Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Sonic Rapid Board. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Locked Topic
The Fallout Games; Act III
Topic Started: Mar 12 2012, 06:02 PM (34,608 Views)
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[The Capitol]

“I’m not sure we have too much to worry about the remnants of the regime.” Nanami shook her head. “The remnants have no unified leadership. Most of their firepower is either in Gallic’s hands or Autumn’s. There will be some resistance, sure, but they don’t have enough power to fight against us.”

She frowned. “As for Autumn, I’m confident in Cess’ team. They’re going after Autumn’s main base, and I know Cess well… he won’t allow Autumn to escape. He’ll put a stop to Autumn and those mutants, one way or another.”

Nanami looked over to Lavan. “… And WE’RE about to put a stop to Gallic. Our priority is twofold; we need to destroy the Orbital Cannon, and we need to end Gallic. That is the only thing we need to worry about right now… if the others fail, then we’ll have to pick up the pieces of that, but for now our only priority has to be stopping Gallic.”
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
AGodofIrony
Member Avatar
I can't see what you're imagining
-Enclave Mobile Crawler-

“This,” Cess said to Connor, “Send them in!”

From over the hill came Securitrons, blasting and firing at the Super Mutants with their own weapons.

“Let's go,” Cess said, crouching down and heading towards the Crawler, now that the Securitrons were taking on the Super Mutants here.

-The Capitol-

Galv... wasn't sure if they could believe Gallic or not. Gallic had been the one who got him away from the horrible cell Autumn had put him in, and while he had been a prisoner, he hadn't been treated badly under Gallic's watch...

At the very least, between Autumn and Gallic, Gallic was definitely the lesser of two evils.

“Come on Melanie, take my hand,” Galv said, holding out his hand, “We can throw back suppressing fire...”

-Gallic's Headquarters-

Gallic was wearing his armor now, his suit off. Pylons were off where he had control, wanting the advantage of anyone fighting the Super Mutants. His forces were ordered to protect the civilians, and several were streaming into his headquarters.

“Claire, stay behind and keep an eye on things,” Gallic said, “I'll be fighting... I have to be seen...”

“Fine... Walter's going with you...” Claire said, “No arguing.”

“Of course.”
Posted Image

My FanFics! My Art!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[Enclave Mobile Crawler]

As the Securitrons headed forward, the battle began. Explosions rocketed around, flames spewed up, bullets flew in every direction and both machine and super mutant alike were falling to the ground.

It was a chaotic mess, and even for Connor, who had lived through the Hunger Games and the battles in Vegas; this was the absolute worst horror he’d ever seen.

He took Sarai’s hand and rushed forward, making a dash for the Mobile Crawler…

[Gallic’s Headquarters]

“Come on!” Nanami yelled to Lavan as she road forward. They were nearing Gallic’s headquarters, and she could see the commotion ahead as the Super Mutants moved in against Gallic’s loyalists.

She knew the time was coming…
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crystal Rose
Member Avatar
GRAPPLING HOOK!

Enclave Mobile Crawler

Sarai was tugged along by Connor, stumbling a bit but keeping pace with her boyfriend as they headed towards the Mobile Crawler. She tried to focus on just running, which was actually not that hard considering right now the explosions and gunfire were so loud in her ears that she felt momentarily deaf. It was troubling, but she would worry about it later, when she was sure that she and Connor were to safety.

Chloe knew it was probably smart to leave the Super Mutant fighting to the machines...But she was confident in her ability to take at least a few down herself. The girl rushed at the creatures, putting her own super-strength against the beast's. It actually worked for a few moments, until another rushed at her and it suddenly became two against one. The girl wasn't quite that strong....


The Capitol

Melanie nodded, clutching her boyfriend's hand as tightly as she could and forming a ball of cold shadows in both of their hands. While her own powers were impressive the girl knew she needed Galv's in order to take anyone (or anything) down.

Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[Enclave Mobile Crawler]

As Connor pulled Sarai along with him, they soon came upon the side of the crawler. Connor noticed a massive door – but Super Mutants were pouring out, making the path terribly dangerous. As he glanced around, he noticed a ladder that led up to a smaller hatch on the side – one far too small for the Mutants to fit through.

“Up there!” Connor pointed. “I bet we can get inside through there!”

[The Capitol]

“… Well, now, ain’t this just a f*cking trip down memory lane?”

In the commotion of the battle, a man suddenly appeared from one of the bombed-out buildings. He wore an Enclave uniform that was covered in blood – and on his hands were metal gloves, with large spikes on the top.

It was Sire; the terrible man from the Games who had battled with Galv. Although he had once been a part of the Legion, the Enclave had given him a new job after the Games when Autumn noticed how brutal and savage he was.

“This time I’m going to disembowel you, red, right in front of your little gal pal… and then maybe she and I can have some fun on your corpse.” Sire sneered.

... also, wow, I’m sorry. That was even worse than Ryan.
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
AGodofIrony
Member Avatar
I can't see what you're imagining
-Enclave Mobile Crawler-

The Super Mutant rushing at Chloe suddenly stumbled, a shot going through it's legs. The beast roared, turning towards Edda who was crouched down, calmly bringing his anti-materiel rifle back to bear. The Super Mutant charged, and Edda fired again, through the creature's head this time.

He pulled back the stock, ejecting the shell and aimed once more, shooting through the head of the Super Mutant fighting Chloe.

“Come on Chloe, don't worry about them out here, worry about the ones inside!” Edda said, ejecting the third shell and racing towards the ladder Connor had pointed out.

“Good eye!” Cess called to Connor, “I'll go first.”

Cess jumped up the ladder, disappearing through the closed hatch with his powers of intangibility. After a few moments the hatch was opened, and Cess poked his head down.

“Alright, clear, let's go!” Cess yelled, then disappeared back up.

-The Capitol-

Galv froze as he saw Sire... Him... From the Games...

“YOU!” Galv yelled, letting go of Melanie and turning to the former Legionairre, “I won't let you hurt Melanie!”

Galv focused, letting his electricity build up, then shot a blast at Sire!

-Gallic's Headquarters-

Gallic focused, sending a Super Mutant flying with his telekinesis, slashing through another one with his swords, fire moving along the specially made blades.

He didn't know Nanami would be there soon... or a certain lackey of Autumn's!



“I'm sorry, but you're not going any farther...”

A figure in Power Armor came towards Nanami and Lavan, holding up a plasma rifle, “Why are you here, Nanami? If you want revenge on President Gallic, I won't let you...”

Walter was here!
Posted Image

My FanFics! My Art!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[Enclave Mobile Crawler]

Connor looked around, holding his pistol in his hand and turned to Sarai. “You go up the ladder first! I’ll cover your back.”

He didn’t like the idea of Sarai marching into the unknown, but Cess had already done so, so someone was up there in case things went bad – so now he wanted to make sure Sarai could climb in safety.

[…]

The hatch opened to a large hallway. At the far end was a massive set of steel doors colored red. Standing in front of the door were two enormous Super Mutant Brutes, each carrying enormous mini-guns.

The moment they saw Cess, they opened fire!

[The Capitol]

The electricity shot towards Sire and he held up his hand, letting it crash into his skin and arc away from his body. The devilish man grinned, revealing he was wearing a strange suit. It was black, with large metal pieces attached to the limbs and back.

“Heheheheh… Sorry assh*le, but that won’t work this time.” Sire spat. “This suit is designed to keep me safe from almost anything… now it’s my turn!”

Sire rushed forward, drawing a blade from his belt and slashing at Galv!

[Gallic’s Headquarters]

Nanami paused as she spotted Walter. “Can’t you see this is over? The Enclave has collapsed. Why are you still so loyal to that damn bastard?”
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
HellAvatar
Member Avatar
Mad Scientist / Head of Intel Division
[The Capitol]

Lavan followed Nanami's charge towards Gallic's headquarters, the enormous and fortified building that served as the man's command station, home base and many more things besides. But unlike Nanami, whose focus was entirely on ridding the world of Gallic, Lavan paid a bit more attention to the world surrounding them.

Which also meant firing a missile or two and letting loose with a few bursts of gatling laser fire, scorching both Enclave soldiers and Super Mutants alike, whenever they decided to pay a little too much attention to the roar of engines that was passing them.

He even had to disable a few incoming rockets, cutting all the heat from them when they entered a certain radius around him, making them useless duds that simply dropped to the ground harmlessly.

Hey, power over fire was always a good thing to have when Super Mutants loved their missile and rocket launchers so much.

When Lavan finally caught up to Nanami, it was because the woman was stopped by a man in Power Armor. It took him a moment to recognize exactly who it was that he was facing, but once he did, Lavan's grin turned into a happy one.

"Ooooooh!!! I remember you! You were that one guy with the thing that one time! The dude who escorted me to prisons! What was your name again... Wall-E? Wally? Wallace? ... Wait, I think it was Walrus. It was Walrus, wasn't it? Isn't it? In that armor, you might even look the part, except for the entire black armor thing. I've never heard of a Black Walrus, but that might be a new racist thing. And that means I can never say "Black Walrus" again without it sounding racist to myself. Drats. Aaaaaanyways! Walrus! Wally! Walmart! Could you get out of the way, pretty please? We have an appointment with Donny Gally, and I'm loathe to miss it. You see, it's an audition thing for "best choice of actor to turn Don Gallic into a smear on the toilet seat", and this darling japanese beauty on my side is top candidate."
Posted Image

Now becomes the the past in an instant — and everyone will eventually die! Destiny triumphs over human knowledge and goes mad! That is the way of things! I spit upon this frail, crazed, world! I spit upon the Second Law of Thermodynamics!
~ Desty Nova, Karmatron Theory

Let them Label me! Let them swear and curse at me as I tug humanity like a bucking bull into the darkness of the unknown, revealing its secrets to the sane and driving them MAD! In ages long past, I shall be looked upon as a tyrant and a savior! As a savant and as a fool! My work shall advance humanity long past its time, throw it into the unknown future and force it to grow strong or FALL! Years from now, when I will inevitably be removed, my work shall continue to progress, because these things cannot be denied! Governments will publicly criticize my work, but privately conduct research that advances it! I shall imprint myself into the annals of history, among the stars that shine as brightly as Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Dmitri Mendeleev, Nikola Tesla, and countless others! My work will shine as brightly as any star, and I AM ITS CREATOR!!!
~ Desty Nova, Morality


Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[The Capitol]

For once in her life, Nanami was not that annoyed at Lavan’s usual antics of spouting gibberish and talking nonsense very fast. While it was certainly as nonsensical as usual, it would hopefully keep Walter’s focus on the redhead – which allowed for Nanami’s hand to move ever so slowly down to her belt.

She gripped the knife strong in her hand, sliding it slowly out of its holster. She knew she could not throw a knife through Walter’s power armor – but that was hardly her target. She was readying the knife to throw at the Plasma Rifle – she knew the weapons well, and knew that a well-timed knife could damage the weapon.

Though she also had another idea… her crimson eyes shot towards Lavan and she wondered if he could handle Walter on his own. She hated the idea of leaving him behind, but the redhead had always managed to come through situations unscathed… and she did have a date with destiny at the moment.
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
AGodofIrony
Member Avatar
I can't see what you're imagining
-Enclave Mobile Crawler-

Cess vanished as the Super Mutant Brutes opened fire, turning himself invisible and intangible just long enough to duck behind some cover, pulling out a grenade.

He primed it, then threw it hard over the cover, letting it fly towards the Super Mutants!

-The Capitol-

Galv moved backwards, barely avoiding the blade as Sire slashed down where he had been. His electricity didn't work! He had to... had to...

Didn't work on Sire... but everything else.

Galv opened up a small pack, pulling out some metal ball bearings. Focusing. They levitated in the air from Galv's electro-magnetism, and then shot at Sire at high speeds! They weren't perfectly aimed, so several would miss even if Sire just stood there.

-Gallic's Headquarters-

Walter did not rise to Lavan's bait, looking towards him and Lavan carefully.

“Yes, the Enclave has collapsed... Just as President Gallic had been intending for a very long time,” Walter said, “You think you're more righteous then he is, because you worked outside the system? Because you wanted to bring it down from the outside? President Gallic has been trying to dismantle the Games and the Enclave since day one, working behind the scenes, because he knew anyone vocal about stopping them would be painted as a public enemy and either killed or exiled.

“My mother, her father, his father... my entire family line has been loyal to Gallic, ever since he saved our ancestor during the Flare. President Gallic never told any of us, we pass it down ourselves. But he was selfless enough to save someone when he didn't have to. I've seen firsthand what the Enclave can do. They took my sister to the Games, and she may never fully heal mentally. President Gallic will make a society where no one has to live through that. That's why I'm loyal.”

Walter paused, then lowered his plasma rifle, and pointed over his shoulder. “Go on, Nanami... Your father is that way. He gave me orders earlier to let you through... But you...”

Walter turned towards Lavan, “You can either stand down, and help me fight these Super Mutants, or you can fight me, if you intend to go any further.”
Posted Image

My FanFics! My Art!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[Enclave Mobile Crawler]

The Super Mutant Brutes grunted as the grenade exploded, sending flames and shrapnel all across them. One of the Brutes was injured, bleeding severely with his arm damaged and his chest torn – but the other had not been as badly hurt, and it roared and came charging at Cess, brandishing a large club!

[The Capitol]

“Gah!” Sire grunted as he felt small metal ball bearings slamming into him. He moved quickly and only a few actually connected with him. Most of the ones that did bounced away from his odd suit – but a seemed to hurt him, and one in particular tore across his cheek, which enraged the deranged man.

“You damned little fool! I’m going to enjoy ripping the sinew off your bones!” Sire growled, and he replaced the knife back onto his belt and drew his pistol – firing not at Galv; but at Melanie!

[Gallic’s Headquarters]

“I’m getting pretty damn tired of hearing about what a saint Don Gallic is.” Nanami growled as she allowed some of the anger built up inside her to escape, her crimson eyes narrowing dangerously at Walter.

“He says he’s working for the good of the people, but he sat around for YEARS and allowed the horrors to continue. How many people died under his watch? How many families were bathed in darkness forever when their children were taken away by their government and made to fight to death on television for the nation’s amusement? How many scores more were slaughtered and oppressed by the so-called ‘Peacekeepers’?”

Nanami shook her head. “So he saved your ancestor… and to you, one life makes up for all the thousands he’s destroyed and oppressed. He can give whatever nice speeches he wants… it doesn’t wash the blood away from his hands, and it doesn’t offer any comfort to the people who he’s either killed, or allowed to be killed.”

She sighed, closing her eyes and looking to Lavan. “… I’m going on ahead. Don’t die.”

She revved the motorcycle and sped off… a million thoughts racing through her head.
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
HellAvatar
Member Avatar
Mad Scientist / Head of Intel Division
[Gallic’s Headquarters]

Lavan had to admit, Nanami took his words right out of his mouth. Well... Almost. And as she sped away and Walter stopped him, the redhead turned off his bike, jumped off and stood opposite of Walter, looking at him with... Disappointment? Pity? A strange sort of acceptance? It was hard to make out exactly what his expression was.

"You're loyal. Loyal to a fault indeed, and I can't really fault you for that. Loyalty is a good trait, even if it can land family on opposing sides in a war. But loyalty is not just gained through saving an ancestor. Loyalty is one thing, but if you know loyalty, then you know something of honor. And if you know something of honor, then you know that what Gallic was doing was far from honorable. It was as far from honorable as it can get. He stood aside as hundreds of thousands if innocent people were repressed, as countless horrific crimes were committed in his name. He watched CHILDREN fight a BLOOD SPORT. Do you know what killing does to a person? It wounds them forever. And a child? Someone so woefully unprepared to end the lives of others do it? It's not wounds, it's damage. Damage that can never, ever be repaired."

He brought his hands behind him, making the motion obvious but slow as they came over his shoulders to the small pack on his back, and pulled out the two dao blades he still had, all the way back from the games when Don Gallic hid them amongst the tools and wreckage of the games. A pair of swords that now had fuel pipelines running back to a small backpack.

"And despite your loyalty, even you are not innocent. You took orders, like a good soldier does, and you did horrific things in the name of Don Gallic. Burning towns, killing "insurgents", entering homes to force recruitment, capturing children for the Games. I wonder how many atrocities have you performed? How many owned homes have you destroyed with people still inside, how many murders? Or perhaps you have even darker secrets... How many people have you tortured to extract information? How many lives have you ruined?"

Lavan sighed, shrugging.

"But that sort of thing, I can forgive and forget, because it would have been done under orders, because you are, if nothing else, loyal. But I will place blame directly on your shoulders for one thing. For not rising up in the defense of the innocent... When you watched children cry. When you watched Gallic order such horrific deeds, and did them, I blame you for CONDONING what he did, for AGREEING AND DOING IT! It is said that "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing". Well, news flash! YOU DID NOTHING! Let's see if you can be proud of what you have become, Gallic's Dog."

He slid a foot forward, lowering himself to the ground a little, his muscles coiling.

"... Personally, I don't want to kill you. I'm NOT going to kill you. Because no matter how angry I might be at what you're doing, this world's smurfed up anyways, and we all did horrible things. I'd be a hypocrite for not accepting, because my hands aren't clean either. But I can't allow you to cause any more damage in the "name of Gallic's good name". And honestly speaking, ever since you captured me the first time we met, I wanted to have a proper match. A fight with no holds barred, our convictions and words pushing us forward. And I want to see who wins. Who gets the upper hand. So I won't kill you, Walrus. I'll just beat you to within an inch of your life, and stand victorious."

His smirk grew manic.

"What do you say? Care to have a bit of FUN?"
Edited by HellAvatar, Feb 15 2014, 02:07 PM.
Posted Image

Now becomes the the past in an instant — and everyone will eventually die! Destiny triumphs over human knowledge and goes mad! That is the way of things! I spit upon this frail, crazed, world! I spit upon the Second Law of Thermodynamics!
~ Desty Nova, Karmatron Theory

Let them Label me! Let them swear and curse at me as I tug humanity like a bucking bull into the darkness of the unknown, revealing its secrets to the sane and driving them MAD! In ages long past, I shall be looked upon as a tyrant and a savior! As a savant and as a fool! My work shall advance humanity long past its time, throw it into the unknown future and force it to grow strong or FALL! Years from now, when I will inevitably be removed, my work shall continue to progress, because these things cannot be denied! Governments will publicly criticize my work, but privately conduct research that advances it! I shall imprint myself into the annals of history, among the stars that shine as brightly as Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Dmitri Mendeleev, Nikola Tesla, and countless others! My work will shine as brightly as any star, and I AM ITS CREATOR!!!
~ Desty Nova, Morality


Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crystal Rose
Member Avatar
GRAPPLING HOOK!

The Capitol

Melanie knew there really wasn't much she could do about Galv trying to protect her, especially when it was from Sire...But when the man pulled out a gun and shot at her she knew she needed to make sure she took the bullets. After all she would survive it....Galv, not so much.

"Melanie intentionally made a dash away from Galv, trying to keep her distance from him for a moment. She stumbled a bit, feeling a bullet hit the back of one of her legs, and another in her arm. She bit back a scream and tried to keep moving, but when the pain became too much the girl dropped to the ground and tossed a massive blast of dark power at Sire! Hopefully that would stop him long enough for the girl to gather her bearings and start healing.

Enclave Mobile Crawler

“You go up the ladder first! I’ll cover your back.”

Sarai did as she was told, hoisting herself up and into the small opening of the crawler. She was terrified of the unknown, but Cess made it seem safe.

Of course as soon as she climbed in she was face to face with Mutants with guns...Shooting at them. All she could do was shoot back with her own weapon!

[...]

Chloe gave a sigh as Edda came to her aide, the girl scrambling back and rubbing her sore arm. She felt a bit shaken up but she would be fine. "Thanks" she exclaimed, following the boy to the ladder where the others were now.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
GoldenSama
Member Avatar
The Crazy One

[The Capitol]

Sire, who was completely unaware of Melanie’s healing powers, grinned like the maniac he was when he saw the girl fall to the ground from the bullets – but then she tossed a ball of darkness at him and he tried to block it as he had Galv’s lightning.

However, the frigid cold of the dark powers affected his face and Sire called out in pain as his cheek was basically frostbitten. He growled, rubbing his face and glaring towards them.

“Ohhhh, lady… you better hope you die from that gunshot, because if you don’t, things are going to get PAINFUL!”

[Enclave Mobile Crawler]

Connor soon came up behind Sarai, and he too opened fire. Between Cess, Sarai and Connor the remaining Super Mutant quickly fell to the floor, and its massive mini-gun clanged on the metal ground.

“I think the coast is clear…” Connor muttered as he looked towards the large red doors. “I wonder what’s behind those? More mutants?”
Posted Image
SHARP
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
AGodofIrony
Member Avatar
I can't see what you're imagining
-Gallic's Headquarters-

A more righteous man may have fallen to their knees at Lavan's words. May have shouted back, simply opened fire, but Walter just shook his head sadly.

“I thought you were smarter then that. Beneath that... zany, exterior, there was still a logical mind. You believe, you and the others, that the Enclave do bad things. This is correct. But you mistakenly believe that Gallic had more power then he really did. If he had publicly said any word against what the Enclave did, he would have been kicked out of office, killed or exiled. Or worse. You met a man like that... Pibb. Remember him? Gallic wanted you to. He spoke against the Enclave, against the Games, while trying to run for the Presidency. And the Enclave killed his family, framed him for it, and imprisoned him. Maybe he has seen so many people die while the President... but if he had spoken out, he would not have gotten to where he is now, able to wipe them out and stop them once and for all. It is a regrettable loss of life. Every year during the Games I have worked behind the scenes, on Gallic's orders, trying to do what we can for those in the Games, for the family's of children in them. But Autumn watched us like a hawk, looked for any sign of rebel sympathizes, of being anything less then 100% loyal.

“Many people have died because of the Enclave... And many more still will before this battle is over. But one way or the other, Gallic, and the ones loyal to him, are determined to make sure no one like them ever rises again...”



As Nanami got closer, there seemed to be a lull in the battle, and she would see a space open up, several Super Mutants freeing from a blast of fire.

Gallic stood in that widening circle, fire ablaze around him, fighting...

-The Capitol-

“Don't... you... hurt... Melanie!” Galv roared, electricity sparking around him even stronger now. He charged at Sire, electricity sparking around him. He leaped at the armored man, trying to grab at his head, and dump in his electricity directly!

-Enclave Mobile Crawler-

“We'll find out,” Cess said, tapping a device on his ear, “Yo, Hammah, you hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” Hammah answered, “Relaying through the Securitrons outside. Got the device?”

“Got it,” Cess said, producing what looked like a small computer. He popped open a nearby control panel, plugging it in, then shoving it into the panel, leaving it there.

“Alright... I'm in... some of the systems. I can't shut the radar thing down, but I can open doors and a few other things,” Hammah said to Cess over the link.

Cess nodded, prepping a smoke grenade. The door opened slightly, and Cess tossed it through, followed by a quick Pulse Grenade, to scramble any electronics.
Posted Image

My FanFics! My Art!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Enjoy forums? Start your own community for free.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · RolePlay Zone · Next Topic »
Locked Topic

"If I knew how to NOT get people pregnant, you wouldn't exist." - Rica