[video]

[purrtagonist]

[the video starts of as nothing but static and white noise, a few seconds of black and white chaos that seems like nothing. but then a voice, distant at first, cuts through]

-- ing on? Helloooooo. . .

[a few moments later an image flickers into view along with the audio, although it's grainy and of poor quality. but everyone can see Akira front and center! he seems to be somewhere dark, judging by the poor lighting, and he's seated on the ground with a metal wall (???) behind him]

Oh, perfect. Stay that way for about five minutes? Cool, thanks.

[is he talking to his watch? anyway]

Remember that underground Connor-san was talking about a few days ago? Fooooound it.

[he gives a two-fingered salute as to emphasize his point]

If anyone wants to come tunnel camping with me, I'd appreciate it. It'll be fun. Probably? Probably. Bring food and water though; I haven't eaten or drank anything all day. Maybe also bring tools and explosives and other things that can break through thick metal walls?

[he angles the camera to show the wall against which is sits. it looks pretty sturdy, and it's clear what he's asking in so many words: please break me out of here]

That'd be pretty cool, too.

[somehow, he manages to sound so extremely blase about, um. being trapped in underground tunnels?? he pauses for a moment, as though thinking, before he perks up to speak again]

Oh, right. This place is huge. Probably about as big as the city itself. I wasn't able to wander too far in, but once we manage to break down the entrance, I think we should gather up a bunch of teams to come explore it. If we dive far enough, maybe we'll find something interesting.

[there's a pause as the video feed glitches out for a second or two, Akira's face replaced by more static, more white noise. but eventually he returns, brows furrowed as he flicks at his watch like he's trying to make the damn thing work]

Let me know if you need directions. You'll know you've found the place if you see two people-- [Ryuji and Ann, probably] -- standing outside a giant metal wall yelling at me for getting stuck.

[and that's when the feed cuts out entirely]

((a network post for this here! I don't plan on posting a tunnel exploration log, BUT once Akira's free you can totally handwave and/or thread out your characters exploring the tunnels and finding what's inside that post c: have fun everyone!))

Comments

[spaceforged]

[About where he figured. Huh.]

I have a decent amount of credit. I can go pick some up now. Any other equipment you need while I'm on a shopping trip?

[purrtagonist]

Food. [or whatever passes for food, here] Water. Flashlights. Camping supplies.

It's going to take days for us to get through these tunnels.

[spaceforged]

I’ll see what I can get. If I can’t get the supplies I can find things to repurpose for that job.

[The people here are all machines. They wouldn’t need to camp or possibly have lights separate from themselves.]

As for the food that will be simple. Next time we world hop we should consider making freeeze dried meals just in case. Anyway I’ll get on that.

If worse comes to worse, I can always serve as our light source in and out of lion shape.

[purrtagonist]

[it's tough being a biological being in a mechanical world]

A light source. . . with. . . your lasers?

[???]

[no Akira, he probably has flashlight eyes or something]

1/2

[spaceforged]

...no. [His form dissolves into purple light again and-]

2/2

[spaceforged]

[He leans down and touches his metal nose to the screen, his glowing yellow eyes flaring with a slightly brighter light. He rumbles deep in his chest and the light lowers.]

[purrtagonist]

[oooooooh]

[oooooh]

Dual purpose robot eyes: lasers and flashlights.

Kinda cool.

[spaceforged]

[He opens his mouth and light gathers in it flowing from the round lens in the center. No, no. Mouth laser. He clamps his jaws shut and tendrils of white light curl up around the edges before it fades away.

He growls, and the watch has a fit at first. Just offering a text of grrrrrowwwwlll before it translates.]

Not from the eyes. Black fires lasers from the mouth....and possibly the tail?

[He tilts his head to the side and rumbles.]

I haven't checked if I can fire lasers from my tail like the actual Lion can.

[purrtagonist]

[oh right, mouth laser. still cool!!]

What's stopping you from running that experiment now?

[spaceforged]

[...that is a good point. He feels a bit embarrassed to admit why he hasn't. He looks over his shoulder.]

I'm uh, still getting used to being able to fire them at all. There's a bit of a kick back.

[purrtagonist]

[why did I change to courier]

Clear the area, and you'll be fine. I'm not going anywhere for the next hour or so.

[spaceforged]

[I have no idea.

And he really can't argue against that. The view shifts as he rises up on his paws and sets about clearing the tune-up spot.]

...Actually, I'm not going anywhere for a while either. The next race is set for several hours from now.

So, well. Guess I'll test it now.

[purrtagonist]

[chanting in an even tone while banging his fist against his knee]

Lasers, lasers, lasers--

[THE PEOPLE (single person) HAS SPOKEN]

1/2

[spaceforged]

[He can't help but laugh. Lion laughter is just, rolling growls. Ah well.

He eyes a pile of empty boxes. They're safely out of the way of anything else.]

Okay. Here goes!

2/2

[spaceforged]

[White light gathers in his jaws once more. He takes a wider stance and fires the laser, rocking back with the blast. It smashes into the middle box and punches right through it. He works his tingling jaw.]

That is never going to feel normal.

[purrtagonist]

[whooooooa]

Nice. And you're already a damn good shot.

[spaceforged]

I still have technical systems to stabilize and let me aim. I just didn't realize it until I prepared to fire. But the charge is slower than I'm used to.

[He repositions himself and fires a second time at the box to the left of the middle.]

...yeah, definitely longer.

[purrtagonist]

[another impressed whistle]

So it hits hard, but not fast. You're more useful on the back lines of a fight.

[he says aloud, but he's mostly musing to himself. battle strategy talk is difficult for this combat leader to turn off]

[spaceforged]

Not necessarily. With my speed and strength on the ground or in the air, I can harass targets without the lasers. But I'll either need cover or to really time my shots with a laser.

Probably much closer to wherever you need me most.

[Talking strategy is easy for him. Comforting even. He's had to do it for so long that he couldn't turn it off even if he tried. He flexes his claws.]

Unless the enemy has heavy hitting firepower. Then it's best I stay in the air for maneuverability and speed. I'm not as indestructable as the real lion.

[purrtagonist]

[an understanding nod, coupled with the tiniest ghost of a grin]

Versatility is a fighter's greatest asset.

[the ability to slot into whichever spot is currently needed in battle. Akira knows that strategy well]