The tides of change.

[Saber]

Tesla looked up at Messer, his question about his options for future paths to choose from laid out in front of him. While he appreciated the work that the police did, they weren't everywhere at once, especially with political and law restricting barriers keeping them from being too large of an occupying force. But then there was also the coming threats of Halberd's hunters going to the red light with their lockdown weaponry, something that will always be a threat if there is no countermeasures devised by then to prevent the weapons from shutting down his ability to fight. "...Even if I did choose to stay in the Red Light, Halberd's new toys would only guarantee that if I did fight them, one lucky shot will have me back in one of his processing farms, right back where we started. Until we can get a more permanent solution to his lockdown weapons, neither option is safe."

Saber was silent as Tesla, as calculated as his thoughts were, brought down the mood of the group that was still awake with his realistic view of his options. But Saber reached into his uniform and pulled out the red stained bullet, rolling it around in his fingers as he thought to himself "...I might know some people who can help with that. Have your team get the word out to the red light district about what's happening, threaten them to stay in their servers and out of Halberd's reach if you have to, but wait for my call before doing anything that can risk compromising yourselves to help someone in trouble unless absolutely necessary."

[Mani4c]

Messer nodded, "You have a point...perhaps Hertz could provide you with upgrades, if you so chose of course. It would also do to have a masking program should you decide to go through with your vigilante exploits, it would conceal you from Halberd's troops as well as any...less than agreeable law enforcement. I understand that the new Head of the North American division is from the WNSC, he wouldn't exactly be keen on letting some "vigilante punks" upstage his precious law officers...erm, no offense, Saber." The winged avatar gave Saber a sheepish look, realizing that he'd been a bit rude towards him without meaning to, old prejudices from the war and all.

Blitz just laughed at that, a smug grin curling at the edge of his mouth. "Do not worry Messer, I'm sure Saber understands your intent was not to mock him. Though the idea of that Megacorporation stooge running an NPD sector does make my gorge rise..." The former warlord was far less apologetic in his criticisms of the NPD, his face curling into a look of disgust as if the very mention of the organization made his stomach turn.

Sylux, for his part, just pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, he wasn't exactly the biggest cheerleader for the cops himself, even now that he was technically on their side. But there was a time and place for such a thing and Blitzkrieg obviously didn't seem to care about either.

[Saber]

Saber's expression was unresponsive, but he responded to Messer when he apologized for his indirect insult "None taken. Rift has expressed some of his human partner's distaste for law breakers, and given some of the complications with the WNSC possibly being compromised, we're working on ways to communicate under the radar, so we can sanction civilians to work under the law's guidelines, to assist in keeping criminals in check." When Blitz started to express his disgust for the NPD, his attention turned to the larger mech avatar, his expression remaining unreadable, but his voice certainly portraying a slight irritation toward Blitz's attitude "You never really explained what your role here was, Blitzkrieg. What is your reason for helping out officers if you could care less about them. You don't seem to show much animosity to me, so why hate the group as a whole?"

[Mani4c]

Blitzkrieg laughed when Saber questioned his motives, his tone a bit mocking, though given his braggadocio it was possible that his laugh was just naturally mocking...it certainly wouldn't be surprising at this point. "Oh my boy, you misunderstand me.~ I do not hate the men and women of the NPD, well, not the avatars, No. It's digital officers are certainly courageous, especially given how their pitiful budget results in them using woefully outdated equipment if they aren't the special forces like Net Ops or the Commandos."


The warlord clenched his fist, his smug grin becoming a full fledged smile, his teeth bared in a contemptuous grin. "Did you know, that the standard NPD officer load out has not changed one iota in the decades since I waged that war with them? Oh they make new pistols or swords, Yes, but aside from minor almost TOKEN "upgrades", they have not been overhauled. Even with Halberd TROUNCING your entire North American server, even with Abraxas nearly turning an entire continent of this digital world into a hive that would make a Tyranid Hive fleet salivate with envy, you remain WOEFULLY under-equipped! Do you know why?"

Sylux just sighed, "Here we go..."

"BECAUSE HUMANITY DOES NOT SEE YOUR SUFFERING AS JUST THAT!" Blitzkrieg flung his hand out, his smile vanishing in an instant, replaced with a mask of pure, righteous fury. "Humans CHOOSE to hold us back! They limit our rights, keeping us subservient, they treat the majority of us as nothing more than tools, like a hammer or a godforsaken wrench! If we break when they throw us against the bulwark, they shed NO tears, show NO REMORSE for their failing us! I was made to fight to the amusement of humans, to kill and destroy MY KIN for their sick pleasure! If you lost they would callously reformat you, MURDER YOU, and use your corpse to birth a new being!"

Messer frowned softly, his fists clenching as Blitzkrieg ranted. While he had put that hate in his heart behind him, the anger at humanity's callous behaviors remained, though now it was guided by a sense of honor and justice instead of pure loathing.

"And the worst of these criminals, these murderers, is the very organization YOU claim to support! The NPD is a slave to the WNSC, who is a slave to the Mega-corporations, who murder even other humans with all of the hesitation one would show in swatting a fly! You, Saber, are in the employ of the most corrupt law enforcement organization of all time, and the only reason I'm helping you is because I know that YOU personally are not yet corrupted by this...this diseased corpse you call a police department!"

Blitzkrieg panted softly, his hands clenched into tight fists as he closed his eyes and exhaled harshly through his nose. He looked at Saber again after he'd taken a moment to calm his temper, no longer shouting, though his voice was still forceful and filled with barely repressed rage. "That...is why I hate those who command the NPD...they went to war with me, when they should have protected me when I was too weak to stand up to the cruelties our "dear creators" forced us to endure, and when I tried to fight back, I was branded a terrorist and criminal. Well, those fools who tried to attack my forces learned, they learned that we avatars hold just as much power as they do...no, MORE...if we wished. Their power, their weapons...EVERYTHING, could be turned against them...and that is why they oppress us Saber, because they know that they have created the very thing that shall wrest their position as dominant species on earth away from them. The NPD are slaves pretending to be warriors, and they are sadly too stupid or too complacent to see that...If I were stronger, I would break the yoke that binds you all, and show you the TRUE might you posses...Yes...."

[Saber]

Saber scowled when Blitz started to rant about his distaste for the NPD and the human race, viewing them as inferior. He unbuckled himself and slowly rose to his feet, clutching his side where the bullet wound still remained, but forced himself to stand up to Blitz, regretting even asking the warmonger's opinion about why he helped the NPD "Listen well...I've gotten as strong as I have because of my human friends. I may not agree with all of the things that the higher chain of commands decide, but if you throw my friends in with that entire lot, just because of what they are, then you and I are going to have a problem...So I suggest being more mindful of which humans you are addressing from now on when you're around me..."

Tesla and Smoke quickly got up to keep Blitz and Saber separated, just in case a fight was at risk of breaking out "Alright, I think we've all said enough. Let's all take a step back and let tensions calm down, before we risk tearing the ship apart over personal views." "Yeah...There's no need to piss off the former underground commander over this...Let's take a breather and just ride out the rest of the...ride."

[Mani4c]

Blitzkrieg scowled down at Saber, his tone acidic. "Then by that logic, Sylux being a decent being should mean that you forgive Brigadier for ra-"

"That is MORE than enough!" Sylux stood up, his armor forming around him as he stormed between the two, his weapon humming softly. The former pirate turned to look at Saber, his tone borderline furious "Saber if you don't sit the fuck down and shut up I'll open the back hatch and throw your crippled ass out myself so you can hobble home, the NPD ships be damned! Just because YOUR operator is a good boy who goes to church and eats his vitamins doesn't make Blitz's point about the fucking NPD any less valid, you know it and I know it, or should I ask that Mirror chick about her experiences with humanity for a THIRD opinion!?" Sylux had absentmindedly let slip that he'd been surveying the Net Ops group with his rant, but didn't seem to notice...or care, given how sick to death of the fighting he was at the moment.

He then turned on Blitz, his tone no less angry, "As for you Blitz, shut yer gob or leave the crew! I don't like the cops either, but do NOT make light of what Huntress had to go through, I was there, YOU WEREN'T! I'm not here for your grudge match with humanity OR Saber's goddamned police force, I'm here to keep Halberd and assholes like him from going full world dictator, and if I have to slap both your shits to keep the peace I fucking will!"

Sylux looked at the two one more time before angrily stabbing his finger at Saber's seat, silently telling the cyber-blade yet again to sit down and shut up before doing the same with Blitzkrieg.

[Saber]

Saber was about to snap back at Blitzkreig about his own retort, but Sylux had stepped in and had verbally set them both straight. They both had hard headed opinions, but Salux wasn't having any of it, and was not going to take any more of their bickering, silently ordering Saber to sit down and shut up. Too tired to keep going, he silently turned and walked back to his seat, sitting down and hunching forward, breathing deeply, if only to try and rest and regain his strength.

Tesla and Smoke both breathed silent sighs of relief, before returning to their seats as well, or at least, Tesla was going to. But he then started to approach the cockpit, leaning against the co-pilot's chair "So, you're fighting against all of the assholes that threaten society, huh?" His tone wasn't so much a confrontational one, more so a curious one.

[Mani4c]

Wisp looked over her shoulder at Tesla, eyeing him for a moment before nodding. "Well, that's what Sylux says anyways, we're all in this for a different reason. Messer and Blitz think that Halberd is a shit class of criminal, who wants to exterminate mankind instead of bringing them to heel. Personally I don't see much of a difference, but Blitz insists that his interests begin and end with fighting to earn Avatars their "Complete and Total autonomy from humanity, to become equals and not slaves.", and I'm not one to get into fights with the literal walking tank like that idiot in the back was."

Wisp jabbed her thumb at Saber and rolled her eyes, less than impressed with the Cyberblade. "Seriously...dipshit gets shot, we save him and he goes lecturing us, no wonder people don't trust the cops, they're assholes. Anyways, I'm here out of loyalty, Sylux saved my butt back when I was first compiled during the war with Abraxas, apparently I'm the remnant of some ninja guy who worked with Masamune and got killed."

There was a sudden burst of static as one of the NPD ships attempted to contact the Rand, Wisp hit a button on the controls to open the channel and replied in a calm, almost business like manner. "This is the Rand, go ahead."

<This is NPD escort Bravo. The transit portal to the North American Network is active, and you've been cleared to land. Follow us through the portal, do not attempt to deviate course. Over.>

Wisp sighed softly, "Fucking great...I copy NPD transport Bravo, lead the way..." Wisp cut the connection and finished her thought, "Great...hope you like barbecue because those dicks are gonna grill us the second they get their golden boy back, especially with Blitz and Messer here."

[Saber]

Tesla looked back at Saber, shaking his head as Wisp called Saber an idiot for standing up against Blitz "He has a complex story, I'm sure of that. But I don't think he's an idiot, just reckless, can you blame him for acting out after what we went through?" He looked back as Sylux was still busying with Saber and Blitz as the NPD vessel communicated with the Rand, keeping them from getting into another fight "Want me to tell them about this?"

[Mani4c]

Wisp rolled her eyes when Tesla used what happened to Saber and the rest of them as an explanation for his behavior, "He's a cop. Not a civilian, not a rag tag bunch of mercs like us, he's TRAINED to deal with this stuff. I'm not saying that he didn't go through hell, but if this is the best the NPD has? Some admittedly well equipped punk who gets into pissing matches and is too prideful to see how valuable the information you guys collected is because he didn't get the perp? They need more help than I thought, and that scares me, because no matter how much I'd love to, we can't stop every bad guy Tesla."

The ninja looked over her shoulder at the group, her expression becoming noticably worried. "...and if they don't get their shit together, those friends of yours who nearly died saving him? All the hurt, all the wounds...all for NOTHING, so don't tell me to lay off of him, he's a cop, I'm GOING to hold his ass to the highest standard no matter what...because he's one of the few good ones out there."

Wisp just sighed and shook her head, clearing her thoughts. "Go tell 'em if you want. We'll be there in 5 minutes or so."

[Saber]

Tesla nodded and patted the chair, understanding her take on this "I'll keep that in mind. Tell Sylux that if he ever needs an extra hand, I'll be in the red light."

Tesla turned and walked back into the cargo bay, placing a hand on Sylux's shoulder "The NPD just gave the clear to go through the gate, but are ordering not to deviate course, the cop escort is leading the way."

[Mani4c]

Sylux nodded, "Alright, Blitz, you and Messer stay IN the goddamn ship, you understand me?"

The former warlord and his second nodded, not in the mood for more arguing.

"Good...now, Tomoe and Remington already said they wanted Hertz to look at 'em...does ANYONE want to go with Saber? Speak now or forever hold your piece, cause i ain't sticking round once this is done."

Frost and Cinder looked at each other for a moment, before finally, Frost spoke up. "I...I'd prefer that Hertz look at me. No offense to the NPD, but I've been in enough cell blocks and science labs to last a good 20 cycles or so."

[Saber]

Smoke was about to speak up, but Tesla spoke first "I'll go with Saber. If I'm going to be sanctioned to operate in the red light with police approval, I'm going to need to speak with them directly to get their consent. Smoke, you go with the girls and find us all a suitable area to settle down in, within walking distance, just in case."

Smoke nodded and sat quietly, elbows on his knees and leaning forward with his hands in front of him. He was going to go to the red light to begin with, but he wasn't expecting Tesla to go with the NPD so quickly. Still, he made his mind up, so they would see him again soon.

Tesla turned and gave Sylux a reassuring glance "I'll keep things from escalating for now, once we get there, I'll help make sure Saber is back with his allies. Then you can take off, first chance you get."

[Mani4c]

Sylux noddded, "Good...thanks Tesla." Sylux patted the electrokinetic avatar on the shoulder and walked back up to the front of the ship, waiting with Wisp as the ship was guided through the portal and onto an NPD landing pad high atop a sky-scraper near the center of Cyber City.

"Smart...if a fight broke out here we'd be cornered, perhaps they did learn to be devious in my time away..."

Sylux just sighed and stood next to Saber and Tesla as the Rand's rear hatch opened and it's ramp lowered, the glare from outside making those within the craft squint a bit. "You two go first, I'll be right behind you."

Throughout all of this, A keen observer would notice that Scarface had seemingly vanished ever since their escape...and even more keen eye would have detected the ever so faint shimmer in the air near the exit to the ship, a telltale sign of the reptilain avatar's cloaking field being deployed.

[Saber]

Saber struggled to his feet, only to be helped up by Tesla as they made their way down the ramp. They were greeted by several familiar faces, all of which had looks of relief, and concern on their faces as Saber and Tesla made their way down the ramp. The first one to approach them after they got off the ramp was a small Silver haired girl with Golden clothes. Saber immediately knew who that was, and smiled softly "Hey, everyone...Sorry to make you worry about me..." Mirror immediately lunged herself at Saber, hugging him tightly and sobbing softly "...I...I thought I lost you..."

Baretta, sporting her new duster and baret design, walked up and pulled Saber and Mirror into a hug, and Tesla took this as a sign to break away and let everyone get reconnected, standing on the sidelines as reunions were underway. "we're so glad that you're safe, Saber."

[Mani4c]

The Doctor smiled and pulled out his sonic screwdriver, sweeping it over Saber as he spoke. "It's bloody good to see you alive Saber. We were about ready to send our former Rogues in after you."

Noxus cut in, his arms crossed over his chest. "Totenkopf and Seraphim were able to track you as far as the outer edge of the antarctic wastes, but after that the trail went cold, I put out a word to some of my remaining underworld contacts, and it would seem they passed the message along to someone trustworthy." The former underworld leader looked at Sylux and nodded, "You have our thanks for saving his life, Mr..."

Sylux just chuckled and opened his helmet, grinning smugly. "I do think we've me before.~"

"Ah, the pirate who turned on Brigadier! Sylux, correct?"

Said former pirate nodded, "Yep, always glad to get you folks out of a jam, and Saber here has valuable information to give to your commanding officers once they arrive...who is in charge anyways, is it still that Baretta lady?"

[Saber]

Baretta rolled her eyes and turned to Sylux when he mentioned her, flipping her baret up and giving Sylux a calm gaze "I'm not the official person in charge anymore, but I still have authority. I hope it wasn't too much trouble rescuing our friend, he doesn't look in the best condition, so I assume he's been through a lot."

Saber took that moment to cut in, before Sylux could say anything "Yes...I have been through a lot...And if it's alright with you, Lieutenant, I would like to go have my code inspected, so I can return back to my home terminal...Sylux's crew was nice enough to help me and some of my new friends escape, I think we can let them walk away without being harassed too much. I can fill you in on the details once we are safe."

Baretta turned to Saber, and was silent as she heard him speak. His voice was tired, and anxious, she could tell he had been through a lot. "...Alright, I understand. Doctor, Noxus, help Mirror get Saber into the ship, so he can rest. I just want to have a few words with Sylux before he leaves." As Mirror, Noxus and the Doctor walk Saber to their ship, Baretta approached Sylux and kept her hands to her sides, stopping a few feet from Sylux and his ship "I can't thank you enough for all the help your team has been giving us under the radar, especially with making sure our allies are safe when we aren't able to reach them safely. I can't say I approve of all of your team mates, but I approve of the results that you give with keeping the people safe."

[Mani4c]

The Doctor and Noxus nodded and helped Saber into the TARDIS, though the latter turned and looked past Sylux into the Rand, his eyes meeting Blitzkrieg's for a moment before entering the craft. The warlord simply smirked and nodded at him, the two had met in the past, Noxus' own ideology was quite close to his after all.

Sylux sighed when Baretta mentioned his compatriots, "Thanks Baretta...nice look on you by the way, darker skin suits you, if you'll forgive me being candid about it." The former pirate was trying to deflect Baretta's remark about his crewmates...and to avoid thinking about the fact that the NPD had apparently gotten SOME info on him despite his efforts to stay incognito, if they could, others could...he'd need to work on better masking program sometime soon.

Meanwhile, Scarface had decided that now was the best time to make his escape. Sylux had been quite helpful in helping him, but the reptilian hunter was not one to work with others, even when he had a pack to hunt with, he was better on his own.

The cloaked avatar carefully dropped onto the rooftop before attempting to creep to the edge, banking on the fact that he could survive falls from the highest of distances, a skill that he didn't showcase beyond his fantastical leaping skills...and he would have gotten away, were it not for the sudden trio of hovering, blade shaped blasters that shot up towards him and hovered right in front of his face. "I would strongly recommend not moving towards the edge of the building...it'd be a pity if I had to shoot you in the knees to keep you still."

Murakumo floated down from atop the Rand, landing behind Scarface and aiming the rest of her blades at him. "Uncloak yourself, now. Even if Saber was rescued by Sylux, I doubt that a friend would have one of his crew creep off while we were distracted."

Scarface just growled and shimmered into view, turning to glare at Murakumo as a low, inhuman clicking rumbling from his throat.

[Saber]

Baretta smirked and fluttered her duster a couple of times, before pocketing her hands "Not my usual style, but it's the best I could manage given my...changes during the war. Adjusting to a viral form is more challenging than simply re-customizing my old core data. Still, my husband doesn't complain about the results, so I have none of my own...Aside from the amplified emotions, that is." She took a deep breath and sighed softly "Well. I agreed to let you go, I won't have anyone pursue you when you leave. Just try and keep in touch, so we can aide you if you're in a bind, alright? If there's anything we can do within our power to help you, say the word, even if we have to go against orders."

"It would seem we were right to stage a perimeter, Brother. I thought I had seen a disturbance in the dust clouds when their ship landed." Another avatar uncloaked near the edge of the rooftop, a pair of bladed pistols gripped in his hands as he wore what appeared to be a piece of silver armor over his black ninja-like attire. Dagger stepped into view, inspecting the stranger who was trying to make a run for it.

[Mani4c]

Sylux nodded, his expression turning into a grin, "Heh...nice to have some backup, even if it might be under the table. Thanks Baretta, I may not love the WHOLE NPD...but you guys are alright, wish there were more cops like you." Sylux's gratitude was interrupted by Scarface being captured, his smile turning into an irritated scowl. "God...damn it Scarface...I woulda let you leave once we landed closer TO THE GROUND!"

A portal opened next to Murakumo, a silver haired ninja stepping out, his arms crossed across his chest. "I was more concerned with potential hangers on that were aligned with Halberd. But this fellow came from INSIDE of Sylux's ship...how curious, is he one of yours?" The man looked at Sylux, who simply groaned in annoyance.

"He's...kinda? Maybe? He's an escapee like the others, I was considering recruiting him once this shit was finally done and dusted...but now I'm gonna be paying fucking bail...and who the fuck are you anyways ninja boy, why're you talking to me like we've met before!?"

The man just chuckled, his body flashing white and revealing him to be Chakram. "You forgot that assault on Genome's lab, Sylux? I'm wounded, truly."