Testing Run Part 2

The natural reaction upon having a fish thrown at you, is, of course, to throw it right back, and this is what Astraea swiftly did before either the fish or the bear could respond. Already growling a threat of some kind, the Teddy was briefly silence by the wet slap of the larger than average fish pelting it across the face, and sending them both tumbling back in a heap for the moment.

The two fish still above the water weren't quite so stunned and the pair rushed Astraea as she completed her throw. One missed, a little to her left, but the other managed to wing her roughly as it passed bay to the other side. The alien navi was too busy trying to control the rest of the situation to deal with the pair right now, instead sending her newest weapon out towards the Oldstove and the Spikey in the form of a thunderous shock wave. Both viruses took the brunt of it, with the stove shuddering itself apart into twisted metal junk, while the Spikey yelped, tumbling over and staggering up unsteadily.

It barked, sending a small ball of fire directly at the mechanic that had wounded it, but Astraea managed to get her shield up in time to block this one. While she was focused in its direction, however, the teddy had righted itself and now lumbered across the field, bellowing as it tried to rake Astraea with its claws. Her shield had already buckled under, and the alien was forced o take the blow herself, nasty as it was. As she fell back from the strike though, she saved herself another impact; the large fish had dashed back across the field after recovering, blind-siding the bear virus as it passed. It would like have hit Astraea as well, if she hadn't been shoved by the bear's strike; as it was, it missed her by a small margin. As much as it seemed there was no love lost between the teddy and its would-be fish meal, neither of them seemed in a friendly disposition towards Astraea either.

-=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
SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: 10Hp [Grass]
Fishy EXFishy EX (Fishy)

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

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 100Hp [Grass][Directly behind Astraea]
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: 90Hp [Grass][Behind Astraea to her left]
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: 90Hp [Grass][Behind Astraea to her right]
Teddy EXTeddy EX (Teddy)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Yumland

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Tears at an enemy with its claws.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Impact x 2 targets
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Picks up and throws one enemy at another.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: (Varies) + Impact
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Picks up and throws an object at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RageClaw1, Zenny
Special: Will only use its secondary attack if there is more than one enemy. Will only use its tertiary attack if there is an object capable of being thrown.: 90Hp [Grass][Directly in front of Astraea]

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 55Hp [Soil][Rageclaw (5/6 uses left)]

-=Terrain=-
40% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

[Majority of area]
60% Sea

• Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
• Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
• Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.

[Lake on the right of the area]

"Oh shit. They're going to run train on you if we don't do something!" Alex hissed, his fingers already flicking through the digital rolodex of chips at their disposal. He flicked the most impressive (to him) one they had onto Astraea's battered form. "Get moving! I'll send healing soon!"

Astraea moved with a jerk from where she had been folded over herself like a limp doll. Her body ached, her breath was haggard. She hadn't expected to be hit by so much so quickly.

The mechanic dismissed the remaining gauntlet on her wrist with a twitch then moved to comply with her operator's orders.

The fish had collided into the other virus before perhaps now she could use them to shield against each other. She stepped then stumbled, letting her momentum drag her to the end of the line furtherest from the bear.

Her breath was loud in her head and she could feel the bruises the previous assault had left on her. If nothing else she had to dimish what was left on the field to harm her.

The chip data reached her and she funneled it into her blaster.

It was not graceful the way she fired. There was none of the easy, fluid movements of a practiced gunslinger in the way she drew and fired. Just the desperate fumbling of someone desperate for a chance.

Her chance came in rushing, wild waters and a roar that made her head ache.

A torrent of water launched itself from the blaster. Froth formed eyes and fangs and claws posed in promised violence as the water apparation sprang forth. The dragon she had summoned back in the tunnel formed, all the more vicious for its previous mistakes. It leapt at the Fishy directly in front of her, jaws snapping at it in an attempt to make a meal of it. After that ploughed through the line: jaws and claws both used in an attempt to rend the fish into pieces.

Its power was waning. Regardless of the devastation it had wrought (or not, at this point it didn't have enough energy to care) it turned toward the lake, seeking to unite that pleasing body of liquid with what it had left behind.

A torment to its caller.

Astraea lost track of the dragon after it lunged for the bear, her mind already busy with the problem of dealing with the more immediate threats.

Murderous fish, wolves, and bears. Oh my!

She swallowed dryly.

The area was quickly becoming inhospitable to her: due both to the enemies and the terraforming caused by her attack. She would have to step carefully, until Alex sent the limited healing they had to her.

Suddenly the recovery seemed so meager in the larger picture of the Net.

The alien stepped back quickly, hoping to the feel the grass beneath her feet still. At the first indication one of her foes still on the field were aiming for her she would twist to the side and fall back, literally, in an attempt to get away.

-----------------------------
Battle Log
1) Feint to behind FishyEX
2) AquaDragon1Damage: 100 + Ground Attack + Medium Area Sea Terrain Change + Terrain Changer
Accuracy: C
Description: Summons a WaterDragon that attacks enemies as it glides across the ground. Changes terrain to Sea as it passes.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Special: Terrain Changer: Ceases attacking when the Terrain Change effect is completed (once 25% of the terrain is changed).
Trader Rank: D: 100 + Ground Attack + 25% Sea Terrain Change + Terrain Changer (Acc: C) - FishyEX, FishyA, FishyB
3) Dodge

Overwhelmed by numbers for a brief moment, Astraea moved as quickly as she could to put something, anything between herself and the massive bear, even if it was just other viruses. The teddy roared, frustrated and snatched at the fish that was now in front of it, grabbing it by the tail and swinging it around with both paws before trying to slap Astraea herself with the broad side of it. The fish, however, was having none of this, and at the peak of the swing, its wriggling caused the bear to lose its grip, leaving the slippery virus to tumbled back down behind it instead.

The fish righted itself and dashed right at the bear's rump, crashing through and making the ursine virus wobble unsteadily. It nearly hit Astraea as well on its way past, and didn't seem particularly interested in avoiding her; it was only the Mechanic's awkward attempts at evasion that kept her clear, just barely.

Her response was to release a torrential dragon chip from her blaster, which rushed out of her weapon and spiralled about her once, before widening its loop to encompass all three fish, then dash towards the lake, where it dissipated with a final splash. The field suddenly seemed a lot clearer. Mostly confused by this turn of events, more than anything else, the badly hurt Spikey barked again, shooting another bolt of fire in Astraea's direction, though she managed to step aside in time to avoid a scorching. It seemed less invested in the fight now and huddled in on itself a little more, continuing to make threatening growls.

-=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
SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: 10Hp [Grass]
Fishy EXFishy EX (Fishy)

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

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: DELETED
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
Teddy EXTeddy EX (Teddy)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Yumland

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Tears at an enemy with its claws.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Impact x 2 targets
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Picks up and throws one enemy at another.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: (Varies) + Impact
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Picks up and throws an object at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RageClaw1, Zenny
Special: Will only use its secondary attack if there is more than one enemy. Will only use its tertiary attack if there is an object capable of being thrown.: 60Hp [Grass][A short way in front of Astraea]

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 55Hp [Grass]

-=Terrain=-
15% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

[Far less than there was; Astraea is on a single little grass point, on the expanded lake inlet, with more land a little further off where the bear and Spikey are]
85% Sea

• Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
• Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
• Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.

[a large section of the nearby area has became an expanded section of the lake, more or less]

"YES! That's how to do it!" Alex's cheer brought an uncertain smile to Astraea's face. Her fall onto her rear had been worth the awkwardness. Now when she looked up at the Teddy it didn't seem so intimidating even with the extra height it had from this position.

"No mercy! Take out the bear!"

Her ray gun began to glow with a bright light as it absorbed the chip data. She touched the handle, felt the chip data, and nodded.

"Understood." She pushed herself up with one hand so she was bent upwards. At this range she didn't bother with careful aiming, she just lifted the gun and pulled the trigger. A laser leaped forward, pushing ahead of it a wave of pressure.

PEW

"Let me just tidy you up a bit while you finish off the dog."

Astraea turned to look at the Spikey, her eyestalks twisting slightly to make up for the limited range of her neck. She frowned thoughtfully as a green pulse started at her head and then rippled throughout her body, each wave mending clothing and skin in its wake.

It wasn't enough to get her back to complete fitness but it was enough to allow her thoughts to be a bit more charitable.

"Is deletion of the Spikey an assured necessecity? We have defeated its companions and it appears to realize it is quite outmatched." said Astraea. Alex's reply was snappy.

"No way! That bitch didn't hesitate when it had you out numbered and it won't hesitate if it comes across someone else. What if the next Navi it finds can't handle an attack like that? You've gotta."

Astraea's lips pressed into a thin, grim line. It was true that the beast had only starated showing remorse once she had prover herself the victor, perhaps it was entity that the Net was better off without.

She lifted her blaster and fired, and even the noise effect sounded unconvinced.

pew

Riding the high from the glorious triple deletion, Alex cheered on Astraea as the Cannon was loaded into her systems, and she fired on one of the two remaining viruses on the field. The Teddy was deleted instantly from the shot, but her cleanup was not to be uninterrupted. A conflagration of fire would fly in her direction, landing a direct hit on her chest and reacting explosively with the grass she was on. (-15x2Grass) It didn't look like it was going to go down without a fight; indeed, it looked even fiercer than before. Luckily, her operator was on the ball and restored the damage dealt in the next moment (+30), and Astraea was convinced by her operator to take the final shot, finally releasing it from its mortal injuries into deletion. If she were to look in the water, she would see a fragment of one of the Fishy earlier--a pair of its angular wings. Perhaps she might be able to make use of it?

-=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
SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: DELETED
Fishy EXFishy EX (Fishy)

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

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: DELETED
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
Teddy EXTeddy EX (Teddy)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Yumland

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Tears at an enemy with its claws.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Impact x 2 targets
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Picks up and throws one enemy at another.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: (Varies) + Impact
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Picks up and throws an object at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RageClaw1, Zenny
Special: Will only use its secondary attack if there is more than one enemy. Will only use its tertiary attack if there is an object capable of being thrown.: DELETED

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 55Hp [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
5% Normal

• No effects.

[Patch in the middle of the already small grass point]
10% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

[Far less than there was; Astraea is on a single little grass point, on the expanded lake inlet, with more land a little further off where the bear and Spikey are]
85% Sea

• Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
• Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
• Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.

[a large section of the nearby area has became an expanded section of the lake, more or less]

-=Battle 6, Victory!!=-
Rewards: DashAttack1Damage: 90 + Impact + LineAttack(5) + Movement
Accuracy: C
Description: The user charges forward at a great speed to ram a line of enemies. Hits a maximum of 5 enemies before the momentum is lost.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Direction of travel may be altered with chip, terrain, and sig use.
Trader Rank: D Battlechip, 650z

Smoke bloomed around Astreae for a brief moment as the grass beneath her ignited in a flash and she found herself rapidly going from hurt and almost critical to glwoing green and back in the safe zone. The burns were repaired in almost the same instance they were created as the healing energy pulsed through her.

It was a very unpleasant thing, she decided, to be on the receiving end of a tactic she had her machines using so often before.

Her confidence and pride continued to sting long after the physical pain had died away.

The raygun was holstered with little fuss: the smooth white plastic device shifting back into its normal form and coloration just before it slipped back into its holster. Astraea could tell her wrench was still missing but she reached anyways and made a note to pick up another one when she returned to her workshop. For now she was determined to press forward.

"Whew, that really got heated huh? Maybe we should take a break." Astraea's head jerked in the direction of the invisible camera Alex was looking through and frowned, her lips pressing together in a thin, angry line as her hands balled at her sides.

"We indicated to Metangler that we would seek out an appropriate location for relocation." She stated, carefully keeping her voice steady if a little tense.

"I know but you're beat half to nothing and that last hit you took? That was close. That was damn close. If the source had been a bit stronger you would have been forcibly returned to the PET by now." Alex's voice wasn't mad, he simply spoke with the surety of someone who had all the numbers laid out in front of him. There wasn't any malice to the voice, just a business like statement of the facts.

She recongized that voice. She hated it too was being used against her as she shifted uneasily on the soil, small bits of ash sticking to the cuffs of her overalls. His point wasn't wrong, as much as she wanted it to be.

She had to take a stand.

"It was my fault." She said abruptly. She tried, and failed, to swallow the lump of something unpleasant that had lodged in her chest but it stubbornly stuck in place with its nonexistance. There was truth to what she was about to say, but there was some not-quite truth as well. "I failed to account for the greater damange outcome when presenting only a single target. Proper deployment of my mechanical devices would have enabled me to reach victory more swiftly and with less reprisal. I made a judgement in error but that does not mean future engagements will go more smoothly. I will press on."

There was silence after the comment and the alien found she could easily picture Alex picking at his lip while staring at her in disbelief. While she wasn't shy about admitting her faults she rarely argued with him, and despite what seemed like an otherwise frank assessment of her failures she felt positive that they both knew what it was.

Disagreement, questioning his orders, sticking her ground.

These were all things he encouraged in her, but would he accept it when she turned that against him?

She could feel herself quiver with the effort of being so brazenn, of being so defiant. She did not enjoy how tense the atmosphere had become, how everything suddenly seemed so fragile to her eyes. He could recall her with a push of a button and that had never bothered her before.

It was as if she had opened her eyes and suddenly found herself standing on a powerline high over the ground and he stood with an ax at one end.

"Alright, but if you're in worse shape after this next fight expect me to pull you out early." She opened her mouth to-to-to do something, she wasn't sure what then shut it again as he continued talking, a little louder now as if to drown out any protest from her. "There are other networks we can search, after all. If we don't find something maybe we can make the current arrangement permanent."[/color]

A weight lifted from her chest and suddenly her feet were once more planted firmly in the soil. She sighed in relief and her shoulders unhunched as the tension left them and the area. That was not an option she had considered and while she did not think she would be defiant often becasue it was chaffed her programming and sensibilities, she had done it!"Thank you, operator."

"Mm, don't put yourself at risk unnecesscarily." He said and then "Clean up until I'm back, I'm getting another drink and taking care of business."

"Of course." She nodded, the movement as sharp and prompt. She quickly set about gathering up the various potentionally useful bits of data scattered around the area.

When she came to the fins in the water she reached again for her missing wrench then laid down on the shore nearby to reach her fingers in. She shuddered as she did so: the water was nice but something about it put her on edge and it was more than just the fact she couldn't swim.

Once she pulled the intriguing viral bits out she pulled up a holographic interface with a couple quick taps on her keyboard and was working on a rather rough design for a powered glider based on them when Alex returned.

"Hey, not a bad haul. And a new chip too, nice!" His cheerfulness was a bit forced and his words were a little slurred but Astraea did not question him on his unusually long abscence. She merely dispelled the diagram of the fins strapped to something engine-like and started to pick her way through the now much swampier area.

"I have taken inspiration from the fish for the useage of the chip. I believe it should prove useful for quickly engaging distant foes and for rapid movement."

"Man that would have been nice running from Metangler when they were enraged." He complained. She nodded, her eyes lifting from the ground as she finally stepped away from the last of the water.

(Searching: Battle 7)
[Astraea: 55Hp, Masterwork, Self-Destruct]

As Astraea moved away from the expanded lake, the main pathway curved in a vaguely north-westerly direction and the grassy fields gradually faded into a low scrub and eventually hard earth. The breeze had died down and as the sun came out brighter the atmosphere grew from pleasantly warm to quite hot.

There was little sign of movement or activity at first, until Astraea approached what looked like some kind of crater more or less in the middle of the roadway she was on. Something green glinted light up from the broken in centre of the circle, but she had barely had time to set eyes on it before a trio of metool climbed out of the hole and took a moment to steady themselves on the cracked ground, clicking their digging implements together with happy expressions. As they did, however, one spotted Astraea and faced her, it waved its pickaxe threateningly at the approaching mechanic while another gave a her a loud, warning 'Meep!'

The sound seemed to draw attention from other things, however, and the little virus looked around with apparent shock as a small cloud of bats burst up from a nearby tree; most of them flew away, but one flapped closer instead. Off to the other side, a pair of bunnies sprinted out from between an obscured section of rocky ground, ears crackling as the approach the centre. They were followed by a bounding musical note that seemed more interested in jumping on any moving target it could see than any more important goal. Not far away, the heavy metal clanking revealed a pair of ancient-looking stoves that had shaken themselves out from what might have once been a ruined stone hut and began to bang their grills open and shut repeatedly as they moved towards the data, and the trio that had uncovered it.

From further up the road, Astraea also spotted one more figure; it looked like a metool, but where it had been walking before it now took to running with an unusually determined pace. It was wearing an old cloak of greying fabric, with a blue trim on the inside, and its helmet looked quite weathered.

-=Viruses=-
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 [Cracked][Just ahead of Astraea, on the cracked area]
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 [Cracked][Just ahead of Astraea, on the cracked area]
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 [Cracked][Just ahead of Astraea, on the cracked area]

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.: 80Hp [High Altitude]
Melody EXMelody EX (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 110
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion.: 110Hp [Normal][To Astraea's left, behind the bunnies]
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. A: 60Hp [Normal][To Astraea's left, moving towards the centre]
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. B: 60Hp [Normal][To Astraea's left, moving towards the centre]
OldstoveEXOldstoveEX (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 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.: 80Hp [Normal][To Astraea's right, moving towards the centre]
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.: 50Hp [Normal][To Astraea's right, moving towards the centre]

Cloaked Metool? 80Hp [Normal][Over 1 movement away beyond the metool trio]

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 55Hp [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
75% Normal

• No effects.

[Majority of the area]
20% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Large circular patch across the main path]
5% Broken

• Not bottomless.
• Reverts to Normal after a time, if no one is inside.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• 1-4 Movements actions to climb back out depending on method.

[Hole in the middle of the cracked patch]

-=Objects=-
GMD: 30Hp [In Broken hole]

-=Battle 7, Start!=-

The landscape gradually changed and Astraea was pleased about the chance to take it slow for a bit.

At least until she drew nearer to the hole and the work crew inside.

"Treasure! Finder's keepers~" Alex drunkenly crowed over the private line. Astraea nodded, she though she understood and with the difference she had seen in variations between virus behavior that made sense.

"Metools!" She called loudly as she spread her hands and stepped forward. She kept her tone even and her words polite as she argued her case. "I do not wish to incite violence nor larceny upon your person, I wish to inquire as to a location."

From the other side of the PET she heard a long groan that quickly broke into giggles.

From this side of the PET she heard the alert from the Metool and was greeted with the sudden appearance of several viruses who seemed quite hostile.

Was this an ambush then, set by the Metools? A look at the Metool showed it seemed as shocked as she, perhaps this had not been planned.

"Prioritize the immediate transportation and removal of the data from this area!" She called to the Metools before she shifted to face the swarm, pulling her blaster as she turned.

"If you really think you can take those dudes on alone you're crazy." Alex exclaimed as he pulled up a chip. The terrain between them was normal, but the trick was going to be keeping Astraea healthy and he was maybe rapidly approaching a point where he wasn't the best about it. "Luckily, I'm here to help! This first one's a freebie, tell me what you need after! Cactusball, hehe balls, slot-in!"

"Understood." She replpied with some awe as Alex dissolved into laughter and four spikey green cacti balls resolved into existence in front of Astraea. For a moment her hand reached for her wrench to give them a whack but with a twist of her lips she realized that once again that wasn't an option. Luckily her remaining method of attack should be just fine.

pew. pew. pew. pew.

Calmly, methodically she shot each of the summoned cacti and sent them tumbling on their way toward the rabbits. After that she quick-stepped away from her original location to avoid retaliation aimed in her direction (whether from the Metools or the mob) and gave her wrist the customary flick to set up her shields.

It was going to be a long fight but she was prepared to settle in for the conflict.

The trio of mets still seemed cautious as Astraea attempted to sign her own non-aggression, but all attempts at parley were suspended when the more hostile viruses attacked. The bat was the quickest of them, surveying the scene from above, but as it looked the area over it seemed to decide that Astraea was the more threatening risk to tackle first and swooped down towards her. Its signature sonic pulse came out in a hostile shriek, but Astraea managed to shift aside and protect herself from the worst of the sound.

As she dodged the attack, she could see the cloaked metool sprinting towards the battle line, its pickaxe now held in a ready position out to its side; it was a strangely more serious and refined stance, even as it ran, than one normally expected to see on the cute little guys.

Astraea herself was turning her focus to some of the other approaching hostiles, and lined up a cactus shot towards the oncoming bunnies as they bounded in. As she shot the first one int he line off, it seemed like the four spiky orbs were connected by an unseen tether, and they shot off in a linked chain after her first shot, looking almost like an altogether overzealous caterpillar. The attack crashed through the first bunny with virus-deleting force, shattering the first cactus segment in an explosion of plant matter and spines. The coil hit the ground and bounced back in a different direction, this time taking the second bunny from behind and splattering a second segment as it did.

The remaining two segments bounced off the ground again and arced towards the Melody that was bouncing along nearby, but they shot underneath one of its jumps and seemed to lose momentum right away. Oh well.

Close by, the running metool approached the cracked area, and shouted something in an unintelligible viral chatter towards the other mets, before veering away towards where the stoves approached. The larger one was already ambling towards Astraea herself, but the smaller of the two had been eyeing up the three metools in their neat little line. The cloaked one crossed in front of it, drawing the virus' attention, before slipping quickly behind it and striking with its pick; the stove let out a gout of fire that missed the strange metool as the sound of rending metal echoed out.

Two of the mets near the centre had nodded at whatever had been said to them and swiftly ducked under their helmets. The third seemed a little braver and was looking around for a target, just as the melody bounced closer. It jostled around between the two guarding ones, and a sudden cracking sound preceded the entire cracked section that the cluster was on giving in and dropping from sight as the damaged panels gave way. A collection of surprised 'meeps' rang out, and a musical clang that might have been one of them trying to fend off the melody, but it was hard to see what had resulted.

Astraea couldn't investigate right away, as she was momentarily pinned down by a sudden gout of alarmingly fierce fire from the larger of the two stove viruses. Her shield bore the brunt of the flames, sparing her from harm, though it baked and cracked the ground beneath her before the yet finally died down. Across the way from her, the engineer could see the cloaked metool's attention drawn back to the centre, its eyes momentarily widening.

-=Viruses=-
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 [Broken][Guarding][In the larger central hole]
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 [Broken][In the larger central hole]
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 [Broken][Guarding][In the larger central hole]

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.: 80Hp [Over Normal, Near Astraea]
Melody EXMelody EX (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 110
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion.: 100Hp [Broken][In the larger central hole]
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. A: CACTUS
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. B: CACTUS
OldstoveEXOldstoveEX (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 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.: 80Hp [Normal][Near To Astraea's right]
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.: 20Hp [Normal][To Astraea's right, focused on Cloaked Metool]

Cloaked Metool? 80Hp [Normal][Near the centre, to Astraea's right]

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 55Hp [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
60% Normal

• No effects.

[Majority of the area]
15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Two cracked strips near where each of the stoves attacked]
25% Broken

• Not bottomless.
• Reverts to Normal after a time, if no one is inside.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• 1-4 Movements actions to climb back out depending on method.

[Larger hole in the middle of the area]

-=Objects=-
GMD: 30Hp [In Broken hole]

There is a certain kind of awfulness about being given the choice to use whatever one wants when one is inexperienced. Astraea was feeling the pinch now, the uneasiness the came from not knowing which of her choices was the correct one. She was hindered by the field, hindered ironically by the placement of the Metools on the field. The Oldstoves would be easy to take out in one blow with the dragon or her own variant of the Metool attack, but then the cloaked Metool would be in the line of fire as well.

She could call for the Sword, it was precise enough and quick enough that she could make short work of all the hostiles in her immediate area but that would leave her woefully unable to assist with whatever was happening in the pit behind her.

Judging by the cloaked Metool's expression whatever was happening in the pit was not optimal. Perhaps the better move was to keep that situation from deteriorating further.

"Requesting Sword battle chip!"

"You're not usually the slice 'n' dice type." Alex noted as he fumbled his fingers across the too tiny icons for chips. He dragged his index across the screen two chips following his finger onto the little icon of Astraea. [color=#CC6600]"Whoops! I don't even remember what that chip does!"

"Battle chips recieved, processing now." The mechanic's face crumpled in worry: what did he mean he 'didn't know what that chip does'? It had to be one of their lesser used ones but there was a number of chips that fit that bill. She holstered her raygun and held out her left hand, palm up. A little grey tube with a rather conspicious button fell into it.

She clicked the button.

Blue light shot from one end and shaped itself into the blade seen on the Sword chip. This was familiar form her wrench and she lunged forward immediately to take a swipe at the undamaged OldStove, attempting to split it in two before it spit fire again. She scurried backward cautiously and then the other chip triggered.

A white pill shaped container popped into existence over one end and then broke open to shower the hard-light blade with a suspect looking white powder that had Astraea narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.

She knew what that chip did.

She spun on her heel and ran her ungainly run back to the pit. She hopped into the hole and had a moment to think that the weird jumping thing didn't look that much like a threat then she was lunging forward with her blade leading the way, trying her best not to hit or trip over the Metools.

With any luck her combination would keep the jumper in place long enough they could do something about it. She however, was too tired from the running and unusual physical activity to do more then hang back and hope she didn't get hit in the cross fire.

Caught in the pinch of multiple seemingly conflicting forces of dubious allegiance, Astraea's first course of action was the clearest. A fast lunge from her new hard light blade was enough to destroy the stove virus that was closing in on her before it could produce another blast of flame. Just across the way, she saw the cloaked metool begin to turn towards the pit, before a bright gout of fire blasted out and obscured it from sight as the other stove vented a second time. When the fire cleared, however, the little guy seemed okay, having covered down in his helmet at the last moment. It popped up, then jumped, spinning its pickaxe around to cleave the other virus into two roughly torn metal halves with a forceful 'Meep!', before it turned again and darted towards the pit.

The pulsebat watched this succession of events and as Astraea watched her sword get empowered by a new chip, it winged its way skyward again to reassess the battle. Both Astraea and the strange metool were moving towards the hole in the ground now, but as she approached the sounds of impacts and shock-waves from the pit rang out. Astraea saw the body of the musical note bounce up and down twice before she reached the edge of the pit but before she could jump in it popped up a third time, presenting itself at perfect slicing height for her, from the edge. When she struck it, the virus parted neatly, its two halves beginning to rapidly disintegrate; it seemed the mets in the hole had done a small amount of damage to it before she got there.

The cloaked met arrived a moment after she struck the Melody down, skidding to a halt in front of her and blocking the edge of the hole as best it could. there wasn't a lot of room, but it hunkered low at the edge, holding its weapon sideways in front of itself towards her, in a clearly defensive gesture. It called over its shoulder into the pit, something in unintelligible viral sounds, and was answered by a chorus of three 'meep!'s in succession, before turning its eyes back to Astraea, obviously cautious. In between the tense moment, its gaze flicked up towards the remaining other virus, the pulsebat up above, then back to the alien navi.

-=Viruses=-
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 [Broken][In the larger central hole]
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 [Broken][Guarding][In the larger central hole]
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.: 20Hp [Broken][In the larger central hole]

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.: 80Hp [High Altitude]
Melody EXMelody EX (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 110
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion.: DELETED
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. A: CACTUS
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. B: CACTUS
OldstoveEXOldstoveEX (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 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
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

Cloaked Metool? 80Hp [Normal][Between Astraea and the broken hole]

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 55Hp [Normal][Sword (+Stun), 4/6 Uses left]

-=Terrain=-
60% Normal

• No effects.

[Majority of the area]
15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Two cracked strips near where each of the stoves attacked]
25% Broken

• Not bottomless.
• Reverts to Normal after a time, if no one is inside.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• 1-4 Movements actions to climb back out depending on method.

[Larger hole in the middle of the area]

-=Objects=-
GMD: 10Hp [In Broken hole]

-------------------------------

"YEAH! Nice cut!!" Alex crowed as he punched the air. He almost dropped the pet in his glee: the holographic depiction of the chips flickered as it clipped through his chest then steadied as he managed to fumble a grip onto it. "That was close!"

"I concur, disaster would have occured had actions not been taken to prevent that." Astraea replied as she surveyed the subjects of her disucssion: namely the standard Metools and the Mystery Data. The caped Metool was back and defensive and Astraea merely stared at it silently with her mouth drawn into a tight line. Was there no real way to talk to it? She remembered Metangler's own booming "MEEP" and began to ponder. Perhaps it was a special compressed communication algorithm she couldn't access.

Viral Behavior wasn't her specialty but maybe that was something to test in the future. For now she communicated as clearly as she thought she could: she lowered her sword then pointed at the mystery data, then the Metools, then finally made a sweeping gesture in the general direction of 'away from this mess'.

Her communication was clear to one person at least.

"Whoa, you're really going to let them have that gem-data-thing?" Alex piped up. "I mean, do you remember what we got from it last time? Do you even know what might be in it this time? Its gotta be good, right?"

Astraea hestitated because it didn't sound like he was seriously disappointed but maybe he really was unwilling to let the possible treasure chest go. She personally didn't care, the chip data she had gathered from her previous encounters was proving quite adequate to the task even if some of her implementations were rather messy.

"The last hostile has an area of effect attack we are very familiar with." She reminded her operator, turning to look up at the Pulsebat with a squint. It had gotten rather high up there, a glance at her sword showed that she wasn't going to reach it with a normal attack.

Such a shame, some of that white powder from the pill was still on the blade too.

"Alex, requesting the strongest of our cannons and the recovery chip please." She pressed the button on the hilt of her sword and the blade vanished, leaving a small cloud of dusty white particles to slowly float to the ground. She stepped to the side and away from the potential hazard. Astraea might suspect they were inert but suspecting and knowing could be two very different things.

"I gotcha, that's the blue one right?" Alex asked as he slid the chip onto Astraea, activating it in the breath that he asked his question. He wasn't that drunk or inexperienced with virus busting after all! As long as he didn't have to make decisions then this much was easy. "Blast the bat!"

"Ye-oh. Thank you." The mechanic blinked in confusion because what was the point of asking if he was already sending it her way? Perhaps it was a memory reminder for himself? She shook her head because she wasn't even going to bother trying to get into psychology and pulled her ray gun out of its holster. The moment the barrel cleared the holster it changed shape and color in her hand, becoming bulkier and more square with a bright blue shade all over. Astraea hefted it with both hands and aimed carefully before pulling the trigger.

ka-WHOOM

A bullet of orange light flashed out and shot high into the air. Astraea would swear that despite it breaking all laws of physics the bullet actually veered toward the Pulsebat.

As she was watching her body was suddenly lit with a green glow and she felt better. Not completely fighting fit again, but certainly better than she had been.

She took her eyes off the pulse bat to glance at the pit behind her with a frown. Had the Metools finally started working their way out of it? If they weren't quick the automated network repair systems would catch them and the treasure.

She didn't know what exactly the consequences of that might be, but she was sure they couldn't be pleasant.

[Action Summary]
1) Dodge
2) MarkCannon1Damage: 70 + Seeking + Lock-on
Accuracy: A
Description: A highly accurate cannon whose automatic aiming system locks onto heat signatures and fires.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Lock-on: Same effect as an automatic Take Aim.
Trader Rank: D: 70 + Seeking + Lock-on (Acc: A) @ Pulsebat
3) Recover30Recovery: 30 HP
Accuracy: S
Description: Heals 30 HP.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: D: Recover 30 HP (Acc: S) @ Self

When Astraea didn't immediately attack and instead gestured and spoke, the cloak-wearing metool gave a small nod. The other three were in the process of climbing out of the pit now that the danger seemed to have passed; a small series of step-stone moves atop each others' helmets created an efficient chain of climbing that let them begin to raise the data back out of the pit in a way that looked fairly practiced.

As this was going on, and the alien pondered means of communication, the sudden rapid movement of the bad saw her dart away from its vector and pull her ray gun. the bat's target seemed to be the data crystal itself as it peeked up out of the hole; the remaining virus was obviously trying to cause as much damage as it could. As it dived, however, the cloak-wearing one darted in between, foot-stooling over the top of one of its compatriots and flinging its pickaxe in the process, before pulling its helmet down low. The thrown weapon winged the bat, twisting it to face the goading metool instead and the blast of sound shuddered off his helm like a gong. Diffuse sound waves rolled out in every direction without enough power to damage anything, though the other three metools all squeaked and ducked under their helmets in panic gestures that would certainly have been too slow in a more dangerous situation.

A moment later, Astraea's shot rang true and nailed the bat soundly, deleting it and ending the danger at last. It took an extra moment for them all to lift up their helms again, and the network floor restored itself quickly once they were all out of the pit; their presence seemed to have been delaying the recovery. The cloaked metool glanced up at Astraea with something that looked like gratitude, though it was a more complex and less one-dimensional emotion than often tended to be expressed by most other viruses... though the glance was brief before it turned to the trio and chattered at them in viral scramble. It sounded like it was both checking that they were unhurt, and also scolding them to some extent, but without a clear translation the specifics were hard to tell. The trio mostly nodded along with simple-minded acceptance.

That done, it turned back to the engineer navi and seemed to take a breath and think for a moment. a small text box appeared beside and began to fill with more symbol gibberish, but the metool shook its head and waved its pickaxe through the symbols a few times, concentrating harder. After a moment, individual letters began to spell themselves out. Each one seemed to take a moment for him to get right, but after a minute the box read:

“No Quarrel. Defending. Protecting. Gratitude.” Below that, a second box scrolled up.
“Still Learning. Many to Help.” That much seemed to be the limit of his focus for forming legible language for now, but he tilted his head at Astraea to see her reaction. A quiet 'Meep!' from behind turned his attention however, and one of the three metools nudged the data crystal across a couple of panels towards Astraea. The others waved their pickaxes, their eyes forming happy arches in her direction. The cloaked one nodded as well and stepped backwards, so that the crystal was between her and them.

-=Viruses=-
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
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
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.: 20Hp

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
Melody EXMelody EX (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 110
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion.: DELETED
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. A: CACTUS
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. B: CACTUS
OldstoveEXOldstoveEX (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 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
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

Metool Protector: 90Hp

-=Navi=-
Astraea.Exe: 85Hp

-=Terrain=-
85% Normal

• No effects.

[Majority of the area]
15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Two cracked strips near where each of the stoves attacked]

-=Objects=-
GMD: 10Hp

-=Battle 7, Victory!=-
Spoils: 900z

Open GMD?

"Hah! Denied!" Alex's voice rang out triumphantly over the private line as the mysterious Metool blocked the bat's assault.

Said cheer was promptly followed by Astraea's shot and as everything wound down she found herself pleased to have been able to successfully defend both herself and the group of Metools. As her blaster shifted back to its sleeker and smaller shape she holstered it and turned to the group, fully expecting them to have disappeared by now.

Instead she found the three getting scolded. While she found the scene awkward, the snickering in the commline said Alex had quite a different reaction. She straightened up when the mysterious Met turned back to her. She gave it a polite but tense smile and bowed to it in gratitude for its assistance with the fight.

As she straightened up she was startled to catch sight of words forming. The textbox was simple but even so it seemed to take quite a bit of effort for the Met to speak. Was it because as a virus it simply wasn't built that way? Was this another point toward a progam growing beyond its parameters? Nevertheless it was good to meet a relatively friendly entity on the net. "That is a grand goal and I wish you well in the endeavour."

"So formal! So it's like a bodyguard for peaceful viruses? I hope it doesn't run into anyone too violent." He mused. She snorted quietly at that, she was glad he had changed his tune from earlier but was he really that oblivious? At least he wasn't asking her to attack the Mettols for the mystery data.

Apparently it wouldn't be necesscary even if he had. Her eyes widened as the Metool pushed the green polygon forward. She was about to ask if they were sure but the looks on her faces made the question rather moot. "I appreciate the thought but perhaps you could assist me with something else first."

Twice she had thought of Metangler during this fight. Here too was another entity that had seemingly grown beyond the bonds of its programming.

"I know an entity that is looking for a place on the Net. Specifically, some place where they might dig and build in peace. They are neither Navi nor virus, but they have an appearance suggesting orgins of the latter. Would you know of somewhere that would accept them?" She tried to keep her question simple, both out of courtesy for replying that the irregular mettool had previously displayed and for her own processor powers.

She was crafting a message in her mind for her current guest. A quick report of the fight with emphasis on the cloaked Metool's actions and words. She held it in reserve, delaying sending it down the link back to her pet until she had an answer.

She might find a solution, but she didn't want to get their hopes up prematurely.

Open Mystery Data? Not yet

The defender of metools everywhere gave Astraea a solemn nod, then turned to leave – he had even slung his pick-axe over his shoulder in a nonchalant hero pose, and turned just so, so that the breeze caught his cloak and flared it out; there were the hints of a sunset and one might even be tempted to imagine the beginning strains of some dramatic piece of music. All of which halted abruptly as the engineer navi drew his attention back with another question.

While the other three metools watched on, he turned back and seemed to consider Astraea, his gaze travelling up and down; it was hard to escape the sensation of being judged for several long moments. Eventually, he nodded then looked around to make sure there weren't any other navis or viruses present, and stepped closer to the alien mechanist.

Rather than speaking again, or bringing up his previous dialogue box, the metool carefully began to scratch lines in the dirt between them. It took a few moments, but she quickly began to recognise that he was scratching out network co-ordinates. The address, when it was complete, didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary, but the metool looked up at her.

“Meep!” He shook his head, blinking, then made a sound that sounded a great deal like he was clearing his throat. A second later the text box returned with a single word in it: “Sanctuary”. After he was sure that Astraea had seen the address clearly, he quickly scrubbed it out again, scraping his pick-axe back and forth across it until there was no sign that anything had been written there. With a last tip of his helmet, the cloaked one turned to wander off again.

The remaining three metools seemed to have more or less forgotten about the previous danger already, and also seemed to have forgotten their previous treasure find; they had moved off to the side a bit, and after a series of small distractions had ended up about a dozen feet away, starting to dig for treasure again with excitement and enthusiasm. Perhaps it was the nature of metools to want to dig – and to not really be too invested in what they actually found, at least not for long.

The cloaked Metool was truly a heroic sight with the sunset effects and th e dramatic billowing of the cape. Not that Astraea really appreciated the sight.

Looks, aesthetics, special effects, none of these things interested her unless it was related to machinery. The heavier said machinery was, the better. However even she couldn't help but be apprehensive and worry about her own looks under the caped crusader's look. Was he trying to guess her intentions? Was he judging whether he could leave the three Metools safely by her?

She took a small step back but managed to keep from reaching for her buster. The scrutiny unnerved her but it was over quickly.

"What's our faaaavorite hero drawing?"

"Writing," She corrected, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the symbols. Her orange eyes lifted back to the Metool at the throat clearing then slid onto the text box. They widened and her mouth opened in a little 'oh'. She stepped closer to help shield the directions then looked down at the coordinates and commited them to memory. The moment she finished she stepped back and gave the Metool a deliberate, thoughtful nod.

If the place lived up to the potentional implied by the name then it was quite the trust the caped hero had in her.

"Message received," She said as he finished rubbing out the coordinates. The smile she wore was small but sincere, and she could feel a warm feeling bubbling up in her chest. "Thank you, for everything."

"Hey hey, you can't get all weepy now!" Alex chided, as the caped Metool took off into the Net. Astraea was confused until she felt something trickle down the stalk of her eye. "This was a good thing! No getting weepy over good things!"

No getting weepy over good things, huh? She knew Alex enough to know how to respond. She snorted and blinked her eyes rapidly, watching as the other Metool started digging. "I believe you are mistaken, operator. The digging has thrown up dust which has gotten into my eye. Unfortunately I was constructed with the sterile environment of the satellite in mind."

"Uh-huh." She smiled at the disbelief in his voice and dusted her hands off. "Should get you the helmet if that's the case! But hey, are you going to open the treasure or noooot? They don't want it!"

Astraea watched the Metools digging then nodded. He was correct that they appeared to have no interest in the green polyhedral. "I am still unsure, operator."

"Hey-hey, think of it like this! It's normally really attractive, right?" At her hesitant nod Alex continued, his confidence growing the more he explained. "So by taking the it you'll a) make this area less appealing to other Navis and b) show your gratitude for their gratitude! It'd be rude not to!"

"I feel your logic is faulty but I cannot write to log where the trouble is, operator." Astraea said but obediently she turned to the crystal and reached out her hand to trigger the opening. "I shall have to comply."

"Yess! It better be something good after all that! Wait, are you teasing me?"

Open MD: Yes

With the other entities moving on, Astraea engaged in a brief war of dubious logic with her operator, and then opened the data crystal that had been offered. It spun up quickly, but wobbled here and there from the minor blows it had initially taken. After a second or two, however the cracks fused and repaired themselves, and the crystal performed a few orderly revolutions before unpacking itself and delivering a bundle of chip data towards the mechanic.

GMD: MoonRay1Damage: 80 + Lunar Drain
Accuracy: A
Description: Fires a ray of lunar energy at an enemy.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Lunar Drain: Removes the target's outermost defense layer, even if it wouldn't normally be removed by this attack. Nullifies any counterattacks from that defense. Still triggers other defenses' counterattacks, if applicable.
Trader Rank: D

"Hey look, that chip's as out of the world as you are!" Alex broke into drunken laughter and Astraea briefly rolled her eyes. She finished sending the chip data on then continued on her way, comparing her internal compass against the coordinates she had been given.

Soon their promise would be fulfilled.

[Searching Battle #8]
Astraea
Lvl 5
85 hp
Self Destruct/Masterwork

Further into the network after her encounter with the slightly more learned Metool, Astraea found that the rocky terrain didn't seem like it would be letting up any time soon. In fact, the dried up areas seemed to be getting cracked in places and producing large sinkholes in the ground. The holes were easy enough to avoid, but a closer look revealed that there didn't seem to be a bottom through the holes--they appeared to go on forever into the dark. Moreover, some of them seemed to come in pairs in long intervals, looking like some unfathomably large creature had gone through and cracked the earth with enormous leaps.

Near a solitary sinkhole, Astraea then came across a trio of viruses, two of which seemed to be turret-oriented--a Kabutank and a Cannondumb. There was a Metool next to them, but it appeared to be slightly different than other Metools; it was missing its signature pickaxe, and instead had a strange gun barrel where a mouth would be, underneath its eyes. The Metool and the Kabutank were inspecting a spinning green crystal, when the Cannondumb quickly swiveled in Astraea's direction, detecting her approach. It emitted a shrill beeping noise repeatedly, alerting the other two to her presence. Suddenly, a howl could be heard in the distance. To her right, a duo of Spikeys was now running in her direction, with a pair of long-eared Bunny riders coming along for the trip!

-- Viruses --
CannonDumb EXCannonDumb EX (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: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 40 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: 90 HP [Cracked, in front of Astraea]
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, in front of Astraea]
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.: 40 HP [Cracked, in front of Astraea]

Spikey EXSpikey EX (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 140
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Spikey, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys A: 140 HP [Normal, Coming from the right]
Spikey EXSpikey EX (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 140
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Spikey, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys B: 140 HP [Normal, Coming from the right]
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. A: 60 HP [Normal, Riding SpikeyEX A]
BunnyEXBunnyEX (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: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Bunny, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges. B: 60 HP [Normal, Riding SpikeyEX B]

-- Navis --
Astraea.EXE: 85 HP [Normal]

-- Terrain --
15% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[Large sinkhole]
15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Cracked earth surrounding sinkhole]
70% Normal

• No effects.

[Everywhere else]

-- Objects --
GMD: 35 HP [Next to NeoMetool & Kabutank]

-- Battle 8 Ready? Start!! --

"Huh, those broken panels almost look a trail of footprints! Also more treasure, whoo!" Alex said. He had plugged his PET into the tv and as a result enjoyed a bird's eye view of the area. "Don't fall in the hole, I don't know if I wanna get that deep with you!"

With a fond roll of her eyes at the laughter from her operator the little mechanic came to a stop. There were quite a few foes out and about, and the potential for things to go painfully was very, very high.

'I'll work cautiously to start,' She thought as she surveyed each of the viruses in turn. Her eyes lingered on the Spikeys with their strange rabbit riders. Did these two look a little tougher then the one before? She thought they might, and considering how much that on had hurt she had a pretty good indication of what to prioritize.

"Requesting the water dragon chip and cactus ball chip, Alex." She said as she stepped back and flexed her hands, stretching her tendons and the scant muscle there before the chips were sent.

"Huh, y'know its weird but the plants have actually done better for us than the dragon has." said Alex as he dragged his finger across the slide-reel of chips to pull the designated chips onto Astraea's body. In his peripheral he caught sight of his movements being broadcasted to the tv as well and grinned. "Does this count as being on tv?"

That was a question Astraea didn't have an answer to or context for. Her face scrunched in confusion. She could, with a little effort, send her awareness back along the 'line' to figure out what he was talking about but the viruses were a more immediate matter.

A blue glow settled over her as she activated the dragon chip. The sound of waves crashing in the surf filled her ears as she raised her hands as high as she could before leaning forward to slam them on the ground. A geysar gushed up from between her fingers and she scrabbled back as it shifted from a plume of water to the dripping maw of a mighty dragon. With a roar the chip construct threw itself forward in great bouncing arcs toward the unfortunate dogs and their riders.

As the dragon leaped forward Astraea stumbled back. She didn't quite fall from the force of the water rushing forward but it was a very near thing. She wobbled for a moment on one leg while pinwheeling wildly before her second foot crashed into the ground as well. With an immediate sigh of relief she pivoted to face the group of three and took a couple clumsy steps sideways.

Hopefully that was enough to throw them off.

With a look of intense concentration Astraea raised her hands above her head again as her body became outlined in green light. She wiggled her fingers in the air and with four loud "Pop"s summoned four round cactus balls that went tumbling and bouncing and wiggling across the ground at her foes. She watched them bounce away then drew her raygun and gave the wiggling stack a bounce to speed up the pace.

Action Summary
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Astraea
85 hp
1) AquaDragon1Damage: 100 + Ground Attack + Medium Area Sea Terrain Change + Terrain Changer
Accuracy: C
Description: Summons a WaterDragon that attacks enemies as it glides across the ground. Changes terrain to Sea as it passes.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Special: Terrain Changer: Ceases attacking when the Terrain Change effect is completed (once 25% of the terrain is changed).
Trader Rank: D: 100 + Ground Attack + 25% Sea Terrain Change + Terrain Changer (Acc: C) @ Spikies
2) Dodge
3) CactusBall2Damage: 40 x 4 Hits + Ground Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: Rolls a spiked ball at an enemy, but if it ceases hitting its target, it will harmlessly roll off into the distance.
Duration: Once
Element: Wood
Special: Attacks the same target up to four times, but the attack will end immediately if it misses at any point.
Trader Rank: C: 40 x 4 Hits + Ground Attack (Acc: C) @ CannonDumb, Kabutank, NeoMetool