neverahero | [Voice Test]

[Voice Test]

[This is a Voice Testing post. There a couple of options for how to proceed. You may pick the scenario below that I have set up, or you may create your own. I am up for just about anything as part of this, so don't hesitate to set up your own framework to force me to adapt to it: this is an important part of the exercise.]

Scenario A: Your muse has arrived in a desolate badland, covered in the ruins of a long dead civilization. The winds are harsh and brutal, and the land itself feels dead. There's not much out here... except there are footsteps nearby. Groups of strange looking robots roam the landscape... and they appear to be hunting something. Or someone. And they don't take kindly to people being in restricted areas...

Fortunately, there's someone else around who will give them a hand not too far away. In fact, your character may spot this mysterious red Reploid before the search party does...

Scenario B: Pick your own, which can be as peaceful, dangerous, serious, or as lighthearted as you wish. Setting can be anywhere.

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[ The badland isn't an area Axl recognizes, and honestly, just being there is troubling for him. He can't contact Palette or anyone else from the Maverick Hunter base, so if she runs into a problem out here, he'll have no way to signal for help. He doesn't believe he needs it, or at least, he won't admit it's a worry he does his best to stifle.

Seeing a group out in the distance, he almost runs out to them, but thankfully his longer-served partners have taught him much better than that. Their armor looks eerily familiar, and Axl would have actually mistaken one of them for a certain Reploid if he hadn't noticed the many others milling around it. ]

Weird...did they clone him or something? But why clone X?

[There was a sight he didn't expect. Another Reploid, and obviously one built for heavy combat, out here in the wastes. At first, he assumed the new arrival was a Neo Arcadian, after him just like the blue robots out in the field.

But his attitude and sheer confusion at seeing the Pantheon units spoke that he couldn't have been with them.

Time to take a chance before this kid got noticed by the patrols. They wouldn't take kindly to an unidentified, and very armed, Reploid in the wastes. Zero approached quietly and drew closer to Axl, and kept his voice low.]

If they see you, they'll shoot. Get your head down before it gets blown off.

[ Were his reflexes better, Axl would have turned and shot Zero for the scare he gave him. Instead, he just jumped nearly a mile in the air and looked back at him in a panic. The panic immediately melted away into confusion, and a bit of wonder mixed in too, as he got a better look at him.

That voice...and he looked just like... ]

Oh...right. So what're those?

Pantheons. Neo-Arcadian stormtroopers. They look to 'retire' whoever opposes Neo-Arcadia's regime.

[He narrows his eyes, and looks around cover, watching their movements.]

...How could you not know that?

[ He almost pouts at that questioning. "How could you not know that?" tends to be an annoying question when you don't even know where you are or how you got there. Hell, even the transport he was using disappeared! ]

Well, for one thing, I haven't been in this area before. [ He peeks back around a rock to see the Pantheons. ] Maybe you can explain why they all look like a friend of mine? Better yet, how long they've been active?

[ Because to him, they look like Mavericks, and as a Hunter of Mavericks, it only helps to stomp them out when you see them, right? And if he's found a new bunch of them, maybe he'll finally have one over his comrades! ]

[Zero doesn't reply immediately, the pause heavy in the air. A friend of X's... and he didn't know what happened.]

They've been active for several years. And they look that way because they were built in his image.

...but against his ideals.

[ The pause tells him something's up, and he glances at Zero from the side before slowly turning his head to face him fully. The boy isn't one to hide his emotions, wearing them out on his shoulders instead, and slowly anger begins to build up from his core outward. Someone, somewhere, copied X and perverted his ideals to suit their own purposes. Someone had the unmitigated gall to laugh in the face of one of the greatest heroes in the world.

His trigger fingers itched. ]

Well! If they're just mockeries of a hero, I say it's better to take 'em down now! [ He grins widely and holds his hands on his hips. ] Okay, here's the deal. How about you 'n me go take care of them, since you look like you've handled 'em before? It should be a cinch!

And if I get more of 'em than you, you gotta answer any question I ask without fibbin'.

[ The most prominent question would be who exactly this guy is. He looks like a very specific someone himself, but . . . ]

Edited 2013-04-25 03:50 (UTC)

[Zero shoots him an icy glare, one that no doubt is a very familiar one, as if everything else wasn't enough.]

This is war, not a game. I'm not interested in keeping score. If you were a friend of his, you shouldn't be either.

[Harsh, yes. But the X he knew wouldn't have approved of that thought. But he peeks around the corner... and noticed the Pantheons are heading their way, with weapons readied. Zero drew the hilt of his Z-Saber from its holster and turned it on. A green beam sword no doubt further made this red reploid look familiar.]

Looks like they're not giving us a choice. Get ready.

[Fuka doesn't know how she got here, when she got separated from everyone else but what she does know?]

Hoards of robots wandering around in a desert? Boooring! Is my brain all out of sci-fi capers or what? Who would choose this over sexy cyber alien ladies on the moon? Hello!

[Fuka why don't you say that louder, I don't think the hoard heard you.]

[The robotic Pantheons halt for a moment as though they heard something... and one of them moves forward, its single red eye turning on with a menacing glow. It observed the environment, as if scanning for a target.

In the meantime, a red blur whooshed past Fuka, sweeping her off her feet and moving behind some rubble before setting her down.]

Be quiet or you're going to get yourself shot by those things, whether you're a human or not.

....!

[Oh hello hunky robot dude sweeping her off her feet all in the name of justice. Did you happen upon her when you heard her angelic voice and decided this was the girl you wanted to run off in the hot dreamy desert sunset with? Of course, that is exactly what is happening.

Fuka is so totally behind this dream.]

[Gosh, what a way to talk to the delicate, fragile human girl you just rescued!!!

Fuka, please.]

Of course I'm human! What else would I be?

Edited 2013-04-25 00:20 (UTC)

A reploid. Or a corpse, if those things found you first.

[As blunt as ever.]

[A what? But before she can question that, his next statement catches her attention. Oh boy.]

Not in my dream they won't. I've battled worse baddies than that in my nightmares. Besides, who do you think you are, you're just bolts and circuit boards waiting to overheat in the sun!

[Except he's survived these conditions for more than a year straight. But that's neither here nor there.]

Think whatever you want. But this is how it is: those things shoot to kill anyone who's not aligned with Neo Arcadia. If you're a human or Reploid and you live outside the city, that means you.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

[She frowns.]

Neo Arcadia? Is that some sort of Netherworld faction?

[This can't be earth, right?]

[Zero frowns in return. What is with this kid, anyway?]

This isn't a game. Neo Arcadia is the last bastion of human civilization on Earth. How could you not have heard of it?

[He's not even going to touch that "Netherworld" thing because that sounds preposterous.]

And I'm not playing!

You're telling me I'm in some post-apocalyptic version of Earth? Earth, as in the human world?

Where else would you be?

[Because the Netherworld isn't a real thing. Zero looks around the corner... and notices the Pantheons are moving closer.]

...Looks like they heard us. Stay here in cover. Leave them to me.

Huh?

[She's about to respond, about demons and Hades when suddenly the Pantheons are getting up close and personal.]

[Indeed, up close. And as the Pantheons draw near, Zero draws a white hilt from a dock on his leg armor... and a green blade flickers to life as he leaps into action.

Though the speed Zero moved at wasn't as impressive as some demons, he moved with inhuman grace and precision, lashing out with practiced strokes. Limbs severed from the Pantheons with every stroke, oil and coolant splattering everywhere....

And for what it was worth, Zero focused on wiping out any of them that so much looked at Fuka.]

WOW.

[Fuka doesn't try to hide the shine to her eyes. This guy is pretty awesome! Seeing the Pantheons spilling oil and coolant isn't quite like zombie guts and is less violent in comparison.

However, they both seemed to miss the stray Pantheons who approach from behind, firing off several shots that miss Fuka but have her diving to the side regardless.

Back in the original spot she landed, she grabs the axe that came with her to this barren wasteland.]

You're gonna pay for that, nuts and bolts!!

[They do.

With a charge, Fuka deflects the fire with the blade of axe. Swinging it out widely, she performs a rather impressive headslice.]

Edited 2013-04-26 00:52 (UTC)

[Zero turns when Fuka shouts a threat, noticing this... young girl wielding an axe of all things, and using it like a pro. And then cleaving straight through titanium like it was tinfoil? Who was this girl?!

Well. Clearly she can handle herself. At least for now.

Still, Zero turned back to his foes and impaled his Z-Saber through the single red eye of one. And while sparks flew from that wound, another Pantheon drew closer to try to attack him from around his comrade. Zero wasn't going to have any of this. His free hand lit up in a green glow, and he lashed out to grab the Pantheon's arm... which he proceeded to pull straight from its socket.

Now armed with the robot's blaster... and arm, he pointed the gun at another group of Pantheons and unleashed a fully automatic barrage at them, riddling them like swiss cheese.]

[Fuka doesn't spare a glance over her shoulder, instead moves on to the next target. Blade slamming through it's middle section, the top half of its trunk goes flying into the air, ramming into the last stray.

When she does turn she sees the groups riddled and dropping like flies into the sand. There's a final wave coming, not too far from them and Fuka grins. She reaches into her backpack and reveals - a bomb!? She runs the blade of her axe against a lone rock, sparks flying into the air, lighting the string of the bomb.]

You're out!!!

[Ready, Aim, Fire. She throws the bomb into the air, treating her weapon like a bat and it goes flying into the group of Pantheons. Moments later the explosion (BOOM) shifts up the sand around them, smoke obscuring the view.

When it finally clears, there's a few stray flames, oil burned through so quickly the sand underneath is singed.]

[Well, he'll be damned. He's still not quite sure what just happened with this girl, but... something of a smirk finds its way to his face, which is quite rare.]

Not bad at all.

[And with that, Zero simply discards the arm of the Pantheon he was holding.]

[Terra raises her arms, trying to block out some of the winds though not having any real success. The only other way she can think of is to summon her tornadoes, but that's a temporary effort at best and would attract far too much attention. She's at a loss as to where to go or what to do, only that she doesn't want to be found by those odd robots. Whatever they are, she's sure she's better off being out of their way.

But then what? She shields her eyes, trying to get a better look at the surrounding area despite the winds. There--a red figure in the distance. Cautious but desperate, Terra heads in that direction. She can only hope that it's not a mistake.]

Edited 2013-04-25 00:36 (UTC)

[Zero himself is spending his time observing Pantheon movements a fair distance away. It looks like they haven't found any sign of him and for now, that force appears to be moving away. But that's for now.

The Reploid turns to move on, only to see a very strange sight... a human woman, out here in the middle of the wastes. She looked lost and alone, and definitely didn't look like someone from Neo Arcadia.]

...Didn't expect to see a human around here. What are you doing?

[His tone is neutral and calm, but this is certainly a very unusual find.]

[When he first takes notice of her, Terra's hand strays to her sword hilt, but his tone and question cause her to relax...slightly.]

I'm trying to find out where I am...and where to find safety. None of this is familiar. Where are we?

[Wherever her crystal took her, it isn't home. She knows that much.]

You're "nowhere." Right in the middle of it.

[Somewhat dryly said, but honestly, what else could be said? Wasteland stretched on as far as the eye could see in every direction. But Zero eyed her reaching for a sword... a human still used a metal sword? Something very strange was going on.]

Safety's in short supply. You're not likely to find it easily. For now... I can keep you safe from those Pantheon Hunters. I assume you don't live in Neo Arcadia if you're all the way out here.

[She shakes her head almost immediately.]

No. I've never heard of any of that, either.

...Pantheon Hunters? What exactly are they hunting?

Me.

[Simple enough. And truthful.]

Though they'll hunt anyone deemed seditious to Neo Arcadia.

...oh.

[She glances around for them, then looks back to him.]

Well...they aren't too close yet, at least. I don't have any interest in helping them, even if they didn't hunt me. I just want to get home....

[As soon as she can remember where 'home' is.]

[He nods once.]

I don't know where you came from. But I would advise against going to Neo Arcadia if you value your freedom.

[Wince. Is there no good news in this place?]

I don't even know where that is, sir. Is there anyplace safe around here?

Only the base for the Resistance against Neo Arcadia. And safe is only relative. If Neo Arcadia attacks it, it won't be.

...But I won't let that happen.

Edited 2013-04-25 12:39 (UTC)

I see.

[A small, brief smile forms at his resolve.]

...would they let me in, even for a little bit? I'm not eager to fight, but I can pull my weight if it's attacked suddenly.

I'll have to clear it first. Doubt it will be an issue. But right now the TransServer is being jammed, so we can't teleport back.

Oh, I see.

[If she knew where it was, that wouldn't be a problem, but she doesn't. The limitations of Teleport.]

Is it too far?

More than 400 miles. Too far for you to walk in these conditions.

[But he could evidently.]

We've two options. Wait out the patrols for them to disperse or find and destroy the jammer. Depends how fast you want out of here.

[Terra bites her lip.]

I would like to get out of here soon. I'm not familiar with these things, but I would follow your lead....

[Zero nods, and places a finger to the side of his helmet.]

Ciel, I found someone out here. A human. Need an emergency Trans for two when the signal clears. Get me a vector on the jammer.

[There's a muffled reply from inside Zero's helmet.]

Understood. [Zero removes his finger from the radio and turns to Terra.] The jammer's not far from here. I'll engage the enemy. You stay out of the line of fire.

[After all, she doesn't look like she could fight too well... and magic is unknown to him.]

[Terra pauses, reluctant to just stand on the sidelines unless it really would be easier for him that way.]

I can defend myself. Not just with a sword, but I know some ranged attacks. I won't be a burden.

[This sounds like all kinds of a bad idea to him. But there's an odd sincerity in her voice; she's not someone with something to prove, she's not hotheaded... maybe she's got a trick or two up her sleeve.]

...Be careful. If you get shot, I don't have any medical supplies.

Come on.

[Zero draws a weapon from his side... a pistol, for now. He then starts running at a strong clip back the way Terra came...]

I'll be fine....

[But it doesn't hurt to be careful, especially now. She glances back to make sure they don't get ambushed, then darts after him. As long as he doesn't move at blinding speed, she'll be able to keep up.]

[He doesn't move too fast, making sure that he doesn't lose her.

Soon, they reach the edge of a collapsed building, overlooking a crater below, with a large group of Pantheons and a couple of transports.]

There they are. The jammer is in one of those transports. We'll have to destroy them.

[Energy starts gathering in Zero's pistol, and it hums and slowly glows.]

I'm going in.

[And with that, Zero leaps down into the crater, firing off a large plasma blast into the nearest group of robotic soldiers. The impact causes many to explode immediately, and the rest are staggered in confusion... enough time for Zero to move in closer very soon.]

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