FloatingFatMan

Sometimes I use the story as is, sometimes I mod it, and sometimes it's made of such utter dumb that I totally ignore it.

Well, after running it blueside last night, here are my thoughts...

First, I must point out that I was soloing, and at default settings and standard difficulty.

Story wise, this instalment showed a marked improvement over earlier parts, which had rather large amounts of stupid in them. So much so in places that I wondered how the Phalanx even had the brain power to dress themselves in the mornings.

Other than that, though, I have to admit to quite a bit of disappointment in this installment. Taking them piece by piece..

The first couple of maps were fine, standard type fights and all that. It was rather let down, though, by the Chantry. Getting around was just like regular Shadow Shard stuff, but what on EARTH did the devs do to Ruladak? That guy used to be able to hit quite a lot harder than a 4 year old, but not anymore! Seriously, the fight, on my PB, was over in seconds. A shame really, regular EB's are much tougher than this and he should be buffed.

The floating battleships map looked great, but the jumps were rather difficult if not flying (I wanted to try it the hard way!) and at the fight at the end, Wade's Destruction Beam seemed to be completely invisible. Quite a let down really as I was expecting a huge BEAM OF DEATH rather than my PB's health dropping to 1/4 for no apparent reason...

Warburg. This mission was OK, but the end of it was a huge anti-climax! You're meant to be launching loads of missiles at Wade's island, yet we don't even get to see the old Warburg missile launch cutscene! Come on devs! Laaaaaaame!!

Wades Island. This is meant to be in space, so why is gravity at Earth normal? Very dumb. They should have at least reduced the gravity to a fraction of normal to make everyone super bouncy; very fourth wall breaking.

Rulu-Wade. What. A. Wuss. Seriously. I had a harder time beating Manticore in an earlier instalment than I did splattering the guy who killed Statesman. Again, another very underpowered EB that, like Ruladak, needs to be tweaked a bit as, to me, it seemed that the AV->EB scaling wasn't working properly. Also, again, Wades destruction beam was invisible. Is it meant to be, or was I bugged?

Overall, I liked the story, and the press conference at the end was OK, but generally I was left feeling rather underwhelmed. If I'd paid for the arc, I'd have wanted a refund.

Score: 4/10. Devs must try harder. You missed many opportunities in this final instalment that you really shouldn't have. Also, VERY lame that the dead heroes are STILL in the game. Next time you're going to do that, please wait until you're ready to ACTUALLY take them out of the game at the same time. Huge fourth wall breakage there.

Astoria - Saturday 24th March, 11pm

THerE IS nO RESpiTE
thERE iS No PEacE
YOur STRength is GOne
TImE to DIe


She no longer recognized the impossible voice in her mind, no longer recognized her surroundings or the sounds and smells that assailed her senses. Her mind was filled only with a desperate need to somehow... someway... survive. Reduced to little more than a feral creature of the night, she crawled on hands and knees through the garbage strewn alley. Her once silvery costume was filthy with blood and grime, the tough alloy slashed in dozens of places to reveal red raw wounds that had barely healed over. Her short hair, once always immaculately cleaned, was matted and filthy and her bright green eyes, once so full of life and intelligence, were dull and empty.

SooN NOw
I haVE FEd ON yoUR PAin
I hAVe fED oN yOUr STRengTH
NOw I WIll fEED on YOur SOUl


A cackle of laughter in the shadows startled her, but she was too weak now to do much more than flinch as the corrupted servants of Mot appeared. They circled around her, moving in closer, knowing their prey's end was finally at hand. One, a type with large wings upon her back, stepped forwards and prodded their victim with a clawed foot. "Look at her, sisters! Her shame and guilt have wrought her soul to nothing, as is right! Now, when she realises she cannot prevail, now is whURRK!"

Her gloating was interrupted as their wretched victim showed one last sign of defiance. A hand flashed out, the fingers tipped with a flickering light, the last vestiges of her power forming razor sharp claws. They ripped through the Talon's abdomen, tearing out her viscera in a single motion and ending the monsters taunting.

Immediately, the others drew their swords and stepped in, their voices raised in anger. Metal flashed in the red moonlight and steel sharpened by magic sliced through their victim, impaling her to the ground.

You aRE MInE!

The light at her fingers flickered and died. Blood poured from her lips, and she sputtered one last gasp before the ground opened beneath her, one of the many mouths of Mot bursting forth and swallowing her whole.

"Jess..."



"ELLIE!!!!" The scream tore through the darkness, startling the Talons in their triumph, and seconds later a spinning dervish flashed through them. Dark blasts of energy erupted in pulses, ripping the life from the twisted women and feeding the young woman at its core with their life force. Behind her, heavily build androids in the uniform of the Unity Vigil surged forwards, pulse blasters firing at those the woman known as Tiger Dark did not immediately exterminate. Further back, at the rear of the group, the white clad medic known as Marshal looked on in shock and sorrow.

It was over quickly, the Talons standing little chance against the combined power of the Vigilant combat androids and Tiger Dark, but it was far too late. A wail of anguish tore through the night as she dropped to her knees where, seconds earlier, Ellie had fallen to Mot.

"Too late... Too late..." Her voice was broken by sobs as her fists beat the ground, cracking the blood stained pavement.

Walking carefully through the bodies, Marshall approached and knelt beside her, a soft hand resting on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry..."

Screams in the Wind

Dark Astoria - Saturday, roughly 4am

Solomon Karos frowned as the sounds of battle reached his ears, and with a brief gesture, directed his flight towards the source of the sound. It was probably unwise, the streets of Astoria were far more dangerous since Mot’s awakening, but he felt compelled to investigate and perhaps assist if he could.

Drifted over a high rooftop, the sound suddenly got much louder as the scene of battle hove into view, and he took a sharp intake of breath as he recognized the figure at the centre of the carnage.

Before him, surrounded by uncountable scores of corrupted Knives of Artemis armed with bloodied swords, was the brightly shining figure of Tiger White, ferociously battling in her huge tiger form. Scores of bodies of those she had already defeated lay in disarray, but the dark shapes of more twisted assassins clambering over them to get at their victim. Tiger White, Ellie Stoneberg as he recalled her name, appeared to be faltering, and Solomon estimated it wouldn’t be much longer before her strength failed. Every time her claws lashed out, or bursts of white energy erupted from her, more monsters joined the pile at her feet; but for every one downed, two more appeared in the mob, determined to bring her down.

As if to some hidden signal, the mob below suddenly surged forwards, burying their victim under a deluge of bodies, their blades flashing in the dim streetlight. Seconds later, a massive eruption of light and energy, accompanied by a roar of anger and fear, exploded in the mob, blasting bodies in every possible direction and spinning Solomon through the air. By the time he corrected his flight, the light had faded to reveal Ellie, collapsed in a huddle on the ground, her body shrinking down to her more usual form.

Already, Solomon could hear the dark mutterings as more twisted ones began to appear, and he resolved to end this. Moving quickly to Ellie’s still form, he cast a quick spell of concealment before lifting her into his arms. A moment later, a brief flash of light filled the courtyard as he teleported them away.


Saturday, early evening

Solomon Karos sat on the floor of his temporary base of operations, meditating. Clad in military style camouflage trousers and a white t-shirt, his face looked drawn and tired. Nearby, unconscious on a dust-sheet covered bed, Ellie’s wounded form lay quietly, her breath barely audible in the quiet room. The apartment itself, a small penthouse in one of the many vacant skyscrapers of Astoria, was protected by numerous wards against the evils outside, and more wards, these ones describing runic words of healing, hovered silently above her.

A small rustle of movement, a groan of pain, and a slim hand moving to her forehead, roused Solomon from his meditations. Glancing over towards Ellie, he spoke with a soft, calming voice. “Do not panic, Mrs Stoneberg. You are safe here for now."

Groaning again, she responded in a weak voice, little more than a whisper. “Wha... happened? I remember... women... and swords... lots of swords...”

“The Knives of Vengeance had you surrounded. It was very close, but I was able to whisk you out of their grasp and tend to your wounds.”

She paused for a moment, forming her words painfully. “They... wanted me to... go... with them.”

“Something that is not recommended.” Solomon rose silently to his feet and smiled down at the young woman. “Would you like some water? I have very little in the way of supplies, but what little hospitality I can offer, is yours.”

Ellie nodded and started to sit up, a faint whimper of pain passing her lips as a long diagonal slash across her chest started to slowly ooze blood. “P... please.”

Crossing silently to the small kitchen area, Solomon retrieved a small bottle of mineral water and, after opening it, passed it to his guest. “Drink slowly.”

She nodded and sipped carefully at the cool water, “There’s so many of them... Every time I took one out, two or three more jumped on me...”

“The Talons and Knives of Vengeance can soon call their allies down, erupting from a murder of crows to overwhelm a foe. Unfortunately, I fear that they may now be aware of my presence, but the wards here should protect us for long enough so that you can heal.” he smiled softly as he looked at her, and anticipating her question, continued. “I am Solomon Karos.”

Blinking a few times, she peered at him properly, then nodded. “I remember you... Thanks... for getting me out of there...”

Solomon nodded, “I came by the statue when it still stood in Galaxy City, some small respite in my task of protecting others. Now... though I am a prisoner here in Astoria, I still assist others. I am not that far fallen yet to be derelict in my duty to protect the innocent.”

A confused look crossed Ellie’s face, “A... prisoner? I’m sorry... I’m feeling... kinda foggy still.”

“Quite understandable. I came to this area last Friday, to investigate for MAGI. Since then, I have not been able to leave. I can think about it, but when it comes to doing it... The will is weak.”

Carefully easing herself to a sitting position on the edge of the bed, Ellie hissed sharply in pain. “Aaaah... I know... what you mean. I’ve... felt it too.... I feel it now.”

Solomon raised his hand and muttered some incantations, renewing the healing wards for Ellie. “I regret that I am not strong enough to keep Mot’s influence out of the warding area, not fully.”

Nodding, she took a sudden intake of breath and concentrated. A faint glow returned to her eyes, thanks mostly to the strengthening of the wards, and the ugly gash across her chest closed over, leaving a red line in her pale skin. “You’re... Still alive though.”

“Only just. The nightmares keep me from sleep, it is only a matter of time before exhaustion leaves me vulnerable, or foolish. I can help you leave, however.”

She blinked at him in surprise, then her expression softened to one of concern. “Come with me?”

Shaking his head, he replied. “At this stage, I doubt my willpower could hold the spell open for myself as well.”

“If you can give me a little time... hold the wards whilst I recharge... I can get us both out of here... Teleport us out beyond the war walls where Mot can’t get to us.”

“We shall see, I cannot say more than that. I will try, but...”

Ellie pushed herself carefully to her feet, still somewhat unsteady, and made her way to the window. Outside, the darkness enforced by Mot’s will still blanketed Astoria in its gloom, the war walls still flickering, the energy fields resembling walls of blood. “...Still no sunlight.”

“No. The shroud that covered the area is similar to what we experience at the time of Samhain. The influence of Mot even warps the energy fields in the War Walls, as you can see.”

“It’ll... take me a lot longer to recharge... like this...”

“And the longer you stay here, the more Mot will take hold.”

“...I can't leave you here, though.. He'll get you... He'll get me eventually, anyway.. He's.. too strong...”

Solomon joined Ellie at the window. “"If the chance of two leaving is small, one leaving is great, and none leaving could be a certainty... What would you do?"

“There’s some portals though... The Midnighters...”

“And the fact that you can think about that and I cannot shows just how far I am gone, Mrs Stoneberg. I know they are there, but... I cannot bring myself to leave. It does not make sense to. I have tried, and find myself walking the other way, or not even having my feet move at all.”

“...You know... I met your wife... in Pocket D. She was asking after you...”

Solomon went quiet, gazing out of the window for several long moments before replying. “Elize is? Unexpected.”

Ellie nodded. “She... told me not to come back here... What would happen if I did, but Lisa... She kept telling me to fight it, face it... That I was a terrible person who always ran away from problems...”

“And now you have returned, what are your thoughts on the two pieces of advice?”

“I... don't know.... I am a terrible.. person.. I've done things.. horrible things.. things I can't ever make right...”

“If I had not come, you would have died. Or worse, turned to the Talon's purpose. Would that have made things right? Would anything you do here ever put right past mistakes and events?”

“No.... But.. maybe those I hurt.. would find some.. peace.”

Solomon turns to study Ellie, “Perhaps. Or perhaps you would leave more hurt in your passing. Friends, family, your wife, people who might have been saved by you in the future. If something cannot be put right, then use that to never let it happen again. That is all that can be done.”

“I've.. tried... the last. seven years.. everything I do... it's to try to help others.. But the dreams... all I see.. is my hands.. covered in blood...” She turned a little, looking up at the taller man. "I... killed children, Solomon.. tore them apart.. with my bare hands... The will was anothers but.. it was MY hands..."

“You learn to live with it. I have. As a Spellbreaker, someone who hunts rogue mages and dangerous magical forces, I have bloodied my hands on men, women, children, babies, and even snuffed the life out of those impregnated by dark forces, just to ensure that the world can keep on turning. I killed my own wife for practising and training others in dark magic, and those regrets are what keep me here. If you can leave though, you can live and each day is a chance to make amends, even if things are not set right for the original crime.”

Ellie blinked at him, tears barely visible at the corners of her eyes. “I'll try.. but... only if YOU try too... okay?”

“I will try. Once more. When you are rested and ready.”

Ellie nodded and limped back to the bed, sitting slowly "I.. need to rest.. Just a couple of hours."

Moving softly back to his earlier spot, Solomon knelt once more, intending to meditate again. “Of course. I will still be here when you wake.”


Monday, 6am.

Ellie stumbled through the dark alley, her heart racing as she sought to evade her hunters. Behind her, in the distance, voices could be heard calling for her, audible over the constant sound of screams in the wind..

“You cannot escape us, sister! Your sins are great and the hand of vengeance is upon you! Surrender to Mot, join us!”

Worn and bloody, exhausted almost beyond her limits, the young heroine paused briefly as her chest heaved for breath. She was a mess; her hair was in disarray, her face marred with dirt and blood. Her lower lip was swollen and oozed blood from a jagged tear; she could spare no energy for healing. Her armour, a synthetic imitation of impervium alloy, was cut in several more places, revealing a multitude of half healed wounds.

Rubbing her eyes, Ellie looked up at the dark sky and wished she was up there, among the stars where she belonged. She’d not had the power to fly now for at least a full day, maybe longer. Time seemed to work different here, or at least her perception of it; she had no idea how long she’d been running for.

Frowning, she tried to collect her thoughts, bring some semblance of order to herself as she tried to remember how long it had been since Solomon had rescued her from the scores of corrupted women that had almost overwhelmed her. She’d rested then, restored enough of her strength for them both to try to get to the portal, but that had been so long ago, now. They’d made it to the portal and Solomon had literally thrown her through the swirling vortex as more of the nightmarish woman had swooped down on them, but something had gone wrong. She’d found herself dumped into a graveyard, still somehow inside Astoria, and more of the monsters were coming for her.

Since then she’d been fighting a running battle, resting when she could, but each time she found a dark hole to hide in, they found her. Even now, the sounds of their pursuit was getting closer and Ellie didn’t know how much longer she could run for.

Without much hope, she tried her com-link again. It hadn’t worked at all since she’d come here, but it was her only chance now. “Bodi?” her voice was hoarse and weary. “Bodi? You there? Zori? Mike? Anyone? Please... I need you... I can’t keep them away anymore...”

Static answered her, the same result she’d gotten every time she’d tried, and she sighed softly.

“We hear you, sister! Soon, your time of judgement will be on you! Come to us, be with us.”

Ellie closed her eyes for a second, their twisted voices chilling her to the bone, when another voice came to her; one she’d heard all too often.

YOu canNOT EScape ME
yOU HAve SINned anD MUst bE JUDged
sOON You WIll cOMe to ME

She shook her head, still holding on to the last vestiges of her defiance, and hissed a reply through clenched teeth. “I’m.. not giving in... to you.. Mot. I’ll... fight you... till my last... breath.”

fighTING wiLL NOt SAve yOU
THere iS NO EScapE
THere IS oNLy DEath

“Please... Just leave me alone...” Hopelessness filled her heart, and Mot’s voice came to her again, even stronger than before.

YOu WiLL kNOw DEspaIR
YoU wILL KNow pAIN
I aM COMinG fOR YOu

Choking back a cry, Ellie pushed away from the wall she’d been resting as its shape began to twist and distort, Mot’s power changing its nature into something dark and evil as her despair gave the demon more power over her. Stumbling again, she scrambled away from the building and ran, the screams in the wind getting louder as her own voice joined them.

Peregrine Island. Midnight 16/17th March.

Ellie stalked towards the Arena, where the portal to Astoria lay waiting for her. With each step, she could hear the screams more clearly, though nothing like as loud as the memory of Lisa's voice.

You're a terrible person.

She growled softly to herself, "I'll show her! I'm not a terrible person!"

No fire, no energy, no defiance, you flat out accept me when I say you're a terrible person.

A bolt of energy arced from Ellie's body, shattering a nearby gate post as she stalked past some brownstones. "I'm NOT a terrible person!"

It's quite frankly pathetic.

"Stop saying that!" Ellie's sudden outburst startled a passing civilian, who looked up at Ellie's ferocious appearance and quickly hurried on.

You don't think you -should- be forgiven.

She choked back a sob, biting off any response as the swirling vortex of the portal to Astoria hove into view.

You fossilise yourself in your ways, leaving you deep down hatin' yoruself an' unable to move on, an' that's what Mot has so easily latched onto.

"I'm trying to fight it!"

Tryin' isn't good enough, sugar.

"I'll prove you wrong, Lisa. I'll show you. I *will* fight back, with everything I have!"

Then go, fight.

Ellie stared at the portal, then suddenly broke into a run, startling the two portal guards as she dived into the swirling vortex, leaving two words echoing behind her, "I will!"

Blue Steel is a wuss, and got his *** kicked by me, a PeaceBringer.

WUSS, I TELL YOU!

Rolando Island - Monday 12th March

Ellie awoke with a start, her heart racing and her breath coming in short pants. Beside her, Jess stirred briefly in her sleep, words of comfort mumbled without really waking. Her body trembling, Ellie slipped from between the soft satin sheets and entered the bathroom, closing the door softly behind her so as not to disturb her sleeping wife.

Moving to the sink, she ran the water until steam fogged the mirror, then plunged her hands into the scaling liquid before splashing it onto her face, trying to clear her head of the images from her dreams.

It didn't work.

The screams of children filled her ears, accompanied by the animalistic roars of a creature out of control. She stared in horror as the water turned to the thick red of blood before her eyes, covering her hands and face with the sticky heat of life's water. A short sob escaped her lips and she fell to her knees, hugging herself tightly as she curned into a ball on the floor. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she began to whisper, her voice thick with despair. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Having finally got around to catching up on the last 3 parts of the SSA, I can finally say that the stupid is really off the meter, now.

Come on devs, the Phalanx don't deserve to be treated like this! Seriously... If they were REALLY this utterly lame, how the hell were they the premiére hero group for so long?

As for Penny. She's cute enough, and has impressive attacks, but her pathing code is TERRIBLE! I was constantly losing her and having to run back through huge tracts of Oranbega to find the dozy bint all because, after failing to just go around the corner to where I was, she decided to just peg it all the way back the other way...

Well, you've got about a hundred or so pages of the PD thread to read and find out.

Welcome back.

Is there a list anywhere of the available ATIO's and their stats? Especially Kheldian ATIO's...

As for the super packs themselves... A while ago I was annoyed at them, but not now. I don't HAVE to buy them if I don't want to, after all. Sure, more options for getting the costume parts would be great, but they really want to persuade people to pay real money for these, so I don't blame them for keeping some of them exclusive for that purpose.

Tech, you seriously need to calm down, son. You're gonna burst something if you keep letting things stress you out so much. Go have a beer.