--**--Net World (Rass.EXE)--**--
As the last portions of the green network faded into oblivion, Rass.EXE found himself hunched over the edge of a gaping hole, panting from exertion. Light-blue coils of electricity played over his body, siphoning off valuable system resources as his movement processors rebooted themselves. As they did so, Rass felt feeling gradually return to his body, albeit prickled with the unpleasant pins-and-needles numbness of temporary paresthesia.
His temporary exhaustion was exacerbated by the destruction of the Rassboard, which brought Tem barrelling back into Rass’ chest, knocking the wind out of the already-reeling fusion navi from the force of the reintegration. The small, pink navi wheezed and clutched his chest as the tactical subsystem swirled into existence on his chest.
That’s quite an… an intriguing development. It appears that whereas the viruses and the panels no longer linked, the panels and the network actually are. Thus, it appears that destroying those data pillars will actually just eliminate portions of the network outright. I suppose we can also safely assume that these colored panels are the cause of the network degradation, though I’m at a loss as to their origin... mused Tem, seeming strangely calm despite the not-insignificant damage sustained by the fusionist protoplasm, Hmm… Rass, what do you make of it? Anything I’ve missed? Tell me your thoughts.
“Tem, I… I don’t know.” stammered Rass as he frantically flexed his fingers and arms to alleviate the numbness caused by the Magneaker attack, “There’s a b-big hole that wasn’t there before? What d-do you think about it?”
Ugh, Rass, this is precisely your problem. You cave in and fall to pieces the instant things start to fall apart. admonished Tem, swirling into existence on Rass’ shoulder, You’re the system administrator, for binary’s sake. I… that is to say, we can’t always be there to bail you out whenever something starts to go wrong.
“You know that t-tactics aren’t my thing! What could I p-possibly contribute to this discussion that you haven’t already c-considered?” demanded Rass, “We’re supposed to trust each other, right, Tem? S-So why don’t you tell me what’s really going on?”
”I… I need to test something out, and this will require us to work together instead of me simply telling you what to do. No tricks. No agenda. Just an experiment. said Tem, I’m fairly certain that I’m the only one who actively monitors our vital data during combat. This means that I’m likely the only one who knows that we’ve never obtained higher than a 47% synchronization rating while fused.
“R-Right, you mentioned that earlier,” said Rass, gingerly massaging his spasming shoulder, “I’ll be honest, I have no idea how that rating works, other than it g-going really low during our NetVegas run.”
As far as I can tell, it’s a variable hard-coded into your processor appears to roughly approximate the degree to which we operate in tandem. explained Tem, swirling into existence on Rass’ chest and displaying a biometric readout of Rass’ body on a nearby popup window. Like I said, nobody else monitors this value, but imagine my surprise when our synchronization spiked to over 65% during that last battle, she said, And again to nearly 75% in the last cycle.
“R-Right, but shouldn’t we be c-concentrating on the viruses right now?” replied Rass, wincing as he experimentally flexed his arm and discovered it to be still cramped and difficult to move.
After that last attack, the protoplasm is in no shape for any combat maneuvers for at least 20 centicycles... well, 10 now, anyways. said Tem matter-of-factly, I’m merely optimizing this reboot time to think a few steps ahead. Anyways, remember what that researcher woman said?
Quote (Karen Ezalith)
This Navi would be able to reverse that process, given that the four personalities share the same core signature AND that they are in perfect synchronization with each other.
I’ll be honest, when we started this, I had assumed that achieving perfect synchronization between the four of us was impossible, and was resigned to being your sole subsystem. However, my new hypothesis is that achieving true synchronization requires something more than simply performing our designated tasks - it requires a common purpose combined with a unity of intention toward achieving it, explained Tem, That’s why I’m asking about your thoughts. If the four of us think together enough, we can get our synchronization rating high enough to re-fuse later.
Rass blinked. Tem’s logic made a certain amount of sense, but it also felt a little like trying to increase a webpage’s views by assigning a Mr. Prog to repeatedly enter and exit the site. “I… okay, if you say so,” replied Rass, “All four of us need to be d-doing this, right? I’ll t-try to get Argo on board.”
--**--Real World--**--
Tem was only mostly correct, as there was one other person who was acutely interested in the navi’s fluctuating synchronization rating. Suien’s furrowed brow deepened with concentration as he replayed the last command cycle in his mind over and over - so much so that he at first didn’t notice Karen taking a seat next to him and call up her research notes.
...that is, until Karen seemed to shift into a dead robotic monotone. Suien perked up in surprise at the abrupt change in the well-endowed researcher’s demeanor. In the course of her recitation of the almost-clinically dry research data, Suien’s facial expressions shifted from surprise, to confusion, to mounting concern. By the time she finished and reverted to her normal bubbly self, Suien found himself staring, though not at all in the way he had done before.
Quote (Karen Ezalith)
"... And that's about when we last stopped!" said Karen, her tone of voice eerily chipper after the monotone readout.
“Ummm… sorry, did you just…?” Suien started to ask, his eyes locking with Karen’s for an uncomfortably long moment as the thoughts raced through his mind at lightning speed. Eventually thinking better of opening that particular can of worms, the raven-haired netOp shook his head. “Nevermind,” he said finally, “Thanks for the breakdown, that helps narrow things down, I think.”
--**--Net World (Argo.EXE)--**--
The battered Argo groaned as static played across his optical sensors. As the former subsystem shook his head in an effort to clear his vision, Rass’ helmeted face appeared in a chat window to his right.
“Hey Argo” grunted Rass, struggling to speak in a voice an octave below his normal alto, “Tem wanted me to d-drop in and um… talk. So let me just ask you, what’s… what’s up?”
Argo scrunched up his face in confusion, turning his head slightly to address his pink-and-black counterpart. “The heck are you talking about, Rasshole, and what’s wrong with your voice?”
“N-Nothing, bro!” said Rass, “Just uh… I’m thinking we should p-punch some viruses!”
“Ugh, have you been on the comms with Ishy? Just because you’re both tools doesn’t mean you have to talk like ones.” spat Argo in disgust, “Whatever. I’m kind of busy here!” Argo abandoned the chat window and moved off screen, muttering as he went. “Bros this, bros that... what the hell, guys?”
--**--Real World--**--
”Huh, synchronization is back down again. Weird.” muttered Suien, as he inserted a fresh sequence of battlechips into the PET.
--**--Net World (Argo.EXE)--**--
BEHIND YOU, CORE SYSTEM! shrieked Ishamel, causing Argo to jump in surprise. The former subsystem whirled around, just in time to see the drill-like Drixel virus tearing toward him from behind.
“Wha… waitaminute!” stammered Argo, feeling the cold metal cylinder of the ElecSword battlechip materialize in his free hand, “Ishy, we’ve gotta dodge. Why aren’t we dodging?”
NEGATIVE, CORE SYSTEM, ENGAGE MELEE SUBROUTINES ON MY MARK!
“The Elecsword ain’t gonna to be strong enough to pierce through that thing’s armor!” yelled Argo, backpedaling as he activated the crackling saber in his right hand, “Forget it, I’m going to dodge and - “
MARK! INITIALIZING AREAGRAB!
Argo’s stomach lurched as he was pulled across time and space, instantaneously appearing several feet away, slightly above the nearby PogoJack virus situated upon the red panel. Argo’s conscious brain struggled to make sense of what happened, but fortunately for him, his instincts were quicker. Twisting his torso in mid-air, he aimed a luminous diagonal cross-slash toward the PogoJack, tracing a crackling arc of electrical energy toward the hapless virus. Without confirming the hit, Argo landed hard onto the network in a crouch.
“P….phew! Nice one, Ishy,” he panted, “Didn’t think you had it in you to carry us into melee range. I always figured you’re more of the uh… snipe from afar type.”
COMPLIMENT REJECTED, CORE SYSTEM, replied Ishamel, a few lights on Argo’s buster cannon lighting up in affirmation, SUPPORT SYSTEM ISHAMEL HAS NO NEED FOR COMPLIMENTS BECAUSE SUPPORT SYSTEM ISHAMEL IS YOUR BRO. SUPPORT SYSTEM ISHAMEL WOULD REQUEST THAT CORE SYSTEM ARGO CONSERVE HIS LIMITED REPOSITORY OF COMPLIMENTS FOR ENTITIES AT LEVEL “ACQUAINTANCES” AND BELOW.
Argo looked dumbfounded. “Ishy, that’s not how compliments work,” he said after a beat, “You don’t have a limited supply of… you know what, screw it. Fine, Bro, thanks for… having my back.” His voice dripping with exasperation, Argo continued, “do you think you can help me with my aiming protocols, Bro? Because I could really use your help... aiming this punch.”
For all his delicate sensor algorithms, Ishamel remained incapable of detecting Argo’s barely-contained sarcasm. AFFIRMATIVE, CORE SYSTEM he said, illuminating a series of crosshairs on Argo’s visual display and aligning them upon the approaching Drixel, TARGET ACQUIRED. MOVEMENT ALGORITHMS ENTERED. RUNNING PREDICTIVE SIMULATIONS - STAND BY FOR RESULTS...
--**--Net World (Rass.EXE)--**--
“That went well,” sighed Rass, closing the now-empty chat window, “Argo c-called me a tool and closed communications.”
Typical Argo, I suppose. Though no offense, but you’re not much of a conversationalist either. replied Tem, Anyways, let’s wrap up the battle routine here. Since we’re a little light on system resources and damaging battlechips, we’re going to have to think a little creatively if we’re going to take these things down. Fortunately, it appears that we won’t need to outright eliminate those data pillars, since the viral infection appears to be operating independently of the panels.
“S-So we ignore the terrain and just bust the viruses?” asked Rass.
Not quite, replied Tem, Look at the Magneaker viruses. It seems like our Discord battlechip may have gotten in a parting shot before it fell into the abyss. A bit of a nudge should do the trick.
Rass nodded and extended his palms forward. Instantly, the green wireframe of a Wind virus appeared in front of him. As chunks of fusionist protoplasm hurled forward to fill in the frame, Rass felt Tem’s presence leave him again. A flash of light later, and a large blue fan materialized and started humming, blowing intense winds across the battlefield toward the remaining viruses.
His goldenrod scarf billowing behind him, Rass took a step back with his right foot to steady himself on the chromatic network. He dropped his right arm to his side and balled his hand into a tight fist, collecting energy from his fusion core once more. As he charged his palmbuster with energy, he extended his left arm toward the Magneakers, filling the protoplasm with compressed air and drawing a bead on the electric-element viruses. His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the battlefield and searching for an opportunity between the gusting wind and the latent confusion to knock both Magneakers into the chasms below...
A moment later, Rass thought he saw an opening and promptly released a pair of concussive bursts toward the insectoid adversaries from his left. Without missing a beat, Rass extended his right hand, uncurling his fist in a flash of iridescent light and sending a charged palmbuster blast barrelling toward the Twisty virus situated atop the Blue Data Pillar. The recoil of the blast caused Rass’ knees to buckle as the fusion navi strained to brace himself, his system resources fully expended this cycle.
As the azure Windbox continued to blow, Rass heard Tem’s voice over his communications array. Not bad, Rass. Not bad at all. she said, I'm a little uncomfortable with the lack of defensive measures we're employing this cycle, but I suppose the protoplasm can handle a few more hits without any serious repercussions.
Rass gulped, but nodded his head in affirmation. "Y-yeah," he breathed, "What's the worst that could happen?"
--**--Net World (Argo.EXE)--**--
Though only a few centicycles had passed, Argo found himself growing more and more impatient as an increasingly complex array of figures, formulas and cursors flashed over his viewfinder. “Any day now, Ishy,” muttered Argo, having raised his right arm and charged it with the newly-acquired GolemHit data.
PATIENCE, CORE SYSTEM. SUPPORT SYSTEM ISHAMEL IS CARRYING OUT YOUR DIRECTIVE
No fewer than eight tiny crosshairs in varying colors played across Argo’s viewfinder. The cursors perplexingly aligned, then realigned, then re-realigned themselves over the Drixol virus for no apparent purpose. As a small emoticon depicting a smiling face appeared in the lower corner of his vision, Argo’s frown deepened. “Ishy, are you &%$&ing with me? Because if you are, I swear...”
TARGET LOCK ACQUIRED interrupted Ishamel.
“$%&$in’ finally” cursed Argo under his breath as he brought his arm downward, discharging the chip data in a burst of silvery sparklets. An instant later, a massive stone fist erupted from the sky, its wide attack radius slamming down onto the network, aimed at squashing the offending Drixol virus in its wake.
Argo:
1: AreaGrabEffect: Teleport + Accuracy UP
Accuracy: S
Description: Allows the user to teleport to any spot on the field, and raises the accuracy of the next attack by 1 Rank.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Accuracy UP: This effect raises the accuracy of the next attack by 10%, and is stackable with all other Accuracy buffs. In the case of AreaGrab, this replaces Teleport's RP-based accuracy bonus.
Trader Rank: D: Teleport + Accuracy UP (Acc: S) dodge/teleport toward PogoJackA
2: ElecSwordDamage: 80 + Slashing + Wide Attack
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a sword made of electrical energy, and capable of effective wide slashes. Can hit up to 3 targets per slash with good RP.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 3 swings.
Element: Elec
Trader Rank: C: 80 + Slashing + Wide Attack (Acc: B) to PogoJackA
3: Take Aim at Drixol EX (Boost accuracy of next attack by 1+ ranks)
4: GolemHit1Damage: 140 + Break + Panel Crack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: A fist of stone falls from the sky to smash an enemy, and create a shock wave that hits two nearby enemies. The area affected by the fist becomes Cracked terrain.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: D: 140 + Break + Panel Crack + Wide Attack (Acc: C) to Drixol EX
Rass:
1: Shake off Stun
2: WindHP: 100
Properties: Anchored
Object Damage: 100 + Impact
Damage Method: Telekinesis
Status Effect: Wind Effect + To-All-Clause (Enemies)
Accuracy: S
Description: Creates a WindBox to push enemies back and reduce their accuracy.
Duration: 3 turns or until destroyed.
Element: Null
Special: Wind Type: This chip counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.
Trader Rank: D: 100HP Anchored Object, 3-Turn: Wind + To-All-Enemy (Acc: S) Direct toward Viruses/Reduce Accuracy
3: Charge
*Fusionist Physics: Knockback MagneakerA into Missing Panels (aided by wind/confusion)
*Fusionist Physics: Knockback MagneakerB into Missing Panels (aided by wind/confusion)
4: Charge
5: Charge Attack (160 damage) to TwistyEX