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!

code

Comments

elan ceres | witch from mercury

[gundemn]

01. seas the day

Sorry, I don't feel like becoming fish food today.

[ The gem they're given gets shoved into his pocket, not only because it's fishy (ha...) but because Elan has no intention of going in the water. He will look on with horror and curiosity at anyone equipping the gem and willingly subjecting themselves to LILITH's mad science. You're built different.

He has his own equipment, as much as he balks to see his gundam. The 10-foot robot has been brought along on one of the bigger luxury yachts and is sitting out on display like one might show off a fancy car. If only this were that kind of banquet... ]

02. whale watch

[ The sheer size of the mother whale sends chills down his spine. For the first time he feels safer in his gundam than out of it, the Pharact's jetpack keeping him airborne and safe from the orca's snapping jaws. From above he spies people leaping or swimming to engage the beast which is madness. ]

You're kidding me. You want to get close to that thing?

[ Killing it is what they're here to do, but still. The giant shrugs off fire and swallows ships whole.

During the battle, Elan can be found offering support fire from the air, particularly around the medical ship that he's noticed being targeted. He'll also hug the shoreline to shoot down monsters crawling into the city. He appears reluctant to engage mother kaiju however, to the disappointment of mecha fans everywhere.

To anyone at risk of being swept away by the waves or struggling in the water, he'll fly low and offer a large mechanical hand to cling to. ]

03. search and rescue

[ By the insane strength of the Outsiders, the giant monster is somehow toppled. Elan's relieved, of course, but glimpsing the injuries others had taken and knowing he'd fared better only thanks to the protection of his mobile suit leaves him feeling complicated. Seeing as he's still fit and in possession of a working robot, the rescue crew puts him to work lifting debris and retrieving merchant boats from sea. When checking buildings, he's forced to disembark and search on foot, but wherever he's sent, he arrives on scene wearing a smile and waves to the rescuers already there. ]

I was told you could use a hand!

03.

[sparse]

[ Blade isn't looking too bad after most of the fighting has been taken care of. A few cuts, a few bruises, but otherwise still in one piece. He's been told to look for survivors in the buildings near the shore, something that he almost refused to do, but since he has nothing else going on—

He looks up just as he's about to waltz into a broken-down structure, failing to recognize who it is. ]

Is that what they said? [ He's not the best at saying hello. ] If you want to come, I planned to look in here.

[ Time to start lifting some debris to carve out a path for them to walk through. ]

[gundemn]

[ It's fine, they can skip hellos. Elan's not fond of introductions anyway. He brings his mobile suit to a landing, creating a puddle where its feet sinks into the muddy ground. The tsunami's done a number on the city. They say outer space is harsh, but Earth is turning out to be pretty harsh, too. Despite it, the voice that comes out of the robot is nonchalant. ]

Yep. They said something about moving rubble. How bad is it? I can probably dig out the entrance, but no way this thing's going to squeeze inside.

[ He might have a shovel but it's 10 feet tall and what remains of the structure looks fragile. If they don't want it to collapse, they'll have to go on foot. ]

[sparse]

[ There's an odd pause between his initial words and his next reaction when the mobile suit comes into view. It's like he's studying it closely, but his interest is there and gone by the next moment. ]

It's not sturdy enough for that. [ He agrees. The structure will likely collapse if they try to jostle it anymore, so at least they're on the same page. Moving on: ] There are still Shachimon wandering about.

[ He glances at the robot again. ]

Can you fight without it?

[gundemn]

[ The Pharact moves forward with a creak as Elan begins digging out the entrance. The mobile suit makes quick work of the rubble, leaving a people-sized hole for rescuers to slip though. ]

I won't be much help in a fight.

[ He answers cheerfully. That would be a no. He can't even swim. That's why he's wearing a life jacket when he disembarks, along with a first-aid pack one of the rescue team had shoved at him. The best thing he can do is keep out of the way and let the tough-looking Outsiders handle it, like this guy. ]

You wouldn't let me die, would you?

[sparse]

LILITH would get on my case, if I do.

[ If he lets this person die, that is. But he stays out of the way while the rescuers get to work, keeping his eye out for any stray beasts. ]

Be sure to stay close then. I don't know how many are wandering around here.

[ He does the same, lingering near where some of the workers are already dragging out any survivors they find inside the building. So far, it looks like they'll have a chance to enjoy a small reprieve while this goes on. ]

[gundemn]

[ Elan eyes him for that response. Gee, this man could work on sounding more reassuring. Good to know he's only worth saving at the behest of LILITH. ]

I could wait out here! I wouldn't want to get in your way.

[ Elan wouldn't be himself if he's not trying to get out of doing work. Ironically, he might even be safer if he sticks with someone strong. ]

What kind of moves do you have, anyway?

[ He looks him over for weapons, taking advantage of the reprieve for chit chat. ]

01

[likemybooks]

[At one point, Taryon has to stand up from the couch downstairs, where he has been crouching over, deep in thought as he enchanted small metal discs with support spells. It's bad for his back, and he needs to stretch a bit before jumping into battle. His walk takes him to the deck, where he is greeted by a large robot.

That's enough to shake him out of his pre-fight anxiety. Taryon runs straight up to this marvel of engineering, struggling to keep his hands off of the gundam but having them constantly raised as if seconds away from poking it.] Did LILITH make this? It's incredible! How is is powered? Oh my god, those feet! This can move into just any position!

[At least there's one guy who is into the fancy equipment.]

[gundemn]

[ Elan returns with a plate of the expensive foodstuff to find someone cooing over the Pharact. It's a marvel how LILITH replicated it true to form, apart from the size they got the specs right down to the GUND format. Now how they managed to get their hands on secret, proprietary technology is a whole other question and none of the answers are good. Whatever the case, Elan's resentful to be made to pilot it again. ]

Really? Seems lame to me! Science is overrated.

[ Sorry Taryon, this kid doesn't share in the excitement for his own robot. Hearing it praised only makes him want to trash talk it. ]

[likemybooks]

[Taryon has sustained may wounds in the past year from monsters and demons. He has experienced horrors that would have destroyed weaker minds. Nothing comes as close as hearing those painful words: science is overrated.

This boy will never know the joy of watching well-designed machine in motion. He does not understand the intellectual enjoyment that comes from learning about the world. Perhaps Elan is exaggerating, but the sentiment is discouraging enough.]

Well. It's - [He weakly clasps his hands.] I think it's incredible. A lot of work went into designing this, probably went through multiple iterations. I wish I could build something so intricate as this, and believe me, building a robot is tough work.

[gundemn]

[ Paying no attention to the emotional damage he's dealing, Elan takes a bite of the seafood on his plate. If there's any joy to be found in science, he hasn't experienced it. Also he's dramatizing quite a bit because he's a brat. ]

All it is is a bunch of tedious tests and people using technology to capitalize on one another. Just look at the implants they put in us.

[ Oh yup, it's hard work alright. A lot of iterations, a few dead bodies. He's sure the guy means well but the history of this particular machine is more horrifying than most. Elan waves a fork in the air dismissively. ]

There are better things you could be doing with your life!

[likemybooks]

Well. [Taryon hasn't really thought about the implants beyond the fascination with technology that won't be developed for over 1000 years in his world. Sure, LILITH stuck something in his eye, but Taryon figures it's for the greater good, to blend in with the locals. He wants to give the benefit of doubt to the organization that's keeping these monsters from killing what's left of humanity.] That's...really how wars work all over. But there's also small-time inventors who would love this.

Like me. [He doesn't have his tools on him - what he bought in Neo Tokyo is in his room, what he used in battle is left in his home dimension. So, all he does is point a thumb at himself.] I built my own robot, and I assure you, the only testing done was people and monsters beating on him. It was very advanced, in my world, that is, and I spent a lot of quality time learning and building.

[His voice gains a bit of offense - no, staying in this room and tinkering is a worthy hobby and not a waste of his life.]

[gundemn]

[ Taryon is right to pursue his passion for technology. Elan's just been put through hell by scientists and is making it everyone else's problem. ]

What if someone took your inventions and used them for nefarious means? What then?

[ Technology developed with good intentions didn't always remain that way when the wrong people got their hands on it. That was how it was with GUND. ]

LILITH probably recruited you just to take advantage of your skills.

[ Elan doesn't trust the organization one bit. ]

02

[plagiarists]

[ Maybe Sooyoung would have been more fazed about seeing Elan piloting a mecha if she a) wasn't a writer, b) didn't get to experience an apocalypse filled with the wildest things happening all the time. The fact that he brought it on a yacht is... impressive. Not that she can ever tell him that. Instead, she sends him a message while standing on the deck of one of the yachts. ]

hey
instead of showing off your fancy robot
give me a ride, i need to stick my sword into that bastard's eye

[ You know, the writer's urge to poke a sword into a kaiju's eye. ]

[gundemn]

[ He must not be a writer because he doesn't get the urge to stick a kaiju in the eye. When the message comes across his vision, Elan dismisses it and switches to voice call, keeping his eyes peeled on the ocean because those orcas can jump higher than they have a right to. When his voice comes across the channel, it's missing his usual smugness. ]

Do you have a death wish? There's artillery, use that!

[ Is he the only one out here sweating bullets at the thought of engaging the monster. Not everyone has experienced an apocalypse filled with the wildest things happening all the time. ]

[plagiarists]

[ When do we get Elan's urges... maybe during the next event. Sooyoung notices the slight change in the voice but it's not a big deal. If anything, there's nothing wrong with wanting to survive and taking measures to achieve that. Assuming Sooyoung had a Gundam, she'd be attacking from above as well. ]

I'm better than the artillery. [ Is she now. ] It's easy to miss the eyes and the blowhole when you're far away. You won't even have to get close to it, just drop me when you're flying above it.

[ Honestly, Elan is valid for sweating bullets. ]

[gundemn]

[ Maybe after a good dose of character development. This just sounds like madness to him, even if he sees a bunch of others launching themselves at the monster like it's just another day in the life. ]

Aren't you a writer? [ Since when were authors gunning to do battle? ] You've got some imagination, but even if you take out one of its eyes, it's got ten others. And how do you plan to get out of there?

[ He can drop her easily enough but seriously, real life doesn't work like the novels. ]

[plagiarists]

Aww, you're worried about me.

[ Can she rile him up into just dropping her without care? Let's find out. ]

You must really, really, really like me. Are you scared that I'm going to die and leave you behind in this cold, strange world?

[ Her theatrical tone is a little over the top. ]

02;

[1797]

[The support fire is helpful, to say the least; even in cases where it doesn't stop the shachimon, it distracts them, letting Ren get closer and consequently more accurate with his Personas' attacks. And a flighted mecha comes with another advantage: a bird's eye view.

Ren has freely been swapping his Personas in and out, mostly relying on Yoshitsune and Kaguya when the shachimon emerge from the water and Odin for electrical attacks. Though right now he's a little distracted by getting too close when felling a kaiju; not close enough for it to crush him when it collapsed, fortunately, but definitely close enough for a leg to get caught under a bunch of blubber. Annoying!!!]

See anymore coming?

[The audio comes through the implants. Please say no.]

Re: 02;

[gundemn]

[ Elan's bird's-eye view of the battle yielded some interesting observations. Firstly, the monsters seem to be inexplicably converging on the medical ship. Can these guys smell blood or something? Secondly, Outsiders wielded some weird-ass powers. He won't ask what's going on with Ren's ever-changing array of companions, he's simply glad to see them slicing their way through kaiju. ]

Nope, but you've got a tidal wave coming your way.

[ So, good news and bad news! Elan throttles his mobile suit forward, diving for the yacht. ]

You and your buddy had better hold on!

[ He means the persona. ]

03

[cranekin]

(Tsurumaru searches the shoreline for any victims that might have been near the sea watching the battle. There's one building in particular on the beach that looks like it might have once been a lifeguard tower and storage area for supplies. He makes his way up the sand and coughs. Actually, he seems to be coughing quite a bit, doesn't he?

When Elan bounds his way up the sand to help, he coughs again but smiles,)

Did they? My, someone must be worried...

(About his condition, maybe? It's just a cough. Everything else about him seems fine.)

[gundemn]

[ Elan returns the smile easily enough. Though the other boy says nothing of it, he's noticed his cough. ]

Did you catch a cold?

[ He wouldn't be surprised. The seawater is freezing this time of year, and the tsunamis had given most everyone a thorough soak. Another reason to be grateful to his mobile suit, though gratitude is the last thing he wants to feel towards it. He shakes his head and clicks his tongue. ]

And they sent you out here anyway! Synthia is a real slavedriver.

[cranekin]

In a sense.

(Something like a cold. Really, it's a curious consequence of his condition...)

Don't worry, don't worry. (He coughs again,) You could say... I took on more water than I should have.

I can rest later.

(Because besides his cough and a dull ache all around, he's well enough.)

How did you do?

(During the battle?)

[gundemn]

In a sense?

[ The way he phrases it makes him wonder, but the guy is smiling at him as if to reassure him he's fine. If it were Elan, he probably wouldn't be pushing himself so hard.

He falls in step with the other boy as they trudge their way up to the lighthouse, the squelch of wet sand beneath his feet an unfamiliar feeling. It's too bad, it's his first time at the beach and he can't enjoy it. ]

I didn't take a swim, and I think I'll stay out of the ocean after that!

[ Kind of a vague answer, but Elan looks uninjured which speaks for itself. ]

[cranekin]

Really? How lucky!

(So many people got dunked into the sea. He's envious of anyone who managed to stay out the water. Meanwhile, Tsurumaru presses through the sand, leading the way over towards the lifeguard station,)

The sea in this era is no good. It's even worse than I remember...