After returning to base from your weekend break, Shadow Walker and Frostburn are there to meet you.

They greet you, and give you a break down of what is to come (well, Frostburn does anyway; S.W. is not great with the explanations).  You will be shipping out at 5pm that evening to Africa.  You will be told more on site, but the gist of the operation is that T2M-Auxiliary (you, along with a few other teams) will be moved from site to site, protecting civilians from the impact of the fighting going on between T2M and the mercenary novas working for the local government.  You are to stay out of direct fighting unless the civilians are in danger.  After T2M takes care of the combat, you are to guard any prisoners, and help repair any infrastructure damage while T2M moves ahead to the next site.

---

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

You can make a last post or three over in the other threads, wrapping up anything you need to, and listing anything you are doing/prepping/bringing before you go.  I will also take responses to the mission over on this thread.  Then we're off...

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:08, Fri 30 Aug 2013.

Imp is pensive before they head out.  this would be the first time he'd ever had to put himself on the line for someone else.  He didn't know if he'd be able to jump in between a merc nova and civilians, he thought he could, but he was totally green, totally untesed.  Still, this was important, this would help to define himself as being totally separate from who he was before.  That and he'd never been to Africa.

Quentin is relatively happy with the plan. Not only will they be largely non-combat, but his most recently developed ability would undoubtedly be invaluable to the effort when moving civilians out of harm's way. He only hoped that it would be enough. "I assume we'll have some sort of interpreter on site to help us with giving directions? I speak a lot of languages, but I don't think any of them are African dialects."

Solitaire leans on a nearby wall, paying attention to Frostburns briefing, and idly chewing a stick of bubble gum in a slightly bored sort of way. "Aw, so we dont get to scrap with anybody? Bummer." She shrugs and blows a bubble. "Ah well. Be good to be doing something though. We won't let you down Frosty."

Phantasm has little to prep.  She makes sure her suit is in a streamlined form, begins reading a few books on the languages used in the area if the base has them, and waits patiently until it's time to leave.  Though she is nervous, she is more than ready to get this started instead of it just weighing on her mind constantly.

Dillon wore his eufiber uniform, packed nothing save the equipment necessary for the job, and spent the remaining hours quizzing Phantasm and Gravitas on the region in question.  His questions were generally military related: weather, terrain, population, political borders, etc.  "I just want to make sure we're not being sent into another Mogadishu, you know?  No ambushes, angry crowds, watching our asses in the street, getting shot at by the people we're trying to help, that crap."

Idly, while he waited, Dillon stretched out 'the metal', forming it into claws, armor, hammers, and every other small shape he could manage.  It was getting familiar.  Almost reflexive.  Dillon guessed that was a good thing, but on the other hand he was too scared of asking Sam what the hell happened to him to treat his own progress as completely innocent.  "Uh ... Prodigal, what'dya think's up with the snake ... thing ... on Sam."  Prodigal kept reading his bible, self-absorbed.  He'd been quiet lately.  Not really a help.

He did have one thing left to do: he'd asked for a gun with rubber bullets, so he'd have a familiar piece of equipment when peacekeeping and so he'd have something less lethal than his punches when heavy.  No word back on that yet.  Might be an image thing ... Utopia couldn't have their Novas seen with weapons or war or something.  He wasn't sure who he'd talk to about that, but 17:00 was coming around pretty fast.

Sam had been sitting quietly and listening to Frostburn's briefing on the mission, but Zeus was paying attention to... other things. "My goodnessssss," he whispered in Sam's ear "that's Miss Frossssstburn. Mmmmm, wouldn't mind getting my coils aro-" Zeus stops abruptly and whips around in Comstocks direction. "Snake thing?!" He shouts. "I asssssssure you I am no mear thing! I am-"

Sam rolls his eyes. "Cool it, Zeus. And pay attention, to the right things."

Zeus shot another angry hiss at Dillon, then settled down to actaully listen to what Frostburn was saying.

The Doctor walks up to Dillon, whistling "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena." Zero is wearing knee high boots, wrist long black gloves, and jungle fatigues. It has big motor cycle goggles on top of it's mask and a long, camo scarf around it's neck.

"Something seems to be troubling you, Mr. Stock. What's up?"

Frostburn will give you access to any weapons you like before deployment.  Comstock trained with weapons earlier in the week, but was not officially issued one until deployment.

)))

The mission briefing is... Brief.  Mostly it goes over information on rules of engagement, how to approach conflict situations, what to do with the media on site, and various other repeats of things you've heard already over the course of the last week, in class between drills. More will come after transport.  Frostburn spares a worried look at Sam during his outburst, but seems otherwise calm and collected.

"St a y  close  to  m ee...  Do not     stray  or you  will be    l o s t."

Shadow Walker concentrates as his form flickers in and out of the early evening shadows.  A rift of some sort oozes out from a nearby shadow and mars the air with its presence.  A free standing shadow, a hole in the light.

"   W  alk  with me."

He moves through his portal, and Frostburn is the first to go through after him.  When you walk through, you are in a world of black and white.  The objects around you flicker as though only partially there, and the angles are somehow... wrong.

Shadow walker speaks again, and this time his voice comes through perfectly, though with a hollow quality (sound is strangely muted, yet echoes, in this place).
"This should be a short trip.  Do not leave my presence, and do not interact with anything here.  Simply walk where I lead you."

At that, he begins walking.  The landscape is a disturbing copy of the base, with just a few minor details off.  As he walks, he takes turns seemingly at random, not even leaving the base.  But as he goes, the details distort further, until you don't recognize the base you are on.  Then there eventually is no base, though it is hard to tell when exactly the base was gone, and only a barren plane of black, white, and grey appeared.

The trip through the base was eerie, and people constantly felt eyes on them, and saw glimpses of things following them, right at the edge of their peripheral vision.  Those with the ability to percieve hidden observers were even more on edge, as though a hand were lingering only centimeters from their shoulder, about to touch them.  The trip into the wasteland was worse, far worse.

Everyone begins to see things in the distance that look like ghostly images of people, those they have known in the past, others merely strangers (though those with enhanced memory will note that even the strangers are people they briefly met, on a bus or a subway, or in the grocery store).  They grow closer the further you walk, and appear to be playing out little dramas.  People long dead live here, and they call to you occasionally, urging you to join you, or cursing your name.  Some that walk here are exactly like you would expect them to be, as you remember them being.  Others are greatly changed, with different attitudes and styles of clothing, horrible wounds or more beautiful features.

The landscape changes, and and water appears on your right, a vast black ocean without end.  As you walk further, you see yourself at the edge of the water.  These doppelgangers stare at you as you pass, sometimes beckoning, sometimes waving you away with a look of horror (at themselves or you is unclear), and sometimes merely cocking an eyebrow or smiling, as if to ask whether you like what you see... And what you see are versions of yourself, some only slightly different, others leading wholly different lives.  Sam the successful businessman and politician, exchanging pleasantries with potential backers. Solitaire a corpse laying in a coffin her dear friend alive and looking over her with sadness.  Phantasm chained in a basement and wearing a manic grin.  Comstock standing on a hill littered with human skulls.  Zero holding a baby and kissing his wife (without a mask, others may not even recognize his face).  Frostburn behind a desk as a social worker, stamping 'denied' on a welfare application.  Prodigal leading his congregation from the battlefield as they wage jihad.  Harley, bonded to his eufiber, a monster living only to feed on the blood of the guilty, holding the corpses of inmates at a prison.  Gravitas, alone and empowered, eyes seeing into infinity but blind to your passage.  Life after life, what might have been, what might still be, flash before you...

---

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

Anyone looking for anything in particular?  If so, you can make whatever roll you feel most appropriate and you might get a flash of insight... or horror.

---

The ocean begins to recede, and eventually you are in the wasteland again, surrounded by ephemeral images out your past, and... perhaps your future?  Soon structures are visible once more, and Shadow Walker begins his strange dance of twists and turns, with each change in course leading to more dense construction.  You are in a village now walking up to a BRIGHT light, a tear in the fabric of this world.  Real light, with colors.  Shadow Walker guides you through.

And you emerge in a village.  It is difficult to tell how long you've been in that other place, but your watches say no time has passed. [Private to Gravitas: your time sense didn't work in the other place, but you can tell when you get through that roughly 5 seconds have passed.]

Shadow Walker gives you a moment to adjust.  As you calm down, and re-orient yourselves, it may occur to some of you that you never saw any other selves belonging to your guide, or in fact anyone talking to him...

"Well," says Quentin, trying to break the silence and recover from that ordeal, "that was creepy as hell. Next time, can we go my way? It is, I think, less distressing."

He looks around, marking the village's structures and any notable land marks. Unconsciously he starts to put this information through a mental atlas, despite his lack of familiarity with Africa in general. If any villagers are about, and particularly if they appear to be frightened by the sudden appearance of nearly a dozen novas, Quentin does what he can to ease the shock of their arrival, sheerly through his bearing and appearance. Lacking eufiber, he has opted for utilitarian clothing. He's donned fatigues for the most part, lacking any indication of unit or rank, durable clothes that will also be useful for their pockets, clip-points and other such features. [Private to GM: To clarify, if there are any baselines around that seem to be particularly apprehensive about the arrival of the Utopians, he'll drop Sooth and Awe to make it seem like this is a grand entrance that heralds great things rather than the scary arrival of a handful of real-life demons or whatever.]

Turning to Frostburn he raises the most immediate question that comes to mind, "So, where are we now?" He can vaguely guess at their absolute position based on his gravitic sense of the relative position of the sun and moon compared to where they left, but that didn't tell him the name of the village or anything about where the local political boundaries were.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:34, Tue 16 June 2009.

"Heh, awesome." Solitaire comments of their surroundings. Her hands are casually in her pockets, and she appears unconcerned with the warped reality around her. In point of fact, she seemed rather amused by it. It took a lot more than that to spook...

Alex...

It was rather disconcerting to be staring down at her old self in a coffin. But no, that was wrong. It had been a closed casket, they'd never found enough of her to bury after the fire. And she hadn't been crying either. It had hurt too much to cry, but then, she had been the quiet one, Alexia probably would have.

Solitaire looked up from her corpse to Alex's face, swollen with grief. It hurt physically to see her like that. Alex... Don't..... I'm right here." She reached a hand out to touch her, comfort her, then stopped.

Do Not Touch.

She ripped her gaze away, but turned straight into another vision. She saw herself kick in a door to a hotel room. The woman inside turned in shock and surprise, but Solitaire was already on top of her. The woman slid sideways into nothing, almost, but shadow-Solitaire grabbed her by the throat and threw her into a wall, planting a foot on her chest as she sat there, stunned. "Nothing personal," And with a smile, she reaches into her jacket for the enormous handgun concealed there, and puts a .50 caliber round though the woman's head. There was a pin on the collar of shadow-Solitaire's jacket, it reminded her of Project Utopia's logo, but was different.

The scene changed again, She and Alexia were sitting in their apartment, making course schedules and cracking jokes the way they always used to. Then it switched again. Her shadow-self stared at a beautiful caped man with adoration in her eyes. Again. She sat meditating in the heart of a star, glowing with energy.

The last scene was the worst though. It was Alex, who looked older, half her face was scarred with burn marks. She just stared at Solitaire, a knowing smirk playing about her lips. It was the look she'd always had after a particularly good prank.

It was too much, Solitaire screwed her eyes shut and followed.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Think Balalaika from Black Lagoon, if you seen that, or just google her.

---

-----

"Ok, I think that's the last time I bum a ride off you Shadow Walker. No offense, but I think I'll fly back when were done here. She looks up at the sun for a moment, then concentrates and her skin develops a nice tan, it wouldn't do to get sunburned the first day, now would it. She looked a bit shaken by the episode, but was clearly trying not to let it show.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Wed 17 June 2009.

Sam had been looking at Frostburn, not staring exactly, more like an idle gaze. Zeus was uncharacterisically silent; he was giving Dillon the stink-eye. "How dare he call me a thing." he hissed quietly. "Sssssamuel, I want revenge." Sam gave no answer. "Oh don't tell me you ssssstill staring at Miss Frosssstbu-" Zeus saw that his host wasn't staring at Frostburn anymore, but at one of the visions.

Sam's pace had slowed to a crawl. "Muh... Mom?" He saw the way his mother was before he was born. "I'd only ever seen pictures... but it's almost like I could..." He reaches out to her.

Zeus saw they were lagging behind they others "SAMUEL! It's not real. Now come on, I know you don't want to be ssssstuck here."

The shaken lad spared one last look at his mother's face before he rushed to the others. He didn't really care about what was going on around him, not right now. His eufiber clothing's color changed to match his mood: From green and brown camo, to a very stark black.

"Whaa-?" Dillon grimaced.  "Sorry ... uh ... sorry ... Zoots ..."  Dumbfounded, he muttered surreptitiously, "Guess you got super-hearing too, huh."



"Whoa, look who ... damn it's like out of an old movie.  Lookin' sharp, doc."  He had to admit there was something cool about the look.  "I'm just ... hangin' here.  Hoping Frosty will requisition me some hardware.  Riot loads.  Something less ... damaging, you know?"  It didn't take a mentalist to recognize Dillon's uncomfortable momentary reverie.  Like clockwork, he sucked down an energy drink to keep from talking more.  It went down like water.

Later, when he finally got the okay, he grabbed as many magazines of training rounds as he could and stuffed them into a bag, then picked out an M4 carbine he could sling across his back.  A pair of flash grenades didn't hurt either.



The mode of transit was bizarre.  After warp holes, phantom teddy, and mach 3 flight this was the weirdest.  As he followed Shadow Walker, he focused on the valve in his brain and tried to muscle it shut just in case.

Maybe it was a lack of creativity or a need to follow orders, but Comstock tried to ignore the assorted images of the team.  He hated the manic Phantasm in particular.  His own face was inescapable, though.  He wasn't a man: he was an elite.  There it was, one possibility out of millions.  Comstock the elite served no one but himself, slaughtered without mercy, enjoyed power and respect ... it had a perverse allure.  Comstock turned away fast; he just didn't want to consider how he might get so used to killing.

--

Stepping out on the other side, Comstock gave Shadow Walker a nod of respect.  "Orders?"  However twisted or wrong Shadow Walker was, Comstock didn't think he had any room to criticize.  Simultaneously he looked over the rest of the team to make sure no one was too shaken up in transit.  No berserking on the first day in Africa.

This was Africa ... right?

Imp didn't know what was more disturbing, the images that the others faced or the ones he didn't.  The Shadow World through which they passed seemed to hold horrors and wonders of potential futures that they might never know, but all he saw was himself as he related to his teammates.  The visions were always focused on them, while he was fuzzy, vague, clearly a bit player. As they emerged into the world of the real he blinked, then shook himself.  No sense having the cobwebs of what might be chain oneself to one course of action.  Imp checked his watch, then toggled it so that it showed his GPS coordinates.  "Well, we're where and when we should be, I think," Imp said.  "And Sol, yeah, next time we fly, or thumb a ride on a tramp freighter or sea turtle or something."  Imp starts to move around, looking for a HQ, or, failing that, someone in command.  "Let's see how many people we can save today, Team Awesome."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Thu 18 June 2009.

Phantasm doesn't react to the things she sees, though she is rather disturbed by them.  The basement was the worst, because the details were wrong.  It was a different basement.  She catalogued everything she could about the scene, and then moved on.  The other images were just... weird.  Her arm in arm with Imp, walking down the red carpet of some prestigious awards thingy.  Her, on a throne, talking to a court made of her creations, and asking a monstrous teddy what should be done with the real life visitor that had come to beg her aid.  Her in a barren wasteland, wearing a more youthful face, with a sky that has two moons.

She was happy when they were finally out.  As interesting as it was, it was too much this close to their mission.  She just wanted to focus on that, not on futures that might be.

----

Once they step out, Phantasm takes a look around, committing everything to memory and scanning the area for pertinent details.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:20, Thu 18 June 2009.

The village that you've walked into is bustling, though the people are obviously a bit nervous due to both your entrance, and the T2M people that got here before you.  T2M has equipment spread out around the perimeter.  Reporters have portable generators sitting beside jeeps, with camera equipment plugged in.  Caestus Pax is floating in the air above the village like some sort of petty god, overseeing everything as the rest of his people set up barricades for the villagers to hide in.

When he sees you've come through the rift, he drifts over and begins talking to the group as a whole.
"Nice to see you've finally gotten here.  I hope you got all of your relaxing out of the way, because it's going to be hard work from here on out.  The building crew could use some help setting up shelters and your flyers should join ours in perimeter flybys.  Frostburn... comms could use you once you get the kiddos settled in."
At that, he drifts back up to the sky, not waiting for replies.

---

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

There actually was supposed to be one for Imp in there.  I miss counted.  Though it does have interesting implications for him not being there... is it because his identity dissolves into what other people want from him? Because the real guy behind the smile is still that nerdy guy, and that guy died? Some weird power interaction?  I'll let you expand out on that, since it's actually more interesting that way than just another possible future.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:31, Thu 18 June 2009.

_{"god I hate that fucker."}

"Ok, you 'kiddos' can run off and play after I brief you on the situation.

We are on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  DRC has decided they want part of Uganda, and has stated they will be moving their forces in to occupy the area first thing Monday morning.  Since we haven't seen troops, they are either in transit now, or are being transported under nova power.  Or they're just sending in their nova hired guns and national novas.  Either way, Utopia has decided it's not ok to use novas as weapons of war, and the U.N. has decided that the unprovoked assault on the DRC is unacceptable.  Though of course the DRC has threatened the area around them with novas of their own, and is supposedly "protecting" their southern border with Zamia right now, which is where our other team is currently.  The whole situation is a chain of dominoes, and they're still falling, so we are stuck responding as things occur.

Your job is simple: protect the people.  There are shelters under construction, and plans for evac if the troops overrun the area, but if you can improve things, do it.  If you think you can improvise something better, run it by us, then do it.  Utopia doesn't seem to have a whole lot in the way of contingency plans by the way; they expect to win this straight away.  I'm not so confident, and would suggest the brains among you start planning triage for our operation if everything goes to shit.

Here's your headsets, turn them on.  Now, kiddos, you can go play in the dirt and fly around like good little novas.  Good luck, and if you need me, call."

Sam still wasn't doing very well. He took the headset silently and fiddled with it for a few seconds, then wandered off to explore the village. Zeus was getting annoyed. "Oh don't tell me you're going to ssssssulk this entire mission!"

"Well excuse me you little bastard! But I don't have the luxury of being a soul-less monster! Zeus was surprised by Sam's sharp tonuge. "I... never even got anything to remember her by."

Zeus thought it would be best to leave Sam alone for a little while. But then he had an idea. "Excuse me Sssssssamuel, but your mother was from the Sssssssioux tribe, correct?"

"Yeah. What of it?" Zeus went straight to work zapping Sam's eufiber all over. "Hey! What the hell?!"

"Shut up and hold sssssstill."

It took a while for Sam to see what Zeus was doing, but when he did he felt much better. "Wow... thanks Zeus. This... this is-"

When Zeus had finally finished, he dismissed Sam's thanks. "Hmph. YOUR emotionssssss were interfering with MY judgement, and since I'm the only one with any senssssssse in this operation, I need to be able think clearly."

Zeus weaved his host's eufiber suit into a beautiful Sioux buckskin. It fit much better than his other clothing, and breathed very well. Sam was unphased by his friend's callousness. "Alright Zeus," he said with a smile. "whatever you need to tell yourself to feel evil." Feeling refreshed, Samuel moved with more purpose, searching for anyone who may need help with anything.

"Thank you! I've been trying for a little more pinash. If I'm going to be a target, I might as well look good doing it. Though I think I've forgotten somethings." Zero snaps it's fingers and an officer's cap weaves itself out of the Eufiber making it's glove. "There we go. Ha-cha, cha, cha."



Zero leans in a bit and speaks softly to Comstock, trying to keep it private. "You know, I once hit a... criminal a little too hard, once. I know it can... be a little unnerving. I've learned to control my strength since then." Zero paused. "I wanted to ask about this back at training, but the investigation eat into too much of my time. I've read the injury reports back when we where fighting '2-D Man.' If you'd like, I'd love to spar with you in our down time, and show you some of the trick's I've learned to hold back from breaking people without slowing down the offense. And perhaps you could show me that impressive voice trick of yours? What do you think?"

When Frostburn gives Z access to weapons, it ops for a sniper riffle, extra rounds, three handguns it puts on it's person, and takes a note from Comstock and grabs some flash grenades (and regular ones).
_______________________________________________________________________________

In the Walker's realm...

A young boy walks from the shadows and follows by Zero's side, staring at it with a warm smile. "Papa. You've come." Zero does not acknowledge him in the slightest. After several paces, the boy stops and watching the group leave, adds "I'll be waiting for you."

Zero looks back and asks "Are you really dead?"

"Yes..." says the boy, softly.

"Then rest..." The Doctor turns around and walks on. Zero's stiffened body language seems suggest it is chocking back on other words.
________________________________________________________________________________

Further on, in the place of possibilities and futures, the group can pass a large courtyard that looks oddly familiar. It seems to be a heavily modified National Mall. The Washington monument is missing a good 30 ft off it's top, and the Lincoln Memorial looks bombed out, though Lincoln's statue is still mostly intact.

Soldiers in black uniforms march in goosestep in single file across the Mall, and large, robot like sentries stand outside the buildings, scanning the skies and earth. It looks like something from a post apocalyptic sci-fi movie.

A twelve foot tall figure strides into the middle of the marching forces. It is a mechanical, humanoid thing, and it is impossible to tell if it is advanced robotic armor worn by a man or robot. It's one sensing eye gleams purple, and behind it hovers, weightlessly, a metal cross. A wiry, mustached older man in a torn up business suite is crucified to it, and the cross silently follows the metal giant. "Ahhhhh... the Capital. I'm thinking of moving it to New York. It is the Empire state, after all. And I do hate swamps. What do you think?" asks the giant in a deep, seductive baritone. The older man does not answer, and barley has the strength to look up. "You know, you never did answer my question about what you meant by sacrifice...

"I... sense a temporal ripple. What are you doing?" The old man focuses briefly.
"Just... showing someone something they should see."
"Oh?" asks the giant, quizzically. "Who?"
"You."

The Doctor has a hard time turning away, but forces itself to move on.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Thu 18 June 2009.

"Thanks mommy," Imp smirks and throws a cheeky wink at Frostburn.  "Alright everybody, the first thing these people need is clean water, then food, then shelter, in that order.  I think I'm going to be best utilized building stuff, I'm not as strong as Sol or Comstock, but I can knock together a building in no time flat.  Also, if needs be I can take care of the press.  I don't know if Caesus Pax knows if I can fly, but I think I'll be more valuable on the ground, at least for now."  After their brief huddle is finished Imp will throw himself into putting together shelters, setting up generators, digging wells/privies and anything else that he can help with.
He is little more than a blur of action, setting up tents in a matter of moments, knocking together more permanent structures in minutes.  He takes a break every so often to talk with the press, or to slow down enough so that he can be photographed.  He also spends some time comforting any kids who seem to be without parental supervision, anything he can do to help he does.  In the back of his mind he is still wondering why he was always shown in relation to others, why they weren't shown in relation to himself.  he was doing what he was doing for himself, wasn't he?  It wasn't out of some slavish desire to be all they wanted him to be, or all he thought they wanted him to be...  He will continue to work and do PR until something happens.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
re rydi: yeah, that's what I thought happened, it can be hard to keep track of everybody.  and I do like the idea of Imp's future being totally dependant on those around him, at this stage in his development he isn't so much defining himself as conforming himself to the ideals of those around him, both his seductive enhancements do this.

---

"Ha, ha! I love you, Frostburn. We'll make you proud. Alright, let's show Pax' boys how proper shelters are made." Zero will assist it's teammates in erecting shelters, focusing on strategically better places to put them. It tries to spot the best places for an attack to come from. "I must admit, I have a bad feeling about all this. I think the attack will come without warning. They have a cleaver idea..." The Doctor had been practicing it's meditations throughout it's sleep time durring the training week, and had learned a new way to open it's senses to the Quantum fields around it. With minimal effort, the Doctor opens it's perceptions to the fundamental forces of the universe, and looks to see if there are any hidden Novas in their midst while they work, or powers in use.

The Doctor is also curious what it's teammates Quantum fields look like with this new vision, especially Comstock and Samuel, who have been showing some very odds side effects of Quantum development.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Zero uses Quantum Attunment, and keeps it on most of the time, studying all the Novas around it and looking for any odd or hidden Quantum disturbances.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 04:27, Thu 18 June 2009.

Solitaire blows a bubble with her gum as Pax leaves, eying his departing form critically. "You know, I might like him more if he didn't seem to regard me as a 5 year old." The bubble burst, and she began working on another. "Guess I'm Eyes then. I'll take a look around." Then adds more quietly, "Kiddo, really? Could understand 'rookie' or something, but kiddo? Really" Solitaire continues to grumble a little indignantly as she kicks off and makes an easy loop around the camp, spiraling outward and making periodic reports that range from "All clear." to comments about cloud formations in a rather bored voice, or otherwise humming 'Johnny I hardly knew yah' She also uses this as a opportunity to scope out the other nova's on the scene, and wondering if it might really get bad enough to need both T2M and T2M² in the same place. It seemed like overkill, but made you wonder what the bosses were expecting.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:11, Thu 18 June 2009.

Dillon nodded.  "Yeah ... yeah sure man I'm down for that.  Thanks."  He managed a warm smile.  "Just so the voice doesn't make you ... uh ... react ... again."



Dillon drew the metal out, became Comstock, and shouted his affirmation.  First order of business was a survey of the scene and an understanding of where things needed to be built.  Then Comstock would go about digging whatever holes anyone needed or carry heavy loads.  Barricades were his priority; he understood them and felt comfortable around them.  Barricades always served a clear purpose.  The others could make logistics systems or water pumps, but Comstock was going to help make a fortress just as ordered.

He couldn't help but notice just how ... boring Africa smelled.  A whole lot of nothing.

Quentin called to mind anything he'd read about the area as he went to work constructing shelters and setting up equipment. Unfortunately, he'd been pre-occupied and hadn't done the research he probably should have before coming here. Tactics were not, unfortunately, his strong suit. He'd gained some familiarity with different military-esque procedures over the last week, but he was still ultimately an academic. He did start to devote some of his grey matter towards the topic of logistics, the best ways to evacuate the village in a hurry if needed and which of their fortifications were most likely to withstand assault by infantry, armor, and novas.

He took the chance to observe the main T2M force in action, how they interacted, what sort of synergy they were able to make between their abilities, and what sorts of novel uses they put their powers to.

Zeus found the sight of his host taking orders from the baselines somewhat degrading. "I can't believe you're letting them order you around like thisssssss."

Sam responded with a laugh. "I'm not taking orders from them buddy, I'd just rather not build a shelter that'll fall at the slightest breeze. And the villagers seem to know what they're doing."

Zeus cringed at Sam's use of 'buddy'. "Ugh. Very well." He passes a chilling gaze over them. "But I ccccccertainly hope they know who is in charge around here."

"The main T2M force?"

"Shut up."

"HA!"

Sam tried to find any generators or other electrical equipment that may have needed a kickstart. That went well enough, but he did fry a couple of them.

Construction moves along quickly.  A shelter is dug out of the hard packed ground and reinforced, barricades are erected, and a few amenities are added to the village (better plumbing, things like that).  It's truly amazing how much faster nova construction is.

The other novas on site are Pax, Makara, Splash, and Firefox.  There is another team on the southern border of the DRC, and yet another floating around somewhere else from what you've heard.  3 teams of 4 novas each, with all of you as backup.  From what you can tell, the Utopia leadership doesn't expect much from you at this early stage, since your training has been minimal, and not all of your powers have stabilized yet, so they aren't factoring you heavily into their plans (and since some of you are hiding your full capabilities, that might be part of it too).

The evening is tense, the village is nervous, and time drags by.  The Ugandan forces have promised to move from here all the way into Bunia after this attack, and seem very confident.  Frostburn informs you that the DRC forces in the south have yet to strike out, possibly waiting until T2M has defended their northern border before pissing them off by attacking in the south.

Splash greats you happily when she sees you, and is polite but brief; she is on scouting duty and is twisting the weather to make it difficult for a baseline army to approach.  Rain begins pattering around you in the village, but you can tell it is raining much harder past the perimeter of the village.

Makara is helping with construction, and he doesn't have much to say.  He's not rude though, just quiet.  Apparently you aren't the only ones who are nervous about the upcoming hostilities.  Firefox is helping to scout, and chats up Solitaire.  She seems to be expressing her nerves in her bubbly attempts at conversation (for a sample of their personality 7 years later, see Project Utopia pg. 80).

Pax remains at watch.  Frostburn is constantly on comms, and Shadow Walker left when no one was looking, apparently he had another mission to take care of.

Despite the tension and work, the night is calm, and the villagers go about their normal life.  It's a different world over here, nothing like the U.S. where the team grew up.  But the people seem to be happy, and to have an ease and camaraderie lacking in Western society these days, despite their harder lives.  A few of the younger members of the village approach the novas to watch them, fascinated, before running off to their parents (who scold them soundly for approaching you).

The night passes, and by the time an hour before dawn hits, everyone is getting bored with playing guard duty.  Even Pax, still at his post floating above the village, looks irritated.

Then all hell breaks loose.  The air shimmers in the middle of town, and several mortars come flying out of nowhere, as children with guns pile out of thin air closely behind the explosives.  Jeeps with artillery pieces mounted to their backs and driven by still more children (13yrs old maybe?) appear on the northern edge, past the barricades, and roll through.  A figure in skintight camo darts around through the village, and drops Makara with one well placed blow, while the wind picks up, the sky pours rain, and lightning crashes over head.  Visibility is next to nothing, and civilians begin screaming, adding even more confusion to the mix.

"Ah shit!" Quentin exclaims as he is rapidly enveloped by the darkness that forms his shielding. He looks all around himself, taking in the situation and trying to assess where he would do the most good. Should he try to stop the jeeps? Keep the children from hurting themselves or others? Attempt to begin civilian evacuation? Try to stop the nova that dropped Makara? So many possibilities. Too many variables to quickly solve for. [Private to GM: Shields up.]
[OOC: Edit - Initiative rolled 5 and 6, so I use the 5. - Total Init 19]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Fri 19 June 2009.

Imp was just putting the finishing touches on one of the toilets when the rift appeared in the middle of the compound.  Imp draws on his powers and targets the mortars reversing their motion and sending them back the way they came.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I will be acting on 16 (wits/mega wits +dex/Mega dex=12 plus 4) I'm not sure how tightly packed the mortar shells are but I'm going to try to affect at least two of them and send them back through the rift. 2 actions, 6 quantum spent.  first roll, 4 sux or 120 degrees,  3 sux on the second gives me 90 degrees. if the shells are falling at a 60 degree arc then i should have enough sux to send them both into the rift, albeit at different angles.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Fri 19 June 2009.

Solitaire sat idly at her post several hundred feet in the air, keeping out of the rain with a umbrella she'd managed to procure somewhere. It wasn't that she didn't want to get wet or anything, though she didn't. It was more that to her, hardship was something to be endured, not sought, being bored was bad enough, adding wet to the mix would make it even more unpleasant.

Firefox was good company though, a pleasant sort. It was rather amusing how her hair sizzled in the rain. She was a bit talkative, but that was mostly nerves far as Solitaire could tell. The girl just wouldn't shut up, but the conversation passed the time, and Firefox was doing the talking, all Solitaire had to do was nod and agree whenever the other woman paused to breathe.

It was during one of these pauses that the attack came, and Solitaire's reply of "I know, right?" changed abruptly to "Aw FUCK!" then continued with "Kids? They sent kids? You have got to be fucking kidding me!"

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Init 17

---

She saw Imp in the center, so she'd take the trucks. One moment she was up in the air, the next it was just the umbrella flying off with the force of the sonic boom and Solitaire knelt on the smashed hood of one of the jeeps.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
6 total sux Intimidate, dice hate me >_< +2 Awe-Inspiring, +3 Face of Terror. 2 Quantum spent.

---

Solitaire rose, a spectre in the rain and darkness and chaos. "I suggest you leave." She says quietly, cracking her knuckles for emphasis. "Or you will have to deal with me" She didn't know if they could understand her, but the way they were looking at her, she wasn't sure they could hear her at all.

Solitaire hoped they would run, she didn't know if she had it in her to follow through on the threat.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:24, Fri 19 June 2009.

Zeus grinned savagely at the sudden ambush. "What do you say we have some fun, my dear Sssssameul?"

Sam smiled a little too. "Yeah... fun." His body exploded as he flooded his eufiber with quantum energy, and flew off to help Maraka.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Spends 5 quantum to on eufiber, and 2 quantum on Body-Morph. 19 quantum left.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,1,3,7. Force Field, 1 Mega Stam.

Total soak is now 14B/14L

---

He landed between Maraka and the stranger. Zeus laughed and hissed at the offender. "Why are you doing this?!" Sam yelled. "These people could die you... RAAAAGH!" He rushed at the figure, intent on doing as much damage as possible.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Spends 1 willpower to deal lethal damage.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 5 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,2,8,7,7,3,5,9,7. Hyper-Speed Strike, 2 Mega Dex.

If the hit connects: Samuel Wolfson rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,7,10,9. HS Strike Damage, +1 Mega Strength. So that's 8L damage.

---

There was a guy back when Dillon was in High School who got a BMW for his 17th birthday.  He "paid" for it himself and it was excuse enough to treat everyone else -- from his parents to his classmates -- like complete and utter shit.  Caestus Pax was that guy.  Instead of a car, Pax looked like he could kick anyone's ass.  It drew a similar sort of admiration as the BMW had.

Worst, it was only when Comstock worked to squeeze his new brain-valve shut that he realized he didn't have a reason to like the guy.  He just did, even though he shouldn't.

---

Comstock had wrapped his jaws around a protein bar at the exact moment the mortars came down, and he spent the first precious few seconds of the engagement spitting the damn thing out as he went heavy.  Comstock took a brief evaluation of the situation, barking "Everyone down to the shelter!  Get to cover and stay down!"

He didn't like the situation any more than Solitaire did.  "Frostburn, this is Comstock: hostiles are children!  Repeat, child soldiers present!  Over."  Thinking fast, he grabbed one of the reporters and radiated authority.  "If you can speak to any of these people, help us get them into the shelters now!"

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Initiative: 10

One Quantum spent on Commanding Presence.  Six spent on Density Control.  Weight: 1400 lbs.  Soak: [29B/25L]  Buffed Strength 5, Mega-Strength 5.  Lasts for 7 turns before Maintenance.  Quantum Pool: [23/30]

---

After they get their briefing, Phantasm goes about helping on the construction and then makes an effort to get to know some of the locals and smooth out her use of the language.  She makes an effort think of an extraction plan, but most of it involves Gravitas teleporting everyone, and nothing brilliant comes to mind.

When the attack hits, Phantasm takes Dillon's advice and begins yelling at the natives to take cover and get to the shelter, as she activates her shields and monstrous constructs begin to bubble forth.

---

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

Initiative: Rolled wrong the first time, forgot it was one dice.  Which is good, b/c I manage to get no successes.  You failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((3)).
=15
Q.Construct: You rolled 6 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((10,4,1,9,8,3,1,9)).
Force Field: You rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((3,2,10,4,9,3,3)).

---

This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Sat 20 June 2009.

Prodigal hovers in the air, seeming to casually contemplate the situation, rather than interact.

Harley's suit shifts into a frightening and monstrous form, but he seems traumatized by the use of children.  He makes for the nova instead, getting there in time to attack next round.

Up in the air a battle seems to be occurring between Splash and someone else.  Lightning continues to flash, the winds are near hurricane force above the battlefield (making it exceptionally hard on flyers with a cieling of more than 20ft or so), and you haven't seen her come down to help.

Pax is sweeping the child soldiers out of the way with his TK, slamming them into buildings or stripping away weapons.  He seems rather frustrated by this turn of events.  He is hovering low to avoid the winds.

---

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

Just waiting on Zero's action, and then I'll give results of everyone's actions and report on what the enemy is doing.

---

Gravitas opts to tackle the jeeps along with Solitare. Once he obtains a clear line of fire, he begins to systematically fire at vital points of the vehicles and the weapons. He avoids, if he can, actually shooting the child soldiers manning the vehicles. [Private to GM: One maybe two blasts, wording here is actually not called shotting, its just flowery. Grav shoots at jeeps. Probably one action.]

In reply to Gravitas (msg #35):

---

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

Of note, activating defensive powers is an action (though most enhancements aren't), so multi-action penalties apply to stuff if you are doing both at once.  Sam I'll let go on it this round, sense he is new to the system, but Grav will need to either take multi-action penalties, or use his next action to start firing on jeeps. [Private to Gravitas: You are especially vulnerable to multi-action penalties due to layered shields.]

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
That'll be my second round action, then. It helps represent that the first thing Gravitas really wants to do is survey things, analyze the variables involved, and then apply himself where he thinks best (the jeeps, since almost everything else is already being handled by at least two other novas).

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Sorry for the late response.

---

Confident in the abilities of it's stronger teammates to distract or outright defeat their enemies, Zero joins Comstock in helping the civilians get to shelter. <"The enemy is here! Please retreat! Keep your heads down!"> Zero shouts in fluid Ganda or other local languages and dialects. Zero's first goal is the Baseline's safety. If it can get them secure, it will eye for a good sniper's nest to dart into and will begin lining up targets.

The village is a mass of confusion and fear.  Villagers are running to the shelter (many were already there, having chosen to be safe rather than remain in their homes over night) as machine gun fire clatters and bullets fly, killing many villagers.  Impetus manages to save at least two families by sending the explosives back through the portal (and likely injuring some of the combatants on the other side), while Solitaire frightens the jeep drivers enough to distract them from their primary mission and instead convinces them to move along the perimeter of the village.  Phantasm, Comstock, and Zero manage to save the lives of at least a dozen villagers, both by guiding them around danger, and by disabling soldiers along the way.  The reporters grab as many people as they can, then resume filming at the entrance to the shelter.  Once takes a stray bullet in the arm, while another keeps rolling (managing to get a nice picture of his wounded buddy in the process that will likely make him a good chunk of money).

The mysterious nova attacker is a blur.  Sam lands, averting the attacker's attention from the seriously injured Makara, but doesn't manage to hit the man.  Instead, he does a backflip over the attack, and streaks away, moving at clearly superhuman speed.  As he moves by he attempts to throw something at Sam/Zeus, but misses... however, he does hit Harley exceptionally hard with a barrage of tiny explosive pellets (thrown with nova strength) which knock Harley to the ground. The missed shot at Sam/Zeus impacts one of the jeeps that swerved to avoid Solitaire, flipping it from the force of the impact and explosions.  The attacker finishes his movement by leaping into the rift near the perimeter, which closes behind him.

Splash slams into Firefox (who is laying down a barricade of flame to ward off and surround a large group of soldiers), driving both to the ground.  Splash's skin is pierced in multiple spots by what appears to be ice pellets... Hail stones?  The storm immediately ceases, but the wind is still a major issue.  In the sky, there is a nova that appears to be at the center of the windstorm, who streaks off into the night.  Pax, enraged, takes off after her.  Several sonic booms follow.

More mortars come through the rift, crashing into largely abandoned buildings.  No more jeeps or novas come through and all rifts but the one in the center of town close (though there is still heavy fire coming through it).  There are several jeeps moving in from the now closed perimeter rift, while the remaining jeep that Solitaire intimidated is still covering the outer edge of the village.  And there is still a mess of child soldiers peppering anything that moves with AK-47 fire.

Prodigal watches from above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:06, Sat 20 June 2009.

"Everyone listen! If you can safely restrain these kids without hurting them too badly, do so.  But don't risk yourselves or the villagers for them.  This is combat, they're shooting at you, do what you have to do.

Intel is coming in from... Bunia, and... Multiple other sites.  It appears there is a simultaneous attack going on here.  Pax, get the hell back here, we need you!  Currently Splash, Firefox, Makara, and Harley are all down... Prodigal is a no go, he isn't responding to comms, don't factor him in unless he starts doing something and be careful around him, he may do something stupid.

Primary nova attackers have retreated, a single portal is open, and soldiers are still shooting the place up.  Priority is rounding up the attackers and closing the gate.  Approach that gate with caution; it needs taken out, but it needs to happen from this side, going through is too dangerous.

I'm in route to provide support, but... I'm dealing with hostiles, and it's slowing me down."

Phantasm's creations materialize beside her, and slither off into the early morning shadows, stalking their prey.  Four huge snakes, with hundreds of insect legs, and the mandibles and fangs of a large hunting spider, swallow any soldiers they can find, and once filled with as many as they can carry, wrap themselves around yet more soldiers, immobilizing them.

---

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

4 succ on size, 2 on doubling numbers twice.  These aren't smart critters (no successes spent on mental), so I'll be directing them I guess, though the rules are bit vague on how that works.

---

"Affirmative, Frostburn.  Out."  More than anything Comstock wanted to get his hands on one of the Nova attackers.  He ran for the portal at the center of the village.  Any unfortunate with an AK-47 along the way received a burst of riot bullets toward their center of mass.  Once near the portal, Comstock stood his ground: anyone trying to escape was going to have to go through him or find something bigger than a small mortar.  Nova attacker might be fast, but he would have to come through sooner or later.

"Team, this is Comstock: everyone see me?  I'm closing off enemy retreat.  Solitaire or someone, bring heavy debris to shut the portal.  Over."  Fear of whizzing bullets, hard to shake, boiled up inside even as rounds flattened against his skin or ricocheted away.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Four successes on semi-automatic burst at the first unfortunate in my way.
09:42, Today: Comstock rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,3,8,1,7,9. Semi-automatic burst fire.

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
My bad. Forgot Initiative.
19.
10:57, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6. Dr. 0 Initative .

---

Zero watched the single open portal through the sniper scope on it's riffle, thinking hard. It looks to see if it can spot the Nova creating it, or if there is a uniformed officer directing the men shooting on the other side. Enjoying the distracting Comstock is providing, it speaks into it's comlink.

"Huh. OK. I have an idea. Gravitas? Can you see onto the other side of the portal? Since its line of sight, can you open a worm hole of your own? A tinny one, near & behind the feet of the soldiers, and another one that connects to it right near me? I'm hiding up in the middle right window of the gray bombed out building. I'm flashing you with my mirror."

If Gravitas can do it, Zero pulls the pins on several grenades, and rolls them into the worm hole at the feet of the shooting soldiers. It will split it's actions to take a shot at someone important as detailed below.

If Gravitas can not, Zero takes a shot (with no penalty) at either a commanding officer, or the Nova controlling the portal, or a firing soldier, in that order of importance.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Rolling grenades:
11:09, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,7,2,9,8,6,5,3. Rolling Grenades. Athletics. 1 Meg.
Snipping after Grenades: 3 successes
11:11, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,1,10,4,10,6,3,2. Snipping Multi, 1 Meg. 1 Will.

If the "Portal Plan" doesn't workout:
Without penalty:4 Successes. Snipping.
11:05, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,4,10,5,4,8,7,1,6,6. Snipping roll, 1Mega, 1Will .

---

This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Sat 20 June 2009.

"DAMMIT!" Sam cursed as his blow missed, while Zeus moved to strike, but by then the man was already gone, and Harley was already injured. Without a word, Sam zapped his body back to human form, scooped up his wounded comrades and was off as quickly as his feet would allow him. Against Zeus's better judgement, he stopped to pick up the wounded enemy soldiers as well.

On his way there, Sam listened to Frostburn closely. "All sites at the same time?! Holy crap, these bastards are organized. I've got Harley, Maraka, and a couple of the enemy soldiers, and am moving to the nearest evac sight. Blitzkrieg out."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Sat 20 June 2009.

Imp moves out of the way aw a jeep barrels though the space he used to occupy.  He Spends the next little while trying t disarm the child soldiers, either through the rather rude method of ripping their weapons from their hands or through slightly more subtle means.

"Gotcha Comstock, on it." Solitaire jumps down off the jeep she'd disabled, noting the positions of the others as well. She digs her hands into the sides and kicks off, inverting the jeep about 10 feet in the air and sending the kids tumbling out. She flys it over and smacks it down right in front of the portal, then heads off in search of another.

"I'm afraid that's a no-go, I can't open one end of it so far away from myself yet. I do have a theory about closing the portal though, diverting over to that area." Gravitas changes course from going to deal with the jeeps over to where Comstock is standing before the portal. "It seems unlikely that this portal is being made with the same method I use to create mine, but I may be able to do something to disrupt it anyway. We'll see."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Note that Warp has a duration of "Special" which is basically 1 round+(successes on a Willpower roll) rounds. Keeping it open for very long at all is very unusual. Quentin has never been able to keep his up for longer than about 12-18 seconds or so. I am, incidentally, aborting my action of shooting at the jeeps to go do this.

---

Upon arrival at the rift, Gravitas gave it a critical once-over to analyze it before setting to work. "I'm going to try to disrupt the spatial link on this side with a gravitational distortion." His pitch black, featureless form held out his open palm and put his other hand on the inside of his outstretched arm's elbow. He concentrated on the portal and began to channel gravitic energies into and around the open vortex, attempting to disrupt and collapse it.

[Private to GM: Int+Spatial, 8 successes. Spending 6 quantum to perform a technique I don't actually have yet.
01:38, Today: Secret Roll: Gravitas rolled 6 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,8,7,10,2,4,6,10,10. Int+Spatial, 3 Megas.
01:39, Today: Secret Roll: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,3,9. reroll 10's.]

"Roger that. I'll take the shot."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I forgot to add Riffle Accuracy to Z's riffle roll.
10:16, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5. Accuracy on Riffle.

So that should be 5 Successes total on sniping through the portal.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Mon 22 June 2009.

More people and vehicles are attempting to come through the rift, and a few more mortars fly through, but they are having difficulty due to the debris piling up in front of it.

Visibility to the other side is minimal, but one can make out figures moving with difficulty... Perhaps nova eyes, guided by quantum sight can see through the distortion?  Zero's bullet zips through the rift, and buries itself in someone giving orders, though whether this is a nova or just a baseline commander is unclear.

After the shot, the rift begins to ripple and sway as Gravitas focuses on it.  For a moment there is a great sense of "otherness" to him, as power flows around him and space bends before him... The image from earlier, of him alone and transcendent, once more comes to mind.  Suddenly, the rift buckles and collapses, sending a distortion of spacial energies outward, tearing apart the soldiers nearby, and likely doing something horrible to those that were coming through the portal at the time.

Sam makes it to the evac site about the time the portal collapses, just in time to defend it from enemy soldiers approaching the area, firing wildly.  Several villagers go down before he is able to eliminate all of the soldiers, but at least he managed to save most of them.

Solitaire, Comstock and Phantasm are able to finish of the rest of the soldiers, meeting Frostburn in the middle of the village, near where the rift was.  Behind her, everything is covered in a quickly melting sheet of ice.

The village is broken.  Most of the buildings are in ruins, and many civilians are dead.  But more there are more survivors than casualties, and certainly more survivors than if you hadn't been here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Mon 22 June 2009.

"Everyone, shove the enemy soldiers that are left alive in the shelter we made earlier, and put a few cars on top of it to seal them in; we're needed in Bunia, there is extremely heavy fighting there.  Gravitas, our transport is gone, Shadow Walker took off for fighting in Nigeria and can't be reached.  Can you make it to Bunia if I give you GPS coordinates?  And you'll need to save juice for at least one more jump, because there are some early reports from the capital saying that things are getting weird there with the military, and fighting has been reported at several other sites with military bases nearby.  Its too early to tell, but it looks like a coup is in the works.

Honestly though, I don't give a shit about this country's government, whoever is in control will just keep screwing the country's people just like they always have.  If we have time after putting an end to the fighting in Bunia, then we'll do that..."

At this point, another sonic boom crashes over the shattered village, and Pax lands.
"Everyone, we're going to the capital. Nothing has happened there yet, but there may be a coup, and if there is, Utopia wants us there to prevent it. Gravitas, I heard you recently learned to make gates?  Good, you can get us there faster."

Frostburn: "I didn't receive that order, our comms system shorted out before it came in..."

Pax: "I'm acting field commander, and I just got word.  That should be more than enough.  Now GET MOVING PEOPLE!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Mon 22 June 2009.

"GPS should be fine if I can also get a map of the area. For the most part direction and distance should be enough, but being able to visualize the destination certainly helps." Once these are provided he studies them while the others go about securing the enemy soldiers. Perhaps a sign of his nervousness about surviving his first combat, or a side-effect of the portal-disruption, space continues to ripple around him in waves every few seconds. He seems not to notice. "How accurate am I trying to be?"

In reply to Gravitas (msg #52):

Pax stares at you in an aggressive fashion.

"You need to be spot on, so we don't all die.  And you're looking at the wrong place, we're going to the capital, not Bunia."

Comstock put the remaining stragglers away in the shelter and helped seal them in.  "Sit tight, here," Comstock ordered as he dropped a ruined jeep.  If the baselines could move all this debris, they probably deserved their freedom.  "Hey P?  Uh, could you tell someone to guard this and pick up the guns?"  The villagers were staring at them, awe-struck.  Even if they were going to loot the weapons and resell them later or anything like that, these natives looked about ready to bow down and start a cult.

After that, he dusted his hands off, reloaded his weapon, and jogged over to Gravitas and the others, his weight gradually drifting back to normal.  Since he didn't know who to follow or what orders he should consider legitimate, he kept quiet for the moment.

Phantasm begins speaking in the area's language, and asks the villagers to pick up and secure the guns.  She also tells them to stay away from the makeshift jail, and to find some safety, as these troops could come back.  She attempts to ignore the worship and fear they show her, but it becomes grating after the 4t person backs away from her slowly, as if she were a wild animal or a monster.

She then meets up with Frostburn in time to see Pax being a dick.  She turns to Comstock and whispers:
"So, who do we care about more?  The people dying now, or the people dying later?  And which leader do we like best?"

"Uh ... shit I ..."  Leaving the grunt mentality behind was hard.  The very idea that he could question orders in a case like this, with two figure ahead of him in the chain of command, gave him pause.  "Geez, can't ... can't save them all can we?"

All this fighting was getting to Sam. Even though he made it to the evac site in time, too many people had died. After the battle was over, and the enemy soldiers detained, he sat and stared at them. Most of them backed away from him in fear, but a few of the more brazen ones shouted coarsely at him, though he couldn't understand the language. "Why?" he asked them quietly, "Why would you try to hurt these people? What have they ever does to you?" His tone seemed to calm them a little. "You kids couldn't be any older than twelve; you should be playing games, and discovering young love, not fighting in wars..."

Zeus seemed to empathize somewhat. "Yesssss, all of this does seem rather pointless. But then again, thissss is an entirely different culture; who are we to say what is right?"

Sam shot a foul look as his companion. "Sometimes it doesn't matter where you go, there are some things that are just... wrong."

Zeus concedes; he sees Sam is in no mood for an argument, and neither was he for that matter. "Well... the locals do sssssseem very thankful for what we did." Sam turns and sees a few of the survivors that he protected. They were wounded, tired, and beaten; but they were alive, and that was enough for them. Sam tried to approach them, but they, like the enemy soldiers, feared him on some level as well. Seeing that he could do nothing else here, he left to join the others. He and Zeus had been listening to Pax, and Zeus couldn't help but comment. "Hm. He is not a very niccccce man is he? Do you think we could trade him in for a new leader? Miss Frossssstburn perhaps? Much better people skills."

Sam decided to go along with his mentor's attempt at lighthearted conversation. "Much better looking too. Heh..." It didn't help that much.

"Jeez, you'd think we weren't taking this seriously or something." Solitaire puts her hands back up behind her head, looking to Frostburn. She regarded Frostburn as their teams leader, not Pax, all he had going in Solitaire's eyes was a superpowered ego. New orders and all were fine, but he really didn't need to be such a dick about it. Solitaire caught Frosty's eye and tried to giver her a 'I've got your back, to hell with this guy.' look.

Imp handed the stack of AK-47s to one of the UN soldiers then walked over to the knot of novas.  "Wow, and the media always paints him as an exemplar of humility and helpfulness," Imp mutters to Sol, not really caring if Pax could hear him or not.  "How far away is the capital?  Would it be practical to have someone fly Gravitas there and have him open a portal back to here?"  Inwardly Imp is seething.  What was this war for?  What kind of sick fuck uses children to fight their battles for them?  "So, Comstock, would it be a bad thing if a couple of us went and found the motherfucker who ordered this attack and dropped him in the ocean somewhere sharky, then filmed what happened next and posted it as a warning to all would be dictators and pieces of shit?  Cause, really, I can't see any drawback bad enough to make me not do it."

Comstock frowned.  "I think our bosses would have a few objections to that, Imp.  I don't think it would stop this crap either."  The manuals Utopia had handed out mentioned tribunals, trials, due process, and other justice ideas.

"Impetus' has a point.  Solitaire and Impetus could get Gravitas to the capital in minutes.  Safer portal-opening that way, and gives us a chance to build a plan ... uh, sirs."  A decision had to be reached quickly on this, so he took a stand and addressed Pax and Frostburn directly.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Tue 23 June 2009.

"It is also easier for me to open a portal directly if I know where I'm going first. They can travel supersonic," it occured to him that he didn't actually know how fast, exactly. The thought nagged him as he continued to speak because it meant he wasn't able to be entirely accurate, "as long a the capital isn't more than a couple of hundred miles away, we're looking at a delay of only a few minutes, really. Plus it gives a chance to scout the situation before we warp in a bunch of novas."

Zeus hissed in agreement. "Yesssss. That way might take a trifle longer, but it's much better than ending up in the middle of the ocean if he messssssses up."

Sam speaks up. "But do you think it would be safe? For the team leaving I mean. Those other novas ain't nothin' to spit at," He turns to Sol, Imp, and Quentin, "do you think you guys would be able to handle them if you ran into them?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Tue 23 June 2009.

"Handle?  Professional soldiers?  Probably not.  But we are pretty damn fast.  I say that I take Grav, Sol takes Comstock.  That way if trouble starts we'll have a couple heavies around to give Grav the time he needs to get the gate open."

"Eh, easy enough. If that's how we want to play it." Solitaire stretches her arms out in front of her, fingers still interlaced. "Not much gets up after I hit it. Don't worry." She flashes her customary grin. "And yeah, pretty damn fast about sums it up."

Zero is very pleased to hear the orders being given from beyond the rift fall silent as it's bullet finds its mark.

It stares at the rift with it's Quantum sight as the rift undulates and warps around Gravitas. It was hypnotic, and Zero felt like it was back at that moment of Eruption. Space rippled forward, passing by Zero. It's hand fell through the floor it was leaning on, fell through it's own shadow, and the Doctor kept falling still, tumbling out of control, after accidentally finding a trapdoor into space. It suddenly landed in a bush outside one of the burnt out buildings. The world looked differently. More dynamic. Brighter. Alive! The Doctor's Quantum sight seemed clearer, more than ever, and it saw the ebbs and flows in all the life around it, even in the aftermath of the devastating battle.



Zero jonts over, eager to get back into the game, and briefly interrogate the soldiers. The Doctor tries to see if any of the UN soldiers or workers have a camera. If not, it eyes the reporters and quickly asks the one that looks the most 'hungry' to come over with a camera.

"This is sadly an old, dirty trick in a lot of the wars around here. Kids are stupid, easily influenced, and eager to prove themselves. They make ideal soldiers." Zero sits near the soldiers, looking for someone who looks like they want to talk, or could be easily intimidate to speak. <"You are going to trial for crimes against humanity for this. You will be executed if you do not answer my questions. Will you comply?"> If they do not, Zero coldly takes them to 'the hole' with the rest of the soldiers until it finds a talker. It than continues. <"What were your orders? Why where you firing on civilians? Where you ordered? By whom?"> One it finishes it's preliminary interrogation, and gets it on tape, it joins the others talking with Pax.



Zero walks over, dusting itself off, and adds sarcastically "I thought you just told me 20 feet was too far to port some stupid grenades! Now you can go long distances? Wunderbar! Comehere! I wanna give you a hug!" Zero makes a mocking chock action toward Gravitas. before laughing. "You big dork! You cheated me from a beautiful explosion!"



Zero stares at him for a long moment. "Are you alright? You're... fluctuating here and... not here." Zero uses it's Quantum vision on Quintin.



Behind Zero's mask, the Doctor raises an eyebrow, or it's equivalent. Talk about drama. It listens to everyone suggest alternatives, and overhears some of the not-so-whispered mutinous talk from it's team. Zero steps forward.

"If I may, sir, Gravitas' wormholes are very safe. He can create a rift before entering it, and we can see the other side. There is very little danger. If it is the wrong location, he can try again, though it is tiring. Why don't we give him some space and let him concentrate? He can definitely do it."

"Well, yes, I can put one end way out, long distance. I haven't figured out how to arbitrarily place the close end though, it generally has to be somewhere near me," an expression of surprise flashes across his face. "Oh, you wanted me to put the end near me next to that one and the 'far end' next to you? I'm just not used to thinking in terms of variable distance yet..."



"Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe a little shook up about them throwing kids at us, that's all," another ripple. [Private to Dr. Zero: Qunatum sight directed at Gravitas indicates that he is, indeed, a beacon of power (though probably not quite as much as Pax, nearby, is). Let me know if you want to attempt one of those analysis rolls or whatever.] "Ok, so we've got two plans on the table, either they fly us over and I create a bridge back here, or I can try to open one more directly. I don't really care which we use, though the former is likely going to be more accurate than the later."

Pax:
"If we can see through to the other side, it would be faster to just open it in the vicinity of the capital.  Do that.  Everybody, get ready to move out."

"So, we're just leaving an undefended city as its being attacked by novas... not a village, but an actual large city?  Yeah, sure, lets fucking go."

Pax:
"And if there is a coup, then we save the government, which is likely a whole lot more important.  But I don't plan on arguing with you.  And if you say another word, I'll make damned sure you never work with this organization again."

Gravitas busies himself with studying the map as the others finish up any tasks they're performing and, once everyone is ready, starts concentrating gravity into a single point in space. Once it has developed sufficiently, he reaches across space to connect it to another place which, he hopes, should be about where the capital is. After only a moment, a vortex irises open with a burst of wind. "All aboard!" he shouts past the sound of the wind the portal is creating. He waits until everyone that is going is through before following.

[OOC: Warp does not actually have a targeting roll. Teleport does, so I'll assume for the moment that we use that.
Step 1: Targeting
17:01, Today: Gravitas rolled 5 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,10,8,8,3,10,6,6,8. Warp targeting, 2 Mega.
Yay! A 10 on a Mega-dice means 3 successes for that, plus 3 more 8's and a 10 is a total of 7 successes for targeting. Note that the difficulty 'to hit' a target is +1 for something >2km away, +2 for something >20km, and +3 for something over 100km. I don't actually know the distance, but even assuming +3, I still have 4 succeses, which should hit just about anything.
Step 2: Distance
I'm not rolling for distance, the basic automatic 5 successes I get for being Quantum 5 is sufficient to warp anywhere on Earth.
Step 3: Duration
16:58, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,2,6,8,1. Warp Duration.
This is (oddly) a Willpower roll. With 2 successes and the base 1 turn duration, the warp is open and stable for 3 combat turns or roughly 20 seconds of non-combat time.
I sort of want to create/buy a custom Perception enhancement, something like Cosmological Navigation Sense - the ability to determine one's position relative to celestial bodies by sensing their gravitational fields, no matter how distant they are. Would probably provide Mega-Perception auto-successes on Teleport/Warp targeting rolls and any roll to determine one's location when lost or something. I dunno, just sort of of brainstorming.]

Pax's manner was enough to erode the gleam of Nova charisma.  Leaving an entire city to die rubbed Comstock the wrong way.  Nevertheless, he was first to skip through the portal once Gravitas gave the word.

Gun out, he scanned the far side of the portal and waved the rest in.  "Frostburn ... Pax ... what's our first objective?"  There didn't appear to be open violence in the capital on first sight.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Tue 23 June 2009.

"Sheesh, who died and made him god?" She hangs back a moment as the others move toward the forming portal, and whispers to Frostburn, "Hey Frosty, weren't you on comm duty? If the radio's shorted out, how the hell would he get a message telling us to move to the capitol? I ask because I'm honestly more concerned with the people who are under attack now than with a potential coup.  Even if there is, Captain Amazing and the rest ought to be able to handle it. We can be where we're actually needed in minutes, and possibly deal with that and get back before things get bad there. Your call."

In reply to Solitaire (msg #72):

"I was monitoring feeds from several different locations.  Pax carries a communicator with satelite uplink that is connected directly to mission command.  He wasn't getting all the other info, but I believe what he's saying.  He's not a liar, just an asshole.

If we can manage it when we get there, I think we should.  But I'm not going to pull you guys down with your career just starting.  And of course, what is a city full of civilians compared to a nice stable government that the UN is used to working with, right?"

Zeus chuckles a bit. "The sssssame could be asked of any of us, my dear Ssssssolitare."

Sam was disturbed by his companions strange comment, but dismissed it as just another 'Zeusism'. Before he stepped through the portal, he eyed it warily, not wanting a repeat of what happened in the... Shadow Realm. On the other side, he does a quick sweep of the area for anything out of the ordinary.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Samuel Wolfson rolled 2 successes using 12d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,1,5,3,7,4,5,5,4,8,6,1. Quick Sweep, 2 Mega.

OOC: I hate this dice-roller

---

In reply to Frostburn (msg #73):

Solitaire laughs, "If I was afraid of consequences I wouldn't be able do anything. Still, it is nice to keep a job for more than a few weeks. But, I'm not afraid of making my own way. They don't call me Solitaire for nothing. She  turns and walks through the portal, adding, "I'm here if you want a lift, don't hesitate to ask. Now, we have a coup to put down."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Tue 23 June 2009.

Imp zips through the portal, and heads for teh sky as soon as he's on teh otehr side.  He does a quick circle, scanning the surrounding country side for gates or suspicious activity, and the skies for aircraft or incoming novas.

The area you come out in is directly over the city.  By about 700 feet.  Apparently the elevation is a bit different here.  Flyers will have to catch people, but otherwise the trip is safe.

Once the arrival drama is taken care of, Pax flies straight for the capital buildings, lands, and walks in.  He asks to see the county's leadership, and reports that they heard that there was a possible coup in the works.  Calls are made, people are alerted, and much sitting around and doing nothing occurs. Pax makes a special point of telling everyone to stay put, and stay on guard for anything strange.

After about 20 minutes, it appears that there is in fact something strange going on with the military.  Several units are not where they should be, including one of those posted in the city itself.  After 30 minutes, there is still little action.

---

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

Let me know if anyone wants to do anything else, or if people are here for the long haul. Either way there is stuff to do.

---

Disconcerting as it was to step from solid ground into nothing, Solitaire recovered quickly. She makes a grab at anybody nearby, attempting to stop them from becoming rather more friendly with the pavement that people like to be generally.

Once everybody is safely on the ground, she takes up a position on the top of the capital building begins to shuffle her deck of cards idly.

Z didn't expect to have such mutinous urges so early into it's career in Utopia, but it jumped through the portal when it opened, none the less. It wasn't sure what to do. Perhaps Pax could be reasoned with after the government was secured, but how many people would die before that? Zero was starting to feel like a tool, again, like when Prodigal got shot because it didn't question Utopia's authority enough.



Zero folded it's arms as it calmly took the situation in. "Huh... this is interesting," comments The Doctor, observantly, as it plummeted through the sky. Most of it's Eufiber clung desperately to it's wiry form, especialy it's hat, while it's scarf blew in a wild panic.

"I hate to be a bother, but..." Zero cleared it's throat, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh...! Someone catch me! Frekin-muden-mother-furger-son-of-a-so&so-fragin...! Son of a monkey!"



Zero reports this to Pax via comlink the strange going on’s. It than approaches the nearest officer of a unit acting peculiar, announces it's Utopian affiliation as a UN peacekeeper in the local tongue, and interrogates the man about what he is doing, what his orders are, and what the man is aware of. The Doctor ends by affirming it is working with the government's blessing, and any traitors will be punished for treason.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:39, Wed 24 June 2009.

"Oops," Gravitas says, dropping only a few feet before his fall is slowed into a hover, "That was my bad. I didn't account for elevation or the curvature of the Earth, or something, just absolute direction and distance." He makes a mental note to account for such things in the future. Or to go through first so he can set up a null-grav field on the other side so that people won't immediately fall.

For his part, Gravitas does not go to investigate the anomalous units, but keeps an eye on Dr. Zero from the sky as he does so, to be ready to react if they start to take action against him or anyone else. He believes, probably correctly, that the human military units won't respond to him very well, just as the crowds in Las Vegas did not and most of the base personnel do not.
[Private to GM: Bleh, spending the quantum to fly for the scene unless combat starts, at which point I will land because 'maintenance time' will catch up with me.]

After the first half hour, Frostburn heads off and uses a satelite phone she took with her to make some calls.  Pax remains inside, dealing with the leadership of the DRC.  At 45 minutes, Frostburn comes back and reports that the infrastructure of Bunia has been completely taken out, with roads, power, and water all non-functional.  The novas appeared to have made surgical strikes to cripple the city, but the damage can all be cleaned up once the occupying force moves in.  There will be a great many casualties, but not as many as she feared (though what the occupying force does to the natives remains to be seen).

Pax comes out after an hour and gives everyone an update.

"Alright everybody, gather 'round.

Its about to hit the fan.  5 minutes ago several military installations were hit in nearby cities by novas that were alone, or traveling in pairs.  4 locations were hit, and reports estimate 6 novas in total were responsible.  At least 2 military bases, are confirmed abandoned or to have flipped sides, one of which is the one right outside our current location.  After stalling and giving the leadership the run around, the nearby base stated that they are 'unable to provide military support at this time.'

So, we are probably going to have another pitched battle.  But we do know more about our opponents.  We have:

Two flyers with superstrength and heightened resistance,
a flyer with control over heat and cold,
a non-flyer that seems to be able to alter and shape matter,
a short range teleporter that can project a force field and force beams,
and a psychic that can project illusions and control minds.

I suggest everyone get ready, because latest intel had the attackers flying towards the capital from their previous locations.  I want their mentalist taken out first, we can't afford to be confused."

Edit: Makara, Splash, and Harley are all out for the time being, though they were transferred to a local hospital.  Firefox is coming back around however.  Prodigal... there is something wrong with that boy.  He merely hovered throughout the last battle, and then ignored everyone around him and crossed through Grav's portal.  He currently is crouched, wings spread, on the capital building.  People's attempts at conversation have been ignored, and even threats from Pax do little to rouse him.  When Pax gives his speech, David stares at the group of you for a moment, and then flies away, heading west.

EditEdit: Zero's inquiry would require a long walke or about a 20 minute drive out to the actual base.  The local soldiers stationed around the capital are not disloyal.  Deeper inquiry will tell you that they have noticed some oddities in their commanders back at base, but they have no meaningful info (they're out of the loop, so to speak).
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Thu 25 June 2009.

"Great, another psychic. Did I mention I loathe psychics?" Solitaire scowls, remembering the last time. "Superstrong flyers you say? Sounds like a good match for me. I'll show them Air Power, and hopefully that'll put me out of range of the brainiac. So, do we have a more elaborate plan than kick their ass? I prefer to keep things simple that way."

The fall was a bit of a suprise, but luckliy, Solitare snatched Sam up before he became a curious stain on the pavement. "Thank you." he mutters wearily.

Sam listen to Pax carefully. ~The man may be an ass, but at least he knows his stuff.~

~Indeed.~

He jumped a bit, as it had been a while since he heared Zeus in his head.

"Another psychic?" he said quizzically. "I wonder what the chances are of... Nah." He dismissed the thought. ~Has to be a coincidence. Has to be...~ He regained his focus. "Well... If the mentalist is going down first, then we might have to deal with the... "force-user" at the same time; I doubt they'd leave someone like that unguarded. Maybe if we..." He trailed off, wondering how to deal with such a combination.

Zeus chimed in with a strategem of his own. "They might not expect ussss to take the offensive, given our current sssssstatus, so an ambush might work."

"What about a pincer attack? Attacking from both sides would stop them from ganging up on us, and make it more difficult for them to help their ally."

Imp reversed course and instead of going straight up went straight down to catch a falling zero, and others as needed.  after everyone is safe on the ground he will keep an aerial eye out, moving in to investigate the missing military units.
After hearing from Pax, Imp curses. "Two super strong fliers, hunh?  Well, Sol, you get one and I'll get the other, unless Pax wants to get involved."

Phantasm manifests a pteradactyl with a goats head at the last moment, and manages to dodge the ground.  Then she waits with everyone else to hear some more news, watching the area for anything interesting and trying to figure out a good defense plan.

While I do understand why it might be more important to stop a coup, since that would potentially screw up the whole region, couldn't we at least do something while we wait?  Grav could teleport us straight to that city...

At the mention of action, Phantasm returns from her mental wanderings and puts up a forcefield.  She waits until right before combat to manifest any of her creations in hopes of getting better info on what they will be facing.

On arrival, Comstock slammed into the ground without ceremony and dug himself out of the rubble.  The fall a shock but not a real threat.  Biggest problem was bracing himself for an impact his brain felt certain would be terminal.  "Gravitas ... you missed," he managed to grunt.

---

The capital proved exactly as boring as it seemed, and the temptation to sneak away to Bunia grew by the minute.  Discipline kept him at his post, albeit restlessly.

Pax's return and instructions gave Comstock something to focus on.  "Zero ... you and I could probably end the mentalist.  If the rest of you can provide cover, we'll plow through and stop him before things get out of hand.

"Good notion on going offensive, Sam.  Letting them focus on us will just help them pick the fight they like.

"P ... uh, how many of those ghost-things can you make?  Like, enough to keep them busy for half a minute while we try this pincer thing?  You and Sam could be one side of the pincer while Zero and I take the other.

"Sol, if you and Imp could control the skies or just keep them busy that'd close the box.  Gravitas can shoot the hell out of them or sit in reserve if something goes wrong or someone needs to be teleported out of here.

"If Pax's information is right, there's six of them and seven of us.  We just need to pick the ground to fight them on and we're good.  And that's ..."  Comstock swallowed, discomfort rising, "... that's what the baselines are for, isn't it?  To give us some idea what direction they're coming from.  Jeez, that's shitty."  Baseline soldiers as pawns really bugged Comstock, since a year ago he could have been any of those guys.  But they needed some idea of where the enemy was coming from before they could move to engage, or else the political leadership would be undefended.

"Pax, do you have any more information for us?  And are you or Frostburn sticking around for this engagement?  It'd tip the odds a lot.  Uh, sir."

Back at the village:
[Private to Gravitas:
Zero will try to inspect Gravitas more thoroughly with it's Q-Attunement, hopefully allowing more insight into Quintin's Quantum, Node, and Taint Traits & powers, and if there is anything wrong with them or ill effects caused by them.

09:11, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 7 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,9,5,3,5,7,10,10,7,7,2. Medicine Roll, Q-Attunment, 1Meg.

Since the 9 is a Mega, I think that is 8 successes, total. ]
_______________________________________________________________________________
Back at the Capital:

Zero calmly screams it's lungs out, with it's arms still folded while patiently waiting, until Impetus grabs it. "'Bout time!" When they land, Zero adds "Wew! Thanks, Mr. Imp. That... was a very exhilarating trip I'm not in a hurry to repeat. Ah, who am I kidding? Gravitas! Let's do it again! I bet I could charge tickets for this..."

"God, why didn't I check the other side of the portal before jumping? I'm the idiot who pointed out that's how you make it safe!"
_______________________________________________________________________________

If Zero can get transportation back and forth from a friend to the troupes, it'll take it. If not, it takes the 40 minutes, down and back, jog, and returns about when Frostburn starts updating the group and Pax reemerges.
_______________________________________________________________________________

When David starts to ignore everyone, and crouches on the roof, Zero climbs up next to him, pretending to have a hard time, and exaggerating almost falling a few times. "Ack! I hate heights!" The Doctor hoists itself over the roof and dusts itself off. "Hey there, p! What's up? You look like you have the wight of the world on your head!" Zero stands there for a long moment as David ignores it. It pretends to get flustered, hopping to weed out a reaction from the young man. "You know, you are one of the rudest introverts I have ever met! Did your mother ever teach you any manners!? I know your father never had any, but I expected more from his boy!" Terrified it is losing David to some unknowable dementia, Zero goes below the belt without mercy. "You know, I'm not asking for a parade, but a little respect to the idiot who caught your stupid car, and saved your families' miserably little lives would be appreciated, you ingrate."

"I am a person, and you are by far not the only one to get shot in this group!" Taking advantage of the unique properties on it's Eufiber mask, Zero takes off it's goggles and shows to David that it's right eye is covered in an eye patch.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Zero will use Q-Attunement to try and understand David's Quantum, Node, Taint traits and his powers. Zero specifically wants to know if it's new sight can give insight into the strange dementia affecting David. (Zero wants to see if David's Taint or Aberrations are affecting the young man, but Zero doesn't understand Taint as a concept, yet. It does know some Novas seem twisted by their Quantum, though.)

With the one Mega rolling an 8, Zero has 3 successes.
10:14, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,4,1,3,3,3,2,3,3,5,9. Med Roll, David, 1 Mega.

---

If the Doctor still get's nothing from the young man, it storms off. A deep feeling of failure twists in Zero's stomach as it watches David fly off. It throws off a last, deliberately pathetic retort. "Run away, you big dork! We need you, but go run off and sulk! Just remember the phone works both ways, you passive aggressive ass!"

"I truly am the worst Doctor, ever..." Zero mumbles to itself.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Latter on, Zero agrees with Comstock's idea of tag teaming the mentalist. "If you can distract it and any defenders it has, I think I can take it out." Zero checks it's pistol. "Do we have any teargas grenades? Smoke bombs? I can put those to good use."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:37, Thu 25 June 2009.

[Private to Dr. Zero: That's probably enough to go ahead and list off some of that. Quentin is Quantum 5, Node 5, and Taint 5. Quentin certainly possesses the Gravity Control he evidences, though he seems to posses one or more other powers as well. His shielding is almost certainly derived from another source as is, obviously, the portal-making, since that's not a Gravity Control technique. As far as ill effects go, his eyes are certainly a side-effect of his Taint rating (specifically, they seem to absorb light but not reflect it, resulting in the entirely-black appearance of the eye). Aspects of his appearance may be too. He's just a little too perfectly formed in many ways (though I haven't played it up much, Quentin has Inhuman Beauty as an aberration, he's also Mega-App 1, which helps justify keeping it sort of low-key). He otherwise seems to be a paragon (or more) of the human condition, to a degree than even many other novas are not.]
"Well, I have been tempted to set them up so that one could just fall forever, but I don't think I can keep them open long enough to be marketable."

--------------

When the topic of tactics comes up, Gravitas considers the intel. "I'd probably be best suited to locking down the force-fielder. Any sort of energy beam he might have will have a harder time hitting me than most others, and if this person can teleport, I may be the best suited to pursuit." He nods to Pax, acknowledging his earlier request, "I'll try to keep some power in reserve for a second warp out of here to wherever." He spent any free time he had between arrival and the start of combat resting to recover his reserves, hopefully he'd be in good shape when the inevitable combat began.

Solitaire follows Prodigal with her eyes as he flys off. "Wonder whats up with him?" However, there were more pressing matters to attend to. "Yeah, The flyers are covered, don't worry about that. Just keep the damn Psych off me."

She walks over to a nearby set of stairs and sits down. Flight wasn't all that taxing, but it would be best to save energy. Solitaire wasn't worried though, the sky was her territory, and somebody thought to challenge that? They'd learn the hard way. Her cards are still in her hands, but her eyes are on the skyline, watching and waiting. Her boot taps in time to whatever song happens to be stuck in her head at the moment, and Solitaire laments the fact that she didn't bring her walkman.

Zero & the Base:
You manage to hitch a ride with someone over to the base.  They refuse you entry, delay you when you try to talk to anyone, and give you the run around.  By the time you are back and have found out what's going on, Pax is telling everyone about how the base is refusing to defend the capital... Info that you just spent the last hour gathering.  How... Ironic.

Prodigal & Zero:
The would be angel (or is it demon?) ignores Zero's ranting, cajoling, and insults.  But when he takes off the mask, that gives him a brief pause.
"I... Thank you.  This confirms that there is a grand design, and that we are the instruments of higher powers.  I'm going now, to fulfill my role.  Our place isn't to take place in man's wars, politics, and money.  The spiritual is our concern.  Goodbye friend.  If you need something someday, I will try my best to return your kindness."

Comstock & Pax:
"You.  Guy with the questions.  You just made yourself team leader.  And I just told you pretty much everything we've got.  We're pretty sure they're coming in from multiple directions, unless they are meeting somewhere first... though that would be a waste of their time really, and give us more prep time, so I doubt it.  They probably aren't expecting all of us to be here either, which gives us an advantage.  And yeah, I'm staying, and so is Frostburn.  Just tell her where you want her.

I'm going to be too busy to give orders once they get here.  I held back too much last fight, and that air controlling mercenary got away... It isn't happening again."
Pax has a dangerous look in his eyes, and those with quantum senses active, or just well developed nodes, can sense the area around him crackling with restrained power.

Frostburn & Solitaire (and in earshot of everyone else)
"Well, hopefully this was worth the wait.  Be careful out there.  Just because they've only displayed one set of powers doesn't mean they can't do more.  I'm going to try and stay hidden and provide support against their flyers while you stay out in front.  Good luck hotshot.  Try and stay safe.  Same goes for the rest of you."

))))

The first warning you get of the enemy's approach is a rumble in the clear, mid-morning sky, followed closely by multiple sonic booms.  Their flyers are rapidly approaching, and for those with enhanced sight, it appears that they are carrying passengers.  Two of the reported novas are unaccounted for.

Everyone has only a moment to prepare for the coming assault... Use it wisely.

"I'm not really sure how many I can make.  It's kinda undependable.  It depends on how the feel of the local environment, how well I can get into my work... lots of things.  Most I've ever done was 8, but they were all really lame, scary but no power.  Any special requests?"

Seeing the opposing forces coming in on the horizon, Phantasm's shield began to move as hands clawed their way out of it...

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

I activated all my other stuff on the prior turn, but will put my rolls here.  Wanted to have one turn just to activate Q.Construct, b/c every success counts for 5 np's or one doubling.

Q.Construct: You rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((3,7,4,9,10,7,2,4,5)). Not re-rolling 10 b/c my Quality (cunning) doesn't seem to apply. Spending a Will. First 3 are mega.
=6 Succ

F.Field: You rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((7,3,8,5,4,2,10,8)). first 2 mega. rerolling 10. You rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((8)).
=6 Succ

S.Shift: You rolled 1 success using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((3,3,4,3,8,6,5,3,6)).
=1 Succ.  Wow.  Put it in armor and call it a day I guess.

Activate Multitasking and use Analyze Weakness to get a jump on them in the first round.
An.Weakness: You rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((2,6,8,7,8,8,4)).
=4 Succ

M.Task: You rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((1,2,5,8,2,5)).
=1 succ.  Thankfully all I needed was the one.

Init: You failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((2)).
=14 initiative.

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This message was last edited by the player at 23:39, Thu 25 June 2009.

"Right so I'm with... Phan... ta... sm." He saw them.

Zeus saw them too. And he could barely contain himself, writhing, hissing and striking in the enemies direction. "Yesssssss, yessssss. There WILL be blood!"

Sam tried to keep is expression impassive, but anyone observant enough will see a sense of grim determination. With a loud thunderclap, he instinctivelly shifted and readied himself for battle.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
OOC: I'm going to assume that the quantum spent on his eufiber still stands.

Spends 2 quantum to trigger Body-Morph. 17 quantum remaining.

Samuel Wolfson failed (no successes) using 4d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,5,1,3. Force Field, 1 Mega Stam.

Sonuvabitch.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 18 using 1d10+10 with rolls of 8. Initiative.

---

Keen ears picking the sonic booms from a ways out, Solitaire stands and returns her deck to her pocket. "Showtime." She grins her wolf's grin and sings "And I'm hungry like the wolf..."

Rising a few inches, Solitaire centers herself, the first attack had been a surprise, she had time to prepare now. The energy bleeds down from her forehead to her extremities, forming the pale colorful/colorless nimbus around her hands and feet. Slamming her left fist into her right palm, she says. "Its payback time."

With a warcry of "Whoo Hoo" Solitaire throws herself forward and up, rocketing toward them as fast as she can go. (which is, about 1750 kph)

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Init 17,

1 sux on per+aware

Somebodys in for a hyperspeed punch once I get in range >: )

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This message was last edited by the player at 00:22, Sat 27 June 2009.

As soon as he spots the fliers Imp takes off towards them, trying to co-ordinate with Sol.  Imp goes high and tries to come down from above, firing bolts of concussive force at the enemy nova.  Tag teaming and eliminating one then the other seemed better than protracted fights with both.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Init: 15

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Comstock nodded to Pax.  "Yessir!"

With the opposition incoming, Comstock handed his flash-bangs over to Zero and went heavy.  "Requests, huh ... okay P ... just make it something scary.  Something that'll freak them out."  As the team paired off, Dillon called the metal out further, shaping jagged talons over his fingers.  "Think this is a good look for me Doc?"

He found a good spot to wait in ambush.  When the fliers got close, Comstock took a breath and stepped out, hoping to be seen and attacked first.

"'Guy with the questions?' He could at least learn our names, or promote us for something more... substantial. Oh well. I don't agree with the reason, but I do agree with the decision. you've got my vote, chief!" <purple>Zero smacks Comstock's back. It... oddly bruised.

"Oh! Be right back. Don't worry, big guy! I've got your back. Hahahahah...! Look over there!" Zero uses the worst and oldest trick in the book before trying to sneak off. It turns around a corner and then seriously double backs around and makes a quick snipers nest, readies it's sniper riffle, and lines up a shot with one of the people being carried by the fliers, which ever one looks the least tough (hard to do with Novas). As soon as they are in range, The Doctor takes the shot, then sneaks off to another nest.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
1 Quantum spent on Cat Footed when finding the original nest, in case they are being watched.
Taking the shot: 6 successes 1 Mega at a 10! 3 successes!
11:18, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3,3,3,8,3,7,6,5. Taking the shot. 1 Meg, -2MultiActPenaly.3 successes
11:30, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6. reroll mega.
Sneaking to new nest: 2 successes + 2Catfooted/Running = 4 successes
11:27, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,1,9,8,2,4,4. Stealth, 1 Meg, -3MultiActPenalty.

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This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Fri 26 June 2009.

"What?  I don't see..." Dr. Zero had disappeared.  "... hate that guy."  He didn't really.  Just right now.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
The missing initiative check: 9.

One quantum spent on Claws.  Another six spent on Density Control.  Weight: 1400 lbs.  Soak: [29B/25L]  Buffed Strength 5, Mega-Strength 5.  Lasts for 7 turns before Maintenance.  Quantum Pool: [16/30]  (Unless there has been some quantum regen since the last engagement.)

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
19:27, Yesterday: Gravitas failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,6. Init, use the lowest.
Init: 19 - Holding my action until its more clear exactly where I'm needed.

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"I'll hold back to provide support for anyone that needs it, or if a 'porter shows up and needs to be locked down." Gravitas said. He trotted out into the open, basically making himself a target, but also giving himself a clear view of the area. He wasn't too worried about being picked off, though, putting faith in his shielding to be able to deflect most projectiles that might be hurled his way.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
18:34, Today: Gravitas rolled 1 success using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,3,4,1,10,5,2,3,4,6,2. Per+Awareness, 2 mega.
This is a grand total of 1 success on the roll. Which was a 10, Grav has the Observant quality for a reroll if it matters. With other bonuses in place, this is actually more like 3 successes.

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This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Fri 26 June 2009.

round 1:

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Sorry this took so long, had to prep all the enemies, and figure out the way I wanted to work the combat. Their initiative starts at 15, so several of you will act before them. I couldn't find Zero's initiative, so I have him going on 18. Sam will get an action before the enemy goes, and everyone will need to roll perception (including Imp) as you may want to change your actions based on the result. This will go a bit slower than other combats, b/c I do want to stick somewhat to round order until all the enemies have gone (when it's just you guys left, you can go in whatever order you like).  I will also keep track of rounds at the top of the posts.

The actual roll should be Per+Awar+[auto sux from psyshield]+[1 auto sux if Zero can effectively notify people that these are illusions, and give some sort of quick way to tell what is an illusion].  Zero breaks the first illusion, but will need to make a further roll to determine others in the area.  Target number successes for the first round of perception rolls is 6.  If you make lower than that, just continue on as you will, the only things you see are the aforementioned novas.  Diffs will decrease each round.

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Zero takes aim and fires directly into the torso of one of the novas being transported, but the bullet makes no impact at all.  Zero, with his keen senses, and the close analysis of the target through the sniper scope, realizes that there are only 2 good explanations for what just happened: either the entity has a field that eliminates all incoming matter (not entirely unlikely, given Gravitas' strange spatial warping) or these are illusions (also not unlikely, give that you were told about a mentalist).  Once alerted to the possibility these might not be real, Zero is able to apply his enhanced senses, keen intellect, and quantum sight, and tell that these are in fact illusions.

No other enemies are currently in sight, though that may just be another illusion...
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:50, Fri 26 June 2009.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
7 sux on per+awa.

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OOC: I forgot to mention that Body-Morph will last 5 rounds before matinence must be paid.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 4 successes using 12d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,6,1,4,10,6,2,10,9,10,6,2. Perc+Awareness, 2 Mega.

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Zeus cackled and hissed with anticipation. Sam, being all too eager to stop them, flew up part way to meet them. As soon as he was in range, he spit a thunderbolt at the nearest flier.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
QB maximum range is 105 meters.

Spends 2 quantum to fire Quantum Bolt, 15 remaining.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,3,6,10,6,10,4,9. Quantum Bolt, 2 Mega Dex.

If it connects (which it it probably won't for obvious reasons): Samuel Wolfson rolled 6 successes using 17d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,2,2,8,1,2,6,7,3,1,8,9,4,2,8,4,7. Quantum Bolt Damage.

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"Crude." Croaks Zero into the Com-link as it scampers into it's new sniper's nest. "The incoming Novas are illusions. Visual mirages. I'm not sure if it is in our heads. More like physical phantasms. Keep your eyes open!"

Solitaire rockets forward, completely oblivious to the fact that the incoming enemies are illusions. She's rather surprised when her fist meets no resistance as it goes through ones face. She puts a boot through another, then a third. Still nothing. Solitaire punches through the last one for good measure, then keys her radio. "Yeah, they're not real, stay sharp." With a slow spin, Solitaire looks for the approaching attackers, they were close enough to be ticky, so they were close enough to be found.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Didn't bother to roll, as their not real anyway. If one does happen to be, I'll edit.

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Perception: You rolled 4 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((1,1,10,4,8,4,9,1,5,5,9)). 1 mega
+2psyshield
+1 for Zero
=7

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Zero secures itself tightly in a new nest, one in clear view of the entrance to the government building. It eyes the entire area for the real invaders, hopping their mentalist must be in line of sight to effect everyone. If it spots one that it doesn't feel is an illusion, it takes a pot shot at them and retreats once again.

(OOC: Will roll for shots when next turn occurs and edit appropriately.)

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Cut through illusions and find the bastards: 6 successes
06:27, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 6 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,7,1,10,3,7,8,8,7,6. Per+Awareness, 1 Meg.

edit by gm: you forgot to reroll your 10.
You rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((7)).
That makes barely enough to pierce the illusion.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Sat 27 June 2009.

"Huh." Sam said as both his thunderbolt and Solitare passed through the enemy as if they were air. "Shoulda seen that coming. Hm... I wonder if I could still see their heat signatures." He swept the area with his EM vision to see if he could locate these invisible cretins.

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

Spends 1 quantum to trigger EM Vision. 14 remaining.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 7 successes using 15d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4,4,9,2,8,7,3,2,9,10,9,7,4,5. Per+Awareness, +2 Mega, +3 EM Vision.

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Comstock watched the others tear the illusory targets apart.  "Damn.  Watch the government building, guys.  They'll probably try to slip past us and nuke it."  With no idea where his partner had disappeared and a strange certainty that he was nearby anyway, Comstock began an orderly retreat towards the government building.  "Where are you, you bastards.  C'mon ... where are you."

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Looks like Five successes on the Perception check.  One for the roll, four for psychic shield.
10:12, Today: Comstock rolled 1 success using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,7,2,4,2. Breaking Down Illusions.

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The city of Kinshasa, downtown:
http://www.biemmadcenter.com/images/kin3.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com...0_1b92079604.jpg?v=0

The capital building itself looks similar to this, with a large open courtyard surrounding it.
http://image40.webshots.com/40...5721287SoFqYb_fs.jpg

Impetus and Zero's attention to detail, Sam's altered neural structure that allows for EM sight, and Phantasm's psychic resistance allow them to pierce the illusion, which they will all likely relate to the party as a whole.

The four attackers in the air are of course not there, but there is a nova roughly 20 feet behind that location, preparing to pounce on Solitaire.
(this is what she looks like, minus the sharp diamond claws coming out of her fingers http://farm1.static.flickr.com...16151_f44947f3eb.jpg)

The capital building, which was in the shadow of a large cloud, is actually being overshadowed by the giant body of another nova who is preparing to smash the entire left wing of the building with his fists.  Even without sight, it would be difficult not to hit the giant nova if given a rough location.

A man surrounded by a red-orange force field is immediately behind Comstock, hands charged with energy and preparing to blast him.

At the edge of the courtyard, a woman stands in the middle of what appears to be a glass bubble.  Her eyes glow, and her appearance shifts between that of a beautiful young ebony skinned woman, and an ancient crone.  Her face is strained, as though she is concentrating very hard.

Flying above the woman on a shimmering column of heated air, a youngish looking man in cammo takes aim the area where the group of Utopians is standing.

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

Knowing rough locations of enemies will prevent surprise, allowing characters not able to see their enemies to at least dodge somewhat, and attempt attacks.  Diffs on the roll will be at 6 next turn, and the bonus will be at +2.

Impetus should act, as well as Grav if he chooses to respond.  I will follow that with the actions of the rest of their team.

---

Imp was tearing towards the nova that Sol was engaging when he noticed that his hair wasn't blowing in the wind, nor did the attackers cast. shadows.  "Fuck me they're illusions!" he whispered fervently under his breath.
He saw the woman behind Sol, and, hoping that this wouldn't get his teammate hurt, continued his dive at the illusion.  He blew through the illusion moments after Sol's fist passed throug its head and pulled up sharply trying to come up behind the bitch gunning for Sol.  As soon as he was in position he let loose with a blast of concussive force, while shouting "Sol, dead ahead, Comstock, on your six!"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
7 sux on the qbolt. damage is 12 auto, 8 dice rolled, plus whatever I have left over from my roll, provided I hit.  Will be away from te comp for a while so figure out what i did and roll svp.

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This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Sun 28 June 2009.

"Comstock, behind you!  Solitaire, in front of you about 20 feet!  And someone needs to blast the area behind the building or the giant guy's gonna wreck it!"

Sheets of green energy begin to uncoil from Phantasms force shield and solidify, little centipede legs carrying the two story sheets along on the ground as they billow gently in the wind.  They move to guard the building, and to protect her teammates, their tops splitting into hundreds of tiny green tendrils as they go.

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

2 succ on doubling, 4 succ on size.

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"Shit!"  Comstock turned about to charge whatever was behind him.  As his eyes focused on the force-field shrouded man about to incinerate him, he bit back on fear and trusted in his body's ability to ignore harm.

If he made it, Comstock intended to slam into the man like a wrecking ball and tackle him to the ground.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Doesn't look like Comstock will make contact on that one: total miss thanks to the other guy's defense and the difficulty of a Tackle maneuver.  Succeeded on the Athletics check to stay upright after the Tackle though.

21:50, Today: Comstock rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3,3,1,2,4,3. Tackle the Force-Field Guy!
21:52, Today: Comstock rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,5,1,10. Balance

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Sam went along with Phantasms directions and went after 'Godzilla'. "Shit! He's too big for a thunderbolt."

"True." said Zeus with a devilish grin. "But, it ssssssseems that he'd have a bit more trouble hitting things... without his eyessssss."

Sam shot a disgusted look at his... creative ally, but nodded in agreement. "...Right." He flew as quick as he could up to the monstrous nova's face, then tried to plunge his crackling arms into the beast's eyes.

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Total of 5 sux.
Samuel Wolfson rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,6,8,3,7,2,3,6,4. It's Eye Gougin' Time! 2 Mega Dex.

Total of 6 L damage.
Samuel Wolfson rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,3. Eye Gougin' Damage.

---

"Heh, I see her." Solitaire lines herself up with the enemy nova, and rockets forward. It took an instant to cross the intervening 20 feet, almost faster than the eye could follow. Fast as she was though, Solitaire's fist was faster, and she intended to ram it straight into the enemy's gut.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
02:04, Today: Solitaire rolled 4 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,2,4,10,7,3,9,2,6. Hyperspeed strike.

If it hits, I'd be rolling 8[15] damage, 5 Str+ 3 Hyperflight + 1 Rapid Strike

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In reply to Rydi (msg #108):

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OOC: I'm assuming the giant Nova is using Size Morph (Grow). If so, how much of an attack bonus do I get to strike? P.S. Love the description of how the illusion of a cloud's shadow gave way to the shadow of the 'colossus' Nova.

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Behind reflective goggles, Zero's one eye widened in terror and awe at the colossus that was revealed to have been over The Doctor this entire time. The titan's ominous fist hung in the air, and an entire nation's fate hung with it. If Zero had to die, truly die, then this would be an epic way to go.

Zero hated itself for what it was about to do, but it needed to leave Comstock behind and concentrate on stopping the 'colossus'' fist from hitting the capital.

Zero rushes out of it's nest until it reaches the titan's feet and spins behind them. It can feel it's ever present Event Horizon around itself, and focuses it's power. In a blur of dexterous grace and panic; Zero rears back it's fist and plows it into the titan's Achilles heel, relishing the poetic justice of the act, pulls the string connecting all the pins on the grenade on it's belt, rips the belt free with it's great strength, and slips the entire belt of 5 grenades under the bridge of the colossus' boot before hightailing it out of there. The Doctor trips over it's own feet while circling, and prey's the giant's massive boot heel is enough cover to survive the coming explosion.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Rushing to the colossus' feet. 5 successes (Mega was a 9)
13:08, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,7,4,9,7,5. Athletics/Running -4MultiPen,1Meg, 1Will.
Event Horizon: 2 successes + _Size-Morph Size Bonus
13:14, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,7,6,5,2. EvHor-5MultPen,1Meg,1Will,+3AreaAcceracy.
[Private to Rydi: Event Horizon in a catch all term for some of Z's powers, but in this case refers to it's unique Disrupt Power. Z is applying it's 2 Successes to lower the power Level of 2 of the 'colossus'' best defense powers for purposes of defense.]
Strike the Achilles Heel: 4 successes + _Size-Morph Size Bonus (Mega was 9)
13:25, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,2,3,5,4,6,9,9. Punch!1Meg,-5MultiPen,+2RearAttack.
Strength Roll: 2 Successes
13:28, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,2,6,2,10,2. Strength in the Punch. 1Will.
Damage: Possibly 10 + _Size-Morph Size Bonus
Grenade Tuck: 3 successes +_Size-Morph Size Bonus (Mega was 8)
13:34, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,2,4,1,5,8,6. Grenade Tuck,1Meg,-6MultiPen,+2RearAtta .
Retreat! failed
13:39, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,3,5. RunLikeHell! 1Meg -7MultiPen. .

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This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Sun 28 June 2009.

Gravitas continued to hold himself in reserve, waiting for the teleporter to make an appearance or for one of his teammates to get overwhelmed by their chosen opponents. The advantage of outnumbering the enemy, after all, was having the chance to gang up on anyone that started to express a combat advantage. He paid close attention to the com-chatter and continued to shift his focus from one opponent to the next, looking for the best place to apply himself to the fight.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Grav is basically just holding his action

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round 1, through initiative 15

Turn 0
Grav Buffs
Sam Buffs
Comstock Buffs
Phantasm uses Q.Construct
Zero hides and snipes
Imp moves to engage
Sol moves to engage
Pax Buffs
Frostburn Buffs


Turn 1
19: Grav holds
18: Zero announces the attackers are illusions.  Imp, Sam, Com, and P all note the illusion as well, and give warning regarding the real attackers.  Sam aborts his initial Q.Bolt attack and instead attacks the giant, attempting to gouge out its eyes.  The attack doesn’t penetrate the invisible forcefield surrounding the giant, but he recoils, abandoning his strike at the building to paw at his face, and allowing Zero the chance to attack undetected.  Zero leaps to the giant’s heel from its nest, and then attacks, leaving a half-dozen grenades beneath his heal before stumbling in his attempt to get away.  The grenades explode, ripping through the forcefield with ease (strange, that…) leaving the colossus missing his leg up to the knee.  Between the explosion and the thrashing of the giant as he falls to his knees, the back of the building is severely damaged.  Zero is partially covered from the explosion, but still is hit by the periphery of the explosion.  Sam is hit by bits of flying shrapnel but they do little to him, other than irritate Zeus and provoke stray bolts of electrical current to flash around Sam.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Zero will take half damage, 14d of Lethal.  Soak it, then roll it yourself.  Damage rolls sucked, and he has a bunch of extra health levels, so the giant is still up, but maimed. 

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17: Solitaire hears the warning, but is rocketing forward too fast to stop.  She goes right through the illusion and pauses, spinning to find her attacker.  She takes the warnings of her teammates and moves to strike the area in front of her position.  She feels the air move near her as something shifts out of the way, but contacts nothing.  Impetus sees an opening when she moves to avoid Solitaire however…

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Multi-action, plus moderate defense on the enemy, plus only having other people’s descriptions to go on = miss.  Next round you will be able to roll to pierce the illusion, and you will also be able to make attacks blind even if you fail, since you know roughly where she is.   Though I didn’t actually see a perception roll, so if you haven’t made one yet for the round you can go ahead and do so.

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16: Pax, blind to what’s going on, is enraged.  He makes a rush for the only target he feels certain of hitting, the large target behind the capital building.  He plows into the giant, hammering into its chest.  The force field buckles, and those nearby hear a cracking sound (perhaps a rib cracking?) as Pax’s hit drives the giant to the ground.

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Pax isn’t at his 2015 glory, but is still quite powerful.  Despite this, the giant still has enough health to keep going for a while, and his shield and size insure that Pax will have to expend a great deal of energy.  Oh, and he regens slowly as well.  Pax and Giant are officially out of the fight, unless it goes on for more than 4 rounds.

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15: Impetus takes his shot, blasting the large African woman with pure kinetic energy, hitting her right between the shoulder blades and pushing her down several yards from her previous position.  Her movements are slowed as she looks around in confusion.

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The hit was solid, damage good after soak.  Another good hit, if it bypasses whatever her defenses are, will probably finish her, or at least knock her out.

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The teleporter behind Comstock fires into him, though the angle of the attack is less effective due to the warnings of Comstock’s teammates.  The attack easily hits, followed by a second blast only moments later.  The ‘porter is stunned by the results of his attack: bolts of force that in the past knocked over buildings and pulverized granite failed to harm the metal man, failed to even move him.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
When placing these guys, I put them in the positions that they thought would be advantageous.  Surprise the armor guy with the highest damage, sneaky guy, right?  Yeah, his base damage can’t even pin, not even on all successes.  He’s going to have to max, or do something else entirely if he’s going to matter.  Anyway, just sharing b/c I got a kick out of it.

---

The young man in cammo, blonde hair waiving in the wind of his heat column, smiles, squints, and directs his attack at the area in front of the building where Firefox, Phantasm, Comstock, Frostburn, and Gravitas are positioned.  His hands glow, one icy blue, the other surrounded by flames, and a maelstrom of heat and icy cold pounds the area in waves first superheating it, then flash freezing, then repeating several times before dying down.  When the energy clears, Firefox is unconscious, Frostburn is slightly injured, Phantasm’s constructs have shattered into small green shards that are beginning to dissipate, Phantasm herself is behind a decorative statue and managed to avoid the worst of the attack, Comstock is yet again unharmed, and Gravitas is safe behind a barrier of spatial distortion.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
5 sux on attack.  Frostburn is hit and wounded, Phantasm hasn’t acted this round so shouldn’t be hit, Comstock is hit but unharmed, Grav may or may not have been hit but is safe behind his shields, all of Phantasm’s constructs are hit and destroyed.  Firefox, already injured, falls unconscious despite her temperature resistance. 

---

14: Phantasm and several enemies act…

Imp grins a tight, feral grin as his bolt slams home.  Inside he was terrified, he'd never been in a fight before, other than to get his ass kicked, and the cocktail of endorphines and other hormones rushing through his brain was intense.  Still, he couldn't lose it in front of his teammates.  He wheeled hard, trying to get behind the woman as she faced Sol, or to keep her facing him so Sol could get behind her whichever.  He pulled both hands in towards his chest, felt the energy build up in his head, then pur through his arms and explode towards the nova in a rippling, concusive bolt of force.  Hopefully she'd go down before she hurt anybody.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
a staggering 1 sux on 8 dice, plus 1 from wp is a mighty 2 sux!!  Goddamn roller!  2 quantum spent, 1 wp.

---

Phantasm tries to stay cool and collected, despite her plans falling apart with the illusion, and she attempts to ignore the distractions around her to better gauge the situation.  Frostburn was hurt, Firefox down... They couldn't keep this up.

She focuses all her energy, preparing to summon something dark and powerful, something that can endure the other nova's attacks.

---

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

maxing Q.Construct
You rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((10,4,2,6)). Bleh, yucky roll.

Rolling for Q.Construct ahead of time:
You rolled 8 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((6,10,9,7,7,1,2,1,7)). first 3 mega.
+1 will, +1 max, -1 for increased diff extra uses of QC in a scene
=9 (I'll describe what happens next round)

q spent last fight: 1 multitasking, 2 Force Field, 3 shapeshift, 2 Q.Construct

q regained during downtime (1 hour): 2q+5q for node

q spent this fight: 3q shifting, 2q Q.Construct, 1q on analyze weakness, 1q on Multitasking, 2q on forcefield, 4q maxing, 4q on Q.Construct #2.

Down 18, 10 left.
2 will spent, 3 left.

---

14: Phantasm begins concentrating
After the attack from Impetus, the heavily muscled woman shakes her confusion enough to slash at Solitaire's gut, and then fly up rapidly to slash at Impetus. Solitaire's rapid movements and the woman's dazed state impair the first attack.  Imp, moving almost as fast as Solitaire, is even more difficult to attack.  After missing both attacks, the woman warily floats between Sol and Imp like a trapped animal...

---

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

wound penalties dropped her to 5 dice.  Ouch.

---

The strange woman in the glass bubble begins to shimmer, as though in a heat haze.  Waves of distortion travel from the bubble, and roll over Frostburn, Comstock, and Gravitas.  This must be some sort of psychic interference, as the three utopians immediately begin to feel intensely disoriented.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Roll will, add successes and psyshield, subtract from 7.  The difference is applied as a penalty to all rolls for the next 5 rounds, if this reduces dice pools by half or more, a will must be spent to use the dice pool in question.  See the disorient power for further details.

---

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
If anyone has actions on 14, or wants to take a held action.  If not, I'll go ahead and take the last two actions I've got, and then slow people can go, and we will start another round

---

Zero wipers it's prayer and only sees white heat and stone fall around it. It's ears ring and the earth shakes. Than shakes again as the titans clash above it. Was the Doctor dying? The Doctor told itself that the adrenalin made it's body numb for the moment. It would soon know how fucked up it had made itself.

---

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

Rydi:

Zero will take half damage, 14d of Lethal.  Soak it, then roll it yourself.

09:35, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 6 successes using 14d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,5,6,4,8,5,2,7,8,9,8,1,6,8. grenade damage.

Zero soaks 4. Left at Hurt. -0 Wound Penalties.

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This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Mon 29 June 2009.

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

Damage is soaked before rolling (and subtracts from auto-successes before dice, if there are any autos, just fyi). If Zero soaks 4, then that leaves 10 dice...
Damage: You rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((9,6,6,10,8,8,4,8,6,4)).
Would be 5L damage.

On the upside, he took a whole lot more, and you ended the nova I dubbed "super-heavy" on my notes sheet.

---

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

Rydi:

Damage is soaked before rolling (and subtracts from auto-successes before dice, if there are any autos, just fyi). If Zero soaks 4, then that leaves 10 dice...
Damage: You rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((9,6,6,10,8,8,4,8,6,4)).
Would be 5L damage.

Ah! Now I see. My bad. That does make combat hellava scary. Cool!
Z's at "Maimed," -2 wound penalty.

Rydi:

On the upside, he took a whole lot more, and you ended the nova I dubbed "super-heavy" on my notes sheet.

I can work with that. ;) That was an entertaining exercise on the limits and dangers of splitting dice for Multiple Actions.

So what do the enemies do?

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This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Mon 29 June 2009.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Total of 4 successes to resist Disorient, -3 pen to rolls

---

Having spotted the source of the disorientation, and probably the illusion-maker as well, Gravitas moved into action. Apparently unphased by the attack of the man in camouflage. I'll take care of him next, thinks Gravitas, but first things are first.

"I've spotted the psychic. Engaging now," he raised up an outstretched hand and blinked through the disorientation plaguing him. Black-purple energy began to coalesce in the palm of his hand as he sighted along his arm. He shook his head, trying to clear his sight and shake the vague combination of vertigo, dizziness and nausea that washed through his head. Fairly sure that he was aiming correctly, he released the energy in a beam of black light edged with purple toward the source of his discomfort.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Currently at 21Q after 1 hour of regeneration and buffing, 3 for a grav bolt brings it to 18.
12:12, Today: Gravitas rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,9,6,10,4,10. Dex+Grav to-hit, -3 penality, no mega.
12:13, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7. Rerolling 10's for "Steady".
Total: 5 successes to hit
Damage for lethal gravtic bolt is 10 levels plus 4 dice. I can roll after soak or you can roll during soak, whatever.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 18:37, Mon 29 June 2009.

Comstock felt the world shifting under his feet.  Things clamped shut in his brain and ears, but it wasn't enough to keep him upright.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Five successes.  Comstock gets a -2.  Though, with the Disorient hitting before his action on Initiative 9, he's going to fall to the ground on that failed tackle since his (Dexterity+Athletics) is only 4.  Cracked pavement for all, and a woozy metal man.

20:56, Today: Comstock rolled 1 success using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,7,4. Disorientation.

---

Sam was getting frustrated when he found that the behemoth was covered in a force-field. "Break dammit, break!" But as soon as the explosion went off, he readied himself to attack again. "Now you're gon- WHOA!" Pax zoomed passed him and apparently broke some of his massive ribs.

Zeus laughed sadistically. "AAAAAHHAAHAHAH! How... sssssssatisfying!"

He whips around at Imp's update, and spots the psychic and her guard. "Fine then," he responds "I'll take blondie." He takes a deep breath, draws on his reserves of enegry, and spits a thunderbolt at Mr. "Fire & Ice."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Spends 2 quantum on Quantum Bolt. 13 remaining.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,5,9,1,6,9,6,5. Thunder Bolt, 2 Mega.

Samuel Wolfson rolled 1 success using 17d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,6,5,6,2,3,4,5,5,3,1,4,2,6,3,6,7. Thunder Bolt Damage.

Seventeen dice. SEVENTEEN GODDAMN DICE! And one success.

---

14:Gravitas lashes out with a gravitic bolt, shattering the "glass" bubble int countless tiny crystals that fall harmlessly to the ground.  The woman inside seems a bit worried.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
The bubble apparently was designed in such a manner that it deflected the incoming force around the structure evenly, preventing any harm to the person on the inside from a single attack of all but the most extreme intensity.  Small arms fire probably would have done nothing at all.  Interesting creation, that...

---

13:Poisonous purple gas fills the air, and obscures vision throughout the courtyard as it expands.  Humans in the nearby area die, plants wilt, and the nova combatants find that even they are not completely immune.  The wind is pushing most of it away from the enemy novas at the edge of the courtyard however, so they are mostly untouched by the gas.  Strange how it just appeared there, as though out of thin air...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
The gas will increase the diff to attack the novas at the edge of the courtyard, due to its obscuring effect.  Anyone with adaptability can spend 1q and roll a diff 3 stam+resistance roll to totally ignore the gas for the rest of the scene.  Everyone else can make the same roll, but will need to make it each round and at diff 5.

---

12:Nothing
11:The giant thrashes on the ground, kicks over a part of the building's back wall, and moans pain.
9:Comstock makes a leap for the force-projecting nova, but feels the world fall out from under him, instead stumbling to the ground at the novas feet.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Poor nova, you taunt him with your weakness, but he can't hurt you.

---

Round 2, Initiative 18
Initiative Order
18: Sam/Zeus, Zero
17: Solitaire
16:
15: Impetus, Teleporter, TempController
14: Phantasm, Gravitas, BigWoman, Psycher
13: Mystery Nova
12:
11: Giant
10:
9:  Comstock

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

New perception checks at 6 diff with a +2 bonus, and any psyshield successes, made at top of the round.

Gas resistance roll for those in the courtyard, as stated above.

Feel free to state actions ahead of time, and I'll try to piece them together like I did last round.

If I missed anything let me know.

---

Zero crawls free from the debris, smoking, and ragged. It gets up and tries to move, finding itself a bloody mess. I turns awkwardly to Comstock and sees it’s partner on the ground. Hobbling in pain, Zero tries to clear it’s head and sneak, as bet as it can, about ten meters away from the Force-projecting Nova harassing Comstock, near a lamppost. Seeing that Gravitas has the Psychic Nova in a corner, Zero decides to focus on this the frustrated attacker. Zero focuses it’s Event Horizon on the Force-Projector, twice.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
OOC: How high up in the Heat Manipulator? How far away is the Mentalist from the Force-projecting Nova? How far away is the Mystery Nova from them?

Edit: Forgot Wound Penalties. Rerolled everything.

Perception Roll: 2 successes
09:39, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,5,7,6,3,1,4,1,5,10,5. Percep, +2bonus, 1 Meg, 6Diff.-2WoundPe .

Sneaky Sneaky Broken ‘Man’: 3 successes + 2 Catfooted = 5 successes
09:38, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,9,10,3,6,9. Sneak,1Meg,-3MultiPen-2Wound+2CatFooted.
1 Quantum Spent

Event Horizon 1: 3 success (Mega was 8)
09:41, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,1,10. EventH,-4MultPen,-2Wound,+2RearAtt,1Meg.

Event Horizon 2: 1 success – 1 Diff. = 0 successes
09:42, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,7. EventH,-5MultPen,-2Wound,+2RearAtt,1Meg. 

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This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Tue 30 June 2009.

Having missed her first attack, Solitaire continues past to maintain her speed and loops back around, screaming down from above at absurd speed. As she does, Solitaire spins a few times, building momentum before lashing out with a blinding kick. She hoped she'd put enough force into it to both knock the bitch out, and send her flying clear of the ominous looking gas now filling the courtyard. Fatalities were something to be avoided, but she could afford a few broken bones. "I'd advise not getting back up." Solitaire comments lightly, just before her foot connects.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
15:03, Today: Solitaire rolled 2 successes using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,9. Rerolling "Wiry".
15:01, Today: Solitaire rolled 5 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,6,7,10,8,10,3,4,8. Super-spin Kick!.

Hyperspeed Strike 7 Sux attack roll, Damage 11[15]+extra Bashing (5 Str +2 Strike +3 Hyperflight +1 Rapid Strike)

[EDIT]Right, Perception rolls. I'm assuming the +2 bonus is dice.
15:16, Today: Solitaire rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,5,9,2,2,4,9. Percep, 2 mega reducing.[/EDIT]   

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This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Tue 30 June 2009.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
actually, its bonus sux.  So, snip those last two dice of the end of your roll, and you made it.  Vision restored.  And that was a nice attack roll.

---

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Mechanics for this round:
00:05, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,5,5,5,5,1,10,3,10. Stam+Res, 2 Mega.
2 sux on resistance roll. What does it do if we don't make the roll?

00:08, Today: Gravitas rolled 4 successes using 11d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,5,8,6,4,7,6,6,1,8,7. Per+Aware, 2 Mega.
+2+2=8 successes. I think that is enough to restore vision?

Still at a -3 penalty because of disorient, so launching another Gravitic Bolt:
00:12, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,2,9,6,6,9. Dex+Grav to-hit -3 pen, no mega.
Probably a whiff

---

Seeing the sphere shatter around his target, Gravitas smiled grimmly - not that anyone could see that through his gravity shielding. He took aim again and fired off another quick shot, hoping to take the psychic out of commission and make this battle just a little easier on himself and his allies.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
since sol is acting before me I'm going to post two possible cations:  If teh woman goes down I'll cancel my last action (qbolt) and move to catch the falling woman.  If she doesn't go down, my previous action stands. Kosher?

---

Hearing the crunch of breaking ribs imp lets the energy boiling around his hands dissipate.  He flies over to catch the woman, hopefully she's not dead.  After grabbing here he takes a quick look around at the action raging below.  "Imp to Comstock, Sol and I have taken one of the enemy combatants down.  Moving to engage other targets."  He then places the woman on a rooftop near the square and will move to engage an enemy nova next round, provided they're not all down.

18: Zero attempts to disable the force-user's defenses; Sam unleashes a bolt of lightning in the direction of the temperature controller, but his aim is off due to the smoke.
17: Solitaire slams into the cornered woman, putting the full force of her strength behind her attack.  The woman flies backwards, and is totally unconscious.  She begins falling.
16: Pax continues to beat on the giant.
15: Impetus catches the falling woman.  She is alive, but severely injured.
The force-user begins focusing his quantum energies in hopes of piercing Comstock's defenses, and those nearby can feel the buildup.
The temperature controller lashes out at the area with another blast.  He can't see in to properly target, so is a bit less accurate and almost hits his partner.  Most everyone is able to move out of the way however, and even those that aren't are protected by their defenses.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Gotta love those 2 sux rolls

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14: Gravitas attempts to attack the psycher, but through the haze he can barely make her out, and misses.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
yes, that is enough to dispell the illusion for the rest of the fight

---

The psycher is frightened now, with her defenders gone, and looks around attempting to find someone to help her.  She targets Comstock, and she screams at him "protect me!"  Her voice is compelling...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
After added diffs for the haze, 5 sux.  So, roll will, add sux from psyshield, get 5 or higher.

---

Phantasm acts.

Phantasm finishes concentrating, and a man steps out of her chest.  More lifelike than her other creations, this thing, aside from a slightly greenish tinge, could be real.

He is a gruesome sight.  Once he had wings, but they are merely bloody stumps. His hands are clamped to his sides, and his legs are hobbled together, yet somehow he manages a rapid, shambling gait.  His mouth and eyes have been sewn shut, and a spiked collar wraps around his neck, greenish blood trickling down it.  A chain runs from his neck to Phantasm's wrist.

"Oh... God.  I didn't know... I hoped it wasn't..." Phantasm whispers to herself, fear and disgust showing on her face briefly before she steels herself and orders it to attack the two nova's across the courtyard, the psychic first.

The creature moans and shambles forward, and its voice can be heard clearly in the minds of those nearby, as it talks to the novas that are to be its victims:  "...so alone, so much pain... share with me, come back with me... Let me see inside of you, let me understand... Fill me... Feed me..."

The creation shambles along, a glow appearing around its skin, and everyone near it feels a palpable hunger filling the air... It wants the psychic.  It lashes out at her, pulling her psyche into it's own...

---

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

attack roll: You rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((9,5,8,4,9,9,5)).
=5 successes to eat the psychic's brain

This is not a a normal creation, as you can probably already tell.  If people are curious as to why it has these... odd powers, feel free to investigate in character.
2 succ to create
2 succ for 5 Int, 2 Per
2 succ for Quantum 3
4 succ for 15 NP's
5np("Mind Eating" Mental Blast, Aggravated)
3np(Telepathy, area, requires "Mind Eating" to use non-communication abilities)
3np (Force Field, Fixed[12 soak])
1np (2 extra maimed health lvls)
3np (1 mega-int)

---

14: Phantasm's creation begins to tear into the psychic, who screams in horror and pain as her mind is consumed.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
She is still standing, and will fight back, but is clearly hurt.  If anyone could see her up close they would note blood flowing from her eyes and nose.

---

13: Another sphere goes up around the novas at the edge of the courtyard, this time opaque.
11: The giant thrashes, though by this point he has rolled away from the building, and is attempting to pin Pax.
9: Comstock goes, and then new round.

Solitaire looks down on the rest of the battle, spying the latest abomination Phantasm had conjured. "That girl has some serious issues." She says, but by the look of the thing, that may be something of an understatement. "Eh, don't we all?" Solitaire shrugs, them heads off to find a unengaged enemy.

Sam mutters yet another curse as his thunderbolt misses yet again, then zooms through the smoke so that he can see his target clearly. "Alright you bastard, let's-" He stops short when he catches sight of Phantasm's latest... friend. To Zeus's extreme surprise, Sam starts laughing histarically. "AHAAAAHAHAAHAHAHAHHA!!!" When this fit ended, he blurted out "Oh, that's... that's fantastic."

Zeus regards his protege with some measure of irritation. "Oh no. Don't let our imminent DEMISE disssssstract you from your enjoyment!"

"Huh? Oh yeah." He turns to the temperature controller and readies himself.

In reply to Samuel Wolfson (msg #136):

(of note, the Temperature Controller is now hidden by a quasi-glass structure similar to the one that Gravitas destroyed earlier, but one that is not transparent.  For those wanting to fire on those inside, it will require breaking through the structure first.

After Comstock, it will be Sam, Zero, Sol, Imp, Grav up next.

9: Comstock acts (will determine actions later)

Round 3, Initiative 18

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
People can post for round 3.  Comstock probably got busy and hasn't had a chance to get back on, but his action will be either to retreat or attack the force-user.  Either way, most everyone else's actions should be unaffected for round 3, as he and the force user have paired off for the time being.

---

Imp crouches over the unconscious woman, feels at her neck for a pulse.  After he has established that she does indeed have one he checks her breathing.  Having established that she's alive and presumably not going to die, Imp stands back up and looks towards the sounds of combat.

Comstock's jaw clacked shut with an audible crack and his eyes rolled back into his skull.  His muscles shuddered and seized, then reasserted themselves as his body adapted and insulated itself.  He felt unnaturally calm.  With some effort, he got his feet beneath him and scanned the field for threats.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Six successes to resist being conned into protecting the psychic.  And spending one willpower to get back on his feet.
17:40, Today: Comstock rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,5,10. Resist Psychic Compulsion.

---

He marched toward the force projector, careful to keep his feet under him.  He didn't feel capable of talking straight, let alone ordering the man to surrender.  Logically, the best course of action was simply to break the man's force-field and drive him into shock, where unconsciousness would substitute for surrender.  He brandished his new claws and moved as quickly as he felt he could to punching distance, then squatted and tried to aim a knife-hand for the man's thigh.  Visual distortion made aiming an approximate thing, however.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Four successes from Strength + Brawl.  This seems like an appropriate time for the 'Rugged' quality to apply, I think.  If this hits ... he's taking 25 lethal auto.  Plus my 7 damage die pool (Strength + Strike Maneuver + Claws 1)

17:56, Today: Comstock rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,2,10,2,7. Cut the Force-Projectors Leg Off.
17:57, Today: Comstock rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5. Rugged quality re-rolls.

---

Round 2
9: Comstock strikes at the teleporter, who barely dodges the maneuver.  Comstock's hand cleaves the concrete with ease, buckling the nearby ground.

Round 3
18:
17:
16:
15:

Zero runs up behind the Force-wielder and strikes at him with of the Nova’s might. The Doctor then darts back near any automobiles for cover, hopping to avoid retaliation from other enemies.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Event Horizon (the Target is in the Area affect zone again.): 3 successes - Difficulty +2
08:09, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,2,10,9. Event Horizon, -2WoundPenalties, 1Meg.
08:11, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,4. Event Horizon, Forgot +2RearAttackBonus.

Ninja Strike!!! 1 success
08:12, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,6,4,3,2,9,1,2,6. Strike,1Mega-2Wound-2MultiAc+2RearAttack.

Wow. Don’t think I hit with that one. Hopefully I at least made him dodge and blow his action.

Ninja Hide… 2 successes + 3 Catfooted = 5 Successes
08:14, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,2,2,7,8,5. Hide -3Multi-2Wound,1Meg.
1 Quantum Spent

---

OOC: Edit: Added increased Difficulty to Event Horizon.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Sat 04 July 2009.

The creature, the almost man, continues its moaning plea to join it.  It approaches the shell and paws at it, sensing those beyond with it's telepathy, and still seeking to consume.

Phantasm attempts to shift once more, rearranging bones under her skin, and runs to help Comstock despite feeling that she didn't arrange things quite right...

She leaps to attack, but bounces off the enemy's defenses.

---

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

shape shift: You rolled 1 success using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((3,6,7,4,1,4,3)).
=1
Yay, another bad shift.

to hit: You rolled 5 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((8,9,2,8,9,5,6,10,6,1)). 1 mega.
=6

Damage: not worth rolling honestly.  Without an adequate shift damage won't exceed 5d+successes, which standard Stamina+Force Field should soak.

Critter's attack: You rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((7,2,6,7,9,8,3)).
=5

---

Round 2
9: Comstock strikes at the teleporter, who barely dodges the maneuver.  Comstock's hand cleaves the concrete with ease, buckling the nearby ground.

Round 3
18: Zero's attack doesn't seem to phase the force projector, who merely dodges the clearly wounded nova, and continues to focus intensely on Comstock
Same Acts
17: Solitaire acts
16: Gravitas Acts.
Pax punches the giant, who is barely moving afterwords.
15: Impetus acts.
The Temperature controller remains inside the bubble, and does not act, though people can feel a build up of power.
14: Phantasm's attack does connect, but is unable to pierce the force projecter's shielding. Her creation however however does serious damage and the screams of pain from within the bubble, fade to whimpers.
The psychic does not act, apparently too injured to fight back, or simply so ineffectual that her attemps were irrelevant.
13: The party responsible for creating the glass bubbles and the gas does not seem to be intervening in the battle any longer, at least not in any obvious way.
11: The giant thrashes feebly, unable to even provide a struggle for pax.
9: Comstock acts.

Solitaire flies past the force projector, it looked like he was under control, and went straight for the bubble on the edge of the courtyard. She coughed a few times as she dipped into the cloud of gas, god that tasted foul, but her iron stamina filtered most of it out.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
13:49, Today: Solitaire rolled 6(7) successes using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,5,7,8,5,9,4,8,10. poison resist.

---

As she approaches, Solitaire whirls, planting the toe of a boot into into the opaque bubble. If she breaks through it, she will continue the movement and try and plant the heel of her other boot into the Temp Controllers face.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Split for 2 actions.

14:05, Today: Solitaire rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8. re-roll 'Wiry' (missed the 2nd 10).
14:05, Today: Solitaire failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1. re-roll 'Wiry'.
14:05, Today: Solitaire rolled 5 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,8,1,10,8,7,3. Strike on the bubble.

7[15]+any extra damage on the bubble.

14:08, Today: Solitaire failed (no successes) using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,4. re-roll 'Wiry'. 14:08,
Today: Solitaire rolled 4 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,10,3,10,6,8. 2nd attack.

damage would be the same, assuming I could hit with a 4

---

In it's own mind, between seconds of combat, Zero curses it's weakness. An idea dawns on The Doctor for a simpler, better tactic.

Imp leaps off the building and speeds towards the nova that Sol had just knocked out of the sky. He runs around the man at full tilt several times, moving so fast he's just a blur of blonde hair and armani suit, then, when he feels that the man has lost track of exactly where in the blur he is Imp steps in and grabs a flailing arm, flips him hard onto the ground while maintaining control of the limb.  He may not be unconscious at the end but if he tried anything funny he'd ahve a badly broken arm for his troubles.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
4 sux.  I don't know how this grapple whould work, I assume it's a standard MA+Dex roll, for damage, I dunno, am away from books right now.  Applicable stats are 5 str,  4 sux on the roll.  Don't know if i garnered any bonuses for zipping around him or not.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Mon 06 July 2009.

Solitaire's kick shatter's the glass into fine particles, though something about the way the bubble is constructed actually allows it to channel the force and remain intact long enough that Sol has to pull up and wait a moment for it to shatter before going in for another attack, though by then she has lost some of her original momentum. She moves in to hit the temp controller, who looks deep in concentration, sweat plastering his blond hair to his forehead.  Due to his focus, he fails to dodge the attack aimed at his face, and the kick slams him to the ground near the mewling psycher. Imp's blast will finish the nova off...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Since it won't matter any more, I'll explain the recurring bubbles.  They are a product of Matter Creation.  A fine, glass-like structure, they channel force over their entire surface area and then collapse.  Light hits will do nothing to it, while heavy hits will shatter it completely but leave those inside untouched.  The tactical purpose is to totally negate even large hits, and delay attackers.

Either way, all that is really left is the guy fighting Comstock.  I assume that Imp will aim at something non-lethal after Sol knocks the temp controller out of the sky?  If not, he will be a fine red mist, which is fine too.

Grav and Sam are still left this round I believe.

---

Comstock twisted, this time swinging at the ground beneath the Force Projector's feet.  If he were lucky, he'd shatter the ground and knock the man to the ground.  If he were unlucky, he'd sever or destroy the man's foot.  In either case, it would immobilize the enemy and allow Zero another chance to subdue him properly.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I think I broke the concrete.
14:12, Today: Comstock rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,8,4,7. Shatter concrete and/or feet.

---

The force-projector's eye's flare with a brilliant vermilion glow, and he thrusts his hands toward Comstock, energy lashing out towards the metal man.  Comstock can sense something different about it, but before it can do any lasting harm, it fades.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Damn you dice roller!  Max only got a single success.  So I didn't get to apply Armor Piercing.

---

Comstock's attack buckles the ground, but the enemy nova leaps quickly, barely avoiding a severe fall.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
The defense system works great with low numbers, but megas and other adders make for high numbers that standard brawlers can't hit.  May need to offer an attack bonus or something.  His defense is 6, [mega dex 2 makes a big difference].  Even after 3 attacks targeting him, his defense is at a 3, and Comstock doesn't beat the dodge.

Round 4 is here, aside from an action by Sam and Grav.  Everyone is down except the F.P./Teleporter, and the leader that you never saw.

---

When Sam saw that the temp controller was encased in the bubble... thing, and most of the other enemies were taken care of, he decided to turn his attention to the last remaining enemy, the force-user. He took a deep breath and spat a thunderbolt at mercenary.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Samuel Wolfson failed (no successes) using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,5,4,6,5,5,4,5. Thunderbolt Accuracy, 2 Mega Dex.

Won't even bother rolling damage.

2 quantum wasted. 11 remaining.

---

Sam let out yet another curse as he missed for ump-teenth time. "DAMMIT!"

Zeus eyed his bumbling protege scornfully. "You have TERRIBLE aim, don't you?"

“Cover your eye’s, people.” Zero warns on the intercom. From under a car, Zero tosses a flash grenade under Fore-wielder’s feet and shields it’s own eyes.

Zero than rises up, picking up the car with it, grasps the automobile tightly, and tries to slam in on top of the Fore-Wielder.

---

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

Event Horizon: 2 successes -2 Diff (was -3, used 1 Meg to reduce Difficulty by 1)
08:25, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 4d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,8,10,5. Event Horizon MegNegateDiff1.

Flash Grenade Toss: 5 successes
08:12, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,7,4,10,10,7,7,1. Toss,-2Wound-3Mult,+2RearAt,1Meg.

If that succeeded: Than it is like Strobe 2 & 2d10 Bashing damage.
Rolling Damage: 1 success
08:14, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,3. Flash Grenade Damage.
Strobe Effect: 20 Meter Range, Wits + Strobe, 4 successes 4 Turns of Blindness.
08:17, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,7,7,8,2,1,8,5. Flash Grenade Strobe2 Effect. 1 Mega.

Lift Car: Automatic Success. Zero has enough Might and Mega-Strength to lift it without a roll.

ZERO SMASH!!! 0 successes + 1 success (Blind Fighting Bonus, if Flash Grenade worked)
08:20, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,2,2,3,6,5. Smash,-2Wound-4MultiAct+2RearAt,1Meg.
08:23, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,7. Blinbed Bonus.

Zero probably not smash. <Le sigh.> Oh well.

ZERO CRY!!! (Free miscellaneous action! Take that, Multi-Action rules! I am so hollow and dead inside...)

---

This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Mon 06 July 2009.

After Impetus throws the mostly limp temperature controller to the ground and immobilizes him, Zero's flash grenade goes off, blinding the unprepared force projector.  The rest of the group piles on him, and he goes down before he is able to teleport away.  The psychic dies a horrible death, and anyone watching sees a quantum aura, very akin to what one would imagine a ghost looks like, leave the psychic and enter the construct.

The rest of T2M scrapes itself off the pavement, and begins help with cleanup.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
After battle interaction and cleanup time.

---

Phantasm, seeing what her construct has done, yanks hard on the creatures chain, and slowly manages to reel it back in as it moans in seeming happiness, a grin showing on the sewn together lips.  It realizes what is happening to it as it touches her force field, but by then it is too late.  It screams in protest, and whines "no... please no!  not there again..." before melting into the green whorls of her forcefield once more.

As it merges with her again, Phantasm shakes slightly, and her eyes widen.  She pauses for a moment to regain her composure, and then moves to help people to their feet, or restrain people, as needed.

Zero stands in awed horror at the... thing Phantasm created devour the psych's... soul? Essence? It chilled the person who hide behind the mask in a way it hadn't experienced in a long, long time. What... what is going on? But then it is reminded of it's own preference for psychic vivisection. It was starting to get hard to tell who was a hero out here. Very hard. Zero decided to change the subject.

"Hey! General Pax! How do we keep a teleporter restrained for the long haul? Hell, how do we keep any of these guys restrained?" Zero scratched it's head before it lifts the unconscious Fore-Wielder over it's shoulder and hobbles over to Pax. It takes a look at what Pax did to the giant, and is a pinch chilled by Pax' brutality... and it's own. "Thanks for taking care of my light work, big guy!" Zero smacks Pax on the arm and laughs.

"My God..." Zero turns around and surveys the battlefield. Dead Baselines lay were they feel, twisted and gasping for air they'd never get to receive, but there wern;t nearly as many fatalities as there could have been. The streets where not covered in blood. People where not piled into shallow graves. Not by a long shot. "We did it! We saved the capital! Thank the Lord..." Zero falls to it's feet briefly, it's prisoner flopping to the ground while the Doctor steady's itself. "I... I think I need to 'heal thyself.' Dear Lord! Is everyone alright?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Tue 07 July 2009.

Comstock shook off the lingering dizziness and let his hands return to normal.  He gave Phantasm a reassuring nod, then moved after Zero to pick up the dropped Force Projector.  "The building got damaged ... Sol, Imp?  Can you do a fly-by to make sure there aren't any others hostiles hiding around here?  Gravitas, can you head in there and make sure it's stable and not going to collapse?"  Once he had a way to keep the Force Projector restrained he was going to head in and check for wounded himself, but part of him wondered if Pax was going to contradict everything he said.

"Yeah, sure." Solitaire replies in a oddly flat voice, before taking off to do one last sweep. It was odd, she reflected, she'd always liked fighting. It was challenging, exciting, the ultimate form of competition. But in her opinion, most fights ended with nothing worse than a bloody lip and a black eye. You'd get in a scrap that destroyed half the bar you were in, then afterword laughed it off with your opponent and bought him a drink. This though, this wasn't a fight, this was... war. It felt strange to apply that label to a combat involving a dozen people, but Solitaire had no other word for it.

"Damn, this is so fucked up. You have the powers of a god, and all you can think to do with them is conquer the world? What small minds. Really, what would we do with the world once we had it anyway? Its just a rock." She continues to muse quietly to herself as she circles the field.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Tue 07 July 2009.

"On it bossman." Imp lifted off just after Sol, spiraling out the opposite direction from the white haired ass kicker.  He scans the streets and buildings first, checks the capital building itself for structural integrity, realizes that the decrepit old thing is severely compromised and unstable and radios it in.  He then starts moving out further, looking for signs of the ground troops that may have been sent in to control the city after it was taken by the novas.
"Nothing happening out here, Team Leader."  Imp then returns to help people evacuate the capital building and do triage on the injured.

Sam had been floating there feeling incredibly useless. "Hey Comstock," he muttered "is there anything I can do?" He'd lost his sense of direction.

Zeus made an attempt to... mend his counterparts wounded spirit. "Do you really think that we have time for thisssss?! We are in the middle of a WAR! And you want to waste this time feeling sorry for yourself?!"

"Fine then Zeus. Tell me one thing, one thing that I did right just now!"

"NOTHING!!! But you can make up for that later. You will NOT wasssssste time whining just because you CAN'T FUCKING AIM! Now go do something ussssseful and search for wounded, or interrogate the prisoners! Do ssssssomething!!!"

Sam saw this was no time to argue, and went to help the others with the injured.

The Doctor sees Sam attending to the sick. "Woop! I'm slacking..." Zero forces itself up and hobbles over to lend a hand. It couldn't help but overhear some of Sam's conversation with... itself.

"Ya know, if you walk away alive, and you haven't gotten anyone else killed, and the enemy is beaten, I think that counts as a win when it comes to war. A pretty big win. Don't beat yer self up. You're steeling the Mercenaries' money that way."

As his shielding faded, Quentin nodded in response to Comstock's request and headed into the capital building. Overhearing Imp on the comm mention problems with the structure, he gave the areas pointed out a bit closer of a look to see if there was anything that could be done to reinforce the structure or if it would be easier to simply tear it down and replace it. He examined all areas of the building, occasionally kicking a wall with minimal strength or knocking against it to see if it sounded wrong.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
10:11, Today: Gravitas rolled 6 successes using 13d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,6,1,3,7,9,5,5,7,5,7,10,3. Int+Engr, 3mega.
10:15, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,10. Rerolling 10's for "Analytical".
And since that was another 10, it pops and I get to reroll it again, whee!
10:15, Today: Gravitas rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7. Rerolling 10's for "Analytical".
Total of 11 successes to analyze the building's structure and determine if it is sound or if it would be best to condemn it, tear it down, and replace it.
Blowing a few quantum on multitasking to help speed it up, even though its just one roll.

---

Once complete, he reported his findings, exited the building, and regrouped with the others to see if there was anything else he could do

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
If there are still wounded that need tending to, he'll probably go do that

---

Comstock tried to keep a count over the defeated.  He keyed his radio.  "Comstock to all points: Alright ... I've got a dead giant, an unconscious force-field ... guy.  A dead psychic.  This blond guy in camo and I'm not sure if he's alive or dead.  Anything else out there?"  He'd taken a piece of rebarb and twisted it around the Force Projector's hands as an improvised restraint.  He was intent on doing the same to the temp-controller if he noticed signs of life.

"Pax, this is Comstock: I count four down.  Did you indicate six hostiles?  Over."

Pax wipes other people's blood off his face as he walks over to the rest of the group.

"Yeah, everybody go check on things.  Hrm.  Impetus and Solitaire were fighting someone in the air, but there was supposed to be a sixth.  Might have been the source of those protective globes and the gas, but where did the bastard go?"

The wounded in the area are either dead or only slightly injured, not much in between for the baselines.  Firefox will need minor hospitalization, Frostburn needs a few days of bed rest.

The building is tottering, and should be evacuated, though most of the people are in the sub-levels where they are safer.  In the future it might be best to just bulldoze it and make a new one.  The foundation is severely cracked due to the force of the battle behind the building, and most of the upper floors are damaged to the point that fixing it would be more expensive.

The media is here, in helicopters.  The police are arriving.  The military has magically appeared, and is helping to calm the panic that is starting in the surrounding areas (the fight was short enough that people are only now reacting).  They do not appear to be attempting to attack or to hold territory, merely to be on "cleanup" and support of the law enforcement.  A quick chat will inform you that they were delayed in their arrival, but are here to help the "ruling government".  Meaning they are going with the victor.

"There's a rather large woman on the roof of the blue building directly across the courtyard from the capital building, she's out cold and should get some medical attention, but she's in no risk of dying. Over."  Inwardly Imp berates himself, stupid, leaving her there like that.  rookie mistake.

"Uh... Uhm... Should we uh... should we go after the other guy?  Or try to... uh, stay here and evacuate, or... what?"
Phantasm seems to be having trouble putting her words together coherently the first time she attempts to speak after the battle is over, but seems to pull herself together afterwords.  Was it the battle that had her flustered, or something else?  Whatever the case, she tries to make herself as useful as possible, and once ambulances get there with medical equipment she will get oxygen to the gassed people.

Once Solitaire in confident nothing else untoward is going on, she'll swing back around and pick up the Big Woman, depositing her with the other prisoners. Then she reaches into her coat and flicks a Queen of Hearts onto the row of unconscious nova's. "Want me to handle guard duty? I'm confident I can outrun any of them, or beat them silly. Plus my medical training is rather limited." This was, she noted, a critical weakness, considering her current profession, and Solitaire resolved to pick up some more First Aid knowledge.

Assuming she is picked for guard duty, shell perch herself on a nearby wall/step/large piece of rubble and resume shuffling her deck idly. She'll devote most of her attention to the 'porter, as he had the largest escape potential. While doing so, Solitaire quietly sings Sometimes I feel I've got to, run away. I've got to, get away, from the pain you drive into the heart of me...

In reply to Rydi (msg #163):

"So, General Pax, how do we keep these guys restrained? Does Utopia have some high-tech cuffs or something? I think that Teleporter is going to be the biggest trouble, and there's not much I can do to keep him under."

The only thing Zero could think of to give the Nova was a high dose of Mox, or get him drunk as all hell on the Count's little drink, but the idea of a drunken teleporting Nova did not sound promising.

"The building is hosed," Quentin confirmed. "Foundation problems, structural integrity failure, many load-bearing beams are damaged or gone, not to mention the gigantic hole that giant left in that wing," he pointed to indicate which wing he meant, as if it weren't painfully obvious. He shrugged as if there was little he could do about it, which was mostly the case, "If I were them, I'd just level what is left and build a new one."

He put his mind to the topic of imprisoning novas, "How do we keep them restrained? It is a simple question with a complicated answer. Certainly that answer is not the same for everyone. Keeping them unconscious would seem to be the easiest method."

"Got an easy way to do that? Or should I just sock 'em when they come around?"

Pax looks around for the equipment they had brought with them.  He pulls out a suitcase and opens it.  Inside there are syringes and drugs.

"We have some experimental stuff back at the European HQ, but for now these should do well enough.  Just give them as much as it takes to keep them down.

Gravitas, open us a portal back to Europe, you and I will take them through and then head back here while the portal is still open.  There are people waiting there already."

The prisoners are all out for the moment, though a few of them do look like they might be coming to, twitching and groaning weakly.  Zero and Phantasm have more than enough medical knowledge to apply syringes of drugs to them however (mostly sedatives and perception altering drugs to keep them groggy and confused).

"Aye aye, Cap'n," Quentin responds, as if he's seen too many episodes of Star Trek (which is, in fact, the case). He moves over closer to the sedated prisoners and holds out a hand to start creating the wormhole. "I'll warn you that I usually can't keep these open for very long."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
18:04, Today: Gravitas rolled 1 success using 9d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,3,6,4,2,10,4,6. Per+Warp - Targeting Europe, 2 Megas.
Just 1 success to find the right target. Gravitas has never actually been to the European HQ. Remember that there is visibility to the other side, so if it isn't right, we can just try once or twice more to get it right. For story reasons, we can probably just gloss over any additional rolls, though let me know if I need to spend quantum on additional attempts.
18:05, Today: Gravitas rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,5,5,7. Will - Portal Duration.
1+2=3 rounds of duration, should be more than enough.
Again, not rolling for distance since it is pointless.

---

Soon enough a point of blackness appeared and appeared to explode and implode at the same time, resulting in the eventual formation of the now-familiar swirling blue wormhole.

Imp helps out with his limited first aid knowledge, moving from person to person, applying bandages, digging people out from under the rubble, trying to be most places at once, strangely enough he succeeds.
Once the prisoners are safely through the portal and the wounded are at least made comfortable he moves amongst the onlookers, by now there is quite the crowd gathered, smiling, shaking hands, and dong his best to communicate the good intentions of Utopia.

Once Pax and Gravitas were through, Comstock placed a gleaming hand on Phantasm's shoulder and gave her as comforting a nod as he could manage.  "Alright, what's left?  Evacuations, planned demolition of the capital, what?"

He surveyed the scene.  He thought he could almost feel the wounded steel frame of the building.  The thought was so patently ridiculous he turned away.  "Uh ... Zero find out if they need anything else here.  P, the rest of you ... you got a map handy?"  As soon as he had a map on hand he looked to see how far they were from Bunia.  "So ... uh ... Pax left me in charge, right?  With Frostburn and Firefox in Medical, authority's on me.  If there's nothing here ... who wants to liberate a city?"  Ideas were still forming.  He didn't know how far they'd have to go, and without portals they'd be somewhat limited in what they could bring.  On the other hand, the opposition might be just as tired as they were or not suspecting a counter-attack.

Zero takes the case and looks at it with Phantasm. "So, Lady Phantom, let's get our little friends good a doped up." Zero whistles loudly. "Dear lord! Look at the ingredients in this stuff! I almost wish I was the prisoner. Le Sigh. Bastards are ganna have a fun time tonight!"



"IE, IE, 'El Capitan!'" Zero solutes at attention, and a broken bone audibly pops, though the Doctor does not seem to show any pain. It walks away like a tin soldier and starts asking the locals what they need, writes it down for Utopia to follow up on, and then writes down the ranks and names of the commanding officers it suspects of originally siding with the rival faction. It warmly warns them of it's suspicion, and tells them they will be hanged for treason if any more funny business happens.




"Sounds fun!" Zero pops it's shoulder back in place. "Er, could I raid the armies toy chests first? I need some more boom booms. My aim's horrible, lately. Stupid mercenaries, won't stand still..."

Zero will try to openly raid the equipment of the commanding officers it threatened earlier, asking any complainers if they want a formal inquiry of their refusal to assist in UN peacekeeping efforts. It smiles a lot under it's mask when they sweat.

It will also take this opportunity to patch itself up. With it's improved vision, it can see it's own invisible aura around itself, and the Event Horizon it's Quantum singularity creates. It is having a reaction to all the abuse the Doctor's physiology has taken, and, like a broken bone, is mending itself stronger than before. The Doctor clenches it's fist and watches space ripple around it and energy vanish into it's hidden void.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:20, Thu 09 July 2009.

Once through the portal, Pax exchanges words with someone while Gravitas strains to keep it open.  He gestures at the rest of the group through the portal, waving and pointing at Comstock, and then the portal closes.  Apparently they had work to do on the other side that would take a bit more time.

))))

"Let the portal close Gravitas, this is going to take longer than expected.  We're short on manpower, and these guys have to be watched.  And we have paperwork.  And we have to give a rundown to the brains too, so that they can modify their plans for the African campaign.  You should be here, since you're supposed to have enhanced mental functions.  You can talk to Anteus and the rest."

))))

The soldiers are happy to lend their Nova "friends" any weapons they want, as even wounded the humans are no match for the lot of you.  Zero is fully outfitted in gear of his choice (from their more limited selection of course, as the latest in U.S. tech isn't just laying around in the middle of Africa).

))))

For those interested in taking a trip to Bunia to look at the damage, it will take a little while flying.  And not all passengers will have the durability to go supersonic, so the flight might be a bit slower than desired.  Frostburn is willing to hold the fort for you all though it would probably be wise to leave someone else in case more novas arrive, or the troops start getting ideas.

Frostburn looks like hell, but she's up and moving around, albeit slowly and unsteadily.  She is on radio, getting information.

"Guys, while we were waiting here, Bunia was ripped apart, though not as bad as it could have been I guess.  Mainly military targets, power plants, things like that.  They took out stuff that could be easily repaired if they were going to come in to occupy... Which is what it looks like they're doing.  Several targets in the south were also hit.  Novas came in, blew stuff up, then ran.  We're also getting reports from the other nova teams in other countries, saying that things are tense, and it looks like nova combat is about to break out.  The stuff here may have sparked off a much bigger conflict..."

"Liberate a city?"  Imp grinned.  "Yes, yes I do.  But, uh, who are we liberating it from?  Is it a liberation, or are we just gonna overthrow a despot?  I'm cool with either."  In his mind Imp is running through the implications of a Utopia sponsored team taking down a government.  "I don't know if the powers that be'll be happy about us doing it, but I'm willing to take that risk.  Two problems that I can see of the top of my head: One, the enemy must be expecting a counterattack, thus they will have defenses in place.  Two: This conflict isn't exactly two sided, there's a whole bunch of warlords looking for a piece of the apple, this city may be attacked by some other strongman while we're out."

Phantasm nods and smiles slightly at Dillon before addressing the idea of an upcoming counter attack.

"Yeah, that's a big danger, we could lose everything we just fought for if we take off.  And who exactly are we fighting?  I mean, the novas have just been flitting around, attacking then running from what Frostburn said.  So, we get there, what then?  Maybe they'll have troops there, but do we really want to start taking out an occupying army?  We'll kill more people than the enemy novas did won't we?"

Solitaire agrees to check out Bunia with the others, but also volunteers to mind the store with Frostburn if she wasn't needed as transportation. She figured she could both take and dish out enough punishment to handle anything else that came up, especially Frostburn as back up, but had no preference either way really.

Comstock thought over the situation.  "Alright ... so as best as we can tell, someone's going to move into Bunia and occupy it.  If we get there, we might stop them.  If not, who the hell knows what happens to them."  He was exhausted, emotionally and physically.  "Alright ... executive decision time.  If someone can get me out there, I could probably make a real mess of the bad guys by myself.  They'd have to get Novas out to deal with me; anything less and they'll just waste all their ammo ..."  He thought about the collateral damage from that eventuality and frowned.  Going alone was out.  "Splitting up and taking half the team across the damn country with warlords and everything between here and there doesn't fill me with confidence.  It sounds like a recipe for idiocy.  But there are people suffering out there; if it's as bad as the radio makes it out to be, I feel we ought to at least put in an appearance.

"Anyone who feels capable, get what you need and let's find a way over there.  Zero, I don't want you coming unless you can get that arm set: I need you shooting straight."  He considered other factors.  "With Gravitas gone we're really limited on movement.  Harley's in the hospital, so's Splash, Firefox and Mak-... uh, the other guy.  Sam, Sol, Imp, you guys fly.  P, you said you could fly by riding one of your phantoms ... that leaves ... you and me Doc.  At least one of us should stay ... Solitaire, that's going to be you.  If there's any trouble, you're the fastest and strongest of us."  He wondered if Prodigal would be out there and hoped the lovable fundie bastard wouldn't think ill of him for trying to help a few baselines.

He hesitated, waiting a few breaths for all that to sink in.  "If anyone thinks I'm off the deep end here, say it now.  Otherwise, gear up and let's get ready to move."

"I'm with you, if you really want to do this.  But I'll need a ride.  My... critters take a lot of juice, and they don't fly near as fast as some of you.  Maybe you Sam?"

Phantasm dusts herself off, and looks around for anything useful to take with them.  Eventually she settles on a few grenades from one of the soldiers, and then gives up.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:51, Fri 10 July 2009.

"Gotcha boss, I'll keep an eye on things." Solitaire replies brightly. There was really nothing cheerful about the situation, but that wasn't going to keep her down for long. Worrying was for people too wishy-washy to actally do something about it, so Solitaire ambled over to Frostburn to inquire if anything important needed doing, in what order, and if there was anything she could do for Frosty personally, as Frosty looked terrible.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:12, Fri 10 July 2009.

"Well, Imp handled the crowd pretty well, and I think PR is done for the moment.  But the people here are going to be looking for orders from us, and I'm not really in any shape to go running around.  If you could go into meetings with the various people around here, basically be my mouth for a while, I'd appreciate it.  And maybe keep the troops in line.  They're waiting for a sign of weakness, so we can't give 'em one."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Impetus effectively did all the media work for the time being, spinning things and all, and calmed the nearby citizens, but now the government needs to get back in motion, and the city needs to get back to normal life.  While it isn't really Utopia's job to make that happen, and the country's leadership will get it taken care of in due time, people do seem to stop what they are doing and look to novas for direction when crazy stuff starts happening.  And novas have some clout that baselines don't.  So, if Sol wants, she can make some social rolls (1 Intimidate, 1 Command, 1 Subterfuge) to manage the situation, efficiently deal with the locals, and help Frostburn, who is currently the voice of Utopia in the area.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 10:53, Fri 10 July 2009.

" Well, boss, I can take you and a couple other people out there by myself, You'll have to lighten up a bit though.  It's less than an hour away if I push it.  I dunno though... these people are looking for someone to take charge, someone not their incompetent government, and they're looking at us.  We could guarantee making these people's lives better, and guarantee their safety, if we stay here, but we could potentially take down the govt in Bunia, and hold down the fort here, thus helping two countries." <spoiler>Imp honestly seems torn, he will act as transport and overwatch for comstock if so ordered, but he clearly seems uncomfortable leaving this many people open to an attack.<spoiler>

To Comstock:

"I'll be fine. But, if we are going to split up the team, I'd really advise gorilla tactics. And for that, we need intelligence. Sneaky, sneaky."

"Hey, Frostburn. Do we have access to any intelligence in the area? Spy satellites? Does anyone have any connections that could be useful? I could sneak in, and see what I can do. I know I can at least grab an officer or two, but I'd need backup, preferably with Gravitas ready to bail me out if I stumble into something. Perhaps we need at least a little time to regroup. If Gravitas returns, we can turn their tactic on them, and drop bombs under their vehicles."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Fri 10 July 2009.

After Zero's little pep-talk, Sam was feeling marginally better, and Zeus had gone quiet. He seemed content to fiddle with his hosts quantum structure for the time being.

Sam had little interest in contributing ideas for whatever the others were doing; he had turned his focus inward. ~If Zeus can mess with my quantum, then why can't I?~

When he heard Comstock metion his name, he snapped to. "Huh? Recon? From the sky? You're the boss."



"You want a ride?" he looked at himself over as small quantum shocks discharged from all over his body. "I don't know. Can you put up some sort of force field to avoid getting fried?"

"My force field should block out anything but a direct attack, or at least I'm pretty sure it will."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Sat 11 July 2009.

Comstock nodded.  "Alright.  Dig up everything you can, guys -- intel, photos, guns, whatever -- and we'll ship out in an hour.  I wouldn't ask it of you, but when Pax gets back we're going to be right back in the chain of command."

For his part, Comstock focused on getting his quantum back and being as light as a feather.

For the next hour Imp does everything he can to help Frostburn take control of the present situation.  He talks with the locals, tries to lift spirits, build goodwill, make friends.  He makes sure he both learns and uses everybody's names and tries to read the crowd and the government's mood.  Imp is modestly shocked at how quickly people come on-board.  His words seem to have almost a hypnotic effect on those who listen to him,-: they follow his suggestions as if it's the most natural thing in the world.  By making himself seem indispensable he makes Utopia seem equally indispensable, thus being the natural go to organization to help with the rebuilding, which it was, in Imp's opinion.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Cha+Ett roll. spending 1 dot of quantum on persuader.  Garners between 1 and 3 automatic sux, depending on how inimical the idea that I'm trying to sell is to the hearer's sensibilities.  Also spending 1 qantum for natural empathy, grants 3 dice to ett rolls.  A craptastic 4 sux on the roll, plus between 1 and 3 sux from persuader. GDDR!

---

This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Sun 12 July 2009.

In reply to Comstock (msg #188):

"Huh. Well, I have one contact I can call. Don't know how much they'll know. I hate to nag, but if anyone has any contacts that know anything about the players in that area, now's the time to ask them for info before we get our heads shot off."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Zero calls up it's Ally with a different phone then it uses for Utopia (provided by the ally), an independent journalist with experience with war corespondent.

It then call Utopia, and tries using it's Backing of 1 to find out similar info independent of the direct chain of command. It claims it doesn't want to bother the men bosses with basic Intel on the surroundings while they are talking strategy.

Zero tries to find out the following: Names, pictures (or descriptions) of the major players in the invading force. Who really backs them (if known), and info on their resources. Anything and everything is helpful. It then asks about the layout of the area, and what areas would hurt the invaders' mobility if they where attacked (example: bridges, major roads for convoys, warehouses with supplies, etc.).

The Doctor then enters a meditative state to heal itself and regain some Quantum while it ponders tactics.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 11:07, Sat 11 July 2009.

Solitaire is a direct sort of person. She's good at barking orders, when she puts her mind to it, (though she's rather surprised to find them obeyed, even with her nova status,) as well as looking awesome/scary and getting things done. On the other hand, she is god awful at politics and oblique approaches to problems. Shes does her best though, Frosty needed the help.   

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Intimidation: 22:11, Today: Solitaire rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,3,9,10,3. Intimidate. +2 Awe-Inspiring 7 Sux
Command:22:14, Today: Solitaire rolled 2 successes using 3d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,9,5. Command. +3 Commanding Presence, +2 Awe-Inspiring 9 Sux
Subterfuge: 22:16, Today: Solitaire rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,3. Subterfuge. 1 Sux

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Sun 12 July 2009.

Is Phantasm happens to be away from everyone, Zero breaks a difficult question.

"Hey, Phantasm. Um... You can probably guess by the gas mask that I'm a big believer in privacy, but I have to ask. What happened back there with the psychic and... the creature. It wasn't at all like your other creations."

"..."
Phantasm looks as though she is making a decision.  To explain, to express, or to keep it to herself?  She comes to a decision, blanks any emotion from her face, and goes with the facts.
"I'm not positive, but I think it is the quantum signature of another nova, or something like that at least.  I felt the... construct take the energies of the psychic inside itself today, when it finished her off, so I might be able to manifest some sort of corrupted version of her as well after today."

While talking to Zero, she moves around the area, looking at the damage and the people.  With most of the wounded taken care of one way or the other, little else to work on, and no desire to waste the energy she has left, Phantasm just take s an hour break.  While she is doing little physically however, she is applying her intellect to the defense of this area, to solving the problems of its people, and the issues of warfare and governance in general.

The situation at the capital is wrapped up fairly satisfactorily.  Impetus' charm overwhelms the reporters and the public alike.  No one there is concerned with the morning's failures, or the violence raging over the rest of the continent.  Instead, they focus on the "great humanitarian victory" for Utopia.

Solitaire is able to push everyone into line, and probably does it better than Frostburn would have been able to even if she weren't injured.  Her presence is enough to keep the local troops from trying anything, and she is able to get most of the emergency responders to take care of getting things cleaned up.  Her orders to the bureaucrats are listened to, and they begin the process of reorganizing city infrastructure to accommodate the day's events, and to better handle any future violence.  She does get the feeling that there are a few functionaries that are going to be taking advantage of the situation... but that's someone else's problem, and she can't be responsible for ferreting out corruption in some foreign government right?

The rest of the group gets prepared, and packs up the necessary supplies.  Since the time is filled with activity, there isn't much time for regaining energy, but at least everyone that was wounded is patched up, and people were able to rinse some of the blood off themselves (theirs, or others).  By the time the hour is up, everything is ready to go.

Imp finishes chatting with a group of reporters and heads over to where Comstock is meditating on the fine art of weightlessness.  "Alright boss, I'm ready to give people a lift, I think I should be able to take everybody who can't fly, or actually take everybody who can't go supersonic. All we need is something like the passenger compartment of a car or something for everybody to sit in and I can get everybody there in no time.  Or I guess everybody could just sorta hang off me, but that doesn't look so impressive.  better yet, If she's got the juice for it, 'Tasm could whistle up a construct large enough for people to ride in and i could fly with that, far more dramatic than a sedan that's had the engine and trunk removed."

'Supposed to' huh? Gee, thanks, he thought to himself. "Ok," he said instead, wrestling his indignation back, "Point me at 'em I guess." Quentin goes where directed and provides whatever synopsis of the situation is required to the best of his ability (which, given his exceptional memory, is virtually an exact account from his perspective).

Not one steeped deeply into the politics of the matter, he mostly only inputs his thoughts on things when he believes them to be relevant during the other discussions. He provides information about the situation and area when able.

Comstock nodded.  "P ought to be saving her quantum, so let's use a car.  Here ..."  He looked around, found something that looked damaged, and popped the hood open.  With a firm pull he wrenched at the car's engine, tearing it out and causing an unanticipated amount of damage to the frame in the process.  "Uh ... would this do it for you?"

If there weren't any complaints, Comstock would duck into the passenger seat and order everyone to pack in wherever they could.  He had to hold his gun close to his chest and wondered how Zero would squeeze his rifle in with everything.  "Frostburn, this is Comstock: we're about to disembark.  Anything else we should know?  And is your radio going to reach out that far?  Over."

"Not on this setting.  Flip your headset dial to the "satellite" icon.  It won't be as secure, but I don't think we're going to be exchanging any major secrets in the middle of a fight.

Go ahead and take off.  We should have things under control here."

Zero's contacts aren't immediately available, but they get back to it quickly, a few minutes before the team is about to leave.  Basically the situation is bad, but could be worse.  The locals are without water and power, but will be able to get by for the next few days, and at least one hospital has a back up generator.  Other places around Africa aren't doing nearly as well, as the novas attacking the other locations were not anywhere near as surgical in their attacks.  Troops have not been spotted in the area yet, and Zero gets a list of names in the local government and press that it can talk to.

Imp walks over to the car and checks ot the frame where comstock pulled the engine free. It looked weakened, but still workable.   Imp bends the front panels a bit to cut down on drag, then gives the vehicle an experimental lift.  "Hmm, still a bit heavy, but if we take off the axles and rip out the transmission we'll be good to go."  Once the largest superfluous chuncks of metal were removed Imp asked everybody who was coming to pile in, if there wasn't enough room, on person could take the trunk.   Imp crouches down, lifts the vehicle and its occupants off the ground, had a momentary "Holy shit, I'm lifting a car!" moment, then drove himself airborn.  He set off towards Bunia, accelerating gently until they hit 1000kph; no need to do a full burn, he was pretty sure that he'd need every drop of juice he had when they arrived.

Earlier


"Huh. Wow." Zero pauses for a moment. "Thank you for telling me. I... Huh. That really opens up... are you OK? I mean, that critter was acting solo for a while, eat up a morally questionable mercenary, that's now, in some way, probably a part of you. They can't gang up on your Psyche, can they?"

Contacts:



Zero passes this along to everyone.

Before Zero goes to the car, if starts rummaging for video and audio equipment in the military's tool boxes to occupy it's fly time. It is going to try to make an add on for it's head gear. A micro sized Video recorder to tape what is going on.

Zeus slithered out of Sam's meditating body, and streched his coils. "Nnngh."

Sam opened an eye, and ran it along his seemingly exhausted counterpart curiously. "You okay? You seem rather... pooped."

"I mussssst admit, I am rather... fatigued. It ssssseems that last battle left you quantum structure ssssssignificantly less... flexible."

"That's a... shame." Sam's keen ears couldn't help but pick up Zero's exchange with Phantasm. "What Phantasm did certainly was odd wasn't it?"

"Yessss, but I find your little fit of laughter moreso."

"Hey at least I can laugh at the right things, mister 'there will be blood'."

"Mmmm. Regardless, it sssssseems the others are prepared to leave. Let'ssssss join them."

"Alright." Sam said with more than a little annoyance. ~Can't just stay in one place, can we?~

With Comstock, Sam, Phantasm, and Zero crammed into the car, there was precious little elbow space.  Comstock kept looking at the ground.  "Guys ... I need to admit something.  I'm a bit afraid of heights."  He did his best to avoid reflexively increasing in mass as a fear response.

Zero's information gave them an edge Comstock hadn't expected to have.  Between them, fabricating simple pumps and generators for available materials wouldn't be a great trouble.  Direct access to the local government and powers reduced fumbling about time.  Coordinating defense and recovery efforts would be dramatically sped along.  Even if there wasn't a great deal of fighting, they could do some good while they were there.

"How we doing, Imp?  Ah, fuck he can't hear."  He clicked on his headset. "Impetus, this is Comstock: how we doin'?  Are we there yet?"  He leaned back to face the others in the car.  "Alright, I think Utopia ought to get us a jet if we're gonna keep doing this.  Do you want a jet?  I'd like a jet."

Solitaire waves as the crowd in the car departs, trying very hard not to laugh at the absurd sight. "Buh bye, Play nice with the other kids now, I'll have dinner ready for when you all get back." She cackles, before returning to shouting at people. There was a lot of rubble to get out of the way, and she damn well wasn't going to move all of it when she had a whole bloody army that was being so obliging. A nice change from taking orders all the time, isn't it? Still, can't say I want the job full time.

"God, yes." Adds a cramped Zero. It fumbled with tweezers and wire as it dissected and cannibalized several cellphones for it's new addition to it's head set. "This is ridiculous. And if they don't give us one, we'll just build the damn thing. And not give them the blueprints."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Tue 14 July 2009.

"Wassamatter, Comstock?  Gotta hit the head?"  Imp grinned to himself.  "The route that I plotted out for us was about 800km.  We should be traveling at 1000kph so the total trip time should be just over 45 minutes.  So, what's the plan when we get there, adn where am i putting us down?  I didn't have time to get the details back there."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:37, Wed 15 July 2009.

"Not sure. I was thinking about talking to some of the people in the know, and then seeing if we can ferret some of the mercenary Nova's out, but that might take a while. Hmmmm... what if we fix some of the infrastructure, let it leak, and see if the mercenaries return to blast it again? There seems to be no standing army to back them up. We can talk to some of the suggested contacts while we work to make sure we know the full situation. Would that work?"

"I'm pretty sure I'll be alright.  There shouldn't be any complications, they don't really seem capable of influencing me from inside, but if there are you can feel free to disable me."

Phantasm boards the "plane" with everyone else and prepares to make a construct... just in case.

The European HQ is large and well appointed, though in a way that makes it feel clean and modern rather than lavish.  The architecture is a work of art, and the entrance is spotless.  The surfaces are all smooth curves, flat planes, and sharp edges; no plush chairs or homey comforts here.  Anyone with knowledge of such things (hell, even anyone without) can tell that the building is designed to create a feeling of futuristic harmony, and to subtly intimidate.

Pax waves at people, and workers come out to help him clean up and and towel off.  They even provide a nice chilled drink.  They give Gravitas cursory attention as well, though they are uncertain of exactly who he is.  The receptionist gets a sour look on her face that quickly goes away, as she opens the mag lock on one of the doors behind her.

Pax escorts Gravitas through corridors, arriving eventually at a series of laboratories.  He takes you into one, and you are greeted by a large green man, busily performing experiments while he occasionally addresses telemetry or incoming messages from the battle front on a large touch screen monitor nearby. Pax says "hey Anteus, here's the intel you wanted, I'll leave you to him."  Then Pax walks out.

The green man stares at Gravitas for a brief moment, until Caestus Pax is gone, and then he nods. "It's amazing how little respect people seem to give us sometimes.  We solve their problems, plan their battles, but the majority of the Nova community seems too busy acting like rock stars to actually consider how little they would be without us.  Nice to finally meet you Gravitas, I've read your files, and am impressed.  I think you will be a boon to Utopia...  So, what do you think of the situation in Africa?"

))))))))))))))))

The trip to Bunia is... different.  Wind rushing around you at roughly 1000kph, while you ride in a ruined car rather high in the air... well, non-flyers are likely a bit nervous.  And the car isn't exactly made for such high speeds.  From the start the car shakes like a freight train, and about 15 minutes in pieces start coming off.  It takes a quick landing and some impromptu streamlining to get it to where it will fly without too much wind resistance, but between all of you, you manage to only lose about 15 minutes off your flight.

You arrive to a controlled disaster area.  Abandoned cars on blocked off freeways, a destroyed power lines around the power plants, and the pipes around the water purification centers dug up and shattered (along with several tons of dirt).  The capital building is in ruins, though from reports most of the city government wasn't there when it collapsed under the weight of nova attackers.

Before the team landed, Comstock got their attention. "Guys, anyone who can speak the language get ready.  We don't know if they are going to be gunshy and attack on sight, and the faster we can assure them otherwise the better."  His skin had darkened to a reddish brass sheen, suggesting there might be some emotional influence on the metals most prominently presented by his second skin.

He had felt every agonizing strain on the car's metal frame, and seeing the wrecked power and water centers elicited a plethora of strange feelings.  "Impetus this is Comstock: look, I know you've just been flying, but can you do the once around the city, looking for troublemakers or stray aircraft, once we land?  Over."

"Roger that Comstock.  Anybody in the upper class will be able to communicate with us in French, lower classes may very well be able to communicate with us as well, this area of Africa uses an English based pidgin as a trade language between the different tribes.  Don't know if they'll wanna talk, just look what the last group of novas that blew through here did.  Keep your eyes out guys, the locals may be unfriendly. Also, if you do get confronted by the locals let me know and I'll come back and do PR."  Assuming there are no rockets or assault rifles being fired at the car he sets it down on the street outside what's left of the capital building.  No sooner is the car on the ground than he powers skyward again, spiraling outward with a GPS unit in his hand, ready to radio in and tag any hotspots or suspicious activity.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
spent another 2 quantum for flight.  Quantum total 20.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Fri 17 July 2009.

From the sky, Impetus can see most of the city.  While there are no outside attackers, there are several areas of rioting.  People are breaking into stores for food supplies, and are fighting over some of the goods.  The area where the car was set down is deserted, as the baselines want as far away from the novas as possible.  Far in the distance it looks like there's something on the horizon... dust... perhaps jeeps traveling over the savanna?  It will probably be several hours before they make it to the city though.

Imp radios it in. "Imp to team, rioting and looting at the following co-ordinates."  He punches the sites in on his gps.  "There appears to be some sort of convoy or dust storm or something on the horizon moving this way.  Moving to investigate."  Imp picks up speed and heads up until he is more than a mile up, his acute senses should compensate for the distance, and, he figures, they'll be much less likely to spot a person at that altitude.  He also makes his eufibre become a full length body suit as close to the color of the sky as he can.

It is in fact troops, heading slowly toward the city.  Jeeps and troop transports.  Troop composition will require a closer look however, as even your nova eyes won't pick up a whole lot of detail from your altitude (Sam's might be able to, if he wanted to do a flyby).  It looks like it's mostly soldiers though, with a bit of heavy artillery as support.

Comstock stepped out and did his best to look ... to look like a good guy.  He didn't know exactly what that meant, but he stuck out his chest, looked around, and then, embarrassed, nudged Zero to do his thing.  "I ... don't know where to go."

Quentin resists the urge to glare at Pax's back as he leaves, even as Anteus obliquely references his disrespect. "Yeah, tell me about it," Quentin put thoughts of Pax out of mind and focused on the question he was asked, "Africa... is... Well, its a mess. They've got nova mercenaries all over the place. We just repelled a group out of the capital of Uganda[Private to GM: If I'm wrong and that was the DRC, let me know and I'll edit or whatever. I couldn't find the exact reference.] and there's word of fighting elsewhere as well. Burnia, DRC, its all going up in flames currently. It looks like the local military dictators have rummaged up enough cash to appeal to novas who will do their fighting for them. If we're not careful, this whole thing could end up being fought by nova proxies - hell, it already is to some degree - with baseline civilians being the major casualties."

He shrugged somewhat helplessly, "I'm more of a scientist than a strategist, I'm not sure what the best move is. From a personal standpoint, fighting other novas is scary shit - they were messing with our minds out there. It would seem to me like if we want to stop this sort of proxy fighting, we need to come down hard and fast on those that would hire novas to fight their wars in the first place. I'm just not sure how practical something like that would be, either strategically or politically. We, as Utopia and T2M, stand to lose a lot of face if this operation backfires."

"Comstock, the column moving towards the city is composed of troops, unsure if they are friendlies, an occupying force, or some warlord wanting a piece of the gold mines in the area. Also, this city has shite road access.  If you want to open it to international aid a good place to start would be the airstrip. Over." Imp toggles his headset. "Frostburn can you read me?  There is what appears to be a column of troops moving toward Bunia. Do you have any intel on troop movements in the DRC? Where would a column of troops coming up the main road from Butembo and Goma? The rainy season should have left most of teh roads to here impassable.  Over."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
if Frostburn doesn't respond Imp will move 5 km or so away from the troops, then drop to about 20m off the ground, then will do a flyby over the troops at a few hundred kph to try to get a look at their weaponry, composition, and, most importantly, to see if they are fresh troops, or look battered.  Fresh troops may very well be an occupying force, battered troops may just be a column heading home.  In theory.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Fri 17 July 2009.

"Ha! Ha! Nether do I. Let's figure this out..." Zero quickly whips out a city map it snagged from the troops back at the capital and compares it to it's notes taken from it's contacts. "Here we go. I'm guessing repairing the damage to the electric grid and plants will help us get water to the people. Would everyone agree to looking at the damage first? The nearest power station should be... there." Zero points down one of the roads. "I'll call some of the local officials and media and ask what they think needs attention first. We can act as surgical as possible, than." Zero makes the necessary calls.

Comstock keyed his headset.  "Impetus, this is Comstock: if those guys start shooting, return and drop me off ahead of their column.  I'll stop them.  Over."  He turned to the others.  "Anyone know how to say 'turn around and go home' in French or Swahili?  If all they've got are basic firearms I could probably route them myself while you guys help the city recover."  Holding the column up wouldn't be a problem.

After getting a look at the city from overhead, and then listening to Zero and Comstock, Phantasm speaks up.
"Science and engineering and stuff used to be a hobby for me in school, and since I got the big brain thing going after my eruption... Well I may be able to come up with some quick ways to fix the damage.  Still gonna need to have someone to actually make the repairs though, and some way of getting the materials we'll be needing..."

---

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

Science/Engineering: You rolled 2 successes using 12d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 ((2,10,6,5,6,5,3,2,7,5,3,5)). 2 mega
=4  The joys of bad rolling... At least I had a 10 on the mega.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 09:17, Fri 17 July 2009.

Phantasm comes up with a few methods of repairing some of the damage, though doing it in a timely manner will require building materials, and the strength/ingenuity of the rest of the team.

))))

On the flyby Imp sees that the troops are fresh, and that there are a lot of them, probably enough to occupy the city.  They are older, the kids could actually pass for almost legal age, and they are supported by units of hardened soldiers in their 20's and...

THUD

Impetus is falling from the air, skidding along the ground, rolling to a halt... 5 miles from the troops... What the hell just happened?  And someone's on top of him, yelling at him... Seems familiar somehow...

Impetus shakes himself out of the daze he was in, and realizes he's pinned under a large and angry flaming man, a man whose wife he slept with... This is apparently not Imp's best day.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
10 successes to hit.  Guy is on top of you and has you in a hold.  No damage yet, but he hasn't turned up the heat on his Immolate... an you know enough about the guy to know it gets a lot hotter.  He was probably hidden by the same person that cloaked the movements of the rest of the unit.

---

))))

Back at the capital things seem pretty calm, until 3 explosions rock the city, one right under the capital building itself.  Bombs?  Novas?  The cause is unclear, but everyone is panicked, and the recently achieved organization and peace in the city is shot to hell.  Apparently someone still has plans for the city.

Frostburn's comm system is destroyed in the blast, so the team is cut off from the capital for the time being.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:37, Fri 17 July 2009.

Frostburn replies to Impetus:
"There aren't any reports of DRC troops in the area, and there's nothing going on with enemy troops... Wait, getting a report that there is a large convoy of some sort coming in.  We shouldn't have missed that, but they may have been cloaking them somehow.  Not sure on composition...  Go in for a look if you can do it without danger.

I'd advise watch-"

The line cuts off in mid sentence, and goes dead.  Attempts at re-establishing communication fail.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:40, Fri 17 July 2009.

At HQ Europe, Gravitas is having a friendly, and pleasant, conversation with an intellectual peer.  An altogether rare occurrence for both participants.  Anteaus of course pumps Grav for information on their last conflict, but he goes on to talk about plans for bringing life to the deserts of the world, cleaning up the environment, and dozens of other things.  He talks about a few of his failures... but only briefly, and seems very interested in Gravitas' input.

After about two hours, Pax comes back in.
"So, are the two of you done screwing around?!  We do have a war you know."

Anteaus looks irritated, but seems to acknowledge that the man has a point.
"...Yes.  We've both been working on the data, not just "screwing around", but then again I wouldn't expect you to understand the manner in which we process multiple problems at once...

But, to the situation at hand. From the data I've got, I would advise caution in the capital, it looks like you still have one nova left, and that he is probably the leader.  Likely with matter manipulation powers, given that the others aren't known for creating ablative shields of glass or toxic gas.  The situation throughout the rest of the country is more problematic, as it appears that the forces you faced earlier this morning were not the same ones you faced in the afternoon.  That means you have another team of novas, probably still actively fighting.  Bunia fell, and several others.  They will likely be reinforcing the city with baseline troops, probably shielded by a few novas... though probably not the ones you faced this morning.  Those are their attack force and are probably busy hitting other locations.

Hmm... we have new data coming in. One of our spy drones has picked up troop movement from out of nowhere, roughly 200km out of Bunia.  Has all the markings of a nova of some sort."

He moves to the computer an speaks into a microphone.

"Frostburn, you have troops incoming at Bunia, about 200km out.  Be aware.  There may be a nova with them, it isn't certain however.  If your team went there, which I anticipate they did, you should advise them."

Pax looks confused, then angry.
"WHY WOULD THEY BE IN BUNIA?!"

Anteaus answers "Because they had the forces, and from the profiles we have on them, they wouldn't be satisfied with waiting.  After you left, they had the leeway to do as they liked... And now that I've gotten all the information from Gravitas, instead of your sorely lacking reports, I am inclined to agree.

Oh dear...

I to looks like we've lost connection with the capital.  Well, I did say there was another nova that could cause trouble..."

Comstock helps lift debris and rubble, then follows Phantasm's instructions.  Time passes without word from Impetus.  "Impetus, this is Comstock: how's that flyby going?  Over."  A minute or two later he repeated the message.

"Hey guys," he turned to the rest of the team.  "No word from Imp.  What do you think ... trouble?"  His voice betrayed his worry, though he was trying to remain commanding.

In reply to Comstock (msg #224):

Zero cracks it's neck. "Definitely. Let's go." Zero will take any lift that is offered, or commander a vehicle and floor it.

The wheels in Imps head started spinning faster than they'd ever spun before.  His mind flashed past half a dozen ideas, pulling them up, considering them, then discarding them as unfeasible.  Fighting was right out.  Crimson Dawn was able to throw tanks then melt them into slag before they hit the ground, no way could he deal with that.
Heading up into outer space was also similarly unworkable, he wasn't fast enough to breach the atmosphere before getting crushed to death then burned to a crisp then dropped into the jungle.  Anyways, he didn't know if Crimson Dawn could survive in outer space.
Other ideas zipped past until he found one that might enable him to survive.  Why hadn't CD killed him before?  Why had he chosen to tackle Imp instead of punching him or tearing him in half?  Honor.
CD was a stand up kind of guy, had been born and raised in a god fearing, moral values kind of household.  His father was a career soldier, decorated for valor.  His mother lead the Sunday school in CD's home town.
Imp went limp.  Didn't fight or twist or squirm or hid CD with Quantum bolts or anything.  Limp.  Flaccid.  He also looked CD right in the eyes, and, when CD briefly confused by the lack of resistance hesitated, spoke in a voice filled with weary disappointment.
"Have you fallen so far, brother, that you now work for child killers?" The question, simple, direct, had the full weight of all of Imp's quantum fueled insight into humanity, general affability, and unnatural voice modulation control.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
spending 1 quantum on analyze weakness to find the way to defeat CD, 1 more on natural empathy to know the best way to come at him, 1 more on pursuader for I don't know how many sux.  Spending 1 wp for a success.  dice roller don't fuck with me now...  Woot!! 8 sux +1 to 3 from persuader

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This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Sun 19 July 2009.

Solitaire had been leaning back in a chair, feet up against the table Frostburns comms equipment was set up on, watching through the window half a dozen soldiers attempting to heave a particularly large piece of rubble onto the back of a flatbed truck. She had a bottle of what passed for whiskey around here (though she suspected it was, in fact mislabeled rubbing alcohol) in one hand, and a half full tumbler in the other.

"So, Frosty, think they're doing OK all by their lonesome? I mean, I'd hate for them to have all the fun while were stuck..."

BOOM.

Solitaire tried to jerk upright, but the movement only sent her chair further off balance and she fell back, hitting her head hard on the floor. Her glass flew off and shattered, but she managed to keep a grip on the bottle, not that it was really worth saving, but in principle, it was bad to waste. She had also managed to hook her foot under the table as she fell, sending the expensive looking equipment to the floor.

Solitaire is back on her feet a second afterword though, in time to catch the second and third explosions, and runs a hand over the back of her head with a reflexive, "Ouch." Looking to Frostburn, she starts to apologize for the gear, but before she can manage more than a few words, the already weakened ceiling caves, crushing it further.

Reaching up to her ear, Solitaire flicks the mic from 'Satellite' to 'Local', hopefully it would still work on that setting.

"I'm gonna go check that out, gimme a call if things get hot up here, or just scream real loud, or something.  You know."

Kicking rubble aside, a rather annoyed Solitaire stalks off into the destroyed capitol building to investigate.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Sat 18 July 2009.

The Doctor speaks into it's headset, set to satellite. "Zero to Gravitas. We apparently have a situation in Bunia and the capital. Are you able to assist?"

"Shit.  The last nova we took out?  Comms are down, and they shouldn't be, at least not the headsets... Be careful in there Sol, we don't know what's going on."

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

A Note on Comms:
One: Local is down in the capital as well

Two: Those with knowledge of the communication system being used, and perhaps a bit of science/engineering/computers would know that jamming your headset signal would be difficult.  The signal is dependent upon satellite connection, and destruction of the comm unit in the capital shouldn't short out the headsets (it isn't a relay for the headsets, it just deals with the incoming streams of communication that Frostburn was managing).  So, something else is at work jamming it.

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