The Beasts of G-6 Muster!; CHIMERA Returns at Last!

[Tokoz]

      The Marine Base on Silvers Island was currently busy and frantic. The recent events involving the island's own civil war and the events at Silver Castle had thrown the island into chaos. The long-arm strode down the hallway, rubbing his forehead. He had a long talk with the commander of this base. The repercussions of the attack would likely lead to some changes around here. If there had been a greater amount of forewarning, or protection, this likely would have been stopped before anything had happened. 

There was no point dwelling on it now, however. There was work to do.

     Emerging into the sunlight, Flynn stared off the balcony at the courtyard. The marines on the edge were eyeing the forces in the middle with a vague sense of unease. These strange fighters from the Grand Line, and their armored gear. Complex weapons and faceless gas masks. It was a frightening sight, and that was the point, after all. As he appeared at the edge, the troops stood up from their various clusterings. Weapons were slung over packs, and feet snapped to attention as hands cracked a sharp salute. 

     "At Ease, soldiers. You did well during the recent engagement. Without us, the outcome likely would have been a lot worse. If nothing else, this validates my decision to equip us with gas masks." In any other situation, that might have gotten a light appreciative chuckle. Not today. "I am proud of all of you. Despite the heavy hit we took all those months ago, we have not been bowed. We have not been swayed. Our cogs continue to grind, and CHIMERA has not died, simply slept. No longer. The 22nd Marine Division is, today, returning to official active duty." This got a cheer. Ever since the vanishing of one of their officers and the massive black spot in everyone's memory that was the events of the Red Line training exercise, CHIMERA had been recuperating as a unit. A loss of one of the trio that made up it's leadership had caused a heavy hit to morale. 

    His speech may have been succinct and curt, but it seemed to reach the men well enough. Perhaps, though the scientist would likely not understand it, that was why it reached them. Anyone familiar with the man would know he had little patience for flowery language or meaningless platitudes. Any praise from him was meant. Folding one pair of arms behind his back, Flynn placed the others together at the fingertips. "We will remain on this island for the next few days, until enough reinforcements arrive to bring it up to the necessary strength. I am putting us on medium alert levels. 1/4th of our forces should be on alert at all times. You will spend the following 6-hour period after guard duty assisting with work on ship and on the base as necessary. The following 2 6-hour periods are to be used for daily maintenance on your kit, training, leave and sleep. Ensure you have at least 6 hours, I want everyone rested. Do not leave the base unarmed.Rotations will officially begin at 1800 hours. DISMISSED!"

    Turning away, he strode back into the base, towards the office he had been allowed to use for their stay there. It seems it's owner had been a noncom who was killed in the attack. Not exactly luxurious, but large enough for meetings, and it was easier than sending runners back and forth from the Avernus to find him. The submarine was currently docked at the port, with the Tindalos gunboats patrolling the area around the island for any incoming ships. 

 Entering the office, he strode behind the desk and sat down, arms resting lightly on the wooden surface. It was time for a talk among his unit's upper echelon. His eyes closed, as he thought, until eventually his ears detected the sound of footsteps stopping outside the door. "Come in." 

[Kami-Gaz]

The last few hours were hard, since the fighting on the island got out of control and the pirates destructive acts under the castle. The cyborg known as Cynthia was thrust into marine duties early due to the base being short staffed because of the mayhem. She was initially meant to wait for her division to arrive to pick her up… but due to the events of the day before she was sent to the dockyards to interview a civilian. This young man was actually a new pupil to her old teacher, a shipwright named Veera Falcone.

With long heavy steps using her robotic lower half, Cynthia would walk forwards, each step making her sound heavier than the small form she had looked. There was a subtle sound of gears and mechanics in each step, barely audible to those who were not listening specifically for it. This mixed with the gentle hum of the core inside of her chest was all the girl could hear as she walked to the door, stopping just mere inches from it. As she brought her hand up to knock, she stopped, or she was interrupted more like.

Shifting her right hand, she would grip the handle and walk into the room, her modified uniform being something that started most it was something she would happily explain to her new superior if it was brought up. The jacket she sported being a brown leather from her shoulders down to the third rib, and down her arms. The lower half was Marine white with the signature navy blue trim, on the back was the marine logo, the seagull of justice. With it being worn open and nothing but her chest covered in a similar brown bikini style top would seem to think she liked to distract pirates she came across.

“Good afternoon Captain Toctic Sir!” She announced as she stood up straight and offered the long armed cyborg a salute. The weight of her footsteps making what should have been a simple shuffle that would barely damage the floor leave a minor groove where her foot was dragged into position. “I am Lieutenant Cynthia Ora-Rippston Eagleton! I... I apologise for not waiting for you here, I was asked to go and interview an old friend over an incident this morning.” She said without alluding to any details about the incident. Once she was allowed, she dropped her salute and was in a more at ease stance. The trainer shoes she was wearing were dirtied from running around all day and trying to help whom she could.

“I believe you know who I am referring too, a peculiar mermaid with a knack for inventing. Whilst she is away the people who commissioned it from her and took off not long after the explosion stole a ship she was building.” With a long sigh after that Cynthia would scan her captain’s body, a slight sparkles lit up in her eyes as she saw his extra appendages. “I can see why Veera likes you.” She commented off hand.

With a quick shake of her head she was back into focus and let her right hand drop to her side and grip the sword handle that was near her shorter than regulation marine skirt. “What is my assignment sir!? May I request it be a part of the R&D team?” She asked, stood to attention again, awaiting his reply.

[Vio]

1

---

Flip… Flip… Flip… The pages of a journal turned rhythmically in the silence, the only sound that broke the quiet and solitude of the room. Delicate fingers danced across the pages, feeling the variable thinness and thickness of the pages with every furl and turn of leaf, whilst eyes the colour of rosé wine scrutinised every little detail. Some folds were as thin and delicate as rice paper, others as thick as the grain of a sketchbook, but all were marked by the same hand in some way or another. These were the leftovers of the legacy of one Commodore Gepetto Anette, written and drawn by his own elegant yet hectic calligraphy.

How long had it been since the elder man’s passing? Perhaps it was a year or so – or maybe a little under? Sometimes it felt like just a matter of weeks, and at others it felt like he had been gone for more than a decade. O, how drastic was the shock of loss upon shaping a young soul.

Nonetheless, Warrant Officer Mari Anette showed no signs of hesitation in carving her way through her grandfather’s repertoire of riddles and references. The series of journals he had left behind were each chock full of knowledge about various matters, from written retellings of events as far back as his own youth to drawings of various works of carpentry. Quite simply put, Gepetto’s very soul was practically oozing from the pages. Just having such documentation close was almost as comforting as the real thing, forever teaching the girl to test her mind and skills and strive for better.

“Why does it seem like there’s pages missing?” the curious carpenter asked, casting her gaze to her closest compatriot. Dressed in lavender and redwood, the exquisite enigma that was Mahogani sat close beside its owner, head bowed and tilted as amber eyes seemed to pierce the pages. The doll did not move all too much, apparently focused upon the journal far more so than might have seemed possible. Mari frowned. Mahogani had seemed somewhat absent for a while now – months had passed since the division’s struggle on the Red Line, and only now were the faction’s remnants regaining their strength. Such events had taken their toll upon the many, but it seemed the roots of loss and the scars of wounded pride ran deeper than just flesh.

^{“Hmmm…?”}

Mahogani’s stance straightened somewhat, raising her pure white chin and seemingly reinvigorated. The puppeteer’s expression shifted to a soft smile. Her carven comrades were as much a part of her being as the blood that coursed through her veins, lending her a sense of empathy when it came to their unusual behavioural cues. Even so, the serene swordswoman soon found herself to be elevated by fair hands, her pride of place upon the pink backpack secured once again as she clung tightly to the carven Katana at her hip.

^{“We’ve kept Flynn waiting too long,” Miss Anette muttered:
“I… I don’t really want to leave the ship, but I have to!”}

Securing her various belongings to her body as necessary, the cherry blossom-haired teenager made one last adjustment to her aesthetic before venturing to the meeting room. Having recently taken the scissors to her hair in the wake of the Red Line Incident, her locks now had a distinct military shortness to them, hanging no lower than her neck. Unfortunately, that meant that such lengths now revelled in the freedom of their own reduced burdens, giving the back and sides a distinctive puffiness. Her fringe still split like curtains, hanging either side of her fair façade, and the placement of a single blue hair clip at the back of her head helped to secure the more unruly coils.

Outside the Avernus was nothing short of hectic, but that did not dissuade her all too much. Compared to the Pirate’s Market, this was a far less oppressive sort of atmosphere, but unnerving all the same. With due haste, the Warrant Officer advanced towards her destination, burdened not by the weight of the wooden woman upon her back, nor by the duty upon her shoulders. Many things had suppressed her so far – her confidence in times of turmoil had been tested far too many times – but somehow she was still a valuable part of C.H.I.M.E.R.A despite her demeanour. By now, all of the specialist division’s men and women had witnessed on at least one occasion just how capable a young woman she was despite her mousy presence and nervous disposition when speaking to those who were more often than not far her seniors.

Sixteen years on the planet, and yet already did she equal men nearly twice her age. In some cases, she even surpassed them, and that had caused a great deal of confusion (sometimes even conflict) amongst the members of Captain Toctic’s division and any immediate associates. By many a Marine’s rights she should have been nothing more than a chore girl, yet here she was, dressed in custom attire that signified her rank as an officer-in-training. The standard Seaman’s garb tailored and coloured to her preference, replacing the standard navy blue with a shade of pink and black boots with white. Unorthodox; yes, but most definitely earned…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

will show up for the meeting next round, if that’s alright with you guys?

Starring…

_{Mari Anette (ffb75c)}

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[Tokoz]

Setting down his notes, the cyborg took the measure of the girl in front of him. Interesting, to be sure. So this was Veera's student in the flesh, then? She had done well at Silvers University, but he didn't know much more about the young woman currently standing in front of him. She was dressed a bit provocatively, it seemed, but honestly that wasn't uncommon, especially among lower ranking members who were proud of their toned bodies. Although he had told a group of soldiers in G-6 that a speedo and oil was not enough uniform. Even if it DID have the Marine Seagull on the groin.

"It's alright, Lieutenant. I would be more annoyed if you had prioritised sitting in an office over work." She had said it was an old friend, but he trusted that she was at least smart enough to know he would be checking on her story. "Take a seat, Lieutenant Eagleton." The chair in front of his desk was pushed in, but in a sudden blur of motion, he stood up, pulled it out, and returned to his seat. It was almost disturbingly fast, given his methodical movements with pen, paper and hand.

When Veera was mentioned, the Captain nodded slightly. He had assumed as much, to be perfectly honest. He unfortunately hadn't seen her much recently. The events that led to CHIMERA's temporary leave had forced him to be away, and so contact had been sparse at best. When the sparkling commenced, his lips twitched slightly, whether in a smile or a frown it was unclear. When the comment about Veera liking him was made, there was a slight motion of his cheeks. In anyone less pale skinned, it might well have been totally unnoticeable, but it seemed as though a patch of pink rose for just a moment. A trick of the light, surely. Everyone knew Flynn Toctic was totally uninterested in the opposite sex in that manner. Also the same sex. Or anything, really.


Her request was considered carefully. "Yes, you can, but there will likely still be a combat involvement. I assume you are alright with that?" His eyes traveled over her blade, her stance, and her general build and appearance. If this woman was unfamiliar with combat, he was a spoiled aristocrat. "Did you have any questions about the assignment? Reservations? Perhaps requests?' He was hoping to learn a bit more about his new officer.

((Sounds good Vi))

[Kami-Gaz]

The man moved with some crazy intense speed… a speed she had trouble keeping track of with even her eyes. That speed was monster like, something only a high-ranking marine could muster. His reaction to the mentioning of her mermaid mentor, was something she did not expect, he was suppressing emotions? Or was he someone who had never really experienced this kind of thing? Either way it was a kind of cute that she had not witnessed before. With a gentle smile she would accept the offer to take a seat and did so at her own leisure.

“Combat is perfectly fine with me Captain, I was raised by A master swordsman who managed to die of old age and illness.” She said before getting comfy, raising her right leg over her left knee and shifting, though her robotic legs and rear could not feel much other than intense pain (when she gets injured). With her sat across from the man she would simply push her hand under her bosom and make a clicking sound. As the hand pulled away, a small hatch swung outwards to reveal her insides, clean and silver-plated; it was empty apart from a single rounded bulge at the top.

“I Had an accident working on a ship while Veera was away one day, it fell on me and crushed my body… Some how Veera managed to save me with the help of some guy who always told stories and smelt like booze. She built me a new body so she wouldn’t have to lose me… some blubbery sentimental reason. It worked but it was reliant on batteries powered by her… So I invented this Vibration Core.” She said be fore plunging a hand within her own torso and pulling the bulge at the top of the cavity down and out. It was a perfect sphere with wires and tubes coming out of the upper half, shaking, always shaking as she held it. “Powered by the vibrations of my heart beat it causes a chemical reaction which generate more than enough energy to power the body… I can even use it to augment my fighting capabilities.”

With a beaming smile akin to the mermaids, she would slowly replace it back into her body. “I want to truly see what this thing can do, if it can be used to help people, power equipment… make a difference…” She said with the same pride that Veera had in her inventions beaming from the young marine, she has the heart to want to do it. She has the guts to stand up for the little people and she now has the power. “Sir. I want to help people. I want to be able to take Veera to her home, to Fishman Island and I want to know when do I start?”

[Vio]

2

---

Knock! Knock! Firm but quiet taps upon the door signifying her arrival, not to mention her manners, the Warrant Officer of C.H.I.M.E.R.A patiently awaited some semblance of recognition before making her entrance. The meeting room in question was anything but flamboyant – much the way that Captain Flynn Toctic liked it, albeit lacking in the usual stylistic choices the cyborg would have made if given the option. In other words, the place was rather bland. That being said, this was not the division’s own facility, but a simple station of operation for as long as they remained here.

“W- Warrant Officer Anette, reporting,” she stated, steeling herself. Mari Anette’s disposition still nothing short of sheepish in the face of new authority, even the girl’s budding confidence seemed to wane in the presence of an unknown face. There, sat opposite from Mister Toctic, was a woman of moderate stature and fair aesthetic. How coincidental it was that the two young women bore some strange similarities; locks of pallid rose and a partial porcelain pigment to their flesh, neither exactly looked the perfect picture of sun-kissed health. However, at least this new face had a reason.

It looks like she’s been converted, too… Silently addressing her carven companion, Mari allowed her rosé hues to scan the woman once over. Though hidden well, the fellow Marine’s physique had tell-tale signs of what her body had been through. Having seen enough of cybernetics to perhaps put her off for life, the timid teen made quick mental notes of the various prostheses that adorned the light-haired lady’s body. Her legs and torso had both clearly experienced some rather heavy modifications, though the exact extent of such development would have to remain unknown for now.

Mahogani’s head tilted, the puppet’s piercing ambers peering over the girl’s shoulder towards Miss Eagleton. What drew the doll’s interest was quickly made apparent – this Marine was a swordswoman.

Deciding that staring and dawdling was probably the most impolite thing to do, WO Anette provided a rather tame salute to her commanding officer before approaching the desk proper. It was a welcome sight to see the silver-haired cyborg again, the man himself somehow looking surprisingly fresh despite the haggardness he had worn in more recent times. Even so, though her concern for those who had changed her life was forever present, she was not here to compliment and condescend. Flynn was a man of science and progress – a person who treated others with equality and respect unless they did something to dissuade such principles.

^{“Um… S- So,” she stammered:
“We’re up and running again…?”}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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_{Mari Anette (ffb75c)}

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[Tokoz]

Some scientists under his employee would have stuttered and asked questions when someone began putting a hand to their chest like that. Flynn merely raised an eyebrow for a moment, until the answer was revealed. It seemed as though she was not only a good fighter, but her inventiveness was much as he had heard. Excellent. The cyborg tapped his fingers together, and nodded. "An interesting technique. I admit, one that I would be hard pressed to use on myself at this point, but I can see potential. Veera should be quite proud of her student." A precise choice of words. Saying Veera had taught her well diminished the girl's own accomplishment in this case, something that would be a tragedy in and of itself.

"Now, however, it would be prudent to put that away. The common conception among the men and women of the 22nd Division is that I am only attracted to mechanical systems, and I would hate to be accused of undue fraternisations." His face was utterly deadpan, and his tone betrayed not a hint of awareness that he was saying was in any way shocking. "As for when you start..." He lifted his hands from the surface of the desk, spinning the papers he had in front of him. "Anywhere from 1-3 seconds, depending on how long it takes you to sign, Ensign."

Looking up, he nodded at the smaller figured, demeanor softening slightly. "Ah, Mari. Wonderful, come in." He gestured, then looked around. "Oh, one moment." He blurred away again, and a mere second later, there was a startled yelp from down the hall. A second later, another chair was sitting in the room, and Flynn was sitting back down.

Regarding the girl, for the first time in a long, long time, a smile came over his face. "Yes, I think we are." Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a pen, and signed a final form. With that done, he also retrieved a Den Den Mushi. Removing the handset, he clicked the button. After a moment, the waiting rustle on the other end listening, he spoke. "All tasks at hand have been completed. It's finally time. Approval has been given, so there's nothing else holding us back."

[Marine Base G-6, Lanza Island Chain, Grand Line]/[Silvers Island, Marine Courtyard.]

A voice crackled over the speakers, whether from the walls or the Den Dens carried by the soldiers. "Attention all hands! CHIMERA and Project Cazador, as of this moment, will recommence operations!" A cheer went up as a flag was run up a flagpole, bearing a Marine symbol with an additional wrench and a large cog. At the bottom were three words.

"Bellator in Machina." The Warrior in the Machine

[Kami-Gaz]

A proud rush warmed what was left of her human body as she heard the compliment from this superior, a kind of rush she had not felt since her first few inventions were shown off to her mermaid teacher. A tint of pink flashed in her cheeks for naught but a moment as he then carried on.

The captains comment on his apparent love for all things technical made the younger cyborg giggle as she playfully juggled her own second heart for a moment in her robotic hand, both powering it and showing off. With her free human hand she quickly signed her name on the forms that were provided. A few moments later new new voice was heard, some one different had arrived and shyly announced her presence. “Um… S- So,” The new arrival stuttered out: “We’re up and running again…?”

The question was not so odd, even Cyn had heard that the CHIMERA division was sleeping like a beast in its lair, as she pondered she did not really pay any mind to the fact that her captain had vanished to go and nab a chair for the cherry blossom that had walked in. Flynn had started his announcement and the vibrating swords-woman quickly put her core back into it’s slot next to her heart and closed the outer door, making her torso look whole again in the process. With a look around Cynthia would see this new arrival finally. The smile that crept up on her face as she saw what can only be described as the most adorable marine in the history of world navy was one that could be read a mile off as a friendly one.

Standing up and twisting her body the cyborg would about face and offer a robotic hand to the arrival. “Lieutenant Cynthia Ora-Rippston Eaglton, good to meet you!” She said offering a small bow of the head as she awaited the handshake. The captain may have wanted to do the introducing but this Lieutenant was quick to jump the gun and wanted to get to know this new arrival. Not because she was to be a member of the same Division, but because something about her caught her eyes.

The wild Lilac haired woman would quickly stand up straight and return her attention to the captain who she had left sitting at the desk. “Sorry Sir… I tend to jump the gun around cute girls.” She admitted without hesitation, bowing her head in apology but still wearing a sort of cheeky smirk. “What are our orders?”

[Vio]

3

---

“Yes, I think we are,” Flynn replied, having once again demonstrated his unnerving mobility. Such action barely made a sound, save for the ruffling of coats and whipping of hair for anyone too close to the man’s chosen path. It was a technique called ‘Soru’ – a technique that only disciplined and potent Marines had a chance to learn. Regarding such acts of acceleration with relative normalcy, Mari Anette nodded to her charge and accepted the seating provided, making sure to devote a few crucial seconds to Mahogani’s needs. The silent swordswoman was retrieved from her throne of a backpack, placed so as to kneel traditionally on the girl’s lap.

^{“Lieutenant Cynthia Ora-Rippston Eagleton,” the woman said:
“Good to meet you!”}

The teenager tensed.

Th– This woman’s a lieutenant…? I– Uh– What do I…? Though many of her character flaws had waned over time, Mari’s chief problem still had quite a way to go before she could conquer it. Having been introduced to the World Navy through rather unusual means, bypassing some of the typical system thanks to the innate nuances and quirks of both Captain Toctic and Vice Admiral Wermengard, she still clung to an undoubtedly nervous disposition. It did not help that she was dealing with someone of higher ranking and merit than herself, her mind momentarily blanking from panic and insecurity as her thoughts frenzied for an answer to the expected etiquette. It really was not that difficult, but this was a girl who had always forgone social interaction.

“Warrant Officer Mari A– Anette, m– ma’am,” she mustered. She extended her own arm, accepting the LT’s hand in a shake weakened by state of nerve. She frowned internally. Had it really been so long that all of her efforts in reclaiming confidence had fallen by the wayside? Dwelling on such things was not a good idea, so Mahogani seemed to say by moving even so slightly. If there was one being that the worrisome Warrant Officer could always rely upon for reassurance, it was the ornate idol that had been carved by her grandfather’s hand. With white façade and amber eyes that defined the rich red-brown hues, decorated further with lavender and rose, the silent samurai’s presence was nothing short of fiery and warm, proud and protective.

^{“Sorry sir…,” LT Eagleton bowed:
“I tend to jump the gun around cute girls.”}

C– Cute…? Cheeks dying themselves a vivid crimson out of embarrassment, her entire visage turned hot. To be frank, the petite puppeteer was not entirely sure of what to make of being called cute by a superior – she had no idea how to react to being called cute in the first place. Fortunately, the girl’s fluster was short-lived. Even Cynthia duly noted that there were more pressing matters at hand, breaking the question that any diligent Marine – officer or soldier – would ask…

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

a much darker colour for my posts, because other shades of purple were either too bright or too pale to read on a grey background.

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Starring…

_{Mari Anette (ffb75c)
Flynn Toctic (c5b7ff)
Cynthia Eagleton (47134e)}

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[Tokoz]

 As Mari entered, Flynn noted the Lieutenant's friendly response. She seemed quite pleased to see the young woman who had earned the respect of most of CHIMERA, and had it from the start from the rest. Even those who hadn't seen her fight had heard excited recounting of her skill. If she had heard of Flynn, then perhaps she had heard of Mari as well.

 She moved over, shaking the younger woman's hand, then turned back and faced him. He wasn't exactly expecting her response, however. 

 Blinking slightly, he nodded. "Well, for now, we need to get packed up and head back to the Grand Line. Relief forces should be arriving soon, tomorrow afternoon if my guess is correct, but they may send forced from a different base. As it is, I have some things for you to look over." His hands blurred, assembling papers from different piles and filling out some new ones. 

 As he did so, he looked over at Mari with one eye. She seemed to be holding up fairly well, after all that had gone on. "Officer An-" He paused, then smiled slightly. "Mari, do note that you can object to the Lieutenant's comment if you wish, but I assure you it was not meant maliciously. You are a polite, skilled, and graceful young woman." The comment seemed almost fatherly, in a way. This air vanished immediately, of course, as he turned back to the Lieutenant, feeling a soothing presence from the samurai doll on Mari's lap. That doll, of all the girl's dolls, seemed special. It was almost as if it was alive, despite the oddities that would lead to. 

 Handing over the packet of papers he had assembled, he turned back to the desk, tapping a pen on his chin. "Right, there was something else I was supposed to be doing, what was it..." On the front of the packet, out of view of Mari but quite apparent to Cynthia. "While I do not fault the intent behind your interest, I should note that Mari is technically my subordinate, but is also a friend. She is also 5 years and several ranks your junior. While I will not get involved in my subordinates personal lives, I am protective of those few I call friends." 

 "Ah, that was it!" His voice cut through the room. "Combat Stress Testing. Come along, Cynthia. Mari, you as well." It sounded quite even handed, but the direct gaze he was tossing to the new recruit made his intent fairly clear. 

[Kami-Gaz]

The reaction to the comment came out perfectly, the porcelain cheeks illuminated by the rush of blood to Mari’s face was an image the cyborg relished, and saved in her mind for later. Cyn would quickly sit herself down in the chair that she had so eagerly jumped out of earlier and awaited the captain's orders. Her pale violet eyes locked onto her superior, watching every motion that he made, barely keeping track of his hands as he whirled them around the desk at such a speed.

The events of the last few days had really done a number on the numbers of world government marines on the Silver Islands, so much so in fact that CHIMERA was bolstering its numbers and aiding in what relief efforts it could until fresh troops arrived. Luckily Cynthia was nowhere near the castle at the time of the incident, she was helping to mop up some of the fighting that had taken place in the streets.

The fatherly comment caught The leather jacketed marine by complete surprise… this captain was far kinder than he was made out to be… Veera had said he was nice, but everyone in the academy and in training made him out to be a monster. A soft smile washed over the woman’s face as she took the packet of papers and looked down at the note that was written on the front. The soft smile shifted to a cheeky smirk as she quickly looked up and let her eyes lock onto the captains. “Understood.” was the only word she uttered before the Flynn realised what his goal was. Combat testing… this was something the thrill seeker could excel at, it was something that even her superiors acknowledged in her time in the boot camp.

“What kind of Combat?” the swords-woman asked as she got up and started to follow, quickly flicking through the packet of papers as she walked. Producing a pen from her leather jacket pocket and taking the initial note Cynthia started to write. “Officer Annette? Will it be okay if i address you as Mari whilst in a combat? I would prefer at all times when officiallity isn't necessary, but in combat shouting titles and ranks gets in the way of communication. You can likewise call me Cynthia, again, no need for anything official when addressing me informally.” The fresh out of officer school Cyn was still showing some of her green. As she finished speaking a note was slipped into Flynn’s hand. “Don’t worry, i will behave.” It said, with a small drawing of a girl giving a thumbs up under the neat handwriting.

“That question also extends to you as well sir...” The metal legged cyborg added as her heavy footfalls joined the echoing sounds that filled the halls of this old silvered castle. The training courtyard was insight now, not long before the power of the Vibration core could be shown off in a combat scenario. Clutching the eastern styled katana that was by her side CORE was pumping herself up, her heart rate already increasing the energy output of the core that was resting close to it. Her normal footsteps seemed to have more and more spring to them as they got closer. “It’ll be nice to stretch my good arm.” The lilac haired woman said, stretching it as best she could whilst holding a packet of papers.

[Vio]

4

---

Fatherly were the words spoken by Captain Flynn Toctic; the kinds of words that had only ever been spoken by her grandfather. That, Mari Anette acknowledged, was strangely welcome in her heart. Though he oft seemed as cold as steel, the man of many arms was anything but icy and callous, once again proving such a fact with something as simple as a few praising words. Though it was a little embarrassing to receive such regards, Mari smiled and nodded in appreciation. Like a father – more like her grandfather – Toctic had recognised her talents, nurtured her and allowed her to grow into something surprising. Still, she was but a meek sapling in the forest that was the World Navy. Not yet a mighty oak.

Are you so intent on proving yourself to anyone with a sword, Mahogani? Miss Anette’s unspoken question had been provoked by her puppet’s minute motions. It was almost as if the intricate idol wished to draw her blade from its lavender sheath then and there and meet Lieutenant Eagleton’s own skill head on, such was the fiery passion welling up inside the carpenter’s heart. That innate connection – the unseen bond between mannequin and maker – had waned as a ship’s wake, but not it seemed to have been reignited. Or, perhaps, it was the woman’s comments still warming the youth’s cheeks.

Flynn snapped her out of her ‘conversation’.

“What kind of Combat?” the LT asked, and then turned to the Warrant Officer to pose yet another enquiry. In any other circumstance ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ would have been used in the field, but this was not any other circumstance. This was CHIMERA, whose preferred methods seemed to compete against the military norms whenever and wherever possible, even if unintended. Mari hearkened back to subliminal bonds, almost as she was posing a question to her carven comrades, despite their distance from her physical being.

Sycamore wouldn’t mind. Sequoia wouldn’t either, but Alder – maybe Teak as well – might see it as rude… What about you, Mahogani…? There was a moment of silence, uncertainty, which stirred the office air at a slow and steady pace. The peculiar puppeteer’s head tilted a little to the right as she mulled over her thoughts, whilst the ivory–faced effigy’s own noggin tilted subtly to the left, amber eyes seeming to analyse Cynthia as rosé hues were lost in a haze of indecision.

“I think th– that’s fine…,” she uttered uncertainly.

^{“Hmph,” grunted rising determination:
“Yes, I– I’m okay with that.”}

Maybe it was a little bit of Mahogani’s own passion rubbing off on her, kindled by the premise of a duel of sorts, but a wave of commanding presence had overtaken the shy soul for just a moment. It was familiar, yet strange, and not something she experienced all too regularly. If anything, Anette’s inner workings were far more complicated than that of any cybernetic organism, even if only from a metaphorical standpoint. Like a fine clock there were many parts that worked in harmony, though often in discord, to drive her on. It was human nature to have flaws, and individuals such as Gepetto and Flynn were the metronomes that helped the girl to keep on ticking in time, despite the shaky nature of her persona. A strange thought, but arguably true.

Soon the troupe approached their destination, guiding by the silver–haired cyberneticist, and again that inner flame flickered wildly. When Toctic mentioned the words ‘stress testing’, it usually meant something few expected. Their Division dealt with a lot of weird and wonderful missions, that much had been quickly discerned by Miss Anette during their exploits in an abandoned laboratory, and to combat that it took a number of equally weird and wonderful members to keep the crew going. The timorous teenager swallowed, part out of nerve and part out of anticipation, when she realised that the Captain probably meant to test Miss Eagleton against one of CHIMERA’s own marvels…

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

[/ul]

Starring…

_{Mari Anette (ffb75c)
Flynn Toctic (c5b7ff)
Cynthia Eagleton (47134e)}

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[Tokoz]

 As they walked, his newest recruit questioned what kind of combat they'd be practicing. He snorted slightly, and cracked his neck. "First lesson of being part of CHIMERA. There's no 'Kinds' of Combat. There's you, and whatever skills, techniques, equipment and even flat-out cheating you can use to win. If that means engaging a sniper with a sword or knocking a building down on top of an opponent, then do it. Try to lower the amount of collateral damage you do, obviously, but still." Flicking his arms, the chains in his joints coiled out and clicked into place, his signature chainsaws ready to go. There was also a new note on the paper. "Good. Also, your I should not be lowercase. Sloppiness is no excuse. Do you want grants? Because that's not how you get grants."

 It also seemed that Core was more than a little relaxed. "You may currently address me as "Captain Toctic", or if we are in combat and speed is of the essence, my ID number." He reached up, loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. "Calling me by my first name is something I allow for those I trust implicitly." Pulling it to one side, he revealed the four symbols tattooed on his pale skin over the Pectoralis Major. 

  CX-0

 He was, for a cyborg, surprisingly well muscled. The metal parts were also quite integrated into his body, traceworks of metal weaving between flesh like the touch of a god of the forge, trailing across their child's form. To anyone with even a hint of knowledge of craftsmanship, it was clear that titanic amounts of effort had been put into this hybrid of man and machine, the human supporting the steel and the steel going where a human could not. Closing his shirt, he began to readjust his clothing. 

 Mari was customarily silent throughout the walk, but seemed to be having a conversation with her puppets. He hadn't exactly mentioned this to her, but he was actually working on a theory about a pseudo-Klabautermann effect with them. They were, like ships, made from wood after all, and so perhaps such a thing was possible. He wasn't sure if that was rude, though, to suggest. He wasn't sure why he suddenly cared. The last time he had cared about someone's feelings had been his sister. That was a can of cog-worms he didn't want to open right now, however. 

 As they moved into the open are in the middle of the fort, he chuckled lightly. "Anyway, combat training. First test wi-" As he was speaking, his step hesitated, and then he spun suddenly on one heel, aiming a hook kick at CORE intended to suddenly throw the recruit into the ring. "ll be reflexes. Second test: 1v1. Mari... Show her what you've got." Giving his friend a smile, the young Captain blurred, and the next moment he was sitting on the top of the wall of their impromptu arena. "Let's get to it." 

[Kami-Gaz]

The question that was asked was answered, in two very different ways, whilst the captain virtually denied it he did mention that he could be called out in combat by his serial code, CX-0. The cute girl holding her puppet as they walked agreed to the idea, in her own way, a way which felt like she was trying to prove something to herself, that she could be assertive. “Then Captain, i shall build up our relationship until we are at least at that point.” She added with her smile seeming to grow ever so slightly as they saw the makeshift training grounds. At the moment she was completely oblivious to the dust and debris that was littering the floor, she could only see the fight.

The metal armed cyborg walked along side with Flynn, shifting her gaze to him as he opened his mouth, it was mid way through his sentence that he made a single odd motion. Feeling like something was going to happen she started to twist her own body and pull her arm up, flinching at the thought of a Veera like electric shock coursing through her system, one that always happened when the woman just felt like it… it was something that was undefendable, so the best Cyn did was prepare to tense. The moment of the kick was fast and Cynthia’s pre-programmed flinch reaction helped her try and block this nigh unstoppable force.

With her hands raised the vibration powered Cyborg managed to clasp her hands on her assailants shin. As she did she hopped into the air. Now using the sheer power and force of the hook kick Cynthia was launched into the arena like area. The landing was not graceful, but the grin plastered on the lieutenant's face was. She landed on her hands and knees and skidded back a few inches leaving grooves in the dusty floor. “Thank Neptune for Veera and her unusual shocks!” The young woman shouted out, quickly locking her eyes on to Mari. This cutie was going to fight?

“Very well! Mari, bring your best shot, i’m pumped and ready for a needed work out.” She said, obviously ready for what was to come, drawing her blade with the her metallic hand, the motion was fluid and clean, there was barely a sound as the blade left its scabbard, as if the draw itself was so controlled the metal didn’t touch the protective layer. “Resonance CORE at seventy Percent, combat use not initiated.” The sword wielding woman muttered as she got into a stance, her free hand was out to the side, ready to deflect flanking blows, her sword holding arm at an angle so the blade was tilted towards Mari. ‘I suppose it’s time to prove why i was selected for this division’

[Vio]

5

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^{“Alright,” the young puppeteer nodded:
“I think you’ve been eagerly waiting for this…”}

Lieutenant Eagleton’s blade was drawn, gleaming in the light. The woman was most definitely a combatant, a skilled wielder of the blade it seemed, but it would not necessarily be Mari Anette who would judge such things. Wasting no time, the Warrant Officer stepped forwards just enough to place her within a comfortable range, and then pushed the ornate doll away from her. In motions just as fluid as the drawing of a blade, she snapped up the twin control bars – simple and smoothed wooden crosses – and twirled them at speed. Out spiralled a sparkling web of steely string, unravelling like thread from its spool and latching onto the body and limbs of the airborne creation.

Ch–Click! Ch–Click! Ch–Click! On after another, the minute hooks of the silvery chords took root at the joints of Mahogani’s otherwise motionless body – an elegant display of dexterity and precision that was rivalled only by the girl’s prowess in carpentry. The speed of such a process had increased twofold since she had first mastered the motions of what she silently referred to as ‘quick binding’, but it was clear that she would not get much quicker on the draw. Any faster and those threads would end up being entangled.

Mahogani, it’s time for the first act, Miss Anette thought as she shifted her stance into something vaguely resembling a combative one. Feet spread, body lowered somewhat, the timorous teenager’s movements seemed to spur the woodwork warrior’s own body into action. Before she had even hit the floor, the Samurai in lavender’s limbs had turned from limp and lifeless to sturdy and poised, landing softly upon both feet as she wrapped carven digits about her own blade’s hilt. In a flash as swift and as elegant as any swordsman, Mahogani was ready for combat.

I don’t usually strike first… I’m better off waiting for my opponent to get into range; otherwise I just make myself more vulnerable than normal… Rosé eyes focused, as too did amber ones, upon CORE’s readied state. It really depended on the situation as to whether or not offence or defence was the best approach – for many it was that one served better than the other. For Mari, however, it depended more upon the battlefield – the ‘stage’ and its ‘performers’ were what determined her state of mind in combat. Sequoia and Teak were more defensive in nature, whereas Sycamore was always eager to strike quickly, deftly. Alder had always been a passive fighter, but Mahogani seemed to want to rush into the fray. It was inexplicable, yet familiar.

We’ll make a compromise then…? The carven combatant nodded gently as its charge manipulated the strings, filling the air between them with faint glimmers of silvery steel. Anette stepped forwards, just a couple of feet, to provide some breathing room. Mahogani advanced towards Cynthia, each stride just half that of the cherry blossom-haired girl – what more was to be expected from something a mere three feet in height? However, the wooden blade did not swing. Pace slowing, the white-faced warrior’s liveliness seemed to ebb from her body, stance weakening despite the amber gaze’s fiery focus. The motions were almost tranquil, serene as the leaves of autumn.

^Nay!

“Dal Niente,” Mari whispered. The strings flickered. Streaks of white raced down the pair’s bonding chords, animating the marionette in an instant. Out of seemingly nowhere, the puppet’s grip upon her blade tightened, swinging sharply from lower right to upper left whilst thrusting forwards – an attack aimed for Eagleton’s sword arm’s shoulder…

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

[/b][/font] – Averages out in offence, defence and speed. Excels in prolonged close-quarters combat against a single opponent.

Dal Niente – A surprise attack; by loosening the strings, Mari can make a puppet’s stance weaken, allowing for a sudden (but often weakened) strike that can catch an opponent off-guard. Good at slipping through an opponent’s defence prior to engaging![/font][/sup][/div][/ul]

Starring…

_{Mari Anette (ffb75c)
Flynn Toctic (c5b7ff)
Cynthia Eagleton (47134e)}

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