[TheSpatialWeeg]

In the smoldering land of Cauldros, a truck was speeding off, avoiding the lava pools with intense turns and swerves. "Can't this piece a' junk go any faster?!" one of the guys sitting on the passenger's seat said, bearing the Absolutionist insignia on his shirt. "It can't! I'm already at max speed!" the driver complained, not tearing his eyes from the road ahead. The Absolutionist peeked at the side mirror of the truck. "Well, at least that mercenary ain't chasing us no more." he said, before a knock from behind the truck caught his attention.

"I-I see him! He's picking up speed!" a muffled voice said in panic. Another quick glance at the side mirror revealing the blond mercenary coming pretty close to the truck. "Alright! Absolutionists, arm yourselves! He can't take all of us on his own." the passenger seat guy barked, picking up a Ray Gun. "Y-yes sir!" the guy behind the truck replied.

---

Cloud Strife, bike roaring in the scorching hot field, approached the truck holding the Absolutionists and their precious package. With a focused stare, he drew his Buster Sword, the bike picking up speed and closing the gap further.

Just then, the doors of the truck opened, revealing three of the goons and their tightly sealed package, the three of them brandishing ranged weapons of various sorts. "Tsk." With a scowl, Cloud prepared himself for a fight on wheels.

---

Absolutionist Truck AC: 15 Destroying it will render all other enemies incapable of fighting. 155 HP

Absolutionist 'Gunner' AC: 14 60 HP

Absolutionist 'Screamer' AC:14 60 HP

Absolutionist 'Deathmonger' AC:14 60 HP

---

Cloud 170 HP 60 Shield

[AnT]

And here she thought that she wouldn’t find Cloud in such a long while, but here she was riding with him on his bike. He did drove a motorcycle when they escaped Shinra, but he never owned one. She wondered if it had anything to do with the memories of the ‘future’. The ones she’s sure Aerith went through. But there was little time to worry about it for Cloud was set on the mission. Hopefully, this might lead them to the others.

Some goons appeared from the doors about to aim their weapons at them. Cloud’s not going to be able to fight them at his best with her with him. She might be able to get on that truck and cause some damage. But she has to get through the gunner, first. Fine by her. She just needs to get closer.

”Cloud, I’ll get on that truck!”

---

Tifa
HP: 140
SP: 45
Status: Can't jump across yet.

[Coolshaymin]

A red blur suddenly flew past Cloud and Tifa on the scene. Rose petals fell in it's wake as the red mass quickly approached the truck, fading through any fire tossed at it. As soon as it reach it's designation of the door it unfurled into a girl who grabbed hold of the side of the moving vehicle with a scythe. "Hey guys! Sorry about catching a ride on short notice but you kind of have something we want!" Ruby greeted the enemy before attempting to grab the person nearest the door with her free hand and toss them to the side so she can get in.


6iKgDS_mp_1d20+3(Ruby attempting to toss someone overboard)

If she succeeded in tossing the guy out she would throw herself into the truck and give a "Sorry about this!" after them... otherwise she would quickly adjust her balance on the doorside.

Ruby Rose Aura HP: 145 HP: 40

1d20+3

[TheSpatialWeeg]

The ex-SOLDIER noticed a red blur landing over the truck. SO that was his second backup? How did she manage to catch up to them so fast on her feet? ...questions for another time. The mission comes first. "--Alright. I'll give you a boost!" Cloud said to Tifa as she said she'll get on that truck. Cloud, placing the Buster Sword back on his back, daringly accelerated towards the open door of the truck, and just as he was close enough, he grabbed Tifa by her arm...

owJw_GLWp_1d20+3 (STR check to yeet Tifa)

And tossed her inside the truck. "I'll attack the truck from the outside, see if I can't slow it down." Cloud said, suddenly veering to the side, leaving Tifa with Ruby and the three Absolu--

p_1d20-2

"Huh, wait, what are you-- WHAAAAAAAA!!"

...Nevermind, now there was two. I mean, sure, Ruby didn't harm them all that much, but there was no way he was gonna catch up to a speeding truck. The two remaining Absolutionists looked at both of them in shock. Screamer in particular, began to scream and try to gun down both of them...with a Ray Gun.

Ruby! Tifa! Screamer's going gung-ho at you girls! Roll 14+ DEX or be blasted and take 14 damage!

Meanwhile, Deathmonger looked at his weapon, realized it was a sort of bazooka and tossed it out of that way. "Jus'--Who put a bazooka 'ere??" he complained, before trying to deck Tifa with a punch!

Tifa! Deathmonger is thankfully not trying to blast the truck. Roll 14+ DEX or take 20 damage!

As for Cloud, he drove to a side of the truck and he went for a wide and powerful slash to the vehicle itself...

p_1d20+3 (...okay?? High Clash > Truck. 30 damage and crit.)
p_1d20+3 (Crit confirmed for 60 damage goodness)

...which went super well, since despite the apparent defensive hull covering it, there was now a great cut greatly visible on the vehicle. He heard a bit of panicking coming from the driver's seat before one of the guys tried to shoot him with a laser gun.

p_1d20

"Ngh!" Cloud took the shot, but he didn't buckle and continued to close distance, aiming his next strike on the tires.

---

Absolutionist Truck AC: 15 Destroying it will render all other enemies incapable of fighting. 95 HP

Absolutionist 'Gunner' Got yeeted out

Absolutionist 'Screamer' AC:14 60 HP

Absolutionist 'Deathmonger' AC:14 60 HP

---

Cloud 150 HP 60 Shield

1d20+3·1d20-2·1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20

[AnT]

Grabbing onto Cloud's arm, and let him launch her toward the truck with such force that she sometimes forgets he has.

T6LU38Rgp_1d20+3
p_1d20+3

Tifa managed to pull herself, while airborne, from the laser fire and missile before diving right at the Screamer. While she speared right for the screamer, Tifa punched her palm to activate her blue Materia. Flames burst from her fists.

Elementize Materia- Tifa activates a blue materia known as Elementize in her gloves accompanied by an elemental material, temporarily bestowing an element to all her attacks for 2 turns, along with giving them all an additional effect befitting the element. After the boost the Blue Materia needs 2 turns to recharge for another burst. Fire element activated

Martial Arts- Tifa's method of combat is with strong kicks and punches befitting her fit appearance. She can also tap into her chi to help fight. At their heart her attacks can be swift or hit their target hard. [Light to Medium STR Attack, 8-18%]

Tifa flew at the screamer, "Heads up!" swinging down her heal at the man before continuing with a series of punches.

p_1d20+2 (8% damage)
p_1d20+2 (8% damage)
p_1d20+2 (18% damage)
p_1d100 (60% chance of burn if these attacks hit: Success!)

---

Tifa
HP: 140
SP: 45
Status: on the truck

Elemental Materia: Fire (1/2 turns)

1d20+2·1d20+2·1d100·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d100

[Coolshaymin]

CUvLHQz|p_1d20+4

With her position inside the truck secure Ruby looked towards the other two and readied her Crescent Rose to confront them. She ducked past the beam shot  and was poised to strike... Before a girl came flying in and smashing the enemy. "... Woah, that was just like my sister, Yang! Oh, but your gloves use some weird orbs. Can you show them to me?!" Ruby eagerly asked Tifa in sheer admiration before remembering the mission.

"... Later! You can show me later!" she corrects before moving again... Only to stumble as the truck was smacked hard. What hit them? Another truck?! She didn't see another one on the way here... She regained her footing and rushed to help  Tifa, taking a series of swings with her crimson scythed weapon at the Screamer that fired at her.

p_1d20+4(Light Combo Crescent Rose 1 @ Screamer, 8%, hit)
p_1d20+4(^2, miss)
p_1d20+4(^3, miss)

Two of her slashes however missed. She decided to use the second miss to her advantage however, seeming to vanish into flower petals as she slipped past the Screamer and rematerialized into a red drill aiming to pierce the defenses of the Deathmonger, dealing a rather critical blow to him as she formed a coherent body again and had her rifle primed, firing the barrel to bounce off of him.

p_1d20+4(Critical Corkscrew Slice on Deathmonger, 30%)
p_1d20+4(Crit confirm, another 30%)
(Ruby used Shot Recoil, giving a +15 damage boost to her next attack)

Ruby used the momentum of the shot to flip back, her rifle shifting back into a scythe as she did a backflip cutting technique back into the Screamer, slamming the weapon down on him and ending with one more blast of aether before she would pull her weapon back and stand up straight.

p_1d20+4(Buzzsaw Blast on Screamer, 37%)

Ruby Rose Aura HP: 145 HP: 40 CD: Corkscrew Slice (2) Shot Recoil (2)

1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4

[TheSpatialWeeg]

The two girls were quick to attack Screamer, who...tried to be on guard, he really did, but Tifa's assault proved to be too much for him, and he buckled down, unable to strike back against her or the incoming Ruby, who...flubbed her first attacks. The Absolutionist was about to...probably snark the girl, before he saw her absolutely eviscerate his colleague with her scythe, sending him off the truck. His watched, his mouth agape, when he noticed the kid now coming at him again. "Waitwaitwait, can we please talk about thisAAAAAAAAA--"

Whatever he had to say at that moment in time, well, he ain't saying anymore. Guy was knocked out, leaving the girls seemingly safe for the time being. By this point, both would notice a big box sitting on the floor of the truck. Likely the thing they were hauling  "--Hey! I heard screaming! Everyone alright over there?" The driver would say, knocking on the wall quite forcefully...until he let a scream of terror out himself.

Why? Because Cloud sliced his door open, and was now pointing the Buster Sword at him.

"Stop the truck." Was all the merc said, glaring down the man, as the other tapped the space behind him for a weapon, or anything to push the sword away...which Cloud replied to by thrusting the sword, making the man panic and stumble back and hit the one in the passanger's seat, leaving the steering wheel open...which the merc promptly took and hit the brakes tightly. "Hold tight!" Cloud said, likely to his two partners, as he swerved the truck to a stop...quite strongly and abruptly. Here's hoping Ruby and Tifa were capable of holding onto something.

After a bit of staying still, Cloud would yank the remaining Absolutionists out of the truck, and tie them up with a rope he found lying around the vehicle he just hijacked. The two girls could hear him speak outside. "Now, 'fess up. What's the job you were tasked with?" Cloud pressured the both of them. The driver sighed a bit, and relented. "We smuggled out some fuel from the defense systems for this one guy...I think his name was 'Marlos' or something? Anyway, he said he had something big planned, and if were to 'live', he wanted us to get fuel for a thing he found." he said. The passenger eventually blubbered. "The man's had our friends held at gunpoint, I couldn't just let him smoke them!"

Cloud gave the two a stern look, with the passenger Absolutionist blurting out "Honest!" as he trembled. Hm. If there really was someone else behind the scenes, then maybe if was better to nip the bud when the opportunity was out. Maybe he could negotiate a better pay for the job done above and beyond... "...where's this guy at?" Cloud asked. "Uuhh...1 and a half miles north, then turn right. Should have a base there." the driver Absolutionist would say. Cloud hummed and nodded.

After a bit, Cloud would seek for and look over his colleagues. "Well, job's done, but...I think there might be an opportunity for extra pay if we take down the guy trying to get his hands on the resources. You two willing to see this through?" Cloud asked.

---

Cloud 150 HP 60 Shield

[AnT]

"..." Probably not a good time to show this girl her Materia. Besides, if she planned on finding some for herself, then it'll be fruitless, for Materia doesn't exist anymore...or...do they? Juggling these duo memories is such a pain.

Rolling her shoulders, she walked behind Cloud as he interrogated the driver. Should he need some brunt ways of interrogation, she'll be happy to oblige, but it wasn't required as Cloud got the information of some base this truck was heading to. Extra pay would be nice, but she wasn't sure that they should just waltz over to this base without any knowledge of how big it is and how fortified it is. Avalanche always plans out their missions, usually involving sabotaging reactors, before starting them, and they need more than three people to pull off such jobs. Plus, this would be my first completed mission

"I don't know, Cloud. It probably would be risky without adding a bit more to our party. Who knows how much security this base has."

---

Tifa
HP: 140
SP: 45
Status: cautious

Elemental Materia: Fire (2/2 turns)

[Coolshaymin]

Ruby slammed her blade into the truck at the warning as it rapidly came to a stop and held on tight. With a sigh of relief she pulled her scythe out and jumped out of the truck to watch the interrogation.... Eh, not really her forte so she let him do the work. Oh, something big did not sound good. They definitely had to do something- Wait, was she telling them not to-? Ma'am, this mission isn't even long enough to count as a full mission. YOU'RE THROWING AWAY ALL REWARDS IF WE QUIT NOW!

 Ruby quickly moved between the two and held out her hands. "Hold on, you can't seriously just ignore this. If we don't stop this Marlos guy not only will his super secret weapon be a threat to everybody but also this will be for nothing. He will just threaten more people until he gets what he wants. We need to see this through! If you two won't *I* will!" Ruby threw down her resolve, staring Tifa down, ready to head off on her own if not stopped. She figured together they had a strong chance... And she doubted she could solo this but she also could not ignore this. Not again.... Wait, again? Huh, wonder where that came from....