[Closed] We're So Close To Something Better Left Unknown

[outlawrain]

WHO: Moses and Lancer
WHERE: On a mission somewhere
WHEN: 01/20
WHAT: Moses and Lancer on their second adventure together and things go not great.
WARNINGS: N/A



"Y'know, this is way too quiet for the price."

It required two people, they got a ton of money it, and all they had to do was find a thing. Moses wasn't sure what thing, but Lancer was told what it was and where it was. Moses? Well it was time to showcase his other power. Sure, he didn't really know how it worked and he hadn't really practiced it, but it seemed to activate all on it's own. Case in point, as they got close to the location, Moses was able to start directing them, making this task way too easy.

...Surely there had to be a big siren going off somewhere saying 'Shit's about to go down'. Not for these two. Then again, the brotherly-ness that they exuded was probably protection enough for them. He grinned and moved over, wrapping his arm around Cu's neck, pulling him closer. He chuckled a bit, refusing to leave his side.

"We're gettin' close! Y'ready?" If this was a battle, things might be different. But, just locating something, getting ready basically meant going in and out. This wasn't even that well hidden a location. Perhaps that's why Moses was tense. Although it could only be seen in the hand, giving that javelin a good squeeze.

Could Lancer sense it too?

Comments

[lucke]

The sudden contact jars Cu from his reverie, whom until just now was walking silently besides his companion and friend. As Moses pulls him in tight he gives him a curious look as if he just now was getting his attention.

"Hm? ...Oh yeah. Sure." He gives a long look down at his hand for a moment, which he flexes into a fist then releases a couple times.

It was getting to that point again. Upon arriving in this world Cu knew his body was now more human than spirit, giving him a moderate ability to produce mana to supply his powers. If he was careful he could maintain a bit of stability between the supply and demand. But this last month had been pretty demanding --all those applicants that needed testing. Strong fighters all of them.

...Perhaps he's pushed himself a little too hard. Fatigue clawed at his muscles in a way that left him wondering if a mission had been the right call.

[outlawrain]

Now, Moses only knew baseline knowledge of the whole master and servant thing. He didn't know exactly what it all caused or what Cu could or couldn't do. All he knew was that Cu had to deal with some awful master in the past and he was free now! That was good, right?

Except for right now. When he was clearly not paying attention. Moses wasn't book smart but he could tell when Cu was not thinking straight. And this was that moment. I mean, it was obvious.

"...Hey, we can stop for a bit." This wasn't as fun as he had hoped. Sure, a mission is work but he expected it to be more like Alaska. Cu gets too drunk, Moses complains, it's a good time. "We've got plenty of time and we're like an hour away."

And he separates from Cu. It now just feels... weird.

[lucke]

"...Now why would we do that?" Cu huffs, piquing a brow at Moses as if the notion was ridiculous.

Now he'd done it. Was he so far off his game it was detectable? Even though he closes his eyes and steps ahead as if to drop the subject, he couldn't help but feel worried. Losing his powers was hard enough, but if it demoralizes Moses it could put him in real danger should it distract him.

With confident strides he steps forward and flicks his arms out in shrug-like gesture, calling back to his companion over his shoulder.

"So does that funky power of yours tell you where we're going to end up?" Probably a pretty obvious topic change, but it was best to keep everyone grounded in the mission.

[outlawrain]

It was obvious, but it worked. Moses may have been worried but he was definitely still trying to figure out his own power. Maybe if he talked it over with his boss, and closest friend, he might actually figure something out.

"I think so! Take a left now." That was easy enough. "I mostly jus' know where somethin' is and go in that direction. Like if we were back in the city, I'd know the fastest way to get back home! So that's gotta be worth somethin'." He lets out a laugh and moves up closer to him, slapping him on the shoulder.

"I'm hopin' we don't have to fight too much here." He looks at him, "Just cause I'm worried." He's not demoralized in the least. But for this? He'd rather just get in and out.

is this alright? Lemme know if you need me to change anything.

[lucke]

Sadly, Cu was hoping the same thing. Normally a fight with one hand tied behind his back was the perfect setting for him. But Moses was no heroic spirit. He was certainly strong, and could hold his own. But he still was mortal. And a stray bullet could drop him in an instant. A stray bullet that Cu needed to be able to intercept if need be.

But could he? If it came to that?

Following Moses's directions, Cu alters his course, stepping over a small log along the trail he was picking along.

"Well, our job is just to grab the black box from some CEO's downed personal jet. Seems pretty cut and dry. They just needed someone willing to make the hike. And we just happen to have the right skills and the time to put them to use."

Simple right? Not odd in the slightest the business man is hiring a pair of import mercenaries instead of asking the authorities on what seems to be a cake walk job. Not to mention the price was easily inflated.

perfect!

[outlawrain]

Moses wasn't too worried about anything that may have come their way. They could take it together. But Moses's stamina was slightly weaker at this point from all the locating he had to do for this strange black box. "Yeah, I know." He kept moving forward, trying not to worry too much. "Can't complain 'bout good money, right?"

He laughed for a moment until he heard something going through the forest. Immediately grabbing one of his spears. Shit. He didn't like this. It was too risky. What if they get attacked. What if someone comes after them? He looks back towards Cu for a moment.

"How much can y'fight if we need to? I don't got a lot in me but if you've got some..." He's just hoping he's being safe over sorry.

[lucke]

Cu hears the same indications, and stops.

Damn it all, if his senses weren't dulled he could have steered them clear. But just what the heck was going on? Why were people out here in the middle of nowhere? Not to mention, as Cu scanned the nearby foliage, eyes narrowed, this was no simple hiking team. He couldn't quite see anyone.But he could feel them. Fanned out. Ready.

It was starting to become very clear why imports were hired for this job.

"...On my signal..." Cu hisses, gripping the haft of his wooden spear as his eyes dart around, taking in the lay of the land. "Head t-"

But a sudden BANG cuts his instructions off and in the blink of an eye Cu is grunts and falls back a few steps. Although staggered, Cu rights himself quickly, holding up his spear to eye the large caliber bullet now lodged into the haft. In that flash of a moment he'd managed to raise his spear just in time to catch it. However the haft was splintering where the bullet had impacted, the runes running up the shaft blinking and fading as the enchantment strengthing it failed.

Looks like his luck wasn't going to hold

"MOVE"

[outlawrain]

Moses feels like he's just lead them both to their death. And he feels ashamed. He was relying on his powers too much and not common sense. Which was a dangerous thing to have happen.

The gunshot causes a shiver to go right through his body, and he can barely look back to see the one thing that could be their saving grace here being completely destroyed. He blinks for a moment and was only shaken out of it by a very loud Lancer telling him to move. He looked back and forth before ducking down as quick as he can and rolling out of the way.

He tries to lower his own breathing but it's failing due to his high adrenaline. He tries to calm himself down, but nearly getting shot does not help with that. He tries to find Lancer after rolling away, not sure where he is. But he knows, through hunting, that if he does not come up off the ground, he will be fine.

He hopes.

Now he has to get Cu's full attention so they can figure out a plan.

[lucke]

The first shot was quickly followed by a staggered barrage, peppering the ground with little explosions of dirt and dessicated leaves. It seems both Cu's and Moses's insticts were in sync as they both jumped to cover, in opposite directions.

With a bound a roll, Cu comes up behind a stump, crouched but ready. Bullets chew through the soft wood of his chosen barrier but it would hold for now. Long enough for him to take stock and find Moses, which was easy enough. It only took a moment for their eyes t meet, but Cu didn't immediately offer any suggestions, voiced or otherwise.

His first instinct was to have them seperate, each attacking a seperate flank of the enemy's entrenched position. But Moses had demonstrated nothing that would be an inherent defense against gunfire in their many sparring sessions and he couldn't risk leaving him alone. But his second instinct to rush over there and act as his shield was also quickly dismissed.

Normally could have easily intercepted the bullets hailing down around them, deflecting them with this spear. But weakened as he was he doubted that was possible. The one he had blocked was pretty much his limit right now, and that had been mostely luck. Besides, as he takes another glance at his damaged weapon, the spear wasn't likely to hold up to much punishment anyways.

One thing was certain, they couldn't stay pinned down like this or else the enemy might get wise and flank their cover. Closing the distance seemed like the best option. Hopefully there was enough cover.

"Alright, stay low and use the forest as cover." Cu growls over to his companion, setting his feet for a sprint. "I'll draw their fire, you advance and cover me. Ready?" Cu ducks low, gathering his center of gravity low and springs out from behind the tree, shouting "GO!"

[outlawrain]

This was not good. If Cu didn't have a plan, they weren't exactly safe. He looked towards the blue haired man as the gunfire began to slow down. Where even was it coming from? They still couldn't see the people that were back there, and Moses was trying to watch. What could they do? His own stamina was weak from all the treking but...

He may still have something left in his sleeves. If they can find out where these people are. To do that, he needs to get closer. But to get closer is to go through the barrage of bullets himself and he's not here to die. The money from it ain't worth that.

But he looks to Cu, nodding as he listens to him. It's their best option. He gives a quick nod as he gets ready to go. Grabbing one of his spears, he gets down low. Running away from the center before dashing out, trying to get closer to the figures as he runs across, hearing the bullets again.

He grips his spear tight. If he fails with this, there's a good chance that their journey ends here.

[lucke]

With synchronized movements, Cu dashes out from behind his cover, momentarily making a beeline straight at the enemy position. This charge only lasted a moment, just long enough to register in the mind's of their enemies where he was, before he suddenly rolls to the side. Just in time to dodge a burst of gunfire. And he doesn't stop there.

He's on his feet in the blink of an eye, running straight at a three and leaping to kick off it and suddenly change directions again, giving their assailants a good old Crazy Ivan. Even without his powers, Cu's instincts and natural agility make it hard to track and anticipate his motions.

He couldn't keep this up forever. But he didn't need to. Just long enough to give Moses time to strike, draw attention back off of him so he can then turn and mop up. All the while he listens, tracking the steady rhythm of fire, differentiating them and placing their positions in his mind.

About... Seven gun men. In a chevron formation. Clearly an ambush. Boy where they gunna get it...

[outlawrain]

This is what made him nervous. They were completely in sync, of course, but they were down to their last stand. If Moses messed this up, he'd be at fault for their failure. And he didn't want that to happen. But it was all he could think of. He took a deep breath and squeezed onto his spear. He looked up into the sky. He took a deep breath.

"Wild Rain!" Firing it up before stumbling backwards to grab onto the tree. Although they were aiming at them, a number of them dispersed quickly once they noticed that some of their companions had just gotten hit with spears. The problem was they were still there. They were still fighting.

And Moses was out.

"L... Lancer?" He looked towards him, sinking down low. "I'm outta... juice." He needed to rest. It was inevitable now. They were so screwed.