(Untitled)

[second_runner]

[Private, unhackable]

Bahram eh? So, they're here...

[public]

New recruits, eh? *cracks knuckles*

Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke, report to the training console tomorrow at 0600 hours. We've got some work to do.

Ozma, go ahead and send that Saotome kid along too if you want.

Comments

Yet another person who will probably beat the tar out of Shinn sooner or later... V_V

[scrappymkii]

*Come 6 AM the next day, Shinn's there, very nervous but at the same time very determined. He wants to be able to do this; to use the Strike and avenge his family, and he'll do anything to get that chance.*

2/2

[scrappymkii]

So... uh... what do you want us to do?

[badshotsniper]

-Luna is there bright and early alongside Shinn, absolutely exhausted but doing her best not to show it.-

Y-yeah... what's on the agenda for today, sir? Whatever you've got, I can handle it! I hope... ulp...

[second_runner]

First off, let's see how you do in the sims. Against each other, don't even think about holding back. I want to see you guys fighting for real.

[scrappymkii]

... Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap-

No matter Luna's skill, the fact is all I have for point-blank range is knives... there's no way I'm going to be able to handle a point-blank confrontation!

*gulp*

Alright then... we can do this, right Luna?

[badshotsniper]

-Luna freezes in place, her blood running cold and her face stark pale.-

M-me? Fighting Shinn? But I... I don't want--

No, I have to do this. No matter what, I'll become strong. For Shinn.

-She nods slowly up and down, although she still looks nervous about the ordeal. She sucks in a deep breath.-

Okay. I'm ready, sir.

I mustn't run away

[scrappymkii]

*As Shinn gets in the simulator, he is thinking and trying to figure out how he's going to do this*

Using Phase Shift would probably be pointless... that Astray thing didn't look like it had any really dangerous physical weapons. Wait... What the hell am I saying?!? This is Luna!

Can I really do this? If I pull my punches is she going to hate me along with that Dingo guy? Is she gonna hate me if I give it my all? I... I just gotta... I just gotta do this. Luna's a strong person. I need to have faith in her. I mean, she's got faith in me, right?

[badshotsniper]

-With noticeable hesitation, Luna slips into the appropriate seat opposite Shinn. It takes her a moment, but she is finally able to input the data for the Astray, and it materializes along with a virtual battlefield. Luna closes her eyes and attempts to focus, talking to herself while she anxiously waits for the battle to begin.-

I can do this... I can do this... I can do this...

[scrappymkii]

*Shinn's digital Lightning Strike is already there a ways off from the Astray, the basic gun part of the electromagnetic cannon in hand*

I'm ready, Luna. Let's see what we can do.

*Shinn's tone makes it clear he's very much stressed out though, and he does his best to ward off those feelings as he also takes out one of his knives*

[badshotsniper]

-An affirmative beep signals the start of the simulation. Having been bracing beforehand, Luna simply nods to Shinn, then charges. She brandishes the Astray's beam rifle and fires a few haphazard shots at the Strike as she closes in, strafing from side to side rather unevenly. She's giving it everything she's got.-

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

[scrappymkii]

*Stumbling through his own battlecry, Shinn has the Strike begin quickly moving backwards, trying to stay out of Luna's line of fire when he suddenly gets an idea.*

They're pretty much useless anyways...

LUNA!

*Shinn throws his knife in Luna's general direction while pulling out the additional components of the electromagnetic gun*

[badshotsniper]

-Luna is caught off guard by the sudden throw. She tries to weave to the side, but the knife still manages to sheer some of the Astray's left shoulder, sparking and exposing some of the wire.-

Argh...! Two can play it that game!

-Luna recovers her trajectory somewhat and draws her beam sabers. She thrusts one like a javelin at Shinn, more to throw him off balance than anything else, then wields the second above the Astray's head, boosting to attempt to close the gap between the two machines. While her strategy is sound, her movements are less than smooth and fairly predictable.-

[scrappymkii]

*Not keeping track of the ground behind him costs Shinn badly as the Lightning Strike stubmles backward, tumbling down.*

Oh... please don't please don't-

*Too late. The Astray's thrusting beam saber goes straight through the Strike's left shoulder Shinn struggles to fight back*

I'm... NOT GOING DOWN LIKE THIS!

*The electromagnetic cannon is jammed up into the Astray's other saber carrying arm and Shinn screams out as he pulls the trigger*

[badshotsniper]

-Luna's eyes widen with absolute fear, but it's already too late. She desperately thrashes to remove the saber from the cannon and thus remove herself, to no avail. There's simply no time.-

Oh my go--

-Luna lets out a high-pitched wail as the cannon fires a devastating blast, blowing the Astray apart. In the last few moments of the simulation, Shinn is treated to the horrific imagery of a bisected, smoldering Astray. In her seat, Luna is shaking with her arms wrapped around herself, too terrified to even move.-

I see your emotional trauma and raise you one introspective angst session

[scrappymkii]

*With the Strike still on the ground, Shinn can only stare up and the remains of the Astray as his muscles lock up on him. He did this... he fired the cannon. And his body refuses to let him move from that position, refuses to let him forget what he had just done*

Luna. L-luna...!

I... what have I done?!? Luna!!!! Oh god, what kind of person am I to just... to just attack Luna like that!

*He'd just been trying to take out the machine's arm and keep himself alive... and now... Was this what Luna would be fighting in? A machine so fragile? Was her life going to be in that much danger every time she sortied? With a scream, Shin pulls his hands from the controls and struggles to get a hold of himself.*

Re: I see your emotional trauma and raise you one introspective angst session

[seedwlives2spar]

*Kira has been watching this as it happens, having heard about Shin and Lunamaria's training, he was watching it from the simulation room.*

I hate to say this, but you both seemed incredibly distracted during this endeavor.