KAIJU FIGHT #1

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #1

CONTENT WARNINGS: thalassophobia, natural disaster, drowning, body horror, violence, blood & gore.

▶ 001. SEAS THE DAY.

On the morning of the 1st, sirens will blare, forcing every Outsider and Neo Tokyo civilian awake. While it hasn't been activated for a while, every citizen within the city knows this alarm all too well - it wails through the city whenever a Kaiju has been detected, ordering everyone to return to their homes immediately and stay there until they receive further information. Outsiders gazing at Neo Tokyo will see the armored city in its full technological splendour for the first time today. Once the civilians have returned to their homes, machinery within the buildings will work like clockwork, sinking each and every LILITH-augmented building beneath the ground. Just in time, too, because the waves are starting to roar again, crashing beyond the shore and flooding the city once more. Observant Outsiders may note that not every building has been modified. The older ones remain standing, vulnerable to the impending flood. Does anyone live in those buildings? The answer is yes, but that's not a priority at the moment.

Every Outsider will receive a summon, ordering them to prepare for battle. The Kaiju has been identified and located. It's show time.

"Angels of LILITH. We have located the Kaiju coming from beyond the sea. A full mission brief including the information we have gathered will be sent to you immediately. For now, make your way to the bay where your transport will be waiting. Be prepared for anything, but mostly, be prepared to swim."

Waiting for the Outsiders at the bay appear to be ... expensive-looking, personal yachts? This has to be a mistake, right? It's no mistake. Through intel LILITH has exchanged with international companies, it appears that this particular Kaiju has a fondness for overturning civilian yachts, and there's no better way to attract it than to leave it its favourite bait. The goal is to attract these Kaiju towards the boats and then attacking.

The ships may look like they're outfitted for a fancy yacht party. In fact, some exploring down below deck in the lounging room, one may find caviar on fancy ritz, oyster tower, little finger sandwiches with the crusts cut off and bougie smelly cheese that nobody in LILITH's pay grade can identify. On another table, there is fancy ramen spoons filled with microgreens, crystal jelly vinegarette, and a thin slice of parmesan cheese. Some further looking may find some fine aged wine, but you're not here to drink and party, you're here to fight a Kaiju! Right? Right.

Despite the fact everything about these yachts just look like... fancy yachts... they are actual warships that are mounted with naval artillery such as swivel guns, missiles and torpedos. Spears, harpoon guns and fishing nets can also be found and used if an Outsider is more comfortable getting extremely close to the monsters. There's no time for a proper seafaring course, so Outsiders will be given a quick run down on how the controls work, and be sent on their way. They will also be given a special jewel-like implant that attaches to the skin, right along the forehead, and told to wear it if they need to go into the water. "Don't worry about it," the LILITH crew says. "But it'll be one hell of a ride if you use it."

Alongside the crew, Seok Dang seems to be also assisting (?) though he's gotten a hold of the reception food down below. Did he smell like fine wine? Possibly. But that's definitely a fancy, half eaten cracker in his hand. He's also got on a bright, neon life preserver. Maybe someone doesn't know how to swim.

"WHOOO HELLA YEAH, MOTHERFUCKERS. Don't know how to swim? Don't'cha worry. Daddy Dang has got you covered. I know CPR! I give the best CPR! 💖 I'll rescue ya. TONIGHT, WE BALL!"

Nobody uses that phrase anymore, but you know what? You do you, SD.

▶ 002. WHALE WATCHING.

Minutes into their ship's course, the boats will rock violently, as if those already violent waves have somehow come alive. There is something in the water! The mission brief would have been shared with them sometime during their trip, but maybe Outsiders want to pull up on their implant the image and debrief shared once again now that there is some action. The orca-like Kaiju trying to reach the shores of Neo Tokyo is called Shachimon, and she's been the cause of the violent waves and flooding we've seen for the past few weeks. Alongside of her and are her children orca who love to mimic everything their mother does. The biggest one, the matriarch of the pod, is over 60 meters in length - large enough to swallow a boat whole. The younger ones are smaller but just as ferocious, spanning from the size of a car to the size of a bus. The youngsters are a size small enough that they can leap out of the water, sometimes crashing down onto people and ships. Beware!

Shachimon will be fighting to knock over boats, or climbing on boats with their amphibious legs. Once they get their hands on humans or Outsiders, they pull them into the water, tearing them limb from limb to feed. Their control over the waves are no joke, either. With a powerful swing of their tail, they can conjure up tsunamis capable of overturning ships. The matriarch, if left to her own devices, seems bent on submerging Neo Tokyo to make food of all its citizens.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Shachimon
HEIGHT: Younger whales are 4 - 18 metres. The matriarch is 60 meters in length.
WEIGHT: 1500kg - 5000kg
CLASS: Highly dangerous.
LOCATION: Large bodies of water
ABILITIES: Use of sonar to detect any water movement. Fast swimmer. Very sturdy body thanks to all that whale blubber. High intelligence - commonly works together as a pod to take down prey. Capable of creating tsunamis that overturn boats. The largest Shachimon can sink a city if not stopped.
WEAKNESS: Electricity (since it will be inside water), dissection, spearing its eyes or blowhole. Loud vibrations within the water can stun or confuse it.
EXTRA NOTES: Dislikes and will attempt to overturn civilian yachts. Carnivorous, eating marine life and human flesh. Sadistic personality, may play with their food prior to eating.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Lead the Shachimon away from the shore.
✖ Extermination of Shachimon in the water and if they reach the shore.
✖ Protection of nearby fishermen's boats and civilians within those boats.
✖ Teamwork to destroy the matriach Shachimon.
✖ Bring back specimens (live or deceased) for research purposes.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

As a note, Outsiders who wish to remain on land and help civilians there may do so. There are waves flooding the city, and some of the smaller, quicker Shachimon will have made it to shore. They will need to be taken care of before they can terrorise the city.

▶ 003. OCEAN GEMS.

Shachimon are most deadly in the water and their go-to strategy is to pull others into their turf, where they have the advantage. That's where those jewel-like implants come in. These implants, called OCEAN GEMS, when attached to the skin, temporarily modify the body. Once activated, nanobots will invade the bloodstream and alter the user's lungs, giving them a set of breathable gills. Their legs will also be altered, giving them fins and the tail of a fish. This is a recent invention by LILITH ever since the first Shachimon was spotted a few years ago, and the technology is still experimental. This means that the transformation process will be significantly uncomfortable, feeling a bit like being asphyxiated and having your legs sewn together at the same time. Deactivating the gem and turning back feels just as uncomfortable, and being experimental technology, it can take a while before the user can successfully revert back. Those who want to fight in the water and lack any weapons or abilities that can be used can request Seok Dang for a weapon. There's a limited supply, but they will be given a special trident. Directly driving the spear into one of the kaiju will electrocute it, giving a higher chance for higher damage. These tridents will be handed out to those who want to use their Ocean Gem and ask.

It's up to Outsiders whether they want to use this new technology or not. Being able to fight the monsters on their own terrain is certainly an advantage, so LILITH would highly encourage it.

▶ 004. MEDICAL BAY.

Healers and those with medical experience will be placed on the warship with a red flag on it. Dr. Spim & Alex will also be present on this ship to assist any major injuries to both LILITH and civilian fisherman alike. This ship is bigger than the others, and while stocked up with the same artillery, it is also stocked with beds and medical supplies. This will be the Outsider's naval medical bay during the siege on the Shachimon and all injured Outsiders or civilians will need to be transported there. This ship will also need to be protected heavily, because once the Shachimon catch on that all the injured, vulnerable prey are being transported to the larger ship, they will start to target that ship in particular. Characters that need immediate medical help should be transported to this ship via a dataportal. Each yacht has a dataportal that can teleport anyone instantly to the medical ship. The dataportals are also located down below deck to prevent them from getting damaged.

▶ 005. THE CALM AFTER THE STORM.

It's a bloody, soggy and gruesome battle and the seas' waves begin to calm down, the sea filled with kaiju carcasses. LILITH's clean up crew is working hastily to collect these corpses, but with the Outsiders' occupied and recovering from their fresh battle, help is limited. Search and rescue scavenges the sea to find any civilians who didn't make it or may need medical help. Meanwhile, the valiant teamwork and effort has paid off. After many hits from many different weapons, artillery, natural abilities, etc. the matriarch kaiju has been downed and sank to the bottom of the ocean floor. LILITH's team will work to retrieve the massive carcass, though it will take awhile. Those who put in notable effort will receive praise and a little extra payout. Outsiders will see an instant transfer of funds to their account: 340,000,000 KRYPTOS. This is roughly about 2500 USD.

The intense battle will have lasted several days and Outsiders are free to go from land to sea as little or as often as they like. It is all over, though, and Outsiders will be called to return to the MAIN BASE for rest and recovery. LILITH will also be searching for the rift where the kaiju came from while Outsiders recover. A message from an unknown voice will pop up an hour or so after all Outsiders have returned to the MAIN BASE. Outsiders may use this time to socialize in a commons area, wash up in the showers, get a meal in the cafeteria or rest.

"Good work."

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our first Kaiju log! All prompts are highly encouraged but OOCly optional. ICly, characters can choose to fight in the ocean, on the ships or stay behind on land and protect the city. At the end of the siege, characters who accepted an Ocean Gem will be asked to return it. It's experimental technology, so LILITH will need to do more tweaking before they can properly release it. Outsiders who use the gem may have whatever fish tail they like, as long as it is a sea creature.

Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the smaller kaijus. The main fight with the Shachimon matriarch will be determined via a HP-based system (See below).

Please note that all tags in this log count for 2 reward points each. Ask any further questions below!

Below is also the month at a glance. We understand the CALENDAR has been a little inconsistent, but the mod team is sorting all of this out. Expect a FEEDBACK POST this month as well so we can check in with the playerbase and make any adjustments to the game. This log, even if the time stamp says JANUARY, will count for FEBRUARY AC.

FEB 1st: Kaiju Fight Log in LOG COMMUNITY
FEB 15th: Text Post in NETWORK COMMUNITY
FEB 25th: Mod posted MEME COMMUNITY; FEEDBACK POST is live.

Thank you all for being a wonderful and understanding playerbase!

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Comments

[frostfist]

[ Again, he's quiet as she explains the intricacies of what he's looking at and what it all means. It's all quite different from what he's used to, but nonetheless useful information to have that he tucks away for later. (If only he knew about Delusions, but alas.) More important to him than the existence of EGOs and Abnormalities is the defeated look on Rodya's face as she stares down at the axe in her hands.

Rodya's only human, prone to the same insecurities and fears as everyone else. The fact that she rarely shows her serious side makes the contrast even more stark now. It's a rare moment and one he doesn't intend to dismiss. ]

Is that what you think?

[ The question comes out soft, but he gives her no time to answer before continuing. ]

I think it looks strong. Resilient. Even the sharpest rock gets worn down by too much exposure to the ocean waves, but both you and this [ with a gesture towards the weapon ] are still here, still holding on to your shape and purpose. If the axe breaks, you can piece it back together. And if you break...

[ He trails off momentarily, giving her hands a small squeeze. ]

There will be people here to help put you back together.

[the_fourteenth]

It's different than what I am used to. Usually I would have my demons help with healing. Ah, not to say this works well on myself. It's tricky, often it doesn't. LILITH warned me about that.

[And while that is a strange way of wording that, Raidou think he understands the sentiment, or at least he hopes he does. He smiles a little, eyes still closed, and nods in thanks.]

[yuwon]

[ while he had already resolved himself to leave her in an effort not to cause more harm or collateral damage in the wake of his personal missteps— it'd be false to say it wasn't made harder by that kiss. but, at the same time, their shared intimacy also had an odd way of grounding him. in her kiss, he felt her genuine effort and concern, ... and maybe as a result, he also wanted to sincerely do better.

while he was already exerting an effort, it was clear sign to him that there was always room for improvement. he steels himself all the more, breathing in tight, as he closes his eyes. almost as if savoring the last bit of warmth between them. his hand that was on her head moves to touch the back of her neck, as he thumbs trail over her cheek.

he brings their faces closer momentarily, before pulling away at the last minute. he then gives her the smallest hint of his own smile. ] I'm not sure if that's fair, but sure. Let's say we're even. [ softer: ] Thanks.

I'll be back. [ it's still a weird idea to think he had a place he'd consistently go back to. constantly moving forward and pursuing higher heights meant he never really stayed in one place for too long, and yet... he said it more naturally than he thought. with that said, he turns his back, just briefly touching the bridge of his nose.

it was strange, but not bad. ]

[stresspoint]

[ When they finish the attacks, the deck is strewn with shachimon bodies in varying states of disrepair. The carnage left behind is enough to at least temporarily ward off the smaller shachimon still left in the water--the bloodbath standing as a warning for any that might consider another attack too soon.

Nanami pulls back once he confirms they are no longer under an immediate threat, dropping his guard to make sure Blade is all right. At least he seems to be recovering. Nanami himself is covered in a mix of kaiju blood and scattered gashes from the claws and teeth he didn't quite escape during their fight. He's not too badly injured thanks to Blade's interference, but that also leaves him with other concerns. ]

I'm still all right. You didn't have to do that.

[ Taking care of him like that--he's worried about Blade. ]

We should get to the medical bay for now.

[stresspoint]

[ That question, even if Yuwon only raised it idly, gets Nanami's attention. He's right. LILITH might be government sanctioned, but it seems to be a privately owned group, and who is supporting such advanced technology? Even the world around them, futuristic and strange as it is, doesn't seem to have anything close to what they can do. Porting people across lands and modifying them into weapons isn't widely accepted as part of the current society.

Nanami picks up the open bottle and pours Yuwon's drink, taking it to the top like a bartender leaning on generosity. He can't waste the bottle. ]

He should have kept them on shore for that.

[ He's really going to mourn this good wine. ]

There must be businesses who want to make use of us. And the other technology they are using... maybe the monsters themselves. We should be careful about following orders too easily.

[gundemn]

[ Speak of the devil—! Elan might not be trained for physical combat but his reflexes are good enough he safely skitters aside before the snapping jaws of the kaiju can close down on him. He doesn't need to be told twice. He's quick to make himself scarce and let the man take it from here. Finding some rubble to duck behind, he peers back at the two squaring off, observing dust falling from the structure's ceiling. ]

Go easy or this whole place could come down.

[ He calls out, tone light but with a slight waver of nerves to it. Please no laser beams or whatever supernatural power he's seen the Outsiders wield. ]

[blindspotting]

Thank you. I'm glad to have some use here. [ It's genuine, if a little dry, as Shion neatly flicks his sword blade clean and smoothly resheaths it. It's possible he's still a little frustrated with the whole situation, but that's hardly Taryon's fault. ]

You did quite well yourself. Do you want to stay with the gun, in case more of them come?

[ They will, almost certainly. Shion can already feel more movement just under the water, though thankfully nothing heading precisely in their direction yet. ]

[yuwon]

Demons? ... are you also one? [ he mostly asks absently, not really placing too much behind his inquiry, if just not to reveal too much about himself, or his own connections with demonic energy.

but, it's interesting that LILITH truly could grant others skills like these. as far as yuwon knew, the system here may have been even more generous than the tower in a sense. ]

[likemybooks]

[He looks at his stained spearand wipes it with his arm. Blood and fluid transfers onto his suit.]

That's probably a good idea. [One quick, satisfactory inspection later, he transforms it into its compact rod form.] And you can stay right behind me while I get to work. [He straightens up and brushes his hair out of his face. Now's not the time to take the safer position, after Shion did the bulk of the fighting.] Can you tell where the others are?

[sparse]

[ ... Blade has no idea how to handle something like this. It's strange to have someone care that much about his well-being, having grown used to ignoring it himself since there isn't much point worrying over a body that can mend itself. But Nanami's concern gets to him nonetheless. It seems sincere.

That's why there's a pause before he carefully chooses his words. ]

... Better I get hurt than you.

[ Then again, maybe he's also missing the point why Nanami tells him such. He shakes his head. ]

Let's go.

[ He'll be the first to leave before the other man is able to say anything else. ]

[yuwon]

[ he watches him pour the drink all the way to the top and he supposes he should be grateful that he doesn't get the normal buzz people do. without much prompting he drinks it down. he drinks about 3/4ths of it quietly before passing the rest back to nanami as if saying he's had more than enough.

he supposed sharing a drink like this once in a while wasn't too bad and was a bit remnant to home in some way. at least, the home he knew before his regression; granted, the alcohol in the tower was specifically meant for their high stat bodies. almost as if pushing the idea away, he thinks about the other man's words and gives a small curt nod. ]

It wasn't my idea to be here that long, but as since that isn't within our power to decide, you're right that it's better to be cautious. [ compliant to some vague degree, while they clearly mark their own paths. ] How far would you go for orders?

[the_fourteenth]

[He smiles a little at that, amused. With how he speaks, fights, acts, it's not hard to imagine he might be.]

No. [One eye pops open at Yuwon.] Are you?

[That energy wasn't slipping past this kid. Even if it's a little different, it's still all too familiar.]

[saudadist]

[ She can't help herself. She snorts back a laugh, but despite her best efforts to hide it, there's a little smile quirking up the side of her mouth. This guy must be rich to be so hopeless. ]

Fine, fine. Not like it's hard. You just flip the meat on the grill until it turns from red to brown or...anywhere in between. Depending on what you like.

[axethrows]

[She lets him speak his mind, which honestly? It's nice to hear those words from someone. Wriothesley is lucky that he is not from The City otherwise he would be so different compared to what he has shown right now. A weary smile grows on her lips.]

Every coin has two sides. One side might be more shining and attractive while the other is beaten and rusted. People are the same way and they are more likely to do whatever it takes to hide the ugly side. Some don't even want to admit that the side exist in the first place.

[Like her. She doesn't want to show her vulnerabilities, sorrows, and the rest of her baggage that she carries in her heart. She doesn't want people to worry, pity and look down on her. She wants people to see her good qualities, to show how amazing she is-]

Even if I had nobody to help me put myself back together, I will still pick up the pieces and keep moving on. Though... A change of pace is always nice, even when you are stuck in old habits.

[She lets the axe disappear so she can touch Wrio's hands back. Not exactly holding on to them, but letting her fingers trace over them.]

The first step in another direction... It's hard, but it is not impossible.

[yuwon]

[ the "are you?" makes him look up automatically, analyzing raidou's expression momentarily. considering the man was familiar with them, he supposed it didn't make sense to lie. though, he also felt like divulging the whole truth ....

was a bit of a pain. hence, he starts off with. ] I'm human. But, I can use a bit of demonic energy, somehow. [ "a bit." ] It just sort of happened.

[the_fourteenth]

["Somehow", huh. He considers that.] Magic users in your family tree, perhaps? [Maybe Yuwon has an exorcist or something as an ancestor.

Raidou finally lets go of his hand, though, Yuwon now seemingly patched up.]

I'm just a summoner. I don't know of my lineage, but it tends to be hereditary where I come from. Not always, though, and it can lie dormant in some generations.

[While he often feels like his knowledge in this time and place doesn't really have any relevance, this is one area Raidou feels pretty confident speaking on.]

[stresspoint]

[ He almost isn't expecting Yuwon to actually drink. Part of Nanami was assuming he was being teased and that Yuwon would take the bottle and leave him whatever he poured into the glass just to get a reaction. But Nanami does have to admit, at least a little, that he's enjoying this moment of eating and drinking the yacht's supplies while they wait. This isn't actually that bad of a mission compared to his previous work.

He might not be more than human, but his tolerance is high enough to manage this much alcohol. He takes back the glass, frowning more at the question that follows it than the wine he now has to do something with. ]

How far? [ What an uncomfortable question. ] I won't allow those who don't deserve it to be targeted. Otherwise, I'll do what's necessary.

[ He feels obligated to follow their orders for the protection of others, but Nanami is aware that certain things absolutely pass his idea of acceptable limits. ]

[yuwon]

[ connecting magic to ones lineage probably wasn't unheard of. even high rankers tended to have children with equally impressive skills— they called that being "purebred" in the tower. but, that said... he wasn't exactly that fortunate. but, considering he was in orphan, he presumed he couldn't really commit to one statement over another. hence, instead: ] Who knows.

[ is his response at that. probably implying all there was to know about his lack of insight into his family tree. though, he does pause thoughfully at him being a "summoner." ] That's pretty rare. You must have a lot of mana. [ or some type of internal energy reserve to be able to do all of that. ]

What do you summon exactly?

[gundemn]

Sounds like barbecue to me.

[ Hey, don't laugh. Some poor Spacians have never set foot in Japan before. This is the first time he's seen her with her mouth drawn into anything but a line though, which makes his own mouth curve as he stares at her. ]

[the_fourteenth]

Demons. [Probably an unsurprising answer.] Though compared to what others here know, that is more of a general term where I am from. Spirits, legends, heroes, monsters, devils; all manner of supernatural forces.

[He considers that other comment for a moment, though. Raidou is quite powerful, even if he doesn't have much of an outlet for that power here in Neo Tokyo.]

I have been told that, yes. How are you feeling now?

[Hopefully by now, Yuwon should be back to 100%.]

[yuwon]

[ it checks out, it's true. but, he's still the type who liked to receive that clarification rather than assume incorrectly. one could never be too cautious, after all. though, raidou's explanation also made sense. he supposed depending on who was perceiving them, they could appear differently. hence he gives a careful nod of comprehension. ] Makes sense. Who knows, maybe I'll see them sometime? [ he's not trying to impose, per se...

but, he was interested in other individual's unique skills and talents. perhaps, a habit from home. but, with his piece said, he looks at his hand, flexing them a bit. ] This is perfect. [ a pause. ] Thanks.

[ he's probably used that word more here than any other place in his life. that said, normally when people were healed in the tower... it came at a cost. ]

[saudadist]

Then you'll get the hang of it right away.

[ Then, she sighs. It's a bit too drawn out to be genuine. ]

Guess that means I won't get to snatch up as much meat as I thought.

[gundemn]

I can't believe you'd do that to me!

[ He mimes mock hurt in his voice, continuing on chipperly but a second later. ]

I'm stealing yours in payback.

[saudadist]

[ Honestly, some healthy competition wouldn't hurt. Though it's got her stomach rumbling more insistently. ]

You can try. Hope you can afford all of that.

[gundemn]

You're on.

[ Elan grins when her stomach rumbles. Though maybe he shouldn't be grinning because he's about to be so broke. ]