[the moment that group of Vegas-loving clowns had walked in, Catra's mental gymnastics had taken her through scenario after scenario. send off Impey on a useless errand, use the excuse that she's checking out other ships not to follow him, head off the group of clowns, lie to them and take them to an empty ship, knock them out to get them out of the way, steal airship, go home, make out with Adora--]
[no wait that last one is not part of the plan]
[but anyway. before she can even put this plan into action, Claude moves with one of his own, cold steel pressed against her throat. and while it is not!! a bad plan!! at all!!]
[she moves on instinct]
[and plays along by whipping around and trying to punch him in the face]
everyone here is ignoring Sakyou and Impey's in a headlock. I don't know how to tell you this but Impey is also a superpowered vampire (yea) with otome strength despite his noodleass arms which means that they're about to duke it out. They're wrestling.
Anyway aside from them.
The clowns stop, because they're startled by this turn of events. However. What's happened now is that Catra has left the gatling gun unattended because she is being threatened and carried off, which means that one of the clowns is going to - when Catra goes to punch Claude - make a break for the gatling gun in her place.
WELL THEY'RE WRESTLING OVER HERE SO SINCE HE'S BUSY HAVING AN OTOME NOODLE ARMS SMACKDOWN HE CAN'T GO FOR THE GATLING GUN. GOOD LUCK YALL HOLY SHIT. At least this gives him a place to air out some of his pent up fury and aggression sorry Impey, maybe they will both kill each other.]
He's basically just going to jam the butt of the dagger into her ribs, her punch glancing off his chin before he disengages and just fucking, tries to whip her at the ship in the hopes she can get a head start on getting the stupid thing moving.
And then he runs toward the ship, yelling to Sieghart on the way, ] Get the gun!
[Claude doesn't have to tell him twice. Leaving a gatling gun, of all things, to a surprise guest can't be good for them. It's also right there, so he takes a step back and simply sticks a foot out to trip the clown, then grabs the gun without stopping to watch the clown's descent.
Goddesses above, why is he carrying so many things? Is this how children treat their elders these days?
He throws his head over his shoulder to shout:]
Sakyou! We're leaving!
[And that's all he offers before bolting for the target airship.]
[GOD. the punch had been pure instinct, but Claude's intention is clear as he jabs her in the ribs and whips her around. time to abort plan PRETEND TO BE DIPLOMATS AND ENTERTAINERS, and adopt plan MAKE A FUCKIN' RUN FOR IT]
[she snarls as she begins to bolt herself, though she doesn't go immediately for the airship at the end of the hanger. she is aiming for the clown that is trying to steal their precious gatling gun, bolting on all fours-- as cats do-- and shouting as she does so]
Move!
[SHE WIL KNOCK THIS CLOWN OVER SO HELP HER]
[eta: ALSO TO MAKE IT CLEAR I PROMISE SHE'S GOING FOR THE SHIP IN THE END SHE'S JUST GOING THROUGH A CLOWN TO GET THERE, I'M SOBBING]
Though it's not without some floundering - the intention was to get the gatling gun in the first place, so they have to get at least one shot in. The trigger gets pulled and one round of bullets gets fired before it's released. Catra gets shot in the leg, but in this line of fire, Sakyou manages to get the worst of it. Bullets rip through him and Sieghart can grab the still warm gun once that's done.
Claude dashes toward the airship at the end - it's a clear path from here! A ramp leads to the airship, letting them board. Though some loud alarms will start to blare as someone finally recognizes the sudden emergency of cleath (clown death). You'll all really have to bolt if you want to make it.
Well. Probably all of you except Sakyou at this point.]
[I MEAN HE'S DEFINITELY NOT SURVIVING TAKING A DIRECT HIT FROM A GATLING GUN AT GROUND ZERO RANGE BUT HE'LL BE DAMNED IF HE DOESN'T DIE WITHOUT KEEPING IMPEY IN A HEADLOCK OUT OF SHEER SPITE. Impey's probably shot too but it's fine. Well anyway bye, remember him as he lived: tiny and full of anger.]
[ Claude hears the gun to off, but he doesn't turn back. Someone needs to get on the ship and clear a path for their escape, and it might as well be him.
So he's running on as fast as he can, and he did read a little about vehicles after his failure with the tractor so he's...
Looking for a pedal how do you start this thing. ]
[He runs. He runs, because the alarms are blaring and that means they don't have much time left. But he soon skids to a stop when he hears the sound of struggling and turns around to take stock of Catra's condition.
In the distance he also sees Sakyou, who's a terrible mess of bullets and blood, but he knows how guns work. There's no way Sakyou is surviving that, if he isn't already dead. As much as it angers him, they have to go.]
We don't have any more time. Hurry!
[He all but tosses Catra onto his shoulder—she'll have to find purchase herself, and he'll ignore any complaint she hisses his way—then readjusts his grip on the gatling gun with the parachutes secured and sprints for the airship. His legs are as strong as his arms; he can make it, even with all the added weight on his person.
There's no time, so he shouts for Claude as soon as he hits the ramp.]
[. . . she's too late, and the clown reaches the gatling gun before she can bowl him over. pain explodes in her leg as bullets also explode in the air around her, and she is sent skidding across the ground as the injury wipes her off her feet. with a pained hiss, she pushes herself up again, lifting her gaze just in time to see-- Sakyou]
[Sakyou, falling to the ground coated in blood and riddled with holes. Sakyou, one of very few people who understood the stand she was trying to take during trial and had spoken up about it. which. . . for Catra, probably meant more than it would have for anyone else]
[she shouts a strangled word, staring in horror, something hot stinging the corners if her eyes]
[. . . she knows better than to linger. she knows if she does, she'll wind up like Sakyou, and she-- she can't]
[so when Sieg scoops her up, she digs her claws into his shoulder for purchase and allows herself to be carried off, even if her gaze stays affixed on Sakyou's body as they run. the pain in her leg is white hot, but she ignores it, pushes past it, even as blood drips down her ankle]
[when they reach the airship, she barks out sharply--]
I can-- I can fly this thing. Put me down and I'll get it up and running.
[Sakyou sure is down and out for the count. Catra's tears shed for him dot the hangar floor, but there's no time to think too hard about that. They make it up the ramp and I rolled for Claude's chances of being able to pilot the airship and he got an 8. He manages to hit the button to get the ramp to draw back into the airship, which at least means that they can't immediately be followed, though the airship itself doesn't move.
The three of them have found themselves in the immediate control pit of the airship, at least, so they can do their best to try to get out.
They'll see the open hangar to the clear blue sky ahead of them - though it's marred by the red flashing lights of the alarms going off. Slowly the doors of the hangar begin to close as the people in charge try to close off the escape route for the intruders.]
[ Cool, that's alarming. At this point, because of Sieghart's yelling, Claude really clues in that Sakyou won't be joining them, and he runs through some Conflicted Internal Emotions, before his attention is dedicated solely on the fact that their window of opportunity is steadily closing.
He looks over at Catra. ]
Get us flying then. Can you explain to me what a weapons system might look like?
[ He's basically staring helplessly at the control board. But in case that door closes too much for them to eek out, he WILL make a door. ]
[Catra doesn't have to tell him twice. He sets her down right away (but hangs onto the gun, because he can't trust anything anymore) and glances at the control board, then at the closing hangar ahead of them.
His hands are still occupied, between his weapon and the gun, but he will do his best to transfer both to one hand should Catra and/or Claude need the assistance.]
[a deep breath, and as soon as Sieghart puts Catra down she bolts-- limps, actually-- towards the airships control panel. this is no time for crying; get yourself together, Catra!! just as you have so many times in the past]
Claude can man the weapons. Sieghart, I'll need you to navigate.
[anyway so this airship is different than Horde airships, but Catra is a quick learner, so. . . can she use her Horde airship knowledge to figure out what controls are for what on this airship? if so, she'll gesture Claude towards any weapons that might be available and Sieghart towards. . . idk. . . navigating equipment. she, on the other hand, will try to get the engines up and running and the system prepared for take off!!]
[idk how to fly so please know I'm just bullshitting, here]
[Off they go! Catra has a slightly better time figuring out the controls, so she'll be able to get their engine up and going. The airship will gradually leave behind the hangar and Sakyou's bloody bod.... wait, where is it?
Huh.
Well, nevermind. Off they go, racing against time to get their ship out of the way of the doors. Claude will be able to locate the weapons systems and there will be three labels that he can choose to slam if he deems it appropriate: Freeze, Boost, and Bomb. He will be able to press two out of the three, so do your best, Claude!
Sieghart will find his way to the navigating equipment - though it seems like there's already coordinates set here. How did that happen?
Maybe it has something to do with the thumps of footsteps that are overhead. There is no immediate staircase, but a map will reveal that there will be a ladder that they can pull down to investigate.
The hangar doors continue to close - but it seems like you're not alone on the airship.]
[ At least the buttons are fairly descriptive, so Claude doesn't hesitate before slamming the Boost button, hoping that it'll give the ship the speed it needs to power out of there.
And then, of course there's footsteps. ]
Why couldn't expect the ship to be empty, could we?
[ He glances upward. ]
We need Catra to keep us moving, so either I or Sieghart can go have a look.
[Thank goodness for set coordinates, honestly. Sieghart, too, glances upward before moving to pull down the ladder indicated in the nearby map. The gatling gun is set down near Catra for safekeeping.]
Don't lose it this time.
[Then he's climbing the ladder with one hand, because one must learn to do so when one's sword lacks a sheath.]
[Sieg investigating seems like the most logical option, since she does need to pilot and Claude needs to hit the bomb button— I mean. man the weapons!! so she gives a sharp nod to Sieg and continues doing the pilot thing]
[the pain in her leg is starting to become a bit unbearable, especially since she is putting her weight on it. but she powers through!! no rest for the wicked!!]
[Hold on tight - the boost is a boost. Claude slams the button and they're able to get out of the hangar before the doors shut, but Catra might need to be a little careful about how much weight she's putting on her leg, and Sieghart should also hold on tight to the ladder.
Though it's a plus how the doors shut tight right behind them, only just barely scraping against the tail end of the airship. It'll take a little while for the doors to open up again!
Just as Sieghart heads up the ladder though, the collars around their necks will all make a static noise.
Didn't forget about that, did you?]
A little more rough and tumble than anticipated... but you cleared the first objective. In exchange, I'll let you ask one question - better make it count.
[Sieghart arrives on the second floor of the airship - and a figure in the room approaches from where they were waiting.]
[If Sakyou was alive enough to see that Catra had shed some tears for his death, he would have-- well. Honestly, he would have felt guilty as hell, but also been very touched! Too bad he didn't notice much of anything behind that haze of heat and pain in those last few quick seconds, and now his nasty, torn body is...
Whole again?
And moving toward Sieghart from where he'd been standing on the second floor. When he comes to a stop, they'll stop hearing the footsteps down on the first floor, too. His smile is faint and a little relieved, but overall, his expression is quite serious. THEY'VE GOT SHIT TO DO.]
Ah, good. They're looking in fair shape. [Haha.
Also, he's no longer in the performer's outfit! Wowee. Now, he's dressed head to toe in a black get-up that looks like it's been very well-worn. He'll glance around Sieghart, looking toward the ladder before making his way over to peer down. His question addresses all three of them:]
Is anyone injured? No one was tagging along, yes? We've got quite the trip ahead; you'll need to be in top form.
[Did you check for........ clown stow-aways, perhaps, from the Vegas Frat Clown Troupe.]
[ Claude is indeed hanging on, so he manages to keep from knocking on his butt. Once he's a little more stable on his feet, he's going to walk over to Catra and yes, crouch down so that he can examine her leg, ripping off a piece of his costume to try and fashion a tourniquet.
Ah yes, their old collar friend. ]
What's the best way to clear all of your objectives?
[ Listening both to the collar and the footsteps upstairs. He's not sure it's a good thing or not that they've stopped without any sounds of conflict following.
[it's a good thing Claude asks that question, because when the airship lurches, Catra is sent. . . not flying, but definitely stumbling as her injured leg gives out from under her again. she sprawls on the ground with a hiss of pain so sharp she doesn't even complain when Claude finally comes to tend to her, to affix a tourniquet on the wounded limb so she doesn't bleed out]
[and then]
[Sakyou's voice drifts from above the ladder, and she freezes]
. . .
[she looks to the top of the ladder with the expression of someone who is about to see a ghost]
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[OH MY GOD]
[OH MY GOD!!!]
[the moment that group of Vegas-loving clowns had walked in, Catra's mental gymnastics had taken her through scenario after scenario. send off Impey on a useless errand, use the excuse that she's checking out other ships not to follow him, head off the group of clowns, lie to them and take them to an empty ship, knock them out to get them out of the way, steal airship, go home, make out with Adora--]
[no wait that last one is not part of the plan]
[but anyway. before she can even put this plan into action, Claude moves with one of his own, cold steel pressed against her throat. and while it is not!! a bad plan!! at all!!]
[she moves on instinct]
[and plays along by whipping around and trying to punch him in the face]
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everyone here is ignoring Sakyou and Impey's in a headlock. I don't know how to tell you this but Impey is also a superpowered vampire (yea) with otome strength despite his noodleass arms which means that they're about to duke it out. They're wrestling.
Anyway aside from them.
The clowns stop, because they're startled by this turn of events. However. What's happened now is that Catra has left the gatling gun unattended because she is being threatened and carried off, which means that one of the clowns is going to - when Catra goes to punch Claude - make a break for the gatling gun in her place.
Think quick!]
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WELL THEY'RE WRESTLING OVER HERE SO SINCE HE'S BUSY HAVING AN OTOME NOODLE ARMS SMACKDOWN HE CAN'T GO FOR THE GATLING GUN. GOOD LUCK YALL HOLY SHIT. At least this gives him a place to air out some of his pent up fury and aggression sorry Impey, maybe they will both kill each other.]
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He's basically just going to jam the butt of the dagger into her ribs, her punch glancing off his chin before he disengages and just fucking, tries to whip her at the ship in the hopes she can get a head start on getting the stupid thing moving.
And then he runs toward the ship, yelling to Sieghart on the way, ] Get the gun!
[ He doesn't know how to use one so. Bye. ]
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Goddesses above, why is he carrying so many things? Is this how children treat their elders these days?
He throws his head over his shoulder to shout:]
Sakyou! We're leaving!
[And that's all he offers before bolting for the target airship.]
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[she snarls as she begins to bolt herself, though she doesn't go immediately for the airship at the end of the hanger. she is aiming for the clown that is trying to steal their precious gatling gun, bolting on all fours-- as cats do-- and shouting as she does so]
Move!
[SHE WIL KNOCK THIS CLOWN OVER SO HELP HER]
[eta: ALSO TO MAKE IT CLEAR I PROMISE SHE'S GOING FOR THE SHIP IN THE END SHE'S JUST GOING THROUGH A CLOWN TO GET THERE, I'M SOBBING]
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Though it's not without some floundering - the intention was to get the gatling gun in the first place, so they have to get at least one shot in. The trigger gets pulled and one round of bullets gets fired before it's released. Catra gets shot in the leg, but in this line of fire, Sakyou manages to get the worst of it. Bullets rip through him and Sieghart can grab the still warm gun once that's done.
Claude dashes toward the airship at the end - it's a clear path from here! A ramp leads to the airship, letting them board. Though some loud alarms will start to blare as someone finally recognizes the sudden emergency of cleath (clown death). You'll all really have to bolt if you want to make it.
Well. Probably all of you except Sakyou at this point.]
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So he's running on as fast as he can, and he did read a little about vehicles after his failure with the tractor so he's...
Looking for a pedal how do you start this thing. ]
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In the distance he also sees Sakyou, who's a terrible mess of bullets and blood, but he knows how guns work. There's no way Sakyou is surviving that, if he isn't already dead. As much as it angers him, they have to go.]
We don't have any more time. Hurry!
[He all but tosses Catra onto his shoulder—she'll have to find purchase herself, and he'll ignore any complaint she hisses his way—then readjusts his grip on the gatling gun with the parachutes secured and sprints for the airship. His legs are as strong as his arms; he can make it, even with all the added weight on his person.
There's no time, so he shouts for Claude as soon as he hits the ramp.]
Sakyou's not coming! Go!
1/2
[Sakyou, falling to the ground coated in blood and riddled with holes. Sakyou, one of very few people who understood the stand she was trying to take during trial and had spoken up about it. which. . . for Catra, probably meant more than it would have for anyone else]
[she shouts a strangled word, staring in horror, something hot stinging the corners if her eyes]
NO!!
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[so when Sieg scoops her up, she digs her claws into his shoulder for purchase and allows herself to be carried off, even if her gaze stays affixed on Sakyou's body as they run. the pain in her leg is white hot, but she ignores it, pushes past it, even as blood drips down her ankle]
[when they reach the airship, she barks out sharply--]
I can-- I can fly this thing. Put me down and I'll get it up and running.
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The three of them have found themselves in the immediate control pit of the airship, at least, so they can do their best to try to get out.
They'll see the open hangar to the clear blue sky ahead of them - though it's marred by the red flashing lights of the alarms going off. Slowly the doors of the hangar begin to close as the people in charge try to close off the escape route for the intruders.]
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He looks over at Catra. ]
Get us flying then. Can you explain to me what a weapons system might look like?
[ He's basically staring helplessly at the control board. But in case that door closes too much for them to eek out, he WILL make a door. ]
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His hands are still occupied, between his weapon and the gun, but he will do his best to transfer both to one hand should Catra and/or Claude need the assistance.]
I'll help. Tell me what to do.
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Claude can man the weapons. Sieghart, I'll need you to navigate.
[anyway so this airship is different than Horde airships, but Catra is a quick learner, so. . . can she use her Horde airship knowledge to figure out what controls are for what on this airship? if so, she'll gesture Claude towards any weapons that might be available and Sieghart towards. . . idk. . . navigating equipment. she, on the other hand, will try to get the engines up and running and the system prepared for take off!!]
[idk how to fly so please know I'm just bullshitting, here]
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Huh.
Well, nevermind. Off they go, racing against time to get their ship out of the way of the doors. Claude will be able to locate the weapons systems and there will be three labels that he can choose to slam if he deems it appropriate: Freeze, Boost, and Bomb. He will be able to press two out of the three, so do your best, Claude!
Sieghart will find his way to the navigating equipment - though it seems like there's already coordinates set here. How did that happen?
Maybe it has something to do with the thumps of footsteps that are overhead. There is no immediate staircase, but a map will reveal that there will be a ladder that they can pull down to investigate.
The hangar doors continue to close - but it seems like you're not alone on the airship.]
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And then, of course there's footsteps. ]
Why couldn't expect the ship to be empty, could we?
[ He glances upward. ]
We need Catra to keep us moving, so either I or Sieghart can go have a look.
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[Thank goodness for set coordinates, honestly. Sieghart, too, glances upward before moving to pull down the ladder indicated in the nearby map. The gatling gun is set down near Catra for safekeeping.]
Don't lose it this time.
[Then he's climbing the ladder with one hand, because one must learn to do so when one's sword lacks a sheath.]
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[the pain in her leg is starting to become a bit unbearable, especially since she is putting her weight on it. but she powers through!! no rest for the wicked!!]
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Though it's a plus how the doors shut tight right behind them, only just barely scraping against the tail end of the airship. It'll take a little while for the doors to open up again!
Just as Sieghart heads up the ladder though, the collars around their necks will all make a static noise.
Didn't forget about that, did you?]
A little more rough and tumble than anticipated... but you cleared the first objective. In exchange, I'll let you ask one question - better make it count.
[Sieghart arrives on the second floor of the airship - and a figure in the room approaches from where they were waiting.]
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Whole again?
And moving toward Sieghart from where he'd been standing on the second floor. When he comes to a stop, they'll stop hearing the footsteps down on the first floor, too. His smile is faint and a little relieved, but overall, his expression is quite serious. THEY'VE GOT SHIT TO DO.]
Ah, good. They're looking in fair shape. [Haha.
Also, he's no longer in the performer's outfit! Wowee. Now, he's dressed head to toe in a black get-up that looks like it's been very well-worn. He'll glance around Sieghart, looking toward the ladder before making his way over to peer down. His question addresses all three of them:]
Is anyone injured? No one was tagging along, yes? We've got quite the trip ahead; you'll need to be in top form.
[Did you check for........ clown stow-aways, perhaps, from the Vegas Frat Clown Troupe.]
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Ah yes, their old collar friend. ]
What's the best way to clear all of your objectives?
[ Listening both to the collar and the footsteps upstairs. He's not sure it's a good thing or not that they've stopped without any sounds of conflict following.
He hopes Sieghart is all right. ]
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[He isn't surprised to see Sakyou well and alive. He's more surprised by the fact that they're meeting again this soon. And so cleanly, at that.]
Ah, yeah. The ramp closed behind us.
[Then he quiets down, because he heard Claude's voice just as he reached the second floor and Sakyou is now addressing the group at large.]
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[and then]
[Sakyou's voice drifts from above the ladder, and she freezes]
. . .
[she looks to the top of the ladder with the expression of someone who is about to see a ghost]
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