Newt Geiszler | Pacific Rim (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
groupiedrifter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ximilialog2022-05-23 11:20 am
groupiedrifter) wrote in ximilialog2022-05-23 11:20 am
[PLAYER PLOT LOG] you can fight this all you want
CHARACTERS: Everyone opting into the Kaiju player plot!
LOCATION: The Train to Vrefesea
DATE: The very end of the mission.
CONTENT: Newton Geiszler, fully possessed by precursors, attempts to wipe out the Ximilia crew and get to the station to retrieve the orb — by borrowing some of the orb's power to raise a miniature kaiju, of course! How else do you try to kill your meatsuit's friends and take what's obviously yours? (Please read the mod's mission conclusion as well, as it contains information before and after this player plot!)
WARNINGS: Likely will involve blood/violence, potential mentioned NPC civilian death, and possession; any additional content warnings will be listed in anyone's top levels!
I. YOU BETTER RUN LIKE THE DEVIL | (KAIJU ATTACK PROMPT)
"Oh, screw it."
There's a vivid burst of light in front of Newton — a cacophony of energy around him that brightens his eager, manic expression. He talks to the mysterious glow, his smile wolfish, predatory. "Lend me some of that sweet power of yours, and I'll make it worth your while. Enough destruction to feed on for lifetime after lifetime. I know just the planets we can visit. I even have the perfect means of travel in mind to take over. What do you say? The Ximilia's really cozy. Help me get to you in Vrefesea, and we'll strike you up a fresh new bargain...!"
The orb is nowhere on the train; it's many miles away, and yet — it's power is here, and there's little room for doubt: it has given Newton Geiszler a fraction of its power. Before anyone can push through the force that has been created, it's too late. The ethereal light pops like a bubble in front of him, expanding to blind those in the train cars nearest to him.
If any crewmembers of the Ximilia are close enough and make the choice to lash out at him, what weapons they have on hand will not meet Newton's skin; their blades or bullets will bounce off a resilient set of thick, reptile-like scales. As the train shakes uncomfortably, rattling their bones and flickering the lights, a long-tailed, bi-pedaled beast bursts out of the light itself, created from thin air and shielding its master from harm. The sharp spines that line the back of the beast's head scrapes gashes into the ceiling of the train car, and its barbed tail whips around with enough strength to break bone, smashing into windows and letting unpleasant gusts of wind into the long line of cars.
It is a kaiju.
Just like the creatures from Newton's world that he'd spoken of many times aboard the Ximilia — smaller and more compact here, but no less of a nightmare when you're literally powerless. And despite Newton saying nothing to it, it seems to know exactly what its purpose is. The beast looks straight down the walkway ahead of it, toward orbers and confused civilians approaching from the back cars... and begins its wild assault down the middle of the train cars. Newton has already fled in the other direction — toward the front of the train — and as he goes, the kaiju lets out a battle-cry that rattles abandoned glasses before it lunges toward whomever may be unfortunate enough to be in its warpath.
You'll need to think fast or fight hard; the kaiju is creating chaos as it goes, and the passengers are all in peril if left unguarded. Likewise, many orbers don't have the means to fight, and must simply run and survive... to do what they must to get out of this without the beast's massive claws slicing through their skin or its tail snapping bone. It will not hesitate to try and take anyone too slow or bold in its mouth and shake them like prey, throw them aside, and move onto the next target. The kaiju's goal is clear: it is here to kill and damage, to keep them all at bay for their master.
Those who can manage it may dodge around the beast with some fast moves, or tucking away into corners to be passed over, left to be able to hide safely in the debris and chaos... or give chase to Newton. The others who fall back? Must fight it, as well as defend the train's passengers, many of which scurry toward the back of the train in a mad panic.
Luckily, the kaiju is not all-powerful: if a weapon is lodged between its scales, the pointed ends can be wedged in deep enough to draw blood and do real damage... and the softer underside of its long, alligator-like jaw can be pierced after many foolhardy attempts, but be careful: its blood is a terrible corrosive. If it meets one's skin and isn't removed very quickly, it will leave an awful burn where it falls, one that will worsen until the thick substance is wiped away and left to slowly corrode elsewhere.
Eventually, the creature will be taken down. Try not to get killed before then.
[PROMPT NOTE: The two selected characters from the plotting post's RNG may create a thread together to kill the kaiju; the takedown will happen at the very tail end of the player plot, of course, but feel free to start in any time! Everyone else is more than welcome to land blows on the kaiju or find themselves running, harmed or attempting to save civilians and orbers.]
II. SPARKS AGAINST THE RAILING | (OPT-OUT OPTION)
But not everyone will even know what's happening, in that moment: those who are further back in the train cars will be concerned by the distant jolts of energy making the train cars tremble, until an even larger jolt that knocks them to their knees — followed by the smell of smoke. If they make their way through the doors that bridge one piece of the train to the next, they'll find themselves stopped suddenly short... when they open the door and find that there is no next train car to greet them. No walkway that leads to a new door.
Instead, they look down to see railroad tracks submerged in ocean water.
And further up the tracks? The rest of the train is speeding away, leaving them behind.
As the backend of the detached train they're stuck in slowly rolls to a helpless stop, an inspection will reveal what must surely have been a bomb of some sort that had been detonated and completely blasted through the train coupler. Can't really keep moving if you're not coupled to an engine anymore, can you...? The orbers and passengers on these last few cars will be mortified to realize they're stranded — and there's no catching up to what sounds like the distant sounds of monstrous roars. Indeed, it looks like everyone trapped there will have to simply hope that those left aboard the speeding train will return for them later. And for the orbers: they'll have to hope that their fellow teammate will retrieve the orb and teleport them back to the Ximilia.
Hopefully with everyone in one piece. Hopefully.
[PROMPT NOTES: If you'd like minimal interaction, there's also the option of still being able to contact those involved through the network/inboxes! This is basically just an option put into place so that anyone who isn't feeling the player plot or are too busy to participate to have an easy out.]
III. SAY HELLO TO THE BRUSH FIRE | (BOMB DISARMING PROMPT)
Ah, but was that explosion the only one those left aboard the speeding train need to worry about?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Those who have managed to skate by the kaiju or are further back on what's left of the train will have another concerning dilemma on their hands, one of which is swiftly brought to their attention: explosives.
Explosives some of the more seasoned orbers may recognize, built eerily close to those used to blow up the pulse-fire mining tunnels on the planet Badrock. Another sample of Newton's work, something which the precursors possessing him must've sapped knowledge of to prepare before they'd even left for this train mission; those train guards really should have checked their luggage, huh?
There is a telltale timer build into the sides of the devices, giving frighteningly short windows of opportunity to be defused. Yes, if left unattended, these will no doubt finish off any of the remaining train cars, leaving them to become stranded — or worse. Derailing is not something anyone will want to happen here, nor do they want Newton to decouple the remaining train cars as he makes his way to the front of the barreling locomotive; being left behind or killed means the orb's as good as theirs.
Attempting to rip the explosives away from the spaces they've been attached will do no good, not unless you want an instant explosion to occur (and maybe some of you need to be urgently stopped before you do this very stupid thing; don't you know anything about pressure switches, friends?). But if you've got someone around with particularly skilled hands and well-trained brains when it comes to bomb disposal, you may be in luck, because they can most-certainly be disarmed by those familiar with basic technologies. Better get on that fast, team. Newton will appreciate it keeping you busy either way.
IV. KILL ALL YOUR FRIENDS | SEMI-CLOSED | (CONFRONTING NEWTON PROMPT)
'We feel you wriggling around in there, Newton,' the precursors think.
Armed with a supply of talismans from Sedorum powered by their new best friend the orb, they make their way from train to train, their perfectly shined shoes tapping urgently along the train. Most of the civilians make way, too busy cowering, but they don't hesitate to aim a handy-dandy ray gun from the Ximilia herself and shoot any brave souls who try to stop them from progressing. 'That'll show 'em.' As long as they can get this body to the first few train cars, it'll be easy breezy: the remaining bombs will detonate and decouple the rest of them to be left with a violent, murderous kaiju, they'll get to the station, and the orb will be as good as theirs... And then, of course, they'll take over the Ximilia and collect the rest of the orbs for themselves.
Easy peasy, as Newton would have said.
But the prideful creatures don't particularly expect too many of you to get through the kaiju's barrage, or the bombs planted along the couplers ... Hmm. But shouldn't they have heard some explosions by now? Surely the timed bombs weren't disabled, were they? They slide their hand into their pocket, curling Newton's fingers around the etched talismans there he'd taken from Sedorum — the last mission had a lot of benefits, y'know?
So do be careful if you're giving chase: he's more armed than he seems, and more capable of defensive attacks than some who are usually more superpowered aboard this train. They won't hesitate to shoot to kill, though you can try your best to talk to Newton; clearly this must be Newton, right? And Newton is a good man — surely he can be convinced what he's doing is wrong. Surely he will see reason and remember his empathy and better nature...!
(Oh, if only.)
But eventually, finally, with some elbow grease and maybe a bit of rough treatment, Newton will be apprehended.
Just in time for (most) of the train to roll up to the loading zone.
... Welcome to Vrefesea Station?
[PROMPT NOTES: This prompt is somewhat closed for Newton! I'll be plotting with CR and seeing who is interested in running into him and getting hurt or failing to capture him; if you're interested, feel free to hit me up on plurk at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
simpledog or via private message! I cannot guarantee I can involve everyone that is interested for the sake of time, but I will try my best to keep it varied! There will also be a short network post from the precursors, as well as a post-player plot log where characters with the ability to supernaturally or technically help remove the precursors from Newton's mind, so there'll be plenty of other methods of interaction if those fit your fancy! The two characters who are RNG'd to apprehend Newton in a thread will be contacted and threaded out here in a closed thread.
And that's all she wrote! Check out the mod's conclusion post to see the ending of the mission and the player plot, in which the orb is retrieved and Newton is apprehended and returned with everyone else to the Ximilia. I'll be posting a log sometime after this one for (less perilous) precursor interaction and removal aboard the station, so stay tuned for that if you're interested in being involved!
Thanks so much for everything. ♥ ]
LOCATION: The Train to Vrefesea
DATE: The very end of the mission.
CONTENT: Newton Geiszler, fully possessed by precursors, attempts to wipe out the Ximilia crew and get to the station to retrieve the orb — by borrowing some of the orb's power to raise a miniature kaiju, of course! How else do you try to kill your meatsuit's friends and take what's obviously yours? (Please read the mod's mission conclusion as well, as it contains information before and after this player plot!)
WARNINGS: Likely will involve blood/violence, potential mentioned NPC civilian death, and possession; any additional content warnings will be listed in anyone's top levels!
I. YOU BETTER RUN LIKE THE DEVIL | (KAIJU ATTACK PROMPT)
"Oh, screw it."
There's a vivid burst of light in front of Newton — a cacophony of energy around him that brightens his eager, manic expression. He talks to the mysterious glow, his smile wolfish, predatory. "Lend me some of that sweet power of yours, and I'll make it worth your while. Enough destruction to feed on for lifetime after lifetime. I know just the planets we can visit. I even have the perfect means of travel in mind to take over. What do you say? The Ximilia's really cozy. Help me get to you in Vrefesea, and we'll strike you up a fresh new bargain...!"
The orb is nowhere on the train; it's many miles away, and yet — it's power is here, and there's little room for doubt: it has given Newton Geiszler a fraction of its power. Before anyone can push through the force that has been created, it's too late. The ethereal light pops like a bubble in front of him, expanding to blind those in the train cars nearest to him.
If any crewmembers of the Ximilia are close enough and make the choice to lash out at him, what weapons they have on hand will not meet Newton's skin; their blades or bullets will bounce off a resilient set of thick, reptile-like scales. As the train shakes uncomfortably, rattling their bones and flickering the lights, a long-tailed, bi-pedaled beast bursts out of the light itself, created from thin air and shielding its master from harm. The sharp spines that line the back of the beast's head scrapes gashes into the ceiling of the train car, and its barbed tail whips around with enough strength to break bone, smashing into windows and letting unpleasant gusts of wind into the long line of cars.
It is a kaiju.
Just like the creatures from Newton's world that he'd spoken of many times aboard the Ximilia — smaller and more compact here, but no less of a nightmare when you're literally powerless. And despite Newton saying nothing to it, it seems to know exactly what its purpose is. The beast looks straight down the walkway ahead of it, toward orbers and confused civilians approaching from the back cars... and begins its wild assault down the middle of the train cars. Newton has already fled in the other direction — toward the front of the train — and as he goes, the kaiju lets out a battle-cry that rattles abandoned glasses before it lunges toward whomever may be unfortunate enough to be in its warpath.
You'll need to think fast or fight hard; the kaiju is creating chaos as it goes, and the passengers are all in peril if left unguarded. Likewise, many orbers don't have the means to fight, and must simply run and survive... to do what they must to get out of this without the beast's massive claws slicing through their skin or its tail snapping bone. It will not hesitate to try and take anyone too slow or bold in its mouth and shake them like prey, throw them aside, and move onto the next target. The kaiju's goal is clear: it is here to kill and damage, to keep them all at bay for their master.
Those who can manage it may dodge around the beast with some fast moves, or tucking away into corners to be passed over, left to be able to hide safely in the debris and chaos... or give chase to Newton. The others who fall back? Must fight it, as well as defend the train's passengers, many of which scurry toward the back of the train in a mad panic.
Luckily, the kaiju is not all-powerful: if a weapon is lodged between its scales, the pointed ends can be wedged in deep enough to draw blood and do real damage... and the softer underside of its long, alligator-like jaw can be pierced after many foolhardy attempts, but be careful: its blood is a terrible corrosive. If it meets one's skin and isn't removed very quickly, it will leave an awful burn where it falls, one that will worsen until the thick substance is wiped away and left to slowly corrode elsewhere.
Eventually, the creature will be taken down. Try not to get killed before then.
[PROMPT NOTE: The two selected characters from the plotting post's RNG may create a thread together to kill the kaiju; the takedown will happen at the very tail end of the player plot, of course, but feel free to start in any time! Everyone else is more than welcome to land blows on the kaiju or find themselves running, harmed or attempting to save civilians and orbers.]
II. SPARKS AGAINST THE RAILING | (OPT-OUT OPTION)
But not everyone will even know what's happening, in that moment: those who are further back in the train cars will be concerned by the distant jolts of energy making the train cars tremble, until an even larger jolt that knocks them to their knees — followed by the smell of smoke. If they make their way through the doors that bridge one piece of the train to the next, they'll find themselves stopped suddenly short... when they open the door and find that there is no next train car to greet them. No walkway that leads to a new door.
Instead, they look down to see railroad tracks submerged in ocean water.
And further up the tracks? The rest of the train is speeding away, leaving them behind.
As the backend of the detached train they're stuck in slowly rolls to a helpless stop, an inspection will reveal what must surely have been a bomb of some sort that had been detonated and completely blasted through the train coupler. Can't really keep moving if you're not coupled to an engine anymore, can you...? The orbers and passengers on these last few cars will be mortified to realize they're stranded — and there's no catching up to what sounds like the distant sounds of monstrous roars. Indeed, it looks like everyone trapped there will have to simply hope that those left aboard the speeding train will return for them later. And for the orbers: they'll have to hope that their fellow teammate will retrieve the orb and teleport them back to the Ximilia.
Hopefully with everyone in one piece. Hopefully.
[PROMPT NOTES: If you'd like minimal interaction, there's also the option of still being able to contact those involved through the network/inboxes! This is basically just an option put into place so that anyone who isn't feeling the player plot or are too busy to participate to have an easy out.]
III. SAY HELLO TO THE BRUSH FIRE | (BOMB DISARMING PROMPT)
Ah, but was that explosion the only one those left aboard the speeding train need to worry about?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Those who have managed to skate by the kaiju or are further back on what's left of the train will have another concerning dilemma on their hands, one of which is swiftly brought to their attention: explosives.
Explosives some of the more seasoned orbers may recognize, built eerily close to those used to blow up the pulse-fire mining tunnels on the planet Badrock. Another sample of Newton's work, something which the precursors possessing him must've sapped knowledge of to prepare before they'd even left for this train mission; those train guards really should have checked their luggage, huh?
There is a telltale timer build into the sides of the devices, giving frighteningly short windows of opportunity to be defused. Yes, if left unattended, these will no doubt finish off any of the remaining train cars, leaving them to become stranded — or worse. Derailing is not something anyone will want to happen here, nor do they want Newton to decouple the remaining train cars as he makes his way to the front of the barreling locomotive; being left behind or killed means the orb's as good as theirs.
Attempting to rip the explosives away from the spaces they've been attached will do no good, not unless you want an instant explosion to occur (and maybe some of you need to be urgently stopped before you do this very stupid thing; don't you know anything about pressure switches, friends?). But if you've got someone around with particularly skilled hands and well-trained brains when it comes to bomb disposal, you may be in luck, because they can most-certainly be disarmed by those familiar with basic technologies. Better get on that fast, team. Newton will appreciate it keeping you busy either way.
IV. KILL ALL YOUR FRIENDS | SEMI-CLOSED | (CONFRONTING NEWTON PROMPT)
'We feel you wriggling around in there, Newton,' the precursors think.
Armed with a supply of talismans from Sedorum powered by their new best friend the orb, they make their way from train to train, their perfectly shined shoes tapping urgently along the train. Most of the civilians make way, too busy cowering, but they don't hesitate to aim a handy-dandy ray gun from the Ximilia herself and shoot any brave souls who try to stop them from progressing. 'That'll show 'em.' As long as they can get this body to the first few train cars, it'll be easy breezy: the remaining bombs will detonate and decouple the rest of them to be left with a violent, murderous kaiju, they'll get to the station, and the orb will be as good as theirs... And then, of course, they'll take over the Ximilia and collect the rest of the orbs for themselves.
Easy peasy, as Newton would have said.
But the prideful creatures don't particularly expect too many of you to get through the kaiju's barrage, or the bombs planted along the couplers ... Hmm. But shouldn't they have heard some explosions by now? Surely the timed bombs weren't disabled, were they? They slide their hand into their pocket, curling Newton's fingers around the etched talismans there he'd taken from Sedorum — the last mission had a lot of benefits, y'know?
So do be careful if you're giving chase: he's more armed than he seems, and more capable of defensive attacks than some who are usually more superpowered aboard this train. They won't hesitate to shoot to kill, though you can try your best to talk to Newton; clearly this must be Newton, right? And Newton is a good man — surely he can be convinced what he's doing is wrong. Surely he will see reason and remember his empathy and better nature...!
(Oh, if only.)
But eventually, finally, with some elbow grease and maybe a bit of rough treatment, Newton will be apprehended.
Just in time for (most) of the train to roll up to the loading zone.
... Welcome to Vrefesea Station?
[PROMPT NOTES: This prompt is somewhat closed for Newton! I'll be plotting with CR and seeing who is interested in running into him and getting hurt or failing to capture him; if you're interested, feel free to hit me up on plurk at
And that's all she wrote! Check out the mod's conclusion post to see the ending of the mission and the player plot, in which the orb is retrieved and Newton is apprehended and returned with everyone else to the Ximilia. I'll be posting a log sometime after this one for (less perilous) precursor interaction and removal aboard the station, so stay tuned for that if you're interested in being involved!
Thanks so much for everything. ♥ ]
no subject
'Stop fighting, Newton. You know it's over. Even if you came back, they'd all despise you. Besides, you're one of us now. Can't you feel it? You're bleeding into us, and we're bleeding into you. Soon your consciousness will be freed from individual thought. Aren't you excited?'
The writhing, ugly consciousness inside their mind can't do anything about it.
They grin around blood-marked lips, humored by the attempt. It reminds them of a memory of Newton being held down by a few older kids; one of the boys held his shoulders, and the other boy grabbed Newton's hands, using them to assault the little child's freckled face until it turned red with a terrible sting.
They whisper under their breath:]
Stop hitting yourself.
[Their shoulders twitch at the sound of Kovacs' voice, stopping in their step.
Then, slowly, they turn to look at him. None too concerned, it seems, though properly unhinged at this point — if the scrapes and red marks are anything to go by, he's ran into a few orbers at this point. He grins. They grin.]
Geez, Kovacs. Is that any way to greet your buddy?
As big a bully as ever.
no subject
except it isn't so different from reality here, not with the way debris scatters across the cars, the way the explosions had whisked it along through the open windows, scraps of dust and ash and nothing.
a virus had killed them then — no, it wasn't the virus. it'd tormented their minds to insanity, tore apart who they were from the inside, until all they could do as claw at one another like animals, just to make it all stop. he remembers every moment of it. monsters! i have to kill the monster! his friends had shouted, delusional with rage and paranoia, wicked and tortured.
with one final breath, one had finally spoken the truth of what had happened — it was us. the enemy was us.
his eyes stay focused on newt's body, claim by something other than him. a virus, a voice — it doesn't matter what it is. even if he stands there, more composed than his friends did that day, it's all the same. the same kind of takeover of something that doesn't belong, trying to suffocate what's within. but one thought remains in his mind, tormenting him, taunting him.
he couldn't save a single person that day. ]
Don't bother pretending. I know he isn't you. [ kovacs doesn't meet the stranger's grin, stern and serious with his own. ] Where is he? Stored away? Backed up somewhere? [ he gives a tilt of his head. ] Or did you just tuck him away deeper in there?
no subject
What you get — that's what you see.
[They hold up his hands, giving a shrug of his shoulders. Their eye twitches.]
Weird that someone like you would act so oblivious; you're used to killing people left and right, aren't you? You do it every mission, in some way. Blowing your dad away in your dreams, stabbing that zealot to death in Giva... Oh, man, the bandits in Badrock...
Is it that shocking, when someone else decides to get their hands dirty?
no subject
but even on this train, where he's physically weakened from normal, he remains an envoy. everything quell taught him about mental resistance — it's still there. ]
Me being a killer isn't news. I know the kind of monster I can be. Plus, plenty of people need killing. Everyone you named — they got what I gave them. Pretty deserved.
[ especially his father.
his own hands remain steady, gun still pointed. ]
Everyone gets their hands dirty. Problem is, you're staining his with the kind of shit he wouldn't do. Newt wouldn't hurt these people.
1/2
Like you'd know—gh!
[There's a soft gasp — and then a rough jerk of his head forward, body jackknifing; whatever is happening, there's little doubt it's a struggle; he clutches his head, grits his teeth, bright against the blood still congealing on his upper lip. A sound of pain wrangles free from his lips, eyes looking up to Kovacs imploringly.]
T.K., I can't... I can't control myself. I don't know what's happening.
I'm just — I'm not myself... I can't control it.
[Desperation floods his words as they tremble; as he begs:]
Please, help me. You've always helped me.
no subject
Oh, man. Psych! I was really trying to keep that energy up, but seriously — super hard to keep the drama going when you're feeling good.
[They stand upright again, smoothing back their hair where it had gotten a touch too fluffed, right before tucking their hands into their pockets.]
Eh, well. The ball really needs to get rolling, and I need to get going. How about I make sure to kill all the people you slobber over on the station? I'll go blow up a few more bombs, derail the back of the train, get all the people you left back there drowning in the ocean.
What do you think? Marta and company enjoying gurgling some bubbles down under?
[Really, they're just running their mouth until Kovacs decides to try something.
They share that in common with Newton now, you know.
Drift compatible.]
no subject
as soon as the voice changes, there's a clench in his jaw, a sharp breath through his nose, with a widening of his eyes. for a moment, he tips his gun lower, feet shifting like they might be ready to move, lips parting like he's ready to speak out to his friend trapped in that body.
until the laughter shatters him, chest gripping tight from being tricked, from having even his own envoy instincts tipped off for a moment because the part of him that's takeshi kovacs wants to believe in actual hope — the very thing being in this place long enough has slowly worked its way back into him. all because of people like marta, like the doctor, like clara — like newt.
calm composure is on the losing side now, from the trap, from the slip of that name. he tightens his grip on his gun and steps closer, brows tighter, voice sharper. ]
You don't fucking touch her. Not any of them.
[ he's angry, but he still feels the gripping ache in his chest.
suddenly, it's de soto's voice in his head — "It's in my brain, it's in my brain! I've tried, Tak. I've tried. It won't let me. Tak, help me. Help me, brother."
not another one. don't make him have to do it to another one. ]
I know he doesn't want this. So if I have to take you both out to stop it, I will.
no subject
[Newton steps forward, hands leaving his pockets, fists tight at his sides. Their side. His side. Their side. Blood begins to drip down their upper lip again, nose pulsing with blood. It's apparently not what they were expecting, because confusion paints their brow for a fleeting moment before they swipe at their nose with the back of Newton's sleeve.
Can Kovacs see it? The way Newton Geiszler slams his fists on the window, over and over, screaming his name in muted panic? Like a man trapped in a burning house, pleading to be rescued? Good ol' firefighter Kovacs, here with no extinguisher, no hose. Just more gasoline, they imagine. Flippant, they say:]
Oh, save me, Kovacs! I'm so desperate.
[They reach for their phaser, ready to draw and aim it at Kovacs. Rather boldly, mind, as if the other can't shoot at a moment's notice. But make no mistake, they will shoot to kill if they're allowed. And if Kovacs is faster on the pull of that trigger... well.
The talisman gripped in their hand is better than any Kevlar.
Won't be the first time he's thrown across a train car, ain't that right, Tak?]
no subject
he's reminded of how he'd last seen marta, having to pull her out from beneath the rubble of exploded debris, how the bomb that had separated the cars almost took her life entirely. that alone should be easy to infuriate him, swerve the ache for revenge, react with the anger building inside of him —
"You're used to killing people left and right, aren't you?"
calling himself a killer with a code would just be an excuse. still, it doesn't feel entirely hopeless yet that the man underneath that skin might still be there. if not separated outside somewhere, then buried deep. it might not be his technology, but two consciousnesses in one stack is nearly impossible, dangerous to both minds involved; if it's at all similar here, then he knows they need to do something fast.
with the raised phaser aimed his way, kovacs knows he needs to take his shot, but he doesn't aim it directly at newt's body, instead angling the gun swiftly to take a shot at the phaser itself, intent on disarming rather than taking him out. ]
no subject
Humans and their quirkiness.
They're more than ready for retaliation, have been craving it the moment Kovacs stepped foot behind them. When Kovacs pulls the trigger, there's a sudden flash of energy from Newton's unarmed hand, just before a wave of pressing force blasts toward Kovacs that will no doubt remind him that gravity really hurts to succumb to.
He's also got about two seconds after falling on his ass to roll into cover, because the precursors waste no time in aiming and firing blindly in the direction they expect he's falling.]
See, that's your problem! Stop trying to be a decent guy and actually kill like you're good at, buddy! Human beings can't handle an obvious situation to save their lives — literally!
no subject
that's how he figures out everything that's pretty much about to happen as soon as he makes his shot towards newt's body. he sees the look in the man's eyes, that lack of fear, and the start of the light that beams from his hand.
that's when he thinks fuck.
he can't dodge the blast, the force of it too fast for him to run from, throwing his body back along the train until he slams it against the back wall. it's not as drastic as when cheri had thrown him, allowing for enough strength from his colliding body to knock weight against his arm between him and the wall, breaking the bone. nothing broken this time, thankfully, but he doesn't have time to feel relief before he sees the shift of the arm, preparing for a shot.
quick as he can, he scrambles up to duck behind a large booth, already half broken from the chaos going on through the train, but decent enough for temporary cover. ]
Human beings, huh!? [ he calls out, like he's still somehow having a casual conversation, even if the strain is heard in his voice, catching his breath while feeling the ache in his back. ] What, like you aren't one too?
[ maybe he isn't. maybe that thing inside newt isn't human at all. ]
no subject
Of course I'm human! You shoot me, I bleed!
All these months together, and you don't even know your own buddy's species?
[They're wagging the hand holding the talisman; it's a little hot to the touch absorbing all that energy, but it's manageable. Still got another two blasts in it, easy. They fire at the space they know Kovacs is hiding, hopeful that maybe one of the phaser shots'll get through the cushions and find flesh. All the while, they begin to slowly back away into the front cars, eyes scanning for any sign of movement.]
Listen, it's been great, but there's fuck all you can do to stop this.
So how about you turn tail and run? Go save one of your dumbass friends from getting mutilated by a kaiju!
no subject
he knows he's in a tough position here with no advantage. unable to tell how many shots that weapon over there has, he has to somehow focus on getting it out of his hands so kovacs can find an opening to reach him. the way they are now, this fake newt can easily make an escape before he can get close.
a quick assessment of the situation makes him think he's got one chance left here. ]
That's what I'm doing.
[ he hisses quietly, trying to steady his breathing, to focus, briefly closing his eyes to determine where his friend's body is standing based on his voice, the distance, the shift of the train floor below him, all the details that an envoy can take in. focus, focus — ]
Wherever you are in there, Newt — I'll save you.
[ those last words are almost quiet, like he somehow believes they could reach the real newt instead of whatever it is that's taken over him here now.
without waiting further, he takes his final chance, scrambling back up swiftly to his feet, turning his body to stretch his arm across the booth, aiming his blaster once more for the talisman. ]
no subject
There we are.
Looking at Kovacs through the adjoining car's window, a strained smile pulls at their lips. But before they take off further into the train, they draw a little smiling face on the window in Newton's blood, much like one would on a dusty car.
It was nice knowing you.
Or not.]