Comstock nodded.  "Zero raises a good point.  Our headsets are top-notch.  But it's not impossible that they could be compromised or jammed during the mission.  If that happens stick with your buddy.  Doc, uh ... could you keep everyone in contact with your telepathy if that happens?  How bad does that draw on your node?"

[Private to Dr. Zero: Poking around Comstock's head is getting harder.  More alien.  Like valves and circuits turning on and off.  In his own mind, his voice always has that distinct, mechanical and resonant 'ring'.  "If you're reading my thoughts ... yeah, I'm game for it.  I've gotta know, though ... have you ... you always been able to do that?  I mean, just hop into my head?"  He's not hostile, just curious.  And a little anxious and uncomfortable, since he's actively working against every instinct to seal himself against intrusion.

OOC: He's has a little trouble dropping his psychic shield to allow contact, but inside his thoughts you can do as you please.]



"Zuniga's troops should be moving in from all directions.  They should be on the highways now, with helicopters incoming.  I wish there were more of them, enough to occupy the whole damn city, but corruption is pretty bad.  Can't be sure other units aren't clean."  Dillon fiddled with the remote's integrated laser-pointer and indicated major intersections.  "They'll be setting up a perimeter for us around the whole operations area.  Separate units will be following after us and clearing the streets above.  And then they've got a few platoons that will be patrolling the industrial parks ... and this unit taking up position in the hills to keep The Mask at home."  Flipping through his report, he quickly appended the general description with unit designations in case anyone needed that level of specificity.

He checked his watch again.  "A little over twenty-five minutes now.  Checklist:
I've got Zero and Phantasm on infiltration, heading for the nerve center;
myself, Gravitas and Suzukaze on assault duty, moving into the tunnels alongside to sweep and clear;
Gale and Solitaire on CAP;
Slider and Dr. Jansen medical EVAC;
and Impetus and Flare on crowd control, moving in to support once everyone's pacified and agreeable upstairs."

"Antaeus is putting in some time to map those tunnels for us, and unless somebody tells Frostburn no than Skew and the other recruits will be deployed at some point to help guard the displaced civvies and get to work building them temporary housing."

He counted off everything on his fingers one more time, then nodded, satisfied.  "I like it.  Anything we're missing?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:31, Mon 01 Feb 2010.

"Is there an OP if things go pearshaped?  What happens if we get something like Iraq?  Having a sphinx working for them means that they could easily have some very high yield explosives, and some potentially lethal security systems.  Do we have disaster response teams on standby?"  Imp trails off, his eyes become unfocused, remebering tearing through the roof of the compound in Iraq, carrying Harley's lifeless body with him, feeling the heat of the explosion greedily clutching at him.  "For people who can't move at supersonic speeds, or teleport, or whatever, if the call comes in to abort, find one of us who can get you to safety as quickly as possible.  It seems like we've buddied up this way already, but let's make sure we know how to get out at a moment's notice at all times, alright?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Fri 15 Jan 2010.

"It's not much of a drain. I do have to pause, on occasion, though I am getting much better."

[Private to Comstock: "I was trying to develop this little trick when we where being plagued by '2-D Man.' Sadly, I wasn't able to archive results until after her capture. I felt weird developing it. I had a very nasty fight with a telepath before joining Utopia, but I had to know if there are better ways to utilize it than what that Nova chose to do with it. I can work with you on developing something similar, if you like."]



Zero stares at Impetus for a second. It can't remember ever seeing Imp so razed. Zero feels a little ashamed. It knew what happened to Imp and Harley in Iraq, and never tried to talk to Impetus about it. It was too wrapped up in what was left of it's own private life and it's luck in the desert to realize how much its teammates had lost out there.


"Don't worry, Impetus. They have a lot to lose, here, too. This is not a defeated nation, and they should feel they have a good shot at bringing us down. I wouldn't expect any desperation tactics for a while. But we'll keep our wits about us just in case, right everybody?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Wed 13 Jan 2010.

"So, Comstock, are we a go?"

Aside from enthusiastic clapping for Slider, Flare had been rapidly scribbling in the spiral notebook she carried with her but she looks up and smiles at Imp.

"That sounds great.  Its better to save my fire blasting in the tunnels as a last resort, and if we hang back I can work on any injured that come out way. And I'm ready to go whenever the rest of us are." 

It was convenient to be your own weapon.

[Private to Dr. Zero: Comstock's mind grew quiet.  Trepidation.  "Thanks, Doc, but ... I don't think I'd ever manage anything like that."]

Comstock nodded.  "If there's nothing else ... op starts in sixteen minutes.  Arm yourselves and make ready.  I'll meet all of you at the Portal Pad."

Comstock headed to the armory, grabbed a .556 carbine and an ammo belt with four clips of ammunition.  Two of rubber bullets, two of Mox rounds for anti-Nova action.  A bandoleer with four flash-bang grenades.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Please make some mention of any special equipment you are grabbing for this mission.  If you decide later that you want tracking rounds, scramblers, rapid-hardening foam, or any other super-tech, you'll have to portal back for it.

---

05:00 -- October 28th, 2003

Frostburn gave final updates: Zuniga's soldiers were pulling off the highways in their Humvees right now, while helicopter platoons pulled into the Industrial Parks to the north.  They would begin setting up the perimeter soon.  "I'll patch you guys into a secure line for the general's staff once you hit the ground.  Good luck."

Using the provided coordinates and photos, Gravitas' portal opens onto the street in front of a two story house at the corner of a relatively empty intersection.  A classic barrio, all the other houses were packed in tight and in various states of repair.  Sunrise was still more than an hour off, and the sky was just then taking on color.  A few locals were milling about, a little surprised by the sudden quantum display.

The two-story house was relatively unremarkable -- leering skulls and other decorations for the Day of the Dead were already up in the windows and stacks of garbage were piled up outside.  A boy, maybe fourteen, stands frozen in front of the house, mouth gaping open in astonishment.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
(Perception + Awareness) checks everyone.  Please note any powers that you'd like active and let's get this party started.

---

Imp followed Comstock down to the armory and grabbed several bandoleers of mox darts.  He was decent with a gun, but way better with telekinesis.  He also requisitioned a starlight optics set and the holographic generator and voice amplifier.  The generator was heavy, but well within his ability to carry.  He hustled back to the Portal Pad and checked to make sure that everything was set up correctly.  In his head he rehearsed his initial course of action.  Get up to altitude, turn on the juice and impel residents to get as far away as possible.  Hopefully the cordons that were going to be set up would route them to the appropriate location.  After everybody was moving he'd head in with flare to help bust skulls

With a sigh Flare realized that there might be people in the tunnels that were baseline and as such would crisp with her powers, she also tags along with Comstock and Impetus looking for something to subdue.

A tazer could be quite worth while when trying not to destoy terrain.

"Think some smoke and tear gas grenades could flush out the baselines? Then we'd just have the novas to worry about."

Gale also went with the others to get some equipment.  She wasn't good with guns (she'd never fired one before in her life), but she figured if she was goin gto be air support, some grenades might not hurt.  She grabbed three bandoleers, one of smoke, one of tear-gas, and the final with flash-bang.  Each had 4 grenades, and she sincerely hoped she didn't need more than that.

She met with the others at the portal pad.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I'd like Gale to activate Elemental Shield after she steps through the portal.  Should we be keeping track of Quantum spent?

---

Suzukaze waits at the portal pad. Kneeling her katanas drawn held at her sides. The only equipment she needs. They are a part of her. She waits. She remembers that last time they went after Juan. She had been almost useless. She had found Juan in the blizzard but he eluded her. Even though she took out Chalk she wanted the one who eluded her. She wanted to prove herself.

I'm better than before.  I am the steel wind of tomorrow.

An image of Fire laughing and Shiro lying in his coma flash in her mind.

They will feel my rage. I was Assassin Wind for a reason and they will remember.

Solitaire never needed any equipment, except perhaps the communication headset, Yelling loud enough to make herself heard was slightly undignified. She was also waiting at the portal, letting Suzukaze do her meditation thing. Everybody had a way to psych themselves up, for herself, Solitaire had recently acquired a mp3 player and had hooked it up through her headset, quite happily listening to Nightwish as she waited.

When the team is assembled and Gravitas' portal opens, Solitaire  steps though, says, "Showtime." And shoots up several hundred feet, assuming her overwatch position.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

21:18, Today: Solitaire rolled 9 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5,10,3,4,10,8,10,8,5.
21:19, Today: Solitaire rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,4,6. Reroll 10's Percep, (Drug Wars thread).

So, 10 sux? Do tens reroll again?

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Sun 17 Jan 2010.

Zero stocks up on various explosives and grenades, two hunting knives in its boots, a pistol with a silencer.

Once Gravitas' portal was stable, Comstock shouted "Go!" and the mission commenced.  He stepped through and scanned the rooftops with his carbine.  "Let's get in there."

The youth leaning against the two story house shouts in astonishment as Solitaire shoots into the sky and the rest of the team emerges, Impetus and Flare hauling a holographic projector the size of two footlockers side-by-side with them.  No one in the street seems quite sure of what to do.  When the police come, it is one thing, but this was something totally outside of their experience.  There are a few people, however, that start backing away quickly, trying to fade into alleyways or houses and escape.  It is a fair guess that they have seen Novas before.

[Private to Dr. Zero: It takes only moments after opening the portal to realize that the neighborhood on the other side is quite saturated with residual quantum.  Novas have not only been active here, but have been using their powers quite a bit.  It is hard to say whether or not this 'residue' or 'haze' has had any adverse effects on local people, but it does not pose any threat in the short run.

It also indicates that you are definitely in the right place.

That Creepy Feeling: Furthermore, there are quite a few sets of eyes on you, including at least two cheap surveillance cameras.  One is in the window of the building across the street from your target, and one is in the window of the target house just next to the 14-year old boy ... and for that matter, the boy is paying a lot of attention.  He is, no doubt, a lookout getting paid to warn people inside if the police are coming.]

[Private to Flare; Impetus: It doesn't take an expert investigator or cop to read the crowd, and both of you are certain that these people, already a little agitated, are not shocked and very concerned about what is happening around here.  Furthermore, there are two people across the street with pistols in their belt loops and they are peeking around, looking interested in using them.]

[Private to Gravitas: It takes only moments after opening the portal to realize that the neighborhood on the other side is quite saturated with residual quantum.  Novas have not only been active here, but have been using their powers quite a bit.  It is hard to say whether or not this 'residue' or 'haze' has had any adverse effects on local people, but it does not pose any threat in the short run.

It also indicates that you are definitely in the right place.]

[Private to Phantasm: You'll have to tell me if you want to shapeshift to acquire any particular senses; I can't see Phantasm's character sheet, so I have to make some assumptions based on past experience.  Also, I take it you would like me to manage Frostburn for the duration of this scenario?  If not, I am perfectly fine with you playing her as well.  Otherwise, though, have fun as a true PC for a change.]

[Private to Solitaire: Soaring overhead, you get a fair look at everything going on.  The Mexican Army helicopters are circling and dropping off troops, and the cordon is more or less put together.  So far, you still seem to have the element of surprise.

Amidst the early morning activity, Solitaire notices that a few blocks away from the team there are three SUV-technicals with added armor plate and machine guns.  With them are some thugs in plainclothes with AK-47's and other guns, maybe 15 including those driving.  They seem to be headed towards the cordon, where in all likelihood, they will attempt to engage the Mexican army and lose.  The technicals give them a fighting chance, though.

If no one could confirm the presence of the installation before, you could do yourself: the thrumming of machinery beneath the ground is putting out a lot of low-frequency sound.  It is invisible to the human ear, but plainly obvious to you.  Besides 'mechanical' you're not really sure what it is, but if you took a few moments at ground level and stomped a few times for reference you might be able to identify it.  You might even be able to break your way into the sewers with a determined dive.

Finally, in the sky a fair distance off, there is the glint of pre-dawn sunlight off of a shiny eufiber suit.  She's far off enough -- maybe a mile or so up and east of you -- but you are fairly sure the human shape is Cloudburst and that she's squinting and trying to figure out who you are.]

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Re: Quantum Use: I won't ask anyone to keep careful track of their quantum pool until there's some sign of Nova-vs-Nova combat.  Trying to keep exact track of small power usage from enhancements, Maintenance-duration powers and the like tends to bog things down, and your PCs have had enough forewarning of all this to buff ahead of time.

Re: 10's: With Qualities on your attributes, you keep re-rolling those 10's and adding successes until no 10's come up.  For this roll, 10 successes should prove sufficient though.

Gravitas: I hope you don't mind my assumption that you've opened a portal for this.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Tue 19 Jan 2010.

Imp fires up the holographic emitter and 4 huge images of himself rise up into teh sky. He centered himself and channeled energy through his node and out through the ether to be carried by the machine to whoever saw it, whoever heard it.  The figures in the sky were beautiful, terrifying and comforting simultaneously, then he spoke, "Greetings, my friends," he said in Spanish. "This is Project Utopia, and we're here to build you a new city, after we deal with the criminals who cower beneath you, using you as cover for their evil schemes.  I ask you to please move rapidly away from here, you will be met by other Utopia operatives who will show you to the temporary areas that will serve as a makeshift home for a few days before your new community is finished.  I repeat, please move away from here, help those around you, and be considerate of the old and infirm, as well as the young and helpless.  thank you for your cooperation."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
using almost live (both cha and app) commanding presence, awe inspiring, and persuader to drive home the impact of Imp's words.  Good thing too, with 10 auto sux still only got 11 total sux.  Stupid roller.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Wed 20 Jan 2010.

Gale shifted from foot to foot as she waited for the portal to open, not really meeting anyone else's eyes.  She followed Flare and Impetus through the portal, and following Solitaire's lead, leapt into the air.  She joined her partner in surveying the area.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
07:44, Today: Gale rolled 2 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,3,2,9,2,3,3,8,1. Perception + Awareness + Acute Sense.

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Using me for plot-wormholes is A-OK.

---

"Well, seems like the right place," Quentin commented as he strolled out of the portal behind the others. "And the locals seems antsy."

Flare whips out a pair of sunglasses to shield herself from the overawe that is Imp doing...well anything really.

"You know, I don't even know what you just said and I'm impressed. This whole job might be easier than I thought if you can just awe everyone into submission."


She then pops her fire shield and hovers a few feet in the air, scanning for anyone who might be looking to take a few shots at herself and Impetus, rather than running like heck.

She gives the pair with pistols a glare and just shakes her head.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
a slightly delayed perception roll to notice anything else out of the ordinary.
Flare rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,3,1,9,8,6,1. Checking da scene (perception + awareness).

She also tries to look like the scary muscle (I'm sure being wreathed in flame helps the affect) and doesn't do to bad.
Flare rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,5,9,9,7. Appearance + Intimidation.

---

Phantasm shifts before running through the portal, blending her suit with the environment, and altering her body for the mission at hand.  Her eyes adjust to see in darkness, her fast-twitch muscle fibers increase, bones shift positions, and her skin changes consistency to resist damage.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Phantasm rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,6,2,5,2,9,8,10,4,7,7,7,1.
 2 str, 2 dex, 2 armor, electromagnetic vision.  The eufiber probably would work like the Chromatosphores body mod

---

Once on the other side, she forgoes the protection of her forcefield, and instead hides beside a dumpster, tagging Zero on the way.
"We're on Doc, you 'porting us, or are we going in the hard way?  We need to get in a good position without being seen, find any evidence we can, find the best place to hit them, and then do as much damage as we can until the cavalry arrives."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I'll wait on Zero to lead the way, he's probably better for the job even without porting.  My stealth for the situation will be [10]
You rolled 7 successes using 16d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((10,6,8,2,2,8,6,9,9,5,5,5,10,8,4,2))
and my intrusion will be [9]
You rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((9,5,10,1,6,9,3,3,10,9,5,3,7)).

---

[Private to Comstock: My sheet is up if you wanna look.  I just never had much of a reason for one before now; I kept it all on a pdf character sheet (mr. gone's char sheets are awesome btw).  Oh, and yes, feel free to run Frostburn for this.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:10, Wed 27 Jan 2010.

"Mmk, guys. We're in the right place, theres something down there all right. I can hear a lot of machine noise, can't tell you any more than that though. And would one of you that speak Spanish tip off the southwest stretch of the perimeter they've got three technicals and 10-20 men between them incoming. Stormy's here too."

Though Solitaire sounds crisp as she rattles off the status report, most of her attention is focused on the potentially hostile Cloudburst. Solitaire waved cheerfully at her. If she wasn't involved, or was, and would simply bail, that was all right. Otherwise, fighting this high up would require her to be mildly careful, she didn't know if the other nova could survive the fall.

Either way, it promised to be a most interesting day.

"I'm on it," Frostburn confirms.  Meanwhile, Cloudburst waved back cautiously and started closing in on Gale and Solitaire.  Not fast enough to be aggressive, though she leaves a thick foggy cloud behind her as she approaches.

The two men with pistols that Flare spotted think better of making a move and start backing off as the towering images of Impetus manifest in the sky.  A fair number of the people you can see are moved, happy, and react enthusiastically.  Faces peak out of houses all along the street.  There are at least a few in the small crowd around you that seem a little bothered, however, and one middle-aged woman starts running down the street screaming.  That could be shock, however.

"Message for you guys.  I'll patch him over."  A moment passes.  "Team Tomorrow: this is Zuniga," an accented voice announces over your headsets, a little cautious, a little concerned, decidedly used to being in charge.  "That is your hologram, yes?  Over."

[Private to Flare: You notice an old surveillance camera on the house across the street that has pointed itself toward you guys.  Also, the astonished kid hanging around the house in front of you looks like a lookout, probably getting ready to bolt and start spreading alarms.]

[Private to Dr. Zero: Zero has a fairly good estimate of how deep the complex is thanks to the briefing, and could probably 'hit' just about any point in the complex that you wanted with only a few successes.  As a side-note, it doesn't look like Teleport actually lets you take others with you.  But since Zero's done it before, I have absolutely no problem with Zero dragging an extra person around when he 'ports.]

Zero shots a cheap surveillance camera in the window of the building across the street from their target. Without missing a moment, Zero shots another camera in the window of the target house just next to the 14-year old boy. Zero than vanishes. The Doctor walks over to Phantasm from across the street, gently holding the unconscious boy.

"Hey. Sorry about that. Kid was a spy." Zero gently sets the child down behind the dumpster, than holds it's chin thoughtfully. "I normally like the hard way, but shock and awe sounds fun, today. Port?" And with that, Zero touches Phantasm's forhead, and tries to 'port' as deep into the enemy territory it's powers can allow.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Activate Quickness
Split Action: Shooting first camera: 3
10:42, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,8,2,8,5,2,3,2. 1Meg, Shoot Camera,Split Action.

Shooting second camera: 5
10:47, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2. Reroll 10 (wow.).
10:45, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10. Reroll 10.
10:44, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,9,6,5,1,4,10,7. 1Meg, Shoot Camera,Split Action. 1 will.

Combat Teleport behind boy.

Quickness action, Knock out kid:7
10:50, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7. Reroll Mega 10.
10:50, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 4 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7,4,6,3,10,6,6,5,8,3. Nock out Child. Persicion Ench 1meg.

Next Turn:
Teleport into Enemy Territory! Dun, dun, dun! He tries for a spot where they can sneak about and cause damage. Power centers or intelligence areas sound fun.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Wed 20 Jan 2010.

"Gravitas here, General, that's our man, yes. He's attempting to evacuate the civilians."

He looked around at the buildings and the people that were starting to make their way out of them. "We want to find a conventional entrance, make one, or take the shortcut?"

Solitaire also closes with Cloudburst, slow enough for both Gale to keep up and to seem reasonably non-aggressive as well. When she's close enough, and assuming she hasn't been hit with a lightning bolt yet, she retains her cheerful expression and holds out a hand politely.

"You're Cloudburst right? I'm Solitaire, now, I'm assuming you saw giant Holo-Impetus there, so, if you would be so kind as to go find the nearest Utopia official and wait there for the duration of the operation? If you're not involved, you'll be free to leave afterword, if you are, non-resistance will be in your favor. Though, if you're being blackmailed into this or something, I could always knock you out, and say you fought the good fight. If you don't come quietly... Solitaire shrugged, "The end result will be much the same, but I'll be less pleasant about it."

Gale followed Solitaire, as quickly as she could.  At first she couldn't see what Solitaire had waved at, but when Cloudburst moved and they started closing in on her, all became clear.

She was content to let Solitaire do the talking.  After all, Solitaire had the ability to back it up.  She made sure to hover several feet to Solitaire's left, partly because of her wings, and partly she didn't want Cloudburst to be able to get a jump on both of them at once.