Kaia> Locke enters the building, and the glass doors shut quietly.
Kaia> Locke has arrived.
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard blinks and looks up from her position at the doors. A
half-glance later, and her stance is suddenly bolt-upright, eyes slightly
widened. . o O (Isn't that one of those terrorists? Wonder what he's here for? Why is Athan _always_ off?)
Kaia> Locke enters slowly, trying to look like he belongs there. >.>
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard doesn't exactly relax completely. But at least she's gotten a little less scared at the first-glance. . o O (...well, there's been enough wierdness here...) "Can I help you, Sir?"
Kaia> Locke stops, looking right over at the source of the voice. "....sure!
I'm looking for one of my friends... I'm supposed to be meeting them here...
something about a big tree....?"
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard nods. "I think you might be looking for the park." She
points towards the door, giving directions in that way.
Kaia> Locke nods with a smile. "Thanks!" He then moves off in the indicated
direction.
In a page-pose to you, Locke is going into the ceilings as soon as he gets
outta sight. n.n
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard nods and waves casually, stepping back to her place again. . o O (What a wierdo!)
Kaia> Locke (OOC) o.O "I guess posing will have to be done... somewhere. No
60th floor."
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard (OOC) nods. "You can go to 61 and pose away?"
Kaia> Locke tromps up, and up, and up, and.... up, finally arriving at the
stairwell to the 61st. He pauses to look around cautiously upon arriving.
Kaia> There are a few SOLDIER milling around inside, but mostly, it looks like people who are off-duty. Higher-ranking individuals, who don't _need_ uniforms. A couple chatting back and forth. The 'tender wiping out a glass or two as he looks around.
Kaia> Locke enters slowly, looking around to best judge who might be able to
provide him access to the barracks up high. . o O (C'mon... they have to look all stuffy... only the big shtts get up there.... or maybe I can use one of the SOLDIER, if I can find one....)
Kaia> Well, there's the bartender....they hear enough he may need security
clearance. The pair chatting look like bigwigs. Of course, there's also the man wandering around with those characteristic glowy eyes.
Kaia> Locke ducks back into the stairwell quickly, grabbing one of the many
bags that were strewn about the stairwell. He enters the room again, and
hurries over to the SOLDIER walking about. "Um, excuse me, sir! I was sent by Kurasu to take care of the device in the barracks.... but... it's my first day, and I kind of got lost. Take some pity and tell me which way to go?" n.n;
Kaia> The man pauses, giving Locke a looking over. Well...apparently he belongs here in _some_ way. "You have your credentials with you?" He straightens his back up, taking a properly 'haughty' look to him. Lower rank. Pfeh.
Kaia> Locke shakes his head, sporting a sheepish grin. "Nope.... that's the
trouble. You see, from the way she was talking when I got the order, I thought the whole building was burning. I kind of took off without making sure I was ready...." n.n;
Kaia> The man gives a slight sweatdrop. . o O (That sounds like her,
alright...) "Barracks are on the fiftieth. You passed it by about a score." He points back to the elevator. "One of the guards will probably follow you in, just to be sure of things. Don't mind them."
Kaia> Locke sighs, bowing quickly in thanks as he moves to the elevator.
"Thanks, pal!! I won't forget this!!"
Kaia> Locke enters the elevator.
Kaia> Locke has left.
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard is one of those guards. Fancy that, huh? He looks over at Locke as he enters, giving him a looooong once-over. "Who are you? And what are you doing through here?"
Kaia> Locke stops, gasping for air for effect. After a few moments, he
straightens up to smile weakly. "I'm here to take care of that device that some terrorists or another rigged up here.... at least, that's what Kurasu said it was. Where's it at??"
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard gives a light sigh. "I haven't heard of anything like
that..." He looks to the guard across from him. "....have you?>" Another head shake, and they both look at you with suspicion.
Kaia> Locke scowls, still gasping. "I just ran to the top of this building,
then back down here. Kurasu's gonna kill me if I get any later, and that's if this thing doesn't kill me first. You guys look like you could toss me a mile, but if it comes between you and the person that had that bad voice on the call, I'll take you both on!"
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard looks from the first, the first looks back to him. "We can call her here." he finally says, uncertainly. "She can show you the way to it, I'm sure..."
Kaia> Locke beams! "Sure thing, pal! If she starts throwing things, though, I'm gonna hide behind you!!" n.n
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard looks more than a little nervous, sweatdrops, then reaches to a comlink, up alog his jawline. (OOC gives you a chance, if you were gonna do something)
Kaia> Locke smiles helpfully. "Tell her that repairman Locke is here, and
wishes for her assistance in finding the trouble." n.n
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard nods, touching the voice activation and repeating the
message. There is a long, long silence at the other end...long enough for the SOLDIER to look nervous....before Kurasu's voice *squawks* through the
earpiece, the SOLDIER wincing and jerking his head out of the way. He rubs his ear. "....er.....she says go on in. She'll....meet you in the hallway."
Kaia> Locke nods, walking briskly past. "Thanks, chum!"
Kaia> Locke has left.
Locke has arrived.
Locke enters at a brisk pace, his face carefully blank.
Kurasu is leaning calmly against the wall by the doorway, hopefully getting
herself between you and the easy way out. She's utterly silent, all but holding her breath, even.
Locke pauses halfway down the hall; apparently not having seen you as he
crosses his arms to wait in silence.
Kurasu straightens, smoothly, as soon as you're far enough past for her liking. Her hand drops, checking the hilt of her sword, then moving away, as she arches her chin a bit. "You have nerve coming back here." Her voice is soft. Without malice.
Locke turns slowly, his own arms crossed before his chest. "You had nerve
trying to kill us, when all we wanted to do was leave. You never told us about the things you people did...."
Kurasu raises her chin, looking at you intently. "I didn't try and kill you
until your friend tried to kill our SOLDIER." she says, in reminder. "I didn't try to kill anyone, that hadn't already been cutting down members of our own SOLDIER. I have friends in the ranks. They _are_ human, you know." . o O (....well, for the most part...damn you, Heidegger and Scarlett)
Locke says, "Coulda fooled me.... they didn't have to die, and they wouldn't
have, if you didn't try to keep us locked up here for your stupid experiments! -We're- human, too! We have lives, and aren't meant to be kept as specimens! You said you wouldn't lead us wrong, and that's all you did....."
The glow to Kurasu's eyes deepen a half-degree or so, before partially
shuttering lids help hide it from view. "Hai. Human. And as humans, I would
have hoped you would understand well enough that we were looking to help.
Your..._escape_ killed a great many people. You aren't any better than the
terrorits that have struck here. And it surprises me to think that you've
accused _us_ of being monsters? When we didn't inflict any harm on you, or your friends?"
Locke asks, "You didn't harm us, and we wouldn't have harmed you.... all we
wanted to do was leave. Humans need to exist, and being locked up in here was draining us.... we would have left peaceably, if you hadn't tried to act like you owned us and called guards to keep us inside. Why do you think we belonged to you....?"
Kurasu says, "If you had 'belonged' to us, we would be sacrificing a strong
belief of ours. That we work for the people. The day you so formally decided to 'run off', you had been held back, for your safety, as much as ours. There had been an attack of terrorists, and all personell were being kept away from the danger. Yourself..included."
Locke exclaims, "People?! You work for the people? Nonsense!! You are killing them, if anything!!! And what about that scene at the scrapyard, eh?!"
Kurasu shakes her head, the corner of her mouth turning up in a smirk. "Oh, so you _did_ hear about that. Myself, I had nothing to do about thast." Now, her position shifts, slightly. Ever-so-subtly. Something that a non-attentive person might not even truly notice. "Something that may have never truly happened."
Locke exclaims, "Never happened?! I talked to the people! I know it happened!! You guys are as bad as the Empire!! Something speaks up against your ways, you just get rid of them! For the people? HA!!!"
Kurasu shakes her head slightly. "A pity." she says with a sigh. "I'd hoped we could work something out." Her eyes suddenly snap open, the glow far more
evident than it had been before. A dark beacon against the black irises.
"....but it's something we'll have to speak with security about, I suppose."
her hand snaps out, sword suddenly trapped in her grasp as it's swept your way. "SLOW!" A magical aura surrounds her body, one of the materia gleaming for a moment before the power surrounds you.
Kurasu (OOC) whups. Changes that to 'haste' on herself. Lev. 1 time materia
only does Haste. Not slow.
Locke blinks as the spell goes off, obviously not expecting it. He scowls as he notes which spell it is, his hand moving to his belt to rest on the hilt of a dagger. "You think so? No wonder that fighting broke out... you Shin Ra can't do anything on your own....."
Kurasu smirks. "Not true." There's a streak of movement as she darts towards
you, hand outstretched and the hilt of her sword aimed at your temple. "....
I'm doing this by myself, aren't I?"
Locke seems to see the blow coming just before it hits, though that isn't
enough time for a dodge. He reels back, stumbling several steps and leaning
heavily against the wall after the hit; his head shaking dizzily as he gropes for his dagger. "....damn you....."
Kurasu shakes her head, her arm going to snake around the stunned man's waist. "Ne, Locke. Damn _you_." She smirks lightly. "There's a penalty for those who wantonly kill SOLDEIR." She works on trying to grip you, pulling your head slightly back and craning it. Her sword is angled, the blade to raise and cover your throat.
Locke pauses at the feel of the blade at his throat; eyes closing in a silent curse, if his face is any sign. Seems that more should have been expected from him than this... perhaps he isn't in top shape? "....you might as well do it now... as long as you live, and Shin Ra threatens Celes and Terra, I will keep trying to make sure you all never threaten them again.... save yourself the trouble...."
Kurasu smirks. "I had planned on it." she says. "A court martial would take too much time, and cause too much trouble in the end." She gives a deep chuckle, eyes slotting. "Besides, the death of an intruding terrorist is nothing."
Locke slowly moves his hand to the dagger at his belt... no... perhaps the
stone? "I guess you're right.... after all, the more terrorists that die, the less people to save the people the believe in your lies.... right?"
Kurasu smirks. "The more terrorists to die, the less there will be to strike at a later date." She shakes her head. "But enough of this, now. It's getting boring. I have a report to write." Blade presses to your throat, sharpened edge drawing a line of blood. "...about the death of a terrorist trying to infiltrate."
Locke clutches the stone finally, uttering one word in reply. "Regen!" A
shimmering, green aura surrounds Locke, before sinking into his body. With
that, he kicks a foot back, hoping for a kneecap and damning the sword blade. . o O (I hope Regen will seal something like this up... never tested it before, but... Celes....)
Snap. Slice. Kurasu's sword is pressed in and towards, pulled across, sharply. The kneecap was apparently not expected, her waist bending away from the side with the visible dagger. A _stab_ had been expected, yes. But not a kneecapper. Her leg buckles slightly, momentarily, the blade slipping and loosening.
Locke emits a choking gurgle as he quickly moves away, one hand rising to
clutch at his throat, and the other drawing his dirk quickly. As he turns to
face you, you can tell the slice told from the large amount of blood that wells between his fingers at his throat. It seems to be all he can do to stand right now, with the dirk held before him shakily.
Kurasu winces just momentarily, hand on her knee, then snapping her head up to look at you. Now, the glow to her eyes has taken on a reddish tinge. Far
different than it had been before. "Wrong move." she growls at you. Her weight settles to her good leg, as her hands raise and hold together, power starting to surge as she chants briefly.
Locke doesn't waste any time; stepping forward quickly and snapping the dirk
across, straight at your sword arm's shoulder. He loses his balance with the
move, dropping to one knee as he doubles over; the wound seeming to be telling.
The sword is snapped out and across, a second materia in it gleaming. "Lit tw..AARGH!" She does wince, the spell crackling and racing out as the knife
strikes home. Her arm drops, the sword slipping from its mooring. . o O (Itai. Took too long, you baka... small spells. He's hurt)
Locke seems to be mildly successful in staunching the flow, or maybe it's the spell, as the blood seems to flow more slowly. Until the spell hits. Upon the lightning finding it's mark, Locke spasms painfully, and a garbled shout escapes his throat; the stress from his chords causing the wound to reopen and allow the blood to flow once more. . o O (Damn it all... I'm not gonna die here.... I can't... Celes needs me... Terra needs me.....)
Kurasu breathes heavily a couple of times, one hand clamping over the wound.
Strangely enough, though, the flow of blood from her wound has apparently
already staunched. At least, no drops run from her hand, though there is a
stain across her skin where the dagger had stuck. Sword is left behind for the moment. Not enough time to grab at it, as she takes advantage of the haste spell to advance, trying to strike you with a fist. Hey. She might not be hand to hand,....but there's always a try.
Locke seems to sense the incoming attack, and counters only by lowering his
head more as the blow connects; sending a shudder through his body. He seems to be concentrating on his wound too much to retaliate, as his arms are both
guarding his throat protectively. . o O (All I need.... few more moments...
it'll heal enough to let me move.... damn it....)
Kurasu isn't working on the 'let him heal' way right now. Her eyes narrow,
hands snapping to try and grab at your neck. Not neccessarily throat, but neck in general. Her weight has returned to that kicked leg as well. Apparently, it wasn't a bone-breaking hit.
Locke moves one hand over as his neck is grabbed, aiming a feeble punch upwards where he is guessing your head might be, causing yet another shudder as the wound is jarred anew. "....I might die... but.. *gurgle*... I'm not going to die alone if I do...."
Kurasu narrows her eyes as she snaps her head back, fist striking for your
face. "With me, you will." she says with a smirk. "Oh, you're going to die, and you aren't taking me with you. No matter what you might want to do." She tries to tighten that grip down, cutting off the flow while getting a 'twisting' grip in her hands. A line of blood runs down her face from where your punch struck her lip.
Locke grimaces as the green aura around him fades just slightly, and he strikes again more desperately, this time towards one of the arms holding his next. "You aren't any better than the rest of them... even the fat man.... you both.... sold your souls to this place....."
Kurasu grits her teeth, turning her head away from the strike. "It wasn't to
this place." she growls. "But then, you won't live long enough to figure _that_ much out." Her hand jerks, fingers skidding on the blood, then trying to grab again, fingers working on digging in before you can fully escape. . o O (...if he gets away, I'm finished...)
Locke gasps for air now, it sounding strange as it whistles sickeningly from
his throat. "What.... the hell are you talking about....??" Immediately after asking, his striking hand darts to his back, and the hilt of the Hawk Eye strapped there.
Skidding fingers work on finding their purchase, grasping and trying to twist your head around. Maybe you'll get a better outlook, if you have a view of your back. She doesn't answer your question....not that you hear, anyway. For now, it's become deadly serious. You're good.
Locke begins to visibly weaken now, as he takes the extra trouble to whirl the Hawk Eye once after pulling it, to smash up at your nose with the hilt of the weapon, instead of sweeping across with the blade. No words come from him, more than likely in an effort to continue breathing.
Kurasu definately loses her grip at that, head jerking back as it strikes. You hear a definate *crunch*, feeling the strike beneath your hand, and when her head snaps back to looking at you, a bloody nose shows the extent of the
strike, as well as a good 'dent' in the edge of her cheekbone. Instead of
trying to grip now, though, she partially steps, partially staggers back, hands snapping up and energy channeling once again.
Locke doesn't look this gift horse in the mouth. He quickly staggers to his
feet and staggers back against a wall, raising his weapon before himself
defensively; eyes seeming to be partially glazed over as he peers blearily in your direction. "Sorry about that.... you didn't leave me a choice...."
Kurasu pulls her hands back. "Remember that when you're travelling the
lifestream." she murmers through furious lips...not to mention slightly
bloodied ones. Suddenly, without a trace of either materia or a note of
chanting, her hands strike forward and at you, sending a wave of raw energy
towards you. A strong-feeling wave.
Locke widens his eyes as much as possible on the feeling of the wave, and
immediately attempts to step to the side. Not fast enough it seems, as he is
struck by it and spins into a sick mockery of some pirouette, whirling a moment before dropping to the floor in a heap. One hand slowly snakes outwards, groping blindly for his fallen weapon as he mutters, "Celes.... I'm sorry...." in some sort of delerium.
Kurasu doesn't immediately leap at him, though. Her red-hued eyes are snapped closed, her stance wavering as she puts a hand-heel to her temple, shaking the effects of the blast off. . o O (Baka. Baka. Baka....need to learn how to hold back....)
Locke finally locates his weapon, and uses it to support himself into a sitting position against the wall. His skin is visibly paling from loss of blood, if the tremors passing through his body weren't enough. He sits with a bowed head, breathing very slowly as he says, "Seems to be more to you than I thought..... heh....".
Kurasu shakes off what of the stun she can, the glow actually seeming to leave her eyes for a moment before coming back, in bright, full force. "So it would seem." she murmers. "You're impressive. But enough joking around." She reaches down, snagging for her sword and continuing her advance on you once again.
Locke slowly leans heavily on the weapon before him, using it as a crutch as he slowly slides up the wall to stand; weapon then moving before him in a shaky defensive stance. ".....Celes was wrong.... you -are- one of Shin Ra's monsters..... there is no hope in you...."
Kurasu turns her sword, the tip falling to her other hand. "Believe what you
will." she says, casually. Her eyes narrow, looking at you from over the blade as she studies you, carefully. "You aren't leaving here alive, Locke. Better you surrender now, and make it easier and less painful for yourself." Slowly, she advances another step towards the bleeding man.
Locke shakes his head determinedly, face quite pale now due to the stream of
blood that seeps from his slowly-sealing wound. "Never.... I am leaving her.... Celes needs me, and so does Terra.... I am not gonna die to the same people I have to protect them from.... give it your best, sell-out!"
Kurasu laughs quietly, shaking her head. "Foolishness doesn't become you. You aren't making it out of this one." The sword is flicked from her fingers, pointed towards you again as she advances, carefully, ready to dodge out of the way of a slashed weapon. "But if I have no other choice than to do it the hard way..."
Locke lowers his stance slightly, ready to move as an odd gleam comes to his
eyes. "I guess I'd better make this count, then.... you gotta have a weak
point, and I'm gonna find it...."
Kurasu smirks, eyes narrowing slightly. "You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?" She steps around, snapping her left arm out to try and grab for him, as her sword crosses her body to act as a temporary shield.
Locke knows he isn't going to be able to move fast enough to dodge this, and
simply swings the Hawk Eye in an underhanded streak, it's curved, pointed edge arcing upwards towards one of Kurasu's shins.
Kurasu grits her teeth, leg buckling as the blade slices. . o O (...that
_still_ hurts...) Her arm wraps around his waist, trying to tighten and tense. Her weight shifts, trying to throw him off-balance and to the floor, all the weight shifting from her wounded leg.
Locke emits a stifled groan as he is dropped to the floor, and his only
response is a clumsy, though quick, roll to the side in an attempt to space
himself from Kurasu.
Blade is swung down towards the rolling body as she realizes the grip won't
hold, trying to strike and either knock out, or at least badly wound him.
Kurasu moves along the ground, trying to keep herself in the advantageous
position, while Locke is downed.
Locke grimaces as the sword cuts across his fleeing form; the material over his upper arm splitting in a red trail of blood as he finishes his roll, and
attempts to roll to his feet afterwards.
There's a noticable sound in the background... a distinct metallic chime. Then another. Then a rapid sequence of *k-changs* as the latest robot monstrosity Shinra has cooked up lopes into view. It turns its head to face the two close combatants, while the barrels on its arms begin to spin with an ominous *whrrr*
Kurasu is already on her feet at the first sound of the robot, eyes flashing
with an inner light. . o O (.....what in the world?) She immediately swerves
slightly, trying once more to grab onto Locke. Hoping that this 'bot is smart enough not to shoot into a fray.
Combat Robot, mk.2 is, apparently, but it's certainly warming up... the
intercom on the wall beeps, signaling an incoming page.
The voice of Rufus Shinra - himself - speaks. "Well, this is certainly an
interesting little show. Mr. Locke, I presume?"
Locke pauses at the sound of the voice, allowing Kurasu ample time to lock her grasp down. ".....who the hell....?!"
Kurasu glances at the intercom, loosening her grip just enough to give Locke a chance to speak. She glances once again at that robot, still obviously unsure about that.
The voice continues. "Hmm? You don't know who I am? A shame, it appears you
never will. Kurasu, step aside, I intend to field test the new hardware." The robot crouches down, the vulcan cannon barrels spinning even faster.
Kurasu looks at the intercom, raising her eyebrows, then inclines her head. She releases Locke, springing out of the way of the robot. She calmly leans against the wall then, eyes slightly narrowed, attention turned to Locke intently.
Combat Robot, mk.2 doesn't wait. The very second Kurasu leaves its sights it
opens fire with its arm mounted cannons, the *RATATATATATATATATATA* they make almost deafening.
Locke seems to be a bit more alert than he let on, and as soon as Kurasu begins to move to the side, he leaps clumsily to his feet, snapping his free arm out and throwing himself at the wall she moved towards; hoping to slam her into inactivity upon arrival with the wall's surface.
Combat Robot, mk.2 doesn't compenstae for Locke's movement - it simply fires
its 10-second burst, perforating the hallway and walls with innumerable tiny
holes. The draws its arms back, the barrels slowing down, as it turns to
compensate...
Kurasu jerks her head up as Locke approaches, snapping both arms and blade up. She's just trying to shield, not aiming to actually slash him. Her head turns away, bracing herself for the strike, since there's no way she can get out of the way in time. Locke strikes her, the bracing and positioning helping to take enough of the shock that she isn't _too_ crushed. Still, there is a *choke* sound as a good lungful of air is knocked out of her.
Combat Robot, mk.2 pauses for a split second as a deep *thunk* is heard when a different set of barrels slide into place, apparently wide-barreled
single-shooters of some sort...
Locke scowls at this reaction, immediately chanting a short phrase, ending with the word "Regen". A bright green aura surrounds Kurasu, sinking into her just as Locke shoves her forward at the mechanical monstrosity before him; quickly on her heels in an attempt to bolt for the door.
Combat Robot, mk.2 opens fire - a *whft whft* as tranquilizer darts fly from
its current barrels! Too bad Kurasu is now in their path...
Kurasu staggers, steps, then leaps as her feet strike the ground. No, no, no. She is _not_ flying in front of the barrels of _any_ robot. Particularly not something like this one. The darts do strike her, yes. And she definately makes several winces of pain. But at least she lands on her feet at the end of her jump, shaking her head briefly before spinning to glare at Locke.
Combat Robot, mk.2 pauses once more, as a *clun-thunk* sounds as the original barrels fall into place, and begin to spin...
Locke screeches to a halt as Kurasu holds her ground, eyes showing his dismay at the failure of this tactic. He scowls, pushing her aside and hurling the Hawk Eye, all in one fluid motion, aiming for the apparent 'head' of this oddity before him as he drops and rolls towards it's base; hoping enough of a distraction was caused to grant him the time to clear the inner reach of the arms.
Kurasu may be holding her ground, but there is a definate bleariness to her
eyes. Again, she tries to shake the effects off, her legs slightly wobbly as
she leans her hand against the wall to finish bracing herself. Slowly, she
steps back and out of the way once again, so as not to get trampled-upon by the robot. Or by Locke, for that matter.
Combat Robot, mk.2 doesn't even attempt to dodge the Hawk Eye - it strikes it solidly, cleaving off the top quarter of it's mechanical head. Too bad it didn't seem to harm anything vital, as the barrels power up once more, and fire at Locke... *RATATATATATATATA*
Locke leaps up as his roll comes to a completion, springing up and over the top of the bot in the same push of his leg muscles. As he lands behind the creation and begins moving for the door, only stopping to grab his weapon, does it become apparent that the shots fired were at least successful; to judge by his severe limp and the fresh traces of blood flowing from his body in various places.
Combat Robot, mk.2, oddly, doesn't seem able to instantly react to Locke's
evasion... the barrels begin to spin down, but doesn't turn to face the injured man, not yet, at least.
It's a moment or two before Kurasu fully realizes that Locke is out of the way of the bullets. Not to mention where he's heading for. Darned tranquilizer. She straightens, giving a shake of her head, and starting to head towards him....well, with a waver in her step.
Combat Robot, mk.2 finally begins to turn as the barrels spin to a stop.
There's a *whu-chunk* once again as large sword blades pop out of the machine's forearms!
Locke seems to react to that sound from behind, and increases his harried rush from the hall, arriving at the door out and jerking it open hastily. (And OOCly waits for poses or pursuit if it be coming. n.n)
Combat Robot, mk.2 will certainly pursue. Now it doesn't have to worry about
Gyroscopic forces, it's pretty fast.
Kurasu isn't pursuing as quickly as she would like to. Instead, she pauses,
plucking those darts from her body and letting them drop to the floor of the
barracks, adding to the mess on the floor. Oh, the cleanup crew is going to
have a _ball_ with this. Her following is going to be less than thrillingly
fast, but she's going to try. . o O (...this must be one of Heidegger's toys. Blast him. ....can hardly think straight. At least I know those tranqs work...)
Combat Robot, mk.2 *k-changs* as it walks after Locke. It isn't as fast as it could be, in the narrow halls.
Kurasu isn't at her peak, either. Her step is less than steady, even as her
body works on fighting off the effect of the tranquilizer.
Locke pauses at the elevator, and after pressing the button rapidly, lies a
hand upon the stone at his belt as he utters a few words.
Wouldn'tcha know it? The elevator is 20 floors below you... And it isn't coming up.
Kurasu isn't willing to get in front of that robot. She stops her steps,
hanging back for the moment as Locke gets himself cornered against the elevator doors. Instead, she just leans against the wall, closing her eyes slowly for a moment.
Combat Robot, mk.2 charges Locke, spear-hands forward in and attempt to lanc
the annoying tresspasser!
Locke widens his eyes at the charging doom, halting his chant as he dives to
the side and leans against the wall tightly, hoping the bot will fit past him for a nice collision with something.
By the time Kurasu's eyes have re-opened, the robot is already charging, and
Locke is already dodging. . o O (Itai!) She straightens, staggering once, then starting to head towards the pair, trying to get there before...well...before something.
Combat Robot, mk.2 obliges perfectly, Locke narrowly dodging by the skin of his teeth, so to speak, as the robot narrowly charges by (possibly tripping our thieving hero)... right into the elevator doors. There isn't a prayer those things would hold, and they don't. There's a *SkreeeCRUNCH* a second later as the machine lands on (and probably through) the elevator below...
Locke winces as the robot disappears through the doors, and even more so as he hears the elevator below being reduced to it's base components by the decending weight of the robot. He then quickly turns to face Kurasu warily; free hand still on the stone.
Combat Robot, mk.2 has left.
Kurasu narrows her eyes slightly at Locke. Focus. Focus. Ah yes. That's a
little better. . o O (Baka. You _would_ leave that Heal materia in your room, wouldn't you?) Her fingers tighten around her blade once more.
Locke stares on a long few moments, weapon still ready to defend. "....you're woozy from whatever that thing shot you with.... I ain't gonna fight you like this...."
Kurasu smirks. "How very noble." she says, voice slightly slurred. "But you
realize...you aren't going to be leaving this place." Her eyes are dialated,
the light adding even more of an eerie effect to them.
Locke asks, "......if I came here to fight you, I would simply try to kill you while you are disoriented.... have you sold that much of your soul to this company, Kurasu.....?"
Kurasu smirks, eyes narrowing slightly. If nothing else, to focus on you
better. "I wouldn't suppose you'd understand. But you aren't going to be
allowed to leave here. By me, or by other SOLDIER>"
Locke asks, "Funny.... I never had you pegged for anyone's monkey.... you
seemed like the only good in the bunch, when we were imprisoned here. Was that just another mask, too??"
Kurasu chuckles. "So long as you were willing to relax and understand what
needed to be done, I had no reason to be anything but. However, you're
endangering the company. Therefore, I have no other choice. And it really is a pity. I was relatively fond of your attitude. I suppose I'll have to explain to Celes about your 'disappearance' as well."
Locke tightens his gaze at the mention of Celes. "You won't go near her... I
don't want to fight you.... but if you plan on causing her more grief, then we will both probably die here tonight. Wasn't your initial betrayal enough??"
Kurasu arches her eyebrows. "Somehow, I would have thought you'd be more
comfortable with me giving the report of your disappearance, than with
Rufus-sama giving reports of your death, and telling her to surrender
immediately." Her shoulders ripple, briefly, in a shrug. "I suppose it's all a matter of choice, though." She focuses on you again, shifting her weight so she isn't wavering in her stance quite so much. "And as for dying....I don't think you get it yet. You can't kill me as easily as you seem to think you can." She presents the gashed arm. There is a long, ragged, and bloody tear in the cloth, but no wound shows across the skin at all. Not even a scar.
Locke widens his eyes faintly at that spectacle. ".....what are you....? You
aren't like the others here.... are you even human?"
Kurasu says, "Spells, maybe?" Her arm drops again. "Maybe something as part of my training? Or maybe.... I'm not." Her eyes narrow. "I doubt you'll have the time, or the chance, to figure it out at all." Her grip shifts lightly against the hilt of her sword, then tightens, as her muzzied fingers threaten to slip slightly.
Locke notes the grip on the hilt, shaking his head sadly. "You have a strong
sense of duty, for sure... and courage. Too bad you help the Shin Ra.... we
could use someone like you. I guess we're gonna have to settle this,
though...." With that, he hurls the weapon out. It whirls through the air, but seemingly at the wrong angle. Upon nearing it's target, your head, it appears that the hilt will be the part of the blade to strike as it curves about to return towards Locke. . o O (....this is the only way to not have one of us getting killed....)
Kurasu doesn't even try to dodge, really. One knee bends, striking the ground, as her head dips below the expected strike area of the thrown weapon. "Nice to see my skills and loyalty are recognised." she says, as she closes her eyes, shifting her hands out as she tries to concentrate on the spells contained within the materia.
Locke reaches out a hand for the returning weapon, snagging it neatly as he
backs towards the open elevator shaft. . o O (I hope those cables are strong
enough to hold me.... this is going to be tricky....)
Kurasu raises her head once the sound of the flying weapon has gone past her
head, snapping her hand towards the thief. "Fire!" Maybe a scorching will slow him down enough for her to gather her wits more fully.
Locke raises one arm to ineffectually protect his face as the flames roar forth over him. He manages to supress the exclamation of pain that the heat causes as it sears his already wounded body. He takes another step towards the shaft as he removes his jacket in one hand. "You really do leave me no choice.... I guess I was right about you from the beginning.... Celes was too trusting...."
Kurasu slowly opens her eyes, reguarding you coldly. "You've left me less
choice than I've left you." she says, harshly. She pushes herself slowly to her feet. "You left your choices behind a long time ago, when you killed those SOLDIER. You had a chance to turn yourself in, and left it. Now, I have no other choice."
Locke nods sadly. "Casualties of a war that no one wanted.... I'm sorry.... I really am.... maybe someday we'll see eye-to-eye.... goodbye, Kurasu-san. Good luck..." With this, he turns and hops into the shaft; the jacket in one hand as he slaps his weapon into it's holder; eyes on the cables as he decends.
Kurasu doesn't even try to follow. Even were she able to get down completely
unharmed, in her present woozy state, she'd be a sitting duck. Instead, she
staggers over to the intercom, leaning her weight against it. "Clean-up crew. SOLDIER barracks. On the double."
Kaia> Locke has arrived.
Kaia> First, a sliding, dragging sound is heard. Then, a clank as something
strikes the still-hot wreckage of the elevator and the bot. Finally, Locke
quickly limps out from the elevator doors, weapon in hand as he heads towards the front entrance.
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard is pacing around the floor of the first floor, checking the time, then the stairs, over and over again. There is a mess where the robot crashed through the elevator, leaving quite a bit of rubble scattered about. The clean up people are going to have a busy night tonight. "Halt!" she yells as the man comes down the elevator, turning quickly. . o O (Look at all the blood. At least he can't be _that_ tough to handle)
Kaia> Locke turns a weary gaze to the guard, not stopping his movement. "Get
outta my way.... please....."
Kaia> Politeness might work in some cases, but in this one, all the guard is
seeing is a terrorist that's amking a run for it. "I said _halt_." she barks. "Surrender yourself peacefully, and no one needs to get hurt."
Kaia> Locke shakes his head sadly, finally slowing to a stop. "I'm leaving.... and I don't want anyone else getting hurt... just step aside...." . o O (Aw, geez.... another woman...)
Kaia> Slowly, the figure in the armor advances as you stop, claymore blade
unslung and pointed towards you carefully. "Lay down your weapons."
Kaia> Locke slowly raises his hands as if surrendering, but then the arm
holding the HE quickly snaps, and the blade whirls out towards the head of the SOLDIER, hilt-first. . o O (I'm losing everything I stand for.... I feel
sick....)
Kaia> SOLDIER Guard blinks, startled, as she tries to jerk back out of the way. *whack* She stumbles and falls, unconcious.
Kaia> Locke catches the weapon upon it's return, walking slowly over to the
downed figure. He kneels to remove the helmet and check the blow, then quickly places his jacket underneath the woman's head as a pillow, before standing and leaving through the doors; walking as if defeated.
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