The Naga's Scales.

[aeris192]

Chase jumped slightly at Raziel's action, but after it was done, he relaxed and sat down at the bar as well although he didn't get a drink.
Instead he fiddled around with some cards, taking great entertainment into making them turn different colors and suits.  

[Kumquat Assassin]

Kite, who had picked up the adorable white kitten before the man with the sword attacked the machine, gently petted the kitten. "I can change my form and make fire and heal myself," she said finally pocketing the note and coin purse, "I'm really good at mimicing others. Are we going to beat up the empire for stealing?"  

[Xx_Raziel-Phoenix_xX]

He spun around in his stool and leaned back against the bar. He listened quietly as Viva worked to get them ready. In truth, he knew perfectly well that he had ruined their chance for a surprise attack, but he also knew that by their initial questions when they arrived, the invaders couldn't possibly know the exact nature of the Jarians as well.

If you don't know everything about your enemy, you're still vulnerable to surprise.

"While I do apologize for my hasty actions, you shouldn't automatically assume that we've lost any advantage, Viva."

He stood and went through a serious of blinding hand motions, ending with a clap of his hands as four clones of himself appeared at his side.

"For instance, we could easily have the advantage in numbers. And if I may, with this advantage we could easily retake our advantage of surprise with a simple strategy laced with misdirection. As my father use to say, you can't catch the burglar if his friend keeps you occupied at the door."  

[supremeviva]

Viva looks back at Kite after Raziel was finished. He was already creating a plan.

"Kite I was wondering if you would like to help? If you could infiltrate their group posing as one of them, then we could find out who their leader is, how many of them there are, and what type of powers and technology they have. With that information we could launch a swift effective counter-attack against them."  

[aeris192]

Chase turned in on the conversation as well, perking up slightly.
"I can help with appearance if you're going to sneak in." he put in slyly.
A simple task to him, disguising.  

[supremeviva]

Viva looks at Raziel and his clone. He considered Raziels plan. There were to many unknows though.

"We should do some recon first. No point in charging in blindly when we can collect information on are enemies. Besides if we don't get the leader, then this could happen again. So it would be good if we find out who he is, and those near him. Besides we might be able to aquire some of their weapons to add to our aresnal. That's something Lutia would probably want us to do. We should have either Chase, Kite , or maybe both to infiltrate. Xi is good as stealth so if she's willing she can go with them and act as a go between. Raziel, you and me are the heavy guns in case they get discovered. After Kite and Chase finish gather information, they should link up with Xi for extraction. Afterwards we should plan out our attack accordingly.

Plan B: If they are discover before they can finish, they should get to Xi. Raziel, you and me will provide enough of a distraction so they can get out. Once clear we will fall back and regroup. Since they will already be alert we shoudl then go ahead and launch our attack. I think I might be able to scour up enough Aerial drones to launch a airstrike. While they are confused we will move in. Do as much damage as you can. Hit anything that looks critical.

Our key targets, are their ships and their chain of command. Neaturlize either and we can buy some time for a more coordianted strike.

Any questions or suggesstions?"  

[Kumquat Assassin]

"So I'll have a partner? I'll help then!" Shadowkite flashed Chase a friendly smile. But there was one then she wasn't so sure on. "But.... will I have to kill anyone?" she asked showing uncertainty. Though her mother was gone, her morals were ingrained in her daughter well.  

[aeris192]

Chase smiled back at Kite then nodded earnestly to Viva.
"That sounds good to me."
He softened slightly also taking Kite's last question rather seriously. He never thought about the factor that they would have to kill someone as well.  

[supremeviva]

Viva hesitates at Kite's question. He knew their was a possibility that someone could die.

"No. You will not have to kill. I'm going to be honest though. I can't guarantee that no one will die. We are talking about a hostile enemy. They won't hesitate to try and kill us. "  

[Kumquat Assassin]

"I can defend myself, but it gets a little grey around lethalness," she said then asked in a more upbeat tone, "When do we kick some bad guy butt?"  

[supremeviva]

Viva looks over at Raziel he had yet to voice his opinion] yet.

"Soon. I just want to make sure that everyone agrees."  

[Xx_Raziel-Phoenix_xX]

Raziel had listened carefully to the statements made, taking into account everything useful and relevant and ignoring the one's that weren't. While he did agree that recon would be useful, he didn't think it was wise to place their less offensive members into the heart of enemy territory without a guaranteed way to escape unharmed. He couldn't stomach the thought of placing them in danger, even though he understood he might have to.

"I do not agree entirely with your plan, but I do understand it's effectiveness. However, we cannot underestimate these invaders. They most likely understand exactly the options we might choose, given the fact that we've never encountered them before and understand nothing of their tactics. They might have already set up defenses to make sure that recon would be virtually impossible on our part. Thus, we have a quandry."

He placed a finger to his chin in thought, the other arm resting behind his back as he paced around quietly. Every so often, another clone would appear and began pacing with him.

"Now while I do agree that charging in head first is not the best tactic for conserving lives, but sometimes the only way for the coyote to best the shepherds dog is to take it by force, thus providing an easy meal to the surviving pack afterwards...if the shepherd doesn't realize the situation, of course."

During his conversation, his clones continued to multiply until eventually the bar started to become a bit crowded. He made a point to pause before Viva.

"Now I do not argue that we need to understand more about them. Who they are, who their leader is, what their capabilities are, and what their goal is precisely. But just so you know, if I can find a way to keep my fellow Jarians out of danger they might not be capable of handling, then I'll take it.

He nodded his head and all the clones disappeared in small puffs of smoke, leaving the real Raziel facing Viva with a gentle smile on his face.

"Now I don't see why we can't pursue the advantage of a two pronged attack. After my little tirade against the messenger, they are no doubt preparing themselves for a full frontal assault, which no doubt leaves their other defenses a bit lax. Still, they are obviously going to do their best to make sure intruders don't sneak in. However, if they have something else to distract them in their entirety, then we might have the safest opportunity to enact a little recon. Give them an army that they're waiting for, and they won't notice the mice they weren't expecting."

He knew that he was arguing a point that Viva already expressed no interest in, but Raziel truly believed it was the best way to proceed. He knew from countless forays that the plan used only yields two results: Dead or wounded. If he could bring them home with only wounds to contend with, then he could breath easier being their second-in-command.
Of course, first he had to contend with, and convince, Viva.
First-in-command.  

[supremeviva]

Viva sighs. He knew their were risk of injury to those, but as trained form a child as elite special forces he knew what he was getting into.

"Of course there is the risk of injury, but that will be your and mine part to prevent. Sure we could charge in with sheer force and most likely wipe them out. But their is one problem. They hold the resort. They could have hostages. The worst thing to do would to be charging in. I would rather spare innocent lives than risk injury to those who can fight. Have faith in your comrades. Chase is exceptinal with illusions. Kite, I don't know mcuh about since she is Kanareshii, but they are our allies and as such I have faith in her abilites as well. If things go sour then that is what Xi is there for. I know of no one better at movign undetected than Xi. She can be a shadow within a shadow when she wants. And if things go bad that what you and me are their for. Between us both we should easily be able to punch though their defense to rescue them if it is needed.

I doubt they would preform a frontal assualt as well.From what I understand if they could have preformed such a thing then they would've already done so."

He pauses to thingk for a moment. He looks around then sighs again.

"Your concern is noted Raziel, but the plan stands. We risk to much with a frontal assault.. Chase and Kite will infiltrate them, capture two memebers and assume their identies. Xi will follow them in and stick to the shadows in case Chase and Kite are found out to extract them. Raziel you and me will remain hidden off the shore line incase they need a distraction.

A drop of intel can win a war. Don't forget that."  

[aeris192]

Chase nodded, listening to Viva's counter to Raziel's argument, and smiled a bit.
"Don't fret; I won't get caught."
He gave a sincere smile after his rather boasting comment.  

[Xx_Raziel-Phoenix_xX]

He nodded quietly. He couldn't argue Viva's decision anymore, but he could offer one more option.

"At least give me the option of sending in a guard with them just to insure that they arrive safely."

He conjured a single clone, standing to his side and waiting quietly.

"We cannot be sure they won't be expecting covert intruders, so the best thing we can do is give them a single escort as far as can be allowed. Once they're safely inside, the clone will disappear without a trace and they will be free to do their job without risk. Can you allow me at least this much?"