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The conversation had grown boring. And things needed to get done. He was a few steps when the cry to GTFO came. It was loud, surprising, and he couldn't help it but look back to see which one cried it out. Nick? Shadows came falling from the sky. He recognized the shape of the seekers. Three in a flock, always and usually carrying nifty little living table saws of death. Like Zutnik, but less friendly and easily distracted with a mirror. But he didn't recognize the massive shadow falling... that didn't mean he had his own ideas about the whole thing ... OH SNAP!

He wanted to stay. There was a small part of him that wanted to ignore the self preservation and stay to 'save' these friends of his. ( If you really could call them friends, but with the way the past few months have been going, they were the best he was going to get at this point. Well, friends as in the non mechanical artificial intelligence kind. ) Talon growled, snarled a few rather obscene words, then turned his attention to fleeing while taking a good look at the three seekers coming after him. Seekers were smart. It would be hard to just shoot them down.

The radar was brought up onto the screen, and a glance told him really all that he needed to know. They needed to get as far away from here as possible and regroup. Quickly. And lose the flying sentries that could possibly be carrying the blades o' death. So in the most sensible move he could think of, he ran away like the orders were. ...If running away was running directly at the three heading for him while firing the standard cannon rounds to buy himself time to probably see if he couldn't figure out a way to shoot radio static to confuse and disorient the linked monster army of the judge. Or at least ... .... disorient them just enough for himself to get away. Woot for enhanced systems! <3

( Lame post is lame. Tell me what I need to roll. )

Zutnic clicked his jaw at the on coming threats, to include the one he had formerly been so terrified of. 'Fear' was still present within his mind, however, his want to protect Shun outweighed running away to hide. Not even the great mother will get away without a good fight from the striker.

"Yes master." Zutnic hissed even as he made his way for the back of the Zaber's neck. Perhaps the foreboding shadow would even be tricked by a good cloak. Doubtful, but it was well worth the try.

A loud rumble, like thunder, roared over the land followed by a bright star-like object rocketing upward from far over the horizon. It was so bright even the storm clouds could not conceal it when it pierced through them in it's arc-like path. As it reached its zenith several more flashes of light accompanied the doom star before it begun to make its decent.

Lightning erratically slithered through the clouds toward the distant battle field while the doom star begun its decent. An event that could only have been described as a bazaar weather phenomenon to those not on the battle field. The other rumbles caused from the raging guns seemed to calm to every so often as the sky displayed its light show.

The 'seekers' unraveled as multiple shots were fired upon them. Each of their bodies turned into a plethora of smaller cords which wrapped around each other to give itself another distorted shape shrouded in fog.

Nick held her right forearm toward the incoming threat, the blades in her elbow and the back of her hand pointed outward before the purple barrier appeared between the threat and herself and Riot. A sharp breath passed her clenched teeth. This was the first time she had actually used the thing and its energy consumption was far worse than the flame thrower.

The seekers collided with the barrier and continued to press against it even as they too unraveled their form and begun to take another shape.

-Why don't you join me again? hmn? You are aware -she- is on my tail and will be here within mere seconds. Let us all silence the world from its noise. Talon, Shun, you still have your allegiance to me- An echoed version of Nick's voice came from all of the former shadowy seekers. -Don't make me strip your ZOID's of their consciousness.-

-THEY owe their allegiance to -me- and no one else- An equally foreboding tone roared over the trees. This one, however, sounded to belong to a senile elderly woman bearing that mechanical undertone.

As the manifestation of the fog claimed a large meteor-like object crashed through the trees, nearly striking Ander before he and saga lept out of the way. The being uncurled it's massive figure and bore it's ever changing multi-coloered gaze on the Tyrant, Zaber, Nick, and even venomously on the shadow. Nothing but the rage and hate of the world could be seen in those colorful eyes of hers, stronger than any look a human could give. Nick, Riot, and Ander all received an especially dangerous look from the Executioner.

Moe squeaked, hooted, and practically flailed at the screen when watching the Seekers morph while getting barraged. Talon didn't quite know what to say, and the spider? 'Derk'.

"Okay..." The human said after a while, mimicking the growl of confusion and sudden weariness of the massive raptor he piloted. Perhaps retreating, and retreating far away, was the best option in this case. Birds shouldn't suddenly become flying wires. That wasn't right. That was wrong. That was....

Oooh...now it made sense what had been discussed while he had been venting. Still, he didn't like it. "Run away?" he asked his plethora of companions, and a unanimous agreement was made, "Run away! " A defiant roar as well as a few more rounds, and that experimental sonic wave was fired at the birds that were attacking. Talon and Tyrant didn't want to back down, but they had to. They had to survive to another day. Still, ...his gaze fell towards the surrounded Nick and Riot...and Poor Ander. Run away? ... Stay.

He would stay this time. Much to the annoyance of his two in-cabin companions.

"Zutnic ready..." The striker squeaked his response in as tough a tone as he could manage. Thank the great ones that Atelius was not yet here to hear that.

Speaking, where had that bird gone off to?

That bright light continued its decent slowly as if time itself slowed just to watch it brilliant display. Once it vanished beyond the trees and the horizon there was mere moments before a loud rumble shook even the trees at this distance. The ground shook another moment later while the wind fled from the war zone. There was one last bright flash of lightning and soft clasp of thunder before the clouds left only their ominous presence accompanied by the gentle patter of rain.

Nikita was shocked to see that Talon and Shun had not fled the battle zone. They were among the people she most respected, and fleeing would not have changed that, yet they stayed to help her. Of all people. The one who had pretty much drug them into this mess. Among the few she respected and the very few she would without a doubt call 'friend'.

Back to the battle field! Nick's palm begun to glow while the shield begun to waver in strength. Quickly she stretched her hand far over Riot's shoulder and with a deep breath released a long stream of fire into the shadowy mass. Her back pressed heavily against Riot's as she tried to get her firey palm as far from Riot as possible.

Each second that passed caused her heart to race faster and her breaths to become more labored. Her frame begun to lean heavily against Riot's as her energy was quickly becoming depleted. Silvery sweat glistened from her brow and ran down the side of her cheeks.

-..but not outmatched...- Nikita responded to Riot quietly through their thoughts.

-...Talon, Shun... don't let anything merge with your zoid's core...- She than warned through the com-link in the Tyrant and the Zaber.

As for how? They could easily tell their partners not to. However, the Grand Organoid and the Switch might be a problem... A fun problem that Nick was having a hard time relaying the answer while the Switch begun to try and interfere signals.

All of the shadowy cord fragments begun to reunite with each other across from the Executioner and Nick/Riot. The ones that got blasted with the flame thrower were first to move back and form the shadowy form of the Iron Judge.

"Yours? You are mistaken, their promises first came to -me-" It hissed venomously back to the Executioner. "And they -will- aid in ending your damned existence."

The Executioner lifted her bony nose to the shadow before releasing a terrible roar to the cord-construct. All four hands readied their claws as she stood on her toes to increase her size. For a brief moment her eyes turned red in color before continuing their multi-color pattern. Once her eyes continued their strange pattern the core of the Tyrant would begin to receive strange signals calling for obedience. There was no visible affect on the ZOID, just an ancient calling for the ZOID to remember who created it and who it should serve.

Ander glanced over to Saga before the Organoid released its golden cords to take Ander into his core. Saga than speed toward Riot and Nikita to offer help, only to just miss being struck by one of the cords as the moved across the ground to collect.

Attention was only briefly averted from the origional target. "Are you two alright?" Ander/Saga turned their head to Riot as they continued their approach.

They didn't like this. They should be far away from the danger as possible. Yet, here the pilot was, giving cover fire for the Saberfang that was advancing upon the dark cloud that swirled and surely was full of pure evil. The Champion Organoid had them all on edge, and surely Talon would back down? Surely he would see reason and get them as far away from here as possible.

More orders were barked at him. They were common sense at this point. Why would he let anything other than Atelius touch his Zoid? His reply was nothing more than a snarl. Of course he wasn't going to dare let one of those monsters touch his Zoid. He barely felt comfortable letting mechanics that he trusted touch Tyrant with all that has happened. And Tyrant made his own feelings known with a loud, and defiant roar of challenge. They were in agreement, let them try. Tyrant and Talon would rip them to shreds, or die trying.

Tyrant, again, roared at the monster that was trying to force obedience. It didn't like being told what to do. Yes, it acknowledged the maker. But it had made allies over the years. And did the raptor really think this monster that wanted to harm the squishies had its best interest in mind? ... Not at all. Tyrant shifted without being asked, planting its talons deep into the earth. The Green Tyrant glowered, his eyes glowing in autonimous intelligence at the chaos before him. It appeared to be madly cackling.

Meanwhile, Talon was confused why none of his controls were working. Why had he stopped? Why was the Particle cannon system suddenly engaging? Why did he feel that his Zoid had decided to attack the scary thing with many cables? "If you kill me, I will haunt your core until you rust. You hear!" Tacker gave an indignant 'derk', folding four of its arms, glowering at the screens in disintrest. Moe was...barking at the screen that had the multicolored eyed demon on it. The little dino got pulled away and set on the shoulders of Talon. Where it continued barking and growling.

Tyrant stood rigid, mouth agape as the beam particles charged. Yes, he could kill all those around him, and knowingly he wasn't going to damage the monster whispering in his soul. His reply was cold to the other -- You have shown me no loyalty. I will show you none in return. You are not, nor ever will be, my Lord. -- It was aware that the monster would try the same thing with the Saber, and it automatically sent a polite request to scream defiance if it came to it. Then... and only then, did it pull up a small diagnostic screen explaining what was happening and why it took over the controls.

... Talon let out a small, and humble ' Oh..., carry on then. '

The Executioner tightened her jaw while all four hands opened palm wide to reveal each deadly caw on each long bony finger. She wasn't asking for loyalty. Though she wouldn't give the satisfaction of a disapproving word to any of them. All the hatred and spite stewed for over many centuries could be felt within her cold glare. Tyrant's beam begun to charge and the Executioner's boosters flared open. Within the blink of an eye her frame became like a shooting star that made way for the core of the tyrant. If all went to plan the attack, and every attack afterward, would be aimed toward Shun and Fang. There would also be a strange vibration within the core as it becomes very unstable.

(Puddles; Roll one 100 side dice. You must roll over 95 to resist the Executioner)

A loud screech sounded from overhead quickly followed by a bright flash of green light. The tardy bird finally made its appearance, before making a dive into the Tyrant's core as well.

The Switch grinned to the sight unfolding. Well well, it would seem the damn thing's own 'children' wouldn't even listen to her. It didn't leave her speechless, no, it was just nature for the Executioner to keep everyone uninformed. One would have to spend time with her to read her twisted mind.

Oh, but what a cheat she was at this game! Forcing to take a ZOID wasn't a way to have a fair fight. Just as the Executioner was quick to try and take a warrior the Switch speed eagerly for the core of Fang. If all went to her plan Fang's new target would be the Tyrant as with a much agility. The core, like the Tyrant's would also become unstable.

(Blade; Roll one 100 side dice. You must roll over 90 to resist the Switch)

Zutnic clicked his jaw at the appearance of Atelius. They weren't supposed to go into the core, but... but it might help! He wouldn't let anyone over take his master's core.

"Zutnic sorry to disobey, but be brave for master" He near whispered before becoming enveloped in a red light and tried to fuse with the core of the Zaber.

Nick leaned heavily against Riot's frame wile her arm cooled down than hung limply at her side. Her eyes flickered while she turned attention to the Tyrant and Fang, teeth grit to the sight. There was nothing that she could do for them at this point. Good friends, among the only that she had had, and she couldn't shut either of their ZOIDs down nor deter the monsters from fusing with their cores. The Executioner and Switch's influence over the fog was too much to interfere with at the moment. There mere act of trying caused her head to spin until the world around dimmed to a mere blur of dull colors.

"No... but... " Nick grunted while she worked to lift her frame from Riot's back. Her arms trembled, but yielded no results. Perhaps it was a very bad idea to try the shield and flamethrower in one go.

She drew in a deep breath and silently cursed her careless use of her own energy. At least Riot was safe... but Talon and Shun needed help and she was now as good as a sack of potatoes.

Saga stood between Riot, Nick and the battle scene. His whiskers moved backward before he inclined his head toward Riot.

"It would be in our best interests to escape from here. I could carry her in my own core while you and Quin run on foot, if that should be easier on you." Saga offered while his gaze shifted to the two ZOIDs in the area. The blue organoid remained on his toes in case a quick escape was needed.

Saga could feel the rapid approach of another mechanical coming from the direction of the battle field. What now?

He couldn’t do anything as the other charged at him in a beam of energy. Nor could Tyrant who bellowed between his sluggish movement to get out of the way. But he did register that Atelius was streaking towards him as well. Would that counter it? No. Talon knew that there was no way getting out of it. Essentially, he was screwed.

So was Shun.

All Talon really could do was silently utter an apology to his companion as he sat there, wincing with the oncoming doom that was about to fall upon all of them. He couldn’t blame anything right now, how would they have known this was going to happen? All warnings had been in place, everything had been laid out for them to see it was a horrid trap of some kind. And still they charged in. What fools humans were, Talon admitted with a resigned laugh. At least they had gone out trying. At least they had fallen fighting. And Tyrant? Tyrant’s AI would be no doubt wiped beyond all recognition and would most likely turn wild, unpredictable, and surely beyond unruly with the new being residing in its core. A virus... a plague... and this one dangerous beyond anything anyone had ever seen before. He couldn’t blame anyone, not even himself for this folly that befell him and all.

Should he curse now? He couldn’t even fathom a proper curse that would summarize this entire situation. It was just all too sudden. Laughter was streaming from him at this point, helpless, at the bitter humor that Fate threw his way. Always it was something that he hadn’t thought of, or he had thought of but never thought quite probable with his odds of survival. Talon thought for a second he wasn’t going to survive this, but then he recalled that somehow he always survived stuff like this. He would survive. And when he did...

When he did, he was going to deck that general of his with every ounce of respect and protocol. Crazy a** b***h assigning him to this craziness... who the hell did she think she was telling them to go into something like this without even being present? What kind of leader would just so casually slaughter men she chose to be her guards? What... what kind of world was he even residing in anymore? Nothing of this was making any sort of sense.

“Well, “ he said at last to his two mechanical companions once his laughter subsided, a grin splitting his face, “shit. “ His simple words didn’t ease the worry in Moe’s mind. Not at all. It’s pilot was stressed beyond anything it had sense before, and that laughter... It was like Talon was going mad. This wouldn’t do. Moe hooted and cooed, settling its weight on the shoulders of the human as reassuringly as possible. It was rewarded with a steady hand on its face plate and a calmer, saner sigh from the pilot of the Green Tyrant. There was nothing more Moe could do at this point, but gently n** at Talon’s ear for pets. And Talon had nothing else he could do...

Oh, sure. He could do a manual shut down. That would stop everything, but the charged particle cannon. With the core hacked, he wasn’t sure that would even work. He should have tried. He could hear his instructors screaming at him to try it at the very least, to preserve and protect those innocent souls around him that could get hit in the crossfire of the blast. It would work, and Talon knew that. Not when something had invaded the very core of the monster he sat in.

All he could do was brace himself for whatever hell broke loose and pray that the damages wasn’t as bad as it could be, that something somehow prevented this chaos from fulfilling its wants. Talon wasn’t used to putting his faith in the unknown just like that, but what choice did he have at this point? He needed to believe in something. Faith that Fate would decide to keep everything from tipping completely into the hands of the enemy was worth something. Maybe.

The Executioner was not about to relinquish her hold on the ZOID, her frame wrapped around the core and soon Atelius while she worked her power into the core. Within the cockpit the controls would flicker and glow in tune with the new dark aura the ZOID had earned. The core vibrated in agony over the overflow of power now viciously latched on to it.

Though Talon was not without that humerus hint of luck now and than. The charging beam flickered before shutting down completely, saving Shun from a direct blast from at least that weapon. Atelius' effort was rewarded with a burst of energy from the Executioner as she regained control of the entire ZOID again. The seeker bird screeched from within the core, his frame soon took on the same green glow that begun to completely envelop the Tyrant.

Zutnic had less luck thwarting the switch's attacks. The mass of cords entwined around the striker using it as another anchor against the core. Much like Atelius, Zutnic earned his own red glow that soon spread from the core to show about the entire frame of Fang.

-They are...- Nick offered Riot a weak smile before Saga's cords quickly wrapped around her body than drew her in to his core.The golden eyes of the organoid flashed red, green, than returned to their natural color once his chest cavity settled.

Talon and Shun were capable soldiers, but this was something that even the most seasoned of pilots should ever have to encounter. Trying to merge with either core might cause it to over load and explode, going backwards on the saving the pilots plan. By the looks of it, both cores already were strained past their limits with the creatures occupying the space. Just as the Executioner had done with Blaze she and the switch were doing to those ZOIDs.

They would have to wait until after the auras settled to try anything to extract Talon and shun...

Quin's mouth opened, but the words fell short before he turned his attention to Saga with eyes wide and almost terrified. This was certainly a time for all kinds of surprises... This one almost completely paralyzed the former King.
Saga slapped his tail against the man's back to get him to move again.

"We can dwell on this matter later. For now, focus!" Saga huffed before giving the man another shove.

-Blaze is on his way... he is moving as fast as he can...- Nick informed Riot through their mental link.

Which, despite the colossal gape in his step, was not entirely too fast. Still, the ground gave way to a slight tremble as sign to his distant approach.

In addition to Blaze, another ZOID was making a rapid approach to their position, a Republic marked command wolf was speeding toward them from several miles away. It's com-link was on, but there was no response to be had from the pilot if there was one.