Chapter 549: Ratscursion (1/2)
/Inferno: Pon: A flying turtle, now I've seen everything. Next item, Bastard!
Nix removed a pair of gloves and linked them before slipping them on.
Ashobel Clawz [Faction Based]
Must be an ally of the Ashobel.
Description: A soft brown leather
glove that is both comfortable and
durable.
Activation: Upon activation, the user's
primary path temporarily becomes melee
and the gloves become the hands of an Ashobel
warrior.
[Enhancement: Miniature Animation .25] Desert Basilisk
/Inferno: Jun Li: That basilisk is badass.
/Inferno: Wind: Agreed. Keep going?
Nix pulled out his Rat-based Emperor puppets. ”This is about it; the rest are some crafting items for myself.”
Skelly-Sasi was staring hard at the Ravager puppet. ”Are these both the same?”
Nix shook his head. ”No. The smaller one is a Rotter.” He picked up the Rotter puppet and motioned toward the Ravager. ”That one is yours, Sasi. I don't have the demon reflexes that you and Rabi have!”
/Inferno: Semmi: We have an Officer meeting planned for the morning. We could have it now instead.
/Inferno: Nix: In the morning is best. I need Alpha, Milat, and Gil for a moment.
Milat has joined Alpha.
Gil has joined Alpha.
/Alpha: Nix: Milat, I need you to take the Aquarions and move into the lower levels of the Keep.
/Alpha: Milat: And do what? We can't go to the upper levels, right?
/Alpha: Nix: You're going to protect Soup. That's your mission.
/Alpha: Gil: I won't let anything happen to her.
/Alpha: Nix: Right... Stay away from my turtle.
/Alpha: Semmi: Where we going with this?
/Alpha: Nix: It's a Ratscursion! Milat's group will stay in the lower levels and wait. Alpha is going to head in and plug the holes.
/Alpha: Semmi: What holes?
/Alpha: Nix: You'll see. We're going to seriously fuck things up! We Rat up in one hour!
An hour later, Nix was studying the Keep's image on his hud.
[Whisper: Nix to Darsi] Gather your team and get them in position.
[Whisper: Darsi to Nix] Understood, Trip-7.
/Alpha: Rabi: Rabi is so happy, he can't stand it.
/Alpha: Sasi: Sasi is even happier than Rabi!
/Alpha: Rabi: Why do you have to say that?
Nix held a hand up to stop any further argument. A few extra bunks had been brought into their tent so that the entire team could be located in the same area.
Semmi lay on her back, playing with the Rat puppet she was about to occupy. ”Going to send everyone the loadout.”
[Bone Fortress, 0100 hours Ice Faction: 5,241 Undead: 1,801]
[Ratscursion]
Nix: Rotter
Rabi: Ravager
Sasi: Ravager
Pon: Nether Rat
Semmi: Nether Rat
Wind: Nether Rat
Fajii: Nether Rat
Duran: Nether Rat
/Alpha: Duran: Thanks for including me!
/Alpha: Nix: It made sense, you know the Keep better than anyone. Just keep in mind, I'm the Rat-King... not you.
/Alpha: Duran: Sure, I'll be the Rat-Bard!
/Alpha: Nix: Acceptable. Stealth up and follow me.
Nix followed the coastline north toward his entry point at Ducky's window. The group of eight moved in single file until they arrived at their destination.
/Alpha: Nix: My entry point is Ducky's window. Thanks to our Snipers, there are only six other open windows. You have your assignments. Scout out the room and close the window from inside. If the room is occupied, do not engage.
/Alpha: Semmi: Is someone doubling up?
/Alpha: Nix: Rat-Bard is with me.
Nix scampered up the side of the wall, immediately noticing that the Rotter claws weren't as good for climbing as the Ravager had been. However, all four feet were substantially wider and webbed.
[Whisper: Nix to Ducky] Two Rats are approaching your window!
Ducky's head peeked over the edge almost immediately; when he was close enough, she grabbed him and pulled him in.
”Nix! This one is different. A water creature?” Ducky held the Rotter in her arms and carried it to her bed, leaving the Rat-Bard to enter on his own.
Ducky has joined Alpha.
/Alpha: Ducky: Is this another Ratscue?
/Alpha: Nix: No. A Ratscursion. Tell Pradi to find a good hiding spot on the upper levels, but not on the roof. Update me on what's been happening.
/Alpha: Fajii: Hi Ducky.
/Alpha: Semmi: Hey Ducky.
/Alpha: Ducky: Well... The deaths of Glacia and Sandi were discovered. At first, it was believed they killed each other. Somehow they discovered the truth and that Pradi and I were involved. They haven't connected Soup or the Ravager puppet with the Undead Faction. They are blaming my Faction for this.
/Alpha: Semmi: You have a faction?
/Alpha: Ducky: Of course. The Ducky Faction.
Semmi and Pon were the last to arrive at Ducky's room. It had taken some doing, but they managed to close all the windows in the keep.
/Alpha: Nix: Where's Pradi?
/Alpha: Ducky: I sent him to the upper level of the Keep to hide.
/Alpha: Nix: Has Hulo made any moves?
/Alpha: Ducky: Yes. He's stepped into the power vacuum created by the deaths of Sandi and Glacia. For some reason, both factions have aligned under him.
/Alpha: Nix: We avoid Hulo tonight. He can wait until we kick the doors down on this place. Bring us to the entrance to the lower levels.
Ducky nodded and walked casually down the hallway. To anyone who happened to see, she appeared to be taking a late-night stroll by herself. The group of rats moved single file while hugging the right side of the dimly lit halls.
After several turns and a few flights of stairs, Ducky arrived at the archway that signified the lower levels' beginning. At this point, Nix took the lead and advanced to the first landing.
/Alpha: Nix: Everyone stay here. I'll make contact with our friends.
The Rat-King scurried down the stairs and stopped at the first hallway. The floor was damp here, but any lower and the dampness would become standing water.
[Whisper: Nix to Milat] In position?
Several twisting halls and flights of stairs away, the Aquarion waited with a team of sixteen fighters, including Gil. Nix had been clear about their task, Don't let anyone interfere with Soup. His alien eyes watched the water creature as it stood casually on the surface of the waist-deep water.
[Whisper: Milat to Nix] Yes. Standing by.
[Whisper: Nix to Milat] Do it. And hold this spot for as long as Soup needs.
[Whisper: Milat to Nix] Understood.
”Soup!” Milat called the Sea Turtle's name, immediately, she looked at him. ”Nix says it's time.”
Soup's jade-colored arms raised to her side as her aquamarine eyes focused on the water beneath her feet.