[ No, let's just live and let live. And agree that they both need to be hauled in by the fashion police. To be fair, Kaneki would probably look less ridiculous with claws on his back, filling those voids neatly instead of Hulking out of a normal shirt... The shirt would look normal, anyway. Thank you for not having claws on your back, there's only so much a man can handle in a day and Sigma's about fourteen miles past it already. ]
[ And if only for the sake of venting, he might be inclined to share that particular story someday. When they're a little less strapped for time. As Kaneki goes on, Sigma tugs the bag around his shoulder and rummages, quickly locating the secondary gun in question—ah. An injection gun indeed. ]
They really think of everything, huh?
[ Significantly less enthused than a magic healing gun should make him. Are we absolutely positive Kurashiki isn't somewhere in upper management??? ]
Yeah, I'll do my best not to whip them out for paper cuts and butterflies. [ Unless there are any kind of poisonous-fanged three-foot space Amazon butterflies floating around... One cn never be too careful. And as for the cuff, ] I'll keep it in mind if it starts keeping me up at night. It's already way better than my old one.
[Excuse you, Sigma? Before he got drug into the whole ghoul business, Kaneki's sense of fashion was... well, he wasn't cool (Hide reminded him of that often enough; "why're you always buttoned up in those shirts and sweaters, Kaneki-kun, wear something different for once, jeez!!"), but at least he mostly blended in with a crowd. Maybe a little too much; he'd tended to kind of blend in with the scenery, for the most part. The fact that he had a questionable outfit (which honestly made it easier to fight in) and he'd had questionable judgment in asking Tsukiyama of all people to make it for him (okay, I can't justify that decision) was totally separate from that.
Sigma, on the other hand, apparently normally wore blue coveralls with pin-up girls and all sorts of other weird symbols on them? Who is the worst fashion offender here.
But yeah. Sigma, you'll learn soon enough about the whole ghoul thing, probably. Then it'd get fun.]
I have a feeling that they've had plenty of time and sent plenty of crews on missions like this to get it down to a science.
[Isn't that a reassuring thought?
Kaneki gives him a glance.] You'd be surprised how nasty the butterflies around here can get. [Had someone told him about the jekhe? Kaneki would. Akame had filled him in on how awful they were.] If it's keeping you alive rather than potentially killing you, yes, sounds like it.
[As for the keeping him up, well... there was plenty to keep a CDC recruit up at night.]
Anyone given you the briefing on your team and what that means yet?
[ You're not helping your case here, Kaneki. At least Sigma had been writing a paper at ass o'clock on Christmas morning after getting dumped by his girlfriend instead of partying hard. You could argue these are his Stopped Giving a Fuck clothes. (Why he's still wearing them in April is anyone's guess, but he probably didn't have much of a chance to amass another wardrobe considering, you know, the end of the world.) ]
[ At least let him discover and come to terms with his robot limbs again before you start sprouting new ones. ]
[ And he's... going to take that butterfly comment as a joke for the sake of his sanity, but he'll keep a note in the back of his mind. Anyway, back to the cuff. More specifically, the blue interface on his. ]
Vaguely. [ He pulls a face. ] We're supposed to be coordinating a search and rescue of some sort, but I mean—I just got here. I don't know where we are, where they could've gone, who took them—I don't know anyone! Is there someone I should be reporting to? How about Ghost?
[Kaneki would much prefer staying up all night to write a paper over most of all the shit he'd had to deal with for the last few months. But it was really difficult to stay in university when you were suddenly thrust into the middle of a complicated plot involving humans, ghouls, and everything in-between. It didn't really compare with the end of the world, I guess, but it was still pretty trying to get through all the same.
It's too bad that Kaneki is being completely serious about the butterflies. He'd had to deal with a centipede-fish beast the size of Tokyo Tower, which was terrible in its own regard, and then there'd been the kraken... Honestly, this entire planet was a blasted hellscape full of horrid monsters.]
Yes, I thought it was strange they brought in new people to this situation. We'll get you caught up, though. Some people are already searching for where they might've been taken, tracking them by their cuffs. Once we know, we'll move out.
[He wonders if having any of the new guys pester Ghost would be the best idea. Dagger would most likely berate them.] The instructors usually have a lot to deal with, let alone hundreds of recruits. Keep an eye out for senior recruits from your own team. I'd give you some guidance, but unfortunately... [Kaneki taps the red interface of his own cuff.
Something occurs to him.] Can you defend yourself?
[ Yeah. Were he remotely familiar with ghouls, he'd probably write a dissertation on no sleep before dealing with any of that shit, except the whole sudden-savior-of-the-human-race thing that came after that fateful yet unrelated paper could probably make eating his own arms appealing for a fraction of a second. Except oh god, no, he would have to eat other people's arms, he could never manage that. Anyway, it isn't a contest. Both of their lives and wardrobes are pretty shite. ]
[ And let him cross those bridges when he gets to them... Ignorance is bliss... ]
Maybe we're good cannon fodder. We'll distract them while you all take care of business.
[ He shrugs emphatically. With the way they'd just dumped them out hundreds of feet above the planet's surface like so many toy soldiers, he wouldn't put it past them. Why go through all the trouble of recruiting then? Just scoop them up and go. Shaking his head free of the notion, Sigma glances back down at Kaneki's red cuff. ]
Maybe 'instructor' isn't the best term, then. [ Eyebrows up again. ] But alright, good deal.
[ At the sudden query, he blinks for a moment. He's got a good bit of height and muscle on this guy and could probably take a few his size in a bar fight, but he gets the feeling that isn't the kind of self defense Kaneki's getting at. ]
[Should he ever become more acquainted with Sigma's particular brand of "sudden-savior-of-the-human-race" thing, Kaneki might just... leave him to that. Despite all he'd gone through (and was continuously having to go through) on account of the ghoul thing, hey, at least it was all just personally his problem. Sometimes wrapping up in the problems of those closest to him. But he certainly didn't have the future of the human (or ghoul, or half-ghoul) race on his shoulders.
Good luck with that, Sigma.
Kaneki wishes he could disagree with what he suggests, but... knowing the CDC, that was a very likely possibility. Throw-away troops meant to help buffer out those that they had lost so they could bolster their numbers. There wasn't enough time in the rovers for all these extra recruits... he has to wonder what happens after they finish the mission.]
Even if that's true, we're not using anyone as bait. We can't afford any more casualties.
[Even if they were troops that were just kinda delivered to their door with no warning.
A bit of a laugh at that. True...] They're a bit... hands-off, it's true. But listening to them is important.
[Helps keep one alive and in good health.
Yeah, it is a bit funny, Kaneki (not even 5'6", scrawny-looking, pretty pale, etc.) asking Sigma "shit brick house" Klim if he could work his way around an angry Neraki if that happened, but... You couldn't always judge a book by its cover, in both of their situations.]
If you can point and shoot a gun, you'll probably be fine. Just stick with other recruits. [Says the guy with... conspicuously no gun. Well.] You'll have time to learn more later.
[ Given how much he'd ducked his head and ran, left the shooting to others, desperately tried to detach himself from the situation, it's no surprise that his luck had finally run its course in time for him to face the music. There's something pretty laughable about self defense when your buddies are blowing these guys' homes and families to high heaven in T-minus very, very soon. ]
[ When the guy snaps back to it, Sigma lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He'd drag him boldily if absolutely necessary at this point, but seeing him moving of his own volition definitely helped keep his own thoughts from locking up too badly. There's no lesser of two evils, the least he can do is try to assure the safety of those waving the same flag as he is. That's all combat is, isn't it? Like fucking Call of Duty. He almost laughs. ]
No problem. [ Trust him, speed won't be the issue if he can help it. His hand stays fastened to Ginko's shoulder a few steps into their renewed retreat, hopefully jump starting their collective momentum before dropping back for a better grip on his gun. ]
[ A fortunate move, because another Neraki is subscribing to the guerrilla tactic of slamming out through the thick underbrush and straight up shoulder-checking the nearest recruit—oneunfortunately taller and longer-striding Sigma. Reflex puts a fucking christ—! out a the top of his lungs and a handful of lead straight into the alien's center of mass, but that doesn't stop it keeling straight into him at full tilt and decking him clean off the path. So much for being fast. ]
[It's all Ginko can to to keep focused on moving one foot in front of the other down the path. He's grateful for the continued contact as they first get moving—it proves a little more difficult than he had expected to get back into motion after getting so shaken up, and the silent encouragement it provides helps keep him grounded.
With the noise reaching a fever-pitch throughout the woods, it was hard to determine where the nearest threats could potentially be rearing up from. The booming echos of combat, screams human and alien alike... He felt like if he didn't focus on the retreat, it would overwhelm him before he could even realize it. This wasn't the sort of chaos Ginko was equipped to handle.
Needless to say, he wasn't at all prepared for the appearance of their next attacker. He stumbles to an abrupt stop as soon as the creature bursts into his line of sight, eye widening for a brief instance before wincing as it slams into Sigma with all of its force behind it. The neraki manages to keep to its feet even as Sigma gets sent into the tangle of vines just off the path. Ginko's first panicked instinct is rush right in to help, but these things were way bigger and way stronger than he was. That way lay only disaster.
But he didn't have any time to dally, as the wounded—and now even angrier—neraki took a few stumbling steps toward Sigma to presumably finish what it had started.]
Over here, big guy! Hey—! [And its of no surprise when calling out gets now results on its own. So he pulls the trigger again, grimacing as most of the shots go into a wide arc into the trees above after the first few graze their opponent.]
[ The abrupt tackle cut off by an even more abrupt snagging halt into a thicket of vines and branches has his brains rattling like a handful of dice. At least the fall is cushioned, if only by a little, but god, his vision is blurring, breaths deafening in his already ringing ears, and the thing is still coming at him. ]
[ The gun isn't in his hands. With his luck, it had probably spun off into the woods on impact, but that doesn't stop him throwing an arm out and feeling for the weapon. The fellow Blue is shouting something, firing off a distraction, but everything still feels knocked a little loose, the ache in his side and the pricks in his fingers as they skate over the ground feeling numb and distant. It's equal parts relief and panic that jump start his nerves and actions as the neraki rounds on the man behind it, raising a fist to bring it straight across the side of his head. Eye finally free to dart to the side, Sigma locates the rifle a few paces away, lurching and snatching it up and aiming square between the creature's shoulder blades. Turns out half sprawling on the ground might provide for an awkward angle, but a surprisingly steady one in spite of any and all possible head injuries. ]
[ The shots embed themselves in the neraki's back and it lets out another wheezing howl that grates up the length of Sigma's spine. Another dying scream, another body crumpling to the ground, this time under the weight of his bullets. ]
[ Making the attempt to get to his feet is autonomous, fight-or-flight, staggering halfway upright against the nearest tree. There's something white smeared along his arm, slick on the grip of his gun, but his stare is fixed ahead, thoughts tunneling fiercely. They're 1:1 now, and the fresh corpse between them is driving knives up into the pit of his stomach, turning it over and nearly turning its contents out on his shoes. ]
You alright?! [ Again, automatically. Mouth making semi-useful sounds. Had he been hit? ]
[ This wasn't happening. God, if he couldn't blame the other for freezing up before, his gaze can't break off from the target for the life of him. ]
[The grab for the creature's attention had been a successful one, and as it rounds on him, Ginko can only hope that it buys Sigma the time he needs.
He goes to duck under the swing with a rather undignified yell of panic, and only succeeds partway—the creature's fist clips him along the side of the head as he goes down. It throws off his dodging motion, taking what would have been a fluid backstep to safety and turning it into a stumble that has him skidding to the ground. Panic has him automatically trying to to get back to his feet, but the moment he attempts it the world spins dangerously and brings with it a sharp accompaniment of pain.
So back down to the ground he goes, narrowly avoiding a faceplant right into the dirt. He knows he's still in danger, distantly aware of the angry neraki moving his way, but its taking all of his focus to get his head on straight again. The sound of gunshots come to him with such an intensity that they might as well have been going off right beside his head, ringing out in a painful echo after the fact. He winces, losing track of what was going on around him for a long moment until the moderate silence in the wake of the neraki's death gives him something to hold onto to ground himself. When Sigma calls out, most of the spinning has stopped and he's able to drag himself to his feet. He starts to nod, but immediately regrets it when it summons another wave of dizziness. Man, he's lucky as hell that he hadn't taken the full brunt of that blow.]
Yeah, I'm— [He wobbles a little dangerously.] —I will be fine. [Needed to be, or else he wasn't getting out of here.] What about you? He got you pretty good.
[And when he looks over to see Sigma leaning there with his gun in his hands, there comes the belated realization that Ginko's own gun was missing. He begins glancing around for the thing with some urgency.]
[ The wavering voice is enough to set his feet in motion, push off from the tree and skirt around the body. Movements that need moving, stumbling but at a steady keel, he can manage that. When he finally gets his eye up off the ground, it's obvious the guy had caught a clip around the ear, what with the tender way he's casting about for his weapon, teetering on his feet. That's what he should be focusing on... Now that the adrenaline had begun to wane, though, the harsh ache fit for such a strike to the side had finally started blossoming in earnest. With every thud of his heart, his head, neck, and shoulder call back with a painfully merry throb, and it clenches up Sigma's jaw before he can rightfully reach Ginko's side. ]
Well if he broke anything, there's not much we can do about that, is there?
[ He'd been briefly told about the nanite guns, but somehow they don't feel applicable to snapped limbs or dislocated joints. Not that anything feels explicitly snapped or dislocated, but about half of him feels shifted an inch to the left while still attempting to remain in congruence with the rest of him, so now's not really the best time to judge. ]
[ Following Ginko's gaze, he continues it around behind him for a minute before catching sight of a glint of cool metal against the forest floor a ways off. ] Over there. [ He gestures ahead before trotting over to it, but as much as he might like to kid himself that the other had taken the more vital hit, leaning down to pick the weapon up nearly has him somersaulting forward. Thanks in no small part to the world taking a little spin, but the sudden lance of pain beneath his arm doesn't exactly help. ]
[ It stalls him for a second on his knees, but if he had the time to sit back down here, he's got the feeling it might be next to impossible to stand later. Bracing a hand to the grip of the second gun as much to steady himself as to grab it, Sigma forces himself upright once more, shoulders hunched, turning to offer up the firearm to Ginko. ]
You got an ETA on that will be, man? I don't think we need to run into another one of these guys...
[Sigma had a point there—blunt trauma was always a more difficult thing to treat out in the field, though the nanites lingered there as a last resort, with their increasingly limited supply. As long as the two of them were on their feet and mobile, they could at least make it somewhere safer to pause and take stock of their injuries. Any hesitation on their part now would only lead to adding more to that tally.
He's quietly grateful when Sigma aids in the sudden search for his gun. The extra moment it buys allows him to feel more steady on his feet, if only by a little bit. Though its followed by a slight pang of guilt when he catches sight of Sigma just as he's recovering from his own bought of unsteadiness. No, neither of them could afford another run-in with the neraki.
Ginko accepts the weapon with an uttered 'Thanks,' gripping it firmly and steadying himself with short sigh.]
We'll call it a work in progress. I'm good enough to get moving, as long as you are.
[That last comment comes across a little more pointed than he had intended, but it was clear that Sigma was having a rough time of it as well.]
The defensive line shouldn't be too much farther ahead, at least.
[ He's not cute he's manly as hell?? And wow, thanks brat. Don't stick around out of the goodness of your heart to help a clueless recruit. Stay for space stories. Whatever, he's not running off, that's good enough for Sigma. ]
Pretty grey, actually. Hard to really notice all the light reflecting when you're right on the surface... [ You know how the moon works, right dude... ]
[ Once he's finally back on solid ground and collecting his bearings, his face falls a little somber. ]
Of course I do. Something had just... happened to it while I was gone.
[ Kind of the whole reason he's here, actually. Well, the CDC probably would have kidnapped him regardless, but at least they'd offered some help for all the trouble. ]
[He kind of... tilts his head a bit, when Sigma mentions 'light reflecting'.] What do you mean by that? Oh, are there mirrors all over the moon too? I know the moon princess fights with mirrors!
[And suddenly, his speech turns from 'cute' to 'what the hell are you on, kid'.
In his defense, he's not actually lying.
And-- ah, well then. Hanbei's not going to press him on that topic. Chang'e is a much more lighthearted thing to answer to.]
Chang'e is an immortal girl who rose to the moon when she drank the elixir of life. Did you see a giant rabbit, too?
[ He'll show you riled up, you little punk, you wanna fucking go?? He'd fight a little more if the kid wasn't being absolutely baffling now. Raising his eyebrows, ] You ever seen sand or snow before? You don't need a mirror to bounce light around... And how do you even fight with mirrors, break them all and hope the bad luck takes care of them in seven years?
[ Why is an immortal girl drinking elixirs of life? Why is she on the moon?? This has to be some kind of incomprehensible legend, let's latch onto something he can actually grasp. ]
Oh I saw a rabbit alright, but the only thing giant about it was its shitty attitude.
And while we're at it, it isn't made of cheese or inhabited by little green men, either.
[ Because if he needed that straightened out, might as well shatter any other world views he might have in one fell swoop. ]
[ ... ]
[ ???? ?? ]
So black cats and salt shakers are iffy business, but you take the entirety of Sailor Moon as gospel.
[ More under his breath than anything, what if the kid starts rambling again... Moving on, ] Yeah, I mean. It was a rabbit of sorts, on the moon. Are you telling me that's a thing? Actually, are you telling me that they aren't normally back-talking overlords with voices like sandpaper?
[ Ruder than you could ever imagine, Hanbei. Everyone else he'd been with had seemed pretty perplexed by it as a whole. Is there some sort of inside joke he hadn't grasped? ]
[ HEY just because a stripper might pull it off better doesn't invalidate it or its usefulness!! ]
[ Anyway, who's the Blue and who's the Green here? While Sigma's still making a break for it, this kid's already sizing the enemy up and planning its downfall. Perhaps the distinction clears itself as Iwaizumi pivots to face the thing head-on as Sigma keeps his eyes forward, scanning for cover, higher ground, something to swing around and shoot, but by the time he finds a tree narrow enough to duck around yet wide enough to block his entire body, the Green's already mowed the Neraki down at the knees. ]
[ But it's a good angle to catch the second one scrambling up on their right, taking advantage of the pause and distraction. ]
Heads up!
[ Or rather, down. Heads down. Iwaizumi isn't directly in the line of fire, but the smaller he could make himself with a hail of bullets streaking across the gap, the better. A few manage to meet their mark, stumbling it long enough for the kid to clear the danger zone and for Sigma to match pace with him once more. Elena had been right—the first shot he'd ever heard this close was almost debilitatingly loud. Loud enough to make his ears ring and his chest vibrate. Or is that just his heart at this point? ]
[No rest for the wicked, or for a pair of two fools throw into a situation way over their heads.
Despite the sounds of combat and alien species being mowed down left and right, Sigma's voice carries clear and Iwaizumi's head snaps 'round to see Enemy #2 also headed their way, likely alerted by the mournful yells of its comrade.
So much for running.
Still, the warning does his job, and he throws himself to the side as bullets streak by his face, feeling the beat of his heart loud in his head as he keeps stumbling forward, managing to catch up to Sigma during the momentary distraction.
There's a pause for him to gulp a few breaths before:]
Nice work.
[He feels a little sick congratulating someone on gunning down a living being but at the same time, better the Neraki than them.]
[ As soon as they are side by side once more, Sigma's back at full tilt, and it's almost surprising to himself just how fast his legs can carry him through the trees with a bunch of angry tribal tree people on their asses. He keeps in the lead as best he can, but not enough to allow them to separate. So much for letting the kid in the armor take point. ]
[ The praise earns a twinge somewhere in his gut, probably for the same reason the kid sounds shaky giving it out. The things behind them aren't people as he knows them, but it's very obvious they're far from animals. But they're close and they're pissed. ]
Look, if we keep going on like this, we're gonna pied piper these guys straight into the people we're after.
[ And there's only going to be more of them, there as well as on the way. The ones behind them are in poor shape, but they're still big hostile creatures, and they're going to pinch them between a rock and a hard place—more big hostile creatures. ]
[His comrade brings up a good point: they won't accomplish anything by running point black towards their target with a gaggle of tree people on their asses.
The noble part of him wants to suggest they distract the Neraki someone, use themselves as bait so that the other recruits can go forth and finish the mission. The louder, more human, more terrified part of him calls that a bullshit suggestion.
Ditching it is.]
What if we take a left here?
[Iwaizumi gestures at a copse of tall trees and bushes that appear to get denser further in. Maybe there'll be a cave for them to hide, or some sort of ditch.
Either way, it sounds like a better possibility than dying a martyr today, something his courage isn't ready for just yet.]
[ Whatever, there's nothing wrong with being a social reject. Solidarity. ]
[ But oh god, he's still going, already onto the next cord, and Sigma winds himself into all the foliage he can reach. Is the cat going to catch him or maul him if he falls, Jean?? Or just step to the side, that's also valid. Let him break his knees, and then maul him for daring to try and land on her. ]
[ The cat. ]
[ Ah fuck, he's doing it again, isn't he. ]
Look, it's— This isn't funny, it's just a thing, okay? It's a tic! I've had it ever since I was a kid, it's not like I can control it!
[ He's dead serious. About the situation as much as his awful puns. ]
[ How convincing does that sound? Not at all. Not even a little. Jean finishes cutting through the one cord to jump to another branch, like an overgrown sugar glider. At the very least, at least he looks like he's not going to fall, even sparing a moment to roll his eyes. ]
You're right, it's not funny.
[ But he doesn't seem that concerned about Sigma falling. That's comforting, right?
...Or maybe it's just because a ten foot fall doesn't seem so bad to him?
Either way, Jean finds the worst of the tangles, starting to cut through it before he even asks, ]
Ready?
[ (—or not. Either way, he's probably going to go plummeting pretty soon.) ]
[ He'd probably be snickering if he was attempting to lie here, buddy, because he knows it's god's honest truth and it doesn't sound convincing in the slightest. Cut him some slack. Preferably not with the knife just yet. ]
Come on, you of all people could at least get a kick out of it, Tarzan... [ More under his breath, exhausted of any leverage to argue with him. ]
[ And, okay, ten feet isn't that bad, but he's tired, it's a weird angle, there are aliens staring up at him, and he has absolutely zero point of reference for this kind of thing, let alone training. ]
As I'll ev—
[ Whoop. There he goes. With a graceless sort of yelp, Sigma drops like a rock as a few key cords snap under the edge of Jean's knife. Landing on his feet, he quickly buckles forward into a half-flop half-roll that at least doesn't jar his knees too badly as he comes to rest on his back. ]
[ And wow that cat is a lot bigger when you look up at it. Oh god. Oh god don't move she can probably smell fear. ]
[ Thankfully, pop culture snipes go right over his head. Less good news: ten feet is not a great fall, though Jean's perspective is a little skewed in that regard. He's well-practiced at plummeting worse distances at worst speeds. Plus, he's kind of expecting Piper to do something.
This turns out to be the wrong assumption. The poor, tangled guy tumbles onto the ground, and Jean has to wince a little at the sight. Then he takes a moment to deadeye the bahari, speaking directly to Piper. ]
You could've at least tried to catch him.
[ She responds with a yawn, then nudges at Sigma with her nose to persuade him to his feet. Meanwhile, Jean lets himself drop from the tree as well, landing in a steady crouch. ] You break anything?
If you wanna call that "smoothly", I'm not sure I want to be around for when it gets rough. [ Eyebrows raised, voice creeping up an incredulous notch or two, but he manages to rein it in. ] I guess it'll get easier the longer I'm here, huh.
[ Not that he wants the killing to get any easier. The killing can't possibly get any easier, and Sigma wouldn't let it if it did, but the whole routine of the place could be settled into. Waking up early and following orders, running into war zones to get shit done and retreating with all of his limbs intact if he's lucky. He shrugs at her query. ]
Hell, I was just studying. Working on my Ph.D, nothing even related to this...
[ A beat as his gaze focuses somewhere beyond her, something like realization dawning in his eye. ]
I mean, if they took me when I was older, I'd have some idea of what I should be doing, but right now?
It was organised. Considering we've mostly been reacting to event after event, being able to control the fight counts for a lot.
[And it's perhaps the first time they'd really had anything like the upper hand over the Neraki, when they've been stalked and shot and ambushed at every turn and that's without getting into the kraken's involvement.
She tilts her head a little at his response, thinking it over and combining it with what she knows of blue team.]
Well you know, Blue isn't all about command. They handle supplies and medical too, so perhaps one of those units will suit you better.
[ Lucky kid. They'd definitely be powers he'd be jealous of, even if he never noticed his shortcomings in the proper number of eyes department. ]
[ It takes him a second to process the shift in body language, but when it finally clicks, Sigma bites the inside of his cheek. Not everyone had been recovered in one piece, or even alive. He'd probably lost friends; it's not a subject he should probe. ]
These things are a lot smarter than they let on, aren't they... [ Not without a hint of dread, but moving on, ] Bigger than them? How big are we talking? Bahari? Elephant? 737 with legs?
[Luckily(?) none of the deaths were people he'd known very well. It doesn't make them sit any easier. Watching them happen. Failing to do anything to stop it. And the Neraki—]
They're intelligent.
[Not like the Shai. Not human, but far closer. (Too close.) It's entirely possible that the newbies don't know that yet. If all they'd done was fight them off to pull the captives out. If Sigma hadn't worked it out for himself, Eren's not going to hide it from him.
And that's that. When the question comes, as far as comparisons go, everything after "Bahari" gets a pretty blank look. (Elephant? 737?)]
Half a dozen meters long. Some of 'em were twice that. [The estimate is confident, almost offhand. Titan-sized but still worlds smaller than the last thing that had attacked camp.]
[ After floundering for a second in pursuit of the too-quick doctor, Sigma braces his hands to the front of the bumper and hauls himself out. Good thing he gets a kick out of it, because he's about to get a lot more where that came from. ]
You're lucky I was lying down, asshole!
[ Out from beneath the cab with full control of his limbs and a fight simmering in his veins, his movements are a great deal more precise than the initial demonstration might have let on. And so Sigma's lunging up in an attempt to grapple this loser bodily. ]
[ The sentiment was understandable, hell in his position Adrien would be feeling similar levels of hostility and would act on it. He certainly didn't blame Signma for his out burst, hell he was glad to see the fight in the man.
You needed fight on this crew.
However, Adrien wasn't going to stand there and let himself get man handled. He'd been on this crew since the beginning, training with the likes of Steve Rogers, Obi-Wan Kenobie and in hand to hand combat with scourge.
The lunge and the attempt were skillfully deflected. In another time, Adrien might have shamelessly attempted to return the favor of an offensive attack but for the moment, he just played defense. He didn't attempt to grab, shove or otherwise lay a hand on Sigma, merely handled himself out of trouble.
Courser made an unhappy noise and the little tracker looked ready to get in on the action but Adrien quickly called him off before speaking to Sigma. ]
You want to stop. A brief bruise to your dignity is a lesson learned. Keeping coming at me and you're going to find real trouble.
[ They chose him for his good looks and sparkling personality, obviously. And it wouldn't be entirely accurate to say he didn't have powers of a sort, but they by no means lend to his physical prowess in any way, shape, or form. Unless some battle-forged future consciousness decided to bail back to the past and into his head, but that was hardly likely to happen right that second. ]
[ And so Sigma is left to meet her disappointment with a baleful expression of his own. It's not as if he could be blamed, he'd only just gotten here. Last week, he'd been worrying about homework over Christmas and out-of-the-blue break-ups like a normal college student. He swallows thickly at the sound of her tone dropping into one of pure command. She's got a point. If he's stuck here, he should probably get used to firing his own gun. ]
[ On his own terms would have been nice, though. He lets out a noise of frustration. ] Of course. Of course it is.
[ He'd hate to find an abandoned one and get some use out of it. Then again, it stopped the enemy from getting a hold of advanced technology too. Whatever, whining isn't going to unlock the trigger for her. At least she's not totally unarmed... ]
Right. Yeah. [ Tucking the rifle obediently into the crook of his shoulder, he sticks close to her side as they continue on through the underbrush, the noises behind them keeping an even distance behind them. It's got the back of his neck prickling with uncomfortable persistence. ] So, this guy decides to pick up the pace, are we running or shooting?
[ Just so they don't accidentally split or something... ]
[She's not so sure about that either, but considering the circumstances, it's likely that neither of them are putting forth best versions of their personalities. Maybe later, when they aren't adrenaline filled and evading hostiles in 'enemy' territory, they can actually have a normal-like conversation. If there ever is down time in this place.
Truth be told, Sheva just found out about the DNA thing not too long ago when she had been covetously eyeing up someone's arsenal. It had been, as one would expect, a disappointing discovery.
His noise of frustration earns an eyebrow raise in lieu of the creature that was following them. if it didn't know where they were before, then it likely did now. Then again, the whispered conversation didn't help. That's probably what gave them away in the first place.
Unless the thing smelled her. If that's it, she'll apologize later.
But for now, they keep moving. Or at least she keeps moving and just assumes he'll follow behind her. Even better for the man lacking in physical prowess, Sheva's gone and picked up the pace. her legs are already burning in a nagging manner, reminding her of how little she's had to eat over the past several days. No food means no energy, and no energy means no muscle repair. Just add that to the constan physical exertion and she's in her own private mental war zone of sorts.
So she doesn't want to hear him bitch about the pace.
The slight rest of a confrontation even sounds good to her right about now, but that doesn't weigh heavily in her decision to fight. It's the fact that they can't outrun it when it finally catches up with them, and it will catch up with them.]
We fight. That may involve a mixture of both tactics with a creature this size, however.
[Unfortunately for them both, the crashing behind them is moving incrementally closer.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@ dearkafka
[ No, let's just live and let live. And agree that they both need to be hauled in by the fashion police. To be fair, Kaneki would probably look less ridiculous with claws on his back, filling those voids neatly instead of Hulking out of a normal shirt... The shirt would look normal, anyway. Thank you for not having claws on your back, there's only so much a man can handle in a day and Sigma's about fourteen miles past it already. ]
[ And if only for the sake of venting, he might be inclined to share that particular story someday. When they're a little less strapped for time. As Kaneki goes on, Sigma tugs the bag around his shoulder and rummages, quickly locating the secondary gun in question—ah. An injection gun indeed. ]
They really think of everything, huh?
[ Significantly less enthused than a magic healing gun should make him. Are we absolutely positive Kurashiki isn't somewhere in upper management??? ]
Yeah, I'll do my best not to whip them out for paper cuts and butterflies. [ Unless there are any kind of poisonous-fanged three-foot space Amazon butterflies floating around... One cn never be too careful. And as for the cuff, ] I'll keep it in mind if it starts keeping me up at night. It's already way better than my old one.
SCREAMS AT YOUR HEADER IMAGE
Sigma, on the other hand, apparently normally wore blue coveralls with pin-up girls and all sorts of other weird symbols on them? Who is the worst fashion offender here.
But yeah. Sigma, you'll learn soon enough about the whole ghoul thing, probably. Then it'd get fun.]
I have a feeling that they've had plenty of time and sent plenty of crews on missions like this to get it down to a science.
[Isn't that a reassuring thought?
Kaneki gives him a glance.] You'd be surprised how nasty the butterflies around here can get. [Had someone told him about the jekhe? Kaneki would. Akame had filled him in on how awful they were.] If it's keeping you alive rather than potentially killing you, yes, sounds like it.
[As for the keeping him up, well... there was plenty to keep a CDC recruit up at night.]
Anyone given you the briefing on your team and what that means yet?
;)
[ At least let him discover and come to terms with his robot limbs again before you start sprouting new ones. ]
[ And he's... going to take that butterfly comment as a joke for the sake of his sanity, but he'll keep a note in the back of his mind. Anyway, back to the cuff. More specifically, the blue interface on his. ]
Vaguely. [ He pulls a face. ] We're supposed to be coordinating a search and rescue of some sort, but I mean—I just got here. I don't know where we are, where they could've gone, who took them—I don't know anyone! Is there someone I should be reporting to? How about Ghost?
[ "Instructor" sounded... promising, right... ]
no subject
It's too bad that Kaneki is being completely serious about the butterflies. He'd had to deal with a centipede-fish beast the size of Tokyo Tower, which was terrible in its own regard, and then there'd been the kraken... Honestly, this entire planet was a blasted hellscape full of horrid monsters.]
Yes, I thought it was strange they brought in new people to this situation. We'll get you caught up, though. Some people are already searching for where they might've been taken, tracking them by their cuffs. Once we know, we'll move out.
[He wonders if having any of the new guys pester Ghost would be the best idea. Dagger would most likely berate them.] The instructors usually have a lot to deal with, let alone hundreds of recruits. Keep an eye out for senior recruits from your own team. I'd give you some guidance, but unfortunately... [Kaneki taps the red interface of his own cuff.
Something occurs to him.] Can you defend yourself?
no subject
[ And let him cross those bridges when he gets to them... Ignorance is bliss... ]
Maybe we're good cannon fodder. We'll distract them while you all take care of business.
[ He shrugs emphatically. With the way they'd just dumped them out hundreds of feet above the planet's surface like so many toy soldiers, he wouldn't put it past them. Why go through all the trouble of recruiting then? Just scoop them up and go. Shaking his head free of the notion, Sigma glances back down at Kaneki's red cuff. ]
Maybe 'instructor' isn't the best term, then. [ Eyebrows up again. ] But alright, good deal.
[ At the sudden query, he blinks for a moment. He's got a good bit of height and muscle on this guy and could probably take a few his size in a bar fight, but he gets the feeling that isn't the kind of self defense Kaneki's getting at. ]
Not... professionally.
no subject
Good luck with that, Sigma.
Kaneki wishes he could disagree with what he suggests, but... knowing the CDC, that was a very likely possibility. Throw-away troops meant to help buffer out those that they had lost so they could bolster their numbers. There wasn't enough time in the rovers for all these extra recruits... he has to wonder what happens after they finish the mission.]
Even if that's true, we're not using anyone as bait. We can't afford any more casualties.
[Even if they were troops that were just kinda delivered to their door with no warning.
A bit of a laugh at that. True...] They're a bit... hands-off, it's true. But listening to them is important.
[Helps keep one alive and in good health.
Yeah, it is a bit funny, Kaneki (not even 5'6", scrawny-looking, pretty pale, etc.) asking Sigma "shit brick house" Klim if he could work his way around an angry Neraki if that happened, but... You couldn't always judge a book by its cover, in both of their situations.]
If you can point and shoot a gun, you'll probably be fine. Just stick with other recruits. [Says the guy with... conspicuously no gun. Well.] You'll have time to learn more later.
[Hopefully...]
@ itinerate
[ Given how much he'd ducked his head and ran, left the shooting to others, desperately tried to detach himself from the situation, it's no surprise that his luck had finally run its course in time for him to face the music. There's something pretty laughable about self defense when your buddies are blowing these guys' homes and families to high heaven in T-minus very, very soon. ]
[ When the guy snaps back to it, Sigma lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He'd drag him boldily if absolutely necessary at this point, but seeing him moving of his own volition definitely helped keep his own thoughts from locking up too badly. There's no lesser of two evils, the least he can do is try to assure the safety of those waving the same flag as he is. That's all combat is, isn't it? Like fucking Call of Duty. He almost laughs. ]
No problem. [ Trust him, speed won't be the issue if he can help it. His hand stays fastened to Ginko's shoulder a few steps into their renewed retreat, hopefully jump starting their collective momentum before dropping back for a better grip on his gun. ]
[ A fortunate move, because another Neraki is subscribing to the guerrilla tactic of slamming out through the thick underbrush and straight up shoulder-checking the nearest recruit—oneunfortunately taller and longer-striding Sigma. Reflex puts a fucking christ—! out a the top of his lungs and a handful of lead straight into the alien's center of mass, but that doesn't stop it keeling straight into him at full tilt and decking him clean off the path. So much for being fast. ]
no subject
With the noise reaching a fever-pitch throughout the woods, it was hard to determine where the nearest threats could potentially be rearing up from. The booming echos of combat, screams human and alien alike... He felt like if he didn't focus on the retreat, it would overwhelm him before he could even realize it. This wasn't the sort of chaos Ginko was equipped to handle.
Needless to say, he wasn't at all prepared for the appearance of their next attacker. He stumbles to an abrupt stop as soon as the creature bursts into his line of sight, eye widening for a brief instance before wincing as it slams into Sigma with all of its force behind it. The neraki manages to keep to its feet even as Sigma gets sent into the tangle of vines just off the path. Ginko's first panicked instinct is rush right in to help, but these things were way bigger and way stronger than he was. That way lay only disaster.
But he didn't have any time to dally, as the wounded—and now even angrier—neraki took a few stumbling steps toward Sigma to presumably finish what it had started.]
Over here, big guy! Hey—! [And its of no surprise when calling out gets now results on its own. So he pulls the trigger again, grimacing as most of the shots go into a wide arc into the trees above after the first few graze their opponent.]
no subject
[ The gun isn't in his hands. With his luck, it had probably spun off into the woods on impact, but that doesn't stop him throwing an arm out and feeling for the weapon. The fellow Blue is shouting something, firing off a distraction, but everything still feels knocked a little loose, the ache in his side and the pricks in his fingers as they skate over the ground feeling numb and distant. It's equal parts relief and panic that jump start his nerves and actions as the neraki rounds on the man behind it, raising a fist to bring it straight across the side of his head. Eye finally free to dart to the side, Sigma locates the rifle a few paces away, lurching and snatching it up and aiming square between the creature's shoulder blades. Turns out half sprawling on the ground might provide for an awkward angle, but a surprisingly steady one in spite of any and all possible head injuries. ]
[ The shots embed themselves in the neraki's back and it lets out another wheezing howl that grates up the length of Sigma's spine. Another dying scream, another body crumpling to the ground, this time under the weight of his bullets. ]
[ Making the attempt to get to his feet is autonomous, fight-or-flight, staggering halfway upright against the nearest tree. There's something white smeared along his arm, slick on the grip of his gun, but his stare is fixed ahead, thoughts tunneling fiercely. They're 1:1 now, and the fresh corpse between them is driving knives up into the pit of his stomach, turning it over and nearly turning its contents out on his shoes. ]
You alright?! [ Again, automatically. Mouth making semi-useful sounds. Had he been hit? ]
[ This wasn't happening. God, if he couldn't blame the other for freezing up before, his gaze can't break off from the target for the life of him. ]
no subject
He goes to duck under the swing with a rather undignified yell of panic, and only succeeds partway—the creature's fist clips him along the side of the head as he goes down. It throws off his dodging motion, taking what would have been a fluid backstep to safety and turning it into a stumble that has him skidding to the ground. Panic has him automatically trying to to get back to his feet, but the moment he attempts it the world spins dangerously and brings with it a sharp accompaniment of pain.
So back down to the ground he goes, narrowly avoiding a faceplant right into the dirt. He knows he's still in danger, distantly aware of the angry neraki moving his way, but its taking all of his focus to get his head on straight again. The sound of gunshots come to him with such an intensity that they might as well have been going off right beside his head, ringing out in a painful echo after the fact. He winces, losing track of what was going on around him for a long moment until the moderate silence in the wake of the neraki's death gives him something to hold onto to ground himself. When Sigma calls out, most of the spinning has stopped and he's able to drag himself to his feet. He starts to nod, but immediately regrets it when it summons another wave of dizziness. Man, he's lucky as hell that he hadn't taken the full brunt of that blow.]
Yeah, I'm— [He wobbles a little dangerously.] —I will be fine. [Needed to be, or else he wasn't getting out of here.] What about you? He got you pretty good.
[And when he looks over to see Sigma leaning there with his gun in his hands, there comes the belated realization that Ginko's own gun was missing. He begins glancing around for the thing with some urgency.]
no subject
Well if he broke anything, there's not much we can do about that, is there?
[ He'd been briefly told about the nanite guns, but somehow they don't feel applicable to snapped limbs or dislocated joints. Not that anything feels explicitly snapped or dislocated, but about half of him feels shifted an inch to the left while still attempting to remain in congruence with the rest of him, so now's not really the best time to judge. ]
[ Following Ginko's gaze, he continues it around behind him for a minute before catching sight of a glint of cool metal against the forest floor a ways off. ] Over there. [ He gestures ahead before trotting over to it, but as much as he might like to kid himself that the other had taken the more vital hit, leaning down to pick the weapon up nearly has him somersaulting forward. Thanks in no small part to the world taking a little spin, but the sudden lance of pain beneath his arm doesn't exactly help. ]
[ It stalls him for a second on his knees, but if he had the time to sit back down here, he's got the feeling it might be next to impossible to stand later. Bracing a hand to the grip of the second gun as much to steady himself as to grab it, Sigma forces himself upright once more, shoulders hunched, turning to offer up the firearm to Ginko. ]
You got an ETA on that will be, man? I don't think we need to run into another one of these guys...
no subject
He's quietly grateful when Sigma aids in the sudden search for his gun. The extra moment it buys allows him to feel more steady on his feet, if only by a little bit. Though its followed by a slight pang of guilt when he catches sight of Sigma just as he's recovering from his own bought of unsteadiness. No, neither of them could afford another run-in with the neraki.
Ginko accepts the weapon with an uttered 'Thanks,' gripping it firmly and steadying himself with short sigh.]
We'll call it a work in progress. I'm good enough to get moving, as long as you are.
[That last comment comes across a little more pointed than he had intended, but it was clear that Sigma was having a rough time of it as well.]
The defensive line shouldn't be too much farther ahead, at least.
@ strategicnaps
Shut up!
[ He's not cute he's manly as hell?? And wow, thanks brat. Don't stick around out of the goodness of your heart to help a clueless recruit. Stay for space stories. Whatever, he's not running off, that's good enough for Sigma. ]
Pretty grey, actually. Hard to really notice all the light reflecting when you're right on the surface... [ You know how the moon works, right dude... ]
[ Once he's finally back on solid ground and collecting his bearings, his face falls a little somber. ]
Of course I do. Something had just... happened to it while I was gone.
[ Kind of the whole reason he's here, actually. Well, the CDC probably would have kidnapped him regardless, but at least they'd offered some help for all the trouble. ]
Anyway, the hell's a Chang'e?
no subject
[He kind of... tilts his head a bit, when Sigma mentions 'light reflecting'.] What do you mean by that? Oh, are there mirrors all over the moon too? I know the moon princess fights with mirrors!
[And suddenly, his speech turns from 'cute' to 'what the hell are you on, kid'.
In his defense, he's not actually lying.
And-- ah, well then. Hanbei's not going to press him on that topic. Chang'e is a much more lighthearted thing to answer to.]
Chang'e is an immortal girl who rose to the moon when she drank the elixir of life. Did you see a giant rabbit, too?
no subject
[ Why is an immortal girl drinking elixirs of life? Why is she on the moon?? This has to be some kind of incomprehensible legend, let's latch onto something he can actually grasp. ]
Oh I saw a rabbit alright, but the only thing giant about it was its shitty attitude.
no subject
So the moon doesn't glow. [Kaguya glows too, when she's happy or surprised.] Oh, and she uses magic to shoot beams out of it.
[???????]
But maybe that would work too! Though I don't like to rely on superstition alone. You did meet a moon rabbit, though? Was it really that rude?
oh my god I'm sorry for the delay
[ Because if he needed that straightened out, might as well shatter any other world views he might have in one fell swoop. ]
[ ... ]
[ ???? ?? ]
So black cats and salt shakers are iffy business, but you take the entirety of Sailor Moon as gospel.
[ More under his breath than anything, what if the kid starts rambling again... Moving on, ] Yeah, I mean. It was a rabbit of sorts, on the moon. Are you telling me that's a thing? Actually, are you telling me that they aren't normally back-talking overlords with voices like sandpaper?
[ Ruder than you could ever imagine, Hanbei. Everyone else he'd been with had seemed pretty perplexed by it as a whole. Is there some sort of inside joke he hadn't grasped? ]
@ cornerstones
[ HEY just because a stripper might pull it off better doesn't invalidate it or its usefulness!! ]
[ Anyway, who's the Blue and who's the Green here? While Sigma's still making a break for it, this kid's already sizing the enemy up and planning its downfall. Perhaps the distinction clears itself as Iwaizumi pivots to face the thing head-on as Sigma keeps his eyes forward, scanning for cover, higher ground, something to swing around and shoot, but by the time he finds a tree narrow enough to duck around yet wide enough to block his entire body, the Green's already mowed the Neraki down at the knees. ]
[ But it's a good angle to catch the second one scrambling up on their right, taking advantage of the pause and distraction. ]
Heads up!
[ Or rather, down. Heads down. Iwaizumi isn't directly in the line of fire, but the smaller he could make himself with a hail of bullets streaking across the gap, the better. A few manage to meet their mark, stumbling it long enough for the kid to clear the danger zone and for Sigma to match pace with him once more. Elena had been right—the first shot he'd ever heard this close was almost debilitatingly loud. Loud enough to make his ears ring and his chest vibrate. Or is that just his heart at this point? ]
waves a sad farewell to captcha
Despite the sounds of combat and alien species being mowed down left and right, Sigma's voice carries clear and Iwaizumi's head snaps 'round to see Enemy #2 also headed their way, likely alerted by the mournful yells of its comrade.
So much for running.
Still, the warning does his job, and he throws himself to the side as bullets streak by his face, feeling the beat of his heart loud in his head as he keeps stumbling forward, managing to catch up to Sigma during the momentary distraction.
There's a pause for him to gulp a few breaths before:]
Nice work.
[He feels a little sick congratulating someone on gunning down a living being but at the same time, better the Neraki than them.]
We better keep going ahead.
[Towards...more danger, yay.]
no subject
[ The praise earns a twinge somewhere in his gut, probably for the same reason the kid sounds shaky giving it out. The things behind them aren't people as he knows them, but it's very obvious they're far from animals. But they're close and they're pissed. ]
Look, if we keep going on like this, we're gonna pied piper these guys straight into the people we're after.
[ And there's only going to be more of them, there as well as on the way. The ones behind them are in poor shape, but they're still big hostile creatures, and they're going to pinch them between a rock and a hard place—more big hostile creatures. ]
We need to... we need to ditch them somehow.
[ Or, you know, take care of them... ]
no subject
The noble part of him wants to suggest they distract the Neraki someone, use themselves as bait so that the other recruits can go forth and finish the mission. The louder, more human, more terrified part of him calls that a bullshit suggestion.
Ditching it is.]
What if we take a left here?
[Iwaizumi gestures at a copse of tall trees and bushes that appear to get denser further in. Maybe there'll be a cave for them to hide, or some sort of ditch.
Either way, it sounds like a better possibility than dying a martyr today, something his courage isn't ready for just yet.]
@ hahahorsejokes
[ Whatever, there's nothing wrong with being a social reject. Solidarity. ]
[ But oh god, he's still going, already onto the next cord, and Sigma winds himself into all the foliage he can reach. Is the cat going to catch him or maul him if he falls, Jean?? Or just step to the side, that's also valid. Let him break his knees, and then maul him for daring to try and land on her. ]
[ The cat. ]
[ Ah fuck, he's doing it again, isn't he. ]
Look, it's— This isn't funny, it's just a thing, okay? It's a tic! I've had it ever since I was a kid, it's not like I can control it!
[ He's dead serious. About the situation as much as his awful puns. ]
no subject
You're right, it's not funny.
[ But he doesn't seem that concerned about Sigma falling. That's comforting, right?
...Or maybe it's just because a ten foot fall doesn't seem so bad to him?
Either way, Jean finds the worst of the tangles, starting to cut through it before he even asks, ]
Ready?
[ (—or not. Either way, he's probably going to go plummeting pretty soon.) ]
no subject
Come on, you of all people could at least get a kick out of it, Tarzan... [ More under his breath, exhausted of any leverage to argue with him. ]
[ And, okay, ten feet isn't that bad, but he's tired, it's a weird angle, there are aliens staring up at him, and he has absolutely zero point of reference for this kind of thing, let alone training. ]
As I'll ev—
[ Whoop. There he goes. With a graceless sort of yelp, Sigma drops like a rock as a few key cords snap under the edge of Jean's knife. Landing on his feet, he quickly buckles forward into a half-flop half-roll that at least doesn't jar his knees too badly as he comes to rest on his back. ]
[ And wow that cat is a lot bigger when you look up at it. Oh god. Oh god don't move she can probably smell fear. ]
Thanks, I think...
no subject
This turns out to be the wrong assumption. The poor, tangled guy tumbles onto the ground, and Jean has to wince a little at the sight. Then he takes a moment to deadeye the bahari, speaking directly to Piper. ]
You could've at least tried to catch him.
[ She responds with a yawn, then nudges at Sigma with her nose to persuade him to his feet. Meanwhile, Jean lets himself drop from the tree as well, landing in a steady crouch. ] You break anything?
@ luckystarlimit
If you wanna call that "smoothly", I'm not sure I want to be around for when it gets rough. [ Eyebrows raised, voice creeping up an incredulous notch or two, but he manages to rein it in. ] I guess it'll get easier the longer I'm here, huh.
[ Not that he wants the killing to get any easier. The killing can't possibly get any easier, and Sigma wouldn't let it if it did, but the whole routine of the place could be settled into. Waking up early and following orders, running into war zones to get shit done and retreating with all of his limbs intact if he's lucky. He shrugs at her query. ]
Hell, I was just studying. Working on my Ph.D, nothing even related to this...
[ A beat as his gaze focuses somewhere beyond her, something like realization dawning in his eye. ]
I mean, if they took me when I was older, I'd have some idea of what I should be doing, but right now?
that fanart, I love it
[And it's perhaps the first time they'd really had anything like the upper hand over the Neraki, when they've been stalked and shot and ambushed at every turn and that's without getting into the kraken's involvement.
She tilts her head a little at his response, thinking it over and combining it with what she knows of blue team.]
Well you know, Blue isn't all about command. They handle supplies and medical too, so perhaps one of those units will suit you better.
@ counterattacked
[ It takes him a second to process the shift in body language, but when it finally clicks, Sigma bites the inside of his cheek. Not everyone had been recovered in one piece, or even alive. He'd probably lost friends; it's not a subject he should probe. ]
These things are a lot smarter than they let on, aren't they... [ Not without a hint of dread, but moving on, ] Bigger than them? How big are we talking? Bahari? Elephant? 737 with legs?
no subject
They're intelligent.
[Not like the Shai. Not human, but far closer. (Too close.) It's entirely possible that the newbies don't know that yet. If all they'd done was fight them off to pull the captives out. If Sigma hadn't worked it out for himself, Eren's not going to hide it from him.
And that's that. When the question comes, as far as comparisons go, everything after "Bahari" gets a pretty blank look. (Elephant? 737?)]
Half a dozen meters long. Some of 'em were twice that. [The estimate is confident, almost offhand. Titan-sized but still worlds smaller than the last thing that had attacked camp.]
There were too many of 'em to count.
@ prorenataa
You're lucky I was lying down, asshole!
[ Out from beneath the cab with full control of his limbs and a fight simmering in his veins, his movements are a great deal more precise than the initial demonstration might have let on. And so Sigma's lunging up in an attempt to grapple this loser bodily. ]
no problem!!
You needed fight on this crew.
However, Adrien wasn't going to stand there and let himself get man handled. He'd been on this crew since the beginning, training with the likes of Steve Rogers, Obi-Wan Kenobie and in hand to hand combat with scourge.
The lunge and the attempt were skillfully deflected. In another time, Adrien might have shamelessly attempted to return the favor of an offensive attack but for the moment, he just played defense. He didn't attempt to grab, shove or otherwise lay a hand on Sigma, merely handled himself out of trouble.
Courser made an unhappy noise and the little tracker looked ready to get in on the action but Adrien quickly called him off before speaking to Sigma. ]
You want to stop. A brief bruise to your dignity is a lesson learned. Keeping coming at me and you're going to find real trouble.
@ partnerinheels
[ And so Sigma is left to meet her disappointment with a baleful expression of his own. It's not as if he could be blamed, he'd only just gotten here. Last week, he'd been worrying about homework over Christmas and out-of-the-blue break-ups like a normal college student. He swallows thickly at the sound of her tone dropping into one of pure command. She's got a point. If he's stuck here, he should probably get used to firing his own gun. ]
[ On his own terms would have been nice, though. He lets out a noise of frustration. ] Of course. Of course it is.
[ He'd hate to find an abandoned one and get some use out of it. Then again, it stopped the enemy from getting a hold of advanced technology too. Whatever, whining isn't going to unlock the trigger for her. At least she's not totally unarmed... ]
Right. Yeah. [ Tucking the rifle obediently into the crook of his shoulder, he sticks close to her side as they continue on through the underbrush, the noises behind them keeping an even distance behind them. It's got the back of his neck prickling with uncomfortable persistence. ] So, this guy decides to pick up the pace, are we running or shooting?
[ Just so they don't accidentally split or something... ]
no subject
Truth be told, Sheva just found out about the DNA thing not too long ago when she had been covetously eyeing up someone's arsenal. It had been, as one would expect, a disappointing discovery.
His noise of frustration earns an eyebrow raise in lieu of the creature that was following them. if it didn't know where they were before, then it likely did now. Then again, the whispered conversation didn't help. That's probably what gave them away in the first place.
Unless the thing smelled her. If that's it, she'll apologize later.
But for now, they keep moving. Or at least she keeps moving and just assumes he'll follow behind her. Even better for the man lacking in physical prowess, Sheva's gone and picked up the pace. her legs are already burning in a nagging manner, reminding her of how little she's had to eat over the past several days. No food means no energy, and no energy means no muscle repair. Just add that to the constan physical exertion and she's in her own private mental war zone of sorts.
So she doesn't want to hear him bitch about the pace.
The slight rest of a confrontation even sounds good to her right about now, but that doesn't weigh heavily in her decision to fight. It's the fact that they can't outrun it when it finally catches up with them, and it will catch up with them.]
We fight. That may involve a mixture of both tactics with a creature this size, however.
[Unfortunately for them both, the crashing behind them is moving incrementally closer.]