"That poor sinner doesn't look capable of lying with the Beast." Frederick mourns, letting his gaze linger on the woman once again as he tries to find some clue as to the real reason her birth has caused such a ruckus-- doubting even then that anything could be obvious. Except for, maybe, the preacher's madness. "But his wickedness has corrupted many souls..."
"We should watch-- and be purified in the watching. My companion here was once a boisterous and jovial man but the sins of the world have stolen all by the fewest words from his mouth, his frown is our constant companion." He speaks, naturally, of Urso and gives the man a few reassuring pats on the back.
"Please... don't let us delay you further." He motions Urso to one side of the road and steps back himself, allowing for the preacher to continue along it-- intending to talk in hushed tones with his teammate once they are no longer the center of attention. "Is this all of you, preacher? Is it too much to hope that there are more faithful in the camp that have been saved by your blessed words?"
The preacher's head hangs slightly and he shakes his head. "Nay, child, this is all of God's chosen in this blighted land. Once there were more of us, before Satan's minions ran us out of our homes in the East. We've come here seeking more righteous souls like yourselves to join our crusade across Hell's landscape in hopes of finding salvation beyond the wastes. We do not linger long in one place, for the hell-spawned beasts give us no quarter here in their playground. Join us, brothers, and be purified by His Holiness."
The procession continues on towards the burning spot where a few of the congregation scatter to gather scraps of wood strewn about. They come dangerously close to Therese and Spyro's positions in the process, but the duo remain cleverly hidden from sight.
"I am getting the sense that the preacher is too mad to give us any sort of useful information." Frederick murmurs with Urso after the majority of the procession has passed, his words lost in the general murmur of prayer a scant few inches from the other man's ear. "We might be able to talk sense into his flock but I would rather not bet against the armed men's fervor."
"The woman will side with us, surely, and I am trying to get a better sense of some that I might be able to manipulate before we start killing."
Fred:
"I am getting the sense that the preacher is too mad to give us any sort of useful information. We might be able to talk sense into his flock but I would rather not bet against the armed men's fervor.
"The woman will side with us, surely, and I am trying to get a better sense of some that I might be able to manipulate before we start killing."
Urso nods briefly and studies the assemblage. "The armed men will be the most indoctrinated, their faith unshakable. I do not hold out hope that you will be able to sway them or the preacher. I do not feel right driving the rest into the wasteland, so I hope they will not make that necessary."
Briefly scanning the area, Urso locates the closest area of decent cover and subtly indicates it to Frederick. "When the shooting starts, we run for that. I hope Therese will have the self-control necessary for this to work."
Frederick nods idly as Urso speaks, his own attention split between the conversation and the passing members of the procession. Looking back once the other man is done talking he runs a hand through his hair and clears his throat, thinking for another moment before adding "The preacher has done something to them. He may be a psion or he might be something else but I am quite certain that their mental state has been altered by some abnormal external force."
"I am almost tempted to insist that he is killed first in the hopes that, with him removed, whatever alterations he's made can be undone. It is a dangerous gamble but it seems now that even the unarmed members of his flock would blindly attack us without regard for their own personal safety, so deeply ingrained is their fanaticism.
Spyros whispers to Therese, "It looks like it's going well, right?"
The members of the congregation undertake their grim work solemnly, gathering scraps of wood from a pile situated just inside the blasted-out hangar's east side and assembling a pyre around the scorched metal framework in the hangar's former center. Spyro and Therese remain hidden just behind the remnants of the western hangar wall while Urso and Fred conspire a dozen meters or so north of the pyre.
The two guardsmen holding the woman, neither of which are armed, stoicly maintain themselves while the wood is piled up to the hymn of various prayers issued forth by the preacher. One of the younger members of the congregation, a male perhaps no more than 20, excitedly approaches Urso and Fred.
"Would you like to join us, brothers? Come forward and receive the Lord's grace."
The woman continues sobbing uncontrollably, but she makes no efforts to escape her captors. She can occassionally be heard murmuring to herself, perhaps uttering a prayer of some kind. Regardless, she seems resigned to her fate.
Spyros whispers to Therese, "It looks like it's going well, right?"
Therese
"The preacher has done something to them. He may be a psion or he might be something else but I am quite certain that their mental state has been altered by some abnormal external force."
Urso apes the look on the faces of the congregation to hide his shock and surprise.
The two guardsmen holding the woman, neither of which are armed, stoicly maintain themselves while the wood is piled up to the hymn of various prayers issued forth by the preacher. One of the younger members of the congregation, a male perhaps no more than 20, excitedly approaches Urso and Fred.
"Would you like to join us, brothers? Come forward and receive the Lord's grace."
Urso follows Frederick's lead, but will keep Fred within arms reach and both of them within running distance of good cover if at all possible. He'd want to be closer to any of the armed men that Therese and Spyros don't have a clear shot on.
Spyros:
Her lips thin. "Once you have your target, hold for my signal, but maintain your focus on him. We will give Falen as long as we can." More quietly still, she adds, "Vite, m'sieu Falen, vite..."
One of the younger members of the congregation, a male perhaps no more than 20, excitedly approaches Urso and Fred.
"Would you like to join us, brothers? Come forward and receive the Lord's grace."
"Of course we will. It would be silly to miss such a momentous occasion. Go now-- we will be close behind-- do not let our wonderment cost you a good spot near the pyre." Fred responds, looking up and quickly plastering on that same sublime smile as he greets the young follower. He lifts a hand to indicate that the fellow should go ahead and then motions for Urso to continue, sliding up to stand at his side so they might continue to mutter as they move. He rests a hand on closest of the larger man's shoulders and leans in as they walk.
"We need to isolate and take down the psion. Perhaps this will end the mind control. We will be able to accomplish nothing here until that is done."
"I feel certain that we will not be able to separate this man from his flock. Not entirely, anyway, and the armed men seem to have the closest... [/]connection." The way the last word is formed only serves to reiterate the agent's belief that there is some supernatural force at work here. "[i]Knowing Miss Beaupre as I do she will already have her weapon trained on the men preparing the sacrifice-- if we were to fire on the preacher I am almost certain she would follow suit. Should he drop quickly we can eliminate one or two of his armed guard in the confusion and hope sense returns quickly to the procession before we have to kill the rest."
Frederick answers the young follower in a smiling, friendly manner before motioning him ahead and following at Urso's side. He walks with one hand on the other agent's shoulder and leans in to talk as they go. He seems content to talk and follow for now as the ritual continues.
The wood is piled up around the steel framework that has undoubtedly been used for this grim purpose more than once by the charring that covers its surface. The woman seems completely consigned to her fate, simply hanging limply in the arms of her captors. When the pyre is constructed, the two men lead her up to the frame and, using a pair of blackened handcuffs, secure her to the pole. Meanwhile, the preacher circles the pyre, annointing the wood with gasoline delivered from a makeshift aspergillum while chanting a Latin prayer (which is parroted by the congregation).
Finally, when the prayer is concluded, the preacher calls everyone to prayer.
"Oh Heavenly Father, hallowed be thy name, please receive unto you this sacrifice of our flesh and blood. Let thy Holiness pierce the darkness that has fallen upon our humble congregation. As we commit this sinner to the flames, let us be cleansed by your light and your love. Your eternal servants, your warriors, your children, we thank you. Amen."
At the conclusion of the prayer, one of the boys in the congregation approaches the pyre with a matchbook, pulling one out to strike it. The boy is probably no more than 13 years old. The armed men have their weapons shouldered and simply look on with anticipation, as do the others. Many of them are wringing their hands and grinning, though no one is speaking. The woman on the pyre is mumbling incoherently and sobbing uncontrollably. You assume she is likely begging forgiveness, but her warbling is completely incomprehensible.
Spyros:
Initiative:
Spyro: 13
Armed Guard 2: 13-
Fred: 11
Therese: 9
Urso: 9-
Armed Guard 4: 7
Preacher: 6
Armed Guards 1 & 3: 5
Under the guise of remaining vigilant of the surroundings, Urso will unlimber his rifle cautiously and stares into the darkness. When it becomes clear that nothing is going to stop the ceremony, Urso will wait until the guards are bowed in prayer. Unless Fred indicates they should attack sooner, Urso will chamber a round, nod to Fred, and fire at the preacher.
Urso nods to Fred and, as the congregation is nearing the conclusion of their prayer, the South American levels his rifle at the preacher's back and breaks the stillness of the night air with a booming gunshot. The shot is a bit off, having been fired so quickly without the benefit of aim, but it strikes the preacher in the left shoulder and his prayer is abruptly cut off with a shriek of pain. Almost in unison, Fred levels his autopistol at the same target and unloads a massive volley of deadly projectiles. They strike the preacher full on in the back and send him to the ground . The others look up with bewilderment on their faces while the guardsmen quickly move to make ready their weapons...
Urso will move to meet A1 and grapple him, crushing him and using him as a human shield to fend off A2's attacks. Two shotguns is too many. He'll motion to Fred to get to cover.
As the guards turn to face Urso and Fred, Spyro pops up from behind a low wall and levels his taser at the back of one of the assault rifle-wielding guards. The electrodes smack into the guard's spine and deliver an incapacitating jolt . He staggers about, bewildered and unable to steady his rifle.
Another of the guards, this one a shotgun-wielder, springs into action with alarming speed. He rushes forward and dives to cover the preacher's prone and bleeding form, leveling his shotgun at Fred as he kneels. The blast catches the Neptune officer across the midsection. Though his armor protects his vital organs, the damage to his arms and legs is significant and the jolt of the impact renders him slightly winded.
Already lining up his shot, Fred is startled by the guard's rapid approach and sudden attack. Still, he steels himself against the pain and fires off the remainder of his magazine at the downed preacher, hoping to put an end to the old man. Despite the young guard's cover, the preacher's protection is far from absolute, and Fred's shots score numerous hits on the preacher's exposed head . The scattered brain matter leaves no illusions about the man's fate and Fred flees to the relative safety of nearby cover, the pain of his injuries already beginning to overwhelm him.
Therese watches the guard spring forward and make his attack on Fred. Unable to track his sudden movement fast enough, she finally lets loose with a series of laser blasts just as Fred executes the preacher. The first volley lands a single hit along the man's shoulder, eliciting a cry of pain . The second volley is more focused however, and scores several hits along his lower back, one blowing all the way through his midsection which leaves him collapsing forward over the body of the preacher. He coughs up blood and struggles to stand, but it is clear he is fatally injured.
Urso rushes forward through the unarmed congregation and leaps for the other shotgun-toting guard, seizing him around the shoulders and preventing him from bringing the shotgun to bear. Urso's grip is not terribly secure however, and the guard twists and writhes to prevent the larger man from getting a solid hold on him. Urso headbutts the man, but is surprised by the resilience with which he springs back .
The guard Urso is engaged with tries to bring his shotgun's business end into the fight, but Urso's tenacious grapple prevents him from gaining any leverage.
Meanwhile, the other rifle guard readies his gun to spray the field with fire, shouting loudly to the congregation to "hit the deck." The panicked crowd scatters and rolls away just as the guard opens up with a hail of bullets aimed into Urso's grapple. Urso raises an arm to shield his face, bullets hammering into the composite armor that covers the bulk of his body . The other guard, however, does not have the advantage of ceramic trauma plating and is buried under by numerous hits all across his torso, legs, and neck . He collapses in Urso's grip like a ragdoll, choking on his own blood and sucking wet air through the hole in his trachea. The shooter is stunned and awed by Urso's miraculous survival and stares blankly while wisps of smoke escape his barrel.
The crowd scatters, uttering a panoply of cries and shrieks. Many simply hit the ground, others run to nearby cover. A few scramble to grab rocks and lengths of wood, rallying under a particularly fiery youth who proclaims:
"The Devil's minions come to save their own!"
Urso will raise the body of the guard he was grappling over his head and bellow "We are the Sword of God, here to punish you for your sins!" He'll then hurl the bleeding body in the direction of the nearest functional gunman, aiming to intimidate the remaining people through sheer might (and a touch of rhetoric).
