Bedouin Tracks [Domiona Travel - Cadets]

Jackie mimed sighing. Humans really were a bit easy to break, weren't they? Sure, he wasn't calm, but he wasn't going to lose his cool entirely. Getting trigger happy wouldn't get them anywhere. Still, what they needed right now was to be professional, and Susan...well, he wasn't quite sure he could call that professional, by any means. Still, he wouldn't say anything. He trusted the Princess and Maria to be able to make their own calls on the situation...that said however, he wasn't going to side with Isaac. "Now isn't the time to be sitting down. We have to face the facts that we're stranded, at the moments. We're still on-duty, and we have work to do. We will not be caught by demons unprepared." On a personal level, he agreed Susan probably needed a while, but that just didn't seem possible at the moment. Professionally, he knew that this was the absolute worst place to be having a panic attack. "That said, we can't keep moving, either. I-I don't think, anyway. If we panic and run off into the desert, we could get lost. I can survive out there, but you humans would dehydrate quickly if we got lost. Plus, it's easier to keep track of the civilians here. And on top of everything else, we have cover we can use here. If we run, we lose our one advantage, and we're still sitting ducks if we follow the tracks. We won't lose anything that could be following us." Jackie had seen enough action movies to know that it was better to have something to duck behind than to fight out in the middle of an open field. Unless you had a huge sword and beheaded people, or something.

"I know I usually follow this sort of thing up with ignore me, but...this time, don't. I hear dehydration's a bad way to go. I don't mean any offense, or disrespect, Officer Groves, but...maybe I should handle the tactical side of things for a while? X.A.N.A. has a few useful support skills after all...that way you can focus on something else while we figure out where to go from here." Not a break, but maybe removing the stress of having to come up with a plan would be better for her. He felt bad even suggesting it, but failure wasn't an option this time. Rather, he wouldn't let a mission like this fail. If the princess died on his watch...then They
were right. His last failure had resulted in one death, he wouldn't let another one fall on his hands. He couldn't.

Forcing down the worry that had bubbled for a moment, he shook his head. Couldn't think about failure. He'd end up like Susan. "...is there really no system in place for this sort of thing happening? It can't be the first time a train's wrecked out here..."

"That's the plan, Ma'am. But we've just been having a bit of trouble with the comms. It's probably because they've finally began to have the occasional sandstorm on their end. It's gonna take some time." The Conductor gave a terse nod in agreement. He didn't seem to feel very confident when someone who was supposed to be the vanguard of the City was visibly losing her shit. Though at least she knew what the stakes were and one of the other Cadets were trying to keep her in one piece. He began to answer the other Cadets. "Just a passenger transport, sirs. Got nothing, not even a coal deposit, we're all green and electrical. Hate to break it to you though, we don't keep lists.  Since it's Domiona, we're not going to have many other passengers. Just when we hit the platform though, I kept my head outside before we left to see how many came in. We only got maybe four others aside from all of ya. We haven't had an issue with any of this, like a stall in the tracks... but being derailed to this level? Way out of our pay grade."

The Princess was not pleased of these developments. De-railed and surrounded by demons while having to deal with civilians? Sure there weren't all that many civilians. But their options were truly limited. Risk going out with little knowledge of the area and get dehydration as Jackie explained or risk holding out here to wait on the cavalry to arrive? It was a difficult decision to make, but she began to speak in a firm tone to keep cohesive order. "As Isaac said, we'll need to gather the passengers here and secure the perimeter. We have to hold onto the hope that Domiona sends a train our way on the opposite tra--."


"Demons, incoming! Your Highness, please stay inside the car with the Conductor as a reserve. Assist him and any other passengers we bring in. We will make sure to bring any civilians back here and fend off the threat. Jackie, take point! I'll give the team fire support. Keep it together, all of you!" Maria's urgent, yet composed voice broke through the conversation as she eagerly and anxiously eyed at the growing horde approaching the trains. She began to pull out from her coffin her demon weapon before thrusting her religious habit inside. But Andraste wasn't the only thing that came out. What else was retrieved appeared to be a trail of ammo belt links were trailing out of it before loading and feeding through the weapon.

It was obvious the hordes were coming through the link Susan established. They regarded the trains with curiosity. But when they saw the passengers through the windows, interest transformed into ravenous desire as they began to hurriedly approach. But most unfortunately of all, there were some passengers who didn't bother remaining inside as the Conductor warned them as the terror began to dawn on them.


The Princess didn't like this at all. She wanted to be in the front lines of it all, not hide in cowardice. But these were her brother's Cadets, each of them chosen and trained to fend off all threats against the City's safety. By now they should know what they were doing and certainly with Maria out there, their odds weren't bad. And besides, they needed to get the communications up since yesterday. The electricity crackled from her glove after she slipped it on, in preparation if the worst came to pass. And oh, she hoped it wouldn't...

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Oni (A), Level 7:

Yamawaro (B), Level 7:

Hamsa (C), Level 7:

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Yamawaro (F), Level 7:

Suparna (G), Level 8:

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Now wasn't that a question. Her mind continued to pull for options, contingencies, but she had latched onto mobility for mobility's sake as it was with the train: a defense mechanism. They needed to go, it did not matter where, but they needed to be faster than the impending swarm of demons that would tear them apart. Mounting a defense was a last resort, it would be the only thing they were left with in the end. Escape was the first and she desperately wished to flee. The frightened woman did not want to wait for backup. Waiting for backup meant they were at the mercy of someone else's ability to prepare or fortune, it could not be relied upon. With just themselves there was a slim chance of rescue, they would fight for hours but it could possibly be done as they had done in the patrol the other night. It was impossible with civilians. Something would get through. So she needed to plan.

Susan worriedly checked over the train car. She believed it could still operate, there was a chance it could. But they could not force it back onto the tracks, there would need to be another alternative. When she did face the gray-haired boy it was a familiar expression of terror intertwined with panic as she frantically attempted to fit together the situation in her mind... but it contorted more and more into scorn as he spoke. Doubting her, patronizing her with his hands on his hips and that smug grin. Her hands balled into fists and she took a sharp breath as if to shout at him before Jackie completely disarmed her.

...he was right. Absolutely right, it was just what she was about to say. They had no time for this. The quicker they could spring into action the more prepatory time they would have.
"A-agreed, we need to mobolize as s-soon as possible," she affirmed, degrees calmer. Yes, they could not escape into the desert on foot. That was not an option at all. But they required a swift way to move and a means to accomplish that. A sled may be possible if they could propel it themselves over the sand. Repurposing the wheels of the train cars to work off of a pulley system and a lighter platform, perhaps. Though she would despair. He was doubting her too, and unlike Fairweather Jackie was not an upstart that had no respect for
authority.

The short woman clasped her hands together as if in prayer, cradling her P90 in her elbows and taking a deep breath. She was the tactician. She was not a fighter, she was a planner. And if she could not plan or if no one would follow her plans then she was useless. Worthless. A liability. Susan refused to be useless, she did not work this hard to be worthless to the team.
"N-no...! No, I will- ...w-we will coordinate and share duties. Priorities first, s-simple objectives. Like civilian protection." Susan was becoming much calmer speaking to Jackie, who would work with her instead of against her. She despised her own feelings of horror, inadequacy, hopelessness, and anger... really she despised feeling anything at all in situations such as these. She became emotional and then she began acting illogically and in ways she could not firmly control, which terrified her, which made her more emotional, et
cetera and ad naseum.

While she was laser-focused on needing to move (Safety: the grander objective) she did finally register the others asking questions on the situation (Situation: the details) and that she could incorporate this. Until everything began to finally click.

They could do both: stay and defend while simultaneously working toward evacuation. The train car was the least damaged with the least amount of entrances, therefore the most defensible and with the Princess to watch them. Even if she could not fight as they could she could observe through her eyes and gain a better situation. As they secured the civilians they could begin working toward escape, whatever that may be. She would coordinate with Jackie to operate jointly and as a team rather than being the single point of failure. Susan would strategize, Jackie would lead, she would make the plan and he would inspire the confidence she could not and give orders.

They could not push the train.

But the train could push the train.

"Very well then, we-"
Susan had seen it just as quickly as Maria had through her vision, relaying the message to everyone she could at the same time.


Time was up. They were upon them. Just as she had said they would be. Susan was oddly enough calmer as the seige began. The situation was no longer unknown. She had a goal in mind to work toward with a plan forming. And something to prove. One thing was for certain: she would not wait around to die being cornered by monsters, and definitely not on orders she thought were baseless. God help them everyone would leave on that train or she would kill herself trying. As the demons began to swarm she would relay to Jackie and only to him, scrolling quickly.


Susan spoke and relayed no more after that, not even to acknowledge their orders. She was vexed and finished speaking. Talking was over, it was time to perform her function. Susan spun to face the looming threat she first directed Jackie towards and opened fire while retreating in an even gait and unenthused expression.

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Susan pivoted on her back foot to face another demon, firing a 3-round burst towards its single, grotesque eye.

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[/quote]

Moving her upper body she faced the last demon standing in front of her and calmly, evenly attempted to blow its brains out.

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Understood Officer Groves. Engaging Combat. Be careful.

With that text displayed across his optics, Jackie got to work, mini-gun spinning as he began moving.

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Note: Jackie is the red star.

Well, it was Clear Susan wasn't acknowledging his words. Whatever, that was fine. He wasn't in charge here, afterall. He was just a soldier. If this desert landscape was the place he was gonna die, then so be it. He'd prepared himself for that a long time ago. Though that thought made him think of Maria out there protecting the Civilians. It made him feel...something, though he wasn't sure what. And right now, it didn't matter.

He surged out of the train with the others, and took his position, moving down and pulling out his pistol. "Man, I hate this thing. Alright, here we go."

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Only four civvies? Well, it's not great, but better than say, a dozen. "On the other hand, why would anyone want to go there anyways?" He'd think to himself, before offering the conductor a curt nod. And Susan seemed to finally be getting back to her senses. Great timing too, because the albino was just about ready to slap it into her. How lucky that wouldn't be necessary.

But then she was made aware that indeed, life had decided to kick them in the dick again. Demons, and quite a few of them. He'd expected them, but not in these kinds of number. This was gonna need something different. Again he popped the cylinder on his revolver, before fishing one of the loaded cartridges out of the chamber and slipping it back into his little ammo pouch, and pulling out one of the rounds that had the little turkey stamp on it. "Let's hope this is of any use..." He uttered a he fed the round into the free chamber, slightly adjusting the cylinder before flipping it back into place and cocking the hammer.

The others were on the move. Officer Groves showing... Some truly terrifying marksmanship. Mental note, don't piss her off with a firearm within arms reach. Jackie and Isaac were moving too, peppering the enemy with more lead. That left him. Time to prove his worth.

He would run after the others, though his steps would stumble a bit at the mounting pressure inside his head, his eyes briefly shifting to an unnatural yellow as that pent up power released. "Iblis!" He would call out, his monstrous persona manifesting in the air above them, one of the creatures hands rising, palm up. Small licks of fire would emit from the creatures palm-mouth, each of them forming a small humanoid figure, four in total, reflecting the four cadets to a notable degree of detail. Iblis' mouth then swung open, its sown lips starching and deforming as it let loose an inhuman roar, and the flaming figures would shift from orange to a deep red. As they did, the four could feel a surge of strength through them.

"I can't offer much in ways of hurting the enemy directly, but I can strengthen the rest of you." That said, he'd drop down to one knee, bracing his revolver with his free hand, before aiming and firing.

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The demons would move to engage and get slaughtered for it but they weren't the real threat. The flying ones were. Everything else would be dealt with at range. Susan dashed over the dunes, utilizing quick steps to position herself as she relayed orders to the respective parties, forwarding Jackie's own commands along if he gave any.



With her tactics given Susan would continue to be silent and skid to a halt, bringing her weapon to her shoulder, taking a breath, and squeezing the trigger gently.

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Two more shots to the eye as she peppered its torso. Susan turned swiftly and held down the trigger while firing at the hip and angling slightly upward to fill the upper torso with lead.

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[spoiler="Jackie Actions"]Moving Four Down.

Garula | Inflicts a moderate amount of Wind damage to one enemy. | 6 SP | Tier 2

Wind Amp | Increases Wind damage output 50% | Passive | Tier 3

160 Damage on Enemy D.

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