Description: Visiting a Metro City military base on Kanzuki zaibatsu business, Karin is drawn into Rolento's takeover attempt in a head-to-head battle with Xiangfei. Will Xiangfei's revolutionary consciousness be able to overcome Karin's hardliner stance?
Ah, the terrible responsibilities of being majority stockholder in a multinational business conglomerate. One minute you're on the beach in a martial arts competition; the next you're on a super fast jet to Metro City to oversee production of a new type of jet engine by your company's military contracting division. What's a girl to do?
It is in just such a situation we find Miss Karin Kanzuki -- dressed to the nines in a smart grey blouse/skirt combo -- touring Aliur Air Force Base just outside Metro City, a bevy of Kanzuki zaibatsu inspectors in tow behind her, taking notes and satisfying her whims. It seems she and some of the base's brass have just completed a short inspection tour and are now heading to the commander's office to discuss matters further.
Xiangfei... Was perhaps re-living an even that happened waaay back in her chinese ancestry, somewhere in China, obviously, fighting for some kingdom or another. On that hand it was actually very exciting for the chinese girl, on the other hand, she had never dreamed she'd be involved in a Military take-over, and truth be told she had felt bad about it at first,
But she was convinced otherwise not long after; how? Even she wasn't exsctly sure, but the word 'liberation' was in there somewhere. And she was all about liberation! Obviously the girl herself is dressed in the classic Shank Uniform, though unlike many of her fellow Shankers, she was wearing a gas mask over her visage and sitting in the passenger set of the leading attack-squads jeep, behind that, a platoon of other jeeps and trucks roaring toward the base and already set to go and get their assault on, "Oh ho! There it is!" the girls muffled voice pipes, suddenly standing up and leaning over the windshield excitedly, "They'll never know what hit'm!"
In his own jeep alongside Xiangfei's, Dimitri shoots the girl a sidelong glance. She's still a rather... unconventional... soldier, but it can't be denied that as far as fighting ability, she's one of the top members of the Shank Squad. And her skills will likely come in handy today; any fighters who might be around will probably want to put a stop to this. Suddenly, the radio in his jeep crackles, and Rolento's voice is heard: "Dimitri. How are you faring?"
Picking up the microphone, Dimitri responds. "All units in position, sir. Beginning the assault now." He looks over to Xiangfei. "Get ready." Flicking the radio over to a different frequency, Dimitri issues a simple command. "Begin."
Things have been prepared in advance of this assault. A few of the stealthier Shank Squad members were able to get into the military base, and prepare a few things. Particularly around the gates. As evidenced by the sudden series of explosions that rock the base. And then the half dozen tanks that have been moving into position open up, intending to soften the enemy up for the infantry assault, which is rapidly starting to move forward...
Explosions? Kanzuki say: wha? As bursts of fire sprout up all over the base and sirens wail with an ear-piercing screech, the military police around Karin draw their guns and form a circle around her and the commanders... as do the men in suits around Karin, who had been cleverly disguised as accountants and are, in fact, bodyguards. Clever little minx, isn't she? While the commanders continue to look shocked and surprised, demanding status reports from anybody who wanders into their field of vision, Karin is the very picture of calm, producing a cell phone from her jacket and speaking into it."Shibazaki. What's the situation?"
Cue still frame of Shibazaki back in the Kanzuki main offices' mainframe room, an impressive Star Trek-looking sort of affair. "I'm not sure, Miss Karin. Many of our communication lines to Metro City have been cut and the weather is making satellite recon difficult." This, of course, from her tall, stately butler.
Frowning, the Kanzuki heir shields her eyes with her hands, looking out past the chain link fence and various guard booths to see dust on the horizon. "Now what could that be..." she mutters, before going back to her call. "Find out what's going on. I'm sure the military here won't let anything happen to me." She hangs up before poor Shibazaki can even get out a 'yes, Miss Karin'.
Xiangfei.. Had been doing her best to try to be on her best behavior, but the downside to being with such an organization, everyone is so.... Serious. While there was plenty of reason for that, though would it kill people to be in a lighter mood? Thank goodness Nassir was around to help her keep her sanity- And she was a little disappointed that she was stuck with Dimitri instead of him.
Oh well. To Dimitris instructions, a gloved hand snaps to her visor, giving a muffled, "Yes -sir-!" oh she would kill to have a tape-deck right now and turn up some Fatboy Slim! That not being the case she instead hops over the windshield after the volley of explosions and passing the gate she dives off to the side tumbles, and proceeds to start kicking butt against the a few of the closer gunmen and guards with.. Suprisingly little trouble. It's like a her days as a sub-bouncer at Pao Pao, though the girl proceeds to strike with the intent of knocking out rather than killing with swift kicks and nerve strikes.
The rest of the Shank Squad isn't quite so nice as Xiangfei. They have guns and knives, and they know how to use them. The American soldiers are caught off guard, but that won't last for long, and so the Shank Squadders have to push the advantage while they have it. The tanks continue laying down fire, particularly aiming toward the barracks and armory. Even so, the Americans are well trained, and they're quickly getting a handle on the situation. Several of the Shank Squad have already fallen to return fire, and the swiftness of the assault is failing.
Unfortunate, really. But Dimitri couldn't honestly suspect that they'd be able to take over a military installation /that/ easily.
Thankfully not on the front lines and not in immediate danger, Karin is at the center of a veritable whirlwind of activity as the top brass attempt to discern exactly what it is that's going on. One general, glancing at the Secret Service-looking Kanzuki bodyguards, takes Karin by the shoulder. "Miss Kanzuki, we must get you somewhere safe..."
"Nonsense," Karin snaps, shaking out of his grip and snapping her fingers. A bodyguard provides some binoculars instantly, and placing them to her face the blonde heiress scans the goings-on and is surprised to find actual armed conflict in Metro City... not what she'd expected. Then she sees Xiangfei kicking ass, and that's *definitely* not what she'd expected. "Oh, how interesting..." she murmurs. "Now what do terrorists need with a practicioner of the martial arts, one wonders..."
Handing the binoculars off without even looking, Karin turns to the general. "Excuse me, please, but there's something I need to verify." And before anyone can stop her, she and the bodyguards are off toward Xiangfei on foot. The brass make a token attempt at calling her back, but are too frazzled by the sudden viciousness of the Shanking that they don't really have time to worry about an eccentric foreign rich girl.
Her heart was pounding, the girl was as nervous as she was excited, this was one of the few times where she wasn't looking to face a very strong opponent; while in some ways it was fun, she wasn't completely oblivious to Shank Squads ruthlessness, and so she was moving twice as quickly to take down as many people as she could until she found the head commander- And then once he surrendered, that would be that, right?
But the problem was where would she find him? The masked martial artist for a brief moment finds herself surrounded, and then it's just like some crazy Jet Li flic, cartwheels, flips and strikes burning her through until they're unconcious. And she clutches her head, "Urrgh! I should have interrogated one, I suck at this!" her muffled voice cries, and she turns around to quickly try and find more opponents.. And she comes to a screeching halt at the sight of the curly-haired blonde and her bodyguards approaching, "...." The blonde sort of kind of looked important, almost as out of place as she felt within the squad, "Are you here to surrender?" she then cries, pointing to the gathering, "If so, don't take another step! I'm warning you!"
For the moment, Karin and her bodyguards haven't caught the attention of the majority of the Shank Squad. They're busy dealing with the American soldiers, who are putting up one hell of a fight, as could be expected. Despite the Shank Squad having the element of surprise, things seem to have balanced out now. Even the arrival of a number of attack helicopters hasn't managed to swing things too much in any one direction. The Americans still have vehicles of their own that survived the initial assault, as well as anti-aircraft weapons which are proving troublesome for the airbone Shank Squadders.
Meanwhile, Dimitri is hanging back, away from the front lines, as he issues orders. He'd love to be in there himself, but he has to admit that his injuries would just make him a liability. Besides, without somebody issuing orders this whole thing would break down, rather than staying in the state of semi-controlled chaos that it's in now.
Karin actually blinks as Xiangfei comes barreling up and addresses her directly. However, her surprise doesn't last long, and the blonde launches into one of her trademark laughs, hand to the side of her mouth. "Ohohoho! Why would I want to do a foolish thing like surrender?" The bodyguards look ready to step in and take care of the problem, but Karin waves them back.
Flipping a curl over her shoulder, the Kanzuki heiress takes a step toward Xiangfei with a satisfied expression on her face, not to mention her typical smug smile. "I was simply interested in that fighting style you're using... and wondering why a master of Chinese kung-fu would be among this ridiculous rabble. But since I've got the opportunity, let me offer *you* the chance to surrender to the great Karin Kanzuki instead!"
Xiangfei is certainly taken aback when Karin so simply indentifies her fighting style; but then again, it was rather painfully obvious that she was different from the other soldiers because of it. But even still, it was clear here that Karin was well knowledged about such arts! She cringes slightly to Karins laugh, rubbing out her ear with her pinky, and then shakes her head, "Uh right, yeah sorry about that, but I don't really have time to surrender and all that, I have to find the leader and make him do it, so.." she drops into her combative stance, boots well parted and hands raised in front of her, "You look important. Maybe I can take you as a hostage!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei has started a fight here.
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Xiangfei 0/-------/-------|
And around the two girls, the battle continues to rage on. The rattle of gunfire, the shouts of men and the screams of the wounded. And a loud whistling noise... which gets louder and louder as the shell launched from behind the Shank Squad line comes screaming in. An explosion rips through the ground not far from Karin and Xiangfei, sending dirt and bodies flying into the air. The two girls are far enough away to avoid the shockwave, but the explosion is still close enough to whip up a strong breeze, setting clothing and hair to fluttering in an appropriately dramatic fashion.
Karin looks positively *scornful* at that notion. "I don't know what your angle is, exactly, and I've no real desire to protect the American military for its own sake." She falls into the relaxed-looking Kanzuku kakutoujutsu fighting stance with a wry smile. "But nobody takes Karin Kanzuki hostage. And I've a *particularly* strong hatred for wanton military types lately!" And just then the explosion's shockwave sets her hair and clothes to fluttering as she gives Xiangfei a 'bring it!' gesture with her right hand. "If you believe you can take me, then give it a try!"
COMBATSYS: Karin has joined the fight here.
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Karin 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Xiangfei
"Karin Kanzuki?" the masked-girl repeats, "Well there's a first time for everything, sorry to say! .... And what's wanton mean?" she isn't going to buy into the 'bring it' gesture, or at least that was the case until the explosion is caught and she rather comically flails her arms, "O.. Oh! Not good!" and she zips forward, leaning forward to flip toward Karin, crouch and then a cloud of smoke blows back from her feet, she suddenly skyrocketing upward shoulder first, hopefully into Karins chest, "Hnn!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Karin with Tenpou Zan.
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Karin 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Xiangfei
Well, that was unexpected. Karin is taken by surprise by Xiangfei's quickness and the shoulder charge works as intended, lifting Karin right off her feet. However, the blonde quickly rights herself and turns her return fall into a vicious two-staged kick at Xiangfei's head. "A fight is no time for a vocabulary lesson!" she snaps.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei blocks Karin's Heavy Kick.
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Karin 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Xiangfei
Xiangfei flips backward in the air, and land on her feet, which quickly shuffle on the ground as she manages to deal with Karins kicks, "F.. Fair enough," she replies, swinging both her arms to the side to deflect the kick, hidden eyes winceing a bit.. That still stung, that was rather annoying. Moving fluidly with the motion, she then twirls around and attempts to strike Karin in the shoulder with her palm- Should that hit, she'd then throw herself foward, shoulder-tackling into the girls back, "Hah!"
COMBATSYS: Karin fails to counter Shinsaiha from Xiangfei with Yasha Gaeshi.
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Karin 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Xiangfei
Xiangfei's moves are working fairly well, better than Karin expected (and possibly better than Xiangfei herself expected); her throw technique powers right on through Karin's counter stance and leaves her back wide open to the Chinese girl's shoulder hit. Spinning with the impact, Karin turns to face her with an annoyed expression. "You're good, I'll give you that. But I'm only just getting started."
And it seems that the Americans are starting to falter. Rocket fire from the Shank Squad helicopters causes the forces on the ground to scatter, trying to regroup. The infantry are waiting for that though, cutting down dozens of American troops as they fall back to a more easily defended position.
The Shank Squad tanks roll forward, knocking down the fence around the base as they press in. That can be fixed easily enough once the base is taken. They can't get in too far without exposing themself to enemy infantry, but from here they can easily pound the buildings the Americans are trying to take refuge in.
Xiangfei actually is rather suprised herself, she couldn't catch Karins sudden movement until the last minute and that just puts a little bit of doubt at least into her mind, maybe she shouldn't try chancing a move like that again... But it wasn't like she had many other far-away techniques to depend on, "Uh, no offense, but I'd rather you -not- get started," she replies and she claps her hands togeather as she twirls around- Palms thrusted outward, a wave of blue-chi blasts from her hands a very short distance, it's intent clearly to knock the Kanzuki back a little and maybe take her further off her game; again she has to try hard not to yell as loud as she usually does, this instead followed by a heavy grunt, "Hnnn!!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei successfully hits Karin with Nanpa.
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Karin 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Xiangfei
Gritting her teeth, Karin sets her feet to receive the attack, looking particularly angry now that the projectiles have made an appearance, but her defense is no match for the chi attack, which simply overpowers her. Without saying a word, the blonde is back on her feet and dashing straight for Xiangfei, throwing out a pair of vicious palm strikes and finishing with a short hop, using the momentum of the attack to swing her right hand, then her left, in a graceful arc right into Xiangfei's shoulder, hoping to break through her guard.
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei fails to interrupt Guren Ken from Karin with Esaka.
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Karin 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0 Xiangfei
And the Americans are still falling back. One of the buildings that a squad was making a stand in is shelled by the tanks, bringing it down in a pile of rubble. Meanwhile, the Shank Squad helicopters circle around, picking off any soldiers out in the open that haven't been taken out by the infantry. One enterprising American soldier does, however, manage to peg one of the helicopters with an RPG, sending it down in a barely controlled spiral. It crashes in a heap, but it looks like at least one of the crew members survived, as he struggles his way out of the wrecked vehicle.
Xiangfei... Wa pretty sure her strategy was set at this point, with Karin slightly slowed down she'd be able to move in for a counter-attack.. She wasn't attempting a guard this time around, and squints her eyes, the palm strikes striking her well enough, and she shoots her palm out in an attempt to interrupt the combination. No such luck though, when her shoulder is struck afterward, she drops to one knee, holding it suddenly as she grunts, seeming to be open again.. The chance she took didn't pay off very well.
Grinning, the blonde wastes no time capitalizing on her forward momentum, drawing back a half step only so that she has room to plant her left foot, then bring her right up in a sweeping toe kick follow by another of the same from the left leg. "What's your angle?" she yells as she drives in for the attack. "You can't possibly think that you can get away with this!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei blocks Karin's Mujin Kyaku.
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Karin 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Xiangfei
"Of course we can," Xiangfei grunts back, tucking herself in and leaning backward as the blonde continues to strike, and fends off Karins kick assault- She was good with both her hands and feet, though it'd was hard to tell which were the weaker of Karins unrecognizable technique, "Haven't you heard the old saying, the good guys always win?" and she rolls backward, still in a croch and grnts again, a blaze of golden chi swirling around her body and tossing her hair up, "We're here to liberate this place as the first step of restoring what is corrupted!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei gathers her will.
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Karin 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Xiangfei
The American's aren't giving up without a fight, though. One squad manages to circle around behind the Shank Squad, and between themselves and more soldiers holding down the barracks, they start tearing apart the Shank Squad members caught on the ground in between them. Soon enough, though, the tanks turn their attention to this attack, and bodies go flying as shells slam into the ground. By orders from Dimitri the Shank Squadders begin to regroup, systematically breaking down the American defense points as they work their way closer and closer to the command headquarters of the base.
Raising an eyebrow at the flashy display, Karin doesn't wait for whatever chi-based insanity is bound to follow whatever it is that Xiangfei is doing. Struggling to find something she can do without getting close, the blonde fighter goes for broke, grabbing a chunk of nearby debris and simply hurling it at Xiangfei... though at least she does the proper thing and aims for the thigh or stomach, not the face like some sort of common ruffian. "You must be joking. Who tries that Che Guevarra knockoff line in the modern day and age?!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei endures Karin's Thrown Object.
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Karin 1/-------/=======|=======\======-\1 Xiangfei
".... Chevo Guererro? Who's he?" the Shanker asks, clearly having absolutly no idea who it is that Karin is referring to, "Corruption isn't something that just goes away, it's like racism and other biased and unfair things! It's appearance may have changed, but deep within that mask resides the TRUTH!" and the aura suddenly cuts off to be replaced with a light blue glow about her form, blasting right through the debris with a light grunt that unfortunatly effects her speed..
Once close enough herleft palm lashes out and attempts to strike at Karins chest, a paralysis technique to set up for her ultimate blow...
COMBATSYS: Karin blocks Xiangfei's Majinga.
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Karin 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Xiangfei
Xiangfei doesn't appear to get the true hold she wants, but her right arm still windmills to join her left hand, and with a powerful yell, releases a large, spike-shaped blast from her palms, "HaaAAAA!!"
And there's a break in the American defensive lines. Shank Squad soldiers are quick to rush in, while assaults from the tanks and helicopters prevent the Americans from breaking out to regroup. There's a good deal of shouting, some of it starting to edge into panic. There are still a number of pockets of resistance though, and the majority of the American forces have fallen back to the command headquarters and the armory, where they are still holding off the invading forces.
Whatever momentum Xiangfei's initial, blinding assault might have granted her, Karin has somehow managed to turn to her advantage... and for once, Karin's nature as a talkative fighter is paying off, too. She's no fool: glowy means bad, and as Xiangfei comes at her Karin presents an absolutely *iron* defense... nothing spectacular like a strong counter, but enough of simply planting her feet and pushing *back* that the kung fu master's special technique is substantially blunted.
Grinning, Karin emerges from the blast not much the worse for wear, and immediately presses her counterassault on Xiangfei, leaping through the air in a much nastier version of that previous arcing leap attack, her hands and feet moving in perfect, unending circles, the effect being rather like a scythe. "Such self-centered moralism," she yells on the ascend, "has no place on the battlefield! Kanzuki-ryuu... Kou'ou Ken!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei blocks Karin's Kanzuki-ryu Kou'ou Ken.
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Karin 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Xiangfei
Xiangfei was pretty sad that it didn't strike true, but .. Now was no time to be getting frustrated about it.. At least she managed to hit it a little and that's better than nothing. She takes a small step back when Karin emerges, and immedietly her golden aura flashes again, her hands seeming to move faster than usual to deflect and block the incoming assault, "You may be right!" she declares, "And that's why you should have surrendered immedietly to avoid conflict!" she rolls backward again, and grunts lower this time, "This is your last chance to surrender, Karin!"
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei focuses on her next action.
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Karin 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Xiangfei
Throwing back her hair as she lands, Karin pulls herself into a fighting stance immediately, facing down Xiangfei in a highly dramatic fashion. "The motto of the Kanzuki family is 'be the victor in everything'. Surrender isn't even in our lexicon!" Taking a deep breath, she centers herself and closes her eyes for a moment, trying to focus on the matter at hand. "There may be corruption in the world, but terrorism is hardly the way to root it out!"
COMBATSYS: Karin focuses on her next action.
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Karin 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Xiangfei
The Kanzuki family doesn't seem to be the only group not willing to surrender. The American forces are still putting up a stiff fight, holding their last defensive points with their lives. The tanks are no longer of much use to the Shank Squadders except as deterrants... If they blow everything up, they won't be able to use it afterwards. So now it's down largely to infantry combat, with support fire from the helicopters. But the Americans are pinned down, and if they don't come up with something soon, they're in real trouble.
Two stubborn fighters, who don't know the meaning of the word quit. Were this any other situation, Xiangfei would really admire Karin, however at the moment she's more of a neusance (sp) and the Squad, as she had expected previously, was going absolutly bonkers- Oh good, the tanks have at least siezed. She staggers backward, and then staggers forward, leaping at Karin and crashes to the floor falling short. But then she hand springs and attempts to clock Karin in the chin with her heel, "Woooooh!"
COMBATSYS: Karin fails to counter Esaka from Xiangfei with Yasha Gaeshi.
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Karin 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Xiangfei
And it's Xiangfei's stubbornness that wins out in the end. Too tired from all the fighting to mount a decent defense, the Chinese girl slips right through Karin's hastily-erected counter stance, knocking her back. Stumbling, Karin glares at Xiangfei, and seems about to say something when she finally realizes: this place is a lost cause.
Straightening, she tosses a few curls over one shoulder and gives a meaningful glance to her bodyguard cadre, who move in to stand near her, though Xiangfei still has a wide open shot to attack... a sign from Karin that she's not exactly relying on them to 'save' her. "I concede the point for the time being, as I have no real desire to die in your petty little war," she snaps, looking very frustrated. "But you've made an enemy of the Kanzuki zaibatsu today... I'd think twice about this before you do anything you can't take back." She then turns to go, bodyguards trailing in her wake, each of them watching Xiangfei carefully, weapons at the ready... just in case.
And escape shouldn't be too hard for Karin, if Xiangfei doesn't follow. The rest of the Shank Squad is busy dealing with the American soldiers, and they haven't had time to fully erect a defensive perimeter. But it's not too many minutes later before the American resistance finally crumbles, and the Shank Squad begins moving into both the armory and command HQ in force. A short time after that, the American surrender is announced. Cheers come up from the Shank Squad, and back in his jeep Dimitri smiles grimly as he gets on the radio with Rolento.
Xiangfei blinks a couple of times, and then she shakes her head, "N.. Now wait a minute! I have no intention of killing you!" her muffled voice cries, quickly shaking her head, "Don't get the wrong idea, but to be honest I don't care if I've made an enemy of you.. Because it's unlikely that we will ever meet again." she punches a fist into her open fist and twitches--- She almost bowed, instead she plays it off as if she were cracking her knuckles.
Some old habits die hard. So she's left wondering what to do, as she realizes she forgot to ask where the leader was again, "Aurgh!"
Oh but hey would you look at that, surrender is called, the littlest Shanker making haste back to rejoin Dimitri, ".. At least, I'm fairly sure we won't meet again..."
COMBATSYS: Xiangfei has left the fight here.
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Karin 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Karin has ended the fight here.
Log created by Karin, and last modified on 08:21:14 08/16/2005.