RP: Cirrus Station [Episode 4] A Pleasant Dinner

Lorcan took one look at the avaliable weapony and chose a rifle. He loosened the straps that held his trench coat to his chest and shoo his coat till it was loose around him. Cassifin had over looked a loophole Lorcan inteneded to use. She had said it had to hit the person... She never said a word about it hitting the slack of his coat. With his his feet, hands and head in danger of being paintballed he looked forward to a good game... and perhapse some hard core cheating...

Jen was being overconfident, but it was more pre-game excitement that she believed required a bit more pre-game boasting, "We shall see who's cocky boy, after I get my first hit before you," Jen replied to Issac, smiling broadly anticipating the fight ahead.

She was then distracted by a rather unique team member from the squad this whole event was for in the first place. "So what are ya? If you don't mind me askin', doggy-boy?" Jen asked the Kohanian side glancing toward the tall creature looking up at him. And I thought the ID-Sols was the only creature that could be that tall, was Jen's mental opinion of the creature who was the first time standing next to a Kohanian.

"Dream?"

Tweak was getting very worried. The druidess wasn't saying anything, or moving much. Setting the rifle down and slinging her own over her shoulder, Tweak guided her friend to the nearest wall outside of the arena before heading back in. The Freespacer had walked to the floor and was standing still, maybe it was some system malfunction? Either way, Tweak wanted her out of the way of the game before things got rough...or Cassifin took out frustration on Dream while the latter was in no apparent condition to react.

But who was going to lead the team if Dream wasn't able to? I hope someone has a plan, the 'Spacer neko thought, unslinging her stainball gun and glancing at her teammates.

Mentally, she began reviewing the map her TacOpSys had made of the course as the walls rose from the floor. There wasn't much info concerning the height of the walls, but she knew the basic layout at least.

As the Blue Team started to make their way across to the other side, Cassefin called out to the one last time in a smaller voice, one indistinguishable to anyone outside of the immediate battlefield before them. "Oh, hey...why don't we make this game a little more...interesting. Let's say that when you lose you have to, oh, I don't know...run a lap around the room naked. That'll put some spring in your steps."

"Now!" Cassefin said, returning to the booming echo of a voice almost instantaneously, leaving either side little time to object to her new addendum. "Everybody get ready...we begin the match on the siren horn."

---

The circular battlefield was fairly large, taking up all of the bottom deck of the Science Crew Quarters in its construction. The playing area itself was divided into two near-symmetrical sides, with three distinct areas of interest on the left, right and center for each team.

To the Red Team's left, both teams could see a series of high-rising walls with only three visible entrances. This area was The Corridor Maze; a series of interlinking walls set in a perilous close-quarter maze. The center entrance from each teams side led directly into a straight corridor that directly connected both sides of the maze, with doors on the left and right leading off into the labyrinth itself. Obviously, those entering there would need to be very skilled at close-quarters combat, as well as smart enough to outwit the maze and their foes at the same time.

To the Blue Team's left was a markedly unique combat zone, consisting of three spinning platforms. On each of the platforms were 'tea cups'...or rather, an upturned conical structures that could easily be jumped into to provide all-around cover. The centermost spinning platform had four of these tea cups, while the other two sported only two. Each circular mass was spinning at a notable speed...easy enough to get into, but at the same time, somewhat impossible to beat the other team in if they are using the same strategy. It was plain to see that this area would be prime for a solid stalemate until either side either became too nauseated by the constant spinning, or performed some very creative maneuvers. This area was known as (not surprisingly) The Tea Cup Spinners.

Last, but not least, was the area directly in front of each team. At first glance, it was merely a large expanse separated by columns and small barriers, with a barren area dead in the center. However, after a short amount of time between the wait for Cassefin to sound the starting horn, the barricades and columns littering the center area slowly sank into the floor while other protrusions replaced them in different areas. The Barrier Field looked to be an interesting fighting area with constantly changing cover, meaning both teams would also need to constantly be able to adapt new strategies and positions.

All in all, a fun little zone.

---

Both sides had a few moments to survey the area as they awaited for the bell...and before long, their anticipation had come to fruitation; a loud bullhorn sounded through the science quarters, and almost immediately garnered a response from both sides.

George immediately leaped towards The Corridor Maze, well-covered by the large barrier blocking the Blue Team's view. Lenny, of course, was right behind him, the giant ID-SOL lumbering quickly and awkwardly to catch up to his minuscule counterpart.

Cassefin, on the other hand, stood her ground at her end of The Barrier Field, gracefully taking cover behind a waist-high barricade with a hefty amount of unnecessary flourish.

The match was on!

Before the match started, and while he surveyed and weighed the options of each individual zone, the Kohanian listened to Jen's question, and answered it fairly quickly.

"My name is Deacon, not Doggy Boy, and I am a Kohanian. I come from a world known only as Neo Kohana, where my race makes up the majority, coming from all species of animal you may be familiar with..."

Cracking his neck, he was startled by the suddenly booming voice of the administrator telling them that they would go on the horn. Taking a final look around the field, the male chose his strategy, shouldered his rifle, and sprinted on all fours towards the Corridor Maze. He saw the ID Sol and his buddy head that way as well, down the open center corridor, but quickly darted into the first right hand hallway he came to, finding it quickly became a dead end...But that didn't mean the Kohanian couldn't use it.

Returning the way he came, he found where the hallway started and made his way back to the first right hand corner, and just stood there, kneeling, and let his sensitive canine ears listen for anyone coming.

Naked?! was the last thought that passed through Keziah's mind before the horn went off.

She quickly scanned the area, and darted towards the corridor maze, close on the heels of Deacon. At least, until he ran straight into the maze and disappeared around a corner. She went the opposite way, ducking into the first hall on her left, then stopping and aiming her rifle down the hallway.

If anybody wanted in, she'd at least have a shot at them.

"Really now? Alright, but I'm holding you to that, Ma'am." The last part of the challenge seemed to amuse Claire more than anything. Then again, she was likely one of the few who honestly would find no embarassment in keeping that end of the bargain if they lost. If Cassefin was trying to make her ashamed of herself, she would have to try something else to get under Claire's skin.

---------------------------------------------------

This was an interesting arena, she'd give miss Montreal that much. Surveying her options, she noticed Deacon and Keziah enter the maze, but then she also noticed the side entrance which the red team could possibly use to flank them. Seeing this, Claire dashed as fast as she could to the 'wall' that seperated the area from the center and pressed her back to the end of it. Noting Cassefin decided to take center field, she edged over so she wouldn't be able to take a clear shot at her unless she moved forward, which she hoped the other members of her team would discourage such an action.

Claire watched the alternate entrance to the maze, hiding around the corner opposite to it. If anyone decided to try that entrance, they'd find themselves immediately shot. If her cover was one of those that shifted, she'd merely move down to the long and solid wall instead.

(If you're curious, she sprinted to the middle block just to the left of the words 'The Barrier Field', taking cover on the side facing their end of the field.)

Jen's frowned at the Kohanian, The guy certainly doesn't take a joke huh? she contemplated, when shortly the round began.

Her first action was kneeling down, then slowly headed to the barrier field, It's a big area, and it seems to shift around a lot, it's my kind of war zone. She slowly kept along the walls peeking around the corners until she reached the Barrier Field and it's ever changing state. I will just hang here and see if anyone comes out, I just hope somebody covers the Tea set area ya know? Jen stayed silent and waited by the center block just before the barrier field for incoming charges.

Do a lap of the room naked? This wasn't something that Stovaa particularly thought he'd enjoy doing, but the smirk on his face said it all: He wasn't going to be doing it. He was going to win.

On the sound of the horn, he dashed towards two walls near the barrier field. They left a neat nook that he crouched in, raising his rifle and drawing a bead near to the teacup spinners, getting a good view of the middle one. He decided to wait a few seconds before moving again, seeing if anyone would step out of cover and into his view.

(5 seconds in and already I'm camping. Too much CoD4, I think )

Isaac quickly jogged to the right side of the battlegrounds, heading for the tea cup area. He stopped for a moment and patted Stovaa on the shoulder two times, " Cover me." He muttered as he knelt next to him. He was going to attempt to position himself on the side of the first tea cup and move up from there, hopefully Stovaa would agree to his attempt. They needed the tea cup side protected, since most of them decided on the maze side. Isaac started to analyze the situation in his mind.

Let's see, most of our team has moved into the maze side. So, there's a possible chance there will be a standstill on that section. Yet, at the same time there will be a good chance that many of them will head over to the tea cup side. Hopefully they are smart enough to cover both sides of the field, yet.. the administrator... she went down the middle, or what I could tell when I glanced. I could be wrong though, better stay aware of her, she probably has a trick up her sleeve.

With that train of thought, Isaac pulled on the top of his gun, checking for the rounds inside the clip. Taking a deep breath repeatedly, he waiting for Stovaa to respond.

No, n-n-nononono... Tweak slowly began shaking her head as Cassifin made her announcement, her face going pale and her thoughts gaining a nervous stutter. No, this wasn't good. She couldn't lose, her team couldn't lose. She closed her eyes and tried to regain her composure for the game at hand. If she couldn't lose, she had to win. And to win, she had to focus.

Then the horn sounded and her team left. Left her. No plan. No organization. What the heck kind of security team was this? Tweak saw Isaac meet up with Stovaa and he appeared to be wanting to coordinate with the strange alien, but everyone else just scattered.

"Everyone for themselves, I guess," Tweak muttered as she darted to the right, toward the maze, but stopped just outside the maze with her shoulder to the barrier ((OOC: Under the "e" in "maze" on the map.)) While working as a team provided her with better cover at her back and better immediate coverage of the field, Tweak knew she could handle the coverage part in a more-or-less adequate manner on her own. It would just be better to have someone else there...she thought of Dream and a sad look flicked across her face.

Meanwhile, her Tactical Operating System was having the time of its life. Well, it would be if it felt anything, being just a program designed to analyze incoming tactical data and advise the NH-7 on what to do. But it was fulfilling its purpose admirably, and that was good enough.


The TacOpSys information silently murmured in Tweak's head at a speed many times faster than her conscious thoughts with the code streaming by faster than a human could comprehend as it worked in the background. As Tweak took cover, a sparse, three-dimensional wire-frame render of the field overlaid her vision and combined her thermal vision and echolocation (sonar) overlays to show where her team mates and opponents were.

Tugging down the flaps of her knit cap, and making sure the LEDs on it were turned off, Tweak moved to the side of the barrier toward the center of the field (toward the Blue-team's left side) and hefted her rifle. A glowing beam traced across her vision from the muzzle of her gun showing exactly where it would fire, automatically estimating the speed and fall rate of the bullet. Unfortunately, she was using conventional firearm data, which was bound to be off since she hadn't fired a Stainball gun yet. But it would correct itself as she learned to use it. Adding to that, each of the "foe"-marked targets in her vision had a thin glowing outline around each figure, showing whether they were in cover or not. Green: Covered. Yellow: Firing from cover. And, when the outline turned red, a bright reticule highlighted the part of the body that was open to fire.

We WILL win...

She located Cassifin easily enough...but the woman was too far away, and well-covered for now by the variable barriers in Center. However, Lenny was a very large target...And no one seemed to be looking up.

I'd better hold off on that for now...it's a good surprise tactic for later, especially if I can lure Headmaster Real in here, smiled Tweak. Those two are sticking together, but The Big One is not as spry as The Small One and he's still trying to follow him closely. If I can take him out...Deacon can help here.

Tweak went back to the right side of her barrier ((OOC: Back under the "e" now)) and darted to the corridor-style entrance and aimed for the first right-hand opening ((first left-hand opening down on the map)). George and Lenny might have had a shot at her, but they'd have been hard-pressed to see her before she vanished into the hallway.


((EDIT: Made directional alterations to correct my mis-reading of Deacon's post. See my second OOC thread post with the map attachment, once I make it.))

Serra squatted behind one of the barriers on the Red side, and took stock of the people with her. That being Lorcan.

"Well." She muttered flatly, "what should we do?"

Stovaa nodded at Isaac and leant back slightly, getting a slightly better view, almost up to the third set of teacups. "Keep a look out, I can't cover the entire side" he whispered before he raised the rifle and worked it back and forth across the visible gap, finger itching on the trigger.

"When you've moved up, give me a wave and I'll move up again too, we need to sweep this area and find a good piece of cover before we close in for the kill." His military training was coming to the fore, though he really didn't expect it to be used to shoot his boss in the boobs with coloured balls of paint, he was planning on blasting open all kinds of aliens.

He cleared his mind and focused on the space in front of him, trying to make any reactionary fire as fast and neat as possible.

"Ok Isaac, ready when you are..."

Cassefin gave Serra and Lorcan a droll glance through her rose-tinted goggles from behind her cover. "Well, there are two enemies coming up from that side," Cassefin answered Serra, quickly gesturing over in the direction of the tea-cup spinners. "George and Lenny are taking care of the maze, and I will be effortlessly taking the center field and picking them off. Maybe you two should go, I don't know...intercept the other two on the spinners. If you really want to-"

Cassefin stopped mid-sentence and flipped her weapon forward, towards the opposite end of the field...a straight shot directly at the Squad 35 captain, Dream, who had been seated comfortably just on the edge of the arena. Apparently Cassefin did not realize Tweak had unofficially removed her captain from the game.

True to her previous boasts, Cassefin seemingly knew how to fire a weapon; her stance as she aimed and fired her weapon from her kneeling position of pristine and text-book, and the shots were remarkably straight. This seemed to be for naught, however, as there was a large pillar directly blocking Cassefin's line of sight with Dream...but as soon as the Head Administrator rose to fire, the barrier blocking Dream began melting down into the floor in a near simultaneous instant.

---

Tweak, Deacon, Claire and Keziah would reach the maze just in time to see George coming snaking his way from his ends' entrance, with his large ID-SOL cohort hot on his heels. The two had just enough time to duck into a doorway to their right, but almost as soon as they disappeared behind the corner, George and Lenny peeked the tops of their heads back out slowly and almost comically. No doubt they were checking to see if any of the Blue Team were going to rush the center corridor.

"I think controlling the barriers counts as cheating Administrator." Serra piped up when she looked over the wall she was behind to watch Cassifin take her shot.

Tweak made it into the corridor on her left without incident, and apparently unnoticed by George and Lenny. She made her way through the turns quickly enough and found Deacon.

"Hey...Deacon...I need your help. George and Lenny are on this side of the maze, and if I draw them out can you take them out?" she asked in a very quiet, but forceful whisper. The small lady was clearly back in combat mode, a very different manner of behavior than the withdrawn and shy way she had acted since Prilisa incident. In fact, Prilisa IV was the only other time Deacon had seen her act this way.

She raised her eyebrows at the hyena anthromorph as she finished her request, awaiting a response and somewhat in a hurry to get it.

Then she looked up and "past" Deacon, frowning as an alert appeared on her vision.

Tweak's TacOpSys hadn't tagged Dream as a player, so the shot didn't line up with anyone on the field. Why was Headmaster Real firing at nothing? The shot was level, so it wasn't a misfire, was it? Tweak's mouth pulled a little to one side thoughtfully, but looked back at Deacon as he answered.

((EDIT: For Cassi's shot. Forgot to write that in last night.))

She fell to her stomach as a shot whizzed by down the center, Jen couldn't tell if it hit or not, but it did signify who was probably in the center. A sniper? I might just go out and have some fun then Jen thought as she moved back into a crouch.

Leaning out looking for someone to shoot, though also seeing if it's clear she began to move into the barrier field, close to a wall that began to raise. Well I either win or lose I guess, if I'm against two then maybe I'll be able to slow them down. While in thought she hugged to the right side of the wall looking around the side to see any potential targets.

Seeing the maze be reinforced again, Claire turned around and peeked around the corner to towards the center field... to see Cassefin shooting at a player that was not only out of the game, but one completely behind a barrier to begin with. 'Go figure...'

Well Ms Montreal was going to have to work for her victory one way or another. Claire raised her rifle and fired a burst at her, then ducking back around the corner without even waiting to see if it hit or not.

The shots were barely audible to Keziah as she carefully aimed down the central corridor of the maze, kneeling and keeping a tight profile. She didn't fire when she saw the two slip into the maze, but when they peered back around the corner it was too good of a target to let go.

Being shot in the face is viable, right? was the only brief thought that flitted through her mind as she squeezed the trigger, snapping off several quick shots at the two men.

"Does it matter?" Lorcan grumbled from where he crouched close to Serra.

And then with a grin "You see Serra, nobody thought of going up... or around from what I can tell on our part..." And then he grinned, lifted his gun and crept off to their left.

He scurried across the center to the maze and inched across the wall, using the entrance barrier to cross to the other side without getting shot and then began the long trip around the outer edge of the maze, glad to see it was a seamless wall.