Coalition Operations III: Deception of the Iron Bear

[Sohdakin]

Sohdakin nodded his broad head at Valentine's reply about her force like powers. "Well, not sure how well they make for meat shields as they bleed acid and I would hate for you to get burned." he said and blinked when she mentioned seeing a hunter and looked over to Ori and wondered if his suspicions were correct that indeed the Yautja was here!  "That explains the guards in the other room.  If the Yautja are here, they probably either brought the Xenos with them or they followed the Xenos here" he grumbled and looked to Viktor, wondering if the ice-wolf somehow already knew this as a possibility.  Though his attention was soon turned to Lithian and his outburst. 

The large Rohkah stood up and walked over to the Gargoyle and snorted as he could hear the venom in Lithian's words "It means you have a close quarters weapon and Im not sure if you noticed....but those bugs bleed acid!  At the range your shotgun is effective....you will likely get yourself and others sprayed when you shoot one," he put simply, "So unless you plan on standing around like a knot on a log....waiting for these things to get close enough for your shotgun to be effective, I would suggest you get yourself one of those pulse rifles or take one of the disruptors from the droids....your call" he said and just stared down at Lithian. "Take this as friendly advice from a soldier who has more combat experience than you do years alive." Sohdakin reached behind his back and pulled out his 1 gauge shotgun...which would look like a cannon Lithian's hands, he didn't want Lithian to think he thought shotguns were useless. "We can reminisce later about your shotgun but you really should consider grabbing a rifle"

[Romulan_Furry]

"Cut the chatter, people - sensors indicate Xenos are pulling back, and we have a straight shot to the next AO. Sensor scans indicate there no survivors here other than what we already picked up, but the Forward Observation Pods may, in fact, be still alive. We're taking the APCs to them through a series of tunnels; soon as the escorts arrive, we'll mount up and move out!" Viktor said over the radio while still waiting for Ori to join him in private. "In the meantime, I am bringing in a supply drop - I would advise everyone to stock up and make ready for the next op."

[Weaver]

Lithian blinked. He felt a fire within himself begin roaring to life as he stood there.

"You're... you're kidding right?" Lithian began to raise his voice, "Are you stupid? Why do you have that shotgun if you don't know how to use it? A shotgun isn't a melee weapon. The only reason people think that is because they play video games. A shotgun is effective within 45 meters, and I've seen some sharpshooters hit farther," Lithian was practically yelling at this point, "So far I haven't seen a single hallway more than 45 meters, so before you call me dead weight and a potential team killer, get your facts straight first."

With that, Lithian left the room in a huff, unless someone physically stopped him. He needed to cool down, and he didn't need flak from anyone. Lithian was trapped here for a week, and these guys were here for less than an hour. What gave them the right to boss him around? Or pretend they knew more than Lithian did? It was times like these that he missed being the leader of a squad, only if it was because he could throw his authority around.

[XIII]

Before Ori could go for a private talk with Viktor, a dispute between Sohdakin and Lithian has attracted her attention. She decided to drop the increasing tension between the two. As one of the operation' leaders, it was her duty to handle all issues in the team. Probably the girl in warframe wouldn't say anything and even doesn't interrupt their conversation. But since Lithian sounded a little rude and Viktor asked to stop any communication, the Orokin has to act. No any operation with her participate is failed. Hence she didn't want to put the entire mission in danger because of talks like the one with the dragon and gargoyle. She was too proud to fail.

"You two talking about non-sense. Because if not Viktor, then I'll kick your ass. Otherwise, we leave here you to die; the choice is yours. That is UNSC' directive, and it's up to you to do what Viktor and I ask you for. In case you're really want to make it out of here alive. Speaking of the weapons. All of you - use the firearms you're comfortable with. No need to make a drama. If you like it... Well, I'm sorry, but you're in the wrong place. Did I make myself clear?" Ori said and retired for a private talk with Viktor. She finds her speech a little mean. It may even surprise Viktor who never has heard anything similar from his love' mouth. But unfortunately for him, the female Orokin isn't the sinless girl and had in past deeds, which upon being discovered, may frustrate the wolf. The acts, about which ones Ori prefer not to talk at all. Yet she regrets. And as the purple-skinned can say, some things best left untouched. "I'm really sorry about my words. I just can't let them fight with each other and ruin the mission. Now, what you wanted to talk about?"

[Rayleonarde]

As the group fought and angered each other, Valentine seemed to relax. As the technology used to give her her powers, Valentine and the Mongdrigan scientists didn’t have a firm grasp on what powered their pseudo-Force. But, as the Mongdrigan was piecing it together, the device fed on heightened emotional response. Anger, sorrow, pain, et cetera. All gave her strength. Valentine stood and turned to follow Lithian. “We should not stray from the group alone. The Hunter finds his targets easily slain when in solitude.” She then shuffled off, both to protect the survivor, and to feed off of his anger.

[Sohdakin]

Sohdakin wasnt sure what irritated him more, the impertinence of Lithian or the fact that Ori was coddling him like a child.  He felt his temper raise when Lithain exploded and lashed out at him for trying to help.  Vents on his helm opened up to vent the smoke that was not fuming from his nostrils.  He was about to reach out and stop Lithian as he wanted to put the little punk in his place but suddenly Viktor's voice called out over the com lines, "Everyone, leave Lithian alone - man needs to cool off. Sohdakin, back off! Get your *** to the APC, make sure it's set to go! Valentine, leave the man alone, he's been through enough as it is! Everyone, I want to be ready to move out in twenty! Lithian, you go cool off, and when you're ready, you can join us at the APC."

That was enough to snap the Rohkah out of his angered haze, a large plume of smoke vented before the seals closed again. "Aye Sir, heading to the APC" he responded smartly saying or doing nothing more towards the Gargoyle.  While he wasn't too happy about it, he would not dare cross Viktor as he respected the Icewolf greatly, he had saved the Rohkah's life once, long time ago. 

Once at the APC, Sohdakin checked the perimeter before he opened the APC up and checked to make sure nothing made a home inside.  Once he did a thorough check he began to startup what he could of the APC and began to do any of the heavy lifting that was required, grabbing fuel, ammo or supplies he could find.  It was during this time, after he had cooled down, that he realized what a fool he was for not realizing that Lithain was probably still wound up from having to defend himself from the Xenos...for goddess knows how long and watching his comrades die off one by one till he was fending for himself in this nightmare scenario.  Only to get pulled out of that and thrust into another one and then get told that the very weapon he used to keep himself alive...was "useless"....While he still thought he was correct about Lithain needing another weapon he was going to approach it differently....should he get the chance to apologize to the Gargoyle for his rude behavior and poor treatment. 

For now, he worked on getting the APC prepped, storing the BOSS in a quick access compartment in his spot on the APC, which was right infront of the door.

_{(Viktor's words were provided and approved for use by Romulan_Furry)}

[Alessia Starfurr]

the commanding commando droid  hooked onto the side of the APC as did a few other droids, the rest formed a protective barrier around the APC leaving room for people to get into the APC.

[Romulan_Furry]

Once Viktor and Ori were alone in a corridor, he looked to her. "Something feels wrong - there is a disturbance in the Force. Something waits for us here," he said. He looked around to make sure they were alone before telling her, "No matter what happens, know that I'll always love you; if this goes south, get our people out of here alive. If I survive, I'll find you. Understand?"

[Rayleonarde]

Valentine sighed and stopped. Lithian stormed off faster than what the hobbled Mongdrigan could shuffle. She turned and, remembering the offer, moved over to the APC and took a seat. She began massaging her temples, or what she could reach, and spoke to Sohdakin. “So...not a fan of the survivor, hm?”

[XIII]

"Lithian, just in case you feel it right, we can lift you to our flagship where you can stay for the rest of the mission. You don't have to fight if you don't want it.". Ori said, worrying for the Gargoyle. She was afraid that he may do something silly and got himself in danger where no one will get time to react quickly. At the end of the day, Lithian was surviving here for a while before the team arrived. Considering this, he needs a rest. And if something terrible may happen with any survivor, Viktor and Ori will be the first ones in charge. Naturally, as one of the experienced UNSC' operatives, Viktor' girlfriend wanted to avoid it by any means. And if that means Lithian' extraction - so be it. After all, the rescue team has superior firepower, and with the Gargoyle on the cruiser, the team will have for one fewer things to take care of. For Ori, it was a good option.

However, Lithian wasn't the last thing that had alerted the Orokin. Viktor' words caused Ori' to frown. But of course, because of her helm, it was impossible to see. After everything Viktor has experienced and survived, such words sounded quite strange. It seems like nothing can stop him and the only people who were stronger compared to the wolf, were DMC' generals. She couldn't even imagine what can kill her lovely furry. Because if that something can kill Viktor, then it may have no problems to deal with the rest of the team.

"If you survive? Viktor, my dear. We came here together, and we will leave this horrible place together. Shoulder-to-shoulder everywhere, do you remember?". The galaxy-skinned said and ran over with her metal-plated hand over Viktor' head. No fear or doubt was in her voice. It sounded like she was trying to calm him like a puppy. But frankly, Ori tried to calm down herself too, because in the defensive mode she can do awful things. It was especially true when it comes to Viktor.
- Prince' P.O.W.-

And so, his patience is finally got rewarded. The Hunt was about to continue. While the ground team was busy with their stuff, the Prince observed the place from above and figured a couple of places where the team could muster. And even though his plans were a little changed, the Predator guessed right about the hangar. He couldn't let his victims escape, so once the hangar' entrance was on a direct hit line, the Prince fired twice there with his shoulder' cannon. Just when Valentine was about to enter the APC. Even if the shot can't hit anyone, setting everything around the vehicle on fire would surely disrupt victims' plans. Or at least may separate them.

[Sohdakin]

Valentine was unceremoniously shoved into the APC when the Rohkah's threat detection suddenly flared up and alerted him to incoming fire. He used his body to shield the opening from the initial blast as his back as the fireball blanketed the APC. "Stay inside!" he called out before slamming the door shut.  He pulled out his heavy pulse rifle and aimed in the direction that K2 had indicated the shots came from and unleashed a volley of 10mm rounds into the vicinity where the two plasma shots had come from.  "I have incoming fire from the rafters, possibly a Yautja! Val is safe in the APC, Krystal, I could use some backup right about now" he called out as he did not remain in one spot and continued to fire while he moved.  He didn't move in a randomly picked direction as he made his way to the fire suppression system.  He wasn't worried about the fire as everything was in sealed containers still so they would be protected from the fire but that didn't mean he wanted to let it continue to burn. He switched his imaging overlay to thermal readout as he figured the Yautja was using optical camouflage....though if the bastards upgraded to both optical and thermal camo....they might be in a bit of trouble. "Krystal shut off the droids optic sensors now!" he called out before pulling out a small device from his belt and tossing it into the air.  It hovered in the air briefly before it fired, sending off a intense and blinding light....hopefully enough to either damage or disrupt the Yautja's active camouflage temporarily.

As the nova flare went off, Sohdakin reached the fire suppression system and used his tail to activate it while he kept his rifle aimed up into the rafters, scanning for any heat signatures once the nova flare finished its cycle.

[Weaver]

By the time Ori began to speak, Lithian had already shut the door behind him. He was moving quickly down the halls, taking turns at random, scraping the walls with his claws, and shoving over any droids he stumbled across. His mind swam, flashing through every single negative event that happened in the last week, before finally settling on what happened in the last hour. Everything was crumbling. A cascade of thoughts ripping into one another. So much stress, and this small argument about weapons was the tipping point, the match that set the set his inner fire roaring. First he was held at gunpoint. Then psychically threatened. Then told that he was a useless team-killer. Then yelled at. And to top it all off he swore he heard someone trying to follow behind him. This mounted on top of all the stress of a full week without respite, watching his friends, who he was told were actually criminals, fall one by one. If anything, those "criminals" treated Lithian better than anyone of this squad.

He charged out of the building, taking flight. He needed somewhere to cool off. Someplace away from everyone. He slammed into the ground next to the generator they hadn't repaired yet. Maybe throwing himself into a bit of busywork would help take the edge off things. Despite being a gargoyle, he was fond of replacing himself with robotic parts. Naturally this made him a good engineer, and he loved it. Taking a good look at the damage and scavenging what spare parts were left around, he began to set to work. For a moment, the world faded. Just him and his machine.

Then an explosion. Of course there was. Of course of course OF COURSE. The constant pounding thoughts came back. For a moment he completely broke, just standing there silently while constantly tapping a wrench on the generator. Why why WHY? No... no it wasn't here. It was their problem. Those hotshots could take care of it themselves. They obviously didn't need him. He was useless. Someone who stuck with an ineffective weapon. Someone who first begged to be rescued like a pathetic loser. No... no he would show them all what he could do. Somehow. Someway. For now, the generator. Only the generator. That was all that mattered at the moment. Whatever else was happening would happen. Maybe if the explosions came here, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. It could all just end.

[Alessia Starfurr]

 Krystel's droid let out an audible sigh befor the droid started to twitch,Krystel disconnecting, and the droids normal programming kicking in.  "I'll be planet side in a few minutes. Try not to die before I get down there, please."

"I'm picking up a plasma weapons, what  is happening down there?" She asked already mid flight to the surface... She prepped her automatic Crossbow loading it with a fresh clip of bolts as her armor powered up sheild forming around her.

[Romulan_Furry]

"Taking fire! Let's go!" Viktor shouted. "Horgus to the Draconis Furiam - get a feed on where those shots came from and light it up!" There would be a few moments before the ship would light up like a Christmas Tree and direct a brief burst of Turbolaser Blasts to the general area where the shots came from. "Everyone else not already present - get your ***es to the APC! We are moving out! Flagship, provide air cover to destination!" Viktor gave one last nod to Ori before he headed for the APC.

[Rayleonarde]

Valentine grunted as her helmet bounced off of the APC’s hull. She rubbed what she could of the back of her neck, as she tried to focus on the shooter’s location. “Curse this planet,” she groaned. “I can’t see anything.”