Swatpod Refueling Hangar- 7S

[Jijeka-Te]

(...Gail, you did that just so I'd have a break, didn't you?)

Ji blinked as the guard she'd been struggling with suddenly collapsed. Putting away her flail and climbing back down, she tried to pull her crook out, but was immediately repelled by an electric shock. She braced herself for another try.

Anu barely knew what was going on. He managed to avoid the bot's fire, dropping the vent in the process, but didn't know what they were planning next. He tried to lift the vent again.

[Gail Strafer]

[I was hoping you'd try to kill that bot instead of messing around with him. I want to always keep us moving forward. By the way guys, sorry if this is confusing you. I don't think I do fight roleplays well.]

Gail twisted and turned as much as he could in the Mega Muck, but it was no good. Without someone else's help, he wasn't going anywhere. Not to mention his hurt shoulder wasn't helping things either. However, he could see what the SWATbots were about to do and yelled out to warn him.

"Chadin! They're gonna attack you from both sides! Look out!"

---

Just seconds after the warning, both SWATbots would come around the vent from either side and open fire at Chadin's position. However, Anu lifting up the vent just a hair would probably give the deer enough time to get out of the firing zone.

[Chadin]

Gail's warning came at an exceptionally perfect timing as the bot's emerging on either side coincided with my leg being freed. I immediately pulled it free and practically leapt from crouching, throwing myself out of the line of fire just in time. As I came back down, I rolled onto my right side and snapped off a shot on the bot to my left. Unfortunately I couldn't do anything about the second. For now all I could do is try to eliminate one and hope I can quickly reverse and bring down the second. The worst part is, I was down to my last shot now, so if I missed the other, I was in serious trouble.

[Jijeka-Te]

(What do you mean "messing around with him"?)

Finally managing to get her crook out, Ji returned to the window to see what'd changed during her scuffle. She double-taked upon seeing how quickly things had gone from stealth to melee, and vaguely suspected that she had been the cause.

With few options, she took a running start and prepared for another glide, hoping to serve as a distraction.

Meanwhile, Anu had dropped the vent as soon as Chadin was free, and quickly dove for cover, something not hard to find with all the scrap around.

[Gail Strafer]

[When I say "messing around", I mean you never went for a killing blow even when the bot was down and vulnerable. I just wanted you to kill that bot and get on with it.]

Gail continued to struggle mightily against the Mega Muck, but alas it was mostly in vain. Not to mention he realized he was starting to tire himself out a bit. Much to his surprise, he felt somebody's hands wrap around his body on the floor. They were hauling him off of the ground. At first he thought it might have been Whip or Alpha come back to help, but then he turned around. That SWATbot that he'd shoulder charged earlier had gotten back up, and it was hauling him off.

"Guys! Help!"

While terrified of being taken away and roboticized, Gail also couldn't help but think about how many blows his ego was taking today. He was the only one who wanted to do this just for the fun and excitement (not to mention to prove how tough he was), and look what it was getting him...

---

Chadin's shot cleanly hit the left SWATbot dead on, but the other was going to get him. Fortunately for the deer, it spotted Jii approaching out of the corner of its visor. It fired off several controlled blasts her way as she glided downwards.

[Chadin]

My ears bolted upright as i heard Gail's cry for help. "Aw, nuts!" I rolled back to my knees and leveled my crossbow at the bot dragging Gail away. I only had one shot left, so it was either take out the legitimate threat and risk Gail being dragged off in the confusion, or save his life. I chose saving a life.

I squeezed off a shot, aiming dead centre of the bot's domed head. By then I heard the other Swat-bot firing on Jii up above. I immediately decided to take advantage of the distraction and popped the spent energy cell from my crossbow and proceeded to load the new one as fast as I possibly could before the second Swat-bot started taking pot shots at me again. A few years ago, I would have been so scared right now, my trembling hands would have made the simple task of reloading nigh impossible. But now, years of fighting later, the action was a fluid, well practiced maneuver, but even as quick as I could be, I was still left vulnerable for a few precious seconds.

[Jijeka-Te]

(In my defense, I wasn't sure I was capable of making a "killing blow" given my assets.)

Hearing the blasts, Ji performed a spin maneuver and dodged the bot's fire perfectly. She then touched down feet-first on the head of the bot that'd been dragging Gail before jumping up again less than a second later.

Anu stayed hidden.

[Gail Strafer]

(I would have at least tried to smack it in the head a bit, maybe mess up its visor. But hey, that move you just made in your last post is positively brilliant. I like it.

This post may seem out of nowhere, but there's something I've been thinking of doing with Gail. Just want to see how it feels to roleplay the start of it.)

Jii's gambit worked, as Robotnik's SWATbots in general were not good shots. The bot fired its blaster as it tried to keep Jii in its sights, but he only just ended up zapping Gail's captor in the face. The SWATbot fell over with its visor smoking, dropping Gail on the floor in the process.

Unfortunately for Gail, he landed on the floor in a rather ungainly heap since he was still tangled up in the dried Mega Muck. He howled out in pain as the wounded shoulder again took a hard blow. Once he was still on the floor, he quietly hissed instead, wanting to suppress such a weak gesture like screaming.

Having a lot of trouble, are you?

What?!

Gail suddenly had a voice inside of his head, and it wasn't his. In fact, the voice seemed to be completely independent of any of his own thoughts.

"Who are you?!" he called out loud.

No need to shout. I can hear your thoughts just fine. Anyway, I was just making a casual observation. You look like you could use a little help.

Hear my...thoughts?! Gail's eyebrows shot up. He then immediately thought of something he didn't want anyone in his head privy to...and then realized his mistake. The wolf got a little 'd'oh!' expression on his face.

Haha...oh don't worry about it. All teenage boys think of that once they come of age. I'd be more afraid if that WASN'T on your mind.

Enough messin' with me! Help me already!

No, not yet. I only assume a physical body when the world truly needs my help. I am sensing that time is near, but not quite here. Just wanted to get off on the right foot with you first so this doesn't come as a surprise.

Gail let out a low growl at that. So he had a voice in his head that could read his thoughts, AND he was a snarky little ####### too. Awesome...

---

Fortunately for Chadin, Jii flying all around the hangar made for a very visible, very attractive target for the bot. It unleased laser blast after laser blast at the lizard.

[Chadin]

Well that was convenient. I quickly thought to myself as I looked up after reloading to see the one Swat-bot peg the other in the head. Time to put an end to this mess, I affirmed to myself and charged my crossbow. I sighted on the bot's glowing red visor, still obliviously aiming towards Jii. If I were Sonic, I might have shouted some clever quip or taunt right before I fired. But I'm not Sonic. I didn't spare my breath. I simply pull the trigger with a cold, focused disposition.

[Jijeka-Te]

(Er... that was unintentional. Ji just did that to get more altitude.)

Ji continued to circle and flip, ensuring the 'bot couldn't hit her.

With all attention away from him, Anu finally peered out of hiding.