In Dreams to Come

[Necroticplague]

It seems like a good amount of the melee has been moved. One of the closer ones has flown out of reach, while the rest have moved down to the yard. Thus, unable to fly, Harem resorts to chasing down the ones who are now on lower ground, bringing the one-women riot to them (before they start taking potshots at her again).

Spoiler: Actions!

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1st:Move over to where the 3 mooks are.

2nd:Split up my normal grapple-attack between 2 of them.

Spoiler: Grapple1

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Main:(1d20)[7]
Aid:(1d20+5)[12]
Aid:(1d20+5)[24]
Aid:(1d20+5)[23]

Spoiler: Attack1

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Main:(1d20)[8]
Aid:(1d20+5)[22]
Aid:(1d20+5)[23]
Aid:(1d20+5)[8]

Spoiler: Grapple2

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Main:(1d20)[14]
Aid:(1d20+5)[9]
Aid:(1d20+5)[19]
Aid:(1d20+5)[16]

Spoiler: Attack2

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Main:(1d20)[12]
Aid:(1d20+5)[7]
Aid:(1d20+5)[7]
Aid:(1d20+5)[6]

[Born]

As Brace's curse took hold of Mandragora's mind, he began to feel real dread for the second time that day. The warlock's words echoed in Mandragora's mind, keeping him occupied enough for the captain to fire a decisive shot into the core of the mass of vines. Now afflicted by a terrible feeling of despair, Mandragora focused his mind and body on recovering.

In his mind, Mandragora cried out to the Truth to guide him on the path of right. "Brace could use right in his life even more than I," thought the vine man. With one last prayer to the Drive for Success, Mandragora focused on breaking free from the curse.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: Staggered.
Standard: Recover from Staggered condition (+2 to active defenses until next turn).
End of turn Will resistance check to remove the curse: (1d20+8)[25]

[Dorni]

Simon

As the 3 mercenaries closed in around Simon, even his fighting skills were not enough to completely avoid all the grabbing hands and enhanced punches. Still, he managed to avoid what might have been a crippling body blow by twisting so that the attack instead merely grazed him.

Even in the middle of the fray, Simon was still calmly assessing everything in the combat thanks to being able to access the building's cameras. Erin was tough, but her injuries were starting to pile up. She needed help. Simon didn't dare send anyone away from the melee below, but he could give her just the information she needed. Harem's swarms had also consistently shown that they lacked the power to punch through the mercs' armor, but they had proven great at hindering their targets and Treetop had no trouble with their armor if she could land a hit. Those two could be devastating if they emulated what the Captains were attempting with Simon. They all just needed the right push.

"Harem, help Treetop handle the hostiles at the rear. Their targeting and defense algorithms are the same as in Simulation 14 at HQ."

With that, Simon launched a flurry of strikes at the already injured Captain, every move brutally precise.

"I don't know what Brace is paying you, but by now your men are getting wrecked. It can't be worth losing the rest of your men. Stand down." Simon doubted they could talk down Brace, but his mercenaries might not be willing to die for his plan.

Spoiler: Actions

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I've realized that Staggered does not go away at end of round. Going to be fixing that.
Trying to communicate the mercs' Dodge/Parry score from Assessment to the rest of the party. If anyone wants to use Routine attacks on the minions, you should now know exactly how much to Power Attack / Defensive Attack / Etc for.

Standard Action: Recover from Staggered. +2 to Active Defenses
Extra Effort: Attack Captain 1. Unarmed Strike (Power Attack 2): (1d20+12)[23], DC 23 Toughness (+Multi-Attack) on hit.
Move Action: Trick Captain 4, Deception 25. If he attacks Simon and misses, Hit Captain 1 instead. (If Captain 1 is incapacitated by Simon's attack, Captain 2 instead)

[Quellian-dyrae]

Brace just scoffed. "Defeat or surrender both lead to the same conclusion - a very long time in prison. I suggest we win, fight on!" the warlock demanded, and the mercenaries did not falter.

[GenericMook]

Erin was battered. Her attacks had missed, but luckily enough, her opponent was unable to hit her. Still, things were getting dangerous. At times like this, what she needed to do was to hold her ground and recuperate.

And that was exactly what she did. Dismissing her blade with a sweeping motion, Erin began drawing upon the ambient energy around her, using it to heal her injuries, while clearing her mind with the exercises that she had used since she was a rookie in the Corps.

Spoiler

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Free Action: Switch to Stoking the Flame

Move Action: Staggered.

Standard Action: Recovering from Staggered. +2 to my active defenses.

Current Status, as of the end of the round: 3 bruises.

[Quellian-dyrae]

The mercenaries continued managing to keep Harem mostly off of them. The battered captain went down under Simon's attack, while Mandragora caught hold of his own attacker. The armor held for the moment, but with the servos down to power its gun's ammo-generator, it couldn't resist the hold, and got yanked hard into melee - a bad place to be while bound in vines. The feeling of doom lifted as his spirit fended off the curse.

Gestalt continued directing his summon to restrict the electricity in the area, attempting to further disable the mercenaries, but the suits were able to withstand the surge.

Rylan took a shot at the captain Mandragora had bound, aiming to take it out before it could escape, while simultaneously lashing out with his mind at Simon's foe, assaulting the captain with a burst of psychic agony. The armor withstood the shot decently, although it took some damage, but the other captain shrieked and clutched his head in pain.

Treetop moved to assist Harem, hammering on the mercenaries with fast, brutal swats of her oversized weapon. Two of them managed to avoid her assault, but the third was crushed beneath the tree.

Reynold, concerned for Mandragora after Brace's curse, turned his powers to his defense, summoning up whirling shields of telekinetic force.

The mercenaries outside finally had a chance at a clear shot. The remaining two took to the air, getting about a hundred feet up, and launched grenades upon the duplicator and the paragon, both firing in synchrony. The fourth one continued firing at Phoenix.

Seeing his curses not proving effective, Brace let fly a flurry of eldritch blasts at the Rainbow Bird that was hampering his troops, aiming to blast it out of the sky. He fired past the heroes and mercenaries in his way with precision a sharpshooter would envy despite the speed he threw the bolts at, and even with the ferocious assault, his protective runes glowed brightly. The bird managed to dodge most of the shots, but the last one caught it solidly...

Mandragora's foe engaged his servos and struck wildly at the vine-man, trying to force him back enough to escape. The force of its attacks was reflected back upon it by Reynold's shield, damaging his armor, but Isaac Newton apparently came through for the mercenary, knocking him free of the vines. The fourth captain managed to recover enough to keep hammering at Simon, but the former soldier circled, shifted, dodged at just the right moment, and allowed the captain's punch to slam his ally, knocking him to the ground. The second, with weapon systems still down, fell back to stand before Brace, guarding him against attack...as best it could from its newly prone position (yes, their tactical computers have algorithms for defending a subject while flat on your back, captains get the cool toys).

Spoiler

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Gestalt (NPC'd this turn): Electricity Restriction on the Captains. Will DC (1d20+3)[4] vs. Nullify and DC 13 vs. Dazed/Stunned/Incapacitated Affliction. Captain 3 and 4 will lose weapon systems, Captain 2 will lose computers.
Captain 2: Dodge: (1d20+6)[10]. Will: (1d20+8)[20]. Resists
Captain 3: Dodge: (1d20+6)[24]. Will: (1d20+8)[12]. Resists
Captain 4: Dodge: (1d20+6)[18]. Will: (1d20+8)[20]. Resists
EDIT: Ah, right, I forgot that particular little flaw of this whole "NPC the characters who haven't posted" idea. I will almost certainly roll at least one natural 1 and have to feel guilty about it afterwards .

Rylan (NPC'd this turn, double play):
Round 1: Magnum Pistol on Captain 2. This resolves as a Finishing Attack since he's Defenseless. (1d20+15)[28]. Toughness ((1d20+8)[27]) DC 25+Multiattack 30 vs. Damage. Bruised
Round 2: Mind Blast on Captain 4. Will ((1d20+8)[13]) DC 25 vs. Damage. Bruised and Staggered

Treetop: Tree Battery on Mercenaries, Multiattacking for 3.
(1d20+1)[10], Toughness ((1d20+10)[12]) DC 27 vs. Damage. Miss
(1d20+1)[20], Toughness ((1d20+10)[22]) DC 27 vs. Damage. Incapacitated
(1d20+1)[6], Toughness ((1d20+10)[27]) DC 27 vs. Damage. Miss

Spoiler: Takedown rolls if needed

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(1d20+1)[10], Toughness ((1d20+10)[23]) DC 27 vs. Damage. Miss
(1d20+1)[8], Toughness ((1d20+10)[29]) DC 27 vs. Damage.
(1d20+1)[2], Toughness ((1d20+10)[13]) DC 27 vs. Damage.

Reynold: Force Shield on Mandragora at (1d10+18)[25].

Air Mercenary: Machine Gun on Phoenix at (1d20+8)[15], Toughness DC 23 vs. Multiattack. Miss

Rear Mercenaries: Grenade Launcher on Harem and Treetop. However, they will resolve as a Team Attack. Dodge DC 20 for half, Toughness DC 25/21 vs. Damage.
And forgot to roll for Treetop here but she takes another bruise.

Brace: Eldritch Bolts on Gestalt, Defensive Attack for 2. (1d20+10)[20], Toughness DC 27+Multiattack vs. Damage. His Precise Attack Advantage negates the Cover Gestalt would otherwise be receiving for the rather cluttered front line. Hit. No multiattack.

Captain 2: Aid action on Brace at (1d20+5)[19], boosting his defense against the first attack against him this round. +2 Bonus

Captain 3: Attack Mandragora with Servo Strength at (1d20+6)[17]. On a hit, Toughness DC 23 vs. Damage, and the Move Object will attempt to knock Mandragora away from him, functionally an Escape at (1d20+1)[16]. If that doesn't free him, he will attempt to Escape with a move action at (1d20+1)[21] (both attempts include -5 for Improved Hold). If he misses, his attack is Reflected back on him by Reynold at (1d20+8)[22] (Toughness (1d20+8)[27]), which resolves as a Finishing Attack since he's Defenseless. Miss. Reflect Hits. Bruised due to auto-crit. Escape succeeds with a natural 20.

Captain 4: Attack Simon with Servo Strength at (1d20+8)[9]. On a hit, Toughness DC 23 vs. Damage and Athletics or Acrobatics DC 18 vs. Trip. On a miss, he is Tricked and the attack resolves on Captain 2 (Toughness: (1d20+10)[28], Acrobatics: (1d20+4)[15]). Miss Laughably. Totally forgot to roll a secondary attack roll, but rolled offline and it hits. Resists damage. Tripped. (And I think I'm gonna rule that since the actual effort of Aiding kinda has to occur in the general vicinity of the attack, the -5 from being prone applies. Not that it changes the result, but maybe the ruling will come up later and I'll forget it and do the exact opposite and someone will remind me and they'll get a Hero Point.)

Current Status:
Phoenix: 3 Bruises. Position: Air.
Rylan: Bruised. Position: Rear hall.
Harem: Bruised (Pending). Position: Roof.

Spoiler: Clones

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Clone 1: Bruised 2, Staggered.
Clone 2: Normal.
Clone 3: Bruised 2, Staggered.
Clone 4: Bruised 2, Staggered.
Clone 5: Bruised.
Clone 6: Bruised.
Clone 7: Normal.
Clone 8: Bruised.
Clone 9: Normal.
Clone 10: Normal.
Clone 11: Normal.
Clone 12: Normal.
Clone 13: Normal.
Clone 14: Normal.
Clone 15: Normal.
Clone 16: In the car! Also Normal.
(All but 16 Pending)

Mandragora: 2 Bruises. Position: Rear hall.
Leviath: 3 Bruises, Staggered (Pending). Position: Rear hall.
Simon: 2 Bruises. Position: Rear hall.
Treetop: 3 Bruises. Position: Back.
Reynold: Normal. Position: Rear hall.

Mercenaries: 1 about 300' up, 2 about 100' above back yard.
Captain 2: Bruised, Prone, Weapons Nullified.
Captain 3: Bruised.
Captain 4: Bruised, Staggered.
Brace: 2 Bruises, +2 Defense this turn, another +2 Defense against first attack this turn.

All PCs are on turn.

[GenericMook]

Erin let out a deep breath as she felt her strength return just as the bullets whizzed past her.

Time to finish this, thought Erin, as she extended her hand and summoned forth the white blade of fire that had been dismissed moments before.

Without another word, Erin launched herself at the mercenary, blade poised to impale the mercenary. Provided the assault killed the mercenary, Erin would turn to the other mercenaries in the air.

Spoiler

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Free Action: Switch to Nova Saber.

Move Action: Fly up to the mercenary shooting at Erin.

Standard Action: Attack with Nova Saber! Let's settle for a routine check (result of 20) to take out the mercenary; If the attack hits, it's a DC 25 Parry save vs. Damage and a DC 20 Weaken Will save.

Takedown and Move-by Action are used to attack the other mercenaries. Likewise, I'll be using a routine check against the other two.mercenaries.

[Dorni]

Simon

Simon wasted no time in exploiting the opening he'd gained by turning the Captain's attack against his own ally. As the surprised mercenary hit the ground, Simon bore down on him with a series of kicks, trying to slam the captain's head against the ground.

"Vines, keep the other Captains off of me!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Standard: Attack Captain 2 (Prone, Power Attack 5) (1d20+14)[18]. DC 26 Toughness
Move: Trick Captain 2 (DC 25). If he attacks me and misses, redirect to Captain 4.

[Born]

Mandragora found that binding up the captains was much easier. It was those darn runes. He'd have to see if those had any significance outside of Brace's dreamer power. Brace may be a powerhouse with his bolts and curses, but with the captains gone, he'd have a hard time keeping up with the heroes.

"Fate, guide my Purpose!" cried Mandragora as he reached once again for one of the unhindered captains.

Spoiler: Actions

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Standard: Lash vines at a presently-unhindered captain.
Unarmed Attack: (1d20+10)[25] DC 25 Toughness check vs. damage and a DC 25 Strength or Dodge check to avoid being grabbed if the attack hits (using all limbs for the grab bonus).

Move: They're probably already all clumped up. But if not, pull. A DC 25 (all limbs) Strength check resists.

[Quellian-dyrae]

The fighting had turned brutal. More than half of Harem's clones were down and bleeding after the grenade, and Gestalt passed out as his connection to his summon abruptly shattered. But Phoenix's devastating assault laid the remaining three mercenaries low, while Simon and Mandragora double-teamed the second captain, leaving its armor broken and useless. A flicker of uncertainty crossed Brace's face, but his eyes narrowed with resolve and he raised his hands, aglow with eldritch power to continue his assault.

Her clones had absorbed most of the force and all of the shrapnel from the grenades, but Harem was still reeling from the impact. She and three of her clones stumbled towards the rest of the group, while three others who had weathered the attack better followed Treetop's lead per Simon's suggestion. The latter hastened not for the thick of the fighting, but over to Gestalt, shaking him awake with the help of the clones.

Rylan took another shot for the most heavily injured captain, Reynold simultaneously launching a cohesive bolt of telekinetic force at it. The bolt cracked the armor and the bullet took out its power core, leaving another captain inert.

The remaining captain fell back, pointed his gun, and joined Brace in raining heavy fire on Simon and Mandragora. Simon dodged every shot and blast, although he could feel the heat of a couple near-misses from Brace. Mandragora was struck solidly by both.

Spoiler

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Harem:
Prime and the three Dazed clones just move closer to the battle.
The three non-Dazed clones follow Treetop and Aid her.
(1d20+5)[16]
(1d20+5)[18]
(1d20+5)[15]

Treetop:
Move Action: Get over to Gestalt.
Standard Action: Attempt a Treatment check to Revive Gestalt (DC 15): (1d20+4)[24]+Aid. Revived

Rylan:
Standard Action: Shoot Captain 4 in a Team Attack with Reynold at (1d20+15)[26]. Hit. +5 Multiattack.

Reynold:
Standard Action: Force Bolt at Captain 4 in a Team Attack with Rylan at (1d20+8)[27] (+5 for TA boost). +5 Team Attack

Toughness (1d20+9)[12] vs. DC 30. Incapacitated

Captain 3, Captain 4, and Brace:
Standard Action: Machine Guns on Simon and Mandragora, Multiattack for 2, All Out Attack for 2. The Captains resolve theirs as a Team Attack.

Simon:
(1d20+8)[16], (1d20+8)[24] (+5 TA), Toughness DC 23+TA. Miss
(1d20+12)[24], Toughness DC 27. Miss

Mandragora:
(1d20+8)[25], (1d20+8)[27] (+5 TA), Toughness DC 23+TA. Hit
(1d20+12)[28], Toughness DC 27. Hit. +2 Multiattack (DC 29)

Current Status:
Phoenix: 3 Bruises. Position: Back/Air.
Rylan: Bruised. Position: Rear hall.
Harem: 2 Bruises. Position: Back.

Spoiler: Clones

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Clone 1: Incapacitated.
Clone 2: Bruised.
Clone 3: Incapacitated.
Clone 4: Incapacitated.
Clone 5: Incapacitated.
Clone 6: 2 Bruises.
Clone 7: Incapacitated.
Clone 8: Incapacitated.
Clone 9: Incapacitated.
Clone 10: Incapacitated.
Clone 11: Bruised.
Clone 12: Bruised.
Clone 13: Incapacitated.
Clone 14: Bruised.
Clone 15: Bruised.
Clone 16: In the car! Also Normal.

Mandragora: 2 Bruises (Pending). Position: Rear hall.
Leviath: 4 Bruises, Staggered. Position: Rear hall.
Simon: 2 Bruises. Position: Rear hall.
Treetop: 3 Bruises. Position: Rear hall.
Reynold: Normal. Position: Rear hall.

Captain 3: Bruised, -2 Defense this turn.
Brace: 2 Bruises, -2 Defense this turn.

All PCs are on turn.

[DukeGod]

"Thank you" Leviath says to Treetop as she awakes him. And Harem's clones he guesses
Seems like someone had taken his bird out...He wasn't sure if his creatures needed time to recover, but either way, it was best to change to something else. So, with a deep breath, he summons Iron Knight instead

As the clank of metal warns him of the arrival, before the armor has time to say a word, he directs it into the fray

The giant figure will probably have some difficulty to get past the door

Either way, he makes damn sure to stay behind it this time. Let's see Brace dealing with this one

Oh, and he should protect Simon too
"Craftiezel, guard him!"
"Yes, my lord. AEGIS! My allies will fear no attack!"

Spoiler

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Yay! I'm back
Changing my array to Iron Knight, I was planning on changing for some time, but then I got staggered and the bird was just the most useful in those conditions. It still really is, but I'm gonna get taken out again if I use it

Free: Changing Arrays
Standard: Deflect on Simon
(1d20+7)[14] for new defense

[Dorni]

Simon

Simon was a professional. He wouldn't smile, but his team had the advantage and the enemy was falling back. They couldn't get careless, but now was the time to press the advantage and finish the job. The next step was to cut off their retreat - Brace had been able to move remarkably quickly to get down to the first floor so quickly and Simon's team lacked the same mobility if Brace decided to run.

"Reynold, cut off their escape route! Harem, cover him! This ends here!"

With that, Simon charged, keeping low to the ground. Reckless, leaping charges were for amateurs. As he closed the distance, he felt Gestalt's glowing shield materialize around him. As he closed in with Brace, his look was positively wolfish. Under the protective cover of the shield, Simon's strikes lost their careful restraint as he cut loose

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: Move to melee with Brace/Captain
Standard: Attack Captain w/Nerve Strike (Toughness) (Power Attack 5, All-Out 5): (1d20+14)[17]. DC 26 Toughness vs Damage & DC 21 Fort vs Weaken(toughness)

[Dorni]

Simon

"Hoo-Rah!"

Simon abruptly shifted away from the captain and turned his flurry of attacks on Brace himself. Those defensive runes had so far protected him, but when faced with a hard target, the first thing to do was break down that target's defenses.

Spoiler: Actions

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+ Extra Effort: Attacking Brace with Nerve Strike (Fort) (PA 5, AOA 5) (1d20+14)[24], DC 26 Toughness vs Damage, DC 21 Fort vs Weaken (fort)

[Born]

Mandragora's tough, barky skin was thankfully able to withstand the captain's shot. Against Brace's barrage of bolts, however, he was somewhat more vulnerable. A solid hit to the chest briefly knocked the wind out of him, and it hurt as well. He knew he had to get to the sunlight to recover soon, or the assault would wear him down.

For the time being, he could reach the captain and Brace from the sunlight leaking in through the entryway. He would head there, then get back to grabbing.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: Dazed.
Standard: Trading in for a move action to move to the sunlight in the building's entryway

[GenericMook]

"Mercenaries on the top are down. Simon and Gestalt, what are your current statuses?" said Erin, holding one hand to the earpiece she used for communication in the field.

Spoiler

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Talking is a free action!

[Dorni]

Simon

"Engaged with Brace at entry point!"

[GenericMook]

"Roger that. Phoenix out."

Erin turned around mid-air, and maneuvered her way towards the rear, using her flight capabilities less for actual flight, and more for a controlled acrobatic descent, as she'd trained to do so many times. Once she was in the hallway, this changed to what more-or-less amounted to propulsion-assisted parkour, using the walls and ceiling to maneuver her way through the site of battle.

Erin launched herself from the ceiling, sweeping outwards with one hand as the white blade of fire returned in her grip. She made eye contact with Brace for a brief moment, before swinging her blade downwards, using her momentum for a vicious strike.

Spoiler

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Move Action: Fly to Brace.

Free Action: Switch to Nova Saber.

Standard Action: Attack Brace. (1d20+10)[24]; If the attack hits, it's a DC 25 Parry check vs. Damage and a DC 20 Will save vs. Weaken Will.

Current Status: 3 Bruises

[Quellian-dyrae]

The remaining captain's powered armor began breaking away under Simon's assault, and Brace's runes began to waver, forcing him to take a moment to concentrate to maintain his defense.

They stabilized just in time to keep Phoenix from skewering him. The runes deflected the weapon aside, keeping it from cutting Brace's skin, but doing so took yet more energy that the warlock did not have to spare.

"Any time," Treetop replied, and she advanced to the front lines, taking a hard swing at Brace.

Reynold and Rylan were quick to capitalize on the opening Simon had provided, firing bullet and force bolt at the damaged captain. Reynold's attack cracked open another piece of the armor, allowing Rylan to drop the captain with a precise shot.

Harem advanced, but with the front lines rather crowded, she didn't bother pushing ahead. With every step she took, though, one of her existing clones vanished, and a new one split off, at the same pace but a slightly different angle, so that by the time they entered the hall, the full force of them were standing in a battle-ready formation.

"Alright, hold, HOL-," Brace was interrupted there as Treetop's fist smashed into his face, although his runes absorbed most of the force. "Blast it all HOLD! I would negotiate terms!" he demanded, holding his arms above his head.

The remaining captain ceased fire immediately at Brace's words, although he still stood ready, a grenade slotted and aimed at the group.

Spoiler

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Treetop:
Move: Get to the front.
Standard: Attack Brace unarmed at (1d20+8)[26], Toughness ((1d20+8)[21]) DC 23 vs. Damage. Bruised.

Reynold:
Standard: Force Bolt on the captain at (1d20+8)[20], Team Attacking with Rylan at +5 from Teamwork. +5.

Rylan:
Standard: Shoot the captain at (1d20+15)[23], Team Attacking with Reynold. Hit. Multiattack +2.

Captain's Toughness: (1d20+6)[11] (DC 27). Incapacitated.

Harem:
Move + Standard: Advance and resummon.

Brace:
Standard: Defend at (1d10+22)[23].
Free: Offer surrender.

Captain:
Standard: Ready an action to use Grenade Launcher if the heroes press the attack.

Current Status:
Phoenix: 3 Bruises. Position: Rear hall (front ranks).
Rylan: Bruised. Position: Rear hall (mid ranks).
Harem: 2 Bruises. Position: Rear hall (back ranks).

Spoiler: Clones

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Clone 1: Normal.
Clone 2: Normal.
Clone 3: Normal.
Clone 4: Normal.
Clone 5: Normal.
Clone 6: Normal.
Clone 7: Normal.
Clone 8: Normal.
Clone 9: Normal.
Clone 10: Normal.
Clone 11: Normal.
Clone 12: Normal.
Clone 13: Normal.
Clone 14: Normal.
Clone 15: Normal.
Clone 16: In the car! Also Normal.

Mandragora: 2 Bruises. Position: Rear hall (entry).
Leviath: 4 Bruises, Staggered. Position: Rear hall (entry).
Simon: 2 Bruises. Position: Rear hall (front ranks).
Treetop: 3 Bruises. Position: Rear hall (front ranks).
Reynold: Normal. Position: Rear hall (mid ranks).

Brace: 5 Bruises, Defense 23 this turn.

All PCs are on turn.

[GenericMook]

Even after Brace surrendered, Erin didn't lower the blade of white fire. Instead, she raised the blade, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"Negotiation? Sorry, Brace, it doesn't work like that, especially after you took hostages. You're coming with us. Order the mercenaries to release the hostages, and tell them to surrender peacefully. Or, I suppose, the rest of your mercenaries get to go through what happened here and on the rooftop. Do I make myself clear?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Of course, that is the only realistic outcome for this situation. But my men go free. Or I can give the order for them to execute the hostages. The choice is yours," Brace's reply was a steady mix, of grim determination and pragmatic resignation. His voice was calm and polite, perhaps even dignified, but with a chilling lack of emotion as he voiced the alternative to his demand.

[GenericMook]

Erin gave Brace a level stare. She wasn't going to be intimidated, but asking for the mercenaries' freedom was unusual.

"Or, by virtue of you even threatening lives, I can cut you down right now. As it stands, Brace, you have a chance of seeing your daughter after we figure out what happened. You do this, Brace, then I have to explain to one girl why her father died. Do you want that, Brace?" asked Erin, her right hand tightening around the blade of flame.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"And risk the lives of a few dozen innocent people? Just so, what, you can add a few more goons to your arrest list? Somehow I doubt it. Let's be reasonable. You've got your villain," he spat the word with disdain. "Apprehended the big bad Warlock. There's no reason to escalate the number of people who get hurt here."

[Dorni]

Simon

"Whoa there, spitfire," Simon cut in, growing alarmed at the Captain's threats. Whether they liked it or not, Brace could still order his men to execute his hostages at any time. He looked the Captain in the eye. "There are already enough kids in this city without parents today. There are more kids whose parents are still in the building. Lets end this here."

The old soldier turned to Brace, still on guard. "Brace, we can talk, but SIDE is already on its way. Here are my terms: you order your men to leave their suits at the front of the building and retreat. We can't promise immunity from SIDE, but Hero Corps doesn't pursue them. You also cancel the contract you've got for the two squads in waiting. You'll stand trial, but we won't point the Assembly lawyers at your men."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Brace's brows raised slightly when Simon mentioned his reserve troops, clearly taken somewhat aback.

Spoiler: Insight DC 22

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And also clearly annoyed and concerned. His hesitation is just a touch too long; you can tell he's trying to figure something out. And apparently failing to do so; before he speaks, you see a flicker of resignation cross his features, and you notice his voice sounds just a bit deflated.

"Permit me to open a gate for my forces to ensure they are safely conveyed from the area, and you have a deal. You may take whatever precautions you wish against me using it myself or calling in further aid with it. I trust such a matter will be trivial to such an assembly as yourselves."

[Dorni]

Simon

The old soldier didn't respond for a moment, weighing the risk of the warlock's request against his apparent resignation. If Brace was trying to fool them somehow, the soldier didn't see it. "Done. Call off your men."

[Born]

Relieved to see that Brace had finally given up, Mandragora took some time to relax and recover in the sunlight. He figured it would be best to let the professionals handle the negotiations - he could only get in the way.

While listening to the conversation, Mandragora cautiously kept an eye on the situation, ready to grab Brace if he tried anything funny.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Brace gave a short nod, speaking into presumably a commlink, "This is Brace. We are surrendering. Release the hostages and stand down. Everyone who is still active, gather up everyone who are unconscious or whose armor is disabled. Get everyone gathered outside, then remove your armor and prepare for tele-that is an order. It is not up for debate. Yes, I understand I will lose my deposits." he looked at the heroes with some exasperation and muttered, "As if I hadn't lost them already at this stage." Then again to the commlink, "Assemble in the rear parking lot. And move quickly, we have a limited window of opportunity here. Be there in one minute unless you want to be dealing with SIDE. Brace out."

[Dorni]

Simon

As Brace radioed his men, some of the tension left Simon. It wasn't that he trusted Brace; the soldier didn't, but he did trust that Brace didn't have a better option. "Harem, secure the hostages and sweep the building."

Simon stepped aside, opening a path for Brace, addressing the Captain as he did. Simon was sure there would be a conversation later about going over the Captain's head. Later. "Phoenix, one of us should go check on the Mayor while the other takes the team and oversees the withdrawal. Your call."

[GenericMook]

"Either one is equally important, but I'll trust that you can handle the withdrawal. Keep a close eye on them, and I'll send a situation update to SIDE," said Erin, nodding to Simon and heading off in the direction of the Mayor's office. She wasn't using her flight capabilities, however, as providing SIDE with a mission update was difficult enough when typed with only one hand.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Harem nods to Simon, heading further into the building to escort the hostages out...and as they go, the duplicates start disappearing, one by one, until only the real Harem remains to blend with the crowd and get out of the area before SIDE arrives and the bureaucracy starts. SIDE acknowledges Phoenix's report and gives an ETA of about a minute.

It doesn't take long for the mercenaries to assemble; eight in total still in their armor, with two others unarmored and sporting injuries. The armored ones gather up their disabled comrades and captains, following Brace as he heads to the parking lot. Reluctantly, and with some prodding from Brace, they remove their armor as well, and the Warlock opens up a portal that leads into some large warehouse. No one is within (or at least, not visible from the portal), and the room it opens to doesn't have any features that would serve for identification.

"One of you send for my lawyer. That is my final order for your unit; upon its completion, consider our contract terminated," Brace said as the now-unarmored mercenaries filed through the gate. He closed it behind them.

"Well," he said, crossing his arms and looking Simon's way. "I do hope you have some plan in mind for getting our people back, because you managed to shoot both of mine to pieces. I assume your Regional Commander wouldn't have the stomach to perform the ritual that I had prepared, but in case he grows a sense of scale before midnight, the components are all in the mayor's office."

Up in that office, Mayor Hawkens was standing behind her desk, a laser pistol aimed only-somewhat-shakily at the door when Phoenix walked in, but when she recognized the Hero she gave an audible sigh of relief. "Did you get him?" she demanded, first thing, and she sounded more angry than afraid.

The sound of sirens could be heard, in the distance but rapidly closing.

Spoiler

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Victory! Everybody gains a Hero Point!

Now that you've had a chance to see how your characters work in battle, you may take this one more opportunity to make changes to your character sheets if you wish. This will be your last chance to do so until you gain PP at the end of the first adventure.

LoP, you can make adjustments up until your first battle, and you'll get a final opportunity to do so after it as well. You can feel free to bring your character in as SIDE arrives if you want, or you can hold off until the next scene, whatever suits you.

And if anyone has any comments/critiques/suggestions/whatever about the game so far, now's as good a time as any to let me know in the OOC. Likewise, this post covered a bit of general wrap-up stuff for the sake of keeping things moving, but if anyone wants to take an action "during" this time rather than after it, feel free to do so.