397 City Protectorate Office CitPro (1/2)
The following is from Bali's perspective, starting from when the automated message was sent from the Ionova Turtle House.
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The top floor of HQ, also known as the Bird's nest, consisted of a single large bedroom and bathroom. Initially, it was claimed by Bali, but a second troublemaker moved in shortly after that. It was comfortably decorated and featured a custom made bunk bed, most likely the only one in Colonial.
On the bottom bunk slept a dark-skinned woman, her disheveled hair spread out on the white pillowcase. She wore black silk pajamas and slept peacefully with a devilish smile on her face. On the top bunk was a dhassi woman, she looked much younger when she slept. Pinned to the wall next to her were two hand-sketched portraits, 'Captain Locas' and 'Guild Leader Nix.' The artist showed remarkable talent and had signed both with a large ”B.”
/Inferno: Automated Message: An unknown predator is approaching the Turtle House, please dispatch City Protection at once.
Bali's pale eyes popped open, she always set her guild alerts to chime. ”Ronnie! We gotta go!”
The ranger jumped to the floor and kicked the bottom bunk while she equipped her gear.
/CitPro: Bali: TRAMS! Sound Off!
/CitPro: Ginger: We're up!
/CitPro: Inhabit the black Orion puppets and meet at the ridge next to Nix's house.
/Inferno: Automated Message: An unknown predator is approaching the Turtle House, please dispatch City Protection at once.
/Inferno: Bali: City Protection is on the way. Stay inside.
Bali slipped on her boot while hopping toward the door, stopping before she ran into Ronnie, who was already ready to go. ”Damn, you're a fast one.”
The duo ran down the stairs and summoned their Daikens the moment they stepped outside. Within seconds they were airborne and flying toward the turtle house.
/Inferno: Semmi: Want some back-up?
/Inferno: Bali: No thanks, we're almost there.
/CitPro: Bali: What's your status Trams?
/CitPro: Ginger: Just left the old town gate, heading to the ridge.
Bali pulled up her map as her mount approached the target. She glanced at it for just a moment before closing it and putting her Daiken into a dive.
/CitPro: Bali: Ronnie, take the Trams and circle around the eastern perimeter of Nix's property. I'll flush it toward you.
Bali dismounted, pausing for a moment while Ronnie met up with three Orions.
/CitPro: Mik: Finally a hunt!
/CitPro: Bali: Focus Mik. You guys follow Ronnie and get ready.
Bali activated track and moved into the undergrowth. There were nearly a dozen different animals prowling, some of them were hunting while others were hiding. One of the names on the list stood out from the others, lycanthrope.
Bali isolated the creature on her track, a single set of footprints illuminated themselves on the ground. The Dhassi ranger bent to examine them in the darkness before continuing toward the house.
/Inferno: Hyai: It's still moving toward the house, 65 meters east of your position.
/Inferno: Bali: Thanks, keep me posted.
/CitPro: Ronnie: What species did track say it was?
/CitPro: Bali: Lycanthrope.
/CitPro: Ronnie: AKA Werewolf! Just like I said! Don't let it bite you, or you'll become one too.
/CitPro: Bali: Are you making that up?
Bali increased her speed, the footprints were in a straight line, indicating that it already had a target. She notched an arrow and checked track, 22 meters straight ahead. A flash of light followed by an outraged growl sounded directly in front of her.
/CitPro: Bali: It ran into a security barrier. Damn, that's a nice feature.
Bali broke into the clearing and fired three arrows, all three sunk into the creature's left calf.
[Lycanthrope Howl] A deafening howl filled the night air, freezing its enemies in place.
Bali has been stunned
The creature turned toward the ranger, red eyes filled with rage. It was a hulking beast with an overly muscular upper body that featured dagger-like claws. The creature was dark brown in color with a single silver splash on his back.
[Predator Charge] The beast charged at Bali, running on all fours it covered the distance between them in seconds.
[Elite Escape] Bali vanished a heartbeat before it arrived. She appeared two meters away and shot another arrow right next to the other three.
A Lycanthrope has been slowed by thirty percent.
Bali spun in place and broke into a sprint, the enraged creature right on her heels. She could feel its hot breath on her back, the heavy pants of its breathing seemed loud to her sensitive ears.
/CitPro: Bali: It's really fast. Even with four arrows in its leg.
Bali dodged to one side, just as a claw slammed into the ground, she dodged the opposite direction a moment later when it attacked again.
Wilo has cast [Air Impendence]
A Lycanthrope has been slowed by eighty percent for the next thirty seconds.
A buzzing noise sounded overhead. Wilo's dragonfly-like wings buzzed steadily while she shot mini-arrows at the creature with a tiny bow. The sight nearly caused Bali to stumble as she struggled to keep from laughing.
/CitPro: Bali: Did you get Wilo a bow?
/CitPro: Ronnie: I did. It's cute, right?
Wilo continued to follow the beast that chased after Bali. Most of her tiny arrows missed, but she made loud ”pew, pew” sounds whenever she fired.