SP Search Mission

((From ACDC Town))

A single cyan beam zipped down from the "ceiling" of the network and crashed down a few meters away from a few impact craters from his battle with PsycheMan. Mach's angular frame came into view as the cyan light disappeared, and he started to walk forward, avoiding the craters as he went. Unseen by others, Mach's gaze combed over the floor and surroundings, to establish his starting point before retracing his steps.

He pulled up some old data to figure out the heading he'd previously used when following PsycheMan, then plotted his course with a simple diamond-shaped marker that appeared in his HUD. The control surfaces on his shoulders and legs moved back and forth, and his engines began to spool up with a shrill whine. As the amount of thrust increased, his feet began to slide over the floor from being pushed along, which kicked up the occasional spark or bit of debris. He continued to slowly throttle up and pick up speed, and gradually rose off the ground as he zipped over the network floor.

As he reached a comfortable cruising speed, he brought his elbows back so the backs of his upper arms lay flush against the undersides of his engine nacelles, and pointed his forearms forward. With his arms effectively "folded" away, combined with his bent legs trailing behind, Mach's profile became much more aerodynamic as he cruised along. He kept an eye open for viruses or other programs, but he didn't plan to stop or alter his course unless something actively tried to divert or slow his charge into the network.

((Ready for battle 1, etc))

As Mach continued along the nets like his name suggested, he would fly over a large portion of field that seemed to have been completely ignored for the last several years, Machman having managed to skip over the cracked panels just enough to make it to the western most outcropping of normal panels. If he looked over to the south, he could see only the barest framework of the network holding it together in small squares and a gaping abyss leading to an EJO zone right above the Rogue networks. But he would soon hear a bat swooping overhead, even more so than he was now, as a Pulsebat was hanging from the "Ceiling" of the network, wings over it's round-ish body. To the north and east of him, he could see three more viruses, a simple Oldstove chugging along and belching flames from it's mouth, a Kabutank moving precariously and slowly over cracked panels to the most northern part of the battlefield and, strangely enough, a CannonDumb sitting atop the beetle-tank virus, shooting off in random directions and seemingly stuck to the back of the Kabutank. The viruses were not -directly- in the newly rebuilt Machman's way...but on the small outcropping of normal panels in the middle of the area, a small green diamond slowly rotated about and sparkled in the light towards his side. Maybe it was worth fighting just to see what was inside?

-- Viruses --
OldstoveOldstove (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Line Attack(3) + Panel Crack
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Flamethrower to one enemy.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): FireBurner1, Zenny
Special: Slow Movement. Cracks Terrain.: 50 HP (Normal)
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack.: 80 HP (High-Altitude) (Missing)
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile: 50 HP (Cracked) (On top of Kabutank)
KabutankKabutank (Kabutank)

While closely related to Beetank, Kabutank are a bit smarter and faster. They will use terrain and objects to their advantage if possible, and prefer to not allow Navis clean shots at them. They have one passive movement per turn, which can be used as either a movement or dodge.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Okuden Valley, Beach, NetVegas

HP: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Blast 2 x 2 bombs
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Launches a pair of bombs that explode in a small radius.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Blast 1 + Seeking
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a bomb that ignores invisibility.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DoubleBomb, SeekerBomb1, Zenny: 90 HP (Cracked) (To the north-eastmost part of the cracked field)

-- Navis --
Machman.EXE: 490 HP (Normal)

-- Terrain --
35% Cracked (North and North-eastern parts)
15% Normal (Middle portion with cracked to the east)
50% Missing (South half of the field)

-- Objects --
GMD: 20 HP (Normal, middle of the battlefield)

-- Battle 1 Ready? Start!! --

As expected, Mach happened upon some viruses. Though they didn't do anything that warranted him to pay them any mind, a floating GMD did catch Mach's eye. He still wanted to make up for lost time and kick off his potential rematch, but a poorly-defended GMD might contain something that'll give him even a slight edge over his nemesis. With his mind made up, the back edges of his nacelle fins inched upwards to keep his altitude while he throttled down his engines to bleed off airspeed. "I'm planning to mop these up and take the GMD, requesting Magnum, BubbleCross, Sunshine, and Airshot chips."

Mazer hadn't expected combat to be initiated so quickly, but his chip mag was still on his desk from their brief skirmish with DragonierMan and Yasu. He began to slot in the chips as requested, but gave a word of caution to the Navi. ["On their way, don't over-exert yourself, especially with these 'small fries'."] Both of Mach's arms mechanically swung down from their stowed positions, with his forearms and hands still pointed directly forward. As soon as they did so, his right forearm and hand swelled and reconfigured into a heavy circular barrel with a larger three-shot revolver cylinder back near his elbow. At the same time, his left forearm formed into a slightly smaller barrel with an underslung capsule-shaped pressurization tank.

Two targeting "pippers" appeared on Mach's HUD, and moved along with his newly formed weapons as he trained them on his targets: his right was trained on the flame-spewing OldStove, while his left pointed towards the middle of the Kabutank's hull. Once he got a solid lock on the OldStove, the magnum that made up his right forearm jerked straight back with a loud boom and a burst of flame. The cylinder near the back rotated to put the second round in line with the barrel as the freshly-fired shell impacted with a fiery explosion.

Thanks to all three targets being relatively close together (the Kabutank and CannonDumb moreso), he quickly shifted to solidifying his targeting solution for his left weapon and fired. The weapon had significantly lower recoil and zero muzzle flash, because instead of an explosive bullet it fired off a glob of highly pressurized water. It eventually impacted, but instead of an all-around splash, it exploded with a high-pressure spray of water in an "X" shape to hopefully pelt all three viruses. The spray wouldn't last long, so Mach could easily re-acquire his next target: the CannonDumb mounted on the Kabutank's hull. He fired off the Magnum a second time, his mechanical arm did well to manage the recoil and point down to the CannonDumb's viral platform and fire a third time after the cylinder rotated and seated the final round.

As soon as the Magnum fired off its third and final round and both of his arms began to revert to their default forms, Mach rolled his frame to the left in a forward-moving cartwheel then quickly acquired the PulseBat overhead. He activated both his Sunshine and Airshot chips, which prompted his right arm to again transform into a gun-type weapon, while a bright sphere of light materialized high overhead. With no further warning, a ray of energy burst forth from the sphere directly towards the PulseBat. If the high-intensity laser didn't reduce the small virus to fragmented scrap, Mach hoped a crushing burst of kinetic energy delivered from his newly-formed AirShot cannon would finish the virus off.

If the viruses continued to live even after what amounted to significant overkill, Mach would cartwheel to the other direction before requesting "Persistent... Requesting Synapse and TankCannon." Mazer supplied the chips as requested, and as soon as the Synapse was uploaded, a white-hot bolt of electricity jumped from the tip of his nosecone and surged to the ground-based viruses. After hopefully electrocuting the closest virus, it then arced to the closest virus that still remained, and would arc again if anything else remained.

While the bolt of electricity bounced amongst the remaining ground targets, Mach's left arm reformatted into a long-barreled heavy cannon. Though it looked possible to weigh over half his own weight, Mach would be able to handle it easily and swing it into position to drop the crosshairs directly over the PulseBat. The resulting boom and recoil from the TankCannon firing would cause his entire body to jolt, but with any luck, the PulseBat would've felt much more severe, and fatal, effects.

Sometimes battles between navigators and viruses are fraught affairs of life and death; epic battles of skill and tactics, storied encounters worthy of song and legend, worth recording in history and telling to friends. This was not one of those times.

After a couple of seconds of swift and brutal mop duty, which wouldn't have caused Mach to break a sweat and certainly didn't give any of the straggling viruses that got in his way a chance to respond, he was free to quickly clean up the pittance of zenny their remains provided and open the data crystal that was left behind, if he still wished to.

Afterwards, the GMD would stop spinning and open up before Mach would make a move (because he probably willed the GMD open or something) and inside would be...a giant rock fist, bigger than the outside of the GMD it's self. How that's possible is anyone's guess, but either way, Mach could probably turn it into chip data to add to his ever expanding collection of WMDs.

-=Viruses=-
OldstoveOldstove (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Line Attack(3) + Panel Crack
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Flamethrower to one enemy.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): FireBurner1, Zenny
Special: Slow Movement. Cracks Terrain.: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack.: DELETED
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile: DELETED
KabutankKabutank (Kabutank)

While closely related to Beetank, Kabutank are a bit smarter and faster. They will use terrain and objects to their advantage if possible, and prefer to not allow Navis clean shots at them. They have one passive movement per turn, which can be used as either a movement or dodge.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Okuden Valley, Beach, NetVegas

HP: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Blast 2 x 2 bombs
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Launches a pair of bombs that explode in a small radius.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Blast 1 + Seeking
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a bomb that ignores invisibility.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DoubleBomb, SeekerBomb1, Zenny: DELETED

-=Navi=-
Machman.Exe: 490 HP [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
35% Cracked [North and North-eastern parts]
15% Normal [Middle portion with cracked to the east]
50% Missing [South half of the field]

-=Objects=-
GMD: 20 HP [Normal, middle of the battlefield]

-=Mop-Up 1, Completed!=-

Spoils: 480z, 15 BugFrags

GMD: 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)

The barrage of fire did it's job, and swept the field clean of all opposition. Mach would take pride in the rout, but he wasn't exactly facing the "Varsity Squad."

His arms reverted to their default forms while he calmly approached and touched down in front of the GMD. Upon opening the floating data, he learned the minor detour was worthwhile; the powerful new chip was a shoo-in for his arsenal. "Hm, this will do," he remarked as he download the chip data and took off.

After taking a brief moment to regain his bearings, he eased his throttles up and resumed his cruise over the netspace.

((Ready for Battle 2))

With that brief bit of cleaning dealt with, Mach continued his lofty cruise over the older parts of ACDC. The area he was in seemed much more dilapidated than most, and the sections of broken away terrain continued along an identifiable vein as he went, looking from the air a bit like a fault shift opening up, or perhaps something sundering the ground. It was odd that it hadn't been recovered yet, given that these were the normal nets and some of the most frequently used and maintained.

A little further on, he'd likely spot another group of viruses, seemingly playing fairly near to the rent ground, though with no navigators or other programs in sight they seemed mostly to just be playing with each other. In the middle of an open space, a single Metool was hunkered down under its helmet, tapping on the ground with its pickaxe uniformly once a second, and calling out short sounds. It was viral gibberish, but it seemed to be counting aloud.

Around it, other viruses were rushing to and fro. A pair of shrubby had already darted behind a long bushy hedge, and were bouncing on their toes patiently. Over the other side, a bunny was just now darting towards the same hiding place as a slightly slower Metool, bearing a gun muzzle over its face, instead of its normal pickaxe. the bunny got there first, darting behind the tree they'd been aiming for, and jump-skipping once or twice. In a sudden panic, the NeoMet turned and began running back the other way, looking for anew hiding place while the metool in the middle continued to count.

It probably wasn't of any concern to Mach, but the viruses playing hide and seek were, still, quite oblivious to his flight above.

-=Viruses=-
BunnyBunny (Bunny)

Bunny viruses move by hopping. They are adept at jumping, and can reach higher terrain or hop onto objects with ease. They are also very good at dodging, and are treated as having Haste (+10%) for Evasion purposes only at all times. Omega Bunny has double Haste (+20%). These effects cannot be removed except by Glitch. They attack by launching a ZapRing from their ears.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges.: 50Hp [Hiding behind tree][Normal]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame.A: 50Hp [Hiding behind bush][Normal]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame.B: 50Hp [Hiding behind bush][Normal]
NeoMetoolNeoMetool (NeoMetool)

NeoMetool not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Spits out a bullet that penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Shotgun, ShieldGuard, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.
Special: If hit while hiding with a non-Break attack, its next attack will do 30 damage instead of 10. This effect does not stack across multiple hits.: 40Hp [Running towards stone benches][Normal]
MetoolMetool (Metool)

Metools not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard1, ShockWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.: 40Hp [Guarding][Counting][In centre of area][Normal]

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 490Hp [High Altitude]

-=Terrain=-
70% Normal
30% Missing

-=Objects=-
Tall Tree: 40Hp [Wood]
Long Bush: 30Hp [Wood]
Stone Benches: 80Hp [Stonebody]

-=Probably Not A Battle 2, Start!=-

Mach picked up more viral signatures ahead, in his flight path. He banked to the right to start a half-circle path around the group, partially to avoid and return on course, and partially to get a better look in case there was something that would convince him to engage. He watched the single metool out in the open, and as the other viruses appeared to flee, he started to put two and two together. At the moment he was unnoticed, and for all intents and purposes, they were simply playing.

"Hm," he murmured to himself while he continued his banking turn to get back on course. The idea of the viruses playing brought back memories of SharoNet, where Mach and his SPs had a good-natured snowball fight with some Metools. Aera even seemed to befriend a Met, or at least she tried to. His briefly happy memory quickly darkened as it mixed with more recent ones, and his expression soured beneath his opaque canopy. He began to dread the thought of any memories of is former SPs would be so quickly stained; in his mind, his one hope at preventing that would be to avenge them... if there was still a foe to be the target of said vengeance.

Once he intercepted his original course and began to level out, he pushed up his throttles and quickly picked up speed. A few moments later, his afterburners kicked on, leaving behind two long cones of orange flame. If the viruses detected him and moved to fire upon him, Mach would continue on his way with the intent of simply outrunning them.

As the viruses played below, MachMan was flooded by memories and flew away without bothering them.

-=Viruses=-
BunnyBunny (Bunny)

Bunny viruses move by hopping. They are adept at jumping, and can reach higher terrain or hop onto objects with ease. They are also very good at dodging, and are treated as having Haste (+10%) for Evasion purposes only at all times. Omega Bunny has double Haste (+20%). These effects cannot be removed except by Glitch. They attack by launching a ZapRing from their ears.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges.: 50Hp [Hiding behind tree][Normal]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame.A: 50Hp [Hiding behind bush][Normal]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame.B: 50Hp [Hiding behind bush][Normal]
NeoMetoolNeoMetool (NeoMetool)

NeoMetool not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Spits out a bullet that penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Shotgun, ShieldGuard, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.
Special: If hit while hiding with a non-Break attack, its next attack will do 30 damage instead of 10. This effect does not stack across multiple hits.: 40Hp [Running towards stone benches][Normal]
MetoolMetool (Metool)

Metools not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard1, ShockWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.: 40Hp [Guarding][Counting][In centre of area][Normal]

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 490Hp [High Altitude] [ESCAPED!]

-=Terrain=-
70% Normal
30% Missing

-=Objects=-
Tall Tree: 40Hp [Wood]
Long Bush: 30Hp [Wood]
Stone Benches: 80Hp [Stonebody]

-=Wasn't A Battle 2, End!=-

The viruses didn't react, leaving Mach alone to continue cruising over the network. He folded his arms back to their stowed position and became more streamlined. A few moments of silence dragged on, until Mazer finally spoke up. ["With the NS issue more or less resolved, want me to try to let the Terror Girls know the threat has passed?"] Mach thought about it for a second or two before replying, "Maybe later, better to be busy fleeing than busy scheming up some other plan for "Network Disarmament" or something." ["Hm, guess you're right. The only issue I see is they might become harder to track down once they become mobile,]" Mazer commented; they claimed they would reformat TerrorMan into a submersible capable of flight, which meant they had any number of options for concealment and evasion. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Mach replied quickly, he didn't sound like he was in the mood to continue discussing that subject. Mazer wasn't fond of Mach's newly abrasive attitude, but considering recent events, he felt it best to just let it slide for now.

It proved to be an appropriate time to change subjects, as Mach's destination fast approached. A few landmarks stood out from his recollection of his previous venture out here with PsycheMan, which indicated his battlefield wasn't much further ahead. His throttles inched back, which caused the twin cones of flame that spewed from the exhaust nozzles of his twin engines to shrink and eventually disappear. His speed decreased as a result, which gave him more time to survey the battlefield as it slid into view while his arms deployed to their default configuration.

The large circular blast scar remained, but a multitude of other smaller blast marks were scattered around. Deep gouges from claws, cracked impact craters from fists, and darkened lines from lasers also criss-crossed over the field, which Mach could see with more clarity as he began to orbit overhead. However, there was no sign of the creature; no burrow or corpse, so it was hard to tell if the Spectre was in a state of hiding or oblivion. Mach defaulted to the former, and made his preparations for battle. His multi-layered energy shields materialized in front of him as he moved to arm himself. "Requesting TankCannon, MeteorKnuckle, Sunshine, Invis, and Counter for start. Keep the rest coming," he stated gravely as his eye stared down at the battlefield.

Mazer took a breath and exhaled audibly through his nose before he slotted the requested chips in. He hoped and mentally prayed that monster was dead. Even if that meant Aera and Vector could never be recovered, he didn't want to possibly lose MachMan as well. The Navi confirmed the receipt of the chips, and activated the TankCannon over his right arm. His entire arm from elbow to hand transformed into what looked almost like a cannon turret, complete with a rifled heavy barrel and a block-like housing taking the place of his elbow. His left hand reached across to cradle the bottom of the barrel before he banked sharply to angle down to the battlefield.

He tried his best to continuously scan the field as he plummeted out of the air and touched down at speed. His thrust reversing vents opened while his vectoring paddles closed over his exhausts and stopped his forward momentum with surprising efficiency. Thanks to this, his spark-throwing slide only went a few feet. Normally he would remain airborne and at speed to increase his lethality, but he had to coax his enemy out of hiding first. However, he still held his cannon at the ready with the expectation to use it immediately. Several tense moments passed in silence, save for the metallic scraping and clanking of his prosthetic feet shifting to allow Mach to swivel in place.

"C'mon you bastard, don't hide from me," Mach hissed aloud while he continued to scan the field. No response. The silence of the battlefield was deafening, nearly to the point of insulting. Was it toying with him? Waiting for him to let down his guard? It went so far as to adopt Aera's face and voice to throw him off last time, so deception and deceit were to be expected. "I'm right here! What are you waiting for?" he called out with notable frustration. Silence was his only answer.

The internal locking mechanism lining his ellipse-shaped collar opened with several metallic clicks, which allowed his dark teal glass canopy to open and reveal Mach's heavily battle-scarred face. "There, do you recognize me now? You know who I am, and why I'm here! Show yourself!" he yelled as his only functional eye frenetically kept scanning the horizon for movement, but still nothing happened. About a half-minute of pregnant silence passed. "... Fine." he growled before he deactivated both his heavy shielding and TankCannon, much to Mazer's alarm. ["What are you doing?!"]

He kept his canopy open and stood with his arms outstretched and hands open. "I give in, I can't live like this anymore. You can have me, dinner is served..." he said with an unnerving calmness, before his expression eventually twisted into rage. "NOW FACE ME, COWARD!!" he roared, which caused freshly-closed wounds to open up again, and "blood" began to ooze from the right side of his mask. Still nothing, not a damn thing. He started to breathe heavily, causing his upper body to rock slightly, with his arms still outstretched. His eye darted side to side for what seemed like an eternity, hoping for something, anything. The dread started to descend upon him as the seconds continued to build, which mixed with the myriad of other emotions swirling in his mind, and it became overwhelming. Tears started to well up under his eye as the realization started to take hold.

It stole his SPs from him, and as a final insult, it perished after the battle and robbed him the satisfaction of enacting vengeance. Mach's arms slowly sank to his sides and his upper torso bucked and eventually doubled over as he began to sob. Mach sank to his knees, while Mazer felt a knot in his throat and the uncomfortable warmth of tears pooled in his eyes. Mach slowly pitched forward, but his arms moved to brace and keep himself from falling over. A few moments later, his sobs turned to angry cries, and his metal fingers creaked and scraped against the floor as they struggled to ball into fists. His right arm pulled back, then began to repeatedly drive his fist into the ground with a slight increase of strength and speed, as a growling roar rumbled from the Navi. He slammed his fist against the ground easily a dozen times, his newly mangled and crumpled fingers showed the sheer force he put behind each punch. After the lamentation and enraged outburst, his body stopped moving for a few minutes, bringing silence back to the ruined battlefield.

A few minutes later, Mach stirred again. "What do I do... what do I do now?" he asked himself aloud. His voice was quiet, though an added dull rumble denoted the Navi's frustration. During that time, Mazer had leaned back in his chair and was staring at the ceiling in silent introspection. He overheard Mach's grumbling, which prompted him to look back down to his screen.

["I can't imagine what you feel right now, but-"] "That's right. You can't," Mach interrupted with a menacing bitterness in his tone. "If you were there when we spoke to Yasu, if you at least paid attention, we might've seen through BrainMan's deception." Mazer was taken aback by the sudden accusations, ["Wait, I-"] "In fact, it was your idea to have us go on that mission, it's your fault went here in the first place!" Mach again interrupted with a snarl. Mazer had a confused look on his face, he remembered Mach specifically said he wasn't to blame... what changed? ["Mach, that's not fair..."] "Not fair?!?" Mach spat, then turned to glare directly towards Mazer's POV. "What have you lost?" he growled, more blood oozed from his mask and dripped to the floor.

Mazer looked away and put a hand to his forehead, obscuring his eyes. ["Friends... No, more like family."] Mach paused as Mazer spoke, though his intense frown showed no sign of fading. ["I helped bring them into this world, watched them grow... and... I watched them die too. Last night, I saw their last moments through [i]your[/i] eyes. That's why I haven't slept, I couldn't help but see it whenever I closed my eyes,"] Mazer explained and revealed his lie from before; Mach's expression didn't change, though his gaze shifted down to the floor. ["I know I haven't lost as much, but I feel your pain, Mach. I can't stand to see you miserable like this, I feel like I'm on the verge of losing you too."] Mazer moved his hand up to rake his fingers over his hair, and exposed the tears that welled up in his eyes. Mach's gaze remained down to the floor, till he looked away and huffed indignantly.

Mazer continued to slide his hand over his head and exhaled audibly as he tried to reign in his emotions. ["I'm so sorry, for what I did or failed to do. I won't deny my fault in this,"] he admitted, willingly taking the blame upon himself. ["But we gotta work through this, together. You in, Mach?"] Mach glared down at the ground as his canopy closed over his head. As it sealed itself over the ellipse-shaped collar, he responded simply, and coldly, "For now."

A few moments later, Mach's body briefly started to glow cyan before he beamed up and out of the network, and back to his PET.

((Log Out))