The team assembles swiftly, each with the gear that they packed. Everyone boards the transport chopper which flies to the nearby air base, a pair of attack choppers flying on either side for support just in case. A C-130 waits on the landing strip and the team boards in a reasonably orderly manner. Some soldiers are on-board as extra support during the trip and the plane takes off with no problems. The plane refuels several times on the trip; twice over the US and a few times over the Atlantic Ocean.

The plane lands in Gibraltar and the team is hurried off in secrecy to a building where everyone puts on the archeologist garb provided and Poco morphs into a human for the next stage. Shortly afterwards the team boards a charter bus and is brought to a commercial airport where they are given passports and ticket and board a British airliner bound for Cairo. The team is aware there are several US special forces in disguise on the plane. The trip is uneventful aside from a bit of turbulence.

By the time the team lands everyone is exhausted from the long flight, especially Poco who has been maintaining human form for over 7 hours. The team is met by a well-dressed Egyptian who identifies himself as Falik Al-Kefer and works for the history museum in Cairo (as well as being the source of the information about the Soviet find). Everyone is spirited away in a bus to a secure, walled compound that is a safe-house for US intelligence and military operations. The team is led to rooms to get some sleep after the long flight and told they will be awakened and brought for a briefing in the AM.

OOC: Everyone just going right to sleep or are people going to do anything else? (It is about 9pm in Cairo by the time everyone is settled in)

   Onyx was tired from the travel, but still made it a point to familiarize himself with the base layout, the exit routes, and the places where metal might be manipulated for his advantage if trouble started.

   Once he felt secure in that knowledge, he promptly went to his room, bent and fused the metal hinges of the door and door locks- so as not to be disturbed other than by knocking- and slept the sleep of the dead.

OOC:  if you, GM, are fast forwarding the action past the point of sleep, feel free to assume Onyx gets up and in-fuzes everything to meet with everyone else at the appropriate time.

By the time they reached the walled compound safe-house, Eddy was exhausted.   He'd not been able to sleep during the public legs of the trip, as he needed to remain awake to maintain his transformation.
And the transformation taxed him greatly.

When they arrived at their destination, he simply went to his room and crashed.
His purring could likely be heard from other locations within the compound.

Nightmare wanders around a little, attempting to become familiar with the other's locations. At Eddy's room, he walks in. Gesturing to Eddy's prone form, he mumbles, "shubhamasthu" and walks out. At his own place, he puts his bag down beside his pillow, lays the bullwhip atop the bag, the hat atop the bullwhip, and lays down to sleep.

Osc had had no problems on the flight -- perhaps because he flew a lot, or because he had a vibration nullification field around himself so he had slept well.

Still, he rested -- he wanted to be at his best before tomorrow's big day.

"Good night team.  Salam elechem -- correct?"

"I bloody hate jet lag," Vosper groused.  She did a quick sweep of the place to make sure she had the general lay of the land.  Once done, she ate a large meal and retired to her room to try to sleep.

"'Night!" Amaranth waves back to Oscillator, and goes into her room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

OOC: Amaranth doesn't sleep, but we're in a strange place and everyone else looks exhausted, so being paranoid military types now, she'll kind of... keep watch.  By which I really mean, keep her door open and an ear out while she reads.

By which I really mean - she may not technically be `sleeping', but I don't have any reason to interfere with skipping ahead to morning. grin

On the flight to Gibralter, Muldoon had a few beers and then slept like a log and snorred like a chain saw until Poco had delivered a well elbow.

As the team adopted dress consitent with the mission, Mudloon had gone a step further and appeared to have very effectively disguised himself as an older academic with greying hair and a beard.

On the ground in Egypt, Muldoon stayed character as Professor Henry Klein.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

The night passes uneventfully and people are awakened promptly at 7:00am. Once everyone is dressed they are led down to a conference room with a big map of Egypt on the wall. Numerous tables are in the room, a couple of which contain various breakfast items and a large coffee dispenser. The team is instructed to grab some breakfast then take a seat at the tables facing the map.  The food is decent but nothing special, seeming to be an approximation of American breakfast items. The coffee is strong and helps to clear away the last cobwebs from the long trip over.

As the team is finishing their breakfast Falik enters the room with an older gentleman in tow who appears to be a scholarly type. They seat themselves at the table in front of the map and Falik greets the team; "Good morning, I trust you all slept reasonably well. The person with me is Hamdi Bin-Hassad, one of the curators at the museum of history. He will be providing rough information about the location of the all-seeing eye, based on the ancient information that was uncovered. Are there any questions before we begin?"

It is somewhat obvious that Hamdi appears a bit uncomfortable as he fidgets some and glances around nervously at times while Falik is speaking.

Muldoon, still looking and sounding like henry Klein, like the others no doubt, was a bit jet lagged so he shook his head and sipped the mud like coffee.

"No thank you. Please continue."

"Not before," Vosper said chipperishly.  "Maybe after, or during."

(Assuming no one else has a question)

"Do continue, Dr. Bin-Hassad."

Eddy sat, arms folded on the table before him, and his face buried down in them.
A soft purr already threatened to infuse the locale ... forecasting a solid snore.

Nightmare smiles, "I have one, small question."
"When we retrieve the eye, will the museum place it on public display or will it be reserved for private study?"

Oscillator had been anxious all night.  Now he was talking to another expert --
Osc had some questions to ask.

"Salam Alechem, Dr. Bin-Hassad.  It's a pleasure to have you helping us.
Please, if you might tell us what you know of this all-seeing-eye.
Might you have information which we may not have heard already?"

   Onyx just sipped his coffee, and looked around the room and at the speaker expectantly.

Falik nods at the questions of the group and gestures to Dr. Bin-Hassad who gathers a few papers and nervously walks to the podium. He clears his throat and fidgets a bit while he looks to get his information in order.

Dr. Bin-Hassad looks over the group quickly and clears his throat once more before falling into speech; "Yes, well as was said I am Dr. Bin-Hassad from the history museum in Cairo. Welcome to my country. And erm, yes, as to your question," where he glances at Nightmare; "I do not have a clear answer for you. I suppose it depends on if this all-seeing eye is truly what it is purported to be. If it is some artifact that can 'see all' I would imagine our government would claim it for research. I am sure there would be outcry from both your government and the Russians if this is the case but that is beyond me. On the other hand if it is merely a relic of great antiquity it would likely be turned over to the museum."

Looking over at Oscillator, Dr. Bin-Hassad coughs briefly then continues; "And as to your question I have here what information is currently known to us, and likely to the Russians as well. To the south and east of Cairo are the ruins of Heliopolis; a great city that was primarily devoted to the worship of Ra, the sun god. We have been slowly reclaiming portions of the city from the sands of time, new artifacts flowing into our museums and centers of study. The most recent find was an ancient scroll that was found in a secret compartment in the base of a large statue of Ra in the courtyard of what we believe was his primary temple."

Dr. Bin-Hassad stops to get a drink of water, fidgeting a bit more before continuing; "The translation of this scroll has been an arduous process. This is in part because it is so fragile, and partly because we have needed to cross-reference heiroglyphs to various sources to make sure of a more correct reading. The scrolls speak of a hidden temple in the hills and valleys southeast of Helipolis. It speaks of Ra himself coming down from the sun to select from his worshippers a group of people for purposes unknown. Ra took these people southeast into the hills and valleys, to this temple. Some of the highest priests in the city also went along and a regiment of soldiers for protection. It is said that Ra would bequeath the secrets of his all-seeing eye to the most worthy among them who could survive the trials ahead. This temple was to be hidden from the eyes of all as part of a greater plan. No one ever returned from that journey and it is assumed that Ra took them all up into the heavens with him."

Dr. Bin-Hassad stops again to take a breath and have more water; "It is said the all-seeing eye was within this temple and the power of Ra himself would protect it from the greed of the unbelievers. We have flown reconnaisance missions over the entire area, and have seen *nothing* to indicate the location of a temple, ruined or otherwise. This leads us to believe that the only way to find it is by ground, exploring each valley in turn until it is found. It was said the location of the temple was a paradise, an oasis beyond all reckoning so perhaps that is a clue to follow. All we have ever seen by air is dry, desert wasteland."

Dr. Bin-Hassad stops and looks up from his papers, glancing around the room with a little more confidence; perhaps from immersing himself in the ancient history and pride of his people. He speaks up again once more to ask a question; "Are there any questions on this all so far?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:08, Thu 07 Nov 2013.

Eddy growled in his sleep a moment, then returned to a gentle purr.

Muldoon posing as Professor Klein just sat and listened. But Muldoon wondered why the US government was working with the Egyptians on this or if they were really considering allowing them to keep such a possible threat to US national security.

Oscillator wondered if he might reconfigure his HAART to detect organic vibration in the desert, to ferret out a hidden oasis.

He filed the thought and nodded to the doctor. "Excellent.  Excellent.  A truly exciting opportunity for scientific discovery."

"Between you and I, let us hope the 'artifact' is nothing more than an artifact. I'm not sure I would want to 'see all'. It's likely to be less than I imagined, and somewhat disappointing."

Dr. Bin-Hassad nods at Nightmare's words; "I think I share your view on this object. There have been countless artifacts purported to have magical powers yet none have surfaced yet, this may well end up being another. For whatever reason the Russians believe it is real and your government doesn't seem to want to take any chances that it isn't. I guess we shall all see, but first the valley and temple need to be found."

Sitting near to the curator, Falik looks back and forth from the curator to the team, seeming as if he is waiting for something.

"Would there be any images of this scroll we might examine?"
Nightmare thinks a moment before continuing, "Also, are there any other objects purported to be from this temple?"

"I can't help but wonder if this isn't going to fall into that 'Things Man Was Not Meant to Know' category," Vosper ventured.  Then, frowning, she added, "What obstacles are we anticipating in reaching and gaining access to the temple?  These things are always warded and trapped." 

Dr. Bin-Hassad nods at Nightmare's question and pulls a few photos out of his file, passing them over to Nightmare. Looking at Vosper he listens to her concerns and pauses before replying; "Hmmmm.....the problem is unlike other temples and pyramids there have been no plans found. Most of the traps that you hear about is legend, stories to frighten away grave robbers. That being said those tales talk of deep drop-away pits, spikes which spring out from the walls, and falling blocks. Whether any of it is reality in regards to this temple is the question."

Nightmare looks through the photos. After he examines each one, he passes it to his left without looking to see who takes it.

"Dr. Bin-Hassad, what types of scanning technology have been used to find this temple?  We could use some historical references to narrow our search zone, and I am an expert in radio telemetry scanning -- I could rig up a field radio-telemetry vibration-differentiation scanner today, and perhaps we could attempt to scan from air?"

As he speaks, Oscillator wonders what super-types Egypt has at it's disposal, and whether they might have already used super-senses to find the temple...?

'Darn, I should have searched the databases on Egyptian supertypes!', Osc thinks.  He wonders if there's any prudent way to broach the subject.  He looks to Muldoon, Vosper, Amaranth -- they'd be better at asking than he would.

Vosper might be his best bet.  Osc moves over next to her and whispers softly in her ear, "Is there any polite / subtle way of asking if Egypt has had supers looking for the temple?"

Dr. Bin-Hassad takes in everything Oscillator is saying and consults his file folder for a bit; "Our government sent aerial reconnaisance over the entire area. Scanning that was done was visual, thermal, and with radar. Nothing was found with any of those methods. If it is someplace hidden, it is hidden *very* well. You are certainly welcome to try your radio-telemetry-whatever if you like but I don't know how much time there is. The Russians had not departed as of the last information but I am sure they aren't going to wait around. Also if visual, thermal, and radar scans didn't turn up anything what makes you think your method will?"

"You know, when you're in a race it's important to know how fast your opponent is going. Where are these Russians?"

Dr. Bin-Hassad looks flustered at the question, looking around at his papers. Falik comes to his aid though, speaking up from his chair nearby; "The Russians are at the Soviet embassy. We have some people on the street keeping an eye on them and reporting back to us. They arrived several hours before you did, having a shorter flight from the Soviet Union, and have been hiring guides and gathering supplies as well as making trips to the history museum."

The "Professor" looks over the photos as well.

"What do we know about the Soviets?"

Falik looks over at the "professor" as he asks his question; "Can you be a bit more specific on your question?"

"What known Russian operatives and assets are believed to be in the area, en route, or assigned to the case?" Vosper clarified for the Sergeant.

Falik nods in thanks to Vosper; "Ah yes, a good question. We have observed a number of what we assume are soldiers as they all have crew-cuts despite being dressed normally. Two others stand out in particular; a beautiful blonde woman who carries an attache case and seems to be in charge of the men, and an attractive Egyptian woman frequently seen conferring with the blonde. All the rest are men dressed pretty much the same with a typical array of body types, for soldiers that is. Assuming that they are, in fact, soldiers. They certainly act the part though they try not to."

"Do you have any pictures of them. Perhaps some of the others could identify them." The "Professor" asked. Muldoon did not like this one bit. The Egyptians and the West had come very close to war just a few years ago, and while the US had managed to act as a peacekeeper the Soviets had strengthened their relationship with the Egyptian government. There might be some in their intelligence agency who would be sympathetic to communist cause. Add to the security issues at MI6 and security on this job might be very weak indeed.

Falik pulls a few photos out of a manila envelope and places them on the table for people to look at. The pictures look to have been taken quickly and with a telephoto lens, but details are clear enough. As people look one of the people is immediately recognizable to the team members from the last mission; the blonde Soviet femme fatale Usurper, a known mind-controller. The Egyptian woman is not recognized by anyone nor are any of the civilian-dressed soldiers.

"Oh no!  Not her!!!" shrieks Oscillator, when he sees the picture of Usurper.  "She ... she ... oh no no no no..."
He puts a hand over his face, hiding his expression.

When he moves the hand, he has regained control.  "The situation has significantly worsened.
Anyone with signficant information will not be able to withhold it from HER."

Oscillator values only a few things in this world, but one treasure he prizes above all else is his mind.
And she took that from him, she controlled him ... and payback is due.  "But if we could take her out..."

"Calm down, mate, it isn't helping," Vosper said evenly, her own jaw clenched at the sight of the mind-controlling bitch from hell.

"Of course they'd send her, and it wouldn't surprise me if our mate Shroud was here as well," she mused grimly.  "All right.  Not to panic.  What's our intelligence on the extents of her abilities?  As far as we know, she can't read minds, only control them.  Not quite the same thing.  Obviously she'd need visual or audible range..."

"Actually, the best thing we could do is get there first, get the whatever it is, replace it with a smooth stone from the river, and get out without leaving a trace."

Muldoon had not run into her but he had been at the debrief and had heard the others speculate on her abilities. Muldoon was not sure the foreign nationals were cleared on what they were discussing. He hoped to calm down Ossy and change the subject>

"Perhaps there would be some way to create a device that would block her ability or at least make it harder for her to get it to function."

"But perhaps we can table that discussion and the discussion of the opposition for later."

In a surprising tone, Oscillator venomously responds, "It's been made -- it's called a gun."

Oscillator looks at the surprised faces.
"What?  She's the villain, the mind-stealer.  She is evil, not me."

Eddy stirred, and raised his head.
Blinking his eyes, he looked around and realised he bed woken in a meeting (imagine that, after going to sleep in his bed last night).

After a moment he noticed the food on the table.
Gesturing to it, he asked the gathered, "Is anyone going to eat that?"

And began pulling various plates of foodstuff towards himself.

Now, tiredness was being replaced with hunger.

Muldoon was not shocked. In fact he had the same thought himself. It was pretty clear that the Soviet operatives needed to be eliminated. Both their psyker and their teleporter presented obstacles to the mission, only their terminationcould assure success.

"I don't think we want to start down that road, except in an extreme circumstance," Vosper replied calmly to Osc.  "We start killing them; they'll repay the favor in kind.  For now it's a fencing match.  If they choose to make it a bloodbath, that's on them, but I'm not looking forward to operating in those kinds of conditions."

Nightmare speaks glibly, as if discussing what's for lunch, but says, "Besides, some of us can't afford that kind of karma. We've enough demons to face in this life, no need to ready some for the next."

"I'm just a stodgy old archeologist, I certainly don't want that kind of thing." The professor said in agreement with the sentiment of Vosper and Nightmare, even though he did not quite share their sentiment.

"Actually, I was much more of a pacifist prior to ...  Well, that is to say, I didn't have much use for a gun before, and actually I have less now -- all things considered.  But I would like to see that woman pay for what she has done."

He looks to his team.  "Ok?  So can we move on to discussing other matters?  For instance, how about we form a plan?  We could infiltrate their camp and attempt to recon their data.  Or maybe we could get an agent in there?  Or we could follow them -- I can do that without being detected, I believe.  Or we could lead them on a false chase, feed them fake leads & take them on a treasure hunt'.  And there's also the chance that they have infiltrated our team...?"

So much for science and discovery.  This was going to be tactical, as well as investigatory.

Amaranth shakes her head.  "Following them, or trying to put together what they know, isn't really the point, is it?  That just assures that we get there second."

"Yeff. Wo' shee shed", Eddy agreed, through a mouth full of chorizo omelet and baked beans.

   Onyx's eyes moved around the room, flitting from speaker to speaker.

   He didn't really have anything to add.

   He didn't want to kill nobody though. Not unless it was absolutely necessary.

Both Falik and Dr. Bin-Hassad look on as the team talks back and forth about the revelation of the mind-controller as part of the Soviet team. A couple times it looks like Falik is about to say something but then he puts his hand down. Suddenly there is a knock on the door and Falik goes over and opens it. There is a casually dressed Egyptian at the door and he is seen to whisper something to Falik who stands up straight suddenly and nods, dismissing the person.

Closing the door Falik comes back to the briefing; "Excuse me, can I have your attention please? I just received information from one of our street operatives who has been observing the Soviet embassy. Apparently just a few minutes ago the Soviet team gathered in the compound and have mounted up and headed eastwards towards the outskirts of Cairo, presumably to begin their search for the hidden temple."

"Then why are we wastin' time jawin'?" Vosper said, sitting up straight.  "We've got to beat them to it.  Let's move!"

"Yes, we should go into the desert. Possibly parallel to the other team, but definitely in the same direction. As long as we avoid them, we can watch to see if they find anything while actively searching ourselves."

"Right.  I'm ready."  Oscillator stood up.

He wasn't happy about facing a team with a mind-controller.  That was a big advantage -- she could take Poco & use him against them, or Vosper... Or himself again.  He tried not to think about it.

And then he had 'the thought'.
"Wait!  I have an idea -- if the mind controller gets you, we require a quick code word 'in the field' which immediately shows to the team whether we have fallen under her mind control!

She shouldn't know our first names -- so if there is any doubt, if one of us poses a question with a first name, like 'Why are you doing that, Eddy?', the required response would be 'whatever, Jonas'.  Get it?  Jonas if you're talking to me, that is."

He looks around.  "Is everyone agreeable to that?"

OOC:  Uh, do we know Nightmare's first name?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Mon 28 Oct 2013.

"Well, I dunno if it will work for shite, because for all we know, she can do more than give us specific robotic orders.  She could tell us to 'convince your friend', for example.  I dunno.  But let's not overthink it; we can give it a bash," Vosper said as she rose, ready to go.

"Do we have transport besides our two feet?" she asked.  "I'd hope a chopper could get us there ahead of the Reds."

Then, almost as an afterthought, she said, "Oh and yeh - it's Eloise, if you lot didn't already know."

"Eloise," Amaranth repeats.  "That's pretty.  Mine's Victoria," she offers.  Then she smiles, and it breaks into a small laugh.  "It feels like we're actually meeting for the first time.  Whether it helps with the controller or not, I think this was a very nice idea, Jonah," she says to Oscillator.

Eddy gazed at Amaranth, with a glassy eyed smile when she revealed her true name.
It suddenly began his favourite girls name.

Of course, everyone knew Eddy by name.

After shaking the blinkers from his eyes, he stood, "Yeah, I'm ready to go.  I'll change into something less comfortable before we go, though".

Nightmare stands, still smiling, "They say the first time you go into the desert, you return as someone else. But it seems the right thing to do, this time."
"I'm Lamar."

Eddy brightened, "Really?
I saw that Lawrence of Arabia last year.  I hope I come back as Omar Sharif".

Osc blushes.  Despite his name being Jonas, he is hesitant to correct her.  "Ahem.  Jonas, not Jonah." he says.

He turns to Vosper next, and says "Eloise.  It's a pleasure.", and he takes her hand in his formally.  A nod, a bow, very refined -- as though he's imagined this many times before.  (Clearly he has.)
And then he turns beet red.

He lets her hand go and turns to away, hoping she hasn't noticed his becoming flustered.  "Ahem, yes, so we're breaking camp and headed into the desert, yes?  So we'll all need to take lots and lots of water.  Maybe I can fill a backpack with water so I can ... um, be more mobile?"

The thought of flying under the bright sun wracks Osc's nerves, but not as much as looking into Vosper's eyes while holding her hand.

Falik speaks up as the team gathers themselves together to leave; "We already have desert exploration gear packed and prepared outside of Cairo with the camels and horses. The team will be driven out to the site. Once the group gets into the area the temple is reported to be in vehicles will be absolutely useless. I do encourage you each to grab whatever personal gear you may have prior to getting into the vans for transport."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:31, Thu 07 Nov 2013.

The team all knew Muldoon's first name was Patrick, so the stodgy old professor just nodded.

Eddy headed out of the breakfast/conference room.

He seemed a little more awake now:
Maybe it was having a full belly of food and coffee. Maybe it was the promise of doing something other than talking.

The Eddy who awaited his fellows outside by the transport was the 'new, revised' Eddy.
He'd 'slipped into something less comfortable' for the ride out of town, and had his simple travelling bag slung across his back.

Lamar makes a quick pit stop, either because he needed to grab his bag or because he didn't think the camels would have any facilities, and comes out front. His duffel is slung over his left shoulder, and there's a bullwhip coiled around his waist like a second belt.
"Do you think it'll be gp's or camels? I get carsick in the former, and seasick in the latter."

"All right fellows, let's be off.  Let's just get this ... on board... ugh!"

Oscillator tries to get his 'portable lab' onto the back of a camel.  It's heavy and awkward -- and will likely need to be abandoned if they are in a hurry -- but it could be invaluable if they find clues.

OOC: Is the mini-Eddie super-strong?  Could he lend a hand?  Would he?

Mini-Eddy is a fit, strong young (late teens) man.  That's it.   No 'Super' about him; he is the Poco without the Tehuantl {the 'little' without the 'Jaguar God'}.

But as a young man, he is fit and strong: quite athletic.

And as a fit, athletic young man, he is willing to help out as he can.



Eddy quickly and happily jumps in to help load the Lab, and everything else (especially Ami's bag) on to the transports.

As usual, he seems in pretty good spirits, even under this hot, abrasive morning sun ... and hums to himself as he works.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:31, Thu 07 Nov 2013.

Vosper smiled at Osc as he flustered a bit, then said, "I won't be a moment."

She went to gather her gear, then met the others as they readied to depart, decked out in khakis and looking every bit like the British archeologist.

The team boards the transports, along with whatever gear they bring along. Falik and a few operatives board along with the team to provide additional support if needed on the ride to the site outside of Cairo proper. The added security is not needed as the only things the transports struggle with is some packed mobs of people in the market areas. The drivers yell out angrily in Arabic and beep their horns, eventually getting through to clearer roads and soon the transports are moving along on a fairly well-maintained road on the outskirts of Cairo. For about 45 minutes the transports roll along before turning off onto a packed dirt road heading southeast. The transports bump along the road for about 20 minutes before the team sees the destination.

Arriving at the surprisingly large farm the team see the caravan of camels and horses, some bedecked with saddles and saddlebags while others are obviously laden with supplies for a trek into the desert. A team of guides waits with the animals, keeping them still as the noisy trucks come to a stop. Falik and the operatives get off the trucks and he gestures to the group to grab their things, heading in the direction of the camels. One of the guides hands him a large folded square of paper and he nods in thanks. The guide gestures absently to the southeast, a large expanse of sand and scrub with an extensive area of rocky hills visible in the distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:50, Thu 14 Nov 2013.

Eddy sits quietly, for the ride. He stares out the windows lot, watching the terrain, and crowds, pass by.
Occasionally, he watches Amaranth for a while ... but always looks away if she, or anyone, seems to notice.

When they arrive at their destination, he helps unpack the transports.


{ooc: the guides that will be accompanying us, are they 'our guys'? And do they know who we are?
I am asking, for whether Eddy can Tehuantl up or not.    I am all good for this to be a mission where Eddy has great difficulty being himself, if you wish the guides, et al, to be oblivious to our true nature}

Before they departed and on the trip the aging archeologist looked out for anyone following them. When they arrived he did his best to help with the gear.

Vosper managed her own luggage, and helped anyone else who needed it.  She regarded the camels dubiously, then looked out over the trackless wastes.

"This is going to bloody take forever," she muttered under her breath. She could zip ahead so much faster, even over sand, than riding on one of these foul-smelling things...

Oscillator overheard, and agreed with Vosper.  He spoke to her quietly as they approached their camels.

"We need to preserve our cover, I suppose.  Speed is important, but not as important as our current low-profiles, otherwise you and I both could make it out there fast.

So... perhaps we go on a quick desert run AFTER this mission is completed?"

Oscillator's glasses were very dusty, and his pocket protector held a lot of pens and a mini sliderule.
In other words, he'd turned on as much charm as he could muster.

"Er, that is, if you'd consider it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:21, Mon 11 Nov 2013.

Amaranth sits quietly through the bumpy ride, although she does have an occasional feeling of being watched that she can't quite place.  She walks over to the camels with a smile, though.  "I've never ridden a camel before," she says, excitedly.  "Are they as unfriendly as they're reputed to be?" she asks Falik.

Vosper favors Osc with a warm smile.  "Sure thing, Jonas," she said.  "We make it through this, and I'm all for it."

"Then it's settled, we're going to make it through this!"

Despite the heat and discomfort, Oscillator looks happy for the entire journey.

Lamar sits with his hat down over his eyes through the entire ride, "Not asleep, just avoiding the glare."
When they arrive at the site, he assists in unloading the gear before approaching the camels. After looking several in the eye, he decides they're not as belligerent as he has been lead to believe, so he rejoins the others to begin the next leg of the journey.

"I've ridden worse. Shall we proceed." The aging professor said.

The camels and horses are loaded up and the guides gesture for the team to mount up and head towards the hills. Falik and a handful of operatives join the team, Falik informing the team that he is a demolitions expert in case the all-seeing eye needed to be destroyed. Their gear is likewise stowed and they mount up. Once everyone is prepared the lead guide heads in the direction of the hills to the south, the camels and horses following in an orderly line. Falik mentions that at the first rest he will go over the map more thoroughly with the team but currently feels speed is important, not knowing how far of a lead the Soviets may have. As the caravan heads out Falik briefly speaks to Poco quietly before returning to his position.

After several hours of riding in the intense desert heat the group approaches a small oasis surrounded by miles of sand, the hills much more prominent roughly 7 or so miles away. The guides direct the animals into the shade and ask everyone to dismount so the animals can drink. Falik encourages the team to refresh themselves and take some shade as some hours of riding in the sun lie ahead. He opens one supply bag and pulls out a few pairs of binoculars. Keeping one for himself he offers three others to the team. As the operatives spread out to keep an eye on the immediate surroundings, Falik uses his binoculars to scan the hills to the south.

"Cor, it's bloody hot," Vos complains mildly as she takes a good swig from her canteen in the shade.  Wiping perspiration from her brow, the Brit speedster takes up a pair of binoculars and scans about, focusing in on the southern area first, where Falik was looking.  Then she panned to the west.

Lamar forgoes the binoculars, opting instead to examine the oasis. He circles the spot, attempting to locate the source of the water.

Eddy didn't join the binocular club.  Instead, he took refuge in the shade of a nearby bush, and began undressing.
Then, clad only in jeans, he grew fur.

"That's better", he growled, shaking his mane.

Then, he loped over towards the binocular club.
"What's to see, guys?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:10, Thu 14 Nov 2013.

"Interesting question..." said Oscillator, who had -- unfortunately -- seen everything in Eddy's transformation.  His mouth hung open.  He'd seen some things, but watching naked men transform into giant hairy men was new.

Oscillator glanced to the ladies -- he wondered if they were as shocked as he was, or if their reactions were different.

(Perhaps if the transforming hero had been a gorgeous heroine, his reaction might've been different as well.)

In reply to Oscillator (msg # 83):

OOC: Actually, if you read his post #81 you will see that he only stripped down to a pair of jeans, not to his alltogethers. ;)

OOC: ah, jeans.  Like 'The Hulk' spandex jeans?
Plz read my line 'naked men' as 'almost naked men'.
:)

Unlike Eddy, the Professor was clad in a mix of Western and local garb, using local techniques to avoid succumbing to the heat.

"Best we cover up. If we are going to avoid tipping our hand it wont do for anyone to see you in this form."

Eddy snapped into a melodramatic mock-salute, "Aye aye, Mon Capitan".

He then allowed the Sargeant-Major to dress him appropriately .... well, at least offer approp clothing, which Eddy did then don.

"Never salute anyone on an operation. Not unless you are trying to point them out to snipers." The professor aid just loud enough for he Eddy to hear.

The professor reached into a bag and pulled out a gallibaya and a kufiya and handed them to Eddy to conceal his features.

"Man,", Eddy said, as he dressed, "You are SO tightly wound, if you relaxed just an inch, you'd probably shoot your head into outer space" with a smirk.

Amaranth does seem to enjoy the camel ride, and smiles a little to herself as the oasis is reached and people start scattering for shade and water.  For her part, she climbs down off her camel, pats it on the side of the neck, and then accepts a pair of binoculars.  The sun and heat don't appear to be affecting her at all - she's not even sweating.

She does look over at the conversation between Eddy and Muldoon, but then goes back to her binoculars, scanning the horizon - although, were she to be totally honest with herself, not really sure what she's looking for.

"Son when you have seen as many men die as I have .. you will be wound up tight as well." The professor replied.

He too raised his binoculars, but he looked in the other direction hoping to spot anyone following them.

Everyone who grabbed binoculars looks around but no one sees anything other than the hills, sand, scrub, and heat shimmer. Falik puts down his binoculars and approaches the team; "Either we are really far ahead or really far behind because I don't see a sign of them in any direction. Everyone should refresh themselves as quickly as they can so we can move on. We will keep a look around while this is happening."

Nightmare's exploration of the oasis shows nothing aside from the fact that is has been used regularly. He does determine that the water seems to come up from under the oasis, possibly some kind of artesian spring. The waters are cool and clear and quite refreshing. The guides water the camels and horses, providing them with some feed to keep up their energy as well. The temperature remains very hot but it is definitely more comfortable in the shade.

Oscillator should look miserable -- sweaty, sunburned in places, and he smells a bit.

But he appears happy and upbeat.  He loves field research!

"While we wait here, I'll attempt a quick reading.  When we pause for longer, to set up camp or take a longer break, I will take a deeper reading.

You can stand around me to block any spying eyes...?"

He extends his HAART into the ground, the tuning fork portion upwards.
He adjusts some dials on the device, and closes his eyes.  Listening.

Eddy drank deeply of the spring water, and refilled his personal containers.  He splashed some water on his face, and tried to then walk the camel shock out of his buttocks.

"Sure, mate," Vosper replied, while standing around Osc to block viewing by unseen folks that they couldn't spot.

After around 10 minutes of 'sensing' the area, Oscillator shuts down the HAART, compacts it and stows it inside his vest, and reports to the team.

"I was able to detect that after a few feet of packed sand, there is bedrock underneath, of different densities; some porous stuff like limestone and heavier stuff like granite and similar.  There is definitely an artesian well coming up from deep below, I sensed the chamber it fills and the deep flow underground that feeds it. This immediate area is sand on top of different types of stone."

Falik approaches the team and catches the last of Oscillator's report; "Doesn't sound like you found anything about the Soviet team. So, we have been here 20 minutes. I figure rest and refresh for another 25 minutes tops then head towards the hills. If they ARE ahead of us we will stay closer by moving out sooner. If they are behind us we increase or maintain our lead by heading out sooner. We just have to make sure everyone is rested enough, the animals included. In the desert your camel is your friend and it is best to treat it as such."

"The sooner we get moving, mate, the better," Vosper said, looking about.  "If we've GOT a lead, it's liable to be a slim one."

Eddy nodded, "Ok, then lets haul ass ... or camel, as it may be ... or ... let them haul us", he stammered.
Then becoming resolute, he threw his arms into the air in mock frustration, "For goodness sakes, SOMEBODY haul SOMEONE, eh ".

"Agreed, let us depart." The professor said.

Muldoon was none to happy to be working with the Egyptians. If their government knew of the operation there was a good chance the operation was already blown and that they were walking into a trap. But the job had to be done.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Sat 23 Nov 2013.

Nightmare approaches Falik, and quietly speaks, "I'm not sure the soviets are the only threat, here. If it comes up in conversation, could you let it be known that we are seeking only the truth and will take nothing more than that with us. What little we know of the ancients around here suggests they deserve, at the very least, that much courtesy."

"I'd much prefer flying to camel hump riding.
It's not quite the glamorousness I'd imagined from the films."

"A'course not," Vos replied gamely.  "They're foul-tempered smelly beasts, and that's their good qualities."  She favored Osc with a lop-sided grin. "But they do haul the gear pretty well."

Feeling as refreshed as anyone can be in over 100 degree temperatures the team and guides pack up and get back on the camels. Falik takes the lead, heading south away from the oasis and into the burning sun. After about 2 hours or so of riding the caravan stops at the foot of rocky hills that stretch east and west out of sight due to the heat shimmer. There are numerous valleys that head into the hills all along the border, some of which look to have dried waterways passing out of them. Falik leads the caravan to the entrance to a particularly large valley with a large dry riverbed coming out of it and fanning into the desert. He gets down from the camel and pulls out the map, gesturing for the team to approach and look at it; "Please, come here and check this map out. This is the largest valley into the hills and likely some of the other ones open into it. I don't know that the temple is along this valley or in one of the ones which branch off from it, there are countless. My thoughts would be to head along this valley and check the others methodically but I don't possess the gifts you all do. This is your expedition, what are your thoughts here?"

Falik finishes speaking and hold open the map to any who approach him. Some of the other operatives dismount and spread out around the immediate area, making sure it is secure. A few of them scan northwest through northeast with binoculars. The guides make sure the camels are settled and secure during the deliberation about which way to go happens.

"I can scan here and see if I detect any underground anomalies, but scanning at each valley will use a lot of time."

He wondered where the Russian team was.  Couldn't they get ANY data on them?

Either Vosper or himself could attempt to recon, but the danger of getting caught and mind-dominated by that evil mind controlling Russian was very significant.

"Is there no way for us to ascertain where the Russians may be situated?"

Falik gestures around towards the desert and scrub the team just passed through; "Even with the flattest desert plains visibility is limited by heat shimmer and windswept sand in the distance. Unless they are very close we would not be able to easily spot them from the ground. This assumes that they have not preceded us to these valleys."

"But they'd be leaving tracks, right?  Surely out guides would spot those.
Unless the Ruskies are covering those: but I'm guessing that would slow them.

Either way, it suggests we've arrived first, or are travelling a different path.

If they are behind us, and on this trail, they're likely to find our tracks, right?  Maybe we should set up a rear watch, to catch up with us later tonight with news of any sightings?"

"The sand seems to move a lot," Amaranth comments.  "That would hide their tracks pretty quickly, too.  But this is all true for us, too, presumably, so that's good.  Other people have looked for this thing before, right?  Wouldn't the biggest valley have been a logical starting point for them, too?  At this point, I'd assume it's been done, and cut straight to the smaller ones," she suggests.

"We also have the option of spotting from the air, although as Falik pointed out, visibility is poor.
But some of us have extremely precise senses..."  Oscillator gave Poco a look.

Osc wondered if he could pick Poco up.  Osc could manage about 445 lbs, and Poco didn't look THAT heavy...
But if Poco could only SMELL things precisely, it would be a futile endeavor.

The shifting sands would likely throw off Osc's vibration detection abilities as well.

"Considering the tales about the place, although we may be sure that no previous searchers have seen it, we can't be sure that they haven't found it. If the sand has shifted over the site, only someone using equipment similar to what Jonas has would have seen it."
"I'm fairly comfortable with saying no one has equipment similar to what Jonas has."

"Thanks for that.  I'd certainly bet no one has my vibration detection equipment similar to what I have
-- but that doesn't mean the Russians may not have other methods which we don't have,
for instance I can imagine that teleporter could be very handy in this environment."

"If visibility's so poor, they won't see me if I do a quick reecee," Vosper offered.  "We're wastin' time, mates.  Let's get movin'.  I'll scout ahead real quick-like."

"I'm going to take Poco for a look about as well -- from above."  He flies over to Poco, picks Poco up with surprising ease, and they head skyward.

"You're with me because of your enhanced senses -- now try to relax and concentrate."

He picks a height and steadies them, activating his vibration defense almost reflexively.  'No reason to be defenseless...'

And since he also has some enhanced abilities, he extends his enhanced vibration sense through his HAART.

The professor remained and waited for the others to return after they had a look about.

As he had bee picked up with surprising ease, and was headed skywards, Eddy dug his claws in deep, scampering with surprising ease around Oscy's torso, and up his back to sit on the flying egghead's egghead.

"Owww!!  Retract claws!!  Retract claws!  I've got you!!"

Despite the surprising pain, Osc doesn't stop the ascent.

As he sat on th back of Oscy's shoulders, holding on claw tight to the scientist's head, Eddy looked about at the extensive terrain below, for any signs of their enemy.

Detect Hidden 48%
- rolled 67 using 1d100 ((67)).

Oscillator rolled 52 using 1d100 - Det Hidden.

Visual, aural, and olfactory searches by Oscillator, Poco, and Vosper turn up nothing. The view is considerably clearer from above, even with some wind whipping up dust in places but no tracks are seen. Even the team's tracks into the oasis have been effectively obscured. All is not a complete loss however, Oscillator's HART is able to pick up some vibrations that seem a bit too rhythmic to be random movements of things. The vibrations come from within the canyons so there are echoes of vibration, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact where but they are definitely coming from ahead of the team. IF these vibrations are in fact the Soviets, they apparently have a bit of a lead although not as much as it potentially could have been.

OOC: Sorry for the LONG delay, getting things back on track.

Oscillator flew Poco & himself back to the team.  He set Poco down gently.  "I've positive news and not so positive -- namely, I think the Russians may be just in front of us, and I think they may have found something."

Oscillator sounded thoughtful, but the prospect of fighting the mind-controller was daunting.

"Yes, I realize I've only said one piece of news."

Eddy added, "News to me. I couldn't see anything"

Amaranth lifts an eyebrow.  "No, that sounded like two pieces; I'm just not sure which was supposed to be the positive part.  The part where they're ahead of us physically, or the part where they're really ahead of us."

Zipping back up, Vos said, "If the bloody Soviets are ahead of us, we ought to attack them now, not let them dig something up and then get our knickers twisted."

Nightmare eyes Vosper, "Actually, I was thinking it was nice of them to move the sand and save us the labor. Unless they know something we don't know, they could just be wasting time, or perhaps they know something we don't know and they're baiting us into some sort of incident."
"I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, yet, but I hate all this undercover stuff."

Surprisingly, Oscillator seems to agree to the aggressive tactic.
"If we can make sure the mind controller doesn't stop us...?
Team, every time we've faced the Russians, we have been outmatched.

At least having the jump on them will give US the surprise factor."

"Having surprise on ourside should help. That is if we still have surprise on our side."

"Might be our cover is blown or we have been spotted.  But the we will have to take that chance."

"We don't have much by way of ranged firepower, so we will need to get as close as possible before we let them have it. When we do engage them we need to hit them hard and fast. Once we have them on their asses we can negotiate."


Ooc terrain and time will dicate the timing and tactics of the attack. GM what is the terrain like what time is it?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Fri 17 Jan 2014.

"Maybe we should use our cover? How they react to actual archaeologists coming upon their site may give us some information as to what they're doing."

"Maybe we should DO something before we talk away any advantage?" Vosper offers sweetly.

With a smirk, Lamar offers some help, "You know, I could always just walk in and look around. Who's gonna notice?

Oscillator steps up and agrees with Vosper and Nightmare.  "Yes.  We are compelled to act on this knowledge.  Fast.  The 'mind controller' villain is perhaps the most dangerous, so we disable her quickly -- that would be the best.  Then we cripple their vehicles, confiscate any data we discover, and make our way to a predetermined checkpoint."

He looked upwards, saw the sun at about mid-day.
"I would suggest we attack at night, but I believe our disadvantages outweight our advantages with a night strike.  So I suggest we pick a checkpoint, prep, and strike."

He looks around for the disguised Muldooon.  "What do you think, Professor Klein?"

The nerd asking the military guy for advice was a first -- maybe it was because Osc realized Muldoon had a lot more experience than he did in this type of thing.  Or maybe it was a newfound (and hard-earned) respect/camaraderie had started to form?

Eddy wasn't sure what to do about it all, so he stayed quiet.

If he was here alone, he'd make a decision and just go do it.  But tactics were never his strength.  Strength was his strength. And when your a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
But right now, he realised that the team needed more tactical thought.


But then, something seemed wrong.  Something on the wind: a smell, maybe.  A sound?

Eddy' sears pricked up, as did the hackles on the back of his neck. He began to search the landscape for ... whatever it was.

- rolled 52 using 1d100 with rolls of 52.      Detect Danger 58%.

"Hit em hard and fast. Put down the mind controller and the sniper down first."
"We use the terrain to close and hope we get surprise."

As the team discusses the possible options to dealing with the Soviet team people hear the echoes of gunfire from within the valleys in the hills. It starts out random then becomes more frequent. As this happens Inhuman, Nightmare, and Poco hear/sense something closer to the group. They look around and are able to spot a group of shapes accelerating towards the team from the sky. The shapes cannot be identified because they are approaching with the sun behind them but they are moving quickly and in an obvious path to reach the team.

OOC: So at the moment the group doesn't know what the things are. Roll for initiative and those with ranged attacks will get attempts to strike before the things get within melee range (assuming they do so). Penalties for range will of course apply.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:38, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

Nodding at Muldoon as he uncoils his whip, Nightmare says, "I wonder if they would have the same idea?"

OOC:21:09, Today: Nightmare rolled 25 using 1d10+21 with rolls of 4. init.

OOC: I knew this would happen if we wasted too much time talking...


22:16, Today: Vosper rolled 42 using 1d10+39 with rolls of 3. Inish.

"Incoming!!" The professor yelled as he spotted the incoming objects to warn the rest of his team.

23:23, Today: The Inhuman rolled 18 using 1d10+15 with rolls of 3. initiative .

Oscillator rolled 19 using 1d10+15 - INIT .

"Outmaneuvered again!  Curses!"

Eddy turned to face the oncoming ... things.   He growled a welcome through his smirk; he was sick of all this talking.
He drew his pistol, as it was the only ranged offence he had.

- rolled 39 using 1d10+30 with rolls of 9. Init.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 09:48, Fri 07 Feb 2014.

His attention drawn to the incoming threat, Onyx rises up into the air and moments later it starts to shimmer ever-so-slightly around him. He points at the rapidly incoming objects and yells out; "Come get some, you Commie mo-fos!"

OOC: Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Onyx, rolled 20 using 1d10+18 with rolls of 2. Initiative roll.

There will be 2 turns before the targets reach missile range so anyone can activate whatever defenses need activation, just remember any initial power costs. Onyx activates flight and his magnetic defense.

Activate Vibration Defense, HAART expands in OSC's hand.

As the objects continue to approach from out of the sun they fan out as they get closer. They can finally be identified and it is nothing anyone has seen before. The group is being attacked by 10 bird-like shapes made from fire, diving from the sky. Falik and the few operatives gather the guides and animals in a group, weapons drawn to protect them but the firebirds appear intent on the team.....for the moment.

OOC: Everyone with ranged weapons gets 1 turn of ranged attacks before the firebirds are in melee (they are diving fast!). For ease of reference just assume any firing uses the same initiatives just rolled to determine number of actions, but remember that additional actions cost 2 power.

Vosper 42
Poco 39
Vosper 27
Firebirds 25
Nightmare 25
Amaranth 25
Poco 24
Onyx 20
Oscillator 19
The Inhuman 18
Vosper 12
Firebirds 10
Nightmare 25
Amaranth 10
Poco 9
Onyx 5
Oscillator 4
The Inhuman 3
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:54, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

                        Init phase 39
Eddy slips his pistol back into its holster; bullets against living fire is not a great option.

Instead, he studies their flight effect, working out how best to avoid them.
set up 'evade'.   With his 'catlike reflexes' (power stunt), Eddy is at -12 to be hit
This message was last edited by the player at 09:21, Mon 10 Feb 2014.

Hovering in the air Onyx positions himself between the incoming firebirds and the guides and animals. He leads one of the firebirds with an outstretched hand as it gets closer and closer. As it gets in good range he lets loose a blast of raw energy which leaps out at it. The energy strikes the firebird squarely, reducing it to wisps of flame that flicker out quickly. He makes a rude gesture at the other firebirds, his voice calling out; "Yeah! Take that you burning piece of shit!"

OOC: Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Onyx, rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5. Power blast against firebird.
Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Onyx, rolled 16 using 2d10+2 with rolls of 4,10. Power blast damage.

Onyx uses 1 power for the Power Blast.

Onyx is sticking to a single blast to conserve power, any other attackers?

Vosper, of course, uses her first action to set up an Evasion.

As there was no cover Muldoon knew their best chance was to keep going and avoid being easy targets. "We need to keep moving! Don't give them an easy target!"

Seeing the threat from above the professor suddenly become something else .. something inhuman as a mass of greyish flesh absorbed the elderly scholar's clothing and his features. Within seconds the massive mass of rubbery muscle stood ready for battle.

Muldoon had little by way of ranged weapons and cursed himself for leaving his auto cannon behind. But in his current form his flesh was so elastic that he could stretch his limbs and reach his enemies if they got close enough. For now he would buy time until he could get close enough to hit one of the attackers.

18 EVADE
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Mon 10 Feb 2014.

OOC: Just want people to remember that there is a free turn after setting up defenses to make a ranged attack. Inhuman, don't forget you can stretch your fist out a ways to smack things. If you wait until they get within range you can do it with no penalty to hit.

Lamar looks over at Falik and the other operatives. Raising his hand towards Falik, he calls out, "I'm going to send you some help, if your karma is up to it."

OOC: Using his new spell to call a benevolent spirit for Falik. It's not much, but it could help should these things go after the rest of the group. Spent 10 power.

"Aren't there fire birds in Egyptian myth?  This may not be the Russians...?" he shouts
-- but he still vibra-blasts at the fire birds.

ZINGGG!!  ZINGG!!!!  Vibration blasts.

OOC: Oscillator shoots on phases 19 and 4 of free turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:09, Mon 10 Feb 2014.

"Then they may not actually be attacking!" Eddy called out.  He hoped that nobody would shoot before this was ascertained.
_{{after the firebirds action on 25, we might have a better Idea.  Either way, on 24, Eddy might interrupt Oscy if he sees Oscy preparing to attack}}


"Let's find out if they respect the Power of Bast; how do I greet them in Egyptian?", he called out to the gathered eggheads about him.

Extending his massive arms to impossible lengths the Inhuman swatted at one of the flying attackers.

15:42, Today: The Inhuman rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13. swat.


If Occy holds or his attack so will Inhuman
This message was last edited by the player at 06:17, Thu 13 Feb 2014.

Ah well, there we go.  It's combat and violence again now, regardless.
No need for that help at diplomacy, eggheads. But thanks anyway

Vosper was about to throw her darts, but hesitated when Eddy said they might not be Russians, or attackers.

"Christ, how can we tell?" she asked aloud.

But by then, the others had already attacked.

"Poco, if you've a bright idea, lad, I'm all for it," she offered, holding her darts but keeping a keen eye on the action.

"Why on Earth would you think firebirds descending from the skies isn't an attack?", Osc queries of Poco.
"What aspect of this being a 'peaceful greeting' are you sensing?"  Oscillator is quite dubious.

Turn 1

The firebirds approach the group rapidly, spreading out as they near as they seem to target different people. Onyx blasts one into wisps of flame and Oscillator strikes one of two he fires at as they approach, dissipating its fiery body. The Inhuman sends one of his rubbery fists out at a firebird but it goes wide of it as it zigs. Others in the group take up defensive postures and Nightmare appears to conjure something near Falik yet nothing is seen. The firebirds extend fiery talons, their intentions quite obvious at this point...

OOC: OK I am moving to the official first turn of initiative. Evasions need to be renewed if desired. Vosper and Poco are up before the firebirds reach their targets.

Vosper 42
Poco 39
Vosper 27
Firebirds 25
Nightmare 25
Amaranth 25
Poco 24
Onyx 20
Oscillator 19
The Inhuman 18
Vosper 12
Firebirds 10
Nightmare 25
Amaranth 10
Poco 9
Onyx 5
Oscillator 4
The Inhuman 3
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:55, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

"Good call," Vos adds sourly.  And renews her Evasion.

Seeing them coming in with hostile intent, Vos threw one of her darts at the closest one.  And missed, as usual.

10:50, Today: Vosper rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19. Thrown dart, +10 to hit.

                        Init phase 39

Instead, he studies their flight effect, working out how best to avoid them.
set up 'evade'.   With his 'catlike reflexes' (power stunt), Eddy is at -12 to be hit

The firebirds finish their dive into the team, each member being attacked by one except for The Inhuman who faces off against two. The firebirds rip at everyone with talons of flame, the heat radiating off of them strongly. Onyx is just able to shunt one aside with his magnetic field and Poco nimbly avoids the one attacking him but all the others are struck, the talons burning into them. In the distance there can still be heard gunfire here and there.

OOC: Most of the firebirds strike true, fortunately for minimal damage: Amaranth takes 2 points, Nightmare takes 4 points, Oscillator takes 2 points, The Inhuman takes 3 points, and Vosper takes 2 points of fiery damage (I rolled 1 die too many, dropped the last one). Damage can of course be rolled into power and the bulletproof vests (if worn) can roll an extra point of energy damage but that won't be needed at this point. The firebirds don't go again until 10 so everyone will get to go before they go next. If Amaranth does not get in to post her action before the firebirds go again I will attack for her. Please make sure you note any damage rolled to power in your bio, I adjusted Onyx's for his defense. (That was one fat stack of crappy damage rolls for the firebirds...heh)

Vosper 42
Poco 39
Vosper 27
Firebirds 25
Nightmare 25
Amaranth 25
Poco 24
Onyx 20
Oscillator 19
The Inhuman 18
Vosper 12
Firebirds 10
Nightmare 10
Amaranth 10
Poco 9
Onyx 5
Oscillator 4
The Inhuman 3
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:56, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

The monstrous Inhuman shook off the attacks and continued to try and swat the firebirds from the sky.

EVADE 18
ATTACK 3

19:27, Today: The Inhuman rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7. attack on 3.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

When the firebird rushes at his person, Nightmare twists and attempts to skip aside and avoid the flaming bird. As the talons sear lines across his clothing, he flips his whip back and snaps it forward towards the creature.

OOC: rolled 7 to hit (+7 to hit), and 10 points damage
22:30, Today: Nightmare rolled 7,3,7 using d20,d4,d2+5 with rolls of 7,3,2. atk (+7), dmg against firebird.

OOC: EVASION. 

"Suffering a firey death is only slightly better than being under the influence of an evil mind controller." Oscillator muses aloud, but then not wanting to disparage the team's morale, he adds, "But we can do this team!"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:39, Tue 18 Feb 2014.

Eddy snarled, and swiped brutally at the flamebird that flew through the spot he'd been occupying a second earlier.


- rolled  3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3. Attack:  +12 bonus.
- rolled 15 using 2d10+10 with rolls of 1,4. Damage.

Vosper threw another dart, spinning at super-speed, trying to avoid another hit from the bird's fiery talons.  She'd been able to avoid most of the damage from the first swipe, but she couldn't keep that up forever.

22:23, Today: Vosper rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6. Thrown dart, +10 to hit.

22:27, Today: Vosper rolled 16,2 using 2d8,d6 with rolls of 8,8,2. Dart damage, +5. Total = 23.

2 PR spent for second action!

THAT LOOKS LIKE A HIT!  Hooray!!!
:)

Moving lazily through the air, Onyx sends another blast on energy at the firebird that is attacking him. This time however the blast goes wide as the flaming entity presses its attack. He curses as he misses and prepares for its counter.

OOC: Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Onyx, rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16. Power blast against firebird.

Onyx uses 1 power for the Power Blast.

Amaranth reaches out with her hand at the firebird that struck her, its appearance becoming almost ghostly. She underestimates its mobility however and her touch goes wide of her target.

OOC: Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Amaranth, rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15. Spirit touch vs. firebird.

Amaranth uses 2 power for the Spirit Touch.

The team moves into position rapidly. Amaranth strikes out with a strangely glowing hand but misses. Nightmare flicks out his whip and is able to find some area in the fire that can be struck as the firebird dims significantly. Onyx's energy blast does not find its mark this time. Oscillator ducks and dodges, looking to avoid being struck and The Inhuman does similarly, shifting his rubbery form around while still in one place. Poco tears at his firebird and reduces it to wisps of flame that wink out and Vosper dissipates hers with an accurately placed dart. The remaining firebirds regroup, one of the pair on The Inhuman switching its attack to Poco. They attack, with Vosper currently not being targeted, and with the exception of Onyx's magnetic defense warding off his everyone else is struck with accuracy. This time most people feel the fiery claws more than the previous strikes.

OOC: Onyx is missed and Vosper wasn't attacked otherwise the other firebirds struck their targets: Amaranth takes 5 points, Nightmare takes 1 point, Oscillator takes 7 points, Poco takes 2 points, and The Inhuman takes 8 points. Assuming everyone rolls damage into power there will be no hit point damage done. Please make sure power scores are updated accordingly, I have already taken care of Amaranth and Onyx. The team can all attack aside from The Inhuman who already rolled, I will sum up afterwards.

Vosper 42 (Evade)
Poco 39 (Evade)
Vosper 27 (Dart attack)
Firebirds 25 (Claw attack)
Nightmare 25 (Whip attack)
Amaranth 25 (Spirit Touch)
Poco 24 (Claw attack)
Onyx 20 (Power Blast)
Oscillator 19 (Evade)
The Inhuman 18 (Evade)
Vosper 12 (Dart attack)
Firebirds 10 (Claw attack)
Nightmare 10
Amaranth 10
Poco 9
Onyx 5
Oscillator 4
The Inhuman 3

Eddy rolled with the damage done by the flame bird, as he bashed it out of existence.

He then turned on the firebird that swung around towards him, and leapt at it with a terrible swipe of his clawed hand.


- rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3. Attack.  +12 bonus.
-  rolled 21 using 2d10+10 with rolls of 4,7. Damage.

Have updated my PR total for this round

Slipping away from the firey claws, again, to avoid being toasted, Nightmare cracks the whip at the flaming bird. "Can't tell if I'm hitting you, or just hurting your ears."

OOC: whip the feathered hottie into shape, rolled 9 to hit (+7) with a total of seven points of damage
00:39, Today: Nightmare rolled 9,1,7 using d20,d4,d2+5 with rolls of 9,1,2. atk (+7),dmg to firey fowl.

"Curious.  Are these magical or science?" wondered Oscillator aloud.

The analysis didnt prevent him from blasting at the nearest phoenix.

Zam!!

"I hope you don't rise from your own ashes!"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Sun 23 Feb 2014.

Not much thought required in the midst of battle. Onyx dodge the claws of the firebird, spun in the air and blasted it with a burst of raw energy.

OOC:

Rolled 9 to hit with Power Blast. +3 Accuracy.
Damage - 15
PR=1

End of Turn 1 and between turn

Enmeshed in the fray the heroes lash out with attacks around them. Amaranth tries to strike the firebird harrying her with a glowing touch but again misses. Nightmare flicks out his whip, banishing his target into wisps of flame which hang in the air. Onyx and Oscillator send blasts of energy at their opponents, likewise shredding them into wisps of flame that linger in the air. Poco slashes his target into bits with a massive swipe of his claws. Only 2 firebirds remain, harrying Amaranth and Inhuman but they dissipate into wisps of flame that hang in the air.

The hanging wisps of flame grow in strength and begin to gather in one location. A voice booms out in everyone's head, loud enough to cause people to wince for a moment; "What you and your opposition seek is forbidden. It is not for you and none of you can have it and continuing will only bring pain in the long run. Your kind are too immature to handle this knowledge, using it to cause harm to each other and those innocent. Will you turn back from this foolish errand or will you each continue your warmongering?" The agents and guides all look around wide-eyed, trying to find the source of the voice.

OOC: All but 2 firebirds remain which dissipate into flames that join other growing flames between turns. The voice speaks in all your minds, even the guides and agents appear affected.

Vosper 42 (Evade)
Poco 39 (Evade)
Vosper 27 (Dart attack)
Firebirds 25 (Claw attack)
Nightmare 25 (Whip attack)
Amaranth 25 (Spirit Touch)
Poco 24 (Claw attack)
Onyx 20 (Power Blast)
Oscillator 19 (Evade)
The Inhuman 18 (Evade)
Vosper 12 (Dart attack)
Firebirds 10 (Claw attack)
Nightmare 10 (Whip attack)
Amaranth 10 (Spirit Touch)
Poco 9 (Claw attack)
Onyx 5 (Power Blast)
Oscillator 4 (Power Blast)
The Inhuman 3 (Punch)

Coiling his whip, Nightmare mumbles, "Sends a bunch of flame fowl to attack us, and then accuses us of warmongering? Even if we decide to back off, we can't be sure the Russkies will. I wonder if anyone here thinks we'll heed the warning."

Onyx shakes his head. He smirks at Nightmare's defiance. He could get behind that.

"Big voice in the sky says the eye is powerful and dangerous. Looks like it ain't goin' in no museum."

He points to the valley where the gunfire came from.

"I say we drop the reds. We can worry about whether to listen to Ra after that."

"Who or what are you?" Oscilator thinks back to the messenger.

"So maybe the Reds weren't behind this part," Vos muses aloud, brushing a lock of her disheveled blond hair free of her eyes.  "All right, uh, mysterious voice from beyond - we can't let the Russians get it either.  You gonna stop THEM?"

"Crikey.  I'm talkin' to thin air," she breathed.

The voice replies in everyone's head, at least one answer to a question no one else heard asked; "I am Ramesses, the Son of Ra. I have watched your world for years uncounted. Ever do you all make war on each other, even with all your vaunted technology and knowledge. The Soviets will not back down, they have made this clear. I can bring you to them if you will drive them off. Do this and I will grant a favor. From what I have observed your society is slightly more just than the Soviets thus I will give you the opportunity to prove your mettle. If you choose not to do this I *will* stop them but you receive nothing. What say you all?"

The gathering flames have coalesced into a giant firebird with multiple heads and talons. It hovers above the group, the heat palpable despite the sun and heat of the desert. The air itself seems heavy in waiting for the decision of the team...

Nightmare shrugs, "Maybe if the favor is some more information on the eye, so people will stop looking for it, then we can resolve the issue with a moral victory. I'm not sure what anyone else thinks, but I am now convinced of one thing concerning the eye. We don't want it."

Without hesitation or bothering to ask any of the others, Vos replied, "We'll do it.  Take us to 'em."

Muldoon listened to offer and replied "Our mission was to stop them from obataining it. Sounds like we are copasetic."

"Team I say we take him up on his offer and put the Ruskies out of the antique business." The massive Inhuman said.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Mon 24 Mar 2014.

Stepping over next to Vosper, Eddy cracked his furry knuckles, "Yeaahhh".

Then, to the voice in their heads, "And if you can drop me on the mind control witch, you'll do us all a favour"

"Ramesses, Son of Ra, we will stop them and protect your artifacts from abuse."  Oscillator says aloud, even as he has a mix of thoughts sparked from the mental contact: He worries that they're about to drop into the Russian camp; he feels somewhat concerned that Ramesses may make the same offer to the Russians; and he felt a little bit pride that even an ancient Egyptian deity offspring knew that USA was better than Russia.

Osc flies down and hovers near Vospor, in case they wind up in the middle of anything bad.

Onyx thinks to himself that the god voice said it would stop the Russians, so why sweat it. But he could see the rest of the team was eager to run Ra's errands. So he scowled and waited to see what would happen next.

Yet again the voice of Ramesses speaks in everyone's head; "If you agree to take on this task, pass through the portal I will open in front of you. Your soldiers and guides can remain here, safe from the battle you enter into. I will likewise separate the Soviets from their soldiers. Only those with beyond normal training and abilities will partake of this, should they choose." Moments later a large portal appears in the air in front of the team, a valley in the hills visible as well as a wall of fire in the near distance.

"Time for a reckoning." The Inhuman said as he entered the portal ready for a fight.

Evade as soon as possible

"Gah!  I should've invented something to protect us from mind control!" Oscillator moans.  "We decommission the mind controller first, team -- uh, unless there's something much much worse."

Then he flies to the portal with the team -- he's vibra-flying and armed with his HAART weapon.

Onyx tenses his muscles slightly and his body begins to glow and a wave of magnetic energy envelopes his body.

"Exactly how we supposed to know who's worse than the mind controller? If I can see her, she's going down."

OOC:

Light and Magnetic defense activated.

"Well said, Onyx.  I presume 'worse' will be an opponent who is visually undeniably worse."

Onyx had faced the mind controller along with the rest of the team way back on their first mission.
But only Oscillator had been taken over -- which could account for his loathing of the psychic.

Eddy slapped Vos on the shoulder, in a comradie way, and said, "Race you".
And dashed off towards the portal.

Vos smirked and gave a devil-may-care laugh.  "THAT'll be the day!" she retorted with a grin, and then dashed with her friend to the portal.

As the others rush to the portal, Nightmare quietly mumbles, [Language unknown: stsaeiil ne ear] and follows them.

Oscillator flies after Vosper and Poco, "I'm concerned that you are not considering the forthcoming dilemma with sufficient seriousness... --" and he flies through the portal.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:54, Thu 27 Mar 2014.

As the team passes through the portal they find themselves in a deep valley, sun streaming in overhead. It is somewhat cooler here due to the river flowing through the area. Looking back the valley meanders away and if the desert is close by it cannot be seen. About 300 feet ahead of the team a tall and wide wall of fire is seen. Once everyone arrives Ramesses's booming voice is heard in everyone's head yet again; "Everyone prepare yourselves. The firewall will drop in a few seconds and both your teams will be facing each other. I have the power to stop all of you but choose to let you settle your differences in mutual combat, as that seems to be what both your governments enjoy beneath the veneer of diplomacy." The voice falls silent for an instant then is heard again, this time the team feels it is solely in their minds; "Remember, defeat them and I will grant your team a favor. Fail and receive nothing save your lives to leave with."

A few seconds pass while the team settles into an initial defensive posture, awaiting the dropping of the firewall. Suddenly the firewall vanishes as if it never existed. Standing or hovering about 300 feet away from your team is the Soviet team. Two you recognize, the beautiful blonde mind-controller Usurper wielding a naginata and the swarthy attractive Egyptian woman who holds an ornate quartestaff. The other 3 are unknown to the team. One of them is recognizable however as one of the "soldiers", a solidly built blonde Russian wielding paired katars. The other 2 are notably unusual as well as hovering in the air. The first has his body half fire and half ice, covering in spikey ice armor and wreathed in flame, his face indistinguishable between the ice and flame. The second likewise hovers in the air which appears to be distorted around him somehow. His features are likewise indistinguishable as the nearby light seems bent and drawn inwards to him. All of them are on-guard and looking at your team.

OOC: OK I need initiatives from everyone. In this unusual situation everyone is considered to be starting as Evading, until their 1st action of the turn. The Soviet team is 60" away from your team, 2 hovering and the other 3 on the ground. There is about 6" of space between each of them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:04, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

- rolled 35 using 1d10+30 with rolls of 5. Init.
= 35, 20, 5

Onyx hovered in the air and eyed the Soviets, drawing a bead on the blonde.

OOC:

Rolled a 23.

Is there any metal around?

12:17, Today: Vosper rolled 46 using 1d10+39 with rolls of 7. inish.
46
31
16
1

Vos will use her first action to Evade.

Nightmare mumbles something about the 'shooting from the high ground' and prepares to avoid being shot.

OOC: when he gets his chance, Nightmare will be heading up the side of the valley and evading.

"Oh boy..."

11:42, Today: The Inhuman rolled 15 using 1d10+13 with rolls of 2.

EVADE

Turn 1

The teams square off against each other, 300 feet apart. Some are flying and some are earthbound and there is an array of unusual appearances in the field. Vosper looks over the Soviet team and ducks and weaves with blurring speed as she tries to determine the most dangerous target to take out. The mind controller is definitely up there but the 2 fliers have a dangerous appearance.

OOC: It has begun! Remember every combatant is considered to be Evading until their 1st turn comes up. Vosper chooses to Evade for her 1st action. Poco you are up, Evasion for you as well?

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35
Backlash 31
Vosper 31
Nightmare 26
Usurper 25
Onyx 23
Oscillator 23
Singularity 21
Firefrost 21
Poco 20
Mindwrack 19
Backlash 16
Vosper 16
Amaranth 16
Inhuman 15
Nightmare 11
Usurper 10
Onyx 8
Oscillator 8
Singularity 6
Firefrost 6
Poco 5
Mindwrack 4
Backlash 1
Vosper 1
Amaranth 1
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:05, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Eddy snarled in joy and began to bound forward to join battle, closing about half the distance to the Soviet team within the next several seconds.
His movements were defensive though, making it easy for him to evade attacks.


reminder: 'Cats Grace' adds another +2 penalty to those trying to hit him with physical attacks that Eddy can perceive
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:44, Wed 02 Apr 2014.

Backlash watches as Poco advances, angling himself to intercept his path and holding himself at the ready to move.

OOC: Backlash holds his 1st action.

Seeing the array of foes Vosper holds her ground but whirls into a blinding spin, a dart flying out at Usurper at speed. The dart is on-target but at the last instant Usurper is able to deflect the dart with her naginata.

OOC: Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Vosper, rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3. Thrown dart at Usurper.
Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Vosper, rolled 6,6 using 1d6+5,2d8 with rolls of 1,4,2. Damage roll vs. parry.

Vosper uses 2 power for her 2nd action and 121" of movement for the whirlwind throw. Nightmare, you are up!

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35 (Evade/Move)
Backlash 31 (Holding)
Vosper 31 (Throw Dart)
Nightmare 26
Usurper 25
Onyx 23
Oscillator 23
Singularity 21
Firefrost 21
Poco 20
Mindwrack 19
Backlash 16
Vosper 16
Amaranth 16
Inhuman 15
Nightmare 11
Usurper 10
Onyx 8
Oscillator 8
Singularity 6
Firefrost 6
Poco 5
Mindwrack 4
Backlash 1
Vosper 1
Amaranth 1
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:06, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Out of order -- evade.

Nightmare starts climbing to the high ground, warily closing on their adversaries.

OOC: use about 20" of movement to angle up the hill and get closer to the enemy, and evade, being evasive about why he wants evade but evading, nonetheless

Nightmare moves in a weaving pattern as he looks for higher ground. Onyx and Oscillator set up evasive movements in their flight. The two Soviet fliers, the fire and ice man and the one with strange air and light distortions likewise set up evasive movement however they also close about half the distance to the team.

OOC: OK evasions have been engaged except for Mindwrack (who is still considered evading from the start of the battle) who hasn't reached her phase. Poco, your second action is up.

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35 (Evade/Move)
Backlash 31 (Holding)
Vosper 31 (Throw Dart)
Nightmare 26 (Evade/Move)
Usurper 25 (Evade/Parry)
Onyx 23 (Evade)
Oscillator 23 (Evade)
Singularity 21 (Evade/Move)
Firefrost 21 (Evade/Move)
Poco 20
Mindwrack 19
Backlash 16
Vosper 16
Amaranth 16
Inhuman 15
Nightmare 11
Usurper 10
Onyx 8
Oscillator 8
Singularity 6
Firefrost 6
Poco 5
Mindwrack 4
Backlash 1
Vosper 1
Amaranth 1

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:06, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Eddy smelt the fear upon the Mind Witch as he charged her, his eyes locked on hers.
            Or maybe he just imagined it; who knows with Eddy!?!

As he closed and pounced, razor sharp claws swing in a lethal arc, with intent to eviscorate the woman.


- rolled 1  using 1d20 with rolls of 1.   Attack. +12 bonus
- rolled 20 using 2d10+10 with rolls of 4,6. Damage.

Poco uses 2 power for his second action
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:34, Fri 04 Apr 2014.

Backlash had been angling his movement to follow Poco's path and at the last moment he places himself between Poco's attack on Usurper. Poco's claws strike him as he makes no attempt to dodge but instead of tearing open his uniform and flesh there is a strange ripple over his skin which plays over his whole body before seeming to be pulled in. However the accuracy of Poco's attack does allow him to follow through and deals part of his damage to Usurper.

Backlash shakes his head and gives Poco a grin that is not matched in his eyes and speaks out with a thick Russian accent; "So, as usual a pig American tries to attack a woman while avoiding real conflict. How about you dance with me cat-man, let my partner deal with your friends?" As he finishes his statement he lashes out with blinding speed with his katar, narrowly missing Poco as he just dodges out of the way.

OOC: Backlash uses his held action to intercept Poco's attack on Usurper then his action on 16 to counter-strike on Poco.

Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11. Katar attack on Poco. (That would be a miss)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Mon 07 Apr 2014.

Seeing the ferocity of Poco's attack despite Backlash partially blocking it from hitting its original target Mindwrack places herself in a defensive posture, her ornate staff held to try and ward off any physical attacks directed at her.

OOC: Mindwrack likewise evades for her 1st action. Vosper, Amaranth, Inhuman, and Nightmare are up in flexible initiative. Inhuman are you still going to Evade?

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35 (Evade/Move 30")
Backlash 31 (Move 5"/Intercept Poco's attack on 20)
Vosper 31 (Throw Dart)
Nightmare 26 (Evade/Move 20")
Usurper 25 (Evade/Parry)
Onyx 23 (Evade)
Oscillator 23 (Evade)
Singularity 21 (Evade/Move 30")
Firefrost 21 (Evade/Move30")
Poco 20 (Move 30"/Claw Attack)
Mindwrack 19 (Evade/Parry)
Backlash 16 (Katar Attack)
Vosper 16
Amaranth 16
Inhuman 15
Nightmare 11
Usurper 10
Onyx 8
Oscillator 8
Singularity 6
Firefrost 6
Poco 5
Mindwrack 4
Backlash 1
Vosper 1
Amaranth 1

This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Knowing it will take some time Amaranth makes a beeline for Usurper, having heard about how dangerous she is. She does weave and dodge as she moves.

OOC: Amaranth sets up Evasion and uses 60" of movement to reach Usurper (will arrive on her next action on 1).

Blurring across the battlefield to get a clean shot, Vos spins and looses a dart at hyper-speed, aiming for the mind-witch.

"Got yer six, Poco!" she said as she threw.  And missed.  Again.

OOC: 09:11, Today: Vosper rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18. Thrown dart +10 to hit.

Vosper uses 2 power for her 3rd action and 121" of movement for the whirlwind throw.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:21, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Nightmare continues weaving his way to higher ground, observing the other's movements and carefully considering his actions.

OOC: expend another 20" of movement to make it to the top of the hill and get closer to the opponents while he watches them move around and attack, holding his action awaiting specific circumstances

Usurper blinks at the blinding attack launched at her and when part of the attack is not fully intercepted by Backlash her body armor and twisting movement allows her to avoid being opened up by Poco's claws. Still holding her naginata at ready she focuses her attention on Poco for a moment, initially some anger on her face before then giving him what could be considered a loving look, a soft smile on her face; "That big grey man there, I fear for my safety if he touches me. Be a dear and knock him out of this battle and I will reward you."

OOC: Today: Usurper (Uzurpator) rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6. Mind Control vs. Poco.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Mon 07 Apr 2014.

Vosper flings another dart at Usurper hoping to spare Poco her attentions but this time it goes very wide and buries itself in a rock. Amaranth moves rapidly but evasively in the direction of Usurper. Inhuman sets himself to stretch and bend to avoid incoming attacks. Nightmare holds his position for now, scanning the whole area carefully.

OOC: Onyx and Oscillator, you are both up. Right now no one knows for sure whether Poco was affected by the mind control as they can't hear what she said from 150 or 300 feet away. If he *has* been affected people can spend actions to allow him another Int save to break free using his Int or theirs, whichever is higher.

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35 (Evade/Move 30")
Backlash 31 (Move 5"/Intercept Poco's attack on 20)
Vosper 31 (Throw Dart)
Nightmare 26 (Evade/Move 20")
Usurper 25 (Evade/Parry)
Onyx 23 (Evade)
Oscillator 23 (Evade)
Singularity 21 (Evade/Move 30")
Firefrost 21 (Evade/Move30")
Poco 20 (Move 30"/Claw Attack)
Mindwrack 19 (Evade/Parry)
Backlash 16 (Katar Attack)
Vosper 16 (Throw Dart)
Amaranth 16 (Evade/Move 60")
Inhuman 15 (Evade)
Nightmare 11 (Hold Action)
Usurper 10 (Mind Control)
Onyx 8
Oscillator 8
Singularity 6
Firefrost 6
Poco 5
Mindwrack 4
Backlash 1
Vosper 1
Amaranth 1

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:07, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

The plan was to hit the mind controller, and that is what Onyx intended to do.

He leaned forward and sped through the air until he was within about 100 feet of her. Then he reached back raw power crackled in his open hand. He thrust forward his hand and a blast of pure energy erupted.

The hero's aim was not true, however, and his blast slammed into the ground near her feet.

OOC:

Move to 20" from Usurper.

Yeah! Rolled a 20. Oh wait, that sucks in this game.

Osc flies into the battle scene, evading, and says "You will NOT abuse my friends for your nefarious plans, brain-beast!"
Oscillator flies in and  ...

PM

Osc attacks Usurper with a Power Blast from above.

OOC:
Oscillator rolled 20 using 1d20 - attack.  <-- yeesh
Oscillator rolled 8 using 1d20 - damage.

PM the GM

Seeing Amaranth below advancing towards Usurper, Firefrost decides that enough people have been targeting her already. He lowers his ice-covered arm at Amaranth and a dense spray of ice lances down, encasing her in a huge block of ice and stopping her dead in her tracks.

OOC: Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz), rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8. Ice Attack on Amaranth.
Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz), rolled 12 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 3,6. Ice damage.

(Amaranth is blanketed in 12 cubic feet of ice, 1200 lbs. in weight so her CC is exceeded.)

Singularity points a finger at Onyx who is weaving and dodging in mid-air. A lance of brilliant light flashes from the fingertip but completely misses Onyx. The strange Soviet is heard to yell out something in Russian, probably a curse word.

OOC: So a big total miss on *that* attack.

Onyx and Oscillator both send blasts of raw energy at Usurper, hoping to take her out. Both blasts go very wide, burning into the rocks and dirt. Firefrost blasts Amaranth with a jet of ice from his hand and she stops her forward movement as she is encased in ice. Singularity tries to pierce Onyx with a brilliant laser beam but his shot likewise goes wide.

OOC: So in all of that Amaranth takes 12 damage, 9 of which she rolls into power and the remaining 3 go to hit points. However she is covered in 1200 lbs. of ice and cannot move. Poco is up and Nightmare is still holding his action as we are nearing the end of the turn.

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35 (Evade/Move 30")
Backlash 31 (Move 5"/Intercept Poco's attack on 20)
Vosper 31 (Throw Dart)
Nightmare 26 (Evade/Move 20")
Usurper 25 (Evade/Parry)
Onyx 23 (Evade)
Oscillator 23 (Evade)
Singularity 21 (Evade/Move 30")
Firefrost 21 (Evade/Move30")
Poco 20 (Move 30"/Claw Attack)
Mindwrack 19 (Evade/Parry)
Backlash 16 (Katar Attack)
Vosper 16 (Throw Dart)
Amaranth 16 (Evade/Move 60")
Inhuman 15 (Evade)
Nightmare 11 (Hold Action)
Usurper 10 (Mind Control)
Onyx 8 (Power Blast)
Oscillator 8 (Power Blast)
Singularity 6 (Laser bolt)
Firefrost 6 (Stream of Ice)
Poco 5
Mindwrack 4
Backlash 1
Vosper 1
Amaranth 1

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Mon 14 Apr 2014.

Eddy snarled, as a predatory grin crossed his face, and he spun around to face The Inhuman.
Claws out, he leapt ...

                ... but not at The Inhuman.

In a somersaulting backward flip that would give an Olympic Gymnast an orgasm, he flipped over the heads of both Backlash and Usurper, landing behind the woman ... and rending her back with his claws as he landed.

- rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8. Attack:  +12 bonus.
- rolled 24 using 2d10+10 with rolls of 4,10. Damage.

Eddy then prepared to face an attack by Backlash.
Spend 2PP to change my facing out-of-turn if necessary.

Have now paid the 6PP for this, and two additional actions for this turn
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

This message was deleted by the player at 18:26, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Holding her staff at ready, Mindwrack steps in closer to Usurper and scans those of the team close by. She concentrates for a moment and all on the team except Inhuman feel what feels like white noise in their minds. Initially it builds but then fades to nothingness and she curses in frustration.

OOC: Today: Mindwrack rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17. Psistorm area attack. (Another big misseroonee)

As he had his eyes on Poco, Backlash was able to follow his rearward somersault through the air. He had called out a warning to Usurper and sighed as she reacted in time. He moves with fluid grace to where Poco landed and lashes out with a straight punch with his katar. The blow strikes solidly and upon impact there is a ripple that passes along his arm, through the katar, and into Poco. The force of the impact and ripple throws the cat-man backwards and Backlash smiles grimly, gesturing with one of his katars for Poco to come and fight him.

OOC: 14:08, Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 4 using 1d20 with rolls of 4. Katar attack on Poco.
Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 4,23 using 1d4,1d8+18 with rolls of 4,5. Katar damage. (27 damage to Poco)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

Poco makes a prodigious backwards somersault to get behind Usurper, Backlash calling out a warning to Usurper. The warning is un-needed as Usurper snaps into action at the last moment, spinning and deflecting Poco's vicious slash with the haft of her naginata. Mindwrack moves up and seems to do something that starts some kind of mental noise in most of the team but it fades before becoming painful. Backlash launches a vicious katar punch at Poco, a ripple of energy passing along his arm and blade as it impacts and sending Poco bouncing and tumbling back about 55 feet before he comes to a stop. Backlash gestures for Poco to get up and face him.

OOC: Poco is hit by Backlash for 27 points of damage, 12 of which are rolled into power (-12 power) with the remaining 15 to hit points (-15 hp). The impact of the blow/ripple throws Poco back 11" (15" -4" for Basic Hits), dealing another 3 points of damage from him tumbling and bouncing along the ground which is rolled into power (-3 power). Poco needs to make a KO roll, 16 or more on d100 to stay conscious. Poco's HP and power adjusted for damage. Amaranth is unable to move/act because she is encased in ice so Vosper has the last action.

Vosper 46 (Evade)
Poco 35 (Evade/Move 30")
Backlash 31 (Move 5"/Intercept Poco's attack on 20)
Vosper 31 (Throw Dart)
Nightmare 26 (Evade/Move 20")
Usurper 25 (Evade/Parry)
Onyx 23 (Evade)
Oscillator 23 (Evade)
Singularity 21 (Evade/Move 30")
Firefrost 21 (Evade/Move30")
Poco 20 (Move 30"/Claw Attack)
Mindwrack 19 (Evade/Parry)
Backlash 16 (Katar Attack)
Vosper 16 (Throw Dart)
Amaranth 16 (Evade/Move 60")
Inhuman 15 (Evade)
Nightmare 11 (Move/Bolas Attack)
Usurper 10 (Mind Control)
Onyx 8 (Power Blast)
Oscillator 8 (Power Blast)
Singularity 6 (Laser bolt)
Firefrost 6 (Stream of Ice)
Poco 5 (Leap/Claw Attack)
Mindwrack 4(Move/Psistorm)
Backlash 1 (Move/Katar Attack)
Vosper 1 (Throw Dart)
Amaranth 1 (Immobile/Encased in Ice)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:27, Mon 14 Apr 2014.

Vosper threw a dart at the ground, hoping to miss and thereby hit Usurper by accident.

OOC: 11:57, Today: Vosper rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18. Thrown dart +10 to hit.

Should give me a 5% chance of accidentally hitting Usurper, right? :D

Vosper uses 2 power for her 4th action and 121" of movement for the whirlwind throw.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:21, Sat 12 Apr 2014.

- rolled 18 using 1d100 with rolls of 18. KO chance: 15%.

So much for Eddy being one of this teams tanks, eh!  Two swings, two misses.  :-p

Oh well, as the Capt America promo goes, "a real hero never gives up"

Nightmare finishes jogging towards the ridge line, pulling out his bolas. Failing to spot the foe he's been looking for, he flings the bolas at Firefrost (wrap up one of ours, so we wrap up one of theirs).

OOC: not sure what the range would be, moved as close as possible to the battle and threw the bolas at the icy person
00:12, Today: Nightmare rolled 16,1,7 using d20,d4,d3+5 with rolls of 16,1,2. attk/damage bolas tossed at Firefrost.

End of Turn 1/Start Turn 2

Vosper whirls and flings another dart, unfortunately it goes wide again. Nightmare attempts to snare Firefrost with a thrown bolas but his throw also goes wide. Amaranth remains encased in ice and her muffled voice is heard to say; "Hmmmm....this is a new experience. Interesting, but I still want out!"

OOC: As the turn ends Amaranth takes another 12 points of cold damage from being coated in ice, 6 points of which is rolled into power (-6 power) and the remaining 6 points into hit points (-6 HP). The ice does seem to be melting some at least. Vosper and Poco are up at the beginning of Turn 2.

Vosper 41 (Evade)
Poco 40 (Evade)
Backlash 33 (Hold)
Onyx 28 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 26 (Manifestation of the Karmic Deities)
Vosper 26 (Move/Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 26 (Psistorm)
Poco 25
Amaranth 24
Singularity 23
Oscillator 22
Firefrost 19
Backlash 18
Usurper 17
Inhuman 15
Onyx 13
Nightmare 11
Vosper 11
Mindwrack 11
Poco 10
Amaranth 9
Singularity 8
Oscillator 7
Firefrost 4
Backlash 3
Usurper 2
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Vosper holds her action to coordinate with Poco.

Init 40:

Eddy rolls with the blow that has sent him tumbling, rolling backwards up onto his feet.

He shook his maned head in an almost comical way, as though to shake cobwebs within loose, then growled.

Turning, he prepared to CAREFULLY stride back into the fray.

Evade
-7 to be hit; plus another -2 vs visible attacks for Catlike Grace stunt

Backlash chuckles a bit at Poco's antics but watches him warily, standing lightly on the balls of his feet and holding his katars in a slightly defensive position. He does flick glances around him to monitor the battlefield while keeping near to Usurper.

OOC: Backlash holds his action.

OOC: Onyx, Vosper, and Nightmare are up.

Vosper continues to hold her 41 action to coordinate with Onyx and Nightmare now, since Poco's evading.

Vosper will use her 41 action to Evade; she'll also have her billy club ready to parry with.

Hopefully Onyx can hold til 26, and we can coordinate with Nightmare. ;)

Vos will lead off on 26 with a thrown dart at Usurper.

Vos ran to get a rear shot at Usurper, throwing a dart at her backside.

13:19, Today: Vosper rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13. Thrown dart +10 to hit.

I'm sure that misses.  Still can't roll out of the teens.  Hopefully it at least provides some benefit, such as Usurper burning 2 PR to change facing, or somebody getting a flank, or something.

Onyx notes Vosper's signal and waits until she and Nightmare move to attack. As Vosper runs to the back of the commie mind-bender, Onyx move to the right, while still maintaining his distance.

He unleashes another blast of energy at the woman, intent on concentrating on attacks rather than more dancing around on defense.

OOC:
Held action until 26

Still 20" away and flying. Moves to right slightly so Nightmare can get a flank or force her to turn giving Onyx the flank.

16:45, Today: Onyx rolled 11 using 2d10 with rolls of 8,3. PB hit?
16:45, Today: Onyx rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6. Power Blast v. Usurper.

That is a 6 to hit with a +3 accuracy mod.
Damage = 13 when +2 mod is included

OOC:  Oscillator is grateful that INIT 22 means his Evasion from last turn lasts for a lot of the combat, but he doesn't get to hold any actions or do anything except prepare for more stuff.  But Osc can talk out of turn.

"I can beat any of you Russkies at Chess.  Every time." (taunt)

Recognizing that his team mates are focusing on the Minsk mind bender, Nightmare figures she could use some of her own medicine. He raises his hand, palm pointed toward Usurper, and asks, "How's your karma, comrade?"

OOC: Ok, I'll admit it. If we were at a table I would be fist-pumping right now:
21:59, Today: Nightmare rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2. Malevolent karmic deity at Usurper.

Mindwrack's movements become less defensive and again she clenches her staff in fron of her after moving to a position roughly equidistant from the nearby team members. A moment of concentration and all team members except Inhuman feel that white noise sound in their heads. This time the intensity keeps ramping up until it is almost like what one would imagine an electrical storm in the brain would be like, the sensation is agonizing.

OOC: Today: Mindwrack rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9. Psistorm area attack.
Today: Mindwrack rolled 11 using 1d12+4 with rolls of 7. Psistorm damage (all but Inhuman).

Everyone but Inhuman takes 11 damage. That can be rolled into power as usual but no benefit from the bulletproof vest since it is mental.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

OOC: Poco is up, Amaranth can't do anything because she is frozen in ice beyond her carrying capacity. I will do a big update post soon. People feel free to figure out how much of the damage is done to HP instead of rolling into power and make your KO rolls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:51, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

"Ouch."

OOC:
Osc rolls 5 to PR and takes 6hp damage. =  HP 16/22 , PR 53/73

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:00, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

"ACK!!" Vosper clutches her head, blood spurting from her ears and nose.

OOC: And the joke continues.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:01, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

Nightmare growls, the sound is more reminiscent of a gorilla than a bear, but it is certainly a growl.

OOC: Being an average 6d10 from dying, I think Nightmare's going to turn up his intensity.

Vosper sets herself in evasive movements as Poco gets up from the ground and dusts himself off. He carefully moves back towards the fray, moving fluidly and gracefully while looking to fend off any incoming attacks.

Backlash keeps his focus on Poco's approach, keeping right near Usurper.

Vosper coordinates her actions to coincide with other team members and they unleash their attacks on Usurper. Vosper zips around the rear to provide flanking but her dart unfortunately goes wide. Onyx, hovering above the battlefield, has more success as his energy bolt pierces Usurper's body armor and burns into her eliciting a shout of pain. Nightmare says something to Usurper, pointing his hand at her.

No one else sees anything but Usurper starts, looking to one side for a moment and moving her naginata to fend off an apparently unseen attack. Mindwrack moves to be more central among the nearby team members and this time her mental attack strikes home, a storm of electricity seemingly unleashed in all the team except Inhuman.

Amaranth concentrates beneath her shroud of ice and repairs some of the cellular damage done by the ice coating her.

OOC: Everyone but Inhuman takes 11 damage from the Psistorm, damage rolled into power as appropriate and the remaining damage to HP. Amaranth used her action to regenerate some damage. Oscillator, Poco, and Vosper need to make KO rolls still. Poco is up pursuant to making his KO roll.

Vosper 41 (Evade)
Poco 40 (Evade)
Backlash 33 (Hold)
Onyx 28 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 26 (Manifestation of the Karmic Deities)
Vosper 26 (Move/Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 26 (Psistorm)
Poco 25 (Move/Emotion Control)
Amaranth 24 (Regenerate)
Singularity 23 (Move/Evade)
Oscillator 22
Firefrost 19
Backlash 18
Usurper 17
Inhuman 15
Onyx 13
Nightmare 11
Vosper 11
Mindwrack 11
Poco 10
Amaranth 9
Singularity 8
Oscillator 7
Firefrost 4
Backlash 3
Usurper 2
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Eddy started striding forward, his eyes locked on Ursurper and Backlash.

Even as the Psi-storm* hit him, Eddy continued striding forward, towards the two; a deep growl growing in his throat.
            * - rolled 33 using 1d100.  5% chance KO.

As he got close, sneering at Backlash's attempts to protect his girlfriend, Eddy began bounding slowly forward on all fours; seemingly intent on going through (or past) Backlash yet again.

But, instead ...

At the last moment, only a meter from the two, Eddy came to a halt, and snarled at them.  It was a predatory, jaguar screech; as much a roar, as it was a snarl.

It was the sound that invoked a deep seated and primal fear in humans; who recognised it, deep within their souls.  It was, usual, the last sound the human ever heard.

Have spent 8PR to use Eddy's 'Emotion Control: Fear' on Backlash

Singularity drifts around over the battleground, looking over the situation. He does position himself so he can also view the mass of Inhuman off in the distance. He moves in a looping, random way to try and avoid any attacks that may come his way.

OOC: Singularity resumes Evasive movements. Oscillator is up next and I will update the results of Poco's Emotion Control attempt when I do actions for Firefrost, Backlash, and Usurper.

"Curse you villains!" shouts Oscillator, who vibra-flies above and ... holds his action.

OOC:  I wanna try your move -- going to hold an action for Absorb Kinetic,
then fly into a melee attack & interrupt.  Absorb.  Risky with all the 'brainiacs'.

holds his action
Evasion ... and maintain a vertical distance out of reach of most attacks except his longest range blast...?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

Firefrost, hovering over the battlefield, looks over all the available targets and makes a decision. He drops lower, trying to keep pace with Vosper's agile movements. Taking aim with his frozen hand he shouts out as he looses a blast of ice at the speedster; "Vlozhu malenkiy bystryy odin na l'du!"

Firefrost curses loudly as the speedster is just able to knock away the blast of ice with her club, moving it back and forth quickly and preventing the ice from accumulating.

OOC: Today: Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz) rolled 10 using 1d20 with rolls of 10. Ice Attack on Vosper. (A miss, but since she is parrying it "hits" get club)
Today: Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz) rolled 7 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 1,3. Ice blast damage. (Does not exceed parry value so no damage to Vosper)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Sun 20 Apr 2014.

Keeping between Poco and Usurper, Backlash lashes out with one of his katars but his aim is off and the cat-man is able to slip the strike.

OOC: Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17. Katar attack on Poco. (That would be a miss, he still has his saved action)

Still glancing at something no one else can see on her left Usurper also keeps a wary eye on Poco. She settles back into a defensive stance, her naginata held at the ready.

OOC: Usurper sets up Evasion/Parry.

Poco sprints towards Backlash, stopping just short and roaring right in his face. Backlash's face momentarily changes to a fearful expression but then he shakes it off. He tries to deliver another vicious katar strike at Poco but his timing is off and it goes wide.

Up in the sky both Singularity and Oscillator resume with evasive movements, with Singularity positioning himself more central to the main combat while Oscillator flies up high.

Firefrost drops in altitude, trying to lead Vosper and calling out to his teammates in Russian. A blast of ice lances out but the speedster is able to avoid the attack through swift movements and knocking some away with her club at the last moment.

Usurper still eyes both Poco and something to her left no one else seems to notice. She drops into a defensive stance with her naginata raised to ward off any incoming attacks.

OOC: Poco is missed and Vosper parries away the attack on her. We have a bunch of the team up now; Inhuman, Onyx, Nightmare, and Vosper. Remember the flexible initiative so go whenever you can.

Vosper 41 (Evade)
Poco 40 (Evade)
Backlash 33 (Hold)
Onyx 28 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 26 (Manifestation of the Karmic Deities)
Vosper 26 (Move/Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 26 (Psistorm)
Poco 25 (Move/Emotion Control)
Amaranth 24 (Regenerate)
Singularity 23 (Move/Evade)
Oscillator 22 (Evade/Move)
Firefrost 19 (Move/Ice Blast)
Backlash 18 (Katar Attack)
Usurper 17 (Evade/Parry)
Inhuman 15
Onyx 13
Nightmare 11
Vosper 11
Mindwrack 11
Poco 10
Amaranth 9
Singularity 8
Oscillator 7
Firefrost 4
Backlash 3
Usurper 2
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Seeing Usurper thrown on the defensive, Onyx decides to focus his fire somewhere else for the moment. Perhaps he can help free Poco up from that annoying blade swinging man.

Onyx moves to get an open shot from above and unleashes another bolt of pure yellow and black energy at Backlash.

OOC:

To Hit: 11 to hit with Power Blast. +2 Acc modifier
Damage: 12

10:47, Today: Onyx rolled 12 using 2d10+3 with rolls of 6,3. dmg?
10:47, Today: Onyx rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11. Power Blast v. Backlash.

Distance from Ursurper/Backlash/Poco is 20"

08:59, Today: The Inhuman rolled 20 using 1d20 with rolls of 20. Attack.

The Inhuman launches an attack at the Soviet super known as the Usurper but even as his fist inhumanly stretches out to strike she moves enough that his blow misses and his fist snaps back.

Sprinting along the top of the valley's side, Nightmare is obviously attempting to 'flank' the opposing force. Once roughly alongside the enemy, he stops suddenly, and whirls as he flicks his two pistols from their holsters. Simultaneously pulling both triggers, he attempts to hit Firefrost with both bullets.

OOC: Not sure whether this is a multiple attack, or just two attacks at the same target, or whatever. 21:50, Today: Nightmare rolled 2,15,9,7 using d20,d20,d8+5,d8+5 with rolls of 2,15,4,2. shoot both pistols at FireFrost.

"Sod off, Frosty!" Vosper retorts after parrying an ice dart with her club.  "Have some o' yer own med'cine!"

And with that, she tosses a dart... expecting to miss as usual.


21:32, Today: Vosper rolled 20 using 1d20 with rolls of 20. Thrown dart +10 to hit.

Mindwrack, still in a defensive posture, concentrates for a moment while looking right at Poco. A moment later Poco feels that white noise sound building in his head but is able to shake it off.

OOC: Today: Mindwrack rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15. Psistorm vs. Poco. (That is a miss)

Several of the team members burst into a flurry of action, trying to put the hurt on the Soviet villains.

Inhuman sends a massive fist stretching across the distance to try and smite the mind-controller but his aim is well of and he misses broadly, the fist snapping back right afterwards.

Onyx flies up above the battle around the Inhuman and sends a bolt of energy down at the katar-armed Soviet. The bolt strikes home but the villain seems to shrug off much of it, a hole burning into his bulletproof vest. He growls in frustration, still wanting to keep his focus on the cat-man.

Nightmare moves along the ridge, getting into position and firing with 2 pistols at the fire and ice villain but is unable to synchronize the attacks and the bullets go wide. The villain whips an evil glare in Nightmare's direction.

During this time Usurper is still dividing her attention between Poco and something unseen and winces in pain as if something struck her.

Vosper whirls and hurls a dart at speed towards the fire and ice man but it goes wide of her target.

OOC: Poco is missed by Mindwrack's attack. Amaranth and Poco are up and she is still encased in a large amount of ice.

Vosper 41 (Evade)
Poco 40 (Evade)
Backlash 33 (Hold)
Onyx 28 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 26 (Manifestation of the Karmic Deities)
Vosper 26 (Move/Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 26 (Psistorm)
Poco 25 (Move/Emotion Control)
Amaranth 24 (Regenerate)
Singularity 23 (Move/Evade)
Oscillator 22 (Evade/Move)
Firefrost 19 (Move/Ice Blast)
Backlash 18 (Katar Attack)
Usurper 17 (Evade/Parry)
Inhuman 15 (Stretch/Punch)
Onyx 13 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 11 (Move/Shoot Pistols)
Vosper 11 (Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 11 (Psistorm)
Poco 10
Amaranth 9
Singularity 8
Oscillator 7
Firefrost 4
Backlash 3
Usurper 2
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:54, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Beneath her sheath of ice Amaranth tries to bring her strength to bear, maybe crack some of the ice. She strains mightily against the ice and it does bear some fruit as some of the ice does crack and fall off of her. Unfortunately the bulk of it still does encase her, but it is a start...

OOC: 18:00, Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Amaranth, rolled 1 using 1d20 with rolls of 1. STR Save. (That would be a success)
Today: Sword of Damocles, on behalf of Amaranth, rolled 6 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 1. Trying to crack some ice off. (Half damage because she can only press/struggle but she cracks off about 1.5 cubic feet of ice; 9.5 cubic feet remain, still beyond her carrying capacity)

Amaranth uses 2 power for her second action.

His growl having had no effect, Eddy sneered.

Instead of pushing the attack, however, he started to pace ... like a tiger in a cage.
Just moving and watching, holding his action.

Just as Ursurper had been his teams primary concern, it seemed that he had proven the primary concern to the Ruskies.
He had three of them focused on him right now (well, Mindwrack and Backlash ... and Ursurper was kinda focused on him too, along with her imaginary friend).
And Eddy was willing to hold their three attentions, waiting for a perfect time to strike.

Singularity hovers above the battlefield, slowly rotating in place to observe what is going on while he determines his course of action.

OOC: Singularity holds his action, Oscillator is up.

Since everyone is holding their actions, Osc joins in.

He still has enough move left to get in there and start absorbing. ..

Singularity flies closer to Inhuman, still well above the ground. He reaches out one hand and Inhuman momentarily feels extremely light but the feeling passes quickly.

OOC: Today: Singularity (Osobennost) rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18. Gravity Control on Inhuman. (That is a miss)

Firefrost wheels in the air, pointing his burning hand at Onyx and blasting him with a bolt of fire. He wears an almost maniacal grin on his face as the fire burns.

OOC: Today: Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz) rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5. Flame Bolt vs. Onyx. (That is a hit)
Today: Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz) rolled 7 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 3,1. Flame Bolt damage. (7 fire damage to Onyx, so you can roll 1 extra point into power from the BP vest)

Backlash barks out a phrase to Usurper; "Plan ataki dzeta!" and he and Usurper start moving to flank Poco.

OOC: Backlash and Usurper are coordinating actions to go on 2, so what are you going to do, Oscillator?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:42, Sun 27 Apr 2014.

           Held action; used on Phase 3

Yeah, I was figuring that.

Eddy suddenly forward and lash out in an attempt to disarm Backlash (rather than do any damage).
His hope was that Backlash will take the hit, hoping to absorb, and not realise until to late that it's not a 'hit', but a disarm.

- rolled 2d20 with rolls of 15,1.    2x attk rolls for a disarm; both get +12 bonus.

OOC: Looks like the held actions are getting used?  YAY
Osc aims to fly in, shielding Poco, interrupting Usurper's (or Backlash's?) melee attack, taking the hit & *Absorbing* it.

'Zzzzzzooooinnggggg!'  (The sound of conversion of Kinetic Energy to Vibration Energy, which Osc can absorb and hold.)

To interrupt the attack, Oscillator must fly like he's never flown before
-- he dives down, vibrates through bits ofthe attacker and solidifying just in front of the blow...
and then he attempts to absorb it.

OOC: Oscillator rolled 1d20 with rolls of 5. AGI save. YAY!

Now it's Poco's turn to shred some Russkie villain!!!

Just as Backlash and Usurper are starting to drift apart, she stops suddenly and with a grin strikes Backlash with her naginata. There is a ripple in the air as the impact is absorbed.

OOC: Today: Usurper (Uzurpator) rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3. Naginata attack vs. Backlash. (A hit, only misses on a 20)
Today: Usurper (Uzurpator) rolled 2,1,3 using 1d6,1d8,1d2+2 with rolls of 2,1,1. Naginata damage. (6 "damage" to Backlash....pitiful roll)

This message was last edited by the player at 04:21, Mon 28 Apr 2014.

Backlash likewise halts his movement just as he and Usurper are about to move too far apart. He takes her strike with a smile on his face that dims some at the poorness of the impact. He lashes out at Poco with a katar and at the last instant Oscillator moves through and solidifies to take the hit, the air rippling around him as the blow strikes.

Backlash frowns, remembering about Oscillator's similar ability to his own and calls out; "Mindwrack i Pozar-Moroz, vynut kopye derzhatel! Vy znayete, chto delat!"

OOC: Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 10 using 1d20 with rolls of 10. Katar attack. (That hits, only misses on a 20)
Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 3,8 using 1d8,1d4+4 with rolls of 3,4. Katar damage. (Oscillator takes 11 damage which is added to his power)

This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Mon 28 Apr 2014.

"Osc!  Head's up!" Vosper called, hearing the Russians' intentions.

A flurry of activity takes place on the battlefield and above it.

Amaranth struggles mightily beneath her sheath of ice and is able to crack a little of it off.

Poco waits patiently then steps in and tries to disarm Backlash but the Soviet moves along with his attempt and remains armed.

Singularity delays as he scans the battlefield then moves towards Inhuman, his hand reaching out. Inhuman feels lighter but only for a moment.

Firefrost turns in the air and blasts Onyx with a ray of flame, the look on his face downright psychotic.

Backlash barks out and order to Usurper and together they advance on Poco, starting to split to flank. At the last moment Usurper smites Backlash with her naginata, the impact rippling the air around him for a moment.

Backlash takes the hit and lashes out at Poco, but at the last instant Oscillator is in the way. His blow strikes Oscillator, the air rippling around the flying man. Backlash barks out another order to a pair of his team members.

OOC: Amaranth does crack some ice (8.5 cu ft left into next turn) but still takes 10 points, 5 of which go into power (-5 power) and the remaining 5 into hit points (-5 HP). Onyx gets burned with a flame bolt for 7 damage, 5 of which is rolled into power (-5 power) and the remaining 2 into hit points (-2 HP). Oscillator takes the blow meant for Poco, adding the 11 damage done into a power reserve.

Vosper 41 (Evade)
Poco 40 (Evade)
Backlash 33 (Move/Absorb <in 2>)
Onyx 28 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 26 (Manifestation of the Karmic Deities)
Vosper 26 (Move/Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 26 (Psistorm)
Poco 25 (Move/Emotion Control)
Amaranth 24 (Regenerate)
Singularity 23 (Move/Evade)
Oscillator 22 (Evade/Move)
Firefrost 19 (Move/Ice Blast)
Backlash 18 (Katar Attack)
Usurper 17 (Evade/Parry)
Inhuman 15 (Stretch/Punch)
Onyx 13 (Move/Power Blast)
Nightmare 11 (Move/Shoot Pistols)
Vosper 11 (Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 11 (Psistorm)
Poco 10 (Move/Disarm Attempt)
Amaranth 9 (Attempt to break ice sheath)
Singularity 8
Oscillator 7 (Move/Absorb)
Firefrost 4 (Move/Flame Bolt)
Backlash 3 (Katar Attack <in 1>)
Usurper 2 (Move/Naginata Attack on Backlash)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:22, Mon 28 Apr 2014.

Turn 3

...and the battle continues.

OOC: OK new turn begins. Amaranth is still encased in 8.5 cu ft of ice and cannot move (taking damage between turns). Remember, anyone who was Evading is still doing so until their 1st action comes up.

Vosper and Poco are up.

Vosper 43 (Evade)
Poco 40 (Claw Attack)
Backlash 34 (Multiple Katar Attack)
Vosper 28 (Throw Dart)
Mindwrack 26 (Psistorm in 25)
Poco 25 (Claw Attack)
Firefrost 25 (Flame Bolt)
Nightmare 24
Singularity 24
Oscillator 23
Inhuman 20
Backlash 19
Onyx 19
Amaranth 16
Vosper 13
Mindwrack 11
Poco 10
Firefrost 10
Nightmare 9
Singularity 9
Oscillator 8
Inhuman 5
Backlash 4
Onyx 4
Amaranth 1
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:27, Tue 29 Apr 2014.

Vosper boldly evades.

OOC:  Any hints as to what "Manifestation 19" & 4 is in INIT order?

They could strategize, and Osc could strategize too! 
"Team, hang in there, we're taking these guys.  Modification of strategy --> If we can take out the weaker ones - Usurper, MindWrack, Singularity - we can ALL focus on the big ones.  2 people team up on each baddie -- and if you can, run interference for Poco..."

Oscillator wanted to add "Poco ... and me", but he didn't.  Osc had been targetted, but he wasn't the strongest hitter on the team.  The team could win and maybe he'd soak up some damage along the way.

Anyone who's ever watched a cat play with its food, toy with its prey, knows that there comes one definitive, brutal and merciless moment when the game comes to an end.

For Eddy, this game had come to an end.

With Oscy's appearance, and Backlash distracted yelling to Mindwrack, and Usurper concerned about her ghost, the chaos has culminated and been baked by fate into the right moment.

Eddy, his claws razor and his muscled bunched, pounced at Usurper.


- rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5. Attk;  +12 bonus.
- rolled 26 using 2d10+10 with rolls of 7,9. Damage.

I've made this attack by 12.  And there are no 'held actions' to get in my way.
With a great damage roll too.
If this doesn't hit, this time ....
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:50, Wed 14 May 2014.

Poco's vicious blow sends Usurper flying back to land in a bloody heap.

At this, Backlash's eyes go wide and he roars in fury. With both Poco and Oscillator adjacent to him he lashes out with each of his katars striking each one squarely. A ripple in the air passes down each arm and through each katar into their targets, sending them Poco tumbling backwards about 70 feet and pushing Oscillator back about 10 feet hovering above the ground.

OOC: Today: Sword of Damocles rolled 14,11 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,11. Multiple Katar Attack (Poco/Oscillator). (Both are hits)
11:16, Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 1,26 using 1d4,1d8+18 with rolls of 1,8. Katar Damage on Poco. (27 damage to Poco plus 3 knockback damage)
Today: Backlash (Otvetnyy Udar) rolled 3,12 using 1d4,1d8+10 with rolls of 3,2. Katar Damage on Oscillator. (15 damage to Oscillator)

I adjusted HP and Power for both Poco and Oscillator; KO rolls needed with 18% for Poco and 6% for Oscillator.

Moments after Usurper lands in the bloody heap the air around her shimmers briefly then she vanishes, only her blood on the grass and rocky soil to mark her presence.

Usurper was down!  But Backlash had taken it out on Poco and Osc.  Weaving at high speed, Vosper forlornly drew another dart.  On the practice range her accuracy was great.  In combat, she was a joke, and she knew it.  If she survived this, she was seriously reassessing her membership on a combat team; but for now, her friends were counting on her.

Please hit for once, she thought as she let fly...

08:48, Today: Vosper rolled 10 using 1d20 with rolls of 10. Thrown dart +10 to hit.

That's the lowest I've ever rolled of late.  Target was Backlash in case not obvious.

In the hopes that's a hit...

08:49, Today: Vosper rolled 3,4 using d6+1,2d8+2 with rolls of 2,1,1. Dart damage.

And of course I tank on damage.  7 total.

Mindwrack holds her quarterstaff at the ready and eyes Oscillator with obvious anger. Her eyes do go wide for a moment when Usurper disappears.

OOC: Mindwrack is holding her action.

Poco is up again.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Mon 28 Apr 2014.

- rolled 32 using 1d100 with rolls of 32. 18% chance of being KOed.

Eddy landed a massive 70' away after the explosive katar punch from Backlash.

Like all cats, he landed on his feet.

With a snarl he skidded to a halt.
With a sneer, he came bounding back.

Eddy was envigorated by the fall of Ursurper ... and now had his eyes set on the other mind witch.
He really hated these bitches playing with his head.

attacking Mindwrack:
- rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2. Attk;  +12 bonus.
- rolled 21 using 2d10+10 with rolls of 2,9. Damage.

Mindwrack is spent tumbling a good 65 feet by the force of Poco's attack. She stands, bleeding from some deep claw marks, and dusts herself off. Changing her focus from Oscillator to Poco she goes against Backlash's order *but* the damned cat-man HURT her! She concentrates and Poco feels the white noise building in his brain. He tries to fight it off but the intensity reaches painful levels before finally fading.

OOC: Today: Mindwrack rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13. Psistorm vs. Poco. (That is a hit)
Today: Mindwrack rolled 15 using 1d12+4 with rolls of 11. Psistorm damage on Poco. (Poco takes 15 damage and needs to make an INT save <9 or less> to avoid an additional 15 damage to power)

Poco's HP and Power were adjusted for the initial damage. He needs to make another KO roll vs. 11%

Firefrost moved to put Oscillator into flanking but with Mindwrack changing the target of her attack he is thrown off and his flame bolt goes wide, setting fire to a patch of ground near where Poco, Backlash, and Oscillator are.

OOC: Today: Firefrost (Pozar-Moroz) rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19. Flame bolt vs. Oscillator. (That is a miss....man the dice roller is so bipolar)

Nightmare is up.

Eddy enjoyed getting the blood of both witches on his paws; but this one's mind static was really starting to do his head in (if you know what I mean).


- rolled 36 using 1d100 with rolls of 36. 11% chance of being KOed.
          Still standing, baby.

- rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16. Int check (9 or less needed to resist extra damage).
           There goes another 15 PR, though   

Power score updated

OOC: Oscillator rolled 82 using 1d100. 6% ko chance.  Yay!!  Still in fight.
I didn't adjust PR/HP.  Not sure of I do or if GM does if he computes effects?  Either way is fine by me.

OOC: I adjusted hit points and power for you already, Oscillator.

Nightmare mumbles something about using a knife in a gun fight, and takes a shot at Backlash.

OOC: +7 to hit, 18:55, Today: Nightmare rolled 10,14 using d20,d8+7 with rolls of 10,7. pistol shot, attack/damage on Backlash.

Hoping to have better luck this time, Singularity again points his hand at Inhuman and concentrates for a moment. This time Inhuman feels his weight leave him completely and as if the world was turned upside down a moment later. He leaves the ground, accelerating into the air.

OOC: Today: Singularity (Osobennost) rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3. Gravity Control vs. Inhuman. (Success, Inhuman now weighs -960 lbs. and is "falling" upwards at 2.5" per phase)