BZPRPG: Onu-Wahi

IC: Demos

The Archive's owner stood within sight of the group, a somber look on his face as his gaze went from them to the mess that had been left.

Ic: It was another temperate day in the Onu-Wahi archipelago full of soaring albatrosses, salty ocean breezes, creaking rigging and deepsea fishing. Anyanka, the lithe toa of plasma, peered over the edge of the Valkyr Girl into the dark water below with an expecting face. It had been about a couple hours since the co-captain of the boat flew away and dived headlong into the water but she didn't have to wait much longer as suddenly her best friend's ghostly visage came up from the depths and quickly came into full focus before Valkyr Anthyn burst from the water and into the air like a missile.

Her wings were sleek behind her and a thick cascade of water flowed off of Anthyn as she still rocketed skyward in static form with all the grace of a proto drake. Her wings abruptly erupted from their place on her back and spread out, then flapped once and twice to shrug off the remaining water. Rivulets exploded from her body over a broad area and some fell on the Valkyr Girl and the mesmerized toa on deck like rain from a stormcloud, the rest looking like a thousand bullets pelting the sea. Anthyn soon began her descent and landed on the deck of their boat with the same sort of beauty and proudly held up her catch before dropping it onto the floor for all to see.

It was a large fish, half as large as Anyanka, not even counting the fins, and its head was apparently crushed and slashed into mush, probably by Anthyn's ironclad talons in some unseen duel between angel and sea creature. "Ta-da!" Anthyn exclaimed and held her arms out for a hug. "Honey, I'm home and I brought dinner."

IC: Ardoku

Ardoku rolled his eyes and started listening, and then he heard it. His eyes widened and he was slightly overtaken by a feeling of dread. "Alright, that I can hear. And I don't like it. I think it would be a good idea to leave... now." Ardoku began walking in the exact opposite direction of the sound... and then he walked into a wall.

IC: [ Rhea / Nero ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive

Rhea's eyes flicked briefly in Surina's direction, then back to Tivanu. "Yes. We all three understand each other very well, I think. I pity we're on three different 'sides of business', as you say."

"My name is Rhea. Undoubtedly you've heard of me, not that it matters. And, incidentally, since this seems to be the time for introductions..."

She gestured to the titanic Le-Toa looming ominously nearby, heavy-muscled arms hanging loosely at his sides, acid-green eyes glowing expressionlessly, watchfully, beneath his scarred, battered Kanohi.

"This is my associate, Nero. Better known as 'the Axe'."

Nero grunted curt acknowledgement, not bothering to even nod in greeting.

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu merely dipped his chin to Nero before turning back to Rhea

"You are correct.. I have heard of you rhea.. infact i have lost several contracts because you were able to get to them first.. But that is the name of the mercenary or bounty hunter business.. first come first serve. And truly rhea i would say it is too early to say you and i are working on different sides.. we know we are on a different side than the ga-matoran here.."

IC: [ Rhea ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive

"Several contracts... yes. I remember. I am glad you harbor me no ill will for it, not that I seek forgiveness."

Rhea leaned back in her chair, her posture casual but alert. Her eyes moved, checking to make sure the door was closed securely. It was. A brief heat signature test further confirmed the absence of eavesdroppers.

"But enough of this... formal banter. Surina is my prisoner by hunter's right; she is mine to dispose of as I see fit. I am prepared to transfer custody of her, to your party, for a price. Before I name it, however, I would like to ask you two simple questions."

She leaned forward, paused briefly, then spoke. Her gaze was intense, challenging; her voice, soft and deliberate.

"How much, Tivanu, do you personally care about the members of the group you are currently operating with, and how much do you, personally, care about seeing Surina back in official custody of the Ga-Koro government?"

IC: Dalrin -- Ussalry Stables

Life in the Ussalry was a lot like life as an innkeeper, since it was forever dominated by three things; work, work, and more work. Not that Dalrin was complaining; every moment he had in those barracks, whether it was spent training, mucking out, training, eating the "food" served in the cafeteria, cleaning, training, or straightening up; those were moments that meant something to him. Each second breathing the damp, fetid air of a dozen other soldiers was a second where he was something beyond Dally, the innkeeper's son.

He was Private Dalrin Stratos, soldier of the Ussalry, Light Cavalry, defender of Onu-Koro. He felt as though he suddenly had a greater purpose in life, that he was something more than himself. He was no longer simply a brother of two one, he was a brother of hundreds. He was a warrior of righteousness, a protector of the people, a man who could make a difference.

Of course, if that difference could not involve mucking out the stables, that would be quite the bonus.

Like a deflated airbag, Dalrin slumped onto the handle of his pitchfork, digging its prongs deeper into the accumulated hay and droppings that Ussal crabs just loved leaving around for their Matoran. Bed seemed like a long-forgotten fantasy, even if half of the village couldn't even have been awake yet; the more seasoned Ussalmatoran liked to call the morning shift for ... well, for anything ... Makuta's Revenge. Partly because they would joke that He placed a final curse on those unlucky few dawn workers so that they would suffer, and partly because one felt like a burnt out husk by the end of the shift.

Dalrin hadn't quite gotten that last part until Major Leli had explained about the br... the bar that had burned down in Le-Koro a couple months back called the Makuta's Revenge. And as much as he hated the thought of laughing at a building in flames, the majority of Light Cavalry could attest to such an action in absolute full confidence.

But understand what the 'Venge meant didn't make it any more pleasant.

"Welcome to the Makuta's Revenge," he muttered, beneath a tired grin, to an imaginary bystander. "Where your worst nightmares about crab ###### come true! I'm looking, oh, looking for someone, someone, someone ..."

"... ugh, shoot me."

OOC: Dalrin Stratos, open for interaction.

-Void

OOC: I think we should get the show on the road again.

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Onu-Koro, Secret Lab):

It had taken a while, but the keys had been retrieved. Kirgan and Shadd returned first, shocked at the sight of the attle aftermath.

"What happened?" Kirgan asked Azthran and Xaron.

Soon enough, Hile and Feran returned as well.

"Woah."

IC: Xaron

A voice echoed in my ears. I guess after being knocked out for so long, I had actually just fallen asleep. Or something. I opened my eyes, and blinked a few times. The light was too bright, so I attempted to cover my face with my arm. I raised it up and...

Oh. Right. I lost that arm.

I used my other arm to shield my eyes, and whispered, "The robot unfroze and attacked us."

IC: Azthran

I saw Kirgan and the others approaching us. There was blood running down my left leg. Hile was shocked to see all the frozen robots, a disarmed (literally) Xaron and blood spatters everywhere. I thought the look on his face was kinda funny.

"Did you guys get the keys?"

IC: Xaron

I blinked a few more times. My eyes were getting a bit more used to the light. I looked up at everyone, who finally had come back, and I started to stand up. I felt a little light-headed, but I was still able to stand. I looked at where my arm used to be.

I wonder if I can get another arm? Or if that repair drone is still around, and maybe it could make a new arm?

Hah, yeah right.

Ic: Anthyn

IC:

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah, Gene!"

Anyanka bent down to examine the fish and tilted her head as the gooey red stuff inside the seafood spilled onto her fingers, hot and sticky. Anthyn opened up her arms for a hug and the lithe Toa of Plasma dove for the embrace, squeezing Anthyn and then looking up the deck of her ship towards the sea.

"I don't know if I can cook it, though," she said with a twinge of her mouth that signaled her regret. "I've been burning a lot of stuff lately. The fish, the bisque...the dockworker..."

-Tyler

Ic: "The dockworker was ionized. It's not quite the same thing as being burned, dear," Anthyn corrected Anyanka and patted her head gently. Anthyn stood a full head taller than her bestie. "Don't worry, though -- I'm the best cook you'll have."

Anthyn sort of looked in the direction Any stared as she realized what she lacked. "I'll need a kitchen, though. Or a large pit. That's what I cooked the last big meal I made in."

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Onu-Koro, Secret Lab):

While Azthran had frozen all the other repair drones, one still stood next to Xaron, intact but still. Having patched up Xaron, it seemed to be waiting for something.

"I... can't believe this", Kigan stammered. "We should've been here to help."

"We did get the keys", Hile answered Azthran's question. Kirgan walked over to Xaron to take a better look at the damage. The dismembered arm lay nearby. He had no idea whether it could be reconnected or whether a robotic arm could be constructed.

"We could open the gate now, but that might expose us to more danger", Hile said with uncharcteristic hesitation in his voice. "Perhaps we should get Xaron to a hospital first?"

IC: Azthran

"Me too. I think my leg is broken." The pain in my leg was too much. And the thought of it seemed to make it worse.

"Mind helping me up?"

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Onu-Koro, Secret Lab):

Hile hurried over to the Toa of Ice to help him up.

"How exactly did the thing 'unfreeze' itself?"

IC: Sulkua

I think it's more important to get them to a hospital quickly. Better than to stay around waiting for the robot to awaken again," Sulkua pointed out as he helped to carry Azthran.

IC: Feran

"Agreed."

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Onu-Koro, Secret Lab):

"Doesn't look like it's gonna get a chance to wake up again though", Kirgan said to Sulkua as he helped Xaron on his feet. "It's in worse shape than it ended up last time. The eye has been shattered and most of its tentacles are off."

OOC: I am back now.. sorry for the delay shadowhawk

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu leaned back in his chair and smirked widely as well

"To be honest if it came to either me living and them dying or them living and me dying i would take option number one.. However they serve their purpose.. Would rather keep them alive at the moment unless it was truly profitable. And about Surina," he laughed a bit darkly before continuing "She is a loose end.. I want to see here dead be it my hand or the governments.. Though right now it is beneficial to me to hand her over to the Ga-koran government."

IC:

Orderin stood outside the door, waiting for Tivanu to finish,

"What do you think's going on in there?"

He said, turning to Viima as he did.

IC Surina

(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):

Typical, Surina thought. Is there anyone on this island who doesn't want me dead?

IC Viima and Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):

Viima turned to Orderin. "Probably drinking cheap wine and telling old mercenary jokes", he replied. "With Tivanu it's hard to tell."

Tuli cringed. Could this Le-Matoran be more annoying?

"Shut up", she snapped. "There is nothing funny about any of this. We are on the verge of capturing a widely wanted criminal..."

"We are", Viima said, gesturing to himself and Oderin. "Not you. You're just here cause you want to avenge your boyfriend."

"You wouldn't have found her without me", Tuli returned. "Now shut up and wait for that Skakdi to return."

"Go breathe fire."

"Return to your swamp."

"Hug a Ranama!"

"Smell your feet!"

And so, in a matter of moments, the two Matoran were at each others' throats, wrestling like young Ash Bears, shouting insults at each other.

IC: Xaron

"And eye for an arm, I guess." I grunted. "Where is the nearest hspital, anyways?"

IC: Mar (The Wise Man's Archive)

"Ye both be loudmouth scallywags 'bout to get ripped a new one lest ye shut yer traps"

The bawdy, rough voice and slang of a grizzled sailor was probably not what they would've expected out of me, but like it or not, I had once been that precise thing, and I, of all people, would know how much the right voice can enhance your words, and being in control of sound I could change my voice easily.

I had turned to look at them, with Karv in a threatening, watchful stance beside me. My weapons were visible, my talons appearing to hum slightly. It wasn't hard to imagine what would happen should we come to blows.

What am I, a mannequin? Was I expected to zone out all unwanted noise. Thanks, but no thanks, I rather like hearing, it's quite useful, although it could absolutely be applied in a much more constructive manner.

OOC: I'm really enjoying my recent expansions of Mar's character

IC:

Ordering bit his lip to keep himself from bursting out laughing, he then lifted up the Matoran, one in each hand,

"What will do with you two?"

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Onu-Koro, Secret Lab):

"Back at the village", Kirgan responded. "We should take you there. Can you walk alright?"

IC Viima and Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):

Viima and Tuli were so caught up in their fight that they never noticed Mar's threats or anything else around them... until Orderin picked them up with surprising strength, even for a Toa.

"Someone's gotta teach the tree-hippie to shut up for a change", Tuli said. "I was thinking about doing that by shoving my fist into that grin of his."

"You need to learn a few things yourself", Viima shot back. "Like minding your own business and getting down from that mental pedestal you've built for your ego."

IC: Xaron

"Barely. I lost a lot of blood, but I think I can walk some."

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Onu-Koro, Secret lab):

"I'll help you", Kirgan said, wrapping one hand around Xaron's waist, keeping him upright. He glanced at the others from the team he had gathered and sighed quietly. It was beginning to look like this quest for the tablet's meaning caused more pain than gain for everyone.

"Look, I know I dragged you all into this mess", Kirgan apologized. "I understand perfectly well if you want to get out of this cavern and never return. I'll go with Xaron and Azthran to the hospital and come back later. If you won't be here then, I will understand."

Hile was about to say something reassuring, but could not think of anything. He stood by Feran instead, watching as Kirgan, Xaron and Azthran exited the cavern. The keys were left behind.

"I don't know about you guys...", he said. "But I'm not going to back out now. We've got the three keys. Wanna see what they do?"

IC: Mar (Wise Man's Archive)

"Shut. Up."

The voice cut right through all else, digging into the ear canals of those who heard it like the buzz of a Niazesk, boring into their brain like an obsession, demanding their attention.

Things were rapidly approaching unpleasant, and they really wouldn't like me when I got unpleasant.

IC Viima and Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):

Both Matoran, still in Orderin's arms, turned their heads at Mar.

"NO", they said in unison.

At least there was something the two agreed on.

IC: Xaron

Me, Kirgan, and Azthran made it to the hospital. By that time, I felt very, very sleepy. I actually think I nodded off a few times on the way, but not for more than an instant. It was such a pain, losing blood. Literally. It hurt having my arm cut off by that robot.

At least that little drone made me stop bleeding. Then a thought occured to me.

"Did you guys get my arm?"

IC Kirgan

(Onu-Koro, Hospital):

"It's right here", Kirgan said. He then turned at a scuttling sound behind him. The small repair drone that had helped Xaron had followed him all the way from the cavern to the hospital.

"What's that?" Kirgan enquired.

IC:

"Alright now. Firespitter, why don't you try and loosen up a bit. Viima, she has a point about this being a rather serious situation."

Orderin then put the two down,

"Can we all just try and calm down?"

IC Viima and Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):

Tuli brushed herself off. "Loosen up. Right. I'll do that when I visit the Onu-Koro zoo."

Viima folded his arms. "Let's make a deal: You don't touch me and I don't touch you."

"Fair enough", Tuli said. She looked up at Orderin, though, and asked: "How do you keep your sanity around him?"

IC: Mar (Wise Man's Archive)

My only acknowledgement of the situation was my weapons disappearing beneath my cloak again, and my turning around to supervise Tivanu again.

IC: Torvoth

The Vortixx struggled to cover his guffaw as Ardoku made an about-face right into the rocky wall of the tunnel. As he did so, the footsteps, or whatever the sound was, got louder. Torvoth, however, was not concentrating on that. "Wait a moment..." he murmured, scratching the battered chin of his Kadin-helm. "There's one end of the tunnel, from which the footsteps seem to be emanating, a direction that we had previously been marching towards. Therefore, we came from behind us - but you just proved that there is a solid wall behind us. So whatever is coming at us appears to either be able to manipulate the environment, or convince our minds of a manipulation in the environment. I shall test this with the scientific method. Observe."

He marched up to the wall that Ardoku's face had recently met and stated, "I do not believe this wall is real. There is no wall here" before punching it. The string of curses that came from Torvoth's mouth as he cradled his fist indicated that it was probably real.

OOC:

No problem, Voxumo.

IC: [ Rhea ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive

Rhea smiled dryly. "I have no intentions of killing anyone. Frankly, I was merely wondering if you would be willing to betray their interests. You say Surina is a 'loose end', and you are right, but..."

She hesitated, eying the Skakdi cautiously.

"But I might have a use for her, for something other than the assassination of Akiri Hahli to which she is so devoted. She is quick, agile, ruthless, and very, very determined. With a bit of training and an intelligent guiding hand to keep her out of harm's way, she could make a new and profitable career for herself, a career that might very well be to the mutual benefit of all concerned. If you hold a personal death grudge against her, I can of course do nothing about that, but if it's the promise of riches that makes you so dedicated..."

She shrugged. "Let us say I was to hand Surina over to your group for five hundred thousand widgets, in cash. You would all have to contribute in order to pay the sum, I assume, as I am seriously doubtful any one individual of you could pay it alone. Let us say, that en route to Ga-Koro, Surina 'somehow' managed to escape. Let us say that I later paid you four hundred thousand widgets for allowing the escape. I would end up with a net profit of one hundred thousand widgets and a new apprentice; you would end up with your original share of the five hundred thousand widgets, as well as a significantly sizable chunk of your partners' contributions. Later on, I would work with you to fake Surina's death, thereby ensuring that all pursuit of her is dropped. There would be money for you in that, as well."

IC: Ardoku

Ardoku, lying flat, head pointing directly from the wall, quickly rose up in a 90° sitting position, and turned around to look down the tunnel from which the sound originated. "Well this is just swell. Any suggestions, helmet-head?" He stood up and now had his whole body facing the open tunnel, standing in a combat-ready position with his brass claymore drawn. "If it's going to be a fight, I'm not going down easy."

IC: Tivanu

Tivanu seemed to consider this option for a very long time.. It was as if he had fallen asleep with his eyes open though he eventually spoke

"No... She is too much of a risk.. I saw how your lads were barely able to keep a hold of her.. only after you intervened.. That shows that if she really wanted to she could escape again.. And the fact she has escaped death once before shows she could do it again.. That is something i can not agree to.. However i am prepared to offer you something more beneficial to you.."

IC: Xaron

"It's one of the repair drones...for some reason I think it likes me." I looked at the very odd drone. Why was it following me, anyways?

IC: [ Rhea ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive

Rhea could see the Skakdi's point. Surina was a slippery one, there was no denying it... Rhea had no doubts about her ability to track down and eliminate the Ga-Matoran if she ever did 'escape' and run off to make another attempt at Hahli's life, but it would be a definite nuisance, for sure.

Still and all, she wasn't going to commit to anything without weighing the options first. All the options.

"An alternate proposition? Speak on, then."