Virus Trapping

((That's much, much better. You don't have to focus too heavily on the combat, but if you want to that's fine. Especially for boss battles, the extra effort helps considerably.))

The Chimera tried to shake off the paralyzing effects of the Zapring but couldn't do it before Delta's Cannon blast slammed into it from the side (-56). It reeled, nearly being pushed into one of the crumbling Cracked panels but it resisted, thanks to its razor sharp hind legs. A second Champu glove regenerated itself above the Chimera as it prepared to launch itself at Delta in another rapid lunge. It roared and galloped forward, but Delta had already seen the attack only moments ago and was able to predict exactly where it was going and how to escape it unharmed. His armour repaired itself (+15), having the time to do so.

Chimera: 204 HP [normal]

Terrain: 40% Normal, 15% Cracked, 45% Broken

Delta.EXE: 115 HP [normal]

While his armor continued to work at repairing itself, Delta quickly sent as message to Henry as he strafed the chimera, [Alright, I could use a shotgun and another cannon now.] While he waited for Henry to send the chip, Delta stopped to the side of the virus. He looked over the beast, wondering what other abilities it had in store.

As soon as the first chip was ready, Delta loaded it and formed his buster with his left hand. Aiming the weapon at his opponent, the Navi used his right hand to steady his aim as braced himself. As the second chip became available, Delta fired, the recoil again shoving his arm back and up while the pellets of energy sped towards his target. Almost immediately, Delta loaded the second battlechip to the weapon and pulled it down so that it again aimed at the chimera's center of mass. The weapon almost seemed to glow as it again charged with energy. As soon as he had a good shot, Delta fired again, sending a bolt of energy at the combination virus, and wrenching his arm up form the recoil.

[spoiler=Turn Summary]
Actions:
*. AutoHeal (Heal 15)
1. Dodge.
2. Shotgun (50, spread1, AccA{Shot}) @ Chimera
3. Cannon + Buff (40+16=56, knockback, AccA{Shot}) @ Chimera
Status:
HP: 115/140 HP
((Healed a total of 15 HP))
Signatures: Delta Sabre [#>], Combat Repair and Healing System [Active].
Battlechips used:Zapring, Minibomb, Cannon *2, Shotgun.[/Spoiler]

The Chimera stopped its speedy movements and stood stalwart, opening its jaws at Delta. The two Cannons on its shoulders began to charge up and it began to launch a barrage of fireballs and cannonshells at the navi. He was able to avoid most of the projectiles but was struck by two (-15) (-15). Of course, standing totally still to unleash its onslaught made it susceptible to Delta's Shotgun and powered Cannon (-50) (-56). Delta came out on top of that exchange but a third Champu glove regenerated above the virus. Delta's armour similarly regenerated from the damage it sustained (+15).

Chimera: 98 HP [normal]

Terrain: 40% Normal, 15% Cracked, 45% Broken

Delta.EXE: 100 HP [normal]

After firing his chips, Delta dropped to his knees and gasped for breath. Henry nervously asked, "You alright?"

Delta took a few seconds longer to catch his breath, then gulped and said, "Yes, those attacks just hit me with unexpected force. If you would be so kind as to send me a rageclaw, I believe that I can end this contest of force." With that, Delta stood up and dismissed his buster, as his armor repaired some of the damage that he had taken.

Henry quickly tapped that PET's screen, preparing the melee chip for use. As the program was loaded to Delta's combat systems, Henry refocused his attention on the battleground.

As the rageclaw became available, Delta activated it, causing three steel claws to sprout from the back of his left hand. Immediately, he charged forward and leapt towards the chimera, aiming his jump to land on the creature's back.

As he landed, Delta brought his claw around in an arcing slash, attempting to carve a piece out of the virus' hide. Slamming his right foot down to arrest his momentum, the navi then prepared to attack once more by turning his wrist until the sharp edges of the claws were pointed once more at his target.

Delta stepped slashed again, this time moving his left foot outwards as he did so, putting as much power from his muscles as he could muster behind the blow, which was intended to finish off the chimera and end the combat.

[spoiler=Turn Summary]Actions:
*. AutoHeal (Heal 15)
1. Dodge / Attempt to leap onto the Chimera's back.
2. Rageclaw (40, Slashing, AccB{Melee}) @ Chimera
3. Rageclaw + Buff (40+16=56, Slashing, AccB{Melee}) @ Chimera
Status:
HP: 100/140
((Healed 15 HP))
Weapons: Rageclaw [L:####<<]
Signatures: Delta Sabre [##], Combat Repair and Healing System [Active].
Battlechips used: Zapring, Minibomb, Cannon *2, Shotgun, Rageclaw.[/Spoiler]

((This won't finish off the chimera, but it will leave it at 2 HP or so.))

A fourth flaming fist materialized over the virus as it dug its hind legs into the ground to brace itself. It began to unleash the familiar barrage of Champu gloves that Delta had seen before. He attempted to dodge them as he rushed to leap onto its back but even as the navi was learning from this battle, so was the virus. All four gloves found their way to hit Delta, dealing massive amounts of damage (15) (15) (15) (15).

Nevertheless, his healing program kept him going (+15) and granted him the strength to make the jump. He landed on the beast, facing backwards, but alive. Naturally, it tried to buck Delta off but two swift Rageclaw strikes seemed to take the fight out of it. It was still very much alive but collapsed in a slump.

As it lay with Delta riding it, it whimpered as if to yield.



Chimera: 2 HP [normal]

Terrain: 40% Normal, 15% Cracked, 45% Broken

Delta.EXE: 55 HP [on chimera's back] [Rageclaw: 4 uses]

The Chimera's collapse knocked Delta, already unsteady from the blows he had received, to his knees. He groaned as he rubbed his head with his right hand, "...that was somewhat painful. Now what? I'm not sure I can capture this thing, and if I delete it we may lose the data that we've collected."

Henry looked down at the beaten beast, then began to speak, "Spare it. We can probably get it to follow you...from there, I'm not sure."

Delta looked down at the chimera, then sighed. "Great. Well, maybe our employer can figure this out." After a short pause, the navi spoke up again, asking, "Well, can you link the chimera to our PET somehow? To keep an eye on it, or even as a kind of leash?" The navi then looked up and around for any signs of a further threat.

Henry immediately began typing, saying, "I'll see what I can do," as he did so. Delta crawled over to the edge of the chimera's back and slipped off it to sit alongside it.

((I'm going to stop combat for now, since the chimera seems to be under control. Is there any way to 'leash' it to the PET for monitoring and control purposes?))

To Henry's frustration, his PET was specifically programmed to keep viruses out. Actively 'leashing' or storing the Chimera there was out of the question. Despite being beaten to near-deletion, the virus stirred, resistant to follow Delta but also too weak to fight. It simply lay in a slump, glaring at the navi angrily.

Chimera: 2 HP [normal]

Terrain: 40% Normal, 15% Cracked, 45% Broken

Delta.EXE: 55 HP [normal]

[Battle 5 - End...]

Get: Nothing

((Do I still have the isolation module?))
After only a minute or so of waiting, a point of blue light appeared in front of Delta. Within a few seconds, the point had grown horizontally into a line, then vertically into a screen showing Henry from the perspective of his computer. The netop looked shook his head and said, "Sorry. The PET's designed to keep viruses out."

Delta leaned back and closed his eyes. Without opening them, he opened a channel to the mission BBS at the netsquare and posted a query to the thread he had gotten the mission from. "I'm requesting advice from our employer now. Hopefully, they will know what to do with the Chimera." Opening his eyes and leaning forward again, Delta closed the connection. "I don't think that we can just bring a virus, especially one like this, into the NetSquare."

With that statement, Delta leaned back again to wait.

Not long after Henry posted the message, a slightly distressing reply popped up:

"We here at the GNA apologize but we have lost contact with the original posters of this mission request. We are investigating the situations of other such navis who have applied for similar missions but have yet to find any results. You may delete the virus and we will compensate you accordingly for this oversight. Again, we apologize for this inconvenience.

-GNA"

On the plus side, their grim message came with an attachment - twice the zenny of the originally promised reward.

Delta quickly replied to the message, collected the reward, then closed his connection and said, "Alright. It looks like we're done here."

Henry replied, confused, "The chimera is still alive. Didn't the message say-"

Delta cut him off, "It said that I could delete the virus. I am not going to. I do not believe that the Chimera will be a further threat. In the meantime, beam me up. I need to figure out how to track down our negligent employer."

Henry was silent, but he started up the jackout routine. Delta vanished in a beam of red light.
[Log Out to Electown>Henry's apartment]