Frank unholstered his weapon, touched the release catch and dropped the magazine into his left hand. He then dropped the partially spent magazine into his pocket and slid a fresh one home.

"Thank you Don," he said, nodding to him. "Let's end this."

He worked the action on his Five-SeveN and chambers a round. The movement was trained, automatic. His mind was focused on his daughter, on how the parents of the children Monday snatched must have suffered, on how those children must have suffered. He could feel the anger and indignation welling up inside him, like something alive, threatening to burst out. The pain in his shoulder was gone now.

"Toby, you ready?"

Toby was chambering rounds into his pistol, spinning it before snapping the chambers shut. He nodded. "Yup."

The man didn't have children, or even a girlfriend. Kids weren't on his horizon. Still, he knew what his partner was probably thinking. He shuddered in sympathy. "We'll get him," he said.

Tobias waves his hand to release the arcane hold on the door and it swings open to the distant sound of the insectile buzzing of a helicopter accompanied by the whistles, pops, and bangs of a raging battle. Suddenly there are two sharp bangs in quick succession and all of the sounds stop. Tobias, Frank, and the Dons head out and back around the corner, where they discover the source of the sound: the now-defunct helicopter they had left guarding the hallway, and the tank that took it down. As soon as they round the corner, the tank's main cannon wheels around and lowers, pointing directly at the group...

                               More Building                     |
             +------x----x-+----w---w---w---w---w---w---w---w----+          |
   Entrance  G             G         Black Brick Pathway         {          | Central
     <--     | E           G                                     {          | Building
             |DD+----------+  o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o  +-----{{{--+
             |DD|   ____   |  _________________________________  |          |
       --w-+-+TFx  /    \  x  |           Garden              |  |          |
           |    |  |    |  |  |                               |  |          |
           x    |  |    |  |  |    G = Glass Doors               |          +-
           |    |  |    |  w  |    x = Door
    -------+  |S|  |    |  |  |    o = Obsidian colonnade
              |S|  |    |  |       w = Window
    -------+  |S|  |    |  w       { = Wrought-iron fence
           |T1+-+  |    |  |       S = Stairs (down)
           |    |  \____/  |       s = Secret door
    -------+    x          w
                |          |
    -------+    +----xx----+
           |               |       F = Frank
           |    +----xx----|       T  = Tobias
           +-  -+         /        M  = Mr. Monday
          /      \___ss__+         H1 = Helicopter (M)
         x       /        \        T1 = Tank (M)
     ---/       x          \       A1 = Artillery (F/T)
               /            \
     ----------|            |
               |            |
               |            |
               \            /
                \          /
                 \________/

[Private to GM:
  Mr. Monday (24/37)
    Controls A1 (10/10)
    Controls A2 (10/10)
    Controls B1 (8/8)
    Controls B2 (8/8)
    Controls B3 (3/8)
    Controls B4 (3/8)
    Controls H1 (5/10) (lost control)
    Controls G1 (8/8)
    Controls T1 (9/10)
    Controls T2 (10/10)
  F+T
    Control A1 (10/10) (lost control)
    Control H1 (2/10) (destroyed)
    Control H2 (0/10) (destroyed)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:03, Tue 01 Nov 2011.

"I'm getting sick of these damned army-men..." Tobias scowled, thrusting out his arm, two bolts of white magic the size of his fist hurtling at the tank to obliterate it.

16:36, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 7 using 2d4+2. Damage of the MAgic MIssile.

The bolts hit the tank square on. It's badly damaged and spewing dark black smoke into the hallway, but still mobile.

"Tell me about it," growled Frank, snapping off a shot at the minature vehicle. "This should finish it."


OOC: Attack roll: 15, Damage: 7

00:31, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 5 using 2d6. Action Points to boost attack roll.
00:30, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 10,7 using d20+7,2d8. Attack Tank, Damage

Frank's shot misses — the tank is surprisingly mobile, given its injured state — but two of the Dons step out and fire quick, controlled bursts from their weapons. One of the shots connects, sending tank bits flying across the hallway.

We had better keep moving, one of them says. Mr. Monday* probably heard the shots and we've lost our element of surprise.

* The Don uses the same foreign word that the Little Green Army Commander used earlier

[Private to GM:
  Mr. Monday (24/37)
    Controls A1 (10/10)
    Controls A2 (10/10)
    Controls B1 (8/8)
    Controls B2 (8/8)
    Controls B3 (3/8)
    Controls B4 (3/8)
    Controls H1 (0/10) (lost control)
    Controls G1 (8/8)
    Controls T1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Controls T2 (10/10)
  F+T
    Control A1 (10/10) (lost control)
    Control H1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Control H2 (0/10) (destroyed)]

Toby nodded, cocking his head a little at the strange wording. "Yeah." He said, gesturing to the far door. "last we saw he was in there." He moved forward, crouching behind the railing, providing cover for the others to move up.

"There's two doors in," explained Frank, in a low voice. "If he's still in there, the smart call is to split and enter through both at once. Then we take him down quickly and cleanly."

Frank gestures to the door to his left, the one that leads into the 'war room'.

"I'll go this way, I need two men to come with me. Toby, you keep on straight, two more Dons plus our medic should go with you."

His tone is commanding, but there is an edge to it, like he's a little disturbed by how easily he slips into the role.

[Private to GM: I originally wrote this with Frank being perfectly comfortable in command, and then remembered what had happened to the last set of men under his authority... oh dear.]

Tobias and Frank synchronize watches, as usual, they were already synchronized to the second, then take their respective positions. At the agreed upon time, they kick in the doors. Mr. Monday has retired to his throne, and has spent his time recruiting more troops to his cause.

Gentlemen, he says serenely. I thought I'd be seeing you again. And I see you brought friends. Well I've made some more of my own. Soldiers! Fire!

Roll Initiative! If you beat a 12 you can also make a post. Check out the current combat map for positions.

[Private to GM:
  Mr. Monday (24/37)
    Controls A1 (10/10)
    Controls A2 (10/10)
    Controls B1 (8/8)
    Controls B2 (8/8)
    Controls B3 (3/8)
    Controls B4 (3/8)
    Controls H1 (0/10) (lost control)
    Controls G1 (8/8)
    Controls T1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Controls T2 (10/10)
  F+T
    Control A1 (10/10) (lost control)
    Control H1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Control H2 (0/10) (destroyed)
    D1 (40/40)
    D2 (40/40)
    D3 (40/40)
    D4 (40/40)
    E  (40/40)]

Frank has his weapon drawn, both hands wrapped around the grip, in classic Weaver stance.

"Drop this creep," he snarls.

OOC: Initiative 8
01:50, Yesterday: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Initiative Roll.
I can't remember, is Iniative something I can roll Action Dice to improve?

Tobias burst through the door, sized up the situation, and immediately went into action. Sidestepping to let others in, he points to the idling helicopter and a machine-gunner. "You two, ATTACK!"

17:37, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 27 using 1d20+9. initiative. rofl.

17:40, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Charisma Machine Gun.
17:40, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Charisma Helicopter.

H5 and M1, double move to control them both with a five-foot step to C2.

"The tide's turned Monday," growls Frank. "Choppers, drop that son of a bitch. You, tank, take out that artillery! You son, give that tank some support, take out the other piece!"


OOC: New Initiative: 18
18:46, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 10 using 2d6. Action Point to increase Initiative.

18:57, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 21 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs. Mr Monday to control G1. If successful, G1 should move to an appropriate range and attack A2.

18:57, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 23 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs. Mr Monday to control T2. If successful, T2 should attack A1.

18:56, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 17 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs. Mr Monday to control H4. If successful, H4 should fly and attack Mr Monday.

18:55, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 32 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs. Mr Monday to control H3. If successful, H3 should fly and attack Mr Monday

Hope that all makes sense.

There is a moment of silence as humans, plastic figures, and aluminum tanks size each other up. Suddenly the room explodes in gunfire, explosions, and shouts.

"You two, ATTACK!" shouts Tobias, sidestepping just in time to avoid an explosion in the place where his head just was. His intended targets stand where they were, unintimidated.

"The tide's turned Monday," growls Frank. "Choppers, drop that son of a bitch." Two helicopters spin up and lift off, moving like sluggish hornets. They pick up speed and fly towards Mr. Monday.

Meanwhile, one of the Dons steps from behind Frank and takes aim at the tank controlled by Mr. Monday. He lowers his weapon and lets off a clean, precise, 3-round burst; all three rounds hit the target, but bounce off harmlessly. Another Don peaks around from behind and says, Uh, he didn't mean it, honest! He was aiming for the guy right next to you! Want to join us? He cringes as he says it, but surprisingly it works! He then tells it to attack the tiny man holding the anti-tank missiles, and tells the grenadier to do the same. The tank's huge blast is easily dodged by the tiny man, and the grenadier ignores his orders to slay a comrade.

One of the Dons standing behind Tobias gets the idea: he coaxes the grenadier into attacking his former ally; there is a tiny pop and one of the bazooka-wielding men near Frank explodes from the waist. Only his feet and shins remain. The Don tries his luck with wrangling control of the artillery units, but he is unable to get them to switch sides.

The fourth Don yells, We need to get Mr. Monday! That's the only way to stop the army men! He takes aim and fires his own three round burst, but he gave Mr. Monday too much warning and he ducks behind the arm of his throne. You are going to have to try harder than that, boys, shouts Mr. Monday with glee. Unfortunately for him, the two helicopters commanded by Frank arrive and let off a barrage of rockets and missiles, many of which catch Mr. Monday. His clothes are smoldering and covered in blood, but he is still alive. And angry.

You don't think I've been around this long to be ended by the likes of YOU?! he bellows. I've been here since before you were a gleam in your pa's eye, and I'm certainly going to be here long after you are worm food for my rose garden! That you would have the gall to think you could take on a master of — amidst the din and chaos rings out a single shot. Mr. Monday is shocked, as a red dot appears in his forehead, not unlike a third eye, and a drop of blood wells up, then slowly drips down his forehead, in between his eyes, and beside his nose. No... he mutters, as he slumps down into his former throne.

The Dons' medic is left standing, gun drawn, with smoke coming from the barrel. I really don't like his speeches.

OOC: Congrats! And not a moment too soon! The threat is not over, however; the units formerly controlled my Mr. Monday are stunned for 1 round, but they still have their orders (kill you guys), and will follow them until killed or otherwise persuaded. Luckily the checks are easier, as they are no longer opposed by Mr. Monday (DC is the same as if they were neutral).

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: It's a move action to control a unit, and a free action (which requires a roll) to command one. So you had enough rolls, just too many actions. I took the rolls in the order you made them (32, 17, 23, 21) and applied them to the first 4 actions (control H3, command H3, control H4, command H4). Hopefully you are ok with that, but all of your rolls succeeded!]

[Private to GM: Init: Toby, Frank, Toby's Group, Frank's Group, Mr. Monday
  Mr. Monday (-8/37)
    Controls A1 (10/10)
    Controls A2 (10/10)
    Controls B1 (8/8)
    Controls B2 (8/8)
    Controls B3 (3/8)
    Controls B4 (0/8) (destroyed)
    Controls H1 (lost control)
    Controls H3 (lost control)
    Controls H4 (lost control)
    Controls G1 (lost control)
    Controls T1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Controls T2 (destroyed)
  F+T+Co.
    Control A1 (10/10) (lost control)
    Control H1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Control H2 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Control G1 (8/8)
    Control H3 (10/10)
    Control H4 (10/10)
    Control T2 (10/10)
    D1 (40/40)
    D2 (40/40)
    D3 (40/40)
    D4 (40/40)
    E  (40/40)]

Tobias grimaced at the failure of his words against the army men, and the lack of his ability to really DO anything in this combat thus far. Still, he could at least mop up the last of the army men.

He thrust out his hand, shooting two balls of force at some of the remaining troops. Overkill. Massive, massive overkill, but it was better than nothing.

My last Magic Missile, two bolts, one at A1 and one at A2.
09:56, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 5 using 1d4+1.
09:56, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 2 using 1d4+1.

Frank's expression is one of grim satisfaction as the Don's shot drops Monday. Now it's just a case of mopping up.

"Right, listen up!" he snarls at the bazoooka team who still seem determined to carry out Monday's orders. "Stand down or we put you down. You get one chance."

There isn't time to try and intimidate the last of the men armed with bazookas. He orders the Grenadier who finished off the last one to put an end to the one at his feet.

He commands the two helicopters to come about and attack the artillery pieces that Toby has targeted with magic missiles. He tells the tank to lay down fire on the second of the artillery pieces.

OOC: I didn't realise Toby was targeting the artillery until after I'd rolled the dice with those descriptors, so amending my intended target for intimidate to the Bazooka guys, if that's OK?

13:02, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 26 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs G1 (Command). If successful, attack B3.
13:01, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 21 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs H4 (Command). If successful, attack A1
13:01, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 32 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs H3 (Command). If successful, attack A2
12:58, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 24 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs T2 (Command). If successful, attack A2.
12:49, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 20 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs (amended) B2 (to Control).
12:48, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 7 using 2d6. Action Point to improve Intimidate roll - 21 total
12:45, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 14 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs (amended) B1 (to Control).

I got confused between 'command' and 'control', but think I've got it right this time. By my count that's two control actions (1 move, 1 move in place of an attack) and four command actions (Cha bonus of +4).

Toby sends two ICBMs sailing towards the mini cannons, but much to his surprise they are both still standing once the smoke clears. Frank's tank takes out one of the artillery in a single blast, but both of his helicopters fire everything they've got at the other one and it survives. Several of the Dons shoot controlled bursts at it, and one of them connects, sending the piece skittering across the floor. Meanwhile, Frank's grenadier places another well-aimed shot and blasts the remaining pieces of the bazooka man to smithereens. The remaining pieces, finally tired of this game, start running towards the door and back to their box.

OOC: Congrats! All enemies have been destroyed or turned.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Yes, you did it right. When I originally came up with these guys I didn't think I'd need to write a whole new rulebook for them! Also, your first shot against A2 destroyed it, so I redirected all other attacks for A1 towards A1 (the next target on the list).]

[Private to GM: Init: Toby, Frank, Toby's Group, Frank's Group, Mr. Monday
  Mr. Monday (-8/37)
    Controls A1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Controls A2 (10/10) (destroyed)
    Controls B1 (lost control)
    Controls B2 (lost control)
    Controls B3 (0/8) (destroyed)
    <s>Controls B4 (0/8) (destroyed)
    Controls H1 (lost control)
    Controls H3 (lost control)
    Controls H4 (lost control)
    Controls G1 (lost control)
    Controls T1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Controls T2 (destroyed)
  F+T+Co.
    Control A1 (10/10) (lost control)
    Controls B1 (8/8)
    Controls B2 (8/8)
    Control H1 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Control H2 (0/10) (destroyed)
    Control G1 (8/8)
    Control H3 (10/10)
    Control H4 (10/10)
    Control T2 (10/10)
    D1 (40/40)
    D2 (40/40)
    D3 (40/40)
    D4 (40/40)
    E  (40/40)]

As the soldiers retreated, Frank drew his sidearm and approached Mr Monday's throne, levelling his weapon at the still form of Mr Monday. He wanted to make absolutely certain that the man was dead before they left.

"Medic?" he asked, looking back for the Don's medic. "Check that this man is dead, please."

If Mr Monday made even the slightest movement, Frank was ready to double tap him and finish the job.

[Private to GM: OOC: Readied action to double tap attack Mr Monday if he does anything to suggest he is still a threat. Frank isn't looking to execute Monday, so if he's still alive, the aim will be to restrain him for transportation, not to kill him.]

The medic holsters his weapon, picks up his kit, and run towards the fallen foe. He dons latex gloves and puts two fingers to Mr. Monday's neck, feeling for a pulse. After a tense few seconds, he shakes his head.

It doesn't look like we'll be getting any more answers out of him. He's — shit! I think I felt something!

The medic furiously rummages through his kit to bring out a stethoscope. It's faint, but there's definitely a pulse! It doesn't seem to be getting weaker —or stronger, for that matter— I think he's stable for now, but he's not waking up any time soon. The bullet hit dead center; he's got to be the luckiest son of a bitch there is. If I get some fluids in him he'll probably make it back to headquarters, but he's going to need a lot of work and a whole lot more luck before he can talk again.

Toby came up beside Frank, looking at the prone form of Mr. Monday. "I'm not sure we'd want him inside headquarters..." He said softly. He let that decision to Frank as he knelt and examined one of the destroyed army men. What sort of magic had made these things do what they did?

10:21, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 35 using 1d20+16. Knowledge Arcan Lore; closest thing, I think.

"I agree it could be dangerous," replied Frank, still keeping his gun trained on Monday for the moment. "But I don't see an alternative. We're not executing him, and I don't see that we can just leave him here. We don't know who else is in this place - he may have allies who will fix him up."

He doesn't sound like he fully agrees with what he is saying. For a moment, he seems to be considering shooting Monday. Then he lowers his weapon, flicks on the safety and slips it back into the holster.

"If he recovers, he could start taking children again. This ain't my call though. We should contact John Burns for further instruction. We were asked to stop this, and we've done that - time to go home."

He turned to the Dons. "Can you restrain this piece of shit?" he asked. "We're taking him back through the portal. What happens then is up to the boss."

Despite the medic's protesting, one of the Dons ratchets handcuffs tightly onto Mr. Monday, just in case he wakes up. Two of them run back down the hall and return several minutes later with a long stretcher, and help the medic transfer Mr. Monday onto it, all the while the other Dons keep watch; they all appear to have an unscratchable itch on their right index fingers....

Meanwhile, Tobias observes the Army Men as they file back towards the Cabinet Room and back into their somewhat melted bucket.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: You can't quite figure out how they work. They are definitely non-magical, and they aren't mechanical, but they aren't exactly living either, at least not in the breathing, eating, mating sort of way.]

Tobias keeps one eye on the Dons, but can't help but follow the army men into their war-room.

"Say, Gentlemen," he opens, wondering if they'll even listen. "Monday is gone. Done for. We've... killed your commander, sorry about that, and there are a lot of you injured or out of action." He wasn't entirely certain whether they could even BE permanently killed. "What would you say to coming back with us, working under the Company? They're a cushy gig, very open to unusual members, and I'm sure there would be compensation of... some sort." He wasn't sure what they would do with money; buy barbie dolls?

"And we could get you a new bucket, I'm sure."

20:34, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 2 using 1d6. Action Die.
20:34, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Diplomacy.
Total of 21. Worth a shot.

One of the machine gun-wielding men pauses at the edge of the overturned bucket. Work for your group, you say? I have to admit, a steady gig would be nice... and a new bucket? I think we could be persuaded if the terms are right. Could you do us a favor and maybe give us a lift? It might take us a while to get there on our own...

Tobias nodded. "Not at all, gentlemen..."

Thus, he was plus a slightly melted toy bucket when they returned to the Company...