Mar 23 17:14:24 105 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Mon Mar 23 17:14:24 105 PA.

The Old Highway is a solidly constructed road leading to and from Kingsdale. It is heavily travelled with lanes of traffic going in both directions. About a half a mile of wilderness to either side of this road has been cleared. This provides the guards and patrols a clear line of sight in case of trouble, and allows them to make preparations for any approaching visitors who look dangerous. This road is much larger than most of the side trails, it always shows signs of recent travel as it is the only major road coming and going to Kingsdale. The wildlife that normaly can be heard, has gone quiet recently. This is due to the forest fire which has charred most of the area.

It is a very bright and cheerful day, warm spring weather of about eight degrees celcius. There is just enough snow left on the ground to prevent everything from getting muddy but for the most part the huge drifts and deep snow are gone. A pair of special clearings have been set up, one that serves as a makeshift parking lot. Temporary magic has been used to dry and harden the ground for vehicles to park on and it might as well be concrete for the ease of driving on it. Earth Warlocks have done their work very well, and many walkways have been set up so that one doesn't sink into the ground or snow. A large stage is set up and peaceful music is playing, a local band that preaches harmony with the Earth. In the second clearing, fair games have been set up and children are playing -- along with adults, occupying themselves on a few rides here and there. There are wheels spun to gamble, a few ramshackle rides... but the event seems to be mostly about getting people out of the city to have a good time. A beer tent has been set up, and a few armed guards are around -- one or two looking tense. Drinks run high and free and people by and large are cheery and boisterous. It's been along, hard winter and it's nice to think it is gone. Of note too is that a large circle has been set up in front of the stage and similiarialy hardened, and people are dancing on it. The sort of arm-in-arm, skipping, country-folk style dancing that is often done at such fairs.

OOC: This is away from KD. Arms and Armor to a certain extent are reasonable. Take that as you will.

Kalvin is visible for the first time in many days, dressed in his usual Doctor's garb. He does not seem particularialy happy, and is mostly keeping to himself -- although he keeps getting dragged into the dance by a pair of young girls who seem to be harassing him -- one on each elbow, keeping him whirling in the circle. Occasionally, one will be let go, and the doctor will be handed off to someone else and then back again. Kalvin is also wearing a raccoon tail hat. Clearly, someone is mean.

An old motorbike pulls up with an ancient throaty roar, two figures on it as it comes to a halt on the hard ground. The driver puts her foot to the floor, lifting a helmet from her head, and shaking down hair before looking over her shoulder at her passenger with a bright sunny smile. "You set?" She asks as she swings a leg over the bike, dismounting, the engine dying.

Desmond comes upon this fancy event alone. His normal denim garb layered over with the various black plates of a suit of armor. Lightly scared, spikes make themselves known at most of the joints and it has no helmet to speak of. His pistol at his side, his knife and mace secured, he walks with little else this day. And he walks slowly as he wanders through the faire. His normal dead neutral expression tight. His mannerisms tense. And, most notably, he doesn't do anything. He pauses to watch a game. Eyes some dancers or a show, but never stays too long, never participates before moving on to the next short term pause point.

Kaomas is waiting for everyone there, the headhunter having arrived with Kalvin shortly before everyone else. As per normal for him, out on the road, he's weighed down by nearly every weapon he has, and is decked out in a brand new shiny suit of NTI's Carapace armor. "Oh good.. " He says softly, the voice being transmitted through the armor's speakers.

Dr.Kelley has come to the event armed and dangerous. Well, at least as armed and dangerous as a scientist can be. His pistol hangs at his side, and his rifle is slung over the back of his NTI armor. He seems to be collecting samples of the flora and fauna of the region, and taking note of the pleasantries going on with with the participants at the fair. He keeps looking at the sky, as if waiting for it to cloud over again.

Kalvin is still being molested by these two girls, neither who are more than sixteen. Some wingman that Kaomas is, having not come to his rescue. He is, curiously, not wearing a single bit of armor. He is probably fairly foolhardy. A curious onlooker will see though that he is carrying not one, but two pistols -- one hidden in the small of his back beneath his doctor's coat. Upon seeing Caliopa, and presumably Atticus arrive -- he shoots the first one a 'help!' sort of look, gesturing towards the two that are keeping him dancing.

A large horse, Clydesdale for those familiar with the animals, plods north along the road. Brown with shaggy white boots and nose, it carries a dark rider entirely too enamored with the color blue. Blue lacquered plate gleams dully in the bright sun, as that figure sits easy in his saddle, looking like he just stepped from a movie about the ancient pre-rifts earth. A bad one. Emblazoned on his chest is a pale blue fleur de lis, and slung over his shoulder and resting in the small of his back is a very modern-looking machine pistol. The horse stops short of the group, waiting apparently, until the rider waves ahead and speaks quietly to 'Sara, why do we not go say hello to the nice people?' And so does the horse wander in amongst them, while Sebastien removes his helmet to take in the nice air. Hm. There's the doctor. bad choice. Uh, the mercenary. Also, likely, a bad choice. Cat-thing he saw once, check. And the doctor! Score! Sebastien rides to the doctor, calling down to the girls, "Hey, have either of you ever pet a horse?"

Atticus slides off the motorbike with a grin, removing his armor helmet and putting it in the bag over his rear hip. "I'm set," he says as he kisses Cali's cheek, offering her his hand. Clad in his normal dark grey armor - sans helmet - his old style revolver on his right hip, Wilks low on his left. "Ooh, they're dancing. And there's the Doc there - looks like he's need our help.

Consciously ignoring the man the horse, Kelley looks over to check his gray quarter-horse tied to a nearby tree. Well, he didn't walk all this way, did he? He approaches Kaomas, waving a hand in the air. "Kaomas! How's the shoulder?"

Caliopa glances over at Kalvin, a flush rising on her cheeks as she silently nods to Atticus, with a speaking look. Putting the helmets in the bike's panniers, she locks it securely, patting the fuel tank as she begins to move towards Kalvin, "Hey Kalvin, come on over and see the new armour?" Unusually, she is wearing it, discomfort in her movements.

Kaomas grins at Kalvin, as he's harrassed by the girls, slightly enyving the metal man. "I'd help Kalvin.. but you seem to be having fun all by yourself.. besides.. if I touch them.. I'm in trouble. "He says grinning at the situation. He turns his head and helmet to glance around the gathering, seeing Seb. But his attentions are turned to Kelley as he's approached. "I'm fine.. ready to parry another robot."

Desmond sees some familiar faces nearby as he wanders and slows to inspect the folk there. Little registers on his mask of an expression as his eyes wander. Until, that is, he lays eyes on Kelley from afar. The big cat's eyes narrow and a hand clenches into a fist. His frown manifests, a deep one of displeasure, but the fist relaxes slowly and he forces back whatever has come up. Moving back slowly into that tight held neutral. He huffs deeply and turns, skirting the edge of the open area.

The two girls at least finally stop making Kalvin dance. As Caliopa speaks to him, he points to either side of him with both hands with a sort of 'help' gesture. Sebastien is rewarded with a grateful look from the doctor, and a pause from the two individuals who are 'engaging' him. One steps a little closer, looping an arm around the metal man's waist -- which causes such a frown from him. "My father owns a farm." The brave one says, not needing to cling to the doctor for support. "We see horses every day." Kalvin at this point, speaks again. "Yes. And aern't they lovely? Look at how friendly that one is. Look at how friendly that /MAN/ is..." He adds, gamely. Unfortunatly, his attempt at deflection fails and both are still paying proper attention to him. "But you're shiny." Kalvin once again frowns, and he sidesteps onc eagain; the two girls following him as he attempts to circle around Sara and put her between he and the other two. "Sebastien, wasn't it?" He asks. "You have a most lovely horse."

Caliopa moves towards Kalvin, glancing over her shoulder at Atticus. She appears to be bracing herself for some act alien to her. As she reaches him, she puts out a hand, "Kalvin honey, I missed you last night...you didn't come to bed." She shoots the girls a look of warning, a feminine look of territory claiming, as she turns her back on them. The moment her back is to them, she gives Kalvin and Atticus a speaking look, eyes wide, the inexperienced liar.

Desmond pauses near one of the stalls and leans into the side of it lightly. it's a good place from which to watch. and he does. Though initially he mainly watches Kelley, he slowly starts to expand his awareness. Another frown comes, though this one is less focused. His head turns to gaze past the edge of the stall towards the front. LIngers briefly. Turns to gaze towards another edge of the faire. Though his mood remains black, he grows thoughtful. Though slowly his eyes turn back toward Kelley. Spending some more time watching him. Being a bit subtle in positioning, if not focus.

"Kalvin, darling. You know we were missing you," Atticus offers casually as he approaches. "You know how Cali gets when you don't come to bed on time. She was grousing and angry the whole time," he says with a sigh, reaching over to clasp the metal man on the shoulder. "You've been a very, very bad boy," he says with a sad shake of his head. "Hi," he says to Sebastien, giving him a long look. "How you doin'?"

The dark-clad knight leaps from horseback, admonishing his horse, "Now Sara, play nice." He eyes his horse and wags a finger at it, and then at the girls. "Ah, but I have the smartest horse in the world. And the fastest." He grins, "And the most beautiful." he pats Sara a little too affectionately. Pervert. "Sara, what is two times one?" The horse throws its head twice. Sebastien works at turning the little ones from the doctor, allowing him some room to get away. "See?" Sebastien proves, grinning at the girls before glancing up. Where are their parents?

The faire progresses along as faires do, the music hitting a particularialy high note. People are clapping along with it as others dance. One man can be heard hawking animal skins and meat in an auctioneer like voice and everyone is still having a good time. People are dancing, as the music keeps getting faster and faster; everyone seemingly enjoying themselves. Here and there, someone mildly drunk staggers about but there are no angry drunks here -- not a one. A few people are giggling at each other, but.

Kelley waves to his good friends Atticus and Caliopa - at least, he thinks of them as good friends at any rate. "Atticus, my friend! Caliopa! How go your businesses?"

Kaomas snorts under his helmet, the sound being broadcast as a staticy sigh. Kao remains where hs is though, not likeing being out in the open on the open raod.. knowing that this faire is pure foolishness.. inviting disaster.

Kalvin sort of stares at Caliopa -- crimson eyes very, very wide. The girls are momentarialy captivated by Sara, but then Atticus and Caliopa muscle into the scene and they sort of stare for a second -- turning their heads back to the doctor. "Then you lied to us, you bad, bad man!" One of them says. "You told me that you couldn't marry a human woman, because you .....so you can!" She brightens noticibly, and sticks her tongue out at Caliopa. "If you wern't here with him, you can't be a very good wife. Daddy keeps telling me that I have to marry a professional man, and it doesn't get any better than a doctor." She doesn't seem the least bit put off by Atticus and Caliopa, going so far as to put her cheek against the doctor's shoulder. The other one, though, seemingly a little younger is warded off by the couple's stare and shies towards Sebastien. "Yeah?" She says to him. "Well, what's three times three?"

Caliopa sighs slightly, taking a step towards Kalvin and the girl, "Honey, what makes you think I am human? If you don't get your hands off my man, you won't have hands left to touch any man with." Unlike Cali, her voice is low, threatening, and only someone who knows her would know precisely how uncomfortable she is. "Why don't you run along, you don't even have the right attachments, little girl." Dismissively, she turns, waving madly to Kelley, her face lit up with a bright smile, "Doc! How you doin'? I've been hearin' all about your new ..." She stops, the word not entirely coming easily. "Friend." The ending is weak.

Kelley has made his way over to Atticus at this point and elbows the other man playfully. "What are you two doing out at the fair? Shouldn't you be back investigating something?" he asks with a wide grin, his helmet banging his hip. "You're not careful, you're going to lose Cali to one of these other fine gents." He frowns looking at Caliopa and quietly asks Atticus, "Is she serious?"

Kaomas laughs aloud at Kalvin's plight, and joins the metallic man, his face still concealed by the helmet, "Best do as she says girls.." He says reffering to Cali. "I've seen her take downa sixteen foot tall robot by herself.." He says , his voice sounding serious, though he's supressing a laugh.

Sebastien slowly leads the one away successfully, leaning in to whisper into Sara's ear. And after a moment, the horse begins stomping its right hoof. Nine times. Shame Sara can't talk back. The young Sebastien waves expressively, grinning despite his obvious cheat. "Smartest horse in the world," he proclaims.

Desmond is one of the few exceptions to the happy fun rule. Why he even came is debatable, but he's found something to keep him here for a while. And he seems disinclined to move from his subtle spot, content to watch. Of course, though his eyes flit here and there from time to time, he keeps coming back to the same man. His ears perk, however, when Caliopa addresses his new friend. The tightness of his expression grows slightly, his ears flicked forward to draw in the mildly distant words above the din.

"Hey DOc," Atticus asys, waving his hand. "She means the woman living with you in a totally platonic and nonthreatening or sexual way," he adds to Kelley, waving. He smiles at Kalvin, nodding to him, "You doing alright?" he asks him quietly.

Kelley looks caught in the headlights for a moment, then screams, "Helmets!" He hurriedly begins to don his own lid, looking for some kind of cover, and making for the back of the band'd stage.

"INCOMING rift," Atticus tells everyone, digging for his helmet and getting it on with a twist and clamp - his voice coming through the speakers now. "Doc, can you get these girls out of the way maybe and help us out?" he asks as he digs his head around - as if he's trying to pinpoint on something. "DESMOND," he shouts at the figure. "C'mere!"

Desmond tenses suddenly, his head turning in a snap one way, then the other. His hackles rise and he eases back slightly along the side of the booth, instinctively seeking cover.. but from what? Unknown, though his hand goes to his knife, fingers tight about the hilt.

Caliopa blinks at Kelley, twisting and pulling her armour helmet from her bag, and yanking it down onto her head. She stays by Atticus' side, her eyes darting around. One hand drops to touch the weapon at her side, but she doesn't draw it. Instead, she turns to the girls, pushing them towards the stage, yelling into their faces, "Run! Now!"

Desmond also seems, for the moment, to pay little mind to Atticus' yell. Again, for those unknown reasons.

Kaomas reaches up and snaps the environmental seals shut on his neck seal, spinning and bringing up his rifle to his shoulder in a small fluid movement. "Everyone Seek Cover!!" Shouts the veteran warrior, amplified by his armor, scanning for the threat.

Kalvin doesn't have to get the girls out of the way. They have the sense to bolt on their own. Most likely from Caliopa, though. Especially given the fact that she's actually heralding them away. The doctor, curiously, shrugs off his coat and lets it fall to the muddy ground; pausing for a second to adjust his tie before he draws forth the pistol from the small of his back and begins making his way forward towards Atticus and Kelley.

Kelley hurries people away.. away is a rather incoherent term at the moment, since "away" could be straight toward. Still, he seems ot feel better actually doing something rather than sitting there. He unslings his rifle and prepares.

Sebastien takes a moment to lovingly lob a 15-year-old husband hunter into a nearby ditch before gathering up his helmet and hopping on to Sara's back. The knight draws his sword from its scabbard, laying it flat against the pommel of his saddle and waits, eyes closed a long moment. Drawing back from this earth, finding an inner calm.

Kesslan had been observing the goings on at the Fair from a secluded spot where he was likely to be left alone. The alien feline simply observing the activities everyone was partaking in. Afterall, he had a very hard time communicating with everyone else, he knows very few people in Kingsdale, and above all he wished to simply see for himself how these 'Humans' interacted with each other, and the various other races that make up the population of Kingsdale.

Ever present however in his body armor, given that it was out in the wilderness he'd thought it prudent to bring his rifle with him, and so as everyone begins to panic for a reason he does not yet comprehend, he quite calmly unslings the rifle and flicks off the safety.

It happens extremely fast. Over perhaps ten seconds, magic-feeling energy gathers in the area. It builds very quickly, a circular white point appearing in the middle of the faire that spreads outwards over five more seconds. Within twenty, a ten foot wide oval of crackling blue mystic energy has appeared in the middle of the faire. Naturally, people are screaming and trying to get away from it; the paltry security forces rushing forward with weapons drawn. There is a moment though, of silence as even the fleeing people turn to see what comes out. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!!!!!

What comes out is not a killer death robot. Rather, a hovercycle of alien design comes screaming out of the rift at easily two hundred miles an hour; hell bent for leather, trailing smoke and fire from a mostly-melted rear end. Altitude control is apparently non existant because it slams into the ground with terriffic force on what used to be the dance floor. Through super-human contortions or blind luck, the pilot keeps it on it's belly in a shower of sparks and venting plasma; ploughing a hundred foot long furrow -- through one of the gambling displays -- before crashing into a stand of rocks at around thirty. Though he has performed miracles thus far, the pilot is thrown from the vehicle like a toy; landing prostrate with a sickening thud into the ground and rolls for some thirty more feet; coming to rest near to Kelley and Atticus. He is not wearing armor, and has gray colored skin; bleeding blue fluid from copious wounds. Facedown in the snow, his physical features cannot be seen.

The security forces fire on the flying hovercylce out of reflex, but fortunatly, everyone misses... though immediatly, the wounded, damaged craft catches on fire in it's crash spot; the orange glow of ten-foot tall flames giving backlight to the scene as the rift begins to close.

Kaomas tenses as he watches the hovercycle crash, throwing the pilot free. The craft begins to burn as as the pilot lays there, obviously wounded. Kao seems to glare at him for a long moment, getting a closer look for a moment.. then he relaxes. "It's allright.. he's hurt.." He says making his way to the downed pilot, breaking into a brisk jog.

Kelley reaches the being quickly, wondering if this is the same gray alien that has been seen in all of the late visions. He wants to turn him over, but is afraid of hurting the creature, so waits for Kalvin's opinion. He's impatient though, "Can we roll him over, Kalvin?" He watches the rift with increasing intensity, waiting for something more to come out, and dreading what it might be.

"DOC!" Atticus says as he begins to run towards the man on the ground - sprinting and trying to reach him and drop his gloves with a twist, checking his wounds. "Doc, Kalvin!" he shouts through his speaker. "I need you to stabilize him. I can do surgery right here, but I need time. Get me ten minutes, please," he shouts.

Sebastien, for his part, turns from the rift. Something ... well. Something odd with that boy. The blue lacquered figure stands in his stirrups, looking up. And side to side. And back. Getting a sense for things. "Strange," he murmurs. They're on no obvious ley line. Sitting on Sara once again, Sebastien pats her neck and whispers in her ear, slipping out of the faire to ride a short perimeter. Disappearing into the brush.

Caliopa freezes at the sight of the grey man, her eyes flickering to the burning hoverbike. She moves quickly, quietly behind Atticus, out of the way, waiting and watching silently. She glances around, nerves definitely unsettled.

Desmond crouches down alongside his booth as the rift opens. Eyes narrowed, his prior mood washed away with the steady focus of one prepared, he thinks, for anything. Still he starts slightly when the hovercycle comes roaring through, head snapping as he follows the trail until the edge of the booth blocks his view. Still, he lingers for a few moments, watching the portal. The others are over there.. they will deal with.. that. Something else might come through. He won't be caught unawares.

Kalvin reacts very quickly for a non-military man, one may or may not notice. By the time the individual has hit the ground, Kalvin is already almost there. Dropping to his knees beside the wounded individual, he helps whomever is there to roll the individual over. Immediatly, he goes to work, feeling around for pulse and such. His expression is, for the moment at least, truly and completely baffled by raw alien physiology. Nonetheless, he goes to to work; staring for a moment. "Multiple lacerations, Atticus. He's been shot once or twice from what I can tell, near misses from plasma weapons, malnourished..." His hand reaches towards the Alien's head, heedless of the fact that he's getting cerulean blood all over him. "Severe concussion. Look, his eyes aern't even focused in the same direction. Shit." This is probably the first time anyone will have heard him swear as he reaches to his bag. "You, you, and you. Give me your shirts. Put them into that wound, that one, and that one." He reaches to his belt, getting a syringe out and making an injection.

Kesslan watches the crash unfold with a detached sense of calm. Watches the pilot get thrown, tumble, the rift begin to close. For now the rift has the majority of his attention. For here was one of these spirit doors he'd come through to this world. It's presence confirming that at least there is some possiblity of some how opening -other- doors, perhaps back to his home. This line of thought eventually causes him to turn his attention to the crashed cycle first, and then finally the pilot trying to tell if it is perhaps something he recognizes the manufacture of.

Notably however the pantheran does not move to assist anyone, in any shape or form at this point. Infact the only one he keeps an eye out for at all (assuming he's even noticed she's here) is Caliopa. The closest thing he considers to having in a friend on this strange planet, though perhaps Kid would qualify as one as well.. Maybe even Kelley to an extent since the man presented potential work, but the rest he couldnt at this point give a damn about.

The humanoid alien is manhandled by Atticus and Kalvin and immediatly turned over. Those who are psycic will recognize several things -- the color of the skin matches what was seen in the visions almost exactly, and most importantly so does the color of the blood -- bleeding blue stays with you. He is delirious as Kalvin and Atticus work on him, clearly barely there -- not even seeming to notice the metal man. He doesn't move as he is injected, though after that both hands reach up -- attempting to seize Atticus by the arm. "Halash, Ee-sha Malanori Tzzlt, Klleik-Ha!" He says weakly, pointing towards the empty air where the rift was. Oddly, he seems to match one of the species often seen too in the visions -- the classic 'gray' alien, light build, gray skin, no obvious mouth and two large, black eyes.

"I know. I can help fix his wounds but we gotta keep him alive," Atticus offers. "Cali?" he says as he looks over his shoulder. "I gotta go into a trance. I won't be saying anything for about five, ten minutes. After that I can do the surgery." he replies, closing his eyes and resting back on his heels. His hands settle in his lap, and he seems to just .. relax, going stock still. "Keep him from talkin', he's just gonna use up his energy," he mumbles before he goes completely still. "Ten minutes, Doc..."

Caliopa nods, her face tensing at Atticus's words. Kalvin's gain him a moment of hesitation, and she unzips the armour, turning away from her friends, wiggling out of a shirt before she zips it back up, tossing it to Kalvin, her cheeks pink. The quick flash would only, at most, shown a simple white bra, nothing more. "Ten minutes." She repeats softly, her eyes only leaving Atticus for a moment, flickering around, pausing on Kesslan, and offering him a quick, tense smile.

Kaomas eyes the fallen being and as he begins to speak, he starts listening, wanting to know what's being said. "Kalvin..He looks Uteni.." He says breifly, addressing Kalvin's back. He turns away though, letting the medically skileld handle him why he guards thier backs.

As Atticus seems to go still and focus away, the Alien sudddenly sits up; hacking and coughing through gill-like slits on his neck as he does. Summoning as much strength as he can, he reaches out with his left hand and attempts to violently slap Atticus across the face with a gray, blue-blood slickened hand with enough force that is likely to snap his head around and leave a blue smear on his face. "HALASH, EE-SHA MALANORI TZZLT, KLLEIK-HA!" He is saying again, jabbing at the empty air with his left hand. He seems to be trying to tell Atticus something. Just a little. Kalvin is working as hard as he can, taking the alien by the wrist and lowering his hands away from Atticus; directing a few others into where to place things on wounds. "Caliopa." He is saying. "Hold the shirt on his forehead, where that gash is." Kaomas is heard, and he glances up. "Uteni?" He asks. "What's a Uteni?"

Kelley nods. "He does look rather Uteni. I don't think that he is, though. Something's not right." The big man shrugs as the alien is tended to. "But then, I've been known to be wrong. From time to time.

Kesslan notes the fact that others tend to the alien being, and that he is infact NOT of a race he knows, nor is the bike made by any clan he has ever heard of. That little bit established, he propmtly then ignores the bike and it's ill fated pilot, attention now turning back to the area where the Rift had appeared, idly wondering to himself if it would by chance reopen. Something had attacked this being afterall... perhaps it would follow? Certainly he would not give up persuit so easily should the means to continue the persuit be at his own disposal...

Desmond is slowly satisfied that the danger is past for now. Rising from his ready crouch to stalk forth from the side of the booth. He makes it halfway toward the the others before he remembers to sheathe his vibro-knife firmly at his side. He stalks forwards without a word, getting an eye on the alien creature. Seeing it, his expression tenses and he lifts his head to glance back towards where it came from. He hears some of the strange speech and recalls Kesslan's presence after a moment, glancing towards the smaller male. "Kesslan," he speaks in tense greeting, though its more a means of seeing if he has his translator out.

Sebastien continues his circuit, Sara walking slowly through the brush as he travels around behind the faire, following a goat path here and a stream there to keep a relatively bramble-free trail. His eyes are out, and in, and up. Taking a walk, a breath, and mostly just staying away from people.

"Incoming rift!" shouts Kelley, getting on one knee by the alien - their only link to the mysterious goings-on in the past few weeks, his rifle out at his shoulder, ready to fire, but not knowing where to aim.

Atticus was just settling into his trance preparations ... and a large red mark appears on the side of his face as his head is rocked over and he's knocked to the side with a surprised grunt - he was relaxed and wasn't expecting that at all. "What the FUCK!" Atticus snarls, definitely a departure for him. "I can't understand you," he tells the alien, waving his hands in a calming gesture - who who knows how that goes. "You're going to be fine. FINE. Just let us do our job. Calm down. Plenty of time to talk again," he says as he touches the alien .. and tries to let some power filter out through his hands and into the alien's frantic body. But that's interrupted too and Atticus shouts, "INCOMING RIFT! This one's hostile!" A guess.

Kaomas turns to regard the paniced creature, then turns to look at the empty air where the rifts was he appeared through. A mental command shifts his vision through thermal imaging, magnification, and back to normal vision, scanning for anything out of the ordinary, aside from the bleeding alien behind him. On a whim.. the soldier shoulders his rifles and looses a shot at the spot where the rifts would have been, acting on the aliens paniced ideas that something is still there.

"Oh dammit, DANGER DANGER!" Atticus shouts a second later.

Caliopa moves, pale faced, to knee next to Kalvin, her hands taking over the shirt, pressing down. She listens, her eyes mostly returning to Atticus the slap making her wince. She doesn't release the pressure though, glancing down at her hands as the blue seeps into the material. She swallows, looking away again. "What is he pointing at? I don't see anything? Oh god..." She stays put, pressing down hard, trying to stay calm.

Kalvin at this point, reaches out to seize Atticus by the arm; strangely not paniced by any of this. "Leave me with him." He says, firmly. "I can do this. Go fight, that's what you do, isn't it? I think he's tied to all of this somehow, and if he dies, he's useless to us. I'll keep him alive, it's what I do. Go." He points towards a couple of fit men who haven't fled yet. "You, and you. Help me move him. We need to get him out of the open, this could be a warzone in a minute. Move move move!" The four of them begin to move. "Caliopa, fight or stay, whichever you think you will do best at!"

Kesslan turns to regard Desmond as he's spoken to, the greeting returned in kind. "Sarakir Deees-monn-d." he says, though no translation is forthcomming of the first word. As the yelling starts up Kesslan turns his attention to the group again, and even he can tell that their all pointing back to the general location he'd been watching just moments before, and so that rifle of his is raised once more "Kata-fata-kur Dees-mon-d." he says to the larger feline as he slinks into an easy battle stance, rifle being raised with his right hand while his left slips the visor of his non EBA helmet down over his face to protect it...

Sure, the scientists and the medics get their fun, but sooner or later someone has to step in with a sword and nip at their ankles. Sebastien takes a breather, rolling his eyes, and calms himself again. Finding a stable center while Sara cycles him back in the direction of the group at a slow walk, oblivious to the noise and the panic inside. Presently his voice sounds over the radio, distant and canned-sounding as he notes dryly, "Someone may want to herd those civilians away from the rift."

Desmond tenses suddenly and whips around, his pistol out now. Given the yelling already going on, he doesn't bother restating the obvious. Instead, he fades off to the side, looking for something to use as cover. A stall, a bench, anything that will obscure his large frame a bit. He hears Kess' words, but the lack of a translation leads him to file them away without response for the moment.

Caliopa shakes her head, fear on her face. "I'll stay, I'm no good..." She keeps hold of the shirt, rapidly turning blue, her hands sticky with the blood. She moves with the alien as he is carried, "To the stall over there..." She is glancing over at Atticus as she works.

"Alright," Atticus notes, frowning as he clamps his helmet on, drawing his revolver and rising to his feet with a clamber, smiling at Cali. "We'll be fine," he calls to her.

Kaomas' shot singes through empty air. The idea seems to be liked by the security folk though, for as soon as the white dot appears once again a storm of fire sails up towards it; the day erupting into a lethal inferno. As before, the white dot appears and spreads into a cerulean cricle; the weapons fire dissapearing into it. It is not one, but two robots that come bounding out. Kelley and Kaomas will recognize them instantly -- they are identical to the one fought in the factory. For everyone else, they are basically humanoid, about five feet tall; lightly clawed hands and with some sort of weapons assembly built into their heads -- a barrel on each side -- barrels that are already engaging the security forces with blue-white beams of ion energy.

Kalvin is mostly busy with helping to transport the injured alien, but since the strong men and Caliopa are doing most of the lifting he isn't above pointing his right hand at the lead robot. The Triax manafactured pistol in his hand barks, and bucks sharply -- launching a small projectile towards the robot. Just a snapshot, as he continues moving.

Kaomas takes stock of the rapidly deteriorating situation at hand.. and he takes command as he was trianed to do. "Security!! Cover the civilians!! Get themselves and yourselves to safely.. we'll handle this!!" He shouts over his suits loudspeaker. He crouches then, the small crosshair provided by his right eye trianing on the second bot that emerged from the rifts.. and he looses a burst at it.

Caliopa doesn't draw her weapon, both her hands pressing the wound with the sodden shirt, her eyes flickering around. "Kalvin, I need something else, this isn't holding..." Her fingers have blue sticky liquid oozing between them, and her eyes are anxious.

Atticus murmurs something under his breath, closing his eyes and concentrating for long seconds - until a faint blue glow surrounds him and then completely disappears.

Sebastien heels Sara, breaking into a trot as he approaches bot number two. A glowing shield sprouts itself from his forearm, neatly covering his left side from direct attack, while he points that sword at the machine being, closing to range.

Sebastien's blade flames alight, plasma rolling up its length in gouts and flurries of eerie green fire that lick at the sky.

The two robots do not waste any time. Lithe and agile, they begin weaving towards the party -- largely ignoring the paltry fire that is coming from the security forces. Kalvin's shot catches the lead one in the pectoral, the little projectile exploding with a bright flash and momentarialy halting its stride while Kaomas' blast hits it in the region where it's navel ought to be. But both still come. The lead one identifies Sebastien as a great threat, turning it's head towards him and letting go a paired blast of cerulean blue ion beams while the second halts it's stride, making a single beam snapshot at Kaomas.

Desmond elects to take a new course after the two bots come out of the new portal. He snaps his pistol to aim at the first, then draws back, circling around the back of the booth he's selected as cover. Eyes narrowed, he stalks discreetly, starting to circle around behind them at a quick jog, left hand slipping free his blade again.

Deciding that there is a better part to immediate valor, Kelley lowers his weapon and begins to circle around the bots, attempting to hide in the trees as much as possible. Ironically, he seems to be circling around the opposite direction as Desmond, trying to come in behind Bot #1.

Kao's corpse rises from the grounds and stalks after Sebastien.. of liu of him giveing him a bad press coverage.

Kesslan at this point, is pulling guard over Caliopa; keeping between her and the robots and indirectly protecting the little medical operation as he does.

Kalvin has made his shot and tucking the pistol back into it's holster looks around somewhat desperatly. Bending, he retrives his jacket from the ground and pushes that at Caliopa. He then takes a small tube from his belt and offers it to her. "Rub that into the wound. It's coagulant. Hope to whatever God that you pray to it works on his physiology. I think his blood is copper based." The alien arcs his head back in pain -- a sudden flash of red on his face proving he actually has a mouth, just no lips as he opens it for a sort of hissing sound of pain.

Kaomas takes the snapshot in the upper shoulder, the force of the impact rocking him back on his heels for a second. He glances at the smoking singe mark, and grins beneath his helmet. "Thanks for the Armor Kelley!!" He shouts, returning his attentions back to the 'Bots. Kao moves, advancing as quickly as he can while still causing damage. Which he does, loosing another burst of laser fire at the metallic menaces.

Caliopa gives the robots a look, taking her attention from the wound under her hands for a moment. She shoots Kesslan a grateful look, the jacket taking her attention as she juggles tube, jacket and shirt, bending her head over the alien. "Hush, we're trying, honest. Jus' lie there." She drops her sodden shirt to the floor, pouring the tube's contents over her fingers and lightly running them over it, before she presses the jacket over her work. "Oh god, please survive, we're tryin'."

Atticus seems to finish doing whatever it is he was going to do, lifting up his revolver and taking a fighting stance. Aiming at Robot #1 carefully and firing a single shot at the tall attacker.

Sebastien ducks low on Sara's back, the horse bursting ahead in a quick sprint that easily tops forty miles an hour with hooves tearing up great clods of packed soil as the knight whips in a quick circle. That ion beam skims high over his unprotected right shoulder, close enough that little arcs of lightning dance and scorch the surface of his lacquered blue plate. Sebastien angles to place his shield between him and the aggressor bot, maintaining velocity. Sara snorts and screams, with Sebastien painting the sky with fire as he bears on towards bot number two again, since already has the attention of the first.

The two robots demonstrate themselves as being fairly capable of working togeather. Neatly, they leap so that each has their back to each other; Robot #1 training weapons towards the flankers -- Kelley, Desmond and Sebastien, while Robot #2 keeps it's weapons pointed towards Kaomas. The second robot crouches for a stable firing position, visor-like vision unit locking in on Sebastien as another paired blast of beams is sent his way -- still believing him to be the most important target. The first robot looses a pair of the same blue beams at Kaomas, as shots from the security forces land all around the two machines. This is why Bubba, Peter and Joe should not be hired as they manage to hit.... nothing. Either way, the two robots open murderous fire.

Desmond keeps moving steadily, slipping his pistol into its holster one more time. The knife flipped to his right as he pulls the mace with his left. It might not do any damage, but it can block, easily with it flipped back along his forearm. He stalks around smoothly, watching the bots maneuver as he considers his options.

Kelley continues his way around the robots, his weapon held tight against his shoulder the way that he's seen the headhunters on the vids do it. He works his way toward the central point between the backs of the two robots, hoping to aim at #2, whose back is toward him.

Well.. these things certainly are not friendly to anyone here as far as Kesslan could tell, even if they were potentially so to some of those here, everyone shooting at them has probably thrown that possiblity out of the window. Of course the fact that everyone opened up on them right away and without the slightest bit of hestiation at least gives Kesslan the clue that these things likely are -not- friends of anyone, and so he flips his weapon fire selector to 'burst' and lines up his shot on the nearest robot to Caliopa (and by extention Kalvin as well. The rifle's scope at this point of little use save to quickly make sure his shot is lined up when he squeezes the trigger sending several balls of ionized energy sailing off towards robot #1.

Kalvin is ignoring the firefight as best he can to work on the Alien; by now liberally covered in blue blood. Reaching to his belt again, another injection is made; and the Alien seems to settle down a little. "His reactions to drugs don't seem to be too much different than another species with copper based blood I worked with. I think I can keep him alive. Caliopa, how's the head looking?"

Kaomas growls in pain as a twin blast assault finds his armored gut, blasting him hard enough to make him think twice about closing in like he did with the one in the factory. The Headhunter backs away, putting himself between the Bot's and the alien.. and Kalvin and Cali too. "Take 'em down boys!!! they're cake!!" He shouts, encouraging the fighters within earshot to give thier all.. not like they weren't allready.. but all the same. He crouches to steady his aim, and lines that little targetting retticle up with the second bot's chest plate, above his first shot's marks. He squeezes the trigger, loosing another burst of death at the 'Bot.

Caliopa glances up, her eyes anxious, "Slowed down, least it hasn't come through the coat yet. He was in my vision, not him but some like him. Gentle folks." Her voice is high, keeping the panic under control. She glances up at the exchange of fire, her eyes flickering between Atticus and Kesslan, something relaxing slightly, seeing Kesslan between them and the robots.

Atticus aims again, still firing his revolver in a two handed stance at the robot facing him - and murmurs a spell, his eyes glowing for a second before going normal again.

Sebastien bears down, heels digging in as he drops low on the saddle. His shield covers his left, Sara oblivious to his sword gouting a stream of plasma that streams behind him as a fiery banner that sears the air, choking away oxygen in its wake and leaves a flaming trail in one's eyes after they blink. The cannons leveled in his direction flash Sebastien with a pair of dots for an instant before a flash and a pop, twin smoke trails raising from those arms. Not today. With an invisible smile the knight slows on his horse, circling as Sara tries to claw between the bots to break their cover while Sebastien hammers down with that sword, flames engulfing the bot attacking him as he beats mercilessly at his head and shoulders from above.

Kaomas is incredibly lucky today. His shot slams home into the neck of Robot #2, overloading a power capacitor just as the ion cannons are meant to fire. There is a blue flash as the weapons go silent, sparks vomiting from the twin barrels. Not to be outdone though, it suddenly lunges -- moving into melee range with Desmond and attempting to rake it's claws across his chest. This action permits Sara to easily move between them; Sebastien's plasma sword burning a swath across it's shoulder blades. Both are showing some signs of damage now -- especially as Kesslan's ion rifle sears a smoking crater into number one's side; enough to stagger it; a few sparks seen from the smouldering hole. Kaomas' second blast makes things even worse, the unit showing signs of faltering. Really is alot easier when you're properly equipped isn't it? Robot #1 redirects targets from Kaomas to Kesslan, loosing a pair of ion blasts at him this time.

Meanwhile.... in the trees not too far off, something lurks. It has been here for some time; awaiting the proper oppertunity. Neatly leaping down from the trees, it begins to skulk forward; slipping around behind the stage and away from paniced people it moves with the practiced prowl of something born to do it; unseen by any of the party -- except for one that is, as it begins to sneak towards a huddled group of women and children.

When the second bot comes charing at him with claws flashing, Desmond stays his flanging advance and sets to meet it. The left snaps up and he moves into the strike, the haft of his mace snapping up against the thing's wrist to stay the claws. A deep, rolling rumble rises in his chest as he shoves the claw away and spins, slashing his life at its chest on the way around, executing the tight spin with his left back up, the knife drawn back as he faces the thing warily.

Kelley drops to one knee, steadying his arm against his leg, looking down the scope toward the second bot, hoping that a shot from the rear will catch it in the rear and surprise it enough that it'll be unable to dodge. And who knows, maybe it keeps its power supply in its ass? You never know who designed these things. He wouldn't put it there, but still, you never know. He nurses the trigger, debating between aiming at the second bot's ass or its balls..

Quiet, composed and deadly the Pantheran known as Kesslan steals himself for the fight. While the words of the others around him make little to no sense at all to the alien, and gestures give him but clues, he still knows instinctively that he fights almost as a claw of warriors with these others.. these... alien beings he cares not for. And in so doing he soon finds himself watching out for them as he would any of his own kind in battle, for in the end his survival depends in this moment on theirs as well. Racial bias and hatred, what little of it that lingers in his mind in regards to these people slipping to the wayside for the higher goal of simple survival. Petty hatreds matter not at all when one's life is at stake, and to an extent he certainly feels honor bound to protect Calipa as best he can, for that is what friends do. Continuing to track his target Kesslan's finger preparing to squeeze down once more when the robot returns fire, the Pantheran is quick on his feet however, doding out of the way in a neat and tidy roll to the side done with typical feline grace and agility, one that lands him back in a crouched position further to the side as the energy projectiles fire at him blast up nothing but dirt and steamed snow all around him.

Kalvin at this point is still working on the Alien. His face is getting increasingly desperate as he attempts to find a way to stop bleeding. Slowly though, he seems to be winning an uphill battle; working fiendishly with various drugs and implements. After a moment, he hands Caliopa what looks for all the world like an adhesive version of a sanitary pad. "Cover the wound with that." He is saying; flinching visibly as the shot meant for Kesslan blasts into the ground nearby. "Keep smiling, Caliopa." He says. "Eyes on your work."

Kaomas shifts his vision just in time to catch a glimpse of someone.. or something skulking in the shadows near a huddled group of defenceless women and thier children, hiding until the battle is over. A sudden rage comes over Kaomas, absolutely despising those who would take advantage of women and children.. nothing worse in the world. He get's a sudden mental vison.. a rememberance.. of watching his wife Calyste.. and thier twin boys being mowed down in a bloody hail of laserfire.. "Never again.." The warrior growls which is transmitted over his speakers in throaty growl, and he abandons his spot fighting the two robots, and takes off at a dead run, heading for the stage and the being he saw vanish behind it.

Caliopa drops her eyes to her work, taking the pad and pressing it against the wound, hesitating before putting the jacket on top, putting her weight against it. "I think it's stopped bleeding..." She speaks, her voice steady at least, even if her eyes keep wanting to flicker up to watch the fight. Kaomas' run gains him a quick glance, nothing more, Kalvin's comment keeping her eyes down.

Atticus aims carefully with his revolver again, focused again. Firing at the robot facing him = #1? - and letting loose another energy bolt at it.

Son of a... Sebastien eyes his target charge away like a linebacker and blow into the group. "The Gate will be closed forever!" he yells, sword pointing before him as Sara charges the poor, damaged, crazed bot number two. As she draws near Sara rears onto her hind legs, front hooves falling and pounding at the bot's back, twin pistons backed by a ton of angry steel tearing in with hate. Prodding and driving to push the robot towards the earth. Sebastien's sword pounds again and again into the robot's back. Plasma engulfing its head and rolling down its back to lick black trails on the earth below.

Those two robots are certainly managing to hold the attention of the party -- all except for the one that goes charging off, apparently. Robot #2 manages to turn it's weight past Desmond's blow, taking a gunshot in the side as it does. More devestating though is the combined attack of Sara and Sebastien; the impact throwing the robot to the ground and doing a considerable amount of destruction on the back. Thrown to the ground and trampled, it takes several hits before it rolls on the ground, moving between the pounding forehooves of the warhorse -- smoking and vomiting sparks from a pair of places it lunges upwards and to the side -- freakishly strong strength for such a small unit applied to her hind limbs in an effort to topple creature and dismount the rider. Robot #1 is still firing away at Kesslan; another huge blast of cerulean energy mowing out towards him.

Meanwhile, off to the stage; the third individual detects someone incoming. This one is different -- hardly a robotic drone, this one is... cunning. Careful, and it waits; permitting the headhunter to grow closer and farther away from his comrades before it steps out to meet him; rising to it's full height. It stands about eight feet tall, heavily built with broad shoulders -- very humanoid though, a little bit reminiscent of heavy cyborg armor. The face is almost empty, shaped only vaugely humanoid with a visor like assembly for the eyes and an almost egyptian cowl around the face. Both fists are balled, and lightly, easily the machine gestures outwards with them and opens fingers. Each digit is tipped with a gleaming, twelve inch long curved claw; fingers triple jointed for better use for them. It begins to casually walk towards the frightened, now trapped group of children, glancing once at Kaomas and then ignoring him as it moves towards the people.

Desmond growls lowly as he comes out of his spin, feeling the poor angle of the strike without having to look. The lack of the low hum from his right telling the tale of his present 'helplessness'. The knife is dropped with an opening of his fist. For the moment forgotten as he eases back when Sebastian and his horse assault his target. Easily fading back to favor the move, waiting for his own moment. When it rolls and grapples Seb's ride, he moves in. For want of a better option at this point, not at all aware of the third attacker, he moves in to snatch at one of the limbs of the robot. Whatever he can get a grip on. Provided he can get it, he's going to try a swing toss the bastard. A few feet or a few dozen can make a difference, depending on the comparison between them.

Deciding to continue firing on the metallic beast attacking Desmond, Kelley is annoyed when Sebastien and Sara hit the ground and obscure his shot. He remains on his knee and fires once more, trying to hit the first bot as close to the middle as possible. He aims carefully, steadies himself, takes a breath, lets half out it out, holds, and fires..

Kesslan however, is apparently far from being in the clear as the robot he'd shot at seems to have taken considerable exception to his one well placed blow and continues firing uppon him, causing the feline to roll once more out of the way, narrowly avoiding the incomming fire that litterally wizzes past his body missing by mere inches. Desperately he starts seeking some form of cover, something he can get behind that will at least obsure the view of the robot better than open air...

Yet again, a shot meant for Kesslan slams into the ground near to Kalvin and Caliopa; making Kalvin flinch and almost drop the syringe he was using. He looks up, seeing Kesslan moving off -- a fortunate fact. Turning back to the alien, he continues to work; bleeding seeming to have mostly stopped. It really is hard to work with all of this fire around you.

Kaomas bristles at the insult of the thing turning it's back on him to go after the cowering children and thier mothers.. who have begun to scream in fear of thier approaching demise, embodied by the approaching 'Borg/Bot. Kao is having none of this.. "Don't you dare turn your fucking back on me you murdering peice of shit!!" He screams at the shings back, the twin blades at his back are drawn as he runs, his thumbs hitting the switches to set them to buzz, running right into melee range. His actions cause his rifle to drop to the ground behind him, easy grab for those comeone in behind him. Once within range, he launches himself at the thing, blades first.

Caliopa makes a whimpering noise, her hands tightening around the jacket. She is concentrating, her eyes flickering to the gun fire, "Kesslan..." She glances up at Kalvin, trying to focus, her attention wavering. Quiet, slow breaths and she is concentrating, silent and white but pressing on the wound.

Atticus aims at the robot he can see - theone he's been firing at before? Still aiming carefully and firing another 'round' from his antique revolver, braced and staring down the barrel.

Son of a robot! Sara screams rage again as her leg twists in an unhealthy fashion, body turning as she's pulled to the ground. Sebastien lands hard, sword sinking six inches into the hardpan as he scrambles to free his legs from his horse. Plasma laps at the earth, soil lightning and liquifying around his sword. By the time Sebastien claws upright a smoking plate of glass rests where he fell, blade pulling easily from the ground and dribbling flaming bits of scorched earth as he finds his feet.

Sara lays prone, one rear leg still held by the little bastard behind her. Her forelegs scramble briefly for purchase before she spasms, throwing back a sharp kick to the rear. Like a machine, again and again, ringing the fallen bot like a drum as she jackhammers her way to freedom.

Both of the smaller robots are most defenatly showing signs of wear, especially the one that just took a severe beating from Sara. Dented and damaged, it staggers back from the force of the blow -- right into Kelley's shot, which impacts it just above the waist and exits out the belly. Emitting a loud, static droning sound it simply collapses and lies still; the sound fading away to nothing. The other smaller unit though, whirls at the destruction of it's partner and aims a double blast at Sebastien from close range; Kesslan now abandoned once again. It seems that the programming of these things dictates that they go for the greatest current threat.

Some distance away from the party, Kaomas throws himself against an unyielding wall of steel. Weighing over five hundred pounds if an ounce, the machine barely leans forwards under the headhunter's impact; one blade missing and the other making an ugly furrow down it's back. Slowly, calmly, completely unhurried it turns to face him and speaks -- in perfect English. "You are so little better than they are, Terran. Weak. A cowering female, fit only to die or serve your better -- and obviously, you do not know your better. Why throw away your life so recklessly, Terran?" The robot's lethal right hand raises; twelve inch blades perscribing a whistling arc through the air as they slash for Kaomas' body.

Desmond eases back a step when his snatch meets only air, conservative in his attempts with the bot flailing and the horse kicking. When the kick and gunfire seems to finally finish the thing, Desmond slips back a fruther step and surveys the field. It'll be then that Des noticed the third thing. And the lone Kaomas facing it. A slight frown comes to the big cat as he elects to snap toward it. Spying the rifle on the ground, he angles toward it, looking to pick it up to use on the latest challenger.

Kelley wheels around, temporarily finds himself off balance, but regains his footing well enough to fire his weapon at the remaining robot, and carefully listening for any beeping noise coming from the downed bot. He checks his plasma ejector for load, decides that taking out this threat quickly is more important than dividing fire between it and the other bot, he whispers a quick prayer for Kaomas, prays that he is doing the right thing, and yanks the trigger..

Having finally caught a break Kesslan continues moving slightly towards cover, but at the same time returning fire now that he has a chance to, the IP-7 kicking slightly in his graps as he fires off another trio of ion packets at robot #1. He's still calm though by now adrenaline is running hot through his system (or what ever passes for such for aliens such as himself). For the time being he doesnt note the attack on the children, though were he to be aware he'd likley abandon Caliopa in a hearbeat to protect them instead...

Kalvin looks up once again to see how Kesslan is doing, and in doing so, sees what Kaomas is up against. "Bloody hell." He says, drawing his pistol again and loosing a shot at the thing. Keying his radio, he transmits on a widebeam as soon as the shot is loosed. "Headhunter's in trouble." He says, bluntly.

Kaomas gasps in pain as the things claws open deep gashes in the hardedn shell of armor he wears, but he doesn't back down in the slightest. "Because they deserve the chance to live.. to better themselves and this world.." The hardened Merc replies, past the pain and both blades sing in again, attemping to carve new valley's in the things armor.

Kesslan moves towards finding more cover, regardless of the source, poping up once more to fire off one more burst at the enemy #1 before ducking back behind cover once more.

Sebastien cheers his girl on as she boots the robot off her legs and clear into the air. He looks back at the remaining robot just in time to .. there are two? What? He staggers to the side too slowly to prevent a bolt from tagging his unprotected right shoulder, a little growl slipping through his teeth as he takes a little jolt through his plate. "Sara!" Sebastien bellows, waving at Kaomas and his whale, "Take him! Let that guy get out!" He staggers two steps towards that robot #1, and lets loose a bestial yell as plasma sprays from his blade to engulf the robot as he runs in. Sara's low in climbing, just starting to get her legs under her.

It has been quite a brawl. But, another series of shots land home and the first Robot quite simply explodes messily, a victim of Kesslan's accurate shooting as much as any other thing. Parts, smoke and sparks fly everywhere in a muted dull roar -- leaving only the terrible, clawed thing that is currently in hand to hand with Kaomas. It does not even stagger as the headhunter's blades land home; two more furrows in the armor created. "You lost your chance to live as soon as you fell under our notice. Mere survival of the fittest. Was it not none of your own scientists that coined that phrase?" With a single finger, it flicks out at Kaomas; ravaged chest armor -- clearly just playing with him.

Atticus begins to sprint towards where Kaomas is, using his loudspeaker, "Kaomas, don't be stupid. Don't go all out. Just stay up!" he shouts as he tries to cover the distance - firing his TK revolver as he moves.

Desmond slips to a knee, snapping up the rifle as 'skids' to a pause beside it. He doesn't bother to take the measure of its capabilities or load. He just snaps it up, business end pointed at the final robot, stock dug into his shoulder and squeezes the trigger with only a snap moment of aim.

Sara pulls her legs under her, whole body shaking gravel and dirt loose as she bounds a few steps forward, tearing once again at the hard pack beneath her to send clods of sand and clay airborne as she begins her acceleration at the stray Bot #3. Sebastien takes those last few steps to close the gap, leaping into the air shield first to twist at the last moment and stab down at the robot. Green hellfire pours over the creature of steel as Sebastien whirls and recovers, shield at the ready.

Kaomas doesn't hear Atticus's warning, his ears full of the 'bots speach, the roar of battle.. and the screams of the defenseless. He charges in agaain, flipping one blade back to rest against his forearm to parry any more blows, the other lashing out at the things face.. to give it a scar to match it's chest and back.

Caliopa winces as Kalvin shoots past, her own hand going to the weapon at her belt, the other continuing to press against the wound. She twists, following Atticus' voice, and lifts it, pointing it at the bot, but not shooting, Kaomas in the way. "God oh god..."

Kelley looks at his rifle, shakes it up and down like a Sketch-n-Etch, and peers down sights, wondering what the hell happened to his last shot. Did he pull the trigger wrong? To the side? Electrical discharge? Forgot to kiss his ass goodbye? What the hell, man?

There are some very frightened women and children huddling near to Kaomas and the Robot; the sounds of screaming that rise from that little pocket of life like a broken record. It seems to only rise in din as some shots begin landing on the robot. The fact of the matter is though, Kaomas has interposed himself between that cluster of innocent civilians and certain death -- nobody can deny that, and in doing so he has certainly saved their lives. But at what cost?

Sebastien's sword attack impacts against the unit's shoulder, a glowing furrow appearing in it. Desmond's rifle hits it at the midpoint of it's body. "Oh, yes. This is entertaining." The machine emits in a coldly mechanical voice. "Such completely ineffectual flailing, I can hear your worthless hearts straining to move your blood. You Terrans and your allies are all the same. Posturing, posturing, posturing. No effort; no bite. I simply do not understand how your evolution has carried you thus far. But no matter." A little girl chooses this moment to bolt, and casually the machine reaches out for her with a lethally clawed hand -- and Kaomas' kukri slams forth, biting deep into the seam between the machine's cowl and it's actual 'face'. Sparks fly, and it staggers back slightly; the child making it out and past the party into the arms of her waiting father, who simply scoops her up and runs.

Bellowing, hissing like an overgrown mechanical lizard, the robot staggers, turning towards Kaomas and lunging with a shriek of brutality; the mocking one hundred percent over. Weakened chest armor is attacked as the claws of it's right hand reach out points first, attempting to punch through the protective shell and into the meat beneath at stomach level; grab everything they can, and tear it out.

Kalvin is still working on the alien. Finishing, doing the best he could he straightens up; turning to watch the scene -- checking to see how Kaomas is doing.

Atticus runs his way towards Kaomas - managing to reach him and touch the other ma's back - murmuring and casting something, stepping back a touch as he's done.

Desmond is quiet, cool and focused. The darting girl gets not a glance, the beleaguered headhunter left to fend as he can as hte big feline fixes on his target. Desmond opens fire again, tilting the weapon upward slightly. Obviously the attack by the headhunter has given the thing pause. He looks to lend to it, snapping off another controlled burst towards the sparking section that was just slashed.

Sebastien ducks and rolls past the robot, a blue blur gracefully diving under its clawed swipe to spring to his feet. The whole of his body whips out, twisting to slam that plasma blade at the creature's back and bathe it in an eerie green flame. Sara, for her part, barrels past Kaomas to rear up and slam hooves into the deadly robot #3, hooves pistols fighting to press the alien thing back away from the wounded and the children.

Kaomas blinks and doubles over the metallic claws suddenly lodged in his belly, gasping over the sudden loss of his internal organs, blinking under his visor at the things handful of... him. "Oh shit..." He burbles, blood thick in his throat, and streaming from the horrendous wound on his gut. He falls to his knees, trying to swallow back the thick coppery taste.. one hand trying in vain to pull his torn guts back into his belly. The other hand fumbling for his helmet seal and tearing the protection off in a splatter of blood that had collected in the helmet. A shocked look of pain is etched into his features, as he looks at the children and women he tryed to save. "I'm sorry..." He gasps, before falling on his side.

The weapon in Caliopa's hands wobbles at the sight of Kaomas' injuries and she hesitates, paling before firing at the robot. Her other hand does stay on the alien's injury, almost as if she can't think clearly enough to move it. The sound of the weapon going off seems to surprise her and she drops it, shuddering.

Unsure as to the safety of the rifle, Kelley pulls out his big pistol and fires a shot downrange at the big robot, doing his best to miss everyone clustered around, startled by Kaomas' collapse. He wants payback. The man wasn't exactly a friend, but he was at least an acquaintance. And nobody deserves to go down at the hands of an evil, human-hating robot.

In a smooth motion, the robot follows through from disemboweling the headhunter and turns towards Sebastien; cords of intestines still dangling from the claws of it's right hand in glistening pink loops. It is in a combat ready stance; both arms spread wide apart -- the lethal claws emiting a soft grating sound of metal on metal as it rubs forefinger and thumb togeather. Flicking it's right hand towards the remains of Kaomas, it turns back towards the Children -- only to be struck by well... a lot of things. It isn't just Sebastien, and it isn't just Kelley. It isn't even just Sara. The security people finally manage to get a clear shot and the six of them open up -- and before it can take another step, it is riddled with near a dozen shots. But, that is not what spells the end. Apparently, the Kukri buried in it's cowl has lodged in something critical, for when another shot strikes the same area the head of the unit simply explodes and it topples over; smoking and silent.

Aside from the screaming.......things are eerily calm.

In a smooth motion, the robot follows through from disemboweling the headhunter and turns towards Sebastien; cords of intestines still dangling from the claws of it's right hand in glistening pink loops. It is in a combat ready stance; both arms spread wide apart -- the lethal claws emiting a soft grating sound of metal on metal as it rubs forefinger and thumb togeather. Flicking it's right hand towards the remains of Kaomas, it turns back towards the Children -- only to be struck by well... a lot of things. It isn't just Sebastien, and it isn't just Kelley. It isn't even just Sara. The security people get some shots in on Robot #1 and manage to put it down -- then finally also manage to get a clear shot at robot #3 and the six of them open up -- and before it can take another step, it is riddled with near a dozen shots. But, that is not what spells the end. Apparently, the Kukri buried in it's cowl has lodged in something critical, for when another shot strikes the same area the head of the unit simply explodes and it topples over; smoking and silent.

Aside from the screaming.......things are eerily calm.

Kalvin is unfortunatly, watching as Kaomas is quite literally disemboweled. Crimson eyes widen, and Caliopa will hear him say something that she has never heard him say before. "Fuck." He is on his feet then, having snatched a medical kit, and is jogging towards Kaomas; face deadpanned. Dropping to his knees beside him, he just sort of stares at the opening in the armor for a minute and by strength alone pulls some fragments of the ruined armor away from it. Hands then, begin to work deep inside the abdominal cavity, trying -- probably futilly -- to clamp off veins and aterties, tie what he can -- anything, really.

Atticus' spell goes off a half second too late - and he seems to realize this, watching as Kaomas drops. His shout is all Elven and English, a mixture of cursing the elf normally doesn't use. He drops to his knees, checking on Kaomas and shaking taking over the elf's shoulders shoulders.

Announcement: Marduk shouts, "Hats off, and a moment of silence for our first PC death." Announcement: Marduk shouts, "Alas, poor Kaomas, we knew him well."

Desmond tracks the fall of the third bot carefully, two ticks passing before the rifle lowers. The big cat rises to his feet and flicks a glance around smoothly. Assessing the situation before he lets himself relax fully for the moment. he then glances toward the new center of activity, the rifle immediately falling into a relaxed carry as he stands stock still. There is nothing he can do for the man, though he does linger to see the outcome with the same emotion neutral set to his features.

Sebastien pants there in the dirt, eyeing the smoking remains of the bot before him. He peers aside at the second one in the dirt, and then at Sara trotting triumphantly at Sebastien, unscarred. The plasma licking his blade blows itself out, and the francophone rests one hand on Sara,s neck before burying his head against his horse, giving her a tight hug before turning back and wandering on foot. Looking to see what's still fighting. If anything.

Kaomas gurgles crimson and black, the bot having torn his intestines asunder. Bloodshot eyes and bloody lips speak as Kalvins hands delve into his guts. "That fucking hurts.. prick..." He mutters, trying to swipe feebly at Kalvin's chest. "Are the children okay?" He asks words choked in blood and bile as death's hand wraps it's hand around the feebly beating remnant of Kao's heart. "Don't ever say I never.... never... did nothing for anyone.and..Give.. VFc... my... stuff...." He orders Kalvin, and he coughs a spray of blood into the air, before he gasps hard, being unable to draw breathe. He trys again.. then that essential spark of life... the soul some might say... flees Kao's tortured body, bound for a better place for the man who sacrificed himself for a bunch of women and children.

Caliopa hesitates, only a moment, leaving her gun where it fell as she bolts, leaving the stable alien for the highly unstable Kaomas. She skids to a half on the other side of his body, next to Atticus, looking for instructions from Kalvin. As her eyes drop to the body, her face goes a little green around the edges. "God." Her ability to handle body fluids is confirmed as she bolts to a bush and loses anything she had eaten.

Kelley scoops up his weapons, standing open mouthed at Kaomas' demise, spots Caliopa alone and probably scared witless. Instead of hurrying to the dying man, where he knows that he can do no good, he rushes over to Caliopa's side, offering a hand, an arm, whatever he can without deliberately invading her space. He stands there to comfort, astonished at what has just taken place.

What may upset Caliopa, is that Kalvin does not have instructions for her. He is working as hard as he can, and manages to clamp off a few arteries. By the time the doomed individual begins speaking, Kalvin is already covered liberally in blood. He does not see Caliopa leave his side, he doesn't see Desmond or the like either. Only his effort to try and save his client, or perhaps friend. "They're fine." He says, still working. "Nothin' you haven't had before. No worse than the arm, eh?" At the last gasp, and the stop of breath, he tries another tactic. The chest plate is pretty ravaged, and he attempts to depress it to force the man's heart to beat. For a good minute after the last movement, he still works; until finally he stops, settling back on his haunches. There is a sort of a moment of silence, as he looks around, spying a security force member with a long coat. "Give me your coat." He says to him. "What?" The man asks. "I SAID GIVE IT TO ME." Faced with that sort of vehemence, the man gives Kalvin his coat, and the doctor reaches out his left hand to close Kaomas' remaining eye, and puts the coat over his face; standing up and turning away immediatly, taking several steps away towards the brush as well -- probably for a different reason.

Atticus actually seems to lose control once he realizes there's nothing to do. He takes the two steps to the fallen robot with the nasty knife-fingers as he rises, screaming in Elven and kicking the robot over and over again with his right foot - the metal on metal sound loud as he seems to lose himself in anger and emotional overload for a few minutes.

Desmond starts over suddenly, moving up to where the fallen Kaomas lies. He gazes down at the ravaged man for a moment before he dips slowly to a knee. The rifle that he picked up is laid down beside him. Desmond lingers for a moment, then rises again and turns on his heel. He will depart quietly, only pausing to pick up his ruined knife before he starts back toward the city proper.

Silence reigns for a moment as the screaming dies down. Even before Kalvin covers Kaomas' face and body with the jacket, there are parents collecting their children and turning them away from the sight. Families are re-uniting and gathering as people make their way to their vehicles for a hasty retreat. Someone apparently has called the authorities because about three minutes later, the roar of jet engines are heard as an overflight of mixed Flying Titan and SAMAS Power Armor belonging to the Kingsdale Militia soars overhead and lands, setting up security. A little while later, NTI salvage vehicles arrive and before long.... the place is deserted, except for those who wish to remain. Many end up at the police station, taking statements....