[Mission] What Once Was Lost (Blade,Puddle,Ice) [FIN]

[Blade Kuroda]

"Of course it can," hissed Shun as he watched Nick carefully. His gaze shifted over towards Zutnic as the little guy relayed some information to him. Well that was useful. He had to wonder just how long this little trick would work though. Snapping his attention up towards Nick, he nodded and started to move after her, still hearing Kagi working at the wall from behind.

At least Talon wouldn't have to deal with as many of these things once they managed to finally break through the wall.

Bent-Tail kept close to Shun as he moved on through the hallway, but not so close that he risked tripping the pilot in the process.

"Dat's good! 'Ow long will dey listen t'im though?" he asked while scurrying along. It'd probably be a good idea to know this for when they might have to really start high tailing again.  

[PuddleInk]

Talon, quite enjoying destroying something after such a long time, wasn't too concered. They were making great progress. ....But then strange symbols started to appear. He stared at them, frowned and gently tapped the rolling 'Derk'.. "What the.... " The stopped Zoid wasn't concerned here. It was these symbols. They looked bad. Really bad. Like a warning. Warnings were meant to be headed especially in this type of terrain. "Kagi? Can you translate these? I can't read it. "



MEANWHILE back at the Tyrant:

The saurian was processing the information, storing, sorting, and scanning every bit of the temple as best he could from his position. Every so often, he'd relay progress back to the Seeker. Tyrant very much liked the Seeker, though when the bird wavered, and the massive void appeared, the mechanical head looked up and growled in great concern for his pilot and the others. The Tyrant had to make a step forward to compensate for the frantic landing patterns.

If it had a heart, it would have stopped. A second was taken to process the rather frightening news. A quick Zip folder of all the information provided plus a weird language pack translator was thrown down towards the refurbashed saber. Maps would appear complete with tunnels of the cuddlers. And a warning message that something very dangerous lay in the depths and not to travel there because of the Great Mother's fog. Oh and Atelius was a bit shaken at the moment. The message was probably picked up by Zut too, since it was a pretty powerful signal being generated.

"Crud. Kagi. Lets just use the claws to prop up space to slide through. We don't have time. " A little late for a change in plan, but it would be quicker... Plus Talon had to warn the others. At least, Shun and Ranee.  

[Gestalt Effect]

With Nick's little soldier taking care of the others in the long ZOID hallway the group didn't have anything but getting through to worry about. The long hallway seemed to let out into either a dark room or another sharp turn. It was hard to tell past the what seemed to be a thick black wall at the far end of the hallway.

Nick continued forward with a gradually slowing progression until she had slowed to a walk. What she had been looking for was just on the other side, but there was something else. Her eyes widened. A loud banchi like screech shook the halls. Nick cringed.

"d-damn...." she growled between grit teeth. No way back, and going forward lead to 'her' and the only way out. "Keep behind me, and whatever is said say nothing back unless addressed to. And above all, do not oppose anything with words or action..." Nick gave Ranee and Shun quick glance to be sure they understood these rules and the severity of them being followed.

Kagi backed away from the wall, if the ZOID had a tail it would have been tucked. Something was telling him to flee, get out of here now! The screen flashed again translating the words momentarily before Talon's eyes. 'Come to me my son' and another code worded roughly 'get far away now'. Both were coming from different screens. Kagi, taking the second voice for advice, looked up at his hole in the ceiling than the wall at he far end of the room. Without warning he gave a running start at the wall, leapt up with claws extended and begun to scale the wall.
"Great Mother is here, kill human.... human die I fail. Cannot fail." A deep and rough voice echoed in the ZOID's cockpit. "I leave human with ZOID, find my Master than and not fail. Human run away, or human die. Other humans with my Matser, they may be safe or be killed... Not for your fate."

Zutnic had already started to cringe before the shriek. He could hear her calling for everyone to come. The Jury was there... all of them were there. "Oh, Bent get to see what real organoid is. First organoid is... and Great Mother is.... great mother is scary..." He begun to mumble toward the end of his sentence.

Atelius landed on the Tyrant's head. "Ach, return to the little hole in the rock formations I came out of. Talon will be coming out that way! I will go see if I can't get to the others or at least get a map of where the Jury is." And without getting settled Atelius was off again toward where the temple had been blackened on the map.  

[Blade Kuroda]

Quietly, Shun continued to follow Nick down the hall. While the obliterators were gone, he didn't feel that they could relax just yet. This proved to be more than true when that screech rang through the hallways. Whatever that was, it certainly didn't sound favorable.

Shifting his attention to Nick, he frowned at the orders she had given. Things had gotten considerably more serious fast. Nodding to her, he glanced down at Zutnic briefly when he heard the metal head mention the real organoids.. and the Great mother.

How pleasant.

Grimacing, he gripped onto his pistol but that alone probably wasn't enough firepower to take them on if things went awry. They'd have to tread carefully. Turning back towards Nick, he waited for her to get moving again.

Bent-Tail stared at Zutnic.

"G-great mot'er is 'ere..?" he repeated meekly. He wasn't really sure how to feel about this. But the rat organoid was definitely feeling pretty nervous right about now.  

[PuddleInk]

The entire Zoid moved away from the little hole in the wall. Talon growled and was about to yell in protest in leaving his companions when those message translations flashed on the screen. That couldn't be good with both come and go in the same time frame. And, like Kagi, Talon erred on the side of getting the frog out of there. In this case, frog referred to spider....but what about...MOE!

A knot of dread began forming in his chest. Moe... The rumble of a warning, sage and broken, made great sense. But what about Moe? Talon accepted this and took his gaze to the sky and the hole far above. Could he get the ZOID up there? Or at least, could he get something to shoot up there so he could climb it? Wait...Didn't he have rope on him? Yes... But not nearly enough to make the distance.


The Tyrant, well away from this mess but not too far, obliged and headed for that rock outcropping. Difficult it would be since it had tiny little arms and it wasn't as coordinated as it normally was when say a person was piloting it. Messages were sent to the other two Zoid's waiting that they might prepare for possible combat and extraction. And the data wasn't comforting at all. And then off the avian was flying. Tyrant rumbled picking up the pace and started analizing the point of escape.In fact, several structures inside the bunker of sorts allowed for escape.

It snarled with the reply that Talon would stay put for a few more moments to relay more information to Zut. Stupid two leggers.  

[Gestalt Effect]

Nick took the lead once again. Best not show the Judge any sign cowering, she would like that too much. Her posture straightened. Hopefully this will go smoothly. The Judge had a weak spot for her own goals... though... that damn organoid was with her too, Executioner...

Kagi had a time of keeping the ZOID on the walls as he scaled toward the hole. At times a rock would fall lose and he would be left to clinging with all three of the ZOID's limbs before he could get better purchase and continue his assent. The screens continued to flash that strange language. More demands of 'the child' returning to 'the mother' or some nonsense like that. Whatever it was Kagi ignored it, not completely he grunted now and than verbally displaying his frustration.

Once they were near the hole Kagi used the ZOID's head to widen it. Not paying any mind to the precious cargo still in the cockpit. The Derk Spider hissed and made a slew of strange noises as it tumbled about the dash with each blow from the ZOID's head. It wasn't till Kagi had pulled himself through the hole that the Derk Spider sprange back into Talon's pocket with it's thorax in the air.

"Screee!" A mass of Black fog appeared just over the canyon. Two red piercing eyes glared at Kagi and the Tyrant. The Jury paused in his advance, holding his glare on the two. Shadows of two massive scythes rose behind the black fog as if in warning to any further approach.

-Come get your pilot and go away fast..- Kagi signaled the Tyrant via his own organoid speech echoed through the Tiger ZOID.

"Great mother, is.... she not happy. She the one all others hear without being around. Very demanding." Zutnic nodded."Maybe she talk to you. She has nice and scary voice. Zutnic liked it. Not sure now. Can't hear her the same."

The Obliterator whom Nick had first controlled parted from his kin and re-joined the group next to Ranee. His blue glowing eyes seemed to be focusing on her as he followed along. The other obliterators were left fighting amongst themselves by order of their 'alpha' trying to mass a small army of what was released in the halls.

The hallway seemed to go on endlessly. There were mo more threats coming after them. The Spiders and Obliterators alike were staying away now. Nick glanced up into one of the holes in the ceiling to see a horde of tiny glowing eyes watching them fearfully. As they approached the end of the hall the black fog parted as if it were one of the stone doors and revealed the massive hanger room behind. There was a large hanger door which might have been opened or shut tightly by something black, likely more fog. There were several pillars in this room a ZOID's length apart each. There was only one ZOID in the room, what was left of one any ways. The shambling remains of another tiger lay on teh far end of the room near the black door.

The center of the room was what had Nick's attention. A cloaked and masked, supposedly humanoid figure, stood in the center of the room with a colossal organoid standing behind it. The mask seemed to be mocking them for whatever reason, its red eyes peering at them as if it knew every deed every action each person had made in their life time. The organoid's eyes were always changing color from red, to blue, to green, to Purple and back again in no particular rythem or pattern. These eyes seemed to be staring right into one's very soul. Clutched in one of it's four large hands was the limp body of a green organoid. By the damage this orgaoid had it appeared to have been 'deceased' a long time. And by the way the organoid held onto it, close to its black armored chest, it looked to have meant something to the giant monster, or it's master.

Nick kept herself between the Judge and the group. She held her hand pack, palm stretched, signaling for the group to cease coming any closer. She than knelt down on her right knee and placed both palms flat on the floor. She was going to hear an earful for loosing -another- Judge's cloak...

"My Master...." Nick spoke than lowered her gaze. She had learned the hard way to always greet this way.  

[Blade Kuroda]

A part of Shun had to wonder how Talon was doing, but at the moment, the other soldier was not one of his concerns. There were more pressing things at hand here. That aside, Kagi was with him, and chances were that he was safer anyway.

In any case, he kept his eyes forward for the most part. Every now and then, he glanced towards the other two he was with. When he got back home later, he was going to need to do something about his personal arsenal.

When Nick motioned for them to halt, he stopped advancing. His gun was lowered for the time being, but that didn't mean that he wasn't ready in case things went foul.

Staring ahead, he looked towards the massive and menacing organoid, as well as the humanoid figure next to it. The organoid, he vaguely recalled seeing from a greater distance, while he had never seen anything of the Judge herself up until now. Grimacing, he glanced over towards Zutnic, who seemed a bit nervous. Then again, they were in the presence of some powerful beings here. Ones who have caused quite a bit of chaos and destruction.

Letting out a breath, his gaze shifted over to Nick as she called the Judge her master, grimacing as he heard this.

Bent-Tail stared ahead at the organoid ahead. It was even bigger than Kagi, this one. Shrinking back, he scooted closer to Zutnic, nervous of being so near to this one. Had he killed that green one in its hands?  

[Gestalt Effect]

"You are not alone, how predictable." The Judge mocked in her warped voice. "And amusing... What to think of our guests?"

A low rumble reverberated deep within the colossal monster behind her as if it were giving its dark opinion. The Judge responded with an eerie chuckle.

"They have agreed to help your Iron Judge master." A sinister grin formed on her lips. "We will bring chaos and death, as you wished, to the Empire. They are in league with the general and have easy access to the Emperor."

Nick kept her head lowered and eyes planted on the ground. Everything had to be spoken just right or else... well... the entire group would not have to wait to see what kind of wrath the Judge would unleash on them via her Executioner.

"And when there is chaos, they will continue to serve you in creating the same within the Republic and from there another great war. I have not crushed the Emperor directly, my master, in order to lay out greater chaos and blame between the two nations. My assassinations have already planted the seed. I await the perfect moment to strike...."

"And where is the third?"

"My Organoid has taken him. However, once Kagi has left the ZOID's core the ZOID will return him to where he is needed. I have made sure of that."

The Judge chuckled. Her attention than shifted to the two group members and their companions. The Striker was protectively in font of the rat organoid and his new supposed owner, the Obilterator was a bit in front of his new owner. A wonder what must have been done to that warped saber fang the third pilot was in...

"Such big claims for such loyalists. Tell me little ones... is this so? You are in the service of my Iron Judge and in turn my own?"

The Executioners eyes flashed blue for a second before returning to their sporadic color change. Both Zutnic and the Obliterator shivered at the event.

Nick's right hand flexed, scraping the floor with its sharp claws as it did. She didn't dare look at them for advice or hints at what they were now getting into. She had to focus forward, focus on the amount of black fog in the room. No, their answer would determine their lives. Nick could only manipulate the black fog so much, especially in the presence of The Judge and Executioner.  

[Blade Kuroda]

Shun kept his gun lowered, but he was rather tense regarding the situation. As Nick began to speak, he glanced over at her briefly, taking a moment to realize what she was suggesting here. He might have objected, but he recalled her warning prior to meeting with the Judge.

This.. likely was some sort of ploy.

Either that or he was getting himself into some real deep s**t right about now. Well, deeper s**t at least. He was already in pretty deep the moment he first set foot in that temple long ago, meeting Nick for the first time. Event then, there was a sort of chill than ran through his spine. To be called an assassin once more.

And then the question was laid upon them. The soldier considered his options very carefully. On one hand he could tell the truth and most likely be killed on the spot here. It'd just be said he was killed in the line of duty and the Empire would be none the wiser. And this threat would have less people trying to stop it. On the other hand, he could play along with this. If it worked, he would live longer to try and deal with this issue, but there was a lot he was jeopardizing at the same time. No doubt his word wouldn't be enough and they'd be ask to commit some sort of task to prove whose side they're on. Most likely it would be something worthy of treason.

Staring down towards the Judge and her executioner, he tightened his grip on his weapon.

"I am."

He wasn't about to answer for the Princess. She had to make her own choice on the matter.  

[Gestalt Effect]

"Shun Kuroda, such eyes you have. You conflict with the idea don't you? To return to such a life must pain you. Perhaps this is a chance to redeem yourself from your past guilt. To escape your own death sentence... for the time being."

The Judges red eyes flashed a moment before she focused on Ranee.

"Such a long wait for an answer, Ranee Kaul. One must never hesitate in front of a Judge, lest they conclude you are lying." She paused a moment to let the words sink in. "You have lived in luxury for so long. If only your father had known his meddling in your life would cost him. To pay so much to give you a position others have deserved... It doesn't pain you as much as it should. Now why would I want such a brat in my service? An untruthful ingrate? The world would be such a better place if your sentence was passed quickly."

The Executioner hissed as it observed the two pilots. It lowered its head to be level with the Judge's ear as if whispering something than straightened out again. The eyes held blue as it did this.

"Master, it is because she is so spoiled by her father that I allow her to live. He would cover any whispers of conspiracy to protect his daughter. This brat is aware if she does not follow willingly than her mind is surrendered until her usefulness is no more... I will than force her to watch as her family and all she holds dear burns by her own hand." Nick chuckled as her grin widened. "And I have told you before of Shun. He was kind enough to remove suspicion of me from the Empire. I have seen how he works and know he will not disappoint you."

The Judge finally gave her the gesture to rise from her kneel and Nick did so promptly. The threats proposed were not hollow, if need be loose ends would be severed. But for now she needed to insure that they all were to leave here with their lives intact. Being in the service of this devil was a terrible fate, but hopefully it would be one that would go unattended for a while.

"I find words to be easily overturned in action. As proof of your loyalty you will take on my permanent mark upon your shoulder. If your words are true, approach my Iron Judge and receive that mark. If not... stand where you are and judgement will be passed upon you." The Judge gestured to Nick with her palm turned upward than shifted her silver hand to point to the Executioner, whom was still keeping a close watch on them and strangely had also focused on Bent.

Zutnic backed up almost enough to make his sharp tail almost jab into the rat organoid.

"....wants to know what 'kind abomination' is you are. And why Zutnic not kill. Zutnic say because you new...." Out of fear he spoke the first and last part of the sentence in the ancient tongue, but the middle was translated to a more understandable machine language for Bent.  

[Blade Kuroda]

Shun didn't look over towards Renee as she gave her own answer. He was too focused on the Judge at the moment. His eyes soon widened as she began to speak. While he supposed his name could have been gotten from Nick, he did not speak of his past openly with anyone. He supposed it was possible a background check could have been done, but unless she knew they were coming, that didn't seem all too likely.

What was he getting himself into exactly?

Grimacing at the order, he stared at the Judge a little longer before slowly moving closer to Nick so she could do whatever she needed to do. As he did, he shifted his gaze over towards her, trying to pick up any signs whatsoever of what might be going through her head.

Noticing that the Executioner was focusing on him, Bent-Tail hunkered down submissively. He would have backed up, but his pilot was pretty much directly behind him, removing that option.

"..Abomination? 'M not.. abomination.. n-no." Bent uttered quietly. He was definitely scared here. There was little doubt in his mind that the fearsome organoid before him could turn him into nothing but a pile of scrapmetal within seconds, even with Zutnic around to defend him.