Exhaustion

[a_linear_mind]

[With the events at Aidoneus Island concluded, Strahlend has somehow managed to limp it's way back to Fort Alhambra. Once again the machine came back in critical condition despite this being the first time it had been active in months. To make matters worse, there's now a large hole in the roof over where the machine usually stood, thanks to Willis learning that he could activate the machine remotely no matter where he was and the Unity Group was down another Gespenst. The pilot himself is not doing much better, thanks to his usual complete disregard for his own well-being while in combat. He practically falls out of the cockpit of his machine with the side of his head busted open and one of his arms dangling lifelessly in the air. Bits of metal and crystals were still embedded in him but all of these injuries were of course being taken care of by the nanomachines in his system while his machine began to repair itself as well.]

What a long day...

Comments

[star_of_sad]

Willis?

[Setsuko looks at the extent of Willis' injuries - and at Strahlend. Back at Willis. Is that metal sticking out of him?]

Are you... really okay?

[a_linear_mind]

Oh, hey Setsuko. I'm fine just...a bit shaken up mentally...and physically I guess.

[star_of_sad]

That looks... more than just a bit shaken up.

Just what happened? Well, I have the general idea but...

1/2

[a_linear_mind]

I don't even know where to start.

[Willis backs up slightly to brace himself against Strahlend's leg]

The Crystal Chimaera, they were there trying to...retrieve Meteor-3 or something but the moment they noticed me they tried to capture me instead. Now they're becoming even stronger and I almost ended up becoming a Core for one of them. That's why I have all of this on me.

[He shakes off the bits of metal on him as an example.]

2/2

[a_linear_mind]

If it wasn't for Elys I would have ended up like...everyone at that place...

[abugslife]

The day has not ended yet, Willis.

...Are you currently in risk of assimilation?
[Hetepheres looks at the crystals piercingly.]

[a_linear_mind]

No, at least not with the Core of those things destroyed.

[To ease her worries Willis has his Core Cells break down the bits still embedded in him.]

[abugslife]

You said that normally, there are people inside the cores of those crystalline abominations.

[a_linear_mind]

...yeah...up until now every single crystal creature I've encountered has used a human core partially assimilated by their Core Cells.

[star_of_sad]

They almost, I mean... they wanted to...

I'm sorry Willis.

[Setsuko sighs. From the two of them, she's the one who needs to collect herself?]

This is all very worrying, isn't it.

[a_linear_mind]

Luckily I'm still here...anyways, on top of all of that...well, I'm sure you saw what happened afterwards with Meteor-3.

I'm just hoping it was responsible for the changes in those creatures and this doesn't happen again.

[star_of_sad]

[Setsuko nods.]

I'm very grateful for this rescue. It was really close...

So, umm.

You mentioned your own unit is based on EOT from Meteor-3?

[She did watch the recordings.]

[a_linear_mind]

Elys mentioned that the U.I.I.N system was based off of samples taken from Meteor-3. I just connected the dots after it changed forms.

...that probably explains why it also takes the form of crystals when the system runs wild.

[star_of_sad]

Aren't you worried? Worried that Balmarians may find a way to use your own machines against you?

[abugslife]

Why do I only learn about this now? And, more importantly, where did those humans come from?

[a_linear_mind]

If it comes down to that I'll find another machine to pilot, but I'm not too worried.

Strahlend has been with me for so long that it'll take a lot for them to use him against me.

[a_linear_mind]

...originally they came from an Aegis base...in Antarctica. That's where they first showed up...

[abugslife]

Then all the people who have died there...

[a_linear_mind]

...were assimilated and then made into the Cores of creatures like that...the U.I.I.N system that went out of control and started all of it belonged to my fiancée.

[star_of_sad]

That... is true, isn't it?

[Setsuko manages to smile, despite everything.]

But this makes me think. Just how much of our technology is here because of Balmarians, anyway?

[not_a_prize]

Willisss....

[Peola is dragging herself out of Regalis Filia, while Willis definitely had the harder time throughout the fight (and how)... the princess was looking extremely tired from the whole incident. She stumbles partway, having tripped over her own feet due to loss of coordination from the ki-exhaustion as well as the good old plain exhaustion.]

Buaffu!

[To that end Peola simply drags herself as best as she can over to Willis to glare at him.]

You have a lot of explaining t' do...

[a_linear_mind]

I don't like it but they've influenced a lot of our technology...that's ignoring the more obvious examples.

[He glances over towards the ominous Werkbau. Now that enough time has passed Willis manages to start moving his injured arm.]

That's a bit better...now if only I could deal with my other problems this easily...

[a_linear_mind]

Peola!?

[And despite his injuries he still moves forward to lend a hand and help the princess stand on her feet. Considering he was partially responsible for the additional damage she took due to not explaining all of the details behind the Crystal Chimaera, it was the least he could]

Maybe this can wait til later...you really need to rest.

[not_a_prize]

And you need a doctor. You got exploded out there.

[She fixes him with a rather irritated look, had she more energy she'd try slap that hand away and get up on her on. Now it was just flailing at that hand and grabbing onto it.]

First there was those weird crystal things, then the Balmarian thing, then you saying things-

[Peola sways in place a little, but manages to keep her footing this time.]

I really don't get you...

[star_of_sad]

It's still hard to imagine, that we can talk like this and wait for your serious injuries to just... go away.

Well. I wouldn't be able to help with them anyway, but your other problems... you know there are other people, Willis. There's also me.

If there's anything we can do to help...?