一𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖 𝙍𝙝𝙚𝙞

" of course , you hold much more knowledge then I do in this situation , so it'd be foolish to not share with you , especially considering we share a goal . " taking what notes she could of the destruction , nothing sat right about this , the way everything fell apart didn't make sense to her , in a way . " we should cover grounds on things outside of the destruction itself , would there be any motives , say -- from the people who ran the hotel to destroy it ? "

"I hold more information for my side of the fence, so to say. And I do agree with your statement. This side in the universe and these beings are a major part of study and culture for the universe at large, but most of all with disdain or underlying disinterest. Not unusable, but very unruly and never without more losses than gains. Unless annihilation is their gain."

He listens to the world continuing in action all around them, not a moment stopped for them as time continues on gracefully. Even if the topic was not much so. As he sets about narrowing down the topic to answer her questions, he ends up leaving a noticeable silence.

"There are ways to simulate the fall of civilizations and such acts of terror throughout the universe, some involving supercomputer-level mechanisms. These supercomputers are more akin to prediction matrices that accurately predict the past, but there are quite a few that are able to react and measure these phenomena for the future. Usually, these predictions still need the human touch to edge them forward and start from change." Ratio tries to keep his tone even, his information neutral and fair. "This overlap of our being held in a simulation, on a planet we arrived on and subsequently saw destroyed, is something these supercomputers are able to do. To ponder, to predict, to alter."

He does try and keep himself... urbane when he thinks back on that buffoon of a leader that sent out the SOS to the IPC.

Topaz did not mirror the calm demeanor of her companion—though in the little time she's known the scholar, has she ever truly seen him crash out?—and instead found herself steeped in a familiar terror. Her knees trembled, threatening to give way to the weight of her body which had suddenly felt so, so heavy.

"I..."

She took a trembling step forward. And so did the mire of memory clear.

This place was the capital, though it was only the capital by name and not prestige. All around, fumes of varying grays spurted out from tall chimneys, mixing in with the gray of the sky. If one could call it a sky. It looked more like a rusted iron dome than anything.

Topaz glanced around. Hers and Ratio's were the only faces around not obscured by some breathing apparatus, yet she felt as though she did not need one in this instance—perhaps this was the limits of memoria, that it could not copy that suffocating feeling that living in this planet brought someone. Then again, she was not sure anything could do that.

A group of gamin kids ran whizzed her. She could hear the jerky, heavy sounds of their breaths as it passed through air filters. She might have been that kid, once. Once, before the IPC saved her.

Topaz exhaled. She hadn't realized she'd been holding in air.

Faces marked out and noises that give him more of the ears of a tourist than anything, it gives the sensation of non-personal viewership to Veritas as Topaz looks around in jerked motions. Recognition, no doubt. He looked the world over and felt the urge to turn his head, and when he does, he sees peaking crests over the buildings and sky so unfamiliar. Through the unfamiliarity, something in his hindbrain itched with a need to stamp out his lost train of thought. He turns back to her, keeping his rather long pause to himself.

"For sudden emergency needs there are two safe guards inside the testing ground. There are monitors to keep our vitals stable, and any physical distress is set for automatic lockdown of the memoria and automatic expulsion." He keeps this tone even, an attempt at comforting with simple facts of the matter. "The second would be deactivation via internal retrospection. The Space Time Memoria is not benevolent or malevolent, nor does it have a nature like some Curios do. A command to be let out, and you're free. It's also our only way out, as they do want us testing the boundaries of the Curios, so feel free to use it anytime."

While he didn't directly say he wouldn't leave until she did, he thought it best to make a note to read the air as time goes on. Unease and lonesome exploration do not bode well. Like all things in the universe: human control is above all else something of a creature comfort for them. He would not blame Miss Topaz, he would not agree to something so dangerous to the public as an effective prison of the mind without investigation himself.

"I take it this is a part of your psychological experience, Miss Topaz. I do not recognize this space." He tried to sound wondering, without the prying part too adamant. "The experiment did call for recreational reconstruction of the Fictmemoria experiences, similar to those on Penacony while wanting to test if they had the tools to bend not time, but space. Is there something you'd like to do to test their boundaries, miss?"

march is probably the last person on the express that the crew should be sending out for politics like this. but they'd requested the presence of the express, and no one else had been free, and pom-pom looked two seconds away from their fur frizzing up just from the stress of it all that she volunteered before her brain had a chance to catch up with her mouth. in any case, she'll be fine! intergalactic politics might not be her strong suit, but she makes up for it in plenty of other ways.

the smell of blood is how she knows she's in the right place, brushing past the cloud knights guarding the way with a brief flash of her express ticket as she bursts in. “i'm here! i'm sorry, the conductor got the express here as fast as they could.” her gaze immediately goes to the injured borisin, eyes wide, and the nameless sobers quickly.

go on enough trailblazing missions and you necessarily pick up some first aid skills. it comes with the job, really, along with all the scrapes and bruises. march's expression wrinkles as she approaches. seriously. she knows the borisin and the alliance might not be on the best of terms, but they could have at least tended to him properly, couldn't they? hadn't he surrendered?

He turns back towards their injured fellow and begins to stitch into the skin of a particularly deep cut. "Miss March, I thank you all for responding to the call. Please pass on my regards when you return. You're not too late if you're okay with icing his legs and setting his ankles with the gauze. His legs were caught in the crash and he, put simply, almost lost them."

With his gloves on and handling an intricate sewing motion upwards [roll: 18] it barely made a stitch out of place while she did The task assigned to her. The Borisin [roll: 17] is amicable and cooperates well with them as he keeps his feet up and tries not to kick at the discomfort. He grits his teeth in discomfort even past the pain killers.

"Thank... you, you both." The Borisin gentleman looks between them finally and speaks up with the gravelled voice. A senior or an elder, perhaps? "It's not everyday we get moments of kindness. Thank you Miss March and Mister... ?"

He holds the gaze of the Borisin senior, not a flinch with how close they are. "Veritas Ratio, scholar of the Inteligencia Guild." He addresses him like it's the most unimportant thing, and at this moment it is. He turns the question around. "And you are a Borisin fleeing from the airspace in which you fought so hard to maintain against stigma, into a Xianzhou ship. Do you have anything important to tell us?"

He waves away his tome. Veritas had to keep himself from tracing the Guardsman Captain with his eyes as he passed the man with their resources. The suddenness of their situation was no shock to his system or even set him past expectations as he finds himself encumbered with a good portion of their supplies—his face daring to search for any hints of regret or discontent within Gepard's face. He does not speak his mind as the question finds itself quite redundant in the end.

He has the trooper sit on a trashcan that is folded and bent like something heavy had impacted it, stable and sideways as if it had been trampled. Ratio finds himself kneeling to sift while the mechanical whirling of Gepard's shield goes up again. And Gepard pushes the enemies.

Taking the supplies and finding himself a set of tools, instruments, and remedies to potentially assist the Guardsman troopers injury, he finds himself having to open quite a bit of supplies. A metal welder in his hand used by civilian mechanics is turned all the way up to burn through armor to separate it from the shoulder entirely, falling from its suspended straps. The groans of wallowing pain continue but the sparks do not catch the outfit of the Guardsman, it must be insulted against catching and the heavy cold. Resourceful.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 1,9] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 5]. -4 DAMAGE. 6/10HP

[TIme Left: 1 hr 45]

From the street they left it sounds like the flapping of a squad of birds of prey just picking up blood and had taken to attacking Gepard with volleys of ice and ramming their little bodies into him. From the sound of their agony, Gepard didn't spare his swings when they came close enough to face his stalwart attacks. But Ratio paid him only enough mind he could spare as he worked diligently with the trooper's arm.

First, is administration of pain relief via syringe that Ratio had to pop and find a vein of his non-injured arm for. Next was pulling the Fragmentum creature shards from his arm with a set of clamps to keep his hand from staining and freezing over, going against the noises of pain as he works fast. He had to set the man's arm quickly as he put pressure on the biggest wound—quickly finishing that. Packing all wounds with disinfectant and padding to absorb and seal skin, he has to cut into the fabric of his armor as they are covered in blood enough that it wants to congeal to the skin. Wrapping the arm in a sling uses a lot of the thermal bandages, but it keeps him still secure against the elements until—

A shard or two of ice hits right by his feet, having gotten past Gepard to try and hit Veritas—but Veritas makes himself smaller in his kneel, his supplies taking a horrible hit as they get sent flying. His only remaining resources from his pile being a thermal bandage wrap he had just had in his hands.

"Stay here. If you need to back away, fall on your side to make yourself a smaller target." The Guardsman trooper wouldn't be able to stand for a while, it's all he can offer the man before he gets to his feet and summons his tone once more.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 10,8] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 4]. -6 DAMAGE.

FROSTSPAWN IS DEFEATED

Enemy Drops: 3

[Time left: 1 hr 30 mins]

Veritas opens his tome again to put it between the soft part of his elbow and downward facing hand, his scribe hands ready to trace back whatever had shot at him and taken their supplies. It seems that their earlier singular bird had struck itself big with two more friends with Gepard crushing this third ally of theirs as Veritas returns to the field.

Veritas watches their flapping and failed attempts to break Gepard's guard as they ram against his shield like it meant anything. As they both took a swing at the same time, Veritas summoned a contraption of chalk to strike them both at their center mass, only changing its trajectory as a richocet factor on his calculations. The heaviness of his attack with their feeble centers of mass combined to a double noise of shattering and they both end up disintegrating with audible CRACKS, THUDS!

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 4,4] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2].-2 DAMAGE. 8/10HP

[TIme Left: 1 hr 15 min]

Their relaxation is cut short as a set of steps come from the alleyway far beyond them. Bipedal footsteps, he catches them. There is a group of them but this information doesn't give off diligent marching or boots hitting the ground rhythmically, it was heavy and akin to tripping over one's own feet. It was fast too, slightly above natural human speed as Veritas tracks it—just behind himself. The birds had provided audible distractions and a beacon of noise, he assumes as he feels a weight slam into his back just before he takes off. His injured hip finally retaliates from the sudden movement and he does take the slam of the frozen body into his, its tackle meant to distract from its upwards swing of its axe.

Veritas falls back before it could cleaver at his vitals vertically but he finds a few strands of his hair falling as he pushes himself back and his arm holding his tome gets its fingers nicked, his blossoming red hip spitting more as he finds himself running into Gepard. It seems they both retreated to their right, away from that trooper. It matters not as Gepard seems to realize they're under attack and. Veritas has to catch his footing, the Guardsman stabilizing him before moving past him.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 3,9] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 5]. -4 DAMAGE. 4/10HP

[Time Left: 1 hr ]

That's when the shield is dragged from its sitting position on the field, it's sturdy and stable body is able to sit in the wind with not an inch of movement except when Gepard pulls on it. The three Shades—identified now that Veritas was facing them, one a face of fire and two of ice aplenty—were not prepared for the wind up it took Gepard to hit the ground and shards of ice bloom before and behind them. While the Shades retreat is cut off, the walls are covered in frost, their feet and body take a piercing quite well enough.

In the cascade of his powers, one icicle rapidly shoots up from the ground violently. Skewering a FrostSpawn through completely. Its wings stop flapping to hang sadly from its elevated position, its body twitches for a couple of seconds before eventually stilling. The colors draining away as it disintegrates into a shadow of particles.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 8,6] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2]. -6 DAMAGE. FROSTSPAWN IS DEFEATED Enemy Drops: 5 [Time Left: 45 mins]

While the hazardous environment created by him was meant to cover their backs, stopping any possible ambush coming their way, some of the Fragmentum were persistent. Recklessly, one charges forward, the humanoid like body slipping without much thought for its own safely. It glides and slices itself against the sharp spikes, but not deep enough to give it pause. Gepard's eyes widen as one almost slices Veritas, then this new one tries to cover for the other's miss. Going for Veritas again, but the ice impedes its strike as it begins to slip, the Captain moves to push the Scholar out of the way just as soon as the poor trajectory of the axe comes down. While the hit wasn't as powerful as it would have been, it still manages to cut into his armor deeply. The attack slices through the material, shocking him for a second too long as Dr. Veritas Ratio had to cover for him, causing the beast to fall backwards on the unsteady flooring.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 4,1] attacks SHADE [Roll: 6]. R&G take -2 DAMAGE. 21/30HP. [Time Left: 30 minutes] 

Quiet, pained expletives escape out of the Guard Captain's mouth, he turns around, and, before the other man could react, wraps his arm around the scholar's waist and grabs the back of the wounded Silvermane's collar. Picking them both up off the ground to run.

"Apologies, but this position is compromised. We need to move now." Grunting due to the excess weight, he sprints through the familiar cityscape, with the sounds of enemies close on their tail. He runs and runs for who knows how long, until the noises become distant. Stopping abruptly in his hurry to listen, then sighing in relief when his assumption was correct. Gently, he puts both of his companions down, hoping to not jostle them even further.

Sending Dr. Veritas Ratio a look of apology, even though he had stated it before. Hoping the other understands his reasoning for doing so. They held no match against the newly arrived forces, especially since they had injured.

"We'll camp here for right now to gain our bearings. We've been locked in the art of battle for hours now, so some rest should do us some good." Saying in a steady tone, while weariness was present in both his face and stride. Moving to one of the buildings off to the side that had a little sitting area, dropping in a random chair with all his weight. The sight unprofessional he knows, but, in this instance, uncaring with the current circumstances.

Suddenly, the sound of a chair scrapping against the ground is heard as he lowers his gaze from the sky to the Doctor, who shuffles closer. In his hands is a needle and thread, and begins to work on his shredded armor. Gepard moves his gaze away to look towards the passed out guard and shifts to unclip the walkie-talkie from his belt.

"Thank you. You absolutely do not have to do this." Closing his eyes to rest for however long he can. "I'll radio Donnie to notify for immediate rescue to get them more efficient medical care than we can give them currently." Bringing the electronic device to his lips to do just that.

They bask in the silence after that. Not sure what to expect, but knowing, for right now, they were safe.

DR RATIO & GEPARD take 30 minutes to HEAL +1HP. 22/30HP. [Time Left: 0 hrs 0 mins]

After the not-so-subtle retreat yesterday, Ratio had found himself rather quiet when accompanying the Guard Captain back to a proper campsite for their drop-off. While Gepard carries the Silvermane Guard and reports him to this Donnie fellows main tent, Ratio sets about cleaning his wounds that he got from the Shades. His hip had blossomed open to leak red anew yet his clothes got stuck to his hip from how cold the air had become far from their occupied territory. Ratio set about cleaning it and swapping his clothes before it was time to turn in, and rest from a days worth of fighting. A thirty minute rest before a trek back to this site in Block 1 was not adequate rest, and so he sequestered himself away until it was time again to head off.

...

While Ratio cannot say he doesn't dream often he was fortunate enough to realize he had finally passed the few hours standing between him and a repeat performance out in the field. Hopefully, with more eyes keen on keeping them safe and not falling to injury—the Captain seemed quite distracted even this clear morning, just like yesterday in the field.

When he pulled back the tents flap he had been finalizing their resource acquisition in, he internally checks a few boxes as Gepard seemed to have found himself before the other two keeping this area safe. The Guard Captain was a careful man and simple chatter over the radio had only been sparse at best, so giving the remaining two a rundown of what had happened to turn the power off in their area was a wise choice. At least he won't be having to repeat anything.

Coming up to stand beside his partner for their expedition, he gives a nod to the brightly dressed young lady and icy gentleman at her side. He keeps his explanation brief, if he could even call it that. "Block 3 fell under the control of the Fragmentum after reinforcements overwhelmed the area at around 6 hours of deployment. While we held out against the aerial units enough to clear them out, our humanoid Shades put up a harsher fight the closer you get to the Ice Out of Space hiding in the north." He hums. "From our final moments before we retreated, I could say we saw the end of the tunnel in so few words, but it's an uphill battle. Do be careful. We'll be listening over the radio for any assistance you may need, Gepard will be in charge of handling communications."

While Gepard settled up and pulled them closer to the entrance of their trek back into enemy territory, he did give the other team a final warning. "We're low on resources ourselves from a stray Guardsmen needing assistance, we won't be able to help you besides physical labor for awhile. Safe travels."

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD move to Black 3.

[Time Left; 7 hrs 45 mins]

part end for: @philiaes & @silentintuition

Ratio keeps his worry close to his chest for their current state. They too can use any help they can get with this sector, even just a little. That's when Gepard turns them north-west, and off they go.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 6,5] attacks SHADE [Roll: 5]. -1 DAMAGE. 9/10HP

[TIme Left: 7 hrs 30 mins]

With how the world seems to not have changed except the growing snow, ice, and Fragmentum buzz, it was almost too quiet to take anything in besides that residual hum. The Destruction's minions were sure to grace them with their presence sooner rather than later, so a brisk jog between hiding places kept Veritas and Gepard on their toes. It was when coming up on a group of three Shades that had taken themselves up against the café's from yesterday that they stopped.

With a flick of his tome against his arm and drawing upon equations to formula up a piece of gear, it was here he made a rather notable mistake. The sound of stone rearranging and coalescing with a sharp noise to finish its projectile targeting, he unknowingly almost got the piece captured midair. The swing of a fiery axe to melt his projectile barely missed it and struck the Shade where its eye would be. Yet it still kept itself standing.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 7,2] attacks SHADE [Roll: 5]. -2 DAMAGE. 7/10HP

[Time Left: 7 hrs 15 mins]

With no use hiding, he and Gepard stepped into the light of day and into the whipping arctic air. The three foes running at them with their melee weapons swinging wide. Ratio peeled another equation and a projectile gear from his tome to strike an icy Shade that got too close to Gepard. Taking a shot at its knees and crippling it to fall to one knee to slow it down was the fastest thing he could do with how Gepard stood on that side—blocking most of his shot.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,1] attacks SHADE [Roll: 6]. -1 DAMAGE to US. 21/30HP

[Time Left: 7 hrs]

It was the third icy Shade that got too close. It took a large swing and missed Gepard greatly, only to end up striking Ratio's closed tome. The book was sturdy stuff while using his arm as the sponge for the damage, but a wide step back at least didn't have Ratio being dragged along the blade with the Shades weight. His arm would hurt but he's sure of no breaking, so he takes steps back as he opens his tome. A little scratched, but still operational.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 3,8] attacks Shade [Roll: 6]. -2 DAMAGE 6/10HP.

[Time Left: 3 hrs 45 mins]

That distance was not enough so Ratio, usually a man of tools and gears, ends up raising his free hand and upper cutting the Shade on the dark underbelly, its supposed chin. The creature did not let any humane noises slip but the crackling of Destruction underneath its skin blended with the chipping of ice on its face. His tome had done something after all.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 10,1] attacks SHADE [Roll: 10] NO DAMAGE 6/10Hp

[Time Left: 3 hrs 30 mins]

Ratio had to retreat back towards Gepard past the awnings, umbrellas, and tables. He retreats as the creature staggers, rolling its head and readjusting its axe within its grip, and truly they are at a stalemate.

Another Shade from the alleyway used its human body type to its advantage and a few seconds of chaos, taking advantage of its hips to swing back to its left with a windup time on its swing. It's double handed grip tightening as Veritas is carefully inscribed within the air a quick schematic of a statue. The quickest and most memorable, sturdy, design he could handle to cover his retreat is a clone of himself. The statue falls heavily a few centimeters in front of him from its recreation mid air—its posture prim and proper with his tome at his hip and free arm behind his back, nose held high.

The stute takes the strike for him and its head is shattered upon impact, now only recognizable by the design of its clothes past all the cracks splintering from the top-down. Veritas got away, but that had been too close. A split second later and surely—nevermind.

Even underneath the sound of carnage upon the cityscape, the loud intercom clicks from an established radio wave signal could be heard. Gepard was so distracted Veritas wouldn't be surprised if the man dropped the walkie talkie now, the enemies drawing in them alarmingly quick. A pack of Shades. But whatever had been spoken about by the time he drew closer and finally beside his guide. He didn't look all too happy about what he heard.

“Veritas! They need-!” The Guard Captain looks up at their own dire situation. Quickly, he picks up the radio that was given to everyone to stay in communication. “Situation is dire on our end. Unable to assist. Over."

The radio waves opened again with a loud metallic hiss and a youthful voice carries over after Gepard let's go of the button. "Please consider retreating to base camp, captain! "

With a look at the group of Shades coming from the frost and Fragmentum covered alleys towards the boulevard, Gepard silently answers the request with an audible sigh. Resignation. Veritas can feel the Captain's resolve strengthen, but not towards the sentiment shared.

[15 mintues] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,6] attacks SHADE [Roll: 7]. R&G take -1 DAMAGE. DR RATIO & GEPARD 29/30HP

[Time Left: 3 hrs 15 mins]

As Ratio came back to Gepard's side, a Shade grew a pair as it seemed to have some semblance of retaliation. Even with Ratio and Gepard putting themselves more advantageous on the defensive, the creature swung and kicked the last of the marble back at them. The marble flies from the strength of its swing, and they are pelted with pieces of it. Carnage happens in the streets as tables are flipped in the skirmish.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 2,4] attacks SHADE [Roll: 10] R&G take -6HP. DR RATIO & GEPARD 23/30HP

[Time Left: 3 hrs]

The destruction sent fine sandy clouds of debris at them and to Ratio's detriment, he should have worn his headpiece as his eyes are filled with the grains of his creation. From the sound of frustration, perhaps Gepard had as well. Ratio had brought his arm up too late to keep it out of his mouth and eyes and was thoroughly distracted when he heard fast, heavy footsteps with the clicking of ice. A dangerous hum of Destruction closing it. Just before Ratio felt the blunt axe strike at his lower waist and the strike carried over to Gepard's own person. From the audible BANG! it hit something with armor and he could hear the noises of pain clicking in.

He knew his belt and sash had been cut into as warmth bloomed underneath his clothes. His hip reads and registered pain but it did not cripple him. But his teeth grit as he pushes through it.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 8,1] attacks SHADE [Roll: 2]. -6 DAMAGE SHADE is DEFEATED Enemy Drops: +6 [Time Left: 2 hrs 45 mins]

Before the both of them could bask in the calm of their victory, there is a loud screech and the flapping of wings, another Frostspawn. Gritting his teeth, fighting through the pain, he turns, and charges once more, hitting the monster with same fist that sent the other to its grave. Not letting it show, as the ice now digs into his glove.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 3,5] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 1] -4 DAMAGE. 6/10HP [Time Left: 2 hrs 30 mins]

This time he dispels the ice, feeling the consequences as his hand stings with numbness. Grabbing Earthwork, he swings, gripping his shield so tight to hide the tremble that is quite noticeable in his hands. Not willing to show any kind of weakness, or his own limits. He will not yield. Not now, not ever.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 2,6] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 1]. -5 DAMAGE. 1/10HP [Time Left: 2 hrs 15 mins] 

After the swing, he has to lean on the wall that opens up into an alleyway of the main road. The tiredness catching up to him at the worst possible time as he, once again, tries to collect his breath. Reading his own resolve before the next way to enemies are upon them, but the brief respite is disrupted as he hears slow footsteps draw closer. He immediately lifts his gaze with furrowed eyebrows until it changes into a look of horror at what he sees.

It was one of his men. Limping forward, using the wall as a crutch to move with a giant shard of ice lodged in their thigh, and a mangled looking arm that lays limply at their side with tiny icicles sticking out at odd angles. Their movements panicked, as if trying to run away from something, then he sees it. A large shadow at the end of the alleyway. Its blue, ice-like body floating menacingly at the end. Gepard stands there frozen for a moment, barely hearing the sound of a dying screech nearby. The Ice Out of Space lets out a deep rumble that reverberates throughout the narrow space, then it gets more agitated as it notices the wounded Guard, the Doctor and himself. Letting a loud roar that would have busted his eardrums if he wasn't fast enough with covering them.

Silence...

Then more sounds occur. A familiar screech, the clinking of boots with the high-pitched scraping of axes on the cobblestone ground from all over. The roofs, the roads...

He stands there stunned in place for a moment before slowly unclipping the walkie-talkie, the tremble gone, in its place just a calm acceptance of the situation they were in.

"Block 3 has been overrun." The short reply all he gets out before releasing the talk button, not listening for the radio, or a reply only focused on raising his shields up to block the oncoming wave.

"We have injured! Doctor!" Shouting to the other man, hoping the title bears true.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 8,1] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 3] -5 DAMAGE.  FROSTSPAWN IS DEFEATED [Time Left: 2 hrs] 

He waves away his tome. Veritas had to keep himself from tracing the Guardsman Captain with his eyes as he passed the man with their resources. The suddenness of their situation was no shock to his system or even set him past expectations as he finds himself encumbered with a good portion of their supplies—his face daring to search for any hints of regret or discontent within Gepard's face. He does not speak his mind as the question finds itself quite redundant in the end.

He has the trooper sit on a trashcan that is folded and bent like something heavy had impacted it, stable and sideways as if it had been trampled. Ratio finds himself kneeling to sift while the mechanical whirling of Gepard's shield goes up again. And Gepard pushes the enemies.

Taking the supplies and finding himself a set of tools, instruments, and remedies to potentially assist the Guardsman troopers injury, he finds himself having to open quite a bit of supplies. A metal welder in his hand used by civilian mechanics is turned all the way up to burn through armor to separate it from the shoulder entirely, falling from its suspended straps. The groans of wallowing pain continue but the sparks do not catch the outfit of the Guardsman, it must be insulted against catching and the heavy cold. Resourceful.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 1,9] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 5]. -4 DAMAGE. 6/10HP

[TIme Left: 1 hr 45]

From the street they left it sounds like the flapping of a squad of birds of prey just picking up blood and had taken to attacking Gepard with volleys of ice and ramming their little bodies into him. From the sound of their agony, Gepard didn't spare his swings when they came close enough to face his stalwart attacks. But Ratio paid him only enough mind he could spare as he worked diligently with the trooper's arm.

First, is administration of pain relief via syringe that Ratio had to pop and find a vein of his non-injured arm for. Next was pulling the Fragmentum creature shards from his arm with a set of clamps to keep his hand from staining and freezing over, going against the noises of pain as he works fast. He had to set the man's arm quickly as he put pressure on the biggest wound—quickly finishing that. Packing all wounds with disinfectant and padding to absorb and seal skin, he has to cut into the fabric of his armor as they are covered in blood enough that it wants to congeal to the skin. Wrapping the arm in a sling uses a lot of the thermal bandages, but it keeps him still secure against the elements until—

A shard or two of ice hits right by his feet, having gotten past Gepard to try and hit Veritas—but Veritas makes himself smaller in his kneel, his supplies taking a horrible hit as they get sent flying. His only remaining resources from his pile being a thermal bandage wrap he had just had in his hands.

"Stay here. If you need to back away, fall on your side to make yourself a smaller target." The Guardsman trooper wouldn't be able to stand for a while, it's all he can offer the man before he gets to his feet and summons his tone once more.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 10,8] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 4]. -6 DAMAGE.

FROSTSPAWN IS DEFEATED

Enemy Drops: 3

[Time left: 1 hr 30 mins]

Veritas opens his tome again to put it between the soft part of his elbow and downward facing hand, his scribe hands ready to trace back whatever had shot at him and taken their supplies. It seems that their earlier singular bird had struck itself big with two more friends with Gepard crushing this third ally of theirs as Veritas returns to the field.

Veritas watches their flapping and failed attempts to break Gepard's guard as they ram against his shield like it meant anything. As they both took a swing at the same time, Veritas summoned a contraption of chalk to strike them both at their center mass, only changing its trajectory as a richocet factor on his calculations. The heaviness of his attack with their feeble centers of mass combined to a double noise of shattering and they both end up disintegrating with audible CRACKS, THUDS!

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 4,4] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2].-2 DAMAGE. 8/10HP

[TIme Left: 1 hr 15 min]

Their relaxation is cut short as a set of steps come from the alleyway far beyond them. Bipedal footsteps, he catches them. There is a group of them but this information doesn't give off diligent marching or boots hitting the ground rhythmically, it was heavy and akin to tripping over one's own feet. It was fast too, slightly above natural human speed as Veritas tracks it—just behind himself. The birds had provided audible distractions and a beacon of noise, he assumes as he feels a weight slam into his back just before he takes off. His injured hip finally retaliates from the sudden movement and he does take the slam of the frozen body into his, its tackle meant to distract from its upwards swing of its axe.

Veritas falls back before it could cleaver at his vitals vertically but he finds a few strands of his hair falling as he pushes himself back and his arm holding his tome gets its fingers nicked, his blossoming red hip spitting more as he finds himself running into Gepard. It seems they both retreated to their right, away from that trooper. It matters not as Gepard seems to realize they're under attack and. Veritas has to catch his footing, the Guardsman stabilizing him before moving past him.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Roll: 3,9] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 5]. -4 DAMAGE. 4/10HP

[Time Left: 1 hr ]

That's when the shield is dragged from its sitting position on the field, it's sturdy and stable body is able to sit in the wind with not an inch of movement except when Gepard pulls on it. The three Shades—identified now that Veritas was facing them, one a face of fire and two of ice aplenty—were not prepared for the wind up it took Gepard to hit the ground and shards of ice bloom before and behind them. While the Shades retreat is cut off, the walls are covered in frost, their feet and body take a piercing quite well enough.

He didn't answer the man's obvious question with an obvious answer, the man was sure to be smart. He'll allow this moment of shock, but won't hold back if it happens again. He keeps his tone neutral but he does implore, "Mr. Gepard, we must go. I can still hear them ahead."

That's what it took for the man to continue down the thin street that weaved through hotels and apartments, all only passable on foot as the inclines get arduous. When the railing starts to head upwards and black crystals form along with the cobblestone side rails, that's when another set of flapping comes from above them. It had been perched upon a set of umbrellas no doubt for a rest, but they had been ready.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 6,6] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 5] -1 DAMAGE 9/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs 45 mins]

The mangy bird was ready to take a blast of chalk to its one wing and purposefully dove its ruined trajectory towards Gepard, but the man was ready. A punch or grab, he was unsure what the man had planned, but the clawing motion struck the flat face of the Frostspawn, and it was hit back to where it came. It did not fall out of the sky as a sturdy thing, and shrieked as it played keep away with them.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 2,1] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2] NO DAMAGE 9/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs 30 mins]

The beast even tried a similar attack to its previous breatheren and charged up an attack that shot missiles of ice towards them. They were on a steep incline between two buildings, a narrow walkway, so Ratio had to play defensive as the bird on high could go above Gepard's shield. A small volley of chalk, some half formed, still sturdy enough to change the missiles course that they are unscathed. They have to move out of this narrow alley, so he pushes at the sturdy back upwards.

"Move further!" He puts some pressure in his tone and off they go above the alleyway.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 6,6] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 1] -5 DAMAGE 4/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs 15 mins]

It was when they hit the landing that Ratio had the idea to use the street full of awnings and umbrellas to their advantage—and so he used the next volley of ice to duck under a black and red awning as Gepard defended his old position. The ice and matter reflecting off the shield gave him ample cover to ready heavy shots on his tome, algorithms already materializing like adrenaline did not narrow his vision. Through it's flimsy tarp he shoots three holes through it to strike the creature in its unharmed trio of wings. With its fall, it strikes the ground in front of Gepard .

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,5] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 3] -2 DAMAGE 2/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs]

He's sure he doesn't have to yell at the Silverman Guard Captain to Finish It! but he does wonder how long this volley and then getting pinned has taken them. That volley was sure to damage anything not behind that shield of his. Not that was property damage.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,4] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 3] -2HP.  FROSTSPAWN is DEFEATED [Time Left: 4 hrs 45 mins] 

As the screech rings out across their location, Gepard looks over his shoulder to Veritas. "It's taken care of. Let's go!" Clearly said as they march forward. They made it a great distance without running into any enemies, but their luck had to run out at some point as another winged creature meets them. Vertias Ratio sends out a piece of chalk that catches the Frostspawn off guard.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,4] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2] -3 DAMAGE 7/10HP.  [Time Left: 4 hrs 30 mins] 

Gepard seeing that the creature was hit, slams his fist down on the ground that sends a cluster of ice towards the enemy. Encapsulating it in ice, never to move again.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 1,10] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2] -8 DAMAGE. FROSTSPAWN is DEFEATED!  [Time Left: 4 hrs 15 mins] 

Gepard let's out a sigh of relief, his eyes darting around the city streets that were thankfully empty for now. He turns to the Doctor, ready to ask if the other is okay, but his eyes widen in horror as a Shade appears right behind the purple-haired man. He moves on instinct, but Vertias, having his tomb between his soft part of his elbow and hand, suddenly straightens his arm out. Faster than what Gepard could see and smashes the spine into the monster's face, causing it to stagger.

"Veritas-!"

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 6,2] attack SHADE [Roll: 4] -2 DAMAGE 8/10HP.  [Time Left: 4 hrs] 

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 3,8] attacks Shade [Roll: 6]. -2 DAMAGE 6/10HP.

[Time Left: 3 hrs 45 mins]

That distance was not enough so Ratio, usually a man of tools and gears, ends up raising his free hand and upper cutting the Shade on the dark underbelly, its supposed chin. The creature did not let any humane noises slip but the crackling of Destruction underneath its skin blended with the chipping of ice on its face. His tome had done something after all.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 10,1] attacks SHADE [Roll: 10] NO DAMAGE 6/10Hp

[Time Left: 3 hrs 30 mins]

Ratio had to retreat back towards Gepard past the awnings, umbrellas, and tables. He retreats as the creature staggers, rolling its head and readjusting its axe within its grip, and truly they are at a stalemate.

Another Shade from the alleyway used its human body type to its advantage and a few seconds of chaos, taking advantage of its hips to swing back to its left with a windup time on its swing. It's double handed grip tightening as Veritas is carefully inscribed within the air a quick schematic of a statue. The quickest and most memorable, sturdy, design he could handle to cover his retreat is a clone of himself. The statue falls heavily a few centimeters in front of him from its recreation mid air—its posture prim and proper with his tome at his hip and free arm behind his back, nose held high.

The stute takes the strike for him and its head is shattered upon impact, now only recognizable by the design of its clothes past all the cracks splintering from the top-down. Veritas got away, but that had been too close. A split second later and surely—nevermind.

Even underneath the sound of carnage upon the cityscape, the loud intercom clicks from an established radio wave signal could be heard. Gepard was so distracted Veritas wouldn't be surprised if the man dropped the walkie talkie now, the enemies drawing in them alarmingly quick. A pack of Shades. But whatever had been spoken about by the time he drew closer and finally beside his guide. He didn't look all too happy about what he heard.

“Veritas! They need-!” The Guard Captain looks up at their own dire situation. Quickly, he picks up the radio that was given to everyone to stay in communication. “Situation is dire on our end. Unable to assist. Over."

The radio waves opened again with a loud metallic hiss and a youthful voice carries over after Gepard let's go of the button. "Please consider retreating to base camp, captain! "

With a look at the group of Shades coming from the frost and Fragmentum covered alleys towards the boulevard, Gepard silently answers the request with an audible sigh. Resignation. Veritas can feel the Captain's resolve strengthen, but not towards the sentiment shared.

[15 mintues] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,6] attacks SHADE [Roll: 7]. R&G take -1 DAMAGE. DR RATIO & GEPARD 29/30HP

[Time Left: 3 hrs 15 mins]

As Ratio came back to Gepard's side, a Shade grew a pair as it seemed to have some semblance of retaliation. Even with Ratio and Gepard putting themselves more advantageous on the defensive, the creature swung and kicked the last of the marble back at them. The marble flies from the strength of its swing, and they are pelted with pieces of it. Carnage happens in the streets as tables are flipped in the skirmish.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 2,4] attacks SHADE [Roll: 10] R&G take -6HP. DR RATIO & GEPARD 23/30HP

[Time Left: 3 hrs]

The destruction sent fine sandy clouds of debris at them and to Ratio's detriment, he should have worn his headpiece as his eyes are filled with the grains of his creation. From the sound of frustration, perhaps Gepard had as well. Ratio had brought his arm up too late to keep it out of his mouth and eyes and was thoroughly distracted when he heard fast, heavy footsteps with the clicking of ice. A dangerous hum of Destruction closing it. Just before Ratio felt the blunt axe strike at his lower waist and the strike carried over to Gepard's own person. From the audible BANG! it hit something with armor and he could hear the noises of pain clicking in.

He knew his belt and sash had been cut into as warmth bloomed underneath his clothes. His hip reads and registered pain but it did not cripple him. But his teeth grit as he pushes through it.

Walking shoulder to shoulder with Gepard all the way through the olden town, covered in snow, ice, and shards of Fragmentum. On a good day the place would be considered rather metropolitan, perhaps residential if the broken awnings and shutters were anything to go by, but now are as cold as the tundra that claimed it. No warmth in anything except the humans and guards that they pass. While passing two pale women, long brunette and long white hair disappear as they head deeper. Deeper and deeper they go.

That's when the sound of clicking crystals and humming in the back of his ear, a pulsing of energy breaking up the air between the bones in his ear in warning, and soon enough the Fragmentum spawn tries flying through the lower part of the city they entered. The Frostspawn tries to charge a volley of ice when Gepard winds up his shield and runs past Ratio, who pulls out his tome in response to the creature, with a mighty swing above his head and towards the ground. The ground did not hold up as it shattered underneath the little creature, but a squealing and rattling of the metallic shield answered them, their little friend not quite finished yet.

[15 minutes] DR. RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls 2,10] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll:1].

FROSTSPAWN takes -9. 1/10HP.

[Time Left: 7 hrs 15 mins]

The weight and bounce against the creatures small form left it room to shimmy out and shoot ice upwards in a brave—stupid—valiant attempt to save its life. Before it could shoot pins of ice into the eyes of his guide, Ratio summons a swirl of chalk from the floating debris in the air. The chalk connecting vectors quickly to slam into the fragile creature's body with the force to break more than just bones. It shattered into black and golden spirals, with it's ice hissing as it disintegrated.

[15 minutes] DR. RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 7, 1] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 4]. FROSTSPAWN takes -2HP.

FROSTSPAWN is DEFEATED

Enemy drops: 3 [Roll: 2]

[Time Left: 7 hours]

Block Three takes -5 Resources (One Hour @ 7)

The sound of foes up ahead does not stop Ratio from walking beside the man who should be his supposed guide, and shut his marble tome with a click of finality to that. He did not deteriorate or dismiss his weapon nor did he look down at Gepard where he stood to pick up his weapon.

"And if you have anything you need to know about the Fragmentum, you should implore my assistance more, Mr. Gepard. We have much to consider yet." His tone isn't necessarily smug. "Let's get a move on."

His brows furrow as he picks up the sound of wings beating, and the crackling of ice also accompanying it. The Guard Captain was so focused on trying to find the creature, he fails to notice it in time. He quickly turns when a screech is heard and the sound of a fast projectile approaching their location. Jumping to try and shield the other, but the Doctor materializes a piece of chalk that meets the shard of ice, destroying them both on impact.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 4,2] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 4] NO DAMAGE 10/10HP [Time Left: 6 hrs 45 mins]

Shaking out of his own shock, Gepard runs at the flying Fragmentum beast, ice coalescing around the gloved fist as he swings. A loud CRACK! echos throughout the space, like the breaking of ice. A fracture line permanently etched in the FrostSpawn.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 1,5] attack FROSTSPAWN [3]. FROSTSPAWN takes -2HP. 8/10HP [Time Left: 6 hrs 30 mins] 

A piece of chalk flies through the air, knocking the creature back.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 7,5] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2]. FROSTSPAWN takes -5. 3/10HP. [Time Left: 6 hrs 15 mins]

The FrostSpawn let's out an awful sounding screech that had Gepard recoiling back. His eyes widen as it attempts to fly away. Letting out his own yell, he swings Earthwork, base balling the little guy a little ways away to stun it before a large pillar crushes it underneath its weight.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [9,9] attacks FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2]. FROSTSPAWN takes -7HP. FROSTSPAWN is DEFEATED. [Time Left: 6 hrs]

Gepard blinks at the display, flabbergasted at what he saw, before turning to his partner. "Was that-? Did you-?" Lamely pointing at the crumbled marble.

He didn't answer the man's obvious question with an obvious answer, the man was sure to be smart. He'll allow this moment of shock, but won't hold back if it happens again. He keeps his tone neutral but he does implore, "Mr. Gepard, we must go. I can still hear them ahead."

That's what it took for the man to continue down the thin street that weaved through hotels and apartments, all only passable on foot as the inclines get arduous. When the railing starts to head upwards and black crystals form along with the cobblestone side rails, that's when another set of flapping comes from above them. It had been perched upon a set of umbrellas no doubt for a rest, but they had been ready.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 6,6] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 5] -1 DAMAGE 9/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs 45 mins]

The mangy bird was ready to take a blast of chalk to its one wing and purposefully dove its ruined trajectory towards Gepard, but the man was ready. A punch or grab, he was unsure what the man had planned, but the clawing motion struck the flat face of the Frostspawn, and it was hit back to where it came. It did not fall out of the sky as a sturdy thing, and shrieked as it played keep away with them.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 2,1] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 2] NO DAMAGE 9/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs 30 mins]

The beast even tried a similar attack to its previous breatheren and charged up an attack that shot missiles of ice towards them. They were on a steep incline between two buildings, a narrow walkway, so Ratio had to play defensive as the bird on high could go above Gepard's shield. A small volley of chalk, some half formed, still sturdy enough to change the missiles course that they are unscathed. They have to move out of this narrow alley, so he pushes at the sturdy back upwards.

"Move further!" He puts some pressure in his tone and off they go above the alleyway.

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 6,6] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 1] -5 DAMAGE 4/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs 15 mins]

It was when they hit the landing that Ratio had the idea to use the street full of awnings and umbrellas to their advantage—and so he used the next volley of ice to duck under a black and red awning as Gepard defended his old position. The ice and matter reflecting off the shield gave him ample cover to ready heavy shots on his tome, algorithms already materializing like adrenaline did not narrow his vision. Through it's flimsy tarp he shoots three holes through it to strike the creature in its unharmed trio of wings. With its fall, it strikes the ground in front of Gepard .

[15 minutes] DR RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 5,5] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 3] -2 DAMAGE 2/10HP

[Time Left: 5 hrs]

He's sure he doesn't have to yell at the Silverman Guard Captain to Finish It! but he does wonder how long this volley and then getting pinned has taken them. That volley was sure to damage anything not behind that shield of his. Not that was property damage.

He hasn't known the Intelligentisa Guild member long. Only having interacted with the other man after his rallying cry to the troops and volunteer's that were stationed under his jurisdiction. The small lines of dialogue they had were when they were marching across the Snow Plains, where he begrudgingly revealed to the blonde of his close connections with the IPC, waving it off as if non-important.

Now, as they arrived at their destination, the group farthest away from the base, feeling himself squaring his shoulders as the icy chill wind blows across the snowy ground. Kicking it up to almost simulate a harsh snowstorm. He activates Earthwork, his trusty shield created by his sister, to use at a moment's notice. Shoulder's squared, head on a swivel, and keeping his eyes peeled for any Fragmentum that dared try to cross.

Not turning to Dr. Veritas Ratio, but talking loud enough for the other to hear. "You have already heard my thoughts during the rally, so there is no need to repeat it again. If you have questions pertaining to the Fragmentum that wander out here, or are in need of any assistance at any time, do not hesitate to ask."

[30 minutes] DR. RATIO & GEPARD walk from Base Camp to Block Three.  Time Left: 7 hrs 30 min

Walking shoulder to shoulder with Gepard all the way through the olden town, covered in snow, ice, and shards of Fragmentum. On a good day the place would be considered rather metropolitan, perhaps residential if the broken awnings and shutters were anything to go by, but now are as cold as the tundra that claimed it. No warmth in anything except the humans and guards that they pass. While passing two pale women, long brunette and long white hair disappear as they head deeper. Deeper and deeper they go.

That's when the sound of clicking crystals and humming in the back of his ear, a pulsing of energy breaking up the air between the bones in his ear in warning, and soon enough the Fragmentum spawn tries flying through the lower part of the city they entered. The Frostspawn tries to charge a volley of ice when Gepard winds up his shield and runs past Ratio, who pulls out his tome in response to the creature, with a mighty swing above his head and towards the ground. The ground did not hold up as it shattered underneath the little creature, but a squealing and rattling of the metallic shield answered them, their little friend not quite finished yet.

[15 minutes] DR. RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls 2,10] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll:1].

FROSTSPAWN takes -9. 1/10HP.

[Time Left: 7 hrs 15 mins]

The weight and bounce against the creatures small form left it room to shimmy out and shoot ice upwards in a brave—stupid—valiant attempt to save its life. Before it could shoot pins of ice into the eyes of his guide, Ratio summons a swirl of chalk from the floating debris in the air. The chalk connecting vectors quickly to slam into the fragile creature's body with the force to break more than just bones. It shattered into black and golden spirals, with it's ice hissing as it disintegrated.

[15 minutes] DR. RATIO & GEPARD [Rolls: 7, 1] attack FROSTSPAWN [Roll: 4]. FROSTSPAWN takes -2HP.

FROSTSPAWN is DEFEATED

Enemy drops: 3 [Roll: 2]

[Time Left: 7 hours]

Block Three takes -5 Resources (One Hour @ 7)

The sound of foes up ahead does not stop Ratio from walking beside the man who should be his supposed guide, and shut his marble tome with a click of finality to that. He did not deteriorate or dismiss his weapon nor did he look down at Gepard where he stood to pick up his weapon.

"And if you have anything you need to know about the Fragmentum, you should implore my assistance more, Mr. Gepard. We have much to consider yet." His tone isn't necessarily smug. "Let's get a move on."