World on fire [M&M 2e]

[Evil DM Mark3]

OK we can finish the EP spending as we go I think. Characters involved are underlined at the start of the passage. Instruction to players will be bolded.
Granite, Ranger, Shockwave, SOLID

Who's idea was it go after this guy? 1:That was embarrassing, he whooped you without a shot being fired. 2:Being captured by this guy is bad news. Unless you get out or are rescued this is going to be a very bad week for you.

You are currently floating, in the dark. You cannot feel anything restraining you but no matter how much effort you put into moving it is immediately countered. You can move maybe a centimetre (2/5ths of an inch), no matter how fast you move, before you get pushed back at the same speed you moved.

The lights come on. Florescent tubes in the ceiling flicker into life and you can see that you are in a large windowless metal room, suspended in the air by an unseen force. In front of you, dividing the room in half, is a solid transparent barrier with a door in it. To your surprise the oriental person you saw earlier is standing next to the opposite wall, next to several large mechanics trolleys. You are hanging, form left to right, SOLID, Shockwave, Ranger then Granite

Then your host enters and it does you no good to realise that he isn't wearing his signature mask. It is said that anyone who sees his face, dies. Nothing mystical about it by the way, he kills them. (You also may notice that all the oriental gentleman sees is his back) He is carrying a super-special sub-machine gun. A "super-special" is a weapon custom built for a super, often with recoil that would remove a normal persons arm.

"Well, look at y'all like rats up a tree."

Could you all make a Notice check please.

John Bullock
You are onboard the IJ transport jet you have been lent with Rick your pilot. You have also been given a grav chute (a belt like device that slows your decent to the equivalent of a 2ft drop), a signal beacon for the jet and half a dozen grape sized charges of The Professor's latest bunker busting explosive, for use only in emergencies and NEVER more than one at once.

Your target is detention deck of The Iron Talon's Battleship HQ, currently moored to a medium sized Atlantic island.

[Vampiric]

Notice check

[roll0]

"Ah, the Iron Talon. What a... pleasure to meet you. I don't care what you have planned. It won't work."

[HardboiledJJ]

Notice Check:
[roll0]

"Aw hell no! Bad nuff' I gots to be chained up, but now I has to listen to this Nazi lookin' mutha f****? Tell you what, how bouts you put Mr. Sweet and Sour on the mike, cuz your face gots to be a violation of the Geneva Convention and sh*t."

[Kyeudo]

"So, he went through all that trouble to capture us, and now he's just going to shoot us. Brilliant. I'd applaud his genius, but these restraints make that somewhat difficult."


Notice:[roll0]

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

"Under their rader, please, Rick."

John braces himself a moment before speaking, and sure enough, Rick banks and loses altitude before the words have left his lip. Bullock smiles, and fingers the grav chute around his waist, the charges bandoleer'd around his chest.

"Soon. You'll know when I need you."

A quick motion of hands and fingers; a cross across the torso, brief and automatic. John finds the small part of himself that longs for concealment...

He leaps.
Moments later, invisible, inaudible, unnoticed. His hands find the wall of a cheap pasteboard building, as does a grape-sized charge. He sets the timer; steps back, walks away, towards the docks.

Towards the target.
A few minutes later, he feels the heat of a blast wave....


This is, of course, assuming nobody manages to detect and (somehow) disarm the explosives, and that there are no countermeasures in place able to detect someone with total concealment. The bomb would likely be chucked onto a building roof, since those rarely merit camera coverage.

John will be moving at his top noncombat speed towards the docks, hopefully allowing sufficient time for his distraction to work.

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger spit like he had a bad taste in his mouth. "No death trap? No grandiose speech about yer Master Plan? That's whats wrong with super villains these days. No appreciation for the craft! Why in my day Evil Mastermind's took pride in their work. So what's the plan Sunshine? Ya gonna shoot us or bore us ta death!"

[jerichodrumm]

Notice [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Granite, Ranger, Shockwave, SOLID

"Shoot you? Why would I, oh, I see." He opens the nearest trolley and place his gun in a padded holder in the top of the trolley. "Naw, I just had to deal with a sloppy little sergeant. I would never shoot you, I aint gonna be long now John. Sorry ta keep ya." He presses a button and the trolleys all open up to reveal every kind of knife, power tool and strange wiggly pokey thing you can imagine, and several you never would have. He pulls on a metal glove and hooks it up to cable then picks up a remote control. He then opens a door in the transparent separating wall.
"Who wants ta go first?" He moves along the line, starting at the far right. "Mr Cliché? But should that be with or without his recommended daily allowance of washin'machine? Lemme think 'bout that. The Old War Dog? Ah, but would I do him more by letting him watch? The Crashing Octogenarian? Nah, I got a special lil' thing for him." He is now standing in front of SOLID. He presses a button on the remote and SOLID is rotated forward through 45 degrees and lowered, still held in place, his head tilted up so that his face is no more than a few millimetres away from your captor's.
"You are going to regret comparing me to a Nazi. I may even teach you to speak English properly."

John Bullock
That was a bigger bang than you expected. Flakes of plasterboard rain down as several trees smoulder. Something feels wrong though. No alarms.

You can see however that there is a lot of movement around the docks, especially what seems to be a bomb shelter. There are several vessels in the dock which, you can now see, also has an air strip with coming tower. Unless you miss your guess there is also at least one Sub just below the surface a little way out.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Right; transports, security; silent alarm? Getaway vehicle. Primary target.

Silent as a cloud, John makes his way into the bomb shelter. He palms one of the grapes; sets the timer. Fifteen seconds.

He leaves the bomb shelter again. No-one is likely to see something so small in a place so large...he marks the location of the sub and heads for the ship.

[Evil DM Mark3]

The bomb shelter has a sealed steel door (so you can't go in without making a stealth check to avoid bumping into people as you squeeze through the door at the same time as them), soldiers of various nationalities and (Oddly enough) in various uniforms are moving around.

Notice check please Shiny.

[Kyeudo]

"Ooh, pointless torture. Bonus points for origonality there, Iron Talon. Or should I say Jack."

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

[roll0] Notice

Hmm...no, not much chance there...
John turns back, plants a bomb on the outer shell of the shelter, then pauses, musing...

[roll1] Investigate [Analyze Situation]

[Evil DM Mark3]

SOLID, Granite, Shockwave and Ranger
"So you do remember me. I wonder," He places his hand on SOLID's face, almost casually. Electricity dances over SOLID Make a toughness save.
"But this is not mindless, no this is an experiment, I want to see if what happened to me is a function of me, or the environment. Plus it does the reputation no harm. Why don't you enlighten your friends as to who I am, I want to see John's face when he realises."

John Francis Bullock
There is an invisible energy field over the bunker, you can see it when it goes on and off. Also two things strike you, one there seem to be at least 3 different military organisations here. Two, the bunker is the real base, given the number of people in and out and the protection. The buildings where a decoy.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John sprints for the conning tower, footfalls silent and swift. He reaches the door, mounts the stairs...drops his field of banality and licks outwards at the minds of everyone inside.

His language center stirs; his voice grows quiet, with a slight stutter.

[roll0] Bluff
"E-engineering corps...h-he sent me. The..you know. Him. There's an infiltrator, somewhere, blew up the decoys- thinks this might be the next target, stop our t-transport lines. Got to get you out- one at a time, to the s-sentries; could be a s-sniper."

He shudders slightly at the last word, and begins ushering the personnel out...one at a time.


Now that John's visible, everyone who can see him should make a save vs. his Agape field. Failure means friendly, by 5 or more helpful, by 10 or more fanatical, DC is 20, just for quick reference.

[Evil DM Mark3]

The crew consists of a woman in sleek armour and a tanned man in DPMs smoking a rollup cigarette. Anyone with eyes can tell that he is getting on her nerves. He does not wear a name badge, she has her name on her uniform. It reads NATSUKO 夏子.

He gets up to move but she holds out her hand, looks you in the eye and simply barks "Orders? Papers?"

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

[roll0] Bluff

John looks about to burst into tears, frantically patting at his pockets before dropping his hands to his sides.

"They just s-sent me out! I don't know, everyone's so...hurried, something's going wrong. I never wanted to work here, I don't know what's going on...they just told me to tell you, I never got any papers! It's all wrong, it's not procedure at all but they were going to s-shoot me if I didn't run...they're just ignoring the rules down there, it's not right at all!"

Behind the scenes, John is quite ready to open fire if it doesn't work this time, and has his hand on the butt of his gun behind his back.

[Evil DM Mark3]

"I have orders too. This post is to remain manned." She turns to her companion. "You are to leave this post in five minutes. Do so now. I will remain. We have important aircraft arriving in ten minutes. Okami must not be made to wait."Sense motive please.

Prehaps because he has no desire to stay he does not complain. In this room are several instrumentation panels, radios and stacks of paper work. She moves over to you, and slaps you hard on the face. "Cry and I will report you to your master. He always has spare time for cowards."

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

[roll0] sense motive

"Y-yes, ma'am."
Johns straightens his spine and does his best to look tremendously bucked-up.

[Evil DM Mark3]

She really wants to be alone with you right now.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John salutes the gentleman on what one hopes is his way out.

"Was...there something else, ma'am?"
He brushes his hair back, slowly, from his temple.

[Evil DM Mark3]

She places her hand on your shoulder, firmly.

"Where are your quarters? I may require, conformation of these orders. At a later time. When I compile my report for instance, this evening."

You get the distinct impression that this woman has only ever heard of subtlety as a word somewhere after sub sandwich and before sub variety in the dictionary.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

"I haven't been assigned any yet, ma'am..I've just been bunking wherever I could. Only arrived a few days ago..."

[roll0] bluff

"They didn't even give me a uniform yet...I don't suppose you have any spares here, do you?"
He briefly flashes a charming, lopsided grin.

"...or I could always borrow yours..."
The grin returns, just as briefly as before, but this time it reaches the eyes.

[Kyeudo]

"Everyone thought you dead after Three Mile Island, but apparently you just went rogue. Did being a hero not pay well enough for you? Or are you just that much of an honorless traitor?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

SOLID, Granite, Shockwave and Ranger
"I never even went to The Mile Island. They lined up Joanne for that one. Remember her, poor little Joanne? Such a sweet little girl, and she actually believed all that patriotic garbage too. Wore red white and blue ribbons in her hair! I was already de-commissioned, writhing in pain in a hospital ward! She didn't die either, though they say she got shot stopping a robbery. Her face was burnt off! She was in the room next door to me! Still is if you fancy going to see her, well, moot point really, seeing as you are not getting out of here." He slaps Shockwave with the glove.Toughness save

"Feel that? Imagine living with that, every day. Did you ever wonder how the US scientist managed to get their patient zero so quickly? Their one stable rinezine human that they could base their treatments on? When it took the Nazis years and thousands of failures? They tested on dying soldiers! Offered them money for their families! I got lucky. I lived. For ten years, it was golden and even then, for years I could bite it down, fistfuls of painkillers. You remember those days? What about you John? Me, you, Crash here, Dunkan, Leaping Badger, heroes of the United States! But then, it started to hurt. All over. They kept upping the pain killers, but it didn't help. But this?" He jabs the glove into Ranger's chest Toughness save

"THIS HELPS!"

John Bullock
She smiles and turns back to the controls.

[Kyeudo]

Toughness Save: [roll0]

Shockwave grits his teeth against the pain. "So you got dealt a bad hand. Big whoop-dee-do. You got a better deal than most. You were dying in some army hospital and they gave you a second chance. If this is how you show your thanks to a country that gave you your life back, leave me off your Christmas list."

[HardboiledJJ]

Toughness Save (Fair to assume his electricity is over rank 12 and cuts through impervious.): [roll0]

"Shee-it! You wanna dress the part an' talk like some pig headed fool, SOLID's just gonna call it how it looks. And don't bring yo' crybaby bull**** my way. People been used an abused round here before yo great granpappy thought to squirt out yo lineage. But go on, make it worse you thick headed mutha ****ah!"

Following, SOLID does his solid best to spit in his captor's face.

[Vampiric]

"'Mr. Cliché? Imagination was your dump stat, huh?

And washing machine? Very funny. Maybe if I get hold of one, I'll let you know how it feels...

Done thinking yet? Or is that thought still on the express train from one cell to the other?"

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John carefully pulls his pistol out, places it just behind the woman's head, and begins to pull the trigger.

"It's a shame you aren't more impatient. If it's any consolation, this was necessary."


Hopefully, this qualifies as either 'something unexpected' or 'interaction skill' for Surprise Attack. Regardless, attack roll(s) follow:

[roll0]
Damage 4.
Unreliability roll: [roll1]

[Evil DM Mark3]

SOLID, Granite, Shockwave and Ranger
Shockwave is bruised. SOLID is unharmed, but still it hurt. Waiting on Ranger.

John Bullock
She spins round and sees your weapon, and it not firing (Unreliable...). "What was that?" Her hand shoots to her side arm. "Put the weapon down."

If you wish to attack, include an initiative roll.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John ***** his head to one side, but does not lower his weapon.

"I am afraid I am not at liberty to discuss my real orders; only know that if you are still concious when Okami arrives, you will never be conscious again."
[roll0] Bluff

His expression softens, briefly, even as his eyes flicker around the tower.
[roll1] Investigate

"If I did not care for you, this would be loaded with more than tranquilizer. Please, do not resist."

[roll2] Bluff

[roll3] Initiative (because you can never be too careful.

[Evil DM Mark3]

John ***** his head to one side, but does not lower his weapon.

Heh heh. Now male-chicken your crossbow...

She bows. "If my Okami demands."

You can see several interesting sets of papers, and an inviting cupboard. One set of sheets partialy covered but is labelled Fu ------ ord (A.C.)

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John pulls forth a short length of cable from inside his overcoat and binds her hands, carefully and thoroughly, but gently.

"I have no doubts she will reward your devotion to operational security."

He stands behind the guardswoman, and carefully places the pistol against the back of her head, once more, and pulls the trigger.


Coup de grace; automatic 9 damage (4+5).
Fortitude save vs. Death, DC 19.

[Evil DM Mark3]

[roll0]
Thats right folks, he is shooting an unprotesting woman in the head with a lethal weapon

[Evil DM Mark3]

John
The room is full of the smell of toasted flesh and burnt hair.

[Vampiric]

Ouch. Grew up in a tough environment, I bet :smalltongue: Dog eat dog and all that.

[Evil DM Mark3]

Ouch. Grew up in a tough environment, I bet :smalltongue: Dog eat dog and all that. Can we keep purely OOC comments on the OOC thread please? Quote this thread if you need to...

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John carefully removes the lass' uniform, flicking off a few...unsavory gobbets with a frown, before going through the papers, pulling on a pair of ill-fitting recently-liberated trousers and stowing his explosives carefully out of sight.

[roll0] Investigate

He plants a grape on the tower's floor, the timer set for ten minutes.

[Evil DM Mark3]

Your investigation of the Coming tower reveals the following:
A lot of Fueling Records for aircraft dating back about 3 months
Lists, in code, of various invetories (you think) from the planes.
The same for ships.
A list of Current Standard Routine Orders (Daily, Weekly and Monthly)
Two sets of civilian clothes (one male, one famale) and a man's DPM uniform (like all of DPMs, without a name tag)
A small cache of emergency weapons, including a flame thrower, a demolition pack and several grenades.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John struggles hurriedly out of his stolen uniform, and steals another one- the male- with a harried sigh.

He liberates the inventories where possible, and pulls out the standing orders; he takes the grenades, but leaves the rest and sprints out of the tower toward the runway, engaging his stealth once more as he does.

Another grape finds it way to the center of the runway, the timer set for a few moments after the first goes off.

He heads for the base entrance, skimming the standing orders and discarding them as he goes...

[Evil DM Mark3]

The standing orders are not very interesting, specialist military knowledge would be needed to assess them.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John hastily discards the rest with a muttered expletive and attempts to slide into the base, watching what others do and slouching in the standard DPM fashion.

[Evil DM Mark3]

Everyone seems busy, no one is paying you attention. You are now close enough to see that, whilst guarded, the battleship has people going on and off steadily.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

"Well, that makes that easier..."

John turns away with a quick shake of the head and moves toward the bunker/base/lair as quickly as possible, surreptitiously visible.

[jerichodrumm]

SOLID, Granite, Shockwave and Ranger
"I never even went to The Mile Island. They lined up Joanne for that one. Remember her, poor little Joanne? Such a sweet little girl, and she actually believed all that patriotic garbage too. Wore red white and blue ribbons in her hair! I was already de-commissioned, writhing in pain in a hospital ward! She didn't die either, though they say she got shot stopping a robbery. Her face was burnt off! She was in the room next door to me! Still is if you fancy going to see her, well, moot point really, seeing as you are not getting out of here." He slaps Shockwave with the glove.Toughness save

"Feel that? Imagine living with that, every day. Did you ever wonder how the US scientist managed to get their patient zero so quickly? Their one stable rinezine human that they could base their treatments on? When it took the Nazis years and thousands of failures? They tested on dying soldiers! Offered them money for their families! I got lucky. I lived. For ten years, it was golden and even then, for years I could bite it down, fistfuls of painkillers. You remember those days? What about you John? Me, you, Crash here, Dunkan, Leaping Badger, heroes of the United States! But then, it started to hurt. All over. They kept upping the pain killers, but it didn't help. But this?" He jabs the glove into Ranger's chest Toughness save

"THIS HELPS!"





"You know this crap don't work on me son! Ya think yer the only one the program screwed over? How many years did I give to them only to be put out to pasture? How many good men and women have I seen die all because of their Agendas? I'm the only one who can understand you. You let me go and I will help."

[jerichodrumm]

1d20-+8 toughness

[roll0] bluff

[jerichodrumm]

sorry typo on roll

[roll0] toughness

[Evil DM Mark3]

The electricity seems to not affect Ranger (I forgot about adaptation). [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Iron Talon looks almost tearful. Ranger is lowered to the ground and released. Behind Iron Talon, the black robed man shifts his stance into a "ready" stance.

[Vampiric]

Trying not to distract Iron Talon or Ranger from their... development, Granite whispers to Shockwave.

"What's going on? How do you know him? What's Three Mile Island?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

John turns away with a quick shake of the head and moves toward the bunker/base/lair as quickly as possible, surreptitiously visible.You seem to be drawing some attention, but not any more than any other apparently indecisive litterer would do.

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave whispers back. "The nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island almost had a meltdown. We thought US Jack died shutting it down."

[Vampiric]

"US Jack? I've never heard of him. Iron Talon's previous alias? Did you work with him on that mission?"

[Kyeudo]

"No. I worked with him in the War."

[HardboiledJJ]

SOLID watches Ranger being released. The identity of his captor finally dawns on the dense soul soldier, and his face softens. . .slightly. He keeps his eyes on "Mr. Sweet & Sour."

"Listen, Jack. Listen to my main man from the old school. You gots people that'll help. I know puttin' the Man in his place is my mission statement. But the way you be doin' things-it scares folks. Gives The Man excuses to keep on the way he do."

((Ranger may be bluffing, but SOLID totally buys into the idea.))

[jerichodrumm]

Iron Talon looks almost tearful. Ranger is lowered to the ground and released. Behind Iron Talon, the black robed man shifts his stance into a "ready" stance.

"Alright Jackie-Boy. Ya done good." The Old Soldier put a hand on the former Patriot's shoulder trying to gauge his erratic behavior.

"I'll be at yer side all the way. Make sure the know what happened. We'll get ya the help you need."

OOC= Use Sense Motive +6 (I will let you roll since Ranger would not know if he failed) to see if he is going to go violent, If I think he isn't buying into giving himself up I will attempt a Bluff +5 on Gunmen (again please roll for me)to use the Redirect feat to make him shoot Iron Talon. Then I will move to control panel and attempt to free the others like Jack freed me.

[Evil DM Mark3]

"Oh, they will find out" There is something in his tone that is unsettling.

There are no Gunmen in the room, only you four, Iron Talon and the Black Robed man. You would say that at the moment Iron Talon is overcome with emotion, but is highly unlikely to turn himself in and is probably expecting you to join him. I also rolled for you on the Black Robed man, he is ready to attack when you try anything funny, and is expecting that you will.

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger places himself in-between Iron Talon & the Black-robed figure and leans in and whispers "Sorry Jack." He then leans back and throws a roundhouse at Iron Talon his blow purpousefully goes wide missing Talon completely and throwing his upper torso to the side to evade any ranged attack from the Robed Man while hitting Talon instead. No matter the outcome he continues to use that momentum to scramble to the control panel to free his allies.

[Evil DM Mark3]

An initiative roll please, with a Grapple check on the side.

[jerichodrumm]

An initiative roll please, with a Grapple check on the side.

OOC: Sorry I am on so many sites. How does this dice roller one work again. I know I managed it a couple times but old age is creeping up.

[Kyeudo]

[ roll]1d20[ /roll]

[jerichodrumm]

[ roll]1d20[ /roll]

Thanks

[roll0]initiative
[roll1]grapple

[Evil DM Mark3]

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Evil DM Mark3]

You feel a distinct pressure on your body but it slips off, it was like someone trying to push you up by your feet. You have reached the controls, but the buttons (8 of them) are all of the same colour and shape, and unlabelled.

We are on the round by round clock as of now.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John quickly thrusts his shoulders forward to a more purposeful gait, and slides into the base, hopefully without comment, but if necessary, with some force- then vanishes.

One grape finds it way to an out-of-the-way spot near the entrance; the second he plants somewhat farther in, moving at a sprint.

Both timers are set for two minutes.
Those first two should be off soon...

He moves towards the ship at his best possible speed, maintaining stealth.

[Evil DM Mark3]

They got placed near the security office and what looks like a mess hall.

There are several doorways down into the ship, several signs in Japanese (in the form of laminated paper sheets held up by sticky tabs) have been put up that allow you to work out how to get various places.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

The sneak-thief with the big bangs heads for the armory, pausing thoughtfully to place a grenade on the ground about ten feet past the entrances, the pin removed with equal care.

A few moments after he leaves, persons listening carefully might hear a snatch of time-delayed whistling, quickly dismissed. It sounds cheerful.

1d20+2 Initiative

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

[roll0] Initiative with apologies for double post.
Now on round clock.

[Evil DM Mark3]

The man in black robes moves at incredible speed through the door and lands a furious barrage of punches on Ranger.

[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Make a DC 31 toughness save Ranger. Non-lethal
Love auto-fire.

[jerichodrumm]

[roll0] toughness

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger was knocked silly by the barrage of blows by the Robed figure.

The sheer ferocity of the attack was well beyond Ranger's vaunted adaptive powers and a lesser man would have succumb to the haziness caused from a hundred blows to your head. But Ranger was made of sterner stuff and the hero never gave up. He shook off the cobwebs and smashed the console.

OOC: Burn an HP to instantly recover from Stun, Disable Device on controls.

[Evil DM Mark3]

The energy field flickers and dies, the group drops to the floor. Jack moves over to Ranger, moving with calm and care despite the supers directly behind him.
"I will KILL you. But not yet. Not for a long time"
He pulls out a metal ball.
"This is a dead-man's handle. A backup for my containment unit here. If I let go, the entire deck will be flooded with nerve gas. Now I can breathe this stuff no problem, and Zhi here won't mind one bit, but you, and all the other men and women on this deck, won't be so lucky."

Grante next.

[Vampiric]

Granite hits the floor, and begins absorbing the room - The solid materials around you seem to become a slow liquid! The walls thin, what was previously solid metal sinks into itself, curling and twisting, as though the metal is in pain. The metal floor bends as it becomes weak, unable to take the weight, and the ceiling becomes like gossamer, before disappearing entirely!

"You might be able to withstand the gas, but are you safe from drowning?", Granite growls with a mischievous smile, as the man-made materials begin to fuse into his body.

[Evil DM Mark3]

Shockwave go

[jerichodrumm]

"This is a dead-man's handle. A backup for my containment unit here. If I let go, the entire deck will be flooded with nerve gas. Now I can breathe this stuff no problem, and Zhi here won't mind one bit, but you, and all the other men and women on this deck, won't be so lucky."

"Go ahead Jack! Do it! But you know it can't kill me. They built us too well. They also trained us to be cold blooded sunzabitches didn't they? So go ahead. I'll just chalk it up to acceptable losses. Besides how much gas can you fit into shotput anyway? Get 'em guys he's bluffin'!"

[Kyeudo]

Before his feet even have touched the floor, Shockwave rockets forward in the blink of an eye, slamming into the crazed supersoldier with the force of a speeding car.

[roll0]

My full power drawback means he and I may end up flying 500 feet. Scenery damage time! :smallbiggrin:

[Evil DM Mark3]

Toughness save [roll0]
Reflex save[roll1]

[Kyeudo]

Ooh crit!
[roll0]

Base Toughness DC: 25
Base Reflex DC: 13

[Evil DM Mark3]

Taking into account the critical hit, the attack strikes him hard, blowing both Shockwave and The Iron Talon through the semi-solid wall, across a corridor, through another wall, across a room furnished like a bedroom and brings you to a stop on yet another (slightly curved) wall, The Iron Talon's eyes are out of focus...

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John looks up at the sounds of mayhem, and begins running toward them, insofar as running away from grenade explosions is compatible with that goal.

He palms his last explosive...

[Evil DM Mark3]

With that, alarms are finally going off. Not only did the grenades go off but more distant explosions indicated that the Professor's instruction to use the explosives in emergences only was well founded.

Down in the now rapidly dissolving chamber the black robed individual focuses his attentions on Shockwave and any watching him will notice that, somehow, his face softens and perhaps even a touch more youthful. He stretches out his hand and his arm extends all the way to Shockwave...

[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Shockwave, give me a will save.

SOLID is next.

[Kyeudo]

Will Save:[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

A wave of mental fatigue rolls over your mind. You feel like you have been up all night. You are now fatigued: –2 to Str and Dex, –1 to attack and defense, and cannot move all out.

[HardboiledJJ]

As the robed figure focuses on Shockwave, SOLID charges-trying to bring both hand down in an axe handle smash onto the man's head.
Melee Attack: [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

The unstable floor warps as the blow swings, throwing the blow off target.

Ranger go

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger attempts to eliminate his opponents advantage of speed by grounding him with some Judo.

OOC: Agressive Stance, Attempt to Grapple
attack roll [roll0]
grapple [roll1]

[Evil DM Mark3]

[roll0]to avoid grapple

[Evil DM Mark3]

Ranger has a body hold on the robed man.

Iron Talon is Stunned.

Granite has now removed the floor. Below you all is an 8 ft drop into what looks like a medical area with a scrubbed stainless steel bench and lots of surgical implements. Above you are what look like prison cells. Map in OOC thread (if not there yet, soon). Granite to go.

[Vampiric]

Confident that Ranger and Solid can deal with 'Bruce Lee' over there, Granite jumps and permeates through to where Shockwave and Iron Talon are, hitting Iron Talon, and grabbing him.

attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1] :smallbiggrin:

feat: improved grab - on a hit can grab an opponent no larger than size as a free action.

[Evil DM Mark3]

No, you don't roll for damage, he rolls against your DC.

In any case: [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

He is stunned again. Shockwave

[Evil DM Mark3]

Assuming the "damage" roll is infact a grapple roll (that would use the same modifier in any case) you fail to grab him as his dazzed flailing throw you off.

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger has a body hold on the robed man.


Ranger puts his mysterious opponent in a rear naked choke.

OOC: Since I won the grapple I automatically get to choose what grapple effect I want to inflict that round. I will choose to "Pin" him (page 157) and that means I get to use Chokehold. He automatically starts suffering from suffocation (page 168) though he does NOT get his Con to hold his breath as clarified by Steve Kenson. (http://atomicthinktank.com/viewtopic.php?t=12716&highlight=suffocation&sid=71d0e1bf732df16c93611f8d9eae75de)

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave throws an uppercut, hammering the villian with 50 mile-an-hour punch.

[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

And a save [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Your fist hurts.

[Kyeudo]

((Don't forget the reflex save. I want to put him out the roof.))

[Evil DM Mark3]

Oh, of course

EDIT:Wrong value

[Evil DM Mark3]

save: [roll0]

John next. You can hear this stuff. Pretty close, down one floor maybe.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John flings himself down the stairs, pistol in one hand, grenade in the other, putting the explosive grape away for now...he continues following the sounds.

I do hope I'm in time to make a mess.

[Evil DM Mark3]

John descends the stairs to see a strange sight. A little way down the corridor, a room seems to be missing...

Ranger, the robed man suddenly contorts and flows completely out of your grip. Then punches you.

[roll0]

And misses. SOLID

[HardboiledJJ]

SOLID raised his boot high for some stompin' on the pinned opponent, only to be disappointed. Fortunately his pimphand was strong, so he adjusted into a backhanded swing.

Attack: [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Toughness: [roll0]

It is like punching a sack of water. Ranger to go

[jerichodrumm]

Toughness: [roll0]

It is like punching a sack of water. Ranger to go

Upon seeing the new arrival and the "monk's" ability to take Solid's punch Ranger opted for a tactical retreat.

"They are bringing reinforcements. Time to withdraw! Shockwave can you get us out of here?"

OOC: Delay action

[Kyeudo]

"Withdraw? We've got him on the ropes! Let's teach these bastards why they shouldn't mess with us!"

[Evil DM Mark3]

Iron Talon still seems unable to collect himself.

Granite next

[jerichodrumm]

Iron Talon still seems unable to collect himself.

Granite next

Ranger sighed. Well if they were going to fight he might as well make sure they won.

"Granite get on the other side of him and Blitz Manuever Tango! I will set you up!"

OOC: Ranger tells Granite to take an Aggressive Stance (+2 to attack -4 defense) and Use the Aid Action on his attack roll [roll0] this will give Granite a total of +6 more to hit, bringing him to +11 to attack

[Vampiric]

"Shockwave, can you hold Iron Talon down? Apparently 'Bruce Lee' is more than he appears..."

((OOC: I assume it is you taking the aggressive stance? Or else my attack will go up to +13...))

Granite makes a jump back through the walls into the medical bay, barely seeing a military man stood in the corridor. Crap... Ranger was right... but there was no alarm... I guess we really are making that much noise.

And he strikes the Robed Guy, making sure to not hit Ranger on the other side...

[roll0]

And a grab, just in case

[roll1]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Failed to hit.

Suddenly, from the opposite direction to John, half a dozen soldiers burst onto the scene. Three have sub-machine guns and are carrying various bits of equipment, two have what look like modified RPGs and one deploys a full sized machine-gun and tripod. The four machine guns held ready, waiting for a target. The two RPGs are fired into the group fighting the robed man,

[Evil DM Mark3]

[roll0]
[roll1]
Throwing up thin white smoke where they hit. Partial concealment in the whole area. All in area make two Fort saves.

The heavy machinegunner shouts at John "Get out of the L.O.F. you :smallfurious: snowy!"

Shockwave to go.

[Vampiric]

Fort 1 [roll0]

Fort 2 [roll1]

((OOC: crap! Guys, hope you don't mind, but I think Granite might have a thing or two against these new troops - next round there'll be some ground'n'pound... :smallamused:))

[HardboiledJJ]

Fort 1: [roll0]
Fort 2: [roll1]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Granate is Dazed (new save each round with a +1 bonus to recover)
SOLID has a bit of tingling in his eyes and throat, but nothing serious.

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave does a flip off the cieling before rocketing back down at Iron Talon.

Attack:[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Toughness[roll0]
Reflex[roll1]

This can't be good.

John.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

John drops his stealth, radiating love and goodwill for this fellow men- involuntarily, one must admit.

He attempts to shrug off whatsoever the gaseous emissions have done...
[roll0]
[roll1]

...and shouts to the soldiers.
"@#$( it, you blithering @#$s! Put your @#$( guns down and let the bosses' new people take care of the @#$( metamorph, or I'll @#$()ing well shoot you myself! STAND DOWN!"

[roll2] Bluff

[Evil DM Mark3]

"You :smallfurious: kiddin' me you :smallfurious: snowy!"
"He don't sound like no snowy to me. Maybe they have an insider."
"That's it, whoever he is he is off regs and off his head, FLAG HIM!"

John does not need to make a save Vs the gas, but he does get fired on by one of the sub-machine guns.

Attack:[roll0]

Toughness save please, base rank 6 with autofire 1.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

[roll0] Toughness

[Evil DM Mark3]

Ow.

Staggered + Disabled + Stunned.

OW!

Those of you in the gas may notice a change in the robed man, his features seem to be fuller, somehow.

He swings at SOLID
[roll0]

SOLID requires a toughness save and a reflex save as an unusually sharp hand strikes him and thin tendrils of what look like skin lash out at him.

[HardboiledJJ]

Toughness: [roll0]
Reflex: [roll1]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Both fine but I need those two fort saves.

Then your action.

[HardboiledJJ]

Sorry suckah-you just aint the type I like holdin' me tight.

Our tunnel visioned brawler proceeds to try punching again. He figures Granite will likely do something funky to the mooks.

Attack: [roll0]

((OOC:Did you need another 2 fort saves?))

[Evil DM Mark3]

EDIT:You never gave me the originals!! Two fort saves, NOW (please).
(Just found them. Sorry.)
You miss BTW

Ranger to go. I need the 2 fort saves and your actions.

[jerichodrumm]

EDIT:You never gave me the originals!! Two fort saves, NOW (please).
(Just found them. Sorry.)
You miss BTW

Ranger to go. I need the 2 fort saves and your actions.

OOC: Again I need to know what Adaptation does for me if anything. It works against one attack form a round as a reaction. Immune to Toxins and Suffocation are both well within it's potential.
As for actions Ranger will delay to use a Combined attack with Solid. Take and Agressive Stance (+2 att -4 def)
[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

OOC: Again I need to know what Adaptation does for me if anything. It works against one attack form a round as a reaction. Immune to Toxins and Suffocation are both well within it's potential

Sorry, keep forgetting. This is in fact Immune to Sedatives. Is no one going to help this guy who is almost certainly on your side who just got shot? No one? OK.

Iron Talon finally clears his head and bellows "SITREP!"
The heavy machinegunner shouts back "FH9 I E, Q3 P1!"
Iron Talon smiles. "Here he comes!"

He throws himself off the wall and leaps bodily into Shockwave, trying to force him back.[roll0]

Shockwave, Strength check please.

[Kyeudo]

Strength Check:[roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

You get barged back into the corridor, and fired upon by two sub-machine gunners (The big guns seems to be waiting for something).

[roll0]
[roll1]

Again these are rank 6 autofire 1 attacks. I believe that one DC 21 toughness save is needed. Granite, saves please but no action this round. Shockwave, GO!

[Kyeudo]

Toughness:[roll0]

((I believe that makes me stunned.))

[Evil DM Mark3]

Unfortunately yes.
John is bleeding slowly from oh so many wounds.

The Black robed man jumps out of the area and begins to job down the way the soldiers came.
The two soldiers with RPGs reload. The cloud has not dissipated yet, all make new saves if appropriate.
The three Sub-machine guns open fire on the people in the depression.
Ranger
[roll0]
Granite
[roll1]
SOLID
[roll2]

Any saves are for rank 6 autofire 1.

The man with the big machine gun walks the fire around the three of you The weapon appears to be firing AP bullets with incendiary cores, they burn breifly after entering a target, this is Anti-super level tech.
Ranger
[roll3] MISS, see post below
Granite
[roll4]
SOLID
[roll5] MISS, see post below

Rank 7 penetrating attack that has the Fire descriptor as well as being bullets.

SOLID go!

[Evil DM Mark3]

Sorry, forgot concealment. If the roll comes up 1 ignore the attack.
Ranger s-machine gun. [roll0]
Ranger machine gun. [roll1]
Granite s-machine gun. [roll2]
Granite machine gun. [roll3]
SOLID s-machine gun. [roll4]
SOLID machine gun. [roll5]

[Vampiric]

Fort save 1: [roll0]

Fort saves for this round:

[roll1]

[roll2]

[HardboiledJJ]

New Fort Saves:
[roll0]
[roll1]

Toughness vs. the penetrating machinegun.
[roll2]

[Evil DM Mark3]

New Fort Saves:
[roll0]
[roll1]

Toughness vs. the penetrating machinegun.
[roll2]

All is good as the penetrating machinegun got a concelament miss on you, plus it only rolled a 10. Your turn

[HardboiledJJ]

SOLID watches the robed man spring off in the general direction of the enemy soldiers. He follows, and lays into as many mooks as he can while in route.

Sorry suckahs! Wrong place, wrong time-and yo boss gots me all kinds of pissed.

Attack: [roll0]
Additional Attack rolls in case he is successful in using his Improved Takedownx2
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Toughness saves:[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

OK. The first two (sub-machine guns) go down, but the third manages to avoid your fist. Please note you are very close to Iron Talon.

Ranger

[jerichodrumm]

SOLID watches the robed man spring off in the general direction of the enemy soldiers. He follows, and lays into as many mooks as he can while in route.

Sorry suckahs! Wrong place, wrong time-and yo boss gots me all kinds of pissed.

Attack: [roll0]
Additional Attack rolls in case he is successful in using his Improved Takedownx2
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

As Ranger again sets up his attack to compliment one of his more powerful allies and sees it go to crap the Old Soldier could only sigh in exhasperation.

"Remind me to shove that funky fresh medallion up his @$$ if Robes doesn't do it for me!" he says to no one in particular.

OOC: I guess that combined attack is a wash.

[Evil DM Mark3]

Iron Talon turns to SOLID.

"Nazi? I'm the man who took down Doctor Death you stupid :smallfurious:"

He roars, possibly in anger, possibly in pain, and punches.
[roll0]

DC 30 toughness save SOLID
Granite to go

[HardboiledJJ]

Toughness: [roll0]

[Evil DM Mark3]

Bruised and stunned.

Could be worse.

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger goes for a flying clothesline on Iron Talon.


OOC: Power Attack 5, Aggressive Stance, Charge Attack
[roll0] Damage DC 27

[Evil DM Mark3]

Toughness[roll0]

Congratulations! Staggered and Stunned!

[Vampiric]

Granite jumps towards the redshirts, shouting at his comrades:

"Nice one guys! Keep Iron Talon down and grab any intel you can on your way out!" You can see from the look in his eye that he means business...

He swings at the closest mook, possibly aiming to take out more than one with his swing...

OOC: Attacks closest mook, and on successful hit, he will throw the mook into the rest. Any left standing, he should be close enough to take out.

Attack 1: [roll0]

(weight of the mooks?) I think there'll be quite a dent in the end of the corridor :smallbiggrin:

(If mook(s) survive:
attack: [roll1])

[jerichodrumm]

Congratulations! Staggered and Stunned!

Inspired by his success Ranger pressed the attack.

OOC: In the same round use extra effort to surge and attack again w/ same mods

[roll0] Damage DC 27

[jerichodrumm]

OOC: awesome since he is stunned he loses his dodge bonus (half his defense) and is also -2 to defense. I think he had a 25 so he as at least at 15 if we stagger him again he is out!

[Evil DM Mark3]

Mook 1 [roll0]

Granite's attack is a little over powerful, the soldier flew over the heads of the others.

Iron Talon [roll1]

Ranger severally bruises his knuckles on Iron Talons chin.

Shockwave is now going please!

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave shakes off the pummeling the bullets gave him and dives at Iron Talon, both fists aimed straight for the villain's skull.


Power Attacking for the maximum. I'm AFB right now, but I want to spend a hero point to improve my accuracy.
Attack:[roll0] Save DC of 30 for the Strike and DC 18 for the Flight.

[Evil DM Mark3]

AFB?

Anyway, Toughness [roll0]
Reflex [roll1]

You injure him and fly with him over the other fighters and John and across to the stairs up.

[Kyeudo]

((Away From Books))

[Evil DM Mark3]

John is still down. The black robed guy is long off. The people with the weapons pull back at high speed, sprinting to get away.

SOLID is stunned.

Ranger?

[Vampiric]

"I'll grab our helper in a minute - you guys go, and grab anything useful on your way out! Shockwave, you alright to pound Iron Talon, and take him out of here for a pummelling on our terms?"

[Kyeudo]

"No problem."

[jerichodrumm]

OOC: Does Ranger recall anything about Iron Talon's powers? Like does he regenerate?

[Evil DM Mark3]

OOC: Does Ranger recall anything about Iron Talon's powers? Like does he regenerate?

Yes. He once pulled out out of a burning building, whilst on fire himself, without taking permanent damage, although the regeneration works slowly unless he focuses on it.

He also has great strength, endurance, ability to leap huge distances, able to operate unhindered in most environments.

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger grabs any weapon he can find and heads over to the newcomer (John) to see if he is still alive.

[Evil DM Mark3]

Ranger grabs any weapon he can find and beats feet.Pardon me?

[Vampiric]

Ranger grabs any weapon he can find and beats feet.Pardon me?

((Means run away, I believe, though I thought he was going to tend to shockwave or john... :smalltongue:))

[Evil DM Mark3]

((Means run away, I believe, though I thought he was going to tend to shockwave or john... :smalltongue:))Well if it does Iron Talon is stunned and that makes it Granite's turn.

[Vampiric]

"These guys are just starting to tick me off, y'know?"

Granite looks unfavourably in Iron Talon's direction, before taking a vicious swing at him.

((OOC: Aggressive stance, charge and attack

*crosses fingers*

[roll0]))

[Evil DM Mark3]

Toughness:[roll0]

That's a KO

Innit clock off.

[jerichodrumm]

Toughness:[roll0]

That's a KO

Innit clock off.

Ranger carefully checks out John to see if he is still alive.

[Evil DM Mark3]

As well as being (barely) alive, a highly familiar device falls from a pocket.

People who work for IJ tend to call them "phone calls". A small, high power, 2 way transmitter and homing beacon. Calling it a "phone call" is a reference to people always getting one, the frequency for each is different and the power so massive as to cut through all save active blocking of the exact correct frequency.

[jerichodrumm]

As well as being (barely) alive, a highly familiar device falls from a pocket.

People who work for IJ tend to call them "phone calls". A small, high power, 2 way transmitter and homing beacon. Calling it a "phone call" is a reference to people always getting one, the frequency for each is different and the power so massive as to cut through all save active blocking of the exact correct frequency.

Ranger arches an eyebrow. "Ya don't have a pack of :ucky's in there too do ya?" He picks up the device and activates the Beacon.

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave throws Iron Talon's unconcious body and throws it across his shoulder. "Someone grab the other guy and lets get out of here before more of his goons show up."

[Evil DM Mark3]

Ranger arches an eyebrow. "Ya don't have a pack of :ucky's in there too do ya?" He picks up the device and activates the Beacon.You hear a voice. You may well recognise the voice as Rick, a skilled pilot who's senses are 1.5 seconds in the future. "Come in, what are you doing answering? No never mind don't bother to answer I'll have the headache later. My readout tells me that you are very near the water side of the battleship, the whole damn army tanks, artillery and exo-skeletons and all has lined up pointing all their lovely weapons at the top of the ship. I also have enough airpower coming in for a small air force. They haven't seen me but will when I move. Get a hole in the side of the ship and dump any possible weight, this is going to be tight."

[Vampiric]

Granite almost laughs uncontrollably as Rick finishes...

He face darkens, but he smiles

"You guys alright with a bit of water?"

OOC: :smallamused::smallbiggrin:

Granite walks over to the wall, Permeates to check he's reached the edge of the ship, and, keeping his hands in the wall, begins to rip the hull open.

"I can take two of you with me - Shockwave, you alright with Iron Talon? I'll grab this guy and you Ranger, if you like. SOLID, can you jump?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

Granite walks over to the wall, Permeates to check he's reached the edge of the shipIndeed it is.

You can see water, ships and what may well be incoming aircraft in the distance.

[Vampiric]

Huh... can I rip out a 50lb chunk of wall (on top of what else I ripped open) and throw it at the incoming aircraft that isn't the one that Rick is in?

How far away are they? And I'll throw it as soon as, seeing as I can throw it 25,000ft in total, and seeing anything even half that isn't possible without super senses... :smallamused:

[Evil DM Mark3]

How far away are they?

Distant, about grain of rice size. But that is a lot of rice...

[Vampiric]

Do I need to make an attack roll? Or something else?

[Evil DM Mark3]

Just a Str check.

[jerichodrumm]

Just a Str check.

Ranger hoists John up. "So we swimming or what?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

Taking a 10 Granite can do it. After a few second you can see, skimming along less than a foot above the water, an IJ transport with a wing of 3 slaved robot fighters. About a second before it reaches the voice screams across the phone call "I said drop unnecessary weight dammit!"

[Vampiric]

((OOC: I'll take 10 :smalltongue:))

Granite rips out the chunk of hull, and hurls it at the incoming aircraft that isn't Rick's. He shouts back at the phone, whether Rick'll pick up what he says or not: "This is necessary!!... mostly..."

[Evil DM Mark3]

The vessel screams up to a halt and opens it's side door, hovering on it's vertical take off/landing system. "And I was not breifed for extra passnagers either! Hurry up and get in!"

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave jumps the distance between the ship and the VTOL. "You don't have to tell me twice."

[Vampiric]

((I assume Shockwave has Iron Talon, while Ranger picked up John?))

Granite picks up SOLID, chucks (kinda literally :smalltongue:) him into the transport, makes sure everyone else is in before "shedding" his weight, and climbing in too.

[Kyeudo]

((Yeah, I snagged Iron Talon.))

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger is a bit more careful with John making sure his head and neck are supported during the transport.

OOC: Medicine take ten for 15

[Evil DM Mark3]

With you all belted in, John secured and suspended on the med-bed in the back and Rick muttering darkly about passengers the plane takes off.

It is a ride that will live in your nightmares for years.

The problem, it seems, with a pilot that can react to things that haven't happened yet is that his passengers get no fore-warning of his manoeuvres. Looking out of the window does not help, although watching streams of bullets stay less than a hair's breadth from the windows for several seconds is something worth seeing.

The loss of the fighter drones was quick, but the artillery fire dies off, mostly because Rick decided to fly you up through the incoming aircraft. The IJ jet takes a few dings but by using transport helicopters as screens Rick get you out without fuss. At least, to begin with.

One of the helicopters turns out not to be a helicopter but a helicopter like vehicle with a rocket-thingy-engine on each corner. Its side doors are open and, among two dozen soldiers in the same uniforms as the Japanise woman John saw earlier are two figures.http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/regshoe/Kamakasi.jpghttp://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/regshoe/white.jpg

The two aircraft fire on each other, seemingly having near identical manoeuvrability and both, if truth be told, not really able to bring much fire-power to the party. If anything the soldier's guns are the biggest threat.

Fortunately they are not rigged up for very high atmospheric flight, the IJ jet gets higher than they can manage and then has a nice and easy glide into the IJ satellite. As an emergency medical team take John away, and a detainment squad move Iron Talon to one of the high security cells (that open onto hard vacuum when most of the time) the rest of you are shown to the main debreifing room where a certain babe of the American super-scene The Roller-Bowlerhttp://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/regshoe/Roller-doller.jpg is waiting.

"Well? What happened?"

[Vampiric]

"He got us, before we got him..."

Granite gives a dark look in the direction Iron Talon was taken,

"... Just.

The other guy busted in and tried to stop some mooks shooting us, but they shot him, instead. Figured we couldn't just leave him there."

[Evil DM Mark3]

She gives you a blank look.

[Kyeudo]

"All I know is that one minute I'm going about my job, the next I wake up with some crazed super taunting me. We got free, kicked his trash, and ended up here."

[jerichodrumm]

"All I know is that one minute I'm going about my job, the next I wake up with some crazed super taunting me. We got free, kicked his trash, and ended up here."

Ranger gets up in Shockwave's face. "That 'Crazed Super' used to be our best and brightest son. US Jack was the finest soldier I ever served with! He has saved more people then you can even begin to think about. If this can happen to him it can happen to anyone of us! So show some damn respect for the man he once was." He turned to the others. "I just pray this was some sorta brainwashing or mind control. Jack was also one of our most powerful. If he has turned permanantly the world will be sorrier for it."

[Evil DM Mark3]

"US, your kidding right? I've been reading the Iron Talon file, no man, no there is no way on earth man, no way. The man who killed four of the Fantastic Five and left the fifth in a coma is not US Jack, it can't be! There has to be something, some reason. You see anyone else? What the feck!" She slumps over in a chair. "I had a poster of him on my wall when I was a kid man. You sure Ranger? You real sure?"

[Vampiric]

Granite, almost forgetting that he is in his more vulnerable form, steps up to Ranger:

"Woah, Ranger. Calm down. We're all on the same team, here. We do respect US Jack for what he did..."

Granite points towards Iron Talon,

"But that is not US Jack, not anymore. I respect him for what he did, but I can't for what he's doing..."

[Evil DM Mark3]

OOC:Iron Talon isn't there, he is a long way off by now (hopefully)

[jerichodrumm]

"US, your kidding right? I've been reading the Iron Talon file, no man, no there is no way on earth man, no way. The man who killed four of the Fantastic Five and left the fifth in a coma is not US Jack, it can't be! There has to be something, some reason. You see anyone else? What the feck!" She slumps over in a chair. "I had a poster of him on my wall when I was a kid man. You sure Ranger? You real sure?"

"There was a guy. Asian I think, fast, too fast. He also had some sorta shifting powers I think. He was decked out all in Black robes. What did Jack call him again?" Ranger paused. "Zhi...He called him Zhi."

[Evil DM Mark3]

She makes a note.

"So, what kind of operation are we looking at here? Rick mentioned something about aircraft on the radio."

[Kyeudo]

"Apparently a small army geared with anti-super weapons. More than enough to take over a small third world country if they wanted."

[Evil DM Mark3]

"What? Look the reason for the Iron Talon using a battleship and a few smaller ships as a base in the past was that he never had more than a several hundred soldiers, a small elite group for mercenary work, not an army. He certainly never had any real levels of aircraft or anti-super tech, I mean, HE was the anti-super response, wasn't he?"

[Vampiric]

"Not with the level of tech some of those mooks were carrying around. And the exo-skeletons and tanks on the waterfront were more than we could handle... I'd say they could take at least two third-world countries, without re-fuelling. Though that was at full strength. We made sure they aren't at that any more..."

[Evil DM Mark3]

She presses a button on her desk. As Granite talks about exo-skeletons she starts mashing it often. After a few seconds a very familiar face comes on the screen.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/regshoe/proff.jpg
The Professor. Famously requested the termination of his US citizenship in protest over the American Super Registration Act and has lived on the satellite ever since. He was one of 5 teenagers exposed to a Rienzine leak and got heightened, if not always 100% stable, intellectual capabilities, as well as a degenerative neurological disorder. The artificial leg and hand are part of the cure he cooked up for himself, how you have no idea. (The right hand is real, just obscured by an energy projection device)

"Prof, you need to hear this. Iron Talon, another super, small army, tanks, exo-skeletons, anti-super weapons, small air force, help!"

"OK. Hmm. Well I've gone over the documents John had on him, he is out of danger by the way, and by making certain assumptions about fuel capacities, cross-referencing with wind speeds, the probable loads and other trivial matters" He holds up a sheet of scrawled figures, they are on the back of what looks like a photocopy of a portrait. "I can give you the likely locations at the other end of the flights to investigate if you like, oh and check in with Dame Elizabeth on your way out, OK?

Oh and good to see you again Ranger, Sockwave. No hard feelings over the Super Registration Act right? Um, I wouldn't mind your opinion on the extradition demands I have received. Some are pretty fierce."

[Vampiric]

"Hey Prof. Erm... mind telling us what in the name of Jupiter happened back there?!"

[jerichodrumm]

Ranger just grunted in acknowledgement of the Professor. He turned to Rollergirl "Get me a hard copy of those coordinates. I'll be in the armory."

[Evil DM Mark3]

"I have no idea, but I will find out what I can."


*****

When you arrive in the armoury one of the terminals prints out a list of co-ordinates (including a complicated explanation as to why) as well as the text of extradition demands from China, Russia, several commonwealth nations, a note from the UK Forgein office asking, in a roundabout way "we don't care which, but one of the commonwealth nations please", Israel, Iran, Turkey, several african states, India and (under terrorism legislation) the USA.

There are about 10,000 locations, but the associated probabilities indicate that a small chain of islands several miles east of Japan, an isolated stretch of Russian countryside and a spot in Peru/Bolivia border seems to be the most likely by over 30%.

There is also a note that says "Please don't forget to drop by Dame Elizabeth."

[Vampiric]

Granite walks down one of the aisles, casually picking up a pistol and some ammunition.

"So... who's Dame Elizabeth, and what does she do? I assume you know, Ranger?"

[jerichodrumm]

Granite walks down one of the aisles, casually picking up a pistol and some ammunition.

"So... who's Dame Elizabeth, and what does she do? I assume you know, Ranger?"

"She's a spooky old broad. Deaf and mute but always seems to know when you are talkin' about her. She claims she's got magic powers. I aint one fer believin' in the hocus pocus but I have seen too much I aint even gonna try to explain."

[Kyeudo]

"I don't understand why you expect us to go after his army. That's someone else's problem. I just want to get back state side and get back to work, not go gallivanting off to Siberia. You IJ types can deal with this if you want, but I have an actual job to do."

[Evil DM Mark3]

[OOC:Are you with the others or still talking to the Professor?]

[Kyeudo]

((I think the professor, since I never said I was following Ranger to the armory.))

[Evil DM Mark3]

"I am not saying you have to go after them Shockwave. I guess I kinda assumed, I mean, oh geeze. Look, we are looking into this, but if you want to get even, get involved or whatever then Ranger has the details now anyway, plus finding the extra bodies to go and investigate might take time, we are stretched thin as it is. You know, I think I will extradite to the Commonwealth unless anyone objects, the US anti-terror legislation is a bit broad and vague for my liking. As far as I can tell Iron Talon never committed so much as a felony on US soil."

[Kyeudo]

"As I said, not my problem. I already beat the crap out of the guy responsible for dragging me into this whole mess, so there's nothing keeping me here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll see if any of the others want to catch a shuttle back to the states with me." Shockwave heads on to the armory.

[Evil DM Mark3]

"Don't forget about Dame Elizabeth!"

[Evil DM Mark3]

Meanwhile in the armoury, a shadow convulses and forms into an arm holding a tray of cards.

[Vampiric]

((what pattern are they set out in?))

Granite turns over the card nearest him, on his left hand side.

[Evil DM Mark3]

((In a square.))

The card is of the old fashioned invitation type with printed words and space to fill in the details. It reads:

************************
*_________________________*
*___Is invited to take tea with__*
*__Dame Elizabeth Hershaw___*
*____In her rooms on upper 3__*
*_________Immediately_______*
*__With discussion on a matter_*
*_______of Importance.________*
************************

Within less than a second however this changes to:

************************
*________Mr Granite_________*
*___Is invited to take tea with__*
*__Dame Elizabeth Hershaw___*
*____In her rooms on upper 3__*
*_________Immediately_______*
*__With discussion on a matter_*
*_______of Importance.________*
************************

[Vampiric]

"Er... guys? You might want to see this...

"Also, does anyone know how to get to 'Upper 3'?"

[Kyeudo]

"What is it now?" Shockwave is getting annoyed with all the time wasting.

[Evil DM Mark3]

*Coff coff*

[Vampiric]

"Magic cards with previously unnamed invites... and a shadow arm....

"Anyone else find this kinda weird?"

[Kyeudo]

"Not really. After serving in the war, you got to see all kinds of crazy stuff. Wait until you meet a shapeshifter with an identity complex." Shockwave walks over and picks up one of the cards.

[Evil DM Mark3]

************************
*________Mr Shockwave_______*
*__Is invited to take tea with___*
*__Dame Elizabeth Hershaw___*
*____In her rooms on upper 3__*
*_________Immediately_______*
*__With discussion on a matter_*
*_______of Importance.________*
************************

On the back is a list of the contractions for the various decorations and medals you gained in your army carrer, listed in proper display order.

[Vampiric]

Granite starts towards the door...

"Shall we go, then? I don't feel like arguing with floating limbs..."

Granite shudders and gives the shadow arm an odd look on his way out.

He searches around for an elevator that lists 'Upper 3', and gets in, waiting for anyone else to get in, too, and then presses the appropriate button...

[Evil DM Mark3]

When you get in the lift there is a screen on the opposite wall that seems to be an interactive map of the satellite.

[Kyeudo]

"More IJ drama and bureaucracy. They probably won't let us off this station until after we've met with her, so we may as well get this over with." Shockwave steps into the elevator and starts looking for Upper 3 on the map.

[Evil DM Mark3]

When found the area labeled Upper 3 explodes out into a full map of the level, including names. It seems to be one of the main living levels.

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave will tap Dame Elizabeth's name.

[Evil DM Mark3]

A voice reads:

Dame Elizabeth.
Status: Present.
Association: Honorary only, non-voting status.
Guests: One current, one staff.
Services: Various arcane and divination, on application.
Personal notes: Please be aware that Dame Elizabeth is deaf and mute, please could all those incapable of using sign language please direct conversation to Jeffries.
Thought of the day: If ours was not to reason why we would all sit in the dark and damp.

[Vampiric]

A blank look crosses Granite's face as 'the thought of the day' is read out...

It's obvious he's trying to figure out what it means...

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave will tap the level map. Hopefully this time it will start the lift. If not, Shockwave will kick the display.

[Evil DM Mark3]

The lift moves up to the selected floor and opens. According to the map Dame Elizabeth's rooms are down the corridor, turn left then second rooms on the right.

[Vampiric]

Granite checks to make sure he's got the map in his mind, then walks to where he thinks Dame Elizabeth's room is...

[Evil DM Mark3]

There is a doorbell, just waiting there to be pushed...

[Vampiric]

*pushes doorbell*

[Evil DM Mark3]

I don't know what you where expecting her doorbell to be, but it turned out to be the first 20 seconds of this: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDmvly8F534&feature=related)

The door slides aside to reveal a middle aged man in a suit. "Do come in and take a seat, my name is Jeffries."

The rooms are a little strange, but then what where you expecting? The room you are in is large and well appointed and decorated tastefully in blues and purples. It is spacious with what looks very much like a conservatory behind black curtains at the far end. Several book cases line the walls and near the door on the right there is a card table and a smaller table with what looks very much like a stereotypical crystal ball under a thin velvet cover. In the middle of the rooms are a large table, surrounded by a strange mix of reasonably comfortable chairs. The woman in the largest, most comfortable, chair is obviously Dame Elizabeth. There is a person you do not know in another chair. Afternoon tea has been layed out on the centre table with a silver teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, cake tongs and lemon dish, fine bone china cups, saucers and plates and silver teaspoons. To eat and drink there is tea, from tea-leaves you guess as there is a strainer, really thin sandwiches that seem to be variously smoked salmon, mustard and cress and cucumber as well as a tea stand of various little cakes including French fancies, Battenberg and malt loaf, as well as a whole Victoria sponge with fresh strawberries.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

August

Seated at the table, wrapped- perhaps somewhat inappropriately- in a russian-style fur-lined greatcoat, and hesitantly sipping tea (despite the quality of the beverage, no great gusto is displayed), is a boy of perhaps some eighteen years.

His hair is lank and mottled, and his uniformly sky-gray clothing- from coat to trousers to shirt- matches, being, as it is, travel-stained and hard-used, the nap worn shiny in places by what must be years of wear.

He looks up as the group enters; his eyes are an unhealthy, faintly refulgent yellow.

"Hello."
The voice doesn't belong. It feels...wrong..even at this distance, echoing and fluttering above and below the human vocal range, far too resonant for a young boy's callow chest.

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave scans the room, taking in the furnishings as well as the occupants. This room is so . . . What's the word the kids are using these days? Emo? or maybe it was goth. Eh, who cares. One way or another this room is depressing.

Hearing the kid speak and seeing his unhealthy apearance, Shockwave automatically assumes the worst, given where he is and who he is with. Either that ones a semi-unstable Reinzine super or else he's possessed by a demon. Maybe both. Eh, wouldn't be the first time.

"Hello. What brings all the way out here?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

"No just stand there, it's not like I went to all this effort with the food and that tea will stay hot indefinitely of course."

[Vampiric]

"Er... right, ok."

Granite takes a seat and a cup of tea. He attempts to sip it politely, but does it rather loudly, and burns himself.

"Mmmm, this is good stuff." He says, grimacing through the burn.

"So, what is it that you wished to talk to us about, Dame Elizabeth?" Granite asks, looking at Dame Elizabeth, but talking to 'Jeffries'. He gives the newcomer a slightly odd look. Some of the people with powers he really wasn't sure about, much less about their power...

[Evil DM Mark3]

"In a minute, in a minute. Have a cake or a sandwich or something. But, broadly speaking, we would like you to take this individual in. Show him the ropes at it where. Dame Elizabeth would not normally ask this sort of thing but there are reasons. Dame Elizabeth would be willing to grant you remunerations. Services and so on."

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

August

The young..man? Yes, definitely male- turns to Shockwave without blinking.

"Assigned, I rather think."

He gives a cake a tentative poke, then half-smiles, as if to signify they're safe to eat.

[Kyeudo]

Shockwave sits down and takes one of the finger sandwiches, but doesn't touch the tea. "What's the kid do?"

[Vampiric]

Granite also takes a sandwich, chewing hungrily on it.

"Mmmm, these are great! What did you say they were, again?

"You wanted to see us, to break in the kid? Sure. What can he do, what's his experience?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

"That would be Smoked Salmon."

[Kyeudo]

"The kid or the sandwiches?"

[Evil DM Mark3]

"Very amusing. There are also cucumber and mustard and cress."