The opening stroke (Active//Closed)

[veep_of_chess]

Characters Lelouch, Naoki, Haruka, Boriane, Michiru, Minako, Negi, Aerith, Raiel, Sasuke, Cloud, Tenth Doctor, and MacGyver
Location: South Street Seaport.
Summary: We're going to have a blast.
Warnings: Fighting, and some explosions.

Comments

K Team

[demonborntwice]

"Morituri salutamus."

The words where whispered as he stood a small distance away from Zero, low enough that the masked revolutionary wouldn't hear. He wasn't sure how accurate the phrase would be, but there was a definite danger. Even without crabs, they were attacking the giants...and he was no longer proof against power such as that at their disposal. Judgment from neither heaven nor Hell...it would be retaliation from humanity...by proxy. To fall without due preparation would be undignified.

The wind blew, catching his jacket and causing it to snap. As it was in previous missions with the Neo Black Knights, only his head was unobscured today, to minimize the chances of someone outside their number from recognizing him. Long pants, sturdy boots, a high-collar jacket (open, with a shirt underneath), and black gloves. The air of anticipation from when he first put them on still clung to him, and would remain for at least a few more minutes. By then, the flow of the situation would be at its full, and he would no longer need to strategize, only act and react.

He looked over to his companions. Right now, only Zero and Aerith were visible. Zero looked confident, as usual, and it was evident even in his core. The Magatsuhi tasted like victory...though once the move was made, there could be casualties.

It was to be expected; this was, after all, a declaration of war.

That was, however, why he was here...as was their other companion. Aerith Gainsborough, one of the Healers capable of curing those pesky crab bites. He wondered if she'd dealt with anything like this, but the tension in the air coupled with Zero's confidence snarled things up a bit. Either way, she was here, and she wasn't backing down.

He wouldn't either, even in the face of a giant's rampage. For those under their command, he would fight. Those who cried out, he would save. They would not lose to fear, nor to lies. Only to death.

Morituri salutamus.

We who are about to die salute you.

Re: K Team

[radianthealer]

Aerith had voiced her opinion on the matter already, in person: that they were crazy to attempt this. But she had agreed at once to help them. She couldn't leave anyone to the fate of the bite victims, not now that they knew what happened. The hope was that they wouldn't encounter many bites, or else she would be in for a long, long ride.

That didn't deter her, though, and if things went south, she was the best one to have along. She could send out the code or the instructions to someone else to put up on the network. The others of her ability would see it, hopefully sooner rather than later, and be able to come help them. With any luck at all, it wouldn't come down to that.

An air of tense determination had encompassed Aerith as soon as she had arrived at the meeting point and it had not dissipated no matter the length of time she waited. The brunette hated waiting, but she knew her place and she would not flee from it. She was no coward.

Having absolutely no intention of dying, or letting anyone else die, Aerith chose to ignore what was murmured next to her. Fortunately, she didn't understand it, either, but she was not a woman to be distracted. Not even Zero's mask and suit, unnerving as he had been at first sight, had done anything to deter her. She had a job, a mission, and she would not fail it.

There were people to protect. And that was why she was here.

Re: K Team

[veep_of_chess]

Wordlessly, Zero started through the building, expecting the other two to follow. In hand was a briefcase, containing all of the wireless devices necessary to their plan. That aspect he would take the reins of.

They passed empty storefronts, abandoned kiosks, and headed for the docks. Ahead was a buzz of activity of boats being commandeered, and being outfitted with the requisite motors and other equipment. "This is only the beginning," he told both Naoki and Aerith. "This will stand as the end of the opening movement, and what will follow this night will turn the whole game on its head." Beneath his mask, he glanced to Naoki, before turning his eyes on the scene before them. On a remaining outdoor cafe table, he placed his case. Upon opening it, he extracted a laptop, a cell phone, and several antenna receivers. His fingers flew on the keys, his focus turning to the screen, testing and monitoring the signal strength of all of his devices.

K Team

[demonborntwice]

Naoki was under no illusion. As callous as it sounded, Zero was right; this was just a game. A game played with real lives, with real futures, and with death as the method of interaction. Zero was a gamesman, and a good one. Naoki understood his skill...though it remained to be seen if it would be sufficient to free them.

Leaving the strategy to the strategist for the moment, Naoki turned to regard Aerith. He liked the look her eyes, actually. There was that fire there, the same fire that he knew burned in his that time in the subway will you watch over me, Sakuri?, and that time fighting his way up Kagutsuchi Tower be my strength, Yuko-sensei. She would not let others die can you hear me, Tatsuki?, not while she drew breath.

"We'll work together," he reassured her. "Izanami will not meet her quota by hounding us today."

Re: K Team

[radianthealer]

Aerith followed Zero silently, a stoic reminder of why they were there, and even though Zero's phrasing made her skin crawl a little, she refrained from commenting on it. To do so now would jeopardize their mission and she'd rather die herself than do that at this point. Because if their mission were compromised this early on, there was no telling how many innocent lives would be taken.

And like hell would Aerith allow anyone to die on her watch.

So she nodded simply to Naoki's words, knowing that she would indeed help as she was able and needed. Later, she would have to ask who or what Izanami was, but for now, she focused on watching Zero for news.

"We must believe this will succeed."

Hope was about all they had now.

Re: K Team

[veep_of_chess]

Soon, he had what he wanted on his display. The feed from the fish finders, several bars indicating the signal strengths of all of his devices, and a control device in the corner. Sitting on the table beside the laptop was a single detonator, with several switches built in. The routes of the boats were already programmed. The flurry of typing on it seemed to have stopped, and he appeared to be awaiting R Group finishing their project.

"If it would be a miracle to work, then a miracle it must be."

K Team

[demonborntwice]

A miracle...

Naoki knew more than many about miracles. Feats of such greatness, signs of such power, acts of such sweeping change that most would fall to their knees in awe. He had seen what miracles could do, whether creation...or destruction.

Sometimes both in the same breath.

Either way, it remained to be seen what this would be...but hope, as Aradia had told him, was ever the way. He turned to Aerith and nudged her gently.

"Stand ready. It's time."

Re: K Team

[radianthealer]

Aerith had been trying to concentrate on what was happening elsewhere, but she couldn't quite tell what else was going on just yet. She was trying not to focus on what was being said, the concept of miracles, and so was a little startled when she was nudged.

She'd been ready. Not a moment had gone by that she wasn't ready.

Yet, she nodded and returned her attention to Zero for the moment, hoping that no one would get hurt or bitten during all this.

Re: K Team

[veep_of_chess]

When R-group responded that they were done, it was finally time to be done with the waiting. "All of the devices are responding in the green. Very good, gentlemen," he responded, before turning to the laptop again. A little bit of typing, and the boats were sent on their path, which consisted of wide, lazy curves through the waterway. He watched the feed from the fish finders, waiting.