desert." Krayn grimaced slightly. The train didn't produce much noise itself, at least not by its locomotion, but it was still loud. Metal wheels on metal track at high speed, the wind pushed aside by the sheer mass of such a vehicle... He could adjust the volume, make it more bearable as long as he focused. But it was still uncomfortable. He sank into a seat, trying to ignore the additional vibrations that it sent through his bones. "About how long is the ride?"

IC: For the briefest of instants Nihonei felt like she was back home, trying to corral the youngest and rowdiest of her clan's initiates. The same gentle reprimand came easily to her lips and died unspoken as reality crashed back in upon her. For his apparent age the Datsue clearly wasn't very wise. Combative and confrontational, more like. Not what she would have expected from all Tajaar but certainly not unexpected from the Dasaka that came from the mountains. There wasn't the time, and this wasn't the place, for a fight but— "Does your fledgling want to draw them down upon us?" She half hissed, her words still issuing forth from every conceivable direction. These Dasaka weren't hostile per se, not that they seemed very helpful either but to go with them was a risk. Traveling by themselves Nihonei and her sister had been able to avoid much notice, but if they joined up with these... The Toroshu chewed on her lip slightly, thinking. "Caution is a virtue these days, Old Wyrm. The demons may appear to be many things." "For myself I am Toroshu Nihonei, of the Eiyu. Or what remains. Our cooperation could be beneficial. Young... Lii, was it? Appears to be wounded. Some others do, as well. I might be able to help." Almost unconsciously she began to analyze the younger Tajaar's aura; her Kanohi noted every detail, ticking away with the vast knowledge in her head to identify and understand.

IC: Dasaka? Nihonei's heart began to soar, but crashed immediately. It wasn't the first time they had encountered a 'Dasaka' along the way. There were tells, of course; the monsters didn't produce a presence on the mental plane, so an alert observer could detect that something was amiss. Not that she'd realized that the first time they encountered one. But the burned hand taught best, and she had become much more wary. Seeing them in a group was new, but if there weren't many left maybe they were... The Toroshu took a deep breath, steadying her thoughts. There was no need to let her mind run away with her. She could check. Reaching even slightly in their direction on the mental plane was proof; they were truly Dasaka, which gave her cause for hope. She squeezed her sister's soldier, holding back her own hope a little longer. One hand rested on the hilt of her blade, halfway drawn from its sheath, but it was her Discipline for which she reached; even knowing that these were Dasaka they could still be unfriendly. But she could check that without much danger. "Who are you?" Her voice asked the Datsue in front, coming from every direction at once even as she veiled her sister and herself behind an illusion. Concealed though they were, it was still best not to take risks. She only hoped that her voice projected the same calm that it always had. "And what is your purpose?"

IC: "Not threatening, scar boy, just stating. And I'll speak a little clearer, just because your ears seem a bit clogged." The mercenary drew herself up to her full height; much less than Skorm, but just like before if she had any reason to be aware of it she didn't show it. "A plan doesn't substitute for unit cohesion. We have three Sanctum Irregulars, a class of trainees from the Sanctum Guard, two Highlanders, a few freelancers, and two of Tarkahn's Kulti. A handful of us have worked with a few of the others, but none of us have worked as a whole. If it goes down, we're all going to have different trained reactions. And if we try and plan around close coordination, without practice, we're going to be in trouble." "To that end, the most important commonalities are placement, short stuff in point with Plag's pal playing danger detector. If we encounter anything resembling organized resistance, as the LT already agreed, we get the rooks out and we go from there. Priority number one is getting everybody back out, which includes your cranky hide. So you don't go throwing around powers that are gonna fry the guy next to you. You watch out for the guy next to you. And if we encounter organized resistance, we cover the rookies getting out and then we get out ourselves. And the LT goes to plan B." Skri spread her arms expansively. "Battle plans don't survive contact with the enemy. Keep it simple. Keep people alive. And truly, don't test me."

IC: "Hey, maybe we shouldn't throw around plasma in a confined space?" The only thing more dangerous than someone who knew nothing was someone who knew just enough to think they'd make an informed decision. Out of everybody gathered she had faith in—maybe — three or four of the people here. The Turaga seemed to genuinely know her stuff. Skri hadn't seen her in a fight yet, but she at least had the knowledge and the experience. Plag, of course, was her girl— no doubts there. Torin was competent, but playing his own game. No doubt about it. Korzaa hadn't said a word about the secondary objective, and that meant she didn't know. Which meant the 'ol LT was playing it pretty close to the chest. Fine. He had his priorities, she had hers. Then, of course, was everybody in between. The new girl, the Toa of Iron, looked like she could be competent. Hard to tell, but the fact that she was a Highlander gave her a certain amount of competence until proven otherwise. The Kalta, Plag's loyal follower, and the Ba-Toa seemed... Like they might know just enough to be dangerous. She had a sinking feeling that none of them had ever met a proper Rahkshi. The ones that had populated the Darkwalk for the past couple of years were dangerous, yes, but they were feral. Bestial. No capacity for planning, making their powers and considerable physical prowess a much more manageable concern. Not, as the Turaga pointed out, that either were to be taken lightly still. But if Makuta was back, and he was, and if the Rahkshi had regained their old powers, then... "No disrespect, short circuit," The merc continued in a tone that didn't sound like she much cared if disrespect was taken or not. "but did you guys ever fight the Rahkshi? I don't mean the remnants in the Darkwalks. I don't even mean the ones that a few of those Legacy folks bossed around a couple months ago. I mean Rahkshi." "Plag and I," She elbowed her bestie again. "Were at the Hive. Don't remember seeing any of you guys there. Nui Rama, a squad of six Rahkshi. Heuani. We had the ILF at its height, a detachment of the Sanctum Guard, the Gukko Force providing air support, and all the Ussalry Heavies and change. It was an attack over open ground. We had full visibility and freedom of movement. And a lot of people died." Herself nearly among them, and one of Plag's friends not so nearly. "Different scale, sure. But even with how big the Darkwalks are, and they're pretty big, we're still going to be moving in a confined space with limited visibility and zero unit cohesion. I absolutely do not want to get fried because someone hits me with plasma, or zapped because someone got zap-happy. I'll bring up the rear with Plag, short stuff with big armor should definitely take point. But the first person who throws plasma around frivolously, or Nui forbid supercharges that plasma? I'll knock you out myself so you can't cause us any trouble."

IC: "If it wouldn't distress you, 'Krayn' would be fine. But 'Mister Krayn' is a start." The Toa's fledgling smile grew with suppressed mirth. He had met Guards of Ember's sort before; not often, living to an age of such experience as a Matoran Guard was a feat all by itself. For those who had been active when the First Toa came it was a reflex, an ingrained perception, that Toa were Toa. Heroes of the people. It was never something he'd been very comfortable with. At least when he was an officer in the Gukko Force protocol tended to override such considerations, but now... "I have no doubt you'll get things running smoothly. We'll be back before long. Take care." He nodded respectfully to the Ta-Matoran, and again to the Po-Matoran; he would have liked to stay long enough to introduce himself to her too but he was aware he was slowing things down. He'd have to catch up when he was back. If he came back, he reminded himself. The trip the rest of the way to the deck was quick and easy, albeit with a blink or two to adjust to the brighter sun. "Sorry about the delay, Dehkaz."

IC: "Toa?" Krayn laughed. With careful deliberation the soundwaves of the two instigators nearby were redirected in such a way that they never reached his ears. "No need for that, Ember. Or for any sort of address. Just a private citizen these days. Kale should take care of you just fine. It's good to see some experienced sailors on board."

IC: "Karz, I'm just going down there 'cause the boss says so." Skrihen grinned broadly and shook Plagia by the shoulder, but her mind was working behind it. Alka Torin was a— slightly— familiar presence, and Plag was of course completely familiar. Her hanger-on wasn't, though, which did raise a couple questions. Did she leave Alfon in a shallow grave somewhere? Wouldn't have expected that after she stopped drinking, but she could check on that later. Plag would fill her in. The Vortixx she was out here to evaluate was staying quiet which could speak well of him. It was a smart merc who knew when to keep their mouth shut. Of course it could mean there was nothing going on upstairs, too, but that'd have to be seen. The Turaga was a complete unknown, but thus far she liked the cut of her jib. "You got out, short stuff, so I'd give us a decent shot. That being said. " Her cavalier attitude faded and she crossed her arms across her chest, the Rahkshi staff crossed with the blade on her back lending an added weight to her words. "I've had my share of fights against Rahkshi. When we encounter them, we handle them smart. No one do anything stupid. If they're still feral we can handle them as long as they're alone." Her expression turned grimmer. "If something has changed that, though, we play it smarter and we send the rookies out of here. Secondary objective or no, my primary objective as issues by Korzaa is to get out of here with the same number of rookies I went in with."

IC: "Afternoon," Krayn said to the Ta-Matoran standing near Kale, extending a hand to shake. "I assume Kale's been recruiting. Krayn. Nice to meet you...?"

IC: .:That sounds fair,:. Nihonei allowed, studiously refraining from voicing 'aloud' her doubts that even Sado was still safe... But she, of all people, knew she couldn't stop her sister from feeling what she meant. To be a Twin Soul was to have nothing secret, not except in the deepest parts of the soul. And her anxiety was too close to the surface to ever hide. .:but we still have an issue. You're the wilderness woman, how are we going to get to Sado from here? I doubt there are any boats left. Or what if the bridge is out?:. Maybe there'd be someone who could help, someone from another clan, but... That was if anyone was still around. They had yet to see anyone on their trip from the Eiyu manor to the coast. Alive, at least.

IC: "Whitewalk, for sure. I've seen birds, and I've seen dragons. The will of a really big bird makes sense to me."

IC: "Nothing too specific." Krayn answered, gesturing for anyone who was coming to follow and beginning his walk back to the deck. He could have had Dehkaz lead the way again, but the internal structure of the Fowadi was relatively unchanged. And it was important to learn his way around the bits that had. With his ear it'd be a little easier, too, with the sound of voices above to guide him towards the steps. "Not yet, at least." "These are great." He pointed at the holsters on either hip, peeking around a corner and climbing out onto the deck. "But the range is a little short. And the rounds are hard to get a hold of. Something with some range and a similar punch but an easier supply of ammunition would be perfect."

IC: Caught. "No doubt regarding your faith, your Highness. Or your perceptiveness. Only in the likelihood of 'Zuto Nui's existence. Or benevolence." IC: "I don't know." The Onu-Matoran answered, attention taken away from his apologetic pat on Cancer's shell. Whether the crab could take it or not, it certainly couldn't be any fun to carry the three of them and Leli's bounty. But her question was a greater concern and one he'd spent a lot of time thinking about. They might retake their homeland one day. Mata Nui had, after all... At least temporarily. That last thought dragged his grim mood down further still. Everyone had believed Makuta to be slain. Permanently defeated without fear of return, and his own former commander had delivered that news to Onu-Koro. If he was still the same man. That doubt had been in his mind before, but always something brushed away. Of course he was. Just because he had moved beyond their former squad didn't mean he had become someone else. But deceit had never been in his personality and Makuta's return could only mean that he had lied. Not just Sulov, but the Maru. All of them. The implications were... Unsettling. Leli's question was about the Dasaka, though, and if he had no more idea of what the future would hold there he could at least muster a better guess. "They'll be here a long time. They'll have to adapt to us just like we'll have to adapt to them. The Akiri will need to be informed when we get back about... Makuta."

attack khy;barr, vana needs more minions

IC: "Yeah, it is." The ex-officer met Dehkaz's look with one of total non-expression, casually patting Dorian's shoulder before he let go. "Come on, 'Kale', we should get going. Dehkaz, you know where to find the guy that made those diskette rifles?"

IC: "Yeah, sure. Anyone asks we'll just say you're Kale."

IC: People talk to me all the time, and they're real. Messages from a god are usually called delusions. I guess you don't get to say that when the person chatting with god is the Rora. The dragon was cool though. I should learn to be a Soulsword. Though, even if it couldn't burn me could I see well enough to keep from bumping someone with it? What would the shape of a blind person's Soulsword be? Hm.

IC: "You want to tag along, Dor?" Krayn asked, sounding remarkably like he might have been holding back a laugh. "Gonna see about gainful employment maybe. Pick up some gear for sure. There's a train that'll get us there in a few hours." Remarkably he managed to sound like an expert.

IC: Oh, we're actually doing something serious. Better reveal myself again at last. Uhhh, where's an actual coat rack... My best guess at what was a coat rack, or a coat hook, received the hat that had previously been on my head with good grace. Whether it was meant for that purpose or not I couldn't be sure but the hat stayed off of the floor. "There was a dragon." I answered after a brief moment, trying to decide how best to explain. "Well, rather. There was the somehow infected Kanohi Dragon. And then there was the energy dragon that you conjured of the same size." IC: "Definitely right, White." The Menti gave the Maru an oblique look, turning to better face the other two Dasaka and coincidentally moving just a little closer to her fellow liaison. "We'd be happy to show you around, if you needed it. Toa Leah, of course, could give you her perspective as well."

IC: Two months ago Nihonei's worst day was when she tagged along with Kulrik and had to fight Zataka cultists. Before that her worst day was when Datsue Anori, sitting beside the fire, told the current class of Eiyu Twins the story of the Eiyu who conjured a shinushya and how her screams still sometimes echoed on a still night... And Saritsu screamed in her ear. Nihonei's was a good life. She was proud of her clan, she took care of her people, and in turn they took care of her. Seldom did she have to concern herself with anything worse than misplaced tomes. She might have liked to see her sister more, of course, but there would be time for that. Life was good. And then monsters worse than any campfire story began slaughtering her clan. No, that wasn't fair. They had fought too well to call it a slaughter, defended themselves too valiantly. Their losses had been catastrophic all the same. The attack had come almost without warning; only frantic images, a mental commotion, had given them any forewarning of the attack. It was probably the Ageru. The monsters had come from that direction. But there was no way to be sure. She had done the very best that she could, organized an evacuation of her people and stayed long enough to secure the most important of their teachings. And Zuto Nui's cherubic smile was that a bad idea. Their escape was cut off, she had been forced to go to ground, and the— relative— safety of Sado (she hoped) seemed painfully far away. "Okay," She said softly, almost silently. "You were right, Saritsu. You can say it."

IC: "Hello, Dee." The alchemist was alive. This time. All things considered she admired the sheer obliviousness with which the other Lesterin regarded her own mortality; granted she would have regarded Vana's own mortality with the same, if she truly understood that nothing in this lab could poison her. Every now and again there was an interesting euphoria, or a mild hallucination, but most often she simply looked at the lights. It had taken a long, long time to realize that everyone else saw the same lights from the alchemist's form. She assumed it was something only her own eyes perceived, something that she enjoyed nevertheless. Her words had the same shimmering prismatism, a ripple like uneven glass, whenever she spoke. Especially when the pitch varied so erratically. Clearly she'd been trying something new. "How's the heart?"