Thread X: Metal Gear Kai. Tactical Espionage, Action!
From up close, the fortress of Gazad Helkona was even more impressive than what the Magnakai had perceived during their scan from afar. The vas basin of rock it had been buil into was completely barren, with no sign of vegetation or ridges; from the marks on the geround it was clear tha the area was cnstantly patrolled and was kept completely clean of anything which could conceivably obstruct sight or allow an enemy to sneak any closer than the small ridge of rock, barely waist-high, which surrounded the entire area, clearly marking the point where the forest ended and the fortress area began.
It was pretty obvious that the entre setup had been designed specifcally so that any attempt to approach the solid coal-black walls would require at least twelve minutes of walking across a completely open field, one dominated by the tall watchtowers situated just behind the walls. During the day, avoiding notice from such elevated watc position woud be impossible; even with the cover of the night, which the Kai currently had at their disposal it was not looking like an easy task, considering the excellent sight the kraan occasionally flying overhead sported even at night, and the quantity of moving fire and glinting metal moving along the basin in regular patterns - clearly patrols of drakkarim carrying torches.
Similar fairs could also be seen at regulars intervals near the walls, clearly indicating the places where door were situated; almost all of these were marked by only two burning fires, except for one, which was lighted by at least six different torches as well as two large braziers overhead, obviously corrensponding to Gazad Helkona's main gate. In fact, the sheer amount of light from those fires was enoguh that the group of Kai could count twelve armoured figures standing guard, with more visible atop the walls themselves, positioned as if to control the position of the braziers - clearly read to turn them over and let smoldering embers fall over any possible intruders.
And, cast into stark contrast by the red light of the fires, they could all notice one more thing: above the door, where the emblem of Darklord Chlanzor (a spider covering the sun) should have been, was instead a heavy drape of black wool, over which was marked in red a quite different symbol, of a red skull wearing a spiked helmet, with two snakes intertwined surrounding it; and, standing most striking under it all, was the mark of two crossed hammer painted in the colour of blood.
Welcome to what's most likely going to be our last thread before the Endgame, and the one where you will face your most difficult challenges so far, with death waiting behind every corner. And that starts now with getting past the walls and into the fortress proper, while avoiding the enemy patrols and their surveillance lights from overhead.
I wonder why this remind me of something?
Anyway, not much more I can say to you now; it's time to come up with your plans, and hope they work! Both Renora and Sun Fox have ideas and means to help with any attempt at distraction, but if you don't come up with some idea of your own to make it past the walls, their contributions won't be enough to make you pass - they're only here to help, they won't be doing all the work for you.
So, let your creativity run wild, be ready to give it your all to make it through, don't be afraid of taking risks, and remember: the fate of Magnamund is in your hands now! :D