370 Goralpri conclusion (1/2)
”Well... at least your handsome.” The ugly old woman extended a hand to help him up; both were shirtless and wore matching brown leather leggings. The woman's chest was flat as a board, and her thin, bony build gave no indication of the speed and agility of her movements.
Nix scowled at her and accepted the towel she had already wiped herself down with. ”That form has fifty-something different steps that you showed me one time. I'd have to be a savant to remember all of them.”
Chiba didn't bother to hide her gaze while she watched her apprentice wipe the sweat and sand off his well-muscled frame. She leered shamelessly while playing with a strand of her oily gray hair. ”Perhaps we should take a sex break to recharge your mental focus.”
”Pass.” Nix moved back into position.
Chiba nodded and picked up her silver blade from the sand where it had been stabbed tip down. ”You are my lovely apprentice, so I shall do my best to instruct you. Even if you can't do it yet, you must remember it. Chiba's first form, aka [the Great Beauties Blade.]”
Nix stood silently and watched the swordmaster flow through the form again.
***************
Nix shifted both of his blades downward and side-stepped the double-bladed slice in a single movement that ended with three double strikes to heel, hamstring, and spine. The giant silver man stumbled slightly, giving Morti enough time to plant two enormous paws on his target's back that sent him skidding across the rocky surface.
/Hotness: Fajii: I can't BR anyone Nix, it's part of my Scorched Earth Element.
Nix has used [Ghost Step]. Without blocking, he flowed easily around a thrust that Bo'raz sent from the ground, giving chase he slashed both blades across the silver man's back before he could respond.
Bo'raz has activated [Escape]
The giant silver man seemed to melt suddenly into the ground. The giant puddle pooled for a moment and then was absorbed by the rock.
Elemental Infringement has worn off.
/Hotness: Wind: Shit… he's gone.
/Hotness: Nix: Start rezzing our people.
/Hotness: Fajii: On it.
Nix stared at the spot on the rocks where Bo'raz disappeared, the loud mouth-breathing of a certain Fire mage told him he wasn't alone. ”Didn't see that coming.”
Pon shook his head. ”Yeah… That's a nice trick. What now?”
”We forced him to ground.” Nix summoned his Shadow Daiken. ”Let's head back to the warehouse for now. We'll regroup and prep for round two.
Semmi approached the two; her sweet smile could have melted butter. ”You can double up with me Pon, since your Daiken is down.”
The blonde officer scooted forward a bit to make room. ”Nice bladework there, boss. You looked like Chiba for a moment.”
Fajii approached and stood next to Nix's mount with her hand extended. ”Let's ride together. I wish to speak with you.”
Nix let the scorched earth mage slide in behind him; his Shadow Daiken was quite a bit larger than the normal ones. He waited until she wrapped two tanned arms around his waist before launching into the air.
/Hotness: Ronnie: What's the plan, Nix?
/Hotness: Nix: I'm going to have Leva take me to Inferno so that I can locate Goralpri. You and Bal can head back to Free Trader City.
/Hotness: Ronnie: Sounds good, we'll wait in the warehouse until she returns. Cya Nix.
/Hotness: Bali: Yep, cya boss.
”So... What did you want to talk about?” Nix let his Daiken climb slowly, its long wings spread as it spiraled upward toward the edge of the mine.
Fajii squeezed him tighter. ”I made that up. After seeing Pon and Semmi riding together, it seemed nice.”
”You can just ask. I don't mind.” Nix glanced at the old man who was riding a few meters away. ”Is something bothering the old bastard?”
The alchemist shrugged slightly. ”He always seems the same to me.”
Nix laughed at the diplomatic phrasing. ”Always a crabby bastard.”
*********************
Half an hour later, a breach opened in the infusion chamber of Inferno City. Leva led Alpha team through and waited patiently.
The former dark chancellor watched as Nix approached the control hud. ”Do you know where Goralpri is?”
”I don't have to know.” Nix stood at the Interface in the Infusing Chamber. ”Display System Menus.”
[Inferno System Operations]
1. Security
2. Power Grid
3. Transportation
4. Master Key
”Display Master Key Menu.”
4. Master Key.
a) Annonymous (Disabled)
b) Intercity Communication (Enabled)
c) Direct Control (Enabled)
d) City Links (Disabled)
”Display Direct Control Menu.”
[Direct Control Menu]
a) Inferno: Nix
b) Chyanama: Nix
c) Alliance City: Nix
d) Goralpri: Bo'raz
e) Filamina: Nix
d) Icaraphet: Tharaka
f) Verynzai: Unaqoir
”Access Goralpri.”
[A message has been sent to Bo'raz regarding the start-up procedures. He has three minutes to answer.]
”Got some personal stuff to take care of after this.” Pon stood next to him, keeping his voice low so the rest of the team couldn't overhear. Semmi had recently trimmed his thick white hair, ”might be gone a few days.”
Nix nodded in reply. ”No worries, be careful.”
[Goralpri: Remote Controller Recognized: Nix]
”Open Goralpri Security Menu.”
[Goralpri System Operations]
1. Security
a) City Controller (Nix)
b) City Shields (Disabled)
c) City Gating Platforms (Disabled)
d) City Gun Points (Disabled)
”Enable City Gating Platforms between Inferno and Goralpri.”
[Gating Platforms between Inferno and Goralpri have been enabled.]
Leva opened a breach to the Inferno City gating platform and waited until the team had moved through before stopping Nix with a hand on his arm. ”I'll head back and oversee the transfer of the dragon steel back to Ionova.”