Jul 4 109 PA - Tolkeen's Ambassador

From Chronicles

And so, the group of five has finally met at the city gates to join with the ambassador. The fellow is pretty bland though, attired in well traveled robes adorned with all sorts of magic symbols. His (the stature is male) eyes are the only thing barely visible amongst ti all. But that is all the fashion for many mages so he fits right in.

Erebos stands near the gates his gaze traveling from the Ambassador, to the other four, then travels along the other people that are in the gate area. He shifts the sling for his rifle higher on his shoulder and his hand falls to the hilt of his Vibro-sword in an unconscious gesture confirming it is there and easy to draw before moving closer to Gabriel. Around his waist is a new belt that is covered in small pockets and hooks from which close to half a dozen grenades hang. There is also a sheathed knife and a flashlight hanging from this new belt. "Well Sir, this is the Ambassador we are to escort?" He asks with one more look at the robed man.

Leonard is present, clad in bland gray armor over which is draped a cloak. While not robes, it is more fashionable than just the armor. His helm is tucked under an arm for the moment, and one familiar raven is perched upon his left shoulder. Over his right hovers a sphere that glows and pulses with swirling energies. Not unlike a nexus, to mystical senses, but on a much smaller, portable scale.

Sithik is waiting along with the others, a few odds and ends that he normally does not have seem apparent, in the line of weapons. He is armed today, Laser Bow and grenades, even a pair of goggles for optics. The reptilian creature normally with him is not this day however. Guess he was left at home, punished maybe.

Gabriel has been waiting out near the gates in combat gear for a few hours, going over a small cargo bag and making sure that his jet pack and weapons are all in place. He's stacked for a potential twelve-hour hold, but the jet pack over his shoulders is hopefully a means of emergency escape and non-tiring transport. Two rifles, pistols, grenades... a man going into a war zone, indeed. When Erebos approaches, he gives the man a solid nod and a smile - visible, since his helmet is currently tucked beneath his free arm. However, before confirming it absolutely, he approaches the man, making sure that he's introduced himself. "Mr. Ambassador? I'm Gabriel Blaze, who's been in contact with your government. This is the team that's going to take you to your destination and back. Leonard, our mage. Erebos, a good soldier. Sithik, our curious hunter, and.. Valeriya, also a mage should be along shortly. Are there any last minute details or changes to the plan?"

Valeriya is near Leonard, wearing what looks to be a brand new set of Gladiator armor. Her helmet is off and on her hip. On her shoulder is a winged lizard. She gestures to the ambassador and whispers to Leo.

"No changes, but plenty of details that will come to light throughout your job I'm sure. The world is full of surprises." The man notes with a welcome gesture to the group. His voice is warm, giving him an appealing demeanor. "First off what you should all already know. We are heading to Tolkeen first to join 25 others that will form our complete escort to free Quebec territory. Once there your mission is to hide and protect our operation as we go about efforts to aid the Quebec forces against the CS." He explains.

Erebos nods to the man as he speaks then tightens the straps on his helmet which has always been on. After one more quick hand tapping to confirm his gear is with him and secure he stands waiting for the job to start.

Leonard chuckles and nods to Valeriya with a quiet word or three before acknowledging the ambassador. "The return to Tolkeen will be an easy one, and the trip to our goal nearly as so." His own equipment is minimal and was already checked more than once, so he no longer concerns himself with it.

Sithik listens to the ambassadors briefing appearing all ready to make the journey to Tolkeen. Just a glance to each of the others to note their readiness.

Valeriya smirks, giving a free nod. "I love surprises." She cheers wit sincere enthusiasm

"If there's anything that you can tell me about the of your operation, the better the five of us can complete ours," Gabriel says. It's now that the others in the team are officially noted with thanks, handshakes where applicable or accepted, and general appreciation for showing up. "But perhaps we can discuss that with the rest of your bodyguard in Tolkeen." Gabriel gives the ambassador a brief, shallow nod and fixes his helmet in place, with the visor raised. Damn environmental armor can get stuffy for a man like him. His left hand takes hold of the cargo bag, and he looks around before declaring himself ready to travel.

The man nods to Leonard. "I would hope so. I'm shifting us directly to the escort's staging area." He states in a jovial tone before turning to lead everyone a little bit away from everything. "Yes, we will be free to disclose many more details to make you more effective at the staging area. Our people will have current intel and everything waiting for us."

Erebos is ready to go and with the ambassador's words he twists his rifle on its strap so that it is ready to be used but still slung over a shoulder. "I'm ready to go when everyone else is." He states to no one in particular.

"Ah, of course," Leonard has no reason to prefer they travel otherwise. His helm is now donned as well; Leonard agrees with Gabriel on the claustrophobic containment. "I am prepared to travel."

Sithik gives a quick nod adding in with Erebos and Leonard, "I am ready as well." moving to where he will be ready to move through the rift once opened.

Valeriya slips on her helmet, following everyone out to the departure point. For the moment she has little else to add to it all.

What can Gabriel do, but bring up the rear, and wave goodbye to Kingsdale? He does as much, hoping to get more information at their destination.

A few moments of concentration leaves room for an awkward silence before reality tears to create a door beyond this dimension. Hopefully it returns to it on the other side, That certainly was the stated plan. "Ok everyone through, I will follow right behind you all." The ambassador states.

Erebos steps through the rift as soon as it opens swing the rifle up into a ready position just before entering it. Crossing through to the other side he takes a few quick steps out of the way while looking around for any sign of danger.

Leonard regards the portal and Erebos' entrance to the same before following suit. A few simple steps to their first way point. Travel in this manner is pretty much commonplace to him.

Sithik does not hesitate when the rift opens and the ok to move is given. He soon disappears from one place to end up where ever the rift drops him.

Valeriya jumps through the portal, no weapon drawn. Just herself and her lizard traveling into the unknown.

Gabriel is confident enough to take the Tolkeen man's word, keeping his rifles stowed though his pistol and shorter weapon are readily available. He mutters something about mutual trust and steps through toward what dissolves into a clearly temporary camp. Being from Kentucky, he probably hasn't done this much, but adapting is fairly important to being alive when all you have is a brain. On the other side, he steps out of the way and looks around the area to try and get an accurate count of numbers and types - even if he may not know what they are.

The ambassador follows everyone through and the dimensional door quickly closes behind him. Everyone there in one piece he relaxes some and pulls back his robes to revealed a bald middle aged man with various runes adorning his skin. "Well now, everyone has all their parts yes?" He asks with a smirk before looking to the camp. "And it looks like everyone is here..." He adds before looking to one of the men in robes. "Jordan the prisoners are ready?" He asks and the man quickly nods. "Yes of course Master Theon, two groups of five."

Erebos continues to watch the group around the ambassador and those in the camp, his weapon is still held at the ready but is not aimed at anything in particular. To the ambassador's question he just nods to confirm he has his parts.

"My limbs were polite enough to accompany, yes," Leonard chuckles in answer to the rhetorical question. He looks over the staging area before asking a pertinent question. "Will you also provide transportation to our final destination? If not, I should make preparations to do so."

Sithik tilts his head slightly at the call for prisoners, looking among the gathered for those who may be said prisoners. "How soon before we make the next leg of the journey? I have preparations as well, though I only need a few moments."

Valeriya takes some time to be curious in their new location. Poking around the setup camp and checking out everyone's attire. She does so quietly, very unobtrusive.

Rather than being concerned with missing parts or even moving on to their next destination, Gabriel has a separate question and doesn't mind voicing it. "Prisoners, Mr. Ambassador? I saw that we were missing ten of your group when we arrived, but I wasn't expecting to be dealing with prisoners. You said that I'd receive more information about the operation here at the camp?" For now, any further questions are left unasked.

The Ambassador shakes his head to calm Gabriel. "Oh you wont have to deal with them Mr Blaze. My people will have that all under control. And you are right, we are missing some of our group. Those prisoners have to be 'exchanged' at our location." He explains briefly before drawing the attention of all gathered. "Everyone, do please be patient and mingle for a moment. I must take some time to consider the current intel to adjust our briefing accordingly.

Erebos stands in roughly an 'at ease' pose, rifle ready but relaxed. He nods again at the Ambassador's word then looks to Gabriel for any other sort of orders. Lacking that he will wait in silence for the upcoming briefing.

Leonard will wait for the briefing before asking further questions. For now, the suggestion of mingling and looking around seems sensible. He moves to join Valeriya and occupies himself with making observations.

Sithik has no issue with having to be patient. He too takes some time to wander the camp and get a feel for those they are joining. Taking note of how they are equipped and what else might be coming along.

"A lot of aces under the sleeves here. But nothing rare at all. Its a powerful group but clearly expendable." Valeriya notes to Leonard with a shrug. Having completed her rounds she heads back towards Gabriel to consider strategy.

Gabriel doesn't seem to be very comfortable with the mention of an 'exchange' at a Canadian nexus, but keeps his thoughts to himself. Instead, he mingles, even encouraging Erebos, "See what you can get out of those guys," he says, pointing to five of the mercenaries in heavy gear. "I'll talk to the slim ones." He almost sketches a salute - doesn't, but sort of - and moves off to his own designated area, looking for whatever they have to add about what they know of this operation and any possible goals that he hasn't heard of. Checking over to see what kind of gear they're outfitted with. Mingling. Perhaps opening with something along the lines of, "Afternoon, guys. We're out of the Kingsdale area, where do you guys operate out of?"

The heavier guards are clearly set for defense. Their gear aimed at drawing the line and holding it. The lighte4r ones are scouts to counter such a heavy handed position. "The hivelands. We were part ofr the scout group sent to verify the coalition forces demise when they were driven north." Their leader answers with a shrug to Gabriel. Meanwhile the ambassador walks over to a set up table and two boxes appear before him. He opens one and it clearly looks to hold the mentioned intel. First is a map he unfolds to cover the table.

Erebos moves over to the Mercs that he was directed to slinging his rifle as he goes. Once there he introduces himself and begins to talk with them, doing his best to gather information without either seeming to or give away too much of his own.

"Well, we didn't expect an entire army, did we?" Leonard shrugs at Valeriya. "They wouldn't have asked for our aid if they didn't need or want it." When the Ambassador begins to promptly set up for the impending briefing, he begins to make his way back in that direction.

Sithik does more observing and listening than any talking of his own. He's not gathering intel on the group, just getting a feel for its people. When things seem to be getting ready to get started, he wanders back over to be sure he is ready to listen.

"Not an entire army no. Just pointing out what I see. I am coming into this blind you know."

Valeriya remarks back to Leonard with a shrug. "So then, we know their hand. What's ours?"

Having mingled as asked and finding bits of useful information, Gabriel offers some banter only to ask how long they've been working with the ambassador's group. But, as the directed mingling has been done, he makes no bones about wandering toward the maps and recent intelligence that he was asked to wait on. He's tasked for defense of the operation's key element, and will explain, that he thus needs to develop a picture of the intelligence for himself, if anyone asks. Further advice is certainly appreciated, but there's nothing like seeing it with your own eyes. A glance is given to Erebos, to see how he's doing, but most of his focus is being invasive on the intelligence.

The heavies explain they are Tolkeen militia, recruited from its surrounding lands to defend their home. All were present on the front lines throughout the war and have gained considerable experience therein. At the table the map looks to detail a section of Quebec. Presumably the group's destination is one of the two points marked on it. The ambassador reads over the papers from one of the transported boxes before nodding as he notices people gathering. "Right, so this is the territory we are heading into.."

Erebos continues to talk with the heavies for a few more moments then excuses himself to wander over closer to the maps and such to be ready for the briefing that was mentioned. He stands easily without any outward sign of concern, the full environmental armor however, covers any reaction he would have.

Leonard lowers his eyes to the map as the Ambassador references it. "No worse than the rest of us, Valeriya," he informs her before gesturing with his chin towards the map and speaker. "It looks that we'll be made more aware."

Sithik takes note of the markings on the map laid out on the table. He awaits for more of an explanation now of what he sees from the ambassador.

Valeriya blinks at that revelation. "Really? I would have thought your planning meeting would have at least covered independent strategy. Whether we are hiding or defending and such." She notes with a shrug before looking to the map as well.

Though he undoubtedly has questions waiting to be asked right off the bat, Gabriel holds his tongue, keeping his visor up for both comfort and ease of listening. The cargo bag is lowered to the ground at his feet, and he takes a moment to give that arm a slight windmill to keep the muscles loose. Leaving the various incarnations of mages to see what they see, he waves to pull Erebos closer. "Gimme a second set of eyes, would ya? Maybe we'll get something useful out of it." He glances around, wondering which of the locals is going to be presenting the information.

"Our destination is here on your right. The encroaching coalition line is on the left. Our timing is a little tight on the distance between us. But it will not get any better. I don't foresee us needing a great deal of time in the initial arrival either." The ambassador explains. "Now as you can see the terrain is densely forested, hilly and has many lakes and waterways. All of these will slow the Coalition advance considerably. Our destination is a nexus. Coalition strategy will be to heavily fortify it so that nexus activity cannot attack their flank once their force continues ahead. Our general plan is to leave some surprises that will prevent that fortification." Any questions so far?

Erebos moves closer and looks at the map with Gabriel, "I will keep my eyes and ears open for anything of value." He mutters to the other man. After examining the map he stands and waits for the briefing to begin. He considers the words that are spoken for a moment then asks "What kind of surprises are we to be leaving?"

"Our task is defense; protection and/or concealment of the Ambassador's efforts. We planned accordingly," Leonard clarifies softly for Valeriya. "Finer details on the current state of things awaited, until now." He gestures towards the presenter of said details pointedly. "Yes, do you have your surprises planned, or do you intend to ad lib?" As an afterthought, he turns a grin to Valeriya. "You asked for surprises..."

Sithik listens to the explanation of the marks as he looks over the terrain to potentially locate good ambush points along their route. "Do we know their numbers?"

Valeriya nods to her desire for the unexpected. "I can work with it." She agrees before considering the scene laid out before them. "Approximately how much time will it take for them to cover that distance, terrain considered?" She asks.

"Have the Québécois already been defeated enough in this area that the Coalition is on an inevitable roll over them right now?" Gabriel asks, pointing to the space between the lines. "Basically, at the apparent rate of failure how fast might we expect the Coalition to advance?" He then echoes Sithik's question, with the added detail of what types of units are operational in the region, and what might reasonably be expected to be on call as a reinforcement to the primary Coalition line. He leaves the questions of magical surprises to the professionals save for the singular, "How obvious will our arrival be?"

The ambassador shakes his head to Gabriel. "This area was not really defended by the Quebecois. As you are probably aware their lands are vast, there is no armor that could cover it all. This is open territory well outside the Quebec lines. The forces coming are sufficient to secure the nexus, but mostly ground based so as to not be vulnerable to Quebecois counterattack. A squadron of scouts is airborne but have already cleared our area. Otherwise it will consisted of over a dozen apcs and maybe 5 times that number in power armor. You can all relax in that there should be zero chance of us facing that force head on. What we do expect to face are its scouts. Airborne and ground based they must not catch wind of our efforts bwefore they are culminated, or a large air force will respond with haste. We have safely 45 minutes to set the trap. And our arrival will not be apparent to any not in the immediate vicinity."

Erebos stands quietly for a moment as questions are asked and answered then speaks his own question "If for some reason the scouts do see us are we able to leave the area faster then the large air force could arrive?" He is not the strategist of the group so therefore does not ask much else wise.

Leonard can answer Erebos' question, himself. "If there is a dire need to evacuate, we can do so in seconds. Obviously, we don't want there to be a need. So," his attention returns to the ambassador, "we will place our surprises and withdraw ahead of the ir advance? Or leave entirely?"

Sithik seems satisfied with the outlook of the upcoming encounter. He continues to listen as he formulates how he can best serve in this mission, eager to begin.

Valeriya nods slowly as its all laid out, and is satisfied for the moment.

Pointing again to the topographic map, Gabriel asks, "What kind of aerial and ground-based scouts? Also, could you please define 'safely forty-five minutes to set the trap?' Does that mean we start the clock when we arrive and pray that no one spots us because we know that we'll be seen when the clock hits the three-quarter hour, give-or-take a few minutes?" He looks over to Leonard's reply, somewhat at ease with the evacuation plan. "Plus, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I was told that we might have to hold the position for a full twelve-hours. Has that changed?"

"After we arrive, we will have 45 minutes until Coalition artillery levels the vicinity of the nexus. Standard strategy, is that they clean the slate. So we'd like to vacate that location before hand." The ambassadors answers to Gabriel before nodding to confirm Leonard's explanation of retreat. "Once the trap is set we will withdraw outside of the ground scouts range for further efforts. See this force is the head of a major Coalition supply train. And twelve hours is the maximum time I might need to do everything I can to make sure that train is very beleaguered."

Erebos nods once then looks around "Everyone here is going to be coming with correct, and you have not mentioned yet when in this 45 minute window the prisoners will be exchanged." He shifts to stand in a pose more like attention then at ease but not quite either.

"We must leave hindrances that will survive the artillery barrage," Leonard attempts to summarize his understanding of the overview, "and preferably not appear until the main force arrives. That is no simple task. What gifts did you plan to leave? I can only assume that you will make use of the nexus, itself."

Sithik simply listens having nothing more to add or question, some of it getting a bit more technical than he is used to.

"Could cause a lot of trouble in five hours." Valeriya mumbles, not having much else to contribute either.

Gabriel gives Erebos an amused, 'I was going to ask that' look, and adds on, "What kind of exchange is this going to be if this supply train is going to be bulling forward? It doesn't sound like they're anticipating a white flag and prisoner swap. Again, what kinds of aerial and ground scouts? Light infantry like those guys?" He points toward the men out of Xiticix territory. "Flying armor? Again, how many might we expect." Magic matters are left to the mages.

"The prisoners will be left, safely outside of the barrage. Sure to rejoin with their arriving forces. And unaware of what they carry. On that point I must be very clear. No one is to have contact with a prisoner if their armor is unsealed." The ambassador states firmly. "Now I cant be exactly certain what scouts will be employed. But generally against us the coalition used skycycles for long scouts. Light samas for medium. and scout spider skull walkers for close. Bare infantry are not expected, they could not keep ahead of the force effectively. Numbers for this force would be less then a handful of each."

Erebos nods again at the new information then walks over to look at the map again, his attention still on what is being said.

Leonard nods as the statements answer some of his curiosities, also. He has no immediate questions or comments to add at the moment. Not to the ambassador, that is. Valeriya receives an amicable nudge and chuckle. "You could, and you will. I'm sure you'll find ways to be productive and entertain yourself, both."

Sithik continues to listen to the potential makeup of the troops being used. Still he has nothing to add or question as Gabriel has the questions covered and so far, good answers.

Valeriya snickers to Leo. "You should know better than to encourage me." She notes before nodding to the general plan so far. "So strategy suggestions from keeping from seeing what you are up to?"

Gabriel raises his hand in an ironic gesture to interrupt the flow of things. "Excuse me. What they carry? Unsealed armor?" There is a mild shrug followed by, "Are we giving the Indians blankets?" He clears his throat, then specifies, "Old way of saying, biological warfare? If you could be as specific as possible, please." Clearly, this is an important topic to him, one important enough that he does his best to catch Erebos' eye and wave him closer to possible conference, even as he puts some small distance between himself and the briefing. The amusing antics of Kingsdale's representative mages are left for themselves and others to enjoy.

"Of a sort." The ambassador confirms to Gabriel before nodding to Valeriya. "Well given that you have a shifter and two familiars you could be quite capable of intercepting and harrying the ground based scouts. Give the force the impression of Quebecois using guerrilla warfare. The airborn will quickly respond, so you will need to be nimble in leading on the chase. My five associates will keep a screen against airborne surveillance of the nexus. Delay the ground based scouts from countering that for 45 minutes and that part of the mission will be complete."

Erebos moves back to where he had been in the briefing "Just what kind of bio-warfare are we escorting, considering there was nothing mentioned in the contract about it? I am wondering because I would like to know what I need to wash my armor down with afterward before I get out of it."

"I think that we can harass, hinder, and confuse," Leonards states with more than a little confidence and glances towards Valeriya. "Those are your specialties, are they not?" Erebos' question causes him to chuckle. "Try not to fraternize too much with the prisoners?" Still, it is a worthwhile thing to ask.

Sithik knows what he needs to do, now he simply waits until its time to leave. He seems unconcerned with the situation regarding the prisoners.

Valeriya nods in agreement to Leonard. "No sweat, will be a good warm up."

For now, Gabriel does nothing more but await an answer to the questions posed by others. Save for fading back and trying to pull Erebos in his direction again, though there's nothing surreptitious about it.

"The supernatural kind. But you need not worry. Unless you spend time with a prisoner who is not sealed in their EBA and are not sealed yourself there is no chance of infection. It is not a contagion that can survive outside of a host at all." The ambassador explains.

Erebos waits for the answer to his question then moves away to join Gabriel, no further comment made to the ambassador or the others at the briefing.

Sithik being content on what has been said, moves to the back to await departure. Giving a chance for any others to get a look at the map that he may have been in the way of.

Valeriya calmly waits as details are hashed

Questions answer, and a fair distance away from the primary conversation, Gabriel leans in toward Erebos and speaks. Gabriel mutters to Erebos, "Look,... might get... is... prisoners are to... they are in no... instrument of... no matter how... it might... Supernatural... what... unwitting... I'm done.... sit... this camp, or in... itself... complete... be spilled,... will... So... is... I... as your... and... -... these... can... visit... we... to Kingsdale better men... it.... a... my friend.... You, me,... say, Erebos?..."

The ambassador patiently waits as Gabriel and Erebos consider the plan laid out.

Erebos mutters to Gabriel, "... can... there... the... agreed... job that we... asked.... have... of... out... moment.... of... information... forth... and... terms... the... decided... knowing the... involved."

Gabriel smiles and gives Erebos a pat on the shoulder, almost a proud one, before walking back to where he can speak to the ambassador. "Mr. Ambassador, I'm sorry but my associate and myself must withdraw from this operation. We understand if you want to keep us here until your mission is complete, in the interest of operational secrecy, but we simply cannot take part." It's brief, and to the point.

Valeriya's expression sours with Gabriel's withdrawal. She throws her hands in exasperation before simply muttering "Typical."

Sithik looks to Gabriel and Erebos surprised. This turn of events completely unexpected to the hunter. After all, it was the old man that set this up in the first place. "What?!" not looking pleased in the change of heart.

"You are free to leave by your own means.." The ambassador answers, not looking surprised at all by this development. "For those remaining though a show of good faith." And with that he opens the second box to show all the credits promised to the groups.

Erebos nods once at the ambassador even as he looks at the box of credits, then turns to Gabriel "It is too bad that he did not fully disclose as part of the contract negotiations."

Leonard is not completely surprised and sighs with disappointment. "To think that I hoped you might prove me wrong and show reliability, for once, Gabriel. I thoroughly understand how your subordinates must have felt, in their last moments." He does not dwell on the negative, though, and moves to the positive. The credits, for one. "Well, it does make for larger shares, yes?" That is voiced to Valeriya and then... anyone else? He looks between the others to determine who Gabriel speaks for.

Sithik has come to do what he came for, showing no sign of changing heart as the other two have. A bow of his head in answer to Leonard's general question.

Valeriya nods, moving on from Gabriel's disappointing turn to accept the potential boon. "It wont be easy. I mean I don't want to speak too highly of them. But they would have drawn their share of fire." She notes, reluctantly accepting the circumstances.

Yup, that's a lot of money, there's no denying that. Still, whatever it is that's keeping Gabriel from going along is far stronger than the lure of credits. He nods to Erebos with a contented smile, and actually chuckles at another one of Leonard's jabs. "You'll obviously never understand. Sir," he says to address the ambassador, "We'll be on our way to Tolkeen. I do want to thank you for the opportunity." He starts to move slowly out of the camp, looking to Erebos. "It can't be but a few miles. We can walk, or if you want to hug for a few minutes, fly. I'm sure we can find a ride back to Kingsdale once we get there." He taps his jet pack and gets ready to leave. One way or another, it's time to go home and leave the mages to their dirty work.

The ambassador waits for Gabriel and Erebos to be beyond the camp before continuing with a nod to the three remaining. "Well then, I guess that established what those two knew of the Coalition. Didn't it. But from what i could see the only had rifles and mind tricks to contribute anyway." He notes, waving off their departure. "So provided there are no other last minute changes, we are ready to depart."

"They still would've made for convenient targets," Leonard admits, tipping his head towards Valeriya, "as she noted. I now miss that opportunity even more, but I'm prepared."

Sithik nods, ready to continue on, "I am set." commenting on his readiness, moving to where he needs to be for the next jump.

"We will have another." Valeriya points out to Leonard with a confident nod. "I'm ready, Leonard, Sithik?" She asks, looking to the other two. "If we are going forward on this lets be a bit more concrete on the plan. We'll let the heavies setup a good spot. Our Scouts will cover them. Sithik and I can lure their scouts to the heavies. Leonard can reset the board for a new ambush spot once things get too hot."

The ambassador nods and already starts to lead everyone out of the camp for the next transport. One of his mages steps into another tent, and emerges pulling ten people in Coalition EBA. From their walk they dont look particularly unhealthy.

Leonard nods with Valeriya's outline, though adds a caveat to her with a pointed look, "I can do more than simply relocate us, as you well know." How much more and how efficiently may remain somewhat debatable, so perhaps time will tell. He promptly joins the minute parade out of the staging area for the destination beyond.

Valeriya nods to Leonard without losing a beat. "Of course. But priority one is being ready to change it up. Until we get a feel for their response times we will probably be cutting it pretty close." She says before reconsidering the scouts. "On second thought, our scouts can be setting up the new ambush point." She amends.

Sithik moves along with the group ready to be one of the first through the Rift when it opens, taking it upon himself to play point. He comments to Valeriya and Leonard along the way, "There will be two more that will lend combat aid once we reach the Nexus. I will draw power from the Nexus in order to summon them."

"Sounds like a plan." The ambassador notes with a nod. "Feel free to make use of the men where you can. But keep in mind you cant have any more." He adds with a smirk before starting to gather the great amount of power needed to take 30 people to their destination.

"Let the soldiers do the soldiering," Leonard agrees. "Just because he wants to help does not mean that he'll be foolish about it." He then waits patiently for the portal.

Valeriya nods to Sithik. "Yep we should all have a few minutes to draw additional power while the heavies set up the first ambush point." She agrees, though gives Leonard a curious look at him using the third person.

Sithik awaits the opening of the portal giving a nod of agreement to Leonard about the soldiers. "If we hold my pets back, they can cover our retreat should it be required or be used to flank the scouts. One has great speed to its advantage, the other has flight. Both are excellent hunters."

Moment later the Ambassador quakes with a release of a great deal of energy and the opening of another dimensional door. "Alright folks, don't be shy." He encourages, and the Tolkeen scouts practically leap at the chance. The heavies follow leisurely, letting the mages and prisoners go ahead of them.

Leonard isn't shy, especially where tears in reality are concerned. He still allows Sithik to walk point, but follows shortly thereafter. "I intend to call some additional aid, myself, though it may be better suited to leave as a surprise than for immediate use."

Valeriya follows Leonard through, drawing her silver knife just before hand. This is the real thing now after all. "Both could be apt in drawing their scouts into the traps." She notes to Sithik while they share the same plane.

Sithik is at the front of the line looking to be through with the first of the scouts, eager to see the other side. "Sounds good." he says to Val just before disappearing through.

The other side turns out to be dense forest amongst the brilliant nexus. Much as described the surroundings are quite hilly. Between those and the trees one can see about a hundred yards ahead on the ground. The closest lake is maybe 50 meters away, shimmering between the trees. Already everyone is setting up for the operation. The prisoners are secured to a large tree. The scouts are establishing a perimeter. The five mages are joining them, spreading out for some reason.

"Don't fondle any unusual, glowing objects," Leonard gives Valeriya a touch of friendly advice, if his chuckle's any indication. He doesn't immediately spread out, but remains near the nexus. His and Edgar's attentions are directed outward for signs of trouble, however.

Valeriya smirks to Leonard and shakes her head. "Don't lose yourself protecting women and children." She advises in turn before sending her flying lizard up into the air above for a better picture of what is available.

Sithik follows suit with Leonard, staying relatively close with Valeriya and Leonard. Pulling from his pack, a pair of high tech FLIR distancing binoculars to scan the terrain in the direction the soldiers should be coming from to get an initial survey.

The Tolkeen forces make their initial set up the priority. The ambassador sticking close to the nexus to recharge the power expended so far. The five mages all spread out into a circle about 60 feet from the nexus before working a coordinated spell. Viewed from above one moment the group is there setting up. The next they are not. The veil holding up to 60 feet past the mage ring.

Leonard smirks back, even if it is not apparent more than a turn of his faceplate towards her. Once the perimeter set up is well underway, he and his fine feathered friend begin their own draw upon the nexus. The intent is not to replenish, as they've not expended anything, but a preemptive siphon.

It takes a about seven minutes for Valeriya's companion to reach the altitude to spot the CS forces en route. But not even two have past before half a dozen skycycles fly over the area. Without incident though. "The are coming from there." Valeriya notes, her own drawing well sated by then. "And there are a number of viable places to trap the scouts in between."

Sithik too turns to draw power from the Nexus, his however must be used immediately. And used it gets as two large beasts appear after a moment of concentration and him touching each image on his chest. The first is a winged deer, it's shadow is that of a man however. The second is a large demonic dog with a fan like tail. Both beasts are of a size that could be ridden if it were desired.

The ambassador nos slightly as the encroaching forces are spotted. "Good good. Go show them a good time would you. And remember, just over thirty minutes till they level this place now. So do hurry." He advises, starting to re-channel all the power he has drawn.

"Is there a more accurate estimate on their arrival time?" Leonard asks this as he reconsiders his initially intended use of the stores drawn. "It will probably take a half hour to - never mind." He'll simply store the energy, for now, to be used as needed. "Shall we go hunting?" he asks the other two, "Or would you prefer I lie in ambush with our gun-toting associates?"

"You'll need to give our friends a lift out there" Valeriya notes stepping into the air to fly like its completely natural for her. "I should be able to find their first ground scouts three minutes away. The trees are shaking like that 4 kilometers from here." She offers with a shrug before floating closer to Leo. "here, the big picture."

Sithik replies to Leonard, "Lets go hunt some prey." touching another tattoo on his arm of hearts, soon after to rise up off the ground slightly to float off in the direction of the oncoming troops. Keeping low to the ground with both pets in tow, following their master loyally.

The soldiers move towards Leo with a nod. "As she said, he have no means to rush out there. But if you get us there we will prepare a right good welcome." They offer with a smirk.

Leonard receives a clear picture of Valeriya's intentions and nods, turning to chuckle to the eager soldiers. "Far be it from me to argue with a wise woman. Valeriya knows where they intend to set up, and now Leonard does, also. "Make an initial foothold," he expresses to the flying pair. "We'll be along momentarily." He makes what little preparations that he can and must in order to open a short-range portal for the aerially-challenged once he receives word. He then realizes that there is no reason to send the pair in first when he has a squad of heavy hitters eager to go. "On second thought, we'll wait for you there." And then the portal is opened with a gesture, followed by another to invite and usher the gun-totters through before he follows.

Valeriya nods and moves to jon Sithik and his companions as well. "Here. I can show you something." She offers reaching for him. That done she'll take off to head towards the scouts.

Sithik follows Valeriya's lead, monsters and hunter right behind her being she knows where the prey is waiting for them. The Demon Runner running along at a leisurely gate for him, the winged deer behind that in full gallop so not to alert any airborne scouts to their location too early. As he runs he activates two more tattoos in preparation.

The soldiers are quick to rush into the second portal of the day, ten of them for this venture. The scouts lead and the heavies follow to set up and apt area to counter the mechanized units meant to be lead to their waiting weapons.

Now that transportation is handled, Leonard sees to making himself personally prepared to waylay lured scouts or responding heavies. The first is making himself unseen, the later more resistant to attack. Both also receive and extending boost.

Valeriya skims above the trees out towards the scouts like a bird, but faster. Maxing out at fifty miles an hour she makes her approach. As she does she pulls a sock out of her satchel oddly enough. Followed by a glowing globe. The globe is slid into the stretchy thigh high stocking to make it that much more odd and she wields it like some sort of flail..

Sithik and his pets quickly cover ground to the ambush point. Val's fifty miles per hour only about as half as fast as he can actually go, but he's not going to let that bother him. The last of his preparations being saved for when he sees the prey before him.

The soldiers step from one patch of forest beside a lake to another. Though this one has the water on three sides. Quite the bottleneck. Immediately the scouts get to work knocking down some trees to make a blinds as the heavy soldiers set up their bulky railguns. A little sunny for thunder today.

Leonard has little to do now but find a comfortably concealed position from which to wait. He can only hope that the delay will not be excessive. Of course, as familiar as he is with Valeriya, he doubts that trouble will be long in arriving.

Not long in arriving indeed. Less than three minutes and the trees ahead are clearly showing movement from power armor moving through. one low stand is just leaped over completely by a spider skull walker, giving her and Sithik visual confirmation. "Here we go, get their interest so they chase us to the ambush." She calls out, diving into the trees to engage.

Sithik continues on past the ambush spot moving into stealth hunter mode to stalk his way as close as he can to his prey using the natural terrain to conceal his movements. Once past the bottleneck he spreads his companions out to do their own forest stalking. Once the heavy units are seen he does a 90mph beeline at an inhuman speed as he activates the last of his tattoos. His pets follows suit making their lunge at the prey.

By the time Valeriya and Sithik are picking a fight the scouts have the blind finished, giving the heavy soldiers amble cover for the company that's coming. They then take up their own positions among the trees to help the process of taking them down.

Valeriya takes her pick of the most prominent skull walker, to her anyway. Sithik's team dived ahead for three others. She takes her own to keep from getting in the way. Aiming to connect is stocking with the walker's skull.

Sithik soars in like a bullet attempting to power slam the mechanical beast. As does the Demon Runner charging in on his. The winged deer goes at it with its antlers.

One scout walker is now on fire. Another gets slammed by a powerful beast. All five turn to take aim on respective targets and fire without hesitation. Some more prepared than others. Who set the ambush now?

Leonard isn't surprised at hearing the heavy weapons fire from the vicinity of Valeriya's last guessed location. "I take it you gained their attention?" he asks over the radio. Now could be the time for him to make a few last minute preparations that, reluctantly, have a shorter endurance that those he already made.

She's done some damage, been shot at in return, and is in no mood to test that luck further against the 5 skull walkers. So Valira turns midair, bee lining towards the ambush with the hope some of the walkers will follow. "Lets go Sithik, I dont want to be shot full of holes!"

Sithik misses his, sailing right by as it is quicker than the hunter thinks. Arcing back around to retreat he takes one more shot to do a power slam on the one hit by the Demon Runner. The Demon Runner continues with its momentum tearing past the one it hit to do a power pounce on the one about to be hit by the Peryton in its own Antler gorge.

It seems all five walkers are interested in immediately pursuing the assorted evil that has beset their pleasant walk through the forest. They are also all still shooting at them as well.

"I'd say you've got their attention," Leonard reiterates to the bait over the com and sounds of weapons fire"so get your ass back here." Technically, it should be plural, but he does have a preference on returning rears ... no offense to Sithik. He doesn't have anything against the marked man also returning.

Valeriya says, "Definitely got their attention. On the way." Valeriya confirms, wincing as a particularly lucky shot blows away her considerable magic protection. "Glad I had that up." She notes as the remainder peppers her armor. She then draws a combat knife as her familiar makes to finish its interception of all the fun."

"Definitely got their attention. On the way." Valeriya confirms, wincing as a particularly lucky shot blows away her considerable magic protection. "Glad I had that up." She notes as the remainder peppers her armor. She then draws a combat knife as her familiar makes to finish its interception of all the fun.

Sithik sails by his target once again, this time it didn't even need to move, the mechanoid missing its retribution shot as he weaves through the trees. The Demon Runner pounces on another but pays for it as the railguns rip into the creature, tearing a good chunk of meat from the beast. The winged deer misses with its antlers, the Robot Spider just too quick. As the skull walker tries to retaliate the deer leaps to the air in retreat, avoiding the blast of railgun fire on its heels. All heading to the site of the main ambush fast as they can.

The skulls are chasing at Valeriya's heels as Sithik and company pull away at double the speed. Far from out of range though and still at least 18 seconds away from the ambush sight.

Leonard can only hope that the barrage of fire is affecting the landscape more than his companions. He makes his final preparations, removing himself from thermal sensors and conjuring a protective layer of writhing tentacles covered in mucous.

The skull is aiming at her, so Valeriya dodges, into a tree... The railgun fire that nails her dead on only adding slightly to her anguish. "This is costing me too much. I'm getting off the menu sithik. But I'm gonna see about pulling some teeth." Of course getting off the menu will take some actions. In the mean time her familar has caught up and can dive bomb at will.

Sithik takes another shot as he flees as he feels the end of his Demon Runner as it falls to the hail of super sonic metal spat from the railguns. The Peryton soars above the treetops avoiding one round of fire only to be hit by another in the cross. Still they both flee, the hunter firing back two firebolts at one of the chasing Skull scouts.

The five skulls can only barge through the forest at half speed of fifty miles an hour. Trees being shoved aside relentlessly with showers of splinters as they chase after their diminishing prey. No one is off the menu to them yet. They have five more chances to filet all their targets before they can make it.

Leonard grows more impatient and more concerned as the seconds tick by. He is prepared and only needs the arrival of a target to assist in springing the ambush.

As if hitting one tree wasn't enough Valeriya finds it in her to hit another. The railgun fire that follows is expected but not as scathing as the last. Her magical protection actually survives this time. And she even manages to dodge the second blast that had a chance of hitting her. Things are improving. Now if her familiar can dive bomb another skull into flamey goodness that would be nice.

Sithik's airborne pet is hit by another hail of gunfire, it's not looking good for the flying deer, one more shot will probably do it. The hunter fires another pair of firebolts at the chasing scouts.

Three skull walkers are aflame. And several trees as well. With all their railgun fire directed in one direction the trees are getting distinctly thinned between them and the ambush. This is good in that they will be visible to fire at before they make it half way there. Tell then their still going to shoot the bejesus out of whoever they can.

With the trees shaking, falling, and/or chopped to splinters and the destruction closing, Leonard stretches his fingers. He can only assume that Valeriya and Sithik are also closing, preferably just ahead of the Coalition firepower. one last glance is made to the heavy gunners before he notes to the bait that "We're ready for your company at any time." An assurance and slightly less direct suggestion that they make haste.

Finally Valeriya catches a break and simply disappears. In the smae instance she cackles madly over the comm. "Shoot this!"

Sithik is just plain pelted with magnetic thrown slag, and then to top it all off the Peryton falls from a hail of railgun fire, causing the hunter to wince at the pain felt deep within as he finally outdistances the pursuing robots, hope the soldiers are ready. Now he looks for a spot to dip out of sight.

Not quite out of site yet. The five skulls have only one target left to shoot at. Unknowing what they are charging into. Maybe they will finish the job. Maybe not.

Targets. It's about time. Unfortunately, they're still rather distant targets, as far as Leonard's concerned. No matter, that isn't a complete surprise and he can account for that. First, he temporarily removes himself from the normal flow of time and then wrenches space, as well. A portal opens beneath his feet, where he falls downward only to fall 'upward' out of an identical hole nearly half the distance to their quarry and to the right (from the ambusher's perspective). He's not about to put himself directly in the line of fire.

Leonard also initiates the ambush with a brisk "Now!" over the radio and an unleashed particle beam from the CS flank.

Valeriya is unseen, but the results of her actions will be pretty noticeable as she starts declawing spider skull walkers with abandon. In result one railgun is suddenly cut from one of the walkers.. and another is damaged.

Sithik takes another barrage of fire from the railguns, finally they rip through the hunter's magical protections to sink their slag into his own flesh. Still, he flys, able to reactivate the lost invulnerability as he searches for a place to hide so he can circle back on them as they advance.

One skull is obliterated from laser rifles followed by the heavy plasma ejectors wielded by the ambushers. Another is not far from joining it.. That's an eye opener. The remaining skulls return fire without hesitation. But one can bet they are calling for backup already.

Leonard now turns his fire upon the nearly destroyed walker in an attempt to help it to fully destroyed. A pair of successive blasts are made, with the second directed at one of those with minor damage should the first fell the first target.

Only three skulls remain. Making Valeriya efforts on the one look rather restrained. "Oh, well fine then." She notes, shifting her accelerated attacks to the main body of the bot. And after her skull aint looking so hot either, despite being on fire.

Sithik moves to circle back around on the walkers now that their attention has been taken by the ambushers. With Leonard flanking one side, he'll take the other. He also keeps an eye out for those cycles to return.

The ambushers unleash another volley, but don't do quite as well as the initial. One of their own gets cut down by stray fire. The Bot Valeriya nearly destroyed gets finished. And another is maybe halfway there. Only two remain to vanquish so many. Not looking good for the Coalition right now. A second heavy goes down from return fire of the walkers, leaving only three.

Leonard is not extraordinarily gifted at direct assault, nor especially imaginative in this instance. He shifts his focus to pummel the most wounded, hyper-accelerating air molecules three times.

Valeriya shifts to the last walker as Leonard's blasts decimate the other. instantly managing to do great deals of damage to it.

Sithik keeps as hidden as he can awaiting the coming of the skycycles now that the battle here seems to have been won. The soldiers should be able to finish the last of them off. Someone has to be ready for the reinforcements.

And the remaining walkers are gunned down, leaving all to recover and consider vacating the area before the air forces arrive.

"That was rewarding," Leonard comments to no specific individual. "How long until we can expect reinforcements?" He begins a walking return to the ambush line at a brisk pace. It will take him a minute or two, and he doesn't want to be standing out in the open when they arrive.

"Not long enough for a leisurely stroll." Valeriya notes as she darts away from the burning remains of the walkers towards Leo. She picks him up in eleven seconds, and has them back with the ambush team after 20. "Lets get back to the nexus now, I dont want to be here for the 2 dozen plasma missiles they probably have.."

Sithik heads back to the main group quickly as the last of the walkers fall and no sight of the reinforcements being near. He does take a moment to hide among the treetops to give a 360 degree scan the air around them with his FLIR Distancing Binoculars in hopes to give an accurate answer to Leonard's question.

The ambush team is not attached to their position. They are quick to recover items of value from their fallen and close to meet Leonard and Valeriya. "Looks like the ground scouts are neutralized. Lets move on."

Leonard startles at the unexpected lift, but doesn't complain. "I'd rather not be at the point of impact, either." He'll move with the others, with Valeriya's aid or not, to rally back at the nexus. Another relocation will probably follow soon after, considering that the nexus is the artillery target.

Valeriya drops Leonard off to let him open the portal back to the nexus for the 10 of them. definitely could have been worse in that regrad.

Sithik shouts to warn his team, "22 Seconds, a dozen!" dropping from his hidden spot in the treetops to join the rest to jump through the portal.

Indeed, just after Sithiks return the sound of jet engines starts to echo through the air. They are definitely already in range, but its always good to get a visual of the target if possible. The trees require them to be right on top of them for that.

Leonard is the last of the group to pass through the portal. He promptly looks over the re-visited nexus to survey the ambassador and the other magic-users' preparations. "The scouts were eliminated and the aircraft will likely come here after bombing the ambush site. Will your preparations be done in time?"

On more step through one more dimensional door.. And the group is back at the nexus, not even ten minutes after they left it. I lot can happen in ten minutes though. The ambassador is now accompanied by one very large bulky demon and a half dozen thin skinny ones. The large demon is a hulking beast with rhino gray skin. Not entirely horrific except for the humanoid faces writhing in agony on its back side. The skinner demons are much more horrid by density alone. Their small frames look to be rotting off their bones as you look. Maggots and worms boring holes through their soft tissues.

Leonard is the last to exit the return portal. "Well, that wasn't so terrible, aside from the casualties, I sup- Oh!" He startles as he wasn't expecting a collection of summoned assistance. Especially not so numerous and, well, rotting. After the initial unsettling feeling passes, however, it's replaced by curiosity. "This is part of your demonstration, I assume?" he inquires of the ambassador.

Valeriya is similarly startled by the collection of walking dead. She was pretty sure that dead demons did not reanimate in this fashion. That is clearly no longer the case. The scouts and heavy soldiers look mostly revolted as well, shifting uneasily and avoiding eye contact.

Sithik steps through the portal only to be taken aback by the sight he steps into. Initial reaction is 'Oh shit!'. Not something one needs after the carnage just faced prior. With no hostility to go with the sight, the initial reaction subsides for now.

"Oh, back so soon?" The ambassador asks, turning away from his otherworldly associates. "Must have gotten lucky and drew them in in one shot. Or unlucky.. But you all look mostly intact save fore a few less of my men. So I take it the ground scouts are eliminated?"

"Yes," Leonard confirms, "and the engagement went as well as a battle could. A few losses, but those are hardly unexpected." Everyone of personal importance returned, as far as he's concerned.

Valeriya shifts her eyes between Leonard and the ambassador, looking a bit wierded out. "So then, I see you made some new friends?" She notes, settling on the ambassador for an immediate explanation. "They run out of fresh demons?"

Sithik lets the others explain the past encounter, he has priorities he needs to attend to while the getting is good. He turns to draw on the nexus to recharge his battery as much as he can before they have to leave the area for the upcoming bombardment.

The ambassador chuckles, seeming to find Valeriya's strained humor refreshing. "No no, death demons have a interesting ability, to be able to infect mortal beings and make more death demons. Such is the fate of some of the prisoners."

Leonard chuckles audibly before noting over the com to Valeriya, "All the more reason to shower after we've finished here." He resume conversation with the ambassador, after. "Ah, that would explain the surprise the prisoners have in store. So, now we shall withdraw before the bombardment and observe the aftermath?"

Valeriya blinks at the explanation. "Oh so no infectious disease of months of painful suffering. That's not so bad then." Valeriya agrees with an accepting nod to the ambassador and then to Leonard. "Yeah, if the 'infecting' is done we should start looking for a good seat now, could take a bit."

Sithik continues recharging as the others finalize their departure. He'll be ready to go when everyone bails, he's not oblivious to what is going on around him.

"Oh they are carrying that too." The ambassador correct for Valeriya with a smiles. "But as carriers they wont suffer. But the process of becoming an eternally rotting death demon is a very different story. For eternity those soldiers will know what they've lost and become. The pain and knowledge will drive them so insane they will be indistinguishable from the original. Quite fitting i think."

"It's not much of a change, really," Leonard opines with a roll of shoulders. "The Coalition's atrocities are much worse than those in their anti-inhuman rhetoric, more often than not. Still, it's a poetic retribution."

Valeriya still doesn't look entirely comfortable with that but she's even less comfortable with front row seats for the Coalition artillery. So to the end she drops the subject to let the talk of relocating proceed as the next logical step.

Sithik turns back to the others when satisfied he is ready for any surprises that might arise. Another sickened glance at the demons that are gathered. "How long before we head out from here and where will we be relocating to?"

"A small island in a lake a dozen miles west of here should suffice as our camp while I make the arrangements for the coalitions defeat here." The ambassador answers, moving back toward the nexus to draw power for the next jump. "It should be inaccessible to ground based scouts, another blind as employed here and we will have a base to strike from unseen for the night. Really only one strike will be required to place my large friend in disguise amongst them."

Leonard nods and gestures vaguely with a hand. "At your convenience, then. So long as it's before the Coalition's assault, here," he adds with a chuckle. His attention shifts to Valeriya. "You're ready, I assume?"

Valeriya nods to Leo. "Yeah I'm ready." She confirms with a shrug.

And so the portal is opened to take the group to a tiny island where they can watch the nuxus erupt in flames in complete safety. The bombardment has no impediment on the mystic delta though so the Coalition forces will need to secure it and hold it so long as they wish smooth operations to continue in the region. The ambassador bides his time, letting the mages set up the veil and the soldiers set up a perimeter as the cs prisoners are surely recovered.

With nothing firing at them, no ambush to set, and no research handily convenient, Leonard has little in the way of pressing business to occupy him after the travel. Edgar takes flight to make a casual survey of their new surroundings, which leaves the man to find a comfortable seat for the entertainment. "This has gone far easier than I might have expected. I'm not sure whether to be grateful or concerned.

"We got lucky when all the skulls chased after us. It would have taken considerably longer if they had splintered into 2 or 3 groups instead." Valeriya notes with a shrug. "So now we just wait for night fall and he does his thing." She adds before looking to the Ambassador with a sudden thought. "Can we get paid now incase you dont make it back from your next step?"

Sithik makes his way through yet another portal, and along with the others, helps set up a perimeter to keep the camp safe once on the other side.

The ambassador blinks at Valeriya's unexpected question and pauses a moment to think before nodding. "I guess I dont see why not. You did do your job after all. So here, 800k credits to divide amongst yourselves as promised." He answers, pulling the case he proffered back at Tolkeen. "Now if you folks would like to come or stay that is up to you. But it is time for me and my associates to go cause some trouble."

That isn't a bad question at all, and Leonard can't say that the answer is poor, either. "We did, and your payment is welcome. Not that I don't expect you to return victorious," he adds. As for the evening's entertainment, he is curious as to what he might observe from here. Leonard does extend a nonverbal question to Valeriya on that, though, unlocking and lifting his faceplate to both convey the questioning glance and get some fresh air.

Valeriya offers Leo her binoculars, but from her distant expression she appears to be observing everything through her familiar. Which she never did call back from the fight before. It would appear it was with good reason.

Sithik doesn't pay too much mind to the question, but when it is mentioned that their end of this operation is done, he looks to Val and Leo to see what they are wanting to do. Stay or go, they are his ride home. Looks like everyone is going to watch the festivities before hand though.

Leonard converyed the improper questioning glance, though he does now have his answer concerning whether Valeriya wishes to remain for the activities. "Thank you, anyhow." He declines the binoculars and instead directs Edgar's flight to expand from their immediate surroundings and back towards the more distant stage. As the crow flies, it should not take long to reach. "We wouldn't want to miss the culmination of our efforts, now would we?" It's rhetorical and not directed at any specific individual, but announces the apparent consensus to remain just the same. Once Edgar flies nearer, his gaze also grows distant.

The ambassador and his demons head out, another dimensional door opening and closing to show they are gone. The sounds of explosions in the quite wilderness are clear to show they arrived safely. For several minutes they continue and seem to show the coalitions efforts of fortification to be largely inadequate. They did lose one war against such types after all..

Valeriya gestures to Sithik to draw him closer. "If you like, I can share with you the knowledge of what has transpired at regular intervals." She offers to the large tattooed man. "You'll be a bit behind, but it beats waiting and you will get to see it all unfold."

Sithik moves over with the others, "I have binoculars of my own that should do, thank you though." pulling out his hi-tech set of glasses to watch first hand the destruction. "Will we be staying to watch the Demon's as well?"

Across the water the battle is raging. The coalition cleared much of the trees around the nexus for their encampment providing decent visibility. Allowing all three observers to clearly see the death demons nearly suicidal use as foot soldiers who seem to nothing of fear or hesitation. Accompanied by a larger who seems to wield limitless magical power it is quite a light show. The coalition is quickly regrouping though, positioning vehicles to retaliate and calling in air forces.

Leonard is enjoying the show, so far. "I still cannot believe that the Coalition managed to nearly wipe Tolkeen from the world. Especially not when a handful can do so much against them." The battle across the lake is a prime example in his mind, even if the CS forces are attempting to push back.

"Well from what people say, the Coalition army is like a river that never stops when its directed at you. Millions after milions of soldiers and war machines and skelebots. Like fire ants overwhelming a deer the stumbles into their mound." Valeriya offers in comparison with a shrug before raising her brow. "Odd, there seem to be a large number of reinforcements coming in from the east."

Sithik watches the carnage and light show without emotion, as if this is just another day to him. "We may have done well today, but it was close. Lucky as Valeriya has said." commenting to Leonard. He moves his sights to the east and the reinforcements to assess the new situation on the battlefield.

So far all reinforcements offered have taken vectors for nearly every direction but east. So maybr it is merely logical that the last avenus be taken up as well. As of yet it is too early to tell. But the battle is shifting as the coalition starts to hold ground against its attackers with the help of apcs blowing through death demons in concentrated fire.

"Those reinforcements arrived conveniently quick," Leonard mutters as he observes. "I hope that the Ambassador stil has more tricks up the sleeves of his robe."

"Were probably put on standby after our little contribution." Valeriya notes with a shrug, not giving it a second thought. "He is largely going unseen in the fight, letting his demon brute suck the souls out of victims and take the punishment. An interesting tactic."

Sithik continues to watch the situation looking for any potential weak spots the Coalition may have that he can point out to the Ambassador for exploit.

Not long after the demise of the death demons the large soul eater pulls more demons from the shadows with ease to take their place. This turns the tide back as the shadow demons melt into the night attack only to spring out and kill at will. Robbing the heavy hitters of targets as the large demon seems untouchable behind some protective field.

Leonard nods absently with Valeriya's observations, of both sides. "Yes, the Coalition has numbers. For now. Though they aren't the only ones who try to overwhelm with quantity," he chuckles when more demons are called. "Odd that it never occurred to me to call a being that could call more, itself. I'll have to remember this." He does look like he could be taking mental notes as he watches.

Valeriya chuckles at Leonard. "George has this ability. I believe half the trees in his forest are lesser splinters of himself." She notes with a smirk. "And if you make the right choice in summoning, the entity can summon others it can syhpon power off of." She also adds. Sithik can't help but take note of the conversation over the creatures that can be summoned though the new events unfolding keep more of his interest. Still looking for the enemy to make a mistake in movements.

The battle continues and the airborne forces start to contribute, dousing the shielded demon with large amounts of plasma explosives. It looks momentarily effective, able to get behind the shield to the demon. But is soon apparently neutralized. The air forces so far are a mix of Smas and sky cycles. But the forces coming from the west look to be a very large amount of just samas style fighters.

"Yes," Leonard admits to her, turning his head and focus to her, "but I did not initially call him for that explicit purpose." While still regarding her, he casually wonders, "Should we further aid the good ambassador?"

Valeriya raise a brow at Leonard, shaking her head. "I'm out of renditions for invincible armor, and dont really feel comrotable taking a lesser version into that so no. He's on his own, I have taken my share of over 6 suits of armor worth of damage today."

Sithik watches the fighting unfold in the distance, muttering to himself mostly, "Too bad we can't drop a few grenades into the mix of that western group from here."

In the air things make a dramatic change. The forces already established break off from their bombardment of the ground to engage the forces coming in from the west. They are all still samas units though the ones from the west are bigger and faster. As such they start tearing up the others that attacked them.

Leonard nods. "Understood. I'm not interested in either of us being shot to pieces, either." The tattooed man's lament does give him an idea, however, as well as a grin. "Actually, we could... if there are any grenades or other explosives lying about. Perhaps those with the large guns might have some."

Valeriya also looks surpised and into Sithik's suggestion. "I could definitly do that. Though it takes a while.. Leonard can help though by doing the sending. I will handle the explosives." She notes pulling out a dozen long stockings. "I'll start creating fireglobes, you start sending them. We can send a few in each stocking." She offers willing one then another into existence.

Sithik drops his glasses away from his eyes for a moment, returning them to be sure he sees what he sees. Sounding a bit confused at the unexpected change in battle, "Are both air squads attacking each other?" but with the call for explosives he takes his pack off, "I have twenty anti-personnel grenades we can use as well. We can try and keep them from regrouping this way."

Yes the flying forces are attacking one another. Or rather, the forces from the west are attacking the forces from the east. And the forces from the east a greatly outmatching them but dont look particularly interested in that fight. Rather whenever pssible the very large eastern force focuses on the demon threat with very large amounts of railgun fire..

"Excellent," Leonard becomes more enthused as his absent thought readily becomes a reality. "Keep your grenades, Sithik. We can replenish our stores far more easily. Unless you wish to add them, of course." He will wait for Valeriya to fill the first ...delivery device while seeking out a viable target via Edgar, preferably on the ground. Once all is set, he can focus on pooling the energies needed to make the delivery.

In short order Valeriya has 15 of the glowing globes of fire ready to go split in sets of three per stalking. Any explosives Sithik might add are also welcomed as she surely cant make nearly enough globes to drain Leonard over the course of the battle. They certainly have a good start now though.

Sithik works on the task at hand, helping with fireglobes and stocking stuffing. "We should work to scatter the ground forces with our attacks so they can't concentrate their firepower so well and hopefully confuse them. Drop the globes on their APC's and let em burn. When that is done, we work to scatter the ground troops with frag grenades. My grenades are available as well as my store of energy if needed to make more globes or used for transport."

The apcs are probably the best targets for special deliveries. While the going is good atleast, The swarm of samas over the battle is steadily thinning and becoming refocussed on the demons as the western forces realize they are not the target.

Leonard can't send off the packages very quickly, but the impunity with which he can send them makes it moot. One moment, a Sock of Flaming Magical Doom is in hand, and the next it appears over top an APC. The minor fall is enough to shatter and unleash the contents.

Once the first batch of globes is made Valeriya helps with the sending as well. Getting off two packages before looking to Sithik for power to make more globes.

Sithik helps hand over stockings one at a time to Leonard for delivery to their destination. Then the grenades, with their thirty foot blast zone, to scatter ground troops in hopes it will distract the ground forces enough for the Demons to do more damage to the enemy. Soon enough all surprises will be gone and there will be nothing more anyone can do from here.

In the remaining minutes of the battle the apcs are decimated, followed by the infantry. Really the only surviving forces are the air units that finally realized the Samas units from the east were not the enemy. Those units turned out to be Quebecois Samas, and with a coordinated effort they do eventually tear down the demon. Shortly after it runs out of souls to rip out of the ground forces. Still the Free Quebec forces came to the aid of the Coalition against Tolkeen's peace offering.. Now might be a good time to leave..

The differences in the armored units now, belatedly, begin to make sense. Unfortunately, that means that the result of their efforts is not entirely what was intended. "As much as I enjoyed ridding the world of a few more ignorant idiots with weapons, we should get going. The ambassador's message may be misunderstood."

Valeriya nods in firm agreement. "Yes that does seem to be the case. And they may start to wonder where those packages were coming from." She says before calling to the Tolkeen soldiers. Taking them back seems only right since their leader seems to have met an unfortunate end.

Sithik gets the gist its time to go, "Hope you got enough power to get us all home." he comments to Leonard as he surveys the battlefield through his glasses. "I just want you both to know before we go our separate ways, if you ever need another, I would be honored to go into battle with you again. I consider this a success, despite the political outcome. The plague is still to come for them."

"It was a success, and thank you. I wouldn't count out the efforts off-hand, either," Leonard shrugs. "Years of hatred are not easy to forgive, and aren't simply forgotten. Now, let's get the hells out of here before either or both get too curious..." With the remaining soldiers gathering, he calls forth the energy to open a portal back to Tolkeen. Not only do the others need transport, but there's no reason to leave a trail back to Kingsdale.

The nexus at Tolkeen is a center of power, but many consider it secondary to the pyramid built atop it and the many spires that surround. It is also a familiar place for recent visitors, as it's where many arrive. Leonard, Valeriya, and former comrades were no exception. The bustling way point is now where Leonard, Valeriya, and a few soldiers now return. Some look much worse for wear, others not. The conspicuous absentees are presumable the ones who weathered the worst.

Gabriel has remained armor-clad, though his faceplate is raised. He's still loaded for combat, but he appears to be simply wandering around the area of the pyramid. Whatever motives he has for now, are left to himself. Of course, teh arrival of his erstwhile comrades does pique his interest enough that his standard lazy wandering takes him in their direction.

Valeriya's gladiator armor is somewhat pockmarked and peppered by railgun fire but still quite solid. Her flying lizard rests on her shoulder much as it did before. Sithik is with them as well as they prepare for the next step.

Erebos stands still in full armor and the helm is on in full environmental mode, his rifle is slung over a shoulder but his hand rests upon the hilt of his vibro-sword. He is currently in a seeming conversation with a couple mages but after a few moments he shakes his head and walks away looking around as he goes. The arrival of a new group gathers his interest and noticing the flying lizard that he saw when coming here he starts to head over toward them.

"Good luck in your future endeavors," Leonard bids to their returning passengers as a farewell. "Hopefully they'll be better appreciated by others, also. So," he turns to Valeriya, opening his faceplate and cocking a brow, "did you want to do any shopping while we're here, or save it for another-" a pause as he notices that some didn't yet find transportation home "and look who's still here..."

"Hello," Gabriel says with a raised hand as he approaches the newly arrived group. "You guys come here often enough to have favorite shops and businesses, or this this more of a vacation at this point?" He smiles and looks over to see if Erebos is following up. Two men who really don't appear as if they belong in the City of Magic.

Valeriya raises her brow to indicate she hadn't considered the possibility. Even more apt since they both just got paid. She offers a shrug to the lingering Gabriel. "Opportunity knocks. Speaking of which, it is surprising to see you still here." She notes with a genuine tone.

Erebos arrives where the others from Kingsdale are conversing with a simple "Welcome back, it is good to see you all in one piece." Around others from the place he now considers home he relaxes enough to remove the hand from the sword hilt, he turns for a moment to Gabriel "That group was not heading in the right direction either." gesturing toward the mages he had just been talking to.

Leonard rolls plated shoulders in a shrug. "I have visited a time or three, but there's no reason to ignore the opportunity." He subsequently nods with Valeriya. "Yes, it is unexpected. I'd thought the two of you would've found transport or begun walking by now, as anxious as you were to leave before."

"Ah, but you misunderstood," Gabriel points out to Leonard. "I wasn't anxious to leave. I just couldn't participate in a detail of the action. As for walking, I'm sure that you'll agree that a six-hundred mile overland trek is ill-advised." He nods back toward Erebos. "We've been looking for a caravan that might want some security, to pay our way. But now that you're here, I won't be shy - when you leave, mind if we tag along?"

Valeriya dons a smug smirk and gives a slight nod to Gabriel. "Wouldn't participate you mean. Were it me I would sight the moral qualm against picking up hitchhikers. Luckily for you I fear Leonard is much more free spirited." She jabs before nodding to Leonard for his decision.

Erebos turns his armored head toward Leonard "It would be greatly appreciated if we could come along, the walk is not really an appealing option in my mind." He then reaches up to remove his helm, blinking a few times as the full brightness of the light hits his uncovered eyes.

"A proponent of free spirits and free enterprise," Leonard adds with a smirk, "neither of which are free of charge. What incentive do I have to aid a man who's abandoned me on multiple occasions?" He thinks it's a prudent question. "If you wish to accompany us, Erebos," he nods to the other man, "you're welcome to."

Gabriel returns smugness with light laughter. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that I was dealing with a linguist. Yes, *wouldn't* participate with some of the undisclosed details being revealed. Either way, we would appreciate a ride." When Leonard makes his accusation, he can't help but ask, "Multiple occasions? Abandoned? I left here before you departed, your life was not in jeopardy because of my absence at that moment. Plus, if we finally come to the matter which will undoubtedly leave me here to my own ends, you were the fool who thought it wise to march forward into a hail of grenades launched by known Coalition crack forces who clearly had your position pegged as they'd been shooting at you and nailing you already." A shrug is offered as he closes out softly with, "Personally, I think that losing your limbs was a good life lesson. You probably won't make that mistake in the future." No point in begging a man for incentive.

Valeriya glances between Leonard and Gabriel with clear interest. "And people say I'm difficult to deal with.." She notes shaking her head at them both and finishing to look at Leonard. "From his reply it seems he can pay for his strenuous company. Might as well hear his price."

Erebos watches the linguistic skirmish between his boss and Leonard with faint surprise "I would greatly appreciate the trip sir, as I said the walk was daunting." beyond that he says nothing and shows no expression beyond the slight confusion written clearly on his face.

Leonard's smirk is crushed to nothing as lips flatten and jaw tightens. Clenched enough that he cannot, or will not, speak for several moments. "No," he finally agrees, "I will not make the same, nor similar mistakes. The first was expecting you to follow through on any of your intentions. I even gave you an opportunity to redeem yourself, Gabriel, and you only confirmed my foolishness. With insults, as well. Are you truly that arrogant and ignorant?"

Gabriel sighs quietly. "I am as what I have said, and I doubt that anything that I could have done would ever really have changed your mind, Leonard. Beyond that, I don't feel a necessity to embrace your redemption. We both do things that the other doesn't, in life, Leonard, and we both look on the other with a good eye for faults." He glances to the other two, adding, "I would appreciate a lift back to the city, if it's available."

Valeriya looks doubtful Gabriel will convince Leonard. And this does not look to give her much pleasure either as she sighs. "This could go on for some time. neither of you ever being satisfied with the outcome. I don't think either of you has the measure to satisfy the other. Makes me ask were I stand in this. Reminds me of instances where others have heard I am quick to anger and quite vengeful. If I were to mediate this it would be a step to disproving that slander, so I shall." She states for all before locking her gaze on Leonard. "We will take him back. Whatever you want from me for enduring him I will pay." She says, then looking to Gabriel "And I trust this will be remembered."

Valeriya's intervention breaks Leonard's ire with blinking surprise. He looks to her with puzzlement, conceding after a moment with a nod. "Very well. They'll both travel with us, whenever you wish to go."

"I appreciate the mediation," Gabriel nods to Valeriya. He stops as if he has more to say to her, but instead just gives her a funny smile and just waits to board the magical Volkswagon van following the Dead to Kingsdale.

Valeriya just gives the slightest of nods to indicate they can all proceed now. Neither side has offered her cost or gain for this. But perhaps such things are best not discussed openly in a foreign land.

With that cue, Leonard deals with the minor task of rending space... or, more accurately, the boundaries that define space. A few seconds of concentration later, a portal is torn open. The familiar scene of the landing field is visible beyond the translucent doorway.

Gabriel is quick to emerge, perhaps wanting to be done with magic as swiftly as he can. After tossing off a not-quite-salute, he moves off toward the lockers at the gate where he can stow his heavy weapons.

Valeriya's emergence is followed by a short wait for Leonard to continue with them. Surely some things need to be discussed soon after they get home.

Leonard is the last to arrive, by necessity. Not that he appears to miss Gabriel's quick departure. "Let's go home, shall we?" A rhetorical invitation for Valeriya. There may be things to discuss, or simply a need for rest and relaxation.