Wave 1 - A battle of the minds.

[Saber]

The entirety of the Durendal was scrambling to their battlestations, after receiving word that Abraxas' forces were once again targeting a sector of cyber city. This time, his target was the arena.

Baretta was at the helm, along with several other high ranking officers, Huntress, Justicar, and their allies, pulling up the layout of the server.

"The arena is isolated enough that public casualties should be kept to a minimum. Saber can get us up to speed on the arena's specs, and anything that can help us in this fight."

Saber stepped forward and started to enlarge the diagram of the arena. It was open topped, but that wasn't what he was worried about "The arena is fairly large, and for all intents and purposes, a big, flat battleground...But there's a catch; If Abraxas can get his hands on the modification station, he can turn the battleground into whatever he wants. This won't necessarily turn it into a hive, but the arena itself can be divided and expanded to fit multiple battles at once, and split up his forces as well as ours." He crossed his arms and stared intensely at the diagram, his brows furrowed as if concerned "Anyone who can control the battlefield, can decide the outcome of the fight"

Rift was studying the arena as well, not liking the fact that Abraxas could control the very battle itself "...Our biggest priority will have to be securing that station, especially if Abraxas already has control of the arena. If this battle lasts for too long, we're looking at a complete decimation of our forces. We will need to keep all of our hardest hitting fighters divided, and kept that way, lest Abraxas group all of you up and leave the rest of the forces to be overwhelmed by numbers."

[Mani4c]

Noxus looked at the screen, his arms crossed as he thought the situation over. "Hmm, what are we looking at in terms of air support?" Huntress jabbed her thumb over her shoulder, "My gunship is capable of targeted airstrikes through my helmet's visor, but their only good for clusters of enemy units, an army like this is too big to take out."

Noxus nodded, "What about the Durendal's weaponry?" "We're not equipped with ground bombardment tech, hell, we don't even have the clout to perform a broadside." Mani4c sighed, "So we've got no artillery, no support, and we're taking on an army who possibly has control of the battlefield conditions...brilliant."

Boss walked up next to Mani4c, clapping him on the shoulder, "Just another day at the office sir. We'll beat them back, just like always." Justicar spoke up, "If I might make a suggestion, we should try and get remote access to the terrain controls before anything else. Fry them from the Durendal if need be."

[Saber]

Saber looked at Noxus when he mentioned air support "Jake's father has a friend who's friendly with PMC agents. I can send him a message and see if their avatars can provide any air support. If not air, then additional ground support if things get too out of control." Rift rubbed his chin at the thought, nodding in approval "That may prove promising. Saber, you have my approval. Get in touch with Mr. Derrix and request for additional support. With our network cut from the rest of the world to isolate this viral outbreak, we'll need all the outside help we can get as soon as possible."

Saber nodded and pulled away from the meeting table, opening up a comm window to contact Daniel. Meanwhile, Baretta was studying the arena diagram, thinking over Justicar's words "If we do that, we're going to have to hit the terrain controls fast and hard. We don't know if they have control over that station already, and if they do, we'll be sitting ducks." <There's also the potential for a program lock.>

A comm window with Bit and the R&D department in the background popped up near the group, Bit pushing her glasses up as she began showing a simulated event with the diagram to provide visual aid <If they manage to get the arena simulation station running before we can blow up the controls, there's the possibility that the simulations will stay locked in active, and our men will remain in separate arena's until control is restored to the simulations.>

Saber returned not too long after, hearing Bit's scenario play out while he was conversing with Daniel "Bit's right, I've seen it happen before, and it's happened to me as well. I managed to get out by winning my match, but it may not be so easy this time around. Last time it was because of coding errors, this time it would be because the controls are completely destroyed. If we target the simulation programming, we have to be ready for that risk, especially if they block every entrance but the front gate. If that happens, we will only have the main entrances to the arena to fight the enemy."

[Mani4c]

Forge opened his own Comms channel, <The program locking issue is why I'm going in too, my armor's all fixed up, and if the worst happens, I can plug in and have JARVIS run a remote override, it'll fry the terrain alteration programming, but at least we'll be on even footing.> JARVIS chimed in over the Durendal's comm channel, <I have also taken the liberty of heading the Durendal's external and internal defenses, we do not have a good grasp of Abraxas' army in the way of air power. I've also placed Onimaru, the Horsemen and Masamune's group in charge of surgical response teams if the worst happens and we are borded.>

Noxus nodded, "Excellent. Rift, Forge may be R&D, but trust me, his fighting skills are nothing to scoff at. I would recommend going with his suggestion." Huntress crossed her arms. "I agree, my suit can't interface without the proper access codes, if Forge can crack the arena's programming Black Hat style, it'd save us a lot of trouble."

[Grufurion]

Seras listened to everything being talked about, finding the strategy fairly sound. the real kicker seemed to be about what to do about the arena controls. She wanted to suggest something, but then again, she was still fairly new to the whole NPD thing. She hadn't got quite used to how things were done yet.

Still, she felt she should suggest her idea. "Um, if it's alright, can I make a suggestion about what to do if Abraxas does gain control of the arena?" she asked out loud.

[Saber]

Rift crossed his arms and thought it over. The idea was promising, but the risk of having their forces separated still seemed too risky "Very well. Forge, you will be stationed with Chakram and Dagger. Equip a stealth function if you can, they work best when they're unseen.I'll have them locate and secure the controls. But I suspect they won't make it easy, if they've already gained access to the entire arena, so be ready for resistance."

Rift looked at the window at the front of the helm, the arena finally within view "Shepard and I will stay here and provide strategic command. Huntress? You will be my relay point for any changes in strategy for Net Ops. Baretta? You will be Shepard's. We have 4 minutes until we reach the drop zone, get moving to the VTOLs, it's time we prepare for the first major battle of this war."

Then, Seras mentioned having an idea for if the control room was captured, and Rift turned to the new officer, Seras. He looked to Noxus, then back to Seras, nodding in approval "We have an overall gameplan set up. But if you have anything that might help, we are all ears."

[Mani4c]

Forge nodded, "I don't have a stealth program, but maybe we don't need one..." Chakram nodded, "You distract the big targets while Dagger and I take out the weaklings?" Forge nodded, "Yep, good plan eh?" Chakram nodded, "I'd say more along the lines of 'risky', but we can pull it off."

Mani4c looked at Baretta, "Hey...stay safe if we get separated, okay?" Huntress activated her armor, looking at the assembled avatars, "Alright ladies, we're about to fly screaming into the belly of the beast, let's show these fuckers what happens when you mess with us!!!" 

[Grufurion]

Seras nodded, feeling a bit nervous as she stepped up to the 3D projector of the arena. She then shrunk the image of the current battle plans off to the side, and rendered a new image the soon to be battlefield. "I was thinking, if the main controls of the arena are Abraxas' first priority, then there's a high chance that many NPD officers are going to end up as casualties. And having our main forces suddenly having to switch tactics as the field changes on them will also increase that number even more. At that point, it's likely that we'll be fighting a losing battler from there on unless we can regain control again." As she spoke, she simulated what could possibly happen as the battle took place on the projected image. She then rewound the battle back to the beginning, right when the opposing force took control. "Instead, why not prep the team to break in and storm the room rather than try to fight for control from the start? From what I've heard, it's not impossible to break in, and the number of casualties would drastically decrease."

"The battlefield itself would be tricky to deal with, what with the changes made to favor Abraxas' forces, and isolating our own from each other. I think the only solution would be to break up our squads ahead of time, and have each lead by a superior officer that has shown considerable promise on the field. Avatars like Saber and Mani4c leading those squads. It was mentioned earlier that if Abraxas' did get control of the arena, he would attempt to throw chaos our way. Why not turn those disadvantages into our advantage?" It was a simple plan to come up with, not to mention having it's own risks involved. She wondered if everyone thought it was stupid.

[Saber]

Rift held his hand up when people started getting riled up, trying to get people calmed down again, especially Huntress "Everyone, please head for the VTOLs, Shepard and I will hear Seras out and deliberate what to do next."

Baretta, Saber and everyone else aside from Shepard started to leave, and Rift gave Seras the spotlight, sharing her idea. For a rookie, it was a very promising strategy. Rubbing his chin, he started to stare at the 3D diagram, and nod slowly "Tell me, what department are you? NPD or Net Ops?"

Baretta thumped Mani4c's chest, smiling as he started worrying about her safety "Even if we do, I know you'll find a way to be there if I get in a tight spot."

[Mani4c]

Mani4c nodded, "You're goddamn right." The viral avatar climbed into the same VTOL as Baretta, with Delta Squad following close behind. Boss sat down next to Baretta, looking at Mani4c. "Sir...we'll keep close to Captain Baretta, if things go south, she'll have backup." Scorch nodded, "Damn straight we will, anything stupid enough to mess with us is dog food sir!" Mani4c smiled, "Guys...Thanks." 

Justicar climbed into his own VTOL, there were no other avatars with him, aside from a group of commandos. "Gentleman, I don't know any of you, and I know that my past makes me a bit shady to some of you...but, I want to tell you all, I'm honored to be fighting alongside you, and I'll have your back if you'll have mine." The assembled commandos looked at each other, before looking at the Samurai. "Sir...you've proven your worth when you risked your life to save Mirror and the other AUGMENTS. We may not show it, but we'll watch your back if it kills us." Justicar said nothing, but he didn't have to, the commandos understood that he was smiling underneath that helmet of his.

Noxus waited outside of the ops room, watching as Chakram and Dagger boarded their VTOL. Forge took off, flying out of the hanger and hovering well away from it, waiting for the VTOL's to take off.

Shepard was silent, thinking over Seras' plan. "The plan makes sense...but Saber and Mani4c are some of our heaviest hitters out there, if shit goes south, we'll need them out in the field. We shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket...maybe if we send one of them to assist the infiltration team? Dagger is combat ready himself, and Chakram's got at least one of his new CAS mods working." 

[Grufurion]

"Um, N-NPD sir. I was brought on board after assisting Noxus during his field research." Seras replied to Rift. After listening to Shepard's suggestion, she rearranged the display a little bit to show Shepard's suggestion, showing Saber leading the infiltration team.

"I think it will be a better idea to send Saber in with the infiltration team with that in mind, and Mani4c with the rest of the squads to battle the main forces in the arena. The infiltration team will also need someone who is really good with hacking to undo anything Abraxas does to the controls."

[Saber]

Rift nodded, Shepard's suggestion for Dagger or Chakram in with the infiltration unit "Your opinion is appreciated, Seras, but Commissioner Shepard is right, we need Saber and Dagger on the front lines, to keep everyone at an advantage. They have been instructed to keep their distance, and with other officers, to make sure they don't get locked in some isolated arena. Dagger and Chakram have shown some cohesion in infiltration missions, and Chakram has been working on his control over his newest 'asset'. I'll assign them, Widow, and Vermin to infiltration. If you can think of any others, commissioner, we'll send them as well."

He turned to Seras, smiling approvingly "As for our aspiring rookie, if the infiltration of the control room does benefit us, then it might be worth rewarding the new police girl with special assignment statuses, if she would be up for it. But she's not in my jurisdiction, so I'll leave that for you to decide, Shepard. I'll relay my instructions to my teams while we're still scrambling for the assault."

[Mani4c]

Shepard smirked. "Well...given Noxus and Justicar's conduct in saving the AUGMENTs, as well as their service in the war, I've been thinking about waiving their charges and having them join as probationary officers." Shepard looked at Seras, a small grin on her face. "So, would you be willing to watch Noxus and Justicar's backs while you all work to become proper Net Police officers?"

Meanwhile, Huntress climbed into her gunship, readying for takeoff as her armor formed around her in a flash of light, everything was ready to go...but she hesitated for a moment, opening a video chat window to Rift. "Rift...honey, I know this might not be the time, but...I need to talk for a sec, it's important."

[Grufurion]

Seras stood at attention, and saluted Shepard in response to her question. "Yes sir! I swear I won't let you down!" she said with utmost confidence.

[Saber]

Rift opened the video chat, hearing Huntress' request and nodding in understanding "With that said, I believe Seras needs to report to her post, and prepare for battle. I am needed in the hangar bay, so I will escort her there. Then I shall report back here to assist in battle strategy." He opened a gateway leading to the hangar, letting Seras enter first before walking through himself.

After dismissing Seras to join the others, Rift approached Huntress, climbing aboard the ship to speak with Huntress "You wished to speak with me, my dear?"

[Mani4c]

Huntress sighed when Huntress boarded her ship, her voice betraying a bit of anxiety "Okay...Rift, I haven't been in a battle like this in years...this is a foe nobody here has ever come up against before. I don't think we'll lose, but...I hate to admit it, but I'm afraid. For the first time in my life, even with all the shit on the Durendal, THIS is what scares me. Because if we fail...game over, we're fucking DONE."

Shepard watched the forces assemble onto the VTOL's, noticing that Rift had stepped onto Huntress' gunship. "Hmm, never would have thought that Huntress would admit to being nervous..." Shepard looked at the holographic projector, focusing on the readings that she was getting from the stadium. "10,000 viruses, all swarming inside of the stadium, with at least 10 B rank viruses inside with them...and that's not even counting whatever general or commander is in charge." Shepard sucked in a breath, "She'd be foolish not to be at least a bit nervous...we all would."

[Grufurion]

Seras saluted Rift after he dismissed her, heading towards the VTOL that Noxus and Justicar had boarded. Already she had loaded up her rifle, carrying it safely within her grip. She had wondered if she made the right call, making that suggestion to Shepard and Rift. She hadn't been on the force for all that long, she could already imagine what sort of trust issues most of the avatars might have against her since she was a virus.

She set herself down near Noxus, focusing on keeping her mind calm. Though she'd never been in a battle anywhere as large as the one about to be fought, and despite the fear she had about throwing herself into one like it, she couldn't but feel some excitement about it too. She was having some trouble keeping her personality from shifting ahead of time.

[Saber]

Rift lowered his head when Huntress was expressing fear about the situation. He knew this was going to be an intense battle, and the stakes were high. But even still...

"As long as one of us survives to keep fighting, this will never be over. I refuse to allow a viral apocalypse to sweep over cyber earth while I am still processing...If I were able to assist in this battle, I would, but we need someone that can help Shepard direct the troops." He walked over and pulled Huntress into a tight hug, holding her close "If you know we'll win, then ensure that we won't fail. Can you do this for me?"

[Mani4c]

Noxus smiled and placed a hand on Seras' shoulder, rubbing it gently. "Just relax Seras...you'll be fine, just keep your head as clear as you can, and trust your instincts. I won't let anything happen to you." A commando nodded, "Damn straight, me and the boys'll cover your back if you cover ours. We don't leave a comrade in the cold Miss."

Huntress hugged Rift back, "Yes...I can." She released rift, deactivating her helmet and smiling at her boyfriend. "Thanks Rift...heh, some bad ass warrior I am eh?" Suddenly, JARVIS' voice came in through the ship's communications. <Fear of death or failure is natural Huntress, it is what keeps warriors alive. The important thing is to not be overwhelmed by it.>

Huntress frowned. "How long have you been listening JARVIS?" <I only just overheard you, Shepard was worried about you, this IS your first large scale fight since you've returned. I apologize for eavesdropping, but I couldn't stand by and allow you to worry.> Huntress chuckled, "Heh, thanks J...you're a good egg."

[Grufurion]

Seras managed a short smile after being reassured, calming down at least a little bit. "Thanks guys. I'll do my best out there. I'm just a little nervous because of the size this battle is all. Never done anything like this."