Sara sidles into the gala, making her way along the wall toward the food buffet.  The red dress chosen for the occasion fits the body, but overwhelms the subdued personalilty of the woman moving through the crowd.  Her eyes dart around for a bit, but she recognises no one. She takes her glass of champaign into a less populated corner of the room to wait out the evening.

By 2000, the party is in full swing, with more attendees arriving by the minute.  The event is crowded, with politicians, corporate elites, and entertainment stars vying for time with the Utopian novas.  Other, non-Utopia novas have shown up simply for the party or in the hope that the fame of the T2Mers will rub off and result in their own success.

T2M:A is lucky, in that there are so many people attempting to get their attention that they do not have to make any meaningful attempts at actual communication.  "Hi, nice seeing you here", "Thank you so much for your generous donation", and "I would love to talk to you about that later, here's my card" are the phrases repeated over and over again as the night wears on.  Of course, after about the third repetition it also gets a progressively more tedious, and by the time the first hour is up, the team is quite bored (it's even worse for those with accelerated wits or intellect).  Some of the team likely latches onto a guest or two out of desperation for something more entertaining, or make the waiters lives miserable by consuming more than their fair share of alcohol.

The other guests seem to be having a much better time though.  The nova guests are flashy and bold, attempting to attract sponsors and work, while the movie and music stars are actually rivaling the novas in charisma and flair.  The politicians and corporate execs are the odd ones out, as they attempt to keep a straight face and attend to business, but even they are beginning to be swept up in the synergistic currents of Quantum and Pop Culture.  A few even begin to smile, and talk about things other than business.

By 2030, Pax is ready for one of the "big announcements" of the night (he has a few more on the agenda for during and after dinner).  T2M:A is introducing its newest members.  Pax graciously asks all of the current roster onto the stage to great their new members, and then calls up the new members one at a time.

Slider is an mvp from the Equatorial Wars who everyone knows and loves.  She will be temporarily assigned to T2M:A for the upcoming crackdown on organized crime in the Western Hemisphere (this little announcement, embedded in the intro, causes 10 minutes of directed questions about the nature of the crackdown before Slider can even make her way up).  She comes to the front, and waves at the crowd and charms them with a sincere smile (hardened a bit since the EW). She takes her place beside the rest of T2M:A.
"Thank you everybody, thank you.  I will do my best to help, and hopefully we can make the future a brighter, safer place."

Suzukaze is a transfer from the Japanese government.  She's here to make a larger difference than she could working for a single government.  She will be joining T2M:A for the foreseeable future.  She will be brought up to speed on the Utopia way of doing things, and later may form the core of an Asian team.  She is invited up to the stage to make a small speech and take her place beside her team.

Finally, Flare is a young woman, only 18.  She had a small incident in which her powers erupted uncontrollably, but is now a great success story.  After a brief training and stabilization period with Utopias science division, she is now ready to receive the rest of her training to become a new member of T2M, and take her place as a provisional member of T2M:A.  She is invited onto the stage to take her place beside her new team (not to speak however, though the opportunity is there if she decides to take it).

After the introductions, Pax offers the floor to anyone on the pre-existing team that wants to speak (scowling as he turns around to look at everyone, a warning to be on good behavior, and smiling as he turns back to the cameras).

Suzukaze approaches the stage. She bows deeply towards the other T2M members before turning and bowing towards the guests.

 "I would like to express my thanks to Pax sama for this great honor. I am truly honored. I just hope that I may prove myself worthy to my senpais and the citizens of America."

She then turns and approaches the other members bowing again before standing beside them.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Wed 12 Aug 2009.

After Flare and Suzukaze take their turns on stage Imp, sensing his teammates discomfort/disgust/disdain, nods to them and walks up to the front of the stage.  "Speaking on behalf of Team Tomorrow America I would like to extend our warmest welcome to Flare and Suzukaze.  We know that everbody working for Project Utopia is hardworking and dedicated to the cause of world stability and environmental wisdom.  Being a part of Team Tomorrow means to hold both those goals sacred, and many others, and to show the world that all aspects of humanity can and should work together to build a bright new future for our planet.  We are sure that Flare and Suzukaze will rise to the challenges of being on T2M and make it better than it could ever be without them."  Imp bows to the crowd, then turns to the two young ladies and bows to each, then walks back to his place between Comstock and Solitaire.  "Now that they think I'm a pompous ass can we get out of here and do things that don't involve tuxes and phoney conversations?  I know this great place in Puerto Penasco that we can be eating some of the best quesadillas I've ever had and drinking cheap beer sitting on the beach and watching the moon shine off the Gulf of California in less than an hour."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Wed 12 Aug 2009.

Solitaire declines the opportunity to speak, the others were better at it, and she really had nothing to say except a whispered "Welcome aboard." out of the corner of her mouth. Besides, it was entirely too tempting to say something just to spite Pax, but that was unnecessary trouble.  Mostly she stood there, smiling blandly for the camera's, but in reality, her attention was focused on the newcomers.

She had met Slider once or twice during the wars, a good kid, if her first impression still held, but she knew the temper of that one, and wasn't overly concerned. It was the two unknowns that interested her. From what Pax had said, Suzukaze was ex-government, so she probably had some training at least, but Flare seemed totally green. It was a rather detached sort of analysis, as Solitaire would not allow herself to get close to them until she was certain they wouldn't go and die on her, that had happened too many times before. She wasn't sure she could take losing another friend.

Comstock pulled a crinkled piece of paper out of his tuxedo pocket, obviously deciding whether or not to read his prepared statement for the benefit of the crowd.

Phantasm not so subtly shoves Dillon out of line.  She winks at him, and grins at his discomfort.

Quentin makes a motion that declines any offer to speak. Certainly he'd like to secure more funding and investors for his own projects, but Utopia preferred if he let them handle that so that they could have more control over the cashflow. He didn't mind, as long as they provided him what he needed, and this wasn't really the place to start advertising his talents and services, besides.

After several minutes of being up on stage, he waves a hand behind his back towards  a table full of hors d'oeuvres, pushing the table's contents back more firmly onto the table. They had been slowly inching towards him as he stood still and had very nearly fallen.

Otherwise he simply tried to avoid figiting and looking as uncomfortable as he felt.

At Phantasm's urging, Comstock stepped forward for his own chance to address the crowd.  He had a speech planned out, approved and signed off on, but he wasn't sure how much of it he wanted to read.  Politics.  Misbehaving.  Pax was going to have his head, but after all that effort he was going to say something.

"Not to take away from Slider, Flare, and Suzukaze -- they deserve a round of applause -- but I have a few words I'd like to say.

"In ... in the wake of the African Conflicts, the ... what the news is calling the Equatorial Wars, there's been a current of anti-Nova sentiment around the globe.  The violence, fighting, economic turmoil and uncertainty are a predictable side-effect of the incredible, impossible things brought on by the Nova Age.  People do not know what is to come.  They are afraid.  Really, they should be.

"I am told that there are more Novas erupting each and every year.  For every Nova that becomes a scientist or celebrity in the industrialized world, there is another Nova born into poverty.  These are the Novas easily caught up in ideology, the Novas executed as servants of Satan, and the Novas drafted into violent conflicts by religious extremists.  They take their second breath in bondage and become caught up in human conflicts.  They help terrorists attack New York.  While people like that exist, there's a great deal to be afraid of.  This is the central conflict of the Nova Age: the liberation of the oppressed from the tyranny of human history.  Project Utopia is the front line of that conflict.  We're here to put the world's fears to rest and show the world what it is capable of.

"A ... a friend of mine once said that he found the Bible wrong because it made no mention of Novas.  I think I have to disagree.  Humanity has no true strict divisions, and the distinction between Nova and Baseline is no more relevant than the distinction between black and white.  Focusing on our differences perpetuates fear and hatred and keeps us from recognizing our inherent bond, our common roots, and our shared future."

Comstock fiddled with his notes, unsure of how to proceed.  Finally he just tore the paper in half and went off script.  With some concentration, he managed to draw the metal back in and make his true skin-tone stand out.  "This is what we do.  Utopia and Team Tomorrow are out there, every day, making the future reality.  We fight for the world because the world needs defenders.  Every Nova brought to an MR facility makes our future brighter by ... by giving all of us another chance to get over our differences and our conflicts.  I've been across a lot of war-zones; I've seen a lot of pain and suffering.  I've been able to do more to make the world a better place with Team Tomorrow than I ever could have as just Dillon Amargosa, some metal Nova.  This isn't a joke or a publicity stunt; we're the real deal.  Better than Superman.

"Now ... I was born here in America.  Just a little ways from here, actually.  I'm proud to be an American, too, but I'm even more proud that my country's leaders have decided to host Team Tomorrow here in Nevada and put their faith in a higher cause.  I'm proud and grateful to all of you for coming to this charity dinner and putting your money up for this dream.  It tells a lot about who we are and our aspirations for a better world.  And with your support, with America's leadership, I look forward to the day -- someday soon -- when we all can set out for the stars as one people and one planet."

He gave a half-hearted wave and thanks before stepping back from the stage.  The speech wasn't delivered particularly well, but Comstock felt that it was something that had to be said.  And, maybe even more importantly, something he could get away with saying.

Aaaaw, that was sweet.  It's nice when people actually believe in something.  It would be nice if I could have that kind of hope... Now days I just hope that we can keep the world in one piece, and stop the crazies among us from blowing up the world.

Phantasm starts a slow clap, after the moment of silence following Dillon's speech.

---

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

4 successes on manip roll to pick just the right moment and demeanor to get everyone going.  Comstock needs a confidence booster.

---

Suzukaze moves alitte closer to Comstock, and leans in as she speaks to him adjusting the bundle in her hands.

"A very inspiring speech Senpai. It will be an honor fighting along your side."

She turns taking in all of the guests in the room. She finally seems alittle restless. She then turns to the others.

" This all seems great, but I think I need a break from everything and get some fresh air.... Do we have access to the roof? The streets are probally filled with more people."

Now that the party had started wrapping up Imp casually sauntered off the stage and over to the balcony.  He opened the doors and stepped out into the cooler night air.  The sound of cars floated up from the streets below, sort of comforting in their pervasiveness.  He stood on the balcony and undid his tie and top button, then leaned against the rail. He took a sip of the champagne he had grabbed on his way out and started out at the lights of the strip, feeling pensive.

Flare looks like she would like to flee from the moment her name is called, but composes herself during Comsock's speech. She has the shock of someone who has never left her hometown and hadn't considered that things could be horrible elsewhere. She emphatically claps at the end of the speech and manages a "Nice to meet you all." at a point when it is likely to be drowned out by other sounds. She then sidles off.

"I'm pretty sure we can go wherever we please.  You want to go up?  Some air does sound nice, Grav could probably make us a short cut.

Who else wants to go?  Someone will have to hold the fort down here of course... Draw straws?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:22, Fri 14 Aug 2009.

"Hey.  Good to meet you.  I'm-"  A few of the audience approached to bludgeon Comstock with questions, giving Flare her chance to slip away.  Comstock made a note to get to know his new teammates better when there wasn't such a crowd.



Comstock looked over the room.  "If you want to go ahead, I think I've got the crowd's attention for awhile.  Besides ... Imp looks like he needs the break more than me."  He gave Suzukaze a thumbs up.  "And Suzukaze?  I said that right, didn't I?  I'll see you in a bit.  Welcome to the team."

The party, after a brief hiccup caused by Comstock's heartfelt speach (someone actually saying things that matter in a social gathering?  How ever shall we respond?), goes back to normal.  The conversation shifts towards a more optimistic tone, and seems to be generally positive towards Utopia and the future.

Pax eyes Dillon with a bit of irritation mixed with grudging respect, then walks off to make the rounds yet again, talking to all the politicians this time out.  He occassionaly gestures to the rest of T2M:A to get out on the floor as well, but his attempts are only half-hearted.  He doesn't really trust anyone but himself to make the RIGHT impression (though he is painfully aware that several members can quite a GOOD impression), and thus is happy to let the team be seen but not heard if that is their preference.

The party guests are rather talkative, and the party goes into full swing.  It is still a bit before dinner however, and there is more than enough time to go out on one of the many balconies, or to take a quick flight to the roof to see the amazing Las Vegas Strip with its incredible architecture, glowing lights, and strange testimony to humanity's subconscious mind.

After 5 minutes of brooding Imp smirks self deprecatingly, then heads back inside.  He saw Comstock being battered by a barrage of questions, and while it would be spectacular if the big guy actually did lose his temper and start throwing people through walls, he figured he should take the heat off.  He focused and pushed just so and the crowd of reporters and donors turned almost as one from their initial target towards Imp.  He winked at Comstock and motioned surreptitiously towards the roof then started fielding questions about T2M, The Project, terraforming, and what he felt the future held.  While he talked to the reporters he focused and his unnerving personal magnetism and raw sex appeal somehow tapped into the global energy pool, or global unconsciousness, or just became particles floating in the Opnet via the cameras pointed at him, then passed on to anyone watching now or in the future, impacting upon them as powerfully as if they were right there with him.  In the back of his mind Imp was wondering about how totally fucking strange it was that he could do things like that, but then rationalized it by remembering that Comstock could throw tanks and Gravitas could create holes in space between places.  He noticed Pax holding sway with a smaller group of reporters and grinned, then threw himself into fielding the questions, he didn't give people the corny, bottled responses he was supposed to give, he gave them the responses that he though 'Stock would have given, the truth, mixed with cautious optimism and a little bit of dread.

Flare wanders away from the main party. With more striking team members occupying the attention of the guests she meanders off to a balcony with a small plate of hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine, her first time for both.  She responds to any questions directed to her with a startled blink and a witty 'umm...I think that guy knows,' and a gesture at the closest of Pax and Impetus.  She finally takes a breath of the heat-tinged Vegas air. Choking a bit on her filched wine Flare leans against the balcony railing and enjoys the view.  Expensive decor and crazy powers aside this party is startlingly similar to, but way way better than, prom.

"Not one for parties either? I don't blame you." Solitaire says as she sets down on the balcony beside Flare, managing it gracefully despite her ridiculous gown. Once they'd been let down off the stage she had made for the nearest balcony, then flown herself up on a ledge above it avoid anyone who came looking for her. It was good to feel the wind again.

"This isn't really what we do though. We'll get back to being productive tomorrow. I'm Solitaire." She holds out a hand, her normal one. "Good to meet'cha."

"Nice to meet you too, and its good to hear that this isn't the norm.  For a second I thought I got drafted by something disturbingly sleazy.  I've never been fond of parties, but as long as no one asks me to waste my powers lighting their cigar, I think I can handle this." She shakes with Solitaire, and then gestures to the hors d'oeuvres, "I'm starting my own mini-buffett to avoid the crowds, feel free." Flare glances back inside, where the swarm of people are still present. "How many more hours is this likely to go on for?"

"Too many, officially. The good thing about people like us is that its hard to keep us someplace we really don't want to be." Solitaire grins, eyes glinting with the light of mischief. "Course, the Project frowns on that, and this gig is a pretty good job." She sighs, "Ah well. Were stuck here till dinners over, at least, then I think we could escape. You ought to like the Base, we've got pretty much free reign there, between bouts of saving the world." Her voice softens at the last bit, and Solitaire looks out over Vegas, not really seeing it, contemplating. But really, what are we saving it from? And who for? Us? Them?

She starts at the thought, when had it become 'us' and 'them'? Nova's and baselines. Why hadn't she noticed? There had always been a divide, but it had been minor, unimportant for the most part. The same as humans divided themselves, by skin color, religion, strength, intelligence and the like, but still people, for the most part the same. She cast her mind back, trying to remember just when she had stopped considering herself one of 'Them'.

Solitaire shakes her head slowly, there would be time for that later. Turning to Flare, she asks, "So, what all can you do Flare? Your name implies pyrotechnics, if it's all right to ask."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Sat 15 Aug 2009.

Flare laughs and looks a bit sheepish. "Yeah, you could say pyrotechnics, anything with fire really.  There was this incident with my school and some blowing up, so here I am."  Her gaze wanders clearly caught in a memory that is likely unpleasant before she perks back up. "So what about you? I got from the stiffs at Utopia that everyone was bad ass, but that was about it."

Quentin happily let the others that wanted to take over the politicians and investors. For his part, he started moving about again, trying to avoid staying in one place for too long so that he didn't cause a scene, and so that no one would be able to easily pin him down for interrogation. It was best, for him, to be seen, and possibly not heard. Some might think he best that he not be seen, either. His appearance was a constant reminder to those around him that novas were distinctly other. No one would mistake the black orbs that his eyes had become for contact lenses, not with the way that they utterly devoured light.

He resisted the urge to join the others out on the balcony. Undoubtedly Pax would go supernova if too many of them abandoned ship before dinner was even out.

Comstock shook his head and grinned.  "You're a marvel, Imp," he said before making his retreat.  With any luck, Pax wouldn't notice thanks to Imp's media magic.  Especially if they weren't gone long.  On his way out, he grabbed a bottle of champagne.

"Hey, Quentin," Comstock said, finding his friend in the corner, "Come on, let's get some air.  They can't fault us for taking the time for a team toast."

Solitaire laughs, it had been so long since somebody didn't know who she was and what she did, even if she did keep a bit of a lower profile than some of the others. "Not one for the news either? That's refreshing, we've been plastered across it enough for the past year. I can't really do anything flashy, just throw a tank into orbit, fly faster than sound, and shrug off small arms fire." Solitaire left out the arm, it was still too finicky to rely on, but she figured she'd get the hang of it soon.

"Yeah, I suppose Bad Ass sums it up nicely. Would you like the sparknotes on the whole team?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Sat 15 Aug 2009.