[The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

[Hoid]

Infinity nods. <[We received no such signals. These...things...were clearly jamming you.]>

OOC:
Search: several nearby structures are on fire, now.

Noting Imperious’ gaze, Infinity says, <[We were fired upon six times by unseen orbital assailants. We’re putting out those blazes, now.]>

[Sakuro]

Lucas' eyes narrows as he takes in the buildings that were targeted. Infinity's comment supporting his observation. Though he continued to speak speak to the Tempestineer he did so at a quick military clip as his gaze turned skyward, searching the void above.

"Then remain on guard. These drones did not manage to fire on the ground. You may take them into custody. Be mindful, they possess a form of machine-generated clairvoyance. Xenos are able perceive what they do. The ammunition of their weapons are bacteriological in nature. Flesh eating."

After giving the rough overview Imperious recounts one of his previous messages. He wanted to say more, inform them of the security vulnerability and Seraph's infiltration of the Palace ... how it shouldn't have been possible ... but he did not want the Xeno-threat to be made aware of this.

"Send a message to Lady Jocasta. Advise her to return to the Palace and inspect it's security systems. Make certain she has an escort. The synthetics infected by the tech-plague number in the hundreds."

While he took in Shi'Halal's sensor data Lucas was running through events in his mind. Playing out maneuvers. One group of Xenodrones made in hot and loud. An bait to draw him away. Then a second group attack, targeting outlying buildings. Not the Palace. The attack was not currently ongoing. Had they withdrawn, or were they moving to new positions after the initial bombardment?

"What direction did the bombardment come from? Is there anything significant about the buildings targeted during the attack?"

Here is a Tactic's roll for Lucas to try to predict the movements/determine future targets of the orbital attackers: Tactics: 1D20+12 = [12]+12 = 24

Here is a Notice/Search check to try to perceive any hostiles that might still be in orbit.: Search/Notice: 1D20+10 = [20]+10 = 30

The following are active at the moment: Quickness 10, Normal Hearing Extended 5, Infravision Extended 4, Ultravision Extended 5, X-Ray Vision Extended 5

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Blast 16 [Extra: Dynamic (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor 2 "Technological Weaponry" (+2 pp), Accurate 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Quickness 10, Normal Hearing Extended 5, Infravision Extended 4, Ultravision Extended 5, X-Ray Vision Extended 5

[Hoid]

OOC:
Tactics: those outlying buildings clearly hold deep importance to the Palace, perhaps as power-generators, or Icon-cores or something like that. They weren’t targeted at random. Investigating them is probably a good idea.
Search: yes, three more xenodrones’re observing. They’re keeping a good distance and look ready to jet at a moment’s notice. They have less weapons and s stronger propulsion units.

Infinity says, <[Jocasta will be informed.

<[The attacks came from six different points in the sky—-]> and he points where each shot came from, <[but as to what significance the damaged structures hold, we are unsure. Seraph is already at one of these sites, the one with the teardrop structure on top the tallest tower. They—-Seraph, I mean—-moved with a purpose.]>

[Sakuro]

When he spotted the three observers Lucas began mentally calculating a quick strike, though e continued to search the sky. Infinity had mentioned six attacks from six different directions. Some could have withdrawn. Or the drones could have smart projectiles with multi-warhead dispersal systems.

"Inform Lady Jocasta of the attack, and the exact location of each building. It is likely these buildings play a support role to the Palace. If you possess trained technicians, have them ready to be deployed to those locations."

After giving out these directions Lucas turned his head to bring his helmet's emerald lenses to bear on the disable Xenodrones, and spoke to it, or rather, the Xenos observing through the machines.

"Tell your drones to withdraw from the blue sphere or I will terminate them."

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Blast 16 [Extra: Dynamic (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor 2 "Technological Weaponry" (+2 pp), Accurate 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Quickness 10, Normal Hearing Extended 5, Infravision Extended 4, Ultravision Extended 5, X-Ray Vision Extended 5

[Hoid]

that is. not us
we have. been. misled.
nightjar
nightjar
nightjar

<[I shall do as you ask]> Infinity proclaims and floats away quickly.

[Sakuro]

Lucas' jaw clenched when he received the return message from the Xenos, or the drone's spirit. So Oblivion Flock was manipulating organics. Using them as a distraction. Infinity had time to turn their back on Imperious, then the armor and it's pilot were gone. In an instant they were in orbit. Shi'Halal calculating and guiding their course almost at the speed of light. Coming up being the first of the drones Imperious pointed a fisted hand at the observer-drone. Black liquid-solid material flowed from his forearm, over his hand, self-constructing the plasma cannon he had employed earlier. Light light to coalesced within the mouth of the barrel as Imperious opened fire ...

Switching Shi'Halal's Flight/Utility array to Flight 20 [Flaw: Distracting]. Then Imperious rockets up into orbit to attack one of the drone/Nightjar.

Here is an Initiative check, if needed: Initiative: 1D20+10 = [1]+10 = 11

Here is an Attack check: Attack: 1D20+14 = [9]+14 = 23 DC 31 Tough if it hits.

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Blast 16 [Extra: Dynamic (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor 2 "Technological Weaponry" (+2 pp), Accurate 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 20 [Flaws: Distracting (-1/r)]

[Hoid]

OOC:
They rolled a 20!

You an keep the attack roll.

Moving with impossible speed, the Nightjar-tainted xenodrones begin moving in a complex, seemingly random manner, never attacking, but never runn8ng away.

One blast lands, however, and the Nightjar squeals radio blasphemy into the void.

OOC:
Let me make a Toughness roll!
It rolled a 24! That’s a failure by 7!

The Nightjar screeches a binary litany of curses, and begins to spin, its trajectory only partly under its control.

[Sakuro]

WIth the Nightjar sent reeling from his initial attack Imperious flies after the wildly careening Golem. Rather than employ his ranged weapon again, he moves to close the distance between them and strike at it close up. Bringing up his left arm, the forearm swelled at the top were an energy projection system formed in place over the armor. Once formed a black of blue-white electromagetism extended one and a half feet. Driving forward at the Nightjar, he thrust at it, putting his weight and momentum into the blow.

Switching Shi'Halal's Flight/Utility array to Flight 14, Ultravision Extended 1.

Switching Shi'Halal's Arsenal array to melee focus.

Here is an Attack roll, using All-out Attack -5/+5 and Power Attack -2/+2: Attack, AoA -5 Def/+5 Atk, Power Attack -2 Atk/+2 Dmg: 1D20+13 = [2]+13 = 15 DC 37 Toughness if that manages to hit.

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 14 ; Ultravision Extended 1

[Hoid]

The attack misses, as the Nightjar unexpectedly phases from one location to another in the blink of an eye. It jets off, then slows to a crawl, as if waiting for you to catch up.

The other Nightjar zips closer, then veers away at the last second.

Neither of them attack, despite clearly having weaponry.

[Sakuro]

Imperious braced for the opening he left in his defenses to be exploited. But no attack landed. At the last second the corrupted Xenodrone veered away. A part of Lucas wondered and worked at what that implied. What strategy was at play. His initial instinct said this was another bait meant to hold his attention. But there could be other explanations, or even actions being enacted that he could not perceive. While that compartmentalized portion of Lucas worked at the tactical aspects of the engagement, his and Shi'Hala's body was in movement.

Chasing after the Nightjar he had wounded Imperious swings his energy blade, aiming to rake it across the drone's side and create a long rend in it's structure. After the attack he turns so that he could view the world below, and Shi'Halal magnified his vision, focusing it in on the area around the Palace long enough for him to check for another attack in the wake of his departure.

"What do you make of this behavior Shi'Halal? I still don't know how the Oblivion Flock spreads. Are you feeling yourself?"

Here is an Attack roll, with Accurate Attack -3/+3 applied: Attack, Accurate Attack -3 Dmg/+3 Atk: 1D20+12 = [18]+12 = 30 DC 33 Toughness.

After Imperious Move and Attack Action I'll adjust Shi'halal's Flight/Utility Array to increase Ultravision to Extended 4.

Here is a Tactics roll to try to determine if the Nightjar are endeavoring to hold his attention here, if it looks like they're fighting with themselves to perform actions, or whether it appears as though they are attempting to do something Imperious can't perceive (some kind of cyber warfare, for example): Tactics: 1D20+12 = [3]+12 = 15

Here is a Notice check to see if Imperious can see anything untoward happening back at the Palace, in the event they are trying to hold his attention here: Notice: 1D20+10 = [2]+10 = 12

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 12 ; Ultravision Extended 4

[Hoid]

OOC:
The Nightjar rolled an 18! That’s a failure by 12!

Now, then, as to your other rolls:
Tactics: oh, yes, they’re clearly acting as lures, getting you away from something happening elsewhere.
Notice: can’t tell much, but there’s clearly fighting going on, back at the Palace!

Imperious strikes the Nightjar, sending it, mostly destroyed, flying off into deep space. The third dashes near then away again, as if trying to bait Imperious into giving chase.

To Imperious’ question, Shai’Halal, “ I -am-o p e r a t i n g -a t-7 9 %-e f f e c i e n c y,-L u c a s . T h e y- a r e-t r y i n g-t o - a c k-m e , b u t-i-a m-s u c c e s s f u l l y-h o l d i n g- t h e m-o f f . I t-i s-t a k i n g-c o n s I d e r a b l e-m e n t a l-p o w e r-t o-d o-s o , h o w e v e r .”

[Sakuro]

"Let me know if it becomes too much for you to handle alone."

Reorientation in place Imperious turned around and flew back towards the planet. Before he even left to engage the observers he had suspicions they were a lure. Given how they were acting, and what he saw, that was confirmed now. There was a small army in the Palace waiting to wake. He had warned Infinity about their number. Hopefully that had been passed on and his allies were not caught completely off guard. Now he raced to rejoin them an fend of the greater threat.

Altering Shi'Halal's Flight array to increase Flight to 14. Then Imperious heads back towards the Palace.

As an aside, if the cyber assault becomes an actual risk, Lucas is asking Shi'Halal to let him know. At that point he'd want to switch up his Communion array to protect them mentally.

EDIT:

Here is Imperious' new Initiative: Initiative: 1D20+10 = [2]+10 = 12

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 14 ; Ultravision Extended 1

[Hoid]

Racing back down towards Rustdeity, Imperious can see the joint force of Tempestineers and Enginseers’re under attack from a tidal wave of obsidian black versions of the xenodrones above, these ones ground based and heavily armed. The fighting is everywhere at the front of the Palace.

The only good news is the number of Awakened golems has increased substantially, and the human-made machines are helping the others beat back the Nightjar assault.

Over some sort of loudspeak, a voice made of the shrieks of murdered innocents wails, “ThIs Is JuSt ThE bEgInNiNg! LoNg HaVe We WaItEd To FeAsT oN yOuR fEaRs. ThAt TiMe Is NoT yEt At HaNd, BuT iT iS cOmInG! lAy DoWn YoUr ArMs AnD gIvE uP. lEt Us DeVoUr YoU! iN oUr BeLlIeS yOu WiLl SeE sUcH sIgHtS!”

OOC:
New initiative!
They rolled a 25!

[Sakuro]

The Enginseers had arrived in time to join forces with the human made Golems and Tempestineers. That was better news that he had expected. Lucas had thought their forces would be divided, or the Enginseers delayed. He also thought to see enemy forces coming from within the Palace ... or maybe this was a larger distraction for their infiltrators to work havoc within. As Imperious drew near to the battlefield he took in the disposition of each force, calculating where best to apply his efforts.

Here is Imperious' new Initiative: Initiative: 1D20+10 = [2]+10 = 12

Here is a Tactics check to assess the battlefield, looking to anticipate the Oblivion Flock's maneuvers/objective and weaknesses both in the ally and enemy sides. Things that could be exploited or would need shoring up: Tactics: 1D20+12 = [9]+12 = 21

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Enhanced Strength 30 and Strike 3 [Feats: Might (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technological Weaponry" 2 (+2 pp)]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 14 ; Ultravision Extended 1

[Hoid]

OOC:
Tactics: infection is the goal, not victory. They distracted you long enough to get a head-start, now it’s unorganized chaos.

The initial attacks of the Nightjars on Imperious have no hope in Hell of damaging him, but, with each failed shot, their forms turn to mush, reshape visibly, then harden once more, new weapons suites onboard.

OOC:
Your turn!