RP: YSS Miharu ATTN: Armor Pilots

Inbetween work sessions involving the tactical console on the bridge, Nyton Claymere began working on a new Armor weapon for the Daisy. Occupying a corner in one of the fabrication room Nyton set up a small work area. Using the Miharu's technical database as a reference he began work on an Armor weapon that would simulate the plasma system of the PHALANX. After many attempts and several long hours of pacing about he was forced to discard the idea. Too many technical issues which complicated the Daisy's function arose as a result.

With the failure of the plasma design Nyton had to sit down and come up with something else. He then began to tinker with a new method to create a weapon. Over the course of several days he finally laid out guidelines for a template of the weapon he envisioned. All he needed was to find a substance that would give it the morphic properties and high speed level of control necessary to pull it off. A list of available substances forced him to settle and work around what would become the final design for this weapon.

The weapon would have morphic capabilities allowing the user to create a multitude of melee styled weapons. With a practical approach Nyton simply titled the weapon the VAW: Versatile Assault Weapon. Initial designs forced him to create a whole new arm for the Daisy instead of adapting the original forearm gun. Slightly bulkier but it would be worth it. Finally the storage tank for the Yamataium laced hemosynthetic fluid was installed on the Daisy's body.

Once the design was structurally sound through the Miharu's verification Nyton set it into the fabrication system to finally 'create' the VAW. Upon donning a Daisy Armor, Nyton then set about initial testing. He wanted to ensure it would perform it's minimal functions before he started to get creative.

Once it was ready for a broader test Nyton invited all the other Power Armor pilots to further field test the VAW. Using the VR chamber to create simulated opponents he programmed an urban environment similar to where Naraku had last been captured. The opponents were Nekovalkyrja of various models in and out of Black Spiral Armors. This being more an experiment in applications there was no set goal or limit. If opponents killed a crew member they would simply be tagged as killed and then 'reset' at a nearby location.

Once all those interested were assembled Nyton then began to go over a rundown of the weapon they were testing. They all stood in the simulated location, the actual combat focus was on standby so the rules could be explained.

"Listen up everyone because this weapon may just change the way things are fought from close range. You are all about to become familiarized with the Versatile Assault Weapon. This is not so much a weapon as it is a tool. It is designed to become whatever you need when you need it and at the speed which is needed."

Nyton held up his left arm on the Daisy which had been replaced with the VAW option. "Four streams of hemosynthetic fluid laced with Yamataium come out from the quad barrel. You will note the diamond point layout of the holes. That is to give you the best field of control and adaptability. You can use all four streams simultaneously or one at a time."

Aiming off to the side there was a quick demonstration of each stream being fired out and a semi solid looking fleshy tendril flew out from each barrel of Nyton's VAW.

"That is the basic appearance of the weapon however the namesake versatility is limited only to the users imagination." Nyton continued and the tendrils all merged and formed into a double edged sword pointed straight out. Then it folded in on itself and became a large ball with spikes. Then a hammer. Then three claws. Finally he retracted the weapon back into the barrels.

"Because the hemosynthetic fluid can store kinetic energy it will retain it's force regardless of its shape and surroundings. In other words, if you need to hit something inside a room and the door is locked you just let the fluid pour through any opening available and it will still be able to lash out with the same amount of impact as though it had been launched originally."

Nyton then pointed the weapon behind him. "Linked to your suit's tracking system you don't even have to be pointing this at whatever your target is. Nor do you even have to focus on attacking it if you have to dodge. Just let the system fire and forget for you." The VAW then shot out a stream that travelled around and forward of Nyton's position.

"Alright I have this simulation set up to let you play with this before we use the real thing. Just get used to the controls. That section is for practicing on stationary targets. That one is for moving targets. We have unarmored hostile opponents over there and armored hostiles over there. Try to have fun and don't worry, there are no penalties incurred." Nyton explained, as he pointed down different alleyways of the cityscape.

Yukari was watching from inside her own custom Daisy, but did not have the VAW on. She said to Nyton through the communicator, "This is a very strange device .... but it appears very useful!"

Kai stood in the VR chamber, cloaked in a simulated daisy, staring at the left arm of the machine. He started off toying around with one stream, trying to make it into a whip, but, having not ever actually used a whip, he could not imagine it correctly, and the thing just shot the stream at the ceiling. Emitting a small, suprised noise, the tall Yamataian quickly recomposed himself and had the stream turn into a Katana-like form, something he had used before. he noted that with the katana effectively built into his hand, he couldn't lose it, and could channel all his and the armour's strength into the weapon. Smirking and chuckling, he moved to the stationary target and proceeded to "Chop it to bits"

Nyton listened to the remarks and noted others reactions to the VAW. He hoped they would be able to comprehend the full range of motion the weapon would allow them if applied correctly. While he could have gone into further detail and explain the limitations of range as well as the needle projectiles, he also wanted to see how far they would try to go with it. With a slight smirk he then began to walk towards the unarmored hostile target alleyway. Nyton wanted to warm up on some enemies without having to concern himself so much with the Armor yet.

The alley Nyton entered led him around the building and opened to a wide street. There were wrecked vehicles, garbage, and other signs of destruction strewn about. Several buildings had windows that were busted out along with various other signs of battle. As he looked around his AIES alerted him to four hostile targets rummaging about the street. Four nekovalkyrja in urban combat suits carrying heavy assault weapons patrolled the street.

Activating the stealth functions on his suit Nyton's face drew a predatory glance at the four nekos as he used the gravity manipulation of his suit to climb up the side of the wall quietly before scaling out onto the side facing the street. Without drawing attention he then began to aim the VAW at the first neko of the squad. A four needle simultaneous burst was fired and succeeded in pinning the neko to the building across from her. She screamed as the extra long needles held her in place, suspended just above the ground. They were driven through her head, upper torso, arms, and one of her legs.

The firing of the needles had made no noise and without such a noise the other three nekos hesitated a second. They glanced first at the impaled neko before they started to look around for enemies. Nyton quickly moved down to street level and swept across to the other side. As he did so he lashed out two tendrils which swung out at full distance. He visualized the tendrils to be razor sharp in the direction they flew. The force of his momentum plus that of the VAW itself gave the tendrils a snap which flew with so much speed that they went cleanly through two of the nekos at the waist and neck level. Dismembered arms dropped their weapons as the head and torso followed down soon after. The last neko looked over in fear as Nyton unstealthed. Aiming her weapon she began to open fire at him. The VAW's tendrils immediately retracted and created a smooth tapered cylindrical shield in front of Nyton. The projectiles from the neko's weapon veered off, deflected by the makeshift shield created by the VAW. Using the initiative Nyton charged ahead until he was in range. The shield was about to give when he then compelled the VAW to project four tendrils from the shield itself. The kinetic energy from the muzzle was transferred out along with extra mass. The four lashes grabbed the neko around her arms, neck, and waist. Snapping out they first caused her to drop her weapon before constricting. The force applied essentially squeezed down until her arms, neck, and even body were squeezed off. One target remaining. was the message given to him via AIES. The first neko was still alive, pinned down and twitching. Nyton walked up to her, aimed the VAW and slowly let out the tendrils to touch the needles holding her down. As soon as the hemosynth encountered the needles control was restored as though they had never left in the first place. The neko then exploded into a bloody mess as each needle expanded outward with spikes that tore the flesh apart.

Satisfied with the test Nyton retracted all of the VAW's appendages along with the reclaimed needles. Too easy though. Text book ambush in my favor. I'll give them more warning next time. The shield idea was okay but anything more powerful than an assault rifle will likely break through easily. he thought.

With the first encounter done Nyton then entered a building that his AIES warned him was being held by over a dozen hostiles. As soon as Nyton entered five nekos opened fire on him. The speed of the Daisy allowed him to move a little bit ahead of their fire. While dodging fire Nyton targeted the nearest enemies with the AIES. Using the AIES to guide his fire the VAW unleashed four tendrils that impaled three enemies in the chest and one through the leg. As soon as the tendrils stabbed through they then hooked out and firmly held each neko. Nyton then rolled to continue avoiding attack while the VAW then swung each impaled enemy at the last hostile. The neko tried to avoid the attack but was caught by all four bodies. Retracting the tendrils out of the bodies Nyton then reformed them into highspeed powersaw blades that extended out and cut through all five of the nekos. The bloody mess pooled in the room as the VAW finished retracting.

Not bad at all. AIES targetting works just as I had hoped. Nyton thought before he prepared to enter the next room of the building. He hoped the others would begin to get an idea of what else they can do with the VAW.

Yukari's disgust was not exactly hidden. The potential of the VAW was displayed with gruesome effectiveness. But killing unarmored Neko was pointless.

The shield and needle applications were of some use. But for the others ... what did they do that the turret blasters inside a normal Daisy's arm did not? They were weapons of terror. Terror Nyton had the capacity for. But he was a professional soldier; such terror was a weapon itself.

Yukari flexed her arm and came up with a VAW herself. She flexed the arm, waved it about from her perch on top of a building. She floated down to the ground, after the mess was cleared from walls. A hostile came from around the building and into the alley; another unarmored Neko. Yukari brought up the shield and took nearly a full magazine from the enemy. The moment she heard the click, the shield formed into a long cudgel. She closed the distance almost immediately and, with an easy swing, put the Neko out of commission.

The VAW's material recoiled back into the arm. She looked at it, then frowned. The standard arm shield would have absorbed the rounds, and I could have stunned her from a distance, without being seen. Hmmm ...

Nyton approached the next room carefully. He had been vicious with the last group but now he wanted to be a little more graceful. The next group was taking up defensive postures according to his AIES. Instead of bursting through the door Nyton crouched low and let the VAW's hemosynth almost ooze slowly out from the barrel. The fluid then flowed inward underneath the doorway as a thin tendril to avoid detection. It actually used obstacles in the room as cover before it reached a corner of the room to create a noise. The sound was loud enough to distract everyone for a second. That second was all the puddle of fluid needed. While the distractor was on one end of the room the puddle quickly moved to grab the nearest opponent. Instead of killing her it instead threw her into the others. With the added chaos created by this action the puddle flowed towards two nekos that had begun to fire upon it. The shots simply went through it as the puddle moved like an independant entity. Two tendrils lashed out but they were more like blunt objects than stabbing appendages. They succeeded in knocking out the two attackers. Another neko moved to start firing but this time at the door to where the controller of this monster might be. The puddle moved and sliced through the weapon she was using, simultaneously landing a knockout blow as it did so. Nyton finally decided to make his entrance so upon retraction he used the VAW to grab another attacker by the leg and pull her towards the door. The neko's body smashed through the doorway, getting knocked unconcious while creating an opening for Nyton. Aiming the VAW Nyton then fired off several needle rounds at opponents. The needles were blunted and the pressure behind them was not as strong as normal. Each neko the needle struck was knocked over and either stunned from the impact or hit unconcious. With all the attackers stunned Nyton finished clearing the room.

Even non-lethal applications can be given this weapon. However these were just unarmored opponents. Time to really test this out and prove the worth of my vision. Nyton thought as he exited the room. He veered off and made his way towards the Armored Opponents section of the simulation test.

OOC: Sorry this should have been done a long time ago. I had a tough time finding the time to complete this. Been really busy as of late.

Nyton arrived in the Armored Enemy section of the sim and typed a few buttons on a keyboard. "Run rising challenge simulation. First round, one enemy. Increase opponent count by one per progressive round. Melee approach only."

As soon as Nyton was done he looked across the street and saw a Black Spiral armor advancing. Alright bitch, lets see you tear my head off this time. he thought. Using the AIES to link up with the VAW, Nyton prepared for the attack. Immediately the enemy armor jumped him. With a simultaneous motion the Mindy brought out her aether beam rifle into saber mode and swung with a furious cross slash at Nyton from above. He ducked and side shifted via gravity control to avoid her attack. The VAW also lashed out during this maneuver to strike from below the saber arc. Two tendrils went sharp and attempted to penetrate the chest while a third grabbed her leg. In the same downward motion the Mindy traveled the leg grabbing tendril pulled down to try and use the combined kinetic force to drive the tendrils through.

The chest armor stopped the tendrils but the continued pressure began to create slight cracks on the surface. The Mindy then slashed at the tendril holding onto her leg and began to charge Nyton again but was stopped as he sent out three tendrils to grab the Mindy. He caught her by the arms and waist, binding her in place with some difficulty. He was about to send a fourth tendril out to begin chipping at the armor’s weaker points when it teleported out of his grip.

Instantly the Mindy was now behind Nyton and slashing at him to remove his head. Nyton however had anticipated where the Mindy’s next attack was coming from and had already ducked low to avoid the strike while the VAW tendrils came about. The Mindy was caught by two tendrils, one that was wrapped around the chest over the shoulders towards the waist while and the other went around the sword arm. The tendrils grew sharp tooth edges like a chainsaw and immediately began to rotate. Nyton focused on keeping the Mindy in place while the saw began to chew into the tough chest armor. Sparks were flying while the Mindy struggled to escape while it‘s teleportation unit recharged. With it’s free hand it reached for the tendril that held it’s sword arm in place. The tendril suddenly snapped and twisted around the hand. The armor around the wrist was not as strong as that of the main pieces and the saw sliced through in a few seconds. Meanwhile the chest armor was cracking and after fifteen seconds of sustained pressure it buckled under and shredded through into the pilot. A bloody mess ensued as the Armor and pilot separated into four pieces.

“Seriously Miharu, you think I would not expect an attack from behind?” Nyton muttered. He did not have long to reflect on the fight when two more Mindies appeared and began to attack him. The first Mindy went for Nyton’s legs with an aether sword while the second one went for his chest. Nyton immediately fell back defensively while the VAW slashed out in a random flurry of tendrils to deflect their attacks. He was able to barely avoid their attacks even as the VAW frustrated the two Mindy’s efforts. In the flurry of attacks Nyton used the commotion to wrap a tendril around one Mindy’s arm and pull her into her partner. They crashed together and gave Nyton a moment to take some initiative. At the same instant the two collided he sent one of the flurry tendrils that was already dispatched to wrap around the neck of the first Mindy. The armored collar would normally have prevented Nyton from getting a good hold but the tendril slipped underneath to the softer collar that it protected. With less than a second to think about it since he had already planned the next action, the VAW began to saw through the softer armor just as it did before. The Mindy was beheaded in the next instant evening up the odds.

The second Mindy saw what had happened and began to take measures to prevent the same fate from befalling her. It stepped back and avoided the swarm of tendrils that Nyton sent out. Since they were still on melee only properties the Mindy attempted to draw Nyton away from the ground and launched upward into the air. Deciding this would be another excellent testing ground Nyton flew up and followed. The VAW formed a hand clutching a spear which he held with both hands as he went up to meet the enemy. When he thrust forth with the spear the Mindy slashed at it. Nyton knew the beam saber would slice through the Yamataium hemosynth combination and allowed the loss of matter. No sooner had she cut through the shaft then the spear grew forth and reached out to grab the wrist of the Mindy. The spear turned tendril had now wrapped itself around the wrist and high speed sawed it off along with the beam saber. As the hand fell away the Mindy teleported and appeared underneath Nyton. It not only caught the beam saber but flew upward to run him through with it. Nyton dodged it but just barely as the beam caught his foot slightly and caused yellow level damage. He grimaced slightly but the VAW was already on AIES control to counter attack.

The Mindy was moving to follow through on it’s previous attack but it was in full range of the VAW. Four streams of tendrils streaked out and went to seize the Mindy. Realizing it was in danger of being snatched the Mindy began trying to slash through the tendrils and stop them but even when two of them were cut they merely continued to push forward to catch her. Nyton had the Mindy in his grasp and decided to use a new tactic to pierce her armor. With two tentacles to restrain the armor, two others began to spiral until they formed a high powered drill. The drill then began to strike at the armor in a steady advance. The concentrated kinetic force began to pierce into the chest plate after eight seconds of continuous application. In the next second the drill pushed through and into the pilot. Knowing that this would not be enough to kill the nekovalkyrja pilot he then turned the drill upwards to bore through her body and up into her head. The Mindy stopped thrashing and went limp while Nyton retracted the VAW from the corpse.

Nyton savored his initial success but knew that things would steadily grow more difficult. The two Mindys had already presented such a dangerous task and he had only succeeded by removing one opponent almost immediately. No sooner had he pondered this than the next round began with three Black Mindies appearing before him. Instead of attacking directly they split up and began to attack him from the left, above, and beneath. With aether beam sabers flashing Nyton found himself in retreat against the onslaught. As he flew back he tried to arc downward to escape but they kept up the pressure even as he veered to the sides and away. The VAW was able to send tendrils in all three directions at once but they were unable to dissuade the three attackers effectively enough so he determined he would have to avoid two while focusing on one.

The Mindy beneath him was close enough so he focused all four VAW tendrils on her while continuing to barely dodge the other two. He seized the lower Mindy’s sword arm and descended upon her with the rest of the tendrils. The Mindy struggled and Nyton flew in closer to her to prevent the other two from being able to attack him with full force. He attempted to remove the head from the neck but the Mindy teleported before he could accomplish this. Now all three Mindies were assaulting him from above. Even with the combined flurry of tendrils launched at them they could not be kept at bay and were advancing on him rapidly. Nyton began to take a few hits on his extremities as the sabers made small cuts to his armor, creating light damage to his status readout. It was only a matter of time before a more lethal strike was made. Nyton retreated at full speed but the Mindies were on him like a pack of wolves. He then decided to change the field and flew back into a building through an open window. The Mindies crashed through unharmed or deterred. As he crouched he then launched the VAW tendrils through the floor where they could not be readily seen and countered. The Mindies pounced but one was suddenly stopped short and pulled through the floor as the tendrils broke up through the floor and grabbed her feet. Nyton then fell through a hole in the floor he had been covering and went down to meet the single Mindy before her companions could chase after them. The tendrils already had a hold on the Mindy and were moving quickly. Instead of trying to penetrate the armor themselves it instead used the Mindy’s own weapon against her by slicing through the sword hand’s wrist. As soon as it had severed the hand from the arm the VAW tendrils seized it and drove it into the Mindy’s head, making sure to maintain the fingers in keeping the trigger pulled. The other two Mindies were already tearing through the floor at Nyton. One immediately teleported and appeared behind him. In an ironic twist it seized hold of him and held him so that the other Mindy could run him through with her sword. In the few seconds Nyton had before the sword could pierce him he let the VAW pour rather than fly out. They slithered quickly and wrapped around the elbow joints of the Mindy holding him in place. In the split second it had taken to wrap around they immediately power sawed through the joints. In simultaneous succession a tendril lashed out and grabbed the other Mindy’s sword arm, pulling the saber towards him and now crippled Mindy. Nyton could not completely avoid the attack and took the saber through his right shoulder. However his movement had thrown everything off and the other Mindy had now been stabbed through the chest. Before the other Mindy could teleport or try and throw off his tendril Nyton had the tendril travel up her arm and seize the neck, sawing it off as fast as possible.

With only the crippled Mindy remaining Nyton wasted no time with dispatching her even as she seemed stunned by having lost her arms and been stabbed through the chest. Nyton pulled the saber out from his shoulder and the Mindy’s chest. As soon as the hole created by the saber was exposed he sent the VAW’s tendril inside the armor via that hole and had it expand to fill the suit. The result was the pilot’s death as the body was expanded and crushed against it’s own suit. Nyton retracted the VAW and clutched at his shoulder for a second. The adrenaline was starting to run out and time began to flow at normal speed again. He did not think he could continue at this pace for much longer….

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One minute into the next round found Nyton dead. He had been stabbed through by all four Mindy armors as they overwhelmed him. In death he had managed to take one with him by removing her head while their guard was down.

The simulation then immediately deposited Nyton back at the beginning of the crossroads that led to the different challenges. With a sigh Nyton could only shrug and take heart in having at least beaten the third round before being slain so easily by four enemies. He was surprised at having survived at all. Then again he had limited the simulation to melee conditions only. Had there been firearms allowed he would not have lasted so long. Then again he would not have been fighting with only his VAW if that were the case.