Southbound on Interstate 5, Monday, September 8th, 2008  11:00 AM
---

Days of chaos passed in a blur, with events that may be lost to history. All that can be said for sure is that Alex and Jiro are now flying down the highway in an old Winnebago eager to leave Emerald City behind.

After passing Portland, Jiro relaxes slightly from the pace he had been setting. He feels a rumble and realizes there has been no food eaten since late the previous afternoon. Driving on an empty stomach seemed less appealing then it did 200 miles ago.

Alex feels a similar rumble in the passenger seat.

Jiro settles back in the seat, pulling into the slow lane and letting the old 'Bago drop back to 50 miles per hour. "Well," he began, "It would appear, for now at least, that we have made a clean break, Alex-san." He paused for a moment, sparing a thought for Sarah and hoping she was safely back in her home now. As traffic began to pass him, he glanced at his companions. "Speaking for myself, I feel this would be a good moment to take a break for lunch, stock the 'bago, and plan our route properly."

Glancing ahead, he saw an exit marked for Salem. At least this Salem isn't likely to go in for witch-burning. "Shall we?"
This message was last updated by the player at 21:51, Wed 10 Apr 2013.

Alex looked up from the ratty paperback she'd picked up at the thrift store. "Yeah, I figure three hundred klicks should be good enough for the moment. That mind fracker who jumped us yesterday was such a pain in the neck. I'm still not really clear on everything that happened since Thursday. At least we got away in the end."

Signaling, Jiro started the 'Bago pulling off, into the exit ramp and headed towards Salem. The aquatransexual was quiet as he drove, partially introspective, mostly just not wanting to disturb Alex. His friends had gone through a great deal in the past days, if his slightly spotty memories of events were to be trusted, and they deserved as much peace and quiet as they could get.

As he went, he looked to passing road signs, thoughts of their immediate needs mixing with more long-term concerns. I think we've lost Dragoneye's goons, at least enough to bet the safety of myself and Alex - we are rather hard to kill - but what of others? Much as I want to continue my own quest and seek some possible cures, is it fair for me to turn up at the doorstep of one of my friends when I might still have unfriendly company following? His thoughts paused for a moment as he took another turnoff, the accompanying signage indicating restaurants as well as gas stations and a supermarket. Who would I go to now, anyway? My best lead is probably the Partans, but they're in Indiana... and I've never really met them, just chatted online. Rodriguez is closer, just in San Fran, but that's dangerous - he's close enough to Dragoneye to perhaps be in reach, and he has a family... And laying all that aside, our money supply is not limitless; how far can we even travel?

A sigh escaped him as he pulled into the parking lot of a shopping mall; signs promising department stores, groceries, a camping-supply chain store, and sundry others. First things first. Let us prepare ourselves and our 'Bago for the road ahead.

The local mall is a pretty standard American mall. At the moment you each have little more then your most prized possessions, the cloths on your back, and an extra outfit that is much worse for wear. With your limited funds, what do you do?

Okay, we need food, fresh clothes, probably some camping gear in case we need to abandon the 'bago, and a few sundries as well. Time to shop. Jiro walked into the mall just ahead of Alex, his stance and bearing deceptively relaxed. On the one hand, two-hundred odd miles of distance ought to be enough to keep the two of them out of casual tracking, even for a mage as powerful as Dragoneye, assuming he didn't have a clean blood sample of either. On the other, if he did all bets were off.

As the companions reached a mall directory, he spoke, still looking casual and giving the map a once-over. "I think it's fair to say we have a ways to go, and more than a few supplies needed. And a fair bit of daylight left. Should we make this a quick stop?" He smiled as he noticed a particular department store. A Rosen Queen. A stroke of luck, that - they'll probably have everything but the food.  I have a fair guess of Alex's size for spare clothes, if she does not mind my stylings. "If you would like to split up, I can get most of the camping goods and such; then perhaps you could get the food, and we meet at the food court?"

Another glance, still playing casual. Kamis, I hope we can get away clean. And either way, I now have a score to settle with a second higly-powerful sorcerer. Why can it never go smooth?

"Sounds like a plan." Alex said. "Onwards towards our glorious victory!"

"Indeed!" The two parted, and Jiro made his way through the crowded mall. As he walked, he watched the crowd around him as he went, absently observing the masses and deliberately keeping a hold on his paranoia. We made it this far. Assassins won't crop up in the next fifteen minutes. We have time.

His own camping gear - pup tent, a long-serving, well worn sleeping bag, and a small assortment of cooking gear - was in the 'bago. Alex would need some gear - the old 'bago had mattresses but no sheets, in the short term, and they might end up having to abandon it in the long. A brief bit of mental math, and he walked right past the camping-goods store; the likely better quality outweighed by the need for cheap he could get out of the department store.

He ducked into the Rosen Queen, returned the cheery wave of the nearest clerk - a young lady with her hair dyed a bright blue - and passed the little rack of Penguin stuffies. Every one of these stores uses more or less the same layout... Grabbing a basket, he started off. Noting minimal eyes on him, he quickly ducked through the women's wear to grab more sports bras - his own size long memorized; the next up for the taller and... better padded... Alex. They'd worn his own, borrowed, but, well, he saw no need to make his friends suffer the same fit issues he had to deal with thanks to his curse. And it's better in a lot of other ways for us not to be sharing underthings.

Mens wear yielded boxers; he'd found them comfortable enough in both forms and he'd never really felt the need to find girl-underwear that fit his female form; costing him the cheat of memory. More, he was not in the mood to guess at a proper size of panties for Alex, thank you very much. Atop those went sweatpants, tee shirts, and a hoodie each. As he departed the clothing sections to seek out camping gear, a more formal shirt caught his eye; similar to the style of his old school uniform, and for a quick moment he felt a stab of happy memory.

"One day, Jiro-kun, we will have to do something about your sense of style, ne?" said his memory of Omiko; from a meeting during school break a year before the fateful training journey. She'd been lamenting his using the uniform as a casual outfit; and his claim that he had nothing else fit for being seen with her that was not too formal. Kamis, I miss her. But... It cannot be helped. I am who I am; she is who she is; and her father is who he is. Focus, Koji. You have many things to deal with before you would be fit to see her again.

Shaking his head to clear it, he browsed the sporting goods section; threw some cheap-but-good cookware and plates into it. A light, green sleeping bag and a cheap air mattress completed the selection. He moved on, quickly grabbing a half-dozen other small, useful items, and made his way back to the till; heaping basket in one hand and bulk pack of TP under the other arm.

The bluenette at the till barely even raised an eyebrow at the mix of clothing, seeming to accept his bland 'my sister would rather watch a movie than shop for herself' without question. There was something slightly... off about her, but he couldn't narrow it down; wrote it off as a quirk of his underlying paranoia. Purchases bagged (with the bras at the bottom of one bag) he headed for the food court; hoping Alex had had as much luck.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:51, Tue 23 Apr 2013.

Alex parted with a smile and started stalking the food stores like a hunter on the prowl. Between her experience as a starving CompSci student and spending far to much time on the road fighting evil, Alex was well versed in the arts of shopping smart. The local S-Mart would be her first stop.

It doesn't take her long to get a supply of essentials. Food that lasts long, and keeps you going for longer. Food that generally tastes like crap, but that's nothing a bit of hot sauce couldn't fix.

Arriving at the food court not long after Jiro, she tracks him down. "How did it go?"

Looking at the logo on the bags, she blinks, looks at Jiro then back at the bags before shrugging.

"Well enough. Supplies that should serve us as we travel, even if we need to abandon the vehicle. Shall we eat?" Glancing around the food court, he looked at the selection and tried to decide between western fare and what the locals thought was oriental. Deciding to avoid the disappointment, he went with a Subway. If nothing else, it would give him a half-sandwich for later.

Rejoining Alex, he tucked in. Between bites he said, "I have a few ideas for our next move; though I think it best if we wait until we're on the road to speak of them. I feel it best to get more travel in today."

"Yes. Food. Need. Food. I. HUNGER." Alex said with a grin. A quick trip to the chicken place had half a roasted chicken with fries on her plate. Food she was rapidly demolishing.

"Yeah, we can work out where we are going when we get into the 'bago. Save us the strange looks."

After refueling, the pair heads back to the interstate.

Once again in the passenger seat, Alex pops a cassette tape she found at the thrift store into the deck. "On the road again. Just can't wait to get on the road again." Alex sings along with the first few lines before turning to Jiro. "So you're native to the crazy rock. What is your plan? Is it cunning enough to pin a tail to it so that it might be called a weasel?"

Jiro gave a small smile at Alex's words as he started back to the interstate. "There is some small cunning to it, though perhaps not weasel-cunning." A pause as he merged into traffic, heading south for now. "It is known that I travel after rumors and known strong mages in my personal quest. What is not known, or at least not well, is that I do not go by rumor alone. So far as most are concerned I am simply a foolish martial artist; that there are a number of mages I... correspond with on a fairly regular basis is not known. Minor practitioners, perhaps, but ones with knowledge. Two of them are relatively close; one in San Francisco, the other in Indiana. One of them would likely be best to go to for some help." A smirk. "There is a reason I mentioned the mage Seven when I rejected Dragoneye's offer in his chambers; to give the impression I planned to head for Freedom City. I do, but not just yet." He frowned as the 'Bago passed a heavy truck. "Power calls to power, I do not wish to get tangled up in the power-games of superheros."

There was a moment of thoughtful silence from the martial artist. "At any rate, my plan is to lie low and investigate a few rumors." A shrug. "I have come near to the end of the rumors I have uncovered; those that seemed at least plausible.  I hope that if I do not find a solution, I will at least gain new leads. Perhaps not a great plan, but one that has some promise."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Wed 24 Apr 2013.

"Makes sense to me. I guess the question is which way do we go? San Fran is a hell of a lot bigger, but I figure we're more likely to run into folks who know DE. Indiana? I doubt we'll have trouble with Kung Fu but it might be harder to blend in if there IS anyone after us."

Alex leaned back and let the chorus of the song carry her off while she considered things. "Can't really tell which one would be the better option. Kinda leaning towards Indiana 'cause it will probably be quieter but I guess I'm easy."

"Indiana it is." It will be interesting to meet Angela Partans in person; she seems an interesting woman. Jiro ran some mental calculations; working out his route. He came to a conclusion, nodded decisively. "We have a few days of road ahead of us; and then, I hope, a chance of some rest."

A pause. "At some point I will have to borrow your laptop; and let them know we are coming. The short notice should not be a surprise; I have a standing invitation... but it seems polite to give a warning."

"We'll have to hit a hotspot first. I didn't sign up for one of those bloody expensive usb internet sticks. To traceable if we are going to be on the lam anyway."

Alex leaned back and contemplated the road ahead of the Winnebago. "It's a hell of a long drive though, and I'm kinda lacking in a license or any form of paperwork. I figure we should plan on stopping once you start to get tired. No sense pushing to hard after all."

Jiro shrugged as he shifted position, settling into the 'Bago's seat. "I suppose my idea of relatively close is somewhat skewed, yes. I have traveled much." A pause. "I should have several hours of driving left in me today; and no desire to waste time."

He glanced at her, a small smile on his face, "And before you ask, Alex-san I do know my limits for driving time. I will stop while I am still safe to drive." That is a mistake this one only has to make once...

Mentally reviewing his route, he drove. I think I can make another seven, eight hours today before I'll be tired enough to have to stop. Have to play it by ear, but that should be a reasonable start. "In any event, I shall get this show on the road, as it were."

The hours and miles pass the old Winnebago. It has some troubles with the mountains, but Jiro manages to keep it on the road. It's some time after two in the morning when the lights of Billings, Montana come into view. Finally surrendering to the inevitable, the decision is made to stop for the night. It's not like you are working on a time limit to reach your destination after all.

The question remains truck stop, motel, or just parking on the side of the road.

Jiro knew his limits well; which did not always cause them to be less annoying, but was still helpful. He knew he was dragging even before Alex made pointed suggestions about it. He refrained from grumbling as he pulled into the truck stop at the edge of the Montana city; even just driving, it had been a long enough day that he felt the need for a shower before he hit the sack.

Pulling into the parking area, he found a spot for the 'Bago at the edge of the lot, next to a supermarket's truck. He patted the 'Bago's dash with a quiet "Arigato," then threw a towel and change of clothes in a bag. "Shall we?" he asked Alex, nodding towards the central building of the truck stop.

The truck stop is completely quiet. Walking into the main store/diner area you find it mostly deserted. The only person present is a very old man asleep in a chair behind the counter. He is snoring softly and has a shotgun cradled in his arms.

Alex yawned and followed Jiro. She didn't need to drive, but had stayed awake to help keep Jiro from nodding off. Long hours on the road at brutal like that.

Inside the diner, she looks unsettled by the armed man. "Is this normal for the States?" she whispered.

Glancing around, Jiro considered his reply. Shotgun. Not, perhaps, the best of signs. Softly, he replied to Alex, "So far as I know, not really. Not for a place on the interstate." He gave Alex a 'gimmie some room' gesture and advanced, stopping at the counter, off-center to the old man's line-of-sight, then rapped his knuckles on the countertop for attention. "Good evening, sir," he said, bearing relaxed but ready to duck... just in case.

The man's head jerks up with a shout. "WUH-HUH?"

He blinks rapidly for a few moments and scans the room. "What? Where did they go? What are YOU doing here?"

When you don't answer instantly his eyes narrow and he pulls the gun up closer to a ready position. "Well? What are you waiting for Sonny?"

He gave a small bow. "Sorry to startle you, sir. We are on a road trip, and just arrived; and were wondering if the shower facilities were still open tonight." He smiled, trying to look harmless. "I know it is late, but we got a late start and have much ground to cover."

The man tilts his head and eyeballs you both for a moment. "Humph. Yeah. The showers are in the back. MEN on the left. WOMEN on the right. Don't mix it up and don't think about any funny business. This is a clean establishment. We don't put up with and fooling around."

He mutters some more, loud enough to just be heard. "Bloody kids these days. Sure didn't see a ring on either of their fingers. Bloody disgraceful is what it is..."

Jiro's smile was a bit strained as he gave another small bow. "Thank you, sir; and again, sorry for disturbing your sleep." No point in trying to correct him; his type would not care for any facts that do not agree with his personal truths.

He made his way to the back, mentally noting the layout on the off chance something... untoward happened. Something nagged him about the old man's words; not just the annoying conclusion jumping; but something more ominous. Tired from the long day, Jiro could not pin down what made him uneasy. As he entered the men's room he shook his head to clear it, resolved to figure it out later. For now it was not terribly important, he was sure.

The facilities were worn; in need of updating, but well cared for, and clean. A mop and bucket sat in one corner, next to the sinks, looking ready for its next round. At the back of the room, past the stalls, was a bank of showers, each in its own little nook, each masked by a thin, beige plastic curtain. At random, he picked one. His towel and bag went on a hook, and he looked at the shower itself as he disrobed. A thought of the old man out front, and he made sure to tuck the sports-bra away deep in the toe of one shoe in case of snoops. So, fate, how are you going to mess with me tonight? The day's gone fairly well, after all, I'm probably due... Bet the hot water fails. Do I give the old man conniptions after? Nah, just slip by. Good practice.

Alex looked at the crazy old guy without saying anything. She was fairly convinced that he had a few screws loose. Who slept with a shotgun in their lap?

And funny business with Jiro? Yeah. No way. Definitely not.

Pleased to find that the showers are reasonably clean, Alex doesn't waste any time getting into the hot water.

The showers are hot and uneventful. It's wonderfully relaxing. Alex and Jiro end up finishing about the same time, leaving the respective bathrooms within 30 seconds of one another.

Musing about fate's unexpected mercy, Jiro dried and dressed with practiced efficiency, slipping into clean, new shirt and pants. The rest of the bundle went together as he stifled a yawn; the day's length and the hot water catching up to him. Holding his bag with one hand, the other rubbed at the back of his neck as he exited the shower room, almost simultaneous with Alex. "Well, Alex-san, at least the night seems to have a good ending." A mischievous grin split his tired face. "Shall we wind him up on the way out?"

"What do you have in mind, you terrible terrible person?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing much; something simple and low key; like holding hands as we head for the door." If you spoke Japanese I'd suggest chatting about nothing in flirty tones, but that's a non-starter. "If an ignorant man wishes to jump to a wholly foolish conclusion, it can hardly hurt to give him a boost."

Alex looked uneasy. "Uhh... maybe. Not sure if I... she trailed off, sounding nervous.

The unease vanished an instant later and was replaced with a cocky smile "Ah, why the frack not. Let's do this."

The Slayer took Jiro's hand and started heading back to the main room with a skip in her step.

The efforts to wind up the old man are wasted. He seems to have gone somewhere, leaving his shotgun laying on the counter.

Jiro looked around for the old man. "I will admit, Alex-san, that I am halfway disappointed. Though it is, perhaps, for the best." I am probably being too silly for my own good; nerves. It would be nice to not leave an enemy behind me. And for that matter, I still need to fuel up in the morning before we go. As they walked across the store, heading for the exit, he retrieved his hand and pondered the road ahead. "Tomorrow's drive should take us to Minneapolis or so, I believe, if we do not push too hard. For now, do you want the top bunk, or the bottom?"

As he reached the door he took one last glance towards the counter, seeing the shotgun again. His tired brain ticked over, and he froze for a moment, as the old man's words caught up with him. He was expecting someone else. Perhaps something else. Someone who was there, and then vanished. A glance around revealed nothing that jumped out at him as suspicious, and he forced himself back into motion. Whatever it was, it seems to have passed. And I am not in condition to poke around even more; too tired to think clearly. I will have to be cautious; keep my sleep this night light. And perhaps make some polite inquiries in the morning. A frown. At least I do not operate under a time limit. I can take a day, if needed, to help. If it is something that help such as mine can be useful for.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:42, Wed 08 May 2013.

Alex's mad grin faded as she realized that the old man wasn't there. "Ah well. You win some and you lose some."

Her fingers trailed along Jiro's hand as he released her. "Oh, I'll be on top tonight." she said with a sultry expression and a seductive tone. This lasted for all of three seconds before she cracked up.

Jiro chuckled. "I walked into that, I did."

"Well with an opening like that, how could I turn it down?" The sultry tone returned for the first few words, but Alex couldn't maintain it and cracks up again. "Let's get some sleep."

Trying not to think that hard about his worries, Jiro followed Alex back to the 'bago. Climbing into the lower bunk and drawing the curtains, he made himself comfortable and tried to nod off.

Just outside Billings, Montana, Tuesday, September 9th, 2008  6:15 AM
---

The pair manage to fall asleep swiftly. Their sleep is untroubled at first, but some time just before sunrise both awaken. There is a palpable tension in the air that sets their instincts alight.

There is nothing immediately obvious that is the cause.

Jiro felt the tension in the air and grimaced. Knew it couldn't be that easy. Quickly, he pulled on fresh clothes and moved into the main room of the 'Bago. "Alex-san, I do not like this... feel of things. Care to join me, looking around?"

Whatever her response, he pulls on his shoes and steps outside, looking carefully around for anything that might be amiss.

[ooc: 19:39, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 26 using 1d20+12. Notice check.]

"Why can't anything ever go smooth?" Alex asked with a sigh as she jumped out of bed. "Let's see what terrible forces of terrible terribleness are at work."

15:32, Tue 14 May 2013: Alex rolled 23 using 1d20+7 ((16)).

Peering out the window you don't see anything at first, just a slowly lightening sky. However as you look longer, you catch sight of movement in the sky. It's a flying object of some kind, with a number of small lights. You can not make out any more details about it.

It seems to be hovering somewhere over the town.

Jiro stared towards town at what appeared to be an honest-to-god unidentified flying object. "Alex-san, please tell me you are not seeing this." I must still be asleep. He took a moment to pinch himself, then looked back towards the flying... thing. Or not. Kuso.

"Don't worry Jiro. I don't see the ufo hovering over the town. However, if there are any Chryssalid
 running around the town I am leaving and waiting for X-Com to show up. Just FYI."

Cryssa- no, no need to ask. Context tells me all I need to know. "Well then. If nothing else, looking into this will wake me up properly for the day." He walked to the front of the 'Bago and fired it up. "If this does turn out to be a situation to be run from, having out wheels with us should help, no?"

[OOC: unless Alex protests, Jiro will drive for town, aiming to get wherever the UFO is hovering over.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Wed 15 May 2013.

The 'bago only makes it a few hundred feet towards the town before the engine dies. A quick inspection shows that most electronic devices have stopped functioning.

The floating object is holding steady over the town.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Thu 16 May 2013.

For a moment, Jiro glared at the 'Bago's console; at the dials that were suddenly and abruptly dim. "Kuso," he muttered, but without much feeling. "Well, having the car with us in case things went sour was probably asking the universe too much. I suppose we shall just have to take our chances." Pocketing the keys, the martial artist made his way to the door; a deep breath as he started his ki flowing through his system, and then he began to run at his best speed towards the UFO, a faint nimbus of soft blue light trailing him.

I am no superhero, to deal with alien invaders or the like. But I am here, and I have skills that might allow me to deal with it; certainly better than the local police are likely to be able to. This is a job for the Freedom League, or the Atoms, or even the Ex-Cons; but in their absence I shall have to do my best.

What kind of man would I be if I refused to help the meek, ordinary folks this thing threatens?

[OOC: Array is in Ki Strike, running for the UFO at top speed; I know Alex can keep up from past performances.]

The pair takes off towards town at a run, leaping over fences and small bushes without breaking stride. A few blocks from where the UFO is hovering a sound can be heard or more accurately felt. A low thrumming fills the air, shaking you to the core.

Looking down the street there seems to be some kind of movement underneath the UFO. It is to dark to make out any details at this distance. The UFO is still quite unidentified, with no more details being discernible at this range.

Jiro ran for the UFO, angling for an apartment building near where it hovered. As he ran, he wracked his brains for any esoteric knowledge that might tell him what he was dealing with - he was nowhere near ready to dismiss magic as a possible explanation. Not all people used pure tech, he vaguely recalled from conversations with some of his mystic contacts.

As he did, he kept vague track of the UFO and it's movement, he hit the alley between his target building and the one next to it. He jumped from dumpster to fire escape to windowsill, making his way to the top in his own preferred way. Landing lightly on the rooftop, he took a moment to catch his breath.

Now what do I do?

20:58, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Arcane Lore just in case its a magic UFO.

Either a really good or really wasted roll...

20:57, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 14 using 1d20+12. Notice check.

...welp, he's distracted climbing.

Alex had been lost in her thoughts at the overwhelming strangeness that was going on before her. Freaking UFOs. Being a Vampire Slayer didn't prepare you to drop into a game of X-Com. Oh god, she hoped that she wasn't in a game of X-Com.

Jiro remembers hearing something about aliens that use magic, but never did learn any details. It might have been the Grue, but he wasn't sure.

Alex kept her head on a swivel, unconsciously taking in everything as her mind wandered. One thing caught her eye. It looked like there were some roughly human sized and shaped forms were carrying and dragging others towards the central UFO.

The pair come to a stop on top of the local S-Mart. From here it was possible to get a slightly better look at the ship. It looked like a fairly typical flying saucer, somewhat larger then a 747. The ship seemed to shimmer and was hard for the eye to focus on, even at this relatively short range.

Alex suddenly spun around and caught sight of a shadow moving. There was someone or something on the roof with them.

"Jiro. Company. Intentions unknown." Alex whispered as she slipped into a ready stance.

The aquatransexual blinked at Alex's words, turned and looked the same way they were. Like the Slayer, he slid into a ready stance, poised to spring into action should it be needed.

[ooc: skill masterying Notice for 22 like I should have done last time]

Jiro turns around just in time to catch sight of someone standing up from behind an a/c unit. It's a short man of perhaps thirty. He looks around the roof, confusion on his face. "What are you doing here?" he asks.

Jiro blinks, then jerks his head towards the UFO. "Trying to figure out what to do about that." A pause, and then. "And yourself?"

"Oh. Okay." he says, still sounding confused. "I... I'm here hiding. Hiding from them. Shouldn't you be hiding to?"

Jiro chuckled. "That would likely be the sane thing to do, yes." This guy is acting harmless, but what's he doing up here? Even if he works in the store this is an odd place to be. Jiro half-turned to the UFO, but kept the stranger in the corner of his eye. "I have a great dislike of bullies, whatever their form and wherever they are from. I am thinking of teaching them a lesson."



Skill Mastery of Sense Motive on the guy on the roof for 22 - what's he up to?
Skill Mastery of notice for 22 on the UFO - can I see any kind of hatch or other point of ingress?

Alex fixed the man with a cold glare. She didn't trust this guy, not one bit.

Jiro isn't quite sure what to make of this guy. He seemed... off. His reactions, body language, even his tone of voice all seemed odd to the martial artist.

The UFO doesn't have any obvious hatches that you can make out at this range. The strange shimmer effect makes it hard to determine any surface details.

Alex gets goosebumps as she realizes that whatever is standing in front of her is not human, not even slightly.

Enough was enough. Whatever this thing was, Alex wasn't in the mood to play around right now. She took a deep breath and then exploded into motion.

The man clearly had no idea Alex was about to attack him. She roughly grabbed him, slammed his face into the a/c unit, and proceeded to restrain him in an expert fashion. He tries to struggle out of Alex's grasp but he is powerless before her superhuman strength.

Well, that escalated quickly. Jiro raised one eyebrow. Of course, they've shown the ability to tell humans from non-humans at a glance before...

"I take it he's not exactly what he seems, Alex-san?" Jiro asks in a calm tone. He didn't move to add to the pummeling just yet, but he was ready for anything that might pop out to threaten them.


18:22, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 19 using 1d20+6.

Holding my action for now until I see what happens next
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Wed 12 June 2013.

"No. It's not." She growled, holding the struggling man tightly. "Why don't you tell us what exactly you are, before things get unpleasant?"

"Why should I tell you anything human? You're... wait." The man rapidly transitions from indignant to sheepish. "Are you human?"

Well, that settles it. Now, is he a good alien or a bad alien? "Interesting choice of words, stranger. And informative." A breath, and Jiro let his ki wreath his right arm in blue fire. "Alex-san is more human than you, I would wager. As am I. Very human; primitive, short of temper, and given to violence at the smallest provocation." He tightened a fire-wreathed fist. "Now. Reveal yourself, stranger. Before I lose my temper."



Array is in Fist of the Oni
18:42, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 20 using 1d20+10. Intimidate the captive.

The man glares and tries to struggle, but it is a fruitless effort. Alex is just to strong and skilled. At least until he seems to decide that any chance at deception has failed. His body flows and shifts. It's surprising enough that he manages to get free from Alex. "FOR THE UNITY!" He screams as he pulls a blaster pistol from somewhere.

His freedom is short lived as Jiro promptly knocks him out with a single punch.

Jiro scowled at the unconscious shapechanger. "Well. That was uninformative." He scooped up the raygun, slipping it into a pocket. This might come in useful later...

He turned back to the UFO. "Alex-san, I am thinking that we are going to have to deal with the rest of them, sooner than later. Whatever their Unity is, it is likely something we will not want to see prosper." A pause. "Assuming that was not one of your Chrysalids, shall we take the fight to them?" His eyes scanned the ground between him and the flying saucer; looking for the best approach and the best point to climb to reach the damned thing.

[OOC: Array is back in Ki Strike, Skill Masterying Notice for 22]

Alex spaced out for what felt like forever, but was really only for a few seconds. "Yeah. Let's go kick some heads in."

Jiro gave a nod and headed for the side of the building; quickly wallhopping down between this and the nearest one. Once landed, he raced out towards the aliens as they gathered people. He aimed for the nearest raygun-wielding figure and laid it out with a ki-charged blow; then shouted "Now then! How do you intruders like a human who can fight back?" in challenge as he settled into a ready stance.

As per GM, laying out one mook, then rolling initiative. Array is in Ki Strike

17:14, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 16 using 1d20+6. Initiative.

Alex was only a split second behind Jiro. A thrown stake took down one alien as she land in a low crouch. "Alright. Who wants some?"

As our heroes attack the aliens, they quickly realize that there a great many more aliens then the assumed. For each one of the humanoid, but clearly not human aliens they knock out, three more take their place. This is going to be interesting.

Jiro surveyed the horde he'd found himself in the midst of and resisted the urge to smirk. For a moment, he was shrouded in a glowing corona of blue fire; which shrank in upon him before unleashing itself like a bomb blast. "Roaring Lion's Blast!"

The wave parted around Alex, and the other humans he could see, only to close again and slam into the alien figures surrounding him.

Array is in Roaring Lion's Blast; 50 foot AOE hitting anything not a human. DC 20 reflex for half; DC25 toughness check

Alex rushes into the middle of the group and starts swinging.