The Lunatic Pandora

[timenpcs.livejournal.com]

Characters: Lufene, everyone who wants to go after her
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: The intrepid heroes of Gaia seize their chance to board the Lunatic Pandora and attempt to stop its progress.
Location: Lunatic Pandora (over Fum)
Date: 19th April, 1805
Warnings: Violence

Since it began its journey two days ago, the Lunatic Pandora had made its way slowly but surely across the Outer Continent, nearing its final destination with every passing second.

The sky around it was soon dotted with airships, come to track its progress. But none could yet halt it. To even make such an attempt, a party would need to get inside - and in the heart of the Pandora, Lufene was waiting.

[ooc: See this post for plotting! I will put up threads for the different groups. Feel free to start your own subthreads - and please, threadjack away! No posting order, let's do this party style. \o/]

Comments

Fum

[timenpcs.livejournal.com]

[For anyone not going inside the Pandora, or before boarding. Flying around on an airship, watching from the ground etc etc. The Pandora will cast a long shadow over Fum.]

Dragon Riding! Rikku and whoever else wants to be rescue crew

[twistedjudge.livejournal.com]

(ooc: Since it is possible for people to get ejected rather abruptly from the place, Fang is gonna be playing rescue wagon! Anyone gets tossed off, feel free to interject here! Rikku's gonna be doing something tech-y.)

She might not have had Bahamut for long back in her world, but she'd missed the eidolon ever since coming to Gaia. While normally Fang would be all about getting in there and stabbing the wench, she knew that someone had to be prepared for unexpected emergencies, and her choice of... vehicle... helped with that. So Bahamut was in the skies once more, with Fang on his back keeping an eye out around them and her phone lines open.

"Hope at least one of 'em remembers to keep broadcastin'."

If something went wrong, that would be the quickest way to find them.

[knowshermachina.livejournal.com]

"I bet they're having way too much fun to bother checking in," Rikku called into her own phone, which sat on the ground next to her as she fiddled with the control panel she and Balthier had cracked earlier. Getting it open had been simple enough, but she wanted to make sure it stayed open. Just in case. She'd seen far too many doors that closed at just the wrong moment. "I hate just waitin' out here..."

Of course, short of just breaking it and hopefully locking it open (or suddenly slamming it closed forever), she wasn't entirely sure what to do. She scooped up her phone and ran across the little gang-plank to where her airship hovered just off the Lunatic Pandora, disappearing into the cargo hold. She emerged a moment later, dragging a wooden crate full of metal poles, replacement parts for bits and bobs on the ship.

A WILD AURON APPEARS

[unsentmonk.livejournal.com]

"Patience is a virtue," he says to Rikku as she passed with the box. Many warriors were already heading inside the enemy ship and he knew there would be a dire need for those who were not directly involved for assistance. He chose to stay with Rikku on her airship. Auron leaned on his sword, watching for any significant movement. If it came to the worst situation, he would run in and serve as a distraction. He could afford taking more deadly hits at such a critical point of escape.

HELLO COUNTERPART! SORT OF

[twistedjudge.livejournal.com]

"Fun in there? Sounds like a real warren from the sound of it. Every place I've ever been in like that's either been full of military suits or monsters tryin' to kill you."

The dragon under her let out a small roar at that, and Fang pressed down against his back with one hand. She couldn't really understand what he was saying, but somehow she knew the general meaning. "'Bout time? All right, big guy's startin' to fade, I'm comin' in for a minute."

Bahamut turned and wheeled in the sky, heading back for the small airship parked and tethered next to the entrance.

[knowshermachina.livejournal.com]

"It's not one of my virtues," Rikku shouted back, grinning, as she pushed the box up to the door in the side of the Lunatic Pandora and began taking the rods out and jamming them into the space. With some kicking and prying she could almost get them straight, and after a few minutes she had eight of them shoved in there, four on each side.

She glanced up when Fang came in for a landing, giving her a friendly wave before she turned her attention to the control panel again, poking at it.

On the Ground/Triage

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

To say Raine was anxious would be the understatement of the year. She'd seen this monolith on the phones, but had never truly understood just how massive it was until it filled the skies of her new home. Privately, she wondered why it seemed impossible to live a simple, quiet life.

Laguna had insisted that he needed to go confront the person controlling the thing and she couldn't tell him no. She knew his heart would always lead him to help, but there was still that fear that once more he'd go away to help and never return. She stood at the door, pensive and staring hard at the monstrosity that darkened the skies, detesting the very sight of it.

And yet, it had to be done. With no way to know what was happening inside, all she could do was wait. Wait and be ready. People would be hurt, that she had no doubt about. Being useful even in small ways helped fill the hours of uncertainty, and when she could pry herself away from the door, she had plenty of medical supplies stocked for use, and plenty of refreshment sitting out as people needed it.

[winhillstime.livejournal.com]

There wasn't much Ellone could offer that Raine wasn't already doing. She would help the injured, keep the kids occupied, and make sure Raine didn't worry her head off. Once she was sure Raine hadn't actually moved from the door, Ellone headed over to wrap an arm around her waist.

She knew what Lunatic Pandora was like. She remembered the Lunar Cry back home, falling through space with the monsters, getting kidnapped into the gigantic structure. She didn't know what Raine knew about all that, but now was definitely not the time to worry about it.

Instead, she just leaned against the older woman, offering silent comfort. Uncle Laguna would be fine. He'd survived far worse than this.

[ultrawaves.livejournal.com]

She could have checked in with Raine by phone, but Quistis had to assume that Raine was just as anxious about what was going on inside the monolith as she was, if not more. After all, Raine's husband had chosen to search for Lufene, as well. She was pleased to see that Ellone had chosen to remain with Raine as she approached. She offered the pair of them a reserved wave as the distance between them began to diminish.

"Any news?" she asked, giving the monolith an uneasy glance. Even if she had yet to hear anything, Raine would be the first to know if anyone had come back injured.

[waitedinwinhill.livejournal.com]

Raine shook her head in response, forcing her 'everything will be fine' smile into place. Ellone wouldn't likely miss it, but what other option was there? Laguna was driven to help people. It was one of those things she loved most about him, even if it drove her nuts at the same time. She gave Ellone a sideways hug, pressing the younger woman's head into her shoulder for just a moment.

Her plans to remain stoic and patient gave way to an impatient need to know or do something. "How bad will it be?' How bad will it be if that thing isn't stopped?

Galbadia Garden/Stationed Beside Fum

[ultrawaves.livejournal.com]

With Squall and Rinoa both aboard Lunatic Pandora, Quistis had assumed responsibility for Garden in the meantime, standing by and prepared to send backup if either friend called for it. SeeD may have been a significantly smaller organization here on Gaia, especially lately, but their responsibilities remained the same.

Her SkyPhone had her undivided attention as she waited for an update, any kind of progress report from the inside. Fear that Rinoa's concern about Adel's presence may be valid had begun to nag at her. After all, they were all from different points in time, so it seemed. Who could say when Lunatic Pandora had arrived from?

She frowned to herself, eyes fixed on her phone. "Be safe, both of you," she said under her breath, forcing herself to pocket the device for the time being. Staring at it wasn't going to solve anything.

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

As much as it irked Noah to be dumped in Garden for being an 'invalid' he had to admit it was probably the best choice. He had promised to go easy on himself, and he still wasn't quite recovered from his poker game with death. That didn't mean he had to like it. By any means. Well, at least he could still do something moderately useful.

He snagged the collar of one of the SeeDs scurrying through the hallway and pulled his authoritative voice. "Take me to whoever is currently in charge. We've got tactis to discuss."

A few mintutes later he'd been guided to what appeared to be an office on the second floor. He kno ked politely before quietly entering the room, surprised to find Miss Trepe focused intently on her Skyphone, likely for status updates fromthe parties inside.

"Admittedly, when I had said I wished to meet you in person I had planned it to be in more fortuitous circumstances."

[ultrawaves.livejournal.com]

The knock was almost enough to startle her, as fixated as she had been on her phone just moments earlier, but neither her expression nor her posture betrayed her. Instead, she looked over her shoulder as the door slid open, surprised to see the face of a man she had only spoken to via video as he entered the room.

Well. He was of a military background. Having him here during this crisis could only help, as far as she was concerned.

"This is a surprise, though not an unpleasant one," she remarked as she turned to face him. She was unsure of what to call him; with the current circumstances, she felt compelled to address people by title, as she so often did while on a mission, but this only forced her to admit that she didn't know what his title was. "It's a bit of a waiting game at the moment. I've yet to receive an update from Squall or Rinoa, and I have to assume that no news is good news, at the moment."

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

"I am glad that you think so. Now, let's see what two minds can do."

Noah nodded his agreement. "Not a bad assumption, given the circumstances." He walked forwards towards the desk and leaned over to see what information was spread out, looking for a basic floorplan of some sort.

"What is the current situation? I believe there were two separate parties?"

Group I (To be trapped)

[timenpcs.livejournal.com]

[You guys are going to take a left turn and walk straight into a trap. This is for people headed for the control room.]

[ultimategenome.livejournal.com]

Naturally, Lufene couldn't fail to notice the warriors boarding her ship. And so many of them too, like a swarm of insects. How irritating. But they weren't unexpected, so she had a plan. A rather good one if she did say so herself.

Like the idiots they were, they'd head straight for where they saw her last, as if they expected her to stay in one place. But Lufene knew exactly where they were. She'd been watching them.

So the Genome appeared on a balcony above the group, looking down at them. She tossed back her hair and sniffed. "What an unruly bunch. It's rude to come in uninvited, you know. I'm afraid I'll just have to excuse myself." She leaned forward and snickered. "I'll be here somewhere. Why don't you come and find me?"

And with that, Lufene disappeared. She had teleported into another part of the Lunatic Pandora, one suitably far from her enemies. They would have to fight through the monsters that dwelt here to reach her.

[ooc: Okay, this is just set-up to explain why they need to split up and search for her. Feel free to ignore and skip straight on to reaching the control room. Once they head inside, they'll get a special message from Lufene.]

[trinitycrusades.livejournal.com]

As Cecil had suspected, the Lunatic Pandora was very similar in design to Lunarian technology in all its otherworldiness. Like the Giant of Babil, this was a weapon like he'd never seen before, used only to destroy. But just as Cecil had toppled the Giant in the past, so too did he intend to put a stop to this immense structure before the Lunar Cry could be triggered. It seemed only natural that he had stepped up to take charge of the group after the boarding party had split up.

"The monsters are getting stronger," he addressed the others as they pressed onwards, heading deeper into the Pandora. He had his sword in hand, ready at any moment for another attack. "Stronger defences must mean we're approaching something important -- or Lufene herself. Prepare yourselves for anything."

[byhissidealways.livejournal.com]

Rosa was right there beside Cecil the whole way. Nothing would ever make her leave him alone, not on something like this. She'd become a White Mage for things like this, so she could fight alongside her beloved. Nothing would change that.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded at Cecil's words and began casting protective spells on the entire group. Protect, Shell, and Haste first. They would be ready for anything at this point. If anything were to jump out at them, Rosa would be ready to hold back and be a healer. She had to hope they would be able to stop the Lunatic Pandora soon.

[blue-desperado.livejournal.com]

A slight shiver went through Laguna as Rosa cast her protective spells. Magic, real magic, always made him feel a little tingly. Despite their circumstances, his spirits were high. Before insisting on boarding Lunatic Pandora with the others, he had made absolute certain that Raine, Ellone, Slai and Brooke were together, spectating from the relative safety of their front door. He had advised any denizens of Fum he came across to shut themselves indoors until the monolith had passed -- after all, monsters tended to follow it, even before the Lunar Cry took place. Fum would manage just fine. Now they just had to find Lufene.

"I don't remember coming through this part before," Laguna remarked aloud, as though he ever remembered any place he had been in his life. "But you're right about that. If the monsters are getting stronger, then we're getting closer to something that needs protecting, and that's gotta be Lufene."

[ultimategenome.livejournal.com]

When the party reached and entered the control room, they would find the door shutting behind them with an ominous click.

And waiting for them inside was a T-rexaur.

The sound of giggling echoed over what seemed to be a comm system. "It's so sweet of you to pay me a visit. I'm afraid that I can't be here right now, but please do feel free to feed my new pet."

[ooc: The door won't open and the controls are all fixed. Smash up stuff if you like; it won't change the Pandora's course. Please godmode the monster as you wish. OMNOMNOMNOM.]

Group II (Confronting Lufene)

[timenpcs.livejournal.com]

[You'll find Lufene in the deepest part of the structure, near the Crystal Pillar. She'll appear unexpectedly.]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

Rinoa was as wary as she'd ever been. After Lufene's brief appearance, they'd set out to search for her and Rinoa felt that she ought to be more help - she'd been here before, after all. Where was Lufene likely to be hiding?

Instead, she found herself almost unconsciously gravitating towards the place she knew Adel's chamber had been. They were close to it now. If there was any echo of power here, Rinoa was pretty sure that it was her own imagination overacting. But the Lunatic Pandora was unsettling. There was something alien about it.

"Guys," she said, forcing herself to voice her fear. "Um... I thought you should know. Back in my world, when we were last here, there was a Sorceress trapped here too. Sorceress Adel. So... Lufene might not be the only one we need to look out for."

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

Ursula followed along, as ready as she ever would be for something like this. She had fought many deadly enemies on the moon...and hoped that at least some of that experience would help her here. Peering around warily, she nodded at Rinoa's advice.

"Adel...what is she like? If we have to face her also, what can she do?" It was better to prepare while they still had the time, if they indeed had any. Of course, the princess would aid her group no matter what, but a little knowledge beforehand couldn't hurt.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

"A sorceress," Balthier remarked as Rinoa lead them deeper into the structure, glad that their group had an experienced guide, though she seemed rather nervous about the whole ordeal. She certainly had every right to, he thought. "Good to know. We'll be on the alert. As Ursula asked, are there any particulars we should know?"

He held gun loosely in his right hand as they progress, laying flat against his leg and ready to be drawn at the first sign of animosity. "Even larger than it looks from the outside, I have to say."

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Basch was also thankful for the experienced guide. To have to wander into this place alone and without any information was near suicide. The Captain stayed towards the back, to cover any preemptive strikes any monster might decide to do. His hand lay on the hilt of his sword comfortably, ready in a moment's notice.

"Like what kind of beasts we should expect while we wander these halls. We should be prepared for anything that comes our way. It would be helpful if you happened to remember."