Fresh off the Line

It had been a few months since Verst had any official duties, of course, the occasional raid into free space gave him room to breathe and get some light practice, but there had been no sparring amongst the armoured squadron, he could only put this down to a mix of an increase to official duties and the more, perhaps prevalent reason of not allowing outsiders to see what the Arcosians could do.

However, working within the military did lead to some benefits, such as insider knowledge about the Sentinel project, a new line of androids that were built by the Empire, for the Empire. It had been rumoured they had the ability to self-improve, alongside a noticeable strength when using ki.

As the Arcosian neared the facility that housed the newly developed warrior, he grew excited, he intended to put this machine through its paces. He knew that Androids had the capacity to become great warriors, but their first test would show just how capable they were.

He was used to being required to show his badge, but since joining the armoured squadron and Ticoga's Ascension to Emperor, people, especially in the Imperial Circles, would simply bow and leave him be, for the first time in a long time, he was halted. The Arcosian at the door, in his brute form stood at double the height of Verst, his giant arm barred the door.

Verst took a deep breath and made eye contact with him. The guard's face scowled and was trying to size up the Commander. They'd only just noticed the insignia on Verst's armour when they came crashing through the wall into the assembly area, a hole in the wall crumbled slightly, but not enough that the pale Arcosian couldn't wander in, observing the situation.

Scientific equipment and stations were strewn around the room, most of the workers turned suddenly to the noise but saw it was Verst and averted their gaze. "I'm looking for the Sentinel, I heard it was finished and I want to put it through its paces." He said to the room, before one ran off, seemingly to go get the android. Verst smirked slightly and awaited the finished product.

Thread PL: 50000
KP:6  ()
MP:0 ()
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger
WC: 366

Verst, of course, had no intention of further damage to the facility, not that they could have known that, but at least he had made his intended impression, and nothing here would cause him any serious harm. Luckily the lead researcher revealed themselves, not an Arcosian for sure, but many species lived within the Empire and served it diligently.

So far, by the sounds of things, Verst knew this was one of them. After the guards lowered their weapons and set about cleaning up the unconscious guard, the Captain rested his arms behind his back, overlapping one another.

He smirked as the scientist tried to play off the unusual circumstances and led him into the complex. Verst tried to spot anything else going on but it was behind darkened windows and shut doors, glad the rest of the security didn't rely on a giant man at the door.

Vanilah, definitely not an Arcosian name Verst noted, went on to explain who he was and that the project had gone well, this time at least. The A.I. going rouge gave Verst a twinge of concern, not that it would be difficult to put it down, but if they were to create more, and expect them to act autonomously, it may put regions they are deployed to under threat of revolt.

Going to the Roof was a bizarre area to introduce a robot, but it seemed that his timing could not be more immaculate as the Sentinel descended as he arrived. The Captain was mesmerised, the android seemed perfect, almost too perfect. Vanillah went on to explain its design was based upon a true form of an Arcosian, at least he was honest in his outright flattery to his masters.

It spoke to him, no obvious question was put to it, but a succinct answer, good, this had potential. Vanillah went into numbers and Verst blanked him, merely focusing on the android. "I have no intention of destroying you Sentinel, I suppose you are the fourth iteration of this project? I wonder what happened to the first three," he gave a side-eye to Dr Vanillah before returning to looking at Delta. Verst felt as though the Doctor had been foolish, if he had needed 3 forms before this one was finalised. Conveniently played down in the reports too.

"I don't trust the power levels, never have, never will. Too many beings in this universe have tricks, ways to conceal their power, enhance it or all together play from a different set of rules. The number means little to an inexperienced fighter and an expert. Then the rest, who cling to their scouter as if it were telling them words of the Kais, but you... you are not of the Kais, nor the Shinjin, nor the Demons. You are a metal thought given form by mortals. What do you think of power levels, Delta? And do tell me the truth, flattery wears thin quickly." Another side-eye towards Vanillah, with his intention to almost force him off the roof with his stare alone.

Thread PL: 50000
KP:6
MP:0
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger

WC: 366 + 510 = 876

Verst's assumption was correct, not only were there three other iterations, but also that they were all catastrophic failures with the potential to do serious harm to Arcose. "Those do sound like some serious issues, right Doctor?" He turned fully to face Vanillah. "What would you do if Delta went rouge? More specifically, what could you do if I were not here? Their power level, as you said, is fairly significant. What would stop them from leaving right now or worse, killing you?" Verst said, now standing right in front of the Doctor, hoping to scare him and to garner if there was any way to disable the android if necessary.

The Arcosian returns to Delta as they continue talking about initial readings. "Yes, a baseline reading never goes amiss, but at the end of the day you will learn when a foe is trying to lure you into foolish action through concealment." Verst of course spoke from experience, there are too many beings in this universe that can hide their ki for him to trust a simple number, so he relies on the opponent's reaction to him. After all, why should he change his plans for a foe?

"Now then, I am quite tired of all this talk, how about a training session?" Verst cocked an eyebrow, "If you do well enough, I might skip some of the more... problematic issues here in my report." He turned and smiled at Delta awaiting a response. "Of course, we won't be going full strength, I have little doubt that I could turn you into scrap if necessary."

Thread PL: 50000
KP:6  
MP:0
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger
WC: 849+266=1115

“So you aren’t completely useless...” He finished with the Doctor and turned fully towards Delta, it seemed the Emperor had made some well-thought-out requests for this android. It would matter little however if it could not hold its own in a fight.

If there were several dozen of these metal men, bound by the rules created by Vanilah and the Emperor… It could mean security for all time, each administrator having a watchdog, someone truly loyal, unwavering, keeping even the planetary rulers in check. Prosperity would flourish across the Empire, a Golden Age.

“Yes, the upper stratosphere shall suffice.” Delta flew swiftly, and Verst followed at a patient rate, meeting him at the required height.

“So, what parameters shall we set? To the first blood? Or I suppose in your case, whatever fluid flows inside you.” Verst asked, trying to assess the Bot from a distance, it glinted like fresh ice in the sunlight at this height. It was almost too bright to look at but the Sun Raider was well-practised in blinding light.

“For equality’s sake, you can strike first, as a show of goodwill,” Verst smirked, it’s always wise to let your opponent show their hand and respond in kind. He learned after the Salvo fight, it was often a wise choice to let your opponent waste themselves before counter-attacking devastatingly. Not that Verst wanted a quick battle but it may show the knowledge imparted to Delta.

//Proper Mechanics or just Narrative?

Thread PL: 50000
KP:6  
MP:0+1=1 (post)
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger
WC: 1115+247=1362

The Android showed off its impressive ability to regenerate its own form, its limbs were non-essential, leaving the torso and the head to be the true core of their being. “Impressive, the budget that went into this project seems to have been well placed.”

On the first indication the fight began, the Arcosian thought there was no need to give the bot a fair fight. Verst had decided that Delta was worthy enough of an opponent to transform into his monstrous visage. His features grew and extended his face lengthening into a muzzle, his hands spreading outwards and ending with claws and his armour shed away into the appearance of fur.

“So, all I need to do is target your head and body, convenient.” Verst said with a smirk, hopefully Delta wouldn’t reveal such an important feature to his normal opponents.

The Android rushed at him, to an observer the sight must have been bizarre, a robot fighting a red Arcosian wolfman high above the city, but to both of their eyes, it was simply a sparring match.

A flurry of blows rushed towards Verst but they were all able to be pushed aside, deflected or dodged, he waited for an overextension from a punch and tried to wrap his huge arms around the arm and trap it, trying to get some purchase with a foot against the cold metal chest of his opponent, to pull the arm clean off. More so to test if this would work and secondly to see if the robot could pull off any tricky manoeuvre to get out of it.

Thread PL: 50000*4 = 200,000
KP:6  
MP:0
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger
WC: 1362+267=1629

Delta’s arm seemed to be completely unaffected by Verst’s manipulations, in fact as they strained against the arms holding, it was used as a point of rotation, swinging their body around to strike the Yellow Wolf in the back, Verst was able to move just enough to deflect the blow but It winded him briefly as a stray knee found purchase in his ribs.

He pushed away from the bot, catching his breath in the cold upper atmosphere. He smiled, the bot was well trained and knew of its capabilities, it was time to test another part of them. Ki. A burning red light formed at the tip of the Captain’s finger, it became wrapped in a yellow helix and flew off towards Delta, aiming at their chest. After it had been fired, the Captain aimed to follow it and aim several claw strikes at the robot's core. This combined assault was hard to deal with, especially from a stronger opponent.

Not that Verst was aware of their Power Levels, nor did he care for that system of measurement, but he could feel his strength and that which the robot put into that kick and it was beneath the Arcosian’s.

Thread PL: 50000*4 = 200,000
KP:6  
MP:0
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger
WC: 1629+204=1833

His claws made good contact, it felt good to rend the metal from the frame of the Android, a satisfaction of strikes well connected. Soon enough the arms were out of the way and the chest was being torn apart. Pieces of Delta flew in all directions to the city below.

The Sun Raider took a moment, while his opponent seemed defeated he took a few deep breaths and mentally noted how the fight went and pointers to give to the doctor running the scheme. When he saw the movement, shimmering bright fog, left Delta and flew towards the wolfish Arcosian.

Confusion was the primary response, the body seemed immobile, perhaps this was some form of data to be taken back to the lab? The Captain reached out to it, and through the fog he saw Delta twitching, it was too late, he realised this was some form of defensive reaction.

Burning and searing heat washed over him as a ripple of explosions went off in front of his face. A roar forced its way out of his large form, pain and anger combined as a few pedestrians looked up to try and spot the source of the echoing sound.

A growl followed as Verst dashed through the smoke that now hung in the air and began another chain of strikes, this time aiming for the reforming limbs, hoping to defeat the recovery system. The strikes were also aimed downward, trying to get the Android closer to the ground, to be returned in case of a true shutdown.

Thread PL: 50000*4 = 200,000
KP:6  
MP:0
HP: 0/250
Resources: Supremacy, Durability, Die by my Hand, Restrained Might (Active), Avenger
WC: 1833+258=2091