Session Start: Sat Apr 01 16:34:56 2006
<Ked> Last time on Hunters:
<Ked> The trek back across Tokyo continued.  Norcliff returned to the team
with LadyNike and was able to sense three different Princesses in their
vicinity.  One was proceeding slowly directly into the flood zone towards
where the Queen of the Sea waited.  Taki took off after that one, but was
halted by the floodwaters.
<Ked> A second was working northeast around the flooded zone.  The last one
was to the team's south, but seemed to be fleeing a clump of Ningyo.  The
Hunters took a detour to deal with that one first...
<Ked> ...and promptly rescued Princess Hardhat from her attackers.  Lady
Mallet got whomped pretty hard, and is still flat on the pavement trying to
figure out which limbs were crushed by her own Mallet... but the rest of the
team has approached the big hardhat and are trying to coax the skittish
Magical Girl out.
<Ked> [April 1, 2004 - 0430 local time]
<Ked> [A plaza near the western edge of the flooded zone.]
<Ked> [session start]
<PrincessHardhat> ...um, who's out there?
<LadyNightshade> Friends. We're here to help you.
<LadyMysteria> Someone who doesn't have a desire to kill you, so long as you
stay calm.
* Lady_MakeBelieve whispers to Maya "Shouldn't we just say who we are? She
should recognize our voices anyway."
<Ked> The near edge of the three meter hardhat lifts up, just a little, and an
eye peeks out under it.
<LadyNightshade> Hi.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It's safe to come out now.
<LadyMysteria> Doesn't matter, really.
* LadyNightshade leans down and looks at the eyes peeking out.
* LadyMysteria walks over to check on Mallet, kneeling next to her. "Hello
there."
<LadyMallet> nnmrrm.
* PrincessHardhat stands up, lifting the edge of the hat, but obviously ready
to drop it again to shield herself.
<PrincessHardhat> *hissed*  YOU.
<LadyHeat> We just saved you.
* LadyMysteria waves blindly to Hardhat. "No time for grudges, darling. The
world's ending."
<LadyNightshade> Now now, is this really the time to be holding a grudge?
<LadyNightshade> You still want to beat the Ningyo, don't you?
* PrincessHardhat starts to speak, then stops, rage and despair twisting
across her features.
* LadyMysteria makes a face. "Mallet's going to need to recover some... but we
need to get moving."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I still want to talk with you, I think we're on the same
side.
<LadyHeat> I'm going to go pick up Mallet.
* LadyHeat goes to pick her up!
<LadyMysteria> Be gentle about it, she just got crushed something fierce.
<PrincessHardhat> Just... just explain to me - why did you have to kill Pie?
<LadyMallet> mrrnn.
* LadyMallet is content to flop loosely while Heat picks her up.
<LadyNightshade> She wouldn't listen to reason. We were only trying to defend
ourselves and things got out of hand...
* LadyMysteria rises, looking to Hardhat. "Because she threatened the very
order we've used to defend Tokyo from the Ningyo, probably because she hated
how the Queen worked or treated us."
<LadyMysteria> ... and, in a lot of ways, I agreed with her stance.
* LadyMysteria frowns. "But that's neither here nor there. We're facing defeat
with a capital D. Come with us, help us, and once we're back on our feet as a
group, go your own way. I won't make you stay with a group you don't like."
<LadyMysteria> But we need all warm bodies *now*.
* LadyHeat easily carries Leena back to the group.
<LadyMysteria> Make sure the Mallet's secured before we go.
<LadyMallet> Grrmmmnnn.
<LadyHeat> Where should I put her down?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Have you heard or seen what happened?
* LadyMallet opens one eye- the hot pink one. That, at least, is still cute,
unlike the rest of her which is still a wreck.
* PrincessHardhat furrows her brow.  "I don't want to have a fight with you.
Certainly Tokyo doesn't deserve more damage... but I don't know if I want to
fight for the Queen of the Earth.
<PrincessHardhat> "
<LadyHeat> We're fighting for Tokyo right now.
<LadyNightshade> Right now we're just fighting for the people of Tokyo.
* LadyHeat carefully put Leena down somewhere and goes to get the Mallet.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Have you not heard what happened to the Palace?
<PrincessHardhat> The... Imperial Palace?  Something happened there?
* Lady_MakeBelieve glances over at Maya to give her a chance to step in.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It's gone.
* LadyNightshade coughs and looks down at that.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The Ningyo destroyed it.
<LadyMysteria> Nuclear detonation.
<PrincessHardhat> No, no, that was on the other side of the bay.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> We strongly doubt the queen survived.
<LadyMysteria> But... from the looks of things, something's gone wrong in that
area in general.
* LadyMysteria sighs. "I would be surprised if the Ningyo hadn't overrun the
Palace by now."
<LadyNightshade> No the Palace where the Queen was.
<LadyNightshade> Not the Imperial one.
<PrincessHardhat> What palace are you... oh.
* LadyHeat comes jogging back, the Mallet over her shoulder.
* PrincessHardhat disappears the big hardhat, and looks back east into the
sky, where the clouds reflect the ruddy glow of the fires still raging in
Chiba.
<PrincessHardhat> Ah.  So there's one Queen down, huh?
<LadyNightshade> We really don't have time to stand around and chat though. We
need to get moving to the next Princess. Hopefully she's the one we're looking
for.
<LadyMysteria> The only Queen. For now, at least. And Nightshade's right.
Let's go.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> She's talking about the Queen of the Sea.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> We need to make sure she goes down too.
<PrincessHardhat> I can get behind removing the fish Queen, I guess
<PrincessHardhat> ...but I'll try it my own way.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Be careful...
* LadyMallet manages a wobbly thumbs-up in Hardhats direction. And does
something that vaguely looks like a smile.
<LadyMysteria> So long as we fight the same fight in the end. And...
* PrincessHardhat turns back to the group.  "...and after?   Assuming the
whole city isn't destroyed, and the world doesn't end?"
* LadyMysteria looks at Hardhat, offering a shaky smile. "Don't die. After...
we'll talk things over and try to mend fences."
<LadyHeat> We'll rebuild?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It will work out.  We all have things we're not proud of.
* PrincessHardhat frowns.  "I will never bow to another Queen.  But I won't
come after her, either, if she lets me be."
<LadyMysteria> We'll see what we can do.
* LadyMysteria starts back in the direction of the flooding. "Godspeed,
Hardhat!"
* PrincessHardhat shrugs, pulls a hardhat out of nowhere, and grows it to
meter-size.  She flips it upside down and jumps into it, and glides away in
her own little boat.
<PrincessHardhat> Don't be in the flood zone in about a half-hour.
* LadyNightshade looks at Mysty. "Uh Maya, what about that other Princess
heading into the flood zone?”
<LadyMysteria> This is where we intercept.
* PrincessHardhat moves smoothly away down the street.
<LadyNightshade> Well we should see that other princess to the northeast first
since she's easier to get to, I think...
<LadyNightshade> But if Hardhat is going to make a big mess...
* LadyMysteria pauses. "I need an idea of how far in they are... if Nike could
at the very least stop one of them from proceeding, it would be nice. Nike,
how're you feeling?"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I think her safety is a bigger concern.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Because if the one heading into the flood zone *is*
Princess... and we don't save her...
<LadyMysteria> And even then, we *have* to get to Princess, and now.
<LadyHeat> Yes.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh, ladies.  Norcliff says the signal to the NE has stopped
moving away.
<LadyHeat> That one next?
<LadyNightshade> Let's get to it as quick as we can then.
<LadyMysteria> Then let's get going.
<LadyHeat> Leena, can you walk?
<LadyMallet> Nrrgh.
<LadyNike> ...I can do whatever you need me to - but I'm about out of juice.
<LadyMysteria> Then hold it. We'll save you in case this isn't Princess.
<LadyNightshade> You should probably just stick with us then.
* LadyMallet tries to jump to her feet- and promptly falls back down with a
muffled scream, whimpering.
* LadyHeat picks her up, and tries to find a way to carry her and the Mallet
with only two hands.
<Ked> Heat finds that this is far easier than it should be.
<LadyHeat> Hm.
<LadyMysteria> Easy, Mallet, easy.
<LadyMallet> GODDDAMMMMITTT!
* LadyHeat heads to the NE.
* LadyMysteria starts moving quickly as well, that little violence break
enough to recharge her stamina.
<LadyNike> Do you want me to scout ahead?
<LadyMysteria> Think you can do it and conserve a little energy for an
emergency?
<LadyMallet> Fucking ningyo. Nggrrrg.
<LadyHeat> Leena, can you put the mallet away?
<LadyNike> I don't know.  It would be close.
* LadyMallet opens her eyes enough and tiredly gets a fix on it. She closes
her eyes, concentrating. "Drop it."
* LadyHeat puts it down.
<LadyNightshade> I think it'd be better if she just saved all her energy till
we really need it.
<LadyMallet> * the Mallet starts disappearing into thin air a foot or so above
the ground.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I agree with Nightshade
* Lady_MakeBelieve looks startled for an instant, like she can't believe she
said that.
<Ked> The water in the plaza isn't draining as you leave, and the streets have
a half-meter of water in them as well.  You realize that the flood zone is
still expanding.
<LadyMallet> How ... useful will she be out in the water?
<LadyMallet> Ni... Nike?
* LadyNightshade starts moving anyway while they talk.
* LadyHeat carries Leena and makes plans in her mind for when they confront
the Queen of the Sea and die.
<LadyNike> Dunno.  I haven't been in a lot of real fights.  How effective will
you guys be in the flood?
<LadyHeat> I'm fine.
<LadyHeat> The more water, the better for me.
<LadyNike> I think I can move fast in water, but it will surely be more effort
- more energy drain.
<LadyMallet> If you're gonna be ... too out of your element out there,
you'd... just be a extra target. You sure Nike?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> As long as I don't have to swim...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Grenades and Stun Guns aren't a good idea when I'm in
water.
* LadyMallet leans back into Heat's arms. That much talking is tiring.
* LadyNike grimaces.  "It's got to be five or ten or twenty meters deep out by
where the Queen of the Sea has parked."
<LadyMysteria> It's risky, Nike. But...
<LadyNightshade> I don't think fighting her in that much water is going to any
of us much good.
* Lady_MakeBelieve tosses a few handfuls of desiccant packets that come in
electronics into the water.
* LadyMysteria frowns, deeply. "If you burn out at a bad time, that wouldn't
help. But we need to know who's where and fast. Nike, scout. We'll play the
rest by ear."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> And this would take entirely too long.
<LadyNike> Hey, Sakura kept me alive longer than I should have been.  It's
been good but I'm not afraid of my duty.
<LadyNike> Okay, will do.
<LadyNightshade> How much farther to the Princess to the Northeast Norcliff?
<Norcliff> About 2 and half klicks.
* LadyNike goes over to Norcliff.  "Can you point out the exact direction?"
<LadyNightshade> Do we keep heading that way behind Nike or what's the plan
then, Maya?
* Norcliff lifts a paw to 47 degrees East by North East.
<LadyMysteria> Where's the last one again? We should move so that we're
positioned between the two. If Nike finds Princess, we detour. If not, she
holds with who she finds and we continue. Make-Believe?
* LadyMysteria looks over. "Make me two signal flares. One red, one green."
<LadyHeat> Well, I hope Hardhat doesn't do anything to the one heading towards
the bubble.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> How about fireworks?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'm not really all that used to flares.
* LadyNike pulls a small GPS unit out of her bag, does some calculations, and
programs a destination.
<LadyMysteria> Either or, so long as she has a way to light them.
* Lady_MakeBelieve hands Maya two large roman candle tubes and a lighter.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> They're 10 shots with report.  One all red, one all blue.
Hope that’s close enough.
<LadyMysteria> Works. Nike, you find Princess, red. Otherwise, blue.
<LadyNike> Right.
* LadyMysteria hands them over. "Try to keep them dry."
* Lady_MakeBelieve hands over a Ziploc bag also.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> That should make it easier.
* LadyNike tucks the signals back in her sack, and bows to the team.
<LadyMysteria> ... Haruko, you're an angel.
<LadyNike> It's been a pleasure, everyone, Maya-sama.
<LadyNightshade> Good luck Nike.
* LadyMysteria passes that over, too. "Good luck."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> But Dani's the one with wings. ^_~
* LadyMallet manages a wave. "Don't die."
<LadyHeat> Good luck.
* LadyHeat doesn't wave, as her arms are full of Leena.
* LadyNike straightens, and accelerates away.  She's a little slower off the
mark, running in water, but she gets going and generates an impressive fantail
wake as she curves out of sight.
* LadyMallet closes her eyes again and goes back to resting in Heat's arms.
<LadyNightshade> So to the Princess in the water then?
<LadyMysteria> Looks like it, or at least in a way where we can divert if we
have to.
<LadyNightshade> Where's Lady Helicopter when you need her?
<LadyHeat> Probably dead.
<LadyNightshade> But I just made her up...
<LadyMysteria> Mmmmn. Let's go.
<Ked> The streets around you are nearly silent now - all the residents have
left, fearing flooding and possible fallout.
<LadyHeat> We have to figure out a way to get over the water...
<Ked> The lights are all out - probably were even before the floods, but with
all the water damage it may take months to restore power.  The fires across
the bay provide adequate light for walking - sloshing, now.
<LadyMallet> Paddleboats.
* LadyNightshade tries to wall bounce as best she can to stay out of the
water.
* LadyNightshade keeps out front to keep and eye out for the group.
<LadyMysteria> Absolutely terrible...
<LadyHeat> Oh.
<LadyMysteria> We keep going. Once it's simply impossible to go without some
other means, we work from there.
* LadyHeat walks and carries Leena, and thinks. A lot.
<Ked> The team moves slowly east, working their way into the cold waters which
gradually deepen as the terrain slopes towards the bay.
<LadyMysteria> This is getting... somewhat bothersome.
<Ked> They don't have a chance to get very far, though - there's a sudden pop-
hissssssssss in the distance.
<LadyHeat> Anyone want to be heated up?
* LadyNightshade tries to get some height on a nearby building to see what the
noise is. She also goes invisible.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Not that hot.
* LadyHeat looks up for the color the flare.
<LadyHeat> I have control over my powers.
<LadyNightshade> I see the signal. It's red.
<LadyNightshade> Change directions?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> We have to go find her, don't we.
<Ked> The flare - if that's what it is - is out of the team's sight in the
street.  They'll have to trust Taki.
<LadyNightshade> I guess that means Nike did find Princess.
<LadyHeat> or whoever it is.
<LadyNightshade> Well she was only supposed to use the red flare if it was
indeed Princess, right Maya?
<LadyMysteria> Let's go.
* LadyNightshade starts making her way that direction.
* LadyMysteria turns towards the direction of the flare.
<LadyMysteria> Princess is our priority... I pray the other Princess is
alright.
<Ked> The team turns north, and the going starts getting easier as the terrain
is slightly uphill.
<LadyHeat> Taki, anything yet?
<LadyMysteria> ... I suddenly remember the trip to Disney.
<LadyNightshade> Nothing yet. We gotta get closer first.
<Norcliff> We should head more east guys.
<Norcliff> Nike isn't with the princess.
<LadyNightshade> She's not?
* LadyMysteria looks up at the sky. "We had such fun, even with the ningy---
eh?"
<LadyNightshade> You don't think she's in trouble do you?
<LadyNightshade> Are there any Ningyo near her?
<Norcliff> Nothing near her that I can sense.
* LadyMysteria starts to shift her movement, hustling a little. "This better
not..."
<Norcliff> I just calls 'em like I sees 'em.
* LadyMallet shifts some in Heat's arms, testing her range of motion.
<LadyHeat> Leena, if you move too much you might mess something up.
<LadyMallet> Sorry.
* LadyNightshade increases her speed, trying to find out what's going on, but
staying in contact range with the group.
<LadyMallet> Getting there.
<LadyNightshade> Maya, do we head to the Princess or to Nike?
<LadyMysteria> Nike's fired the flares. Let's at least get in the area to see
what the hell is going on.
<LadyMallet> Mmm. If I’m still not up to it if we get in a fight, did you want
to use the Mallet?
<LadyHeat> Sure. Do you think it can be superheated?
* LadyNightshade nods and continues heading towards Nike's signal.
<Ked> There's a slight increase in the amount of ambient light, and for a
moment Taki, looking to the east from her rooftop vantage point, thinks it is
the sun rising.
<LadyMallet> I ... uh, don't know. It might catch fire. But it's a pretty
effective alternative if you can't use your regular attack.
<LadyMallet> I think it could take some heating, I don't know how much.
* LadyNightshade checks her watch.
<LadyNightshade> It's morning already?
<Ked> The light grows faster than the sun would rise...
<LadyNightshade> What the hell?
<LadyHeat> It's another bomb and we're all going to die.
<LadyNightshade> Heat, shut up.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The light from the last bomb was much brighter and more
sudden.
<LadyMysteria> This cannot be good. Gogogo!
* LadyHeat moves, trying not to job Heat too much.
<LadyMallet> Norcliff. Light?
* LadyMysteria speeds up as well, pulling her wand out once again.
<LadyNightshade> Norcliff do you sense anything?
<Norcliff> I don't make light.
<LadyNightshade> There's some flaming streaking thing coming this way...
<LadyHeat> It's Hardhat.
<LadyMallet> Hope she doesn't get killed.
<Norcliff> And I dunno, I don't sense anything.
* LadyNightshade keeps moving, watching the object as it moves.
<LadyMysteria> Princess, come on... be safe... be *safe*...
<LadyNightshade> We need to get to her and get out of range as quick as we
can...
<Ked> The light continues to brighten, changing bearing subtly and moving
unnatural shadows across the flooded streets of Tokyo.
* LadyHeat wonders if it's some kind of alien menace.
<LadyNightshade> Looks like Hardhat's making her move. Hope this works...
* LadyMysteria starts to pray under her breath, moving with all haste.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I hope it does, but it seems too easy.
<LadyHeat> Wouldn't Norcliff sense something?
<LadyNightshade> How close is that other Princess to the blast? This seems
much bigger than the last one we saw.
<Ked> There's one last change in the bearing of the light, as its source
plunges towards sea level.
<LadyMysteria> ... nonononononodon'tletthisbewhat...
<LadyHeat> Oh no.
<Ked> The light goes out suddenly.
<LadyMallet> ...
<LadyNightshade> Whoa.
<LadyMysteria> Keep going!
<LadyMallet> I hope Hardhat didn't stick around. That much magic would put a
bull’s-eye on her.
* LadyHeat keeps moving.
<LadyNightshade> It... didn't even scratch it.
<LadyNightshade> It made a hell of a splash though... You guys need to get
some cover like now.
* LadyHeat looks around for a place to hide herself and Leena quickly.
<Ked> The sound from the events to the east finally arrives - a strange
*crack* followed by monstrous splash that keeps going and going and going...
* LadyNightshade looks around for some higher ground the team can get to
quickly.
<LadyMallet> Can use the Mallet to anchor and hold on. If can' find a spot.
<Ked> There's no higher ground, but plenty of buildings sticking out of the
water...
<LadyNightshade> Try and make your way into a building. That should at least
protect you from the waves.
<LadyHeat> Give me the Mallet, quick.
* LadyMallet snaps her fingers weakly, and the Mallet falls out of thin air.
* LadyMysteria looks like she's going to panic at this point. "Need to know
what's going on, god damn it all!"
<LadyNightshade> There's a huge wave coming! Get cover like I said!
<LadyMallet> Haruko. Dragon. Wall?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> ... right.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Dani, I'm going to send you back home ok, let the other
Sailor's know what’s going on, and tell the Agency I may need some help.
<LadyNightshade> The hardhat bounced right off the dome and just crashed into
the water.
* Lady_MakeBelieve traces out another one of her portals at ground level for
Dani to step through, before burning another one into the sky for the Dragon.
<LadyNightshade> And if that didn't hurt it I don't know what the hell our
chances are going to be...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> We have to find Princess.
<Ked> The splashing has turned into a rumbling, washing sound, sprinkled with
other strange noises caused as already-stressed structures collapse.
<LadyNightshade> Right now we have to find cover.
<LadyMysteria> ...
<LadyHeat> We can't go inside, the buildings might collapse.
* LadyMysteria quickly starts scanning about for cover in case whatever Haruko
has planned isn't enough.
<LadyNightshade> Just find something.
* DragonLord flies down and shapes himself into a dome, anchoring himself with
teeth claws and limbs to whatever is around.
* LadyNightshade continues scanning for the best place for everyone to hide
out.
<LadyNightshade> Can the Dragon fly you guys up here?
* LadyHeat decides to slam the mallet into the ground to anchor it and tries
to protect Leena with her body and the Mallet.
* Lady_MakeBelieve huddles under the Dragon Lord until she hears of a better
idea "There's room for at least one more!"
<DragonLord> I can't lift you all at once... and we may not have enough time
for me to ferry you.
* LadyMallet holds on tighter to Heat.
<Ked> There are multiple-story structures all around - there's a fire escape
on one you could climb, or you could go inside one...
<LadyHeat> We're not getting washed away.
<Ked> The wave finally appears in the street you're in - by this time it's not
much more than a meter tall, but it is rushing at you with remarkable speed.
<LadyMysteria> Find a sturdy-looking building and climb.
<LadyNightshade> Brace yourselves guys. Here it comes.
* LadyHeat stays where she is, it'll take too much time to climb.
* DragonLord , seeing no one else is coming, curls down tighter and braces
himself
* LadyMysteria starts to make her way for something approaching higher ground
in what little time she has.
<Ked> The wave rushes in.  Maya has gotten her ass up a flight of stairs and
is only freaked out by the groaning of the buildings around her.
<Ked> Kyouko, Leena, and Haruko find themselves under a meter of rushing
water.  Heat has no problem hanging on through the surge, though as the waters
slow, she's running out of breath.
<Ked> Haruko is buffeted badly as the shock of the wave slams into the wide
front of the Dragon-dome, and while she isn't washed away, her companion
collapses when it no longer has to shield her.
<LadyNightshade> Is everyone okay?
* LadyMallet stays silent, still trying to hold her breath.
<LadyNightshade> ... Guys?
<Ked> The surging waters subside, though they're definitely a bit deeper than
before.
* LadyMallet gasps for air once the water goes by.
* LadyHeat breathes.
* LadyNightshade waits for someone to respond.
* LadyMysteria comes back down, looking outside. "... meh. Status?"
<LadyMallet> ... wet.
<LadyHeat> We're still here.
<LadyNightshade> Haruko?
* DragonLord remains silent
* LadyMallet is very very glad she has a wetsuit on.
<LadyMysteria> We need to continue.
<LadyNightshade> Norcliff, can you still detect all the Princesses?
<Ked> Rain - well, splashed floodwater, anyway - starts to fall out of the
sky.  It's a massive, sudden torrent, which lasts for about thirty seconds.
* LadyHeat pulls the Mallet out and picks Leena up once more, then keeps on
going.
* LadyNightshade grumbles as she suddenly finds herself drenched again despite
her best efforts.
<LadyNightshade> I HATE all this water!
<LadyMallet> ... more wet.
* LadyMysteria looks up, and promptly regrets it as her hair's matter down and
her clothes promptly soaked. "I see."
<LadyHeat> If only I could swim through the sky.
* LadyMallet manages to giggle. "Just like a cat, Taki."
* Lady_MakeBelieve pushes vainly against an unmoving Dragon
<LadyMallet> Haruko?
<LadyNightshade> I'm not a cat!
* LadyMallet points at the deflated Dragon Lord. "Heat. Haruko still
underneath?"
<LadyHeat> She must be!
* DragonLord finally comes to his senses, and unwinds, lifting Haruko and
Norcliff free of the water as he does so.
* LadyHeat hurries over, looking for somewhere to put Leena.
<LadyHeat> Oh, good.
* Lady_MakeBelieve takes a deep breath
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Ooof.
<LadyMysteria> Norcliff, status.
* LadyMysteria clenches and unclenches her hands, not having her rings to busy
them.
<LadyHeat> Should we keep going?
<LadyMysteria> We need to make sure everyone's where they were before.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The princess we abandoned is still moving towards the
center of the flood.  Princess is still to the NE and not moving.
<LadyHeat> How's Nike?
* LadyMallet nudges Heat gently. "Set me down. I'm gonna give this another
try."
<LadyMysteria> Then we continue, somehow! We can't stop now!
* LadyHeat puts Leena down. "Be careful."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> She's still there.
<LadyNightshade> That's a big Hardhat...
* LadyMallet grimaces- she's barely holding her balance, and she takes a
couple of steps before letting herself fall.
<DragonLord> Do you need a ride, miss?
* LadyHeat takes one look at Leena's walk and picks her up again.
* LadyMallet says, softly, "Just a little too much pain to work through.
Almost."
* LadyNightshade continues moving towards Nike and Princess.
<LadyMysteria> Mallet, don't rush yourself. Take it easy, you'll be alright
soon.
* LadyMysteria gets back on track, looking all the more agitated and nervous.
<LadyMallet> I need to be ready as soon as I can in case something happens.
<LadyHeat> you'll get better faster by not messing with anything.
<Ked> Nightshade moves ahead of the rest of the team, both due to her inherent
speed and the fact she isn't sloshing through the streets.
<LadyNightshade> We need to keep moving Mallet. Now's not the time to start
acting all proud.
<LadyMallet> Pride shmide.
* LadyNightshade stays in radio range though.
* LadyHeat moves!
<LadyMallet> I'm not gonna let myself be a wuss if I can take it.
* Lady_MakeBelieve rides the Dragon Lord, not seeing a need to get wet.
<LadyNightshade> I'm not gonna let you slow us down either so if you can't
keep up you're getting carried.
<Ked> The sound of water moving continues for some minutes, and a few
following ripples stop the team's progress momentarily a couple of times, but
they're still moving towards higher ground and before too long the water is
only ankle-deep.
<LadyNightshade> How much farther till we get to Nike?
<LadyMysteria> Not soon enough, Nightshade.
<LadyNightshade> Nike? What's going on?
<LadyNightshade> Stay where you are, we're heading that way now.
<LadyNightshade> Maya, Nike says she saw Princess but she's out of juice now
and couldn't catch up to her.
<LadyHeat> Let's go get Princess.
<LadyNightshade> Apparently there's a boat dealer on the edge of the flood
zone. Nike'll have one ready for us when we get to her.
<LadyNightshade> Thank you, Nike.
<LadyMysteria> Princess it is, then! Let's go.
* DragonLord lets out a triumphant bellow and flies forward
* LadyMallet chuckles weakly. "Can she drive them like she can drive a van?"
<LadyNightshade> Can you drive a boat?
<LadyMallet> If so, tell her to rest up, see if she can recharge for that.
<LadyNightshade> Princess is in a boat too, so we'll probably need one to keep
up with her anyway.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Um, she hasn't moved at all since the wave hit.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> We might want to hurry
<LadyNightshade> She might have capsized then...
* LadyMysteria is starting on her way again, not wasting much time.
* LadyNightshade continues heading to meet up with Nike.
<Ked> The team treks north first, actually getting out of the water for a
while, before turning east and schlepping back into the fringes of the flood.
<Ked> Nightshade gets there quickly, and starts helping Nike with a boat.
<LadyNike> You won't believe this place.
<LadyHeat> What's it like?
* LadyNightshade looks around. "What about it?"
<LadyMallet> Why not?
* LadyNike leads Taki in through a wide garage door into an indoor showroom,
where boats of all sizes, from fishing powerboats to ten meter cruisers, float
around randomly.
<LadyNightshade> Whoa.
<LadyNightshade> Which one did you pick?
* Lady_MakeBelieve lands nearby with the Dragon Lord, and follows Norcliff’s
directions to find Taki and NS
<LadyNike> We might have a hard time getting a larger one out - the door's too
low for the water level.  Well, I have a couple of ideas, depending.
<LadyNightshade> Well we do have two super strong girls...
<LadyNike> The smaller fishing craft really are small enough to row, too.  And
they can be powered by electric motors, which is what I think Princess rigged.
<LadyNike> But for all of us... we'd need a couple.  Or we can get one of
these recreational pontoon boats, but we'll need to find fuel for one of
those.
<LadyNightshade> Norcliff said she wasn't moving anymore though since
Hardhat's attack. It's likely she got turned over.
<LadyMallet> Haruko. fuel?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Um, does it take unleaded?
<LadyNike> Standard gas, yeah.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> That I can do.
* Lady_MakeBelieve holds out a 5 gallon can of gas.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Watch the time, we don't want the tank to run empty on us.
<LadyMallet> Can always make more gas.
<LadyNike> ...right.
* LadyHeat wonders how much longer they're going to be walking.
<LadyMysteria> You don't know how helpful you've been, Haruko.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Glad someone notices.
* LadyMysteria picks it up. "Quiet, you. I'll get you a medal and a parade
later."
<LadyNightshade> So then we just need to get it out the door.
* LadyMallet giggles, and say jokingly, "Well, we haven't killed you yet, have
we?"
* LadyNike wades back into the building, letting the gas can float behind her.
* Lady_MakeBelieve mutters. Not that some of you haven't tried.
* LadyNightshade helps Nike with the boat.
* Lady_MakeBelieve forgets her griping about certain people to focus on more
important issues.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Norcliff says we have Ningyo groups heading after *both*
princesses.
<LadyHeat> Oh no.
<LadyNightshade> Shit.
<LadyNightshade> Let's move.
<LadyMysteria> Damn it all!
* LadyNightshade gets the boat ready as fast as she can.
<LadyMallet> Hardhat... she'll do her own thing. Hopefully she won't cause
another wave.
<Ked> The boat is an ugly thing - a flat metal platform on top of two long air-
filled cylinders.  It has low seats, and a railing, and not much else.
<LadyNightshade> You want me to scout ahead and see what I can do for
Princess?
<LadyMallet> Princess first. Then Hardhat again if we can manage it.
<LadyHeat> I think Hardhat fan handle herself for at least a little while.
<LadyNike> You're not going to get far, Nightshade.  The water's too deep, and
there aren't enough buildings to hop above the surface.
<LadyNightshade> Then we need to get moving like now.
<LadyMysteria> Princess, Princess, Princess. Go!
* LadyHeat moves faster.
* LadyMysteria is practically hopping back and forth.
* Lady_MakeBelieve is already on the boat.
* LadyNike starts the outboard, and the ungainly craft noses for the door.
<LadyMallet> Who do you think the third one is? Squeeg? If it is, she can take
care of herself.
* LadyNightshade gets on board.
* LadyMysteria will, of course, get on as soon as she arrives, muttering
curses most people haven't heard from her all the while.
<LadyNike> It has to be someone who can move across water... Squeegee can,
can't she?
<LadyHeat> I think so.
<LadyMallet> Kinda sorta.
<LadyMallet> She moves the water out of her way.
<LadyNike> Unless whoever it was found a boat too.
* LadyNike pilots the boat out into the street.  She waves at the rest of the
team, who are trudging up a block away.
* LadyMallet waves limply.
* LadyNightshade helps everyone get on board as fast as she can.
<LadyNightshade> Come on, let's move.
* LadyMallet opens up a MalletPortal for the Mallet to feed into.
* LadyHeat puts the Mallet away.
* LadyNike frowns at Mysteria.  "Do you want me here?  I really am out of
juice, but I do have a pistol..."
<LadyNightshade> Every little bit helps.
<LadyNightshade> And you could probably drive this thing better than any of
us...
<LadyMysteria> I'd rather not leave you alone if you're low on power. Stay
with us.
<LadyNike> All right.
<LadyNike> Everyone on board?
<LadyNightshade> Looks like.
<LadyHeat> Let's go get her.
<LadyNike> Norcliff, can I get a bearing?
* Lady_MakeBelieve points Nike in the right direction
* LadyNike nudges the throttle, and the recreational craft starts its journey
towards the center of the flood.
<Ked> [end session]
Session Close: Sat Apr 01 19:31:10 2006