7361/Grand Theft Autobot

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Grand Theft Autobot
Date of Scene: 30 April 2019
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Travel practice turns into a rescue mission that gets -very- messy when Kinsey and Saint Walker cross a militant Kree faction on a desert planet.
Cast of Characters: Blurr, Kinsey MacKenna, Saint Walker




Blurr has posed:
    Sister Kinsey may have been given some coordinates to travel to for the sake of practicing this traversing space thing, given it is something that she will have to do quite often as a Lantern.

    This time around, her assignment has brought her to Sector 1621, near a cluster known as the Shrike Abyssal. The coordinates would lead to one of the few terrestrial planets in the area, Kyzil--though it is a very arid place that is for the most part covered in deserts. At least you can land on it, right?

    But as she draws nearer, she'd suddenly pick up on a strange signal coming from the planet. It seems to be a distress beacon, but the transmission is so garbled that her ring isn't able to translate it. Perhaps someone is stranded down there, with malfunctioning equipment...?

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"Sister Kinsey," Kibou informs, the distress beacon sending a low pulse that's undeniable, and distinct. She's already figured out what that one means, and she's not pleased. "Brother Walker is not responding. How shall we proceed?"

Saint Walker wasn't coming with her on this one - this was a solo mission. Safe, as nothing was supposed to be near this sector - he'd checked - and he was not more than a ring call away for help.. until he wasn't. Which leaves Kinsey in the position of having to make the only judgement call she can on this one: go it alone.

"Please scan the area, Kibou. I'd like to know more about what we may be encountering, then prepare us to enter the planet's atmosphere, homing in on that signal if you will, please."

Blurr has posed:
    Kibou's scans would reveal that Kyzil's unfriendly environment leaves much to be desired, however it is not a dead world. There are plenty of settlements scattered about here and there by many of the galaxy's more prominent and powerful spacefaring races, although most of them are Kree. The natives seem to be...nothing more than scavengers, who roam about searching wrecks of alien ships and settlements for anything that may be of use to them. Whether they have always been that way, or their condition is a result of the invading forces remains to be seen.

    There is one fairly prominent settlement built around a particularly lush oasis that is probably large enough to be considered a town--that is where the signal appears to be coming from.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Unfriendly environment can be handled - thanks to her ring, Kibou. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to travel in space! However the rest of it all promises to be problematic: unlike many other Lanterns, Kinsey isn't a fighter. And even amongst Blues she might be singularly and pacifistically extreme. However, she's never encountered a situation like this before, or as a Lantern, so who knows?

"Shields at ready, Kibou. We'll enter atmosphere over the target location. Keep the scans up, but do watch your power levels."

Kibou's assent a reassurance. Kinsey practising the blue litany in her head, hoping it's not necessary. Calming herself in case it is.

"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well..." she tells herself. Heading down towards the beacon, adding, "Scan for life forms at the beacon, and assess."

Blurr has posed:
    Scanning the region around the beacon's location would reveal the settlement's population is about 30,000. Not huge, but sizable. It probably doesn't come as a surprise that it is a Kree town, though they don't seem to be overseen by the Kree Empire directly. Maybe it's some independent faction or other.

    As she comes closer, there appears to be some kind of gathering happening in a central square of the town. Looks like some kind of...show? There are a bunch of fancy display booths with exhibits containing some pretty slick-looking vehicles designed for all sorts of different terrains. It seems odd that a distress call would be coming from here--there doesn't appear to be anyone looking all that distressed, at least not at first glance.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
It's all so odd. People milling about, but no visible distress. An *obvious* distress call, no source. Kibou happily informs that the settlement seems to be Kree, and the other matters - all of which are tucked away by Kinsey without much other thought. One alien race is very much like another in its being alien, even if all the races are different and with their own cultures an foibles.

"Thank-you," she says hesitantly, looking around. "If you can hone in on the source, as well as continue monitoring and providing translation."

Not sure what she's getting in for, the woman proceeds cautiously.

Blurr has posed:
    As Kinsey gets closer to the town, a few people look up and point, although they do not seem hostile or fearful or anything. Kibou may have picked up on the fact that before landing, she passed through some kind of scanning matrix. But whatever it was had allowed her to pass unhindered. And even as she begins to make her way toward the central square, she is still pretty much unhindered, although it is clear that there -is- security here. All in all, the only thing she gets is a few looks, assuming her clothes aren't exactly normal Kree fashion.

    As she approaches the square where the show is, a pink Kree male who is dressed fairly eloquently is standing at a booth near the entrance. He comes up to her, all smiles. "Greetings, I am Yod-Aesh! Welcome to our Rides Around the Galaxy show!" Or at least that's what it was translated as... "My, you look like you've come a long way, Miss! Tell me, from where in our great Empire do you come?"

    Now that Kinsey has gotten closer to the signal, she is better able to pinpoint its source. It's actually coming from one of the exhibits in the square, one that is just behind Mr. Yod here and slightly off to the right. Looks like it has some kind of blue hoverspeeder in it...

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Right. So next time she'll think about obfuscating her arrival - so many things to learn about this Blue business! However, she's not a security expert, or tech forward beyond her speciality in Genetic Engineering, so it hadn't even occured to her to ask Kibou - and well, these things happen.

Her clothes, well, she'll have to ask about that in the future, but currently she's in her Lantern uniform first (it's how she survives in space after all), and then in pretty much human standard. Pants. A top. Casual. Depending on what they wear here, it might not stick out like a sore thumb. Or maybe not quite so much of one.

The question is translated to her by Kibou, and her only answer is a non-committal, "I come from outside this sector." Sector being a new word to her lexicon, and given their question, she's fairly certain they're at least familiar with outsiders. Enough so that she hopes her answer doesn't stir up fear, and leaves her only a curiousity, not a threat.

"I'm curious, this ride? What is it?" It's not unlike carnivals from her home planet - but for the distress beacon. Quieter, "Kibou, can you tell me if the beacon is from that machine, and is it a passive distress signal?"

In other words, did someone set it off and should she be looking about for a person or creature, or is it some accidental trigger of something in the machine itself. No, it hasn't occurred to her it might be the machine itself sentient enough to send the call.

Blurr has posed:
    Yod was definitely looking for a more specific answer than that, but he doesn't seem to really mind it. "Oooh, a mysterious lady, I see! Ah!" He ushers her over to the exhibit. "Actually, this one is more of an engima, not unlike yourself--no wonder you found yourself attracted to it. We're not sure what it is, but it is certainly easy on the eyes! One of our raiding parties acquired it from a group of nomadic scavengers just west of here."

    As for the signal, it does appear to have come from the machine itself. And now that she is right front of it, Kibou will likely be able to tell her that it is surrounded by a very strong EM field that is contained within the glass display case. No wonder the message had been so garbled--actually, it's a wonder anything at all managed to activate and punch through -that-, as brief as it had been...

    Still, though, there is no evidence of anyone around here being in distress for any reason. Everyone seems to be in a fairly good mood as a matter of fact. Maybe someone is trapped inside?

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"A raiding party?" It all sounds a bit like an adventure movie - something she's not really watched much of, and even then, not in years. Mind, she's not unfamiliar, and she does read for pleasure at times. "That sounds very dangerous. Were they.." She flounders for the right word. ".. other beings around? Someone the machine might have belonged to?"

The EMP field, as Kibou informs, has a furrowing of her brow happening. Kinsey is savvy enough to know those things have all sorts of uses - and troubles - associated with them, and the most useful is blocking signals. You didn't usually block signals unless you were concerned about one getting out. And why would someone block a signal for an unattended vehicle? Unless they knew the signal was there. But if that were the case, why not just dismantle the thing, kill the signal like you would with a fire alarm, and remantle the thing. It was just a ride after all - it wouldn't hurt the thing to be non-functional.

Unless that were the point: the thing weren't non-functional.

That's where the small hairs on the back of her neck, and along her arms begin to raise and prickle. Colonel Danvers had asked her about that, hadn't she? About the intuition she couldn't ignore? That. That was what Kinsey was experiencing, and right this second it was telling her there wasn't someone around, unless you counted the machine, and as unlikely as that seemed to her, the machine itself was asking for help.

Blurr has posed:
    Yod shrugs. "Fairly dangerous, yes. But the natives are quite primitive compared to us, as per usual. So they are barely a threat." he says with a grin. Typical Kree superiority complex, right? "As for other beings, none other than the scavengers and our soldiers. Say, I know you don't want to tell me where you're from, and that's all right but--" Then he stops, having noticed the ring on her hand. "Oh, you are a Lantern! I-I apologize, I've never met one before..." he suddenly seems to be acting kind of nervous. "Eheh, wow, I never expected one of you come all the way out here. I....um...I am pleased to find one of our own among the prestigious Corps!" he finally says. Is he...blushing?

    Indeed, the presence of that EMP is definitely very suspicious. There is -something- else going on here, more than what Yod here is letting on, or perhaps beyond what he even knows. None of the other exhibits have such a field inside of them. No, this was -intentional-. There was a reason the vehicle couldn't just be dismantled.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Oh, that reaction makes those small hairs rise further, and something prompts Kinsey to draw herself up to her most authoratative 'I take no BS' stance. "Of course I'd come," she says, as though she'd come here on purpose (she had, kind of - here, but not *here*). "I recieved a distress call. From your location as it happens."

An understanding, but firmly disapproving, look is given to Yod. Saint Walker might call her out for this later, but in the end, Kinsey had to live with herself, not him, so she sallies forth now that she's committed herself.

"I'd dearly like to investigate my findings. Shall I drop that EMP field myself, or would you like to do it for me?"

She's not really sure Kibou can do that. She thinks he might be able to? She certainly hopes he can, because if Yod refuses, she's got herself a small problem on her hands.

Kinsey waits, both expectant, and calmly certain, exuding nothing but the sense that she expect he will comply, and will do so apologetically. Such a firm belief has done her good in the past. She has no reason to believe it won't work again.

Blurr has posed:
    When Kinsey's stance suddenly changes from mildly casual to resolute, Yod's eyes widen and he does a bit of a double take. He definitely wasn't expecting -that- one. "O-oh! I-I..." he stammers, glancing around at everything but her. "I didn't realize you'd come out here for a reason, I thought you just u-um..." Finally his gaze returns to her. "N-never mind, not relevant. Anyway, I have no idea what EMP you are talking about, nor what distress signal, but I assure you, if anyone is in trouble here, I-I will do everything in my power to help you, uh, help them out of trouble!" he exclaims. He doesn't -seem- to be lying...

    But just then, a group of security personnel come over, presumably the these were the ones he'd been referring to earlier when talking about the raids. "Yod-Aesh, the hell do you think you're doing?" Rough translation of what one of them says rather gruffly. "You're supposed to be selling tickets, not giving free tours." Then he fixes her with a stern glare. "Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to step back outside the square and pay for a ticket to this event just as everyone else has."

    The beacon had been silent for most of the time leading up to this moment, however, suddenly there is another burst. And given its proximity, it is no longer as garbled as it had been before. The language translated is neocybex, modern Cybertronian. And it says something like, << ...in the box...trapped...h-help... >> Now if Kinsey has at all studied her galactic affairs, she would be aware of the fact that most of the galaxy avoids the hell out of Cybertronians, because they seem to have a nasty habit of destroying everything they come into contact with, often including entire planets and/or civilizations or at least a good portion of them.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"You just thought, what?" Kinsey asks calmly. "That I was a pushover?" She tsks under her breath. His response, and seeming truth earning a further admonition, "I chose to believe you. I'd hate to be disappointed. But you will release the vehicle.."

Security arrives just about then.

Sadly, Kinsey is earth raised (she believes Earth-bred as well, but she'd be terribly wrong on that count) and her understanding of Cybertronians extends as far as nil. What she does know is that something sentient enough to control a distress beacon, and ask for help, has asked for help - and her inner obligation, and social justice warrior is fired up, Kinsey facing down the security crew.

"I will do no such thing. I am here on behalf of the Blue Lantern Corp, speaking up for and asking justice of the one you have trapped within that box. You will release them into my care. If you have a case againt them, you may bring it up formally through the usual channels. Until then, though, the being is under my protection."

Blurr has posed:
    "N-no!" Yod protests desperately. "Not a pushover at all, just uh, maybe just thought you came here for the show, you know? I mean, it's kind of the only big thing around Kyzil, what with it being a desert planet, and...stuff..." the young Kree man trails off, as security guards start yelling at him.

    He fidgets, looking abashed. "Heheh...r-right, of course. S-sorry. Sir. Uhm, so...right this way then, ma'am, I'll get you a ticket straight away--"

    However, Kinsey seems adamant, now. The guards stare at her, eyes wide. Half 'is this lady serious' and half 'oh shit' because they know what she is and are also disturbed that a signal managed to get through. Should they be honest, or should they just pretend she's crazy? Well....she is one of them. Perhaps she can be reasoned with.

    "Look, Miss." the the one who seems to be doing all the talking says. "I'm afraid you don't understand the nature of this situation. You do not want anything to do with the being inside of that box. Releasing such a creature would be a -very- bad idea for everyone here, and everyone on this entire -planet- as a matter of fact. Now, if you wish to enjoy the rest of this event, please go ahead and purchase a ticket. If not, then be on your way and meddle no further in affairs you do not understand." They nod respectfully. "For the good of all Kree." Then as they return to their duties, one of them can be heard muttering. "Heh, must be a rookie or something." Chuckle.

    Meanwhile, Yod had been standing there, goggling at the entire confrontation. Once they guards have walked away, he starts to go back to the ticket booth at the entrance, but sort of gives her a 'over here' look, as if trying to be subtle. Well he -did- offer to help.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey's smile is ever so deceptively sweet. For a woman who wouldn't (and is constitutionally incapable of) throw(ing) a punch, there is something very feral and warrior-like to that smile. She's faced down bullies on the subway, and thugs in an alley, and come up the winner.

"I believe you misunderstood me. I'm not asking. I'm telling. What would be a very bad idea would be for you to make me have to take further steps to deal with this matter. My help was requested, and I have answered that call. I am undertain which part of under the protection of the Blue Lantern Corps you are confused by."

The 'for the good of all Kree' creates one of those niggles again, but she can brush it off in her mind by telling herself it's jut them talking to one another. It does tell her she's dealing with Kree, however.

"Shall we start again, or would you prefer I move to where I set them free myself and then have to express my displeasure?"

Blurr has posed:
    Kinsey's further threats are...pretty much ignored, getting no more than a second glance over the shoulder as the guards return to their duties.

    Yod, however, keeps on trying to subtly get her attention from the ticket booth. When she seems to be ignoring him though, he rushes back over and lowers his voice. "I didn't know there was an EM field there before, but if there is one I think I know where we could disable it from. If you keep hanging around the exhibit, the guards will be watching you. Come on, follow me. Just pretend you're buying a ticket."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
That does propose a dilemna. On the one hand, it's a solution that doesn't require an encounter. On the other, she's made a claim, and this outright dismissal and disrespect of the Lantern Corps shouldn't likely be encouraged. Then again, she's a new Lantern, out on her own, with only partially tested abilities.

All in all, pushing it might not be the better point of valour here. It may not be the hill to die on.

"Kibou, I want a shield around that box." That, Kinsey knows she can do. She's seen it done back on the MacKenzie Space Station when the explosion created a hole in the side of the science lab. "And inform me before we reach the limits of your ability to hold that shield in place."

She's cognizant of her ring's battery power, but so far it's holding up. All of this, she thinks, would be easier if it were a bunch of thugs on the subway.

With a slow exhale of breath, she asks Yod, "These tickets. What do I need to purchase one?" Realizing as she follows a line of thought that has her thinking of pretending to 'ride' that if the thing in the box can communicate with her - she can communicate with it.

"Kibou, strenthen the signal within the box. I wish to speak with whatever it is in there." Asking it, once Kibou has strenthened that pulse that 'spoke' to her earlier, "How can I best help you?" Short of breaking it free. Not to mention, what happens after it's free.

Blurr has posed:
    Yod nods, grinning as Kinsey seems to go along with his plan. "Oh, nothing too much, just a few credits. Right this way, and I'll get you one immediately!" he leads her over toward the ticket booth, and opens a case full of tickets to the event. "Don't worry," he says, his voice lowered again as he pulls one out and hands it to her. "This one is on me. I think I can disable the field remotely from inside...but it did sound like whatever's in there is bad news, so uh....you'd best be prepared." Then he slips off into a nearby office building.

    Trying the strengthen a signal that is only barely punching through a strong EM field is a difficult task. She does get something, but it's mostly the same message as before. Now she can either wait to see if Yod manages to shut the field off, or try to handle things on her own...

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"It might be bad news," Kinsey says quietly, reassuring herself she's doing the right thing, "But it asked for help. How could I turn away only to find later that I had left a sentient creature in distress. We have means of dealing with criminals, but I can not leave whatever it is." Not and live with herself.

When her attempts to communicate do not get very far, she chalks it up to inexperience, and to the possibility that the creature within is too weak to do much more than it already is. She has to believe Yod will do as he says and disable the field.

Which means she has to be ready to take the thing, and escape. Even if only to take it to Saint Walker, or somewhere she can hold it under observation pending determining if it is safe, or not a criminal.

Still, her guts says it isn't a criminal. Not that she has any reason to believe her gut is right. Other than that instinct and intuition that she'd dearly love to deny is part of her.

Blurr has posed:
    Yod had started to make his way inside, but Kinsey's words give him a bit of pause "I--wow." he blinks, looking over his shoulder. "Compassion that pure is a rare gem these days..." Perhaps another rough translation, but hey, it worked. "You know, if I ever do go to Hala and, you know, do that thing. I wouldn't complain if my Supreme Intelligence looked like you." Wink. Hey, that was a pretty good pickup wasn't it? At least, he thought so. "For the good of all Kree." Then he's off!

    Now all that is left to do is wait, it seems. There are quite a few Kree colonists milling about the show, just enjoying a normal day out on the town. Little do they know, all that is about to change. Another ten or so minutes pass, and suddenly the field in that box shuts off. Immediately, panels on that hoverspeeder in there start to shift and fold, and it...stands up? Well, as best it can--the exhibit box isn't exactly tall enough to support its full height. Guns of some sort emerge from its arms and it fires at the glass. Cracks form and start to spider out in all directions.

    By now, people are gasping and pointing and looking terrified, and the guards have rushed to surround it, their weapons ready, while other guards start trying to evacuate panicked civilians.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Well. That was unexpected. Then again, like the Spanish Inquisition, why would one expect it? It does, however, leave the question of what now?

Calmly, and in a loud, but firm voice, Kinsey calls out, "There is no need for alarm. Please, remain calm." She forces herself into that mindset, the one she would use on the subway, or in the alleyway, the one where the litany of 'all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well' runs through her head and centers herself. It's a calm that exudes from her being, and one that Kibou accentuates and broadcasts with her. It is, after all, one of the ring's favourite things to do! To give Hope!

Kinsey, uncertain of what's been freed, but committed, steps between it and the security guards.

"I can not allow that. I am so very sorry. I did say that they were under my protection." And, "Kibou, shield myself and the being. Prepare to take them and myself into orbit."

Blurr has posed:
    Kinsey's urging for calm just earns her flabberghasted looks from some of the civilians as they rush away from the square, although the guards seem to be just as calm as she is, if well and fairly pissed off at her. "What have you done?!" Yep, it's the guy from earlier, too. "We warned you not to release that monstrosity!"

    Inside the display case, Blurr has managed to shoot through the glass, but now there seems to be yet -another- barrier over the glass too? Where did -that- one come from? He starts trying to shoot through that one too, but it seems to be stronger than the glass. Well no slag. But now that the EM is gone, Kinsey does get a message, loud and clear. << So did you come here to help me or to kidnap me I'm just wondering since this other barrier that wasn't there before seems to be coming from you? >>

    Just then, Yod comes running out of the building he'd slipped into earlier. "But she didn't release it yet! I mean," he says, still somewhat out of breath as he approaches. "It's still in there. And if it's under her protection, she'll take custody of it, right? Honestly I would hate for the Starforce to find out you uh, you know. Brought that thing here, and all that."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey flips a stern look Blurr's way, "You will behave yourself and not make this more difficult. Do not make me have to subdue you. Or do you not wish to be rescued?" Because he is so not helping his case here by firing. She does tell him, "I have erected a shield to protect us both. You firing within it puts us both in danger. Please desist."

Yod, as it happens, has the right of it, and she confirms, "I am asserting custody of the prisoner." Hoping against hope that the being doesn't protest that to assertively or volubly. She'd prefer not to fight this little battle on two fronts, and would dearly like to get the two of them away so that she can make an informed and calmer decision.

Blurr has posed:
    Blurr stares at her for a moment. Did she just...? Well it's not every day you get a fleshling who has the struts, er--guts? To talk to someone like him in that way. However, he doesn't exactly take well to being ordered around a waterbag. << Excuse me, but I can handle -myself-. And 'rescue' doesn't mean kidnap. >> He resumes firing into the shield.

    Meawhile, outside, the soldiers glare at Kinsey and Yod. Yod does have a point. But--they'd rather handle -that- their way. If they were Starforce or some other Empire-funded group, this would be a lot more complicated. But since they're basically just mercenaries...

    The one who had spoken to Kinsey earlier, who might be a leader of some sort, feints a bit, lowering his weapon a little as he scorns her. "Feh." he scoffs. "Kill them all." And they all open fire immediately. Granted, they're no Lantern-ring bearers, but they do outnumber Kinsey, Yod, and Blurr about 10 to 1. And they're Kree, so their weaponry is pretty advanced. Kinsey would immediately abruptly sense an immense amount of pressure against every shield she has erected in the area.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey has stood firm in the face of New York City subway altercations. Blurr might be.. well, she's not sure what he is, but she's not about to be intimidated by him. Besides, if she lets him push her around, then the security folk will too, and this would just degenerate epically.

"Actually, if that were true," she says calmly, "You wouldn't have sent that distress beacon. And you wouldn't still be standing beneath my shield. Now, you can stop trying to kill the person who is trying to help you, or you can go back into your box. I'm quite certain the cranky gentlemen would like that. Or, you can help me."

Of course.. security dude has gone from cranky to blanket solution. By her calculations, and Kibou's, the shield won't hold that long. Not without boosting (which she can do), or, you know, hightailing it out of dodge. Which she can't do as long as her 'friend' there insists on being part of the problem.

Saint Walker has posed:
Kyzil... such an unpleasant looking planet, though, Walker supposes as he passes through his wormhole, it may just surprise him.

For whatever reason, it had seemed to hold the interest of Sister Kinsey, she had been lingering for some time and Walker thought it best to investigate.

"Are there other rings in this area?" he asks his ring.

It replies: "Affirmative, Sister Kinsey and her ring are located on Kyzil."

"Excellent," Walker says. "Show me the way."

Guided by his ring, he heads towards the planet's atmosphere, en route he calls to Kinsey through her ring: "I hope you are enjoying your sightseeing Sister Kinsey. If you do not object I am en route to join you in aproximately 2 minutes."

Blurr has posed:
    Oh, those shields are going to give way very soon. The merc leader smirks at her. "Your shields won't last forever, Lantern! Going to have to fight back sooner or later. You should have heeded my advice when I gave it."

    Blurr goggles at Kinsey from behind her quickly waning shield. << The frag do you think you're doing?! Why aren't you fighting -back-? They're gonna kill you! At least me -help- you, for Primus' sake! >> He pounds on the shield frustratedly.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey doesn't immediately answer her charge, because she's not only fighting to keep her calm in the face of his shooting *within* her barrier - and the impending reality of that very barrier dropping in the face of the outside pressure - but she's also got Brother Walker chatting with her like he's dropping in on a Sunday picnic.

"I would gladly fight back," She says through gritted teeth, "But someone is trying to kill me within my protective barrier. And if I drop it, several other someone's will also be rather more actively trying to kill me, and as it happens, you."

As for Brother Walker, "Oh yes, I am quite enjoying the local scenery. As a matter of fact, I think you should try and get here faster and enjoy it with me. There is a small possibility that there's open weaponfire going on and I may or may not have declared a local prisoner to be under my protection. But really, your choice. I'm fairly certain I can last two minutes."

Saint Walker has posed:
"Is that sarcasm, Sister Kinsey?" Walker asks with amusement. "I am still mastering that form of communication."

However he adds: "I shall be there presently."

To add weight to those words there's a shuddering boom as Walker shatters the sound barrier, burning like a blue comment towards Kinsey, the mercs and Blurr.

Arriving, he stops in mid-air above the fray positioned to set up a crossfire if need be. "Greetings," he calls to the mercenaries. "May I ask why you are firing upon a sister Lantern?"

His body is surrounded by a blue bubble of a forcefield.

Blurr has posed:
    Even as Saint Walker shows up, -more- of the mercs also show up. And they brought a plasma cannon, too. Well this was getting more and more interesting by the minute, wasn't it? They fire the cannon at the display case, shattering the shield around it and sending it and Blurr tumbling into a building...

    A few kliks though, and he gets right back up, lifting what remained of the big exhibit box and hurling it at them. It knocks a good number of them back, while yet more of them activate rocket thrusters and charge at Saint Walker, opening fire on him too and completely ignoring his question. Well, so much for diplomacy.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Well, that was interesting, wasn't it?

"Oh, I think you're doing quite fine in the sarcasm department, Brother Walker," Kinsey says sweetly. And with the dropping of her shield, she's now in the middle of a quite serious fray, and rahter without an arsenal of her own. "A little help, please?"

Saint Walker has posed:
"Of course," Walker says when Kinsey asks for help. "Though I have no idea what you're talking about," he chimes in about doing okay when it comes to sarcasm.

Clearly hanging around with humans has taught him the need for mid-battle quips.

As for the mercenaries charging him? He lets his shield take those shots, but once the mercs have closed the distance and built up speed, he opens a wormhole directly in front of them with the opposite side opening somewhere Kyzil's far side.

Blurr has posed:
    A fray that is about to get a bit more serious for her. That leader guy charges at her with his rocket thrusters full throttle, trying to slam her into one of the buildings around the edge of the square. Since the gunfire didn't seem to break her shield fast enough, maybe a flat-out melee would. Maybe that's what's thinking. Or maybe he's just furious at her, who knows.

    Now that Blurr has gotten himself out into the open, he draws some of their aggro, and has to duck behind one of the buildings. Okay a -lot- of their aggro. Given he's a lot bigger. They fire the plasma cannon at him, splitting that building in half. Hopefully they've evacuated all these civilians they had been at least pretending to protect... << Uh, can I suggest we get out of here? I don't know what those rings do exactly but if you need a ride I can be just that. >>

    Saint Walker's wormhole sends his attackers clear to the other side of the planet. Whoops, guess this one wasn't as much of a hapless rookie as the other. Even as soon as that happened, another one fires a missile launcher at him from the roof of another building.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey's shield may have broken, but her ring wasn't out of power. And while she wasn't really one to get down to fistcuffs, certainly didn't have Saint Walker's grasp of the intricacies of her ring yet, her reflexive response to the man charging her is pretty much to encapsulate him in a much smaller, more contained force field than the one she'd erected over herself and Blurr, and lift the charing man up off the groud.

OKay, that last bit was courtesy of Razer dangling helpless in space, and rather a pointed jab at the charging man that she wasn't pleased.

"I'm all for leaving," she intones. "Brother Walker?"

Saint Walker has posed:
"A missile?" Walker says as he lifts his ring hand and creates an inverted and very much stationary shield around the missile with the aim of detonating and containing the missile. "That is not good, not at all. I am not sure what we have done to earn such hostility, but, this must stop at once."

Focusing the power of his ring he creates a new shield around the trio.

"I agree," Walker says of departing. "And if you wish," he says of Blurr providing them with a ride. "But we wouldn't want to impose."

Blurr has posed:
    The man had been almost on top of her, and as just as he reaches her, he draws a plasma shotgun, thinking to blast her one more time with his last round before going ham on her with melee weapons. But right as he fires, a shield suddenly encapsulates him, causing the weapon to backfire and explode on him, given the cramped space created by Kinsey's barrier. His body kind of flops over in there, a mere charred husk now.

    The missile that had been aimed at Walker explodes inside his shield and is absorbed by the much more experienced Lantern. When his shield goes up around the three of them, Blurr shifts again, going back to that hoverspeeder thing he was before. << Okay well get in quick. >> he replies. << I've got your friend. >> Meaning Yod. Meanwhile, the rest of the Kree continue putting the pressure on the shield, so they'd best be gone quickly!

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
There's a moment of stunned shock as Kinsey witnesses what she's inadvertantly done, her eyes widening, and skin paling to a sickly green. She, just standing there, unable to look away from the carnage and the burnt out husk of the Kree man. Merc or not, had she thought that would be the result, she'd have never..

"No no no no no.." she repeats, mentally scrambling to think how to undo this, or save him, knowing all the while that it's entirely too late for that.

Saint Walker has posed:
Walker joins Kinsey in her despair for the mercenary, but there was nothing that could be done for either of them now.

Placing a hand on her arm he says, "Come we have go now, Kinsey," he says as he wraps them both in smaller forcfield, and flying them to the waiting hoverspeeder unless she makes a fight of it.

The shield weakens in doing so however meaning their limited time has just grown shorter.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
The touch on her arm breaks Kinsey out of the spell she was under, turning sorrowful eyes on WAlker, "Oh, yes. Of course." Suddenly more than aware of where she is, and the danger they're all in. It only takes her a moment, then, to draw back her shoulders, nod resolutely, and with a steadying breath, she's accompanying Walker to their ride.

Blurr has posed:
    Nope...it is quite clear there is nothing Kinsey can do about the Kree man she just accidentally killed. His corpse is barely recognizable as it drops to the ground, a lifeless crust. However, the battle goes on around them, and they had best make a swift exit before Walker's shields fail.

    As soon as they are inside of Blurr, he zooms off, away from the town and off into the arid desert. Blurr's voice comes from the dashboard as they are on their way. "I um, tried to protect your friend, but I think--he might need help." Indeed, Yod-Aesh, the young Kree from earlier, is lying across the backseat, bleeding all over it. He must have been injured in the firefight.

Saint Walker has posed:
"Thank you for the assistance," Walker says to Blurr as he settles himself and Kinsey within the speeder and drops the shield. "May I ask you your name?"

The bleeding Kree is noticed, but Walker makes no move to assist only to scan and say, "Kinsey, are you able to assist him?"

The words are calmly spoken and he rests a hand on her shoulder in hopes of anchoring her in the moment.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey doesn't need Brother Walker's prodding. She might not have been able to save the man she'd trapped with his own blast, but this one she could, and in doing so, could possibly redeem her own feelings of guilt for what had happened. Besides, Yod had helped her; she owed him. Even if it meant straining herself.

Kibou, however, tells her in a rather subdued manner for himself, that he is more than adequate to the task "Though it would be best, Sister Kinsey, if we took a moment to recharge before we returned home."

Which only prompts a softly fond laugh from her. "Yes, Kibou. We will do that. But first our friend Yod."

Whom she places hands upon - not rightly needed, but /she/ needs this, to feel the contact with the healing, and she instructs Kibou to tend to the wounds, all the while reassuring the man, "It is okay. You did well. See? We're safe. You helped. We couldn't have done it without you. All will be well..."

Blurr has posed:
    "Blurr, and you?" the Autobot answers Walker, the lights on the dashboard pulsing and oscillating in sync with his voice. "So, where should I be headed anyway? You guys got a ship or something?"

    Though his wounds would have been fatal if he hadn't been tended to, Yod seems to be improving as she works. He'll need some time to recover, but he should be okay. He opens his eyes and stares up at her. "...y-you never told me your name." he says weakly.

Saint Walker has posed:
"I am called Saint Walker," Walker says keeping an eye on Kinsey's healing. "It is good to meet you Blurr," he looks about to ask something before the question about the ship derails that for the moment.

"We do not require ships. Our rings provide us with transportation, we should be able to transport you as well if you do not have a way off this planet yourself."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
The world narrows down to Yod, because right now he needs her more than the other two do.

"No, I didn't, did I? We didn't really have much time for pleasantries. I'm Kinsey." She says it, unknowingly, like 'Kin-Zee'. "And you're going to be just fine. I don't think it's a good idea for you to return home immediately at least. Is there somewhere safe we can take you?"

The tail end of Walker's conversation drifts into her consciousness and she nods agreement with him. "Blurr?" Repeating his name to confirm it for herself. And while she's a bit boggled she's talking to a vehicle, what did she expect, rightly, when she'd thrown herself into the study of alien races and then haphazardly accepted a Lanter Ring? "I don't understand what happened back there." Well, she understood the shooting part, but not why he was a prisoner, or who was responsible for it alll, or how he'd contacted her.. and why in the name of all that was holy he'd insisted on shooting inside her shield. A small rise of anger bubbling up. "You could have gotten us both killed. If you'd not been shooting I could have lifted us both out of there.."

And left Yod behind..

The thought makes her sigh. It was, she had to admit, while not an optimal situation, one that had worked out best for all. Other than the man burnt to a crisp. Then again, if they'd left, Yod would have been the dead one, and if someone had to die - not that Kinsey cared to buy into that line of logic - of the two, she'd prefer to have saved Yod.

Blurr has posed:
    Yod smiles, his eyes brightening at that. "Kin-Zee," he coughs. "I like that." He sighs at the question. "I don't know, I was born and raised here on Kyzil...but I don't think I can go home any more now...the faction that controlled my hometown also occupies all Kree settlements on this planet that I know of." It seems to dawn on him fully now, and he looks kind of sad.

    "Uh, excuse me -I- could have gotten us killed? I don't know how tough your shields are but I'm willing to bet those guys had more collective ammo than you could've withstood. And if you'd done that, I wouldn't have been able to save your boyfriend here."

Saint Walker has posed:
"Perhaps we could assign guilt at another time," Walker suggests. "And focus instead on our destination. It is clear we cannot remain here, and I would not recommend venturing further into Kree space. While they favour the blue of their own kind, that preference does not extend to us Lanterns," he says with only a trace of humour in his tone.

"I personally suggest Earth or Odym, given the ranges I should be able to manage," he adds, focusing himself to get ready for whatever trip they decide upon.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey pats Yod's hand. "We'll find you somewhere safe. Brother Walker is very familiar with such things." She's not sure which of the offerings he suggests would work, but either way, somewhere else can be chosen once they're not here. "I'm terribly sorry about this all."

Blurr earns a stern look, "Yes you. Shooting while inside a protective field. And just how were you going to protect me if I dropped that?" Not that she'd expected him to protect her, but the other way around. "And he's not my boyfriend." Blinking at the 'man'. "He's my mentor. Unless that was some sort of insult?"

Perplexed, but dragged from those thoughts by Walker's admonishment. Which leaves her looking slightly chagrined, but not nearly contrite. "Of course, Brother Walker. I'd suggest you know Odym best. Would they accept Yod here, or help him find somewhere to relocate?" A pause. "And what of Blurr yere?"

Blurr has posed:
    "Well obviously I -did- protect you, and I saved your--friend, whatever! Frag, you wouldn't even fight back against those guys, if Saint here hadn't shown up I'm pretty sure you and him would be -dead-." Blurr keeps protesting. But then Walker scolds them gently and he stops arguing

    "Right, well since you guys don't need ships I guess I won't keep you, just make sure we're far enough away from uh, any hostiles." Blurr replies to Walker, finally slowing to a stop near another oasis and opening his doors. "I'm gonna guess you guys know how to take care of him better than I can. And don't worry about me, if my ship isn't functional I can get an extraction later."

Blurr has posed:
    "It's okay, Kin-Zee. You did what you believed was right." Yod says, nodding. "Don't apologize for -that-."

Saint Walker has posed:
Walker's attention is fixed on his ring, but he manages to reply, "Both Yod and Blurr would be welcome on Odym, but if my suspicions are correct, the Guardians will want to question Blurr before extending any official hospitality."

Cybertronians did have something of a reputation.

Though it seems as though Blurr takes care of that himself. "You have a ship? At the very least we can escort you to it, and ensure you are safely off this world before we depart."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
There's a soft tsk of tongue against the roof of Kinsey's mouth. "Now, now. We don't do that. Remember? I saved him. I'm not about to let you treat him poorly now. Just like I wouldn't let him treat you poorly. I don't understand your animosity towards him, but I remind, he saved you too. And you, I remind, saved him. So we're not doing that. Yes?"

She smiles to let Yod know it's okay.

In nearly the same breath she mutters at Blurr, "You're welcome, by the way. I'm terribly glad I was able to decipher your distress signal and rescue you. It would have been an utter shame had you been left there in that box."

She lets her pointed words be enough, and then tells Brother Walker, "The men back there were concerned that he might be dangerous. I"m inclined to believe that they are biased, but there seems to be an underlying fued here - he was trapped beneath a shielded barrier with a powerful EMP field around it. I'm inclined to think the field was both to kep him from reaching out for help, and to contain his abilities. I'm not saying he's a criminal, but I did say that I would make certain that if he were deserving of such, we would see that he was dealt with accordingly."

"I might also have placed him under the authority of the Blue Lantern Corps. I'm sorry, but I wasn't sure what else to do, and he was asking for help. I"m quite willing to bow to your judgement in this. I am merely reporting the facts as they unfolded."

Blurr has posed:
    "Nono." Blurr insists at Walker's offer. "Really, it's fine. The less time you spend anywhere near me, the better. As you've already seen. To be honest, I was surprised Kin-Zee here even responded to my beacon. Most people like you avoid the slag out of us." he sighs. "And with good reason."

    Once they've exited, he transforms again and stares at Kinsey. "Okay now I'm just confused. I'm talking about the injured one. I saved him. And if you had just flown off with me, I wouldn't have been able to do that, and he would've definitely died. How am I treating him poorly? Pfff." He shrugs. "Whatever, you all should be off now. Like I said, it's best if you get away from me as quickly as possible." He doesn't speak to Kinsey's description of the situation. Eh, let them figure it out on their own.

Saint Walker has posed:
Walker takes in Kinsey's story, "He is a Cybertronian, they're people tend to have a bad reputation, due to a rather... colourful history," he says, "Anyhow you did the right thing by taking charge of him and using your authority as a Lantern. Even if the people you were dealing with did not respect it. Though they did not seem the type to respect anyone, even themselves."

Walker frowns at that, before listening to Blurr's insistance he go alone. "Well, it's not for me to decide, you are under Sister Kinsey's authority," he says with a nod to Kinsey. "It is up to her to decide if you can go free."

Though when Blurr stops, Walker exits to sit lotus and hover nearby.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"Cybertronian?" It's a new one for her - then again so many alien races are. She's getting a sense of how vast space is compared to her people's understanding of it. Walker's explanation listened to and weighed.

"I can see where they got that reputation," she mutters under her breath.

There's a brief moment where she considered at least pretending to keep him in custody, but she can't really justify it, and even thinking about doing to gives her pangs of guilt. He might be abrasive and brash, but much of her annoyance with him came from the situation. Her failure to succeed. The loss of that man - however undesirabke he was.

"He's free to go," she says finally. "Even if he were accused of some crime, I believe their treatment of him suggests he may not onoly be innocent, but his behaviour in saving us shoudl earn him a second chance.

"You are free to go with my blessing," she tells Blurr. "And we will see to the safety of Yod. Thank you again for your assistance. We are grateful."

Saint Walker has posed:
"Non-organic lifeforms, they've had a turbulent history, and one that has seen that turblence brought to other worlds, to disasterous result," Walker explains, within hearing of Blurr. Kinsey's remark is heard and frowned at. "Well. as Blurr has not yet destroyed this planet, I believe that reputation has yet to be earned in this instance."

When Kinsey makes up her mind, Walker inclines his head to Blurr. "Good journeys, perhaps our paths will cross again sometime, I would very much like to speak with you some more."

Then after goodbyes have been said, Walker suggests, "We should go as well, if you'll construct the bubble for our friend here, I can create the wormhole to take us to Odym once we reach orbit."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"As you wish, Brother Walker. Though I don't understand the animosity. I suppose it is much like the mutants on earth? What isn't understood is somehow evil only on that basis? Though I do have to say he is rather annoying. I am still glad that I stopped to help. I'd begun to think I'd made a fatal error there until you showed up."

Her smile is a winning one as she constructs the bubble to contain Yod.

"And yet it turned out okay. As it always does."

Okay, she'd been shot at, yelled at, and a man had died because of her lack of skill. But she'd also helped save two, and had followed her gut to the approval of Brother Walker.. even if he might have words about her her small display of temper later.

She hoped that her freezing up in the face of the death hadn't been quite as obvious as it was.

"We are ready when you are." Turning to reassure Yod. "You are completely safe. Brother Walker is one of the foremost Blue Lanterns. In his hands there is very little that can harm you. We'll get you right sorted as soon as we find a place of safety." Trusting Brother Walker to take them to the most appropriate place.]

Saint Walker has posed:
"It is a prejudice, like many in the universe, unfortunately," Walker says of the Cybertronian's reputation. "You did the right thing by assisting."

"Yes. it did turn out reasonably well," he says before he standing while still hovering above the ground.

"Though, we can talk further on Odym, for now," he turn skyward and begins to rise. "Let us go."