The relaxed ranging across the snowy wilderness didn't last very long, for CourseMan, before he encountered more viral infestations. He skidded to a curving halt as another Basher showed up, and briefly glanced upward. There really was something odd going on with those artillery viruses. He had to wonder where they were coming from.
“Is that more? Jeeze... That prog wasn't wrong about the bounty thing and those Basher ones.” Jenny sounded relaxed but engaged and Courser nodded, content. More were showing up as his eyes flicked about, and several things caught his attention more or less at once.
“It is strange. They're not just a resident population, either. Something is clearly sending them in en masse. If we're lucky we might find out what, if I keep searching. For now, be ready Jen... We've got another interesting customer here.” He was looking now at the much larger virus, its treads spinning over the snow and dangerous-looking weapon-arms presented. “Another Meta, if I'm not missing my guess. See what you can learn about it while I deal with the rest.”
Courser didn't want to waste any more time being vulnerable while the viruses sorted themselves out; Jenny's quick affirmative reached him as he kicked off the snow and began moving again. Even as he let his form shimmer and split, one set of eyes was fixed on the half-buried green glint not far away. Given the viruses about, that would need some caution.
One courser split to his left, edging back southward and making one gesture with a free hand as he did; the familiar shroud of mist lifted from the snow and frost, obscuring his shape. At the same time, the second Courser, edging ever so slightly north instead, reached out and snapped his fingers; a similar mist of frost and ice formed a swirl in the air that covered over the data crystal.
The real Courser, to the south, kept his focus mostly on the RapidFire, but he grinned at it, then winked, just in case its sensors could pick that up. A moment late, his form shifted again, from faintly obscured by mist, to deep, inky blue that was dark and almost translucent. A moment later it wold be hard to tell where he was at all, beyond a dark shape amidst the snow.
More pools of shadow appeared about the field, dotting it as his decoy continued to make small hand motions and finger snaps in a calm way. Not too far from the Basher, black water rose up and took shape, solidifying into rather different artillery turret; the newly formed Needler immediately began to spin in place with a rev and roar of internal turbines as it sprayed needles out across the field. Most seemed to be aimed either at the nearby Basher, the puck-spitting virus, or the dangerous meta-virus.
Closer to the CourseMan clone, a smaller pool of shadow and dark waters gave rise to the same shovel-wielding mole from earlier. As well his dashing little coat, the mole was also wearing a stylish metal helmet with a sleek design and a visor that seemed to complete cover his eyes. Nevertheless it looked up and tilted its head towards the clone, who chuckled.
“Soon. For now, take care of the puck-spitter, then see what you can do to get the big guy's attention. Help will follow.” The mole gave a non and ducked below the ground again; it burrowed under the ground and attempted to surprise the hockey virus with a shovel to whatever passed for the creature's backside.
As this exchange took place, courser himself rolled his shoulders, getting used to the new intangible fluidity of pushing himself almost entirely into the shadow. There was something comforting about it, but it was also a strain to maintain for too long without coming up for air, so to speak. He closed his eyes and let his body weave back an forth as he focused.
Where initially, the dark shadow of his form had been fluid and cool, he now began to shimmer like an out of place heat mirage and the edges of the snow began to melt slightly as he stepped on it. As hard as it was to see beneath the veil of shadow, the overall colour tone of his outfit shifted dramatically as well, from dark, inky blue to rich, deep reds instead. A sleek metal helmet fitted itself over his eyes, complete with back and neck guards, as well as razor-sharp winglets leading back and up from just above the ears, to give the piece a streamlined profile. As his own vision blacked out, Courser felt a sense of subtle relief; he could still see through the eyes of his clone, but there was no longer a split in his vision. Instead, he had a subtle background sense of the land and creatures about him; he couldn't see, not exactly, but he was aware and it would be comfortable enough to fight like this. Perhaps even easier than before. He could begin to see what MeleeMan must have been thinking. Maybe.
Beneath his rich crimson jacket, his undershirt was also replaced by a combat shroud, much like the one Damascus wore, though unlike hers, Courser's revealed a very healthy amount of his well-toned chest. He bounced back and forth on his toes one more time, feeling the shadows shift around him and flexed once. His gloves had been replaced now with full metal knuckle guards, connected to and reinforced by wrist bracers; he made a couple of quick jabs, then smirked. Time to get down to it.
“Right boys! Let's bust some tail!” He turned, finding the nearest virus, then lifted one fist and gripped with it. As his fist closed, it took the hilt of a long, thin katana, honed to a whisper-splitting edge. The blade curved slightly, and it glinted against the snow as he crouched low and turned his wrist over, holding the weapon back-handed. In a sudden lunge, Courser darted towards the Dharma, bringing the blade across in a broad slice; the motion flowed into a twist of his body as he turned around behind the virus to bring the blade.
“You should have known better than to pick a fight with real warrior.” The crimson shadow that was Courser growled at the Dharma; the words were like a mutter, but proclaimed loudly enough for most anyone close by to hear. A moment later, he was darting forward again. This time, the dark shade bled across the field to meet the Basher instead.
“I could take all of you at once. Come on, weaklings!” He flourished the katana as he drew close, but instead of striking, it was his other hand that whipped around in a low, deceptive slice; this one was bearing a second blade, smaller, but made of rushing, swirling water that hissed and steamed in his grip. As he struck at it, his eyes went again to the RapidFire; he was going to have to make good on that challenge; his little allies weren't going to be able to handle it on their own.
-=Summary=-C*) First Barrier (Start with 30Hp Barrier)
C*) Shadow: Edging north and being wary; no obviously aggressive behaviour.
C*) Fast Barrier (30Hp Barrier on GMD)
C1) Murky deception (Shadow, self, 2 rounds, Self-Slow2 (1 round, 2 instances))
C2)
Needler2HP: 80
Properties: Normal, Mobile
Object Damage: 80 Null + Impact + Break
Damage Method: Ramming attack, Telekinesis, Throw
Attack Damage: 40 Null x 2 hits x 3 Targets
Accuracy: A
Description: Summons a gun platform that attacks up to 3 separate targets each turn with its trio of double spike cannons. It can also perform a defense piercing kamikaze attack.
Duration: Until destroyed.
Element: Null
Special: This chip's accuracy cannot be boosted or reduced by any means, including RP quality.
- This object may ram a target instead of firing needles, but is instantly destroyed in exchange.
- This object may dodge by trying to ram nothing, but if it hits something in this way, it is still destroyed and deals object damage.
Trader Rank: C (80Hp Object: 40null, x2 Hits, x3 Targets, A) RapidFire, Basher, Dharma
C3)
MomograHP: 60
Damage: 15 + Backstab
Accuracy: B
Description: Creats a Momogra virus to aid you. Attacks with a shovel from behind, and has a constant Mole status that ignores terrain solidness when not attacking (unless the panel currently does not exist). Still affected by other effects of panels.
Element: Null
Special: Allied Virus: This virus has two actions per turn, and is fully controllable by the summoner. If no orders are given, it will perform actions at random, but will never intentionally interfere with or damage the summoner or their allies. Deleting this virus will grant no additional rewards to either side.
Trader Rank: C (15, Backstab, B). Attacking Dharma
C4) MeleeCross, lvl 1 (Fire/Melee: Melee Mastery, Bash)
C5)
Katana1Damage: (60 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (60 + Slashing + Long Attack)
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a long metal blade with exceptional cutting speed. Hits with a wide slash, then a long slash in the span of a single action, hitting 3 and 2 targets, respectively. Only one target can be hit with both slashes. Rare
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 2 uses.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C ((60, Slashing, Wide) Then (60, Slashing, Long), B) Dharma
C6)
AquaKnifeDamage: 60 + Slashing
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a sword imbued with water energy, with a blade comparible to a large knife. Hits one target per slash.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 swings.
Element: Aqua
Trader Rank: D (60Aqua, Slashing, B) Basher
