accidental video; tyrant player plot | cw zombie horror

[makingthetime]

—dealt with these things, I had a tank and someone throwing Lickers at one to distract it. And we barely made it out of that one.

[The video feed opens on what looks like the flat roof of a building, chimneys visible in the background, with Leon leaning against the wall of a penthouse, his arms crossed. He looks like someone who just barely managed to get away from a fight he did not win, with one hand discreetly holding his side so it’s not obvious that it hurts. The other hand has a flask of alcohol, currently capped. Wesker has his back to the device, busy reloading a handgun magazine while, given his posture, watching something below them.]

Too bad we haven’t any Lickers to throw at it now, at least as a diversion, though now that I’ve said it, some might come skittering through the portal.

God, don’t even mention those. [Leon’s head falls back against the wall with a sigh.] I can’t let this thing stay in Trench for too long. The zombies are bad enough, but a Tyrant, even just one—you know better than I do, how bad that’s going to be. Especially if I have to bring more people in and risk their lives, too.

[Wesker slots the magazine into the Samurai Edge before re-holstering it and proceeding to reload a second magazine.]

There are any number of Hunters and other talented folk who could overwhelm it, if they throw enough firepower of all varieties at it, at once. [He turns his head to look in Leon’s general direction.] We didn’t exactly rate Tyrants to contend with magic fire or something just as beyond our frame of reference. [He says this with a wry amusement borne of an expert intrigued by the challenge offered from a design flaw.]

You didn’t rate them to contend with anti-tank guns either, if I recall. [Deadpan, and just a little bit bitter, like he heard that amusement and doesn’t entirely like it. Leon lets out a breath.] Don’t suppose you’ve got a rocket launcher around here somewhere?

Chalk that failing up to rushed production. [Wesker notes this with a hint of annoyance.]  With the assortment of weapons needed on a daily basis to contend with Beasts, I’d be curious to know if someone has a cannon, which would be the nearest pre-Industrial equivalent. [He suddenly goes still, then slowly turns his head to peer over his shoulder at something behind him.] Cypher… you aren’t transmitting this conversation, are you?

Just tryin’ to ‘elp. Boss. [A small chastened voice speaks.]

What, your weasel? [Leon shifts his weight, then exhales, looking a little like someone caught doing something they know damn well they shouldn’t have.] Shit. Looks like he did—

[He cuts himself off with a pained hiss, but straightens up anyway. All right. Fine.]

Well, if he’s recording anyway we might as well make it a PSA.

At least to inform folk of the presence of the intruder, or to recruit reinforcements.

[A pained look crosses over Leon’s face, at the latter suggestion.] I’d rather avoid that last part. It—didn’t turn out well for me, before. [But he sighs, because Wesker, god help them all, has a point. To the weasel recording them, he gives a tired wave with the hand holding the flask.] So. I’m going to guess you all heard that, so I’ll just get to my point: there’s a very dangerous BOW—bio-organic weapon—on the loose. It’s called a Tyrant, and it’s a very tall, very bald monster in a trenchcoat. And if you happen to get anywhere close to it, it can and will kill you.

[Wesker turns fully towards the Omen, pocketing the spare magazine.]

And before any of you decide to go haring off to play the conquering hero and single-handedly defeat this biological colossus, be warned: it was designed to be an army in one unit. If you attack it, do so in numbers. Those of you with long-range magical skills are best suited to wearing it down, making it possible for those with ranged weapons - high powered firearms, flaming bows and arrows, even hurling boulders at it - to stand a chance at damaging it. Do not attempt to engage it with swords or fists or anything else that will bring you into close contact. It can and will cave in your skull with one blow. [A small but weighted pause.] I know this well because I helped to create the prototype of this entity. [There’s a hint of pride, but also a hint of ‘oh crap, I brought this thing into this’ world.]

He’s not wrong. I’ve fought Tyrants before, and each time I just barely made it out alive. And I always had help in finishing it off—chances are you won’t. If you see it coming near you and you’re alone and unprepared for it, you need to run and hide. [Unlike Wesker, Leon doesn’t sound proud, just very grave and serious.] About the only good news I have is that it’ll move on if you’re hidden well. As for taking it down for good, I’m. Still working on that.

[He knows it’ll take a team to do it, but—the last time he led a team they all died and turned in the morgue. If he has to watch more people die on his watch because of his mistakes…]

Correction: We’re still working on that. [And for once, Wesker sounds serious.]

Right. We’re. [Exhales.] Be careful out there, in the meantime. Don’t try and be a hero, you’ll only get yourself killed.

[ ooc: for this player plot! blue is Leon, red is Wesker. ]

Comments

[Action] [Closed to Leon]

[subject_013]

[Wesker turns his gaze on Cypher, his jaw set. The Omen sits up on its hind legs, teeny paws clasped.]

Go down there and make yourself useful.

Got it, boss. [The Omen skitters across the roof to the parapet, and in the process, enhances in size from not much longer than Wesker's hand to the size of a small bear. Once on the parapet, Cypher perches for a moment, then dives off, nose first.] Geronimoooo!

[If Leon should peer over the edge, he'll glimpse Cypher bounding off in the direction of the Tyrant, tail bristling, nose pink and eyes blazing red.]

I suppose I should apologize for hauling you up here so unceremoniously, but I think we can agree we had exigent circumstances.

[makingthetime]

Don't think mine can do that. [Leon's words come out accompanied with a pained hiss. God, that blow hurt.] Yeah, don't waste the effort, I get why you did it.

[A pained sigh.]

They're gonna try being heroes anyway, aren't they. [He doesn't sound resigned, just very worried. A concerningly high number of Sleepers are exactly the type of people who would risk their lives to take down something like the Tyrant, simply because it's a danger to others.] That damned weasel.

[subject_013]

Some can, some can't. I've suspected he may have some wolverine in him somewhere.

Unfortunately, that's what a fair number of Sleepers do: there's a number of young, well-meaning hot heads among them. Small comfort that it is, may the sea bring them back.

[He looks away, as if watching through Cypher's eyes.] It's no comfort to you, but perhaps seeing this creature rampaging here, in this world that is become a second home to me, is meant to serve as some penance for me.

[With the driest of snerks, he continues.] Chew the little wretch out all you like, once he returns. It wouldn't be the first time he's transmitted something awkward, though I hope he learns his lesson after I've sent him on a merry chase, distracting our unwelcome guest.

video | un: Da Silva

[rosae]

( Rose may act too rashly at times — jumping into danger when perhaps she shouldn't — but she's not stupid. Clearly, what they're describing is so far beyond the scope of her capabilities to handle that she should run from this as much as she can.

But she knows the horror of realising your world is where the terrifying thing came from. The terrors of Silent Hill have been roaming around this place, and she feels a certain responsibility. )

Things from my world have showed up from those portals, too. Monsters. ( She draws in a sharp breath, steeling herself. Sometimes, it still feels like a bad dream. But she knows better than that. )

...This thing sounds bad. Really bad. ( ....Maybe even worse than Pyramid Head (gasp). And if it's walking around freely in this place, where there are children? She can't just stand by. She won't. Rose is not an imposing-looking woman, but there's a clear resolve in the way her jaw tightens and her posture stays straight. )

If there's anything I can do to help get rid of this thing and make it safer for people around here, I'll do it.

[makingthetime]

What a crap-ass club we've joined, huh. [The light joke falls flat, maybe partly because Leon's still hurting from that blow he took, or maybe because he's trying to stuff his terror at bringing more people in to get slaughtered. Goddammit, Cypher. God-fucking-dammit.]

You think it sounds bad? Trust me, facing it's worse. [He wishes he were exaggerating. He wishes he were filtering this through the half-forgotten terror of a rookie cop trying to make it out of a hellhole alive. The thing is, he's not, the last time he faced these things down had been in 2011, and that was, what, just over three years ago?

When are these things going to stop plaguing him? Christ.]

Don't know. But if you really want to help, knowing the risks—[the deepest sigh.] There's other people here offering, maybe we can figure something out. But don't go anywhere near this thing without an escape plan and at least three contingencies.

Re: video | un: Da Silva

[subject_013]

There's a lot of that going around these days. [He says this dryly, yet at the same time, he's deadly - heh - serious.] I have to ask... besides seeing creatures emerge from those portals, did you catch glimpses of any alternate versions of yourself, through the portal as if through a window?

I'd advise you to keep as far from Lumenwood as you can, since it seems to be lingering there, likely drawn to my presence. But... if you do come here, sound the alarm. Warn people off streets if you see it coming. Get as many townsfolk as you can into shelters. The Lumenarium is opening its doors to any non-combatants and to anyone who's injured by this intruder. [He still feels that he owes her a debt of gratitude and protection, but he knows she has it in her to help protect others, however she can. And he can't help thinking this world - and his place in it - are better for having her in it.]

Video UN: glyphywitchy

[imaglyphwitch]

[Holy heck, but that sounded SERIOUS.

Luz didn't like the idea of something like this around and loved even less that it would be Leon AND Wesker getting involved in taking it down, meaning they'd be painting a target on their backs. Luz may have just started to get to know Leon, but she knew Wesker longer, and the idea he might be hurt had her paying attention.

Then, of course, there was everyone ELSE to think about, including her family. No way she was going to let this thing be another Leviathan situation. She had to do something].

Might be able to take it out with glyph magic, or at least slow it down. Not only that, I can get its attention by air.

How well does it move against a quick target? Is it able to jump very high?

[makingthetime]

What—No, you're not getting its attention, it'll kill you. [God, this is exactly why he didn't want to make this PSA. People will get hurt, cleaning this up.

A tired sigh.] If you piss it off in some way, or remove that coat, it gets very, very fast. It can't jump very high, but the first time I ever saw one of these things, it was strong enough to punch through a wall. I'd say it'd be strong enough to throw something at you that'll knock you right out of the air.

...if I told you not to help, you'd try anyway, wouldn't you.

[imaglyphwitch]

I'm not just saying that to boast, I promise! When we were in Deerington, I had to outrun a lot of monsters in the last month. I know they're not easy to avoid, but it can be done.

[What was more, Luz was not going to take this lightly. It might be one of the most dangerous missions she was a part of, and she knew she was going to have to keep glyphs handy].

I know how to avoid things thrown at me, and I have ways to counteract too. As long as there are other people getting involved, I want in.

To get something that dangerous taken out before it kills a whole bunch of people? You bet I would.

Re: Video UN: glyphywitchy

[subject_013]

Glyph magic would probably slow it down, especially if you have your Omen or someone else distract it. If it's still clad in its trench coat, it's slower and less strong. But once the coat comes off, usually from damage, it's stronger and swifter, not lightning fast. Though since it's long-legged, it can cover a good deal of ground rapidly. That and it can jump fairly high if it has a good reason to, though it tends to focus on nuisances that are close by to it. It can think, but it's not the brightest coin in the jar.

Re: Video UN: glyphywitchy

[imaglyphwitch]

[Looks like Wesker was actually evaluating what Luz could do and not outright telling her she needed to stay put and let them handle it. That told her all she needed to know about how much of a threat this thing was right there].

So for the purpose of not getting hurt, it sounds like it'd be best if I stayed off the ground. I can do that. I can cast from the staff and avoid incoming projectiles, and cause it some trouble with combined glyphs. So that can at least give it some trouble while other people strike it on the ground if you can get close enough.

But you said the type of attack we need has to be hard, right?

video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[usually, Tinya is all smiles, despite what awful thing may be happening to her.

but that's things happening to her. to others? she's deadly serious, despite her pretty little princess demeanor]

By ranged, I have Coldblood abilities. I haven't had the chance to test out exactly how far away I can be from a target and still do damage, but there's no time like the present, hmm?

[makingthetime]

[Cool! Great! More people trying to get killed! This is exactly what he was hoping to avoid!]

This thing isn't something you can test your skills on. If it catches you alone, it will kill you. Hell, even if it catches you in a group it'll still try to kill you and everyone else, but you'd have a better chance of surviving.

[Massaging his temples and hissing in pain as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. God, he did not miss confronting Tyrants.]

If you're going to insist on helping, you'd better figure that out, and fast.

[unphase]

[one of the things she hates most in the entire galaxy is being talked down to and she certainly felt that way. however, this thing sounds like bad news, so she's going to play nicely]

It won't catch me alone. I can fly. And I've been in life or death fights with beings as powerful as Superman. Many even more powerful. Thank you for your concern, I appreciate it. I'm always careful.

[butter wouldn't melt in her mouth]

Re: video: un; apparition

[subject_013]

Too bad the test scenario isn't better contained, but there's really one way to find out. [He says this a bit dryly, at once a bit flippant and yet deadly serious.]

If there's any consolation, this creature susceptible to fire, and as they say around here, there's nothing that burns hotter than Coldblood.

[unphase]

[finally, someone who gets it] It certainly seems that way, yes. [equally dry. she's expecting something on the level of just below Darkseid, just above Daxamites]

Then I'll have to start practicing my fire and make sure that in particular is strongest and has the best range.

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

Would collapsing a building on top of it be at all effective?

[Maul is serious. Wesker is family now and Maul protects his family with everything he's got. Besides, the other man has helped him out many a time, so Maul's prepared to have his back in this situation.]

[makingthetime]

It might. At the very least it'll slow it down. I saw a version get rammed with an armored car that blew up, and all that did was slow it for a time.

[Leon is still high-key peeved about all the Tyrants he's faced down being way too fucking durable for their own damn good.]

You have to make damn sure you've obliterated it outright.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Force alive, this thing sounds like a menace. Maul's always up for a good fight but this sounds like it'll be anything but fun trying to take this Tyrant creature down for good.]

If it is slowed down, that will give others with more power to try their hand at wounding, or as you put it, obliterating it outright.

Re: Video; un: darkness

[subject_013]

[There might be the slightest note of relief in Wesker's voice and mien as he speaks: elder brother has signed on.]

That would hinge on whether or not you dropped the entire building on it. The corporation I worked for did run a scenario during testing on a prototype where we dropped a wall onto it, which stunned and injured it, but didn't completely destroy it.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Indeed, Maul is taking an interest in this mostly because it involves Wesker. He's going to have his blood brother's back no matter what.]

An entire building will be difficult but not impossible. I once ripped two hyperdrive generators and damaged them enough to make both of them collapse into scrap metal.

[Maul had been having a very bad day at that point. Easily one of his top five worst days of all time.]

Each of those was bigger even than some of the buildings here in the city. I am certain I could manage such a feat again here if necessary.

video| un: gaia

[hammerbearer]

Is it staying in Lumenwood? Isn't that a problem since people go there to get treated?

[There's an obvious OPINION hidden in her tone as she uses the term 'treated'. It's used in the very loosest sense. But otherwise she's serious.]

I'm not stupid enough to rush in. But if you need someone to help with magic, I know some that might help.

[Her appearance does convey the sense that she's a girl that'd be worried about chipping a nail but she seems sincere. But hey, maybe it's a matter of mages being on the back row and not subject to manicure abuse.]

Though... I think I heard you say this thing's not got a lot of resistance to magic. But are you sure? Is there a way to test it?

[makingthetime]

Yeah, why d'you think we're trying to stop it?

[They don't want the Tyrant roaming around where injured and corrupted people could get in its way!]

We don't have magic on our world. It might not be that resistant to magic, but that's a huge might, and I can't say I like the idea of testing that out when it's actively trying to kill everyone that gets in its way.

[A sigh, as Leon just...gives up on trying to stop everyone offering to help. He's been that kid, who wanted nothing more than to be able to help others. He knows, all too well, that he can't stop all these stubborn people, he can only try to make sure they all make it out alive.]

What kind of magic?

[hammerbearer]

[There's definitely a tart reply. This teen doesn't have trouble talking back to adults.]

What, just the two of you after telling everyone else not to rush in with heroics?

[Well she counted two between Leon and Wesker (plus at least one Omen). Archly she continues.]

Spare me. You might be experts on the thing, but at least have sense to call for backup. It isn't like everyone on this network's some innocent that doesn't know a sin-eater from a nutkin. [Apparently she also noticed they didn't want the recording actually getting out.] What even is a rocket launcher?

[Certainly not some kind of fireworks display surely. But she hurries on, indicating that she was probably speaking rhetorically. And she's not all bratty teenager.]

My magic's strongest with gravity and time. You know, speeding people up, delayed spells or slowing them down. I also have some elemental magic but probably not strong enough to take this thing down or do anything more than distract it if it's that powerful.

You could say that my magic might be good to experiment with. Stuff that it might not notice being cast at all if it's done right.

Re: video| un: gaia

[subject_013]

One reason we're trying to be rid of the thing, since there are vulnerable personages here. I'm of a mind to try herding it back toward the portal, but that would just send it back to our world of origin, where it still would be a problem.

[He's not going to deny this thing is a loose cannon, much as he might have some pride in the thing.]

The only way to test the creature's resistance to magic? Getting onto a roof and targeting it, then fleeing before it can counter attack.

What kind of magic have you at your disposal?