[Astral Harmony]

This Post In a Nutshell: Relax and ask Raine questions or talk to other people. This RP will pick right back up after a while.

"Don't worry, they won't chase us," Rem said with confidence. "I trust our beautiful pilot in the giant mechanical armor."

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The journey leading out of the trench and heading generally in a northern direction was uncomfortably hurried, but brief. Night was fast approaching when the Veronica raised her right arm, the hand closed.

"This is a good spot," Rem declared. "All right, darkness is fast approach. Saren, you're first watch."
"Count on me."
"Luco. Lulu. Nyam. Please get to hunting."
"Of course. Let's go, girls."
"Ezra? Cooking."
"I'll put my whole heart and soul into tonight's meal!"
"Bertz, could I ask you to gather some firewood?"
"Of course."

The Veronica kneeled and the chest opened up, revealing where the pilot controlled the mecha from inside. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you...Raine."
Raine had to be a Breaker. No other class wore that much armor. Only the face under her brow and her expertly-cut black hair were visible through the pink armor plating with black underarmor protection. "Well met, all of you. I am Raine, former mercenary of the Crimson Splash based in the Rubellian Empire and currently self employed as a merchant of death."
"And what're you doing all the way out here?" Radian said with edge in her voice. "Red Island is completely off limits."
Raine shrugged lightly. "Stupid shit like that has never stopped me."
Radian reached for her lance without drawing it. "What was that?"

Rem stepped between them. "Please stop it, Lieutenant."
Radian frowned at Rem. "Rem, how do you know this bitch?"
"We were both here six months ago," Raine explained. "Business and all that. I have several clients who're paying top dollar for any technologies I can salvage from Red Island."
"But that's highly illegal!" Radian nearly shrieked. "It's capital punishment!"
"Enough, Radian!" Rem said, cutting across formality. "You won't do a thing to Raine and that is final."
Raine smiled. "Yeah, just get off your high horse already. Oh wait, you're biologically attached to your high horse, ah ha ha ha."
"You're not helping, Raine."
Radian looked on the verge of exploding, but simply grabbed her lance and left the group, obviously going to find something to skewer. Raine sat down by the campfire while Rem sifted through the wagon, finally producing something Raine desperately needed.

"My favorite brand!" Raine squeeled, withdrawing a cigarette and lighting it. "God, you couldn't possibly imagine how much stress I've been under. Y'know, you're kinda lucky that you found me, Remmie. I was just leaving the island."
Rem was a little surprised by that. "Something spooked you?"
"A whole lotta shit's spooked me, girl. Hideous monsters, unnecessarily violent animals, insane soldiers, killer robots, women in kimonos with special powers...I swear, Remmie! This whole place has become a big ol' island of maniacs."
"Hence the RPG's name." Rem observed to no one in particular. "Are you still trying to leave?"
"Yeah, I won't stay long," Raine apologized. "Normally, Veronica wouldn't have any trouble with the Dark Nation, but you saw how I performed back there. Veronica was shit on ammo even before the fighting, and the lights haven't been all green for over a week."
"I won't try to keep you long, Raine, but I do have a few questions. First, did you happen to encounter Supreme Commander Shevenston or Princess Rosalith during your retreat or perhaps before?"
"Nope. The only people I've encountered as of late have been...well, you all."

"What about those insane soldiers and the kimono girls?" Ezra asked while heating up some water. She sure had sharp ears.
"Not human," Raine said while shaking her head slowly. "Couldn't possibly be human. Both forces are close to Necrith. Remmie, you're kind of crazy, so I might be willing to bet my lovely Veronica that you'll try to go there. All I can say is please don't go there. Necrith's a warzone that doesn't know a moment's peace."
"I'll take your advice seriously. Second question. Is Miu still around?"
"Sure. But she's pretty pissed off at you for not staying in contact since you left."
"Can't be helped. Oh, but I did bring something that should smooth over the reunion. I'm going to need her help in order to catch up with Shevenston and Rosalith. The two of them can move faster than our whole force, so I'm going to need Miu's help to close the distance."
"I'm sure she'll be very willing to help if you got her something really nice. Anything else?"

Rem looked to everyone else. "What do you know that I don't about the island's...condition?"
Raine finished her cigarette and drink some water. "Remember the Godling level spells that the Overlord unleashed four-hundred years ago?"
Rem nodded.
"Side effects. Really, really, REALLY fucked up side effects. All those statues that were caused by the Grimstorm spell? They're hatching, and the things that are coming from them are seriously messed up. I heard from the Dark Citizens that the Dimentia Shroud spell surrounding Necrith is doing crazy shit to the Red Army Viris put there. The wildlife is attacking anyone they can get their teeth or horns or whatever into. I don't know much about the robots or the women I mentioned earlier as they're pretty much concentrated right near Necrith."
"Must have something to do with Necrith's black secrets," Rem said. "That's about all the questions I have for you, but the others in the party might have something to ask. Could you stay a while longer and provide information while I go plan our next move?"
"Sure, I don't mind. It's the least I can do for the carton of cigarettes."
"There's another carton of your favorites in the wagon."
"Really? Oh Remmie, marry me!"

Rem winked. "Sorry, but unlike most of Armored Bishoujo's female characters, I'm straight and perfectly happy to remain straight."