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. ♥ ]
IV - Prewt
Sam remembers a small guy marching alongside an army, on the verge of a panic attack. Remembers plastic bags blown across the street, late night drinks and barely held back tears on a roof top. He remembers a friend.
So in the end, the choice makes itself. He doesn't ignore people in help - he does what he can, helps who would otherwise receive no help, and chooses to split the difference, too - sends Redwing to assist others, robbing himself of one of his most useless tools.
He doesn't pursue Newton on foot, circumventing the destruction by going outside the train and flying, instead. It's risky, it exposes him to the Kaiju wreaking havoc much more directly. But then again, Sam has flown through RPG fire and towards loaded rocket launchers. What's a little more danger, in comparison, when somewhere ahead is someone he cares about.
Fuck the mission, to be honest.
There'll be time for the what ifs later, for bemoaning his failure to notice just how wring things had become. Shouldn't the change have been more apparent after his coma, not less? Shouldn't he have been more aware?
But no. There'd been other things. His own panic attacks and break downs. Bucky's everything.
Some things had fallen to the wayside - even the important things. Because Sam runs when it hurts - or flies, as it were.
He heads Newton off, catches up to him on the outside of the train, flings himself at an open window, tucks the wings in tight and balls himself up, body unfurling when he lands in front of Newt - wings retracting into the pack, shield in front of Sam.
Sam doesn't know what it is to lose your mind to something else - but he's had his share of company afflicted like that. ]
You gonna chill if I ask you real nice?
no subject
Among others.
Sam's no different an obstacle, and as Newton turns toward the man, the expression on his — their — face is less than pleased.
It's also dripping with blood. From two nostrils, specifically, congealing on their lips. They'd been in the middle of wiping it away with their silk handkerchief when Sam had barreled in; now they're tossing the dirtied fabric aside, hand clutching the phaser gun in their hand more firmly.]
... Sam, hey. Wasn't hoping to find you here, at the end of everything.
[A soft sigh. Almost authentic. Almost.]
Why wouldn't you have done us all a favor and stayed comatose, huh?
no subject
Yeah sorry, I've been feeling unhelpful like that lately. Plus, the infirmary just ain't that cozy after all.
[ Dealing with Bucky in Winter Soldier is easier. At least the Winter Soldier is just a monosyllabic shell of a man with Bucky buried far down deep. Newton's talking. His mannerisms are way too close to the real deal, and Sam has no idea to what degree his friend is in there. ]
Don't suppose you wanna do me a solid and drop that gun, huh?
no subject
Mmm... Don't think I'll be doing that. Because it seems an awful lot to me that you're going to try to apprehend me, and I've still got a ways to go. Soooo... Hard pass.
[But oh, this is interesting, isn't it? Humans trying to reach out to their fellow human, even knowing all the terrible damage inflicted. Just like a 'superhero' from the comics Newton absorbed as a child, isn't it? Him and his American superheroes, and his little plucky manga heroes. As if anything ever truly happened with such a hopeful polish.
They can out their arms, gun still firmly in their grasp.]
Just another plastic bag in the road, Sam.
[plip plip plip
Blood drips off his chin. If Sam looks carefully enough, he'll be able to see a hand peeking out from behind the stall near Newton's feet; someone lying in a blooming blood puddle. Train guard, more than likely. Hard to say if he's salvageable.
A wolfish grin pulls across their stolen face.]
You know how it is, getting set off by that little plastic bag. Makes you a little dramatic.
no subject
He sees that arm behind Newton... no, not behind Newton. Shit. Sam keeps his eyes on the familiar, twisted face.]
That how it's gonna be, you gonna play me the greatest hits from a friendship you snooped on from the shadows? Gimme a break. He in there? Aware of all this?
[ Is he gonna remember it like Bucky does, is he gonna feel his hands hurt people - or is he farther back than that, sunken down into himself and blissfully unaware?
Sam doesn't know which version would be more cruel to hear about, though he imagines which reality would be more cruel for Newton to have to bear. ]
'cause you gotta know we're gonna get him back, right? You ain't the biggest asshole this collective Scooby Gang on board has handled, and we tend to go to bat hard for our friends.
cw: suicidal implications (but actually murderous implications, because it aint their boDY))
[It's impatiently spoken, though. Maybe they had underestimated the blind fucking faith people have in someone like Newton Geiszler. Ridiculously, in fact; have they not met him? He's a mess. A giant, flawed mess that argues, whose yelling episodes are as obnoxious as his cheering episodes. A shrill, high voice, a shameful libido, a tendency to shake at even the smallest threat —
They roll his eyes.]
You act like you know what I'm really like. Like any of you really know each other. Is it that shocking that one of your buddies isn't such a buddy? This crew is compromised of plenty of lying criminals; you just need time to find them.
[But okay. They'll humor you, Sam.]
What are you going to do, then? Since I'm not gonna give you my gun. [Their fingers twitch on the gun, as they toy with it, waving it at Newton's own head almost playfully.] Because there's pretty easy ways to make sure you don't get ol' Newton Geiszler back.
[Really, they just want to tempt him into action.
The sooner he attacks, the easier it'll be to hurt him, after all.]
no subject
[ He can't allow himself to think that it may have genuinely been an act. That he'd been that blindsided by someone. But no - the Newton he knows wouldn't do this, and Sam's got some experience with people acting against their own nature and will.
It has to be different, right?
Still, his jaw clenches, and he braces himself. Is clearly looking for a moment when that blaster wavers. Oh, he'll try to jump in there and knock it aside - but right now, he's looking for an opening. The conversation is buying time to measure.
He doesn't quite realize how outclassed he is here - but even if he did, that wouldn't stop him, truth be told. ]
Yeah, see, I don't think you're gonna do that.
[ Even if it puts everything in him on edge, and it's obvious. The very prospect hurts him. ]
Where's that gonna leave you?
no subject
There's no repercussions for your actions when you're dead as a doornail, right?
[But ah, he's level-headed. Their little fib didn't really work out, and it seems Sam isn't really one to resort to violence. Funny, coming from someone whose work relied so heavily on it, huh? They'll just have to attack him more directly; with a sharp gesture they slide their phaser from Newton's temple to aim it toward Sam instead.]
Or I can just shoot you.
[And, regardless of what follows on Sam's part, they'll begin to fire.]
no subject
This hits close to home.
Sam moves forwards, but here's the thing.
Karli, young as she was, had super soldier serum inside of her. Even had Sam fought back hard, he'd have been unable to seriously hurt her with anything but a gun, and he wasn't about to use one against her. Newton's just a dude, and Sam doesn't know if that's different now, if he was wrong about that, if this is different, but...
Sam still sees a guy who's practically blind without his glasses sitting barefoot on a kitchen counter looking like a breeze could knock him over.
The sharp pain is a surprise as the phaser punches through the suit and into flesh, leaving Sam stunned - he hadn't quite realized he'd held back, and how that had left just enough of an opening. He brings his momentum short as his knees buckle under sharp pain that blossoms just below his ribcage on his side, and he has enough medical experience that his mind screams alarms at him.
The shield clatters down, and Sam looks, stunned, at the red spreading into the white fabric of his suit.
Well... shit. ]
... Newt?
no subject
But as they fire their weapon, Newton's arm abruptly snaps upward, like some invisible force had grabbed it and jerked the limb away just in time; the phaser shot hits the roof of the train car. The precursors spit angrily:]
For fuck's sake—!
no subject
He remembers staring down the barrel of Karli's gun, unable to see in her eyes if she'd gun him down or leave him standing before the choice was taken from her.
'Newt' has going to fire. Sam knows that before it happens, and tries to think of blue eyes before he goes - except Newt's arm jerks, and the shot goes wide.
Sam's shaking hand locks around his friend's wrist even he feels the pain from the shot that did hit him lance through his body, threatening to make his legs buckle. He'll take the hurt, though - won't take death. ]
Just a plastic bag, huh?
no subject
But then their gaze grows icy and cold.]
Oh, shut up, you goodie two-shoed asshole!
[Said between gritted teeth as they try to pull Sam forward, to launch their knee at Sam's injured side where they can even possibly reach; they're not very well trained in hand-to-hand, and Newton's not built to be a fighter at all, but he had been taking lessons. It's enough that they have a decent stance, a dedicated power behind the strike. They know they have to handle this as fast as possible, get some distance, because Sam far outmatches them in strength and speed.
Which is why they try to counter any move back with the talisman still tightly gripped in their hand, holding it up and in front of themselves like a shield, ready to absorb a strike and launch the energy back. It won't be a large burst, not enough to catapult him backward, but it'll at least daze the hell out of him.
That's all they need for now.]