It's Turbin' Time (Library of Ruina Modded/Arknights)

1.7 - Command Terminal

With a sniper harassing your allies, and the possibility of reinforcements arriving, attempting to extract information from these goons now would be a waste. The advantages of obtaining the information now are outweighed by the risks involved, and the possibility of a far higher payout in the form of a full interrogation by the side of a healer. You're generally used to going for the bigger payout, actually.

"I don't disagree with Texas. It's not really a good idea to go through with any interrogations right here. We should just take them to this bar you mentioned." you are kind of in need of a drink right now, with how the day's been. "Where is it, by the way?"

"Close by. Just go through this freeway, turn to left, keep going for a kilometer and a half, turn right, you're there." Texas says, right before putting another stick of chocolate in her mouth. You wonder if they make these chocolate sticks look like cigarretes on purpose- no, that one actually is a real cigar. "Though-" she says, gesturing to the truck- "we still have to go get Sora first. Let's go, then."

Texas reminds you a lot of Nicole, the fifteenth amongst your ranks. The way of speaking is pratically identical, and it seems that they're even both smokers. But again, there's probably a lot of laid-back smokers in the world. And Texas does not seem to be nearly as addicted as Nicole. Few people are. She can quite literally cough out a smokescreen for covert operations. Her lungs are mechanical and are as enhanced as your budget can afford, and even then you still have to replace them every semester or so. Then again, these seem to be regular cigars, and not the Haze Workshop monstrocities that Nicole smokes. As someone who fought on the Smoke War, you genuinely don't understand how people can tolerate it. You fought an entire war to get rid of it, and now youngsters willingly shove it down their lungs. Kids these days.

"I am pretty sure that you fought the Smoke War for money, Sieg. You told me before."

Well, that is true, but it is generally recommended to present yourself as a valiant warrior fighting to rid the City of a toxic, corruptive influence, rather then someone paid to do a job. It looks better in the resume.

"You're the boss, you don't need to care about your own resume- oh wait, no, you just went back to wage labor, like, half an hour ago."

Truly, it is a saddening ocurrence. Well, better get going. These wounds aren't going to heal themselves.

---

Your name is Capone.

You are the leader of your family's operations in Lungmen. Or at least you were. Your blood brother, Gambino, has seized control of them since the rest of your families got ganked back in Siracusa. Right now, you're waiting on a bench, trying to think of a solution to your current situation.

That moron is going to ruin everything. He's too brash, too hotheaded, and he doesn't fucking understand that sometimes you just have to shut up and do as you're told. You- and the rest of your family- are not strong enough to challenge Lungmen and win. The moron already wants to break the rules and call Yenwu in your ass while you're in the middle of an assault on Penguin Logistics and he's going to get you all killed-

No. Enough. Deep breaths, Capone, deep breaths.

Your head hurts like fuck. You think that samurai guy gave you a concussion. But it's okay- it's okay. Everything is going to work out. You are going to take down Penguin Logistics, take control of their operations, make Gambino shut the fuck up and then you'll survive. Like you always do. You'll keep the family going, you will stay alive.

...you now remember that day. The day where you two swore your oath.

You were scared, back then. Even though you lived your entire life being prepared for it, you still trembled when the day came. When your father, and Gambino's father, told you to kill for the first time. They were traitors, sure, and they were weak. But you were scared of what you were doing, and... maybe you swore that oath with him to feel a little less scared. Misery loves company- if there was someone feeling as shit as you were, maybe you'd feel less shit. And you know Gambino was scared, too. Neither of you are scared of killing people nowadays, but you were kids, back then. As much as he might talk shit and look impressive about braining the traitor, you knew he was scared, too. And you know he had reasons so very similar to yours, for making that oath of blood.

...the hell is up with you today? You're not usually the kind of guy to spend time reminiscing.

Alright, back to more productive venues of thought. Gambino's here to meet up with you, and you two can plan an assault on that shithole of a bar Emperor calls his property.

Oh, he's here already.

"You look like shit."

"Geez, you think?" you say to your moron of a brother.

He narrows his eyes. "You still need to learn to keep your mouth shut." that's fucking rich coming from him- okay, Capone, calm down. You have an attack to plan.

"Yeah, wasn't expecting a samurai attack."

"Hmm? One our guys mentioned a samurai. Beat ya pretty bad, didn't he?" he growls. "They think the guy's some kind of Higashi merc. There's some of those wanderin' round those parts. We're right next to Yan. Higashi's right next 'em. There's traffic. "

A Higashi merc? No, not really.

"All he had of Higashi in him was the dumb hat. Armor didn't look anything like their stuff. I didn't see his face, but I'm pretty sure there was no horn, so Oni is right out. Could be Aegir, but not sure." fuck, your head hurts. "If Penguin Logistics or the brat's dad hired him beforehand... no, not Penguin Logistics. Not their style. This means it's the prince's father. They don't feel safe."

"They got two of ours, Capone. I'm sure they know everything already. Our men already got to trackin' these hacks down- they're going to that shithole of a bar. Remember when I said we'd burn it down? Let's get to it."

You're still feeling like shit, but this isn't a fight you can back down from. You grab onto Gambino's hand. Let's see if you can beat some sense into his head before he goes, gets himself killed and drags you down with him.

You sigh. "You haven't changed at all, cazzo. Still rushing along like a moron." you answer his glare with another of your own. If you don't make him listen, he won't listen. "That guy's tough. Fast enough to reflect my crossbow bolts with his hands, strong enough to knock out one of our guys in one hit."

"You scared of the big bad merc? What's your plan, Capone? Sit around and twiddle your thumbs like you've done all those years in Lungmen? I already got what's wrong with you. You forgot our pride."

"Going in an rushing into their base is just going to get you killed. We need a plan. You said they were going to the bar, right?" that is probably the first good thing that happened to you today.

You've started talking to your brother- who you hadn't seen in years- for barely a day and you can't stand him already. But you have experience in dealing with people who you can't stand.

"If they're heading to a place to hole up- just need to get there first. Set up an ambush, cazzo. Come on."

He grunts. You've gotten his attention. Great. But you'll need to be quick.

---

As your ride drives through the streets of Lungmen, you're starting to feel kind of bored. You guess that you've gotten used to always have one of your friends at your side. Now that they're, well, gone... you're just feeling kind of lonely.

You sigh. This has been a long day.

"So... what'cha here for?" asks Crossiant, sitting by your side.

Hm?

"Here, in this truck?"

"No, no. I mean, 'ere in Lungmen! What did bring ya over here? Why didja get cut up that bad?" she asks, shaking her head.

You suppose there's no harm in picking up a conversation.

"No idea. I didn't even know I was in Lungmen until recently. I just woke up in the backstreets of this city and got tangled with-" you make a vague gesture for everything around you. "-all of this. Don't have any problems with it, though."

"Uh. You, just woke up here? Do you remember what happened before?" says Bison.

"Yes, in fact. I was hired, alongside my Office- my group of mercenaries- to complete a job in a place called "The Library." Unfortunately, we failed to complete it. I was defeated by one of the Library's safekeepers, and just woke up here afterwards. These wounds were inflicted by her."

"Ouch, man. So ya just don't know what happened? Weird." Crossiant munches in one of Texas' sticks of chocolate. "What happened to your buddies?"

"I don't know."

The mood gets somber, all of a sudden. You are sad about what happened, but you've got to keep going forward, no? That's how the Fixer industry is. Apart from mourning for the dead, you have to keep going forward. And again, you have decisive proof that being "booked" is reversible. You can go back, beat them to pieces, and win this battle.

But before you can continue your talk with the two horned Messengers, the truck grinds to a halt. You ready your weapon- did someone stop you? You can see someone running towards the vehicle, but no one is looking hostile. Well, except for Bison, who has his shield in the ready.

It's a girl with... bunny ears? Yes, these seem like bunny ears. Short skirt, boots, and you think these are called "thigh-highs?" Twintails, too. All in all, she looks like one of these singers you see in television. She's even holding a microphone. You remember that one of these girls- they're called "Idols," right? One of them, a H-Corp sponsored singer, just went and Distorted one day and you had to go and kill her. You ears were ringing for a week after that one particular case.

"Hey, Sora!" calls out Exusiai. "C'mere!"

Uh, so that's the healer. You relax and place your sword back in its place. Sora quickly reaches your allies, and climbs into the back of the truck with ease. She's not as fast as the rest of her team, it seems, but still fast. If you had to guess, you'd say that she fits a support operative role in Penguin Logistics, that with being the healer and all.

"Hey, guys! Where are you going?" says the bunny-eared girl.

"To the Ends of the Earth." answers Emperor. "By the way, you gotta do this man here a favor. Heal him up while we're on the way, girlie. Gotta get to Bison's welcome party."

She takes an inquisitive look at you, then at Bison.

"A Forte, with that logo... you're the MDL prince, aren't you!" she asks, while Bison stammers. "Yeah, we got the welcome party all ready! I even bought the stuff for your apple pie, Exusiai!" she narrows her eyes at you. "So... I got to heal you! All right!

She takes a deep breath. Oh, she's the explosive kind of girl.

"Hiiii! I'm the loveable idol from Monster Siren Records: Sora! The concert's starting, so let's make some noise!"

While Texas starts up the car and the six- now seven of you drive towards the bar, she begins to sing. It's... good? It's pretty good, yes. Not exactly your cup of tea- but it feels like the kind of stuff Sleepy and Arabella listen to. And- your wounds are closing. As you drive off towards your safe location and the bunny-eared girl sings her heart out, the internal wounds in your stomach slowly close up. The blood stops flowing into your intestinal tract, and the outer parts begin to rapidly close.

The pain returns, for a while. As she continues to sing, the Fairy simply cuts through the flesh that she regenerates, but the healing effect stabilizes the wounds, somehow? Exerting yourself is going to get them to open up again, but for now, all the damage inflicted that isn't the actual pieces of Fairy lodged inside of you... healed.

This is actually some excellent healing work. It reminds you of the "magic" you've seen demonstrated in your Ruins expeditions, instead of a Singularity. The effects of K-Corp products are instantaneous. The wound just instantly restores itself thanks to their nanotechnology. This actually feels like you're being induced towards healing, something closer to the accelerated cell division that Lech can induce. Oh, the Voice is singing along, now,

"What? It's a great song!"

Okay, then. You're driving through these very small streets. How does this car even fit here? Wait, you can see the bar in the distance, and- they've laid a trap!

"Caltrops! Watch out!"

Penguin Logistics reacts as fast as you expected they would. They're at least a Grade 3 Office, now that you look at it. Crossiant and Bison immediately ready their shields, and Texas tries to stop the vehicle. There's no way to turn around unless you want to ram straight into a wall, not at the speeds you're going. Your sword is at hand.

Time slows down from your perspective. You open the car doors so Texas and Emperor can escape from their seats. Time has returned to its normal speed. Both you and Penguin Logistics operative jumps out of the truck immediately. Both Crossiant and Bison land safely right atop their shields. Texas and Exusiai landed upright with perfect grace. You didn't register the Emperor jumping at all, but he's by Exusiai's side, somehow.

Sora jumps out with a flip and lets out a scream, landing directly into Texas' open arms.

You take a look at the area. You're surrounded from all directions except the one that you came from. You can detect around forty-nine enemies, and two leaders, in a circle, pointing their weapons directly at you. Around the area which you landed, there are a few improvised-looking explosive mines- whether they can be manually detonated or not is unknown as of now. This ambush was set up in haste- they made this extremely quickly. That means it's flimsy at best.

Of the forty-nine, there are roughly twelve armed with... repeating crossbows, it seems. Thirteen armed with bulky shields, seven with enormous hammers. The rest are armed with knives- not the biggest threat. Is the Syndicate pooling all their resources in this single battle, or can they afford to bring out more? You aren't sure, yet.

Of the two leaders, the first one you know. It's "Capone," the quick in his feet crossbowman. The other one is very agressive-looking. He looks like a fusion of human and wolf, just like the taxi driver earlier and his lizard eyes. He reminds you of a certain Urban Nightmare-ranked Distortion, but he doesn't look nearly as strong as L'heure du Loup did. Is this one the "Gambino" that the goons in the alley referred to? Maybe. Both of them are hanging in the back, protected by their shield-wielding mooks. These shielders are tougher then the guys you fought at the expressway, you believe. Right now, the leadersdiscussing something in a language you do not understand.

All of a sudden, Capone coughs and calls out for you.

"Hello, MDL princeling." says Capone. "I got a deal for you."

The kid narrows his eyes. He's suspicious. Good for him. If he was interested he'd be a moron. The wolfman speaks up as well.

"Ya don't have to fight here, kid. This business is about Penguin Logistics. Take your merc and leave. If you don't want to?" he grins. "Your loss."

Bison laughs. "Yeah, sure, like I'm going to trust the guys who tried to blow me to pieces."

"Well, if you're that desperate to get to shot to shit, your choice." mutters Capone. "Now let's get this started."

Negotiations broke down- not that anyone even bothered building them in the first place. You and the rest of Penguin Logistics are ready to fight, waiting in a circular formation. You probably have a good ten or twelve seconds to propose a strategy, or a formation, before the enemy closes in to your position. Or you could let them do their thing and just fight on your own.

So, what's it going to be?

(Propose a battle plan, be it in conjunction with Penguin Logistics or on your own. If your plan requires cooperation, you will need to say something to PL before the battle begins.)
[ ] Write-in.

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Character Sheet Unlocked: Sora

---

Status of Self and Allies:
Sieghart: The Fairy's Wound remains and will reactivate if roused, but all damage inflicted by the Fairy itself has been healed by Sora.
PL: Unharmed.

Enemy Status:
Syndicate Leader (Capone)
- Grade: 5
- Condition: Bone fractures have been healed, somehow. Appears to discomfortable- headache? Perhaps slightly concussed.
Sieghart's Note: The notes on his resilience and agility still apply here. Probably weakened in some level.

Syndicate Leader (...Gambino?)
- Grade: ?
- Condition: At full capacity. Unharmed as of now.
Sieghart's Note: Looks brash and looks tough. Nothing else is known as of now.

Syndicate Goons:
- Grade: 8-5
- Condition: At full capacity. Unharmed as of now.
Sieghart's Note: As said before, the mooks with knives are terribly unimpressive. The guys with crossbows got an upgrade, it seems- these are repeating. Firing lines will have greater speed. The men in shields or hammers are unknown as of now.

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A/N: And that's our first big fight. Thanks for everyone for reading this!