The Cracking Ice - Chapter 1

"How would you find that out Kyron? About the lieutenant that is." Ben asks the as his weapon is being charged again. "We also have to accept the very real possibility that we just rolled right up to the front door, and that they know we're here. We may need a strategy to account for that. Can Echo be controlled via remote?"

Chay thinks a minute.
I could probably rig something up with my phone and a spare mini-transponder I have in here somewhere.
He rummages around in his tool box.
But I don't like the idea of leaving Echo.

"Well that demon told us the name of their boss, we might be able to come to say we came to serve or something like that. Might get us close and I could do a serious magical detection on the large one. Otherwise we might need to just wait till it shows up for me to check. It's just an odd coincidence the names I mean."

"Kyron, do you think we could magically bluff our enemies to help us get closer to their commander?" Ben asks. "Maybe even if the name isn't right, we could still use it to fool the enemies. What do you think, plausible?"

Nodding at Chay, Ben extends his sympathy, "I understand. I don't have a vehicle like this, but I imagine it can be like a friend. My idea was more that, if we went inside, perhaps Echo be a remote distraction, and perhaps fire on the castle to keep our foes busy. Its a bit of an iffy idea because, if we need to leave in a hurry then it might not be the best course of action to risk the vehicle. Alternatively, we could park Echo, and set it aside until its needed and summon it in case we need a hasty retreat. What do you think?"

"Yes that is what I was suggesting, deception. I could make us look like those ice demons."

"Great! How long do you think it will last for?"

Chay shakes his head, Naaa... Ben I know you're the boss but I just can't leave Echo. People have always complained that I am too cautious, but I can't help it. Echo is like a part of me. If I was to lose him I would lose some of myself. Plus I think it's not a great idea. If we lose Echo, can we all fit on the back of a dragon?

"At least twenty minutes since we are by some lines. If I am to shut the rift I will need some time to figure that out as that is the specialty of a different kind of mage."

Ben rubs his face and mulls the information. "OK, being conservative, this means we have about 20 minutes inside, if the ruse works, but we can't go as a whole group, " he says out loud, repeating the summary of his thoughts. "That means that Chay and Echo would have to cover any possible retreat, or be prepared to assist us in the event an extraction is needed. This effectively means that we'll be splitting the group in two. We'll need to determine who is going to be in what group though. Right now, Chay and Echo will be outside. I'm going in. I'll ask you to volunteer yourselves for your respective missions, although I'm not sure we can covertly sneak a dragon inside. "

"I will have to go in, even though I am not one of the main fighters I want to maintain my magics and assist as well as monitor the disguises."

"Can't I just burn my way and say hello and ask for snacks?"

Bursts into laughter, "Well, that is certainly an option."

Me want in. Want kill demon. Don't care if Kiron's way or Kai's way.

Ana raises her hand again before typing out on her keyboard [I'm clumsy, I should stay behind...] She let everyone read it before continuing [Plus, I don't like the feel of this place...I feel something, don't you all?] And finally, [Something cold but not physical...It's in my mind, whispers of hopelessness, of despair.]

Ana had not realised that this may be construed (correctly) to mean that she had a magical sensitivity, that there was more to this girl than met the eye.

"Sounds like it is myself, Tipolei, and Kyron heading in, and Kai, Chay, and Ana staying with Echo. Actually, Kai might more next to Echo," Ben says to the others. "If you're comfortable with your roles, then I suggest we get moving. We have a way in before us, and we have a powerful group in reserve, or attacking the structure itself. Does anyone need any last minute prep before we proceed?"

Tipolei looks focused on the door, his new shield on his left arm and wielding justice's hammer one-handed in his right.... Me ready to kill...

"Wait, Kai, Chay distract them. That will help us out a lot if they are putting out fires while we infiltrate."

Chay hops up on top of Echo and starts spraying a large area with rifle fire.

With a huge smile behind his kerchief he shouts, Hahaha! Take that suckers!

Kai looks around for anything heavy to drop on the building, if that doesn't seem to pan out he'll fly up and concentrate breathing fire at a point to see if he can melt a corner of the building away from rifle fire.

Kyron will cast disguise on his companions and himself, "Ana just help Chay ok ?"

Draws energy from the nexus to cast disguise on them all.