2017-05-26: Reconnaissance Amongst the Flames
- Cutscene: Reconnaisance Amongst the Flames
- Cast: Ambrosius
- Where: The Streets of Adlehyde
- Date: 26-05-2017
- Summary: While Adlehyde burns, Ambrosius studies its attackers from the shadows...
Somewhere amidst the burning streets of Adlehyde, a family runs from a Metal Beast.
From an alleyway, a man in a maroon-colored poncho observes the scene with a hint of disgust. From within the poncho, an ARM is drawn - a revolver, specifically. He trains it on his target, and fires.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
There is the sound of a human body hitting the ground.
---Several hours earlier...---
It was supposed to be a simple visit. Business. On headquarter's orders, Ambrosius was to investigate anyone who may know anything about 'Malevolence'. He was hunting down a few leads when it happened - the sky split upon, and from it invaders poured forth.
It was putting a damper on proceedings, really. He had been forced to call off the operation in light of this new occurrence. Now, his time was spent watching these...creatures, as they went about their business.
Some of them seemed intelligent, while still others seemed...less so. But they all had similar traits and features, even among vastly different members.
There had been several close run-ins. Sometimes they saw or heard his poncho fluttering in the shadows, and went to investigate. He could not tell if their senses were merely that refined, or if they had other methods of detecting him.
He was not afraid of encountering them, per se. He was certain that he could handle them in one-on-one combat, if need be, but his greatest concern was that the combat would draw more attention to him than necessary. Or worse, that he may be mistaken for one of them and be attacked by those protecting Adlehyde.
For that reason, stealth was essential. It was not his specialty, but in this situation going unseen was important. So, from alleyway to alleyway he moved. He devoted himself to studying them from the shadows. Avoiding their attention when possible, and retreating when he deemed it necessary.
But he could not but feel a pang of sorrow, somewhere deep within. All this destruction was unnecessary. What was the point of it all? He did not wish this, even upon the humans.
He didn't understand.
---The present...---
Somewhere amidst the burning streets of Adlehyde, a family runs from a Metal Beast.
From an alleyway, a man in a maroon-colored poncho observes the scene with a hint of disgust...but we have already discussed him, and why he is here.
"Hurry! It's...it's catching up to us!" The one at the head of the human family urges. This statement was not entirely true - or, at least, the spirit of it wasn't. The Metal Beast was indeed catching up to them, but it could have done so at any time. It was toying them.
Ambrosius knew this.
He draws his revolver, Conversator, from its holster, trains it upon his target...and fires.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The sudden sounds causes one of the humans - entirely unused to such stressful situations - to panic, trip, and fall. There is a frightened cry from the other humans as they turn to look towards the fallen human, frozen by fear of the Beast and unable to bring themselves to rush towards their aid. Fortunately for them, the Metal Beast was too distracted by the rounds impacting its skull that it could not take advantage of the fallen human's prone state.
Lamentably, three rounds was not enough to kill the Beast - but it is enough to draw its attention.
It turns towards the alleyway, a bestial growl like straining steel echoing out from it. It tenses, then lunges. It is too large to fit in the alleyway, but that is no issue - it smashes right through the buildings on each side, sending dust and rubble all over as it rages toward its assailant.
But...he is no longer there.
From the roof above, Ambrosius observes the Metal Beast's progress. Before it can think to look up - or worse, just take out the entire building and send him crashing down along with it - he turns to walk away and reaches into his poncho once more.
By this time, Conversator had already been returned to its holster, so there was no need for that. Instead, he draws out a small device - a communicator, to those versed in technology more advanced than was typically present - and quickly stows it away once it has served its purpose.
He sends a single sentence.
'How much data do we have on Metal Demons?'