Condemned... (To be continued)

[draexzhan]

"Shouldn't you hire a goomba for this job?" Irin pointed out. "Goombas are rather simple, hence they're very resistant to radiation."

[Zyph]

Erlosung listened to the mission briefing, then sums up what is the situation to himself.

"Run-away nuke carrier... buildings in its path needs to be leveled... radiation around carrier prevents access to carrier... alright..."

He then heard Ignuss' statment and looked at Ignuss.

"Humm... you may as well save your knuckles for something more appropriate, as you said you'd have your knuckles broken. This is where things like specialized bullets is meant for. Don't expect punching and kicking as being the answer to everything..."

Soon afterward he heard Irin's statement and then looked at Irin.

"Goombas being resistant to radiation... perhaps... but according to known biological experiments that I know of, they're not resistant enough, despite them possibly having high resistance to radiation. The amount of rads from what is supposed to be a nuclear missile is extremely high for practically any biological thing to be near to. So... no, a goomba won't suffice for this job. The goomba would probably lose its mind by the time it is in the carrier itself... after all, as you said, they are simple, least many of them are."

He then looked at Miles and Firago.

"Well, so we are going to level down buildings... great... what tools and equipment are we provided to get this job done?"

[draexzhan]

After hearing Erlosung's remark, Irin spoke up about another problem with Firago and Miles's plan. "So. how do you plan to stop the truck after we flatten the buildings? I mean, if it keeps going, we're just going to be doing an endless game of curling with it."

[Zyph]

Erlosung responded to Irin's question.

"Stopping the truck? They're going to detonate it at a special place built to contain the missles, which I would assume isn't too far from here I hope. If it isn't just buildings to be flattened down, they'd logically by then tell us. I don't think the people who are handling such stuff are that stupid... Irin, I believe.

Besides, keep in mind the missiles are leaking... I dare not calculate how long it will be before the missiles explode on its own due to the leakage... I would assume long enough to reach its detonation site, or otherwise there'd be more to the plan which would involve speeding up the truck. For now thus far, our side mission is to merely flatten things down for it to reach its detonation.

They'd probably have a different team being assembled at this very moment to take over the rest of the carrier's path once we do our part, which needs attention ASAP."

Erlosung then looked at Firago and Miles again.

"Though nontheless, Irin brings up a valid concern. Would there be another step after we clear the path for the carrier?"

[draexzhan]

"Yeah, but I still think there's an easier way to do this. We've got magic on our side. I'm no magician, but I know that simply turning the wheels on a truck is no challenge for magic."

[Zyph]

Erlosung again replied to Erin about his latest statement.

"I don't know what kind of magic you have, but that may be a good suggestion. However, from what I know in my studies, even with magic it is hard to manipulate an object when it is encovered with radiation. There would be many, many unstable atoms, molecules, and what not that would make concentrating on the right spot hard. Think of radiation as a sort of interference in regards to magic pertaining to object manipulation. Not saying it is impossible, but it would require a lot of energy and concentration.

Even so, we don't even know how large the carrier is nor the layout of whatever this place was. If we go with your method, Irin, a possible problem would be dealing with sharp turns of a road. Assuming the carrier is as large and long as a truck, it will be very hard to make the carrier turn as appropriate and making sure it doesn't hit something and explode. Assume there is a lot of sharp turns needed to reach its destination, the amount of magic energy needed would be massive. So as to say, this method is potentially inefficient.

And don't forget, you are going to deal with the emergency system of the carrier as well, which locks the carrier to the most direct path to the detonation site. Chances are, if you move the wheels direction, the emergency system is going to change the wheels back to its original direction. Force it with magic, the emergency system might work harder and well, malfunction, possibly causing the carrier to cease to move, which would be a disastrous thing if I am correct with my assumption the carrier would detonate on its own after a given amount of time due to its leakage..."

Erlosung then just sits down.

"For now, we may as well listen to what else Firago and Miles, I think, have to say. They probably have more details to give."

[draexzhan]

"Well, I don't know about radiation and its interference with magic, but I do know that the scenario you just described takes way less energy than demolishing a building. And I'm not suggesting moving the truck around the city, just moving the truck along one of the major roads through the city."
Erill broke in. "Actually, there's a much easier way to use magic when dealing with radiation. If I were to just use a spell to turn the wheels, it would be like throwing a dart at the bulls-eye on a dart board with only one working eye. It's not easy, but if two spellcasters work simultaneously, it would be adding the second eye. You'd be able to tell exactly where it is, and how much thrust you need to give your dart. The only other thing you need is practice, which I have several decades of. If anyone here can do even the most basic of magic, they'll be all I need. After all, the easiest spell of all is pinpointing."

[Zyph]

Erlosung gave a sigh and replied to both.

"Alright, but you failed to take into consideration fighting against the emergency system. But before I get to that, first, we don't know the where the carrier is yet. Second, if this is an old, run down city, there is most likely no clear main road, as in all roads would have some sort of blockage. Think about it, there were earthquakes before and some buildings may have fallen all over the roads. Sure you may steer it to a road with the least obstacles, but you still face obstacles nonetheless, not to mention there is a possibility of going somewhere completely off, getting lost with where to turn to. If we have a map, then that problem could be alleviated, but there is still the problem of figuring out which road is the least wrecked. Maybe the people with the helicopters can tell us, but we don't know how fast the carrier is; there is the possibility they might not say the directions in time. And well, there may not even be a straight mainroad towards the direction the carrier is going to, and if there was such a mainroad, it may possibly be rather far from where the carrier is. Alot of turning, then, would be involved.

Now then, you are correct, Erill I believe, about more spellcasters equates to more power and control. Perhaps you and your kid can do it, but however, there is still the emergency system to deal with. You trying to control the wheels means you fighting for control of the wheels against the emergency system. I would assume the emergency system is what keeps the carrier moving forward. If you stress the emergency system out, it may malfunction. The carrier may stop completely, or even move at a very fast speed. Both cases are bad. If the carrier is stopped, well if it takes two spell casters to turn the wheels through the radiation, how many more spell casters would it take to press the pedal? A lot of magic would be consumed. If the carrier is moving at a very fast speed, turning the carrier careful enough that the missiles doesn't explode can be a nightmare. Mind you, one error with your magic manipulation on the carrier could equate to devastation.

...now when I think about magic consumption... and back at the place where we just escaped... there may be more of those infected people to deal with when doing this mission. So, to try manipulating the truck, you will be concentrating through the radiation, going against the emergency system, and dealing with the possible added threat of attacking infected people all at the same time... I'll overall sum it as inefficient. Sure the others like Maya and Ignuss here can deal with the infected people, but they won't be able to suppress all and some might get to you."

Erlosung takes a breather for a while, then continues.

"Sure, it may take quite some energy to demolish the buildings, but it is perhaps more safer. Trying to control the carrier as you suggest make things a lot more riskier. I don't care how much magic training you have for everyone is prone to making a mistake once in a while. You may not be the one to make the mistake, Erill, but whoever is your spellcasting partner might.

Demolishing buildings in the carrier's straight path may actually take less energy than trying to maneuver the carrier around the city. Why make the carrier make numerous turns, in which each turn can cause it to explode, and deal with who knows how many unknown obstacles faced? At least with a straight path, we already know which buildings to take down rather than wondering what are the possible things needed to be demolish while moving the carrier.

If there were two teams around earlier than us that was supposed to demolish the buildings, they probably have all the tools needed to break down the buildings in time, such as explosives. I wouldn't think they'd expect us to destroy the buildings with mere fists and magic. They probably have explosives ready and specialized to take the buildings down.

I'm done with my argument... I just want to know what more info Firago and Miles have for us."

[g!rl_k.s.a.]

Maya looked back at the message that Firago gave here then looked down at the ground as they were flying away. "So, all of this happened because the Kingdom gave some guy a lethal injection? Isn't that a little too over-the-top? I mean, I don't know how psychotic this guy is, but if it was me, I'd personally just have some family member avenge me. Why do through all the trouble of petrifying a town?"

[Teal]

(Dang! Guys take it easy! I guess I should've put the entire post in yesterday I broke it into two parts and posted part one yesterday...here comes part two.)

"I'm not taking any questions yet and I'll not be interrupted!" Miles said to the two involved in the argument.

Miles took a deep breath, a mission like this can put massive stress on someone. "Since the buildings are already decaying and falling apart this kind of demolition can be accomplished by:
-Destructive magic
-Weapons and explosives
-Special demolition vehicles such as a fast bulldozer, a ramming car, and rocket-mounted vehicles. These have been stationed nearby the harbor where we're arriving.

Heh a few buildings are so brittle you can take sections of it down with a series of punches and kicks if you can hit it hard enough and enough times."

Firago looked at the group and wondered if they all actually listened to the whole thing. He rolled his eyes and said, "So to summarize...
-A nuclear missile carrier truck is out of control.
-It's automatically travelling in a direct route.
-There's buildings in the way.
-Carrier hits building = KABOOM! End of world...
-We need to clear the route before it crashes.
-We can destroy the buildings using magic, weapons, melee, and explosives.
-There are also demolition vehicles available to use."

Miles nodded and said, "Correct...but there's some important things to keep in mind...
-Do not attack the carrier or go near it...you will die.
-Do not stop it or slow it down...There's just enough time for it to explode as soon as it enters the detonation site. But don't speed it up either...team Gamma and team Delta need time to reach the next town and start their demolition jobs there.
-Use your abilities to the fullest...we have plenty of medical equipment, ethers, ammo, and chemicals to replenish you and your supplies after you're done.
-Don't try to use any magic to manipulate the carrier in any way. There's a lot of radioactivity so magical effects on the carrier can be unpredictable. You may not get the effect you want.

Does anyone have any questions?

Ah yes...It's not a good idea to fight with the emergency system on the carrier. You see...you might cause it to short-circuit and send an electrical current into the missiles...It can detonate them on the spot. We would rather you put that magic to use in destroying the buildings and maybe conjure the winds to blow debris away from the path of the carrier. We don't know if there's any infected bystanders who would try to foil our assignment...but watch your back. The carrier is about the size of those transportation trucks that we used to use to transport goods...

Any more questions?"

Firago heard Maya's statement, "It does seem a bit strange that one person could do so much after their death that's why there's suspicions that his followers are still on the loose and causing the destruction for him...but remember our mission is to find out if this group is responsible for those strange happenings."

[Elemental Ninja]

"AH, I totally forgot, I have some magic at my disposal not much but it should help us. However, It's only elemental magic. I can use Fire, water, earth, and wind. No more no less. See."
Ignuss formed a small ball of each element in his hand

[draexzhan]

"I do have one question." Erill spoke up. "If simply slowing the truck down could cause an explosion, then you're asking us to not only destroy these buildings, but to leave them absolutely flat? In what little time we have, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to do. Especially with half the people here unable to use magic. Even if we could do it fast enough, it would be dangerously likely that we miss a brick, or a scrap of metal."

[g!rl_k.s.a.]

"The problem here is that I don't have that much in terms of magic. I can only use magic when it comes to my glaive. Would I just be able to get rid of the buildings by demolishing them with my glaive? Or would they be too hard for my glaive to slice down?" Maya asked.

[Zyph]

Erlosung looked at Ignuss and sees him forming some elemental spheres.

"Interesting, but don't show it in here Ignuss. Not in a flying helicopter, please..."

By analyzing how Ignuss forms such elemental spheres long enough, he does a silent and very discreet dispel, not making any movements, at Ignuss that would make the elemental spheres disappear.

He then heard Erill's concern. Again, Erlosung looked at Erill and replied.

"Slowing down the carrier would not necessarily make it explode, Erill, but rather make the carrier not have enough time to reach its detonation site. If you are so concerned, if in the case it is slowed down, then speed it up accordingly and make it back to its normal pace. Nothing problematic if we have magic on our side...

As far as having the path absolutely flat, I would assume we just need the road smooth enough so the carrier doesn't go through an extremely bumpy road. Dangerous we'd miss a brick or a scarp of metal...? We have bulldozers, Erill, to help make sure the road is really clear. Also, I know certain chemicals that can make the road smoothed out, though I'm not certain exactly how much chemicals are supplied. Still, your concern is rather absurd. We simply need to make a road wide and clear enough for the carrier to pass through. It isn't like we have to make the rubble all magically disappear, but rather just put them aside far enough so there is a clear road. If there is a brick or a scrap of metal in the way, then why don't you just magically lift it up and throw it away."

This Erill and Irin are seriously annoying Yoshis. Geez do they not think logically?, Erlosung thought to himself.

Erlosung then thought for a bit then thought up of a question.

"Speaking of how fast we need to accomplish...Miles, exactly how fast is the carrier? And also exactly how long is the path we need to clear up is?"

He then heard Maya's question.

"Well, if there are some brittle buildings that a series of punches and kicks can take it down, I don't see why a glaive can't do the job either... But hmm, with what I have in mind, I'd need someone to help me. I'm thinking of using them demolition vehicles."

[draexzhan]

Irin was about to butt in, but Erill put an arm on his shoulder and gave him a look. Irin nodded, He knew precisely what Erill would do.

[g!rl_k.s.a.]

"Oh. That is a good one. I can drive. i have my license. I drive a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. I think I will be able to drive a demolition vehicle. It should be easy to do. Especially since I drive a big mini-van. I mean I drive well, so hopefully I'll be able to drive a demolition vehicle." Maya said as she looked out the window of the copter. "Is anybody else going to be at the site that we are going to go to? Surely there has to be more than us at the site than just us. It's a big job."

[Teal]

Miles cleared his throat, "The carrier on its own goes at speeds varying from 20 to 30 miles per hour. So it's not quite going freeway speed however it's already getting close to the harbor so we better work quickly. The route we need to clear is 1 mile from the first obstacle to the last. Although it might not sound like much but there's a lot to clear."

Miles eyed Maya and sighed, "Unfortunately we are the only ones handling this location....but at least it's not a city we are trying to clear, a harbor doesn't have as many buildings. These demo vehicles maybe be slightly more complex but it only takes a minute to get used to them. Just be careful with the bulldozer this one is specially designed to go faster than normal because of the nature of this mission."

"Any more questions?" Miles asked. They were getting close to the harbor now.

[draexzhan]

"One last one." Erill said. "roughly how far is the truck from the harbor?"

[g!rl_k.s.a.]

"I'm sure that it has to be close and gaining or else Miles wouldn't look like he's having a heart attack and Firago wouldn't be sweating as much. OK, that may be an exaggeration, but I'm sure that it is going to be coming quick and we need to stop it, or else it will bring big boom-boom to wherever it is and that won't be good."

[draexzhan]

"That didn't answer my question." Erill replied. "HOW far? not, Is it far?"