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This landing bay has recently undergone the transformation from ruin to luxuriously detailed hub of activity. Workers line the walls, repairing electrics and installing additional systems. The landing pads are full, and most of the space of the bay beyond the ships is taken up with large gas canisters. Each is guarded by contracted Dusk Corporations personnel who keep others from getting too close.
Disembarking from the ship, Aukido carefully undoes his sling, and painfully slides his arm to where his right hand is in a pocket, so it appears the arm isn't quite in as bad a shape, then uses his okay arm to motion those following him to come out of the ship, wincing as his arm settles in it's position, his gaze taking in the station for the moment as he waits for anyone else to arrive from onboard the ship.
Maina follows along soon after, lips faintly pursed as she looks around the area.
Ulgir follows the direction of the Lyiri that appears to be leading his troupe. As the spacer disembarks from the ship, he instinctively checks the positioning of his pistol, and loosens it's holsters grip, ensuring it will slip out easily, and readily if needed. As he continues to walk down the ramp, he follows Aukido and says, "Ok.. So.. spider-thingies with telepathy and like to eat people. Sounds like fun.", though the tone of his voice would denote the lack of anticipated fun.
Grey himself is no where to be seen, but a dark blue female Lyiri in charge of the station's repairs pads across to inspect the newly landed ship. "I wasn't informed of any changes to the flight plans, what are you doing here?! We're almost ready with the gas." She's wearing a dark blue jumpsuit with a setting sun logo across her chest. Her tail flicks irritably behind her.
Standing around and casually walking a tour of the docked ships a figure dressed in a black hooded trenchcoat. Hood up, the figure turns towards the landing ships, lowering the hood with gloved hands a cascade of auburn curls are released, verifying the watcher to be a human female.
Aukido gives a few curious flicks of his ears, and looks towards the female Lyiri curiously, he holds his hand up to the group following him along, and moves to speak with her, "Ancestors know peace, nice to meet you again, Grey is allowing me to take an expedition to attempt negotiation with the creatures, rather than to slaughter them, and it will help assist him in saving money on these canisters," the black-furred Lyiri scans across the area, "And I must say, this is a better alternative than to waste all those Credits," a grin plays on his muzzle.
Ulgir cocks his head to the side slightly, trying to look around Aukido so he can see the spokesLyiri. He purses his lips a tad as he looks her up and down, but then his attention is caught by the hooded figure. She, he has more interest in, or appears to. He glances her up and down, appraising the looks, and likely skill behind her movements and seems satisfied. However, as he lets his boss do the talking for now, he remains quiet.
Jasra moves a bit closer to the group, curiousity showing in her expression as she attemps to get close enought to figure out what's going on.
Maina gives Aukido a look that makes it fairly clear she expects this to go horribly, horribly wrong. She remains quiet, though, glancing towards the woman approaching a little curiously herself. She offers a little wave towards Jasra to show she's friendly, not a brute mercenary. As if that wasn't obvious from her outfit.
The spokeslyiri gives a dismissive grunt and a wave of her paw. "Ah, yes, I was told you might arrive." Her tail flicks irritably behind her. "A bunch of fools and madmen. Right, well, if you want to get yourselves killed it's no problem of mine. What areas do you need access to?" The female felinoid's eyes shift from Ulgir and Maina to Jasra, an eyebrow raised. "I wasn't expecting any outversers to be stupid enough to undertake this kind of lunacy."
All around the small party, repairs continue. The buzz of saws and the whirr of nanobots is a constant companion to their words.
Aukido nods a bit to the spokeslyiri, swishing his tail about, smiling in greetings to Jasra, motioning her to join the group if she likes, friendly Lyiri Aukido is, then he turns back to the spokeslyiri, "We will need access to the Reactor if I am to recall correctly," the Lyiri says.
Aukido and the expedition are gathered speaking to a slightly irritated spokeslyiri about what parts of the Station they need access to, and Jasra has joined in observing the group in curiousity.
Ulgir crosses his arms, continuing to watch the area, his gaze being pulled in various directions. First he's watching the repairbots, then he's watching the Lyiri workers. Occassionally, his gaze even bothers to fall on the spokeslyiri, but he's not as concerned with her. Mostly, he keeps glancing back over towards Jacra, and those crimson-red curls.
Rather surprised by what she happens to hears, Jasra's eyebrows raise and she looks behind her to see who this furry person is talking about. Looking back at the spokesLyiri she points a gloved finger at her chest, "You talkin' to me?" she asks, moving closer. She glaces at Aukido & Maina, giving each a slight nod. Ulgir she looks over a bit more, flashes a little smile then turns her attention back to the Lyiri.
Shadowclaw simply stands with her arms crossed not looking overly thrilled
Maina glances towards the woman as she speaks, still looking mildly curious. She certainly seems a bit distracted from the talk between Aukido and the spokeslyiri.
From somewhere deep within the reactor level of the ship, a conciousness stirs. Brown and green flesh shifts and pulsates in tune to a heart beat that sounds like the banging of a distant drum. She is awake, and her eyes like coals seem to see through you, into the very fabric of your existence. The red light from their glow reflects off of her fleshy body, wings of web like brown membrane stretch out behind her, tipped with scythe like claws to slash and rend flesh from bones. Her jaw lined with many teeth does not move, but she says, "We hunger."
"I certainly am. And anyone who involves themselves with this..." The spokeslyiri gestures with her paw again, this time towards Aukido alone. The telepathic attack washes like a wave across the landing pad. Everywhere the sounds of repairs are interrupted as one out of three workers are forced to their knees, gripping their heads as if to try and push the effect of the other mind away.
Aukido flicks his ears, and notices the attempt at mental intrusion, however being a Telepath himself, he manages to resist the effects, however he quickly looks around him, "Is everyone okay?" he asks, swishing his tail about, looking from person to person, "It zeems that they do not want us here, however I wonder if I could go into their mindlink to speak," the Lyiri mostly speaks this sentence to himself, while he checks on each person in his group individually, and giving a look over to the rest.
Ulgir's usual bravado falters slightly as the queen delivers her message directly into his brain. He turns to Aukido and replies to his boss, speaking for the first time since stepping off the ship. "You sure about this boss? That... She... doesn't seem very friendly." His voice remains steady, but the tone is one of slight uncertainty.
A frown appears on Jasra's brow, she takes a step back away from the group gloved hands palm out towards the spokesLyiri as if to ward the being off. She shakes her head, auburn curls toss, "Na, must be a mistake, I'm not involved in nothin'." A gloved right hand goes to her right temple rubbing it and closing her eyes for a moment, "I've a bad feeling about this..."
Maina's form wavers a bit as her focus goes towards resisting the attack rather than maintaining her manifestation for as long as it lasts. She remains manifest, but it's clear it took a bit out of her, and she gives a huff, "Still think this is a grand idea?"
Shadowclaw growls louder and bends under the psychic assault, ears are pinned back and tail is trashing, her hand very close to the hilt of her sword, "What is this? You did not mention this"
The spokeslyiri's own paw rests on her forehead, a frown set across her muzzle. "Aaah... ah... they're getting stronger." She mutters, more to herself then anyone else. When the attack passes, the spokeslyiri turns away from the expedition and back towards the repair teams. "All right you cubs, get back to work! You're not being paid to lay about." Her words like whips, urge the repairs to resume. As she turns back, she talks in a softer voice. "I don't know what your plan is, but if I were you I wouldn't go anywhere near the reactor level. Our latest scans couldn't give accurate numbers, but there has to be hundreds of them down there..."
Aukido looks to the group, then turns to look towards the Spokeslyiri, flicking his ears curiously he speaks, "Perhaps if such an attempt was made before you put all this into the station," the Lyiri says, then he adds, "I mean, they aren't even gone and you are rebuilding as if you own the place, of course they think they are under attack, which according to Grey and you, they pretty much are," he sighs a bit, and looks to the group, "I think I still would like to go through with this, however I won't let my actions harm others, so it is up to you to come, and should you still decide so, if you find it too dangerous, don't hesitate to get away," he turns back to the spokeslyiri again, "If they have some sort of Queen, the others listen to her, they won't likely attack without her orders, however, perhaps I can reach them with my own telepathics beforehand," with a motion of his hand, the Lyiri simply walks on towards the access that will lead them to the reactor, he half-motions the Spokeslyiri as well, however whether they follow him or not, not quite ready to go there, but nearing it, Aukido Telepathically reaches out, as if to create a more subtle link with the Queen that he has control of.
Ulgir watches his boss move away, after listening to his speech. However, he pauses, considering the options and after a moment slowly makes his way behind this boss. He was hired for a job, and though, techinically his job was completed when he landed the ship on the station, he's still part of the crew. He waits to see if his boss is able to make contact with the Queen. Shudder.
Folding her arms protectively across her chest, Jasra states, "I'm just an innocent bystander." Trying to shake off her experience, she adds, "This reminds me too much of those damn Dangles, the mindraping jellyfish." After a thought, "Though if you take out the Queen, whatever this thing is, the others should just fall apart... just saying." Gloved finger gestured to her chest, "I ain't the one."
Maina purses her lips a bit, "It's an extermination, Aukido. Same as any sort of pest infestation. I'm going with you, but only to see if I can save your sorry asses when this all bites you in the face. They can't use me as a host, I'm pretty sure."
Shadowclaw continues to growl and speaks loudly, "Did you not hear, she said they Hunger. That is a predictor warning prey to add spice to the meal."
The spokeslyiri nods approvingly towards Jasra. "Well, you're welcome to stay up here with me." She says, folding her furry arms across her chest. "I'll not be going down with this lot. It's damned near suicide." She turns towards Aukido and his expedition. "You hear me? Suicide!"
Aukido flicks his ears as his attempt did not quite reach the Queen, the Lyiri sighs and listens to the group, regarding carefully the mention of Hunger, then he turns to the spokeslyiri, "Please, open the first hatch so we can travel further in, then when we're behind it, close it, wait for further contact before opening it again, if everyone is okay with that?" the Lyiri says to the group, turning once more to the hatch, he tries a different approach, and says, "Perhaps one of the Queen's workers," he thinks, and then Telepathically reaches outward, attempting to reach the mind of the nearest of the creatures he could possibly find who's thought is about, and form a link with them instead.
"Been through enough of my own dark times." Jasra glances at the others, "Fought my own evil thingies, bad people and hard falls. Did I hear spiders? Well they got dangles too, only at least they touch the ground. You want to be eaten by some hungry mindraping thing." Makes a general shooing motion with her right hand, "Then good luck to ya." she adds, "I also don't want to glow in the dark."
Shadowclaw shrugs and follows a bit, "I was hired to keep you alive so I will try and keep you alive," she looks to Maina, "Madam, my apologies but if you can keep others from being, taken over was it? Then I think I shall stay near you, and try not to need the assistance."
Maina glances towards Shadowclaw, "Oh, they can't take me over, probably. I don't know I can keep them from taking over others, but I can sure try."
Aukido flicks his ear curiously, his left arm which is okay going quickly to his holstered pistol, gripping it, turning quickly to the Spokeslyiri, "Wait," he says, then turns to the group, "Make sure you're ready," he says clearly, and his words should be clear to anyone, as he turns back to the door, then nods to the spokeslyiri, "Be ready when you open it," he then telepathically reaches out to the Worker, trying to inform it that they are armed, and any attempt at hostilities would not go well, "Do not attack unless they do," he says as one more sentence, before perhaps the spokeslyiri opens the door, of course, that depends on the spokeslyiri.
The spokeslyiri's frown grows a little deeper as she draws her PDA out of her pocket and pushes a sequence of buttons. With a hiss, the doors leading further into the station swing open. "For the last time, I'm warning you, begging you, don't do this! If you go down there, and for what-ever reason your plan fails, you will die! There are hundreds of them, maybe thousands." Each word in the next sentence is emphasised with a pause. "Don't go into the reactor level." Beyond the door, flickering lights illuminate a passageway designed much as the landing pad has been. There seems no sign of aliens.
Ulgir's gaze passes first to his boss, Aukido, and then back to the spokelyiri. Then, if flicks to Jasra and her digging in her heels and refusing to enter. Then to his other crewmate, Shadowclaw and her sense of honor to follow the Dreamstar's Lyiri leader to his possible death to, well to protect his body until she herself is devoured by the creatures below. Decisions.. decisions.
After the spokeslyiri makes her heartfelt plea, he faulters a bit again and says, "Aukido. How do you know this is going to work, and you're not walking into your doom? Have you had /any/ inclination that they will reason with you?"
Jasra folds her arms over her chest a little more tightly. Lips firmly pressed together, "Crazy" she whispers mostly to herself through those lips, "Should listen to the little furface."
Maina gives a faint shrug, "He won't be convinced. I'm just going to make sure damage is minimized. I've already tried talking him out of it."
Shadowclaw nods to Maina, "I am Shadowclaw of the House of Pathfinder. I will do what I can not to be taken over by these things." she draws her sword and turns to the spokeslyiri with a bow, "I appreciate your concern madam, I hope none feel the need to go that deep." she mutters, "Why we are here I do not understand."
With a flick of an ear, and a swish of his tail, Aukido takes his grip from the pistol, and moves his hand behind him, drawing one of his specially fashioned blades, he wields it within his hand that isn't injured, and he begins to walk into the passage, "My friends, as I said, you do not need to follow, but I will not let them be mindlessly slaughtered," to Ulgir's question he answers, "One was sent by the Queen, and seemed to have a clear mind, and they slaughtered him," he shakes his head, "And they wanted to talk, this was their home, and now they will be slaughtered if someone doesn't at least try," the Lyiri growls deeply, his emotions not quite in check and telepathically projecting his feelings he seems to be portraying, "I will not sit by and let them be slaughtered when I can do something to help, when I was shot while protecting one of them," he then nods to the group, and begins walking on into the passageway further, allowing whomever to follow, and making sure he scans over any ventilation shafts, entrances, or other such places.
Jasra gets nothing from Aukido's thoughts and stays beside the spokesLyiri, "They are so nuts." she murmurs, "to go where this angel is not treading."
Reactor/Breeding - Enaj Station
While not giving into the glamour of the station itself, the walls here are bare metal, painted a calming green. Along the walls of the chamber are what could appear to be life pods. Some of these pods cast a soft red hue across the catwalks, and appear to be occupied. Others have green lights or are dark and empty. This goes down several floors and each floor is connected via ladder. However at the base of the shaft is a dull blue aura that is cast off by Cherenkov radiation from the reactor of the station. The catwalks and walkways are far enough away to avoid this being dangerous.
The elevator slides to a halt deep on the reactor level. Dozens upon dozens of walkways criss cross the reactor far below, cloning pods lining the walls. The lighting seems to be malfunctioning, only a dim pool of light surrounds the outside of the elevator, illuminating the browny green fleshy substance that seems to be spiderwebbed across the floor. It pulsates and shifts, seemingly alive. The same stuff has crept across nearly every surface, nearly every pod, nearly every walk way. There's no greeting party for the adventures, but a sense of movement all around them. From above and below comes a whispering, slithering sound. Hundreds upon hundreds of red glowing eyes line the distant walls of the central shaft. Hundreds upon hundreds of pulsating bodies, shifting in the warmth of the reactor, and the shadows as deep as midnight.
There must be hundreds upon hundreds of minds in this area. Anyone able to sense telepathy might be able to feel it. Feel them communicating amongst themselves. Then there's the wave of telepathy, as fast as lightning and heavy as stone. "We hunger!"
Heading the group as the elevator opens is Aukido, however when he catches the view, and after a few moment, he notices the wave of Telepathy. For a moment the Lyiri winces and groans loudly, gripping his blade tightly still in his hand, wincing to fight against the wave, it comes into his mind past his attempts to shield it, but it is fairly minimal compared to what it could be.
Ulgir steps off the elevator, behind the Demarian and the Lyiri. He's certainly not the fighter in this group, but his hand is gripped tightly around the handle of his pistol. It is likely a futile action, but it gives the spacer some comfort that he might at least go down blasting when this scene dissolves into chaos, gnashing teeth, and likely death.
Maina starts to step out, then stops as if she's hit a wall at the sheer number of 'voices' hitting her. She shakes her head, then does it again to clear herself of the sensation, hesitating before moving forward and trying to watch for attack.
Shadowclaw steps out of the elevator and stands in a stance prepared for battle shaking her head slightly to remove the oppressive buzzing. "A mistake, this is a fruitless battle." but she moves forward none the less
The elevator door stands open, light pouring from within its inviting confines. From above it, it's easy to hear the slithering shuffle of giant spider like feet. If they continue to approach at this rate, within minutes the parasites will be swarming across the elevator. Across a central looking walkway, yet more gather, taking up position around a central area, as if to protect something.
~They offer themselves, so freely to my children.~ A voice that is not a voice, spoken in the back of everyone's mind. The voice of the Queen. ~Soon you will become one with them.~
Aukido does not hesitate, with clear movement and blade in hand at his side, he walks forward, and in return to the Hivemind's entire contact, he presses his own mind forward in an attempt to reach the Queen, or even the Hivemind should they attempt to protect her from Telepathic links, "We do not offer ourselves for your feed, but we come offering you an alternative to extermination," he says, if they are able to understand him without Telepathic communication at all, and the Lyiri is quite careful with his link as he moves along the walkway trying to reach the central area, careful to stay away from the noises and any visible of the creatures, making sure the others can keep up if they are going to follow.
Ulgir is hesitant to leave the seeming safety of the elevator, and allowing any chance of retreat to be constricted by the advancing cretinous enemy. However, he does not want to be left to defend the sanctified vestiges of the elevator on his own. He slowly, follows behind the Lyiri as he advances, his own hand still gripping his weapon in possible defense.
Shadowclaw looks back at the elevator then looks to the others who are moving deeper and says a string of words in her own language, none of them sound complimentary before she too follows the other two.
Maina gives a little sigh as the others follow still, moving along as well. She actually tries to keep as close to the two mercenaries as she can, while keeping distance from Aukido.
The spiders are still closing in on the elevator. They don't hesitate, they don't pause, they don't even slow. The walls are almost on fire with their red eyes as they draw towards the expedition's only means of escape. Hundreds of them. Each becoming defined in the light by the elevator as three foot wide spiders, fangs dripping with venom. But the elevator is not closed to them yet. The expedition could still get to it before the spiders do.
~I will not eat you.~ The Queen replies, everyone is able to hear. ~But my children have been without food for ever so long... tell me... how can I deny them the chance to feast upon those who claim to be able to determine, whether we live or die? A tiny meal you may be, but I think even you do not have that power. You will all become one with us...~
She is among the cluster of spider creatures at the end of the walk way. Her body is draped in shades of brown and green. Bulbous and sticky with mucus, it pulsates and shifts with her every movement. Behind her, two leathery wings tipped with scythes seem ready to swing down at a moment's notice.
Those spider parasites nearest to Aukido rear up on their back legs, fangs clacking and dripping. They're ready to pounce.
Aukido grips his blade at the ready, and he continues to speak, clearly now, his blade is ready should the spiders near him pounce, but he does -not- break his direct contact with facing towards the Queen, "We do not determine whether you live or die, that is a decision for you, Queen of these Beings," then he considers for a moment, "That one you sent on the ship, I continued to attempt to protect him while others tried to slaughter him, I listened, I want to assist," the Lyiri says, "I have the Technology, and the people, I even have the Opodians able to assist me, that perhaps we could create hosts for you, so you need not take the others, and be able to give you the food which your children desire," he shakes his head a bit, moving closer to the Queen's circle, "I can assure you that if you choose this path, I will do all within my power to keep you from those who wish some sort of mindless minor war," the Lyiri sighs deeply as he speaks now, however some of the exhaustions seems to come from the fact he is actively using the Queen's contact with his mind, to send the same he speaks verbally, to her and the Hivemind should they listen to the contact they had established with his mind through, "However, I know you will soon block off any escape from this place, and should you deny these terms, to avoid pointless bloodshed, I will not hesitate to slay you myself," his voice is calm, collected, and so is his telepathic communication, the Lyiri fighting hard not to show any open signs of the nervousness playing slightly in him, as he communicates this vocally and Telepathically back to the Queen.
Ulgir stops following Aukido as he surveys the scene and quickly realizes that if they venture any deeper, then they will have no chance of retreat at all. Someone needs to remain to keep the path clear. His forward progress grinds to a halt, as he allows Aukido and anyone else that wants to try to venture deeper into the fray. The spacer turns to face the elevator, to keep an eye on the path in case a rapid escape is needed.
Shadowclaw looks back at the elevator then says to Aukido, "I do believe that this is far enough. You needn't go deeper to speak with it." she growls though stays with him cursing in her own tongue, should anyone speak her language they would hear her cursing her stupidity for the sake of honor.
Maina stays back with Ulgir, watching Aukido speak. She narrows her gaze as she focuses, bringing into being a barely visible 'dome' of psionic energy around herself and the two mercenaries, walling the parasites out and the others in. Notably, Aukido is left outside the dome. "We need to prepare to run, you two. I'm not letting you kill yourselves over a fool's errand or misplaced honor. If you have a problem with that... well, I suppose I can let you join him." She watches Aukido to see what he does next.
The Queen hisses as the felinoid nears her circle with his blade. She draws herself upwards, her scythe like wings slashing the air before her, a high pirtched roar escaping her fleshy lips like steam from a pipe.
~Then speak, little one! Come closer and I will devour you myself. Speak, little one, before your death arrives.~
The elevator is overrun with dozens of spider creatures who crawl past it towards Maina's dome. A few jump at it, bouncing harmlessly off of the shield. Others start to crawl over it, seeking a way in. Others yet resume their steady crawl towards Aukido.
Aukido doesn't move much further from where he is currently standing, then he looks to the Queen as she draws upwards, his tail swishing behind him, his blade for the moment points to his side, towards the wall in the distance, showing his intent to not attack, before he speaks while telepathically communicating whatever he says, "The plan is simple, that with the funding of Organizations I am allied with, we could produce cloned humans that do not have the thoughts and minds of human, fresh slates for use, where not only will you be given the hosts you desire, but they are not actual people, and will not combat your attempts, since they will simply be bodies prepared specifically for use," he then nods a bit to the spiders around him, "I will not attack lest you do so first, and I understand that you seek only the survival of your children, therefore I offer this alternative, and all I ask you do is that you allow us to not only provide these hosts, but also you take residence elsewhere, or at the least, directly converse with those here that wish to destroy you," the Lyiri pants from keeping up with his own words.
"They would have destroyed you, but I seek only to preserve life, as all of it is precious, and I do not wish harm upon your kind, therefore I will assure you I will do anything within my ability to have these things done, so that you will have the hosts, and food, and in return there can be co-existence, there will be no need for us to fight betwixt each other, for you shall not be starved and driven to madness as others would have you," the Lyiri takes the sword by the hilt, and kneels, pressing the tip of it to the walkway, still cautious of his surroundings, but hoping to show some sign of honesty, "They would have gas canisters thrown here, even destroy part of the station, and the decision rests on you, Queen, for the sake of not yourself, but also your children you so seem to care for, consider my request," he sends telepathically in addition to his words, all this to the queen, his focus is not upon his companions, but his gaze looks up, as if to perhaps attempt to meet her own should she be able.
Shadowclaw is brought up short by the field and touches it gently, looking past to her boss still in danger. Her tail lashing behind her she grips her sword and stands to watch.
Maina frowns, starting to back away from Aukido and the queen parasite. She attempts to move the field with her, nudging Shadowclaw along with her. "We need to start forcing our way to the elevator, or I'm leaving without you all, and that's not something I wanted to do. That feline can't even be civil when asking a favor, I don't think he can handle this." She attempts to speak quietly for Shadowclaw, but between the crawling parasites and her proximity to Aukido, it's likely he may just hear as well.
There's a moment in which the only sound that can be heard is the slithering of hundreds of spider feet moving towards the group. Then there's another sound. A broken hissing, almost like weeping. It might take a moment for Aukido to realise that the Queen is laughing. Her pulsating body rocking with the motion. She herself starts to slither backwards, away from Aukido and the group, towards the darkness of the walkways beyond.
~This child expects much. Feast my children, he shall become one of us...~
Shadowclaw yells to Aukido as she pushes the wall a bit and confirms that yes, it is solid. "Run, you will die if you do not run." so saying she turns to Maina, "Madam we must move quickly or be overtaken, can you enclose him as well so that we may leave post haste?" so saying she turns to be ready to grab Aukido if given the opportunity or run if he is nommed
With a deep sigh and trembling slightly as he knows now that his efforts are likely futile, Aukido stands up, and begins to move backwards towards the area where the field is, still having to move some distance to reach it, but he won't let his efforts be futile, and he points his blade with his uninjured arm and hand towards the direction the Queen went, and with what Telepathic power he still has, he attempts to reach her mind, only this time, it is hardly friendly. This time, he seeks to put the Hivemind in chaos with a Mental Attack to the Queen.
The swarm closes around the shield wall, dozens of the creatures scratching and jumping and biting to find a way in, exploit any kind of weakness. Others break off from the assault of the shield wall, charging Aukido. Limbs flash in every direction as a couple try to pounce on the felinoid, razor sharp talons flashing in the dim light.
Maina goes wide-eyed as all hell breaks loose, apparently, and she calls out, "Follow me or I'm leaving you behind, you two!" speaking towards Aukido's crew, who should be within her sphere. She'll start moving towards the elevator, hoping she can use the force wall itself to push the parasites out of the way while trailing the 'crew' with her in the dome of psionic energy.
By this point the Queen has slithered a fair distance away. Aukido's attack washes off her like water against a stone, and she continues to move, swallowed by the inky darkness.
Shadowclaw follows at the edge of the bubble not wishing to endanger Ulgir or Maina but also not wanting to leave Aukido alive, "Run little one or you will be eaten, I must protect the crew and you are splitting my loyalties. If you do not run then I must protect the one I can and leave the one I cannot." so saying she moves to make things easier for Maina.
Aukido attempts to block the parasites as they come, and although they manage to get on him and pierce into the skin of his left side, his block kept them from digging deep enough in to gain foothold, and as he shakes them off, he groans as blood spills from the wounds, attempting to limp towards the force wall, his hand still gripping his blade as tightly as he can, he focuses his mind outwards, trying to clear it as much as he can through the pain, about ready to fall on the ground, as he yells towards the group, "Make sure they're safe, you can go on without me if you must, and that's an order!" and with all the power he has left to muster with his mind, he hopes that he can find the Queen's own once again if possible, and stop the onslaught by once again attempting to damage her mind and the Hivemind's link to her, as he stumbles along towards the wall.
Their lack of success in breaching Maina's shield doesn't seem to concern the parasitic spiders too much. As she pushes them away, more come to claw and jump at it. More come to break it down, slithers of poison run down the outside of the bubble.
More spiders seem to pile up on those already on the walkway. Yet more flinging themselves at Aukido. The slithering of their footsteps is almost deafening, but Aukido's shout still manages to reach the bubble. The air is almost a whirlwind of bodies.
And through it all... through the chaos and the panic and the screaming comes the scent of blood.
Maina goes utterly wide-eyed when the sheer force of the assault and the numbers attacking are too much for her, and the barrier goes down. "Get in close!" She yells so loud it nears a screech. She grabs for each of them's arms, assuming they don't pull away, and focuses on bringing all three up to the top of the lift to safety. She doesn't spare a word or a moment trying to save anyone not within arms' reach.
'Pop' Maina, Ulgir and Shadow claw disappear in a cloud of glittering dust particles.
Aukido had blocked and got pierced in stomache, there was groaning, there was blood, then Aukido curls his muzzle into a smile, but his earlier thought was an idiotic one to be sure, he can't telepathically take on all these spiders. No being a hero today. Aukido makes a dash for it. He runs the best he can to get out of there to the Elevator.
The distance between Aukido and the elevator closes significantly as he makes his way towards it, stepping on walkway, and spider alike. Yet more draw up. The smell of blood is thick on the air as the Lyiri makes his battle cry, his charge.
The parasites jump at him, claws flailing wildly yet again, seeking to separate fur and burrow into soft flesh.
Beyond the mass of spiders, Aukido might see the elevator door shut with a 'ping' as it starts to move upwards.
Aukido notices the elevator going up, and before he can reach it fully, the mass attacks his back, and he falls to the ground with screaming and rolling as it pierces deep. The Lyiri is on the ground now, it wasn't too far away. Why does this happen when he has so much left to do? He tries his hardest to hold onto his consciousness, "Q-Queen," he manages to say, perhaps trying to Telepathically reach out to her, but without any strength left really, it likely fails as he begins to drift towards unconsciousness.